had slain the dragon and that so Iseult
was won. Then Iseult bowed to her father and said:

"King, I have here a man who challenges your seneschal for lies and
felony. Promise that you will pardon this man all his past deeds, who
stands to prove that he and none other slew the dragon, and grant him
forgiveness and your peace."

The King said, "I grant it." But Iseult said, "Father, first give me
the kiss of peace and forgiveness, as a sign that you will give him
the same."

Then she found Tristan and led him before the Barony. And as he came
the hundred knights rose all together, and crossed their arms upon
their breasts and bowed, so the Irish knew that he was their lord.

But among the Irish many knew him again and cried, "Tristan of
Lyonesse that slew the Morholt!" They drew their swords and clamoured
for death. But Iseult cried: "King, kiss this man upon the lips as
your oath was," and the King kissed him, and the clamour fell.

Then Tristan showed the dragon's tongue and offered the seneschal
battle, but the seneschal looked at his face and dared not.

Then Tristan said:

"My lords, you have said it, and it is truth: I killed the Morholt.
But I crossed the sea to offer you a good blood-fine, to ransom that
deed and get me quit of it.

"I put my body in peril of death and rid you of the beast and have so
conquered Iseult the Fair, and having conquered her I will bear her
away on my ship.

"But that these lands of Cornwall and Ireland may know no more hatred,
but love only, learn that King Mark, my lord, will marry her. Here
stand a hundred knights of high name, who all will swear with an oath
upon the relics of the holy saints, that King Mark sends you by their
embassy offer of peace and of brotherhood and goodwill; and that he
would by your courtesy hold Iseult as his honoured wife, and that he
would have all the men of Cornwall serve her as their Queen."

When the lords of Ireland heard this they acclaimed it, and the King
also was content.

Then, since that treaty and alliance was to be made, the King her
father took Iseult by the hand and asked of Tristan that he should
take an oath; to wit that he would lead her loyally to his lord, and
Tristan took that oath and swore it before the knights and the Barony
of Ireland assembled. Then the King put Iseult's right hand into
Tristan's right hand, and Tristan held it for a space in token of
seizin for the King of Cornwall.

So, for the love of King Ma