you

ber the law [i. e. trial, ordeal] that underwent for my sake? When you came out of the boat, I held you softly in my arms. I was perfectly disguised, according to your instructions, and my face discoloured. You ordered me to fall with you in my arms: I did so, very gently: you opened your arms to me; I fell between them. The whole people were witnesses of this apparent accident, by which, I believe, you were acquitted of your oath, and of the law [ordeal] which you had promised, before the court, to submit to."

What

The Queen listened to him, marked every word, looked at him, sighed, but was unable to answer. could she think? not a feature in his face, not a tone in his voice seemed to resemble Tristrem. Yet all he said was correct and true. Tristrem, who observed every change in her countenance, thus continued:

"Lady! Queen! Your disposition was formerly very different! You then loved me frankly and freely; you are now full of disdain and reserve. Is this dissimulation? I have seen the day, fair lady, when you not only felt, but were proud to avow, your passion. When King Mark banished us both from court, you readily gave me your hand. We left the court together, and went together to the forest. What a charming retreat did we find there! it was a cave, formed by nature in the rock: its entrance was narrow, and scarcely visible; but within, spacious, vaulted, and variegated, as if it had been painted by art. That vaulted cave was the scene of our pleasures during the time of our banishment. My dog, my favourite Hodain, watched us in silence. With my dog and my falcon we were at no loss for amusements. Lady! you remember how we were afterwards dis

covered. The King himself found out our retreat, by the assistance of the dwarf, his constant conductor. But the eye of heaven watched over us. The King found us asleep; but my drawn sword lay between us, and that removed all his jealousy. He drew off his glove, and laid it gently on your face, observing, that your lovely complexion was tanned and burned by the sun. His whole kindness returned; and he immediately recalled us to his court. Ysolt; you must remember this. I gave you my favourite dog; I gave you Hodain: where is he? call him to me."

"I have him still," replied. Ysolt; "and you shall see him presently. Brengwain, haste to fetch the dog, but bring him with his chain and collar."

Brengwain obeyed the request of her mistress, and instantly returned with the dog, bounding before her. "Come here, Hodain!" said Tristrem; "thou wert once mine, and I now reclaim thee."

The

Hodain saw, and instantly recognised his master. Never did animal express such transports of joy. He howled, he sprang upon him, he rubbed his face against him, he struck the ground with his fore-feet, and expressed his affection with a warmth, which could not but affect all the beholders. Ysolt's astonishment redoubled. fierce and terrible Hodain, whom none but herself and Brengwain dared to approach since the departure of his master, was suddenly changed in his nature, by a voice to which her ear was quite unaccustomed. She blushed, and became more and more confused. Tristrem, returning the caresses of Hodain, said to her, "Ysolt! he, whom I once fed and caressed, has not forgotten his

master, though you forget the long affection and tried constancy of your lover!"

"Mult parait en chen1 grant franchise,

E en femme grant feintise !"

Ysolt changed colour, and shuddered with apprehension and anxiety: he continued-"Lady! you once were loyal and constant! Do you remember the time, when, in the orchard, we were found asleep by your husband, who, in a transport of rage, determined to put an end to your life? but it was the will of Providence that I should awake; I overheard his resolution, and advertised you in time of your danger. On that occasion you presented to me your ring. It was of gold, beautifully enamelled. I received it with transport, and retired."

"True!" exclaimed Ysolt. "Such was my pledge of faith to Tristrem! You have the ring, then? If so, shew it me."

Tristrem, drawing the ring out, presented it to her. She examined it with attention, clasped her hands together, and exclaimed, with a flood of tears, “At last! at last, I have lost him! If Tristrem were still alive, no other man could possess this ring. Oh! he is dead! he is dead! Wretch that I am! all my hopes of comfort are dead with him!"

Tristrem was not proof against the tears of his beloved mistress. Overcome with compassion and admiration, he exclaimed in his natural voice, "Lady! Queen! from henceforward, I cannot doubt that your constancy, like your beauty, is unaltered!" Ysolt, at the first accents of his voice, threw herself into his arms, and kissed his face and his eyes. Tristrem, having requested Brengwain to 1 Chen-Chion

bring him some water, washed away the dye which had so completely changed his complexion, while Ysolt, unable to speak, or to loosen her embrace, observed in silence the revival of his features. Her joy was extreme.

Ysolt

She will never more part with him. He shall have the best palace, and the best bed, in her husband's dominions. Tristrem, however, wishes only for the Queen. was beautiful! Tristrem is full of joy and transport, and his fair hostess receives full proof of it. The concluding lines are singularly pretty.

"Ysolt entre les bras le tin,
Tele joi en ad de sun ami
K'ele ad etant de juste li
K'ele ne sait cument cuntenir.
Ne le l'érat anuit mès partir!
Dit, k'il avrat bel ostel,
E baus lit, ben fait et bel;
Tristran autre chose ne quiert
Hors la Réine. Ysolt bele ere
Tristran en est joius et lar:
Mult set ben ki il herbiger.'

ABSTRACT

OF

ANOTHER FRAGMENT,

IN MR. DOUCE'S MS.

THIS begins, as it appears, in the middle of a furious speech, in which Brengwain reproaches Ysolt-"Accursed be the hour," says she, "when I first knew you, and Tristrem your lover! For you I abandoned my country,

Et puis, put votre fol curage,
Perdis, dame, mon pucelage!
Io'l fis, certes, pur votre amur;

Vus me promistes grant honur;"" &c.

This long-winded quarrel, which occupies 344 lines, originated, as it appears, in a mistake. Ysolt and Tristrem had persuaded Brengwain to accept the hand of Kaherdin, brother to Ysolt aux Blanches Mains, the wife of Tristrem and Tristrem and Kaherdin, having, soon after this, secretly departed for some reason or other, Cariados, a boasting and cowardly knight, declares that he has driven them both out of the country. Poor Brengwain, extremely offended at the supposed cowardice of