by the sword edge, where it fitted as well
as on the day it was first broken. Then she cried to her daughter:
"This, then, is the traitor knight who slew my brother, Sir
Marhaus"; and snatching up the sword, she rushed upon Sir Tristram
where he sat in his bath, and would have killed him, but that his
squire restrained her. Having failed of her purpose, she sought her
husband, King Anguish, and told him all her story: how the knight
they had harboured was he who had slain Sir Marhaus. Then the King,
sore perplexed, went to Sir Tristram's chamber, where he found him
fully armed, ready to get to horse. And Tristram told him all the
truth, how in fair fight he had slain Sir Marhaus. "Ye did as a
knight should," said King Anguish; "and much it grieves me that I
may not keep you at my court; but I cannot so displease my Queen or
barons." "Sir," said Tristram, "I thank you for your courtesy, and
will requite it as occasion may offer. Moreover, here I pledge my
word, as I am good knight and true, to be your daughter's servant,
and in all places and at all times to uphold her quarrel. Wherefore
I pray you that I may take my leave of the princess."

Then, with the King's permission, Sir Tristram went to the Fair
Isolt and told her all his story; "And here," said he, "I make my
vow ever to be your true knight, and at all times and in all places
to uphold your quarrel." "And on my part" answered the Fair Isolt,
"I make promise that never these seven years will I marry any man,
save with your leave and as ye shall desire." Therewith they
exchanged rings, the Fair Isolt grieving sore the while. Then Sir
Tristram strode into the court and cried aloud, before all the
barons: "Ye knights of Ireland, the time is come when I must
depart. Therefore, if any man have aught against me, let him stand
forth now, and I will satisfy him as I may." Now there were many
present of the kin of Sir Marhaus, but none dared have ado with Sir
Tristram; so, slowly he rode away, and with his squire took ship
again for Cornwall.

CHAPTER XIV

HOW KING MARK SENT SIR TRISTRAM TO FETCH HIM A WIFE

When Sir Tristram had come back to Cornwall, he abode some time at
the court of King Mark. Now in those days the Cornish knights were
little esteemed, and none less than Mark himself, who was a coward,
and never adventured himself in fair and open combat, seeking
rather to attack by stealth and have his enemy at an advantage. But
the fame of Sir Tristr