his barons assented that it was no bote to seek any
knight of the Round Table. This mean while came the language and the
noise unto King Meliodas, how that Sir Marhaus abode battle fast by
Tintagil, and how King Mark could find no manner knight to fight for
him. When young Tristram heard of this he was wroth, and sore ashamed
that there durst no knight in Cornwall have ado with Sir Marhaus of
Ireland.

CHAPTER V. How Tristram enterprized the battle to fight for the truage
of Cornwall, and how he was made knight.

THEREWITHAL Tristram went unto his father, King Meliodas, and asked him
counsel what was best to do for to recover Cornwall from truage. For,
as meseemeth, said Sir Tristram, it were shame that Sir Marhaus, the
queen's brother of Ireland, should go away unless that he were foughten
withal. As for that, said King Meliodas, wit you well, son Tristram,
that Sir Marhaus is called one of the best knights of the world, and
Knight of the Table Round; and therefore I know no knight in this
country that is able to match with him. Alas, said Sir Tristram, that I
am not made knight; and if Sir Marhaus should thus depart into Ireland,
God let me never have worship: an I were made knight I should match him.
And sir, said Tristram, I pray you give me leave to ride to King Mark;
and, so ye be not displeased, of King Mark will I be made knight. I will
well, said King Meliodas, that ye be ruled as your courage will rule
you. Then Sir Tristram thanked his father much. And then he made him
ready to ride into Cornwall.

In the meanwhile there came a messenger with letters of love from King
Faramon of France's daughter unto Sir Tristram, that were full piteous
letters, and in them were written many complaints of love; but Sir
Tristram had no joy of her letters nor regard unto her. Also she sent
him a little brachet that was passing fair. But when the king's daughter
understood that Sir Tristram would not love her, as the book saith, she
died for sorrow. And then the same squire that brought the letter and
the brachet came again unto Sir Tristram, as after ye shall hear in the
tale.

So this young Sir Tristram rode unto his eme, King Mark of Cornwall. And
when he came there he heard say that there would no knight fight with
Sir Marhaus. Then yede Sir Tristram unto his eme and said: Sir, if ye
will give me the order of knighthood, I will do battle with Sir Marhaus.
What are ye, said the king, and from whence be ye come? Sir