Lyric drama in 4 acts
Poem of MM. Edouard Blau,
Paul Milliet and Georges Hartmann
J. Massenet Music
Werther, 23 years old, 1r tenor
Albert, 25 years old, 1st baritone
The Bailiff, 50 years old, bass baritone
Schmidt, friend of Bailli, 2nd tenor
Johann, Bailli's friend, bass baritone
Bruhlmann, young man, coryphaeum
Charlotte, daughter of the Bailli, 20 years old, mezzo soprano or 1st singer
Sophie, his sister, 15 years old, 1st soprano
Katchen, girl, coryphaea
Children (six) Fritz, Max, Hans, Karl, Gretel, Clara,
(sopranos, children's voices)
A small farmer, a servant
Figuration:
inhabitants of the village of Wetzler; guests, minstrels
(At the last scene, behind the scenes,
female singers, with children's voices)
Act I
PRELUDE
The House of the Bailiff (July 178 ...)
(On the left, the house with large bay window,
with a passable terrace, covered with foliage,
preceded by a wooden staircase.
Right, the garden. At the bottom, a small door to clear way.
In the distance, the houses of the village and the countryside.
In the foreground, a fountain.
At the end of the curtain, the Bailiff sits on the terrace,
in the middle of his six children whom he makes sing.
The curtain rises on a big laugh,
very prolonged Children.)
THE BAILLI
(Scolding)
Enough! Enough!
Will you listen to me this time?
Let's start! start again!
Especially not too many voices! not too many voices!
CHILDREN
(singing with abruptness, very loud and without nuances)
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
Jesus has just been born,
Here is our divine master ...
THE BAILLI
(getting angry)
But no! it's not that!
No! No! it's not that!
(severely)
Do you dare to sing that way
When your sister Charlotte is here!
She must hear everything through the door!
(The children seemed quite moved, in the name of Charlotte:
they resume Christmas with gravity.)
CHILDREN
Christmas! Christmas!
THE BAILLI
(with satisfaction)
It's good! It's good!
CHILDREN
Jesus is born
Here is our divine master
Kings and shepherds of Israel!
In the firmament
Faithful guardian angels
Have opened their wings
And go everywhere singing: Christmas!
CHILDREN and the BAILLI
Christmas!
CHILDREN
Jesus has just been born!
Here is our divine master,
Kings and shepherds of Israel!
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
THE BAILLI
That's right!
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
(Johann and Schmidt who had stopped
at the garden gate to listen to the children's choir
behind the hedge, entered the yard.)
JOHANN
Congratulations for the kids!
SCHMIDT
Congratulations on the verse!
CHILDREN
(running happily)
Ah! Mr. Schmidt!
Ah! Mr. Johann!
(Schmidt and Johann embrace
the Children and congratulate them.)
JOHANN
(to the Bailiff)
Eh! but, I think you are singing Christmas in July.
Bailli, it is to be done in advance!
THE BAILLI
(who came down and shakes hands with his friends)
That makes you laugh, Johann!
But what?
Everyone is not an artist like you.
And these are not trifles
What to learn singing
(with importance)
singing! to these young brains!
SCHMIDT
(to Sophie who just entered)
Hello Sophie!
Eh! Eh! Charlotte is not far ...
SOPHIE
(bowing to him)
Indeed, Mr. Schmidt! since we take care,
Charlotte and I, family.
JOHANN
(to the Bailiff)
Hey, the great time!
Are you coming?
THE BAILLI
(to Johann)
In an instant.
SOPHIE
(to Johann, continuing the conversation)
My sister dresses for the ball ...
THE BAILLI
(to Schmidt)
Yes, this ball of friends and relatives
That we give to Wetzlar.
We're coming to Charlotte.
SCHMIDT
That's it!
Koffel put on his coat,
Steiner has retained the brewer's horse,
Hoffmann has his carriage and Goulden his sedan;
finally, Mr. Werther seemed to me less dreamy!
THE BAILLI
(to his two friends)
Very well, this young man.
JOHANN
Yes; but not strong in cooking ...
THE BAILLI
(Insisting)
He is educated ... very distinguished ...
SCHMIDT
(Strongly)
A little melancholy ...
JOHANN
Ah! certainly! never cheerful!
THE BAILLI
(pursuing his idea)
The Prince promises him, it is said, an embassy,
He esteems him and wants him well ...
JOHANN
(with contempt)
A diplomat!
Bah! it's not worth anything at the table!
SCHMIDT
(similarly)
It does not know how to drink a swig!
JOHANN
(to the Bailiff, holding out his hands)
A moment ago to the Golden Grape.
SCHMIDT
(similarly)
Yes, you owe us a revenge.
THE BAILLI
(shouting)
Again!
JOHANN
(retracing his steps)
Lady! And then, it's crayfish day!
Big as the arm
Gretchen promised us ...
THE BAILLI
O greedy ones! the two accomplices!
(The two men pretend to withdraw.)
You do not wait Charlotte, my friends?
SCHMIDT
(to Johann)
We'll see her tonight.
We want to do a little tour on the rampart.
THE BAILLI
(smiling, to Johann)
To open your appetite?
JOHANN
(a little grumpy, to Schmidt)
He always exaggerates ...
Come, come, it's late!
SCHMIDT
(coming back to the bailiff)
About!
When does Albert come back?
THE BAILLI
(simply)
I do not know, he's not talking about it yet,
but he writes to me that his business is at best.
SCHMIDT
Perfect! Albert is a brave and faithful boy,
it's a model husband for your Charlotte, and we, the old ones,
we will dance to loose breath at the next wedding!
(The two men go arm in arm.)
(Gaily)
Eh! Good evening, children!
JOHANN
(Gaily)
Good evening, children!
SCHMIDT
(to the Bailiff, below)
A few times!
JOHANN
(similarly)
A few times!
THE BAILLI
Yes! Good evening! good evening
SOPHIE, JOHANN and CHILDREN
Good evening! Good evening!
JOHANN and SCHMIDT
(at full voice)
Vivat Bacchus! semper vivat!
THE BAILLI
(to the children)
Come back! we will be returning our Christmas tonight,
before tasting, note by note!
(The Bailiff went up the stairs
and once in the house.)
Sophie, we have to go see what Charlotte is doing.
(Sophie goes out.) The bailiff settles into the leather rack chair;
the youngest of his children huddle on his knees,
and religiously listening to the lesson he gives them.
The bay window is half closed.
Werther, accompanied by a young peasant, steps into the courtyard
and look curiously at the house.)
WERTHER
(to the peasant)
So, this is the Bailli's house here?
(dismissing his guide)
Thank you.
(alone, Werther gets further into the yard
and stops in front of the fountain.)
I do not know if I'm watching or dreaming again!
Everything that surrounds me looks like a paradise;
the wood sighs as well as a sound harp,
A world is revealed to me dazzled!
O nature, full of grace,
Queen of time and space
Deign to welcome the one who passes and greets you,
Humble mortal!
Mysterious silence!
O solemn calm!
Everything attracts me and I like it!
This wall, and this dark corner ...
This limpid source and the freshness of the shadow;
it is not a hedge, it is not a bush where no flower blooms,
where does a shiver go!
O nature! intoxicate me with perfumes,
Mother eternally young, adorable and pure!
O nature!
And you, sun, come and flood me with your rays!
CHILDREN
(in the interior of the house)
Jesus has just been born!
Here is our divine master,
Kings and shepherds of Israel!
In the firmament of faithful guardian angels
have opened their wings
and go everywhere singing: Christmas!
WERTHER
(Listening)
Dear children!
(to himself)
Here, nothing is worth the children!
Dear children!
As much as our life is bitter ...
as much as their days are full of faith,
their souls full of light!
ah! As they are better than me!
(Werther goes to the fountain
and stay for a moment in a calm contemplation.
Charlotte enters: the children leave Bailli's arms
and jump in front of her.)
CHILDREN
Charlotte! Charlotte!
CHARLOTTE
(to the Bailiff)
Eh! Well father, are you happy with them?
THE BAILLI
Content, happy! it is not wonderful!
CHILDREN
(surrounding Charlotte)
If, father is very happy! very happy! very happy!
THE BAILLI
(kissing her daughter and admiring her toilet)
How beautiful you are, cute!
CHILDREN
Oh! but it's true!
THE BAILLI
Come, mademoiselle, let's look at you!
Our friends will be jealous!
CHARLOTTE
(Smiling)
Our friends are not accurate
at the rendezvous, that's what I'm sure of!
And I'm going to take advantage of it to give
taste it to the children.
(Charlotte fetched on the buffet a huge round loaf
that she is preparing to cut into slices and that she will distribute to the Children.
In the distance we can hear the bells of a horse and the sound of a car.)
THE BAILLI
Hurry, because I hear the car!
(Children crowd around Charlotte
hands outstretched towards her.
Werther who climbed the stairs,
stop and contemplate for a moment this show without being seen.)
CHILDREN
(as they receive their snack
the Children leave by jumping)
HANS
Thank you!
GRETEL
Thank you!
HANS and GRETEL
Thank you, big sister!
KARL
Thank you!
CLARA
Thank you!
KARL and CLARA
Thank you !, big sister!
MAX
Thank you!
FRITZ
Thank you!
THE BAILLI
(seeing Werther
and going to meet him)
Ah! Mr. Werther!
You come to visit my little hermitage ...
better my little kingdom, and I'm really proud of it.
(introducing him to Charlotte)
My daughter, who takes care of this household
and all those spoiled children ...
since the day they left us!
CHARLOTTE
(simply)
Forgive me, sir, for making me wait,
but I am indeed a very tender mother,
and my children demand that my hand
they cut their bread every day!
(The guests enter the courtyard.
The Bailiff goes to meet them as well
that Sophie reappears all laughter.)
THE BAILLI
Come on, Brühlmann!
Charlotte is ready! We are waiting for you!
(Brühlmann walks side by side with Kätchen;
they look into their eyes
and do not even pay attention to the Bailiff who follows them laughing.)
Brühlmann
(with a sigh of ecstasy)
Klopstock!
KcTCHEN
(with delight)
Divine Klopstock!
THE BAILLI
(laughing, at Brühlmann)
Bavards! You will tell the rest at the party ...
such a long speech would put you late!
(Werther was dumb and forbidden to look at Charlotte,
and when the girl turns to the ice to put on her scarf,
he grabs the youngest of the children and kisses him.
The child is afraid of this momentum of tenderness.)
CHARLOTTE
(to the Child that Werther has grasped in his arms)
Kiss your cousin!
WERTHER
(getting up, surprised)
Cousin? Am I worthy of the name?
CHARLOTTE
(Cheerful)
Indeed, cousin! it's a badge of honor ... But ...
we have so many that it would be very unfortunate
that you were the worst of them!
(Werther walks away looking at Charlotte.)
(to Sophie, with authority, without severity,
showing him the Children)
You will replace me, Sophie, you know, I entrust them to you!
(to the children)
You will be wise as with me?
SOPHIE
Yes, but they would like it better than it was you!
WERTHER
(with ecstasy, while Charlotte
kiss the Children)
O ideal show of love and innocence.
Where my eyes and my heart are delighted at once!
What a dream ... to pass ... a whole existence ...
Calmed by his looks and rocked by his voice!
(Most guests are already almost out;
still remain Brühlmann and Kätchen,
absorbed and silent, near the fountain.
Charlotte is ready now, she goes down to the courtyard.
Werther goes to meet him. Sophie
and the Children form a group on the terrace
and send kisses to their older sister.)
THE BAILLI
(greeting Werther)
Mr. Werther!
CHARLOTTE
Farewell ... father!
THE BAILLI
(in Charlotte)
Goodbye, darling ...
(Charlotte and Werther go away
followed by a group of guests.
Brühlmann and Kätchen leave the last
without saying a word.)
THE BAILLI
(with good nature, looking at them smiling)
To those we wish nothing! Klopstock!
Divine Klopstock! magnetic ecstasy!
it seems to me unanswerable!
(Sophie brought the children in the house.)
THE BAILLI
(while humming, go get her long blowjob
in porcelain he picked up from the rack.)
Vivat Bacchus! semper vivat!
(humming)
Vivat Bacchus! semper vivat Bacchus!
(He always settles humming and looks a little embarrassed,
in his large armchair and prepares to smoke.)
Vivat Bacchus! semper vivat!
SOPHIE
(reappeared and smiled when he saw the bailiff;
she was gently taking
in the corner of the room the cane
and the Bailli's hat that she brings him
nicely; with malice)
And who has promised to go to the Golden Grape?
THE BAILLI
(in an embarrassed tone)
Who? Me? to leave you alone?
SOPHIE
Well?
THE BAILLI
(humming between his teeth)
La la la la la la la la la! No!
SOPHIE
(seriously)
I require it! Schmidt and Johann have to wait for you again.
THE BAILLI
(being convinced and taking the hat
and the cane of Sophie's hands)
Just a moment ... so ...
(He walks away, turning to Sophie)
in fact promise obliges!
(Sophie accompanies the Bailiff
and close the street door on him.
The night falls gradually.
Albert appears; he comes from the garden,
a coat on the arm;
he has entered quietly and questions the house with a look;
he approaches and sees Sophie coming down.)
ALBERT
Sophie!
SOPHIE
(recognizing Albert)
Albert! Are you back?
ALBERT
Yes, me, little sister, hello!
(He kisses her.)
SOPHIE
That Charlotte will be happy to see you again!
ALBERT
She is here?
SOPHIE
Not tonight! She who never leaves.
(more accentuated)
Also, why did not you warn?
ALBERT
(simply)
I wanted to surprise you ...
Tell me about her, at least!
I can not wait to learn if I remembered it from me?
because it is very long, six months of absence ...
SOPHIE
(with simplicity)
With us, absent
(tenderly)
everyone thinks, and besides, are not you his fiance?
ALBERT
(happy)
A dear child! And what happened?
SOPHIE
Nothing ... we took care of your wedding ...
ALBERT
From our wedding!
SOPHIE
We will dance ... say?
ALBERT
Many ... and more!
(with heat)
Yes, I want everyone to have happiness ...
I have so much in the heart!
(driving Sophie back to the front steps)
Go back, I'm afraid we'll call you
and let me know my return; do not say anything,
I will be near her at daybreak.
SOPHIE
(Returning)
See you tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow ...
(Gently)
Sir, my brother-in-law.
(She closes the glass door.)
ALBERT
(only)
She loves Me! She thinks of me!
What a prayer of gratitude
and love rises from my heart to my mouth!
Oh! as at the time of the return a nothing moves us and touches us ...
and as everything has a penetrating charm!
Ah! I would like to return Charlotte
to rediscover the thoughts I leave:
All my hope and all my tenderness!
(He walks away slowly, night has come;
the moon lights up the house little by little.
Charlotte and Werther appear at the garden gate;
they come slowly, holding each other by the arm,
and stop only at the bottom of the porch where both
stay silent for a moment.)
CHARLOTTE
(simply)
We must separate. Here is our house,
it's time for sleep.
WERTHER
(more accentuated)
Ah! provided that I see these eyes always open,
those eyes my horizon, those sweet eyes:
my hope and my only joy ...
What does sleep matter to me?
The stars and the sun may well in the sky tower
to reappear, I do not know if it is day ...
I do not know if it's night!
(soft and calm)
My being remains indifferent to what is not you!
CHARLOTTE
(smiling)
But, you do not know anything about me.
WERTHER
(Penetrated)
My soul has recognized your soul, Charlotte,
and I saw you enough to know
what a woman you are!
CHARLOTTE
(smiling)
You know me?
WERTHER
(serious and tender)
You are the best and the most beautiful creature!
CHARLOTTE
(Confused)
No!
WERTHER
Should I call on those
what do you name your children?
CHARLOTTE
(pensive and getting closer to Werther)
Alas! yes, my children ...
(simply and tenderly)
You said true!
That's the image of my mother
is present to everyone here.
And for me, I think I see
(more accentuated)
smile his face when
I take care of his children ... of my children!
(tenderly)
Ah! I wish that in this house she returned!
and live at least a few moments if I want
oaths made at the last hour!
(very tender)
Dear, dear mother, what can you not see us?
WERTHER
O Charlotte! angel of duty,
The blessing of heaven on you lies!
CHARLOTTE
If you had known her!
Ah! the cruel thing to see and leave
what we have most dear!
What tender memories ... and what bitter regret!
Why is everything perishable?
The children felt this very strongly;
they often ask in an inconsolable tone:
Why black men took away mom?
WERTHER
Dream! Ecstasy! Happiness!
I would give my life to keep those eyes forever,
this charming forehead, this adorable mouth, astonished and delighted ...
Without being looked down on for a moment!
The heavenly smile! Oh! Charlotte! I like You...
I love you ... and I admire you!
CHARLOTTE
(coming back to her, quickly climbs the steps of the steps)
We are crazy! returned ...
WERTHER
(in an altered voice, and holding her back)
But ... will we meet again?
THE BAILLI
(in the house, coming home, aloud, spoken)
Charlotte! Charlotte! Albert is back!
CHARLOTTE
(Failed)
Albert?
WERTHER
(interviewing Charlotte)
Albert?
CHARLOTTE
(low and sadly at Werther)
Yes, the one my mother made me swear
to accept for husband ...
(still in a low voice, and as accusing)
Gods is my witness for a moment near you ...
I had forgotten the oath that reminds me!
(Werther hides his face with his hands, as if sobbing.)
WERTHER
(with effort)
To this oath ... stay faithful! Me...
I will die! Charlotte!
(Charlotte turns one last time.)
WERTHER
(alone, desperate, when Charlotte is gone)
Another! his husband!
CURTAIN
Act II
The Tilleuls
CURTAIN
In September, same year
A Wetzler
(The square, in the background, the Protestant temple.
On the left: the presbytery.
Right: the Wirthschaft surrounded by hops.
In front of the temple: cut limes that let the door show.
A bench under the lime trees, near the entrance to the presbytery.
Schmidt and Johann are seated in front of the Wirthschaft.
In the background, on the right: the road and the countryside.
Good weather; Sunday afternoon.)
JOHANN
(the glass in hand)
Vivat Bacchus! Semper vivat!
It is Sunday!
SCHMIDT
(similarly)
Vivat Bacchus! Semper vivat! it is Sunday!
JOHANN and SCHMIDT
Vivat! Vivat Bacchus!
Semper vivat! Vivat Bacchus!
Semper vivat!
Vivat Bacchus! semper vivat!
(A servant comes out of the Wirthschaft
and serves again to drink to friends.)
JOHANN
Ah! the wonderful day!
From this happy sun I have the soul illuminated!
SCHMIDT
How sweet it is to live when the air is so light, the sky so blue ... the wine so clear!
JOHANN
It is Sunday!
SCHMIDT
It is Sunday!
(Organ in the temple.)
SCHMIDT
(in a jovial tone)
Come on! sing the pantry and the organ sounds!
(with gaiety and frankness)
To bless the Lord there are many ways,
I glorify him by exalting his gifts!
Glory to him who gives us such good wine
and makes existence so good!
Let's bless the Lord!
JOHANN
(similarly)
To bless the Lord there are many ways,
I glorify him by exalting his gifts!
Let's bless the Lord! Let's bless the Lord!
(Looking)
Of the world! still the world! We come from all sides!
The Pastor will see well celebrated his fifty years of marriage!
SCHMIDT
It's good for a Pastor fifty years of housework,
God support him!
But I could never have borne that much!
(Charlotte and Albert appear.)
JOHANN
(gets up looking at them and leans towards Schmidt)
And yet, I know who would not be frightened
hardly any such happiness!
(designating them)
Look! those ... for example!
SCHMIDT
(elevating)
Well! their health will empty a glass!
(They both go back to the Wirthschaft.
Charlotte and Albert arrived under the lime trees,
they sit on the bench.)
ALBERT
(fondly)
Three months! Here are three months that we are united!
They passed quickly ... and yet it seems to me
that we have lived together forever!
CHARLOTTE
(slowly)
Albert!
ALBERT
If you knew how I bless you!
(even more tender)
But me, this girl so calm
and smiling at the family home,
do I have a happy wife with no regrets?
CHARLOTTE
(standing up and simply)
When a woman is near her at any time
and the most upright mind and the best soul,
what could she regret?
ALBERT
(Moved)
Oh! the sweet word ...
and as to listen to it, I feel very happy ...
and I'm happy!
(Charlotte, accompanied by Albert, goes to the temple;
then Albert exchanged a few words with those who go to the office.
Werther appeared at the top of the road.
He goes down and contemplates from afar
with visible torment the intimacy of the two spouses.)
WERTHER
(to himself, with pain)
Another is her husband! Another is her husband!
God of kindness, if you had allowed me to walk
in life with this angel at my side,
my entire existence would not have
never was an ardent prayer!
And now ... sometimes ... I'm afraid to blaspheme!
It's me! me!
(painfully)
she could love!
I would have on my chest pressed the most divine,
the most beautiful creature that God himself knew how to form!
It's me, it's me ... she could love!
When the sky was lit up,
suddenly I saw him close!
I saw it close! It's me!
it's me ... she could love! ah!
I would have on my chest pressed the most divine,
the most beautiful creature that God himself knew how to form!
It's me! it's me ... she could love! was me ...
she could love!
All my body in Friesian, and all my being
(with a heartbreaking accent)
crying!
(Werther in the greatest agitation wants to go away,
but he falls overwhelmed on the bench, his head in his hands.
Schmidt and Johann reappear on the threshold of the Wirthschaft.
Schmidt gives Brühlmann an arm and is mute.)
SCHMIDT
(when entering, at Brühlmann)
Yes! Kätchen will come back, I tell you!
JOHANN
(to Brühlmann, while walking)
At what time and what day will this return take place?
who cares! since she will come back!
SCHMIDT
(gesture of denial of Brühlmann)
Because she will come back!
JOHANN
Seven years of engagement, it can not be forgotten in this way!
SCHMIDT
(training Brühlmann)
Hurry up! because I hear the signal,
if we miss the office, at least let's open the ball!
(They come stumbling out.
Leaving the temple, Albert came down,
he puts his hand on Werther's shoulder
and make a movement as if to get away from Albert.)
ALBERT
(to Werther)
To the happiness of which my soul is full,
Friend, sometimes he comes to mingle a remorse ...
WERTHER
(surprised)
A remorse?
ALBERT
(with frankness)
I know you a loyal and strong heart;
But the one who became my wife appeared to you
to the day she was free again,
and perhaps near her did you have a dream gone without a return?
Seeing her so beautiful and so sweet I know too much the price of good
which is given to me not to understand that his loss is cruel!
(taking her hand affectionately)
To understand this torment is to have forgiven it.
WERTHER
You said it:
My soul is loyal and sincere,
(barely containing his emotion)
... if I had bitter memories,
withdrawing that hand that squeezes it,
I would flee away from you and never come back!
But, as after the storm a wave is appeased,
my heart no longer suffers from his forgotten dream,
and whoever knows how to read in my mind ...
must never find that the only friendship
and it will be my share of happiness on the earth.
(Sophie runs, flowers in her hands.)
SOPHIE
(to Albert, cheerfully)
Brother! see! See the beautiful bouquet!
I have put the garden for looting for the pastor!
And then, we will dance!
For the first minuet it's on you I count ...
(observing Werther and growling slightly)
Ah! the dark face!
(naively and gently)
But today, Mr. Werther,
everyone is happy! happiness is in the air!
Cheerful sun full of flame in the resplendent azure
pure clarity descends from our foreheads to our souls!
Everyone is happy! happiness is in the air!
And the bird rising to the heavens in the breeze that sighs ...
came back to tell us that God makes us happy!
Everyone is happy!
Happiness is in the air!
Everyone is happy!
WERTHER
(aside, darker)
Happy! Can I still be?
ALBERT
(to Sophie)
Go carry your bouquet, dear little sister, I join you.
(Sophie walks away from a few steps.)
(to Werther)
Werther! we talked about happiness ...
We look for it far away ... we call it ... We implore it!
(with intention)
And here, perhaps, he goes on our way ...
A smile on the lip and flowers in the hands!
(Werther keeps silent.)
SOPHIE
(on the threshold of the presbytery in Albert)
Ah! brother, come quickly!
(to Werther)
You hear, Mr Werther,
I invite you for the first minuet!
(approaching and moving away little by little)
Cheerful sun full of flame in the resplendent azure
pure clarity descends from our foreheads to our souls!
Everyone is happy!
Happiness is in the air!
Everyone is happy!
(disappearing)
(Albert joined Sophie
and he went in with her to the presbytery.)
WERTHER
(only)
Did I say true?
Is not the love I have for her purest and most sacred?
In my soul ... has a guilty desire ever entered?
(with explosion)
Yes, I was lying! I was lying! O God! to suffer incessantly ...
or always lie!
It's too much shame and weakness! I have to, I want to leave!
(Charlotte appears on the threshold of the temple and goes to the presbytery.)
WERTHER
(sees him and very moved, changing his tone, apart)
Go? No! I only want to get closer to her!
CHARLOTTE
(without noticing Werther)
As we find praying a new strength!
WERTHER
(from afar)
Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
(turning away)
You also come to the Pastor?
WERTHER
(coming closer and sadly)
What's the point? to always see you next to another!
(still approaching Charlotte remained motionless)
Ah! how far he is this day full of intimate gentleness ...
Where my eyes met yours for the first time!
Where we both stayed so long, close ...
without telling us anything ...
However that fell from heaven
a supreme ray that seemed a smile ...
on our silent emotion!
CHARLOTTE
(coldly)
Albert loves me, and I am his wife!
WERTHER
(with anger)
Albert loves you! Who would you like?
CHARLOTTE
(slower)
Werther!
Is there no other woman here below worthy of your love?
and free of herself? I do not belong to me anymore ...
why do you love me?
WERTHER
Eh! ask fools where does their reason go astray?
CHARLOTTE
(Firmly)
Well! since destiny never separates us ...
go away! Go! Go!
WERTHER
Ah! what word did I hear?
CHARLOTTE
(seriously)
What you need from me that we hear!
WERTHER
(violently)
And who is ordering?
CHARLOTTE
The duty!
(slower)
Absence sometimes makes the pain less bitter ...
WERTHER
(painfully)
Ah! to give me forgetfulness is not in his power!
CHARLOTTE
(even more gently)
Why forget? Think of Charlotte on the contrary, think ...
at his rest; be strong ... be good.
WERTHER
(slowly soothed)
Yes! my only wish is that you be happy!
(with tears, but calm)
But do not see you again ... it's impossible! no!
CHARLOTTE
(with great gentleness)
Friend, I'm not that rigorous ...
and can not want an eternal exile ...
(dominating)
you will come back ... soon ... hold ... at Christmas!
WERTHER
(Supplicant)
Charlotte!
CHARLOTTE
(turns around and disappears)
At Christmas!
(Werther wants to call her back, but he's coming back ... discouraged and downcast.
Thinking and looking at the path through which Charlotte disappeared.)
WERTHER
(after a moment of despondency, with resolution)
Yes! what she orders me ...
for his rest ... I'll do it!
And if the force abandons me ...
Ah! it is me forever who will rest me!
(Thinking)
Why tremble before death?
in front of ours?
(Feverish)
We raise the curtain ...
(mysterious)
then we go on the other side,
That's what we call dying!
(thinking again)
Do we offend heaven by ceasing to suffer?
(simply)
When the child returns from a trip, before the time,
far from keeping him any resentment,
at the sound of his footsteps the house
and the merry father kisses him for a long time!
O God! who created me, would you be less lenient?
No, you would not know, stolen under sails,
to reject your unfortunate son in the night!
(painfully)
your son!
(tenderly)
Guessing your smile through the stars
he would come back to you in advance forgiven!
Father! Father! Father, whom I do not know,
in whom, however, I have faith, speak to my heart, call me!
Call me!
(without a voice, almost spoken)
Call me!
(Werther goes away when Sophie appears
on the threshold of the presbytery.)
SOPHIE
(Gaily)
But come on! the procession approaches,
and be said without reproach, you alone are expected!
WERTHER
(suddenly)
Forgive me, I'm leaving!
SOPHIE
(Choked)
You go!
WERTHER
(embarrassed)
Just now...
SOPHIE
(repeating, very moved)
At the moment ... But no doubt ...
you will come back? tomorrow? soon?
WERTHER
(violently and with great emotion)
No! never! farewell!
(He runs away.)
SOPHIE
(very moved, the caller)
Mr. Werther!
(She runs after him to the road.
Worried and troubled)
At the turn of the road ... it disappears ... more
(bursting into tears)
nothing!
(she goes down again.)
My God! just now I was so happy!
(The procession of the fifties appears -
we come from different sides.)
CHARLOTTE
(seeing Sophie and running to her)
Ah! what is it? She's crying! Sophie!
SOPHIE
(falling in Charlotte's arms)
Ah! Sister! Mr. Werther is gone!
ALBERT
(Trembling)
Him!
SOPHIE
(very accentuated)
And forever! He just told me ... and then,
(sobbing, without holding back)
he fled like crazy!
CHARLOTTE
(to herself and hit)
Forever!
ALBERT
(dark and considering Charlotte)
He loves it!
(The procession of the fifties crosses the square.
Cheers, cheers.)
CURTAIN.
Act III
Charlotte and Werther
(December 24, 178 ...)
December 24, 5 pm
(In Albert's house, the living room.
At the bottom right, in a very accentuated recess,
a double door.
On the left, in the same corner, a large green faience stove.
At the bottom, the harpsichord whose keyboard faces - near: a window.
On the right, door of Albert's room.
On the left, door of Charlotte's room.
In the foreground, on the left: a little secretary;
more in front: a work table and an armchair.
Almost to the right, always in the foreground, a sofa.
A lit lamp (with lampshade) on the table)
CHARLOTTE
(alone, sitting near the work table, thinking)
Werther ... Werther ...
Who would have told me the place that in my heart
he occupies today?
Since he left, in spite of me, everything tires me!
(She drops her book.)
And my soul is full of him!
(Slowly, she gets up as attracted
to the secretary she opens.)
These letters! these letters!
Ah! I read them again and again ...
With what charm ... but also what sadness!
I should destroy them ... I can not!
(She came back to the table,
eyes fixed on the letter she reads.)
(Reading)
"I write to you from my little room:
to the gray and heavy skies of December
weigh on me like a shroud,
And I am alone! only! always alone!"
Ah! no one near him!
not a single testimony of tenderness or even pity!
God! how did this sad courage come to me,
to order this exile and this isolation?
(After a while she took another letter and opens it.)
(Reading)
"Happy screams of children come up under my window,
Cries of children! And I think of this sweet weather.
Where all your dear little ones were playing around us!
Will they forget me? "
(ceasing to read, with expression)
No, Werther, in their memory your image remains alive ...
and when you come back ... but must he come back?
(with dread)
Ah! this last note chills me and frightens me!
(Reading)
"You told me: at Christmas, and I shouted: never!
We will soon know who told us true!
But if I do not have to reappear on the appointed day, in
front of you, do not accuse me, cry me! "
(Repeating with fright, fearing to understand)
" Do not accuse me, cry me! "
(Resuming his reading)
"Yes, with those eyes so full of charms, these lines ...
you will re-read them, you will wet them with your tears ...
O Charlotte, and you will shudder!"
(Repeating without reading)
... you will shudder! !
SOPHIE
(quickly entering and stopping at the door;
she holds in her arms toys for the evening feast.)
Hello, big sister!
(Charlotte hastily hidden surprise
on her the letters she held in her hand.)
... I come to the news!
(Sophie advances cheerfully
and places the objects on a piece of furniture.)
SOPHIE
Albert is absent ... we do not see you anymore!
and the father is very dissatisfied ...
CHARLOTTE
(still worried)
Child!
SOPHIE
(who took Charlotte by the waist)
But, are you suffering?
CHARLOTTE
(coming away from Sophie's arms)
Why this thought?
SOPHIE
(who held his hand)
If your hand is frozen,
(looking into her eyes)
and your eyes are red, I can see it!
CHARLOTTE
(Turning away, embarrassed)
No, it's nothing ...
(recovering)
I feel sometimes ... a little sad ... isolated!
But if from a vague boredom my soul was troubled,
(in a cheerful but forced tone)
I do not remember anymore ...
and now, you see: I smile ...
SOPHIE
(cuddly)
What he must, it is laughing, laugh again, as formerly!
CHARLOTTE
(aside and with intention)
Formerly!
SOPHIE
(cheerfully)
Ah!laughter is blessed, joyous, light, sonorous!
(light)
It has wings, it's a bird ...
It's a dawn bird! It's a bird!
It is the clarity of the heart that escapes in rays!
Ah!laughter is blessed, joyous, light, sonorous!
It has wings, it's a bird ... it's a bird! ah! ah!
(Sophie drives Charlotte to the chair
and drops to her knees.)
Listen! I am old to know the reasons for many things ...
Yes!all the fronts here have become morose ...
(hesitant)
since Werther fled!
(Charlotte shudders.)
But why leave without news.
(looking down)
those who remained faithful to him?
CHARLOTTE
(disengaging herself from Sophie's arms, getting up)
Everything ... until this child, everything speaks to me about him!
SOPHIE
(coming back to Charlotte)
Tears? Ah! forgive, I beg you!
Yes!I'm wrong to talk about all this!
CHARLOTTE
(no longer binding)
Go!let my tears flow
(affectionately)
they do good, darling!
The tears we do not cry,
in our souls all fall,
and with their patient drops
Hammer the sad and weary heart!
His resistance is finally exhausted; the heart digs ...
and weakens: it is too big, nothing fills it;
and too fragile, all the breeze! All the breeze!
SOPHIE
(scared)
Here! Charlotte, believe me, do not stay here, come to us ...
we will make you forget your concern.
(changing tone with playfulness)
The father has made your children learn
beautiful compliments for Christmas!
(Sophie is going to pick up the toys she has dropped when she comes in.)
CHARLOTTE
(aside, in the biggest trouble)
Christmas! Ah!this letter!
(repeating in a dark tone)
If you do not see me reappear on the appointed day ... in
front of you ... do not accuse me,
cry me! cry me!
SOPHIE
(coming back to Charlotte)
So! it's agreed, will you come?
CHARLOTTE
(without conviction)
Yes, maybe ...
SOPHIE
(with loving impatience)
No! no!certainly!
CHARLOTTE
(trying to smile)
Certainly!
SOPHIE
(insistent)
True?
CHARLOTTE
(reassuringly)
Yes, I'll go! I promise you, cute!
SOPHIE
(cuddly) Will
you come?
CHARLOTTE
Yes, I
'll go ... SOPHIE
(withdraws softly, looking at her sister tenderly,
but Charlotte suddenly recalls her with a gesture
and kisses her effusively)
You'll come?
CHARLOTTE
(with momentum)
Ah!come back! let me kiss you again!
(Sophie walks away,
Charlotte alone returns slowly to the table.)
CHARLOTTE
(with despair, spontaneously and as if in spite of herself)
Ah! my courage abandons me! Lord! Lord!
(with enthusiasm and supplication)
Lord God! Lord!I have followed your law,
I have done and want to always do my duty,
in you alone I hope because very rough is the test
and very weak is my heart!
Lord God! Lord God! Lord!
You read in my soul, alas! all the hurts!
Alas!all the wounds and all the horror!
Take pity on me, support my weakness! Good God!
Come to my rescue! Extend my prayer! Hear my prayer!
O good God! God strong! O good God! In you alone I hope!
Lord God! Lord God!
(The back door opens, Werther appears.)
(Highly)
Sky!Werther!
(Werther is standing near the door, pale,
almost faint, leaning against the wall.)
WERTHER
(in a broken voice without looking at Charlotte,
painfully)
Yes!It's me! I come again! and yet ...
far from you ... I did not miss
a moment ... a moment ... without saying:
that I die rather than seeing her again!
Then ... when came the day you had set ...
for the return ... I left!
On the threshold of the door ... I still resisted ... I wanted to run away!
(without accent)
What does that matter?
(overwhelmed)
Here I am!
CHARLOTTE
(very moved, trying to contain herself and appear indifferent)
Why this bitter word? Why not come back?
As everyone here was waiting for you ... my father ... children!
WERTHER
(approaching with an expressive curiosity)
And you? You too?
CHARLOTTE
(cutting short the words she feels
on Werther's lips and without answering him)
Look!the house remained as you had left it!
To see her again
(tenderly)
does not it seem to you that she remembered?
WERTHER
( glancing around him)
Yes, I see ... here nothing has changed ...
(sadly)
that hearts! All things are still in the known place!
CHARLOTTE
(tenderly and simply)
Everything is still in the known place!
WERTHER
(goes through the room)
Here is the harpsichord that sang my happiness
Or who shuddered with my pain.
While your voice accompanied mine!
WERTHER
(coming by the table)
Those books! on whom so many times we
have inclined our close heads!
(Going to the secretary on which
is placed the box with the pistols)
And these weapons ... One day my hand touched them ...
(in a muffled voice)
already it was impatient of the long rest to which I aspire!
CHARLOTTE
(without seeing this movement,
is raised to the harpsichord where she took a manuscript,
then it goes down to Werther)
And here such as to Ossian you started translating ...
WERTHER
(taking the manuscript)
Translate ! Ah!very often my dream flew on the wing
of these verses, and it is you, dear poet,
who was rather my interpreter!
(with an inspired sadness)
All my soul is here!
Why wake me up, oh spring blast,
why wake me up?
On my forehead I feel your caresses,
And yet very close is the weather
Storms and sorrows!
(with despair)
Why wake me up, O spring blast?
Tomorrow in the valley will come the traveler
Remembering my first glory ...
And his eyes vainly seek my splendor,
They will find only mourning and misery!
Alas!
(with despair)
Why wake me o spring blast!
CHARLOTTE
(in the biggest trouble)
Do not finish! Alas!this despair ...
this mourning ... it seems ... it seems to me ...
WERTHER
Sky!Did I understand?
(more accentuated)
Did I understand?
(throbbing)
In this trembling voice, in those soft,
tear- filled eyes, is it not an admission I read?
CHARLOTTE
(quivering)
Ah!shut up!
WERTHER
(exalted more and more)
What good is it to try to deceive us again ...
CHARLOTTE
(supplicant)
I implore you!
WERTHER
(with ardor)
Go!we both said they were the conquerors
of the immortal love that shudders in our hearts!
CHARLOTTE
Werther!
WERTHER
(ecstatic and thrilling)
Ah!this first kiss, my dream and my desire!
Happiness so much hoped that today I see!
It burns on my lips still unsatisfied kiss ...
this kiss asked for the first time!
CHARLOTTE
(failing, falls distracted on the sofa)
Ah!My reason is lost ...
WERTHER
(throwing himself at his feet)
You love me! you love Me! you love Me!
CHARLOTTE
(pushing him away)
... no! can everything that separates us be forgotten?
WERTHER
(insistent)
You love me!
CHARLOTTE
(still defending)
Pity!
WERTHER
No more remorse!
CHARLOTTE
No!
WERTHER
No more torments!
CHARLOTTE
Ah!pity!
WERTHER
Out of us nothing exists and all the rest is vain!
CHARLOTTE
Ah! Lord!defend me!
WERTHER
(with transport)
But love alone is true,
because it is the divine word!
CHARLOTTE
(distraught)
Defend me, Lord, defend me against myself!
Defend me, Lord, against him ... defend me!
WERTHER
Come! I love you!he is no longer remorse ...
For love alone is true, it is the word, the divine word!
I love you! I love you! I love you!
CHARLOTTE
(in the arms of Werther)
Ah!
(sitting up, panicked)
Ah!
(with misplacement)
Me! me!
(running away)
in his arms!
WERTHER
(suddenly returned to him imploring Charlotte)
Sorry!
CHARLOTTE
(resolutely, finally owning herself)
No!You will not see me anymore!
WERTHER
Charlotte!
CHARLOTTE
(with a heartbreaking reproach)
It's you! let me flee the desperate soul!
Farewell! farewell!for the last time!
(Charlotte runs away and closes the door of the room on her.)
Werther rushes in his steps.)
WERTHER
( dismayed )
But no ... it's impossible!
Listen to me! My voice reminds you!
(throbbing)
Come back!
You will be sacred to me! Come back! Come back!
(almost spoken)
Nothing!not a word ... she is silent ...
(resolutely)
Either! Goodbye, then! Charlotte dictated my stop!
(going back to the back door, with fullness)
Take the mourning, O nature! Nature!
Your son, your beloved, your lover will die!
Carrying eternal torture with him, my grave can open!
(He runs away.)
ALBERT
(entering worried and dark, harshly)
Werther, is back ...
(while placing his coat on a piece of furniture)
we saw him coming back!
(changing tone, with astonishment)
Nobody here? the door open on the street ...
What's going on?
He stares for a moment at the side of the window,
as if he sees someone walking away
, then, with his brow furrowed,
he goes to the side of Charlotte's room.)
(Speaking, calling)
Charlotte!
(higher insistently)
Charlotte!
CHARLOTTE
(appearing and terrified at the sight of her husband)
Ah!
ALBERT
(in a brief tone)
What do you have?
CHARLOTTE
(more and more troubled)
But ... nothing ...
ALBERT
(insistent)
You seem emotionally disturbed ...
CHARLOTTE
(vainly trying to recover)
Yes ... the surprise ...
ALBERT
(suspicious almost violent)
And who was there?
CHARLOTTE
(stammering)
The ?
ALBERT
(dark)
Answer!
(A servant has come in bringing a letter, and
Albert notices his presence
and finds himself abruptly.)
A message?
(Albert recognizes the writing
and stares at Charlotte.)
De Werther!
CHARLOTTE
(unable to hold back a cry of surprise)
God!
ALBERT
(seriously and without losing
sight of Charlotte, reading)
"I'm leaving for a distant trip ...
do you want to lend me your guns?"
CHARLOTTE
(aside, feeling faint)
He's leaving!
ALBERT
(continuing)
"God keep you both!"
CHARLOTTE
(terrified)
Ah! the horrible omen!
ALBERT
(to Charlotte, coldly)
Give them to him!
CHARLOTTE
(backward frightened)
Who? me?
ALBERT
(Indifferent and staring at her)
No doubt ...
(Charlotte, fascinated by her husband's gaze,
goes mechanically towards the secretary on whom
the pistol box is placed.)
CHARLOTTE
(aside)
What a look!
(Albert goes to his room on the right,
and before entering he looks again at Charlotte, who goes back,
hardly supporting herself,
towards the servant to whom she puts the box back in.
The servant leaves,
Albert crumples the letter he was holding. in hand,
throws it away with a gesture of anger
and enters the room
quickly.And once alone, Charlotte is aware of the situation,
she seems to recover and runs to take a mantis
which is deposited on one of the armchairs.)
CHARLOTTE
(with force)
God!you will not want me to arrive too late!
(She runs away, desperate.)
(Follow immediately)
Act IV
1st Painting
Christmas Night
2nd Painting
Werther's Death Werther's
Study
(A three-branched candlestick with a reflector
barely illuminates the table covered with books and papers
. and on which it is placed
Basically, a little to the left,
in cutaway a wide open window
through which we see the village square
and houses covered with snow,
the One of the houses, that of the Bailli, is lit.
At the bottom on the right, a door.
The moonlight penetrates the room.
Werther, mortally wounded, is lying near the table.
The door suddenly opens Charlotte between.
Stopping immediately and, leaning against the doorframe,
as if his heart was suddenly missing.)
CHARLOTTE
(calling with anguish)
Werther! Werther!
(She advances, anxious.)
Nothing!
(Passing behind the table and searching,
she discovers Werther's lifeless body
and throws himself at him,
screaming and recoiling suddenly terrified.)
God! Ah!some blood!
(She comes back to him, on her knees,
taking him in her arms)
No!
(in a muffled voice)
no!it's impossible! he can not be dead!
Werther! Werther! Ah!come back to you ...
answer! answer!
Ah!it's horrible!
WERTHER
(finally opening his eyes)
Who's talking?
(grateful)
Charlotte!
(measured)
Ah! it's you!
(without voice)
forgive me!
CHARLOTTE
Forgive you!
(very expressive)
When it's me who strikes you,
When the blood that escapes from your wound ...
it's me who poured it!
WERTHER
(who got up a little)
No!you have done nothing but good and good,
(with an effort that exhausts it immediately)
my soul blesses you for this death ...
which keeps you innocent ... and spares me a remorse!
(He falters.)
CHARLOTTE
(panicked and turning to the door)
But we need help! help! Ah!
(Werther restrains her.)
WERTHER
(raising herself on one knee)
No!do not call anyone! all help would be vain!
(leaning on Charlotte and getting up)
just give your hand.
(smiling)
See! I do not need any other help than the
(It falls seated.)
yours!
(Then, her forehead on Charlotte's hand,
and in a very soft voice, almost cuddly)
And then ... we must not come
here again to separate us! We are so well!
(holding her hand)
At this supreme hour I am happy,
I die saying to you that I adore you!
CHARLOTTE
(tenderly passionate)
And me, Werther, and me
(with impetus)
I love you!
(very moved)
Yes ... the same day you appeared before my eyes ...
I felt that a chain impossible to breezes,
bind us both!
In the forgetfulness of duty I preferred your pain,
and not to lose myself, alas!
(in a sob)
I lost you!
WERTHER
Speak again! speak I conjure you!
CHARLOTTE
(continuing in spite of the deepest emotion)
But if death approaches ...
Before she takes you,
(with transport)
ah!your kiss,
(tender)
your kiss ... at least I'll have made it to you!
May your soul in my madness be founded!
In this kiss she forgets forever all the evils ...
The sorrows! that she forgets the pains!
WERTHER
All forgive everything!
CHARLOTTE
Everything ... let's forget everything!
WERTHER and CHARLOTTE
... forget everything!
(almost sighed)
everything! all!
THE VOICE OF CHILDREN
(in the distance, in Bailli's house;)
(behind the scenes: Women's Sopranos will be added
to the six Children - for this last scene only.)
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
CHARLOTTE
(painfully, listening)
God!those happy cries! this laugh at this cruel moment!
(Charlotte has gone up to the window,
but she goes down again immediately to Werther.)
THE VOICE OF CHILDREN
Jesus has just been born,
Here is our divine master,
Kings and shepherds of Israel!
WERTHER
(lifting a little, with a kind of hallucination)
Ah!the children ... the angels!
CHILDREN'S VOICE
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
WERTHER
Yes Christmas! it is the song of deliverance ...
THE VOICE OF CHILDREN
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
WERTHER
This is the hymn of forgiveness repeated by innocence!
HALF VOICES
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
ALL VOICES
Christmas! Christmas!
CHARLOTTE
(approaching, frightened by this delirium that begins)
Werther!
WERTHER
(more and more hallucinated)
Why these tears? Do you think
that at this moment my life is finished?
(ecstatically, getting up quite right)
She's starting, do you see!
THE CHILDREN'S VOICE
(in the distance, in the Bailli's house)
Christmas!
THE VOICE OF SOPHIE
(in the distance, in the Bailli's house)
Christmas! God lets be happy!
Happiness is in the air!
CHILDREN'S VOICE
Christmas!
THE VOICE OF SOPHIE
Everyone is happy!
CHILDREN'S VOICE
Christmas!
THE VOICE OF SOPHIE
Happiness is in the air!
CHILDREN'S VOICE
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
THE VOICE OF SOPHIE
God makes you happy!
(Werther who listened standing, shuddering,
eyes wide open suddenly on the chair,
and lets himself fall with a groan.)
CHARLOTTE
(looking at him, anxiously)
Ah!his eyes closing!
(very declaimed)
gets his hands on ice!
(with horror)
he will die! die! ah!pity! thanks!
(with sobs)
I do not want to! I do not want! ah!
Werther! Werther! answer me
(heartbreaking)
answer!
You can still hear me! death
(sweet and tender, pressing Werther against her)
in my arms, will not dare to take you!
(with the greatest emotion)
You will live! you will live!
(murmured)
See, I do not fear anything anymore!
WERTHER
(in the chair)
No ...
(in a dead voice)
Charlotte! I'm dying ...
(Charlotte wants to protest ...
Werther with a resigned gesture ...)
yes ... but
(calm and serious)
listen well: There in the bottom of the cemetery,
there are two large linden trees!
it is there that for ever I would like to rest!
CHARLOTTE
(suffocating)
Shut up!pity!
WERTHER
If it were denied me ...
if the Christian land is forbidden to the body of an unfortunate,
near the road or in the solitary valley will place my grave!
Turning his eyes away, the priest will pass ...
CHARLOTTE
Pity! Werther!
WERTHER
(continuing)
But, stealthily , some woman will come to visit the outcast ...
and with a sweet tear, in her shadow fallen the dead,
the poor dead ... will feel blessed ...
(His voice stop, he tries some efforts to breathe ...
then his first extended arms fall,
and his head bowed ... he dies.)
CHARLOTTE
(with horror)
Ah!
(Unable to believe what she sees,
she takes Werther's head in her hands.)
THE CHILDREN'S VOICE
(in the distance)
Jesus has just been born,
Here is our divine master;
Kings and shepherds of Israel!
CHARLOTTE
(calling him desperately)
Werther!
(weakening)
ah!
(finally understanding everything, she faints,
falls inanimate on the floor in front of the chair)
Everything is over!
CHILDREN'S VOICE
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
Christmas! Christmas! Christmas! Christmas!
Christmas! Christmas!
(Noisy laughter, shocks of glasses, cheerful shouts.)
RIDEAU
END