第99章 BOOK VIII(3)

So in all haste there was made purveyance for Sir Marhaus,and he had all things that to him needed;and so he departed out of Ireland,and arrived up in Cornwall even fast by the Castle of Tintagil.And when King Mark understood that he was there arrived to fight for Ireland,then made King Mark great sorrow when he understood that the good and noble knight Sir Marhaus was come.For they knew no knight that durst have ado with him.For at that time Sir Marhaus was called one of the famousest and renowned knights of the world.And thus Sir Marhaus abode in the sea,and every day he sent unto King Mark for to pay the truage that was behind of seven year,other else to find a knight to fight with him for the truage.This manner of message Sir Marhaus sent daily unto King Mark.

Then they of Cornwall let make cries in every place,that what knight would fight for to save the truage of Cornwall,he should be rewarded so that he should fare the better,term of his life.

Then some of the barons said to King Mark,and counselled him to send to the court of King Arthur for to seek Sir Launcelot du Lake,that was that time named for the marvelloust knight of all the world.Then there were some other barons that counselled the king not to do so,and said that it was labour in vain,because Sir Marhaus was a knight of the Round Table,therefore any of them will be loath to have ado with other,but if it were any knight at his own request would fight disguised and unknown.So the king and all his barons assented that it was no bote to seek any knight of the Round Table.This mean while came the language and the noise unto King Meliodas,how that Sir Marhaus abode battle fast by Tintagil,and how King Mark could find no manner knight to fight for him.When young Tristram heard of this he was wroth,and sore ashamed that there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado with Sir Marhaus of Ireland.

CHAPTER V

How Tristram enterprized the battle to fight for the truage of Cornwall,and how he was made knight.

THEREWITHAL Tristram went unto his father,King Meliodas,and asked him counsel what was best to do for to recover Cornwall from truage.For,as meseemeth,said Sir Tristram,it were shame that Sir Marhaus,the queen's brother of Ireland,should go away unless that he were foughten withal.As for that,said King Meliodas,wit you well,son Tristram,that Sir Marhaus is called one of the best knights of the world,and Knight of the Table Round;and therefore I know no knight in this country that is able to match with him.Alas,said Sir Tristram,that I am not made knight;and if Sir Marhaus should thus depart into Ireland,God let me never have worship:an I were made knight I should match him.And sir,said Tristram,I pray you give me leave to ride to King Mark;and,so ye be not displeased,of King Mark will I be made knight.I will well,said King Meliodas,that ye be ruled as your courage will rule you.Then Sir Tristram thanked his father much.And then he made him ready to ride into Cornwall.

In the meanwhile there came a messenger with letters of love from King Faramon of France's daughter unto Sir Tristram,that were full piteous letters,and in them were written many complaints of love;but Sir Tristram had no joy of her letters nor regard unto her.Also she sent him a little brachet that was passing fair.

But when the king's daughter understood that Sir Tristram would not love her,as the book saith,she died for sorrow.And then the same squire that brought the letter and the brachet came again unto Sir Tristram,as after ye shall hear in the tale.

So this young Sir Tristram rode unto his eme,King Mark of Cornwall.And when he came there he heard say that there would no knight fight with Sir Marhaus.Then yede Sir Tristram unto his eme and said:Sir,if ye will give me the order of knighthood,I will do battle with Sir Marhaus.What are ye,said the king,and from whence be ye come?Sir,said Tristram,I come from King Meliodas that wedded your sister,and a gentleman wit ye well I am.King Mark beheld Sir Tristram and saw that he was but a young man of age,but he was passingly well made and big.

Fair sir,said the king,what is your name,and where were ye born?Sir,said he again,my name is Tristram,and in the country of Liones was I born.Ye say well,said the king;and if ye will do this battle I shall make you knight.Therefore I come to you,said Sir Tristram,and for none other cause.But then King Mark made him knight.And therewithal,anon as he had made him knight,he sent a messenger unto Sir Marhaus with letters that said that he had found a young knight ready for to take the battle to the uttermost.It may well be,said Sir Marhaus;but tell King Mark I will not fight with no knight but he be of blood royal,that is to say,other king's son,other queen's son,born of a prince or princess.

When King Mark understood that,he sent for Sir Tristram de Liones and told him what was the answer of Sir Marhaus.Then said Sir Tristram:Sithen that he saith so,let him wit that Iam come of father side and mother side of as noble blood as he is:for,sir,now shall ye know that I am King Meliodas'son,born of your own sister,Dame Elizabeth,that died in the forest in the birth of me.O Jesu,said King Mark,ye are welcome fair nephew to me.Then in all the haste the king let horse Sir Tristram,and armed him in the best manner that might be had or gotten for gold or silver.And then King Mark sent unto Sir Marhaus,and did him to wit that a better born man than he was himself should fight with him,and his name is Sir Tristram de Liones,gotten of King Meliodas,and born of King Mark's sister.

Then was Sir Marhaus glad and blithe that he should fight with such a gentleman.And so by the assent of King Mark and of Sir Marhaus they let ordain that they should fight within an island nigh Sir Marhaus'ships;and so was Sir Tristram put into a vessel both his horse and he,and all that to him longed both for his body and for his horse.Sir Tristram lacked nothing.