Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK VIII CHAPTER XXXIII

CHAPTER XXXIII

How Sir Lamorak jousted with thirty knights, and Sir Tristram
at the request of King Mark smote his horse down.

THE king and the queen made their pavilions and their tents in
that forest beside a river, and there was daily hunting and
jousting, for there were ever thirty knights ready to joust unto
all them that came in at that time.  And there by fortune came
Sir Lamorak de Galis and Sir Driant; and there Sir Driant jousted
right well, but at the last he had a fall.  Then Sir Lamorak
proffered to joust.  And when he began he fared so with the
thirty knights that there was not one of them but that he gave
him a fall, and some of them were sore hurt.  I marvel, said King
Mark, what knight he is that doth such deeds of arms.  Sir, said
Sir Tristram, I know him well for a noble knight as few now be
living, and his name is Sir Lamorak de Galis.  It were great
shame, said the king, that he should go thus away, unless that
some of you meet with him better.  Sir, said Sir Tristram,
meseemeth it were no worship for a noble man to have ado with
him: and for because at this time he hath done over much for any
mean knight living, therefore, as meseemeth, it were great shame
and villainy to tempt him any more at this time, insomuch as he
and his horse are weary both; for the <334>deeds of arms that he
hath done this day, an they be well considered, it were enough
for Sir Launcelot du Lake.  As for that, said King Mark, I
require you, as ye love me and my lady the queen, La Beale Isoud,
take your arms and joust with Sir Lamorak de Galis.  Sir, said
Sir Tristram, ye bid me do a thing that is against knighthood,
and well I can deem that I shall give him a fall, for it is no
mastery, for my horse and I be fresh both, and so is not his
horse and he; and wit ye well that he will take it for great
unkindness, for ever one good knight is loath to take another at
disadvantage; but because I will not displease you, as ye require
me so will I do, and obey your commandment.

And so Sir Tristram armed him and took his horse, and put him
forth, and there Sir Lamorak met him mightily, and what with the
might of his own spear, and of Sir Tristram's spear, Sir
Lamorak's horse fell to the earth, and he sitting in the saddle. 
Then anon as lightly as he might he avoided the saddle and his
horse, and put his shield afore him and drew his sword.  And then
he bade Sir Tristram:  Alight, thou knight, an thou durst.  Nay,
said Sir Tristram, I will no more have ado with thee, for I have
done to thee over much unto my dishonour and to thy worship.  As
for that, said Sir Lamorak, I can thee no thank; since thou hast
for-jousted me on horseback I require thee and I beseech thee, an
thou be Sir Tristram, fight with me on foot.  I will not so, said
Sir Tristram; and wit ye well my name is Sir Tristram de Liones,
and well I know ye be Sir Lamorak de Galis, and this that I have
done to you was against my will, but I was required thereto; but
to say that I will do at your request as at this time, I will
have no more ado with you, for me shameth of that I have done. 
As for the shame, said Sir Lamorak, on thy part or on mine, bear
thou it an thou wilt, for though a mare's son hath failed me, now
a queen's son shall not fail thee; and therefore, an thou be such
a knight as men call thee, I require thee, alight, and fight with
me.  Sir Lamorak, said Sir Tristram, I understand your heart is
great, and cause why ye have, to <335>say thee sooth; for it
would grieve me an any knight should keep him fresh and then to
strike down a weary knight, for that knight nor horse was never
formed that alway might stand or endure.  And therefore, said Sir
Tristram, I will not have ado with you, for me forthinketh of
that I have done.  As for that, said Sir Lamorak, I shall quit
you, an ever I see my time.