towards_ ISOLDA.
_The latter in involuntary shame leans on the flowery bank with
averted face_. TRISTAN _with an equally unconscious action
stretches his mantle wide out with one arm, so as to conceal_
ISOLDA _from the gaze of the new-comers. In this position he remains
for some time, turning a changeless look upon the men, who gaze at him
in varied emotion. The morning dawns_.]

TRISTAN. The dreary day--
its last time comes!

MELOT (_to Mark_). Now say to me, my sov'reign,
was my impeachment just?
I staked my head thereon:
How is the pledge redeemed?
Behold him in
the very act:
honor and fame,
faithfully I
have saved from shame for thee.

MARK (_deeply moved, with trembling voice_). Hast thou
preserved them?
Say'st thou so?--
See him there,
the truest of all true hearts!
Look on him
the faithfulest of friends, too
His offence
so black and base
fills my heart
with anguish and disgrace.
Tristan traitor,
what hope stayeth
that the honor
he betrayeth
should by Melot's rede
rest to me indeed?

TRISTAN (_with convulsive violence_). Daylight phantoms--
morning visions
empty and vain--
Avaunt! Begone!

MARK (_in deep emotion_). This--blow.
Tristan, to me?
Where now has truth fled,
if Tristan can betray?
Where now are faith
and friendship fair,
when from the fount of faith,
my Tristan, they are gone?
The buckler Tristan
once did don,
where is that shield
of virtue now?
when from my friends it flies,
and Tristan's honor dies?

(TRISTAN _slowly lowers his eyes to the ground. His features
express increasing grief while MARK continues_.)

Why hast thou noble
service done,
and honor, fame
and potent might
amassed for Mark, thy king?
Must honor, fame,
power and might,
must all thy noble
service done
be paid with Mark's dishonor?
Seemed the reward
too slight and scant
that what thou hast won him--
realms and riches--
thou art the heir unto, all?
When childless he lost
once a wife,
he loved thee so
that ne'er again
did Mark desire to marry.
When all his subjects,
high and low,
demands and pray'rs,
on him did press
to choose himself a consort--
a queen to give the kingdom,
when thou thyself
thy uncle urged
that what the court
and country pleaded
well might be conceded,
opposing high and low,
opposing e'en thyself,
with kindly cunning
still he refused,
till, Tristan, thou didst threaten
forever to leave
both court and land
if thou receivedst
not command
a bride for the kin