Tristan and Isolda

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