Comic Tragedies

Оглавление

Alcott Louisa May. Comic Tragedies

A FOREWORD BY MEG

NORNA; OR, THE WITCH'S CURSE

CHARACTERS

NORNA; OR, THE WITCH'S CURSE

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NOTE TO SCENE SECOND

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SCENE ELEVENTH

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SCENE THIRTEENTH

SCENE FOURTEENTH

CAPTIVE OF CASTILE; OR, THE MOORISH MAIDEN'S VOW

CHARACTERS

CAPTIVE OF CASTILE; OR, THE MOORISH MAIDEN'S VOW

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THE GREEK SLAVE

CHARACTERS

THE GREEK SLAVE

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ION

CHARACTERS

ION

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BIANCA: an. OPERATIC TRAGEDY

CHARACTERS

BIANCA: an. OPERATIC TRAGEDY

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THE UNLOVED WIFE; OR, WOMAN'S FAITH

CHARACTERS

THE UNLOVED WIFE; OR, WOMAN'S FAITH

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Отрывок из книги

In the good old times, when "Little Women" worked and played together, the big garret was the scene of many dramatic revels. After a long day of teaching, sewing, and "helping mother," the greatest delight of the girls was to transform themselves into queens, knights, and cavaliers of high degree, and ascend into a world of fancy and romance. Cinderella's godmother waved her wand, and the dismal room became a fairy-land. Flowers bloomed, forests arose, music sounded, and lovers exchanged their vows by moonlight. Nothing was too ambitious to attempt; armor, gondolas, harps, towers, and palaces grew as if by magic, and wonderful scenes of valor and devotion were enacted before admiring audiences.

Jo, of course, played the villains, ghosts, bandits, and disdainful queens; for her tragedy-loving soul delighted in the lurid parts, and no drama was perfect in her eyes without a touch of the demonic or supernatural. Meg loved the sentimental rôles, the tender maiden with the airy robes and flowing locks, who made impossible sacrifices for ideal lovers, or the cavalier, singing soft serenades and performing lofty acts of gallantry and prowess. Amy was the fairy sprite, while Beth enacted the page or messenger when the scene required their aid.

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Leonore. Wife, sayest thou? He told me he was never wed. Mysterious woman, tell me more! How dost thou know 'tis true, and wherefore was it done? I have a right to know. Oh, speak, and tell me all!

Norna. For that have I come hither. He hath been wed to a lady, young and lovely as thyself. He kept her prisoner in his splendid home, and by neglect and cruelty he broke as warm and true a heart as ever beat in woman's breast. Her brother stole unseen to cheer and comfort her, and this aroused her lord's suspicions, and he bid her to confess who was her unknown friend. She would not yield her brother to his hate, and he in his wild anger murdered her. I heard his cruel words, her prayers for mercy, and I stood beside the lifeless form and marked the blow his evil hand had given her. And there I vowed I would avenge the deed, and for this have I come hither to warn thee of thy danger. He loves thee only for thy wealth, and when thou art his, will wrong thee as he hath the meek Theresa.

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