[The Archers lead Didier off on one side, the noblemen carry Saverny off on the other.
DIDIER (to Marion, who is motionless from horror).
SCENE V
Marion, L'Angely
MARION (rushing to detain him).
What do you mean? Good-by? Why this good-by?
Wherefore forget you?
[The Soldiers push her off; she approaches L'Angely with anguish.
Is he lost for this?What did he do? What will they do to him?
L'ANGELY (takes her hand and leads her in silence before the edict).
MARION (reads, and starts back with horror).
They've taken him away. To kill him! Oh,
I brought this ruin on him with my cries!
I called for help, but my unhappy voice
Found death in the dark streets and brought her here.
Impossible! A duel is no crime!
[To L'Angely.
They'll not kill him for that?L'ANGELY.
MARION.
L'ANGELY.
MARION.
God strikes him for my sake! My Didier! love!
[To L'Angely.] Nothing on earth seemed good enough for him!
A prison cell—my God! Death! Torture too!
L'ANGELY.
MARION.
He has a royal heart; he pardons.
L'ANGELY.
The King does, not the Cardinal.
MARION.
What can I do?
L'ANGELY.
Nothing can save him from the fatal rope.
MARION.
[To L'Angely.] You freeze my blood, sir. Who are you?
L'ANGELY.
MARION.
I'm lost, unworthy; but what God can do
With a weak woman's hands, I'll show to you.
Go on, my love; I follow!
[She goes out on the side from which Didier left.
L'ANGELY (alone).
[Picking up the sword which Didier left on the ground.
Among all these, who'd think I was the fool?[He goes out.
ACT III
THE COMEDY
Scene.—The Castle of Nangis. A park in the style of Henry IV. In the background on an elevation, the Castle of Nangis, part new, part old, is visible. The old, a castle-keep with arches and turrets: the new, a large brick house with corners of wrought stone, and pointed roof. The large door of the castle-keep is hung with black: from afar one distinguishes a coat-of-arms—that of the families of Nangis and of Saverny
SCENE I
M. DE LAFFEMAS, undress costume of a magistrate of the period. Marquis de Saverny, disguised as an officer of the Regiment of Anjou; with black mustache and imperial, and a plaster on the eye
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY (pulling his mustache).
But he is dead!
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
Then carved its cruel way between the ribs
Through to the chest and to the liver, which,
As you well know, makes blood. The wound was fearful.
'Twas horrible to see!
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
The spasm follow frenzy; tetanos
Then came, and after opisthotonos
There followed improstathonos.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
The blood passes the jugular. Pequet
And learned men should be condemned when they
Dissect live dogs to study 'bout the lungs.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
In Aristotle.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
I like destruction; find delight in evil;
I love to kill! So that I thought I'd be
A soldier or a doctor, sir, at twenty.
But I hesitated long, and finally
I chose the sword. It's not so sure, but twice
As quick. There was a time, I will confess,
I longed to be a poet or an actor,
Or an exhibitor of bears—but then,
I like dinner and supper every day.
A plague upon the poetry and bears!
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
As a lieutenant knows an upstart soldier.
I belonged to Monsieur de Caussade first,
Who gave me to the Marquis' colonel. Poor
The present, but we do the best we can!
They made me officer—I'm worth as much
As any, and I wear a black mustache.
That is my history.
LAFFEMAS.
To notify the uncle?
SAVERNY.
With Brichanteau, the cousin, and the corpse.
He will be buried here—where, if he'd lived,
He would have had his wedding!
LAFFEMAS.
The old Marquis de Nangis bore the news.
SAVERNY.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
Of his own he had but this one passion—
His nephew, whom he dearly loved, although
They had not seen each other for five years.
[In the background, the old Marquis de Nangis passes; white hair, pale countenance, arms folded across his breast, dress of the day of Henry IV.: deep mourning; the star and the ribbon of the order of the Holy Ghost. He walks slowly; nine guards in three rows follow; they are dressed in mourning, their halberds on their right shoulder, their muskets on their left; they keep within a short distance, stopping when he stops, and continuing when he continues.
LAFFEMAS (watching him pass).
[He goes to the back and follows The Marquis with his eyes.
SAVERNY (aside).
[Brichanteau enters and goes to Saverny.
SCENE II
The same. Brichanteau
BRICHANTEAU.
[Laughing.] He's looking pretty well for a dead man!
SAVERNY (low, indicating The Marquis, who passes).
I think we might explain it to him now.
Oh, let me try.
BRICHANTEAU.
His grief must be sincere; he must weep much.
His woe is one good half of your disguise.
SAVERNY.
BRICHANTEAU.
SAVERNY.
These shocks are dangerous to such old men.
BRICHANTEAU.
SAVERNY.
Him laugh so bitterly, then weep; then keep
So still! I hate to see him kiss that coffin.
BRICHANTEAU.
SAVERNY.
The corpse lies there.
LAFFEMAS (coming back).
His eyes show plainly how he's suffering!
BRICHANTEAU (low to Saverny).
SAVERNY (with gesture of ignorance).
BRICHANTEAU (low).
Are also black and love the smell of death.
Keep silence more than ever. 'Tis a face
That's treacherous and evil; it would make
A madman prudent.
[The Marquis de Nangis re-enters; he is still absorbed in a deep reverie. He walks slowly, does not appear to notice any one, and seats himself upon a bank of turf.
SCENE III
The same. Marquis de Nangis
LAFFEMAS (approaching The Marquis).
He was a rare man; would have comforted
Your old age. I mingle my tears with yours.
Young, handsome, good, naught more could be desired;
Obeying God, respecting women, strong;
Just in his actions, sensible in speech,
A perfect nobleman, whom all revere!
To die so young! Most cruel fate! Alas!
[The Marquis lets his head fall on his hands.
SAVERNY (low to Brichanteau).
These praises but augment the old man's grief.
Console him, you; Show him the other side.
BRICHANTEAU (to Laffemas).
Same grade. A bad comrade, this Saverny—
A shiftless fellow, growing worse each day.
Courageous! Every man is brave at twenty;
His death is nothing much to boast about.
LAFFEMAS.
[Banteringly to Brichanteau, pointing to his sword.
You are an officer?BRICHANTEAU (in the same tone, pointing to Laffemas's wig).
SAVERNY (low).
BRICHANTEAU.
A liar: not worth any real regret.
He went to church, but just to ogle girls.
He was a gallant, a mere libertine,
A fool!
SAVERNY (low).
BRICHANTEAU.
Rude to his officers. As to good looks,
He had lost his; he limped, had a large wen
Upon his eye; from blonde had turned to red,
And from round-shouldered had become hump-backed.
SAVERNY (low).
BRICHANTEAU.
He would have staked his soul on dice. I'll wager
That cards had eaten up his property.
His fortune galloped faster every night.
SAVERNY (low, pulling his sleeve).
Too strong.
LAFFEMAS.
Unpardonable!
BRICHANTEAU (indicating Saverny).
SAVERNY.
LAFFEMAS (affectionately, to the old Marquis).
We'll comfort you. We have his murderer,
And we will hang him. We have kept him safe.
His end is sure.
[To Brichanteau and Saverny.
But can one understandThe Marquis? There are duels, we all know,
That cannot be avoided, but to fight
With any one named Didier—
SAVERNY (aside).
[The old Marquis, who has remained silent and motionless during all this scene, rises and goes out slowly on the side opposite where he came in. His guards follow him.
LAFFEMAS (wiping away a tear and following him with his eyes).
LACKEY (running).
BRICHANTEAU.
LACKEY.
What is the hour?
BRICHANTEAU.
LACKEY.
The city; they beg shelter for the night.
BRICHANTEAU.
The law of hospitality holds good.
Give them this barn.
[Indicating a barn on the left.
LACKEY (holding a letter).
[Reading.] For a Monsieur de Laffemas.
LAFFEMAS.
Give it to me!
BRICHANTEAU (low to Saverny, who has remained thoughtful in a corner).
Come and arrange things for your funeral!
[Pulling him by the sleeve.
What is it? Are you dreaming?SAVERNY (aside).
[They go out.
SCENE IV
LAFFEMAS (alone).
Come! this is business. Let me know at once!
[Reading.] "Sir Criminal Lieutenant: We make known
To you that Didier, the assassin of
The late Marquis Gaspard, has fled." My God!
That is unfortunate! "A woman is
With him, called Marion de Lorme. We beg
You to return as soon as possible."
Quick! Get me horses! I, who felt so sure!
Another matter spoiled for want of sense.
Outrageous! Of the two, not one! One, dead!
Escaped, the other! I will catch him, though!
[He exits. Enter a troupe of strolling actors, men, women and children in character costumes. Among them are Marion and Didier, dressed as Spaniards. Didier wears a great felt hat and is covered with a cloak.
SCENE V
The Comedians, Marion, Didier
A LACKEY (conducting the Comedians to the barn).
Of the Marquis de Nangis. Behave well,
Try to be quiet, for some one is dead.
The burial is to-morrow. Above all,
Don't mix your songs with the funereal chants
Which will be sung for him throughout the night.
GRACIEUX (small and hump-backed).
Who bark around the legs of all who pass!
LACKEY.
TAILLEBRAS (to Gracieux).
You'll cause us to sleep in the open air!
[Lackey exits.
SCARAMOUCHE (to Marion and Didier, who until now have remained quietly apart).
Why Monsieur fled with Madame on behind,
If you are man and wife or lovers only,
Escaping justice, or black sorcerers
Who held Madame a prisoner, perhaps—
Is not my business. What I want to know
Is what you'll act. Chimènes are best for you,
Black eyes.
[Marion makes a courtesy.
DIDIER (aside, indignant).
SCARAMOUCHE (to Didier).
We need a bully—a long-leggèd man,
Tremendous strides, a thundering voice; and when
Orgon is robbed of wife or niece, you kill
The Moor and terminate the piece. Great part!
High tragedy! 'Twill suit you splendidly.
DIDIER.
SCARAMOUCHE.
I like "thou"! [With a profound obeisance.
Blusterer, hail!
DIDIER (aside).
SCARAMOUCHE (to the other actors).
Then we'll rehearse our parts.
[All enter the barn except Marion and Didier.
SCENE VI
Marion, Didier; afterward Gracieux, Saverny, afterward Laffemas
DIDIER (with bitter laugh, after a long silence).
My Marion, have I dragged you low enough?
You wished to follow me? My destiny
Precipitates itself and crushes you,
Bound to its wheel! What are we come to now?
I told you so!
MARION (trembling and clasping her hands).
DIDIER.
Then cursed 'mongst men: cursed throughout all my life;
Cursed more than we are now, if a reproach
Shall ever leave my lips for you! What matter
Though all the earth abandon me, you're mine!
You are my savior, refuge, all my hope!
Who duped the jailer, filed my chains for me?
Who came from heaven to follow me to hell?
Who was a captive with the prisoner,
An exile with the fugitive? Ah, who,
Who else had heart so full of love and wit,
Heart to sustain, console, deliver me?
Great, feeble woman, have you not saved me
From destiny, alas! and my own soul?
Had you not pity on my nature, crushed?
Have you not loved one whom all others hate?
MARION (weeping).
DIDIER.
God willed, when placing soul within my flesh,
A demon and an angel should guide me.
Yet he was merciful; his love concealed
The demon, but the angel he revealed.
MARION.
DIDIER.
MARION (aside).
DIDIER.
When we have left this country far behind,
To have you, call you wife as well as love!
You will be willing?—answer.
MARION.
Your sister, and my brother you shall be!
DIDIER.
Of knowing, in God's sight, you're mine alone!
You're safe to trust my love in everything.
The lover keeps you for the husband, pure!
MARION (aside).
DIDIER.
To hear that actor talk, affront you thus!
It is not least among our wretched woes
To see you mixed with jugglers such as these,
A chaste, exquisite flower 'mid this filth—
You, 'mongst these women steeped in infamy!
MARION.
DIDIER.
Against my anger! He said "thou" to you,
When I, your love, your husband, hardly dare
For fear of tarnishing that virgin brow—
MARION.
And me as well.
DIDIER.
Although each hour brings us increasing woe,
You lavish on me love and joy and youth!
How happens it these blessings come to me,
When royal kingdoms were small pay for them—
To me, who give but anguish in return?
Heaven gave you—yes; but hell binds you to me.
For us to merit this unequal fate,
What good can I have done? What evil you?
MARION.
DIDIER.
Oh, yes, my star of destiny is bad.
I know not whence I come, nor where I go.
My whole horizon's dark. Love, hark to me!
There's time yet; you can leave me and go back.
Let me pursue the gloomy route alone.
When all is ended and I'm tired out,
The couch that's waiting will be cold—ice-cold,
And narrow; there's not room enough for two.
Go back!
MARION.
I'll share it with you; that at least is mine.
DIDIER.
You're tempting Providence to cling to me!
The years of anguish, love, may be so long
Your sweet eyes may grow sightless, just from tears.
[Marion lets her head fall on her hands.
DIDIER.
Your future frightens me. I pity you!
Go back!
MARION (bursting into tears).
Than to talk thus! [Weeping.] O God!
DIDIER (taking her in his arms).
So many tears! I'd shed my blood for one.
Do what you will! Come, be my destiny,
My glory, life, my virtue, and my love!
Answer me now. I speak! Sweet, do you hear?
[He seats her on a bank of turf.
MARION (withdrawing herself from his arms).
DIDIER (kneeling to her).
MARION (smiling through her tears).
DIDIER.
[Sits on the bank beside her.
Just one sweet kiss upon your forehead, pureAs is our love!
[He kisses her forehead. They look at each other with ecstasy.
Yes, look at me! Look thus,Look harder; look until we die of looking!
GRACIEUX (entering).
[Marion rises hastily from Didier's side. At the same time that Gracieux enters, Saverny comes in; he stands in the background and looks attentively at Marion without seeing Didier, who remains sitting on the bank and is hidden by a bush.
SAVERNY (back, without being seen, aside).
[Laughing.] Chimène!
GRACIEUX (to Didier, who is about to follow Marion).
I want to tease you!
DIDIER.
MARION (low to Didier).
Restrain yourself.
[Didier re-seats himself; she enters the barn.
SAVERNY (still back, aside).
Can he be the gallant who succored me?
Who saved my life? Didier! It is indeed!
LAFFEMAS (enters in traveling costume, and salutes Saverny).
SAVERNY (bowing).
[He laughs.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY.
I'll tell you. Guess whom I have recognized
Among those jugglers who have just arrived.
LAFFEMAS.
SAVERNY (laughing still more).
LAFFEMAS (with a start).
DIDIER (who has been looking at them fixedly all the time).
SAVERNY (still laughing).
That news to Paris. Are you going there?
LAFFEMAS.
But are you sure you recognize her?
SAVERNY.
Hurrah for France! We know our Marion.
[Feeling in his pocket.
I think I have her portrait—tender pledgeOf love! She had it done by the King's painter.
[Giving Laffemas a locket.
Look and compare them.[Indicating the barn door.
See her, through that door,In Spanish costume, with green petticoat.
LAFFEMAS (looking from the locket to the barn).