_How Sir Lamorak justed with thirty knights, and Sir Tristram at
request of king Mark smote his horse down._
The king and the queen made their pavilions and their tents in that
forest beside a river, and there was daily hunting and justing, for
there were ever thirty knights ready to just unto all them that came in
at that time. And there by fortune came Sir Lamorak de Galis and Sir
Driant, and there Sir Driant justed right well, but at the last he had
a fall. Then Sir Lamorak proffered to just. And when he began he fared
so with the thirty knights that there was not one of them but that he
gave him a fall, and some of them were sore hurt. I marvel, said king
Mark, what knight he is that doth such deeds of arms. Sir, said Sir
Tristram, I know him for a noble knight as few now be living, and his
name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. It were great shame, said the king, that
he should go thus away, unless that some of you met with him better.
Sir, said Sir Tristram, me seemeth it were no worship for a noble man
for to have ado with him; and for because at this time he hath done
overmuch for any mean knight living, therefore, as me seemeth, it were
great shame and villainy to tempt him any more at this time, insomuch
as he and his horse are weary both; for the deeds of arms that he hath
done this day, and they be well considered, were enough for Sir
Launcelot du Lake.
As for that, said king Mark, I require you as ye love me and my lady
the queen La Beale Isoud, take your arms and just with Sir Lamorak de
Galis. Sir, said Sir Tristram, ye bid me do a thing that is against
knighthood, and well I can deem that I shall give him a fall, for it is
no mastery, for my horse and I be fresh both, and so is not his horse
and he; and wit ye well that he will take it for great unkindness, for
ever one good is loth to take another at disadvantage. But because I
will not displease you, as ye require me so will I do, and obey your
commandment. And so Sir Tristram armed him anon and took his horse, and
put him forth, and there Sir Lamorak met him mightily, and what with
the might of his own spear, and of Sir Tristram’s spear, Sir Lamorak’s
horse fell to the earth, and he sitting in the saddle. Then anon as
lightly as he might he avoided the saddle and his horse, and put his
shield afore him, and drew his sword. And then he bad Sir Tristram,
Alight, thou knight, and thou darest. Nay, said Sir Tristram, I will no
more have ado with thee, for I have done to thee overmuch unto my
dishonour, and to thy worship. As for that, said Sir Lamorak, I can
thee no thank: since thou hast forjusted me on horseback, I require
thee, and I beseech thee, and thou be Sir Tristram, fight with me on
foot. I will not so, said Sir Tristram; and wit ye well my name is Sir
Tristram de Liones, and well I know ye be Sir Lamorak de Galis, and
this that I have done to you was against my will, but I was required
thereto; but to say that I will do at your request as at this time, I
will have no more ado with you, for me shameth of that I have done. As
for the shame, said Sir Lamorak, on thy part or on mine, bear thou it
and thou wilt, for though a mare’s son hath failed me, now a queen’s
son shall not fail thee; and therefore, and thou be such a knight as
men call thee, I require thee, alight, and fight with me. Sir Lamorak,
said Sir Tristram, I understand your heart is great, and cause why ye
have, to say the sooth: for it would grieve me and any knight should
keep himself fresh and then to strike down a weary knight, for that
knight nor horse was never formed that alway might stand or endure. And
therefore, said Sir Tristram, I will not have ado with you, for me
forthinketh of that I have done. As for that, said Sir Lamorak, I shall
quit you and ever I see my time.