"Why made you this promise, my lady?" asked the king.
"I did so for grief at the loss of Dame Bragwaine, and for joy to recover her."
"Then what you have hastily proffered you must truly perform. The word of king and queen is not to be lightly spoken or lightly broken."
"What I demand is this," said Palamides, "that you deliver to me your queen, to lead her where I wish and govern her as I will."
At this bold request the king frowned deeply, and anger leaped to his lips. But his word had been passed, and the thought came to him that he could trust to Tristram quickly to rescue the queen, and punish this bold adventurer.
"Take her if you will," he cried. "But I tell you this, you will not keep her long, and that you are asking a dangerous gift."
"As for that, I shall dare the risk."
Then he took Isolde by the hand, and led her from the court, and from the presence of the king and his barons, not one of whom moved, though the queen looked round with suppliant eyes. Leading her to his war-horse, he set her behind him on the saddle, and rode proudly away.
No sooner had they gone than the king sent for Tristram, but by despite he was nowhere to be found, for he was in the forest hunting, as was always his custom when not engaged in feats of arms.
"What shall be done?" cried the king. "Can no one find Tristram? My honor will be shamed if the Saracen be not met and overcome."