Poet Lore/Volume 29/Number 1/The Ninth Night

by Viktor Dyk

Layout 2

THE NINTH NIGHT

A PLAY IN ONE ACT

By Victor Dyk

Translated from the Bohemian by Cyril Jeffrey Hrbek

Characters

First Gentleman
Second Gentleman
Mistress
Maid

Time—The Present

Scene I

Mistress and Maid

Maid (Combing Mistress’s hair).—And he said, the eighth.

Mistress.—What did he mean by that?

Maid.—I have puzzled my head over it for a long time. He evidently was looking at the sky; it was full of stars. But what did the word “eighth” signify?

Mistress.—Did he stand in that position long?

Maid.—Very long. And as if his whole life were in his eyes. He didn’t even move. He didn’t even hear my footsteps, not even the rustle of the grass. It is true though, that I walked very softly.

Mistress.—What could he be wondering about?

Maid.—I don’t know. He is so handsome. Why did he gaze at the stars, when there are so many eyes here? I don’t know, unless——

Mistress.—Unless——?

Maid. I have an idea. It was not the first night that he has stood thus and looked at the heavens.

Mistress.—Have you been watching him, then?

Maid.—With apologies, my gracious lady: I saw him and also heard him. Only that then he said “the fifth.” Let us count. To-day is Friday. Yes, it was on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. It works out.

Mistress.—What works out?

Maid.—Monday—the fifth. Thursday—the eighth. Friday, then, will be the ninth.

Mistress.—What do you mean by all that?

Maid.—With us it is a custom; a peasant custom, and quite foolish. It is a superstition that is really silly. It is said, that if for nine nights in succession you count nine stars, your wish shall be granted.

Mistress.—Really?

Maid.—That is the belief——!

Mistress.—And do you think that Mr. Ort has some wish?

Maid.—He is so young.

Mistress.—And his wish?

Maid.—He is so young, gracious lady; how can I tell? Young people ask for something, but do not know, themselves, what they want. My gracious lady surely knows more about it herself.

Mistress.—Eighth— That would signify then, that he had counted nine stars for eight successive nights?

Maid.—It would be useless, otherwise, to count longer!

Mistress.—And the ninth night could spoil everything?

Maid.—One night, often spoils many nights.

Mistress.—It is an odd superstition.

Maid.—Odd, indeed. And it is not so easy to get all conditions. I had two chums: Paula and Bess. Both counted the stars. Bess never finished counting; the last night a terrific storm came up.

Mistress.—And Paula?

Maid.—The last night some one else came. The conditions are difficult. It is unusual that there should be clear skies nine nights in succession, although it will happen—but to forget to count nine times in rotation, that is worse.

Mistress.—But Mr. Ort did not forget to count.

Maid.—All honor to Mr. Ort; but we will see if he counted well.

Mistress.—And what do you suppose his wish is?

Maid.—You ask me, my lady? (Arises.) I am through and it is fortunate. I hear steps on the walk, energetic steps; it is surely Mr. Vysen.

(First Gentleman knocks).

Mistress.—Come in!

(Maid disappears.)

 

Scene II

Mistress and First Gentleman

First Gentleman (Entering with firm, measured step; goes directly to Mistress, looking at her with searching glance).—Madame——?

Mistress.—Is there something I can do for you, friend?

First Gentleman (Impressively and with an unquiet note in his voice).—You are looking inquiringly? Why? You think—what do you think about? Do you still love me?

Mistress (Perplexed and almost afraid).—Why—to be sure!

First Gentleman (More violently).—I think, that you do not love me!

Mistress.—My friend!

First Gentleman.—I think that you do not love me! I tell you, though, that you are playing a risky game. There is no doubt that you are deceiving me. You imagine I don’t understand why you accept visits from that young fool. You are surely playing traitor to me. You are a wonderful actress, you are playing a play. You are playing a part to secure my heart. But as soon as I have evidence (Violent gesture) I will kill you!

Mistress (More calmly).—For God’s sake! Do not shout so loud, please. Some one will hear. And what is it to anybody, if you do kill me?

 

First Gentleman.—It is my last word. I am watching you closely. You are not sincere with me. You do not look me straight in the eye. Your words are not sincere. Oh, I notice it even in the smallest details. You talk with me but think about another. I know all.

Mistress. Well, then, what do you want to hear?

First Gentleman.—You remember well what I told you. As soon as I have any evidence, I shall kill you. (Departs with a stately step.)

(Mistress watching him as he leaves: shakes her head; then, with an expression of ennui, she drops into an arm chair.)

Scene III

Mistress and Maid

Maid (Peeps behind portiere, hesitates an instant, then goes nearer).—Poor fellow!

Mistress.—Say rather, Poor lady!

Maid.—How he adores you!

Mistress.—How unbearable he is!

Maid.—He became so excited.

Mistress (Shrugging her shoulders).—He always becomes excited in that way. I am acquainted with his manner. He comes, stands before me, looks at me; “Do you love me yet?” he says. He looks again, lifts his hand, lets it drop. Then comes: “I will kill you.” I know it all, word for word.

Maid.—It is true, that it is not the most entertaining thing.

Mistress.—It is not at all entertaining.

Maid.—Words are always repeated: but doesn’t it seem to you, gracious lady, that repetition isn’t always tiresome?

Mistress (With a grimace).—“Do you love me yet?”

Maid.—It would be better to hear: “Do you love me now?” (Steps to window.) I wonder what kind of evening we shall have?

Mistress.—You are thinking again about that fool?

Maid.—I am thinking about our guest. The one who counts the stars.

Mistress.—Yes it is true; the ninth night. (Steps to window.) It is cloudy.

Maid.—Would you wish it to be a clear night, gracious lady?

Mistress (Looking out).—Why not? Should I wish Mr. Ort any bad luck?

Maid.—A happy way to turn it off!

Mistress.—I don’t know what his wish is.

Maid.—I know what his wish is. Why should he select your garden to count the stars in?

Mistress.—A fancy, nothing more than a fancy.

Maid.—Certainty, nothing but absolute certainty.

Mistress.—And what if—if this were true (do not forget Blanche, that I do not say if it is true) if this thing were true, what if the stars should not shine?

Maid.—Oh, we can arrange that.

Mistress.—How?

Maid.—Do you want me to arrange it?

Mistress.—But how?

Maid.—A little patience, gracious lady. (Runs out.)

Mistress (Gazing out of window).—Twilight— Soon the stars will shine. What if the ninth night of all nights should prove a disappointment?

(Maid returns with a rug.)

Mistress.—What is that?

Maid.—The sky and stars. (Spreads out the rug.) We will put it on the window. Isn’t it the sky?

Mistress.—Trickster!

Maid.—Isn’t that the sky, and aren’t there nine stars? Just count them.

Mistress.—Nine stars on a rug are not nine stars in the heavens.

Maid.—There is so little difference. And when we wish to be convinced, we can be convinced easily. (Steps are heard.)

 

Scene IV

First Gentleman, Mistress, Maid

First Gentleman.—Madame—! (To Maid.) And you— What does this rug mean?

Maid.—(Silently bows, lays aside rug, tries to depart.)

First Gentleman.—Well? Oh! I observe everything. What does it mean?

Mistress.—Well, speak, Blanche, if the sight of an old rug interests him so much.

Maid.—I was to clear away all the old rubbish and I thought it was a pity to throw away this rug. It is still a fine rug.

First Gentleman.—Take it away.

(Maid leaves.)

 

Scene V

First Gentleman and Mistress

First Gentleman (Approaching lady impressively).—Do you love me yet?

Mistress (Resignedly).—Oh, of course!

First Gentleman.—I have no peace of mind.

Mistress.—Nor I.

First Gentleman.—What does the rug signify? What do the stars mean?

Mistress.—The rug is a rug. Does even a rug provoke you?

First Gentleman.—And the stars?

Mistress.—The stars are stars. Some design has to be on a rug.

First Gentleman.—Do you know with whom you are dealing? I do not propose to play the fool. If you undertake to play a French farce, it may turn out a tragedy. Surely you are deceiving me.

Mistress.—About whom?

First Gentleman.—That man Ort is here—his name I’m sure is Ort. Why do you invite him?

Mistress.—Gracious! Whom am I to invite? And then he talks so expressively and writes so well. His article about the new tendencies in our literature——

First Gentleman.—I have no faith in the new tendencies.

Mistress.—And the old ones please you?

First Gentleman.—You would like to carry me away from my subject which is unwelcome to you. I know you.

Mistress.—If it please you, we shall talk of Mr. Ort. He is a dear boy, but only a boy. What more would you want? He writes articles.

First Gentleman.—No one reads Mr. Ort’s articles.

Mistress.—Today. But do you know what will be tomorrow? Tastes change so quickly. One must think of everything.

First Gentleman.—You think about everything; but not about me.

Mistress.—Is it so little, all that I have done for you? Every one in the town is laughing at me. They joke about us. It is very disagreeable. And I am living here like a hermit. I live here out of the world, I live here only for you.

First Gentleman.—And Mr. Ort.

Mistress.—Your eternal song. You are unbearable.

First Gentleman.—Oh! I know it all too well. You can not pull the wool over my eyes. You are not sincere. You are deceiving me most assuredly, but once I get evidence enough, (Violent gesture) I will kill you.

Mistress.—You have told me that before.

First Gentleman.—I said it and I am saying it. It is my last word. (Bows.) I will kill you. (Exit.)

Mistress (Looks after him, when his steps are no longer heard, goes to door and calls to next room).—Bring in the rug!

 

Scene VI

Mistress and Maid

(Maid brings rug, stops in doorway.)

Mistress.—Try it.

Maid (Looks around).—Has the gentleman gone?

Mistress.—He has gone.

Maid.—The rug will do very well. Why should we worry about the sky outside? A starry heaven is only a decoration. Stars are only simple things.

Mistress.—Are there enough here?

Maid.—More than enough. (A knock is heard.)

Maid (Frightened).—Oh—! Should I take the rug away?

Mistress.—Yes—maybe—leave it here for the time—in any event—

(Maid exit.)

 

Scene VII

Mistress and Second Gentleman

Mistress (When the knocking is renewed).—Enter!

Second Gentleman (Entering shyly and almost timidly). I do not disturb you?

Mistress.—No.

Second Gentleman.—If I should be in the way——!

Mistress.—How could you be in my way?

Sezond Gentleman}}.—Truly, it could be possible; but not for long. I come to say good-bye.

Mistress.—To say good-bye? And so suddenly?

Second Gentleman.—Urgent business calls me away. And then——

Mistress.—And then?

Second Gentleman.—I am sad here.

Mistress.—Rather say bored. There is no society; isn’t that it?

Second Gentleman.—There is too much society.

Mistress (Laughing).—Too much? Do you mean to say I am superfluous here?

Second Gentleman.—I did not mean to say that.

Mistress.—Gracious! Do you know about what I was thinking?

Second Gentleman.—I do not.

Mistress.—And you will not ask?

Second Gentleman.—May I ask?

Mistress.—I was wondering whether the night would be clear.

Second Gentleman.—I, also, was thinking of that.

Mistress.—You see, our thoughts are alike. And what do you think about this night?

Second Gentleman.—I don’t know. The heavens are cloudy, but not enough so that the stars cannot come out.

Mistress.—Do you think, then, that they will shine?

Second Gentleman.—I hope so.

Mistress.—Why?

Second Gentleman.—It has a hidden meaning for me. You would laugh at it, but it has a meaning for me.

Mistress.—And wouldn’t you tell me what meaning?

Second Gentleman.—You would laugh at me—and how hard I would take it, if you mocked.

Mistress.—Don’t you like laughter?

Second Gentleman.—The laugh of a woman—yes, and sometimes I dislike it.

Mistress.—Then what do you like?

Second Gentleman.—I will tell that soon—as soon as the Istars come out.

Mistress.—And if they should not come out?

Second Gentleman.—Then, I never shall tell it.

Mistress.—The stars seem to mean a great deal to you?

Second Gentleman.—They denote good luck.

Mistress.—Are you sure?

Second Gentleman.—Yes.

Mistress.—What hinders your good luck?

Second Gentleman.—Little. Reality.

Mistress.—Reality is truly very little.

Second Gentleman.—Little, and yet it signifies much. And because it does mean a great deal after all, I must leave——

Mistress.—You leave, if the stars will not shine. Doesn’t that seem an odd reason to you?

Second Gentleman.—It cannot be a surprise that I am leaving. It should have been more of a surprise, that I stayed so long. Not that I would not recognize the urgency of leaving. But a man so persistently puts off urgency to another day. Always something in us hopes even when there is no basis for hope.

Mistress.—There is always a basis for hope.

Second Gentleman.—Do you say that, my lady? And do you know what you say with those words?

Mistress.—I say, according to my notion, the stars will shine tonight.

Second Gentleman.—They shall glow! How they shall glow (He pauses suddenly)—But how about the other one!

Mistress.—Have no fear. There is no one else.

Second Gentleman.—Have no fear? And he always before my eyes? He is with you. And——

Mistress.—Please, do not go on. You speak of the dead. One must say only good things of them.

Second Gentleman.—Are you sure it is of the dead?

Mistress.—Don’t you believe?

Second Gentleman.—If only I could believe!

Mistress.—Do try. (Steps are heard, then a knock.)

Second Gentleman.—The dead one is returning.

Mistress.—Enter.

 

Scene VIII

Mistress, Second Gentleman, First Gentleman

First Gentleman (Steps up to Mistress; observes guest, and stands undecided; then bows silently).—Madame! (Bows.) Sir!

(Second Gentleman bows.)

Mistress (Peevishly).—You are very good to come. We are talking about the stars.

Second Gentleman (With sarcastic note).—I am, I believe, superfluous here——

Mistress (Charmingly).—You are not the one who is useless here (To First Gentlemen). We were speaking of the stars. Doesn’t this theme interest you?

First Gentleman.—To tell the truth, it doesn’t, very much.

Mistress.—But surely you, too, used to speak of the stars. I remember it myself. For that matter, I do not recognize you, friend. You are so quiet today. What has happened to you? Brace up, do. This is no way to come in. That is no way to stand. More threateningly! Your hand up! Now then let it drop. And now, we come to the text of our role: “I think you love me no more.” Well?

First Gentleman.—I think truly that you don’t love me.

Mistress.—You do not err, my friend.

(First Gentleman staggers as if struck.)

Mistress.—Ah! that is not all yet. Now comes the leading act: “I say that you are playing a daring game. But from a French farce a tragedy easily could ensue! I will kill you.” Well. The effect would not be hurt if you reached for a revolver. Have you a revolver?

First Gentleman.—And if I should really kill you?

Mistress.—Kill me! You cannot kill my love!

First Gentleman.—Oh! I expected this.

Mistress.—Now you know it.

First Gentleman.—Oh! what a wretch you are.

Mistress.—How fortunate I am! You bored me to death with your pleasant threats. You promised to kill me and I was dying of ennui. Good-bye, friend; and never think ill of me. Why, have I not been patient long enough? Every one has laughed at me. I do not like the laugh of others, even though I myself like to laugh and look at the heavens when you go away. The stars are shining in the heavens. Many stars. It is an ill-omen for you that tonight is the ninth night and it is an ill-omen for you that tonight the stars shine.

First Gentleman (Tries to assume his customary gesture).—Madame! Sir! (But the attempt at gesture is false. He bows, leaves quietly, unnoticed. A moment of silence.)

 

Scene IX

Mistress, Second Gentleman. Later, the Maid

Mistress (Turns to Second Gentleman, who has been standing still and almost rigid during whole time).—Are you satisfied? Did I do as you wished? I have killed the past. It is no more. Only the present remains— What a beautiful present!

Second Gentleman.—What a beautiful present! But are you so sure of it? (He is confused.)

Mistress.—Of what?

Second Gentleman.—Are you sure the stars shine?

Mistress.—Oh! That is simple. Close your eyes.

Second Gentleman.—I am blind, if you wish it; I am deaf, if you wish it.

Mistress.—I shall assure myself. (She covers his eyes with her hands.) Blanche!

Maid.—My lady wishes something?

Mistress.—Hang the rug.

(Maid exits. Returns immediately.)

Mistress.—Hang it up.

Maid.—Does my lady wish anything else?

Mistress.—No, you may go.

(Maid exits with bow.)

Mistress (Takes hands from the eyes of Second Gentleman).—Well, do you see—there?

Second Gentleman (Looks in the direction indicated).—I see.

Mistress.—And are you counting?

Second Gentleman.—I am counting, one, two, three (Stops).

Mistress.—Proceed!

Second Gentleman.—Four, five, (Suddenly) but I didn’t say them to you?

Mistress.—What did you say?

Second Gentleman.—Six, seven,—That I do not love laughter.

Mistress.—It isn’t laughter that you must love.

Second Gentleman.—That I sometimes do not love the laughter of a woman—eight—but is it truly a starry sky? It seems that after all I am just cheating chance. What if it is an absolutely dark night outside? A hopelessly cloudy night?

Mistress.—Will you not be satisfied with this heaven?

Second Gentleman.—I cannot.

Mistress.—You are cruel (She hesitates a moment). I shall tear this sky down then. (Opens window; joyously.) Hark! hark! The heavens are clear, a starry heaven! Not only nine, but thousands of stars!

Second Gentleman (Looks out).—Yes——

Mistress (Approaches him, her body coming in contact with his).—Well, count them.

Second Gentleman.—One, two, three, four!

Mistress. How slowly you count.

Second Gentleman.—Six, seven,—but I wanted to tell you something more. Does it not seem sad to you to see the end from the beginning?

Mistress.—What do you mean by that?

Second Gentleman.—Let us grant it is the heavens—a vast sky. The endless heaven with the Milky Way. So I think anyway, but, after all, it suddenly becomes not the vast, unending sky. It is only a rug,—a decoration, something which so soon and so bitterly ends——

Mistress (Clinging to him).—Let it be a decoration. Just so it has love in it.

Second Gentleman.—You have much soul— In fact, too much soul You know how to laugh. I don’t. (Looks around.) The stars are really shining. Where did we leave off counting? (Points to the sky.) At the seventh one. We shall pass to the constellation, the big bear, eight, nine, all is correct. (Arises, withdraws from the embrace of the lady, bows, without a word and is about to go.)

Mistress.—What does this mean?

Second Gentleman (In doorway).—I go to find my desire. I go to seek the eight preceding nights.

Curtain