Chương Chương 239 · How Sir Tristram jousted, and smote down King Arthur,

. How Sir Tristram jousted, and smote down King Arthur,

because he told him not the cause why he bare that shield.

And if so be ye can descrive what ye bear, ye are worthy to bear the

arms. As for that, said Sir Tristram, I will answer you; this shield

was given me, not desired, of Queen Morgan le Fay; and as for me, I can

not descrive these arms, for it is no point of my charge, and yet I

trust to God to bear them with worship. Truly, said King Arthur, ye

ought not to bear none arms but if ye wist what ye bear: but I pray you

tell me your name. To what intent? said Sir Tristram. For I would wit,

said Arthur. Sir, ye shall not wit as at this time. Then shall ye and I

do battle together, said King Arthur. Why, said Sir Tristram, will ye

do battle with me but if I tell you my name? and that little needeth

you an ye were a man of worship, for ye have seen me this day have had

great travail, and therefore ye are a villainous knight to ask battle

of me, considering my great travail; howbeit I will not fail you, and

have ye no doubt that I fear not you; though you think you have me at a

great advantage yet shall I right well endure you. And there withal

King Arthur dressed his shield and his spear, and Sir Tristram against

him, and they came so eagerly together. And there King Arthur brake his

spear all to pieces upon Sir Tristram’s shield. But Sir Tristram hit

Arthur again, that horse and man fell to the earth. And there was King

Arthur wounded on the left side, a great wound and a perilous.

Then when Sir Uwaine saw his lord Arthur lie on the ground sore

wounded, he was passing heavy. And then he dressed his shield and his

spear, and cried aloud unto Sir Tristram and said: Knight, defend thee.

So they came together as thunder, and Sir Uwaine brised his spear all

to pieces upon Sir Tristram’s shield, and Sir Tristram smote him harder

and sorer, with such a might that he bare him clean out of his saddle

to the earth. With that Sir Tristram turned about and said: Fair

knights, I had no need to joust with you, for I have had enough to do

this day. Then arose Arthur and went to Sir Uwaine, and said to Sir

Tristram: We have as we have deserved, for through our orgulyté we

demanded battle of you, and yet we knew not your name. Nevertheless, by

Saint Cross, said Sir Uwaine, he is a strong knight at mine advice as

any is now living.

Then Sir Tristram departed, and in every place he asked and demanded

after Sir Launcelot, but in no place he could not hear of him whether

he were dead or alive; wherefore Sir Tristram made great dole and

sorrow. So Sir Tristram rode by a forest, and then was he ware of a

fair tower by a marsh on that one side, and on that other side a fair

meadow. And there he saw ten knights fighting together. And ever the

nearer he came he saw how there was but one knight did battle against

nine knights, and that one did so marvellously that Sir Tristram had

great wonder that ever one knight might do so great deeds of arms. And

then within a little while he had slain half their horses and unhorsed

them, and their horses ran in the fields and forest. Then Sir Tristram

had so great pity of that one knight that endured so great pain, and

ever he thought it should be Sir Palomides, by his shield. And so he

rode unto the knights and cried unto them, and bade them cease of their

battle, for they did themselves great shame so many knights to fight

with one. Then answered the master of those knights, his name was

called Breuse Saunce Pité, that was at that time the most mischievoust

knight living, and said thus: Sir knight, what have ye ado with us to

meddle? and therefore, an ye be wise, depart on your way as ye came,

for this knight shall not escape us. That were pity, said Sir Tristram,

that so good a knight as he is should be slain so cowardly; and

therefore I warn you I will succour him with all my puissance.