To

Tim MEMORY o r MY FATH ER T H IS MY FIRS T ATTEMPT

‘ Is AFF ECTION ATELY D EDICATED

TRANSLATOR’S NOTE

! Through Tant ris der Narr Ernst Hardt has won for himself a place in the front rank of con The temporaneous Ge rman dramat ists and poets. play has been produced with great success on many of he N ion rm h al so been t at al Ge an st ages, and as i ll re ter awarded the Kaiser Preis and , what s a st i g a a kno l en of i e he olks-S hiller c w edgm t ts m rit , t V c P i b once ver reis. Th s lat ter is a prize estowed e y three years on the best play produced during that erio mi e h h s o the p d , by a com t t e w ic acts ubj ect t ’ Em eror r i is p s app oval. Although as a d rama t not wel da e o Am e can s e et t he l a pt d t the ri tag , y great beauty and the compelling power with which Herr Hardt has handled the familiar theme of the T i r m n n i e r st a and Iseult lege d , but al ong a ew l n , h r i r n F r r on can a dly fa l of ecognitio . o this eas Ihave attempted to render this brilliant drama into En i gl sh. For my short -comings Ican only plead the almost insurmount able difliculty connected with any verse t ransl t ion inex ri e e a , and my pe ence. I, th refore, b g that this m r at e r ei e l nien b , y fi st t mpt , be ec v d e tly y tho h se into whose ands the book may fall.

A J OH N HE RD, J R. Bo t o s n, 19 1 3.

CH ARACTERS M ARK, King of Cornwall . ’ ISE UL T of Ireland (Mark s wife ) N ' BRA GAEN E , Iseult s lady . IM LL ’ G E A, Iseult s lady . ’ PA t RANIS , Iseul s page . L LORD DEN OVA IN . L LORD DIN/IS of idan . R N LO D GA EL UN . ' I e UGR Marh s st er. N, J TRA E T uise o Tristram o S NG JES ER , Disg f f L yonesse . TRA E EPER s uis o Tristr m o S NG L , Di g e f a f L o y nesse .

Also v rons. we n Kin o he fi e Gaelic Ba I i , the g f t L ! e er . L L n H era oun p s The epers of ubi , a ld , a y g

she herd e utioner. Thre uard in u p , t he Ex c e g s f ll arm or t t r n ht n ht Me - - r , he S ange K ig , K ig s, n at a ms, ro m t o g o s and a group of t he inhabi ants of t he t wn.

S CENE

T t n he Cas le of S t . L ubi IE ’ S ULT S APAR TMENT AT S T. L UBIN

SCENE : (A curtain hung from the ceiling cuts on -t of e hird of t he room . This third is raised one

st ep above the rest of the room . The background is formed by a d ouble bay-wind ow through which may

be seen the t ops of som e pine trees. In front of a coach o mal tab e tan s r e o e , n a s l l , s d a la g g ld shri n i h c re t ma c br ch t r t o n w i h s s the gi a et P e ic u, a y

of jewels and precious metals. Beside it stands a

- burning oil t orch. The remaining tw o t hirds of t he room is alm ost empty . A table stands in t he fore ground ; on the floor lies a rug on which are e m br m or oidered ar ial d esigns. In t he middle and at both sides are wid e d ouble doors. Iseult sits on t he couc o h bef re the shrine . S he is clad i n a fur r mm o r en oosen t i ed r be . B anga e l s her hair which is T divid ed nt o two r . h o ra i b aids e c ld , g y light of daw n bright ens grad ually ; t he rising sun falls on the t o s o t he t rees colorin t em h oo p f , g h wit a fl d of red and gold . ) Tristram the J est er

ACT I

S cene I

ISE ULT

(S inging )

’ Brachet of safran and em rald l le n l Oh, brachet of purp a d go d Once mad e by the mighty Urgan ’ In Avalun s wonderous wold

O f l h purple, and sa ran, and go d , ni When cast in the dim of the ght , Have magical power to aid All lovers i n sorrowful plight !

mi Lord T ristram slew ghty U rgi u,

Lo rd T ristram the loving, the true, And pitying sorrowful lovers

He carried away Peticru.

Lord T rist ram, the thought ful and

Lord T rist ram , the noble and high , Has sent me this wonderous brachet

Lest weeping and grieving Idie.

L ord T rist ram , my friend , is unfaithful, ’ And God s wrath on him shall descend ; 9 Though cruelly he has betrayed me l e en e My ov , ev death, cannot nd

Iseult with her hair of spun gold, here rubies an emeralds hi e W d s n , en the end of her li is Wh fe at hand ,

Round T rist ram some charm can ent wine.

When T rist ram too shall die.

Iseul u e tin he t t ( t stands p, x guis s he ligh , and , e r e t o t n flood d by her hai , st ps he wi dow . Brangaene e t rom r op ns a ches f which she takes obes, combs, a mirror and several small boxes. S he prepares a small dressing table . )

ISE ULT

The light begins to filter through the land ; ’ B e - ehold , the t re s with storm how d tips drop down A thousand drops into the moss below m That seem as any sparks, all cold and bright .

i o l b Each day s f l owed y another one, a a And then another d y, and fter each m i m ’ Co es n ght . Thus runs y life s long chai n of

beads, e All black and white, endl ss, and all the same.

( she turns and throws off her cloak)

i m n e o k an mb G ve e my ew whit cl a , d co my hair, — ! Ipray, Brangaene . O , it aches

n en o (Bra ga e throws a cl ak over her shoulders. Iseult sits d ow n at t he dressing table while Bran v n nto gaene combs her hair, di idi g it i strands and ’ hr n t combs it over Iseu t sho er i as she l s uld . t owi g , , ) 10 The comb n Slides like a keel . Its arrow tee th can find

N o bot tom neither shore in this blond sea. l I Inever saw thy hair so fu l, seult ,

Nor yet so heavy ! S ee the golden gold .

— It aches l

BRAN GAENE

’ And here it s damp as though last night

It secretly had dried full many tears.

ISE ULT

Iwonder if Lo rd T ristram spent last night — By his new bride and if he calls her all m Those sweetest names he m ade for e. Perhaps He sat upon her couch and told her t ales Of m e that m ade them laugh Iwonder too ’ If h b r T ri t r ne - e bri s e e fai r, Lo d s am s w w d de 1

S cene II

(Iseult t urns quickly as her page comes in by t he - r right hand d oor. H e carries a chess boa d and sets

it d own on the table in the foreground . )

m Were then thy drea s too painfully like this life , t a i h as u i n Pa n s, t at thou h t o tstr pped the su ' An no i l re d w, w th eyes al d and swollen, starst So heavily ? l I our ar on Y p d , Queen Ise ult , Icoul not slee h d p. O lady, what a night ! Itremble st ill !

ISEULT

The night indeed was

h i Ay, like t e sea the gale wh ps up. The wind Swept all the covers from my bed and left r Me cold and trembling. B anches beat the wall A e like on of h bov my head dem s t e storm . The owls kept screaming in the groaning eaves And whispered like lost souls in agony ! ’ Hark ! Hear him roar ! Oh God , it s H usd ent !

Oh listen to him roar. Inever heard A hound thus howl before !

ISE ULT

P eace , child . He cries e i Thus every night since h has lost h s lord .

PARANIS

What ? Every night and yet King Mark can sleep ?

ISEULT

King Mark can sleep as all good knights can sleep ere while we At any time and any wh , , like a be ar sue for slee Poor souls, m ust gg p

As for an alms. 12 ( to Brangaene )

The mirror and the cloak.

ee Ieul ere Pray tell me, Qu n s t , why came we h ’ With good King Mark and left T intagel s halls? l Why j ourneyed w e to St . Lubin ? The p ace Is gloomy and an awful wood grows round ’ oo . The castle walls. Oh t is an awful w d

Iam afraid , Iseult .

ISE ULT

b Yea, oy, the wood

Is black and gloomy here . Give me some oil , B e rangaen , for my lips are parched and dried

From weeping all this never ending night .

(goes to t he casement )

bo n A ve Ti tagel , lo , the sky was blue ; T he sun shone on a foreign ship that came Across the seas and lay at anchor there m o l l And ade it l ok ike go d . The ship came in As e ro ro w d e th ugh the gate . Iwish that I Were at Tintagel once again and saw

That ship . For here black clouds obscure the sun And hang close t o t he ground ; they fly along Lik i h e m ghty g ost s. The eart h smells damp and makes — — Me shiver Ugh l ISE ULT

( st eps t o t he case m ent besid e him and puts her arm

about his neck . )

or se N ay , not to d ay , f e , The sun will shine and pour its golden rays ’ ’ n M r i E e o er the o o s.

( S he leans out unt il her head is overflow ed by the

sunlight . )

Oh, i t s very hot !

(falling on his knees)

Oh Queen Iseult pray t ake the fairy dog Into thy hands and it will comfort thee ’ ’ r ri i t That wond rous b achet , T st ram s lat est g f . or in ro n el h o F , 10, s ce f m T i tag we ave c me My heart is t roubled by a w ish to ask e i f B an n sa s Of thee a qu st on, or r gae e y ’ That when thou think st of cert ain things thou ’ weep st n ke But Ihave ever felt the li .

ISE ULT

Poor boy ! Ilay awake the whole night through and yet

N ot once did It ake Pet ikru t o m e , o ask m child ! o ld ho kno ! S , y What w u st t u w eyes

r or ll m ear ar s ent an one . Are d y , f a y t s e p , d g

t r b ( S he has re u ned t o t he d ressing ta le . ) 14 r n T ri r elt Is this the wood whe e thou a d st am dw , eo hen e h e awa ? As p ple say, w y ad fl d y

ISE UL T

’

Tis t rue this wood once shelt ered us.

PARANIS

( at the casem ent . )

This wood ? ’ Thi ? I lt s fearful wood Twas here that thou , seu

Of Ireland , Ise ult the Goldenhaired T ook refuge with Lo rd T rist ram like a beast H r r e b n ? ere h er a d p ess d y dogs and me Th ang, p

haps, Am ong the branches still som e t at tered shreds ’ From robes thou w or st ; and bloo d st ill tints the roots ’ Thou t rod st upon with bare and wounded feet ! ’ ’ Twas here thou say st ? Within this wood ?

ISE UL T

( rising )

Yes, child , An d this the castle

' (Brangaene takes t he cloak from Iseult s shoul r d e s a nd helps her put on a loose flowing garm ent . ' I t h r - seul s ai is hidden beneath a close fitting cap. ) IS ste nearer n re ( ps , i g at surprise )

’ Where ye fled from Mark s ’ Abom nable decree ? The castle makes M r an h r e shudde d t e wood that g ows around .

BRAN GAENE

( quoting the decree )

And if from this day on Lo rd T ristram dares im l i in m re m— To show h se f w th y al he dies, And with him dies Iseult of Ireland

ISE ULT

( quoting )

And w itness here my nam e signed with my blood

( S he goes t o the table on t he right and sets up - r the chess men . Pa anis sits on a cushion at her feet .

Brangaene clears t he dressing table ) .

Is it since that day thou hast wept , my Queen ?

ISE UL T

’ ’ Thou know st my secret boy and ye t can st ask !

m Paranis lest Inquire not too uch , , A deeper knowledge of such things consume

- ul leave in lace a cinder ile. Thy so , and p p 16

That Iam older and Ilove thee then ’ In kni h l a io g t y f sh n, and my sword is dull d

And scarred by blows t hat it has st ruck for thee. My he art beats high when Ibehold thy face ; M ch k b r n y ee u ns hot or freezes ashe pale . An then o r d , at the tim es, Idream that I H ave ie o ee n e d d f r th , o ly to wake and w ep That Iam st ill a child !

ISE ULT

i L sten to me ,

Pat anis. nce er n l O , wand i g, a g eeman cam e ’ Two years agone and sang a lay in Mark s Hi h ball b t ! I i n i g ; u , see sa d ot t applied T o us hi n o hi A , t s so g f s. song it was An hin m i ol d not ore. Th s la en g y t d of a que , A c r in n e ta queen whose page o ce loved her m uch , ’ With all the court esy of Knighthood s laws ; ’ Whose every glance w as for his lady s face Whose cheeks alt ernat ely went hot and cold h W en she was near. But when the King perce ived Hi in lo b n s chang g co r and his ur ing looks, H l h bo r n o hi h e s ew t e y, and , t ea i g ut s eart , N ow r no ale he ro r ed , w p , asted it , and se ved It t o his queen and told her that it was A r k h bird his favo ite haw ad slain.

T ell m e

I r m la en Kni ht has won p ay, y dy , wh a g His spurs m ay he writ e songs?

ISE UL T

h Ay, t at he m ay. ’ in i S ce that is so , Id rather s ng than fight . ’ Ill go from court to court and sing in each H ow T ristram was unt rue to Queen Iseult ! Iwill avenge t hy w rongs in songs inst ead f i w n r n h O w th the s ord , a d eve yo e w o hears

M or shal ee o m ee t . y w ds l w p as th u, y qu n, hast wep Ilike the lay thou toldest me about Th ’ h at page s eart .

ISE UL T

em b i il R em er t , my ch d ; Br angaene knows the melody thereof , And she shall t each it thee t hat thou mayst learn

The lay.

( at the window)

’ The King s awake ; Ihear him call

His hounds.

ISE ULT

T r m hen go , Pa anis, bear to hi My morning and my wifely greet ing ; say Irest ed well this night ; that thou hast left Me overjoyed and happy that the day N e o n Is fair. ow hast e the , boy, f r soo The Gaelic barons through the gates shall ride i m Ki Mark Com ing to pay the r ho age to ng , h if the Ki s all rant Delay not , c ild , and ng h g ’ r it min o han s Ill c oo ee Thee spu s, w h e wn d h se th out 19 ir ee m n m The finest pa , and d p y a e shall stand l Engraved in the go d . Go greet the King.

(Paranis kisses t he hem of her robe and goes)

S cene III

Lo rd T rist ram has kept t rue unto my name — ’ At least if not to m e ! Tis now the t enth Year that Imourn for him ! In countless nights Of endless agony have Irepaid

Those other nights of happiness and bliss. Through age-long days now beggared of their joy

Ihave at oned for all the smiles of yore. ki l e e l i me ri n ! Un nd y hav y dea t w th , sweet f e d i o T r D sl yal rist am ! God shall punish thee ,

Not I.

(Brangaene kneels weeping beside her and buries ’ her face in Iseult s robes. Iseult raises her up)

And thou, dear one , sweet sister come ! ’ My sorrow s past enduring ! H elp me, help ! At Lubin here the very walls have tongues ; At Lubin here the sombre forest moans ; At Lubin here old Husdent whimpers day ’ And night unceasingly. Twas at Lubin m i r e Ipart ed fro h m last , my dea est fri nd , And to his parting vows Ianswered thus “ ’ T ake friend this golden ring with em rald stone,

And if in thy name one shall bring it me, N un eo l no o b l o d g n wal s, castle gates, n o ts m ! “ Shall keep me far fro thee. And he : Ithank T r l h if hee , dea est ady, and Iswear t at , A im e in n l on t any t , a y p ace , e calls ’ On me by thy sweet name Ill stand and wait ! And answer in thy name by day or night . — And then- and then he rode away ! 20 Iseult

m mi I ie for I Iseult , y dearest , ght d , , am mo ul Wretch that Iam , st at fa t , Too ready for deceits and secret ways!

ISE ULT

Because Ilove a life, and bett er still ’ A death , that s great from savage unrestraint , ’ c I m Su h as found in ighty T ristram s love, ’T l is not thy fault . And former y when thou Didst lend me thine own maiden smock to wear on m i k m Up y bridal n ght with Mar , since ine

Was torn when Iset foot on Cornish ground , T o i m ar i en h u d dst fulfill what , as y gu d an fri d,

Thou hadst forseen in earlier days. Weep not ’ Because Iweep ; Lord T ristram s treachery I n s his, ot ours. For this it is Iweep.

BRAN GAENE

T ou shoul n sa h ai h dst ot y, e is not f thful still ,

Dear sister. What know we of him or his?

ISE ULT

That he has married !

BRANGAENE

’ Ay, her name s Iseult.

ISE ULT

M name ! I u y sh dder when Ithink thereon. And lo hi r re , s pe j u d tongue rots not , nor cleavm 2 1 n o i ee nor oe e U t h s t th , d s the name h calls r n H e by choke i his throat and st rangle him .

BRAN GAENE

Mark m e Is lt ha no me n o s e , eu , I d t a t t p ak, ’ But now Im ust : a servant of King Mark s Spoke lat ely of that ship we saw sail in ’ ’ And then cast anchor neath T int agel s w alls. A h shi i is he n ls merc ant p t , said , a d hai i r A n n D rect f om ru dland . Now se d And bid these merchant s leave their ship and come That t hey may t ell what they have seen or heard r Of T rist am and his fat e .

PARANIS

( runs in and leaps upon the wind ow-sill)

e n m Oh Qu e , there co e r Three Gaelic earls ! Dinas of Lidan fi st .

BRAN GAENE

( hastening t o his sid e )

n Ieult n ro the easemen ere Come the , s , a d f m t h ’ i i T ri t r m rien ! Behold the fa thful D nas, s a s f d

The one in coat of m ail who rides behind , m n r n nst tho see ? Who is the a , B angae e , ca u

BRAN GAENE

- n bir Oh God ! Denovalin, ill om e ed d

Of grim T intagel. 22 ISE UL T

Arund ? Didst thou say A m erchant ship sailed in from Arundland ? l i n n m o That great go d sa l, Bra gae e, ca e acr ss in l i The ocean to T t age ? What ? A sh p , m n r ri And merchant e from A und ? Speak, f end , speak ! ’ ’ Thou talk st of Arund , and rem ai n st unmoved ! Bran r l k sa en gaene , c ue , spea and y the m Ar m or r n re ! e on their way to e , a e ow he T ort ure me not !

BRAN GAENE

r m Nay, hea e speak Iseult ; ’ Isaid a servant of King Mark s said this ; Iknow not whether it be t rue ; t o khow ’ m b k n We ust be ac within Ti t agel s walls.

ISE UL T

( in rising agi tation )

’ ’ Wait t ill we re back within Tintagel s walls? No s m erch ill b t ee the ants t we are gone ack, ’ And lin er hu for hr hol g t s t ee w e days, say st thou ? N a n r a n y , ay, B ang e e , nay Iwill not wait . ’ Twas not for this ten never-ending years ’ Isat upon T int agel s tower and watched ’ With anxious eyes the many ships sail o er Th k ’ e green expanse from s y t o sky. Twas not For his b P r t ; that day y day a anis went , At m beh own o h r il y est , d t t e po t , wh e I Sat count ing every minut e one by one

Until he should return , and t ell me t ales ’ Of ships and lands indifferent as a fly s 23 Short life to me -And now thou tellest me ’ A ship is here ; a great gold sail lies moor d ’ Tin s in hi Hard by tagel s wall , a ship w ch Men li e an s eak an hen k : v , d p , d say w as ed “ ! “ Where come ye from ? From Arundland !

sail .

Br ene o Tin e Go quick, anga t tagel s nd , Ipray , A i m t once some sw ft and faithful ess enger, And bid him with all haste lead here to me ni h n These merchants over g t . I eed both silks mi e an And laces, sa t d the snowy fur e ha er el Of rmines, and w tev se they have. ’ All that they have Ill gladly buy ! Le t them But ride with speed !

BRAN GAENE

A y, ride as peddlers do ! ’ Yet will Isend Gawain sin tis th i , ce y w sh, An d with him yet another.

I Queen seult , ’ Ma I o with Ga ain ? Ill make y g w them ride , ’ ’ These merchant -men ! Ill stick my dagger twixt ’ Their shoulder blades and prick them till from fear They fairly fly to thee !

Na r t r y, a he , child, S tay here with me ; but help Brangaene find

(Brangaene and Paranis open the door at the back of the stage but stand back on either side t o permit Mark and t he three Barons t o ent er ) 24

DIN AS

A m n a Iseult . y , a y d ys,

ISE UL T

’ H ast thou forgot T intagel s King and Queen ? ’

Tw as not so once .

GAN ELUN

’ ’ Ive been at Arthur s court

e e have aken art Nigh on two years, and th r t p ’ n i hi In m any deeds of high renow . T s t s m H as kept m e from Tintagel and from ho e.

An I i ueen Ise l ro in ol d , fa r Q u t , am g w g d ; ’ ’ Ive left the saddle for the pillow s ease .

(point edly )

h - r e n so Isee t e chess bo a d stands pr pared a d , ’ Mark erm its t is Iwho in his lace If p , p i l ea crim son w ns to- da as we W l l d the pa y , Il Were wont to do in form er days. ove The gam e but have no friend with whom to

MARK

i oo i is hav om e one Ay , D nas, g d t to e s Who loves us near us in our twilight years ; - n e So play to day w ith G olde hair d Iseult . i m a m u he r oo for o Perchance t y a se t , ft

She seem eth sad , and m ourns as wom en do i — or ive o h ! Who have no ch ldren. God f g us b t 26 B or i le ut com e , my l ds, first let us dr nk a p dge f i n ke O gree t ng, and permit this ma to ma

His peace with my fair queen. Ihat e long feuds. me ri n ome l rink or ll a Co , f e ds, c , et us d , f a this d y ’ We ll spend together in goo d fellowship .

(H e leaves t he room with Dinas and Ganelun by t t I he d oor on the righ . seult and D enovalin stand o o t t her om tanc a art i en pp si e each o , s e dis e p s l t and m ot ionless)

S cene V

DENO VALIN

( calmly and insinuatingly )

a vulture I ho I , Queen seult , that t u Art silent when Iam within thy cage ?

ISE UL T

( angri ly )

M ’ y Lo rd Denovalin , how dar st thou show Thyself thus brazenly before m e here ?

DEN OVALIN

H arsh words the Queen Iseult is pleased to use !

ISE UL T

And Ishall beg the King that he forbid Thee to appear w it hin a mile around

The castle with thy visor raised . 27 DEN O VALIN

King Mark ’ - r hi lie . Is not my ove lord . Im not s ge

ISEUL T

e m Lo r Den alin And It ell the , y d ov , T hy face is more abhorred by me than plague ; More hat eful than dread leprosy ! Away !

DEN O VALIN

’ More measured should st thou be in thy reproof .

( much m oved )

- h r ! It was for thee Icame to day, a sh Queen

ISE UL T

(passionat ely )

o r m m rd When last thou st odst befo e y face , y Lo , ’ Naked Iwas, and m en at arm s prepar d The glowing pyre whereon thy j ealousy H ad doomed my youthful body to be burned ! al i r m v C m wast thou then ; no qu ve o ed thy face , b r Unt roubled y thy deed . Dost thou fo get ?

DEN OVALIN

An T ri r o i e he d st am sto d bes de th e then, as H hen Ia e thee o Kin Mark ad st ood , w ccus d t g ,

And when Isee him st anding next to thee , My eyes grow dim and all the world seem s red ’ im o e lt With bloo d . Twas h Isaw , n t thee, Is u

Else had Idied of sorrow and of shame . 28 ? What Thou? Thou grieve ! Thou die of shame The stones

o or Shall so ft en and shall melt ere th u, my l d , H ast learned what pity means !

DENO VALIN

Thou dost misjudge M I l for w hen oot rst t ouched e , Queen seu t , thy f fi ’ The Cornish st rand as thou stepped st from t hy ship

And came to be the bride o f Mark. Isaw r lem n oath Thee then, and by the Lo d , a so r on Of loyalty to thee Iswo e , up Thy golden hair ! Oh thou wast wondrous fair !

ISE UL T

And I, my Lo rd , what evil did Ithee ?

’ Thou lovéd st T rist ram .

ISE UL T

What ? Denovalin b miracle of o Ih v When , y a G d , a e ’ Escaped the fiery death which thou prepared st ; n i en er f i Whe , w th these t d hands o m ne , Ibore r m i o r Befo e y j udges, and w th ut a bu n r n i s r The glowing i o , and w th ac ed oath ’ orn ho ares oub mi Have sw , t u d t d t Al ghty God s ’ m ll Decree , and dar st accuse e sti , and say Ilove Lo rd T ristram with a guilty love ? This nephew of my wedded spouse ! Of this ’ n Ill make complaint unto my spo sors, Lo rd ! 29 DENO VALIN

( calmly )

m i Al ghty God thou hast perhaps deceived , Bu leas I u e m be r k t we , at t , se lt , w ust f an , o e e i r l Th ugh n m es, and deal st aight forward y i n W th one a other.

ISE UL T

o re- — o G , thou we wolf g

DEN O VALIN

Ther w im h n I r n e as a t e w e , too , hea d the so g Of birds in spring- time ; but the fragrant breath Th o h i — r y g lden a r exhales, that hai which I ’ H ave seen flow rippling through Lo rd T rist ram s hands — Has m ade me hard and rough a very beast ! Ilive pent up in my st rong castle like A wolf ! Isleep all day and ride abroad A ni ! i n i m t ght Ay, r de u t l y steed comes home ith as in nostril an blo nk W g p g d with ody fla , And lies as dead when morning com es! My hounds Fall dea alon h roa ! d g t e d And yet , may be , T hat long be fore the earliest cock has crowed Icry aloud upon thy nam e each day ’ Like one who swelt ers in his own life s blood ! e m i or R me ber th s, f hadst t hou once , Iseult , B i e m e ri e ere h ni h es d dd n t e g t grew dark , Perchance this hatred of all living things H never su o ad got ch h ld upon my soul . Rem ember hi r u hou he m n t s, th o g t t a y things hi sh l r nin ome W ch al , e e eve g c to pass. nin come to thee Iseult - to me And eve g s , , , 30 ’ To all ! And so tis ba t thou understand

The secret of the past fairly to j udge .

This is the peace Ifain w ould have with thee.

ISE UL T — — Iam afraid afraid o i thee

DEN O VALIN

Thou shouldst

Not fear, Iseult , these words so seemingly Devoid of sense !

( changing the subject )

At dawn today Irode

Along the Morois.

ISE ULT

A in y, s ce that way runs

The road that leads to S t . Lubin from thy l Good cast e.

DEN O VALIN

Yet Imet a quarry there ! ’ n r r A quarry wo d ous st ange ! Shall I, Iseult , Go bring it bound to thee ?

( in great anxiety )

I wish no fur,

Or pelts slain by thy hand , Denovalin 3! Tha Ibelieve Iseult et mi l e t , , y it ght p eas

King Mark.

( breaking out passi onat ely )

It might be that once more ’ rni Thou felt st the bu ng t ouch of death, all hot r And red . And if no safe ret reat the e were

For thee in Cornwall, save my cast le walls, And not a m an in Cornw all stoo d to shield ’ Thy golden tresses from the hangman s hand Except myself ! If such the case what wouldst “ ! Thou do if Isaid com e ?

( wild wit h t error and despair )

If such the case , Oh God of Bethlehem ! If such the case ’ m Id fling my ar s about the neck of Death , ’ o i i An d , clinging close t h m , Id sp t at thee , rink r Denovalin ! Those w les, cold and ha d , About thy mouth on e ither side disgust Me ! Denovalin ! Iloath thee ! Go ! Go ,

DEN OVALIN

l hast m e th c oice Igo , Iseu t , for thou ad y h ; r e no the Forget it not . Fo g t t , too, pact in l Of peace my soul has made with th e . Farew el ! ’ Ill go and bid Lo rd Dinas come to play P i kl n Iseult At chess with thee . lay qu c y, Quee , r n short sh ll be th ame ! Thy time is sho t , a d a y g

( he goes) 32

Din of L m as idan ! Dearest friend , ost true !

With what has this m an threatened me ? Of what , T en rn — ri e ir h , wa ed f end , speak, for round m wh ls the world ; My brain is dizzy with each thought !

My Lord Denoval in has bid me come to thee T l o p ay at chess. H e said thou wast in hast e. An e Mark ordere him m e e d has h , as d , ad peac With thee ?

ISE UL T

Made peace with me ! Itold Thee in h th l r s e , D as, t at wi g oomy wo d h has i re he n t k S t r d up t past a d hreat ened me. He spo e Forebodingly of coming days Ifear ’ His words and know not what 13 brewing o er My head !

DINAS

Denovalin has threatened thee ! That bodes no good !

ISE ULT

’ What think st thou Dinas ? Speak !

It makes me alm ost fear that Iwas not r Deceived this morn as th ough the mist Irode. 34 Oh Dinas!

For Isaw a m an who rode

As re l an tol on h sec t y, d s e al g t e way

Concealéd in the murky mists of dawn. I ISE UL T

Dinas !

’ T rist ram s in the land , Iseult !

ISEUL T

n ! o tl M rien r T ris Oh Di as, speak ( s f y ) . y f d , Lo d t ram came At dawn to - day The man who loved me so ! M ear Lo — l h inas inas di t y d est rd O D , D , ds

( recovering herself)

Thou speak to him ?

( sternly )

Twice called Ihim . He fled .

ISEUL T

i ll in n e Oh, why d dst thou not ca him my am t He would have stood the answer then, for tha 35 m ’ He swore to e he d do , by day or night At any place

DINAS

l m e Ica led him in thy na ,

And yet he fled away.

ISEULT

He fled from thee ? ( angrily ) ’ It w as not T rlstram then ! How dar st thou speak ’ S uch slander gainst my Lo rd !

Iswore that I Would be h rien for k l t y f d , and thy sa e , Iseu t , H i rien n I r ri r m br ke s f d . But ow say Lo d T st a o Th o h o o h on i e at he sw re t t ee , and th s day H ath ron h ri o Ie l w ged t ee g ev usly, s u t .

ISEUL T

( heavily and brokenly )

The spouse Of Isot of the Fair Whit e Hands appeared ’ o n ro i r i o th T o thee , say st th u, a d b ke h s pa t ng a , The last he swore to Iseult Goldenhaired ?

( enters in ill-suppressed excit ement )

Kin Mark Icome. He bi Lord Dinas, from g ds 36 Thee come to him st raightway wi th all despatch,

For in the name of j ustice calls he thee.

ISEUL T

h n i ri brok is oa O Di as, D nas, T st ram e h th Lord T rist ram broke his oath

And dost thou know , M en mu now a tem t o w ard y que , t hat w e st t p t ’ The consequences of King Mark s decree And its fulfilment from thy head ?

ISEUL T

angri ly )

How can ’ An alien woman s spouse affec t my life ?

Igo to stem w ith all the st rengt h Ihave i rr n r i ion F r h e ll Th s cu e t of pe d t . a e t e we .

o out hree arm ed uar s te nt o (As Dinas g es , t g d s p i t he room and stand on eit her sid e of the d oor )

ISEUL T

e e ho rues of And fare the w ll , t u t t the true !

( t o the guards)

e her ? And ye, what s ek ye e 37 GUARD

King Mark has bid ’ Us guard thy door ; thou may st not go abroad

Til! Mark has bid thee come.

PARANIS

(falls on his knees)

Gawain lies bound ; ’ r e r B angaen s cast into a p ison cell , ’ And something awful s taking place within — The castle walls Iknow not what it is !

ISEULT

Paranis, child , be still. ACT II

TH I IN A TLE E H GH HALL OF ST . LUB C S

ht n the S CENE : Bay windows. On the rig , i b - - in ack ground is a wide d ouble d oor. On t he left, t he back- ro on o st d a l o g und , and diag ally t it an s ng - ha rs table surrounded by high backed chairs. The c i at eit her end of the table are hi her than t he others and ar r n t the e d eco ated with t he m y arms. Agai s o wall n the left stands a t hrone .

F o table . ur Gaelic barons stand , or about the L ord Ganelun ent ers. ACT II

S cene I

A BARON

An e n r n d canst thou t ll us ow , Lo d G a elun , ’ What s t aking place that we are summ oned here In council while our legs are scarcely dry From our long ride ?

SECOND BARON

A welcome such as this

Ilike not , Lo rds !

GANELUN

I o n m re kn w o o than ye, M Lor m y ds, who are but lately co e.

THIRD BARON

And where I Mar th Kin ? s k , e g

SECOND BARON

Instead of greet ing us

He sends a low born knave , and bids us wait b r en Wit hin thes e dry and a r walls. 40

( walks irritat edly t o t he window )

How this

Long waiting irks my soul , good friends !

FIRS T BARON

So cold n A welcome have I ever yet received , And new the custom is!

GANELUN

H ave patience , sirs, It seems King Mark and Lo rd Denovalin Discuss in secret weighty things

THIRD BARON

us how to wait !

N ’ ay, here s Mark !

S cene II

(Mark and Denovalin enter; behind them come: a man-at-arms who closes t he d oor and stands against t he wall beside it . Mark holds a parch m n t t t ent in his hand , a d , wi hou no icing t he barons, r walks agitat edly t o the f ont of t he stage . Denova lin goes behind the table and places himself betwe en

it and t he t hrone. The barons rise . 42 FIRS T BARON

Does Mark no longer know us that he greets Us not ?

SECOND BARON

n -h And dost thou k ow , my Lord ?

MARK

( t urning angrily upon t he baron )

Am I

o A weak ld man because my hair is gray, B m h r rin ecause y ands a e w kled , ay, and hard , Because at times my armor chafss my back ? Am Ian old and sapless log? A man Used up who shall forever keep his peace ?

( controlling himself)

n Icrave your pardo , Lo rds, pray take your seats.

Thou badst me come to thee.

MARK

Yes, Dinas, yes,

So take thy place.

(H e controls his em otion wit h great speaks heavily )

An e m n d y , y oble friends, 43 Give car. A great and careful reckoning shall ’ r i Take place twixt you and me . You sanct oning

word . is Iw h, for what Iam about to do, F r on r m an o y de has, with an evil lance , Att acked m e and he has lifted me

Out of my saddle that my head doth swim , An d trembles from the shock, and so Ipray You to forgive the churlish greeting ye ’ Received ; twas accident not sco rn. Ibid mo il You welcome , one and all , st heart y .

THIRD BARON

We greet thee , Mark.

GANELUN

‘ But tell us now what thing So overclouds thy mind ; thy well- fare dwells

Close intertwined with ours.

DEN OVALIN

( unfolding t he parchment )

now And , my Lo rds, Are any of the witnesses not here Who signed the cont ract and decree which Mark Drew up with T ristram and with Queen Iseult ?

FIRS T BARON

’ Tis then of this decree that thou wouldst speak ?

THIRD BARON I signed. 44 FOURTH BARON

And I.

FIFTH BARON

And I.

MARK

Three witnesses ’ Th e re r s ere wer , and ye are th e. Tis good , my Lo d ,

That we are all assembled here.

(H e speaks brokenly and wit h all t he marks of mental sufferi ng and suppressed em otion )

Ye know How long Ilived alone within thes e walls With my good nephew T rist ram and not once ’ r Did any woman c oss my threshold o er.

FIFTH BARON

’ And twas through us that things were changed ; we cried

Upon thee for a son and heir.

SECOND BARON

Iseult e r m Ir Th n came f o eland to be thy Queen.

DEN OVALIN

old rml n ou ( c ly, fi y , a d in a l d voice )

l T ’ Nob y escorted , in Lo rd rist ram s care ! 45 MARK

(wi th )

Iw e Ie oo d s ult , and m uch it pleased me then T o ll t is ee n ca h sw t and oble lady mine, An h d so to onor her. But see, it was for in But a s gle day, then came this man

(points t o D enovalin )

And spake to me and said : Thy wife Iseult ! And T rist ram whisper in the dark ! And since Th n h e speaki g of t at evil word , this world Has rn hell t u ed to , and through my veins my blood H n l k e hin fi r o as ru i e se t g e f r her sake , m Who was y wife , and cried for her as though She were not mine !

TH IRD BARON

But thou didst not believe These evil words ?

MARK

r m No, neve in y life Did Ifight off a foeman from myself r More fiercely than these wo ds.

DEN OVALIN

( sternly )

But soon this man “ Cam e back and said : The hands of Queen Iseult ’ ! re e en And T ristram s hands a lock d wh it is dark. 46 MARK

li And then , my Lo rds, Islunk about them ke

A wretch ; Ispied upon their lips, their hands Their eyes ! Iwatched them like a murderer ; Ilistened underneath their window-sills i e i w r s At n ght to catch th ir dream ng o d , until Iscorned myself for this wild wretchedness ! N hi o in I n n e I l ot ng, n th g fou d , a d y t seu t From that t ime on w as dearer than my God And his Salvation !

GANELUN

’ Yet thou ever held st Iseult in honor and esteem !

MARK

Ay, that Idid ,

Friend Ganelun, but soon that man there came “ And whispered in m ine ear : Art thou stone blind ? Thy nephew T rist ram and thy Queen Iseult ’ Are sleeping in each other s arms by day An ni ht ! o h ! M Lo rds I t d g Oh G d ! O God y , se ’ — T o work- and thought Id caught the pair Poor f00Tl

( he hid es his face )

’ T is so ; and thou hadst build a mighty pyre e n Of s aso ed wood and well dried peat . But God Almi h th fi r g ty blew e e out . They fled , The wain o e her o th Moro s lan t t g t , t e i d . 47 MARK

An d then one night Ist ole upon them both . n ( Lo rd Dinas knew of this alo e , my Lo rds) ri r e Iseult was sleeping, and Lord T st am sl pt ’ An arm s length scarce before me in the moss e All pale and wan, and breathed so h avily,

k om h n e . So wearily, li e s e ard hu t d beasts

( c oca ine )

i n — Oh God , how easy was t the See what here ix ir i la a sw r Befell ! T , t w t the bod es y o d , ’ ’ — Morhol or ! All naked , ay , and sharp Twas t s sw d —T n oo t I he silently It k i , and left ei Mine own, and , like a fool , Iwept at th r G reat purity !

SECOND BARON

Was T ristram so much m oved By this exchange of swords that he gave back Thy wife Iseult ?

MARK

( violently )

An ! he ! d , God Itook r See , His cunning counsel circumvent ed then The red hot steel and made her innocence

o Seem m re apparent , and her hands shone white , n ik r Unbum ed , and all u scarred l e ivo y A er h ! ne he i r ft t e test My p w T r st am fled , x l r h no E i ed , and the dec ee t at ye all k w

Was seal ed . So harken now, ye witness es Of the decree : if T rist ram were to break 48

THIRD BARON

Speak Denovalin !

CANEL UN

’ Thou say st Lo rd Tristram broke t he bond that holds his life ?

FIF TH BARON

’ Ill not believe it !

FOURTH BARON

T rist ram wed , ye know,

The daughter of King Kark of Arundland.

THIRD BARON

Denovalin must bring us proofs !

MARK

n Ge tly, rib l My Lords, Before the high t unal sha l he He speak. Go, call t Queen.

( The man-at -arms goes)

Why dost thou hasten to believe this tale ? ‘ ’ no in o Reniember, tis De val wh speaks. so MARK

’ l m ri Tis not a mat ter of be ief , y f end , Iwish t o know if for her sake he cam e ; — m r e T o see her once again no o e . T h rest Ikn w the end of t is ow, and Ikno , too , h ; ’ T m i e m b ood his gam e that s played about y l f , y l Mine honor !

S cene III

( The guardsman announces the queen who enters the hall followed by Paranis. S he remains in t he r backg ound . The barons rise as she appears)

GUARDSMAN

Place ! Iseult t he queen comes ! Place !

ISE UL T

( quietly and gently )

Ye me i n called , s rs ; ow speak, for Iam here.

MARK

ow er che m (H e takes an angry step t ard h , eks hi

t a m nt . H e lo self, and stares a her ome speaks s wly and without m oving )

l n Lord Dinas, bid Iseu t of Irela d draw near !

Is lt wit ho t waitin or D nas te t the ( eu , u g f i , s ps o m M o iddle of t he hall . ark d oes not m ve and speaks louder ) S I r n Lo d Di as, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near! — And sit there by the board there at the head An d facing me.

ISEULT

And may Iask thee now Wh t thi x r r n a s e t ao di ary custom is, That t wice thou dost repeat it Mark ? In mine Own land of Ireland Inever saw A m an th s t rea his i e i i u t w f . 80, f t suits Th i l — ’ y w l , Ill stand !

N eit er Mar o ( h k n r the Barons m ove . Anxiously )

Will no one speak to me ?

MARK

M Lo r y ds, sit down.

(H e walks in front of the table . Paranis kneels beside Iseult who lays her hand upon his head as on the head of a d og )

ISEULT

’ m Mar Thou call dst e , k, and hadst M — e com e in terms full stem and harsh Icame , ’ F - or t is my heart felt duty to obey, ’ n Si ce thou art good to m e and kind . Thou know st T i h m en ha s an ar n h s all , these , t t t d ou d , awake F l m in m emor in m h u l any a pa ful y y eart ,

And so Icrave a swift reply. What will Ye of m e here ?

52 MARK

( roughly )

Why was Gawain sent forth In secret to Tintagel from Lubin ?

b enl He went not secre tly, ut op y, erchantmen My Lo rd, and that because some m Came to T intagel from across the seas m me With merchandise. Iwished t o bid the co T o me that Imight choose me from their stock

The wares that pl eased me and the things Ineed.

MARK

(scornfully )

The purchase must be made at once, Itrow ! ’ m r l e e s suc Since here , o e than e s where , thou ne d t h

things. ’ Tis true that fifteen beasts of burden stayed l ne Behind , all aden with thy things al o , And stood unnoticed by a well beside ! The road, Iseult , Irecollect

ISEUL T

Nay, Lo rd , m Yet St . Lubin brings e full many a sad r I re And weary hou . , the fore, thought to Some slight diversion and am usement too ’ T o kn o sooth my woe . Th u ow st the joy I have Of mingled masses of bright colored things Both strange and rare ! 53 (Anxiously )

The rustling silks ; the gold ’ Embroidery of robes ; the j ewel s flash r c ains an ol n irdles ne les cl s s ! Fu s, h d g de g , ed , a p

To see, and in my hands to hold such things ’ m — i O erjoys e much A childish wh m , perhaps, ’ But thou thyself this pleasure oft procured st

And sent the merchants to my bower. What Wonder is it then that Imyself should think , Of this same thing ?

MARK

’ i T s so , Iwronged thy thoughts, For Imyself have o ften brought such men ks To thee. These peddlers and these mountaban Are famous friends ! Isee it now ! They come From far and wide ; they t ravel m uch ; they are ni — in e o Both wise and cun ng apt , de d , t serve As messengers !

M ou st e r n Ay, ark, th did m w o g,

But greater t o Brangaene and Gawain. Ipray thee set them free ; they but obeyed

My will .

MARK

ir n Bring forth the pa , a d set them free This go-between Brangaene and Gawain !

$4 ( The soldier goes)

l h l Tell now , my Lord Denova in, t y ta e, r n l And speak thy wo ds distinctly, ay, a d oud ! An m l rd I ra l n ell d ye, y o s, p y you, iste w ; A pretty tale !

h h hr e n (H e crouc es on t e steps of t he t on , a d stares at Iseult . D enovalin steps forward from be hind the table . )

DEN OVALIN — Irode to day at dawn, An i ro the Morois saw w ile et d , com ng th ugh , , h y n The mist was hanging in the trees, arou d

o e. A curving of the road, a man wh rod n Full proud and st raight he sat upo his steed , But yet he seemed to wish that none should see r l i o Him there , for ca eful y d d he av id erin bo The clearer spots, and pe g round a ut , n l h rn H e listened a d he keen y watched , t en t u ed Into a thicket when afar he heard

- The hoof beats of my horse. Ifollowed him , ’ And soon l was as near as a man s voice

Will carry. Loud and haught ily Icalled o T o him , but then he dr ve the spurs so deep i n Into his steed that , l ke a wou ded st ag, i e It sprang into the a r and dash d away. b m Ifollowed close ehind , and bade the an

In knightly and in manly honor stand .

H e heeded not my words and fled away. And then Icried aloud that he should stand

And called him by Iseult the Goldenhaired .

SS And at my name Lord Tristram stood

( anxiously )

Did he Not stand and wait ?

( imploringly )

Oh say that at that call Lord T ristram stood !

(passionat ely )

And Iwill bless thy lips.

MARK

out in a muffled voice )

Iseult

’ Ill kiss thy hand, my lord , and I

o een Ise l Who says, pr ud Qu u t , the man Isaw T r nobl Was rist am , e Lord of Lyonesse ?

( her voice becomes proud and cold )

' M r I y Lo d Denovalin, ll kiss thy hands ’ If thou wilt say my husb nd s nephew stood 5g

And see her eyes ! Those wondrous eyes ! Eyes for deceit ! She has Deceivecl me with those eyes and lips of hers since fi rst She set her foot upon the Co rnish shore !

ISE UL T

( trembling wit h shame and anger )

k Thy words are like the shame of women, Mar ! ke i Li filthy hands ! Ir sh Iam , but there , n r n e oli e r r in rev s I wo d a d d ed , p t est a t p ail And court eous measuredness ; there fiery wrat h ’ Becomes n er master of the man ! And so Iwas not taught in early youth to guard Myself from drunkenness of wrath !

MARK

Oh hark ! That was a sample of her haughty words ! Iseult the Goldenhaired of Ireland Didst thou with thine one hand and blood sign this?

ISE ULT

A M r i y, a k , Is gned the bond .

( wit h closed eyes quoti ng )

And if from this Day on Lord T rist ram dares to show himself i e ie i W thin my r alm , he d s, and w th him dies ! — Iseult of Ireland Isigned my name i i And wrot e t w th my blood . 58 MARK

Most solem nly has pledged his head and soul Th n m e at he has see y neph w T ristram , Lord n hi m e m Of Lyo esse wit n y r al , and so ,

‘ n n If o e st and forth to contradict , Iseult

Of Ireland shall die.

( stands up)

Denovalin H as lied !

MARK

Dinas of Lidan !

ll We said , good Dinas !

DINAS

- I, too , did meet a man to day At early dawn whom Ifirst held to be

i r e in M k. Lord T r st am , neph w of K g ar in S ce from the east Irode and thou, my Lo rd Denov lin hro he Moroisland a , came t ugh t rom e F thy good castl in the west , and since Lubin stood as a cent ral point between r r av en - l Us both, Lord T ist am m ust h e be two fo d That in the east and in the west he crossed M an l - am o r o y path , d at the se f s e h u , the r ad 59 Of Lord Denovalin. This cannot be And so one of t he men was not the true

Lord T rist ram ; one of us was t herefore wrong. ’ n And if twas one , the why not both My Lord Denovalin and I?

MARK

Dinas, H ad Inot known thee from thy youth Im ight H ave held thee guilty with Iseult ! H as she Ensnared thee too with perjured oaths and fal se e h o s k And lying count enanc , t at th u do t see T o die for her so eagerly ? Thy hair ho re m est m an Is gray like mine. T u d a , , Denoval in has pledged his word t hat he Has seen Lo rd T ristram ! Ponder well ere thou fl o e T ake up his down ung gl v ,

SECOND BARON

Yet Dinas may

Be right .

TH IRD BARON

Ithink so too .

FIFTH BARON

There cannot be Mo o s oo Two T ristrams in the r i w d .

DEN OVALIN

( springing up)

r My Lo ds, 60 ’ Ive pledged my word ! Take heed unto your tongues !

It seems but right to me that Queen Iseult Should not be put to death unt il the t rue k n Lord T ristram , quic or dead , be fou d .

SECOND BARON

Well said Lord Ganelun !

THIRD BARON

ink in Mark ! So th we all , K g

ISE UL T i i ! By God ! my Lords, t s enough ye sit Discussing here in calm indifference i If Ishall live or d e , as though Iwere An animal ! My race is nobly sprung ; I will that ye bow down before my blood , Since ye do not bow down to womanhood ! Iwill that ye permit me to return To my apartments and that ye do not H ere keep me st anding like a hal tered beast ! King Mark may let me know your will when ye

Decide. And now Iwish to go .

MARK

( in swelling anger )

Oh hear her, M Lor s ear her oes h not e y d h , d s e mak one wish,

Groaning, to cast oneself before her feet ; 6 1 ' 0 kiss her very shoes when she can find Such noble sent iments and words ! Behold Her there ! Is she not full er than the whole i en she W de wo rld of smiles and tears. And wh laughed h i n in Wit that fa r mouth , e t ranc g and all pale, ’ Or silvery bright that God s whole world did dance ’ ’ An in no n e d sing God s own hand , twas t o m

She smiled . And when upon her lowered lids There trembled t ears like drops of pearly dew ’ ’ n i Upo a flower s br m , twas not for me She wept ! A phantom hovered over us ’ l ee rk r In al the sw t da hours ; t was fo this ghost , ’ lik n l The phantom e ess of Lord T rist ram s se f , h w mile l l S e ept and s d , t rue t o her sou , though al The while her soulless body lay all cold Within mine arms deceiving me with smiles And tears ! She shall not die till T ristram can

B u e hink o e fo nd ! B t y u, lords, the minutes that Ye grant that mouth to smile ! The minutes that Ye grant those eyes to weep ! Whom will it not ive -h er er o Dece , er laught and h t ears ? B th you, An me n B I il e d , a d God ! ut w l chang her smiles To tears ; her w eeping to the bitter laugh f hi s l m O deou ness , that we at ast ay rest , ’ And be secure from all her woman s wiles ! An si ce s e sh no i t n d n h all t d e, he Iwill give her i ! i r n r As a g ft Th s su ely is my Ki gly ight , m Mar h r l an For Ia k, e lawfu spouse d lord . T - o n in her o day at n o , when the sun hair Shall shine the brightest in the golden light Unto the leprous beggars of Lubin ’ Ill give her as a gift !

DINAS

Mark, art thou mad ? 6: The Queen ! Oh help !

( recovering herself)

’ ’ Tis nought ; Im bett er now.

’ i Thou speak st a thing, in sorrow and n wrath , A thing so terrible one fears to think Thereon !

FIRS T BARON

Mar ! Bethink thee, k

SECOND BARON

n Thou favest , Ki g.

FOURTH BARON

in — Thou dost a most foul th g recall thy words.

MARK

( crouches on the steps of the t hrone with his back t o the barons)

At mid-day shall the lepers of Lubin l i e Col ect , and wait with n th court .

63 M ’ King ark, Ill stay with thee no more !

With thee.

FIRS T BARON

And I.

SECOND BARON

We leave thee one and all !

MARK

t urn h head m o n ( s is , al st smili g)

Will one stay with m e ?

DEN OVALIN

( stepping forw ard

I l wi l , King Mark.

MARK

( st rineine at )

i m an o i Oh drive th s uts de the walls, and bid Him ride with speed ! Ifeel a great Desire to dip my hands in his foul blood 64

’ - New fallen on a winter s morn. This man, An h m i d t is an only, have Iloved w th all on The fait h and passi of my womanhood . Igave myself to him with al l my soul ; My heart was full of dancing and of song ; My love was wreathed in smiles as some May-mom L aughs softly on the mountai n tops. This man Il v n o ed ; o other have Iloved , though he M riev n m i —Kin ay g e, a d sha e me, and dece ve l g Mark !

MARK

( alm ost screaming)

iel m a ove r m e ! Oh sh d e , he th t l s me, f o h r oaths

DEN OVALIN

( t urns calmly t o Iseult )

Lead back t he Queen into her chamber, page ! ACT III

‘ T HE INNER GOUR I- ARD OF T HE CAS ’ i‘IE

S CENE : (In t he fore-ground at t he left is t he - r h Castle gate . In t he back ground on t he ig t , at o o bro t s nder an arcade t he t p f a ad flight of s ep , u

o co m n cha e . At t he f lu s. stands t he d oor of t he p l left of t he gat e ent ering t he court -yard are some b n h he h h castle uildi gs, be ind which may be seen t ig wal urm ount e r e oad rom t he ls s d by t e s. The r f I t he Castle t o the church is paved wit h carpets. n

m o t h t on ht tan s a st one w ell . iddle f e s age, t he rig , s d In t he back-ground is a crowd of people held back b r r oot o t he st e s y t h ee armed gua ds. At the f f p ,

- — on rm s. e on each side, stand tw o men at a ) ACT III

S cene I

FIRS T G UARD

Back, crowd not there ! St and back !

SECOND G UARD

The children m ay n in h r e rawls Sta d t e f ont , but hold them . Ther c one !

FIRS T G UARD

(pushing t he child back int o t he crowd )

’ M lit le rien b m k y t f d , get ack ! Now see , Ill a e A line u on the roun n if p g d , a d thy toes, ’ ut b r b B y a hai s readth , cross that line again, ’ Ill drop my spear on them and they shall be As fla b l t as any ar ey cake .

(Laughter )

FIRS T GIRL

Ha, Ha !

SECOND GIRL

Hast thou become a baker oh Gilain 6g FIRS T GUARD

( lifting his iron-covered hand )

’ A o l me knead m dou h ? y, wench , w u d st see y g

( Laught er )

A BOY

Be still ’ Ihear the crier s voice from down below !

A GIRL

’ He s wandered up and down the st reets since dawn And called until my blood runs cold !

THE BOY

Hush !

THE GIRL

Hark

VOICE OF THE CRIER

( distant and ringing)

To- n n n day at oo , because Ki g Mark has found er i less n n r e h l H fa th a d u t u , s a l Queen Iseult i n Be g ve to the lepe rs of Lubin, A i o ak r lea e An e e g ft t t e o v . d , furth rmor , Lo r T ri am ho o d st r , w was nce her paramour, ’ T ransgressed King Mark s decree by entering

His realm . Whoever catches him and brings 69 Him quick or dead unto the King shall have

One hundred marks of gold for his reward . ’ ’ Tis good King Mark s decree that everyone Should hear and know t hese things that I have

A CHILD

’ h Im m e h m O , afraid ! Will he co e h re, t at an ?

THE GIRL

Iknow it b heart s ill he cri ! all y , and t es

A MAN

Ay, let him cry !

AN OTHER MAN

’ Lo rd T rist ram , he s a To catch him they m ust have a good deep pit ’ Or else he ll scratch them so that all t heir liva ’ l They l think thereon.

’ T rist ram s a noble lord , ’ I shiel I u d d him an co ld .

A SECOND GIRL

Iwant to see

The Queen close by.

A THIRD GIRL

A ! y, so do I 70 A FOURTH GIRL

’ Ill strew

Some flowers in her path as she goes past .

THE FIRS T GIRL

My father made her once a pair of shoes fine i in bo n i l n l Of wh te sat , u d w th go de c asps ’ And crimson bro idery. He says her feet Are delicate and small ; as whit e and slim ’ As are the Virgin Mary s in t he shrine ’ That stands within Tintagel s lofty church bo i A ve the great h gh alt ar.

THE FOUR TH GIRL

Poor, poor soul !

AN OLD WOMAN

A le e h i h r y , t her s e w ere those wh te fee t of e s Have carried her !

THE THIRD G UARD

( To a boy who has climbed ont o t he wall )

He u y , tho ! Come down ! The wall An ro k r ll n un r d c s a e fu a h d ed fathoms high, So f l o li il n , i thou fal , thy h w ng w l ot help .

THE BOY

Iwant to sit here when the lepers come ! AN OTHER BOY

’ o A g od plac e that ! Ill climb up too .

A FOUR TH BOY

FIRS T GUARD

Now none of you may stay within the court ’ T o st are when Queen Iseult is given o er

Unto the lepers. Mark has granted this ’ Unto the Queen since twas her only wi sh. in Ye all must go to the church .

A MAN

May none Then stay without and watch the lepers ?

ANOTHER MAN

’ s wounds! i l thi ! Why then Icame for noth ng, al s way

A WOMAN

( indignantly )

’ b lo n make a Oh shame , thou east , would st g at a d show Of that which one scarce dares to think of? Fie ! For such foul thoughts thou shouldst be thrown To Husdent to devour !

SECOND GUARD

ere ! S top wrangling, th 72

A VOICE

Who is he ?

eak Sp , where wast thou, friend ueen Iseult stood bound here to the stake ?

a GIRL

’ All naked in her wond rous beauty

AN OTH ER GIRL

F or her great love.

l We a l did see her then.

SHEPHERD

’ I m n T ve co e si ce then from oste in the hills.

A WOMAN

l Here , let this fe low stand in front , that be ’ May see the Queen s fair face before this swarm

Of vultures has devoured it .

FIRS T GUARD

Come here ; ’ If thou hast never seen the Queen thou may st

Stand here beside the steps. 74 Ithank thee.

A S OLDIER

( drawing him beside him )

H ere !

A VOICE

Here come the soldiers !

A CHILD

Lift me, father

A VOICE

H sh—l

march past and enter the church. The church door stays open )

A GIRL

Ipray thee, Gilala , who will lead the Queen ?

FIRS T GUARD

The hangman and King Mark.

Poor soul ! 7S OLD WOMAN

Why weep st

Fri r ends c oss yourselves. The Crucifix !

( leans forward so that he can see across the court yard int o t he castle )

Be ol e M h d , sh comes ! y God , how beautiful

THE S OLDIER

(As Gimella passes)

T ri hat , my f end , is but her maid

THE S ECOND G UARD

Back ! Stand back ! Thou shalt not push !

SHEPHERD

l s Oh there ! Beho d , he is a fai ry ! Yea, And she is fairer than Gimella far ! ’ n m kne en s Ill fall upo y es wh he goes past . ’ ’ S e s won rous air a airer t an a ower h d — f , y , f h fl , A lily See l 76 THE S OLDIER

(As Brangaene goes by )

’ S tand up, thou knave, for that s ’ ’ Brangaene. She s our lady s faithful maid.

r n n n She too was fai ! Can o e imagi e the , ’ There s anyone more beautiful than she ? ’ What wond rous women Mark has at his court ! — Such ladies have Inever seen There dwell N ne o e o h o such in T st ! See This ne O , God ! ’ n n— I b in in ra —l Oh, God ! The su has fall l ts l d g ys

(falls on his knees)

THE S OLDIER

( saftls)

That was the Queen !

(Iseult walks past between Mark and t he hang man. S he is draped in a purple cloak; her feet are

r . o ba e Paranis foll ws her. Part of t he crowd kneels down )

THE SHEPH ERD

( staring )

Oh, Queen Iseult ! Iseult The Goldenhai red !

A GIRL

Oh fairest , dearest one ! 77 ANOTHER GIRL

Oh Queen smile down upon us once again !

(A rattling sound is heard . The S trange Leper

steps from behind one of t he colum ns. H is bearded

face is hidden by t he hood of his cloak . The crowd

r a n ro o h . The d aws way shudderi g, t he p cessi n alts leper kneels before Iseult and bows so low t hat his forehead almost touches her feet )

A VOICE

A leper, see !

A GIRL

Oh Virgin Mary, help !

A SECOND GIRL

Whence came be here ?

A THIRD GIRL

He had concealed himself !

MARK

( slowly )

’ - Thou cam st too soon my friend !

( The leper disappears sideways under t he steps. r e n oe into e ch r h ro The p oc ssio g s t h u c , f m which an organ begi ns t o sound . The soldiers and t he crowd follow after) 78 ( covering her face wit h her hands)

r een ! Oh, our poo Qu

A SECOND GIRL

r ite ! She was like alabaste , cold and wh

A THIRD GIRL

Not once al ong the awful way she raised H er eyes !

A FOURTH GIRL

She did not wish to see !

THE FIRS T GIRL

Oh fi e , That Mark should shame her so !

THE SECOND G UARD

mus Make haste , ye t

FIRS T GUARD

( t o the kneeling shepherd )

Wake up ! Thou too must go within e The church . Now com !

79 The sun fell down ! It grazed my eyes ! A GIRL

’ Ill pray with all my heart For our poor Queen !

A SECOND GIRL — We all will pray and curse The King ! THIRD G UARD

Thou slut , be still , and hold — Make haste into the church go in !

THE FIRS T GUARD

Ihear The lepers coming ! hark !

THE THIRD G UARD

’ H ere irl thou st ro , g , d pped Thy kerchief !

(H e picks it up)

THE GIRL

Thanks !

THE FIRS T GUARD

( taking the old man by the arm ) 80

A YOUN G LEPER

wearin th mad or o r r ed ( g a wrea , e of three f u la ge r lowers f , i n his dark hair )

Heisa ! Heisa !

Speak softly, there, lest ye disturb the mass.

AN OLD LEPER

eeble an ortin himsel o a crutch (f , d supp g f n , in the o c er o t n t ne of the town ri , alm s singi g)

’ T - sh l u Iseult o ur in s o day al Q een , good K g e i Be given t o us, the lep rs of Lub n So cried the herald

THE YOUN G LEPER

o Br t her, Brother dance ’ m bri e m—Ah With me, for I the d groo

THE OLD LEPER

( in t he same t one ) To-day Shall Queen Iseult

(Every time that t he old leper begins t o speak he

is silenced by the others) THE YOUN G LEPER

( striking him) 82 Thou fool !

( t o a fourth leper )

Come dance !

FOURTH LEPER

Be st ill ! A noon rn en ni t to eat raw t u ips, th at ght To have the Queen t o sleep with in the st raw ! H I m h a, ha ! t makes e laug !

A RED -HAIRED LEPER

King Mark shall give to celebrat e our wedding feast !

THE YOUNG LEPER

( dand e r)

! Oh, brother, come and dance with me

A SI! TH LEPER

Iwant To look at her and then get drunk !

THE YOUN G LEPER

Come , then, i And dance with me , my l t tle brother, dance !

( coming from t he gate ) 83 or r b Be st ill, and stand in de y the steps, That we may see her when the hangman brings

Her forth .

TH E FIRS T LEPER

( sits d own on the ground )

Iwill not st and .

l o ! Then craw , thou t ad

A SE VEN TH LEPER

’ — bri e Iseult the Goldenhaired The lepers d , And Queen ! ( he laughs)

THE REDHAIRED LEPER

’ ll her t a ! Well spoken, friend ! We ll ca h t

OLD LEPER

T o-day shall Queen Iseult

AN EIGH TH LEPER

She shall be mine ’ I the morning of all holidays !

FIRS T LEPER

And I

Will have her late at night . s4 REDHAIRED LEPER

’ Ill take her first !

SI! TH LEPER

’ Not so ; Iwein shall have her first for he s

Our King.

YOUN G LEPER

( t o Redhaired leper )

Who ? Thou ?

NIN TH LEPER

Thou have her first ? Who art

Thou, then, thou Redhaired knave ?

TEN TH LEPER

( calling out loudly )

’ Here s one who says ’ He ll tame the Queen !

FIRS T LEPER

Oh, break his jaw !

YOUN G LEPER

Iwant o Her n w, my friends ; my loins burn and itch For her !

85 REDHAIRED LEPER

’ ’ i l Ill ma e Ill beat you, cr pp es, and k Yo u all more cripple than ye are, Unless ye give her me to kiss and hug For one full week at least !

o What crowest th u, — Redheaded rooster Ye shall all draw lots For who shall have her after me !

ELEVEN TH LEPER

’ Ay, let s

Draw lots.

REDHAIRED LEPER

Plague on you all !

FOURTH LEPER

’ It s on us now ! ’ Come let s draw lots !

SI! TH LEPER

OLD LEPER

But first of all ’ Ill make her mend my clothes.

FOUR TH LEPER

( tearing up a cloth) 86 ’ Ill tear the lots!

FIRS T LEPER

o a ! Here, put t hem in my cloak ! N w come , and dr w

TWELFTH LEPER

’ Look yonder ! There s another one.

REDH AIRED LEPER

Where ? Where ?

A e crow around the S tran e Le er ( s th y d , g p from behind the column )

SI! TH LEPER

There, yonder, see

TEN TH LEPER

Who is he ?

NIN TH LEPER

Look ! YOUN G LEPER

(goes t o the steps)

Thou THE OLD LEPER

( t o the stranger)

’ - o To day shall Queen Iseult , our good King s sp use

REDHAIRED LEPER

Be still, old fool !

Wilt thou not answer me ? ’ I i h er h Iam we n, t e Le p s King ; w at wouldst Thou here ?

( The S trange Leper t hrows money am ong them )

lea in t rest mon ( p g, wi h t he , t o seize t he ey )

Holla !

’ He s throwing money ! See !

S TRAN GE LEPER

Iam a leper from Karesh and wish

To dwell among you here at St . Lubin.

FOURTH LEPER

’ Thou st m elt the ir f m far oo frien ! b d ég , g d d

( The strange leper comes down from the steps)

SEVEN TH LEPER

How tall Thou art ! If Godwin dares t o threaten me ’ Thou lt punish him .

YOUN G LEPER

’ And what s thy name ?

S TRAN GE LEPER

Why , call M ne fo ha i m nam e then the Sad O , r t t s y e

’ e l Then come , thou Sad On , take thy p ace . They ll keep

Us not much longer wait ing for our spouse.

SI! TH LEPER

( t o the stranger )

’ ’ King Mark s a kind and gen rous King to think Of giving us a wife !

OLD LEPER

t o S t ranger )

The herald cried ’ I r That Queen seult of Ireland , King Ma k s s n spouse to-day should be 90 l h o e Fool , ho d t y t ngu ! ’ e s all together make a nois , and shake

Our clappers as a sign.

( They shake t heir rattles)

TWELFTH LEPER

The door ! The door!

YOUN G LEPER

’ Be still ! Be still ! She s coming now !

IWEIN

Be Still. S CENE IV

r ( The d oor of the church is pa tially opened . The r hangman leads Iseult out . The S t ange Leper falls on his knees and bows d eep t o the ground )

YOUN G LEPER

’ r n Let s fall upon ou knees, Iwei !

m ’ (A few lepers kneel . The hang an takes Iseult s t r crow n and cloak away . S he s ands the e, draped only in her gold en hair . H er eyes are closed and she remains m otionless)

THE HANGMAN

’ ( hissing Iseult s foot ) 9 1 ' Forg ve ’ Mq m Isa d g for God s sweet sake !

H ( e gm hack int o t he church. The d oor closes

IWEIN

We are ’ an The lepers of Lubin, d thou, by Mark s

Dea eg art now our bride. Come down that we

T n e it rt ( he S tra ge L per, w h a violent effo , springs t t o his fee , and t urns upon the lepers)

S TRAN GE LEPER

? me Who spoke ? Which one of you Tell , who

Seabs ! ! wa e ! If on Vultures Curs, a y ! B off e ’ Of you but speaks again Ill trample you

Beneath my feet and grind you in the dirt . ’ a i er ? er Wh t w sh ye h e H e s gold ! be off, ye curs !

( Only a few stoop to gather t he gold he throw s among them )

YOUN G LEPER

( rushes at him ; Iwein holds him back)

Thou ! Thou !

Who art thou that insults us thus ? 92 TENTH LEPER

l wein ive thee Th ou! Hold thy tongue , else wi l I g So sound a drubbing that thou shalt fall dead Upon the ground !

EIGH TH LEPER

Iwein is st rong - H e was A mighty Lord !

S TRAN GE LEPER

Will ye not go ?

FIRS T LEPER

H ark, thou, rs This woman here is ou .

REDHAIRED LEPER

’ ( Thrusting a stick into Iwein s hand )

k i own Go , knoc h m d

SE VEN TH LEPER

Come on !

( The S trange Leper snatches the club from t he feeble leper so that he falls, knocks Iwein t o t he ro d n s rin s nt o t h cro d g un , a d p g i e w d ealing erce

blows right and left . In his left hand he holds a sw ord which he does not use . In the following ’ scene, also, t he lepers voices are hushed from fear and surprise ) 93 S TRAN GE LEPER

! There lies Iwein ! Be off, ye dogs

OLD LEPER

Ai ! oh !

TEN TH LEPER

’ He s killed Iwein !

FOUR TH LEPER

Lay hold of him !

THE SE VEN TH

’ T o ne ei him o —I h u, Red O , s ze by the thr at ll leap Upon him from behind !

( The S trange Leper knocks t he Redhai rcd Leper d own)

REDHAIRED LEPER

Help ! Help !

S TRAN GE LEPER

There lies Your Red One !

FOURTH LEPER

Fly ! He has a sword !

94» ELE VEN TH LEPER

( receiving a blow )

Oh help ! OLD LEPER

l . Come , Brothers, et us run

SI! TH LEPER

( struck)

S TRAN GE LEPER

With you ! Be of? !

SEVEN TH LEPER

(struck)

Ai l Ai !

( S ome of t he lepers try t o carry away t he w ounded as t hey run )

YOUN G LEPER

’ Let s carry of? k Iwein ! Come , pic him up.

FIRS T LEPER

And Godwin too ! Make haste ! 95 ELE VEN TH LEPER

( struck)

S TRAN GE LEPER

( driving the whole troop t o the

Back, curs, back to your holes ! Crawl back into your noisome dens !

SE VEN TH LEPER

( struck) ’ Oh! tis Beelzebub

TEN TH LEPER

The devil !

NIN TH LEPER

TWELFTH LEPER

We go ! We go !

SI! TH LEPER

King Mark shall

S TRAN GE LEPER

( throwing t he club after them) 96

Ibe ee be o il not ! g th , ast , th u ev beast , speak If in thy loathsome carcass there still dwells om r m n r l S e e ant of a m an, Ip ay t hee s ay Me e , but sp ak not !

S TRAN GE LEPER

uncertainly

Iseult

H ll on h knees o osit ste s but t ( e fa s is pp e t he p , a a distance from the m ; and leans back until his thighs e r st upon his heels. )

ISE UL T

n B il Speak ot ! e st l , ’ And kill m e now ! They ve left me not so much As one sm all pin with which to kill myself !

Behold ! Ikneel to thee , and like some low An h mbl e h il d u e m aid , Ib g t ee , beast , t o k l ’ Me n Ill bl e , a d ess the !

S TRAN GE LEPER

Oh, Iseult , dost thou No longer love Lo rd T rist ram who was once Thy friend ?

ISE UL T

( stares at him for a m om ent )

’ ’ ’ k st ou s t d s Thou spea , th peak s , thou beast , an star t At m e ! Yet God shall punish thee since thou Wouldest not kill m e now ! 98 S TRAN GE LEPER

( crying out despairingly )

Iseult , awake ! ’ Oh Golden One, t is T rist ram calls!

ISE UL T

Thou seekst i h rn bi i r r e W t sco and t ng wo ds to marty m , And kill me then ! Oh say that thou wilt kill — Me afterwards when thou hast railed enough ! — And thou wilt come no nearer than thou art ?

S TRAN GE LEPER

Iseult k k I , awa e ! Awa e , seult , and speak , And tell me if thou lovest T ristram still !

ISE ULT

Ah , he was once my friend ! Why dost thou use The dagger of his nam e to prick my heart ? ’ Iloved him once , and tis for that Istand H ere — Kill me now !

S TRAN GE LEPER

(going t o the foot of the steps)

el me ! H e God h p ear me sp ak, ’ Iseult , for Im

( his voice breaks with a sob )

’ ’ Im T rist ram s messenger ! — ’ Thy erstwhile friend Him whom thou loved st ! 99 IS E ULT

( angrily )

’ Would st shame Me in my shame ? Thou be ast !

S TRAN GE LEPER

Iwish to save o r i Thee now . Dost thou l ve T rist am st ll ?

ISEUL T

oi d ow n a w ste s slowl and care u ( g ng fe p , y f lly )

Thou art m e n o i —An ome A sse ger f h s d dost thou c ,

Perchance , to take m e to him ?

( breaking out )

Does thy lord esire e to i me D m , g ve as a gift From som st e n e e rang la d , for his new brid ?

( The S trange Leper hid es his face in his

Am I T o sit within a cage and watch him kiss “ ! Her ? Listen to him call his wife Iseult ? W this his sweet desi n or o l as g , d es Iseu t The Snowy H anded crave my golden hair T o m ake a pillow for volupt uous hours? How st range that T rist ram should so long for That he sends forth his messengers ! And will He lay us bo th within t he self-same bed ? ICI)

S TRAN GE LEPER

! o i r ueen ! Be merciful t T r st am , Q

(Iseult descends a few m ore st eps; looks at him ar h ea a a uestionin l se c ingly, and sp ks, in w y, q g y )

ISE UL T

t r Wast thou his servant while he still was ue, ’ And caught st the plague while on his wedding t rip ? ! Then weep for him , thou poor diseased beast o Iknow thee not . And if thy m aster sto d — n lo e H ere too , Lord T rist ram , whom Io ce did v And who ret urned my love in youthful years I r m h f he now stood befo e e here , Is ould Not recognize his face behind t he m ask

Of cowardice which he has worn of lat e. His faithlessness st icks to him like black slim e ! Go tell him that - Ihate him in this m ask ! H e was so loving and so t rue when first Iknew and loved him ! God shall punish him !

S TRAN GE LEPER

Ieul reat o as unishe him enou h s t , g G d h p d g His soul is writ hing in its agony Before thy feet !

ISE ULT

H le ro l is soul is p us, ay ’ And t i s an awful thing when one s own soul — Is leprous grown Iloath and hate him now !

S TRAN GE LEPER

(leaping up) Iseult !

ISE UL T

(wildly )

l r em ort ! Go call the vu t u es, call th f h

Iwant to dance in their whit e arms, and flee ’ From T rist ram s leprous soul that has bet rayed And shamed me thus !

S TRAN GE LEPER

May God in mercy help Him o il l , f r he loves thee st l , Iseult , in ife And death !

(H e starts t owards t he gat e )

VOICE OF LORD D EN OVALIN

Let none go out ! Draw up the bridge , ’ And close the castle gates ! Ill catch the hound !

(Iseult staggers a few st eps and collapses)

S TRAN GE LEPER

Denovalin, Iseult ! Our hat ed foe D o lin i k hi h n e e en va ! Qu c , de t y ak dn ss Within this cloak !

(H e covers her wit h his cloak and bends over her )

Dear lady I will kill This man and then myself ! 103 (Denovalin enters)

DENOVALIN

Thou, there ! Who art Thou ? Speak thou hound ! Who dares thus brazenly ’ To set at naught King Mark s decreed comm and s ?

S TRAN GE LEPER

( who has sprung upon t he curbing of the well )

Denovalin, a second tim e thou shalt N fl m me — T ar th l ! ot ee fro ake heed , and gu d yse f

(H e springs at D enovalin and overt hrows him . H e then swings himself up on t o t he wall and stands t here for a second ; his lepers garment is thrown back o v n and he appears in a c at of sil er mail, shini g in t he sun-light )

DEN OVALIN

T ristram of Lyonesse !

S TRAN GE LEPER

(pulling his clot h from his head )

Dost recognize Him by the st roke ? God help me now !

H r rom t r ( e sp ings f the wall . The s age emains n empty . The organ begi s; t he gates are opened and t tw o guards stand on eit her sid e of the s eps. The church empties itself by d egrees ) 104

FIRS T S OLDIER

( running t o the spot )

The Queen ! S ECOND S OLDIER

FIRS T S OLDIER

The king doth call !

A MAN

She lives no

Here lies

FIRS T S OLDIER

( running up)

Lo rd Denovalin ! Stone dead ! A VOICE

Who ? Where ?

S ECOND S OLDIER

He bleeds and does not move !

PARANIS

( rushes up and throws hin self down beside Iseult ) Ioz Oh God ! My queen !

FIRS T S OLDIER

(pulling him away )

Stand back there, boy !

oh let — Me kneel beside the Queen Ialways did ! h h — O , queen Iseult ow pale thou art But , see , She breathes !

SECOND S OLDIER

The queen still breathes !

She is not dead !

Go call it out wit in t at all ma som h h y e , She is not dead !

A KNIGH T

Why shout ye so ?

A BOY

Behold, The lepers would not have Iseult ! 107 SECOND BOY

It round about !

A MAN

er ! Be still , h e comes the King

(Mark comes d ow n the steps and st ops on the last one motionless and staring)

FIRS T S OLDIER

ark h I l King M , ere lies the Queen seu t . f She breathes, but shows no signs o life .

SECOND S OLDIER

And here l ’ Lies Lo rd Denova in. He s dead , King Mark.

(Mark leans against a column t o support him self and stares d ow n upon t he scene . The crowd groups itself and t hrongs t he d oor of t he church be hind him )

GIMELLA

’ What s this?

A BOY

The lepers would not have Iseult . r08

’ She s sm iling through her t ears.

— ( bending over Iscult softly )

Oh dear Iseult ! Belovéd one ! GIMELLA

She breathes as feverishly And deep as does a sick and suffering child At midnight in its sleep !

FIRS T S OLDIER

’ Ill t o the gat e And ask the guards if they have seen some sign ’ Or token how this miracle occur d !

MARK

( cries m erils)

’ Ill crucify the man who asks !

(All heads t urn t hen in his direction and a t erri fied expression comes over all count enances. Mark speaks hard and calmly )

Dinas Of Lidan ? Is he here ?

FIRS T GUARD

Lo rd Dinas left Th s ate to-da at e ca tle g y dawn, my lord . l l O MARK

Did Lord Denovalin receive his wound h ? In front , or from be ind

FIRS T S OLDIER

H ere , at the t hroat . ee ho sha t The wound is small and d p , as t ugh a f ’ Of li ht ning struck him there between the helm g — And gorget sharp and swift .

VOICES

Oh listen ! Sec, ’ h Twas God that st ruck Denovalin , since e H ad falsely testified against the Queen !

MARK

Then let the executioner strip off Hi han the n m rmor s arms, and g m i y a y ,

So that the sun shall shine thereon. The corpse ’ h n o h t il r S all he bi d t a orse s a , and d ag ’ It o er the comm on land and let it lie ! Where lies the Queen !

TH E SHEPH ERD

e Stand back ther , for King Mark Would see the Queen in her pale beauty ! Back !

The crowd stands back and a space is cleared aro lt Mar oo o m und Iseu . k l ks d w n upon her fro above and s eaks coldl and lo l control n h m p y s w y, li g i Let Queen Iseult be carried on that cloak e Within the castle . Place her th re upon l Soft pil ows. Strew fresh flowers round about

H er bed , and moisten all her robes and clothes e Kn r With sweetest p rfum es. ee! ye down and p ay e h o o f r h m e Wh n s e doth speak t y u, o s e ust b I r n some way sac ed , since God loves her thus.

( alm ost shouting )

’ And if she should be found in T rist ram s bed ’ l m n Il kill the a who t ells m e of it , ay, And let his body rot upon the ground ! Now saddle me a horse that Im ay go T o or n m ri ! see k L d Di as, y most loyal f end

“ 2

ACT IV

S cene I

FIRS T BARON

h n Take heed unto t y quee , Lord Ganelun, Unless thou willingly dost sacrifice l Her to my pawns, as Mark gave Queen Iseu t Unto his lepers !

GANELUN

Wait ! for see, Imove

My bishop back.

S ECOND BARON

in n m Check ! D as, check a d at e ! ’ e Thou mad st it easy, friend . Thou n ver shouldst i h k H ave sacrificed the kn g t , for thus my roo

e t n . Escap d , a tacki g thee

m Forgive, y thoughts

Were t roubled , ay, and wandered from the game.

( Two knights come in from the courtyard )

FIRS T KNIGH T

Ican not make one ray of sense from all 1 14 ! These strange occurrences, my Lords Igreet Thee Ganelun !

(S hakes hands with the Barons)

SECOND KNIGH T

( shaking hands)

At chess! At chess my Lords ! Your blood must run full slowly in your veins!

( comes forward )

’ Ki i er in ng Mark has b d us play, and ord d w e ’ er i l For us to drink, since oth w se twou d be A dull and sombre evening here to-night e Within the castle hall , for Qu en Iseult ,

Iween, will stay in her retirement .

FIRS T KNIGH T

King Mark bade us m e hither too.

Oh God ! Men ! Men ! Bring lights and let me see the face ’ ! Of human beings round about ! So cried M ousin Mark n l r y c ot ha f an hou agone, As one on whom t he mirth of loneliness Falls all to heavily !

SECOND BARON

ink What th ye, Lords, ’ Of this most wond rous thing ? rrs SECOND KNIGH T

And do ye know ’ T Ki l le room be el hat Kaad , ng Mark s o d stab g , h d e St . George leap from the bat tlement wh re wall And rock drop 05 an hundred fathom sheer ?

( The Barons sta nd up and crowd about him )

FIRS T BARON

r St . Geo ge ? GANELUN

’ ’ What s that thou say st ?

Dost thou more ?

SECOND KNIGH T

Iknow but what old Kaad himself recounts ’ t h Tha , as e led Mark s charger down to drink, There suddenly appeared before his eyes

The lofty shape of good St . George, erect , Upon the wall !

FIRS T BARON

( crossing himself)

God save my soul !

SECOND BARON

And then ? What happened then ?

( returning to the table )

A i n y, h s heart a d mind

Are heavy and his soul distressed.

SECOND KNIGH T

And Queen I ? 88 “It .

FIRS T KNIGH T

What said the King of her ?

GANELUN

The King

Red t o see her, or to speak with her, Since neither dares to speak of this foul deed h Which as occurred ; its memory still throbs,

And tingling flows throughout their blood .

SECOND BARON

And yet He ent e ue i o m s th Q en, and w th ut ess age too , The head t at le ed a er ur h o- h p dg p j ed oat t day, iel Upon a silver sh d . And well he did .

S ECOND KNIGH T

My Lord Denovalin a vict im fell n U to a saintly and a holy hand, But died ingloriously ! rt 8 As be cle an ed

80 died he, Lord .

( The Barons and Knights sit d own again at the M r b o come table . King a k, unnoticed y the thers, s

o t . sl owly d own the steps, and walks ab u H e is oppressed and agitated . At length he stops, and, o t lean ing agai nst t he end p st of the bannister, lis ens t o t he conversation of t he ot hers. )

FIRS T KNIGH T

A leper has been stoned ’ Because he cried throughout Lubin that twas

The devil who had done the thing.

S uch leaps

By God or devil can alone be done.

GANELUN

’ Tis true , my Lords, no mort al man

An hundred fathoms.

(Mark steps up t o the table and lays his arm about ’ Dinas neck)

MARK

True , Lord Ganelun! srg SECOND BARON

FIRS T BARON

The King here ! Pardon,

MARK

Ithank Yo m r s t at ere not r u all , y Lo d , h ye w en aged

And angered at a weak old man, and cam e

Again t o me. Iwould not willingly

Have spent this night alone.

SECOND BARON

Most cheerfully ’ i We cam e. The Queen s m raculous escape ’ O erjoys us all .

FIRS T BARON

There lack but three to make om l e h The tale c p et ; t ose three, my lords, who stood

As sponsors of the bond.

MARK

’ They re coursing through The gloomy forest path and seek to catch i i o k That wh ch , s nce G d has spo en, can not be ’ m Therein. Ive sent y riders to recall

120

A KNIGH T

Thyself UGRIN

( calling t o Mark)

i m ! Ay, cous n, make thyself a onk

MARK

( t urni ng back)

And Iwill learn to laugh at God that He Should ive Him self such t rouble for a man g— Like me poor fool ! Enough ! Forgive my wrongs n i l verl k In frie dly w se , as Iwil o oo r B if m You sins with all my heart . ut , a an m in Grown lately wise ay counsel yo u, s not ; ’

in he n . Your work is the beg ning, God s t e d

UGRIN

( calling out t o him )

Amen. MARK

’ Ive broken in upon your game

M e s an a ere n. r i e m y fri nd , d ch tt d o Fo g v it e ; Res e o l d um y ur p ay an cups ; drink on, Ipray.

(H e goes over t o Ugrin )

Th o al - y j kes are empty of l wit to day,

Ugrin. 122 UGRIN

My wit has fallen ofi , sayst e i e D cay of t me, beli ve me Mark ; for wit I wine n o e in o a s , and wi e is p ur d t cup ’ Of sparkling gold , and not into a crack d l l i O d jug, and thou, i lust rious cous n, art Become a broken pot since noon to-day !

’ (H ands him his jester s sceptre )

H ere hi el l , t thys f ! Beho d the ring is gone ! ’ My wit s too precious for a ringless cup. ’ At Easter tide Ill seek me out as lord Some j ovial soul who loves his wine ; who plays il W d pranks, and gives his wife away when he Is tired of her !

MARK

( sitting down on t he stone bench)

Friend Ugrin, Iwarn T hee , heed thy tongue !

’ A cousin ! A y, y, twere best ’ Since thou st forsworn all quarreling !

MARK

Iwish That Imight put thee on the rack and have Thee whipped before Igo to rest ! Instead ’ Ill give thee two broad marks of gold if thou ’ ’ Can st move Iseult to laughter ; and Ill give 123 Besides the gold a brand-new cloak to wear In wint er time !

UGRIN

Well lined ?

MARK

( takes him by both ears)

’ Ive set my heart o e h o Up n it that Is ult s all laugh , so d b ri n ! Thy est , my f e d

UGRIN

( stands up)

- Wi th some well chosen words, b mi ht e cri t her Perhaps, I riefly g d s be o ’ ’ The leper s throng ! What say st thou cousin ?

MARK

UGRIN

’ ’ Or Imight ask her what it s like when one s n h sban om n eelin ealous Ow u d , fr u f g j y, ’ Ordai ns one s to be burnt ; or yet again mi h h l m i im e I g t , wit due so e n ty, plor — in H er to be kind to love t hee once aga , Good cousin ! S urely she m ust laugh at that !

MARK ! Peace, fool Thou weariest me. 124

A dream, since otherwise we could not fi nd Fit words or proper sent iments to stan d h Before ea ch other wit unblushing chee k,

For very sham e and horror at this deed .

( she steps down int o the hall )

r b o elco on an My lo ds, I id y u w me, e d all !

’ m e em o e ! Ikiss thy antl s h , h Qu en

FIRS T BARON

So do

We all who stand before thee now . We feel

That thou art holy, Queen Iseult !

ISE ULT

Ye do e ron i i n me m h M w g n pra si g too uc , friends. Idid but swear the t ruth and keep what n H ad swor . Continue now your play. Not hinder you !

(S he t urns t o Mark; both stare at each ot her for a m om ent an t en Is a s t d h eult spe k imidly, alm ost childishly )

Iwish to play at chess ith Mar inas — W k and D that true , loyal friend

MARK

a t short ause uietl and ki dl ( f er a p , q y n y ) 126 l i h ina r in I hi m P ay thou w t D s fi st , s ce , t s orn, h Did interrupt t y gam e. Ipromised him

That he should play with thee .

(H e goes t o t he chest )

(Breaking out )

’ Ill choose Ugrin A ! s my opponent Come, Sir Fool, and play With me !

( sits d own on the chest )

ISEULT

So be it M r . Friend n om , a k Di as, c e ; im ll l And thou G e a p ay with Ganelun.

( t o Brangaene )

Stand thou beside me here and help m e worst

Mine adversary. Come .

h t ersel t r (S e sea s h f wi h Dinas at t he aised table . Brangaene stands besid e t he table and leans over ’ ar h m t he bannister. P anis seats i self at Iseult s feet .

Cimella takes her place at t he other table . The S trange Jester slinks across the court and presses his ale bear les ace draw n t n p , d s f , wi h sufferi g, against H t he bars of t he grating . is head is shaved and his

clothes are t orn and ragged . )

u m La gh at e, Queen. 127 ISE ULT

T e h e ell m , Ugrin, w y should Ilaugh at the ?

UGRIN

Ibeg thee laugh ; most fondly Iimplore

T hee laugh at m e Iseult . My cousin here H ath promised me m uch gold if Ican make — Thee laugh at me but once Iwant that gold — e I ! So m uch l Com , laugh at m e seult

Th old o Be 0 n t la y g , g od fool. 5 a d le us p y.

UGRIN

( kneels d ow n by Mark beside t he chest )

’ i e mo t - a Thy w fe s not in her sweet st od o d y, ’ h Good cousin. Know st thou why per aps ?

MARK

A truce T o h l m l h e ir n ! t y du l j okes ! Co e, p ay t e gam , S K ave

ISE ULT

I’ l h e . l take t y castle, Dinas ! Heed thy gam

UGRIN

( humming)

128

S TRAN GE JES TER

( calling t hrough t he gratin!

Holla King Mark ! Holla !

’ What s t hat ? MARK

( rising ) Who storms outside My door ? S uch noises i n the night Iwill ’ Not brook ! Who s there ?

( Ugrin runs t o the grating )

S TRAN GE JES TER

r A jester, King ; a poo ’ And i l w tlees foo . Let me come in ! Ill make Ne — w j okes to make thee laugh l Let me com e in .

UGRIN A fool ! GIMELLA

H ow came he here ?

BRAN GAENE

He st art led me !

ISEULT

’ In e o deed we w ary f Ugrin s stale jests. 130 S TRAN GE JES TER

’ hee Im a poor j ester that would come to t , l m rk So et e in, King Ma .

MARK

(going t o the grating )

i The fools, t seems, Sm ell out my door as carrion- vult ures smell

A corpse .

UGRIN

i ! Cousin, let him be dr ven out I e h him i e b g thee , ave wh pp d .

FIRS T GUARD

(from without )

’ h e ! Ive caug t thee , rogu

MARK

? How came this strange fool past the gates, Gilain Wast thou asleep ?

FIRS T GUARD

n Mark i man h l nk Ki g , th s as s u A i r r H bout the gate s nce it g ew da k. e says H n m e wants to see thee . Ma y ti es have we r ri im Al eady d ven h away, but still H i e sticks like p tch about the gate . 131 S TRAN GE JES TER

l am — A j ester from a fore ign land Iwish o c m he M rk ! T o e to t e, King a

Behold the fool !

He cries like that unceasingly.

MARK

ool Speak, f ,

What need hast thou o f me .

S TRAN GE JES TER

M r let m e in ! a k, ’ h n Ill m ake suc jests that thou, a d all thy lo rd s An m i d ladies die from laughing at y w t .

GIMELLA

(la ughing)

The merry j ests ! ISE UL T

This wandering knave int rudes T oo boldly !

’ Ro ue ! Oh shameless ne g o . Ill give ’ Thee such a drubbin h g as t ou ne er hast felt .

132

Why clamorest thou so loudly at my gat e

What wouldst thou ? Speak.

S TRAN GE JES TER

Iwish to stay w ith thee .

( Laughter)

SECOND BARON

n rk o- i What cooked they in thy kitche , Ma , t n ght That all the fools have smelt it out ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

Isaw The fi re glowing in thy hall ; Isaw — ’ The light and so Icame Im cold .

UGRIN

Then wrap Th l mor ou ool ! yse f e closely in thy cloak , th f

S TRAN GE JES TER

’ Ive iven it g away.

BRAN GAENE

( laughing)

It seems thou art A t ender hearted fool !

134 GIMELLA

And yet it does Not seem as though thou couldst give much

MARK

( looking at the fool carefully )

Whence comes ho r ool t t u, Si F !

S TRAN GE JES TER

Icome from there Fr m r si r m l o the e out de , f o nowhere e se — ( looking at Iseult and in a soft voice almost singi ng )

And yet My mother was Blanchefleur !

(Iseult starts and stares across at him )

MARK

oe b c u hi o t (g s a k la g ng t his sea . Ugrin follows him )

Ha ! Ha ! The j est I s r. Has ho r m poo t t u no bette ones, y fri end ? Blanchefleur ine n i was m ow s ster. She begat No fool like thee !

S TRAN GE JES TER

’ Twas then another who 135 Did bear the self-same name and me with pa in i And sorrow , Mark. What matters t t o thee ?

( La ughter )

FIRS T KNIGH T

(la ughing)

Our j esting rogue grows bitter in his m irt h !

ISE ULT

Let this st range j ester st and a lit tle fort h e That we may se him in the light .

MARK

Come here,

n ore h . Sir F001, and sta d bef t e Queen

UGRIN

He is ’ An ass as awkward as Ie er beheld ! ’ So b nt rast ixt us cousin, j udge y co tw two , And see the priceless thing thou hast in m e !

MARK

Go o l , f o , be not afraid .

S TRAN GE JES TER

ste s in ront o the st one nc on t e ( p f f be h h left , opp o ’ site Iseult s table )

136

F r me h o sha , ow couldst thou laugh at that st range fool ?

( t urning t o Mark)

r r in Ip ay thee, Ma k, good Cous , wilt thou give To him the two whole marks of gold ?

(Duri ng t his time t he S trange Jester sits on t he

- railing which joins the bench t o the fire place . H e rests his elbows on his knees and his face on his hands. H e stares at Iseult )

BRAN GAENE

Rejoice ! The King will give thee a reward since thou

Hast cheered the Queen.

S TRAN GE JES TER

( without changing his attit ude )

’ oul t at I m her W d h d ake weep, o l u ! This Queen, instead f a gh

( soft and low laughter )

MARK ’ How s that ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

Because a fool for sorrow not for mirt h !

(Laughter; the f ol springs up) 13g And none shall laugh when he beholds my face !

(Laughter; the fool seats

ISE UL T

( earnestly )

How strangely speaks the fool !

MARK

My friend , Ithink, That some one cut thee from a gallows !

S TRAN GE JES TER

stares at Iseult — slowl ( , y )

Mark, ’ How proud and co ld a wife thou hast ! Her name s i Iseult , Ith nk. Am Inot right ?

MARK

( smiling)

Doth she P lease thee , Sir Fool ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

A l A y y, she pleases me.

(Laughter )

— ’ Iseult the Goldenhaired l Im cold King Mark ! 139 ISE ULT

- The fool is mad Ilike him not .

UGRIN

( t o t he S trange Jester )

Thou hast Thine answer now !

GIMELLA

Is this the first t ime thou Beheldst the Queen ?

MARK

o Art th u a stranger, friend ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

’ Mayhap Ive seen the Queen before ; mayhap — n Inever have Iknow ot , Mark .

A strange

And curious j est , 1 faith !

( t o t hose laughing at t he other table )

m Come here, y lords, mo For this new ja ter is st wondrous strange. 140

(going over to him )

! k I’ ll Ho , ho Are those thy jo es? ll fa h ! A weeping straight , t ough cro aking raven

S TRAN GE JES TER

( sprint ing it ? )

T ake ’ i him ea ! This fool away, or else Ill sm te d d

( Ugrin jumps backward )

MARK

Thou art a gloomy j ester, boy !

GIMELLA

His j ests

Are all of some new fangled sort .

MARK

Speak , fool , Whom hast thou served till now ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

’ Ive served King Mark In far off Cornwall

And he had a wife, And she was air wit lon and olden hair ! f , h g g 142 ( laughter )

Why laughst thou Dinas, friend ?

( The laughter dies suddenly ; t he Barons and t t he exce tion o t ose at the Knights, who, wi h p f h ’ orm e a ir aroun t he Queen s table, had f d c cle d tr t n back S ange Jes er, shri k )

( startled

My God ! He knows My name as well !

FIRS T BARON

’ T is passing strange !

SECOND BARON — Thou Fool

GANELUN

’ m He s quick, and akes good use of what he hears !

ISEUL T

His r im — j ests a e pudent , Iwish that he l Wou d go away ! He wearies me .

MARK

And yet ’ T ere s so e in i h m th g n the knave that pleases me . His madness lies still deeper than it seems 143 UGRIN

A in in h y, cous , is belly, for, methinks, H e has a stomachache !

MARK

Come, friend , t ell us

A tale .

S TRAN GE JES TER

( starting up)

s e Why tare y so at me, ye pack Of rogues ? Why mock ye me ?

( in anguish

’ Im but a fool ! r h w a Kin M A w etched fool ! Send t em a y, g ark , ’ And listen thou to m e. We ll stay here all one — n n o Al the Quee , a d th u , and I, and then ’ ll e e e in n — I t ll th e pr tty th gs, sw eet thi gs, so sw ee t That one m ust shiver when one hears ! Now send Away the rest !

FIRS T BARON

Take heed , Sir Fool , be not

Too bold . SECOND BARON

He should be soundly beaten !

MARK

x44

MARK

Speak on !

S TRAN GE JES TER

My tongue cleaves to my gums; my throat is ’ parch d l i G ve me to drink.

MARK

( stands up and takes a goblet from t he table )

r r Ihad fo got , poo fool ! o But th u shal t drink wine from a golden cup. Th oo ishn h o che m e r y f l ess as t u d y h a t . At times, ’ M r s ul in o y Lo d , two d be an easy th g t t urn m T o such a fool. Iseult ! Co e pledge the cup That he m ay have som ewhat of which to dream n n h im i O cold and thirsty ig ts. Grant h th s boon .

(H e gives Iseult the cup)

ISE ULT Ipledge

S TRANGE JES TER

(jumping d own from the bench) — Drink not ! Drink not She drank !

(H e waves aside the cup)

Iwill

Not drink. 146 A brazen Knave !

! Fie, fie ! For shame

S TRANGE JES TER

’ Ill not drink with a woman from one cup T - he self same wine again.

MARK

What hinders thee ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

Queen Iseult .

ISE ULT

(m a ils and fearfully )

Oh Mark ! He mocks me. Send

S TRANGE JES TER

( H e throws himself on the ground before and whispers low and t ensely t o Iseult )

For they who drink thereof

Together, so shall love with every sense e — Aliv , yet senseless with their every thought , o n h Yet th ughtless, too, i life in death , for aye x47 Yet he, who having known the bliss of that I oxi o lo i out nt cating cup f ve , sp ts The drau t dislo all s all ever be gh y y , h — A homeless and a friendless worm , a weed ! — o That grows beside the road So spake my l ve , And handed me a golden cup of wine An b rin — m reo d ade me d k, But evil ca e the f

ur hair (D ing his speech Iseult sits up in her c , and bendin ba kward star d own at him in horror g c , es )

The Queen, turns pale !

Iseul t ! My God ! Iseult !

He conj ures !

FIRS T BARON .

’ Twas a magic spell !

SECOND KNIGH T

Lay hold

Of him ! He is a conjuror. — (A few men start t o seize t he jester he jumps upon the bench) 148

S TRAN GE JES TER

Let go ! ’ — Im but a wretched fool Ihave no nam e ! ’ What matt ers it to you ? Ive smirched my — And noble name so now Ihave no nam e. Ihad one once that rang full t rue and high ! ’ n bro it ! Ive t wist ed it about , a d ken

(In rising agi tation )

b m rowin e bi I roke my na e, and th g up th ts e ell n t re them Icaught them as th y f , a d h w up Again ; and so Iplayed with my fai r name Until the fragments rang again and fell n e orm c an At last back to my ha d , d f ed and h ged , n m e ha is no name T o stick , and make a a t t

So call me Tramt ris.

ISEULT

UGRIN

( claps his hands and rolls laughing on t he gr ound )

MARK

Fool , what ails Thee now ?

UGRIN

s The j ester jesteth. See t thou not ? ’ rn i roun ! T ramt ris—T rist ram ! H e Why, tu t d says He was Lord Tristram ! Ho ! 1 so ( Laughter )

GANELUN

That was the j est That he so cunningly devised !

FIRS T BARON

This shaft Of irony has st ruck the mark and hits T i Ki h s day and thee, ng Mark !

S ECOND KNIGH T

A clever fool !

MARK

( laughing softly )

Iwish Lo rd T rist ram saw the knave !

SECOND BARON

’ H e d laugh !

ISE ULT

( trembling wit h anger)

’ Let not thy nephew Tristram s knightly fame And noble name serve as a mockery To such a ghoul ! MARK

I I l Forgive me , fai r Iseu t ; And yet it makes me laugh to think that this Poor fool went mad from t hinking that he w as l t o My nob e nephew T rist ram . Speak, thou y

fate, West thou Lord Trist ram once ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

( alm ost timidly )

I Ay, Mark, was ; And oft en was Iwith Iseult thy wife ! Forgive it m e !

(Laughter )

ISE UL T

Dost thou permit that he ’ Should heap such insults on thy wife s fair nam e

Heed not his words ; the people love such j est s.

( to the jester)

r Give us a sign, Si Fool .

UGRIN

A sign ! A sign !

FIRS T BARON

A e l ! Give y, l t the foo describe the Queen ear. 1 52

Cast by the full moon in the month of May

Changed to the snowy m arvel of herself. Thou art a garden wild wherein there grow Deep purple fruits that st upify and yet That make one burn ! Thy body is a church — Of rarest marble built a fairy mount Where sounds the music of a golden harp A field of virgin snow ! Thy breasts are buds Of the most sacred plant that flow ering grows i n — lin rui a w W thin the garde , swel g f ts th t ait To suck the honeyed dew o f summer moons ! ’ Thy neck is like a lily s stem ! Thy arms Are like the blossoming branches of a young en ree in And t der almond t , direct g us Within t hat Paradise where rules the chaste r n Pe fection of thy rounded limbs, enthro ed Within thy wondrous body like a God m o Who threatens fro on high . Th u art

MARK

Oh hear

How this impost er talks ! The token, fool !

S TRAN GE JES TER

o t mb n r h ( s f ly, tre li g and feve is ly )

Below the left breast of this m aster-piece Of His creat ion God has set his mark — — A darkened cross l

MARK

( hoarsely )

O seize the Knave l The cr — oss Is there She bears the mark ! 1 54 GANELUN

Christ save my soul !

FIRS T BARON

Ifeel an awful dread of this st range fool !

FIRS T KNIGH T

( drawing)

’ Ill run him through the body wi th my sword !

S TRAN GE JES TER

t ar h or r m ( e s t e sw d f o his hand , and spri ngs upon t he bench)

Take heed unto thyself ! Come not t oo near ! I’ ll t ear thee like a beast .

ISE UL T

His words are not

o m e r S arv llously st ange . Hast thou forgot , Kin Mar tha once be ore a hea e u re g k, t , f p d p py ’ Tho s m r n u had t e stand , sta k aked and exposed ’ Unto the rabble s gaze ? It well may be That this low j est er cast his shaming eyes

Upon me then.

MARK

’ Saw st thou the Queen when she Stood on the burning pile ? 155 S TRAN GE JES TER

Isaw the Queen ; Istood beside her t here !

GIMELLA

i Behold , that s ght H as made him lose his wits !

BRAN GAENE

Poor witless fool I

S TRAN GE JES TER

’ e ! Im Glare not at m but a fool , a poor — Mad fool a w retched fool that wished to t ell You tales to make you laugh !

( almost screaming)

’ For God s sake laugh !

o I t ( H e t hrows t he sw rd d ow n . t falls cla teri ng on t he floor. The First Guard ent ers w hile tw o ot hers stand outsid e t he grating wit h t he S trange

Knight . )

MARK

’ Whom bring st thou there ?

FIRS T GUARD

Ki M r th m essen ng a k , y gers Have found the witnesses hat signed the bond 15g

THE S TRAN GE KNIGH T

— - Art t hou Iseult Iseult The Goldenhaired ? May God be m erc iful Unto thy soul !

S TRAN GE JES TER

n t in no intere t ( crouches on the be ch, ak g s in w ha t is

My brother Kuerdin ! Dear friend ! In a disast rous hour went ! We forth . Ipity thee

( The S trange Knight turns and looks at him search

( angrily and oppressed )

Will deat h not close l Thy mouth , thou cur

MARK

Dost thou then know this m an

S TRAN GE JES TER

’ ’ Ive said so Mark ! Ill sit beside him he re ’ Until he ie d s. Ill be his priest .

S TRAN GE KNIGH T

Keep 03 T is ab lin fool his chat ter s ames m h b b g ; h y death. 15s Methinks this was the m an Isaw at dawn - e To day as Irode through the wood , and y t He bore a shield on which Ithought Isaw ’ Lord T ristram s arms.

MARK

n m o U happy an , wh art Thou S TRAN GE KN IGH T

( calmly and quietly )

n ho kno e o m O e w w th h w to die. Lay e r m m l On yonder bench and w ap e in y c oak .

H e on th bench near the chimne n e ( is laid e y, a d li s there like an effigy )

MARK

( t o t he First Guard )

Where are his shield and arms ?

S TRAN GE KNIGH T

Ibore the shield Of T ri m r of L onesse in stra , Lo d y , s ce we , For our r a lov han g e t e , exc ged our arms. I H i ro fo m i s b ther, r y s ster is his wife. r T r m r Ma k Lo d istra g eets thee r . MARK

( t o him passionat ely )

ri Speak, f end and put 159 An end unto t he quandary in which e i Istand. God shall reward thee soon. Wh re s Lord T ristram ?

S TRAN GE KNIGH T

(m aniac)

With his wife whom he holds dear.

S TRAN GE JES TER

’ l o er e ou eak s Thou iest , br th , y t th sp t the t ruth !

MARK

m r ! o m ! God mocks e , Lo ds G d ocks me

S TRAN GE JES TER

Iwill watch

r h rou h th n By him and gua d is body th g e ight .

GANELUN

e B still, thou toad ! Be still !

FIRS T G UARD

Kin k Kni g Mar , the ght — Upon his left hand w ears a ring a stone i i R ch set n gold . Shall he retain the ring — ’ Upon his hand He s dead .

S TRAN GE JES TER

( seizing t he ring ) 160

( S he runs t o t he stairs)

Let m e go up ! B ne me o ! rangae , co , and th u Gimella, too

(H alf way up the stairs she t urns)

Be no r i m e Mark for o t too ang y w th , , th u H ast set a loathsom e ghost to m ock and jeer m m At e to ake thee laugh . H e makes my heart ro col horror ! om e m ies om G w d with C , y lad , c e ! — St and by m e now this awful gam e has m ad e

Me shudder.

( S he hastens up t he stairs)

S TRAN GE JES TER

( springs on t o t he table t o look aft er her )

ir n Queen Iseult , thou fa est o e , ’ Have pity on my leper s soul !

Be st ill, Thou croaking raven !

FIRS T BARON

Smite him dead and Spit Upon his corpse !

SECOND BARON

Thou filthy worm !

16a MARK

Lay hold U on p the jester ! Hold him fast . Thou fool , ’ Thou base - born cur how dar st thou vex my wife So bit terly with thy presumptuous wit ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

M rk a , heed thy words !

FIRS T KNIGH T

( catching his wrists from behind )

Ihave the Knave !

MARK

The Guards all i r f m Sh wh p the ogue or his bold i pudence, An h r m d cast im f o the castle gates. Let loose Th o hi i e n n e d gs upon m f he do s ot ru , And leave my walls as though they w ere on fire !

UGRIN

( in great est haste and agitation )

Ki ng Mark , oh good King Be ol i m bro her kin h d , he s y t in my d , A much abused and crazy fool who means No evil with his foolish jests ! See now H ow pitiful his mien ! He st rove t o make T i hee laugh in h s poo r w ay as Iin mine . F r ive e o g the Knav , and drive him not away 163 Into the darkness like a snarling cur n o That whines about the house ! H e hu gers, to , For thou has given him naught to eat or d rink

Since he has been beneath thy kingly roof . Iam an ol ol m an Kin Mark he is d , d g ; M bro er es r lik m el y th , and a j te e ys f ; Ipity hirn i Ipray thee let m e keep ’ H m - rn i here with m e unt il to m orrow s mo , m be That he m ay sleep w ith m e within y d . n n i ro Then, when the su shall shine upo h s ad ,

He shall depart and seek a dwelling place . ’ Tw as thou thyself encouraged him to jest ;

J udge then thy guilt and his with equal eye . H ol r z in l e is a fo , a c a y , blunder g foo , Yet d rive him not away ! Ipray thee let Him sleep beside m e here a while t hat he Refresh him self ! He looks so pitifully !

MARK

Wh U rin riend t 1s n for t ee to act y , g , f , ew h The part of charity !

UGRIN

e M rk Iserve th e, a , — With foolishness and j ests and thou but knowst m Me by y services.

MARK

Ist ill can make - h One person glad to night ! Keep , t en, t hy fool ’ But thou st and st sure ty for him if he should At t empt to burn t he castle or to do

Som e other mischie f in his madness.

164

i m n W th e , a d we will watch a little whil e . My heart is sorrowful to-night !

DINAS

(following him up the stairs )

’ Ill stay With thee until the morning break if tho u

Desire it so.

( Calling after them )

And cousins take good hee d Ye catch not cold !

The leav t he sta e the m oon shine t ( y e g , s hr oug h t r t n t h ad o o the bars he g a i g, and e sh w f falls i n t o t he

h . Th tran e ester crouches m t all e S g J o i o nl ess. r Ugrin t u ns t o him . )

S cene VI

UGRIN

A r ! i whi he ool W y, so they a e Wh p , p t f e wrac k m n Our weary brains t o ake a j est and the , I r i f he o l n payment , we a e wh pped i t y s fee Inclined ! They treat us more like dogs than m en !

H o b er t he ood stand ( e g es t o t he t a le wh e f s, a nd takes a bite )

’ rin m Art hungry, brother ? Wait , Ill b g y cloak ,

For thou art cold . 166 (H e draws a cloak from und er t he stairs)

’ r e he tairs Tis he e , ben ath t s , — ’ Isleep . A very kennel ! Tis a shame.

(H e eats again )

’ Wilt thou not eat a morsel of what s left Upon the table here ? Nor drink a drop ? ’ r i e en r cousin let s Tis not fo b dd n, fri d ; ou k h Us eat and drin of w at is left .

(H e goes int o t he middle of t he hall and bends d ow n ’ t o look int o t he S trange Jester s face )

Art sad

r o m e co e look not Dear Bro the ? Speak t e ! Com , m , So sorrowful !

(Bending over the corpse of t he d ead Knight )

This man is colder still ’ i n e Than thou ! Art thou afra d ? H e ll ot awak .

( Com es close t o the S trange Jester )

’ Ill wrap thee close within my cloak that thou ’ M h n ay st sleep . Dost t ou ot wish to slee p ? Why then ’ Ill n m k si g a song to a e thee sleep . Alas ! Ik o b o o i l n w ut j y us, s l y songs ! Co me lay T hee down.

(H e sits on t he bench and draws the head upon his lap)

’ T o look s no h r H h u t t appy, b other. ast 167 A sorrow ? Tell it me ; here canst thou rest

At ease, and Iwill sing a song. Thou seemst A child to whom one m ust sing songs to make ’ It sleep. Ill sing the song that Queen Iseult Is wont to sing at even when she thinks O T ris am h r ear en besi f t r , e d fri d , sitt ing de ’ H er en en Ti r n op easem t . s a p et ty so g.

( Wit h bowed head and closed eyes he hum s ve ry so t f ly as if in his sleep . The body of t he S tra nge Jester under t he black cloak t hat covers it is shake n by sobs of anguish)

Lo r ristram m rien is n thf l d T , y f d, u fai u , ’ And God s wrath on him shall descend ; Though cruelly he has bet rayed m e

168

ACT V

S cene I

BRAN GAENE

( H er voice is m uffled by fear )

n thou still here , thou ghastly bei g ? Ghost Of awful midnight hours ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

Brangaene I n r here, a d here Ishall emain.

BRAN GAENE

’ ( looking for something on t he gro und )

Methought King Mark had paid thy j ests w ith whips and had Then driven thee away ; and yet thou sitst Here in the self-same place and starest still ’ - k With blear d and fish li e eyes. Dost t hou not know m l That day is co e ? Foo , if thou hast a heart rm I Through which the wa blood flows, pray t hee go ! Go ere the Queen come down and see thee here ! Begone ! S TRAN GE JES TER

What seekest thou ? 170 BRAN GAENE

Iseek the ring ;

The ring that Queen Iseult let fall last night .

S TRAN GE JES TER

The ring is mine ; Ipicked it up !

BRAN GAENE

( angrily )

Desires t he ring !

S TRAN GE JES TER

Iwill not give it up !

BRAN GAENE

The Queen will have thee hung unless thou give

The ring t o her. She wants the ring !

S TRAN GE JES TER

Iseult i rin s e m Rece ved the g ; h cast y gift away, ’ As sh re me wa I k e th w a y. ll eep it now . But if she wishes it so earnestly Le h r n come t e the and beg the ring of me .

BRAN GAENE

Audacious Knave l How vauntest thou thyself ! Give me the rin and t en be n g, h go e, thou fool , Ere Mark awake ! 17 1 S TRAN GE JES TER

To Queen Iseult herself ’

I v ri n . ll gi e the ng, a d to none else She shal l Not let me die m misery as she Desires God may help her m her grief !

BRAN GAENE

(going up the stairs)

’ T o ool ma o amna ion t rike h u f , y G d s d t s thee dead , ’ Thou and Lord Tristram for the night that s passed ! ’ Ill bring thy words into the Queen that she May have thee slain in secret by Gawain !

S cene II

(Brangaene disappears above; t he S trange Jeste r

ro er m ot onles h hea bur ed in h ha . w s i s, is d i is nds Af t er a m om ent Iseult , in a whit e night robe, com es d own t he stairs with Brangaene: S he steps close in

ro h t er h o not m o . f nt of t e Jes , w o d es ve Brangae ne re on t e lowest e leanin n t mains h st p, g agai s t he post of t he bannister.

ISE ULT

T m l o bir hou grueso e foo , art th u some d of prey , Some wolf that com es to feed upon my soul ? Wilt thou not go ? Why liest thou in wait For me here in the dawning light like some Wild beast that wai ts its quarry ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

( looking up heavily ) 172

ISE ULT

Give me the ring, else shalt ’ n Thou die ! Ill have thee slai , Iswear, as sure As Ihave sufi ered all this night such pangs

As suffered Mary at the cross of Christ .

S TRAN GE JES TER

( standing up)

The ring is mine ! Igave it yonder man — ’ To cherish like his life. He s died for thee And me - Igave him too my soul to guard That by this ring he might compel and bring ’ m -ni Thee to e in the wood to ght . Oh, t was An evil hour for us both , Iseul t , That Lord Denovalin rode through the woo d

- To day . Now, answer me , Iseult , wilt thou Still keep the oath thou sware to T rist ram once ?

ISEULT

(xedly )

’ l br rn or Il eak no oath that Ihave swo , f God H as sanctioned all my vows.

S TRAN GE JES TER

Then call Ithee, ’ Iseul e oldenhaire in T s n t th G d , ristram ame ,

And by this ring.

( H e hands her the ring)

174 ISEULT

l Knowst thou that oath as wel , Thou ghost ! ( solemnly

h r n is rown ale Oh God , e e i th hand , g p n ni And hot from resti g on my heart all ght , Ihold the ring of gold and emerald st one By which Isware to T rist ram to obey

His will , and come to him when one should call Upon me by this ring and in his nam e ! l e be ! Lo , thou hast cal ed upon m ; Io y h me W at wishest thou of , thou evil ghost With l ollow sunken eyes ? What wouldst thou iave , Thou spectre of the twilight gloom ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

Icall

n I l o e in m i r ! O thee, seu t , my l v , y d st ess

Oh know me now , who was thy lover once !

ISE UL T

’ Thou suck st my blood !

S TRAN GE JES TER

Thy blood was mine ! Thy blood Was once mine own ! It was a crimson trust Reposing in my knightly hands to keep Irr b i evoca ly unt l Death . And where Thou goest there go I; and where thou stayst T ere sta I oo — h y t . So spoke thy blood Icome To claim but what is mine. 175 ISEULT

( in great passion)

What have Idone To thee that thou recountest my past life ’ As twer mo in n ? Who ar ou oo l ? e a ck g so g t th , f ’ Who art thou ? Speak ! Im knocking at thy soul ’ As knocks a dead m an s soul outside the gat es Of Para ise ! Who art t ou ool ? Art thou d h , f Magi cian ? Art thou ghost ? Art t hou some soul Forever wandering for som e evil deed ? ’ Art thou som e faithless lover barred from Hleav n l ern i And H e l et ally, whose pun shment It is to wander restless through the world ’ Forever begging love from wom en s hearts ? Di o rmi th tho ho l s no ha d G d pe t at u s u d t k w w t none , Save only T rist ram and myself have known ? That thou shouldst t aste of bitter torment still By thinking thou art T rist ram and shouldst t hus Make great er expiation for thy sins ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

Iam a faithless lover who has loved Mos i l belo n ! t fa thful y, Iseult , vi:d o e

ISE UL T

m Why cri est thou y name unceasingly , r m enhun r o l As sc ea ge ed wls, thou pa lid fool ? Why starest thou at m e with eyes that t ears And pain have rendered pitiless ? Iknow Naught of thy gri ef and am no leech to cure ’ Thy fool s disease !

1 76

S TRAN GE JES TER

( raising her)

Knee! not to me, Beloved One ! Arise !

ISEUL T

( remains a moment in his arms and t hen away shuddering)

he m ll H ho k W n T ristra ca ed , the eavens ec ed bac A en h gold peal , as echoes t rough the land The music of a golden bell ; the world rej oiced An r m s s ran d f o its depth p g up sweet sounds of joy , And with them danced my heart exultingly ! i When T rist ram stood bes de me, all the air Was wont to quiver with a secret bliss T m ’ hat made the beasts ove round uneasily . The birds sang in the dead of night and so Be r o br k n t ayed us ! Say, wh o e the bo d that knit Our kindred souls in one ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

Lo rd T ristram broke e ook i e ! Th bond and , faithless, t another w f h I h reat h h i O see , seult , ow g t e wrong e d d Us both !

ISEUL T

(looking at him xedly )

’ Ihear a raven s croak ; Ifeel The icy breath of some st range body when l Thou standest burning by my side, thou foo ! Thou pallid ghost ! 178 S TRAN GE JES TER

Yet hast thou oft embraced ’ These limbs upon thy journey o er the wide And purple sea along the starry way - I Of our great happiness j ust thou and , Alone in blissful loneliness ! And thou

Hast often listened to this voice when it , I ee i es n the d p forest , call ed the n ghtingal , r sin h Allu ing them to g above t y head , And like them whispered in thine ears o r e f ion lo S ft wo ds that m ade a wav o pass f w , rnin ! Sweet and volupt uous, through thy bu g veins I e il seult , shall Irep at those words ? W t thou Again go wandering through the world With si nging blood that makes our hearts best high a In perfect unison of love, with souls th t dream In silent happiness?

ISEULT

’ Lord Tristram s steps Beside me made my blood soar heavenward r o And bo e me up unt il the earth bowed d wn,

And bent beneath our feet like surging waves, And carried us like lofty ships that sail To victory ! S TRAN GE JES TER

’ A l T e y, Ay, Iseu t , was so we walk d !

Iseult , art thou still mindful of the day ’ h s l e When, awk on fi t , we gal oped o r the downs, For Mark was with Lord Dinas on that day ? Dost thou remember how Ilifted thee r m F om thy good steed and placed thee on ine own, br o And held thee close em aced, while th u didst cling

To me like some fond child . 1 79 ISE ULT

And T rist ram , bold

In the intoxicat ion of his love , Le the reins ve i h rse e t go , and ga h s o th spurs, T i ll , like an arrow in full flight , it clove The golden air and bore us heavenward ! H o w often have Idreamed of that wild ride . And now with Iso t of the Fair Whit e H ands e ri rm l m H des, as fo er y with e

S TRAN GE JES TER

And shall

Ising to thee , Iseult the Goldenhai red , The lay of that Whit e-handed wife who sits And grieves by day and night ? It is the sad

And sombre song of my great guilt . Hbr eyes Are red from weeping

ISE UL T

A y, and mine are red ’ Fr m e i 1 F o w ep ng too ! F00 , 001, why mock st t han me ?

But since thou knowst so m uch of T rist ram , tell Me this ; why did Lord T ristram m arry her This Isot of t he Fair White H ands ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

(slowly and painfully )

There plays About her mouth a silver sm ile ; this smile Enchante him one lonel i d y n ght . But , when , A r n t cold g ay daw , he heard her called Iseult 180

li e Now listen, spect re , to my words. There v s Within these walls a bound who has becom e A wild and raging beast from his great love h For Tristram , once his mast er. Fool , t is dog Is full as savage as a fierce white wolf That lusts for human fles h ; his food is thrust T Into his cage on sticks. Since rist ram left , r k Fool what The beast has slain th ee eepers. , ’ think st Thou of this hound ? Would he att ack and t ear Lo rd T ristram like a wolf should T ristram ch ance To step within his cage ?

S TRAN GE JES TER

risi t i n ob e ( ng, tall, de erm ned a d n l ) — Oh Queen Iseult l Oh Queen Iseult Old H usdent ever was M n h y faithful hou d Le t me go to im now .

ISEULT

( starting bat h)

Thou knowst his name

S TRAN GE JES TER

Br en e e ool anga e , l ad th f . ’ b mi r O ey thy st ess s command . Thou needst o me o N t lead t the cage ! Iknow the way. Give me the key !

182 ' (H e snat ches t he key from Brangaene s hand and

disappears with long strid es behind t he stairs. H e is

erect and proud . The tw o women stand looking at

other amazed and m otionless. )

S cene III

BRAN GAENE

' l hi Poor foo , Ipity m !

ISEULT

( breaking out passionat ely )

m n o ! d he st no ! all H e ust ot g My Go , mu t C Him n him back ! back , Brangae e, cal l

THE VOICE OF THE JES TER

(i cy/ally )

Husdent !

BRAN GAENE

Oh, hark !

ISEULT

( in increasing fear )

r H in r r ! His c y ! is dy g c y, pe haps is er w thinkst t ou Brangaene, dearest s t , hat h Of this Strange J ester T ramtris?

( The women stare at eac other without speaking ) Ig3 Wilt t hou go And look between the bars?

(Brangaene goes aft er t he S t range Jest er )

Oh Thou who hast

r e orl T t en C eat d this great w d , why didst hou h

Create me , too ?

BRANGAENE

( re-entering in great excit em ent )

Iseult ! Oh God , Iseult ! ’ l H n is e the ool O d usde t s cage mpty, and f With H usdent leapt the wall and they are gone !

( S he hast ens t o the wind ow )

ISE ULT

H as he then slain the dog and fled away ?

BRAN GAENE

re he ool and usden um Behold ! The goes t f , H t j ps l n m And dances round him as he wa ks a d , ad o ho lin and lic s his ace With j y, leaps w g up k f And hands !

ISE ULT

. (jumps on t o t he bench before t he wind ow and waves her hand joyously )

i r t ou r l Oh T ristram , Tr st am , h dea foo ! — My dear belo véd friend He does not t urn !

184.