SHEPHERD (leans forward so that he can see across the courtyard into the castle). Behold, she comes! My God, how beautiful--! An angel--! THE SOLDIER (as GIMELLA passes). That, my friend, is but her maid Gimella. 2D GUARD. Back! Stand back! Thou shalt not push! SHEPHERD. Oh there! Behold, she is a fairy! Yea, And she is fairer than Gimella far! I'll fall upon my knees when she goes past. She's wondrous fair, ay, fairer than a flower, A lily--See--! THE SOLDIER (as BRANGAENE goes by). Stand up, thou knave, for that's Brangaene. She's our lady's faithful maid. SHEPHERD. She too was fair! Can one imagine then, There's any one more beautiful than she? What wondrous women Mark has at his court! Such ladies have I never seen--There dwell None such in Toste! See--! This one--! Oh, God! Oh, God! The sun has fall'n--! Its blinding rays--! [Falls on his knees.] [Illustration: A DAUGHTER OF THE PEOPLE] KARL HAIDER THE SOLDIER (softly). That was the Queen! [ISEULT walks past between MARK and the hangman. She is draped in a purple cloak; her feet are bare. PARANIS follows her. Part of the crowd kneels down.] SHEPHERD (staring). Oh, Queen Iseult! Iseult The Goldenhaired! A GIRL. Oh fairest, dearest one! ANOTHER GIRL. Oh Queen, smile down upon us once again! [A rattling sound is heard. The Strange Leper steps from behind one of the columns. His bearded face is hidden by the hood of his cloak. The crowd draws away shuddering, the procession halts. The leper kneels before ISEULT and bows so low that his forehead almost touches her feet.] A VOICE. A leper, see! A GIRL. Oh Virgin Mary, help! A 2D GIRL. Whence came he here! A 3D GIRL. He had concealed himself! MARK (slowly). --Thou cam'st too soon my friend! [The leper disappears sidewise under the steps. The procession goes into the church, from which an organ begins to sound. The soldiers and the crowd follow after.] A GIRL (covering her face with her hands). Oh, our poor Queen! A 2D GIRL. She was like alabaster, cold and white! A 3D GIRL. Not once along the awful way she raised Her eyes! A 4TH GIRL. She did not wish to see! THE 1ST GIRL. Oh fie, That Mark should shame her so! THE 2D GUARD. Make haste, ye must Go in! 1ST GUARD (to the kneeling shepherd). Wake up! Thou too must go within The church. Now come! SHEPHERD. The sun fell down! It grazed my eyes!