It is clear, even from this brief description, with what constantly varying expression the narrative of Isolde is treated. Wrath, desire for vengeance, rapturous memories that cannot be dissembled, finally a confession of love to _Brangäne_--such are the emotions that surge to the surface.
They lead _Brangäne_ to exclaim: "Where lives the man who would not love you?" Then she weirdly whispers of the love-potion and takes a phial from a golden salver. The motives of the Love Glance and of the Love-Potion accompany her words and action. But _Isolde_ seizes another phial, which she holds up triumphantly. It is the death-potion. Here is heard an ominous phrase of three notes--the =Motive of Fate=.
A forceful orchestral climax, in which the demons of despairing wrath seem unleashed, is followed by the cries of the sailors greeting the sight of the land, where she is to be married to _King Marke_. _Isolde_ hears them with growing terror. _Kurwenal_ brusquely calls to her and _Brangäne_ to prepare soon to go ashore. _Isolde_ orders _Kurwenal_ that he command _Tristan_ to come into her presence; then bids _Brangäne_ prepare the death-potion. The Death Motive accompanies her final commands to _Kurwenal_ and _Brangäne_, and the Fate Motive also drones threatfully through the weird measures. But _Brangäne_ artfully substitutes the love-potion for the death-draught.
_Kurwenal_ announces _Tristan's_ approach. _Isolde_, seeking to control her agitation, strides to the couch, and, supporting herself by it, gazes fixedly at the entrance where _Tristan_ remains standing. The motive which announces his appearance is full of tragic defiance, as if _Tristan_ felt that he stood upon the threshold of death, yet was ready to meet his fate unflinchingly. It alternates effectively with the Fate Motive, and is used most dramatically throughout the succeeding scene between _Tristan_ and _Isolde_. Sombrely impressive is the passage when he bids _Isolde_ slay him with the sword she once held over him.
If so thou didst love thy lord, Lift once again this sword, Thrust with it, nor refrain, Lest the weapon fall again.
Shouts of the sailors announce the proximity of land. In a variant of her narrative theme _Isolde_ mockingly anticipates _Tristan's_ praise of her as he leads her into _King Marke's_ presence. At the same time she hands him the goblet which contains, as she thinks, the death-potion and invites him to quaff it. Again the shouts of the sailors are heard, and _Tristan_, seizing the goblet, raises it to his lips with the ecstasy of one from whose soul a great sorrow is about to be lifted. When he has half emptied it, _Isolde_ wrests it from him and drains it.
