_How Sir Tristram, Sir Palamides, and Sir Dinadan were taken and put in
prison._
Now will we speak of Sir Lucan the butler, that by fortune came riding
to the same place there as was Sir Tristram, and in he came in none
other intent but to ask harbour. Then the porter asked what was his
name. Tell your lord that my name is Sir Lucan the butler, a knight of
the Round Table. So the porter went unto Sir Darras, lord of the place,
and told him who was there to ask harbour. Nay, nay, said Sir Daname,
that was nephew unto Sir Darras, say him that he shall not be lodged
here. But let him wit that I Sir Daname will meet with him anon, and
bid him make him ready. So Sir Daname came forth on horseback, and
there they met together with spears, and Sir Lucan smote down Sir
Daname over his horse croup, and then he fled into that place, and Sir
Lucan rode after him, and asked after him many times. Then Sir Dinadan
said to Sir Tristram, It is shame to see the lord’s cousin of this
place defoiled. Abide, said Sir Tristram, and I shall redress it. And
in the mean while Sir Dinadan was on horseback, and he justed with
Lucan the butler, and there Sir Lucan smote Dinadan through the thick
of the thigh, and so he rode his way, and Sir Tristram was wroth that
Sir Dinadan was hurt, and followed after, and thought to avenge him.
And within a mile he overtook Sir Lucan and bade him turn: and so they
met together, so that Sir Tristram hurt Sir Lucan passing sore, and
gave him a fall. With that came Sir Uwaine, a gentle knight, and when
he saw Sir Lucan so hurt, he called Sir Tristram to just with him. Fair
knight, said Sir Tristram, tell me your name I require you. Sir knight,
wit ye well my name is Sir Uwaine le Fise de Roy Ureine. Ah, said Sir
Tristram, by my will I would not have ado with you at no time. Ye shall
not so, said Sir Uwaine, but ye shall have ado with me. And then Sir
Tristram saw none other boot, but rode against him, and overthrew Sir
Uwaine, and hurt him in the side, and so he departed unto his lodging
again. And when Sir Dinadan understood that Sir Tristram had hurt Sir
Lucan, he would have ridden after Sir Lucan to have slain him, but Sir
Tristram would not suffer him.
Then Sir Uwaine let ordain an horse-litter, and brought Sir Lucan to
the abbey of Ganis, and the castle thereby hight the castle of Ganis,
of the which Sir Bleoberis was lord. And at that castle Sir Launcelot
promised all his fellows to meet in the quest of Sir Tristram. So when
Sir Tristram was come to his lodging, there came a damsel that told Sir
Darras that three of his sons were slain at that tournament, and two
grievously wounded that they were never like to help themselves, and
all this was done by a noble knight that bare the black shield, and
that was he that bare the prize. Then came there one and told Sir
Darras that the same knight was within him that bare the black shield.
Then Sir Darras went unto Sir Tristram’s chamber, and there he found
his shield and shewed it to the damsel. Ah, sir, said the damsel, that
same is he that slew your three sons. Then without any tarrying Sir
Darras put Sir Tristram, and Sir Palamides, and Sir Dinadan within a
strong prison, and there Sir Tristram was like to have died of great
sickness, and every day Sir Palamides would reprove Sir Tristram of old
hate betwixt them. And ever Sir Tristram spake fair and said little.
But when Sir Palamides saw the falling of sickness of Sir Tristram then
was he heavy for him, and comforted him in all the best wise he could.
And, as the French book saith, there came forty knights to Sir Darras
that were of his own kin, and they would have slain Sir Tristram and
his two fellows, but Sir Darras would not suffer that, but kept them in
prison, and meat and drink they had. So Sir Tristram endured there
great pain, for sickness had undertaken him, and that is the greatest
pain a prisoner may have. For all the while a prisoner may have his
health of body, he may endure under the mercy of God, and in hope of
good deliverance; but when sickness toucheth a prisoner’s body, then
may a prisoner say all wealth is him bereft, and then he hath cause to
wail and to weep. And so did Sir Tristram when sickness had undertaken
him, for then he took such sorrow that he had almost slain himself.