him from his court; and the queen, reconciled to her attendant, admires her dexterity in lying.

Stanzas 84. 85.-In a conversation between Brengwain and Ysonde, the queen vindicates the courage of her lover, who seems to have sunk in Brengwain's opinion since the last adventure in the forest. Brengwain is prevailed on to introduce him that night to the queen's chamber in discharging this office, she upbraids him for retreating precipitately with Ganhardin before their enemies. Tristrem replies, by desiring that a tournament might be proclaimed, in which his brother-in-law and he might vindicate their reputation. 86. 87-The tournament being announced, Canados and Meriadok undertake the part of challengers. Ganhardin returns from Britanny to join Tristrem ; they take, as may readily be guessed, the opposite side from Canados. When the encounter commences, Tristrem, remembering his old quarrel with the talebearing Meriadok, attacks and wounds him desperately. 88. 89. 90.-A sharp and dubious conflict takes place betwixt Canados and Ganhardin, till Tristrem, coming to the assistance of his brother-at-arms, unhorses and slays his antagonist. This bloody termination of the justs occasions a general commotion, of which Tristrem avails himself to take vengeance on his enemies. With the assistance of Ganhardin, he slays and routs all that withstand him, and the "courtly tale-carriers are shamefully worsted."

Stanzas 91.92.93.-Brengwain rejoices in the defeat of her enemies. Tristrem and Ganhardin retire to Britanny. Here Tristrem is accosted by a young knight, wearing no shoes, who had sought him for a long time. This young warrior, whose name is also Tristrem, throws himself at the feet of our hero, and beseeches his assistance in a perilous adventure. A knight has bereaved him of his lady. The ravisher, with his seven brethren, and seven other knights, are to escort their prize, upon that very day, to some place of security; the suppliant knight proposes to his namesake to assist him in her rescue. Tristrem readily assents. 94.95. The two knights arm themselves, and prepare for battle; they attack the party of ravishers, on a "lee beside a forest." Tristrem, the younger, is soon slain; our hero avenges his death, and slays the fifteen knights. In this battle he receives an arrow in his old wound.

Here the Auchinleck MS. abruptly concludes; the remainder of the Romance being torn away.

SIR TRISTREM.

FYTTE THIRD.

I.

IN Wales tho was a king,
That hight Triamour;
He had a doughter yinge,
Was hoten Blaunche Flour;

Urgan with gret wering,
Biseged him in his tour,
To winne that swete thing,

And bring hir to his bour,
With fight;

Tristrem with gret honour, Bicom the kinges knight,

K

II.

Urgan gan Wales held,

With wrong, for sothe to say; Oft and unselde,

Of Triamour tok he pray;

Triamour to Tristrem teld,
Opon a somers day,
Wales he wald him yeld,
Gif he it winne may,

Right than;

Tristrem withouten nay,

With were, Wales wan.

III.

Tristrem mette Urgan,

In that feld to fight;

To him seyd he than,

As a douhti knight,

-"Thou slough mi brother Morgan,

At the mete ful right;

As Y am douhti man,

His deth thou bist to night,

Mi fo ;"

Tristrem seyd aplight,

"So kepe Y the to slo."