ly. Therefore, said Sir Tristram, ye
shall leave all your malice, and so will I, and let us assay how we may
win worship between you and me upon this giant Sir Nabon le Noire that
is lord of this island, to destroy him. Sir, said Sir Lamorak, now I
understand your knighthood, it may not be false that all men say, for of
your bounty, noblesse, and worship, of all knights ye are peerless, and
for your courtesy and gentleness I showed you ungentleness, and that now
me repenteth.

CHAPTER XXXIX. How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Nabon, and overcame him,
and made Sir Segwarides lord of the isle.

IN the meantime there came word that Sir Nabon had made a cry that all
the people of that isle should be at his castle the fifth day after. And
the same day the son of Nabon should be made knight, and all the knights
of that valley and thereabout should be there to joust, and all those of
the realm of Logris should be there to joust with them of North Wales:
and thither came five hundred knights, and they of the country brought
thither Sir Lamorak, and Sir Tristram, and Sir Kehydius, and Sir
Segwarides, for they durst none otherwise do; and then Sir Nabon lent
Sir Lamorak horse and armour at Sir Lamorak's desire, and Sir Lamorak
jousted and did such deeds of arms that Nabon and all the people said
there was never knight that ever they saw do such deeds of arms; for, as
the French book saith, he for-jousted all that were there, for the most
part of five hundred knights, that none abode him in his saddle.

Then Sir Nabon proffered to play with him his play: For I saw never no
knight do so much upon a day. I will well, said Sir Lamorak, play as I
may, but I am weary and sore bruised. And there either gat a spear, but
Nabon would not encounter with Sir Lamorak, but smote his horse in the
forehead, and so slew him; and then Sir Lamorak yede on foot, and turned
his shield and drew his sword, and there began strong battle on foot.
But Sir Lamorak was so sore bruised and short breathed, that he traced
and traversed somewhat aback. Fair fellow, said Sir Nabon, hold thy hand
and I shall show thee more courtesy than ever I showed knight, because
I have seen this day thy noble knighthood, and therefore stand thou by,
and I will wit whether any of thy fellows will have ado with me. Then
when Sir Tristram heard that, he stepped forth and said: Nabon, lend me
horse and sure armour, and I will have ado with thee. Well, fellow, said
Sir Nabon,