THE HANGMAN (kissing ISEULT'S foot). Forgive Me, Queen Iseult, for God's sweet sake!

[He goes back into the church. The door closes and the organ sounds louder in the silence.]

IWEIN. We are The lepers of Lubin, and thou, by Mark's Decree, art now our bride. Come down that we—

[The Strange Leper, with a violent effort, springs to his feet, and turns upon the lepers.]

STR. LEPER. Who spoke? Which one of you? Tell me, who spoke? Scabs! Vultures! Curs, away! Be off! If one Of you but speaks again I'll trample you Beneath my feet and grind you in the dirt. What wish ye here? Here's gold! Be off, ye curs!

[Only a few stoop to gather the gold he throws among them.]

YOUNG LEPER (rushes at him; IWEIN holds him back). Thou! Thou!

IWEIN. Who art thou that insults us thus?

10TH LEPER. Thou! Hold thy tongue, else will Iwein give thee So sound a drubbing that thou shalt fall dead Upon the ground!

8TH LEPER. Iwein is strong!—He was A mighty Lord!

STR. LEPER. Will ye not go?

1ST LEPER. Hark, thou, This woman here is ours.

REDHAIRED LEPER (thrusting a stick into IWEIN'S hand). Go, knock him down!

7TH LEPER. Come on!

[The Strange Leper snatches the club from the feeble leper so that he falls, knocks IWEIN to the ground, and leaps into the crowd dealing fierce blows right and left. In his left hand he holds a sword which he does not use. In the following scene, also, the lepers' voices are hushed from fear and surprise.]

STR. LEPER. There lies Iwein! Be off, ye dogs!

OLD LEPER. Ai! oh!

10TH LEPER. He's killed Iwein!

4TH LEPER. Lay hold of him!

7TH LEPER. Thou, Red One, seize him by the throat—I'll leap Upon him from behind!

[The Strange Leper knocks the Redhaired Leper down.]

REDHAIRED LEPER. Help! Help!

STR. LEPER. There lies Your Red One!

4TH LEPER. Fly! He has a sword!

11TH LEPER (receiving a blow). Oh help!

OLD LEPER. Come, brothers, let us run.

6TH LEPER (struck). Oh, oh!

STR. LEPER. Away With you! Be off!

7TH LEPER (struck). Ai! Ai!

[Some of the lepers try to carry away the wounded as they run.]

YOUNG LEPER. Let's carry off Iwein! Come, pick him up.

1ST LEPER. And Godwin too! Make haste!

11TH LEPER (struck). Oh help!

STR. LEPER (driving the whole troupe to the gate). Back, curs, back to your holes! Crawl back into your noisome dens!

7TH LEPER (struck). Oh! 'tis Beelzebub himself!

10TH LEPER. The devil!

9TH LEPER. Hold!

12TH LEPER. We go! We go!

6TH LEPER. King Mark shall punish thee!

STR. LEPER (throwing the club after them). Here, take your crutch and flee, ye curs!

VOICES OF THE LEPERS (outside). Oh, oh!— He wounded me!—Fly!—Fly!—



SCENE V

The Strange Leper, whose hood has fallen back during the conflict, goes quickly to the foot of the steps. His forehead is bound with a narrow band. ISEULT stands motionless with closed eyes.

STR. LEPER. Iseult!

(Anxiously, wonderingly and imploringly.)

Iseult!

ISEULT (throws back her head, shuddering. She keeps her eyes closed. Slowly and heavily.) Thou beast! Thou dog!

STR. LEPER. Iseult! 'Tis I who call!

ISEULT (hastily, as though to cover herself with the words). I beg thee, beast, thou evil beast, speak not! If in thy loathsome carcass there still dwells Some remnant of a man, I pray thee slay Me, but speak not!

STR. LEPER (uncertainly). Iseult!

[He falls on his knees opposite the steps, but at a distance from them; and leans back until his thighs rest upon his heels.]

ISEULT. Speak not! Be still, And kill me now! They've left me not so much As one small pin with which to kill myself! Behold! I kneel to thee, and like some low And humble maid, I beg thee, beast, to kill Me, and I'll bless thee!

STR. LEPER. Oh, Iseult, dost thou No longer love Lord Tristram who was once Thy friend?

ISEULT (stares at him for a moment). Thou speak'st, thou speak'st, thou beast, and star'st! Yet God shall punish thee since, though I beg, Thou would'st not kill me now!

STR. LEPER (crying out despairingly). Iseult, awake! Oh Golden One, 'tis Tristram calls!

ISEULT. Thou seekst With scorn and biting words to martyr me, And kill me then! Oh say that thou wilt kill Me afterward—when thou hast railed enough! —And thou wilt come no nearer than thou art?

STR. LEPER. Iseult, awake! Awake, Iseult, and speak, And tell me if thou lovest Tristram still!

ISEULT. Ah, he was once my friend! Why dost thou use The dagger of his name to prick my heart? I loved him once, and 'tis for that I stand Here!—Kill me now!

STR. LEPER (going to the foot of the steps). God help me! Hear me speak, Iseult, for I'm—

(His voice breaks with a sigh.)

I'm Tristram's messenger! Thine erstwhile friend—Him whom thou loved'st!

ISEULT (angrily). Would'st shame Me in my shame? Thou beast!

STR. LEPER. I wish to save Thee now. Dost thou love Tristram still?

ISEULT (going down a few steps, slowly and carefully). Thou art A messenger of his?—And dost thou come, Perchance, to take me to him?

(Breaking out.)

Does thy Lord Desire me, to give me as a gift From some strange land, to his new bride?

[The Strange Leper hides his face in his hands.]

Am I To sit within a cage and watch him kiss Her? Listen to him call his wife "Iseult?" Was this his sweet design, or does Iseult The Snowy Handed crave my golden hair To make a pillow for voluptuous hours? How strange that Tristram should so long for me That he sends forth his messengers! And will He lay us both within the self-same bed? Caress and kiss us both at once throughout The night's long, heavy hours? In other days More modest was thy Lord in his desires.

(Passionately.)

Now kill me, kill me, beast! I've lived enough.

STR. LEPER. Iseult, dost thou not know me yet?

ISEULT. How should I know thee, beast, or in what roadside ditch Lord Tristram found thee as he fled away This morning through the Morois from a man Who called upon him in my name?

STR. LEPER. Oh, judge Him not too quickly. Queen Iseult! He stood And waited for the man, who in thy name Had called!

ISEULT (in fierce anger). He stood, say'st thou? Why then He has not wed Iseult, white handed Queen? I dreamed it all, and sobbed but in my dreams, Perhaps? 'Twas then dream-tears I wept at this Report?

STR. LEPER. Be merciful to Tristram, Queen!

[ISEULT descends a few more steps; looks at him searchingly, and speaks, in a way, questioningly.]

ISEULT. Wast thou his servant while he still was true, And caught'st the plague while on his wedding trip? Then weep for him, thou poor diseased beast! I know thee not. And if thy master stood Here too,—Lord Tristram, whom I once did love And who returned my love in youthful years— If he now stood before me here, I should Not recognize his face behind the mask Of cowardice which he has worn of late. His faithlessness sticks to him like black slime! Go tell him that!—I hate him in this mask! He was so loving and so true when first I knew and loved him! God shall punish him!

STR. LEPER. Iseult, great God has punished him enough; His soul is writhing in its agony Before thy feet!

ISEULT. His soul is leprous, ay! And 'tis an awful thing when one's own soul Is leprous grown!—I loathe and hate him now!

STR. LEPER (leaping up). Iseult!

ISEULT (wildly). Go call the Vultures, call them forth! I want to dance in their white arms, and flee From Tristram's leprous soul that has betrayed And shamed me thus!

STR. LEPER. May God in mercy help Him, for he loves thee still, Iseult, in life And death!

[He starts toward the gate.]

VOICE OF LORD DENOVALIN. Let none go out! Draw up the bridge, And close the castle gates! I'll catch the hound!

[Iseult staggers a few steps and collapses.]

STR. LEPER. Denovalin, Iseult! Our hated foe Denovalin! Quick, hide thy nakedness Within this cloak!

[He covers her with his cloak and bends over her.]

Dear lady I will kill This man and then myself!

(Denovalin enters.)

DENOVALIN. Thou, there! Who art Thou? Speak, thou hound! Who dares thus brazenly To set at naught King Mark's decreed commands?

STR. LEPER (who has sprung upon the curbing of the wall). Denovalin, a second time thou shalt Not flee from me!—Take heed, and guard thyself!

[He springs at DENOVALIN and overthrows him. He then swings himself up on the wall and stands there for a second; his leper's garment is thrown back and he appears in a coat of silver mail, shining in the sunlight.]

DENOVALIN. Tristram of Lyonesse!

STR. LEPER (pulling his cloth from his head). Dost recognize Him by the stroke? God help me now!

[He leaps down from the wall. The stage remains for a time empty. The organ sounds; the gates are opened and two guards stand on either side of the steps. The church is gradually emptied.]



SCENE VI

A SOLDIER (in subdued tones). What? Dost Thou weep, Forzin?

2D SOLDIER. I'm not ashamed! There's none But weeps, save Mark alone! The very stones Must weep!

1ST SOLDIER. It makes me shudder when I think Of it.

2D SOLDIER. Come, come, let's all go home.

A GIRL. Oh hark! Methought I heard one moan!

2D GIRL. Oh God! Behold! Here lies the Queen!

3D GIRL. They've murdered her!

1ST SOLDIER (running to the spot). The Queen!

2D SOLDIER. My God!

1ST SOLDIER. The King doth call!

A MAN. She lives no more.

3D GIRL. Here lies another!

1ST SOLDIER (running up). Lord Denovalin! Stone dead!

A VOICE. Who? Where?

2D SOLDIER. He bleeds and does not move!

PARANIS (rushes up and throws himself down beside ISEULT). Oh God! My queen!

1ST SOLDIER (pulling him away). Stand back there, boy!

PARANIS. Oh let Me kneel beside the Queen!—I always did! Oh, Queen Iseult, how pale thou art!—But, see, She breathes!

2D SOLDIER. The Queen still breathes!

PARANIS. She is not dead!

A GIRL. Go call it out within that all may come, She is not dead!

A KNIGHT. Why shout ye so?

A BOY. Behold, The lepers would not have Iseult!

2D BOY. Proclaim It round about!

A MAN. Be still, here comes the King! Make room!

[Mark comes down the steps and stops on the last one, motionless and staring.]

1ST SOLDIER. King Mark, here lies the Queen Iseult. She breathes, but shows no signs of life.

2D SOLDIER. And here Lies Lord Denovalin. He's dead, King Mark.

[Mark leans against a column to support himself and stares down upon the scene. The crowd groups itself and throngs the door of the church behind him.]

GIMELLA. What's this?

A BOY. The lepers would not have Iseult.

A GIRL (to GIMELLA). Here lies the Queen!

A MAN. Untouched and pure!

A WOMAN. A great, And wondrous thing!—A judgment from the sky!

GIMELLA. No one has touched her, see!

A VOICE. Is she asleep?

A MAN. See, one has wrapped her in a cloak!

SHEPHERD (calling aloud). The cloak Shall hang within the church!

A GIRL. Brangaene, come! She's smiling through her tears.

BRANGAENE (bending over ISEULT—softly). Oh dear Iseult! Beloved one!

GIMELLA. She breathes as feverishly And deep as does a sick and suffering child At midnight in its sleep!

1ST SOLDIER. I'll to the gate And ask the guards if they have seen some sign Or token how this miracle occur'd!

MARK (cries angrily). I'll crucify the man who asks!

[All heads turn then in his direction and a terrified expression comes over all countenances. MARK speaks harshly and calmly.]

Dinas Of Lidan? Is he here?

1ST GUARD. Lord Dinas left The castle gate today at dawn, my Lord.

MARK. Did Lord Denovalin receive his wound In front, or from behind?

1ST GUARD. Here, at the throat. The wound is small and deep, as though a shaft Of lightning struck him there between the helm And gorget—sharp and swift.

VOICES. Oh listen! See, 'Twas God that struck Denovalin, since he Had falsely testified against the Queen! Then let the executioner strip off His arms, and hang them in my armory, So that the sun shall shine thereon. The corpse Shall he bind to a horse's tail, and drag It o'er the common land and let it rot! Where lies the Queen!

SHEPHERD. Stand back there, for King Mark Would see the Queen in her pale beauty! Back!

[The crowd stands back and a space is cleared around ISEULT. MARK looks down upon her from above and speaks coldly and slowly, controlling himself.]

MARK. Let Queen Iseult be carried on that cloak Within the castle. Place her there upon Soft pillows. Strew fresh flowers round about Her bed, and moisten all her robes and clothes With sweetest perfumes. Kneel ye down and pray When she doth speak to you, for she must be In some way sacred, since God loves her thus.

(Almost shouting.)

And if she should be found in Tristram's bed I'll kill the man who tells me of it, ay, And let his body rot upon the ground! Now saddle me a horse that I may go To seek Lord Dinas, my most loyal friend!



ACT IV

The High Vaulted Hall of the Castle.—In the middle of the hall on the left opens a high, wooden staircase. In the background on the left, bay-windows; on the right, a broad, barred door. Through the grating one sees the outer court. In the middle of the wall on the right is a wide fireplace on each side of which jut out low stone benches. In front of the windows stands a table at which DINAS and GANELUN, the First and Second Barons, are playing chess. In the foreground, a table on which chess-boards stand prepared for play. The table by the stone-bench stands on a dais which is shut off from behind by a railing. On the dais and on the floor are carpets. Servants take wine-flagons from a sideboard which stands on the left beside the stairs, and place them in front of the players. In front of the raised table UGRIN, the King's Jester, is asleep. The oil-torches give only a dim light. For a moment the players continue their game in silence.



SCENE I

1ST BARON. Take heed unto thy queen, Lord Ganelun, Unless thou willingly dost sacrifice Her to my pawns, as Mark gave Queen Iseult Unto his lepers!

GANELUN. Wait! for see, I move My bishop back.

2D BARON. Check! Dinas, check and mate! Thou mad'st it easy, friend. Thou never shouldst Have sacrificed the knight, for thus my rook Escaped, attacking thee.

DINAS. Forgive; my thoughts Were troubled, ay, and wandered from the game.

[Two knights come in from the courtyard.]

1ST KNIGHT. I cannot make one ray of sense from all These strange occurrences, my Lords! I greet Thee, Ganelun!

[Shakes hands with the Barons.]

2D KNIGHT (shaking hands). At chess! At chess my Lords! Your blood must run full slowly in your veins!

[Comes forward.]

GANELUN. King Mark has bid us play, and order'd wine For us to drink, since otherwise 'twould be A dull and sombre evening here tonight Within the castle hall, for Queen Iseult, I ween, will stay in her retirement.

1ST KNIGHT. King Mark bade us come hither too.

UGRIN. "Oh God! Men! Men! Bring lights and let me see the face Of human beings 'round about!" So cried My cousin Mark not half an hour agone, As one on whom the mirth of loneliness Falls all too heavily!

2D BARON. What think ye, Lords, Of this most wondrous thing?

2D KNIGHT. And do ye know That Kaad, King Mark's old stable groom, beheld St. George leap from the battlement where wall And rock drop off an hundred fathom sheer?

[The Barons stand up and crowd about him.]

1ST BARON. St. George?

GANELUN. What's that thou say'st?

DINAS. Dost thou know more?

2D KNIGHT. I know but what old Kaad himself recounts; That, as he led Mark's charger down to drink, There suddenly appeared before his eyes The lofty shape of good St. George, erect, Upon the wall!

1ST BARON (crossing himself). God save my soul!

2D BARON. And then? What happened then?

2D KNIGHT. Kaad thought at first He was some mortal man and cried to him To heed; but in that selfsame moment leapt The holy knight, and cleared the wall, and fell The hundred fathoms. But when Kaad ran up, With all the speed he might unto the spot, St. George had vanished and had left no trace.

1ST BARON. No trace?

2D BARON. 'Tis strange!

DINAS. A wondrous thing!

GANELUN. But say, By what did Kaad first recognize the saint?

2D KNIGHT. I know not, but he says 'twas he; and all The people, are rejoicing at this new And wondrous miracle of good St. George.

1ST KNIGHT. What says King Mark about this miracle, This saving of the Queen by God Himself? Hast seen him, Dinas?

DINAS (returning to the table). Ay, his heart and mind Are heavy and his soul distressed.

2D KNIGHT. And Queen Iseult?

1ST KNIGHT. What said the King of her?

GANELUN. The King Refused to see her, or to speak with her, Since neither dares to speak of this foul deed Which has occurred; its memory still throbs, And tingling flows throughout their blood.

2D BARON. And yet He sent the Queen, and without message too, The head that pledged a perjured oath today, Upon a silver shield. And well he did.

2D KNIGHT. My Lord Denovalin a victim fell Unto a saintly and a holy hand, But died ingloriously!

DINAS. As he deserved So died he. Sir.

[The Barons and Knights sit down again at the table. King MARK, unnoticed by the others, comes slowly down the steps, and walks about. He is oppressed and agitated. At length he stops, and, leaning against the end post of the bannister, listens to the conversation of the others.]

1ST KNIGHT. A leper has been stoned Because he cried throughout Lubin that 'twas The devil who had done the thing.

DINAS. Such leaps By God or devil can alone be done.

GANELUN. 'Tis true, my Lords, no mortal man can spring An hundred fathoms.

[Mark steps up to the table and lays his arm about Dinas' neck.]



SCENE II

MARK. True, Lord Ganelun!

2D BARON (springing up). The King!

1ST BARON The King here! Pardon, sire!

MARK. I thank You all, my Lords, that ye were not enraged And angered at a weak old man, and came Again to me. I would not willingly Have spent this night alone.

2D BARON. Most cheerfully We came. The Queen's miraculous escape O'er joys us all.

1ST BARON. There lack but three to make The tale complete; those three, my Lords, who stood As sponsors of the bond.

MARK. They're coursing through The gloomy forest paths and seek to catch That which, since God hath spoken, cannot be Therein. I've sent my riders to recall Them here to me.

GANELUN. Give me thy hand, King Mark, For I am glad that thou didst err!

MARK (his voice is bitter and despairing). I, too, Am glad, for if this morning I appeared A wreckless youth, a foolish boy who dared In arrogant presumption to assert Himself and to rebel against your word, Forgive me. Passion is the heritage Of man; his deeds the natural consequence Of passion. Think ye not the same? And see, How God, now for the second time, has wrought, And sternly proved the truth! Is it, perchance, His will that I should learn unseeingly, Unquestioningly to revere His stars On which our actions here on earth depend? What think ye, sirs? for so it seems to me; And therefore hath He hid from me that which Most eagerly I wish to know, so that Before this veiled uncertainty, my blood Ran riot in my veins. But from this day I'll change my mode of life; I will regard My blindness and His unavoidable Decree; for wisdom lies in piety, As says an ancient proverb; hence I will, From this day on, learn piety that I Become a very sage for wisdom.

[Goes away.]

A KNIGHT. Calm Thyself!

UGRIN (calling to MARK). Ay, cousin, make thyself a monk!

MARK (turning back). And I will learn to laugh at God that He Should give Himself such trouble for a man Like me—poor fool! Enough! Forgive my wrongs In friendly wise, as I will overlook Your sins with all my heart. But, if a man Grown lately wise may counsel you, sin not; Your work is the beginning, God's the end.

UGRIN (calling out to him). Amen.

MARK. I've broken in upon your game My friends, and chattered on. Forgive it me; Resume your play and cups; drink on, I pray.

[He goes over to UGRIN.]

Thy jokes are empty of all wit today, Ugrin.

UGRIN. My wit has fallen off, say'st thou? Decay of time, believe me Mark; for wit Is wine, and wine is poured into a cup Of sparkling gold, and not into a crack'd Old jug, and thou, illustrious cousin, art Become a broken pot since noon today!

[Hands him his jester's sceptre.]

Here, hit thyself! Behold the ring is gone! My wit's too precious for a ringless cup. At Easter tide I'll seek me out as lord Some jovial soul who loves his wine; who plays Wild pranks, and gives his wife away when he Is tired of her!

MARK (sitting down on the stone bench). Friend Ugrin, I warn Thee, heed thy tongue!

UGRIN. Ay, cousin! Ay, 'twere best Since thou'st forsworn all quarreling!

MARK. I wish That I might put thee on the rack and have Thee whipped before I go to rest! Instead I'll give thee two broad marks of gold if thou Can'st move Iseult to laughter; and I'll give Besides the gold a brand-new cloak to wear In winter time!

UGRIN. Well lined?

MARK (takes him by both ears). I've set my heart Upon it that Iseult shall laugh, so do Thy best, my friend!

UGRIN (stands up). With some well-chosen words, Perhaps, I briefly might describe to her The leper's throng! What say'st thou, cousin?

MARK. Fool!

UGRIN. Or I might ask her what it's like when one's Own husband, from unfeeling jealousy, Ordains one to be burnt; or yet again I might, with due solemnity, implore Her to be kind—to love thee once again, Good cousin! Surely she must laugh at that!

MARK. Peace, fool! Thou weariest me.

UGRIN. If thou intend To grow thy beard in this new way I'll turn Thy barber! I shall serve thee better then Than now as fool! What say'st to this?

MARK. Oh fool, If only thou wast not a fool!

UGRIN (noticing ISEULT at the head of the stairs). No fool So great as thou thyself! Behold her now, The woman whom thou gav'st away! Oh fie! Fool cousin, art thou not ashamed?

(Sinks to his knees and calls out.)

The Queen Approaches! Queen Iseult!



SCENE III

The Knights and Barons rise; MARK springs up and steps back a pace. ISEULT remains standing on the bottom step. BRANGAENE, GIMELLA and PARANIS are behind her.

ISEULT. I beg of you, My Lords, consider what is past as 'twere A dream, since otherwise we could not find Fit words or proper sentiments to stand Before each other with unblushing cheek, For very shame and horror at this deed.

[She steps down into the hall.]

My Lords, I bid you welcome, one and all!

GANELUN. I kiss thy mantle's hem, oh Queen!

1ST BARON. So do We all who stand before thee now. We feel That thou art holy, Queen Iseult!

ISEULT. Ye do Me wrong in praising me too much, good friends. I did but swear the truth and keep what I Had sworn. Continue now your play. I would Not hinder you!

[She turns to MARK; both stare at each other for a moment and then ISEULT speaks timidly, almost childishly.]

I wish to play at chess —With Mark and Dinas—that true, loyal friend—

MARK (after a short pause, quietly and kindly). Play thou with Dinas first, since I, this morn, Did interrupt thy game. I promised him That he should play with thee.

[He goes to the chest.]

(Breaking out.)

I'll choose Ugrin As my opponent! Come, Sir Fool, and play With me! [Sits down on the chest.]

ISEULT. So be it, Mark. Friend Dinas, come; And thou Gimella play with Ganelun.

(To BRANGAENE.)

Stand thou beside me here and help me worst Mine adversary. Come.

[She seats herself with DINAS at the raised table. BRANGAENE stands beside the table and leans over the bannister. PARANIS seats himself at ISEULT'S feet. GIMELLA takes her place at the other table. The Strange Jester slinks across the court and presses his pale, beardless face, drawn with suffering, against the bars of the grating. His head is shaved and his clothes are torn and ragged.]

UGRIN. Laugh at me, Queen.

ISEULT. Tell me, Ugrin, why should I laugh at thee?

UGRIN. I beg thee laugh; most fondly I implore Thee laugh at me, Iseult. My cousin here Hath promised me much gold if I can make Thee laugh at me but once—I want that gold So much!—Come, laugh at me, Iseult!

ISEULT. First earn Thy gold, good fool. Be off and let us play.

UGRIN (kneels down by MARK beside the chest). Thy wife's not in her sweetest mood today, Good cousin. Know'st thou why perhaps?

MARK. A truce To thy dull jokes! Come, play the game. Sir Knave!

ISEULT. I'll take thy castle, Dinas! Heed thy game.

UGRIN (humming). Oh once there was a mighty King, Who had a lady fair. This King did love his beauteous dame As though his wife she were—

ISEULT. Thy castle falls—

(Softly.)

I hardly see the squares! They sway and rock like billows on the sea.

DINAS. Why weepest thou?

ISEULT. I am not happy, friend.

PARANIS (softly). Oh God!—There, see! Through yonder window's bars There peers a man.

DINAS. Where, boy?

PARANIS. There! There!

STR. JESTER (calling through the grating). Holla! King Mark! Holla!

DINAS. What's that!

MARK (rising). Who storms outside My door? Such noises in the night I will Not brook! Who's there?

[UGRIN runs to the grating.]

STR. JESTER. A jester, King; a poor And witless fool. Let me come in! I'll crack New jokes to make thee laugh!—Let me come in.

UGRIN. A fool!

GIMELLA. How came he here?

BRANGAENE. He startled me!

ISEULT. Indeed we weary of Ugrin's stale jests.

STR. JESTER. I'm a poor jester that would come to thee, So let me in. King Mark.

MARK (going to the grating). The fools, it seems, Smell out my door as carrion-vultures smell A corpse.

UGRIN. Cousin; let him be driven out! I beg thee, have him whipped.

1ST GUARD (from without). I've caught thee, rogue!

MARK. How came this strange fool past the gates, Gilain? Wast thou asleep?

1ST GUARD. King Mark, this man has slunk About the gate since it grew dark. He says He wants to see thee. Many times have we Already driven him away, but still He sticks like pitch about the gate.

STR. JESTER. I am A jester from a foreign land—I wish To come to thee. King Mark!

1ST GUARD. Behold the fool! He cries like that unceasingly.

MARK. Speak, fool, What need hast thou of me?

STR. JESTER. Mark, let me in! I'll make such jests that thou, and all thy lords And ladies die from laughing at my wit.

GIMELLA (laughing). The merry jests!

ISEULT. This wandering knave intrudes Too boldly!

UGRIN. Rogue! Oh shameless one. I'll give Thee such a drubbing as thou ne'er hast felt.

MARK. Know'st thou, in truth, new jests.

STR. JESTER. Ay, Mark, new jests To make thee laugh or weep. Ay, merry jests!



SCENE IV

MARK opens the grating and lets the Strange Jester in. The Jester advances a few feet on the right, and stops to stare at ISEULT. UGRIN walks about him, examining him.

MARK. Then come, thou jail-bird. Hark, Gilain, let now The guard be doubled at the lower gate That none, unnoticed, may come in.

STR. JESTER. But should A stranger King arrive,—a stranger King, The master of this stranger fool—let him Come in, Gilain.

ISEULT. Play, Dinas, play thy game! Their chatter wearies me.

MARK. Now tell me, rogue, Why clamorest thou so loudly at my gate? What wouldst thou? Speak.

STR. JESTER. I wish to stay with thee.

[Laughter.]

2D BARON. What cooked they in thy kitchen, Mark, tonight That all the fools have smelt it out?

STR. JESTER. I saw The fire glowing in thy hall; I saw The light and so I came—I'm cold.

UGRIN. Then wrap Thyself more closely in thy cloak, thou fool!

STR. JESTER. I've given it away.

BRANGAENE (laughing). It seems thou art A tender hearted fool!

GIMELLA. And yet it does Not seem as though thou couldst give much away!

MARK (looking at the fool carefully). Whence comest thou, Sir Fool!

STR. JESTER. I come from there— From there outside, from nowhere else—

(Looking at ISEULT and in a soft voice— almost singing.)

And yet My mother was Blanchefleur!

[ISEULT starts and stares across at him.]

MARK (goes back laughing to his seat. UGRIN follows him). Ha! ha! The jest Is poor. Hast thou no better ones, my friend? Blanchefleur was mine own sister. She begat No fool like thee!

STR. JESTER. 'Twas then some other one Who bore the self-same name and me the pain And sorrow, Mark. What matters it to thee?

[Laughter.]

1ST KNIGHT (laughingly). Our jesting rogue grows bitter in his mirth!

ISEULT. Let this strange jester stand a little forth That we may see him in the light.

MARK. Come here, Sir Fool, and stand before the Queen.

UGRIN. He is An ass as awkward as I e'er beheld! So cousin, judge by contrast 'twixt us two, And see the priceless thing thou hast in me!

MARK. Go, fool, be not afraid.

STR. JESTER (steps in front of the stone bench on the left, opposite ISEULT'S table). —I'm cold!—I'm cold!

ISEULT (after looking at him for a moment breaks into a clear and relieved laugh). A sorry sight to look upon!

[The Strange Jester hides his face in his hands.]

GIMELLA (springing forward). The Queen Is laughing—see!

BRANGAENE. Made he some witty jest?

GIMELLA. Why laughst thou so, Iseult?

DINAS. 'Tis horrible To see the fool's distorted face!

ISEULT. He looks So pitifully at me! it makes me laugh!

UGRIN. I'm angry with thee, Queen Iseult! Oh fie! For shame, how couldst thou laugh at that strange fool?

(Turning to MARK.)

I pray thee, Mark, good cousin, wilt thou give To him the two whole marks of gold?

[During this time the Strange Jester sits on the railing which joins the bench to the fireplace. He rests his elbows on his knees and his face on his hands. He stares at ISEULT.]

BRANGAENE. Rejoice! The King will give thee a reward since thou Hast cheered the Queen.

STR. JESTER (without changing his attitude). Would that I'd make her weep, This Queen, instead of laugh!

[Soft and low laughter.]

MARK. How's that?

STR. JESTER. Because I am a fool for sorrow, not for mirth!

[Laughter; the fool springs up.]

And none shall laugh when he beholds my face!

[Laughter; the fool seats himself again.]

ISEULT (earnestly). How strangely speaks the fool!

MARK. My friend, I think, That some one cut thee from the gallows!

STR. JESTER (stares at ISEULT—slowly). Mark, How proud and cold a wife thou hast! Her name's Iseult, I think. Am I not right?

MARK (smiling). Doth she Please thee. Sir Fool?

STR. JESTER. Ay! ay! She pleases me.

[Laughter.]

Iseult the Goldenhaired!—I'm cold, King Mark!

ISEULT. The fool is mad!—I like him not.

UGRIN (to the Strange Jester). Thou hast Thine answer now!

GIMELLA. Is this the first time thou Beheldst the Queen?

MARK. Art thou a stranger, friend?

STR. JESTER. Mayhap I've seen the Queen before; mayhap I never have.—I know not, Mark.

[Laughter.]

GIMELLA (laughing). A strange And curious jest, i' faith!

(To those laughing at the other table.)

Come here, my Lords, For this new jester is most wondrous strange.

STR. JESTER (in rising grief). I had a sweetheart once, and she was fair!

MARK (laughing). Ay! I believe thee, friend!

STR. JESTER. Yea, she was fair, Almost as fair as Queen Iseult, thy wife.

[Laughter.]

I'm cold!

ISEULT (angrily). Thou fool, why starest thou at me? Avaunt!

STR. JESTER. Laugh once again at me, Iseult! Thy laugh was fair, and yet, methinks, those eyes Must be still fairer when they overflow With tears.—I wish that I could make thee weep, Iseult!

[A silence.]

UGRIN (going over to him). Ho, ho! Are those thy jokes! I'll fall A weeping straight, thou croaking raven!

STR. JESTER (springing up). Take This fool away, or else I'll smite him dead!

[UGRIN jumps backward.]

MARK. Thou art a gloomy jester, boy!

GIMELLA. His jests Are all of some new fangled sort.

MARK. Speak, fool, Whom hast thou served till now?

STR. JESTER. I've served King Mark In far off Cornwall—.

[Laughter.]

And he had a wife, And she was fair, with long and golden hair!

[Laughter.]

Why laughst thou Dinas, friend?

[The laughter dies suddenly; the Barons and Knights, who, with the exception of those at the Queen's table, had formed a circle around the Strange Jester, shrink back.]

DINAS (startled). My God! He knows My name as well!

1ST BARON. 'Tis passing strange!

2D BARON. Thou!—Fool—!

GANELUN. He's quick, and makes good use of what he hears!

ISEULT. His jests are impudent,—I wish that he Would go away! He wearies me.

MARK. And yet There's something in the knave that pleases me. His madness lies still deeper than it seems—

UGRIN. Ay, cousin, in his belly, for, methinks, He has a stomachache!

MARK. Come, friend, tell us A tale.

STR. JESTER (starting up). Why stare ye so at me, ye pack Of rogues? Why mock ye me?

(In anguish.)

I'm but a fool! A wretched fool! Send them away. King Mark, And listen thou to me. We'll stay here all Alone:—the Queen, and thou, and I, and then I'll tell thee pretty things, sweet things,—so sweet That one must shiver when one hears! Now send Away the rest!

1ST BARON. Take heed. Sir Fool, be not Too bold.

2D BARON. He should be soundly beaten!

MARK. Leave Him, Lords, in peace. I like his foolishness, Because he does not crack the silly jokes That other jesters do.

STR. JESTER. I, too, was once As good a knight as they—!

[Laughter.]

GANELUN (laughing). I wish I'd seen Thee, knave!

STR. JESTER (steadily). Thou saw'st me many times and wast My friend, Lord Ganelun!

[All step back nervously.]

1ST KNIGHT (crossing himself). God save us, friends! He knows us all by name!

ISEULT. a gruesome fool! Send him away. King Mark; he's mad.

MARK. Speak on!

STR. JESTER. My tongue cleaves to my gums; my throat is parch'd! Give me to drink.

MARK (stands up and takes a goblet from the table). I had forgot, poor fool! But thou shalt drink wine from a golden cup. Thy foolishness has touched my heart. At times. My Lords, 'twould be an easy thing to turn To such a fool. Iseult! Come pledge the cup That he may have somewhat of which to dream On cold and thirsty nights. Grant him this boon.

[He gives Iseult the cup.]

ISEULT. I pledge—

STR. JESTER (jumping down from the bench). Drink not! Drink not!—She drank!

[He waves aside the cup.]

I will Not drink.

GIMELLA. A brazen knave!

BRANGAENE. Fie, fie! For shame!

STR. JESTER. I'll not drink with a woman from one cup The self-same wine again.

MARK. What hinders thee?

STR. JESTER. Ask Queen Iseult.

ISEULT (angrily and fearfully). Oh, Mark! He mocks me. Send The fool away!

STR. JESTER (he throws himself on the ground before the dais and whispers low and tensely to ISEULT). "For they who drink thereof Together, so shall love with every sense Alive, yet senseless—with their every thought, Yet thoughtless, too, in life, in death, for aye— Yet he, who having known the wond'rous bliss Of that intoxicating cup of love. Spits out the draught disloyally, shall be A homeless and a friendless worm,—a weed That grows beside the road"—So spake my love, And handed me a golden cup of wine And bade me drink,—But evil came thereof—.

[During his speech ISEULT sits up in her chair, and bending backward, stares down at him in horror.]

PARANIS. The Queen turns pale!

BRANGAENE. Iseult! My God! Iseult!

GANELUN. He conjures!

1ST BARON. 'Twas a magic spell!

2D KNIGHT. Lay hold Of him! He is a conjurer.

[A few men start to seize the jester—he jumps upon the bench.]

ISEULT (trembling with fright). Excuse— My weakness—'tis—'tis but—let be—this fool's Strange jesting is most ghastly—it revolts my soul And—made me faint—.

MARK. Thou knave! I'll have thee whipped! Tell me thy name—Who art thou? Speak!

STR. JESTER. Come not Too near!

MARK. I have a dungeon deep and strong, And I can have thee thrown to Husdent. He Will tear thee limb from limb, thou conjurer! Who art thou?

UGRIN (in a friendly tone). Answer, friend, our Cousin Mark Speaks not in jest!

MARK. Call in the guards!

[A Knight tries to lay hold of the Strange Jester.]

STR. JESTER. Let go! I'm but a wretched fool!—I have no name! What matters it to you? I've smirched my good And noble name—so now I have no name. I had one once that rang full true and high! I've twisted it about, and broken it!

(In rising agitation.)

I broke my name, and throwing up the bits I caught them as they fell, and threw them up Again; and so I played with my fair name Until the fragments rang again and fell At last back to my hand, deformed and changed, To stick, and make a name that is no name— So call me Tramtris.

ISEULT. —Tramtris—!

[UGRIN claps his hands and rolls laughing on the ground.]

MARK. Fool, what ails Thee now?

UGRIN. The jester jesteth. Seest thou not? Why, turn it 'round! Tramtris—Tristram! He says He was Lord Tristram! Ho!

[Laughter.]

GANELUN. That was the jest That he so cunningly devised!

1ST BARON. This shaft Of irony has struck the mark and hits This day and thee, King Mark!

2D KNIGHT. A clever fool!

MARK (laughing softly). I wish Lord Tristram saw the knave!

2D BARON. He'd laugh!

ISEULT (trembling with anger). Let not thy nephew Tristram's knightly fame And noble name serve as a mockery To such a ghoul!

MARK (gaily). Forgive me, fair Iseult; And yet it makes me laugh to think that this Poor fool went mad from thinking that he was My noble nephew Tristram. Speak, thou toy of fate, Wast thou Lord Tristram once!

STR. JESTER (almost timidly). Ay, Mark, I was; And often was I with Iseult, thy wife! Forgive it me!

[Laughter.]

ISEULT. Dost thou permit that he Should heap such insults on thy wife's fair name?

MARK (gaily).

Heed not his words; the people love such jests.

(To the jester.)

Give us a sign, Sir Fool.

UGRIN. A sign! A sign!

1ST BARON. Ay, let the fool describe the Queen. Give ear.

UGRIN. 'Twill be a royal sport! And first he shall Describe her feet! Speak on!

[UGRIN sits on the ground. ISEULT hides her face in BRANGAENE'S breast.]

GIMELLA (to ISEULT laughingly). He'll liken thee Unto his wench!

MARK. Why dost thou hesitate? I grant thee jester's freedom, Fool. Begin!

STR. JESTER (softly and hesitatingly). From pedestals white snowy columns rise Of ivory, draped in softly whispering silk, That arched, and all immaculate, stretch up,— The swelling pillars of her body's frame—

MARK. A graceful speech, my friend. Canst thou go on?

STR. JESTER (in rising agitation and feverish emotion). Her body is a gleam of silvery light Cast by the full moon in the month of May Changed to the snowy marvel of herself. Thou art a garden wild wherein there grow Deep purple fruits that stupefy and yet That make one burn! Thy body is a church Of rarest marble built—a fairy mount Where sounds the music of a golden harp; A field of virgin snow! Thy breasts are buds Of the most sacred plant that flowering grows Within the garden,—swelling fruits that wait To suck the honeyed dew of summer moons! Thy neck is like a lily's stem! Thy arms Are like the blossoming branches of a young And tender almond-tree, directing us Within that Paradise where rules the chaste Perfection of thy rounded limbs, enthroned Within thy wondrous body like a God Who threatens from on high. Thou art—

MARK. Oh hear How this impostor talks! The token, fool!

STR. JESTER (softly, trembling and feverishly). Below the left breast of this master-piece Of His creation God has set his mark— A darkened cross—!

MARK (hoarsely). O seize the knave! The cross Is there.—She bears the mark!

GANELUN. Christ save my soul!

1ST BARON. I feel an awful dread of this strange fool!

1ST KNIGHT (drawing). I'll run him through the body with my sword!

STR. JESTER. (tears the sword from his hand, and springs upon the bench). Take heed unto thyself! Come not too near! I'll tear thee like a beast.

ISEULT. His words are not So marvelously strange. Hast thou forgot, King Mark, that once, before a heaped up pyre Thou bad'st me stand, stark naked and exposed Unto the rabble's gaze? It well may be That this low jester cast his shaming eyes Upon me then.

MARK. Saw'st thou the Queen when she Stood on the burning pile?

STR. JESTER. I saw the Queen; I stood beside her there!

GIMELLA. Behold, that sight Has made him lose his wits!

BRANGAENE. Poor witless fool!

STR. JESTER. Glare not at me! I'm but a fool, a poor Mad fool—a wretched fool that wished to tell You tales to make you laugh!

(Almost screaming.)

For God's sake laugh!

[He throws the sword down. It falls clattering on the floor. The First Guard enters while two others stand outside the grating with the Strange Knight.]

MARK. Whom bring'st thou there?

1ST GUARD. King Mark, thy messengers Have found the witnesses that signed the bond Too late, for in the forest they had caught A man whom they have sent to thee. The man Is wounded; when they called on him to stand He fled. His horse fell dead. They know him not. He is a stranger in the land.

MARK. How heavily God's wrath descends upon my head. This blood I've spilled was innocent!

1ST GUARD. This man is near His end; his dying wish is to behold The Queen Iseult. He much desires it.

GIMELLA. Poor soul!

MARK. Bring in the man. How things mischance! My castle is a gruesome place today. An idiot first, and then a corpse have knocked To crave admittance to my hall! My Lords, I pray you to forgive my sins.

PARANIS. There comes The wounded Knight.

[The Strange Knight is led before ISEULT. He walks firmly, standing erect.]

STR. KNIGHT. —Art thou Iseult?—Iseult The Goldenhaired? May God be merciful Unto thy soul!

STR. JESTER (crouches on the bench, taking no interest in what is said). My brother Kuerdin! Dear friend! In a disastrous hour went We forth. I pity thee!

[The Strange Knight turns and looks at him searchingly.]

GANELUN (angrily and oppressed). Will death not close Thy mouth, thou cur!

MARK. Dost thou then know this man?

STR. JESTER. I've said so, Mark! I'll sit beside him here Until he dies. I'll be his priest.

KARL HAIDER

STR. KNIGHT. Keep off. This babbling fool; his chatter shames my death.

DINAS. Methinks this was the man I saw at dawn Today as I rode through the wood, and yet He bore a shield on which I thought I saw Lord Tristram's arms.

MARK. Unhappy man, who art Thou?

STR. KNIGHT (calmly and quietly). One who knoweth how to die. Lay me On yonder bench and wrap me in my cloak.

[He is laid on the bench near the chimney, and lies there like an effigy.]

MARK (to the First Guard). Where are his shield and arms?

STR. KNIGHT. I bore the shield Of Tristram, Lord of Lyonesse, since we, For our great love, exchanged our arms. I am His brother, for my sister is his wife. Lord Tristram greets thee, Mark.

MARK (to him passionately). Speak, friend, and put An end unto the quandary in which I stand. God shall reward thee soon. Where is Lord Tristram?

STR. KNIGHT (groaning). With his wife whom he holds dear.

STR. JESTER. Thou liest, brother, yet thou speak'st the truth!

MARK. God mocks me, Lords! God mocks me!

STR. JESTER. I will watch By him and guard his body through the night.

GANELUN. Be still, thou toad! Be still!

1ST GUARD. King Mark, the Knight Upon his left hand wears a ring—a stone Rich set in gold. Shall he retain the ring Upon his hand?—He's dead.

STR. JESTER (seizing the ring). The ring is mine! I gave it him!

GANELUN (striking him). Away! Thou damned thief!

STR. JESTER. The ring is mine, I say. My love once gave It me and sware thereon; but now I'll give It as a jester's gift unto the Queen. I pray thee take the ring, Iseult.

[ISEULT takes the ring, looks at it a moment and lets it fall. She totters.]

Cast not Away my gift!

BRANGAENE. Help! Help! The Queen.

ISEULT (in great agitation). Oh God, I pray Thee open now mine eyes, and set Me free! I know not if I am alive! There lies a corpse—There stands a ghost and I Between them, here! I hear a moaning sound Pass whimpering through the halls—!

[She runs to the stairs.]

Let me go up! Brangaene, come, and thou Gimella, too!

[Half way up the stairs she turns.]

Be not too angry with me, Mark, for thou Hast set a loathsome ghost to mock and jeer At me to make thee laugh. He makes my heart Grow cold with horror! Come, my ladies, come! Stand by me now—this awful game has made Me shudder.

[She hastens up the stairs.]

STR. JESTER (springs onto the table to look after her). Queen Iseult, thou fairest one. Have pity on my leper's soul!

GANELUN. Be still, Thou croaking raven!

1ST BARON. Smite him dead and spit Upon his corpse!

2D BARON. Thou filthy worm!

MARK. Lay hold Upon the jester! Hold him fast. Thou fool, Thou base-born cur, how dar'st thou vex my wife So bitterly with thy presumptuous wit?

STR. JESTER. Mark, heed thy words!

1ST KNIGHT (catching his wrists from behind). I have the knave!

MARK. The Guards Shall whip the rogue for his bold impudence, And cast him from the castle gates. Let loose The dogs upon him if he does not run, And leave my walls as though they were on fire! Away with him!

UGRIN (in greatest haste and agitation). King Mark, oh good King Mark, Behold, he is my brother in my kind, A much abused and crazy fool who means No evil with his foolish jests! See now How pitiful his mien! He strove to make Thee laugh in his poor way as I in mine. Forgive the knave, and drive him not away Into the darkness like a snarling cur That whines about the house! He hungers, too, For thou hast given him naught to eat or drink Since he has been beneath thy kingly roof. I am an old, old man, King Mark; he is My brother, and a jester like myself; I pity him! I pray thee let me keep Him here with me until tomorrow's morn, That he may sleep with me within my bed. Then, when the sun shall shine upon his road, He shall depart and seek a dwelling place. 'Twas thou thyself encouraged him to jest; Judge then thy guilt and his with equal eye. He is a fool, a crazy, blundering fool, Yet drive him not away! I pray thee let Him sleep beside me here a while that he Refresh himself! He looks so pitifully!

MARK. Why, Ugrin, friend, 'tis new for thee to act The part of charity!

UGRIN. I serve thee, Mark, With foolishness and jests—and thou but knowest Me by my services.

MARK. I still can make One person glad tonight! Keep, then, thy fool But thou stand'st surety for him if he should Attempt to burn the castle or to do Some other mischief in his madness.

[The Knight lets the Strange Jester go; he crouches on the dais.]

UGRIN. Mark, Thou art indeed my dear, kind, cousin, still! Good-night, fair cousin, go and sleep. Thou needst It sorely—and—I pray that thou forget Not my new wisdom!

MARK. Sirs, I wish you all A restful night for this has been a day Of many cares and many tribulations. Tomorrow shall we bury this brave Knight With all the honors due his noble rank, For he was innocent.

GANELUN. Sleep well. King Mark!

1ST BARON. May God watch o'er thee, Mark!

[The Barons go up the stairs; the Knights and guards go out. The servants extinguish all but a few of the lights.]

MARK (on the stairs). Come, Dinas, come With me, and we will watch a little while. My heart is sorrowful tonight!

DINAS (following him up the stairs). I'll stay With thee until the morning break if thou Desire it so.

UGRIN (calling after them). And cousins take good heed Ye catch not cold!

[They leave the stage, the moon shines through the grating, and the shadow of the bars falls into the hall. The Strange Jester crouches motionless. UGRIN turns to him.]



SCENE VI

UGRIN. Ay, so they are! "Whip, whip the fool!" We wrack Our weary brains to make a jest and then, In payment, we are whipped if they so feel Inclined! They treat us more like dogs than men!

[He goes to the table where the food stands, and takes a bite.]

Art hungry, brother? Wait, I'll bring my cloak. For thou art cold.

[He draws a cloak from under the stairs.]

'Tis here, beneath the stairs, I sleep.—A very kennel! 'Tis a shame.

[He eats again.]

Wilt thou not eat a morsel of what's left Upon the table here? Nor drink a drop? 'Tis not forbidden, friend; our cousin lets Us eat and drink of what is left.

[He goes into the middle of the hall and bends down to look into the Strange Jester's face.]

Art sad Dear brother? Speak to me! Come, come, look not So sorrowful!

[Bending over the corpse of the dead Knight.]

This man is colder still

Than thou! Art thou afraid? He'll not awake.

[Comes close to the Strange Jester.]

I'll wrap thee close within my cloak that thou May'st sleep. Dost thou not wish to sleep! Why then I'll sing a song to make thee sleep. Alas! I know but joyous, silly songs! Come lay Thee down.

[He sits on the bench and draws the head upon his lap.]

Thou look'st not happy, brother. Hast A sorrow? Tell it me; here canst thou rest At ease, and I will sing a song. Thou seemst A child to whom one must sing songs to make It sleep. I'll sing the song that Queen Iseult Is wont to sing at even when she thinks Of Tristram, her dear friend, sitting beside Her open casement. 'Tis a pretty song.

[With bowed head and closed eyes he hums very softly as if in his sleep. The body of the Strange Jester under the black cloak that covers it is shaken by sobs of anguish.]

"Lord Tristram, my friend, is unfaithful, And God's wrath on him shall descend; Though cruelly he has betrayed me—"



ACT V

Same as Act IV.—The first glow of dawn shines through the grated door and windows, becoming brighter until the end of the Act. The Strange Jester sits cowering on the steps of the dais. BRANGAENE comes hesitatingly down the steps; she carries an oil-lamp in her hand.



SCENE I

BRANGAENE (her voice is muffled by fear). Art thou still here, thou ghastly being? Ghost Of awful midnight hours?

STR. JESTER. Brangaene I Am here, and here I shall remain.

BRANGAENE (looking for something on the ground). Methought King Mark had paid thy jests with whips and had Then driven thee away; and yet thou sitst Here in the self-same place and starest still With blear'd and fish-like eyes. Dost thou not know That day is come? Fool, if thou hast a heart Through which the warm blood flows, I pray thee go! Go ere the Queen come down and see thee here! Begone!

STR. JESTER. What seekest thou?

BRANGAENE. I seek the ring; The ring that Queen Iseult let fall last night.

STR. JESTER. The ring is mine; I picked it up!

BRANGAENE (angrily). Iseult Desires the ring! Str. Jester. I will not give it up!

BRANGAENE. The Queen will have thee hung unless thou give The ring to her. She wants the ring!

STR. JESTER. Iseult Received the ring; she cast my gift away, As she threw me away. I'll keep it now. But if she wishes it so earnestly Let her then come and beg the ring of me.

BRANGAENE. Audacious knave! How vauntest thou thyself! Give me the ring, and then begone, thou fool, Ere Mark awake!

STR. JESTER. To Queen Iseult herself I'll give the ring, and to none else. She shall Not let me die in misery as she Desires God may help her in her grief!

BRANGAENE (going up the stairs). Thou fool, may God's damnation strike thee dead, Thou and Lord Tristram for the night that's passed! I'll bring thy words into the Queen that she May have thee slain in secret by Gwain!



SCENE II

BRANGAENE disappears above; the Strange Jester cowers motionless, his head buried in his hands. After a moment ISEULT, in a white night robe, comes down the stairs with BRANGAENE. She steps close in front of the Jester, who does not move. BRANGAENE remains on the lowest step, leaning against the post of the bannister.

ISEULT. Thou gruesome fool, art thou some bird of prey. Some wolf that comes to feed upon my soul? Wilt thou not go? Why liest thou in wait For me here in the dawning light like some Wild beast that waits its quarry?

STR. JESTER (looking up heavily). Queen Iseult! Oh dearest, fairest, sweetest one!

ISEULT. How dar'st Thou call me by such names! My boiling blood Turns cold and shudders! Go!

STR. JESTER (groaning softly). Where, lady, can I find a sea whose endless depths are deep Enough to drown my bitter misery? Where? Tell me where, and I will go.

ISEULT. Go where Thou wilt, so it be far away—so far That the whole world shall sever thee and me, And shall divide me from thy woe! My soul Bleeds like an unheal'd wound when thou art near. As though thou wert its murderer, and lo, 'Twill bleed to death from thy propinquity, Thou fool! Hence, go, but give me first the ring Thou stol'st last night and which in wanton jest Thou torest from the hand of yon dead Knight. It is Lord Tristram's ring.

STR. JESTER. Ay, Queen Iseult, The ring is his—above all other things He values it!

ISEULT. Give me the ring, else shalt Thou die! I'll have thee slain, I swear, as sure As I have suffered all this night such pangs As suffered Mary at the cross of Christ.

STR. JESTER (standing up). The ring is mine! I gave it yonder man To cherish like his life.—He's died for thee And me;—I gave him too my soul to guard That by this ring he might compel and bring Thee to me in the wood tonight. Oh, 'twas An evil hour for us both, Iseult, That Lord Denovalin rode through the wood Today. Now, answer me, Iseult, wilt thou Still keep the oath thou sware to Tristram once?

ISEULT (fixedly). I'll break no oath that I have sworn, for God Has sanctioned all my vows.

STR. JESTER. Then call I thee, Iseult the Goldenhaired, in Tristram's name, And by this ring. [He hands her the ring.]

ISEULT. Knowst thou that oath as well. Thou ghost!

(Solemnly.)

Oh God, here in this hand, grown pale And hot from resting on my heart all night, I hold the ring of gold and emerald stone By which I sware to Tristram to obey His will, and come to him when one should call Upon me by this ring and in his name! Lo, thou hast called upon me; I obey! What wishest thou of me, thou evil ghost With hollow sunken eyes? What wouldst thou have. Thou spectre of the twilight gloom?

STR. JESTER. I call On thee, Iseult, my love, in my distress! Oh know me now, who was thy lover once!

ISEULT. Thou suck'st my blood!

STR. JESTER. Thy blood was mine! Thy blood Was once mine own! It was a crimson trust reposing in my knightly hands to keep Irrevocably until Death. And where Thou goest there go I; and where thou stayst There stay I too. So spoke thy blood—I come To claim but what is mine.

ISEULT (in great passion). What have I done To thee that thou recountest my past life As 'twere a mocking song? Who art thou, fool? Who art thou? Speak? I'm knocking at thy soul As knocks a dead man's soul outside the gates Of Paradise! Who art thou, fool? Art thou Magician? Art thou ghost? Art thou some soul Forever wandering for some evil deed? Art thou some faithless lover barred from Heav'n And Hell eternally, whose punishment It is to wander restless through the world Forever begging love from women's hearts? Did God permit that thou shouldst know what none, Save only Tristram and myself have known? That thou shouldst taste of bitter torment still By thinking thou art Tristram and shouldst thus Make greater expiation for thy sins?

STR. JESTER. I am a faithless lover who has loved Most faithfully, Iseult, beloved one!

ISEULT. Why criest thou my name unceasingly, As scream enhungered owls, thou pallid fool? Why starest thou at me with eyes that tears And pain have rendered pitiless? I know Naught of thy grief and am no leech to cure Thy fool's disease!

STR. JESTER. Iseult!

ISEULT (in growing agitation). Shall I shave off My hair as thou hast done? Shall I too wear A jester's parti-colored garb? Shall I Go through the land, and howling in the streets Bawl out Lord Tristram's name to make the throng Of greasy knaves laugh? Speak? Is this the cure Thou needest for thy grief? Does Tristram mock Me through thy ribald wit? Does he revenge Himself upon me thus because I loved Him long before he saw Iseult, the Fair Whitehanded Queen, and gave my soul and blood To him? In scornful and in bitter words Has he revealed our secret love to thee? Has he betrayed me to his wife? Art thou In league with her? Has her black spirit sent Thee here to torture me by raising up The phantom images of that past life Which once I knew, but which is dead? Confess! And! I will load thee down with precious gifts, And daily pray for thee! I'll line thy way With servants and I'll honor thee as though Thou wert of royal blood where e'er thou art!

[She falls on her knees.]

Release my soul, thou fool, before I turn A fool from very horror and from dread!

STR. JESTER (raising her). Kneel not to me, Beloved One! Arise!

ISEULT (remains a moment in his arms and then draws away shuddering). When Tristram called, the Heavens echoed back A golden peal, as echoes through the land The music of a golden bell; the world rejoiced And from its depths sprang up sweet sounds of joy. And with them danced my heart exultingly! When Tristram stood beside me, all the air Was wont to quiver with a secret bliss That made the beasts move 'round uneasily. The birds sang in the dead of night and so Betrayed us! Say, who broke the bond that knit Our kindred souls in one?

STR. JESTER. Lord Tristram broke The bond and, faithless, took another wife! Oh see, Iseult, how great the wrong he did Us both!

ISEULT (looking at him fixedly). I hear a raven's croak; I feel The icy breath of some strange body when Thou standest burning by my side, thou fool! Thou pallid ghost!

STR. JESTER. Yet hast thou oft embraced These limbs upon the journey o'er the wide And purple sea along the starry way Of our great happiness—just thou and I, Alone in blissful loneliness! And thou Hast often listened to this voice when it. In the deep forest, called the nightingales, Alluring them to sing above thy head, And like them whispered in thine ears Soft words that made a wave of passion flow, Sweet and voluptuous, through thy burning veins! Iseult, shall I repeat those words? Wilt thou Again go wandering through the world With singing blood that makes our hearts beat high In perfect unison of love, with souls that dream In silent happiness?

ISEULT. Lord Tristram's steps Beside me made my blood soar heavenward And bore me up until the earth bowed down, And bent beneath our feet like surging waves, And carried us like lofty ships that sail To victory!

STR. JESTER. y, Ay, Iseult, 'Twas so we walked! Iseult, art thou still mindful of the day When, hawk on fist, we galloped o'er the downs, For Mark was with Lord Dinas on that day? Dost thou remember how I lifted thee From thy good steed and placed thee on mine own, And held thee close embraced, while thou didst cling To me like some fond child.

ISEULT. And Tristram, bold In the intoxication of his love, Let go the reins, and gave his horse the spurs, Till, like an arrow in full flight, it clove The golden air and bore us heavenward! How often have I dreamed of that wild ride. And now with Isot of the Fair White Hands He rides, as formerly with me—!

STR. JESTER. And shall I sing to thee, Iseult the Goldenhaired, The lay of that White-handed wife who sits And grieves by day and night? It is the sad And sombre song of my great guilt. Her eyes Are red from weeping—!

ISEULT. Ay, and mine are red From weeping too! Fool, Fool, why mock'st thou me? But since thou knowst so much of Tristram, tell Me this; why did Lord Tristram marry her—, This Isot of the Fair White Hands?

STR. JESTER (slowly and painfully). There plays About her mouth a silver smile; this smile Enchanted him one lonely night. But, when, At cold gray dawn, he heard her called Iseult He nigh went mad with sorrow and with joy From thinking of the real Iseult—of her, The Goldenhaired—the beautiful, about Whose mouth there plays a golden smile. Then, sick At heart, and weary of this life, he wished To die, until his sorrow drove him here, To Cornwall, once again to see his love Before he died and, face to face stand once Again with her!—The rest thou knowest well.

ISEULT (angrily). Ay, fool, I know the rest, and I know too That for these black and loathsome lies of thine There's one reward!—And that is death! I'll put An end to my great suffering! If thou Art Tristram thou shalt live, and, in mine arms, That yearn for Tristram, thou shalt find a hot And passionate forgetfulness of cool And silver smiles thou fledest from! If thou Hast lied no longer shalt thou dream at night Of golden and of silver smiles!

(To BRANGAENE.)

Go fetch The key, Brangaene, of the upper cell!

BRANGAENE (horrified). Iseult, what wouldst thou do?

ISEULT. Obey me, girl! Now listen, spectre, to my words. There lives Within these walls a hound who has become A wild and raging beast from his great love For Tristram, once his master. Fool, this dog Is full as savage as a fierce white wolf That lusts for human flesh; his food is thrust Into his cage on sticks. Since Tristram left, The beast has slain three keepers. Fool, what think'st Thou of this hound? Would he attack and tear Lord Tristram like a wolf should Tristram chance To step within his cage?

STR. JESTER (rising, tall, determined, and noble). Oh Queen Iseult—! Oh Queen Iseult—! Old Husdent ever was My faithful hound—. Let me go to him now.

ISEULT (starting back). Thou knowst his name—!

STR. JESTER. Brangaene, lead the fool. Obey thy mistress's command. Thou needst Not lead me to the cage! I know the way. Give me the key!

[He snatches the hey from BRANGAENE'S hand and disappears with long strides behind the stairs. He is erect and proud. The two women stand looking at each other amazed and motionless.]



SCENE III

BRANGAENE. Poor fool, I pity him!

ISEULT (breaking out passionately). He must not go! My God, he must not! Call Him back, Brangaene, call him back!

THE VOICE OF THE JESTER (joyfully). Husdent!

BRANGAENE. Oh, hark!

ISEULT (in increasing fear). His cry! His dying cry, perhaps! Brangaene, dearest sister, what thinkst thou Of this Strange Jester Tramtris?

[The women stare at each other without speaking.]

Wilt thou go And look between the bars?

[BRANGAENE goes after the Strange Jester.]

Oh Thou who hast Created this great world, why didst Thou then Create me, too?

BRANGAENE (reentering in great excitement). Iseult! Oh God, Iseult! Old Husdent's cage is empty, and the fool With Husdent leapt the wall and they are gone!

[She hastens to the window.]

ISEULT. Has he then slain the dog and fled away?

BRANGAENE. Behold! There goes the fool, and Husdent jumps And dances round him as he walks and, mad With joy, leaps howling up and licks his face And hands!

ISEULT (jumps on to the bench before the window and waves her hand joyously). Oh Tristram, Tristram, thou dear fool! My dear beloved friend!—He does not turn! —Oh call! Oh call him back!—Run! Run! Make haste To follow him and bring him back! He does Not hear my voice!

BRANGAENE (shaking the bars of the gate). The gate! my God, the gate! The guards are still asleep!

ISEULT. Oh God! I die! Oh Tristram! Tristram! Tristram! See, he turns Not back! God is unkind. He loves me not. I'll bathe thy feet with tears and dry them then With burning kisses! Tristram! Tramtris, come! Beloved fool, turn back! He goes! He's gone! See how the sun shines on his jester's garb, And makes his red cloak gleam! How grand, how tall He is! See! Tristram goes back to the world Forever now!

[She raises herself to her full height— fixedly.]

My friend, Brangaene, my Beloved friend was here!

[She sinks back into BRANGAENE'S arms.]

THE END