rd, but yet he won always the degree. And for
to repose him he went to a good knight that dwelled in Cornwall, in a
castle, whose name was Sir Dinas le Seneschal. Then by misfortune there
came out of Sessoin a great number of men of arms, and an hideous host,
and they entered nigh the Castle of Tintagil; and their captain's name
was Elias, a good man of arms. When King Mark understood his enemies
were entered into his land he made great dole and sorrow, for in no wise
by his will King Mark would not send for Sir Tristram, for he hated him
deadly.

So when his council was come they devised and cast many perils of the
strength of their enemies. And then they concluded all at once, and said
thus unto King Mark: Sir, wit ye well ye must send for Sir Tristram, the
good knight, or else they will never be overcome. For by Sir Tristram
they must be foughten withal, or else we row against the stream. Well,
said King Mark, I will do by your counsel; but yet he was full loath
thereto, but need constrained him to send for him. Then was he sent for
in all haste that might be, that he should come to King Mark. And when
he understood that King Mark had sent for him, he mounted upon a soft
ambler and rode to King Mark. And when he was come the king said thus:
Fair nephew Sir Tristram, this is all. Here be come our enemies of
Sessoin, that are here nigh hand, and without tarrying they must be
met with shortly, or else they will destroy this country. Sir, said Sir
Tristram, wit ye well all my power is at your commandment. And wit ye
well, sir, these eight days I may bear none arms, for my wounds be not
yet whole. And by that day I shall do what I may. Ye say well, said King
Mark; then go ye again and repose you and make you fresh, and I shall go
and meet the Sessoins with all my power.

So the king departed unto Tintagil, and Sir Tristram went to repose him.
And the king made a great host and departed them in three; the first
part led Sir Dinas the Seneschal, and Sir Andred led the second part,
and Sir Argius led the third part; and he was of the blood of King Mark.
And the Sessoins had three great battles, and many good men of arms. And
so King Mark by the advice of his knights issued out of the Castle of
Tintagil upon his enemies. And Dinas, the good knight, rode out afore,
and slew two knights with his own hands, and then began the battles. And
there was marvellous breaking of spears and smiting of swords, and slew
down many good kni