But Sir Tristram was not so soon come into the place, but Sir Gawaine
and Sir Galihodin went to King Arthur, and told him: That same green
knight in the green harness with the white horse smote us two down, and
six of our fellows this same day. Well, said Arthur. And then he called
Sir Tristram and asked him what was his name. Sir, said Sir Tristram,
ye shall hold me excused as at this time, for ye shall not wit my name.
And there Sir Tristram returned and rode his way. I have marvel, said
Arthur, that yonder knight will not tell me his name, but go thou,
Griflet le Fise de Dieu, and pray him to speak with me betwixt us. Then
Sir Griflet rode after him and overtook him, and said him that King
Arthur prayed him for to speak with him secretly apart. Upon this
covenant, said Sir Tristram, I will speak with him; that I will turn
again so that ye will ensure me not to desire to hear my name. I shall
undertake, said Sir Griflet, that he will not greatly desire it of you.
So they rode together until they came to King Arthur. Fair sir, said
King Arthur, what is the cause ye will not tell me your name? Sir, said
Sir Tristram, without a cause I will not hide my name. Upon what party
will ye hold? said King Arthur. Truly, my lord, said Sir Tristram, I
wot not yet on what party I will be on, until I come to the field, and
there as my heart giveth me, there will I hold; but to-morrow ye shall
see and prove on what party I shall come. And therewithal he returned
and went to his pavilions.
And upon the morn they armed them all in green, and came into the
field; and there young knights began to joust, and did many worshipful
deeds. Then spake Gareth unto Sir Tristram, and prayed him to give him
leave to break his spear, for him thought shame to bear his spear whole
again. When Sir Tristram heard him say so he laughed, and said: I pray
you do your best. Then Sir Gareth gat a spear and proffered to joust.
That saw a knight that was nephew unto the King of the Hundred Knights;
his name was Selises, and a good man of arms. So this knight Selises
then dressed him unto Sir Gareth, and they two met together so hard
that either smote other down, his horse and all, to the earth, so they
were both bruised and hurt; and there they lay till the King with the
Hundred Knights halp Selises up, and Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides
halp up Gareth again. And so they rode with Sir Gareth unto their
pavilions, and then they pulled off his helm.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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