Then the king for great favour made Tramtrist to be put in his
daughter’s ward and keeping, because she was a noble surgeon. And when
she had searched him she found in the bottom of his wound that therein
was poison, and so she healed him within a while; and therefore
Tramtrist cast great love to La Beale Isoud, for she was at that time
the fairest maid and lady of the world. And there Tramtrist learned her
to harp, and she began to have a great fantasy unto him. And at that
time Sir Palamides, the Saracen, was in that country, and well
cherished with the king and the queen. And every day Sir Palamides drew
unto La Beale Isoud and proffered her many gifts, for he loved her
passingly well. All that espied Tramtrist, and full well knew he Sir
Palamides for a noble knight and a mighty man. And wit you well Sir
Tramtrist had great despite at Sir Palamides, for La Beale Isoud told
Tramtrist that Palamides was in will to be christened for her sake.
Thus was there great envy betwixt Tramtrist and Sir Palamides.
Then it befell that King Anguish let cry a great jousts and a great
tournament for a lady that was called the Lady of the Launds, and she
was nigh cousin unto the king. And what man won her, three days after
he should wed her and have all her lands. This cry was made in England,
Wales, Scotland, and also in France and in Brittany. It befell upon a
day La Beale Isoud came unto Sir Tramtrist, and told him of this
tournament. He answered and said: Fair lady, I am but a feeble knight,
and but late I had been dead had not your good ladyship been. Now, fair
lady, what would ye I should do in this matter? well ye wot, my lady,
that I may not joust. Ah, Tramtrist, said La Beale Isoud, why will ye
not have ado at that tournament? well I wot Sir Palamides shall be
there, and to do what he may; and therefore Tramtrist, I pray you for
to be there, for else Sir Palamides is like to win the degree. Madam,
said Tramtrist, as for that, it may be so, for he is a proved knight,
and I am but a young knight and late made; and the first battle that I
did it mishapped me to be sore wounded as ye see. But an I wist ye
would be my better lady, at that tournament I will be, so that ye will
keep my counsel and let no creature have knowledge that I shall joust
but yourself, and such as ye will to keep your counsel, my poor person
shall I jeopard there for your sake, that, peradventure, Sir Palamides
shall know when that I come. Thereto, said La Beale Isoud, do your
best, and as I can, said La Beale Isoud, I shall purvey horse and
armour for you at my device. As ye will so be it, said Sir Tramtrist, I
will be at your commandment.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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