Then by the license of King Arthur they went to him and spake with him;
for while the truncheon of the spear stuck in his body he spake: Ah,
fair damosels, said Amant, recommend me unto La Beale Isoud, and tell
her that I am slain for the love of her and of Sir Tristram. And there
he told the damosels how cowardly King Mark had slain him, and Sir
Bersules, his fellow. And for that deed I appealed him of treason, and
here am I slain in a righteous quarrel; and all was because Sir
Bersules and I would not consent by treason to slay the noble knight,
Sir Tristram. Then the two maidens cried aloud that all the court might
hear it, and said: O sweet Lord Jesu, that knowest all hid things, why
sufferest Thou so false a traitor to vanquish and slay a true knight
that fought in a righteous quarrel? Then anon it was sprung to the
king, and the queen, and to all the lords, that it was King Mark that
had slain Sir Amant, and Sir Bersules afore hand; wherefore they did
their battle. Then was King Arthur wroth out of measure, and so were
all the other knights. But when Sir Tristram knew all the matter he
made great dole and sorrow out of measure, and wept for sorrow for the
loss of the noble knights, Sir Bersules and of Sir Amant.
When Sir Launcelot espied Sir Tristram weep he went hastily to King
Arthur, and said: Sir, I pray you give me leave to return again to
yonder false king and knight. I pray you, said King Arthur, fetch him
again, but I would not that ye slew him, for my worship. Then Sir
Launcelot armed him in all haste, and mounted upon a great horse, and
took a spear in his hand and rode after King Mark. And from thence a
three mile English Sir Launcelot over took him, and bade him: Turn
recreant king and knight, for whether thou wilt or not thou shalt go
with me to King Arthur’s court. King Mark returned and looked upon Sir
Launcelot, and said: Fair sir, what is your name? Wit thou well, said
he, my name is Sir Launcelot, and therefore defend thee. And when King
Mark wist that it was Sir Launcelot, and came so fast upon him with a
spear, he cried then aloud: I yield me to thee, Sir Launcelot,
honourable knight. But Sir Launcelot would not hear him, but came fast
upon him. King Mark saw that, and made no defence, but tumbled adown
out of his saddle to the earth as a sack, and there he lay still, and
cried Sir Launcelot mercy. Arise, recreant knight and king. I will not
fight, said King Mark, but whither that ye will I will go with you.
Alas, alas, said Sir Launcelot, that I may not give thee one buffet for
the love of Sir Tristram and of La Beale Isoud, and for the two knights
that thou hast slain traitorly. And so he mounted upon his horse and
brought him to King Arthur; and there King Mark alighted in that same
place, and threw his helm from him upon the earth, and his sword, and
fell flat to the earth of King Arthur’s feet, and put him in his grace
and mercy. So God me help, said Arthur, ye are welcome in a manner, and
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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