Chương Chương 237 · How Morgan le Fay buried her paramour, and how Sir

. How Morgan le Fay buried her paramour, and how Sir

Tristram praised Sir Launcelot and his kin.

Now leave to speak of Sir Tristram, and speak we of the knight that was

wounded to the death. Then his varlet alighted, and took off his helm,

and then he asked his lord whether there were any life in him. There is

in me life, said the knight, but it is but little; and therefore leap

thou up behind me when thou hast holpen me up, and hold me fast that I

fall not, and bring me to Queen Morgan le Fay; for deep draughts of

death draw to my heart that I may not live, for I would fain speak with

her or I died: for else my soul will be in great peril an I die.

For[thwith] with great pain his varlet brought him to the castle, and

there Sir Hemison fell down dead. When Morgan le Fay saw him dead she

made great sorrow out of reason; and then she let despoil him unto his

shirt, and so she let him put into a tomb. And about the tomb she let

write: Here lieth Sir Hemison, slain by the hands of Sir Tristram de

Liones.

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that asked the knight his host if he saw

late any knights adventurous. Sir, he said, the last night here lodged

with me Ector de Maris and a damosel with him, and that damosel told me

that he was one of the best knights of the world. That is not so, said

Sir Tristram, for I know four better knights of his own blood, and the

first is Sir Launcelot du Lake, call him the best knight, and Sir Bors

de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Blamore de Ganis, and Sir Gaheris. Nay,

said his host, Sir Gawaine is a better knight than he. That is not so,

said Sir Tristram, for I have met with them both, and I felt Sir

Gaheris for the better knight, and Sir Lamorak I call him as good as

any of them except Sir Launcelot. Why name ye not Sir Tristram? said

his host, for I account him as good as any of them. I know not Sir

Tristram, said Tristram. Thus they talked and bourded as long as them

list, and then went to rest. And on the morn Sir Tristram departed, and

took his leave of his host, and rode toward the Roche Dure, and none

adventure had Sir Tristram but that; and so he rested not till he came

to the castle, where he saw five hundred tents.