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
"Nay," said the king, "ye shall not do so; for full gladly I will do
your courtesy," and with that he withdrew his knights.
Then Sir Tristram rode his way into the forest, that no man might know
him. And King Arthur caused the heralds to blow that the tourney should
end that day, and he gave the King of North Wales the prize, because Sir
Tristram was on his side. And in all the field there was such a cry that
the sound thereof was heard two miles away--"The knight with the black
shield hath won the field."
"Alas!" said King Arthur, "where is that knight? it is shame to let him
thus escape us." Then he comforted his knights, and said, "Be not
dismayed, my friends, howbeit ye have lost the day; be of good cheer;
to-morrow I myself will be in the field, and fare with you." So they all
rested that night.
And on the morrow the heralds blew unto the field. So the King of North
Wales and the King of a Hundred Knights encountered with King Carados
and the King of Ireland, and overthrew them. With that came King Arthur,
and did mighty deeds of arms, and overthrew the King of North Wales and
his fellows, and put twenty valiant knights to the worse. Anon came in
Sir Palomedes, and made great fight upon King Arthur's side. But Sir
Tristram rode furiously against him, and Sir Palomedes was thrown from
his horse. Then cried King Arthur, "Knight of the Black Shield, keep
thyself." And as he spake he came upon him, and smote him from his
saddle to the ground, and so passed on to other knights. Then Sir
Palomedes having now another horse rushed at Sir Tristram, as he was on
foot, thinking to run over him. But he was aware of him, and stepped
aside, and grasped Sir Palomedes by the arms, and pulled him off his
horse. Then they rushed together with their swords, and many stood still
to gaze on them. And Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomedes with three mighty
strokes upon the helm, crying at each stroke, "Take this for Sir
Tristram's sake," and with that Sir Palomedes fell to the earth.
Anon the King of North Wales brought Sir Tristram another horse, and Sir
Palomedes found one also. Then did they joust again with passing rage,
for both by now were like mad lions. But Sir Tristram avoided his spear,
and seized Sir Palomedes by the neck, and pulled him from his saddle,
and bore him onward ten spears' length, and so let him fall. Then King
Arthur drew forth his sword and smote the spear asunder, and gave Sir
Tristram two or three sore strokes ere he could get at his own sword.
But when he had it in his hand he mightily assailed the king. With that
eleven knights of Lancelot's kin went forth against him, but he smote
them all down to the earth, so that men marveled at his deeds.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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