The motive of the drink of death is here heard in trombones and tuba. It recurs constantly in the following portion.
She then signs to Brangäne to bring the drink. The noise of the sailors furling the sails outside becomes louder.
Tr. (starting from a reverie). Where are we?
Is. CLOSE TO THE PORT! (death-motive). Tristan,
shall I have atonement? What hast thou to answer?
Tr. (darkly). The mistress of silence commands me
silence. I grasp what she conceals, and am silent
upon what she cannot grasp.
Another dark saying, of which, however, we fortunately have the explanation from Wagner himself. "What she conceals" is her love for Tristan; "what she cannot grasp" is that his honour forbids him from declaring his love for her.[[39]]
[39.] Glasenapp's Biography, v. 241 (footnote).
Even now, on the brink of dissolution, while actually holding the cup which is to launch them both into eternity, Isolde cannot bridle her sarcasm:
Is. We have reached the goal; soon we shall
stand ... (with light scorn) before King Marke! (death-motive).
With dreadful irony she repeats the words with which she supposes Tristan will introduce her: