University of Virginia Library

Scene II

The next morning. On the coast of Cornwall the Castle of Tintagel can be seen from the ship
Iseult and Brangaena
Iseult.
What shall I do? The ship is steering fast;
And all that frown of moonlight on the stream!
The ship is sailing. Yonder, see, the land
That will engulf me.

Brangaena.
You are sick for sleep.
It is the sea engulfs.

Iseult.
If I could plunge
Back in the sea! I know the magic call,
Would bring the great wave Cleena, in a rush,
To plight me back again to my own land!
O Erin, Erin!

Brangaena.
Tell me, royal heart,
What is your grief, for if there be a way
To lighten or remove it. . . .

Iseult.
Ah, you love!
Brangaena, I have passed my bridal-night.
How great the dawn is! I would be alone,
And watch the birds: but Tristan and his men
Prepare a litter that shall carry me
There, up that awful fastness, to King Mark.

Brangaena.
If I can serve Iseult, Iseult's Iseult. . . .

Enter Kurvenal
Kurvenal.
Sir Tristan prays
That you put on your royal robes.

[He bows and retires.
Iseult.
Brangaena!

Brangaena
(kissing her).
Beloved, the darkness of your wedding night
Be mine, the shame.
Give me the royal robes.
[She wraps Iseult in them. Tristan is seen advancing; Iseult moves toward him.
For any man would gladly die for her:
I can do more. And all that we can do,
No matter what its name of infamy,
Is to be done, that in this checking world
Some may be free and proud.
How steep a coast!