Tristan and Isolt

A mile and half north of Fowey in Cornwall there is a cross roads in a small valley; and in the middle of the cross roads stands an ancient column, over seven feet high. It is roughly square in section, and on one of the faces there is an inscription in two vertical lines. The script is Roman, with the exception of the first letter, which appears to be a half uncial. The inscription reads, “drustans hic iacit cunomori filius.” “Here lies Drustans, son of Cunomorus.” It is a strange sensation to put one’s hand on the pitted surface of this grey pillar and to know, beyond reasonable doubt, that one is laying one’s hand on the tombstone of Tristan, Count of Lyonesse.