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Characters
Mark, King of Cornwall
Tristan/Tantris
Isolde
Brangaine, Isolda’s Maid of Honour
Morholt, an Irish knight
Andret, a Cornish prince
Fern, a Cornish fisherman
Gletcher, a Cornish blacksmith
Helga, an Irish fisherman’s daughter
Hilda, an Irish blacksmith’s daughter
Perinis, Morholt’s and later Tristan’s squire
ACT I
Scene I
In the castle hall MARK is alone by the window
MARK. (pouring seeds onto the windowsill) We have always had swallows here. Swallows like living by the people, watching them. It is understandable, it is fascinating. Sometimes I wish it were a bit less fascinating… No, you cannot remember, you were too young. We came to collect the tribute – the tribute that had been agreed upon, and some youngster stepped forward. A recent man-child, thoughtful, quiet, angular, goofy, a sort of a simpleton never to be taken in earnest. “Squire! Tell your liege he is going to see no more of this tribute. And if he persists in seeing us as liable to him, I am ready to confront him in a fight!” He used to be a squire, and now he would go “Squire, tell…!” A hero is an unpredictable and an unruly breed. Guided by anything but logic. A Code of Honour? Where is it? Who has seen it? Bring it to me, and I will have a laugh, and share it with the others to have fun. But there is no such thing. It is customised for every single upstart. The only thing their codes have in common is lack of consistency. And still he had a victory. He challenged a great warrior and he won. Thus came to life Morholt of Ireland. Since then we have been paying Ireland. Hurray! A hero! A liberator! The people are rejoicing! One nation is rejoicing and the other is paying tribute and waiting for a hero to come. And here he comes. But Tristan is no hero. Morholt was, he isn’t. I couldn’t help but dub him a knight. He chose the right time, this fool, this clown. I even forgot he was my nephew. Just like you. And he can be heir to the throne. Instead of you. He is a contender for the throne. The throne is a concern. And heroes do not go together with concerns. Elegant. You had an elegant idea. The king will marry the one whose golden hair was brought by a swallow. High time. It was a good idea to announce it so soon. Not soon enough to do it before the challenge, but still quite soon.
ANDRET. (entering) Why is it in the past?
MARK. The past?
ANDRET. You refer to Morholt in the past as if he were dead.
MARK. God forbid.
ANDRET. Tristan is only nineteen. It was the first time that he shaved himself this morning.
MARK. He broke the balance. The kings have to retaliate. You have never managed to achieve that, Andret, by the way.
ANDRET. I will when I am king.
MARK. When you are...? Why do you think I gave my consent to searching for the queen? The kids are annoying, an heir like that is quite a nuisance, there are a lot of random factors, who knows what might come out of him, but I am sorry to say the situation is changing.
ANDRET. One more heir. Another one instead of me?
MARK. You sound so indifferent as if it isn’t your chance of succeeding the throne that has vanished in the haze.
ANDRET. But if I get you right, there is still a hope that everything remains as it is.
MARK. I do not remember saying anything like that.
ANDRET. The fool has broken the balance, the wise will restore it.
MARK. It doesn't matter how it is accomplished.
ANDRET. Will everything remain as it is if he does not return from the island?
MARK. Who would be stupid enough to go and seek for the one whose hair was brought by a swallow from God knows where?
ANDRET. Only Tristan.
MARK. If he does not come back from the island, everything will be as it used to be.
ANDRET. He won’t come back. Morholt’s sword is poisoned.
MARK. I won’t hear of that! How was it poisoned?
ANDRET. Well enough, he stands no chance.
MARK. It’s not for my ears!... Who was it poisoned by?
ANDRET. Nobody.
MARK. Just got poisoned?
ANDRET. All by itself. Such things happen exclusively by themselves. Or would my noble King Mark like to hear that his noble knight called Andret fuddled Morholt’s squire called Perinis, saw him off to the port, boarded the Irish flagship and meanly poisoned Morholt’s sword?
Mark. Meanly and fraudulently.
ANDRET. Dishonestly, meanly and fraudulently.
MARK. No, I would not like to know that. I won’t hear of that. Why “fuddled”? Hospitably treated him to a meal. There is a pretty creaky ramp on the Irish flagship…
ANDRET. It had been replaced, my uncle.
MARK. Who was it replaced by?
ANDRET. Nobody.
MARK. So it was replaced, wasn’t it?
ANDRET. The ramp got replaced just by itself. Not a single eye-witness.
MARK. Is the legend ready?
ANDRET. (getting a folder) What’s the use of hurrying? Writing, writing, rewriting later…
MARK. There should be a script. (Reading). Somebody else might write it down in no time. Why from the left one? Here it says, “…noble king Mark blessed his nephew, sir Tristan, to fight for freedom…a tear from the left eye…”
ANDRET. People like details.
MARK. Myths don’t go together with details. Oh! And you say he wins!
ANDRET. Where does it say so? And he used to be a trusted chronicler… There will be corrections…
MARK. You see what people say when they speak their minds! And still you wonder why we should write it down. Wait a minute, let me finish reading. “... The long-suffering people got exempt from unbearable tribute because of King Mark’s wise policy…” Little do they know how difficult it was to negotiate even this amount - unbearable! Not bad at all. But you had better put it like, sort of, “faces brighten” , “with tears of joy…”
ANDRET. Never mind, we shall have to rewrite it anyway.
MARK. No hurry. Take your time, I tell you.
ANDRET. So I will.
MARK. I will, my …
ANDRET. I will, my King.(Looking out of the window) I wish we had a contest, not a duel. That way we could have made some money selling entrance tickets. And as I said, we are rewriting. Here comes the sail, and it is black.
MARK. We’ll wait and see. Who knows what comes under that black sail.
Scene II
An island. MORHOLT is pushing TRISTAN's boat away.
TRISTAN (Catching the rope) Hey, what are you doing?
MORHOLT. One boat will be enough for the winner to come back, won’t it?
TRISTAN. Then how are you going to come back? Oh, I see… Anyway… Well, I got it. Yes, I got it. (Pushing the boat). No, wait a minute. (Catching the rope). Why should I? I didn’t expect to. So, one boat is enough for the winner to come back. (Pushing the boat, catching the rope shortly after that). Is it a sort of an omen?
MORHOLT. What kind of omen?
TRISTAN. Well, you set the boat adrift, then catch it, then push again and have to catch it once more.
MORHOLT. No.
TRISTAN. No? So be it, I will set it adrift, long story short.
MORHOLT. As you wish.
TRISTAN. So, there is no omen, eh?
MORHOLT. Not that I know of.
TRISTAN. Enough of that! As if your king would get the tribute!
MORHOLT. Follow me to Ireland.
TRISTAN. …And you are bold enough to say that we are still his tributaries, then… Why?
MORHOLT. Follow me to Ireland, Tristan.
TRISTAN. What for?
MORHOLT. To live.
TRISTAN. I am nineteen. This morning I had my first shave and I asked my uncle King to dub me knight, so that I could find my way here. I used to be ignored but I was watched and admired when people waved me goodbye. Whatever comes out of it, I would hate people to look aside when they remember my name.
MORHOLT. It is not my first time here. And I believe I understand King Mark. He feels his people are fed up with inaction and are waiting for someone like you. That’s why you are here. But from this point on their expectations bifurcate. people wish you to return victorious but Mark wants you dead.
TRISTAN. You must be lying! Mark is the noblest person I have met!
MORHOLT. And who have you met so far? Why would they make up a story like that. the King will marry the one whose golden hair was brought by a swallow? You should have seen Mark’s face the moment he realised you were his nephew as well as his beloved heir Andret. They are both afraid their people will find you worthier. I used to be ignored too, but I guess I was quicker to learn.
TRISTAN. I have admired you since I was a child. You used to be my idol. Your past contradicts your present. You became a hero after your first duel and you have been in your king’s service for many years since then.
MORHOLT. I came back as a hero. They loved me so much, they even named girls after me. But kings can’t stand it when someone gets more affection than they do. The only exception can be made for women or jesters. But I was no rival of his.
TRISTAN. Who do you serve then?
MORHOLT. I have a niece back at home in Ireland. She looks a lot like you. You will make a good husband. Follow me to Ireland.
TRISTAN. And what if I am actually after Mark’s throne?
MORHOLT. Mark is not the only one I collect tribute from. And each king is the overlord of his barons. And every other baron would like to gain some fame and glory. But none of them was brave enough to take up my glove. They chose life over glory regardless of the effects. And, as I said, you remind me of my niece a lot.
TRISTAN. Is it that I’m as daring and good-looking as her?
MORHOLT. As naive and goofy, more like.
TRISTAN. What colour is her hair?
MORHOLT. Golden. Why?
TRISTAN (Pushing his boat away)
MORHOLT. The one whose golden hair was brought by a swallow…
TRISTAN. For the winner to come back, won’t just one boat suffice?
MORHOLT. No, not Mark.
TRISTAN. Why not? Your niece will be a queen.
MORHOLT. Pray, valiant knight, let’s forget you ever said that and I ever heard that!
TRISTAN. I am not after the throne. I will bring Mark his bride and clear my name of absurd insinuations interfering with my service.
MORHOLT. So you would like to serve Mark?
TRISTAN. Mark or people. What difference does it make?
MORHOLT. Great difference. Mark wants one thing but people need another.
TRISTAN. Well, shall I choose people then?
MORHOLT. How are you going to serve them?
TRISTAN. By relieving them from tribute, first of all.
MORHOLT. In the name of my King, Cornwall is now exempt from tribute. Follow me to Ireland!
TRISTAN. I would like to bring peace to these kingdoms.
MORHOLT. On Morholt’s word of honour, these kingdoms will see peace. Follow me to Ireland!
TRISTAN. What’s going on? Are you ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of a girl?
MORHOLT. She is everything I’ve got.
TRISTAN. And so you are offering everything you’ve got to a total stranger.
MORHOLT. You are a fool but you are an honest kind of fool. Just for a moment you reminded me of… another fool.
TRISTAN. The one ignored for such a long time? You are making a mistake.
MORHOLT. Never will Isolde become Mark’s wife.
TRISTAN. So she is called Isolde. I have noted that.
MORHOLT. Forget it. You were right, I was mistaken. It just appeared like that. How dare you call her by her name? You are not worth her single hair.
TRISTAN. …the one brought by a swallow. Isolde will be King Mark’s wife.
MORHOLT. You call her by her name again, you die.
TRISTAN. Call who? Isolde?
MORHOLT. Second time!
TRISTAN. Isolde! Isolde! Isolde!
MORHOLT. Stand ready, Sir, to fight.
Scene III
FERN and GLETCHER out at sea, towing a boat
FERN. We are sure to be hanged.
GLETCHER. Stop shivering or we’ll be drowned before that.
FERN (singing) So I walk around naked, have a look at my good looks! Don’t you know I’m highly rated for my looks among the crooks. Why did you tell them I was a blacksmith too?
GLETCHER. So that you wouldn’t have to go to war.
FERN. If I were a fisherman, I wouldn’t have been ordered to tow Tristan to Ireland.
GLETCHER. You called him by his name!
FERN. So what?
GLETCHER. We have agreed… Cock-a-doodle-doo.
FERN (imitates the flapping wings and makes a chicken sound)
FERN. Gletcher, oh good Gletcher, I beg you, let’s sail home. There is not much of a distance left, and we would say we delivered him safely.
GLETCHER. We would.
FERN. So that is settled.
GLETCHER. And what about the sword?
FERN. We’ll put it into his boat.
GLETCHER. Into his boat? We had better sail on, my good Fern.
FERN (singing) Round the house I’m walking naked, but when outdoors I’m dressed. Don’t you know I’m highly rated, anywhere I am the best!.. What do you expect of me? He is not going to make it anyway. Look, he is turning black, he is rotting alive.
GLETCHER. I wonder why?
FERN. Why what?
GLETCHER. Turning black, rotting alive, why? A victorious hero, his country’s liberator? Returned from the island carrying the body of the defeated opponent: behold the tribute you get from Cornwall! He reached the palace, and our King even shed a tear. Then he got treatment from the most skillful doctors supervised by the Prince himself. And still he is going from bad to worse.
FERN. It is common knowledge that Maur.. the opponent’s sword was poisoned.
GLETCHER. Who knows? There was a solemn and decorous announcement made by the Prince. He blamed the Irish for foul play. Who would stand such charges? They surely swore to take revenge.
FERN. How can it be helped?
GLETCHER. I don’t know, I don’t know, but maybe …You know what? I will move to that other boat and sail on. And you will sail back home.
FERN. Start playing! You promised you would play, so that the Irish fishermen believe Tristan to be a minstrel!
GLETCHER. You called him by his name.
FERN goes cock-a-doodle-do, and is hailed in return by someone in the fog. Another boat appears.
FERN. Sword!
GLETCHER. Damn that Andret! I wish he had made someone else take this voyage, I wish he had sent someone alone!
FERN. Damn that Tristan! Why did he have to step forward? That hero got framed and made the others follow suit. Pass me the sword!
GLETCHER. Do you realise that if Andret finds out there was no sword in the boat - and he is sure to find out…
FERN. Enough! No time for that! “I will move to the other boat and sail alone”. What did you mean to do to him?
GLETCHER. Not sure.
FERN. But I am! Pass it over!
GLETCHER. Together!
FERN throws the sword over the board.
GLETCHER. We threw it out together.
FERN. Anyway we are done for.
HELGA and HILDA approach them in a boat.
HELGA. Ahoy! Is there a fisherman on board?
GLETCHER. The fog does not look like the best time for fishing, dear ladies.
HELGA. I was asking for help and not a piece of advice, smarty pants.
HILDA. Wait a minute, Helga. They don’t seem to be Irish.
HELGA. It all looks and seems for somebody. I don’t care where they are from even if they have risen from the dead. A damned fool I was to go fishing with a blacksmith’s daughter. We are here not in spite of but because of the fog. I guessed nobody would be fool enough to go out into the sea and we’ll have a catch. But there would. Jump into the boat!
FERN. And what is there in it for me?
GLETCHER. Fern means we might ask for help in return.
HILDA. Oh, right you are. You may have my share of the catch, master Fern. I am of no use anyway.
FERN. A half?
HELGA. Look at that cockerel!
HILDA. The boat does not belong to us, so my share is just a third.
HELGA. Somebody had better hold her tongue!
GLETCHER. We’ll help you and then we could do with some assistance too.
Hilda and Fern change places in the boats. FERN and HELGA start hauling out the net.
FERN. We are practically there. No hurry.
HELGA. Good job, eh?
HILDA. And I thought it was easy. The boat would have capsized were it not for Helga. She has been out at sea since her early years. A fisherman’s daughter, a fisherman’s sister. And the boat is not ours in fact. We are the servants of Princess Isolde and we borrow the boat from her.
FERN. Isolde?
GLETCHER. The Princess!
HELGA. Hilda!
A pause.
HELGA. How come you know Isolde?
GLETCHER. You see, dear Helga, she might be another Isolde, she most surely is. The one we heard of was a common girl but was related to a famous knight. She was his niece.
HELGA. That’s right. The Princess she is, a common daughter of the King of Ireland, knight Morholt’s niece because he is the fair Queen’s brother.
HILDA. And why can't the good people know the Irish Princess Isolde?
GLETCHER. Why indeed?
FERN. Why can’t good people, Cornish fisherman and blacksmith, know the Princess of Ireland, you mean to say, my friend Gletcher?
HELGA (addressing FERN). You might show more courage.
FERN. (pulling the boat in tow, the one where TRISTAN is lying). We do not know Isolde. We have just heard she is a princess. We believed her to be a witch, a healer, sort of. It was he who spoke of her. He said she was the only one who could cure him. It was before he fainted.
HELGA and HILDA look into the boat where TRISTAN is lying.
HILDA. Oh, poor thing… is he, like, alive?
HELGA. Well, aren’t you risen from the dead? Who is it?
FERN. A minstrel. His name is Tantris.
HELGA. A minstrel?
GLETCHER. A minstrel.
HELGA. And what does he play?
GLETCHER. (putting a lyre into TRISTAN’s boat). This.
HELGA. A common minstrel from Cornwall?
GLETCHER. From Northumberland.
HELGA. From Northumberland? That makes a difference. A common minstrel from Northumberland asked a common fisherman and a common blacksmith to take him to Ireland and find Isolde, Morholt’s niece (the very Morholt who was killed as it happens in Cornwall a week ago) so that she could cure him because she was a famous witch.
GLETCHER. A healer.
HELGA. A healer.
HILDA. This minstrel might be their friend.
HELGA. Just have a look at him, my dimwit Hilda. What instrument should he have been playing to get the wounds, which no bandages can cover? Now look, we haul the net, you get your share of fish and off you go.
HILDA. But the man is dying!
HELGA. Then they should tell the truth. Or even better let that minstrel play his music. No time to linger on. It’s almost dawn. We should be coming back.
(They start working. There is a distant sound of a dragon’s roar)
HILDA. At dawn the dragon appears… Since Morholt’s death it has been eating a girl a day and killing every knight bold enough to confront it. The King promised Isolde’s hand to anyone who could defeat the beast. I wish this minstrel of yours were a gallant knight to kill it, or else the Princess would be the prize for a coward called Agingerran just because he is the only knight left in Ireland.
HELGA. Wagging tongue and no brains.
(They pull TRISTAN’s sword out of the net. HELGA draws the sword and looks at it.)
HELGA. Every Irish knows the blade chipped like a swallow’s tail.
HILDA. Sir Tristan!
FERN. Cock-a-doodle-doo!
GLETCHER. Tristan did not want his name to be concealed from Isolde. He asked the King to let him drift at sea to find his fortune. But the Prince ordered him to be taken to Ireland. When Tristan realised that, he said only Isolde could save his life. Morholt had told him about her, he…
FERN. He had a fair victory!
HELGA. You were ordered to take him to Ireland where he was sentenced to death, and you jumped into the boat and sailed off. And to make sure he was recognised, they asked you to put his sword into the boat. And you did. And you sailed off!
FERN. We have thrown the sword overboard.
HELGA. No, you haven’t. Here it is.
GLETCHER. Poison or no poison but at home Tristan was close to death. There is no way back. We thought we could be lucky and we would… That’s why we are here.
FERN. (singing) So I walk around naked, have a look at my good looks! Don’t you know I’m highly rated for my looks among the crooks!.. Why did I agree to it? The worst I could face was conscription. Hand over the sword, my good girl. We are sailing back, Gletcher.
GLETCHER. No, we are sailing on!
FERN. Where to?
(There is a sound of music from TRISTAN’s boat)
HILDA. (taking the sword) Oh Princess Isolde, I sailed at sea. Alone. I heard some music. I found a boat with no sails or oars but a minstrel inside. Will you please treat his wounds? There was no sword. He is no Tristan. (Swings her hand to throw the sword away)
HELGA. (Intercepting the sword) Hilda, no one is going to believe you. You can not sail a boat… And besides that… Princess Isolde, she forgot it. We sailed off together. Together it was that we heard the music and found the minstrel. There was a sword. But it wasn’t handed over to the Princess. Not at once. Only later. When the minstrel was cured, the sword was returned to him.
FERN. We’ll follow you and tell Isolde the story.
HELGA. Sail home. There will be enough trouble when your noble King finds out what you have done.
A distant DRAGON’s roar.
GLETCHER. The Irish swore to avenge Morholt’s death. What will come upon you when they find out the truth? Fern is right, we have to follow you.
HILDA. Go home. You will do no good. We’ll think of something.
FERN. Damn all those rulers.
HELGA. You should think for yourselves.
HILDA and FERN return to their boats, they tie TRISTAN’s boat to that of the girls. HILDA gives her share of fish to GLETCHER.
HELGA. Hey, what’s that you’re doing?
HILDA. Master Fern hasn’t taken the fish, so there is still my share left.
HELGA. Then take it. (Gives fish to FERN)
FERN. You shouldn’t.
HELGA. Take it, take it. Maybe we were meant to meet. And let them sort out their own mess. Farewell.
The girls disappear in the fog. FERN keeps looking their way. Then he imitates the flapping wings and makes a chicken sound)
Scene IV
ISOLDE, BRANGAINE, unconscious TRISTAN
ISOLDE. Agingerran the Red!
BRANGAINE. Why?
ISOLDE. Agingerran the Red is the most gallant knight in the world.
BRANGAINE. He brought the King the head of the dragon he had not killed and claimed the Princess. It was really brave of him.
ISOLDE. Agingerran is the most valliant one keeping in mind he is an unprecedented coward.
BRANGAINE. Why?
ISOLDE. He was scared to death, and still day after day every early morning he would wake up, fasten his belt, put on his helmet…
BRANGAINE. …he would say his prayers, knock on wood, look for a clover with four leaves…
ISOLDE. …mount a horse, set off to fight. The braver the man, the less fear he has to overcome. Agingerran had to overcome deadly fear. Twenty times twenty days on end. It is not just bravery - it is more like courage, valour, gallantry.
BRANGAINE. Heroism!
ISOLDE. Is it that important that on seeing the dragon he kept retreating?
BRANGAINE. Then by this logic lazybones make the best workers and crooked fingers are required for musicians.
ISOLDE. The blind make the best artists, the deaf - the best musicians, the hated - the best husbands. Poor logic. Little did we know what sort of musician we got when Helga and Hilda came across a boat at sea, the one with no sails or oars.
They look at TRISTAN
BRANGAINE. Hardly did he recover from his wounds that he wished to get the fresh ones from the dragon.
ISOLDE. He was stunned, and spent a day lying in the swamp, although the Dragon’s poison didn’t penetrate the body yoo far.
BRANGAINE. Tomorrow is the last day possible when he can challenge Agingerran’s lies. Will Tristan be able to carry his sword?
ISOLDE. Would he like to carry it? (Draws TRISTAN”s sword). Everybody knows whose blade lacks a splinter that looks like a swallow’s tail.
BRANGAINE. If he is Tristan, he should fill your heart with anger.
ISOLDE. The Princess is promised to the one who defeats the dragon.
BRANGAINE. The Irish have sworn to take revenge on Marold’s murderer. Denounce him, it’s only fair. Unless you want to be his.
ISOLDE. Then nobody will challenge Agingerran, and I will be his.
BRANGAINE. I still can't believe he is Tristan. Why didn’t he introduce himself as soon as he came over? Never mind the sword. After all, how did this sword come into his possession?
ISOLDE. It’s Tristan all right. Who but the rightful owner would have dared to use it? He had good reason to conceal his name as he was sentenced to death here.
BRANGAINE. He kept giving you looks while playing his music…
ISOLDE. What looks?
BRANGAINE. Like the ones Agingerran does!
ISOLDE. You have made it up.
BRANGAINE. Now you have turned into his advocate. Why not admit you have fallen for him?
ISOLDE. I couldn't say I’ve seen a lot in my eighteen years. The only deep experience was my uncle’s death. When leaving he used to say as a joke, a knight brave enough to challenge him would make a good husband for me and he would rather bring him here than fight him. Only a special person could confront him. And he finally did.
BRANGAINE. If he is Tristan after all, that’s what I think. there couldn't have been a poisoned blade, it must have been a fair fight. And if it was a fair fight, then it was a fair victory. And if it was a fair victory, Isolde has nothing to hate Tristan for, say what you will.
ISOLDE. Now you have turned into his advocate! His fight with the dragon could be a good chance to avoid the death verdict.
BRANGAINE. That’s what you call a good chance! Twenty knights lost their lives in twenty days. He escaped from here to have a fight but he could have escaped anywhere, and you would never have known you had cured Tristan himself. No, it was all for your sake. And somehow it makes me scared.
ISOLDE. Why?
BRANGAINE. Your uncle was right about this one thing. only a special person could challenge him. And Morholt’s death might not be enough for this special person. He might wish to win an Irish Princess to expose her to shame and disgrace.
ISOLDE. Agingerran will be hailed as the winner tomorrow.
BRANGAINE. Let it better be Agingerran.
ISOLDE. My heart is beating so hard! Why is it that I am scared too?
BRANGAINE. Let it be the most gallant knight who loves you madly, let you be inseparable and die the same day!.. And let it be anybody but Tristan.
ISOLDE. So be it even if it is Tristan.
(They wake TRISTAN up)
ISOLDE. Wake up, you minstrel Tantris of Northumberland. I haven’t been asking questions though I had every right to do so. But you escaped two days ago and were found half-dead again in the swamp in the circumstances that make inquiry unavoidable.
TRISTAN. Am I still alive?
BRANGAINE. No, you are in Heaven. Don’t you recognise your angel friends?
ISOLDE. This time it was easier to revive you.
TRISTAN. My home is far away, I don’t remember my mother, and I can say that nobody has treated me as gently as you did. It is twice that you have brought me back to life and God knows what you have suffered to do so. I will answer any question you ask, my Princess.
BRANGAINE. So you know her to be Princess Isolde.
TRISTAN. Helga and Hilda told me so.
BRANGAINE. What is your name?
ISOLDE. Hold on, Brangaine! Two days ago the dragon was slayed…
BRANGAINE. There was no tongue in its mouth…
ISOLDE. You had its tongue.
TRISTAN. It was me who slayed the dragon.
BRANGAINE. What is your name?
ISOLDE. Hold on, Brangaine! Do you know your prize?
TRISTAN. I do.
ISOLDE. Agingerran the Red… He is a knight but not a valliant one. He has claimed your victory. It is until tomorrow that you can challenge his right. Or rather his wrong.
BRANGAINE. You have to challenge Agingerran, my lord! When the Princess found out he had brought the dragon’s head as a trophy to the King, she could not stop laughing, then she got sad and finally desperate!
TRISTAN chuckles
ISOLDE. Why is this stranger grinning? Have I done anything I oughtn’t? Have I neglected any kind of service I should have offered him? He must be grinning because I haven’t polished his sword, wherever it might have come from.
TRISTAN. Don’t touch the blade, my Princess.
ISOLDE. Well, I have polished it. (Draws the sword) It is chipped right here.
BRANGAINE. Now say your name!
ISOLDE. (Showing the fragment that she is wearing as a pendant) This fragment fits. It is a chip from Tristan’s sword. It was in Morholt’s broken helmet. How come you’ve got it, minstrel?
TRISTAN. The Irish have sworn to take revenge on Morholt’s murderer. I had a good reason to hide my name.
ISOLDE. So the sword is yours, isn’t it?
TRISTAN. That knight Agingerran has done me a favour. Were he a bit more attractive, you wouldn’t have been choosing between him and me. Then I would have been executed without any inquiries long ago, wouldn't I?
ISOLDE puts the sword to TRISTAN’s throat.
BRANGAINE. You sound arrogant!
TRISTAN. Why didn’t you ask me directly at once? The sword is mine, and my name is Tristan.
ISOLDE. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to hear.
TRISTAN. And now?
ISOLDE. You killed Morholt, Tristan of Cornwall. Why should I spare you?
TRISTAN. Will it make any difference if I tell you I fought the dragon to have you as my prize?
ISOLDE. I might believe you. Then tell me what you want me for?
TRISTAN. Well, let me think. What do I need Isolde for?
BRANGAINE. Oh my! Who would stand such mockery? Tell her already you love her dearly and do your best to sound convincing!
ISOLDE. Brangaine!.. That’s how you serve your mistress. Well, have your say, dear sir. If there is anything you wish to say.
TRISTAN. Once upon a time there were two swallows who brought your golden hair to Cornwall. I thought they were the messengers of peace and love…
ISOLDE. Look at him. He can not be older than nineteen. He is as handsome as Balder and as fearless as Hagen. Has not thought of love yet. And needs peace as much as this blade does, because it cannot show its quality while in the scabbard.
TRISTAN. And when I found out what prize was offered for the dragon’s head …
ISOLDE. Why would Morholt’s murderer come to win me?
TRISTAN. Stop interrupting! The princess knew the King’s daughter was not free to choose her husband. But what are you preparing yourself for, you, “ the one who’s eyed”? That is the meaning of your name, isn’t it? You are as beautiful as Freyja and as sad as a norn. You have thought of love all your life long, and life without it makes no more sense to you than forging a filigree scabbard that will never host a sword.
ISOLDE. I cannot make up my mind, if a knife at one’s throat adds intelligence or just eloquence? (Withdraws the sword).
TRISTAN. You were right when you said I hadn’t thought of love before the fight. I just hate it when dragons keep eating girls and killing knights. But as soon as I was first hit by the Dragon I found myself hoping that if I were lucky and survived… If I survived again, I would have your hands reviving me. Your touch, Isolde, feels like longing for the victory in a deadly fight, said I, and down at heart I called you by your name.
BRANGAINE. You dare not talk like that!
ISOLDE. (Threatens BRANGAINE with a sword). You are at your best today, Brangaine. Pray be quiet. (Addressing TRISTAN) Called me by my name…
TRISTAN. I would wish for any fire to Isolda’s body if I could resurrect it with my hands, said I…
ISOLDE. I’ve heard enough! The things you said… I mean I believe you.
BRANGAINE. Woe to you if you have lied to the Princess.
ISOLDE. My name means nothing but a Celtic fir-tree. (Sheathes the sword). Let’s go. Agingerran the Red can’t wait to tell you where the Dragon’s tongue has gone.
The lights go dim.
ISOLDE. It wasn’t me who started this hunt, my father. You never asked me if I was happy to be the winner’s prize. But the rules were set and the Dragon was defeated. Are you willing to keep your word?
There is a sound of the surf.
Are you ready to give away Isolde to the winner whoever he is and take him to your heart?
There is a sound of surf and thunder.
Are you willing not only to spare his life, but also cease the hostilities if his people happen to be the enemy of ours?
There is a sound of surf and thunder. There is a flash of lightning too.
Here is the one who defeated the Dragon.
Quiet.
Isolde is yours, Tristan.
There is a quiet sound of the sea and rain.
Scene V
A clearing in the forest. FERN, GLETCHER, HELGA, HILDA are about to get married.
FERN. We told him, the rope was damaged, so the boat with Tistan in it was lost. We swore on our lives.
GLETCHER. And he said, then your lives would be taken.
HILDA. Oh, and next?
GLETCHER. As soon as he found out I was about to get married, he let me go.
FERN. But how did you manage that? Tristan is alive, the Dragon is dead, Isolde is the King’s bride, and there is peace among the two kingdoms!
HELGA. You will hear it when I tell the story to our children.
FERN. Then it won’t take long! Mind my words, our son will be born before the heir.
HILDA. Why would she marry your Mark?
HELGA. Your Tristan has hurt our Princess.
GLETCHER. No offence meant. She will be our Queen. It is easy to choose between a penniless knight and the King.
HELGA. I will be a queen too, won’t I, Fern?
FERN. Of course you will, because I will treat you like one!
GLETCHER. What would have come of us, if the war hadn’t come to an end?
HILDA. What indeed? However, it feels unfair that we are happy but they will never be united.
FERN. Why should we worry for them? The youth will take its share. They say, they have already drunk the love potion, and it was on board the ship heading for Cornwall.
HELGA. Who can be saying that? You must have made it up yourself.
HILDA. You shouldn’t, master FERN. Tristan is a noble knight and Isolde is a real princess.
GLETCHER. I wouldn’t like to be in their shoes. It was hard for them.
HILDA. Her heart should have been boiling with hatred. The one who killed Morholt played a trick on her and made her leave her native land. What’s more, he didn’t even condescend to keep her for himself, but carried her as a trophy to a hostile country.
HELGA. Isolde couldn’t stand the insult and the pain and preferred death to misery. Every Irish girl is like that, mind you.
FERN. But Tristan knew of her intention and wished to join her in death. And every Cornish man is like that!
HELGA. But Brangaine didn’t dare serve her lady a poisoned cup.
HILDA. What they drank was usual wine.
GLETCHER. Let’s have a drink!
They drink and act out a scene on board the ship.
FERN (imitating TRISTAN). I hope I am not disturbing my Queen?
HELGA (imitating ISOLDE). You may come in, sir.
FERN. My lady! Why would you call me sir? Am I not your loyal subject and tributary, who has to honour, serve and love you as my Lady and my Queen?
HELGA. You know well enough that you are my lord and master! You know I am in your power. I wish I hadn’t cured minstrel Tantris of his wounds! I wish I had let him die! I wish that sword had come upon him!
FERN. My love, what are you tortured by?
HELGA. My love to you.
FERN. Then let death come upon us!
FERN kisses HELGA, GLETCHER kisses HILDA.
Scene VI
On board the ship. Isolde takes a cup, pours in the ‘poison’ and drinks it.
TRISTAN runs up, snatches the cup and turns it upside down.
TRISTAN. What is it?
ISOLDE. Poison! (Pushes TRISTAN away, takes the bottle. After some struggle he snatches it away).
TRISTAN. I won’t give it back!
ISOLDE. You needn’t! I have drunk enough!
TRISTAN. Is there an antidote?
ISOLDE. There isn’t!
TRISTAN. That makes it better (drinks).
ISOLDE. But it is poison!
TRISTAN nods his head in agreement and drinks on.
ISOLDE. And no antidote! It’s sure to kill. I prepared it myself.
TRISTAN drinks on.
ISOLDE. Do as you wish!.. You have torn my gown…
TRISTAN drinks up the “poison”
ISOLDE. Fool!
TRISTAN. Why so? Do you want to die?
ISOLDE. I do. What have you got to do with it?
TRISTAN. Then I do wish it too.
ISOLDE. All right then.
TRISTAN. All right?
ISOLDE. Your death will pay for your deceit.
TRISTAN. Deceit?
ISOLDE. I found myself on this ship by your deceit and trickery and lies. Brangaine was right. Morholt’s death was not enough for you to exercise your revenge on Ireland.
TRISTAN. Your parents were honoured by the King’s marriage proposal.
ISOLDE. I wish I had killed you!
TRISTAN. Now it can be easily mended, can it not?
ISOLDE. I took your side facing my father and the people. I said Isolde was yours!
TRISTAN. You will be our Queen.
ISOLDE. I won’t! I have drunk the poison.
TRISTAN. Because you are a fool!
ISOLDE. Because I had believed you!
TRISTAN. I feel dizzy…
ISOLDE. You won’t have to suffer long. But there is enough time to answer, why did you wish to die with me?
TRISTAN. This poison is quite slow to act!
ISOLDE. You needn’t speak if there is nothing you would like to say.
TRISTAN. Are you in pain? Are you suffering? The daughter of the Irish King loathed the idea of marrying the Cornish King so much that she preferred to take this poison? You are disgraced and brought to shame because a penniless knight refused to marry you? If that's the truth, there surely is some comfort.
ISOLDE. There isn’t!
TRISTAN. If you are tortured by your love for that poor knight, then let it be so. Because he loves you too.
ISOLDE. These are words I wished to hear most. But now I don’t believe you.
TRISTAN. I thought I had foreseen it coming… The King greeted me back from the island with great honours. And I said to myself, Morholt was wrong. Everybody is happy to see me back victorious.
ISOLDE. Morholt?..
TRISTAN. “Back at home in Ireland I have a niece. Come with me, you’ll make a good husband…”, Morholt said to me.
ISOLDE. I hate you.
TRISTAN. He was a knight. He challenged me and I accepted.
ISOLDE. He couldn’t have suggested you become a traitor.
TRISTAN. He didn’t. He recognised his defeat - and promised peace.
ISOLDE. If you had agreed, everybody would have been alive.
TRISTAN. In the morning before the duel I was dubbed just to be able to accept his challenge. I have to fight and I have to bring my King a bride. That’s what I thought when Morholt told me about you.
ISOLDE. Poor boy had been ignored and he decided to add glory to his name.
TRISTAN. One day an unknown boy called Morholt decided to get famous. What would he be worth if he hadn’t challenged Cornwall?
ISOLDE. So why are you dissatisfied? You’ve made it!
TRISTAN. Everything he said was true.
Isolde. What was it?
TRISTAN. That you are the most precious thing I’ve got.
ISOLDE. You’ve got?
TRISTAN. I’ve got. Now I’ve got.
ISOLDE. Let the day perish, the one when I met you.
TRISTAN. Let that day perish indeed. “If I survive, I will bring you a bride, my King. Give your orders to put me into a boat and let it drift in the sea…”
ISOLDE. You gave him a word?
TRISTAN. I gave him a word.
ISOLDE. All right, enough was said.
TRISTAN. I am happy to die! It breaks my heart to think of your death. But I am happy that you won’t become Queen Isolde. The very idea of you belonging to someone else is killing me.
ISOLDE. Yes, it’s killing…What do we do?
TRISTAN. Why?
ISOLDE. What do we do if I love you too?
TRISTAN. Just wait a little for the poison to act.
ISOLDE. It’s no poison.
TRISTAN. And what is it?
ISOLDE. Just wine.
TRISTAN. Why?.. Did you know?
ISOLDE. I did.
TRISTAN. So I drank noting but wine! My God! Why did you wear this white gown? Why did you look so solemn?
ISOLDE. It was a rehearsal.
TRISTAN. And where is poison?
ISOLDE. Brangaine threw it overboard. She is delighted with the idea that I will marry a King but not a poor knight.
TRISTAN. Why hadn’t Marold killed me? Why hadn’t I died of wounds? Why hadn’t the Dragon killed me?
ISOLDE. You wished Isolda’s body any fire. You wished to heal my body with your hands…
TRISTAN. I promised Mark to bring him his bride, I promised on my word of honour…
ISOLDE. We can die together in fact…
TRISTAN. I promised to bring you safe and sound. Your father sent a message to Cornwall. Mark is expecting to see Sir Tristan and his bride Isolde.
ISOLDE. We will come back to Ireland. I will tell my father I love you more than my life.
TRISTAN. How shall I look people in the eyes after that?
ISOLDE. You will look only at me.
TRISTAN. They will pronounce me dishonourable, and you will hate the sight of me.
ISOLDE. Let’s confess to Mark we love each other. What worse could come upon us?
TRISTAN. This treason will offend him. We will be welcome neither in Cornwall nor in Ireland. But I don’t care if Isolde is telling me to do so!
ISOLDE. We will be living in a forest hut, we will be happy!
TRISTAN. I will kill anyone who dares call Isolde a traitor’s wife. Anyone who dares grin or look aside.
ISOLDE. I will hate myself if because of me you will lose your good name. What has come of me? Am I not the King’s daughter? Tristan is a noble knight who thinks of his people, and I thought only of myself. Sir Tristan saved Ireland from the Dragon, he brought peace to the two kingdoms, and people were relieved. Half a country came to see us off, with eyes full of faint hope. In Cornwall we’ll be welcomed and see the same hope in people’s eyes.
TRISTAN. Could it be that Brangaine brought us poison after all? What’s come of me? It wasn’t long ago that I wished to hear these words most of all.
ISOLDE. You defeated Morholt, you recovered from your wounds, you killed the Dragon and won my heart. But you didn’t request it. And so be it. You will not hide your eyes from your King or your people. Your future feats will make your people proud. One day I might meet your eyes without feeling ashamed of myself. It will be when you have forgiven a silly girl who had forgotten herself for a moment.
TRISTAN. I won’t be able to live without you!
ISOLDE. I will marry King Mark, Tristan. I will be happy to love you as a loyal knight. Will you love me? As your Queen?
TRISTAN. I will always love you, my Queen.
Scene VII
MARK and ANDRET
MARK. He didn’t die of your care, he freed us from tribute and brought the beloved lonely monarch a bride. He made peace between the two kingdoms. People worship him and adore the Queen. The faithful barons hailed him as a hero. At the wedding he took the right seat by my side. And when it happened that I sent him as a messenger and you, Andret, took his seat, the guests resented it, you had to change places and have someone less distinguished run your errands. They toasted him one out of three times, and that was in the castle. But in the taverns, inns and ports it was out of two. Provided that the first one was for the fair Queen Isolde. The boys are standing in lines for the honour to be his squire. They are naming children after him. It won’t be long before they bring them to him to baptise… And it was only a month ago that he returned home. And he looks at me with devoted eyes. What sort of breed is it?
ANDRET. It’s called a hero. And the breed is yours.
MARK. How come the Prince makes silly jokes? Why aren’t you a hero? Aren’t you my nephew too?
ANDRET. My mother did not elope with a poor knight.
MARK. Against every rule and common sense. She died of grief when Tristan was still a baby. And her maniac noble beggar-knight would mourn her, “How shall I face the people if…”
ANDRET. She was a victim of slander and he tried to defend her honour.
MARK. Tristan hadn’t been born at that time yet.
ANDRET. Was she unfaithful either?
MARK. You forget yourself, my Prince.
ANDRET. I beg your pardon, my King, but… Tristan loves the Queen.
MARK. Everybody does. It cannot be helped.
ANDRET. It can. You don’t.
MARK. Of course I do.
ANDRET. Of course you don’t. It is only power that you love.
MARK. Possessing something everybody loves is an attribute of power. She is a diamond in my crown.
ANDRET. Anyone can see the looks he gives her.
MARK. Just looks, no more. It was three times that you offended the Queen with your suspicions. Three times I disgraced myself enough to investigate the allegations. Do you remember what came out of it?
ANDRET. First time it was Baron Denoallen who fell dead, the second time - Baron Gondoin, the third - Baron Rouald.
MARK. And Tristan only added this to his fame - the Queen’s champion.
ANDRET. Amongst the shine of that fame and glory something might have escaped your attention. Let me remind you what he killed them for. Baron Denoallen was brave enough to mention the night they had spent on board the ship together.
MARK. So he was. And Sir Gondoin?
ANDRET. “ …Brangaine, you remind your mistress in stature and in age. And is it true that you substituted the Queen’s marriage night gown with yours because hers had been torn?..”
MARK. And what about Barron Rouald?
ANDRET. I will repeat his words again. But analyse the facts instead of having fun. “Is it true that the Irish have a custom of extinguishing candles in the marriage bedrooms at night?” And I will dare say, do you still observe this tradition every night, my King?
MARK. Absurd… Brangaine does not look like Isolde!
ANDRET. Indeed? If you are given a bottle of wine you’ve never tried before and then have your eyes tied up, will you tell the difference between one new wine and another?
MARK. Go on.
ANDRET. My dwarf jester called Frosine has been spying and has found out that every time Tristan has to leave the castle he manages to get some time alone with the Queen.
MARK. Tristan is allowed to sing her the Irish ballads he had learnt while there. It is the Queen’s whim and it has been granted.
ANDRET. These ballads seem to be pretty long.
MARK. What else did your dwarf say?
ANDRET. I see the death of your barons does not seem to amuse you any more. It is nice you have still got some loyal servants left.
MARK. My Prince, your jester is so short! Could he grow up a little?
ANDRET. Why, my King?
MARK. I’m asking, could your jester grow up a little?
ANDRET. How can he grow if he is a dwarf?
MARK. Exactly! But he would like to, wouldn't he?
ANDRET. You have lost me there…
MARK. But I have found out! Do you think I failed to guess your interest here? You want to eliminate the two of them with one slander so that your chances to inherit the throne could have stopped looking like a dwarf. In their inability to grow, among anything else.
ANDRET. If you get sure there is no sin in their love, you can execute me!
MARK. And so it will be unless you stop making allegations without proof!
ANDRET. Will it be proof enough if breaking all the rules possible he comes to the Queen’s locked bedroom at night?
MARK. Damn you, Prince!.. An accusation like that is punished by death on fire without trial.
ANDRET. You are supposed to announce after dinner that Tristan is to leave the castle on an important mission. He is the only one who can do it and he might even be killed while doing it.
MARK. Tristan, in the morning you should be heading for King Arthur’s Castle. You are the only one good enough for this mission, and you should travel alone. You will receive the message shortly before you leave. Let it be known to you that there are some who would sacrifice their lives so that this letter is not delivered. Take care, my boy. Like that?
ANDRET. It could be. It is evident they love each other. Faced with long separation they will cross the borders of propriety.
MARK. You will have it your way tonight, my Prince. But it is your last chance! I swear you will die if the allegation is false.
ANDRET. I love that metal sound in your voice, King Mark. You will have proof of adultery.
MARK. On my word, then they will die.
ANDRET. They will look quite romantic if they are burned at the stake. They won’t repent and will ascend the fire with solemn faces. Our sentimental citizens will have a hearty cry in the evening and praise them in songs in the morning, “Oh, they loved each other! Oh it is so beautiful!” No, my King. There isn’t, there can’t be anything beautiful in adultery! Let their penalty shock everybody.
MARK. Adultery is calling for punishment by fire. they are burnt by forbidden passion, they should taste the real fire. We should mind the image.
ANDRET. Let Tristan burn at the stake. Let him burn in the fire of his vanity. You couldn’t think of anything better.
MARK. If you are suggesting to quarter the Queen, you must be out of your mind.
ANDRET. Cruelty shouldn’t look planned in advance. But if it comes by chance…
MARK. By chance?
ANDRET. A beautiful young princess bowing in reverence before her husband. The King is happy, the Queen is in love, but how much can you tell by the young girl’s blushing cheeks and shining eyes? And so, when some lingering guests have not left after the wedding reception, the young queen is already caught in adultery. And who is the seducer? The very gallant knight who had not spared his effort to win her for his King. What should the King be going through?
MARK. He is depressed and totally devastated.
ANDRET. Now he is no monarch, just an ordinary mortal man. He is cold, inexorable, petrified. He authorises any execution, because even the most severe one could not satisfy his pain and his offence. Suddenly something interferes, as if fate itself is offering a solution…
MARK. What interferes?
ANDRET. Would the King be so kind as to read this? (Hands over a folder).
MARK. You have already written, haven’t you? (reads).
ANDRET. Somebody else would write it in no time.
MARK. “...and he addressed the grieving King… the fire is too merciful and quick…leave the Queen with us…”
ANDRET. Let Tristan burn. But not before he learns that the Queen will be taken to the lepers' island. He will beg you to cancel the verdict, he will be crawling in the ashes, admit any fault, he will be humiliated. If you like, the Queen will be crawling in the ashes too, will renounce him, repent, swear anything. Everybody will see their abjection, and it isn’t soon forgotten. In memories abjection usually goes together with guilt… Why are you smiling?
MARK. What’s his name?
ANDRET. Whose name?
MARK. The leper leader’s name?
ANDRET. His name is Iven. This trifle is of no concern to you. He will address you, name himself, rest assured. And if some people in the square are not quick enough to understand what he is asking for, a hundred of his leper companions will be of some help. I see the wind blowing in their rags and carrying their heart-freezing cries, as they are trying to reach her with their bony hands. Their affliction has turned their hearts into stone, has inflamed their passions… You are right when you say everybody loves the Queen, but no one can imagine how they are going to love her.
MARK. You are growing so fast! Old King Mark is too slow to follow the flight of your thoughts. And what thoughts indeed! I’d hate to have you as an enemy, my friend. Nobody knows what your next insight is going to be. (Grips him by his throat). So? What have you prepared for me?! Tristan will burn, Queen Isolde will be severed by the lepers, and what dispatch do you have ready for me, feeble old Mark, so that you can take my throne?!
ANDRET. (croaking) Let me go! Let go of me!
MARK. (still gripping him by his throat). My King, eh?
ANDRET. Yes, my King.
MARK. (Lets ANDRET go). It is a nice trick you are planning! And what allies have you got - dwarves, lepers!
ANDRET. We are but your subjects. When it comes to the matter of royal dignity, one shouldn’t neglect even the humblest servants.
MARK. And I was close to believing. You are right, my prince, the world cannot be changed. Nothing can be changed.
ANDRET. The worse for the King if he needs dwarves and lepers to remind him of that. Don’t forget to tell Tristan about his mission.
MARK. Hold on! The King has not given His consent yet.
ANDRET. How can you be so indecisive! The people are changeable and susceptible to mockery like children. You will be surprised to see how soon they will forget your benefaction, and will speak only of noble cuckold Mark. Solicitous and careful Andret is risking his head, then go for it! King Mark is neither old nor weak, he is holding his power firmly in his strong hands. Remind your subjects of that.
MARK. Iven is allowed to address me. If it comes to execution, I will make my decision.
ANDRET. The wise King is right as always. Iven will give people such fright that they will be asking for the fire as a mercy. Be ready, I will call on you at night.
MARK. …My King, eh?
ANDRET. Yes, my King!
Scene VIII
GLETCHER and FERN, HILDA and HELGA.
FERN. No, we are not going to the square. And neither are you! They have declared their adultery is proven. They will be executed. Would you like to enjoy the sight?
GLETCHER. On the other hand, Fern is right. Our good King wouldn’t resort to such cruelty if he hadn’t possessed the direct evidence.
HELGA. Direct evidence? Then why didn’t I chop off your head the day before yesterday?
FERN. What for?
HELGA. For the milk maid!
FERN. I just smiled at her!
HELGA. So it was for a smile she hit you with a beam? And I was fool enough to defend you.
HILDA. Gletcher, and what if they are not guilty? If I can’t believe it? I would rather die.
GLETCHER. But if we don’t come to the square, people will think we support them.
HELGA. We cannot say everything we should unless we come to the square!
FERN. I have already said that…
HELGA. Come, Hilda. Our husbands have been placed into a boat again, they have been given directions and have sailed off.
HILDA and HELGA are leaving.
GLETCHER. They might be right, Fern. And I hate to think of Hilda going there alone. I’d rather…
FERN. Damn you, Gletcher! Hold on! We are coming!
BRANGAINE is in the square. Enter FERN, GLETCHER, HELGA, HILDA.
HELGA. It is so crowded! We nearly missed it because of you. The King and the Prince are already sitting in front of the execution platform.
FERN. Move here, the view is better here.
GLETCHER. I wonder if they have already announced the verdict.
BRANGAINE. The heralds have already read it. But it was so noisy that we couldn’t hear a single word. I wish there had been a proper trial that took proper time. They were caught at night and three hours later the fires were prepared in the square. I hope they won’t suffer long.
HILDA. You see, Fern, there is disturbance among the people. They are demanding a trial. The King is merciful, he will listen to our pleas.
BRANGAINE. The King is not that way inclined. Get out of the way, good girl. They will lead Tristan here, and the guard’s manners leave much to be desired.
HELGA. What sort of manners do you expect here? Who are you after all?
FERN. She is the Queen’s Maid of Honour. Why aren’t you with your mistress, Brangaine the Faithful?
BRANGAINE. I do not know what you are expecting to see here, brave boy. But if I am lucky, the King will regret his decision to separate me from Isolde.
GLETCHER. Quiet! They have brought the Queen. But her hands are tied. Look here! Why not unbind her!
HILDA. And where is Sir Tristan? Weren’t they together?
BRANGAINE. That’s the point, my girl, that they are not supposed to be together. The Queen was kept in the tower, but Sir Tristan in the dungeon under it.
HELGA. Who’s that? What is he asking about?
BRANGAINE. What has the King thought of?
FERN. Why the King?
BRANGAINE. In a matter like this everything is decided by the King, brave boy.
HILDA. Is he begging for them to be pardoned? I can’t hear a thing!
FERN. No.
HILDA. What is it about then?
BRANGAINE. He is asking the King to leave Isolde with him.
HILDA. I see. And who is he?
GLETCHER. You’d better not hear that, my dear…
HELGA. He finds the punishment inadequate. He is suggesting the Queen lodges with the lepers.
HILDA. Lepers? What lepers?
FERN. Gletcher, do something to calm her down.
HILDA. What lepers? Why?
FERN. Gletcher!
HILDA. What are you standing here for? Hey you, be gone!
FERN. Will you order to drive him off, my King?
HILDA. Get off!
GLETCHER. What is he waiting for?
BRANGAINE. He is waiting for the King to reply. The King should offer Isolde to repent. Heaven knows, (and me too), she has nothing to confess. The King can’t even imagine how innocent she is.
HELGA. Stop mumbling, Lady Maid. Isolde is speaking… I cannot hear…Fern, Gletcher, what is going on?
FERN and GLETCHER. They are speaking too quietly. I cannot hear anything.
HILDA. I can!.. Isolde says she has nothing to confess, but that she will accept any King’s resolution, and that if she does not deserve to be burnt at the stake, she is asking for the last favour, which is to spare Tristan of this news about her fate… Oh my… (Faints).
GLETCHER. (supporting HILDA) Helga, dear, will you take Hilda away, please?
FERN. Why has the King got so excited now?
HELGA. He doesn’t seem to believe it. The Prince is saying something to his dwarf.
BRANGAINE. King Mark denied Isolde the last favour. Andret has sent Frosine to tell Tristan the Queen will be left with the lepers.
FERN. Helga, will you finally take Hilda away?
HELGA. And leave you here with this beauty? No, we will go together.
FERN. The people are agitated. And you had better leave, my lady. It’s no place for women!
BRANGAINE. Leave me alone! I’m staying!
GLETCHER. I wonder what you are up to, dear Brangaine, and why you are standing exactly on the way where Tristan is to be convoyed…
FERN. Stay where you are if you choose so, my lady. Whatever your plan we will not interfere. (Shouting) Don’t you know I’m highly rated for my looks among the crooks!
HILDA. (wandering in her mind). Sir Tristan, my name is Frosine, but it doesn’t matter. I came to free you and let you save the Queen… save the Queen…
HELGA. What’s that you are mumbling about, poor Hilda?
GLETCHER. What is it, Fern? Are they bringing Tristan?
FERN. They must be. But there is some noise and crush. Wait a minute, wait a minute… Tristan! Who has set him free?
HELGA. Where? Oh, right you are! Hilda! Tristan is free! He’s got a sword!
HILDA. And Isolde?
BRANGAINE. He is all alone, he won’t make it… he won’t make it…
HELGA. Stop him! This monster leper is dragging Isolde to his companions!
GLETCHER. The people are giving way to Tristan and blocking the way of the guards, Tristan is cutting his path with a sword…The Barons are retreating…
FERN. He spared the King, who could have thought.
HELGA. And where is the Prince?
GLETCHER. Escaped!
FERN. No, he is hiding behind the lepers.
HILDA. Where is Isolde?
FERN. Oh, look at him, chopping around! He has cut off Iven’s head!
GLETCHER. They are together! He has recaptured her!
HILDA. Everything is alright, everything is fine…
FERN. They are running, the people are giving way, get back!
GLETCHER. And now close up!
FERN. Don’t you know I’m highly rated, anywhere I am the best!
HELGA. Come on, let’s take down the fires!
GLETCHER. (To HILDA) It’s alright, my dear, it’s alright.
BRANGAINE. What is alright? Now they are refugees.
End of ACT I
ACT II
Scene IX
BRANGAINE is writing a letter in a castle chamber.
BRANGAINE. “Your Majesty the Queen of Ireland, Thank God I have a chance to write you this letter. Half a year has passed exactly since the day your daughter Isolde and Sir Tristan were exiled. No people of goodwill can help them, welcome them or sympathise with them for fear of Royal displeasure after they were accused of adultery.
MARK and ANDRET in the castle. MARK goes on reading the letter.
MARK. “Your Majesty is asking me time and again if Isolde was guilty in the eyes of her husband, her people and God Himself. Time and again Brangaine is swearing that Isolde is innocent! It is hard to believe, but I am sure she is still innocent even now, after losing her good name, her status as the Queen and a wife, after being banished along with Sir Tristan. Living with her in a forest hut, Sir Tristan respects the honour of his Queen, and she is still faithful to her husband. God knows, I am telling the truth, and let His holy wrath come upon me if I tell a lie!” (Addressing ANDRET). What should I make of it, my Prince? What sort of game are you playing? Brangaine wrote this letter a week ago but it is only now that I am reading it. Moreover, the letter was not brought to me but was found by me in your possession, opened.
ANDRET. So now the King himself takes the trouble of censoring his subjects’ correspondence?
MARK. I was looking for the Royal Seal. You keep forgetting to return it on time.
ANDRET. What is there in this letter that you do not already know? That a servant is defending her mistress? The letter was meant for us to be read and was designed to that purpose. Isn’t it self-evident?
MARK. Perhaps it doesn’t contain any news, perhaps it was meant for our eyes. But it is not for you to decide, don’t you think so?
ANDRET. The King is irritated. Could it mean that He is going to forgive them?
MARK. Brangaine is no servant, she is a noble lady. And she is writing that a bare blade lies between them on their bed, a guardian of chastity.
ANDRET. So she must have visited them! Against the ban!
MARK. So she can show the way.
ANDRET. To what end? Their lodging is no secret.
MARK. No secret? And none of my barons, including you, has bothered to follow the royal order and bring the outlaws to me?
ANDRET. Who would risk that? Tristan fights fiercely!
MARK. You cannot but realise how ambiguous my situation is. The dissatisfaction with the King is growing, but Tristan and Isolde are almost worshipped as saints.
ANDRET. You should have shown your mercy earlier! Who could have thought. people believe them to be innocent! They have always adored them! Didn’t you ignore their opinion when pronouncing the verdict? If you pardon these traitors my jester will have a great laugh at your expense!
MARK. My King, eh?
ANDRET. Yes, my King!
MARK. Fascinating. By the way, I wonder where your dwarf is.
ANDRET. Back in my castle.
MARK. Bring him here. I would like to talk to him.
ANDRET. But you cannot be serious! It is unwise after all. If you pardon Tristan and Isolde, you will lose your barons.
MARK. You know what? It might have been you who let Tristan go free! He was facing death anyway, there was no escape from the guarded square, but he could attack the King. And if he survived and saved Isolde, it would do either way. Mark’s position would become unbearable. a lawfully wedded wife is hiding with a dog-poor outcast. And in this situation one could inspire and encourage dissatisfaction with the King.
ANDRET. Bravo! Never before have you been that brilliant! Your insinuations, dear uncle, are absurd, unprovable and just outright offensive!
MARK. Can it be that he is hurt? And why? He who has called his King ridiculous, a fool even, has threatened that the barons will turn against him. And still the King listened to you. He asked for your advice. You and my barons are supposed to be my councillors, more so because you are good for nothing else. However, as it has turned out, you aren’t good enough for that either.
ANRET. The King is free to do as he wishes. But I have to warn you that you are showing disrespect for the nobility if you are even considering the Queen’s return as possible. They have been living together for half a year and sharing a forest hut! And you would believe some letter?
MARK. Just like I had once believed a denunciation.
ANDRET. You saw it for yourself.
MARK. So did you. When we entered, you expected them to act like a satyr and a maenad. But in fact they were sitting quietly not even touching each other, just looking.
ANDRET. Nevertheless, you chose to execute them. (Laughing). Or could it be that you rather felt pity for me? According to your word, either the traitors or the slanderer were to die!
MARK. They acted against the rules! He was in the Queen’s bedroom!
ANDRET. Right you are. A crime is still a crime.
MARK. They have served the penalty of exile.
ANDRET. King Mark! Your barons are willing to overlook the fact that the outlaws were not caught at once, but we are not ready to overlook the King’s disgrace!
MARK. They are separated by a drawn sword on their bed.
ANDRET. (Laughing out loud) Oh thee, my wise and sentimental King Mark! You used to look ridiculous and silly. But you look pathetic now. The Queen has been sharing her bed with another man for half a year. If you ignore this evident fact, all; of us will retire to our castles and declare war on you.
MARK. I have heard you out, my Duke. You may take your leave. (ANDRET leaves). And don’t forget about the dwarf!
ANDRET. He is dead. He tried to jump over his head and broke his neck.
MARK. More so, remember him, Duke Andret! More so!
Scene X
A forest. FERN and GLETCHER are doing their best to be careful and speak quietly.
GLETCHER. Fern, old friend! I’m glad to see you!
FERN. How are you, Gletcher. You have scared me.
GLETCHER. So have you.
FERN. What are you doing here?
GLETCHER. What are you doing here at such an early hour at that? I haven’t heard from you since you left for Ireland, not a single letter, not a message. And now all of a sudden I see you in this forest out of all forests.
FERN. We were going to visit you shortly after having been to this forest.
GLETCHER. Why?
FERN. And why are you here?
GLETCHER. I will answer after you do.
FERN. I spent half a year in Ireland and used to argue with my wife all the time, but now I am inclined to admit she was right. Cornish people are timid and distrustful.
GLETCHER. We are friends, why would I distrust you? Even if entering this forest is forbidden and the penalty is whipping.
FERN. Who could have thought! But it was rumoured to be a death sentence.
GLETCHER. We are friends…why would I distrust you…After all we are both here in the forest… All right! I had a son with Hilda and we named him Tristan.
FERN. Congratulations! And still why did you come to the forbidden forest?
GLETCHER. Your rumour has it right. If you just enter this forest you are punished with whipping. But I would like to find Sir Tristan and Queen Isolde. Let them know they are remembered by a Cornish blacksmith called Gletcher, by his Irish wife called Hilda and our son called Tristan. And trying to find them and talking to them is forbidden for the fear of death. So, I am sorry I didn’t tell you at once why I had come here, old friend Fern.
FERN. So am I, Gletcher.
GLETCHER. And why are you here?
FERN. Well, you know, watching over this forest, catching those seeking for the traitors and renegades called Tristan and Isolde, giving a signal, inviting the guards…
GLETCHER. What signal?
FERN. Don’t you remember? Cock-a-doodle-doo! I am only joking. It was a joke. Helga and I had a daughter! We agreed to call her Isolde! I am here to find Sir Tristan and Queen Isolde. Let them know a fisherman called Fern, who used to live in Cornwall, still remembers them.
GLETCHER. Honest?
FERN. Of course!
GLETCHER. (laughing) Cock-a-doodle-doo!
FERN. (laughing) Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Enter MARK.
MARK. Cock-a-doodle-doo! (Threatens them both with a sword). Quiet! Do you know who I am? You do. And you also know entering this forest is forbidden. And still you are here. Why? Come up, you blacksmith. (Opens the hut a little, then closes it). Who have you seen?
GLETCHER. Traitors and renegades.
MARK. My King, eh?
GLETCHER. Yes, my King.
MARK. And what are these traitors and renegades called?
GLETCHER. It is forbidden to name them, my King.
MARK. Then how are you going to address your son, blacksmith? (To FERN). Come up, you fisherman. Can you name them?
GLETCHER. Tristan.
MARK. Why?
GLETCHER. My newborn son is called Tristan, my King.
MARK. Don’t you sound arrogant, blacksmith?
FERN. My newborn daughter is called Isolde - that will answer your question.
MARK. Brave ones, aren’t you? And what if I tell you I came here to execute the traitors with my own sword? First them, next you. What will you do then? Well? (FERN and GLETCHER are petrified). Why are you silent? Did you believe the King could sneak into the forest and stab the sleeping ones? Do you deny him any chivalry? How dare you? How could you think like that? Does everybody think like that in Cornwall? And in Ireland?
GLETCHER. We do our best not to think about the King at all.
MARK. So as not to think badly of him?!
FERN. I beg you not to make such noise, my King. It would be a pity to wake up your fair Queen and your gallant knight.
MARK. Do you think Tristan is a threat? Is the King’s life in danger?
GLETCHER. No, we don’t think so.
MARK. So you never doubt his chivalry but you are not sure about mine? Have I lost the confidence of my subjects? Is it that bad?
GLETCHER. The people are looking forward to Tristan and Isolde’s return.
MARK. Expecting me to pardon them?
FERN. Nobody finds them guilty.
MARK. But why?
GLETCHER. Hasn’t my King noticed the sword between them?
MARK. We see it now. But you didn’t know about it when you were going here!
FERN. Why not? Everybody knows about it.
MARK. Where from?!
GLETCHER. Nobody knows that.
MARK. So people don’t find me deceived?
FERN. I cannot speak for all the people but personally I believe you are very lucky with a wife like that.
GLETCHER. To say nothing of Tristan.
MARK. Among anything else I wonder what has given a loose to your tongues.
FERN. It was you who reminded us of the penalty.
MARK. Bring me Tristan's sword, blacksmith.
GLETCHER. Why?
MARK. You said there is a sword between them. Take mine, put it between them and bring me his.
GLETCHER. Why not declare that…
MARK. Declare what? A pardon? If neither you nor your friend find them guilty and neither do the people of Cornwall and Ireland…if they think I made a mistake…Help me correct my mistake, blacksmith. Bring me Tristan’s sword.
GLETCHER. But what for?
FERN. How can you be so slow, Gletcher! Tristan and Isolde will realise the King knows everything and needs their help.
GLETCHER. You mean Tristan should ask to be pardoned?
MARK. You are too cruel to your King! I see no other way out.
GLETCHER. Neither do they, I guess.
FERN. Can we tell the news that the Queen is coming back?
MARK. You can say that… It is a usual forest again.
(GLETCHER brings TRISTAN’s sword)
GLETCHER. I will tell Tristan how noble his King is!
MARK. Why?
GLETCHER. I am talking of my son, my King.
MARK. Yes.
GLETCHER. And when I have another son I will call him Mark.
MARK. Another one! Splendid.
FERN. I will call my first son Mark.
MARK. It is nice you cannot call a daughter after me, isn’t it? I liked you more when the prospect of a penalty made you reckless. Leave your Tristan and your Isolde to call their children as they wish. Farewell.
FERN and GLETCHER take their leave.
Whatever comes of it, Tristan, I hope you understand Cornwall is too small for the two of us after everything we’ve been through.
SceneXI
BRANGAINE and Isolde are near the hut.
BRANGAINE. I saw him off. I was afraid when I saw him take the sword.
ISOLDE. It must have been hard for you to be isolated for half a year.
BRANGAINE. I think he read my letters. I wrote the truth.
ISOLDE. The truth?
BRANGAINE. The truth I was witness to.
ISOLDE. What name did you call your son?
BRANGAINE. After his father.
ISOLDE. After the King you mean?
BRANGAINE. That would have been too much. But a good girl had to think of something. I called him Gondoin!
ISOLDE. Gondoin? Why would you choose that name?
BRANGAINE. Well, firstly, I liked the sound of it. And secondly, it was he who told me, “ You are very much like your mistress, Brangaine, in stature and age…” In the castle they were told a touching story of our love and quiet wedding (meant not to outshine the royal one), and how it was exactly before Sir Tristan chose to turn me into a widow.
ISOLDE. I am sorry.
BRANGAINE. Can’t complain.
ISOLDE. You saved me.
BRANGAINE. Don’t mention it.
ISOLDE. And then saved me again.
BRANGAINE. You were trembling as if he was about to eat you alive. He is the King! And I was glad to have the Queen who owes me.
ISOLDE. Don’t call me the Queen. You can’t imagine how I got to loath that title in these months.
BRANGAINE. So he doesn’t say a word but “my Queen”?
ISOLDE. He has learnt the birds’ language if that counts.
BRANGAINE. I’d rather have him silent.
ISOLDE. I wish I could hear his voice! Just a few sincere words.
BRANGAINE. They say he killed one hundred people to set you free.
ISOLDE. Orry the forester said once that there are no more lepers left in Cornwall.
BRANGAINE. Can it be that he is still not quite in his right mind? Many people think so.
ISOLDE. Some people come here from time to time, the commons. He finds it hard to meet their eyes. As if he had actually been guilty…
BRANGAINE. Guilty? What of? What sort of world do you live in?!
ISOLDE. Whatever the world, it is over and done with. We are coming back to the palace.
BRANGAINE. Tristan and you?
ISOLDE. You and me.
BRANGAINE. And what about Tristan?
ISOLDE. What about Tristan? What about Tristan?!
BRANGAINE. I see…Right you are. Come back home to your husband, get a normal life finally, not the one with this… I kept wondering… May I ask you… not as a queen… When that night the King came storming into your bedroom…they say, you were just looking at one another, not even touching…
ISOLDE. I have nothing to add to that.
BRANGAINE. Forgive my question, but have you still?..
ISOLDE. You wrote the truth to my mother, Queen of Ireland.
BRANGAINE. How could that be? Then more so. Who does he think he is?
ISOLDE. Have you brought what I asked you for?
BRANGAINE. The King has sent the finest clothes. He was tender and sweet. He asked me to do my best to make you look like the Queen you are when you return to the city.
ISOLDE. Have you brought what I asked you for?!
BRANGAINE. Isolde…
ISOLDE. The Queen is not asking for your advice right now, Brangaine. Have you brought it?.. BRANGAINE hands over a ring to her). Why did I forget about it on board the ship? Oh my! A year hasn’t passed since I complained to you I had seen little in life.
BRANGAINE. But you are not going to do it now, are you?
ISOLDE. Oh no. Not now.
BRANGAINE. When then?
ISOLDE. My life is in Tristan’s hands.
BRANGAINE. Again? Aren’t you through with that?
ISOLDE. For one last time. Next time I see this ring…
Enter TRISTAN.
TRISTAN. My Queen…(he puts down a chest full of elegant clothes for ISOLDE).
BRANGAINE. It is customary for civilised people to welcome each other, isn’t it? Where does this come from? The King has already sent the garments that look much better.
ISOLDE. You can have them, Brangaine. I will wear this. Where is it from, Tristan?
TRISTAN. Orry.
BRANGAINE. Orry! Orry! The first word after half a year of silence, and it is the forester’s name! Have you got nothing else to say? Isolde is leaving! Forever!
ISOLDE. Have you spent everything on it? You killed enough game for him so that you could buy a horse and a knight’s armour and outfit.
BRANGAINE. Why talk of horses or armour? Tristan! Isolde is leaving! Will you let her go for the third time!
TRISTAN. My Queen…
ISOLDE. Oh Tristan, don’t! Be silent.
BRANGAINE. No, don’t, Tristan! Don’t be silent! You can’t be silent now!
ISOLDE. Say no word. You have to leave Cornwall? It was you who suggested that to the King? Of course, you cannot stay here…
TRISTAN. My Queen…
ISOLDE. Say no word, I beg you, say no word!
BRANGAINE. You cannot leave like that! Stay here, Tristan! No one will dare say a word against it. They will carry you on their shoulders into the castle!
ISOLDE. You wanted to keep Isolde away from the fire. And you kept your word. You saved me from the fire I couldn’t even imagine.
TRISTAN. My Queen…
ISOLDE. Don’t say a word, I beg you! Not a word! Otherwise I can’t…
BRANGAINE. Holy Heaven! What are you doing! Tristan, you cannot live without her! Isolde!
ISOLDE. You will, Tristan. You have given your word again.
BRANGAINE. Tell her you will never let her go!
ISOLDE. You see, we’ve said enough again! I will come back to Mark. I will be happy to love you as a king’s faithful knight. And I know you will love me as your Queen.
BRANGAINE. You must be going mad!
TRISTAN. No.
ISOLDE. No?
BRANGAINE. No! No! No!!!
TRISTAN. Yes…I…will always love you, my Queen.
BRANGAINE is crying.
ISOLDE. Take this ring, Tristan. Next time I see it, I…will know Tristan loves me not as a Queen…I mean…I mean to say if I know I am the most precious he has… you have. Then I will come to him… to you…wherever you are and whatever I have to leave behind. Farewell!
TRISTAN. King Mark! With your people standing as my witnesses I am returning the Queen to you. Queen Isolde is yours.
Scene XII
HILDA and GLETCHER are in Ireland, visiting their friends.
HILDA is rocking her and HELGA’s babies cradles and telling children a legend. FERN and GLETCHER are at the table. HELGA is packing FERN’s bag, checking his clothes and boots for a trip.
HILDA. And so Tristan departed to Wales ruled by the noble Duke Gillienne. The Duke was young and strong and kind. He treated Tristan as a welcome guest. He spared no effort to entertain and amuse him. But neither contests nor feasts could heal his misery.
GLETCHER. In an ill hour did we come to visit you.
FERN. So Andret didn’t forget about our service if he decided to make a soldier of you.
HILDA. Once upon a time as he was sitting beside the young Duke, his heartache became so painful, that he started giving sighs without even realising it. To heal the wounds of his heart the Duke ordered his favourite pet to be brought in, the one that was always soothing to his eyes and heart in an ill minute.
GLETCHER. He didn’t forget. Where are you heading?
FERN. To your country. To present our demands. To Duke Andret’s castle.
HILDA. And onto the table covered with a rich cloth they placed his dog called Petite Crew. It was a magic dog. Its fur varied in colour so that one could hardly define it. its neck looked as white as snow, its bottom looked as green as a clover leaf, one side was red or purple, the other one was saffron yellow, its belly was azure blue and its back was rosy pink.
GLETCHER. And when?
FERN. Tomorrow. And when do the troops assemble?
GLETCHER. The day after tomorrow.
FERN. Will you come on time?
GLETCHER. We are leaving now. Hilda, get Tristan ready, we are going home.
HILDA. But if you took a longer time to look at it, all the colours got confused and blurred into lighter or darker shades…On its neck there was a rattle hanging on a golden chain. That rattle gave such a fine, happy and sweet tone that its sound had a tender quiet effect on Tristan’s heart, and his misery vanished. The memory of every sorrow carried for the Queen’s sake was gone.
GLETCHER. Will Tristan lead the Irish ships?
FERN. He will, like Morholt used to do.
GLETCHER. Has he been here long?
HILDA. Tristan thought it would be a nice present for Isolde. But how could that be? Duke Gillienne loved Petite Crew more than anything else in the world and neither tricks nor pleas could make him part with it. So Tristan said to him, “What will be the reward for freeing your country from the hairy giant called Urban? “On my word of honour”, said Gillienne, “I will let the champion select the most precious prize from my treasury.”
FERN. No, no longer than a month. There is hardly a place he hasn’t fought in this year. You won’t recognise him now, he has changed so much. He is burnt and scarred all over. As soon as he heard Andet had started hostilities, he came to the King’s aid.
GLETCHER. It wasn’t wise of Andret. Tristan is not after the tribute. He is coming to kill Andret, that’s for sure.
HILDA. Tristan reached the hairy monster Urban in its den. The fight was long and fierce. Finally vallour triumphed over strength and swift sword over a heavy mace. Having cut off the giant’s head, Tristan brought it to the Duke. As my prize, my lord, I would like to have your charming dog called Petite Crew. - You can have it, but let it be known to you that you are taking away the joy of my eyes and the comfort of my heart.
HELGA. Andret wasn’t wise? He started a war against Ireland, now he has drawn Cornwall into it. He knows what he is doing. Take care, Gletcher.
FERN. And me?..
HELGA. Oh you, fool…
FERN. Never mind. We’ll sort it out.
GLETCHER. So I walk around naked, have a look at my good looks… Farewell, old friend. Good bye, Helga. Let’s go, Hilda.
HILDA. (While packing her things and leaving). Isolda was really pleased, and she told the King the present came from her mother, the Queen of Ireland. Wherever she went, she carried the dog with her. And every time she looked at it, all the misery, grief and sorrow abandoned her heart. Oh, she thought, is it right that I find comfort while Tristan is unhappy? He is so generous that he chose to give this dog to me, sending me his joy and being left to face his misery. Let that never be! Tristan, I want to share your misery! She took the magic rattle, rang it for the last time and cast it into the sea.
They are kissing goodbye and leaving.
HELGA. “Is it right that I find comfort while Tristan is unhappy?..” “…Let that never be! I want to share your misery!..”
Scene XIII
Cornwall, a castle. ANDRET, MARK.
TANTRIS is wearing rags, he is bald, half of his face and head is burnt, he looks dirty, he is carrying a stick at his belt, a tambourine in his hands and a pipe on his neck.
TANTRIS. Hear my King’s will, hear it for the last time. He bids you pay the tribute you are liable to pay. But if someone is ready to challenge His authority in a fight… I will accept the challenge. Which of you gentlemen is ready… to fight…for freedom?
Silence.
TANTRIS. Well, you brave gallant fearless courageous sires of unblemished reputation! Or is this land populated by no one but slaves?..
ANDRET. Believe it or not, Mark, but these are practically the exact words Tristan used to address me. This new Morholt somehow thought you will stand it when your subject is required to pay a wrongful tribute. A good reason to prove he has gone cuckoo. By the way, how do you like my new jester called Tantris? (ANDRET pats TANTRIS approvingly on his cheek). I met him on my way here. He said he hadn’t seen the Queen for a year and wished to have a look at her. Is it true you never let her out?
MARK. So you have seen Tristan?
ANDRET. Why?
MARK. (inviting him to provide the missing) My…
ANDRET. Oh, of course. Why, my King?
MARK. So Tristan has declared his demands. In person.
ANDRET. No, he sent a squire.
MARK. They say he has changed a lot.
ANDRET. If you have been a target for boiling tar from the walls of the besieged castles and one out of two of your opponents managed to pierce you, it is hard to stay intact. If you want to know how to be a hero, ask me.
TANTRIS. Look at me and you will change your mind.
ANDRET. That’s a brilliant jester! And much better than Frosine the dwarf at that.
TANTRIS. Frosine the dwarf would have agreed with me, oh noble King Mark, that it is below your dignity to lend your ears to libel and poison your soul with suspicion.
MARK. I am aware of my faults, jester.
TANTRIS. You have never acted on advice and have always been free to choose who to favour and who to execute. Except for one time when you listened to Andret and let the lepers get the Queen.
MARK. You know it to be his idea, jester? You don’t know everything yet. It was he who staged that adultery case.
TANTRIS. I won’t be surprised to find out it was he who untied Tristan before the execution hoping that one will kill you, my King.
Mark laughs. ANDRET slaps TANTRIS on his cheek.
MARK. You left because my forgiving the Queen was a personal insult to you. Next year you had half of my barons following you.
ANDRET. They will be back if you lead us.
MARK. Why would Cornwall want another war, Andret?
TANTRIS. Your liegeman Anret is a good fisherman. He knows how to fish in troubled waters. The King will go to war and hopefully meet his death. And the liegeman will become the King. We shall have a great time, liege! (ANDRET draws the sword, TANTRIS defends himself with a stick). He’s afraid you will name me your heir, Mark! Punish him!
MARK. You may leave, Andret. I will not support you. Tomorrow Tristan will kill you.
ANDRET. Then who will be your heir?
MARK. It’s none of your business.
ANDRET. Who will be your heir if the Queen does not let you come near her?
MARK. You are testing my patience. Take your leave.
ANDRET. (mocking) “Let me in, my Queen. I am your husband!” - “ Leave or I will call Tristan!..”
MARK. Tomorrow you die.
ANDRET. Give it a thought, my King! Tomorrow I could help you get rid of Tristan!
MARK. Help me?
ANDRET. Poor gallant Tristan! He has been serving noble King Mark all his life long, sacrificing everything including his love. And the only thing Mark ever did in return was try to get rid of him in every low way possible. Tristan will be glad to know that. I will tell him tomorrow. Then we’ll see who of us two will be killed first.
MARK. Have some fun before you die.
ANDRET. You asked me where Frosine the dwarf was. I had him executed because he had untied Tristan’s hands on the day of the execution. Yes, it was my jester who set him free and gave him my sword. He who had earnestly hated him. Just like you did. He never trusted him to be noble. He thought him to be a lucky upstart aiming for the throne and seducing the Queen. Just like you did. He was eagerly spying on them and still failed to catch them doing anything but looking and sighing. He felt irritated because of that, just like you did. And you agreed to everything. You were guided not by love, jealousy or indignation. You were not protecting your honour because you haven’t got one. You were just eliminating a rival. When we broke into the Queen’s bedroom everybody realised they were innocent. The hateful dwarf did! But you were the only one who chose not to, noble King Mak. You not only authorised the execution, but also left Isolde with the lepers. What can one make out of the rest? The swallow? The poisoned blade? When he was dying and asked to set his boat adrift, you were aware I had ordered him to be delivered to Ireland and you never said a word against it.
MARK. The only thing the strictest chronicler could blame me for is being too trusting. I trusted you too much, Andret.
ANDRET. Speaking of chroniclers. (Hands over a folder to MARK). Read it at your leisure. One had to do something about all that story with love, execution, banishment. One can’t present it as it is. Even a jester understands it, doesn’t he? Hey, jester! Why are you so sad?
TANTRIS. Tantris regrets he hadn’t made a cuckold of the King when he had a chance to.
ANDRET. And when did you have a chance like that?
TANTRIS. You are sweating with fear. You smell like a stray dog. Tomorrow Tristan will answer your question, liegeman.
ANDRET. Poor Andret. Everybody is threatening him. And what if tomorrow Tristan has no time to answer my question? Tell me now, jester.
TANTRIS. For half a year while living in the forest the Queen was dying of love and Tristan was foolish enough never to even touch her.
MARK. How do you know?
ANRET. So you have your doubts, my King? You will stand for your beloved Andret tomorrow, won’t you?
MARK. That’s your jester. He can say anything.
ANDRET. Mind you, Mark, Tristan hasn’t seen the Queen for a year. And tomorrow he will be here. You are playing with fire.
MARK. (reading) Love potion… And you used to say you didn’t believe in fairy tales.
ANDRET. I don’t. People do. Read it, and you will see what loyal service is.
MARK. No, it is of no use. Good bye, Duke. (Leaves).
ANDRET. Duke? How about Prince? No? Think, Mark! Just a word from you and it will all come to an end tomorrow! (Hits Tantris, drops him onto the floor and wipes his feet on him). That’s how noble people suffer for their good, jester.
MARK. My liege Andret! Prince! Follow your King. But actually, you know… you could do with a bath.
ANDRET leaves.
TANTRIS. Soon I will call you, Isolde. Will you come?
Scene XIV
ISOLDE’s chambers. She is wearing a beautiful hooded gown. She is weaving a rope from ginger-coloured flax.
A nightingale is singing.
ISOLDE. That’s how a nightingale sounds when it mourns the end of summer.
Enter TANTRIS. It was him whistling.
TANTRIS. Do you recognise me, my Queen? It’s me, Tantris.
ISOLDE. I used to know a minstrel called Tantris once. But he was young and handsome. And you are miserable, dirty and humble.
TANTRIS. I cannot live without my Queen, so I came to have a look at her.
ISOLDE. (Laughing). “Look at her!”.. Who has let this leper in? Chase him away!
TANTRIS. My lord, you wish to burn your wife at stake? It is only fair but too mild. The fire will eat her quickly, the wind will carry her ashes, her torture will be too short.
ISOLDE. Now I have lived long enough to see a jester mocking and insulting me.
TANTRIS. Do you care if Mark kills me? Shall I not die of my love for you, Isolde? What else is my life but ceaseless dying?
Enter MARK and ANDRET.
MARK. What made you think my wife would care for a ghastly fool like you?
TANTRIS. I am entitled. I have served her hard. I have lost my mind because of her.
MARK. Who are you then?
TANTRIS. Your touch, Isolde, feels like longing for the victory in a deadly fight, said I, and down at heart I called you by your name.
ANDRET. Whoever you are, you dare not speak like that .
MARK. Quiet, Andret. You have already shown your quality. So, “called her by her name…”
TANTRIS. I would wish for any fire to Isolda’s body if I could resurrect it with my hands.
ISOLDE. Let his soul perish! Let the day perish wherein he was born! Let the boat perish, the one that brought him to me instead of drowning him!
MARK. Calm down, my Queen. You have been doing enough swearing and cursing lately. Where did you pick it up?
TANTRIS. My Queen and my Lady! Now it is clear that you have abandoned me and I accuse you of infidelity.
ANDRET. Treason, my King!
TANTRIS. And what about the present I sent you? The dog called Petite Crew, the one with a magic rattle? Is it not for this dog that you are weaving a lead?
MARK. Why, wasn’t that creature (pointing at ISOLDE) sent here by the Queen of Ireland?
ISOLDE. Petite Crew… Petite Crew became the favourite of Tristan’s dog called Husdent. He hugged it to death on the third day they met.
MARK. I wish I hadn’t hanged Husdent for that. You would have been enjoying the company of at least one dog now.
ISOLDE. Petite Crew is so small and helpless, and loves Husdent so much she is about to get lost.
MARK. What is it, darling, indeed that you are weaving?
TANTRIS, standing on all fours, imitates a dog. He gives a careless sniff at MARK, raises his leg against ANDRET, comes up to ISOLDE, lies at her feet, puts his snout on his paws and gives a whine. ISOLDE finishes her weaving and makes a loop out of the rope. She takes off her hood. Her hair is cut short.
ISOLDE. Call me, my friend. You know I shall come.
She puts on the “lead”. TANTRIS starts howling quietly.
MARK. Prince, will you help the Queen to her feet? My Queen, we are going to visit Andret.
Exit MARK, ANDRET, ISOLDE. TANTRIS is left lying. The lights go dim. Two dogs are howling.
Scene XV
Ireland. A royal castle. TRISTAN and PERINIS. TRISTAN is wounded and almost immovable.
PERINIS. If the queen is on board the ship, it will carry white sails.
TRISTAN. Look out of the window.
PERINIS. Nothing.
TRISTAN. It was just a glance you have given. There is a strong fog.
PERINIS. Not much of a fog. Everything is quite visible.
TRISTAN. Did you manage to see her?
PERINIS. I didn’t stay long. Mark was really glad to get peace on former terms. He inquired of your health, then apologised again for Andret’s shameful meanness and treachery, adding that Andret had never cared to know what the Code of Honour was.
TRISTAN. I don’t know it either.
PERINIS. How come? It is … It is …
TRISTAN. I asked you if you had seen the Queen.
PERINIS. I was trying to tell you that she hadn’t been present at the reception. And whoever I asked about the Queen would change the subject of the conversation or just be silent, and finally I was told she was often unwell lately. Nobody could tell me where and when she took her walks. And her chambers are secured by a triple guard chain.
TRISTAN. What did Brangaine say as you handed over the ring to her?
PERINIS. Sir Tristan! Neither bribes nor threats could force a single servant to call her out for me to see. Mosquitos were preying on me as I was on my watch hiding in the tree, waiting for her to show up in the gallery. Hardly did I tell her she was to deliver the ring to the Queen, when she hurried away. At the same moment a group of courtmen or rather guards appeared looking so menacing, that I found it wise to escape.
TRISTAN. How will she know about the ship?
PERINIS. Oh yes! I wrapped the ring into a note which said the ship would be waiting for her till dawn. So it is all right. Sir Tristan! I started as Morholt’s squire and I have been at your service for a year. Haven’t you told me time and again that I am worthy of knighthood?
TRISTAN. Yes, I have, Perinis.
PERINIS. Will you bestow this honour on me?
TRISTAN. Look out of the window.
PERINIS. As I said, no sail.
TRISTAN. Why would you wish to be sired? Abandon this silly idea. Whatever a knight does, whichever way he behaves, he somehow feels ashamed facing the people.
PERINIS. Why so?!
TRISTAN. I guess because they are never happy.
PERINIS. But every king wished to have you at his service. Everyone but Mark.
TRISTAN. All the kings are the same. Look out of the window.
PERINIS. I am looking! If I were a knight and Andret survived, I could challenge him. To hit an unarmed opponent! The wound is deep, Tristan, and the blade was poisoned…
TRISTAN. I am expecting my Queen.
PERINIS. (looking out of the window) What if she doesn’t come? And how could she get out of the castle?
TRISTAN. What can you see?
PERINIS. I see a sail, and it is black.
TRISTAN. Bring the sword and bend your knees. (PERINIS does so. TRISTAN manages to get up and perform the ceremony). I dub you knight! Arise, Sir Perinis! Let you be worthy when you have to stand against your enemies. (Loses his strength).
PERINIS. There is no end of victories in front of you, Tristan! Forget Isolde!
TRISTAN. Queen Isolde, Sir. You oughtn’t to call her by her name only.
PERINIS. Is there anything higher than a knight’s honour, valour or glory?
TRISTAN. Even death.
PERINIS. Even death is not higher than glory!
TRISTAN. … is not higher than love. (Dies away forever).
Enter ISOLDE.
PERINIS. My Queen! But the sail …(looks out of the window) But the sail is black!!!
ISOLDE opens her hand, unfolds the note, takes out the ring, she hands the note over to PERINIS.
She comes up to TRISTAN and kisses him on his lips.
ISOLDE. You are ahead of me again, Tristan.
PERINIS (Reads the note). But it is vice versa. I … I couldn’t write that! It had to be white … I couldn’t … He sired me… It was just a mistake…
ISOLDE gets up to her feet, produces two splinters and attaches them to the blade.
PERINIS comes up to ISOLDE.
ISOLDE. Sir Perinis…
PERINIS. He said even death is not higher than love.
ISOLDE kisses him on his forehead. He can’t help but kiss her on her lips. ISOLDE draws away.
PERINIS falls down on his knees.
ISOLDE puts poison out of the ring into a cup standing on the table, drinks the poison, sits down on the floor next to TRISTAN, puts her head onto his knees.
ISOLDE. I promised to follow you wherever you are. You called for me, my love. I am coming… (Falls asleep forever).
PERINIS. No, it cannot be… It cannot be so!
Enter MARK.
PERINIS. ( gets up) King Mark!
MARK comes up to TRISTAN and ISOLDE, slaps TRISTAN on his cheek as if to wake him up, then stronger and still stronger…
PERINIS. (astonished) My King!..
MARK does not pay any attention. He tries to lift ISOLDE in his arms. He fails because she is holding TRISTAN at his waist with a deadly grip. MARK puts ISOLDE down and tries to open her hand.
PERINIS. (threatening the king with his sword) In the name of God, stop that, my King!
MARK. Well done! You have shown yourself to be loyal to Tristan. But Tristan is dead. (Hands over the ring).
PERINIS takes the ring.
MARK. It can be, it can be so, my dear sir.
PERINIS. Even death is not higher than love, my King.
MARK. Love?! Oh no, Sir Tristan and Queen Isolde were not unfaithful to their King. Haven’t you heard of … of love potion?
PERINIS. Love potion?
MARK. (Taking TRISTAN’s sword) Don’t you know that on board the ship heading for Cornwall they drank magic potion? I will tell you.
PERINIS is looking at the sword as if hypnotised.
MARK. Would you like to have it?
PERINIS. If I could… have the honour…
MARK. Of serving me? Of course you could. Serve your King! (Passes the sword to him). And now, dear Perinis, could you help me (nodding at ISOLDE) open this hand…
The lights go dim.
The End
Saint Petersburg
2013
Tristan and Isolde
© Copyright: Ãàãàðèíîâ Èãîðü, 2023
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Ñâèäåòåëüñòâî î ïóáëèêàöèè ¹223011900986
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