Carlyon Sahib: A Drama in Four ActsMurray, Gilbert
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Carlyon Sahib: A Drama in Four Acts
Murray, Gilbert
English drama -- 19th century
[_Hurrying up to_ CARLYON.] Let me see.
CARLYON.
[_Pushing him aside and rising cautiously, he speaks wanderingly but
without violence._] A little thing like that cannot hurt a man. My horse
is tired, terribly tired; you said you would give me one of yours.
[_Reeling again; moaning to himself._] You pitiful civilised crowds, I
want no more of you! You haven't beaten me, but you can't understand,
you can't obey!
[_Moves unsteadily away towards the trees._
VERA.
Where do you want to go?
[_Tries to bring him back._
CARLYON.
[_With a full return of his old manner._] Back beyond the frontier! To
the Bhojal Mountains where the rebels went! I will go to the men who
know me and hate me, and worship my broken sword!
VERA.
[_To_ RHEINHARDT, _whispering_.] What can it be?
CARLYON.
[_Swaying as he stands, his hands to his brow._] If I could only see
with this blood in my eyes! [_Breaking out with an effort._] This time I
come as their friend, with a sword that is not broken.
_Enter_ ADENE _followed by_ NURSE _from sick-room_. CARLYON _points at
him_.
Go, marry your cripple, O you who might have been great! He is fit for a
half-bribed murderess and a coward! Great God, how I despise you all!
Oh, shall I kill you where you stand, or----
[_Reels and clutches the veranda post for support._ RHEINHARDT, _who has
watched closely all the time, and looked also at the things on the
table, starts forward_.
RHEINHARDT.
Ach, Himmel! the poisoned knife!
CARLYON.
You lie! It is only my eyes that are filled with blood.
VERA.
[_Running to him._] There is no blood in your eyes. Father! Father!
[CARLYON _lifts the knife to his lips, tastes the edge, and drops it
with a gesture of despair_.
CARLYON.
Back! Don't touch me, and I shall not die yet!
[ADENE _moves across to_ RHEINHARDT _and speaks with him_.
RHEINHARDT.
That is it! But what poison! He must be stopped!
CARLYON.
[_With a flash of his old manner as he moves off._] Out of my path, sir!
I am still Carlyon!
[_He sweeps_ RHEINHARDT _aside, then falls_. RHEINHARDT _loosens
his collar_.
RHEINHARDT.
Fetch my case. [_Exit_ NURSE _to house_.] Bring that water.
[VERA _brings it and supports_ CARLYON'S _head. They put it to his
lips._
VERA.
[_To_ RHEINHARDT.] What?
NURSE _re-enters with case_.
RHEINHARDT.
Ach! [_Throws up his hands, suggesting no hope._
[_The_ PUNKAH BOY _has during this slipped across the stage to the place
where_ CARLYON _dropped the knife_. VERA _and_ ADENE _gaze at one
another across the body_.
NURSE.
Ah, what is that boy doing?
ADENE.
He is kissing the knife that Carlyon threw away.
THE END.
Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO.
London & Edinburgh
Transcriber's Notes:-
Page 30 "Pointing to MSS. on table." changed to "Pointing to MS. on
table."
Page 39 "Got im Himmel, there it comes." changed to "Gott im Himmel, there
it comes."
Page 81 "if Steinmitz were to be right" changed to "if Steinmetz were to
be right"
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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