ve me the choice of a gift in this court, and so this lady liked
me best--notwithstanding, she is wedded and hath a lord, and I have
fulfilled my quest, she shall be sent unto her husband again, and in
especial most for your sake, Sir Tristram; and if she would go with you
I would ye had her. I thank you, said Sir Tristram, but for her love I
shall beware what manner a lady I shall love or trust; for had her lord,
Sir Segwarides, been away from the court, I should have been the first
that should have followed you; but sithen that ye have refused me, as
I am true knight I shall her know passingly well that I shall love or
trust. And so they took their leave one from the other and departed.

And so Sir Tristram rode unto Tintagil, and Sir Bleoberis rode unto the
abbey where Sir Segwarides lay sore wounded, and there he delivered his
lady, and departed as a noble knight; and when Sir Segwarides saw his
lady, he was greatly comforted; and then she told him that Sir Tristram
had done great battle with Sir Bleoberis, and caused him to bring her
again. These words pleased Sir Segwarides right well, that Sir Tristram
would do so much; and so that lady told all the battle unto King Mark
betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Bleoberis.

CHAPTER XIX. How King Mark sent Sir Tristram for La Beale Isoud toward
Ireland, and how by fortune he arrived into England.

THEN when this was done King Mark cast always in his heart how he
might destroy Sir Tristram. And then he imagined in himself to send
Sir Tristram into Ireland for La Beale Isoud. For Sir Tristram had so
praised her beauty and her goodness that King Mark said that he would
wed her, whereupon he prayed Sir Tristram to take his way into Ireland
for him on message. And all this was done to the intent to slay Sir
Tristram. Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the message for
no danger nor peril that might fall, for the pleasure of his uncle,
but to go he made him ready in the most goodliest wise that might be
devised. For Sir Tristram took with him the most goodliest knights that
he might find in the court; and they were arrayed, after the guise that
was then used, in the goodliest manner. So Sir Tristram departed and
took the sea with all his fellowship. And anon, as he was in the broad
sea a tempest took him and his fellowship, and drove them back into the
coast of England; and there they arrived fast by Camelot, and full fain
they were to take the land.

And when th