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Mark had awakened his chaplain and had given him the writ to read; the chaplain broke the seal, saluted in Tristan's naly made out the written words, told hi a word, but his heart was glad, for he still loved the Queen

He sue, and when they were all asse spoke: "My lords, here is a writ, just sent es Hear what is offered me, and then counsel me, for you owe me counsel"

The chaplain rose, unfolded the writ, and said, upstanding "My lords, it is Tristan that first sends love and ho, when I slew the dragon and conquered the King of Ireland's daughter it was to ave her I was to ward her at will and I yielded her to you Yet hardly had you wed her when felons er, fair uncle, my lord, you would have had us burnt without trial But God took compassion on us; we prayed hih I leapt froh rock, I was saved by the power of God And since then what have I done blameworthy? The Queen was thrown to the lepers; I came to her succour and bore her away Could I have done less for a woh the woods Nor could I have come down into the vale and yielded her, for there was a ban to take us dead or alive

But now, as then, I aainst all comers that never had the Queen for me, nor I for her a love dishonourable to you Publish the lists, and if I cannot prove ht in arms, burn me before your men But if I conquer and you take back Iseult, no baron of yours will serve you as will I; and if you will not haveof Galloway, or to hiain Take counsel, King, for if you will make no terms I will take back Iseult to Ireland, and she shall be Queen in her own land'"

When the barons of Cornwall heard how Tristan offered battle, they said to the King: "Sire, take back the Queen They were o and war it in Galloway, or in the Lowlands Bid hi back Iseult on such a day and that soon