| Beide | O ew'ge Nacht, süße Nacht! Hehr erhabne Liebesnacht! Wen du umfangen, wem du gelacht, wie wär' ohne Bangen aus dir er je erwacht? Nun banne das Bangen, holder Tod, sehnend verlangter Liebestod! In deinen Armen, dir geweiht, ur-heilig Erwarmen, von Erwachens Not befreit! |
Both | O eternal night, Sweet night. Rarest treasure, Night of love! Whoever embraces you When you are liked. Who could without dismay From you be awakened? Now banish all fearing Sweet death. Yearned for and longed for Love in death! In your arms, Devoted to you, Love sacred and glowing, From waking grief released |
| Tristan | Wie sie fassen, wie sie lassen, diese Wonne |
Tristan | How to grasp it, How to leave it, This ecstacy, |
| Beide | Fern der Sonne, fern der Tage Trennungsklage! |
Both | Far from sun, Far from day And parting sorrow. |
| Isolde | Ohne Wähnen |
Isolde | No illusions, |
| Tristan | sanftes Sehnen; |
Tristan | Tender yearning! |
| Isolde | ohne Bangen |
Isolde | Without fearing, |
| Tristan | süß Verlangen. Ohne Wehen |
Tristan | Sweetest longing, Without drifting |
| Beide | hehr Vergehen. |
Both | Ah, expiring, |
| Isolde. | Ohne Schmachten |
Isolde | Without pining |
| Beide | hold Umnachten. |
Both | Night-enfolded! |
| Tristan | Ohne Meiden |
Tristan | Without shunning, |
| Beide | ohne Scheiden, traut allein, ewig heim, in ungemeß'nen Räumen übersel'ges Träumen. |
Both | Without parting, Trust alone, Forever home, In boundless realms of , blissful dreaming. |
| Tristan | Tristan du, ich Isolde, nicht mehr Tristan! |
Tristan | Thou Tristan, I Isolde, No more Tristan! |
| Isolde | Du Isolde, Tristan ich, nicht mehr Isolde! |
Isolde | Thou Isolde, I Tristan, No more Isolde! |
| Beide | Ohne Nennen, ohne Trennen, neu' Erkennen, neu' Entbrennen; ewig endlos, ein-bewußt: heiß erglühter Brust höchste Liebeslust! |
Both | Ever nameless, Never parting, Newly learning, Newly burning, Endless ever Joined in joy, Ever glowing love, Highest loves desire! |