_How Sir Tristram with his fellowship came and were with an host which
after fought with Sir Tristram; and other matters._
Then departed Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and left Sir
Palamides in the vessel; and so Sir Tristram beheld the mariners how
they sailed over long Humber. And when Sir Palamides was out of their
sight, they took their horses, and beheld about them. And then were
they ware of a knight that came riding against them unarmed, and
nothing about him but a sword. And when this knight came nigh them he
saluted them, and they him again. Fair knights, said that knight, I
pray you insomuch as ye be knights errant, that ye will come and see my
castle, and take such as ye find there; I pray you heartily. And so
they rode with him into his castle; and there they were brought into
the hall, that was well apparelled, and so they were there unarmed and
set at a board. And when this knight saw Sir Tristram, anon he knew
him; and then this knight waxed pale and wroth at Sir Tristram. When
Sir Tristram saw his host make such cheer, he marvelled and said, Sir,
mine host, what cheer make you? Wit thou well, said he, I fare the
worse for thee, for I know thee, Sir Tristram de Liones, thou slewest
my brother. And therefore I give thee summons I will slay thee, and
ever I may get thee at large. Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I am never
advised that ever I slew any brother of yours; and if ye say that I did
I will make you amends unto my power. I will none amends, said the
knight, but keep thee from me. So when he had dined, Sir Tristram asked
his arms and departed. And so they rode on their ways; and within a
little while Sir Dinadan saw where came a knight well armed, and well
horsed, without shield. Sir Tristram, said Sir Dinadan, take keep to
yourself, for I undertake yonder cometh your host that will have ado
with you. Let him come, said Sir Tristram, I shall abide him as well as
I may. Anon the knight, when he came nigh Sir Tristram, he cried and
bade him abide and keep him. So they hurtled together, but Sir Tristram
smote the other knight so sore that he bare him over his horse croup.
That knight arose lightly and took his horse again, and so rode
fiercely to Sir Tristram, and smote him twice hard upon the helm. Sir
knight, said Sir Tristram, I pray you leave off and smite me no more,
for I would be loth to deal with you and I might choose, for I have
your meat and your drink within my body. For all that he would not
leave, and then Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet upon the helm, that
he fell up so down from his horse, that the blood burst out at the
ventails of his helm, and so he lay still, likely to have been dead.
Then Sir Tristram said, Me repenteth sore of this buffet that I smote
so sore, for as I suppose he is dead. And so they left him and rode on
their ways. So they had not ridden but a while, but they saw coming
against them two full likely knights, well armed and well horsed, and
goodly servants about them. The one was Berrant le Apres, and he was
called the king with the hundred knights, and the other was Sir
Segwarides, which were renowned two noble knights. So as they came
either by other, the king looked upon Sir Dinadan, that at that time
had Sir Tristram’s helm upon his shoulder, the which helm the king had
seen before with the queen of Northgalis, and that queen the king
loved, and that helm the queen of Northgalis had given unto La Beale
Isoud, and the queen La Beale Isoud gave it to Sir Tristram. Sir
knight, said Berrant, where had ye that helm? What would ye? said Sir
Dinadan. For I will have ado with thee, said the king, for the love of
her that owned that helm, and therefore keep you. So they departed and
came together with all the mights of their horses; and there the king
with the hundred knights smote Sir Dinadan, horse and all, to the
earth; and then he commanded his servant, Go and take thou his helm
off, and keep it. So the varlet went to unbuckle his helm. What helm?
What wilt thou do? said Sir Tristram; leave that helm. To what intent,
said the king, will ye, sir knight, meddle with that helm? Wit you
well, said Sir Tristram, that helm shall not depart from me, or it be
dearer bought. Then make you ready, said Sir Berrant unto Sir Tristram.
So they hurtled together, and there Sir Tristram smote him down over
his horse tail. And then the king arose lightly, and gat his horse
lightly again, and then he strake fiercely at Sir Tristram many great
strokes. And then Sir Tristram gave Sir Berrant such a buffet upon the
helm that he fell down over his horse, sore stunned. Lo, said Sir
Dinadan, that helm is unhappy to us twain, for I had a fall for it, and
now, sir king, have ye another fall. Then Segwarides asked, Who shall
just with me? I pray thee, said Sir Gareth unto Dinadan, let me have
this justs. Sir, said Dinadan, I pray you take it as for me. That is no
reason, said Tristram, for this justs should be yours. At a word, said
Sir Dinadan, I will not thereof. Then Gareth dressed him to Sir
Segwarides, and there Sir Segwarides smote Sir Gareth and his horse to
the earth. Now, said Sir Tristram to Dinadan, just with yonder knight.
I will not thereof, said Dinadan. Then will I, said Sir Tristram. And
then Sir Tristram ran to him and gave him a fall, and so they left them
on foot. And Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there Sir Gareth
would not of his courtesy have gone into this castle, but Sir Tristram
would not suffer him to depart. And so they alight and unarmed them,
and had great cheer. But when Dinadan came afore La Beale Isoud, he
cursed the time that ever he bare Sir Tristram’s helm, and there he
told her how Sir Tristram had mocked him. Then was there laughing and
jesting at Sir Dinadan, that they wist not what to do with him.