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
Then King Mark cast always in his heart how he might destroy Sir
Tristram. And then he imagined in himself to send Sir Tristram
into Ireland for la Belle Isolde. For Sir Tristram had so praised
her beauty and her goodness that King Mark said he would wed her,
whereupon he prayed Sir Tristram to take his way into Ireland for him
on message. And all this was done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.
Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the message for no
danger nor peril that might fall for the pleasure of his uncle, but to
go he made him ready in the most goodliest wise that might be devised.
So Sir Tristram departed and took the sea with all his fellowship. And
anon as he was in the broad sea, a tempest took him and his fellowship
and drove them back into the coast of England, and there they arrived
fast by Camelot, and full fain they were to take the land. And when
they were landed Sir Tristram set up his pavilion upon the land of
Camelot, and there he let hang his shield upon the pavilion.
* * * * *
Then when Sir Tristram was in his rich pavilion, Gouvernail his man
came and told him how King Anguish of Ireland was come there, and how
he was put in great distress; and there Gouvernail told to Sir Tristram
how King Anguish of Ireland was summoned and accused of murder.
"So God me help," said Sir Tristram, "these be the best tidings that
ever came to me this seven year, for now shall the King of Ireland have
need of my help, for I dare say there is no knight in this country that
is not of King Arthur's court dare do no battle with Sir Blamor de
Ganis; and for to win the love of the King of Ireland, I shall take the
battle upon me; and therefore, Gouvernail, I charge thee to bring me to
the king."
And so Gouvernail went unto King Anguish of Ireland, and saluted him
fair. The king welcomed him, and asked him what he would.
"Sir," said Gouvernail, "here is a knight near hand which desireth to
speak with you; and he bade me say that he would do you service."
"What knight is he?" said the king.
"Sir," said he, "it is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, that for the good
grace that ye showed unto him in your land, he will reward you in this
country."
"Come on, good fellow," said the king, "with me, and show me Sir
Tristram."
So the king took a little hackney and a little company with him, until
he came unto Sir Tristram's pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw King
Anguish, he ran unto him, and would have holden his stirrup. But anon
the king leapt lightly from his horse, and either halsed [_embraced_]
other in their arms.
"My gracious lord," said Sir Tristram, "gramercy of your great goodness
that ye showed to me in your marches and lands. And at that time I
promised you to do you service and ever it lay in my power."
"Ah, worshipful knight," said the king unto Sir Tristram, "now have I
great need of you; for never had I so great need of no knight's help."
"How so, my good lord?" said Sir Tristram.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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