o greet thee--Dinas, Ganelun,
Denovalin.--They have not seen thee now
For many months. And ye, my noble lords.
Is she not blonder than of yore?

[He glances at a locket that hangs about his
neck.]

For see!
This lock of hair Lord Tristram brought me once.
Behold it now, 'tis almost black next hers.

ISEULT.
I greet thee, Dinas, Lord of Lidan, friend,
Most loyal friend:--and thou. Lord Ganelun,
Most heartily, for many days have pass'd
Since last we met.

DINAS.
Ay, many days, Iseult.

ISEULT.
Hast thou forgot Tintagel's King and Queen?
'Twas not so once.

GANELUN.
I've been at Arthur's court
Nigh on two years, and there have taken part
In many deeds of high renown. 'Tis this
Has kept me from Tintagel and from home.

DINAS.
And I, fair Queen Iseult, am growing old;
I've left the saddle for the pillow's ease.

(Pointedly.)

I see the chess-board stands prepared and so,
If Mark permits, 'tis I who in his place
Will lead the crimson pawns today, as we
Were wont to do in former days. I love
The game but have no friend with whom to play.

MARK.
Ay, Dinas, good it is to have some one
Who loves us near us in our twilight years;
So play today with Goldenhaired Iseult.
Perchance it may amuse her too, for oft
She seemeth sad, and mourns as women do
Who have no children.--God forgive us both!
But come, my lords, first let us drink a pledge
Of greeting, and permit this man to make
His peace with my fair queen. I hate long feuds.
Come, friends, come, let us drink, for all this day
We'll spend together in good fellowship.

[He leaves the room with DINAS and GANELUN
by the door on the right. ISEULT and
DENOVALIN stand opposite each other, some
distance apart, silent and motionless.]

SCENE V

DENOVALIN (calmly and insinuatingly).
Am I a vulture, Queen Iseult, that thou
Art silent when I am within thy cage?

ISEULT (angrily).
My Lord Denovalin, how dar'st thou show
Thyself thus brazenly before me here?

DENOVALIN.
Harsh words the Queen Iseult is pleased to use!

ISEULT.
And I shall beg the King that he forbid
Thee to appear within a mile a