The Romance of Arthur by Norris J. Lacy & James J. Wilhelm

Author:Norris J. Lacy & James J. Wilhelm
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781317341833
Publisher: Routledge

The chaplain said to the king, “Sir, the letter ends there.”

The barons had heard that Tristran was willing to do battle with them for the daughter of the king of Ireland. Every baron of Cornwall said, “King, take back your wife. No sensible person could ever have said about the queen what we have heard. But I cannot advise you to let Tristran stay in this country. Let him go serve the powerful king in Galloway, on whom the Scottish king is waging war. He can remain there, and you will have occasional news of him. If you send for him, he can come back; otherwise we will know nothing about him. Send him a letter telling him to bring the queen back to you immediately.”

The king called his chaplain: “Write this letter quickly; you have heard what you are to put in it. Hurry now! I am impatient, for I have not seen the noble Yseut for such a long time. She has suffered too much in her youth! And when the letter is sealed, hang it upon the red cross. Do it tonight. Add my greetings to the letter.”

When the chaplain had written it, he attached it to the red cross. Tristran did not sleep that night. Before midnight he had passed through the Blanche Lande, carrying the sealed letter. He knew the Cornwall countryside well. He came to Ogrin and gave him the letter. The hermit took it and read it. He learned of the generosity of the king, who was willing to forget his anger against Yseut and take her back, and he learned when the reconciliation was to occur. Then he spoke as his duty and his faith dictated: “Tristran, what joy has come to you! Your plea has been heard, and the king is taking his wife back. All his men advised him to do so. But they do not dare advise him to retain your services. Instead, go spend a year or two serving a foreign king who is involved in a war. If the king wishes, you will then come back to him and Yseut. The king will be ready to receive her three days from now. The meeting will take place at the Gue Aventuros. There you will give her up, and he will take her back. That is all the letter says.” [2680]

“God,” said Tristran, “what a painful separation! He who loses the woman he loves is unhappy indeed! But it must be done, because of the suffering you have endured on my account. You do not have to suffer any more. When we have to separate, we will pledge our love to each other, dear one. As long as I live, in war or peace, I will not fail to send messages to you, and dear friend, send me news of yourself.”

With a great sigh Yseut said, “Tristran, listen to me. Leave me Husdent, your hunting dog. No one ever cared for a dog as well as I will for him, dear friend.

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