TRISTRAM THE JESTER (1907)TRANSLATED BY JOHN HEARD, JR.ACT IIseult'sapartment at St. Lubin.—A curtain hung from the ceiling cuts off one-third of the room. This third is raised one step above the rest of the room. The background is formed by a double bay-window through which may be seen the tops of some pine trees. In front of a couch, on a small table, stands a large gold shrine in which rests the magic brachet Peticru, a toy of jewels and precious metals. Beside it stands a burning oil torch. The remaining two-thirds of the room are almost empty. A table stands in the foreground; on the floor lies a rug on which are embroidered armorial designs. In the middle and at both sides are wide double doors.Iseultsits on the couch before the shrine. She is clad in a fur-trimmed robe.BrangaeneloosensIseult'shair which is divided into two braids. The cold, gray light of dawn brightens gradually; the rising sun falls on the tops of the trees, coloring them with a flood of red and gold.SCENE IIseult(singing).Brachet of safran and em'rald!Oh, brachet of purple and goldOnce made by the mighty UrgánIn Avalun's wondrous wold.Oh purple, and safran, and gold,When cast in the dim of the night,Have magical power to aidAll lovers in sorrowful plight!Lord Tristram slew mighty Urgán,Lord Tristram the loving, the true,And pitying sorrowful loversHe carried away Peticru.Lord Tristram, the thoughtful and valiant,Lord Tristram, the noble and high,Has sent me this wondrous brachetLest weeping and grieving I die.Lord Tristram, my friend, is unfaithful,And God's wrath on him shall descend;Though cruelly he has betrayed me,My love even death cannot end.Iseult with her hair of spun gold,Where rubies and emeralds shine,When the end of her life is at hand,Round Tristram some charm can entwine.—When Tristram too shall die....[Iseultstands up, extinguishes the light,and, flooded by her hair, steps to the window.Brangaeneopens a chest from which she takesrobes, combs, a mirror, and several smallboxes. She prepares a small dressing table.]Iseult.The light begins to filter through the land;Behold, the trees with storm-bow'd tips drop downA thousand drops into the moss belowThat seem as many sparks, all cold and bright.Each day is followed by another one,And then another day, and after eachComes night. Thus runs my life's long chain of beads,All black and white, endless, and all the same.[She turns and throws off her cloak.]Give me my new white cloak, and comb my hair,I pray, Brangaene.—O, it aches![Brangaenethrows a cloak over her shoulders.Iseultsits down at the dressing table whileBrangaenecombs her hair, dividing it intostrands and throwing it, as she combs it,overIseult'sshoulder.]Brangaene.The combSlides like a keel. Its narrow teeth can findNo bottom, neither shore in this blond sea.I never saw thy hair so full, Iseult,Nor yet so heavy! See the golden gold.Iseult.It aches—!Brangaene.And here it's damp as though last nightIt secretly had dried full many tears.Iseult.I wonder if Lord Tristram spent last nightBy his new bride—and if he calls her allThose sweetest names he made for me.PerhapsHe sat upon her couch and told her talesOf me that made them laugh—! I wonder tooIf she be fair. Lord Tristram's new-wed bride!—SCENE IIIseultturns quickly as her page comes in by the right hand door. He carries a chess-board and sets it down on the table in the foreground.Iseult.Were then thy dreams too painfully like this life,Paranis, that thou hast outstripped the sunAnd now, with eyes all red and swollen, star'stSo heavily?Paranis.Your pardon. Queen Iseult,I could not sleep. Oh lady, what a night!I tremble still!Iseult.The night indeed was wild.Paranis.Ay, like the sea the gale whips up. The windSwept all the covers from my bed and leftMe cold and trembling. Branches beat the wallAbove my head like demons of the storm.The owls kept screaming in the groaning eavesAnd whispered like lost souls in agony!Hark! Hear him roar! Oh God, it's Husdent!Oh listen to him roar. I never heardA hound thus howl before!Iseult.Peace, child. He criesThus every night since he has lost his lord.Paranis.What? Every night and yet King Mark can sleep?Iseult.King Mark can sleep as all good knights can sleepAt any time and any where, while we,Poor souls, must like a beggar sue for sleepAs for an alms.(ToBrangaene. )The mirror and the cloak.Paranis.Pray tell me, Queen Iseult, why came we hereWith good King Mark and left Tintagel's halls?Why journeyed we to St. Lubin? The placeIs gloomy and an awful wood grows roundThe castle walls. Oh 'tis an awful wood.I am afraid, Iseult.Iseult.Yea, boy, the woodIs black and gloomy here. Give me some oil,Brangaene, for my lips are parched and driedFrom weeping all this never-ending night.Paranis(goes to the casement).Above Tintagel, lo, the sky was blue;The sun shone on a foreign ship that cameAcross the seas and lay at anchor thereAnd made it look like gold. The ship came inAs we rode through the gate. I wish that IWere at Tintagel once again and sawThat ship. For here black clouds obscure the sunAnd hang close to the ground; they fly alongLike mighty ghosts. The earth smells damp and makesMe shiver—Ugh—!Iseult(steps to the casement beside him and puts her arm about his neck).Nay, not today, for see,The sun will shine and pour its golden raysE'en o'er the Morois.[She leans out until her head is overflowedby the sunlight.]Oh, it's very hot!Paranis(falling on his knees).Oh Queen Iseult pray take the fairy dogInto thy hands and it will comfort thee—That wondrous brachet, Tristram's latest gift.For, lo, since from Tintagel we have comeMy heart is troubled by a wish to askOf thee a question, for Brangaene saysThat when thou think'st of certain things thou weep'stBut I have never felt the like.Iseult.Poor boy!I lay awake the whole night through and yetNot once did I take Petikru to me,So ask, my child! What wouldst thou know!Mine eyesAre dry, for all my tears are spent, and gone.[She has returned to the dressing table.]Paranis.Is this the wood where thou and Tristram dwelt,As people say, when ye had fled away?Iseult.'Tis true this wood once sheltered us.Paranis(at the casement).This wood?This fearful wood? 'Twas here that thou, IseultOf Ireland, Iseult the Goldenhaired,Took refuge with Lord Tristram like a beastHard pressed by dogs and men? There hang, perhaps.Among the branches still some tattered shredsFrom robes thou wor'st; and blood still tints the rootsThou trod'st upon with bare and wounded feet!'Twas here thou say'st? Within this wood?Iseult(rising).Yes, child,And this the castle—[Brangaenetakes the cloak fromIseult'sshoulders and helps her put on a looseflowing garment.Iseult'shair is hiddenbeneath a close-fitting cap.]Paranis(steps nearer, in great surprise).Where ye fled from Mark'sAbom'nable decree? The castle makesMe shudder and the wood that grows around.Brangaene(quoting the decree).this day on Lord Tristram daresTo show himself within my realm—he dies,And with him dies Iseult of Ireland ..."Iseult(quoting)."And witness here my name signed with my blood—"[She goes to the table on the right and setsup the chess-men.Paranissits on a cushionat her feet.Brangaeneclears the dressingtable.]Paranis.Is it since that day thou hast wept, my Queen?Iseult.Thou know'st my secret boy and yet canst ask!Brangaene.Inquire not too much, Paranis, lestA deeper knowledge of such things consumeThy soul, and leave in place a cinder-pile.Paranis.There's more they say, yet I believe no more.Iseult.And what do people say, Paranis?Paranis.Why,They say Lord Tristram, since he fled awayTo save his life, and, ay, to save thine too.Forgot thee. Queen Iseult, and thy great loveAnd wed another in a foreign land.Iseult.They call her Isot of the Fair White Hands.[A pause.]Paranis.When I'm a man, and wear my gilded spursI'll love and serve thee with a truer loveThan Tristram did.Iseult.How old art thou, my child?Paranis.When I first came to serve thee as a pageThirteen I was; that was a year ago.I'm fourteen now, but when I dream, I dreamThat I am older and I love thee thenIn knightly fashion, and my sword is dull'dAnd scarred by blows that it has struck for thee.My heart beats high when I behold thy face;My cheek burns hot or freezes ashen pale.And then, at other times, I dream that IHave died for thee, only to wake and weepThat I am still a child!Iseult.Listen to me,Paranis. Once, wandering, a gleeman cameTwo years agone and sang a lay in Mark'sHigh hall; but, see! I said not it appliedTo us, this song of his. A song it wasAnd nothing more. This lay told of a queen,A certain queen whose page once loved her much,With all the courtesy of Knighthood's laws;Whose every glance was for his lady's face;Whose cheeks alternately went hot and coldWhen she was near. But when the King perceivedHis changing color and his burning looks,He slew the boy, and, tearing out his heart,Now red, now pale, he roasted it, and servedIt to his queen and told her 'twas a birdHis favorite hawk had slain that day.Paranis.Tell me,I pray, my lady, when a Knight has wonHis spurs may he write songs?Iseult.Ay, that he may.Paranis.Since that is so, I'd rather sing than fight.I'll go from court to court and sing in eachHow Tristram was untrue to Queen Iseult!I will avenge thy wrongs in songs insteadOf with the sword, and every one who hearsMy words shall weep as thou, my queen, has wept.I like the lay about that page's heartThou toldst me.Iseult.Remember it, my child;Brangaene knows the melody thereof.And she shall teach it thee that thou mayst learnThe lay.Paranis(at the window).The King's awake; I hear him callHis hounds.Iseult.Then go, Paranis, bear to himMy morning and my wifely greeting; sayI rested well this night; that thou hast leftMe overjoyed and happy that the dayIs fair. Now haste thee, boy, for soonThe Gaelic barons through the gates shall rideComing to pay their homage to King Mark,Delay not, child, and if the King shall grantThee spurs, with mine own hands I'll choose thee outThe finest pair, and deep my name shall standEngravèd in the gold. Go greet the King.[Paraniskisses the hem of her robe andgoes.]SCENE IIIIseult.Lord Tristram has kept true unto my nameAt least—if not to me! 'Tis now the tenthYear that I mourn for him! In countless nightsOf endless agony have I repaidThose other nights of happiness and bliss.Through age-long days now beggared of their joyI have atoned for all the smiles of yore.Unkindly have ye dealt with me, sweet friend!Disloyal Tristram! God shall punish thee.Not I.[Brangaenekneels weeping beside her andburies her face inIseult'srobes.Iseultraises her up.]And thou, dear one, sweet sister, come!My sorrow's past enduring! Help me, help!At Lubin here the very walls have tongues;At Lubin here the sombre forest moans;At Lubin here old Husdent whimpers dayAnd night unceasingly. 'Twas at LubinI parted from him last, my dearest friend,And to his parting vows I answered thus:"Take, friend, this golden ring with em'rald stone,And if in thy name one shall bring it me,No dungeon walls, no castle gates, no boltsShall keep me far from thee." And he: "I thankThee, dearest lady, and I swear that if,At any time, in any place, one callsOn me by thy sweet name I'll stand and waitAnd answer in thy name by day or night."And then—and then—he rode away!Brangaene.Iseult!Iseult, my dearest, might I die, for I,Wretch that I am, am most at fault,Too ready for deceits and secret ways!Iseult.Because I love a life, and better stillA death, that's great from savage unrestraint,Such as I found in mighty Tristram's love,'Tis not thy fault. And formerly when thouDidst lend me thine own maiden smock to wearUpon my bridal night with Mark, since mineWas torn when I set foot on Cornish ground,Thou didst fulfill what, as my guardian friend,Thou hadst foreseen in earlier days. Weep notBecause I weep; Lord Tristram's treacheryIs his, not ours. For this it is I weep.Brangaene.Thou shouldst not say, he is not faithful still.Dear sister. What know we of him or his?Iseult.That he has married!Brangaene.Ay, her name's Iseult.Iseult.My name! I shudder when I think thereon.And lo, his perjured tongue rots not, nor cleavesUnto his teeth, nor does the name he callsHer by choke in his throat and strangle him.Brangaene.Mark me, Iseult, I had not meant to speak,But now I must: a servant of King Mark'sSpoke lately of that ship we saw sail inAnd then cast anchor 'neath Tintagel's walls.A merchant ship it is, he said, and hailsDirect from Arundland. Now sendAnd bid these merchants leave their ship and come,That they may tell what they have seen or heardOf Tristram and his fate.Paranis(runs in and leaps upon the window-sill).Oh Queen, there comeThree Gaelic earls! Dinas of Lidan first.Brangaene(hastening to his side).Come then, Iseult, and from the casement hereBehold the faithful Dinas, Tristram's friend!Paranis.The one in coat of mail who rides behindWho is the man, Brangaene, canst thou see?Brangaene.Oh God! Denovalin, ill-omened birdOf grim Tintagel.Iseult.Arund? Didst thou sayA merchant ship sailed in from Arundland?That great gold sail, Brangaene, came acrossThe ocean to Tintagel? What? A ship,And merchant men from Arund? Speak, friend, speak!Thou talk'st of Arund, and remain'st unmoved!Brangaene, cruel, speak and say the menAre on their way to me, or are now here!Torture me not!Brangaene.Nay, hear me speak, Iseult;I said a servant of King Mark's said this;I know not whether it be true; to knowWe must be back within Tintagel's walls.Iseult(in rising agitation).Wait till we're back within Tintagel's walls?Not see the merchants till we are gone back,And linger thus for three whole days, say'st thou?Nay, nay, Brangaene, nay I will not wait.'Twas not for this ten never-ending yearsI sat upon Tintagel's tower and watchedWith anxious eyes the many ships sail o'erThe green expanse from sky to sky. 'Twas notFor this; that day by day Paranis went,At my behest, down to the port, while ISat counting every minute, one by one,Until he should return, and tell me talesOf ships and lands indifferent as a fly'sShort life to me!—And now thou tellest meA ship is here; a great gold sail lies moor'dHard by Tintagel's walls, a ship in whichMen live, and speak, and say when asked:"Where come ye from!" "From Arundland we sail."Go quick, Brangaene; to Tintagel send, I pray,At once some swift and faithful messenger,And bid him with all haste lead here to meThese merchants over night. I need both silksAnd laces, samite and the snowy furOf ermines, and whatever else they have.All that they have I'll gladly buy! Let themBut ride with speed!Brangaene.Ay, ride as peddlers do!Yet will I send Gawain, since 'tis thy wish,And with him yet another.Paranis.Queen Iseult,May I go with Gawain? I'll make them ride,These merchant-men! I'll stick my dagger twixtTheir shoulder blades and prick them 'till from fearThey fairly fly to thee!Iseult.Nay, rather, child,Stay here with me; but help Brangaene find Gawain.[BrangaeneandParanisopen the door atthe back of the stage but stand back oneither side to permitMarkand the threeBarons to enter.]Brangaene.The King!SCENE IVBrangaeneandParanisgo.Markand the barons remain standing at some distance fromIseult.Denovalinremains in the background and during this and the following scene stands almost motionless in the same spot.Dinas.There stands Iseult, my queen,All glorious as the summer day that shinesO'er all the world! Now welcome, my Iseult!Now welcome to Lubin! These gallant lordsAre come to greet thee—Dinas, Ganelun,Denovalin.—They have not seen thee nowFor many months. And ye, my noble lords.Is she not blonder than of yore?[He glances at a locket that hangs about his neck.]For see!This lock of hair Lord Tristram brought me once.Behold it now, 'tis almost black next hers.Iseult.I greet thee, Dinas, Lord of Lidan, friend,Most loyal friend:—and thou. Lord Ganelun,Most heartily, for many days have pass'dSince last we met.Dinas.Ay, many days, Iseult.Iseult.Hast thou forgot Tintagel's King and Queen?'Twas not so once.Ganelun.I've been at Arthur's courtNigh on two years, and there have taken partIn many deeds of high renown. 'Tis thisHas kept me from Tintagel and from home.Dinas.And I, fair Queen Iseult, am growing old;I've left the saddle for the pillow's ease.(Pointedly.)I see the chess-board stands prepared and so,If Mark permits, 'tis I who in his placeWill lead the crimson pawns today, as weWere wont to do in former days. I loveThe game but have no friend with whom to play.Dinas.Ay, Dinas, good it is to have some oneWho loves us near us in our twilight years;So play today with Goldenhaired Iseult.Perchance it may amuse her too, for oftShe seemeth sad, and mourns as women doWho have no children.—God forgive us both!But come, my lords, first let us drink a pledgeOf greeting, and permit this man to makeHis peace with my fair queen. I hate long feuds.Come, friends, come, let us drink, for all this dayWe'll spend together in good fellowship.[He leaves the room withDinasandGanelunby the door on the right.IseultandDenovalinstand opposite each other, somedistance apart, silent and motionless.]SCENE VDenovalin(calmly and insinuatingly).Am I a vulture, Queen Iseult, that thouArt silent when I am within thy cage?Iseult(angrily).My Lord Denovalin, how dar'st thou showThyself thus brazenly before me here?Denovalin.Harsh words the Queen Iseult is pleased to use!Iseult.And I shall beg the King that he forbidThee to appear within a mile aroundThe castle with thy visor raised.Denovalin.King MarkIs not my over-lord. I'm not his liege.Iseult.And I tell thee, my Lord Denovalin,Thy face is more abhorred by me than plague;More hateful than dread leprosy! Away!Denovalin.More measured should'st thou be in thy reproof.(Much moved.)It was for thee I came today, harsh Queen!Iseult(passionately).When last thou stoodst before my face, my Lord,Naked I was, and men at arms prepar'dThe glowing pyre whereon thy jealousyHad doomed my youthful body to be burned!Calm wast thou then; no quiver moved thy face,Untroubled by thy deed. Dost thou forget?Denovalin.And Tristram stood beside thee then, as heHad stood, when I accused thee to King Mark,And when I see him standing next to thee,My eyes grow dim and all the world seems redWith blood. 'Twas him I saw, not thee, Iseult,Else had I died of sorrow and of shame.Iseult.What,thou?Thougrieve!Thoudie of shame? The stonesShall soften and shall melt ere thou, my lord,Hast learned what pity means!Denovalin.Thou dost misjudgeMe, Queen Iseult, for when thy foot first touchedThe Cornish strand as thou stepped'st from thy shipAnd came to be the bride of Mark, I sawThee then, and by the Lord, a solemn oathOf loyalty upon thy golden hairTo thee I swore! Oh thou wast wondrous fair!Iseult.And I, my Lord, what evil did I thee?Denovalin.Thou loved'st Tristram.Iseult.What? Denovalin,When, by a miracle of God, I haveEscaped the fiery death which thou prepared'st;When, with these tender hands of mine, I boreBefore my judges, and without a burnThe glowing iron, and with sacred oathHave sworn, thou darest doubt Almighty God'sDecree, and dar'st accuse me still, and sayI love Lord Tristram with a guilty love?This nephew of my wedded spouse! Of thisI'll make complaint unto my sponsors, Lord!Denovalin(calmly).Almighty God thou hast, perhaps, deceived,But we, at least, Iseult, we must be frank,Though enemies, and deal straightforwardlyWith one another.Iseult.Go, thou were-wolf!—Go!Denovalin.There was a time when I, too, heard the songOf birds in spring-time; but the fragrant breathThy golden hair exhales,—that hair which IHave seen flow rippling through Lord Tristram's hands—Has made me hard and rough—a very beast!I live pent up within my castle wallsAs some old wolf! I sleep all day and rideAt night! Ay, ride until my steed comes homeWith gasping nostril and with bloody flank,And lies as dead when morning comes! My houndsFall dead along the road! And yet, may be,That long before the earliest cock has crowedI cry aloud upon thy name each dayLike one who swelters in his own life's blood!Remember this, for hadst thou once, Iseult,Beside me ridden ere the night grew dark,Perchance this hatred of all living thingsHad never got such hold upon my soul.Remember this, throughout the many thingsWhich shall, ere evening, come to pass.And evening comes to thee, Iseult,—to me,To all! And so 'tis best thou understandThe secret of the past fairly to judge.This is the peace I fain would have with thee.Iseult.I am afraid—afraid—of thee!Denovalin.Thou shouldstNot fear, Iseult, these words so seeminglyDevoid of sense!(Changing the subject.)At dawn today I rodeAlong the Morois.Iseult.Ay, since that's the roadThat leads the straightest from thy lofty hallTo St. Lubin.—Denovalin.I met a quarry there!A quarry wondrous strange! Shall I, Iseult,Go bring it bound to thee?Iseult(in great anxiety).I wish no fur,Or pelts slain by thy hand, Denovalin—Denovalin.That I believe, Iseult, yet it might pleaseKing Mark.(Breaking out passionately.)It might be that once moreThou felt'st the burning touch of death, all hotAnd red. And if no safe retreat there wereFor thee in Cornwall, save my castle walls,And not a man in Cornwall stood to shieldThy golden tresses from the hangman's handExcept myself! If such the case what wouldstThou do if I said "come?"Iseult(wild with terror and despair).If such the case,Oh God of Bethlehem! If such the caseI'd fling my arms about the neck of Death,And, clinging close to him, I'd spit at thee,Denovalin! Those wrinkles, cold and hard,About thy mouth on either side disgustMe! Go, Denovalin! I loath thee! Go!Denovalin.I go, Iseult, for thou hast made thy choice;Forget it not. Forget not, too, the pactOf peace my soul has made with thine. Farewell!I'll go and bid Lord Dinas come to playAt chess with thee. Play quickly, Queen Iseult,Thy time is short, and short shall be thy game![He goes.]SCENE VIIseult.Oh God, how bitter are his words! They cutLike sharpen'd swords and burn like hissing flames!What is his will? His speech, though witless, ay,And senseless too, insults and threatens me.—It warns me too—of what?—Oh God, I quake!If but Brangaene came, or Dinas came!They come not and this creeping fear—how hardIt grips my soul!—More Gaelic barons come—!How often have I stood concealed hereAnd seen him come proud riding through the gate!My friend that comes no more! How grand he was!His lofty stature did o'ertop them all!How nobly trod his steed!—Dear Tristram, friend.Does thy new Isot's heart beat quick as mineAt but the thought of thy dear step?(Kneels down in front of the little shrine.)And thou,Oh little brachet, thinks thy lord of me,As I of him!—"For they who drink thereofTogether so shall love with every senseAlive, yet senseless—with their every thoughtYet thoughtless too, in life, in death, for aye—.Yet he, who once has known the wond'rous blissOf that intoxicating cup of love,Spits out the draught disloyally, shall beA homeless and a friendless worm—a weedThat grows beside the road." Oh Tristram, Lord.Dinasenters.Iseultrushes toward him.Dinas of Lidan! Dearest friend, most true!With what has this man threatened me? Of what,Then, warned?—friend, speak, for round me whirls the world;My brain is dizzy with each thought!Dinas.My LordDenovalin has bid me come to theeTo play at chess. He said thou wast in haste.And has he, as Mark ordered him, made peaceWith thee?Iseult.Made peace with me! I toldThee, Dinas, that he has stirred up the pastWith gloomy words and threatened me. He spokeForebodingly of coming days—; I fearHis words and know not what is brewing o'erMy head!Dinas.Denovalin has threatened thee!That bodes no good!Iseult.What think'st thou, Dinas? Speak!Dinas.It makes me almost fear that I was notDeceived this morn as through the mist I rode.Iseult.Oh Dinas!Dinas.For I saw a man who rodeAs secretly, and stole along the wayConcealèd in the murky mists of dawn.I—Iseult.Dinas!Dinas.Tristram's in the land, Iseult!Iseult.Oh Dinas, speak! (Softly.) My friend. LordTristram cameAt dawn today—? The man who loved me so!My dearest Lord—! Oh Dinas, Dinas, didst(recovering herself)Thou speak to him?Dinas(sternly).Twice called I him. He fled.Iseult.Oh, why didst thou not call him in my name?He would have stood thee answer then, for thatHe swore to me he'd do, by day or nightAt any place....Dinas.I called him in thy name,And yet he fled away.Iseult.He fled from thee?(Angrily.)It was not Tristram then! How dar'st thou speakSuch slander 'gainst my Lord!Dinas.I swore that IWould be thy friend, and for thy sake, Iseult,His friend. But now I say Lord Tristram brokeThe oath he swore to thee, and on this dayHath wronged thee grievously, Iseult.Iseult(heavily and brokenly).The spouseOf Isot of the Fair White Hands appearedTo thee, say'st thou, and broke his parting oath.The last he swore to Iseult Goldenhaired?Paranis(enters in ill-suppressed excitement).Lord Dinas, from King Mark I come. He bidsThee come to him straightway with all despatch,For in the name of justice calls he thee.Iseult.Oh Dinas, Dinas, Tristram broke his oath—!Lord Tristram broke his oath—!Dinas.And dost thou know,My queen, that we must now attempt to wardThe consequences of King Mark's decreeAnd its fulfilment from thy head?Iseult(angrily).How canAn alien woman's spouse affect my life?Dinas.I go to stem with all the strength I haveThis current of perdition. Fare thee well.[AsDinasgoes out, three armed guardsstep into the room and stand on eitherside of the door.]Iseult.And fare thee well, thou truest of the true!(To the guards.)And ye, what seek ye here?GUARD.King Mark has bidUs guard thy door; thou may'st not go abroadTill Mark has bid thee come.Paranis(falls on his knees).Gawain lies bound;Brangaene's cast into a prison cell,And something awful's taking place withinThe castle walls!—I know not what it is!Iseult.Paranis, child, be still.ACT IIThe High Hall of St. Lubin Castle.—Bay windows. On the right, in the background is a wide double-door. On the left, in the background, and diagonally to it stands a long table surrounded by high-back chairs. The chairs at either end of the table are higher than the others and are decorated with the royal arms. Against the wall on the left stands a throne.Four Gaelic barons stand, or sit about the table.Lord Ganelunenters.SCENE IA Baron.And canst thou tell us now. Lord Ganelun,What's taking place that we are summoned hereIn council while our legs are scarcely dryFrom our long ride?2d Baron.A welcome such as thisI like not, Lords!Ganelun.I know no more than ye,My lords, who are but lately come.3d Baron.And whereIs Mark, the King?2d Baron.Instead of greeting usHe sends a low born knave, and bids us waitWithin these dry and barren walls.1st Baron(stands up).By God,I feel a wish to mount my horse and rideAway!5th Baron(entering).Do ye, my Lords, know why King MarkLets Tristram's savage hound, old Husdent live?It needed but a little that it causedMy death!4th Baron.Just now?5th Baron.As I rode by its cageIt leap'd against the bars, and made them shakeWith such a noise that my affrighted horseUprear'd, and headlong sprang across the court.Ganelun.The hound is wolflike; none can go withinHis cage. Three keepers has he torn to death.5th Baron.A wild and dang'rous beast! I would not keepThe brute within my castle walls.3d Baron(walks irritatedly to the window).How thisLong waiting irks my soul, good friends!1st Baron.So coldA welcome have I never yet received,And new the custom is!Ganelun.Have patience, sirs,It seems King Mark and Lord DenovalinDiscuss in secret weighty things—3rd Baron.—And wishTo teach us how to wait!Ganelun.Nay, here's King Mark!Ernst_HardtERNST HARDTSCENE IIMarkandDenovalinenter; behind them comes a man-at-arms who closes the door and stands against the wall beside it.Markholds a parchment in his hand, and, without noticing the barons, walks agitatedly to the front of the stage.Denovalingoes behind the table and places himself between it and the throne. The barons rise.1st Baron.Does Mark no longer know us that he greetsUs not?2d Baron.And dost thou know, my Lord—?Mark(turning angrily upon the baron).Am IA weak old man because my hair is gray,Because my hands are wrinkled, ay, and hard,Because at times my armor chafes my back?Am I an old and sapless log? A manUsed up who shall forever keep his peace?(Controlling himself.)I crave your pardon, Lords, pray take your seats.Dinas.Thou badst me come to thee.Dinas.Yes, Dinas, yes,So take thy place.(He controls his emotion with great difficultyand speaks heavily.)And ye, my noble friends,Give ear. A great and careful reckoning shallTake place 'twixt you and me. Your sanctioning wordI wish, for what I am about to do,For yonder man has, with an evil lance,Attacked me and he has so lifted meOut of my saddle that my head doth swim,And trembles from the shock, and so I prayYou to forgive the churlish greeting yeReceived; 'twas accident, not scorn. I bidYou welcome, one and all, most heartily.3d Baron.We greet thee, Mark.Ganelun.But tell us now what thingSo overclouds thy mind; thy welfare dwellsClose intertwined with ours.Denovalin(unfolding the parchment).And now, my Lords,Are any of the witnesses not hereWho signed the contract and decree which MarkDrew up with Tristram and with Queen Iseult!1st Baron.'Tis then of this decree that thou wouldst speak?3d Baron.I signed.4th Baron.And I.5th Baron.And I.Dinas.Three witnessesThere were, and ye are three. 'Tis good, my Lords,That we are all assembled here.[He speaks brokenly and with all the marksof mental suffering and suppressed emotion.]Ye knowHow long I lived alone within these wallsWith my good nephew Tristram and not onceDid any woman cross my threshold o'er.5th Baron.And 'twas through us that things were changed; we criedUpon thee for a son and heir.2d Baron.IseultThen came from Ireland to be thy Queen.Denovalin(coldly, firmly, and in a loud voice).Nobly escorted, in Lord Tristram's care!Mark(softly).I wooed Iseult, and much it pleased me thenTo call this sweet and noble lady mine,And so to honor her. But see, it wasBut for a single day, then came this man(Points toDenovalin. )And spake to me and said: "Thy wife IseultAnd Tristram whisper in the dark!" And sinceThe speaking of that evil word, this worldHas turned to hell, and through my veins my bloodHas run like seething fire for her sake,Who was my wife, and cried for her as thoughShe were not mine!3d Baron.But thou didst not believeThese evil words?Dinas.No, never in my lifeDid I fight off a foeman from myselfMore fiercely than these words.Denovalin(sternly).But soon this manCame back and said: "The hands of Queen IseultAnd Tristram's hands are locked when it is dark."Dinas.And then I slunk about them like a wretch,My lords; I spied upon their lips, their hands,Their eyes! I watched them like a murderer;I listened underneath their window-sillsAt night to catch their dreaming words, untilI scorned myself for this wild wretchedness!Nothing, nothing I found, and yet IseultFrom that time on was dearer than my GodAnd his Salvation!Ganelun.Yet thou ever held'stIseult in honor and esteem!Dinas.Ay, that I did,Friend Ganelun, but soon that man there cameAnd whispered in mine ear: "Art thou stone blind?Thy nephew Tristram and thy Queen IseultAre sleeping in each other's arms by dayAnd night!" Oh God! Oh God! My Lords, I setTo work—and thought I'd caught the pair!—Poor fool!(He hides his face.)Dinas.'Tis so; and thou badst build a mighty pyreOf seasoned wood and well dried peat. But GodAlmighty blew the fire out. They fled,The twain together, to the Morois land.Mark.And then one night I stole upon them both.(Lord Dinas knew of this alone, my Lords.)Iseult was sleeping, and Lord Tristram sleptAn arm's length scarce before me in the mossAll pale and wan, and breathed so heavily,So wearily, like some hard hunted beasts.(Groaning.)Oh God, how easy was it then!—See whatBefell! There, 'twixt their bodies lay a sword,All naked, ay, and sharp—'Twas Morholl's sword!—Then silently I took it, and I leftMine own, and, like a fool, I wept at theirGreat purity!2d Baron.Was Tristram so much movedBy this exchange of swords that he gave backThy wife Iseult?Mark(violently).And, God! I took her! SeeHis cunning counsel circumvented thenThe red hot steel and made her innocenceSeem more apparent, and her hands shone white,Unburned, and all unscarred like ivoryAfter the test! My nephew Tristram fled,Exiled, and the decree that ye all knowWas sealed. So harken now, ye witnessesOf the decree: if Tristram were to breakThe bond and secretly, and in disguiseReturn to Cornwall—3d Baron.God forbid!4th Baron.Yet ifLord Tristram should do this and break the bond,And thus endanger both his life and Queen Iseult's—5th Baron.If such the case they lied to thee,King Mark, and unto God!Dinas.They lied! They lied!Ay, man, they lied to me and unto God!And now I need no longer feel my wayNor tap about me in the dark, nor bumpMy soul against my blindness! Ay, they lied!My bed was foul; my life a jest for knaves,For they had lied. But then, behold, that manThere came,—Denovalin I hate thee!—cameAnd said Lord Tristram broke the bond—[The Barons spring up.]1st Baron.How so?2d Baron.What knows he?3d Baron.Speak, Denovalin!Ganelun.Thou say'stLord Tristram broke the bond that holds his life?5th Baron.I'll not believe it!4th Baron.Tristram wed, ye know,The daughter of King Kark of Arundland.3d Baron.Denovalin must bring us proofs!Dinas.Gently,My Lords. Before the high tribunal shallHe speak. Go, call the Queen.[The man-at-arms goes.]Dinas.King Mark,Why dost thou hasten to believe this tale?Remember, 'tis Denovalin who speaks.Dinas.'Tis not a matter of belief, my friend,I wish to know if for her sake he came;To see her once again—no more. The restI know, and I know, too, the end of this;This game that's played about my life, my blood.Mine honor!SCENE IIIThe guardsman announces the queen who enters the hall followed byParanis. She remains in the background. The barons rise as she appears.Guardsman.Place! Iseult the queen comes! Place!Iseult(quietly and gently).Ye called me, sirs; now speak, for I am here.Mark(takes an angry step toward her, checks himself, and stares at her a moment. He speaks slowly and without moving).Lord Dinas, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near![Iseult, without waiting forDinas, stepsto the middle of the hall.Markdoes notmove and speaks louder.]Lord Dinas, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near!And sit there by the board—there at the headAnd facing me.Iseult.And may I ask thee nowWhat this extraordinary custom is,That twice thou dost repeat it, Mark? In mineOwn land of Ireland I never sawA man thus treat his wife. So, if it suitsThy will,—I'll stand![NeitherMarknor the barons move.Anxiously.]Will no one speak to me?Dinas.My Lords, sit down.[He walks in front of the table.Paraniskneels besideIseult, who lays her handupon his head as on the head of a dog.]Iseult.Thou call'dst me, Mark, and bad'stMe come in terms full stern and harsh—I came,For 'tis my heartfelt duty to obey.Since thou art good to me and kind. Thou know'stThis hall, these men, that stand around, awakeFull many a painful memory in my heart,And so I crave a swift reply. What willYe of me here?Mark(roughly).Why was Gawain sent forthIn secret to Tintagel from Lubin?Iseult.He went not secretly, but openly,My Lord, and that because some merchant-menCame to Tintagel from across the seasWith merchandise. I wished to bid them comeTo me that I might choose me from their stock the waresThat pleased me and the many things I need.Mark(scornfully).The purchase must be made at once, I trow!Since here, more than elsewhere, thou need'st such things.'Tis true that fifteen beasts of burden stayedBehind, all laden with thy things alone,Unnoticed by a well beside the road,Iseult, I recollect me now!Iseult.Nay, Lord,Yet St. Lubin brings me full many a sadAnd weary hour. I, therefore, thought to gainSome slight diversion and amusement tooTo soothe my woe. Thou know'st the joy I haveOf mingled masses of bright colored thingsBoth strange and rare!(Anxiously.)The rustling silks; the gold—;Th' embroidery of robes; the jewel's flash;—Furs, chains and golden girdles, needles,clasps! To see, and in my hands to hold such thingsO'erjoys me much!—A childish whim, perhaps,But thou thyself this pleasure oft procured'stAnd sent the merchants to my bower. WhatWonder is it then that I myself should thinkOf this same thing?Dinas.'Tis so, I wronged thy thoughts,For I myself have often brought such menTo thee. These peddlers and these mountebanksAre famous friends! I see it now! They comeFrom far and wide; they travel much; they areBoth wise and cunning—apt, indeed, to serveAs messengers!Iseult.Ay, Mark, thou didst me wrong.But greater to Brangaene and Gawain!I pray thee set them free; they but obeyedMy will.Mark(angrily).Bring forth the pair, and set them freeThese go-betweens Brangaene and Gawain![The soldier goes.]Tell now, my Lord Denovalin, thy tale,And speak thy words distinctly, ay, and loud!And ye, my Lords, I pray you, listen well;A pretty tale![He crouches on the steps of the throne,and stares atIseult.Denovalinstepsforward from behind the table.]Denovalin.I rode today at dawn,And, coming through the Morois, saw, while yetThe mist was hanging in the trees, aroundA curving of the road, a man who rode.Full proud and straight he sat upon his steed,But yet he seemed to wish that none should seeHim there, for carefully did he avoidThe clearer spots, and peering round about,He listened and he keenly watched, then turnedInto a thicket when afar he heardThe hoof-beats of my horse. I followed him,And soon I was as near as a man's voiceWill carry. Loud and haughtily I calledTo him, but then he drove the spurs so deepInto his steed that, like a wounded stag,It sprang into the air and dashed away.I followed close behind, and bade the manIn knightly and in manly honor stand.He heeded not my words and fled away,And then I cried aloud that he should stand,And called him by Iseult the Goldenhaired.Iseult(passionately and firmly).And at my name Lord Tristram stood.(Anxiously.)Did heNot stand and wait?(Imploringly.)Oh, say that at that callLord Tristram stood!(Passionately.)And I will bless thy lips.Mark(cries out in a muffled voice).Iseult!Iseult.I'll kiss thy hand, my Lord, and I—Denovalin.Who says, proud Queen Iseult, the man I sawWas Tristram, noble Lord of Lyonesse?Iseult(her voice becomes proud and cold).My Lord Denovalin, I'll kiss thy handsIf thou wilt say my husband's nephew stoodAnd bided you, for sorely would it vexMy heart if such a knight should flee from suchA man as thou! 'Twould shame me much, for know,My Lord Denovalin, I scorn and hateThee as a cur!Denovalin(suppressing his emotion).If Tristram stood or fledFrom me, I do not say.Iseult.That vexes meIndeed, for now, my Lords, I turn to youWith deeper and more serious complaintsAgainst Lord Tristram that so rashly heHas broken Mark's decree, thus forcing meTo share a guilt of which my soul is clean!Mark(crouches on the steps of the throne groaning).Oh see how well her Irish tongue can twistHer words to suit her will! Her words are smooth;So smooth that when one grasps them they escapeThe hand like shining, slippery, squirming snakes!And she has subtle words, caressing words,And words that set the mind on fire; hot wordsThat burn, and haughty ones that swell and puffLike stallions' nostrils, and toss high their heads!Oh she has words, and words, and many wordsWith which to frame her lies!(He takes a step towardIseult. Angrily.)And see her eyes!Those wondrous eyes! Eyes for deceit! She hasDeceived me with those eyes and lips of hers since firstShe set her foot upon the Cornish shore!Iseult(trembling with shame and anger).Thy words are like the shame of women, Mark!Like filthy hands! Irish I am, but there,In word and deed, polite restraint prevailsAnd courteous measuredness; there fiery wrathBecomes ne'er master of the man! And soI was not taught in early youth to guardMyself from drunkenness of wrath!Dinas.O hark!That was a sample of her haughty words!Iseult the Goldenhaired of IrelandDidst thou with thine own hand and blood sign this?
Iseult'sapartment at St. Lubin.—A curtain hung from the ceiling cuts off one-third of the room. This third is raised one step above the rest of the room. The background is formed by a double bay-window through which may be seen the tops of some pine trees. In front of a couch, on a small table, stands a large gold shrine in which rests the magic brachet Peticru, a toy of jewels and precious metals. Beside it stands a burning oil torch. The remaining two-thirds of the room are almost empty. A table stands in the foreground; on the floor lies a rug on which are embroidered armorial designs. In the middle and at both sides are wide double doors.Iseultsits on the couch before the shrine. She is clad in a fur-trimmed robe.BrangaeneloosensIseult'shair which is divided into two braids. The cold, gray light of dawn brightens gradually; the rising sun falls on the tops of the trees, coloring them with a flood of red and gold.
Iseult(singing).Brachet of safran and em'rald!Oh, brachet of purple and goldOnce made by the mighty UrgánIn Avalun's wondrous wold.
Oh purple, and safran, and gold,When cast in the dim of the night,Have magical power to aidAll lovers in sorrowful plight!
Lord Tristram slew mighty Urgán,Lord Tristram the loving, the true,And pitying sorrowful loversHe carried away Peticru.Lord Tristram, the thoughtful and valiant,Lord Tristram, the noble and high,Has sent me this wondrous brachetLest weeping and grieving I die.
Lord Tristram, my friend, is unfaithful,And God's wrath on him shall descend;Though cruelly he has betrayed me,My love even death cannot end.
Iseult with her hair of spun gold,Where rubies and emeralds shine,When the end of her life is at hand,Round Tristram some charm can entwine.
—When Tristram too shall die....
[Iseultstands up, extinguishes the light,and, flooded by her hair, steps to the window.Brangaeneopens a chest from which she takesrobes, combs, a mirror, and several smallboxes. She prepares a small dressing table.]
Iseult.The light begins to filter through the land;Behold, the trees with storm-bow'd tips drop downA thousand drops into the moss belowThat seem as many sparks, all cold and bright.
Each day is followed by another one,And then another day, and after eachComes night. Thus runs my life's long chain of beads,All black and white, endless, and all the same.
[She turns and throws off her cloak.]
Give me my new white cloak, and comb my hair,I pray, Brangaene.—O, it aches!
[Brangaenethrows a cloak over her shoulders.Iseultsits down at the dressing table whileBrangaenecombs her hair, dividing it intostrands and throwing it, as she combs it,overIseult'sshoulder.]
Brangaene.The combSlides like a keel. Its narrow teeth can findNo bottom, neither shore in this blond sea.I never saw thy hair so full, Iseult,Nor yet so heavy! See the golden gold.
Iseult.It aches—!
Brangaene.And here it's damp as though last nightIt secretly had dried full many tears.
Iseult.I wonder if Lord Tristram spent last nightBy his new bride—and if he calls her allThose sweetest names he made for me.PerhapsHe sat upon her couch and told her talesOf me that made them laugh—! I wonder tooIf she be fair. Lord Tristram's new-wed bride!—
Iseultturns quickly as her page comes in by the right hand door. He carries a chess-board and sets it down on the table in the foreground.
Iseult.Were then thy dreams too painfully like this life,Paranis, that thou hast outstripped the sunAnd now, with eyes all red and swollen, star'stSo heavily?
Paranis.Your pardon. Queen Iseult,I could not sleep. Oh lady, what a night!I tremble still!
Iseult.The night indeed was wild.
Paranis.Ay, like the sea the gale whips up. The windSwept all the covers from my bed and leftMe cold and trembling. Branches beat the wallAbove my head like demons of the storm.The owls kept screaming in the groaning eavesAnd whispered like lost souls in agony!Hark! Hear him roar! Oh God, it's Husdent!Oh listen to him roar. I never heardA hound thus howl before!
Iseult.Peace, child. He criesThus every night since he has lost his lord.
Paranis.What? Every night and yet King Mark can sleep?
Iseult.King Mark can sleep as all good knights can sleepAt any time and any where, while we,Poor souls, must like a beggar sue for sleepAs for an alms.
(ToBrangaene. )The mirror and the cloak.
Paranis.Pray tell me, Queen Iseult, why came we hereWith good King Mark and left Tintagel's halls?Why journeyed we to St. Lubin? The placeIs gloomy and an awful wood grows roundThe castle walls. Oh 'tis an awful wood.I am afraid, Iseult.
Iseult.Yea, boy, the woodIs black and gloomy here. Give me some oil,Brangaene, for my lips are parched and driedFrom weeping all this never-ending night.
Paranis(goes to the casement).Above Tintagel, lo, the sky was blue;The sun shone on a foreign ship that cameAcross the seas and lay at anchor thereAnd made it look like gold. The ship came inAs we rode through the gate. I wish that IWere at Tintagel once again and sawThat ship. For here black clouds obscure the sunAnd hang close to the ground; they fly alongLike mighty ghosts. The earth smells damp and makesMe shiver—Ugh—!
Iseult(steps to the casement beside him and puts her arm about his neck).Nay, not today, for see,The sun will shine and pour its golden raysE'en o'er the Morois.
[She leans out until her head is overflowedby the sunlight.]
Oh, it's very hot!
Paranis(falling on his knees).Oh Queen Iseult pray take the fairy dogInto thy hands and it will comfort thee—That wondrous brachet, Tristram's latest gift.For, lo, since from Tintagel we have comeMy heart is troubled by a wish to askOf thee a question, for Brangaene saysThat when thou think'st of certain things thou weep'stBut I have never felt the like.
Iseult.Poor boy!I lay awake the whole night through and yetNot once did I take Petikru to me,So ask, my child! What wouldst thou know!Mine eyesAre dry, for all my tears are spent, and gone.[She has returned to the dressing table.]
Paranis.Is this the wood where thou and Tristram dwelt,As people say, when ye had fled away?
Iseult.'Tis true this wood once sheltered us.
Paranis(at the casement).This wood?This fearful wood? 'Twas here that thou, IseultOf Ireland, Iseult the Goldenhaired,Took refuge with Lord Tristram like a beastHard pressed by dogs and men? There hang, perhaps.Among the branches still some tattered shredsFrom robes thou wor'st; and blood still tints the rootsThou trod'st upon with bare and wounded feet!'Twas here thou say'st? Within this wood?
Iseult(rising).Yes, child,And this the castle—
[Brangaenetakes the cloak fromIseult'sshoulders and helps her put on a looseflowing garment.Iseult'shair is hiddenbeneath a close-fitting cap.]
Paranis(steps nearer, in great surprise).Where ye fled from Mark'sAbom'nable decree? The castle makesMe shudder and the wood that grows around.
Brangaene(quoting the decree).this day on Lord Tristram daresTo show himself within my realm—he dies,And with him dies Iseult of Ireland ..."
Iseult(quoting)."And witness here my name signed with my blood—"
[She goes to the table on the right and setsup the chess-men.Paranissits on a cushionat her feet.Brangaeneclears the dressingtable.]
Paranis.Is it since that day thou hast wept, my Queen?
Iseult.Thou know'st my secret boy and yet canst ask!
Brangaene.Inquire not too much, Paranis, lestA deeper knowledge of such things consumeThy soul, and leave in place a cinder-pile.
Paranis.There's more they say, yet I believe no more.
Iseult.And what do people say, Paranis?
Paranis.Why,They say Lord Tristram, since he fled awayTo save his life, and, ay, to save thine too.Forgot thee. Queen Iseult, and thy great loveAnd wed another in a foreign land.
Iseult.They call her Isot of the Fair White Hands.
[A pause.]
Paranis.When I'm a man, and wear my gilded spursI'll love and serve thee with a truer loveThan Tristram did.
Iseult.How old art thou, my child?
Paranis.When I first came to serve thee as a pageThirteen I was; that was a year ago.I'm fourteen now, but when I dream, I dreamThat I am older and I love thee thenIn knightly fashion, and my sword is dull'dAnd scarred by blows that it has struck for thee.My heart beats high when I behold thy face;My cheek burns hot or freezes ashen pale.And then, at other times, I dream that IHave died for thee, only to wake and weepThat I am still a child!
Iseult.Listen to me,Paranis. Once, wandering, a gleeman cameTwo years agone and sang a lay in Mark'sHigh hall; but, see! I said not it appliedTo us, this song of his. A song it wasAnd nothing more. This lay told of a queen,A certain queen whose page once loved her much,With all the courtesy of Knighthood's laws;Whose every glance was for his lady's face;Whose cheeks alternately went hot and coldWhen she was near. But when the King perceivedHis changing color and his burning looks,He slew the boy, and, tearing out his heart,Now red, now pale, he roasted it, and servedIt to his queen and told her 'twas a birdHis favorite hawk had slain that day.
Paranis.Tell me,I pray, my lady, when a Knight has wonHis spurs may he write songs?
Iseult.Ay, that he may.
Paranis.Since that is so, I'd rather sing than fight.I'll go from court to court and sing in eachHow Tristram was untrue to Queen Iseult!I will avenge thy wrongs in songs insteadOf with the sword, and every one who hearsMy words shall weep as thou, my queen, has wept.I like the lay about that page's heartThou toldst me.
Iseult.Remember it, my child;Brangaene knows the melody thereof.And she shall teach it thee that thou mayst learnThe lay.
Paranis(at the window).The King's awake; I hear him callHis hounds.
Iseult.Then go, Paranis, bear to himMy morning and my wifely greeting; sayI rested well this night; that thou hast leftMe overjoyed and happy that the dayIs fair. Now haste thee, boy, for soonThe Gaelic barons through the gates shall rideComing to pay their homage to King Mark,Delay not, child, and if the King shall grantThee spurs, with mine own hands I'll choose thee outThe finest pair, and deep my name shall standEngravèd in the gold. Go greet the King.
[Paraniskisses the hem of her robe andgoes.]
Iseult.Lord Tristram has kept true unto my nameAt least—if not to me! 'Tis now the tenthYear that I mourn for him! In countless nightsOf endless agony have I repaidThose other nights of happiness and bliss.Through age-long days now beggared of their joyI have atoned for all the smiles of yore.Unkindly have ye dealt with me, sweet friend!Disloyal Tristram! God shall punish thee.Not I.
[Brangaenekneels weeping beside her andburies her face inIseult'srobes.Iseultraises her up.]
And thou, dear one, sweet sister, come!My sorrow's past enduring! Help me, help!At Lubin here the very walls have tongues;At Lubin here the sombre forest moans;At Lubin here old Husdent whimpers dayAnd night unceasingly. 'Twas at LubinI parted from him last, my dearest friend,And to his parting vows I answered thus:"Take, friend, this golden ring with em'rald stone,And if in thy name one shall bring it me,No dungeon walls, no castle gates, no boltsShall keep me far from thee." And he: "I thankThee, dearest lady, and I swear that if,At any time, in any place, one callsOn me by thy sweet name I'll stand and waitAnd answer in thy name by day or night."And then—and then—he rode away!
Brangaene.Iseult!Iseult, my dearest, might I die, for I,Wretch that I am, am most at fault,Too ready for deceits and secret ways!
Iseult.Because I love a life, and better stillA death, that's great from savage unrestraint,Such as I found in mighty Tristram's love,'Tis not thy fault. And formerly when thouDidst lend me thine own maiden smock to wearUpon my bridal night with Mark, since mineWas torn when I set foot on Cornish ground,Thou didst fulfill what, as my guardian friend,Thou hadst foreseen in earlier days. Weep notBecause I weep; Lord Tristram's treacheryIs his, not ours. For this it is I weep.
Brangaene.Thou shouldst not say, he is not faithful still.Dear sister. What know we of him or his?
Iseult.That he has married!
Brangaene.Ay, her name's Iseult.
Iseult.My name! I shudder when I think thereon.And lo, his perjured tongue rots not, nor cleavesUnto his teeth, nor does the name he callsHer by choke in his throat and strangle him.
Brangaene.Mark me, Iseult, I had not meant to speak,But now I must: a servant of King Mark'sSpoke lately of that ship we saw sail inAnd then cast anchor 'neath Tintagel's walls.A merchant ship it is, he said, and hailsDirect from Arundland. Now sendAnd bid these merchants leave their ship and come,That they may tell what they have seen or heardOf Tristram and his fate.
Paranis(runs in and leaps upon the window-sill).Oh Queen, there comeThree Gaelic earls! Dinas of Lidan first.
Brangaene(hastening to his side).Come then, Iseult, and from the casement hereBehold the faithful Dinas, Tristram's friend!
Paranis.The one in coat of mail who rides behindWho is the man, Brangaene, canst thou see?
Brangaene.Oh God! Denovalin, ill-omened birdOf grim Tintagel.
Iseult.Arund? Didst thou sayA merchant ship sailed in from Arundland?That great gold sail, Brangaene, came acrossThe ocean to Tintagel? What? A ship,And merchant men from Arund? Speak, friend, speak!Thou talk'st of Arund, and remain'st unmoved!Brangaene, cruel, speak and say the menAre on their way to me, or are now here!Torture me not!
Brangaene.Nay, hear me speak, Iseult;I said a servant of King Mark's said this;I know not whether it be true; to knowWe must be back within Tintagel's walls.
Iseult(in rising agitation).Wait till we're back within Tintagel's walls?Not see the merchants till we are gone back,And linger thus for three whole days, say'st thou?Nay, nay, Brangaene, nay I will not wait.'Twas not for this ten never-ending yearsI sat upon Tintagel's tower and watchedWith anxious eyes the many ships sail o'erThe green expanse from sky to sky. 'Twas notFor this; that day by day Paranis went,At my behest, down to the port, while ISat counting every minute, one by one,Until he should return, and tell me talesOf ships and lands indifferent as a fly'sShort life to me!—And now thou tellest meA ship is here; a great gold sail lies moor'dHard by Tintagel's walls, a ship in whichMen live, and speak, and say when asked:"Where come ye from!" "From Arundland we sail."Go quick, Brangaene; to Tintagel send, I pray,At once some swift and faithful messenger,And bid him with all haste lead here to meThese merchants over night. I need both silksAnd laces, samite and the snowy furOf ermines, and whatever else they have.All that they have I'll gladly buy! Let themBut ride with speed!
Brangaene.Ay, ride as peddlers do!Yet will I send Gawain, since 'tis thy wish,And with him yet another.
Paranis.Queen Iseult,May I go with Gawain? I'll make them ride,These merchant-men! I'll stick my dagger twixtTheir shoulder blades and prick them 'till from fearThey fairly fly to thee!
Iseult.Nay, rather, child,Stay here with me; but help Brangaene find Gawain.
[BrangaeneandParanisopen the door atthe back of the stage but stand back oneither side to permitMarkand the threeBarons to enter.]
Brangaene.The King!
BrangaeneandParanisgo.Markand the barons remain standing at some distance fromIseult.Denovalinremains in the background and during this and the following scene stands almost motionless in the same spot.
Dinas.There stands Iseult, my queen,All glorious as the summer day that shinesO'er all the world! Now welcome, my Iseult!Now welcome to Lubin! These gallant lordsAre come to greet thee—Dinas, Ganelun,Denovalin.—They have not seen thee nowFor many months. And ye, my noble lords.Is she not blonder than of yore?
[He glances at a locket that hangs about his neck.]For see!This lock of hair Lord Tristram brought me once.Behold it now, 'tis almost black next hers.
Iseult.I greet thee, Dinas, Lord of Lidan, friend,Most loyal friend:—and thou. Lord Ganelun,Most heartily, for many days have pass'dSince last we met.
Dinas.Ay, many days, Iseult.
Iseult.Hast thou forgot Tintagel's King and Queen?'Twas not so once.
Ganelun.I've been at Arthur's courtNigh on two years, and there have taken partIn many deeds of high renown. 'Tis thisHas kept me from Tintagel and from home.
Dinas.And I, fair Queen Iseult, am growing old;I've left the saddle for the pillow's ease.
(Pointedly.)
I see the chess-board stands prepared and so,If Mark permits, 'tis I who in his placeWill lead the crimson pawns today, as weWere wont to do in former days. I loveThe game but have no friend with whom to play.
Dinas.Ay, Dinas, good it is to have some oneWho loves us near us in our twilight years;So play today with Goldenhaired Iseult.Perchance it may amuse her too, for oftShe seemeth sad, and mourns as women doWho have no children.—God forgive us both!But come, my lords, first let us drink a pledgeOf greeting, and permit this man to makeHis peace with my fair queen. I hate long feuds.Come, friends, come, let us drink, for all this dayWe'll spend together in good fellowship.
[He leaves the room withDinasandGanelunby the door on the right.IseultandDenovalinstand opposite each other, somedistance apart, silent and motionless.]
Denovalin(calmly and insinuatingly).Am I a vulture, Queen Iseult, that thouArt silent when I am within thy cage?
Iseult(angrily).My Lord Denovalin, how dar'st thou showThyself thus brazenly before me here?
Denovalin.Harsh words the Queen Iseult is pleased to use!
Iseult.And I shall beg the King that he forbidThee to appear within a mile aroundThe castle with thy visor raised.
Denovalin.King MarkIs not my over-lord. I'm not his liege.
Iseult.And I tell thee, my Lord Denovalin,Thy face is more abhorred by me than plague;More hateful than dread leprosy! Away!
Denovalin.More measured should'st thou be in thy reproof.
(Much moved.)
It was for thee I came today, harsh Queen!
Iseult(passionately).When last thou stoodst before my face, my Lord,Naked I was, and men at arms prepar'dThe glowing pyre whereon thy jealousyHad doomed my youthful body to be burned!Calm wast thou then; no quiver moved thy face,Untroubled by thy deed. Dost thou forget?
Denovalin.And Tristram stood beside thee then, as heHad stood, when I accused thee to King Mark,And when I see him standing next to thee,My eyes grow dim and all the world seems redWith blood. 'Twas him I saw, not thee, Iseult,Else had I died of sorrow and of shame.
Iseult.What,thou?Thougrieve!Thoudie of shame? The stonesShall soften and shall melt ere thou, my lord,Hast learned what pity means!
Denovalin.Thou dost misjudgeMe, Queen Iseult, for when thy foot first touchedThe Cornish strand as thou stepped'st from thy shipAnd came to be the bride of Mark, I sawThee then, and by the Lord, a solemn oathOf loyalty upon thy golden hairTo thee I swore! Oh thou wast wondrous fair!
Iseult.And I, my Lord, what evil did I thee?
Denovalin.Thou loved'st Tristram.
Iseult.What? Denovalin,When, by a miracle of God, I haveEscaped the fiery death which thou prepared'st;When, with these tender hands of mine, I boreBefore my judges, and without a burnThe glowing iron, and with sacred oathHave sworn, thou darest doubt Almighty God'sDecree, and dar'st accuse me still, and sayI love Lord Tristram with a guilty love?This nephew of my wedded spouse! Of thisI'll make complaint unto my sponsors, Lord!
Denovalin(calmly).Almighty God thou hast, perhaps, deceived,But we, at least, Iseult, we must be frank,Though enemies, and deal straightforwardlyWith one another.
Iseult.Go, thou were-wolf!—Go!
Denovalin.There was a time when I, too, heard the songOf birds in spring-time; but the fragrant breathThy golden hair exhales,—that hair which IHave seen flow rippling through Lord Tristram's hands—Has made me hard and rough—a very beast!I live pent up within my castle wallsAs some old wolf! I sleep all day and rideAt night! Ay, ride until my steed comes homeWith gasping nostril and with bloody flank,And lies as dead when morning comes! My houndsFall dead along the road! And yet, may be,That long before the earliest cock has crowedI cry aloud upon thy name each dayLike one who swelters in his own life's blood!Remember this, for hadst thou once, Iseult,Beside me ridden ere the night grew dark,Perchance this hatred of all living thingsHad never got such hold upon my soul.Remember this, throughout the many thingsWhich shall, ere evening, come to pass.And evening comes to thee, Iseult,—to me,To all! And so 'tis best thou understandThe secret of the past fairly to judge.This is the peace I fain would have with thee.
Iseult.I am afraid—afraid—of thee!
Denovalin.Thou shouldstNot fear, Iseult, these words so seeminglyDevoid of sense!
(Changing the subject.)
At dawn today I rodeAlong the Morois.
Iseult.Ay, since that's the roadThat leads the straightest from thy lofty hallTo St. Lubin.—
Denovalin.I met a quarry there!A quarry wondrous strange! Shall I, Iseult,Go bring it bound to thee?
Iseult(in great anxiety).I wish no fur,Or pelts slain by thy hand, Denovalin—
Denovalin.That I believe, Iseult, yet it might pleaseKing Mark.
(Breaking out passionately.)
It might be that once moreThou felt'st the burning touch of death, all hotAnd red. And if no safe retreat there wereFor thee in Cornwall, save my castle walls,And not a man in Cornwall stood to shieldThy golden tresses from the hangman's handExcept myself! If such the case what wouldstThou do if I said "come?"
Iseult(wild with terror and despair).If such the case,Oh God of Bethlehem! If such the caseI'd fling my arms about the neck of Death,And, clinging close to him, I'd spit at thee,Denovalin! Those wrinkles, cold and hard,About thy mouth on either side disgustMe! Go, Denovalin! I loath thee! Go!
Denovalin.I go, Iseult, for thou hast made thy choice;Forget it not. Forget not, too, the pactOf peace my soul has made with thine. Farewell!I'll go and bid Lord Dinas come to playAt chess with thee. Play quickly, Queen Iseult,Thy time is short, and short shall be thy game!
[He goes.]
Iseult.Oh God, how bitter are his words! They cutLike sharpen'd swords and burn like hissing flames!What is his will? His speech, though witless, ay,And senseless too, insults and threatens me.—It warns me too—of what?—Oh God, I quake!If but Brangaene came, or Dinas came!They come not and this creeping fear—how hardIt grips my soul!—More Gaelic barons come—!How often have I stood concealed hereAnd seen him come proud riding through the gate!My friend that comes no more! How grand he was!His lofty stature did o'ertop them all!How nobly trod his steed!—Dear Tristram, friend.Does thy new Isot's heart beat quick as mineAt but the thought of thy dear step?
(Kneels down in front of the little shrine.)
And thou,Oh little brachet, thinks thy lord of me,As I of him!—"For they who drink thereofTogether so shall love with every senseAlive, yet senseless—with their every thoughtYet thoughtless too, in life, in death, for aye—.Yet he, who once has known the wond'rous blissOf that intoxicating cup of love,Spits out the draught disloyally, shall beA homeless and a friendless worm—a weedThat grows beside the road." Oh Tristram, Lord.
Dinasenters.Iseultrushes toward him.
Dinas of Lidan! Dearest friend, most true!With what has this man threatened me? Of what,Then, warned?—friend, speak, for round me whirls the world;My brain is dizzy with each thought!
Dinas.My LordDenovalin has bid me come to theeTo play at chess. He said thou wast in haste.And has he, as Mark ordered him, made peaceWith thee?
Iseult.Made peace with me! I toldThee, Dinas, that he has stirred up the pastWith gloomy words and threatened me. He spokeForebodingly of coming days—; I fearHis words and know not what is brewing o'erMy head!
Dinas.Denovalin has threatened thee!That bodes no good!
Iseult.What think'st thou, Dinas? Speak!
Dinas.It makes me almost fear that I was notDeceived this morn as through the mist I rode.
Iseult.Oh Dinas!
Dinas.For I saw a man who rodeAs secretly, and stole along the wayConcealèd in the murky mists of dawn.I—
Iseult.Dinas!
Dinas.Tristram's in the land, Iseult!
Iseult.Oh Dinas, speak! (Softly.) My friend. LordTristram cameAt dawn today—? The man who loved me so!My dearest Lord—! Oh Dinas, Dinas, didst
(recovering herself)
Thou speak to him?
Dinas(sternly).Twice called I him. He fled.
Iseult.Oh, why didst thou not call him in my name?He would have stood thee answer then, for thatHe swore to me he'd do, by day or nightAt any place....
Dinas.I called him in thy name,And yet he fled away.
Iseult.He fled from thee?
(Angrily.)
It was not Tristram then! How dar'st thou speakSuch slander 'gainst my Lord!
Dinas.I swore that IWould be thy friend, and for thy sake, Iseult,His friend. But now I say Lord Tristram brokeThe oath he swore to thee, and on this dayHath wronged thee grievously, Iseult.
Iseult(heavily and brokenly).The spouseOf Isot of the Fair White Hands appearedTo thee, say'st thou, and broke his parting oath.The last he swore to Iseult Goldenhaired?
Paranis(enters in ill-suppressed excitement).Lord Dinas, from King Mark I come. He bidsThee come to him straightway with all despatch,For in the name of justice calls he thee.
Iseult.Oh Dinas, Dinas, Tristram broke his oath—!Lord Tristram broke his oath—!
Dinas.And dost thou know,My queen, that we must now attempt to wardThe consequences of King Mark's decreeAnd its fulfilment from thy head?
Iseult(angrily).How canAn alien woman's spouse affect my life?
Dinas.I go to stem with all the strength I haveThis current of perdition. Fare thee well.
[AsDinasgoes out, three armed guardsstep into the room and stand on eitherside of the door.]
Iseult.And fare thee well, thou truest of the true!
(To the guards.)
And ye, what seek ye here?
GUARD.King Mark has bidUs guard thy door; thou may'st not go abroadTill Mark has bid thee come.
Paranis(falls on his knees).Gawain lies bound;Brangaene's cast into a prison cell,And something awful's taking place withinThe castle walls!—I know not what it is!
Iseult.Paranis, child, be still.
The High Hall of St. Lubin Castle.—Bay windows. On the right, in the background is a wide double-door. On the left, in the background, and diagonally to it stands a long table surrounded by high-back chairs. The chairs at either end of the table are higher than the others and are decorated with the royal arms. Against the wall on the left stands a throne.
Four Gaelic barons stand, or sit about the table.Lord Ganelunenters.
A Baron.And canst thou tell us now. Lord Ganelun,What's taking place that we are summoned hereIn council while our legs are scarcely dryFrom our long ride?
2d Baron.A welcome such as thisI like not, Lords!
Ganelun.I know no more than ye,My lords, who are but lately come.
3d Baron.And whereIs Mark, the King?
2d Baron.Instead of greeting usHe sends a low born knave, and bids us waitWithin these dry and barren walls.
1st Baron(stands up).By God,I feel a wish to mount my horse and rideAway!
5th Baron(entering).Do ye, my Lords, know why King MarkLets Tristram's savage hound, old Husdent live?It needed but a little that it causedMy death!
4th Baron.Just now?
5th Baron.As I rode by its cageIt leap'd against the bars, and made them shakeWith such a noise that my affrighted horseUprear'd, and headlong sprang across the court.
Ganelun.The hound is wolflike; none can go withinHis cage. Three keepers has he torn to death.
5th Baron.A wild and dang'rous beast! I would not keepThe brute within my castle walls.
3d Baron(walks irritatedly to the window).How thisLong waiting irks my soul, good friends!
1st Baron.So coldA welcome have I never yet received,And new the custom is!
Ganelun.Have patience, sirs,It seems King Mark and Lord DenovalinDiscuss in secret weighty things—
3rd Baron.—And wishTo teach us how to wait!
Ganelun.Nay, here's King Mark!
Ernst_Hardt
ERNST HARDT
MarkandDenovalinenter; behind them comes a man-at-arms who closes the door and stands against the wall beside it.Markholds a parchment in his hand, and, without noticing the barons, walks agitatedly to the front of the stage.Denovalingoes behind the table and places himself between it and the throne. The barons rise.
1st Baron.Does Mark no longer know us that he greetsUs not?
2d Baron.And dost thou know, my Lord—?
Mark(turning angrily upon the baron).Am IA weak old man because my hair is gray,Because my hands are wrinkled, ay, and hard,Because at times my armor chafes my back?Am I an old and sapless log? A manUsed up who shall forever keep his peace?
(Controlling himself.)
I crave your pardon, Lords, pray take your seats.
Dinas.Thou badst me come to thee.
Dinas.Yes, Dinas, yes,So take thy place.
(He controls his emotion with great difficultyand speaks heavily.)And ye, my noble friends,Give ear. A great and careful reckoning shallTake place 'twixt you and me. Your sanctioning wordI wish, for what I am about to do,For yonder man has, with an evil lance,Attacked me and he has so lifted meOut of my saddle that my head doth swim,And trembles from the shock, and so I prayYou to forgive the churlish greeting yeReceived; 'twas accident, not scorn. I bidYou welcome, one and all, most heartily.
3d Baron.We greet thee, Mark.
Ganelun.But tell us now what thingSo overclouds thy mind; thy welfare dwellsClose intertwined with ours.
Denovalin(unfolding the parchment).And now, my Lords,Are any of the witnesses not hereWho signed the contract and decree which MarkDrew up with Tristram and with Queen Iseult!
1st Baron.'Tis then of this decree that thou wouldst speak?
3d Baron.I signed.
4th Baron.And I.
5th Baron.And I.
Dinas.Three witnessesThere were, and ye are three. 'Tis good, my Lords,That we are all assembled here.
[He speaks brokenly and with all the marksof mental suffering and suppressed emotion.]
Ye knowHow long I lived alone within these wallsWith my good nephew Tristram and not onceDid any woman cross my threshold o'er.
5th Baron.And 'twas through us that things were changed; we criedUpon thee for a son and heir.
2d Baron.IseultThen came from Ireland to be thy Queen.
Denovalin(coldly, firmly, and in a loud voice).Nobly escorted, in Lord Tristram's care!
Mark(softly).I wooed Iseult, and much it pleased me thenTo call this sweet and noble lady mine,And so to honor her. But see, it wasBut for a single day, then came this man
(Points toDenovalin. )
And spake to me and said: "Thy wife IseultAnd Tristram whisper in the dark!" And sinceThe speaking of that evil word, this worldHas turned to hell, and through my veins my bloodHas run like seething fire for her sake,Who was my wife, and cried for her as thoughShe were not mine!
3d Baron.But thou didst not believeThese evil words?
Dinas.No, never in my lifeDid I fight off a foeman from myselfMore fiercely than these words.
Denovalin(sternly).But soon this manCame back and said: "The hands of Queen IseultAnd Tristram's hands are locked when it is dark."
Dinas.And then I slunk about them like a wretch,My lords; I spied upon their lips, their hands,Their eyes! I watched them like a murderer;I listened underneath their window-sillsAt night to catch their dreaming words, untilI scorned myself for this wild wretchedness!Nothing, nothing I found, and yet IseultFrom that time on was dearer than my GodAnd his Salvation!
Ganelun.Yet thou ever held'stIseult in honor and esteem!
Dinas.Ay, that I did,Friend Ganelun, but soon that man there cameAnd whispered in mine ear: "Art thou stone blind?Thy nephew Tristram and thy Queen IseultAre sleeping in each other's arms by dayAnd night!" Oh God! Oh God! My Lords, I setTo work—and thought I'd caught the pair!—Poor fool!
(He hides his face.)
Dinas.'Tis so; and thou badst build a mighty pyreOf seasoned wood and well dried peat. But GodAlmighty blew the fire out. They fled,The twain together, to the Morois land.
Mark.And then one night I stole upon them both.(Lord Dinas knew of this alone, my Lords.)Iseult was sleeping, and Lord Tristram sleptAn arm's length scarce before me in the mossAll pale and wan, and breathed so heavily,So wearily, like some hard hunted beasts.
(Groaning.)
Oh God, how easy was it then!—See whatBefell! There, 'twixt their bodies lay a sword,All naked, ay, and sharp—'Twas Morholl's sword!—Then silently I took it, and I leftMine own, and, like a fool, I wept at theirGreat purity!
2d Baron.Was Tristram so much movedBy this exchange of swords that he gave backThy wife Iseult?
Mark(violently).And, God! I took her! SeeHis cunning counsel circumvented thenThe red hot steel and made her innocenceSeem more apparent, and her hands shone white,Unburned, and all unscarred like ivoryAfter the test! My nephew Tristram fled,Exiled, and the decree that ye all knowWas sealed. So harken now, ye witnessesOf the decree: if Tristram were to breakThe bond and secretly, and in disguiseReturn to Cornwall—
3d Baron.God forbid!
4th Baron.Yet ifLord Tristram should do this and break the bond,And thus endanger both his life and Queen Iseult's—
5th Baron.If such the case they lied to thee,King Mark, and unto God!
Dinas.They lied! They lied!Ay, man, they lied to me and unto God!And now I need no longer feel my wayNor tap about me in the dark, nor bumpMy soul against my blindness! Ay, they lied!My bed was foul; my life a jest for knaves,For they had lied. But then, behold, that manThere came,—Denovalin I hate thee!—cameAnd said Lord Tristram broke the bond—
[The Barons spring up.]
1st Baron.How so?
2d Baron.What knows he?
3d Baron.Speak, Denovalin!
Ganelun.Thou say'stLord Tristram broke the bond that holds his life?
5th Baron.I'll not believe it!
4th Baron.Tristram wed, ye know,The daughter of King Kark of Arundland.
3d Baron.Denovalin must bring us proofs!
Dinas.Gently,My Lords. Before the high tribunal shallHe speak. Go, call the Queen.
[The man-at-arms goes.]
Dinas.King Mark,Why dost thou hasten to believe this tale?Remember, 'tis Denovalin who speaks.
Dinas.'Tis not a matter of belief, my friend,I wish to know if for her sake he came;To see her once again—no more. The restI know, and I know, too, the end of this;This game that's played about my life, my blood.Mine honor!
The guardsman announces the queen who enters the hall followed byParanis. She remains in the background. The barons rise as she appears.
Guardsman.Place! Iseult the queen comes! Place!
Iseult(quietly and gently).Ye called me, sirs; now speak, for I am here.
Mark(takes an angry step toward her, checks himself, and stares at her a moment. He speaks slowly and without moving).Lord Dinas, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near!
[Iseult, without waiting forDinas, stepsto the middle of the hall.Markdoes notmove and speaks louder.]
Lord Dinas, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near!And sit there by the board—there at the headAnd facing me.
Iseult.And may I ask thee nowWhat this extraordinary custom is,That twice thou dost repeat it, Mark? In mineOwn land of Ireland I never sawA man thus treat his wife. So, if it suitsThy will,—I'll stand!
[NeitherMarknor the barons move.Anxiously.]
Will no one speak to me?
Dinas.My Lords, sit down.
[He walks in front of the table.Paraniskneels besideIseult, who lays her handupon his head as on the head of a dog.]
Iseult.Thou call'dst me, Mark, and bad'stMe come in terms full stern and harsh—I came,For 'tis my heartfelt duty to obey.Since thou art good to me and kind. Thou know'stThis hall, these men, that stand around, awakeFull many a painful memory in my heart,And so I crave a swift reply. What willYe of me here?
Mark(roughly).Why was Gawain sent forthIn secret to Tintagel from Lubin?
Iseult.He went not secretly, but openly,My Lord, and that because some merchant-menCame to Tintagel from across the seasWith merchandise. I wished to bid them comeTo me that I might choose me from their stock the waresThat pleased me and the many things I need.
Mark(scornfully).The purchase must be made at once, I trow!Since here, more than elsewhere, thou need'st such things.'Tis true that fifteen beasts of burden stayedBehind, all laden with thy things alone,Unnoticed by a well beside the road,Iseult, I recollect me now!
Iseult.Nay, Lord,Yet St. Lubin brings me full many a sadAnd weary hour. I, therefore, thought to gainSome slight diversion and amusement tooTo soothe my woe. Thou know'st the joy I haveOf mingled masses of bright colored thingsBoth strange and rare!
(Anxiously.)
The rustling silks; the gold—;Th' embroidery of robes; the jewel's flash;—Furs, chains and golden girdles, needles,clasps! To see, and in my hands to hold such thingsO'erjoys me much!—A childish whim, perhaps,But thou thyself this pleasure oft procured'stAnd sent the merchants to my bower. WhatWonder is it then that I myself should thinkOf this same thing?
Dinas.'Tis so, I wronged thy thoughts,For I myself have often brought such menTo thee. These peddlers and these mountebanksAre famous friends! I see it now! They comeFrom far and wide; they travel much; they areBoth wise and cunning—apt, indeed, to serveAs messengers!
Iseult.Ay, Mark, thou didst me wrong.But greater to Brangaene and Gawain!I pray thee set them free; they but obeyedMy will.
Mark(angrily).Bring forth the pair, and set them freeThese go-betweens Brangaene and Gawain!
[The soldier goes.]
Tell now, my Lord Denovalin, thy tale,And speak thy words distinctly, ay, and loud!And ye, my Lords, I pray you, listen well;A pretty tale!
[He crouches on the steps of the throne,and stares atIseult.Denovalinstepsforward from behind the table.]
Denovalin.I rode today at dawn,And, coming through the Morois, saw, while yetThe mist was hanging in the trees, aroundA curving of the road, a man who rode.Full proud and straight he sat upon his steed,But yet he seemed to wish that none should seeHim there, for carefully did he avoidThe clearer spots, and peering round about,He listened and he keenly watched, then turnedInto a thicket when afar he heardThe hoof-beats of my horse. I followed him,And soon I was as near as a man's voiceWill carry. Loud and haughtily I calledTo him, but then he drove the spurs so deepInto his steed that, like a wounded stag,It sprang into the air and dashed away.I followed close behind, and bade the manIn knightly and in manly honor stand.He heeded not my words and fled away,And then I cried aloud that he should stand,And called him by Iseult the Goldenhaired.
Iseult(passionately and firmly).And at my name Lord Tristram stood.
(Anxiously.)
Did heNot stand and wait?
(Imploringly.)
Oh, say that at that callLord Tristram stood!
(Passionately.)
And I will bless thy lips.
Mark(cries out in a muffled voice).Iseult!
Iseult.I'll kiss thy hand, my Lord, and I—
Denovalin.Who says, proud Queen Iseult, the man I sawWas Tristram, noble Lord of Lyonesse?
Iseult(her voice becomes proud and cold).My Lord Denovalin, I'll kiss thy handsIf thou wilt say my husband's nephew stoodAnd bided you, for sorely would it vexMy heart if such a knight should flee from suchA man as thou! 'Twould shame me much, for know,My Lord Denovalin, I scorn and hateThee as a cur!
Denovalin(suppressing his emotion).If Tristram stood or fledFrom me, I do not say.
Iseult.That vexes meIndeed, for now, my Lords, I turn to youWith deeper and more serious complaintsAgainst Lord Tristram that so rashly heHas broken Mark's decree, thus forcing meTo share a guilt of which my soul is clean!
Mark(crouches on the steps of the throne groaning).Oh see how well her Irish tongue can twistHer words to suit her will! Her words are smooth;So smooth that when one grasps them they escapeThe hand like shining, slippery, squirming snakes!And she has subtle words, caressing words,And words that set the mind on fire; hot wordsThat burn, and haughty ones that swell and puffLike stallions' nostrils, and toss high their heads!Oh she has words, and words, and many wordsWith which to frame her lies!
(He takes a step towardIseult. Angrily.)
And see her eyes!Those wondrous eyes! Eyes for deceit! She hasDeceived me with those eyes and lips of hers since firstShe set her foot upon the Cornish shore!
Iseult(trembling with shame and anger).Thy words are like the shame of women, Mark!Like filthy hands! Irish I am, but there,In word and deed, polite restraint prevailsAnd courteous measuredness; there fiery wrathBecomes ne'er master of the man! And soI was not taught in early youth to guardMyself from drunkenness of wrath!
Dinas.O hark!That was a sample of her haughty words!Iseult the Goldenhaired of IrelandDidst thou with thine own hand and blood sign this?