Chương Chương 189 · How Sir Tristram was holpen by his men, and of Queen

. How Sir Tristram was holpen by his men, and of Queen

Isoud which was put in a lazar-cote, and how Tristram was hurt.

So when they were departed, Gouvernail, and Sir Lambegus, and Sir

Sentraille de Lushon, that were Sir Tristram’s men, sought their

master. When they heard he was escaped then they were passing glad; and

on the rocks they found him, and with towels they pulled him up. And

then Sir Tristram asked them where was La Beale Isoud, for he weened

she had been had away of Andred’s people. Sir, said Gouvernail, she is

put in a lazar-cote. Alas, said Sir Tristram, this is a full ungoodly

place for such a fair lady, and if I may she shall not be long there.

And so he took his men and went thereas was La Beale Isoud, and fetched

her away, and brought her into a forest to a fair manor, and Sir

Tristram there abode with her. So the good knight bade his men go from

him: For at this time I may not help you. So they departed all save

Gouvernail. And so upon a day Sir Tristram yede into the forest for to

disport him, and then it happened that there he fell sleep; and there

came a man that Sir Tristram aforehand had slain his brother, and when

this man had found him he shot him through the shoulder with an arrow,

and Sir Tristram leapt up and killed that man. And in the meantime it

was told King Mark how Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud were in that

same manor, and as soon as ever he might thither he came with many

knights to slay Sir Tristram. And when he came there he found him gone;

and there he took La Beale Isoud home with him, and kept her strait

that by no means never she might wit nor send unto Tristram, nor he

unto her. And then when Sir Tristram came toward the old manor he found

the track of many horses, and thereby he wist his lady was gone. And

then Sir Tristram took great sorrow, and endured with great pain long

time, for the arrow that he was hurt withal was envenomed.

Then by the mean of La Beale Isoud she told a lady that was cousin unto

Dame Bragwaine, and she came to Sir Tristram, and told him that he

might not be whole by no means. For thy lady, La Beale Isoud, may not

help thee, therefore she biddeth you haste into Brittany to King Howel,

and there ye shall find his daughter, Isoud la Blanche Mains, and she

shall help thee. Then Sir Tristram and Gouvernail gat them shipping,

and so sailed into Brittany. And when King Howel wist that it was Sir

Tristram he was full glad of him. Sir, he said, I am come into this

country to have help of your daughter, for it is told me that there is

none other may heal me but she; and so within a while she healed him.