_How king Mark slew by treason his brother Boudwin, for good service
that he had done to him._
Now turn we to another matter, that fell between king Mark and his
brother that was called the good prince Sir Boudwin, that all the
people of the country loved passing well. So it befell upon a time,
that the miscreants Saracens landed in the country of Cornwall, soon
after these Sessoins were gone. And then the good prince Sir Boudwin,
at the landing, he raised the country privily and hastily. And or it
were day he let put wild-fire in three of his own ships, and suddenly
he pulled up the sail, and with the wind he made those ships to be
driven among the navy of the Saracens; and to make short tale, those
three ships set on fire all the ships, that none were saved. And at the
point of the day the good prince Boudwin, with all his fellowship, set
on the miscreants, with shouts and cries, and slew to the number of
forty thousand, and left none alive. When king Mark wist this, he was
wonderly wroth that his brother should win such worship. And because
this prince was better beloved than he in all that country, and that
also Sir Boudwin loved well Sir Tristram, therefore he thought to slay
him. And thus hastily as a man out of his wit, he sent for prince
Boudwin, and Anglides his wife, and bad them bring their young son with
them, that he might see him. All this he did to the intent to slay the
child as well as his father, for he was the falsest traitor that ever
was born. Alas, for his goodness and for his good deeds this gentle
prince Boudwin was slain. So when he came with his wife Anglides, the
king made them fair semblant till they had dined. And when they had
dined, king Mark sent for his brother, and said thus: Brother, how sped
you when the miscreants arrived by you? Me seemeth it had been your
part to have sent me word, that I might have been at that journey, for
it had been reason that I had had the honour, and not you. Sir, said
the prince Boudwin, it was so that and I had tarried till that I had
sent for you, those miscreants had destroyed my country. Thou liest,
false traitor, said king Mark, for thou art ever about for to win
worship from me, and put me to dishonour, and thou cherishest that I
hate. And therewith he struck him to the heart with a dagger, that he
never after spake word. Then the lady Anglides made great dole and
swooned, for she saw her lord slain afore her face. Then was there no
more to do, but prince Boudwin was despoiled and brought to burial. But
Anglides privily got her husband’s doublet and his shirt, and that she
kept secretly. Then was there much sorrow and crying, and great dole
made Sir Tristram, Sir Dinas, Sir Fergus, and so did all the knights
that were there, for that prince was passingly well beloved. So La
Beale Isoud sent unto Anglides, the prince Boudwin’s wife, and bad her
avoid lightly, or else her young son Alisander le Orphelin should be
slain. When she heard this, she took her horse and her child, and rode
her way with such poor men as durst ride with her.