The Marriage of Figaro

“ Enter FIGARO, disguised in a red Rocquelaure; Doctor Bartholo, Don Guzman, Basil, Antonio. Figaro imagines at first Agnes to be Susan; and, as it is too dark to see, endeavours to follow the sound of her voice, having entered while she was speaking. Agnes enters the Pavilion on the left.
Figaro. I was mistaken, ’tis Agnes! (They all grope down the stage till they get round Figaro) What a clock is it?
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Antonio. Almost near the moon’s rising.
Basil. What a gloomy night.
Doctor. We look like so many Conspirators. ”

“ Marcelina. We must endeavour to work upon Susan by fear and shame, for the more obstinately she refuses the amorous offers of the Count, the more effectually she will serve our purpose; disappointment and revenge will lead him to support my cause, and as he is sovereign Judge in his own Lordship, his power may make Figaro’s promise of marriage to me valid. ”

“ THE PLAYWRIGHT Some men do great things incidentally and unintentionally. Pierre Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais bothered his clever head scarcely at all with schemes for the well-being of his country—was little concerned with humanity and very much with one man—himself. Yet by a special irony of destiny the author of ‘The Marriage of Figaro’ played one of the chief parts in the prelude to the drama of the Revolution. ”

“ Figaro. Join with me, my friends.
Omnes. My Lord.
Susan. Why should your Lordship refuse Eulogiums which you merit so well?
Count. Oh the Traitress. (Aside) Well, well,—I consent.
Figaro. Look at her, my Lord; never could a more beauteous Bride better prove the greatness of the sacrifice you have made.
Susan. Oh do not speak of my Beauty, but of his Lordship’s Virtues.
Count. My Virtues!—Yes, yes,—I see they understand each other. (Aside) Who can tell me where is Marcelina?
Agnes. I met her, my Lord, just now, in the close walk by the park wall, along with Doctor Bartholo. ”

“ Figaro. I will take my excuse in my hand— (Going to lead out Susan) —Few offenders can plead so charming a one.
Countess. No, no; stop Susan: I want you—She [78] shall come presently. (Exit Figaro) .—Well, Susan, the time approaches, we must prepare for the Rendezvous.
Susan. “I must not go, Madam, Figaro is unwilling.
Countess. (Angry) . “Figaro!—Figaro is not so scrupulous when a Marriage-portion is in question—That’s a poor Pretence; you are sorry you have told the truth, and discovered the Intentions of the Count.—Go, go—I am not to be so deceived. (Going) . ”

“ The rascal shall marry my old House-keeper, and I shall be revenged for the tricks he lately played me, and the hundred pistoles he contrived to cheat me of.
Marcelina. (transported) Yes, yes, Doctor! I shall have him! He shall marry me! He shall marry me!
Enter SUSAN, with a gown on her arm, and a cap and riband of the Countess, in her hand.
Susan. Marry you! Who is to marry you? Not my Figaro, I assure you, madam. ”

“ Doublefee. You! A Physician turn Lawyer?—
Figaro. Oh yes, and equally skilful in both.
Count. Read the Promise of Marriage, Doctor.
Guzman. Re-e-ead the Pro-o-omise of Marriage.
Doctor. (Reads) I acknowledge to have received of Marcelina-Jane-Maria-Angelica-Mustachio, the sum of two thousand Piasters, in the Castle of Count Almaviva, which sum I promise to repay to the said Marcelina-Jane-Maria-Angelica-Mustachio, and to marry her. Signed, Figaro. (Addressing himself to the Count) My Lord, and Gentlemen! Hem! ”

“ At Drury Lane, was given the "Marriage of Figaro," and Covent Garden complimented the Duke and Duchess with the "Provoked Husband."
It cannot be said that the public looked with much enthusiasm on any of the royal marriages. Such unions with rare exceptions, are unpleasantly free from sentiment or romance ”

“ Countess. You hear, my Lord!—Has not the simplicity of this Child’s confession, as artless as the one I have this moment made, sufficiently justified my Conduct? And do not circumstances prove, how injurious your Suspicions have been, and how well founded mine? (Count bows to the Countess.)
Antonio. You see, my Lord, what a giddy young thing it is.
Count. And very loving too.
Antonio. Her mother, as every body knows, was just such another.
Enter FIGARO.
Figaro. ”

“ Figaro. “I even saw her laugh with Delight, while he read her Billet!——They think themselves secure, but perhaps they yet may be deceived.”——No, my very worthy Lord and Master, you have not got her yet.—What! Because you are a great Man, you fancy yourself a great Genius.—“Which way?—How came you to be the rich and mighty Count Almaviva? Why truly, you gave yourself the Trouble to be born! While the obscurity in which I have been cast demanded more Abilities to gain a mere Subsistence than are requisite to govern Empires. ”

“ Figaro. “And as you have been kindly pleased to abolish that abominable right, which, as Lord of the Manor, you might have claimed, permit us, your Vassals, to celebrate your praise, in a rustic Chorus I have prepared for this occasion. The Virtues of so good a master should not remain unsung.
Count. “A Lover, a Poet, and a Musician!—These titles, Figaro, might perhaps merit our indulgence, if”—
Countess. ”

“ Count. “But thou hast Abilities, and might rise to Preferment.
Figaro. “Preferred by my Abilities my Lord!——Your Lordship is pleased to laugh at me.”
Count. Yes, yes; Susan has betrayed me, and my Gentleman marries Marcelina. (Aside.)
Figaro. He has been angling for Gudgeons, and what has he caught? (Aside.)
Enter a SERVANT.
Servant. ”

“ Return still quicker.—Go; fly!—— (Exit Servant) —I was wrong to send Basil out of the way—He might have been very serviceable—But Anger was never wise—I scarcely know at present what I wish—When once the Passions have obtained the Mastery, there is no Mind, however consistent, but becomes as wild and incongruous as a Dream—If the Countess, Susan, and Figaro should understand each other and plot to betray me!—If the Page was shut up in her dressing-room—Oh! ”

“ In white stockings!
(Countess and Susan discover their fears, and make signs to Figaro to assist them if possible.)
Count. Where is the Man? (Eagerly.)
Antonio. That’s what I want to know, my Lord!—I wish I could find him,—I am your Lordship’s Gardener; and, tho’ I say it, a better Gardener is not to be found in all Spain;—but if Chambermaids are permitted to toss men out of the window to save their own Reputation, what is to become of mine?—“It will wither with my flowers to be sure.”
Figaro. Oh fie! What sotting so soon in a morning?
Antonio. Why, can one begin one’s day’s work too early? ”

“ Figaro. (To his Mother) Every thing is precious that appertains to a beloved object.—He picks up the very Pin, you see.
(All this while Susan and the Countess remark what is passing with laughter, and private looks and gestures.) ”

“ Figaro turns out to be the long-lost son of Marcellina and Bartolo, so the great impediment to his marriage is effectually removed, and by the happy plan of a disguise the Countess takes Susanna's place at the assignation, and receives the ardent declarations of her husband. When the Count discovers his mistake he is thoroughly ashamed of himself, and his vows of amendment bring the piece to a happy conclusion. ”

“ Here’s an old Fool!—The Child of Nobody, Ha! ha! ha! (Laughs stupidly, and then assumes great Wisdom) Hav’n’t you lived long enough to know that every Child must have a Father?
Marcelina. “Consider, good Doctor, your Promise, if ever our Child was found.
Doctor. “Pshaw!
Marcelina. “And here is a Son you surely need not be ashamed of.
Susan. “Ah my dear Pappa!
Figaro. “My generous, worthy Father.
(Susan strokes his Cheek, Figaro kneels, and Marcelina coaxes him.)
Susan. “You don’t know how we will all love you.
Marcelina. “What care we will take of you.
Figaro. “How happy we will make you. ”

“ Count. Stand out of the way, Rascal——Hollo!—Where are my People? Lights! Lights!
Courier. What’s my Lord afraid of? Is there not Mr. Figaro and I?
Enter Flambeaux, Don GUZMAN, Dr. BARTHOLO, ANTONIO, BASIL, and Servants.
Count. (To the Servants) Guard that Door and some of you seize this Fellow.
Figaro. You command, with absolute Authority, over all present, my Lord, except yourself.
Count. “The Villain’s impenetrable, cool Impudence is intolerable.
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Figaro. “We are not Soldiers, that we should kill one another without Malice: for my part, I like to know why I am angry.” ”

“ Basil. “The vile Drudge of Intrigue!
Figaro. “Execrated by those he serves!
Basil. “Gulled by his own Cunning!
Figaro. “So great a Fool, Knavery itself cannot make him thrive!
Basil. “So stupid, he never yet could invent a probable Lie!
Doctor. } “Hold, hold.
Guzman. }
Figaro. “A Pedantic!
Basil. “Pert!
Figaro. “Preposterous!
Basil. “Pragmatical!
Figaro. “Braying!
Basil. “Lop-eared!
Figaro. “Ass!
Count. “How now!—Is this all the Respect you shew?—
Basil. “You hear, my Lord, how he insults me! When, it is well known, there is not, in all Andalusia, a more eminent!——
Figaro. “Empty!
Basil. ”

“ Figaro. Are you going, my Lord, without giving Orders for our Wedding?
Enter MARCELINA, BASIL, BOUNCE, and Vassals.
(The Count returns.)
Marcelina. Forbear, my Lord, to give such Orders; in Justice forbear. I have a written promise [50] under his hand, and I appeal to you, to redress my injuries! You are my lawful Judge. ”

“ Figaro, who has been informed that Susanna and the Count are to meet in the garden, comes on the scene, and in revenge makes a passionate declaration of love to the supposed Countess, upon which the Count, who is growing more and more bewildered, orders lights and makes his supposed wife unveil. The real wife does the same. ”

“ Forgiveness is deserved only by those willing to forgive. All is well, and the Countess gives her hand to be kissed by her lord. Enters Figaro with joyous music to announce that all's ready for the wedding; trumpets sounding, pipes tootling, peasants singing and dancing. The Count throws a damper upon his exuberant spirits. How about that letter? In spite of the efforts of the Countess and Susanna to make him confess its authorship, Figaro stoutly insists that he knows nothing of it. ”

“ As to the third, she made his fortune by playing out a farce worthy of Figaro’s genius. She passed as his wife and became the mistress of a man in power, who believed her to be the most innocent of good citizens. To one she gave life, to another honor, to the third fortune—what does it all count for to-day? ”

“ It is the same Count Almaviva, now married to Rosina; Figaro, the cunning barber, has entered the Count's service and is about to marry Rosina's {238} maid, Susanna. We meet among the others old Doctor Bartolo and Basilio. Even in the management of the subject, and in the music we find some resemblance. "Figaro's wedding" has the same character of gaiety; no storms, very few clouds; there prevails throughout an atmosphere of sunshine and brightness. After Don Juan, Figaro was Mozart's darling, and it shines radiantly in the crown of his fame. ”

“ When Figaro came into the room.
“Good day, Senorita.”
“Good day, Senor Figaro; I am dying of weariness.”
“Then look in the glass, and you’ll be charmed.”
“Charmed in a tomb, Figaro? This house is a tomb.”
“Dear, dear—hist!—he’s coming.”
Figaro slid to the other end of the room—Rosina whisked from it, and the barber was a most unconscious person—when Dr. Bartolo and Don Basilio—humbug and music-master (vide Figaro) , made their appearance. ”

“ It is impossible to be more humble, more audacious, more eager in view of obtaining a favour from the Court than were all our young lords to ensure themselves a place at the first representation of Figaro. More than one duchess considered herself too happy that day to find in the balconies, where ladies are seldom seen, a wretched stool side by side with Madame Duthé, Carline, and company. ”

“ He swam along gayly and contentedly on the careless current of life as it was lived in Vienna and elsewhere in the closing decades of the eighteenth century, and was not averse, merely for the fun of the thing, to go even a step beyond his librettist when the chance offered. Here is an instance in point: The plotters have been working a little at cross-purposes, each seeking his own advantages, and their plans are about to be put to the test when Figaro temporarily loses confidence in the honesty of Susanna. With his trust in her falls to the ground his faith in all woman-kind. ”

“ What the family would have come to without him, is too painful a speculation to be entered upon unnecessarily. Figaro-ci, Figaro-là, and Figaro liking nothing better than his occupation. He bent his whole mind to it; I never could discover that, he had any other interest or employment in life; lounging around to Gramercy Square after breakfast, embellishing the library sofa with his listless length till lunch, while Josephine practised, or my aunt talked business with him. ”

“ Could I ever be at peace with her—ever make her happy? Fiesole was so flippant, so casual of all that makes for wifehood. And she was almost right in saying that I had made her what she was—first by my virtue, now by my lack of it. All we could give one another would be passion, swift and self-consuming. Soon would come satiety, the fruit of my doings; after that regret, the fruit of my thoughts. And if we did not marry, I should eat the same fruit, made more bitter by self-scorn.
Marry Fiesole! In marriage lay escape from the penalty of my lifelong lawless curiosity. ”