transcript

Speaker 1:
[00:01] Good evening, and welcome to The Sleepy Bookshelf, where we put down our worries from the day and pick up a good book. I'm Elizabeth, your host, and it is wonderful to be here with you. Tonight, we are continuing with King Arthur and The Knights of the Round Table. But before we go on, let's quiet the mind. Focus on the feeling of your breath, cool air in, warm air out. Stay with that sensation. And each time your mind drifts, return to it. Sir Bowmanes defeated the Red Knight, but spared him, ordering him to make amends to Lady Lyons and seek forgiveness at King Arthur's court. Lady Lyons refused Sir Bowmanes' entrance to her castle, declaring that he must prove himself for twelve months before winning her fully. When Sir Gareth came looking for his page, the lady pledged her love to him and he to her. Meanwhile, the knights Gareth had defeated came to King Arthur's court to report his deeds, and there the whole court discovered Sir Bowman's true identity. They sent a messenger to Castle Perilous, but Sir Gareth asked Lady Lyons to suggest a tournament be held, to win her south and her land. Gareth arranged knights to fight on the castle side, while remaining disguised. During the tournament, he wore an enchanted ring that allowed his armor to change color, but when his identity was briefly revealed, he fled. He continued wandering, and defeated many challengers, rescued oppressed ladies, slew cruel knights, compelling his defeated enemies to present themselves at King Arthur's court. He unknowingly fought his own brother, Ser Gawain, until it happened that Lady Lynnet was passing by and revealed their identities, and the brothers joyfully reconciled. When he heard of it, King Arthur took all his court to reunite with Ser Gareth, and Lady Lyons was summoned to join him. With Arthur's blessing, preparations were made for their marriage at Mickelmas. Tonight, we hear the adventures of the often-mentioned Ser Tristram. So just lie back and relax, as I turn to the next pages of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Chapter 12 The Adventures of Sir Tristram. Again, King Arthur held high festival at Carlean at Pentecost, and gathered round him all the fellowship of the Round Table. As soon as King Arthur saw him, he rose up, and went through half the hall, and held out both his hands and cried, Right, welcome, the good Sir Tristram, as welcome art thou as any knight that ever came before into this court. A long time I have wished for thee amongst my fellowship. Then all the knights and barons rose up with one accord and came around and cried out welcome. Queen Gwynevere came also, and many ladies with her, and all with one voice said the same. Then the king took Sir Tristram by the hand and led him to the round table and said, Welcome again, for one of the best and gentlest knights in all the world, a chief in war, chief in peace, a chief in field and forest, a chief in the ladies' chamber. Right-heartedly welcome to this court, and mayest thou long abide in it. Now, the story of Sir Tristram was as follows. And so it happened that King Melodius, hunting in the woods, was taken by enchantment, and made a prisoner in a castle. When his wife, Elizabeth, heard it, she was nigh mad with grief, and ran into the forest to seek out her lord. But after many days of wandering and sorrow, she found no trace of him, and laid her down in a deep valley, and prayed to meet her death. And so, indeed, she did. But ere she died, she gave birth, in the midst of all her sorrow, to a child, a boy, and called him with her latest breath, Tristram. For she said, His name, his name, shall show how sadly hith come into this world. Therewith, she gave up her ghost, and the gentle woman who was with her took the child, and wrapped it from the cold, as well as she was able, and lay down with it in her arms, beneath the shadow of a tree hard by, expecting death to come to her in return. But shortly after came a company of lords and barons, seeking for the queen, and found the lady and the child, and took them home. And on the next day came King Melodius, whom Merlin had delivered. And when he heard of the queen's death, his sorrow was greater than tongue can tell. And non, he buried her solemnly and nobly, and called the child Tristram as she had desired. Then for seven years, King Melodius mourned and took no comfort, and all that time young Tristram was well nourished. But in a while, he wedded with the daughter of Howell, King of Brittany, who, that her own children might enjoy the kingdom, cast about her in mind how she might destroy Tristram. So on a certain day, she put poison in a silver cup, where Tristram and her children were playing together. That when he was a thirst, he might drink of it and die. When seeing him, she sprang up with a mighty cry, and dashed it from his hands. At that, King Melodius, wondering greatly, called to mind the sudden death of his young child. And taking her fiercely by the hand, he cried, Traitoress, tell me what drink is in this cup, or I will slay thee in a moment. And therewith, pulling out his sword, he swore by a great oath to slay her, if she straight away told him not the truth. Mercy, Lord, said she, and fell down at his feet.

Speaker 2:
[11:01] Mercy, and I will tell thee all.

Speaker 1:
[11:06] And then she told him of her plot to murder Tristram, so that her own sons might enjoy the kingdom. The law shall judge thee, said the king. And so, anon, she was tried before the barons and condemned to death. But when the fire was made and she brought out, came Tristram kneeling at his father's feet and besought him of a favor. Whatsoever thou desirest, I will give thee, said the king. Give me the life, then, of a queen, my stepmother, said he. Thou doest wrong to ask it, said Melodius. She would have slain thee with her poisons if she could.

Speaker 3:
[12:01] Chiefly for thy sake, she ought to die.

Speaker 1:
[12:04] Sir, said he, ask for that.

Speaker 3:
[12:09] I beseech thee of thy mercy to forgive it, o'er.

Speaker 1:
[12:12] And for my part, may God pardon her as I do. And so I pray thee, grant me my boon.

Speaker 3:
[12:19] And for God's sake, hold thee to thy promise.

Speaker 1:
[12:27] If it must be so, said the king, take thou her life. Then went young Tristram to the fire, and loosed the queen from all her bonds, and delivered her from death. And after a great while, by his good means, the king again forgave, and lived in peace with her, though never more in the same lodgings. And on was Tristram sent abroad to France, in care of one named Governell. And there for seven years, he learned the language of the land, and all nightly exercises, and gentle crafts. And especially he was foremost in music, and hunting, and was a harper beyond all others. And when at nineteen years of age, he came back to his father, he was as lusty and strong of body, and as noble of heart as ever man was seen. Now, shortly after his return, it befell that King Anguish of Ireland sent to King Mark of Cornwall, for the Tribune due to Ireland. But which was now seven years behind hand. To whom King Mark sent answer, if he would have it, he must send and fight for it, and they would find a champion to fight against it. So King Anguish called for Sammar House, his wife's brother, a good night of the Round Table, who lived then at his court, and sent him with a nightly retinue in six great ships to Cornwall. And casting anchor by the castle of Tintagel, he sent up daily to King Mark for the tribute or the champion. But no knight there would venture to assail him, for his fame was very high in all the realm for strength and hardyhood. Then made King Mark a proclamation throughout Cornwall that if any knight would fight Sammar House, he should stand at the king's right hand forevermore, and have great honor and riches all the rest of his days. And on this news came to the land of Lyness, and when young Tristram heard it, he was angry and ashamed to think no knight of Cornwall does to sail the Irish champion. Alas, said he, that I am not a knight, that I might match this marr house. I pray you give me leave, sir, to depart to King Mark's court, and beg him of his grace to make me a knight. Be ruled by thy own courage, said his father. So Tristram rode away forthwith to Tintagel, to King Mark, and went boldly up to him, and said, sir, give me the order of knighthood, and I will fight to the uttermost with Sir Marr House of Ireland.

Speaker 3:
[15:57] What are ye, and whence come ye?

Speaker 1:
[16:01] Said the king, seeing he was but a young man, though strong and well made in both body and limb. My name is Tristram, said he, and I was born in the county of Lioness.

Speaker 3:
[16:17] But know ye, said the king, this Irish knight will fight with none who will not come of royal blood, and near of kin to kings or queens, as he himself is, for his sister is the queen of Ireland.

Speaker 1:
[16:34] Then said Tristram, let him know that I am come on my father's and my mother's side of blood as good as his. For my father is King Melodius, and my mother was that Queen Elizabeth, thy sister, who died in the forest at my birth. When King Mark heard that, he welcomed him with all his heart, and knighted him forthwith, and made him ready to go forth as soon as he would choose, and armed him royally in armor covered with gold and silver.

Speaker 3:
[17:11] Then he sent Ser Marhaus word, that a better man than he should fight with him, Ser Tristram of Lioness, son of King Melodius, and of King Mark's own sister.

Speaker 1:
[17:25] So the battle was ordained to be fought in an island near Ser Marhaus' ships, and there Ser Tristram landed on the morrow, with Govanale alone attending him for Squire, and him he sent back to the land when he had made himself ready. When Ser Marhaus and Ser Tristram were thus left alone, Ser Marhaus said, Young Knight Ser Tristram, what doest thou here? I'm full sorry for thy rashness, for oft times I've been assailed in vain, and by the best knights of the world. Be warned in time, return to them that sent thee. Fair knight and well-proved knight, replied Ser Tristram, be sure that I will never quit this quarrel till one of us be overcome. For this cause have I been made a knight, and thou shalt know before we part that, thou as yet unproved, I am a king's son and first born of a queen. Moreover, I have promised to deliver Cornwall from this ancient burden o'er to die. Also, thou shouldest known, Sir Mar House, that thy valour and thy might are all but the better reasons why I should assail thee. For whither I win or lose, I shall gain honour to have met so great a knight as thou art. Then they began the battle, and tilted at their hardest against each other, so that both knights and horses fell to the earth. But Sir Mar House spears smote Sir Tristram a great wound in the side. Then, springing up from their horses, they lashed together with their swords like two wild boars. Thus, for they more than half the day, till both were sorely spent, and blood ran from them to the ground on every side. But by this time, Sir Tristram remained fresher than Sir Marhaus, and better winded, and with a mighty stroke, he smote them such a buffet as cut through his helm. Then fell Sir Marhaus down upon his knees, and the edge of Sir Tristram's sword broke off. And suddenly, when he seemed dead, Sir Marhaus rose and threw his sword and shield away from him, and ran and fled into his ship. And Sir Tristram cried out after him, Aha!

Speaker 3:
[20:48] Sir Knight of the Round Table, d'est thou withdraw thee from so young a knight? It is a shame to thee and all thy kin. I would rather have been hewn into a hundred pieces than have to have fled from thee.

Speaker 1:
[21:24] I have thy sword and shield in my safekeeping, and will wear them in all places where I ride on my adventures, and before King Arthur and the Table Round. Then was Sir Marhouse taken back to Ireland by his company, and as soon as he arrived, his wounds were searched. But the queen, his sister, took the piece of sword blade and put it safely by, for she thought that someday it might help her to revenge her brother's death. Meanwhile, Sir Tristram, being sorely wounded, sat down softly on a little mound and bled passing fast, and in that evil case was found anon by Govanel and King Mark's knights. Then they gently took him up and brought him in a barge back to the land, and lifted him into a bed within the castle, and had his wounds dressed carefully. But for a great while he lay sick, and was likely to have died of the first stroke, Sir Marhous had given him with the spear, for the point of it was poisoned. And though the wisest surgeons and leeches, both men and women, came from every path, it could he be by no means cured. At last came a wise lady and said plainly that Sir Tristram never should be healed until he went and stayed in that same country when the poison came. When this was understood, the king sent Sir Tristram in a fair and goodly ship to Ireland, and by fortune he arrived fast by a castle where the king and queen were. And as the ship was being anchored, he sat upon his bed and heart to Mary lay, and made so sweet a music as was never equaled. When the king heard that the sweet harper was a wounded knight, he sent for him and asked his name. I am of the country of Lioness, he answered. My name is Tramtrist. For he dared not tell his true name, lest the vengeance of the queen should fall upon him for her brother's death. Well, said King Anguish, thou art right welcome here, and shall have all the help this land can give thee. But be not anxious if I am at times cast down and sad, for but lately in Cornwall the best knight in the world, fighting for my cause was slain. His name was Sir Marhorst, Knight of King Arthur's Round Table. And then he told Sir Tristram all the story of Sir Marhorst's battle, and Sir Tristram made pretense of great surprise and sorrow, though he knew all far better than the king himself. Then was he put in charge of the king's daughter, La Belle Isante, to be healed of his wound, and she was as fair and noble a lady as a man's eyes might see. And so marvellously was she skilled in medicine, that in a few days she fully cured him. And in return, Sir Tram Trist taught her the harp, so before long they too began to love each other greatly. But at that time, a heathen night, Sir Palamides was in Ireland, and much cherished by the king and queen. He also loved mightily La Belle Isante, and never wearied of making her great gifts, and seeking for her favour, and was ready even to be christened for her sake. Sir Tram Trist, therefore, hated him out of measure, and Sir Palamides was full of rage and envy against Tram Trist. And so it befell that King Anguish proclaimed a great tournament to be held, the prize whereof should be a lady called the Lady of the Lawns of near Kindred to the King, and her the winner of the tournament should wed in three days afterwards, and possess all her lands. When the Bell is sold, told Sir Tram Trist of this tournament, he said, Fair Lady, I am yet a feeble knight, and but for thee have been a dead man now. What is thou I should do? Thou knowest well I may not joust. Ah, Tram Trist, said she, why wilt not thou fight in this tournament?

Speaker 2:
[27:05] Sir Palamids will be there, and will do his mightiest, and therefore be thou there, I pray thee, or else he will be the winner of the prize.

Speaker 1:
[27:16] Ah, madam, said Tram Trist, I will go, and for thy sake I will do my best, but let me go unknown to all men, and do thou, I pray thee, keep my council, and help me to a disguise. So on the day of jousting came Sir Palamees with a black shield, and overthrew many knights, and all the people wondered at his prowess, for on the first day he put to the worst Sir Garwain, Sir Garrus, Sir Agravain, Sir Key, and many more from far and near. And on the morrow he was conqueror again, and overthrew the king with a hundred knights, and the King of Scotland. But presently Sir Tramtrist rode up to the lists, having been let out at a privy postern of the castle, where none could see. The bareless altar dressed him in white armor, and given him a white horse and shield. And so he came suddenly into the field, as it had been a bright angel. As soon as Sir Palameed saw him, he ran at him with a great spear in rest. But Sir Tramtrist was ready, and at the first encounter hurled him to the ground. Then there arose a great cry that the knight with the black shield was overthrown. And Palameed, sorely hurt and shamed, sought out a secret way, and would have left the field. But Tramtrist watched him, and rode after him, and bade him stay, for he had not yet done with him. Then did Sir Palameed turn with fury, and lash at Sir Tramtrist with his sword. But at the first stroke, Sir Tramtrist smote him to the earth, and cried, Do now, with all my commands, take thy death. Then he yielded to Sir Tristram's mercy, and promised to forsake La Belle Assemble, and for twelve months to wear no arms or armor. And rising up, he cut his armor off him into shreds with rage and madness, and turned and left the field. And Sir Tramtrist also left the lists, and rode back to the castle through the postern gate. Then was Sir Tramtrist long cherished by the King and Queen of Ireland, and ever with La Belle Assante. But on a certain day, while he was bathing, came the Queen with La Belle Assante by chance into his chamber, and saw his sword lie naked on the bed. And on she drew it from the scabbard and looked at it a long while, and both thought it a passing fair sword. But within a foot and a half of the end was a great piece broken out. And while the Queen was looking at the gap, she suddenly remembered the piece of sword blade that was found in the brain pan of her brother, Sir Marhaus. Therewith she turned and cried, By my fate!

Speaker 2:
[30:54] Death is the felon knight who slew thy uncle.

Speaker 1:
[30:57] And running to her chamber, she sought in her casket for the piece of iron from Sir Marhaus' head and brought it back and fitted it in Sir Tristram's sword. And surely did it fit therein as closely had it been but yesterday broke out. Then the Queen caught the sword up fiercely in her hand and ran into the room where Sir Tristram was yet in his bath. And making straight for him, had run him through the body had not his squire, Sir Hebes, got her in his arms and pulled the sword away from her.

Speaker 2:
[31:55] It is Sir Tristram, said she, whom Maysalt hath healed.

Speaker 1:
[32:02] Lass, replied the King, whom fully grieved thereat. For he's a good knight as I ever have seen in any field. But I charge thee, leave though him, and let me deal with him. Then the King went to Sir Tramtris' chamber and found him all armed and ready to mount his horse, and said to him, Sir Tramtris, it is not to prove me against thee, I come. For were it shameful of thy host to seek thy life, depart in peace, tell me first thy name, and whether thou slewest my brother, Sir Morhouse. Then Sir Tristram told him all the truth and how he had hid his name to be unknown in Ireland, and when he had ended, the King declared, he held him in no blame. Ay be it, I cannot for my honor's sake retain thee at this court, for so I should displease my barons, and my wife, and all her kin. And it may chance to be more for thy advantage if I live than if I die. But wheresoever I may be, I shall ever seek thy service, and shall be my lady thy daughter's servant in all places, and her knight in right and wrong, and shall never fail to do for her as much as a knight can do. weeping and lamenting, and went among the barons and openly took his leave of them all, saying, Therefore, if there be any here whom I have offended, or who is grieved with me, let him now say it. Before I go, I will amend it to the utmost of my power. And if there be but one who would speak shame of me behind my back, let him say it now or never.

Speaker 3:
[35:09] And here is my body to prove it on.

Speaker 1:
[35:12] Body against body.