Thus conversing they came to the court, where King Arthur, when he learned the name of Lancelot's companion, was filled with joy. Taking Tristram warmly by both hands, he welcomed him to Camelot.
"There is no other man in the world whom I would so gladly have here,"
he said. "Much have you been sought for since you left the tournament, but in vain. I would fain learn your adventures."
These Tristram told, and the king was amazed when he learned that it was he who had overthrown him at the Castle of Hard Rock. Then he told of his pursuit of the knight with the covered shield, and of the deeds he had done.
"By our faith," cried Gawaine, Bleoberis, and Kay, "we can testify to that, for he left us all on the ground."
"Aha! who could this strong fellow have been?" asked Arthur. "Did any of you know him?"
They all declared that he was a stranger to them, though Tristram kept silent.
"If you know not, I do; it was Lancelot or none," cried the king.
"In faith, I fancy so," said Tristram, "for I found him to-day, and we had a four hours' fight together, before each found out the other."
"So," they all cried, "it is he who has beguiled us with his covered shield!"
"You say truly," answered Lancelot, with a smile. "And I called myself an enemy of King Arthur so that none should suspect me. I was in search of sport."
"That is an old trick of yours," said Arthur.
"One must go in disguise in these days, or go untried," laughed Lancelot.
Then Queen Guenever, and many ladies of the court, learning that Tristram was there, came and bade him welcome, ladies and knights together crying, "Welcome, Sir Tristram! welcome to Camelot!"
"Welcome, indeed," said Arthur, "to one of the best and gentlest knights of the world, and the man of highest esteem. For of all modes of hunting, you bear the prize, and of all bugle hunting calls you are the origin, and all the terms of hunting and hawking began with you; on all instruments of music no man surpasses you: therefore, you are trebly welcome to this court. And here I pray you to grant me a boon."
"I am at your command," said Tristram.
"It is that you abide in my court, and be one of my knights."
"That I am loath to do, for I have work laid out elsewhere."
"Yet you have passed your word. You shall not say me nay."
"Then be it as you will," said Tristram.
[Illustration: ADMISSION OF SIR TRISTRAM TO THE KING OF THE ROUND TABLE.]
These words spoken, Arthur took Tristram by the hand and led him to the Round Table, going with him round its circle, and looking into every seat that lacked a knight. When at length he came to that in which Sir Marhaus had formerly sat, he saw there engraved in letters of gold, "This is the seat of the noble knight Sir Tristram."
Then Arthur made Tristram a Knight of the Round Table with noble ceremony and great pomp, and with feasts that lasted many days. Glad were all there to have a knight of such prowess and high esteem in their company, and many friends Tristram made among his new brothers-in-arms.
But chief of all these was Lancelot, and for days together Lancelot and Tristram kept genial company, while their brotherhood gave joy to all, and most of all to King Arthur, who felt that the glory of his reign was now at its height, and that two such knights as these would spread the renown of the Round Table throughout the world.
END OF VOL. I.