Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK VIII CHAPTER XXXVIII

CHAPTER XXXVIII

How Sir Tristram and his wife arrived in Wales, and how
he met there with Sir Lamorak.

NOW turn we unto Sir Tristram, that upon a day he took a little
barget, and his wife Isoud la Blanche Mains, with Sir Kehydius
her brother, to play them in the coasts.  And when they were from
the land, there was a wind drove them in to the coast of Wales
upon this Isle of Servage, whereas was Sir Lamorak, and there the
barget all to-rove; and there Dame Isoud was hurt; and as well as
they might they gat into the forest, and there by a well he saw
Segwarides and a damosel.  And then either saluted other.  Sir,
said Segwarides, I know you for Sir Tristram de Liones, the man
in the world that I have most cause to hate, because ye departed
the love between me and my wife; but as for that, said Sir
Segwarides, I will never hate a noble knight for a light lady;
and therefore, I pray you, be my friend, and I will be yours unto
my power; for wit ye well ye are hard bestead in this valley, and
we shall have enough to do either of us to succour other.  And
then Sir Segwarides brought Sir Tristram to a lady thereby that
was born in Cornwall, and she told him all the perils of that
valley, and how there came never knight there but he were taken
prisoner or slain.  Wit you well, fair lady, said Sir Tristram,
that I slew Sir Marhaus and delivered Cornwall from the truage of
Ireland, and I am he that delivered the King of Ireland from Sir
Blamore de Ganis, and I am he that beat Sir Palamides; and wit ye
well I am Sir Tristram de Liones, that by the grace of God shall
deliver this woful Isle of Servage.  So Sir Tristram was well
eased.

Then one told him there was a knight of King Arthur's that was
wrecked on the rocks.  What is his name? said Sir Tristram.  We
wot not, said the fishers, but he keepeth it no counsel but that
he is a knight of <343>King Arthur's, and by the mighty lord of
this isle he setteth nought.  I pray you, said Sir Tristram, an
ye may, bring him hither that I may see him, and if he be any of
the knights of Arthur's I shall know him.  Then the lady prayed
the fishers to bring him to her place.  So on the morrow they
brought him thither in a fisher's raiment; and as soon as Sir
Tristram saw him he smiled upon him and knew him well, but he
knew not Sir Tristram.  Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, meseemeth by
your cheer ye have been diseased but late, and also methinketh I
should know you heretofore.  I will well, said Sir Lamorak, that
ye have seen me and met with me.  Fair sir, said Sir Tristram,
tell me your name.  Upon a covenant I will tell you, said Sir
Lamorak, that is, that ye will tell me whether ye be lord of this
island or no, that is called Nabon le Noire.  Forsooth, said Sir
Tristram, I am not he, nor I hold not of him; I am his foe as
well as ye be, and so shall I be found or I depart out of this
isle.  Well, said Sir Lamorak, since ye have said so largely unto
me, my name is Sir Lamorak de Galis, son unto King Pellinore. 
Forsooth, I trow well, said Sir Tristram, for an ye said other I
know the contrary.  What are ye, said Sir Lamorak, that knoweth
me?  I am Sir Tristram de Liones.  Ah, sir, remember ye not of
the fall ye did give me once, and after ye refused me to fight on
foot.  That was not for fear I had of you, said Sir Tristram, but
me shamed at that time to have more ado with you, for meseemed ye
had enough; but, Sir Lamorak, for my kindness many ladies ye put
to a reproof when ye sent the horn from Morgan le Fay to King
Mark, whereas ye did this in despite of me.  Well, said he, an it
were to do again, so would I do, for I had liefer strife and
debate fell in King Mark's court rather than Arthur's court, for
the honour of both courts be not alike.  As to that, said Sir
Tristram, I know well; but that that was done it was for despite
of me, but all your malice, I thank God, hurt not greatly. 
Therefore, said Sir Tristram, ye shall leave all your malice, and
so will I, and let us assay how we may win worship between you
and me upon this giant Sir Nabon le <344>Noire that is lord of
this island, to destroy him.  Sir, said Sir Lamorak, now I
understand your knighthood, it may not be false that all men say,
for of your bounty, noblesse, and worship, of all knights ye are
peerless, and for your courtesy and gentleness I showed you
ungentleness, and that now me repenteth.