Bab Bab 350 · How La Beale Isoud counselled Sir Tristram to go unto the

. How La Beale Isoud counselled Sir Tristram to go unto the

court, to the great feast of Pentecost.

Now will we leave off this matter, and speak we of Sir Tristram, and of

Sir Palomides that was the Saracen unchristened. When Sir Tristram was

come home unto Joyous Gard from his adventures, all this while that Sir

Launcelot was thus missed, two year and more, Sir Tristram bare the

renown through all the realm of Logris, and many strange adventures

befell him, and full well and manly and worshipfully he brought them to

an end. So when he was come home La Beale Isoud told him of the great

feast that should be at Pentecost next following, and there she told

him how Sir Launcelot had been missed two year, and all that while he

had been out of his mind, and how he was holpen by the holy vessel, the

Sangreal. Alas, said Sir Tristram, that caused some debate betwixt him

and Queen Guenever. Sir, said Dame Isoud, I know it all, for Queen

Guenever sent me a letter in the which she wrote me all how it was, for

to require you to seek him. And now, blessed be God, said La Beale

Isoud, he is whole and sound and come again to the court.

Thereof am I glad, said Sir Tristram, and now shall ye and I make us

ready, for both ye and I will be at the feast. Sir, said Isoud, an it

please you I will not be there, for through me ye be marked of many

good knights, and that caused you to have much more labour for my sake

than needeth you. Then will I not be there, said Sir Tristram, but if

ye be there. God defend, said La Beale Isoud, for then shall I be

spoken of shame among all queens and ladies of estate; for ye that are

called one of the noblest knights of the world, and ye a knight of the

Round Table, how may ye be missed at that feast? What shall be said

among all knights? See how Sir Tristram hunteth, and hawketh, and

cowereth within a castle with his lady, and forsaketh your worship.

Alas, shall some say, it is pity that ever he was made knight, or that

ever he should have the love of a lady. Also what shall queens and

ladies say of me? It is pity that I have my life, that I will hold so

noble a knight as ye are from his worship. So God me help, said Sir

Tristram unto La Beale Isoud, it is passing well said of you and nobly

counselled; and now I well understand that ye love me; and like as ye

have counselled me I will do a part thereafter. But there shall no man

nor child ride with me, but myself. And so will I ride on Tuesday next

coming, and no more harness of war but my spear and my sword.