ABSTRACT
Taken from the last moments of A Tale of Mystery, by Thomas Holcroft (1824), the detailed instructions show how much of the play had to be done with gestures, with well-recognized signs for established emotions, for the unsophisticated audience members just wanting a brief respite from their day’s hard labors. MICHELLI
Welcome! A thousand times welcome!
SELINATen thousand thanks to the savior of my father!
MICHELLIYour father, sweet lady?
SELINAOh yes! discovered to me by his mortal enemy.
MICHELLIThe monster Romaldi?
SELINA[Dejectedly.] Alas!
MICHELLIFor your father’s sake, for your own sake, welcome both.
ROMALDI113 [Half from the door.] I heard my name!
MICHELLI[Leading them to the door, just as Romaldi advances a step.] Come. I have a stranger—
SELINA[Seeing Romaldi, shrieks.] Ah!
FRANCISCO[Falls back and covers his eyes, with agony.]
MICHELLIHow now?
Romaldi retires.
SELINA’Tis he!
Music of terror etc.
Francisco putting his hand towards her mouth, enjoins her silence with great eagerness. Michelli, by making the sign of biting his right hand, asks Francisco if it be Romaldi. Francisco turns away without answering. Michelli denotes his conviction it is Romaldi, and hastily ascends to cross the bridge in search of the archers, Francisco entreats him back in vain. Romaldi, in terror, enters from the house, presenting his pistol. Francisco opens his breast for him to shoot if he pleases. Selina falls between them. The whole scene passes in a mysterious and rapid manner. Music suddenly stops.
ROMALDINo! Too much of your blood is upon my head! Be justly revenged: take mine!
Music continues as Romaldi offers the pistol: which Francisco throws to a distance, and entreats him to fly by the valley. Romaldi signifies the impossibility, and runs distractedly from side to 114side: then after Francisco and Selina’s entreaties, ascends to cross the bridge. Met at the edge of the hill by an Archer: he is driven back; they struggle on the bridge. The Archer’s sword taken by Romaldi; who, again attempting flight, is again met by several Archers. Romaldi maintains a retreating fight. Fiametta, Bonamo, Stephano, Montano, and Peasants follow the Archers. Francisco and Selina, in the greatest agitation, several times throw themselves between the assailants and Romaldi. When the combatants have descended the hill, Romaldi’s foot slips, he falls, and Francisco intervenes to guard his body. By this time all the principal characters are near the front. The Archers appear to be prepared to shoot, and strike with their sabers; when the entreaties and efforts of Francisco and Selina are renewed. The Archers forbear for a moment; and Francisco shields his brother. The music ceases.
SELINAOh, forbear! Let my father’s virtues plead for my uncle’s errors!
BONAMOWe all will entreat for mercy; since of mercy we all have need: for his sake, and for our own, may it be freely granted!
The curtain falls to slow and solemn music.
THE END
