So it was done as Sir Tristram had ordained.  And it may here be said that Sir Segwarides ruled that land very justly and that he and the Lady Loise became dear friends, so that at the end of three years from that time he and she were made husband and wife.

Now Sir Tristram remained in that island several days, with intent to see to it that the power of Sir Segwarides should be established.  And he made all the people of that land come before Sir Segwarides for to pledge obedience to him.

Amongst these came Sir Lamorack in the guise of a swineherd, and Sir Tristram knew him not, because that he was clad in rags and in the skins of animals and because that his beard and his hair were uncut and unkempt, and hung down very shaggy upon his breast.  But Sir Lamorack knew Sir Tristram yet would not acknowledge him, being ashamed that Sir Tristram should discover him in such a guise and so ragged and forlorn as he then was.  So he kept his eyes from Sir Tristram, and Sir Tristram passed him by and knew him not.

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram beholds Sir Lamorack’s ring] But amongst other of the people of the castle that passed before Sir Tristram, there came a woman, very fair to look upon, and she had been a house-slave to Sir Nabon.  As this woman passed before Sir Tristram, he beheld that she wore upon her thumb a very fair and shining ring, that bare a green stone set in wrought gold.  And when he looked again he saw it was that ring of carven emerald that he had given to Sir Lamorack as aforetold.

At this Sir Tristram was astonished beyond measure, and he ordered that woman to come before him, and she came and stood before him trembling.  Then Sir Tristram said:  “Fear not, but tell me where got ye that ring that I behold upon your hand?” And the woman said:  “Lord, I will tell you the very truth.  My husband is the chief fisherman of this place, and one day, some while ago, he gave me this ring when I had favor in his sight.”

Sir Tristram said, “Where is your husband?” The slave-woman said, “Yonder he stands.”  Then Sir Tristram said:  “Come hither, Sirrah!” And therewith the fisherman came and stood before Sir Tristram as his wife had done, and he also trembled with fear as she had done.

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram questions the fisherman] To him Sir Tristram said, “Why do you tremble so?” And the fisher-man said, “Lord, I am afeard!” Sir Tristram said:  “Have no fear, unless you have done wrong, but tell me the truth.  Where got ye that ring that yonder woman weareth?” “Lord,” said the fisherman, “I will tell you the perfect truth.  One day I and several of my fellows found a man lying naked in a bed of heather near the seaside.  At first we thought he was dead, but he awoke and arose when he heard our voices.  He was naked and hungry, and he besought us for clothes to cover his nakedness and for food to eat.  So we gave him what we could, demanding that ring in payment.  So he gave the ring to me, who am the chief of the fishermen, and I gave it to that woman who is my wife; and that, lord, is the very truth.”