|
THE FOLLIES OF LOVE
THE FOLLIES OF LOVE JEAN-FRANCOIS REGNARD BY JEAN-FRANCOIS REGARD
Translated and Adapted by
Frank J. Morlock
C 1987
CHARACTERS:
Albert
Worthy
Arabella
Jenny
Scratch
ACT I.
Scene: Outside a country house at the end of the 17th century. Dawn.
(Jenny enters following Arabella.)
Jenny
Why when every one else is sleeping what demon if you please tugs
you by the ear and makes you go up and out so early?
Arabella
Peace shut up speak low--you know my plan. Worthy has come back.
Jenny
Worthy?
Arabella (romantically)
>From France!
Jenny
How do you know that Madame I beg to ask?
Arabella
I believed he'd make an appearance hereabouts--more with my heart than
my eyes.
Jenny
I am only astonished that you've avoided the watchful Uncle Albert. My
word here is a guide more excellent than love.
Arabella
I was at my window waiting for the day. Then someone came. Seeing the
door open I seized the opportunity offered by the occasion--more to
take the air than to flatter my hopes that Mr. Worthy would be
attracted here just to see me.
Jenny
There's no need for you to worry. It's understandable that the poor
boy would fall all over himself to see you. He comes tonight and at
daybreak you wait for him--just to flatter his love. You lose little
time. But what if by chance Albert your tutor who is jealous by
nature should find us? What would you say to him?
Arabella (with determination)
I intend to free myself from the jealous fool. I have languished too
long under his cruel domain. I'm taking off the mask so he can see
how little regard I have for him and how I intend to live from now
on--and how much I hate him!
Jenny
May heaven assist you in this praiseworthy plan! As for me I'd rather
serve the devil--yes the devil. At least when he held his Sabbath I
would have some rest. But in my state evening morning day or
night--I have no peace. I'll have a breakdown soon. He scolds and
grinds his teeth the live long day. "Do this do that come go go
upstairs go downstairs--close the door and window. Prevent if you
can anyone from appearing." He stops he worries he runs around
without knowing where. All night he prowls like a frenzied wolf. He
doesn't permit us to close our eyes. As for him when he sleeps one
eye's shut the other's watching. He never laughed in his life. He's
jealous stupid brutal to the extreme miserly hard peevish. I'd
prefer to beg for my bread from door to door than to serve a master
like this any longer. In short I don't like him.
Arabella
Henceforth Jenny all our troubles are over. How my Worthy differs
from the portrait you paint. From my most tender years nursed by his
own mother our hearts were leagued in sympathy. And love grew by the
most charming means finally united again by mutual oaths. Although
suffering from this frightful constraint for some time which annoys
and overwhelms me I am a woman who will take violent action! Dressed
like a man--a knight errant I will free myself from Albert and his
harsh tyranny. I am going to run away and seek adventures.
Jenny
Oh there are adventures enough to be found without going so far away.
I can warn you that you will find enough of them.
Arabella
You don't know my character yet. When one puts a yoke on my contrary
disposition constraint only wakens my desires. I have lived in the
world in the midst of pleasure. Presently Worthy is ready to marry
me. Many wild ideas pass through my head. I have the heart the wit
the sense--the right! In short you will soon see the little traits
of my character. But why is the door open?
Jenny
Fie. Your old Cereberus is on the prowl. What will he ask? He prowls
everywhere. He stands sentinel all night--and at daybreak he goes
scouting. If by good luck he could be trapped into some ambush--a
little spoke put in his wheel with some compromising story--and
blackmailed-- But peace I hear a noise: someone's coming--let's
listen.
(Arabella and Jenny draw back as Albert enters.)
Albert
I've circled the house all night long and found everybody asleep.
This will foil the efforts of my enemies. I've even patrolled outside.
Thank heaven everything is all right. A secret terror disquiets me
despite my efforts. I've seen a certain inquisitive person prowling
around here from a distance who seems to me to be examining the
place. For nearly six months my cowardly complacence has endangered
my prudent action and to let Arabella breathe easily disquiets my
soul so I must shut her up. You don't make girls wise by softness. I
am going to bar the windows--with bars as big as my hand--to foil all
human efforts. But I hear some noise! I see an object which walks and
turns about in the half light. Who goes there? . . . Nobody answers.
This affected silence bodes no good.
Jenny
I tremble.
Albert
It's jenny. Arabella is with her.
Arabella
So it's you sir playing sentinel?
Albert
Yes yes it's me it's me. But at this time of day what are you
doing in this place if you please?
Arabella
Neither Jenny nor I sleep in the morning so we came here to be under
the trees and to see the sun rise and take the air.
Jenny (trying to be helpful)
Yes.
Albert
You are to watch the dawn and take the air from your window. You are
conspiring here to betray me.
Jenny (aside)
That wouldn't be a bad idea!
Albert
What do you say?
Jenny
Not a word.
Albert
...
|
