Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK VIII CHAPTER XXII

CHAPTER XXII

How Sir Tristram fought for Sir Anguish and overcame his
adversary, and how his adversary would never yield him.

NOW make your answer that your champion is ready, for I shall die
in your quarrel rather than to be recreant.  I have no doubt of
you, said the king, that, an ye should have ado with Sir
Launcelot du Lake--  Sir, said Sir Tristram, as for Sir
Launcelot, he is called the noblest knight of the world, and wit
ye well that the knights of his blood are noble men, and dread
shame; and as for Bleoberis, brother unto Sir Blamore, I have
done battle with him, therefore upon my head it is no shame to
call him a good knight.  It is noised, said the king, that
Blamore is the hardier knight.  Sir, as for that let him be, he
shall never be refused, an as he were the best knight that now
beareth shield or spear.

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So King Anguish departed unto King Carados and the kings that
were that time as judges, and told them that he had found his
champion ready.  Then by the commandment of the kings Sir Blamore
de Ganis and Sir Tristram were sent for to hear the charge.  And
when they were come before the judges there were many kings and
knights beheld Sir Tristram, and much speech they had of him
because that he slew Sir Marhaus, the good knight, and because he
for-jousted Sir Palamides the good knight.  So when they had
taken their charge they withdrew them to make them ready to do
battle.

Then said Sir Bleoberis unto his brother, Sir Blamore:  Fair dear
brother, remember of what kin we be come of, and what a man is
Sir Launcelot du Lake, neither farther nor nearer but brother's
children, and there was never none of our kin that ever was
shamed in battle; and rather suffer death, brother, than to be
shamed.  Brother, said Blamore, have ye no doubt of me, for I
shall never shame none of my blood; howbeit I am sure that yonder
knight is called a passing good knight as of his time one of the
world, yet shall I never yield me, nor say the loath word: well
may he happen to smite me down with his great might of chivalry,
but rather shall he slay me than I shall yield me as recreant. 
God speed you well, said Sir Bleoberis, for ye shall find him the
mightiest knight that ever ye had ado withal, for I know him, for
I have had ado with him.  God me speed, said Sir Blamore de
Ganis; and therewith he took his horse at the one end of the
lists, and Sir Tristram at the other end of the lists, and so
they feutred their spears and came together as it had been
thunder; and there Sir Tristram through great might smote down
Sir Blamore and his horse to the earth.  Then anon Sir Blamore
avoided his horse and pulled out his sword and threw his shield
afore him, and bade Sir Tristram alight:  For though an horse
hath failed me, I trust to God the earth will not fail me.  And
then Sir Tristram alighted, and dressed him unto battle; and
there they lashed together strongly as racing and tracing,
foining and dashing, many sad strokes, that the kings and knights
had great <316>wonder that they might stand; for ever they fought
like wood men, so that there was never knights seen fight more
fiercely than they did; for Sir Blamore was so hasty that he
would have no rest, that all men wondered that they had breath to
stand on their feet; and all the place was bloody that they
fought in.  And at the last, Sir Tristram smote Sir Blamore such
a buffet upon the helm that he there fell down upon his side, and
Sir Tristram stood and beheld him.