LOVE AND POVERTY

The entire place is filled with a warm, bright light. A large, very poor room, high walls, the color of old rose, covered here and there with beautiful, fantastic, roughly drawn designs. To the right are two lofty windows, eight panes in each, with the darkness of night glooming through them. Two poor beds, two chairs, and a bare table, on which stands a half-broken pitcher of water and a pretty bunch of flowers.

In the darkest corner stands Someone in Gray, the candle in His hand now reduced by a third, but the flame still very bright, high, and white. It throws a powerful light on His face and chin.

Enter the Neighbors, dressed in light, gay dresses, their hands full of flowers, grasses, and fresh branches of oak and birch. They run about the room, scattering them. Their faces are merry, simple, and good-natured._

NEIGHBORS’ CONVERSATION

How poor they are! Look, they haven’t even a single spare chair.

And no curtains in the windows.

And no pictures on the walls.

How poor they are! All they eat is hard bread.

And all they drink is water, cold water from the spring.

They don’t own any clothes at all except what they have on. She always goes about in her rosy dress with her neck bare, which makes her look like a young girl.

And he wears his blouse and loose necktie, which makes him look like an artist, and makes the dogs bark at him.

And makes all the respectable people disapprove of him.

Dogs hate the poor. I saw three dogs attack him yesterday. He beat them off with a stick and shouted: “Don’t you dare to touch my trousers; they’re my last pair!” And he laughed, and the dogs flung themselves at him and showed their teeth and barked viciously.

I saw two respectable people, a lady and a gentleman, meet him on the street to-day. They were terribly frightened and crossed to the other side. “He’ll ask for money,” said the gentleman. “He’ll kill us,” piped the lady. From the other side of the street they looked back at him and held on to their pockets. He shook his head and laughed.

He’s such a jolly good fellow.

They’re always laughing.

And singing.

It’s he who sings. She dances.

In her rosy dress, with her little bare neck.

It does one good to look at them. They are so young and wholesome.

I am sorry for them. They’re starving. Do you understand? They’re actually going without food.

Yes, it’s true. They had more clothes and furniture, but they sold every bit, and now they’ve nothing more to sell.

I know. She had such pretty earrings, and she sold them to buy bread.

He had a beautiful black frock-coat, the one in which he was married, and he sold that too.

The only thing they’ll have left is their engagement rings. How poor they are!

That’s nothing. I was once young myself, and I know what it is.

What did you say, grandpa?

I said it’s nothing, nothing at all.

Look, the mere thought of them makes grandpa want to sing.

And dance.

[They laugh.

He is so kind. He made my boy a bow and arrow.

She cried with me when my daughter was ill.

He helped me mend the rickety fence. He’s strong.

It’s nice to have such good neighbors. Their youth warms our cold old age. Their jolliness drives away our cares.

But their room is like a prison, it’s so empty.

No, it’s like a temple. It’s so bright.

Look, they have flowers on the table, the flowers she picked on her walk in the country in her rosy dress with her little bare neck. Here are lilies-of-the-valley. The dew hasn’t dried on them yet.

There is the burning campion.

And violets.

Don’t touch; don’t touch the flowers, girls. Her kisses are upon them. Don’t throw them on the floor, girls. Her breath is upon them. Don’t blow them away with your breath. Don’t touch, don’t touch the flowers, girls.

He’ll come and he’ll see the flowers.

He’ll take the kisses.

He’ll drink her breath.

How poor they are! How happy they are!

Come, let’s leave.

Haven’t we brought our dear neighbors anything?

What a shame!

I brought a bottle of milk and a piece of white, sweet-smelling bread. (Puts them on the table)

I brought flowers. (Scatters them)

We brought branches of oak and birch with green leaves. Let’s put them up around the walls. The room will look like cheerful green woods.

[They decorate the room with the branches, concealing the dark windows and covering the pinkish nakedness of the walls with leaves.

I, brought a good cigar. It is a cheap one, but it’s strong and fragrant and will give pleasant dreams.

And I brought a ribbon, a red ribbon. It makes a very pretty fancy bow for the hair. It’s a present my sweetheart gave me; but I have so many ribbons and she hasn’t even one.

What did you bring, grandpa? Did you bring anything?

Nothing, nothing, except my cough. They don’t want that, do they, neighbor?

No more than they want my crutches. Hey, girls, who wants my crutches?

Do you remember, neighbor?

Do you remember, neighbor?

Come, let’s go to sleep, neighbor. It’s late already. (They sigh and leave, one coughing, the other knocking the floor with his crutches)

Come, come!

May God give them happiness. They are such good neighbors.

God grant that they may always be healthy and merry and always love each other. And may the hideous black cat never pass between them.

And may the good man find work. It’s bad when a man is out of work. (They leave)

[Enter immediately the Wife of Man, very pretty, graceful, and delicate, wearing flowers in her luxuriant hair which is hanging loose. The expression on her face is very sad. She seats herself on a chair, folds her hands in her lap, and speaks in a sad tone, turned toward the audience.

MAN’S WIFE

I’ve just returned from the city, where I went looking for I don’t know what. We are so poor, we have nothing, and it’s very hard for us to live. We need money, and I don’t know how in the world to get it. People won’t give it to you for the asking, and I haven’t the strength to take it away from them. I was looking for work, but I can’t get work either. There are lots of people and little work, they say. I looked on the ground as I walked to see if some rich person hadn’t lost his purse, but either nobody had lost one or somebody luckier than I had already picked it up. I feel so sad. My husband will soon come from his search for work, tired and hungry. What am I to give him except my kisses? But you can’t satisfy your hunger on kisses. I feel so sad I could cry.

I can go without eating for a long time and not feel it, but he can’t. He has a large body which demands food, and when he’s gone a long time without it, he gets pale, sick, and excited. He scolds me and then begs me not to be angry at him. I never am angry at him, because I love him dearly. It only makes me feel so sad.

My husband is a very talented architect. I even think he’s a genius. He was left an orphan when a mere boy, and after his parents’ death his relatives supported him for some time; but as he was always of an independent nature, sharp in his talk and prone to make unpleasant remarks, and as he showed them no gratitude, they dropped him. He continued to study, nevertheless, supporting himself by giving lessons, and so made his way through college. He often went hungry, my poor husband. Now he is art architect and draws plans of beautiful buildings, but no one wants to buy them, and many stupid persons make fun of them even. To make one’s way in the world one must have either patrons or luck. He has neither. So he goes about looking for a chance, and maybe with his eyes on the ground looking for money like me. He is still very young and simple. Of course, some day fortune will come to us, too. But when will it be? In the meantime it’s very hard to live. When we were married we had a little property, but we soon spent it. We went to the theatre and ate candy. He still has hopes, but I sometimes lose all hope and cry to myself. My heart breaks when I think he’ll be here soon and I have nothing to give him again except my poor kisses.

O God, be a kind, merciful Father to us. You have so much of everything, bread and work and money. Your earth is so rich. She grows corn and fruit in her fields, covers the meadows with flowers, and yields gold and beautiful precious stones from her bowels. And your sun has so much warmth, and your pensive stars have so much quiet joy. Give us, I pray you, a little from your abundance, just a little, as much as you give your birds. A little bread, so that my dear good husband may not be hungry; a little warmth, so that he may not be cold; and a little work, so that he may carry his beautiful head erect. And please do not be angry with my husband because he swears so and laughs, and even sings and makes me dance. He is so young and not a bit staid or serious.

Now, after I have prayed, I feel relieved and hopeful again. Why, indeed, should God not grant one’s request when one asks Him for it so earnestly? I’ll go and hunt a little to see if somebody hasn’t dropped a purse or a diamond. (Exit)

SOMEONE IN GRAY

She knows not that her wish has already been fulfilled. She knows not that this morning two men in a rich house were bending eagerly over a sketch by Man and were delighted with it. They searched for Man the whole day; wealth was looking for him as he was looking for wealth. And to-morrow morning, after the neighbors have gone to work, an automobile will stop in front of this house, and two men bending low will enter the poor room and bring wealth and fame. But neither he nor she knows it. Thus fortune will come to Man, and thus also it will go.

[Enter Man and his Wife. He has, a beautiful proud head, bright eyes, a high forehead, dark eyebrows parting at the root of the nose like two bold wrings, and wavy black hair carelessly tossed back. A low, white, turndown collar reveals a well-formed neck and part of his chest. He is light and quick in his movements, like a young animal.

MAN

Nothing again. I’ll lie down and remain in bed the whole day. Anyone wanting me will have to come here. I can’t go to him. I’ll stay in bed the whole of to-morrow too.

WIFE

Are you tired?

MAN

Yes, I’m tired and hungry. I could eat a whole ox, like the Homeric hero, but I shall have to content myself with a piece of hard bread. Don’t you know that a man can’t live all the time on bread alone? I want to tear, bite, chew!

WIFE

I’m sorry for you, dear.

MAN

I’m sorry for myself, but that doesn’t satisfy my hunger. I stood a whole hour in front of a restaurant to-day, looking at the chickens, pastry, and sausages, as people look at works of art. And then the signs. They describe ham so well that you could eat sign and all.

WIFE

I like ham too.

MAN

Who doesn’t like ham? How about lobster? Do you like lobster?

WIFE

Yes.

MAN

You should have seen the lobster I saw. It was a painted one, but it was even more beautiful than a live one. Red like a cardinal, majestic, stern. You could kneel down and do homage to it. I think I could eat two such cardinals and a priest of a carp besides.

WIFE (sadly)

You didn’t see my flowers, did you?

MAN

Flowers? You can’t eat flowers, can you?

WIFE

You don’t love me.

MAN (kisses her)

Excuse me, but really I’m so hungry. Look, my hands are trembling and
I haven’t even the strength to throw a stone at a dog.

WIFE (kisses his hand)

My poor husband!

MAN

Where do those leaves, on the floor come from? They smell so good. Is that your work too?

WIFE

No, the neighbors must have done it.

MAN

Fine people our neighbors are. It’s strange, there are so many good people in the world, and yet a man can die of hunger. Why is it?

WIFE

You’ve turned so sad. Your face is growing pale. What is the matter? Do you see anything?

MAN

Yes, as I was joking, the terrible image of poverty glided in front of me and stopped there, in the corner. Do you see it? Arms stretched out in complaint, a child abandoned in the woods, a praying voice, and the stillness of a human desert. Help! No one hears. Help, I’m dying! No one hears. Look, wife, look! See the dark, gloomy shadows there, quivering and rising like black smoke from a long, terrible chimney leading into hell. Look! And I’m in the midst of them!

WIFE

I’m afraid. I can’t look in that dark corner. Did you see all that in the street?

MAN Yes, I saw it in the street, and soon it’ll be that way with us.

WIFE

No, God will not permit it.

MAN

Then why does He permit it to happen to others?

WIFE

We’re better than others. We are good people. We never offend Him.

MAN

You think so? I do a lot of swearing.

WIFE

You’re not bad.

MAN

Yes, I am bad. When I walk along the street and see all the things that don’t belong to us, I feel as if I had tusks like a boar. Oh, how much money I haven’t got! Listen, my dear wife. I was walking in the park to-day, that lovely park, where the paths are straight as arrows and the beech-trees like kings wearing crowns

WIFE

And I was walking in the city streets. Shops everywhere, such beautiful shops!

MAN

I saw men, beautifully dressed, carrying canes, and I thought: “I haven’t anything like that.”

WIFE

I saw elegantly dressed women, wearing dainty shoes that make your feet beautiful, and pretty hats from under which your eyes shine impenetrably, and silk skirts that make such a mysterious rustle; and I thought: “I haven’t a good hat or a silk skirt.”

MAN

A ruffian jostled me. I showed him my tusks, and he fled in disgrace to hide himself in the crowd.

WIFE

A well-dressed lady jostled me, but I didn’t even look at her, I felt so embarrassed.

MAN

Men rode by on proud, fiery horses. And I have nothing like that.

WIFE

She had diamonds in her ears. You felt like kissing them.

MAN

Red and green automobiles glided past noiselessly like phantoms with burning eyes, and people sat in them and laughed and looked lazily from one side to the other. And I have nothing like it.

And I have no diamonds, no emeralds, no pure white pearls.

MAN

I saw a fine restaurant on the Island. It was brightly illuminated, like heaven, and they were eating there. Black-coated monsters carried around butter and bread and wine and beer, and people ate and drank. My little wife, I’m hungry! I want something to eat!

WIFE

Dearie, you’re running around all the time, and that makes you still hungrier. You’d better sit down. I’ll kneel beside you, and you can take a piece of paper and draw a beautiful, beautiful building.

MAN

My inspiration is also hungry. It draws nothing but edible landscapes. My palaces are like portly cakes with fat stuffing, and my churches like sausages. But I see tears in your eyes. What is it, my dear wife?

WIFE

I feel so miserable not to be able to help you.

MAN

You make me ashamed of myself. I am a strong man with a good mind; I am able, talented, and healthy, and yet I can’t do a thing. My dear wife, my little fairy is crying, and I am not able to help her. A woman’s tears are her husband’s disgrace, I am ashamed.

WIFE

But it isn’t your fault that people don’t appreciate you.

MAN

My ears are burning just as they used to when I was a boy and had had them boxed. Why, you are hungry too, and I, egoist that I am, haven’t noticed it. It’s mean of me.

WIFE

My dear, I don’t feel hungry.

MAN

It’s unfair, it’s contemptible. That ruffian who jostled me was right. He saw I was a fat pig and that’s all, a boar with sharp tusks but a stupid head.

WIFE.

If you are going to keep on reproaching yourself, I’ll cry again.

MAN

Don’t, don’t. No tears! Tears in your eyes frighten me. I am afraid of those shining crystal drops, as if some other, some terrible person were shedding them, not you. I won’t let you cry. We have nothing, we are poor. But I’ll tell you of what we are going to have. I will charm you with a bright fairy tale, my queen. I will array you in dazzling dreams as in roses!

WIFE

You mustn’t be afraid. You are strong, you are a genius, you will conquer. Your momentary despair will pass away, and divine inspiration will again quicken your proud head.

MAN (assumes a challenging attitude and throws an oak leaf into the corner where the Unknown stands, saying) Ho, you, whatever your name, Fate, Devil, or Life, I fling my glove down before you, I challenge you to combat! The poor in spirit bow before your enigmatic power. Your stony face inspires them with fear; in your silence they hear the approaching tread of misery and terrible ruin. But I am strong and bold, and I challenge you to combat! Come on! Let the swords glitter, the shields clang! Deal and receive blows so that the earth trembles! Ho, come forth to battle!

WIFE (nestling up at his left, somewhat behind, speaking solemnly) Bolder, my husband, still bolder!

MAN

To your evil-boding inaction I oppose my living, daring strength; to your gloom my clear, resonant laugh! Ho, repel the blows! You have a stone brow, devoid of reason. I will throw the glowing balls of my sparkling thought at it. You have a stone heart, devoid of pity. Take care, I will pour into it the poison of my rebellious outcries. The dark cloud of your grim wrath overshadows the sun. We will light the darkness with our swords. Ho, repel the blows!

WIFE

Bolder, still bolder, my proud knight! Your squire is behind you.

MAN

Victorious, I will sing songs which the whole world will reecho; fallen under your blows, my only thought shall be to rise again and rush into battle. There are weak spots in my armor, but when my red blood is flowing, I will gather my last strength and cry: “You have not conquered, evil Enemy of Man!”

WIFE

Bolder, my knight! I will wash your wounds with my tears. I will stop the flow of your red blood with my kisses.

MAN

And dying on the field of battle as the brave die, with one cry I will destroy your blind joy: “I have conquered!” I have conquered, O cruel Enemy. Unto my last breath I did not recognize your power!

WIFE

Bolder, my knight, bolder! I will die beside you.

MAN

Ho, come forth to battle! Let the swords glitter, the shields clang! Deal and receive blows to make the earth tremble! Ho, come forth!

[For some time Man and his Wife remain in the same posture; then they turn around, facing each other, and kiss.

MAN

That’s the way we’ll deal with life, my dear, won’t we? Let it frown like a blind owl in the sun we’ll compel it to smile.

WIFE

And to dance to our songs so we will, we two.

MAN

We two. You’re a good wife, you’re my true friend, you’re a brave little woman, and as long as you are with me I fear nothing. Poverty, what does it amount to? To-day we’re poor, to-morrow rich.

WIFE

And what is hunger? To-day we are hungry, to-morrow satisfied.

MAN

Do you think so? It’s quite possible. But I’ll eat a lot. I shall need so much to satisfy my hunger. Tell me, do you think this will prove enough? In the, morning, tea or coffee or chocolate. You can have your choice. It’s free. Then a breakfast of three courses, then lunch, then dinner, then

WIFE

More fruit. I like fruit.

MAN

Very well. I’ll buy fruit by the barrel, direct from the wholesale market. It’s cheaper and fresher. Besides, we’ll have our own garden.

WIFE

But we have no land.

MAN

I’ll buy land. I’ve always wanted to have my own piece of land. By the way, I’ll build a house for us and design it too. Let the rascals see what sort of an architect I am.

WIFE

I should like to live in Italy, close by the sea; in a white marble villa in a grove of lemons and cypresses, with marble steps leading straight down to the blue water.

MAN

I understand. That’s all right. But I intend, besides, to build a castle in the mountains of Norway. Below, the fjord; and above, on the steep mountain, the castle. We have no paper. But look, I’ll show it to you on the wall here. Here is the fjord, you see?

WIFE

Yes, beautiful.

MAN

Here, sparkling blue water gently beating against the green grass; here, beautiful cinnamon-colored stone; and there, in the recess, where this spot is, a bit of blue sky and serene white clouds.

WIFE

Look, there is a white boat floating on the water it looks like two swans swimming side by side.

MAN

And up there rises the mountain. Bright and green below, it turns gloomier and sterner as it ascends rugged crags, dark shadows, fallen boulders, and patches of clouds.

WIFE

Like a ruined castle.

MAN

And there, on that spot the middle one I’ll build my royal castle.

WIFE

It’s cold up there, and windy.

MAN

I’ll have thick stone walls and large windows with all the panes made out of a single piece of glass. At night, when the winter snowstorms begin to rage and the fjord below to roar, we’ll draw the curtains and make a fire in the huge fireplace. It is such a tremendous fireplace that it will hold a whole log. It will burn up a whole forest of pines.

WIFE

How nice and warm.

MAN

And how quiet too, if you will please notice. Carpets covering the whole, floor and lots of books will make it cosy and quietly lively. And we’ll be there, the two of us. The wind howling outside and we two sitting before the fireplace on a white bear-skin rug. “Wouldn’t you like to have a look at what’s doing outside?” you’ll say. “All right!” And we’ll go to the largest window and draw aside the curtain. Good heavens! What a sight!

WIFE

See the snow whirling.

MAN

Galloping like white horses, like myriads of frightened little spirits, pale with fear and seeking safety in the night. And what a howling and roaring!

WIFE

Oh, it’s cold. I’m shivering.

MAN

Go back to the fireplace, quick! Hey there, fetch me grandfather’s goblet not that one, the golden one from which the vikings drank. Fill it up with sparkling wine not that way fill it to the brim with the burning draught. Venison is roasting on the spit. Bring it here. I’ll eat some. Quick, or I’ll eat you. I’m hungry as the devil.

WIFE

There, they have brought it. Now, go on.

MAN

Go on? I’ll eat some, of course. What else do you expect? What are you doing to my head, little wife?

WIFE

I am the goddess of fame. I have woven a crown of the oak leaves that our neighbors scattered here, and I’m crowning you. It’s Fame that has come to you, the beautiful goddess Fame. (Puts the wreath on his head)

MAN

Yes, fame; loud, noisy fame. Look at the wall. Do you see this? It’s I, walking. And who is this next to me? Do you see?

WIFE

I

MAN

Look, they are bowing to us; they are whispering about us; they are pointing their fingers at us. There is a venerable old gentleman saying with tears in his eyes: “Happy the land that has such children!” See how pale this youth here has turned. Fame looked at him and gave him a smile. That’s after I built the People’s House, which is the pride of the whole country.

WIFE

You are my famous husband. The oak wreath suits you so well. A laurel wreath would become you still better.

MAN

Look, look, there come the representatives of the city where I was born. They bow to me and say: “Our city is proud of the honor ”

WIFE

Oh!

MAN

What is it?

WIFE

I found a bottle of milk.

MAN

Impossible!

WIFE

And bread, soft, sweet-smelling bread. And a cigar.

MAN

Impossible! You are mistaken. It’s the dampness from that damned wall, that’s what it is. It isn’t milk.

WIFE

But it is.

MAN

A cigar? Cigars don’t grow on windows. They are sold for fortunes in tobacco stores. It’s a black stick, a piece of a branch, I’m sure.

WIFE

Look and see. I suppose our neighbors brought it.

MAN

Our neighbors? I tell you they’re people they’re not human they’re divine. But even if the devil himself brought it quick, give it here, my sweet little wife.

[Man’s Wife seats herself on his knees, and so they eat. She breaks off pieces of bread and puts them in his mouth. He feeds her the milk from the bottle.

MAN

Seems to be cream.

WIFE

No, it’s milk. Chew better. You’ll choke.

MAN.

Give me the crust. It’s so brown.

WIFE

I told you, you’d choke.

MAN

No, it went down. I swallowed it.

WIFE

The milk is running down my chin and neck. Oh, it’s tickling me.

MAN.

Lean over. I’ll lick it off. We mustn’t let a drop go to waste.

WIFE

You’re a cunning one.

MAN

There! Quick work. All good things soon come to an end. This bottle seems to have a double bottom. It looks so large. The glass manufacturers are terrible cheats.

[He lights the cigar with the air of a man relaxing into beatific repose. His Wife ties the red ribbon in her hair, looking at herself in the dark pane of the window.

WIFE

Don’t you see?

MAN

I see everything. I see your ribbon, and I see, you want me to kiss you on your dear little bare neck.

WIFE.

No, sir, I won’t permit that. You’ve grown too forward of late anyway. You take such liberties. Please go on smoking your cigar and leave my neck

MAN

What, isn’t your neck mine? I’ll be jiggered! Why, it’s an attack on the sacred rights of property (She runs away; he catches her and kisses her) So, the property rights have been restored. Now, my dear, we’ll dance. Imagine that this is a magnificent, a luxurious, a wonderful, a supernatural, ah exquisitely beautiful palace.

WIFE

Very well. I’m imagining it.

MAN

Imagine you’re the queen of the ball.

WIFE

All right. It is imagined.

MAN

And that counts, marquises, and dukes come up and ask you to dance. But you refuse. You choose that one What’s his name? the one in uniform the prince. What’s the matter?

WIFE

I don’t like princes.

MAN

Indeed? Then whom do you like?

WIFE

Talented artists.

MAN

Very well. Here’s one for you. Why, girl, what are you doing? Are you flirting with the air?

WIFE

I am imagining.

MAN

All right. Imagine a wonderful orchestra. Here is the Turkish drum boom, boom, boom! (He strikes his fist on the table as on a drum)

WIFE

Why, dear, it’s only in the circus that they attract crowds by beating drums, but in a palace

MAN

Oh, hang it! Stop imagining that, then. Now imagine something else. The violins are playing a melodious plaint; the flutes are singing gently; the double bass drones like a beetle.

[Man sits down, still wearing his oak wreath, and strikes up a dance tune, clapping his hands in accompaniment. The melody is the same as in the next scene at Man’s ball. The Wife dances. She is well-formed and graceful.

MAN

Oh, you darling!

WIFE

I am the queen of the ball.

[The song and dance grow ever jollier. Man rises slowly and begins to dance lightly on the spot where he is standing; then he seizes his Wife and dances with her. The oak wreath slips to one side. Someone in Gray looks on indifferently, the candle burning brightly in his petrified hand.

CURTAIN