_How Sir Tristram was holpen by his men, and of queen Isoud which was
put in a lazar-cote, and how Tristram was hurt._
So when they were departed, Gouvernail and Sir Lambegus, and Sir
Sentraille de Lushon, that were Sir Tristram’s men, sought their
master. When they heard he was escaped, then they were passing glad,
and on the rocks they found him, and with towels they pulled him up.
And then Sir Tristram asked them where La Beale Isoud was, for he wend
she had been had away of Andred’s people. Sir, said Gouvernail, she is
put in a lazar-cote. Alas, said Sir Tristram, this is a full ungoodly
place for such a fair lady; and if I may she shall not be long there.
And so he took his men, and went there as was La Beale Isoud, and
fetched her away, and brought her into a forest to a fair manor, and
Sir Tristram there abode with her. So the good knight bad his men go
from him,—For at this time I may not help you. So they departed all
save Gouvernail. And so upon a day Sir Tristram went into the forest
for to desport him, and then it happened that he fell there on sleep.
And there came a man that Sir Tristram afore hand had slain his
brother; and when this man had found him he shot him through the
shoulder with an arrow, and Sir Tristram lept up and killed that man.
And in the mean while it was told king Mark how Sir Tristram and La
Beale Isoud were in that same manor, and as soon as ever he might
thither he came with many knights to slay Sir Tristram. And when he
came there he found him gone; and there he took La Beale Isoud home
with him, and kept her strait that by no means never she might wit nor
send unto Tristram, nor he unto her. And then when Sir Tristram came
toward the old manor, he found the track of many horses, and thereby he
wist his lady was gone. And then Sir Tristram took great sorrow, and
endured with great pain long time, for the arrow that he was hurt
withall was envenomed.
Then by the means of La Beale Isoud she told a lady that was cousin
unto dame Bragwaine, and she came to Sir Tristram, and told him that he
might not be whole by no means,—For thy lady La Beale Isoud may not
help thee; therefore she biddeth you haste into Britanny to king Howel,
and there ye shall find his daughter Isoud la Blanche Mains, and she
shall help thee. Then Sir Tristram and Gouvernail gat them shipping,
and so sailed into Britanny. And when king Howel wist that it was Sir
Tristram he was full glad of him. Sir, he said, I am come into this
country to have help of your daughter, for it is told me that there is
none other may heal me but she. And so within a while she healed him.