diff options
Diffstat (limited to '8606-0.txt')
| -rw-r--r-- | 8606-0.txt | 5946 |
1 files changed, 5946 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/8606-0.txt b/8606-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..87ba77b --- /dev/null +++ b/8606-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5946 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 8606 *** + + + + +THE BLUE BIRD + + +_A Fairy Play in Six Acts_ + + +By Maurice Maeterlinck + +_Translated By_ Alexander Teixeira De Mattos + + + + + +CHARACTERS + + TYLTYL + MYTYL + LIGHT + THE FAIRY BÉRYLUNE + NEIGHBOUR BERLINGOT + DADDY TYL + MUMMY TYL + GAFFER TYL (Dead) + GRANNY TYL (Dead) + TYLTYL'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS (Dead) + TIME + NIGHT + NEIGHBOUR BERLINGOT'S LITTLE DAUGHTER + TYLÔ, THE DOG + TYLETTE, THE CAT + BREAD + SUGAR + FIRE + WATER + MILK + THE WOLF + THE PIG + THE OX + THE COW + THE BULL + THE SHEEP + THE COCK + THE RABBIT + THE HORSE + THE ASS + THE OAK + THE ELM + THE BEECH + THE LIME-TREE + THE FIR-TREE + THE CYPRESS + THE BIRCH + THE CHESTNUT-TREE + THE IVY + THE POPLAR + THE WILLOW + STARS, SICKNESSES, SHADES, LUXURIES, HAPPINESSES, JOYS, ETC. + + + + +TRANSLATOR'S NOTE + +A new act appears for the first time in this edition and is inserted as +Act IV--_Palace of Happiness_. It has been specially written for the +Christmas revival of _The Blue Bird_ at the Haymarket Theatre, where +it will take the place of the Forest Scene (Act III., Scene 2). In the +printed version, however, the Forest Scene is retained; and in this and all +later editions the play will consist of six acts instead of five. + +ALEXANDER TEIXEIRA DE MATTOS. +CHELSEA, 14 _November_, 1910. + + + + +COSTUMES + + +TYLTYL wears the dress of Hop o' my Thumb in Perrault's Tales. Scarlet +knickerbockers, pale-blue jacket, white stockings, tan shoes. + +MYTYL is dressed like Gretel or Little Red Riding-hood. + +LIGHT.--The "moon-coloured" dress in Perrault's _Peau d'âne;_ that is +to say, pale gold shot with silver, shimmering gauzes, forming a sort of +rays, etc. Neo-Grecian or Anglo-Grecian (_à la_ Walter Crane) or even +more or less Empire style: a high waist, bare arms, etc. Head-dress: a sort +of diadem or even a light crown. + +THE FAIRY BÉRYLUNE and NEIGHBOUR BERLINGOT.--The traditional dress of the +poor women in fairy-tales. If desired, the transformation of the Fairy into +a princess in Act I may be omitted. + +DADDY TYL, MUMMY TYL, GAFFER TYL and GRANNY TYL.--The traditional costume +of the German wood-cutters and peasants in Grimm's Tales. + +TYLTYL'S BROTHERS AND SISTERS.--Different forms of the Hop-o'-my-Thumb +costume. + +TIME.--Traditional dress of Time: a wide black or dark-blue cloak, a +streaming white beard, scythe and hour-glass. + +NIGHT.--Ample black garments, covered with mysterious stars and "shot" with +reddish-brown reflections. Veils, dark poppies, etc. + +THE NEIGHBOUR'S LITTLE GIRL.--Bright fair hair; a long white frock. + +THE DOG,--Red dress-coat, white breeches, top-boots, a shiny hat. The +costume suggests that of John Bull. + +THE CAT.--The costume of Puss In Boots: powdered wig, three-cornered hat, +violet or sky-blue coat, dress-sword, etc. + +N.B.--The heads of the DOG and the CAT should be only discreetly +animalised. + +THE LUXURIES.--Before the transformation: wide, heavy mantles in red +and yellow brocade; enormous fat jewels, etc. After the transformation: +chocolate or coffee-coloured tights, giving the impression of unadorned +dancing-jacks. + +THE HAPPINESSES OF THE HOME.--Dresses of various colours, or, if preferred, +costumes of peasants, shepherds, wood-cutters and so on, but idealised and +interpreted fairy-fashion. + +THE GREAT JOYS.--As stated in the text, shimmering dresses in soft and +subtle shades: rose-awakening, water's-smile, amber-dew, blue-of-dawn, etc. + +MATERNAL LOVE.--Dress very similar to the dress worn by Light, that is to +say, supple and almost transparent veils, as of a Greek statue, and, in so +far as possible, white. Pearls and other stones as rich and numerous as may +be desired, provided that they do not break the pure and candid harmony of +the whole. + +BREAD.--A rich pasha's dress. An ample crimson silk or velvet gown. A huge +turban. A scimitar. An enormous stomach, red and puffed-out cheeks. + +SUGAR.--A silk gown, cut like that of a eunuch in a seraglio, half blue +and half white, to suggest the paper wrapper of a sugar-loaf. Eunuch's +headdress. + +FIRE.--Red tights, a vermilion cloak, with changing reflections, lined with +gold. An aigrette of iridescent flames. + +WATER.--A pale-blue or bluish-green dress, with transparent reflections and +effects of rippling or trickling gauze, Neo-Grecian or Anglo-Grecian style. +but fuller and more voluminous than that of LIGHT. Head-dress of aquatic +flowers and seaweed. + +THE ANIMALS.--Popular or peasant costumes. + +THE TREES.--Dresses of different shades of green or the colour of the +trunks of trees. Distinctive attributes in the shape of leaves or branches +by which they can be recognised. + + + + +SCENES + + ACT I.--The Wood-cutter's Cottage. + + ACT II., Scene 1--At the Fairy's. + + Scene 2--The Land of Memory. + + ACT III., Scene 1--The Palace of Night. + + Scene 2--The Forest. + + ACT IV., Scene 1--Before the Curtain. + + Scene 2--The Palace of Happiness. + + ACT V., Scene 1--Before the Curtain. + + Scene 2--The Graveyard. + + Scene 3--The Kingdom of the Future. + + ACT VI., Scene 1--The Leave-taking. + + Scene 2--The Awakening. + + + + +THE BLUE BIRD + + + + +ACT I. _The Wood-cutter's Cottage_ + +_The stage represents the interior of a wood-cutter's cottage, simple and +rustic in appearance, but in no way poverty-stricken. A recessed fireplace +containing the dying embers of a wood-fire. Kitchen utensils, a cupboard, a +bread-pan, a grandfather's clock, a spinning-wheel, a water-tap, etc. On a +table, a lighted lamp. At the foot of the cupboard, on either side, a_ +DOG _and a_ CAT _lie sleeping, rolled up, each with his nose in his +tail. Between them stands a large blue-and-white sugar-loaf. On the wall +hangs a round cage containing a turtle-dove. At the back, two windows, with +closed inside shutters. Under one of the windows, a stool. On the left +is the front door, with a big latch to it. On the right, another door. A +ladder leads up to a loft. On the right also are two little children's +cots, at the head of which are two chains, with clothes carefully folded +on them. When the curtain rises_, TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL _are sound +asleep in their cots_, MUMMY TYL _tucks them in, leans over them, +watches them for a moment as they sleep and beckons to_ DADDY TYL, +_who thrusts his head through the half-open door_. MUMMY TYL _lays +a finger on her lips, to impose silence upon him, and then goes out to the +right, on tiptoe, after first putting out the lamp. The scene remains in +darkness for a moment. Then a light, gradually increasing in intensity, +filters in through the shutters. The lamp on the table lights again of +itself, but its light is of a different colour than when_ MUMMY TYL +_extinguished it. The two_ CHILDREN _appear to wake and sit up in +bed_. + +TYLTYL +Mytyl? + +MYTYL +Tyltyl? + +TYLTYL +Are you asleep? + +MYTYL +Are you?... + +TYLTYL +No; how can I be asleep when I'm talking to you? + +MYTYL +Say, is this Christmas Day?... + +TYLTYL +Not yet; not till to-morrow. But Father Christmas won't bring us anything +this year.... + +MYTYL +Why not? + +TYLTYL +I heard mummy say that she couldn't go to town to tell him ... But he will +come next year.... + +MYTYL +Is next year far off?... + +TYLTYL +A good long while.... But he will come to the rich children to-night.... + +MYTYL +Really?... + +TYLTYL +Hullo!... Mummy's forgotten to put out the lamp!... I've an idea!... + +MYTYL +What?... + +TYLTYL +Let's get up.... + +MYTYL +But we mustn't.... + +TYLTYL +Why, there's no one about.... Do you see the shutters?... + +MYTYL +Oh, how bright they are!... + +TYLTYL +It's the lights of the party. + +MYTYL +What party?... + +TYLTYL +The rich children opposite. It's the Christmas-tree. Let's open the +shutters.... + +MYTYL +Can we?... + +TYLTYL +Of course; there's no one to stop us.... Do you hear the music?... Let us +get up.... + +(_The two_ CHILDREN _get up, run to one of the windows, climb on +to the stool and throw back the shutters. A bright light fills the room. +The_ CHILDREN _look out greedily_.) + +TYLTYL +We can see everything!... + +MYTYL (_who can hardly find room on the stool_) +I can't.... + +TYLTYL +It's snowing!... There's two carriages, with six horses each!... + +MYTYL +There are twelve little boys getting out!... + +TYLTYL +How silly you are!... They're little girls.... + +MYTYL +They've got knickerbockers.... + +TYLTYL +What do you know?... Don't push so!... + +MYTYL +I never touched you. + +TYLTYL (_who is taking up the whole stool_) +You're taking up all the room... + +MYTYL +Why, I have no room at all!... + +TYLTYL +Do be quiet! I see the tree!... + +MYTYL +What tree?... + +TYLTYL +Why, the Christmas-tree!... You're looking at the wall!... + +MYTYL +I'm looking at the wall because I've got no room.... + +TYLTYL (_giving her a miserly little place on the stool_) +There!... Will that do?... Now you're better off than I!... I say, what +lots and lots of lights!... + +MYTYL +What are those people doing who are making such a noise?... + +TYLTYL +They're the musicians. + +MYTYL +Are they angry?... + +TYLTYL +No; but it's hard work. + +MYTYL +Another carriage with white horses!... + +TYLTYL +Be quiet!... And look!... + +MYTYL +What are those gold things there, hanging from the branches? + +TYLTYL +Why, toys, to be sure!... Swords, guns, soldiers, cannons.... + +MYTYL +And dolls; say, are there any dolls?... + +TYLTYL +Dolls?... That's too silly; there's no fun in dolls.... + +MYTYL +And what's that all round the table?.... + +TYLTYL +Cakes and fruit and tarts.... + +MYTYL +I had some once when I was little.... + +TYLTYL +So did I; it's nicer than bread, but they don't give you enough.... + +MYTYL +They've got plenty over there.... The whole table's full.... Are they going +to eat them?... + +TYLTYL +Of course; what else would they do with them?... + +MYTYL +Why don't they eat them at once?... + +TYLTYL +Because they're not hungry.... + +MYTYL (_stupefied with astonishment_) +Not hungry?... Why not?... + +TYLTYL +Well, they eat whenever they want to.... + +MYTYL (_incredulously_) +Every day?... + +TYLTYL +They say so.... + +MYTYL +Will they eat them all?... Will they give any away?... + +TYLTYL +To whom?... + +MYTYL +To us.... + +TYLTYL +They don't know us.... + +MYTYL +Suppose we asked them.... + +TYLTYL +We mustn't. + +MYTYL +Why not?... + +TYLTYL +Because it's not right. + +MYTYL (_clapping her hands_) +Oh, how pretty they are!... + +TYLTYL (_rapturously_) +And how they're laughing and laughing!... + +MYTYL +And the little ones dancing!... + +TYLTYL +Yes, yes; let's dance too!... (_They stamp their feet for joy on the +stool_.) + +MYTYL +Oh, what fun!... + +TYLTYL +They're getting the cakes!... They can touch them!... They're eating, +they're eating, they're eating!... + +MYTYL +The tiny ones, too!... They've got two, three, four apiece!... + +TYLTYL (_drunk with delight_) +Oh, how lovely!... Oh, how lovely, how lovely!... + +MYTYL (_counting imaginary cakes_) +I've got twelve!... + +TYLTYL +And I four times twelve!... But I'll give you some.... + +(_A knock at the door of the cottage_.) + +TYLTYL (_suddenly quieted and frightened_) +What's that?... + +MYTYL (_scared_) +It's Daddy!... + +(_As they hesitate before opening the door, the big latch is seen to rise +of itself, with a grating noise; the door half opens to admit a little old +woman dressed in green with a red hood on her head. She is humpbacked and +lame and near-sighted; her nose and chin meet; and she walks bent on a +stick. She is obviously a fairy_.) + +THE FAIRY +Have you the grass here that sings or the bird that is blue?... + +TYLTYL +We have some grass, but it can't sing.... + +MYTYL +Tyltyl has a bird. + +TYLTYL +But I can't give it away.... + +THE FAIRY +Why not?... + +TYLTYL +Because it's mine. + +THE FAIRY +That's a reason, no doubt. Where is the bird?... + +TYLTYL (_pointing to the cage_) +In the cage.... + +THE FAIRY (_putting on her glasses to examine the bird_) +I don't want it; it's not blue enough. You will have to go and find me the +one I want. + +TYLTYL +But I don't know where it is.... + +THE FAIRY +No more do I. That's why you must look for it. I can do without the grass +that sings, at a pinch; but I must absolutely have the blue bird. It's for +my little girl, who is very ill. + +TYLTYL +What's the matter with her?... + +THE FAIRY +We don't quite know; she wants to be happy.... + +TYLTYL +Really?... + +THE FAIRY +Do you know who I am?... + +TYLTYL +You're rather like our neighbour, Madame Berlingot.... + +THE FAIRY (_growing suddenly angry_) +Not a bit!... There's not the least likeness!... This is intolerable!... I +am the Fairy Bérylune.... + +TYLTYL +Oh! Very well.... + +THE FAIRY +You will have to start at once. + +TYLTYL +Are you coming with us? + +THE FAIRY +I can't, because I put on the soup this morning and it always boils over +if I leave it for more than an hour.... (_Pointing successively to the +ceiling, the chimney and the window_) Will you go out this way, or that +way, or that way?... + +TYLTYL (_pointing timidly to the door_) +I would rather go out that way.... + +THE FAIRY (_growing suddenly angry again_) +That's quite impossible; and it's a shocking habit!... (_Pointing to the +window_) We'll go out this way.... Well?... What are you waiting for?... +Get dressed at once.... (_The_ CHILDREN _do as they are told and +dress quickly_.) I'll help Mytyl.... + +TYLTYL +We have no shoes.... + +THE FAIRY +That doesn't matter. I will give you a little magic hat. Where are your +father and mother?.... + +TYLTYL (_pointing to the door on the right_) +They're asleep in there.... + +THE FAIRY +And your grandpapa and grandmamma?... + +TYLTYL +They're dead.... + +THE FAIRY +And your little brothers and sisters.... Have you any?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, yes; three little brothers.... + +MYTYL +And four little sisters.... + +THE FAIRY +Where are they?... + +TYLTYL +They are dead, too.... + +THE FAIRY +Would you like to see them again?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, yes!... At once!... Show them to us!... + +THE FAIRY +I haven't got them in my pocket.... But this is very lucky; you will see +them when you go through the Land of Memory.... It's on the way to the Blue +Bird, just on the left, past the third turning.... What were you doing when +I knocked?... + +TYLTYL +We were playing at eating cakes?... + +THE FAIRY +Have you any cakes?... Where are they?... + +TYLTYL +In the house of the rich children.... Come and look, it's so lovely. (_He +drags the_ FAIRY _to the window_.) + +THE FAIRY (_at the window_) +But it's the others who are eating them!... + +TYLTYL +Yes; but we can see them eat.... + +THE FAIRY +Aren't you cross with them?... + +TYLTYL +What for?... + +THE FAIRY +For eating all the cakes.... I think it's very wrong of them not to give +you some.... + +TYLTYL +Not at all; they're rich.... I say, isn't it beautiful over there?... + +THE FAIRY +It's no more beautiful there than here. + +TYLTYL +Ugh!... It's darker here and smaller and there are no cakes.... + +THE FAIRY +It's exactly the same, only you can't see.... + +TYLTYL +Yes, I can; and I have very good eyes. I can see the time on the church +clock and daddy can't... + +THE FAIRY (_suddenly angry_) +I tell you that you can't see!... How do you see me?... What do I look +like?... (_An awkward silence from_ TYLTYL.) Well, answer me, will +you? I want to know if you can see!... Am I pretty or ugly?... (_The +silence grows more and more uncomfortable_.) Won't you answer?... Am I +young or old?... Are my cheeks pink or yellow?... Perhaps you'll say I have +a hump?... + +TYLTYL (_in a conciliatory tone_) +No, no; It's not a big one.... + +THE FAIRY +Oh, yes, to look at you, any one would think it enormous.... Have I a hook +nose and have I lost one of my eyes?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, no, I don't say that.... Who put it out?... + +THE FAIRY (_growing more and more irritated_). +But it's not out!... You wretched, impudent boy!... It's much finer than +the other; it's bigger and brighter and blue as the sky.... And my hair, +do you see that?... It's fair as the corn in the fields, it's like virgin +gold!... And I've such heaps and heaps of it that it weighs my head +down.... It escapes on every side.... Do you see it on my hands? (_She +holds out two lean wisps of grey hair_.) + +TYLTYL +Yes, I see a little.... + +THE FAIRY (_indignantly_) +A little!... Sheaves! Armfuls! Clusters! Waves of gold!... I know there are +people who say that they don't see any; but you're not one of those wicked, +blind people, I should hope?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, no; I can see all that isn't hidden.... + +THE FAIRY +But you ought to see the rest with as little doubt!... Human beings are +very odd!... Since the death of the fairies, they see nothing at all and +they never suspect it.... Luckily, I always carry with me all that is +wanted to give new light to dimmed eyes.... What am I taking out of my +bag?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, what a dear little green hat!... What's that shining in the cockade?... + +THE FAIRY +That's the big diamond that makes people see.... + +TYLTYL +Really?... + +THE FAIRY +Yes; when you've got the hat on your head, you turn the diamond a little; +from right to left, for instance, like this; do you see?... Then it presses +a bump which nobody knows of and which opens your eyes.... + +TYLTYL +Doesn't it hurt?... + +THE FAIRY +On the contrary, it's enchanted.... You at once see even the inside of +things: the soul of bread, of wine, of pepper, for instance.... + +MYTYL +Can you see the soul of sugar, too?... + +THE FAIRY (_suddenly cross_) +Of course you can!... I hate unnecessary questions.... The soul of sugar +is no more interesting than the soul of pepper.... There, I give you all I +have to help you in your search for the Blue Bird. I know that the flying +carpet or the ring which makes its wearer invisible would be more useful to +you.... But I have lost the key of the cupboard in which I locked them.... +Oh, I was almost forgetting!... (_Pointing to the diamond_) When you +hold it like this, do you see?... One little turn more and you behold the +past.... Another little turn and you behold the future.... It's curious and +practical and it's quite noiseless.... + +TYLTYL +Daddy will take it from me.... + +THE FAIRY +He won't see it; no one can see it as long as it's on your head.... +Will you try it?... (_She puts the little green hat on_ TYLTYL'S +_head_.) Now, turn the diamond.... One turn and then.... + +(TYLTYL _has no sooner turned the diamond than a sudden and wonderful +change comes over everything. The old_ FAIRY _alters then and there +into a princess of marvellous beauty; the flints of which the cottage walls +are built light up, turn blue as sapphires, become transparent and gleam +and sparkle like the most precious stones. The humble furniture takes life +and becomes resplendent; the deal table assumes as grave and noble an air +as a table made of marble; the face of the clock winks its eye and smiles +genially, while the door that contains the pendulum opens and releases the +Hours, which, holding one another by the hand and laughing merrily, begin +to dance to the sound of delicious music_.) + +TYLTYL (_displaying a legitimate bewilderment and pointing to the Hours_) +Who are all those pretty ladies?... + +THE FAIRY +Don't be afraid; they are the hours of your life and they are glad to be +free and visible for a moment.... + +TYLTYL +And why are the walls so bright?... Are they made of sugar or of precious +stones?... + +THE FAIRY +All stones are alike, all stones are precious; but man sees only a few of +them.... + +(_While they are speaking, the scene of enchantment continues and is +completed. The souls of the Quartern-loaves, in the form of little men in +crust-coloured tights, flurried and all powdered with flour, scramble out +of the bread-pan and frisk round the table, where they are caught up by_ +FIRE, _who, springing from the hearth in yellow and vermilion tights, +writhes with laughter as he chases the loaves_.) + +TYLTYL +Who are those ugly little men?... + +THE FAIRY +Oh, they're nothing; they are merely the souls of the Quartern-loaves, who +are taking advantage of the reign of truth to leave the pan in which they +were too tightly packed.... + +TYLTYL +And the big red fellow, with the nasty smell?... + +THE FAIRY +Hush!... Don't speak too loud; that's Fire.... He's dangerous. (_This +dialogue does not interrupt the enchantment. The_ DOG _and the_ +CAT, _lying rolled up at the foot of the cupboard, utter a loud and +simultaneous cry and disappear down a trap; and in their places rise two +persons, one of whom has the face of a bull-dog, the other that of a +tom-cat. Forthwith, the little man with the bull-dog face, whom we will +henceforward call the_ DOG, _rushes upon_ TYLTYL, _kisses him +violently and overwhelms him with noisy and impetuous caresses; while the +little man with the face of a tom-cat, whom we will simply call the_ +CAT, _combs his hair, washes his hands and strokes his whiskers before +going up to_ MYTYL.) + +THE DOG (_yelling, jumping about, knocking up against everything, +unbearable_) +My little god!... Good-morning, good-morning, my dear little god!... At +last, at last we can talk!... I had so much to tell you!... Bark and wag +my tail as I might, you never understood!... But now!... Good-morning, +good-morning!... I love you!... Shall I do some of my tricks?... Shall +I beg?... Would you like to see me walk on my front paws or dance on my +hind-legs?... + +TYLTYL (_to the_ FAIRY) +Who is this gentleman with the dog's head?.... + +THE FAIRY +Don't you see? It's the soul of TYLÔ whom you have set free.... + +THE CAT (_going up to_ MYTYL _and putting out his hand to her, with +much ceremony and circumspection_) +Good-morning, Miss.... How well you look this morning!... + +MYTYL +Good-morning, sir.... (_To the_ FAIRY) Who is it?... + +THE FAIRY +Why, don't you see? Its the soul of Tylette offering you his hand.... Kiss +him.... + +THE DOG (_hustling the_ CAT) +Me, too!... I've kissed the little god!... I've kissed the little girl!... +I've kissed everybody!... Oh, grand!... What fun we shall have!... I'm +going to frighten Tylette I Bow, wow, wow!... + +THE CAT +Sir, I don't know you.... + +THE FAIRY (_threatening the_ DOG _with her stick_) +Keep still, will you, or else you'll go back into silence until the end of +time.... + +(_Meanwhile, the enchantment has pursued its course: the spinning-wheel +has begun to turn madly in its corner and to spin brilliant rays of light; +the tap, in another corner, begins to sing in a very high voice and, +turning into a luminous fountain, floods the sink with sheets of pearls and +emeralds, through which darts the soul of_ WATER, _like a young +girl, streaming, dishevelled and tearful, who immediately begins to fight +with_ FIRE.) + +TYLTYL +And who is that wet lady?... + +THE FAIRY +Don't be afraid. It's Water just come from the tap.... + +(_The milk-jug upsets, falls from the table and smashes on the floor; and +from the spilt milk there rises a tall, white, bashful figure who seems to +be afraid of everything_.) + +TYLTYL +And the frightened lady in her nightgown?... + +THE FAIRY +That's Milk; she has broken her jug.... + +(_The sugar-loaf, at the foot of the cupboard, grows taller and wider and +splits its paper wrapper, whence issues a mawkish and hypocritical being, +dressed in a long coat half blue and half white, who goes up to_ MYTYL +_with a sanctimonious smile_.) + +MYTYL (_greatly alarmed_) +What does he want?... + +THE FAIRY +Why, he is the soul of Sugar!... + +MYTYL (_reassured_) +Has he any barley-sugar?... + +THE FAIRY +His pockets are full of it and each of his fingers is a sugar-stick.... + +(_The lamp falls from the table and, at the same moment, its flame +springs up again and turns into a luminous maid of incomparable beauty. She +is dressed in long transparent and dazzling veils and stands motionless in +a sort of ecstasy_.) + +TYLTYL +It's the Queen!... + +MYTYL +It's the Blessed Virgin!... + +THE FAIRY +No, my children; it's Light.... + +(_Meanwhile, the saucepans on the shelves spin round like tops; the +linen-press throws open its folding-doors and unrolls a magnificent display +of moon-coloured and sun-coloured stuffs, with which mingles a no less +splendid array of rags and tatters that come down the ladder from the loft. +But, suddenly, three loud knocks are heard on the door at the right_.) + +TYLTYL (_alarmed_) +That's daddy!... He's heard us!... + +THE FAIRY +Turn the diamond!... From left to right!... + +(TYLTYL _turns the diamond quickly_.) +Not so quick!... Heavens! It's too late!... You turned it too briskly; +they will not have time to resume their places and we shall have a lot of +annoyance.... + +(_The FAIRY becomes an old woman again, the walls of the cottage lose +their splendour. The Hours go back into the clock, the spinning-wheel +stops, etc. But, in the general hurry and confusion, while_ FIRE _runs +madly round the room, looking for the chimney, one of the loaves of bread, +who has been unable to squeeze into the pan, bursts into sobs and utters +roars of fright_.) + +THE FAIRY +What's the matter?... + +BREAD (_in tears_) +There's no room in the pan!... + +THE FAIRY (_stooping over the pan_) +Yes, there is; yes, there is.... (_Pushing the other loaves, which have +resumed their original places_.) Come, quick, make room there.... + +(_The knocking at the door is renewed_.) + +BREAD (_utterly scared, vainly struggling to enter the pan_) +I can't get in!... He'll eat me first!... + +THE DOG (_frisking round_ TYLTYL) +My little god!... I am still here!... I can still talk!... I can still kiss +you!... Once more! Once more! Once more!... + +THE FAIRY +What, you too?... Are you there still?... + +THE DOG +What luck!... I was too late to return to silence; the trap closed too +quickly.... + +THE CAT +So did mine.... What is going to happen?... Is there any danger?... + +THE FAIRY +Well, I'm bound to tell you the truth: all those who accompany the two +children will die at the end of the journey.... + +THE CAT (_to the_ DOG) +Come, let us get back into the trap.... + +THE DOG +No, no!... I won't!... I want to go with the little god!... I want to talk +to him all the time!... + +THE CAT +Idiot!... + +(_More knocking at the door_) + +BREAD (_shedding bitter tears_) +I don't want to die at the end of the journey!... I want to get back at +once into my pan!... + +FIRE (_who has done nothing but run madly round the room, hissing with +anguish_) +I can't find my chimney!... + +WATER (_vainly trying to get into the tap_) +I can't get into the tap!... + +SUGAR (_hovering round his paper wrapper_) +I've burst my packing-paper!... + +MILK (_lymphatically and bashfully_) +Somebody's broken my little jug!... + +THE FAIRY +Goodness me, what fools they are!... Fools and cowards too!... So you +would rather go on living in your ugly boxes, in your traps and taps, than +accompany the children in search of the bird?... + +ALL (_excepting the_ DOG _and_ LIGHT) +Yes, yes! Now, at once!... My tap!... My pan!... My chimney!... My trap!... + +THE FAIRY (_to_ LIGHT, _who is dreamily gazing at the wreckage of her +lamp_) +And you, Light, what do you say? + +LIGHT +I will go with the children.... + +THE DOG (_yelling with delight_) +I too!... I too!... + +THE FAIRY +That's right.... Besides, it's too late to go back; you have no choice now, +you must all start with us.... But you, Fire, don't come near anybody; you, +Dog, don't tease the Cat; and you, Water, hold yourself up and try not to +run all over the place.... + +(_A violent knocking is again heard at the door on the right_.) + +TYLTYL (_listening_) +There's daddy again!... He's getting up this time; I can hear him +walking.... + +THE FAIRY +Let us go out by the window.... You shall all come to my house, where I +will dress the Animals and the Things properly.... (_To_ BREAD) You, +Bread, take the cage in which to put the Blue Bird.... It will be in your +charge.... Quick, quick, let us waste no time.... + +(_The window suddenly lengthens downwards, like a door. They all go +out; after which the window resumes its primitive shape and closes quite +innocently. The room has become dark again and the two cots are steeped in +shadow. The door on the right opens ajar and in the aperture appear the +heads of_ DADDY _and_ MUMMY TYL.) + +DADDY TYL +It was nothing.... It's the cricket chirping.... + +MUMMY TYL +Can you see them?... + +DADDY TYL +I can.... They are sleeping quite quietly.... + +MUMMY TYL +I can hear their breathing.... + +(_The door closes again_) + + +CURTAIN + + + + +ACT II. + + + + +SCENE I.--_At the_ FAIRY'S. + + +_A magnificent entrance-hall in the palace of the_ FAIRY BÉRYLUNE. +_Columns of gleaming marble with gold and silver capitals, staircases, +porticoes, balustrades, etc_. + +_Enter from the back, on the right, sumptuously clad, the_ CAT, SUGAR +_and_ FIRE. _They come from a room which emits rays of light; it is +the_ FAIRY'S _wardrobe. The_ CAT _has donned the classic +costume of Puss-in-boots_; SUGAR, _a silk dress, half white and half +pale-blue; and_ FIRE _wears a number of many-coloured aigrettes and a +long vermilion mantle lined with gold. They cross the whole length of the +hall to the front of the stage, where the_ CAT _draws them up under a +portico on the right_. + +THE CAT +This way, I know every inch of this palace. It was left to the Fairy +Bérylune by Bluebeard.... Let us make the most of our last minute of +liberty, while the children and Light pay their visit to the Fairy's little +daughter.... I have brought you here in order to discuss the position in +which we are placed.... Are we all here?... + +SUGAR +I see the Dog coming out of the Fairy's wardrobe.... + +FIRE +What on earth has he got on?... + +THE CAT +He has put on the livery of one of the footmen of Cinderella's coach.... It +was just the thing for him.... He has the soul of a flunkey.... But let us +hide behind the balustrade.... It's strange how I mistrust him.... He had +better not hear what I have to say to you.... + +SUGAR +It is too late.... He has discovered us.... Look, here is Water also coming +out of the wardrobe.... Goodness me, how fine she is!... + +(_The_ DOG _and_ WATER _join the first group_.) + +THE DOG (_frisking about_) +There! There!... Aren't we fine I.... Just look at these laces and this +embroidery!... It's real gold and no mistake!... + +THE CAT (_to_ WATER) +Is that Catskin's "colour-of-time" dress?... I seem to recognise it.... + +WATER +Yes, it's the one that suited me best.... + +FIRE (_between his teeth_) +She's not brought her umbrella.... + +WATER +What's that?... + +FIRE +Nothing, nothing.... + +WATER +I thought you might be speaking of a great red I saw the other day.... + +THE CAT +Come, don't let as quarrel; we have more important things to do.... We are +only waiting for Bread; where is he? + +THE DOG +He was making an endless fuss about choosing his dress.... + +FIRE +Worth while, isn't it, for a fellow who looks a fool and carries an +enormous stomach?... + +THE DOG +At last, he decided in favour of a Turkish robe, adorned with gems, a +scimitar and a turban.... + +THE CAT +There he is!... He has put on Bluebeard's finest dress... + +_Enter_ BREAD, _in the costume described above. The silk robe is +crossed tightly over his huge stomach. In one hand he holds the hilt of a +scimitar passed through his sash and in the other the cage intended for the +Blue Bird_. + +BREAD (_waddling conceitedly_) +Well?... What do you think of this? + +THE DOG (_frisking round the_ LOAF) +How nice he looks! What a fool he looks! How nice he looks! How nice he +looks!... + +THE CAT (_to the_ LOAF) +Are the children dressed?... + +BREAD +Yes, Master Tyltyl has put on Hop-o'-my-Thumb's blue jacket and red +breeches; and Miss Mytyl has Gretel's frock and Cinderella's slippers.... +But the great thing was the dressing of Light!... + +THE CAT +Why?... + +BREAD +The Fairy thought her so lovely that she did not want to dress her at +all!... Thereupon I protested in the name of our dignity as essential and +eminently respectable elements; and I ended by declaring that, under those +conditions, I should refuse to be seen with her.... + +FIRE +They ought to have bought her a lampshade!... + +THE CAT +And what answer did the Fairy make?... + +THE LOAF +She hit me with her stick on my head and stomach.... + +THE CAT +And then?... + +BREAD +I allowed myself to be convinced; but, at the last moment, Light decided on +the moonbeam dress at the bottom of the chest with Catskin's treasures.... + +THE CAT +Come, stop chattering, time presses.... Our future is at stake.... You have +heard--the Fairy has just said so--that the end of this journey will, at +the same time, mark the end of our lives.... It is our business, therefore, +to prolong it as much as possible and by every possible means.... But there +is another thing: we must think of the fate of our race and the destiny of +our children.... + +BREAD +Hear, hear!... The Cat is right!... + +THE CAT +Listen to me!... All of us here present, Animals, Things and Elements, +possess a soul which man does not yet know. That is why we retain a remnant +of independence; but, if he finds the Blue Bird, he will know all, he will +see all and we shall be completely at his mercy.... This is what I have +just learned from my old friend, Night, who is also the guardian of the +mysteries of Life.... It is to our interest, therefore, at all costs to +prevent the finding of that bird, even if we have to go so far as to +endanger the lives of the children themselves.... + +THE DOG (_indignantly_) +What's the fellow saying?... Just say that again, will you, to see if I +heard right?... + +BREAD +Order! Order!... It's not your turn to speak!... I'm in the chair at this +meeting.... + +FIRE +Who made you chairman?... + +WATER (_to_ FIRE) +Hold your tongue!... What are you interfering with?... + +FIRE +I shall interfere where I choose.... And I want none of your remarks.... + +SUGAR (_concilatorily_) +Excuse me.... Do not let us quarrel.... This is a serious moment.... We +must, above all things, decide what measures to adopt.... + +BREAD +I quite agree with Sugar and the Cat.... + +THE DOG +This is ridiculous!... There is Man and that's all!... We have to obey him +and do as he tells us!... That is the one and only fact!... I recognise no +one but him!... Hurrah for Man!... Man for ever!... In life or death, all +for Man!... Man is God!... + +BREAD +I quite agree with the Dog. + +THE CAT (_to the_ DOG) +But at least give your reasons.... + +THE DOG +There are no reasons!... I love Man and that's enough!... If you do +anything against him, I will throttle you first and I will go and tell him +everything.... + +SUGAR (_intervening sweetly_) +Excuse me.... Let us not embitter the discussion.... From a certain point +of view, you are both of you right.... There is something to be said on +both sides.... + +BREAD +I quite agree with SUGAR!... + +THE CAT +Are we not, all of us, Water, Fire you yourselves, Bread and the Dog, the +victims of a nameless tyranny?... Do you remember the time when, before the +coming of the despot, we wandered at liberty upon the face of the earth?... +Fire and Water were the sole masters of the world; and see what they have +come to!... As for us puny descendants of the great wild animals.... +Look out!... Pretend to be doing nothing!... I see the Fairy and Light +coming.... Light has taken sides with Man; she is our worst enemy.... Here +they are.... + +_Enter, on the right, the_ FAIRY, _in the shape of an old woman, +and_ LIGHT, _followed by_ TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL. + +THE FAIRY +Well?... What is it?... What are you doing in that corner?... You look like +conspirators.... It is time to start.... I have decided that Light shall be +your leader.... You will obey her as you would me and I am giving her my +wand.... The children will pay a visit to their late grandparents this +evening.... You will remain behind; that is more discreet.... They will +spend the evening in the bosom of their dead family.... Meanwhile, you will +be getting ready all that is wanted for to-morrow's journey, which will be +a long one.... Come, up, be off and every one to his post!... + +THE CAT (_hypocritically_) +That is just what I was saying to them, madam.... I was encouraging them to +do their duty bravely and conscientiously; unfortunately, the Dog, who kept +on interrupting me.... + +THE DOG +What's that?... Just wait a bit I... + +(_He is about to leap upon the_ CAT, _but_ TYLTYL _foreseeing +his intention, stops with a threatening gesture_.) + +TYLTYL +Down, Tylô!... Take care; and, if ever I catch you again... + +THE DOG +My little god, you don't know, it was he who... + +TYLTYL (_threatening him_) +Be quiet!... + +THE FAIRY +Come, that will do.... Let Bread hand the cage for this evening to +Tyltyl.... It is just possible that the Blue Bird may be hidden In the +Past, at the grandparents'.... In any case, it Is a chance which we must +not neglect.... Well, Bread, the cage? + +BREAD (_solemnly_) +One moment, if you please, Mrs. Fairy.... +(_Like an orator making a speech_) +I call upon all of you to bear witness that this silver cage, which was +entrusted to my care by.... + +THE FAIRY (_interrupting him_) +Enough!... No speeches!... We will go out this way and the children +that.... + +TYLTYL (_rather anxiously_) +Are we to go all alone?... + +MYTYL +I feel hungry!... + +TYLTYL +I, too!... + +THE FAIRY (_to_ BREAD) +Open your Turkish robe and give them a slice of your good stomach.... + +(BREAD _opens his robe, draws his scimitar and cuts two slices out of his +stomach and hands them to the_ CHILDREN.) + + +SUGAR (_approaching the_ CHILDREN) +Allow me at the same time to offer you a few sugar-sticks.... +(_He breaks off the five fingers of his left hand, one by one, and +presents them to the_ CHILDREN.) + +MYTYL +What is he doing?... He is breaking all his fingers!... + +SUGAR (_engagingly_) +Taste them, they are capital... They're made of real barley-sugar.... + +MYTYL (_tasting one of the fingers_) +Oh, how good they are!... Have you many of them?... + +SUGAR (_modestly_) +Yes; as many as I want.... + +MYTYL +Does that hurt you much, when you break them off?... + +SUGAR +Not at all.... On the contrary, it's a great advantage; they grow again at +once and so I always have new, clean fingers.... + +THE FAIRY +Come, children, don't eat too much sugar.... Don't forget that you are to +have supper presently with your grandpapa and grandmamma.... + +TYLTYL +Are they here?... + +THE FAIRY +You shall see them at once.... + +TYLTYL +How can we see them, when they are dead?... + +THE FAIRY +How can they be dead, when they live in your memory?... Men do not know +this secret, because they know so little; whereas you, thanks to the +diamond, are about to see that the dead who are remembered live as happily +as though they were not dead.... + +TYLTYL +Is Light coming with us? + +THE FAIRY +No, it is more proper that this visit should be confined to the family.... +I will wait near here, so as not to appear indiscreet.... They did not +invite me.... + +TYLTYL +Which way are we to go?... + +THE FAIRY +Over there.... You are on the threshold of the Land of Memory.... As soon +as you have turned the diamond, you will see a big tree with a board on it, +which will show you that you are there.... But don't forget that you are +to be back, both of you, by a quarter to nine.... It is extremely +important.... Now mind and be punctual, for all would be lost if you were +late.... Good-bye for the present!... +(_Calling the_ CAT, _the_ DOG, LIGHT, _etc_.) This way.... And the little +ones that way.... + +(_She goes out to the right, with_ LIGHT, _the_ ANIMALS, _etc., while the_ +CHILDREN _go out to the left_.) + + +CURTAIN + + + + +SCENE 2.--_The Land of Memory_. + +_A thick fog, from which stands out, on the right, close to the +footlights, the trunk of a large oak, with a board nailed to it. A vague, +milky, impenetrable light prevails_. TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL _are at +the foot of the oak_. + +TYLTYL +Here Is the tree!... + +MYTYL +There's the board!... + +TYLTYL +I can't read it.... Wait, I will climb up on this root.... That's it.... It +says, "Land of Memory." + +MYTYL +Is this where it begins?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, there's an arrow.... + +MYTYL +Well, where are grandad and granny?... + +TYLTYL +Behind the fog.... We shall see.... + +MYTYL +I can see nothing at all!... I can't see my feet or my hands.... +(_Whimpering_) I'm cold!... I don't want to travel any more.... I want +to go home.... + +TYLTYL +Come, don't keep on crying, just like Water.... You ought to be ashamed of +yourself.... A great big little girl like you.... Look, the fog is lifting +already.... We shall see what's behind it.... + +(_The mist begins to move; It grows thinner and lighter, disperses, +evaporates. Soon, in a more and more transparent light, appears, under a +leafy vault, a cheerful little peasant's cottage, covered with creepers. +The door and windows are open. There are bee-hives under a shed, +flower-pots on the window-sills, a cage with a sleeping blackbird. Beside +the door is a bench, on which an old peasant and his wife_, TYLTYL'S +_grandfather and grandmother, are seated, both sound asleep_.) + +TYLTYL (_suddenly recognising them_) +It's grandad and granny!... + +MYTYL (_clapping her hands_) +Yes! Yes!... So it is! So it is!... + +TYLTYL (_still a little distrustful_) +Take care!... We don't know yet if they can stir.... Let's keep behind the +tree.... + +(GRANNY TYL _opens her eyes, raises her head, stretches herself, gives +a sigh and looks at_ GAFFER TYL, _who also wakes slowly from his +sleep_.) + +GRANNY TYL +I have a notion that our grandchildren who are still alive are coming to +see us today.... + +GAFFER TYL +They are certainly thinking of as, for I feel anyhow and I have pins and +needles in my legs.... + +GRANNY TYL +I think they must be quite near, for I see tears of joy dancing before my +eyes.... + +GAFFER TYL +No, no, they are a long way off.... I still feel weak.... + +GRANNY TYL +I tell you they are here; I am quite strong.... + +TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL (_rushing up from behind the oak_) +Here we are!... Here we are!... Gaffer! Granny!... It's we!... It's we!... + +GAFFER TYL +There!... You see?... What did I tell you?... I was sure they would come +to-day.... + +GRANNY TYL +Tyltyl!... Mytyl!... It's you!... It's she!... (_Trying to run to meet +them_) I can't run!... I've still got the rheumatics!... + +GAFFER TYL (_hobbling along as fast as he can_) +No more can I.... That's because of my wooden leg, which I still wear +instead of the one I broke when I fell off the big oak.... + +(_The_ GRANDPARENTS _and the_ CHILDREN _exchange frantic +embraces_.) + +GRANNY TYL +How tall and strong you've grown, Tyltyl! + +GAFFER TYL (_stroking_ MYTYL'S _hair_) +And Mytyl!... Just look at her.... What pretty hair, what pretty eyes!... + +GRANNY TYL +Come and kiss me again!... Come on to my lap.... + +GAFFER TYL +And what about me?... + +GRANNY TYL +No, no.... Come to me first.... How are Daddy and Mummy Tyl?... + +TYLTYL +Quite well, granny.... They were asleep when we went out.... + +GRANNY TYL (_gazing at them and covering them with caresses_) +Lord, how pretty they are and how nice and clean!... Was it mummy who +washed you?... And there are no holes in your stockings!... I used to darn +them once, you know.... Why don't you come to see us oftener?... It makes +us so happy!... It is months and months now that you've forgotten us and +that we have seen nobody.... + +TYLTYL +We couldn't, granny; and to-day its only because of the Fairy.... + +GRANNY TYL +We are always here, waiting for a visit from those who are alive.... They +come so seldom!... The last time you were here, let me see, when was it?... +It was on All-hallows, when the church-bells were ringing.... + +TYLTYL +All-hallows?... We didn't go out that day, for we both had very bad +colds.... + +GRANNY TYL +No; but you thought of us.... + +TYLTYL +Yes.... + +GRANNY TYL +Well, every time you think of us, we wake up and see you again.... + +TYLTYL +What, is it enough to... + +GRANNY TYL +But come, you know that.... + +TYLTYL +No, I didn't know.... + +GRANNY TYL (_to_ GAFFER TYL) +It's astonishing, up there.... They don't know yet.... Do they never learn +anything?... + +GAFFER TYL +It's as in our own time.... The Living are so stupid when they speak of the +Others.... + +TYLTYL +Do you sleep all the time?... + +GAFFER TYL +Yes, we get plenty of sleep, while waiting for a thought of the Living to +come and wake us.... Ah, it is good to sleep when life is done.... But it +is pleasant also to wake up from time to time.... + +TYLTYL +So you are not really dead?... + +GAFFER TYL +What do you say?... What is he saying?... Now he's using words we don't +understand.... Is it a new word, a new invention?... + +TYLTYL +The word "dead"?... + +GAFFER TYL +Yes, that was the word.... What does it mean?... + +TYLTYL +Why, it means that one's no longer alive.... + +GAFFER TYL +How silly they are, up there!... + +TYLTYL +Is it nice here?... + +GAFFER TYL +Oh, yes; not bad, not bad; and, if one could just have a smoke.... + +TYLTYL +Aren't you allowed to smoke?... + +GAFFER TYL +Yes, it's allowed; but I've broken my pipe.... + +GRANNY TYL +Yes, yes, all would be well, if only you would come and see us oftener.... +Do you remember, Tyltyl?... The last time I baked you a lovely +apple-tart.... You ate such a lot of it that you made yourself ill.... + +TYLTYL +But I haven't eaten any apple-tart since last year.... There were no apples +this year.... + +GRANNY TYL +Don't talk nonsense.... Here, we have them always.... + +TYLTYL +That's different.... + +GRANNY TYL +What? That's different?... Why, nothing's different when we're able to kiss +each other.... + +TYLTYL (_looking first at his_ GRANDMOTHER _and then at his_ GRANDFATHER) +You haven't changed, grandad, not a bit, not a bit.... And granny hasn't +changed a bit either.... But you're better-looking.... + +GAFFER TYL +Well, we feel all right.... We have stopped growing older.... But you, +how tall you're growing!... Yes, you're shooting up finely.... Look, +over there, on the door, is the mark of the last time.... That was on +All-hallows.... Now then, stand up straight.... (TYLTYL _stands up +against the door_.) Four fingers taller!... That's immense!... (MYTYL +_also stands up against the door_.) And Mytyl, four and a half!... +Aha, ill weeds grow apace!... How they've grown, oh, how they've grown!... + +TYLTYL (_looking around him with delight_) +Nothing is changed, everything is in its old place!... Only everything is +prettier!... There is the clock with the big hand which I broke the point +off.... + +GAFFER TYL +And here is the soup-tureen you chipped a corner off.... + +TYLTYL +And here is the hole which I made in the door, the day I found the +gimlet.... + +GAFFER TYL +Yes, you've done some damage in your time!... And here is the plum-tree in +which you were so fond of climbing, when I wasn't looking.... It still has +its fine red plums.... + +TYLTYL +But they are finer than ever!... + +MYTYL +And here is the old blackbird!... Does he still sing?... + +(_The blackbird wakes and begins to sing at the top of his voice_.) + +GRANNY TYL +You see.... As soon as one thinks of him.... + +TYLTYL (_observing with amazement that the blackbird is quite blue_) +But he's blue!... Why, that's the bird, the Blue Bird which I am to take +back to the Fairy.... And you never told us that you had him here!... Oh, +he's blue, blue, blue as a blue glass marble!... (_Entreatingly_) +Grandad, granny, will you give him to me?... + +GAFFER TYL +Yes, perhaps, perhaps.... What do you think, granny?... + +GRANNY TYL +Certainly, certainly.... What use is he to us?... He does nothing but +sleep.... We never hear him sing.... + +TYLTYL +I will put him in my cage.... I say, where is my cage?... Oh, I know, I +left it behind the big tree.... (_He runs to the tree, fetches the cage +and puts the blackbird into it_.) So, really, you've really given him to +me?... How pleased the Fairy will be!... And Light too!... + +GAFFER TYL +Mind you, I won't answer for the bird.... I'm afraid that he will never get +used again to the restless life up there and that he'll come back here by +the first wind that blows this way.... However, we shall see.... Leave him +there, for the present, and come and look at the cow.... + +TYLTYL (_noticing the hives_) +And how are the bees getting on? + +GAFFER TYL +Oh, pretty well.... They are no longer alive, as you call it up there; but +they work hard.... + +TYLTYL (_going up to the hives_) +Oh, yes!... I can smell the honey!... How heavy the hives must be!... All +the flowers are so beautiful!... And my little dead sisters, are they here +too?... + +MYTYL +And where are my three little brothers who were buried?... + +(_At these words, seven little_ CHILDREN, _of different sizes, like +a set of Pan's pipes, come out of the cottage, one by one_.) + +GRANNY TYL +Here they are, here they are!... As soon as you think of them, as soon as +you speak of them, they are there, the darlings!... + +(TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL _run to meet the_ CHILDREN. _They hustle +and hug one another and dance and whirl about and utter screams of +joy_.) + +TYLTYL +Hullo, Pierrot!... (_They clutch each other by the hair_.) Ah, so +we're going to fight again, as in the old days.... And Robert!... I say, +Jean, what's become of your top?... Madeleine and Pierette and Pauline!... +And here's Riquette!... + +MYTYL +Oh, Riquette, Riquette!... She's still crawling on all fours!... + +GRANNY TYL +Yes, she has stopped growing. + +TYLTYL (_noticing the little_ DOG _yelping around them_) +There's Kiki, whose tail I cut off with Pauline's scissors.... He hasn't +changed either.... + +GAFFER TYL (_sententiously_) +No, nothing changes here.... + +TYLTYL +And Pauline still has a pimple on her nose.... + +GRANNY TYL +Yes, it won't go away; there's nothing to be done for it.... + +TYLTYL +Oh, how well they look, how fat and glossy they are!... What jolly cheeks +they have!... They look well fed.... + +GRANNY TYL +They have been much better since they ceased living.... There's nothing +more to fear, nobody is ever ill, one has no anxiety.... + +(_The clock inside the cottage strikes eight_.) + +GRANNY TYL (_amazed_) +What's that?... + +GAFFER TYL +I don't know, I'm sure.... It must be the clock.... + +GRANNY TYL +It can't be.... It never strikes.... + +GAFFER TYL +Because we no longer think of the time.... Was any one thinking of the +time?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, I was.... What is the time?... + +GAFFER TYL +I'm sure I can't tell.... I've forgotten how.... It struck eight times, so +I suppose it's what they call eight o'clock up there.... + +TYLTYL +Light expects me at a quarter to nine.... It's because of the Fairy.... +It's extremely important.... I'm off!... + +GRANNY TYL +Don't leave us like that, just as supper's ready!... Quick, quick, let's +lay the table outside.... I've got some capital cabbage-soup and a +beautiful plum-tart.... + +(_They get out the table, dishes, plates, etc., and lay for supper +outside the door, all helping_.) + +TYLTYL +Well, as I've got the Blue Bird.... And then it's so long since I tasted +cabbage-soup.... Ever since I've been, travelling.... They don't have it at +the hotels.... + +GRANNY TYL +There!... That didn't take long!... Sit down, children.... Don't let us +lose time, if you're in a hurry.... + +(_They have lit the lamp and served the soup. The_ GRANDPARENTS _and +the_ CHILDREN _sit down round the table, jostling and elbowing one +another and laughing and screaming with pleasure_.) + +TYLTYL (_eating like a glutton_) +How good it is!... Oh, how good it is!...I want some more! More!... + +(_He brandishes his wooden spoon and noisily hits his plate with it_.) + +GAFFER TYL +Come, come, a little more quiet.... You're just as ill-behaved as ever; and +you'll break your plate.... + +TYLTYL (_half-raising himself on his stool_) +I want more, more!... (_He seizes the tureen, drags it toward him and +upsets it and the soup, which trickles over the table and down over their +knees and scalds them. Yells and screams of pain_.) + +GRANNY TYL +There!... I told you so!... + +GAFFER TYL (_giving TYLTYL a loud box on the ear_) +That's one for you!... + +TYLTYL (_staggered for a moment, next puts his hand to his cheek with an +expression of rapture_) +Oh, that's just like the slaps you used to give me when you were alive?... +Grandad, how nice it was and how good it makes one feel!... I must give you +a kiss!... + +GAFFER TYL +Very well; there's more where that came from, if you like them.... + +(_The clock strikes half-past eight_) + +TYLTYL (_starting up_) +Half-past eight!... (_He flings down his spoon_.) Mytyl, we've only +just got time!... + +GRANNY TYL +Oh, I say!... Just a few minutes more!... Your house isn't on fire!... We +see you so seldom.... + +TYLTYL +No, we can't possibly.... Light is so kind.... And I promised her.... Come, +Mytyl, come!... + +GAFFER TYL +Goodness gracious, how tiresome the Living are with all their business and +excitement!... + +TYLTYL (_taking his cage and hurriedly kissing everybody all round_) +Good-bye, grandad.... Good-bye, granny.... Good-bye, brothers and sisters, +Pierrot, Robert, Pauline, Madeleine, Riquette and you, too, Kiki.... I feel +we mustn't stay.... Don't cry, granny; we will come back often.... + +GRANNY TYL +Come back every day!... + +TYLTYL +Yes, yes; we will come back as often as we can.... + +GRANNY TYL +It's our only pleasure and it's such a treat for us when your thoughts +visit us!... + +GAFFER TYL +We have no other amusements.... + +TYLTYL +Quick, quick!... My cage!... My bird!... + +GAFFER TYL (_handing him the cage_) +Here they are!... You know, I don't warrant him; and if he's not the right +colour... + +TYLTYL +Good-bye! Good-bye!... + +THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS TYL +Good-bye, Tyltyl! Good-bye, Mytyl!... Remember the barley-sugar!... +Good-bye!... Come again!... Come again!... + +(_They all wave their handkerchiefs while_ TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL +_slowly move away. But already, during the last sentences, the fog of the +beginning of the scene has been gradually re-forming, so that, at the end, +all has disappeared in the mist and, at the fall of the curtain_, TYLTYL +_and_ MYTYL _are again alone visible under the big oak_.) + +TYLTYL +It's this way, Mytyl.... + +MYTYL +Where is Light?... + +TYLTYL +I don't know.... (_Looking at the bird in the cage_.) But the bird is +no longer blue!... He has turned black!... + +MYTYL +Give me your hand, little brother.... I feel so frightened and so cold.... + + +CURTAIN + + + + +ACT III. + + + + +SCENE 1.--_The Palace of_ NIGHT. + + +_A large and wonderful hall of an austere, rigid, metallic and sepulchral +magnificence, giving the impression of a Greek temple with columns, +architraves, flagstones and ornaments of black marble, gold and ebony. The +hall is trapezium-shaped. Basalt steps, occupying almost the entire width, +divide it into three successive stages, which rise gradually toward the +back. On the right and left, between the columns, are doors of sombre +bronze. At the back, a monumental door of brass. The palace is lit only +by a vague light that seems to emanate mainly from the brilliancy of the +marble and the ebony. At the rise of the curtain_, NIGHT, _in the form +of a very old woman, clad in long, black garments, is seated on the steps +of the second stage between two children, of whom one, almost naked, +like Cupid, is smiling in a deep sleep, while the other is standing up, +motionless and veiled from head to foot_. + +_Enter from the right, in the foreground, the_ CAT + +NIGHT +Who goes there? + +THE CAT (_sinking heavily upon the marble steps_) +It is I, Mother Night.... I am worn out.... + +NIGHT +What's the matter, child?... You look pale and thin and you are splashed +with mud to your very whiskers.... Have you been fighting on the tiles +again, in the snow and rain?... + +THE CAT +It has nothing to do with the tiles!... It's our secret that's at stake!... +It's the beginning of the end!... I have managed to escape for a moment to +warn you; but I greatly fear that there is nothing to be done.... + +NIGHT +Why?... What has happened?... + +THE CAT +I have told you of little Tyltyl, the woodcutter's son, and of the magic +diamond.... Well, he is coming here to demand the Blue Bird of you.... + +NIGHT +He hasn't got it yet..... + +THE CAT +He will have it soon, unless we perform some miracle.... This is how the +matter stands: Light, who is guiding him and betraying us all, for she has +placed herself entirely on Man's side, Light has learned that the Blue +Bird, the real one, the only one that can live in the light of day, is +hidden here, among the blue birds of the dreams that live on the rays of +the moon and die as soon as they set eyes on the sun.... She knows that she +is forbidden to cross the threshold of your palace, but she is sending the +children; and, as you cannot prevent Man from opening the doors of +your secrets, I do not know how all this will end.... In any case, if, +unfortunately, they should lay their hands on the real Blue Bird, there +would be nothing for us but to disappear.... + +NIGHT +Oh dear, oh dear!.... What times we live in!... I never have a moment's +peace.... I cannot understand Man, these last few years.... What is he +aiming at?... Must he absolutely know everything?... Already he has +captured a third of my Mysteries, all my Terrors are afraid and dare not +leave the house, my Ghosts have taken flight, the greater part of my +Sicknesses are ill.... + +THE CAT +I know, Mother Night, I know, the times are hard and we are almost alone in +our struggle against Man.... But I hear them coming.... I see only one way: +as they are children, we must give them such a fright that they will not +dare to persist or to open the great door at the back, behind which they +would find the Birds of the Moon.... The secrets of the other caverns will +be enough to distract their attention and terrify them.... + +NIGHT (_listening to a sound outside_) +What do I hear?... Are there many of them?... + +THE CAT +It is nothing; it is our friends, Bread and Sugar; Water is not very well +and Fire could not come, because he is related to Light.... The Dog is +the only one who is not on our side; but it is never possible to keep him +away.... + +(_Enter timidly, on the right, in the foreground, TYLTYL, MYTYL, BREAD, +SUGAR and the DOG_.) + +THE CAT (_rushing up to TYLTYL_) +This way, little master, this way.... I have told Night, who is delighted +to see you.... You must forgive her, she is a little indisposed; that is +why she was not able to come to meet you.... + +TYLTYL +Good-day, Mrs. Night.... + +NIGHT (_in an offended voice_) +Good-day?... I am not used to that.... You might say, Good-night, or, at +least. Good-evening.... + +TYLTYL (_mortified_) +I beg your pardon, ma'am....I did not know....(_Pointing to the two_ +CHILDREN.) Are those your two little boys?... They are very nice.... + +NIGHT +This is Sleep.... + +TYLTYL +Why is he so fat?... + +NIGHT +That is because he sleeps well.... + +TYLTYL +And the other, hiding himself?... Why does he veil his face?...Is he +ill?... What is his name?... + +NIGHT +That is Sleep's sister.... It is better not to mention her name.... + +TYLTYL +Why?... + +NIGHT +Because her name is not pleasant to hear.... But let us talk of something +else.... The Cat tells me that you have come here to look for the Blue +Bird.... + +TYLTYL +Yes, ma'am, if you will allow me.... Will you tell me where he is?... + +NIGHT +I don't know, dear.... All I can say is that he is not here.... I have +never seen him.... + +TYLTYL +Yes, yes.... Light told me that he was here; and Light knows what she is +saying.... Will you hand me your keys?... + +NIGHT +But you must understand, dear, that I cannot give my keys like that to +the first comer.... I have the keeping of all Nature's secrets and I am +absolutely forbidden to deliver them to anybody, especially to a child.... + +TYLTYL +You have no right to refuse them to Man when he asks you for them....I know +that.... + +NIGHT +Who told you?... + +TYLTYL +Light.... + +NIGHT +Light again! Always Light!... How dare she interfere, how dare she?... + +THE DOG +Shall I take them from her by force, my little god?... + +TYLTYL +Hold your tongue, keep quiet and try to behave.... (_To_NIGHT) Come, +madam, give me your keys, please.... + +NIGHT +Have you the sign, at least?... Where is it?... + +TYLTYL (_touching his hat_) +Behold the Diamond!... + +NIGHT (_resigning herself to the inevitable_) +Well, then... Here is the key that opens all the doors of the hall.... Look +to yourself if you meet with a misfortune.... I will not be responsible.... + +BREAD (_very anxiously_) +Is it dangerous?... + +NIGHT +Dangerous?... I will go so far as to say that I myself do not know what I +shall do when certain of those bronze doors open upon the abyss.... All +around the hall, in each of those basalt caves, are all the evils, all the +plagues, all the sicknesses, all the terrors, all the catastrophes, all the +mysteries that have afflicted life since the beginning of the world.... I +have had trouble enough to Imprison them there with the aid of Destiny; and +it is not without difficulty, I assure you, that I keep some little order +among those undisciplined characters.... You have seen what happens when +one of them escapes and shows itself on earth.... + +BREAD +My great age, my experience and my devotion make me the natural protector +of these two children; therefore, Mrs. Night, permit me to ask you a +question.... + +NIGHT +Certainly.... + +BREAD +In case of danger, which is the way of escape?... + +NIGHT +There is no way of escape. + +TYLTYL (_taking the key and climbing the first steps_) +Let us begin here.... What is behind this bronze door?... + +NIGHT +I think it is the Ghosts.... It is long since I opened the door and since +they came out.... + +TYLTYL (_placing the key in the lock_) +I will see.... (_To_ BREAD) Have you the cage for the Blue Bird?... + +BREAD (_with chattering teeth_) +I'm not frightened, but don't you think it would be better not to open the +door, but to peep through the keyhole?... + +TYLTYL +I don't want your advice.... + +MYTYL (_suddenly beginning to cry_) +I am frightened!... Where is Sugar?... I want to go home!... + +SUGAR (_eagerly, obsequiously_) +Here I am, miss, here I am.... Don't cry, I will break off one of my +fingers so that you may have a sugar-stick.... + +TYLTYL +Enough of this!... + +(_He turns the key and cautiously opens the door. Forthwith, five or +six_ GHOSTS _of strange and different forms escape and disperse on +every side_. MYTYL _gives a scream of fright_, BREAD, _terrified, +throws away the cage and goes and hides at the back of the hall, while_ +NIGHT, _running after the_ GHOSTS, _cries out to_ TYLTYL.) + +NIGHT +Quick! Quick!... Shut the door!... They will all escape and we should never +be able to catch them again!... They have felt bored in there, ever since +Man ceased to take them seriously.... +(_She runs after the_ GHOSTS _and endeavours, with the aid of a whip +formed of snakes, to drive them back to the door of their prison_.) +Help me!... Here!... Here!... + +TYLTYL (_to the_ DOG) +Help her, Tylô, at them!... + +THE DOG (_leaping up and barking_) +Yes, yes, yes!... + +TYLTYL +And Bread, where's Bread?... + +BREAD (_at the back of the hall_) +Here.... I am near the door to prevent them from going out.... + +(_One of the_ GHOSTS _moves in that direction and he rushes away at +full speed, uttering yells of terror_.) + +NIGHT (_to three_ GHOSTS _whom she has seized by the neck_) +This way, you!... (_To_ TYLTYL) Open the door a little.... (_She +pushes the_ GHOSTS _into the cave_.) There, that's it.... +(_The_ DOG _brings up two more_.) And these two.... Come, quick, +in with you!... You know you're only allowed out on All-hallows.... + +(_She closes the door._) + +TYLTYL (_going to another door_) +What's behind this one?.... + +NIGHT +What is the good?...I have already told you the Blue Bird has never been +here.... However, as you please.... Open the doors if you like.... It's the +Sicknesses.... + +TYLTYL (_with the key in the lock_.) +Must I be careful in opening?... + +NIGHT +No, it is not worth while.... They are very quiet, the poor little +things.... They are not happy.... Man, for some time, has been waging +such a determined war upon them!... Especially since the discovery of the +microbes.... Open, you will see.... + +(TYLTYL _opens the door quite wide. Nothing appears_.) + +TYLTYL +Don't they come out? + +NIGHT +I told you they are almost all poorly and very much discouraged.... +The doctors are so unkind to them.... Go in for a moment and see for +yourself.... + +(TYLTYL _enters the cavern and comes out again immediately_.) + +TYLTYL +The Blue Bird is not there.... They look very ill, those Sicknesses of +yours.... They did not even lift their heads.... (_One little Sickness in +slippers, a dressing-gown and a cotton nightcap escapes from the cavern +and begins to frisk about the hall_.) Look!... There's a little one +escaping.... Which one is it?... + +NIGHT +It's nothing, one of the smallest; it's Cold-in-the-Head.... It is one +of those which are least persecuted and which enjoy the best health.... +(_Calling to_ COLD-IN-THE-HEAD) Come here, dear....It's too soon yet; +you must wait for the winter.... (COLD-IN-THE-HEAD, _sneezing, coughing +and blowing its nose, returns to the cavern and_ TYLTYL _shuts the +door_.) + +TYLTYL (_going to the next door_) +Let us look at this one..... What is in here?... + +NIGHT +Take care!... It is the Wars.... They are more terrible and powerful +than ever.... Heaven knows what would happen if one of them escaped!... +Fortunately, they are rather heavy and slow-moving.... But we must stand +ready to push back the door, all of us together, while you take a rapid +glance into the cavern.... + +(TYLTYL, _with a thousand precautions, opens the door ajar so that there +is only a little gap to which he can put his eye. He at once doubles his +back against the door, shouting_.) + +TYLTYL +Quick! Quick!... Push with all your might!... They have seen me!... They +are all coming!... They are breaking down the door!... + +NIGHT +Come, all together!... Push hard!... Bread, what are you doing?... Push, +all of you!... How strong they are!... Ah, that's it!... They are giving +way!... It was high time!... Did you see them?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, yes!... They are huge and awful!... I don't think that they have the +Blue Bird.... + +NIGHT +You may be sure they haven't.... If they had, they would eat him at +once.... Well, have you had enough of it?... You see there is nothing to be +done.... + +TYLTYL +I must see everything.... Light said so.... + +NIGHT +Light said so!... It's an easy thing to say when one's afraid and stays at +home.... + +TYLTYL +Let us go to the next.... What is in here?... + +NIGHT +This is where I lock up the Shades and the Terrors.... + +TYLTYL +Can I open the door?... + +NIGHT +Certainly.... They are pretty quiet; they are like the Sicknesses.... + +TYLTYL (_half-opening the door, with a certain mistrustfulness, and +taking a look into the cavern_) +Are they not there?... + +NIGHT (_looking into the cavern in her turn_) +Well, Shades, what are you doing?... Come out for a moment and stretch your +legs; it will do you good.... And the Terrors also.... There is nothing to +be afraid of.... (_A few_ SHADES _and a few_ TERRORS, _in the +shape of women, shrouded, the former in black veils and the latter in +greenish veils, piteously venture to take a few steps outside the cavern; +and then, upon a movement of_ TYLTYL'S, _hastily run back again_.) +Come, don't be afraid.... It's only a child; he won't hurt you.... +(_To_ TYLTYL) They have become extremely timid, except the great ones, +those whom you see at the back.... + +TYLTYL (_looking into the depths of the cave_) +Oh, how terrifying they are!... + +NIGHT +They are chained up.... They are the only ones that are not afraid of +Man.... But shut the door, lest they should grow angry.... + +TYLTYL (_going to the next door_) +I say!... This is a darker one.... What is here? + +NIGHT +There are several Mysteries behind this one.... If you are absolutely bent +upon it, you may open it too.... But don't go in.... Be very cautious and +let us get ready to push back the door, as we did with the Wars.... + +TYLTYL (_half-opening the door; with unparalleled precautions and passing +his head fearsomely through the aperture_) +Oh!... How cold!... My eyes are smarting!... Shut it quickly!... Push, oh, +push! They are pushing against us!... (NIGHT, _the_ DOG, _the_ CAT _and_ +SUGAR _push back the door_.) Oh, I saw!... + +NIGHT +What?... + +TYLTYL (_upset_) +I don't know, it was awful!... They were all seated like monsters without +eyes.... Who was the giant who tried to seize me?... + +NIGHT +It was probably Silence; he has charge of this door.... It appears to have +been alarming?... You are quite pale still and trembling all over.... + +TYLTYL +Yes, I would never have believed.... I had never seen.... And my hands are +frozen.... + +NIGHT +It will be worse presently if you go on.... + +TYLTYL (_going to the next door_) +And this one?... Is this terrible also?... + +NIGHT +No; there is a little of everything here.... It is where I keep the +unemployed Stars, my personal Perfumes, a few Glimmers that belong to me, +such as Will-o'-the-Wisps, Glow-worms and Fireflies, also the Dew, the Song +of the Nightingales and so on.... + +TYLTYL +Just so, the Stars, the Song of the Nightingales.... This must be the +door.... + +NIGHT +Open it, if you like; there Is nothing very bad inside.... + +(TYLTYL _throws the door wide open. The_ STARS, _in the shape of +beautiful young girls veiled in many-coloured radiancy, escape from their +prison, disperse over the hall and form graceful groups on the steps and +around the columns, bathed in a sort of luminous penumbra. The_ PERFUMES +OF THE NIGHT, _who are almost invisible, the_ WILL-O'-THE-WISPS, +_the_ FIREFLIES _and the transparent_ DEW _join them, while +the_ SONG OF THE NIGHTINGALES _streams from the cavern and floods the +Palace of_ NIGHT.) + +MYTYL (_clapping her hands with delight_) +Oh, what pretty ladies!... + +TYLTYL +And how well they dance!... + +MYTYL +And how sweet they smell!... + +TYLTYL +And how beautifully they sing!... + +MYTYL +What are those, whom one can hardly see?... + +NIGHT +Those are the Perfumes of my Shadow. + +TYLTYL +And those others, over there, in spun glass?... + +NIGHT +They are the Dew of the plains and forests.... But enough!... They would +never have done.... It is the devil's own business to get them back, once +they begin to dance.... (_Clapping her hands together_.) Now then, +Stars, quick!... This is not the time for dancing.... The sky is overcast +and heavily clouded.... Come, quick, in with you, or I will go and fetch a +ray of sunlight!... (_The_ STARS, PERFUMES, _etc., take to flight in +dismay and rush back into the cavern; and the door is closed upon them. At +the same time, the song of the_ NIGHTINGALE _ceases_.) + +TYLTYL (_going to the door at the back_) +Here is the great middle door.... + +NIGHT (_gravely_) +Do not open that one... + +TYLTYL +Why not?.... + +NIGHT +Because it's not allowed.... + +TYLTYL +Then it's here that the Blue Bird is hidden; Light told me so.... + +NIGHT (_maternally_) +Listen to me, child ... I have been kind and indulgent ... I have done for +you what I have never done for any one before ... I have given up all my +secrets to you.... I like you, I feel pity for your youth and innocence and +I am speaking to you as a mother.... Listen to me, my child, and believe +me; relinquish your quest, go no further, do not tempt fate, do not open +that door.... + +TYLTYL (_a little shaken_) +But why?... + +NIGHT +Because I do not wish you to be lost.... Because not one of those, do you +hear, not one of those who have opened it, were it but by a hair's breadth, +has ever returned alive to the light of day.... Because every awful thing +imaginable, because all the terrors, all the horrors of which men speak on +earth are as nothing compared with the most harmless of those which assail +a man from the moment when his eye lights upon the first threats of the +abyss to which no one dares give a name.... So much so that I myself, if +you are bent, in spite of everything, upon touching that door, will ask you +to wait until I have sought safety in my windowless tower... Now it is for +you to know, for you to reflect.... + +(MYTYL, _all in tears, utters cries of inarticulate terror and tries to +drag_ TYLTYL _away_.) + +BREAD (_with chattering teeth_) +Don't do it, master dear!... (_Flinging himself on his knees_) Take +pity on us!... I implore you on my knees.... You see that Night is +right.... + +THE CAT +You are sacrificing the lives of all of us.... + +TYLTYL +I must open the door.... + +MYTYL (_stamping her feet, amid her sobs_) +I won't!... I sha'n't!... + +TYLTYL +Sugar and Bread, take Mytyl by the hand and run away with her.... I am +going to open the door.... + +NIGHT +Run for your lives!... Come quickly!... It is time!... (_She flees._) + +BREAD (_fleeing wildly_) +At least wait till we are at the end of the hall!... + +THE CAT (_also fleeing_) +Wait! Wait!... + +(_They hide behind the columns at the other end of the hall_. TYLTYL +_remains alone with the DOG by the monumental door_.) + +THE DOG (_panting and hiccoughing with suppressed fright_) +I shall stay, I shall stay!... I'm not afraid!... I shall stay!... I shall +stay with my little god!... I shall stay!... I shall stay!... + +TYLTYL (_patting the_ DOG) +That's right, Tylô, that's right!... Kiss me.... You and I are two.... And +now, steady!... + +(_He places the key in the lock. A cry of alarm comes from the other +end of the hall, where the runaways have taken refuge. The key has hardly +touched the door before its tall and wide leaves open in the middle, glide +apart and disappear on either side in the thickness of the walls, suddenly +revealing the most unexpected of gardens, unreal, infinite and ineffable, +a dream-garden bathed in nocturnal light, where, among stars and planets, +illumining all that they touch, flying ceaselessly from jewel to jewel and +from moonbeam to moonbeam, fairy-like blue birds hover perpetually and +harmoniously down to the confines of the horizon, birds innumerable to +the point of appearing to be the breath, the azured atmosphere, the very +substance of the wonderful garden_.) + +TYLTYL (_dazzled, bewildered, standing in the light of the garden_) +Oh!... Heaven!... (_Turning to those who have fled_) Come quickly!... +They are here!... It's they, it's they, it's they!... We have them +at last!... Thousands of blue birds!... Millions!.... Thousands of +millions!... There will be too many!... Come, Mytyl!... Come, Tylô!... +Come, all!... Help me!... (_Darting in among the birds_.) You can +catch them by handfuls!... They are not shy!... They are not afraid of +us!.... Here! Here!.... (MYTYL _and the others run up. They all enter the +dazzling garden, except_ NIGHT _and the_ CAT.) You see!... There +are too many of them!... They fly into my hands!... Look, they are eating +the moonbeams!... Mytyl, where are you?.... There are so many blue wings, +so many feathers falling that one cannot see anything for them!.... Don't +bite them, Tylô!.... Don't hurt them!.... Take them very gently!.... + +MYTYL (_covered with blue birds_) +I have caught seven already!.... Oh, how they flap their wings!.... I can't +hold them!.... + +TYLTYL +Nor can I!.... I have too many of them!... They're escaping!.... They're +coming back!.... Tylô has some, too!.... They will drag us with them!.... +They will take us up to the sky!.... Quick, let us go out this way!.... +Light is waiting for us!.... How pleased she will be!.... This way, this +way!.... + +(_They escape from the garden, with their hands full of struggling birds, +and, crossing the whole hall amid the mad whirl of the azure wings, go out +on the right, where they first entered, followed by_ BREAD _and_ +SUGAR, _who have caught no birds_. NIGHT _and the_ CAT, _left +alone, return to the back of the stage and look anxiously into the +garden_.) + +NIGHT +Haven't they got him?... + +THE CAT +No.... I see him there, on that moonbeam.... They could not reach him, he +kept too high.... + +(_The_ CURTAIN _falls. Immediately after, before the dropped +curtain_, ENTER, _at the same time, on the left_, LIGHT _and on +the right_, TYLTYL, MYTYL _and the_ DOG, _who run up all covered +by the birds which they have captured. But already the birds appear +lifeless and, with hanging heads and drooping wings, are nothing more in +their hands than inert remains._) + +LIGHT +Well, have you caught him?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, yes!...As many as we wanted!... There are thousands of them!... Here +they are!... Do you see them?... (_Looking at the birds, which he holds +out to_ LIGHT, _and perceiving that they are dead_) Why, they +are dead!... What have they done to them?... Yours too, Mytyl?... Tylô's +also?... (_Angrily flinging down the dead bodies of the birds_) Oh, +this is too bad?... Who killed them?... I am too unhappy!... + +(_He hides his head in his arms and his whole frame is shaken with +sobs._) + +LIGHT (_pressing him maternally in her arms_) +Do not cry, my child.... You did not catch the one that is able to live in +broad daylight.... He has gone elsewhere.... We shall find him again.... + +THE DOG (_looking at the dead birds_)) +Are they good to eat?.... + +(_They all go out on the left_.) + + + + +SCENE 2.--_The Forest._ + +_A forest. It is night. The moon is shining. Old trees of various kinds, +notably an_ OAK, _a_ BEECH, _an_ ELM, _a_ POPLAR, _a_ FIR-TREE, _a_ +CYPRESS, _a_ LIME-TREE, _a_ CHESTNUT-TREE, _etc_. + +ENTER _the_ CAT. + +THE CAT (_bowing to the trees in turn_) +To all the trees here present, greeting!.... + +THE TREES (_murmuring in their leaves_) +Greeting!.... + +THE CAT +This is a great day, a day of days!.... Our enemy is coming to set free +your energies and to deliver himself into your hands..... It is Tyltyl, the +son of the wood-cutter, who has done you so much harm.... He is seeking the +Blue Bird, whom you have kept hidden from Man since the beginning of +the world and who alone knows our secret.... (_A murmuring in the +leaves_.) What do you say?... Ah, it's the Poplar!... Yes, he possesses +a diamond which has the virtue of setting free our spirits for a moment; +he can compel us to hand over the Blue Bird and thenceforth we shall be +definitely at Man's mercy.... (_A murmuring in the leaves_.) Who is +speaking?... Ah, the Oak!... How are you?... (_A murmuring in the leaves +of the_ OAK.) Still got your cold?... Does the Liquorice no longer look +after you?... Can't you throw off your rheumatism?... Believe me, that's +because of the moss; you put too much of it on your feet.... Is the Blue +Bird still with you?... (_A murmuring in the leaves of the_ OAK.) I +beg your pardon?... Yes, there is no room for hesitation; we must take +the opportunity; he must he done away with.... (_A murmuring in the +leaves_.) I didn't quite catch.... Oh, yes, he is with his little +sister; she must die, too.... (_A murmuring in the leaves_.) Yes, they +have the Dog with them; there is no keeping him away.... (_A murmuring in +the leaves_.) What did you say?... Bribe him?... Impossible.... I have +tried everything.... (_A murmuring in the leaves_.) Ah, is that you, +Fir-Tree?... Yes, get four planks ready.... Yes, there are Fire, Sugar, +Water and Bread besides.... They are all with us, except Bread, who is +rather doubtful.... Light alone is on Man's side; but she won't come.... +I made the children believe that they ought to steal away while she was +asleep.... There never was such an opportunity.... (_A murmuring in the +leaves_.) Ah, that's the Beech's voice!... Yes, you are right; we must +inform the animals.... Has the Rabbit got his drum?... Is he with you?... +Good, let him beat the troop at once.... Here they are!... + +(_The roll of the_ RABBIT'S _drum is heard, diminishing in the +distance. Enter_ TYLTYL, MYTYL _and the_ DOG.) + +TYLTYL +Is this the place?... + +THE CAT (_obsequiously, eagerly, mealy-mouthed, rushing to meet the_ +CHILDREN) +Ah, there you are, my little master!... How well you look and how pretty, +this evening!.... I went before you to announce your arrival.... All Is +going well. We shall have the Blue Bird to-night, I am sure.... I have just +sent the Rabbit to beat the troop in order to convoke the principal +animals of the country.... You can hear them already among the foliage.... +Listen!... They are a little shy and dare not come near.... (_The sounds +are heard of different animals, such as cows, pigs, horses, donkeys, etc. +The_ CAT, _aside, to_ TYLTYL, _taking him apart_) But why +have you brought the Dog?... I have told you he is on the worst terms with +everybody, even the trees.... I fear that his odious presence will spoil +everything.... + +TYLTYL +I could not get rid of him.... (_To the_ DOG, _threatening him_) +Go away, you ugly thing!... + +THE DOG +Who?... I?... Why?... What have I done?... + +TYLTYL +I tell you, go away!... We don't want you here and there's an end of it.... +You're a nuisance, there!... + +THE DOG +I sha'n't say a word.... I shall follow you at a distance.... They sha'n't +see me.... Shall I beg?... + +THE CAT (_aside, to_ TYLTYL) +Do you allow this disobedience?... Hit him on the nose with your stick; he +is really unbearable!... + +TYLTYL (_beating the_ DOG) +There, that will teach you to be more obedient!... + +THE DOG (_yelling_) +Ow! Ow! Ow!... + +TYLTYL +What do you say?... + +THE DOG +I must kiss you now you've beaten me!... (_He covers_ TYLTYL _with +violent kisses and embraces_.) + +TYLTYL +Come.... That will do.... That's enough.... Go away!... + +MYTYL +No, no; I want him to stay.... I am afraid of everything when he is not +there.... + +THE DOG (_leaping up and almost upsetting_ MYTYL, _whom he overwhelms with +hurried and enthusiastic kisses_) +Oh, the dear little girl!... How beautiful she is!... How good she is!... +How beautiful she is, how sweet she is!...I must kiss her!... Once more, +once more, once more!... + +THE CAT +What an idiot!... Well, we shall see!... Let us lose no time.... Turn the +diamond.... + +TYLTYL +Where shall I stand?... + +THE CAT +In this moonbeam; you will see better.... There, turn it gently!... + +(TYLTYL _turns the Diamond. A long-drawn-out rustling shakes the leaves +and branches. The oldest and most stately trunks open to make way for the +soul which each of them contains. The appearance of these souls differs +according to the appearance and the character of the trees which they +represent. The soul of the_ ELM, _for instance, is a sort of pursy, +pot-bellied, crabbed gnome; the_ LIME-TREE _is placid, familiar and +jovial; the_ BEECH, _elegant and agile; the_ BIRCH, _white, +reserved and restless; the_ WILLOW, _stunted, dishevelled and +plaintive; the_ FIR-TREE, _tall, lean and taciturn; the_ CYPRESS, +_tragic; the_ CHESTNUT-TREE, _pretentious and rather dandified; +the_ POPLAR, _sprightly, cumbersome, talkative. Some emerge slowly +from their trunks, torpidly stretching themselves, as though they had been +imprisoned or asleep for ages; others leap out actively, eagerly; and all +come and stand in a circle round the two_ CHILDREN, _while keeping as +near as they can to the tree in which they were born_.) + +THE POPLAR (_running up first and screaming at the top of his voice_) +Men?... Little men!... We shall be able to talk to them!... We've done with +silence!... Done with it!... Where do they come from?... Who are they?... +What are they?... (_To the_ LIME-TREE, _who comes forward quietly +smoking his pipe_) Do you know them, Daddy Lime-Tree?... + +THE LIME-TREE +I do not remember ever having seen them.... + +THE POPLAR +Oh, yes, you must have!... You know all the men; you're always hanging +about their houses.... + +THE LIME-TREE (_examining the_ CHILDREN) +No, I assure you.... I don't know them.... They are too young still.... I +only know the lovers who come to see me by moonlight and the topers who +drink their beer under my branches.... + +THE CHESTNUT-TREE (_affectedly adjusting his eyeglass_) +Who are these?... Are they poor people from the country?... + +THE POPLAR +Oh, as for you, Mr. Chestnut-Tree, ever since you have refused to show +yourself except in the streets of the big towns... + +THE WILLOW (_hobbling along in a pair of wooden shoes_) +Oh dear, oh dear!... They have come to cut off my head and arms again for +fagots!... + +THE POPLAR +Silence!... Here is the Oak leaving his palace!... He looks far from well +this evening.... Don't you think he is growing very old?... What can his +age be?... The Fir-tree says he is four thousand; but I am sure that he +exaggerates.... Listen; he will tell us all about it.... + +(_The_ OAK _comes slowly forward. He is fabulously old, crowned with +mistletoe and clad in a long green gown edged with moss and lichen. He is +blind; his white beard streams in the wind. He leans with one hand on a +knotty stick and with the other on a young_ OAKLING, _who serves as +his guide. The Blue Bird is perched on his shoulder. At his approach, the +other trees draw themselves up in a row and bow respectfully_.) + +TYLTYL +He has the Blue Bird!... Quick! Quick!... Here!... Give it to me!... + +THE TREES +Silence!... + +THE CAT (_to_ TYLTYL) +Take of your hat. It's the Oak!... + +THE OAK (_to_ TYLTYL) +Who are you?.... + +TYLTYL +I am Tyltyl, sir.... When can I have the Blue Bird?... + +THE OAK +Tyltyl, the wood-cutter's son?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, sir.... + +THE OAK +Your father has done us much harm.... In my family alone, he has put to +death six hundred of my sons, four hundred and seventy-five uncles and +aunts, twelve hundred cousins of both sexes, three hundred and eighty +daughters-in-law, and twelve thousand great-grandsons!... + +TYLTYL +I know nothing about it, sir.... He did not do it on purpose.... + +THE OAK +What have you come here for; and why have you made our souls leave their +abodes?... + +TYLTYL +I beg your pardon, sir, for disturbing you.... The Cat said that you would +tell us where the Blue Bird was.... + +THE OAK +Yes, I know that you are looking for the Blue Bird, that is to say, the +great secret of things and of happiness, so that Man may make our servitude +still harder.... + +TYLTYL +Oh, no, sir; it is for the Fairy Bérylune's little girl, who is very +ill.... + +THE OAK (_laying silence upon him with a gesture_) +Enough!... I do not hear the Animals.... Where are they?... All this +concerns them as much as us.... We, the Trees, must not assume the +responsibility alone for the grave measures that have become necessary.... +On the day when MAN hears that we have done what we are about to do, there +will be terrible reprisals..... It is right, therefore, that our agreement +should be unanimous, so that our silence may be the same.... + +THE FIR-TREE (_looking over the top of the other trees_) +The Animals are coming.... They are following the Rabbit.... Here are the +souls of the Horse, the Bull, the Ox, the Cow, the Wolf, the Sheep, the +Pig, the Cock, the Goat, the Ass, and the Bear.... + +(_Enter the souls of the_ ANIMALS, _who, as the_ FIR-TREE +_utters their names, come forward and sit down among the trees, with the +exception of the soul of the_ GOAT, _who roams to and fro, and of +the_ PIG, _who snuffles among the roots_.) + +THE OAK +Are all here present?... + +THE RABBIT +The Hen could not leave her eggs, the Hare is out on a run, the Stag has a +pain in his horns, the Fox is ill--here is the doctor's certificate--the +Goose did not understand and the Turkey flew into a passion.... + +THE OAK +These abstentions are most regrettable.... However, we have a quorum.... +You know, my brothers, the nature of our business. The child you see before +you, thanks to a talisman stolen from the powers of Earth, is able to take +possession of the Blue Bird and thus to snatch from us the secret which +we have kept since the origin of life.... Now we know enough of Man to +entertain no doubt as to the fate which he reserves for us once he is in +possession of this secret. That is why it seems to me that any hesitation +would be both foolish and criminal.... It is a serious moment; the child +must be done away with before it is too late.... + +TYLTYL +What is he saying?... + +THE DOG (_prowling round the_ OAK _and showing his fangs_) +Do you see my teeth, you old cripple?... + +THE BEECH (_indignantly_) +He is insulting the Oak!... + +THE OAK +Is that the Dog?... Drive him out! We must suffer no traitors among us!... + +THE CAT (_aside, to_ TYLTYL) +Send the Dog away.... It's a misunderstanding.... Leave it to me; I will +arrange things.... But send him away as quick as you can.... + +TYLTYL (_to the_ DOG) +Will you be off!... + +THE DOG +Do let me worry the gouty old beggar's moss slippers!.... It will be such a +joke!... + +TYLTYL +Hold your tongue!... And be off with you!... Be off, you ugly brute!... + +THE DOG +All right, all right, I'm going.... I'll come back when you want me.... + +THE CAT (_aside, to_ TYLTYL) +It would be a good thing to chain him up, or he will commit some folly; the +Trees will be angry and all will end badly.... + +TYLTYL +What can I do?... I have lost his leash.... + +THE CAT +Here's the Ivy just coming along with strong bonds.... + +THE DOG (_growling_) +I'll come back, I'll come back!... Ugh! Goutytoes! Timbertoes!... Pack of +old stunted growths, pack of old roots!... It's the Cat who's at the bottom +of all this!... I'll be even with him!... What have you been whispering +about, you sneak, you tiger, you Judas!... Wow, wow, wow!.... + +THE CAT +You see, he insults everybody.... + +TYLTYL +Yes, he is unbearable and one can't hear one's self speak.... Mr. Ivy, will +you chain him up, please?... + +THE IVY (_timorously going up to the_ DOG) +Won't he bite?... + +THE DOG (_growling_) +On the contrary, on the contrary!... He's going to kiss you!... Just wait +and see!... Come along, come along, you old ball of twine, you!... + +TYLTYL (_threatening him with his stick_) +Tylô!... + +THE DOG (_cringing at_ TYLTYL'S _feet and wagging his tail_) +What am I to do, my little god? + +TYLTYL +Lie down flat!... Obey the Ivy.... Let him bind you, or.... + +THE DOG (_growling between his teeth, while the_ IVY _binds him_) +Ball of twine I... Hunk of yarn!... Hangman's rope I... Calves' leash!... +Look, my little god I ... He's cutting my paws!... He's choking me!... + +TYLTYL +I don't care!... It's your own fault.... Hold your tongue; be quiet; you're +unbearable!... + +THE DOG +You're wrong, for all that.... They mean mischief.... Take care, my little +god!... He's closing my mouth!... I can't speak!... + +THE IVY (_who has tied up the_ DOG _like a parcel_) +Where shall we put him?... I've muzzled him finely.... He can't utter a +word.... + +THE OAK +Fasten him tight down there behind my trunk; to my big root.... We will +decide later what had best be done with him.... + +(_The_ IVY _and the_ POPLAR _carry the_ DOG _behind +the_ OAK'S _trunk_.) + +THE OAK +Is that done?... Well, now that we are rid of this inconvenient witness, of +this renegade, let us deliberate in accordance with justice and truth.... +I will not conceal from you the deep and painful nature of my emotion.... +This is the first time that it is given to us to judge Man and make him +feel our power.... I do not think that, after the harm which he has done +us, after the monstrous injustice which we have suffered, there can remain +the least doubt as to the sentence that awaits him.... + +ALL THE TREES and ALL THE ANIMALS +No! No! No!... No doubt at all!... Hanging!... Death!... The injustice has +been too great!... The abuse too wicked!... It has lasted too long!... +Crush him!... Eat him!... At once!... Here and now!... + +TYLTYL (_to the_ CAT) +What is the matter with them?... Are they displeased?... + +THE CAT +Don't be alarmed.... They are a little annoyed because Spring is late.... +Leave it to me; I will settle it all.... + +THE OAK +This unanimity was inevitable.... We must now decide, in order to avoid +reprisals, which form of execution will be the most practical, the easiest, +the quickest and the safest, which will leave the fewest accusing traces +when Man finds the little bodies in the forest.... + +TYLTYL +What is all this about?... What is he driving at?... I am getting tired of +this.... He has got the Blue Bird; let him hand it over.... + +THE BULL (_coming forward_) +The most practical and the surest way is a good butt with the horns in the +pit of the stomach.... Shall I go at him?... + +THE OAK +Who speaks?... + +THE CAT +It's the Bull. + +THE COW +It would be better to keep quiet.... I won't meddle with it.... I have all +the grass to browse in the field which you can see down there in the blue +light of the moon.... I have quite enough to do.... + +THE OX +I also.... However, I agree to everything beforehand.... + +THE BEECH +I can offer my highest branch to hang them on.... + +THE IVY +And I the slip-knot.... + +THE FIR-TREE +And I the four planks for their little coffin.... + +THE CYPRESS +And I a perpetual grant of a tomb.... + +THE WILLOW +The simplest way would be to drown them in one of my rivers.... I will take +charge of that.... + +THE LIME-TREE (_in a conciliatory tone_) +Come, come.... Is it really necessary to go to such extremities?... They +are very young.... We could quite simply prevent them from doing any harm +by keeping them prisoners in an enclosure which I will undertake to form by +planting myself all around.... + +THE OAK +Who speaks?... I seem to recognise the honeyed accents of the Lime-tree.... + +THE FIR-TREE +Yes, it's he.... + +THE OAK +So there is a renegade among us, as among the Animals?... Hitherto we have +only had to deplore the disloyalty of the Fruit-trees; but they are not +real trees.... + +THE PIG (_rolling his small eyes gluttonously_) +I think we should first eat the little girl.... She ought to be very +tender.... + +TYLTYL +What's he saying?... Just wait a bit, you... + +THE CAT +I don't know what is the matter with them; but things are beginning to look +badly.... + +THE OAK +Silence!... What we have to decide is which of us shall have the honour of +striking the first blow, who shall ward off from, our tops the greatest +danger that has threatened us since the birth of Man.... + +THE FIR-TREE +That honour falls to you, our king and our patriarch.... + +THE OAK +Is that the Fir-tree speaking?... Alas, I am too old!... I am blind and +infirm and my numbed arms no longer obey me.... No, to you, brother, ever +green, ever upright, to you, who have witnessed the birth of most of these +trees, to you be the glory, in default of myself, of the noble act of our +deliverance.... + +THE FIR-TREE +I thank you, venerable father.... But as I shall, in any case, have the +honour of burying the two victims, I should be afraid of arousing the just +jealousy of my colleagues; and I think that, next to ourselves, the oldest +and the worthiest and the one that owns the best club is the Beech.... + +THE BEECH +You know I am worm-eaten and my club is no longer to be relied upon.... But +the Elm and the Cypress have powerful weapons.... + +THE ELM +I should be only too pleased; but I can hardly stand upright.... A mole +twisted my great toe last night.... + +THE CYPRESS +As for me, I am ready.... But, like my brother, the Fir-tree, I shall have, +if not the privilege of burying them, at least the advantage of weeping +over their tomb.... It would be an unlawful plurality of offices.... Ask +the Poplar.... + +THE POPLAR +Me?... Are you serious?... Why, my wood is more tender than the flesh of +a child!... And, besides, I don't know what's the matter with me.... I am +shivering with fever.... Just look at my leaves.... I must have caught cold +at sunrise this morning.... + +THE OAK (_bursting out with indignation_) +You are afraid of Man!... Even those unprotected and unarmed little +children inspire you with the mysterious terror which has always made us +the slaves that we are!... Enough of this! Things being as they are and the +opportunity unequalled, I shall go forth alone, old, crippled, trembling, +blind as I am, against the hereditary enemy!... Where is he?... + +(_Groping with his stick, he moves towards_ TYLTYL.) + +TYLTYL (_taking his knife from his pocket_) +Is it me he's after, that old one, with his big stick?... + +ALL THE TREES (_uttering a cry of alarm at the sight of the knife, they +step in between and hold back the_ OAK) +The knife!... Take care!... The knife!... + +THE OAK (_struggling_) +Let me be!... What does it matter?... The knife or the axe!... Who's +holding me back?... What! Are you all here?... What! You all want to.... +(_Flinging down his_ _stick_) Well, so be it!... Shame upon +us!... Let the Animals deliver us!... + +THE BULL +That's right!... I'll see to It!... And with one blow of the horns!... + +THE OX _and_ THE COW (_holding him back by the tail_) +What are you doing?... Don't be a fool!... It's a bad business!... It will +end badly.... It is we who will pay for it.... Do let be.... It's the wild +animals' business.... + +THE BULL +No, no!... It's my business!... Wait and see!... Look here, hold me back or +there will be an accident!... + +TYLTYL (_to_ MYTYL, _who is uttering piercing screams_) +Don't be afraid!... Stand behind me.... I have my knife.... + +THE COCK +He has plenty of pluck, the little chap!... + +TYLTYL +So you've made up your minds, it's me you're going for?... + +THE ASS +Why, of course, my little man; you've taken long enough to see it!... + +THE PIG +You can say your prayers; your last hour has come.... But don't hide the +little girl.... I want to feast my eyes on her.... I'm going to eat her +first.... + +TYLTYL +What have I done to you?... + +THE SHEEP +Nothing at all, my little man.... Eaten my little brother, my two sisters, +my three uncles, my aunt, my grandpapa and my grandmamma.... Wait, wait, +when you're down, you shall see that I have teeth also.... + +THE ASS +And I hoofs!... + +THE HORSE (_haughtily pawing the ground_) +You shall see what you shall see!... Would you rather that I tore you with +my teeth or knocked you down with a kick?... (_He moves ostentatiously +towards_ TYLTYL, _who faces him and raises his knife. Suddenly the_ +HORSE, _seized with panic, turns and rushes away_.) Ah, no!... That's +not fair!... That's against the rules!.... He's defending himself!... + +THE COCK (_unable to hide his admiration_) +I don't care, the little chap's full of grit!... + +THE PIG (_to the_ BEAR _and the_ WOLF) +Let us all rush on them together.... I will support you from the rear.... +We will throw them down and share the little girl when she is on the +ground.... + +THE WOLF +Divert their attention in front.... I am going to make a turning +movement.... + +(_He goes round_ TYLTYL, _whom he attacks from behind and half +overthrows_.) + +TYLTYL +You brute!... (_He raises himself on one knee brandishing his knife and +doing his best to cover his little sister, who utters yells of distress. +Seeing him half overturned, all the_ ANIMALS _and_ TREES _come up +and try to hit him_. TYLTYL _calls distractedly for assistance_.) +Help! Help!... Tylô! Tylô!... Where is the Cat?... Tylô!... Tylette! +Tylette!... Come! Come!... + +THE CAT (_hypocritically, holding aloof_) +I can't come.... I have sprained my paw.... + +TYLTYL (_warding of the blows and defending himself as best he can_) +Help!... Tylô! Tylô!... I can't hold out!... There are too many of them!... +The Bear! The Pig! The Donkey! The Ass! The Fir-tree! The Beech!... Tylô! +Tylô! Tylô!... + +(_Dragging his broken bonds after him, the_ DOG _leaps from behind +the trunk of the_ OAK _and, elbowing his way through_ TREES +_and_ ANIMALS, _flings himself before_ TYLTYL, _whom he defends +furiously_.) + +THE DOG (_distributing great bites_) +Here! Here, my little god!... Don't be afraid! Have at them!... I know how +to use my teeth!... Here, there's one for you, Bear, in your fat hams!... +Now then, who wants some more?... Here, that's for the Pig and that's for +the Horse and that's for the Bull's tail!... There, I've torn the Beech's +trousers and the Oak's petticoat!... The Fir-tree's making tracks!... Whew, +it's warm work!... + +TYLTYL (_overcome_) +I'm done for!... The Cypress has caught me a great blow on the head.... + +THE DOG +Ow!... That's the Willow!... He's broken my paw!... + +TYLTYL +They're coming back, they're charging down upon us, all together!... This +time, it's the Wolf!... + +THE DOG +Wait till I give him one for himself!... + +THE WOLF +Fool!... Our brother!... His father drowned your seven puppies!... + +THE DOG +Quite right!... And a good thing too!... It was because they looked like +you!... + +ALL THE TREES AND ANIMALS +Renegade!... Idiot!... Traitor!... Felon!... Simpleton!... Judas!... Leave +him!... He's a dead man!... Come over to us!... + +THE DOG (_drunk with ardour and devotion_) +Never! Never!... I alone against all of you!... Never! Never!... True to +the gods, to the best, to the greatest!... (_To_ TYLTYL) Take care, +here's the Bear!... Beware of the Bull!... I'll jump at his throat.... +Ow!... That's a kick.... The Ass has broken two of my teeth.... + +TYLTYL +I'm done for, Tylô!... Ah!... That was a blow from the Elm.... Look, my +hand's bleeding.... That's the Wolf or the Pig.... + +THE DOG +Wait, my little god.... Let me kiss you.... There, a good lick.... That +will do you good.... Keep behind me.... They dare not come again.... Yes, +though.... Here they are coming back!... This time, it's serious!.... We +must stand firm!... + +TYLTYL (_dropping to the ground_) +No, I can hold out no longer!... + +THE DOG (_listening_) +They are coming!... I hear them, I scent them!... + +TYLTYL +Where?... Who?... + +THE DOG +There! There!... It's Light!... She has found us!... Saved, my little +king!... Kiss me!... We are saved!... Look!... They're alarmed!... They're +retreating!... They're afraid!... + +TYLTYL +Light!... Light!... Come quick!... Hurry!... They have rebelled!... They +are all against us!... + +_Enter_ LIGHT. _As she comes forward, the dawn rises over the +forest, which becomes light_. + +LIGHT +What is it?... What has happened?... But, my poor boy, didn't you know?... +Turn the diamond!... They will return into silence and obscurity; and you +will no longer perceive their hidden feelings.... + +(TYLTYL _turns the diamond. Immediately, the souls of all the_ TREES +_rush back into the trunks, which close again. The souls of the_ +ANIMALS _also disappear; and a peaceful_ COW _and_ SHEEP, +_etc., are seen browsing in the distance. The Forest becomes harmless +once more_, TYLTYL _looks around him in amazement_.) + +TYLTYL +Where are they?... What was the matter with them?... Were they mad?... + +LIGHT +No, they are always like that; but we do not know it because we do not see +it.... I told you so before; it is dangerous to wake them when I am not +there.... + +TYLTYL (_wiping his knife_) +Well, but for the Dog and if I had not had my knife!... I would never have +believed that they were so wicked!... + +LIGHT +You see that Man is all alone against all in this world.... + +THE DOG +Are you very badly hurt, my little god?... + +TYLTYL +Nothing serious.... As for Mytyl, they have not touched her.... But you, my +dear Tylô?... Your mouth is all over blood and your paw is broken!... + +THE DOG +It is not worth speaking of.... It won't show to-morrow.... But it was a +tough fight!... + +THE CAT (_appearing from behind a thicket, limping_) +I should think so!... The Ox caught me a blow with his horns in the +stomach.... You can't see the marks, but it's very painful.... And the Oak +broke my paw.... + +THE DOG +I should like to know which one.... + +MYTYL (_stroking the_ CAT) +My poor Tylette, did he really?.... Where were you?... I did not see +you.... + +THE CAT (_hypocritically_) +Mummy dear, I was wounded at the first, while attacking that horrid Pig, +who wanted to eat you.... And then the Oak gave me a great blow which +struck me senseless.... + +THE DOG (_to the_ CAT, _between his teeth_) +As for you, I want a word with you presently.... It will keep!... + +THE CAT (_plaintively, to_ MYTYL) +Mummy dear, he's insulting me.... He wants to hurt me.... + +MYTYL (_to the_ DOG) +Leave him alone, will you, you ugly beast?... + +(_They all go out_.) + + +CURTAIN + + + + +ACT IV + + + + +SCENE 1.--_Before the Curtain_. + + +_The curtain represents beautiful clouds_ + +(_Enter_ TYLTYL, MYTYL, LIGHT, _the_ DOG, _the_ CAT, BREAD, +FIRE, SUGAR, WATER _and_ MILK.) + + +LIGHT +I believe we have the Blue Bird this time. I ought to have thought of it +before. But the idea came to me, like a ray from the sky, this morning +only, when I recovered my strengthen the dawn.... We are at the entrance +to the enchanted palaces where all men's Joys, all men's Happinesses are +gathered together in the charge of Fate. + +TYLTYL +Are there many of them? Shall we have any? Are they little? + +LIGHT +Some are little and some are great; some are coarse and some are delicate; +some are very beautiful and others not so pleasant to look upon.... But the +ugliest were expelled from the garden some time ago and took refuge with +the Miseries. For we must not forget that the Miseries inhabit an adjoining +cave, which communicates with the Garden of Happiness and is separated from +it only by a sort of vapour or fine veil, lifted at every moment by +the winds that blow from the heights of Justice or from the depths of +Eternity.... What we have now to do is to organise ourselves and take +certain precautions. Generally, the Joys are very good; but, still, there +are some of them that are more dangerous and treacherous than the greatest +Miseries. + +BREAD +I have an idea! If they are dangerous and treacherous, would it not be +better for us all to wait at the door, so that we may lend a hand to the +children should they be obliged to fly?.... + +THE DOG +Not at all! Not at all! I mean to go everywhere with my little gods! Let +those who are afraid remain at the door! We have no need (_looking at_ +BREAD) of cowards (_looking at the_ CAT) or traitors!... + +FIRE +I'm going!... I hear it's great fun!... They dance all the time.... + +BREAD +Do they have any eating as well? + +WATER (_moaning_) +I have never known the smallest Happiness!... I should like to see some at +last!.... + +LIGHT +Hold your tongues! Who asked your opinions?... This is what I have decided: +the Dog, Bread and Sugar shall go with the children. Water shall stay +outside, because she is too cold, and Fire, because he is too turbulent. I +strongly urge Milk to remain at the door, because he is so impressionable. +As for the Cat, he can do as he likes..... + +THE CAT +I shall take the opportunity of calling on the chief Miseries of my +acquaintance, who live next door to the Joys.... + +TYLTYL +And you, Light? Aren't you coming? + +LIGHT +I cannot go into the Joys like this: most of them cannot endure me. But +I have here the thick veil with which I cover myself when I visit +happy people.... (_She unfolds a long veil and wraps herself in it +carefully_.) Not a ray of my soul must startle them, for there are many +Happinesses that are afraid and are not happy.... There... like this, even +the ugliest and coarsest of them will have nothing to fear.... + +(_The curtain opens and discloses the next Scene_) + + + + +SCENE 2.--_The Palace of Happiness_. + +_When the curtain of clouds opens, the stage represents, in the forefront +of the palace, a sort of hall formed of tall marble columns, between which +hang heavy purple draperies, supported by golden ropes and concealing all +the background. The architecture suggests the most sensual and sumptuous +moments of the Venetian or Flemish Renascence, as seen in the pictures +of Veronese or Rubens, with garlands, horns of plenty, fringes, vases, +statues, gildings, lavishly distributed on every side. In the middle stands +a massive and marvellous table of jasper and silver-gilt, laden with +candlesticks, glass, gold and silver plate and fabulous viands. Around the +table, the biggest luxuries of the Earth sit eating, drinking, shouting, +singing, tossing and lolling about or sleeping among the haunches of +venison, the miraculous fruits, the overturned jars and ewers. They are +enormously, incredibly fat and red in the face, covered with velvet and +brocade, crowned with gold and pearls and precious stones. Beautiful female +slaves incessantly bring decorated dishes and foaming beverages. Vulgar, +blatantly hilarious music, in which the brasses predominate. The stage is +bathed in a red and heavy light_. + +(TYLTYL, MYTYL, _the_ DOG, BREAD _and_ SUGAR _are a little +awestruck at first end crowd round_ LIGHT _in the foreground, to the +right. The_ CAT, _without a word, walks to the background, also to the +right, lifts a dark curtain and disappears_.) + +TYLTYL +Who are those fat gentlemen enjoying themselves and eating such a lot of +good things? + +LIGHT +They are the biggest Luxuries of the Earth, the ones that can be seen with +the naked eye. It is possible, though not very likely, that the Blue Bird +may have strayed among them for a moment. That is why you must not turn the +diamond yet. For form's sake, we will begin by searching this part of the +hall. + +TYLTYL +Can we go up to them? + +LIGHT +Certainly. They are not ill-natured, although they are vulgar and usually +rather ill-bred. + +MYTYL +What beautiful cakes they have!.... + +THE DOG +And such game! And sausages! And legs of lamb and calves' liver!... There +is nothing nicer or lovelier in the world than liver!... + +BREAD +Except quartern-loaves made of fine white flour! They have splendid +ones!... How lovely they are! How lovely they are!... + +SUGAR +I beg your pardon, I beg your pardon, I beg a thousand pardons.... Allow +me, allow me.... I would not like to hurt anybody's feelings; but are you +not forgetting the sweetmeats, which form the glory of that table and +which, if I may say so, surpass in grandeur and magnificence all that +exists in this hall, or perhaps anywhere else?... + +TYLTYL +How pleased and happy they look!... And they are shouting! And laughing! +And singing!... I believe they have seen us.... + +(_A dozen of the biggest_ LUXURIES _have risen from table and now, +holding their stomachs in their hands, advance laboriously towards the_ +CHILDREN.) + +LIGHT +Have no fear, they are very affable.... They will probably invite you to +dinner.... Do not accept, do not accept anything, lest you should forget +your mission.... + +TYLTYL +What? Not even a tiny cake? They look so good, so fresh, so well iced with +sugar, covered with candied fruits and brimming over with cream!... + +LIGHT +They are dangerous and would break your will. A man should know how to +sacrifice something to the duty he is performing. Refuse politely, but +firmly. + +THE BIGGEST OF THE LUXURIES (_holding out his hand to_ TYLTYL) +How do you do, Tyltyl?... + +TYLTYL (_surprised_) +Why, do you know me?... Who are you?... + +THE LUXURY +I am the biggest of the Luxuries, the Luxury of Being Rich; and I come, in +the name of my brothers, to beg you and your family to honour our endless +repast with your presence. You will find yourself surrounded by all that is +best among the real, big Luxuries of this Earth. Allow me to introduce +to you the chief of them. Here is my son-in-law, the Luxury of Being a +Landowner, who has a stomach shaped like a pear. This is the Luxury of +Satisfied Vanity, who has such a nice, puffy face, (_The_ LUXURY OF +SATISFIED VANITY _gives a patronising nod_.) These are the Luxury of +Drinking when you are not Thirsty and the Luxury of Eating when you are not +Hungry: they are twins and their legs are made of macaroni. (_They bow, +staggering_.) Here are the Luxury of Knowing Nothing, who is as deaf as +a post, and the Luxury of Understanding Nothing, who is as blind as a bat. +Here are the Luxury of Doing Nothing and the Luxury of Sleeping more +than Necessary: their hands are made of bread-crumb and their eyes of +peach-jelly. Lastly, here is Fat Laughter: his mouth is split from ear to +ear and he is irresistible.... + +(FAT LAUGHTER _bows, writhing and holding his sides_.) + +TYLTYL (_pointing to a_ LUXURY _who is standing a little on one side_) +And who is that one, who dares not come up to us and who is turning his +back?... + +THE LUXURY OF BEING RICH +Do not ask about him: he is a little awkward and is not fit to be +introduced to children.... (_Seizing_ TYLTYL'S _hands_) But come +along! They are beginning the banquet all over again.... It is the twelfth +time since this morning. We are only waiting for you.... Do you hear all +the revellers calling and shouting for you?... I cannot introduce you to +all of them, there are so many of them.... (_Offering his arm to the two +children_) Allow me to lead you to the two seats of honour.... + +TYLTYL +No, thank you very much, Mr. Luxury.... I am so sorry.... I can't come for +the moment.... We are in a great hurry, we are looking for the Blue Bird. +You don't happen to know, I suppose, where he is hiding? + +THE LUXURY +The Blue Bird?... Wait a bit.... Yes, I remember.... Some one was telling +me about him the other day.... He is a bird, that is not good to eat, I +believe.... At any rate, he has never figured on our table.... That means +that we have a poor opinion of him. But don't trouble; we have much better +things.... You shall share our life, you shall see all that we do.... + +TYLTYL +What do you do? + +THE LUXURY +Why, we occupy ourselves incessantly in doing nothing.... We never have a +moment's rest.... We have to drink, we have to eat, we have to sleep. It's +most engrossing.... + +TYLTYL +Is it amusing? + +THE LUXURY +Why, yes.... It needs must be; it's all there is on this Earth.... + +LIGHT +Do you think so?... + +THE LUXURY (_pointing to_ LIGHT, _aside, to_ TYLTYL) +Who is that ill-bred young person?... + +(_During the whole of the preceding conversation a crowd of_ LUXURIES +_of the second order have been busying themselves with the_ DOG, +SUGAR _and_ BREAD _and have dragged them to the orgie_. TYLTYL +_suddenly sees them seated fraternally at the table with their hosts, +eating, drinking and flinging themselves about wildly_.) + +TYLTYL +Why, look, Light!... They are sitting at the table!... + +LIGHT +Call them back, or this will have a bad end!... + +TYLTYL +Tylô!... Here, Tylô!... Come here at once, will you? Do you hear?... And +you too, Sugar and Bread, who told you to leave me?... What are you doing +there, without permission? + +BREAD (_speaking with his mouth full_) +Can't you keep a civil tongue in your mouth?... + +TYLTYL +What? Is Bread daring to be impertinent?... Why, what's come over you?... +And you, Tylô?... Is that the way you obey? Now then, come here, on your +knees, on your knees!... And look sharp!... + +THE DOG (_muttering, from the end of the table_) +When I'm eating, I'm at home to nobody and I hear nothing.... + +SUGAR (_honey-mouthed_) +Pardon us, we could not possibly leave such charming hosts so abruptly: +they would be offended.... + +THE LUXURY +You see!... They are setting you an example.... Come, we are waiting for +you.... We won't hear of a refusal.... We shall have to resort to a gentle +violence.... Come, you Luxuries, help me!... Let us push them to the table +by force, so that they may be happy in spite of themselves!... (_All +the_ LUXURIES, _uttering cries of joy and skipping about as nimbly +as they are able, drag the_ CHILDREN, _who struggle, while_ FAT +LAUGHTER _seizes_ LIGHT _vigorously round the waist_.) + +LIGHT +Turn the diamond, it is time!... + +(TYLTYL _obeys_ LIGHT'S _order. Forthwith, the stage is lit up with +an ineffably pure, divinely roseate, harmonious and ethereal brightness. +The heavy ornaments in the foreground, the thick red hangings become +unfastened and disappear, revealing an immense and magnificent hall, a +sort of cathedral of gladness and serenity, tall, innocent and almost +transparent, whose endless fabric rests upon innumerous long and slender, +limpid and blissful columns, suggesting the architecture of the Palladian +churches or certain drawings by Carpaccio, notably the "Presentation of the +Virgin" in the Uffizi Gallery. The table of the orgie melts away without +leaving a trace; the velvets, the brocades, the garlands of the_ +LUXURIES _rise before the luminous gust that invades the temple tear +asunder and fall, together with the grinning masks, at the feet of the +astounded revellers. These become visibly deflated, like burst bladders, +exchange glances, blink their eyes in the unknown rays that hurt them; +and, seeing themselves at last as they really are, that is to say, naked, +hideous, flabby and lamentable, they begin to utter yells of shame and +dismay, amid which those of_ FAT LAUGHTER _are clearly distinguishable +above all the rest. The_ LUXURY OF UNDERSTANDING NOTHING _alone +remains perfectly calm, while his friends rush about madly, trying to flee, +to hide themselves in corners which they hope to find dark. But there is +not a shadow left in the dazzling room. And so the majority, in their +despair, decide to pass through the threatening curtain which, in an angle +on the right, closes the vault of the Cave of Miseries. Each time that one +of them, in his panic, raises a skirt of the curtain, a storm of oaths, +imprecations and maledictions is heard to issue from the hollow depths of +the cave. As for the_ DOG, BREAD _and_ SUGAR, _they hang their +heads, join the group of the_ CHILDREN _and hide behind them very +sheepishly_.) + +TYLTYL (_watching the_ LUXURIES _flying_) +Goodness, how ugly they are!... Where are they going?... + +LIGHT +I really believe that they have lost their heads.... They are going to take +refuge with the Miseries, where I very much fear that they will be kept for +good.... + +TYLTYL (_looking around him, wonder-struck_) +Oh, what a beautiful hall, what a beautiful hall!... Where are we?... + +LIGHT +We have not moved: it is your eyes that see differently.... We now behold +the truth of things; and we shall perceive the soul of the Joys that endure +the brightness of the diamond. + +TYLTYL +How beautiful it is!... And what lovely weather!... It is just like +midsummer.... Hullo! It looks as though people were coming to talk to +us.... + +(_The halls begin to fill with angel forms that seem to be emerging from +a long slumber and glide harmoniously between the columns. They are clad +in shimmering dresses, of soft and subtle shades; rose-awakening, +water's-smile, amber-dew, blue-of-dawn, etc_.) + +LIGHT +Here come some amiable and curious Joys who will direct us.... + +TYLTYL +Do you know them?... + +LIGHT +Yes, I know them all; I often come to them, without their knowing who I +am.... + +TYLTYL +Oh, what a lot of them there are!... They are crowding from every side! + +LIGHT +There were many more of them once. The Luxuries have done them great harm. + +TYLTYL +No matter, there are a good few of them left.... + +LIGHT +You will see plenty of others, as the influence of the diamond spreads +through the halls.... There are many more Happinesses on Earth than people +think; but the generality of men do not discover them.... + +TYLTYL +Here are some little ones: let us run and meet them.... + +LIGHT +It is unnecessary: those which interest us will pass this way. We have no +time to make the acquaintance of all the rest.... + +(_A troop of little_ HAPPINESSES, _frisking and bursting with +laughter, run up from the back of the halls and dance round the_ +CHILDREN _in a ring_.) + +TYLTYL +How pretty, how very pretty they are!... Where do they come from, who are +they?... + +LIGHT +They are the Children's Happinesses.... + +TYLTYL +Can one speak to them? + +LIGHT +It would be no use. They sing, they dance, they laugh, but they do not talk +yet.... + +TYLTYL (_skipping about_) +How do you do? How do you do?... Oh, look at that fat one laughing!... What +pretty cheeks they have, what pretty frocks they have!... Are they all rich +here?... + +LIGHT +Why, no, here, as everywhere, there are many more poor than rich.... + +TYLTYL +Where are the poor ones?... + +LIGHT +You can't distinguish them.... A Child's Happiness is always arrayed in all +that is most beautiful in Heaven and upon Earth. + +TYLTYL (_unable to restrain himself_) +I should like to dance with them.... + +LIGHT +It is absolutely impossible, we have no time.... I see that they have not +the Blue Bird.... Besides, they are in a hurry: you see, they have already +passed.... They too have no time to waste, for childhood is very short.... + +(_Another troop of_ HAPPINESSES, _a little taller than the last, +rush into the hall, singing at the top of their voice, "There they are! +There they are! They see us! They see us!" and, dance a merry fling around +the_ CHILDREN, _at the end of which the one who appears to be +the chief of the little band goes up to_ TYLTYL _with hand +outstretched_.) + +THE HAPPINESS +How do you do, Tyltyl?... + +TYLTYL +Another one who knows me!... (_To_ LIGHT) I am getting known wherever +I go!... (_To the_ HAPPINESS) Who are you?... + +THE HAPPINESS +Don't you recognise me?... I'll wager that you don't recognise any one +here! + +TYLTYL (_a little embarrassed_) +Why, no.... I don't know.... I don't remember seeing any of you. + +THE HAPPINESS +There, do you hear?... I was sure of it!... He has never seen us!... + +(_All the other_ HAPPINESSES _burst out laughing_) Why, my dear +Tyltyl, we are the only things you do know!... We are always around you!... +We eat, drink, wake up, breathe and live with you!... + +TYLTYL +Oh, yes, just so, I know, I remember.... But I should like to know what +your names are.... + +THE HAPPINESS +I can see that you know nothing.... I am the chief of the Happinesses of +your home; and all these are the other Happinesses that live there.... + +TYLTYL +Then there are Happinesses in my home? + +(_All the_ HAPPINESSES _burst out laughing_.) + +THE HAPPINESS +You heard him!... Are there Happinesses in his home!... Why, you little +wretch, it is crammed with Happinesses in every nook and cranny!... We +laugh, we sing, we create enough joy to knock down the walls and lift the +roof; but, do what we may, you see nothing and you hear nothing.... I hope +that, in future, you will be a little more sensible.... Meantime, you shall +shake hands with the more noteworthy of us.... Then, when you reach home +again, you will recognise them more easily and, at the end of a fine day, +you will know how to encourage them with a smile, to thank them with a +pleasant word, for they really do all they can to make your life easy and +delightful.... Let me introduce myself first: the Happiness of Being Well, +at your service.... I am not the prettiest, but I am the most important. +Will you know me again?... This is the Happiness of Pure Air, who is almost +transparent.... Here is the Happiness of Loving one's Parents, who is clad +in grey and always a little sad, because no one ever looks at him.... Here +are the Happiness of the Blue Sky, who, of course, is dressed in blue, and +the Happiness of the Forest, who, also of course, is clad in green: you +will see him every time you go to the window.... Here, again, is the +good Happiness of Sunny Hours, who is diamond-coloured, and this is the +Happiness of Spring, who is bright emerald.... + +TYLTYL +And are you as fine as that every day? + +THE HAPPINESS OF BEING WELL +Why, yes, it is Sunday every day, in every house, when people open their +eyes.... And then, when evening comes, here is the Happiness of the +Sunsets, who is grander than all the kings in the world and who is followed +by the Happiness of Seeing the Stars Rise, who is gilded like a god of +old.... Then, when the weather breaks, here are the Happiness of the Rain, +who is covered with pearls, and the Happiness of the Winter Fire, who opens +his beautiful purple mantle to frozen hands.... And I have not mentioned +the best among us, because he is nearly a brother of the great limpid +Joys whom you will see presently: his name is the Happiness of Innocent +Thoughts, and he is the brightest of as all.... And then here are.... But +really there are too many of them!... We should never have done; and I must +first send word to the Great Joys, who are right at the back, near the +gates of Heaven, and who have not yet heard of your arrival.... I will send +the Happiness of Running Barefoot in the Dew, who is the nimblest of us.... +(_To the_ HAPPINESS OF RUNNING BAREFOOT IN THE DEW, _who comes +forward capering_) Off you go!... + +LIGHT (_to_ TYLTYL) +In the meantime, you might enquire about the Blue Bird. It is just possible +that the chief Happiness of your home knows where he is.... + +TYLTYL +Where Is he?... + +THE HAPPINESS +He doesn't know where the Blue Bird is!... (_All the_ HAPPINESSES OF +THE HOME _burst out laughing_.) + +TYLTYL (_vexed_) +No, I do not know.... There's nothing to laugh at.... (_Fresh bursts of +laughter_.) + +THE HAPPINESS +Come, don't be angry... and let us be serious.... He doesn't know: well, +what do you expect? He is no more absurd than the majority of men.... But +little Happiness of Running Barefoot in the Dew has told the Great Joys and +they are coming towards us.... + +(_Tall and beautiful angelic figures, clad in shimmering dresses, come +slowly forward_.) + +TYLTYL +How beautiful they are!... Why are they not laughing?... Are they not +happy?... + +LIGHT +It is not when one laughs that one is really happy.... + +TYLTYL +Who are they?... + +THE HAPPINESS +They are the Great Joys.... + +TYLTYL +Do you know their names?... + +THE HAPPINESS +Of course; we often play with them.... Here, first of all, before the +others, is the Great Joy of Being Just, who smiles each time an injustice +is repaired. I am too young: I have never seen her smile yet. Behind her is +the Joy of Being Good, who is the happiest, but the saddest; and it is very +difficult to keep her from going to the Miseries, whom she would like to +console; for, if she left us, we should be almost as miserable as the +Miseries themselves. On the right is the Joy of Fame, next to the Joy of +Thinking. After her comes the Joy of Understanding, who is always looking +for her brother, the Luxury of Understanding Nothing.... + +TYLTYL +But I have seen her brother!... He went to the Miseries with the Big +Luxuries.... + +THE HAPPINESS +I was certain of it.... He has turned out badly; keeping evil company has +corrupted him entirely.... But do not speak of it to his sister. She would +want to go and look for him and we should lose one of our most beautiful +Joys.... Here, among the greatest Joys, is the Joy of Seeing what is +Beautiful, who daily adds a few rays to the light that reigns amongst +us.... + +TYLTYL +And there, far away, far away, in the golden clouds, the one whom I can +hardly see when I stand as high as I can on tip-toe?... + +THE HAPPINESS +That is the Great Joy of Loving.... But, do what you will, you are ever so +much too small to see her altogether.... + +TYLTYL +And over there, right at the back, those who are veiled and who do not come +near?... + +THE HAPPINESS +Those are the Joys whom men do not yet know.... + +TYLTYL +What do the others want with us?... Why are they standing aside?... + +THE HAPPINESS +It is before a new Joy who is arriving, perhaps the purest that we have +here.... + +TYLTYL +Who is it? + +THE HAPPINESS +Don't you recognise her yet?... But take a better look at her, open your +two eyes down to the very heart of your soul!... She has seen you, she +has seen you!... She runs up to you, holding out her arms!... It is your +mother's Joy, it is the peerless Joy of Maternal Love!... + +(_The other_ JOYS, _who have run up from every side, acclaim the_ +JOY OF MATERNAL LOVE _with their cheers and then fall back before her in +silence_.) + +THE JOY OF MATERNAL LOVE +Tyltyl! And Mytyl!... What, do I find you here?... I never expected it!... +I was very lonely at home; and here are you two climbing to that Heaven +where the souls of all mothers beam with joy!... But first kisses, heaps +and heaps of kisses!... Into my arms, the two of you; there is nothing on +earth that gives greater happiness!... Tyltyl, aren't you laughing?... Nor +you either, Mytyl?... Don't you know your mother's love when you see it?... +Why, look at me: are these not my eyes, my lips, my arms?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, yes, I recognise them, but I did not know.... You are like Mummy, but +you are much prettier.... + +MATERNAL LOVE +Why, of course, I have stopped growing old.... And every day brings me +fresh strength and youth and happiness.... Each of your smiles makes me +younger by a year.... At home, that does not show; but here everything is +seen and it is the truth.... + +TYLTYL (_wonder-struck, gazing at her and kissing her by turns_) +And that beautiful dress of yours: what is it made of?... Is it silk, +silver or pearls?... + +MATERNAL LOVE +No, it is made of kisses and caresses and loving looks.... Each kiss you +give me adds a ray of moon-light or sunshine to it.... + +TYLTYL +How funny, I should never have thought that you were so rich!... Where used +you to hide it?... Was it in the cupboard of which Daddy has the key?... + +MATERNAL LOVE +No, no, I always wear it, but people do not see it, because people see +nothing when their eyes are closed.... All mothers are rich when they love +their children.... There are no poor mothers, no ugly ones, no old ones. +Their love is always the most beautiful of the Joys.... And, when they seem +most sad, it needs but a kiss which they receive or give to turn all their +tears into stars in the depths of their eyes.... + +TYLTYL (_looking at her with astonishment_) +Why, yes, it's true, your eyes are filled with stars.... And they are +really your eyes, only they are much more beautiful.... And this is your +hand too, with the little ring on it.... It even has the burn which you +gave it one evening when lighting the lamp.... But it is much whiter; and +how delicate the skin is!... There seems to be light flowing through it.... +Doesn't it do any work like the one at home?... + +MATERNAL LOVE +Why yes, it is the very same: did you never see that it becomes quite white +and fills with light the moment it fondles you?... + +TYLTYL +It's wonderful, Mummy: you have the same voice also; but you speak much +better than you do at home.... + +MATERNAL LOVE +At home, one has too much to do and there is no time.... But what one does +not say one hears all the same.... Now that you have seen me, will you know +me again, in my torn dress, when you go back to the cottage tomorrow?... + +TYLTYL +I don't want to go back.... As you are here, I want to stay also, as long +as you remain.... + +MATERNAL LOVE +But it's just the same thing: I am down below, we are all down below.... +You have come up here only to realise and to learn, once and for all, how +to see me when you see me down below.... Do you understand, Tyltyl dear?... +You believe yourself in Heaven; but Heaven is wherever you and I kiss each +other.... There are not two mothers; and you have no other.... Every child +has only one; and it is always the same one and always the most beautiful; +but you have to know her and to know how to look.... But how did you manage +to come up here and to find a road for which men have been seeking ever +since they began to dwell upon the Earth?... + +TYLTYL (_pointing to_ LIGHT, _who, discreetly, has drawn a little to one +side_) +She brought me.... + +MATERNAL LOVE +Who is she?... + +TYLTYL +Light.... + +MATERNAL LOVE +I have never seen her.... I was told that she was very fond of you both and +very kind.... But why does she hide herself?... Does she never show her +face?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, yes, but she is afraid that the Joys might be frightened if they saw +too clearly.... + +MATERNAL LOVE +But doesn't she know that we are waiting only for her! (_Calling the +other_ GREAT JOYS) Come, come, sisters! Come quickly, all of you! Light +has come to visit us at last!... + +(_A stir among the_ GREAT JOYS, _who draw nearer, with cries of +"Light is here!... Light! Light!_...") + +THE JOY OF UNDERSTANDING (_thrusting all the others aside, to come and +embrace_ LIGHT) +You are Light and we did not know it!... And we have been waiting for you +for years and years and years!... Do you recognise me?... I am the Joy of +Understanding, who have been seeking you for so long!... We are very happy, +but we cannot see beyond ourselves.... + +THE JOY OF BEING JUST (_embracing_ LIGHT _in her turn_) +Do you recognise me?... I am the Joy of Being Just, who have besought you +so long.... We are very happy, but we cannot see beyond our shadows. + +THE JOY OF SEEING WHAT IS BEAUTIFUL (_also embracing_ LIGHT) +Do you recognise me?... I am the Joy of Seeing what is Beautiful, who have +loved you so dearly.... We are very happy, but we cannot see beyond our +dreams.... + +THE JOY OF UNDERSTANDING +Come, sister, come, do not keep us waiting any longer.... We are strong +enough, we are pure enough.... Put aside those veils which still conceal +from us the last truths and the last happinesses.... See, all my sisters +are kneeling at your feet.... You are our queen and our reward. + +LIGHT (_drawing her veils closer_) +Sisters, my beautiful sisters, I am obeying my Master.... The hour is not +yet come; it will strike, perhaps, and I shall return without fear and +without shadow.... Farewell, rise and let us kiss once more, like sisters +lost and found, while waiting for the day that will soon appear.... + +MATERNAL LOVE (_embracing_ LIGHT) +You have been very good to my poor little ones.... + +LIGHT +I shall always be good to those who love one another.... + +THE JOY OF UNDERSTANDING (_going up to_ LIGHT) +Let the last kiss be laid upon my forehead.... + +(_They exchange a long kiss; and, when they separate and raise their +heads, tears are seen to stand in their eyes_.) + +TYLTYL (_surprised_) +Why are you crying?... (_Looking at the other_ JOYS) I say! You're +crying too!... But why have all of you tears in your eyes?... + +LIGHT +Hush, dear.... + + +CURTAIN + + + + +ACT V + + + + +SCENE I.--_Before the Curtain_. + + +_Enter_ TYLTYL, MYTYL, LIGHT, _the_ DOG, _the_ CAT, BREAD, +FIRE, SUGAR, WATER _and_ MILK. + +LIGHT +I have received a note from the Fairy Bérylune telling me that the Blue +Bird is probably here. + +TYLTYL +Where?... + +LIGHT +Here, in the graveyard behind that wall.... It appears that one of the dead +in the graveyard is hiding it in his tomb.... We must find out which one it +is.... We shall have to pass them under review.... + +TYLTYL +Under review?... How is that done?... + +LIGHT +It is very simple: at midnight, so as not to disturb them too greatly, you +will turn the diamond. We shall see them come out of the ground; or else we +shall see those who do not come out lying in their tombs.... + +TYLTYL +Will they not be angry?... + +LIGHT +Not at all; they will not even know.... They do not like being disturbed, +but, as it is their custom, in any case, to come out at midnight, that will +not inconvenience them.... + +TYLTYL +Why are Bread, Sugar and Milk so pale and why do they say nothing?... + +MILK (_staggering_) +I feel I am going to turn.... + +LIGHT (_aside to TYLTYL_) +Do not mind them.... They are afraid of the dead.... + +FIRE (_frisking about_) +I'm not afraid of them!... I am used to burning them.... Time was when I +burnt them all; that was much more amusing than nowadays ... + +TYLTYL +And why Is Tylô trembling?... Is he afraid, too?... + +THE DOG +I?... I'm not trembling!... I am never afraid; but if you went away, I +should go too.... + +TYLTYL +And has the Cat nothing to say?... + +THE CAT (_mysteriously_) +I know what's what.... + +TYLTYL (_to LIGHT_) +Are you coming with us?... + +LIGHT +No; it is better that I should remain at the gate of the graveyard with the +Things and the Animals.... Some of them would be too frightened and I fear +that the others would misbehave.... Fire, in particular, would want to burn +the dead, as of old; and that is no longer done.... I shall leave you alone +with Mytyl.... + +TYLTYL +And may not Tylô stay with us?... + +THE DOG +Yes, yes, I shall stay; I shall stay here I... I want to stay with my +little god!... + +LIGHT +It is impossible.... The Fairy gave formal orders; besides, there is +nothing to fear.... + +THE DOG +Very well, very well, it makes no difference. If they are vicious, my +little god, all you have to do Is this ... (_he whistles_) and you +shall see.... It will be just as in the forest: Wow! Wow! Wow!... + +LIGHT +Come, good-bye, dear children ... I shall not be far away.... (_She +kisses the_ CHILDREN.) Those who love me and whom I love always find me +again.... (_To the_ THINGS _and the_ ANIMALS) This way, all of +you.... + +(_She goes out with the_ THINGS _and the_ ANIMALS. _The_ +CHILDREN _remain alone in the middle of the stage. The curtain, opens and +discloses the next scene_.) + + + + +SCENE 2.--_The Graveyard_. + +_It is night. The moon is shining on a country graveyard.. Numerous +tombstones, grassy mounds, wooden crosses, stone slabs, etc_. TYLTYL +_and_ MYTYL _are standing by a short stone pillar_. + +MYTYL +I am frightened!... + +TYLTYL (_not too much at his ease_) +I am never frightened.... + +MYTYL +I say, are the dead wicked?... + +TYLTYL +Why, no, they're not alive!... + +MYTYL +Have you ever seen one?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, once, long ago, when I was very young.... + +MYTYL +What was it like, say?... + +TYLTYL +Quite white, very still and very cold and it didn't talk.... + +MYTYL +Are we going to see them, say?... + +TYLTYL +Why, of course, Light said so.... + +MYTYL +Where are they?... + +TYLTYL +Here, under the grass or under those big stones.... + +MYTYL +Are they there all the year round?... + +TYLTYL +Yes. + +MYTYL (_pointing to the slabs_) +Are those the doors of their houses?... + +TYLTYL +Yes. + +MYTYL +Do they go out when it's fine?... + +TYLTYL +They can only go out at night.... + +MYTYL +Why?... + +TYLTYL +Because they are in their shirts.... + +MYTYL +Do they go out also when it rains?... + +TYLTYL +When it rains, they stay at home.... + +MYTYL +Is it nice in their homes, say?... + +TYLTYL +They say it's very cramped.... + +MYTYL +Have they any little children?... + +TYLTYL +Why, yes; they have all those that die.... + +MYTYL +And what do they live on?... + +TYLTYL +They eat roots.... + +MYTYL +Shall we see them?... + +TYLTYL +Of course; we see everything when I turn the diamond. + +MYTYL +And what will they say?... + +TYLTYL +They will say nothing, as they don't talk.... + +MYTYL +Why don't they talk?... + +TYLTYL +Because they have nothing to say.... + +MYTYL +Why have they nothing to say?... + +TYLTYL +You're a nuisance.... + +(_A pause_) + +MYTYL +When will you turn the diamond? + +TYLTYL +You heard Light say that I was to wait until midnight, because that +disturbs them less.... + +MYTYL +Why does that disturb them less?... + +TYLTYL +Because that is when they go out to take the air.... + +MYTYL +Is it not midnight yet?... + +TYLTYL +Do you see the church clock?... + +MYTYL +Yes, I can even see the small hand.... + +TYLTYL +Well, midnight is just going to strike.... There!... Do you hear?... + +(_The clock strikes twelve_) + +MYTYL +I want to go away!... + +TYLTYL +Not now.... I am going to turn the diamond.... + +MYTYL +No, no!... Don't!... I want to go away!... I am so frightened, little +brother!... I am terribly frightened!... + +TYLTYL +But there is no danger.... + +MYTYL +I don't want to see the dead!... I don't want to see them!... + +TYLTYL +Very well, you shall not see them; shut your eyes.... + +MYTYL (_clinging to_ TYLTYL'S _clothes_) +Tyltyl, I can't stay!... No, I can't possibly!... They are going to come +out of the ground!... + +TYLTYL +Don't tremble like that.... They will only come out for a moment.... + +MYTYL +But you're trembling, too!... They will be awful!... + +TYLTYL +It is time, the hour is passing.... + +(TYLTYL _turns the diamond. A terrifying minute of silence and +motionlessness elapses, after which, slowly, the crosses totter, the mounds +open, the slabs rise up...._) + +MYTYL (_cowering against_ TYLTYL) +They are coming out!... They are there!... + +(_Then, from all the gaping tombs, there rises gradually an efflorescence +at first frail and timid, like steam; then white and virginal and more and +more tufty, more and more tall and plentiful and marvellous. Little by +little, irresistibly, invading all things, it transforms the graveyard into +a sort of fairy-like and nuptial garden, over which rise the first rays of +the dawn. The dew glitters, the flowers open their blooms, the wind murmurs +in the leaves, the bees hum, the birds wake and flood the air with +the first raptures of their hymns to the sun and to life. Stunned and +dazzled,_ TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL, _holding each other by the hand, +take a few steps among the flowers while they seek for the trace of the +tombs_.) + +MYTYL (_looking in the grass_) +Where are the dead?.... + +TYLTYL (_looking also_) +There are no dead.... + + +CURTAIN + + + + +SCENE 3.--_The Kingdom of the Future_. + +_The immense halls of the Azure Palace, where the children wait that +are yet to be born. Infinite perspectives of sapphire columns supporting +turquoise vaults. Everything, from the light and the lapis-lazuli +flagstones to the shimmering background into which the last arches run +and disappear, everything, down to the smallest objects, is of an unreal, +intense, fairy-like blue. Only the plinths and capitals of the columns, +the key-stones, a few seats and circular benches are of white marble or +alabaster. To the right, between the columns, are great opalescent doors. +These doors, which_ TIME _will throw back towards the end of the +scene, open upon actual life and the quays of the Dawn. Everywhere, +harmoniously peopling the hall, is a crowd of_ CHILDREN _robed in +long azure garments. Some are playing, others strolling to and fro, others +talking or dreaming; many are asleep, many also are working, between the +colonnades, at future inventions; and their tools, their instruments, the +apparatus which they are constructing, the plants, flowers and fruit which +they are cultivating or plucking are of the same supernatural and luminous +blue as the general atmosphere of the Palace. Figures of a taller stature, +clad in a paler and more diaphanous azure, figures of a sovereign and +silent beauty move among the_ CHILDREN _and would seem to be angels. + +_Enter on the left, as though by stealth, gliding between the columns in +the foreground_, TYLTYL, MYTYL _and_ LIGHT. Their arrival causes +a certain movement among the_ BLUE CHILDREN, _who come running up on +every hand, form a group around the unwonted visitors and gaze upon them +with curiosity_. + +MYTYL +Where are Sugar, the Cat and Bread?... + +LIGHT +They cannot enter here; they would know the future and would not obey.... + +TYLTYL +And the Dog?... + +LIGHT +It is not well, either, that he should know what awaits him in the course +of the ages....I have locked them all up in the vaults of the church.... + +TYLTYL +Where are we?... + +LIGHT +We are in the Kingdom of the Future, in the midst of the children who are +not yet born. As the diamond allows us to see clearly in this region which +is hidden from men, we shall very probably find the Blue Bird here.... + +TYLTYL +Certainly the bird will be blue, since everything here is +blue....(_Looking all around him_.) Heaven, how beautiful it all +is!... + +LIGHT +Look at the children running up.... + +TYLTYL +Are they angry?... + +LIGHT +Not at all....You can see, they are smiling, but they are surprised.... + +THE BLUE CHILDREN (_running up in ever-increasing numbers_) +Live children!...Come and look at the little live children!... + +TYLTYL +Why do they call us the little live children? + +LIGHT +Because they themselves are not alive yet.... + +TYLTYL +What are they doing, then?... + +LIGHT +They are awaiting the hour of their birth.... + +TYLTYL +The hour of their birth?... + +LIGHT +Yes; it is from here that all the children come who are born upon our +earth. Each awaits his day.... When the fathers and mothers want children, +the great doors which you see there, on the right, are opened and the +little ones go down.... + +TYLTYL +What a, lot there are! What a lot there are!... + +LIGHT +There are many more.... We do not see them all.... There are thirty +thousand halls like this, all full of them.... Just think, there are enough +to last to the end of the world!... No one could count them.... + +TYLTYL +And those tall blue persons, who are they?... + +LIGHT +No one exactly knows.... They are believed to be guardians.... I have heard +that they will come upon earth after men.... But we are not allowed to ask +them.... + +TYLTYL +Why not?... + +LIGHT +Because it is the earth's secret.... + +TYLTYL +And may one talk to the others, the little ones?... + +LIGHT +Certainly; you must make friends.... Look, there is one who is more curious +than the rest.... Go up to him, speak to him.... + +TYLTYL +What shall I say to him?... + +LIGHT +Whatever you like, as you would to a little playfellow.... + +TYLTYL +Can I shake hands with him?... + +LIGHT +Of course, he won't hurt you.... But come, don't look so constrained.... I +will leave you alone, you will be more at ease by yourselves.... Besides, I +want to speak to the tall blue person.... + +TYLTYL (_going up to the_ BLUE CHILD _and holding out his hand_) +How do you do?... (_Touching the_ CHILD'S _blue dress with his +finger_.) What's that?... + +THE CHILD (_gravely touching_ TYLTYL'S _hat_) +And that?... + +TYLTYL +That?... That is my hat.... Have you no hat?... + +THE CHILD +No; what is it for?... + +TYLTYL +It's to say How-do-you-do with.... And then for when it rains or when it's +cold.... + +THE CHILD +What does that mean, when it's cold?... + +TYLTYL +When you shiver like this: brrrr! brrrr!... When you blow into your hands +and go like this with your arms.... + +(_He vigorously beats his arms across his chest_.) + +THE CHILD +Is it cold on earth?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, sometimes, in the winter, when there is no fire.... + +THE CHILD +Why is there no fire?... + +TYLTYL +Because it's expensive and it costs money to buy wood.... + +THE CHILD +What is money?... + +TYLTYL +It's what you pay with.... + +THE CHILD +Oh.... + +TYLTYL +Some people have money and others have none.... + +THE CHILD +Why not?... + +TYLTYL +Because they are not rich.... Are you rich?... How old are you?... + +THE CHILD +I am going to be born soon.... I shall be born in twelve years.... Is it +nice to be born?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, yes!... It's great fun!... + +THE CHILD +How did you manage?... + +TYLTYL +I can't remember.... It is so long ago!... + +THE CHILD +They say it's lovely, the earth and the live people!... + +TYLTYL +Yes, it's not bad.... There are birds and cakes and toys.... Some have them +all; but those who have none can look at them.... + +THE CHILD +They tell us that the mothers stand waiting at the door.... They are good, +aren't they?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, yes!... They are better than anything in the world!... And the grannies +too; but they die too soon.... + +THE CHILD +They die?... What is that?... + +TYLTYL +They go away one evening and do not come back.... + +THE CHILD +Why?... + +TYLTYL +How can one tell?... Perhaps because they feel sad.... + +THE CHILD +Has yours gone?... + +TYLTYL +My grandmamma?... + +THE CHILD +Your mamma or your grandmamma, I don't know.... + +TYLTYL +Oh, but it's not the same thing!... The grannies go first; that's sad +enough.... Mine was very kind to me.... + +THE CHILD +What is the matter with your eyes?.... Are they making pearls?... + +TYLTYL +No; it's not pearls.... + +THE CHILD +What is it, then?... + +TYLTYL +It's nothing; it's all that blue, which dazzles me a little.... + +THE CHILD +What is that called?... + +TYLTYL +What?... + +THE CHILD +There, that, falling down.... + +TYLTYL +Nothing, it is a little water.... + +THE CHILD +Does it come from the eyes?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, sometimes, when one cries.... + +THE CHILD +What does that mean, crying?... + +TYLTYL +I have not been crying; it is the fault of that blue... But if I had cried, +it would be the same thing.... + +THE CHILD +Does one often cry?... + +TYLTYL +Not little boys, but little girls do.... Don't you cry here?... + +THE CHILD +No; I don't know how.... + +TYLTYL +Well, you will learn.... What are you playing with, those great blue +wings?... + +THE CHILD +These?... That's for the invention which I shall make on earth.... + +TYLTYL +What invention?... Have you invented something?... + +THE CHILD +Why, yes; haven't you heard?... When I am on earth, I shall have to invent +the thing that gives happiness.... + +TYLTYL +Is it good to eat?... Does it make a noise?... + +THE CHILD +No; you hear nothing.... + +TYLTYL +That's a pity.... + +THE CHILD +I work at it every day.... It is almost finished.... Would you like to see +it?... + +TYLTYL +Very much.... Where is it?... + +THE CHILD +There, you can see it from here, between those two columns.... + +ANOTHER BLUE CHILD (_coming up to_ TYLTYL _and plucking his sleeve_) +Would you like to see mine, say?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, what is it?... + +THE SECOND CHILD +The thirty-three remedies for prolonging life.... There, in those blue +phials.... + +A THIRD CHILD (_stepping out from the crowd_) +I will show you a light which nobody knows of!... (_He lights himself +up entirely with an extraordinary flame_.) It's rather curious, isn't +it?... + +A FOURTH CHILD (_pulling_ TYLTYL'S _arm_) +Do come and look at my machine which flies in the air like a bird without +wings!... + +A FIFTH CHILD +No, no; mine first! It discovers the treasures hidden in the moon!... + +THE BLUE CHILDREN (_crowding round_ TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL _and all crying +together_) +No, no, come and see mine!... No, mine is much finer!... Mine is a +wonderful invention!... Mine is made of sugar!... His is no good!... He +stole the idea from me!... + +(_Amid these disordered exclamations, the_ LIVE CHILDREN _are +dragged towards the blue workshops, where each of the inventors sets his +ideal machine going. There ensues a cerulean whirl of wheels, disks, +flywheels, driving-wheels, pulleys, straps and strange and as yet unnamed +objects shrouded in the bluey mists of the unreal. A crowd of odd and +mysterious mechanisms dart forth and hover under the vaults or crawl at the +foot of the columns, while_ CHILDREN _unfold charts and plans, open +books, uncover azure statues and bring enormous flowers and gigantic fruits +that seem formed of sapphires and turquoises_.) + +A LITTLE BLUE CHILD (_bending under the weight of some colossal blue +daisies_) +Look at my flowers!... + +TYLTYL +What are they?... I don't know them.... + +THE LITTLE BLUE CHILD +They are daisies!... + +TYLTYL +Impossible!... They are as big as tables!... + +THE LITTLE BLUE CHILD +And they smell so good!... + +TYLTYL (_smelling them_) +Wonderful!... + +THE LITTLE BLUE CHILD +They will grow like that when I am on earth.... + +TYLTYL +When will that be?... + +THE LITTLE BLUE CHILD +In fifty-three years, four months and nine days.... + +(_Two_ BLUE CHILDREN _arrive, carrying, like a lustre hanging on a +pole, an incredible bunch of grapes, each larger than a pear_.) + +ONE OF THE CHILDREN (_carrying the grapes_) +What do you say to my fruits?... + +TYLTYL +A bunch of pears!... + +THE CHILD +No, they are grapes!... They will all be like that when I am thirty.... I +have found the way.... + +ANOTHER CHILD (_staggering under a basket of blue apples the size of +melons_) +And mine!... Look at my apples!... + +TYLTYL +But those are melons!... + +THE CHILD +No, no!... They are my apples and they are not the finest at that!... They +will all be alike when I am alive.... I have discovered the system!... + +ANOTHER CHILD (_wheeling a blue barrow with blue melons bigger than +pumpkins_) +What do you say to my little melons?... + +TYLTYL +But they are pumpkins!... + +THE CHILD WITH THE MELONS +When I come on earth, the melons will be splendid!... I shall be the +gardener of the King of the Three Planets.... + +TYLTYL +The King of the Three Planets? + +THE CHILD WITH THE MELONS +The great king who for thirty-five years will bring happiness to the Earth, +Mars and the Moon.... You can see him from here.... + +TYLTYL +Where is he?... + +THE CHILD WITH THE MELONS +There, the little boy sleeping at the foot of that column. + +TYLTYL +On the left?... + +THE CHILD WITH THE MELONS +No, on the right.... The one on the left is the child who will bring pure +joy to the globe.... + +TYLTYL +How?... + +THE CHILD (_the one that first talked to_ TYLTYL) +By means of ideas which people have not yet had.... + +TYLTYL +And the other, that little fat one with his fingers to his nose, what will +he do?... + +THE CHILD +He is to discover the fire that will warm the earth when the sun is paler +than now.... + +TYLTYL +And the two holding each other by the hand and always kissing; are they +brother and sister?... + +THE CHILD +No; they are very comical....They are the Lovers.... + +TYLTYL +What is that?... + +THE CHILD +I don't know.... Time calls them that, to make fun of them.... They spend +the day looking into each other's eyes, kissing and bidding each other +farewell.... + +TYLTYL +Why?... + +THE CHILD +It seems that they will not be able to leave together... + +TYLTYL +And the little pink one, who looks so serious and is sucking his thumb, +what is he?... + +THE CHILD +It appears that he is to wipe out injustice from the earth.... + +TYLTYL +Oh!... + +THE CHILD +They say it's a tremendous work.... + +TYLTYL +And the little red-haired one, who walks as if he did not see where he was +going, is he blind?... + +THE CHILD +Not yet; but he will become so....Look at him well; it seems that he is to +conquer Death.... + +TYLTYL +What does that mean?... + +THE CHILD +I don't exactly know; but they say it's a great thing.... + +TYLTYL (_pointing to a crowd of_ CHILDREN _sleeping at the foot of +the columns, on the steps, the benches, etc_.) +And all those asleep, what a number of them there are asleep!... Do they do +nothing?... + +THE CHILD +They are thinking of something.... + +TYLTYL +Of what?... + +THE CHILD +They do not know yet; but they must take something with them to earth; we +are not allowed to go from here empty-handed.... + +TYLTYL +Who says so?... + +THE CHILD +Time, who stands at the door.... You will see when he opens it.... He is +very tiresome.... + +A CHILD (_running up from the back of the hall and elbowing his way +through the crowd_) +How are you, TYLTYL?... + +TYLTYL +Hullo!... How does he know my name?... + +THE CHILD (_who has just run up and who now kisses_ TYLTYL _and_ +MYTYL _effusively_.) +How are you?... All right?... Come, give me a kiss, and you too, Mytyl. +It's not surprising that I should know your name, seeing that I shall be +your brother.... They have only just told me that you were here.... I was +right at the other end of the hall, packing up my ideas.... Tell mummy that +I am ready.... + +TYLTYL +What?... Are you coming to us?... + +THE CHILD +Certainly, next year, on Palm Sunday.... Don't tease me too much when I am +little.... I am very glad to have kissed you both beforehand.... Tell daddy +to mend the cradle.... Is it comfortable in our home?... + +TYLTYL +Not bad.... And mummy is so kind!... + +THE CHILD +And the food?... + +TYLTYL +That depends.... We even have cakes sometimes, don't we, Mytyl?... + +MYTYL +On New Year's Day and the fourteenth of July.... Mummy makes them.... + +TYLTYL +What have you got in that bag?... Are you bringing us something?... + +THE CHILD +I am bringing three illnesses: scarlatina, whooping-cough and measles.... + +TYLTYL +Oh, that's all, is it?... And, after that, what will you do?... + +THE CHILD +After that?... I shall leave you.... + +TYLTYL +It will hardly be worth while coming!... + +THE CHILD +We can't pick and choose!... + +(_At that moment, a sort of prolonged, powerful, crystalline vibration is +heard to rise and swell; it seems to emanate from the columns and the opal +doors, which are irradiated by a brighter light than before_.) + +TYLTYL +What is that?... + +THE CHILD +That's Time!... He is going to open the gates!... + +(_A great change comes over the crowd of_ BLUE CHILDREN, _Most of +them leave their machines and their labours, numbers of sleepers awake and +all turn their eyes towards the opal doors and go nearer to them_.) + +LIGHT (_joining_ TYLTYL) +Let us try to hide behind the columns.... It will not do for Time to +discover us.... + +TYLTYL +Where does that noise come from?... + +A CHILD +It is the Dawn rising.... This is the hour when the children who are to be +born to-day go down to earth.... + +TYLTYL +How will they go down?... Are there ladders?... + +THE CHILD +You shall see.... Time is drawing the bolts.... + +TYLTYL +Who is Time?... + +THE CHILD +An old man who comes to call those who are going.... + +TYLTYL +Is he wicked?... + +THE CHILD +No; but he hears nothing.... Beg as they may, if it's not their turn, he +pushes back all those who try to go.... + +TYLTYL +Are they glad to go?... + +THE CHILD +We are sorry when we are left behind, but we are sad when we go.... There! +There!... He is opening the doors!... + +(_The great opalescent doors turn slowly on their hinges. The sounds of +the earth are heard like a distant music. A red and green light penetrates +into the hall_; TIME, _a tall old man with a streaming beard, armed +with his scythe and hourglass, appears upon the threshold; and the +spectator perceives the extremity of the white and gold sails of a galley +moored to a sort of quay, formed by the rosy mists of the Dawn_.) + +TIME (_on the threshold_) +Are they ready whose hour has struck?... + +BLUE CHILDREN (_elbowing their way and running up from all sides_) +Here we are!... Here we are!... Here we are!... + +TIME (_in a gruff voice to the_ CHILDREN _defiling before him to go out_) +One at a time!... Once again, there are many more of you than +are wanted!... It's always the same thing!... You can't deceive +me!...(_Pushing back a_ CHILD.) It's not your turn!... Go back and +wait till to-morrow.... Nor you either; go in and return in ten years.... A +thirteenth shepherd?... There are only twelve wanted; there is no need for +more; the days of Theocritus and Virgil are past.... More doctors?... There +are too many already; they are grumbling about it on earth.... And +where are the engineers?... They want an honest man, only one, as a +phenomenon.... Where is the honest man?... Is it you?... (THE CHILD _nods +yes_.) You appear to me to be a very poor specimen!... Hallo, you, over +there, not so fast, not so fast!... And you, what are you bringing?... +Nothing at all, empty-handed?... Then you can't go through.... Prepare +something, a great crime, if you like, or a fine sickness, I don't care ... +but you mast have something.... (_Catching sight of a little_ CHILD +_whom the others are pushing forward, while he resists with all his +strength_.) Well, what's the matter with you?... You know that the hour +has come.... They want a hero to fight against injustice; you're the one: +you most start.... + +THE BLUE CHILDREN +He doesn't want to, sir.... + +TIME +What?... He doesn't want to?... Where does the little monster think he +is?... No objections, we have no time to spare.... + +THE CHILD (_who is being pushed_) +No, no!...I don't want to go!... I would rather not be born!... I would +rather stay here!... + +TIME +That is not the question.... When the hour comes, it comes!... Now then, +quick, forward!... + +A CHILD (_stepping forward_) +Oh, let me pass!... I will go and take his place!... They say that my +parents are old and have been waiting for me so long!... + +TIME +None of that!... You will start at your proper hour, at your proper +time.... We should never be done if we listened to you.... One wants to +go, another refuses; it's too soon or it's too late.... (_Pushing back +some_ CHILDREN _who have encroached upon the threshold_.) Not so +near, you children!... Back, you inquisitive ones!... Those who are not +starting have no business outside.... You are in a hurry now; later, when +your turn comes, you will be frightened and hang back.... Look, there are +four who are trembling like leaves.... (_To a_ CHILD _who, on the +point of crossing the threshold, suddenly goes back_.) Well, what is +it?... What's the matter?... + +THE CHILD +I have forgotten the box containing the two crimes which I shall have to +commit.... + +ANOTHER CHILD +And I the little pot with my idea for enlightening the crowd.... + +A THIRD CHILD +I have forgotten the graft of my finest pear!... + +TIME +Run quick and fetch them!... We have only six hundred and twelve seconds +left.... The galley of the Dawn is already flapping her sails to show that +she is waiting.... You will come too late and you won't be born!... Come, +quick, on board with you!... (_Laying hold of a_ CHILD _who tries to +pass between his legs to reach the quay_.) Oh, no, not you!... This is +the third time you've tried to be born before your turn.... Don't let me +catch you at it again, or you can wait forever with my sister Eternity; +and you know that it's not amusing there!... But come, are we ready?... Is +every one at his post?... (_Surveying the_ CHILDREN _standing on the +quay or already seated In the galley_.) There is still one missing.... +It is no use his hiding, I see him in the crowd.... You can't deceive +me!... Come on, you, the little fellow whom they call the Lover, say +good-bye to your sweetheart.... + +(_The two_ CHILDREN _who are called the Lovers, fondly entwined, +their faces livid with despair, go up to_ TIME _and kneel at his +feet_.) + +THE FIRST CHILD +Mr. Time, let me stay behind with her!... + +THE SECOND CHILD +Mr. Time, let me go with him!... + +TIME +Impossible!... We have only three hundred and ninety-four seconds left.... + +THE FIRST CHILD +I would rather not be born!... + +TIME +You cannot choose.... + +THE SECOND CHILD (_beseechingly_) +Mr. Time, I shall come too late!... + +THE FIRST CHILD +I shall be gone before she comes down!... + +THE SECOND CHILD +I shall never see him again!... + +THE FIRST CHILD +We shall be alone in the world!... + +TIME +All this does not concern me.... Address your entreaties to Life.... I +unite and part as I am told....(_Seizing one of the_ CHILDREN.) +Come!... + +THE FIRST CHILD (_struggling_) +No, no, no!... She, too!... + +THE SECOND CHILD (_clinging to the clothes of the_ FIRST) +Leave him with me!... Leave him!... + +TIME +Come, come, he is not going to die, but to live!... (_Dragging away +the_ FIRST CHILD.) Come along!... + +THE SECOND CHILD (_stretching her arms out frantically to the_ CHILD +_that is being carried off_) +A sign!... A sign!... Tell me how to find you!... + +THE FIRST CHILD +I shall always love you!... + +THE SECOND CHILD +I shall be the saddest thing on earth!... You will know me by that!... + +(_She falls and remains stretched on the ground_.) + +TIME +You would do much better to hope.... And now, that is all.... +(_Consulting his hour-glass_.) We have only sixty-three seconds +left.... + +(_Last and violent movements among the_ CHILDREN _departing and +remaining. They exchange hurried farewells_.) + +THE BLUE CHILDREN +Good-bye, Pierre!... Good-bye, Jean!... Have you all you want?... Announce +my idea!... Have you got the new turnscrew?... Mind you speak of my +melons!... Have you forgotten nothing?... Try to know me again I... I shall +find you!... Don't lose your ideas!... Don't lean too far into space!... +Send me your news!... They say one can't... Oh, try, do try!... Try to +tell us if it's nice!... I will come to meet you I... I shall be born on a +throne!... + +TIME (_shaking his keys and his scythe_) +Enough! Enough!... The anchor's raised!... + +(_The sails of the galley pass and disappear. The voices of the_ +CHILDREN _in the galley are heard in the distance_: "The Earth! The +Earth!... I can see it!... How beautiful it is!... How bright it is!... How +big it is!"... _Then, as though issuing from the depths of the abyss, an +extremely distant song of gladness and expectation_.) + +TYLTYL (_to_ LIGHT) +What is that?... It is not they singing.... It sounds like other voices.... + +LIGHT +Yes, it is the song of the mothers coming out to meet them.... + +(_Meanwhile_, TIME _closes the opalescent doors. He turns to take +a last look at the hall and suddenly perceives_ TYLTYL, MYTYL +_and_ LIGHT.) + +TIME (_dumbfoundered and furious_) +What's that?... What are you doing here?... Who are you?... Why are you not +blue?... How did you get in?... (_He comes forward, threatening them with +his scythe_.) + +LIGHT (_to_ TYLTYL) +Do not answer!... I have the Blue Bird.... He is hidden under my cloak.... +Let us escape.... Turn the diamond, he will lose our traces.... (_They +slip away on the left, between the columns in the foreground_.) + + +CURTAIN + + + + +ACT VI + + + + +SCENE I.--_The Leave-taking_. + + +_The stage represents a wall with a small door. It is the break of +day_. + +(_Enter_ TYLTYL, MYTYL, LIGHT, BREAD, WATER, SUGAR, FIRE _and_ +MILK) You would never guess where we are.... + +TYLTYL +Well, no, Light, because I don't know.... + +LIGHT +Don't you recognise that wall and that little door?... + +TYLTYL +It is a red wall and a little green door. + +LIGHT +And doesn't that remind you of anything?... + +TYLTYL +It reminds me that Time shewed us the door.... + +LIGHT +How odd people are when they dream.... They do not recognise their own +hands.... + +TYLTYL +Who is dreaming?... Am I?... + +LIGHT +Perhaps it's myself.... Who can tell?... However, this wall contains a +house which you have seen more than once since you were born.... + +TYLTYL +A house which I have seen more than once since I was born?... + +LIGHT +Why yes, sleepy-head!... It is the house which we left one evening, just a +year ago, to a day.... + +TYLTYL +Just a year ago?... Why, then.... + +LIGHT +Come, come!... Don't open great eyes like sapphire caves.... It's the dear +old house of your father and mother.... + +TYLTYL (_going up to the door_) +But I think.... Yes, really.... It seems to me.... This little door.... I +recognise the wooden pin.... Are they in there?... Are we near mummy?... I +want to go in at once.... I want to kiss her at once!... + +LIGHT +One moment.... They are sound asleep; you must not wake them with a +start.... Besides, the door will not open till the hour strikes.... + +TYLTYL +What hour?... Is there long to wait?... + +LIGHT +Alas, no!... A few poor minutes.... + +TYLTYL +Aren't you glad to be back?... What is it, Light?... You are quite pale, +you look ill.... + +LIGHT +It's nothing, child.... I feel a little sad, because I am leaving you.... + +TYLTYL +Leaving us?... + +LIGHT +I must.... I have nothing more to do here; the year is over, the Fairy is +coming back to ask you for the Blue Bird.... + +TYLTYL +But I haven't got the Blue Bird!... The one of the Land of Memory turned +quite black, the one of the Future turned quite pink, the Night's are dead +and I could not catch the one in the Forest.... Is it my fault if they +change colour, or die, or escape?... Will the Fairy be angry and what will +she say?... + +LIGHT +We have done what we could.... It seems likely that the Blue Bird does not +exist or that he changes colour when he is caged.... + +TYLTYL +Where is the cage?... + +BREAD +Here, master.... It was entrusted to my diligent care during our long +journey; to-day, now that my mission is drawing to an end, I restore it to +your hands, untouched and carefully closed, as I received it.... (_Like +an orator making a speech_) And now, in the name of all, I crave +permission to add a few words.... + +FIRE +He has not been called upon to speak!... + +WATER +Order!... + +BREAD +The malevolent interruptions of a contemptible enemy, of an envious +rival.... + +FIRE +An envious rival!... What would you be without me?... A lump of shapeless +and indigestible dough.... + +WATER +Order!... + +FIRE +I won't be shouted down by you! ... + +(_They threaten each other and are about to come to blows_.) + +LIGHT (_raising her wand_) +Enough!... + +BREAD +The insults and the ridiculous pretensions of an element whose notorious +misbehaviour and whose scandalous excesses drive the world to despair.... + +FIRE +You fat pasty-face! + +BREAD (_raising his voice_) +Will not prevent me from doing my duty to the end.... I wish, therefore, in +the name of all... + +FIRE +Not in mine!... I have a tongue of my own!... + +BREAD +In the name of all and with a restrained but simple and deep emotion, +to take leave of two distinguished children, whose exalted mission ends +to-day.... When bidding them farewell, with all the grief and all the +fondness which a mutual esteem.... + +TYLTYL +What?... You are bidding us farewell?... Are you leaving us too?... + +BREAD +Alas, needs must, since the hour when men's eyes are to be opened has not +yet come.... I am leaving you, it is true; but the separation will only be +apparent, you will no longer hear me speak.... + +FIRE +That will be no loss!... + +WATER +Order! Silence!... + +FIRE +I shall keep silence when you cease babbling in the kettles, the wells, the +brooks, the waterfalls and the taps.... + +LIGHT (_threatening them with her wand_) +That will do, do you hear?... You are all very quarrelsome; It is the +coming separation that sets your nerves on edge like this.... + +BREAD (_with great dignity_) +That does not apply to me.... I was saying, you will no longer hear me +speak, no longer see me in my living form.... Your eyes are about to close +to the invisible life of the Things; but I shall always be there. In the +bread-pan, on the shelf, on the table, beside the soup, I who am, if I may +say so, with Water and Fire, the most faithful companion, the oldest friend +of Man.... + +FIRE +Well, and what about me?... + +LIGHT +Come, the minutes are passing, the hour is at hand which will send us back +into silence.... Be quick and kiss the children.... + +FIRE (_rushing forward_) +I first! I first!... (_Violently kissing the_ CHILDREN.) Good-bye, +Tyltyl and Mytyl!... Good-bye, my darlings.... Think of me if ever you want +any one to set fire to anything.... + +MYTYL +Oh! Oh!... He's burning me!... + +TYLTYL +Oh! Oh!... He's scorched my nose!... + +LIGHT +Come, Fire, moderate your transports.... Remember you're not in your +chimney.... + +WATER +What an idiot!... + +BREAD +What a vulgarian!... + +FIRE +There, look; I will put my hands in my pockets.... But don't forget me.... +I am the friend of Man.... I shall always be there, in the hearth and in +the oven; and I will come sometimes and put out my tongue for you when +you are cold or sad.... I shall be warm in winter and roast chestnuts for +you.... + +WATER (_approaching the_ CHILDREN) +I shall kiss you without hurting you, tenderly, my children.... + +FIRE +Take care, you'll get wet!... + +WATER +I am loving and gentle; I am kind to human beings.... + +FIRE +What about those you drown?... + +WATER +Love the wells, listen to the brooks.... I shall always be there.... + +FIRE +She has flooded the whole place.... + +WATER +When you sit down, in the evening, beside the springs--there is more than +one here in the forest--try to understand what they are trying to say.... + +FIRE +Enough! Enough!... I can't swim!... + +WATER +I shall no longer be able to tell you as clearly as I do to-day that I love +you; but you will not forget that that is what I am saying to you when you +hear my voice.... Alas!... I can say no more.... My tears choke me and +prevent my speaking.... + +FIRE +It doesn't sound like it!... + +WATER +Think of me when you see the water-bottle.... Alas! I have to be silent +there; but my thoughts will always be of you.... You will find me also in +the ewer, the watering-can, the cistern and the tap.... + +MILK (_approaching timidly_) +And me in the milk-jug.... + +TYLTYL +What, you too, my dear Milk, so shy and so good?... Is everybody going?... + +SUGAR (_naturally mawkish and sanctimonious_) +If you have a little corner left in your memory, remember sometimes that my +presence was sweet to you.... That is all I have to say.... Tears are not +in harmony with my temperament and they hurt me terribly when they fall on +my feet.... + +BREAD +Jesuit!... + +FIRE (_yelping_) +Sugar-plum! Lollipop! Caramel!... + +TYLTYL +But where are Tylette and Tylô gone to?... What are they doing?... + +(_The_ CAT _is heard to utter shrill cries_.) + +MYTYL (_alarmed_) +It's Tylette crying!... He is being hurt!... + +(_Enter the_ CAT, _running, his hair on end and dishevelled, his +clothes torn, holding his handkerchief to his cheek, as though he had the +toothache. He utters angry groans and is closely pursued by the_ DOG, +_who overwhelms him with bites, blows and kicks_.) + +THE DOG (_beating the_ CAT) +There!... Have you had enough?... Do you want any more?... There! There! +There!... + +LIGHT, TYLTYL and MYTYL (_rushing forward to part them_) +Tylô!... Are you mad?... Well, I never!... Down!... Stop that, will you?... +How dare you?... Wait, wait!... + +(_They part the_ DOG _and the_ CAT _by main force_.) + +LIGHT +What is it?... What has happened?... + +THE CAT (_blubbering and wiping his eyes_) +It's the Dog, Mrs. Light.... He insulted me, he put tin tacks in my food, +he pulled my tail, he beat me; and I had done nothing, nothing, nothing at +all!... + +THE DOG (_mimicking him_) +Nothing, nothing, nothing at all!... (_In an undertone, with a mocking +grimace_) Never mind, you've had some, you've had some and you're going +to have some more!... + +MYTYL (_pressing the_ CAT _in her arms_) +My poor Tylette, where has he hurt you?... Tell me.... I shall cry too.... + +LIGHT (_to the_ DOG, _severely_) +Your conduct is all the more, unworthy since you have chosen for this +disgraceful exhibition the already most painful moment when we are about to +part from these poor children.... + +THE DOG (_suddenly sobered_) +To part from these poor children?... + +LIGHT +Yes; the hour which you know of is at hand.... We are going to return to +silence.... We shall no longer be able to speak to them.... + +THE DOG (_suddenly uttering real howls of despair and flinging himself +upon the_ CHILDREN, _whom he loads with violent and tumultuous caresses_.) +No! No!... I refuse!... I refuse!... I shall always talk!... You will +understand me now, will you not, my little god?... Yes! Yes! Yes!... And we +shall tell each other everything, everything, everything!... And I shall be +very good.... And I shall learn to read and write and play dominoes!... And +I shall always be very clean.... And I shall never steal anything in the +kitchen again.... Shall I do a wonderful trick for you?... Would you like +me to kiss the Cat?... + +MYTYL (_to the_ CAT) +And you, Tylette?... Have you nothing to say to us?... + +THE CAT (_in an affected and enigmatic tone_) +I love you both as much as you deserve.... + +LIGHT +Now let me, in my turn, children, give you a last kiss.... + +TYLTYL and MYTYL (_hanging on to_ LIGHT'S _dress_) +No, no, no, Light!... Stay here with us!... Daddy won't mind.... We will +tell mummy how kind you have been.... + +LIGHT +Alas! I cannot!... This door is closed to us and I must leave you.... + +TYLTYL +Where will you go all alone?... + +LIGHT +Not very far, my children; over there, to the Land of the Silence of +Things.... + +TYLTYL +No, no; I won't have you go.... We will go with you.... I shall tell +mummy.... + +LIGHT +Do not cry, my dear little ones.... I have not a voice like Water; I have +only my brightness, which Man does not understand.... But I watch over him +to the end of his days.... Never forget that I am speaking to you in every +spreading moonbeam, in every twinkling star, in every dawn that rises, in +every lamp that is lit, in every good and bright thought of your soul.... +(_Eight o'clock strikes behind the wall_.) Listen!... The hour is +striking!... Good-bye!... The door is opening!... In with you, in with +you!... + +(_She pushes the_ CHILDREN _through the door, which has half-opened +and which closes again behind them_. BREAD _wipes away a furtive +tear_, SUGAR _and_ WATER, _etc., all in tears, flee precipitously +and disappear in the wings to the right and left. The_ DOG _howls +behind the scenes. The stage remains empty for a moment and then the +scenery representing the wall and the little door opens in the middle and +reveals the last scene_.) + + + + +SCENE 2.--_The Awakening_. + +_The same setting as in_ ACT I, _but the objects, the walls and the +atmosphere all appear incomparably and magically fresher, happier, more +smiling. The daylight penetrates gaily through the chinks of the closed +shutters. To the right, at the back_, TYLTYL _and_ MYTYL _lie +sound asleep in their little beds. The_ DOG, _the_ CAT _and +the_ THINGS _are in the places which they occupied in_ ACT I, +_before the arrival of the_ FAIRY. + +_Enter_ MUMMY TYL + +MUMMY TYL (_in a cheerfully scolding voice_) +Up, come, get up, you little lazybones!... Aren't you ashamed of +yourselves?... It has struck eight and the sun is high above the trees!... +Lord, how they sleep, how they sleep!... (_She leans over and kisses +the_ CHILDREN.) They are quite rosy.... Tyltyl smells of lavender and +Mytyl of lilies-of-the-valley.... (_Kissing them again_) What sweet +things children are!... Still, they can't go on sleeping till midday.... I +mustn't let them grow up idle.... And, besides, I have heard that it's +not very healthy.... (_Gently shaking_ TYLTYL) Wake up, wake up, +Tyltyl.... + +TYLTYL (_waking up_) +What?... Light?... Where is she?... No, no, don't go away.... + +MUMMY TYL +Light?... Why, of course it's light... Has been for ever so long.... It's +as bright as noonday, though the shutters are closed.... Wait a bit till I +open them.... (_She pushes back the shutters and the dazzling daylight +invades the room_.) There! See!... What's the matter with you?... You +look quite blinded.... + +TYLTYL (_rubbing his eyes_) +Mummy, mummy!... It's you!... + +MUMMY TYL +Why, of course, it's I.... Who did you think it was?... + +TYLTYL +It's you.... Yes, yes, it's you!.... + +MUMMY TYL +Yes, yes, it's I.... I haven't changed my face since last night.... Why do +you stare at me in that wonderstruck way?... Is my nose turned upside down, +by any chance?... + +TYLTYL +Oh, how nice it is to see you again!... It's so long, so long ago!... I +must kiss you at once.... Again! Again! Again!... And how comfortable my +bed is!... I am back at home!... + +MUMMY TYL +What's the matter?... Why don't you wake up?... Don't tell me you're +ill.... Let me see, show me your tongue.... Come, get up and dress.... + +TYLTYL +Hullo, I've got my shirt on!... + +MUMMY TYL +Of course you have.... Put on your breeches and your little jacket.... +There they are, on the chair.... + +TYLTYL +Is that what I did on the journey?... + +MUMMY TYL +What journey?... + +TYLTYL +Why, last year.... + +MUMMY TYL +Last year?... + +TYLTYL +Why, yes!...At Christmas, when I went away.... + +MUMMY TYL +When you went away?... You haven't left the room.... I put you to bed last +night, and here you are this morning.... Have you dreamed all that?... + +TYLTYL +But you don't understand!... It was last year, when I went away with Mytyl, +the Fairy, Light--how nice Light is!--Bread, Sugar, Water, Fire: they did +nothing but quarrel!... You're not angry with me?... Did you feel very +sad?... And what did daddy say?... I could not refuse... I left a note to +explain.... + +MUMMY TYL +What are you talking about?... For sure, either you're ill or else you're +still asleep.... (_She gives him a friendly shake_.) There, wake +up.... There, is that better?... + +TYLTYL +But, mummy, I assure you.... It's you that's still asleep.... + +MUMMY TYL +What! Still asleep, am I?... Why? I've been up since six o'clock.... I've +finished all the cleaning and lit the fire.... + +TYLTYL +But ask Mytyl if it's not true.... Oh, we have had such adventures!... + +MUMMY TYL +Why Mytyl?... What do you mean?... + +TYLTYL +She was with me.... We saw grandad and granny.... + +MUMMY TYL (_more and more bewildered_) +Grandad and granny?... + +TYLTYL +Yes, in the Land of Memory.... It was on our way.... They are dead, but +they are quite well.... Granny made us a lovely plum-tart.... And then the +little brothers--Robert, Jean and his top--and Madeleine and Pierrette and +Pauline and Riquette, too.... + +MYTYL +Riquette still goes about on all fours!... + +TYLTYL +And Pauline still has a pimple on her nose.... + +MUMMY TYL +Have you found the key of the cupboard where daddy hides his brandy +bottle?... + +TYLTYL +Does daddy hide a brandy bottle?... + +MUMMY TYL +Certainly. One has to hide everything when one has little meddlesome +good-for-nothings like you.... But come, out with it, confess that you took +it.... I would rather it was that.... I sha'n't tell daddy.... I sha'n't +beat you.... + +TYLTYL +But, mummy, I don't know where it is.... + +MUMMY TYL +Just walk in front of me, so that I may see if you can walk straight.... +(TYLTYL _does so_) No, it's not that.... Dear heaven, what is the +matter with them?... I shall lose them too, as I lost the others!... +(_Suddenly mad with alarm, she calls out_) Daddy Tyl!... Come, quick! +The children are ill!... + +(_Enter_ DADDY TYL, _very calmly, with an axe in his hand_.) + +DADDY TYL +What is it?... + +TYLTYL and MYTYL (_running up gaily to kiss their father_) +Hullo, daddy!... It's daddy!... Good-morning, daddy!... Have you had plenty +of work this year?... + +DADDY TYL +Well, what's the matter?... They don't look ill; they look very well.... + +MUMMY TYL (_weeping_) +You can't trust their looks.... It will be as with the others.... They +looked quite well also to the end; and then God took them.... I don't know +what's the matter with them.... I put them to bed quite quietly last night; +and this morning, when they woke up, everything was wrong.... They don't +know what they're saying; they talk about a journey.... They have seen +Light and grandad and granny, who are dead, but who are quite well.... + +TYLTYL +But grandad still has his wooden leg.... + +MYTYL +And granny her rheumatics.... + +MUMMY TYL +Do you hear?... Run and fetch the doctor!... + +DADDY TYL +Why, no, no.... They are not dead yet.... Come, let us look into this.... +(_A knock at the front door_.) Come in!... + +(_Enter_ NEIGHBOUR BERLINGOT, _a little old woman resembling the_ +FAIRY _in_ ACT I _and leaning on a stick_.) + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Good-morning and a Merry Christmas to you all!... + +TYLTYL +It's the Fairy Bérylune!... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +I have come to ask for a bit of fire for my Christmas stew.... It's very +chilly this morning.... Good-morning, children, how are you?... + +TYLTYL +Fairy Bérylune, I could not find the Blue Bird.... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +What is he saying?... + +MUMMY TYL +Don't ask me, Madame Berlingot.... They don't know what they are saying.... +They have been like that since they woke up.... They must have eaten +something that wasn't good.... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Why, Tyltyl, don't you remember Goody Berlingot, your Neighbour +Berlingot?... + +TYLTYL +Why, yes, ma'am.... You are the Fairy Bérylune.... You're not angry with +us?... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Béry... what? Goodness gracious me!... + +TYLTYL +Bérylune. + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Berlingot, you mean Berlingot.... + +TYLTYL +Bérylune or Berlingot, as you please, ma'am.... But Mytyl knows.... + +MUMMY TYL +That's the worst of it, that Mytyl also.... + +DADDY TYL +Pooh, pooh!... That will soon go; I will give them a smack or two.... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Don't; It's not worth while.... I know all about it; it's only a little fit +of dreaming.... They must have slept in the moonbeams.... My little girl, +who is very ill, is often like that.... + +MUMMY TYL +By the way, how is your little girl?... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Only so-so.... She can't get up.... The doctor says that it's her +nerves.... I know what would cure her, for all that. She was asking me for +it only this morning, for her Christmas box; it's a notion she has... + +MUMMY TYL +Yes, I know; it's Tyltyl's bird.... Well, Tyltyl, aren't you going to give +it at last to that poor little thing?... + +TYLTYL +What, mummy?... + +MUMMY TYL +Your bird.... It's no use to you.... You don't even look at it now.... And +she has been dying to have it for ever so long!... + +TYLTYL +Hullo, that's true, my bird!... Where is he?... Oh, there's the cage!... +Mytyl, do you see the cage?... It's the one which Bread carried.... Yes, +yes, it's the same one, but there's only one bird in it.... Has he +eaten the other, I wonder?... Hullo, why, he's blue!... But it's my +turtle-dove!... But he's much bluer than when I went away!... Why, that's +the blue bird we were looking for!... We went so far and he was here all +the time!... Oh, but it's wonderful!... Mytyl, do you see the bird? What +would Light say?... I will take down the cage.... (_He climbs on a chair +and takes down the cage and carries it to the_ NEIGHBOUR.) There, Madame +Berlingot, there you are.... He's not quite blue yet, but that will come, +you shall see!... Take him off quick to your little girl.... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Really?... Do you mean it?... Do you give it me like that, straight away +and for nothing?... Lord, how happy she will be!... (_Kissing_ TYLTYL) +I must give you a kiss!... I fly!... I fly!... + +TYLTYL +Yes, yes; be quick.... Some of them change their colour.... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +I will come back to tell you what she says.... + +(_She goes out_.) + +TYLTYL (_after taking a long look around him_) +Daddy, mummy, what have you done to the house?... It's just as it was, but +it's much prettier.... + +DADDY TYL +How do you mean, it's prettier?... + +TYLTYL +Why, yes, everything has been painted and made to look new, everything is +clean and polished.... It was not like that last year.... + +DADDY TYL +Last year?... + +TYLTYL (_going to the window_) +And look at the forest!... How big and fine it is!... One would think +it was new!... How happy I feel here!... (_Going to the bread-pan and +opening it_) Where's Bread?.... I say, the loaves are very quiet.... And +then here's Tylô!... Hullo, Tylô, Tylô!... Ah, you had a fine fight!... Do +you remember, in the forest?... + +MYTYL +And Tylette.... He knows me, but he has stopped talking.... + +TYLTYL +Mr. Bread.... (_Feeling his forehead_) Hullo, the diamond's gone!... +Who's taken my little green hat?... Never mind; I don't want it any +more.... Ah, Fire!... He's a good one!... He crackles and laughs to make +Water angry.... (_Running to the tap_) And Water?... Good-morning, +Water!... What does she say?... She still talks, but I don't understand her +as well as I did.... + +MYTYL +I don't see Sugar.... + +TYLTYL +Lord, how happy I am, happy, happy, happy!... + +MYTYL +So am I, so am I!... + +MUMMY TYL +What are you spinning round for like that?.... + +DADDY TYL +Don't mind them and don't distress yourself.... They are playing at being +happy.... + +TYLTYL +I liked Light best of all.... Where's her lamp?... Can we light it?... +(_Looking round him again_.) Goodness me, how lovely it all is and how +glad I feel!... + +MUMMY TYL +Why?... + +TYLTYL +I don't know, mummy.... + +(_A knock at the front-door_.) + +DADDY TYL +Come in, come in!... + +(_Enter the_ NEIGHBOUR, _holding by the hand a little girl of a +fair and wonderful beauty, who carries_ TYLTYL'S _dove pressed in her +arms_.) + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Do you see the miracle?... + +MUMMY TYL +Impossible!... Can she walk?... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +Can she walk?... She can run, she can dance, she can fly!... When she saw +the bird, she jumped, just like that, with one bound, to the window, to see +by the light if it was really Tyltyl's dove.... And then, whoosh!... Out +into the street, like an angel!... It was as much as I could do to keep +pace with her.... + +TYLTYL (_going up to her, wonderstruck_) +Oh, how like Light she is!... + +MYTYL +She is much smaller.... + +TYLTYL +Yes, indeed!... But she will grow bigger.... + +THE NEIGHBOUR +What are they saying?... Haven't they got over it yet?... + +MUMMY TYL +They are better, they are mending.... It will be all right when they have +had their breakfasts.... + +THE NEIGHBOUR (_pushing the_ LITTLE GIRL _into_ TYLTYL'S _arms_). +Come along, child, come and thank Tyltyl.... + +(TYLTYL, _suddenly frightened, takes a step back_.) + +MUMMY TYL +Well, Tyltyl, what's the matter?.... Are you afraid of the little girl?... +Come, give her a kiss, a good big kiss.... No, a better one than that.... +You're not so shy as a rule!... Another one!... But what's the matter with +you?... You look as if you were going to cry.... + +(TYLTYL, _after kissing the_ LITTLE GIRL _rather awkwardly, stands +before her for a moment and the two children look at each other without +speaking; then_ TYLTYL _strokes the dove's head_.) + +TYLTYL +Is he blue enough?... + +THE LITTLE GIRL +Yes, I am so pleased with him.... + +TYLTYL +I have seen bluer ones.... But those which are quite blue, you know, do +what you will, you can't catch them.... + +THE LITTLE GIRL +That doesn't matter; he's lovely.... + +TYLTYL +Has he had anything to eat?... + +THE LITTLE GIRL +Not yet.... What does he eat?... + +TYLTYL +Anything: corn, bread, Indian corn, grasshoppers.... + +THE LITTLE GIRL +How does he eat, say?... + +TYLTYL +With his beak. You'll see, I will show you.... + +(_He moves in order to take the bird from the_ LITTLE GIRL'S _hands. +She resists instinctively; and, taking advantage of the hesitation of their +movements, the_ DOVE _escapes and flies away_.) + +THE LITTLE GIRL (_with a cry of despair_) +Mother!... He is gone!... (_She bursts into sobs_.) + +TYLTYL +Never mind.... Don't cry.... I will catch him again.... (_Stepping to the +front of the stage and addressing the audience_.) If any of you should +find him, would you be so very kind as to give him back to us?... We need +him for our happiness, later on.... + + +CURTAIN + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 8606 *** |