Pablo leaves the stage after blowing kisses at Esperanza. She sighs as he departs. She clutches the envelope he has given her, unopened, to her chest.
Esperanza: Fly away Dawn,
hide your face,
you are not welcome here
in this lover's garden
where many pass beneath the trees
delightful to the eye.
Soft! Steal away,
do not disturb
those who wander in its bosom.
Night has claimed them,
and they are not yours
until your time of reckoning.
You tear lovers apart,
rosy-hued Dawn,
your jealousy consumes you.
Your lover is old
but will never die
so he must crawl the earth-
a shell
among young and youthful love.
Now, you force my decision.
Why must you come?
You bring pain to those
whom I love-
Paolo and Martin
await my choice at Dawn.
You smile cruelly at the thought
and eagerly approach.
Halt!
Is that a beam of light I see?
Nay, 'tis only
the lantern of the watch.
Watch on, dear guardian
and do not allow Dawn's fingers
into this silent, sacred place.
Esperanza disappears off the balcony into her rooms. Martin creeps from the shaodws stage right.
Martin: Esperanza fair,
that I may hear your voice again
before I die.
Dawn claims my life today.
She has set her price:
and I must pay.
But keep Dawn away
for just a moment longer-
a sweet moment longer
befoe I bid adieu
to this world, with you in it.
Your happiness is all I desire,
your love will ring pure at my death.
It is better to keep you mine in death
than to see you in the arms of another.
See, my sword is buried in the ground.
I die like Aias, 'alas' is my name.
I have gone mad and torn apart my heart,
and I will die the honorable death.
He glances once more at the balcony.
Farewell, my Esperanza! Love has conquered yet.
You will know of my deeds in the letter
Pablo brings.
Farewell.
Today I go to Paradise,
but Paradise it will be not
until you join me there.
Martin exits stage right. A moment passes, the Esperanza screams from her room and rushes to the balcony. Her shawl floats behind her, her hair is undone. Her face is pale.
Esperanza: AAAAIIIIEEEE!!!!
He is gone, gone, gone!
Martin, I clasp this
thy last letter unto my breast.
See, I smother it with kisses.
What possessed you to die of love?
And why at my doorstep?
I could have been thine tonight.
Your body grows cold,
stained with the heart's blood
you shed for me.
Oh, Dawn-
come not!
You will overturn his cold, white body.
Leave him shrouded in darkness,
the night his grave.
Oh, poor lover of mine!
Esperanza collapses weeping. Pablo enters.
Pablo: See. my love!
Dawn approaches.
Your choice is now:
Him or me?
Come now, I have sworn to love you truly.
Give me fresh kisses from those sweet lips
and tell me I am yours.
Esperanza: Dawn?
No...no...
NOOOO!!!!
She flees inside, still screaming. Pablo turns to the audience.
Pablo: Dawn is mine,
her agent am I,
tainted with her stain
of revelation.
Alas, Esperanza is of the night,
and lovers find the darkness quite
alluring for their secret plans,
although their exposure is in Dawn's hands.
Look ye, lovers, and learn to love light,
for Dawn has a vengeance for lovers at night.
Silver trophy winner
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- joanne
