Aria da Capo

Edna St. Vincent Millay
Aria da Capo

The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aria da Capo, by Edna St. Vincent Millay #5 in our series by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook.
This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the header without written permission.
Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is important information about your specific rights and restrictions in how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved.
**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts**
**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971**
*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!*****
Title: Aria da Capo
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Release Date: May, 2004 [EBook #5790] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on September 1, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ARIA DA CAPO ***

This etext produced by David Starner.

ARIA DA CAPO
A PLAY IN ONE ACT
Copyright, 1920
By Edna St. Vincent Millay
Printed in the U. S. A.

PERSONS
Pierrot
Columbine
Cothurnus, Masque of Tragedy
Thyrsis -\ Shepherds Corydon -/
[Scene: A stage]
[The curtain rises on a stage set for a Harlequinade, a merry black and white interior. Directly behind the footlights, and running parallel with them, is a long table, covered with a gay black and white cloth, on which is spread a banquet. At the opposite ends of this table, seated on delicate thin-legged chairs with high backs, are Pierrot and Columbine, dressed according to the tradition, excepting that Pierrot is in lilac, and Columbine in pink. They are dining.]
COLUMBINE: Pierrot, a macaroon! I cannot live without a macaroon!
PIERROT: My only love, You are so intense! . . . Is it Tuesday, Columbine?-- I'll kiss you if it's Tuesday.
COLUMBINE: It is Wednesday, If you must know . . . . Is this my artichoke, Or yours?
PIERROT: Ah, Columbine,--as if it mattered! Wednesday . . . . Will it be Tuesday, then, to-morrow, By any chance?
COLUMBINE: To-morrow will be--Pierrot, That isn't funny!
PIERROT: I thought it rather nice. Well, let us drink some wine and lose our heads And love each other.
COLUMBINE: Pierrot, don't you love Me now?
PIERROT: La, what a woman!--how should I know? Pour me some wine: I'll tell you presently.
COLUMBINE: Pierrot, do you know, I think you drink too much.
PIERROT: Yes, I dare say I do. . . . Or else too little. It's hard to tell. You see, I am always wanting A little more than what I have,--or else A little less. There's something wrong. My dear, How many fingers have you?
COLUMBINE: La, indeed, How should I know?--It always takes me one hand To count the other with. It's too confusing. Why?
PIERROT: Why?--I am a student, Columbine; And search into all matters.
COLUMBINE: La, indeed?-- Count them yourself, then!
PIERROT: No. Or, rather, nay. 'Tis of no consequence. . . . I am become A painter, suddenly,--and you impress me-- Ah, yes!--six orange bull's-eyes, four green pin-wheels, And one magenta jelly-roll,--the title As follows: Woman Taking in Cheese from Fire-Escape.
COLUMBINE: Well, I like that! So that is all I've meant To you!
PIERROT: Hush! All at once I am become A pianist. I will image you in sound. . . . On a new scale. . . , Without tonality. . . Vivace senza tempo senza tutto. . . . Title: Uptown Express at Six O'Clock. Pour me a drink.
COLUMBINE: Pierrot, you work too hard. You need a rest. Come on out into the garden, And sing me something sad.
PIERROT: Don't stand so near me! I am become a socialist. I love Humanity; but I hate people. Columbine, Put on your mittens, child; your hands are cold.
COLUMBINE: My hands are not cold!
PIERROT: Oh, I am sure they are. And you must have a shawl to wrap about you, And sit by the fire.
COLUMBINE: Why, I'll do no such thing! I'm hot as a spoon in a teacup!
PIERROT: Columbine, I'm a philanthropist. I know I am, Because I feel so restless. Do not scream, Or it will be the worse for you!
COLUMBINE: Pierrot, My vinaigrette! I cannot live without My vinaigrette!
PIERROT: My only love, you are So fundamental! . . . How would you like to be An actress, Columbine?--I am become Your manager.
COLUMBINE: Why, Pierrot, I can't act.
PIERROT: Can't act! Can't act! La, listen to the woman! What's that to do with the price of furs?--You're blonde, Are you not?--you have no education, have you?-- Can't act! You underrate yourself, my dear!
COLUMBINE: Yes, I
Continue reading on your phone by scaning this QR Code

 / 12
Tip: The current page has been bookmarked automatically. If you wish to continue reading later, just open the Dertz Homepage, and click on the 'continue reading' link at the bottom of the page.