บทที่ บทที่ 319 · How Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector reported to Queen

. How Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector reported to Queen

Guenever of the beauty of La Beale Isoud.

So at the seven nights’ end Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector departed from

Sir Tristram and from the queen; and these two good knights had great

gifts; and Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan abode with Sir Tristram. And when

Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector were come there as the Queen Guenever was

lodged, in a castle by the seaside, and through the grace of God the

queen was recovered of her malady, then she asked the two knights from

whence they came. They said that they came from Sir Tristram and from

La Beale Isoud. How doth Sir Tristram, said the queen, and La Beale

Isoud? Truly, said those two knights, he doth as a noble knight should

do; and as for the Queen Isoud, she is peerless of all ladies; for to

speak of her beauty, bounté, and mirth, and of her goodness, we saw

never her match as far as we have ridden and gone. O mercy Jesu, said

Queen Guenever, so saith all the people that have seen her and spoken

with her. God would that I had part of her conditions; and it is

misfortuned me of my sickness while that tournament endured. And as I

suppose I shall never see in all my life such an assembly of knights

and ladies as ye have done.

Then the knights told her how Palomides won the degree at the first day

with great noblesse; and the second day Sir Tristram won the degree;

and the third day Sir Launcelot won the degree. Well, said Queen

Guenever, who did best all these three days? So God me help, said these

knights, Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram had least dishonour. And wit ye

well Sir Palomides did passing well and mightily; but he turned against

the party that he came in withal, and that caused him to lose a great

part of his worship, for it seemed that Sir Palomides is passing

envious. Then shall he never win worship, said Queen Guenever, for an

it happeth an envious man once to win worship he shall be dishonoured

twice therefore; and for this cause all men of worship hate an envious

man, and will shew him no favour, and he that is courteous, and kind,

and gentle, hath favour in every place.