King Arthur and the Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
General
King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthurian romances
Anon he came again to King Mark's court, and there lived in great joy
and pleasure, till within a while the king grew jealous of his fame, and
of the love and favor shown him by all damsels. And as long as King Mark
lived, he never after loved Sir Tristram, though there was much fair
speech between them.
Then it befell upon a certain day that the good knight Sir Bleoberis de
Ganis, brother to Sir Blamor de Ganis, and nigh cousin to Sir Lancelot
of the Lake, came to King Mark's court and asked of him a favor. And
though the king marveled, seeing he was a man of great renown, and a
knight of the Round Table, he granted him all his asking. Then said Sir
Bleoberis, "I will have the fairest lady in your court, at my own
choosing."
"I may not say thee nay," replied the king; "choose therefore, but take
all the issues of thy choice."
So when he had looked around, he chose the wife of Earl Segwarides, and
took her by the hand, and set her upon horseback behind his squire, and
rode forth on his way.
Presently thereafter came in the earl, and rode out straightway after
him in rage. But all the ladies cried out shame upon Sir Tristram that
he had not gone, and one rebuked him foully and called him coward
knight, that he would stand and see a lady forced away from his uncle's
court. But Sir Tristram answered her, "Fair lady, it is not my place to
take part in this quarrel while her lord and husband is here to do it.
Had he not been at this court, peradventure I had been her champion. And
if it so befall that he speed ill, then may it happen that I speak with
that foul knight before he pass out of this realm."
Anon ran in one of Sir Segwarides' squires, and told that his master was
sore wounded, and at the point of death. When Sir Tristram heard that,
he was soon armed and on his horse, and Governale, his servant, followed
him with shield and spear.
And as he rode, he met his cousin Sir Andret, who had been commanded by
King Mark to bring home to him two knights of King Arthur's court who
roamed the country thereabouts seeking adventures.
"What tidings?" said Sir Tristram.
"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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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