th of Sir Lamorak.

THUS they rode until they were ware of the Castle Lonazep. And then
were they ware of four hundred tents and pavilions, and marvellous great
ordinance. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, yonder I see the greatest
ordinance that ever I saw. Sir, said Palomides, meseemeth that there was
as great an ordinance at the Castle of Maidens upon the rock, where ye
won the prize, for I saw myself where ye forjousted thirty knights. Sir,
said Dinadan, and in Surluse, at that tournament that Galahalt of
the Long Isles made, the which there dured seven days, was as great a
gathering as is here, for there were many nations. Who was the best?
said Sir Tristram. Sir, it was Sir Launcelot du Lake and the noble
knight, Sir Lamorak de Galis, and Sir Launcelot won the degree. I
doubt not, said Sir Tristram, but he won the degree, so he had not been
overmatched with many knights; and of the death of Sir Lamorak, said
Sir Tristram, it was over great pity, for I dare say he was the cleanest
mighted man and the best winded of his age that was alive; for I knew
him that he was the biggest knight that ever I met withal, but if it
were Sir Launcelot. Alas, said Sir Tristram, full woe is me for his
death. And if they were not the cousins of my lord Arthur that slew him,
they should die for it, and all those that were consenting to his death.
And for such things, said Sir Tristram, I fear to draw unto the court of
my lord Arthur; I will that ye wit it, said Sir Tristram unto Gareth.

Sir, I blame you not, said Gareth, for well I understand the vengeance
of my brethren Sir Gawaine, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Mordred. But as for
me, said Sir Gareth, I meddle not of their matters, therefore there is
none of them that loveth me. And for I understand they be murderers of
good knights I left their company; and God would I had been by, said
Gareth, when the noble knight, Sir Lamorak, was slain. Now as Jesu be my
help, said Sir Tristram, it is well said of you, for I had liefer than
all the gold betwixt this and Rome I had been there. Y-wis,[1] said
Palomides, and so would I had been there, and yet had I never the degree
at no jousts nor tournament thereas he was, but he put me to the worse,
or on foot or on horseback; and that day that he was slain he did the
most deeds of arms that ever I saw knight do in all my life days. And
when him was given the degree by my lord Arthur, Sir Gawaine and his
three brethren, Agravaine, Gaheris, and Si