this once, oh, wait
and weigh my pleading!
I implore, leave it alight!--
The torch! the torch!
O put it not out this night!

ISOLDA. She who causes thus
my bosom's throes,
whose eager fire
within me glows,
whose light upon
my spirit flows,
Love's goddess needs
that night should close;
that brightly she may reign
and shun the torchlight vain.

(_She goes up to the door and takes down the torch_.)

Go watch without--
keep wary guard!
The signal!--
and were it my spirit's spark,
smiling
I'd destroy it and hail the dark!

[_She throws the torch to the ground where it slowly dies out.
BRANGÆNA turns away, disturbed, and mounts an outer flight of steps
leading to the roof, where she slowly disappears. ISOLDA listens and
peers, at first shyly, towards an avenue. Urged, by rising impatience,