Volume 20 / Act 4 — SCENE IV

Mark opens the grating and lets the Strange Jester in. The Jester advances a few feet on the right, and stops to stare at Iseult. Ugrin walks about him, examining him.

Dinas. Then come, thou jail-bird. Hark, Gilain, let now The guard be doubled at the lower gate That none, unnoticed, may come in.

Str. Jester. But should A stranger King arrive,—a stranger King, The master of this stranger fool—let him Come in, Gilain.

Iseult. Play, Dinas, play thy game! Their chatter wearies me.

Dinas. Now tell me, rogue, Why clamorest thou so loudly at my gate?

Str. Jester. I wish to stay with thee.

[Laughter.]

2d Baron. What cooked they in thy kitchen, Mark, tonight That all the fools have smelt it out?

Str. Jester. I saw The fire glowing in thy hall; I saw The light and so I came—I'm cold.

Ugrin. Then wrap Thyself more closely in thy cloak, thou fool!

Str. Jester. I've given it away.

Brangaene (laughing). It seems thou art A tender hearted fool!

Gimella. And yet it does Not seem as though thou couldst give much away!

Mark (looking at the fool carefully). Whence comest thou, Sir Fool!

Str. Jester. I come from there— From there outside, from nowhere else— (Looking at Iseult and in a soft voice— almost singing.) And yet My mother was Blanchefleur!

[Iseult starts and stares across at him.]

Mark (goes back laughing to his seat. Ugrin follows him). Ha! ha! The jest Is poor. Hast thou no better ones, my friend? Blanchefleur was mine own sister. She begat No fool like thee!

Str. Jester. 'Twas then some other one Who bore the self-same name and me the pain And sorrow, Mark. What matters it to thee?

[Laughter.]

1st Knight (laughingly). Our jesting rogue grows bitter in his mirth!

Iseult. Let this strange jester stand a little forth That we may see him in the light.

Dinas. Come here, Sir Fool, and stand before the Queen.

Ugrin. He is An ass as awkward as I e'er beheld! So cousin, judge by contrast 'twixt us two, And see the priceless thing thou hast in me!

Dinas. Go, fool, be not afraid.

Str. Jester (steps in front of the stone bench on the left, opposite Iseult's table). —I'm cold!—I'm cold!

Iseult (after looking at him for a moment breaks into a clear and relieved laugh). A sorry sight to look upon!

[The Strange Jester hides his face in his hands.]

Gimella (springing forward). The Queen Is laughing—see!

Brangaene. Made he some witty jest?

Gimella. Why laughst thou so, Iseult?

Dinas. 'Tis horrible To see the fool's distorted face!

Iseult. He looks So pitifully at me! it makes me laugh!

Ugrin. I'm angry with thee, Queen Iseult! Oh fie! For shame, how couldst thou laugh at that strange fool? (Turning to Mark. ) I pray thee, Mark, good cousin, wilt thou give To him the two whole marks of gold?

[During this time the Strange Jester sits on the railing which joins the bench to the fireplace. He rests his elbows on his knees and his face on his hands. He stares at Iseult. ]

Brangaene. Rejoice! The King will give thee a reward since thou Hast cheered the Queen.

Str. Jester (without changing his attitude). Would that I'd make her weep, This Queen, instead of laugh!

[Soft and low laughter.]

Dinas. How's that?

Str. Jester. Because I am a fool for sorrow, not for mirth!

[Laughter; the fool springs up.]

And none shall laugh when he beholds my face!

[Laughter; the fool seats himself again.]

Iseult (earnestly). How strangely speaks the fool!

Dinas. My friend, I think, That some one cut thee from the gallows!

Str. Jester (stares at Iseult—slowly). Mark, How proud and cold a wife thou hast! Her name's Iseult, I think. Am I not right?

Mark (smiling). Doth she Please thee. Sir Fool?

Str. Jester. Ay! ay! She pleases me.

[Laughter.]

Iseult the Goldenhaired!—I'm cold, King Mark!

Iseult. The fool is mad!—I like him not.

Ugrin (to the Strange Jester). Thou hast Thine answer now!

Gimella. Is this the first time thou Beheldst the Queen?

Dinas. Art thou a stranger, friend?

Str. Jester. Mayhap I've seen the Queen before; mayhap I never have.—I know not, Mark.

[Laughter.]

Gimella (laughing). A strange And curious jest, i' faith!

(To those laughing at the other table.)

Come here, my Lords, For this new jester is most wondrous strange.

Str. Jester (in rising grief). I had a sweetheart once, and she was fair!

Mark (laughing). Ay! I believe thee, friend!

Str. Jester. Yea, she was fair, Almost as fair as Queen Iseult, thy wife.

[Laughter.]

I'm cold!

Iseult (angrily). Thou fool, why starest thou at me? Avaunt!

Str. Jester. Laugh once again at me, Iseult! Thy laugh was fair, and yet, methinks, those eyes Must be still fairer when they overflow With tears.—I wish that I could make thee weep, Iseult! [A silence.]

Ugrin (going over to him). Ho, ho! Are those thy jokes! I'll fall A weeping straight, thou croaking raven!

Str. Jester (springing up). Take This fool away, or else I'll smite him dead!

[Ugrin jumps backward.]

Dinas. Thou art a gloomy jester, boy!

Gimella. His jests Are all of some new fangled sort.

Dinas. Speak, fool, Whom hast thou served till now?

Str. Jester. I've served King Mark In far off Cornwall—.

[Laughter.]

And he had a wife, And she was fair, with long and golden hair!

[Laughter.]

Why laughst thou Dinas, friend?

[The laughter dies suddenly; the Barons and Knights, who, with the exception of those at the Queen's table, had formed a circle around the Strange Jester, shrink back.]

Dinas (startled). My God! He knows My name as well!

1st Baron. 'Tis passing strange!

2d Baron. Thou!—Fool—!

Ganelun. He's quick, and makes good use of what he hears!

Iseult. His jests are impudent,—I wish that he Would go away! He wearies me.

Dinas. And yet There's something in the knave that pleases me. His madness lies still deeper than it seems—

Ugrin. Ay, cousin, in his belly, for, methinks, He has a stomachache!

Dinas. Come, friend, tell us A tale.

Str. Jester (starting up). Why stare ye so at me, ye pack Of rogues? Why mock ye me? (In anguish.) I'm but a fool! A wretched fool! Send them away. King Mark, And listen thou to me. We'll stay here all Alone:—the Queen, and thou, and I, and then I'll tell thee pretty things, sweet things,—so sweet That one must shiver when one hears! Now send Away the rest!

1st Baron. Take heed. Sir Fool, be not Too bold.

2d Baron. He should be soundly beaten!

Dinas. Leave Him, Lords, in peace. I like his foolishness, Because he does not crack the silly jokes That other jesters do.

Str. Jester. I, too, was once As good a knight as they—!

[Laughter.]

Ganelun (laughing). I wish I'd seen Thee, knave!

Str. Jester (steadily). Thou saw'st me many times and wast My friend, Lord Ganelun!

[All step back nervously.]

1st Knight (crossing himself). God save us, friends! He knows us all by name!

Iseult. A gruesome fool! Send him away. King Mark; he's mad.

Dinas. Speak on!

Str. Jester. My tongue cleaves to my gums; my throat is parch'd! Give me to drink.

Mark (stands up and takes a goblet from the table). I had forgot, poor fool! But thou shalt drink wine from a golden cup. Thy foolishness has touched my heart. At times. My Lords, 'twould be an easy thing to turn To such a fool. Iseult! Come pledge the cup That he may have somewhat of which to dream On cold and thirsty nights. Grant him this boon. [He gives Iseult the cup.]

Iseult. I pledge—

Str. Jester (jumping down from the bench). Drink not! Drink not!—She drank!

[He waves aside the cup.]

I will Not drink.

Gimella. A brazen knave!

Brangaene. Fie, fie! For shame!

Str. Jester. I'll not drink with a woman from one cup The self-same wine again.

Dinas. What hinders thee?

Str. Jester. Ask Queen Iseult.

Iseult (angrily and fearfully). Oh, Mark! He mocks me. Send The fool away!

Str. Jester (he throws himself on the ground before the dais and whispers low and tensely to Iseult). "For they who drink thereof Together, so shall love with every sense Alive, yet senseless—with their every thought, Yet thoughtless, too, in life, in death, for aye— Yet he, who having known the wond'rous bliss Of that intoxicating cup of love. Spits out the draught disloyally, shall be A homeless and a friendless worm,—a weed That grows beside the road"—So spake my love, And handed me a golden cup of wine And bade me drink,—But evil came thereof—.

[During his speech Iseult sits up in her chair, and bending backward, stares down at him in horror.]

Paranis. The Queen turns pale!

Brangaene. Iseult! My God! Iseult!

Ganelun. He conjures!

1st Baron. 'Twas a magic spell!

2d Knight. Lay hold Of him! He is a conjurer.

[A few men start to seize the jester—he jumps upon the bench.]

Iseult (trembling with fright). Excuse— My weakness—'tis—'tis but—let be—this fool's Strange jesting is most ghastly—it revolts my soul And—made me faint—.

Dinas. Thou knave! I'll have thee whipped! Tell me thy name—Who art thou? Speak!

Str. Jester. Come not Too near!

Dinas. I have a dungeon deep and strong, And I can have thee thrown to Husdent. He Will tear thee limb from limb, thou conjurer! Who art thou?

Ugrin (in a friendly tone). Answer, friend, our Cousin Mark Speaks not in jest!

Dinas. Call in the guards!

[A Knight tries to lay hold of the Strange Jester.]

Str. Jester. Let go! I'm but a wretched fool!—I have no name! What matters it to you? I've smirched my good And noble name—so now I have no name. I had one once that rang full true and high! I've twisted it about, and broken it!

(In rising agitation.)

I broke my name, and throwing up the bits I caught them as they fell, and threw them up Again; and so I played with my fair name Until the fragments rang again and fell At last back to my hand, deformed and changed, To stick, and make a name that is no name— So call me Tramtris.

Iseult. —Tramtris—!

[Ugrin claps his hands and rolls laughing on the ground.]

Dinas. Fool, what ails Thee now?

Ugrin. The jester jesteth. Seest thou not? Why, turn it 'round! Tramtris—Tristram! He says He was Lord Tristram! Ho! [Laughter.]

Ganelun. That was the jest That he so cunningly devised!

1st Baron. This shaft Of irony has struck the mark and hits This day and thee, King Mark!

2d Knight. A clever fool!

Mark (laughing softly). I wish Lord Tristram saw the knave!

2d Baron. He'd laugh!

Iseult (trembling with anger). Let not thy nephew Tristram's knightly fame And noble name serve as a mockery To such a ghoul!

Mark (gaily). Forgive me, fair Iseult; And yet it makes me laugh to think that this Poor fool went mad from thinking that he was My noble nephew Tristram. Speak, thou toy of fate, Wast thou Lord Tristram once!

Str. Jester (almost timidly). Ay, Mark, I was; And often was I with Iseult, thy wife! Forgive it me! [Laughter.]

Iseult. Dost thou permit that he Should heap such insults on thy wife's fair name?

Mark (gaily).

Heed not his words; the people love such jests. (To the jester.) Give us a sign, Sir Fool.

Ugrin. A sign! A sign!

1st Baron. Ay, let the fool describe the Queen. Give ear.

Ugrin. 'Twill be a royal sport! And first he shall Describe her feet! Speak on!

[Ugrin sits on the ground. Iseult hides her face in Brangaene's breast.]

Gimella (to Iseult laughingly). He'll liken thee Unto his wench!

Dinas. Why dost thou hesitate? I grant thee jester's freedom, Fool. Begin!

Str. Jester (softly and hesitatingly). From pedestals white snowy columns rise Of ivory, draped in softly whispering silk, That arched, and all immaculate, stretch up,— The swelling pillars of her body's frame—

Dinas. A graceful speech, my friend. Canst thou go on?

Str. Jester (in rising agitation and feverish emotion). Her body is a gleam of silvery light Cast by the full moon in the month of May Changed to the snowy marvel of herself. Thou art a garden wild wherein there grow Deep purple fruits that stupefy and yet That make one burn! Thy body is a church Of rarest marble built—a fairy mount Where sounds the music of a golden harp; A field of virgin snow! Thy breasts are buds Of the most sacred plant that flowering grows Within the garden,—swelling fruits that wait To suck the honeyed dew of summer moons! Thy neck is like a lily's stem! Thy arms Are like the blossoming branches of a young And tender almond-tree, directing us Within that Paradise where rules the chaste Perfection of thy rounded limbs, enthroned Within thy wondrous body like a God Who threatens from on high. Thou art—

Dinas. Oh hear How this impostor talks! The token, fool!

Str. Jester (softly, trembling and feverishly). Below the left breast of this master-piece Of His creation God has set his mark— A darkened cross—!

Mark (hoarsely). O seize the knave! The cross Is there.—She bears the mark!

Ganelun. Christ save my soul!

1st Baron. I feel an awful dread of this strange fool!

1st Knight (drawing). I'll run him through the body with my sword!

Str. Jester. (tears the sword from his hand, and springs upon the bench). Take heed unto thyself! Come not too near! I'll tear thee like a beast.

Iseult. His words are not So marvelously strange. Hast thou forgot, King Mark, that once, before a heaped up pyre Thou bad'st me stand, stark naked and exposed Unto the rabble's gaze? It well may be That this low jester cast his shaming eyes Upon me then.

Dinas. Saw'st thou the Queen when she Stood on the burning pile?

Str. Jester. I saw the Queen; I stood beside her there!

Gimella. Behold, that sight Has made him lose his wits!

Brangaene. Poor witless fool!

Str. Jester. Glare not at me! I'm but a fool, a poor Mad fool—a wretched fool that wished to tell You tales to make you laugh! (Almost screaming.) For God's sake laugh!

[He throws the sword down. It falls clattering on the floor. The First Guard enters while two others stand outside the grating with the Strange Knight.]

Dinas. Whom bring'st thou there?

1st GUARD. King Mark, thy messengers Have found the witnesses that signed the bond Too late, for in the forest they had caught A man whom they have sent to thee. The man Is wounded; when they called on him to stand He fled. His horse fell dead. They know him not. He is a stranger in the land.

Dinas. How heavily God's wrath descends upon my head. This blood I've spilled was innocent!

1st GUARD. This man is near His end; his dying wish is to behold The Queen Iseult. He much desires it.

Gimella. Poor soul!

Dinas. Bring in the man. How things mischance! My castle is a gruesome place today. An idiot first, and then a corpse have knocked To crave admittance to my hall! My Lords, I pray you to forgive my sins.

Paranis. There comes The wounded Knight.

[The Strange Knight is led before Iseult. He walks firmly, standing erect.]

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!

Dinas. 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.

APPROACHING THUNDERSTORM

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.

Dinas. 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!

Dinas. 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! I gave it him!

Ganelun (striking him). Away! Thou damned thief!

Str. Jester. The ring is mine, I say. My love once gave It me and sware thereon; but now I'll give It as a jester's gift unto the Queen. I pray thee take the ring, Iseult.

[Iseult takes the ring, looks at it a moment and lets it fall. She totters.]

Cast not Away my gift!

Brangaene. Help! Help! The Queen.

Iseult (in great agitation). Oh God, I pray Thee open now mine eyes, and set Me free! I know not if I am alive! There lies a corpse—There stands a ghost and I Between them, here! I hear a moaning sound Pass whimpering through the halls—!

[She runs to the stairs.]

Let me go up! Brangaene, come, and thou Gimella, too!

[Half way up the stairs she turns.]

Be not too angry with me, Mark, for thou Hast set a loathsome ghost to mock and jeer At me to make thee laugh. He makes my heart Grow cold with horror! Come, my ladies, come! Stand by me now—this awful game has made Me shudder. [She hastens up the stairs.]

Str. Jester (springs onto the table to look after her). Queen Iseult, thou fairest one. Have pity on my leper's soul!

Ganelun. Be still, Thou croaking raven!

1st Baron. Smite him dead and spit Upon his corpse!

2d Baron. Thou filthy worm!

Dinas. Lay hold Upon the jester! Hold him fast. Thou fool, Thou base-born cur, how dar'st thou vex my wife So bitterly with thy presumptuous wit?

Str. Jester. Mark, heed thy words!

1st Knight (catching his wrists from behind). I have the knave!

Dinas. The Guards Shall whip the rogue for his bold impudence, And cast him from the castle gates. Let loose The dogs upon him if he does not run, And leave my walls as though they were on fire! Away with him!

Ugrin (in greatest haste and agitation). King Mark, oh good King Mark, Behold, he is my brother in my kind, A much abused and crazy fool who means No evil with his foolish jests! See now How pitiful his mien! He strove to make Thee laugh in his poor way as I in mine. Forgive the knave, and drive him not away Into the darkness like a snarling cur That whines about the house! He hungers, too, For thou hast given him naught to eat or drink Since he has been beneath thy kingly roof. I am an old, old man, King Mark; he is My brother, and a jester like myself; I pity him! I pray thee let me keep Him here with me until tomorrow's morn, That he may sleep with me within my bed. Then, when the sun shall shine upon his road, He shall depart and seek a dwelling place. 'Twas thou thyself encouraged him to jest; Judge then thy guilt and his with equal eye. He is a fool, a crazy, blundering fool, Yet drive him not away! I pray thee let Him sleep beside me here a while that he Refresh himself! He looks so pitifully!

Dinas. Why, Ugrin, friend, 'tis new for thee to act The part of charity!

Ugrin. I serve thee, Mark, With foolishness and jests—and thou but knowest Me by my services.

Dinas. I still can make One person glad tonight! Keep, then, thy fool But thou stand'st surety for him if he should Attempt to burn the castle or to do Some other mischief in his madness.

[The Knight lets the Strange Jester go; he crouches on the dais.]

Ugrin. Mark, Thou art indeed my dear, kind, cousin, still! Good-night, fair cousin, go and sleep. Thou needst It sorely—and—I pray that thou forget Not my new wisdom!

Dinas. Sirs, I wish you all A restful night for this has been a day Of many cares and many tribulations. Tomorrow shall we bury this brave Knight With all the honors due his noble rank, For he was innocent.

Ganelun. Sleep well. King Mark!

1st Baron. May God watch o'er thee, Mark!

[The Barons go up the stairs; the Knights and guards go out. The servants extinguish all but a few of the lights.]

Mark (on the stairs). Come, Dinas, come With me, and we will watch a little while. My heart is sorrowful tonight!

Dinas (following him up the stairs). I'll stay With thee until the morning break if thou Desire it so.

Ugrin (calling after them). And cousins take good heed Ye catch not cold!

[They leave the stage, the moon shines through the grating, and the shadow of the bars falls into the hall. The Strange Jester crouches motionless. Ugrin turns to him.]