KING MARK met the blond Iseult on the shore.

Tristan took her

hand and brought to him, and the king received her, taking her hand too. With big
he led her with honors to the castle of Tintagel, and when they appeared in the
castle among
vassals, her beauty illuminated everything so much that the walls shone as if
illuminated
the rising sun. Then King Mark praised the sweet service of the swallows,
who brought him a golden hair, praised both Tristan and a hundred knights, which
at random we went on a ship to get him the joy of his eyes and heart. Alas,
glorious king, the ship has brought you great grief and cruel torment!
Ten days later, having summoned all his barons, Mark married
blond Isolde. But when the night came, Brangien to hide
dishonor to her mistress and save her from death, took her place at the wedding
bed. In atonement for her bad guard at sea, and out of love for the queen, she,
faithful maid, sacrificed to her the purity of her body. Dark night
hid from the king her deceit and his disgrace.
The narrators claim that Brangien did not throw a jug of wine into the sea,
infused with herbs, not completely drained by lovers, but that the next day,
when her mistress herself ascended the bed of King Mark, she poured the remains of
love potion and gave them to their spouses; and if King Mark drank a lot, and
Isolde imperceptibly poured out her share. But know, good people, that these
the narrators have corrupted and distorted the story. If they made up this lie,
then
because they did not understand the great love that Mark always had for the queen.
Indeed, how will you hear about it soon, despite the torment, torment
and cruel retribution. Mark was never able to expel from his heart
neither Iseult nor Tristan; but know, good people, that he did not drink wine,
infused with herbs: there was no poison, no witchcraft - one subtle
the nobility of his heart inspired him with love.
Isolde has become a queen and lives as if in joy; Isolde became
queen and lives in grief. Iseult is dearly loved by King Mark, her barons
revered, and petty people adore her. Isolde spends her days in her chambers,
lavishly painted and covered with flowers, Isolde has precious attire,
purple fabrics and carpets brought from Thessaly, jugglers' songs to the sounds of
harps; curtains embroidered with leopards, eagles, parrots and all
sea and forest animals. Isolde has a passionate, tender love, and Tristan
her, at any time, both day and night, for, according to the custom of noble lords,
he sleeps in
royal peace, along with close and trusted people. Meanwhile
Shelda trembles. Why tremble? Doesn't he keep his love a secret?
Who will suspect Tristan? Who would suspect a son? Who sees her, who
following her? Who is the witness? Yes, a witness is watching her: Brangiena, alone
Brangiena is watching her, Brangiena knows her life, Brangiena keeps
her in his hands. God, what if, not wanting more every day as a maid
make the bed she first entered, will she betray them to the king? What if
Tristan will die from her treachery? So the queen went mad with fear. But not
from the faithful Brangyena, and from her own heart came this torment.
Listen, good people, what a great betrayal she started! But God
when you find out about it, took pity on her, and you will pity her.
That day, Tristan and the king were hunting somewhere far away, and Tristan
did not know
about this crime. Calling two slaves, Isolde promised them freedom and
sixty gold if they swear they will grant her wish. They are
swore.
"I'll entrust the girl to you," she said. - You will take her to the forest,
close
or far away, but in a place where no one will ever know what happened;
there you will kill her and bring me her tongue. Remember to repeat to me
the words she will tell you. Go and when you return you will be free
and rich.
Then she called Brangien.
- My dear, do you see how my body is tired and how I suffer? Go to
forest for herbs that are suitable against this malady. Here are two slaves: they
guide you, they know where useful herbs grow. Follow them, yes you know
sister, that if I send you to the forest, then it's about my peace and life.
The slaves took Brangien away. When they came to the forest, she wanted
to stop, for she saw that healing herbs grew around in abundance. But
they pulled her further.
- Go, girl, this place is unsuitable.
One of the slaves walked ahead, his comrade behind her. Didn't get beaten
paths, everywhere thorns, thorns and thistles. Then the one who went ahead laid
bare his
sword and turned around. Brangiena rushed to another slave, seeking his help, but
also
he had a sword drawn in his hand, and he said:
- Girl, we have to kill you.
Brangiena fell to the grass, trying to deflect the points of her swords with
her hands. She is
pleaded for mercy in such a plaintive and tender voice that they said:
- If Queen Isolde, your mistress and ours, wants you dead, then,
without a doubt, you have greatly offended her.
“I don’t know what, friends,” she answered. - I remember only one thing
misconduct. When we left Ireland, each of us took with us, as
the most valuable decoration, for a shirt as white as snow, for our
wedding night. At sea it happened that Isolde tore her marriage
shirt, and I lent her mine for their wedding night. That's all I've done wrong
in front of her friends. But if she wants me dead, then tell me that I
I send her greetings and love and that I thank her for the honor and good that she
has been helping me ever since I was sold as a child, kidnapped by pirates
her mother and assigned to serve her. May the Lord keep in His mercy
her honor, body and life! Now, darlings, kill!
The slaves took pity; they consulted among themselves and, deciding that such
misdeed, perhaps, and does not deserve death, they tied her to a tree.
Then the puppy was killed; one of them cut off his tongue, tied it in the
floor
his hunting jacket, and both again appeared to Iseult.
- Did she say anything? asked Isolde anxiously.
Yes, madam, she did. She said that you were angry with her for
one thing: you tore your shirt at sea, white as snow, which was carried from
Ireland, and she lent you hers on the evening of your marriage. In this, she said
her, her only crime. She thanked you for all the good deeds,
rendered to her since childhood, prayed to God to preserve your honor and life. She
sends
hello and love to you. Here, madam, is her language; we brought it to you.
- The killers! cried Isolde. - Give me Brangien, my dear
maid! Didn't you know that she was my only friend? Give back
me her, murderers!
- They say the truth, madam, that a woman changes her mind in
short term; at the same time she laughs and cries, loves and hates.
We killed Brangien: you ordered so.
- How could I order this and for what offense? Wasn't she me
dear friend, gentle, faithful, beautiful? You know it, murderers; I
sent her for healing herbs and entrusted her to you to protect her on the way.
I'll say you killed her and they'll roast you on coals.
“Know, queen, that she is alive: we will bring her to you healthy and
unscathed.
But Isolde did not believe them and, like a madwoman, cursed first the
murderers, then
itself. She kept one of the slaves to herself, while the other
hurried to the tree to which Brangien was tied.
- God saved you, beauty: your mistress calls you to her again!
Appearing to Isolde, Brangien knelt, begging to forgive her, but
and the queen fell on her knees before her. And both, embracing, for a long time
lost
feelings.