|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 62
SISTERS. Salve, Regina, mater misericordiae;
Vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra, salve.
Ad to clamamus, exules filii Evae;
Ad to suspiramus gementes et flentes
In hac lacrymarum valle.
(The STRANGER rises and goes to the MOTHER.)
MOTHER. Stay where you are! A human being's coming into the world;
another's dying. It's all the same to you.
STRANGER. I'm not so sure! If I want to go in, I'm not allowed to.
And when I don't want to, you wish it. I'd like to now.
MOTHER. She doesn't want to see you. Besides, presence here's no
longer needed. The child matters most now.
STRANGER. For you, yes; but I'm still of most importance to myself.
MOTHER. The doctor's forbidden anyone to go in, whoever they may
be, because she's in danger.
STRANGER. What doctor?
MOTHER. So your thoughts are there again!
STRANGER. Yes. And it's you who led them! An hour ago you gave me
to understand that the child couldn't be mine. With that you
branded your daughter a whore; but that means nothing to you, if
you can only strike me to the heart! You are almost the most
contemptible creature I know!
MOTHER (to the SISTERS). Sisters! Pray for this unhappy man.
STRANGER. Make way for me to go in. For the last time--out of the
way.
MOTHER. Leave this room, and this house too.
STRANGER. If I were to do as you ask, in ten minutes you'd send the
police after me, for abandoning my wife and child!
MOTHER. I'd only do that to have you taken to a convent you know of.
MAID (entering at the back). The Lady's asking you to do something
for her.
STRANGER. What is it?
MAID. There's supposed to be a letter in the dress she left hanging
here.
STRANGER (looks round and notices the green dress; he goes over to
it and takes a letter from the pocket). This is addressed to me,
and was opened two days ago. Broken open! That's good!
MOTHER. You must forgive someone who's as ill as your wife.
STRANGER. She wasn't ill two days ago.
MOTHER. No. But she is now.
STRANGER. But not two days ago! (Reading the letter.) Well, I'll
forgive her now, with the magnanimity of the victor.
MOTHER. Of the victor?
STRANGER. Yes. For I've done something no one's ever done before.
MOTHER. You mean the gold. ...?
STRANGER. Here's a certificate from the greatest living authority.
Now I'll go and see him myself.
MOTHER. Now!
STRANGER. At your request.
MAID (to the STRANGER). The Lady asks you to come in.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|