THE BIG SCENE
A monologue from the
play by Arthur
Schnitzler
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NOTE: This monologue is reprinted
from Comedies of Words and Other Plays. Trans. Pierre
Loving. Cincinnati: Stewart Kidd Company, 1917. |
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EDGAR: Mr. Herbot, I don't feel disposed to doubt your
mood and, I take it, there is no question about mine. Don't let's
go through a scene of high-sounding words. Mr. Herbot, we want,
if possible--and to me it is possible--to talk like two men--no,
let alone every vanity and every question of honor in the accepted
sense, like two human beings. I ask you for the last time, Mr.
Herbot, please to abandon the manner you have assumed thus far.
I don't for a moment question the correctness of it. But please
understand that a human being confronts you now, Mr. Herbot,
one who demands nothing but the truth, whatever it may be. You
follow me, Mr. Herbot? One who, however poignant it may be, is
ready to bear it. Understand me, please, Mr. Herbot, I come neither
in the guise of a fool nor as an avenger to one who is either
a knave or who has been unjustly so accused. Human to human!
If it fell out as I suspect, Mr. Herbot, it probably was no dastardly
act. If otherwise, then it wasn't very far from it. But no matter
what has happened, nothing in the world could force us to face
one another with pistols so that one of us might-- [HERBOT
starts to speak.] Not yet. You're going to go on lying, I
suppose. But please listen to what I have to say. I have lived
through many things--I know what a mere fragrance, what the perfume
of summer evenings can do with us. I know, too, how far behind
us we can thrust our lot like a dream which has been told as
a tale by a stranger. And I know that I am prepared to endure
anything, except uncertainty. I can forgive everything but lies.
See how easy the truth is made for you! I trust you are beginning
to understand. Or do you suspect perhaps that I am laying a trap
for you, unawares. I have, I think, surrendered myself completely
into your hands, Mr. Herbot. I've stood here like the most pitiful
clown. If I had wanted to take advantage of your confession and
entrap you and then to resume the affronted bridegroom; if this
were so, you would be at liberty to deny me all satisfaction,
spit in my face for, whatever you may have done, I should have
been viler than you by far. Can you hesitate still, Mr. Herbot?
Never, I feel, has one man spoken to another as I have done to
you. Were you Daisy's lover? You are silent? You must speak.
You must speak the truth, before it is too late. Yes, Mr. Herbot,
before it is too late. For should I casually learn the truth
later--and things of this sort are known to exist; there are
such things as belated confessions by women--then ... then I
won't hesitate to strike you down.
MORE
MONOLOGUES BY ARTHUR SCHNITZLER |
