_How king Mark mocked Sir Dinadan, and how they met with six knights of
the Round Table._
So as they rode by the way, king Mark then began to mock Sir Dinadan,
and said, I wend you knights of the Table Round might in no wise find
their matches. Ye say well, said Sir Dinadan, as for you, on my life I
call you none of the best knights; but sith ye have such a despite at
me, I require you to just with me, to prove my strength. Not so, said
king Mark, for I will not have ado with you in no manner. But I require
you of one thing, that when ye come to Arthur’s court, discover not my
name, for I am there so hated. It is shame to you, said Sir Dinadan,
that ye govern yourself so shamefully; for I see by you ye are full of
cowardice, and ye are a murderer, and that is the greatest shame that a
knight may have, for never a knight being a murderer hath worship, nor
never shall have. For I saw but late through my force ye would have
slain Sir Berluse, a better knight than ye, or ever ye shall be, and
more of prowess.
Thus they rode forth talking, till they came to a fair place where
stood a knight, and prayed them to take their lodging with him. So at
the request of that knight they reposed them there, and made them well
at ease, and had great cheer. For all errant knights were welcome to
him, and especially all those of Arthur’s court. Then Sir Dinadan
demanded his host, what was the knight’s name that kept the bridge. For
what cause ask you it? said his host. For it is not long ago, said Sir
Dinadan, since he gave me a fall. Ah, fair knight, said his host,
thereof have ye no marvel, for he is a passing good knight, and his
name is Sir Tor, the son of Aries le Vaysher. Ah, said Sir Dinadan, was
that Sir Tor, for truly so ever me thought. Right as they stood thus
talking together, they saw come riding to them over a plain six knights
of the court of king Arthur, well armed at all points. And there by
their shields Sir Dinadan knew them well. The first was the good knight
Sir Uwaine, the son of king Uriens; the second was the noble knight Sir
Brandiles; the third was Ozana le Cure Hardy; the fourth was Uwaine les
Adventurous; the fifth was Sir Agravaine; the sixth Sir Mordred,
brother to Sir Gawaine. When Sir Dinadan had seen these six knights, he
thought in himself he would bring king Mark by some wile to just with
one of them. And anon they took their horses and ran after these
knights well a three mile English. Then was king Mark ware where they
sat all six about a well, and eat and drank such meats as they had, and
their horses walking and some tied, and their shields hung in divers
places about them. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, yonder are knights errant that
will just with us. God forbid, said king Mark, for they be six, and we
but two. As for that, said Sir Dinadan, let us not spare, for I will
assay the foremost. And therewith he made him ready. When king Mark saw
him do so, as fast as Sir Dinadan rode toward them king Mark rode
froward them with all his menial company. So when Sir Dinadan saw king
Mark was gone, he set the spear out of the rest, and threw his shield
upon his back, and came riding to the fellowship of the Table Round.
And anon Sir Uwaine knew Sir Dinadan, and welcomed him, and so did all
his fellowship.