The Romance of Tristan: The Tale of Tristan's Madness (Classics)

by Beroul

  Each of the three barons said: ‘We swear to keep to this agreement.’ They sent the spy away. Then they arranged which of the three of them should go first to see the sport that Tristan was enjoying with the woman who was still loyal to him. They agreed that Godwin would go the first time. They parted, each going his own way – tomorrow they would know what Tristan was doing. The noble queen, alas, was not on her guard against the villains and their schemes. She had sent a message to Tristan through her attendant Perinis to come to her next day after midnight, when the king would have gone to St Lubin.

  Hear, my lords, the story of what happened. Next day the night was dark. Tristan had made his way through a thicket of thorn bushes. Going out of the copse he looked round and saw Godwin coming out of his hiding place. Tristan waited in ambush, hidden in the thicket.

  ‘God,’ he said, ‘help me: let the man who is coming not notice me before he is right in front of me!’

  He waited, sword in hand, for Godwin, still a long way off. But Godwin went a different way. Tristan stayed where he was, sad to see Godwin going away. Then he left the copse, looking around carefully. But it was useless, for Godwin was increasing the distance, bent on carrying out his evil purpose. Tristan looked further into the distance and had a brief glimpse of Denoalan, who was riding slowly along with two astonishingly big greyhounds. Tristan hid behind an apple-tree. Denoalan came along the path on a small, black palfrey. He had sent his dogs to start a wild boar in the thicket – before they could dislodge it their master was going to receive a blow that no physician could cure! The brave Tristan took off his cloak. Denoalan had soon ridden up, without suspecting anything, and Tristan leaped on him. Denoalan wanted to escape but he could not, for Tristan was too close to him. Tristan killed him. What else could he do, for the other was seeking his death? To save himself he cut off the villain’s head and did not even give him the time to say, ‘I am wounded.’ With his sword he cut off the hair and stuck it in his boots. When he showed Yseut the hair she would know that he had killed the villain. Tristan hurried away from that place.

  ‘Alas,’ he said, ‘what has become of Godwin? I saw him moving quickly a short while ago and now he has gone. Has he passed me? Did he ride past a moment ago? If he waited for me he would soon find out that he would get no better deserts than the wicked Denoalan – and I left him dead!’

  Tristan left the body lying on its back, bleeding, in the middle of the clearing. He cleaned his sword and replaced it in its sheath. He put on his cloak and pulled the cowl over his head. He placed a large branch over the body, then set off to his lover’s room. But now hear what happened to him. Godwin had hurried to the same place and had arrived before Tristan. He had pushed aside the curtain and could see the bedroom carpeted with rushes and everything inside. He could see no man there except Perinis. Brangain, the maid, came in; she had been combing Yseut’s hair and still had the comb with her. The villain at the wall saw Tristan come in holding a bow of tough laburnum wood with two arrows in one hand, and in the other some long tresses. He took off his cloak, revealing his well-made body. The lovely, fair-haired Yseut rose to greet him. At her window she caught sight of the shadow of Godwin’s head. The queen was quick to see this, and it made her sweat with fear. Tristan said to her:

  ‘God keeps me amongst His own! This is Denoalan’s hair, I have avenged you on him. Never again will he buy a sword or lance and use them!’

  ‘My lord,’ she said, ‘what am I to do? I beg you to stretch this bow and we shall see how it is bent.’

  Tristan bent the bow, thinking to himself. He thought hard, realized her meaning and drew his bow. He asked for news of King Mark and Yseut told him all she knew. [Godwin was watching them with evil thoughts in his mind.] If he had escaped alive, he would have made war to the death on King Mark and his wife Yseut; but the man to whom God granted honour would take care that he did not escape. Yseut had no wish to talk.

  ‘My love, fit an arrow to the string and take care that the string is not twisted. I can see something that troubles me.’

  Tristan stood still and thought for a moment. He realized that she could see something that had displeased her. He looked up and trembled with fear: against the light by the curtain he saw Godwin’s head.

  ‘God, our true King, I have had many fine shots with bow and arrow: grant me not to miss with this one! I can see one of the three Cornish villains standing outside there. God, who allowed Your Own most holy body to suffer death for your people’s sake, let me avenge myself on these villains for all the wrong they have done me!’

  Then he turned to the wall. The bow had many times been bent, and now he shot. The arrow flew so fast that nothing could have escaped it. It pierced Godwin’s eye and went deep into his head and his brain. No hawks or swallows could fly with half the speed of that arrow; it would not have gone more easily into a soft apple. He fell and struck a post; he lay without moving hand or foot. He was not even able to say, ‘I am wounded. God, confession!’

  Yseut then said to Tristan:

  ‘You must flee for your own safety! All the villains are now dead, but your hiding-place is known and your life is in danger if you remain here.’;

  So the lovers took a sorrowful farewell of each other and renewed their exchange of love tokens. Each promised to be always at the service of the other.

  17

  TRISTAN IN BRITTANY

  Tristan left with Governal to seek adventure in foreign lands. After travelling for some time they came to Brittany, to the land of Duke Hoel. The duke was engaged at that time in defending his land against hostile invaders and Tristan promptly offered his services. The duke gratefully accepted and, with Tristan’s help, succeeded in driving off the enemy. Tristan became friendly with Hoel’s son, Kaherdin, and daughter, Yseut of the White Hands. But he continued to yearn for Yseut the Fair in Cornwall, and sang a number of sad lays about her. Kaherdin overheard Tristan singing of his love for Yseut, and mistakenly thought the affection was for his sister. Kaherdin told his father, and Hoel was delighted and offered Tristan his daughter Yseut in marriage. After much deliberation Tristan accepted this offer, thinking he would never see Yseut the Fair again and, moreover, being greatly pleased by the name as well as the beauty of Yseut of the White Hands. The marriage took place. On the wedding night, however, Tristan was suddenly reminded of Yseut the Fair when he caught sight of the ring she gave him when they parted. At once he began to regret his marriage and, although he lay in the same bed with his bride, he left the marriage unconsummated, explaining that he was in great pain from an old wound.

  Yseut of the White Hands accepted this situation for some time, until one day she was out riding with her brother and her horse went through some water which splashed her thighs. Yseut laughed, and accused the water of being bolder than any man had ever been. The astonished Kaherdin questioned her and learned the truth about her marriage. As soon as he could, Kaherdin angrily reproached Tristan with what he regarded as an insult to his family. In reply, Tristan told Kaherdin of his love for Yseut the Fair who was, he said, even more beautiful than Kaherdin’s sister. To convince Kaherdin of the truth of Tristan’s words, the two men set out on a voyage to Cornwall.

  They learned that Mark’s court was due to pass along a certain road and lay in hiding close by the side of the road. As the procession came into sight, Kaherdin was overcome by the magnificent display and especially by the great beauty of all the ladies. Tristan succeeded in passing a message to Yseut the Fair who contrived to spend the night in a nearby castle, where she welcomed Tristan and Kaherdin. She reproached Tristan for his marriage, of which news had reached her, but soon forgave him and their old love was renewed. It was too dangerous for Tristan to remain long in Cornwall, and he and Kaherdin soon returned to Brittany, once again firm friends.

  Tristan continued to languish for his beloved. He dared not return to Cornwall because of all the harm he had done to King Mark.

  18

  TRISTAN’S MADNESS
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  TRISTAN lived at court in a state of confusion, for he could not think what to do. He greatly feared King Mark, for Mark had threatened him harshly: he wanted Tristan to know that if he could get Tristan in his power neither Tristan’s blood nor his lineage would save him from being put to death. He had wronged Mark through his wife. Mark laid a formal complaint before his barons about the shame and the scandal that Tristan had caused him. He was ashamed of what Tristan had done, for it could no longer be concealed. He called all his barons together to tell them what had happened, and he revealed all Tristan’s wrongdoing.

  ‘My lords,’ he said, ‘what can I do? I am deeply vexed that I did not take vengeance on Tristan, and I am being called a fool for this. He has fled from this land and I do not know where to search for him. By St Andrew, I should greatly regret it if Tristan were now forever safe from my vengeance. If any of you can find out where he is, let me know without delay. By St Samson of Cornwall, if anyone could give him up to me I should be greatly pleased and I should always love him!’

  There was not one of his barons who did not promise to make efforts to capture Tristan. Dinas the Seneschal sighed; for Tristan’s sake he felt angry, and he was much grieved by Mark’s threats. Hastily he sent a message to Tristan to tell him that through his folly he had forfeited the love of the king, who now bore him mortal hatred. The pleasures Tristan had enjoyed had turned out badly: he had been spied on by jealous people and betrayed.

  When Tristan heard this news you may know that he was far from pleased. He dared not return to the country where for so long he lived as a fugitive. He sighed many times and lamented bitterly that Yseut was not with him. There was an Yseut with him, but not she who was his first love. He thought hard about what to do and how he could persuade his love to come to him, since he dared not go to her country.

  ‘Oh, God,’ he said, ‘what a fate! What I have suffered for the sake of love! I never complained of my love, nor do I now lament of my distress. But why does love assail me? Why wound me? God, what should I do? [For it seems to me that I have already suffered greatly because of my love.] Have I not done all that love requires? No, for I have abandoned the woman who suffered so much shame and hardship for my sake! Alas, how unhappy I am – I was indeed born in an unlucky hour! [And Yseut, too, for my sake] has endured so much distress. No one ever saw such a beautiful woman! A man who grows weary of loving her is not worthy of being loved himself and deserves to be called faint-hearted. May love, which conquers all things, grant me my desire to hold her once more in my arms. Surely I shall do so, if it please God. I pray God not to let me die before I have her again. She skilfully healed the wound that I received in Cornwall, when I swam to an island to fight against Morholt to prevent him from claiming the tribute owed by the Cornish people. My sword ended that battle. God grant that I may live long enough to see her safe and sound! It would still give me great joy to be re-united with her. May God in His mercy give her health and happiness, if it please Him. And may He grant me joy and honour, and let me find a way to reach her and see her again. God, how I am humbled, and how little respected in that land! Alas, what shall I do if I cannot see her? Because of her I am in great agitation at every moment of the night and day. When I do not see her I nearly go out of my mind. Alas, what shall I do? I cannot think what to do, I am so upset because of her. She might think me a coward if threats were enough to stop me; for I could always go to her in secret or dressed like some pitiable madman. For her sake I am willing to be shaven and shorn if I cannot disguise myself any other way. I am too well known in that country, I should be found out straight away unless I altered my clothes and my appearance sufficiently. I shall not cease my journey to find her while I can still go one step further!’

  When that idea occurred to him he did not delay and started off that very instant, leaving behind his country and his kingdom. He took with him neither hauberk nor helmet. He went on walking night and day and did not stop until he reached the sea. Only with great difficulty did he walk so far; and I can tell you that he had suffered such hardships for her that indeed he was already a madman. He changed his name and called himself Tantris.

  When he had crossed the sea and arrived in Cornwall he quickly went away from the shore. He did not want anyone to think he was in his senses and he tore his clothes and scratched his face. He struck any man who crossed his path. He had his fair hair shorn off. Nobody on the seashore thought he was anything but mad, for they did not know what was in his mind. He was carrying a staff in his hand. He walked along looking like a fool and everyone shouted after him and threw stones at his head. Tristan went on without stopping. He walked like this through the land for many days, all for love of Yseut. Whatever he did seemed good to him, and nothing displeased him except that he was not with Yseut: he desired her and longed for her. He had not yet been to the court, but now he was going, whatever the outcome. He would make himself appear to be a fool, for he wanted to speak to Yseut.

  He was able to walk straight into the court, for no door was closed to the fool. When Tristan presented himself before the king, his appearance was somewhat unprepossessing: with short-cropped hair and a long neck he looked remarkably like a fool. He had taken great trouble, all for the sake of love. Mark called to him and asked:

  ‘Fool, what is your name?’

  ‘My name is Picous.’

  ‘Who was your father?’

  ‘A walrus.’

  ‘By whom did he have you?’

  ‘A whale. I have a sister I will bring to you. The girl is called Bruneheut: you shall have her and I will have Yseut.’

  ‘If we exchange, what will you do?’

  ‘Listen to this!’ said Tristan. ‘Between the clouds and the sky, where there is no frost, I shall build a house of flowers and roses and there she and I will enjoy ourselves. I have not yet finished the story I am telling these Welshmen – may God shame them! King Mark, the maiden Brangain – with my hand in yours I assure you this is true – gave Tristan the drink which caused him such distress afterwards. I can see Yseut over there: she and I drank it – ask her! And if she says that is a lie, then I say it is a lie that I have dreamed every night since! Even now, king, there is more to tell. Look me straight in the face: do I not look like Tantris? I have leaped and thrown reeds and balanced sharpened twigs,4 I have lived on roots in a wood and I have held a queen in my arms. I shall say more if I have a mind to.’

  ‘Rest yourself now, Picolet. I am sorry you have done so many things. Leave your jesting for today.’

  ‘What does it matter to me if you are sorry? I do not care a scrap!’

  Then all the knights said: ‘No one heeds a fool or argues with him.’

  ‘Do you remember your great fear when you found us lying in the bower with my naked sword between us?5 I pretended to be asleep then, for I dared not escape. It was warm then, as it is in May. There was a ray of sunlight coming through the leaves, shining on her face. God’s will was done. You pushed your gloves into a gap in the branches and went away. Nothing else happened; nor do I want to go on talking, for he ought to remember it well.’

  Mark looked at the queen, who was keeping her head bowed and had covered her face with her cloak.

  ‘Fool, a curse on the sailors who brought you across the sea and did not throw you into the water!’

  Tristan answered: ‘My lady, a curse on your fool! If you were sure who I was, if you were alone with me and found out all about me, then no door or barred window nor any king’s command would keep you away from me. I still have with me the ring you gave me when we parted from each other at that meeting with King Mark which I have hated ever since. A curse on that meeting! I had many a hard day to suffer afterwards. Make up for the loss, my lady, with sweet kisses of true love or embraces beneath the sheets. I am sure you could give me great comfort or I should die. Never did Yder, who killed the bear, suffer such hardships for Arthur’s wife, Guinevere,6 as I do for you, for I am dying of them. Because of this I left behind the
whole of Brittany; I went to Spain on my own – my friends never knew this, nor did Kaherdin’s sister. I wandered far by land and sea until I came here in search of you. If I go away now, if there is no feeling inside you, then I have lost all hope of joy. Let no one ever believe in prophecies!’

  Many people were whispering to each other in the hall: ‘In my opinion, the king would soon come to believe this fool!’

  King Mark then called for horses; he wanted to go out to watch his birds, which were not long out of moult, flying after the cranes. Everyone went out and the hall was left empty. Tristan leaned on a bench. The queen went into her own marble-floored room and called her maid:

  ‘By St Christine, have you heard the amazing things that fool is saying? May he get palsy in his ears! He reminded me today of many things that I did with Tristan, whom I have loved so much and still do without any pretence. Alas, the fool despises me, yet I cannot bring myself to send him away. Go and bring the fool to me.’

  The maid went out quickly. Tristan was very pleased to see her.

  ‘Sir fool, my lady is asking for you. You have taken some trouble today to recount the story of her life. You are full of mischief. So help me God, anyone who hanged you would be doing a good deed!’

  ‘No, Brangain, he certainly would not: there are bigger fools than me on horseback.’

  ‘What enchanters can have told you my name?’

  ‘Fair Brangain, I have known it for a long time. By this head of mine, which was once fair, this fool has lost his reason and it is your fault. This very day I am going to ask you as a recompense to help me in getting the queen to give me a fair reward for only a quarter of my service to her, or for a half of my suffering.’