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How Sir Tristram rescued a child from a knight, and
how Gouvernail told him of King Anguish.
THE knight turned his horse and made him ready to fight. And
then Sir Tristram smote him with a sword such a buffet that he
tumbled to the earth. And then he yielded him unto Sir Tristram.
Then come thy way, said Sir Tristram, and bring the child to the
lady again. So he took his horse meekly and rode with Sir
Tristram; and then by the way Sir Tristram asked him his name.
Then he said, My name is Breuse Saunce Pite. So when he had
delivered that child to the lady, he said: Sir, as in this the
child is well remedied. Then Sir Tristram let him go again
that sore repented him after, for he was a great foe unto many
good knights of King Arthur's court.
Then when Sir Tristram was in his pavilion Gouvernail, his man,
came and told him how that King Anguish of Ireland was come
thither, and he was put in great distress; and there Gouvernail
told Sir Tristram how King Anguish was summoned and appealed of
murder. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, these be the best
tidings that ever came to me this seven years, for now shall the
King of Ireland have need of my help; for I daresay there is no
knight in this country that is not of Arthur's court dare do
battle with Sir Blamore de Ganis; and for to win the love of the
King of Ireland I will take the battle upon me; and therefore
Gouvernail bring me, I charge thee, to the king.
Then Gouvernail went unto King Anguish of Ireland, and saluted
him fair. The king welcomed him and asked him what he would.
Sir, said Gouvernail, here is a knight near hand that desireth to
speak with you: he bade me say he would do you service. What
knight is he? said the king. Sir, said he, it is Sir Tristram de
Liones, that for your good grace that ye showed him in your lands
will reward you in this country. Come on, fellow, said the king,
with me anon and show me unto Sir Tristram. So the king took a
little hackney and but few fellowship with him, until he came
unto Sir Tristram's pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw the king
he ran unto him and would have holden his stirrup. But the king
leapt from his horse lightly, and either halsed other in their
arms. My gracious lord, said Sir Tristram, gramercy of your
great goodnesses showed unto me in your marches and lands: and at
that time I promised you to do you service an ever it lay in my
power. And, gentle knight, said the king unto Sir Tristram, now
have I great need of you, never had I so great need of no
knight's help. How so, my good lord? said Sir Tristram. I shall
tell you, said the king: I am summoned and appealed from my
country for the death of a knight that was kin unto the good
knight Sir Launcelot; wherefore Sir Blamore de Ganis, brother to
Sir Bleoberis hath appealed me to fight with him, outher to find
a knight in my stead. And well I wot, said the king, these that
are come of King Ban's blood, as Sir Launcelot and these other,
are passing good knights, and hard men for to win in battle as
any that I know now living. Sir, said Sir Tristram, for the good
lordship ye showed me in Ireland, and for my lady your daughter's
sake, La Beale Isoud, I will take the battle for you upon this
condition that ye shall grant me two things: that one is that ye
shall swear to me that ye are in the right, that ye were never
consenting to the knight's death; Sir, then said Sir Tristram,
when that I have done this battle, if God give me grace that I
speed, that ye shall give me a reward, what thing reasonable that
I will ask of you. So God me help, said the king, ye shall have
whatsomever ye will ask. It is well said, said Sir Tristram.
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