_How they approached the castle Lonazep, and of other devices of the
death of Sir Lamorak._
Thus they rode until they were ware of the castle Lonazep: and then
were they ware of four hundred tents and pavilions, and marvellous
great ordinance. Truly, said Sir Tristram, yonder I see the greatest
ordinance that ever I saw. Sir, said Palamides, me seemeth there was as
great an ordinance at the castle of Maidens upon the rock where ye won
the prize, for I saw myself where ye forjusted thirty knights. Sir,
said Dinadan, and in Surluse at that tournament that Sir Galahalt of
the Long Isles made, the which there dured seven days, was as great a
gathering as is here, for there were many nations. Who was the best?
said Sir Tristram. Sir, it was Sir Launcelot du Lake and the noble
knight Sir Lamorak de Galis. And Sir Launcelot won the degree. I doubt
not, said Sir Tristram, but he won the degree, so he had not been
overmatched with many knights. And of the death of Sir Lamorak, said
Sir Tristram, it was over great pity, for I dare say he was the
cleanest mighted man and the best winded of his age that was on live,
for I knew him that he was the biggest knight that ever I met withal,
but if it were Sir Launcelot. Alas, said Sir Tristram, full woe is me
for his death. And if they were not the cousins of my lord Arthur that
slew him, they should die for it, and all those that were consenting to
his death. And for such things, said Sir Tristram, I fear to draw unto
the court of my lord Arthur: I will that ye wit it, said Sir Tristram
unto Gareth. Sir, I blame you not, said Gareth, for well I understand
the vengeance of my brethren Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Gaheris, and
Mordred. But as for me, said Sir Gareth, I meddle not of their matters,
therefore is none of them that loveth me; and for I understand they be
murderers of good knights I left their company, and God would I had
been by, said Gareth, when the noble knight Sir Lamorak was slain. Now,
truly, said Sir Tristram, it is well said of you, for I had lever than
all the gold betwixt this and Rome I had been there. Yea, said Sir
Palamides, and so would I had been there, and yet had I never the
degree at no justs nor tournament there as he was, but he put me to the
worse or on foot or on horseback, and that day that he was slain he did
the most deeds of arms that ever I saw knight do in all my life days.
And when him was given the degree by my lord Arthur, Sir Gawaine and
his three brethren, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, set upon Sir
Lamorak in a privy place, and there they slew his horse, and so they
fought with him on foot more than three hours, both before him and
behind him; and Sir Mordred gave him his death’s wound behind him at
his back, and all to-hewed him: for one of his squires told me that saw
it. Fie upon treason, said Sir Tristram, for it killeth my heart to
hear this tale. So doth it mine, said Gareth; brethren as they be mine
I shall never love them, nor draw in their fellowship, for that deed.
Now speak we of other deeds, said Sir Palamides, and let him be, for
his life ye may not get again. That is the more pity, said Dinadan, for
Sir Gawaine and his brethren, except you, Sir Gareth, hate all the good
knights of the Round Table for the most part; for well I wot, and they
might privily, they hate my lord Sir Launcelot, and all his kin, and
great privy despite they have at him, and that is my lord Sir Launcelot
well ware of, and that causeth him to have the good knights of his kin
about him.