“Brother, I look at you and doubt and tremble, and I know you not for
Tristan.”
“Queen Iseult, I am Tristan indeed that do love you; mind you for the
last time of the dwarf, and of the flower, and of the blood I shed in
my leap. Oh! and of that ring I took in kisses and in tears on the day
we parted. I have kept that jasper ring and asked it counsel.”
Then Iseult knew Tristan for what he was, and she said:
“Heart, you should have broken of sorrow not to have known the man who
has suffered so much for you. Pardon, my master and my friend.”
And her eyes darkened and she fell; but when the light returned she
was held by him who kissed her eyes and her face.
So passed they three full days. But, on the third, two maids that
watched them told the traitor Andret, and he put spies well-armed
before the women’s rooms. And when Tristan would enter they cried:
“Back, fool!”
But he brandished his club laughing, and said:
“What! May I not kiss the Queen who loves me and awaits me now?”
And they feared him for a mad fool, and he passed in through the door.
Then, being with the Queen for the last time, he held her in his arms
and said:
“Friend, I must fly, for they are wondering. I must fly, and perhaps
shall never see you more. My death is near, and far from you my death
will come of desire.”
“Oh friend,” she said, “fold your arms round me close and strain me so
that our hearts may break and our souls go free at last. Take me to
that happy place of which you told me long ago. The fields whence none
return, but where great singers sing their songs for ever. Take me
now.”
“I will take you to the Happy Palace of the living, Queen! The time is
near. We have drunk all joy and sorrow. The time is near. When it is
finished, if I call you, will you come, my friend?”
“Friend,” said she, “call me and you know that I shall come.”
“Friend,” said he, “God send you His reward.”
As he went out the spies would have held him; but he laughed aloud,
and flourished his club, and cried:
“Peace, gentlemen, I go and will not stay. My lady sends me to prepare
that shining house I vowed her, of crystal, and of rose shot through
with morning.”
And as they cursed and drave him, the fool went leaping on his way.