Chương Chương 183 · Of the wedding of King Mark to La Beale Isoud, and of

. Of the wedding of King Mark to La Beale Isoud, and of

Bragwaine her maid, and of Palamides.

And anon they were richly wedded with great noblesse. But ever, as the

French book saith, Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud loved ever together.

Then was there great jousts and great tourneying, and many lords and

ladies were at that feast, and Sir Tristram was most praised of all

other. Thus dured the feast long, and after the feast was done, within

a little while after, by the assent of two ladies that were with Queen

Isoud, they ordained for hate and envy for to destroy Dame Bragwaine,

that was maiden and lady unto La Beale Isoud; and she was sent into the

forest for to fetch herbs, and there she was met, and bound feet and

hand to a tree, and so she was bounden three days. And by fortune, Sir

Palamides found Dame Bragwaine, and there he delivered her from the

death, and brought her to a nunnery there beside, for to be recovered.

When Isoud the queen missed her maiden, wit ye well she was right heavy

as ever was any queen, for of all earthly women she loved her best: the

cause was for she came with her out of her country. And so upon a day

Queen Isoud walked into the forest to put away her thoughts, and there

she went herself unto a well and made great moan. And suddenly there

came Palamides to her, and had heard all her complaint, and said: Madam

Isoud, an ye will grant me my boon, I shall bring to you Dame Bragwaine

safe and sound. And the queen was so glad of his proffer that suddenly

unadvised she granted all his asking. Well, Madam, said Palamides, I

trust to your promise, and if ye will abide here half an hour I shall

bring her to you. I shall abide you, said La Beale Isoud. And Sir

Palamides rode forth his way to that nunnery, and lightly he came again

with Dame Bragwaine; but by her good will she would not have come

again, because for love of the queen she stood in adventure of her

life. Notwithstanding, half against her will, she went with Sir

Palamides unto the queen. And when the queen saw her she was passing

glad. Now, Madam, said Palamides, remember upon your promise, for I

have fulfilled my promise. Sir Palamides, said the queen, I wot not

what is your desire, but I will that ye wit, howbeit I promised you

largely, I thought none evil, nor I warn you none evil will I do.

Madam, said Sir Palamides, as at this time, ye shall not know my

desire, but before my lord your husband there shall ye know that I will

have my desire that ye have promised me. And therewith the queen

departed, and rode home to the king, and Sir Palamides rode after her.

And when Sir Palamides came before the king, he said: Sir King, I

require you as ye be a righteous king, that ye will judge me the right.

Tell me your cause, said the king, and ye shall have right.