_How the lady forsook Sir Tristram and abode with Sir Bleoberis, and
how she desired to go to her husband._
So when she was set betwixt them both, she said these words unto Sir
Tristram: Wit ye well, Sir Tristram de Liones, that but late thou was
the man in the world that I most loved and trusted, and I wend thou
haddest loved me again above all ladies. But when thou sawest this
knight lead me away, thou madest no cheer to rescue me, but suffered my
lord Sir Segwarides to ride after me, but until that time I wend thou
haddest loved me, and therefore now I will leave thee, and never love
thee more. And therewithal she went unto Sir Bleoberis. When Sir
Tristram saw her do so, he was wonderly wroth with that lady, and
ashamed to come to the court. Sir Tristram, said Sir Bleoberis, ye are
in the default, for I hear, by this lady’s words, she, before this day,
trusted you above all earthly knights, and, as she saith, ye have
deceived her; therefore, wit ye well, there may no man hold that will
away, and rather than ye should be heartily displeased with me, I would
ye had her and she would abide with you. Nay, said the lady, I will
never go with him, for he that I loved most I wend he had loved me. And
therefore, Sir Tristram, she said, ride as thou came for though thou
haddest overcome this knight, as ye were likely, with thee never would
I have gone. And I shall pray this knight so fair of his knighthood,
that or ever he pass this country he will lead me to the abbey where my
lord Sir Segwarides lieth. Truly, said Bleoberis, I let you wit, good
knight Sir Tristram, because king Mark gave 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 be ware what manner of 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 since ye have refused me, as I am a 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.