No More Learning

Bartolo Eh, eh, what is the matter ?
Rosina [pressing her hands to her heart]— Ah, sir! Ah, sir!
Bartolo — She is ill again! Señor Alonzo!
Rosina - No, I am not ill — but as I was turning - ah!
Count — Did you sprain your foot, Madame ?
Rosina — Yes, yes, I sprained my foot! I - hurt myself dread-
fully.
Count – So I perceived.
Rosina [looking at the Count] – The pain really makes me feel
faint.
Bartolo - A chair - a chair there! And not a single chair
here!
[He goes to get one. )
Count - Ah, Rosina !
Rosina What imprudence!
Count There are a hundred things I must say to you.
Rosina — He won't leave us alone.
Count - Figaro will help us.
Bartolo [bringing an arm-chair] - Wait a minute, my child.
Sit down here. She can't take a lesson this evening, Señor:
you must postpone it. Good-by.
Rosina [to the Count]— No, wait; my pain is better. [To
Bartolo. ] I feel that I've acted foolishly! I'll imitate you, and
atone at once by taking my lesson.
Bartolo-Oh! Such a kind little woman at heart! But after
so much excitement, my child, I can't let you make any exer-
tion. So good-bye, Señor, good-bye.
Rosina [to the Count] - Do wait a minute! [To Bartolo. ] I
shall think that you don't care to please me if you won't let me
show my regret by taking my lesson.
Count [aside to Bartolo] - I wouldn't oppose her, if I were you.
Bartolo That settles it, my love: I am so anxious to please
you that I shall stay here all the time you are practicing.
Rosina - No, don't. I know you don't care for music.
Bartolo - It will charm me this evening, I'm sure.


## p. 1664 (#462) ###########################################

1664
BEAUMARCHAIS
Rosina [aside to the Count] - I'm tormented to death!
Count ſtaking a sheet of music from the stand]—Will you sing
this, Madame ?
Rosina — Yes, indeed — it's a very pretty thing out of the
opera The Useless Precaution. "
Bartolo — Why do you always sing from "The Useless Pre-
caution'?
Count - There is nothing newer! It's a picture of spring in a
very bright style. So if Madame wants to try it -
Rosina [looking at the Count]— With pleasure. A picture of
spring is delightful! It is the youth of nature.
. It seems as if
the heart always feels more when winter's just over. It's like a
slave who finds liberty all the more charming after a long con-
finement.
Bartolo [to the Count] - Always romantic ideas in her head!
Count [in a low tone] – Did you notice the application ?
Bartolo - Zounds!
[He sits down in the chair which Rosina has been occupying. Rosina sings,
during which Bartolo goes to sleep. Under cover of the refrain the
Count seizes Rosina's hand and covers it with kisses. In her emotion
she sings brokenly, and finally breaks off altogether. The sudden
silence awakens Bartolo. The Count starts up, and Rosina quickly
resumes her song: ]
So your
(Don Basilio enters. Figaro in background. ]
Rosina [startled, to herself]- Don Basilio!
Count [aside]— Good Heaven!
Figaro- The devil!
Bartolo [going to meet him]— Ah! welcome, Basilio.
accident was not very serious ? Alonzo quite alarmed me about
you. He will tell you that I was just going to see you, and if
he had not detained me
Basilio [in astonishment]— Señor Alonzo ?
Figaro [stamping his foot]— Well, well! How long must I
wait? Two hours wasted already over your beard - Miserable
business!
Basilio [looking at every one in amazement]— But, gentlemen,
will you please tell me
Figaro – You can talk to him after I've gone.
Basilio— But still, would


## p. 1665 (#463) ###########################################

BEAUMARCHAIS
1665
Count – You'd better be quiet, Basilio. Do you think you
can inform him of anything new? I've told him that you sent
me for the music lesson instead of coming himself.
Basilio [still more astonished]— The music lesson! Alonzo!
Rosina [aside to Basilio] - Do hold your tongue, can't you?
Basilio- She, too!
Count [to Bartolo] - Let him know what you and I have
agreed upon.
Bartolo [aside to Basilio] - Don't contradict, and say that he
is not your pupil, or you will spoil everything.
Basilio - Ah! Ah!
Bartolo [aloud] – Indeed, Basilio, your pupil has a great deal
of talent.
Basilio [stupe fied] - My pupil! [In a low tone. ) I came to
tell you that the Count has moved.
Bartolo [low] - I know it. Hush.
Basilio [low] - Who told you ?
Bartolo [low] - He did, of course.
Count [low]— It was I, naturally. Just listen, won't you ?
Rosina (low to Basilio] - Is it so hard to keep still?
Figaro [low to Basilio] - Hum! The sharper! He is deaf!
Basilio [aside]— Who the devil are they trying to deceive
here? Everybody seems to be in it!
Bartolo [aloud]-Well, Basilio - about your lawyer - ?
Figaro - You have the whole evening to talk about the
lawyer.
Bartolo [to Basilio] - One word; only tell me if you are sat-
isfied with the lawyer.
Basilio [startled] — With the lawyer ?
Count (smiling] - Haven't you seen the lawyer ?
Basilio [impatient]- Eh? No, I haven't seen the lawyer.
Count [aside to Bartolo] - Do you want him to explain matters
before her ? Send him away.
Bartolo [low to the Count] – You are right. [To Basilio. ] But
what made you ill, all of a sudden ?
Basilio [angrily]—I don't understand you.
Count [secretly slipping a purse into his hands] — Yes: he
wants to know what you are doing here, when you are so far
from well ?
Figaro- He's as pale as a ghost!
Basilio - Ah! I understand.
III-105


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1666
BEAUMARCHAIS
Count — Go to bed, dear Basilio. You are not at all well, and
you make us all anxious. Go to bed.
Figaro - He looks quite upset. Go to bed.
Bartolo - I'm sure he seems feverish. Go to bed.
Rosina - Why did you come out? They say that it's catching.
Go to bed.
Basilio [in the greatest amazement] - I'm to go to bed!
All the others together -- Yes, you must.
Basilio [looking at them all] - Indeed, I think I will have to
withdraw. I don't feel quite as well as usual.
Bartolo - We'll look for you to-morrow, if you are better.
Count — I'll see you soon, Basilio.
Basilio [aside] - Devil take it if I understand all this! And
if it weren't for this purse -
All-Good-night, Basilio, good-night.
Basilio (going] - Very well, then; good-night, good-night.
[The others, all laughing, push him civilly out of the room. ]
FROM "THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO)
OUTWITTING A HUSBAND
[The scene is the boudoir of young Countess Almaviva, the Rosina of the
previous selection. She is seated alone, when her clever maid Susanna
ushers in the young page Cherubino, just banished from the house because
obnoxious to the jealous Count. )
Susanna — Here's our young Captain, Madame.
Cherubino [timidly]— The title is a sad reminder that — that
I must leave this delightful home and the godmother who has
been so kind-
Susanna - And so beautiful!
Cherubino [sighing] - Ah, yes!
Susanna (mocking his sigh] - Ah, yes! Just look at his hypo-
critical eyelids! Madame, make him sing his new song. [She
gives it to him. ] Come now, my beautiful bluebird, sing away.
Countess -- Does the manuscript say who wrote this -- song?
Susanna — The blushes of guilt betray him.
Cherubino- Madame, I--I-- tremble so.
Susanna - Ta, ta, ta, ta—! Come, modest author - since you
are so commanded. Madame, I'll accompany him.
Countess [to Susanna]— Take my guitar.


## p. 1667 (#465) ###########################################

BEAUMARCHAIS
1667
[Cherubino sings his ballad to the air of Malbrouck. ' The Countess reads
the words of it from his manuscript, with an occasional glance at
him; he sometimes looks at her and sometimes lowers his eyes as he
sings. Susanna, accompanying him, watches them both, laughing. ]
Countess [folding the song]- Enough, my boy. Thank you.
It is very good — full of feeling-
Susanna — Ah! as for feeling - this is a young man who —
well!
[Cherubino tries to stop her by catching hold of her dress.
Susanna whispers to him]- Ah, you good-for-nothing! I'm going
to tell her. (Aloud. ] Well — Captain! We'll amuse ourselves by
seeing how you look in one of my dresses!
Countess - Susanna, how can you go on so?
Susanna [going up to Cherubino and measuring herself with
him] - He's just the right height. Off with your coat. [She
draws it off. ]
Countess - But what if some one should come ?
Susanna – What if they do? We're doing no wrong. But
I'll lock the door, just the same. [Locks it. ] I want to see him
in a woman's head-dress!
Countess — Well, you'll find my little cap in my dressing-room
on the toilet table.
more
[Susanna gets the cap, and then, sitting down on a stool, she makes Cheru-
bino kneel before her and arranges it on his hair. ]
Susanna — Goodness, isn't he a pretty girl ?
I'm jealous.
Cherubino, you're altogether too pretty.
Countess - Undo his collar a little; that will give a
feminine air. (Susanna loosens his collar so as to show his neck. ?
Now push up his sleeves, so that the under ones show more.
[While Susanna rolls up Cherubino's sleeves, the Countess notices
her lost ribbon around his wrist. ] What is that? My ribbon ?
Susanna - Ah! I'm very glad you've seen it, for I told him
I should tell. I sirould certainly have taken it away from him
if the Count hadn't come just then; for I am almost as strong
as he is.
Countess [with surprise, unrolling the ribbon]- There's blood
on it!
Cherubino - Yes, I was tightening the curb of my horse this
morning, he curvetted and gave me a push with his head, and
the bridle stud grazed my arm.


## p. 1668 (#466) ###########################################

1668
BEAUMARCHAIS
Countess - I never saw a ribbon used as a bandage before.
Susanna — Especially a stolen ribbon. What may all those
things be — the curb, the curvetting, the bridle stud? [Glances
at his arms. ] What white arms he has! just like a woman's.
Madame, they are whiter than mine.
Countess Never mind that, but run and find me some oiled
silk.
[Susanna goes out, after humorously pushing Cherubino aver so that he
falls forward on his hands. He and the Countess look at each
other for some time; then she breaks the silence. ]
Countess — I hope you are plucky enough.
Don't show your-
self before the Count again to-day. We'll tell him to hurry up
your commission in his regiment.
Cherubino- I already have it, Madame. Basilio brought it
to me. [He draws the commission from his pocket and hands it
to her. ]
Countess - Already! They haven't lost any time. [She opens
it. ] Oh, in their hurry they've forgotten to add the seal to it.
Susanna [returning with the oiled silk] — Seal what ?
Countess - His commission in the regiment.
Susanna – Already?
Countess - That's what I said.
Susanna - And the bandage ?
Countess -Oh, when you are getting my things, take a ribbon
from one of your caps. (Susanna goes out again. ]
Countess — This ribbon is of my favorite color. I must tell
you I was greatly displeased at your taking it.
Cherubino - That one would heal me quickest.
Countess - And- why so?
Cherubino - When a ribbon — has pressed the head, and —
touched the skin of one-
Countess [hastily]— Very strange — then it can cure wounds ?
I never heard that before. I shall certainly try it on the first
wound of any of - my maids-
Cherubino [sadly] – I must go away from here!
Countess – But not for always ? [Cherubino begins to weep. ]
And now you are crying! At that prediction of Figaro ?
Cherubino - I'm just where he said I'd be. [Some one knocks
on the door]


## p. 1669 (#467) ###########################################

BEAUMARCHAIS
1669
Hide your
Countess - Who can be knocking like that?
The Count (outside] - Open the door!
Countess — Heavens! It's my husband. Where can you hide?
The Count (outside] - Open the door, I say.
Countess — There's no one here, you see.
The Count - But who are you talking to then ?
Countess — To you, I suppose. [To Cherubino. ]
self, quick — in the dressing-room!
Cherubino — Ah, after this morning, he'd kill me if he found
me here.
[He runs into the dressing-room on the right, which is also Susanna's
room ; the Countess, after locking him in and taking the key, admits the
Count. ]
Count – You don't usually lock yourself in, Madame.
Countess —1—1—was gossiping with Susanna.
[Pointing to her maid's room. ]
Count — And you seem very much agitated, Madame.
Countess - Not at all, I assure you! We were talking about
you. She's just gone-as I told you.
Count -I must say, Madame, you and I seem to be sur-
rounded by spiteful people. Just as I'm starting for a ride, I'm
handed a note which informs me that a certain person whom
I suppose far enough away is to visit you this evening.
Countess — The bold fellow, whoever he is, will have to come
here, then; for I don't intend to leave my room to-day.
She's gone.
(Something falls heavily in the dressing-room where Cherubino is. ]
Count – Ah, Madame, something dropped just then!
Countess — I didn't hear anything.
Count – You must be very absent-minded, then. Somebody
is in that room!
Countess — Who do you think could be there?
Count - Madame, that is what I'm asking you. I have just
come in.
Countess — Probably it's Susanna wandering about.
Count [pointing]— But you just told me that she went that
way.
Countess This way or that I don't know which.
Count — Very well, Madame, I must see her. — Come here,
Susanna.


## p. 1670 (#468) ###########################################

1670
BEAUMARCHAIS
Countess — She cannot. Pray wait! She's but half dressed.
She's trying on things that I've given her for her wedding
Count — Dressed or not, I wish to see her at once.
Countess—I can't prevent your doing so anywhere else, but
here
Count – You may say what you choose — I will see her.
Countess - I thoroughly believe you'd like to see her in that
state! but
Count - Very well, Madame. If Susanna can't come out, at
least she can talk, [Turning toward the dressing-room. ] Su-
sanna, are you there? Answer, I command you.
Countess (peremptorily] - Don't answer, Susanna! I forbid
you! Sir, how can you be such a petty tyrant? Fine suspicions,
indeed!
[Susanna slips by and hides behind the Countess's bed without being noticed
either by her or by the Count. |
Count - They are all the easier to dispel. I can see that it
would be useless to ask you for the key, but it's easy enough
to break in the door. Here, somebody!
Countess - Will you really make yourself the laughing-stock of
the chateau for such a silly suspicion ?
Count - You are quite right. I shall simply force the door
myself. I am going for tools.
Countess - Sir, if your conduct were prompted by love, I'd
forgive your jealousy for the sake of the motive.
But its cause
is only your vanity.
Count – Love or vanity, Madame, I mean to know who is in
that room! And to guard against any tricks, I am going to lock
the door to your maid's room. You, Madame, will kindly come
with me, and without any noise, if you please. [He leads her
away. ] As for the Susanna in the dressing-room, she will please
wait a few minutes.
Countess [ going out with him) - Sir, I assure you —
Susanna [coming out from behind the bed and running to the
dressing-room] - Cherubino! Open quick! It's Susanna. [Cheru-
bino hurries out of the dressing-room. ] Escape - you haven't a
minute to lose !
Cherubino — Where can I go?


## p. 1671 (#469) ###########################################

BEAUMARCHAIS
1671
.
.
Susanna — I don't know, I don't know at all! but do go some-
where!
Cherubino [running to the window, then coming back] – The
window isn't so very high.
Susanna [ frightened and holding him back] — He'll kill himself!
Cherubino - Ah, Susie, I'd rather jump into a gulf than put the
Countess in danger. [He snatches a kiss, then runs to the win-
dow, hesitates, and finally jumps down into the garden. ]
Susanna — Ah! [She falls fainting into an arm-chair. Recov-
ering slowly, she rises, and seeing Cherubino running through the
garden she comes forward panting] He's far away already! .
Little scamp! as nimble as he is handsome! [She next runs to
the dressing-room. ] Now, Count Almaviva, knock as hard as you
like, break down the door. Plague take me if I answer you.
[Goes into the dressing-room and shuts the door. ]
[Count and Countess return. ]
Count – Now, Madame, consider well before you drive me to
extremes.
Countess -I-I beg of you -!
Count [preparing to burst open the door] - You can't cajole
me now.
Countess [throwing herself on her knees] - Then I will open
it! Here is the key.
Count So it is not Susanna ?
Countess — No, but it's no one who should offend you.
Count - If it's a man I kill him! Unworthy wife! You
wish to stay shut up in your room you shall stay in it long
enough, I promise you. Now I understand the note
my sus-
picions are justified !
Countess Will you listen to me one minute ?
Count Who is in that room ?
Countess - Your page.
Count Cherubino! The little scoundrel! — just let me catch
him! I don't wonder you were so agitated.
Countess 1-I assure you we were only planning an inno-
cent joke.
[The Count snatches the key, and goes to the dressing-room door; the
Countess throws herself at his feet. ]
Countess - Have mercy, Count! Spare this poor child; and
although the disorder in which you will find him –


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1672
BEAUMARCHAIS
Count — What, Madame? What do you mean? What disorder ?
Countess — He was just changing his coat - his neck and arms
are bare
[The Countess throws herself into a chair and turns away her head. ]
Count [running to the dressing-room] - Come out here, you
young villain!
Count [sccing Susanna come out of the dressing-room] - Eh!
Why, it is Susanna! [Aside. ) What, a lesson!
Susanna (mocking him]—“I will kill him! I will kill him! »
Well, then, why don't you kill this mischievous page ?
Count [to the Countess, who at the sight of Susanna shows the
greatest surprise] – So you also play astonishment, Madame ?
Countess - Why shouldn't I?
Count - But perhaps she wasn't alone in there. I'll find out.
[He goes into the dressing-room. ]
Countess - Susanna, I'm nearly dead.
Count [aside, as he returns] – No one there! So this time I
really am wrong. [To the Countess, coldly. ) You excel at com-
edy, Madame.
Susanna And what about me, sir ?
Count — And so do you.
Countess - Aren't you glad you found her instead of Cheru-
bino ? [Meaningly. ) You are generally pleased to come across her.
Susanna - Madame ought to have let you break in the doors,
call the servants
Count -- Yes, it's quite true -- I'm at fault -- I'm humiliated
enough! But why didn't you answer, you cruel girl, when I
called you?
Susanna I was dressing as well as I could — with the aid of
pins, and Madame knew why she forbade me to answer. She
had her lessons.
Count — Why don't you help me get pardon, instead of mak-
ing me out as bad as you can ?
Countess -- Did I marry you to be eternally subjected to jeal-
ousy and neglect? I mean to join the Ursulines, and -
Count - But, Rosina!
Countess — I am no longer the Rosina whom you loved so
well. I am only poor Countess Almaviva, deserted wife of a
madly jealous husband.


## p. 1673 (#471) ###########################################

BEAUMARCHAIS
1673
Count – I assure you, Rosina, this man, this letter, had
excited me so
Countess I never gave my consent.
Count — What, you knew about it?
Countess - This rattlepate Figaro, without my sanction-
Count — He did it, eh! and Basilio pretended that a peasant
brought it. Crafty wag, ready to impose on everybody!
Countess -- You beg pardon, but you never grant pardon. If
I grant it, it shall only be on condition of a general amnesty.
Count - Well, then, so be it.
I agree.
But I don't under-
stand how your sex can adapt itself to circumstances so quickly
and so nicely.