The Two Harlequins
A Royalty-Free Play Script from La Commedia
The elderly Gerontes seeks the hand of Isabella, and he enlists his servant, Harlequin, to assist; but confusion arises when Harlequin's twin brother unexpectedly arrives in town.
From the French of Eustache le Noble, translated by an unknown, early 18th century
Original French play Les Deux Arlequins premiered 1691.
Transcribed, spelling modernized, by Talia Felix in 2016.
(Editor’s notes are in parentheses and marked with an asterisk.)
Dramatis Personae
Isabella, a young lady of quality
Octavio, Isabella’s lover
Gerontes, an old man in love with Isabella
Pasquariel, Octavio’s servant, under the name Florio
Colombine, Isabella’s servant
Marinetta, Isabella’s servant
Harlequin Senior, Gerontes’ servant
Harlequin Junior, lately returned from Italy
Pierrot, a countryman
Piquelard, a scullion boy
A commissary
Archers
Scene; Paris