_How Sir Marhaus, after he was arrived in Ireland, died of the stroke
that Tristram had given him, and how Tristram was hurt._
Anon Sir Marhaus and his fellowship departed into Ireland. And as soon
as he came to the king his brother he let search his wounds. And when
his head was searched, a piece of Sir Tristram’s sword was found
therein, and might never be had out of his head for no surgeons, and so
he died of Sir Tristram’s sword, and that piece of the sword the queen
his sister kept it for ever with her, for she thought to be revenged
and she might.
Now turn we again unto Sir Tristram, that was sore wounded, and full
sore bled, that he might not within a little while when he had taken
cold scarcely stir him of his limbs. And then he set him down softly
upon a little hill, and bled fast. Then anon came Gouvernail his man
with his vessel, and the king and his barons came with procession
against him, and when he was come to the land king Mark took him in his
arms, and the king and Sir Dinas the Seneschal led Sir Tristram into
the castle of Tintagil. And then was he searched in the best manner,
and laid in his bed. And when king Mark saw his wounds he wept
heartily, and so did all his lords. So God me help, said king Mark, I
would not for all my lands that my nephew died. So Sir Tristram lay
there a month and more, and ever he was like to die of that stroke that
Sir Marhaus smote him first with the spear. For, as the French book
saith, the spear’s head was envenomed, that Sir Tristram might not be
whole. Then was king Mark and all his barons passing heavy, for they
deemed none other but that Sir Tristram should not recover. Then the
king let send after all manner of leeches and surgeons, both unto men
and women, and there was none that would behote him the life. Then came
there a lady that was a right wise lady, and she said plainly unto king
Mark and to Sir Tristram and to all his barons, that he should never be
whole, but if Sir Tristram went in the same country that the venom came
from, and in that country should he be holpen or else never. Thus said
the lady unto the king. When king Mark understood that, he let purvey
for Sir Tristram a fair vessel, well victualled, and therein was put
Sir Tristram and Gouvernail with him, and Sir Tristram took his harp
with him, and so he was put into the sea to sail into Ireland, and so
by good fortune he arrived up in Ireland, even fast by a castle where
the king and the queen was; and at his arrival he sat and harped in his
bed a merry lay, such one heard they never none in Ireland afore that
time. And when it was told the king and the queen of such a knight that
was such an harper, anon the king sent for him, and let search his
wounds, and then asked him his name. Then he answered, I am of the
country of Liones, and my name is Tramtrist, that thus was wounded in a
battle as I fought for a lady’s right. Truly, said king Anguish, ye
shall have all the help in this land that ye may have here. But I let
you wit in Cornwall I had a great loss as ever had king, for there I
lost the best knight of the world, his name was Marhaus, a full noble
knight, and knight of the Table Round; and there he told Sir Tristram
wherefore Sir Marhaus was slain. Sir Tristram made semblant as he had
been sorry, and better knew he how it was than the king.