Six One-Act Plays Part 10

RODRIGUEZ--He is faint. Let me get some wine.

TARIK--(_Sobbing._) I will not drink wine. It is forbidden.... I want my mother.... She will make me well.... I want my mother.

(_Lagrimas and Rodriguez catch him as he faints._)

LAGRIMAS--See, his eyes are open again.

TARIK--I am well. Let me stand alone.

RODRIGUEZ--Thou art a brave lad despite thy brown skin.

(_Enter soldier._)

SOLDIER--The General says the boy prisoner is to go with his mother.

(_Tarik looks at Lagrimas, then stoops and kisses the hem of her dress._)

TARIK--Allah will bless thee, and thy little children. It is written.

(_Exit with soldier._)

(_Lagrimas and Don Rodriguez sit as they were in the opening scene._)

LAGRIMAS--It is just as it was last night.

RODRIGUEZ--(_Quietly._) But I have captured Hafiz.

LAGRIMAS--And thou speakest neither of thy bravery nor thy--

RODRIGUEZ--I am getting wisdom.

LAGRIMAS--Too much wisdom will make a monk of thee.

RODRIGUEZ--(_After a pause._) I think the stars will shine to-night.

LAGRIMAS--(_Piqued._) Oh, dost thou?

RODRIGUEZ--The air is blowing up a little sharp.

LAGRIMAS--Maria be adored, there is always the weather.

RODRIGUEZ--Of what else shall I speak?

LAGRIMAS--Of thee and--oh anything!

(_Silence. Guitars tinkle in the valley._)

LAGRIMAS--Dost hear the guitars?

RODRIGUEZ--No.

LAGRIMAS--I can hear them plainly. The senor is a constant lover; she will yield to him soon.... What has stopped thine ears?

RODRIGUEZ--The beating of my heart.

LAGRIMAS--A soldier's heart--(_stops suddenly._)

RODRIGUEZ--Hast thou lost something?

LAGRIMAS--It is no matter. I do not want it back.

(_Looks fixedly at his coat until he fidgets._)

RODRIGUEZ--Why dost thou stare? Is my coat--?

LAGRIMAS--What I lost, it has gone inside thy breast. I saw it.

RODRIGUEZ--(_Bewildered._) I--oh--what is it?

LAGRIMAS--My heart, most beautifully stupid, my heart!

RODRIGUEZ--(_Clasping her._) Lagrimas!

(CURTAIN)

THE TURTLE DOVE

A Chinese Play

CAST

CHORUS.

CHANG-SUT-YEN, son of CHANG-WON-YIN, the GREAT, _ruler of the Province of Canton_.

THE MANDARIN.

KWEN-LIN, _His daughter_.

THE G.o.d OF FATE.

THE PROPERTY MAN.

THE GONG BEARER.

The Turtle Dove

_The play is acted in the Chinese manner, without stage setting. The back drop is painted to represent a Willow plate. Chorus is present at the left side of the stage throughout the action, to explain the story, announce the characters as they appear, and thank the audience for its interest. The Property Man, in a black costume, remains at the back of the stage. At various specified times, he hands the necessary properties to the several characters, from a small box beside him. When not occupied with stage work, he spends the time reading a Chinese paper, and smoking a pipe or cigarette._