GUARDSMAN. Place! Iseult the queen comes! Place! ISEULT (quietly and gently). Ye called me, sirs; now speak, for I am here. MARK (takes an angry step toward her, checks himself, and stares at her a moment. He speaks slowly and Without moving). Lord Dinas, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near! [ISEULT, without waiting for DINAS, steps to the middle of the hall. MARK does not move and speaks louder.] Lord Dinas, bid Iseult of Ireland draw near! And sit there by the board--there at the head And facing me. ISEULT. And may I ask thee now What this extraordinary custom is, That twice thou dost repeat it, Mark? In mine Own land of Ireland I never saw A man thus treat his wife. So, if it suits Thy will,--I'll stand! [Neither MARK nor the barons move. Anxiously.] Will no one speak to me? MARK. My Lords, sit down. [He walks in front of the table. PARANIS kneels beside ISEULT, who lays her hand upon his head as on the head of a dog.] ISEULT. Thou call'dst me, Mark, and bad'st Me come in terms full stern and harsh--I came, For 'tis my heartfelt duty to obey. Since thou art good to me and kind. Thou know'st This hall, these men, that stand around, awake Full many a painful memory in my heart, And so I crave a swift reply. What will Ye of me here? MARK (roughly). Why was Gawain sent forth In secret to Tintagel from Lubin? ISEULT. He went not secretly, but openly. My Lord, and that because some merchant-men Came to Tintagel from across the seas With merchandise. I wished to bid them come To me that I might choose me from their stock the wares That pleased me and the many things I need. MARK (scornfully). The purchase must be made at once, I trow! Since here, more than elsewhere, thou need'st such things. 'Tis true that fifteen beasts of burden stayed Behind, all laden with thy things alone, Unnoticed by a well beside the road, Iseult, I recollect me now! ISEULT. Nay, Lord, Yet St. Lubin brings me full many a sad And weary hour. I, therefore, thought to gain Some slight diversion and amusement too To soothe my woe. Thou know'st the joy I have Of mingled masses of bright colored things Both strange and rare! (Anxiously.) The rustling silks; the gold--; Th' embroidery of robes; the jewel's flash;-- Furs, chains and golden girdles, needles, clasps! To see, and in my hands to hold such things O'erjoys me much!--A childish whim, perhaps, But thou thyself this pleasure oft procured'st And sent the merchants to my bower. What Wonder is it then that I myself should think Of this same thing?