|
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 70
STRANGER. Is it possible I could have been wrong? If so it's the
devil's work, and I'll lay down my arms.
BEGGAR. You'd better do that as soon as you can. ...
STRANGER. Not yet! (A rosary can be heard being repeated in the
distance.) What's that? (A sustained note of a horn is heard.)
That's the unknown huntsman! (The chord from the Dead March is
heard.) Where am I? (He remains where he is as if hypnotised.)
BEGGAR. Bow yourself or break!
STRANGER. I cannot bow!
BEGGAR. Then break.
(The STRANGER falls to the ground. The same confused medley of
scenes as before.)
Curtain.
SCENE III
THE 'ROSE' ROOM
[The same scene as Act I. The kneeling Sisters of Mercy are now
reading their prayer books, '... exules filii Evae; Ad to
suspiramus et flentes In hac lacrymarum aalle.' The MOTHER is by
the door at the back; the FATHER by the door on the right.]
MOTHER (going towards him). So you've come back again?
FATHER (humbly). Yes.
MOTHER. Your lady-love's left you?
RATHER. Don't be more cruel than you need!
MOTHER. You say that to me, you who gave my wedding presents to
your mistress. You, who were so dishonourable as to expect me, your
wife, to choose presents for her. You, who wanted my advice about
colour and cut, in order to educate her taste in dress! What do you
want here?
FATHER. I heard that my daughter ...
MOTHER. Your daughter's lying there, between life and death; and
you know that her feelings for you have grown hostile. That's why I
ask you to go; before she suspects your presence.
FATHER. You're right, and I can't answer you. But let me sit in the
kitchen, for I'm tired. Very tired.
MOTHER. Where were you last night?
FATHER. At the club. But I wanted to ask you if the husband weren't
here?
MOTHER. Am I to lay bare all this misery? Don't you know your
daughter's tragic fate?
FATHER. Yes ... I do. And what a husband!
MOTHER. What men! Go downstairs now and sleep off your liquor.
FATHER. The sins of the fathers. ...
MOTHER. You're talking nonsense.
FATHER. Of course I don't mean my sins ... but those of our
parents. And now they say the lake up there's to be drained, so
that the river will rise. ...
MOTHER (pushing him out of the door). Silence. Misfortune will
overtake us soon enough, without you calling it up.
MAID (from the bedroom at the back). The lady's asking for the
master.
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|