Turn of the screw

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Turn of the screw Libretto

THE TURN OF THE SCREWMusic by Benjamin Britten

THE TURN OF THE SCREWCast:

(The action takes place in and

around Bly a country-house in

the East of England, in the middle

of the last century. The line 'The

ceremony of innocence is drowned'

is taken from a poem by W. B. Yeats.

The songs, 'Tom, Tom, the Piper's

Son' and 'Lavender's Blue' are

traditional nursery rhymes. The

Latin words used in Act One,

Scene 6, are schoolboy's rhyming

grammatical rules)

SYSTEMACT ONE

Prologue

(The Prologue is discovered in front

of a drop curtain.)

It is a curious story. I have it written in

faded ink - a woman's hand, governess

to two children - long ago.

Untried, innocent, she had gone first to

see their guardian in London; a young

man, bold, offhand and gay, the

children's only relative.

The children were in the country with

an old housekeeper. There had been a

governess, but she had gone. The boy,

of course, was at school, but there was

the girl, and the holidays, now begun.

This then would be her task. But there

was one condition: he was so much

engaged; affairs, travel, friends, visits,

always something, no time at all for

the poor little things

She was to do everything, be responsible

for everything, not to worry him at all,

no, not to write, but to be silent, and

do her best. She was full of doubts. But

she was carried away: that he, so gallant

and handsome, so deep in the busy

world, should need her help.

At last "I will", she said.

(The lights fade and the drop curtain

rises in darkness.)

Theme

Scene 1 - The Journey

(The lights go up on the interior of a

coach. The Governess is in travelling

dress.)

GOVERNESSNearly there.

GOVERNESSVery soon I shall know,

GOVERNESSI shall know what's in store for me.

GOVERNESSWho will greet me?

GOVERNESSThe children... the children.

GOVERNESSWill they be clever?

GOVERNESSWill they like me?

GOVERNESSPoor babies, no father, no mother.

GOVERNESSBut I shall love them as I love my own,

GOVERNESSAll my dear ones left at home,

GOVERNESSso far away - and so different.

GOVERNESSIf things go wrong, what shall I do?

GOVERNESSWho can I ask,

GOVERNESSwith none of my kind to talk to?

GOVERNESSOnly the old housekeeper,

GOVERNESShow will she welcome me?

GOVERNESSI must not write to their guardian,

GOVERNESSthat is the hardest part of all.

GOVERNESSWhatever happens, it is I, I must decide.

GOVERNESSA strange world for a stranger's sake.

GOVERNESSO why did I come?

GOVERNESSNo! I've said I will do it,

GOVERNESSand for him I will.

GOVERNESSThere's nothing to fear.

GOVERNESSWhat could go wrong?

GOVERNESSBe brave, be brave.

GOVERNESSWe're nearly there.

GOVERNESSVery soon I shall know

GOVERNESSVery soon I shall know.

The lights fade.

Variation I

Scene 2 - The Welcome

(The lights go up on the porch a t Bly.

Mrs. Grose, with the children dancing

about.)

FLORAMrs. Grose!

FLORAWill she be nice?

FLORAMrs. Grose!

FLORAWill she be cross?

FLORAWhy doesn't she hurry?

FLORAWhy isn't she here?

FLORAWill she like us?

FLORAShall we like her?

MRS. GROSEQuiet, children!

MRS. GROSELord! How you do tease!

MRS. GROSEWill she be this, will she be that,

MRS. GROSEa dozen times I do declare.

MRS. GROSEYou'll see soon enough.

MRS. GROSENow quietly, do!

(She gives Flora a little good-natured

tidying shake, pats Mile's hair into

place, smooths down her own apron.)

MRS. GROSEMiss Flora, your pinafore!

MRS. GROSEMaster Miles, your hair!

MRS. GROSEKeep still dearie, or you'll wear me out.

MRS. GROSENow show me how you bow.

Miles bows.

MRS. GROSEHow do you curtsey?

Flora curtseys.

MRS. GROSEBow!

Miles bows

MRS. GROSECurtsey!

(Flora curtseys, and they continue

bowing and curtseying until

Mrs. Grose stops them.)

MRS. GROSEHere she is now.

Enter Governess.

GOVERNESSYou must be Mrs. Grose?

GOVERNESSI'm so happy to see you...

GOVERNESSso happy to be here.

curtseying

MRS. GROSEHow do you do, Miss.

MRS. GROSEWelcome to Bly!

GOVERNESSThis must be Flora?

GOVERNESSAnd Miles?

Flora curtseys, Miles bows.

GOVERNESSHow charming they are,

GOVERNESShow beautiful too.

GOVERNESSThe house and park are so splendid,

GOVERNESSfar grander than I am used to.

GOVERNESSI shall feel like a princess here.

GOVERNESSBly, I begin to love you.

MRS. GROSEI'm happy,

MRS. GROSEso happy that you've come, Miss.

MRS. GROSEMiss Flora and Master Miles are happy,

MRS. GROSEso happy that you're here too.

MRS. GROSEThey're good children,

MRS. GROSEyes, they are, they're good, Miss.

MRS. GROSEThey're lively,

MRS. GROSEtoo lively for an ignorant old woman.

MRS. GROSEThey wear me out,

MRS. GROSEindeed they do.

MRS. GROSEMy poor head isn't bright enough -

MRS. GROSEthe things they think up!

MRS. GROSEI'm far too old a body for games,

MRS. GROSEMiss, far too old,

MRS. GROSEand now they'll do better with

MRS. GROSEa young thing as lively

MRS. GROSEas they are themselves.

MRS. GROSEMaster Miles is wonderful at lessons,

MRS. GROSEand Miss Flora's sharp too.

MRS. GROSEYes, they're clever -

MRS. GROSEthey need their own kind,

MRS. GROSEthey're far too clever for me!

GOVERNESSBly, I begin to love you.

FLORACome along! Come along! Do!

FLORAWe want to show you the house.

FLORAWe want to show you the park.

FLORADon't stay talking here any more.

MRS. GROSEThey'll do better now,

MRS. GROSEthey'll do better with a young thing.

Pardon the liberty Miss.

MRS. GROSEThey'll do better now you're here!

MRS. GROSEQuiet, children!

MRS. GROSELord! How you do tease.

MRS. GROSEIn a trice they'll be dragging you

MRS. GROSEall over the park.

GOVERNESSNo, they must show me everything!

GOVERNESSFor Bly is now my home.

(The lights fade as the children lead

the Governess off.)

Variation II

Scene 3 - The Letter

(The lights fade in again on the porch

at Bly to the side of which more of the

house is now visible, including a low

window)

entering

MRS. GROSEMiss! Miss!

MRS. GROSEa letter for you.

The Governess comes out of the house.

MRS. GROSEHere!

(the Governess takes the letter and

reads it quietly. Aside.)

MRS. GROSEA good young lady, Ill be bound,

MRS. GROSEand a pretty one too.

MRS. GROSENow all will be well,

MRS. GROSEwe were far too long alone!

GOVERNESSMrs. Grose!

GOVERNESSHe's dismissed his school.

MRS. GROSEWho?

GOVERNESSLittle Miles.

MRS. GROSEMiles?

GOVERNESSWhat can it mean -

GOVERNESSnever go back?

MRS. GROSENever?

GOVERNESSNever!

GOVERNESSO, but for that he must be bad!

MRS. GROSEHim bad?

GOVERNESSAn injury to his friends.

MRS. GROSEHim an injury - I won't believe it!

GOVERNESSTell me, Mrs Grose,

GOVERNESShave you ever known

GOVERNESSMiles to be bad?

MRS. GROSEA boy is no boy for me

MRS. GROSEif he is never wild.

MRS. GROSEBut bad, no, no!

GOVERNESSI cannot think him really bad, not Miles.

GOVERNESSNever!

MRS. GROSENever! Not Master Miles.

MRS. GROSEHe can be wild, but not bad.

(The children are seen at the

window, quietly playing together)

FLORALavender's blue, diddle, diddle,

FLORALavender's green,

FLORAWhen I am King, diddle, diddle,

FLORAYou shall be Queen.

FLORACall up your men, diddle, diddle,

FLORASet them to work,

FLORASome to the plough, diddle, diddle,

FLORASome to the cart.

FLORASome to make hay, diddle, diddle,

FLORASome to cut corn,

FLORAWhile you and I, diddle, diddle -

FLORAGOVERNESS, Mrs. GROSE

FLORASee how sweetly he plays,

FLORAand with how gentle a look

he turns to his sister.

FLORAYes! The Child is an angel!

FLORAit is nonsense - never a word of truth.

FLORAit is all a wicked lie.

The window fades.

MRS. GROSEWhat shall you do then?

GOVERNESSI shall do nothing.

MRS. GROSEAnd what shall you say to him?

GOVERNESSI shall say nothing.

MRS. GROSEBravo! And I'll stand by you.

MRS. GROSEO miss,

MRS. GROSEmay I take the liberty?

(Mrs Grose kisses her The scene

fades.)

Variation III

Scene 4 -The Tower

(The lights fade in again on the house.

The tower is now visible. It is evening.

Sweet summer. Enter the Governess,

strolling.)

GOVERNESSHow beautiful it is.

GOVERNESSEach day it seems more beautiful to me.

GOVERNESSAnd my darling children enchant me

GOVERNESSmore and more.

GOVERNESSMy first foolish fears

GOVERNESSare all vanished now,

GOVERNESSare all banished now -

GOVERNESSthose fluttering fears

GOVERNESSwhen I could not forget the letter -

GOVERNESSwhen I heard a far off cry in the night -

GOVERNESSand once a faint footstep passed

GOVERNESSmy door.

GOVERNESSOnly one thing I wish,

GOVERNESSthat I could sea him -

GOVERNESSand that he could sea how well

GOVERNESSI do his bidding.

GOVERNESSThe birds fly home to these great trees,

GOVERNESShere too I am at home.

GOVERNESSAlone, tranquil, serene.

Quint becomes visible on the tower

GOVERNESSHa! 'Tis he!

(He looks steadily at her then turns

and vanishes.)

GOVERNESSNo! No! Who is it?

GOVERNESSWho? Who can it be?

GOVERNESSSome servant -

GOVERNESSno! I know them all.

GOVERNESSWho is it who?

GOVERNESSWho can it be?

GOVERNESSSome curious stranger?

GOVERNESSBut how did he get in?

GOVERNESSWho is it, who?

GOVERNESSSome fearful madman

GOVERNESSlocked away there?

GOVERNESSAdventurer? Intruder?

GOVERNESSWho is it, who?

GOVERNESSWho can it be?

The scene fades.

Variation IV

Scene 5 - The Window

(The lights fade in on the interior of

the hall at Bly Flora and Miles ride

in on a hobby horse.)

FLORATom, Tom, the piper's son

FLORAStole a pig and away he run.

FLORAPig was eat and Tom was beat,

FLORATom ran howling down the street.

MILESNow I'll steal the pig

FLORAGo on then, go on!

FLORATom, Tom, the piper's son!

FLORAStole a pig and away he run -

MILESNow chase me, chase me.

FLORAI'll catch you.

FLORAPig was eat and Tom was beat,

FLORATom ran howling down the street.

FLORALet's do it again.

off

GOVERNESSChildren! Are you ready?

GOVERNESSRun along then.

FLORATom, Tom, the piper's son.

(They ride out as the Governess

comes in.)

GOVERNESSI'll follow.

off

FLORAStole a pig and away he run.

(The Governess looks about for a

moment, picks up a pair of gloves and

is about to go out when she looks up

and sees Quint appear suddenly in the

window. They gaze at each other. He

disappears. The Governess runs out and

looks through the window as Quint

had done. Mrs. Grose enters as the

Governess rushes back Into the room.)

MRS. GROSEAh! My dear!

MRS. GROSEYou look so white and queer.

MRS. GROSEWhat's ha happened?

GOVERNESSI have been frightened.

MRS. GROSEWhat was it?

GOVERNESSA man looked through the window,

GOVERNESSa strange man.

GOVERNESSBut I saw him before,

GOVERNESSon the tower.

MRS. GROSENo one from the village?

GOVERNESSNo.

MRS. GROSEA gentleman then?

GOVERNESSNo! Indeed no!

MRS. GROSEWhat was he like?

GOVERNESSHis hair was red, close-curling,

GOVERNESSa long, pale face, small eyes.

GOVERNESSHis look was sharp, fixed and strange.

GOVERNESSHe was tall, clean-shaven, yes,

GOVERNESSeven handsome.

GOVERNESSBut a horror!

MRS. GROSEQuint! Peter Quint!

MRS. GROSEDear God, is there no end

MRS. GROSEto his dreadful ways?

GOVERNESSPeter Quint - who is that?

GOVERNESSTell me, Mrs. Grose!

GOVERNESSDo you know him then?

MRS. GROSEDear God!

She weeps.

GOVERNESSMrs. Grose,

GOVERNESSwhat has happened here,

GOVERNESSin this house?

MRS. GROSEQuint, Peter Quint,

MRS. GROSEthe master's valet.

MRS. GROSELeft here in charge.

MRS. GROSEIt was not for me to say,

MRS. GROSEmiss, no indeed,

MRS. GROSEI had only to see to the house.

MRS. GROSEBut I saw things elsewhere I did not like.

MRS. GROSEWhen Quint was free with everyone -

MRS. GROSEWith little Master Miles -

GOVERNESSMiles?

MRS. GROSEHours they spent together.

MRS. GROSEYes, miss, he made free with her too -

MRS. GROSEwith lovely Miss Jessel,

MRS. GROSEgoverness to those pets,

MRS. GROSEthose angels, those innocent babes -

MRS. GROSEand she a lady, so far above him.

MRS. GROSEDear God! Is there no end!

MRS. GROSEBut he had ways to twist them round

MRS. GROSEhis little finger.

MRS. GROSEHe liked them pretty

MRS. GROSEI can tell you, miss,

MRS. GROSEand he had his will, morning and night.

GOVERNESSBut why did you not tell your master?

GOVERNESSWrite to him?

GOVERNESSSend for him to come?

MRS. GROSEI dursn't.

MRS. GROSEHe never liked worries.

MRS. GROSE'Twas not my place.

MRS. GROSEThey were not in my charge.

MRS. GROSEQuint was too clever

MRS. GROSEI feared him -

MRS. GROSEfeared what he could do.

MRS. GROSENo, Mr. Quint,

MRS. GROSEI did not like your ways!

MRS. GROSEAnd then she went.

MRS. GROSEShe couldn't stay, not then.

MRS. GROSEShe went away to die.

GOVERNESSTo die?

GOVERNESSAnd Quint?

MRS. GROSEHe died too.

GOVERNESSDied?

MRS. GROSEFell on the icy road -

MRS. GROSEstruck his head, lay

MRS. GROSEthere till morning, dead!

MRS. GROSEDear God,

MRS. GROSEis there no end to his dreadful ways?

GOVERNESSI know nothing of these things.

GOVERNESSIs this sheltered place

GOVERNESSthe wicked world

GOVERNESSwhere things unspoken of can be?

MRS. GROSEDear God!

GOVERNESSOnly this much I know;

GOVERNESSthings have been done here

GOVERNESSthat are not good,

GOVERNESSand have left a taste behind them.

GOVERNESSThat man: impudent, spoiled, depraved.

GOVERNESSMrs. Grose, I am afraid, not for me,

GOVERNESSfor Miles.

GOVERNESSHe came to look for Miles,

GOVERNESSI'm sure of that,

GOVERNESSand he will come again.

MRS. GROSEI don't understand.

GOVERNESSBut I see it now,

GOVERNESSI must protect the children,

GOVERNESSI must guard their quiet,

GOVERNESSand their guardian's too.

GOVERNESSSee that I see, know what I know,

GOVERNESSthat they may see and know nothing.

MRS. GROSELord, Miss!

MRS. GROSEDon't understand a word

MRS. GROSEof what you say.

MRS. GROSEBut I'll stand by you,

MRS. GROSELord, Miss,

MRS. GROSEindeed I will.

The lights fade.

Variation V

Scene 6 - The Lesson

(The lights fade in on the schoolroom.

The Governess is hearing Miles his

Latin lesson. Flora is "helping")

echoing

FLORAMany nouns it is we find

FLORATo the masculine are assigned:

FLORAAmnis, axis, caulis, collis,

FLORAClunis, crinis, fascis, follis,

FLORAFustis, ignis, orbis, ensis.

FLORAPanis, piscis, postis, mensis,

FLORATorris, unguis and canalis,

FLORAVectis, vermis, and natalis,

FLORASanguis, pulvis, cucumis,

FLORALapis, casses, manes, glis.

FLORAMany nouns it is we find

FLORATo the masculine are assigned:

GOVERNESSThat's good, Miles,

GOVERNESSyou've learned that well!

GOVERNESSNow say for me -

frisking around

FLORACan't we stop now?

FLORALet's do history!

FLORABoadicea on her chariot!

FLORALook at me!

GOVERNESSDon't tease, dear!

GOVERNESSWe must do Miles' Latin.

GOVERNESSCome now!

GOVERNESSWhat else do you remember?

GOVERNESSNow think.

to himself hesitating

MILESMalo: I would rather be

MILESMalo: in an apple-tree

MILESMalo: than a naughty boy

MILESMalo: in adversity.

GOVERNESSWhy, Miles, what a funny song!

GOVERNESSDid I teach you that?

MILESNo, I found it.

MILESI like it.

MILESDo you?

MILESMalo, Malo, Malo...

The scene fades.

Variation VI

Scene 7 - The Lake

(The lights fade in on the lake in the

park. A sunny morning. Flora and the

Governess wander in, the Governess

with a book, Flora with a doll.)

FLORAO rivers and seas and lakes!

FLORAIs this lake in my book?

GOVERNESSNo dear, it's far too small.

FLORASmall? It's huge!

FLORAIt's a great wide sea!

GOVERNESSThen you must name it.

GOVERNESSCome Flora,

GOVERNESSwhat seas do you know?

FLORAAdriatic and Aegean,...

GOVERNESSYes!

FLORA... Baltic, Bosnian and the Caspian,...

GOVERNESSGood!

FLORA... Black and Red and

FLORAWhite and Yellow,...

GOVERNESSAnd?

FLORA... Medi-medi-terra-nean!

GOVERNESSGo on!

FLORAAnd... and... and... the Dead Sea.

GOVERNESSAnd this one?

FLORAIs the Dead Sea.

GOVERNESSOh!

FLORAHow can a sea be dead?

GOVERNESSThey call it dead

GOVERNESSbecause nothing can live in it.

FLORAThen I wouldn't go in it,

FLORAand neither would Miles.

(They settle down, Flora on the

ground, with her doll, the Governess

on a bench, with her book.)

FLORAGo to sleep, my dolly dear.

FLORAGo to sleep.

GOVERNESSSing to her dear,

GOVERNESSdolly must sleep wherever

GOVERNESSyou choose.

FLORADolly must sleep

FLORAwherever I choose.

She rocks her doll.

FLORAToday by the dead salt sea,

FLORATomorrow her waxen lids may close

FLORAOn the plains of Muscovy.

FLORAAnd now like

FLORAa Queen of the East she lies,

FLORAWith a Turk to guard her bed,

FLORABut next,

FLORAwhen her short-lived daylight dies,

FLORAShe's a shepherdess instead.

FLORABut sleep dear dolly, O sleep and when

FLORAYou are lost in your journeying dream

FLORAThe sea may change to a palace again,

FLORAFor nothing shall stay the same...

(She goes on rustling and patting

the doll, pulling the coverlet on,

arranging reeds over her head.)

FLORAThat's right, my darling.

FLORAHow good you are.

FLORAGo to sleep.

(She turns round deliberately to face

the audience as Miss Jessel appears

at the other side of the lake. The

Governess looks up from her reading

and sees Miss Jessel who disappears.)

getting up

GOVERNESSFlora! Come along!

GOVERNESSWe must go now, go,

GOVERNESSand find Miles.

shouting off

MILESHullo! Where are you, you two?

GOVERNESSThere he is!

GOVERNESSGo to him! Go to him!

off

MILESHullo!

Flora runs out.

GOVERNESSMiss Jessel!

GOVERNESSIt was Miss Jessel!

GOVERNESSShe returns too, - she too, - she too, -

GOVERNESSAnd Flora saw, I know she saw,

GOVERNESSand said nothing.

GOVERNESSThey are lost! Lost!

GOVERNESSI neither save nor shield them.

GOVERNESSI keep nothing from them.

GOVERNESSO, I am useless, useless.

GOVERNESSWhat can I do?

GOVERNESSlt is far worse than I dreamed.

GOVERNESSThey are lost!

GOVERNESSLost! Lost!

(The scene fades as the Governess

goes out.)

Variation VII

Scene 8 - At Night

unseen

QUINTMiles!

(The lights fade in on the front of

the house and the tower. Quint is on

the tower. Miles in the garden

below him in his night things.)

MILESI'm here... O I'm here!

QUINTI am all things strange and bold,

QUINTThe riderless horse Snorting,

QUINTstamping on the hard sea sand,

QUINTThe hero-highwayman

QUINTplundering the land.

QUINTI am King Midas with gold in his hand.

MILESGold, O yes, gold!

QUINTI am the smooth world's double face,

QUINTMercury's heels feathered with mischief

QUINTand a God's deceit.

QUINTThe brittle blandishment of counterfeit.

QUINTIn me secrets,

QUINTand half-formed desires meet.

MILESSecrets, O secrets!

QUINTI am the hidden life that stirs

QUINTWhen the candle is out;

QUINTUpstairs and down, the footsteps

QUINTbarely heard.

QUINTThe unknown gesture, and the soft,

QUINTpersistent word,

The long sighing light of the

QUINTnight-winged bird.

MILESBird!

QUINTMiles!

MILESI'm listening.

QUINTMiles!

MILESI'm here.

QUINTMiles!

unseen

MISS JESSELFlora!

MISS JESSELCome!

QUINTMiles!

(The lights come up on Flora at the

window and Miss Jessel by the lake.)

FLORAI'm here...

FLORAO I'm here -

MISS JESSELCome!

MILESI'm listening, I'm here.

QUINTMiles!

MISS JESSELTheir dreams and ours

MISS JESSELCan never be one,

MISS JESSELThey will forsake us.

MISS JESSELO come to me! Come!

FLORATell me, what shall I see there?

to Miles

QUINTWhat goes on in your head,

QUINTwhat questions?

QUINTAsk, for I answer all.

MISS JESSELAll those we have wept for together;

MISS JESSELBeauty forsaken in the beast's demesne,

The little mermaid weeping on the sill,

MISS JESSELGerda and Psyche seeking

MISS JESSELtheir loves again Pandora,

MISS JESSELwith her dreadful box, as well.

to Miles

QUINTWhat goes on in your dreams?

QUINTKeep silent!

QUINTI know, and answer that too.

MISS JESSELTheir knowledge and ours

MISS JESSELCan never be one,

MISS JESSELThey will despise us.

MISS JESSELO come to me, come!

MISS JESSELQUINT, Miss JESSEL

MISS JESSELOn the paths, in the woods,

MISS JESSELon the banks, by the walls,

MISS JESSELin the long, lush grass,

or the winter leaves,

fallen leaves, I wait -

MISS JESSELOn the paths, in the woods,

MISS JESSELon the banks, by the walls,

MISS JESSELin the long, lush grass

or the winter leaves,

MISS JESSELI shall be there, you must not fail.

approaching

GOVERNESSMiles!

GOVERNESSWhere are you?

approaching

MRS. GROSEFlora!

MRS. GROSEAre you there?

MISS JESSELFlora!

MISS JESSELCome to me! -

FLORAYes!

FLORAI shall be there -

MILESI shall never fail -

QUINTCome!

QUINTMiles!

(The Governess appears in the porch.

Mrs. Grose appears in the window.

Quint and Miss Jessel disappear.

The Governess runs to Miles.)

GOVERNESSMrs. Grose!

GOVERNESSGo to Flora!

MRS. GROSEWhy, whatever's going on?

MRS. GROSEMiss Flora out of bed!

GOVERNESSMiles!

GOVERNESSWhat are you doing here?

Mrs. Grose takes Flora away.

MILESYou see, I am bad, I am bad,

MILESaren't I?

(Miles goes into house followed by

the Governess as the lights fade.)

SYSTEMACT II

MILESVariation VIII

SYSTEMScene 1 - Colloquy and Soliloquy

MILES(The lights fade in on Quint and

MILESMiss Jessel - nowhere.)

MISS JESSELWhy did you call me

MISS JESSELfrom my schoolroom dreams?

QUINTI call? Not I!

QUINTYou heard the terrible sound

QUINTof the wild swan's wings.

MISS JESSELCruel!

MISS JESSELWhy did you beckon me to your side?

QUINTI beckon? No, not I!

QUINTYour beating heart to your own

QUINTpassions lied.

MISS JESSELBetrayer! Where were you

MISS JESSELwhen in the abyss I fell?

QUINTBetrayer? No, not I!

QUINTI waited for the sound

QUINTof my own last bell.

MISS JESSELAnd now what do you seek?

QUINTI seek a friend.

MISS JESSELShe is here!

laughing

QUINTNo! - self-deceiver!

MISS JESSELAh! Quint, Quint, do you forget?

QUINTI seek a friend -

QUINTObedient to follow where I lead,

QUINTslick as a juggler's mate

QUINTto catch my thought,

QUINTproud, curious, agile, he shall feed

QUINTmy mounting power.

QUINTThen to his bright subservience

QUINTI'll expound

QUINTthe desperate passions

QUINTof a haunted heart,

QUINTand in that hour

QUINT"The ceremony

QUINTof innocence is drowned"

MISS JESSELI too must have a soul to share my woe.

MISS JESSELDespised, betrayed,

MISS JESSELunwanted she must go

MISS JESSELforever to my joyless spirit bound,

MISS JESSEL"The ceremony

MISS JESSELof innocence is drowned"

The Ghosts come together.

MISS JESSELQUINT, Miss JESSEL

MISS JESSELDay by day the bars we break,

MISS JESSELbreak the love that laps them round,

MISS JESSELcheat the careful watching eyes,

MISS JESSEL"The ceremony

MISS JESSELof innocence is drowned"

MISS JESSEL(The lights slowly fade on the Ghosts

MISS JESSELand fade in on the Governess.)

GOVERNESSLost in my labyrinth

GOVERNESSI see no truth,

GOVERNESSonly the foggy walls

GOVERNESSof evil press upon me.

GOVERNESSLost in my labyrinth

GOVERNESSI see no truth.

GOVERNESSO innocence, you have corrupted me,

GOVERNESSwhich way shall I turn?

GOVERNESSI know nothing of evil,

GOVERNESSyet I feel it, I fear it,

GOVERNESSworse - imagine it.

GOVERNESSLost in my labyrinth

GOVERNESSwhich way shall I turn?

The lights fade.

GOVERNESSVariation IX

SYSTEMScene 2 - The Bells

GOVERNESS(The lights fade in on the churchyard

GOVERNESSwith a table-tomb and an indication

GOVERNESSof a church.)

chanting off

FLORAO sing unto them a new song:

FLORALet the congregation praise him.

FLORAO ye works and days:

FLORABless ye the Lord.

They walk in like choir boys.

FLORAO ye rivers and seas and lakes:

FLORABless ye the Lord.

FLORAO amnis, axis, caulis, collis,

FLORAclunis, crinis, fascis, follis:

FLORABless ye the Lord.

FLORAPraise him and magnify him for ever.

FLORA(The children settle themselves on

FLORAthe tomb as the Governess and Mrs.

Grose enter.)

MRS. GROSEO Miss, a bright morning... to be sure.

absently

GOVERNESSYes.

FLORAO ye tombstones and trees:

FLORAPraise him.

MRS. GROSEBright as the Sunday morning bells,

MRS. GROSEhow I love the sound.

GOVERNESSYes.

FLORAO ye bells and towers:

FLORAPraise him.

MRS. GROSEAnd the dear children,

MRS. GROSEhow sweet they are together.

GOVERNESSYes.

FLORAO ye paths and woods:

FLORAPraise him.

O ye frosts and fallen leaves:

FLORAPraise him.

FLORAO ye dragons and snakes,

FLORAworms and feathered fowl:

FLORARejoice in the Lord.

MRS. GROSECome Miss, don't worry

MRS. GROSEIt will pass I'm sure.

MRS. GROSEThey're so happy with you.

MRS. GROSEYou're so good to them.

MRS. GROSEWe all love you, miss.

FLORAO Mrs. Grose, bless ye the Lord:

FLORAMay she never be confounded.

taking Mrs. Grose aside.

GOVERNESSDear good Mrs. Grose -

GOVERNESSThey are not playing,

GOVERNESSthey are talking horrors.

MRS. GROSEOh! Never!

GOVERNESSWhy are they so charming?

GOVERNESSWhy so unnaturally good?

GOVERNESSI tell you they are not with us,

GOVERNESSbut with the others.

MRS. GROSEWith Quint - and that woman?

GOVERNESSWith Quint and that woman.

MRS. GROSEBut what could they do?

GOVERNESSDo! They could destroy them.

MRS. GROSEMiss! You must write to their uncle.

GOVERNESSThat his house is poisoned,

GOVERNESSthe children mad -

GOVERNESSor that I am?

GOVERNESSI was changed not to worry him.

MRS. GROSEYes. He do hate worry.

GOVERNESSI shall never write to him.

GOVERNESSCan you not feel them

GOVERNESSround about you?

GOVERNESSThey are here, there, everywhere.

GOVERNESSAnd the children are with them,

GOVERNESSthey are not with us.

MRS. GROSECome Miss, don't worry.

MRS. GROSEIt will pass I'm sure.

MRS. GROSEThey're so happy with you,

MRS. GROSEyou're so good to them.

MRS. GROSEWe all love you so.

MRS. GROSENever you mind,

MRS. GROSEwell be all right, you'll see.

FLORAO ye paths and woods:

FLORABless ye the Lord.

FLORAO ye walls and towers:

FLORABless ye the Lord.

FLORAO ye moon and stars,

FLORAwindows and lakes:

FLORAPraise him and magnify him for ever.

MRS. GROSECome Miss!

MRS. GROSEIt is time we went in.

MRS. GROSECome to church, my dear,

MRS. GROSEit will do you good.

MRS. GROSEFlora!

MRS. GROSEMiles!

MRS. GROSECome along, dears.

(She takes the children off towards

MRS. GROSEthe church and goes in with Flora.

MRS. GROSEMiles hangs back and then comes up

MRS. GROSEto the Governess.)

MILESDo you like the bells?

MILESI do.

MILESThey're not half finished yet.

GOVERNESSNo.

MILESThen we can talk

MILESand you can tell me when

MILESI'm going back to school.

GOVERNESSAre you not happy here?

MILESI'm growing up, you know.

MILESI want my own kind.

GOVERNESSYes, you're growing up.

MILESSo much I want to do,

MILESso much I might do...

GOVERNESSBut I trust you, Miles.

MILESYou trust me, my dear,

MILESbut you think and think...

MILESof us, and of the others.

MILESDoes my uncle think what you think?

He goes off in to the church.

MILESMrs. GROSE, FLORA, MILES

from the church

MILESPraise him and magnify him for ever!

GOVERNESSIt was a challenge!

GOVERNESSHe knows what I know,

GOVERNESSand dares me to act.

GOVERNESSBut who would believe my story?

GOVERNESSMrs. Grose?

GOVERNESSNo - she's no good.

GOVERNESSShe has doubts.

GOVERNESSI am alone, alone.

GOVERNESSI must go away now,

GOVERNESSwhile they are at church;

GOVERNESSaway from those false little lovely eyes;

GOVERNESSaway from my fears,

GOVERNESSaway from the horrors;

GOVERNESSaway from this poisoned place;

GOVERNESSaway, away!

The lights fade as she runs away.

GOVERNESSVariation X

SYSTEMScene 3 - Miss Jessel

GOVERNESS(The light fades in on the

GOVERNESSschool-room, with desk The

Governess enters immediately.

GOVERNESSMiss Jessel is sitting at the desk.)

GOVERNESSShe is here!

GOVERNESSHere, in my own room!

MISS JESSELHere my tragedy began,

MISS JESSELhere revenge begins.

GOVERNESSNearer and nearer she comes,

GOVERNESSfrom the lake, from the stair.

MISS JESSELAh, here I suffered,

MISS JESSELhere I must find my peace.

GOVERNESSFrom the stair, from the passage.

MISS JESSELPeace did I say?

MISS JESSELNot peace but the fierce imparting

MISS JESSELof my woe.

GOVERNESSFrom the passage,

GOVERNESSinto the very heart of my kingdom.

MISS JESSELI shall come closer, closer,

MISS JESSELand more often.

GOVERNESSThere she sheds

GOVERNESSher ghastly influence.

GOVERNESSShe shall not!

GOVERNESSI won't bear it!

MISS JESSELSo I shall be waiting,

MISS JESSELwaiting for the child.

MISS JESSEL(The Governess braces herself to

MISS JESSELspeak directly to her.)

GOVERNESSWhy are you here?

rising

MISS JESSELAlas! Alas!

GOVERNESSIt is mine, mine, the desk.

MISS JESSELAlas! Alas!

GOVERNESSThey are mine, mine, the children.

GOVERNESSI will never abandon them.

MISS JESSELAlas! Alas!

MISS JESSELI cannot rest.

MISS JESSELI am weary and I cannot rest.

GOVERNESSBegone!

GOVERNESSYou horrible, terrible woman!

MISS JESSELAlas!

She disappears.

GOVERNESSI can't go - I can't.

GOVERNESSBut I can no longer support it alone.

GOVERNESSI must write to him,

GOVERNESSwrite to him now.

She goes to the desk and writes.

GOVERNESSSir - dear Sir -

GOVERNESSmy dear Sir -

GOVERNESSI have not forgotten

GOVERNESSyour charge of silence,

GOVERNESSbut there are things that you must know,

GOVERNESSand I must see you,

GOVERNESSmust see and tell you, at once.

GOVERNESSForgive me. That is all.

The scene fades.

GOVERNESSVariation XI

SYSTEMScene 4 - The Bedroom

GOVERNESS(The lights fade in on Miles sitting

GOVERNESSrestlessly on the edge of his bed,

GOVERNESSwith his jacket and shoes off. The

GOVERNESSroom is lit by a candle.)

MILESMalo: than a naughty boy..

MILESMalo: in...

MILES(The Governess is seen approaching

MILESthe room.)

MILESI say, what are you waiting for?

comes in

GOVERNESSWhy Miles, not yet in bed?

GOVERNESSNot even undressed.

MILESO I've been sitting,

MILESsitting and thinking.

GOVERNESSThinking?

GOVERNESSOf what were you thinking?

MILESOf this queer life,

MILESthe life we've been living.

GOVERNESSWhat do you mean by that?

GOVERNESSWhat life?

MILESMy dear, you know.

MILESYou're always watching.

GOVERNESSI don't know, Miles,

GOVERNESSfor you've never told me,

GOVERNESSyou've told me nothing,

GOVERNESSnothing of what happened before I came.

GOVERNESSI thought till today

GOVERNESSthat you were quite happy.

MILESI am, I am.

MILESI'm always thinking, thinking.

GOVERNESSMiles, I've just written to your guardian.

MILESWhat a lot you'll have to tell him.

GOVERNESSSo will You, Miles.

GOVERNESS(Miles changes his position, but does

GOVERNESSnot answer.)

GOVERNESSMiles - dear little Miles,

GOVERNESSis there nothing you want to tell me?

Miles shifts again.

unseen

QUINTMiles - are you listening?

GOVERNESSMiles, what happened at school?

GOVERNESSWhat happened here?

Miles turns away from her.

unseen

QUINTMiles - I am here.

GOVERNESSMiles,

GOVERNESSif you knew how

GOVERNESSI want to help you,

GOVERNESShow I want you to help me save you.

unseen

QUINTMiles - I'm waiting, I'm waiting,

QUINTwaiting, Miles.

The candle goes out.

MILESAh!

GOVERNESSOh, what is it?

GOVERNESSWhat is it?

GOVERNESSWhy, the candle's out!

MILESTwas I who blew it,

MILESwho blew it, dear!

The scene fades.

MILESVariation XII

MILES(In the first production, throughout

MILESthis Variation and the following

SYSTEMScene, Quint appeared as a silhouette)

unseen

QUINTSo! She has written.

QUINTWhat has she written?

QUINTShe has told all she knows.

QUINTWhat does she know?

QUINTIt is there on the desk,

QUINTthere on the desk.

QUINTEasy to take!

SYSTEMScene 5 - Quint

QUINT(Miles is seen hesitating in his room.

QUINTHe then creeps across the stage to

QUINTthe desk)

unseen

QUINTTake it!

(Miles takes the Governess's

QUINTletter across to his bedroom.

QUINTThe lights fade.)

QUINTVariation XIII

SYSTEMScene 6 - The Piano

QUINT(Miles is seen sitting at the piano,

QUINTplaying. The Governess and Mrs.

QUINTGrose are hovering about listening

QUINTto him. Flora is sitting on the floor,

QUINTplaying at 'cat 's cradle')

QUINTGOVERNESS, Mrs. GROSE

QUINTO what a clever boy; why,

QUINThe must have practised very hard.

MRS. GROSEI never knew a little boy so good.

GOVERNESSYes, there is no mistake,

GOVERNESShe is clever, they both are.

MRS. GROSEThey've come on wonderfully

MRS. GROSEwell with you, Miss.

GOVERNESSMy dear,

GOVERNESSwith such children anything is possible.

She takes Mrs. Grose aside.

GOVERNESSI've done it!

GOVERNESSI've written it!

GOVERNESSIt's ready for the post.

MRS. GROSEThat's right, Miss.

MRS. GROSEI'm sure that's right.

aloud to Miles

GOVERNESSGo on, dear.

GOVERNESSMrs. Grose is enjoying it.

GOVERNESSWe're all enjoying it.

GOVERNESSGOVERNESS, Mrs. GROSE

GOVERNESSO what a clever boy!

GOVERNESSI never knew a little boy so good.

GOVERNESS(The Governess stays by the piano

GOVERNESShanging over Miles. He finishes his

first piece and turns the pages for the

GOVERNESSsecond.)

walks over to watch Flora playing.

MRS. GROSEAnd Miss Flora, playing at cat's cradle.

MRS. GROSEThere's a nimble-fingered little girl.

She settles down near Flora.

MRS. GROSEMrs. GROSE, FLORA

echoing

MRS. GROSECradles for cats

MRS. GROSEAre string and air.

MRS. GROSEIf you let go

MRS. GROSEthere's nothing there.

MRS. GROSEBut if we are neat

MRS. GROSEand nimble and clever

MRS. GROSEpussy-cat's cradle will

MRS. GROSEgo on for ever.

FLORAMrs. Grose, are you tired?

FLORA(During this conversation Miles

FLORAbegins showing off at the piano.)

MRS. GROSEWell, my head do keep nodding.

MRS. GROSEIt's this warm room.

softly

GOVERNESSAh, Miles!

GOVERNESSMiles!

FLORAShut your eyes

FLORAthen and you shall have a cradle,

FLORAMrs. Grose's cradle -

MRS. GROSEAnd Master Miles' playing.

to Mrs. Grose

FLORAGo to sleep!

Flora slips away unnoticed.

softly

GOVERNESSAh, Miles!

GOVERNESSMiles!

She stops him suddenly.

GOVERNESSFlora!

GOVERNESSMrs. Grose!

GOVERNESSWake up!

GOVERNESSShe is gone.

MRS. GROSEWhat? Who, Miss?

GOVERNESSFlora's gone, gone out to her.

GOVERNESSCome, we must go and find her!

MRS. GROSELord, Miss!

MRS. GROSEBut you'll leave the boy?

GOVERNESSO I don't mind that now,

GOVERNESShe's with Quint!

GOVERNESSHe's found the most divine little

GOVERNESSway to keep me quiet while she went.

GOVERNESSCome! Come!

GOVERNESS(They rush off. Miles plays triumphantly

GOVERNESSon as the scene slowly fades.)

GOVERNESSVariation XIV

SYSTEMScene 7 - Flora

GOVERNESS(The scene fades in on Flora by

GOVERNESSthe side of the lake, watching.

GOVERNESSThe Governess and Mrs. Grose

GOVERNESSare heard, calling off-stage.)

GOVERNESSMrs. GROSE, GOVERNESS

off

GOVERNESSFlora!

GOVERNESS(They rush in and see the girl

GOVERNESSby the lake.)

MRS. GROSEThere she is!

She runs over to Flora.

MRS. GROSEFancy running off like that,

MRS. GROSEand such a long

MRS. GROSEway, too, without your hat and coat.

MRS. GROSE(The Governess slowly walks over

MRS. GROSEto them.)

MRS. GROSEYou are a naughty girl,

MRS. GROSEwhatever made you leave us all?

GOVERNESSAnd where, my pet, is Miss Jessel?

GOVERNESS(Miss Jessel appears on the other

GOVERNESSside of the lake.)

MISS JESSELFlora!

GOVERNESSAh! She is there!

GOVERNESSLook! She is there!

Pointing.

GOVERNESSLook! You little unhappy thing!

GOVERNESSLook! Mrs. Grose!

GOVERNESSShe is there!

MISS JESSELFlora! Do not fall me!

MRS. GROSEIndeed Miss, there's nothing there.

GOVERNESSOnly look, dearest woman,

GOVERNESSdon't you see, now, now!

MISS JESSELNothing shall they know.

to Flora

MRS. GROSEShe isn't there, little lady,

MRS. GROSEnobody is there.

GOVERNESSBut look!

FLORAI can't see anybody, can't see anything,

FLORAnobody, nothing, nobody, nothing;

FLORAI don't know what you mean.

comforting

MRS. GROSEThere's nobody there. -

MISS JESSELWe know all things,

MISS JESSELthey know nothing,

MISS JESSELdon't betray me.

MISS JESSELSilence!

MRS. GROSEShe isn't there.

MRS. GROSEWhy, poor Miss Jessel's

MRS. GROSEdead and buried,

MRS. GROSEwe know that, love.

MRS. GROSEIt's all a mistake.

FLORAYou're cruel, horrible,

FLORAhateful, nasty.

FLORAWhy did you come here?

FLORAI don't know what you mean.

FLORATake me away!

Pointing at the Governess.

FLORAI don't like her!

FLORAI hate her!

with horror

GOVERNESSMe!

MRS. GROSEYes, it's all a mistake,

MRS. GROSEand we'll get home

MRS. GROSEas fast as we can.

MRS. GROSEThere, there, dearie,

MRS. GROSEwe'll get home as fast as we can.

GOVERNESSYes! Go! Go! Go!

MISS JESSELAh! Flora, Flora,

MISS JESSELdo not fail me! Flora!

FLORAI can't see anybody,

FLORAcan't see anything,

FLORAnobody, nothing.

FLORAI don't know what she means.

FLORACruel, horrible,

FLORAhateful, nasty!

FLORAWe don't want you!

FLORATake me away, take me away from her!

FLORAHateful, cruel,

FLORAnasty, horrible!

FLORA(Flora and Mrs. Grose go off

FLORAcomforting one another. The

FLORAGoverness watches them go while

FLORAMiss Jessel slowly disappears.)

GOVERNESSAh! my friend, you have forsaken me!

GOVERNESSAt last you have forsaken me.

GOVERNESSFlora, I have lost you,

GOVERNESSshe has taught you how to hate me.

GOVERNESSAm I then horrible?

GOVERNESSNo! No!

GOVERNESSBut I have failed, most miserably failed,

GOVERNESSand there is no more innocence in me.

GOVERNESSAnd now she hates me!

GOVERNESSHates me!

The lights quickly fade.

GOVERNESSVariation XV

SYSTEMScene 8 - Miles

GOVERNESS(The house and grounds. As the lights

GOVERNESSfade in Mrs. Grose and Flora appear in

GOVERNESSthe porch, dressed for travelling, Flora

GOVERNESSwith doll and little bag. The Governess

GOVERNESSwalks towards them, Flora deliberately

turns her back.)

GOVERNESSMrs. G rose -

MRS. GROSEO Miss,

MRS. GROSEyou were quite right,

I must take her away.

MRS. GROSESuch a night as I have spent -

She cries.

MRS. GROSENo, don't ask me.

MRS. GROSEWhat that child has poured out

MRS. GROSEin her dreams -

MRS. GROSEthings I never knew nor hope to know,

MRS. GROSEnor dare remember.

GOVERNESSMy dear,

GOVERNESSI thought I had lost you,

GOVERNESSthought you couldn't believe me,

GOVERNESSmy dear -

I must take her away.

GOVERNESSYes, go to their uncle.

GOVERNESSHe knows now that all is not well,

GOVERNESShe has had my letter.

MRS. GROSEMy dear, your letter never went,

MRS. GROSEit wasn't where you put it.

GOVERNESSMiles?

MRS. GROSEMiles must have taken it.

GOVERNESSAll the same, go,

GOVERNESSand I shall stay and face what

GOVERNESSI have to face with the boy.

GOVERNESS(Mrs. Grose goes quickly to

Flora and takes her off.)

GOVERNESSO Miles -

GOVERNESSI cannot bear to lose you!

GOVERNESSYou shall be mine, and I shall save you.

Miles saunters on.

MILESSo, my dear, we are alone.

GOVERNESSAre we alone?

MILESOh, I'm afraid so.

GOVERNESSDo you mind?

GOVERNESSDo you mind being left alone?

MILESDo you?

GOVERNESSDearest Miles,

GOVERNESSI love to be with you -

GOVERNESSwhat else should I stay for?

MILESSo, my dear,

MILESfor me you stay?

GOVERNESSI stay as your friend,

GOVERNESSI stay as your friend.

GOVERNESSMiles, there is nothing

GOVERNESSI would not do for you, remember -

MILESYes, yes.

MILESIf I'll do something now

MILESfor you.

GOVERNESSDo tell me what it is then

GOVERNESSyou have on your mind.

unseen

QUINTMiles!

QUINT(Miles looks desperately round,

QUINTbut cannot see Quint.)

GOVERNESSI still want you to tell me.

MILESNow?

GOVERNESSYes - it would be best, you know.

unseen

QUINTBeware of her!

Miles looks about again.

GOVERNESSWhat is it, Miles?

GOVERNESSDo you want to go and play?

MILESAwfully!

MILESI will tell you everything.

MILESI will!

unseen

QUINTNo!

MILESBut not now.

GOVERNESSMiles, did you steal my letter?

appears on the tower

QUINTMiles! I am waiting,

QUINTwatching for you now.

QUINT(The Governess sees Quint and pushes

QUINTMiles round so that he cannot see him.)

GOVERNESSDid you?

MILESNo. Yes.

MILESI took it.

Quint turns away.

GOVERNESSWhy did you take it?

Quint descends the tower

MILESTo see what you said about us.

QUINTBe silent!

GOVERNESSMiles, dear little Miles,

GOVERNESSwho is it you see?

GOVERNESSWho do you wait for, watch for?

QUINTDo not betray our secrets.

QUINTBeware, beware of her!

MILESI don't know what you mean.

GOVERNESSWho is it, who?

GOVERNESSSay - for my sake -

GOVERNESSlook at me, Miles!

QUINTMiles, you're mine!

QUINTYou must be free.

MILESIs he there, is he there?

GOVERNESSIs who there, Miles?

GOVERNESSSay it!

QUINTDon't betray us, Miles!

MILESNobody, nothing.

GOVERNESSWho? Who?

GOVERNESSWho made you take the letter?

GOVERNESSWho do you wait for, watch for?

GOVERNESSOnly say the name

GOVERNESSand he will go for ever, for ever.

QUINTOn the banks, by the walls,

QUINTremember Quint.

QUINTAt the window. on the tower,

QUINTwhen the candle is out,

QUINTremember, Quint.

QUINTHe leads, he watches,

QUINThe waits, he waits.

MILESPeter Quint, you devil.

MILES(He runs into the

MILESGoverness's arms.)

GOVERNESSAh, Miles, you are saved,

GOVERNESSnow all will be well.

GOVERNESSTogether we have destroyed him.

QUINTAh Miles, we have failed.

QUINTNow I must go.

QUINTFarewell.

QUINTFarewell, Miles, farewell.

Quint slowly disappears

GOVERNESSAh! What is it?

GOVERNESSWhat is it?

GOVERNESSMiles, speak to me, speak to me.

GOVERNESSWhy don't you answer?

She realises that the boy is dead.

GOVERNESSMiles, Miles, Miles!

GOVERNESSAh. ah, don't leave me now!

She lays him down on the ground.

GOVERNESSAh! Miles!

GOVERNESSMalo, Malo!

GOVERNESSMalo than a naughty boy.

GOVERNESSMalo, Malo in adversity.

GOVERNESSWhat have we done between us?

GOVERNESSMalo, Malo, Malo, Malo, Malo...

GOVERNESST h e E n d