We cannot follow Tristram through all the adventures which filled this epoch of his history.  Suffice it to say, he fulfilled on all occasions the duty of a true knight, rescuing the oppressed, redressing wrongs, abolishing evil customs, and suppressing injustice, thus by constant action endeavoring to lighten the pains of absence from her he loved.  In the meantime Isoude, separated from her dear Tristram, passed her days in languor and regret.  At length she could no longer resist the desire to hear some news of her lover.  She wrote a letter, and sent it by one of her damsels, niece of her faithful Brengwain.  One day Tristram, weary with his exertions, had dismounted and laid himself down by the side of a fountain and fallen asleep.  The damsel of Queen Isoude arrived at the same fountain, and recognized Passebreul, the horse of Tristram, and presently perceived his master asleep.  He was thin and pale, showing evident marks of the pain he suffered in separation from his beloved.  She awakened him, and gave him the letter which she bore, and Tristram enjoyed the pleasure, so sweet to a lover, of hearing from and talking about the object of his affections.  He prayed the damsel to postpone her return till after the magnificent tournament which Arthur had proclaimed should have taken place, and conducted her to the castle of Persides, a brave and loyal knight, who received her with great consideration.

Tristram conducted the damsel of Queen Isoude to the tournament, and had her placed in the balcony among the ladies of the queen.

    “He glanced and saw the stately galleries,
    Dame, damsel, each through worship of their Queen
    White-robed in honor of the stainless child,
    And some with scatter’d jewels, like a bank
    Of maiden snow mingled with sparks of fire. 
    He looked but once, and veiled his eyes again.”

    —­The Last Tournament.

He then joined the tourney.  Nothing could exceed his strength and valor.  Launcelot admired him, and by a secret presentiment declined to dispute the honor of the day with a knight so gallant and so skilful.  Arthur descended from the balcony to greet the conqueror; but the modest and devoted Tristram, content with having borne off the prize in the sight of the messenger of Isoude, made his escape with her, and disappeared.

The next day the tourney recommenced.  Tristram assumed different armor, that he might not be known; but he was soon detected by the terrible blows that he gave, Arthur and Guenever had no doubt that it was the same knight who had borne off the prize of the day before.  Arthur’s gallant spirit was roused.  After Launcelot of the Lake and Sir Gawain he was accounted the best knight of the Round Table.  He went privately and armed himself, and came into the tourney in undistinguished armor.  He ran a just with Tristram, whom he shook in his seat; but Tristram, who did not know him, threw him out of the saddle.  Arthur recovered himself, and