er lover, and her heart breaks: in death alone are they united.

* * * * *

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

TRISTAN
KING MARK
ISOLDA
KURVENAL
MELOT
BRANGAENA
A SHEPHERD
A STEERSMAN
SAILORS, KNIGHTS, AND ESQUIRES

TRISTAN AND ISOLDA.

ACT I.

[_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