Now turn we unto Sir Tristram,that asked the knight his host if he saw late any knights adventurous.Sir,he said,the last night here lodged with me Ector de Maris and a damosel with him,and that damosel told me that he was one of the best knights of the world.That is not so,said Sir Tristram,for I know four better knights of his own blood,and the first is Sir Launcelot du Lake,call him the best knight,and Sir Bors de Ganis,Sir Bleoberis,Sir Blamore de Ganis,and Sir Gaheris.Nay,said his host,Sir Gawaine is a better knight than he.That is not so,said Sir Tristram,for I have met with them both,and I felt Sir Gaheris for the better knight,and Sir Lamorak I call him as good as any of them except Sir Launcelot.Why name ye not Sir Tristram?said his host,for I account him as good as any of them.I know not Sir Tristram,said Tristram.Thus they talked and bourded as long as them list,and then went to rest.And on the morn Sir Tristram departed,and took his leave of his host,and rode toward the Roche Dure,and none adventure had Sir Tristram but that;and so he rested not till he came to the castle,where he saw five hundred tents.
CHAPTER XLIV
How Sir Tristram at a tournament bare the shield that Morgan le Fay delivered to him.
THEN the King of Scots and the King of Ireland held against King Arthur's knights,and there began a great medley.So came in Sir Tristram and did marvellous deeds of arms,for there he smote down many knights.And ever he was afore King Arthur with that shield.And when King Arthur saw that shield he marvelled greatly in what intent it was made;but Queen Guenever deemed as it was,wherefore she was heavy.Then was there a damosel of Queen Morgan in a chamber by King Arthur,and when she heard King Arthur speak of that shield,then she spake openly unto King Arthur.Sir King,wit ye well this shield was ordained for you,to warn you of your shame and dishonour,and that longeth to you and your queen.And then anon that damosel picked her away privily,that no man wist where she was become.Then was King Arthur sad and wroth,and asked from whence came that damosel.
There was not one that knew her nor wist where she was become.
Then Queen Guenever called to her Sir Ector de Maris,and there she made her complaint to him,and said:I wot well this shield was made by Morgan le Fay in despite of me and of Sir Launcelot,wherefore I dread me sore lest I should be destroyed.
And ever the king beheld Sir Tristram,that did so marvellous deeds of arms that he wondered sore what knight he might be,and well he wist it was not Sir Launcelot.And it was told him that Sir Tristram was in Petit Britain with Isoud la Blanche Mains,for he deemed,an he had been in the realm of Logris,Sir Launcelot or some of his fellows that were in the quest of Sir Tristram that they should have found him or that time.So King Arthur had marvel what knight he might be.And ever Sir Arthur's eye was on that shield.All that espied the queen,and that made her sore afeard.
Then ever Sir Tristram smote down knights wonderly to behold,what upon the right hand and upon the left hand,that unnethe no knight might withstand him.And the King of Scots and the King of Ireland began to withdraw them.When Arthur espied that,he thought that that knight with the strange shield should not escape him.Then he called unto him Sir Uwaine le Blanche Mains,and bade him arm him and make him ready.So anon King Arthur and Sir Uwaine dressed them before Sir Tristram,and required him to tell them where he had that shield.Sir,he said,I had it of Queen Morgan le Fay,sister unto King Arthur.
So here endeth this history of this book,for it is the first book of Sir Tristram de Liones and the second book of Sir Tristram followeth.
