For that horn did never good,but caused strife and debate,and always in her days she had been an enemy to all true lovers.So there were many knights made their avow,an ever they met with Morgan le Fay,that they would show her short courtesy.Also Sir Tristram was passing wroth that Sir Lamorak sent that horn unto King Mark,for well he knew that it was done in the despite of him.And therefore he thought to quite Sir Lamorak.
Then Sir Tristram used daily and nightly to go to Queen Isoud when he might,and ever Sir Andred his cousin watched him night and day for to take him with La Beale Isoud.And so upon a night Sir Andred espied the hour and the time when Sir Tristram went to his lady.Then Sir Andred gat unto him twelve knights,and at midnight he set upon Sir Tristram secretly and suddenly and there Sir Tristram was taken naked abed with La Beale Isoud,and then was he bound hand and foot,and so was he kept until day.And then by the assent of King Mark,and of Sir Andred,and of some of the barons,Sir Tristram was led unto a chapel that stood upon the sea rocks,there for to take his judgment:and so he was led bounden with forty knights.And when Sir Tristram saw that there was none other boot but needs that he must die,then said he:
Fair lords,remember what I have done for the country of Cornwall,and in what jeopardy I have been in for the weal of you all;for when I fought for the truage of Cornwall with Sir Marhaus,the good knight,I was promised for to be better rewarded,when ye all refused to take the battle;therefore,as ye be good gentle knights,see me not thus shamefully to die,for it is shame to all knighthood thus to see me die;for I dare say,said Sir Tristram,that I never met with no knight but I was as good as he,or better.Fie upon thee,said Sir Andred,false traitor that thou art,with thine avaunting;for all thy boast thou shalt die this day.O Andred,Andred,said Sir Tristram,thou shouldst be my kinsman,and now thou art to me full unfriendly,but an there were no more but thou and I,thou wouldst not put me to death.No!said Sir Andred,and therewith he drew his sword,and would have slain him.
When Sir Tristram saw him make such countenance he looked upon both his hands that were fast bounden unto two knights,and suddenly he pulled them both to him,and unwrast his hands,and then he leapt unto his cousin,Sir Andred,and wrested his sword out of his hands;then he smote Sir Andred that he fell to the earth,and so Sir Tristram fought till that he had killed ten knights.So then Sir Tristram gat the chapel and kept it mightily.Then the cry was great,and the people drew fast unto Sir Andred,mo than an hundred.When Sir Tristram saw the people draw unto him,he remembered he was naked,and sperd fast the chapel door,and brake the bars of a window,and so he leapt out and fell upon the crags in the sea.And so at that time Sir Andred nor none of his fellows might get to him,at that time.
CHAPTER XXXV
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.
CHAPTER XXXVI
How Sir Tristram served in war King Howel of Brittany,and slew his adversary in the field.
THERE was an earl that hight Grip,and this earl made great war upon the king,and put the king to the worse,and besieged him.