_How Sir Tristram arrived into the island for to furnish the battle
with Sir Marhaus._
So to shorten this tale, when Sir Tristram was arrived within the
island he looked to the further side, and there he saw at an anchor six
ships nigh to the land, and under the shadow of the ships upon the land
there hoved the noble knight Sir Marhaus of Ireland. Then Sir Tristram
commanded his servant Gouvernail to bring his horse to the land, and
dress his harness at all manner of rights. And then when he had so done
he mounted upon his horse; and when he was in his saddle well
apparelled, and his shield dressed upon his shoulder, Tristram asked
Gouvernail, Where is this knight that I shall have ado withall? Sir,
said Gouvernail, see ye him not? I wend ye had seen him, yonder he
hoveth under the shadow of his ships upon horseback, with his spear in
his hand, and his shield upon his shoulder. That is truth, said the
noble knight Sir Tristram, now I see him well enough. Then he commanded
his servant Gouvernail to go to his vessel again, and command me unto
mine uncle king Mark, and pray him if that I be slain in this battle,
for to inter my body as him seemeth best, and as for me let him wit
that I will never yield me for cowardice; and if I be slain and flee
not, then have they lost no truage for me; and if so be that I flee or
yield me as recreant, bid mine uncle never bury me in Christian
burials. And upon thy life, said Sir Tristram to Gouvernail, come thou
not nigh this island till that thou see me overcome or slain, or else
that I win yonder knight. So either departed from other sore weeping.