Tristan and Isolda

ISOLDA. There, that hero

who from mine eyes

averts his own:

in shrinking shame

my gaze he shuns-

Say, how hold you him?

BRANGAENA. Mean you Sir Tristan,

lady mine?

Extolled by ev'ry nation,

his happy country's pride,

The hero of creation,-

whose fame so high and wide?

ISOLDA (jeeringly).

In shrinking trepidation

his shame he seeks to hide,

While to the king, his relation,

he brings the corpse-like bride!-

Seems it so senseless

What I say?

Go ask himself,

our gracious host,

dare he approach my side?

No courteous heed

or loyal care

this hero t'wards

his lady turns;

but to meet her his heart is daunted,

this knight so highly vaunted!

Oh! he wots

well the cause!

To the traitor go,

bearing his lady's will!

As my servant bound,

straightway should he approach.

BRANGAENA. Shall I beseech him

to attend thee?

ISOLDA. Nay, order him:

pray, understand it:-

I, Isolda

do command it!

[At an imperious sign from ISOLDABRANGAENA withdraws and timidly

walks along the deck towards the stern, past the working sailors.

ISOLDA, following her with fixed gaze, sinks back on the couch,

where she remains seated during the following, her eyes still turned

sternward.]

KURVENAL (observing Brangaena's approach, plucks Tristan by the robe

without rising.) Beware, Tristan!

Message from Isolda!

TRISTAN (starting). What is't?-Isolda?-

(He quickly regains his composure as BRANGAENA approaches and

curtsies to him.)

What would my lady?

I her liegeman,

fain will listen

while her loyal

woman tells her will.

BRANGAENA. My lord, Sir Tristan,

Dame Isolda

would have speech

with you at once.

TRISTAN. Is she with travel worn?

The end is near:

nay, ere the set of sun

sight we the land.

All that your mistress commands me,

trust me, I shall mind.

BRANGAENA. That you, Sir Tristan,

go to her,-

this is my lady's wish.

TRISTAN. Where yonder verdant meadows

in distance dim are mounting,

waits my sov'reign

for his mate:

to lead her to his presence

I'll wait upon the princess:

'tis an honor

all my own.

BRANGAENA. My lord, Sir Tristan,

list to me:

this one thing

my lady wills,

that thou at once attend her,

there where she waits for thee.

TRISTAN. In any station

where I stand

I truly serve but her,

the pearl of womanhood.

If I unheeding

left the helm,

how might I pilot her ship

in surety to King Mark?

BRANGAENA. Tristan, my master,

why mock me thus?

Seemeth my saying

obscure to you?

list to my lady's words: