Tristan and Isolda

ACT III.

A Castle-Garden.

[At one side high castellated buildings, on the other a low

breastwork interrupted by a watch tower; at back the castle-gate. The

situation is supposed to be on rocky cliffs; through openings the

view extends over a wide sea horizon. The whole gives an impression

of being deserted by the owner, badly kept, and here and there

dilapidated and overgrown.]

SCENE I.

[In the foreground, in the garden, liesTRISTANsleeping

on a couch under the shade of a great lime-tree, stretched out as if

lifeless. At his head sitsKURVENAL, bending over him in grief

and anxiously listening to his breathing. From without comes the

mournful sound of a shepherd's pipe.

Presently the shepherd comes and looks in with interest, showing

the upper half of his body over the wall.]

SHEPHERD. Kurvenal, ho!-

Say, Kurvenal,-

tell me, friend!

Does he still sleep?

KURVENAL (turning a little towards him and shaking his head

sadly). If he awoke

it would be

but for evermore to leave us,

unless we find

the lady-leech;

alone can she give help.-

See'st thou nought?

No ship yet on the sea?

SHEPHERD. Quite another ditty

then would I play

as merry as ever I may.

But tell me truly,

trusty friend,

why languishes our lord?

KURVENAL. Do not ask me;-

for I can give no answer.

Watch the sea,

if sails come in sight

a sprightly melody play.

SHEPHERD (turns round and scans the horizon, shading his eyes with

his hand).

Blank appears the sea!

(He puts the reed pipe to his mouth and withdraws, playing.)

TRISTAN (motionless-faintly).

The tune so well known-

why wake to that?

(opens his eyes and slightly turns his head).

Where am I?

KURVENAL (starting in joyous surprise).

Ha!-who is speaking?

It is his voice!-

Tristan! lov'd one!

My lord! my Tristan!

TRISTAN (with effort). Who-calls me?

KURVENAL. Life-at last-

O thanks be to heaven!-

sweetest life

unto my Tristan newly given!

TRISTAN (faintly). Kurvenal!-thou?

Where-was I?-

Where-am I?

KURVENAL. Where art thou?

In safety, tranquil and sure!

Kareol 'tis;

dost thou not know

thy fathers' halls?

TRISTAN. This my fathers'?

KURVENAL. Look but around.

TRISTAN. What awoke me?

KURVENAL. The herdsman's ditty

hast thou heard, doubtless;

he heedeth thy herds

above on the hills there.

TRISTAN. Have I herds, then?

KURVENAL. Sir, I say it!

Thine are court,

castle-all.

To thee yet true,

thy trusty folk,

as best they might,

have held thy home in guard:

the gift which once

thy goodness gave

to thy serfs and vassals here,

when going far away,

in foreign lands to dwell.

TRISTAN. What foreign land?

KURVENAL. Why! in Cornwall;

where cool and able,

all that was brilliant,

brave and noble,

Tristan, my lord, lightly took.

TRISTAN. Am I in Cornwall?

KURVENAL. No, no; in Kareol.

TRISTAN. How came I here?

KURVENAL. Hey now! how you came?

No horse hither you rode:

a vessel bore you across.

But on my shoulders

down to the ship

you had to ride: they are broad,

they carried you to the shore.

Now you are at home once more;

your own the land,

your native land;

all loved things now are near you,

unchanged the sun doth cheer you.

The wounds from which you languish

here all shall end their anguish.

(He presses himself toTRISTAN'S breast.)

TRISTAN. Think'st thou thus!

I know 'tis not so,

but this I cannot tell thee.

Where I awoke

ne'er I was,

but where I wandered

I can indeed not tell thee.

The sun I could not see,

nor country fair, nor people;

but what I saw

I can indeed not tell thee.

It was-

the land from which I once came

and whither I return:

the endless realm

of earthly night.

One thing only

there possessed me:

blank, unending,

all-oblivion.-

How faded all forebodings!

O wistful goadings!-

Thus I call

the thoughts that all

t'ward light of day have press'd me.

What only yet doth rest me,

the love-pains that possess'd me,

from blissful death's affright

now drive me toward the light,

which, deceitful, bright and golden,

round thee, Isolda, shines.

Accursed day

with cruel glow!

Must thou ever

wake my woe?

Must thy light

be burning ever,

e'en by night

our hearts to sever?

Ah, my fairest,

sweetest, rarest!

When wilt thou-

when, ah, when-

let the torchlight dwindle,

that so my bliss may kindle?

The light, how long it glows!

When will the house repose?

(His voice has grown fainter and he sinks back gently,

exhausted.)

KURVENAL (who has been deeply distressed, now quickly rousts

himself from his dejection).

I once defied,

through faith in thee,

the one for whom

now with thee I'm yearning.

Trust in my words,

thou soon shalt see her

face to face.

My tongue that comfort giveth,-

if on the earth still she liveth.

TRISTAN (very feebly). Yet burns the beacon's spark:

yet is the house not dark,

Isolda lives and wakes:

her voice through darkness breaks.

KURVENAL. Lives she still,

then let new hope delight thee.

If foolish and dull you hold me,

this day you must not scold me.

As dead lay'st thou

since the day

when that accursed Melot

so foully wounded thee.

Thy wound was heavy:

how to heal it?

Thy simple servant

there bethought

that she who once

closed Morold's wound

with ease the hurt could heal thee

that Melot's sword did deal thee.

I found the best

of leeches there,

to Cornwall have I

sent for her:

a trusty serf

sails o'er the sea,

bringing Isold' to thee.

TRISTAN (transported). Isolda comes!

Isolda nears! (He struggles for words.)

O friendship! high

and holy friendship!

(DrawsKURVENALto him and embraces him.)

O Kurvenal,

thou trusty heart,

my truest friend I rank thee!

Howe'er can Tristan thank thee?

My shelter and shield

in fight and strife;

in weal or woe

thou'rt mine for life.

Those whom I hate

thou hatest too;

those whom I love

thou lovest too.

When good King Mark

I followed of old,

thou wert to him truer than gold.

When I was false

to my noble friend,

to betray too thou didst descend.

Thou art selfless,

solely mine;

thou feel'st for me

when I suffer.

But-what I suffer,

thou canst not feel for me!

this terrible yearning in my heart,

this feverish burning's

cruel smart,-

did I but show it,

couldst thou but know it,

no time here wouldst thou tarry,

to watch from tow'r thou wouldst hurry;

with all devotion

viewing the ocean,

with eyes impatiently spying,

there, where her ship's sails are flying.

Before the wind she

drives to find me;

on the wings of love she neareth,-

Isolda hither steereth!-

she nears, she nears,

so boldly and fast!

It waves, it waves,

the flag from the mast!

Hurra! Hurra!

she reaches the bar!

Dost thou not see?

Kurvenal, dost thou not see?

(As KURNEVAL hesitates to leaveTRISTAN, who is

gazing at him in mute expectation, the mournful tune of the shepherd

is heard, as before.)

KURVENAL (dejectedly). Still is no ship in sight.

TRISTAN (has listened with waning excitement and now

recommences with growing melancholy).

Is this the meaning then,

thou old pathetic ditty,

of all thy sighing sound?-

On evening's breeze

it sadly rang

when, as a child,

my father's death-news chill'd me;

through morning's mist

it stole more sadly,

when the son

his mother's fate was taught,

when they who gave me breath

both felt the hand of death

to them came also

through their pain

the ancient ditty's

yearning strain,

which asked me once

and asks me now

which was the fate before me

to which my mother bore me?-

What was the fate?-

The strain so plaintive

now repeats it:-

for yearning-and dying!

(He falls back senseless.)

KURVENAL (who has been vainly striving to calmTRISTAN, cries

out in terror).

My master! Tristan!-

Frightful enchantment!-

O love's deceit!

O passion's pow'r!

Most sweet dream 'neath the sun,

see the work thou hast done!-

Here lies he now,

the noblest of knights,

with his passion all others above:

behold! what reward

his ardor requites;

the one sure reward of love!

(with sobbing voice.)

Art thou then dead?

Liv'st thou not?

Hast to the curse succumbed?-

(He listens forTRISTAN'S breath.)

O rapture! No!

He still moves! He lives!

and gently his lips are stirr'd.

TRISTAN (very faintly). The ship-is't yet in sight?

KURVENAL. The ship? Be sure

t'will come to-day:

it cannot tarry longer.

TRISTAN. On board Isolda,-

see, she smiles-

with the cup

that reconciles.

Dost thou see?

Dost thou see her now?

Full of grace

and loving mildness,

floating o'er

the ocean's wildness?

By billows of flowers

lightly lifted,

gently toward

the land she's drifted.

Her look brings ease

and sweet repose;

her hand one last

relief bestows.

Isolda! Ah, Isolda!

How fair, how sweet art thou!-

And Kurvenal, why!-

what ails thy sight?

Away, and watch for her,

foolish I see so well and plainly,

let not thine eye seek vainly

Dost thou not hear?

Away, with speed!

Haste to the watch-tow'r!

Wilt thou not heed?

The ship, the ship!

Isolda's ship!-

Thou must discern it,

must perceive it!

The ship-dost thou see it?-

(WhilstKURVENAL, still hesitating, opposesTRISTAN,

the Shepherd's pipe is heard without, playing a joyous strain.)

KURVENAL (springing joyously up).

O rapture! Transport!

(He rushes to the watch-tower and looks out.)

Ha! the ship!

From northward it is nearing.

TRISTAN. So I knew,

so I said!

Yes, she yet lives,

and life to me gives.

How could Isold'

from this world be free,

which only holds

Isolda for me?

KURVENAL (shouting). Ahoy! Ahoy!

See her bravely tacking!

How full the canvas is filled!

How she darts! how she flies!

TRISTAN. The pennon? the pennon?

KURVENAL. A flag is floating at mast-head,

joyous and bright.

TRISTAN. Aha! what joy!

Now through the daylight

comes my Isolda.

Isolda, oh come!

See'st thou herself?

KURVENAL. The ship is shut

from me by rocks.

TRISTAN. Behind the reef?

Is there not risk!

Those dangerous breakers

ships have oft shattered.-

Who steereth the helm?

KURVENAL. The steadiest seaman.

TRISTAN. Betrays he me?

Is he Melot's ally?

KURVENAL. Trust him like me.

TRISTAN. A traitor thou, too!-

O caitiff!

Canst thou not see her?

KURVENAL. Not yet.

TRISTAN. Destruction!

KURVENAL. Aha! Halla-halloa I

they clear! they clear!

Safely they clear!

Inside the surf

steers now the ship to the strand.

TRISTAN (shouting in joy). Hallo-ho! Kurvenal!

Trustiest friend!

All the wealth I own

to-day I bequeath thee.

KURVENAL. With speed they approach.

TRISTAN. Now dost thou see her?

See'st thou Isolda?

KURVENAL. 'Tis she! she waves!

TRISTAN. O woman divine!

KURVENAL. The ship is a-land!

Isolda.'-ha!-

With but one leap

lightly she springs to land!

TRISTAN. Descend from the watch-tow'r,

indolent gazer!

Away! away

to the shore!

Help her! help my belov'd!

KURVENAL. In a trice she shall come;

Trust in my strong arm!

But thou, Tristan,

hold thee tranquilly here!

(He hastens off.)

TRISTAN (tossing on his couch in feverish excitement ).

O sunlight glowing,

glorious ray!

Ah, joy-bestowing

radiant day!

Boundeth my blood,

boisterous flood!

Infinite gladness!

Rapturous madness!

Can I bear to lie

couched here in quiet?

Away, let me fly

to where hearts run riot!

Tristan the brave,

exulting in strength,

has torn himself

from death at length.

(He raises himself erect.)

All wounded and bleeding

Sir Morold I defeated;

all bleeding and wounded

Isolda now shall be greeted.

(He tears the bandage from his wound.)

Ha, ha, my blood!

Merrily flows it.

(He springs from his bed and staggers forward.)

She who can help

my wound and close it,

she comes in her pride,

she comes to my aid.

Be space defied:

let the universe fade!

(He reels to the centre of the stage.)

ISOLDA'S VOICE (without).

Tristan! Tristan! Beloved!

TRISTAN (in frantic excitement).

What! hails me the light?

The torchlight-ha!-

The torch is extinct!

I come! I come!

SCENE II.

[ISOLDAhastens breathlessly in. TRISTAN, delirious with

excitement, staggers wildly towards her. They meet in the centre of

the stage; she receives him in her arms, where he sinks slowly to the

ground.]

ISOLDA. Tristan! Ah!

TRISTAN (turning, his dying eyes onISOLDA). Isolda!-

(He dies.)

ISOLDA. 'Tis I, 'tis I-

dearly belov'd!

Wake, and once more

hark to my voice!

Isolda calls.

Isolda comes,

with Tristan true to perish.-

Speak unto me!

But for one moment,

only one moment

open thine eyes!

Such weary days

I waited and longed,

that one single hour

I with thee might awaken.

Betrayed am I then?

Deprived by Tristan

of this our solitary,

swiftly fleeting,

final earthly joy?-

His wound, though-where?

Can I not heal it?

The rapture of night

O let us feel it?

Not of thy wounds,

not of thy wounds must thou expire!

Together, at least,

let fade life's enfeebled fire!-

How lifeless his look!-

still his heart!-

Dared he to deal me

Buch a smart?

Stayed is his breathing's

gentle tide!

Must I be wailing

at his side,

who, in rapture coming to seek him,

fearless sailed o'er the sea?

Too late, too late!

Desperate man!

Casting on me

this cruelest ban!

Comes no relief

for my load of grief?

Silent art keeping

while I am weeping?

But once more, ah!

But once again!-

Tristan!-ha!

he wakens-hark!

Beloved-

-dark!

(She sinks down senseless upon his body.)

SCENE III.

[KURVENAL, who reentered close behindISOLDA, has remained

by the entrance speechless and petrified, gazing motionless on

TRISTAN. From below is now heard the dull murmur of voices and the

clash of weapons. The Shepherd clambers over the wall.]

SHEPHERD (coming hastily and softly toKURVENAL ).

Kurvenal! Hear!

Another ship!

(KURVENALstarts up in haste and looks over the rampart, whilst

the Shepherd stands apart, gazing in consternation onTRISTAN

andISOLDA.)

KURVENAL. Fiends and furies!

(In a burst of anger.)

All are at hand!

Melot and Mark

I see on the strand,-

Weapons and missiles!-

Guard we the gate!

(He hastens with the Shepherd to the gate, which they both try

quickly to barricade.)

THE STEERSMAN (rushing in).

Mark and his men

have set on us:

defence is vain!

We're overpowered.

KURVENAL. Stand to and help!-

While lasts my life

I'll let no foe enter here!

BRANGAENA'S VOICE (without, calling from below).

Isolda! Mistress!

KURVENAL. Brangaena's voice! (Falling down.)

What want you here?

BRANGAENA. Open, Kurvenal!

Where is Isolda?

KURVENAL. With foes do you come?

Woe to you, false one!

MELOT'S VOICE (without). Stand back, thou fool!

Bar not the way!

KURVENAL (laughing savagely). Hurrah for the day

on which I confront thee!

(MELOT, with armed men, appears under the gateway.

KURVENALfalls on him and cuts him down.)

Die, damnable wretch!

SCENE IV.

MELOT. Woe's me!-Tristan! (He dies.)

BRANGAENA (still without). Kurvenal! Madman!

O hear-thou mistakest!

KURVENAL. Treacherous maid! (To his men.)

Come! Follow me!

Force them below! (They fight.)

MARK (without). Hold, thou frantic man!

Lost are thy senses?

KURVENAL. Here ravages Death!

Nought else, O king,

is here to be holden!

If you would earn it, come on!

(He sets uponMARKand his followers.)

MARK. Away, rash maniac!

BRANGAENA (has climbed over the wall at the side and hastens in the

front).

Isolda! lady!

Joy and life!-

What sight's here-ha!

Liv'st thou, Isolda! (She goes toISOLDA'S aid.)

MARK (who with his followers has drivenKURVENALand his men

back from the gate and forced his way in).O wild mistake!

Tristan, where art thou?

KURVENAL (desperately wounded, totters beforeMARKto the

front).

He lieth-there-

here, where I lie too.-

(Sinks down atTRISTAN'S feet.)

MARK. Tristan! Tristan!

Isolda! Woe!

KURVENAL (trying to graspTRISTAN'S hand ).

Tristan! true lord!

Chide me not

that I try to follow thee! (He dies.)

MARK. Dead together!-

All are dead!

My hero Tristan!

truest of friends,

must thou again

be to thy king a traitor?

Now, when he comes

another proof of love to give thee!

Awaken! awaken.

O hear my lamentation,

thou faithless, faithful friend!

(Kneels down sobbing over the bodies.)

BRANGAENA (who has revivedISOLDAin her arms).

She wakes! she lives!

Isolda, hear!

Hear me, mistress beloved!

Tidings of joy

I have to tell thee:

O list to thy Brangaena!

My thoughtless fault I have atoned;

after thy flight

I forthwith went to the king:

the love potion's secret

he scarce had learned

when with sedulous haste

he put to sea,

that he might find thee,

nobly renounce thee

and give thee up to thy love.

MARK. O why, Isolda,

Why this to me?

When clearly was disclosed

what before I could fathom not,

what joy was mine to find

my friend was free from fault!

In haste to wed

thee to my hero

with flying sails

I followed thy track:

but howe'er can

happiness

o'ertake the swift course of woe?

More food for Death did I make:

more wrong grew in mistake.

BRANGAENA. Dost thou not hear?

Isolda! Lady!

O try to believe the truth!

ISOLDA (unconscious of all around her, turning her eyes with,

rising inspiration onTRISTAN'S body).

Mild and softly

he is smiling;

how his eyelids sweetly open!

See, oh comrades,

see you not

how he beameth

ever brighter-

how he rises

ever radiant

steeped in starlight,

borne above?

See you not

how his heart

with lion zest,

calmly happy

beats in his breast?

From his lips

in heavenly rest

sweetest breath

he softly sends.

Harken, friends!

Hear and feel ye not?

Is it I

alone am hearing

strains so tender

and endearing?

Passion swelling,

all things telling,

gently bounding,

from him sounding,

in me pushes,

upward rushes

trumpet tone

that round me gushes.

Brighter growing,

o'er me flowing,

are these breezes

airy pillows?

Are they balmy

beauteous billows?

How they rise

and gleam and glisten!

Shall I breathe them?

Shall I listen?

Shall I sip them,

dive within them,

to my panting

breathing win them?

In the breezes around,

in the harmony sound

in the world's driving

whirlwind be drown'd-

and, sinking,

be drinking-

in a kiss,

highest bliss!

(ISOLDAsinks, as if transfigured, inBRANGAENA 'S arms

uponTRISTAN'S body. Profound emotion and grief of the

bystanders. MARKinvokes a blessing on the dead. Curtain.)