Dramatic Technique Part 47

_Ray._ The cough?

_Lau._ Incessant. He breathes with difficulty.

_Ray._ His face is flushed?

_Lau._ Yes.

_Ray._ The doctor gave you a prescription?

_Lau._ I came to show it to you. I don't thoroughly understand this.

(_They are close to each other, examining the prescription which Raymond holds._)

_Ray._ (_Reading._) "Keep an even temperature in the sick room."

_Lau._ Yes.

_Ray._ "Wrap the limbs in cotton wool, and cover that with oiled silk." I am going to do that myself as soon as he wakes. Tell them to warn me.

_Lau._ What ought he to have to drink? I forgot to ask that, and he is thirsty.

_Ray._ Mallow.

_Lau._ I'm sure he doesn't like it.

_Ray._ Yes, yes. You remember when he had the measles.

_Lau._ Yes, yes. How anxious we were then, too!

_Ray._ He drank it willingly. You remember perfectly?

_Lau._ Yes, of course I remember. Some mallow then. Let us read the prescription again. I haven't forgotten anything? Mustard plasters.

The cotton wool, you will attend to that. And I will go have the drink made. "In addition--every hour--a coffee-spoonful of the following medicine."

(_The curtain falls slowly as she continues to read. M. de Girieu has gone out slowly during the last words._)[54]

Finally, contrast the treatment by John Webster and Robert Browning of the same dramatic situation. Which is the clearer, which depends more on ill.u.s.trative action?

_Enter Antonio_

_d.u.c.h.ess._ I sent for you; sit downe: Take pen and incke, and write: are you ready?

_Antonio._ Yes.

_Duch._ What did I say?

_Ant._ That I should write some-what.

_Duch._ Oh, I remember: After this triumph and this large expence, It's fit (like thrifty husbands) we enquire, What's laid up for tomorrow.

_Ant._ So please your beauteous excellence.

_Duch._ Beauteous?

Indeed I thank you: I look yong for your sake.

You have tane my cares upon you.

_Ant._ I'le fetch your grace The particulars of your revinew and expence.

_Duch._ Oh, you are an upright treasurer: but you mistooke, For when I said I meant to make enquiry What's layd up for tomorrow, I did meane What's layd up yonder for me.

_Ant._ Where?

_Duch._ In heaven.

I am making my will (as 'tis fit princes should In perfect memory), and I pray sir, tell me Were not one better make it smiling, thus, Then in deepe groanes, and terrible ghastly lookes, As if the guifts we parted with procur'd That violent distraction?

_Ant._ Oh, much better.

_Duch._ If I had a husband now, this care were quit: But I intend to make you over-seer.

What good deede shall we first remember? say.

_Ant._ Begin with that first good deede began i' th' world, After man's creation, the sacrament of marriage.

I'ld have you first provide for a good husband: Give him all.

_Duch._ All?

_Ant._ Yes, your excellent selfe.

_Duch._ In a winding sheete?

_Ant._ In a cople.

_Duch._ St. Winifrid, that were a strange will!

_Ant._ 'Twere strange if there were no will in you To marry againe.

_Duch._ What doe you thinke of marriage?

_Ant._ I take't, as those that deny purgatory, It locally containes or heaven or h.e.l.l; There's no third place in't.

_Duch._ How doe you affect it?

_Ant._ My banishment, feeding my mellancholly, Would often reason thus--

_Duch._ Pray let's heare it.

_Ant._ Say a man never marry, nor have children, What takes that from him? onely the bare name Of being a father, or the weake delight To see the little wanton ride a c.o.c.k-horse Upon a painted sticke, or heare him chatter Like a taught starling.

_Duch._ Fye, fie, what's all this?