_How Sir Lamorak departed from Sir Tristram, and how he met with Sir
Frol, and after with Sir Launcelot._
So turn we unto Sir Lamorak, that rode toward Arthur’s court; and Sir
Tristram and his wife and Kehydius took a vessel and sailed into
Britanny unto king Howel, where he was welcome. And when he heard of
these adventures they marvelled of his noble deeds. Now turn we unto
Sir Lamorak, that when he was departed from Sir Tristram, he rode out
of the forest till he came to an hermitage. When the hermit saw him he
asked him from whence he came. Sir, said Sir Lamorak, I come from this
valley. Sir, said the hermit, thereof I greatly marvel, for this twenty
winter I saw never no knight pass this country but he was either slain
or villainously wounded, or passed as a poor prisoner. Those ill
customs, said Sir Lamorak, are fordone; for Sir Tristram slew your lord
Sir Nabon, and his son. Then was the hermit glad, and all his brethren,
for he said there was never such a tyrant among Christian men,—and
therefore, said the hermit, this valley and franchise we will hold of
Sir Tristram. So on the morrow Sir Lamorak departed. And as he rode he
saw four knights fight against one, and that one knight defended him
well, but at the last the four knights had him down. And then Sir
Lamorak went betwixt them, and asked them why they would slay that one
knight, and said it was shame four against one. Thou shalt well wit,
said the four knights, that he is false. That is your tale, said Sir
Lamorak, and when I hear him also speak I will say as ye say. Then said
Lamorak, Ah knight, can ye not excuse you but that ye are a false
knight? Sir, said he, yet can I excuse me both with my words and with
my hands, that I will make good upon one of the best of them, my body
to his body. Then spake they all at once: We will not jeopard our
bodies as for thee; but wit thou well, they said, and king Arthur were
here himself, it should not lie in his power to save his life. That is
too much said, said Sir Lamorak, but many speak behind a man more than
they will say to his face. And because of your words, ye shall
understand that I am one of the simplest of king Arthur’s court: in the
worship of my lord now do your best, and in despite of you I shall
rescue him. And then they lashed all at once to Sir Lamorak; but anon
at two strokes Sir Lamorak had slain two of them, and then the other
two fled. So then Sir Lamorak turned again to that knight and asked him
his name. Sir, he said, my name is Sir Frol of the Out Isles. Then he
rode with Sir Lamorak and bare him company; and as they rode by the way
they saw a seemly knight riding against them, and all in white. Ah,
said Frol, yonder knight justed late with me, and smote me down,
therefore I will just with him. Ye shall not do so, said Sir Lamorak,
by my counsel, and ye will tell me your quarrel, whether ye justed at
his request, or he at yours. Nay, said Sir Frol, I justed with him at
my request. Sir, said Lamorak, then will I counsel you deal no more
with him, for me seemeth by his countenance he should be a noble knight
and no jester, for me thinketh he should be of the Table Round.
Therefore I will not spare, said Sir Frol; and then he cried and said,
Sir knight, make thee ready to just. That needeth not, said the knight,
for I have no lust to just with thee. But yet they feutred their
spears, and the white knight overthrew Sir Frol, and then he rode his
way a soft pace. Then Sir Lamorak rode after him, and prayed him to
tell him his name, For me seemeth ye should be of the fellowship of the
Round Table. Upon a covenant, said he, I will tell you my name, so that
ye will not discover my name, and also that ye will tell me yours.
Then, said he, my name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. And my name is Sir
Launcelot du Lake. Then they put up their swords, and kissed heartily
together, and either made great joy of other. Sir, said Sir Lamorak,
and it please you I will do you service. God defend, said Sir
Launcelot, that any of so noble blood as ye be should do me service.
Then he said more, I am in a quest that I must do myself alone. Now God
speed you, said Sir Lamorak, and so they departed. Then Sir Lamorak
came to Sir Frol and horsed him again. What knight is that? said Sir
Frol. Sir, said he, it is not for you to know, nor it is no point of my
charge. Ye are the more uncourteous, said Sir Frol, and therefore I
will depart from you. Ye may do as ye list, said Sir Lamorak, and yet
by my company you have saved the fairest flower of your garland. So
they departed.