So to shorten this tale, when Sir Tristram was arrived within the
island he looked to the farther side, and there he saw at an anchor six
ships nigh to the land; and under the shadow of the ships upon the
land, there hoved the noble knight, Sir Marhaus of Ireland. Then Sir
Tristram commanded his servant Gouvernail to bring his horse to the
land, and dress his harness at all manner of rights. And then when he
had so done he mounted upon his horse; and when he was in his saddle
well apparelled, and his shield dressed upon his shoulder, Tristram
asked Gouvernail, Where is this knight that I shall have ado withal?
Sir, said Gouvernail, see ye him not? I weened ye had seen him; yonder
he hoveth under the umbre of his ships on horseback, with his spear in
his hand and his shield upon his shoulder. That is truth, said the
noble knight, Sir Tristram, now I see him well enough.
Then he commanded his servant Gouvernail to go to his vessel again: And
commend me unto mine eme King Mark, and pray him, if that I be slain in
this battle, for to inter my body as him seemed best; and as for me,
let him wit that I will never yield me for cowardice; and if I be slain
and flee not, then they have lost no truage for me; and if so be that I
flee or yield me as recreant, bid mine eme never bury me in Christian
burials. And upon thy life, said Sir Tristram to Gouvernail, come thou
not nigh this island till that thou see me overcome or slain, or else
that I win yonder knight. So either departed from other sore weeping.
CHAPTER VII. How Sir Tristram fought against Sir Marhaus and achieved
his battle, and how Sir Marhaus fled to his ship.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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