ACT III—SCENE I
[The sitting room of a hotel suite. At the left is a window; and on the right is a door into the corridor. In the center is a curtained entrance into Emilia’s bedroom.
Emilia comes out of the bedroom in negligée, followed by Prus in evening clothes, tying his tie. Prus, without a word, sits down on the right. Emilia goes to the window, pulls up the curtain and looks out.]
Emilia
A gray dawn. [She turns back to Prus] Well? [There is a pause in which neither moves] Give it to me. [There is another pause; then she speaks sharply to him] Do you hear? Give me that envelope.
Emilia
Good!
Prus
[After a moment's silence; quietly]
You have robbed me.
Emilia
[With a sneer]
You had—just what you wanted.
Prus
You have robbed me. As cold as ice. As if I were holding a corpse. [He shudders] And for that, I have given you these papers that didn’t belong to me. A nice business.
Emilia
Are you sorry you gave me the sealed envelope?
Prus
I’m sorry I met you. I should not have given it to you. Just as if I stole it! Terrible . . . terrible!
Emilia
Do you want some breakfast?
Prus
I want nothing. [He goes over to her] Let me look at you. I don’t know what was in the envelope. Perhaps it is of some value. But—even if it had only the value of being sealed—only the value—that I didn’t know what was in it.
Emilia
Would you like to spit into my face?
Prus
No. It is myself I blame.
[Knocking is heard]
Emilia
[Going to the door]
Who is it?
Chambermaid
[Outside]
It is I, Madam.
Emilia
Come in. [She unlocks the door. To Prus] Won’t you have something to eat?
Chambermaid
[Entering in her kimono, out of breath]
Please, Madam, isn’t Baron Prus here?
Prus
[Turning round]
Yes, what is it?
Chambermaid
One of your servants is outside. He wants to speak to you. He says it’s something very important.
Prus
How the devil did he know I was here? Tell him to wait. No. Hold on. I’ll go. [To Emilia] Just a minute. [He leaves]
Emilia
Will you comb my hair?
[She sits down at the dressing table]
Chambermaid
[Letting down Emilia’s hair]
Lord! How frightened I was. The porter came running to me and said that there was a servant here and that he had to see you. He was white as a sheet, that man. He couldn’t even speak. It was as if something had hit him. Something must have happened, Madam.
Emilia
[Petulantly]
Take care, you’re hurting me.
Chambermaid
Baron Prus is a great man, isn’t he? I’d like to know what’s happened. If you saw, Madam, how that servant trembled!
Emilia
[Not at all interested]
Will you have some breakfast cooked for me?
Chambermaid
And he had a letter or something in his hand. Shouldn’t I go and see what it is?
[Emilia yawns]
Emilia
What time is it?
Chambermaid
After seven.
Emilia
Put out the light and be quiet.
Chambermaid
And his lips were almost blue, the lips of that servant. I thought he was going to faint. [She starts combing Emilia’s hair] And the tears in his eyes.
Emilia
You’re pulling my hair. You pull—give me the comb. Now look. See how much hair you’ve pulled out.
Chambermaid
But my hands tremble so. Something must have happened.
Emilia
I’m not going to let you pull my hair out, just because of that. Now, hurry up. [Prus returns from the corridor with an unopened letter in his hand] It didn’t take you long. [Prus searches with his hand for a chair to sit down] What will you have for breakfast?
Prus
[Hoarsely]
Send—that girl
Emilia
Well, go then, until I ring. Go. [Chambermaid goes out. After a pause] Well, what?
Prus
[Quietly, but with great feeling]
Janek shot himself.
Emilia
[Apparently not in the least moved]
Go on.
Prus
He’s dead. His head—shattered beyond recognition.
Emilia
Poor boy. Who told you?
Prus
The servant. Janek—wrote this. They found it by his side—here, blood
Emilia
What does he say?
Prus
I’m afraid to open it. How—how—how could he have known that I was with you? Why did he send it here? Do you think that—
Emilia
That he saw you?
Prus
Why did he do it? Why—kill himself?
Emilia
Read it.
Prus
Won’t you open it? [He gets up and steps over to her]
Emilia
No.
Prus
I think—that it has something to do with you Please open it.
Emilia
Oh, no.
Prus
You mean I must?
Emilia
Yes.
Prus
All right. [He tears open the envelope and reads the letter. Emilia goes back to her dressing table and begins to manicure her nails] Oh! [He drops into a chair. The letter flutters to the floor]
Emilia
How old was he?
Prus
I understand. I understand.
Emilia
Poor Janek.
Prus
He loved you.
Emilia
Ah.
Prus
My only son. [He covers his face and sobs] He was eighteen—only eighteen. Janek, my boy. [Raising his arms above his head] God! God! I used to be too hard—too cold—I never was kind to him—I never praised him. And the boy adored me!
Emilia
Didn’t you know that?
Prus
Oh. God! If he were only alive. How stupid to fall in love so senselessly! He saw me come here—he waited two hours at the door—then he went home and
Emilia
[Starting once more to comb her hair]
Poor boy.
Prus
And only eighteen. My Janek—my child—dead—past recognition—and he wrote: “Papa, I understand. But, Papa, be happy.” [He gets up and, for the first time, notices Emilia] What are you doing?
Emilia
[With hairpins in her mouth]
Combing my hair.
Prus
Perhaps you—don’t understand. Janek loved you and killed himself for you.
Emilia
Well, so many kill themselves.
Prus
And you can comb your hair?
Emilia
Should I run around with my hair flying, just for that?
Prus
He killed himself for you! Don’t you hear?
Emilia
Well, is that my fault? Perhaps I ought to tear my hair for you, too. My maid pulls it enough.
Prus
Stop! Or
Emilia
Come in.
Chambermaid
[Opening the door]
Mr. Hauk-Sendorf wishes to see you, Madam.
Emilia
Bring him in.
Prus
You—you will admit him—now—while I am here?
Emilia
You can go in the other room for a while.
Prus
Oh—you—you!
[He goes—Hauk-Sendorf enters]
Emilia
Buenos dias, Max. Why so early?
Hauk-Sendorf
Sh-sh. [He tiptoes over to her and kisses her on the neck] Dress yourself quickly, Eugenie! We are going.
Emilia
Where?
Hauk-Sendorf
Home. To Spain. My wife doesn’t know. Don’t you see, I can’t go back to her now. Por Dios, Eugenie. Make haste.
Emilia
Are you mad?
Hauk-Sendorf
No. I am being watched. They caught me once and sent me back. Sss, like baggage, you know. Eh? I want to run away. And you will take me away?
Emilia
To Spain? What could I do there?
Hauk-Sendorf
Ola. You could dance, of course. Dios mio, little girl. How jealous I used to be. You will dance. Sabe? And I will clap my hands. [He takes some castanets out of his pocket] Ay salero. [He sings] La, la, la. [He stops suddenly] Who is crying here?
Emilia
Oh, nobody.
Hauk-Sendorf
Sss. Someone was crying. A man’s voice. Listen, chica!
Emilia
Oh, yes. Somebody living next door. His son died, or something like that.
Hauk-Sendorf
Oh, I see. His son died. Oh, that is sad. Let us go, Gitana. See what I am taking along—jewels. Matilda’s jewels. Matilda, my wife. Eh? She is old, you know. It is ugly to be old. It is terrible to be old. I was old once but since you came back, little one, I am only twenty years old. Eh? You don’t believe?
Emilia
Si, si, señor.
Hauk-Sendorf
And you don’t get older. Listen. One shouldn’t get old. You know, the foolish have a long life. Oh, I shall live a long time. And as long as one enjoys love [He shakes the castanets] Enjoy love! La, la, la, la. Ssh, Gypsy, will you go?
Emilia
Yes.
Hauk-Sendorf
A new life, isn’t it? We will start again from twenty, little girl! You know, delight—paradise! Aha, do you remember, only just remember. All the rest is nothing. Nina, shall we go? Nina, shall we go?
Emilia
Yes, come along, chu cho. [Someone knocks] Come in.
Chambermaid
Mr. Gregor wishes to see you.
Hauk-Sendorf
What does he want here? Dios mio. Let’s run away.
Emilia
Just wait.
Good morning, Berti. Who are with you, please?
Gregor
You’re not alone?
Hauk-Sendorf
Ah, Mr. Gregor, what a pleasure!
Gregor
Look into this child’s eyes! Do you know what’s happened?
Emilia
Janek, Janek.
Gregor
And do you know why?
Emilia
Baa!
Gregor
That boy is on your conscience!
Emilia
And is that why you are dragging people here with a lawyer?
Gregor
Not only for that. Don’t be so impertinent, if you please.
Emilia
Well, will you listen to that! What do you want?
Gregor
You will see. What is your name, anyway?
Emilia
Are you cross-examining me?
Kolonaty
Oh, no, Madam. Only a friendly chat.
Gregor
Let me see, Vitek. [He takes a photograph from Vitek] Did you sign this photograph for Miss Kristina? Is that your signature?
Emilia
It is.
Kolonaty
Very well. And now, did you send this paper to me yesterday? It is an authentic proclamation of Ellian MacGregor saying that she is the mother of Ferdinand Gregor. The date is 1836. Is that correct?
Emilia
It is.
Kolonaty
[Triumphantly]
But it is written with fresh ink. Do you know what that means, eh? That is a false document, my much esteemed lady!
Emilia
How do you know that?
Gregor
Look, gentlemen! [He wets his finger and runs over the paper] It still smudges. What do you say to that?
Emilia
Nothing.
Gregor
It was written yesterday. Do you understand? And with the same hand that signed this photograph. A very extraordinary handwriting.
Kolonaty
Like Greek. Upon my soul, this alpha
Gregor
Did you write this paper or didn’t you?
Emilia
I won’t be cross-questioned by you.
Hauk-Sendorf
But, gentlemen, gentlemen, permit me
Kolonaty
You keep out, Sir, keep out. These are very interesting matters, Madam. Can you tell us at least where you got this paper?
Emilia
I swear that Ellian MacGregor wrote it.
Kolonaty
When? Yesterday morning?
Emilia
That doesn’t matter.
Kolonaty
That does matter, my dear lady. That matters very much. When did Ellian MacGregor die?
Emilia
That’s enough. I shall say nothing more.
Prus
[Coming out of the bedroom, quickly] Will you gentlemen show me the paper?
Kolonaty
You?
Gregor
You have been here? Emilia, what does this mean?
Hauk-Sendorf
My, my, my! Baron Prus. What a pleasure! How are you?
Kolonaty
Do you know that your son
Prus
[Coolly]
Yes. That paper, if you please. [Kolonaty hands it over to him] Thank you.
Gregor
[Still near Emilia. In a low voice]
What was he doing here? Tell me.
Emilia
What right have you to ask?
Gregor
The right of one who loves you.
Prus
[Laying down the paper and looking up]
That writing is genuine.
Kolonaty
Well, well. So Ellian MacGregor wrote that?
Prus
No. The Greek, Elina Makropoulos. It is the same handwriting that is in my letters. Unmistakably.
Kolonaty
But the signature here—is
Prus
Elina Makropoulos. There was no such person as Ellian MacGregor, gentlemen. That letter is a mistake.
Kolonaty
Upon my word! And the similarity of the photograph?
[He hands Prus the photograph]
Prus
[Looking it over]
Unmistakably the handwriting of Elina Makropoulos.
Kolonaty
Well, well. And it is genuine, the signature on this letter?
Prus
Yes. Thank you. Excuse my interruption.
Kolonaty
In God’s name, who understands this now?
Vitek
Perhaps it is only an accident that the handwriting of Miss Marty is somewhat similar.
Kolonaty
Of course, Vitek. And the lady’s arrival is also an accident and that falsification is also only an accident. And do you know what, Vitek? You’ll fill yourself up on your accidents!
Emilia
[Suddenly turning on them]
I should like to call your attention, gentlemen, to the fact that I plan to go away this morning.
Gregor
Where to, may I ask?
Emilia
Across the boundary.
Kolonaty
Dear lady, don’t do that. You don’t understand. You must stay of your own accord so that we shan’t have to turn to—so that we shan’t have to call in
Emilia
The police You want to have me arrested?
Gregor
Not yet. You still have a chance.
[Knocking]
Emilia
Come in.
Chambermaid
[Sticking her head through the doorway]
Two gentlemen are looking for Mr. Hauk-Sendorf.
Hauk-Sendorf
What’s that? After me? I won’t go. The devil! Don’t let them in
Vitek
I will see them. [He goes out]
Kolonaty
[Crossing to Kristina]
Now, Kristina, don’t cry. [He puts his arm on her shoulder] I’m so sorry.
Hauk-Sendorf
[Going up to Kristina]
My, my! Isn’t she pretty? Let’s see. For the love of God, don’t cry!
Gregor
[Close to Emilia, in a low voice]
There is an auto below. You will ride with me across the frontier or else
Emilia
Ha, ha. Is that what you counted on?
Gregor
I, or the police? Are you going?
Emilia
No.
Vitek
[Re-entering]
It is a physician and another gentleman, waiting for Mr. Hauk-Sendorf. They are supposed to take him home.
Hauk-Sendorf
[To Emilia]
So, you see. Ho, ho. They have me already. [To Vitek] Won’t you ask them to wait?
Vitek
I told them to.
Gregor
Gentlemen, since Mademoiselle Marty doesn’t intend to explain, we will be so bold as to look through her trunks and papers.
Kristina
No, you haven’t the right, Gregor.
Gregor
[To Kolonaty]
Shall we call the police, then?
Kolonaty
I wash my hands of the affair.
Hauk Sendorf
Permit me, Mr. Gregor, as a gentleman
Gregor
Behind the door your physician and the other man are waiting. Shall I invite them in?
Hauk-Sendorf
Oh, not that, please. But, Baron Prus, certtainly
Prus
Do—with that woman—whatever you want to.
Gregor
All right, let’s start.
[He goes to her desk]
Emilia
Let it alone! [She opens the drawer of her dresser] If you dare!
Kolonaty
[Jumping to her and catching her arm]
Oh, Madam!
[He pulls a revolver out of her hand. She sinks into a chair]
Gregor
[At the desk, without turning]
What is it? She wanted to shoot?
Kolonaty
Yes, it’s loaded. Gregor, let’s leave this alone. Let me call someone in?
Gregor
We can fix it up ourselves.
Emilia
[To Hauk-Sendorf]
Max, will you permit it? And you are a gentleman!
Hauk-Sendorf
Cielo de mi. What am I to do?
Emilia
[To Hauk-Sendorf]
Baa, you are old. [To Prus] Baron Prus, you are a gentleman, at least. You cannot permit
Prus
I ask you not to speak to me.
Kristina
[Sobbing]
It is terrible, what you are doing to her. Let her alone.
Kolonaty
That is what I say, too, Kristina. What we are doing is unfair—cruel.
Gregor
There, Madam. You’re carrying a whole archive with you.
[He goes into the bedroom]
Kolonaty
[Picking up one or two of the papers]
That’s something for you, Vitek. The daintiest papers. Don’t you want to sort them?
Emilia
Don’t you dare to read them!
Kolonaty
Oh, dear Madam, I beg of you not to move. Otherwise I should have to threaten you with bodily harm and injury. Paragraph ninety-one of the criminal code.
Emilia
And you are a lawyer.
Kolonaty
You see, I have acquired a taste for crime. I think that I always had a talent for it. Sometimes one doesn’t recognize one’s real abilities until old age. I want you to know I am a sort of Arsene Lupin.
Vitek
Permit me, Mademoiselle Marty. Where are you going to sing next?
[He receives no answer]
Hauk-Sendorf
Mon dieu, je suis desolé—desolé.
Vitek
And did you read the criticisms about yourself?
Emilia
No.
Vitek
[Taking some clippings out of his pocket]
They are marvelous, Madam. For example, “A voice of extraordinary brilliance and power. Overpowering fullness of high tones. Serene certainty in singing,” and so on. “The wonderful appearance evoked—incomparable dramatic interpretation. An achievement unique in the history of opera, and perhaps of operatic art as a whole in history.” Madam, imagine!
Gregor
There, Doctor, we have enough for a while.
[He throws the papers on the table]
Kolonaty
With pleasure. [He smells the papers] They are full of dust, Madam. Vitek, the dust is historical.
Gregor
I found a seal with the initials E. M. The same seal that is on the paper of Ellian MacGregor.
Prus
[Standing up]
Let me see.
Kolonaty
[Examining the papers]
The devil, Vitek, here is the date, sixteen hundred and three!
Prus
[Reading the seal]
It is the seal of Elina Makropoulos.
[He sits down]
Kolonaty
So, you see what one finds.
Hauk-Sendorf
But good Lord!
Gregor
Mr. Hauk-Sendorf, don’t you know this medallion? I think that your coat of arms is on it.
Hauk-Sendorf
[Looking at the medallion]
Yes—it is—I gave it to her, myself.
Gregor
When?
Hauk-Sendorf
Well—in Spain—fifty years ago.
Gregor
To whom?
Hauk-Sendorf
To herself—to Eugenie—Eugenie Montez.
Kolonaty
[Looking up from the papers]
Here is something Spanish. Do you know Spanish?
Hauk-Sendor
Oh, yes. Let me see. He, he! Eugenie, this is from Madrid.
Kolonaty
What?
Hauk-Sendorf
From the police. Banishment—Ramera Gitana, who is called Eugenie Montez. Ha, ha, ha! I know! Because of that fight, wasn’t it?
Kolonaty
I beg your pardon. [He bows to Emilia; then continues his examination of the papers] A passport. Elsa Muller, seventy-nine. Death certificate—of Ellian MacGregor, eighteen thirty-six. Look! Look! All jumbled up! Just wait, Madam, we will get to your own name. Ekaterina Myskin. Now, who is that?
Vitek
Ekaterina Myskin was a Russian singer in the forties.
Kolonaty
You know everything, man.
Gregor
That’s extraordinary. All the initials are E. M.
Kolonaty
Apparently, Madam collects only those initials. A special hobby, isn’t it? Hello, what is this? “Dein Pepi.” [He steps over to Prus] That is apparently your great-grand-uncle, Prus. Shall I read it to you? “Meine liebste, liebste Ellian.”
Prus
Emilia, isn’t it?
Kolonaty
Oh, no. Ellian, and on the envelope, “Ellian MacGregor, Royal Opera House, Vienna.” Wait, Gregor. We will still win on Ellian. “Meine liebste, liebste Ellian.”
Emilia
Stop. Don’t read any more. Those are my papers.
Kolonaty
But they are very interesting to us.
Emilia
Don’t read them. [Stepping forward] I shall tell everything myself. Everything you ask me.
Kolonaty
Really?
Emilia
I swear.
Kolonaty
[Folding the papers]
Then we beg your pardon a million times—that we had to force you this way.
Emilia
Are you going to pass judgment on me?
Kolonaty
No, no. It will be just a friendly chat.
Emilia
But I want you to judge me. It must be like the inquisition.
Kolonaty
But
Emilia
Please, it is my wish.
Hauk-Sendorf
Ssh—the inquisition—Spain—He, he!
Kolonaty
Aha, I see. [To Emilia] Very well, we will convene an inquisitorial court—Vitek, lend a hand—we must arrange the courtroom.
Kolonaty
Take it away.
Emilia
[Holding Vitek off]
No, or I won't speak. [She pours out another glass] This is only for courage. [She drinks]
Kolonaty
The court will sit. [All take their places except Emilia, who stands in a defiant attitude by her dressing table. Kolonaty, pointing to her chair, speaks sharply] Your place is there. Sit down. [Emilia drops into the chair] Gregor, I appoint you public prosecutor. Recite the accusation.
Gregor
[Rising]
The accused, Emilia Marty, a singer. She is accused before God and us of fraud and falsification of papers for her own selfish purposes. And furthermore and in addition, she has transgressed against all trust and decency—against life itself! That does not belong to human judgment. She will have to answer for that in a higher court. [He sits down]
Kolonaty
Has anybody anything to say for the accused? No one? Then we may proceed with the cross-examination. [He rises] Stand up, accused. What is your name?
Emilia
[Standing up]
I?
Kolonaty
Of course. You! You! You! What is your name?
Emilia
[Calmly]
Elina Makropoulos.
Kolonaty
[Excitedly]
What?
Emilia
Elina Makropoulos.
Kolonaty
Born where?
Emilia
In Crete.
Kolonaty
When?
Emilia
When?
Kolonaty
How old are you?
Emilia
Well, how old do you think?
Kolonaty
I should say about thirty.
Vitek
Over thirty.
Kristina
Over forty.
Emilia
[Sticks out her tongue at Kristina]
Toad!
Kolonaty
Behave! You must respect your judges.
Emilia
Do I look that old?
Kolonaty
When were you born?
Emilia
Fifteen hundred and eighty-five.
Kolonaty
What?
Emilia
Fifteen hundred and eighty-five.
Kolonaty
In the year eighty-five. Then you are thirty-nine years old, aren’t you?
Emilia
Three hundred and thirty-nine years, if you please.
Kolonaty
I ask you once more to speak seriously. How old are you?
Emilia
Three hundred and thirty-nine years.
Kolonaty
Well, upon my word! And who was your father?
Emilia
Hieronymus Makropoulos, the personal physician of Emperor Rudolph II.
Kolonaty
[Completely exasperated]
To hell with you! I’m not going to talk to her!
[He sits down and Prus rises]
Prus
What is your real name?
Emilia
Elina Makropoulos.
Prus
What! Elina Makropoulos, the mistress of Joseph Prus?
Emilia
[With a little bow]
You put it nicely.
Prus
What?
Emilia
[With a gay bravado]
Yes, I was the mistress of Pepi Prus. Gregor’s our son.
Gregor
And Ellian MacGregor?
Emilia
That is I.
Gregor
Are you raving?
Emilia
I am your great-grandmother, or something like that. Ferdi was my boy. Do you understand?
Gregor
Which Ferdi?
Emilia
Ferdinand Gregor, but he is in the birth-record as Ferdinand Makropoulos because—well, there I gave his real name.
Kolonaty
And when were you born?
Emilia
[Raising her arms]
Fifteen hundred and eighty-five. Christos Soter! Leave me in peace.
Hauk-Sendorf
And—and excuse me, but you are Eugenie Montez?
Emilia
I was, Max; I was. But then I was only two hundred and ninety years old; and I was also Ekatorina Myskina, and Elsa Muller and all the others. [Turning to the others] One cannot live with you more than thirty years at a time.
Kolonaty
Especially not a singer.
Emilia
I should think not!
Vitek
And you lived, if I may ask, in the eighteenth century?
Emilia
Of course.
Vitek
You knew—Danton personally?
Emilia
I knew him. He was a disgusting man.
Prus
And how did you know what was in Pepi’s will?
Emilia
Because Pepi told me before he put it there so I could tell that stupid fool—Ferdi Gregor.
Gregor
Why didn’t you tell him?
Emilia
[With a shrug of the shoulders]
Oh, I simply cannot be bothered with my brats.
Hauk-Sendorf
My, my, my, how you talk!
Emilia
My dear, it is a long time since I was a lady.
Vitek
Did you have any more children?
Emilia
About twenty, I think. One loses count. [Picking up the bottle and glass] Wouldn’t someone else like to drink? Ah, the dryness in my mouth. I’ll burn.
[She drinks and falls back in the chair]
Prus
There are letters here signed E. M. Were those written by you?
Emilia
They were; you know it. Give them back to me. I like to read them sometimes. Beastly, isn’t it?
Prus
Did you write them as Makropoulos or Ellian MacGregor?
Emilia
It is all the same. Pepi knew who I was. I told him everything. I liked him.
Hauk-Sendorf
[Getting up in excitement]
Eugenie!
Emilia
Keep quiet, Max. I liked you, too. It was nice to live with you, when you were a young ensign. But Pepi—[Her voice breaks]—I liked him the best of all. That is why I lent him—the Makropoulos secret—when he wanted it so much
Prus
What did you lend him?
Emilia
The Makropoulos secret.
Prus
What is that?
Emilia
That paper you gave me back today. The sealed envelope. Pepi wanted to try it. He promised to give it back—but instead of that he hid it with the will. Perhaps, so that I would have to come and get it—but I didn’t come until now. [She laughs, then suddenly stops and turns to Prus] How did Pepi die?
Prus
In fever and with terrible cramps.
Emilia
That was it! That was it! Aia Maria! I told him so!
Gregor
And you came here just for that Greek thing?
Emilia
Ha, ha! I’m not going to give it to you. No, my dear fellow. And you thought, Berti, that I came just to help you and your silly case! I don’t care a damn if you win. All I want is that secret.
Gregor
Why?
Emilia
Because I’m getting old. Because I’m at the end. I want to try it again. Feel, Berti, how I am getting. Feel my hands. Ah, God! My hands!
Hauk-Sendorf
What is the Makropoulos secret, if you please?
Emilia
It is written there how one does it.
Hauk-Sendorf
How one does what?
Emilia
How a human being can live for three hundred years. To be young for three hundred years. My father wrote that for Emperor Rudolph. You don’t know anything about it, do you?
Vitek
Only from history.
Emilia
You can’t tell anything from history. That’s nonsense! Penaia—What did I want to say? [She takes a pinch of something out of a snuff box] Does anybody want some?
Gregor
What is that?
Emilia
Nothing, nothing. What was I talking about?
Vitek
About Emperor Rudolph.
Emilia
Aha, he was an immoral man! Just wait! I could tell you things about him!
Kolonaty
The court is not interested.
Emilia
Well, anyway, when he started to grow old—he kept looking about for an elixir of life, or something, to make him young again, you see. Then my father came to him and wrote that—that thing—so he could stay young for three hundred years. But Emperor Rudolph was afraid it was poison and wanted to try it first on the doctor’s daughter. That was I. I was sixteen then. So Father tried it on me. He called it a “charm,” but it belonged to the devil.
Hauk-Sendorf
What was it?
Emilia
I must not say. I lay for a week or longer, beside myself in fever. But I got well.
Vitek
And the Emperor?
Emilia
Did nothing. He went mad. How could he be sure that I was going to live for three hundred years? So he put my father in a tower as a fraud and I ran away with everything he had written to Hungary or to Turkey, I don’t remember which.
Kolonaty
Did you show the charm to anyone—the Makropoulos secret?
Emilia
I did. A Tyrolian priest tried it in sixteen-sixty, or thereabouts. Perhaps he is still alive, I don’t know. At one time he was Pope and called himself Alexander, or Pius, or something like that. Then a Statia officer—but he was killed. Ugo was his name. Heavens! What a good-looking man he was! Then at Nageli there was Andrew, and a good-for-nothing Bombita and Pepi Prus, who died of it. Pepi was the last one—and it remained with him. And now I don’t know any more. Ask Bombita. Bombita is alive, but I don’t know what his name is now.
Kolonaty
[Rising and taking her by the shoulders]
Pardon me, but you are now two hundred and forty-nine years old, aren’t you?
Emilia
No, three hundred and thirty-nine.
Kolonaty
You are intoxicated. From the year fifteen eighty-five to the present day is two hundred and forty-nine years, isn’t it?
Emilia
My God! Don’t try to confuse me! Three hundred and thirty-nine.
Kolonaty
Why did you forge the handwriting of Ellian MacGregor?
Emilia
Why? I, myself, am Ellian MacGregor!
Kolonaty
Do not lie! You are Emilia Marty.
Emilia
Yes, but only for the last twelve years.
Kolonaty
Then do you confess that you stole the medallion of Eugenie Montez—Eh?
Emilia
Good Lord! That is not true. Eugenie Montez
Kolonaty
It is in the accusation. You acknowledged it.
Emilia
That is not true!
Kolonaty
Who is your accomplice?
Emilia
There isn’t one.
Kolonaty
Do not deny it. We know everything. When were you born?
Emilia
[Weakly]
Fifteen eighty-five.
Kolonaty
[He produces a glass filled with some liquid]
Drink a full glass of this.
Emilia
No, I don’t want to! Leave me alone!
Kolonaty
You must! A full glass, quick! [He puts it to her lips]
Emilia
[In terror]
What are you doing to me? Berti! [She drinks] Ah—this is—turning my—head.
Kolonaty
What is your name?
Emilia
I don’t feel well.
[She sinks to her knees]
Kolonaty
[Catching her and bending back her head]
What is your name?
Emilia
Elina—Makro
Kolonaty
Do not lie! Do you know who I am? I am a priest. Confess to me!
Emilia
Pater—hemon—hos—eis—en uranois
Kolonaty
What is your name?
Emilia
Elina— poulos.
Kolonaty
May God receive the soul of this, thine unworthy servant, Emilia Marty, m-m-m-, Amen. [She screams] Stand up! Who are you?
Emilia
[Falling to the floor in a faint]
Elina
Kolonaty
Damn!
Gregor
What is it?
Kolonaty
She isn’t lying! Quick! [He rings the bell] A doctor, Gregor!
Kristina
You’ve poisoned her!
Kolonaty
Slightly.
Gregor
[At the door into the hall]
Is the doctor there, please?
Physician
[Entering]
Mr. Hauk, we have been waiting for you for an hour. Come along, now!
Kolonaty
Hold on! This first, doctor.
[Pointing to Emilia]
Physician
[Kneeling beside Emilia]
Fainted?
Kolonaty
Poisoned.
Physician
With what? [Leaning over Emilia and smelling her mouth] Aha! [He stands up] Put her to bed, somewhere.
Kolonaty
Gregor, carry her into the bedroom! As her closest kin
Physician
Is there any warm water?
Prus
Yes.
[He rings]
Physician
Fine. If you please. [He writes a prescription] Black coffee—and to the pharmacy with this.
[He goes into the bedroom]
Kolonaty
Well, then, gentlemen
[The Chambermaid enters]
Chambermaid
Did Madam ring?
Kolonaty
Yes. She would like some black coffee—very strong black coffee.
Chambermaid
He, he! How do you know, Sir?
Kolonaty
And run over to the druggist’s with this. Be off! Hurry!
[The Chambermaid goes out]
[Sitting down in the middle of the room]
There’s something in what she says.
Prus
I know it.
Hauk-Sendorf
I—I—please don’t laugh; but I believe her, absolutely.
Kolonaty
You, too, Prus?
Prus
Absolutely.
Kolonaty
I do, also. Do you know what it means?
Prus
That Gregor will get Loukov.
Kolonaty
Hm, is that very unpleasant?
Prus
I have no heirs.
Hauk-Sendorf
How is she?
Gregor
A little better. But she bit me, the animal. Do you know, I believe her?
Kolonaty
We, too, alas!
[A pause]
Hauk-Sendorf
Good God! Three hundred years! Three—hundred—years!
Kristina
[Shuddering]
Three hundred years. That’s terrible.
[The Chambermaid enters with coffee]
Kolonaty
Take it to her, Kristina. See what you can do for her. [Kristina goes into the bedroom with the coffee; the Chambermaid goes out. Making sure that both doors are closed] There! Now, gentlemen, what shall we do with it?
Gregor
With what?
Kolonaty
With the Makropoulos secret. Somewhere here is a formula for a three-hundred-year life. Can we get hold of it?
Prus
She has it in her bosom.
Kolonaty
Good! Gentlemen, it is a thing of unimaginable importance. What shall we do with it?
Gregor
Nothing at all. The formula belongs to me. I am her heir.
Kolonaty
Keep your mouth shut! As long as she is alive, you are not her heir; and she can live for another three hundred years, if she wants to. Don’t you see, we must get hold of it.
Gregor
By trickery?
Kolonaty
Why not? This is something of such importance—for us and for everybody, that—hm. Gentlemen, you understand me? Ought we to let her keep it? What? Should she alone or, at best, some such good-for-nothing as Bombita have the advantage of it? Who will get it?
Gregor
First of all, we must help her.
Kolonaty
Don’t worry about her. Prus, if you, yourself, had the secret in your hands, would you give it to me? You know so I could live for three hundred years?
Prus
No.
Kolonaty
You see, gentlemen, we shall have to come to some agreement among ourselves. What shall we do with it?
Vitek
We’ll make the Makropoulos secret public.
Kolonaty
Oh, no! Not that!
Vitek
We’ll give it to everybody! We’ll give it to the people. Everyone—everyone has the same right to life. We live for such a short time. How insignificant! God! How insignificant it is to be a human being.
Kolonaty
Rubbish!
Vitek
No, gentlemen, it does mean something! Just consider—the human soul, brains, work, love—everything. Good God, what can a man do in sixty years! What does he enjoy? What does he learn? He doesn’t even enjoy the fruit of the tree he has planted; he doesn’t learn all that his predecessors knew; he doesn’t finish his work; he dies, and he hasn’t lived. Ah, God, but we live so insignificantly!
Kolonaty
Well, Vitek
Vitek
And he hasn’t had time for gladness, and he hasn’t had time to think, and he hasn’t had time for anything except a desire for bread. He hasn’t done anything, and he hasn’t known anything. No, not even himself. Why have you lived? Has it been worth the trouble?
Kolonaty
Do you want to make me cry?
Vitek
We die like animals. What else is immortality of the soul but a protest against the shortness of life? A human being is something more than a turtle or a raven; a man needs more time to live. Sixty years—it’s not right. It’s weakness, it’s ignorance, and it’s animal-like.
Hauk-Sendorf
Oh, my, and I am already seventy-six!
Vitek
Let’s give everyone a three-hundred-year life. It will be the biggest event since the creation of man; it will be the liberating and creating anew of man! God, what man will be able to do in three hundred years! To be a child and pupil for fifty years; fifty years to understand the world and its ways, and to see everything there is; and a hundred years to work in; and then a hundred years, when we have understood everything, to live in wisdom, to teach, and to give example. How valuable human life would be if it lasted for three hundred years! There would be no wars. There would be no fear, no selfishness. Everyone would be wise and dignified. [Wringing his hands] Give people life! Give them full human life!
Kolonaty
Yes, that is all very nice. Very nice, but—
Gregor
Many thanks! To be a clerk for three hundred years—or to knit socks!
Vitek
But
Gregor
Or to know everything. And, besides Why, most people are willing to live as they do only because they are ignorant.
Kolonaty
Vitek, it’s absurd. Our social system is founded on shortness of life. Take-contracts, mortgages, debts and all. No one will make a contract for three hundred years! And marriage—Why, nobody is going to stay married for three hundred years! Man, you’re an anarchist. You want to revise the entire social system.
Hauk-Sendorf
And—pardon—then after three hundred years each could make himself young again—
Kolonaty
—And live forever. [To Vitek] Don’t you see?
Vitek
Yes, but it could be forbidden. At the end of three hundred years, everyone would have to die!
Kolonaty
Will you listen to him! Now he wants to forbid people living!
Hauk-Sendorf
[To Kolonaty]
Pardon me, but I—I think that the secret could be distributed for a stipulation.
Kolonaty
How’s that?
Hauk-Sendorf
Well, I mean by years, for a certain sum—ten years of life. Three hundred years is quite long and someone might not want it. But every-one would buy ten years, wouldn’t they?
Kolonaty
We could establish a wholesale commerce in “years.” A good idea! I can see the orders now: “Send us by mail twelve hundred years of life (prepared for people), Kohn & Co.” “Express two million years, class A, well wrapped up. Viden Brothers.” Hauk, that’s not bad at all.
Hauk-Sendorf
Pardon, but I—I am no merchant, see? But when a person is old, he would like—a little life—but three hundred years is too much, isn’t it?
Chambermaid
[Entering]
If you please, here is the prescription from the drug store.
Kolonaty
Thank you. How long would you like to live?
Chambermaid
Hihi, about thirty years more.
Kolonaty
No longer than that?
Chambermaid
No. What would I do then?
[She laughs and looks up at Kolonaty]
Kolonaty
You see, Vitek.
Physician
[In the doorway]
What is it? [Kolonaty hands him the medicine] Ah, very good.
Hauk-Sendorf
How is the lady, please?
Physician
Not at all well.
[He goes into bedroom]
Prus
[Standing up]
Gentlemen, chance has placed in our hands a certain secret. It concerns the prolonging of life. Let us admit that it is a possibility. No one of us, I hope, will abuse this knowledge.
Vitek
That’s just what I say! We must prolong the life of all.
Prus
No, only the life of the strong. The life of the most talented. For the common herd this short life is good enough.
Vitek
Oh, no!
Prus
Please, I do not want to argue. The ordinary, small, stupid one surely does not die. He is everlasting. Littleness multiplies without ceasing, like flies and mice. Only greatness dies. Only strength and talent die—and cannot be replaced. We ought to keep it in our own hands. We can prolong the life of the aristocracy.
Vitek
Aristocracy! Do you hear that? Privilege on life!
Prus
Only the best are important in life. Only the chief, fertile and executive men. I am not mentioning women, but there are in this world about ten or twenty, perhaps a thousand, men who are irreplaceable. We can keep them. We can develop in them superhuman reason and supernatural power. We can breed ten, a hundred or a thousand supermen—masters and creators. So, I say, select those who have the right to unlimited life.
Kolonaty
Pray tell, who would name the chosen ones? The governments? The Plebiscite? Swedish Academy?
Prus
No idiotic voting! The strongest would hand over life to the strongest. It would be—a dynasty of the strong.
Vitek
Until the time when the rabble would claim its own right to life.
Prus
Time would kill them off. Progress in the world would replace the small and weak despot with the strong and big despot. Privileged long life—that’s the despotism of the select. That is the rule of reason. Superhuman authority in knowledge and executive ability. You have it in your hands, gentlemen. You can abuse it. I’ve told you all.
[He sits down]
Kolonaty
Hm! Do I belong to this best dozen class, or does Gregor?
Prus
No.
Gregor
But you do, of course.
Prus
Not any more—not now.
Gregor
Gentlemen, let’s stop this useless talk. The Makropoulos secret belongs to the Makropoulos family. Let them do with it what they will.
Vitek
What’s that you say?
Gregor
Only the members of the family enjoy the privilege of the secret. Only he who is the descendant of Ellina Makropoulos, whoever he may be.
Kolonaty
And he will live forever, just because he was born of some loafer or baron and a raving, hysterical woman?
Gregor
All the same, it will still belong to him.
Kolonaty
This is a pretty business.
Physician
[Coming out of the bedroom]
She is resting. Let her sleep.
Hauk-Sendorf
Yes, yes, let her stay. That’s good.
Physician
Come along home, Mr. Hauk-Sendorf. I’ll take you.
Hauk-Sendorf
But we’re having an important conference, aren’t we? Please let me stay a little longer. I
Physician
[Taking him by the arm]
Now, now. Someone is waiting for you outside the door. No fooling, old fellow, or
Hauk-Sendorf
Yes, yes—I—I—I’ll come right away.
Physician
Your servant, gentlemen.
[He goes out]
Kolonaty
Gregor, did you mean what you just said?
Gregor
I did.
Kristina
[Coming out of bedroom]
Talk quietly. She ought to sleep.
Kolonaty
Kristina, come here. Would you like to live for three hundred years?
Kristina
No.
Kolonaty
And if you had the secret for such a long life, what would you do with it?
Kristina
I don’t know.
Vitek
You’d give it to all the world, wouldn’t you?
Kristina
No—I don’t think so. Do not ask me.
Hauk-Sendorf
Oh, yes you would, Miss, one likes so much to live.
Kristina
[Covering up her eyes]
When everything is gone? Oh, no, no!
[She crosses over to a chair and sits down]
Prus
[Going over to her]
Thank you, for Janek.
Kristina
Why?
Prus
For having thought of him now.
Kristina
Thought of him? As if I could really think of anything else.
Kolonaty
And here we are, arguing over eternal life.
Emilia
Pardon me—for having left you.
Gregor
How are you feeling?
Emilia
My head aches—desolately—abominably.
Hauk-Sendorf
That will go away.
Emilia
No, it never will go away. I’ve had it for two hundred years.
Kolonaty
What?
Emilia
Ennui. No, it isn’t that. It’s—oh, you people have no name for it. There’s no name for it in any tongue. Bombita used to talk about it, too—it’s terrible.
Gregor
What is it?
Emilia
I don’t know. Everything is so dull, empty and ordinary Are you all here? It seems as if you were not—as if you were things or shadows. What do you want me to do?
Kolonaty
Perhaps we ought to go?
Emilia
No, it doesn’t matter. It’s all the same, whether you’re here or not. And you make such a fuss over each little death. You are queer
Vitek
What is the matter with you?
Emilia
[Crying out]
One ought not, ought not, ought not to live so long!
Vitek
Why?
Emilia
One can’t go through with it. One lives for a hundred, or a hundred and thirty years, and then—then one realizes—then one finds out—then one’s soul dies.
Vitek
One realizes what?
Emilia
God! There is no word for it. Then one doesn’t believe in anything. Not in anything! And from it comes that ennui. Berti, you used to say that I sang as if I were frozen. You see, art has meaning only so long as one doesn’t understand; but when one understands all—one sees that singing is the same as keeping silent. Everything is the same. There is no difference in anything.
Vitek
That’s not true. When you sing—then people are moved to something better and higher.
Emilia
People are never better. Nothing can ever change. Nothing matters. If there were an explosion now, or an earthquake, if the end of the world were here, nothing would matter. Even I do not matter. You are here and am far away—away from everything Three hundred years—oh, God, if you only knew how easy it is for you to live!
Kolonaty
Why?
Emilia
You are so near to everything. For you, everything has a meaning, for you everything has some feeling. Oh, God, if I could only once more[She wrings her hands] Fools, you are so fortunate. Everything interests you—like monkeys. You believe everything; you believe in love, in yourselves, in progress, in humanity—I don’t know in what. You believe in pleasure, Max. Kristina, you believe in love and faithfulness. You believe in foolishness, Vitek. Everyone, everyone believes in everything. You—fools!
Vitek
But, why, there are—higher values—ideals—
Emilia
Yes, but only for you. How shall I tell you? Love there may be, but it is only in you. As soon as it is not, then there is no love—nowhere in the universe. And one cannot love for three hundred years. It does not last. Everything is irksome. It is tiresome to be bad and tiresome to be good. Heaven and earth tire one. And then you find out that there truly is none. Nothing exists—neither sin, nor pain, nor desire—absolutely nothing. Only that exists which has some feeling. And for you, everything has feeling. Oh, God, I was like you once. I was a girl; I had faith; I was happy. God in heaven!
Hauk-Sendorf
What? What’s happened to you?
Emilia
If you could only understand what Bombita said to me! We old ones know altogether too much. But you have more than we, you fools! Infinitely more! You have everything. Why, you couldn’t wish for anything more. You live, but in us life has stopped. And it cannot go on! God, what loneliness!
Prus
Why did you come here—for the Makropoulos secret? Why do you want to live longer?
Emilia
[Quietly, almost in a whisper]
Because I am afraid to die.
Prus
So even an immortal isn’t spared that?
Emilia
No.
[A pause]
Prus
We have been too severe with you.
Emilia
No, you were right. It is horrible to be so old. Do you know, children are afraid of me? Kristina, you loathe me, don’t you?
Kristina
No! I am very sorry for you.
Emilia
Sorry? You don’t even envy me? [A pause. She shudders and takes the folded paper from her bosom] Here it is written, “Ego, Hieronymus Makropoulos, iatros Kaisoros Rudolfo—” And further on, word for word, what to do. [She stands up] Take it, Berti, I don’t want it any more.
Gregor
Thank you, I don’t want it, either.
Emilia
No? Then you, Max. You like to live. You will be able to love, see? Take it.
Hauk-Sendorf
Please—can one die of it? And does it hurt to take it?
Emilia
Yes, it hurts. Are you afraid?
Hauk-Sendorf
Yes.
Emilia
But you will live for three hundred years.
Hauk-Sendorf
If—if it didn’t hurt—Hihi, I don’t want it.
Emilia
Doctor, you are a crafty man. Do you want it?
Kolonaty
You are very kind, but I won’t have anything to do with it.
Emilia
You are so ridiculous; Vitek, I’ll give it to you. You’ll probably benefit all humanity with it.
Vitek
No, please. I think I’d—rather not.
EMILIA
Prus, you are such a strong man. Are you, too, afraid to live for three hundred years?
Prus
Yes.
Emilia
God, then no one wants it? Are you here, Kristina? You haven’t said a word. Poor girl, I took your sweetheart from you. You take it. You are beautiful; you’ll live for three hundred years. You’ll sing like Emilia Marty. You’ll be famous. Remember, in a few years you’ll begin to grow old, and then you’ll repent—take it, girl!
Kristina
[Taking the paper]
Thank you.
Vitek
What are you going to do with it, Krista?
Kristina
[Opening the envelope]
I don’t know.
Gregor
Are you going to try it?
Kolonaty
Isn’t she afraid?—Give it back!
Vitek
Return it!
Emilia
Leave her alone.
Vitek
Don’t burn it! It’s an historical document.
Kolonaty
Wait! Don’t!
Hauk-Sendorf
Good God!
Gregor
Take it away from her.
Prus
Leave her alone!
[They are again crushed in silence]
Hauk-Sendorf
Why, look, it doesn’t want to burn.
Gregor
It’s parchment.
Kolonaty
How slowly it glows. Kristina, don’t burn yourself.
Hauk-Sendorf
Won’t you please let me have just a little bit! Just a little piece of it?
Vitek
Eternal life! Humanity will search for it always, and here—here
Kolonaty
And we might have lived forever. Nice work!
Prus
Eternal life.—Have you any children?
Kolonaty
I have.
Prus
So, you see, eternal life! If we only thought of birth rather than of death. Life is not short, as long as we can be the cause of life
Gregor
It’s done! Well, it was only—a wild thought, this living forever. I feel depressed and a little more at ease because it isn’t possible any longer
Kolonaty
We are no longer young. Only youth could have burned it—our fear of death. Well done, Kristina.
Hauk-Sendorf
Pardon me, but the room smells so queerly—of burnt matter
Emilia
The end of immortality! Ha, ha, ha!
Curtain