ACT THREE
The same city; darkness. Elan Chol in the foreground.
Elan Chol:
Well then,
The bloody work is accomplished.
Again in place of the Furies we shall have Peace.
The war is ended!
I beheld death mowing down regiments.
I strode through fire
And perished not. How wondrous!
Light is given unto him whose heart is in shadow
And life unto him who is forlorn in spirit.
For I have long been in the shackles
Of a foe who knows not compassion:
I have been made captive by causeless grief,
Direr than death.
I sought a grave more eagerly than slumber
And found it not,
But saw how from thirsty lips
Death removes the vessel of life.
Yet to me, who crave not to drink the water of life,
To me it was not vouchsafed to die the death.
Sadder is my spirit than the most forlorn of regions,
More rigid than rocks,
More mournful than is dust or clay,
Gloomier than quenched fire.
The whole world crushes me with its weight,
And lies upon me as sand lies in the wilderness.
Still do I live.
My body is the coffin of my spirit
And my spirit is the sepulchre of my body.
What is life to me?
I am destroyed before I have died the death.
The missile shunned me,
And the slaying sword turned aside from me;
Fire shrank from mowing me down,
And the eyes of hostile armies beheld me not.
Life has not acknowledged me as its son,
And Death has turned its embrace from me.
The grave has fled before me.
Only causeless grief holds me,
Has clutched me in its fetters and hounds me with its whip.
Mute, not showing me the path, it drives me
I know not whither.
Darkness. A group of disabled soldiers who are returning is outlined more and more clearly beside a fire.
First Disabled Soldier:
Well, have none of you got any tobacco? Not a plug? Not a shred? Not a flake?
Second Disabled Soldier:
No, that we haven’t.
First Disabled Soldier:
Bah! that’s bad. It’s no pleasure puffing out of an empty pipe.
Here’s some tobacco.
First Disabled Soldier:
God reward you; that’s nice tobacco. But what was I going to say? I was telling you: we dug ourselves in among this sand. They said it was hell there, but that was a place there was a lot of talk about. Nowhere a drop of water, and we were dying of thirst. And the boy, he kept talking about the gold, while we were talking the whole time about water, as if he was the only one who didn’t feel that awful thirst. He kept saying, “Gold, gold! there’s gold yonder on the other side; that’s where we’ve got to go. Then I’ll throw away my rifle and fill my haversack with gold, and after that I’ll have a drink.” That was the fourth day we’d had nothing to drink. So then he makes a dash forward. I got hold of his hand, but he was off like the wind, his eyes starting out of his head. “ Where are you running to?” I said. But all he answered was, “Gold, gold!”
Citizen:
Well, and what then?
First Disabled Soldier:
I don’t know. There was a big bang and not a button left of the boy. That was right at the beginning of the war.
Second Disabled Soldier:
There was a sergeant serving with us; he’d been a policeman—not a bad fellow, a clean-shaven chap; perhaps you knew him. When we were all whining—whining like children we were, lying in those shocking swamps—he was always saying: “Be sensible! Do you call yourselves men?” We were lying in those salty swamps; the living flesh was peeling off us. But I’ve said that before; besides, everybody knows about it. He got a bullet in his chest. Down he went, covered with blood, and said: “Mother, look! snowdrops.” I don’t know where he got that from. He said “snow-drops,” and there was only marsh and blood. He was done for on the spot.
First Disabled Soldier:
Hm!
Third Disabled Soldier:
He was the one who was always a stickler for order in the street. He was a decent policeman. If he was to rise from the dead and see this city now, that’d make him stare.
First Disabled Soldier:
Bah! this place is an awful sight!
Citizen:
Things were bad here too. We had a very rough time of it. The enemy flung sulphur and fire on the city. We’re living in the ruins. O God! there was hunger and there was misery. It’s a tale that can’t be told.
The Lover:
I am here
First Disabled Soldier:
Hah!
Second Disabled Soldier:
What’s that? You? You’re alive, are you? Why, I thought that nobody’d come back, that we alone were left there, that all the rest perished!
First Disabled Soldier:
Why, I saw you
The Lover:
I have come
Second Disabled Soldier:
Why, we saw you
The Lover:
Dead or alive, I had to come.
First Disabled Soldier:
Dead
The Lover:
Dead or alive, that is all one to me. But I vowed
Second Disabled Soldier:
What?
The Lover:
Nothing.
An Old Mother:
My son! No, that is not my son! Did you not see my son? Hasn’t he returned yet? He is not among you. My boy!
Third Disabled Soldier:
We don’t know. Perhaps—there’ll be some more coming back.
My son! He so much wanted to reach this New Land! He was so glad to go to the war! Didn’t you see him? Why didn’t he come with you? They sent me a message that he was killed. But I don’t believe it. He was my son. I don’t believe it. Tell me, when is he coming?
Second Disabled Soldier:
Hm! Well, he’s coming—later.
An Old Mother:
I know he’s coming. He’s such a smart lad. It’s impossible that such a boy as mine could be killed. I know that he’ll return. I’m waiting for him; he’ll come
The Sodiers:
You just wait. He’ll come back—later on.
An Old Mother:
He’ll come. No, he isn’t dead, I know. I’m waiting. Of course, he’ll return
A Widow:
Listen to me. But don’t comfort me; don’t tell me lies, I know that my husband is dead. All I ask of you is to tell me when you last saw him—tell me, try and recall when you last saw him, and what message he left for me.
First Disabled Soldier (sobs).
A Widow:
Oh, speak! See, I am not weeping. Just tell me when you saw him last, what he said, what was his message to me.
He was lying with his face to the sky and his eyes wide open.
A Widow:
Then he was looking at you. And what message did he give for me?
First Disabled Soldier:
O-o-o-o! he had no lips.
A Widow:
O-o-o-o! I have no child. I have no tears. I have no husband. I have a heart that is torn asunder. I have no lips to curse heaven with.
Third Disabled Soldier:
It’s a piteous sight!
Second Disabled Soldier:
And she’s not the only one. There’s too many like her.
First Disabled Soldier:
Better not think about it. (To the Lover.) Then you’re not dead—you’ve come
The Lover:
I am here. I vowed I would return even from the grave
The Beloved (stretches out her hands to him):
My dear one! My love! You will love me no more.
But I have come here for you.
The Beloved:
You will not have my love again.
The Lover:
I know all. I have only come to tell you that you are a strumpet.
The Beloved:
Have pity! My heart was thinking only of you.
The Lover:
I know all. You have become Vandergold’s wench. The enemy spared me, but you—you have plunged a knife into my heart!
The Beloved:
I was hungry.
The Lover:
Oh, what have you done with our love?
The Beloved:
I was sorry for my young life.
The Lover:
And what of my life? Did you not grieve for my life?
The Beloved:
My heart is nothing but tears and nothing but love for you. But alas! you will never love me any more.
The Lover:
Oh, you are beautiful! You are as beautiful as you used to be! Don’t look at me. My heart is devoured by a bitter flame. You are a harlot, but you are beautiful. I love you, but I shall never bring it over me to forgive you. Come!
Oh, grant me forgiveness!
The Lover:
Never can I forgive you. Come!
First Disabled Soldier:
They’ll never be happy again.
Second Disabled Soldier:
That they won’t.
Third Disabled Soldier:
And Vandergold won’t either. If you ask me, his life isn’t worth a brass farthing now.
Citizen:
His life? Why, Vandergold doesn’t need to be afraid.
Second Disabled Soldier:
Vandergold had better look out for himself. That chap won’t give him any quarter.
Citizen:
Vandergold isn’t afraid of anyone now. Vandergold is dead.
Third Soldier:
Vandergold dead?
Citizen:
Vandergold got killed on the home front.
First Disabled Soldier:
Then it was that chap, after all?
No, it wasn’t him.
Second Disabled Soldier:
Was it a bullet?
Citizen:
No.
Third Soldier:
A knife, then?
Citizen:
It wasn’t a knife either. Vandergold was torn in pieces—Vandergold and his car with him. And now Dollarson’s top dog—only Dollarson, Dollarson and nobody else. Oh, strange things have been happening. We’ve had war here, too. So for those of us who’re alive to tell the tale the only thing left is to beg for peace again.
[The sound of a horn. A Herald runs in before a projected image of “The Dollarson News.” A Crowd collects.]
Herald:
Oyez! oyez! oyez! The war is ended; the fight is won! The New Continent is opened to us. The Land of Hopes is in our possession as far as the frontiers marked out by us. Our flags are flying upon our territory to the full extent of our claims. Thus has it been sealed by fire, blood and the sword. So to them who have perished let there be grateful memory and renown. However, it is sweet to lay down one’s life for the benefit of days yet to be. Our share in the Land of Hopes comprises over 5,000,000 square kilometres. Its maximum width is 2,200 kilometres; its maximum length 3,800 kilometres—all fine promising soil along the sides and in the middle, on top and within.
Hear what Dollarson thinks about it. Dollarson has expressed the opinion that this is a fine big deal. His view is that we have gained much more than we hoped to get. He says that we have reason for pride and satisfaction. He further states that the finest thing of all is now in store for us, since now that the task of the war has been carried out, the task of peace has to be achieved. And where the heroes performed their deeds, workers are now needed. He hopes that all who desire to pluck the fruit of this great work will prepare themselves joyfully to depart to the Promised Land. It is ours; it has been redeemed.
[The image of “The Dollarson News” vanishes, and the bright phantom of a star appears. Exit Herald.]
The Crowd:
The Land of Hopes is redeemed!
The Citizen:
It was also called the Land of Many Names. Everyone was eager for it. But you, soldiers—you have already seen it.
First Disabled Soldier:
We soldiers have been there, and we called it “Hell.”
First Man from the Crowd:
It was said to be an earthly paradise, the most beautiful of all lands.
Second Disabled Soldier:
Ha, ha, ha! Its beauty is downright murderous. This blind man here among you, he couldn’t even tear his eyes away from it, so he left them there. Let him tell you what he saw.
The Blind Soldier:
I beheld it as a single golden and fiery flower, and then I saw no more.
Second Disabled Soldier:
And what do you see now?
The Blind Soldier:
My eyes—I see only my eyes.
Second Disabled Soldier:
And what do you feel?
The Blind Soldier:
A song.
The Crowd:
Sing to us, blind man. Sing about the Land of Hopes.
The Blind Soldier:
I will sing about those who served under Elan Chol.
The Crowd:
Elan Chol’s company.
First Disabled Soldier:
He’s one of that company. Sing now!
The Blind Man:
We served under Elan Chol the renowned.
“Long live our captain!” the hundred of us said.
He went ahead,
Seeking for death on the battle-ground.
Elan Chol, by him we were led,
And those hundred lads of his are around.
All among black stones we lay,
Above us a sign in black array.
This is the captain,
Standing on guard upright,
And challenging Fate to come and fight.
Chorus:
Elan Chol stood on guard alone,
And the breath of a curse was over him blown.
The Blind Man:
Hurrah! we all were dead before
We died. And whether living or
Fallen or dying we might be,
Each the same gulf of gloom could see.
Death himself called us on parade,
Commander of our company.
Chorus:
Hurrah! whether dead or alive they be,
In eternal gloom they paraded, and he,
Death, commands our company.
The Blind Man:
On guard stands the blind man himself; with him
Our captain, our captain, a shadow grim,
Elan Chol with his hundred lads.
A hundred dead with their curse of doom
Went away to eternal gloom.
First Man from the Crowd:
And is Elan Chol alive?
The Blind Man:
He is not dead.
This is dreadful what you say.
The Crowd:
Horror is hovering above us.
First Man From the Crowd:
Do you hear a sort of thunder?
The Crowd:
Alas! is the war still going on?
[The throb of a motor-car, sirens. Enter Dollarson.]
Voices from the Crowd:
Dollarson!
First Man from the Crowd:
Mr. Dollarson, there’s a sort of thunder can be heard.
The Crowd:
I’m scared out of my wits.
First Man from the Crowd:
Hasn’t the war stopped yet?
Dollarson:
The war has been successfully concluded. The turmoil of war is disposed of, the cannon are mute, and amid the dawn red with heroes’ blood a new day is being born. We have won the war. The Land of Hopes is ours. Now all we need do is to take charge of the territory thus acquired. Let the busy hand seize upon it!
Dollarson:
Let the busy hand seize upon it. The plough and the spade.
First Disabled Soldier:
The first plough has not tilled that land with a fruitful furrow, and the first spade did not loosen its soil for a living harvest. The first plough and spade furrowed it with a war-trench, and the first herb which sprouted from it was bullet and barbed wire.
Dollarson:
Such was the demand of destiny. That first trench and the furrow hollowed out by munitions, they imprinted upon it the seal of human ownership. The New Continent must be turned into property.
Second Disabled Soldier:
This is how man marked it with his ownership. With his blood he manured the Land of Dreams, and the first seed he sowed was his fathers and brothers and sons.
Dollarson:
Many must yield up his sacrifice for the New Lands to the superhuman creator. But from the human tillage there arises a mighty harvest. The Land of Hopes has been redeemed. There was nothing else for it; we had to pay the price. But I tell you that it was worth while. Now we shall turn the Land of Hopes into the Land of Life.
First Disabled Soldier:
What’s that you call it?
Dollarson:
Exult! Now it’s to be called the Land of Life.
We used to call it the Great Graveyard.
Dollarson:
Not a bit of it. It is the beckoning Land of New Life.
The Blind Man:
It is inhabited by shadows. It is the Land of Dead Armies.
Dollarson:
No. In this land there is no shadow. It gleams with its four-square expanses, it glistens with the wheat which is growing upon it, shimmers with the images of forests, shines with the cities which garb its new life. Ha, ha! Is it not rather this ancient world here which is the land of dead armies and the age-old graveyard of hopes? This soil here, not once but a hundred times, had to be redeemed for life’s sake. For ages past there has been cursing and vain yearning here. Here you walk upon the bones of millions who dreamt of better things and never lived to see them. But yonder is the New Land. Ha, ha! What odd people you are, to be sure! You all wanted to go there, and now you’re thinking it over? Get along with you! Why, there’s nothing more for you to obtain from this old world.
[The bright phantom of a star slowly assumes a coloured gleam. Thunder in the distance.]
First Man from the Crowd:
Listen to the thunder.
The Crowd:
I am scared out of my wits. Something is clutching me.
Don’t be alarmed. The fight for the Land of Hopes is over. Ha, ha! now we’ve got things in order—upon my soul, we have. There’s no more war there, no more death. Who would hesitate now? Oh, golden dream of. the new world! Ah, Pieris, your words of enthusiasm are needed here.
Pieris:
I wanted to go, but now I shall stay here. I am old, and I have no more desire to roam.
Dollarson:
Where is your great faith, Pieris? Is that how you look forward? Why, you used to be so enthusiastic with new hopes. Come, come! why, you’re quite feeble and old!
Pieris:
No, I am even firmer in my faith. But you said that this soil here, too—not once, no, a hundred times—had to be redeemed for life’s sake, and that we are standing here on the eternal grief of millions who died and hoped here. Isn’t that what you said?
Dollarson:
Something like that.
Pieris:
Yes, and so it is in truth. Well, then, listen: here is the Land of Hopes.
The Crowd:
This is not quite clear to me; my thoughts are slow.
Pieris:
This is what I say: Not there, but here is the Land of Hopes. Look at this land, people. It suffers and hopes. It is waiting for your faith. Do not abandon it. Here, here, is the land of eternal hoping and redemption. Yes, this is where it is.
The Crowd:
I am bewildered. A strange foreboding
Dollarson:
Nonsense! What does anyone get out of your offer? You ridiculous apostle! what does anyone gain from these hopes of yours? What is the good of an empty hope here, when there you can possess? Why vainly hope and dream here, when there you can take? Listen, people! The New Continent is already waiting for you and offers you its gifts. Hallo! where are you, people of the New World?
The Crowd:
Ah! I am not daring enough.
Dollarson:
You need only put zest into it. The New Continent is for all who demand more than they own now.
The Crowd:
Ah! let us hear.
Dollarson:
Come forward, pioneers! Gain beckons to you with its reward. The New Continent is already waiting for you. All that is necessary now is to set the seal of ownership upon the property which has been bestowed. Lay your hands upon it. This continent has need of hands so that it can deliver up all its wealth. It has room enough for the hands of all. I say, lend me your hands. I need more hands. I need the hands of all, so that they can embrace, clutch and hold so great a thing.
The Crowd:
I hesitate
Dollarson:
All of you were raving about it, and now that you’ve got it, would you stop to reflect? Who can hesitate? Who does not desire more than he has?
The Crowd:
But it seems that prosperity is beckoning to me there.
Dollarson:
I tell you how it is. What have you got here? Here only the old worries and misery await you again
The Crowd:
Ah! I shall have to go.
Dollarson:
Just recall all your worries. Anyhow, it’s for everyone to decide as he thinks best. Here is your wretched yesterday
The Crowd:
I am sorry to leave this old land
Dollarson:
Deuce take it! But there? Ha! there a better morrow awaits you on the New Continent
The Crowd:
But I shall rid myself of my misery —
—on the New Continent. It is already waiting. It desires to rid itself of its plenty. Who can hesitate? It is new-born, virginally rich, with its resources unused. Ha, ha, ha! who would not go to the full table? There is enough of it for all.
The Crowd:
And why, perhaps I shall be rich and happy.
Dollarson:
Ah! who would be unwilling? Who is without soil? There is soil which yields life and riches, and the earth opens her treasures for the man who does not hesitate to take them. Listen carefully. I tell you that gold is to be found there.
The Crowd:
I’ll be off at once.
Pieris:
Do not abandon the old continent, this old Land of Yearning whose debtors you are.
The Crowd:
Now I am resolved.
Dollarson:
Admirable! Take the soil into your hands. Take gold into your hands. Property is the thing which I hold in my hands. The New Continent is asking to be owned. It desires to be in somebody’s hands. Give me your hands. Everything can be found there. Even the most poverty-stricken among you can be a Dollarson on a small scale.
Ah! I shall free myself from my misery and shall be mighty.
Dollarson:
What a huge opportunity! Everything is there. Give me your hands. Hands for everything. Oh, the things that have been said! That liberty and solace for the spirit will be found there, what everyone desires; that refuge and slumber and power and strength and oblivion will be found there. Nay, even more! There you will find God Himself. Take God Himself into your hands
The Crowd:
Ha! I shall lay my hands upon God Himself, and shall be powerful and happy.
Dollarson:
—in the conquered Land of Hopes. Forward, then!
The Crowd:
To the New Land!
Dollarson:
That’s the style! Up and at it! We shall seize the New Continent. It shall bear the name of the man to whom it is to belong. I tell you this is a great stroke of business and a tremendous affair. Oho, oho! there’s never been anything like this before. Now forward!
[Enter Dollarson’s Army of Engineers, Soldiers and Officials.]
The Army of Engineers, Soldiers and Officials:
Here!
All correct! The work is started. My ships are waiting. See! this is the first contingent: Engineers, Officials and Soldiers—Labour, Law and Authority. That’s the way. And now we’ll create the Dollarson Continent. I’ll give you more detailed instructions when you get there. Up and away! Forward!
The Crowd:
Now I’m off. Forward![Thunder.
First Man from the Crowd:
Alas! it is thundering, and the earth is shaking.
The Crowd:
I am scared out of my wits and am shaking too.
The Citizen:
How the earth rumbles and groans!
The Crowd:
Oh, horror!
Dollarson:
This Old Land is shaking and cracking.
Pieris:
Heavens! oh, protect it!
Dollarson:
It seems as if this old piece of lumber is singing its funeral song. Hurrah! that’s a song we’re glad to hear now. The New Continent is shining to us.
The Crowd:
Hurrah!
So forward! Oh, you can shake and toss and crack as much as you please, Old World! This is destiny speaking. Ha, ha! The Old Earth is crumbling. It is done for. But I shall make a New Continent!
The Crowd:
Up and awayForward!
First Man from the Crowd:
The earth is breaking up, but I hear another sound as well
Second Man from the Crowd:
It is an aeroplane.
The Crowd:
See! it is above our heads.
First Man from the Crowd:
It is a signalling plane.
Dollarson:
Hallo! it is bringing news.
[Noise of thunder. The signal station on the right in the gateway is illuminated, starts ringing loudly, then calls.]
Station of the Right:
The Land of Hopes.
Hurrah! the Land of Hopes!
Station on the Right:
The Land of Hopes.
The Crowd:
Up and away to the Land of Hopes!
Station on the Right (dwindling):
The Land of Hopes
The Citizen:
Look! there’s another aeroplane after it
First Man from the Crowd:
Another signalling plane.
[The signal station on the left is illuminated and starts ringing.]
Dollarson:
Greetings from the Land of Hopes!
The Crowd:
Hurrah! the Land of Hopes!
Station on the Left:
Dollarson! Dollarson!
Dollarson:
Good! What is it?
Station on the left:
I announce that the New Continent is lost!
Ha! my foreboding
[Noise of thunder. Enter Engineer, Soldier and Official.]
Engineer:
Mr. Dollarson, we assume that under these circumstances you will pay us the quarter’s salary you promised
Official:
—including bonus and allowances
Soldier:
—in accordance with the terms of the service agreement.
Dollarson:
Everything, only keep quiet. Oh, this is impossible!
[Exit Army of Engineers, Soldiers and Officials. Noise of thunder.]
Station on the Left:
This morning there began an earthquake, the storm-centre of which was the New Continent. The sea rose high, and amid a terrible noise of thunder and subterranean crashing the New Continent is subsiding into the ocean.
Dollarson (staggers to the right):
Oh
Station on the Left:
At this moment even our flags are being submerged.
Oh, Vandergold, too much
Station on the Right:
The New Continent, known also as the Land of Hopes, has subsided into the depths of the ocean.
Dollarson:
—too much bad fortune. (Collapses.) Lost!
The Crowd:
It is lost. What a misfortune!
The Blind Man:
Listen! The Land of Shadows has fallen into the darkness of the ocean.
Elan Chol:
The Land of Shadows?
The Woman in the Black Veil:
On your knees! On your knees! Our dead are dying a second death!
Elan Chol:
Make way! make way
The Crowd:
Kneel down, ill-fated man!
Elan Chol:
Make way
Where are you rushing to, Dark Madman?
Elan Chol:
Into the Land of Shadows!
Curtain.
GEORGE ALLEN & UNWIN LTD.
London: 40 Museum Street, W.C.1
Cape Town: 73 St. George’s Street
Sydney, N.S.W.: Wynyard Square
Wellington, N.Z.: 4 Willis Street
Land
of
Many
Names
By
JOSEF
ČAPEK