old the
queen, La Beale Isoud, that Sir Tristram was nigh her in that country.
Then for very pure joy La Beale Isoud swooned; and when she might speak
she said: Gentle knight Seneschal, help that I might speak with him,
outher my heart will brast. Then Sir Dinas and Dame Bragwaine brought
Sir Tristram and Kehydius privily unto the court, unto a chamber whereas
La Beale Isoud had assigned it; and to tell the joys that were betwixt
La Beale Isoud and Sir Tristram, there is no tongue can tell it, nor
heart think it, nor pen write it. And as the French book maketh mention,
at the first time that ever Sir Kehydius saw La Beale Isoud he was so
enamoured upon her that for very pure love he might never withdraw it.
And at the last, as ye shall hear or the book be ended, Sir Kehydius
died for the love of La Beale Isoud. And then privily he wrote unto her
letters and ballads of the most goodliest that were used in those days.
And when La Beale Isoud understood his letters she had pity of his
complaint, and unavised she wrote another letter to comfort him withal.

And Sir Tristram was all this while in a turret at the commandment of La
Beale Isoud, and when she might she came unto Sir Tristram. So on a day
King Mark played at the chess under a chamber window; and at that time
Sir Tristram and Sir Kehydius were within the chamber over King Mark,
and as it mishapped Sir Tristram found the letter that Kehydius sent
unto La Beale Isoud, also he had found the letter that she wrote unto
Kehydius, and at that same time La Beale Isoud was in the same chamber.
Then Sir Tristram came unto La Beale Isoud and said: Madam, here is a
letter that was sent unto you, and here is the letter that ye sent unto
him that sent you that letter. Alas, Madam, the good love that I have
loved you; and many lands and riches have I forsaken for your love, and
now ye are a traitress to me, the which doth me great pain. But as for
thee, Sir Kehydius, I brought thee out of Brittany into this country,
and thy father, King Howel, I won his lands, howbeit I wedded thy sister
Isoud la Blanche Mains for the goodness she did unto me. And yet, as
I am true knight, she is a clean maiden for me; but wit thou well,
Sir Kehydius, for this falsehood and treason thou hast done me, I will
revenge it upon thee. And therewithal Sir Tristram drew out his sword
and said: Sir Kehydius, keep thee, and then La Beale Isoud swooned to
the earth. And when Sir Kehydius saw Sir Tristram co