Then King Meliadus’ heart was melted at Tristram’s minstrelsy, and he said:  “That is wonderful harping.  Now ask what thou wilt of me, and it shall be thine, whatever it may be.”

To this Tristram said, “Lord, that is a great thing that thou sayest.”  “Nevertheless,” said King Meliadus, “it shall be as I say.”  Then Tristram left his harp and he came to where King Meliadus sat, and he kneeled down before him and he said:  “Lord, if so be that is the case, then that which I ask of thee is this:  that thou wilt forgive me and bring me back into thy favor again.”

[Sidenote:  King Meliadus is reconciled to Tristram] At that King Meliadus was filled with a great wonder, and he said:  “Fair youth, who art thou, and what have I to forgive thee?” “Lord,” said Tristram, “I am thy son, and ask thee to forgive me that I should have saved the life of that lady who is thy Queen.”

At this King Meliadus cried out with joy, and he came down from where he sat and he took Tristram into his arms and kissed him upon the face, and Tristram wept and kissed his father upon the face.

So they were reconciled.

After that, Tristram abode in peace in Lyonesse for some while, and during that time he made peace betwixt King Meliadus and Queen Moeya, and the Queen loved him because he was so good to her.

[Sidenote:  Tristram refuses knighthood] Now after the return of Tristram as aforesaid, King Meliadus would have made him a knight, but Tristram would not suffer the honor of knighthood to be bestowed upon him at that time, but always said:  “Lord, think not ill of me if I do not accept knighthood at this time.  For I would fain wait until the chance for some large adventure cometh; then I would be made a knight for to meet that adventure, so that I might immediately win renown.  For what credit could there be to our house if I should be made knight, only that I might sit in hall and feast and drink and make merry?”

So spoke Sir Tristram, and his words sounded well to King Meliadus, wherefore from thenceforth King Meliadus refrained from urging knighthood upon him.

Now the way that Sir Tristram achieved knighthood shall be told in that which followeth, and also it shall then be told how he fought his first battle, which was one of the most famous that ever he fought in all of his life.

[Illustration:  King Mark of Cornwall]

Chapter Second

How Sir Tristram was made knight by the King of Cornwall, and how he fought a battle with a famous champion.

Now first of all it is to be here said that at that time there was great trouble come to King Mark of Cornwall (who, as aforesaid, was uncle to Sir Tristram) and the trouble was this: 

[Sidenote:  The King of Ireland claims truage of Cornwall] The King of Cornwall and the King of Ireland had great debate concerning an island that lay in the sea betwixt Cornwall and Ireland.  For though that island was held by Cornwall, yet the King of Ireland laid claim to it and demanded that the King of Cornwall should pay him truage for the same.  This King Mark refused to do, and there was great contention betwixt Cornwall and Ireland, so that each country made ready for war.