Tristan and Isolda

To-day nor to-morrow!

BRANGAENA. What mean you, mistress? say!

(She lets the curtain fall and hastens toISOLDA.)

ISOLDA (with wild gaze).

O fainthearted child,

false to thy fathers!

Ah, where, mother,

hast given thy might

that commands the wave and the tempest?

O subtle art

of sorcery,

for mere leech-craft followed too long!

Awake in me once more,

power of will!

Arise from thy hiding

within my breast!

Hark to my bidding,

fluttering breezes!

Arise and storm

in boisterous strife!

With furious rage

and hurricane's hurdle

waken the sea

from slumbering calm;

rouse up the deep

to its devilish deeds!

Shew it the prey

which gladly I proffer!

Let it shatter this too daring ship

and enshrine in ocean each shred!

And woe to the lives!

Their wavering death-sighs

I leave to ye, winds, as your lot.

BRANGAENA (in extreme alarm and concern forISOLDA ).

Out, alas!

Ah, woe!

I've ever dreaded some ill!-

Isolda! mistress!

Heart of mine!

What secret dost thou hide?

Without a tear

thou'st quitted thy father and mother,

and scarce a word

of farewell to friends thou gavest;

leaving home thou stood'st,

how cold and still!

pale and speechless

on the way,

food rejecting,

reft of sleep,

stern and wretched,

wild, disturbed;

how it pains me

so to see thee!

Friends no more we seem,

being thus estranged.

Make me partner

in thy pain!

Tell me freely

all thy fears!

Lady, thou hearest,

sweetest and dearest;

if for true friend you take me,

your confidant O make me!

ISOLDA. Air! air!

or my heart will choke!

Open! open there wide!

(BRANGAENAhastily draws the centre curtains apart.)

SCENE II.

[The whole length of the ship is now seen, down to the stern, with

the sea and horizon beyond. Round the mainmast sailors are ensconced,

busied with ropes; beyond them in the stern are groups of knights and

attendants, also seated; a little apart standsTRISTAN folding

his arms and thoughtfully gazing out to sea; at his feet KURVENAL

reclines carelessly. From the mast-head above is once more heard

the voice of the young sailor.]

THE YOUNG SAILOR (at the mast-head invisible).

The wind so wild

blows homewards now;

my Irish child,

where waitest thou?

Say, must our sails be weighted,

filled by thy sighs unbated?

Waft us, wind strong and wild!

Woe, ah woe for my child!

ISOLDA (whose eyes have at once soughtTRISTANand fixed

stonily on him-gloomily). Once beloved-

now removed-

brave and bright,

coward knight!-

Death-devoted head!

Death-devoted heart!-

(laughing unnaturally).

Think'st highly of yon minion?

BRANGAENA (following her glance).

Whom mean'st thou?