Then there came a knight that was called Sir Dinadan, and saluted them
both. And when he wist that King Mark was a knight of Cornwall he
reproved him for the love of King Mark a thousand fold more than did
Sir Lamorak. Then he proffered to joust with King Mark. And he was full
loath thereto, but Sir Dinadan edged him so, that he jousted with Sir
Lamorak. And Sir Lamorak smote King Mark so sore that he bare him on
his spear end over his horse’s tail. And then King Mark arose again,
and followed after Sir Lamorak. But Sir Dinadan would not joust with
Sir Lamorak, but he told King Mark that Sir Lamorak was Sir Kay, the
Seneschal. That is not so, said King Mark, for he is much bigger than
Sir Kay; and so he followed and overtook him, and bade him abide. What
will you do? said Sir Lamorak. Sir, he said, I will fight with a sword,
for ye have shamed me with a spear; and therewith they dashed together
with swords, and Sir Lamorak suffered him and forbare him. And King
Mark was passing hasty, and smote thick strokes. Sir Lamorak saw he
would not stint, and waxed somewhat wroth, and doubled his strokes, for
he was one of the noblest knights of the world; and he beat him so on
the helm that his head hung nigh on the saddle bow. When Sir Lamorak
saw him fare so, he said: Sir knight, what cheer? meseemeth you have
nigh your fill of fighting, it were pity to do you any more harm, for
ye are but a mean knight, therefore I give you leave to go where ye
list. Gramercy, said King Mark, for ye and I be not matches.
Then Sir Dinadan mocked King Mark and said: Ye are not able to match a
good knight. As for that, said King Mark, at the first time I jousted
with this knight ye refused him. Think ye that it is a shame to me?
said Sir Dinadan: nay, sir, it is ever worship to a knight to refuse
that thing that he may not attain, there fore your worship had been
much more to have refused him as I did; for I warn you plainly he is
able to beat such five as ye and I be; for ye knights of Cornwall are
no men of worship as other knights are. And because ye are no men of
worship ye hate all men of worship, for never was bred in your country
such a knight as is Sir Tristram.
CHAPTER IX. How King Mark, Sir Lamorak, and Sir Dinadan came to a
castle, and how King Mark was known there.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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