will not think of me at all.
Dorothy
Can you really think I care a damn for any man but you?
(Hetman Michael approaches.)
Dorothy
I have promised to dance with this old fart, and so I must. He must be nearly thirty.
Jurgen
Now, by Heaven, wherever Hetman Michael does his dancing, it will not be hereabouts.
Michael (very civilly)
I fear I must rob you of this fair lady, Master Jurgen.
Jurgen
The next dance is to be mine.
Michael (good-naturedly)
We must leave it to the lady.
Jurgen
Au contraire. Were I to do that, my fate would be sealed. I am not the same callow thing I was twenty years ago.
Michael (puzzled)
Your remarks, Master Jurgen, are somewhat strange.
Jurgen
But, I will tell you a stranger thing. There seem to be three of us here, but actually there are four.
Michael
Four?
Jurgen
The fourth is a goddess whom no prayers or sacrifice can placate.
Michael
You speak of death?
Jurgen
You have a jumping wit, Hetman. But hardly quick enough to outrun the whim of the Goddess.
Michael
Ah, my young bantam—the Goddess and I are acquainted—I have dispatched many stout warriors to serve her underground.
Jurgen
My notion is, Hetman, that the Goddess should not leave us unescorted. One of us, as a gentleman, cannot fail to accompany her.
Michael
You are insane. But you extend an invitation I cannot possibly refuse.
Jurgen
Hetman, I bear you no ill will. But it is highly necessary that you die tonight in order that my soul not perish twenty years hence.
(They draw their swords and fight. Hetman is easily Jurgen’s master.)
Jurgen
This is highly annoying, Hetman. You are the better swordsman and it is not fair.
Michael (disarming Jurgen)
So now, Master Jurgen—there is the end of your nonsense. But you needn’t wet your pants—I don’t intend to kill you—it is not my custom to kill children—and besides, I prefer to dance with this lady.
(Michael turns his back to Jurgen and offers Dorothy his arm.)
Jurgen
Not this I call insufferable! Did I come back to my youth only to lost it again? This is unjust.
(Jurgen snatches a dagger and stabs Hetman Michael in the back.)
Michael
Oh, I am slain. (dies)
Dorothy
Oh, dear, dear. But I don’t blame you—he was such an old fart and he was going to carry me off. I’ll bet he was over thirty. (thinking seriously) But, what will become of you? They’ll hang you for sure.
Jurgen
I will take my doom—and without whimpers, so that I get justice. But I shall certainly insist upon Justice. The man was stronger than I and wanted what I wanted. It wasn’t fair. So—I have compromised with necessity to get that which was requisite to me. I cry for Justice to the power that gave him strength and gave me weakness—but gave us both the same desires. (impressively) I have done what I have done.
Dorothy
Oh, my hero. You’re so brave.
Jurgen (dragging the body and concealing it under a bench)
Rest here, brave sir, until they find you.
Jurgen
Come to me now, heart’s desire. Here I sit, (Dorothy sits on his lap) with my true love—upon the body of my enemy. Justice is satisfied. Oh, that I could detain this moment! Could I but get into words the softness of this girl’s hair—for I shall forget all this beauty—this be-drenching moonlight.
Dorothy
You shouldn’t have done it. Even if he was an old fart—he wasn’t so bad.
Jurgen
Whatever the future holds for us—and whatever the happiness we two may know—we shall find no moment happier than this.
Dorothy
Poor, dear, brave Jurgen. You did all this for me, But, what will become of you?
Jurgen
Who knows? But I am wiser now than then. So I will not waste the one real passion I have known—nor leave unfed the one desire of my life—nor live to regret I did not avail myself of your love before it was taken from me. Remove your clothes.
Dorothy
Here—over a dead body! Are you mad? What kind of a girl do you think I am, anyway? And I thought I could trust you. Somebody may come at any moment.
Jurgen
Then, we have no time to lose.
Dorothy
Let’s go to my room.
(Jurgen and Dorothy hurry off, eager for the game; a bell tolls.)
CURTAIN
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