{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/mart/mart241.htm","path":"neu/mart/mart241.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/mart/mart241.htm","text":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK X CHAPTER IV\n \n Sacred Texts\u00a0\n Legends and Sagas\u00a0\n Index\u00a0\n BOOK X\u00a0\n Previous\u00a0\n Next\u00a0\n \n \n CHAPTER IV\n \n How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sagramore le Desirous\n and Sir Dodinas le Savage.\n \n \n AND then he sent his man that hight Gouvernail, and commanded\n him to go to a city thereby to fetch him new harness;\n for it was long time afore that that Sir Tristram had been\n refreshed, his harness was brised and broken. And when\n Gouvernail, his servant, was come with his apparel, he took\n his leave at the widow, and mounted upon his horse, and\n rode his way early on the morn. And by sudden adventure\n Sir Tristram met with Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and\n with Sir Dodinas le Savage. And these two knights met\n with Sir Tristram and questioned with him, and asked\n him if he would joust with them. Fair knights, said Sir\n Tristram, with a good will I would joust with you, but I\n have promised at a day set, near hand, to do battle with a\n strong knight; and therefore I am loath to have ado with\n you, for an it misfortuned me here to be hurt I should\n not be able to do my battle which I promised. As for\n that, said Sagramore, maugre your head, ye shall joust\n with us or ye pass from us. Well, said Sir Tristram, if\n ye enforce me thereto I must do what I may. And then\n they dressed their shields, and came running together with\n great ire. But through Sir Tristram's great force he\n struck Sir Sagramore from his horse. Then he hurled his\n horse farther, and said to Sir Dodinas: Knight, make thee\n ready; and so through fine force Sir Tristram struck\n Dodinas from his horse. And when he saw them lie on\n the earth he took his bridle, and rode forth on his way,\n and his man Gouvernail with him.\n \n Anon as Sir Tristram was passed, Sir Sagramore and\n Sir Dodinas gat again their horses, and mounted up lightly\n and followed after Sir Tristram. And when Sir Tristram\n saw them come so fast after him he returned with his horse\n to them, and asked them what they would. It is not long\n ago sithen I smote you to the earth at your own request\n and desire: I would have ridden by you, but ye would\n not suffer me, and now meseemeth ye would do more\n battle with me. That is truth, said Sir Sagramore and Sir\n Dodinas, for we will be revenged of the despite ye have\n done to us. Fair knights, said Sir Tristram, that shall\n little need you, for all that I did to you ye caused it;\n wherefore I require you of your knighthood leave me as\n at this time, for I am sure an I do battle with you I shall\n not escape without great hurts, and as I suppose ye shall\n not escape all lotless. And this is the cause why I am so\n loath to have ado with you; for I must fight within these\n three days with a good knight, and as valiant as any is\n now living, and if I be hurt I shall not be able to do\n battle with him. What knight is that, said Sir Sagramore,\n that ye shall fight withal? Sirs, said he, it is a good\n knight called Sir Palomides. By my head, said Sir\n Sagramore and Sir Dodinas, ye have cause to dread him,\n for ye shall find him a passing good knight, and a valiant.\n And because ye shall have ado with him we will forbear\n you as at this time, and else ye should not escape us\n lightly. But, fair knight, said Sir Sagramore, tell us your\n name. Sir, said he, my name is Sir Tristram de Liones.\n Ah, said Sagramore and Sir Dodinas, well be ye found,\n for much worship have we heard of you. And then either\n took leave of other, and departed on their way.","title":"Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK X CHAPTER IV","type":"page"}