第 二百九十七 章 · How they came to Humber bank, and how they found a ship

. How they came to Humber bank, and how they found a ship

there, wherein lay the body of King Hermance.

Sir, said Palomides, let us leave of this matter, and let us see how we

shall do at this tournament. By mine advice, said Palomides, let us

four hold together against all that will come. Not by my counsel, said

Sir Tristram, for I see by their pavilions there will be four hundred

knights, and doubt ye not, said Sir Tristram, but there will be many

good knights; and be a man never so valiant nor so big, yet he may be

overmatched. And so have I seen knights done many times; and when they

weened best to have won worship they lost it, for manhood is not worth

but if it be medled with wisdom. And as for me, said Sir Tristram, it

may happen I shall keep mine own head as well as another.

So thus they rode until that they came to Humber bank, where they heard

a cry and a doleful noise. Then were they ware in the wind where came a

rich vessel hilled over with red silk, and the vessel landed fast by

them. Therewith Sir Tristram alighted and his knights. And so Sir

Tristram went afore and entered into that vessel. And when he came

within he saw a fair bed richly covered, and thereupon lay a dead

seemly knight, all armed save the head, was all be-bled with deadly

wounds upon him, the which seemed to be a passing good knight. How may

this be, said Sir Tristram, that this knight is thus slain? Then Sir

Tristram was ware of a letter in the dead knight’s hand. Master

mariners, said Sir Tristram, what meaneth that letter? Sir, said they,

in that letter ye shall hear and know how he was slain, and for what

cause, and what was his name. But sir, said the mariners, wit ye well

that no man shall take that letter and read it but if he be a good

knight, and that he will faithfully promise to revenge his death, else

shall there be no knight see that letter open. Wit ye well, said Sir

Tristram, that some of us may revenge his death as well as other, and

if it be so as ye mariners say his death shall be revenged. And

therewith Sir Tristram took the letter out of the knight’s hand, and it

said thus: Hermance, king and lord of the Red City, I send unto all

knights errant, recommending unto you noble knights of Arthur’s court.

I beseech them all among them to find one knight that will fight for my

sake with two brethren that I brought up of nought, and feloniously and

traitorly they have slain me; wherefore I beseech one good knight to

revenge my death. And he that revengeth my death I will that he have my

Red City and all my castles.

Sir, said the mariners, wit ye well this king and knight that here

lieth was a full worshipful man and of full great prowess, and full

well he loved all manner knights errants. So God me help, said Sir

Tristram, here is a piteous case, and full fain would I take this

enterprise upon me; but I have made such a promise that needs I must be

at this great tournament, or else I am shamed. For well I wot for my

sake in especial my lord Arthur let make this jousts and tournament in

this country; and well I wot that many worshipful people will be there

at that tournament for to see me; therefore I fear me to take this

enterprise upon me that I shall not come again by time to this jousts.

Sir, said Palomides, I pray you give me this enterprise, and ye shall

see me achieve it worshipfully, other else I shall die in this quarrel.

Well, said Sir Tristram, and this enterprise I give you, with this,

that ye be with me at this tournament that shall be as this day seven

night. Sir, said Palomides, I promise you that I shall be with you by

that day if I be unslain or unmaimed.