_How Sir Tristram rescued a child from a knight, and how Gouvernail
told him of king Anguish._
The knight turned his horse, and he made him ready for to fight. And
then Sir Tristram smote him with a sword such a buffet that he tumbled
to the earth. And then he yielded him unto Sir Tristram. Then come thy
way, said Sir Tristram, and bring the child to the lady again. So he
took his horse meekly and rode with Sir Tristram, and then by the way
Sir Tristram asked him his name. Then he said, My name is Breuse Saunce
Pité. So when he had delivered that child to the lady he said, Sir, as
in this the child is well remedied. Then Sir Tristram let him go again,
that sore repented him after, for he was a great foe unto many good
knights of king Arthur’s court. Then when Sir Tristram was in his
pavilion, Gouvernail his man came and told him how that king Anguish of
Ireland was come thither, and he was put in great distress, and there
Gouvernail told Sir Tristram how king Anguish was summoned and appealed
of murder. Truly, said Sir Tristram, these be the best tidings that
ever came to me this seven year, for now shall the king of Ireland have
need of my help, for I dare say there is no knight in this country that
is not of Arthur’s court dare do battle with Sir Blamor de Ganis, and
for to win the love of the king of Ireland I will take the battle upon
me, and therefore Gouvernail bring me, I charge thee, to the king. Then
Gouvernail went unto king Anguish of Ireland and saluted him fair. The
king welcomed him and asked him what he would. Sir, said Gouvernail,
here is a knight near hand that desireth to speak with you: he bad me
say he would do you service. What knight is he, said the king. Sir, he
said, it is Sir Tristram de Liones, that for your good grace ye shewed
him in your lands will reward you in these countries. Come on fellow,
said the king, with me anon, and shew me unto Sir Tristram. So the king
took a little hackney and but few fellowship with him until he came
unto Sir Tristram’s pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw the king, he
ran unto him and would have holden his stirrup. But the king lept from
his horse lightly, and either halsed other in arms. My gracious lord,
said Sir Tristram, gramercy of your great goodnesses shewed unto me in
your marches and lands: and at that time I promised you to do my
service and ever it lay in my power. And gentle knight, said the king
unto Sir Tristram, now have I great need of you; never had I so great
need of no knight’s help. How so, my good lord? said Sir Tristram. I
shall tell you, said the king. I am summoned and appealed from my
country for the death of a knight that was kin unto the good knight Sir
Launcelot, wherefore Sir Blamor de Ganis, brother to Sir Bleoberis,
hath appealed me to fight with him, other to find a knight in my stead.
And well I wot, said the king, these that are come of king Ban’s blood,
as Sir Launcelot and these other, are passing good knights, and hard
men for to win in battle as any that I know now living. Sir, said Sir
Tristram, for the good lordship ye shewed me in Ireland, and for my
lady your daughter’s sake, La Beale Isoud, I will take the battle for
you upon this condition that ye shall grant me two things: that one is,
that ye shall swear to me that ye are in the right, that ye were never
consenting to the knight’s death; Sir, then, said Sir Tristram, when
that I have done this battle, if God give me grace that I speed, that
ye shall give me a reward, what thing reasonable that I will ask of
you. Truly, said the king, ye shall have whatsoever ye will ask. It is
well said, said Sir Tristram.