am increased daily, and all men spoke well of
him. So it came to pass that King Mark, knowing himself despised,
grew fearful and jealous of the love that all men bore his nephew;
for he seemed in their praise of him to hear his own reproach. He
sought, therefore, how he might rid himself of Tristram even while
he spoke him fair and made as if he loved him much, and at the last
he bethought him how he might gain his end and no man be the wiser.
So one day, he said to Tristram: "Fair nephew, I am resolved to
marry, and fain would I have your aid." "In all things, I am yours
to command," answered Sir Tristram. "I pray you, then," said King
Mark, "bring me to wife the Fair Isolt of Ireland. For since I have
heard your praises of her beauty, I may not rest unless I have her
for my Queen." And this he said thinking that, if ever Sir Tristram
set foot in Ireland, he would be slain.

But Tristram, nothing mistrusting, got together a company of
gallant knights, all fairly arrayed as became men sent by their
King on such an errand; and with them he embarked on a goodly ship.
Now it chanced that when he had reached the open sea, a great storm
arose and drove him back on to the coast of England, and landing
with great difficulty he set up his pavilion hard by the city of
Camelot.

Presently, word was brought him by his squire that King Anguish
with his company lay hard by, and that the King was in sore
straits; for he was charged with the murder of a knight of Arthur's
court, and must meet in combat Sir Blamor, one of the stoutest
knights of the Round Table. Then Sir Tristram rejoiced, for he saw
in this opportunity of serving King Anguish the means of earning
his good will. So he betook himself to the King's tent, and
proffered to take upon him the encounter, for the kindness shown
him by King Anguish in former days. And the King gratefully
accepting of his championship, the next day Sir Tristram
encountered with Sir Blamor, overthrew him, and so acquitted the
Irish King of the charge brought against him. Then in his joy, King
Anguish begged Sir Tristram to voyage with him to his own land,
bidding Tristram ask what boon he would and he should have it. So
rejoicing in his great fortune, Sir Tristram sailed once again for
the Irish land.

CHAPTER XV

HOW SIR TRISTRAM AND THE FAIR ISOLT DRANK OF THE MAGIC POTION

Then King Anguish made haste to return to Ireland, taking Sir
Tristram with him. And when he was come ther