Str. Leper.
Iseult! 'Tis I who call!
Iseult (hastily, as though to cover herself with the words).
I beg thee, beast, thou evil beast, speak not!
If in thy loathsome carcass there still dwells
Some remnant of a man, I pray thee slay
Me, but speak not!
Str. Leper (uncertainly).
Iseult!
[He falls on his knees opposite the steps,
but at a distance from them; and leans
back until his thighs rest upon his heels.]
Iseult.
Speak not! Be still,
And kill me now! They've left me not so much
As one small pin with which to kill myself!
Behold! I kneel to thee, and like some low
And humble maid, I beg thee, beast, to kill
Me, and I'll bless thee!
Str. Leper.
Oh, Iseult, dost thou
No longer love Lord Tristram who was once
Thy friend?
Iseult (stares at him for a moment).
Thou speak'st, thou speak'st, thou beast, and star'st!
Yet God shall punish thee since, though I beg,
Thou would'st not kill me now!
Str. Leper (crying out despairingly).
Iseult, awake!
Oh Golden One, 'tis Tristram calls!
Iseult.
Thou seekst
With scorn and biting words to martyr me,
And kill me then! Oh say that thou wilt kill
Me afterward—when thou hast railed enough!
—And thou wilt come no nearer than thou art?
Str. Leper.
Iseult, awake! Awake, Iseult, and speak,
And tell me if thou lovest Tristram still!