Then one told him there was a knight of King Arthur’s that was wrecked
on the rocks. What is his name? said Sir Tristram. We wot not, said the
fishers, but he keepeth it no counsel but that he is a knight of King
Arthur’s, and by the mighty lord of this isle he setteth nought. I pray
you, said Sir Tristram, an ye may, bring him hither that I may see him,
and if he be any of the knights of Arthur’s I shall know him. Then the
lady prayed the fishers to bring him to her place. So on the morrow
they brought him thither in a fisher’s raiment; and as soon as Sir
Tristram saw him he smiled upon him and knew him well, but he knew not
Sir Tristram. Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, meseemeth by your cheer ye
have been diseased but late, and also methinketh I should know you
heretofore. I will well, said Sir Lamorak, that ye have seen me and met
with me. Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, tell me your name. Upon a
covenant I will tell you, said Sir Lamorak, that is, that ye will tell
me whether ye be lord of this island or no, that is called Nabon le
Noire. Forsooth, said Sir Tristram, I am not he, nor I hold not of him;
I am his foe as well as ye be, and so shall I be found or I depart out
of this isle. Well, said Sir Lamorak, since ye have said so largely
unto me, my name is Sir Lamorak de Galis, son unto King Pellinore.
Forsooth, I trow well, said Sir Tristram, for an ye said other I know
the contrary. What are ye, said Sir Lamorak, that knoweth me? I am Sir
Tristram de Liones. Ah, sir, remember ye not of the fall ye did give me
once, and after ye refused me to fight on foot. That was not for fear I
had of you, said Sir Tristram, but me shamed at that time to have more
ado with you, for meseemed ye had enough; but, Sir Lamorak, for my
kindness many ladies ye put to a reproof when ye sent the horn from
Morgan le Fay to King Mark, whereas ye did this in despite of me. Well,
said he, an it were to do again, so would I do, for I had liefer strife
and debate fell in King Mark’s court rather than Arthur’s court, for
the honour of both courts be not alike. As to that, said Sir Tristram,
I know well; but that that was done it was for despite of me, but all
your malice, I thank God, hurt not greatly. Therefore, said Sir
Tristram, ye shall leave all your malice, and so will I, and let us
assay how we may win worship between you and me upon this giant Sir
Nabon le Noire that is lord of this island, to destroy him. Sir, said
Sir Lamorak, now I understand your knighthood, it may not be false that
all men say, for of your bounty, noblesse, and worship, of all knights
ye are peerless, and for your courtesy and gentleness I showed you
ungentleness, and that now me repenteth.
CHAPTER XXXIX. How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Nabon, and overcame
him, and made Sir Segwarides lord of the isle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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