“Traitress, tell me what drink is in this cup or I will slay thee in a moment;” and therewith pulling out his sword he swore by a great oath to slay her if she straightway told him not the truth.
“Ah, mercy, lord,” said she, and fell down at his feet; “mercy, and I will tell thee all.”
And then she told him of her plot to murder Tristram, that her own sons might enjoy the kingdom.
“The law shall judge thee,” said the king.
And so anon she was tried before the barons, and condemned to be burnt to death.
But when the fire was made, and she brought out, came Tristram kneeling at his father’s feet and besought of him a favour.
“Whatsoever thou desirest I will give thee,” said the king.
“Give me the life, then, of the queen, my stepmother,” said he.
“Thou doest wrong to ask it,” said Meliodas; “for she would have slain thee with her poisons if she could, and chiefly for thy sake she ought to die.”