TRISTAN (starting). What is't?—Isolda?—
(He quickly regains his composure as BRANGÆNA approaches and curtsies to him.)
What would my lady?
I her liegeman,
fain will listen
while her loyal
woman tells her will.
BRANGÆNA. My lord, Sir Tristan,
Dame Isolda
would have speech
with you at once.
TRISTAN. Is she with travel worn?
The end is near:
nay, ere the set of sun
sight we the land.
All that your mistress commands me,
trust me, I shall mind.
BRANGÆNA. That you, Sir Tristan,
go to her,--
this is my lady's wish.
TRISTAN. Where yonder verdant meadows
in distance dim are mounting,
waits my sov'reign
for his mate:
to lead her to his presence
I'll wait upon the princess:
'tis an honor
all my own.
BRANGÆNA. My lord, Sir Tristan,
list to me:
this one thing
my lady wills,
that thou at once attend her,
there where she waits for thee.
TRISTAN. In any station
where I stand
I truly serve but her,
the pearl of womanhood.
If I unheeding
left the helm,
how might I pilot her ship
in surety to King Mark?
BRANGÆNA. Tristan, my master,
why mock me thus?
Seemeth my saying
obscure to you?
list to my lady's words:
thus, look you, she hath spoken:
"Go order him,
and understand it,
I—Isolda—
do command it."