[The laughter dies suddenly; the Barons and Knights, who, with the exception of those at the Queen's table, had formed a circle around the Strange Jester, shrink back.] DINAS (startled). My God! He knows My name as well! 1ST BARON. 'Tis passing strange! 2D BARON. Thou!--Fool--! GANELUN. He's quick, and makes good use of what he hears! ISEULT. His jests are impudent,--I wish that he Would go away! He wearies me. MARK. And yet There's something in the knave that pleases me. His madness lies still deeper than it seems-- UGRIN. Ay, cousin, in his belly, for, methinks, He has a stomachache! MARK. Come, friend, tell us A tale. STR. JESTER (starting up). Why stare ye so at me, ye pack Of rogues? Why mock ye me? (In anguish.) I'm but a fool! A wretched fool! Send them away. King Mark, And listen thou to me. We'll stay here all Alone:--the Queen, and thou, and I, and then I'll tell thee pretty things, sweet things,--so sweet That one must shiver when one hears! Now send Away the rest! 1ST BARON. Take heed. Sir Fool, be not Too bold. 2D BARON. He should be soundly beaten! MARK. Leave Him, Lords, in peace. I like his foolishness, Because he does not crack the silly jokes That other jesters do. STR. JESTER. I, too, was once As good a knight as they--! [Laughter.] GANELUN (laughing). I wish I'd seen Thee, knave! STR. JESTER (steadily). Thou saw'st me many times and wast My friend, Lord Ganelun! [All step back nervously.] 1ST KNIGHT (crossing himself). God save us, friends! He knows us all by name! ISEULT. a gruesome fool! Send him away. King Mark; he's mad. MARK. Speak on! STR. JESTER. My tongue cleaves to my gums; my throat is parch'd! Give me to drink. MARK (stands up and takes a goblet from the table). I had forgot, poor fool! But thou shalt drink wine from a golden cup. Thy foolishness has touched my heart. At times. My Lords, 'twould be an easy thing to turn To such a fool. Iseult! Come pledge the cup That he may have somewhat of which to dream On cold and thirsty nights. Grant him this boon. [He gives Iseult the cup.] ISEULT. I pledge-- STR. JESTER (jumping down from the bench). Drink not! Drink not!--She drank! [He waves aside the cup.]