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Ebook has 328 lines and 10662 words, and 7 pages

GRAND OPERA LIBRETTOS

GERMAN AND ENGLISH TEXT AND MUSIC OF THE LEADING MOTIVES

TRISTAN UND ISOLDE

BY WAGNER

OLIVER DITSON COMPANY BOSTON

TRISTAN AND ISOLDA

BY RICHARD WAGNER

BOSTON OLIVER DITSON COMPANY

CHAS. H. DITSON & CO. NEW YORK

LYON & HEALY CHICAGO

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, Brangaena, 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.

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.

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

TRISTAN KING MARK ISOLDA KURVENAL MELOT BRANGAENA A SHEPHERD A STEERSMAN SAILORS, KNIGHTS, AND ESQUIRES

TRISTAN AND ISOLDA.

THE VOICE OF A YOUNG SAILOR .

ISOLDA . What wight dares insult me?

Brangaena, ho! Say, where sail we?

BRANGAENA . Bluish stripes are stretching along the west: swiftly sails the ship to shore; if restful the sea by eve we shall readily set foot on land.

ISOLDA. What land?

BRANGAENA. Cornwall's verdant strand.

ISOLDA. Never more! To-day nor to-morrow!

BRANGAENA. What mean you, mistress? say!

ISOLDA . O fainthearted child, false to thy fathers! Ah, where, mother, hast given thy might that commands the wave and the tempest? O subtle art of sorcery, for mere leech-craft followed too long! Awake in me once more, power of will! Arise from thy hiding within my breast! Hark to my bidding, fluttering breezes! Arise and storm in boisterous strife! With furious rage and hurricane's hurdle waken the sea from slumbering calm; rouse up the deep to its devilish deeds! Shew it the prey which gladly I proffer! Let it shatter this too daring ship and enshrine in ocean each shred! And woe to the lives! Their wavering death-sighs I leave to ye, winds, as your lot.

BRANGAENA . Out, alas! Ah, woe! I've ever dreaded some ill!-- Isolda! mistress! Heart of mine! What secret dost thou hide? Without a tear thou'st quitted thy father and mother, and scarce a word of farewell to friends thou gavest; leaving home thou stood'st, how cold and still! pale and speechless on the way, food rejecting, reft of sleep, stern and wretched, wild, disturbed; how it pains me so to see thee! Friends no more we seem, being thus estranged. Make me partner in thy pain! Tell me freely all 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!

THE YOUNG SAILOR . The wind so wild blows 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 . Once beloved-- now removed-- brave and bright, coward knight!-- Death-devoted head! Death-devoted heart!--

Think'st highly of yon minion?

BRANGAENA . Whom mean'st thou?

ISOLDA. There, that hero who from mine eyes averts his own: in shrinking shame my gaze he shuns-- Say, how hold you him?

BRANGAENA. 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 . In shrinking trepidation his shame he seeks to hide, While to the king, his relation, he brings the corpse-like bride!-- Seems it so senseless What I say? Go ask himself, our gracious host, dare he approach my side? No courteous heed or loyal care this hero t'wards his lady turns; but to meet her his heart is daunted, this knight so highly vaunted! Oh! he wots well the cause! To the traitor go, bearing his lady's will! As my servant bound, straightway should he approach.

BRANGAENA. Shall I beseech him to attend thee?

ISOLDA. Nay, order him: pray, understand it:-- I, Isolda do command it!

KURVENAL Beware, Tristan! Message from Isolda!

TRISTAN . What is't?--Isolda?--

What would my lady? I her liegeman, fain will listen while her loyal woman tells her will.

BRANGAENA. My lord, Sir Tristan, Dame Isolda would have speech with you at once.

TRISTAN. Is she with travel worn? The end is near: nay, ere the set of sun sight we the land. All that your mistress commands me, trust me, I shall mind.

BRANGAENA. That you, Sir Tristan, go to her,-- this is my lady's wish.

TRISTAN. Where yonder verdant meadows in distance dim are mounting, waits my sov'reign for his mate: to lead her to his presence I'll wait upon the princess: 'tis an honor all my own.

BRANGAENA. My lord, Sir Tristan, list to me: this one thing my lady wills, that thou at once attend her, there where she waits for thee.

TRISTAN. In any station where I stand I truly serve but her, the pearl of womanhood. If I unheeding left the helm, how might I pilot her ship in surety to King Mark?

BRANGAENA. Tristan, my master, why mock me thus? Seemeth my saying obscure 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 . May I an answer make her?

TRISTAN. What wouldst thou wish to reply?

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