_How Morgan le Fay buried her paramour, and how Sir Tristram praised
Sir Launcelot and his kin._
Now leave we to speak of Sir Tristram, and speak we of the knight that
was wounded to the death. Then his varlet alight, and took off his
helm; and then he asked his master whether there were any life in him.
There is in me life, said the knight, but it is but little, and
therefore leap thou up behind me, when thou hast holpen me up; and hold
me fast that I fall not, and bring me to queen Morgan le Fay, for deep
draughts of death draw to my heart, that I may not live, for I would
fain speak with her or I died. For else my soul will be in great peril
and I die. And with great pain his varlet brought him to the castle,
and there Sir Hemison fell down dead. When Morgan le Fay saw him dead,
she made great sorrow out of reason. And then she let despoil him unto
his shirt, and so she let him put into a tomb. And about the tomb she
let write: Here lieth Sir Hemison, slain by the hands of Sir Tristram
de Liones. Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that asked the knight, his
host, if he saw late any knights adventurous. Sir, he said, the last
night here lodged with me Sir Ector de Maris and a damsel with him, and
that damsel told me that he was one of the best knights of the world.
That is not so, said Sir Tristram, for I know four better knights of
his own blood; and the first is Sir Launcelot du Lake, call him the
best knight; and Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Blamor de Ganis,
and Sir Gaheris. Nay, said his host, Sir Gawaine is a better knight
than he. That is not so, said Sir Tristram, for I have met with them
both, and I felt Sir Gaheris for the better knight; and Sir Lamorak, I
call him as good as any of them, except Sir Launcelot. Why name ye not
Sir Tristram, said his host, for I account him as good as any of them.
I know not Sir Tristram, said Tristram. Thus they talked and jested as
long as them list, and then went to rest. And on the morn Sir Tristram
departed and took his leave of his host, and rode towards the
Roche-dure, and none adventure had Sir Tristram but that, and so he
rested not till he came to the castle, where he saw five hundred tents.