queen departed of their
lands and goods to Sir Tristram.

Then by the license of King Meliodas, his father, he returned again unto
the court of King Mark, and there he lived in great joy long time, until
at the last there befell a jealousy and an unkindness betwixt King Mark
and Sir Tristram, for they loved both one lady. And she was an earl's
wife that hight Sir Segwarides. And this lady loved Sir Tristram
passingly well. And he loved her again, for she was a passing fair lady,
and that espied Sir Tristram well. Then King Mark understood that and
was jealous, for King Mark loved her passingly well.

So it fell upon a day this lady sent a dwarf unto Sir Tristram, and
bade him, as he loved her, that he would be with her the night next
following. Also she charged you that ye come not to her but if ye
be well armed, for her lover was called a good knight. Sir Tristram
answered to the dwarf: Recommend me unto my lady, and tell her I will
not fail but I will be with her the term that she hath set me. And with
this answer the dwarf departed. And King Mark espied that the dwarf was
with Sir Tristram upon message from Segwarides' wife; then King Mark
sent for the dwarf, and when he was come he made the dwarf by force
to tell him all, why and wherefore that he came on message from Sir
Tristram. Now, said King Mark, go where thou wilt, and upon pain of
death that thou say no word that thou spakest with me; so the dwarf
departed from the king.

And that same night that the steven was set betwixt Segwarides' wife
and Sir Tristram, King Mark armed him, and made him ready, and took two
knights of his counsel with him; and so he rode afore for to abide by
the way for to wait upon Sir Tristram. And as Sir Tristram came riding
upon his way with his spear in his hand, King Mark came hurtling upon
him with his two knights suddenly. And all three smote him with their
spears, and King Mark hurt Sir Tristram on the breast right sore. And
then Sir Tristram feutred his spear, and smote his uncle, King Mark, so
sore, that he rashed him to the earth, and bruised him that he lay still
in a swoon, and long it was or ever he might wield himself. And then he
ran to the one knight, and eft to the other, and smote them to the cold
earth, that they lay still. And therewithal Sir Tristram rode forth sore
wounded to the lady, and found her abiding him at a postern.

CHAPTER XIV. How Sir Tristram lay with the lady, and how her husband
fought with