Chapter Chapter 172 · How the lady forsook Sir Tristram and abode with Sir

. How the lady forsook Sir Tristram and abode with Sir

Bleoberis, and how she desired to go to her husband.

So when she was set betwixt them both she said these words unto Sir

Tristram: Wit ye well, Sir Tristram de Liones, that but late thou wast

the man in the world that I most loved and trusted, and I weened thou

hadst loved me again above all ladies; but when thou sawest this knight

lead me away thou madest no cheer to rescue me, but suffered my lord

Segwarides ride after me; but until that time I weened thou haddest

loved me, and therefore now I will leave thee, and never love thee

more. And therewithal she went unto Sir Bleoberis.

When Sir Tristram saw her do so he was wonderly wroth with that lady,

and ashamed to come to the court. Sir Tristram, said Sir Bleoberis, ye

are in the default, for I hear by this lady’s words she before this day

trusted you above all earthly knights, and, as she saith, ye have

deceived her, therefore wit ye well, there may no man hold that will

away; and rather than ye should be heartily displeased with me I would

ye had her, an she would abide with you. Nay, said the lady, so God me

help I will never go with him; for he that I loved most I weened he had

loved me. And therefore, Sir Tristram, she said, ride as thou came, for

though thou haddest overcome this knight, as ye was likely, with thee

never would I have gone. And I shall pray this knight so fair of his

knighthood, that or ever he pass this country, that he will lead me to

the abbey where my lord Sir Segwarides lieth. So God me help, said

Bleoberis, I let you wit, good knight Sir Tristram, because King Mark

gave me the choice of a gift in this court, and so this lady liked me

best—notwithstanding, she is wedded and hath a lord, and I have

fulfilled my quest, she shall be sent unto her husband again, and in

especial most for your sake, Sir Tristram; and if she would go with you

I would ye had her. I thank you, said Sir Tristram, but for her love I

shall beware what manner a lady I shall love or trust; for had her

lord, Sir Segwarides, been away from the court, I should have been the

first that should have followed you; but sithen that ye have refused

me, as I am true knight I shall her know passingly well that I shall

love or trust. And so they took their leave one from the other and

departed.

And so Sir Tristram rode unto Tintagil, and Sir Bleoberis rode unto the

abbey where Sir Segwarides lay sore wounded, and there he delivered his

lady, and departed as a noble knight; and when Sir Segwarides saw his

lady, he was greatly comforted; and then she told him that Sir Tristram

had done great battle with Sir Bleoberis, and caused him to bring her

again. These words pleased Sir Segwarides right well, that Sir Tristram

would do so much; and so that lady told all the battle unto King Mark

betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Bleoberis.