“Then all at once her heart grew cold
In thinking of that deed of old. 
Her color changed through grief and ire
From deadly pale to glowing fire. 
With sorrow she exclaimed:  ’Alas! 
Oh, woe! what has now come to pass? 
Who carried here this weapon dread,
By which mine uncle was struck dead? 
And he who slew him, Tristan hight. 
Who gave it to this minstrel knight?’”

                                    GOTTFRIED VON STRASSBURG (Dippold’s tr.).

Morold’s murderer lay helpless before her, and Iseult, animated by the spirit of vengeance, which was considered a sacred duty among the people of the time, was about to slay Tristan, when he opened his eyes and disarmed her by a glance.  Her mother further hindered her carrying out her hostile intentions by telling her that Tristan had atoned for his crime by delivering the people from the power of the dragon.

As soon as Tristan had quite recovered, he appeared at court, where he offered to prove at the point of his sword that the butler had no claim to the princess’s hand.  A duel was arranged, and the butler, disarmed by Tristan, confessed his lie.  Tristan then produced the dragon’s tongue and told his adventures; but, to the general surprise, instead of suing for Iseult’s hand for himself, he now asked it in the name of his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall.

[Sidenote:  The love potion.] The young princess was none too well pleased at this unexpected turn of affairs; but, as princesses never had much to say about the choice of a husband, she obediently prepared to accompany the embassy to Tintagel.  Her mother, wishing to preserve her from a loveless marriage, now sought out all manner of herbs wherewith to brew one of those magic love potions which were popularly supposed to have unlimited powers.

“Bethought her with her secret soul alone
To work some charm for marriage unison,
And strike the heart of Iseult to her lord
With power compulsive more than stroke of sword.” 

                                            SWINBURNE, Tristram of Lyonesse.

This magic potion was put in a golden cup and intrusted to Brangwaine, the attendant of Iseult, with strict injunctions to guard the secret well, and to give the draught to her mistress and Mark to quaff together on their wedding day.

“Therefore with marvelous herbs and spells she wrought
To win the very wonder of her thought,
And brewed it with her secret hands, and blest
And drew and gave out of her secret breast
To one her chosen and Iseult’s handmaiden,
Brangwain, and bade her hide from sight of men
This marvel covered in a golden cup,
So covering in her heart the counsel up
As in the gold the wondrous wine lay close.” 

                                            SWINBURNE, Tristram of Lyonesse.