Scene III Before a Grotto
Enter PÉLLÉAS and MÉLISANDE.
[Speaking with great agitation.] Yes; it is here; we are there. It is so dark you cannot tell the entrance of the grotto from the rest of the night…. There are no stars on this side. Let us wait till the moon has torn through that great cloud; it will light up the whole grotto, and then we can enter without danger. There are dangerous places, and the path is very narrow between two lakes whose bottom has not yet been found. I did not think to bring a torch or a lantern, but I think the light of the sky will be enough for us.—You have never gone into this grotto?
Mélisande
No….
Pélléas
Let us go in; let us go in…. You must be able to describe the place where you lost the ring, if he questions you…. It is very big and very beautiful. There are stalactites that look like plants and men. It is full of blue darks. It has not yet been explored to the end. There are great treasures hidden there, it seems. You will see the remains of ancient shipwrecks there. But you must not go far in it without a guide. There have been some who never have come back. I myself dare not go forward too far. We will stop the moment we no longer see the light of the sea or the sky. When you strike a little light there, you would say the vault was covered with stars like the sky. It is bits of crystal or salt, they say, that shine so in the rock.—Look, look, I think the sky is going to clear…. Give me your hand; do not tremble, do not tremble so. There is no danger; we will stop the moment we no longer see the light of the sea…. Is it the noise of the grotto that frightens you? It is the noise of night or the noise of silence…. Do you hear the sea behind us?—It does not seem happy to-night…. Ah! look, the light!…
[The moon lights up abundantly the entrance and part of the darkness of the grotto; and at a certain depth are seen three old beggars with white hair, seated side by side, leaning upon each other and asleep against a bowlder.]
Mélisande
Ah!
Pélléas
What is it?
Mélisande
There are … there are…. [She points out the three Beggars.
Pélléas
Yes, yes; I have seen them too….
Mélisande
Let us go!… Let us go!…
Pélléas
Yes … it is three old poor men fallen asleep…. There is a famine in the country…. Why have they come to sleep here….
Mélisande
Let us go!… Come, come…. Let us go!…
Pélléas
Take care; do not speak so loud…. Let us not wake them…. They are still sleeping heavily…. Come.
Mélisande
Leave me, leave me; I prefer to walk alone….
Pélléas
We will come back another day…. [Exeunt.