uld tell Sir Palomides that he
was King Mark; and therefore he withdrew him, and took his horse and
rode to his men, where he commanded them to abide. And so he rode as
fast as he might unto Camelot; and the same day he found there Amant,
the knight, ready that afore Arthur had appealed him of treason; and so,
lightly the king commanded them to do battle. And by misadventure King
Mark smote Amant through the body. And yet was Amant in the righteous
quarrel. And right so he took his horse and departed from the court for
dread of Sir Dinadan, that he would tell Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides
what he was. Then were there maidens that La Beale Isoud had sent to Sir
Tristram, that knew Sir Amant well.

CHAPTER XV. How King Mark had slain Sir Amant wrongfully to-fore King
Arthur, and Sir Launcelot fetched King Mark to King Arthur.

THEN by the license of King Arthur they went to him and spake with him;
for while the truncheon of the spear stuck in his body he spake: Ah,
fair damosels, said Amant, recommend me unto La Beale Isoud, and tell
her that I am slain for the love of her and of Sir Tristram. And there
he told the damosels how cowardly King Mark had slain him, and Sir
Bersules, his fellow. And for that deed I appealed him of treason, and
here am I slain in a righteous quarrel; and all was because Sir Bersules
and I would not consent by treason to slay the noble knight, Sir
Tristram. Then the two maidens cried aloud that all the court might
hear it, and said: O sweet Lord Jesu, that knowest all hid things, why
sufferest Thou so false a traitor to vanquish and slay a true knight
that fought in a righteous quarrel? Then anon it was sprung to the king,
and the queen, and to all the lords, that it was King Mark that had
slain Sir Amant, and Sir Bersules afore hand; wherefore they did their
battle. Then was King Arthur wroth out of measure, and so were all the
other knights. But when Sir Tristram knew all the matter he made great
dole and sorrow out of measure, and wept for sorrow for the loss of the
noble knights, Sir Bersules and of Sir Amant.

When Sir Launcelot espied Sir Tristram weep he went hastily to King
Arthur, and said: Sir, I pray you give me leave to return again to
yonder false king and knight. I pray you, said King Arthur, fetch
him again, but I would not that ye slew him, for my worship. Then Sir
Launcelot armed him in all haste, and mounted upon a great horse, and
took a spear in his hand and rode aft