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"Madam," said he, "'tis I; one who may say,
"He loves his friends more than himself to-day;—
"Tristan."—She paused a little, and then said—
"Tristan—my friend, what noise thus haunts my head?
"Something I'm sure has happened—tell me what—
"I can bear all, though you may fancy not."
"Madam," replied the squire, "you are, I know,
"All sweetness—pardon me for saying so.
"My master bade me say then," resumed he,
"That he spoke firmly, when he told it me,—
"That I was also, madam, to your ear
"Firmly to speak, and you firmly to hear,—
"That he was forced this day, whether or no,
"To combat with the prince; and that although
"His noble brother was no fratricide,
"Yet in that fight, and on his sword,—he died."
"He loves his friends more than himself to-day;—
"Tristan."—She paused a little, and then said—
"Tristan—my friend, what noise thus haunts my head?
"Something I'm sure has happened—tell me what—
"I can bear all, though you may fancy not."
"Madam," replied the squire, "you are, I know,
"All sweetness—pardon me for saying so.
"My master bade me say then," resumed he,
"That he spoke firmly, when he told it me,—
"That I was also, madam, to your ear
"Firmly to speak, and you firmly to hear,—
"That he was forced this day, whether or no,
"To combat with the prince; and that although
"His noble brother was no fratricide,
"Yet in that fight, and on his sword,—he died."
