bide in these marches I will ride with you. Nay,
said Percivale, in this country I may not tarry, for I must needs into
Wales. So Sir Percivale departed from Sir Tristram, and rode straight
unto King Mark, and told him how he had delivered Sir Tristram; and also
he told the king that he had done himself great shame for to put Sir
Tristram in prison, for he is now the knight of most renown in this
world living. And wit thou well the noblest knights of the world love
Sir Tristram, and if he will make war upon you ye may not abide it. That
is truth, said King Mark, but I may not love Sir Tristram because he
loveth my queen and my wife, La Beale Isoud. Ah, fie for shame, said Sir
Percivale, say ye never so more. Are ye not uncle unto Sir Tristram,
and he your nephew? Ye should never think that so noble a knight as Sir
Tristram is, that he would do himself so great a villainy to hold
his uncle's wife; howbeit, said Sir Percivale, he may love your queen
sinless, because she is called one of the fairest ladies of the world.

Then Sir Percivale departed from King Mark. So when he was departed King
Mark bethought him of more treason: notwithstanding King Mark granted
Sir Percivale never by no manner of means to hurt Sir Tristram. So anon
King Mark sent unto Sir Dinas the Seneschal that he should put down all
the people that he had raised, for he sent him an oath that he would go
himself unto the Pope of Rome to war upon the miscreants; and this is
a fairer war than thus to arise the people against your king. When Sir
Dinas understood that King Mark would go upon the miscreants, then Sir
Dinas in all the haste put down all the people; and when the people
were departed every man to his home, then King Mark espied where was Sir
Tristram with La Beale Isoud; and there by treason King Mark let take
him and put him in prison, contrary to his promise that he made unto Sir
Percivale.

When Queen Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was in prison she made as
great sorrow as ever made lady or gentlewoman. Then Sir Tristram sent a
letter unto La Beale Isoud, and prayed her to be his good lady; and if
it pleased her to make a vessel ready for her and him, he would go with
her unto the realm of Logris, that is this land. When La Beale Isoud
understood Sir Tristram's letters and his intent, she sent him another,
and bade him be of good comfort, for she would do make the vessel ready,
and all thing to purpose.

Then La Beale Isoud sent unto Si