"
But no one took up Tristan's wager, and the King, taking Iseult's
palfrey by the bridle, gave it to Dinas, and went apart to take
counsel.
Dinas, in his joy, gave all honour and courtesy to the Queen, but when
the felons saw her so fair and honoured as of old, they were stirred
and rode to the King, and said:
"King, hear our counsel. That the Queen was slandered we admit, but if
she and Tristan re-enter your court together, rumour will revive
again. Rather let Tristan go apart awhile. Doubtless some day you may
recall him."
And so Mark did, and ordered Tristan by his barons to go off without
delay.
Then Tristan came near the Queen for his farewell, and as they looked
at one another the Queen in shame of that assembly blushed, but the
King pitied her, and spoke his nephew thus for the first time:
"You cannot leave in these rags; take then from my treasury gold and
silver and white fur and grey, as much as you will."
"King," said Tristan, "neither a penny nor a link of mail. I will go
as I can, and serve with high heart the mighty King in the Lowlands."
And he turned rein and went down towards the sea, but Iseult followed
him with her eyes, and so long as he could yet be seen a long way off
she did not turn.
Now at the news of the peace, men, women, and children, great and
small, ran out of the town in a crowd to meet Iseult, and while they
mourned Tristan's exile they rejoiced at the Queen's return.
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