Chương Chương 217 · How a damosel sought help to help Sir Launcelot against

. How a damosel sought help to help Sir Launcelot against

thirty knights, and how Sir Tristram fought with them.

And at the next landing, fast by the sea, there met with Sir Tristram

and with Sir Dinadan, Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Bors de Ganis; and

there Sir Ector jousted with Sir Dinadan, and he smote him and his

horse down. And then Sir Tristram would have jousted with Sir Bors, and

Sir Bors said that he would not joust with no Cornish knights, for they

are not called men of worship; and all this was done upon a bridge. And

with this came Sir Bleoberis and Sir Driant, and Sir Bleoberis

proffered to joust with Sir Tristram, and there Sir Tristram smote down

Sir Bleoberis. Then said Sir Bors de Ganis: I wist never Cornish knight

of so great valour nor so valiant as that knight that beareth the

trappings embroidered with crowns. And then Sir Tristram and Sir

Dinadan departed from them into a forest, and there met them a damosel

that came for the love of Sir Launcelot to seek after some noble

knights of King Arthur’s court for to rescue Sir Launcelot. And so Sir

Launcelot was ordained, for-by the treason of Queen Morgan le Fay to

have slain Sir Launcelot, and for that cause she ordained thirty

knights to lie in await for Sir Launcelot, and this damosel knew this

treason. And for this cause the damosel came for to seek noble knights

to help Sir Launcelot. For that night, or the day after, Sir Launcelot

should come where these thirty knights were. And so this damosel met

with Sir Bors and Sir Ector and with Sir Driant, and there she told

them all four of the treason of Morgan le Fay; and then they promised

her that they would be nigh where Sir Launcelot should meet with the

thirty knights. And if so be they set upon him we will do rescues as we

can.

So the damosel departed, and by adventure the damosel met with Sir

Tristram and with Sir Dinadan, and there the damosel told them all the

treason that was ordained for Sir Launcelot. Fair damosel, said Sir

Tristram, bring me to that same place where they should meet with Sir

Launcelot. Then said Sir Dinadan: What will ye do? it is not for us to

fight with thirty knights, and wit you well I will not thereof; as to

match one knight two or three is enough an they be men, but for to

match fifteen knights that will I never undertake. Fie for shame, said

Sir Tristram, do but your part. Nay, said Sir Dinadan, I will not

thereof but if ye will lend me your shield, for ye bear a shield of

Cornwall; and for the cowardice that is named to the knights of

Cornwall, by your shields ye be ever forborne. Nay, said Sir Tristram,

I will not depart from my shield for her sake that gave it me. But one

thing, said Sir Tristram, I promise thee, Sir Dinadan, but if thou wilt

promise me to abide with me, here I shall slay thee, for I desire no

more of thee but answer one knight. And if thy heart will not serve

thee, stand by and look upon me and them. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, I

promise you to look upon and to do what I may to save myself, but I

would I had not met with you.

So then anon these thirty knights came fast by these four knights, and

they were ware of them, and either of other. And so these thirty

knights let them pass, for this cause, that they would not wrath them,

if case be that they had ado with Sir Launcelot; and the four knights

let them pass to this intent, that they would see and behold what they

would do with Sir Launcelot. And so the thirty knights passed on and

came by Sir Tristram and by Sir Dinadan, and then Sir Tristram cried on

high: Lo, here is a knight against you for the love of Sir Launcelot.

And there he slew two with one spear and ten with his sword. And then

came in Sir Dinadan and he did passing well, and so of the thirty

knights there went but ten away, and they fled. All this battle saw Sir

Bors de Ganis and his three fellows, and then they saw well it was the

same knight that jousted with them at the bridge; then they took their

horses and rode unto Sir Tristram, and praised him and thanked him of

his good deeds, and they all desired Sir Tristram to go with them to

their lodging; and he said: Nay, he would not go to no lodging. Then

they all four knights prayed him to tell them his name. Fair lords,

said Sir Tristram, as at this time I will not tell you my name.