Chương Chương 296 · How they approached the Castle Lonazep, and of other

. How they approached the Castle Lonazep, and of other

devices of the death of Sir Lamorak.

Thus they rode until they were ware of the Castle Lonazep. And then

were they ware of four hundred tents and pavilions, and marvellous

great ordinance. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, yonder I see the

greatest ordinance that ever I saw. Sir, said Palomides, meseemeth that

there was as great an ordinance at the Castle of Maidens upon the rock,

where ye won the prize, for I saw myself where ye forjousted thirty

knights. Sir, said Dinadan, and in Surluse, at that tournament that

Galahalt of the Long Isles made, the which there dured seven days, was

as great a gathering as is here, for there were many nations. Who was

the best? said Sir Tristram. Sir, it was Sir Launcelot du Lake and the

noble knight, Sir Lamorak de Galis, and Sir Launcelot won the degree. I

doubt not, said Sir Tristram, but he won the degree, so he had not been

overmatched with many knights; and of the death of Sir Lamorak, said

Sir Tristram, it was over great pity, for I dare say he was the

cleanest mighted man and the best winded of his age that was alive; for

I knew him that he was the biggest knight that ever I met withal, but

if it were Sir Launcelot. Alas, said Sir Tristram, full woe is me for

his death. And if they were not the cousins of my lord Arthur that slew

him, they should die for it, and all those that were consenting to his

death. And for such things, said Sir Tristram, I fear to draw unto the

court of my lord Arthur; I will that ye wit it, said Sir Tristram unto

Gareth.

Sir, I blame you not, said Gareth, for well I understand the vengeance

of my brethren Sir Gawaine, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Mordred. But as for

me, said Sir Gareth, I meddle not of their matters, therefore there is

none of them that loveth me. And for I understand they be murderers of

good knights I left their company; and God would I had been by, said

Gareth, when the noble knight, Sir Lamorak, was slain.

Now as Jesu be my help, said Sir Tristram, it is well said of you, for

I had liefer than all the gold betwixt this and Rome I had been there.

Iwis, said Palomides, and so would I had been there, and yet had I

never the degree at no jousts nor tournament thereas he was, but he put

me to the worse, or on foot or on horseback; and that day that he was

slain he did the most deeds of arms that ever I saw knight do in all my

life days. And when him was given the degree by my lord Arthur, Sir

Gawaine and his three brethren, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Sir Mordred,

set upon Sir Lamorak in a privy place, and there they slew his horse.

And so they fought with him on foot more than three hours, both before

him and behind him; and Sir Mordred gave him his death wound behind him

at his back, and all to-hew him: for one of his squires told me that

saw it. Fie upon treason, said Sir Tristram, for it killeth my heart to

hear this tale. So it doth mine, said Gareth; brethren as they be mine

I shall never love them, nor draw in their fellowship for that deed.

Now speak we of other deeds, said Palomides, and let him be, for his

life ye may not get again. That is the more pity, said Dinadan, for Sir

Gawaine and his brethren, except you Sir Gareth, hate all the good

knights of the Round Table for the most part; for well I wot an they

might privily, they hate my lord Sir Launcelot and all his kin, and

great privy despite they have at him; and that is my lord Sir Launcelot

well ware of, and that causeth him to have the good knights of his kin

about him.