The Goddess of Reason 35

The Goddess of Reason 35

CÉLESTE

 

Séraphine would come—

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Patience, Citoyennes,

No haste! I’ve just a little word to speak

Unto monseigneur there.

 

CÉLESTE

 

Monseigneur!

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Oh,

The Citoyen Vardes! You know my tripping tongue.

 

NANON (_to the turnkey_)

 

Where is that ci-devant men once did call

La belle Marquise?

 

THE TURNKEY

 

‘Tis she who dances there,

Fair-haired and dressed in violet.

 

NANON

 

Awhile

I’ll watch her dance.

 

CÉLESTE

 

Their cheeks are pale.

 

ANGÉLIQUE

 

They smile.

I would not smile if I were they.

 

[NANON, CÉLESTE, _and_ ANGÉLIQUE _watch the

dancers_. SÉRAPHINE _approaches_ DE VARDES.

 

SÉRAPHINE (_in a low voice_)

 

Monseigneur!

 

DE VARDES

 

Séraphine Robin, I believe?

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Saint Yves!

Now just to think! Monseigneur knows my name!—

Eh! Morbec was my home for many a year.

When all is said and done, Home is just Home,

Hut or château—and always the De Vardes

Were lords of Morbec did they good or ill!

Most like ‘twas ill—but they were proper men!

And when they smiled we always said ‘twas day;

And old men say—but it was long ago—

A baron lived was named René the Good!

Saint Gil! Monseigneur gave us back Lisette.

Saint Maudez! ‘Tis a dangerous thing, but see!

 

[_She takes from her bosom a silken purse._

 

Eh, monseigneur, ‘tis yours! Take it! Quick, quick,

Before Céleste—the baggage!—turns her head!

 

[_She thrusts the purse into his hand._

 

DE VARDES

 

From whom?

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Look in it! You will see. ‘Tis gold.

 

DE VARDES

 

Gold!

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

And something more.—Here is Angélique!

 

ANGÉLIQUE

 

Aristocrat—That ring upon thy finger—

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Out!

 

DE VARDES

 

Not yet, Citoyenne!

 

ANGÉLIQUE

 

Then afterwards!

I’ll have it at the trenches or the Loire!

 

[_She rejoins_ CÉLESTE _and_ NANON. _They watch the

dancers._

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

Nicole—Lucille—Cléonte—

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

My errand’s done—

Look in the purse, monseigneur, look at once!

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

La, la, la, la!

 

DE VARDES

 

I have no need of gold.

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Look, monseigneur!

 

DE VARDES

 

Again, from whom?

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

A friend.

 

DE VARDES

 

I have no friend in Nantes. Take back thy purse!

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

It is not mine, the pretty, silken thing!

I swore that I would leave it, so I will!

And I was told to tell you, “Look within.”

 

[NANON _approaches_.

 

NANON

 

In Nantes one is Suspect when one is seen

Whispering in shadows with Aristocrats!

 

SÉRAPHINE

 

Nothing I said you might not hear, Nanon!

Come, come away!

(_To_ DE VARDES _as she turns from him_.) Monseigneur, have a care!

 

[SÉRAPHINE, NANON, CÉLESTE, _and_ ANGÉLIQUE

_watch the dancers. A grating sound is heard without

the door to the left of the altar. The turnkeys

move aside, the door opens and discloses a passage

lined with gaolers and soldiers._

 

_Enter_ GRÉGOIRE _with three or four Patriots. They wear

great boots, plumed hats, sashes of tricolour, sabres and

pistols._

 

DE L’ORIENT

 

La, la, la, la, la!

 

GRÉGOIRE