Actus
[Pierrot enters with his hands full of lilies. He is burdened with a little basket. He stands gazing at the Temple and the Statue.]
PIERROT
My journey's end! This surely is the glade
Which I was promised: I have well obeyed!
A clue of lilies was I bid to find,
Where the green alleys most obscurely wind;
Where tall oaks darkliest canopy o'erhead,
And moss and violet make the softest bed;
Where the path ends, and leagues behind me lie
The gleaming courts and gardens of Versailles;
The lilies streamed before me, green and white;
I gathered, following; they led me right,
To the bright temple and the sacred grove:
This is, in truth, the very shrine of Love!
[He gathers together his flowers and lays them at the foot of Cupid's statue; then he goes timidly up the first steps of the temple and stops.]
It is so solitary, I grow afraid.
[A very gentle music of lutes floats out from the temple. Pierrot starts back; he shows extreme surprise; then he returns to the foreground, and crouches down in rapt attention until the music ceases. His face grows puzzled and petulant.]
Too soon! too soon! in that enchanting strain,
Days yet unlived, I almost lived again:
It almost taught me that I most would know—
Why am I here, and why am I Pierrot?
[Absently he picks up a lily which has fallen to the ground, and repeats:]
Why came I here, and why am I Pierrot?
That music and this silence both affright;
Pierrot can never be a friend of night.
I never felt my solitude before—
Once safe at home, I will return no more.
Yet the commandment of the scroll was plain;
While the light lingers let me read again.
[He takes a scroll from his bosom and reads:]
"He loves to-night who never loved before;
Who ever loved, to-night shall love once more."
I never loved! I know not what love is.
I am so ignorant—but what is this?
[Reads:]
"Who would adventure to encounter Love
Must rest one night within this hallowed grove.
Cast down thy lilies, which have led thee on,
Before the tender feet of Cupidon."
Thus much is done, the night remains to me.
Well, Cupidon, be my security!
Here is more writing, but too faint to read.
[He puzzles for a moment, then casts the scroll down.]
Hence, vain old parchment. I have learnt thy rede!
[He looks round uneasily, starts at his shadow; then discovers his basket with glee. He takes out a flask of wine, pours it into a glass, and drinks.]
Courage, mon Ami! I shall never miss
Society with such a friend as this.
How merrily the rosy bubbles pass,
Across the amber crystal of the glass.
I had forgotten you. Methinks this quest
Can wake no sweeter echo in my breast.
[Looks round at the statue, and starts.]
Nay, little god! forgive. I did but jest.
[He fills another glass, and pours it upon the statue.]
This libation, Cupid, take,
With the lilies at thy feet;
Cherish Pierrot for their sake:
Send him visions strange and sweet,
While he slumbers at thy feet.
Only love kiss him awake!
Only love kiss him awake!
[Slowly falls the darkness, soft music plays, while Pierrot gathers together fern and foliage into a rough couch at the foot of the steps which lead to the Temple d'Amour. Then he lies down upon it, having made his prayer. It is night.]
Music, more music, far away and faint:
It is an echo of mine heart's complaint.
Why should I be so musical and sad?
I wonder why I used to be so glad?
In single glee I chased blue butterflies,
Half butterfly myself, but not so wise,
For they were twain, and I was only one.
Ah me! how pitiful to be alone.
In gracile pairs the very lilies grow:
None is companionless except Pierrot.
Music, more music! how its echoes steal
Upon my senses with unlooked for weal.
Tired am I, tired, and far from this lone glade
Seems mine old joy in rout and masquerade.
Sleep cometh over me, now will I prove,
By Cupid's grace, what is this thing called love.
[Sleeps.]
[There is more music of lutes for an interval, during which a bright radiance, white and cold, streams from the temple upon the face of Pierrot. Presently Policinelle as a Moon Maiden steps out of the temple; he descends and stands over the sleeper.]
POLICINELLE
[enters, disguised; to audience he admits to tricking Pierrot into coming here by giving him a fake letter and instructions. He is now plotting to mess with him. He stoops over Pierrot.]
PIERROT
[Murmuring, stirs in his sleep.]
Forget not, Cupid. Teach me all thy lore:
"He loves to-night who never loved before.”
POLICINELLE
[pities the fool. He stoops down and makes kissy noises at him, then withdraws into the shadow.]
PIERROT
[Rubbing his eyes.]
Celestial messenger! remain, remain;
Or, if a Vision, visit me again!
What is this light, and whither am I come
To sleep beneath the stars so far from home?
[Rises slowly to his feet.]
Stay, I remember this is Venus' Grove,
And I am hither come to encounter—
POLICINELLE
[coming forward, veiled. Speaks of love.]
PIERROT
[In ecstasy, throwing himself at Policinelle’s feet.]
Then have I ventured and encountered Love?
POLICINELLE
[tells him he hasn’t yet, and warns he should depart if he is wise.]
PIERROT
Never, sweet lady, will I leave this place
Until I see the wonder of thy face.
Goddess or Naiad! lady of this Grove,
Made mortal for a night to teach me love,
Unveil thyself, although thy beauty be
Too luminous for my mortality.
POLICINELLE
[asks whether he read the warning on the scroll, while picking up the parchment.]
PIERROT
I read it all, as on this quest I fared,
Save where it was illegible and hard.
POLICINELLE
[pities him and warns he was foolish, explaining, reading back from the scroll:]
"Au Petit Trianon, at night's full noon,
Mortal, beware the kisses of the moon!
Whoso seeks her he gathers like a flower—
He gives a life, and only gains an hour.”
PIERROT
[Laughing recklessly.]
Bear me away to thine enchanted bower,
All of my life I venture for an hour.
POLICINELLE
[agrees, calls in musicians and performs a ludicrous Love Dance. Pierrot reclines, and gazes in adoration while he dances. The dance finished, Policinelle beckons to him: Pierrot rises dreamily, and stands at Policinelle’s side.]
PIERROT
Whence came, dear Queen, such magic melody?
POLICINELLE
[replies to this comically.]
PIERROT
I heard it long ago, I know not where,
As I knew thee, or ever I came here.
But I forget all things—my name and race,
All that I ever knew except thy face.
Who art thou, lady?
Breathe a name to me,
That I may tell it like a rosary.
Thou, whom I sought, dear Dryad of the trees,
How art thou designate—art thou Heart’s-Ease?
POLICINELLE
[warns him not to waste time as Love must soon depart.]
PIERROT
Nay, thou art right; what recks thy name or state,
Since thou art lovely and compassionate.
Play out thy will on me: I am thy lyre.
POLICINELLE
[does so, lifting Pierrot and playing him as if he is a lyre.]
PIERROT
I am not Pierrot, but Venus' dove,
Who craves a refuge on the breast of love.
POLICINELLE
[asks what else he’d like from the Moon Maiden.]
PIERROT
Then, sweet Moon Maiden, in some magic car,
Wrought wondrously of many a homeless star—
Such must attend thy journeys through the skies,—
Drawn by a team of milk-white butterflies,
Whom, with soft voice and music of thy maids,
Thou urgest gently through the heavenly glades;
Mount me beside thee, bear me far away
From the low regions of the solar day;
Over the rainbow, up into the moon,
Where is thy palace and thine opal throne;
There on thy bosom—
POLICINELLE
[reminds they have only an hour, and this would take far too long.]
PIERROT
Would it be impudent to beg a kiss?
POLICINELLE
[warns him off it.]
PIERROT
I do entreat this boon!
[He bends forward, eyes closed for a kiss. Policinelle makes him unwittingly kiss something unpleasant: Pierrot withdraws with a petulant shiver. He utters a peal of clear laughter.]
PIERROT
Cold are thy lips, more cold than I can tell
Yet would I hang on them, thine icicle!
But with its frost such sweetness did conspire
That all my veins are filled with running fire;
Never I knew that life contained such bliss
As the divine completeness of a kiss.
POLICINELLE
[remarks that he’s learned his lesson, despite the warnings against it.]
PIERROT
Had all my schooling been of this soft kind,
To play the truant I were less inclined.
Teach me again! I am a sorry dunce—
I never knew a task by conning once.
POLICINELLE
[invites him to come below the shrine for the rest of the night, with sexual implication.]
PIERROT
In its sweet grammar I shall grow most wise,
If all its rules be written in thine eyes.
[POLICINELLE sits upon a step of the temple, and Pierrot leans upon his elbow at Policinelle’s feet, regarding this Maiden. Policinelle annoys him by sticking his feet in Pierrot’s face.]
PIERROT
Sweet contemplation! how my senses yearn
To be thy scholar always, always learn.
Hold not so high from me thy radiant mouth,
Fragrant with all the spices of the South;
Nor turn, O sweet! thy golden face away,
For with it goes the light of all my day.
Let me peruse it, till I know by rote
Each line of it, like music, note by note;
Raise thy long lashes, Lady! smile again:
These studies profit me.
[Taking Policinelle’s hand ardently.]
POLICINELLE
[begs he stop.]
PIERROT
[With passion.]
I am but studious, so do not stir;
Thou art my star, I thine astronomer!
Geometry was founded on thy lip.
[Kisses the hand.]
POLICINELLE
[punches him out. Tells Pierrot that he’s not being smart and demands that he should be tested first.]
PIERROT
In all humility my mind I pit
Against her problems which would test my wit.
POLICINELLE
[questioning him from a little book bound deliciously in vellum.]
What is Love?
PIERROT
[Answering in a very humble attitude of scholarship.]
If you please,
A most sweet folly!
Full of mirth and melancholy;
Both of these!
In its sadness worth all gladness,
If you please!
POLICINELLE
The answer was: “Lady don’t hurt me, don’t hurt me no more.”
PIERROT
[Moans the oh-whoa part of the tune.]
With spring days
Love comes and dallies:
Upon the mountains, through the valleys
Lie Love's ways.
Then he leaves you and deceives you
In spring days.
POLICINELLE
[offers Pierrot can ask some questions of Moon Maiden.]
PIERROT
Since I know thee, dear Immortal,
Is my heart become a blossom,
To be worn upon thy bosom.
When thou turn me from this portal,
Whither shall I, hapless mortal,
Seek love out and win again
Heart of me that thou retain?
POLICINELLE
[warns Love will flee and never be found again.]
PIERROT
Now, verily, sweet maid, of school I tire:
These answers are not such as I desire.
POLICINELLE
[asks comically why he’s disappointed.]
PIERROT
I dare not tell.
POLICINELLE
[caressingly insists that he reveal his answer.]
PIERROT
Is love all schooling, with no time to play?
POLICINELLE
[asks what he’d rather do.]
PIERROT
What are the games that small moon-maids enjoy.
Or is their time all spent in staid employ?
POLICINELLE
[describes some ludicrous pastimes the Moon Maids do.]
PIERROT
That is too hard! What then?
POLICINELLE
Teach me some pastime from the world of men.
PIERROT
I have it, maiden. A simple game,
I learnt it at the Court.
I sit by thee.
[Sits in Policinelle’s lap.]
POLICINELLE
[Tosses him away and says not to sit so near.]
PIERROT
That is essential, as will soon appear,
Lay here thine hand, which cold night dews anoint,
Washing its white—
POLICINELLE
[asks if this is necessary.]
PIERROT
Prithee, forbear! Such is the game design.
POLICINELLE
[offers hand.]
PIERROT
I cover it with mine.
POLICINELLE
What must I next?
PIERROT
Withdraw.
POLICINELLE
It goes too fast.
[They continue playing, hand over hand, until Pierrot catches Policinelle’s hand.]
PIERROT
[Laughing.]
'Tis done. I win my forfeit at the last.
[He tries to embrace Policinelle. He escapes; Pierrot chases him round the stage; he eludes him.]
POLICINELLE
[tells he must be faster than that.]
PIERROT
[Sitting down sulkily.]
I grow aweary, and my heart is sore,
Thou dost not love me; I will play no more.
[He buries his face in his hands: POLICINELLE stands over him.]
POLICINELLE
[assures love, but love or not Moon Maid must depart at dawn.]
PIERROT
Then, by this altar, and this sacred shrine,
Take my sworn troth, and swear thee wholly mine!
The Gods have wedded mortals long ere this.
POLICINELLE
[says the kiss was enough.]
PIERROT
That bound not thee!
POLICINELLE
[says it’s not happening, but invites him to sit. Policinelle, aside, admits to audience that things are getting out of hand — Pierrot is dumber and hornier than expected — and so it’s time for him to wrap things up.]
PIERROT
Tell me of thee, and that dim, happy place
Where lies thine home, with maidens of thy race!
POLICINELLE
[Describes ridiculously the home world of Moon Maiden.]
PIERROT
Methought grim Clotho and her sisters twain
With shrivelled fingers spun this web of bane!
POLICINELLE
[replies comically. Remarks on the type who come here. He sighs as if sad.]
PIERROT
Why art sad, sweet Moon?
[Laughing.]
POLICINELLE
[says he will ask a favor.]
PIERROT
I am thy servitor.
[Pierrot bows low, and Policinelle curtsies back; they move round the stage. When they pass before the Statue Pierrot seizes Policinelle’s hand and falls on his knee.]
POLICINELLE
[“Now what?”]
PIERROT
Ah, prithee, what, save thee!
POLICINELLE
[asks if he’s joking, while trying to get away. Pierrot holds him.]
PIERROT
Ah, mock me not! In vain with quirk and jest
I strive to quench the passion in my breast;
In vain thy blandishments would make me play:
Still I desire far more than I can say.
My knowledge halts, ah, sweet, be piteous,
Instruct me still, while time remains to us.
Nay, I implore thee, think thee how time flies!
POLICINELLE
Hush! I beseech thee, even now night dies.
PIERROT
Night, day, are one to me for thy soft sake.
[He entreats Policinelle with imploring, and increasingly graphic, gestures. Policinelle hesitates: then puts a finger on his lip, hushing Pierrot.]
POLICINELLE
It is too late, for hark! the birds awake.
[Starts making unconvincing bird noises.]
PIERROT
The birds awake! It is the voice of day?
POLICINELLE
Farewell, dear youth! They summon me away.
PIERROT
[protests the dawn is nowhere near.]
POLICINELLE
[replies that Pierrot is just blinded by love and so can’t see it. The two stand gazing at the “morning”
PIERROT
[sinks back upon his bed, he covers his face in his hands.]
POLICINELLE
[bending over him, comically lulls him to sleep.]
PIERROT
[falls asleep ridiculously.]
POLICINELLE
[tiptoes away, but then re-enters, unveiled, with a balloon or inflated paper bag. He creeps up and pops it next to Pierrot’s head.]
PIERROT
[wakes in fright. Pierrot realizes at last the trick, and angrily chases a laughing Policinelle off stage.]
THE END.
