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diff --git a/17581.txt b/17581.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4d9d545 --- /dev/null +++ b/17581.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2253 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Romancers, by Edmond Rostand + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Romancers + A Comedy in Three Acts + +Author: Edmond Rostand + +Translator: Barrett H. Clark + +Release Date: January 23, 2006 [EBook #17581] +[Date last updated: January 11, 2009] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROMANCERS *** + + + + +Produced by Kent Cooper + + + + + +THE ROMANCERS +(Les Romanesques) + +Comedy in Three Acts +by +EDMOND ROSTAND + +Translated by Barrett H. Clark +1915 + +[[ Untitled INTRODUCTORY NOTES from 1915 publication by +Samuel French: Publisher, New York: + +EDMOND ROSTAND + +Edmond Rostand was born at Marseilles in 1868. Rostand is +undoubtedly one of the most brilliant dramatic poets of modern +times. "Les Romanesques"--"The Romancers"--was performed for +the first time in Paris, at the Comedie Francaise, in 1894, and +achieved considerable success. Its delicacy and charm revealed +the true poet, and the deftness with which the plot was handled +left little doubt as to the author's ability to construct an +interesting and moving drama. But not until the production of +"Cyrano de Bergerac" in 1897 did Rostand become known to the world +at large. "L'Aiglon" (1900) was something of a disappointment +after the brilliant "Cyrano." Ten years later came "Chantecler," +the poet's deepest and in many ways most masterly play. + +"The Romancers" is best played in the romantic atmosphere of the +late Eighteenth century; the costumes should be Louis XVI. The +stage-directions are sufficiently detailed. ]] + +* * * * * + +[Transcriber's note: "The Romancers" is the basis for the plot of +the 1960 musical "The Fantasticks," with music by Harvey Schmidt, +book and lyrics by Tom Jones.] + + +* * * * * + +THE ROMANCERS + +Persons in the Play + +SYLVETTE +PERCINET +STRAFOREL +BERGAMIN (Percinet's father) +PASQUINOT (Sylvette's father) +BLAISE (A gardener) +A WALL (Not a speaking part) +Swordsmen, musicians, negroes, torch-bearers, a notary, four +witnesses, and other supernumeraries. + +The action takes place anywhere, provided the costumes are pretty. + + +* * * * * + +ACT I + +SCENE: The stage is divided by an old wall, covered with vines +and flowers. At the right, a corner of BERGAMIN's private park; +at the left, a corner of PASQUINOT's. On each side of the wall, +and against it, is a rustic bench. +As the curtain rises, PERCINET is seated on the top of the wall. +On his knee is a book, out of which he is reading to SYLVETTE, +who stands attentively listening on the bench which is on the other +side of the wall. + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur Percinet, how divinely beautiful! + +PERCINET. Is it not? Listen to what Romeo answers: [Reading] + "It was the lark, the herald of the morn, + No nightingale: look, love, what envious streaks + Do lace the severing clouds in yonder east. + Night's candles are burnt out, and jocund day + Stands tiptoe on the misty mountain tops: + I must be gone"-- + +SYLVETTE. [Interrupts him, as she listens.] Sh! + +PERCINET. [Listens a moment, then] No one! And, Mademoiselle, +you must not take fright like a startled bird. Hear the immortal +lovers: + + "_Juliet._ Yon light is not the daylight, I know it, I, + It is some meteor that the sun exhales, + To be to thee this night a torch-bearer, + And light thee on thy way to Mantua: + Therefore stay yet, thou need'st not to be gone. + + _Romeo._ Let me be ta'en, let me be put to death; + I am content, so thou will have it so. + I'll say, yon gray is not the morning's eye, + 'Tis but the pale reflex of Cynthia's brow; + Nor that is not the lark, whose notes do beat + The vaulty heaven so high above our heads: + I have more care to stay than will to go: + Come, death and welcome"-- + +SYLVETTE. No, he must not say such things, or I shall cry. + +PERCINET. Then let us stop and read no further until to-morrow. +We shall let Romeo live! [He closes the book and looks about him.] +This charming spot seems expressly made, it seems to me, to +cradle the words of the Divine Will! + +SYLVETTE. The verses are divine, and the soft air here is a divine +accompaniment. And see, these green shades! But, Monsieur +Percinet, what makes them divine to me is the way you read! + +PERCINET. Flatterer! + +SYLVETTE. [Sighing] Poor lovers! Their fate was cruel! +[Another sigh] I think-- + +PERCINET. What? + +SYLVETTE. Nothing! + +PERCINET. Something that made you blush red as a rose. + +SYLVETTE. Nothing, I say. + +PERCINET. Ah, that's too transparent. I see it all: you are +thinking of our fathers! + +SYLVETTE. Perhaps-- + +PERCINET. Of their terrible hatred for each other. + +SYLVETTE. The thought often pains me and makes me cry when I am +alone. Last month, when I came home from the convent, my father +pointed out your father's park, and said to me: "My dear child, +you behold there the domain of my mortal enemy, Bergamin. Never +cross the path of those two rascals, Bergamin and his son Percinet. +Mark well my words, and obey me to the letter, or I shall cast you +off as an enemy. Their family has always been at bitter enmity +with our own." And I promised. But you see how I keep my word! + +PERCINET. Did I not promise my father to do the same, Sylvette? +Yet I love you! + +SYLVETTE. Holy saints! + +PERCINET. I love you, my dearest! + +SYLVETTE. It's sinful! + +PERCINET. Very--but what can we do? The greater the obstacles +to be overcome, the sweeter the reward. Sylvette, kiss me! + +SYLVETTE. Never! [She jumps down from the bench and runs off a +few steps.] + +PERCINET. But you love me? + +SYLVETTE. What? + +PERCINET. My dear child: I, too, sometimes think of us and +compare you and me with those other lovers--of Verona. + +SYLVETTE. But _I_ didn't compare--! + +PERCINET. You and I are Juliet and Romeo; I love you to despair, +and I shall brave the wrath of Pasquinot-Capulet and +Bergamin-Montague! + +SYLVETTE. [Coming a little nearer to the wall] Then we love? +But how, Monsieur Percinet, has it happened so soon? + +PERCINET. Love is born we know not how, because it must be born. +I often saw you pass my window-- + +SYLVETTE. I saw you, too! + +PERCINET. And our eyes spoke in silence. + +SYLVETTE. One day I was gathering nuts in the garden by the wall-- + +PERCINET. One day I happened to be reading Shakespeare. See +how everything conspired to unite two hearts! + +SYLVETTE. And a little gust of wind blew my scarf in your direction. + +PERCINET. I climbed to the wall to return it-- + +SYLVETTE. [Climbing the wall again] I climbed too! + +PERCINET. And since that day, my dear, I have waited at the same +hour, here by this wall; and each time my heart beat louder and +faster, until I knew by your soft laugh that you were near! + +SYLVETTE. Now since we love, we must be married. + +PERCINET. I was just thinking about that. + +SYLVETTE. [Solemnly] I, last of the Pasquinots, do solemnly +pledge myself to you, last of the Bergamins. + +PERCINET. What noble recklessness! + +SYLVETTE. We shall be sung in future ages! + +PERCINET. Two tender children of two hard-hearted fathers! + +SYLVETTE. But who knows whether the hour is not at hand when our +fathers' hatred may end? + +PERCINET. I doubt it. + +SYLVETTE. I have heard of stranger things. I can think of half a +dozen-- + +PERCINET. What, for instance? + +SYLVETTE. Imagine that the reigning prince comes riding past some +day--I run to him and kneel, and tell him the story of our love +and of our fathers' hatred. The prince asks to see my father and +Bergamin, and they are reconciled. + +PERCINET. And your father gives me your hand! + +SYLVETTE. Yes. Or else, you languish, the doctor declares you +cannot live-- + +PERCINET. And asks: "What ails you?" + +SYLVETTE. And you answer: "I must have Sylvette!" + +PERCINET. And his pride is then forced to bend. + +SYLVETTE. Yes. Or else: an aged duke, having seen my portrait, +falls in love with me, sends a 'squire to sue for my hand, and offers +to make me a duchess. + +PERCINET. And you say, "No!" + +SYLVETTE. He is offended, and some dark night when I am in the +garden, meditating, he springs forth out of the darkness! I scream! + +PERCINET. And I lose not a second in springing over the wall, +dagger in hand. I fight like a tiger, I-- + +SYLVETTE. You lay low three or four men. Then my father rushes +in and takes me in his arms. You tell him who you are. His heart +softens, he gives me to my savior. Your father consents, for he +is proud of your bravery. + +PERCINET. Then we live together for years, happy and content! + +SYLVETTE. This is not at all impossible, is it? + +PERCINET. Someone's coming! + +SYLVETTE. [Forgetting herself] Kiss me! + +PERCINET. [Kissing her] This evening, at eight, then? As +usual? You will come? + +SYLVETTE. No. + +PERCINET. Yes! + +SYLVETTE. [Disappearing behind the wall] Your father! [PERCINET +jumps quickly from the wall.] + +[Enter BERGAMIN.] + +BERGAMIN. Ah, ha, I find you here again, dreaming in this corner +of the park! + +PERCINET. Father, I love this old corner! I adore this bench over +which the vines of the wall have so gracefully draped themselves. +See, what graceful arabesques these festoons make! The air is +purer here. + +BERGAMIN. By the side of this wall? + +PERCINET. I love it! + +BERGAMIN. I see nothing lovable about it! + +SYLVETTE. [Aside] He can't see why! + +PERCINET. But it is charming, all covered with ivy and creeper. +See here, what honeysuckle! This hundred-year-old wall, with its +clinging vines, its constellations of flowers, looking through the +crannies, kissed by the summer sun, makes the bench a throne fit +for kings! + +BERGAMIN. Nonsense, you hare-brained youth! Do you mean to tell +me that this wall has eyes? + +PERCINET. Ah, what eyes! [Turns toward the wall.] Of soft azure, +yet dazzlingly blue; let but a tear come to dim your brightness, +or a single kiss-- + +BERGAMIN. But the wall hasn't eyes, you idiot! + +PERCINET. See this vine, though! [He plucks part of the vine from +the wall and graciously presents it to his father.] + +SYLVETTE. [Aside] How clever! + +BERGAMIN. How stupid! But I know now what has turned your silly +head: you come here to read! [SYLVETTE starts as she hears this. +PERCINET also shows signs of fear as his father pulls the book from +the youth's pocket.] Plays! [He drops the book in horror.] And +verse! Verse! That's what has turned your head. Now I see why you +talk about eyes and honeysuckle. I tell you, to be useful, a wall +doesn't have to be beautiful. I am going to have all this green +stuff taken away, and the bricks re-laid and the holes stopped up. +I want a white wall and a high one to keep the neighbors from +looking into our park. I want no vines and honeysuckles. Along +the top I'll sprinkle broken glass-- + +PERCINET. Pity! + +BERGAMIN. No pity! I insist on it! Glass--all along the top of +the wall! [SYLVETTE and PERCINET are in despair. BERGAMIN sits +down on the bench.] And now, I have something to say to you. [He +rises and examines the wall.] If the wall hasn't eyes, it may +possibly have ears? [He is about to stand on the bench, when +PERCINET takes fright and SYLVETTE clings close to her side of the +wall, making herself as small as she can. BERGAMIN decides not +to scale the wall, but motions to his son to do so.] See whether +some curious listener--? + +PERCINET. [Climbing to the top and leaning over so that SYLVETTE +can hear him] Till to-night! + +SYLVETTE. [Giving him her hand, which he kisses] I'll come as +the clock is striking! I adore you! + +BERGAMIN. [To PERCINET] Well? + +PERCINET. [Jumping down--to his father] No one! + +BERGAMIN. [Re-seating himself] Well, then, my boy, I should like +to see you married. + +SYLVETTE. [Aside] Oh! + +BERGAMIN. What's that? + +PERCINET. Nothing. + +BERGAMIN. I thought I heard a cry? + +PERCINET. [Looking into the air] Some wounded bird, perhaps. + +BERGAMIN. I have given the matter my undivided attention, and have +chosen a wife for you. [PERCINET whistles and walks away.] I tell +you, I am in earnest and I intend to force you, if necessary. +[PERCINET continues whistling.] _Will_ you stop that confounded +whistling! The young woman is rich--she's a jewel! + +PERCINET. I want none of your jewels! + +BERGAMIN. I'll show you, you young insolent! + +PERCINET. [Grasping his father's cane, which is raised as if to +strike him] Spring has filled the bushes with the songs of birds; +the brooklets accompany the love-notes of wild birds. + +BERGAMIN. Rascal! + +PERCINET. [Still holding the cane] The whole world laughs and +sings farewell to April. The butterflies-- + +BERGAMIN. Ruffian! + +PERCINET. [As before] Wing their way across the meadows, to make +love to the adored flowers! Love-- + +BERGAMIN. Villain! + +PERCINET. Love opens wide the heart of all nature. And you ask +me to consent to a marriage of reason! + +BERGAMIN. Of course I do! + +PERCINET. [Passionately] No, no, no, Father. I swear by this +wall--which hears me, I hope--that my marriage will be more +romantic than any dreamed of in the most poetic of the world's love +stories! [He runs out.] + +BERGAMIN. [Pursuing him] Ah, let me catch you--! + +SYLVETTE. I can really understand now why Papa hates that odious +old man! + +[Enter PASQUINOT, left.] + +PASQUINOT. Well, Mademoiselle, what are you doing here? + +SYLVETTE. Nothing. Taking the air. + +PASQUINOT. Alone? But, you silly girl, are you not afraid? + +SYLVETTE. Not in the least. + +PASQUINOT. Near this wall? I forbade you to come near it! You +see that park over there? That belongs to my mortal enemy! + +SYLVETTE. I know it, Father dear. + +PASQUINOT. Why, here you are exposed to any insult, any--if those +rascals knew that my daughter were walking alone in this park-- +Brr! It makes me shiver to think of! I'm going to have the wall +repaired, and erect a huge iron grill on top of it. + +SYLVETTE. [Aside] He'll never do it--it would cost too much! + +PASQUINOT. Now go into the house--quick! [She goes out, PASQUINOT +glowering at her.] + +BERGAMIN. [Heard from the other side of the wall, as he enters] +Take this note at once to Monsieur Straforel. + +PASQUINOT. [Running to the wall and climbing to the top of it] +Bergamin! + +BERGAMIN. [Doing likewise] Pasquinot! [They embrace.] + +PASQUINOT. How are you? + +BERGAMIN. Pretty well. + +PASQUINOT. How's your gout? + +BERGAMIN. Better. And how is your cold? + +PASQUINOT. Still troubles me, devil take it! + +BERGAMIN. Well, the marriage is arranged! + +PASQUINOT. What? + +BERGAMIN. I heard everything--I was hidden in the bushes. They +adore each other! + +PASQUINOT. Bravo! + +BERGAMIN. We must bring matters to a head! [He rubs his hands.] +Ha, ha! Now we can do as we had planned-- + +PASQUINOT. Yes, and tear down the wall. + +BERGAMIN. And live together. + +PASQUINOT. Joining our properties. + +BERGAMIN. By marrying our children. But I wonder whether they +would be so anxious if they knew we wished it? A marriage arranged +beforehand is not so tempting to two young children so romantic as +ours. That is why we kept our own wishes a secret. I felt sure +that after they had been separated--Sylvette in the convent, +Percinet at school--they would thrive on their secret love. That +is how I came to invent this hatred of ours. And you even doubted +its success! Now all we have to do is to say Yes. + +PASQUINOT. But how can it be done? Remember, I've called you a +scoundrel, fool, idiot-- + +BERGAMIN. Idiot? Scoundrel was sufficient. + +PASQUINOT. Now what pretext--? + +BERGAMIN. Your daughter herself has given me an inspiration. This +evening they are to meet here at eight. Percinet comes first. At +the moment Sylvette appears, mysterious men in black will emerge +from the shadows and start to carry her off. An abduction! She +screams, then our young hero gives chase, draws his sword--the +ravishers pretend to flee--I arrive on the scene, then you--your +daughter is safe and sound. You bless the couple and drop a few +appropriate tears; my heart is softened. Tableau. + +PASQUINOT. A stroke of genius. + +BERGAMIN. [Modestly] Yes--I think it really is. Look--see that +man coming? It's Straforel, the bravado whom I wrote to a few +minutes ago. He is to superintend the abduction. + +[STRAFOREL, in an elaborate swordsman's costume, appears at the +back of BERGAMIN's park, and swaggers down-stage.] + +BERGAMIN. [Descending from the wall and bowing low to STRAFOREL] +Allow me to introduce you to my friend Pasquinot. + +STRAFOREL. [Bowing] Monsieur! [He raises his head and sees no +PASQUINOT.] + +BERGAMIN. [Pointing to PASQUINOT on the crest of the wall] +There, on the wall!--Now, my dear master, does my plan meet with +your approval? + +STRAFOREL. It does. It is most simple. + +BERGAMIN. You must act quickly, you understand? + +STRAFOREL. And say nothing! + +BERGAMIN. A make-believe abduction and stage-fight with swords. + +STRAFOREL. I understand perfectly. + +BERGAMIN. You must have skilful swordsmen--I can't have my boy +hurt. He is my only child! + +STRAFOREL. I will see to that myself. + +BERGAMIN. Good. In that case, I shall fear nothing. + +PASQUINOT. [Aside to BERGAMIN] Ask him the price? + +BERGAMIN. For an abduction, Maestro, how much do you charge? + +STRAFOREL. That depends, Monsieur, on the kind you wish; we have +them at all prices. In an affair of this kind, however, nothing +should be spared. If I were in your place, I should have a +first-class abduction. + +BERGAMIN. [Surprised] Then you have many classes? + +STRAFOREL. Indeed I have. I have the ordinary vulgar abduction +in a cab, with two men dressed in black--that's rarely used; the +daylight abduction, the midnight abduction; the pompous abduction +in a court carriage, with powdered servants--wigs are extra--with +mutes, negroes, brigands, musketeers, anything you like! The +abduction in a post-chaise, with two, three, four, five, horses, +ad lib.; the discreet and quiet abduction, in a small carriage-- +that one's rather lugubrious; the rollicking abduction, in which +the victim is carried away in a sack; the romantic abduction in a +boat--but a lake is necessary!--the Venetian abduction, in a +gondola--ah, you have no lagoon! Moonlight abduction, or the +abduction on a dark and starless night--those moonlight abductions +are quite the style, though they are a little dear!--Besides these, +there is the abduction by torch-light, with cries and screams, and +clash and shock of arms; the brutal abduction, the polite +abduction; the classical one with masks; the gallant abduction to +the accompaniment of music; but the latest, most stylish, gayest of +all, is the sedan-chair abduction! + +BERGAMIN. [Scratching his head--aside to PASQUINOT] Well, what +do you think? + +PASQUINOT. Hm, what do you? + +BERGAMIN. I think that we should do everything in the best possible +way, no expense spared. Let us give our young romancers something +they'll not soon forget. Let's have it with masks, dark mantles, +torches, music, and a sedan-chair! + +STRAFOREL. [Taking notes] A first-class, then, with all extras. + +BERGAMIN. That's it. + +STRAFOREL. I shall return soon. [To PASQUINOT] Remember, +Monsieur, to leave open the door of your park to-night. + +BERGAMIN. Very well, it shall be done. + +STRAFOREL. [Bowing] My compliments. [Turning to go] One +first-class--with extras. [He goes out.] + +PASQUINOT. The honest man, he went without telling us the price! + +BERGAMIN. Everything is arranged. Now we'll live together, after +demolishing the wall. + +PASQUINOT. And in winter we'll have but one hearth and home! + +BERGAMIN. Our dearest wishes are about to be realized! + +PASQUINOT. And we'll grow old together! + +BERGAMIN. Dear old Pasquinot! + +PASQUINOT. Dear old Bergamin! [They embrace. SYLVETTE and +PERCINET enter, from each side of the stage and, seeing their +fathers embrace] + +SYLVETTE. Oh! + +BERGAMIN. [Aside to PASQUINOT] Your daughter! + +PERCINET. Oh! + +PASQUINOT. [Aside to BERGAMIN] Your son! + +BERGAMIN. [Aside to PASQUINOT] We must pretend to fight! [Their +embrace is transformed into a struggle.] Rascal! + +PASQUINOT. Fool! + +SYLVETTE. [Pulling her father's coat-tails] Papa! + +PERCINET. [Doing the same with his father] Papa! + +BERGAMIN. Let us be! + +PASQUINOT. He insulted me! + +BERGAMIN. He struck me! + +PASQUINOT. Coward! + +SYLVETTE. Papa! + +BERGAMIN. Thief! + +PERCINET. Papa! + +PASQUINOT. Bandit! + +SYLVETTE. Papa!! [SYLVETTE and PERCINET finally succeed in +separating the fathers.] + +PERCINET. [Dragging his father away] Go in now, it's late. + +BERGAMIN. [Trying to go to the wall again] I can't control +myself. Just let me--! [PERCINET takes him out.] + +PASQUINOT. [Also trying to return to the wall] I'll kill him! + +SYLVETTE. [Dragging PASQUINOT out] The air is so damp! Think +of your rheumatism! [They go out.] + +[Little by little it grows dark. For a moment the stage is empty. +Then, in PASQUINOT's park, enter STRAFOREL and swordsmen, musicians, +and torch-bearers.] + +STRAFOREL. I see one star already. The day is dying. [He places +his men about the stage.] Stay there--you there--and you there. +The hour is near. You will see, as the clock strikes eight, a +figure in white enter on this side. Then I whistle--[He looks at +the sky again.] The moon? Splendid! Every effect is perfect +to-night! [Examining the costumes of his band] The capes and +mantles are excellent. Look a little more dangerous, over there! +Now, ready? [A sedan-chair is brought in.] The chair over there +in the shade. [Seeing the negroes who carry the chair] The +negroes are good! [Speaking at a distance] Torches, there, you +understand you are not to come until you receive the signal? [The +faint reflection of the torches is seen at the back of the stage, +through the underbrush. Enter the musicians.] Musicians? There-- +at the back. Now, a little distinction and life! Vary your poses +from time to time. Stand straight, mandolin! Sit down, alto! +There. [Severely to a swordsman] You, first mask, don't look so +harmless--I want a villainous slouch! Good! Now, instruments, +play softly--tune up! Good--tra la la! [He puts on his mask.] + +[PERCINET enters slowly from the other side of the stage. As he +speaks the following lines, the stage becomes darker, until at the +end, it is night.] + +PERCINET. My father is calmer now. The day is dying, and the +intoxicating odor of the elders is wafted to me; the flowers close +their petals in the gray of the evening-- + +STRAFOREL. [Aside to the violins] Music! + +[The musicians play softly until the end of the act.] + +PERCINET. I tremble like a reed. She is coming! + +STRAFOREL. [To the musicians] Amoroso! + +PERCINET. My first evening meeting--I can scarcely stand! The +evening breeze sounds like the fluttering of her dress. Now I +can't see the flowers, but I can smell them. Ah, this great tree, +with a star above it--Music? Who--? [A pause.] Night has come. +[After another pause, a clock strikes eight in the distance. +SYLVETTE appears at the back of her park.] + +SYLVETTE. The hour has struck. He must be waiting. + +[A whistle is heard. STRAFOREL rises in front of SYLVETTE, and +torch-bearers appear in the background. SYLVETTE screams. The +swordsmen seize and put her into the sedan-chair.] + +SYLVETTE. Help! Help! + +PERCINET. Great Heavens! + +SYLVETTE. Percinet, they are carrying me off! + +PERCINET. [Leaping to the wall] I come! [When he reaches the +top of the wall, he draws his sword, jumps down on the other side, +and engages four or five swordsmen in combat. They flee before +him.] There, and there, and there! + +STRAFOREL. [To the musicians] Tremolo! + +[The violins now play a dramatic tremolo.] + +STRAFOREL. Per Bacco, he's the devil, that child! [PERCINET now +engages STRAFOREL in a duel. STRAFOREL, after a few thrusts, puts +his hand to his breast.] I--I'm mortally wounded! [He falls.] + +PERCINET. [Running to SYLVETTE, who sits in the sedan-chair] +Sylvette! [He kneels to her.] + +SYLVETTE. My savior! + +PASQUINOT. [Entering] Bergamin's son! Your savior? Your +savior? I give you to him! + +SYLVETTE and PERCINET. Heavens! + +[BERGAMIN now appears on his side of the wall.] + +PASQUINOT. [To BERGAMIN, who is seen on top of the wall] +Bergamin, your son is a hero! Let us forget our quarrels, and make +these children happy! + +BERGAMIN. [Solemnly] I hate you no more! + +PERCINET. Sylvette, don't speak loud: I know I am dreaming. But +don't wake me! + +BERGAMIN. Our hatred is ended in the marriage of our dear ones. +[Indicating the wall] Henceforth let there be no Pyrenees! + +PERCINET. Who would have believed that my father could change so! + +SYLVETTE. I told you everything would turn out happily! [While +the lovers go up-stage with PASQUINOT, STRAFOREL rises and hands +a folded paper to BERGAMIN.] + +BERGAMIN. [Aside] What is it? This paper--your signature? What +is it, if you please? + +STRAFOREL. [Bowing] Monsieur, it's my bill! [He falls down +again.] + + +Curtain + + +* * * * * + +ACT II + +SCENE: The same, except that the wall has disappeared. The benches +which were formerly against it are removed to the extreme right +and left. There are a few extra pots of flowers and two or three +plaster statues. To the right is a small garden table, with chairs +about it. + +As the curtain rises, PASQUINOT is sitting on the bench to the +left, reading a paper. BLAISE is at the back, busy with his rake. + +BLAISE. So the notary comes to-night, Monsieur Pasquinot? It is +pleasant, now that the wall is down, and you living together this +past month. It was high time, I'm thinking. The little lovers +must be happy! + +PASQUINOT. [Raising his head and looking about] So you like it +without the wall, Blaise? + +BLAISE. The garden is superb! + +PASQUINOT. Yes, my property has increased a hundred per cent! +[Poking a tuft of grass with his foot] Have you watered the +grass? [Furiously] You have no business doing that during the +day! + +BLAISE. But Monsieur Bergamin told me to! + +PASQUINOT. Ah, I see! He seems to think that the more grass is +watered the better it becomes. Well, take those plants out of the +green-house. [As BLAISE begins arranging plants which he gets from +the green-house--just off-stage--enter BERGAMIN at the back.] + +BERGAMIN. [Watering some flowers from a large watering can] Dear +me, these plants never get enough water! [To a tree] Hey there, +old man, you never get enough to drink, do you? There's for you! +[Laying down the watering can, he looks about him with +satisfaction.] Yes, it is better now. Very pretty--those statues +there are a decided improvement. [Catching sight of PASQUINOT] +How are you? [No answer.] How are you? How are you? [PASQUINOT +raises his head.] Well? + +PASQUINOT. My friend, why ask that? We see each other all the time! + +BERGAMIN. Oh, very well. [Seeing BLAISE arranging the plants] +_Will_ you take those plants back?! [BLAISE, not knowing what to +do, takes them back immediately. PASQUINOT raises his eyes, shrugs +his shoulders, and then resumes his reading. BERGAMIN walks back +and forth, and finally sits down near PASQUINOT. There is a pause.] +I used to come here every day, in silence-- + +PASQUINOT. [Laying aside his paper] I, too--it was most amusing! + +BERGAMIN. And our secret! + +PASQUINOT. The very danger was amusing. + +BERGAMIN. And the things we had to say of each other--! + +PASQUINOT. Very amusing.--Bergamin? + +BERGAMIN. Pasquinot? + +PASQUINOT. Something's lacking now. + +BERGAMIN. The idea! [After a moment's reflection] Yes, I agree +with you. Funny--are you losing your sense of the romantic? [He +looks at PASQUINOT and says, aside] His waistcoat often lacks a +button! It's disgusting! [He rises and walks back and forth.] + +PASQUINOT. [Looking over his paper--aside] He looks like some +immense beetle. [He pretends to be reading as BERGAMIN passes him.] + +BERGAMIN. [Aside] See the ridiculous way he reads! [He whistles +as he walks away up-stage.] + +PASQUINOT. [Aside] Whistling! Oh, Heavens! Don't do that, +whistling makes me nervous. + +BERGAMIN. [With a smile] Remember the mote in your neighbor's +eye. You, too, get on my nerves sometimes. + +PASQUINOT. I? + +BERGAMIN. You tell the same story twenty times a day. + +PASQUINOT. Why, I-- + +BERGAMIN. And when you sit down you swing your foot like a +pendulum. At meals you roll your bread in a most disgusting manner. + +PASQUINOT. Ha, you take me to task for my irritating mannerisms! +But let me tell you, you are no less unpleasant. You are ridiculous +and thoroughly selfish. I know now what the trouble is: the wall-- +with it, we were happy, now we don't live at all. + +BERGAMIN. We didn't do this for ourselves, did we? + +PASQUINOT. No, we did not! + +BERGAMIN. It was for our children. + +PASQUINOT. For our children, yes. Let us therefore suffer in +silence, and regret our former liberty. + +BERGAMIN. Sacrifice is the lot of parents. + +[SYLVETTE and PERCINET appear at the left, up stage, arm in arm.] + +PASQUINOT. Sh--the lovers! + +BERGAMIN. [Looking at them] See them! How they love each other! +Like the old pilgrims of love, they return each day to the sacred spot. + +[The lovers, who have meantime disappeared, re-appear on the +opposite side of the stage, and come down toward the old men.] + +PASQUINOT. If they are talking as they usually do, their +conversation will be well worth listening to! + +[BERGAMIN and PASQUINOT retire behind a tree.] + +PERCINET. I love you. + +SYLVETTE. I love you. [They stop.] Here is the famous spot. + +PERCINET. Yes. He fell here, that big fellow, pierced to the heart. + +SYLVETTE. There was I, like Andromeda. + +PERCINET. And I was Perseus! + +SYLVETTE. How many were there against you? + +PERCINET. Ten! + +SYLVETTE. Oh, there were twenty at least, not counting the big +leader. + +PERCINET. Or thirty--there must have been! + +SYLVETTE. Tell me once more how it was accomplished? + +PERCINET. They fell--like cards in a row! + +SYLVETTE. Our story should be put into a poem! + +PERCINET. It shall be. + +SYLVETTE. How I love you! + +PERCINET. I adore you! + +SYLVETTE. A realized dream. How my heart beats! I would never +think of marrying a commonplace little husband picked out by my +father! + +PERCINET. Indeed? + +SYLVETTE. No, no, not the way husbands are usually given to young +girls. + +PERCINET. No, _you_ would never have thought of marrying the son +of your father's best friend. + +SYLVETTE. [Laughing] Indeed not. Have you noticed how our +fathers have lately--? + +PERCINET. Yes, like two dogs. + +BERGAMIN. [Aside] Hm! + +PERCINET. And I know the reason why. This new arrangement is not +the best thing for their property. Our fathers are very good +people, you know, but they haven't much soul, and our brilliant +adventure rather throws them into the shade-- + +PASQUINOT. [Aside] How's that? + +SYLVETTE. You see, they are fathers of celebrated lovers. Poor +fathers, how they have been deceived! + +PASQUINOT. [Aside] Ha, ha! + +PERCINET. Yes, fate has been with us! + +BERGAMIN. [Aside] Ha, ha! + +SYLVETTE. And to-night the marriage-contract is to be signed! + +PERCINET. I must have musicians. + +SYLVETTE. Then go quick. + +PERCINET. I fly! + +SYLVETTE. [Calling him back] I'll take you as far as the gate. +[They go up-stage, arm in arm.] We are at least as great as the +most celebrated lovers. + +PERCINET. We shall take our place with Romeo and Juliet! + +SYLVETTE. Aminta and her shepherd. + +PERCINET. Pyramus and Thisbe. + +SYLVETTE. And so many others! [They disappear, but their voices +are heard outside.] + +Voice of PERCINET. Francesca and Paolo. + +Voice of SYLVETTE. Petrarch and Laura. + +[BERGAMIN and PASQUINOT emerge.] + +PASQUINOT. See how well your plan has succeeded! Our children +are quite mad, thanks to you! + +BERGAMIN. Your daughter, with her famous abduction, is most +aggravating. + +PASQUINOT. Your son thinks he is a hero. He gets on my nerves. + +BERGAMIN. But the worst of it all is that they think we are two +idiotic old fools whom they have deceived. I don't like it at all. + +PASQUINOT. Why didn't you think of it before, wise man? I'm going +to tell them everything. + +BERGAMIN. No, please don't do that--at least not until after the +signing of the contract. Let us not say a word until then. + +PASQUINOT. Very well. But meantime, here we are caught in the +net of your own making. + +BERGAMIN. But my dear friend, you admired the plan! + +PASQUINOT. A fine plan, in truth! + +[SYLVETTE enters gaily, with flowers in her hand. She waves to +PERCINET in the distance, then comes down-stage.] + +SYLVETTE. Good-day, Papa. Good-day, Father-in-law to-be! + +BERGAMIN. Good-day, daughter-in-law to-be! + +SYLVETTE. My, my, what a bad humor you are in! + +BERGAMIN. It's Pasquinot's fault--he--he-- + +SYLVETTE. [Waving her flowers in BERGAMIN's face] Sh! Please +don't quarrel. Of course, I understand, you can't behave quite as +old friends, and you like to quarrel a little, in a friendly way-- + +BERGAMIN. Of course, our hatred was so great! + +SYLVETTE. A mortal hatred, too! When I think what you've said +about Papa--oh, dear! I used to sit by the wall and hear every +word! And to think you never once suspected that I came there to +meet Percinet-- + +PASQUINOT. [Ironically] Ah, I-- + +SYLVETTE. We came every day at the same hour. [To BERGAMIN] +Ha, ha, I can still hear Percinet telling you that he was going to +marry--"most romantically"! And he kept his word! + +BERGAMIN. [Put out] Really? And do you think that if I had +wished--? + +SYLVETTE. Now, now, now! I know lovers' dreams are always +realized, and that fathers who are mortal enemies always end by +falling into each other's arms. + +PASQUINOT. Oh, let me laugh! + +SYLVETTE. But we proved it! + +BERGAMIN. I could say something-- + +SYLVETTE. What? + +BERGAMIN. Nothing! + +SYLVETTE. [To BERGAMIN] You seem changed. What do you mean? + +BERGAMIN. I mean-- + +PASQUINOT. Why, with one word, we could-- [Aside] I can't tell +her! [He walks up-stage two or three steps.] + +SYLVETTE. Well, if you have nothing to say, why not keep still? + +PASQUINOT. [Angrily] Keep still? Nothing to say? Do you +imagine that everything just happened? How do you think people +could come into my park through the iron gates? + +BERGAMIN. Do you imagine for one instant that young ladies are +carried off like that nowadays? + +SYLVETTE. Do I--? What are you saying? + +BERGAMIN. That will do! It is high time you knew the truth. I +tell you, the victory was on the side of the old men! + +SYLVETTE. But-- + +PASQUINOT. In old plays the father was always the dupe. Nowadays, +we do the duping! Would either of you have loved the other if you +had been told to do so? No. + +SYLVETTE. Then perhaps you suspected--? + +PASQUINOT. Of course we did. + +SYLVETTE. Our meetings? + +BERGAMIN. I heard you every time! + +SYLVETTE. But the benches? + +PASQUINOT. We put them there on purpose. + +SYLVETTE. The duel? + +BERGAMIN. A trick--prepared beforehand. + +SYLVETTE. The bravadoes? + +PASQUINOT. Actors! + +SYLVETTE. Then my abduction--? It was all a joke! + +BERGAMIN. [Searching in his pocket] Joke? Here's the bill! + +SYLVETTE. [Snatching the bill from him] Give it to me! [She +reads] "Straforel, Confidential affairs: One abduction, setting +and scenery--for purposes of bringing about a marriage--" Oh! +"Eight assistants at five francs a head; eight masks--" + +BERGAMIN. [To PASQUINOT] I think we told her too soon! + +SYLVETTE. [Continuing] "One sedan-chair, with porters; latest +style, with red trimmings--" [Laughing, she throws the bill on the +table.] + +PASQUINOT. Then she isn't angry? + +SYLVETTE. [Graciously] A charming idea! But, truly, Monsieur +Bergamin, do you think I love Percinet merely because of your trick? + +PASQUINOT. She takes it very well. + +BERGAMIN. [To SYLVETTE] You're not offended? + +PASQUINOT. Are you going to tell Percinet? + +SYLVETTE. Oh, no. Men are so stupid! + +BERGAMIN. Very sensible. But I had an idea-- [Taking out his +watch] Now we must see about the contract. [Offering his hand +to SYLVETTE] We are still good friends? + +SYLVETTE. Of course! + +BERGAMIN. [Turning about once more before he goes out] You don't +blame me, do you? + +SYLVETTE. [Sweetly] Not in the least! [BERGAMIN and PASQUINOT +go out. As they leave, SYLVETTE bursts into a rage.] How I hate +that Monsieur Bergamin! + +[Enter PERCINET.] + +PERCINET. Still here? Ah, I see; you did not want to leave this +sacred spot-- + +SYLVETTE. [Sitting on the bench to the left] Outrageous! + +PERCINET. There is where you saw me, like Amadis, put to flight +thirty of the ruffians! + +SYLVETTE. No: ten! + +PERCINET. [Going to her] Dearest, what is the matter? Are you +troubled? Your eyes are not so bright as they were. I know! +This marvelous place makes you sad sometimes. Are you sad because +our balcony--our Verona balcony--is destroyed? + +SYLVETTE. [Impatiently] Oh, dear! + +PERCINET. But does not the wall still exist in our memories? That +wall which cradled our love-- + +SYLVETTE. [Aside:] Will he never end! + +PERCINET. You remember not long ago, you said our story should +be put into a poem? + +SYLVETTE. Yes? + +PERCINET. Well, I have occasionally written verses. + +SYLVETTE. Are you going to write our story? + +PERCINET. Listen to this; I thought it out when I was walking. +"The Fathers who are Mortal Enemies." First canto-- + +SYLVETTE. Oh! + +PERCINET. [Ready to declaim] Er-- + +SYLVETTE. Oh! + +PERCINET. What is the matter? + +SYLVETTE. I imagine I am too happy--I'm nervous--I don't feel +well. [She bursts into tears.] I'll be well in a moment. Let me +be! [She turns her back and hides her face in a handkerchief.] + +PERCINET. [Surprised] I'll leave you for a moment. [Aside] +On a day like this, it's only too natural-- [He goes to the right, +sees the bill on the table, takes a pencil from his pocket, and +sits down.] I'll just jot down those lines. [He picks up the +bill, and starts to write; notices the writing and reads aloud] +"I, Straforel, having pretended to be killed by a sword-thrust from +a foolish young blade, hereby render account for torn clothes and +wounded pride: forty francs." [Smiling] What is it? [He +continues reading to himself, and his smile dies away.] + +SYLVETTE. [Wiping her eyes] He _would_ fall from the clouds if +he knew! I must be careful! + +PERCINET. [Rising] Well, well, well! + +SYLVETTE. [Going toward him] What is it? + +PERCINET. [Hiding the bill] Nothing. [Aside] Now I see why +the body was never found! + +SYLVETTE. [Turning around to show PERCINET her dress] You've +said nothing about my dress to-day? + +PERCINET. [Preoccupied] Blue is not becoming. I always prefer +you in pink. + +SYLVETTE. [Aside] What is the matter? Can he have found out? +[She looks toward the table.] The bill? [She runs to the table.] + +PERCINET. What are you looking for? + +SYLVETTE. Nothing.--Now let me hear your poem. + +PERCINET. No. + +SYLVETTE. Please! + +PERCINET. No. + +SYLVETTE. But I want to hear it. + +PERCINET. The verses are not good. + +SYLVETTE. Oh! [Aside] I think he knows! + +PERCINET. [Aside] I think she knows! + +BOTH. [Each to the other] _You_ know!? [After a pause, they +laugh.] Ha, ha, ha! + +PERCINET. Isn't it funny? + +SYLVETTE. Very. + +PERCINET. We were made to play a farce--our fathers were the best +of friends all the time! + +SYLVETTE. Good neighbors. + +PERCINET. I'll warrant they are cousins, too! + +SYLVETTE. [Bowing] I am about to marry my cousin! + +PERCINET. My cousin! + +SYLVETTE. How nice and respectable! + +PERCINET. Classic! + +SYLVETTE. Of course, I had dreamed of a marriage more--but it is +comforting to know that our love coincides with our--duty! + +PERCINET. And the material interests of our fathers. + +SYLVETTE. An excellent marriage, in short: a marriage of +convenience! And our poor idyl! + +PERCINET. Gone. + +SYLVETTE. Gone! So I'm the good little girl of the family! + +PERCINET. And I the obedient little son! But it was only as Romeo +that I appealed to you! + +SYLVETTE. Well, you are no longer that! + +PERCINET. And do you think you are Juliet? + +SYLVETTE. Now you're bitter. + +PERCINET. And you cynical. + +SYLVETTE. If you were ridiculous, is it my fault? + +PERCINET. I at least had a partner! + +SYLVETTE. I, too! Poor Blue Bird, you are beautifully plucked! + +PERCINET. [Bitterly] A pre-arranged abduction! + +SYLVETTE. Farce, all of it! + +PERCINET. And I your savior! All our poetry was bought and paid +for. Our beautiful bubble is now a tiny fleck of soap. Farewell, +Shakespearean lovers--we have nothing in common with you! + +SYLVETTE. Nothing! + +PERCINET. In place of a divine drama, we played an infamous parody. + +SYLVETTE. Our nightingale was a sparrow! + +PERCINET. And the immortal wall a punch-and-judy theater. We were +the puppets, worked by our fathers. + +SYLVETTE. But how much more ridiculous we should be if we loved +each other less than we do! + +PERCINET. We must now love more than ever. + +SYLVETTE. But we do--we adore-- + +PERCINET. The word is not a bit too strong. + +SYLVETTE. Love can console us. Can it not, my treasure? + +PERCINET. Certainly, my jewel. + +SYLVETTE. Good-bye then, my dearest. + +PERCINET. Good-bye, my darling. + +SYLVETTE. I shall dream of you, my heart. + +PERCINET. And I of you. + +SYLVETTE. Good-night. [She goes out.] + +PERCINET. So this is how I have been treated!-- But who is this? +See the long moustaches--I don't know him-- + +[STRAFOREL enters and walks majestically toward PERCINET.] + +STRAFOREL. [With a profound bow] I have come to collect a small +bill. + +PERCINET. Are you an upholsterer? + +STRAFOREL. Run along, young man, and tell your papa I am waiting +for him. + +PERCINET. What is your name? + +STRAFOREL. My name is Straforel. + +PERCINET. [With a start] He?! This is too much! + +STRAFOREL. [Smiling] Then you know, young man? + +PERCINET. [Throwing the bill in STRAFOREL's face] Wretch! It +was you! + +STRAFOREL. It was, Per Bacco! + +PERCINET. I have you at last. + +STRAFOREL. The people you kill, you see, are in the best of health. + +PERCINET. [Drawing his sword and making a pass at STRAFOREL] +You will see! + +STRAFOREL. [Parrying with his arm, like a fencing-master giving a +lesson] Hand high! Foot out! Monsieur, at your age, you should +know better than that! [He takes the sword from PERCINET with his +naked hand, and returns it as he bows.] What, are you stopping +your fencing-lesson so soon? + +PERCINET. [Exasperated, as he takes back the sword] I'm going +away. Here I am treated like a child. I shall have my revenge. +I am going to seek my romance--true romance: love-affairs, duels, +and--Ah, Don Juan, I will scandalize your ghost! I will elope with +actresses! [He dashes out, brandishing his sword.] + +STRAFOREL. Very well, but who is going to pay me? [Looking in +the distance] Stop there! Here's someone else. + +[Enter BERGAMIN and PASQUINOT, their hair and clothes ruffled, as +if they had been fighting.] + +PASQUINOT. [Readjusting his clothes and holding BERGAMIN's wig] +Here's your wig! + +BERGAMIN. And here's yours! + +PASQUINOT. After this, you can't imagine I'll--? + +BERGAMIN. I would no more live with you now than-- + +[Enter SYLVETTE.] + +PASQUINOT. My daughter!--Say nothing about this! + +SYLVETTE. [Throwing her arms about her father's neck] Papa, I +can't marry Percinet! + +[Enter the NOTARY and four WITNESSES.] + +BERGAMIN. The witnesses! The devil! + +WITNESSES. What--? + +STRAFOREL. [In the midst of the tumult] My bill! Who is going +to pay me? Ninety pistoles! + +[Enter the GUESTS and three FIDDLERS, who play.] + +BERGAMIN. What's all this? The guests? Music? + +[The FIDDLERS continue their minuet.] + +STRAFOREL. [To BERGAMIN] Well? + +BERGAMIN. See Pasquinot. + +STRAFOREL. [Reading] "For the purpose of bringing about a +marriage--" + +BERGAMIN. Well, there is to be no marriage! Therefore I owe you +nothing! + +[Enter BLAISE.] + +STRAFOREL. [To PASQUINOT] But, Monsieur-- + +PASQUINOT. What? Pay you now that it is broken off! + +BERGAMIN. [To whom BLAISE has just whispered] My son--run away? + +SYLVETTE. Run away? + +STRAFOREL. Well! Well! + +BERGAMIN. Quick, follow him! [He runs out, followed by the NOTARY +and the WITNESSES.] + +SYLVETTE. Gone! + +STRAFOREL. [Coming down-stage] Why can't I straighten all this +out? + +SYLVETTE. This is too much! [She goes out, followed by PASQUINOT.] + +STRAFOREL. Straforel, my son, if you want your ninety pistoles, +you must patch up this marriage! [He goes out. The three FIDDLERS, +left alone, continue their minuet, as the curtain falls.] + + +Curtain + + +* * * * * + +ACT III + +SCENE: The scene is the same except that the wall is being +rebuilt. Bricks and sacks of plaster lie about. + +As the curtain rises, the MASON is seen at work with his trowel. +His back is turned to the audience. BERGAMIN and PASQUINOT, each +on his own side of the wall, watch the progress of the work. + +The MASON. [Singing at his work] Tra la la-- + +BERGAMIN. These masons are so slow! + +PASQUINOT. Good! + +BERGAMIN. How he slaps the mortar! + +PASQUINOT. There goes another brick! + +[The MASON sings a number of trills.] + +PASQUINOT. Sings well, but works very slowly! By to-morrow the +wall will be at least two feet high! + +BERGAMIN. I'm impatient to see it higher! + +PASQUINOT. What is that you say, Monsieur? + +BERGAMIN. I was not addressing you. [A pause.] What do you do +evenings after dinner? + +PASQUINOT. Nothing--and you? + +BERGAMIN. Nothing. [Another pause. They bow and walk about +again.] + +PASQUINOT. [Stopping] Any news from your son? + +BERGAMIN. No--he is still away. + +PASQUINOT. He will return soon: his money will surely give out. + +BERGAMIN. Thank you. [They bow again, and walk.] + +PASQUINOT. Now that the wall is being built again, Monsieur, I +should be glad to see you from time to time. + +BERGAMIN. Thank you. Perhaps I shall come. [They bow.] + +PASQUINOT. Tell me, now, will you play _piquet_? + +BERGAMIN. I beg your pardon--I don't know-- + +PASQUINOT. I invite you! + +BERGAMIN. To tell the truth, I prefer _besigue_-- + +PASQUINOT. Then come at once. + +BERGAMIN. [Following PASQUINOT, who goes out] You owe me ten +sous from the last time. [Turning round] Work hard, mason! + +The MASON. Tra la la la la! + +PASQUINOT. Beautiful voice! [They disappear.] + +[When they are gone, the MASON turns round, and takes off his hat: +he is STRAFOREL.] + +STRAFOREL. Now for the work of reconstruction! [He sits down on +the row or two of bricks.] The young man is still off on his quest +for adventure and romance. Life must be giving him a splendid bath +of disillusion. I can see him as he returns, his tail between his +legs. Now I am working on Sylvette--she, too, will soon be cured. +[He takes a letter from his pocket and puts it in the hollow of a +tree-trunk. SYLVETTE appears at the back.] It's she! Now to work! + +SYLVETTE. [Looking anxiously about] Not a soul. [She lays her +muslin scarf on the bench to the left.] Will the letter be there +to-day as usual? [She goes toward the tree.] Every day some +gallant has left one for me. [She thrusts her hand into the +hollow.] Ah, here is my mail! [She takes the letter, opens it and +reads.] "Sylvette, heart of marble, this is the last letter you +will find in this tree. Why have you not answered me?" Ah, what +style! "The love that gnaws at my vitals!" Monsieur Percinet has +gone forth into the great world, and he is right. I shall do as +he has done. How can I possibly stay here and die of ennui? Now +let him come, I am ready to fly with him! I almost love him already! + +STRAFOREL. [Rising from his work, and in a voice of thunder] +Here am I! + +SYLVETTE. [Screaming] Help! Percinet! Man, not another step! + +STRAFOREL. [Gallantly] Why this hostile attitude? I am the man +whose letter you love, I am he whose words have had the honor of +pleasing you, and upon whose love you just called. Come, fly with +me! + +SYLVETTE. [Not knowing what to do] Man! + +STRAFOREL. You think I am a mason? Charming! Know, then, that +I am the Marquis D'Astafiorquercita. My heart is languishing for +you, I seek to color my drab existence with a few pigments from +your own. I must travel--but with you. That is why I have +penetrated into your garden, disguised as a mason! [He throws off +his workman's clothes and hat, and appears in a dazzling costume. +His wig is powdered and his moustache bristles.] + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur! + +STRAFOREL. I learned your story from a man named Straforel. I +felt at once a mad, unreasoning love for the victim of that +unfortunate affair. + +SYLVETTE. Marquis! + +STRAFOREL. Don't be afraid of me. That fellow who played the +trick on you--I killed him! + +SYLVETTE. Killed him! + +STRAFOREL. With a single blow! + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur! + +STRAFOREL. I understand you, you who have never been understood. +You want romance, do you not? Romance at any price? + +SYLVETTE. But, Marquis-- + +STRAFOREL. To-night we elope! + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur! + +STRAFOREL. We shall go away, never to return. + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur! + +STRAFOREL. My dream is realized. You consent! To-night! If your +father objects, so much the worse for him! + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur! + +STRAFOREL. Let them follow us--I know how to deal with pursuers. +In some far land, at last, we shall live happily in a little cottage! + +SYLVETTE. But I-- + +STRAFOREL. For I am poor. I have nothing. We shall live on bread +soaked in sweet tears! + +SYLVETTE. But, I tell you-- + +STRAFOREL. We shall thrive on misfortune--with you I shan't care +for anything else. A tent, perhaps-- + +SYLVETTE. A tent? + +STRAFOREL. Of nothing at all--just the stars! + +SYLVETTE. Oh, I-- + +STRAFOREL. Why, you're trembling--possibly you don't want to go +so far away? Then we shall hide somewhere-- + +SYLVETTE. But, Monsieur, you are mistaken! + +STRAFOREL. Let people say what they will! + +SYLVETTE. Good Heavens! + +STRAFOREL. I shall spend every moment of my time telling you how +I love you! + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur-- + +STRAFOREL. Ours shall be a long life of poetry. And I shall be +furiously jealous! + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur-- + +STRAFOREL. Are you afraid now? + +SYLVETTE. Heavens, what a lesson for me! + +STRAFOREL. Ha, now you look like a little boarding-school miss. +Tell me, shall we fly together, or shall I go alone? + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur-- + +STRAFOREL. I understand. I see you are strong: we shall go +together. I shall throw you across my saddle. No sedan-chair-- +they are used only in make-believe abductions! I return soon! +[He goes up-stage.] + +SYLVETTE. Monsieur, let me tell you-- + +STRAFOREL. I must get my horse and my mantle! + +SYLVETTE. [Deeply distressed] Monsieur!! + +STRAFOREL. [With a sweeping gesture] We shall travel from land +to land. My dream at last. I shall return and take you away, +never to return! + +SYLVETTE. [Gasping] Never to return! + +STRAFOREL. You shall live by the side of your adored one, by the +side of him who loved you before he set eyes on you. [As he is +about to leave, she falls onto the bench, and he says aside] It's +now time for you, Percinet! [He goes out.] + +SYLVETTE. [Opening her eyes after a moment] Monsieur le marquis-- +No, not across the saddle, please. I couldn't do that! Please, +please let me stay home. I _am_ a little boarding-school miss! +Why--he's gone! Marquis! Heavens, what an awful dream! [Another +pause, then she rises.] Romance? Was it not romance that you +craved not so long ago? It has come, and are you afraid? Love, +stars, a cottage. Yes, I did want it--but only a little--like +seasoning in a stew! This is too much--I couldn't stand it. [The +sun is setting. SYLVETTE takes up her scarf, which she had left +on the bench, and puts it over her head.] Who knows whether--? + +[PERCINET appears. He is in rags, and his arm is in a sling. He +looks ill, and can scarcely walk.] + +PERCINET. [Not seeing SYLVETTE] I have had nothing to eat since +yesterday--I can hardly walk. I'm not proud now! I want no more +adventures. [He sits down on the wall. His hat falls from his +eyes, and reveals his identity. SYLVETTE sees him.] + +SYLVETTE. You?! [He rises, and stands looking at her.] What has +happened to you? Can it be--? + +PERCINET. [Piteously] It can! + +SYLVETTE. [Wringing her hands] Heavens! + +PERCINET. I resemble somewhat the prodigal son, do I not? [He +totters.] + +SYLVETTE. You can't stand up! + +PERCINET. I am so tired. + +SYLVETTE. [Looking at his arm, with a cry] Wounded! + +PERCINET. Can you pity the ungrateful? + +SYLVETTE. [Severely] Only fathers kill fatted calves. Still, +that wounded arm? + +PERCINET. Oh, I assure you it's not serious. + +SYLVETTE. But what have you been doing, Monsieur Vagabond, all +this while? + +PERCINET. Nothing very creditable, Sylvette. [He coughs.] + +SYLVETTE. You are coughing? + +PERCINET. Walking the damp roads at night. + +SYLVETTE. What strange clothes you have! + +PERCINET. Mine were stolen, and the thieves left me these. + +SYLVETTE. [Ironically] How many fortunes did you find? + +PERCINET. Sylvette, please say nothing about that. + +SYLVETTE. You must have scaled many a balcony? + +PERCINET. [Aside] I nearly broke my neck once! + +SYLVETTE. Guitar in hand! And what nocturnes and serenades you +must have sung! + +PERCINET. Which earned for me more than one bucket of water! + +SYLVETTE. But I see you have been wounded in a real duel? + +PERCINET. It came near being mortal. + +SYLVETTE. And now you return to us--? + +PERCINET. Thoroughly worn-out. + +SYLVETTE. Yes, but you have at least found romance and poetry? + +PERCINET. No--I was seeking afar what was here all the time. +Don't make fun of me: I adore you! + +SYLVETTE. Even after our disillusion? + +PERCINET. What difference does that make? + +SYLVETTE. But our fathers played an abominable trick on us. + +PERCINET. What of it? What I feel in my heart is real. + +SYLVETTE. They pretended to hate each other. + +PERCINET. Did we pretend that we loved? + +SYLVETTE. The wall was a punch-and-judy theater--you said so +yourself. + +PERCINET. I did, Sylvette, but it was blasphemy. Ah, wall, you +gave us a divine setting, with moonlight and stars, flowers and +vines, the four winds for music, and Shakespeare for prompter! +Yes, our fathers made us go through the motions, but it was Love +that made us speak: _it_ pulled the strings! + +SYLVETTE. [Sighing] That's true, but we loved because we believed +it was wicked! + +PERCINET. And it was! Only the intention counts, and thinking we +were guilty, we were! + +SYLVETTE. Really? + +PERCINET. Really, my dear, we were infamous. It was wrong of us +to love. + +SYLVETTE. [Seating herself beside him] Very wrong? [She changes +her tone, as she rises and goes away.] Still, I wish the danger +had been a little more real. + +PERCINET. It _was_ real, because we believed it so. + +SYLVETTE. No: my abduction, like your duel, was false. + +PERCINET. Was your fear false? If you were afraid then, it was +as if you were really being abducted. + +SYLVETTE. No, the dear remembrance is gone. All those masks and +torches, the soft music, the duel; it is too cruel to think that +Straforel prepared it all. + +PERCINET. But who prepared the spring night? Was that Straforel? +Did he also sprinkle the sky with stars? Did he plant roses, did +he create the gray of evening and the blue mists of night? Did he +have anything to do with the rising of that huge pink star? + +SYLVETTE. No, of course-- + +PERCINET. Was it his doing that we were two children of twenty, +on a spring night, and that we loved each other? We loved, that +was the charm--all the charm! + +SYLVETTE. All the--? That's true, yet-- + +PERCINET. A tear? Am I then--forgiven? + +SYLVETTE. I have always loved you, my poor dear. + +PERCINET. At last I have you again! [He takes SYLVETTE's scarf +and plays with it.] What beautiful shades and lights in this +gorgeous satin. + +SYLVETTE. What satin? + +PERCINET. Oh, nothing! Nothing! + +SYLVETTE. But it's only muslin! + +PERCINET. [Kneeling and kissing her hand] No, it is everything! + +SYLVETTE. [Falling into his arms] See? I know now that poetry +and romance are in the hearts of lovers; they have nothing to do +with other things. + +PERCINET. That is true, Sylvette. I have seen what ought to be +poetry and romance, but it wasn't--to me! + +SYLVETTE. And what was prepared for and arranged beforehand was +real, though it was contrived for us by others. + +PERCINET. We can weave realities on a false frame. + +SYLVETTE. How foolish we were to seek elsewhere for romance, when +it was our own hearts! + +[STRAFOREL appears, followed by the two fathers, and shows them +SYLVETTE and PERCINET in each other's arms.] + +STRAFOREL. Ah! + +BERGAMIN. My son! [He embraces PERCINET.] + +STRAFOREL. Now do I get my money? + +PASQUINOT. [To his daughter] Do you love him? + +SYLVETTE. Yes. + +STRAFOREL. [To BERGAMIN] Shall I have my money? + +BERGAMIN. You shall. + +SYLVETTE. [Trembling as she hears STRAFOREL's voice and recognizes +it] But--that--voice--the Marquis D'Asta--fior-- + +STRAFOREL. [Bowing] --quercita. Yes, my dear Mademoiselle. 'Tis +Straforel. Pardon my excessive zeal. I have at least taught you +how tiresome and hollow and useless real adventures are. You +might, like this young man, have had your share, but I allowed you +to see them in prospect through the magic-lantern of my imagination. + +PERCINET. What is this? + +SYLVETTE. [Quickly] Nothing, nothing. I love you! + +BERGAMIN. [Pointing to the wall] And to-morrow we shall knock +down these few rows of bricks! + +PASQUINOT. Yes, away with it! + +STRAFOREL. No, let us finish it; it is indispensable. + +SYLVETTE. [Gathering them all about her] Let us say no more +about it! + + +Curtain + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Romancers, by Edmond Rostand + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ROMANCERS *** + +***** This file should be named 17581.txt or 17581.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/5/8/17581/ + +Produced by Kent Cooper + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. 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