Iseult.
A gruesome fool!
Send him away. King Mark; he's mad.
Dinas.
Speak on!
Str. Jester.
My tongue cleaves to my gums; my throat is parch'd!
Give me to drink.
Mark (stands up and takes a goblet from the table).
I had forgot, poor fool!
But thou shalt drink wine from a golden cup.
Thy foolishness has touched my heart. At times.
My Lords, 'twould be an easy thing to turn
To such a fool. Iseult! Come pledge the cup
That he may have somewhat of which to dream
On cold and thirsty nights. Grant him this
boon. [He gives Iseult the cup.]
Iseult.
I pledge—
Str. Jester (jumping down from the bench).
Drink not! Drink not!—She drank!
[He waves aside the cup.]
I will
Not drink.
Gimella.
A brazen knave!
Brangaene.
Fie, fie! For shame!