I know the Queen
of Ireland well,
unquestioned are
her magic arts:
the balsam cured me
which she brought;
now bid me quaff the cup,
that I may quite recover.
Heed to my all-
atoning oath,
which in return I tender
Tristan's honor-
highest truth!
Tristan's anguish-
brave distress!
Traitor spirit,
dawn-illumined!
Endless trouble's
only truce!
Oblivion's kindly draught,
with rapture thou art quaff'd!
(He lifts the cup and drinks.)
ISOLDA. Betrayed e'en here?
I must halve it!-
(She wrests the cup from his hand.)
Betrayer, I drink to thee!
[She drinks, and then throws away the cup. Both, seized with
shuddering, gaze with deepest emotion, but immovable demeanor, into
one another's eyes, in which the expression of defiance to death
fades and melts into the glow of passion. Trembling seizes them,
they convulsively clutch their hearts and pass their hands over their
brows. Their glances again seek to meet, sink in confusion, and once
more turn with growing longing upon one another.]
ISOLDA (with trembling voice). Tristan!
TRISTAN (overpowered). Isolda!
ISOLDA (sinking upon his breast). Traitor beloved!
TRISTAN. Woman divine!
(He embraces her with ardor. They remain in a silent embrace.)
ALL THE MEN (without). Hail! Hail!
Hail our monarch!
Hail to Mark, the king!
BRANGAENA (who, filled with confusion and horror, has leaned over
the side with averted face, now turns to behold the pair locked in
their close embrace, and rushes to the front, wringing her hands in
despair). Woe's me! Woe's me!
Endless mis'ry
I have wrought
instead of death!
Dire the deed
of my dull fond heart:
it cries aloud to heav'n!
(They start from their embrace.)
TRISTAN (bewildered). What troubled dream
of Tristan's honor?
ISOLDA. What troubled dream
Of Isolda's shame?
TRISTAN. Have I then lost thee?
ISOLDA. Have I repulsed thee?
TRISTAN. Fraudulent magic,
framing deceit!
BOTH. Languishing passion,
longing and growing,
love ever yearning,
loftiest glowing!
Rapture confess'd
rides in each breast!
Isolda! Tristan!
Tristan! Isolda!
World, I can shun thee
my love is won me!
Thou'rt my thought, all above:
highest delight of love!
SCENE VII.
[The curtains are now drawn wide apart; the whole ship is covered
with knights and sailors, who, with shouts of joy, make signs
over towards the shore which is now seen to be quite near, with
castle-crowned cliffs. Tristan and Isolda remain absorbed in mutual
contemplation, perceiving nothing that is passing.]
BRANGAENA (to the women, who at her bidding ascend from below).
Quick-the mantle!
the royal robe!-
(Rushing betweenTRISTANandISOLDA.)
Up, hapless ones!
See where we are!
(She places the royal mantle onISOLDA, who notices nothing.)
ALL THE MEN. Hail! Hail!
Hail our monarch!
Hail to Mark the king!
KURVENAL (advancing gaily). Hail, Tristan,
knight of good hap!
Behold King Mark approaching,
in a bark
with brave attendance.
Gladly he stems the tide,
coming to seek his bride.
TRISTAN (looking up in bewilderment). Who comes?
KURVENAL. The king 'tis.
TRISTAN. What king mean you?
(KURVENALpoints over the side. TRISTANgazes stupefied at
the shore.)
ALL THE MEN (waving their hats). Hail to King Mark!
All hail!
ISOLDA (bewildered). What is't, Brangaena?
What are those cries?
BRANGAENA. Isolda-mistress!
Compose thyself!
ISOLDA. Where am I! living?
What was that draught?
BRANGAENA (despairingly). The love-potion!
ISOLDA (staring with horror atTRISTAN). Tristan!
TRISTAN. Isolda!
ISOLDA. Must I live, then?
(Falls fainting upon his breast.)
BRANGAENA (to the women). Look to your lady!
TRISTAN. O rapture fraught with cunning!
O fraud with bliss o'er-running!
ALL THE MEN (in a general burst of acclamation).
Hail to King Mark!
Cornwall, hail!
[People have clambered over the ship's side, others have extended
a bridge, and the aspect of all indicates the immediate arrival of the
expected ones, as the curtain falls.]
ACT II.
[A Garden before ISOLDA'S Chamber which lies at one side and is
approached by steps. Bright and pleasant summer night. At the open
door a burning torch is fixed. Sounds of hunting heard.]
SCENE I.
[BRANGAENA, on the steps leading to the chamber, is watching the
retreat of the still audible hunters. She looks anxiously back into
the chamber as ISOLDA emerges thence in ardent animation.]
ISOLDA. Yet do you hear?
I lost the sound some time.
BRANGAENA (listening). Still do they stay:
clearly rings the horns.
ISOLDA (listening). Fear but deludes
thy anxious ear;
by sounds of rustling
leaves thou'rt deceived,
aroused by laughter of winds.
BRANGAENA. Deceived by wild
desire art thou,
and but hear'st as would thy wilclass="underline" -
I still hear the sound of horns.
ISOLDA (listens). No sound of horns
were so sweet:
yon fountain's soft
murmuring current
moves so quietly hence.
If horns yet brayed,
how could I hear that?
In still night alone
it laughs on mine ear.
My lov'd one hides
in darkness unseen:
wouldst thou hold from my side my dearest?
deeming that horns thou hearest?
BRANGAENA. Thy lov'd one hid-
oh heed my warning!-
for him a spy waits by night.
Listening oft
I light upon him:
he lays a secret snare.
Of Melot oh beware!
ISOLDA. Mean you Sir Melot?
O, how you mistake!
Is he not Tristan's
trustiest friend?