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PELLEAS AND MELISANDE.
51

FIFTH ACT.


SCENE I.

(An apartment in the Castle. Arkel, Golaud and the physician discovered in a corner of the room. Melisande is extended on her bed).


The Physician.

It is not from this little wound that she can die; a bird would not die from it…thus it is not you who have killed her, my good lord; do not take on so... And it is not said that we will not save her…


Arkel.

No, no; it seems to me that we are too silent, in spite of ourselves, in her room… It is not a good sign… Look how she sleeps…slowly, slowly…one would think her soul was cold forever…


Golaud.

I killed without reason. Is it not enough to make the stones weep?… They were embracing each other like little children… They were brother and sister… And I, I at once!… I did it in spite of myself, you see… I did it in spite of myself…


The Physician.

Attention; I think she awakes…


Melisande.

Open the window…open the window…


Arkel.

Do you wish me to open this one, Melisande?


Melisande.

No, no; the great window… it is that I may see…


Arkel.

Is not the sea air too cold to-night?


The Physician.

Do it, do it…


Melisande.

Thank you. Is it the sun that is sinking?


Arkel.

Yes; it is the sun that is sinking in the sea ; it is late.—How do you find yourself, Melisande?


Melisande.

Well, well.—Why do you ask that? I was never in better health.—It seems to me, however, that I know something…


Arkel.

What do you say?—I do not understand…


Melisande.

I do not understand all that I say either, you see… I do not know what I say… I do not know what I know… I do not say any more what I want to…


Arkel.

Yes, you do… I am quite happy to hear you speak in this way; you have had a little delirium these past days, and we no longer understood you… But now, all that is long past.


Melisande.

I do not know…—Are you all alone in the room, grandfather?


Arkel.

No; there is also the physician who cured you…


Melisande.

Ah…