“Nay,” said the lady, “there is no one who cares to offer challenge to that knight, for he is as strong and as doughty as he is huge of frame, and he is as fierce and cruel as he is strong and masterful, wherefore all men hold him in terror and avoid him.”

“Well,” said Sir Tristram, “meseems it is the business of any knight to rid the world of such a monster as that, whatever may be the danger to himself.  Now as there is no knight hereabouts who hath heart to undertake such an adventure, I myself shall undertake it so soon as to-morrow shall have come.”

“Sir,” said the lady, “I beseech you to think twice before you enter into such an affair as that.  Or rather be ruled by me and do not undertake this quest at all; for I misdoubt that anyone could conquer this huge and powerful champion, even if that knight were such as Sir Launcelot of the Lake or Sir Tristram of Lyonesse.”

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram confesses his degree to the chatelaine] At this Sir Tristram laughed with great good-will, and he said, “Lady, do you not then know who I am?” “Nay,” said she, “I know you not.”  “Well,” said Sir Tristram, “then I may tell you that I am that Sir Tristram of Lyonesse of whom you spoke just now.  And I also tell you that I shall undertake this adventure to-morrow morning.”

Now when the lady found that the stranger she had taken in was Sir Tristram of Lyonesse, she made great exclamation of surprise and pleasure at having him at that place, for at that time all the world was talking of Sir Tristram’s performances.  So she took great pleasure and pride that her castle should have given him shelter.  She made many inquiries concerning his adventures, and Sir Tristram told her all she asked of him.

Then the lady said:  “Messire, I hear tell that you sing very sweetly, and that you are a wonderful harper upon the harp.  Now will you not chaunt for me a song or two or three?” And Sir Tristram said:  “Lady, I will do whatsoever you ask me that may give you pleasure.”

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram sings to the lady] So the lady bade them bring a harp and they did so.  And Sir Tristram took the harp and set it before him and tuned it and played upon it, and sang so sweetly that they of the castle said:  “Certes, this is no knight-errant who sings, but an angel from Paradise who hath come among us.  For surely no one save an angel from Paradise could sing so enchantingly.”

So passed that evening very pleasantly until the hours waxed late.  Then Sir Tristram retired to a very noble apartment where a soft couch spread with flame-colored linen had been prepared for him, and where he slept a soft sleep without disturbance of any kind.