Читать книгу Polonius - Victor Cilinca - Страница 10

ACT I

SCENE 3

The same, POLONIUS coming from upstairs.

POLONIUS

Champagne for the actors!

KING

Oh—oh!

DAISY

Forget it.

POLONIUS

Our agreement stands broken, sirs! Prince Hamlet reported to the King that he had meticulously checked the script of this charity performance. I myself, whom Their Highnesses trust unswervingly, checked the checking and everything seemed correct! His Majesty is furious at the impudence of your performance!

BOOGEYMAN

If you’ll allow me....

POLONIUS

But...he is satisfied. Prince Hamlet is, in his turn, as hysterical as a bitch with a gelded lover, ha-ha (waits for the others to laugh—the others laugh). Well, for the time being, as you’re foreign citizens, you’ve a chance, but in this country things change—maybe you’ve already heard that....

BOOGEYMAN

If you’ll allow us, we started from a legend, not knowing how nostalgic it was, and we endeavoured to observe the whole truth....

POLONIUS

It is not in plays that the truth is written!

BOOGEYMAN

It seemed to us that justice....

POLONIUS

It happens that, unless you’re of noble extraction, you can occasionally be right, but only from certain points of view! Anyway, you can wipe your ass with the justice from Denmark. For example, you’re invited to tonight’s wedding feasts! Is that justice? I would have had you hanged, preventively, for the next shows. Alas, our rulers don’t always listen to my astute advice. Anyway, as it’s high season, and the inns are full, tonight you’re going to stay in the new wing of the prison. It’s...heh...closer. We’re going to read the script again and compare it to the shorthand record of the performance. Here, take the key to your cell. Come on, don’t be afraid. From the moment of birth we live in a conditioned freedom!

QUEEN

Thank you, monsieur!

BOOGEYMAN

We simply did our duty, Sir....

KING

(bows, holding his crown with one hand) Much obliged, Master Polonius.

POLONIUS

Right. Do not debauch, do not enter into conversation with the Danes. Do not eat much—the chief doctor of the Court asks us to feed on maple tea. Do not mix with the other people in the prison. Not all of them are, at least for the time being, overnight guests. Sleep well, have fun as the Prince is waiting for you and then, if you are hungry...no, you’d better not be hungry! No, no, you don’t need to thank me! (The three actors exit backwards, bowing all the time) Good night, sweet king!