LXXXVII.
‘On pact, if he sate fast, and overthrown
‘Should be the warder and his warlike rout,
‘He in that castle should be lodged alone,
‘And Clodion with his knights remain without.’
“Against him goes the king of France’s son,
“At risque of death, to venge that galling flout;
“But falls astound; the rest partake his fate,
“And on the losers Tristram bars the gate.
LXXXVIII.
“Entering the tower, he finds her harboured there
“Whereof I spake, so dear in Clodion’s eyes;
“Whom she had equalled with the loveliest fair,
“Nature, so niggard of such courtesies.
“With her Sir Tristram talks, while fell despair
“Aye racks the houseless prince in horrid wise.
“Who prays the conquering knight, with suppliant cry,
“Not to his arms the damsel to deny.
LXXXIX.
“Though she small worth in Tristram’s sight possess,
“Nor any, saving Yseult, please his sight[6],
“Nor other dame to love or to caress,
“The philtre, drunk erewhile, allows the knight;
“Yet, for he would that foul discourteousness
“Of Clodion with a fit revenge requite,
“He cries, ‘I deem it were foul wrong and sore,
‘If on such beauty I should shut the door.
