Bertolt Brecht: Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder 7

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Bertolt Brecht: Mutter Courage und ihre Kinder 7 Page 39

by Bertolt Brecht


  I’ll come shortly. Late or soon I’ll come

  And should this bloody war endure ten years

  Or e’en a score of years I’ll come thereafter

  And should I fall my vengeful ghost will come

  To set our house in order. Breathe no word of this.

  Meanwhile do you return and this I charge you:

  Find out the father!

  He exits clapping his visor shut. All during the end of this scene a monotonous trumpet call has been playing outside.

  BOSOLA

  Why should she not bear a son? Her brother steals enough land for five sons. Yet the Duke’s eyes did start from his head to hear it. ’Twas as if a Calabrian knight in Turkey should hear his betrothed lies with another and he denied a furlough. Yet all this is but policy for a gentleman like him was never in such a sweat over less than a dukedom.

  Scene 2

  A room in the Duchess’ palace.

  Enter Antonio and Delio.

  ANTONIO

  Our noble cousin, my most beloved Delio,

  Oh you have been a stranger long at court.

  Came you along with the Lord Ferdinand?

  DELIO

  I did, sir. He hath been most eager

  To revisit Malfi and twice made ready

  To return and twice he could not. In the end

  The victory was greater. But how fares

  Your noble Duchess ?

  ANTONIO

  She is well.

  DELIO

  I think

  You hold your tongue in check. Speak freely.

  ANTONIO

  I do fear some great misfortune threatens.

  Since you saw her she hath had three children.

  DELIO

  How? Is she married?

  ANTONIO

  No, ’tis all in secret.

  DELIO

  But is’t known?

  ANTONIO

  The rumour spreads apace.

  DELIO

  What say the common people?

  ANTONIO

  The rabble

  Do directly say she is a strumpet.

  DELIO

  And your graver heads; what is their opinion?

  ANTONIO

  They are politic and say nothing.

  DELIO

  But who, then, is the father?

  ANTONIO

  I cannot tell you. Tell me, Delio,

  Hath not this news arrived yet to the ear

  of the Lord Ferdinand?

  DELIO

  Meseemed his bearing

  Altered the longer he tarried in the field.

  He grew so quiet that he seemed to sleep

  The tempest out as dormice do in winter.

  I could now believe some rumour reached him

  For houses that are haunted are most still.

  ANTONIO

  Hark, the procession comes.

  The sound of cheering multitudes is heard outside. The two men go towards the window in order to look down at the street. They are obliged to speak loudly to be heard above the tumult.

  DELIO

  The Duke brings home the realm of Cyprus as booty and the

  people rejoice as if the tailors and pastrycooks were to get

  some of it.

  ANTONIO

  What are those wooden beams that stand so high?

  DELIO

  Prows of Turkish ships our Duke hath set upon carts for the

  crowd to gape at. Well he knows how the rabble love a brave

  show.

  ANTONIO

  ’Tis a very forest of captured standards yonder!

  DELIO

  Ay, they serve well to hide the worn faces of our soldiers.

  Methinks their joy would have been greater had the war been

  shorter.

  ANTONIO

  Enough of this victory. I’d sooner hear the women laugh and

  jest as they hang upon their husbands’ arms and lift their

  children for a father’s kiss.

  DELIO

  Be still! Here comes the Duke.

  Enter Ferdinand, Duchess and Bosola.

  FERDINAND

  I’ll instantly to bed,

  For I am weary. I am to bespeak

  A husband for you.

  DUCHESS

  For me, sir? Pray who is’t?

  FERDINAND

  The great Count Malatesta.

  DUCHESS

  Laughing.

  Fie upon him!

  A count? He’s so old and thin

  You may look quite through him. When I choose

  A husband, I will marry for your honour.

  FERDINAND

  You shall do well in’t. How is’t, worthy Antonio ?

  DUCHESS

  But, sir, I am to have a private conference with you

  About a scandalous report is spread

  Touching mine honour.

  FERDINAND

  Let me be ever deaf to it.

  One of Pasquil’s paper bullets, court calumny,

  A pestilent air which princes’ palaces

  Are seldom purged of. Yet, say that it were true

  I pour it in your bosom, my fixed love

  Would strongly excuse, extenuate, nay deny

  Faults were they apparent in you. Go, be safe

  In your own innocency.

  DUCHESS

  Oh bless’d comfort!

  This deadly air is purged!

  Exeunt all except Ferdinand and Bosola.

  FERDINAND

  Her guilt treads

  Hot burning plowshares. Now, Bosola,

  How thrives our intelligence?

  BOSOLA

  Sir, uncertainly.

  ’Tis rumoured she hath had three bastards now.

  But by whom we may go read i’ the’ stars.

  FERDINAND

  Why, some

  Hold opinion all things are written there.

  BOSOLA

  Yes, if we could find spectacles to read them.

  I do suspect there hath been some sorcery

  Used on the Duchess.

  FERDINAND

  Sorcery? To what purpose?

  BOSOLA

  To make her dote on some desertless fellow

  She shames to acknowledge.

  FERDINAND

  Can your faith give way

  To think there’s power in potions or in charms

  To make us love whether we will or no?

  BOSOLA

  Most certainly.

  FERDINAND

  Away! Do you think that herbs or charms

  Can force the will? Some trials have been made

  In this foolish practice but the ingredients

  Were lenitive poisons such as are of force

  To make the patient mad; and straight the witch

  Swears by equivocation they are in love.

  This witchcraft lies in her rank blood. This night

  I will force a confession from her. You told me

  You had got, within these two days, a false key

  Into her bed chamber.

  BOSOLA

  I have.

  FERDINAND

  As I would wish.

  BOSOLA

  What do you intend to do?

  FERDINAND

  Can you guess?

  BOSOLA

  No.

  FERDINAND

  Do not ask then.

  Scene 3

  The bedchamber of the Duchess.

  Enter Duchess, Antonio, Cariola.

  DUCHESS

  Bring me the casket hither and the glass.

  You get no lodging here tonight, my Lord.

  ANTONIO

  Indeed I must persuade one.

  DUCHESS

  Very good.

  I hope in time ’twill grow into a custom

  That husbands shall come with cap and knee

  To purchase a night’s lodging of their wives.

  ANTONIO<
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  I must lie here.

  DUCHESS

  Must? You are lord of misrule.

  ANTONIO

  Indeed my rule is only in the night.

  DUCHESS

  To what use will you put me ?

  ANTONIO

  We’ll sleep together.

  DUCHESS

  Alas, what pleasure can two lovers find in sleep ?

  CARIOLA

  Good sir, I lie with her often and I know

  She’ll much disquiet you.

  ANTONIO

  See, you are complained of.

  CARIOLA

  For she’s the sprawlingest bedfellow.

  ANTONIO

  I shall like her the better for that.

  CARIOLA

  Sir, shall I ask you a question?

  ANTONIO

  I pray thee, Cariola.

  CARIOLA

  Wherefore still when you lie with my lady

  Do you rise so early?

  ANTONIO

  Labouring men

  Count the clock oftenest, Cariola,

  Are glad when their task’s ended.

  DUCHESS

  I’ll stop your mouth.

  Kisses him.

  ANTONIO

  Nay that’s but one, Venus had two soft doves

  To draw her chariot. I must have another.

  Kisses her again.

  When wilt thou marry, Cariola ?

  CARIOLA

  Never, my lord.

  ANTONIO

  Oh fie this single life? Forgo it.

  We read how Daphne, for her peevish slight,

  Became a fruitless bay tree; Syrinx turned

  To the pale empty reed; Anaxarete

  Was frozen into marble; whereas, those

  Which married, or proved kind unto their friends

  Were, by a gracious influence, transhaped

  Into the olive, pomegranate, mulberry;

  Became flowers, precious stones or eminent stars.

  CARIOLA

  Your husband is a scholar. But I pray you, tell me

  If there were proposed me wisdom, riches and beauty

  In three several young men which should I choose ?

  ANTONIO

  ’Tis a hard question. This was Paris’ case

  And he was blind in it and there was great cause

  For how was it possible he could judge right,

  Having three amorous goddesses in view

  And they stark naked? ’Twas a motion

  Were able to benight the apprehension

  Of the severest councillor of Europe.

  DUCHESS

  If I were to choose between wisdom, riches and beauty,

  I’d choose love. Even so, you shall not sleep here.

  CARIOLA

  ’Tis well, for the silkworm is accustomed

  To fast every third day and the next following

  Spins the better for it.

  They laugh.

  DUCHESS

  I pray thee tell me

  When were we so merry? My hair tangles.

  ANTONIO

  Takes Cariola aside.

  Pray thee, Cariola, let’s steal forth the room

  And let her talk to herself. I have diverse times

  Served her the like when she hath chafed extremely.

  I love to see her angry. Softly, Cariola.

  They tiptoe out.

  DUCHESS

  Doth not the colour of my hair ’gin to change?

  When I wax grey, I shall have all the court

  Powder their hair with orris to be like me.

  You have cause to love me, I entered you into my heart

  Enter Ferdinand unseen.

  Before you would vouchsafe to call for the keys.

  We shall one day have my brother take you napping.

  Methinks his presence, being now in court,

  Should make you keep your own bed. But you’ll say

  Love mixed with fear is sweetest. I’ll assure you

  You shall get no more children till my brothers

  Consent to be godfathers. Have you lost your tongue?

  Have I angered you? Forgive me, husband,

  You shall sleep here. In truth I fear nothing

  For I have tasted so much joy that now,

  Whether I am doomed to live or die,

  I can do both.

  Ferdinand discloses himself and gives her a poignard.

  FERDINAND

  Die then, quickly.

  Virtue, where art thou hid? What hideous thing

  Is it that doth eclipse thee?

  DUCHESS

  Pray sir, hear me.

  FERDINAND

  Or is it true thou are but a bare name

  And no essential thing.

  DUCHESS

  Sir—

  FERDINAND

  Do not speak.

  DUCHESS

  No sir.

  I will plant my soul in mine ears to hear you.

  FERDINAND

  Oh most imperfect light of human reason

  That mak’st us so unhappy to foresee

  What we can least prevent! Pursue thy wishes

  And glory in them. There’s in shame no comfort

  But to be past all bounds and sense of shame.

  DUCHESS

  I pray sir, hear me. I am married.

  FERDINAND

  So!

  DUCHESS

  Perhaps not to your liking but for that,

  Alas, your shears do come untimely now

  To clip the bird’s wings that’s already flown.

  Will you see my husband?

  FERDINAND

  No, only if I could change

  Eyes with a basilisk.

  DUCHESS

  Sure, you came hither

  By his confederacy?

  FERDINAND

  The howling of a wolf

  Is music to thee, screech owl—prithee peace.

  Whate’er thou art that hast enjoyed my sister,

  For I am sure you hear me, for thine own sake

  Let me not know thee. I came hither prepared

  To work thy discovery yet am now persuaded

  It would beget such violent effects

  As would damn us both. I would not for ten millions

  I had beheld thee. Therefore use all means

  I never may have knowledge of thy name;

  And for thee, vile woman,

  If thou do wish thy lecher may grow old

  In thy embracements, I would have thee build

  Such a room for him as our hermits

  To holier use inhabit. Let not the sun

  Shine on him till he’s dead. Let dogs and monkeys

  Only converse with him and such dumb things

  To whom nature denies use to sound his name.

  Do not keep a parroqueeto lest she learn it;

  If thou do love him, cut out thine own tongue

  Lest it betray him.

  DUCHESS

  Why might not I marry?

  I have not gone about, in this, to create

  Any new world or custom.

  FERDINAND

  Thou art undone.

  Thou has ta’en that massy sheet of lead

  That hid thy husband’s bones and folded it

  About my heart.

  DUCHESS

  Mine bleeds for it.

  FERDINAND

  Thine? Heart?

  What should I name it unless a hollow bullet

  Filled with unquenchable wildfire.

  DUCHESS

  You are in this

  Too strict and, were you not my princely brother,

  I would say too jealous. My reputation

  Is safe.

  FERDINAND

  Dost thou know what reputation is?

  I’d tell thee—but to no avail since th’ instruction

  Comes now too late. And so for you I say

  You have shook hands with Reputation />
  And made him invisible. So fare you well.

  I will never see you more.

  DUCHESS

  Why should only I,

  Of all the other princes of the world,

  Be cased up like a holy relic? I have youth

  And a little beauty.

  FERDINAND

  So have some virgins

  That are witches. I will never see thee more.

  Exits.

  Enter Antonio with a pistol and Cariola.

  DUCHESS

  You saw this apparition?

  ANTONIO

  Yes. We are

  Betrayed; how came he hither?

  To Cariola.

  I should turn

  This to thee for that.

  DUCHESS

  That gallery gave him entrance.

  ANTONIO

  I would this terrible thing would come again

  That it might see me standing in your chamber

  Your loving arms about my neck.

  DUCHESS

  No, No! You must instantly part hence.

  ANTONIO

  Why so?

  DUCHESS

  Oh, Antonio, do you not see

  This is no storm the winds shall scatter. ’Twas

  No judge who stood here but an executioner

  Performing sentence on himself

  And by the fearful pain driv’n to greater excess.

  We are powerless to defend our love.

  ANTONIO

  I have heard soldiers speak of a great captain

  Who cried: I’m powerless to defend me, I’ll attack—

  DUCHESS

  I say ’tis death, Antonio! Give me my clothes,

  Cariola.

  ANTONIO

  Persisting.

  There is a weapon, little used but mighty

  Even against the mightiest. Let us employ it.

  Let us oppose your brother and against his frenzy

  Hold up the gorgon head of reason.

  DUCHESS

  Oh, Antonio,

  Your reason is unreason to my strangely

  Distracted brother.

  ANTONIO

  He strives ’gainst nature

  Who opposes love.

  DUCHESS

  Such love as ours defies

  Nature, duty and established law.

  I cherish this, our reckless love the more,

  True passion beyond question for it is

  Itself unquestioning. Alas if but the Duke

  Had felt its like he would be merciful.

  If he had loved he would be gentle now.

  You must leave me, Antonio.

  ANTONIO

  This is wild counsel. Let’s call up the officers

  Of your palace, bid them renew their oaths

  Of loyalty and attend you closely to prevent

  All dark designs upon your person. Having armed

  Our arguments with these precautions,

  We’ll speak with your too hasty brother and unfold

  The history of our honourable marriage.

  DUCHESS

  You are deceived, dear love.

  She shows him the dagger.

  ANTONIO

  Ha, what means this?

  DUCHESS

  He left this with me and it seems did wish

  I’d use it on myself.

 

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