Page 21 (1/1)

The four felons at court who had hated Tristan of old for his prowess, watched the Queen; they had guessed that great love, and they burnt with envy and hatred and now a kind of evil joy They planned to give news of their watching to the King, to see his tenderness turned to fury, Tristan thrust out or slain, and the Queen in torh they feared Tristan their hatred mastered their fear; and, on a day, the four barons called King Mark to parley, and Andret said: "Fair King, your heart will be troubled and we four also mourn; yet are we bound to tell you e know You have placed your trust in Tristan and Tristan would shame you In vain arned you For the love of one man you have mocked ties of blood and all your Barony Learn then that Tristan loves the Queen; it is truth proved andshrank and answered: "Coward! What thought was that? Indeed I have placed htly, for on the day when the Morholt offered co your heads and were dumb, and you trembled before him; but Tristan dared him for the honour of this land, and took mortal wounds Therefore do you hate him, and therefore do I cherish him beyond thee, Andret, and beyond any other; but what then have you seen or heard or known?"

"Naught, lord, save what your eyes could see or your ears hear Look you and listen, Sire, if there is yet ti Mark watched the Queen and Tristan; but Brangien noting it warned the of an ignoble task, but knowing (alas!) that he could not kill his uneasy thought, he sent for Tristan and said: "Tristan, leave this castle; and having left it, remain apart and do not think to return to it, and do not repass its ed you with an awful treason, but ask ; I could not speak their words without shame to us both, and for your part seek you no word to appease I have not believed them … had I done so … But their evil words have troubled all my soul and only by your absence can my disquiet be soothed Go, doubtless I will soon recall you Go, my son, you are still dear to me