THE ROMANCE OF
And Tristan answered:
"Have mercy, Lord, in the name of God that suffered the Cross!"
But the felons called on the King to take vengeance, saying:
"Do justice, King: take vengeance."
And Tristan went on, "Have mercy, not on me—for why should I stand at dying?—Truly, but for you, I would have sold my honour high to cowards who, under your peace, have put hands on my body—but in homage to you I have yielded and you may do with me what you will. But, lord, remember the Queen!"
And as he knelt at the King's feet he still complained:
"Remember the Queen; for if any man of your household make so bold as to maintain the lie that I loved her unlawfully, I will stand up armed to him in a ring. Sire, in the name of God the Lord, have mercy on her."
74
