unded as they run.]

YOUNG LEPER.
Let's carry off
Iwein! Come, pick him up.

1ST LEPER.
And Godwin too!
Make haste!

11TH LEPER (struck).
Oh help!

STR. LEPER (driving the whole troupe to the gate).
Back, curs, back to your holes!
Crawl back into your noisome dens!

7TH LEPER (struck).
Oh! 'tis
Beelzebub himself!

10TH LEPER.
The devil!

9TH LEPER.
Hold!

12TH LEPER.
We go! We go!

6TH LEPER.
King Mark shall punish thee!

STR. LEPER (throwing the club after them).
Here, take your crutch and flee, ye curs!

VOICES OF THE LEPERS (outside).
Oh, oh!--
He wounded me!--Fly!--Fly!--

SCENE V

The Strange Leper, whose hood has fallen back during the conflict, goes
quickly to the foot of the steps. His forehead is bound with a narrow
band. ISEULT stands motionless with closed eyes.

STR. LEPER.
Iseult!

(Anxiously, wonderingly and imploringly.)

Iseult!

ISEULT (throws back her head, shuddering. She keeps
her eyes closed. Slowly and heavily.)
Thou beast! Thou dog!

STR. LEPER.
Iseult! 'Tis I who call!

ISEULT (hastily, as though to cover herself with the words).
I beg thee, beast, thou evil beast, speak not!
If in thy loathsome carcass there still dwells
Some remnant of a man, I pray thee slay
Me, but speak not!

STR. LEPER (uncertainly).
Iseult!

[He falls on his knees opposite the steps,
but at a distance from them; and leans
back until his thighs rest upon his heels.]

ISEULT.
Speak not! Be still,
And kill me now! They've left me not so much
As one small pin with which to kill myself!
Behold! I kneel to thee, and like some low
And humble maid, I beg thee, beast, to kill
Me, and I'll bless thee!

STR. LEPER.
Oh, Iseult, dost thou
No longer love Lord Tristram who was once
Thy friend?

ISEULT (stares at him for a moment).
Thou speak'st, thou speak'st, thou