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.

SIR, said Palamides, I promised your Queen Isoud to bring again Dame
Bragwaine that she had lost, upon this covenant, that she should grant
me a boon that I would ask, and without grudging, outher advisement, she
granted me. What say ye, my lady? said the king. It is as he saith, so
God me help, said the queen; to say thee sooth I promised him his asking
for love and joy that I had to see her. Well, Madam, said the king, and
if ye were hasty to grant him what boon he would ask, I will well that
ye perform your promise. Then, said Palamides, I will that ye wit that
I will have your queen to lead her and govern her whereas me list.
Therewith the king stood still, and bethought him of Sir Tristram, and
deemed that he would rescue her. And then hastily the king answered:
Take her with the adventures that shall fall of it, for as I suppose
thou wilt not enjoy her no while. As for that, said Palamides, I
dare right well abide the adventure. And so, to make short tale, Sir
Palamides took her by the hand and said: Madam, grudge not to go with
me, for I desire nothing but your own promise. As for that, said the
queen, I fear not greatly to go with thee, howbeit thou hast me at
advantage upon my promise, for I doubt not I shall be worshipfully
rescued from thee. As for that, said Sir Palamides, be it as it be may.
So Queen Isoud was set behind Palamides, and rode his way.

Anon the king sent after Sir Tristram, but in no wise he could be found,
for he was in the forest a-hunting; for that was always his custom, but
if he used arms, to chase and to hunt in the forests. Alas, said the
king, now I am shamed for ever, that by mine own assent my lady and
my queen shall be devoured. Then came forth a knight, his name was
Lambegus, and he was a knight of Sir Tristram. My lord, said this
knight, sith ye have trust in my lord, Sir Tristram, wit ye well for
his sake I will rid