ACT I.

Scene: Paris. A Hall in the Royal Palace.

Carloman is pacing backward and forward: he pauses by a crucifix set up at the further end of the hall.

CARLOMAN.

[Enter a Servant.]

SERVANT.

CARLOMAN.

[As Boniface enters the Servant withdraws.]

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

[Boniface, who has seen Pepin approaching, withdraws to the back of the hall, stands before the Crucifix in mute prayer, and then passes out, looking back at the brothers. Pepin is a short, stout man, with florid complexion and much vehemence of manner. He wipes the perspiration from his face and addresses Carloman without looking at him.]

{6}

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

[King Chilperic is borne in a litter with great pomp. His golden hair sweeps over the sides of the litter; his face is nerveless and exhausted.]

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CHILPERIC.

PEPIN.

CHILPERIC.

CARLOMAN.

CHILPERIC.

[Exeunt Chilperic, Pepin and the Frankish Nobles.]

{11}

CARLOMAN.

[Enter Geneviva.]

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

[Carloman folds her in his arms quietly. Then with great effort bends over her and speaks]

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

[She looks after Carloman, who walks out, stroking his chin].

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

[She goes up to him: he takes her hands in his, kisses them coldly, and puts them away.]

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

[Re-enter Pepin.]

PEPIN.

GENEVIVA.

PEPIN.

MARCOMIR.

PEPIN.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

[Carloman and Boniface cross from right to left at the back of the hall. Geneviva intercepts them.]

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

[He turns away and covers his face.]

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

PEPIN.

[Exeunt Pepin and Geneviva.]

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

ACT II

Scene: An audience-chamber in the old Lateran Palace, Rome.

[Enter Zacharias and Damiani.]

DAMIANI.

ZACHARIAS.

DAMIANI.

ZACHARIAS.

DAMIANI.

ZACHARIAS.

DAMIANI.

ZACHARIAS.

DAMIANI.

ZACHARIAS.

[Enter a Cardinal.]

CARDINAL.

ZACHARIAS.

DAMIANI.

[Enter Rachis with two Cardinals.]

ZACHARIAS.

RACHIS.

ZACHARIAS.

RACHIS.

[He watches Zacharias with the utmost anxiety.]

ZACHARIAS.

RACHIS.

ZACHARIAS.

RACHIS.

ZACHARIAS.

[Enter Carloman and Marcomir with another Cardinal.]

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

RACHIS.

CARLOMAN.

RACHIS.

CARLOMAN.

RACHIS.

CARLOMAN.

RACHIS.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

RACHIS.

ZACHARIAS.

MARCOMIR.

RACHIS.

[He throws himself again on the ground in despair.]

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

[Enter another Cardinal.]

CARDINAL.

[He ushers Boniface in.]

ZACHARIAS.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

BONIFACE.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

[As Carloman moves away, Marcomir bends forward.]

MARCOMIR.

BONIFACE.

ACT III

Scene: The Garden and Cloisters of Monte Casino.

MARCOMIR.

[He strikes himself without pity; then, seeing Damiani enter the court, he hurriedly drops the shard.]

DAMIANI.

MARCOMIR.

DAMIANI.

MARCOMIR.

DAMIANI.

MARCOMIR.

[Marcomir unlocks the prison-door, flings it open and draws back behind the trellis of vines.]

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

[Enter Damiani and a number of monks.]

DAMIANI.

CARLOMAN.

DAMIANI.

CARLOMAN.

DAMIANI.

CARLOMAN.

DAMIANI.

CARLOMAN.

A MONK.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

[The monks press round Carloman tumultuously.]

CARLOMAN.

OLD MONK.

DAMIANI.

OLD MONK.

CARLOMAN.

Ist OLD MONK.

CARLOMAN.

2nd OLD MONK.

Ist OLD MONK.

3rd OLD MONK.

4th OLD MONK.

OLD MONK.

CARLOMAN.

OLD MONK.

CARLOMAN.

Ist OLD MONK.

CARLOMAN.

OLD MONK.

Ist OLD MONK.

OLD MONK.

IST MONK.

CARLOMAN.

OLD MONK.

[Damiani, with Rachis and a large troop of monks, is seen coming from the Chapel.]

CARLOMAN.

[Enter Astolph with a band of Lombard soldiers.]

MONKS.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

DAMIANI.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

DAMIANI.

ASTOLPH.

RACHIS.

ASTOLPH.

RACHIS.

ASTOLPH.

DAMIANI.

ASTOLPH.

[He looses his helmet and dips it in the well. Carloman puts both hands round it as soon as it is full of water.]

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

CARLOMAN.

ASTOLPH.

DAMIANI.

[Astolph laughs and moves up the courtyard to summon his men: Damiani and Rachis talk to each other; the monks listen in a scared group.]

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

[Astolph throws his scarlet riding-cloak over Carloman, who seizes Marcomir with an impetuous movement and draws him toward the horses that champ at the gate.]

{58}

ACT IV

Scene: The Hall of the Frankish Palace. Early morning; the remains of a banquet on the table, drinking-cups, wine bottles, faded leaves.

[A Servant is wiping away the stains of wine from the floor.]

SERVANT.

[Enter another Servant.]

2ND SERVANT.

[A voice is heard richly humming.]

1ST SERVANT.

2ND SERVANT.

1ST SERVANT.

2ND SERVANT.

1ST SERVANT.

[They join in as the voice sings]

2ND SERVANT.

[Enter Carloman.]

1ST SERVANT.

CARLOMAN.

1ST SERVANT.

CARLOMAN.

2ND SERVANT.

CARLOMAN.

1ST SERVANT.

2ND SERVANT.

1ST SERVANT.

2ND SERVANT.

CARLOMAN.

[He throws wide all the windows: then leans out of the last. While his back is turned, Geneviva staggers drowsily in, reels to the board, tries to drink, then flings herself against the throne sleeping.]

[Impulsively beginning to pace.]

[pausing at sight of Geneviva.]

[He comes close.]

[Marcomir stands at the door.]

[He bends over her; she wakes, looks up, laughs in his face, and then speaks.]

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

[She pours wine into a goblet—he drinks]

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

[she looks at him doubtfully]

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

[Observing Marcomir passing and re-passing the windows]

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

[She restrains Carloman and goes to the door.]

[Marcomir enters.]

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

[Enter Pepin.]

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

[He shudders and bows his head. Exeunt Marcomir and Geneviva.]

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

CARLOMAN.

[Enter Pope Zacharias, Boniface and a number of Churchmen and nobles.]

PEPIN.

ZACHARIAS.

PEPIN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

PEPIN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

[He throws both arms over his face, then suddenly removing them, makes a frenzied movement closer to the Pope.]

ZACHARIAS.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

PEPIN.

ZACHARIAS.

[moving up to the royal board that crosses the hall at the further end]

[Pepin and his nobles follow Zacharias: Attendants bring in fetters. Carloman submits mechanically to be bound, staring at Pepin, who affixes his signature to the treaty.]

[Boniface goes round to Carloman.]

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

[Chilperic is taken before Zacharias and Pepin; they appear to address him, to consult with each other: then a monk advances and cuts off Chilperic’s long hair, while he weeps bitterly. Geneviva and Marcomir re-enter hurriedly as if they had heard bad news and see Carloman bound.]

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

MARCOMIR.

GENEVIVA.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

ACT V

Scene: The Prison at Vienne.

[Carloman lying on a plank bed.]

CARLOMAN.

[The door opens and a Warder enters.]

WARDER.

CARLOMAN.

WARDER.

CARLOMAN.

WARDER.

CARLOMAN.

WARDER.

CARLOMAN.

[He buries his face in his hand.]

WARDER.

CARLOMAN.

WARDER.

CARLOMAN.

WARDER.

CARLOMAN.

WARDER.

[He rises, shakes the crumbs from his lap, sets the half-empty wine-bottle on a ledge within Carloman’s reach and goes out.]

CARLOMAN.

[Carloman drags himself up and props himself by the wall with his ear against it.]

[He crouches and looks through the chinks.]

[Enter Zacharias and two Monks.]

{86}

ZACHARIAS.

MONK.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

CARLOMAN.

ZACHARIAS.

[Exit with the Monks.]

CARLOMAN.

[Enter Marcomir in lay dress.]

{89}

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

CARLOMAN.

MARCOMIR.

[Boniface enters and steals up to Carloman.]

{93}

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

BONIFACE.

CARLOMAN.

[Marcomir brings the wine-bottle]

[He sinks back and dies.]

{94}

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