overwhelming passion for the wife of his master. Another famous
couple, Tristram and Iseult, [23] also claims our attention.

The legend of Tristram was already known in the sixth century, and
from that time until now has been periodically rewritten and
embellished. Like most mediaeval legends, it begins with the hero's
birth, gives in detail the whole story of his life, and ends only when
he is safely dead and buried!

The bare outline of the main events in Tristram's very adventurous
career are the elopement of his mother, a sister of King Mark of
Cornwall. Then, while mourning for her beloved, this lady dies in
giving birth to her son, whom she names Tristram, or the sad one.

Brought up by a faithful servant,--Gouvernail or Kurvenal,--Tristram
learns to become a peerless hunter and musician. After describing
sundry childish and youthful adventures in different lands, the
various legends agree in bringing him to his uncle's court, just as a
giant champion arrives from Ireland, claiming tribute in money and men
unless some one can defeat him in battle. As neither Mark nor any of
his subjects dare venture to face the challenger, Morolt, Tristram
volunteers his services. The battle takes place on an island, and,
after many blows have been given and received and the end has seemed
doubtful, Tristram (who has been wounded by his opponent's poisoned
lance) kills him by a blow of his sword, a splinter of which remains
embedded in the dead giant's skull. His corpse is then brought back to
Ireland to receive sepulchre at the hands of Queen Iseult, who, in
preparing the body for the grave finds the fragment of steel, which
she treasures, thinking it may some day help her to find her
champion's slayer and enable her to avenge his death.

Meanwhile Tristram's wound does not heal, and, realizing Queen Iseult
alone will be able to cure him, he sails for Ireland, where he
presents himself as the minstrel Tramtris, and rewards the care of
the queen and her daughter--both bearing the name of Iseult--by his
fine music.

On his return to Cornwall, Tristram, who has evidently been impressed
by Princess Iseult's beauty, sings her praises so enthusiastically
that King Mark decides to propose for her hand, and--advised by the
jealous courtiers, who deem the expedition perilous in the
extreme--selects Tristram as his ambassador.

On landing in Ireland, Tristram notices ill-concealed excitement, and
discovers that a dragon is causin