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Chapter XI
Butwhenthefirewasmade,andshebroughtout,cameTristramkneelingathisfather’sfeetandbesoughtofhimafavour.
“WhatsoeverthoudesirestIwillgivethee,”saidtheking.
“Givemethelife,then,ofthequeen,mystepmother,”saidhe.
“Thoudoestwrongtoaskit,”saidMeliodas;“forshewouldhaveslaintheewithherpoisonsifshecould,andchieflyforthysakesheoughttodie.”
“Sir,”saidhe,“asforthat,Ibeseechtheeofthymercytoforgiveither,andformypartmayGodpardonherasIdo;andsoIpraytheegrantmemyboon,andforGod’ssakeholdtheetothypromise.”
“Ifitmustbeso,”saidtheking,“takethouherlife,fortotheeIgiveit,andgoanddowithherasthouwilt.”
ThenwentyoungTristramtothefireandloosedthequeenfromallherbondsanddeliveredherfromdeath.
Andafteragreatwhilebyhisgoodmeansthekingagainforgaveandlivedinpeacewithher,thoughnevermoreinthesamelodgings.
AnonwasTristramsentabroadtoFranceincareofonenamedGovernale.Andthereforsevenyearshelearnedthelanguageoftheland,andallknightlyexercisesandgentlecrafts,andespeciallywasheforemostinmusicandinhunting,andwasaharperbeyondallothers.Andwhenatnineteenyearsofagehecamebacktohisfather,hewasaslustyandstrongofbodyandasnobleofheartasevermanwasseen.
NowshortlyafterhisreturnitbefellthatKingAnguishofIrelandsenttoKingMarkofCornwallforthetributeduetoIreland,butwhichwasnowsevenyearsbehindhand.
