Tristan and Isolda Part 13

MARK (_without_). Hold, thou frantic man!

Lost are thy senses?

KURVENAL. Here ravages Death!

Nought else, O king, is here to be holden!

If you would earn it, come on!

(_He sets upon_ MARK _and his followers_.)

MARK. Away, rash maniac!

BRANGaeNA (_has climbed over the wall at the side and hastens in the front_).

Isolda! lady!

Joy and life!-- What sight's here--ha!

Liv'st thou, Isolda! (_She goes to_ ISOLDA'S _aid_.)

MARK (_who with his followers has driven_ KURVENAL _and his men back from the gate and forced his way in_).O wild mistake!

Tristan, where art thou?

KURVENAL (_desperately wounded, totters before_ MARK _to the front_).

He lieth--there-- here, where I lie too.--

(_Sinks down at_ TRISTAN'S _feet_.)

MARK. Tristan! Tristan!

Isolda! Woe!

KURVENAL (_trying to grasp_ TRISTAN'S _hand_).

Tristan! true lord!

Chide me not that I try to follow thee! (_He dies_.)

MARK. Dead together!-- All are dead!

My hero Tristan!

truest of friends, must thou again be to thy king a traitor?

Now, when he comes another proof of love to give thee!

Awaken! awaken.

O hear my lamentation, thou faithless, faithful friend!

(_Kneels down sobbing over the bodies_.)

BRANGaeNA (_who has revived_ ISOLDA _in her arms_).

She wakes! she lives!

Isolda, hear!

Hear me, mistress beloved!

Tidings of joy I have to tell thee: O list to thy Brangaena!

My thoughtless fault I have atoned; after thy flight I forthwith went to the king: the love potion's secret he scarce had learned when with sedulous haste he put to sea, that he might find thee, n.o.bly renounce thee and give thee up to thy love.

MARK. O why, Isolda, Why this to me?

When clearly was disclosed what before I could fathom not, what joy was mine to find my friend was free from fault!

In haste to wed thee to my hero with flying sails I followed thy track: but howe'er can happiness o'ertake the swift course of woe?

More food for Death did I make: more wrong grew in mistake.

BRANGaeNA. Dost thou not hear?

Isolda! Lady!

O try to believe the truth!

ISOLDA (_unconscious of all around her, turning her eyes with, rising inspiration on_ TRISTAN'S _body_).

Mild and softly he is smiling; how his eyelids sweetly open!

See, oh comrades, see you not how he beameth ever brighter-- how he rises ever radiant steeped in starlight, borne above?

See you not how his heart with lion zest, calmly happy beats in his breast?

From his lips in heavenly rest sweetest breath he softly sends.

Harken, friends!

Hear and feel ye not?

Is it I alone am hearing strains so tender and endearing?

Pa.s.sion swelling, all things telling, gently bounding, from him sounding, in me pushes, upward rushes trumpet tone that round me gushes.

Brighter growing, o'er me flowing, are these breezes airy pillows?

Are they balmy beauteous billows?

How they rise and gleam and glisten!

Shall I breathe them?

Shall I listen?

Shall I sip them, dive within them, to my panting breathing win them?

In the breezes around, in the harmony sound in the world's driving whirlwind be drown'd-- and, sinking, be drinking-- in a kiss, highest bliss!

(ISOLDA _sinks, as if transfigured, in_ BRANGaeNA'S _arms upon_ TRISTAN'S _body. Profound emotion and grief of the bystanders_. MARK _invokes a blessing on the dead. Curtain_.)