Tristan and Isolda Part 12

TRISTAN (_in frantic excitement_).

What! hails me the light?

The torchlight--ha!-- The torch is extinct!

I come! I come!

SCENE II.

[ISOLDA _hastens breathlessly in_. TRISTAN, _delirious with excitement, staggers wildly towards her. They meet in the centre of the stage; she receives him in her arms, where he sinks slowly to the ground_.]

ISOLDA. Tristan! Ah!

TRISTAN (_turning, his dying eyes on_ ISOLDA). Isolda!--

(_He dies_.)

ISOLDA. 'Tis I, 'tis I-- dearly belov'd!

Wake, and once more hark to my voice!

Isolda calls.

Isolda comes, with Tristan true to perish.-- Speak unto me!

But for one moment, only one moment open thine eyes!

Such weary days I waited and longed, that one single hour I with thee might awaken.

Betrayed am I then?

Deprived by Tristan of this our solitary, swiftly fleeting, final earthly joy?-- His wound, though--where?

Can I not heal it?

The rapture of night O let us feel it?

Not of thy wounds, not of thy wounds must thou expire!

Together, at least, let fade life's enfeebled fire!-- How lifeless his look!-- still his heart!-- Dared he to deal me Buch a smart?

Stayed is his breathing's gentle tide!

Must I be wailing at his side, who, in rapture coming to seek him, fearless sailed o'er the sea?

Too late, too late!

Desperate man!

Casting on me this cruelest ban!

Comes no relief for my load of grief?

Silent art keeping while I am weeping?

But once more, ah!

But once again!-- Tristan!--ha!

he wakens--hark!

Beloved-- --dark!

(_She sinks down senseless upon his body_.)

SCENE III.

[KURVENAL, _who reentered close behind_ ISOLDA, _has remained by the entrance speechless and petrified, gazing motionless on_ TRISTAN. _From below is now heard the dull murmur of voices and the clash of weapons. The Shepherd clambers over the wall_.]

SHEPHERD (_coming hastily and softly to_ KURVENAL).

Kurvenal! Hear!

Another s.h.i.+p!

(KURVENAL _starts up in haste and looks over the rampart, whilst the Shepherd stands apart, gazing in consternation on_ TRISTAN _and_ ISOLDA.)

KURVENAL. Fiends and furies!

(_In a burst of anger_.)

All are at hand!

Melot and Mark I see on the strand,-- Weapons and missiles!-- Guard we the gate!

(_He hastens with the Shepherd to the gate, which they both try quickly to barricade_.)

THE STEERSMAN (_rus.h.i.+ng in_).

Mark and his men have set on us: defence is vain!

We're overpowered.

KURVENAL. Stand to and help!-- While lasts my life I'll let no foe enter here!

BRANGaeNA'S VOICE (_without, calling from below_).

Isolda! Mistress!

KURVENAL. Brangaena's voice! (_Falling down_.) What want you here?

BRANGaeNA. Open, Kurvenal!

Where is Isolda?

KURVENAL. With foes do you come?

Woe to you, false one!

MELOT'S VOICE (_without_). Stand back, thou fool!

Bar not the way!

KURVENAL (_laughing savagely_). Hurrah for the day on which I confront thee!

(MELOT, _with armed men, appears under the gateway_.

KURVENAL _falls on him and cuts him down_.)

Die, d.a.m.nable wretch!

SCENE IV.

MELOT. Woe's me!--Tristan! (_He dies_.)

BRANGaeNA (_still without_). Kurvenal! Madman!

O hear--thou mistakest!

KURVENAL. Treacherous maid! (_To his men_.) Come! Follow me!

Force them below! (_They fight_.)