GANELUN. Have patience, sirs, It seems King Mark and Lord Denovalin Discuss in secret weighty things-- 3RD BARON. --And wish To teach us how to wait! GANELUN. Nay, here's King Mark! [Illustration: ERNST HARDT] SCENE II MARK and DENOVALIN enter; behind them comes a man-at-arms who closes the door and stands against the wall beside it. MARK holds a parchment in his hand, and, without noticing the barons, walks agitatedly to the front of the stage. DENOVALIN goes behind the table and places himself between it and the throne. The barons rise. 1ST BARON. Does Mark no longer know us that he greets Us not? 2D BARON. And dost thou know, my Lord--? MARK (turning angrily upon the baron). Am I A weak old man because my hair is gray, Because my hands are wrinkled, ay, and hard, Because at times my armor chafes my back? Am I an old and sapless log? A man Used up who shall forever keep his peace? (Controlling himself.) I crave your pardon, Lords, pray take your seats. DINAS. Thou badst me come to thee. MARK. Yes, Dinas, yes, So take thy place. (He controls his emotion with great difficulty and speaks heavily.) And ye, my noble friends, Give ear. A great and careful reckoning shall Take place 'twixt you and me. Your sanctioning word I wish, for what I am about to do, For yonder man has, with an evil lance, Attacked me and he has so lifted me Out of my saddle that my head doth swim, And trembles from the shock, and so I pray You to forgive the churlish greeting ye Received; 'twas accident, not scorn. I bid You welcome, one and all, most heartily. 3D BARON. We greet thee, Mark. GANELUN. But tell us now what thing So overclouds thy mind; thy welfare dwells Close intertwined with ours. DENOVALIN (unfolding the parchment). And now, my Lords, Are any of the witnesses not here Who signed the contract and decree which Mark Drew up with Tristram and with Queen Iseult! 1ST BARON. 'Tis then of this decree that thou wouldst speak? 3D BARON. I signed. 4TH BARON. And I. 5TH BARON. And I. MARK. Three witnesses There were, and ye are three. 'Tis good, my Lords, That we are all assembled here. [He speaks brokenly and with all the marks of mental suffering and suppressed emotion.]