Act 1 — SCENE V.
Reading edition
ISOLDA (hurries to BRANGÆNA and embraces her vehemently). Now farewell, Brangæna! Greet ev'ry one, Greet my father and mother!
BRANGÆNA. What now? what mean'st thou? Wouldst thou flee? And where must I then follow?
ISOLDA (checking herself suddenly). Here I remain: heard you not? Tristan will I await.— I trust in thee to aid in this: prepare the true cup of peace: thou mindest how it is made.
BRANGÆNA. What meanest thou?
ISOLDA (taking a bottle from the coffer). This it is! From the flask go pour this philtre out; yon golden goblet 'twill fill.
BRANGÆNA (filled with terror receiving the flask). Trust I my wits?
ISOLDA. Wilt thou be true?
BRANGÆNA. The draught—for whom?
ISOLDA. Him who betrayed!
BRANGÆNA. Tristan?
ISOLDA. Truce he'll drink with me.
BRANGÆNA (throwing herself at ISOLDA'S feet). O horror! Pity thy handmaid!
ISOLDA. Pity thou me, false-hearted maid! Mindest thou not my mother's arts? Think you that she who'd mastered those would have sent thee o'er the sea without assistance for me? A salve for sickness doth she offer and antidotes for deadly drugs: for deepest grief and woe supreme gave she the draught of death. Let Death now give her thanks!
BRANGÆNA (scarcely able to control herself). O deepest grief!
ISOLDA. Now, wilt thou obey?
BRANGÆNA. O woe supreme!
ISOLDA. Wilt thou be true?
BRANGÆNA. The draught?
KURVENAL (entering). Sir Tristan!
(BRANGÆNA rises, terrified and confused. ISOLDA strives with immense effort to control herself.)
ISOLDA (to Kurvenal). Sir Tristan may approach!