[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram sets up his pavilion] So they presently all went ashore and bade their attendants set up their pavilions in a fair level meadow that was somewhat near a league distant away from the castle and the town.  In the midst of the other pavilions upon that plain was set the pavilion of Sir Tristram.  It was of fine crimson cloth striped with silver and there was the figure of a gryphon carved upon the summit of the centre pole of the pavilion.  The spear of Sir Tristram was emplanted by the point of the truncheon in the ground outside the pavilion, and thereunto his shield was hung so that those who passed that way might clearly behold what was the device thereon.

And now shall be told how Sir Tristram became united in friendship with the brotherhood of good knights at King Arthur’s court.

[Illustration:  Sir Tristram sits with Sir Launcelot]

Chapter Sixth

How Sir Tristram had to do in battle with three knights of the Round Table.  Also how he had speech with King Arthur.

So came the next morning, and uprose the sun in all the splendor of his glory, shedding his beams to every quarter with a rare dazzling effulgence.  For by night the clouds of storm had passed away and gone, and now all the air was clear and blue, and the level beams of light fell athwart the meadow-lands so that countless drops of water sparkled on leaf and blade of grass, like an incredible multitude of shining jewels scattered all over the earth.  Then they who slept were awakened by the multitudinous voicing of the birds; for at that hour the small fowl sang so joyous a roundelay that all the early morning was full of the sweet jargon of their chanting.

At this time, so early in the day, there came two knights riding by where Sir Tristram and his companions had set up their pavilions.  These were two very famous knights of King Arthur’s court and of the Round Table; for one was Sir Ector de Maris and the other was Sir Morganor of Lisle.

[Sidenote:  How two knights came to the pavilion of Sir Tristram] When these two knights perceived the pavilions of Sir Tristram and his knights-companion, they made halt, and Sir Ector de Maris said, “What knights are these who have come hither?” Then Sir Morganor looked and presently he said:  “Sir, I perceive by their shields that these are Cornish knights, and he who occupies this central pavilion must be the champion of this party.”  “Well,” quoth Sir Ector, “as for that I take no great thought of any Cornish knight, so do thou strike the shield of that knight and call him forth, and let us see of what mettle he is made.”

“I will do so,” said Sir Morganor; and therewith he rode forward to where the shield of Sir Tristram hung from the spear, and he smote the shield with the point of his lance, so that it rang with a very loud noise.

Upon this, Sir Tristram immediately came to the door of his pavilion, and said, “Messires, why did you strike upon my shield?” “Because,” said Sir Ector, “we are of a mind to try your mettle what sort of a knight you be.”  Quoth Sir Tristram:  “God forbid that you should not be satisfied.  So if you will stay till I put on my armor you shall immediately have your will in this matter.”