He Who Gets Slapped, Leonid Andreyev [great novels to read .txt] 📗

Calm yourself, calm, child⁠— Briquet Bring a doctor! Somebody runs for a doctor. Jackson In a voice full of fear. He, what is the matter with you? He It is death, Consuelo, my little Queen. I killed you. You are dying. He cries, loudly and bitterly. Consuelo with a scream, closes her eyes, and becomes silent and quiet. All are in terrible agitation. The Baron is motionless, and sees only Consuelo. Mancini Furious. You are lying, rascal! Damned clown! What did you give her? You poisoned her! Murderer! Bring a doctor! He A doctor will not help. You are dying, my little Queen. Consuelo! Consuelo! Bezano rushes in, cries: “Briquet!” becomes silent and looks with horror at Consuelo. Somebody else comes in. Briquet is making gestures for someone to close the door. Consuelo In a dull and distant voice. You are joking, He? Don’t frighten me. I am so frightened. Is that death? I don’t want it. Ah, He, my darling He, tell me that you are joking, I am afraid, my dear, golden He! He pushes away the Baron, with a commanding gesture, and stands in his place near Consuelo. The Baron stands as before, seeing only Consuelo. He Yes, I am joking. Don’t you hear how I laugh, Consuelo? They all laugh at you here, my silly child. Don’t laugh, Jim. She is tired, and wants to sleep. How can you laugh, Jim! Sleep my dear, sleep my heart, sleep my love. Consuelo Yes, I have no more pain. Why did you joke that way, and frighten me? Now I laugh at myself. You told me, didn’t you, that I⁠ ⁠… should⁠ ⁠… live⁠ ⁠… eternally? He Yes, Consuelo! You shall live eternally. Sleep. Be calm. Lifts up his arms, as if straining with all his forces to lift her soul higher. How easy it is now! How much light, how many lights are burning about you.⁠ ⁠… The light is blinding you. Consuelo Yes, light.⁠ ⁠… Is that the ring? He No, it is the sea and the sun⁠ ⁠… what a sun! Don’t you feel that you are the foam, white sea-foam, and you are flying to the sun? You feel light, you have no body, you are flying higher, my love! Consuelo I am flying. I am the sea-foam, and this is the sun, it shines⁠ ⁠… so strong.⁠ ⁠… I feel well. She dies. Silence. He stays a moment with lifted arms, then takes a long look, lets his arms fall, and shakingly goes off to one side. He stands still for a moment, then sits down, drops hit head on his hands, and struggles lonesomely with the torpidity of coming death. Briquet Slowly. She has fallen asleep, Mother? Zinida Dropping the dead hand. I am afraid not.⁠ ⁠… Step aside, Louis. Baron, it is better for you to step aside. Baron! Do you hear me? Weeps. She is dead, Louis. The clowns and Briquet are crying. Mancini is overwhelmed. The Baron and He are motionless, each in his place. Jackson Drawing out a large prismatic clown’s handkerchief to wipe away his tears. Faded, like a flower. Sleep, little Consuelo! The only thing that remains of you is the trace of your little feet on the sand. Cries. Ah, what did you do, what did you do, He!⁠ ⁠… It would have been better if you had never come to us. There it music in the ring. Briquet Gesticulating. The music! Stop the music! They are crazy there. What a misfortune! Someone runs off. Zinida approaches the crying Bezano and strokes his bowed, pomaded head. When he notices her, he catches her hand and presses it to his eyes. The Baron takes the rose from his buttonhole, tears off the petals, and drops it, grinding it with his foot. A few pale faces peer through the door, the same masquerade crowd. Zinida Over the head of Bezano. Louis, we must call the police. Mancini Awakening from his stupor, screams. The police! Call the police! It’s a murder! I am Count Mancini, I am Count Mancini! They will cut off your head, murderer, damned clown, thief! I myself will kill you, rascal! Ah, you! He lifts his heavy head with difficulty. He They will cut off my head? And what more.⁠ ⁠… Your Excellency? Baron Sir! Listen, sir! I am going for the police. Stop it, sir. He suddenly takes a step forward, and looking He in the eyes, speaks in a hoarse voice, with a cough, holding one hand at his throat. I am the witness. I saw. I am a witness. I saw how he put poison⁠ ⁠… I⁠— He leaves the room, suddenly, with the same straight, heavy steps. All move away from him, frightened. He drops his head again. From time to time a tremor shakes his body. Jackson Clasping his hands. Then it is all true? Poisoned! What a vile man you are, He. Is this the way to play? Now wait for the last slap of the executioner! Makes the gesture around his neck, of the guillotine. Tilly and Polly repeat the gesture. Zinida Leave his soul alone, Jim. He was a man, and he loved. Happy Consuelo! A shot is heard in the corridor. Thomas, frightened, runs in and points to his head. Thomas Baron⁠ ⁠… Baron⁠ ⁠… his head.⁠ ⁠… He shot himself?⁠ ⁠… Briquet Throwing his arms up. God! What is it? The Baron? What a calamity for our circus. Mancini The Baron? The Baron? No. What are you standing here for? Ah! Briquet Calm down, Count. Who would have believed it? Such a respectable⁠ ⁠… gentleman! He Lifting his head with difficulty; he sees only dimly with his dulled eyes. What more? What happened? Thomas The Baron shot himself. Honestly. Straight here! He’s lying out yonder. He Thinking it over. Baron? Laughs. Then the Baron burst? Jackson Stop it! It’s shameless. A man died and you.⁠ ⁠… What’s the matter with you, He? He Stands up,