Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK VIII CHAPTER XXXIX

CHAPTER XXXIX

How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Nabon, and overcame
him, and made Sir Segwarides lord of the isle.

IN the meantime there came word that Sir Nabon had made a cry
that all the people of that isle should be at his castle the
fifth day after.  And the same day the son of Nabon should be
made knight, and all the knights of that valley and thereabout
should be there to joust, and all those of the realm of Logris
should be there to joust with them of North Wales: and thither
came five hundred knights, and they of the country brought
thither Sir Lamorak, and Sir Tristram, and Sir Kehydius, and Sir
Segwarides, for they durst none otherwise do; and then Sir Nabon
lent Sir Lamorak horse and armour at Sir Lamorak's desire, and
Sir Lamorak jousted and did such deeds of arms that Nabon and all
the people said there was never knight that ever they saw do such
deeds of arms; for, as the French book saith, he for-jousted all
that were there, for the most part of five hundred knights, that
none abode him in his saddle.

Then Sir Nabon proffered to play with him his play:  For I saw
never no knight do so much upon a day.  I will well, said Sir
Lamorak, play as I may, but I am weary and sore bruised.  And
there either gat a spear, but Nabon would not encounter with Sir
Lamorak, but smote his horse in the forehead, and so slew him;
and then Sir Lamorak yede on foot, and turned his shield and drew
his sword, and there began strong battle on foot.  But Sir
<345>Lamorak was so sore bruised and short breathed, that he
traced and traversed somewhat aback.  Fair fellow, said Sir
Nabon, hold thy hand and I shall show thee more courtesy than
ever I showed knight, because I have seen this day thy noble
knighthood, and therefore stand thou by, and I will wit whether
any of thy fellows will have ado with me.  Then when Sir Tristram
heard that, he stepped forth and said:  Nabon, lend me horse and
sure armour, and I will have ado with thee.  Well, fellow, said
Sir Nabon, go thou to yonder pavilion, and arm thee of the best
thou findest there, and I shall play a marvellous play with thee. 
Then said Sir Tristram:  Look ye play well, or else peradventure
I shall learn you a new play.  That is well said, fellow, said
Sir Nabon.  So when Sir Tristram was armed as him liked best, and
well shielded and sworded, he dressed to him on foot; for well he
knew that Sir Nabon would not abide a stroke with a spear,
therefore he would slay all knights' horses.  Now, fair fellow,
Sir Nabon, let us play.  So then they fought long on foot,
tracing and traversing, smiting and foining long without any
rest.  At the last Sir Nabon prayed him to tell him his name. 
Sir Nabon, I tell thee my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, a
knight of Cornwall under King Mark.  Thou art welcome, said Sir
Nabon, for of all knights I have most desired to fight with thee
or with Sir Launcelot.

So then they went eagerly together, and Sir Tristram slew Sir
Nabon, and so forthwith he leapt to his son, and struck off his
head; and then all the country said they would hold of Sir
Tristram.  Nay, said Sir Tristram, I will not so; here is a
worshipful knight, Sir Lamorak de Galis, that for me he shall be
lord of this country, for he hath done here great deeds of arms. 
Nay, said Sir Lamorak, I will not be lord of this country, for I
have not deserved it as well as ye, therefore give ye it where ye
will, for I will none have.  Well, said Sir Tristram, since ye
nor I will not have it, let us give it to him that hath not so
well deserved it.  Do as ye list, said Segwarides, for the gift
is yours, for I will none have an I had deserved it.  So was it
given to Segwarides, whereof he thanked <346>them; and so was he
lord, and worshipfully he did govern it.  And then Sir Segwarides
delivered all prisoners, and set good governance in that valley;
and so he returned into Cornwall, and told King Mark and La Beale
Isoud how Sir Tristram had advanced him to the Isle of Servage,
and there he proclaimed in all Cornwall of all the adventures of
these two knights, so was it openly known.  But full woe was La
Beale Isoud when she heard tell that Sir Tristram was wedded to
Isoud la Blanche Mains.