Enter_ GOLAUD _and_ PÉLLÉAS.
GOLAUD.
Take care; this way, this way.--You have never penetrated into these
vaults?
PÉLLÉAS.
Yes; once, of old; but it was long ago....
GOLAUD.
They are prodigious great; it is a succession of enormous crypts that
end, God knows where. The whole castle is builded on these crypts. Do
you smell the deathly odor that reigns here?--That is what I wished,
to show you. In my opinion, it comes from the little underground lake
I am going to have you see. Take care; walk before me, in the light of
my lantern. I will warn you when we are there, [_They continue to walk
in silence._] Hey! hey! Pélléas! stop! stop!--[_He seizes him by the
arm._] For God's sake!... Do you not see?--One step more, and you had
been in the gulf!...
PÉLLÉAS
But I did not see it!... The lantern no longer lighted me....
GOLAUD.
I made a misstep.... but if I had not held you by the arm.... Well,
this is the stagnant water that I spoke of to you.... Do you
perceive the smell of death that rises?--Let us go to the end of this
overhanging rock, and do you lean over a little. It will strike you in
the face.
PÉLLÉAS.
I smell it already;... you would say a smell of the tomb.
GOLAUD.
Further, further.... It is this that on certain days has poisoned
the castle. The King will not believe it comes from here.--The crypt
should be walled up in which this standing water is found. It is time,
besides, to examine these vaults a little. Have you noticed those
lizards on the walls and pillars of the vaults?--There is a labor
hidden here you would not suspect; and the whole castle will be
swallowed up one of these nights, if it is not looked out for. But
what will you have? nobody likes to come down this far.... There are
strange lizards in many of the walls.... Oh! here ... do you perceive
the smell of death that rises?
PÉLLÉAS.
Yes; there is a smell of death rising about us....
GOLAUD.
Lean over; have no fear.... I will hold you ... give me ... no, no,
not your hand ... it might slip ... your arm, your arm!... Do you see
the gulf? [_Moved._]--Pélléas? Pélléas?...
PÉLLÉAS.
Yes; I think I see the bottom of the gulf.... Is it the light that
trembles so?... You ... [_He straightens up, turns, and looks at_
GOLAUD.]
GOLAUD (_with a trembling voice_).
Yes; it is the lantern.... See, I shook it to lighten the walls....
PÉLLÉAS.
I stifle here;... let us go out....
GOLAUD.
Yes; let us go out....
[_Exeunt in silence._