_How a damsel sought help to help Sir Launcelot against thirty knights,
and how Sir Tristram fought with them._
And at the next landing, fast by the sea, there met with Sir Tristram
and with Sir Dinadan Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Bors de Ganis. And
there Sir Ector justed with Sir Dinadan and he smote him and his horse
down. And then Sir Tristram would have justed with Sir Bors, and Sir
Bors said he would not just with no Cornish knights, for they are not
called men of worship. And all this was done upon a bridge. And with
this came Sir Bleoberis and Sir Driant, and Sir Bleoberis proffered to
just with Sir Tristram, and there Sir Tristram smote down Sir
Bleoberis. Then said Sir Bors de Ganis, I wist never Cornish knight of
so great valour nor so valiant as that knight that beareth the
trappours embroidered with crowns. And then Sir Tristram and Sir
Dinadan departed from them into a forest, and there met them a damsel
that came for the love of Sir Launcelot to seek after some noble
knights of king Arthur’s court for to rescue Sir Launcelot. And so Sir
Launcelot was ordained, for by the treason of queen Morgan le Fay to
have slain Sir Launcelot, and for that cause she ordained thirty
knights for to lie in a wait for Sir Launcelot, and this damsel knew
this treason. And for this cause the damsel came for to seek noble
knights to help Sir Launcelot. For that night, or the day after, Sir
Launcelot should come where these thirty knights were. And so this
damsel met with Sir Bors, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Ector, and Sir Driant, and
there she told them all four of the treason of Morgan le Fay. And then
they promised her that they would be nigh where Sir Launcelot should
meet with the thirty knights, and if so be they set upon him we will do
rescues as we can. So the damsel departed, and by adventure the damsel
met with Sir Tristram and with Sir Dinadan, and there the damsel told
them all the treason that was ordained for Sir Launcelot. Fair damsel,
said Sir Tristram, bring me to that same place where they should meet
with Sir Launcelot. Then said Sir Dinadan, What will ye do? it is not
for us to fight with thirty knights, and wit you well I will not
thereof, as to match one knight two or three is enough, and they be
men. But for to match fifteen knights, that will I never undertake. Fie
for shame, said Sir Tristram, do but your part. Nay, said Sir Dinadan,
I will not thereof, but if ye will lend me your shield, for ye bear a
shield of Cornwall, and for the cowardice that is named to the knights
of Cornwall, by your shields ye be ever forborn. Nay, said Sir
Tristram, I will not depart from my shield for her sake that gave it
me. But one thing, said Sir Tristram, I promise thee Sir Dinadan, but
if thou wilt promise me to abide with me, here I shall slay thee: for I
desire no more of thee but to answer one knight, and if thy heart will
not serve thee, stand by and look upon me and them. Sir, said Sir
Dinadan, I promise you to look upon and to do what I may to save
myself, but I would I had not met with you. So then anon these thirty
knights came fast by these four knights, and they were ware of them,
and either of other. And so these thirty knights let them pass for this
cause, that they would not wrath them if cause be that they had ado
with Sir Launcelot, and the four knights let them pass to this intent,
that they would see and behold what they would do with Sir Launcelot.
And so the thirty knights past on, and came by Sir Tristram and Sir
Dinadan. And then Sir Tristram cried on high, Lo here is a knight
against you for the love of Sir Launcelot. And there he slew two with
one spear, and ten with his sword. And then came in Sir Dinadan, and he
did passing well. And so of the thirty knights there went but ten away,
and they fled. All this battle saw Sir Bors de Ganis, and his three
fellows. And then they saw well it was the same knight that justed with
them at the bridge. Then they took their horses and rode unto Sir
Tristram, and praised him, and thanked him of his good deeds, and they
all desired Sir Tristram to go with them to their lodging. And he said
nay, he would not go to no lodging. Then they all four knights prayed
him to tell them his name. Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, as at this
time I will not tell you my name.