Erdgeist (Earth-Spirit): A Tragedy in Four ActsWedekind, Frank
General
Erdgeist (Earth-Spirit): A Tragedy in Four Acts
Wedekind, Frank
German drama -- Translations into English; Tragedies (Drama)
ALVA. (Stepping forward, shakes hands with Schön and Goll.) Glad to see
you. (Turning toward Lulu.) Do I see a-right? Oh, if only I could
engage you for my title part!
LULU. I don't think I could dance nearly well enough for your show!
ALVA. But you do have a dancing-master such as cannot be found on any
stage in Europe.
SCHÖN. But what brings you here?
DR. GOLL. Maybe you're having somebody or other painted here, too, in
secret!
ALVA. (To Schön.) I wanted to take you to the dress rehearsal.
DR. GOLL. (As Schön rises.) Do you have 'em dance to-day in full
costume?
ALVA. Of course. Come along, too. In five minutes I must be on the
stage. (To Lulu.) Unhappy!
DR. GOLL. I've forgotten--what's the name of your ballet?
ALVA. Dalailama.
DR. GOLL. I thought =he= was in a madhouse.
SCHÖN. You're thinking of Nietzsche, Doctor.
DR. GOLL. You're right; I got 'em mixed up.
ALVA. I have helped Buddhism to its legs.
DR. GOLL. By his legs is the stage-poet known.
ALVA. Corticelli dances the youthful Buddha as tho she had seen the
light of the world by the Ganges.
SCHÖN. So long as her mother lived, she danced with her legs.
ALVA. Then when she got free she danced with her intelligence.
DR. GOLL. Now she dances with her heart.
ALVA. If you'd like to see her--?
DR. GOLL. Thank you.
ALVA. Come along with us!
DR. GOLL. Impossible.
SCHÖN. Anyway, we have no time to lose.
ALVA. Come with us, doctor. In the third act you see Dalailama in his
cloister, with his monks--
DR. GOLL. The only thing I care about is the young Buddha.
ALVA. Well, what's hindering you?
DR. GOLL. I can't. I can't do it.
ALVA. We're going to Peter's, after it. There you can express your
admiration.
DR. GOLL. Don't press it on me, please.
ALVA. You'll see the tame monkey, the two Brahmans, the little
girls....
DR. GOLL. For heaven's sake, just keep away from me with your little
girls!
LULU. Reserve one of the proscenium boxes for us on Monday, Mr. Alva.
ALVA. How could you doubt that I would, dear lady!
DR. GOLL. When I come back the whole picture will be spoilt on me.
ALVA. Well, it could be painted over.
DR. GOLL. If I don't explain to this Caravacci every stroke of his
brush--
SCHÖN. Your fears are unfounded, I think....
DR. GOLL. Next time, gentlemen!
ALVA. The Brahmans are getting impatient. The daughters of Nirvana are
shivering in their tights.
DR. GOLL. Damned enchantment!
SCHÖN. They'll quarrel with us, if we don't bring you with us.
DR. GOLL. In five minutes I'll be back. (Stands down right, behind
Schwarz and compares the picture with Lulu.)
ALVA. (To Lulu.) Duty calls me, gracious lady!
DR. GOLL. (To Schwarz.) You must model it a bit more here. The hair is
bad. You aren't paying enough attention to your business!
ALVA. Come on.
DR. GOLL. Now, just hop it! Ten horses will not drag me to Peter's.
SCHÖN. (Following Alva and Goll.) We'll take my carriage. It's waiting
downstairs. (Exeunt.)
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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