_How Sir Tristram and his fellowship came unto the tournament of
Lonazep; and of divers justs and matters._
But Sir Tristram was not so soon come into the place, but Sir Gawaine
and Sir Galihodin went to king Arthur, and told him, That same green
knight in the green harness, with the white horse, smote us two down,
and six of our fellows, this same day. Well, said Arthur; and then he
called Sir Tristram, and asked him what was his name. Sir, said Sir
Tristram, ye shall hold me excused as at this time, for ye shall not
wit my name. And there Sir Tristram returned and rode his way. I have
marvel, said Arthur, that yonder knight will not tell me his name, but
go thou, Griflet le Fise de Dieu, and pray him to speak with me betwixt
us. Then Sir Griflet rode after him, and overtook him, and said to him
that king Arthur prayed him for to speak with him secretly apart. Upon
this covenant, said Sir Tristram, I will speak with him that I will
turn again, so that ye will ensure me not to desire to hear my name. I
shall undertake, said Sir Griflet, that he will not greatly desire it
of you. So they rode together until they came to king Arthur. Fair sir,
said king Arthur, what is the cause ye will not tell me your name? Sir,
said Sir Tristram, without a cause I will not hide my name. Upon what
party will ye hold? said king Arthur. Truly, my lord, said Sir
Tristram, I wot not yet on what party I will be on until I come to the
field; and there as my heart giveth me there will I hold: but to-morrow
ye shall see and prove on what party I shall come. And therewithal he
returned and went to his pavilions. And upon the morn they armed them
all in green, and came into the field; and there young knights began to
just, and did many worshipful deeds. Then spake Gareth unto Sir
Tristram, and prayed him to give him leave to break his spear, for him
thought shame to bear his spear whole again. When Sir Tristram heard
him say so he laughed, and said, I pray you, do your best. Then Sir
Gareth gat a spear, and proffered to just. That saw a nephew unto the
king of the hundred knights, his name was Selises, and a good man of
arms. So this knight Selises then dressed him unto Sir Gareth, and they
two met together so hard that either smote other down, horse and all,
to the earth; so they were both bruised and hurt, and there they lay
till the king with the hundred knights halp Selises up; and Sir
Tristram and Sir Palamides halp up Gareth again; and so they rode with
Sir Gareth unto their pavilions, and then they pulled off his helm. And
when La Beale Isoud saw Sir Gareth bruised in the face, she asked him
what ailed him. Madam, said Sir Gareth, I had a great buffet, and, as I
suppose, I gave another, but none of my fellows would not rescue me.
Forsooth, said Palamides, it longed not to none of us as this day to
just, for there have not this day justed no proved knights; and needs
ye would just, and when the other party saw ye proferred yourself to
just, they sent one to you, a passing good knight of his age, for I
know him well, his name is Selises, and worshipfully ye met with him,
and neither of you are dishonoured; and therefore refresh yourself,
that ye may be ready and whole to just to-morrow. As for that, said Sir
Gareth, I shall not fail you, and I may bestride my horse.