1ST GUARD. Here, at the throat. The wound is small and deep, as though a shaft Of lightning struck him there between the helm And gorget--sharp and swift. VOICES. Oh listen! See, 'Twas God that struck Denovalin, since he Had falsely testified against the Queen! Then let the executioner strip off His arms, and hang them in my armory, So that the sun shall shine thereon. The corpse Shall he bind to a horse's tail, and drag It o'er the common land and let it rot! Where lies the Queen! SHEPHERD. Stand back there, for King Mark Would see the Queen in her pale beauty! Back! [The crowd stands back and a space is cleared around ISEULT. MARK looks down upon her from above and speaks coldly and slowly, controlling himself.] MARK. Let Queen Iseult be carried on that cloak Within the castle. Place her there upon Soft pillows. Strew fresh flowers round about Her bed, and moisten all her robes and clothes With sweetest perfumes. Kneel ye down and pray When she doth speak to you, for she must be In some way sacred, since God loves her thus. (Almost shouting.) And if she should be found in Tristram's bed I'll kill the man who tells me of it, ay, And let his body rot upon the ground! Now saddle me a horse that I may go To seek Lord Dinas, my most loyal friend! ACT IV The High Vaulted Hall of the Castle.--In the middle of the hall on the left opens a high, wooden staircase. In the background on the left, bay-windows; on the right, a broad, barred door. Through the grating one sees the outer court. In the middle of the wall on the right is a wide fireplace on each side of which jut out low stone benches. In front of the windows stands a table at which DINAS and GANELUN, the First and Second Barons, are playing chess. In the foreground, a table on which chess-boards stand prepared for play. The table by the stone-bench stands on a dais which is shut off from behind by a railing. On the dais and on the floor are carpets. Servants take wine-flagons from a sideboard which stands on the left beside the stairs, and place them in front of the players. In front of the raised table UGRIN, the King's Jester, is asleep. The oil-torches give only a dim light. For a moment the players continue their game in silence. SCENE I 1ST BARON. Take heed unto thy queen, Lord Ganelun, Unless thou willingly dost sacrifice Her to my pawns, as Mark gave Queen Iseult Unto his lepers! GANELUN. Wait! for see, I move My bishop back. 2D BARON. Check! Dinas, check and mate! Thou mad'st it easy, friend. Thou never shouldst Have sacrificed the knight, for thus my rook Escaped, attacking thee.