The Blue Bird: A Fairy Play in Six Acts
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Maurice Maeterlinck >> The Blue Bird: A Fairy Play in Six Acts
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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 he 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 Tylo 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_)
Tylo!... 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....
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