"God help me, never worse," replied his cousin; "for those I went to
bring have beaten and defeated me, and set my message at naught."
"Fair cousin," said Sir Tristram, "ride ye on your way, perchance if I
should meet them ye may be revenged."
So Sir Andret rode into Cornwall, but Sir Tristram rode after the two
knights who had misused him, namely, Sir Sagramour le Desirous, and Sir
Dodinas le Savage. And before long he saw them but a little way before
him.
"Sir," said Governale, "by my advice thou wilt leave them alone, for
they be two well-proved knights of Arthur's court."
"Shall I not therefore rather meet them!" said Sir Tristram, and, riding
swiftly after them, he called to them to stop, and asked them whence
they came, and whither they were going, and what they were doing in
those marches.
Sir Sagramour looked haughtily at Sir Tristram, and made mocking of his
words, and said, "Fair knight, be ye a knight of Cornwall?"
"Wherefore askest thou that?" said Tristram.
"Truly, because it is full seldom seen," replied Sir Sagramour, "that
Cornish knights are valiant with their arms as with their tongues. It is
but two hours since there met us such a Cornish knight, who spoke great
words with might and prowess, but anon, with little mastery, he was laid
on earth, as I trow wilt thou be also."
"Fair lords," said Sir Tristram, "it may chance I be a better man than
he; but, be that as it may, he was my cousin, and for his sake I will
assail ye both; one Cornish knight against ye two."
When Sir Dodinas le Savage heard this speech, he caught at his spear and
said, "Sir knight, keep well thyself;" and then they parted and came
together as it had been thunder, and Sir Dodinas' spear split asunder;
but Sir Tristram smote him with so full a stroke as hurled him over his
horse's crupper, and nearly brake his neck. Sir Sagramour, seeing his
fellow's fall, marveled who this new knight be, and dressed his spear,
and came against Sir Tristram as a whirlwind; but Sir Tristram smote him
a mighty buffet, and rolled him with his horse down on the ground; and
in the falling he brake his thigh.
Then, looking at them both as they lay groveling on the grass, Sir
Tristram said, "Fair knights, will ye joust any more? Are there no
bigger knights in King Arthur's court? Will ye soon again speak shame of
Cornish knights?"
"Thou hast defeated us, in truth," replied Sir Sagramour, "and on the
faith of knighthood I require thee tell us thy right name?"
"Ye charge me by a great thing," said Sir Tristram, "and I will answer
ye."
And when they heard his name the two knights were right glad that they
had met Sir Tristram, for his deeds were known through all the land, and
they prayed him to abide in their company.
"Nay," said he, "I must find a fellow-knight of yours, Sir Bleoberis de
Ganis, whom I seek."
"God speed you well," said the two knights; and Sir Tristram rode away.
Soon he saw before him in a valley Sir Bleoberis with Sir Segwarides'
wife riding behind his squire upon a palfrey. At that he cried out
aloud, "Abide, Sir knight of King Arthur's court, bring back again that
lady or deliver her to me."
"I will not," said Bleoberis, "for I dread no Cornish knight."
"Why," said Sir Tristram, "may not a Cornish knight do well as any
other? This day, but three miles back, two knights of thy own court met
me, and found one Cornish knight enough for both before we parted."
"What were their names?" said Sir Bleoberis.
"Sir Sagramour le Desirous and Sir Dodinas le Savage," said Sir
Tristram.
"Ah," said Sir Bleoberis, amazed; "hast thou then met with them? By my
faith, they were two good knights and men of worship, and if thou hast
beat both thou must needs be a good knight; but for all that, thou shalt
beat me also ere thou hast this lady."
"Defend thee, then," cried out Sir Tristram, and came upon him swiftly
with his spear in rest. But Sir Bleoberis was as swift as he, and each
bore down the other, horse and all, on to the earth.
Then they sprang clear of their horses, and lashed together full eagerly
and mightily with their swords, tracing and traversing on the right hand
and on the left more than two hours, and sometimes rushing together with
such fury that they both lay groveling on the ground. At last Sir
Bleoberis started back and said, "Now, gentle knight, hold hard awhile,
and let us speak together."
"Say on," said Sir Tristram, "and I will answer thee."
"Sir," said Sir Bleoberis, "I would know thy name, and court, and
country."
"I have no shame to tell them," said Sir Tristram. "I am King Meliodas'
son, and my mother was sister to King Mark, from whose court I now come.
My name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse."
"Truly," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am right glad to hear it, for thou art
he that slew Sir Marhaus hand-to-hand, fighting for the Cornish tribute;
and overcame Sir Palomedes at the great Irish tournament, where also
thou didst overthrow Sir Gawain and his nine companions."
"I am that knight," said Sir Tristram, "and now I pray thee tell me thy
name."
"I am Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, cousin of Sir Lancelot of the Lake, one of
the best knights in all the world," he answered.
"Thou sayest truth," said Sir Tristram; "for Sir Lancelot, as all men
know, is peerless in courtesy and knighthood, and for the great love I
bear to his name I will not willingly fight more with thee his
kinsman."
"In good faith, sir," said Sir Bleoberis, "I am as loth to fight thee
more; but since thou hast followed me to win this lady, I proffer thee
kindness, courtesy, and gentleness; this lady shall be free to go with
which of us she pleaseth best."
"I am content," said Sir Tristram, "for I doubt not she will come to
me."
"That shalt thou shortly prove," said he, and called his squire, and set
the lady in the midst between them, who forthwith walked to Sir
Bleoberis and elected to abide with him. Which, when Sir Tristram saw,
he was in wondrous anger with her, and felt that he could scarce for
shame return to King Mark's court. But Sir Bleoberis said, "Hearken to
me, good knight, Sir Tristram, because King Mark gave me free choice of
any gift, and because this lady chose to go with me, I took her; but now
I have fulfilled my quest and my adventure, and for thy sake she shall
be sent back to her husband at the abbey where he lieth."
So Sir Tristram rode back to Tintagil, and Sir Bleoberis to the abbey
where Sir Segwarides lay wounded, and there delivered up his lady, and
departed as a noble knight.
After this adventure Sir Tristram abode still at his uncle's court, till
in the envy of his heart King Mark devised a plan to be rid of him. So
on a certain day he desired him to depart again for Ireland, and there
demand La Belle Isault on his behalf, to be his queen--forever had Sir
Tristram praised her beauty and her goodness, till King Mark desired to
wed her for himself. Moreover, he believed his nephew surely would be
slain by the queen's kindred if he once were found again in Ireland.
But Sir Tristram, scorning fear, made ready to depart, and took with him
the noblest knights that could be found, arrayed in the richest fashion.
And when they were come to Ireland, upon a certain day Sir Tristram gave
his uncle's message, and King Anguish consented thereto.
But when La Belle Isault was told the tidings she was very sorrowful and
loth--yet made she ready to set forth with Sir Tristram, and took with
her Dame Bragwaine, her chief gentlewoman. Then the queen gave Dame
Bragwaine, and Governale, Sir Tristram's servant, a little flask, and
charged them that La Belle Isault and King Mark should both drink of it
on their marriage day, and then should they surely love each other all
their lives.
Anon, Sir Tristram and Isault, with a great company, took the sea and
departed. And so it chanced that one day sitting in their cabin they
were athirst, and saw a little flask of gold which seemed to hold good
wine. So Sir Tristram took it up, and said, "Fair lady, this looketh to
be the best of wines, and your maid, Dame Bragwaine, and my servant,
Governale, have kept it for themselves." Thereat they both laughed
merrily, and drank each after other from the flask, and never before had
they tasted any wine which seemed so good and sweet. But by the time
they had finished drinking they loved each other so well that their
love nevermore might leave them for weal or woe. And thus it came to
pass that though Sir Tristram might never wed La Belle Isault, he did
the mightiest deeds of arms for her sake only all his life.
Then they sailed onwards till they came to a castle called Pluere, where
they would have rested. But anon there ran forth a great company and
took them prisoners. And when they were in prison, Sir Tristram asked a
knight and lady whom they found therein wherefore they were so
shamefully dealt with; "for," said he, "it was never the custom of any
place of honor that I ever came unto to seize a knight and lady asking
shelter and thrust them into prison, and a full evil and discourteous
custom is it."
"Sir," said the knight, "know ye not that this is called the Castle
Pluere, or the weeping castle, and that it is an ancient custom here
that whatsoever knight abideth in it must needs fight the lord of it,
Sir Brewnor, and he that is the weakest shall lose his head. And if the
lady he hath with him be less fair than the lord's wife, she shall lose
her head; but if she be fairer, then must the lady of the castle lose
her head."
"Now Heaven help me," said Sir Tristram, "but this is a foul and
shameful custom. Yet have I one advantage, for my lady is the fairest
that doth live in all the world, so that I nothing fear for her; and as
for me, I will full gladly fight for my own head in a fair field."
Then said the knight, "Look ye be up betimes to-morrow, and make you
ready and your lady."
And on the morrow came Sir Brewnor to Sir Tristram, and put him and
Isault forth out of prison, and brought him a horse and armor, and bade
him make ready, for all the commons and estates of that lordship waited
in the field to see and judge the battle.
Then Sir Brewnor, holding his lady by the hand, all muffled, came forth,
and Sir Tristram went to meet him with La Belle Isault beside him,
muffled also. Then said Sir Brewnor, "Sir knight, if thy lady be fairer
than mine, with thy sword smite off my lady's head; but if my lady be
fairer than thine, with my sword I will smite off thy lady's head. And
if I overcome thee thy lady shall be mine, and thou shalt lose thy
head."
"Sir knight," replied Sir Tristram, "this is a right foul and felon
custom, and rather than my lady shall lose her head will I lose my own."
"Nay," said Sir Brewnor, "but the ladies shall be now compared together
and judgment shall be had."
"I consent not," cried Sir Tristram, "for who is here that will give
rightful judgment? Yet doubt not that my lady is far fairer than thine
own, and that will I prove and make good." Therewith Sir Tristram lifted
up the veil from off La Belle Isault, and stood beside her with his
naked sword drawn in his hand.
Then Sir Brewnor unmuffled his lady and did in like manner. But when he
saw La Belle Isault he knew that none could be so fair, and all there
present gave their judgment so. Then said Sir Tristram, "Because thou
and thy lady have long used this evil custom, and have slain many good
knights and ladies, it were a just thing to destroy thee both."
"In good sooth," said Sir Brewnor, "thy lady is fairer than mine, and of
all women I never saw any so fair. Therefore, slay my lady if thou wilt,
and I doubt not but I shall slay thee and have thine."
"Thou shalt win her," said Sir Tristram, "as dearly as ever knight won
lady; and because of thy own judgment and of the evil custom that thy
lady hath consented to, I will slay her as thou sayest."
And therewithal Sir Tristram went to him and took his lady from him, and
smote off her head at a stroke.
"Now take thy horse," cried out Sir Brewnor, "for since I have lost my
lady I will win thine and have thy life."
So they took their horses and came together as fast as they could fly,
and Sir Tristram lightly smote Sir Brewnor from his horse. But he rose
right quickly, and when Sir Tristram came again he thrust his horse
through both the shoulders, so that it reeled and fell. But Sir Tristram
was light and nimble, and voided his horse, and rose up and dressed his
shield before him, though meanwhile, ere he could draw out his sword,
Sir Brewnor gave him three or four grievous strokes. Then they rushed
furiously together like two wild boars, and fought hurtling and hewing
here and there for nigh two hours, and wounded each other full sorely.
Then at the last Sir Brewnor rushed upon Sir Tristram and took him in
his arms to throw him, for he trusted greatly in his strength. But Sir
Tristram was at that time called the strongest and biggest knight of the
world; for he was bigger than Sir Lancelot, though Sir Lancelot was
better breathed. So anon he thrust Sir Brewnor groveling to the earth,
and then unlaced his helm and struck off his head. Then all they that
belonged to the castle came and did him homage and fealty, and prayed
him to abide there for a season and put an end to that foul custom.
But within a while he departed and came to Cornwall, and there King Mark
was forthwith wedded to La Belle Isault with great joy and splendor.
And Sir Tristram had high honor, and ever lodged at the king's court.
But for all he had done him such services King Mark hated him, and on a
certain day he set two knights to fall upon him as he rode in the
forest. But Sir Tristram lightly smote one's head off, and sorely
wounded the other, and made him bear his fellow's body to the king. At
that the king dissembled and hid from Sir Tristram that the knights were
sent by him; yet more than ever he hated him in secret, and sought to
slay him.
So on a certain day, by the assent of Sir Andret, a false knight, and
forty other knights, Sir Tristram was taken prisoner in his sleep and
carried to a chapel on the rocks above the sea to be cast down. But as
they were about to cast him in, suddenly he brake his bonds asunder, and
rushing at Sir Andret, took his sword and smote him down therewith.
Then, leaping down the rocks where none could follow, he escaped them.
But one shot after him and wounded him full sorely with a poisoned arrow
in the arm.
Anon, his servant Governale, with Sir Lambegus, sought him and found him
safe among the rocks, and told him that King Mark had banished him and
all his followers to avenge Sir Andret's death. So they took ship and
came to Brittany.
Now Sir Tristram, suffering great anguish from his wound, was told to
seek Isoude, the daughter of the King of Brittany, for she alone could
cure such wounds. Wherefore he went to King Howell's court, and said,
"Lord, I am come into this country to have help from thy daughter, for
men tell me none but she may help me." And Isoude gladly offering to do
her best, within a month he was made whole.
While he abode still at that court, an earl named Grip made war upon
King Howell, and besieged him; and Sir Kay Hedius, the king's son, went
forth against him, but was beaten in battle and sore wounded. Then the
king praying Sir Tristram for his help, he took with him such knights as
he could find, and on the morrow, in another battle, did such deeds of
arms that all the land spake of him. For there he slew the earl with his
own hands, and more than a hundred knights besides.
When he came back King Howell met him, and saluted him with every honor
and rejoicing that could be thought of, and took him in his arms, and
said, "Sir Tristram, all my kingdom will I resign to thee."
"Nay," answered he, "God forbid, for truly am I beholden to you forever
for your daughter's sake."
Then the king prayed him to take Isoude in marriage, with a great dower
of lands and castles. To this Sir Tristram presently consenting anon
they were wedded at the court.
But within a while Sir Tristram greatly longed to see Cornwall, and Sir
Kay Hedius desired to go with him. So they took ship; but as soon as
they were at sea the wind blew them upon the coast of North Wales, nigh
to Castle Perilous, hard by a forest wherein were many strange
adventures ofttimes to be met. Then said Sir Tristram to Sir Kay Hedius,
"Let us prove some of them ere we depart." So they took their horses and
rode forth.
When they had ridden a mile or more, Sir Tristram spied a goodly knight
before him well armed, who sat by a clear fountain with a strong horse
near him, tied to an oak-tree. "Fair sir," said he, when they came near,
"ye seem to be a knight errant by your arms and harness, therefore make
ready now to joust with one of us, or both."
Thereat the knight spake not, but took his shield and buckled it round
his neck, and leaping on his horse caught a spear from his squire's
hand.
Then said Sir Kay Hedius to Sir Tristram, "Let me assay him."
"Do thy best," said he.
So the two knights met, and Sir Kay Hedius fell sorely wounded in the
breast.
"Thou hast well jousted," cried Sir Tristram to the knight; "now make
ready for me!"
"I am ready," answered he, and encountered him, and smote him so heavily
that he fell down from his horse. Whereat, being ashamed, he put his
shield before him, and drew his sword, crying to the strange knight to
do likewise. Then they fought on foot for well nigh two hours, till they
were both weary.
At last Sir Tristram said, "In all my life I never met a knight so
strong and well-breathed as ye be. It were a pity we should further hurt
each other. Hold thy hand, fair knight, and tell me thy name."
"That will I," answered he, "if thou wilt tell me thine."
"My name," said he, "is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse."
"And mine, Sir Lamoracke of Gaul."
Then both cried out together, "Well met;" and Sir Lamoracke said, "Sir
for your great renown, I will that ye have all the worship of this
battle, and therefore will I yield me unto you." And therewith he took
his sword by the point to yield him.
"Nay," said Sir Tristram, "ye shall not do so, for well I know ye do it
of courtesy, and not of dread." And therewith he offered his sword to
Sir Lamoracke, saying, "Sir, as an overcome knight, I yield me unto you
as unto the man of noblest powers I have ever met with."
"Hold," said Sir Lamoracke, "let us now swear together nevermore to
fight against each other."
Then did they swear as he said.
Then Sir Tristram returned to Sir Kay Hedius, and when he was whole of
his wounds, they departed together in a ship, and landed on the coast of
Cornwall. And when they came ashore, Sir Tristram eagerly sought news of
La Belle Isault. And one told him in mistake that she was dead. Whereat,
for sore and grievous sorrow, he fell down in a swoon, and so lay for
three days and nights.
When he awoke therefrom he was crazed, and ran into the forest and abode
there like a wild man many days; whereby he waxed lean and weak of body,
and would have died, but that a hermit laid some meat beside him as he
slept. Now in that forest was a giant named Tauleas, who, for fear of
Tristram, had hid himself within a castle, but when they told him he was
mad, came forth and went at large again. And on a certain day he saw a
knight of Cornwall, named Sir Dinaunt, pass by with a lady, and when he
had alighted by a well to rest, the giant leaped out from his ambush,
and took him by the throat to slay him. But Sir Tristram, as he wandered
through the forest, came upon them as they struggled; and when the
knight cried out for help, he rushed upon the giant, and taking up Sir
Dinaunt's sword, struck off therewith the giant's head, and straightway
disappeared among the trees.
Anon, Sir Dinaunt took the head of Tauleas, and bare it with him to the
court of King Mark, whither he was bound, and told of his adventures.
"Where had ye this adventure?" said King Mark.
"At a fair fountain in thy forest," answered he.
"I would fain see that wild man," said the king.
So within a day or two he commanded his knights to a great hunting in
the forest. And when the king came to the well, he saw a wild man lying
there asleep, having a sword beside him; but he knew not that it was Sir
Tristram. Then he blew his horn, and summoned all his knights to take
him gently up and bear him to the court.
And when they came thereto they bathed and washed him, and brought him
somewhat to his right mind. Now La Belle Isault knew not that Sir
Tristram was in Cornwall; but when she heard that a wild man had been
found in the forest, she came to see him. And so sorely was he changed,
she knew him not. "Yet," said she to Dame Bragwaine, "in good faith I
seem to have beheld him ofttimes before."
As she thus spoke a little hound, which Sir Tristram had given her when
she first came to Cornwall, and which was ever with her, saw Sir
Tristram lying there, and leapt upon him, licking his hands and face,
and whined and barked for joy.
"Alas," cried out La Belle Isault, "it is my own true knight, Sir
Tristram."
And at her voice Sir Tristram's senses wholly came again, and wellnigh
he wept for joy to see his lady living.
But never would the hound depart from Tristram; and when King Mark and
other knights came up to see him, it sat upon his body and bayed at all
who came too near. Then one of the knights said, "Surely this is Sir
Tristram; I see it by the hound."
"Nay," said the king, "it cannot be," and asked Sir Tristram on his
faith who he was.
"My name," said he, "is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse, and now ye may do what
ye list with me."
Then the king said, "It repents me that ye are recovered," and sought to
make his barons slay him. But most of them would not assent thereto, and
counseled him instead to banish Tristram for ten years again from
Cornwall, for returning without orders from the king. So he was sworn to
depart forthwith.
And as he went towards the ship a knight of King Arthur, named Sir
Dinadan, who sought him, came and said, "Fair knight, ere that you pass
out of this country, I pray you joust with me!"
"With a good will," said he.
Then they ran together, and Sir Tristram lightly smote him from his
horse. Anon he prayed Sir Tristram's leave to bear him company, and when
he had consented they rode together to the ship.
Then was Sir Tristram full of bitterness of heart, and said to all the
knights who took him to the shore, "Greet well King Mark and all mine
enemies from me, and tell them I will come again when I may. Well am I
now rewarded for slaying Sir Marhaus, and delivering this kingdom from
its bondage, and for the perils wherewithal I brought La Belle Isault
from Ireland to the king, and rescued her at the Castle Pluere, and for
the slaying of the giant Tauleas, and all the other deeds that I have
done for Cornwall and King Mark." Thus angrily and passing bitterly he
spake, and went his way.
And after sailing awhile the ship stayed at a landing-place upon the
coast of Wales; and there Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan alighted, and on
the shore they met two knights, Sir Ector and Sir Bors. And Sir Ector
encountered with Sir Dinadan and smote him to the ground; but Sir Bors
would not encounter with Sir Tristram, "For," said he, "no Cornish
knights are men of worship." Thereat Sir Tristram was full wroth, but
presently there met them two more knights, Sir Bleoberis and Sir Driant;
and Sir Bleoberis proffered to joust with Sir Tristram, who shortly
smote him down.
"I had not thought," cried out Sir Bors, "that any Cornish knight could
do so valiantly."
Then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan departed, and rode into a forest, and
as they rode a damsel met them, who for Sir Lancelot's sake was seeking
any noble knights to rescue him. For Queen Morgan le Fay, who hated him,
had ordered thirty men-at-arms to lie in ambush for him as he passed,
with the intent to kill him. So the damsel prayed them to rescue him.
Then said Sir Tristram, "Bring me to that place, fair damsel."
But Sir Dinadan cried out, "It is not possible for us to meet with
thirty knights! I will take no part in such a hardihood, for to match
one or two or three knights is enough; but to match fifteen I will
never assay."
"For shame," replied Sir Tristram, "do but your part."
"That will I not," said he; "wherefore, I pray ye, lend me your shield,
for it is of Cornwall, and because men of that country are deemed
cowards, ye are but little troubled as ye ride with knights to joust
with."