The Goddess of Reason 33

The Goddess of Reason 33

ACT IV_

 

 

_The interior of a church in Nantes used as a prison. Great broken

windows of stained glass, purple and crimson, through which

streams the sunlight. Prisoners of both sexes and all ages and

conditions of life move to and fro, or lean against the pillars

which support the vaulted roof. Some rest or kneel upon the steps

before the altar rail. Three children play beside a broken font.

Against a door at the left of the great altar lounge several

turnkeys dressed in blue woollen with red liberty caps._ THE

MARQUISE _sits beside a pillar. She talks with_ DE BUC _and_

ENGUERRAND LA FÔRET. _Near her are_ COUNT LOUIS _and_ MLLE. DE

CHÂTEAU-GUI. DE L’ORIENT _stands upon a bench beneath a shattered

window_. DE VARDES _sits at a rude table writing_.

 

_A butterfly enters at the broken window and flutters through the

church._

 

A CHILD

 

The butterfly! The butterfly!

 

MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI

 

Oh, see

Its painted wings!

 

A CHILD

 

There! There!

 

MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI

 

It comes my way!—I’ve caught it!—No!

 

AN ACTRESS (_dressed as a shepherdess_)

 

I!

I have it fast, the pretty prisoner!

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

It will not stay—

 

COUNT LOUIS

 

It soars into the roof!

No! down again on yon long ray of light!—

Give chase!

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

Here!

 

MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI

 

There!

 

THE ACTRESS

 

Oh, oh! It sails this way,

The fairy boat—

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

With freight of heart’s desire!

 

THE ACTRESS

 

I have it!

 

COUNT LOUIS

 

No, I!

 

[_The butterfly lights upon his hand._

 

‘Tis youth!

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

‘Tis gone!—

 

[_The butterfly brushes his shoulder._

 

‘Tis joy!

 

THE ACTRESS

 

Fled!—Ah, ah!—‘Tis hope!

 

[_The butterfly touches her outstretched arm, then

rises again._

 

No longer!

 

[_The butterfly rests upon the fair hair of_ THE MARQUISE.

 

THE MARQUISE

 

As I was saying, then I felt despair—

 

[_The butterfly rises, flutters in a shaft of sunshine,

then passes out of the window. The prisoners watch

its flight._

 

A CHILD

 

The butterfly has gone!

 

MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI

 

Whither!

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

‘Tis for

The blue skies and the sunny fields!

 

THE ACTRESS

 

The flowers

We shall not gather any more!

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

High hills,

The water running in the sun and shade!

 

MME. DE MALESTROIT

 

A garden old beside a winding stream—

Oh, death in life!

 

A NUN

 

It was a soul set free.

By now a thousand shining leagues it’s mounted!

 

[_The door at the left of the altar opens._

 

_Enter_ GRÉGOIRE.

 

MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI

 

Here is Grégoire!

 

GRÉGOIRE

 

Good-morrow, Citoyens!

 

COUNT LOUIS

 

Good-morrow, Gaoler.

 

MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI

 

Ah, this place, Grégoire!

It is so triste! Shall we forever stay

Imprisoned in a church?

 

LA FÔRET

 

Oh, gayer far

The Bastille or Vincennes!

 

THE ACTRESS

 

These frowning saints!

The wind that whistles in!

 

MME. DE MALESTROIT

 

The stones so cold!

 

COUNT LOUIS

 

The Church will make us martyrs ere our time!

 

MLLE. DE CHÂTEAU-GUI

 

And did you buy, Grégoire, the cards for ombre?

 

THE ACTRESS

 

Masks for our play?

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