Act 1 — SCENE II.—A forest. MÉLISANDE discovered at the brink of a spring.
Richard Hovey translation
Enter GOLAUD.
GOLAUD.
I shall never be able to get out of this forest again.—God knows where that beast has led me. And yet I thought I had wounded him to death; and here are traces of blood. But now I have lost sight of him; I believe I am lost myself—my dogs can no longer find me—I shall retrace my steps….—I hear weeping…. Oh! oh! what is there yonder by the water's edge?… A little girl weeping by the water's edge? [He coughs.]—She does not hear me. I cannot see her face. [He approaches and touches MÉLISANDE on the shoulder.] Why weepest thou? [MÉLISANDE trembles, starts up, and would flee.]—Do not be afraid. You have nothing to fear. Why are you weeping here all alone?
MÉLISANDE.
Do not touch me! do not touch me!
GOLAUD.
Do not be afraid…. I will not do you any…. Oh, you are beautiful!
MÉLISANDE.
Do not touch me! do not touch me! or I throw myself in the water!…
GOLAUD.
I will not touch you…. See, I will stay here, against the tree. Do not be afraid. Has any one hurt you?
MÉLISANDE
Oh! yes! yes! yes!… [She sobs profoundly.]
GOLAUD.
Who has hurt you?
MÉLISANDE.
Every one! every one!
GOLAUD. What hurt have they done you?
MÉLISANDE.
I will not tell! I cannot tell!…
GOLAUD.
Come; do not weep so. Whence come you?
MÉLISANDE.
I have fled!… fled … fled….
GOLAUD.
Yes; but whence have you fled?
MÉLISANDE.
I am lost!… lost!… Oh! oh! lost here…. I am not of this place…. I was not born there….
GOLAUD.
Whence are you? Where were you born?
MÉLISANDE.
Oh! oh! far away from here!… far away … far away….
GOLAUD.
What is it shining so at the bottom of the water?
MÉLISANDE.
Where?—Ah! it is the crown he gave me. It fell as I was weeping….
GOLAUD.
A crown?—Who was it gave you a crown?—I will try to get it….
MÉLISANDE.
No, no; I will have no more of it! I will have no more of it!… I had rather die … die at once….
GOLAUD.
I could easily pull it out. The water is not very deep.
MÉLISANDE.
I will have no more of it! If you take it out, I throw myself in its place!…
GOLAUD.
No, no; I will leave it there. It could be reached without difficulty, nevertheless. It seems very beautiful.—Is it long since you fled?
MÉLISANDE.
Yes, yes!… Who are you?
GOLAUD.
I am Prince Golaud,—grandson of Arkël, the old King of Allemonde….
MÉLISANDE.
Oh, you have gray hairs already….
GOLAUD.
Yes; some, here, by the temples….
MÉLISANDE
And in your beard, too…. Why do you look at me so?
GOLAUD.
I am looking at your eyes.—Do you never shut your eyes?
MÉLISANDE.
Oh, yes; I shut them at night….
GOLAUD.
Why do you look so astonished?
MÉLISANDE.
You are a giant?
GOLAUD.
I am a man like the rest….
MÉLISANDE.
Why have you come here?
GOLAUD.
I do not know, myself. I was hunting in the forest, I was chasing a wild boar. I mistook the road.—You look very young. How old are you?
MÉLISANDE.
I am beginning to be cold….
GOLAUD.
Will you come with me!
MÉLISANDE.
No, no; I will stay here….
GOLAUD.
You cannot stay here all alone. You cannot stay here all night long…. What is your name?
MÉLISANDE.
Mélisande.
GOLAUD.
You cannot stay here, Mélisande. Come with me….
MÉLISANDE.
I will stay here….
GOLAUD.
You will be afraid, all alone. We do not know what there may be here … all night long … all alone … it is impossible. Mélisande, come, give me your hand….
MÉLISANDE.
Oh, do not touch me!…
GOLAUD.
Do not scream…. I will not touch you again. But come with me. The night will be very dark and very cold. Come with me….
MÉLISANDE.
Where are you going?…
GOLAUD.
I do not know…. I am lost too…. [Exeunt.