Produced by Dagny and Frank J. Morlock
This Etext is for private use only. No republication for profit inprint or other media may be made without the express consent of theCopyright Holder. The Copyright Holder is especially concerned aboutperformance rights in any media on stage, cinema, or television, oraudio or any other media, including readings for which an entrance feeor the like is charged. Permissions should be addressed to: FrankMorlock, 6006 Greenbelt Rd, #312, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA orfrankmorlock@msn.com. Other works by this author may be found athttp://www.cadytech.com/dumas/personnage.asp?key=130
Translated and Adapted
By Frank J. Morlock
C 1982
Mr. Matthews, an old man
Elizabeth, his daughter
Walter, his son
Mr. Manly, Elizabeth's husband
Anna, Elizabeth's maid
The Countess
Polly, Walter's wife
Sophie, Matthew's wife
Trim, Walter's valet
Jeremy, Manly's valet
Belinda, a little girl about ten years of age
Mr. Nugent
A troop of dancers
MatthewsNo, I cannot be perfectly happy. I had a wife and she died. Out ofdecency, I mourned her. Secretly, I rejoiced to be delivered from atyrant who controlled my slightest breath and wanted to rule myinclinations after twenty years of marriage. I thought her death wouldleave me free.— Now, I am a slave to my children, who force me to goagainst my own wishes, and to preserve decency, without which I darenot proceed. I have to be careful my affairs are not noised about allover town. I have a son who is bigger than I am: what a mortificationfor a father who doesn't wish to renounce the world! I have a sweetand pretty daughter—who doesn't want to be a nun. So, to preservedecency, I have to marry her off. What an aggravating necessity for afather who loves his own comfort more than his daughter! What roleshould I play?— For the time being better keep them amused, so as tohave time to arrange matters in the way I wish.
(Enter Anna.)
AnnaWhat's going on, sir? I've just seen I don't know how many men downthere getting drunk. What guzzlers! They've already emptied more thanthirty bottles, and they complain they are dying of thirst. Who arethey?
Matthews
They're dancers and musicians.
Anna
They drink like marines.
Matthews
Well, aren't they doing their job?
AnnaOnly when they drink at somebody else's expense. I ought to watchthem. But, sir, if you please, why have you brought this bacchanaliainto your home? Are you giving a ball tonight?
MatthewsYes, child, I intend to give a kind of ball tonight, or rather alittle concert mixed with dancing. That's what I brought thesemusicians and dancers for.
AnnaBetter take away the drink then, for if they continue as they'vebegun, you will have to carry them home.
MatthewsNever mind, don't worry about it—the more they drink, the better theysound.
AnnaWell done! And how were you able to bring yourself to have such aparty—you, a sworn enemy to such diversions?
MatthewsI have re