diff options
Diffstat (limited to '36307-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 36307-h/36307-h.htm | 4923 |
1 files changed, 4923 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/36307-h/36307-h.htm b/36307-h/36307-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..08e8ff1 --- /dev/null +++ b/36307-h/36307-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4923 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Ghetto, by Herman Heijermans</title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body {margin-left: 25%; margin-right: 25%;} + +p {margin-top: 1em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: 1em;} + +hr {width: 33%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + +table { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + +.pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} + +.blockquot {margin-left: 18%; margin-right: 18%;} +.scene {text-indent: -2em; margin-left: 5%;} +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} +.right {text-align: right;} +.big {font-size: 125%;} +.huge {font-size: 150%;} +.giant {font-size: 200%;} + +.hang {text-indent: -2em; margin-left: 5%;} + + hr.full { width: 100%; + margin-top: 3em; + margin-bottom: 0em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + height: 4px; + border-width: 4px 0 0 0; /* remove all borders except the top one */ + border-style: solid; + border-color: #000000; + clear: both; } + pre {font-size: 85%;} + </style> +</head> +<body> +<h1 class="center">The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Ghetto, by Herman Heijermans, Translated +by Chester Bailey Fernald</h1> +<pre> +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Ghetto</p> +<p> A Drama in Four Acts</p> +<p>Author: Herman Heijermans</p> +<p>Release Date: June 2, 2011 [eBook #36307]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHETTO***</p> +<p> </p> +<h4 class="center">E-text prepared by Frank van Drogen, David E. Brown,<br /> + and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> + (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> + from page images generously made available by<br /> + the Google Books Library Project<br /> + (<a href="http://books.google.com/">http://books.google.com</a>)</h4> +<p> </p> +<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> + <tr> + <td valign="top"> + Note: + </td> + <td> + Images of the original pages are available through + the the Google Books Library Project. See + <a href="http://books.google.com/books?vid=lIM54TlR8iUC&id"> + http://books.google.com/books?vid=lIM54TlR8iUC&id</a> + </td> + </tr> +</table> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="center"><span class="giant"><i>THE GHETTO</i></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">Plays</span></p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="hang">THE PLAYS OF HENRIK IBSEN. Small 4to, cloth, 5s. each, or paper +covers, 1s, 6d. each.</p> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table" rules="cols"> + +<tr><td><small>JOHN GABRIEL BORKMAN.</small> </td><td><small> *THE MASTER BUILDER.</small></td></tr> +<tr><td><small>LITTLE EYOLF.</small></td><td><small> *HEDDA GABLER.</small></td></tr></table> + +<p class="center">*<i>Also a limited Large Paper Edition, 21s. net.</i></p> + +<p class="hang">BRAND: A Dramatic Poem in Five Acts. By <span class="smcap">Henrik Ibsen</span>. Translated in +the original metres by <span class="smcap">C. H. Herford</span>. Small 4to, cloth, 7s. 6d.</p> + +<p class="hang">THE PLAYS OF GERHART HAUPTMANN. Paper covers, 1s. 6d., or cloth, 2s. +6d. each.</p> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table" rules="cols"> +<tr><td><small>*HANNELE.</small> </td><td> <small>LONELY LIVES.</small></td></tr> +<tr><td colspan="2" align="center"><small>THE WEAVERS.</small></td></tr></table> + +<p class="center">*Also small 4to, with Portrait, 5s.</p> + +<p class="hang">THE PRINCESS MALEINE, and THE INTRUDER. By <span class="smcap">Maurice Maeterlinck</span>. With +an Introduction by <span class="smcap">Hall Caine</span>, and a Portrait of the Author. Small +4to, cloth, 5s.</p> + +<p class="hang">THE FRUITS OF ENLIGHTENMENT: By Count <span class="smcap">Lyof Tolstoy</span>. With +Introduction by <span class="smcap">A. W. Pinero</span>. Small 4to, with Portrait, 5s.</p> + +<p class="hang">CYRANO DE BERGERAC. By <span class="smcap">Edmond Rostand</span>. Small 4to, 5s. Also, Popular +Edition, 16mo cloth, 2s. 6d.; paper, 1s. 6d.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN<br/> +<span class="smcap">21 Bedford Street</span>, W.C.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> + + +<p class="center"><span class="giant"><i>THE GHETTO</i></span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge"><i>A DRAMA</i></span></p> + +<p class="center"><i>In Four Acts</i></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>Freely Adapted from the Dutch of</i></p> +<p class="center"><span class="big"><i>HERMAN HEIJERMANS, <span class="smcap">Jr.</span></i></span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>By</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="big"><i>CHESTER BAILEY FERNALD</i></span></p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>LONDON: WILLIAM HEINEMANN</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>MDCCCXCIX</i></p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1899</p> + +<p class="center"><i>All rights, including Acting rights in the English Language, reserved</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Entered at the Library of Congress</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Washington, U.S.A.</i></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center"><span class="huge"><i>DRAMATIS PERSONÆ</i></span></p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td> +<span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Rabbi Haezer.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Samson.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Daniel.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Mordecai.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Esther.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Rosa.</span> +</td></tr></table> + +<p class="center"><i>A Watchman. Inhabitants of The Ghetto.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>The action takes place in The Ghetto, Amsterdam, at the present time.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>The incidental music composed by</i> Mr. <span class="smcap">N. Clifford Page.</span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center"><span class="huge"><i>PREFACE</i></span></p> + + +<p><i>In the not wholly grateful task of adapting this play to the present +demands of the English and American stage, partly as those demands have +been interpreted by others than me, numerous alterations have been +thought necessary. I hope that this adaptation does not conceal the fact +that Mr. Heijermans' original is a work of very admirable unity and +force.</i></p> + +<p class="right"><i>CHESTER B. FERNALD.</i></p> + +<p><i>September, 1899.</i></p> + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">THE GHETTO</span></p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="big">THE FIRST ACT</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="scene"><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <i>A street in the Ghetto in Amsterdam. On the left the shop of</i> +<span class="smcap">Sachel</span>. <i>Running down from the centre to the right, diagonally, the +wall of a canal; a bridge across the canal; a vista of the river and +the city at the back.</i></p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>Have trade and traffic gone to bed for Sabbath?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>Not till old Sachel shuts his shop. See, he sits there in the gloom like +a spider waiting in its web. He would keep open all night for two +cents.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + +<p>He's waiting for his son. What if the old man knew that Rafael spent +half his time composing music—music for which he gets nothing? He would +lock the door on Rafael to-night.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>Let him! The world shall hear from Rafael. Wait till we play his music.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>But he still has time to devote to his father's Christian servant-maid.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>Eh—you have noticed too? [<i>They look into the shop.</i>] Ah, see her! I +say, she's the handsomest in Amsterdam—high or low! You had better be +careful what you say about her to Rafael.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>I am. When I spoke a trifle lightly of her, he offered to smash my head +with your 'cello.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>And you apologized?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> + +<p>Not wanting it smashed.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>Meaning your head.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>No, meaning your 'cello. But I shall proceed with her. She is unhappy—I +think she needs <i>me</i>!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Mordecai</span>, <i>with a piece of lace, by way of the bridge. He goes +into the shop.</i></p> + +<p>I thought we had done with trade in this street. There goes an old sheep +to pawn his fleece. I say—bah!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>So will the old sheep say "Bah!" when Sachel has shorn him. See the old +man feeling it over—they say he can tell brass from gold by the touch +of his talons.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>It is well the old man is blind; if he saw the look of disgust on the +girl's face—ay, she'd like to rush out in the air!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + +<p>If she hates trade so, why does she stay in the Ghetto?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>She has nowhere else to go—she doesn't appear to want to get away. Are +they cursing each other over a copper? See the curl of her lip! Look! +look!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>rushes out of the shop</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>As if stifling.</i>] Oh! oh! they have no souls—there is not a soul +among them, save Rafael's!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She sees</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>Good evening!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Coldly.</i>] Good evening.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>It's a fine evening, isn't it?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>No.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>No, I suppose not. Is Rafael at home?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> + +<p>No.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>No—he stays away, he is in love?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>With whom?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>With somebody—somebody. I read between the notes of his music. He's +fallen in love and he's put it all into music. [<i>Insinuatingly.</i>] Do you +know who she is?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>She gets a broom and begins to sweep.</i>] How should I, a Christian, be +so deep in his confidence?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>As deep in his confidence as need be. But do not trust him too much. +Ah—[<i>quasi-regretful</i>]—and I am his friend. But it is love that has +made a fool of me.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>No, I should not lay it to the door of love.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>It <i>is</i> love. If I could look into such eyes as yours,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> and my heart not +smoke like—like a burning haycock, then I should be more fool than now.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>You could not be. With whom do you mean to insinuate that Rafael is +carrying on a love affair?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, not you!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Oh! With whom, then?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Whispering.</i>] To-morrow, when you are alone——</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He pauses, hearing</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>in the shop</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>No, no!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Mordecai.</span></p> + +<p>But——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>No, no, no!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Mordecai</span>, <i>followed by</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Mordecai.</span></p> + +<p>Half a guilder! Half a guilder! Oh! if it isn't worth four guilders, it +is worth nothing.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He begins to roll up his lace.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span></p> + +<p>If it is worth four guilders to you, keep it. H'm! Because I am blind, +cannot I feel with my fingers? No, it is tatters.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Mordecai.</span></p> + +<p>It's beautiful. I leave it to any one.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>So do I. I leave it to Rosa; she's a Christian, she knows nothing about +trade. Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Coming to him.</i>] Yes.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Am I not right? Is it not charity to offer him half a guilder for that +lace?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Mischievously.</i>] A beautiful piece of lace!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>A splendid piece of lace; he could not have come honestly by that!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span></p> + +<p>I have not summoned every idler in the street. Rosa!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exeunt</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>and</i> +<span class="smcap">Samson</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Mordecai.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Whispering to</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] My son is dead, how can I bury him without +money? It was his mother's—the only fragment I have left of hers——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I hear you; is he giving you something?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>In compassion.</i>] It is not so badly worn; surely it is worth four +guilders!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You lie! I say you lie! Do you think you can make a fool of me—you +thieves! Ah, I know you are standing there, twisting your cheeks at me! +But you shall not rob me; no, no! Give me that! [<i>He takes the lace and +examines it with his fingers.</i>] I knew it! It has been patched—by some +bag-maker. You minx—you hussy! Do I feed you that you may rob me? +Everybody lies to me—but they do not deceive me! I will not give half a +guilder—only thirty cents.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Mordecai.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sachel! I must have <i>two</i> guilders! He died in my arms. You have a +son—for pity's sake—for pity's sake!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Have you had pity on my eyes? You say this lace is whole; it is a lie. +You say your son is dead; that is a lie too, for all I know. I'll give +no more—no more.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Mordecai.</span></p> + +<p>Oh! Oh! Give me that! You black-hearted miser. [<i>He snatches it.</i>] You +are rich—you have known me for years—and you would let my son be +buried in the pauper's field! A curse on you! May your son <i>live</i> to +hate you—desert you—disown you—curse you, as I do!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Mordecai</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Rosa! Run and offer him a guilder and a half! Run!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Mordecai! He will not stop! He's gone!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>With a curse! Could I be more cursed than I am? Come here. You have +driven the trade from my door.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p> + +<p>I?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, you—you misbegotten wretch! Had you not whined and pleaded for +him, he would have taken a guilder. If you, too, had said, "Tatters! +nothing but tatters." Why did you not?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Because I will not lie for you!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I employ you to do my bidding! What are you doing now—idling, wasting +precious time? [<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>begins to sweep</i>.] In the middle of last +night—were you up?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>No!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Ironically.</i>] You will not lie for me! Why are you so disturbed about +it?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>I am not disturbed.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I say you are. You are red in the face—I know it. Why were you up?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span></p> + +<p>I was not up.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I heard you! I heard you, and you cannot deceive me. Did I not lie awake +until Rafael came home? It struck twelve as he went to his room. It was +not five minutes later when I hear steps along the hall—yes, I can hear +steps, though the shoes be off! I heard steps, and then your door +opened. Why do you stop? I heard your door open; what does it mean?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Do you mean that—that some one came—some one opened my door?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Some one—some one! I mean you—you opened it—and you went downstairs. +Why? What were you doing while you thought I slept?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>I did not leave my room.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>And she will not lie for me! If you are honest, why does your voice +tremble so? You were up, and why?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> If I miss anything;—do you want to +be turned into the streets? [<i>He hears the noise of a window opening.</i>] +Who's that? Some fresh enemy? I cannot move but some one's hand is +raised against me! Enemies—enemies I cannot strike nor battle +with—because I cannot see!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>I—I am not your enemy!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>How do I know? Have I ever looked into your eyes? Ay, if I could look +into them at this moment, God knows what I should find. You are not my +enemy! Why, then, were you up last night prowling about my house—at +midnight—when my son—when Rafael;—Rafael—? Come here! [<i>She comes to +him.</i>] Your hand! Was it Rafael? Did Rafael—? No, no, my beautiful +boy—with such as you—an ugly, misshapen wench like you! [<i>Pause.</i>] +Unless—unless they lied to me! Did not Esther sniff and say that you +were white and thin, when we rescued you from pauperdom—when you were +threatened with the streets—you thankless vagabond? They knew I would +not have had you else! Rafael said that "pretty" was no word for such a +face as yours; did he mean that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> you were beautiful;—did he mean that? +Your form—yes, your form! [<i>He passes his hand over her.</i>] Hold still! +Do you fear an old blind wreck like me? Ay, you are like a Madonna, damn +you! Your face—hold still—your nose—[<i>he passes his hand over her +face</i>]—your brow—your chin;—they lied to me! You are beautiful! It +<i>was</i> Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>What do you mean? I tell you I am not beautiful!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Are you ugly? Do you swear you are ugly?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>You cannot see the colour of my skin—you cannot see the rings under my +eyes.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You swear—do you swear you are not beautiful?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>I may have been pretty once—but now——</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She is silent.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Thoughtfully.</i>] When she says that—h'm! H'm!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> No woman would deny her +beauty if she had it. No, no! H'm! Rafael—my beautiful boy; why, I only +mentioned it to frighten you!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>, <i>over the bridge</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>What's the matter now—you troublesome old person?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>My sister—my compassionate sister! H'm! I know you're waiting, watching +my face from day to day for a sign of death.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>You silly old man, does any one put a pin in your way?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Any one? Every one! Has she not just driven away a customer because she +would not——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>I don't want to hear about it!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>H'm! A little money—it is nothing! I have given my life for it—and my +eyes—my eyes! By<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> God's right, do not the blessings of thrift belong to +me? And here I drag my gloomy, empty life away, with a son who brings me +nothing, a sister who watches me like a vulture and this hussy who +drives my customers to curse me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Who do you think gave me this letter for you? Aaron.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Aaron! He hasn't been near us for years! What does he want? Read!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>When the Sabbath has already begun?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Well, what do we have this Christian for? Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Rosa, open this letter and read it.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Reading.</i>] "I shall be at your house to-night, on a matter of +business.—<span class="smcap">Aaron Heine.</span>"</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span></p> + +<p>Business? What business can he have with me?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>His daughter, I think. There was something in the way he spoke that made +me feel it!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>To marry his Rebecca to my son. H'm! I'll make him speak first. I'll +worry him! I'll make him sweat.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Rosa! Put up the shutters.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I will not trust her to put up the shutters.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>You never had a better servant in your house.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Fetches shutters and awkwardly adjusts them.</i>] She is a Christian. It +is bad luck—it was wrong for us to take her in.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>You were glad enough to have her. Would a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> Jewess light your fire on +Sabbath—would a Jewess open your letters for you? Shall I send her +away?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Not yet.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>No. Because on Sabbath your feet would be cold and your letters would +lie unopened, even if you were not blind. I pity the girl; I have heard +that her father was a gentleman and died poor and in exile, because he +had given succour to the persecuted Jews.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Who can prove it? It is a good story to work upon our sympathies. They +cannot deceive me. I will have no sympathies.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] Isn't it warm.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>They look off over the river.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>But aren't those clouds beautiful? They are bringing a blessed rain; but +they lower as if they brought a pestilence.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span></p> + +<p>You call them beautiful? You know very well that we are speculating in +produce: if the drought keeps on the rich will have to pay dear for +their vegetables, and the poor won't have any; it will profit us +handsomely! And you only think of your own pleasure!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>It was only the beauty, the majesty of the clouds; they are massed +together like enemies ready to destroy us. But the poor; ah, I can see +the hand of God in those clouds!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Which God, Rosa?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>The God of all peoples, of all faiths—the God who knows no ceremony but +the way of living, and no creed but what He plants in the hearts of +every one.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>You are a strange sort of Christian! You talk like Rafael! [<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>, +<i>as if to avoid the subject</i>.] I wonder if she ever talks with Rafael! +Sachel, I see Aaron!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p> + +<p>I'll make him speak first.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.] Good evening. [<i>No answer.</i>] What's the matter with you, +old friend? I have a bit of business with you.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Good evening. Rather late for business, isn't it? Sit down.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>It's never too late for business. It was never too early when we were +young—eh, Sachel? Do you remember forty years ago, when you and I and +Abram stood in line at two o'clock in the morning—to get the best +places at the sale? Poverty wasn't trumps then, as it is now.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>H'm! I fancy not with you, now.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>What did you come about?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? Well, I have something I think you'll want.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> + +<p>What?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? Why, some wool, I'll sell it cheap. Feel that! As soft as my +daughter's cheek!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Gives</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>a packet of wool</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Returning the packet.</i>] I didn't think you'd have anything I wanted.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>No; it wouldn't interest us. Have some coffee, Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>You think it is not good. You don't know! That wool was bought by my +daughter, Rebecca, and I'll back her judgment against any man's in the +Ghetto! [<i>Gives a little to</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.] Feel that!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Breaking the fibres, and listening to the sound they make.</i>] His +daughter! Cotton! More cotton! His daughter!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>I will match her with your son, any day!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span></p> + +<p>My son is in no hurry to marry.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Marry? I meant as a judge of wool. You are the only one that's thinking +of marrying him. What's the matter—doesn't any girl's father want him?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Picking the wool apart.</i>] H'm!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>There <i>is</i> a keen demand for handsome young wives nowadays, judging from +the way my daughter is besieged.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Your daughter? You speak as if she had had an offer.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter <span class="smcap">Rosa</span> with the coffee.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>H'm, <i>an</i> offer! But I came here to talk about wool! If it were not the +Sabbath I would burn a little for you, and you could tell by the smell +there is not a shred of cotton in it!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span></p> + +<p>Let the Christian burn it for us, then. Rosa, light that!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>burns a little of the wool in the spirit lamp</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Laughingly.</i>] If you can smell cotton in that, then the sheep have +been eating cotton-seed, and it has sprouted through their shins. Do you +smell any cotton? Ah!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>No; because I have picked all the cotton out. Rubbish!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Have some coffee?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Putting away packet of wool.</i>] Oh, well, if you don't know a good +thing when you see it. Ah! Those cakes of yours, Esther; I remember +them, I remember them of old! Let me send my daughter to learn how to +make them, will you?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Certainly.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>That's the only thing under the sky that my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> daughter can't do to +perfection. Well, how is that son of yours?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Where is he, you had better ask! Unless I stay up till midnight, I never +meet him.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, well, a young fellow has to have his day I suppose.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Did I have my day? I was one of eight souls who crawled and starved in a +room half as big as my shop parlour. I have known hunger to gnaw at my +belly, till I cried myself to sleep, and dreamt that I was +disembowelled. And my grandmother died, and my little sister too, from +sheer want. Sheer want! At his age I could have bought and sold him +twice a day. The fellow is a worthless vagabond!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>H'm. I suppose, if the truth be said, he <i>is</i> a worthless vagabond!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You—what affair is it of yours? You would give half you have—and that +wouldn't be much—to have him in your household!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ha! My daughter has no haste to wed.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Who said anything about wedding? It is you that seem to have the subject +on your mind.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>With my girl? With Rebecca? You rely too much upon your son's good looks +and upon the lot of money he will have.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Who said he would have a lot of money? I am not dead yet.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Even so, your only child is not going empty-handed.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>He will go empty-handed, by the Commandments, if he does not obey his +father! And, in any case, I have not slaved my eyes away that another +man's child may be fed.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Still he must marry some day.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> + +<p>Marry whom? No girl who does not bring twelve thousand guilders shall +marry my son!</p> +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>.</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>pauses at the bridge unobserved and interested</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Aside.</i>] They are getting on!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Swelling with indignation.</i>] Twelve thousand guilders! Twelve thousand +guilders! A snap of the finger! And is your son a prince? You talk like +an imbecile. Suppose some one was fool enough to give his daughter such +a dowry, what would you give your son?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Nothing! He has his share in the business—or will have.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, you're enough to make a man jump into the sea!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Did I ask anything of you? Why should you jump into the sea?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span></p> + +<p>Eh, what? Rebecca! How did <i>you</i> happen to be here?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Ironically.</i>] Yes, how did you happen to be here?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Why, didn't you <i>tell</i> me——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Waving her away.</i>] We're talking business, Sachel and I!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>.</p> + +<p>Esther, those cakes are wonderful!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Thanks! [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span>.] Look here. [<i>Showing a photograph—watching her +closely.</i>] Rafael is a good-looking boy, isn't he?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, you'd better let me have this! He wouldn't mind, would he? What a +fine likeness—but so sad!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>That's for some nice girl to take out of him.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span></p> + +<p>[<i>Tapping the photograph.</i>] And you'll let me——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Have the picture? With pleasure! Have you seen Isaac's new warehouse?</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Points up the canal.</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>retires to the bridge</i>.</p> + +<p>[<i>Sotto, to</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span>.] I like your girl—she's remarkably discreet. When +she's married, you'll be lonely enough!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Sotto.</i>] And when she is married, Esther—[<i>meaningly</i>]—may I take me +a wife on the same day; one that can bake such cakes as those! +[<i>Aloud.</i>] Esther, there is not another woman in Amsterdam that can bake +such cakes as those!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>The two exchange meaning glances; they advance on</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>, <i>as if now in +alliance</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Aside.</i>] I don't believe it was about me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>But, outside of that, Rebecca is a wonderful housewife, and in the +shop—she brings me the trade!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> + +<p>H'm! She'll never bring you a son-in-law! For you can't spare money to +give with her. You need it all in your business.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Do I? With my daughter there will go a trifle of eight thousand +guilders.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Pause.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Aside.</i>] It <i>is</i> about me. They are getting on!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>And he thinks a girl will bring his son a matter of twelve thousand +guilders.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>; <i>she shows that she has been listening and is troubled</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Let my son tell me he is going to marry a girl with less than twelve +thousand! I would give him the choice of starvation. I would lock the +door on him.</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>sees the photograph in</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca's</span> <i>hand</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Who's talking of your son? My daughter—Esther, just look at her—such a +figure, such a skin—such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> eyes! Esther, Esther, look at her walk! Look +at her walk!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Is Rafael at home?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>No.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Rafael and Rebecca—that would sound rather well!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>My dear woman, I won't give twelve thousand guilders.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>And I won't give my son at less!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Your son? Did I ask you for your son? Did I?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Did I ask you for your daughter? What is she to me?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Aside.</i>] Oh, they are really getting on!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, my daughter! I wish your son were her equal! If <i>I</i> had such a +son——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> + +<p>I don't want your advice! [<i>Rises.</i>] You manage your own child. I'll +manage mine.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Starts for shop.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>You will? You can't manage him. Where is he now? Dallying with some +wanton, for all you know! My God, one would think him a second Joseph!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Do you house him? Do you feed him? Does he trouble you? Speak well of +him, or go home!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>I will go home!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Sit down! Now talk sense! It's a good match: you both know it's a good +match, and so—[<i>to</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span>]—have you seen the repairs to the old +bridge?</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>moves farther away, leaving the photograph of</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>on the +wall</i>.</p> + +<p>[<i>Lowering her voice.</i>] They are both only children. And so, in any +case, the money will stay in the family. You let Sachel consider it.</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>takes the photograph of</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>and hides it behind her.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p> + +<p>[<i>Aside.</i>] I wonder how Rafael will consider it?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>It costs nothing to consider it, but——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>We'll see you to-morrow.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>At my house—before service. Come on, Rebecca; I have arranged about the +wool. Good-night!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Good-night!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, where's my picture of Rafael? [<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>drops the photograph into the +canal</i>.] It's gone!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She looks about for it.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>How could it have gone?</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>sees it in the canal</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>It has fallen into the canal! It's ruined! [<i>Looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] I don't +understand. I don't understand!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p> + +<p>Oh, well; Rafael has some others. I'll see Rafael. Good-night.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] If the portrait dropped in where I left it, then it must +have floated against the current.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Fiercely, sotto.</i>] It did go against the current.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Not a cent under twelve thousand.</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rosa</span>, <i>at the bridge, struggles with tears</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>We shall see!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>So we shall. Why doesn't he come? His miserable selfishness. My God, if +anything has happened to him! He doesn't come. He might have been set +upon and robbed—beaten, killed, by some cursed ruffian beyond the +Ghetto. My God—I'm harsh—too harsh with him. I shall be chastened for +it. I was harsh to his mother; yes, I know—I know; I broke her heart +perhaps, and Rafael, poor boy——[<i>Stops, listens.</i>] His step! Yes; +even—steady—he's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> in no distress. He's not worrying about <i>me</i>. He'll +come home to sleep and get more money—that's all. He's a vagabond—a +rascally vagabond!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>by the bridge</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Wearily.</i>] Good evening. [<i>No answer.</i>] Good evening! [<i>No answer.</i>]</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He exchanges guarded looks with</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>. <i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Contemptuously.</i>] The gentleman says "Good evening!" This is his +lodging-house, where he does us the honour to sleep!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I know I am rather late. I hope you were not anxious about me, father. +Were you? Father! Oh—well!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Why should he answer you? What manner of son are you?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Where have you been all day?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span></p> + +<p>I—what does it matter? I know—I promised to do some business for +you—but—there were other things—I forgot—I am sorry.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, he's sorry.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I asked you where you idled all this day, and you evaded me.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I have been everywhere—and the day vanished while I was thinking. Have +you something to eat, aunt?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>We have finished eating.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>At this time of night! H'm!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Very well. I will see what I can find.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, my Maker, how heavily thou visitest upon me! To be thus mocked by a +stranger within mine own<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> house! If your poor dead mother knew how you +treated me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Father, the rotten board that marked my mother's grave is falling to +pieces. And you can hardly find the spot for weeds—weeds!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Is that where you've been? Where else?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Far away—in my thoughts.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Another day—a whole precious day devoured by your drivelling nonsense! +Are you a son? Have you an old blind father? Oh, my business, my +splendid business, that I slaved and sweated out my marrow for, +dwindling, dwindling with every ticking of the clock! And he wants me to +buy a new headboard! I had better buy one for myself. I had better be +dead than not, with such a son.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Sachel! Sachel! You cry—for a son like that! He is not worth one tear.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p> + +<p>God punishes me for all my sins. When he was a child I have stolen the +bread from my mouth for him, weeks at a time; and now I may burrow alone +in the dark for all he cares, chained to my door-post, chained to wait +till some one comes to deal with me—to rob and swindle and mock +me—because I am alone—and blind.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>And the saddest is, it is not my doing, and I cannot help it.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Not his doing! Oh, my Maker! Can I keep him in irons and make him use +his eyes for me?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Father, between us matters cannot be improved—now nor ever!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Well, upon my word!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Why not? You have something you dare not tell. There is a woman in it. +You had forty guilders when you went away this morning. Have you a cent +of it left?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> + +<p>I gave it all to Mordecai to bury his son.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I do not believe it.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Father! For the little time that I remain here need we add more +bitterness to what exists?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>What do you say?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I am going away.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>What—what—what do you say?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I am going away!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, oh, that crowns all! He can look into my dead eyes and threaten +this—without a quiver—without a qualm!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Ah, there was a time—there was a time, when I would have yielded any +sacrifice for you—when I was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> a boy and you had just gone blind, and my +heart was wrung with a pity for you that was a very pity in itself. If I +had seen tears in your poor sightless eyes, then my peace would have +been utterly destroyed; at the thought of having vexed you I should have +beaten my brow. And now it's gone—gone—and it won't come back—it +can't come back—because you robbed me of it.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I? I? What have <i>I</i> done? And why do you go away?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>For reasons all of which I will not tell.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You dog! To leave your father—sick and blind, and on the road to +poverty! God shall curse you for it!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>No; God shall not! To live under this roof—to see, day in, day +out—nothing—nothing—but, no—no! There <i>are</i> reasons, reasons enough, +Heaven be my judge!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Several musical instruments begin to tune up in the house where</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span> +<i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span> <i>live</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p> + +<p>Heaven will be your judge! There <i>are</i> reasons—reasons you are ashamed +of—reasons you dare not tell!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>It is true! You have fouled my name, you have been in the mire, you have +committed some contemptible thing you are ashamed of! You are running +away, you dare not tell why!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>throws over a chair; regains his composure</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Is it but three years ago that I was so ignorant, so raw, and so fond of +you? I had known you with the fire of life in your eyes, and now it had +gone; the light of your soul was as hidden in a dungeon, because you +were blind. Ah, how I suffered! I shut my eyes to imagine it—darkness, +black nothing; God's beautiful sky gone for ever, as if you were in your +coffin under ground! Awful! Awful! And this, this was my father—my +father, whom I loved and honoured, of all the world!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Who asked your sympathy? Hold your tongue!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> + +<p>I honoured you because you asked the sympathy of no man. I <i>honoured</i> +you. Shall I ever forget that Friday, when I stood alone in the gloom of +this warehouse, watching you, sorrowing over your blindness, with tears +in my eyes! You stood by the scales. They were weighing out your +merchandise; the man who had bought it stooped and shifted the weights; +and your creature Jacob read the figures out and you wrote them down in +great coarse scrawls—your grey head bare, your face turned up to +heaven. How I loved you—how I pitied you! You bore yourself with such +calm—such fortitude—as if, when God had touched your eyes, He had +whispered into your ears some portion of the everlasting truth. No one +saw me—I was back in the shadow. And I started forward; I wanted to +say, "Father—go in; father, never labour again! Sit in your chair—rest +always—while I do your bidding—while I do everything!" But I did not +say it. No! I stopped; I slunk back into the deepest shadow like a +criminal. I had uttered a cry, but you and Jacob did not hear me. On the +platform of the scales, when your client stooped to balance them, I had +seen a foot go out—go out while your white face was turned in holy calm +to heaven—go<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> out and press down—so that the scales read false—so +that the man who bought our goods was tricked and robbed—robbed of the +money we had not earned from him. And again I saw it, and again, and +again, father! And the man whose foot went out and did this crime, the +man who was stealing and stealing, time after time, stealing his money, +stealing my respect, my honour, my youth, before my eyes—was it Jacob? +No, it was you—you, my father—my father, whom I loved and pitied, and +they had trusted—because you were blind!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Shame! That's a lie! Shame!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Turning to his father.</i>] Is it a lie?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Hoarsely.</i>] Let him go on. Let him go on.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>And that afternoon I went with my father to the synagogue; I did not +pray, I could not speak. I only gazed at my father's face, waiting to +see it soften into some shade of doubt, of repentance, of remorse. And +the dead eyes faced up to the rafters where the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> sun shone through—they +faced up there with the same impassive stare—the same holy calm, as +when he stood with his foot on the scales. Ah, when we walked home, how +cold and pitiless the sky looked down at me that winter day! We sat at +our Sabbath table. He complained that I was silent. He said prayers, he +dipped the bread in the salt. The lamplight shone on him, and I stared +into his face, and I saw nothing—nothing I had always thought I +saw—and my heart was ice; and he rose and stumbled over a stool and +fell, and I picked him up—and my heart was still ice. He was no longer +blind to me—he was nothing—nothing but a—ah no, no,—what's the +use—what's the use?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Hoarsely.</i>] Have I been different from the others? Aaron, Levy, Isaac, +would they not have done the same? Is there any one who would not take +advantage of my eyes? No; business is business.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Business,—Aaron, Levy, Isaac! God, how I have despised them all my +life!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, he would give overweight!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span></p> + +<p>I will quarrel no more with you. When I am gone——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You are not going—you shall not go! [<i>Trembling.</i>] I have nothing in +the world but you. Didn't I do it all for you? When I am dead the money +will be yours, and the blame sewed up in my shroud with me. Can't you be +content?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>After looking at him for a moment, hopelessly.</i>] It is getting late. I +am tired. Let us go to bed, and to-morrow let us part friends.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>You eat something. Then you'll feel differently. H'm! He go away! I +shall call up Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Thanks, no. I could not eat now. Has she not done enough this sweltering +day?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Then I'm going to bed. No wonder, to be so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> +irregular in your ways. You were up last night. Couldn't you sleep?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I did not sleep until nearly morning.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>. <span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>goes to try the shutters</i>.</p> + +<p>Well, good-night, father. You won't answer? Well, good-night! [<i>Music +begins in the house at the back.</i>] [<i>Aside.</i>] They are playing my music. +Give me time—I will show you what is in my soul!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Aside.</i>] The scales—that is not the only reason!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>, <i>who does not see</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>. <i>She starts to go to</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>. <span class="smcap">Sachel</span> +<i>hears her</i>.</p> + +<p>Rosa, why are you not in bed? [<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>stops motionless, mute, +frightened</i>.] Is that Rosa?</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He is suspicious.</i></p> + +<p class="right">[<i>They do not answer. Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>into the house, evidently with a +purpose</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Rushing to</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.] Rafael! Rafael! Tell me the truth. Am I not your +wife? Don't you love me? Do you love some one else? Do you love Aaron's +daughter? They are planning to marry her to you.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> What does it mean? +[<i>He motions her to be silent.</i>] Does it mean that you wish it? No—no, +it can't be that: you have said you were going away; but you didn't tell +them of me. Why? Why do you not tell them of me?—soon enough you'll +have to; and then—then you will have to choose—choose between the rage +of your father—between disinheritance—poverty—the wrath of all the +Ghetto, and me—only me! Rafael, my life is in your hands. Love me—love +me, Rafael! Don't let me doubt you! [<i>He stops her mouth. Suddenly</i> +<span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>opens the window over the shop-door; he leans out, listens, hears +nothing, withdraws</i>.] He's in my room—he's searching for me—he +suspects us—he has said so. He's coming down now; he's going to accuse +us; he's going to tell you to desert me—desert me or starve! Rafael, +what are you going to say? Rafael, what are you going to say?</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He stops her mouth again; they look in through the door. A pause.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>She's not in the house! Rosa—where are you?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Whispering to</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.] Where? Where?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span></p> + +<p>[<i>Quietly taking her in his arms.</i>] Rosa is here, father.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">A Watchman.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Heard in the distance.</i>] Ten o'clock, and all's well! Ten o'clock, and +all's well!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>shakes his head</i>.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">END OF THE FIRST ACT.</p> + + + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">THE SECOND ACT</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="scene"><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <i>A living room in the rear of</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel's</span> <i>shop. A door at the +back opens into the street; at the left a staircase runs up over a +fireplace to a gallery which gives access to two rooms off the +stage</i>.</p> + +<p class="scene"><span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>is discovered at the fireplace</i>. <span class="smcap">Esther</span> <i>is at the dining-table, +which is set with the Sabbath-cloth</i>. <span class="smcap">Esther</span> <i>crosses to a door at the +left</i>.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Sachel, your medicine!</p> + +<p class="right"> +[<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>brings a jug of hot water to the table</i>; +<span class="smcap">Esther</span> <i>prepares some medicine with the +water</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>That girl—where is she?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> + +<p>She's here.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Aside.</i>] That's what Rafael said last night. Rosa! Go and water the +flowers in my window and pick off the dead leaves, and be sure you give +plenty of time to it.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Well! Since when have you taken such an interest in flowers?</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She goes upstairs.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I want to talk; I've been awake all night. This girl keeps lying to me. +Last night she had the effrontery to tell me—[<i>with calculation</i>]—she +told me she was considered beautiful!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Not interested.</i>] Well, she is beautiful!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>H'm! [<i>He thinks deeply; rises.</i>] Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p>Last night you tried to make me think you were ugly;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span>—you deceived me. +You are not a woman—you are a fiend come into my house—come in out of +the Christian world—to do what? What do you expect to do here? Do you +know you are in the heart of the Ghetto? What do you expect to do in my +house?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Nothing but what my God gives me the right to do!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Your God? I tell you the wall your God built against us still shuts Him +away from here! You came into my house to divide it against itself. You +have been getting too near my son. Do you think I don't know? You've +been trying to turn him against his religion, you've been trying to turn +him against me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>If I have, then I have failed. Rafael loves you.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You say so? I ask no better proof that he hates me! You came into my +house to accomplish this, you vampire! Could you not have fastened on +someone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> else than Rafael? Who sent you here to find him? Did your +Christian God send you here?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Thinking of</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.] Yes, yes, my God did send me here—[<i>checks +herself</i>]—or else I should have starved.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Starve! Does a demon ever starve? Not while young men have hot blood! +Hah! It is well that I have found you out before this thing has gone too +far. Don't I know your damned tricks; <i>you</i> wouldn't be satisfied with a +passing touch of his lips. You've got a brain—a lying, scheming, +devilish brain! You want his heart—you want his soul! By God! [<i>He goes +vigorously and opens the door, to the street.</i>] Do you know what I'm +going to do? There's where we found you—out there in the streets, +without a friend, without a cent, and your dead father——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Sachel, my father helped your people!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Now let the Jews help his daughter! You've lied to me always! Shall I +believe this story of your father?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> I believe he was a demon like you! I +believe he was sent out of hell to steal away men's souls, as you were. +You've found something to fight when you've come across me! Shall I feel +a snake in my bosom and not cast it out? [<i>He points to the door.</i>] +You—[<i>He checks himself; a pause.</i>] Shut the door! Go on with your +work! [<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] No, no, no—it won't do to <i>tear</i> him away from her. +She is beautiful;—we must marry him to Rebecca. Rebecca is handsome, +Rebecca is rich, Rebecca is minx enough. We must marry him to Rebecca if +we can. If not, to some one else—any one else, as soon as we can. But +we must handle him with care. Ah! I had better get the Rabbi to talk to +him; the Rabbi has tact. And, for the present, we must let Rosa be.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>. <i>A knock on the door</i>.</p> + +<p>Aaron. Come in!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Good morning!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Good morning!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Good morning!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span></p> + +<p>I shouldn't have come, my friend, if I hadn't promised Esther. For I've +been thinking it over; and if there is any question of your son marrying +my daughter, I tell you I will give eight thousand guilders and no more!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>All because I said "Good morning" to you. I have been considering it. I +am willing to talk with you. As you probably said in your sleep last +night, if you can get rid of your daughter without paying more than ten +thousand guilders, you'll be pretty well satisfied.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Eh—what?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Come on, it's time to start to the synagogue; we'll have a talk on the +way.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>But, my dear sir, eight thousand——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>No; as you said in your sleep—ten thousand!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exeunt all.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span>, <i>cautiously</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rosa! Rosa! [<i>Aside.</i>] A little show of modesty! Rosa! Nevertheless she +is listening at the other side of that door; she thinks I will betray +myself in some soliloquy. H'm! [<i>Loudly.</i>] Ah—she's not here; how the +blood rushed to my heart, like the sea beating against a rock, when I +thought I should have two golden moments alone with her! [<i>He stands on +lowest cupboard shelf to be near her door, which is upstairs.</i>] But +she's gone!—gone forth to air her beauty. Such beauty! Such a face, +such a form! Night after night she floats in my dreams—[<i>he steps up +one shelf nearer</i>]—for I love her so that I have not slept a wink for +weeks.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span>, <i>unobserved by</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span>.</p> + +<p>And if she were here I would tell her so! I could gratify her tastes! +For once her love is mine. [<i>He draws a bunch of keys from his pocket.</i>] +She shall hear such music as this from morn till night——</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He jingles the keys.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p>One—two—three—four—five—five gold pieces! Did I come abroad with +only five? H'm! There are plenty more like these indoors—yes, in doors! +And<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> here I stand perishing with my ardour. Nay, I feel faint——</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>bursts into loud laughter</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span>.] You miserable cur! [<span class="smcap">Samson</span> <i>descends sheepishly</i>.] If I +were of your faith—if I were not a servitor, without a father, without +a brother, you would not dare! [<span class="smcap">Daniel</span> <i>laughs</i>.] And you—if you were a +little better than he, you would have struck him! What do you want here? +Go!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>Look here, my girl, you need not be so virtuous when you talk to us! We +live next to you—our windows overlook yours—eh, Samson?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>Don't you be unpleasant to this lady!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span>.] What do you mean?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>Lady! What do we mean? What's the difference? Rafael is a friend of +ours. We are most liberal—most charitable, eh, Samson?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rafael? Why do you speak of Rafael? What do you mean?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>Now you needn't bring Rafael into it, Daniel. I don't want any—any +misapprehension with Rafael.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>You shall have an understanding with him, you cowards—you vulgar +beasts! I shall tell him!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>He'll tell you to hold your tongue. Are you his wife? No; you're a +Christian servant in his father's house; we know all about that, and +you'd better learn to take a joke.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>It was only a joke, you know—only a joke—(<i>with a forced laugh.</i>) +[<span class="smcap">Rosa's</span> <i>anger increases</i>.] Now don't you tell Rafael that I was trying +to get in his way!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>What do you mean? Get in his way? He would flick you over his shoulder +into the canal. I shall tell him!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p> + +<p>Don't—don't bring Rafael into it! Hasn't he enough on his mind already?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Would anything so slight as you increase his burden? You cowards! You +both fear him! You <i>may</i> fear him!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Hallo! News! news! I've seen Hanakoff—and Hanakoff +says—Hanakoff—what's the matter? What is the matter? Which of you was +it? Rosa, what did they do?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Pointing to</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span>.] Let him speak.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>Why—why, she can't take a joke—that's all.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, a joke. What was the joke? What was the joke?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, everything is a joke. Don't we live across the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span> street? Can two +people help putting their heads together once in a while? Well, of +course, if you—if she—if we—why, of course——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>What did they say?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>They said—they insinuated that—that——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I know what they said. You—I—[<i>He takes hold of them both.</i>] Two +people can't help putting their heads together! If you will meet me in +some seclusion, my two good friends, I'll show you how two heads can be +so put together that two people shall see stars enough to read their +horoscopes. You shall read in those stars the name of Rosa—Rosa who, +God search my soul, is purer than the snows on the crest of the +Jungfrau. Quite properly—[<i>as he causes them to bend low</i>]—quite +properly, they bend in homage, Rosa! And Daniel here, Daniel whom the +starving lions would not taste—the story never seemed to me so true as +now—he says that what he said he did not say, and can't remember what +it was, and is most sorry that he said it—and see—[<i>forces +them</i>]—bends low. I thank you for your courtesy. And Samson,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> he that +slew the thousands with the jawbone of an ass—which is his jawbone to +this day—he's swallowing those words he spoke, so eagerly that he +chokes! Ha, ha! my ardent friends! [<i>He turns them about ironically.</i>] +And must you go? Ah, well! [<i>He pushes them towards the door.</i>] If you +insist—if you insist—Good-bye! Good-bye! [<i>He throws them violently +out.</i>] [<i>Then to</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] I have seen Hanakoff; he is going to play my +music to-night; and if—Rosa—[<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>bursts into tears</i>.] Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Go away from me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>But why, Rosa——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Let me be! You shall never touch me again! I hate you—I loathe you—all +of you!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>But have I not disposed of them! Is there anything else? My darling!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>No, never again; never shall you lay your hand on me! I know what lies +before me now. I am your wife<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> and you will not proclaim me. I am your +wife and they insult me, and you bundle them off without a word such as +I wanted, as if I were your mistress, who must not be vexed! I know now; +last night you soothed me over—you took me in your arms before him; but +he is blind—he did not understand—he only suspected something foul; +and so it will grow, until his suspicion makes an open accusation; and +then you will stand revealed—you will shrink away from me—you will +cry, "I have sinned in the sight of the synagogue," and I shall be cast +out of doors—a broken plaything, a husk of yesterday!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Rosa! Rosa! Are you not my wife?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Your wife—here in the Ghetto—here among your people? No, to them I am +a Christian—to them I cannot be your wife—to them I am a sacrilege—an +insult in their teeth! Oh! as one who enters hell I entered here—a +steaming hell of avarice; not life—but a sickly poisoned dream of gain, +gain—always gain. I thought I saw a bright light shining in this horrid +place. I flew to you—I gave you my soul—to find +myself—ugh!—only——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> + +<p>Horror! that you should even think such things!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Think such things! You say you love me with all your heart—with all +your soul. How great is your soul that dares not the anger of a father +who is wrong?—a soul that fears poverty, disinheritance, the hatred of +the Ghetto? You fear that you would be cast off, that you would suffer +want and ridicule, that your father would never feed you and clothe you +again; and when that fear comes into your heart what room is left for +me? Love! Ugh! Ugh! What is <i>your</i> love! The love of the way that is +easiest, the love of the son of honest Sachel—the love of a Jew!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Slowly, sorrowfully.</i>] And now <i>you</i> say "Jew!" "Jew!" as they say it +in the streets, among the mob, when I go beyond the Ghetto. It sounds +strange from lips that I thought loved me; it sounds strange from the +daughter of your father! Such a man he was! When you and I had our first +long talks together, and you told me of the noble deeds your father had +done in behalf of the Jews, I couldn't help<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> loving you for his sake; +and now you call me Jew! I <i>am</i> a Jew. Never forget that I am a Jew. I +have married you; and when it is known I shall have no standing among +Jews. The orthodox will avoid me as a pariah, and the mob of Jews will +howl at me when I go into the street. And I shall still be a Jew—proud +of my race, proud of its fortitude, of the great triumph which shall +come to us Jews when we have shaken off the material shell which hides +our spirits, and makes us no better and no worse than the Christians! +No, no! You are angry—you don't care what you say! You are angry—and +you sneer at my father. What do you know against my father's honesty?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>He is the father of a man who has married me and dares not proclaim me.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Dares not! Dares not! Ah, you little know me if you think that! Rosa, +Rosa! Look here! My dear little girl, you are all wrong. We have agreed +on this point. It was yourself who said that we must not tell of our +marriage yet. [<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>sinks into a chair</i>.] You said that I must give my +time to my music, until I had made a name—until we could go forth on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> +our own footing—not cast out of that door—without a cent between us, +to be reviled and hustled by the mob. And I thought of my father—of his +old age—of his pain. If he <i>is</i> wrong—if he <i>is</i> what he should not +be, he's still my father——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>He called me a demon just now! He opened the door and was about to bid +me go from here. He said my father came out of hell. He called me a +vampire—he called me a snake——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Oh—! Oh—! Rosa, poor little Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Weeping.</i>] I only want you to love me. I want to know it—to know that +they cannot, shall not take you from me! Tell me so, Rafael; burn it +into my heart, Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, it must be burned into your heart, dear. Before to-night it shall +be. I love you! I dare anything for the sake of my love for you!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Rafael!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Knock at the door. She rushes upstairs.</i></p> + +<p>Rafael!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> But your father—[<i>knock</i>]—you mustn't tell him!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Hush! [<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>. <span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>goes to the window; sees</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span>.] Rebecca! +She knows that the old people will be at the synagogue at this hour. +What does she want here? A true daughter of her father, and yet she has +many virtues, I suppose! I wish she would take her virtues and go home! +I want to get at my music.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span>.</p> + +<p>Oh, some friend of Rosa, I suppose?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>What—don't you know me? I am Rebecca—I used to know you once.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, Rebecca—Abram's daughter, of course. Won't you——?</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>Points to a chair.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Not Abram's daughter, Rafael; Aaron's daughter. My father was here only +yesterday.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span></p> + +<p>Oh, Aaron's daughter! Oh yes! Aaron was here only yesterday!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>And now you are here.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Yes. He came to sell some wool.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Some wool? I thought it was a lamb he came to sell. Ah well! [<i>Motions +to chair.</i>] Let us proceed to business.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>But I did not come on business.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>We are quite alone.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>From what your friends Samson and Daniel have just told me, I should +think not.</p> + +<p class="right"> +[<i>She examines the room.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span></p> + +<p>How do you like it?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Laughs.</i>] Father said I ought to come and see Esther.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, so your father—a thoughtful man; your father, a man of tact, +admirable tact!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>You say such strange things!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>A pause. She begins to struggle with a ring on her finger.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Yawning.</i>] Admirable tact!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>This ring—it's so tight—it hurts my finger so! I took it from Isaac's +son one time—when we played that our fathers had engaged us to marry. I +don't suppose it was quite proper of me, was it, Rafael? It was years +ago—but—but—[<i>pulls</i>]—it doesn't come easily! [<i>She stretches out +her hand to him.</i>] Don't you want to clear it away, Rafael?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span></p> + +<p>[<i>Goes to the cupboard.</i>] Just a moment.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>With her hand still out.</i>] Everybody out, Rafael?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Bringing a plate.</i>] There's not a Jew in the house.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He removes the ring easily, and gives it to her on the plate.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Vexed.</i>] Your servant—that Christian person—I suppose she's +listening at that door?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>He sits on the table.</i>] You might go up and see.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>After hesitating, she runs up the stairs and opens the door.</i>] Oh! I +don't believe there is any one in the house but us! I'm afraid to come +down!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>You needn't be!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>You mustn't come up!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span></p> + +<p>They'll be home soon. Let us proceed to business.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Archly coming down one step.</i>] Do you call it business?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I can't say I do. I weigh 12 stone, Rebecca, and your father won't give +but 8000 guilders. That's—that's 666 guilders a stone; 14 into 666, +that's only 45 guilders a pound! And——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>No, it's over 47½ guilders a pound.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I am sure you are right—only 47½ guilders a pound he'll give for me. +No, I can't say I call that business.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Coming down a step.</i>] You don't seem to have much sentiment about it, +Rafael.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Ah, if it were only a matter of sentiment! [<i>She comes down two steps.</i>] +But sentiment after business,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> Rebecca, after business. I am 40 inches +round the chest, Rebecca; and if my heart should swell I should be +doubtless 45. But at eight thousand guilders, Rebecca, it doesn't swell!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>But I—I don't like to talk this way, Rafael; it doesn't seem to me +quite—quite nice.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>That is your delicacy, Rebecca, your extreme delicacy. But we must not +mix delicacy with business, Rebecca. He sticks at eight thousand, and +not a thing, I suppose, in the way of dresses, finery, rigging——?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>It's really most unpleasant to have to talk of such things. Of course I +shall have a dozen of everything; father has told me so—when I am—when +I—I can't say it! I really can't speak of it.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>That's your shrinking nature, Rebecca, your extreme sensitiveness! H'm! +How should a man's heart know which way to beat? On the one side the +daughter, with her delicacy, her shrinking nature; on the other side the +father, who sticks at eight thousand<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> guilders! No; at eight thousand I +will not love you. It would not be dignified at eight thousand!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Coming down the remaining steps.</i>] But you don't suppose that if my +father were willing to give, say, ten thousand, he would begin at more +than eight thousand; not with <i>your</i> father—now would he, Rafael? But I +think that nowadays, when young people are to be—when they intend—they +ought to have some sentiment for each other.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>H'm!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>And, moreover, I think that young men should be more careful as to how +they let themselves be talked about—more careful than you are. They +call you an infidel, Rafael, and they say disagreeable things about you +and this impertinent servant of yours.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>They do! [<i>A pause.</i>] Of course, if we were to contemplate +matrimony—you and I—such a matter would be very serious.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>It certainly would.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></p> + +<p>And so it's very fortunate, Rebecca, that we have been talking in a kind +of irony—you and I—over a matter which was never even remotely +possible! Isn't it?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>After a pause.</i>] Yes, <i>very</i> fortunate. It would have been most +unfortunate for you if you had ever entertained the idea. If your father +or mine entertain it, we must speedily end that. Go on with your +scullerymaid; it's nothing to me.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>No, it's nothing to you, Rebecca! You and I don't want to marry, and +they are trying to chain us together against our wills! We must fight +them, Rebecca! We must put our backs against the wall! Your father will +whisper avarice to you. He'll bid you look around. "This is thy +neighbour's house," he'll say. "It will all be Rafael's; +see—see—treasure, value, gain; see the jewels there, the gold and +silver, the rich laces and old articles of art—all his, my girl—and +his father will die soon! He'll die of joy if he gets eight thousand +guilders with his daughter-in-law. And then it will be all yours—yours +and Rafael's; yours to hug and wrap your soul around, my girl;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> +all—all, from the last atom of diamond dust in the cases there, to the +rust on the nail in the latch on the door that keeps away the moans of +the starving!"</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>But do you think——?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>But you won't be betrayed by an old man's lust for gold. No! You'll say: +"Father, I have a heart; I will not give myself to one I do not love, to +soothe your itching palm!" You'll look well saying that, Rebecca! You'll +stand and face him in the dignity of truth! You'll be defending the next +generation against the crawling viper of greed! I'd like to be there! +I'd like to see the flash in your eyes; even now you cannot think of it +without fire in your look! I see the anger of righteousness; I cannot +too deeply express my respect, Rebecca!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Do you think I don't know what you mean? You think I want to marry +you—to get you away from this vile creature—this unthinkable person +who——</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Will you be so good as to say no more about Rosa!<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> If a man—[<i>He checks +himself.</i>] Let me tell you what she is to me——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Rafael, Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Oh! She calls you Rafael! She was listening all the time! What they say +is true: you thrust your shameful doings in my face! I shall tell my +father—I shall tell everyone; they will stone you from the Ghetto! You +tried to make a fool of me; and you—you——</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She bursts into tears. Exit.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>And now I'm going to break my poor old father's heart. I am going to +tell him that you and I were married by the Civil Authority beyond the +Ghetto, that we are one and indivisible. Poor old man! I am not without +love for my father, you know. He will think that I am lost for ever; he +will turn me away from his door with a curse on his lips; and then, when +we are gone, he'll sink down in his chair and weep; a broken life, an +old age come to nothing! And he may die at any moment—it may kill +him—and he <i>might</i> have died and never have known it.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rafael, I can't be the cause of his death! Don't tell him, Rafael! I +will try to live on—as we are.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Live on as we are, with this doubt in your heart? You have said I dared +not face poverty for your sake. Such a doubt must be killed at any cost. +I won't have it coming back to you to mar your faith in me in after +years. No; there's no question of my not telling him; there's only the +question of how to tell him.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Rafael, I would rather you wouldn't! I have been selfish; I forgot about +your father; I forgot about your music.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>My father will probably speak first of Rebecca. I shall say: "No, +father, I will marry no woman I do not love." Then that will be settled; +my father will let the matter drop. Then I shall tell him about you. +Either he will be violent or he will ask me a few questions between his +teeth, such as: "How much money have you?"</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Nothing!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> + +<p>Or, "What vocation are you master of?"</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>The music—if he could only hear——!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>My father is as deaf to my art as he is blind. "Are you master of an +art, when it will not yield you bread?" he will say.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>But it will yield you bread, if you will but wait, Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I was very happy when I came through that door. I saw Hanakoff this +morning. He is going to play my Fantasia to-night, Rosa, before the +aristocracy; he is going to let me lead his orchestra! And in a month he +would have played my Symphony!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Would have! Why not, then?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Why not? It won't be possible, Rosa.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p> + +<p>It must be possible! Why not? Why not?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Well, because the Symphony isn't finished, and in the time when I +thought to finish it I shall be working with my hands to keep us from +starving—if a man can keep from starving by working with his hands!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Rafael, you shall not tell your father! You shall not sacrifice your +career to me. I wounded you too deeply. I didn't mean what I said—I +didn't realise what I was doing. See, dear, we must wait for the +Symphony. You must go on with your work—you must have peace—you must +know that I love you—that I cannot doubt you! Don't you feel that the +music will succeed?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>It must succeed! It's beautiful. My God, I know it's beautiful! Because +it is you, Rosa, shining through my art, lifting up my spirit till I +can't call the work mine. It comes from you and from God!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Then, against my will, will you put me between<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> God and the message he +sends to the world through you? No!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I must accept the challenge you have made. I am a musician; but I'm a +man first!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>But—but I——</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She weeps.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Don't—don't! And this is the day I had looked forward to for so many +weary months; my music has found a great man who believes in it, and on +that day my spirit is sunken within me; I am waiting to give my father a +blow that may kill him, and the woman I love so tenderly is sobbing her +foolish little heart out on my knee!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Springing up.</i>] Not now! I have stopped sobbing—the tears have +cleared my eyes—I see better than you! I will not have you magnify the +doubt I threw into my angry words. There was no doubt; I spoke falsely. +Have I not given you my life? I should not dare to doubt you! There are +things that must not, shall not be done. We are going to pass through a +fire of hatred, scorn, ridicule. We <i>must</i> have success,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> we <i>must</i> +triumph, and we must protect your father from harm. Go! Tell your father +you cannot marry Rebecca; tell him he must not think of that. Lead him +home, speak kind words to him, but don't tell him of me. And then go to +work on your Symphony. You say I inspired it. You touch my vanity. I +want to inspire it to the end! Don't mind me, don't think of me. Work, +work, and only let me once in a while come softly, silently, and——</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She kisses his hand.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Rosa! Rosa! How you tempt me! I want to do what is right. I can't tell +which it is, but the child of my soul is coming forth into the world, +and your kiss is so like a mother's kiss—it seems to bid me be gentle +to my child—not to kill it before it is born. Oh, how I love my +music—love it because it lets me express my love for you! I say the +world shall never forget how I loved you when my music goes down to +history! Rosa, Rosa, can you wait—can you trust me?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Joyfully.</i>] You are going to grant my prayer—you're going to +wait—wait! I'm so glad—I'm so glad!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span></p> + +<p>Unless they force me to it, I'll wait. I must go and find my father; +it's late already. And then to the Symphony! Ah, you—you are my +Symphony—it cannot fail! We must have success—and then let the Ghetto +do what it can! I ought to be back in an hour. Will you steal a moment +to let me tell you how things stand?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Yes! yes! Good-bye! good-bye! Remember, there is no Rosa—she does not +exist!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>shakes his head laughingly; kisses her. Exit. She stands +smiling and happy</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">A Voice Without.</span></p> + +<p>That was the man; he's going to marry a Christian!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Oh!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Another Voice.</span></p> + +<p>He's going to marry the Christian servant in his father's house!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Various Voices.</span></p> + +<p>Oh! Shame! shame! [<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>runs to the window</i>.] Oh! Oh!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Second Voice.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span></p> + +<p>It's a sacrilege! He's an infidel!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Third Voice.</span></p> + +<p>He's a dog!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Mingled cries of "Yes, yes!"</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>What will they do? That girl! that girl! she has told them!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The First Voice.</span></p> + +<p>Shall he do this in our teeth and not suffer?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Various Voices.</span></p> + +<p>No, no!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Ah! they'll stone him! Ah! O God, it might be the last time he ever +touched my lips!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">A Woman's Voice.</span></p> + +<p>Stone him! Stone him! He mocks our God!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Ah, Rafael! What shall I do?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Various Voices.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span></p> + +<p>He does! He's a dog! He insults us all! Out of the Ghetto with him! Come +on!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>A number of rough men and women charge along the street, and are +seen through the window, repeating their cries, which then begin to +diminish in the distance.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>It has come! He's alone—he'll face them—he will not yield an inch! [<i>A +rising yell of the mob is heard.</i>] Rafael! No, he shall not be alone! +No! No!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She opens the door. A yell from the mob farther in the distance; +she locks the door and runs off past the window. A still more +distant yell from the mob dying away.</i></p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">END OF THE SECOND ACT.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">THE THIRD ACT</span></p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="scene"><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <i>A street. At the right the entrance to the synagogue, with +steps and a portico. At the left the house of</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span>, <i>before which +are some chairs, in the shade of an awning. Some trees and shrubs +give a grateful contrast to the surroundings of</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel's</span> <i>house, seen +in</i> <span class="smcap">Act I</span>.</p> + +<p class="scene"><i>The final chant of a Jewish service is heard within the synagogue. +Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span>, <i>flushed from her interview with</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>, <i>as the chant +ends, and among others</i>, <span class="smcap">Aaron</span> <i>comes out of the synagogue</i>.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Ah, you've come back! Did you find Esther at home?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>No; you knew she would not be at home!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span></p> + +<p>Eh! After you had gone, my dear, there I saw her, going into the +synagogue.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>; <i>she looks about anxiously</i>.</p> + +<p>Well, how did you—how did you get on?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Angrily, seeing</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] I——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Seeing</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] 'Sh! It's all arranged, my girl! You wanted him; now +you have him. Are you happy?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Her eyes on</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>, <i>with growing malevolence</i>.] Yes.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Go in. Rafael is coming here, and the Rabbi—a quiet talk. Make yourself +look well; the boy's a little high-strung, you know. By-and-by we will +go out by the shop door; we will come round this way and join them. We +must use tact. Will you come in?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Still facing</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.] In a moment.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> + +<p>[<i>Overcoming a reluctance.</i>] Have you seen Rafael?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>He's not here. [<i>Malignantly.</i>] He went home again.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Do you speak the truth?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>If I spoke all the truth I know you would not stay to hear it!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>All the truth you know would not take long to tell!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>She hates me! She shall hate me more!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit into the house.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span> <i>from the synagogue; she looks about</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You do not see him?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Not yet.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p> + +<p>He won't come; he suspects that the Rabbi will try to influence him.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Daniel</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>He said he would walk home with us. Good afternoon, have you seen +Rafael?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>Good afternoon. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Samson</span>.] <i>Have</i> we seen Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>Is he looking for us?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>He might be; he does not care what vagabond he goes with.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span></p> + +<p>It is true! For I hear he is about to turn Christian and marry his +father's maid-servant!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Samson.</span></p> + +<p>And any one who dislikes it is to be thrown out of the house—even if it +be his father! Daniel, shall we stay to meet such a person?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Daniel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span></p> + +<p>I scorn the interview!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exeunt.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You are rascals and liars! [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>.] They speak the truth! It is +Rosa who has turned my son against me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, be still! Here comes the Rabbi!</p> + +<p class="scene"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>, <i>with a father, a mother, and their son, who seems +subdued, as if after an exhortation by</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>. <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span> +<i>dismisses them blandly</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>That boy came as stubborn as a donkey, but a little touch of sympathy, +enough concession to soothe his pride, a little tact withal, and he +departs as meek as a lamb.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>But Rafael is my son, and you cannot twist him about your finger. He has +no heart; he treats me like a dog. They say he is foul of my +maid-servant. If it's true——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>'Sh! 'sh! Scandalous! Are you every gossip's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> plaything? Come! Violence, +violence—we shall do nothing with violence. Rafael is young, +short-sighted and stubborn; but he's a good fellow at heart. We must +handle him delicately, like a big trout. You leave him to me, and he +will stay at home and marry Aaron's daughter, willingly.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>They sit in front of</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron's</span> <i>house</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Now what did I tell you, you silly old man!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Silly old man! Not at all. An affectionate father, deeply troubled about +his only child—sorely vexed because too many things have gone wrong at +once! Would you have him sit still and not open his month? Oh no, Sachel +is not the man to let things take care of themselves!</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>It is true! What does she know about the feelings of a parent? Ah, I +would mould things now, Rabbi, but times have changed. Once, as it is +written in the Books of Moses, a son must obey his father, or he would +be stoned to the gates of the city! That was right!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span></p> + +<p>It was right then; but, as you so very rightly observe, Sachel, times +have changed; and when one throws stones now, one must pay for the +windows. So, instead of stoning Rafael, we shall marry him to Rebecca; +and in time you shall be the grandfather of a boy; a boy, I say! Ha, ha, +ha! You don't laugh enough, Sachel!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I cannot laugh! I tell you there is a serpent in my house. This +girl—this Rosa, I could swear that she——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Shame! shame! I won't hear about it! It was for you that I was +preaching, but you do not listen when you come to synagogue. Of course, +you were thinking about Rafael. You leave him to me. He shall marry +Rebecca, do you hear? In such matters as this you are a child!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>He shall do my bidding, or he shall go in rags! 'Sh!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>They all listen. Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>, <i>with his hand bound up carelessly +in a handkerchief</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span></p> + +<p>Why, it's Rafael! What an unexpected pleasure!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>It <i>is</i> a long time since I have seen you.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Daniel and Samson are liars! But if it were true, I would——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Tut, tut! What's the matter? Mumbling about business matters on the +Sabbath! Well, well, how you've shot up since—since——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Since last I came to the synagogue I have had time to grow.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>I pass that over. I don't look upon you as gone astray. You are seeking +for the light, and when you find it, whether you think so now or not, +you will find it there! [<i>Indicating the synagogue.</i>] Just as when you +find happiness you will find it here.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>In the house of Aaron?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> + +<p>With your father, and at home, under the roof where your mother lived. +Ah! what a fine career is open to you in following out your father's +business! It isn't every boy who has such opportunities!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Business! You in your synagogue—you ought to be the enemy of business. +You ought to preach it to our people without end that their life of +morning, noon, and night, and not a breath drawn but for sake of gain, +is a sickly mockery of life, and that it is against the law of Moses!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Another prophet! Business, gain, contrary to the laws of Moses! Go on, +my boy! Let us have the sermon you would preach! Ha, ha! Go on! Now I +shall learn something.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Have I not read in the Book of Moses how the people divided the soil, +and there was no one who had more than another; and there was no +grinding of the poor, and there was never any selling of lands: "For +mine is the soil, and you are but strangers unto<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> Me!" And among them +was not business despised? How did Jacob speak of Issachar?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Bravo! "A strong ass," eh? Ha, ha, ha! You've been deep in the +Pentateuch. Where will you find such inspirations in any other Sacred +Book? But you should read them under guidance, you foolish boy!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Under guidance! There is a guidance born in me that takes me where I am, +and I do not fear! It is a guidance that lives to-day; it is not a +guidance dug from the bones of a dead people of the dim past! I know. +You are going to say that Solomon did business, that David did business. +I don't care if they did! And you tell me that I skim the surface, that +I miss the spirit of the Jewish faith; and I tell you that it is this +spirit that my soul revolts against—the spirit that holds our people in +chains—the chains of the Ghetto!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Ghetto! There is no Ghetto! We do not live in Ghettos now, my boy! +Preposterous!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span></p> + +<p>And now <i>you</i> are skimming the surface, and <i>you</i> will not see the truth +that underlies! You say there is no Ghetto! Could I ever play with any +but another Jew when I was a child? Could I ever eat with a Christian? +Was I ever taught by any but a Jew? No, you have taught me to despise +the Christians!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>They persecuted us for ages; they have not taught us to admire them.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>They have ceased to persecute us, they have taken down the stones of the +Ghetto walls, but still we are taught to despise them; still we try to +think ourselves the chosen people. We set ourselves as a race against +them and the universal brotherhood of man. This is the proof of it: <i>our +women we marry, theirs we pay!</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>That is not true; it's a shameful calumny!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I can pick you ten young men to prove it—out of those that heard you +preach to-day!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span></p> + +<p>How dare you say such a thing! Are you a Jew no longer? Am I speaking to +a Christian?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>You are speaking to a Jew who claims to-day and to-morrow as his +own—not yesterday! A Jew who believes that it shall not be asked if a +man worship in a synagogue or in a cathedral, in a chapel or in a +mosque, or in silence and solitude under God's own dome! And the +falsehood you have brought me up by; our hatred and our bigotry which +keeps us away from them, our cursed earthiness which keeps them away +from us—I loathe it all—I hate it—I will fight it as long as I live! +I am a Jew—a Jew of to-day and to-morrow; and every man whom God +created in his image is my brother!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>The boy's gone daft! Daft!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>No, not that; he's been poisoned—poisoned by this damned creature in my +house! She's his——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Be still! I lost my self-control—set me a better<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> example. I—I—it is +many years—indeed, I may say I have never listened to such a tirade! +Let me tell you, you will live to regret what you have said here in the +very shadow of the synagogue. I will not treat it seriously; I cannot! +That you—a mere boy who has gobbled a bit here and a bit there from the +Book of Law, should have the monstrous effrontery to—to——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Father, are you ready to walk home now?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I—I am not rested yet.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He pokes</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>From the sermon?</p> + +<p class="scene"><i>Enter two rough fellows, supporting another, who has a swollen eye; +they stand at a distance, with sinister looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Ha, ha! [<i>Pokes</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>.] You don't laugh enough!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>As I was about to say, when I was interrupted, you have said that Rafael +wants to go away. Then let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> him go! When he comes back he'll have a +different view of his people. Do you fear he won't come back; not come +back to his home—to his blind old father? You are foolish, Sachel! +Drive him away, and he'll find that there is no home in the world like a +Jewish home—that a clock ticks nowhere in the world as it does by one's +own hearth. Ah, the Christians don't know what family life is; they have +nothing to compare with ours. It is because we stay by one another, +because we are sober and temperate and industrious and respectful of our +elders!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>goes up, faces the three men at the back; they slink off. +He returns, showing a new determination in his face</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>He ought to marry; then he would appreciate that.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Marry? Who spoke of marrying? He doesn't want to marry yet; I wouldn't +have him marry yet. Don't try to hurry Rafael; he's not the fellow to +stand it. My dear friends, when the time comes, and a strong, +fine-looking young fellow makes up his mind that——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span></p> + +<p>It is a good idea. I have been thinking of marriage all day.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Eh, you have? Now what sort of thoughts did you have? I suppose you +thought I would object, eh?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>But he doesn't know any girls. He never looks at them!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I know one.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Indeed! And whom, pray?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Aaron's daughter—Rebecca. Do you know her?</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>nudges</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>This is where she lives; and she came to see us yesterday, with her +father.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Indeed! What did he come for?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span></p> + +<p>To sell some wool! She's a fine girl, I should say.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>A delicate person—a retiring person—a shrinking person!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, not too much so.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>As if disappointed.</i>] Then you think she is not so sensitive a +creature?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Well, I should say she <i>was</i> perhaps rather sensitive.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Shrinking, I should say.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Shrinking; she is shrinking, I should say!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>A pause.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Well——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>And——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> + +<p>And did——?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? Rain—rain? Oh no!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Speaking of Rebecca reminds me, and I will tell you an anecdote——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Curious coincidence that, just as my mind was full of thoughts of love +and matrimony, in should burst this same Rebecca!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? eh?</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He nudges</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Curious? Not at all! Beauty, health, cleverness—the idea is in the air, +wherever she goes. If I were a young man—but such matters are not for +my concern until they are brought to the synagogue—I should——</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>appears at the window of</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron's</span> +<i>house</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>True, Rabbi, true! And you do wisely not to meddle with them. Do you +know there was a faint suggestion<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> in the air—like the subtle odour of +some tender flower—that possibly Rebecca would not be averse to +marrying me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Well, well, well! Hee, hee!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He nudges</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Dear me; love at first sight!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Not at first sight; we have had previous interviews——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? eh? The rascal!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>——about fourteen years ago. And now we have met again, and I thought +she would be willing to marry me, but being so shrinking a creature, +like—what shall I say—like a snail withdrawing into its shell——</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>draws back in pain</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Mildly deprecating.</i>] Oh!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span></p> + +<p>She would not say so in as many words.</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>looks out again</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>I am sorry for the poor girl; for, if the truth be told—But, there, you +are not serious about anything!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Why do you say "poor girl" when she would bring——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>But Rafael doesn't look to dowries; he has a romantic turn. The fact +that she would bring five or six thousand guilders——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Ten thousand guilders!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Ten thousand guilders! [<i>In irony.</i>] H'm! But—Oh, well, I'm not a very +keen observer, Rabbi; it is probable that Rebecca never——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>On the contrary. For, speaking of that very matter, which, of course, is +no affair of mine, she——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> + +<p>Quite true, quite true! What did you say, aunt?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? Oh, I was going to say that she begged your photograph of me +yesterday, and when it dropped into the canal she was almost ready to +cry.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>H'm! But it was careless of her to drop me into that nasty canal!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>It blew in; there came a great gust of wind.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>The wind must have been Aaron, disputing the value of his wool!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Good! Good! Ha, ha, ha! He has a mind; he will not let his heart run +away with his head!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>And so Rebecca——H'm! But I shall not let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> my heart run away with my +purse. I should hold my hot young blood in bounds!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Not always! Not always! A young man must have his day!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>But is she well? Is she sound? One cannot be too cautious. I knew of a +girl who seemed as strong as a green peach on a tree; and she had not +been two days married when, what do you think? Why, she died! She knew +she was going to die, but she never told him! That's awful, awful! Oh! +Oh! I could not stand a thing like that! [<span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span> <i>rises to look at</i> +<span class="smcap">Rafael's</span> <i>face</i>.] I have a soul, Rabbi, I know, because you taught me so, +and a deception like that—it would kill my love.</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>draws in, distressed</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Are you serious?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Am I serious? He asks me if I am serious! But that was not Rebecca. You +think Rebecca is——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>She's as honest as her father!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span></p> + +<p>Ah! Two of them, as honest as each other! [<span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span> <i>has growing +appreciation of the irony</i>.] H'm! But a good housewife? A good +needlewoman? Sharp over the counter? My father has not slaved to feed +the idleness of another man's daughter!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>I'll answer for that. I thought I could bake cakes, but she's coming +to-morrow to teach me how! You never tasted such cakes!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Indeed, I believe I have heard them spoken of.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Who has been musing.</i>] Eh—cakes? You cannot expect a girl to know +everything. Anyway, she's coming to-morrow; and Esther is going to——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Esther is going to learn from her. Excellent!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? [<i>He is nudged by</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>.] Yes, yes!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span></p> + +<p>Good, good! I half suspect that—that you look with favour on Rebecca. +We—we had considerable conversation this morning, we talked of +money—and love—and——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>They talked of love! Now, what did you say of love?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>And we talked of money—and of children—and of—money.</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Esther</span> <i>looks at</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>; <i>she also now in +dawning suspicion of</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael's</span> <i>irony</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Ha, ha! They talked of love and children! Of love and children! We must +have some wine, Rafael—this is the house of a friend. Esther, you go +and fetch it. Now what——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>They charge two prices at that place around the corner.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I say we will have some wine! Some good wine! Go!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span></p> + +<p>Very well; it is a season of denial with us.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>But the extreme heat! [<i>Whispers.</i>] Get some from my house.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>H'm! They talked of children and love! And what did you say about +children, my boy? Ah, they are beautiful things; though I could not see +one, I could fondle it! What about children, my boy?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>We said that they should each have two cradles; one with a soft pillow +of burnt wool and one with a hard pillow of burnt cotton, so that they +should learn the difference before they were old enough to tell the sun +from a silver coin.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>An angry gesture from</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Eh, what—H'm! Yes, yes, but later—later would do as well. And about +love, Rafael; what did she say about love?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, she is a shrinking creature—as shrinking as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> wool unmixed with +cotton! And, at first, she would not talk of love, but at length she +said that when she was married she expected to have a dozen——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>A dozen! That's too large a family in such times as these!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>A dozen of everything.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Ah yes—a dozen of everything, Rafael; a dozen of the finest. Her father +has told me so.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Esther</span>, <i>followed by a servant with glasses of wine on a +tray</i>.</p> + +<p>And a dowry of ten thousand guilders! What do you think of that, my boy? +The wine—here! I shall propose a toast! [<i>He takes a glass and gives +glasses to the others</i>; <span class="smcap">Esther</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span> <i>take theirs unwillingly</i>.] +Here! Here!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Holding his glass toward</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.] I suggest a toast to an open +heart—to a tongue that leads no man astray!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span></p> + +<p>Hear! The Rabbi suggests that—with <i>his</i> tongue! I'll drink that toast +with <i>you</i>, Rabbi!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>It is my wine! I am proposing the toast! I——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.] You had better drink in silence, and go home. You are +deceiving yourself: you know not where you stand!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>What! What does he mean, father? Am I deceiving myself? Are you not +planning to marry me to Rebecca? Do you fear, then, that I have fallen +in love with her? Is she not an honest girl—a shrinking girl—a girl as +good as Father Aaron?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, and better!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Will she not bring me a dozen of everything, and ten thousand guilders? +Could man ask more? What's wrong here? Why do they not raise their +glasses?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> + +<p>Because they will not let me manage my own affairs! He is my son, not +yours! It is my wine, not yours! Drink, then, drink to Rebecca, the +richest girl in the Ghetto, a beautiful young girl, a marvellous young +girl——</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Esther</span> <i>turns appealingly to</i> <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span>; <i>both look on in distress and +perplexity</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>But they do not raise their glasses, father; they will not drink, +father! Why? Do they see handwriting on the wall? Do they think I have +forsaken my race? Do they think I have given my heart and soul to the +heart and soul of another? Why do they not raise their glasses?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Let them throw it on the ground if they will! Every one tries to thwart +me, every one but you; but they shall not! I am Sachel! Drink with me! +Drink to Rebecca, your wife, Rafael! For this day I have seen Aaron; I +have sat with him—yesterday and to-day I have sat with him! I have +laboured with him, my boy; your father was not wanting! He would have +squirmed into my house with eight thousand;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> but I raised him! I raised +him two thousand, my boy! We have agreed, agreed! She is yours, +Rafael—yours! To Rebecca, my daughter-in-law! Now will you drink—will +you clink your glasses? [<i>He reaches about</i>; <i>no one clinks</i>; <span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>turns +away and pours his wine on the ground</i>.] Where are you? I'm all alone! +What's the matter? What's the matter?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>They have not touched their glasses, father! They stand staring at you, +without words!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Sachel, come home!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>What do you mean? You fools, what do I care what you mean! He's going to +stay at home and be my boy, my comfort, my staff in my old age; he's +going to marry Rebecca! Rafael and Rebecca! Rafael and Rebecca! Does it +not sound beautiful—beautiful!</p> + +<p class="scene"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span> <i>by way of the street, dragging</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span> <i>by the hand; +she holds back in deep mortification</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Ha, ha! It does! It does!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p> + +<p>Father!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Don't be afraid, my girl. [<i>To the others.</i>] I suspected what you were +doing! Rafael—[<i>effusively</i>]—since the day she was born I've had an +eye on you! Eh, what's the matter? Why are you all so glum?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>He goes to the table and gets a glass, then back.</i>] On this solemn +occasion, sir, I was about to propose a toast.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Goes to table.</i>] We'll drink it here.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He offers the glass to</i> <span class="smcap">Rebecca</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>I don't want to drink, father; I want to go in, father!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Bosh! What are you afraid of? Speak on, my boy!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, speak on, and speak your soul to them! They<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> need not think to +thwart this marriage! Let them beware!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Surprised.</i>] What's this about?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>It's about my soul—my soul that leaps its bounds at last—my soul that +speaks from the heart of a man! [<i>A passer-by at the back stops to +listen.</i>] My soul that dwelt in the wilderness—a rumbling, roaring, +raging, lying, sweating wilderness of traffic in the things of earth—my +soul in the wilderness crying in vain, in vain, for the love of another +soul like mine. Is it not so, Rebecca?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Hear, hear!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Let me go, father!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Let <i>me</i> go, father; let <i>me</i> go! I would not be slain on the altar, +father! The knife is in my flesh! This is the blood of my heart! O God, +crieth<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> my soul in vain? Where—where is the angel that shall stay my +father's hand?</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>A crowd slowly gathers.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Masterly! Masterly! Here she is! What an auctioneer he would make!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>What an auctioneer I should make! Ah! [<i>He runs and stands on the +synagogue steps.</i>] My father bids me sell my soul! Shall I sell it +cheap—my soul and my heart's blood? Shall it be knocked down to the +solitary thirsty first who bids? I, to whom the stench of avarice is the +breath of morning and night—I, who have seen a man sell his soul on the +scales——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>What does he mean by that?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I—to be knocked down for two pink lips and a banknote! See—my red +heart's blood! See—see—see! And you would have me sell it for ten +thousand pieces of silver! And I say no! no! no!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span></p> + +<p>He wants more! Oh! I will not give it, do you hear? It is an insult to +ask more—an insult to my daughter!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Father, come away!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Esther.</span></p> + +<p>Sachel, come home!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Let me be! What does he want? What does he mean?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Ha, ha! he wants more!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>I want more! The sale shall be public! [<i>The crowd thickens.</i>] I will +have my price. Who bids more? Who bids? What do you bid, my girl?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rebecca.</span></p> + +<p>Nothing—nothing—I——</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span></p> + +<p>She bids all she has, and yet I will not take it! More—more—who bids +me more?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Ha, ha! ten million guilders, idiot!</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>, <i>at the back</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>He bids ten million guilders, and that is still too small. You bid +nothing but money, money; have you nothing else? Who comes? Who bids? +Who bids? See, see—[<i>He points to</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>, <i>who has worked forward, pressed +by the crowd</i>.] Another bidder! Another bidder! The angel—the angel +come to stay my father's hand!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Esther</span> <i>and others turn fiercely on</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Panic-stricken, pressed by the crowd.</i>] Rafael! Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>It's Rosa! It's Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rosa, Rosa, what do you bid? They bid money, nothing but money; and +you—you——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Wringing her hands.</i>] Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>She calls him Rafael! A curse! A damning curse!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>The crowd murmurs.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Silence! It is my blood we are drinking! It is my soul we are selling! +[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span>.] And you bid more than all you have, and yet it will not +do; and you, Rosa, angel—angel—for my heart—for my soul—bid, bid!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>For your heart—my heart! For your soul—my soul!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Ha, ha! Going! Going!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Going the way of the profligate—to the damned!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit into the synagogue, closing the doors.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span></p> + +<p>Gone to the highest bidder! She has been my wife for months! [<span class="smcap">Sachel</span> +<i>sinks into a chair; hisses and groans from the crowd</i>.] Now let the +Ghetto damn me if it can!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">One of the Crowd.</span></p> + +<p>She's a Christian!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>The crowd surround</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>, <i>who holds them at bay</i>.]</p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center">END OF THE THIRD ACT.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">THE FOURTH ACT</span></p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="scene"><span class="smcap">Scene</span>: <i>The same as</i> <span class="smcap">Act I</span>. <i>It is seven days later.</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span> <i>discovered +at the door; he holds some letters in his hand</i>.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>I had rather talk to you here.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>, <i>pale, bowed and trembling; the two sit on a bench at the +right</i>.</p> + +<p>Then it is true that you have not heard from Rafael for a week? What +happened that day, after the officers had dispersed the crowd?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>With a sob, then restraining his emotions.</i>] He brought her back here +to get the few things that belong to her. He said that as soon as he had +done with Hanakoff he would come and get her. Then he went away. He said +he would be back in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> morning; and he has been gone a week! My God, +it was I who made him so anxious to leave—it is the judgment of the +Almighty upon my sins!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Calculatingly, as he looks at the letters in his hand.</i>] Oh, he's your +son; I fancy if he got in the vicinity of harm, he saw it before it saw +him! And the girl, why do you let her stay here?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>The Rabbi! The Rabbi came here and made me promise to keep the girl +until Rafael could find a home for her. I thought it would be the next +day; I promised. The Rabbi said he repented the strong words he had +uttered when he slammed the door of the synagogue. H'm! The Rabbi is not +much better than you, or at least, than me! The only difference is that +the Rabbi is always repenting! If Rafael would only come back, I'd let +him keep the girl here for ever—what do I care! I want my son—the only +thing I live for!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>But doesn't the girl know where he is?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>No, no. Esther kept telling me that Rosa has had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> no word from Rafael. I +would not believe it; and this morning I took hold of her; I cursed her +up and down for not telling me where he was. She said if she knew where +he was she would walk to him, if it was a thousand miles, rather than +stay another night under my roof. Then, for the third time this week, +she had a fit of hysterics—I never heard such sobs in all my life! When +she quieted down she went up and put on the rags she first came here in; +and since then she has refused to take food from us; she won't enter the +house; she is wandering about here somewhere now. I don't know; though +she be a Christian and a pauper, I suppose I'll have to accept her for +my daughter-in-law, if he'll only come!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>She, that broke up your home and took your son away from the finest +young woman in the Ghetto? She, that robbed him of his faith and brought +him to a pass where every one is saying that he has run away rather than +face the consequences of his acts? H'm!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>What am I going to do? If he's dead, I <i>will</i> keep her! Isn't she the +only one in the world whose sorrow will approach mine?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span></p> + +<p>But if he is not dead? If he comes back? [<i>Circumspectly makes as if to +open one of the letters.</i>] Look here—</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Enter the</i> <span class="smcap">Rabbi</span>; <span class="smcap">Aaron</span> <i>hastily puts away the letters</i>.</p> + +<p>Oh, the Rabbi! [<i>Whispers.</i>] We must get rid of him. I want to talk to +you.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Good evening! How is that girl? Is she still crying her eyes out? It's +pitiful! It is dangerous! I must see her!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Aaron</span> <i>nudges</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>She's all right. I have not heard her stir since she went to bed.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, she's gone to bed—good! Sachel, Rafael had my promise to protect +that girl; and I will protect her. Last Saturday we were all +overwrought; we were taken by surprise. But now that we all realise it, +it comes to this: Rafael has married a Christian girl; she knows what an +affront this is to the religion in which Rafael was reared, and to which +inevitably<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> he must return his full devotion when he grows an older and +wiser man. Now there is but one remedy: Rosa must become a Jewess. Not +to-night or to-morrow; but she must be influenced to open her heart to +the faith of her husband; and she must be urged to welcome a future day +when she shall enter the synagogue and come forth from there with all +the hatred, all the revulsion which she has seen in our faces to-day, +buried for ever! Teach her to be thankful that this is Holland, where a +Christian <i>may</i> become a Jewess.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Rabbi, your sentiments are worthy of your calling. Sachel and I have +been talking; we both regret our bitter words of that day. Sachel has +become reconciled—as much as any Jew could. And, to tell the truth, we +had gone so far as to dismiss the subject and to devote ourselves to a +very important matter of business which had to go over from Friday.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>I see—I see! I am very glad, then! We must make Rosa understand the +things that are glorious in our religion; the inspirations that have +sustained us through centuries of the bitterest persecution that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> men +have ever known. And she must believe that we shall cling to them until +that supreme day when Jerusalem is peopled anew with the race which God +has chosen for His own. Is it not so?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, yes! And we'll walk a little way with you. Then, Aaron, you can +come back, and we can go on with that business.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>They go up</i>: <span class="smcap">The Rabbi</span> <i>stops at the bridge</i>.<br /> +</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span></p> + +<p>Very well; but you will treat the young girl tenderly, my friends? Look +here; you and Esther and Rafael bring her to my house some night when +there will be no one else there. We'll let her feel the warmth of our +hearts, as if she were already a Jewess. We will show her what the inner +life of the Jews is; the life that the Christians have no conception of. +And so we will work upon her better nature; but—yes, yes, I see you are +busy. You are not worrying about Rafael, then?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, he'll be all right. I'm sure of it.</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>They start off over the bridge.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Rabbi.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> + +<p>I'm glad to see you here, Aaron. It does you credit to forget your +disappointments!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exeunt.</i></p> + +<p class="scene"><i>A bell tolls ten o'clock. Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>. <i>Her pallor and the tremor of +her voice show the effects of intense emotional strain</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>The very hour that he went away, and seven days are gone! Seven +days—and he stood here and took me in his arms! Oh!—[<i>turning</i>]—you +who cry after me that Rafael has deserted his Christian mistress; it is +because you never knew the love of anything but money! You look +down—always down! But the same clear sky was over our heads when he +kissed me here, and we looked up to it and thanked God, who made us dare +to lead our life in open truth before the world! Let <i>God</i> punish us for +loving each other, if that be a crime! Oh, <i>does</i> He punish us? Where is +my Rafael, you star that watched over us then! I love him, I love him; I +cannot live without him—sweet star, tell me where he is to-night! Oh, +it is from pity that you will not tell! And he lies cold and dead! +Rafael, Rafael, I'm all alone—all alone! [<i>Weeps.</i>] No, no; it can't be +that! Dear God, who<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> sees me here among these aliens, you could not be +so cruel to your own! Not so cruel as that! Not so cruel as that!</p> + +<p class="right"> [<i>She sobs; exit.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span> <i>and</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Where is Esther?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Can't you hear her snoring? I can, though she is away at the back of the +house! I have not slept seven hours in these seven days!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Do you think the girl has any suspicion that Rafael may have found that +he has undertaken the impossible? If he did throw her off—I don't say +that he has—but if he did, it must strike her that she wouldn't have a +place to go in all the world!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>She believes in him.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>When he is with her, yes! But when he is away, and she waits and waits, +are not all women alike? Doesn't she know that he has sacrificed every +guilder that he might have had from you?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span></p> + +<p>I said that to them. Why did I not hold my cursed tongue! He hadn't a +copper in his pocket; the poor boy had given away everything he had, to +bury Mordecai's son.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>And does not she know that he gave up every friend he had, too, when he +forsook his religion? These things must have passed through her mind.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>What do I care what is passing in <i>her</i> mind!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Of course, of course! [<i>Pulls the letters from his pocket.</i>] But the +main probability is that Rafael will soon return. I am only thinking +whether before he returns this girl could not be influenced to leave +here, made to believe that the boy has deserted her? You can't blame me +for considering my daughter's feelings in this matter. Now suppose we +could let drop a few things in Rosa's presence, without appearing to +know that she overheard?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I don't care about her! I want <i>him</i> to come back.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> + +<p>Don't you see: after a whole week, after all her waiting and waiting, +without a word from him and with her whole life trembling in the +balance, then if she overhears certain things——! Of course if we try +to persuade her he is gone, she'll suspect at once. But there are +certain remarks that we can let drop, quite casually, you know, that +will absolutely make her believe that he does not intend to come back; +that he has deserted her.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>But she <i>won't</i> believe it!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>No, not if we try to convince her! But we won't try! You only make +certain statements within her hearing; and if she says they are not +true, just shrug your shoulders! What is in that girl's mind? Either +that he has met harm, or that he is afraid to come back to her; that the +poverty staring him in the face has been too much for him. Seven days is +a long time when a woman is alone on the rack of doubt. Now, do you see +what I mean?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span></p> + +<p>But I want my son! I don't care whether he marries your daughter! I want +my son!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Tapping the letters.</i>] Here are some letters. One for you and four for +Rosa.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Where did <i>you</i> get them? Is mine from Rafael? Yes? Ah, ah! Read it, +quick!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Reads.</i>] "Father: Rosa will tell you where I am. I am your son; do not +be harsh to Rosa. The Rabbi told me that he knew you would keep her over +night; as I left her for a night, relying upon his good offices with +you, so I feel I may leave her for a week. Good-bye, father. Rafael."</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>He's all right! He's all right! [<i>Pauses, suddenly.</i>] Look here, you +miserable rascal, you've had this for a week. You've bribed that +postman; it's a crime!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>One for you and four for her. Will you listen to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> one of those he wrote +to her? [<i>Opens it.</i>] Shall I open it?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You have, already.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Shall I read it?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>After hesitation.</i>] Yes.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Reads.</i>] "My darling: If I take ship at once with Hanakoff for London, +I have the opportunity of a life time; it will fix me in my career as I +had never dreamed of. My mind tells my heart that I must go; but I am as +joyful as I am sorrowful; for in a week, dear, I take you away from the +stifling air you breathe to-night—out of the Ghetto, into the freedom +which is the right of our love. Good night, my angel! Your Rafael."</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>He'll have money now. He'll never look at me again. She's got him! She's +got him! O, I would to my Maker I were dead!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p> + +<p>No, no! She hasn't got him! She shan't have him! Don't you see, this +clears the way for the very thing I proposed to you.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>What? What? It might succeed, with the girl in the state she is. But if +it does, what will Rafael say, to-morrow?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? Why, if he finds her gone and she left no word, let him draw his own +conclusions; that she was afraid to stand by him; afraid to share his +poverty. You say "to-morrow"? He may be back to-night! It's your one +chance. If it succeeds, the girl goes, with two hundred guilders in her +pocket; Rafael stays home—in due time marries Rebecca—becomes a +successful Jew. If it fails—then this Christian robs you of him anyway! +[<span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>ponders; then suddenly touches him; they listen;</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span> +<i>whispers</i>.] Only casually; not an effort to convince her! She can't help +believing it, then!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Sh—!</p> + +<p class="scene"><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>, <i>by the bridge; she drops her hands, hopelessly, and stays +near the bridge, turned away from them</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Without looking about, whispers.</i>] Was that her step? [<span class="smcap">Sachel</span> <i>nods; a +pause;</i> <span class="smcap">Aaron</span> <i>begins in a moderate tone</i>.] Yes; but a man who gives his +word to one girl and then deserts her, would desert another girl. Shall +I let my daughter risk that? No!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>But I tell you it is not a parallel case! A marriage solemnised in a +synagogue is one thing; but a marriage such as this—which we all know +is not a marriage, either inside or outside the Ghetto—I tell you it's +totally different!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Didn't he commit himself morally? Very well! Then he goes and finds that +he has been tricked by a venial under-magistrate, for the sake of thirty +guilders; and he finds that it was no marriage at all! The girl is +reduced merely to the position of his mistress——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span></p> + +<p>Well, doesn't that dispose of <i>her</i>? Doesn't that rid him of +responsibility?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Yes; but it is a high moral consideration that occupies me. The boy +found that he could rid himself of his burden; the discovery came when +he had been looking about for a week, and finding nothing but poverty, +privation and despair on every side; no one would lend him money; none +of his former friends would speak to him; there was only the choice +between an absolutely hopeless struggle and running away. He ran! And I +say a young man who has thus been tried and found wanting is no man to +be my daughter's husband!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>O! Because Rafael has had one mistress is he not good enough to be your +daughter's husband?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>What do you mean! What do you mean, Sachel! [<i>The two men rise, +affecting surprise.</i>] It is a lie! It is a cruel lie!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Eh? Doesn't the <i>girl</i> know about it?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span></p> + +<p>What do you mean by saying that he ran away from me? How do you know +that he ran away from me? Where is he! Tell me where he is! Quick, you +shall!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>No one will know where he is until he has spent the money he sent for. +And that ought to keep him a year, even in England.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>England—you say he has gone to England? You tell me he has deserted me? +After what he said before the synagogue? I say it's a lie—a +preposterous lie! It isn't true that I am only his mistress—it's a lie!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>I'll tell you what <i>is</i> true; after this escapade with you he'll have to +prove himself a man before he marries my daughter.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>He can't marry your daughter! He's mine! O, God, what does this mean? +Can't you find him? Can't you let me see him? He would have written to +me—I know he would! Sachel, let me go to him. Sachel, tell me where he +is!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p> + +<p>What could Sachel do, even if he could reach the boy? After seven days, +at the very moment Sachel has been persuaded to accept all this—to +treat you as his daughter—here slinks Rafael along the canal and up +through the warehouse and whispers that he has given you up! Then he +wheedles his father out of more money than I would give ten sons, and +then boards a ship for England! [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.] Do you think I'll see my +daughter marry such a man? If he wants to return next year on the hope +of marrying Rebecca, you tell him to remain in England!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>It's a lie! He couldn't desert me. He's a man of soul—of honour! It +isn't true. My God, it can't be true!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>You'd better find a place to sleep, and then compose yourself to make +the best of it. I have a friend in the country who will receive you. +With the money that Rafael has persuaded his father to give you, begin +life over again. Come!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Touches her.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>No, I will not come! It is a lie. You try to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> convince me because you +know I will kill myself—because you——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Has any one tried to convince you? Sachel is the only one to gain by +your going. Has he tried to convince you?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>I know—I know—O God! Sachel, Sachel, as you fear your God, swear to me +that he has deserted me! Swear to me that he wants to marry Rebecca!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I—I——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span></p> + +<p>Shall <i>I</i> take an oath, on the Law of Moses, that is fastened to the +lintel there?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>I will not believe <i>you</i> on any oath! I will only believe +Sachel—Sachel, who could not deceive me—[<i>turns to</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>]—because +you know that if you make me go away and kill myself Rafael will hate +you, for ever and ever! Sachel, Sachel, can't we get him back? I'll do +anything—anything. I'll become a Jewess if you'll get him back! Sachel, +Sachel!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Cries hysterically.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Aaron.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span></p> + +<p>The poor girl wants your oath. That's a simple matter. [<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.] +There is no reason why I should stay here to witness this. Good-night!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit by the bridge.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Such as you to kill yourself—h'm! Now take your money and be off! I'm +going to lock my door.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p><i>You</i> haven't said the marriage was false! <i>You</i> haven't said he went +away! <i>You</i> haven't said he wants to many her—you dare not! It can't be +true! It <i>can't</i> be true!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Dare not—dare not. What do you mean? You thankless hussy! You wreck my +home, you rob me of my son, and then when he has gone and I offer you +money to leave me in peace you dare to say I lie!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>No, I did not say <i>you</i> lied, because <i>you</i> have not said that he is +deserting me! You will not! You dare not! He loves me; he is coming +back! I will stay until he comes!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p> + +<p>He wants to be rid of you. He has gone to England. He wants Aaron to——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Sachel, Sachel, think what you are saying! Tell me he is dead—tell me +anything but that he's left me! O, could your son dishonour me? Think +what you are saying! No, no—not unless you swear it in the sight of +God! Sachel, Sachel—[<i>as he puts hand on the lintel</i>]—don't swear to +it—[<i>on her knees</i>]—don't swear to it!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>With a burst of rage.</i>] God!—Hear me then. You have been nothing but +Rafael's mistress! Rafael has deserted you! Rafael wants to marry +Rebecca! Rafael has sailed from Amsterdam! By the sacred Law of Moses, +by all that is holy in the sight of God, I swear it! I swear it! Now go! +Take your money and go!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She goes towards the canal.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>And so—and so—Dear God—dear God!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Where are you? Here, take it—take it! Where are you going?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span></p> + +<p>[<i>At the canal.</i>] Dear God—dear God—No more—no more!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Come away!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>Rafael!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>She jumps into the canal.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Stop! O—O God! It isn't true! Rosa! Rosa! [<i>At the wall.</i>] A stick! A +stick! I cannot find one! Where are you? For God's sake, answer! Don't +you hear? O God! O God! [<i>Turns to the house, where music is being +played.</i>] Daniel! Samson! Open the door! [<i>The music drowns his voice.</i>] +Help! help! [<i>He rushes back.</i>] Rosa! Reach out your hand! Where are +you—where are you? Answer me—[<i>the music ceases abruptly</i>]—answer. +[<i>A silence. He slinks away from the wall. A pause.</i>] What will Rafael +do? What will God do?</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He hears the footsteps of</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>, <i>joyously</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Hello, father, father! I'm home again! Why haven't I heard from you? +I—what's the matter?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span></p> + +<p>[<i>Trembling.</i>] I—I—don't mind me! I—I—I thought you wouldn't come +back. We didn't get your letters until to-day. But you've come—you've +come! Rafael, for God's sake, don't leave me! For God's sake—I'm sick, +I'm blind, I've only a little while left! Stay with me. Don't leave me +alone—you mustn't leave me alone!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>You are not well. Have you been in the heat? Father, why do you tremble +so?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I'm not trembling, my boy. I—I—my boy, my boy, ask me anything and I +will give it to you! I can't live without my son! If you speak a harsh +word to me I shall drop dead, Rafael.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Father, father, be calm; Heaven knows I don't want to be harsh to you; +there's a clean page to begin on if you like. We'll leave this place; +come and live with Rosa and me. She has never spoken a harsh word to +you, has she? Don't you see now that she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> has the gentleness of an +angel? Wait till our people know her!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, yes, I know; my God, I know—I—I—[<span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>makes as if to go in</i>]. +Rafael, for God's sake, don't leave me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Where is she, father? She was afraid to stay here; but I told her she +was my wife, and that you loved your son, and that ought to be enough to +reassure her. I had to go with Hanakoff. I have made a success, do you +hear? Don't worry, don't tremble. I must find Rosa. Where is she? Rosa! +I've something to tell you!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>No, no; don't speak so loud!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Yes, but she does not hear me! Isn't she in the house? Rosa! What have +you said to her? Where is she? She is not here. Where is she?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Don't ask me, don't ask me!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span></p> + +<p>Where is she?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>I couldn't stop her!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>From what? Where is she?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Don't know, don't know! She went away!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Where—why?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>You shall not blame me! It was not my doing. Aaron—Aaron—it was he who +bribed the postman! Before God it was not I!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Bribed the postman? She did not hear from me? Where is my wife?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>No, no, Rafael, my boy; my dearest boy—she's gone, she took money, she +deserted you!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span></p> + +<p>You are lying!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>People collect, looking over the canal wall.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>She said—she said she hated our race—she hated you—she hated all of +us; she was going away, out of the Ghetto, away, off there, there—[<i>He +points away from the canal. The excitement at the canal wall increases.</i> +<span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>starts as if towards the wall</i>.] Not there, not there, Rafael, my +boy, my boy!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>What's the matter down there? [<i>Two men bring</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>up the steps; the +crowd obscures her from</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.] Who is that? My God! Is it a woman?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">A Man.</span></p> + +<p>Yes.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Pushes through the crowd.</i>] Rosa, Rosa—Rosa! Oh! oh! oh!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Oh, my boy!—oh, my boy! Rafael! Rafael! I couldn't stop her!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span></p> + +<p>[<i>Turning on his father.</i>] Ugh! Off from me—off! Oh, oh, damnable, +damnable monster! Take him away!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">An Old Man.</span></p> + +<p>He's your father! Shame! shame!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Hisses from crowd.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>To</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>.] Keep your cursed talons off! Murderer! Murderer! You made +her drown herself!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">A Second Man.</span></p> + +<p>Leave him alone! Shame! This is the man who blasphemes God!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">A Third Man.</span></p> + +<p>He profaned the synagogue—he curses his father!</p> + +<p class="right">[<span class="smcap">Rafael</span> <i>meanwhile looks upon the body of</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Second Man.</span></p> + +<p>Shall he do all this—this—in our teeth? [<i>Hisses from the crowd.</i>] +Hide your face! Hide your face!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Advances on</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span></p> + +<p>Stand away from her! [<i>Throws him down, turns to his father.</i>] O God, if +I had not concealed your knavery from her, your holiest oath would not +have moved her! And now must you live on, while she lies thus?</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>To the crowd.</i>] She poisoned my son; she took away his religion—she +killed my son's love for his father! She deserves it—she deserves it!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Rosa, my Rosa, you shall not die! Life, life, freedom—the blue sweet +sky, we two together singing in the sun—not the dead soul sighing +through the trees—not the whisper of night—the sorrowful shade that +passes in the mist! No, no, you must feel my breath upon your cheek, you +must feel my arms, you must live, live! [<span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>stirs</i>.] Live! She +breathes—she breathes! Air—distance—distance, I say! Rosa, it is I, +Rafael! You are safe! Not all the fiends in God's grey world shall +thrust an arm between us. Rosa! Rosa!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>Raising her head a little.</i>] Rafael, forgive me——</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span></p> + +<p>Rafael—Rafael—she means me. Forgive <i>me</i>—for God's sake—[<i>on his +knees to</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>, <i>who turns his back</i>]—Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Second Man.</span></p> + +<p>Shame! shame! He hates his father!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">The Crowd.</span></p> + +<p>Shame! shame! Punish him!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>The crowd closes in on</i> <span class="smcap">Rafael</span>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rosa.</span></p> + +<p>[<i>In fear.</i>] Rafael!</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Rafael.</span></p> + +<p>Are you no better than a mob of Christians? Stand back! [<i>Pushes the +crowd back violently.</i>] Rosa, Rosa—away—out of the Ghetto—into the +air! Rosa!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>The crowd starts to close in again; he takes</i> <span class="smcap">Rosa</span> <i>in his arms and +rushes across the bridge. The crowd follows, walking rapidly</i>. <span class="smcap">Sachel</span> +<i>is left solitary</i>.</p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Sachel.</span></p> + +<p>Rafael! Raf——</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>He falls.</i></p> + +<p class="center"><i>Enter</i> <span class="smcap">A Watchman</span>.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Watchman.</span></p> + +<p>Eleven o'clock, and all's—[<i>Stops and looks at</i> <span class="smcap">Sachel</span>, <i>who stirs and +sobs</i>.] Eleven o'clock!</p> + +<p class="right">[<i>Exit</i> <span class="smcap">Watchman</span>, <i>thoughtfully</i>.</p> + +<p>Eleven o'clock!</p> +<p> </p> + +<p class="center">THE END.</p> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center">Printed by <span class="smcap">Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.</span></p> + +<p class="center">London & Edinburgh</p> + +<p> </p> +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge"><span class="smcap">Transcriber's Note:</span></span></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in spelling and hyphenation have been retained from the original.</p> + +<p>Obvious typographical errors have been corrected as follows:<br/> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 28: <i>ust</i> changed to <i>just</i></span><br/> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 30: <i>manag</i> changed to <i>manage</i></span><br/> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 120: <i>sustain</i> changed to <i>sustained</i></span><br/> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 134: <i>want's</i> changed to <i>wants</i></span></p> + +<p>Errors in punctuation have been corrected without note.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHETTO***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 36307-h.txt or 36307-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/6/3/0/36307">http://www.gutenberg.org/3/6/3/0/36307</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution.</p> + + + +<pre> +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license">http://www.gutenberg.org/license)</a>. + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS,' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://www.gutenberg.org/about/contact + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/pglaf + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://www.gutenberg.org/fundraising/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Each eBook is in a subdirectory of the same number as the eBook's +eBook number, often in several formats including plain vanilla ASCII, +compressed (zipped), HTML and others. + +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks replace the old file and take over +the old filename and etext number. The replaced older file is renamed. +VERSIONS based on separate sources are treated as new eBooks receiving +new filenames and etext numbers. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org">http://www.gutenberg.org</a> + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + +EBooks posted prior to November 2003, with eBook numbers BELOW #10000, +are filed in directories based on their release date. If you want to +download any of these eBooks directly, rather than using the regular +search system you may utilize the following addresses and just +download by the etext year. + +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/etext06/</a> + + (Or /etext 05, 04, 03, 02, 01, 00, 99, + 98, 97, 96, 95, 94, 93, 92, 92, 91 or 90) + +EBooks posted since November 2003, with etext numbers OVER #10000, are +filed in a different way. The year of a release date is no longer part +of the directory path. The path is based on the etext number (which is +identical to the filename). The path to the file is made up of single +digits corresponding to all but the last digit in the filename. For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> |