_How Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector reported to queen Guenever of the
beauty of La Beale Isoud._
So at the seven night’s end Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector departed from
Sir Tristram and from the queen, and these two good knights had great
gifts, and Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan abode with Sir Tristram. And when
Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector were come there as the queen Guenever was
lodged in a castle by the sea side, and through the grace of God the
queen was recovered from her malady, then she asked the two knights
from whence they came. They said they came from Sir Tristram and from
La Beale Isoud. How doth Sir Tristram, said the queen, and La Beale
Isoud? Truly, said those two knights, he doth as a noble knight should
do, and as for the queen Isoud, she is peerless of all ladies; for to
speak of her beauty, bounty, and mirth, and of her goodness, we saw
never her match as far as we have ridden and gone. Oh mercy, said queen
Guenever, so saith all the people that have seen her and spoken with
her. Would that I had part of her conditions. And it is misfortuned me
of my sickness while that tournament endured; and, as I suppose, I
shall never see in all my life such an assembly of knights and ladies
as ye have done. Then the knights told her how Sir Palamides wan the
degree at the first day with great noblesse; and the second day Sir
Tristram wan the degree; and the third day Sir Launcelot wan the
degree. Well, said queen Guenever, who did best all these three days?
Truly, said these knights, Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram had least
dishonour. And wit ye well Sir Palamides did passing well and mightily,
but he turned against the party that he came in withal, and that caused
him to lose a great part of his worship, for it seemed that Sir
Palamides is passing envious. Then shall he never win worship, said
queen Guenever, for, and it happeth an envious man once to win worship,
he shall be dishonoured twice therefore. And for this cause all men of
worship hate an envious man, and will shew him no favour. And he that
is courteous, kind, and gentle, hath favour in every place.