EPILOGUE
DEATH AND LIFE
Scene: Interior of the forest. Pitch-black night. The Tramp sleeping in the foreground.
Tramp. (Speaking in his sleep) Chuck it, General! (Wakes) Been nappin’, ’ave I? Crumbs, I feel cold. I’m sick—shiverin’ all over . . . Where am I? Can’t see me ’ands, it’s so bloomin’ dark . . . ’Oo ’s that speakin’? . . . (Shouting) ’Ullo! ’oo ’s talkin’? . . . Nothin’—no one anywhere. Gawd! I’m skeered. Where ’s the sky got to? There ain’t no sky! Can’t be dead, can I? Feel sick enough. For ’eaven’s sake, a bit of light—jest a glimmer!
A Voice. Wait, wait. The light is coming.
Tramp. I can ’ear voices—everywhere, voices! ’Ark!
Voice of Ant-Soldier. I’m wounded . . . I’m thirsty.
Voice of Ant-Commander. Army of Occupation, advance!
Voice of Mr. Beetle. My pile! Where ’s my little pile?
Voice of a Butterfly. Iris! Iris!
Tramp. Give us a bit of light! I’m skeered!
Voice of Cricket. Another cricket lived here a long time ago. Careful, mumsy, careful!
Voice of Ichneumon Fly. Aha! Got them!
Voice of Ant-Soldier. Water, water!
