THE ENCHANTED CUP

The timeless story of Tristram and Isoud (the Malory spelling is followed) makes a fascinating novel, and the author- or interpreter shall we say? -- has seen fit to place it in the period Malory used, when King Arthur ruled Britain, and lesser kings paid him homage. In the opera Tristram's youth is suggested, while here it has full measure:- his birth in the woods as his mother Elizabeth of Cornwall sought her errant husband; his unloved boyhood and early departure for Britany where he won the love and loyalty of Hoel and learned the arts due a aquire and son of a King; his return home to find his father indifferent and only too ready to send him off again, this time to act as challenger of The Marhaus, champion of Ireland, in service of his uncle, King Mark of Cornwall. Always Tristram pushed his luck and won; but never did it bring him the assurance of belonging that was his dream. It was Ireland next, Incognito, seeking a cure for the wound from the po spear, but not telling his lineage est the Irish king, King Anguissh, learned he had lain the Marhaus. There Tristram saw and loved the king's daughter, Isoud, and the hopeless net which caught and held them was spun. Exiled from Ireland when his identity was known. Tristram returned only as bearer of the suit of his uncle, King Mark, for the hand of soud in marriage. It was on their voyage back to Cornwall that the enchanted cup with its love potion betrayed them and the passion given rein then became the controlling factor in the years of struggle ahead- a battle that had its inevitable ending. This finds its parallels in the story of Launcelot and Guenivere- in the story of Heloise and Abelard. Time never seems to stale its appeal.