So at the seven nights’ end Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector departed from
Sir Tristram and from the queen; and these two good knights had great
gifts; and Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan abode with Sir Tristram. And when
Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector were come there as the Queen Guenever was
lodged, in a castle by the seaside, and through the grace of God the
queen was recovered of her malady, then she asked the two knights from
whence they came. They said that they came from Sir Tristram and from
La Beale Isoud. How doth Sir Tristram, said the queen, and La Beale
Isoud? Truly, said those two knights, he doth as a noble knight should
do; and as for the Queen Isoud, she is peerless of all ladies; for to
speak of her beauty, bounté, and mirth, and of her goodness, we saw
never her match as far as we have ridden and gone. O mercy Jesu, said
Queen Guenever, so saith all the people that have seen her and spoken
with her. God would that I had part of her conditions; and it is
misfortuned me of my sickness while that tournament endured. And as I
suppose I shall never see in all my life such an assembly of knights
and ladies as ye have done.
Then the knights told her how Palomides won the degree at the first day
with great noblesse; and the second day Sir Tristram won the degree;
and the third day Sir Launcelot won the degree. Well, said Queen
Guenever, who did best all these three days? So God me help, said these
knights, Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram had least dishonour. And wit ye
well Sir Palomides did passing well and mightily; but he turned against
the party that he came in withal, and that caused him to lose a great
part of his worship, for it seemed that Sir Palomides is passing
envious. Then shall he never win worship, said Queen Guenever, for an
it happeth an envious man once to win worship he shall be dishonoured
twice therefore; and for this cause all men of worship hate an envious
man, and will shew him no favour, and he that is courteous, and kind,
and gentle, hath favour in every place.
CHAPTER LXXXII. How Epinogris complained by a well, and how Sir
Palomides came and found him, and of their both sorrowing.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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