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BORGO PRESS DRAMAS BY FRANK J. MORLOCK
Chuzzlewit
Crime and Punishment
Falstaff (with William Shakespeare, John Dennis, and William Kendrick)
Fathers and Sons
The Idiot
Jurgen
Justine
Lord Jim
Notes from the Underground
Oblomov
Outrageous Women: Lady Macbeth and Other French Plays (editor and translator)
Peter and Alexis
The Princess Casamassima
A Raw Youth
The Stendhal Hamlet Scenarios and Other Shakespearean Shorts from the French (editor and translator)
COPYRIGHT INFORMATION
Copyright © 1980, 2012 by Frank J. Morlock
Published by Wildside Press LLC
www.wildsidebooks.com
DEDICATION
For Gerry Tetrault, Dana Woloshen,
Ernest Ibarra, and Carmen Martínez
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Jurgen
Monk
Old Monk
Neighbor
Dorothy la Désirée
Hetman Michael
Guenevere
Knight
Lisa
King Gogyrvan
Merlin
Brown Man
Anaitis
Hooded Man
Chloris
Priest
Queen Dolores
Devil
Second Devil
Coth
Satan
Florimel
Young Jurgen
God
Koschei
Other Priests
PROLOGUE
A roadway in a medieval setting. A monk with a sack enters and falls over a rock. Jurgen, a merchant in his early forties, enters from the opposite direction.
Monk
Owww!
Jurgen
Are you all right, brother?
Monk
May the devil who placed this cursed stone in my way kiss my arse!
Jurgen
Fie, brother! Has not the devil enough to bear as it is?
Monk
It hurt my big toe confoundedly. Damn the devil to Hell, I say.
Jurgen
It does not behoove God-fearing persons to speak so ill, and with such disrespect of the divinely appointed Prince of Darkness. Consider this monarch’s industry! Day and night he toils at the task Heaven set for him—placing temptations in our way, so that by avoiding them, we may reach our salvation. And with such consummate skill and professionalism. Why, but for him, you, a monk, and I, a pawnbroker—would be penniless. And think of all the other professionals that would starve—lawyers, pimps, prostitutes. Why our whole economy would be disrupted.
Monk
Stuff and nonsense. Fuck the devil and all his works.
(Exit monk with his sack.)
Jurgen
No doubt your notions are pious—but mine are more practical.
(Enter an old monk of very kindly mien.)
Old Monk
Thank you, Jurgen, for your good words.
Jurgen
Who are you? And why do you thank me?
Old Monk
My name is no great matter. But you have a pure heart, Jurgen. May your life be free from care.
Jurgen
I am already married.
Old Monk
What? How dreadful. Such a fine clever poet like you.
Jurgen
Haven’t written a line—not one—since the honeymoon.
Old Monk
Ah, I suppose your wife’s opinion about poetry does—
Jurgen
—Does not bear repetition, at least in polite company. I am sure you are unaccustomed to such language.
Old Monk
I fear Dame Lisa does not understand you, Jurgen.
Jurgen (astounded)
Sir, how is it you read a man’s most private thoughts?
Old Monk
It’s a knack I have. Tsk, tsk. This is most deplorable. Most deplorable. The first person to speak well of me in centuries—well, well, say no more—such a person deserves a reward. Good day, Jurgen. You will have your wish. And not just one.
(Exit Old Monk.)
Jurgen
Good day to you, sir.
