Historic Tales: The Romance of Reality. Vol. 13 (of 15), King Arthur (1)Malory, Thomas, Sir
General
Historic Tales: The Romance of Reality. Vol. 13 (of 15), King Arthur (1)
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthurian romances; Malory, Thomas, Sir, active 15th century. Morte d'Arthur -- Adaptations
She set him, therefore, by her side at table, and made so much of him
that a knight who loved her clutched his sword-hilt in jealous rage,
half disposed to rush upon Tristram and run him through unawares.
"Tell me your name," said the queen, at the end of the repast, "and you
shall depart when you will."
"Thanks for your promise, fair lady. My name is Tristram de Lyonesse."
"Then I am sorry I made so hasty a promise. But I will hold to my word
if you will engage to bear a shield which I shall give you to the Castle
of the Hard Rock, where King Arthur has announced that a tournament is
to be held. I have heard of your deeds of arms at the Castle of Maidens,
and hope you will do as much for me at this new tournament."
"Let me see the shield that you wish me to bear," asked Tristram.
So the shield was brought. It was golden on its face, and on it was
painted a king and queen, with a knight standing above them with a foot
on the head of each.
"This is a fair shield," said Tristram; "but what signifies the device?"
"It signifies King Arthur and Queen Guenever," said Morgan, "and a
knight that holds them both in bondage."
"And who is the knight?"
"That you shall not know at present."
So Tristram took the shield, not dreaming that it was intended as a
rebuke to Sir Lancelot, and promised to bear it at the tournament.
But as he rode away he was followed by Sir Hemison, the knight who loved
Morgan le Fay, and whose jealous anger had been roused. Overtaking
Tristram before he had gone far, he rushed upon him at the speed of his
horse, crying, in a voice of thunder,--
"Sir knight, defend yourself!"
This Tristram did with good effect, for his assailant's spear broke upon
his body, while he thrust him through and hurled him to the earth with a
mortal wound.
"Fool, you have brought it on yourself," said Tristram. "It is not my
fault if you got what you designed for me."
Then he rode on, and left the wounded knight to the care of his squire,
who removed his helmet, and asked if his life was in any danger.
"There is little life in me," said the knight, "and that is ebbing fast.
Therefore help me to my saddle, and mount behind me and hold me on so
that I shall not fall, and so bring me to Queen Morgan le Fay. For deep
draughts of death draw to my heart, and I would fain speak to her before
I die."
The squire did as commanded, and brought his bleeding master to the
castle, but he died as he entered the hall, falling lifeless at the feet
of the lady of his love. Much she wept and great lamentation she made
for his untimely fate, and buried him in a stately tomb, on which was
written, "Here lieth Sir Hemison, slain by the hands of Tristram de
Lyonesse."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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