om behind by a
railing. On the dais and on the floor are carpets. Servants take
wine-flagons from a sideboard which stands on the left beside the
stairs, and place them in front of the players. In front of the raised
table UGRIN, the King's Jester, is asleep. The oil-torches give only a
dim light. For a moment the players continue their game in silence.

SCENE I

1ST BARON.
Take heed unto thy queen, Lord Ganelun,
Unless thou willingly dost sacrifice
Her to my pawns, as Mark gave Queen Iseult
Unto his lepers!

GANELUN.
Wait! for see, I move
My bishop back.

2D BARON.
Check! Dinas, check and mate!
Thou mad'st it easy, friend. Thou never shouldst
Have sacrificed the knight, for thus my rook
Escaped, attacking thee.

DINAS.
Forgive; my thoughts
Were troubled, ay, and wandered from the game.

[Two knights come in from the courtyard.]

1ST KNIGHT.
I cannot make one ray of sense from all
These strange occurrences, my Lords! I greet
Thee, Ganelun!

[Shakes hands with the Barons.]

2D KNIGHT (shaking hands).
At chess! At chess my Lords!
Your blood must run full slowly in your veins!

[Comes forward.]

GANELUN.
King Mark has bid us play, and order'd wine
For us to drink, since otherwise 'twould be
A dull and sombre evening here tonight
Within the castle hall, for Queen Iseult,
I ween, will stay in her retirement.

1ST KNIGHT.
King Mark bade us come hither too.

UGRIN.
"Oh God!
Men! Men! Bring lights and let me see the face
Of human beings 'round about!" So cried
My cousin Mark not half an hour agone,
As one on whom the mirth of loneliness
Falls all too heavily!

2D BARON.
What think ye, Lords,
Of this most wondrous thing?

2D KNIGHT.
And do ye know
That Kaad, King Mark's old stable groom, beheld
St. George leap from the battlement where wall
And rock drop off an hundred fathom sheer?

[The Barons stand up and crowd about him.]

1ST BARON.
St. George?

GANELUN.
What's that thou say'st?

DINAS.
Dost thou know more?

2D KNIGHT.