A Monologue

(These scenes, these words, you've seen, you've heard)

-As the curtain rises, found entered-
The Man in the Foreground

(Enter R, a little child sobbing over a broken doll)

The Man

Don't cry little child, don't cry!
They have broken your doll, I know!
Your playhouse new, this dolly too
Are things of the long ago!
These Childish troubles will soon go by,
And Books and Pictures will soon come by;
So there, little child, don't cry.

[Leads the child and gently pushes her out - L]

(Enter R, a little girl sobbing over a broken Slate and tattered Picture Books)

The Man

Don't cry little girl, don't cry!
They have broken your slate, I know!
And your picture books, your chubby looks
Are things of long ago!
These sad wild ways
Of school-girl days
Will soon be things of the long ago
And silks and gems will soon come by
So there, little girl don't cry!

[Girl exits -L]

(Enter R, a maid in Grey sobbing over a broken necklace)

The Man

Don't cry little maid, don't cry!
They have broken your necklace, I know!
And your silken things, you gem-set rings
Are things of th' long ago!
But these were made t' be seen and hurled:
Th' glittering tinsels of a passing world!
Why, Life and Love, will soon come by:
So there, little maid, don't cry.

[Maid exits -L]

(Enter R, a Young woman in widow's robe)

The Man

Don't cry little woman, don't cry!
They have broken your heart, I know!
And the rainbow gleams
O' your Love's young dreams,
Are things of th' long ago!
Fate turn'd your short liv'd joy to dull despair!
And bid you tread this darken'd world alone!
You pass through life, hopeless and desolate,
Your Love: the memory of a star eclips'd!
It is not given to every one of us Little Woman
To bask in the brilliance of the dawn, or to revel
In the splendour of the noon of the day of our life!
But we shall All find, if only we will. a sweet calm sunset
And of peaceful blessedness at the end of this day of our Life!
And peace, no more but peace, is all yours! And
After the end of this day of your life...? ...
...Why! Heaven holds all for which you sigh!
So there Little Woman, don't cry! Don't cry!

[Young Woman exits]

CURTAIN

*Woman the Eternal sufferer and
Man the conventional consoler*