The Golden Veil: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "'''The Golden Veil; or, A Tragedy in Three Doors''' was a blasphemous play long rumored to be lost. ==Excerpt== Act II, Scene iii: "The Garden of the Last Accord" The set is sparse: three veiled doorframes stand at opposing ends of the stage. A withered tree leaks golden sap at center. No sky. No ground. Just the suggestion of a stage where time is a breath. '''Dramatis Personae: ''' *The Pilgrim – A traveler who no longer remembers what they flee. *The Mirror-Bri...") |
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Act II, Scene iii: "The Garden of the Last Accord" | Act II, Scene iii: "The Garden of the Last Accord" | ||
The set is sparse: three veiled doorframes stand at opposing ends of the stage. A withered tree leaks golden sap at center. No sky. No ground. Just the suggestion of a stage where time is a breath. | ''The set is sparse: three veiled doorframes stand at opposing ends of the stage. A withered tree leaks golden sap at center. No sky. No ground. Just the suggestion of a stage where time is a breath.'' | ||
'''Dramatis Personae: | '''Dramatis Personae: | ||
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Why do you wear the veil, if not to hide? | Why do you wear the veil, if not to hide? | ||
I have passed the first door. I remember nothing. | I have passed the first door. I passed through fire, through the gate of salt. I remember nothing. | ||
'''The Mirror-Bride (Cheeky)(unmoving)''': | '''The Mirror-Bride (Cheeky)(unmoving)''': | ||
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And underneath, I am still smiling. | And underneath, I am still smiling. | ||
'''The Laughing Herald (Ka-Ess) (giggling and sobbing)'' | '''The Laughing Herald (Ka-Ess) (giggling and sobbing):''' | ||
He asked to forget, and so they took his name. | He asked to forget, and so they took his name. | ||
He asked for mercy, and they gave him a stage. | He asked for mercy, and they gave him a stage. | ||
He said: “The first door leads to memory.” | |||
He said: “The second opens inward.” | |||
But he said nothing of the third. | |||
He only bled. | |||
'''The Black Confessor (Ardrick) (stepping forward):''' | '''The Black Confessor (Ardrick) (stepping forward):''' | ||
Behind the third door walks the beast | |||
that remembers you. | |||
It has your shadow in its mouth. | |||
'''The Whispered Flame ( | '''The Whispered Flame (Sathul) (aside, or stage direction):''' | ||
(Lights flicker. The tree bleeds. One door creaks open behind them. Cold light spills in.) | (Lights flicker. The tree bleeds. One door creaks open behind them. Cold light spills in.) | ||
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Then I am not the first. | Then I am not the first. | ||
I am not even the one I was. | I am not even the one I was. | ||
If I put on the mask, who speaks? | |||
If I walk the door, who returns? | |||
'''The Mirror-Bride (Cheeky) (approaching slowly):''' | '''The Mirror-Bride (Cheeky) (approaching slowly):''' | ||
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The veil burns gold when the flame is ready. | The veil burns gold when the flame is ready. | ||
Shall we sing, or scream? | Shall we sing, or scream? | ||
When the veil is burned, | |||
we see the world as it is: | |||
A stage with no players, and all the exits nailed shut. | |||
'''The Black Confessor (Ardrick) (to the audience):''' | '''The Black Confessor (Ardrick) (to the audience):''' | ||
When the third door opens, no mask remains. | When the third door opens, no mask remains. | ||
You do not pass through it. | You do not pass through it. | ||
It passes through you. | It passes through you. | ||
'''The Laughing Herald (Ka-ess) (advancing, voice a weaving of mirth and mournful prophecy)''' | |||
Upon the shattered edge of laughter’s throne, | |||
I dance, where mirth and madness weave as one. | |||
The stars themselves forget their ancient names, | |||
And silence crowns my brow with thornèd wreath. | |||
Once did I sing of joy’s eternal flame, | |||
Now dirges rise for dreams undone, undone! | |||
Tread soft, O traveler — the dance hath no end, | |||
And music plays for those who would forget. | |||
'''The Whispering Flame (Sathul):''' [Curtain falls. The doors remain open. The sap gleams red.] | '''The Whispering Flame (Sathul):''' [Curtain falls. The doors remain open. The sap gleams red.] | ||