Tristan and Isolda Act 1 Scene 7

Scene VII

The curtains are now drawn wide apart; the whole ship is covered with knights and sailors, who, with shouts of joy, make signs over towards the shore which is now seen to be quite near, with castle-crowned cliffs. Tristan and Isolda remain absorbed in mutual contemplation, perceiving nothing that is passing.

BRANGÆNA to the women, who at her bidding ascend from below
Quick—the mantle!
the royal robe!—
Rushing between TRISTAN and ISOLDA.
Up, hapless ones!
See where we are!
She places the royal mantle on ISOLDA, who notices nothing.

ALL THE MEN
Hail! Hail!
Hail our monarch!
Hail to Mark the king!

KURVENAL advancing gaily
Hail, Tristan,
knight of good hap!
Behold King Mark approaching,
in a bark
with brave attendance.
Gladly he stems the tide,
coming to seek his bride.

TRISTAN looking up in bewilderment
Who comes?

KURVENAL
The king 'tis.

TRISTAN
What king mean you?

KURVENAL points over the side. TRISTAN gazes stupefied at the shore.

ALL THE MEN waving their hats
Hail to King Mark!
All hail!

ISOLDA bewildered
What is't, Brangæna?
What are those cries?

BRANGÆNA
Isolda—mistress!
Compose thyself!

ISOLDA
Where am I! living?
What was that draught?

BRANGÆNA despairingly
The love-potion!

ISOLDA staring with horror at TRISTAN
Tristan!

TRISTAN
Isolda!

ISOLDA
Must I live, then?
Falls fainting upon his breast.

BRANGÆNA to the women
Look to your lady!

TRISTAN
O rapture fraught with cunning!
O fraud with bliss o'er-running!

ALL THE MEN in a general burst of acclamation
Hail to King Mark!
Cornwall, hail!

People have clambered over the ship's side, others have extended a bridge, and the aspect of all indicates the immediate arrival of the expected ones, as the curtain falls.