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.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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