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
So Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain went on their way, and as they rode they
saw a knight, named Sir Brewse-without-pity, chasing a lady, with intent
to slay her. Then Sir Gawain prayed Sir Tristram to hold still and let
him assail that knight. So he rode up between Sir Brewse and the lady,
and cried, "False knight, turn thee to me and leave that lady." Then Sir
Brewse turned and set his spear in rest, and rushed against Sir Gawain
and overthrew him, and rode his horse upon him as he lay, which when Sir
Tristram saw, he cried, "Forbear that villainy," and galloped at him.
But when Sir Brewse saw by the shield it was Sir Tristram, he turned and
fled. And though Sir Tristram followed swiftly after him, yet he was so
well horsed that he escaped.
Anon Sir Tristram and Sir Gawain came nigh the Maiden's Castle, and
there an old knight named Sir Pellonnes gave them lodging. And Sir
Persides, the son of Sir Pellonnes, a good knight, came out to welcome
them. And, as they stood talking at a bay window of the castle, they saw
a goodly knight ride by on a black horse, and carrying a black shield.
"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.
"One of the best knights in all the world," said Sir Persides.
"Is he Sir Lancelot?" said Sir Tristram.
"Nay," answered Sir Persides, "it is Sir Palomedes, who is yet
unchristened."
Within a while one came and told them that a knight with a black shield
had smitten down thirteen knights. "Let us go and see this jousting,"
said Sir Tristram. So they armed themselves and went down. And when Sir
Palomedes saw Sir Persides, he sent a squire to him and proffered him to
joust. So they jousted, and Sir Persides was overthrown. Then Sir
Tristram made ready to joust, but ere he had his spear in rest, Sir
Palomedes took him at advantage, and struck him on the shield so that he
fell. At that Sir Tristram was wroth out of measure and sore ashamed,
wherefore he sent a squire and prayed Sir Palomedes to joust once again.
But he would not, saying, "Tell thy master to revenge himself to-morrow
at the Maiden's Castle, where he shall see me again."
So on the morrow Sir Tristram commanded his servant to give him a black
shield with no cognizance thereon, and he and Sir Persides rode into the
tournament and joined King Carados' side.
Then the knights of the King of North Wales came forth, and there was a
great fighting and breaking of spears, and overthrow of men and horses.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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