The story of King Arthur, in twelve tales
Winona Caroline Martin
Paperback
(RareBooksClub.com, Sept. 13, 2013)
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1915 edition. Excerpt: ...it to her lips. Instantly, as if in some mystic way he knew what was happening, Tristram turned and beheld what he believed to be the maiden's desperate deed. In another moment he had reached her side, snatched the fateful goblet from her shaking fingers, and drained the liquid that she had left to the last drop. Then as the glass dropped from his hand, the pair of ill-starred lovers stood looking into each other's eyes awaiting death. One, two, three long minutes passed while the draught was taking its unexpected effect; for, instead of the chill of death there began to sweep through their veins a wonderful tingle of life and happiness beyond all that their imagination could have conceived. Suddenly, realizing at last what had happened, and knowing that they now loved each other ten times more than ever, the cry burst simultaneously from their lips: "Tristram!" "Isolda!" And at that moment the ship's keel ground upon the beach. Then slowly and painfully the memory of things as they were returned to them; and Tristram, reverently taking Isolda's white hand in his said gently: "Princess, the honor of my knighthood binds me to fulfill in letter and in spirit any mission upon which I am sent by him who made me knight. If I failed in this I should not be worthy of you. Within a few moments, therefore, I shall deliver you into the keeping of King Mark as whose honored Queen I pray you may find happiness. After that I shall ride away and seek adventure as a brave knight should. But once again at this, our second parting, I repeat the promise that I made you long ago--to love you only through all the days of my life, and to worship you by years of noble deeds though I may never hope to win you. Farewell, and remember...