The Boy's King Arthur: Sir Thomas Malory's History of King Arthur and His Knights of the Round TableMalory, Thomas, Sir
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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
"Sir," said he, "I was but late hurt, and as yet I dare not adventure
me."
* * * * *
And so on the morn Sir Palamides made him ready to come into the field
as he did the first day. And there he smote down the king with the
hundred knights, and the King of Scotland. Then had la Belle Isolde
ordained and well arrayed Sir Tramtrist in white horse and harness.
And right so she let put him out at a privy postern, and so he came
into the field as it had been a bright angel. And anon Sir Palamides
espied him, and therewith he feutered [_laid in rest_] a spear unto Sir
Tramtrist, and he again unto him. And there Sir Tristram smote down Sir
Palamides unto the earth. And then there was a great noise of people:
some said Sir Palamides had a fall, some said the knight with the black
shield had a fall. And wit you well la Belle Isolde was passing glad.
And then Sir Gawaine and his fellows nine had marvel what knight it
might be that had smitten down Sir Palamides. Then would there none
joust with Tramtrist, but all that were there forsook him, most and
least. And when Sir Palamides had received this fall, wit ye well he
was sore ashamed; and as privily as he might he withdrew him out of
the field. All that espied Sir Tristram, and lightly he rode after Sir
Palamides, and overtook him, and bade him turn, for better he would
assay him or ever he departed. Then Sir Palamides turned him, and
either lashed at other with their swords. But at the first stroke Sir
Tristram smote down Palamides, and gave him such a stroke upon the head
that he fell to the earth. So then Tristram bade yield him and do his
commandment, or else he would slay him. And when Sir Palamides beheld
his countenance, he dread sore his buffets, so that he granted him all
his asking.
"Well," said Sir Tristram unto him, "this shall be your charge. First,
upon pain of your life, that ye forsake my lady la Belle Isolde, and in
no manner of wise that ye draw unto her, and also these twelve months
and a day that ye bear none armor nor in like wise no harness of war.
Now promise me this, or here shalt thou die."
"Alas!" said Sir Palamides, "now am I for ever shamed."
And then he swore as Sir Tristram had commanded him. Then for great
despite and anger, Sir Palamides cut off his harness and threw it away.
And then Sir Tristram rode privily unto the postern where la Belle
Isolde kept him, and then she made him good cheer, and thanked God of
his good speed.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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