m was
used many winters, for it was called the Castle Pluere, that is to say
the Weeping Castle.

CHAPTER XXV. How Sir Tristram and Isoud were in prison, and how he
fought for her beauty, and smote of another lady's head.

THUS as Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud were in prison, it happed a
knight and a lady came unto them where they were, to cheer them. I have
marvel, said Tristram unto the knight and the lady, what is the cause
the lord of this castle holdeth us in prison: it was never the custom of
no place of worship that ever I came in, when a knight and a lady asked
harbour, and they to receive them, and after to destroy them that be
his guests. Sir, said the knight, this is the old custom of this castle,
that when a knight cometh here he must needs fight with our lord, and
he that is weaker must lose his head. And when that is done, if his lady
that he bringeth be fouler than our lord's wife, she must lose her head:
and if she be fairer proved than is our lady, then shall the lady of
this castle lose her head. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, this is a
foul custom and a shameful. But one advantage have I, said Sir Tristram,
I have a lady is fair enough, fairer saw I never in all my life-days,
and I doubt not for lack of beauty she shall not lose her head; and
rather than I should lose my head I will fight for it on a fair field.
Wherefore, sir knight, I pray you tell your lord that I will be ready as
to-morn with my lady, and myself to do battle, if it be so I may have
my horse and mine armour. Sir, said that knight, I undertake that your
desire shall be sped right well. And then he said: Take your rest, and
look that ye be up betimes and make you ready and your lady, for ye
shall want no thing that you behoveth. And therewith he departed, and on
the morn betimes that same knight came to Sir Tristram, and fetched him
out and his lady, and brought him horse and armour that was his own, and
bade him make him ready to the field, for all the estates and commons of
that lordship were there ready to behold that battle and judgment.

Then came Sir Breunor, the lord of that castle, with his lady in his
hand, muffled, and asked Sir Tristram where was his lady: For an thy
lady be fairer than mine, with thy sword smite off my lady's head; and
if my lady be fairer than thine, with my sword I must strike off her
head. And if I may win thee, yet shall thy lady be mine, and thou shalt
lose thy head. Sir, said Tristram, t