Tristan and Isolda

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?