TYLTYL
It's the Queen!...
It's the Queen!...
MYTYL
It's the Blessed Virgin!...
It's the Blessed Virgin!...
THE FAIRY
No, my children; it's Light....
No, my children; it's Light....
TYLTYL (_alarmed_)
That's daddy!... He's heard us!...
That's daddy!... He's heard us!...
THE FAIRY
Turn the diamond!... From left to right!...
Turn the diamond!... From left to right!...
BREAD (_in tears_)
There's no room in the pan!...
There's no room in the pan!...
THE FAIRY (_stooping over the pan_)
Yes, there is; yes, there is.... (_Pushing the other loaves, which have
resumed their original places_.) Come, quick, make room there....
Yes, there is; yes, there is.... (_Pushing the other loaves, which have
resumed their original places_.) Come, quick, make room there....
BREAD (_utterly scared, vainly struggling to enter the pan_)
I can't get in!... He'll eat me first!...
I can't get in!... He'll eat me first!...
THE DOG (_frisking round_ TYLTYL)
My little god!... I am still here!... I can still talk!... I can still kiss
you!... Once more! Once more! Once more!...
My little god!... I am still here!... I can still talk!... I can still kiss
you!... Once more! Once more! Once more!...
THE FAIRY
What, you too?... Are you there still?...
What, you too?... Are you there still?...
THE DOG
What luck!... I was too late to return to silence; the trap closed too
quickly....
What luck!... I was too late to return to silence; the trap closed too
quickly....
THE CAT
So did mine.... What is going to happen?... Is there any danger?...
So did mine.... What is going to happen?... Is there any danger?...
THE FAIRY
Well, I'm bound to tell you the truth: all those who accompany the two
children will die at the end of the journey....
Well, I'm bound to tell you the truth: all those who accompany the two
children will die at the end of the journey....
THE CAT (_to the_ DOG)
Come, let us get back into the trap....
Come, let us get back into the trap....
THE DOG
No, no!... I won't!... I want to go with the little god!... I want to talk
to him all the time!...
No, no!... I won't!... I want to go with the little god!... I want to talk
to him all the time!...
THE CAT
Idiot!...
Idiot!...
BREAD (_shedding bitter tears_)
I don't want to die at the end of the journey!... I want to get back at
once into my pan!...
I don't want to die at the end of the journey!... I want to get back at
once into my pan!...
FIRE (_who has done nothing but run madly round the room, hissing with
anguish_)
I can't find my chimney!...
anguish_)
I can't find my chimney!...
WATER (_vainly trying to get into the tap_)
I can't get into the tap!...
I can't get into the tap!...
SUGAR (_hovering round his paper wrapper_)
I've burst my packing-paper!...
I've burst my packing-paper!...
MILK (_lymphatically and bashfully_)
Somebody's broken my little jug!...
Somebody's broken my little jug!...
THE FAIRY
Goodness me, what fools they are!... Fools and cowards too!... So you
would rather go on living in your ugly boxes, in your traps and taps, than
accompany the children in search of the bird?...
Goodness me, what fools they are!... Fools and cowards too!... So you
would rather go on living in your ugly boxes, in your traps and taps, than
accompany the children in search of the bird?...
ALL (_excepting the_ DOG _and_ LIGHT)
Yes, yes! Now, at once!... My tap!... My pan!... My chimney!... My trap!...
Yes, yes! Now, at once!... My tap!... My pan!... My chimney!... My trap!...
THE FAIRY (_to_ LIGHT, _who is dreamily gazing at the wreckage of her
lamp_)
And you, Light, what do you say?
lamp_)
And you, Light, what do you say?
LIGHT
I will go with the children....
I will go with the children....
THE DOG (_yelling with delight_)
I too!... I too!...
I too!... I too!...
THE FAIRY
That's right.... Besides, it's too late to go back; you have no choice now,
you must all start with us.... But you, Fire, don't come near anybody; you,
Dog, don't tease the Cat; and you, Water, hold yourself up and try not to
run all over the place....
That's right.... Besides, it's too late to go back; you have no choice now,
you must all start with us.... But you, Fire, don't come near anybody; you,
Dog, don't tease the Cat; and you, Water, hold yourself up and try not to
run all over the place....
TYLTYL (_listening_)
There's daddy again!... He's getting up this time; I can hear him
walking....
There's daddy again!... He's getting up this time; I can hear him
walking....
THE FAIRY
Let us go out by the window.... You shall all come to my house, where I
will dress the Animals and the Things properly.... (_To_ BREAD) You,
Bread, take the cage in which to put the Blue Bird.... It will be in your
charge.... Quick, quick, let us waste no time....
Let us go out by the window.... You shall all come to my house, where I
will dress the Animals and the Things properly.... (_To_ BREAD) You,
Bread, take the cage in which to put the Blue Bird.... It will be in your
charge.... Quick, quick, let us waste no time....
DADDY TYL
It was nothing.... It's the cricket chirping....
It was nothing.... It's the cricket chirping....
MUMMY TYL
Can you see them?...
Can you see them?...
DADDY TYL
I can.... They are sleeping quite quietly....
I can.... They are sleeping quite quietly....
MUMMY TYL
I can hear their breathing....
I can hear their breathing....
CURTAIN
ACT II.
SCENE I.--_At the_ FAIRY'S.
THE CAT
This way, I know every inch of this palace. It was left to the Fairy
Bérylune by Bluebeard.... Let us make the most of our last minute of
liberty, while the children and Light pay their visit to the Fairy's little
daughter.... I have brought you here in order to discuss the position in
which we are placed.... Are we all here?...
This way, I know every inch of this palace. It was left to the Fairy
Bérylune by Bluebeard.... Let us make the most of our last minute of
liberty, while the children and Light pay their visit to the Fairy's little
daughter.... I have brought you here in order to discuss the position in
which we are placed.... Are we all here?...
SUGAR
I see the Dog coming out of the Fairy's wardrobe....
I see the Dog coming out of the Fairy's wardrobe....
FIRE
What on earth has he got on?...
What on earth has he got on?...
THE CAT
He has put on the livery of one of the footmen of Cinderella's coach....
It was just the thing for him.... He has the soul of a flunkey.... But let us
hide behind the balustrade.... It's strange how I mistrust him.... He had
better not hear what I have to say to you....
He has put on the livery of one of the footmen of Cinderella's coach....
It was just the thing for him.... He has the soul of a flunkey.... But let us
hide behind the balustrade.... It's strange how I mistrust him.... He had
better not hear what I have to say to you....
SUGAR
It is too late.... He has discovered us.... Look, here is Water also coming
out of the wardrobe.... Goodness me, how fine she is!...
It is too late.... He has discovered us.... Look, here is Water also coming
out of the wardrobe.... Goodness me, how fine she is!...
THE DOG (_frisking about_)
There! There!... Aren't we fine I.... Just look at these laces and this
embroidery!... It's real gold and no mistake!...
There! There!... Aren't we fine I.... Just look at these laces and this
embroidery!... It's real gold and no mistake!...
THE CAT (_to_ WATER)
Is that Catskin's "colour-of-time" dress?... I seem to recognise it....
Is that Catskin's "colour-of-time" dress?... I seem to recognise it....
WATER
Yes, it's the one that suited me best....
Yes, it's the one that suited me best....
FIRE (_between his teeth_)
She's not brought her umbrella....
She's not brought her umbrella....
WATER
What's that?...
What's that?...
FIRE
Nothing, nothing....
Nothing, nothing....
WATER
I thought you might be speaking of a great red I saw the other day....
I thought you might be speaking of a great red I saw the other day....
THE CAT
Come, don't let as quarrel; we have more important things to do.... We are
only waiting for Bread; where is he?
Come, don't let as quarrel; we have more important things to do.... We are
only waiting for Bread; where is he?
THE DOG
He was making an endless fuss about choosing his dress....
He was making an endless fuss about choosing his dress....
FIRE
Worth while, isn't it, for a fellow who looks a fool and carries an
enormous stomach?...
Worth while, isn't it, for a fellow who looks a fool and carries an
enormous stomach?...
THE DOG
At last, he decided in favour of a Turkish robe, adorned with gems, a
scimitar and a turban....
At last, he decided in favour of a Turkish robe, adorned with gems, a
scimitar and a turban....
THE CAT
There he is!... He has put on Bluebeard's finest dress...
There he is!... He has put on Bluebeard's finest dress...
BREAD (_waddling conceitedly_)
Well?... What do you think of this?
Well?... What do you think of this?
THE DOG (_frisking round the_ LOAF)
How nice he looks! What a fool he looks! How nice he looks! How nice he
looks!...
How nice he looks! What a fool he looks! How nice he looks! How nice he
looks!...
THE CAT (_to the_ LOAF)
Are the children dressed?...
Are the children dressed?...
BREAD
Yes, Master Tyltyl has put on Hop-o'-my-Thumb's blue jacket and red
breeches; and Miss Mytyl has Gretel's frock and Cinderella's slippers....
But the great thing was the dressing of Light!...
Yes, Master Tyltyl has put on Hop-o'-my-Thumb's blue jacket and red
breeches; and Miss Mytyl has Gretel's frock and Cinderella's slippers....
But the great thing was the dressing of Light!...
THE CAT
Why?...
Why?...
BREAD
The Fairy thought her so lovely that she did not want to dress her at
all!... Thereupon I protested in the name of our dignity as essential and
eminently respectable elements; and I ended by declaring that, under those
conditions, I should refuse to be seen with her....
The Fairy thought her so lovely that she did not want to dress her at
all!... Thereupon I protested in the name of our dignity as essential and
eminently respectable elements; and I ended by declaring that, under those
conditions, I should refuse to be seen with her....
FIRE
They ought to have bought her a lampshade!...
They ought to have bought her a lampshade!...
THE CAT
And what answer did the Fairy make?...
And what answer did the Fairy make?...
THE LOAF
She hit me with her stick on my head and stomach....
She hit me with her stick on my head and stomach....
THE CAT
And then?...
And then?...
BREAD
I allowed myself to be convinced; but, at the last moment, Light decided on
the moonbeam dress at the bottom of the chest with Catskin's treasures....
I allowed myself to be convinced; but, at the last moment, Light decided on
the moonbeam dress at the bottom of the chest with Catskin's treasures....
THE CAT
Come, stop chattering, time presses.... Our future is at stake.... You have
heard--the Fairy has just said so--that the end of this journey will, at
the same time, mark the end of our lives.... It is our business, therefore,
to prolong it as much as possible and by every possible means.... But there
is another thing: we must think of the fate of our race and the destiny of
our children....
Come, stop chattering, time presses.... Our future is at stake.... You have
heard--the Fairy has just said so--that the end of this journey will, at
the same time, mark the end of our lives.... It is our business, therefore,
to prolong it as much as possible and by every possible means.... But there
is another thing: we must think of the fate of our race and the destiny of
our children....
BREAD
Hear, hear!... The Cat is right!...
Hear, hear!... The Cat is right!...
THE CAT
Listen to me!... All of us here present, Animals, Things and Elements,
possess a soul which man does not yet know. That is why we retain a remnant
of independence; but, if he finds the Blue Bird, he will know all, he will
see all and we shall be completely at his mercy.... This is what I have
just learned from my old friend, Night, who is also the guardian of the
mysteries of Life.... It is to our interest, therefore, at all costs to
prevent the finding of that bird, even if we have to go so far as to
endanger the lives of the children themselves....
Listen to me!... All of us here present, Animals, Things and Elements,
possess a soul which man does not yet know. That is why we retain a remnant
of independence; but, if he finds the Blue Bird, he will know all, he will
see all and we shall be completely at his mercy.... This is what I have
just learned from my old friend, Night, who is also the guardian of the
mysteries of Life.... It is to our interest, therefore, at all costs to
prevent the finding of that bird, even if we have to go so far as to
endanger the lives of the children themselves....
THE DOG (_indignantly_)
What's the fellow saying?... Just say that again, will you, to see if I
heard right?...
What's the fellow saying?... Just say that again, will you, to see if I
heard right?...
BREAD
Order! Order!... It's not your turn to speak!... I'm in the chair at this
meeting....
Order! Order!... It's not your turn to speak!... I'm in the chair at this
meeting....
FIRE
Who made you chairman?...
Who made you chairman?...
WATER (_to_ FIRE)
Hold your tongue!... What are you interfering with?...
Hold your tongue!... What are you interfering with?...
FIRE
I shall interfere where I choose.... And I want none of your remarks....
I shall interfere where I choose.... And I want none of your remarks....
SUGAR (_concilatorily_)
Excuse me.... Do not let us quarrel.... This is a serious moment.... We
must, above all things, decide what measures to adopt....
Excuse me.... Do not let us quarrel.... This is a serious moment.... We
must, above all things, decide what measures to adopt....
BREAD
I quite agree with Sugar and the Cat....
I quite agree with Sugar and the Cat....
THE DOG
This is ridiculous!... There is Man and that's all!... We have to obey him
and do as he tells us!... That is the one and only fact!... I recognise no
one but him!... Hurrah for Man!... Man for ever!... In life or death, all
for Man!... Man is God!...
This is ridiculous!... There is Man and that's all!... We have to obey him
and do as he tells us!... That is the one and only fact!... I recognise no
one but him!... Hurrah for Man!... Man for ever!... In life or death, all
for Man!... Man is God!...
BREAD
I quite agree with the Dog.
I quite agree with the Dog.
THE CAT (_to the_ DOG)
But at least give your reasons....
But at least give your reasons....
THE DOG
There are no reasons!... I love Man and that's enough!... If you do
anything against him, I will throttle you first and I will go and tell him
everything....
There are no reasons!... I love Man and that's enough!... If you do
anything against him, I will throttle you first and I will go and tell him
everything....
SUGAR (_intervening sweetly_)
Excuse me.... Let us not embitter the discussion.... From a certain point
of view, you are both of you right.... There is something to be said on
both sides....
Excuse me.... Let us not embitter the discussion.... From a certain point
of view, you are both of you right.... There is something to be said on
both sides....
BREAD
I quite agree with SUGAR!...
I quite agree with SUGAR!...
THE CAT
Are we not, all of us, Water, Fire you yourselves, Bread and the Dog, the
victims of a nameless tyranny?... Do you remember the time when, before the
coming of the despot, we wandered at liberty upon the face of the earth?...
Fire and Water were the sole masters of the world; and see what they have
come to!... As for us puny descendants of the great wild animals....
Look out!... Pretend to be doing nothing!... I see the Fairy and Light
coming.... Light has taken sides with Man; she is our worst enemy.... Here
they are....
Are we not, all of us, Water, Fire you yourselves, Bread and the Dog, the
victims of a nameless tyranny?... Do you remember the time when, before the
coming of the despot, we wandered at liberty upon the face of the earth?...
Fire and Water were the sole masters of the world; and see what they have
come to!... As for us puny descendants of the great wild animals....
Look out!... Pretend to be doing nothing!... I see the Fairy and Light
coming.... Light has taken sides with Man; she is our worst enemy.... Here
they are....
THE FAIRY
Well?... What is it?... What are you doing in that corner?... You look like
conspir
Well?... What is it?... What are you doing in that corner?... You look like
conspir