ect.]

STR. KNIGHT.
--Art thou Iseult?--Iseult
The Goldenhaired? May God be merciful
Unto thy soul!

STR. JESTER (crouches on the bench, taking no interest in
what is said).
My brother Kuerdin!
Dear friend! In a disastrous hour went
We forth. I pity thee!

[The Strange Knight turns and looks at
him searchingly.]

GANELUN (angrily and oppressed).
Will death not close
Thy mouth, thou cur!

MARK.
Dost thou then know this man?

STR. JESTER.
I've said so, Mark! I'll sit beside him here
Until he dies. I'll be his priest.

[Illustration: APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM]
KARL HAIDER

STR. KNIGHT.
Keep off.
This babbling fool; his chatter shames my death.

DINAS.
Methinks this was the man I saw at dawn
Today as I rode through the wood, and yet
He bore a shield on which I thought I saw
Lord Tristram's arms.

MARK.
Unhappy man, who art
Thou?

STR. KNIGHT (calmly and quietly).
One who knoweth how to die. Lay me
On yonder bench and wrap me in my cloak.

[He is laid on the bench near the chimney,
and lies there like an effigy.]

MARK (to the First Guard).
Where are his shield and arms?

STR. KNIGHT.
I bore the shield
Of Tristram, Lord of Lyonesse, since we,
For our great love, exchanged our arms. I am
His brother, for my sister is his wife.
Lord Tristram greets thee, Mark.

MARK (to him passionately).
Speak, friend, and put
An end unto the quandary in which
I stand. God shall reward thee soon. Where is
Lord Tristram?

STR. KNIGHT (groaning).
With his wife whom he holds dear.

STR. JESTER.
Thou liest, brother, yet thou speak'st the truth!

MARK.
God mocks me, Lords! God mocks me!

STR. JESTER.
I will watch
By him and guard his body through the night.

GANELUN.
Be still, thou toad! Be still!

1ST GUARD.
King Mark, the Knight
Upon his left hand wears a ring--a stone
Rich set in gold. Shall he retain the ring
Upon his hand?--He's dead.

STR. JESTER (seizing the ring).
The ring is mine!