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Chapter XI
NowthestoryofSirTristramwasasfollows:—
TherewasakingofLyonesse,namedMeliodas,marriedtothesisterofKingMarkofCornwall,arightfairladyandagood.AndsoithappenedthatKingMeliodashuntinginthewoodswastakenbyenchantmentandmadeprisonerinacastle.WhenhiswifeElizabethhearditshewasnighmadwithgrief,andranintotheforesttoseekoutherlord.Butaftermanydaysofwanderingandsorrowshefoundnotraceofhim,andlaidherdowninadeepvalleyandprayedtomeetherdeath.Andsoindeedshedid,butereshediedshegavebirthinthemidstofallhersorrowtoachild,aboy,andcalledhimwithherlatestbreathTristram;forshesaid,“Hisnameshallshowhowsadlyhehathcomeintothisworld.”
Therewithshegaveupherghost,andthegentlewomanwhowaswithhertookthechildandwrappeditfromthecoldaswellasshewasable,andlaydownwithitinherarmsbeneaththeshadowofatreehardby,expectingdeathtocometoherinturn.
Butshortlyaftercameacompanyoflordsandbaronsseekingforthequeen,andfoundtheladyandthechildandtookthemhome.AndonthenextdaycameKingMeliodas,whomMerlinhaddelivered,andwhenheheardofthequeen’sdeathhissorrowwasgreaterthantonguecantell.Andanonheburiedhersolemnlyandnobly,andcalledthechildTristramasshehaddesired.
