The Drunken Feathers

Scene XII

(Carlton House, later that evening. The PRINCE OF WALES, now in a deeply depressed state, lies in his bed in silence. A knock at the door rouses him. LORD SOUTHAMPTON enters, looking surprised.)

LORD SOUTHAMPTON

Your Royal Highness, may I present...

PRINCE OF WALES

(Quietly)

No, no, whomever it is, you must turn them away; I am too tired to receive visitors tonight.

LORD SOUTHAMPTON

But sir...

PRINCE OF WALES

Please, Southampton.

(The PRINCE OF WALES rolls on his side so he is not facing the door. LORD SOUTHAMPTON turns around and gestures at the person behind him, who steps forward.)

KING GEORGE III's VOICE

I should be exceedingly grateful if the Prince of Wales would spare me five minutes of his time.

(The PRINCE OF WALES, surprised to hear a familiar voice, sits up slightly and sees KING GEORGE III standing before him.)

KING GEORGE III (cont.)

I did come all the way from Windsor for the sole purpose of having a conversation with him.

PRINCE OF WALES

I would be honored, Your Majesty.

KING GEORGE III

(To LORD SOUTHAMPTON)

Leave us, sir.

(LORD SOUTHAMPTON bows and exits, leaving KING GEORGE III and the PRINCE OF WALES alone together. KING GEORGE III sits in a chair near his son's bed.)

KING GEORGE III

Lord Southampton informed me of yesterday's events.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Anxious, thinking of MRS. FITZHERBERT)

Did he?

KING GEORGE III

Indeed. I was surprised and dismayed by the unpleasant account I was given, but even more so by the symptoms described by Your Royal Highness' physicians: bouts of mania and melancholia accompanied by sensitive nerves; a compulsion to cut and bleed the skin; suicidal ideation! The very idea turns my stomach. I could hardly believe you had been suffering this way for nearly three years, and in a more severe manner over the past few months, and yet no one had thought to inform me.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Slightly relieved)

Forgive me, Your Majesty, I had thought...

KING GEORGE III

What, you imagined me too cruel to concern myself with my son's wellbeing? Or that I would not understand something that is so familiar to me?

PRINCE OF WALES

Familiar?

(KING GEORGE III realizes what he has said but does not take it back. The PRINCE OF WALES is surprised to learn something new about his father. KING GEORGE III pauses a moment before carefully speaking.)

KING GEORGE III

I had my first...episode...at 26 years of age, which was brought on by a severe attack of abdominal pain. Its source was never discovered. I shall not divulge the details of my experience, but it was unpleasant to say the least. Until then, I had managed my symptoms without much difficulty and concealed them from my family, even my physicians. They warned me my condition could worsen, that my healthy constitution might deteriorate beyond restoration... But I have done well for myself in the years since then through frequent prayer, a healthy diet, and regular exercise. My only regret is that my particular condition appears to be hereditary.

(Beat)

If you had only come to me when you first felt ill, you would have found me an understanding and sympathetic father who would have guided you through this illness. Perhaps then many of our troubles could have been avoided.

PRINCE OF WALES

Your Majesty knows how I live in constant fear of disappointing you, but when I am in a state of excitement, I feel compelled to give in to every desire my mind can conjure: purchasing everything in bulk, spending on credit, drinking to excess, and engaging in other activities Your Majesty must find shameful. It isn't until days or weeks have passed that I realize the full gravity of my actions and suffer their consequences.

KING GEORGE III

(Sternly)

Do you imagine I have had no impulses? No ungodly desires? They come now and then with my moods, but I do not yield to them, sir, and neither must you. You may not always have sovereignty over the mind, but nothing can rob you of your free will.

(Beat)

I regret that this morning, when Your Royal Highness came to discuss with me that outrageous idea of going abroad, I lost my temper. But you must understand that when am I am in a mood, if unpleasant things are sprung upon me without warning, I become irritable and very unlike myself. In future, you must first write to ask my permission before entering into a discussion on a matter. As long as it is not something you know will be disagreeable to me, I shall oblige you.

(Beat)

Is there anything else Your Royal Highness wishes to say on the subject before I take leave of you?

PRINCE OF WALES

Only that I hope someday to prove that I am not as evil and reprehensible as Your Majesty presumes me to be.

KING GEORGE III

I know you are not evil, George, just tragically misguided.

(Beat; he and the PRINCE OF WALES hold a gaze for a few seconds. Then KING GEORGE III stands.)

KING GEORGE III (cont.)

I shall bid you goodnight, sir. You have mine and the Queen's prayers for the restoration of your health and spirits.

PRINCE OF WALES

Thank you, Your Majesty. Goodnight.

(KING GEORGE III nods and exits. Then, LORD SOUTHAMPTON reenters.)

LORD SOUTHAMPTON

(In a low voice)

I neglected to mention the Mrs. F affair to His Majesty, though necessity demanded I tell him everything else.

PRINCE OF WALES

That's fine; thank you, Southampton.

(Beat)

Any word from her?

LORD SOUTHAMPTON

No, sir; she and Lady Lindsay landed in France this morning, but we have no knowledge of her whereabouts beyond that.

PRINCE OF WALES

(Sighs)

I pray she is less melancholy than I am.

(Cut to Scene XIII.)