Tristan and Isolda

Richard Wagner

Tristan and Isolda: Opera in Three Acts

THE STORY OF "TRISTAN AND ISOLDA"

ACT I

Tristan, a valiant Cornish knight, is bringing Isolda, princess of Ireland, over as a bride for his uncle, King Mark. He is himself in love with her, but owing to a blood feud between them, forces himself to conceal his passion. Isolda, in anger at his seeming unkindness, attempts to poison herself and him, but her attendant, Brangæna, changes the draft for a love potion, which enflames their passion beyond power of restraint.

ACT II

Isolda has been wedded to King Mark, but holds stolen interviews with Tristan, during one of which they are surprised, for Tristan has been betrayed by a jealous friend, Melot. Touched by King Mark's bitter reproaches, Tristan provokes Melot to fight and suffers himself to be mortally wounded.

ACT III

Tristan's faithful servant, Kurvenal, has carried his wounded master to his native home in Brittany, where he is carefully tended. Isolda has also been sent for, as being skilled above all others in the healing art. The excitement of her approach only hastens Tristan's death, and he breathes his last sigh in her arms. Mark has followed Isolda; he has had matters explained, and is prepared to reunite the lovers, but it is too late. Isolda utters her lament over the body of her lover, and her heart breaks: in death alone are they united.

TRISTAN AND ISOLDA

ACT I

[A pavilion erected on the deck of a ship, richly hung with tapestry, quite closed in at back at first. A narrow hatchway at one side leads below into the cabin.]

SCENE I

ISOLDA on a couch, her face buried in the cushions.— BRANGÆNA holding open a curtain, looks over the side of the vessel.

THE VOICE OF A YOUNG SAILOR (from above as if at the mast-head).

ISOLDA (starting up suddenly).What wight dares insult me?

(She looks round in agitation.)

Brangæna, ho!Say, where sail we?BRANGÆNA (at the opening).Bluish stripesare stretching along the west:swiftly sailsthe ship to shore;if restful the sea by evewe shall readily set foot on land.ISOLDA. What land?BRANGÆNA. Cornwall's verdant strand.ISOLDA. Never more!To-day nor to-morrow!BRANGÆNA. What mean you, mistress? say!

(She lets the curtain fall and hastens to ISOLDA.)

ISOLDA (with wild gaze).O fainthearted child,false to thy fathers!Ah, where, mother,hast given thy mightthat commands the wave and the tempest?O subtle artof sorcery,for mere leech-craft followed too long!Awake in me once more,power of will!Arise from thy hidingwithin my breast!Hark to my bidding,fluttering breezes!Arise and stormin boisterous strife!With furious rageand hurricane's hurdlewaken the seafrom slumbering calm;rouse up the deepto its devilish deeds!Shew it the preywhich gladly I proffer!Let it shatter this too daring shipand enshrine in ocean each shred!And woe to the lives!Their wavering death-sighsI leave to ye, winds, as your lot.BRANGÆNA (in extreme alarm and concern for ISOLDA).Out, alas!Ah, woe!I've ever dreaded some ill!—Isolda! mistress!Heart of mine!What secret dost thou hide?Without a tearthou'st quitted thy father and mother,and scarce a wordof farewell to friends thou gavest;leaving home thou stood'st,how cold and still!pale and speechlesson the way,food rejecting,reft of sleep,stern and wretched,wild, disturbed;how it pains meso to see thee!Friends no more we seem,being thus estranged.Make me partnerin thy pain!Tell me freelyall thy fears!Lady, thou hearest,sweetest and dearest;if for true friend you take me,your confidant O make me!ISOLDA. Air! air!or my heart will choke!Open! open there wide!

(BRANGÆNA hastily draws the centre curtains apart.)

SCENE II

[The whole length of the ship is now seen, down to the stern, with the sea and horizon beyond. Round the mainmast sailors are ensconced, busied with ropes; beyond them in the stern are groups of knights and attendants, also seated; a little apart stands TRISTAN folding his arms and thoughtfully gazing out to sea; at his feet KURVENAL reclines carelessly. From the mast-head above is once more heard the voice of the young sailor.]

THE YOUNG SAILOR (at the mast-head invisible).The wind so wildblows homewards now;my Irish child,where waitest thou?Say, must our sails be weighted,filled by thy sighs unbated?Waft us, wind strong and wild!Woe, ah woe for my child!ISOLDA (whose eyes have at once sought TRISTAN and fixedstonily on him—gloomily). Once beloved—now removed—brave and bright,coward knight!—Death-devoted head!Death-devoted heart!—

(laughing unnaturally).

Think'st highly of yon minion?BRANGÆNA (following her glance).Whom mean'st thou?ISOLDA. There, that herowho from mine eyesaverts his own:in shrinking shamemy gaze he shuns—Say, how hold you him?BRANGÆNA. Mean you Sir Tristan,lady mine?Extolled by ev'ry nation,his happy country's pride,The hero of creation,—whose fame so high and wide?ISOLDA (jeeringly).In shrinking trepidationhis shame he seeks to hide,While to the king, his relation,he brings the corpse-like bride!—Seems it so senselessWhat I say?Go ask himself,our gracious host,dare he approach my side?No courteous heedor loyal carethis hero t'wardshis lady turns;but to meet her his heart is daunted,this knight so highly vaunted!Oh! he wotswell the cause!To the traitor go,bearing his lady's will!As my servant bound,straightway should he approach.BRANGÆNA. Shall I beseech himto attend thee?ISOLDA. Nay, order him:pray, understand it:—I, Isoldado command it!

[At an imperious sign from ISOLDA BRANGÆNA withdraws and timidly walks along the deck towards the stern, past the working sailors. ISOLDA, following her with fixed gaze, sinks back on the couch, where she remains seated during the following, her eyes still turned sternward.]

KURVENAL (observing Brangæna's approach, plucks Tristan by the robe without rising.)Beware, Tristan!Message from Isolda!TRISTAN (starting). What is't?—Isolda?—

(He quickly regains his composure as BRANGÆNA approaches and curtsies to him.)

What would my lady?I her liegeman,fain will listenwhile her loyalwoman tells her will.BRANGÆNA. My lord, Sir Tristan,Dame Isoldawould have speechwith you at once.TRISTAN. Is she with travel worn?The end is near:nay, ere the set of sunsight we the land.All that your mistress commands me,trust me, I shall mind.BRANGÆNA. That you, Sir Tristan,go to her,–this is my lady's wish.TRISTAN. Where yonder verdant meadowsin distance dim are mounting,waits my sov'reignfor his mate:to lead her to his presenceI'll wait upon the princess:'tis an honorall my own.BRANGÆNA. My lord, Sir Tristan,list to me:this one thingmy lady wills,that thou at once attend her,there where she waits for thee.TRISTAN. In any stationwhere I standI truly serve but her,the pearl of womanhood.If I unheedingleft the helm,how might I pilot her shipin surety to King Mark?BRANGÆNA. Tristan, my master,why mock me thus?Seemeth my sayingobscure to you?list to my lady's words:thus, look you, she hath spoken:"Go order him,and understand it,I—Isolda—do command it."KURVENAL (springing up). May I an answer make her?TRISTAN. What wouldst thou wish to reply?KURVENAL. This should she sayto Dame Isold':"Though Cornwall's crownand England's islefor Ireland's child he chose,his own by choiceshe may not be;he brings the king his bride.A hero-knightTristan is hight!I've said, nor care to measureyour lady's high displeasure."

[While TRISTAN seeks to stop him, and the offended BRANGÆNA turns to depart, KURVENAL sings after her at the top of his voice, as she lingeringly withdraws.]

"Sir Morold toiledo'er mighty wavethe Cornish tax to levy;In desert islewas dug his grave,he died of wounds so heavy.His head now hangsin Irish lands,Sole were-gild wonat English hands.Bravo, our brave Tristan!Let his tax take who can!"

[KURVENAL, driven away by TRISTAN'S chidings, descends into the cabin. BRANGÆNA returns in discomposure to ISOLDA, closing the curtains behind her, while all the men take up the chorus and are heard without.]

KNIGHTS AND ATTENDANTS."His head now hangsin Irish lands,sole were-gild wonat English hands.Bravo, our brave Tristan!Let his tax take who can!"

SCENE III

[ISOLDA and BRANGÆNA alone, the curtain being again completely closed. ISOLDA rises with a gesture of despair and wrath. BRANGÆNA falls at her feet.]

BRANGÆNA. Ah! an answerso insulting!ISOLDA (checking herself on the brink of a fearful outburst).How now? of Tristan?I'd know if he denies me.BRANGÆNA. Ah! question not!ISOLDA. Quick, say without fear!BRANGÆNA. With courteous phrasehe foiled my will.ISOLDA. But when you bade him hither?BRANGÆNA. When I had straightwaybid him come,where'er he stood,he said to me,he truly served but thee,the pearl of womanhood;if he unheededleft the helmhow could he pilot the shipin surety to King Mark?ISOLDA (bitterly)."How could he pilot the shipin surety to King Mark!"And wait on him with were-gildfrom Ireland's island won!BRANGÆNA.As I gave out the messageand in thy very words,thus spoke his henchman Kurvenal—ISOLDA.Heard I not ev'ry sentence?it all has reached my ear.If thou hast learnt my disgracenow hear too whence it has grown.How scoffinglythey sing about me!Quickly could I requite them!What of the boatso bare and frail,that floated by our shore?What of the brokenstricken man,feebly extended there?Isolda's arthe gladly owned;with herbs, simplesand healing salvesthe wounds from which he sufferedshe nursed in skilful wise.Though "Tantris"The name that he took unto him,as "Tristan"anon Isolda knew him,when in the sick man's keen bladeshe perceived a notch had been made,wherein did fita splinter brokenin Morold's head,the mangled tokensent home in hatred rare:this hand did find it there.I heard a voicefrom distance dim;with the sword in handI came to him.Full well I willed to slay him,for Morold's death to pay him.But from his sick bedhe looked upnot at the sword,not at my arm—his eyes on mine were fastened,and his feeblenesssoftened my heart:the sword—dropped from my fingers.Though Morold's steel had maimed himto health again I reclaimed him!when he hath homeward wendedmy emotion then might be ended.BRANGÆNA.O wondrous! Why could I not see this?The guest I sometimehelped to nurse—?ISOLDA.His praise briskly they sing now:—"Bravo, our brave Tristan!"—he was that distressful man.A thousand protestationsof truth and love he prated.Hear how a knightfealty knows!—When as Tantrisunforbidden he'd left me,as Tristanboldly back he came,in stately shipfrom which in prideIreland's heiressin marriage he askedfor Mark, the Cornish monarch,his kinsman worn and old.In Morold's lifetimedared any have dreamedto offer us such an insult?For the tax-payingCornish princeto presume to court Ireland's princess!Ah, woe is me!I it waswho for myselfdid shape this shame!with death-dealing swordshould I have stabbed him;weakly it escaped me:—now serfdom I have shaped me.Curse him, the villain!Curse on his head!Vengeance! Death!Death for me too!BRANGÆNA (throwing herself upon ISOLDA with impetuous tenderness).Isolda! lady!loved one! fairest!sweet perfection!mistress rarest!Hear me! come now,sit thee here.—

(Gradually draws ISOLDA to the couch.)

What a whim!what causeless railing!How came you so wrong-mindedand by mere fancy blinded?Sir Tristan gives theeCornwall's kingdom;then, were he erst thy debtor,how could he reward thee better?His noble uncleserves he so:think too what a gifton thee he'd bestow!With honor unequalledall he's heir toat thy feet he seeks to shower,to make thee a queenly dower.

(ISOLDA turns away.)

If wife he'd make theeunto King Markwhy wert thou in this wise complaining?Is he not worth thy gaining?Of royal raceand mild of mood,who passes King Markin might and power?If a noble knightlike Tristan serves him,who would not but feel elated,so fairly to be mated.ISOLDA (gazing vacantly before her).Glorious knight!And I must near himloveless ever languish!How can I support such anguish?BRANGÆNA.What's this, my lady?loveless thou?

(Approaching coaxingly and kissing ISOLDA.)

Where lives there a manwould not love thee?Who could see IsoldaAnd not sinkat once into bondage blest?And if e'en it could beany were cold,did any magicdraw him from thee,I'd bring the false oneback to bondage,And bind him in links of love.—

(Secretly and confidentially, close to ISOLDA.)

Mindest thou notthy mother's arts?Think you that shewho'd mastered thosewould have sent me o'er the sea,without assistance for thee?ISOLDA (darkly).My mother's redeI mind aright,and highly her magicarts I hold:—Vengeance they wreak for wrongs,rest give to wounded spirits.—Yon casket hither bear.BRANGÆNA.It holds a balm for thee.—

(She brings forward a small golden coffer, opens it, and points to its contents.)

Thy mother placed inside ither subtle magic potions.There's salve for sicknessor for wounds,and antidotesfor deadly drugs.—

(She takes a bottle.)

The helpfullest draughtI hold in here.ISOLDA.Not so, I know a better.I make a markto know it again—This draught 'tis I would drain.

(Seizes flask and shows it.)

BRANGÆNA (recoiling in horror).The draught of death!

(ISOLDA has risen from the sofa and now hears with increasing dread the cries of the sailors.)

VOICES OF THE CREW (without)."Ho! heave ho! hey!Reduce the sail!The mainsail in!Ho! heave ho! hey!"ISOLDA.Our journey has been swift.Woe is me! Near to the land!

SCENE IV

(KURVENAL boisterously enters through the curtains.)

KURVENAL.Up, up, ye ladies!Look alert!Straight bestir you!Loiter not,—here is the land!—To dame Isoldasays the servantof Tristan,our hero true:—Behold our flag is flying!it waveth landwards aloft:in Mark's ancestral castlemay our approach be seen.So, dame Isolda,he prays to hasten,for land straight to prepare her,that thither he may bear her.ISOLDA (who has at first cowered and shuddered on hearing the message, now speaks calmly and with dignity).My greeting takeunto your lordand tell him what I say now:Should he assist to land meand to King Mark would he hand me,unmeet and unseemlywere his act,the while my pardonwas not wonfor trespass black and base:So bid him seek my grace.

(KURVENAL makes a gesture of defiance.)

Now mark me well,This message take:—Nought will I yet prepare me,that he to land may bear me;I will not by him be landed,nor unto King Mark be handedere granting forgivenessand forgetfulness,which 'tis seemlyhe should seek:—for all his trespass baseI tender him my grace.KURVENAL.Be assured,I'll bear your words:we'll see what he will say!

(He retires quickly.)

SCENE V

ISOLDA (hurries to BRANGÆNA and embraces her vehemently

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес».

Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес.

Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.