MARK (who with his followers has driven KURVENAL and his men back from the gate and forced his way in). O wild mistake! Tristan, where art thou?
KURVENAL (desperately wounded, totters before MARK to the front).
He lieth—there—
here, where I lie too.—
(Sinks down at TRISTAN'S feet.)
MARK. Tristan! Tristan!
Isolda! Woe!
KURVENAL (trying to grasp TRISTAN'S hand).
Tristan! true lord!
Chide me not
that I try to follow thee! (He dies.)
MARK. Dead together!—
All are dead!
My hero Tristan!
truest of friends,
must thou again
be to thy king a traitor?
Now, when he comes
another proof of love to give thee!
Awaken! awaken.
O hear my lamentation,
thou faithless, faithful friend!
(Kneels down sobbing over the bodies.)
BRANGÆNA (who has revived ISOLDA in her arms).
She wakes! she lives!
Isolda, hear!
Hear me, mistress beloved!
Tidings of joy
I have to tell thee:
O list to thy Brangæna!
My thoughtless fault I have atoned;
after thy flight
I forthwith went to the king:
the love potion's secret
he scarce had learned
when with sedulous haste
he put to sea,
that he might find thee,
nobly renounce thee
and give thee up to thy love.
MARK. O why, Isolda,
Why this to me?
When clearly was disclosed
what before I could fathom not,
what joy was mine to find
my friend was free from fault!
In haste to wed
thee to my hero
with flying sails
I followed thy track:
but howe'er can
happiness
o'ertake the swift course of woe?
More food for Death did I make:
more wrong grew in mistake.
BRANGÆNA. Dost thou not hear?
Isolda! Lady!
O try to believe the truth!