Tristan and Isolda

ISOLDAfrom the gaze of the new-comers. In this position he remains

for some time, turning a changeless look upon the men, who gaze at him

in varied emotion. The morning dawns.]

TRISTAN. The dreary day-

its last time comes!

MELOT (to Mark). Now say to me, my sov'reign,

was my impeachment just?

I staked my head thereon:

How is the pledge redeemed?

Behold him in

the very act:

honor and fame,

faithfully I

have saved from shame for thee.

MARK (deeply moved, with trembling voice). Hast thou

preserved them?

Say'st thou so?-

See him there,

the truest of all true hearts!

Look on him

the faithfulest of friends, too

His offence

so black and base

fills my heart

with anguish and disgrace.

Tristan traitor,

what hope stayeth

that the honor

he betrayeth

should by Melot's rede

rest to me indeed?

TRISTAN (with convulsive violence). Daylight phantoms-

morning visions

empty and vain-

Avaunt! Begone!

MARK (in deep emotion). This-blow.

Tristan, to me?

Where now has truth fled,

if Tristan can betray?

Where now are faith

and friendship fair,

when from the fount of faith,

my Tristan, they are gone?

The buckler Tristan

once did don,

where is that shield

of virtue now?

when from my friends it flies,

and Tristan's honor dies?

(TRISTANslowly lowers his eyes to the ground. His features

express increasing grief while MARK continues.)

Why hast thou noble

service done,

and honor, fame

and potent might

amassed for Mark, thy king?

Must honor, fame,

power and might,

must all thy noble

service done

be paid with Mark's dishonor?

Seemed the reward

too slight and scant

that what thou hast won him-

realms and riches-

thou art the heir unto, all?

When childless he lost

once a wife,

he loved thee so

that ne'er again

did Mark desire to marry.

When all his subjects,

high and low,

demands and pray'rs,

on him did press

to choose himself a consort-

a queen to give the kingdom,

when thou thyself

thy uncle urged

that what the court

and country pleaded

well might be conceded,

opposing high and low,

opposing e'en thyself,

with kindly cunning

still he refused,

till, Tristan, thou didst threaten

forever to leave

both court and land

if thou receivedst

not command

a bride for the king to woo:

then so he let thee do.-

This wondrous lovely wife,

thy might for me did win,

who could behold her,

who address her,

who in pride