SIR TRISTRAM’S BATTLE WITH SIR LAUNCELOT
SIR TRISTRAM rode through a forest and saw ten men fighting, and one man
did battle against nine. So he rode to the knights and cried to them,
bidding them cease their battle, for they did themselves great shame, so
many knights to fight against one. Then answered the master of the
knights (his name was Sir Breuse sans Pitie, who was at that time the
most villanous knight living): “Sir knight, what have ye to do to meddle
with us? If ye be wise depart on your way as you came, for this knight
shall not escape us.” “That were pity,” said Sir Tristram, “that so good
a knight should be slain so cowardly; therefore I warn you I will succor
him with all my puissance.”
Then Sir Tristram alighted off his horse, because they were on foot,
that they should not slay his horse. And he smote on the right hand and
on the left so vigorously that well-nigh at every stroke he struck down
a knight. At last they fled, with Breuse sans Pitie, into the tower, and
shut Sir Tristram without the gate. Then Sir Tristram returned back to
the rescued knight, and found him sitting under a tree, sore wounded.
“Fair knight,” said he, “how is it with you?” “Sir knight,” said Sir
Palamedes, for he it was, “I thank you of your great goodness, for ye
have rescued me from death.” “What is your name?” said Sir Tristram. He
said, “My name is Sir Palamedes.” “Say ye so?” said Sir Tristram; “now
know that thou art the man in the world that I most hate; therefore make
thee ready, for I will do battle with thee.” “What is your name?” said
Sir Palamedes. “My name is Sir Tristram, your mortal enemy.” “It may be
so,” said Sir Palamedes; “but you have done overmuch for me this day,
that I should fight with you. Moreover, it will be no honor for you to
have to do with me, for you are fresh and I am wounded. Therefore, if
you will needs have to do with me, assign me a day, and I shall meet you
without fail.” “You say well,” said Sir Tristram; “now I assign you to
meet me in the meadow by the river of Camelot, where Merlin set the
monument.” So they were agreed. Then they departed and took their ways
diverse. Sir Tristram passed through a great forest into a plain, till
he came to a priory, and there he reposed him with a good man six days.
Then departed Sir Tristram, and rode straight into Camelot to the
monument of Merlin, and there he looked about him for Sir Palamedes. And
he perceived a seemly knight, who came riding against him all in white,
with a covered shield. When he came nigh Sir Tristram said aloud,
“Welcome, sir knight, and well and truly have you kept your promise.”
Then they made ready their shields and spears, and came together with
all the might of their horses, so fiercely, that both the horses and the
knights fell to the earth. And as soon as they might they quitted their
horses, and struck together with bright swords as men of might, and each
wounded the other wonderfully sore, so that the blood ran out upon the
grass. Thus they fought for the space of four hours and never one would
speak to the other one word. Then at last spake the white knight, and
said, “Sir, thou fightest wonderful well, as ever I saw a knight;
therefore, if it please you, tell me your name.” “Why dost thou ask my
name?” said Sir Tristram; “art thou not Sir Palamedes?” “No, fair
knight,” said he, “I am Sir Launcelot of the Lake.” “Alas!” said Sir
Tristram, “what have I done? for you are the man of the world that I
love best.” “Fair knight,” said Sir Launcelot, “tell me your name.”
“Truly,” said he, “my name is Sir Tristram de Lionesse.” “Alas! alas!”
said Sir Launcelot, “what adventure has befallen me!” And therewith Sir
Launcelot kneeled down and yielded him up his sword; and Sir Tristram
kneeled down and yielded him up his sword; and so either gave other the
degree. And then they both went to the stone, and sat them down upon it
and took off their helms and each kissed the other a hundred times. And
then anon they rode toward Camelot, and on the way they met with Sir
Gawain and Sir Gaheris, that had made promise to Arthur never to come
again to the court till they had brought Sir Tristram with them.
“Return again,” said Sir Launcelot, “for your quest is done; for I have
met with Sir Tristram. Lo, here he is in his own person.” Then was Sir
Gawain glad, and said to Sir Tristram, “Ye are welcome.” With this came
King Arthur, and when he wist there was Sir Tristram, he ran unto him,
and took him by the hand, and said, “Sir Tristram, ye are as welcome as
any knight that ever came to this court.” Then Sir Tristram told the
king how he came thither for to have had to do with Sir Palamedes, and
how he had rescued him from Sir Breuse sans Pitie and the nine knights.
Then King Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand, and went to the Table
Round, and Queen Guenever came, and many ladies with her, and all the
ladies said with one voice, “Welcome, Sir Tristram.” “Welcome,” said the
knights. “Welcome,” said Arthur, “for one of the best of knights, and
the gentlest of the world, and the man of most worship; for of all
manner of hunting thou bearest the prize, and of all measures of blowing
thou art the beginning, and of all the terms of hunting and hawking ye
are the inventor, and of all instruments of music ye are the best
skilled; therefore, gentle knight,” said Arthur, “ye are welcome to this
court.” And then King Arthur made Sir Tristram knight of the Table Round
with great nobley and feasting as can be thought.
SIR TRISTRAM AS A SPORTSMAN
Tristram is often alluded to by the Romancers as the great authority and
model in all matters relating to the chase. In the “Faery Queene,”
Tristram, in answer to the inquiries of Sir Calidore, informs him of his
name and parentage, and concludes:
“All which my days I have not lewdly spent,
Nor spilt the blossom of my tender years
In idlesse; but, as was convenient,
Have trained been with many noble feres
In gentle thewes, and such like seemly leers;[51]
’Mongst which my most delight hath always been
To hunt the salvage chace, amongst my peers,
Of all that rangeth in the forest green,
Of which none is to me unknown that yet was seen.
“Ne is there hawk which mantleth on her perch,
Whether high towering or accosting low,
But I the measure of her flight do search,
And all her prey, and all her diet know.
Such be our joys, which in these forests grow.”
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