第 二百九十四 章 · How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris,

. How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Agravaine and Sir Gaheris,

and how Sir Dinadan was sent for by La Beale Isoud.

So when they had overtaken Sir Tristram, Sir Agravaine bade him: Turn,

traitor knight. That is evil said, said Sir Tristram; and therewith he

pulled out his sword, and smote Sir Agravaine such a buffet upon the

helm that he tumbled down off his horse in a swoon, and he had a

grievous wound. And then he turned to Gaheris, and Sir Tristram smote

his sword and his helm together with such a might that Gaheris fell out

of his saddle: and so Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there he

alighted and unarmed him. So Sir Tristram told La Beale Isoud of all

his adventure, as ye have heard to-fore. And when she heard him tell of

Sir Dinadan: Sir, said she, is not that he that made the song by King

Mark? That same is he, said Sir Tristram, for he is the best bourder

and japer, and a noble knight of his hands, and the best fellow that I

know, and all good knights love his fellowship. Alas, sir, said she,

why brought ye not him with you? Have ye no care, said Sir Tristram,

for he rideth to seek me in this country; and therefore he will not

away till he have met with me. And there Sir Tristram told La Beale

Isoud how Sir Dinadan held against all lovers. Right so there came in a

varlet and told Sir Tristram how there was come an errant knight into

the town, with such colours upon his shield. That is Sir Dinadan, said

Sir Tristram; wit ye what ye shall do, said Sir Tristram: send ye for

him, my Lady Isoud, and I will not be seen, and ye shall hear the

merriest knight that ever ye spake withal, and the maddest talker; and

I pray you heartily that ye make him good cheer.

Then anon La Beale Isoud sent into the town, and prayed Sir Dinadan

that he would come into the castle and repose him there with a lady.

With a good will, said Sir Dinadan; and so he mounted upon his horse

and rode into the castle; and there he alighted, and was unarmed, and

brought into the castle. Anon La Beale Isoud came unto him, and either

saluted other; then she asked him of whence that he was. Madam, said

Dinadan, I am of the court of King Arthur, and knight of the Table

Round, and my name is Sir Dinadan. What do ye in this country? said La

Beale Isoud. Madam, said he, I seek Sir Tristram the good knight, for

it was told me that he was in this country. It may well be, said La

Beale Isoud, but I am not ware of him. Madam, said Dinadan, I marvel of

Sir Tristram and mo other lovers, what aileth them to be so mad and so

sotted upon women. Why, said La Beale Isoud, are ye a knight and be no

lover? it is shame to you: wherefore ye may not be called a good knight

[but] if ye make a quarrel for a lady. God defend me, said Dinadan, for

the joy of love is too short, and the sorrow thereof, and what cometh

thereof, dureth over long. Ah, said La Beale Isoud, say ye not so, for

here fast by was the good knight Sir Bleoberis, that fought with three

knights at once for a damosel’s sake, and he won her afore the King of

Northumberland. It was so, said Sir Dinadan, for I know him well for a

good knight and a noble, and come of noble blood; for all be noble

knights of whom he is come of, that is Sir Launcelot du Lake.

Now I pray you, said La Beale Isoud, tell me will you fight for my love

with three knights that do me great wrong? and insomuch as ye be a

knight of King Arthur’s I require you to do battle for me. Then Sir

Dinadan said: I shall say you ye be as fair a lady as ever I saw any,

and much fairer than is my lady Queen Guenever, but wit ye well at one

word, I will not fight for you with three knights, Jesu defend me. Then

Isoud laughed, and had good game at him. So he had all the cheer that

she might make him, and there he lay all that night. And on the morn

early Sir Tristram armed him, and La Beale Isoud gave him a good helm;

and then he promised her that he would meet with Sir Dinadan, and they

two would ride together into Lonazep, where the tournament should be:

And there shall I make ready for you where ye shall see the tournament.

Then departed Sir Tristram with two squires that bare his shield and

his spears that were great and long.