Scene III _The-vaults of the Castle
Enter_ GOLAUD and PÉLLÉAS.
GOLAUD.
Take care; this way, this way.—You have never penetrated into these vaults?
Pélléas
Yes; once, of old; but it was long ago….
Golaud
They are prodigious great; it is a succession of enormous crypts that end, God knows where. The whole castle is builded on these crypts. Do you smell the deathly odor that reigns here?—That is what I wished, to show you. In my opinion, it comes from the little underground lake I am going to have you see. Take care; walk before me, in the light of my lantern. I will warn you when we are there, [They continue to walk in silence.] Hey! hey! Pélléas! stop! stop!—[He seizes him by the arm.] For God’s sake!… Do you not see?—One step more, and you had been in the gulf!…
Pélléas
But I did not see it!… The lantern no longer lighted me….
Golaud
I made a misstep…. but if I had not held you by the arm…. Well, this is the stagnant water that I spoke of to you…. Do you perceive the smell of death that rises?—Let us go to the end of this overhanging rock, and do you lean over a little. It will strike you in the face.
Pélléas
I smell it already;… you would say a smell of the tomb.
Golaud
Further, further…. It is this that on certain days has poisoned the castle. The King will not believe it comes from here.—The crypt should be walled up in which this standing water is found. It is time, besides, to examine these vaults a little. Have you noticed those lizards on the walls and pillars of the vaults?—There is a labor hidden here you would not suspect; and the whole castle will be swallowed up one of these nights, if it is not looked out for. But what will you have? nobody likes to come down this far…. There are strange lizards in many of the walls…. Oh! here … do you perceive the smell of death that rises?
Pélléas
Yes; there is a smell of death rising about us….
Golaud
Lean over; have no fear…. I will hold you … give me … no, no, not your hand … it might slip … your arm, your arm!… Do you see the gulf? [Moved.]—Pélléas? Pélléas?…
Pélléas
Yes; I think I see the bottom of the gulf…. Is it the light that trembles so?… You … [He straightens up, turns, and looks at GOLAUD.]
GOLAUD (with a trembling voice).
Yes; it is the lantern…. See, I shook it to lighten the walls….
Pélléas
I stifle here;… let us go out….
Golaud
Yes; let us go out….
[Exeunt in silence.