Act Fourth
Scene I A Corridor in the Castle
Enter PÉLLÉAS and MÉLISANDE, meeting.
PÉLLÉAS.
Where goest thou? I must speak to thee to-night. Shall I see thee?
Mélisande
Yes.
Pélléas
I have just left my father’s room. He is getting better. The physician has told us he is saved…. And yet this morning I had a presentiment this day would end ill. I have had a rumor of misfortune in my ears for some time…. Then, all at once there was a great change; to-day it is no longer anything but a question of time. All the windows in his room have been thrown open. He speaks; he seems happy. He does not speak yet like an ordinary man, but already his ideas no longer all come from the other world…. He recognized me. He took my hand and said with that strange air he has had since he fell sick: “Is it thou, Pélléas? Why, why, I had not noticed it before, but thou hast the grave and friendly look of those who will not live long…. You must travel; you must travel….” It is strange; I shall obey him…. My mother listened to him and wept for joy.—Hast thou not been aware of it?—The whole house seems already to revive, you hear breathing, you hear speaking, you hear walking…. Listen; I hear some one speaking behind that door. Quick, quick! answer quickly! where shall I see thee?
Mélisande
Where wouldst thou?
Pélléas
In the park; near “Blind Man’s Spring.”—Wilt thou?—Wilt thou come?
Mélisande
Yes.
Pélléas
It will be the last night;—I am going to travel, as my father said. Thou wilt not see me more….
Mélisande
Do not say that, Pélléas…. I shall see thee always; I shall look upon thee always….
Pélléas
Thou wilt look in vain…. I shall be so far away thou couldst no longer see me…. I shall try to go very far away…. I am full of joy, and you would say I had all the weight of heaven and earth on my body to-day….
Mélisande
What has happened, Pélléas?—I no longer understand what you say….
Pélléas
Go, go; let us separate. I hear some one speaking behind that door…. It is the strangers who came to the castle this morning…. They are going out…. Let us go; it is the strangers…. [Exeunt severally.