[Becomes slightly frenzied during his speech.]
[Becomes slightly frenzied during his speech.]
Yes. A servant is something to absorb the spittle of their irritability. A hand to arrange the pages of their private diary when they get stuck together with filth; and above all a presence between them and the mirror during those grey dawn hours when passing it, they are likely to see themselves as they are. Ah, then one must be armed with the eloquence of Cato to reassure these sow's ears that they are still silk purses. Otherwise the devil has to be bought off in the morning and with three times the effort. One thing they never count on, however.
Ursus
And that?
Phedro
The effect on another human being of theirabsurdity and the passion of malice they rouse from a too long concealed contempt.
Ursus[looking at him curiously]
Contempt is the armour of snakes.
Phedro[his face undergoing a change]
Is it truly, my fine gentleman? Well, my mind has been wandering and stumbled on acul-de-sacas usual. Ah, the hope of being understood—it is almost extinct. However, if I cannot be understood, I shall, nevertheless, be felt.
Ursus
Well, what do you want of me? I am a philosopher and as such am not occupied with any sort of facts.
Phedro
I suppose not. You philosophers are blind men in dark rooms looking for the footprints of shadows, are you not?
Ursus[smiling]
Not at all. We philosophers have merely learned to practice humour in the presence of what is commonplace. But what is it you do want of me?
Phedro
What everybody wants—to talk about Gwymplane.
Ursus
Well?
Phedro
Have you had this gold mine with you long?
Ursus
Years and years.
Phedro
You bought him, I suppose, from some travelling show?
Ursus
No, he came to me of his own accord, and yet by accident.
Phedro
Was he riding the wind? And did it drop him by chance upon your knees?
Ursus
He came by accident. He remains of his own accord.
Phedro
Curious.
Ursus
What is curious?
Phedro
The irrelevancy of my mind.
Ursus
Of what were you thinking?
Phedro
Tell me, did you—did you—ever hear of the Comprachicos?
Ursus
Yes—why?
Phedro
Inhuman people they must have been.
Ursus
Not more so than those who gave them their practice.
Phedro
They have provided most of the circuses that roam around the world with freaks.
Ursus
They had a great knowledge of surgery.
Phedro
Yes. They had an amusing way of putting young children into a press—young children whose existence it would have been very uncomfortable to admit in certain glittering circles. This press was shaped like a bottle so that the growth became abnormal, and when the press was lifted the human form had already attained the shape of a bottle. They could also print everlastingly rather strange expressions upon the human countenance.
Ursus[starts]
Yes, yes, I have heard of that.
Phedro
However, even such people were afraid to die.
Ursus
During the death of the worst person his soul shines through for a moment.
Phedro[rather uncomfortable]
Well, well, to go back. A strange story came under my authority written by one of these Comprachicos.
Ursus
Really, how was that?
Phedro
You know I am an official.
Ursus
Of what sort?
Phedro
I am the examining magistrate of all the jetsam from the sea that is washed from anywhere whatever upon our shores.
Ursus
That is an original position!
Phedro
It was created for me by the Queen to whom I have rendered much service. But I was saying that a most extraordinary story happened along in a medicine bottle that had floated for years upon the sea.
Ursus
Ump!
Phedro
Ah—it was a long confession, and it had floated for about fifteen years in the sea.
[He is watchingUrsusnarrowly.]
[He is watchingUrsusnarrowly.]
Ursus[starting visibly]
Phedro
What were you about to say?
Ursus
When one has talked to one's self for a great many years it is hard to hold one's tongue in public.
[Enter thePrince—debonair and haughty.PrinceignoresPhilosopherand pullsPhedroaside.]
[Enter thePrince—debonair and haughty.PrinceignoresPhilosopherand pullsPhedroaside.]
Prince
Well! What have you arranged?
Phedro
My lord—the desires of youth are swifter than my wits. Yet I have tried.
Prince
Nonsense.... No rhetoric.... What is accomplished?
Phedro
It will be easily managed. I have your keys.
Prince
Is she willing?
Phedro
Innocence is always obliging at such a moment.
Prince
Neither the Queen nor the Duchess must have an inkling of this.
Phedro
No, my lord.
Prince
Tonight and tomorrow night.... What contrasts! Two crimes! A secret and a public one!
Phedro
My lord is sardonic.
[Ursusafter looking at them for a few moments has wandered off to the cart, and is seen making preparations for the evening's performance. There is the sound ofDea'ssinging.]
[Ursusafter looking at them for a few moments has wandered off to the cart, and is seen making preparations for the evening's performance. There is the sound ofDea'ssinging.]
Prince
Ah, how exquisite! I think I shall go and speak with her!
Phedro[detaining him]
Better not, my lord, much better not.
Prince[shaking him off]
All right, all right. Only don't insist, don't irritate me or I shall spite myself.... I cannot bear to take any one's advice.
Phedro
Nor do you, my lord. I merely reminded you of the presence of your own common sense.
Prince
[A pettish grimace flashing across his countenance]
[A pettish grimace flashing across his countenance]
I hope this performance may make the Duchess forget herself for a few moments. She has seemed more than ordinarily bored today.
Phedro[murmuring]
To be so matchless as her Grace is as bad as being blind. It gives one nowhere to look.
Prince
She is perfection outside; inside—I do not know. Where is that distorted fellow that bounded away from me in the darkness just before dinner?
Phedro
Oh—Gwymplane—he is probably off somewhere charming the birds awake with his flute.
Prince[in reverie]
Yes, Josephine is magnificent. Yet I think there is a strange grimace upon the face of her soul. I am longing to find out what is at the bottom of her smile. Ah, I shall be the first to bathe in her delights. It is a most invigorating thought.
[He plucks a flower and places it in his buttonhole.]
[He plucks a flower and places it in his buttonhole.]
Phedro
My lord finds it enchanting to be the first?
Prince
It is the only enchantment. If you were a real man, you would know that, Phedro,but if you were really a man I could not confide in you.
Phedro[winces then recovers himself]
My lord was saying——
Prince[in a mood of reverie]
That passion yearns for surprises—and love hankers after peace.
Phedro
And in your marriage, my lord?
Prince
I yearn for surprises. Of course the right sort of surprises.
Phedro
You will get them, my lord.
Prince
[Who is not attending him but listening to Dea's song.]
[Who is not attending him but listening to Dea's song.]
What?
Phedro
My sixth sense whispers to me, my lord, that you are on the eve of many surprises.
[The noise of the wand of theCourtStewardis heard pounding through the park.]
[The noise of the wand of theCourtStewardis heard pounding through the park.]
An Approaching Voice
The Queen's court is arriving. The Queen's court precedes the Queen. See that the performance is ready. See that the performance is ready.
[The voice dies away. There is the sound of much commotion in the vicinity of the cart. The voice ofDeaceases and someone calls:Gwymplane! Gwymplaneanswering distantly: Yes.Ursus:Hurry.Gwymplane:I come. ThePrinceandPhedrosteal quickly away.]
[The voice dies away. There is the sound of much commotion in the vicinity of the cart. The voice ofDeaceases and someone calls:Gwymplane! Gwymplaneanswering distantly: Yes.Ursus:Hurry.Gwymplane:I come. ThePrinceandPhedrosteal quickly away.]
CURTAIN
[Courtiers entering. A lady looking through her lorgnette.]
[Courtiers entering. A lady looking through her lorgnette.]
A Lady
I hope this is not going to be too boring.
3d Courtier
Ah, that, Madame, is the pleasure-seeker's prayer. Save me this night from being bored to death.
2d Courtier[a great dandy]
I hope they have enchanting costumes, and that they are well perfumed.
[He smells a scrap of lace.]
[He smells a scrap of lace.]
Lady
I hear he is remarkable.
2d Courtier
Who?
Lady
The mountebank, I forget his name. He has a Latin name besides, which I forget also, but they say that when he appears....
Court Usher[announces]
The Queen.
[The Queen arrives surrounded by a brilliant court.Josephineattends her, dressed entirely in silver and wearing immense emeralds. Her hair is very formally powdered, and she wears a cherry-coloured cloak. A coloured slave in black moiré carries her train.]
[The Queen arrives surrounded by a brilliant court.Josephineattends her, dressed entirely in silver and wearing immense emeralds. Her hair is very formally powdered, and she wears a cherry-coloured cloak. A coloured slave in black moiré carries her train.]
Queen
I am not in a mood for laughing tonight. [She glances at Josephine.] At any rate it is always singularly depressing to go anywhere in order to laugh. And if this clown causes me even to smile he shall have some rare reward.
[Seats herself upon a raised dais. Courtiers group themselves around her. Most of the ladies have seats. Many of the gentlemen sit at their feet.]
[Seats herself upon a raised dais. Courtiers group themselves around her. Most of the ladies have seats. Many of the gentlemen sit at their feet.]
Josephine
[Listlessly fluttering her fan; she is on the left of theQueenand near the audience.]
[Listlessly fluttering her fan; she is on the left of theQueenand near the audience.]
How tedious! For what are they delaying?
Prince[standing over her]
We are scarcely seated.
Josephine
Waiting is so tedious. It puts me in a bad humour, and I lose my enthusiasm.
Prince
Before you have quite found it, eh?
[A gong sounds. Two stalwart men move the cart to left centre of stage; with a click the sides of the carriage are flung open and a stage about twelve feet wide and four feet above the ground appears. In the back is a green curtain, ornamented with constellations. Suddenly a grotesque figure completely hooded and masked, attended by two small drummer boys, makes its appearance. The figure squats upon the floor in direct centre of stage. The drummers seat themselves beside it and allthree begin to play; the attendants upon their drums, the centre figure upon a flute. No human part of him can be seen, save his hands which are remarkably beautiful, sensitive and pallid. He moves them with extraordinary grace. He plays upon his flute an air from India. Suddenly upon the stage above him appears a Hindu girl. She executes a sinuous pantomimic dance of youth and desire. The figure playing upon the flute gradually turns his back to the audience and facing the dancer continues to play. Finally the dancer, noticing her admirer, commences to dance for him alone. The music becomes more breathless; the hooded figure plays a screaming tone upon his flute. Immediately a third slave, attired as a drummer, rushes out and catches his flute from the green masque, who jumps upon the stage, and seizing the dancer, savagely—gracefully, about her slim waist, dances with her, at once tenderly and primitively.]
[A gong sounds. Two stalwart men move the cart to left centre of stage; with a click the sides of the carriage are flung open and a stage about twelve feet wide and four feet above the ground appears. In the back is a green curtain, ornamented with constellations. Suddenly a grotesque figure completely hooded and masked, attended by two small drummer boys, makes its appearance. The figure squats upon the floor in direct centre of stage. The drummers seat themselves beside it and allthree begin to play; the attendants upon their drums, the centre figure upon a flute. No human part of him can be seen, save his hands which are remarkably beautiful, sensitive and pallid. He moves them with extraordinary grace. He plays upon his flute an air from India. Suddenly upon the stage above him appears a Hindu girl. She executes a sinuous pantomimic dance of youth and desire. The figure playing upon the flute gradually turns his back to the audience and facing the dancer continues to play. Finally the dancer, noticing her admirer, commences to dance for him alone. The music becomes more breathless; the hooded figure plays a screaming tone upon his flute. Immediately a third slave, attired as a drummer, rushes out and catches his flute from the green masque, who jumps upon the stage, and seizing the dancer, savagely—gracefully, about her slim waist, dances with her, at once tenderly and primitively.]
Queen
What agility and strength the man has got. He has made me catch my breath already, which is far better than to laugh.
Josephine
He dances like a demon over burning altars.
Prince
What was that, Josephine?
Josephine
Don't distract my attention.
Prince[laughing]
Attention? Attention? Why, Josephine, I never knew that gift was among your talents!
Josephine
Sh! Sh!
[During the dance, the Hindu girl becomes more and more enamoured of her partner, who eludes and attacks her in a perfect frenzy of grace and passion. Finally she tries to unmask him or to pull off his cloak, without success. A chime is heard. The drummers play a strange, sinister march. An old man enters—the slave owner. He sees his slave in the arms of one whom she obviously loves, and rushes at the masked figure with his sword. At this the green mask flings the girl awayfrom him, tears off his mask, throws open his coat and stands revealed before the slave owner, but with his back to the audience. The man is about to let fall his sword when he looks upon what he is about to kill. Gradually his jaw drops with amazement and he lets out a terrible yell of laughter. The slave girl who has stood watching him, now creeps round to see what is causing him so much mirth, and gazing up suddenly into the face of her partner utters a shriek of horror and runs from the stage. The slave owner follows her, his sides shaking with laughter. The figure stands rigidly transfixed, his back still to the audience.]
[During the dance, the Hindu girl becomes more and more enamoured of her partner, who eludes and attacks her in a perfect frenzy of grace and passion. Finally she tries to unmask him or to pull off his cloak, without success. A chime is heard. The drummers play a strange, sinister march. An old man enters—the slave owner. He sees his slave in the arms of one whom she obviously loves, and rushes at the masked figure with his sword. At this the green mask flings the girl awayfrom him, tears off his mask, throws open his coat and stands revealed before the slave owner, but with his back to the audience. The man is about to let fall his sword when he looks upon what he is about to kill. Gradually his jaw drops with amazement and he lets out a terrible yell of laughter. The slave girl who has stood watching him, now creeps round to see what is causing him so much mirth, and gazing up suddenly into the face of her partner utters a shriek of horror and runs from the stage. The slave owner follows her, his sides shaking with laughter. The figure stands rigidly transfixed, his back still to the audience.]
Josephine[leaning forward eagerly]
What can he be like! I wish he would turn round.
Prince
You seem interested, Josephine. Do these wretched mummers really ...
[ButJosephineis leaning forward intently for the music has begun again. This time the figure is doing a strange dance of loneliness and search for his departed partner, his mask lies upon theground, but he shields himself with his cloak. Occasionally in the wildness of his dance it slips a little, permitting glimpses of parts of his face.]
[ButJosephineis leaning forward intently for the music has begun again. This time the figure is doing a strange dance of loneliness and search for his departed partner, his mask lies upon theground, but he shields himself with his cloak. Occasionally in the wildness of his dance it slips a little, permitting glimpses of parts of his face.]
Queen[suddenly in a tone of fright]
What is it the man has upon his face? Is it a great scar?
Josephine
No! No! It is his mouth that is like that.
[Her excitement is obviously gathering to an almost unbearable point as the dance proceeds. In a low voice:]
[Her excitement is obviously gathering to an almost unbearable point as the dance proceeds. In a low voice:]
Oh, he is deformed, he is terribly deformed, his shoulders are not abreast of one another. Or is it some devil's head squatting upon his body of an angel.
A Voice
No, it is his legs; they are bent in opposite directions.
A Voice
No wonder the lady will not come back to him!
[Gwymplane'sdance seems to be reaching a climax; he has nosed about the floor like a dog; he has tried to leap over theroof in order to discover his lost sweetheart, and now he turns facing the audience, his arms outstretched in pitiful dejection. There is an instant's deep silence, and then a great laugh rings out from the audience. TheQueenherself rocks to and fro, backward and forward behind her fan.Josephinestarts forward, in her face a mixture of amusement, giving gradually way to some sinister thought which makes her gaze fixedly at the mountebank with parted lips. Her unswerving glance at length draws his eyes towards her and for one single instant their glances seem to pass through one another—the exquisite duchess, the grotesque clown. No one has seen the look, savePhedro, who wipes his lips with an expression of intense amusement. Suddenly from behindGwymplanestepsDea, and he returns with an almost imperceptible start to his act. Seeing this lovely apparition, he throws himself at her feet, and she, apparently perceiving him, does not repel him but puts her slim hands in his wild hair, and they go through some tender motions to an exquisite melody upon the flute. Gradually with gestures of pity and love she invites him to go with her, and he hardlybelieving is about to be led away, when suddenly the oriental melody begins again. The dancer appears. She glances atGwymplanewith the hypnotized fascination of utter horror.Deaattempts drawingGwymplaneaway, but he resists, becoming again a victim to the old charm. The slave girl, with a wild gesture, offers herself to him. Simultaneously,Deamotions him with prayer to go with her. He makes some pitiful indecisive motions between them.Deawrings her hands; the slave girl smiles; when, with a sudden gesture of despair,Gwymplanetakes out his knife and makes a motion of cutting out his heart, then sinks upon the ground, and suddenly holds up his heart dripping with blood in his two pale hands. The slave girl tries to snatch it, but he gives it toDea, who presses it against her own.Gwymplanebreathes his last, and the slave, falling at the feet ofDea, licks the blood from the heart of her dancer off the floor.Miniature curtain descends to some strange music recalling the chimes of a clock.]
[Gwymplane'sdance seems to be reaching a climax; he has nosed about the floor like a dog; he has tried to leap over theroof in order to discover his lost sweetheart, and now he turns facing the audience, his arms outstretched in pitiful dejection. There is an instant's deep silence, and then a great laugh rings out from the audience. TheQueenherself rocks to and fro, backward and forward behind her fan.Josephinestarts forward, in her face a mixture of amusement, giving gradually way to some sinister thought which makes her gaze fixedly at the mountebank with parted lips. Her unswerving glance at length draws his eyes towards her and for one single instant their glances seem to pass through one another—the exquisite duchess, the grotesque clown. No one has seen the look, savePhedro, who wipes his lips with an expression of intense amusement. Suddenly from behindGwymplanestepsDea, and he returns with an almost imperceptible start to his act. Seeing this lovely apparition, he throws himself at her feet, and she, apparently perceiving him, does not repel him but puts her slim hands in his wild hair, and they go through some tender motions to an exquisite melody upon the flute. Gradually with gestures of pity and love she invites him to go with her, and he hardlybelieving is about to be led away, when suddenly the oriental melody begins again. The dancer appears. She glances atGwymplanewith the hypnotized fascination of utter horror.Deaattempts drawingGwymplaneaway, but he resists, becoming again a victim to the old charm. The slave girl, with a wild gesture, offers herself to him. Simultaneously,Deamotions him with prayer to go with her. He makes some pitiful indecisive motions between them.Deawrings her hands; the slave girl smiles; when, with a sudden gesture of despair,Gwymplanetakes out his knife and makes a motion of cutting out his heart, then sinks upon the ground, and suddenly holds up his heart dripping with blood in his two pale hands. The slave girl tries to snatch it, but he gives it toDea, who presses it against her own.Gwymplanebreathes his last, and the slave, falling at the feet ofDea, licks the blood from the heart of her dancer off the floor.
Miniature curtain descends to some strange music recalling the chimes of a clock.]
Queen
What an extraordinary pantomime! Ithink these mummers act too well. They will leave a memory, and I have far too many memories already.
Josephine
[Trying to conceal the impression the play has made on her.]
[Trying to conceal the impression the play has made on her.]
I shall never have any memories. When the door closes I shall forget.
Prince
Perhaps you are not so agile as you think. Something of you may catch in the door when it slams, and go on aching forever.
Queen[tolerantly]
Inexperience can always afford to be a little ridiculous, can it not? [rises] Well, it has all been very entertaining. I have really immensely enjoyed myself.
[Turning to her courtiers and taking a brooch from her lace.]
[Turning to her courtiers and taking a brooch from her lace.]
I think we should give the clown some token of tonight's amusement. [to a servant] Go and tell Messire Gwymplane to attend us.
Prince
The performance of this mountebank has agitated me. [passing his hand over his brow.] I want to forget something in motion, in motion.
Josephine
[Looking at him and at theQueen, and twinkling with a sort of spiteful mischief.]
[Looking at him and at theQueen, and twinkling with a sort of spiteful mischief.]
It will be delicious to dance tonight. The starving should dance, the replete should dream! Come! [takes his arm]
Prince
What an exquisite thing for you to say to me—just at this moment.
[Queenglances at them with an expression of pain and hatred. An attendant approaches theQueen, who breaks sharply out of her reverie.]
[Queenglances at them with an expression of pain and hatred. An attendant approaches theQueen, who breaks sharply out of her reverie.]
Queen
You have not brought the clown?
Attendant
The owner of the van begs indulgence of your Majesty. The clown has wandered offsomewhere, as is his habit, and cannot be found.
Queen
How annoying! Well, the amusement I should have had in giving him this is really the only reason for such a gift.
[Replaces her brooch and turns to an attendant.]
[Replaces her brooch and turns to an attendant.]
Tell these mountebanks to leave the palace grounds before dawn.
Attendant
Yes, your Majesty. [bows himself out]
Josephine
I am glad he did not appear. He would have been horrible to look at closely.
Prince
You are cold. Let me arrange your cloak more closely about your shoulders.
Queen
Wrap my dear sister by all means, Charles, but if you can—from the inside out.
[Continues her conversation with a courtier.]
[Continues her conversation with a courtier.]
Josephine[in a low voice]
How she dislikes me! But dislike is amusing when the hours are just ending that make one the slave of its temper.
Prince[bending over her]
Tomorrow, Josephine.... Tomorrow you will be safe forever from her rudeness. She will need us; our united fortunes will be the bank for her gambling.
Josephine
Ah! tomorrow—tomorrow!
Queen
Josephine, take your prince and await me in the ballroom.
Josephine[glancing toward the cart]
It is very pleasant here, your Majesty. The air is cool so far away from candlelight, and I have an inclination to headache.
Queen
Why, a moment ago you said, "Let us dance," to which you added as your own a quotation from something you had read.
Josephine
[Who has been edging nearer the cart and looking with curiosity about her.]
[Who has been edging nearer the cart and looking with curiosity about her.]
Idle people are moody, your Majesty, but if ...
Queen[sharply]
It is my pleasure that you should await me in the ballroom.
Josephine
Your Majesty....
[Bowing low and taking the arm of thePrince, looks up archly into his eyes.]
[Bowing low and taking the arm of thePrince, looks up archly into his eyes.]
We will ask the musicians to play one of those new waltzes, that make me close my eyes quite up with delight.
[Princegazing enraptured, leads her out.]
[Princegazing enraptured, leads her out.]
Queen
[Furiously, turning toPhedrowho has flitted in and out since the cessation of the performance, in a low voice.]
[Furiously, turning toPhedrowho has flitted in and out since the cessation of the performance, in a low voice.]
I would speak to you. [to courtiers] You are at liberty to precede me to the ballroom.
[Courtiers go out.]
[Courtiers go out.]
Queen[leaning against a balcony]
Ah, Phedro!
Phedro[answering her tone]
My Majesty, my sovereign star.
Queen
It is growing late and still nothing has been done. I cannot see that there is anything to do. Oh what discomfort!
Phedro
Your Majesty's eyes are too full of pain to see clearly perhaps.
Queen
I am obsessed by a dream, and in this dream my whole life lies snared and gasping.
[Deaappears in the background of the cart, arranging things for the night.Phedroglances at her quickly and then back at theQueen.]
[Deaappears in the background of the cart, arranging things for the night.Phedroglances at her quickly and then back at theQueen.]
Phedro
There is a loose stone in every wall if one scratches long enough, yet in taking one's desire there may be surprises, unpleasant surprises.
Queen
But if ever one clutches the echo of one's own heart, what difference if a pox of madness seize the whole world?
Phedro
If you are willing to mean always what you feel now, your Majesty.
Queen
Don't talk absurdly, Phedro. Always is never more than now. And now is ever a part of eternity. Ah, I will make you more than you would dare ask if there is something to be done and you do it. Only I would rather not know the means. I would rather not be mixed up in the brew or it might sicken me afterwards to drink—of the Spring of Life.
Phedro
May I beg for the reason of my scheme to be left by your Majesty for a little?
Queen
Yes, yes, I go, Phedro. Oh, I would not have this if I thought it would deprive him of anything he really wanted, but he is ephemeral, aesthetic—in fact, he is a poetand doesn't really care for people. It is only for what they can make him feel that he likes them. Ah, how fascinating it is in him to be like that!
[Phedrobows over her hand, and she goes out. Sound ofDea'ssinging comes very near the stage.Phedrohides behind some tall shrubbery.Deasteps out, tenderly sniffing the air.]
[Phedrobows over her hand, and she goes out. Sound ofDea'ssinging comes very near the stage.Phedrohides behind some tall shrubbery.Deasteps out, tenderly sniffing the air.]
Dea
At last the Queen is gone; the night is mine. What a fragrance, what an exciting fragrance! It is as if all the rose petals in the world were fighting in the air!
Phedro[stepping out, masked]
Fighting in the air and in the dark, but that is human destiny, my dear young lady.
Dea[starting]
Who are you?
Phedro
A deep and disinterested friend of yours.
Dea
It is late.... I must be ... [attempts to leave]
Phedro
Tell me ... whom would you like to help most in the world?
Dea[gaily and innocently]
Him whom I love most in the world.
Phedro
Ah, that is Gwymplane.
Dea
How did you guess?
Phedro
You are too innocent to understand the keeping of secrets, but if you wish to render Gwymplane a service ...
Dea
I should like to more than to live ...
Phedro
Well, take this letter in your hands tonight ... to where I shall lead you, and give it to whom I shall appoint to receive it.
Dea
But explain ...
Phedro
There is little I may tell you, and much that you will have to believe. I know of Gwymplane unknown facts that would make him respected and rich to the end of his days, and of course you would not wish him always to remain a clown.
Dea
I love him too much to detain him in the little area of my wishes. Yet why shouldIcarry this note?
Phedro
Because it must reach her Majesty by you before dawn.
Dea
Her Majesty? Shall I approach her Majesty?
Phedro
You will observe many distinguished persons tonight, and at close range.
Dea
What shall I say?
Phedro
That you know, that you carry proof thatGwymplane is fully entitled to all the immediate riches and respect this letter begs for him.
Dea
Oh, it will be wonderful to tell the Queen that Gwymplane is entitled to immediate riches and respect. How happy he shall be made at my hands!
Phedro[half aside]
Just so much chance have any of us got at the hands of those who love us.
[Sound of a flute is heard.]
[Sound of a flute is heard.]
Dea
Gwymplane is coming!
Phedro[walking swiftly toDea]
Mind what I tell you. Walk, feel your way down this long avenue of cypress to your right, and stop at the first white marble door you touch upon your left. Wait there for me. When I come I shall imitate the call of a cuckoo in order that the attendants may open to us immediately.
[Deagoes out hurriedly.Gwymplanesaunters in with his strange, twisted walk.]
[Deagoes out hurriedly.Gwymplanesaunters in with his strange, twisted walk.]
Phedro
You roam late in solitude among the damp grasses. Does that not make you too melancholy for jests?
Gwymplane
My ability to jest was affixed upon me by the gods in one of their humorous moments; however, anything may be written in the parchment under the seal.