JANEY
– W. MORRIS – ROSSETTI – LIZZIE SIDDAL (very pregnant) -
GEORGIE B-J (pregnant) – NED B-J – SWINBURNE – JENNY MORRIS
(newborn).
Everyone
is in the living room, drinks and food are being served buffet style.
Morris is holding a baby. Rossetti's Dantis Amor can be seen one of
three cupboard doors that formed the upper part of a large settle.
http://www.tate.org.uk/art/images/work/N/N03/N03532_10.jpg
http://www.gallery.ca/en/see/collections/artwork.php?mkey=4233
http://www.gallery.ca/en/see/collections/artwork.php?mkey=4233
 |
| The sweetest flowers in all the world! A baby's hands. |
SWINBURNE
The sweetest flowers in all the world! A baby's hands. Wee Jenny Morris, born January, 1861, an auspicious year, to be sure. Aye! I am overcome with the necessity of uttering a speech. It cannot be helped, I shall not entertain pleas of mercy, I am very cruel.
The sweetest flowers in all the world! A baby's hands. Wee Jenny Morris, born January, 1861, an auspicious year, to be sure. Aye! I am overcome with the necessity of uttering a speech. It cannot be helped, I shall not entertain pleas of mercy, I am very cruel.
EVERYONE
(laughter)
(laughter)
SWINBURNE
Should you find my time on the stump to be an abomination upon your ears, I shall deem it a triumph, at once!
Should you find my time on the stump to be an abomination upon your ears, I shall deem it a triumph, at once!
ROSSETTI
I hate to be a contrarian: but you can only delight us!
I hate to be a contrarian: but you can only delight us!
SWINBURNE
With all of present company having recently fallen into matrimony, with the exception of one excitable, charismatic red-headed bard, I am thrice reminded that you have inflicted upon me the same sorrow as if I had heard of you lapsing into theism, or worse!
With all of present company having recently fallen into matrimony, with the exception of one excitable, charismatic red-headed bard, I am thrice reminded that you have inflicted upon me the same sorrow as if I had heard of you lapsing into theism, or worse!
EVERYONE
(laughter)
(laughter)
MORRIS,
handing the baby over to Janey, who is laying down on a sofa.
Or worse? What could be worse?
Or worse? What could be worse?
SWINBURNE
Yours truly, Pope Algernon Swinburne the First!
Yours truly, Pope Algernon Swinburne the First!
ROSSETTI,
looking at Morris
Pope Swinburne! Would that not be an irresistible incentive to become a man of cloth?
Pope Swinburne! Would that not be an irresistible incentive to become a man of cloth?
MORRIS,
to Rossetti
By Jove, I know of no one that would not haste to convert to Catholicism under such flamboyant leadership!
By Jove, I know of no one that would not haste to convert to Catholicism under such flamboyant leadership!
GEORGIE,
laughing, to Lizzie
If that came to pass, the underworld would be a merry place indeed...
If that came to pass, the underworld would be a merry place indeed...
LIZZIE
...and I would not wait for an invitation to jump into the pit!
...and I would not wait for an invitation to jump into the pit!
SWINBURNE
You incorrigible pagans.
You incorrigible pagans.
JANE
hands a sleeping baby Jenny over to a maid, who takes her away, and
she lies down on a loveseat. She picks up some embroidery.
SWINBURNE
Our good friend Webb, to whom we owe much of the delightfully medieval architecture of this beautiful “Red House,” and decoration within, has sent his regrets, but only for our little soirée tonight – do not concern yourselves, he is in the best of health, and still expected to join us at the extravagant reception we are planning for the Purgatory.
Our good friend Webb, to whom we owe much of the delightfully medieval architecture of this beautiful “Red House,” and decoration within, has sent his regrets, but only for our little soirée tonight – do not concern yourselves, he is in the best of health, and still expected to join us at the extravagant reception we are planning for the Purgatory.
EVERYONE
(laughter)
(laughter)
SWINBURNE
Shall we raise a toast?
Shall we raise a toast?
EVERYONE
Yes!
Yes!
ROSSETTI
The honour is yours, Swinburne, you have no equal for toasts.
The honour is yours, Swinburne, you have no equal for toasts.
SWINBURNE
Very well then! I am eager to be at your service. To darling baby Jenny, we wish... the resplendent beauty of her mother, and her father's temper...
Very well then! I am eager to be at your service. To darling baby Jenny, we wish... the resplendent beauty of her mother, and her father's temper...
EVERYONE
(laughter)
(laughter)
SWINBURNE
Ahem! I meant distemper!
Ahem! I meant distemper!
ROSSETTI
Poor child, oh no! Topsy's distemper murals are worse than his temper! May he find the much sought-after improvement with the paintbrush, and prove us all wrong!
Poor child, oh no! Topsy's distemper murals are worse than his temper! May he find the much sought-after improvement with the paintbrush, and prove us all wrong!
MORRIS,
laughing
I have wholly given up on this futile endeavour! I do have friends enough to retouch my contorted lepers into fair princesses... but I shall try not to tax their patience again!
I have wholly given up on this futile endeavour! I do have friends enough to retouch my contorted lepers into fair princesses... but I shall try not to tax their patience again!
ROSSETTI
If we become short on patience, we'll give you green and yellow enough to cover every wall in London in sunflowers, like you did at the Oxford Union Library!
If we become short on patience, we'll give you green and yellow enough to cover every wall in London in sunflowers, like you did at the Oxford Union Library!
EVERYONE
(laughter)
(laughter)
MORRIS,
to everyone, shrugging
Rossetti said I ought to paint... he stated that “if I had any poetry in me at all, I should paint it.” Now as he is a very great man, and speaks with authority and not as the scribes, I had to try... he must bear his share of responsibility for the ensuing fiasco... now I know to hire Ned for all depictions of the human figure!
Rossetti said I ought to paint... he stated that “if I had any poetry in me at all, I should paint it.” Now as he is a very great man, and speaks with authority and not as the scribes, I had to try... he must bear his share of responsibility for the ensuing fiasco... now I know to hire Ned for all depictions of the human figure!
NED
Forever at your service, good friend!
Forever at your service, good friend!
SWINBURNE
Let's settle the disagreement like the gentlemen that we ought to be. To Topsy's poetic acumen and determination to succeed in all his decorative endeavours we shall raise our glasses!
Let's settle the disagreement like the gentlemen that we ought to be. To Topsy's poetic acumen and determination to succeed in all his decorative endeavours we shall raise our glasses!
EVERYONE
(cheers)
(cheers)
SWINBURNE
To dear Lizzie, may she give birth to a red-headed child...
To dear Lizzie, may she give birth to a red-headed child...
GEORGIE
That dear Swinburne will surely spoil as much as he spoils Lizzie!
That dear Swinburne will surely spoil as much as he spoils Lizzie!
EVERYONE
(cheers)
(cheers)
NED
Lucky child!
Lucky child!
SWINBURNE
There is a special bond between us carrots that cannot be topped. I make no secret of my deep fondness for Gabriel's new bride, but long-devoted lover Lizzie, so fair, and so accomplished in drawing and painting, why, she must have taught our Gabriel at least half of what he boasts of! And now - to Georgie and Ned, whose inspiring love, like a sacred bower rose, blooms through the stinging winds of winter with the same vigour as through summer's delicate breath, cheers!
There is a special bond between us carrots that cannot be topped. I make no secret of my deep fondness for Gabriel's new bride, but long-devoted lover Lizzie, so fair, and so accomplished in drawing and painting, why, she must have taught our Gabriel at least half of what he boasts of! And now - to Georgie and Ned, whose inspiring love, like a sacred bower rose, blooms through the stinging winds of winter with the same vigour as through summer's delicate breath, cheers!
EVERYONE
(ah's & cheers)
(ah's & cheers)
SWINBURNE
May Gabriel's magnetic and influence continue to empassion us all, and steer us into improving this world with beauty, grace, friendship and love. May the ideals of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's live forever in the hearts of men.
May Gabriel's magnetic and influence continue to empassion us all, and steer us into improving this world with beauty, grace, friendship and love. May the ideals of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood's live forever in the hearts of men.
NED &
ROSSETTI
To the Brotherhood!
To the Brotherhood!
SWINBURNE,
realizing he forgot Janey
Last, but not least, our Janey – a creature of such perfect grace that to kiss her feet is the utmost men should dream of doing. Is it not insane for Topsy to have that wonderful and most perfect stunner of to look at or speak to?
Last, but not least, our Janey – a creature of such perfect grace that to kiss her feet is the utmost men should dream of doing. Is it not insane for Topsy to have that wonderful and most perfect stunner of to look at or speak to?
ROSSETTI
Swinburne, I must finish this one!
Swinburne, I must finish this one!
SWINBURNE
The floor is yours!
The floor is yours!
ROSSETTI
Ahem! To what will surely become the most celebrated stunner in all of England, for the perfection of her profile, the classicism of her lips, her soft eyes of grey, and the dark torrent of hair bouncing down her graceful neck, Mrs Jane Morris!
Ahem! To what will surely become the most celebrated stunner in all of England, for the perfection of her profile, the classicism of her lips, her soft eyes of grey, and the dark torrent of hair bouncing down her graceful neck, Mrs Jane Morris!
EVERYONE
(except Lizzie)
(cheers)
(cheers)
JANEY
(nods)
(nods)
GEORGIE
And to Swinburne of course! Our most lively and cherished companion...
And to Swinburne of course! Our most lively and cherished companion...
LIZZIE
I would not trade our friendship for a crate full of gold!
I would not trade our friendship for a crate full of gold!
NED
Or a ship full of wine!
Or a ship full of wine!
ROSSETTI
...To one that never stops biting into life!
...To one that never stops biting into life!
MORRIS
And who won't stop life from biting into him! Which reminds me, the spread looks complete, whether it is or not I am feeling rather peckish and I heartily recommend that we attack it with forks.
And who won't stop life from biting into him! Which reminds me, the spread looks complete, whether it is or not I am feeling rather peckish and I heartily recommend that we attack it with forks.
ROSSETTI
Not yet, Top, read us one of your grinds
Not yet, Top, read us one of your grinds
MORRIS
No, Gabriel, you've heard them all.
No, Gabriel, you've heard them all.
ROSSETTI
Maybe Swinburne hasn't heard them yet – and they are devilish good!
Maybe Swinburne hasn't heard them yet – and they are devilish good!
SWINBURNE
(nods in the positive)
(nods in the positive)
MORRIS
I will fetch a few since some of you are eager to pretend they have not heard them at least 5 times each! (Leaves to fetch some notes)
I will fetch a few since some of you are eager to pretend they have not heard them at least 5 times each! (Leaves to fetch some notes)
EVERYONE
(laughs)
(laughs)
NED
At last! What have you got?
At last! What have you got?
ROSSETTI
(takes out a stuffed mouse out of his pocket)
A stuffed mouse – a bookseller of my acquaintance has taken up taxidermy.
A stuffed mouse – a bookseller of my acquaintance has taken up taxidermy.
NED,
taking the mouse
By Jove! Does this thing really have a peg leg?
By Jove! Does this thing really have a peg leg?
ROSSETTI,
taking it back
It is a prosthetic following a fatal mouse trap accident!
It is a prosthetic following a fatal mouse trap accident!
NED
I don't know what that is supposed to help. Do you have a plan for it?
I don't know what that is supposed to help. Do you have a plan for it?
ROSSETTI
I will leave it right here... peering out two slices of bread.
I will leave it right here... peering out two slices of bread.
NED
(laughs)
Hush! Hush! I hear footsteps.
Hush! Hush! I hear footsteps.
MORRIS
Are you ready? I am certain you've heard it all before, but I must stop you begging. This is from “The Defence of Guinevere”
The shadow likes like wine within a cup
Of marvellously colour'd gold; yea now...
Are you ready? I am certain you've heard it all before, but I must stop you begging. This is from “The Defence of Guinevere”
The shadow likes like wine within a cup
Of marvellously colour'd gold; yea now...
ROSSETTI
Forgive the intrusion... I must beg you to read like old Swinburne!
Forgive the intrusion... I must beg you to read like old Swinburne!
MORRIS,
exaggerating Swinburne's excited mannerisms, while everyone laughs
The shadow likes like wine within a cup
Of marvellously colour'd gold; yea now
This little wind is rising, look you up,
And wonder how the light is falling so
Within my moving tresses: will you dare,
When you have looked a little on my brow,
To say "this thing is vile?" or will you care
For any plausible lies of cunning woof,
When you can see my face with no lie there
For ever? am I not a gracious proof—
"But in your chamber Launcelot was found"
The shadow likes like wine within a cup
Of marvellously colour'd gold; yea now
This little wind is rising, look you up,
And wonder how the light is falling so
Within my moving tresses: will you dare,
When you have looked a little on my brow,
To say "this thing is vile?" or will you care
For any plausible lies of cunning woof,
When you can see my face with no lie there
For ever? am I not a gracious proof—
"But in your chamber Launcelot was found"
EVERYONE
(claps)
(claps)
ROSSETTI
Tops, your mimics are capital, capital! I cannot determine which I love best between the touching transcendence of your words, or your swinburnian delivery! What a lark.
Tops, your mimics are capital, capital! I cannot determine which I love best between the touching transcendence of your words, or your swinburnian delivery! What a lark.
LIZZIE
My heart vouches for the poem!
My heart vouches for the poem!
SWINBURNE
As does mine – am I truly this restrained? I will have to redouble in flamboyance!
As does mine – am I truly this restrained? I will have to redouble in flamboyance!
NED, starting to draw on a pad
If you succeed, I fear a repeat of the Great London Fire!
If you succeed, I fear a repeat of the Great London Fire!
ROSSETTI
Tops, you must illuminate us about the meaning of the verses.
Tops, you must illuminate us about the meaning of the verses.
MORRIS, clears throat
Guinevere is betrothed to Arthur and accepts him as a convenience more than for love, and once caught in an adulterous situation with Sir Lancelot, she must defend herself against the accusation. I try to reveal love as the principal purveyor of meaning, impulse, and pleasure. It is the on account of the living blood that courses through her veins that Guinevere seeks this love outside the bounds of matrimony. Her accusers are blinded by morality and convention in mericlessly condemning her. However, it is a natural fact that true love is more noble than contrived affection.
Guinevere is betrothed to Arthur and accepts him as a convenience more than for love, and once caught in an adulterous situation with Sir Lancelot, she must defend herself against the accusation. I try to reveal love as the principal purveyor of meaning, impulse, and pleasure. It is the on account of the living blood that courses through her veins that Guinevere seeks this love outside the bounds of matrimony. Her accusers are blinded by morality and convention in mericlessly condemning her. However, it is a natural fact that true love is more noble than contrived affection.
LIZZIE
Assuming true love. I've come to realize... if true love is ever given... it is not on this Earth.
Assuming true love. I've come to realize... if true love is ever given... it is not on this Earth.
GEORGIE
I can't speak of loves true or untrue, but I do believe that it is a very powerful emotion at the root of marriage and the founding of family, which is the basis of all human society, including that of savages.
I can't speak of loves true or untrue, but I do believe that it is a very powerful emotion at the root of marriage and the founding of family, which is the basis of all human society, including that of savages.
MORRIS
Georgie offers a sensible opinion, but upon the whole I agree with Swinburne. Yes, I do! A husband and wife in married life must remain free people, artificial bolstering up of natural human relations is what I object to. Further, any choice one makes in the choosing of a wive should be free of the scrutiny of family members. So many spurious contrivances.
Georgie offers a sensible opinion, but upon the whole I agree with Swinburne. Yes, I do! A husband and wife in married life must remain free people, artificial bolstering up of natural human relations is what I object to. Further, any choice one makes in the choosing of a wive should be free of the scrutiny of family members. So many spurious contrivances.
ROSSETTI
Wholeheartedly agreed!
Wholeheartedly agreed!
NED
Let's not persecute love... love is not especially contrived... all of England is contrived.
Let's not persecute love... love is not especially contrived... all of England is contrived.
LIZZIE discretely wipes a tear
MORRIS
Were it merely contrived, and not woefully shoddy, I might be more of a mind to accept it. This age, this age is the age of shoddy!
Were it merely contrived, and not woefully shoddy, I might be more of a mind to accept it. This age, this age is the age of shoddy!
ROSSETTI
Shoddy machine-made goods, yes, but I have heard some argue that machines are freeing mankind from degrading, repetitive work. What are your thoughts on that?
Shoddy machine-made goods, yes, but I have heard some argue that machines are freeing mankind from degrading, repetitive work. What are your thoughts on that?
MORRIS
It is the allowing machines to be our masters and not our servants that so injures the beauty of life nowadays. Machines can relieve degradations, indeed, but they can just as well compound them, hear? We do make designs that are produced by industrial means, yes, but we are using industry as a tool to disseminate beauty. We'd all want tapestries, but most have to settle for wallpaper.
It is the allowing machines to be our masters and not our servants that so injures the beauty of life nowadays. Machines can relieve degradations, indeed, but they can just as well compound them, hear? We do make designs that are produced by industrial means, yes, but we are using industry as a tool to disseminate beauty. We'd all want tapestries, but most have to settle for wallpaper.
ROSSETTI
You don't have an eye on making wallpapers, do you?.
You don't have an eye on making wallpapers, do you?.
MORRIS
Not at all! I have high hopes that tapestry will enjoy a revival, and embroidery, being emblematic of handmade crafts by the ladies, is well on its way to become the primary means of beautifying a home.
Not at all! I have high hopes that tapestry will enjoy a revival, and embroidery, being emblematic of handmade crafts by the ladies, is well on its way to become the primary means of beautifying a home.
LIZZIE is increasingly fidgety in the
background, GEORGIE sits next to her and they have an inaudible
whispered conversation..
NED
Never say never!
Never say never!
ROSSETTI
I shall say “never” as Topsy's improvised representative.
I shall say “never” as Topsy's improvised representative.
MORRIS
The man has spoken for me!
The man has spoken for me!
SWINBURNE
This is dreadful serious talk for a jolly celebration! Are we to change the world? Once you free your own mind from the shackles, you're all done!
This is dreadful serious talk for a jolly celebration! Are we to change the world? Once you free your own mind from the shackles, you're all done!
ROSSETTI, to Morris
Leading on to even more serious matters, if only to vex poor Swinburne, Tops, I urge your to pursue your explorations of poetry, for you possess a prodigious gift; should you run out of ink, it would be a great loss for future generations. I have no doubt that your name will honourably mentioned along with Homer, Dante Alighieri and Beaudelaire!
Leading on to even more serious matters, if only to vex poor Swinburne, Tops, I urge your to pursue your explorations of poetry, for you possess a prodigious gift; should you run out of ink, it would be a great loss for future generations. I have no doubt that your name will honourably mentioned along with Homer, Dante Alighieri and Beaudelaire!
SWINBURNE
Beaudelaire, you say? Topsy, have you been dipping your pen into the well of sin?
Beaudelaire, you say? Topsy, have you been dipping your pen into the well of sin?
MORRIS
Is the sin in question gluttony? Yes? I will not protest then. As it were, I have gone from peckish to famished and we ought to ravage this spread before it spoils!
Is the sin in question gluttony? Yes? I will not protest then. As it were, I have gone from peckish to famished and we ought to ravage this spread before it spoils!
GEORGIE
You are our host, we are all waiting for you to be first to pluck that table. You start!
You are our host, we are all waiting for you to be first to pluck that table. You start!
MORRIS, grabs a plate and picks some food
You must try these, our cook's savouries are peerless!
You must try these, our cook's savouries are peerless!
MORRIS, noticing the mouse, and grabbing a cover in a drawer
And oh! Oh! Wait... no one move!
And oh! Oh! Wait... no one move!
GEORGIE
What is it? What is it?
What is it? What is it?
MORRIS
Quiet... I've got this... hush...
Quiet... I've got this... hush...
LIZZIE
Oh!
Oh!
MORRIS, slams the cover over the plate, and angrily tosses the
contents of the dish out the window, and shouts to the cook, stomping
his feet
Annie! Annie! You must come to the parlour at once! This is un-ac-cept-able! I have guests!
Annie! Annie! You must come to the parlour at once! This is un-ac-cept-able! I have guests!
EVERYONE (laughs)
MORRIS, looks around suspiciously
I have heard that laughter before... I have seen those impish grins... You... what have you done this time?
I have heard that laughter before... I have seen those impish grins... You... what have you done this time?
ROSSETTI
Ha! We got you again! But you exploded too quickly to notice the peg leg on the stuffed mouse, we're broken-hearted!
Ha! We got you again! But you exploded too quickly to notice the peg leg on the stuffed mouse, we're broken-hearted!
MORRIS
That will teach you a lesson to never underestimate me. Annie! Never mind! If I had any misplaced pride at all, you'd have embarrassed me!
That will teach you a lesson to never underestimate me. Annie! Never mind! If I had any misplaced pride at all, you'd have embarrassed me!
GEORGIE
Ned's pen is scratching furiously. I wonder what he is up to!
Ned's pen is scratching furiously. I wonder what he is up to!
ROSSETTI
Ned, what are you drawing in your corner?
Ned, what are you drawing in your corner?
NED, showing a caricature
See what we have here: Topsy discovers a stuffed mouse!
See what we have here: Topsy discovers a stuffed mouse!
ROSSETTI
That was jolly quick, Ned, oh, oh, how it captures the moment perfectly! Look, Janey!
That was jolly quick, Ned, oh, oh, how it captures the moment perfectly! Look, Janey!
JANEY, laughing
Oh yes, I see.
Oh yes, I see.
ROSSETTI, taking it to Georgie and Lizzie, and Morris moving to take
a peak.
Look! Look! Is that not capital!
Look! Look! Is that not capital!
GEORGIE & MORRIS (laughter), Lizzie smiles a bit and is drowsy on
Georgie's shoulder.
NED, ROSSETTI & SWINBURNE
(get a bit of food from the spread, Swinburne takes some and brings
plates to Georgie & Lizzie, Morris gets a plate and brings it to
Janey.)
ROSSETTI
This is a sad consequence of being last at the table, I've run out of ladies to feed! Ned, you are a genius, even for something as small and informal as a caricature. I wish I could draw half as good as you in twice the time. You are, doubtless, the greatest painter in all of England. I fear to call you prolific, for there is in your case no forfeit in quality – in fact, the more you draw, the higher your star rises in the heavens. I worship at the altar of the delicate detail you spread over miles of canvas. You are the god of painters, I should sacrifice virgin brushes at your temple.
This is a sad consequence of being last at the table, I've run out of ladies to feed! Ned, you are a genius, even for something as small and informal as a caricature. I wish I could draw half as good as you in twice the time. You are, doubtless, the greatest painter in all of England. I fear to call you prolific, for there is in your case no forfeit in quality – in fact, the more you draw, the higher your star rises in the heavens. I worship at the altar of the delicate detail you spread over miles of canvas. You are the god of painters, I should sacrifice virgin brushes at your temple.
SWINBURNE
Oh Gabriel, I should laugh to hear you singing these praises about anyone but Ned!
Oh Gabriel, I should laugh to hear you singing these praises about anyone but Ned!
ROSSETTI
Lizzie too has some outstanding drawings... she learned so much from Ruskin I hardly had to teach her anything at all, she is completely original – a natural luminary. We didn't bring any of your drawings with us, did we?
Lizzie too has some outstanding drawings... she learned so much from Ruskin I hardly had to teach her anything at all, she is completely original – a natural luminary. We didn't bring any of your drawings with us, did we?
LIZZIE (nods negatively)
We did not.
We did not.
ROSSETTI
No? But perhaps... Lizzie, do you have a poem you could recite? This whole room is eager to be dazzled.
No? But perhaps... Lizzie, do you have a poem you could recite? This whole room is eager to be dazzled.
LIZZIE, fidgeting
I have nothing enthralling.
I have nothing enthralling.
ROSSETTI
Oh Lizzie, do not put yourself down, you are phenomenal! Believe it!
Oh Lizzie, do not put yourself down, you are phenomenal! Believe it!
LIZZIE, rises slowly
Well then, here comes your disappointment.
Well then, here comes your disappointment.
GEORGIE
We are all dying to hear you! Aren't we?
We are all dying to hear you! Aren't we?
SWINBURNE
We beg you!
We beg you!
NED
Indeed! We love everything you do.
Indeed! We love everything you do.
LIZZIE, reciting from shaky memory
You are all very kind. I do not have anything on paper; all I have are the last two verses engraved to memory. The title is: Worn Out.
You are all very kind. I do not have anything on paper; all I have are the last two verses engraved to memory. The title is: Worn Out.
I
can but give a failing heart
And weary eyes of pain,
A faded mouth that cannot smile
And may not laugh again.
And weary eyes of pain,
A faded mouth that cannot smile
And may not laugh again.
Yet
keep thine arms around me, love,
Until I fall to sleep;
Then leave me, saying no goodbye
Lest I might wake, and weep.
Until I fall to sleep;
Then leave me, saying no goodbye
Lest I might wake, and weep.
 |
| Then
leave me, saying no goodbye Lest I might wake, and weep. |
EVERYONE
(claps)
NED
Very sad and very lovely, Lizzie. Beautifully done. I am touched.
Very sad and very lovely, Lizzie. Beautifully done. I am touched.
GEORGIE
From such a pure and holy soul!
From such a pure and holy soul!
LIZZE (sits down next to Georgie and leans on her)
GEORGIE
Dear, do you have a fever?
Dear, do you have a fever?
LIZZIE
Oh no, not a fever, only a little nausea... and pain in my bones. Gabriel, in my bag...
Oh no, not a fever, only a little nausea... and pain in my bones. Gabriel, in my bag...
ROSSETTI (urgently fetches her bag)
Here.
Here.
LIZZIE
My laudanum...
My laudanum...
ROSSETTI digs in the bag.
LIZZIE
...quickly... I cannot endure another moment of waiting...
...quickly... I cannot endure another moment of waiting...
ROSSETTI puts the vial of laudanum to her lips, Lizzie drinks some.
Everyone looks deathly worried. Lizzie looks less fidgety, she calms
down, and falls asleep on Georgie's shoulder.
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