Bab Bab 166 · How Sir Tristram departed from the king and La Beale Isoud

. How Sir Tristram departed from the king and La Beale Isoud

out of Ireland for to come into Cornwall.

Sir, said Tristram, now I shall tell you all the truth: my father’s

name is Sir Meliodas, King of Liones, and my mother hight Elizabeth,

that was sister unto King Mark of Cornwall; and my mother died of me in

the forest, and because thereof she commanded, or she died, that when I

were christened they should christen me Tristram; and because I would

not be known in this country I turned my name and let me call

Tramtrist; and for the truage of Cornwall I fought for my eme’s sake,

and for the right of Cornwall that ye had posseded many years. And wit

ye well, said Tristram unto the king, I did the battle for the love of

mine uncle, King Mark, and for the love of the country of Cornwall, and

for to increase mine honour; for that same day that I fought with Sir

Marhaus I was made knight, and never or then did I battle with no

knight, and from me he went alive, and left his shield and his sword

behind.

So God me help, said the king, I may not say but ye did as a knight

should, and it was your part to do for your quarrel, and to increase

your worship as a knight should; howbeit I may not maintain you in this

country with my worship, unless that I should displease my barons, and

my wife and her kin. Sir, said Tristram, I thank you of your good

lordship that I have had with you here, and the great goodness my lady,

your daughter, hath shewed me, and therefore, said Sir Tristram, it may

so happen that ye shall win more by my life than by my death, for in

the parts of England it may happen I may do you service at some season,

that ye shall be glad that ever ye shewed me your good lordship. With

more I promise you as I am true knight, that in all places I shall be

my lady your daughter’s servant and knight in right and in wrong, and I

shall never fail her, to do as much as a knight may do. Also I beseech

your good grace that I may take my leave at my lady, your daughter, and

at all the barons and knights. I will well, said the king.

Then Sir Tristram went unto La Beale Isoud and took his leave of her.

And then he told her all, what he was, and how he had changed his name

because he would not be known, and how a lady told him that he should

never be whole till he came into this country where the poison was

made, wherethrough I was near my death had not your ladyship been. O

gentle knight, said La Beale Isoud, full woe am I of thy departing, for

I saw never man that I owed so good will to. And therewithal she wept

heartily. Madam, said Sir Tristram, ye shall understand that my name is

Sir Tristram de Liones, gotten of King Meliodas, and born of his queen.

And I promise you faithfully that I shall be all the days of my life

your knight. Gramercy, said La Beale Isoud, and I promise you

there-against that I shall not be married this seven years but by your

assent; and to whom that ye will I shall be married to him will I have,

and he will have me if ye will consent.

And then Sir Tristram gave her a ring, and she gave him another; and

therewith he departed from her, leaving her making great dole and

lamentation; and he straight went unto the court among all the barons,

and there he took his leave at most and least, and openly he said among

them all: Fair lords, now it is so that I must depart: if there be any

man here that I have offended unto, or that any man be with me grieved,

let complain him here afore me or that ever I depart, and I shall amend

it unto my power. And if there be any that will proffer me wrong, or

say of me wrong or shame behind my back, say it now or never, and here

is my body to make it good, body against body. And all they stood

still, there was not one that would say one word; yet were there some

knights that were of the queen’s blood, and of Sir Marhaus’ blood, but

they would not meddle with him.