"O, Tristan, you are mad to have come. Fly hard with me by the nearest
road."

So they came back to the Hermitage, and there they found Ogrin at
prayer, but Iseult weeping silently.

THE FORD

Mark had awakened his chaplain and had given him the writ to read; the
chaplain broke the seal, saluted in Tristan's name, and then, when he
had cunningly made out the written words, told him what Tristan
offered; and Mark heard without saying a word, but his heart was glad,
for he still loved the Queen.

He summoned by name the choicest of his baronage, and when they were
all assembled they were silent and the King spoke:

"My lords, here is a writ, just sent me. I am your King, and you my
lieges. Hear what is offered me, and then counsel me, for you owe me
counsel."

The chaplain rose, unfolded the writ, and said, upstanding

"My lords, it is Tristan that first sends love and homage to the King
and all his Barony, and he adds, 'O King, when I slew the dragon and
conquered the King of Ireland's daughter it was to me they gave her. I
was to ward her at will and I yielded her to you. Yet hardly had you
wed her when felons made you accept their lies, and in your anger,
fair uncle, my lord, you would have had us burnt without trial. But
God took compassion on us; we prayed him and he saved the Queen, as
justice was: and me also--though I leapt from a high rock, I was saved
by the power of God. And since then what have I done blameworthy? The
Queen was thrown to the lepers; I came to her succour and bore her
away. Could I have done less for a woman, who all but died innocent
through me? I fled through the woods. Nor could I have come down into
the vale and yielded her, for there was a ban to take us dead or
alive. But now, as then, I am ready, my lord, to sustain in arms
against all comers that never had the Queen for me, nor I for her a
love dishonourable to you. Publish the lists, and if I cannot prove my
right in arms, burn me before your men. But if I conquer and you take
back Iseult, no baron of yours will serve you as will I; and if you
will not have me, I will offer myself to the King of Galloway, or to
him of the Lowlands, and you will hear of me never again. Take
counsel, King, for if you will make no terms I will take back Iseult
to Ireland, and she shall be Queen in her own land.'"

When the barons of Cornwall heard how Tristan offered battle, they
said to the King:

"Sire, take back the Queen. They were madme