Wow, it's been so long since I posted Part Three of this one-act play by Castelnovo! You can read it, along with Parts One and Two, by clicking "Italian Plays in Translation" above. Here's a reminder of the cast of characters:
BEATRICE GUIDOBALDI, niece and ward of
ARIBERTO GUIDOBALDI, father of
MARCELLO
A SERVANT
A summary of the action to this point: Ariberto's deceased uncle has stipulated in his will that his fortune be divided equally between his nephew, Ariberto, and his grand-niece, Beatrice, who is also Artiberto's ward. However, Beatrice will receive her inheritance only if she marries a Guidobaldi. Ariberto, therefore, has arranged that she marry his son Marcello, a seaman. However, Marcello has already promised himself to another woman. Marcello suggests to Beatrice that she marry his father instead.
BEATRICE has just run out of the room after telling ARIBERTO of MARCELLO'S suggestion.
SCENE 7
ARIBERTO (For a few minutes, he is ecstatic. In the long pause, he reveals the strange battle of his emotions; by and by, he persuades himself and exclaims:) "—provided she marry a Guidobaldi." (Reflecting.) But—Marcello? No! I cannot insist upon this with such certainty of making them both unhappy. Another man? Even worse! She would lose everything. And to whose advantage? Her good uncle's—her guardian's—mine! I, who have the sacred duty, in the face of the law and of the world, to protect her interests! (Soberly.) It is a matter of conscience. I cannot allow it! I cannot allow her to condemn herself to a life of isolation, without family—poor girl—without a husband who would wish for her all the good fortune she deserves! But not a featherbrain—that sort, God forbid, would perhaps cause her to pine away. Whereas a serious, settled man ... (Approaches the mirror, but then turns back.) It is a matter of conscience! (Trying to convince himself.) Oh, if Marcello had not declared that he did not want to ... if she ... I am a good father! but since Marcello does not want to ... nor does she ... (Little by little simplifying the facts.) And then, what are forty years? To a fit man, forty is nothing! It is usually said that for a ... and then ... (He again approaches the mirror and looks at himself stealthily, afraid of being observed) ... and then, Beatrice has said that I possess a certain carriage ... elegance ... (Appraising himself.) Ppuh! Not at all bad! She mentioned my hair ... (Smooths his hair.) There is a bit of greying ... but not very noticeable! She said as much to Marcello! It distresses her when I tug at my whiskers ... (Curls them.) Not bad, not at all! And the notion did occur to my son. I had not thought of it! (Brightening in his own contemplation.) How impossible things seem—but then, they grow more and more possible—so that they are very nearly probably! (Again at the mirror.) What a lovely rose! How becoming! "It was the only thing you needed"! She said so herself. Heavens, how flushed I am! I no longer know where my head is! (MARCELLO enters, sees him at the mirror, and halts in the doorway.)
SCENE 8
MARCELLO (To himself.) Looking at himself in the mirror! It's done, then! (Entering.) Papa!
ARIBERTO (Moving quickly away from the mirror.) Oh!
MARCELLO Did I startle you? I beg your pardon. It is that I have urgent need to speak to you.
ARIBERTO And I to you! (Fondly.) Marcello—you are a good son, a loyal man. I have discovered in you some excellent qualities. Come, let me embrace you!
MARCELLO (Goes to him and allows himself to be embraced.) It's done, it's done! (Aloud.) Dear Papa, your words are a great comfort to me. I thank you from the depths of my heart! And what is more, to prove to you that I am not ungrateful, I am come to tell you something.
ARIBERTO (With hearty affection.) Speak up, with no reticence! You know your father has always helped you when he could—even when you did not deserve it! Go on, speak up!
MARCELLO (Gravely.) I have considered.
ARIBERTO What?
MARCELLO Marrying my cousin.
ARIBERTO (Startled.) Oh! And?
MARCELLO And ... I examined my conscience and said to myself: Papa is only acting in my interests. I am blind in both eyes! A wife such as Beatrice is a veritable little treasure! (Enthusiastically.) Her ingenuousness, her spirit, her sense, her heart—all these things are enough to turn the head of the most serious man in the world! After our interview, I have decided to—
ARIBERTO (Anxiously.) To—
MARCELLO To satisfy you, dear Papa! And as soon as possible. I hope this time, you are truly happy with me!
ARIBERTO (Very agitated.) Well, naturally—of course! (Hesitantly.) But—I don't understand. Just a few moments ago, you—
MARCELLO I changed my mind—and also myself. I wish to obey you.
ARIBERTO (With much effort.) Excellent! (Hesitantly.) But—Beatrice—after all you confessed to her—is she—?
MARCELLO I shall say it was merely a scheme.
ARIBERTO And if she does not believe you?
MARCELLO You must help me to persuade her. (Emphatically.) She greatly esteems and—loves you. You need only to say the word!
ARIBERTO (Searching for excuses.) Marcello—what if both of you were to be unhappy in this marriage? For you do not love her! Did you, or did you not, tell me that you do not love her?
MARCELLO Aye, I did tell you that. But you answered: "Once you come to know her, you shall adore her!"
ARIBERTO Surely! I believed that. But then, in speaking with Beatrice, she considered the disparity in your ages. You are two years younger! and this, you must know, is a great misfortune. If you were, let us say—
MARCELLO Ten ... fifteen years older ...
ARIBERTO Precisely! Then we should not worry. But since you are not—
MARCELLO I shall compensate for it with good judgement.
ARIBERTO (Blurting out unintentionally.) A fine judgement you have!
MARCELLO I am your son. I shall follow your example. (Softly, mischievously, glancing around.) As for the other—the lady with the almond-shaped eyes—she shall console herself.
ARIBERTO Easy enough to say so! And if she does not? I should not like to have any regrets, you understand.
MARCELLO That is not my business. I am a good son—my father commands; I obey.
ARIBERTO (At his wit's end.) But I did not mean to force you! It is a matter of conscience! I absolutely do not want to be accomplice at any wrongdoing!
MARCELLO (Pretending astonishment.) What? Now it has become wrong? Papa! Either I deceive myself, or you are retracting your own words!
ARIBERTO I? No, indeed! I am not retracting anything—I am merely reconsidering.
MARCELLO Reconsidering! I am dumbstruck! You, who at first found everything so simple? You, who just moments ago, shouted, "Either we drink, or we drown"? To which I responded: "That other lady shall die of a broken heart." And you: "Rubbish! Youthful whims! Heed you father—for he has the experience of forty-one years!"
ARIBERTO (Interrupting.) I believe I said forty years.
MARCELLO "Heed your father, with his grey hair and wrinkles!"
ARIBERTO (Disconcerted.) Leave my hair and wrinkles out of this! I only mentioned them to say something.
MARCELLO and now, I come here and say to you: "Here I am!" You, for some strange reason to which I am not privy, have had a change of heart!
ARIBERTO That is not true!
MARCELLO You are confused!
ARIBERTO I, confused?
MARCELLO Aye. You very nearly make me suspect—
ARIBERTO What? (To himself.) I'm perspiring! (Aloud.) Suspect what?
MARCELLO (Intentionally hesitating.) That you—pardon me saying so—that you are acting in your own best interests?
ARIBERTO (At the peak of his confusion and embarrassment.) I? Well—that is—I mean to say—I— Oh, dash it, it is not true! Even if it were—
MARCELLO (With wonderment.) If it were! Did you say, "if it were"? (As if scandalized.) Who'd have thought it? The father is the son's rival! Oh, if the world only knew!
ARIBERTO Don't shout so! Quiet! You are mad. I said nothing of the kind. You are but imagining—it is not true!
MARCELLO It is too late, Papa, too late! You have betrayed yourself! (Aside.) Now to fan the flame! (Aloud.) Listen, Papa—a son is always a son. He owes his father respect, obedience—and, in some cases—enough, let us forget it! But in this particular case, I tell you loud and clear: (Loudly and resolutely.) My cousin belongs to me! It was you gave her to me, and woe to whomever may try to take her from me!
ARIBERTO (Confused, bewildered.) Why, yes, yes! Your cousin belongs to you. If you want her, marry her—and may God bless you both! (Very distressed, he paces up and down the room.)
MARCELLO Amen! (Hurrying to the door.) Cousin! Cousin!
ARIBERTO (Also hurrying to the door.) Beatrice! Beatrice!
FINALE
BEATRICE (Entering quickly.) Here I am! What is it?
ARIBERTO (With effort.) Marcello has confirmed what I myself told you—and has finally asked—
MARCELLO (Interrupting in a tone much altered than before.) One moment! Before tying the knot, I must beg a favour of my cousin. (Takes from his pocket a telegram.) Please read this telegram to my father. It has been burning a hole in my pocket these two hours. The reason I did not show him it earlier shall not be difficult to imagine. Listen carefully, Papa, for it concerns a very grave matter.
BEATRICE (Reading.) "Landed safely at Genoa. Made good railway connection. Shall arrive in few hours." (BEATRICE and ARIBERTO are puzzled. She continues reading.) "Young Ariberto in excellent health"—young Ariberto?—"With heart full of trepidation and hope, I embrace you. Irma." (Looks at MARCELLO).
ARIBERTO What is this business? Who are these people?
MARCELLO (Quietly.) My wife and son.
BEATRICE You are married?!
MARCELLO (Half laughing, half serious.) And a father.
ARIBERTO (Half disbelieving, uncertain how to take it.) It—it cannot be! (Grasps MARCELLO's arm and looks into his eyes.) Marcello?
MARCELLO (Bowing his head.) It is so! (Straightens up with conviction.) They are my wife and son. She is an honest woman who may enter the house of my ancestors with her head held high. (Tenderly.) And he is a blond angel, named Ariberto—for my father.
ARIBERTO (Not quite convinced, but essentially happy.) Married?
MARCELLO These three years. And now you see that, already possessing a wife, I naturally cannot take another!
BEATRICE But Cousin, why did you not say so immediately?
MARCELLO (Jokingly.) Ungrateful girl! She asks me why! (Soberly.) First of all, I had two difficult tasks to fulfill: to render myself disagreeable in such a way as to leave you with no regrets; and to obtain, in some way, absolution from my father. Needless to say, I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I return home after five years under rather unusual conditions; and find the old home hearth diligently arranged with good pieces of log, and beneath the log, young, sweet wood—and beneath that, all the kindling and dry cones, which require but a spark to set the whole thing afire! So I light a match—and suddenly, the dry cones crackle to life—they spew forth smoke and sparks—then up, up, up! They illuminate the whole room with a lovely glowing flame, so cheering to see! (To his father.) Papa—if, in order to light that flame, I used a bit of friction and, for just a moment, acted disrespectfully towards you—and Cousin—if, for just a moment, I deceived you and pretended to be something I am not—I ask you both to forgive me. (Little by little becoming moved.) Forgive me! Let my own hands warm themselves by the flame that they themselves lit. Let us all gather round it! And allow also those two poor souls who shall arrive shortly, wearied by the stormy ocean crossing, numbed and shaking with fever, emotion and cold— (Forcefully.) —welcome those two poor people, who are the innocent cause of your happiness!
ARIBERTO (After a pause.) Beatrice?
BEATRICE (In a resigned tone, but smiling at him.) Uncle?
MARCELLO (Returning to high spirits, shouting:) Drink or drown! (To his father.) I use your words! (Linking arms with both, one on either side of him.) Usually it is the father who blesses the marriage of the son. This time, for the first time, it shall be the son who gives his blessing to the father. (Hears a carriage outside.) It is they!
ARIBERTO (Looking at BEATRICE.) They? (Solemnly.) Very well—five places round the hearth are ready and waiting. (Offers his arm to BEATRICE, who understands and smiles.) Let us go and greet our daughter and grandson! (The curtain falls as they walk towards the door.)
FINIS
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