said Arthur, "I will desire of you that ye will abide in my
court."

"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "thereto is me loath, for I have ado in many
countries."

"Not so," said Arthur; "ye have promised it me, and ye may not say nay."

So Tristram agreed to remain with King Arthur, who then went unto the
sieges about the Round Table, and looked in every siege that lacked a
knight. Then the King saw in the siege of Marhaus letters that said,
"This is the siege of the noble knight Sir Tristram." And then Arthur
made Sir Tristram knight of the Table Round with great splendour and
great feast, as might be thought. For that Sir Marhaus, a worthy
knight, was slain afore by the hands of Sir Tristram was well known at
that time in the court of Arthur; and that for evil deeds that he did
unto the country of Cornwall Sir Tristram and he fought; and that they
fought so long tracing and traversing till they fell bleeding to the
earth, for they were so sore wounded that they might not stand; and
that Sir Tristram by fortune recovered, and Sir Marhaus died through
the stroke on the head.

King Mark had had great despite of the renown of Sir Tristram, and
therefore had chased him out of Cornwall. When now he heard of the
great prowess that Sir Tristram did in England he was sore grieved, and
sent men to espy what deeds he did. The Queen Isoud also on her part
sent privily spies to know what deeds he had done, for great love was
between them twain. When the messengers came home, and told that Sir
Tristram passed all other knights at Arthur's court unless it were Sir
Launcelot, King Mark was right heavy of the tidings, and as glad was
the Fair Isoud. Then in great despite King Mark took with him two good
knights and two squires, disguised himself, and took his way into
England, to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.

So King Mark came into England, where he soon became known as the most
horrible coward that ever bestrode horse; and there was much laughing
and jesting at the knight of Cornwall, and much he was despised. Sir
Dagonet, King Arthur's fool, at one time chased him through thick and
thin over the forests; and when on a day Sir Launcelot overtook him and
bade him turn and fight, he made no defence, but tumbled down out off
the saddle to the earth as a sack, and there he lay still, and cried
Sir Launcelot mercy.

So King Mark was soon brought as recreant before King Arthur, who
already knew wherefore he was come into his count