ALWAYS RIDICULOUS
A monologue from the
play by Jose
Echegaray
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NOTE: This monologue is reprinted
from Poet Lore, Volume XXVII, Summer 1916, Number III. |
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REMEDIOS: You may say what you like, Don Cosme, I can't
agree that Teresina is quite as complex as you think she is,
and I'm certainly not subject to illusions. I know the World;
I'm not an ingenuous child; I say I'm not because, good Lord!
no widow has any business to be one. Although I must admit that
as far as years go, and in looks and manner, I am still something
of a child. But that's because of certain characteristics. Don't
you think so? Why don't you speak? You understand my character?
[Turning toward DON COSME and looking carefully at him.] Good
Lord! the man's asleep again! Up at ten this morning, it's now
eleven. And he sleeps! No, sir! I must have somebody to talk
to. Teresina is in the garden flirting with the two of them--spinning
like a planet between her two poles, Juan and Eugenio. Don Pablo
has gone on his usual walk. Don Hilarion? No one knows where
he is! Here I am left alone with Don Cosme, and he sleeps, leaving
me in full monologue. I won't stand it! I came to this house
on the express condition that I should not be bored, and the
condition is not being fulfilled. The place is beautiful--Art,
Oh! plenty of Art--pictures, tapestry, statues, bronzes, porcelains;
and Nature, Oh! a great deal of Nature, woods and flowers
and lakes and water-falls and sunsets! But all that's not enough.
There is no Life! No warmth! As they say nowadays, the warmth
of humanity. And he goes on sleeping! This life is giving that
man softening of the brain. Don Cosme! Oh, Don Cosme! [Striking
him with her fan] Open your eyes!
MORE
MONOLOGUES BY JOSE ECHEGARAY |
