The Tragic Fall Of Wizlaw, The Count Of Rügen

Act IV, Scene III

Several minutes later. Outside a tavern in Charenz. On one side of the stage there is a cold darkness being illuminated by a sole lantern. On the other side, there is a hearth, several stools and a bar. A lute, flute and drums can be heard from that direction as people revel.

Enter BARMAID & PEASANTS into the tavern & WIZLAW outside

WIZLAW: 'Tis cold here on this night. Yet, my mind is even colder. [he trips and falls] Zounds! Do those tormenting demons want to end me too? I would much prefer to be ended by mine own neligence of ale 'n' mead rather than by some miniscule rock.

[WIZLAW enters the tavern]

PEASANT: [to BARMAID:] Another drink for the four of us lady.

[BARMAID fills four cups and hands them over to PEASANTS who drink and dance]

BARMAID: [to WIZLAW:] Art thou just gonna stare at me or art thou gonna order something?

WIZLAW: Give me some mead.

BARMAID: Wilt thou even pay for't?

WIZLAW: Aye. Why wouldn't I?

BARMAID: [pointing to PEASANTS:] Thou looks more ragg'd than those locals over there.

WIZLAW: I am th'man who runs this damn island. Of course I will have enough fortunes to pay for this.

BARMAID: Yea, clearly thou art.

WIZLAW: Come on! Where is th'mead?

BARMAID: [she passes him a bottle] Take it then you drunk.

WIZLAW: What dost thou mean? I am as clean as the water in th'Danube. [he drinks] Where is thy husband?

BARMAID: Don't even start now. Get off this stool and go.

WIZLAW: Alright, Venus.

BARMAID: If I were to be Venus, then every woman thou wouldst meet would be a Venus herself as well. Now, scatter away.

[WIZLAW goes and dances with PEASANTS]

WIZLAW & PEASANTS: [singing:] Ho, where shall I find my mare?

She be not in th'stable or outside th'inn.

O, where is she?

Not outside my home or by th'dock.

Where is she?

Then I met a lad who said:

"Hiding she be not for I saw th'vendor run off with thy mare!".

[they dance to the music and mumble words]

Enter BRIGAND

BARMAID: [to BRIGAND:] What can I get ya?

BRIGAND: Bring me a bottle of ale.

[BARMAID hands him the ale]

BARMAID: Been a long day?

BRIGAND: Aye, it has. From morn' to dusk I went 'round th'whole isle.

[WIZLAW stops dancing]

WIZLAW: [aside:] That voice which I hear, it sounds familiar. That accent. I know the sound of't more than I know my satchel.

[WIZLAW turns around and rushes to BRIGAND]

BRIGAND: [to BARMAID:] And then I told the man to lend me his horse 'n' I-.

WIZLAW: It's thou! Thou's detestable and undigestible to my very ears. Didst thou think I wouldn't recognise thy Schwabian voice? Thou is wrong for I did indeed. [he grabs him and a bottle] Come hither you yaldson and fight me.

BRIGAND: [to BARMAID:] Lass, get a man of order immediately.

[Exit BARMAID in a hurry

WIZLAW: Thou is very courageous by calling reinforcements. O, if just my reinforcements arrived earlier then all of this would've been prevented. But, the past cannot be undone so brawl!

[WIZLAW tries to smash the bottle onto BRIGAND but is disarmed. The two fight]

Enter HELENA

HELENA: Wizlaw! Halt!

WIZLAW: Canst thou not see I am tying loose ends?

HELENA: This revenge of thine is only going to make matters worse. Don't make me step inbetween ye or the whole damn town shall hear of this. No, not even the town, the Bishop and the whole island wil too.

WIZLAW: Shut it.

[WIZLAW takes out a dagger and slices BRIGAND'S face and stabs him in the abdomen]

BRIGAND: Ah! This is an illegal move!

HELENA: No, Wizlaw you sot! This is enough!

[WIZLAW tries to stab BRIGAND again but HELENA intervenes and is stabbed herself]

Ow! No.... [she dies]

PEASANT: Look at what thou hast done. The gentle 'n' fair lady is down.

[PEASANTS rush to HELENA & BRIGAND]

WIZLAW: Oh no! Ho! Look at thine work Satan! Art thou proud?!

BRIGAND: [weakly:] Thou art Satan.

BARMAID: [offstage:] Pick up thy haste. The brawler is right inside here.

GUARD: [offstage:] We are right behind thy steps ma'am.

WIZLAW: Curs'd be all this.

[Exit WIZLAW

PEASANT: As zealous in heart was this lady, as she was fair in both her wits and beauty.

BRIGAND: [weakly:] Perhaps I should of suffered her fate as 'tis more honourable. At least I would've been redeemed for my life. I knew I should of stay'd out of these affairs.

PEASANT: [pointing:] Hold on sir for just a bit longer for help is just right here.

[Exeunt