_The same room, during the evening performance. Occasional music,
laughter, shrieks, and applause are audible. Through the small windows,
back centre, the light is shining._
_Consuelo and Baron Regnard occupy the stage; Consuelo wears her stage
costume; she sits with her feet on the sofa, a small shawl covering her
shoulders. Before her stands the Baron, a tall stout man in evening
dress, a rose in his button-hole; grasping the ground with feet well
apart, he gazes at her with convex spider-like eyes._
BARON
Is it true that your father, the Count, has introduced you to a certain
Marquis Justi, a very rich man?
CONSUELO
[_Surprised_]: No, he is only joking. I have often heard him speak of a
Marquis Justi but I have never seen him----
BARON
And do you know that your father is just a charlatan?
CONSUELO
Oh! Don't say that--Father is such a dear.
BARON
Did you like the jewels?
CONSUELO
Yes, very much. I was very sorry when Father told me I must return them.
He said it would not be nice for me to keep them. I even cried a little
about it.
BARON
Your father is only a beggar and a charlatan.
CONSUELO
Oh, no, don't scold him--he loves you so much.
BARON
Let me kiss your hand----
CONSUELO
Oh, no, it isn't proper! One may kiss the hand only when one says how do
you do or good-bye. But in the meantime you can't.
BARON
Everybody is in love with you, that is why you and your father make such
a fuss about yourselves. Who is that new clown they call HE? I don't
like him, he's too shrewd a beast.... Is he in love with you, too? I
noticed the way he looked at you....
CONSUELO
[_Laughing_]: Nothing of the kind. He is so funny! He got fifty-two
slaps yesterday. We counted them. Think of it, fifty-two slaps! Father
said, "if they had only been gold pieces."
BARON
And Bezano, Consuelo.... Do you like him?
CONSUELO
Yes, very much. He is so good-looking. He says that Bezano and I are the
most beautiful couple in the world. HE calls him Adam, and me Eve. But
that's improper, isn't it? HE is _so_ improper.
BARON
And does HE speak to you very often?
CONSUELO
Yes, often.... But I don't understand him. It seems as if he were drunk.
BARON
"Consuelo"!... It means in Spanish ... Consolation. Your father is an
ass.... Consuelo, I love you.
CONSUELO
Talk it over with Father.
BARON
[_Angry_]: Your father is a swindler and a charlatan. He should be
turned over to the police. Don't you understand that I _cannot_ marry
you?
CONSUELO
But Father says you can....
BARON
No, I cannot. And what if I shoot myself? Consuelo, silly girl, I love
you unbearably ... unbearably, do you understand? I am probably mad ...
and must be taken to a doctor, yanked about, beaten with sticks. Why do
I love you so much, Consuelo?
CONSUELO
Then, you'd better marry.
BARON
I have had a hundred women, beauties, but I didn't see them. You are the
first and I don't see any one else. Who strikes man with love, God or
the Devil? The Devil struck me. Let me kiss your hand.
CONSUELO
No. [_She thinks a while and sighs._]
BARON
Do you think sometimes? What are you thinking about now Consuelo?
CONSUELO
[_With another sigh_]: I don't know why, I just felt sorry for Bezano.
[_Sighs again._] He is so nice to me when he teaches me ... and he has
such a tiny little room.
BARON
[_Indignant_]: You were there?
CONSUELO
No. He told me about it. [_Smiling_] Do you hear the noise in there?
That's HE getting slapped. Poor thing ... although I know it doesn't
hurt, it's only make-believe. The intermission is coming soon.
[_The_ BARON _throws away his cigar, takes two quick steps forward,
and falls on his knees before the girl_.]
BARON
Consuelo----
CONSUELO
Please, don't. Get up. Please leave my hand alone.
BARON
Consuelo!
CONSUELO
[_Disgusted_]: Get up please, it's disgusting--you're so fat.
[_The_ BARON _gets up. Voices are heard near the door and in the
ring. It is the intermission. The clowns come first, talking
cheerfully and excitedly. He leads them, in his clown's dress,
with painted eyebrows and white nose; the others are applauding
him. Voices of the actors calling: "Bravo! HE." Then come the
actors and actresses, riding-masters, and the rest, all in costume.
ZINIDA is not among them. PAPA BRIQUET comes a little later._]
POLLY
A hundred slaps! Bravo, HE!
JACKSON
Not bad, not bad at all. You'll make a career.
TILLY
He was the Professor to-day, and we were the students. Here goes
another! [_Gives him a clown's slap. Laughter. All bid good evening to
the BARON. He is politely rude to these vagabonds who bore him, and
remains silent. They seem quite used to it. Enter MANCINI. He is the
same, and with the same cane._]
MANCINI
[_Shaking hands_]: What a success, Baron--and think of it--how the crowd
does love slaps. [_Whispering_] Your knees are dusty, Baron, brush them
off. The floor is very dirty in here. [_Aloud_] Consuelo, dear child,
how do you feel? [_Goes over to his daughter. Sound of laughing,
chattering. The waiters from the buffet in the lobby bring in soda and
wine. Consuelo's voice it heard._]
CONSUELO
And where is Bezano?
HE
[_Bows before the_ BARON, _affecting intimacy_]: _You_ do not recognize
me, Baron?
BARON
Yes I do. You are the clown, HE.
HE
Yes I am HE Who Gets Slapped. May I presume to ask you, Baron, did you
get your jewels back?
BARON
What!
HE
I was asked to return some jewels to you, and I take the liberty of----
[_The_ BARON _turns his back on him--HE laughs loudly_.]
JACKSON
Whiskey and soda! Believe me, ladies and gents, HE will surely make a
career. I am an old clown, and I know the crowd. Why to-day, he even
eclipsed _me_--and clouds have covered my Sun. [_Striking it._] They do
not like puzzles, they want slaps! They are longing for them and
dreaming about them in their homes. Your health, HE! Another whiskey and
soda! HE got so many slaps to-day, there would be enough to go round the
whole orchestra!
TILLY
I bet there wouldn't! [_To Jackson_] Shake!
POLLY
I bet there wouldn't--I'll go and count the old mugs.
A VOICE
The orchestra did not laugh----
JACKSON
Because they were getting it, but the galleries did, because they were
looking at the orchestra getting slapped. Your health, HE!
HE
Your's Jim! Tell me, why didn't you let me finish my speech--I was just
getting a good start.
JACKSON
[_Seriously_]: My friend, because your speech was a sacrilege.
Politics--all right. Manners--as much as you want. But Providence--leave
it in peace. And believe me, friend, I shut your mouth in time. Didn't
I, Papa Briquet?
BRIQUET
[_Coming nearer_]: Yes. It was too much like literature. This is not an
academy. You forget yourself, HE.
TILLY
But to shut one's mouth--faugh....
BRIQUET
[_In a didactic tone_]: Whenever one shuts one's mouth, it is always
high time to shut it, unless one is drinking. Hey, whiskey and soda!
VOICES
Whiskey and soda for the Manager!
MANCINI
But this is obscurantism. Philosophizing again, Briquet?
BRIQUET
I am not satisfied with you to-day, HE. Why do you tease them? They
don't like it. Your health! A good slap must be clean like a
crystal--fft-fft! right side, left side, and done with it. They will
like it; they will laugh, and love you. But in your slaps there is a
certain bite, you understand, a certain smell----
HE
But they laughed, nevertheless!
BRIQUET
But without pleasure, without pleasure, HE. You pay, and immediately
draw a draft on their bank; it's not the right game--they won't like
you.
JACKSON
That's what _I_ tell him. He had already begun to make them angry.
BEZANO
[_Entering_]: Consuelo, where are you? I have been looking for you--come
on. [_Both go out. The_ BARON, _after hesitating a while, follows
them_. MANCINI _accompanies him respectfully to the door_.]
HE
[_Sighs_]: You don't understand, my dear friends; you are simply old,
and have forgotten the smell of the stage.
JACKSON
Aha! Who is old, my young man?
HE
Don't be angry, Jim. It's a play, don't you understand? I become happy
when I enter the ring and hear the music. I wear a mask and I feel
humorous. There is a mask on my face, and I play. I may say _anything_
like a drunkard. Do you understand? Yesterday when I, with this stupid
face, was playing the great man, the philosopher [_he assumes a proud
monumental pose, and repeats the gesture of the play--general laughter_]
I was walking this way, and was telling how great, how wise, how
incomparable I was--how God lived in me, how high I stood above the
earth--how glory shone above my head [_his voice changes and he is
speaking faster_] then you, Jim, you hit me for the first time. And I
asked you, "What is it, they're applauding me?" Then, at the tenth
slap, I said: "It seems to me that they sent for me from the Academy?"
[_Acts, looking around him with an air of unconquerable pride and
splendour. Laughter. Jackson gives him a real slap._]
HE
[_Holding his face_]: Why?
JACKSON
Because you're a fool, and play for nothing. Waiter, the check.
(_Laughter. The bell calls them to the ring. The actors go out in haste,
some running. The waiters collect their money._)
BRIQUET
[_In a sing-song_]: To the ring--to the ring--
MANCINI
I want to tell you something, HE. You are not going yet?
HE
No. I'll take a rest.
BRIQUET
To the ring--to the ring--
[_The clowns as they go sing in shrill, squeaky voices. Little by
little they all disappear, and loud music begins. HE seats himself
on the sofa with his legs crossed, and yawns._]
MANCINI
HE, you have something none of my ancestors ever had--money. Let's have
a nice bottle on you. Waiter, please--[_The waiter who was taking up
dishes, brings a bottle of wine and glasses and goes out._]
HE
You're blue, Mancini. [_Stretches._] Well, at my age, a hundred
slaps--it seems pretty hard. So you're blue. How are things getting on
with your girl?
MANCINI
Tss! Bad! Complications--parents--[_shudders_] Agh--
HE
Prison!
MANCINI
[_Laughing_]: Prison! Mustn't I uphold the glory of my name now, eh? HE,
I'm joking--but there is Hell in my heart. You're the only one who
understands me. But tell me how to explain this passion? It will turn
my hair grey, it'll bring me to prison, to the grave. I am a tragic man.
HE--[_Wipes his eyes with a dirty handkerchief._] Why don't I like
things which are not forbidden? Why, at all moments, even at the very
moment of ecstasy, must I be reminded of some law--it is stupid. HE, I
am becoming an anarchist. Good God!--Count Mancini, an anarchist. That's
the only thing I've missed.
HE
Isn't there a way of settling it somehow?
MANCINI
Is there a way of getting money, somehow?
HE
And the Baron?
MANCINI
Oh, yes! He's just waiting for it, the bloodsucker! He'll get what he's
after. Some day, you'll see me give him Consuelo for ten thousand
francs, perhaps for five!
HE
Cheap.
MANCINI
Did I say it was anything else? Do I want to do it? But these bourgeois
are strangling me, they've got me by the throat. HE, one can easily see
that you're a gentleman, and of good society, you understand me--I
showed you the jewels which I sent back to him--damn honesty--I didn't
even dare change the stones, put false ones--
HE
Why?
MANCINI
It would have queered the game. Do you think he didn't weigh the
diamonds when he got them back?
HE
He will not marry her.
MANCINI
Yes he will. You don't understand. [_Laughs._] The first half of his
life, this man had only appetites--now love's got him. If he does not
get Consuelo, he is lost, he is--like a withered narcissus. Plague take
him with his automobiles. Did you see his car?
HE
I did.... Give Consuelo to the Jockey--
MANCINI
To Bezano? [_Laughs._] What nonsense you do talk! Oh, I know. It's your
joke about Adam and Eve. But please stop it. It's clever, but it
compromises the child. She told me about it.
HE
Or give her to me.
MANCINI
Have you a billion? [_Laughs._] Ah, HE, I'm not in the proper mood to
listen to your clownish jokes--They say there are terrible jails in this
country, and no discriminations are being made between people of my
kind, and plain scoundrels. Why do you look at me like that? You're
making fun of me?
HE
No.
MANCINI
I'll never get accustomed to those faces. You're so disgustingly made
up.
HE
He will not marry her. You can be as proud as you please, Mancini, but
he'll not marry her. What _is_ Consuelo? She is not educated. When she
is off her horse, any good housemaid from a decent house has nicer
manners, and speaks better. [_Nonchalantly_] Don't _you_ think she's
stupid?
MANCINI
No, she's not stupid. And you, HE, are a fool. What need has a woman of
intelligence? Why, HE, you astonish me. Consuelo is an unpolished jewel,
and only a real donkey does not notice her sparkle. Do you know what
happened? I tried to begin to polish her--
HE
Yes, you took a teacher. And what happened?
MANCINI
[_Nodding his head_]: I was frightened--it went too fast--I had to
dismiss him. Another month or two, and _she_ would have kicked _me_ out.
[_Laughs._] The clever old diamond merchants of Amsterdam keep their
precious stones unpolished, and fool the thieves. My father taught me
that.
HE
The sleep of a diamond. It is only sleeping, then. You are wise,
Mancini.
MANCINI
Do you know what blood flows in the veins of an Italian woman? The blood
of Hannibal and Corsini--of a Borgia--and of a dirty Lombardi
peasant--and of a Moor. Oh! an Italian woman is not of a lower race,
with only peasants and gypsies behind her. All possibilities, all forms
are included in her, as in our marvelous sculpture. Do you understand
that, you fool? Strike here--out springs a washerwoman, or a cheap
street girl whom you want to throw out, because she is sloppy and has a
screechy voice. Strike there--but carefully and gently, for there stands
a queen, a goddess, the Venus of the Capitol, who sings like a
Stradivarius and makes you cry, idiot! An Italian woman--
HE
You're quite a poet, Mancini! But what will the Baron make of her?
MANCINI
What? What? Make of _her_? A baroness, you fool! What are you laughing
at? I don't get you? But I am happy that this lovesick beast is neither
a duke nor a prince--or she would be a princess and I--what would become
of me? A year after the wedding they would not let me even into the
kitchen [_laughing_] not even into the kitchen! I, Count Mancini, and
she a--a simple--
HE
[_Jumping up_]: What did you say? You are not her father, Mancini?
MANCINI
Tss--the devil--I am so nervous to-day! Heavens, who do you think I am?
"Her father?" Of course [_tries to laugh_] how silly you are--haven't
you noticed the family resemblance? Just look, the nose, the
eyes--[_Suddenly sighs deeply._] Ah, HE! How unhappy I am! Think of it.
Here I am, a gentleman, nearly beaten in my struggle to keep up the
honour of my name, of an old house, while there in the parquet--there
sits that beast, an elephant with the eyes of a spider ... and he looks
at Consuelo ... and....
HE
Yes, yes, he has the motionless stare of a spider--you're right!
MANCINI
Just what I say--a spider! But I must, I shall compel him to marry her.
You'll see--[_Walking excitedly up and down, playing with his cane._]
You'll see! All my life I've been getting ready for this battle. [_He
continues to walk up and down. Silence. Outside, great stillness._]
HE
[_Listening_]: Why is it so quiet out there? What a strange silence.
MANCINI
[_Disgusted_]: I don't know. Out there it is quiet--but here [_touching
his forehead with his cane_] here is storm, whirlwind. [_Bends over the
clown._] HE, shall I tell you a strange thing--an unusual trick of
nature? [_Laughs, and looks very important._] For three centuries the
Counts Mancini have had no children! [_Laughs._]
HE
Then how were you born?
MANCINI
Sh! Silence! That is the secret of our sainted mothers! Ha-ha! We are
too ancient a stock--too exquisitely refined to trouble ourselves with
such things--matters in which a peasant is more competent than
ourselves. [_Enter an usher._] What do you want? The manager is on the
stage.
THE USHER
Yes, sir. Baron Regnard wished me to give you this letter.
MANCINI
The Baron? Is he there?
THE USHER
Baron Regnard has left. There is no answer.
MANCINI
[_Opening the envelope, his hand shaking_]: The devil--the devil! [_The
usher is going._]
HE
Just a minute. Why is there no music? This silence....
THE USHER
It is the act with Madame Zinida and her lions. [_He goes._ MANCINI _is
reading the_ BARON'S _note for the second time._]
HE
What's the matter, Mancini? You shine like Jackson's sun.
MANCINI
What's the matter, did you ask? What's the matter? What's the matter?
[_Balancing his cane, he takes steps like a ballet-dancer._]
HE
Mancini! [MANCINI _rolls his eyes, makes faces, dances_.] Speak, you
beast!
MANCINI
[_Holds out his hand_]: Give me ten francs! Quick--ten francs--here,
come on. [_Puts it automatically into his vest pocket._] Listen, HE! If
in a month I don't have a car of my own, you may give me one of your
slaps!
HE
What! He's going to marry? He's decided?
MANCINI
What do you mean by "decided?" [_Laughs._] When a man has the rope about
his neck, you don't ask him about his health! Baron--[_Stops suddenly,
startled._ BRIQUET _is staggering in like a drunken man, his hand over
his eyes_.]
HE
[_Goes to him, touches his shoulder gently_]: What is the matter, Papa
Briquet? Tell me!
BRIQUET
[_Groaning_]: Oh, oh, I can't ... I can't ... Ah----
HE
Something has happened? You are ill? Please speak.
BRIQUET
I can't look at it! [_Takes his hands from his eyes, opens them wide._]
Why does she do it? Ah, ah, why does she do it? She must be taken away;
she is insane. I couldn't look at it. [_Shivers._] They will tear her to
pieces. HE--her lions--they will tear her--
MANCINI
Go on, Briquet. She is always like that. You act like a child. You ought
to be ashamed.
BRIQUET
No---- To-day she is mad! And what is the matter with the crowd?
They are all like dead people--they're not even breathing. I couldn't
stand it. Listen--what's that? [_All listen. There is the same
silence._]
MANCINI
[_Disturbed_]: I'll go and see.
BRIQUET
[_Yelling_]: No! Don't! You can't look--damned profession! Don't go. You
will scorch her--every pair of eyes that looks at her--at her lions--no,
no. It is impossible--it is a sacrilege. I ran away.... HE, they will
tear her----
HE
[_Tries to be cheerful_]: Keep cool, Papa Briquet--I had no idea you
were such a coward. You ought to be ashamed. Have a drink. Mancini, give
him some wine.
BRIQUET
I don't want any. Heavens, if it were only over---- [_All
listen._] I have seen many things in my life, but this.... Oh, she is
crazy. [_All still listen. Suddenly the silence breaks, like a huge
stone wall crashing. There is a thunder of applause, mixed with shouts,
music, wild screams--half bestial, half human. The men give way,
relieved. Briquet sinks to a seat._]
MANCINI
[_Nervous_]: You see--you see--you old fool!
BRIQUET
[_Sobs and laughs_]: I am not going to allow it any more!
HE
Here she is!
[_Zinida walks in, alone. She looks like a drunken bacchante, or
like a mad woman. Her hair falls over her shoulders dishevelled,
one shoulder is uncovered. She walks unseeing, though her eyes
glow. She is like the living statue of a mad Victory. Behind her
comes an actor, very pale, then two clowns, and a little later
Consuelo and Bezano. All look at Zinida fearfully, as if they were
afraid of a touch of her hand, or her great eyes._]
BRIQUET
[_Shouting_]: You are crazy--you're a mad woman!
ZINIDA
I? No. Did you see? Did you see? Well? [_She stands smiling, with the
expression of a mad Victory._]
TILLY
[_Plaintively_]: Cut it out, Zinida. Go to the devil!
ZINIDA
You saw, too! And!... what----
BRIQUET
Come home--come home. [_To the others_] You can do what you like here.
Zinida, come home.
POLLY
You can't go, Papa. There's still your number.
ZINIDA
[_Her eyes meet those of Bezano_]: Ah! Bezano. [_Laughs long and
happily_.] Bezano! Alfred! Did you see? My lions _do_ love me! [_Bezano,
without answering, leaves the stage. Zinida seems to wither and grow
dim, as a light being extinguished. Her smile fades, her eyes and face
grow pale. Briquet anxiously bends over her._]
BRIQUET
[_In a slow voice_]: A chair! [_Zinida sits. Her head drops on her
shoulder, her arms fall, she begins to shiver and tremble. Some one
calls, "Cognac"--an actor runs to get it._]
BRIQUET
[_Helpless_]: What is the matter, Zinida darling?
MANCINI
[_Running about_]: She must quiet down. Get out, get out--vagabonds!
I'll fix everything, Papa Briquet. The wrap--where's the wrap? She's
cold. [_A clown hands it to him; they cover her._]
TILLY
[_Timidly_]: Wouldn't you like some moosic?
MANCINI
[_Giving her some cognac_]: Drink, Duchess, drink! Drink it all--that's
it. [ZINIDA _drinks it like water, evidently not noticing the taste. She
shivers. The clowns disappear one by one._ CONSUELO, _with a sudden
flexible movement, falls on her knees before_ ZINIDA _and kisses her
hands, warming them between her own_.]
CONSUELO
Dear, dear, you are cold! Poor little hands, dear good one, beloved
one----
ZINIDA
[_Pushes her away, gently_]: Ho--home. It will soon be over. It's
nothing ... I am ver--very ... home.... You stay here, Briquet--you
must. I'm all right.
CONSUELO
You are cold? Here is my shawl.
ZINIDA
No--let me.... [CONSUELO _gets up, and moves aside._]
BRIQUET
And it's all because of your books, Zinida--your mythology. Now tell me,
why do you want those beasts to love you? Beasts! Do you understand, HE?
You too, you're from that world. She'll listen more to you. Explain it
to her. Whom can those beasts love? Those hairy monsters, with diabolic
eyes?
HE
[_Genially_]: I believe--only their equals. You are right, Papa
Briquet--there must be the same race.
BRIQUET
Of course, and this is all nonsense--literature. Explain it to her, HE.
HE
[_Takes on a meditative air_]: Yes, you are right, Briquet.
BRIQUET
You see, dear, silly woman--everybody agrees....
MANCINI
Oh! Briquet, you make me sick; you are an absolute despot, an Asiatic.
ZINIDA
[_With the shadow of a smile, gives her hand to be kissed_]: Calm
yourself, Louis. It is over--I am going home. [_She stands up, shaking,
still chilled._]
BRIQUET
But how? alone, dear?
MANCINI
What! fool! Did you imagine that Count Mancini would leave a woman when
she needed help? I shall take her home--let your brutal heart be at
rest--I shall take her home. Thomas, run for an automobile. Don't push
me Briquet, you are as awkward as a unicorn ... that's the way, that's
the way---- [_They are holding her, guiding her slowly toward the door_].
CONSUELO, _her chin resting in her hand, is following them with her
eyes. Unconsciously she assumes a somewhat affected pose._]
MANCINI
I'll come back for you, child---- [_Only_ HE _and_ CONSUELO _are left on
the stage. In the ring, music, shrieks, and laughter begin again._]
HE
Consuelo----
CONSUELO
Is that you, HE, dear?
HE
Where did you learn that pose? I have seen it only in marble. You look
like Psyche.
CONSUELO
I don't know, HE. [_She sighs and sits on the sofa, keeping in her pose
the same artificiality and beauty._] It's all so sad here, to-day. HE,
are you sorry for ZINIDA?
HE
What did she do?
CONSUELO
I didn't see. I had closed my eyes, and didn't open them. Alfred says
she is a wicked woman, but that isn't true. She has such nice eyes, and
what tiny cold hands--as if she were dead. What does she do it for?
Alfred says she should be audacious, beautiful, but quiet, otherwise
what she does is only disgusting. It isn't true, is it, HE?
HE
She loves Alfred.
CONSUELO
Alfred? My Bezano? [_Shrugging her shoulders, and surprised_] How does
she love him? The same as everyone loves?
HE
Yes--as everyone loves--or still more.
CONSUELO
Bezano? Bezano? No--it's nonsense. [_Pause; silence._] What a beautiful
costume you have, HE. You invented it yourself?
HE
Jim helped me.
CONSUELO
Jim is so nice! All clowns are nice.
HE
I am wicked.
CONSUELO
[_Laughs_]: You? You are the nicest of all. Oh, goodness! Three acts
more! This is the second on now. Alfred and I are in the third. Are you
coming to see me?
HE
I always do. How beautiful you are, Consuelo.
CONSUELO
Like Eve? [_Smiles._]
HE
Yes, Consuelo. And if the Baron asks you to be his wife, will you
accept?
CONSUELO
Certainly, HE. That's all Father and I are waiting for. Father told me
yesterday that the Baron will not hesitate very long. Of course I do not
love him. But I will be his honest, faithful wife. Father wants to teach
me to play the piano.
HE
Are those your own words--"his honest, faithful wife"?
CONSUELO
Certainly they are mine. Whose could they be? He loves me so much, the
poor thing. Dear HE, what does "love" mean? Everybody speaks of
love--love--Zinida, too! Poor Zinida! What a boring evening this has
been! HE, did you paint the laughter on your face yourself?
HE
My own self, dear little Consuelo----
CONSUELO
How do you do it, all of you? I tried once, but couldn't do a thing. Why
are there no women clowns? Why are you so silent, HE? You, too, are sad,
to-night.
HE
No, I am happy to-night. Give me your hand, Consuelo, I want to see what
it says.
CONSUELO
Do you know how? What a talented man you are! Read it, but don't _lie_,
like a gypsy. [_He goes down on one knee and takes her hand. Both bend
over it._] Am I lucky?
HE
Yes, lucky. But wait a minute--this line here--funny. Ah, Consuelo, what
does it say, here! [_Acting_] I tremble, my eyes do not dare to read the
strange, fatal signs. Consuelo--
CONSUELO
The stars are talking.
HE
Yes, the stars are talking. Their voices are distant and terrible; their
rays are pale, and their shadows slip by, like the ghosts of dead
virgins--their spell is upon thee, Consuelo, beautiful Consuelo. Thou
standest at the door of Eternity.
CONSUELO
I don't understand. Does it mean that I will live long?
HE
This line--how far it goes. Strange! Thou wilt live eternally, Consuelo.
CONSUELO
You see, HE, you did tell me a lie, just like a gypsy!
HE
But it is written--here, silly--and here. Now think of what the stars
are saying. Here you have eternal life, love, and glory; and here,
listen to what Jupiter says. He says: "Goddess, thou must not belong to
any one born on earth," and if you marry the Baron--you'll perish,
you'll die, Consuelo. [_Consuelo laughs._]
CONSUELO
Will he eat me?
HE
No. But you will die before he has time to eat you.
CONSUELO
And what will become of Father? Is there nothing about him here?
[_Laughing, she softly sings the melody of the waltz, which is playing
in the distance._]
HE
Don't laugh, Consuelo, at the voice of the stars. They are far away,
their rays are light and pale, and we can barely see their sleeping
shadows, but their sorcery is stern and dark. You stand at the gates of
eternity. Your die is cast; you are _doomed_--and your Alfred, whom you
love in your heart, even though your mind is not aware of it, your
Alfred cannot save you. He, too, is a stranger on this earth. He is
submerged in a deep sleep. He, too, is a little god who has lost
himself, and Consuelo, never, never will he find his way to Heaven
again. Forget Bezano----
CONSUELO
I don't understand a word. Do the gods really exist? My teacher told me
about them. But I thought it was all tales! [_Laughs._] And my Bezano
is a god?
HE
Forget Bezano! Consuelo, do you know who can save you? The only one who
can save you? I.
CONSUELO
[_Laughing_]: You, HE?
HE
Yes, but don't laugh! Look. Here is the letter H. It is I, HE.
CONSUELO
HE Who Gets Slapped? Is that written here, too?
HE
That, too. The stars know everything. But look here, what more is
written about him. Consuelo, welcome him. HE is an old god in disguise,
who came down to earth only to love you, foolish little Consuelo.
CONSUELO
[_Laughing and singing_]: Some god!
HE
Don't mock! The gods don't like such, empty laughter from beautiful
lips. The gods grow lonely and die, when they are not recognized. Oh,
Consuelo! Oh, great joy and love! Do recognize this god, and accept him.
Think a moment, one day a god suddenly went crazy!
CONSUELO
Gods go crazy, too?
HE
Yes, when they are half man, then they often go mad. Suddenly he saw his
own sublimity, and shuddered with horror, with infinite solitude, with
super-human anguish. It is terrible, when anguish touches the divine
soul!
CONSUELO
I don't like it. What language are you speaking? I don't understand----
HE
I speak the language of thy awakening. Consuelo, recognize and accept
thy god, who was thrown down from the summit like a stone. Accept the
god who fell to the earth in order to live, to play, and to be
infinitely drunk with joy. Evoe Goddess!
CONSUELO
[_Tortured_]: HE---- I cannot understand. Let my hand alone.
HE
[_Stands up_]: Sleep. Then wake again, Consuelo! And when thou
wakest--remember that hour when, covered with snow-white sea-foam, thou
didst emerge from the sky-blue waters. Remember heaven, and the slow
eastern wind, and the whisper of the foam at thy marble feet.
CONSUELO
[_Her eyes are closed_]: I believe--wait--I remember. Remind me
further----
[HE _is bowed over_ CONSUELO, _with lifted arms; he speaks slowly,
but in a commanding voice, as if conjuring_.]
HE
You see the waves playing. Remember the song of the sirens, their
sorrowless song of joy. Their white bodies, shining blue through the
blue waters. Or can you hear the sun, singing? Like the strings of a
divine harp, spread the golden rays---- Do you not see the hand
of God, which gives harmony, light, and love to the world? Do not the
mountains, in the blue cloud of incense, sing their hymn of glory?
Remember, O Consuelo, remember the prayer of the mountains, the prayer
of the sea. [_Silence._]
HE
[_Commandingly_]: Remember--Consuelo!
CONSUELO
[_Opening her eyes_]: No! HE, I was feeling so happy, and suddenly I
forgot it all. Yet something of it all is still in my heart. Help me
again, HE, remind me. It hurts, I hear so many voices. They all sing
"Consuelo--Consuelo." What comes after? [_Silence; pause._] What comes
after? It hurts. Remind me, HE. [_Silence--in the ring, the music
suddenly bursts forth in a tempestuous circus gallop. Silence._] HE,
[_opens her eyes and smiles_] that's Alfred galloping. Do you recognize
his music?
HE
[_With rage_]: Leave the boy alone! [_Suddenly falls on his knees
before_ CONSUELO.] _I love you, Consuelo_, revelation of my heart, light
of my nights, I love you, Consuelo. [_Looks at her in ecstasy and
tears--and gets a slap; starting back._] What's this?
CONSUELO
A slap! You forget who you are. [_Stands up, with anger in her eyes._]
You are HE Who Gets Slapped! Did you forget it? Some god! With such a
face--slapped face! Was it with slaps they threw you down from heaven,
god?
HE
Wait! Don't stand up! I--did not finish the play!
CONSUELO
[_Sits_]: Then you were playing?
HE
Wait! One minute.
CONSUELO
You lied to me. Why did you play so that I believed you?
HE
I am HE Who Gets Slapped!
CONSUELO
You are not angry because I struck you? I did not want to really, but
you were so--disgusting. And now you are so funny again. You have great
talent, HE--or are you drunk?
HE
Strike me again.
CONSUELO
No.
HE
I need it for my play. Strike!
CONSUELO
[_Laughs, and touches his cheek with her fingertips_]: Here, then!
HE
Didn't you understand that you are a queen, and I a fool who is in love
with his queen? Don't you know, Consuelo, that every queen has a fool,
and he is always in love with her, and they always beat him for it. HE
Who Gets Slapped.
CONSUELO
No. I didn't know.
HE
Yes, every queen. Beauty has her fool. Wisdom, too. Oh, how many fools
she has! Her court is overcrowded with enamoured fools, and the sound of
slaps does not cease, even through the night. But I never received such
a sweet slap as the one given by my little queen. [_Someone appears at
the door._ HE _notices it, and continues to play, making many faces_.]
Clown HE can have no rival! Who is there who could stand such a deluge
of slaps, such a hail-storm of slaps, and not get soaked? [_Feigns to
cry aloud._] "Have pity on me. I am but a poor fool!"
[_Enter two men: an actor, dressed as a bareback rider, and a
gentleman from the audience. He is spare, dressed in black, very
respectable. He carries his hat in his hand._]
CONSUELO
[_Laughing, embarrassed_]: HE, there is someone here. Stop!
HE
[_Gets up_]: Who is it? Who dares to intrude in the castle of my queen?
[_HE stops, suddenly. Consuelo, laughing, jumps up and runs away, after
a quick glance at the gentleman._]
CONSUELO
You cheered me up, HE. Good-bye. [_At the door_] You shall get a note
to-morrow.
THE BAREBACK RIDER
[_Laughing_]: A jolly fellow, sir. You wanted to see him? There he is.
HE, the gentleman wants to see you.
HE
[_In a depressed voice_]: What can I do for you?
[_The actor bows, and goes away, smiling. Both men take a step
toward each other._]
GENTLEMAN
Is this you?
HE
Yes! It is I. And you? [_Silence._]
GENTLEMAN
Must I believe my eyes? Is this _you_, Mr.----
HE
[_In a rage_]: My name here is HE. I have no other name, do you hear? HE
Who Gets Slapped. And if you want to stay here, don't forget it.
GENTLEMAN
You are so familiar. As far as I can remember----
HE
We are all familiar, here. [_Contemptuously_] Besides, that's all you
deserve, anywhere.
GENTLEMAN
[_Humbly_]: You have not forgiven me, HE? [_Silence._]
HE
Are you here with my wife? Is she, too, in the circus?
GENTLEMAN
[_Quickly_]: Oh, no! I am alone. She stayed there!
HE
You've left her already?
GENTLEMAN
[_Humbly_]: No--we have--a son. After your sudden and mysterious
disappearance--when you left that strange and insulting letter----
HE
[_Laughs_]: Insulting? You are still able to feel insults? What are you
doing here? Were you looking for me, or is it an accident?
GENTLEMAN
I have been looking for you, for half a year--through many countries.
And suddenly, to-day--by accident, indeed--I had no acquaintances here,
and I went to the circus. We must talk things over ... HE, I implore
you. [_Silence._]
HE
Here is a shadow I cannot lose! To talk things over! Do you really think
we still have something to talk over? All right. Leave your address with
the porter, and I will let you know when you can see me. Now get out.
[_Proudly._] I am busy.
[_The gentleman bows and leaves. HE does not return his bow, but
stands with outstretched hand, in the pose of a great man, who
shows a boring visitor the door._]
CURTAIN