Tristan, a valiant Cornish knight, is bringing Isolda, princess of Ireland, over as a bride for his uncle, King Mark. He is himself in love with her, but owing to a blood feud between them, forces himself to conceal his passion. Isolda, in anger at his seeming unkindness, attempts to poison herself and him, but her attendant, Brangæna, changes the draft for a love potion, which enflames their passion beyond power of restraint.

ACT II

Isolda has been wedded to King Mark, but holds stolen interviews with Tristan, during one of which they are surprised, for Tristan has been betrayed by a jealous friend, Melot. Touched by King Mark's bitter reproaches, Tristan provokes Melot to fight and suffers himself to be mortally wounded.

ACT III

Tristan's faithful servant, Kurvenal, has carried his wounded master to his native home in Brittany, where he is carefully tended. Isolda has also been sent for, as being skilled above all others in the healing art. The excitement of her approach only hastens Tristan's death, and he breathes his last sigh in her arms. Mark has followed Isolda; he has had matters explained, and is prepared to reunite the lovers, but it is too late. Isolda utters her lament over the body of her lover, and her heart breaks: in death alone are they united.

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.—

BRANGÆNA

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.)

Brangæna, ho!

Say, where sail we?

BRANGÆNA (

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?

BRANGÆNA. Cornwall's verdant strand.

ISOLDA. Never more!

To-day nor to-morrow!

BRANGÆNA. 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.

BRANGÆNA (

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!

(BRANGÆNA

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?

BRANGÆNA (

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?

BRANGÆNA. 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.

BRANGÆNA. 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 BRANGÆNA 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 sti