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.
CHAPTER XXX. How Palamides demanded Queen Isoud, and how Lambegus rode
after to rescue her, and of the escape of Isoud.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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