_How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Nabon and overcame him, and made Sir
Lamorak lord of the isle._
In the mean time came word that Sir Nabon had made a cry that all the
people of that isle should be at his castle the fifth day after. And
the same day the son of Nabon should be made knight, and all the
knights of that valley and thereabout should be there to just, and all
those of the realm of Logris should be there to just with them of North
Wales; and thither came five hundred knights, and they of the country
brought there Sir Lamorak, and Sir Tristram, and Sir Kehydius, and Sir
Segwarides, for they durst none otherwise do. And then Sir Nabon lent
Sir Lamorak horse and armour at Sir Lamorak’s desire, and Sir Lamorak
justed and did such deeds of arms that Nabon and all the people said
there was never knight that ever they saw do such deeds of arms. For,
as the French book saith, he forjusted all that were there, for the
most part of five hundred knights, that none abode him in his saddle.
Then Sir Nabon proffered to play with him his play:—For I saw never no
knight do so much upon a day. I will well, said Sir Lamorak, play as I
may, but I am weary and sore bruised: and there either gat a spear, but
Nabon would not encounter with Sir Lamorak, but smote his horse in the
forehead and so slew him, and then Sir Lamorak went on foot and turned
his shield and drew his sword, and there began strong battle on foot.
But Sir Lamorak was so sore bruised and short breathed, that he traced
and traversed somewhat aback. Fair fellow, said Sir Nabon, hold thy
hand, and I shall shew thee more courtesy than ever I shewed knight,
because I have seen this day thy noble knighthood. And therefore stand
thou by, and I will wit whether any of thy fellows will have ado with
me. Then when Sir Tristram heard that, he stept forth and said, Nabon,
lend me horse and sure armour, and I will have ado with thee. Well
fellow, said Sir Nabon, go thou to yonder pavilion, and arm thee of the
best thou findest there, and I shall play a marvellous play with thee.
Then, said Sir Tristram, look ye play well, or else peradventure I
shall learn you a new play. That is well said, fellow, said Sir Nabon.
So when Sir Tristram was armed as him liked best, and well shielded and
sworded, he dressed to him on foot, for well he knew that Sir Nabon
would not abide a stroke with a spear, therefore he would slay all
knights’ horses. Now fair fellow, said Sir Nabon, let us play. So then
they fought long on foot, tracing and traversing, smiting and foining
long without any rest. At the last Sir Nabon prayed him to tell him his
name. Sir Nabon, I tell thee my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, a
knight of Cornwall under king Mark. Thou art welcome, said Sir Nabon,
for of all knights I have most desired to fight with thee or with Sir
Launcelot. So then they went eagerly together, and Sir Tristram slew
Sir Nabon, and so forthwith he lept to his son and strake off his head.
And then all the country said they would hold of Sir Tristram. Nay,
said Sir Tristram, I will not so: here is a worshipful knight Sir
Lamorak de Galis that for me he shall be lord of this country, for he
hath done here great deeds of arms. Nay, said Sir Lamorak, I will not
be lord of this country, for I have not deserved it as well as ye,
therefore give ye it where ye will, for I will none have. Well, said
Sir Tristram, since ye nor I will not have it, let us give it to him
that hath not so well deserved it. Do as ye list, said Sir Lamorak, for
the gift is yours, for I will none have and I had deserved it. So it
was given to Segwarides, wherefore he thanked him, and so was he lord,
and worshipfully he did govern it. And then Sir Segwarides delivered
all prisoners, and set good governance in that valley; and so he
returned into Cornwall, and told king Mark and La Beale Isoud how Sir
Tristram had advanced him to the Isle of Servage, and there he
proclaimed in all Cornwall of all the adventures of these two knights,
so was it openly known. But full woe was La Beale Isoud when she heard
tell that Sir Tristram was wedded to Isoud La Blanche Mains.