The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde: 150+ Titles in One Edition. Oscar Wilde. Читать онлайн. Newlib. NEWLIB.NET

Автор: Oscar Wilde
Издательство: Bookwire
Серия:
Жанр произведения: Языкознание
Год издания: 0
isbn: 9788027237197
Скачать книгу
that justice be done; they and stout Hugh the headsman; but when his head is off, why then the Duchess can pardon him if she likes; there is no law against that.

      FIRST SOLDIER

      I do not think that stout Hugh, as you call him, will do the business for him after all. This Guido is of gentle birth, and so by the law can drink poison first, if it so be his pleasure.

      THIRD SOLDIER

      And if he does not drink it?

      FIRST SOLDIER

      Why, then, they will kill him.

       [Knocking comes at the door.]

      FIRST SOLDIER

      See who that is.

       [Third Soldier goes over and looks through the wicket.]

      THIRD SOLDIER

      It is a woman, sir.

      FIRST SOLDIER

      Is she pretty?

      THIRD SOLDIER

      I can’t tell. She is masked, lieutenant.

      FIRST SOLDIER

      It is only very ugly or very beautiful women who ever hide their faces. Let her in.

       [Soldier opens the door, and the DUCHESS masked and cloaked enters.]

      DUCHESS

      [to Third Soldier]

       Are you the officer on guard?

      FIRST SOLDIER

      [coming forward]

       I am, madam.

      DUCHESS

      I must see the prisoner alone.

      FIRST SOLDIER

      I am afraid that is impossible. [The DUCHESS hands him a ring, he looks at and returns it to her with a bow and makes a sign to the Soldiers.] Stand without there. [Exeunt the Soldiers.]

      DUCHESS

      Officer, your men are somewhat rough.

      FIRST SOLDIER

      They mean no harm.

      DUCHESS

      I shall be going back in a few minutes. As I pass through the corridor do not let them try and lift my mask.

      FIRST SOLDIER

      You need not be afraid, madam.

      DUCHESS

      I have a particular reason for wishing my face not to be seen.

      FIRST SOLDIER

      Madam, with this ring you can go in and out as you please; it is the Duchess’s own ring.

      DUCHESS

      Leave us. [The Soldier turns to go out.] A moment, sir. For what hour is …

      FIRST SOLDIER

      At twelve o’clock, madam, we have orders to lead him out; but I dare say he won’t wait for us; he’s more like to take a drink out of that poison yonder. Men are afraid of the headsman.

      DUCHESS

      Is that poison?

      FIRST SOLDIER

      Ay, madam, and very sure poison too.

      DUCHESS

      You may go, sir.

      FIRST SOLDIER

      By Saint James, a pretty hand! I wonder who she is. Some woman who loved him, perhaps. [Exit.]

      DUCHESS

      [taking her mark off] At last!

       He can escape now in this cloak and vizard,

       We are of a height almost: they will not know him;

       As for myself what matter?

       So that he does not curse me as he goes,

       I care but little: I wonder will he curse me.

       He has the right. It is eleven now;

       They will not come till twelve.

       [Goes over to the table.]

       So this is poison.

       Is it not strange that in this liquor here

       There lies the key to all philosophies?

       [Takes the cup up.]

       It smells of poppies. I remember well

       That, when I was a child in Sicily,

       I took the scarlet poppies from the corn,

       And made a little wreath, and my grave uncle,

       Don John of Naples, laughed: I did not know

       That they had power to stay the springs of life,

       To make the pulse cease beating, and to chill

       The blood in its own vessels, till men come

       And with a hook hale the poor body out,

       And throw it in a ditch: the body, ay, -

       What of the soul? that goes to heaven or hell.

       Where will mine go?

       [Takes the torch from the wall, and goes over to the bed.]

       How peacefully here he sleeps,

       Like a young schoolboy tired out with play:

       I would that I could sleep so peacefully,

       But I have dreams. [Bending over him.]

       Poor boy: what if I kissed him?

       No, no, my lips would burn him like a fire.

       He has had enough of Love. Still that white neck

       Will ‘scape the headsman: I have seen to that:

       He will get hence from Padua tonight,

       And that is well. You are very wise, Lord Justices,

       And yet you are not half so wise as I am,

       And that is well.

       O God! how I have loved you,

       And what a bloody flower did Love bear!

       [Comes back to the table.]

       What if I drank these juices, and so ceased?

       Were it not better than to wait till Death

       Come to my bed with all his serving men,

       Remorse, disease, old age, and misery?

       I wonder does one suffer much: I think

       That I am very young to die like this,

       But so it must be. Why, why should I die?

       He will escape tonight, and so his blood

       Will not be on my head. No, I must die;

       I have been guilty, therefore I must die;

       He loves me not, and therefore I must die:

       I would die happier if he would kiss me,

       But he will not do that. I did not know him.

       I thought he meant to sell me to the Judge;

       That is not strange; we women never know

       Our lovers till they leave us.

       [Bell begins to toll]

       Thou vile bell,

       That like a bloodhound from thy brazen