Now it chanced, one day, that Sir Tristram sat and harped to the Fair Isolt; and the weather being hot, he became thirsty.  Then looking round the cabin he beheld a golden flask, curiously shaped and wrought; and laughing, he said to the Fair Isolt:  “See, madam, how my man and your maid care for themselves; for here is the best wine that ever I tasted.  I pray you, now, drink to me.”  So with mirth and laughter, they pledged each other, and thought that never before had they tasted aught so good.  But when they had made an end of drinking, there came upon them the might of the magic charm; and never from that day, for good or for ill, might they cease from their love.  And so much woe was wrought; for, mindful of his pledge to his uncle, Sir Tristram brought Isolt in all honour into the land of Cornwall where she was wedded with pomp and ceremony to King Mark, the craven King, who hated his nephew even more than before, because he had returned in safety and made good his promise as became an honourable knight.  And from that day he never ceased seeking the death of Sir Tristram.

CHAPTER XVI

OF THE END OF SIR TRISTRAM

Then again Sir Tristram abode at King Mark’s court, ever rendering the Fair Isolt loyal and knightly service; for King Mark would imperil his life for none, no matter what the need.

Now among the Cornish knights, there was much jealousy of Sir Tristram de Liones, and chief of his enemies was his own cousin, Sir Andred.  With lying words, Sir Andred sought to stir up King Mark against his nephew, speaking evil of the Queen and of Sir Tristram.  Now Mark was afraid openly to accuse Sir Tristram, so he set Sir Andred to spy upon him.  At last, it befell one day that Sir Andred saw Sir Tristram coming, alone and unarmed, from the Queen’s presence, and with twelve other knights, he fell upon him and bound him.  Then these felon knights bore Sir Tristram to a little chapel standing upon a great rock which jutted out into the sea.  There they would have slain him, unarmed and bound.  But Sir Tristram, perceiving their intent, put forth suddenly all his strength, burst his bonds, and wresting a sword from Sir Andred, cut him down; and so he did with six other knights.  Then while the rest, being but cowards, gave back a little, he shut to and bolted the doors against them, and sprang from the window on to the sea-washed rocks below.  There he lay as one dead, until his squire, Gouvernail, coming in a little boat, took up his master, dressed his wounds, and carried him to the coast of England.

So Sir Tristram was minded to remain in that country for a time.  Then, one day, as he rode through the forest near Camelot, there came running to him a fair lady who cried:  “Sir Tristram, I claim your aid for the truest knight in all the world, and that is none other than King Arthur.”  “With a good heart,” said Sir Tristram; “but where may I find him?” “Follow