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 when Sir Tristram heard him say so knightly, he wist not what to
do with him. And then Sir Tristram started aback and went to the kings
which were judges; and there he kneeled down before them, and besought
them for their worship, and for King Arthur and Sir Launcelot's sake,
that they would take this matter in their hands:
"For, fair lords," said Sir Tristram, "it were shame and pity that this
noble knight that yonder lieth should be slain, for ye may well hear
that shamed he will not be, and I pray to God that he never be slain
nor shamed for me. And as for the king for whom I do this battle, I
shall require him, as I am his true champion and true knight in this
field, that he will have mercy upon this good knight."
"So God me help," said King Anguish to Sir Tristram, "I will be ruled
for your sake as ye will have me. For I know you for my true knight,
and therefore I will heartily pray the kings that be here as judges for
to take it into their hands."
And then the kings which were judges called Sir Bleoberis unto them and
demanded his advice.
"My lord," said Sir Bleoberis, "though that my brother be beaten and
both the worse through might of arms, I dare well say though Sir
Tristram hath beaten his body he hath not beaten his heart; I thank
God he is not shamed this day. And rather than he should be shamed, I
require you," said Sir Bleoberis, "let Sir Tristram slay him out of
hand [_immediately_]."
"It shall not be so," said the kings, "for his adverse party, both the
king and the champion, hath pity of Sir Blamor's knighthood."
"My lords," said Sir Bleoberis, "I will right well as ye will."
Then the kings called to them the King of Ireland, and found him good
and treatable [_willing to agree_]. And then by all their advices Sir
Tristram and Sir Bleoberis took up Sir Blamor. And the two brethren
were accorded with King Anguish; and kissed each other and were made
friends for ever. And then Sir Blamor and Sir Tristram kissed each
other, and then the two brethren made their oaths that they would
never fight with Sir Tristram. And Sir Tristram made the same oath.
And for that gentle battle all the blood of Sir Launcelot loved Sir
Tristram for ever more. Then King Anguish and Sir Tristram took their
leave and sailed into Ireland with great joy and nobleness. So when
they were in Ireland, the king let make it be known throughout all the
land how and in what manner Sir Tristram had done for him. And then the
queen and all the estates that were there made as much of him as ever
they might make; but the joy that la Belle Isolde made of Sir Tristram,
that might no tongue tell, for of men living she loved him most.
* * * * *
Then upon a day King Anguish asked Sir Tristram why he asked not his
boon, for whatsoever he had promised him he should have it without fail.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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