_How Sir Blamor desired Tristram to slay him, and how Sir Tristram
spared him, and how they took appointment._
Then when Sir Blamor might speak, he said thus: Sir Tristram de Liones,
I require thee, as thou art a noble knight, and the best knight that
ever I found, that thou wilt slay me out, for I would not live to be
made lord of all the earth, for I had lever die with worship than live
with shame; and needs, Sir Tristram, thou must slay me, or else thou
shalt never win the field, for I will never say the loth word. And
therefore if thou dare slay me, slay me I require thee. When Sir
Tristram heard him say so knightly, he wist not what to do with him; he
remembering him of both parties; of what blood he was come, and for Sir
Launcelot’s sake he would be full loth to slay him, and in the other
party in no wise he might not choose but he must make him to say the
loth word, or else to slay him. Then Sir Tristram start aback, and went
to the kings that were judges, and there he kneeled down before them,
and besought them for their worships, and for king Arthur’s, and Sir
Launcelot’s sake, that they would take this matter in their hands. For
my fair lords, said Sir Tristram, it were shame and pity that this
noble knight that yonder lieth should be slain, for ye hear well shamed
will he not be, and I pray to God that he never be slain nor shamed for
me. And as for the king for whom I fight for, I shall require him, as I
am his true champion and true knight in this field, that he will have
mercy upon this good knight. Truly, said king Anguish to Sir Tristram,
I will for your sake be ruled as ye will have me. For I know you for my
true knight. And therefore I will heartily pray the kings that be here
as judges to take it in their hands. And the kings that were judges
called Sir Bleoberis to them, and asked him his advice. My lords, said
Bleoberis, though my brother be beaten, and hath the worse through
might of arms, I dare say, though Sir Tristram hath beaten his body he
hath not beaten his heart, and I thank God, he is not shamed this day.
And rather than he should be shamed I require you, said Bleoberis, let
Sir Tristram slay him out. It shall not be so, said the kings, for his
part adversary, both the king and the champion, have pity of Sir
Blamor’s knighthood. My lords, said Bleoberis, I will right well as ye
will.
Then the kings called the king of Ireland, and found him good and
treatable. And then, by all their advices, Sir Tristram and Sir
Bleoberis took up Sir Blamor, and the two brethren were accorded with
king Anguish, and kissed and made friends for ever. And then Sir Blamor
and Sir Tristram kissed together, and there they made their oaths that
they would never none of them two brethren fight with Sir Tristram, and
Sir Tristram made the same oath. And for that gentle battle all the
blood of Sir Launcelot loved Sir Tristram for ever.
Then king Anguish and Sir Tristram took their leave, and sailed into
Ireland with great nobleness and joy. So when they were in Ireland the
king let make it known throughout all the land, how and in what manner
Sir Tristram had done for him. Then the queen and all that there were
made the most of him that they might. But the joy that La Beale Isoud
made of Sir Tristram there might no tongue tell, for of men earthly she
loved him most.