The guardsman announces the queen who enters the hall followed by Paranis. She remains in the background. The barons rise as she appears.
Guardsman.
Place! Iseult the queen comes! Place!
Iseult (quietly and gently).
Ye called me, sirs; now speak, for I am here.
Mark (takes an angry step toward her, checks himself, and stares at her a moment. He speaks slowly and without moving).
Lord Dinas, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near!
[Iseult, without waiting for Dinas, steps
to the middle of the hall. Mark does not
move and speaks louder.]
Lord Dinas, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near!
And sit there by the board—there at the head
And facing me.
Iseult.
And may I ask thee now
What this extraordinary custom is,
That twice thou dost repeat it, Mark? In mine
Own land of Ireland I never saw
A man thus treat his wife. So, if it suits
Thy will,—I'll stand!
[Neither Mark nor the barons move.
Anxiously.]
Will no one speak to me?
Dinas.
My Lords, sit down.