Chương Chương 219 · How Sir Tristram jousted with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore

. How Sir Tristram jousted with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore

le Desirous, and how Sir Gawaine turned Sir Tristram from Morgan le

Fay.

But anon as the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, heard of the shield of

Cornwall, then wist he well that it was Sir Tristram that fought with

his enemies. And then Sir Launcelot praised Sir Tristram, and called

him the man of most worship in the world. So there was a knight in that

priory that hight Pellinore, and he desired to wit the name of Sir

Tristram, but in no wise he could not; and so Sir Tristram departed and

left Sir Dinadan in the priory, for he was so weary and so sore bruised

that he might not ride. Then this knight, Sir Pellinore, said to Sir

Dinadan: Sithen that ye will not tell me that knight’s name I will ride

after him and make him to tell me his name, or he shall die therefore.

Beware, sir knight, said Sir Dinadan, for an ye follow him ye shall

repent it. So that knight, Sir Pellinore, rode after Sir Tristram and

required him of jousts. Then Sir Tristram smote him down and wounded

him through the shoulder, and so he passed on his way. And on the next

day following Sir Tristram met with pursuivants, and they told him that

there was made a great cry of tournament between King Carados of

Scotland and the King of North Wales, and either should joust against

other at the Castle of Maidens; and these pursuivants sought all the

country after the good knights, and in especial King Carados let make

seeking for Sir Launcelot du Lake, and the King of Northgalis let seek

after Sir Tristram de Liones. And at that time Sir Tristram thought to

be at that jousts; and so by adventure they met with Sir Kay, the

Seneschal, and Sir Sagramore le Desirous; and Sir Kay required Sir

Tristram to joust, and Sir Tristram in a manner refused him, because he

would not be hurt nor bruised against the great jousts that should be

before the Castle of Maidens, and therefore thought to repose him and

to rest him. And alway Sir Kay cried: Sir knight of Cornwall, joust

with me, or else yield thee to me as recreant. When Sir Tristram heard

him say so he turned to him, and then Sir Kay refused him and turned

his back. Then Sir Tristram said: As I find thee I shall take thee.

Then Sir Kay turned with evil will, and Sir Tristram smote Sir Kay

down, and so he rode forth.

Then Sir Sagramore le Desirous rode after Sir Tristram, and made him to

joust with him, and there Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sagramore le

Desirous from his horse, and rode his way; and the same day he met with

a damosel that told him that he should win great worship of a knight

adventurous that did much harm in all that country. When Sir Tristram

heard her say so, he was glad to go with her to win worship. So Sir

Tristram rode with that damosel a six mile, and then met him Sir

Gawaine, and therewithal Sir Gawaine knew the damosel, that she was a

damosel of Queen Morgan le Fay. Then Sir Gawaine understood that she

led that knight to some mischief. Fair knight, said Sir Gawaine,

whither ride you now with that damosel? Sir, said Sir Tristram, I wot

not whither I shall ride but as the damosel will lead me. Sir, said Sir

Gawaine, ye shall not ride with her, for she and her lady did never

good, but ill. And then Sir Gawaine pulled out his sword and said:

Damosel, but if thou tell me anon for what cause thou leadest this

knight with thee thou shalt die for it right anon: I know all your

lady’s treason, and yours. Mercy, Sir Gawaine, she said, and if ye will

save my life I will tell you. Say on, said Sir Gawaine, and thou shalt

have thy life. Sir, she said, Queen Morgan le Fay, my lady, hath

ordained a thirty ladies to seek and espy after Sir Launcelot or Sir

Tristram, and by the trains of these ladies, who that may first meet

any of these two knights they should turn them unto Morgan le Fay’s

castle, saying that they should do deeds of worship; and if any of the

two knights came there, there be thirty knights lying and watching in a

tower to wait upon Sir Launcelot or upon Sir Tristram. Fie for shame,

said Sir Gawaine, that ever such false treason should be wrought or

used in a queen, and a king’s sister, and a king and queen’s daughter.