Le Morte Darthur: The Winchester Manuscript (Oxford World's Classics)

by Malory, Thomas

  ‘So God me help,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘yonder I see the greatest ordinance that ever I saw.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Palomides, ‘me seemeth that there was as great ordinance at the Castle of Maidens upon the rock, where ye won the prize, for I saw myself where ye for-jousted thirty knights.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘and in Surluse, at the tournament that Sir Galahalt of the Long Isles made, which there dured seven days; for there was as great a gathering as is here, for there were many nations.’

  ‘Sir, who was the best there?’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘Sir, it was Sir Lancelot du Lake and the noble knight, Sir Lamorak de Gales.’

  ‘By my faith,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and Sir Lancelot were there, I doubt not’, said Sir Tristram, ‘but he won the worship, 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 one of the best knights that ever I met withal, but if it were Sir Lancelot.’

  ‘Alas,’ said Sir Dinadan and Sir Tristram, ‘that full woe is us for his death! And if they were not the cousins of my lord King Arthur that slew him, they should die for it, all that were consenting to his death.’

  ‘And for such things,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I fear to draw unto the court of King Arthur; sir, I will that ye wit it,’ said Sir Tristram unto Sir Gareth.

  ‘As for that, I blame you not,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘for well I understand the vengeance of my brethren, Sir Gawain, Sir Agravain, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred. But as for me,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘I meddle not of their matters, and therefore there is none of them that loveth me. And for cause that I understand they be murderers of good knights, I left their company; and would God would I had been beside Sir Gawain when that most noble knight Sir Lamorak was slain.’

  ‘Now as Jesu be my help,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘it is passingly well said of you, for I had liever’, said Sir Tristram, ‘than all the gold betwixt this and Rome I had been there.’

  ‘Iwis,’* said Sir Palomides, ‘so would I, and yet had I never the degree at no jousts nor tournament and that noble knight Sir Lamorak had been there, but either on horseback or else on foot he put me ever to the worse. And that day that Sir Lamorak was slain he did the most deeds of arms that ever I saw knight do in my life. And when he was given the degree by my lord King Arthur, Sir Gawain and his three brethren, Sir Agravain, Sir 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 so Sir Mordred gave him his death’s wound behind him at his back, and all to-hewed him; for one of his squires told me that saw it.’

  ‘Now fie upon treason,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for it slayeth my heart to hear this tale.’

  ‘And so it doth mine,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘brethren as they be mine.’

  ‘Now speak we of other deeds,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘and let him be, for his life ye may not get again.’

  ‘That is the more pity,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘for Sir Gawain and his brethren, except you, Sir Gareth, hateth all good knights of the Round Table for the most part; for well I wot, privily they hate my lord Sir Lancelot and all his kin, and great privy despite they have at him; and that is my lord Sir Lancelot well ware of, and that causeth him the more to have the good knights of his kin about him.’*

  [65]

  ‘Well,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘we must forward as tomorrow.’ And then he devised how it should be; and there Sir Tristram devised to send his two pavilions to set them fast by the well of Lonazep, ‘and therein shall be the queen, La Belle Isode.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Dinadan.

  But when Sir Palomides heard of that, his heart was ravished out of measure; notwithstanding, he said but little. So when they came to Joyous Gard, Sir Palomides would not have gone into the castle, but as Sir Tristram led him by the hand into Joyous Gard. And when Sir Palomides saw La Belle Isode, he was so ravished that he might uneath speak. So they went unto meat; but Sir Palomides might not eat. And there was all the cheer that might be had.

  And so on the morn they were apparelled for to ride toward Lonazep.*

  [68]

  ‘Now, sirs, upon what party is it best,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘to be with tomorrow?’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘ye shall have my advice to be against King Arthur as tomorrow, for on his party will be Sir Lancelot and many good knights of his blood with him; and the more men of worship that they be, the more worship shall we win.’

  ‘That is full knightly spoken,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and so shall it be, right as ye counsel me.’

  ‘In the name of God,’ said they all.

  So that night they were reposed with the best. And in the morn when it was day, they were arrayed all in green trappings, both shields and spears, and La Belle Isode in the same colour, and her three damsels. And right so these four knights came into the field, endlong and thorough,* and so they led La Belle Isode thither as she should stand and behold all the jousts in a bay window; but always she was wimpled, that.no man might see her visage. And then these four knights rode straight unto the party of the King of Scots.

  When King Arthur had seen them do all this, he asked Sir Lancelot what were these knights and this queen.

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I cannot tell you for no certain; but if Sir Tristram be in this country, or Sir Palomides, sir, wit you well it be they, and there is Queen La Belle Isode.’

  [The tournament gets under way*]

  [69]

  And this meanwhile Sir Tristram rode through the thickest press, and smote down knights on the right hand and on the left hand, and rased off helms, and so passed forth unto his pavilions, and left Sir Palomides on foot. And then Sir Tristram changed his horse and disguised himself all in red, horse and harness.

  [70]

  And when Queen Isode saw Sir Tristram unhorsed and she wist not [where he was become, then she wept heartily. But Sir Tristram when he was ready came dashing lightly into the field, and then La Belle Isode espied him. And so he did great deeds of arms with one spear that was great, for Sir Tristram smote down five knights or ever he stinted.

  So when La Belle Isode espied Sir Tristram again upon his horse’s back she was passing glad, and then she laughed and made good cheer. And as it happened, Sir Palomides looked up toward her; she was in the window, and Sir Palomides espied how she laughed. And there-with he took such a rejoicing that he smote down, what with his spear and with his sword, all that ever he met; for through the sight of her he was so enamoured in her love that he seemed at that time, that and both Sir Tristram and Sir Lancelot had been both against him they should have won no worship of him. And in his heart, as the book saith, Sir Palomides wished that with his worship he might have ado with Sir Tristram before all men, because of La Belle Isode.

  Then Sir Palomides began to double his strength, and he did so marvellously that all men had wonder; and ever he cast his eye unto La Belle Isode. And when he saw her make such cheer he fared like a lion, that there might no man withstand him. And then Sir Tristram beheld him how he stirred about, and said unto Sir Dinadan, ‘So God me help, Sir Palomides is passing well enduring! But such deeds saw I him never do, nor never erst heard I tell that ever he did so much in one day.’

  ‘Sir, it is his day,’ said Sir Dinadan, and he would say no more unto Sir Tristram; but to himself he said thus, ‘And Sir Tristram knew for whose love he doth all these deeds of arms, soon would he abate his courage.’

  ‘Alas,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘that Sir Palomides is not christened.’ So said King Arthur, and so said all those that beheld them. Then all people gave him the prize as for the best knight that day, and he passed Sir Lancelot or else Sir Tristram.

  ‘Well,’ said Sir Dinadan to himself, ‘all this worship that Sir Palomides hath here this
day, he may thank the Queen Isode; for had she been away this day, had not Sir Palomides gotten the prize.’

  [71]

  And then the King let blow to lodging; and because Sir Palomides began first, and never he went nor rode out of the field to repose him, but ever he was doing on horseback or on foot, and longest enduring, King Arthur and all the kings gave Sir Palomides the honour and the degree as for that day.

  Then Sir Tristram commanded Sir Dinadan to fetch the queen, La Belle Isode, and bring her to his two pavilions by the well; and so Sir Dinadan did as he was commanded. But when Sir Palomides understood and wist that Sir Tristram was he that was in the red armour and on the red horse, wit you well that he was glad, and so was Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan, for all they weened that Sir Tristram had been taken prisoner.

  And then every knight drew to his inn. And then King Arthur and every king spoke of those knights; but of all men they gave Sir Palomides the prize, and all knights that knew Sir Palomides had wonder of his deeds.

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Lancelot unto King Arthur, ‘as for Sir Palomides, and he be the green knight, I dare say as for this day he is best worthy to have the degree, for he reposed him never, nor never changed his weeds,* and he began first and longest held on. And yet well I wot,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that there was a better knight than he, and that ye shall prove or we depart from them, on my life.’

  [72]

  Thus they talked on either party; and so Sir Dinadan railed with Sir Tristram and said, ‘What the devil is upon thee this day? For Sir Palomides’ strength feebled never this day, but ever he doubled. And Sir Tristram fared all this day as he had been asleep, and therefore I call him a coward.’

  And so Sir Tristram was in manner wroth with Sir Dinadan. But all this language Sir Dinadan said because he would anger Sir Tristram, for to cause him to wake his spirits; for well knew Sir Dinadan that, and Sir Tristram were thoroughly wroth, Sir Palomides should win no worship upon the morrow. And for this intent Sir Dinadan said all this railing and language against Sir Tristram.

  [73]

  So on the morn Sir Tristram was ready, and La Belle Isode with Sir Palomides and Sir Gareth. And so they rode all in green full freshly beseen unto the forest. And Sir Tristram left Sir Dinadan sleeping in his bed.*

  Then Sir Tristram sent Queen Isode unto her lodging into the priory, there to behold all the tournament.

  [74]

  Then there was a cry unto all knights made, that when they heard the horn blow they should make jousts as they did the first day. And then came in Sir Tristram de Lyonesse and smote down Sir Uwain and Sir Lucanor, and Sir Palomides smote down other two knights; and then came Sir Gareth and smote down other two good knights.

  Then said King Arthur unto Sir Lancelot, ‘Ah, see yonder three knights do passingly well, and namely* the first that jousted.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘that knight began not yet, but ye shall see him do marvellously.’

  And then came into the place the knights of Orkney, and then they began to do many deeds of arms. When Sir Tristram saw them so begin, he said to Sir Palomides, ‘How feel ye yourself? May ye do this day as ye did yesterday?’

  ‘Nay,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘I feel myself so weary and so sore bruised of the deeds of yesterday, that I may not endure as I did.’

  ‘That me repenteth,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for I shall lack you this day.’

  ‘But help yourself,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘and trust not to me, for I may not do as I did.’ And all these words said Palomides but to beguile Sir Tristram.

  Then said Sir Tristram unto Sir Gareth, ‘Then must I trust upon you; wherefore I pray you be not far from me to rescue me and need be.’

  ‘Sir, I shall not fail you,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘in all that I may do.’

  Then Sir Palomides rode by himself; and then in despite of Sir Tristram he put himself in the thickest press amongst them of Orkney. And there he did so marvellous deeds of arms that all men had wonder of him, for there might none stand him a stroke. When Sir Tristram saw Sir Palomides do such deeds, he marvelled and said to himself, ‘Me thinketh he is weary of my company.’

  So Sir Tristram beheld him a great while and did but little else, for the noise and cry was so great that Sir Tristram marvelled from whence came the strength that Sir Palomides had there.

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Gareth unto Sir Tristram, ‘remember ye not of the words that Sir Dinadan said to you yesterday, when he called you coward? Pardieu, sir, he said it for none ill, for ye are the man in the world that he loveth best, and all that he said was for your worship. And therefore,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘let me know this day what ye be! And wonder ye not so upon Sir Palomides, for he forceth* himself to win all the honour from you.’

  ‘I may well believe it,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘And sithen I understand his evil will and his envy, ye shall see, if that I enforce myself, that the noise shall be left that is now upon him.’

  Then Sir Tristram rode into the thickest of the press, and then he did so marvellously well and did so great deeds of arms that all men said that Sir Tristram did double so much deeds of arms as did Sir Palomides beforehand. And then the noise went clean from Sir Palomides, and all the people cried upon Sir Tristram and said, ‘Ah, Jesu, ah, see how Sir Tristram smiteth with his spear so many knights to the earth! And see,’ said they all, ‘how many knights he smiteth down with his sword, and how many knights he raseth off their helms and their shields!’

  And so he beat all of Orkney before him.

  ‘How now?’ said Sir Lancelot unto King Arthur, ‘I told you that this day there would a knight play his pageant, for yonder rideth a knight: ye may see he doth all knightly, for he hath strength and wind enough.’

  ‘So God me help,’ said King Arthur to Sir Lancelot, ‘ye say sooth, for I saw never a better knight, for he passeth far Sir Palomides.’

  ‘Sir, wit you well,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘it must be so of right, for it is himself that noble knight Sir Tristram.’

  ‘I may right well believe it,’ said King Arthur.

  But when Sir Palomides heard the noise and the cry was turned from him, he rode out on one side and beheld Sir Tristram. And when he saw him do so marvellously well, he wept passingly sore for despite, for he wist well then he should no worship win that day; for well knew Sir Palomides, when Sir Tristram would put forth his strength and his manhood, that he should get but little worship that day.

  [75]

  Then came King Arthur, and the King of Northgales, and Sir Lancelot du Lake; and Sir Bleoberis and Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Ector de Maris, these three knights came into the field with Sir Lancelot. And so they four did so great deeds of arms that all the noise began upon Sir Lancelot. And so they beat the King of Northgales and the King of Scots far aback, and made them to void the field. But Sir Tristram and Sir Gareth abode still in the field and endured all that ever there came, that all men had wonder that ever any knight endured so many great strokes. But ever Sir Lancelot and his three kinsmen forbore Sir Tristram and Sir Gareth.

  Then said King Arthur, ‘Is that Sir Palomides that endureth so well?’

  ‘Nay,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘wit you well it is the good knight Sir Tristram, for yonder ye may see Sir Palomides beholdeth and hoveth,* and doth little or nought. And sir, ye shall understand that Sir Tristram weeneth this day to beat us all out of the field. And as for me,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘I shall not meet him, meet him whoso will. But sir,’ said Lancelot, ‘ye may see how Sir Palomides hoveth yonder as though he were in a dream; and wit you well he is full heavy that Sir Tristram doth such deeds of arms.’

  ‘Then is he but a fool,’ said King Arthur, ‘for never was Sir Palomides such a knight, nor never shall be of such prowess. And if he have any envy at Sir Tristram,’ said King Arthur, ‘and cometh in with him upon his side, he is a false knight.’

  And as the King and Sir Lancelot thus spoke, Sir Tristram rode privily out of the press, that no man espied him but La Belle Isode an
d Sir Palomides; for they two would not leave off their eyesight of him. And when Sir Tristram came to his pavilions he found Sir Dinadan in his bed asleep.

  ‘Awake,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for ye ought to be ashamed so to sleep when knights have ado in the field.’

  Then Sir Dinadan arose lightly and said, ‘Sir, what will ye do?’

  ‘Make you ready’, said Sir Tristram, ‘to ride with me into the field.’

  So when Sir Dinadan was armed he looked upon Sir Tristram’s helm and on his shield, and when he saw so many strokes upon his helm and upon his shield he said, ‘In good time was I thus asleep; for had I been with you I must needs for shame have followed you, more for shame than for any prowess that is in me! For I see well now by thy strokes that I should have been truly beaten, as I was yesterday.’

  ‘Leave your japes,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and come off, that we were in the field again.’

  ‘What,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘is your heart up now? Yesterday ye fared as ye had dreamed.’

  So then Sir Tristram was arrayed all in black harness.

  ‘Ah, Jesu,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘what aileth you this day? Me seemeth that ye be more wilder than ye were yesterday.’

  Then smiled Sir Tristram and said to Sir Dinadan, ‘Await well upon me if ye see me overmatched, and look that ever ye be behind me, and I shall make you ready way, by God’s grace.’

  So they took their horses. And all this espied Sir Palomides, both the going and the coming; and so did La Belle Isode, for she knew Sir Tristram passing well.

  [76]

  Then Sir Palomides saw that Sir Tristram was disguised, and thought to shame him. And so he rode unto a knight that was sore wounded, that sat under a thorn a good way from the field.

  ‘Sir knight,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘I pray you to lend me your armour and your shield, for mine is over-well known in this field, and that hath done me great damage. And ye shall have my armour and my shield that is as sure as yours.’