_Dawn. The sun has already risen, but it is hidden behind the
heavy mist and smoke._
_A large room in Emil Grelieu's villa, which has been turned
into a sickroom. There are two wounded there, Grelieu himself,
with a serious wound in his shoulder, and his son Maurice, with
a light wound on his right arm. The large window, covered with
half transparent curtains, admits a faint bluish light. The
wounded appear to be asleep. In an armchair at the bedside of
Grelieu there is a motionless figure in white, Jeanne_.
EMIL GRELIEU
_Softly._
Jeanne!
_She leans over the bed quickly_.
JEANNE
Shall I give you some water?
EMIL GRELIEU
No. You are tired.
JEANNE
Oh, no, not at all. I was dozing all night. Can't you fall
asleep, Emil?
EMIL GRELIEU
What time is it?
_She goes over to the window quietly, and pushing the curtain
aside slightly, looks at her little watch. Then she returns just
as quietly._
JEANNE
It is still early. Perhaps you will try to fall asleep, Emil? It
seems to me that you have been suffering great pain; you have
been groaning all night.
EMIL GRELIEU
No, I am feeling better. How is the weather this morning?
JEANNE
Nasty weather, Emil; you can't see the sun. Try to sleep.
_Silence. Suddenly Maurice utters a cry in his sleep; the cry
turns into a groan and indistinct mumbling. Jeanne walks over to
him and listens, then returns to her seat._
EMIL GRELIEU
Is the boy getting on well?
JEANNE
Don't worry, Emil. He only said a few words in his sleep.
EMIL GRELIEU
He has done it several times tonight.
JEANNE
I am afraid that he is disturbing you. We can have him removed
to another room and Henrietta will stay with him. The boy's
blood is in good condition. In another week, I believe, we shall
be able to remove the bandage from his arm.
EMIL GRELIEU
No, let him stay here, Jeanne.
JEANNE
What is it, my dear?
_She kneels at his bed and kisses his hand carefully._
EMIL GRELIEU
Jeanne!
JEANNE
I think your fever has gone down, my dear.
_Impresses another kiss upon his hand and clings to it._
EMIL GRELIEU
You are my love, Jeanne.
JEANNE
Do not speak, do not speak. Don't agitate yourself.
_A brief moment of silence._
EMIL GRELIEU
_Moving his head restlessly._
It is so hard to breathe here, the air----
JEANNE
The window has been open all night, my dear. There is not a
breeze outside.
EMIL GRELIEU
There is smoke.
JEANNE
Yes.
MAURICE
_Utters a cry once more, then mutters_--
Stop, stop, stop!
_Again indistinctly._
It is burning, it is burning! Oh! Who is going to the battery,
who is going to the battery----
_He mutters and then grows silent._
EMIL GRELIEU
What painful dreams!
JEANNE
That's nothing; the boy always used to talk in his sleep.
Yesterday he looked so well.
EMIL GRELIEU
Jeanne!
JEANNE
What is it, my dear?
EMIL GRELIEU
Sit down.
JEANNE
Very well.
EMIL GRELIEU
Jeanne.... Are you thinking about Pierre?
_Silence._
JEANNE
_Softly._
Don't speak of him.
EMIL GRELIEU
You are right. Death is not so terrible. Isn't that true, Jeanne?
JEANNE
_After a brief pause._
That's true.
EMIL GRELIEU
We shall follow him later. He will not come here, but we shall
go to him. I was thinking of it at night. It is so clear. Do you
remember the red rose which you gave him? I remember it.
JEANNE
Yes.
EMIL GRELIEU
It is so clear. Jeanne, lean over me. You are the best woman in
the world.
_Silence._
EMIL GRELIEU
_Tossing about in his bed._
It is so hard to breathe.
JEANNE
My dear----
EMIL GRELIEU
No, that's nothing. The night is tormenting me. Jeanne, was I
dreaming, or have I really heard cannonading?
JEANNE
You really heard it, at about five o'clock. But very far away,
Emil--it was hardly audible. Close your eyes, my dear, rest
yourself.
_Silence_
MAURICE
_Faintly._
Mamma!
_Jeanne walks over to him quietly._
JEANNE
Are you awake?
MAURICE
Yes. I have slept enough. How is father?
JEANNE
He is awake.
EMIL GRELIEU
Good morning, Maurice.
MAURICE
Good morning, papa. How do you feel? I am feeling well.
EMIL GRELIEU
I, too, am feeling well. Jeanne, you may draw the curtain aside.
I can't sleep any longer.
JEANNE
Very well. What a nasty day! Still it will be easier for you to
breathe when it is light.
_She draws the curtain aside slowly, so as not to make it too
light at once. Beyond the large window vague silhouettes of the
trees are seen at the window frames and several withered, bent
flowers. Maurice is trying to adjust the screen._
JEANNE
What are you doing, Maurice?
MAURICE
My coat--Never mind, I'll fix it myself.
_Guiltily._
No, mamma, you had better help me.
JEANNE
_Going behind the screen._
What a foolish boy you are, Maurice.
_Behind the screen._
Be careful, be careful, that's the way. Don't hurry, be careful.
MAURICE
_Behind the screen._
Pin this for me right here, as you did yesterday. That's very
good.
JEANNE
_Behind the screen._
Of course. Wait, you'll kiss me later--. Well? That's the way.
_Maurice comes out, his right arm dressed in a bandage. He goes
over to his father and first kisses his hand, then, upon a sign
from his eyes, he kisses him on the lips._
EMIL GRELIEU
Good morning, good morning, my dear boy.
MAURICE
_Looking around at the screen, where his mother is putting the
bed in order._
Papa, look!
_He takes his hand out of the bandage and straightens it
quickly. Then he puts it back just as quickly. Emil Grelieu
threatens him with his finger. Jeanne puts the screen aside, and
the bed is already in order._
JEANNE
I am through now. Maurice, come to the bathroom. I'll wash you.
MAURICE
Oh, no; under no circumstances. I'll wash myself today. Last
night I washed myself with my left hand and it was very fine.
_Walking over to the open window._
How nasty it is. These scoundrels have spoiled the day. Still,
it is warm and there is the smell of flowers. It's good, papa;
it is very fine.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes, it is pleasant.
MAURICE
Well, I am going.
JEANNE
Clean your teeth; you didn't do it yesterday, Maurice.
MAURICE
_Grumbling. _
What's the use of it now? Very well, I'll do it.
_At the door. _
Papa, do you know, well have good news today; I feel it.
_He is heard calling in a ringing voice, "Silvina."_
EMIL GRELIEU
I feel better.
JEANNE
I'll let you have your coffee directly. You are looking much
better today, much better.
EMIL GRELIEU
What is this?
JEANNE
Perfume, with water. I'll bathe your face with it That's the
way. Now I again have little children to wash. You see how
pleasant it feels.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes. What did he say about good news?
JEANNE
He didn't mean anything. He is very happy because he is a hero.
EMIL GRELIEU
Do you know any news?
JEANNE
_Irresolutely._
Nothing. What news could there be?
EMIL GRELIEU
Tell me, Jeanne; you were firmer before. Tell me my dear.
JEANNE
Was I firmer? Perhaps.... I have grown accustomed to talk to
you softly at night. Well--how shall I tell it to you? They are
coming.
EMIL GRELIEU
Coming?
JEANNE
Yes. You know their numbers and ours. Don't be excited, but I
think that it will be necessary for us to leave for Antwerp
today.
EMIL GRELIEU
Are they near?
JEANNE
Yes, they are near. Very near.
_Sings softly._
"Le Roi, la Loi, la Liberté." Very near. I have not told you
that the King inquired yesterday about your health. I answered
that you were feeling better and that you will be able to leave
today.
EMIL GRELIEU
Of course I am able to leave today. And what did he say about
them?
JEANNE
What did the King say?
_Singing the same tune._
He said that their numbers were too great.
EMIL GRELIEU
What else did he say? What else, Jeanne?
JEANNE
What else? He said that there was a God and there was
righteousness. That's what I believe I heard him say--that there
was still a God and that righteousness was still in existence.
How old these words are, Emil! But it is so good that they still
exist.
_Silence._
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes, in the daytime you are so different. Where do you get so
much strength, Jeanne?
JEANNE
Where?
EMIL GRELIEU
I am forever looking at your hair. I am wondering why it hasn't
turned gray.
JEANNE
I dye it at night, Emil. I'll bring in some more flowers. Now
it is very cozy here. Oh, yes, I haven't told you yet--some one
will be here to see you today--Secretary Lagard and some one
else by the name of Count Clairmont.
EMIL GRELIEU
Count Clairmont? I don't know him.
JEANNE
It is not necessary that you should know him. He is simply known
as Count Clairmont, Count Clairmont--. That's a good name for a
very good man.
EMIL GRELIEU
I know a very good man in Belgium--
JEANNE
Tsh! You must not know anything. You must only remember--Count
Clairmont. They have some important matters to discuss with you,
I believe. And they'll send you an automobile, to take you to
Antwerp.
EMIL GRELIEU
_Smiling._
Count Clairmont?
JEANNE
_Also smiling._
Yes. You are loved by everybody, but if I were a King, I would
have sent you an aeroplane.
_Throwing back her hands in sorrow which she is trying vainly to
suppress._
Ah, how good it would be now to rise from the ground and
fly--and fly for a long, long time.
_Enter Maurice._
MAURICE
I am ready now, I have cleaned my teeth. I've even taken a walk
in the garden. But I have never before noticed that we have such
a beautiful garden! Papa, our garden is wonderfully beautiful!
JEANNE
Coffee will be ready directly. If he disturbs you with his talk,
call me, Emil.
MAURICE
Oh, I did not mean to disturb you. Forgive me, papa. I'll not
disturb you any more.
EMIL GRELIEU
You may speak, speak. I am feeling quite well, quite well.
JEANNE
But you must save your strength, don't forget that, Emil.
_Exit._
MAURICE
_Sitting down quietly at the window._
Perhaps I really ought not to speak, papa?
EMIL GRELIEU
_Smiling faintly._
Can you be silent?
MAURICE
_Blushing._
No, father, I cannot just now. I suppose I seem to you very
young.
EMIL GRELIEU
And what do you think of it yourself?
MAURICE
_Blushing again._
I am no longer as young as I was three weeks ago. Yes, only
three weeks ago--I remember the tolling of the bells in our
church, I remember how I teased François. How strange that
François has been lost and no one knows where he is. What does
it mean that a human being is lost and no one knows where he is?
Before, one could see everything on earth.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes.
MAURICE
Papa! Why do they hang such people as François? That is cruel
and stupid. Forgive me for speaking so harshly. But need an old
man love his fatherland less than I love it, for instance? The
old people love it even more intensely. Let everyone fight as he
can. I am not tiring you, am I? An old man came to us, he was
very feeble, he asked for bullets--well, let them hang me too--I
gave him bullets. A few of our regiment made sport of him, but
he said: "If only one Prussian bullet will strike me, it means
that the Prussians will have one bullet less." That appealed to
me.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes, that appeals to me, too. Have you heard the cannonading at
dawn?
MAURICE
No. Why, was there any cannonading?
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes. I heard cannonading. Did mamma tell you that they are
coming nearer and nearer? They are approaching.
MAURICE
_Rising._
Really? Impossible!
EMIL GRELIEU
They are coming, and we must leave for Antwerp today.
MAURICE
Yes.
_He rises and walks back and forth, forgetting his wounded arm.
He is greatly agitated. Clenches his fist._
MAURICE
Father, tell me: What do you think of the present state of
affairs?
EMIL GRELIEU
Mamma says there is a God and there is righteousness.
MAURICE
_Raising his hand._
Mamma says----Let God bless mamma! I don't know--I--. Very
well, very well. We shall see; we shall see!
_His face twitches like a child's face. He is trying to repress
his tears._
MAURICE
I still owe them something for Pierre. Forgive me, father; I
don't know whether I have a right to say this or not, but I am
altogether different from you. It is wicked but I can't help it.
I was looking this morning at your flowers in the garden and I
felt so sorry--sorry for you, because you had grown them. Those
rascals!
EMIL GRELIEU
Maurice!
MAURICE
The scoundrels! I don't want to consider them human beings, and
I shall not consider them human beings.
_Enter Jeanne._
JEANNE
What is it, Maurice? That isn't right.
MAURICE
Very well.
_As he passes he embraces his mother with his left hand and
kisses her._
JEANNE
You had better sit down. It is dangerous for your health to walk
around this way.
EMIL GRELIEU
Sit down, Maurice.
_Maurice sits down at the window facing the garden. Emil Grelieu
smiles sadly and closes his eyes. Silvina, the maid, brings in
coffee and sets it on the table near Grelieu's bed._
SILVINA
Good morning, Monsieur Emil.
EMIL GRELIEU
_Opening his eyes._
Good morning, Silvina.
_Exit Silvina._
JEANNE
Go and have your breakfast, Maurice.
MAURICE
_Without turning around._
I don't want any breakfast. Mamma, I'll take off my bandage
tomorrow.
JEANNE
_Laughing._
Soldier, is it possible that you are capricious?
_Silence. Jeanne helps Emil Grelieu with his coffee._
JEANNE
That's the way. Is it convenient for you this way, or do you
want to drink it with a spoon?
EMIL GRELIEU
Oh, my poor head, it is so weak--
MAURICE
_Going over to him._
Forgive me, father, I'll not do it any more. I was foolishly
excited, but do you know I could not endure it. May I have a
cup, mamma?
JEANNE
Yes, this is yours. You feel better now?
MAURICE
Yes, I do.
EMIL GRELIEU
I am feeling perfectly well today, Jeanne. When is the bandage
to be changed?
JEANNE
Later. Count Clairmont will bring his surgeon along with him.
MAURICE
Who is that, mamma? Have I seen him?
JEANNE
You'll see him. But, please, Maurice, when you see him, don't
open your mouth so wide. You have a habit--you open your mouth
and then you forget about it.
MAURICE
_Blushing._
You are both looking at me and smiling. But I have time yet to
grow. I have time yet to grow.
_The sound of automobiles is heard._
JEANNE
_Rising quickly._
I think they are here. Maurice, this is only Count Clairmont,
don't forget. I'll be back directly. They will speak with you
about a very, very important matter, Emil, but you must not be
agitated.
EMIL GRELIEU
Yes, I know.
JEANNE
_Kissing him quickly._
I am going.
_Exit, almost colliding with Silvina, who is excited._
MAURICE
_Whispering._
Who is it, Silvina?
_Silvina makes some answer in mingled delight and awe. Maurice's
face assumes the same expression as Silvina's. Silvina goes out.
Maurice walks quickly to the window and raises his left hand to
his forehead, straightening himself in military fashion. Thus he
stands until the others notice him._
_Enter Jeanne, Count Clairmont, followed by Secretary Lagard and
the Count's adjudant, an elderly General of stem appearance,
with numerous decorations upon his chest. The Count himself
is tall, well built and young, in a modest officer's uniform,
without any medals to signify his high station. He carries
himself very modestly, almost bashfully, but overcoming his
first uneasiness, he speaks warmly and powerfully and freely.
His gestures are swift. All treat him with profound respect._
_Lagard is a strong old man with a leonine gray head. He speaks
simply, his gestures are calm and resolute. It is evident that
he is in the habit of speaking from a platform._
_Jeanne holds a large bouquet of flowers in her hands. Count
Clairmont walks directly toward Grelieu's bedside._
COUNT CLAIRMONT
_Confused._
I have come to shake hands with you, my dear master. Oh, but
do not make a single unnecessary movement, not a single one,
otherwise I shall be very unhappy!
EMIL GRELIEU
I am deeply moved, I am happy.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
No, no, don't speak that way. Here stands before you only a man
who has learned to think from your books. But see what they have
done to you--look, Lagard!
LAGARD
How are you, Grelieu? I, too, want to shake your hand. Today I
am a Secretary by the will of Fate, but yesterday I was only a
physician, and I may congratulate you--you have a kind hand. Let
me feel your pulse.
GENERAL
_Coming forward modestly._
Allow me, too, in the name of this entire army of ours to
express to you our admiration, Monsieur Grelieu!
EMIL GRELIEU
I thank you. I am feeling perfectly well, Lagard.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
But perhaps it is necessary to have a surgeon?
JEANNE
He can listen and talk, Count. He is smiling--he can listen.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
_Noticing Maurice, confused._
Oh! who is this? Please put down your hand--you are wounded.
MAURICE
I am so happy, Count.
JEANNE
This is our second son. Our first son, Pierre, was killed at
Liège--
COUNT CLAIRMONT
I dare not console you, Madame Grelieu. Give me your hand,
Maurice.
MAURICE
Oh, Count! I am only a soldier. I dare not--
COUNT CLAIRMONT
My dear young man, I, too, am nothing but a soldier now. Your
hand, comrade. That's the way. Master! My children and my wife
have sent you flowers--but where are they? Oh! how absentminded
I am.
JEANNE
Here they are, Count.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
Thank you. But I did not know that your flowers were better than
mine, for my flowers smell of smoke.
LAGARD
Like all Belgium.
_To Count Clairmont._
His pulse is good. Grelieu, we have come to you not only to
express our sympathy. Through me all the working people of
Belgium are shaking your hand.
EMIL GRELIEU
I am proud of it, Lagard.
LAGARD
But we are just as proud. Yes; there is something we must
discuss with you. Count Clairmont did not wish to disturb you,
but I said: "Let him die, but before that we must speak to him."
Isn't that so, comrade?
EMIL GRELIEU
I am not dying. Maurice, I think you had better go out.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
_Quickly._
Oh, no, no. He is your son, Grelieu, and he should be present to
hear what his father will say. Oh, I should have been proud to
have such a father.
LAGARD
Our Count is a very fine young man--Pardon me, Count, I have
again upset our--
COUNT CLAIRMONT
That's nothing, I have already grown accustomed to it. Master,
it is necessary for you and your family to leave for Antwerp
today.
EMIL GRELIEU
Are our affairs in such a critical condition?
LAGARD
What is there to tell? Things are in bad shape, very bad. That
horde of Huns is coming upon us like the tide of the sea. Today
they are still there, but tomorrow they will flood your house,
Grelieu. They are coming toward Antwerp. To what can we resort
in our defence? On this side are they, and there is the sea.
Only very little is left of Belgium, Grelieu. Very soon there
will be no room even for my beard here. Isn't that so, Count?
_Silence. Dull sounds of cannonading are heard in the distance.
All turn their eyes to the window._
EMIL GRELIEU
Is that a battle?
COUNT CLAIRMONT
_Listening, calmly._
No, that is only the beginning. But tomorrow they will carry
their devilish weapons past your house. Do you know they are
real iron monsters, under whose weight our earth is quaking
and groaning. They are moving slowly, like amphibia that have
crawled out at night from the abyss--but they are moving!
Another few days will pass, and they will crawl over to Antwerp,
they will turn their jaws to the city, to the churches--Woe to
Belgium, master! Woe to Belgium!
LAGARD
Yes, it is very bad. We are an honest and peaceful people
despising bloodshed, for war is such a stupid affair! And we
should not have had a single soldier long ago were it not for
this accursed neighbor, this den of murderers.
GENERAL
And what would we have done without any soldiers, Monsieur
Lagard?
LAGARD
And what can we do with soldiers, Monsieur General?
COUNT CLAIRMONT
You are wrong, Lagard. With our little army there is still one
possibility--to die as freemen die. But without an army we would
have been bootblacks, Lagard!
LAGARD
_Grumbling._
Well, I would not clean anybody's boots. Things are in bad
shape, Grelieu, in very bad shape. And there is but one remedy
left for us--. True, it is a terrible remedy.
EMIL GRELIEU
I know.
LAGARD
Yes? What is it?
EMIL GRELIEU
The dam.
_Jeanne and Emil shudder and look at each other with terror in
their eyes._
COUNT CLAIRMONT
You shuddered, you are shuddering, madame. But what am I to do,
what are we to do, we who dare not shudder?
JEANNE
Oh, I simply thought of a girl who was trying to find her way to
Lonua. She will never find her way to Lonua.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
But what is to be done? What is to be done?
_All become thoughtful. The Count steps away to the window
and looks out, nervously twitching his mustaches. Maurice has
moved aside and, as before, stands at attention. Jeanne stands
a little distance away from him, with her shoulder leaning
against the wall, her beautiful pale head thrown back. Lagard is
sitting at the bedside as before, stroking his gray, disheveled
beard. The General is absorbed in gloomy thoughts._
COUNT CLAIRMONT
_Turning around resolutely._
I am a peaceful man, but I can understand why people take up
arms. Arms! That means a sword, a gun, explosive contrivances.
That is fire. Fire is killing people, but at the same time it
also gives light. Fire cleanses. There is something of the
ancient sacrifice in it. But water! cold, dark, silent, covering
with mire, causing bodies to swell--water, which was the
beginning of chaos; water, which is guarding the earth by day
and night in order to rush upon it. My friend, believe me, I am
quite a daring man, but I am afraid of water! Lagard, what would
you say to that?
LAGARD
We Belgians have too long been struggling against the water not
to have learned to fear it. I am also afraid of water.
JEANNE
But what is more terrible, the Prussians or water?
GENERAL
_Bowing._
Madame is right. The Prussians are not more terrible, but they
are worse.
LAGARD
Yes. We have no other choice. It is terrible to release water
from captivity, the beast from its den, nevertheless it is a
better friend to us than the Prussians. I would prefer to see
the whole of Belgium covered with water rather than extend a
hand of reconciliation to a scoundrel! Neither they nor we shall
live to see that, even if the entire Atlantic Ocean rush over
our heads.
_Brief pause._
GENERAL
But I hope that we shall not come to that. Meanwhile it is
necessary for us to flood only part of our territory. That is
not so terrible.
JEANNE
_Her eyes closed, her head hanging down._
And what is to be done with those who could not abandon their
homes, who are deaf, who are sick and alone? What will become of
our children?
_Silence._
JEANNE
There in the fields and in the ditches are the wounded. There
the shadows of people are wandering about, but in their veins
there is still warm blood. What will become of them? Oh, don't
look at me like that, Emil; you had better not listen to what I
am saying. I have spoken so only because my heart is wrung with
pain--it isn't necessary to listen to me at all, Count.
_Count Clairmont walks over to Grelieu's bed quickly and firmly.
At first he speaks confusedly, seeking the right word; then he
speaks ever more boldly and firmly._
COUNT CLAIRMONT
My dear and honored master! We would not have dared to take
from you even a drop of your health, if--if it were not for the
assurance that serving your people may give new strength to your
heroic soul! Yesterday, it was resolved at our council to break
the dams and flood part of our kingdom, but I could not, I dared
not, give my full consent before I knew what you had to say to
this plan. I did not sleep all night long, thinking--oh, how
terrible, how inexpressibly sad my thoughts were! We are the
body, we are the hands, we are the head--while you, Grelieu, you
are the conscience of our people. Blinded by the war, we may
unwillingly, unwittingly, altogether against our will, violate
man-made laws. Let your noble heart tell us the truth. My
friend! We are driven to despair, we have no Belgium any longer,
it is trampled by our enemies, but in your breast, Emil Grelieu,
the heart of all Belgium is beating--and your answer will be the
answer of our tormented, blood-stained, unfortunate land!
_He turns away to the window. Maurice is crying, looking at his
father._
LAGARD
_Softly._
Bravo, Belgium!
_Silence. The sound of cannonading is heard._
JEANNE
_Softly, to Maurice._
Sit down, Maurice, it is hard for you to stand.
MAURICE
Oh, mamma! I am so happy to stand here now--
LAGARD
Now I shall add a few words. As you know, Grelieu, I am a man of
the people. I know the price the people pay for their hard work.
I know the cost of all these gardens, orchards and factories
which we shall bury under the water. They have cost us sweat
and health and tears, Grelieu. These are our sufferings which
will be transformed into joy for our children. But as a nation
that loves and respects liberty above its sweat and blood and
tears--as a nation, I say, I would prefer that sea waves should
seethe here over our heads rather than that we should have to
black the boots of the Prussians. And if nothing but islands
remain of Belgium they will be known as "honest islands," and
the islanders will be Belgians as before.
_All are agitated._
EMIL GRELIEU
And what do the engineers say?
GENERAL
_Respectfully waiting for the Count's answer._
Monsieur Grelieu, they say this can be done in two hours.
LAGARD
_Grumbles._
In two hours! In two hours! How many years have we been building
it!
GENERAL
The engineers were crying when they said it, Monsieur.
LAGARD
The engineers were crying? But how could they help crying? Think
of it, Grelieu!
_Suddenly he bursts into sobs, and slowly takes a handkerchief
from his pocket._
COUNT CLAIRMONT
We are awaiting your answer impatiently, Grelieu. You are
charged with a grave responsibility to your fatherland--to lift
your hand against your own fatherland.
EMIL GRELIEU Have we no other defence?
_Silence. All stand in poses of painful anxiety. Lagard dries
his eyes and slowly answers with a sigh_.
LAGARD
No.
GENERAL
No.
JEANNE
_Shaking her head._
No.
COUNT CLAIRMONT
_Rapidly._
We must gain time, Grelieu. By the power of all our lives,
thrown in the fields, we cannot stop them.
_Stamping his foot._
Time, time! We must steal from fate a small part of eternity--a
few days, a week! They are hastening to us. The Russians are
coming to us from the East. The German steel has already
penetrated to the heart of the French land--and infuriated with
pain, the French eagle is rising over the Germans' bayonets
and is coming toward us! The noble knights of the sea--the
British--are already rushing toward us, and to Belgium are their
powerful arms stretched out over the abyss. But, time, time!
Give us time, Grelieu. Belgium is praying for a few days, for
a few hours! You have already given to Belgium your blood,
Grelieu, and you have the right to lift your hand against your
blood-stained fatherland!
_Brief pause._
EMIL GRELIEU
We must break the dams.
_Curtain_