but Sir Blamor was the more furious, and therefore the
less wary, so that by and by Sir Tristram saw an opportunity and smote him
such a crushing blow on the head that he fell over on his side, and Sir
Tristram stood over him.

Then was Sir Blamor's shame piteous. "Kill me, Sir Tristram," he cried,
"as you are a noble knight, for I would not live. Not to be lord of the
whole universe would I endure with shame; and I will never say the loth
word, so the victory is not yours unless you slay me."

Sir Tristram was sore perplexed what to do. He could not bring himself to
kill this noble knight; but for his party's sake he must, unless Sir
Blamor would say the loth word. So he went to the assembled kings, and
kneeling before them he besought them that they would take the matter into
their hands. "For," said he, "it is a cruel pity that such a noble knight
should be slain, and I pray God he may not be slain or shamed by me. I
beseech the king, whose champion I am, that he will have mercy upon this
good knight."

Sir Bleoberis, though, as hotly demanded that his brother should be slain
outright, until the judges gave him stern reproof.

"It shall not be," they said, "both King Anguish and his champion knight
have more mercy than thou," and they went to King Anguish, and he, good
man, gave up his claim, and resigned the loth word, as each champion was
proved of good faith. And so it was settled, and so rejoiced were Sir
Bleoberis and his brother, and right grateful for their goodness, that
they swore eternal friendship to King Anguish and Sir Tristram, and each
kissed the other, and swore a vow that neither would come against the
other in combat.

Then King Anguish and Sir Tristram set sail for Ireland, with great
splendour and gladness, and right welcome was Sir Tristram when the people
heard what he had done for their king and for them. Great were the
rejoicings, and great the joy, but the joy of Iseult was greater than all
the rest together, for she still loved Sir Tristram with all her heart and
soul. Then as the days came and went, much did King Anguish marvel that
Sir Tristram had not made his second request, but Sir Tristram was fain to
postpone doing so, for he was heavy-hearted at his task. At last King
Anguish asked him, saying, "Sir Knight, you have not yet asked of me your
reward."

"Alas," said Sir Tristram sadly, "the time is come. I would ask you for
your daughter Iseult to take back with me to C