Act 5 — SCENE I.—Before the Curtain.
Alexander Teixeira de Mattos translation
Enter TYLTYL, MYTYL, LIGHT, the DOG, the CAT, BREAD, FIRE, SUGAR, WATER and MILK.
LIGHT I have received a note from the Fairy Bérylune telling me that the Blue Bird is probably here.
TYLTYL Where?...
LIGHT Here, in the graveyard behind that wall.... It appears that one of the dead in the graveyard is hiding it in his tomb.... We must find out which one it is.... We shall have to pass them under review....
TYLTYL Under review?... How is that done?...
LIGHT It is very simple: at midnight, so as not to disturb them too greatly, you will turn the diamond. We shall see them come out of the ground; or else we shall see those who do not come out lying in their tombs....
TYLTYL Will they not be angry?...
LIGHT Not at all; they will not even know.... They do not like being disturbed, but, as it is their custom, in any case, to come out at midnight, that will not inconvenience them....
TYLTYL Why are Bread, Sugar and Milk so pale and why do they say nothing?...
MILK (staggering) I feel I am going to turn....
LIGHT (aside to TYLTYL) Do not mind them.... They are afraid of the dead....
FIRE (frisking about) I'm not afraid of them!... I am used to burning them.... Time was when I burnt them all; that was much more amusing than nowadays ...
TYLTYL And why Is Tylô trembling?... Is he afraid, too?...
THE DOG I?... I'm not trembling!... I am never afraid; but if you went away, I should go too....
TYLTYL And has the Cat nothing to say?...
THE CAT (mysteriously) I know what's what....
TYLTYL (to LIGHT) Are you coming with us?...
LIGHT No; it is better that I should remain at the gate of the graveyard with the Things and the Animals.... Some of them would be too frightened and I fear that the others would misbehave.... Fire, in particular, would want to burn the dead, as of old; and that is no longer done.... I shall leave you alone with Mytyl....
TYLTYL And may not Tylô stay with us?...
THE DOG Yes, yes, I shall stay; I shall stay here I... I want to stay with my little god!...
LIGHT It is impossible.... The Fairy gave formal orders; besides, there is nothing to fear....
THE DOG Very well, very well, it makes no difference. If they are vicious, my little god, all you have to do Is this ... (he whistles) and you shall see.... It will be just as in the forest: Wow! Wow! Wow!...
LIGHT Come, good-bye, dear children ... I shall not be far away.... (She kisses the CHILDREN.) Those who love me and whom I love always find me again.... (To the THINGS and the ANIMALS) This way, all of you....
(She goes out with the THINGS and the ANIMALS. The CHILDREN remain alone in the middle of the stage. The curtain, opens and discloses the next scene.)