But she said

“Brother, I look at you and doubt and tremble, and I know you not for Tristan.”

“Queen Iseult, I am Tristan indeed that do love you; mind you for the last time of the dwarf, and of the flower, and of the blood I shed in my leap.  Oh! and of that ring I took in kisses and in tears on the day we parted.  I have kept that jasper ring and asked it counsel.”

Then Iseult knew Tristan for what he was, and she said: 

“Heart, you should have broken of sorrow not to have known the man who has suffered so much for you.  Pardon, my master and my friend.”

And her eyes darkened and she fell; but when the light returned she was held by him who kissed her eyes and her face.

So passed they three full days.  But, on the third, two maids that watched them told the traitor Andret, and he put spies well-armed before the women’s rooms.  And when Tristan would enter they cried: 

“Back, fool!”

But he brandished his club laughing, and said: 

“What!  May I not kiss the Queen who loves me and awaits me now?”

And they feared him for a mad fool, and he passed in through the door.

Then, being with the Queen for the last time, he held her in his arms and said: 

“Friend, I must fly, for they are wondering.  I must fly, and perhaps shall never see you more.  My death is near, and far from you my death will come of desire.”

“Oh friend,” she said, “fold your arms round me close and strain me so that our hearts may break and our souls go free at last.  Take me to that happy place of which you told me long ago.  The fields whence none return, but where great singers sing their songs for ever.  Take me now.”

“I will take you to the Happy Palace of the living, Queen!  The time is near.  We have drunk all joy and sorrow.  The time is near.  When it is finished, if I call you, will you come, my friend?”

“Friend,” said she, “call me and you know that I shall come.”

“Friend,” said he, “God send you His reward.”

As he went out the spies would have held him; but he laughed aloud, and flourished his club, and cried: 

“Peace, gentlemen, I go and will not stay.  My lady sends me to prepare that shining house I vowed her, of crystal, and of rose shot through with morning.”

And as they cursed and drave him, the fool went leaping on his way.

THE DEATH OF TRISTAN

When he was come back to Brittany, to Carhaix, it happened that Tristan, riding to the aid of Kaherdin his brother in arms, fell into ambush and was wounded by a poisoned spear; and many doctors came, but none could cure him of the ill.  And Tristan weakened and paled, and his bones showed.

Then he knew that his life was going, and that he must die, and he had a desire to see once more Iseult the Fair, but he could not seek her, for the sea would have killed him in his weakness, and how could Iseult come to him?  And sad, and suffering the poison, he awaited death.