_Of the wedding of king Mark to La Beale Isoud, and of Bragwaine her
maid, and of Palamides._
And anon they were richly wedded with great nobley. But ever, as the
French book saith, Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud loved ever together.
Then was there great justs and great tourneying, and many lords and
ladies were at that feast, and Sir Tristram was most praised of all
other. Thus dured the feast long, and after the feast was done, within
a little while after, by the assent of two ladies that were with queen
Isoud, they ordained for hate and envy to destroy dame Bragwaine, that
was maiden and lady unto La Beale Isoud, and she was sent into the
forest for to fetch herbs, and there she was met, and bound feet and
hand to a tree, and so she was bounden three days. And by fortune Sir
Palamides found dame Bragwaine and there he delivered her from the
death, and brought her to a nunnery there beside to be recovered. When
Isoud the queen missed her maiden wit ye well she was right heavy as
ever was any queen, for of all earthly women she loved her best, the
cause was for she came with her out of her country.
And so upon a day the queen Isoud walked into the forest to put away
her thoughts, and there she went herself unto a well and made great
moan. And suddenly there came Sir Palamides to her, and had heard all
her complaint, and said, Madame Isoud, and if ye will grant me my boon
I shall bring to you dame Bragwaine safe and sound. And the queen was
so glad of his proffer that suddenly unadvised she granted all his
asking. Well madam, said Sir Palamides, I trust to your promise, and if
ye will abide here half an hour I shall bring her to you. I shall abide
you, said La Beale Isoud. Then Sir Palamides rode forth his way to that
nunnery, and lightly he came again with dame Bragwaine; but by her good
will she would not have come again, because for love of the queen she
stood in adventure of her life. Notwithstanding, half against her will,
she went with Sir Palamides unto the queen. And when the queen saw her
she was passing glad. Now madam, said Palamides, remember upon your
promise, for I have fulfilled my promise. Sir Palamides, said the
queen, I wot not what is your desire, but I will that ye wit howbeit I
promised you largely I thought none evil, nor I warn you none ill will
I do. Madam, said Sir Palamides, as at this time ye shall not know my
desire, but before my lord your husband there shall ye know that I will
have my desire that ye have promised me. And therewith the queen
departed and rode home to the king, and Sir Palamides rode after her.
And when Sir Palamides came before the king he said, Sir king, I
require you as ye be a righteous king, that ye will judge me the right.
Tell me the cause, said the king, and ye shall have right.