Arabella
Delay me from reaching the field of battle? From tearing victory from
our enemies? Let widows mourn--let lovers cry! Children, follow me,
raise your spirits. I see your courage shine in your faces. Let all
here feel the horror and the carnage. Fix bayonets! Firmly--good. The
rogues don't dare face us. Ah--cowards, you flee-- No--no quarter--
flee. (faints)
Scratch
In a short while, the blood will flow properly again.
Albert (beside himself)
Her wit's gone, without hope of return.
Scratch
Everything's ready. In my opinion, her illness is nothing more than a
repressed humor, an irritated spirit, which is trying to free itself.
Some demon of love has seized her mind.
Albert
What--the poor girl is possessed?
Scratch
This violent demon from which we must save her is very strong and
could take her from us. If I only had a subject in whom I could make
this spirit of madness enter, I could quite answer for it.
Albert
Jenny is a perfect subject. No need to search further. She'll serve
our turn.
Jenny
I kiss your hands--and give you my word, I'll do not such thing. I am
already crazy enough.
Worthy
Hurry up. Her illness augments every minute.
Scratch
Curses. This isn't a child's game. One cannot proceed too carefully.
When a demon gets in a man's body, I can get it out easily enough.
But, in the body of a female, it's quite another matter.
Worthy
To learn today the extent of his skill, I intend to deliver myself to
his care. I begin to doubt the effect. I think he's planning to mock
you and me. I intend to embarrass him.
Scratch
Me? I'll show you, and put you in a state where you cannot talk. Put
yourself beside her. A knee on the ground, and stay put there. Always
keep your gaze fixed on her beautiful eyes--your hand joined straight
to hers. (to Albert) Do you permit him to give her his hand, so the
force of attraction will be very strong?
Albert
Yes, I consent to everything.
Scratch
So much the better. You'll see a surprising effect shortly. (Scratch
makes several passes over the lovers with a wand) Microc--Salaam--
Hippocrata.
Arabella
Heaven--what heavy cloud is lifting from my eyes?
Worthy
What somber vapor is obscuring things around here?
Arabella
What a calm replacing trouble has come over my spirit.
Worthy
What confused tumult redoubles in my feelings? What profound abyss
opens under my feet? What dragon pursues me? Ah, traitor, you will
die--I intend to purge the world of a monster like you.
(Worthy chases Albert about, sword in hand.)
Scratch (coming between them)
Ah, sir, avoid his furious rage. Save yourself, save yourself. Let me
draw some blood and poison from his side. (holding Worthy) From the
violent access with which he's transported, I can see I've given him
too strong a dose.
Worthy
I intend to sacrifice him to my just fury.
Scratch
Don’t you have some strong liquor or spirits to calm this fury? He's
going to escape me.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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