The King's Shadow

 

 

play by Bernt von Heiseler

prologue and general adaptation by Helmut Von Kügelgen

translation: Maria Barbara Trommer

revision, versification and new adaptation: Ruth Salles

CHARACTERS

AGRESTUS, a peasant
ANIELA, his wife

FLORINDA,
MARINA and
CARPIUS, your children

ALBIDA, the grandmother

LANISTUS and
PATRANHO, young peasants

SEVERE KING

AGREEMENT, noble treasurer

mumbles and
ZANGUETA, courtesans

MORE COURTESANS at will

TUNANTE, general

REVERENCE and
SONSUS, courtiers

MARTIN and
FELIPE, halberdiers

Court jester, old man

GISMONDE

ANABELA, your handmaid

MOOR SERVANT

Gismonde's GUARDS

the king's buglers

stage helpers,

dancers

CHORUS that sings

 

 

LOCAL – anywhere
SEASON - always

PROLOGUE

 

The scene takes place in front of a peasant house. The atmosphere is calm after a day of work. Grandmother Albida knits in a rocking chair, and is the only one who speaks in verse and rocking; Agrestus smokes his pipe; Aniela prepares vegetables with the help of her daughter Marina; the children Florinda and Cárpio are sitting with nothing to do. Later, they are joined by Lanisto and Patranho, running wildly.

 

AGRESTUS: The weather seems steady, Aniela. Our hay will be fragrant.

ANIELA: – It's true, Agrestus. Only two days until Sunday. Thank God we can rest!

CARPIUS: Father, may I take the carts to the barn?

AGRESTUS: Yes, Carpio. As long as Marina doesn't carry them too slowly, and Florinda doesn't carry them too quickly.

MARINA: – Ah, Father, so I have to be like Florinda who gallops off on a horse like crazy, or jumps over the cliffs after the chamois?

FLORINDA: – Don't overdo it, Miss Soft!

ANIELA: – That old fight… Stop it!

FLORINDA: – Look at Lanisto and Patranho as they come running! They certainly bring new news. Is it the king who comes here again to hunt?

CARPIUS: This Florinda never forgets. She even told the cats, just because I didn't want to hear from her anymore. (Imitates the King and Florinda, making fun) “Oh, dear girl, I thank you!” said King Severenus, taking the cup she was holding out to him.

FLORINDA: – That was it. And he looked at me with such a serious and sad look…

LANISTO (arriving untimely with Patrânio): – Have you heard about the last one yet?

AGRESTUS: – What is it, Lanisto? Where did it catch fire?

DUMP: Old Vulpa arrived in the village pulling old Macesto and his two sons by the hand!

LANISTO: — Macesto didn't say a word, and they were all whiter than cheese.

ALBIDA:

– Macesto without speaking? The thing is serious!

MARINA: – Tell that straight, Patranho!

LANISTO: – I tell. Macesto and his sons were about to go out to graze the flock on top of the mountain, when Vulpa appeared at his door.

PATRAN: – And she stuck her cane in the ground and shouted: “Come! The mountain will fall.” And he grabbed Macesto's wrist and dragged him fast, with his sons behind him!

LANISTUS: And then the mountain roared, the earth shook, and that side which we call the Devil's Wall was split from top to bottom. It was a horror! Fences, huts, cattle, everything went up in a whirlwind!

PATRAN: – It was for a few seconds that the avalanche did not reach the four who were fleeing.

ALBIDA:

“It was God who warned old Vulpa!

PATRAN: What a thing! It was coincidence, or else a fantastic fairy tale!

MARINA: Well, Patranho, fairy tale… What nonsense!

ALBIDA:

- Patron is right. Fairy tale

happens when the time comes.

Whoever has courage can even live it!

CARPIUS: And how do you know the time?

FLORINDA: – I think only the heart knows. By the way, Marina, sing us that song about a fairy tale you learned at that party!

MARINA: – Now?!!!

FLORINDA: Oh, please! Start, then we come in and help.

MARINA (sings, sort of swaying, helped by the choir):

“Girl dressed in pageboy clothes,

thus disguised the king came.

Will it make you happy in these outfits?

In his star, however, he trusted.

The king, looking for a queen,

want one who can think for himself.

And choose the lady who lives alone.

Haughty in the moonlight this lady I saw.

A band of specters at night hummed.

The dark truth hides your evil.

And it only reveals itself to others during the day.

The sun soon shows what is real.

Wigs surround, surround the king.

What a masquerade! They dance so well!

Only one man I know is saved from the rabble:

Fool's crown however he has.

Country girl so sad came down

by royal order to the cold prison.

But the chains and fear won

with the strength of love in your heart.”

AGRESTUS: – Very well! But now, children, let's go to the stable, it's time to milk the cows!

ANIELA: – Come on, Florinda! We have to get the milk to the king's castle!

(They go out, except for Florinda and Albida, in a corner still knitting.)

FLORINDA (with herself, looking up): – Fairy tales can be lived by anyone who has the courage. Well I have. And I will live one. If I go! (Florinda leaves)

ALBIDA:

– What happened to that girl? (Slowly gets up and leaves.)

FIRST ACT

In the shadows, the stagehands enter and change the scene: on the right, the King's hall, with a throne; in the middle, a door that leads to the interiors of the palace. On the left, an arch-shaped door that leads out, through which, later on, strong sunlight will enter the hall. Felipe and Martinho, two halberdiers dressed in black, with a white pleated choker, lie down under the arch of the door and fall asleep. Scene helpers check the montage. Gong sound.

Two stagehands; Florinda and Carpio, Felipe and Martinho; two buglers, Convenio, Tunante, Reverenza, Murmurilha, Zangueta, Sonsus, and other courtiers; King Severenus (everything written and said by the King is in verse), Jester.

1st HELPER: – The play can begin! (color light comes from above) Everyone around here is too busy with themselves.

2nd HELPER: - They don't even suspect the magic that goes through everything!

(Softly, the choir sings the first stanza of Marina's song. The stagehands dance, pirouettes and somersaults. The music stops. The assistants disappear. Through the archway of the door, sunlight hits the empty hall. Florinda, disguised of a man, dressed as a page, and Carpio, in peasant garb, slip into the hall past the sleeping guards.)

CARPIUS: Let's go, Florinda!

FLORINDA: You've said that five times already! I will not come back. I will offer my services as a page to the king.

CARPIUS: But they say King Severenus is severe and even beats pages who don't do things right.

FLORINDA: – He won't hit me. I won't do anything wrong. And I like him.

CARPIUS: But what do you want with him?

FLORINDA: – He seems a very lonely man, and he needs a page of his own. Farewell, my Carpio. Give my regards to parents and everyone, including cats!

CARPIUS: Goodbye! Goodbye! (goes through the gate arch, Felipe wakes up)

FELIPE (he leans on his halberd, still sleepy): – Who are you?

FLORINDA: It's my brother Carpio, sir. He accompanied me here. I have come to offer my services to the king. Carpio is already leaving.

FELIPE: – Then you can go! (let him go)

FLORINDA (exclaims towards Carpio, who is leaving): – Don't forget to give the cats milk in the morning!

CARPIUS: All right!

FLORINDA (to Felipe): – If I don't say it ten times, he forgets.

FELIPE: – But what service do you want to offer the king, my boy?

FLORINDA: – Page services.

FELIPE: – There is no need for a page boy here.

FLORINDA: Ah, but I will become a much-needed page!

MARTIN (waking up): – Hey, boy, what castle do you come from? Are you the son of some noble?

FLORINDA (laughing): – I don't come from any castle. My father is a peasant from some land by the river. That's where the milk and cheese that feed the king come from.

FELIPE: Well, then you better tell your father that this milk is not good for the king, and the cheese takes away the smell of dogs. They don't even notice the wolf a few steps away. Try to leave, let's go!

MARTIN: – Calm down, Felipe!

FLORINDA: What's my fault for giving the dogs cheese? Any child knows that cheese takes away their scent.

MARTINHO: – You can't be a page because you don't have noble blood, that's all.

FELIPE (screams): – Yes, you scoundrel! They'll hang you on the weathervane if you don't get out of here immediately!

FLORINDA (to Martinho): – But why does he scream? Even his voice is very sonorous! (Felipe is silent with anger and Martinho is amused) Does that mean I can only be a page if I'm the daughter of a noble?

MARTIN: - Daughter???

FLORINDA (frightened): – No, no! I said son! And who said that only nobles can be pages?

MARTINHO: – The noble treasurer of the kingdom said it.

FLORINDA: Oh, yeah? So I will say that I am of noble origin. You're not going to betray me, are you?

FELIPE: - What???

MARTINHO: - Quiet, Felipe! They come!

FLORINDA: – Who were you afraid of?

FELIPE (almost exploding): – Fear?

MARTIN: – No! The noble treasurer of the Covenant is coming.

FLORINDA: – Agreement? Hmm… that name is convenient!

FELIPE: – Yes, young man! And the general Tunante and the courtier Reverenza, etc. etc… Be quiet!

FLORINDA: I keep quiet, you grumbler, quieter than you.

(Felipe wants to retort, but he only makes a threat with his fist, because the court is entering a procession; in front of the Covenant, accompanied by two buglers; then Tunante, Reverenza, gentlemen and ladies of the court full of pomp.)

AGREEMENT (addressing everyone): – In the name of the king! (horn blow; all bow) I have summoned all, lords and ladies, to hear the king's new order. His Majesty is so unique that he cannot bear to have those less noble than him close to him. So it behooves us, with all due respect, to keep some distance from the king. Hear the new law!

(New bugle blast and bows. Covenant unrolls a roll of paper.)

FLORINDA (to Martinho): – Why so much clarification? And why do they bow when the king is not even present?

MARTIN: – Chiu… Be quiet, boy!

AGREEMENT (reads):
-“I, Severenus, crowned king
by the grace of God, I come to order
that, from now on, my noble shadow
be considered so sacred
as my person has always been.
Who dares to step on it with his foot
he will lose his possessions and his life.
Here is the new law.
King Severen!”

FLORINDA (bursts out in laughter amid the respectful silence): – Ha-ha-ha! What nonsense!

FELIPE: – Damned kid! How daring!

FLORINDA (still laughing): - Don't step on the king's foot, still go, but in the shade?

AGREEMENT: – Who is this that mocks the king?

REVERENZA: It's revolting!

COURTESY: — Blasphemy! Isn't that right, Whisper?

MURMURILA: – Unbelievable! In my time…

(Everyone starts to surround Florinda. Martinho tries to pull her out.)

MARTIN: Boy, get out quickly! This is getting dangerous!

FLORINDA: – But what did I do? What do you guys want?

TUNANTE (dominating general): – Away with that boy!

ALL: – Away with him!

AGREEMENT: – Silence! The king is coming!

(A trumpet blast is heard. Everyone moves away, making room. Florinda stands alone in the middle of the hall and looks stunned and amazed at the King, who slowly enters with the Jester. There is enough light to see the shadow. of the king. Reverenza, who is closest, must jump to avoid being in the king's shadow. The king looks around and in front of Florinda.)

FLORINDA (with a beautiful bow): – God save the King! (silence; the king contemplates her)

SEVERE KING:
– Who is it, and where does this boy come from?

AGREEMENT: – Know Your Majesty that I have read the new decree on the shadow. The entire court listened in silence, Except this boy, who laughed, finding the law absurd!!!

TUNANTE: - If it weren't for the blast of the bugle, he would already be dead! And it really deserves to be judged...

KING SEVERE (interrupts, raising his hand and addressing Florinda):
– Tell me who you are and where you come from!

FLORINDA: – I'm Florin… Floriano. I come from a very noble house, which is on the other side of the river.

SEVERE KING:
– And why did you come here?

FLORINDA: – I've come to offer myself as your page, to do whatever is necessary. Taking messages, cleaning, and even sewing. I confess that I found the law funny, because where I live, this kind of ban on stepping in people's shadows is not customary. But from now on, I'll be careful, I learn things quickly. So, Your Majesty? Will you accept my pageboy services?

SEVERE KING:
– At least you're different.
I accept your service. But be careful!
Learn to respect my desires,
and obey the law of my shadow!

(The king is silent and looks around.)

AGREEMENT: – Save the King!

ALL: - Hail the generous King!

TUNANTE (shakes Florinda's hand): – Worthy friend, welcome to the court.

REVERENCE: The same I say.

MURMURILHA: – With all my heart! (to Zangueta): – He's beautiful, isn't he, Zangueta?

ZANGUETA: – Very beautiful! (to Florinda): – I greet the son of a noble house.

FLORINDA: – You are very funny…

BOBO (approaching): - If you're surprised, it's because you're still green and silly. Today you were lucky. I just hope the wind doesn't blow against you later. I think I should give you some tips, some lessons in court behavior. I've grown wise and bent in the art of being Fool.

FLORINDA: – Who are you, with that weird outfit?

BOBO: – I am the King's Fool, his friend, his dog, his shelter in good and bad moods. I am your treasure of wisdom. I form the dark background where the king's spirit shines! I am his mouth, which is allowed to say what his doesn't. I am also your shadow, because whoever steps on me displeases the King.

FLORINDA: – I liked you. I want to be your friend!

KING SEVERE (who was looking out the window): – Covenant!

AGREEMENT (runs to him): – Yes, Your Majesty?

SEVERE KING:
- And the messenger
that led to Gismonde my request
of marriage? Why didn't you come back?

AGREEMENT: Ah, Your Majesty, the lady is strange. Your house is always with the windows closed. No sunbeam is allowed to touch your face. She doesn't let anyone in and only goes out at night to walk in the garden. It's not easy to get an audience with her, not even a real messenger.

SEVERE KING:
– Royal messenger? It can not be!

AGREEMENT: – Ever since His Majesty took an interest in her, we have watched over her house.

SEVERE KING:
– Is there party noise or dancing at night?

AGREEMENT: – No, she doesn't know the joy of living.

SEVERE KING:
– Nobody understands her. It's a noble heart.
Prudent pride in dignified solitude.
Don't you think, Reverence? (looking away) Someone's coming!

REVERENCE: He's a knight! (looks again) It's Sonsus coming from Gismonde's house!

SEVERE KING:
- Well, call him! I want to hear the news.

REVERENCE (screams): – Sonsus! Come here!

BOBO (to the king): - So, cousin, if the lady accepts your request, does the dignified solitude and prudent pride of a noble heart end?

KING SEVERE: No thanks!

BOBO (facing the audience): – What fun? I'm serious. If she is noble, she will say "No!". If it is pleasant, it will say “Yes!” Why, a pleasant queen without nobility, that would be bad. Worse still a noble but unpleasant queen. Having a nice queen without nobility would be better than having no queen. But enough. Here comes the ball of news.

SONSUS (a very fat courtier appears, huffing): – God save the king!

SEVERE KING:
– Say, Sonsus, what news do you bring?

SONSUS (panting): – Not good, Your Majesty. I can't even say what happened; or rather, what did not happen. That lady, sir, has no manners.

SEVERE KING:
- Don't you dare offend her! And what else?

SONSUS: – The handmaid answered through the window and said that Mrs. Gismonde does not receive visitors. I showed my royal coat of arms and explained that it carried a message from the king. The handmaid disappeared, then came back saying that the lady has nothing to do with you and asks you not to disturb the calm of her house. And the window closed. So I came away.

SEVERE KING:
- You should have stayed there.
and besieged the door, heedless!
Do you think a king can bear so much offense?
Well, I will! She's got to take care of me!

(The king is pacing back and forth, and his wandering shadow forces the courtiers to jump without him even noticing.)

AGREEMENT (jumping up): – Your Majesty! I think it best to send a noble messenger with gifts.

REVERENZA (jumping up): — I think so too.

SEVERE KING:
– What does the general think of this idea?

TUNANTE (jumping up): — If Your Majesty gives me a troop, I'll go there and break down Gismonde's door!

MUMMERS (jumping up): Oh, not that! Such a good king doesn't treat women violently, does he, Zangueta?

ZANGUETA (jumping up): — Of course, Whisper!

BOBO: What a magnificent senate! Jump, senators, courtiers! Whoever steps on the royal shadow loses his head. Only I can dance as I want!

(Florinda, observes everything with the desire to laugh. She addresses the king.)

FLORINDA: – Sir, can I go to Gismonde?

KING SEVERE (stops walking):
– You, boy? And how would you get in?

FLORINDA: Let your page try his luck!

SEVERE KING:
- This boy wouldn't be surprised.
be better received than Sonsus.

AGREEMENT: – A boy?

TUNANTE: – A messenger without any strength?

REVERENCE: The king has more worthy servants.

FLORINDA: So, Your Majesty, may I go and probe the enemy's camp?

SEVERE KING:
– So be it, and may luck be with you!
Speak, Floriano, of my great love!
And come back soon and bring an answer! (walks away with the court)

BOBO (when passing by Florinda): – Good luck, little brother!

FLORINDA: – Thank you so much, Bobo!

(The Fool leaves. Only the two halberdiers are left who look at Florinda and talk in low voices. Florinda sighs, softly sings the melody of her song, silences.)

FLORINDA: – I would like to sing around the world… (suddenly, she takes Felipe's halberd and threatens the two): – You've never heard me say that I'm the son of the peasant who sends milk and cheese to the king's palace!

MARTIN: Never, my lord! Leave it to me!

FELIPE: – Trust us!

FLORINDA (returns the halberd): – I'm going to see if Gismonde deserves the king. Otherwise… Well, maybe I'll stop by my house and feed the cats… (Exits through the arched doorway)

END OF THE FIRST ACT

 

(to be continued)

 

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