The Boy's King Arthur: Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
General
The Boy's King Arthur: Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table
Malory, Thomas, Sir
Arthur, King -- Legends; Arthurian romances -- Adaptations; Folklore -- England; Knights and knighthood -- Folklore
And then they came together as two wild boars, lashing together,
tracing and traversing as noble men that oft had been well proved in
battle; but ever Sir Palamides dreaded the might of Sir Tristram, and
therefore he suffered him to breathe him. Thus they fought more than
two hours; and often Sir Tristram smote such strokes at Sir Palamides
that he made him to kneel; and Sir Palamides brake and cut away many
pieces of Sir Tristram's shield, and then Sir Palamides wounded Sir
Tristram, for he was a well fighting man. Then Sir Tristram was wood
wrath out of measure, and rashed upon Sir Palamides with such a might
that Sir Palamides fell grovelling to the earth, and therewithal he
leapt up lightly upon his feet, and then Sir Tristram wounded Sir
Palamides sore through the shoulder. And ever Sir Tristram fought
still in like hard, and Sir Palamides failed not, but gave him many
sad strokes. And at the last Sir Tristram doubled his strokes, and by
fortune Sir Tristram smote Sir Palamides' sword out of his hand, and if
Sir Palamides had stooped for his sword, he had been slain. Then Sir
Palamides stood still and beheld his sword with a sorrowful heart.
"How now," said Sir Tristram unto Sir Palamides, "now have I thee at
advantage as thou hadst me this day, but it shall never be said in no
court, nor among good knights, that Sir Tristram shall slay any knight
that is weaponless, and therefore take thou thy sword, and let us make
an end of this battle."
"As for to do this battle," said Sir Palamides, "I dare right well end
it; but I have no great lust to fight no more, and for this cause, mine
offence to you is not so great but that we may be friends. All that I
have offended is and was for the love of la Belle Isolde. And as for
her, I dare say she is peerless above all other ladies, and also I
proffered her never no dishonor; and by her I have gotten the most part
of my worship, and sithen I offended never as to her own person. And
as for the offence that I have done, it was against your own person,
and for that offence ye have given me this day many sad strokes, and
some I have given you again; and now I dare say I felt never man of
your might, nor so well breathed, but if it were Sir Launcelot du Lake.
Wherefore I require you, my lord, forgive me all that I have offended
unto you. And this same day have me to the next church, and first let
me be clean confessed, and after see you now that I be truly baptized.
And then will we all ride together unto the court of Arthur, that we be
there at the high feast."
"Now take your horse," said Sir Tristram, "and as ye say, so it shall
be; and all your evil will God forgive it you, and I do. And here,
within this mile, is the suffragan of Carlisle, that shall give you the
sacrament of baptism."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account