_How king Mark had slain Sir Amant wrongfully tofore king Arthur, and
Sir Launcelot fetched king Mark to king Arthur._
Then by the licence of king Arthur they went to him, and spake with
him, for while the truncheon of the spear stuck in his body he spake:
Ah, fair damsels, said Amant, recommend me unto La Beale Isoud, and
tell her that I am slain for the love of her and of Sir Tristram. And
there he told the damsels how cowardly king Mark had slain him and Sir
Bersules his fellow:—And for that deed I appealed him of treason, and
here I am slain in a righteous quarrel; and all was because Sir
Bersules and I would not consent by treason to slay the noble knight
Sir Tristram. Then the two maidens cried aloud that all the court might
hear it, and said, O sweet Lord Jesu that knoweth all hid things, why
sufferest thou so false a traitor to vanquish and slay a true knight
that fought in a righteous quarrel! Then anon it was sprung to the king
and the queen, and to all lords and ladies, that it was king Mark that
had slain Sir Amant, and Sir Bersules afore hand, wherefore they did
their battle. Then was king Arthur wroth out of measure, and so were
all the other knights.
But when Sir Tristram knew all the matter, he made great dole out of
measure, and wept for sorrow for loss of the noble knights Sir Bersules
and Sir Amant. When Sir Launcelot espied Sir Tristram weep, he went
hastily to king Arthur, and said, Sir, I pray you give me leave to
return again to yonder false king and knight. I pray you, said king
Arthur, fetch him again, but I would not that ye slew him for my
worship. Then Sir Launcelot armed him in all haste, and mounted upon a
great horse, and took a spear in his hand and rode after king Mark. And
from thence a three mile English Sir Launcelot overtook him, and bad
him—Turn recreant king and knight: for whether thou wilt or not thou
shalt go with me to king Arthur’s court. King Mark returned and looked
upon Sir Launcelot and said, Fair sir, what is your name? Wit thou
well, said he, my name is Sir Launcelot, and therefore defend thee. And
when king Mark wist that it was Sir Launcelot, and came so fast upon
him with a spear, he cried then aloud, I yield me to thee Sir
Launcelot, honourable knight. But Sir Launcelot would not hear him, but
came fast upon him. King Mark saw that, and made no defence, but
tumbled down out of his saddle to the earth as a sack, and there he lay
still, and cried Sir Launcelot mercy.—Arise, recreant knight and
king.—I will not fight, said king Mark; but whither that ye will I
will go with you. Alas, alas, said Sir Launcelot, that I may not give
thee one buffet for the love of Sir Tristram and of La Beale Isoud, and
for the two knights that thou hast slain traitourly. And so he mounted
upon his horse, and brought him to king Arthur. And there king Mark
alight in that same place, and threw his helm from him upon the earth,
and his sword, and fell flat to the earth of king Arthur’s feet, and
put him in his grace and mercy. Truly, said Arthur, ye are welcome in a
manner, and in a manner ye are not welcome. In this manner ye are
welcome, that ye come hither maugre your head, as I suppose. That is
truth, said king Mark, and else I had not been here: for my lord Sir
Launcelot brought me hither through his fine force, and to him am I
yielden to as recreant. Well, said Arthur, ye understand ye ought to do
me service, homage, and fealty, and never would ye do me none, but ever
ye have been against me, and a destroyer of my knights: now how will ye
acquit you? Sir, said king Mark, right as your lordship will require
me, unto my power I will make a large amends. For he was a fair speaker
and false there under. Then for great pleasure of Sir Tristram, to make
them twain accorded, the king withheld king Mark as at that time, and
made a broken love day between them.