Tristan and Isolda

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 will:-

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?

May my true love not meet me,

with none but Melot he stays.

BRANGAENA. What moves me to fear him

makes thee his friend then?

Through Tristan to Mark's side

is Melot's way:

he sows suspicion's seed.

And those who have

to-day on a night-hunt

so suddenly decided,

a far nobler game

than is guessed by thee

taxes their hunting skill.

ISOLDA. For Tristan's sake

contrived was this scheme

by means of

Melot, in truth:

now would you decry his friendship?

He serves Isolda

better than you

his hand gives help

which yours denies:

what need of such delay?

The signal, Brangaena!

O give the signal!

Tread out the torch's

trembling gleam,

that night may envelop

all with her veil.

Already her peace reigns

o'er hill and hall,

her rapturous awe

the heart does enthral;

allow then the light to fall!

Let but its dread lustre die!

let my beloved draw nigh!

BRANGAENA. The light of warning suppress not!

Let it remind thee of peril!-

Ah, woe's me! Woe's me!

Fatal folly!

The fell pow'r of that potion!

That I framed

a fraud for once

thy orders to oppose!

Had I been deaf and blind,

thy work

were then thy death:

but thy distress,

thy distraction of grief,

my work

has contrived them, I own it!

ISOLDA. Thy-act?

O foolish girl!

Love's goddess dost thou not know?

nor all her magic arts?

The queen who grants

unquailing hearts,

the witch whose will

the world obeys,

life and death

she holds in her hands,