Chapter 25

BRANGAENE and PARANIS go. MARK and the barons remain standing at some distance from ISEULT. DENOVALIN remains in the background and during this and the following scene stands almost motionless in the same spot.

MARK. There stands Iseult, my queen, All glorious as the summer day that shines O'er all the world! Now welcome, my Iseult! Now welcome to Lubin! These gallant lords Are come to greet thee--Dinas, Ganelun, Denovalin.--They have not seen thee now For many months. And ye, my noble lords. Is she not blonder than of yore?

[He glances at a locket that hangs about his neck.]

For see! This lock of hair Lord Tristram brought me once. Behold it now, 'tis almost black next hers.

ISEULT. I greet thee, Dinas, Lord of Lidan, friend, Most loyal friend:--and thou. Lord Ganelun, Most heartily, for many days have pass'd Since last we met.

DINAS. Ay, many days, Iseult.

ISEULT. Hast thou forgot Tintagel's King and Queen? 'Twas not so once.

GANELUN. I've been at Arthur's court Nigh on two years, and there have taken part In many deeds of high renown. 'Tis this Has kept me from Tintagel and from home.

DINAS. And I, fair Queen Iseult, am growing old; I've left the saddle for the pillow's ease.

(Pointedly.)

I see the chess-board stands prepared and so, If Mark permits, 'tis I who in his place Will lead the crimson pawns today, as we Were wont to do in former days. I love The game but have no friend with whom to play.

MARK. Ay, Dinas, good it is to have some one Who loves us near us in our twilight years; So play today with Goldenhaired Iseult. Perchance it may amuse her too, for oft She seemeth sad, and mourns as women do Who have no children.--God forgive us both! But come, my lords, first let us drink a pledge Of greeting, and permit this man to make His peace with my fair queen. I hate long feuds. Come, friends, come, let us drink, for all this day We'll spend together in good fellowship.

[He leaves the room with DINAS and GANELUN by the door on the right. ISEULT and DENOVALIN stand opposite each other, some distance apart, silent and motionless.]