Tristan and Isolda

thus, look you, she hath spoken:

'Go order him,

and understand it,

I-Isolda-

do command it.'

KURVENAL (springing up). May I an answer make her?

TRISTAN. What wouldst thou wish to reply?

KURVENAL. This should she say

to Dame Isold':

'Though Cornwall's crown

and England's isle

for Ireland's child he chose,

his own by choice

she may not be;

he brings the king his bride.

A hero-knight

Tristan is hight!

I've said, nor care to measure

your lady's high displeasure.'

[WhileTRISTANseeks to stop him, and the offended

BRANGAENAturns to depart, KURVENALsings after her at the

top of his voice, as she lingeringly withdraws.]

'Sir Morold toiled

o'er mighty wave

the Cornish tax to levy;

In desert isle

was dug his grave,

he died of wounds so heavy.

His head now hangs

in Irish lands,

Sole were-gild won

at English hands.

Bravo, our brave Tristan!

Let his tax take who can!'

[KURVENAL, driven away byTRISTAN'S chidings, descends into

the cabin. BRANGAENAreturns in discomposure toISOLDA,

closing the curtains behind her, while all the men take up the

chorus and are heard without.]

KNIGHTS AND ATTENDANTS.

'His head now hangs

in Irish lands,

sole were-gild won

at English hands.

Bravo, our brave Tristan!

Let his tax take who can!'

SCENE III.

[ISOLDAandBRANGAENAalone, the curtain being again

completely closed. ISOLDArises with a gesture of despair and

wrath. BRANGAENAfalls at her feet.]

BRANGAENA. Ah! an answer

so insulting!

ISOLDA (checking herself on the brink of a fearful outburst).

How now? of Tristan?

I'd know if he denies me.

BRANGAENA. Ah! question not!

ISOLDA. Quick, say without fear!

BRANGAENA. With courteous phrase

he foiled my will.

ISOLDA. But when you bade him hither?

BRANGAENA. When I had straightway

bid him come,

where'er he stood,

he said to me,

he truly served but thee,

the pearl of womanhood;

if he unheeded

left the helm

how could he pilot the ship

in surety to King Mark?

ISOLDA (bitterly).

'How could he pilot the ship

in surety to King Mark!'

And wait on him with were-gild

from Ireland's island won!

BRANGAENA.

As I gave out the message

and in thy very words,

thus spoke his henchman Kurvenal-

ISOLDA.

Heard I not ev'ry sentence?

it all has reached my ear.

If thou hast learnt my disgrace

now hear too whence it has grown.

How scoffingly

they sing about me!

Quickly could I requite them!

What of the boat

so bare and frail,

that floated by our shore?

What of the broken

stricken man,