SCENE I.--_The Leave-taking_.
_The stage represents a wall with a small door. It is the break of
day_.
(_Enter_ TYLTYL, MYTYL, LIGHT, BREAD, WATER, SUGAR, FIRE _and_
MILK) You would never guess where we are....
TYLTYL
Well, no, Light, because I don't know....
LIGHT
Don't you recognise that wall and that little door?...
TYLTYL
It is a red wall and a little green door.
LIGHT
And doesn't that remind you of anything?...
TYLTYL
It reminds me that Time shewed us the door....
LIGHT
How odd people are when they dream.... They do not recognise their own
hands....
TYLTYL
Who is dreaming?... Am I?...
LIGHT
Perhaps it's myself.... Who can tell?... However, this wall contains a
house which you have seen more than once since you were born....
TYLTYL
A house which I have seen more than once since I was born?...
LIGHT
Why yes, sleepy-head!... It is the house which we left one evening, just a
year ago, to a day....
TYLTYL
Just a year ago?... Why, then....
LIGHT
Come, come!... Don't open great eyes like sapphire caves.... It's the dear
old house of your father and mother....
TYLTYL (_going up to the door_)
But I think.... Yes, really.... It seems to me.... This little door.... I
recognise the wooden pin.... Are they in there?... Are we near mummy?... I
want to go in at once.... I want to kiss her at once!...
LIGHT
One moment.... They are sound asleep; you must not wake them with a
start.... Besides, the door will not open till the hour strikes....
TYLTYL
What hour?... Is there long to wait?...
LIGHT
Alas, no!... A few poor minutes....
TYLTYL
Aren't you glad to be back?... What is it, Light?... You are quite pale,
you look ill....
LIGHT
It's nothing, child.... I feel a little sad, because I am leaving you....
TYLTYL
Leaving us?...
LIGHT
I must.... I have nothing more to do here; the year is over, the Fairy is
coming back to ask you for the Blue Bird....
TYLTYL
But I haven't got the Blue Bird!... The one of the Land of Memory turned
quite black, the one of the Future turned quite pink, the Night's are dead
and I could not catch the one in the Forest.... Is it my fault if they
change colour, or die, or escape?... Will the Fairy be angry and what will
she say?...
LIGHT
We have done what we could.... It seems likely that the Blue Bird does not
exist or that he changes colour when he is caged....
TYLTYL
Where is the cage?...
BREAD
Here, master.... It was entrusted to my diligent care during our long
journey; to-day, now that my mission is drawing to an end, I restore it to
your hands, untouched and carefully closed, as I received it.... (_Like
an orator making a speech_) And now, in the name of all, I crave
permission to add a few words....
FIRE
He has not been called upon to speak!...
WATER
Order!...
BREAD
The malevolent interruptions of a contemptible enemy, of an envious
rival....
FIRE
An envious rival!... What would you be without me?... A lump of shapeless
and indigestible dough....
WATER
Order!...
FIRE
I won't be shouted down by you! ...
(_They threaten each other and are about to come to blows_.)
LIGHT (_raising her wand_)
Enough!...
BREAD
The insults and the ridiculous pretensions of an element whose notorious
misbehaviour and whose scandalous excesses drive the world to despair....
FIRE
You fat pasty-face!
BREAD (_raising his voice_)
Will not prevent me from doing my duty to the end.... I wish, therefore, in
the name of all...
FIRE
Not in mine!... I have a tongue of my own!...
BREAD
In the name of all and with a restrained but simple and deep emotion,
to take leave of two distinguished children, whose exalted mission ends
to-day.... When bidding them farewell, with all the grief and all the
fondness which a mutual esteem....
TYLTYL
What?... You are bidding us farewell?... Are you leaving us too?...
BREAD
Alas, needs must, since the hour when men's eyes are to be opened has not
yet come.... I am leaving you, it is true; but the separation will only be
apparent, you will no longer hear me speak....
FIRE
That will be no loss!...
WATER
Order! Silence!...
FIRE
I shall keep silence when you cease babbling in the kettles, the wells, the
brooks, the waterfalls and the taps....
LIGHT (_threatening them with her wand_)
That will do, do you hear?... You are all very quarrelsome; It is the
coming separation that sets your nerves on edge like this....
BREAD (_with great dignity_)
That does not apply to me.... I was saying, you will no longer hear me
speak, no longer see me in my living form.... Your eyes are about to close
to the invisible life of the Things; but I shall always be there. In the
bread-pan, on the shelf, on the table, beside the soup, I who am, if I may
say so, with Water and Fire, the most faithful companion, the oldest friend
of Man....
FIRE
Well, and what about me?...
LIGHT
Come, the minutes are passing, the hour is at hand which will send us back
into silence.... Be quick and kiss the children....
FIRE (_rushing forward_)
I first! I first!... (_Violently kissing the_ CHILDREN.) Good-bye,
Tyltyl and Mytyl!... Good-bye, my darlings.... Think of me if ever you want
any one to set fire to anything....
MYTYL
Oh! Oh!... He's burning me!...
TYLTYL
Oh! Oh!... He's scorched my nose!...
LIGHT
Come, Fire, moderate your transports.... Remember you're not in your
chimney....
WATER
What an idiot!...
BREAD
What a vulgarian!...
FIRE
There, look; I will put my hands in my pockets.... But don't forget me....
I am the friend of Man.... I shall always be there, in the hearth and in
the oven; and I will come sometimes and put out my tongue for you when
you are cold or sad.... I shall be warm in winter and roast chestnuts for
you....
WATER (_approaching the_ CHILDREN)
I shall kiss you without hurting you, tenderly, my children....
FIRE
Take care, you'll get wet!...
WATER
I am loving and gentle; I am kind to human beings....
FIRE
What about those you drown?...
WATER
Love the wells, listen to the brooks.... I shall always be there....
FIRE
She has flooded the whole place....
WATER
When you sit down, in the evening, beside the springs--there is more than
one here in the forest--try to understand what they are trying to say....
FIRE
Enough! Enough!... I can't swim!...
WATER
I shall no longer be able to tell you as clearly as I do to-day that I love
you; but you will not forget that that is what I am saying to you when you
hear my voice.... Alas!... I can say no more.... My tears choke me and
prevent my speaking....
FIRE
It doesn't sound like it!...
WATER
Think of me when you see the water-bottle.... Alas! I have to be silent
there; but my thoughts will always be of you.... You will find me also in
the ewer, the watering-can, the cistern and the tap....
MILK (_approaching timidly_)
And me in the milk-jug....
TYLTYL
What, you too, my dear Milk, so shy and so good?... Is everybody going?...
SUGAR (_naturally mawkish and sanctimonious_)
If you have a little corner left in your memory, remember sometimes that my
presence was sweet to you.... That is all I have to say.... Tears are not
in harmony with my temperament and they hurt me terribly when they fall on
my feet....
BREAD
Jesuit!...
FIRE (_yelping_)
Sugar-plum! Lollipop! Caramel!...
TYLTYL
But where are Tylette and Tylô gone to?... What are they doing?...
(_The_ CAT _is heard to utter shrill cries_.)
MYTYL (_alarmed_)
It's Tylette crying!... He is being hurt!...
(_Enter the_ CAT, _running, his hair on end and dishevelled, his
clothes torn, holding his handkerchief to his cheek, as though he had the
toothache. He utters angry groans and is closely pursued by the_ DOG,
_who overwhelms him with bites, blows and kicks_.)
THE DOG (_beating the_ CAT)
There!... Have you had enough?... Do you want any more?... There! There!
There!...
LIGHT, TYLTYL and MYTYL (_rushing forward to part them_)
Tylô!... Are you mad?... Well, I never!... Down!... Stop that, will you?...
How dare you?... Wait, wait!...
(_They part the_ DOG _and the_ CAT _by main force_.)
LIGHT
What is it?... What has happened?...
THE CAT (_blubbering and wiping his eyes_)
It's the Dog, Mrs. Light.... He insulted me, he put tin tacks in my food,
he pulled my tail, he beat me; and I had done nothing, nothing, nothing at
all!...
THE DOG (_mimicking him_)
Nothing, nothing, nothing at all!... (_In an undertone, with a mocking
grimace_) Never mind, you've had some, you've had some and you're going
to have some more!...
MYTYL (_pressing the_ CAT _in her arms_)
My poor Tylette, where has he hurt you?... Tell me.... I shall cry too....
LIGHT (_to the_ DOG, _severely_)
Your conduct is all the more, unworthy since you have chosen for this
disgraceful exhibition the already most painful moment when we are about to
part from these poor children....
THE DOG (_suddenly sobered_)
To part from these poor children?...
LIGHT
Yes; the hour which you know of is at hand.... We are going to return to
silence.... We shall no longer be able to speak to them....
THE DOG (_suddenly uttering real howls of despair and flinging himself
upon the_ CHILDREN, _whom he loads with violent and tumultuous caresses_.)
No! No!... I refuse!... I refuse!... I shall always talk!... You will
understand me now, will you not, my little god?... Yes! Yes! Yes!... And we
shall tell each other everything, everything, everything!... And I shall be
very good.... And I shall learn to read and write and play dominoes!... And
I shall always be very clean.... And I shall never steal anything in the
kitchen again.... Shall I do a wonderful trick for you?... Would you like
me to kiss the Cat?...
MYTYL (_to the_ CAT)
And you, Tylette?... Have you nothing to say to us?...
THE CAT (_in an affected and enigmatic tone_)
I love you both as much as you deserve....
LIGHT
Now let me, in my turn, children, give you a last kiss....
TYLTYL and MYTYL (_hanging on to_ LIGHT'S _dress_)
No, no, no, Light!... Stay here with us!... Daddy won't mind.... We will
tell mummy how kind you have been....
LIGHT
Alas! I cannot!... This door is closed to us and I must leave you....
TYLTYL
Where will you go all alone?...
LIGHT
Not very far, my children; over there, to the Land of the Silence of
Things....
TYLTYL
No, no; I won't have you go.... We will go with you.... I shall tell
mummy....
LIGHT
Do not cry, my dear little ones.... I have not a voice like Water; I have
only my brightness, which Man does not understand.... But I watch over him
to the end of his days.... Never forget that I am speaking to you in every
spreading moonbeam, in every twinkling star, in every dawn that rises, in
every lamp that is lit, in every good and bright thought of your soul....
(_Eight o'clock strikes behind the wall_.) Listen!... The hour is
striking!... Good-bye!... The door is opening!... In with you, in with
you!...
(_She pushes the_ CHILDREN _through the door, which has half-opened
and which closes again behind them_. BREAD _wipes away a furtive
tear_, SUGAR _and_ WATER, _etc., all in tears, flee precipitously
and disappear in the wings to the right and left. The_ DOG _howls
behind the scenes. The stage remains empty for a moment and then the
scenery representing the wall and the little door opens in the middle and
reveals the last scene_.)
SCENE 2.--_The Awakening_.
_The same setting as in_ ACT I, _but the objects, the walls and the
atmosphere all appear incomparably and magically fresher, happier, more
smiling. The daylight penetrates gaily through the chinks of the closed
shutters. To the right, at the back_, TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL _lie
sound asleep in their little beds. The_ DOG, _the_ CAT _and
the_ THINGS _are in the places which they occupied in_ ACT I,
_before the arrival of the_ FAIRY.
_Enter_ MUMMY TYL
MUMMY TYL (_in a cheerfully scolding voice_)
Up, come, get up, you little lazybones!... Aren't you ashamed of
yourselves?... It has struck eight and the sun is high above the trees!...
Lord, how they sleep, how they sleep!... (_She leans over and kisses
the_ CHILDREN.) They are quite rosy.... Tyltyl smells of lavender and
Mytyl of lilies-of-the-valley.... (_Kissing them again_) What sweet
things children are!... Still, they can't go on sleeping till midday.... I
mustn't let them grow up idle.... And, besides, I have heard that it's
not very healthy.... (_Gently shaking_ TYLTYL) Wake up, wake up,
Tyltyl....
TYLTYL (_waking up_)
What?... Light?... Where is she?... No, no, don't go away....
MUMMY TYL
Light?... Why, of course it's light... Has been for ever so long.... It's
as bright as noonday, though the shutters are closed.... Wait a bit till I
open them.... (_She pushes back the shutters and the dazzling daylight
invades the room_.) There! See!... What's the matter with you?... You
look quite blinded....
TYLTYL (_rubbing his eyes_)
Mummy, mummy!... It's you!...
MUMMY TYL
Why, of course, it's I.... Who did you think it was?...
TYLTYL
It's you.... Yes, yes, it's you!....
MUMMY TYL
Yes, yes, it's I.... I haven't changed my face since last night.... Why do
you stare at me in that wonderstruck way?... Is my nose turned upside down,
by any chance?...
TYLTYL
Oh, how nice it is to see you again!... It's so long, so long ago!... I
must kiss you at once.... Again! Again! Again!... And how comfortable my
bed is!... I am back at home!...
MUMMY TYL
What's the matter?... Why don't you wake up?... Don't tell me you're
ill.... Let me see, show me your tongue.... Come, get up and dress....
TYLTYL
Hullo, I've got my shirt on!...
MUMMY TYL
Of course you have.... Put on your breeches and your little jacket....
There they are, on the chair....
TYLTYL
Is that what I did on the journey?...
MUMMY TYL
What journey?...
TYLTYL
Why, last year....
MUMMY TYL
Last year?...
TYLTYL
Why, yes!...At Christmas, when I went away....
MUMMY TYL
When you went away?... You haven't left the room.... I put you to bed last
night, and here you are this morning.... Have you dreamed all that?...
TYLTYL
But you don't understand!... It was last year, when I went away with Mytyl,
the Fairy, Light--how nice Light is!--Bread, Sugar, Water, Fire: they did
nothing but quarrel!... You're not angry with me?... Did you feel very
sad?... And what did daddy say?... I could not refuse... I left a note to
explain....
MUMMY TYL
What are you talking about?... For sure, either you're ill or else you're
still asleep.... (_She gives him a friendly shake_.) There, wake
up.... There, is that better?...
TYLTYL
But, mummy, I assure you.... It's you that's still asleep....
MUMMY TYL
What! Still asleep, am I?... Why? I've been up since six o'clock.... I've
finished all the cleaning and lit the fire....
TYLTYL
But ask Mytyl if it's not true.... Oh, we have had such adventures!...
MUMMY TYL
Why Mytyl?... What do you mean?...
TYLTYL
She was with me.... We saw grandad and granny....
MUMMY TYL (_more and more bewildered_)
Grandad and granny?...
TYLTYL
Yes, in the Land of Memory.... It was on our way.... They are dead, but
they are quite well.... Granny made us a lovely plum-tart.... And then the
little brothers--Robert, Jean and his top--and Madeleine and Pierrette and
Pauline and Riquette, too....
MYTYL
Riquette still goes about on all fours!...
TYLTYL
And Pauline still has a pimple on her nose....
MUMMY TYL
Have you found the key of the cupboard where daddy hides his brandy
bottle?...
TYLTYL
Does daddy hide a brandy bottle?...
MUMMY TYL
Certainly. One has to hide everything when one has little meddlesome
good-for-nothings like you.... But come, out with it, confess that you took
it.... I would rather it was that.... I sha'n't tell daddy.... I sha'n't
beat you....
TYLTYL
But, mummy, I don't know where it is....
MUMMY TYL
Just walk in front of me, so that I may see if you can walk straight....
(TYLTYL _does so_) No, it's not that.... Dear heaven, what is the
matter with them?... I shall lose them too, as I lost the others!...
(_Suddenly mad with alarm, she calls out_) Daddy Tyl!... Come, quick!
The children are ill!...
(_Enter_ DADDY TYL, _very calmly, with an axe in his hand_.)
DADDY TYL
What is it?...
TYLTYL and MYTYL (_running up gaily to kiss their father_)
Hullo, daddy!... It's daddy!... Good-morning, daddy!... Have you had plenty
of work this year?...
DADDY TYL
Well, what's the matter?... They don't look ill; they look very well....
MUMMY TYL (_weeping_)
You can't trust their looks.... It will be as with the others.... They
looked quite well also to the end; and then God took them.... I don't know
what's the matter with them.... I put them to bed quite quietly last night;
and this morning, when they woke up, everything was wrong.... They don't
know what they're saying; they talk about a journey.... They have seen
Light and grandad and granny, who are dead, but who are quite well....
TYLTYL
But grandad still has his wooden leg....
MYTYL
And granny her rheumatics....
MUMMY TYL
Do you hear?... Run and fetch the doctor!...
DADDY TYL
Why, no, no.... They are not dead yet.... Come, let us look into this....
(_A knock at the front door_.) Come in!...
(_Enter_ NEIGHBOUR BERLINGOT, _a little old woman resembling the_
FAIRY _in_ ACT I _and leaning on a stick_.)
THE NEIGHBOUR
Good-morning and a Merry Christmas to you all!...
TYLTYL
It's the Fairy Bérylune!...
THE NEIGHBOUR
I have come to ask for a bit of fire for my Christmas stew.... It's very
chilly this morning.... Good-morning, children, how are you?...
TYLTYL
Fairy Bérylune, I could not find the Blue Bird....
THE NEIGHBOUR
What is he saying?...
MUMMY TYL
Don't ask me, Madame Berlingot.... They don't know what they are saying....
They have been like that since they woke up.... They must have eaten
something that wasn't good....
THE NEIGHBOUR
Why, Tyltyl, don't you remember Goody Berlingot, your Neighbour
Berlingot?...
TYLTYL
Why, yes, ma'am.... You are the Fairy Bérylune.... You're not angry with
us?...
THE NEIGHBOUR
Béry... what? Goodness gracious me!...
TYLTYL
Bérylune.
THE NEIGHBOUR
Berlingot, you mean Berlingot....
TYLTYL
Bérylune or Berlingot, as you please, ma'am.... But Mytyl knows....
MUMMY TYL
That's the worst of it, that Mytyl also....
DADDY TYL
Pooh, pooh!... That will soon go; I will give them a smack or two....
THE NEIGHBOUR
Don't; It's not worth while.... I know all about it; it's only a little fit
of dreaming.... They must have slept in the moonbeams.... My little girl,
who is very ill, is often like that....
MUMMY TYL
By the way, how is your little girl?...
THE NEIGHBOUR
Only so-so.... She can't get up.... The doctor says that it's her
nerves.... I know what would cure her, for all that. She was asking me for
it only this morning, for her Christmas box; it's a notion she has...
MUMMY TYL
Yes, I know; it's Tyltyl's bird.... Well, Tyltyl, aren't you going to give
it at last to that poor little thing?...
TYLTYL
What, mummy?...
MUMMY TYL
Your bird.... It's no use to you.... You don't even look at it now.... And
she has been dying to have it for ever so long!...
TYLTYL
Hullo, that's true, my bird!... Where is he?... Oh, there's the cage!...
Mytyl, do you see the cage?... It's the one which Bread carried.... Yes,
yes, it's the same one, but there's only one bird in it.... Has he
eaten the other, I wonder?... Hullo, why, he's blue!... But it's my
turtle-dove!... But he's much bluer than when I went away!... Why, that's
the blue bird we were looking for!... We went so far and he was here all
the time!... Oh, but it's wonderful!... Mytyl, do you see the bird? What
would Light say?... I will take down the cage.... (_He climbs on a chair
and takes down the cage and carries it to the_ NEIGHBOUR.) There, Madame
Berlingot, there you are.... He's not quite blue yet, but that will come,
you shall see!... Take him off quick to your little girl....
THE NEIGHBOUR
Really?... Do you mean it?... Do you give it me like that, straight away
and for nothing?... Lord, how happy she will be!... (_Kissing_ TYLTYL)
I must give you a kiss!... I fly!... I fly!...
TYLTYL
Yes, yes; be quick.... Some of them change their colour....
THE NEIGHBOUR
I will come back to tell you what she says....
(_She goes out_.)
TYLTYL (_after taking a long look around him_)
Daddy, mummy, what have you done to the house?... It's just as it was, but
it's much prettier....
DADDY TYL
How do you mean, it's prettier?...
TYLTYL
Why, yes, everything has been painted and made to look new, everything is
clean and polished.... It was not like that last year....
DADDY TYL
Last year?...
TYLTYL (_going to the window_)
And look at the forest!... How big and fine it is!... One would think
it was new!... How happy I feel here!... (_Going to the bread-pan and
opening it_) Where's Bread?.... I say, the loaves are very quiet.... And
then here's Tylô!... Hullo, Tylô, Tylô!... Ah, you had a fine fight!... Do
you remember, in the forest?...
MYTYL
And Tylette.... He knows me, but he has stopped talking....
TYLTYL
Mr. Bread.... (_Feeling his forehead_) Hullo, the diamond's gone!...
Who's taken my little green hat?... Never mind; I don't want it any
more.... Ah, Fire!... He's a good one!... He crackles and laughs to make
Water angry.... (_Running to the tap_) And Water?... Good-morning,
Water!... What does she say?... She still talks, but I don't understand her
as well as I did....
MYTYL
I don't see Sugar....
TYLTYL
Lord, how happy I am, happy, happy, happy!...
MYTYL
So am I, so am I!...
MUMMY TYL
What are you spinning round for like that?....
DADDY TYL
Don't mind them and don't distress yourself.... They are playing at being
happy....
TYLTYL
I liked Light best of all.... Where's her lamp?... Can we light it?...
(_Looking round him again_.) Goodness me, how lovely it all is and how
glad I feel!...
MUMMY TYL
Why?...
TYLTYL
I don't know, mummy....
(_A knock at the front-door_.)
DADDY TYL
Come in, come in!...
(_Enter the_ NEIGHBOUR, _holding by the hand a little girl of a
fair and wonderful beauty, who carries_ TYLTYL'S _dove pressed in her
arms_.)
THE NEIGHBOUR
Do you see the miracle?...
MUMMY TYL
Impossible!... Can she walk?...
THE NEIGHBOUR
Can she walk?... She can run, she can dance, she can fly!... When she saw
the bird, she jumped, just like that, with one bound, to the window, to see
by the light if it was really Tyltyl's dove.... And then, whoosh!... Out
into the street, like an angel!... It was as much as I could do to keep
pace with her....
TYLTYL (_going up to her, wonderstruck_)
Oh, how like Light she is!...
MYTYL
She is much smaller....
TYLTYL
Yes, indeed!... But she will grow bigger....
THE NEIGHBOUR
What are they saying?... Haven't they got over it yet?...
MUMMY TYL
They are better, they are mending.... It will be all right when they have
had their breakfasts....
THE NEIGHBOUR (_pushing the_ LITTLE GIRL _into_ TYLTYL'S _arms_).
Come along, child, come and thank Tyltyl....
(TYLTYL, _suddenly frightened, takes a step back_.)
MUMMY TYL
Well, Tyltyl, what's the matter?.... Are you afraid of the little girl?...
Come, give her a kiss, a good big kiss.... No, a better one than that....
You're not so shy as a rule!... Another one!... But what's the matter with
you?... You look as if you were going to cry....
(TYLTYL, _after kissing the_ LITTLE GIRL _rather awkwardly, stands
before her for a moment and the two children look at each other without
speaking; then_ TYLTYL _strokes the dove's head_.)
TYLTYL
Is he blue enough?...
THE LITTLE GIRL
Yes, I am so pleased with him....
TYLTYL
I have seen bluer ones.... But those which are quite blue, you know, do
what you will, you can't catch them....
THE LITTLE GIRL
That doesn't matter; he's lovely....
TYLTYL
Has he had anything to eat?...
THE LITTLE GIRL
Not yet.... What does he eat?...
TYLTYL
Anything: corn, bread, Indian corn, grasshoppers....
THE LITTLE GIRL
How does he eat, say?...
TYLTYL
With his beak. You'll see, I will show you....
(_He moves in order to take the bird from the_ LITTLE GIRL'S _hands.
She resists instinctively; and, taking advantage of the hesitation of their
movements, the_ DOVE _escapes and flies away_.)
THE LITTLE GIRL (_with a cry of despair_)
Mother!... He is gone!... (_She bursts into sobs_.)
TYLTYL
Never mind.... Don't cry.... I will catch him again.... (_Stepping to the
front of the stage and addressing the audience_.) If any of you should
find him, would you be so very kind as to give him back to us?... We need
him for our happiness, later on....
CURTAIN