So when Sir Tristram was come to his lodging there came a damosel that told Sir Darras that three of his sons were slain at that tournament,and two grievously wounded that they were never like to help themself.And all this was done by a noble knight that bare the black shield,and that was he that bare the prize.Then came there one and told Sir Darras that the same knight was within,him that bare the black shield.Then Sir Darras yede unto Sir Tristram's chamber,and there he found his shield and showed it to the damosel.Ah sir,said the damosel,that same is he that slew your three sons.Then without any tarrying Sir Darras put Sir Tristram,and Sir Palomides,and Sir Dinadan,within a strong prison,and there Sir Tristram was like to have died of great sickness;and every day Sir Palomides would reprove Sir Tristram of old hate betwixt them.And ever Sir Tristram spake fair and said little.But when Sir Palomides saw the falling of sickness of Sir Tristram,then was he heavy for him,and comforted him in all the best wise he could.And as the French book saith,there came forty knights to Sir Darras that were of his own kin,and they would have slain Sir Tristram and his two fellows,but Sir Darras would not suffer that,but kept them in prison,and meat and drink they had.So Sir Tristram endured there great pain,for sickness had undertaken him,and that is the greatest pain a prisoner may have.For all the while a prisoner may have his health of body he may endure under the mercy of God and in hope of good deliverance;but when sickness toucheth a prisoner's body,then may a prisoner say all wealth is him bereft,and then he hath cause to wail and to weep.Right so did Sir Tristram when sickness had undertaken him,for then he took such sorrow that he had almost slain himself.
CHAPTER XXXVIII
How King Mark was sorry for the good renown of Sir Tristram.Some of King Arthur's knights jousted with knights of Cornwall.
NOW will we speak,and leave Sir Tristram,Sir Palomides,and Sir Dinadan in prison,and speak we of other knights that sought after Sir Tristram many divers parts of this land.And some yede into Cornwall;and by adventure Sir Gaheris,nephew unto King Arthur,came unto King Mark,and there he was well received and sat at King Mark's own table and ate of his own mess.Then King Mark asked Sir Gaheris what tidings there were in the realm of Logris.Sir,said Sir Gaheris,the king reigneth as a noble knight;and now but late there was a great jousts and tournament as ever I saw any in the realm of Logris,and the most noble knights were at that jousts.But there was one knight that did marvellously three days,and he bare a black shield,and of all knights that ever I saw he proved the best knight.Then,said King Mark,that was Sir Launcelot,or Sir Palomides the paynim.
Not so,said Sir Gheris,for both Sir Launcelot and Sir Palomides were on the contrary party against the Knight with the Black Shield.Then was it Sir Tristram,said the king.Yea,said Sir Gaheris.And therewithal the king smote down his head,and in his heart he feared sore that Sir Tristram should get him such worship in the realm of Logris wherethrough that he himself should not be able to withstand him.Thus Sir Gaheris had great cheer with King Mark,and with Queen La Beale Isoud,the which was glad of Sir Gaheris'words;for well she wist by his deeds and manners that it was Sir Tristram.And then the king made a feast royal,and to that feast came Sir Uwaine le Fise de Roy Ureine,and some called him Uwaine le Blanchemains.And this Sir Uwaine challenged all the knights of Cornwall.Then was the king wood wroth that he had no knights to answer him.Then Sir Andred,nephew unto King Mark,leapt up and said:I will encounter with Sir Uwaine.Then he yede and armed him and horsed him in the best manner.And there Sir Uwaine met with Sir Andred,and smote him down that he swooned on the earth.Then was King Mark sorry and wroth out of measure that he had no knight to revenge his nephew,Sir Andred.
So the king called unto him Sir Dinas,the Seneschal,and prayed him for his sake to take upon him to joust with Sir Uwaine.Sir,said Sir Dinas,I am full loath to have ado with any knight of the Round Table.Yet,said the king,for my love take upon thee to joust.So Sir Dinas made him ready,and anon they encountered together with great spears,but Sir Dinas was overthrown,horse and man,a great fall.Who was wroth but King Mark!Alas,he said,have I no knight that will encounter with yonder knight?
Sir,said Sir Gaheris,for your sake I will joust.So Sir Gaheris made him ready,and when he was armed he rode into the field.And when Sir Uwaine saw Sir Gaheris'shield he rode to him and said:Sir,ye do not your part.For,sir,the first time ye were made Knight of the Round Table ye sware that ye should not have ado with your fellowship wittingly.And pardie,Sir Gaheris,ye knew me well enough by my shield,and so do Iknow you by your shield,and though ye would break your oath Iwould not break mine;for there is not one here,nor ye,that shall think I am afeard of you,but I durst right well have ado with you,and yet we be sisters'sons.Then was Sir Gaheris ashamed,and so therewithal every knight went their way,and Sir Uwaine rode into the country.
