The Romance of Tristan and Iseult Part 12

?Queen Iseult,? he still said on, ?do you mind you of your haste when you would have slain me with my own sword? And of the Hair of Gold?

And of how I stood up to the seneschal??

?Silence!? she said, ?you drunkard. You were drunk last night, and so you dreamt these dreams.?

?Drunk, and still so am I,? said he, ?but of such a draught that never can the influence fade. Queen Iseult, do you mind you of that hot and open day on the high seas? We thirsted and we drank together from the same cup, and since that day have I been drunk with an awful wine.?

When the Queen heard these words which she alone could understand, she rose and would have gone.

But the King held her by her ermine cloak, and she sat down again.

And as the King had his fill of the fool he called for his falcons and went to hunt; and Iseult said to him:

?Sire, I am weak and sad; let me be go rest in my room; I am tired of these follies.?

And she went to her room in thought and sat upon her bed and mourned, calling herself a slave and saying:

?Why was I born? Brangien, dear sister, life is so hard to me that death were better! There is a fool without, shaven criss-cross, and come in an evil hour, and he is warlock, for he knows in every part myself and my whole life; he knows what you and I and Tristan only know.?

Then Brangien said: ?It may be Tristan.?

But??No,? said the Queen, ?for he was the first of knights, but this fool is foul and made awry. Curse me his hour and the s.h.i.+p that brought him hither.?

?My lady!? said Brangien, ?soothe you. You curse over much these days.

May be he comes from Tristan??

?I cannot tell. I know him not. But go find him, friend, and see if you know him.?

So Brangien went to the hall where the fool still sat alone. Tristan knew her and let fall his club and said:

?Brangien, dear Brangien, before G.o.d! have pity on me!?

?Foul fool,? she answered, ?what devil taught you my name??

?Lady,? he said, ?I have known it long. By my head, that once was fair, if I am mad the blame is yours, for it was yours to watch over the wine we drank on the high seas. The cup was of silver and I held it to Iseult and she drank. Do you remember, lady??

?No,? she said, and as she trembled and left he called out: ?Pity me!?

He followed and saw Iseult. He stretched out his arms, but in her shame, sweating agony she drew back, and Tristan angered and said:

?I have lived too long, for I have seen the day that Iseult will nothing of me. Iseult, how hard love dies! Iseult, a welling water that floods and runs large is a mighty thing; on the day that it fails it is nothing; so love that turns.?

But she said

?Brother, I look at you and doubt and tremble, and I know you not for Tristan.?

?Queen Iseult, I am Tristan indeed that do love you; mind you for the last time of the dwarf, and of the flower, and of the blood I shed in my leap. Oh! and of that ring I took in kisses and in tears on the day we parted. I have kept that jasper ring and asked it counsel.?

Then Iseult knew Tristan for what he was, and she said:

?Heart, you should have broken of sorrow not to have known the man who has suffered so much for you. Pardon, my master and my friend.?

And her eyes darkened and she fell; but when the light returned she was held by him who kissed her eyes and her face.

So pa.s.sed they three full days. But, on the third, two maids that watched them told the traitor Andret, and he put spies well-armed before the women?s rooms. And when Tristan would enter they cried:

?Back, fool!?

But he brandished his club laughing, and said:

?What! May I not kiss the Queen who loves me and awaits me now??

And they feared him for a mad fool, and he pa.s.sed in through the door.

Then, being with the Queen for the last time, he held her in his arms and said:

?Friend, I must fly, for they are wondering. I must fly, and perhaps shall never see you more. My death is near, and far from you my death will come of desire.?

?Oh friend,? she said, ?fold your arms round me close and strain me so that our hearts may break and our souls go free at last. Take me to that happy place of which you told me long ago. The fields whence none return, but where great singers sing their songs for ever. Take me now.?

?I will take you to the Happy Palace of the living, Queen! The time is near. We have drunk all joy and sorrow. The time is near. When it is finished, if I call you, will you come, my friend??

?Friend,? said she, ?call me and you know that I shall come.?

?Friend,? said he, ?G.o.d send you His reward.?

As he went out the spies would have held him; but he laughed aloud, and flourished his club, and cried:

?Peace, gentlemen, I go and will not stay. My lady sends me to prepare that s.h.i.+ning house I vowed her, of crystal, and of rose shot through with morning.?

And as they cursed and drave him, the fool went leaping on his way.

THE DEATH OF TRISTAN

When he was come back to Brittany, to Carhaix, it happened that Tristan, riding to the aid of Kaherdin his brother in arms, fell into ambush and was wounded by a poisoned spear; and many doctors came, but none could cure him of the ill. And Tristan weakened and paled, and his bones showed.

Then he knew that his life was going, and that he must die, and he had a desire to see once more Iseult the Fair, but he could not seek her, for the sea would have killed him in his weakness, and how could Iseult come to him? And sad, and suffering the poison, he awaited death.

He called Kaherdin secretly to tell him his pain, for they loved each other with a loyal love; and as he would have no one in the room save Kaherdin, nor even in the neighbouring rooms, Iseult of the White Hands began to wonder. She was afraid and wished to hear, and she came back and listened at the wall by Tristan?s bed; and as she listened one of her maids kept watch for her.

Now, within, Tristan had gathered up his strength, and had half risen, leaning against the wall, and Kaherdin wept beside him. They wept their good comrades.h.i.+p, broken so soon, and their friends.h.i.+p: then Tristan told Kaherdin of his love for that other Iseult, and of the sorrow of his life.

?Fair friend and gentle,? said Tristan, ?I am in a foreign land where I have neither friend nor cousin, save you; and you alone in this place have given me comfort. My life is going, and I wish to see once more Iseult the Fair. Ah, did I but know of a messenger who would go to her! For now I know that she will come to me. Kaherdin, my brother in arms, I beg it of your friends.h.i.+p; try this thing for me, and if you carry my word, I will become your liege, and I will cherish you beyond all other men.?

And as Kaherdin saw Tristan broken down, his heart reproached him and he said:

?Fair comrade, do not weep; I will do what you desire, even if it were risk of death I would do it for you. Nor no distress nor anguish will let me from doing it according to my power. Give me the word you send, and I will make ready.?

And Tristan answered: