Pulcinella’s Duel. — Colbrand and Pulcinella (Both Armed)
Col. I am beside myself with joy; the master evidently thinks something of me; he has given me a nag! Now we shall see whether or no it is possible for an idiot of a rustic to take Nanon from me. I’ll ornament his face for him! If he is a man of his word, and keeps his appointment, woe to him!
Pul. Perdition! Who is here?
Col. If he comes——! (Threatens him.)
Pul. After all, I am a man—I remember the saying; for necessity teaches one many things.
Col. Oh! bravo! You have kept your word, and come in time.
Pul. Listen, Colbrand. If you want to fight, I am quite ready; but you must tell me, first, how long you have learnt fencing.
Col. What does that matter?
Pul. It matters to me.
Col. Five years.
Pul. I have been learning for ten. I don’t want to take a mean advantage of you; go and take lessons five years more, and then come, and I’ll give you satisfaction.
Col. Ah! you coward!
Pul. Ah! get out of the way!
Col. You shall not go away—you are caught—one of us has to remain here.
Pul. Very well, you remain, and I will go away.
Col. You pretend not to understand me. I mean that one of us has to remain here dead.
Pul. Oh! dead?
Col. Certainly.
Pul. Well, do you remain dead, and then we shall be all right.
Col. Who is to kill me?
Pul. I, if you wish.
Col. No, I do not wish. I shall defend myself to the utmost.
Pul. Come, let’s say no more about it. Is it worth while to kill a man for the sake of a woman?
Col. These excuses will not serve you—draw your sword, or I will strike.
Pul. (aside). Oh! the devil! I’m dead. (Aloud.) Listen to me. The first time I girt on my sword I made a vow that it should never be stained with blood.
Col. You ass in clothes! You shall either give up Nanon to me, or I will rid the world of you.
Pul. Listen to me. You have a quarrel with me out of jealousy, because I have taken your sweetheart from you; but I have none with you—on the contrary, I am sorry for you; it would be too bad to kill you, after having made a fool of you.
Col. I am not listening to you. Come, this blade shall be your answer.
Pul. I have no quarrel with you.
Col. What am I to do, then?
Pul. Call me some vile names, then I shall get angry, and come to blows with you.
Col. Very well. You are a scoundrel, a ruffian, a cowardly knave.
Pul. Supposing that what you say is the truth, what reason have I to be angry?
Col. You are a dissolute wretch, the son of vile parents.
Pul. I think you must be a gipsy to know this. You are telling me nothing but the truth.
Col. In this way we shall do nothing.
Pul. But if what you say is true?
Col. (aside). Oh! the base wretch! Come on, will you?
Pul. Softly, softly. (Aside.) I see no one coming. Tell me things that are not true, and then I shall fire up like any Englishman. I know what my nature is.
Col. Very well, you are a gentleman.
Pul. A gentleman! I! and when was I ever that?
Col. Yes, a gentleman—a valiant and honourable gentleman.
Pul. And I am to fight with a pig—a dirty blackguard like you?
Col. This to me! Power of the world! draw your sword this moment, or I’ll strike.
Pul. Steady, steady. Wait a bit—don’t you see I have to get it drawn.
Col. Well, if you do not draw it, I won’t strike. I am waiting for you.
Pul. If I do not draw, you will not strike?
Col. No.
Pul. I am not going to draw for ten years to come at the very least.... Very well, come on. (Draws his sword.) Here I am, quite ready. How do you wish to have it?
Col. At the first blood.
Pul. Very well. Ah! ah! eh! (He strikes at Colbrand, standing as far from him as he can, and crying out loudly.)
Col. Do be quiet. Some one will come, and we shall be disturbed.
[Pulcinella makes more noise than ever, when Logman arrives on the scene, and demands an explanation of the quarrel. The presence of a third person revives Pulcinella’s courage, and he loudly declares his intention of running Colbrand through and through till his person is like a sieve. He then falls to chaffing the pompous steward, who loses his temper, and finally dismisses him. Pulcinella, leaving the stage, asks, “Do you know why I am going?” and candidly adds, “because I am afraid.” While Colbrand, seeing that he is well out of the way, remarks to Logman, “For your sake I will remain quiet—but, another time...” leaving the terrible threat incomplete.]
Francesco Cerlone (c. 1750–1800).