Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, SIR TRISTREM, by ANONYMOUS


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

SIR TRISTREM, by                    
First Line: I was at ercildoune / with thomas spake I there
Last Line: "ysonde, so fairly found, / he 'ld lead unto that hall"
Subject(s): Tristram And Isolde


I WAS at Ercildoune,
With Thomas spake I there,
In mystic rede and rune
He told who Tristrem bare --
(He ware a royal crown --)
And who gave fostering fair,
A baron of renown
E'en as their elders were.
Thus, year by year,
Thomas, he told in town
What ventures were their share.

Of this sweet summer's day
In winter naught is seen,
The groves be waxen gray
That in their hour were green;
So doth this world alway
(So do I wot and ween),
Our sires be passed away
Who right good men had been
And so abide --
Of one I make my theme
Whose fame has waxen wide.

Roland would thole no wrong
Though Morgan ruled o'er all;
He brake his castles strong,
And levelled many a hall.
He smote his hosts among --
Loss did his foes befall,
And strife that dured long. --
For peace did Morgan call,
Full sore his need,
Of fear was he the thrall
Lest death should be his meed.

For thus the strife began,
(I rede ye well 't was so)
Betwixt the Duke Morgan
And Roland, fiercest foe.
The land they overran,
And wrought the poor much woe,
They slew full many a man,
In strife they were not slow
But men of price;
The one was Duke Morgan,
The other Roland Riis.

Those knights, I ween, were wise,
A cov'nant made they there
To rest in peaceful guise
For seven years full fair.
The duke and Roland Riis
Thereto they steadfast sware.
Forthwith, as knights of prize
To England would they fare
And see with sight
Mark, who the royal crown ware,
And many a gallant knight.

To Mark the king they wend
With followers, famed in fight,
The venture to the end
They told him, fair and right.
He prayed them, as their friend,
Abide, both day and night,
In peace; thereto they lend
Their will, each gallant knight,
For act and deed.
To Tourney they invite
Full many, stout on steed.

A joyful man is he
Who will the Tourney cry;
Maidens his deeds shall see
As o'er the wall they lie.
They question fair and free:
"Who hath the mastery?"
Men say: "The best is he
The knight from Ermonie!"
Henceforth, in bower,
The chosen love is he
Of maiden Blancheflower.

That maiden, fair and bright,
She called her masters three,
And quoth: "That stranger knight
Full sore hath wronged me,
Methinks, by Magic's might --
A wondrous man is he
Thus through my heart to smite!
Wounded to death I be,
And that so soon!
Save he the wrong make right
My night is come ere noon!"

'T were hard his praise to mend,
That wise and stalwart wight,
Unto the wide world's end
Was never better knight,
Nor truer to his friend,
And Roland Riis he hight.
To battle did he wend,
And wounds he won in fight
Full sore and fell;
Blancheflower, the maiden bright,
The tale she heard them tell.

And cried, "Ah, wellaway!"
When men sware it was so;
Her mistress did she pray
That she might straightway go
There, where the good knight lay,
She swooned for very woe;
He comforted the may,
And in that hour the two
Begat a son --
Whom men as Tristrem know
Where'er the tale doth run.

That oath the foeman sware
And to maintain had thought,
Duke Morgan brake his share,
Of truce would he have naught.
Rohant, of fealty fair,
A writing swift he wrought,
And bade to Roland bear;
His lord he there besought,
In this his need,
To help him as he ought,
Or all were lost indeed.

Then Roland Riis in woe
Prayed leave of Mark the king:
"Hence must I swiftly go
For men ill tidings bring;
A false and faithless foe
Seeketh my undoing --"
Blancheflower full soon must know,
Her hands the maid must wring
For sorrow sore:
"Myself to ruin I bring
For love I to thee bore!

"In shame I bide here still,
Thou sailest over sea --"
Quoth Roland: "Here I dwell
Save that thou wend with me!"
"To bide for me were ill,
Behold, and thou mayest see!
Steadfast my wish and will
From hence to fare with thee,
That I may find
Thy fair folk, frank and free,
Thy goodly land, and kind!"

They make them ready there,
No longer will they bide,
With banners floating fair
From haven forth they ride.
To Roland's castle fair
The winds their vessel guide.
Her sails adown they tear,
Forth from the ship they stride;
The knights, steel-clad,
In Roland's service tried,
To do his will were glad.

Swift Rohant's rede was sped:
"This maiden shall be our's,
With Roland Riis to wed,
And rule within these towers.
Fittest to share his bed,
Brightest in lady's bower,
None fairer e'er was bred
Than maiden Blancheflower,
That lady sweet!"
After love's richest dower
The parting followed fleet.

The folk, right well they know
How Morgan subtly wrought,
With wisdom, to and fro,
Among his men he sought.
His true knights, high and low,
Were to his summons brought;
With banners all a-row,
In weapons lacking naught;
That knight so bold,
As crowned king he thought
To win him fame untold.

With folk on field arrayed,
Morgan his foe would bide,
Naught Roland's onslaught stayed,
Against him would he ride.
Sooth, 't was a mighty raid!
Sorrow befell each side,
With prowess proud displayed
Roland, he felled their pride.
'T was but with pain
Morgan escaped that tide,
Well nigh had he been slain!

The foemen came anew
Where Roland valiant stood,
The helms they hack and hew,
Thro' burnies wells the blood.
Then nigh to death there drew
Full many a hero good,
Of Roland men may rue
The death, by Holy Rood!
A hero bold,
His son, of valiant mood,
Payment full dearly told.

A rueful rede now hear
Of Roland Riis the knight,
Three hundred slew he there
With sword so keen and bright.
Of all who foemen were
None might him fell in fight.
In traitorous wise they fare,
And thus the death-blow smite,
With cruel guile
To death the hero dight --
Alas! Woe worth the while!

The steed his master bore
Dead, on his homeward way;
The folk marvelled the more
Who saw his knightly play.
They came with rueful lore
To Blancheflower straightway,
For her I sorrow sore --
On childbed, where she lay
In woe, was born
Sir Tristrem that same day --
She died ere morrow's morn.

A ring of richest hue
She ware, that lady free,
She gave it Rohant true
Her son's henceforth to be.
"Then grimy brother knew,
My father gave it me;
King Mark methinks shall rue
When he that same shall see,
And sorely weep!
As Roland loved thee
The ring for his son keep!"

The folk around her bed
Sadly their lady see, --
"Roland my lord is dead,
He speaks no more with me:" --
"Our lady too, is sped,
She dieth verily:
What do we in this stead?"
"As God wills, let it be
For good or ill." --
Right sad it was to see
Her lying cold and still.

Begotten thus, and born,
Was he, the child of woe;
Rohant was all forlorn
Nor wist what he might do.
His own true wife that morn
To childbed needs must go:
He sware that twins were born,
To joy was turned his woe --
Now shall ye list,
The child at court they know
As Tram before the Trist.

The duke was well content, --
His foe was slain alway;
His messengers he sent,
The folk he straight did pray,
To yield to his intent,
And to his word obey,
Yield town, and tower, and tent --
None might his word gainsay,
But all right soon
Unto his will had bent,
No king had better done.

Who gave rich jewels of gold?
Duke Morgan, he alone;
Ruthless of heart and cold,
To face him was there none.
Unto his counsel told
Was Rohant, true as stone,
In wisdom versed of old
By craft he held his own
His heart to hide,
Perished were blood and bone
If hope were laid aside!

Now Rohant, evermore,
Hides Tristrem, blithe is he,
The child of scholar's lore
Learneth full speedily;
By books he setteth store,
And studieth readily;
Glad hearts, in sooth, they bore
Who owed him fealty.
The lad, so bright,
His skill shewed readily
Against them when he might.

Now years full fifteen long
He hid, Rohant the true,
Tristrem, and every song
He taught him, old and new;
And laws of right and wrong,
And wise saws not a few;
The chase he followed long,
And to such skill he drew
I ween, that thus
Of venerie he knew
More than Manerius.

A ship of Norroway
Came to Sir Rohant's hold,
With hawks both white and gray,
And cloths full fair in fold;
So Tristrem heard men say --
For sport the lad so bold
Would twenty shillings pay
E'en as Sir Rohant told,
And ever taught;
The seamen to him sold
The fairest hawk they brought.

A chessboard by a chair
He saw, and fain would play;
The captain, debonair,
Quoth: "Child, what wilt thou lay?"
"Against this hawk so fair
Shillings two score, I say,
He who calls 'Mate' shall bear
The twain with him away." --
The captain bold,
With good will spake straightway:
"That cov'nant will I hold."

Their pledge in order lies,
To play they now begin;
They set the board in guise
A right long match to win.
The stakes they 'gan to rise --
Tristrem shewed guile therein,
He dealt as one full wise,
And gave as he might win,
The lad so brave;
The game's short space within
Six hawks he won, and gave.

Rohant would go on shore,
His sons he called away,
The fairest hawk he bore
Tristrem had won that day.
And with him he left more
Money, wherewith to play;
The captain roundly swore
Silver and gold to lay
In stake that stound --
Tristrem, he won alway
Of him a hundred pound.

Tristrem won all they laid;
A treason there they planned;
E'en as his master said
That even was at hand,
The while they sat and played
They gat them from the land.
Their sails the breezes fanned;
O'er waves they leap --
Blithely they leave the strand;
But Tristrem sore did weep.

They set his master free,
Gave boat, and eke an oar,
Crying: "Here is the sea,
And yonder be the shore,
Choose what thy lot shall be,
The which were wiser lore,
To sink, or sail; with me
The child, for evermore
Shall sail the flood."
Tristrem, he wept full sore;
The captain deemed it good.

Nine weeks, I ween, and more,
Those seamen sailed the flood,
Till anchor failed, and oar,
And storms their course withstood.
Tristrem, the blame he bore
For this, their mournful mood;
Small use the steersman's lore,
The waves they were so wood
With storm and wind --
To land their will was good
Might they a haven find.

To land they drew anigh,
A forest as it were,
The hills, they were full high,
The holts, they were full fair.
To shore right speedily
Tristrem the seamen bare,
His gains, his jewellery,
And bread, they gave him there,
The lad so mild --
In calm they thence did fare,
On shore they left the child.

The wind full fair did hold;
Alone on land was he,
His heart for fear grew cold
When he no ship might see.
His grief to Christ he told --
The Lord Who died on Tree --
"My plight, Dear Lord behold,
And guidance send to me
After Thy Will;
And of Thy Mercy free
Let me not come to ill!"

Thomas, he asks alway,
Who would of Tristrem hear
The tale aright must say,
And make each step full clear.
"Of a prince proud in play
Now hearken, lordings dear,
Who knoweth more alway
Let him shew counsel here
As courteous friend;
The tale to all men dear
let each man praise at end."

The robe that wrapped him round
Tristrem from ship had brought,
'T was of a bliaunt brown,
The richest that was wrought.
So Thomas told in town --
Of that land he knew naught,
So, seemly, sat him down,
And ate as good he thought,
And then, anon,
The forest path he sought
Whenas his meal was done.

The track it was not light,
His prize with him he bore,
The hills of goodly height
He climbed, and holts so hoar.
The road it came in sight --
(Well knew he woodland lore!)
He struck the pathway right,
Two palmers there before
He saw, and quoth:
"Whence came ye to this shore?"
"Of England be we both."

Fearing they might him slay
He said he sought the king,
Money would gladly pay
(To each man ten shilling)
For guidance on the way,
Would they to palace bring --
They sware right gladly: "Yea,
By Heaven's Almighty King
'T were done right soon --"
Full wise his ordering,
Swiftly he had his boon.

Fair was the forest wide,
With game well plenished,
The court was nigh beside,
His guides toward it sped.
Tristrem saw huntsmen ride,
A leash of hounds they led;
A booty, in that tide
They bare, of harts well fed
Across their steed --
Tristrem they, in that stead,
Beheld, in goodly weed.

Quartered the beasts they bare, --
In simple wise they wrought
E'en as they cattle were
At Martinmas i-bought!
Tristrem, he haled them there,
Their ways full strange he thought,
And quoth: "Now saw I ne'er
Quarry in such wise brought
Of men's good will;
Of such craft I know naught,
Or else ye do full ill!"

Upstood a serjant bold,
And thus to Tristrem said:
"I wot our sires of old
On us this custom laid,
If other thou dost hold
There lies a beast unflayed,
Thy will in act be told,
Deal with it unafraid,
We are full fain
To see -- " The huntsmen stayed
Their steeds, and gazed amain.

Tristrem, the breast he slit,
The tongue laid with the pride,
The hams, with skill, I wit,
He carved, and set aside.
The belly then he split
And laid it open wide,
With skilful strokes and fit,
He reft away the hide.
I wot and ween
The hart he trimmed that tide
As many since have been.

The first joint carven fair
The bowels he cast away,
The knee-joints sundered were,
In twain they severed lay.
Right well his part he bare --
The hounds they had their pay,
The numbles did he share
As all men saw that day;
Before their eyes
He cleft the spine alway,
The backbone cut crosswise.

The huntsman's share by right
The soulder left shall be
With liver, heart and lights,
Which men do call quirrie;
Hide for the hounds he dights,
And bids them all to see.
Now on the tree there lights
The raven for his fee
And sits a-row --
"Now, huntsmen, where be ye,
The prize in form to blow?"

The flesh on fork they bound,
And eke the gargilon;
A hunters' blast they wound
With cadence true and tone.
A messenger they found,
Bade seek the king alone,
And tell him, at that stound,
How all were fitly done
And homeward brought --
Then Mark the King with crown,
Right fair such tidings thought.

The merry blast they blew
Brought joy to many a heart,
None there such custom knew,
Up from the board they start.
"Forsooth, some huntsman new
Hath taught our men this art!
Methinks 't is fair and due
To others to impart
An unknown lore -- "
Thus blithe were they of heart
Who came the king before.

Quoth Mark: "Where wast thou born?
Who art thou, Bel ami?' '
Tristrem, he spake that morn,
"Fair sire, in Hermonie
My father dwells, forlorn,
Rohant, by name is he,
Right skilful on the horn,
And king of Venerie
In all men's thought."
Mark deemed 't was verity,
Of Rohant he knew naught.

The king, he said no more,
But washed and gat to meat,
Bread lay each man before,
Enough they had to eat.
Whether they set most store
On ale, or red wine sweet,
At each one's will they bore
Great horns, or goblets meet
To fit their mood --
At will they kept their seat,
And rose when seemed them good.

A harper made a lay --
(Tristrem spake fair and free -- )
The harper went his way:
"An thou can'st, better me!"
"An I do not this day
Wrong have I done to thee!"
The harper quoth straightway:
"My harp I yield to thee
Of right good grace -- "
Before the monarch's knee,
Tristrem must take his place.

Right gladsome were they all,
And marked his skill therein,
Each man throughout the hall
Were fain the child to win.
King Mark did Tristrem call,
That lad of royal kin,
Clad him in silken pall
And robe of fairest skin,
For raiment meet --
The royal bower within
He maketh music sweet.

Now Tristrem leave we there,
To Mark is he right dear --
Sorrow is Rohant's share,
No tidings may he hear;
Afar he needs must fare,
With sad and rueful cheer,
The pilgrim's staff he bare;
Through seven kingdoms drear
Tristrem he sought --
Riven the robes he ware,
His heart it failed him naught.

And still he naught might learn,
Rohant, that noble knight --
He wist not where to turn,
Bereft was he of might.
Men forced him then to earn
His bread, as labouring wight,
With hinds, on straw and fern
To lie throughout the night --
At dawn, I ween,
Those Palmers hove in sight
Whom Tristrem erst had seen.

The question ever new,
He asked, whate'er befell --
The lad the Palmers knew,
And where he now should dwell;
"His robe is of one hue,
Of bliaunt, sooth to tell,
His name is Tristrem true,
The meat he carveth well
The king before -- "
For guidance did he tell
Ten shillings from his store:

"The same I'll give to ye,"
Quoth Rohant, "an ye may
Shew that same court to me."
The Palmers answered: "Yea."
Joyful at heart was he,
And paid them there straightway,
Of money round, in fee,
Ten shillings good that day,
And more, for gain --
Of Tristrem speedily
To hear, was he full fain.

Tristrem is his delight,
Of him he speaks alway --
The porter, in despite,
Quoth: "Churl, get thee away,
Or else I swift shall smite --
Why tarry here all day?"
He gave him there forthright
(The porter ne'er said Nay)
A ring in hand --
Wise man was he alway
Who first gave gifts in land!

Rohant, of hand so free,
He bade to pass the gate,
The ring was fair to see,
The gift were ill to mate.
The usher bade him flee:
"Churl, tempt thou not thy fate,
Broken thy head shall be,
And thou, ere it be late,
Trodden to ground -- "
Rohant quoth: "Now let be,
And help me at this stound."

That man, so meek on mold,
Held forth another ring.
The usher took the gold,
('T were meeter for a king.)
Thus to the royal hold
He paid his entering,
And unto Tristrem bold
The usher would him bring,
And straightway brought --
Tristrem deemed wondering
A stranger him besought.

Tho' men had soothly sworn
The news he scarce might heed
That Rohant e'er had worn
So torn and rent a weed.
He prayed him fast that morn:
"Fair child, so God thee speed,
Wast thou not from me torn?
Hast thou forgot indeed?" --
Rohant again
He knew, and knelt with speed,
And clasped, and kissed, full fain.

"Father, now vex thee naught,
Right welcome shalt thou be,
By God, Who man hath bought,
Full hardly knew I thee!
With toil thou hast me sought,
To know that grieveth me -- "
To Mark the word he brought:
"Wilt thou my father see
Here, in thy sight?
I'll robe him fittingly
As doth become a knight."

Tristrem, no more afraid,
Told Mark how he must fare,
How he with shipmen played,
How him from land they tare;
How storms their course delayed,
Brake oar and anchor there;
"My winnings then they laid
In hand, and bade me fare,
Set me on ground --
I climbed the holts so bare
Till I thy huntsmen found."

Rohant from bath did win;
A barber brought they there
Who shaved him, cheek and chin,
All snow-white was his hair.
In robe of costly skin
They garbed him, fresh and fair,
Rohant, of noble kin,
That raiment fitly ware
As knight so bold;
Who that had seen him there
Might for a prince him hold.

His tale in fitting wise
He told, though he came late;
Tristrem, in courtly guise,
To hall he led him straight.
Men quoth, none might devise
A fairer form or state
Than his they did despise,
And turn back from the gate
With beggar's fare --
Now no man bare him hate,
But bade him welcome there.

Water they asked straightway,
The cloth and board were spread,
With meats and drink alway,
And service, swiftly sped.
Tristrem they serve that day,
And Rohant -- fitly fed,
They fain would go their way --
The king, with crowned head,
He rose that tide --
An I have rightly read,
He set him by his side.

Rohant spake free and fair,
Thus was his tale begun:
"An ye wist who he were
Tristrem your love had won.
Your sister did him bear -- "
(The king he heard anon)
"I owe him fealty fair,
By birth is he no son
To me, O King!
See, ere her race was run
Blancheflower gave me this ring!"

"When Roland Riis, the bold,
In strife did Morgan meet -- "
Ere yet the tale was told
Rohant full sore did greet.
Mark saw that knight so old,
How fast the tears did fleet,
He took that ring of gold;
His sister's token meet
And sign, he knew,
Raised Tristrem to his feet,
With kiss, as kinsman true.

They kissed him, one and all,
Both lady fair and knight,
The servants there in hall,
And many a maiden bright.
Tristrem did Rohant call,
And prayed him there forthright:
"Sir, how did this befall,
How may I prove aright,
Nor doubt remain?
Tell me, for God's great Might,
How was my father slain?"

Rohant, he told anon
The venture, fierce and keen,
How battle had begun,
How erst the strife had been.
How Blancheflower, she was won,
The love the twain between:
"When Roland's race was run,
And Blancheflower dead, I ween,
Full sore afraid
Of Morgan, foe so keen,
My son thou wast, I said."

Tristrem, with kindling eye,
Before the king came he --
"Now into Ermonie
My heart, it draweth me;
Thither I fain would fly --
My leave I take of thee;
Morgan I will defy,
I slay him, or he me,
With good right hand --
Else none my face shall see
Again on England's strand!"

Woeful was Mark that day,
And heavily he sighed:
"Tristrem, I bid thee stay,
On English land abide.
Morgan is ill to slay,
His knights are men of pride;
Tho' thou be brave alway
Let others with thee ride
In rank and row --
Take Rohant at thy side,
Thy friends he best will know!"

To arms, the king, he bade
The folk throughout his land;
Tristrem, for better aid,
He knighted with his hand,
And gave him, fair arrayed,
The bravest of his band
To ride with him on raid
And by him true to stand
As staff and stay --
Yet, bound in sorrow's band,
No man might make him gay.

Nor would he dwell a night --
No more was there to say,
Ten hundred men of might
They rode with him away.
Rohant, that gallant knight,
Ready was he alway,
His castle hove in sight,
Upon the seventh day
Their goal they won;
His marshal did he pay --
Gave knighthood to each son.

His friends they were full fain,
(Small blame they won thereby!)
That he had come again
Thus, unto Ermonie.
Tidings were brought amain
That Morgan lay hard by,
Of that was Tristrem fain --
"With Morgan speak will I
And that with speed;
Too long we idle lie,
Myself must serve my need!"

Tristrem, that valiant knight,
Made ready as he swore,
Fifteen the tale of knights
Who rode with him, no more.
To court they came forthright --
(Men served their lord before,)
All deemed they saw with sight
Ten kings' sons pass the door,
And each, unsought,
The head of a wild boar
As goodly gift had brought.

(A thought to Rohant came,
And to his knights quoth he:
"As woman dowered with shame
Twofold, it were to me,
An harm to Tristrem came;
Ill guardians sure were we!
Now arm ye at this same,
My knights, and hasten ye
On swift steeds lithe,
Till that I Tristrem see
My heart shall ne'er be blithe!")

Tristrem would speech unfold --
"Sir King, God deal with thee
As I in love thee hold,
And thou hast dealt with me!"
Morgan made answer bold:
"I pray, my lord so free,
Or ban or bliss be told
Thine own the cost may be,
Thou daring knight!
Now make thou known to me
Thine errand, here forthright!"

"Amends! For father slain,
And theft of Ermonie!"
The Duke, he spake again:
"Certes, thou say'st no lie,
An thou for strife art fain,
'Amends!' thou well mayst cry!
Therefore, thou haughty swain,
I'll meet thee presently
In fitting guise;
Art thou come hastily
From Mark, thy kinsman wise?

"Thou shalt my will abide --
Thou fool, my wrath to dare!
Thy mother's shame to hide
She with her love must fare!
Now would'st thou come with pride;
Betake thee otherwhere!"
Tristrem, he spake that tide:
"In that, thou liest, I swear!
The truth I know -- "
With a loaf Morgan there
At Tristrem dealt a blow.

Down to his breast amain
It gushed, the crimson blood;
His sword was bare for bane,
Nigh to the duke he stood;
He smote through bone and brain,
As one in murderous mood.
E'en as, with knightly train,
Came Rohant, friend so good,
In welcome aid --
All that their hand withstood
With life the forfeit paid.

As prisoner did they take
Baron, and earl, and knight,
I wot for Morgan's sake
Many were slain outright.
Many a shaft they shake --
Riven the shields so bright --
Many a head they brake --
Methinks, in sorry plight
Were found their foes --
From nones it was till night
Before the battle's close.

Thus Tristrem, fair of face,
Morgan the duke hath slain,
He gave his foes no grace
Till every hold were ta'en.
They yield in every place
Cities and towers amain,
The folk, they sought his grace,
No foeman did remain
Upon the land --
His father's slayer slain
All bowed them to his hand.

Two years he ruled that land,
And fitting laws did cry;
All bowed them to his hand, --
Almain, and Ermonie,
Both at his will did stand
Ready to do or die.
Rohant he gave command
And set him there on high,
E'en at his side --
"Rohant your cause shall try
And rule this land so wide."

"Rohant and his sons five
Shall hold this land of me,
The while he be alive
His shall it surely be --
What boots it more to strive?
Farewell, I bid to ye,
Southward my course I'll drive,
Mine uncle Mark to see
In life once more."
He turned, Tristrem the free,
His face to England's shore.

Goodly his furnishing,
And goodly his ships' fare;
Rohant he left as king
O'er all his winnings there.
Shipmen his barque did bring
Safely to England there.
There heard he new tidings
Such as, methinks, had ne'er
Come to his ear --
Weeping, the folk did fare
For Ireland's tribute drear.

Mark's tribute thus was told --
(Crowned king altho' he be,)
Three hundred pounds of gold
Must he lay down in fee --
Of silver, wrought and rolled,
Next year the sum must be;
When had past seasons three,
The same he 'ld pay --
The fourth, the tale was told
In noble bairus alway.

Tribute to fetch there came
Moraunt, the noble knight;
Far-spreading was his fame,
As giant, famed in fight.
Three hundred bairns, his claim,
His tribute they, by right.
Tristrem, as at that same,
Came to the shore by night
And there abode;
He of the ship had sight
As it in haven rode.

Mark, he was glad and gay
Tristrem once more to see,
Kissed him full oft that day,
Welcome in sooth was he.
Mark, he would tidings pray,
Know, how he had set free
His lands? -- Tristrem did say;
"What may this gathering be,
So sore they greet?"
"Tristrem, I'll tell to thee
The truth, tho' all unsweet.

"The King of Ireland,
Tristrem, I am his thrall;
Too tight he strains the band,
With wrong 't was won withal.
Fain would I now withstand,
On him the blame must fall -- "
"Thereto I set my hand,"
Tristrem spake in the hall,
Both loud and still. --
"Moraunt, tho' fierce withal,
Here shall not wreak his will!"

Mark gat him then to rede;
Counsel he prayed of this,
And said: "With wrongful deed
Tribute he claims amiss."
Tristrem quoth: "Take ye heed,
His mark he here shall miss!"
Quoth Mark the King, with speed:
"These bairns were never his
By law, or right -- "
Quoth Tristrem: "That, I wis,
I will uphold as knight."

Throughout the royal hold
For tribute men made moan.
Tristrem, he bade withhold
Payment, in lofty tone.
On him the lot was told,
Otherwise was there none,
Never a man so bold,
Fashioned of flesh and bone,
Never a knight --
Who dare for wealth untold
Against Sir Moraunt fight.

Tristrem his way hath ta'en
To Moraunt word to bring;
He spake in wrathful strain:
"Naught is to thee owing!"
Moraunt, he quoth again:
"Thou liest in this thing,
My body I were fain
To risk before the king
In battle's rage --"
He proffered him a ring;
Tristrem, he took the gage.

They sailed the sea so wide,
Of barques they had but two --
Moraunt, his boat fast tied
But Tristrem let his go.
Moraunt upon him cried:
"Tristrem, why dost thou so?"
"Needs must one here abide
Tho' each find fitting foe,
And so, I wis,
Whoever hence may go
May fit his need with this!"

Broad was the strand alway
Where they began their fight;
Of that was Moraunt gay,
Tristrem he held full light.
Sure ne'er was seen such fray! --
With blades of goodly might
Each would the other slay --
They hewed the helmets bright.
Now, for England
He fights, Tristrem, the knight.
May God uphold his hand!

Moraunt, with all his might
He rode a rapid course
Against Tristrem the knight,
To bear him from his horse.
His lance was none too light --
The lion shield with force
He smote -- Tristrem, forthright,
Pierced in his knightly course
The dragon shield --
Moraunt the bold, perforce,
He bare down on the field.

Forthwith to foot he sprung,
And leapt upon his steed;
As ravening wolf he flung
Himself -- Take ye good heed!
Tristrem his sword high swung --
Small dread he knew in need!
The sharp blade smote and stung --
Moraunt began to bleed.
Right there, amain --
In Moraunt's greatest need
His steed's back brake in twain!

Then up he sprang again,
And cried: "Tristrem, alight!
Since thou my steed hast slain
Afoot we needs must fight!"
"Thereto am I full fain,"
Quoth Tristrem: "by God's Might!"
Together came the twain;
On gleaming helms they smite,
And hew, and pierce,
Tristrem as valiant knight
Fought in that battle fierce.

The champion of Ireland
Smote Tristrem on the shield
That half fell from his hand
Riven upon the field.
Tristrem would him withstand,
His sword he well could wield --
Thus with his trusty brand
Well nigh he forced to yield
Moraunt, the knight --
With wonder unconcealed
King Mark beheld that fight!

Moraunt to win was fain --
He fought as valiant knight;
That Tristrem should be slain
He strove, with all his might.
Tristrem, he smote amain,
His sword brake in the fight,
And fast in Moraunt's brain
It held, a splinter bright --
His death he bore;
But through the thigh forthright.
Tristrem was wounded sore.

A word that smacked of pride
Spake Tristrem -- thus quoth he:
"Ye folk of Ireland's side
Your mirror may ye see!
He who will hither ride,
Such shall his portion be!"
With sorrow sore that tide
Moraunt, unto the sea
Weeping, they bare --
With joy Tristrem the free
To Mark the King did fare.

His sword, as offering due,
He to the altar bare;
As Mark's near kinsman true
Tristrem was honoured there.
A covenant they drew
And stablish'd fast and fair;
As he had freed anew
The land, there he should bear
The rule one day,
If so he living were
When Mark had passed away.

Tho' Tristrem deemed it naught,
Yet was he wounded sore;
Tho' healing salves they sought,
And drinks from distant shore,
Leeches no healing wrought,
His pain was aye the more --
To such pass was he brought
The foul smell no man bore,
From him they ran --
And none abode there more
Save Gouvernail, his man.

Three years he lingering lay
Tristrem, (the True, he hight;)
No joy was his by day
Such pain he bare all night.
For dole is none that may
Behold him now with sight,
And each one, sooth to say,
Forsaketh now the knight,
From him they fare,
Each had done what he might,
And had no further care.

At length upon a day
To Mark he did complain;
The counsel, sooth to say,
Was brief betwixt the twain:
"In grief have I been aye, --
My life brings little gain";
King Mark quoth: "Wellaway,
That I must see thy pain
Nor aid may bring!"
Tristrem a ship, was fain
To pray from Mark the King.

"Uncle," he quoth: "I die,
From land will I away,
A ship forthwith will I,
My harp, whereon to play,
And food and drink thereby
To keep me, send alway --"
Tho' Mark would fain deny,
Tristrem they bare straightway
To the sea strand --
Save Gouvernail that day
None fared with him from land.

The ship was ready there,
He craved Mark's benison;
From haven did he fare,
The town hight Carlion --
Nine weeks the salt waves bare
His vessel up and down,
The wind blew fresh and fair --
They came unto a town,
Help was full nigh,
Develin hight that town
In Ireland, verily.

He ran before the wind --
Shipmen towards him bore,
His barque to boats they bind
And draw it to the shore.
There in the ship they find
A sick man wounded sore.
He said; On shores unkind
Men wounded him, and bore
Him hither bound, --
None lingered with him more
So ill the stench they found.

Gouvernail quoth again:
"How call ye this sea strand?"
To answer were they fain
"Develin is this land."
Tristrem to hear was fain,
Swift did he understand;
Her brother had he slain
Who ruled within the land
In deadly fight;
To make him known were vain,
Tramtris, henceforth he hight.

Upon his barque that day
Gladness there was, and glee,
And every kind of lay
That harped or sung might be.
Then to the queen said they,
(Sister to Moraunt she,)
How a man wounded lay,
A sorry sight to see
And full of care --
"A merry man were he
If but in health he were."

In Develin her repair,
That lady sweet, the queen,
Fairest in vesture fair --
In healing too, I ween,
Skill had she and to spare,
(That was on Tristrem seen;)
She brought him out of care
Though vain his search had been
By night and day --
She sent a plaister keen
That drew the stench away.

The morrow when 't was day
That dame of high degree
She came where Tristrem lay
And asked who he might be?
"A merchant I, alway,
Hight Tramtris verily,
By pirates, sooth to say,
My comrades on the sea
Were slain -- rich store
Of stuffs they took from me
And wounded me full sore."

He seemed a man to praise
Tho' doleful wounds he bare,
Strange to their ears his lais,
(Men deemed them wondrous fair)
His harp, his lute always,
The chess board that he bare,
All filled them with amaze,
By Patrick good they sware
Never in all their days
The like were seen --
"A man of gentle ways
In health had he but been!"

That lady of high kin
To search his wounds was bent,
Knowledge she fain would win,
Grimly he made lament.
(His bones brake through the skin
For anguish was he spent;)
They bare him to an inn,
A bath, with good intent,
Both soft and strong
They made, that, well content,
Tristrem could walk ere long.

Soft salves to him they brought
And drinks both strong and sweet,
The cost they counted naught
So they brought healing fleet.
Oft to his harp they sought,
His pastimes they hold meet;
The queen his presence sought
And oft would him entreat
To seek her bower,
With mirth and music sweet
To wile away an hour.

The king's own daughter dear --
Maiden Ysonde she hight --
Music was fain to hear
And Geste to read aright.
A teacher without peer,
Sir Tramtris bent his might
His skill to bring her near,
And train both hand and sight,
Till, sooth to say,
In Ireland was no knight
Who durst with Ysonde play.

Ysonde men praise alway,
So fair, so bright, is she,
All clad in green and gray
With scarlet fittingly.
On earth is none who may
With her compared be
Save Tramtris, who alway
Was lord of courtesie
And games on ground --
Tramtris would hence away
Since healed was his wound.

Tramtris, on Irish ground
He dwelt, a twelvemonth clear,
Such tending good he found
Whole was he in that year.
He to the queen was bound
In service due and dear,
Ysonde, in glee and round
He trained, right sweet to hear;
She knew each lay --
Then leave he prayed them here,
By ship he would away.

The wise queen, undismayed,
To Tramtris did she say:
"An ye a stranger aid
He passeth soon away!"
His hire to him she paid
Silver and gold that day;
What he would, that the maid,
Ysonde, gave for his play;
Then, without fail,
He bade them both "Good-day,"
With him went Gouvernail.

Fair sails to mast they drew,
Both white and red as blood;
A favouring wind fresh blew,
Towards Carlion they stood.
Now is he tristrem true
And fareth over flood!
The ship the landsmen knew
It seemed to them right good,
The news was known --
(Of wrath in fear they stood
Since he had sailed alone!)

They ran and told the king
The ship was come again;
I ween of no tiding
Was ever Mark so fain!
Straightway to town they bring
Tristrem with joyful train,
Full blithe was their meeting --
The king to hear was fain
There, at that stound,
"Tristrem, art whole again?
Cure for thy wound hast found?"

He told them all the tale
Right strange unto their ear,
How she had blessed his bale
Who Moraunt held so dear,
And made him whole and hale --
All that he bade them hear.
Then Tristrem, without fail,
Of Ysonde, maiden dear,
Told tidings new --
"Fair is she without peer
In love is none so true."

Mark did to Tristrem say:
"My land I yield to thee
To hold after my day --
Thine own it sure shall be
An thou bring me that may
That I her face may see."
This ever was his way,
Of Ysonde speaketh he,
How men should prize
Her grace and courtesie;
In love was none so wise.

Thro' England far and wide
The barons them bethought
To quell Sir Tristrem's pride;
In cunning wise they wrought,
They prayed the king that tide
A queen for him be sought;
That Tristrem should abide
And claim hereafter naught,
Nor reign as king --
He should, this was their thought,
Ysonde from Ireland bring.

"As blood upon the snow
So red and white her cheek,
A bride thus fair to show
Tristrem for thee shall seek."
Tristrem quoth: "Now I know
Thro' lies their spite they'ld wreak,
What never may be so
To ask is fools' bespeak!
To wise man's mind
'T is folly all to seek
What man may never find!

"I bid ye cease your strife,
I heard a swallow sing,
Ye say, I'ld keep from wife
King Mark, since I'ld be king!
Then, since such talk be rife,
Bring ship and plenishing,
Ye see me not in life
Save that to ye I bring
Ysonde the bright;
But find at my bidding,
Fifteen men, sons of knight."

The knights they chose that day,
All wary men, and wise,
Of lofty rank alway
Whom men might highest prize.
A ship with green and gray
And furs of varied dyes,
With everything, I say,
Fitting to merchandise
In goodly store --
They set sail on this wise
For Ireland's distant shore.

His ship was richly found
With all the needful ware,
From Carlion was he bound,
Fitly he forth did fare.
They reared their gonfanoun,
The wind blew fresh and fair,
They came to Develin town,
A haven sought they there
As fit and best --
Gifts to the king they bare
And prayed his leave to rest.

Gifts for the king they brought,
And gifts they gave the queen,
For Ysonde took they thought,
(That do I wot and ween.)
As they their vessel sought,
Who now at court had been,
(No fairer maid they thought
Had e'er on earth been seen
By mortal sight --)
The town and shore between
The folk were in full flight.

From Develin they fled
Fast as their feet might fly;
Down to the shore they sped
To drowning were they nigh;
All for a dragon dread --
"On ship-board!" was their cry,
The ships were dressed that stead,
Naught recked they, verily,
That he who slew
The dragon, his should be
Ysonde, as guerdon due.

Tristrem, right glad was he,
He called his knights straightway;
"Which of ye all would be
The man to dare this fray?"
Each would the other see,
And for himself said nay;
"In sooth now woe is me!"
Sir Tristrem quoth that day:
"To aid, who can?"
Now hearken an ye may
Deeds of a valiant man.

From ship a steed he drew,
The best that he had brought,
His armour, it was new,
Richly with gold inwrought.
His heart was staunch and true,
(In life it failed for naught,)
The country well he knew
Ere he the dragon sought,
And saw with eye
How Hell-fire, so he thought,
Did from the monster fly.

Against that dragon dread
Tristrem he rode that tide,
Fierce as a lion he sped
The battle to abide.
With strong spear, at that stead,
He smote the dragon's side,
Naught was he furthered,
The spear point off did glide
With ne'er a dint,
That fearsome dragon's hide
Was hard as any flint!

Tristrem thereof was woe,
Another spear took he,
Against his dragon foe
It brake in pieces three.
The dragon dealt a blow,
The good steed, slain was he;
Tristrem, I'ld have ye know,
He sprang beneath a tree,
To pray was fain --
"Dear God in Trinity,
Let me not here be slain!"

On foot did Tristrem brave
Against that dragon fight,
Blows with his falchion gave
E'en as a doughty knight.
His lower jaw he clave
In twain, with stroke of might;
The dragon 'gainst him drave,
His breath, as fire alight
Burning, he sent,
His arms that erst were bright
All scorched were they and rent.

Such fire he cast again
As burnt both shield and stone,
The good steed lieth slain,
His arms are burnt each one.
Tristrem, he cleft the brain,
And brake the fiend's back-bone --
Ne'er had he been so fain
As when that fight was done.
Then more, to boot,
The fiend's tongue hath he ta'en
And shorn off at the root.

The tongue he safe would hide
And in his hose would bear;
Scarce had he gone ten stride
Ere speech had failed him there.
Needs must he here abide,
No further may he fare --
The king's steward came that tide,
The head away he bare;
With guile he brought
That pledge to Ysonde fair
And vowed 't was dearly bought!

The steward had full fain
Won Ysonde, an he might --
The king, he quoth again,
Full fair had been that fight.
Ysonde to blind were vain,
She fast denied his right;
There, where the foe was slain,
The queen and she, by night
The took their way,
And sought the valiant wight
Who could such monster slay.

"Think ye he did this deed
The steward?" quoth Ysonde; "Nay!
Look at yon gallant steed
He owned it ne'er a day.
Look at this goodly weed,
'T was ne'er his, sooth to say!"
Further with haste they speed,
And found a man who lay
And breath scarce drew, --
Quoth they "So God us rede
This man the dragon slew!"

Betwixt his lips alway
Cordial they pour with care;
When speak Sir Tristrem may
His tale he told them there:
"This dragon did I slay"
(Freely he spake and fair)
"The tongue I cut away,
Venom with me I bare --"
Straightway they look;
The queen, with craft and care,
Forthwith the tongue she took.

They quoth, his was the right,
The steward, he had lied;
They asked him, would he fight
With him who claimed the bride?
Tristrem spake as a knight
The test he would abide.
So well his faith he plight
Ysonde, she laughed that tide.
Her gage he met,
His ship with all its pride
Pledge for his faith he set.

The queen asks who he is
Who dared that fiend abide?
"Merchant am I, I wis,
My ship lies here beside.
Now hath the steward done this,
I will abate his pride
Ere that he Ysonde kiss!"
Against him would he ride
With all his might --
Ysonde, she softly sighed:
"Alas, wert thou but knight!"

Their champion, day by day,
With fitting food they feed,
Until they deem he may
Adventure doughty deed.
His arms, full long were they,
His shoulders broad at need,
The wise queen, sooth to say,
To bathe would Tristrem lead
Such skill she knew, --
Herself she went with speed
A strengthening drink to brew.

Now Ysonde, secretly,
Deemed that he Tramtris were,
His sword she fain would see,
Broken she finds it there.
Forth from a coffer, she
Draweth a piece with care
And fits it tremblingly --
The blade is whole and fair!
It fitteth right --
Ysonde, in her despair
Would slay Tristrem the knight.

Ysonde by Tristrem stood,
Unsheathed she held the brand --
"Moraunt, my kinsman good,
He fell beneath thine hand,
For this thy red heart's blood
I'ld see shed on this strand!" --
The queen deemed she were wood;
Smiling, with cup in hand,
T'ward them she drew --
"Nay, thou shalt understand,
This wretch thy brother slew!

"Tristrem our foe is he,
That may not be denied,
The piece thou here may'st see
Thro' that mine uncle died,
It fitteth evenly,
See, I the twain have tried!"
Fain had she smitten free
Sir Tristrem in that tide,
'T is sooth, I say,
He in the bath had died
Save for the queen that day.

Sir Tristrem smiling spake
To sweet Ysonde the bright;
"The chance was your's to take
The while I Tramtris hight;
Wroth are ye for the sake
Of Moraunt, noble knight,
I no evasion make,
In battle and fair fight
I have him slain;
An he had had the might
So had he me, full fain!

"The while I Tramtris hight
I taught thee game and song;
Later, as best I might,
I spake thy praise with tongue
To Mark, the noble knight,
Till he for thee did long!"
Thus sware he day and night,
And pledges set full strong
Their lands between,
That, for amends of wrong,
Ysonde should aye be queen.

Tristrem, he sware that thing,
(They said, so should it stand,)
That he should Ysonde bring,
(Thereto they set their hand)
To Mark the noble king,
An he still bare command,
That she be made with ring
Queen of the English land.
The sooth to say
So did the forward stand
Ere yet they sailed away.

The steward denied his deed,
Hearing he Tristrem hight;
The king sware, God him speed,
They both should have their right!
The steward took better rede
And sware he would not fight --
To Tristrem as his meed
They gave Ysonde the bright --
That they should bring
In ward that traitor knight
The maid besought the king.

Tristrem prayed land nor fee,
Only that maiden bright:
For parting speedily
They trussed them, squire and knight.
Her mother, blithe was she,
She brewed a drink of might,
That love should waken free --
A maiden, Brengwain hight,
She gave the draught:
"See, on their bridal night
By king and queen 't is quaffed!"

Ysonde, the bright of hue,
Is far out on the sea,
A wind against them blew,
No sail might hoisted be.
They rowed, those knights so true,
Tristrem, an oar took he
E'en as his turn fell due,
Nor one, against the three,
From toil would shrink --
Ysonde, the maiden free,
Bade Brengwain give them drink.

The cup was richly wrought,
Of gold it was, the pin,
In all the world was naught
To match the drink therein.
Brengwain, she was distraught,
She to that flask did win
And to sweet Ysonde brought --
She bade Tristrem begin;
The sooth to say,
Each heart there found its twin
Until their dying day.

A dog was at their side,
That was yclept Hodain,
The cup he licked that tide
When set down by Brengwain.
These three in love allied,
(Thereof were they full fain,)
Together must abide
In joy, and eke in pain,
Long as man's thought --
In an ill hour they drain
The drink that ill was wrought.

Tristrem, each night he lay
Beside that lady sweet,
And found with her alway
Such solace as was meet.
In her bower, night and day,
Gaily the hours they fleet --
They dallied in love's play --
Brengwain doth well entreat
For love the twain.
As sun in summer's heat
So waxed their love amain.

Two weeks thus bound to strand
No sail to mast they drew;
By favouring breezes fanned
Towards the shore they flew.
Mark hunted in the land --
A varlet whom he knew
He knighted with his hand
For tidings good and true
That he did bring --
Ysonde, the fair of hue,
She wedded Mark the King.

Wedded with ring were they --
Of feasting speak I naught --
Then Brengwain, sooth to say,
Did as the three had thought;
(She took the drink that day
That was with magic fraught,)
To Mark the King alway
In Ysonde's stead, was brought
Brengwain, that tide;
Till he his will had wrought
On her who lay beside.

When Mark had had his will
Ysonde her place would take;
A cup she bade them fill
That she her thirst might slake,
The drink she swift did spill;
Small need for Tristrem's sake
To summon magic skill,
No man the bands might break
Betwixt the twain,
Nor clerk of wisdom make
Their true Love's secret plain.

They looked for joy alway,
Certes, it was not so!
Their dreams, they went astray,
Doubts fell betwixt the two.
The one in languor lay;
The other fain would go;
Ysonde was blithe and gay
When Tristrem was in woe,
Such feint she made --
Ysonde, I'ld have ye know,
Brengwain full ill repaid.

She said: "I may be wroth,
She lay first with the king;
I vowed she should have cloth,
Gold, and a rich wedding.
Tristrem and I for troth
Win shame and slandering --
Methinks 't were best for both
That maid to death to bring,
Secret and still --
Then, fearing naught the king,
Free, we may work our will."

The queen bade to her side
Two workmen, on a day;
And told them at that tide
What was her will to say.
"I will ye slay and hide
Brengwain, that merry may!" --
She quoth: "Ye shall abide
In wealth for many a day.
Now go with speed,
Nor fear for lack of pay
An well ye do this deed."

Into a dark ravine
They led the maiden good,
One drew his sword so keen,
And one behind her stood.
"Mercy," she cried, I ween,
And quoth: "By Christ on Rood,
What hath my trespass been,
Why would ye spill my blood?"
"The sooth to say,
Ysonde, that lady good
She sent us thee to slay."

Then Brengwain secretly
Bade them to seek the queen:
"Greet well my sweet lady,
Say, I have faithful been;
White smocks had she and I,
But her's had lost its sheen,
When she by Mark should lie
I lent her mine all clean
And that she wore:
Against her, well I ween,
Have I done nothing more."

The maid they would not slay
But gat them to the queen;
Ysonde, she asked alway
What passed the three between?
"She bade us soothly say:
'Since soiled your smock had been
When erst by Mark ye lay,
I lent ye mine all clean,
As well ye knew.'"
Quoth Ysonde, quick and keen,
"Where is my maiden true?"

Ysonde in wrathful mood
Quoth: "Ye have killed Brengwain!"
She sware by Christ on Rood
Hanging should be their pain.
She proffered gifts so good
To bring that maid again:
They fetched her where she stood,
Then was Ysonde full fain
And, sooth to say,
So true she found Brengwain
She loved her from that day.

Peace was betwixt them made,
And pardon given for ill --
Tristrem, all undismayed,
Of Ysonde had his will --
From Ireland's shore there strayed
A harper; to fulfil
His thought, at court he stayed;
His harp was wrought with skill,
No man with sight
Had seen its like, and still
He bare it day and night.

The queen he loved her e'er --
The harp he hither brought
And in his bosom bare,
Full richly was it wrought.
He hid it aye with care
And drew it forth for naught.
"Thy harp why wilt thou spare
If thou of skill hast aught
In lay or glee?"
"It cometh forth for naught
Save a right royal fee!"

Quoth Mark: "Now let me see,
Harp thou as best thou may,
And what thou askest me
That will I freely pay."
"Of right good will!" quoth he,
And harped a merry lay.
"Sir King, by gift so free
Ysonde is mine to-day
With harp, I ween:
Foresworn art thou alway
Or else I take thy queen!"

Mark hath his council sworn
And asketh rede thereto:
"My manhood is foresworn
Or Ysonde must us fro'."
Mark was of joy forlorn;
Ysonde, she fared in woe;
Tristrem, it chanced that morn,
Would to the woodland go
The deer to slay, --
Nor of the tale might know
Till Ysonde was away.

Tristrem in wrath I ween
He chode with Mark the King:
"Dost give gleemen thy queen?
Hadst thou no other thing?"
His lute he there hath seen,
He took it by the ring;
Tristrem, he followed keen;
Ysonde to ship they bring
With joy and glee.
Tristrem began to sing,
She hearkened willingly.

He sang so sweet a strain
It wrought her mickle woe;
For love her heart was fain,
Well night it brake in two.
The earl, he came amain
And many knights also,
He spake in tender strain: --
"Sweet heart, why mournest so?
Tell me, I pray!"
Ysonde to land would go
Ere yet she sailed away.

"Within an hour this day
Shall I be whole and sound,
I hear a minstrel play
Like Tristrem's rings his round."
"Cursed were he alway,
An he should here be found!
That minstrel for his lay
Shall have an hundred pound
This day of me,
An he with us be bound
Since Love, thou lov'st his glee!"

To hear that music sweet
The queen was set on land;
Beside the waters fleet
The earl, he took her hand.
Tristrem, as minstrel meet,
A merry ruse had planned;
With ivory lute would greet
Their coming to the strand
Upon that stound.
Ysonde, on the sea sand
Full soon was whole and sound.

Whole was Ysonde, and sound,
By virtue of that glee;
I wot the earl that stound
A joyful man was he.
Of pence two hundred pound
He gave Tristrem in fee.
To ship they now are bound,
In Ireland would they be,
Of heart full fain,
The earl and his knights three
With Ysonde and Brengwain.

Tristrem, he took his steed,
And leapt thereon to ride;
The queen would have him lead
And take her at his side.
Tristrem was swift to heed --
The twain in woodland hide.
He scoffed: "Now in this need
Earl, have I lowered thy pride
Without dispute --
Won by thy harp that tide
Thou'st lost her by my lute!"

Tristrem, he Ysonde bare
Into the woods away,
They found a bower fair
And fit for lovers' play.
Seven nights abode they there
Then took to court their way;
"Henceforth, Sir King,"
Tristrem to Mark did say,
"Give minstrels other thing."

Now Meriadoc was one
Whom Tristrem trusted aye;
Much good he him had done, --
The twain together lay.
Tristrem to Ysonde won
By night, with her to play;
Wiser than he was none,
A board he took away
From off her bower.
Ere he went on his way
Of snow there fell a shower.

So fast the snow did fall
That all the way was white.
Tristrem was woe withal
For sorrow and despite.
'Twixt bower, I ween, and hall
Narrow the road to sight
A chance did him befall
As we find writ aright,
In hall he found
A straw wisp, and full tight
Around his feet he bound.

Meriadoc that night
He rose up, all unseen,
He took the path aright
That led him to the queen.
The board was loose to sight,
And there, in sooth, I ween,
Of Tristrem's robe, the knight,
He found a piece of green
But lately tore --
Then Meriadoc, the keen,
It wondered him the more.

He told the king next morn
All he had seen with sight:
"Tristrem, traitor foresworn,
With Ysonde lay last night.
Counsel of need be born --
Ask, Who shall be her knight
To shield her? Thou art sworn
The Cross to take forthright
If so ye may. --
'Tristrem, the noble knight.'
The queen herself will say!"

The king, he told the queen,
(They lay together there:)
"Lady, full soon, I ween,
On crusade must I fare;
Say now, us twain between,
Who shall thee shield from care?"
"O'er all thy knights so keen,
Tristrem!" she answered there,
"None better can;
He hath my favour fair,
He is thy near kinsman!"

All that Mark to her told
At morn she told Brengwain;
"He sails on errand bold,
Now may we be full fain!
Tristrem his court shall hold
Until he come again."
Brengwain did speech unfold:
"Thy deeds are known amain
And seen with sight --
Mark testeth thee again
In other wise to-night.

"Now watch thou well his will;
To wend with him thou pray,
And if he love thee still
Bid Tristrem go his way.
Pray him to deal with skill;
Thy foe was Tristrem aye;
Thou fear'st he'll do thee ill
An so he holdeth sway
The land above --
Thou loved'st him ne'er a day
Save for his uncle's love!"

Ysonde, when came the night,
Cried: "Mark, some pity show,
And deal with me aright,
Would'st leave me to my foe?
God knows, I, an I might,
From land with thee would go,
And slay Tristrem the knight,
Save that I love would show
To thee this day --
For men make feint to know
That Tristrem by me lay!"

Mark, he was blithe and bold,
Faith in her word had he:
Him, who the tale had told,
He used despitefully.
Meriadoc, as of old
Spake: "Now thou let him be,
Their loves shalt thou behold
All for the love of me;
In sooth, I ween,
By wisdom thou shalt see
The love the twain between."

Mark severed then the two,
Bade Tristrem go his way.
Ysonde was ne'er so woe
Nor Tristrem, sooth to say.
Tristrem was laid full low,
Ysonde herself would slay,
In sooth she mourned so, --
And Tristrem, night and day;
In very deed,
Each man may see alway
The life for love they lead.

Quoth Meriadoc: "I rede
Thou bid thy huntsmen ride
A fortnight full at need
To see thy forests wide;
Thyself the band shall lead;
Tristrem shall here abide,
And in the act and deed
Thou'lt take them at that tide.
Here, in the tree,
I counsel thee to hide,
Thou shalt their feigning see."

Tristrem abode in town,
Ysonde was in her bower,
The streamlet bare adown
Light linden twigs that hour.
With rune he wrote them round --
Ysonde knew branch and flower --
She Tristrem's message found,
With grace his prayer would dower,
His coming bide --
Next day, ere evening hour,
Tristrem was at her side!

Beneath the orchard's shade
They met, Ysonde and he,
Love's solace there they made
When they might win them free.
The dwarf a snare had laid,
He watched them from a tree --
Anon, King Mark he prayed
To come, that he might see
Their deeds with sight --
"Thus, Sire, assured thou'lt be,
Thyself shalt prove me right."

His falsehood to fulfil
Forthwith he fain would greet
Tristrem (his thought was ill),
From Ysonde, lady sweet:
"The queen's wish I fulfil,
As she did me entreat,
She prayeth thee of good will,
That thou would'st with her meet,
Both, face to face,
Tho' Mark be far, 't is meet
It be in secret place!"

Sir Tristrem him bethought:
"Master, my thanks to thee,
Since thou this word hast brought
My robe I give to thee.
That thou hast failed in naught
Say to that lady free;
Her words I dearly bought
To Mark she slandered me,
That gentle may!
At morn she shall me see
In church, 't is sooth to say."

The dwarf he went his way,
To Mark he came full keen:
"By this robe judge ye may
How well he loves the queen!
He trusteth me no way
In guise of go-between,
By seeming ye might say
Her face he ne'er had seen,
Before with sight --
And yet full sure I ween
He meeteth her to-night!"

King Mark hid in that tree --
The twain they met below;
The shadow did he see
Tristrem, nor spake too low
That Ysonde warned should be,
And call Tristrem her foe --
"Here is no place for thee,
Hast no right here to go,
What doth thee bring?
Dead, would I fain thee know
Save that I love the king!

"My foe wast thou alway,
Full sore thou wrongest me
With mockery night and day,
Mark scarce my face will see,
And threatens me to slay --
More courteous 't were in thee
To follow friendship's way
By God in Trinity!
Or I this tide
From this land must away
And seek Welsh deserts wide!"

"Tristrem, tho', sooth to say,
I wish thee little good,
I slandered thee no day
That swear I, by God's rood!
Men said thou with me lay,
By that thine uncle stood --
Now get thee on thy way,
Thou ravest as one wood,
None save the man
Who had my maidenhood
I love, or ever can!"

"Sweet Ysonde, hear my prayer,
Beseech the king for me,
If so thy will be fair,
That he would speak me free!
From land then will I fare,
No more my face he'll see --"
(Mark's heart was heavy there,
He hearkened from the tree
And thus he thought:
"Guiltless, I ween, they were
In this vile slander brought.")

"Wrong 'gainst thee I deny,
Men said thou with me lay,
Yet, if for this I die
Thy message will I say.
Thine uncle's state is high,
Equip thee well he may --
I reck not if I lie
So that thou be away
Of thine own will." --
Mark to himself did say:
"He shall abide here still."

Tristrem, his way would go,
And Ysonde too, I wis.
Never was Mark so woe,
Himself he heard all this,
In sorrow must he go
Till he might Tristrem kiss,
And hatred keen must know
'Gainst him who spake amiss --
Then waked anew
At court their joy, with bliss
They welcome Tristrem true.

Now Ysonde hath her way,
Tristrem is Marshal hight --
Three years he wrought love's play
With Ysonde, lady bright.
None might the twain betray
So cunning was their sleight;
But Meriadoc, he lay
In watch, both day and night,
With ill intent,
To ruin both queen and knight
Had he been well content!

A ruse he found alway,
Thus to the king said he:
"Their folly dureth aye,
'T was sooth I sware to thee.
Look now, upon one day
Bid blood be let ye three,
And do as I shall say;
True token shall men see
And that right soon --
Bloody her couch shall be
Ere yet their will be done!"

Now have they bled the king,
Tristrem, and eke the queen;
After the blood-letting
They sweep the chamber clean.
Meriadoc flour did bring,
Strewed it the beds between
That ne'er might pass a thing
But that its trace were seen
Clear to men's sight --
The thirty feet between
Tristrem he leapt that night.

Now Tristrem's will was this,
With Ysonde would he play,
They might not come to kiss
So thick the flour it lay!
Tristrem, he leapt, I wis,
Full thirty feet alway,
But e'en as he did this
The bandage brake away
And fast he bled --
I wot ere dawn of day
He leapt from out her bed.

The thirty feet again
He leapt, I speak no lie --
It hurt him sore, the vein,
Small wonder, verily.
Mark, he beheld the stain,
'T was plain unto the eye,
He spake unto Brengwain:
"Tristrem brake traitorously
The vow he plight."
The land he needs must fly
Out of his uncle's sight.

Tristrem was fled away,
In land was no more seen;
At London, on a day,
Mark, he would purge the queen
Of guilt that on her lay --
A Bishop stood between;
With red-hot iron, they say,
She thought to make her clean
Of all they spake --
Ysonde was fain, I ween,
That doom on her to take.

Men set the lists full fair,
At Westminster aright,
Hot irons would she bear
All for that valiant knight.
In weeds that beggars wear
Tristrem, he came that night,
(Of all the folk that were
None knew him then by sight
Who him had seen --)
E'en to sweet Ysonde bright,
As pledged the twain between.

O'er Thames she needs must ride --
An arm 't is of the sea --
"E'en to the vessel's side
This man shall carry me:"
Tristrem bare her that tide
And with the queen fell he,
E'en by her naked side
As every man might see
Nor need to show --
Her flesh above the knee
All bare the knights must know.

In flood they had him drowned,
Or worse, an that they may:
"Ye 'quite him ill this stound,"
The queen to them would say:
"He little meat hath found
Or drink, this many a day,
For weakness was he bound
To fall, the sooth to say,
And very need --
Now give him gold, I pray,
That he bid me God-speed."

Gold did they give him there --
The judgment hath begun;
Ysonde doth soothly swear
That she no wrong hath done --
"But one to ship me bare,
These knights, they all looked on,
Whate'er his will then were
Full nigh to me he won.
'T is sooth, this thing,
So nigh came never none
Saving my lord the king!"

Sweet Ysonde, she hath sworn
Her clean, that merry may,
Ready for her that morn
The iron they heat alway;
The knights, they stand forlorn
And for her safety pray --
The iron she there hath borne --
Mark pardoned her that day
In word and deed --
And Meriadoc, they say,
Hath spoken traitorous rede.

Ysonde was spoken clean
In Meriadoc's despite,
Ne'er had she found, the queen,
Such favour in Mark's sight.
Tristrem, the true, I ween,
To Wales he took his flight:
In battle hath he been,
Conflict he sought forthright
In sooth, I wis,
Solace he seeks in fight,
Ysonde he may not kiss.

In Wales the crown he bare
A king, hight Triamour,
He had a daughter fair
Men called her Blanche-flower.
Urgain the giant there
Besieged him in his tower,
That maid he fain would bear
With him unto his bower
For that would fight --
Tristrem, with much honour,
Became of that king knight.

Urgain the land would hold
In wrongful guise alway;
Oft from his robber hold
On Triamour he'ld prey.
This tale to Tristrem told
The king, one summer's day,
And quoth, he Wales shall hold
An that he win it may
Of lawful right --
Tristrem, none may say nay,
He won that land in fight.

Tristrem, he met Urgain --
The twain in field would fight --
Ere they together ran
He spake as doughty knight:
"My brother true, Morgan,
Didst slay at meat, with might,
As I be valiant man
His death thou'lt rue to-night
Here, as my foe --"
Quoth Tristrem: "Here I plight
My word, thou'rt slain also!"

Twelve foot, the staff on strand
Wherewith Urgain made play --
None shall his stroke withstand,
'T were strange if Tristrem may!
Full sharp was Tristrem's brand,
The staff it fell away,
And more, the giant's right hand
Was smitten off that day
In very deed --
Sir Tristrem, sooth to say,
He made the giant bleed!

Urgain, with wrathful mien,
With his left hand he fought
Against his foeman keen;
A stroke, with danger fraught,
Fell on his helmet's sheen --
Tristrem to ground was brought
But up he sprang, I ween,
And aid from Heaven besought
Of God's great Might --
With brand for warfare wrought
Fast he began to fight.

The giant, afar he stood,
Now had he lost his hand --
He fled as he were wood
To where his burg did stand.
Tristrem, in blood he trode,
He found the giant's right hand --
With that away he rode;
The giant, I understand
Healing had sought --
Salves that would cure his hand
With him he swiftly brought.

Urgain, unfelled his pride,
After Sir Tristrem ran;
The folk from far and wide
Were gathered to a man.
Sir Tristrem thought that tide
"I'll take what take I can --"
On bridge did he abide,
Many their deeds did scan,
They met for fray --
Urgain on Tristrem ran
With challenge grim alway.

Then strokes of mickle might
Were dealt the twain between;
That thro' the burnies bright
The blood of both was seen.
Tristrem fought as a knight --
Urgain, in anger keen
Dealt him a stroke un-light,
His shield was cloven clean
In pieces two --
Tristrem, I wot and ween,
Had never been so woe!

Urgain, he smote amain,
The stroke, it went astray,
Tristrem, he struck again
And ran him through that day.
Urgain to spring was fain,
Dead 'neath the bridge he lay --
"Tristrem the giant hath slain!"
The folk around they say
Both loud and still;
The king with joy that day
Gave Wales unto his will.

The king, a dog he brought
And gave to Tristrem true,
How fairly it was wrought
I would declare anew --
Softer than silk to thought,
He was red, green, and blue,
They who the dog had sought
Much joy of him they knew
I wot alway;
His name was Petitcrewe,
Much praise of him they say.

The good King Triamour
That dog to Tristrem gave
Who from the giant's power
Him and his land did save.
Tristrem was proved that hour
Courteous as he was brave,
To maiden Blancheflower
Wales for her own he gave
For aye, I ween,
The dog he sent o'er wave
To Ysonde, the sweet queen.

Now Ysonde, sooth to say,
Was of the dog full fain,
She sent him word straightway
That he might come again;
Mark, he had heard alway
How Urgain had been slain,
And sent men on their way
To say that he was fain
Tristrem to see.
His coming he deemed gain
And kissed him fair and free.

King Mark did Tristrem call
And gave to him, I ween,
Cities and castles, all
E'en as he steward had been.
Who then was blithe in hall
But Ysonde, the sweet queen?
Howe'er it might befall
The game was played between
Those lovers two --
They bare of love the mien --
Mark saw the thing was so.

Mark, he hath seen, I wis,
The love the twain between,
Certes, the thought was his
Avenged to have been.
Tristrem he called with this
And bade him take the queen,
And drave them forth, I wis,
No more they should be seen,
They must away --
Blither they ne'er had been
I wot, for many a day!

Into a forest fair,
The twain, they fled that tide,
No dwelling have they there
Saving the woodland wide.
O'er hills and holts they fare,
Amid them they abide,
Ysonde of joy hath share,
And Tristrem, at her side;
I wot, full well,
Never before that tide
In such bliss did they dwell!

Ysonde and Tristrem true
Are banished for their deed,
Hodain and Petitcrewe
The twain with them they lead.
An earth-house there they knew,
Thither they fare with speed;
He taught them, Tristrem true,
The beasts to take at need,
Nor be out-paced --
In forest fastness freed
Tristrem with Hodain chased.

Tristrem wild beasts would slay
With Hodain, for their meat;
In an earth-house they lay,
There found they solace sweet,
Giants in a by-gone day
Wrought it in fashion meet --
Each even, sooth to say,
Thither they turned their feet,
As best they might --
Thro' woodland boughs they greet
Changes of day and night.

In winter it was hot,
In summer it was cold,
Fair was that hidden grot,
The path to none they told.
No wine had they, I wot,
Nor good ale strong and old,
I trow it vexed them not
They lacked for meat on mold,
Each had their will,
The loved one to behold,
Nor ever gaze their fill!

On a hill Tristrem stood,
Aforetime was he there,
He found a well right good,
Crystal its waters were.
Thereto in joyous mood
He came, with Ysonde fair;
I wot this was their food,
On forest flesh they fare
With herbs, and grass --
In joy, all free from care,
Twelve months, save three weeks, pass.

Tristrem, ere dawn of day,
With Hodain forth would fare,
He found a beast of prey
Within a secret lair.
He slew that beast straightway
And with him homeward bare --
Sweet Ysonde sleeping lay,
Tristrem, he laid him there
Beside the queen --
His brand, unsheathed and bare,
Was laid the twain between.

A hart to bay he ran
King Mark, that self-same day;
The track his huntsmen scan
And find a woodland way;
Tristrem, in little span,
And Ysonde, sooth to say,
They find -- sure no such man,
And none so fair a may,
E'er met their sight --
Between the twain there lay
A drawn sword, burnished bright.

The huntsmen went forthright,
Told Mark where they had been;
That lady and that knight
Had Mark aforetime seen;
He knew them well by sight --
The sword, it lay between,
A sunbeam passing bright
It shone upon the queen
Thro' crevice small,
Upon her face so sheen --
It vexed the king withal.

His glove he set therein
To keep the sun away --
King Mark, he woe must win,
And spake: "Ah, wellaway,
Two who would dwell in sin
Never in such wise lay!
Who live as loyal kin
Have no thought for love's play,
'T is sooth, I wis --"
The knights with one voice say:
"Pledge of their truth is this!"

Then wakened Tristrem true
And Ysonde, fair and sheen,
The glove away they drew
And spake the twain between;
That it was Mark's they knew
And wist he there had been.
Their joy awakened new
To know he thus had seen
Them both with sight --
With that came knights so keen
To fetch the twain forthright.

To court had come the twain
Who dwelt in woodland wide;
Mark kissed Ysonde again
And Tristrem, true and tried;
Forgiven was their pain,
Naught was to them denied;
Tristrem did office gain
Therein would he abide
As at that stound --
Hearken, who at this tide
Would know of love the ground.

It fell the twain between
Upon a summer's day,
That Tristrem and the queen
Sought solace in love's play,
The dwarf the twain had seen,
To Mark he swift did say:
"Sir King, I surely ween
Thy wife is now away
With her true knight,
Wend swiftly on thy way,
O'ertake them, an thou might."

King Mark, he swiftly ran;
His coming both might see,
Tristrem spake, woeful man,
"Sweet Ysonde, lost are we,
By naught that we may plan
The thing may hidden be,"
Ne'er was so sad a man
As Tristrem, verily,
True knight and friend --
"For fear of death I flee,
In woe my way I wend.

"I flee, since death I dread,
I may not here abide,
In woe I seek this stead
The friendly forest side --"
A ring ere hence he sped
She gave him at that tide --
For fear of death he fled
Unto the woodland wide
Forthwith I ween --
To seek him swift they ride,
Alone they found the queen.

Tristrem hath gone his way
As naught 'twixt them had been;
Therefore the knights they say
That Mark amiss had seen.
And straightway do they pray
That Mark forgive the queen --
Tristrem by Ysonde lay
That night, in sooth I ween,
Good watch he kept --
Love's solace was between
The twain while others slept.

Tristrem hath fled away,
He cometh not again,
He sigheth, sooth to say,
For sorrow and for pain.
Tristrem, he fareth aye
As one who would be slain,
Nor ceaseth, night and day,
Conflict to seek amain,
That knight so free --
He wandereth thro' Spain,
Of giants, he slew three.

Anon from Spain he fared,
Fain Rohant's sons to see,
Their joy they nowise spared,
Welcome to them was he.
Long time with them he fared --
Good reason there should be,
Their land they fain had shared
With him who set them free
An 't were his thought --
He quoth: "My thanks have ye,
Of your land will I naught."

To Britain did he hie,
There was he the duke's knight,
The land in peace did lie
That erst was full of fight.
The duke's lands, presently,
He won again with fight --
He gave him, 't is no lie,
His daughter fair and bright
There, in that land;
The maiden, she was hight
Ysonde, of the White Hand.

Tristrem, with love so strong,
He loved Ysonde the queen,
Of Ysonde made a song
By Ysonde sung, I ween.
The maiden deemed a-wrong
That song of her had been --
Her yearning lasted long,
That hath her father seen,
Her will he knew --
Ysonde with hand of sheen
He offered Tristrem true.

Tristrem a wish doth hold
Fast hidden in his thought;
"King Mark, mine uncle bold,
Great wrong on us hath brought,
I am to sorrow sold,
Thereto she me hath brought
Whose love was mine of old,
The book, it saith, with naught
Of lawful right --"
The maid henceforth he sought
For that she Ysonde hight.

That was her heart's demand,
Her will would he obey --
True covenant and band
He bound with that fair may,
Ysonde of the White Hand
He wedded her that day --
At night, I understand,
As he would go his way
To bower and bed,
Tristrem's ring fell away
As men him thither led.

Tristrem beheld the ring,
His heart was full of woe --
"Ysonde did no such thing,
She ne'er betrayed me so
Tho' Mark, her lord and king,
Force her with him to go --
My heart may no man bring
From her, as well I know,
The fair and free --
Now severed are we two,
The sin, it rests on me!"

Tristrem, in bed he lay,
His heart was full of care;
He quoth: "Love's secret play
In sooth, I may not dare." --
He said the maiden nay,
If so her will it were --
She answered him straightway:
"Of that have thou no care,
I'll hold me still,
Nor ask for foul or fair
Save as it be thy will."

Her father on a day
He gave them lands so wide,
Afar, upon the way,
The posts were set beside.
The duke's lands this side lay,
A giant's the other side --
No man durst there to stray,
The giant would him abide
And challenge fight --
Lowered perforce his pride
Or king he were, or knight.

"Tristrem, I would thee rede
That thou, for love of me,
Pass not, for any need,
Beyond yon arm of sea.
Of Beliagog take heed,
A giant stern is he,
Thou should'st him fear indeed
Since thou his brothers three
Hast slain in fight,
Urgain, Morgan, truly,
And Moraunt, noble knight.

"An thine hounds seek a hare
And from his lands come free,
So be thou debonaire
If his hounds come to thee."
The forest, it was fair
With many an unknown tree,
Tristrem would thither fare
However it might be
His foe abide --
"That country will I see
What chance soe'er betide."

Tristrem would hunt the wood,
To chase a hart began,
There, where the boundary stood,
His hounds across it ran.
Tho' black and broad the flood
He crossed it like a man,
The duke's word he withstood
But followed for a span
The further shore --
Then blew, as hunters can,
A blast, three notes and more.

Beliagog came that tide,
And asked who he might be?
"A-hunting here I ride
As Tristrem men know me --"
"Who slew Moraunt with pride,
That Tristrem, art thou he?
Who Urgain too defied,
And slew? 'T were ill did we
Here kiss as kin,
That wrong shall righted be
Now thou my land art in!"

"I slew them, sooth to tell,
So hope I thee to slay,
This forest will I fell
And build a burg straightway.
'T were merry here to dwell,
So here I think to stay --"
The giant heard full well
And waxed right wroth that day,
He scarce was wise --
In such wise did the fray
Betwixt the twain arise.

Then mighty spears and tried
The giant to hurl began,
Sir Tristrem's life that tide
Had well nigh reached its span.
Betwixt hauberk and side
The dart methinks it ran --
Tristrem, he sprang aside,
Gave thanks, as valiant man
To God's great Might --
Tristrem, as best he can,
Now girdeth him for fight.

Now Beliagog, the bold,
E'en as a fiend did fight,
As Thomas hath us told
He nigh had slain the knight.
By God's Will, there on mold,
His foot did he off-smite
Tristrem, to earth he rolled
That man of mickle might,
And loud he cried:
"Tristrem, now peace be plight,
Take thou my lands so wide.

"Now hast thou vanquished me
In battle and in fight,
Fealty I swear to thee,
'Gainst thee have I no right."
His wealth he bade him see,
Tristrem, the noble knight,
And Tristrem spake him free --
His faith the giant did plight
That he full fain,
Would build a bower bright
For Ysonde and Brengwain.

The giant led the way
Until a burg they found,
The water round it lay,
His fathers held that mound.
Tristrem the giant did pray
Strong walls to build around,
And Beliagog that day
Gave him of woodland ground
Enough for all --
Ysonde, so fairly found,
He 'ld lead unto that hall.





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