Our Friend the Dog
[Illustration] OUR FRIEND THE DOG BY MAURICE MAETERLINCK AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF THE BEE," ETC. TRANSLATED BY ALEXANDER TEIXEIRA DE MATTOS ILLUSTRATED BY CECIL ALDEN NEW YORK DODD, MEAD & COMPANY 1913
and tell them I shall come anon." The servant takes Hugo aside to
tell him something, and Hagar changes the cups for two others which
are harmless. Ferdinando, the 'minion', carries them away, and
Hagar puts back the cup which holds the poison meant for Roderigo.
Hugo, getting thirsty after a long warble, drinks it, loses his wits,
and after a good deal of clutching and stamping, falls flat and dies,
while Hagar informs him what she has done in a song of exquisite
power and melody.
This was a truly thrilling scene, though some persons might
have thought that the sudden tumbling down of a quantity of long red
hair rather marred the effect of the villain's death. He was called
before the curtain, and with great propriety appeared, leading Hagar,
whose singing was considered more wonderful than all the rest of the
performance put together.
Act fourth displayed the despairing Roderigo on the point of
stabbing himself because he has been told that Zara has deserted him.
Just as the dagger is at his heart, a lovely song is sung under his
window, informing him that Zara is true but in danger, and he can
save her if he will. A key is thrown in, which unlocks the door,
and in a spasm of rapture he tears off his chains and rushes away
to find and rescue his lady love.
Act fifth opened with a stormy scene between Zara and Don Pedro.
He wishes her to go into a convent, but she won't hear of it, and
[Illustration] OUR FRIEND THE DOG BY MAURICE MAETERLINCK AUTHOR OF "THE LIFE OF THE BEE," ETC. TRANSLATED BY ALEXANDER TEIXEIRA DE MATTOS ILLUSTRATED BY CECIL ALDEN NEW YORK DODD, MEAD & COMPANY 1913