Tristan And Isolda - Act I Scene 1

A pavilion erected on the deck of a ship, richly hung with tapestry, quite closed in at back at first. A narrow hatchway at one side leads below into the cabin.

Scene I
ISOLDA on a couch, her face buried in the cushions.— BRANGÆNA holding open a curtain, looks over the side of the vessel.

THE VOICE OF A YOUNG SAILOR from above as if at the mast-head.
West-ward surges slip,
Eastward speeds the ship.
The wind so wild blows homeward now;
My Irish child, where waitest thou?
Say, must our sails be weighted,
Fill’d by thy sighs unbated?
Waft us, wind strong and wild!
Woe, ah, woe for my child!
O Irish maid!
My winsome, marvelous maid!

ISOLDA starting up suddenly.
What wight dares insult me?
She looks round in agitation.
Brangæna, ho!
Say, where sail we?

BRANGÆNA at the opening.
Bluish stripes are stretching along the west;
swiftly sails the ship to shore;
if restful the sea by eve,
we shall readily set foot on land.

ISOLDA
What land?

BRANGÆNA
Cornwall's verdant strand.

ISOLDA
Never more!
To-day nor to-morrow!

BRANGÆNA
What mean you, mistress? say!
She lets the curtain fall and hastens to ISOLDA.

ISOLDA with wild gaze
O fainthearted child,
false to thy fathers!
Ah, where, mother,
hast given thy might
that commands the wave and the tempest?
O subtle art
of sorcery,
for mere leech-craft followed too long!
Awake in me once more,
power of will!
Arise from thy hiding
within my breast!
Hark to my bidding,
fluttering breezes!
Arise and storm
in boisterous strife!
With furious rage
and hurricane's hurdle
waken the sea
from slumbering calm;
rouse up the deep
to its devilish deeds!
Shew it the prey
which gladly I proffer!
Let it shatter this too daring ship
and enshrine in ocean each shred!
And woe to the lives!
Their wavering death-sighs
I leave to ye, winds, as your lot.

BRANGÆNA in extreme alarm and concern for ISOLDA
Out, alas!
Ah, woe!
I've ever dreaded some ill!—
Isolda! mistress!
Heart of mine!
What secret dost thou hide?
Without a tear
thou'st quitted thy father and mother,
and scarce a word
of farewell to friends thou gavest;
leaving home thou stood'st,
how cold and still!
pale and speechless
on the way,
food rejecting,
rest of sleep,
stern and wretched,
wild, disturbed;
how it pains me
so to see thee!
Friends no more we seem,
being thus estranged.
Make me partner
in thy pain!
Tell me freely
all thy fears!
Lady, thou hearest,
sweetest and dearest;
if for true friend you take me,
your confidant O make me!

ISOLDA
Air! air!
or my heart will choke!
Open! open there wide!

BRANGÆNA hastily draws the centre curtains apart.