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Chapter XI
ButwhenSirKeysawhimsomadlycomingon,heinhisturnrefused,whereatSirTristramcalledhimcoward,tillforshamehewascompelledtomeethim.ThenSirTristramlightlysmotehimdown,androdeaway.ButSirSagramourpursuedhim,cryingloudlytojoustwithhimalso.SoSirTristramturnedandquicklyoverthrewhimlikewise,anddeparted.
Anonadamselmethimasherode,andtoldhimofaknightadventurouswhodidgreatharmthereby,andprayedhimforhishelp.ButashewentwithherhemetSirGawain,whoknewthedamselforamaidenofQueenMorganleFay.Knowing,therefore,thatsheneedsmusthaveevilplotsagainstSirTristram,SirGawaindemandedofhimcourteouslywhitherhewent.
“Iknownotwhither,”saidhe,“saveasthisdamselleadethme.”
“Sir,”saidSirGawain,“yeshallnotridewithher,forsheandherladyneveryetdidgoodtoany;”and,drawinghissword,hesaidtothedamsel,“Tellmenowstraightwayforwhatcausethouleadestthisknightorelseshaltthoudie;forIknowofoldthylady’streason.”
“Mercy,SirGawain,”criedthedamsel,“andIwilltelltheeall.”ThenshetoldhimthatQueenMorganhadordainedthirtyfairdamselstoseekoutSirLancelotandSirTristram,andbytheirwilespersuadethemtohercastle,whereshehadthirtyknightsinwaittoslaythem.
“Ohshame!”criedSirGawain,“thateversuchfoultreasonshouldbewroughtbyaqueen,andaking’ssister.”ThensaidhetoSirTristram,“Sirknight,ifyewillstandwithme,wewilltogetherprovethemaliceofthesethirtyknights.
