Scene II A Forest. Mélisande Discovered at the Brink of a Spring
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.