Tristan and Isolda: Opera in Three Acts

[_A pavilion erected on the deck of a ship, richly hung with tapestry, quite closed in at back at first. A narrow hatchway at one side leads below into the cabin_.]

SCENE I.

ISOLDA _on a couch, her face buried in the cushions. --_BRANGAENA_ holding open a curtain, looks over the side of the vessel_.

THE VOICE OF A YOUNG SAILOR (from above as if at the mast-head).

ISOLDA (starting up suddenly). What wight dares insult me?

(She looks round in agitation.)

Brangaena, ho! Say, where sail we?

BRANGAENA (at the opening). Bluish stripes are stretching along the west: swiftly sails the ship to shore; if restful the sea by eve we shall readily set foot on land.

ISOLDA. What land?

BRANGAENA. Cornwall's verdant strand.

ISOLDA. Never more! To-day nor to-morrow!

BRANGAENA. What mean you, mistress? say!

(She lets the curtain fall and hastens to ISOLDA.)

ISOLDA (with wild gaze). O fainthearted child, false to thy fathers! Ah, where, mother, hast given thy might that commands the wave and the tempest? O subtle art of sorcery, for mere leech-craft followed too long! Awake in me once more, power of will! Arise from thy hiding within my breast! Hark to my bidding, fluttering breezes! Arise and storm in boisterous strife! With furious rage and hurricane's hurdle waken the sea from slumbering calm; rouse up the deep to its devilish deeds! Shew it the prey which gladly I proffer! Let it shatter this too daring ship and enshrine in ocean each shred! And woe to the lives! Their wavering death-sighs I leave to ye, winds, as your lot.

BRANGAENA (in extreme alarm and concern for ISOLDA). Out, alas! Ah, woe! I've ever dreaded some ill!-- Isolda! mistress! Heart of mine! What secret dost thou hide? Without a tear thou'st quitted thy father and mother, and scarce a word of farewell to friends thou gavest; leaving home thou stood'st, how cold and still! pale and speechless on the way, food rejecting, reft of sleep, stern and wretched, wild, disturbed; how it pains me so to see thee! Friends no more we seem, being thus estranged. Make me partner in thy pain! Tell me freely all thy fears! Lady, thou hearest, sweetest and dearest; if for true friend you take me, your confidant O make me!

ISOLDA. Air! air! or my heart will choke! Open! open there wide!

(BRANGAENA hastily draws the centre curtains apart.)

SCENE II.

[_The whole length of the ship is now seen, down to the stern, with the sea and horizon beyond. Round the mainmast sailors are ensconced, busied with ropes; beyond them in the stern are groups of knights and attendants, also seated; a little apart stands_ TRISTAN_ folding his arms and thoughtfully gazing out to sea; at his feet_ KURVENAL reclines carelessly. From the mast-head above is once more heard the voice of the young sailor.]

THE YOUNG SAILOR (at the mast-head invisible). The wind so wild blows homewards now; my Irish child, where waitest thou? Say, must our sails be weighted, filled by thy sighs unbated? Waft us, wind strong and wild! Woe, ah woe for my child!

ISOLDA (whose eyes have at once sought TRISTAN and fixed stonily on him--gloomily). Once beloved-- now removed-- brave and bright, coward knight!-- Death-devoted head! Death-devoted heart!--

(laughing unnaturally).

Think'st highly of yon minion?

BRANGAENA (following her glance). Whom mean'st thou?

ISOLDA. There, that hero who from mine eyes averts his own: in shrinking shame my gaze he shuns-- Say, how hold you him?

BRANGAENA. Mean you Sir Tristan, lady mine? Extolled by ev'ry nation, his happy country's pride, The hero of creation,-- whose fame so high and wide?

ISOLDA (jeeringly). In shrinking trepidation his shame he seeks to hide, While to the king, his relation, he brings the corpse-like bride!-- Seems it so senseless What I say? Go ask himself, our gracious host, dare he approach my side? No courteous heed or loyal care this hero t'wards his lady turns; but to meet her his heart is daunted, this knight so highly vaunted! Oh! he wots well the cause! To the traitor go, bearing his lady's will! As my servant bound, straightway should he approach.

BRANGAENA. Shall I beseech him to attend thee?

ISOLDA. Nay, order him: pray, understand it:-- I, Isolda do command it!

[_At an imperious sign from ISOLDA BRANGAENA withdraws and timidly walks along the deck towards the stern, past the working sailors. ISOLDA, following her with fixed gaze, sinks back on the couch, where she remains seated during the following, her eyes still turned sternward_.]

KURVENAL (observing Brangaena's approach, plucks Tristan by the robe without rising.) Beware, Tristan! Message from Isolda!

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

(He quickly regains his composure as BRANGAENA approaches and curtsies to him.)

What would my lady? I her liegeman, fain will listen while her loyal woman tells her will.

BRANGAENA. My lord, Sir Tristan, Dame Isolda would have speech with you at once.

TRISTAN. Is she with travel worn? The end is near: nay, ere the set of sun sight we the land. All that your mistress commands me, trust me, I shall mind.

BRANGAENA. That you, Sir Tristan, go to her,-- this is my lady's wish.

TRISTAN. Where yonder verdant meadows in distance dim are mounting, waits my sov'reign for his mate: to lead her to his presence I'll wait upon the princess: 'tis an honor all my own.

BRANGAENA. My lord, Sir Tristan, list to me: this one thing my lady wills, that thou at once attend her, there where she waits for thee.

TRISTAN. In any station where I stand I truly serve but her, the pearl of womanhood. If I unheeding left the helm, how might I pilot her ship in surety to King Mark?