Richard Wagner
Tristan and Isolde
Act III
Translated by Abigail Dyer © Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved.
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Contents
Act III, Scene 1
‘Tristan's castle in Brittany’
Nicholas Roerich (Russian 1874-1947)
WikiArt
Castle garden. On one side, a tall castle. On the other, a low wall with a lookout post. Upstage, the castle gate. All this is located on a rocky cliff. Through openings, one can see a wide horizon and the sea. The place gives an impression of being deserted, unkempt, in disrepair and overgrown. Downstage, inside the wall, Tristan lies under the shade of a large linden tree, asleep on a couch, laid out as if he were dead. At his head Kurwenal sits, distraught, bent over him listening for the sound of his breath. From outside the wall, when the curtain goes up, is a Shepherd playing a tune of mournful longing on his pipe. Finally, the Shepherd appears over the wall and looks inside with interest.
SHEPHERD (softly)
Kurwenal! Hey!
Say, Kurwenal!
Listen, friend!
(Kurwenal turns his head a little toward the Shepherd.)
Still not awake?
KURWENAL (sadly shakes his head)
If he wakes up
It will only be
Evermore to leave us.
The far physician's on her way--
Our only hope of help.
Nothing there yet?
No ship yet on the sea?
SHEPHERD If there were, I'd play a happier tune,
As happy as ever I can.
Now tell me truly, my old friend,
What happened to our lord?
KURWENAL Drop the subject.
That's something I can't tell you.
Keep your watch.
If you see a ship
Then play your happiest tune!
(Shepherd turns and looks, hand shielding his eyes, out to sea.)
SHEPHERD Still empty, the sea!
(takes up his pipe and exits as he plays it)
TRISTAN (without moving, faintly)
That tune from childhood...
It wakes me. Why?
(opens his eyes, turns his head a little)
Where am I?
KURWENAL (startles, shocked)
Ha! Ha!
Is he speaking?
He is speaking!
Tristan! Master!
My lord! My Tristan!
TRISTAN (with effort)
Who calls me?
KURWENAL Finally! Finally! Living! He's living!
Sweet, sweet life once more my Tristan has been given!
TRISTAN (flatly, raising himself a little bit off the couch)
Kurwenal? You?
Where was I?
Where am I?
KURWENAL Where you are?
In peace and safety, you're free!
Kareol, Lord.
Know you your family's castle not?
TRISTAN Family's castle?
KURWENAL Just look around!
TRISTAN What's that piping?
KURWENAL The shepherd's pipe is what you hear playing.
That hill is where he tends to your flocks at pasture.
TRISTAN Mine? At pasture?
KURWENAL Yes, exactly!
Yours the house; yours the land.
Its men all true to you, their lord.
As best they could they kept the castle grounds
That you, my lord, once did bequeath
To the people for their own
Back when you left your home,
In foreign lands to roam.
TRISTAN Which foreign lands?
KURWENAL Well! In Cornwall!
Bold and brightly, what reputation, honor and glory
Tristan, my hero, there won!
TRISTAN Am I in Cornwall?
KURWENAL No, no! In Kareol!
TRISTAN I came here...how?
KURWENAL Oh, boy! How you came?
On horseback rode you not.
A dinghy carried you in.
But from that dinghy here
On my back I carried you--
It is broad.
It carried you to the shore.
But now you're at home.
You're on your land,
Your one, true home,
Your father's land.
You're on your fields, your birthright,
Warmed by ancestral sunlight.
Here, from your wounds so deadly
You'll blessedly get better.
(presses himself to Tristan's breast)
TRISTAN (after a short silence)
Think you so? Well, I know different
But I cannot explain it.
Where I awoke, I stayed not.
But where I went to,
That I can never tell you.
The sun, I never saw.
I saw no lands or people.
But what I saw,
That's what I cannot tell you.
I was where I have always come from
And where I'll come to rest:
In the expansive world of night.
In there we knew nothing else but
Timeless and divine oblivion!
But then the knowledge faded.
Longing remembrance,
Was it you
Who drove me newly
Back to light and daytime,
Where just one thing was still mine:
A love lasting for all time?
From death-delight, so frightening,
Into the light it drives me,
Deceitful, bright and golden,
That 'round Isolde shines!
(Kurwenal, seized with horror, hides his head. Tristan gradually sits up.)
Isolde's still in sunlight's kingdom!
In daylight's shimmer, still Isolde!
Ah, such longing!
Ah, so frightening!
Ah, to see her, such desire!
Crashing closed I heard already
The door of death behind me.
Yet the door again has opened.
The rays of sunlight burst it wide.
So with my eyes wide open
I flee from nighttime's homeland
Now to seek her, now to catch her.
In her only let me die and let me vanish.
Grudge it not Tristan.
No! I feel faint, afraid!
In me daytime's wild craze
And the falseness of its shine
Wake the mad deceit of my mind!
Accursed shine! Accursed day!
Will you always wake my pain?
Will this light burn, timeless, faithless,
E'en at night to separate us?
Ah, Isolde,
Sweet and noble,
When will you, when, ah, when,
Will you douse the torches
So I may know my fortune?
When will the light go out?
(exhausted, sinks back down)
When still will be the house?
KURWENAL (greatly shaken, pulling himself out of his defeated mood)
I spurned her once, from faithfulness
But faithfulness now demands I call her.
Trust in my word:
You soon shall see her here, today.
That comfort I can give you,
Assuming she herself lives, too.
TRISTAN (very faintly)
The light has not gone out,
Not night yet in the house.
Isolde lives, keeps watch.
From night, she called me forth.
KURWENAL If she lives then keep up hope you'll see her!
Thought Kurwenal may seem stupid,
For this you won't rebuke him:
Near death you've been since the day
That Melot, fie and curse him,
His sword against you raised.
The wounds he dealt you--
How to heal them?
This foolish man here
Thought of her
Who healed you once
From Morold's wounds.
She'd heal you from the sickness
That Melot's blade inflicted.
To fetch the doctor, I thought then,
To Cornwall I a boat will send!
The faithful man who sailed there
Brings you Isolde here.
TRISTAN (beside himself)
Isolde comes!
Isolde nears!
(struggles, searching for words)
How faithful!
How sublimely faithful!
(pulls Kurwenal to himself and hugs him)
My Kurwenal, beloved friend!
For faithfulness unflagging
Oh, how can Tristan thank you?
My shield, my helm in battle's strife,
Through thick and thin you're at my side.
All those I hate, you hate them, too,
All those I love, you love them, too.
When I served Marke truly and well,
You gave him your most faithful help.
When I betrayed him, the noble king,
You betrayed him and gladly did!
Not your own man, only mine.
You suffer, too, when I suffer.
But what I suffer, that, you cannot suffer!
This horrible longing sears me deep.
This tortuous burning makes me weak.
How to speak plainer,
So you won't stay here?
So here you will not tarry,
And watch to keep you will hurry?
Each sense afire,
Straining to sight her,
Eyes roaming over the water
To see her ship's sail flutter?
Through wind and brine she
Comes to find me!
By the flames of love is driven
Isold' to guide her ship in!
It comes! It comes courageous and fast!
It waves, it waves, the flag on the mast!
It's she! It's she! She passes the reef!
Do you not see?
(forcefully)
Kurwenal, do you not see?
(As Kurwenal, who doesn't want to leave Tristan's side, hesitates and watches him in tense silence, the sound of the Shepherd's pipe is heard as at the start of the act, closer, then further away, playing a melancholy tune.)
KURWENAL (defeated)
There's not a ship in sight!
TRISTAN (had been listening with diminishing excitement; now begins to speak with increasing melancholy)
Can that be what you mean,
You old and solemn music,
By your grief-stricken tune?
On the evening breezes you came, too,
When first the boy his father's death did hear of.
And on that morning, fearful, gloomy,
When the son his mother's fate did learn.
He sired me, then he died.
She, dying, gave me life.
That childhood tune of longing full,
Perhaps it played for them as well.
It asked me then, it asks me now:
What is your fate, your fortune?
What purpose were you born to?
What is your fate?
The childhood music tells me once more:
To long for and die for!
No, oh, no--
That is not it!
Longing! Longing!
I long as I lie dying
But I die not from longing!
That never dies.
It only begs for peaceful death
On the far physician's breast.
Dying, mute, upon the barque,
The poisoned wound was near my heart.
Longing, plaintive played the music
As, blown by breezes so mild,
I neared Ireland's child.
The poisoned wound she healed and closed.
Then with the sword tore newly op'n.
She swung not but she let it sink down;
Then poison gave to me to drink down.
I hoped the poison wholly would heal me.
Instead the magical potion did sear me:
It cursed me ne'er to perish,
And deathless pain inherit.
The drink! The drink! The terrible drink!
How from heart to head its fury set in!
No healing now, no death so sweet
From longing's anguish can me free.
Nowhere, ah, nowhere I find rest.
Night casts me into day's distress
Where sunlight finds so delightful
My pain, eternal and frightful.
Oh, day! Oh, sun! Oh, searing white light!
It scorches my brain with its torture so bright!
From heat, from longing's sweltering ardor,
Ah, there's no shade, no sheltering arbor!
From this, the pain of agony deep,
What elixir ever could give me relief?
This terrible drink that caused my torment cruel,
Myself, myself, I myself did brew!
From father's anguish, mother's pain,
From lovelorn tears from age to age,
From laughter and woe, from wonders and wounds,
I mixed up the poison potion and brewed it!
That which I brewed,
Which flooded through me,
With never-ending bliss I consumed it.
Be cursed, you terrible drink.
Be cursed, who made the brew!
(faints back onto the couch)
KURWENAL (tries in vain to calm Tristan; cries out in horror)
My master! Tristan!
Terrible magic!
O love's deceit,
Compulsion's craze,
The world's loveliest ruse,
What have you brought about?
He lies here still, this wonderful man,
Who like no other loved and adored.
Now see what kind of a thanks love has planned!
Ask what love has been good for!
(with a sob in his voice)
Hey, are you dead? Still alive?
Or kidnapped by the curse?
(listens for Tristan's breathing)
Oh, marvel! No! He's moving! He lives!
How gently he moves his lips!
TRISTAN (slowly reviving)
The ship? Not yet in sight?
KURWENAL The ship?
For sure, she'll come today.
She can't delay much longer.
TRISTAN On board, Isolde waving proud,
Toasting our atonement now!
Don't you see?
Don't you see her yet?
How she, mildly, blissfully and softly
Glides through ocean's waters?
On beautiful waves of flowers blooming
She wafts gently here, out to me.
Her smile consoles and brings me peace.
She brings my last refreshment sweet.
Ah, Isolde! Isolde! You're heavenly!
And Kurwenal, what?
You saw her not?
Go keep a lookout,
You stupid lout!
What my inner eye has witnessed,
Keep watch and do not miss it!
Do you not hear?
Go look out! Go!
Run! Keep a lookout!
Get to your post!
The ship? The ship?
Isolde's ship?
You must have seen it!
Must have seen it!
The ship?
Not seen it yet?
(As Kurwenal hesitantly struggles with Tristan, the Shepherd's pipe is heard Off. Kurwenal jumps up joyfully.)
KURWENAL Oh, wonder joyful!
(leaps up to the lookout post, looks out)
Ha! The ship! I clearly see her coming.
TRISTAN (with growing excitement)
Did I not tell you so?
Tell you she lives
And life to me gives?
You see, Isolde is my whole world.
So if Isold' lives, I'm still on earth!
KURWENAL (calling joyfully down from the lookout post)
Heiha! Heiha!
How the ship sails bravely!
Her sails fill with the wind!
How she runs! How she flies!
TRISTAN The banner? The banner?
KURWENAL The joyful banner is flying merry and bright!
TRISTAN (sitting up on his couch)
The banner joyful!
Light of day brings to me Isolde!
Isolde to me!
See you her face?
KURWENAL The ship has gone behind the rocks.
TRISTAN Behind the cliff? Is danger near?
There menacing currants threaten a shipwreck!
Who's steering the boat?
KURWENAL The best of the sailors.
TRISTAN A traitor he?
Under Melot's command?
KURWENAL Trust him as me!
TRISTAN A traitor you, too! Wretched man!
Is she back in sight?
KURWENAL Not yet.
TRISTAN I've lost her!
KURWENAL (joyfully)
Heiha! Hei ha ha ha!
She's past! She's past!
Safely she's past!
TRISTAN (joyfully)
Hei ha ha ha!
Kurwenal, most faithful friend!
All my worldly goods, to you I commend them.
KURWENAL They're full speed ahead.
TRISTAN So can you see her? See you Isolde?
KURWENAL That's her! She waves!
TRISTAN Oh, woman most blessed!
KURWENAL In harbor they're safe!
Isolde, ha, with one great leap,
Leapt from the ship to shore.
TRISTAN Come down from your lookout,
You lazy gawker!
Go out, go out to the shore!
Help her! Go help my wife!
KURWENAL I'll bring her right here.
Trust me to bring her!
But you, Tristan,
Stay obediently in bed!
(exit Kurwenal, quickly)
Act III, Scene 2
TRISTAN (straining from the couch with great excitement)
Oh, see the sunlight!
Ah, see the day!
Ah, look! It's wonder's sunniest day!
Blood courses fierce!
Bravery cheers!
Bliss without ending!
Jubilant frenzy!
But confined to bed
I can't endure it!
Get up, go outside
Where my heartbeat drives me!
Tristan the Brave, with jubilant strength,
Snatched himself from the jaws of death.
(he raises himself high up)
Both bloody and wounded,
I battled once Morolde.
Both bloody and wounded,
Today I win back Isolde!
(tears the bandage off his wound)
Heiha, my blood, flow and be merry
(springs up from his couch, sways forward)
So that my wound may heal forever!
Heroic she flies to heal me and save.
Let all the world die of jubilant haste!
(stumbles toward Center)
ISOLDE (Off)
Tristan, beloved!
TRISTAN (in a state of most terrible excitement)
Could light be that sound?
The torch has-- Ha! The torch has gone out!
To her! To her!
(Isolde hurries in breathlessly. Tristan, barely conscious, stumbles, swaying, toward her. They meet Center; she takes him in her arms. Tristan sinks to the floor slowly in her arms.)
ISOLDE Tristan! Ah!
TRISTAN (looks at her, dying)
Isolde!
(he dies)
ISOLDE Ah! Tristan! Tristan! Sweetest beloved!
Ah, once more give ear to my call:
Isolde calls, Isolde comes
To Tristan's side to perish!
Can you not speak?
For one brief hour, one hour, wake and
Stay by my side!
The anxious days spent waking and longing
For one last hour to spend waking with you!
Betrayed Isolde! Betrayed by Tristan!
Denied this single, eternal, final worldly joy?
You're wounded! Where? I'll make you better
So we'll have one blissful night together!
Not from your wounds, ah, from your wounds you must not die!
But let us, united, blow out our lives' last light!
Gone cloudy, his eye! Still, his heart!
Silent, the flutter of his breath!
Must she now sorrow at your death,
She who joyful came here to wed you,
Bravely sailing the sea?
Too late! Obstinate man!
Punishing me as hard as you can?
Can't you forgive me my debt of grief?
Or even listen
To my petition?
Just one more time,
Once more be mine!
Tristan! Ha!
Hark! He wakes!
Beloved!
(sinks down unconscious over his body)
Act III, Scene 3
(Kurwenal had come in just behind Isolde. He witnessed the scene, mute and terribly shaken. Motionless, he stares at Tristan. From below can be heard a dull murmur and the clank of weapons. The Shepherd climbs over the wall.)
SHEPHERD (quickly and quietly turning to Kurwenal)
Kurwenal! Look! A second ship!
(Kurwenal startles violently and looks over the wall as the Shepherd, from a distance, is shaken by the sight of Tristan and Isolde.)
KURWENAL (flying into a rage)
Fire and brimstone! On deck all hands!
Marke and Melot I see advance!
Take up your weapons! Help me! The gate!
(hurries to the gate with the Shepherd and they hastily try to barricade it)
HELMSMAN (rushes in)
Mark's in pursuit with men at arms.
Resist no more. We've been overrun!
KURWENAL Stay put and help!
While I'm still living I'll let no one break in!
BRANGÄNE'S VOICE (Off, from below)
Isolde! Mistress!
KURWENAL Brangäne's call?
(calling down to her)
Why came you here?
BRANGÄNE Open, Kurwenal! Where is Isolde?
KURWENAL A traitor you, too? Curse you, you villain!
MELOT (Off)
You idiot! Do not resist!
KURWENAL (anger flaring up)
Heiahaha! Today I deal you a death blow!
(Melot appears with armed men below the gate. Kurwenal rushes him and cuts him down.)
Die, devious wretch!
MELOT Alas! Tristan!
(he dies)
BRANGÄNE (still Off)
Kurwenal! Lunatic! Look, you're mistaken!
KURWENAL Unfaithful maid!
(to his men)
Come! With me!
Make them retreat!
(they fight)
MARKE (Off)
Stop there, lunatic! Have you gone crazy?
KURWENAL Death rages right here!
Nothing but death waits here for you, Sire,
So if you want it, come on!
(goes after Marke and his retinue)
MARKE (appears below the gate with his retinue)
Get back, mad maniac!
BRANGÄNE (has climbed over the side wall and hurried Downstage)
Isolde! Mistress! All is well!
What is this? Ah! Mistress? Isolde?
(She ministers to Isolde. Marke and his retinue have battled Kurwenal and his men back from the gate and press their way inside.)
MARKE Oh mad deceit! Tristan, where are you?
KURWENAL (badly wounded, staggers Downstage to Marke)
He lies right here
And I with him.
(collapses at Tristan's feet)
MARKE Tristan! Tristan! Isolde! No!
KURWENAL (takes Tristan's hand)
Tristan! Dearest!
Don't be mad that your faithful friend comes, too!
(he dies)
MARKE Dead! They're all gone! All are dead!
My hero, Tristan, dearest of friends,
Today as well must you betray our friendship
E'en when I come to prove
How faithful I am to you?
Awaken! Awaken
And hear my lamentation,
Most faithless, faithful friend!
(bends, sobbing, over the bodies)
BRANGÄNE (as Isolde regains consciousness in her arms)
She stirs! She lives!
Isolde, mistress, accept my atonement!
The potion's deception I've told to the monarch!
In worry and haste he set to sea
So he could find you
And could renounce you
And pledge your troth to his friend.
MARKE But why, Isolde, do this to me?
How happily I heard
What before had been kept from me.
How glad was I to learn
That guiltless was my friend!
To join you both in wedlock holy,
With sails full I followed you here.
But misfortune's fury wreaks
Havoc on those who come in peace.
Death's harvest I but increased.
Delusion caused more grief!
BRANGÄNE Do you not hear, Isolde, dearest,
Your maidservant faithful call?
(Isolde, unaware of everything around her, looks at Tristan's body with growing rapture.)
ISOLDE Softly, gently,
How he smiles.
How his eyes he
Nobly opens.
Look and see, friends!
See you not?
How his light burns ever brighter
Soaring to the stars above?
See you not?
How his heart beats bravely on,
So sublime, a gushing font?
How his lips, so fair and soft,
Flutter as he gently breathes?
Look and see!
See you not, my friends?
Could it be that I alone might
Hear the wondrous song so quiet,
Plaintive pealing,
All revealing,
Sweet resolving,
From him coming,
Through me sounding,
Higher bounding,
Blessed echoes
All around me?
Ever brightening,
'Round me chiming...
Are they gentle breezes surging?
Are they waves of wonderful perfume?
As they trembling 'round me glisten,
Should I breathe them? Should I listen?
Should I sip them? Dive beneath them?
Should I drown within their sweetness?
In the burgeoning swirl,
In the echoing whirl,
In the infinite breath of the world,
To drown in,
Sink down in
Senselessness,
Utmost bliss!
(Isolde sinks gently, as if transfigured, into Brangäne's arms and onto Tristan's body. Deep emotion and awe from the assembled. Marke blesses the bodies. Slow Curtain.)
FINAL CURTAIN