ACT II, Scene 1

(The moon is low, about to disappear (DC), as the first rays of the sun lighten the sky in the east (UC). At a certain time, noted, during the act, time passes into early afternoon.

(Chauvin's birthplace. A square surrounded by the Chauvin home (SR), which is in part a bakery, a stone wall (US), a butcher shop (UL), a dairy store and an inn (DL). Between the butcher shop and the dairy store is a passageway leading off left. SRC is a tree, under which is a bench. The tree has a large trunk, and the leaves and branches hang from the flies so that the shops around the square are not obscured. CS is a well. Mme Chauvin's bakery has a Dutch door through which she conducts her trade. Just outside the door US of it is a table and chairs where patrons may sit and visit, eat bread and drink. Throughout the scene, veteran soldiers trickle in and congregate around the table. US running right and left of center is a stone wall. The gate is UC, but it is cut at a right angle to the wall so that the region beyond is masked by the overlapping wall sections.

The Old Veteran is asleep on the bench beneath the tree. Adele enters through the Dutch door.)

ADELE

These quiet, dawning hours are mine. The cool, moist air dispels the heat. These quiet dawning hours are mine.

My pastries' silent shouts engage the neighbor's nose, and she is here.

(A few sopranos have been entering to go shopping. More of the chotraltos townspeople going shopping)rus sopranos and some con enter.)

(The CHORUS OF VILLAGE WOMEN move about the square, shopping. They take no notice of the Old Veteran, who is snoozing under the tree. A veteran comes through the wall entrance US, goes to the table outside the bakery.)

CHORUS OF VILLAGE WOMEN

The coverlet of night is shed
when Sun has pulled himself from bed.
Inconstant Moon again defers
to him who now the stars obscures.
Arise to greet night's afterlife.
And we who shop the stuff of life,
our meat, our wine, our cheese and bread,
have made the rounds ere dark has fled.
Arise to greet night's afterlife.

(Michelle enters.)

ADELE

Michelle, dear friend,

CHORUS OF VILLAGE WOMEN

(Sung during Michelle's response below.)

Inconstant Moon again defers
to him who now the stars obscures.
The coverlet of night is shed
when Sun has pulled himself from bed.

MICHELLE

Nice morning, Adele. See there? The moon is sinking; day breaks clear.

CHORUS OF VILLAGE WOMEN

(Sung during Michelle's response below.)

Arise to greet night's afterlife.
And we who shop the stuff of life,
our wine, our meat, our cheese and bread,
our bread, our wine, and our meat,
And we who shop the stuff of life,
have made the rounds ere dark has fled.
Arise to greet night's afterlife.

MICHELLE

I love your morning arts, my dear.

(She goes to, and embraces, Adele from behind. Mlle Blondel and Mme Fopin head for the bakery. Michelle, seeing Fopin, breaks quickly from her embrace of Adele.)

MME FOPIN

Good day, Mme Chauvin. Considering the changing times, will we see your husband anytime soon?

ADELE

Why, yes. In all the times that you've asked, I'd nothing new 'til now.

(Hustles off the two shoppers with their bread. But they stay close by, moving a bit to the butcher's shop across the way, but continuing to be interested in what Adele is doing. Other shoppers join them.)

ADELE

(continuing)

Henri! Jeanette!

(Adele goes out the Dutch door, to sit under the tree outside. Henri and Jeanette come out to her, DR. She gathers them to her.)

ADELE

(continuing)

I've masked my feelings and my thoughts, but now I think I'm free to tell. Papa Chauvin is coming home.

(She pulls a handkerchief from her apron pocket. Michelle serves customers for a while, but comes out and listens to Adele.)

ADELE

(continuing)

You know, conscription took him off to war.
He went to serve the emperor,
too long, too far; from how he talks,
his heart has deeper scars.

HENRI

I have watched for him in all those ragged soldiers going by. He will be like them, I know.

ADELE

(Adele rises and steps forward. Dibroc enters US during the following, looks around, checks out the shops, eyes one of the women shoppers, mimes asking another directions and information, and then goes back out to fetch the others in his party.)

A soldier came through here to say what father Nicolas said. He has been hurt, but will rest for a short time so that he'll have strength for the journey home, very soon.

JEANETTE

(pausing)

We will heal him as we always do, will we not, Mother?

ADELE

(Adele goes to Jeanette and pats her soothingly.)

He is also hurt real bad by what's happened with the last battle and with the Emperor. He's been given some great honors. And he hugs us all.

(She dabs a tear and goes inside to resume work, followed by Michelle and the children, all oblivious to what follows outside.

Jean Picot and Charles Souvan enter walking on either side of Chauvin, partially supporting him. They enter with Dibroc UC through the wall. They are all veterans with remnants of battle-worn uniforms. Chauvin's left arm is impaired, only the least bit functional. His left leg is bandaged at the thigh and at the calf with a small patch of dried blood showing through and running down the knee from a cracked scab. He wears the red sash draped to his right side, and the saber hangs on the right side from his waist.)

JEAN PICOT

Here's a square to ease fatigue, a bench, deep well, and shady tree.

CHARLES SOUVAN

(Souvan helps Chauvin to the bench under the tree.)

You shouldn't go another league.
The blood's still flowing much too free.

(The snoozing old veteran awakens with a start, but recognizes Chauvin as one of his own. He inspects the bandage on Chauvin's leg. Music stops. Spoken)

OLD VETERAN

CHAUVIN

(shaking his head)

Canon shot. And bayonet. But I got him. Going down, he stuck me. His last words, "French bastard!"

(They both chuckle.)

OLD VETERAN

Stew in your own juices for a time. Give it a rest here. It'll heal.-- Waterloo?

(Chauvin nods.)

DIBROC

(to the Old Veteran)

We've come from a week's rest in Paris. He knows the emperor!

(sarcastically)

OLD VETERAN

(He takes note of Chauvin's decorations, the saber and the sash.)

How long were you in?

CHAUVIN

Twenty-two years. My birthday tomorrow. July fourth.

SOUVAN

(to Chauvin)

Old soldier. Really old. Survivor. No wonder the emperor knows you. And you got the saber!

(He and the Old Veteran admire Chauvin's saber. Chauvin slips a coin to the Old Veteran who exits to the inn during the following.)

SOUVAN

(continuing)

(1)

Ceremonies call their names.
Honors recognize their deeds.
Medals illustrate their breed.
History hides their private fames.

(2)

Watched them face the fire and fall.
Watched the hand grope for the tear.
Saw the eyes first twist, then stare.
Saw death leave a knotted sprawl.

(3)

Faces happy, hostile, dead.
Faces bloody, burned and raw.
Faces where the rough birds claw.
Faces filled with mortal dread.
I lost many young friends.

PICOT

We'll be home, soon.

CHAUVIN

(looking around)

PICOT

It's peaceful here.

(While Picot sings, Adele hears a voice outside on the square and goes out to hear, focusing on Picot. She does not see Chauvin, who is sitting under the tree where she cannot see him from where she stands. Picot sees her and begins to address his later words to her.)

(1)

A home is peace, a place of rest.
But when in heads bereft of mother's breast
that yard and house roam free,
A drifter's home's the nearest tree.

(2)

But darker still, the soldier's house.
A yearning dwells on mystery,
of lives deprived of truant spouse,
what crime demands their penalty?

(Dibroc interrupts Picot, Dibroc focuses on Adele. Michelle comes out and goes DL.)

DIBROC

(3)

More intimate than house and yard,
I make my home a woman's arms.
Her softness cushions all that's hard
and shields me from the battle's harms.

(Dibroc embraces Adele around the waist and twirls her in a dance step that is not entirely innocent. Picot and Souvan retreat US. She pulls away, embarrassed, and ends up DL near Michelle. Adele turns away from Dibroc and recognizes Chauvin from her position standing DL, with a small shriek. Chauvin opens his arms to her. She rushes to him, half whispering and half vocalizing "Nicolas!", but her knee bumps his wounded leg; he cries out in pain. He staggers back and sinks to the bench under the tree. He stares at the ground in front of him and rocks to and fro, suffering with the shock waves, gripping his leg. Souvan, Picot and Dibroc go together US to the table by the bakery when they see Adele rush to Chauvin. Adele, shaking with emotion, walks up to him and sinks to her knees at his left side on the ground. She lays her head lightly on his thigh and gently strokes his left leg below the bandaged area. He is soothed and limply raises his lame left hand to stroke her hair. She looks up at Chauvin, rises up on her knees and touches his temple. Then she rises to her feet, walks in front of him to his other side and slowly sits on the bench beside him and puts her arm around his shoulders, her right hand on his right shoulder, and her head on his shoulder, mouthing "Nicolas". He continues to stare at the ground, both hands on the bench supporting his upper body, the rocking ceasing as his pain subsides. Then Adele's right hand goes from his shoulder to his right thigh. Slowly she raises her head, looks at him and moves her hand to the inside of the thigh and then up to the crotch area. He freezes, looks at her, not pulling away, understanding her question. Chauvin looks at the ground in front of him and slowly begins to shake his head in answer. Adele momentarily lays her head on his shoulder, but then she rises, walks slowly away for three steps, and then she moves quickly a few more steps, DLC. Her arms spread wide as she looks out and up.)

ADELE

(aside)

Damned was I! Damned was I!
Damned!
Damned was I the day I gave the treasure of my heart's safe to a soldier!
I gloried in him!
Adieu!
Adieu to such pleasantries, adieu!
I need to weep and cleanse with tears what may turn mean.
They stand behind my eyes and press to leave.
I vow I never once put tears into the dough.
But now I must adjust the recipe.
For salt. And liquid.
Leaky eyes. Streaky cheek.
Mute messengers of what they do not say.
Damned was I! Damned was I!
Adieu to such pleasantries unless it's...
no soft and warm entwining love,
no hot and humid exertions of passion,
no cool whispering breezes of intimacies,
no long steamy kisses with silly hugs and long talky walks.
I see through puddled eyes those things vanished
into something wrong with this faltering man.
Damned! Damned! Damned was I!
And yet...
The cow has not run dry.
The bucket in the well does not hit bottom.
The hen still clucks.
The flour barrel continues heavy full.
The children still have several generations of shoes to come.
Henri! Jeanette!

(The children enter with some trepidation as they see the condition of their father. They stand at a distance from him DL near Michelle. Chauvin regards Henri and Jeanette briefly and beckons to them. They rush to him, but when he sees the on-rush may bring a second surge of bump and pain, he gestures to ward off their fast "attack". They recoil, taking his gesture for rejection, and retreat toward the Dutch door, but do not go in. Chauvin gives a guttural cry of frustration at being misunderstood, while Adele goes to the children to whisper to them and to coax them toward their father, moving them down toward Chauvin.)

ADELE

They must speak to you.

CHAUVIN

Come to me!

(He gathers them to him for a hug. They stay away from his bandages. They feel better. Jeanette pulls away from him several paces to sing.)

JEANETTE

Father —

(1)

One rainy day in early spring,
I leaned upon our window sill
To watch the stormy weather clear.
And listen to the world be still.

(2)

To let the cool air in the room,
I opened up the window wide.
Then suddenly a storm of birds
Came 'round the house and flew inside

(3)

our bush below. They shrieked in vain
and then like fireworks flew away.
But one flew at the window glass
and fell, and there he lay.

(4)

I picked him up, and felt his heart
beat fast. But hurt, and almost dead,
I stroked him for the longest time
until he woke, stood up, and fled.

(5)

Like you, dear father, here and gone.
Somewhere you find a quarrel place.
I see you broken, bleeding red.
Will this time be our last embrace?

(She goes back to him, to his begging arms, he shaking his head. Then Henri pulls away from him to address his father.)

HENRI

(1)

I lay awake at night to see
a field of battle, smoke and noise,
be proud to feel our corps' esprit,
be one among my father's boys.

(2)

Then I'd see the shots strike near.
I'd see a friend fall at my feet.
I suddenly could feel cold fear.
And sensed the sorrow of defeat.

(3)

A friend and I go out at night
Into that field across the road.
We like to walk in bright moonlight
Those shadow enemies to goad.

(4)

We'd taunt the bulls to charge at us.
They'd snuff and snort, sound very mean.
Their threats were short but furious.
Our bravery soon became routine.

(5)

Our fathers being fighting men,
we knew we, too, might go to war.
Can practiced courage in a pen
help us to serve the Emperor?

(He goes back to Chauvin, who nods encouragingly. Chauvin hugs them again, tears in his eyes. Chauvin looks DR. IChauvin enters DR as Chauvin looks at him. There is no physical entrance there where IChauvin "materializes".

Being the private thoughts of Chauvin, IChauvin ascends the platform. But the ghostly words of Napoleon, refrains from the first act, are heard, as IChauvin draws and holds aloft his saber. On first hearing the voice, Chauvin releases the children, putting them aside. Gradually, as Napoleon's words reach out to him through IChauvin, Chauvin appears charmed away from his children.)

ICHAUVIN

This man we hold dear...
We see his spirit rise high above the rest...
Faithful servant of France...
This kind of Frenchman, honored above all...
to keep alive the spirit of the reign...

(Chauvin rises. The children follow and try to seize his hands, but he puts them off unconsciously, and then consciously, firmly.)

ICHAUVIN

(continuing)

among men and armies ...
returned to all he achieved ...
returned to the glory of ...

CHAUVIN

What shall I do?

(Chauvin hobbles around during this aria. The veterans, including Dibroc, Picot and Souvan, at the rear by the table begin to take notice and some come forward toward the developing argument.)

My beloved wife,
whom I have not seen in two years,
youth, beauty, energy, passion, softness.
I have age, mutilation, great fatigue, coldness,
the fever of war with its starshine of the Emperor,
and the glories of victory in here.
And bitterness of defeat in here.
Age is the war that time makes against everybody,
But the battles I have fought
have amputated expected years,
rinsed color from my hair,
stanched the flow of blood to my cheek,
hobbled my gait,
frighted my children,
and drawn the pity of my wife.

(Michelle, Fopin, and some other women have come closer to a place behind Adele.)

CHAUVIN

(continuing)

I am unfit for living here.

ADELE

My wild and vagrant bird of prey,
at nest a docile, lame and bitter hawk.
And I, the wife—what life if mate's astray?—
become the easy mark of village talk.
With time, that sticky dough was kneaded smooth.
Your famous wounds created honored bread.
I've slept alone without strong arms to soothe
and wrap in warmth this hungering wife abed.
Our babes endure unfathered reprimands.
Like sun beclouded, sweet Michelle endures.
But steady working conquers all demands.
I have the friends the staff of life procures.
Such stuff will not give eyes a distant gaze.
Such stuff will not rob me of pleasant days.

(By now, Dibroc, Souvan, Picot and more veterans come forward to a place around, behind Chauvin.)

CHAUVIN

I hear a voice you women never hear,
enticing me to act in world affairs.
Your kind can never know a man's career.
Men act upon a stage of larger cares.

(aside)

I'm unfit! I'm unfit!

(to Adele)

I am abdicating my rule of this house and you.

ADELE

And what of your babies who are loyal to you and need your rule?

(Chauvin appears disconcerted.)

ICHAUVIN

A bloodless war, in every village, in all of France—
a bloodless war
on every road, at every turn, from now to victory,
by every man who held a bayonet and musket
against the enemies, the enemies of this nation.
To return this land, to return this land
this land to the glories of the empire,
this land to the glories of the empire.

CHAUVIN

I have a higher duty.

ADELE

You are cold, as cold as the grave.

END SCENE 1, ACT II