Mark (cries angrily).
I'll crucify the man who asks!
[All heads turn then in his direction and a
terrified expression comes over all
countenances. Mark speaks harshly and calmly.]
Dinas
Of Lidan? Is he here?
1st GUARD.
Lord Dinas left
The castle gate today at dawn, my Lord.
Dinas.
Did Lord Denovalin receive his wound
In front, or from behind?
1st GUARD.
Here, at the throat.
The wound is small and deep, as though a shaft
Of lightning struck him there between the helm
And gorget—sharp and swift.
Voices.
Oh listen! See,
'Twas God that struck Denovalin, since he
Had falsely testified against the Queen!
Dinas.
Then let the executioner strip off
His arms, and hang them in my armory,
So that the sun shall shine thereon. The corpse
Shall he bind to a horse's tail, and drag
It o'er the common land and let it rot!
Where lies the Queen!
Shepherd.
Stand back there, for King Mark
Would see the Queen in her pale beauty! Back!
[The crowd stands back and a space is
cleared around Iseult. Mark looks down
upon her from above and speaks coldly
and slowly, controlling himself.]