Savva and the Life of Man - BestLightNovel.com
You’re reading novel Savva and the Life of Man Part 59 online at BestLightNovel.com. Please use the follow button to get notification about the latest chapter next time when you visit BestLightNovel.com. Use F11 button to read novel in full-screen(PC only). Drop by anytime you want to read free – fast – latest novel. It’s great if you could leave a comment, share your opinion about the new chapters, new novel with others on the internet. We’ll do our best to bring you the finest, latest novel everyday. Enjoy
WIFE
You're not bad.
MAN
Yes, I am bad. When I walk along the street and see all the things that don't belong to us, I feel as if I had tusks like a boar. Oh, how much money I haven't got! Listen, my dear wife. I was walking in the park to-day, that lovely park, where the paths are straight as arrows and the beech-trees like kings wearing crowns--
WIFE
And I was walking in the city streets. Shops everywhere, such beautiful shops!
MAN
I saw men, beautifully dressed, carrying canes, and I thought: "I haven't anything like that."
WIFE
I saw elegantly dressed women, wearing dainty shoes that make your feet beautiful, and pretty hats from under which your eyes s.h.i.+ne impenetrably, and silk skirts that make such a mysterious rustle; and I thought: "I haven't a good hat or a silk skirt."
MAN
A ruffian jostled me. I showed him my tusks, and he fled in disgrace to hide himself in the crowd.
WIFE
A well-dressed lady jostled me, but I didn't even look at her, I felt so embarra.s.sed.
MAN
Men rode by on proud, fiery horses. And I have nothing like that.
WIFE
She had diamonds in her ears. You felt like kissing them.
MAN
Red and green automobiles glided past noiselessly like phantoms with burning eyes, and people sat in them and laughed and looked lazily from one side to the other. And I have nothing like it.
And I have no diamonds, no emeralds, no pure white pearls.
MAN
I saw a fine restaurant on the Island. It was brightly illuminated, like heaven, and they were eating there. Black-coated monsters carried around b.u.t.ter and bread and wine and beer, and people ate and drank.
My little wife, I'm hungry! I want something to eat!
WIFE
Dearie, you're running around all the time, and that makes you still hungrier. You'd better sit down. I'll kneel beside you, and you can take a piece of paper and draw a beautiful, beautiful building.
MAN
My inspiration is also hungry. It draws nothing but edible landscapes.
My palaces are like portly cakes with fat stuffing, and my churches like sausages. But I see tears in your eyes. What is it, my dear wife?
WIFE
I feel so miserable not to be able to help you.
MAN
You make me ashamed of myself. I am a strong man with a good mind; I am able, talented, and healthy, and yet I can't do a thing. My dear wife, my little fairy is crying, and I am not able to help her. A woman's tears are her husband's disgrace, I am ashamed.
WIFE
But it isn't your fault that people don't appreciate you.
MAN
My ears are burning just as they used to when I was a boy and had had them boxed. Why, you are hungry too, and I, egoist that I am, haven't noticed it. It's mean of me.
WIFE
My dear, I don't feel hungry.
MAN
It's unfair, it's contemptible. That ruffian who jostled me was right.
He saw I was a fat pig and that's all, a boar with sharp tusks but a stupid head.
WIFE.
If you are going to keep on reproaching yourself, I'll cry again.
MAN
Don't, don't. No tears! Tears in your eyes frighten me. I am afraid of those s.h.i.+ning crystal drops, as if some other, some terrible person were shedding them, not you. I won't let you cry. We have nothing, we are poor. But I'll tell you of what we are going to have. I will charm you with a bright fairy tale, my queen. I will array you in dazzling dreams as in roses!
WIFE
You mustn't be afraid. You are strong, you are a genius, you will conquer. Your momentary despair will pa.s.s away, and divine inspiration will again quicken your proud head.
MAN _(a.s.sumes a challenging att.i.tude and throws an oak leaf into the corner where the Unknown stands, saying)_ Ho, you, whatever your name, Fate, Devil, or Life, I fling my glove down before you, I challenge you to combat! The poor in spirit bow before your enigmatic power.
Your stony face inspires them with fear; in your silence they hear the approaching tread of misery and terrible ruin. But I am strong and bold, and I challenge you to combat! Come on! Let the swords glitter, the s.h.i.+elds clang! Deal and receive blows so that the earth trembles!
Ho, come forth to battle!
WIFE _(nestling up at his left, somewhat behind, speaking solemnly)_ Bolder, my husband, still bolder!
MAN