termines to leave Cornwall, and for that purpose obtains a ship from the king, in which, with Gouvernayl as his sole companion, and his harp as his only solace, he sets sail from Carlioun, and, after tossing about for nine weeks at sea, he is at length driven into Dublin harbour. Having learned that he was in Ireland, and knowing that Mourant whom he had slain was a brother of the Queen of Ireland, he resolves to assume his disguised name of Tramtris, and give out that he is a merchant who had been attacked by pirates at sea, who slew the rest of his companions, and wounded himself. He soon wins the good will and admiration of the Irish by his skill upon the harp and as a chess-player; and they swore by St Patrick, that if he were in health, "He were a miri man." His fame soon reached the ears of the queen, who resolves to pay him a visit. Having satisfied herself of his wonderful dexterity at chess, and his skill in music, she undertakes to cure his wound (for she is skilled in medicine), and by the use of a medicated bath he is restored to health. He is then invited to court, and undertakes to instruct the beautiful princess Ysonde in minstrelsy and poetry, in which she delighted. He soon makes her so accomplished in those elegant arts, and so skilful at chess and other courtly games, that she excels every person in Ireland except her preceptor. Having remained a year in Ireland, Tristrem returns to Cornwall, regretted by the queen, and loaded with presents, to the great joy and astonishment of the Cornish. In giving his uncle an account of his reception in Ireland, and his cure by the queen, he praises the beauty and accomplishments of Ysonde so highly that Mark falls in love with her. His counsellors, jealous of Tristrem's power, urge him to send him to Dublin to ask the hand of Ysonde. Tristrem at first objects; but to show the nobility that he is not influenced by selfish motives as the king's heir in persuading him against the match, he at length consents. Accompanied by a chosen body of knights, he takes his departure in a vessel richly laden with presents for the king, the queen, and the princess Ysonde. But on their arrival at Dublin they find the people in the greatest consternation on account of the ravages of a monstrous dragon. So great is the terror inspired by the approach of this monster, that the king offers the hand of the beautiful Ysonde to him who shall slay it. Tristrem undertakes the perilous adventure, and in the first encounter breaks his spear and loses his horse. Having offered up a short prayer, he renews the combat on foot with his sword, and after a terrible struggle, in which the dragon vomits forth flames of fire, Tristrem kills him, and cuts out his tongue, which he puts in his hose. But he had not proceeded about ten paces when he falls down insensible from the effects of the poison. The king's steward chancing to pass that way, cuts off the dragon's head, and, carrying it to court, demands the hand of the princess. Ysonde and the queen, distrusting his story, visit the scene of the encounter, and there find the real champion, and restore him to his senses by the application of treacle. Tristrem vindicates his claim to the victory by producing the dragon's tongue, and offers to make good his right against the steward in single combat. Having again feigned the character of a merchant, Ysonde regrets that he is not a knight; yet, admiring his handsome bearing and his bravery, they conduct him to a bath, and while the queen is getting a drink of "main," ing no alternative between becoming a forsworn knight and giving up his wife, Mark decides upon the latter, and the disguised earl carries off the queen to his ship. Tristrem, on his return from the chase, rates his uncle on his folly; and, taking up his ivory rote, repairs to the shore near to where the vessel lies ready to sail, and plays so skilfully that Ysonde is overpowered, and feigns sickness in order to be put on shore; which being done, Tristrem mounts her on a horse, and, mounting another himself, they suddenly disappear in a neighbouring forest, leav Ysonde suspects him to be her old preceptor Tramtris. In trying to satisfy herself of his identity, she happens to examine his sword, and finds it to have a piece broken off corresponding to a fragment found in the skull of her uncle Moraunt, from which she concludes that its owner must have slain him. In this belief she rushes on him with his own sword, but the queen entering at that instant, she has to explain to her the cause of her resentment, and both ladies would have despatched him then, but for the timely arrival of the king. Tristrem admits having slain Moraunt, but contends that it was in fairing the earl to reflect that whom he gained fight, and, smiling upon Ysonde, reminds her of his services to her as her preceptor. Perceiving that his candour had made a favourable impression, he explains his mission, and it is finally arranged that he shall escort Ysonde to Cornwall, as the affianced of his uncle, King Mark. On their departure, the queen entrusts Brengwain, Ysonde's maid, with a love potion, to be given to the king and his bride | on the evening of their marriage; but in consequence of adverse winds on the voyage, they are forced to use their oars, and Tristrem being fatigued with rowing, Ysonde calls for a drink to refresh him, when Brengwain, inadvertently, presents the fatal potion, and Tristrem and Ysonde unwittingly partake of it. In consequence, a violent passion seizes them, which proves the source of all their after misfortunes. The vessel at length arrives, and Ysonde and Mark are married; but not long after, an Irish earl, a former lover of Ysonde's, appears at court disguised as a minstrel, bearing a harp of curious workmanship, on which he refuses to play unless Mark grant him a boon. The king rashly pledges his knighthood to grant his request, and the cunning harper demands Ysonde in fulfilment of his promise. See by the harp he lost by the rote. After a seven nights' sojourn in the forest, Tristrem restores Ysonde to his uncle, advising him in future to give minstrels other gifts. Mark, who is of an easy good-natured disposition, manifests no jealousy of his nephew's attachment to the queen for a long time; but at length his suspicions are excited through the repeated instigations of Meriadock, a companion knight of Tristrem's. Ysonde, to prove her innocence, consents to undergo the fiery ordeal, and Tristrem takes to flight. The trial by fire is appointed to be held at Westminster; and when about to cross the Thames, the queen recognises her lover in the disguise of a peasant, and requests that he may carry her from the shore to the vessel in which they are to cross the river. When the oath, preparatory to the ordeal, is administered, she swears that no other man than her husband had used greater familiarity with her than the peasant who bore her from the shore to the vessel. Mark, who does not see the equivocation, is satisfied, forgoes the application of the test, and again receives her into favour. Meanwhile, Tristrem retires into Wales, where he enters the service of King Triamour, whose daughter, Blaunche Flour, is sought in marriage by a gigantic knight named Urgan, the brother of Duke Morgan, whom Tristrem defeated and slew. Urgan's suit being rejected, he resents the affront by seizing Triamour's dominions and besieging him in his castle. Triamour offers Tristrem his possessions if he can recover them from the enemy. The champions meet in single combat, and after a dreadful encounter, in which Urgan, upon being pierced through the body, springs over a bridge in his agony. Tristrem generously resigns his claim to Triamour's dominions in favour of Blaunche Flour, but accepts of a beautiful dog called Peticrewe, coloured red, green, and blue, which he sends as a present to Ysonde. His uncle, having heard of his exploits in Wales, recalls him, and confers on him the office of high steward. But nothing could eradicate the effects of the spell that bound Tristrem and the queen to one another, and their old relations being resumed, Mark's forbearance became at length exhausted, and they are banished from his presence. They take up their residence in a cave in the forest, and live upon the produce of the chase. his separation from her, engages in the most desperate enterprises-travels into Spain where he kills three giants, and then returns to Ermonie, where the sons of Rohand offer to restore his paternal domains, but this he declines, and seeks new adventures in Brittany, the duke of which country was then at war. By the assistance of Tristrem he soon overcomes his enemies. The duke has a lovely daughter of the same name with the Queen of Cornwall, but distinguished from the latter as Ysonde with the White Hand. Tristrem having made a song in praise of his mistress, Ysonde with the White Hand, from the identity of their names, concludes that she herself is the object of his affections, and informs her father, who thereupon offers Tristrem the hand of his daughter. After considering the unlikelihood of his ever again obtaining the object of his desires, and the impropriety of their past intercourse, he decides on accepting it. The marriage takes place accordingly; but while he is being led to the bridal chamber, Tristrem drops from his finger the ring given him by the Queen of Cornwall. This incident awakens his suppressed attachment to his former mistress, and the remembrance of her fidelity About a twelvemonth after their banish- to him, and he resolves to leave his marment, Mark, while hunting in the forest, riage with the Princess of Brittany unconis directed by his attendants to the cave summated. The duke is satisfied with where the lovers are found fast asleep, Tristrem's explanation of his conduct, and with Tristrem's unsheathed sword laid bestows upon him extensive territories between them. From this circumstance near the castle of a savage giant called Mark infers their innocence, and, leaving | Beliagog, said to be a brother of those his glove, departs without disturbing three knights Morgan, Moraunt, and them. They are soon after recalled and Urgan, whom Tristrem slew. As might again received into royal favour; but be expected, Tristrem was not long in nothing could break the force of the seeking an encounter with such a neighspell, and Tristrem is again banished, this bour. Following his hounds one day time alone, for Ysonde is reconciled to into Beliagog's grounds, he is observed the king. by the giant, who, learning his name, Tristrem, to drown the anguish of threatens to avenge upon him the death of his brothers. A fierce contest ensues, in which the giant is worsted, and has a foot cut off. Tristrem consents to spare his life on condition of his building a hall in honour of Ysonde and Brengwain. This condition he executes in the most magnificent manner, and employs the most skilful sculptors, when the hall is erected, to furnish it with the most exquisite and life-like statues, representing the incidents of the life of Tristrem. Ganhardin, a brother of Ysonde with the White Hand, displeased at Tristrem's behaviour toward his sister, remonstrates with him, when he is informed by the knight that he gives up all claims upon her, being previously in love with a lady thrice as fair. Instead of resentment, this declaration only excites Ganhardin's curiosity to see the lady in question; and instead of his foe, he becomes the attached friend of Tristrem. After visiting the castle of Beliagog together, Ganhardin falls in love with Brengwain from seeing her statue, and the two set out for England in quest of their loves. After Tristrem's last flight from Cornwall, Canados, his successor in the stewardship, aspired to succeed him in the affections of the queen. He informed her that Tristrem had proved false to her, and married the daughter of the Duke of Brittany. She, to soothe the melancholy caused by this intelligence, rides into the forest in company with Brengwain, and there they meet Tristrem and Ganhardin. Ysonde is reconciled to Tristrem, and Ganhardin is betrothed to Brengwain; but their movements are watched by Canados, who employs a spy, and raises a force to take his rival prisoner. They are apprised of their danger by Gouvernayl, but are compelled to fly in different directions. The queen and Brengwain return to court, and Ganhardin returns to Brittany; but Tris trem remains in Cornwall disguised as a beggar, and manages to communicate with the queen. Brengwain, who is present at one of their interviews, upbraids him for his precipitate retreat before the forces of Canados in the forest; and he, to vindicate his courage, requests that a tournament be proclaimed. This is accordingly done, and Canados and Meriadok are the challengers. Ganhardin returns from Brittany, and, with Tristrem, takes up the opposite side. Tristrem first attacks Meriadok, against whom he bears an old grudge, and wounds him desperately. Ganhardin is hard put to in his encounter with Canados, but Tristrem now comes to his assistance, and Canados is unhorsed and slain. Tristrem takes advantage of the consternation occasioned by the fatal issue of the jousts to avenge himself on several others of his enemies at court. After this the champions return to Brittany, where Tristrem, while assisting a young knight, his namesake, to recover his lady from a band of fifteen ungallant knights, receives an arrow in his old wound, and his young namesake is slain. Tristrem avenges him by putting them all to death. [Here the Auchinleck MS. abruptly concludes, but Sir Walter Scott finishes the story as follows, according to a French metrical romance in the same style.] Tristrem is carried to his castle, where every remedy is tried to heal his wound, but to no purpose. It daily grows worse and worse, and can be cured by none except the Queen of Cornwall. Ganhardin undertakes to acquaint Ysonde of the desperate condition of her lover, and to try and bring her to his assistance. Tristrem gives him his ring, and desires him to take two sails with him in the ship, a black and a white-the black to be hoisted on his return should he fail in his mission, and the white in the event of his being successful. Ysonde of the White Hand having overheard the arrangement, resolves to turn it to account in avenging the slight offered to herself through Tristrem's behaviour. Ganhardin sails for Cornwall in the guise of a merchant, and makes rich presents to King Mark, but to Ysonde he presents a cup containing Tristrem's ring, which token procures him a private interview, in which he acquaints her of the condition of her lover. She undertakes to cure him, and having disguised herself, accompanies Ganhardin to Brittany. As they approach the coast, the white sail is displayed, and is seen by Ysonde of the White Hand, who knows by the token that her rival is on board. She informs Tristrem that the vessel is in sight, whereupon he asks her the colour of the sail. She tells him black; on which, concluding that he is forsaken by Ysonde, he sinks back in despair and dies. The queen, on landing, is informed of his death, and rushing to the castle where his body is laid out in state, she throws herself down beside his body and expires. TRISTREM'S BIRTH. I. I was at [Erceldoune :] With Tomas spak Y thare; Ther herd Y rede in roune, Who Tristrem gat and bare. Who was King with croun; And who him fostered yare; And who was bold baroun, As thair elders ware, Bi yere : Tomas telles in toun, This auentours as thai ware. |