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Plays: Lady Frederick, The Explorer, A Man of Honour
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Год написания книги
2017
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John
Basil – he's gone… Where are you?
[Basil comes out of the room in which is lying Jenny's body.]
John
I didn't know you were in there.
Basil
I wonder if she forgives me?
John
I wouldn't worry myself too much if I were you, Basil, old man.
Basil
If you only knew how I despise myself!
John
Come, come, Basil, you must make an effort…
Basil
I've not told you the worst. I feel such a cad. There's one thought that's been with me all night. And I can't drive it away. It's worse than anything else. It's too shameful.
John
What do you mean?
Basil
Oh, it's so despicable. And yet it's too strong for me… I can't help thinking that I'm – free.
John
Free?
Basil
It's treachery to her memory. But you don't know what it is when your prison door is opened. [As he speaks he grows more and more excited.] I don't want to die. I want to live, and I want to take life by both hands and enjoy it. I've got such a desire for happiness. Let's open the windows, and let the sunlight in. [He goes to the window and flings it open.] It's so good just to be alive. How can I help thinking that now I can start fresh? The slate is wiped clean, and I can begin again. I will be happy. God forgive me, I can't help the thought. I'm free. I made a ghastly mistake, and I suffered for it. Heaven knows how I suffered, and how hard I tried to make the best of it. It wasn't all my fault. In this world we're made to act and think things because other people have thought them good. We never have a chance of going our own way. We're bound down by the prejudices and the morals of everybody else. For God's sake, let us be free. Let us do this and that because we want to and because we must, not because other people think we ought. [He stops suddenly in front of John.] Why don't you say something? You stare at me as if you thought me raving mad!
John
I don't know what to say.
Basil
Oh, I suppose you're shocked and scandalised. I ought to go on posing. I ought to act the part decently to the end. You would never have had the courage to do what I did, and yet, because I've failed, you think you can look down on me from the height of your moral elevation.
John
[Gravely.] I was thinking how far a man may fall when he attempts to climb the stars.
Basil
I gave the world fine gold, and their currency is only cowrie-shells. I held up an ideal, and they sneered at me. In this world you must wallow in the trough with the rest of them… The only moral I can see is that if I'd acted like a blackguard – as ninety-nine men out of a hundred would have done – and let Jenny go to the dogs, I should have remained happy and contented and prosperous. And she, I dare say, wouldn't have died… It's because I tried to do my duty and act like a gentleman and a man of honour, that all this misery has come about.
John
[Looking at him quietly.] I think I should put it in another way. One has to be very strong and very sure of oneself to go against the ordinary view of things. And if one isn't, perhaps it's better not to run any risks, but just to walk along the same secure old road as the common herd. It's not exhilarating, it's not brave, and it's rather dull. But it's eminently safe.
[Basil scarcely hears the last words, but listensintently to other sounds outside.
Basil
What's that? I thought I heard a carriage.
John
[A little surprised.] Do you expect any one?
Basil
I sent a wire to – to Hilda at the same time as to you.
John
Already?
Basil
[Excited.] D'you think she'll come?
John
I don't know. [A ring is heard at the front door.
Basil
[Running to the window.] There's some one at the door.
John
Perhaps it's occurred to her also that you're free.
Basil – he's gone… Where are you?
[Basil comes out of the room in which is lying Jenny's body.]
John
I didn't know you were in there.
Basil
I wonder if she forgives me?
John
I wouldn't worry myself too much if I were you, Basil, old man.
Basil
If you only knew how I despise myself!
John
Come, come, Basil, you must make an effort…
Basil
I've not told you the worst. I feel such a cad. There's one thought that's been with me all night. And I can't drive it away. It's worse than anything else. It's too shameful.
John
What do you mean?
Basil
Oh, it's so despicable. And yet it's too strong for me… I can't help thinking that I'm – free.
John
Free?
Basil
It's treachery to her memory. But you don't know what it is when your prison door is opened. [As he speaks he grows more and more excited.] I don't want to die. I want to live, and I want to take life by both hands and enjoy it. I've got such a desire for happiness. Let's open the windows, and let the sunlight in. [He goes to the window and flings it open.] It's so good just to be alive. How can I help thinking that now I can start fresh? The slate is wiped clean, and I can begin again. I will be happy. God forgive me, I can't help the thought. I'm free. I made a ghastly mistake, and I suffered for it. Heaven knows how I suffered, and how hard I tried to make the best of it. It wasn't all my fault. In this world we're made to act and think things because other people have thought them good. We never have a chance of going our own way. We're bound down by the prejudices and the morals of everybody else. For God's sake, let us be free. Let us do this and that because we want to and because we must, not because other people think we ought. [He stops suddenly in front of John.] Why don't you say something? You stare at me as if you thought me raving mad!
John
I don't know what to say.
Basil
Oh, I suppose you're shocked and scandalised. I ought to go on posing. I ought to act the part decently to the end. You would never have had the courage to do what I did, and yet, because I've failed, you think you can look down on me from the height of your moral elevation.
John
[Gravely.] I was thinking how far a man may fall when he attempts to climb the stars.
Basil
I gave the world fine gold, and their currency is only cowrie-shells. I held up an ideal, and they sneered at me. In this world you must wallow in the trough with the rest of them… The only moral I can see is that if I'd acted like a blackguard – as ninety-nine men out of a hundred would have done – and let Jenny go to the dogs, I should have remained happy and contented and prosperous. And she, I dare say, wouldn't have died… It's because I tried to do my duty and act like a gentleman and a man of honour, that all this misery has come about.
John
[Looking at him quietly.] I think I should put it in another way. One has to be very strong and very sure of oneself to go against the ordinary view of things. And if one isn't, perhaps it's better not to run any risks, but just to walk along the same secure old road as the common herd. It's not exhilarating, it's not brave, and it's rather dull. But it's eminently safe.
[Basil scarcely hears the last words, but listensintently to other sounds outside.
Basil
What's that? I thought I heard a carriage.
John
[A little surprised.] Do you expect any one?
Basil
I sent a wire to – to Hilda at the same time as to you.
John
Already?
Basil
[Excited.] D'you think she'll come?
John
I don't know. [A ring is heard at the front door.
Basil
[Running to the window.] There's some one at the door.
John
Perhaps it's occurred to her also that you're free.
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