was well-nigh dead, there came a lady to the court who
told King Mark that his nephew would never recover from his wounds unless
he went to the land whence the poisoned spear came, for there only could
he be healed.

So, with all speed was a vessel prepared, and on board it Sir Tristram was
carried, and with his man Gouvernail, his dogs, his horses, and his harp,
he sailed until he came to Ireland. Here they all landed, and Sir
Tristram was borne carefully on shore, to a castle prepared for him, where
he was laid on a bed, and there on his bed he lay day after day, playing
on his harp so exquisitely that all the people crowded to listen to him,
for such music had never been heard in that country before.

By and by the news of the presence of this wonderful player was carried to
the king and queen, who were dwelling not very far away: and the king and
queen sent for him to come to them; but when they found that he was a
wounded knight, they had him brought to the castle, and there his wound
was dressed and every care taken of him, for now they all grew to have a
great admiration and liking for him. But who he was, or where he came
from, they had no idea, for he had not told anyone his real name, or the
story of the joust in which he got his wound.

Now in all that land there was no better surgeon than the king's own
daughter, the lady Iseult,--who, because of her loveliness, was known as
La Belle Iseult.--So presently the king, who came to feel a greater and
greater liking for Sir Tristram, and was anxious to see him well again,
gave him over to the charge of his daughter, in whose skill he had great
faith; for none other seemed able to heal him.

So La Belle Iseult nursed him, and attended to his wound, and soon, at the
bottom of it, she found the poison, which she removed, and quickly healed
him. Before this end was reached, though, Sir Tristram had grown to love
his beautiful nurse, and she her patient; for La Belle Iseult with her
flower-like face and large grey eyes, her broad, low brow, round which her
gleaming golden hair waved softly, and fell in heavy waves to her knees,
was wondrously lovable. And Sir Tristram was more than passing noble,
and his manners were gentle and courteous. When he grew stronger he
taught Iseult to play the harp, and they sang songs together, so that they
saw much of one another.

Someone else loved Iseult also, and this was Sir Palamides the Saracen,
and many fair gifts he bro