The Triple Marriage

The Triple Marriage

The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Triple Marriage, by N. Destouches Translated by Frank J. Morlock.
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Title: The Triple Marriage
Author: N. Destouches, translated by Frank J. Morlock
Release Date: May, 2004 [Etext #6035] [Yes, we are more than one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on October 23, 2002]
Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, RHYME AND REASON VOL TWO ***

This Etext is for private use only. No republication for profit in print or other media may be made without the express consent of the Copyright Holder. The Copyright Holder is especially concerned about performance rights in any media on stage, cinema, or television, or audio or any other media, including readings for which an entrance fee or the like is charge. Permissions should be addressed to: Frank Morlock, 6006 Greenbelt Rd, #312, Greenbelt, MD 20770, USA or [email protected]. Other works by this author may be found at http://www.cadytech.com/dumas/personnage.asp?key=130
This etext was produced by Dagny, [email protected] and Frank J. Morlock, [email protected]

THE TRIPLE MARRIAGE
BY
DESTOUCHES
Translated and Adapted
By Frank J. Morlock C 1982

CHARACTERS:
Mr. Matthews, an old man Elizabeth, his daughter Walter, his son Mr. Manly, Elizabeth's husband Anna, Elizabeth's maid The Countess Polly, Walter's wife Sophie, Matthew's wife Trim, Walter's valet Jeremy, Manly's valet Belinda, a little girl about ten years of age Mr. Nugent A troop of dancers

Scene: A room in Matthews' house.
Matthews No, I cannot be perfectly happy. I had a wife and she died. Out of decency, I mourned her. Secretly, I rejoiced to be delivered from a tyrant who controlled my slightest breath and wanted to rule my inclinations after twenty years of marriage. I thought her death would leave me free.-- Now, I am a slave to my children, who force me to go against my own wishes, and to preserve decency, without which I dare not proceed. I have to be careful my affairs are not noised about all over town. I have a son who is bigger than I am: what a mortification for a father who doesn't wish to renounce the world! I have a sweet and pretty daughter--who doesn't want to be a nun. So, to preserve decency, I have to marry her off. What an aggravating necessity for a father who loves his own comfort more than his daughter! What role should I play?-- For the time being better keep them amused, so as to have time to arrange matters in the way I wish.
(Enter Anna.)
Anna What's going on, sir? I've just seen I don't know how many men down there getting drunk. What guzzlers! They've already emptied more than thirty bottles, and they complain they are dying of thirst. Who are they?
Matthews They're dancers and musicians.
Anna They drink like marines.
Matthews Well, aren't they doing their job?
Anna Only when they drink at somebody else's expense. I ought to watch them. But, sir, if you please, why have you brought this bacchanalia into your home? Are you giving a ball tonight?
Matthews Yes, child, I intend to give a kind of ball tonight, or rather a little concert mixed with dancing. That's what I brought these musicians and dancers for.
Anna Better take away the drink then, for if they continue as they've begun, you will have to carry them home.
Matthews Never mind, don't worry about it--the more they drink, the better they sound.
Anna Well done! And how were you able to bring yourself to have such a party--you, a sworn enemy to such diversions?
Matthews I have reasons for it which everyone will learn before long. Besides, as my daughter is a little bored, I thought a little diversion like this would cheer her up.
Anna It's true that music and dancing are pleasant, but I don't think this is exactly what your daughter needs to get her health back.
Matthews Oh, I see where you're coming from. You mean she needs a husband!
Anna Without a doubt. A husband is a sort of prescription medicine for a languishing daughter.
Matthews I know my daughter: she's very virtuous.
Anna