ROMANCES. 



383 



your trusty lord P I now take leave of chivalry, which I have honoured and 

 loved ; but I have no longer anything in common with it. Alas, my friends ! 

 to-day Tristan is vanquished." His tears hegin to flow afresh, and he kisses 

 his sword, which he bequeaths to his dearest companion in arms. He then 

 turns to the Queen, who, since the previous day, had been weeping inces- 

 santly, and says to her, " My very dear lady, what will you do when I 

 die ? Will you not die with me ? " To which she replies, " Gentle friend, 



Fig. 310. King Mark stabbing Tristan in the presence of Ysolt. After a Miniature in 

 Manuscript of the Fifteenth Century, No. 7,675. In the National Library, Paris. 



I call God to witness that nothing would afford me so much joy as to bear 

 you company this day. Assuredly, if ever woman could die of anguish or 

 sorrow, I should have died several times since I have been by your side." 

 " And you would like, then, to die with me ? " rejoined Tristan. " God knows 

 that never did I desire anything so sincerely." " Approach me, then, for I 

 feel death coming upon me, and I should like to breathe my last in your 



