He Who Gets Slapped Part 19

[_Laughing, she softly sings the melody of the waltz, which is playing in the distance._]

HE

Don't laugh, Consuelo, at the voice of the stars. They are far away, their rays are light and pale, and we can barely see their sleeping shadows, but their sorcery is stern and dark. You stand at the gates of eternity. Your die is cast; you are _doomed_--and your Alfred, whom you love in your heart, even though your mind is not aware of it, your Alfred cannot save you. He, too, is a stranger on this earth. He is submerged in a deep sleep. He, too, is a little G.o.d who has lost himself, and Consuelo, never, never will he find his way to Heaven again. Forget Bezano----

CONSUELO

I don't understand a word. Do the G.o.ds really exist? My teacher told me about them. But I thought it was all tales! [_Laughs._] And my Bezano is a G.o.d?

HE

Forget Bezano! Consuelo, do you know who can save you? The only one who can save you? I.

CONSUELO

[_Laughing_]: You, HE?

HE

Yes, but don't laugh! Look. Here is the letter H. It is I, HE.

CONSUELO

HE Who Gets Slapped? Is that written here, too?

HE

That, too. The stars know everything. But look here, what more is written about him. Consuelo, welcome him. HE is an old G.o.d in disguise, who came down to earth only to love you, foolish little Consuelo.

CONSUELO

[_Laughing and singing_]: Some G.o.d!

HE

Don't mock! The G.o.ds don't like such, empty laughter from beautiful lips. The G.o.ds grow lonely and die, when they are not recognized. Oh, Consuelo! Oh, great joy and love! Do recognize this G.o.d, and accept him.

Think a moment, one day a G.o.d suddenly went crazy!

CONSUELO

G.o.ds go crazy, too?

HE

Yes, when they are half man, then they often go mad. Suddenly he saw his own sublimity, and shuddered with horror, with infinite solitude, with super-human anguish. It is terrible, when anguish touches the divine soul!

CONSUELO

I don't like it. What language are you speaking? I don't understand----

HE

I speak the language of thy awakening. Consuelo, recognize and accept thy G.o.d, who was thrown down from the summit like a stone. Accept the G.o.d who fell to the earth in order to live, to play, and to be infinitely drunk with joy. Evoe G.o.ddess!

CONSUELO

[_Tortured_]: HE---- I cannot understand. Let my hand alone.

HE

[_Stands up_]: Sleep. Then wake again, Consuelo! And when thou wakest--remember that hour when, covered with snow-white sea-foam, thou didst emerge from the sky-blue waters. Remember heaven, and the slow eastern wind, and the whisper of the foam at thy marble feet.

CONSUELO

[_Her eyes are closed_]: I believe--wait--I remember. Remind me further----

[HE _is bowed over_ CONSUELO, _with lifted arms; he speaks slowly, but in a commanding voice, as if conjuring_.]

HE

You see the waves playing. Remember the song of the sirens, their sorrowless song of joy. Their white bodies, shining blue through the blue waters. Or can you hear the sun, singing? Like the strings of a divine harp, spread the golden rays---- Do you not see the hand of G.o.d, which gives harmony, light, and love to the world? Do not the mountains, in the blue cloud of incense, sing their hymn of glory?

Remember, O Consuelo, remember the prayer of the mountains, the prayer of the sea. [_Silence._]

HE

[_Commandingly_]: Remember--Consuelo!

CONSUELO

[_Opening her eyes_]: No! HE, I was feeling so happy, and suddenly I forgot it all. Yet something of it all is still in my heart. Help me again, HE, remind me. It hurts, I hear so many voices. They all sing "Consuelo--Consuelo." What comes after? [_Silence; pause._] What comes after? It hurts. Remind me, HE. [_Silence--in the ring, the music suddenly bursts forth in a tempestuous circus gallop. Silence._] HE, [_opens her eyes and smiles_] that's Alfred galloping. Do you recognize his music?

HE

[_With rage_]: Leave the boy alone! [_Suddenly falls on his knees before_ CONSUELO.] _I love you, Consuelo_, revelation of my heart, light of my nights, I love you, Consuelo. [_Looks at her in ecstasy and tears--and gets a slap; starting back._] What's this?

CONSUELO

A slap! You forget who you are. [_Stands up, with anger in her eyes._]

You are HE Who Gets Slapped! Did you forget it? Some G.o.d! With such a face--slapped face! Was it with slaps they threw you down from heaven, G.o.d?

HE

Wait! Don't stand up! I--did not finish the play!

CONSUELO

[_Sits_]: Then you were playing?

HE