What voices are these on the clear night air? What lights in the court-what steps on the stair? TRISTRAM AND ISEULT. II. Iseult of Ereland. Tristram. RAISE the light, my page! that I may see her.- Blame me not, poor sufferer! that I tarried; Thou art come, indeed-thou hast rejoin'd me; Iseull. Tristram, ah, for love of Heaven, speak kindly! I forgot, thou comest from thy voyage— Iseult. Ah, harsh flatterer! let alone my beauty! Tristram. Thou art paler-but thy sweet charm, Iseult! Iseult. Fear me not, I will be always with thee; I will watch thee, tend thee, soothe thy pain; Sing thee tales of true, long-parted lovers, Join'd at evening of their days again. Tristram. No, thou shalt not speak! I should be finding Sit-sit by me! I will think, we've lived so Iseult. Alter'd, Tristram? Not in courts, believe me, What, thou think'st men speak in courtly chambers Royal state with Marc, my deep-wrong'd husband- Ah, on which, if both our lots were balanced, Me, a smiling queen upon my throne? Vain and strange debate, where both have suffer'd, Both have pass'd a youth repress'd and sad, Both have brought their anxious day to evening, And have now short space for being glad! Join'd we are henceforth; nor will thy people, That a former rival shares her office, When she sees her humbled, pale, and still. I, a faded watcher by thy pillow, I, a statue on thy chapel-floor, Pour'd in prayer before the Virgin-Mother, She will cry: 'Is this the foe I dreaded? Hush, no words! that smile, I see, forgives me. Close thine eyes—this flooding moonlight blinds them! Nay, all's well again! thou must not weep. L Tristram. I am happy! yet I feel, there's something Iseult. Heaven his head sinks back upon the pillowTristram Tristram ! let thy heart not fail! Call on God and on the holy angels! What, love, courage!-Christ! he is so pale. Tristram. Hush, 'tis vain, I feel my end approaching! 'Son,' she said, 'thy name shall be of sorrow; I am dying. Start not, nor look wildly! Go not far, O Iseult! from my grave. Close mine eyes, then seek the princess Iseult; Now to sail the seas of death I leave thee- Iseult. Tristram !-Tristram !-stay-receive me with thee! Iseult leaves thee, Tristram! never more. You see them clear-the moon shines bright. The very same which yesternight Flash'd in the silver sconces' light, When the feast was gay and the laughter loud In Tyntagel's palace proud. But then they deck'd a restless ghost With hot-flush'd cheeks and brilliant eyes, And quivering lips on which the tide Of courtly speech abruptly died, And a glance which over the crowded floor, The dancers, and the festive host, Flew ever to the door. That the knights eyed her in surprise, And the dames whispered scoffingly: 'Her moods, good lack, they pass like showers! But yesternight and she would be As pale and still as wither'd flowers, And now to-night she laughs and speaks |