The Theatrocrat: A Tragic Play of Church and StageDavidson, John
General
The Theatrocrat: A Tragic Play of Church and Stage
Davidson, John
Drama
Lady S. My death, my death!
Oh, love, I wish to die: I mean to die--
Alone, without regret. That week of Sin
I came here to repent envelopes all
The past and all the future in a cloud
Of glory. At the sight of you my mind,
And that imagination which I am--
Let me remember that: the Universe
Is pure imagination conscious in us:
Most beautiful! The Universe becomes
That week of passionate Sin and hides my soul
As in the pristine fire. Take off my cloak.
[She advances to the centre of the room. Groom follows and removes
her cloak.]
Am I not beautiful again?
Groom. As fresh
As hawthorn buds, desirable as wine
In summer droughts and molten calentures,
As sweet as bread and meat to starving men!
What miracle is this?
Lady S. The miracle
Of Life triumphant. Drink to Life and Love.
[They drink.]
It stings a little! ... Help me, Warwick! Oh!
[He supports her to the couch, and she sits.]
Groom. You've taken poison? Have I drunk it, too?
Lady S. No, Warwick; I took it all. I want to die.
Help me; embrace me; hold me! Oh, what pain!
Let me lie down.
[He lays her on the couch.]
Inflexible as love,
Death rends and hurts at first; but soon its way
Is like a summer voyage in the south.
What bells are these? That music in the air?
I know!--the stealthy hansoms jingling past
With doors half open, nightly traps to catch
Adventurous lovers. Cafés disengage
Self-centred diners fed and flushed to dream
Of deeds of love in glimmering theatres,
The woman and the man, till it be time
To take each other sweetly. Kiss me, Warwick.
You have your arms about me?
Groom. Yes.
Lady S. I die
Wrapped round about with youth and love and life.
The earth is like a chariot of fire
Wheeling into the Sun. Good night.
[Dies.]
Groom. Good night.
Nothing is wonderful since all is wonder.
[He covers Lady Sumner's body with her cloak. Then he takes from his
breast-pocket a long sheath-knife.]
Now for _my_ message.
[Goes out.]
ACT V
Scene: The stage of the Grosvenor Theatre. The curtain is down.
Scene-shifters struggle with wrecked scenery, and Property-men carry
out broken furniture. On the left, his head supported by Europa
Troop, St. James's lies unconscious: two Doctors attend him. Sir
Tristram, whose clothes are torn and whose face is bruised and
bloody, is talking with Mark Belfry on the right. The Orchestra is
playing fortissimo. Above the music an occasional whistle or cry is
heard as the last of the audience leave the theatre. When the music
ceases Warwick Groom enters on the left, and waits his opportunity
unseen by the others.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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