The Sightless

7/25/2019 The Sightless

1/47

Maeterlinck's Script, translated from the French by Laurence Alma Tadema

Maurice Maeterlincks The Blind, 1!" #translated from the French by

Laurence Alma Tadema as The Si$htless in 1!%&

ersons(

T)* +*ST(

T)+** T)AT -*+* B.+/ BL/0(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 MA/(

T)* FFT) BL/0 MA/(

T)* ST) BL/0 MA/(

T)+** .L0 BL/0 -.M*/ +A2/3(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

A 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

A MA0 BL/0 -.MA/(

T)* S3)TL*SS

A 5ery ancient northern forest, eternal of aspect, beneath a sky profoundly

starred( 6 n the midst, and to7ards the depths of ni$ht, a 5ery old priest is

seated 7rapped in a 7ide black cloak( )is head and the upper part of his

body, sli$htly thro7n back and mortally still, are leanin$ a$ainst the bole

of an oak tree, hu$e and ca5ernous( )is face is fearfully pale and of an

inalterable 7a8en li5idity9 his 5iolet lips are parted( )is eyes, dumb and

:8ed, no lon$er $a;e at the 5isible side of eternity, and seem bleedin$

beneath a multitude of immemorial sorro7s and of tears( )is hair, of a

most solemn 7hite, falls in sti< and scanty locks upon a face more

illumined and more 7eary than all else that surrounds it in the intent

silence of the $loomy forest( )is hands, e8tremely lean, are ri$idly claspedon his lap( 6 To the ri$ht, si8 old blind men are seated upon stones, the

stumps of trees, and dead lea5es( 6 To the left, separated from them by an

uprooted tree and fra$ments of rock, si8 7omen, blind also, are seated

facin$ the old men( Three of them are prayin$ and 7ailin$ in hollo7 5oice

and 7ithout pause( Another is e8tremely old( The :fth, in an attitude of

mute insanity, holds on her knees a little child asleep( The si8th is

stran$ely youn$, and her hair inundates her 7hole bein$( The 7omen, as

7ell as the old men, are clothed in ample $arments, somber and uniform(

Most of them sit 7aitin$ 7ith their elbo7s on their knees and their faces

bet7een their hands9 and all seem to ha5e lost the habit of useless

$esture, and no lon$er turn their heads at the sti=ed and restless noises ofthe island( 3reat funereal trees, ye7s, 7eepin$ 7illo7s, cypresses, en7rap


2/47

them in their faithful shado7s( /ot far from the priest, a cluster of lon$

and sickly da

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

2ou ha5e 7aked me@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

7as asleep too(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

7as asleep too(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

s he not comin$ yet>

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

hear nothin$ comin$(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t must be about time to $o back to the asylum(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-e 7ant to kno7 7here 7e are@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

t has $ro7n cold since he left(


3/47

F+ST BL/0 MA/(


T)* .L0*ST BL/0 MA/(0oes any one kno7 7here 7e are>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

-e 7ere 7alkin$ a 5ery lon$ time9 7e must be 5ery far from the asylum(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

Ah@ the 7omen are opposite us>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

-e are sittin$ opposite you(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-ait, 7ill come ne8t to you( )e rises and $ropes about( -here are you>

Speak@ that may hear 7here you are@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

)ere9 7e are sittin$ on stones(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

)e steps for7ard, stumblin$ a$ainst the fallen tree and the rocks(

There is somethin$ bet7een us ( ( (

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

t is better to stay 7here one is@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-here are you sittin$> 0o you 7ant to come o5er to us>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(


4/47

-e dare not stand up@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-hy did he separate us>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

hear prayin$ on the 7omens side(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

2es9 the three old 7omen are prayin$(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

This is not the time to pray@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

2ou can pray byCandCby in the dormitory@

The three old 7omen continue their prayers(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

should like to kno7 ne8t to 7hom am sittin$>

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

think am ne8t you(

They $rope about them 7ith their hands(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-e cannot touch each other(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(


5/47

And yet 7e are not far apart( )e $ropes about him, and 7ith his stick hits

the :fth blind man, 7ho $i5es a dull moan( The one 7ho cannot hear is

sittin$ ne8t us(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

dont hear e5erybody9 7e 7ere si8 Dust no7(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

am be$innin$ to make thin$s out( Let us Euestion the 7omen too9 it is

necessary that 7e should kno7 ho7 matters stand( still hear the three

old 7omen prayin$9 are they sittin$ to$ether>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

They are sittin$ beside me, on a rock(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

am sittin$ on dead lea5es@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

And the beauty, 7here is she>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

She is near those that are prayin$(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

-here are the mad 7oman and her child>

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

)e is asleep9 dont 7ake him@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

.h@ ho7 far from us you are@ thou$ht you 7ere Dust opposite me@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(


6/47

-e kno7, more or less, all that 7e need kno79 let us talk a little, till the

priest comes back(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

)e told us to a7ait him in silence(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-e are not in a church(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

2ou dont kno7 7here 7e are(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

feel fri$htened 7hen am not talkin$(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

0o you kno7 7here the priest has $one>

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t seems to me that he is lea5in$ us alone too lon$(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

)e is $ro7in$ too old( t appears that he has hardly been able to see for

some time himself( )e 7ill not o7n it, for fear that another should come

and take his place amon$ us9 but suspect that he can hardly see any

more( -e ou$ht to ha5e another $uide9 he ne5er listens to us no7, and 7e

are becomin$ too many for him( The three nuns and he are the only ones

in the house that can see9 and they are all older than 7e are@ 6 am sure

that he has led us astray, and is tryin$ to :nd the 7ay a$ain( -here can

he ha5e $one> 6 )e has no ri$ht to lea5e us here ( ( (


)e has $one 5ery far9 think he said so to the 7omen(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(


7/47

Then he only speaks to the 7omen no7> 6 0o 7e not e8ist any more> 6 -e

shall ha5e to complain in the end@


To 7hom 7ill you carry your complaint>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

dont yet kno79 7e shall see, 7e shall see( 6 But 7here can he ha5e

$one> 6 am askin$ it of the 7omen(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

)e 7as tired, ha5in$ 7alked so lon$( think he sat do7n a moment in ourmidst( )e has been 5ery sad and 5ery 7eak for some days( )e has been

uneasy since the doctor died( )e is lonely( )e hardly e5er speaks( dont

kno7 7hat can ha5e happened( )e insisted on $oin$ out toCday( )e said

he 7anted to see the sland one last time, in the sun, before 7inter came(

t appears that the 7inter 7ill be 5ery cold and 5ery lon$, and that ice is

already comin$ do7n from the north( )e 7as an8ious too9 they say that

the $reat storms of these last days ha5e s7elled the stream, and that all

the dykes are $i5in$ 7ay( )e said too that the sea fri$htened him9 it

appears to be a$itated for no reason, and the cli


8/47

-hat did he mean by that>

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

did not understand him( )e told me that he 7as $oin$ to7ards the $reatli$hthouse(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

s there a li$hthouse here>

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/

2es, north of the sland( think 7e are not far from it( )e told me that he

could see the li$ht of the beacon fallin$ here, upon the lea5es( )e ne5erseemed to me sadder than toCday, and think that for some days he had

seen cryin$( dont kno7 7hy, but cried too, 7ithout seein$ him( did not

hear him $o( did not Euestion him further( could hear that he 7as

smilin$ too solemnly9 could hear that he 7as closin$ his eyes and 7ished

for silence ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

)e said nothin$ to us of all this@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

2ou ne5er listen to him 7hen he speaks@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

2ou all murmur 7hen he speaks@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

)e merely said 3oodCni$htG on lea5in$(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t must be 5ery late(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(


9/47

)e said 3oodCni$htG t7o or three times on lea5in$, as if he 7ere $oin$ to

sleep( could hear that he 7as lookin$ at me 7hen he said, 3oodCni$ht9

$oodCni$ht(G 6 The 5oice chan$es 7hen one looks at some one :8edly(

FFT) BL/0 MA/(

)a5e pity on those that cannot see@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-ho is talkin$ in that senseless 7ay>

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

think it is the one 7ho cannot hear(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

Be Euiet@ 6 this is not the time to be$@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-here 7as he $oin$ for the bread and 7ater>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

)e 7ent to7ards the sea(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

.ne does not 7alk to7ards the sea in that 7ay at his a$e@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

Are 7e near the sea>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

2es9 be Euiet an instant9 you 7ill hear it(

A murmur of the sea near at hand and 5ery calm a$ainst the cli


10/47

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

only hear the three old 7omen prayin$(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(Listen 7ell, you 7ill hear it throu$h their prayers(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

2es9 hear somethin$ that is not far from us(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

t 7as asleep9 it seems as if it 7ere 7akin$(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

t 7as 7ron$ of him to lead us here9 dont like hearin$ that noise(


2ou kno7 5ery 7ell that the sland is not lar$e, and that one can hear it as

soon as e5er one lea5es the 7alls of the asylum(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

ne5er listened to it(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t seems to me that it is ne8t us toCtoday9 dont like hearin$ it so close(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

/or 9 besides, 7e ne5er asked to lea5e the asylum(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-e ha5e ne5er been as far as this9 it 7as useless to brin$ us so far(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(


11/47

t 7as 5ery :ne this mornin$9 he 7anted us to enDoy the last days of

sunshine, before shuttin$ us up for the 7hole 7inter in the asylum ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

But prefer stayin$ in the asylum@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

)e said too that 7e ou$ht to kno7 somethin$ of the little sland 7e li5e in(

)e himself has ne5er been all o5er it9 there is a mountain that no one has

climbed, 5alleys 7hich no one likes to $o do7n to, and ca5es that ha5e not

been entered to this day( )e said, in short, that one must not al7ays sit

7aitin$ for the sun under the dormitory roof9 he 7anted to brin$ us to the

seaCshore( )e has $one there alone(


)e is ri$ht9 one must think of li5in$(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

But there is nothin$ to see out of doors@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

Are 7e in the sun, no7>

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

s the sun still shinin$>

ST) BL/0 MA/(

think not9 it seems to me to be 5ery late(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

-hat oclock is it>

T)* .T)*+S(

dont kno7( 6 /obody kno7(


12/47

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

s it still li$ht> To the si8th blind man( -here are you> 6 ?ome, you 7ho

can see a little, come@

ST) BL/0 MA/(

think it is 5ery dark9 7hen the sun shines, see a blue line under my

eyelids9 sa7 one a lon$ 7hile a$o9 but no7 can see nothin$ at all(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

As for me, kno7 that it is late 7hen am hun$ry, and am hun$ry(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

But look up at the sky9 you 7ill see some thin$, perhaps@

They all lift their heads to7ards the sky, sa5e the three that 7ere born

blind, 7ho continue to look on the $round(

ST) BL/0 MA/(

dont kno7 that 7e are under the sky(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

.ur 5oices resound as if they 7ere in a ca5e(


rather think they resound so because it is e5enin$(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

t seems to me that feel the moonli$ht on my hands(


think there are stars9 hear them(


13/47

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

too(

F+ST BL/0 MA/( can hear no sound(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

can only hear the sound of our breathin$@


think the 7omen are ri$ht(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

ne5er hear the stars(

S*?./0 A/0 T)+0 BL/0 M*/(

/either did (

A =i$ht of ni$htCbirds ali$hts suddenly amidst the folia$e(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

Listen@ listen@ 6 -hat is that abo5e us> 6 0o you hear>


Somethin$ passed bet7een the sky and us(

ST) BL/0 MA/(

There is somethin$ mo5in$ abo5e our heads9 but 7e cannot reach it@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

dont kno7 the nature of that sound( 6 7ant to $o back to the asylum(


14/47

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(


ST) BL/0 MA/( ha5e tried to stand up9 there are thorns, nothin$ but thorns about me9

dare not spread my hands out any more(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(



-e cannot kno7 it@

ST) BL/0 MA/(

-e must be 5ery far from the house9 can no lon$er make out a sin$le

noise(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

For a lon$ 7hile, ha5e smelt the smell of dead lea5es(

ST) BL/0 MA/(

0id any one of us see the sland in past days, and could he tell us 7here

7e are>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

-e 7ere all blind 7hen 7e came here(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-e ha5e ne5er been able to see(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

Let us not be unnecessarily an8ious9 he 7ill soon return9 let us 7ait a little

lon$er9 but in future, 7e 7ill not $o out 7ith him a$ain(


15/47


-e cannot $o out alone@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(-e 7ill not $o out at all, prefer not $oin$ out(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

-e had no 7ish to $o out, nobody had asked to do so(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

t 7as a holiday on the sland9 7e al7ays $o out on $reat holidays(

T)+0 BL/0 -.MA/(

)e came and hit me on the shoulder 7hen 7as still asleep, sayin$H 3et

up, $et up, it is time, the sun is shinin$@ 6 -as there any sun> 7as not

a7are of it( ha5e ne5er seen the sun(


sa7 the sun 7hen 7as 5ery youn$(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

too9 it 7as lon$ a$o9 7hen 7as a child9 but hardly remember it no7(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-hy does he 7ant us to $o out e5ery time the sun shines> -hich of us is

any the 7iser> ne5er kno7 7hether am 7alkin$ out at midday or atmidni$ht(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

prefer $oin$ out at midday9 suspect $reat bri$htness then, and my eyes

make $reat e


16/47

prefer stayin$ in the refectory by the coalC:re9 there 7as a bi$ :re there

this mornin$ ( ( (

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

)e could brin$ us out into the sun in the yard9 there one has the shelter of

the 7alls9 one cannot $et out, there is nothin$ to fear 7hen the door is

shut( 6 al7ays shut it( 6 -hy did you touch my left elbo7>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

did not touch you9 cannot reach you(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/( tell you that somebody touched my elbo7(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

t 7as none of us(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

7ant to $o a7ay@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

. 3od@ . 3od@ tell us 7here 7e are@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-e cannot 7ait here for e5er@

A 5ery distant clock strikes t7el5e 5ery slo7ly(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

.h@ ho7 far 7e are from the asylum@


t is midni$ht@


17/47

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

t is midday@ 6 0oes any one kno7> 6 Speak@

ST) BL/0 MA/(

dont kno7( But think 7e are in the shade(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

can make nothin$ out9 7e slept too lon$(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

am hun$ry(

T)* .T)*+S(

-e are hun$ry and thirsty@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

)a5e 7e been here lon$>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

t seems to me that ha5e been here centuries@

ST) BL/0 MA/(

am be$innin$ to make out 7here 7e are ( ( (

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-e ou$ht to $o to7ards 7here midni$ht struck(

All the ni$htCbirds e8ult suddenly in the $loom(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

0o you hear> 6 0o you hear>


18/47

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

-e are not alone@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

ha5e had my suspicions for a lon$ time9 7e are bein$ o5erheard( 6 )as

he come back>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

dont kno7 7hat it is9 it is abo5e us(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

0id the others hear nothin$> 6 2ou are al7ays silent@


-e are still listenin$(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

hear 7in$s about me@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

. 3od@ . 3od@ tell us 7here 7e are@

T)* ST) BL/0 MA/(

am be$innin$ to make out 7here 7e are ( ( ( The asylum is on the otherside of the bi$ ri5er9 7e ha5e crossed the old brid$e( )e has brou$ht us to

the north side of the sland( -e are not far from the ri5er, and perhaps 7e

should hear it if 7e 7ere to listen a moment ( ( ( -e shall ha5e to $o do7n

to the ed$e of the 7ater, if he does not come back ( ( ( /i$ht and day $reat

ships pass there, and the sailors 7ill see us standin$ on the banks( t may

be that 7e are in the forest that surrounds the li$hthouse9 but dont kno7

the 7ay out of it ( ( ( s somebody 7illin$ to follo7 me>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(


19/47

Let us keep seated@ 6 Let us 7ait, let us 7ait9 6 7e dont kno7 the direction

of the bi$ ri5er, and there are bo$s all round the asylum9 let us 7ait, let us

7ait ( ( ( )e 7ill come back9 he is bound to come back@

ST) BL/0 MA/(

0oes any one kno7 7hich 7ay 7e came here> )e e8plained it to us as 7e

7alked(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

paid no attention(

ST) BL/0 MA/(0id any one listen to him>

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-e must listen to him in future(

ST) BL/0 MA/(

-as any one of us born on the sland>


2ou kno7 Euite 7ell that 7e come from else7here(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

-e come from the other side of the sea(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

thou$ht should ha5e died crossin$(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

too9 6 7e came to$ether(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(


20/47

-e are all three of the same parish(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

They say that one can see it from here in clear 7eather9 6 to7ards thenorth( 6 t has no steeple(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-e landed by chance(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

come from another direction ( ( (

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

From 7here do you come>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

no lon$er dare think of it ( ( ( can hardly call it to mind 7hen speak of it

( ( ( t 7as too lon$ a$o ( ( ( t 7as colder there than here ( ( (

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

And , come from 5ery far ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-here do you come from then>

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

could not tell you( )o7 should be able to describe it> 6 t is too far from

here9 it is beyond the seas( come from a bi$ country ( ( ( could only

e8plain it to you by si$ns, and 7e cannot see ( ( ( ha5e 7andered too lon$

( ( ( But ha5e seen the sun and 7ater and :re, and mountains, and faces

and stran$e =o7ers ( ( ( There are none like them on this sland9 it is too

dismal here and too cold ( ( ( ha5e ne5er kno7 the scent a$ain, since

lost my si$ht ( ( ( But sa7 my parents and my sisters ( ( ( 7as too youn$

then to kno7 7here 7as ( ( ( still played about on the seaCshore ( ( ( 2et

ho7 7ell remember ha5in$ seen@ ( ( ( .ne day, looked at the sno7 from

the top of a mountain ( ( ( 7as Dust be$innin$ to distin$uish those that are

to be unhappy ( ( (


21/47

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-hat do you mean>

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

can still distin$uish them by the sound of their 5oice at times ( ( ( ha5e

memories that are clearer 7hen am not thinkin$ of them ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

ha5e no memories, ( ( (

A =i$ht of bi$ birds of passa$e passes clamorin$ abo5e the folia$e(


There is somethin$ passin$ a$ain beneath the sky@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

-hy did you come here>


To 7hom are you speakin$>

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

To our youn$ sister(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

They had told me that he could cure me( )e says that shall see a$ain

some day9 then shall be able to lea5e the sland ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-e should all like to lea5e the sland@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(


22/47

-e shall stay here for e5er@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

)e is too old9 he 7ill ne5er ha5e time to cure us@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

My eyelids are closed, but feel that my eyes are ali5e ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

Mine are open ( ( (

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

sleep 7ith my eyes open(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

Let us not speak of our eyes@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

2ou ha5e not been here lon$>


.ne e5enin$, durin$ prayers, heard on the 7omens side a 5oice did not

kno79 and could tell by your 5oice that you 7ere youn$ ( ( ( 7anted to

see you, ha5in$ heard your 5oice ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

ne5er noticed it(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

)e ne5er lets us kno7 anythin$@

ST) BL/0 MA/(

They say that you are beautiful, like some 7oman come from afar>


23/47

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

ha5e ne5er seen myself(


-e ha5e ne5er seen each other( -e Euestion each other, and 7e ans7er

each other9 7e li5e to$ether, 7e are al7ays to$ether, but 7e kno7 not

7hat 7e are@ ( ( ( t is all 5ery 7ell to touch each other 7ith both hands9

eyes kno7 more than hands ( ( (

ST) BL/0 MA/(

see your shado7s sometimes 7hen you are in the sun ( ( (


-e ha5e ne5er seen the house in 7hich 7e li5e9 it is all 5ery 7ell to touch

the 7alls and the 7indo7s9 7e kno7 nothin$ of 7here 7e li5e ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

They say it is an old castle, 5ery $loomy and 5ery 7retched, one ne5er

sees a li$ht there, sa5e in the to7er 7here the priests room is(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

Those 7ho cannot see need no li$ht(

ST) BL/0 MA/(

-hen am keepin$ the =ocks, round about the asylum, the sheep $o

home of themsel5es 7hen, at e5enin$, they see that li$ht in the to7er ( ( (They ha5e ne5er led me astray(


For years and years 7e ha5e li5ed to$ether and 7e ha5e ne5er beheld

each other@ .ne 7ould say 7e 7ere al7ays alone@ ( ( ( .ne must see to

lo5e ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(


24/47

sometimes dream that can see ( ( (


only see 7hen am dreamin$ ( ( (

FFT) BL/0 MA/(

only dream, as a rule, at midni$ht(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

.f 7hat can one dream 7hen ones hands are motionless>

A sEuall shakes the forest, and the lea5es fall in dismal sho7ers(

FFT) BL/0 MA/(

-ho 7as it touched my hands>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

There is somethin$ fallin$ round us(


t comes from abo5e9 dont kno7 7hat it is ( ( (

FFT) BL/0 MA/(

-ho 7as it touched my hands> 6 7as asleep9 let me sleep@


/obody touched your hands(

FFT) BL/0 MA/(

-ho 7as it took my hands> Ans7er loud, am rather hard of hearin$ ( ( (



25/47

-e dont oursel5es kno7(

FFT) BL/0 MA/(

)a5e they come to 7arn us>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

t is of no use ans7erin$9 he can hear nothin$(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t must be admitted that the deaf are 5ery unfortunate@


am tired of sittin$ do7n@

ST) BL/0 MA/(

am tired of bein$ here@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

-e seem to me so far from one another ( ( ( Let us try to dra7 a little

closer to$ether9 6 it is be$innin$ to be cold ( ( (

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

dare not stand up@ t is better to stay 7here one is(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 MA/(There is no kno7in$ 7hat there may be bet7een us(

ST) BL/0 MA/(

think both my hands are bleedin$9 7anted to stand up(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

can hear that you are leanin$ to7ards me(


26/47

The blind mad 7oman rubs her eyes 5iolently, moanin$, and persistently

turnin$ to7ards the motionless priest(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

hear another noise ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

think it is our poor sister rubbin$ her eyes(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

She ne5er does anythin$ else9 hear her e5ery ni$ht(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

She is mad9 she ne5er says anythin$(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

She has ne5er spoken since she had her child( She seems al7ays to be

afraid ( ( (


Are you not afraid here then>

FFT) BL/0 MA/(

-ho>


All the rest of us@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

2es, yes, 7e are afraid@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

-e ha5e been afraid a lon$ time@


27/47

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-hy do you ask that>


dont kno7 7hy ask it@ ( ( ( There is somethin$ cannot make out ( ( ( t

seems as if heard a sudden sound of cryin$ in our midst@ ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

t does not do to be afraid9 think it is the mad 7oman ( ( (


There is somethin$ else besides ( ( ( am sure there is somethin$ else

besides ( ( ( t is not only that 7hich fri$htens me ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

She al7ays cries 7hen she is about to suckle her child(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

She is the only one that cries so@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

They say that she can still see at times ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

.ne ne5er hears the others cry ( ( (


.ne must see to 7eep ( ( (

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

smell a scent of =o7ers round about us ( ( (


28/47

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

only smell the smell of the earth@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(There are =o7ers, there are =o7ers near us@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

only smell the smell of the earth@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

ha5e Dust smelt =o7ers on the 7ind ( ( (

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

only smell the smell of earth@



ST) BL/0 MA/(

-here are they> 6 7ill $o and pick them(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

To your ri$ht, stand up(

The si8th blind man rises slo7ly, and, knockin$ himself a$ainst trees andbushes, $ropes his 7ay to7ards the da


29/47

ST) BL/0 MA/(

dare not retrace my steps@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

2ou must not come back@ 6 -ait( 6 She rises( 6 .h@ ho7 cold the earth is@

t is $oin$ to free;e( 6 She mo5es 7ithout hesitation to7ards the stran$e

pale da


30/47

At this moment, the 7ind rises in the forest and the sea roars suddenly

and 7ith 5iolence a$ainst the nei$hbourin$ cli 6 s it the sea> 6 But it is at t7o steps from us@ 6 t is beside us@

hear it all round me@ 6 t must be somethin$ else@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

hear the sound of 7a5es at my feet(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

think it is the 7ind in the dead lea5es(



T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t 7ill be comin$ here@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-here does the 7ind come from>

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(


31/47

t comes from the sea(


t al7ays comes from the sea9 the sea hems up in on all sides( t cannotcome from else7here ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

Let us not think of the sea any more@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

But 7e must think of it, as it is $oin$ to reach us@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

2ou dont kno7 that it is the sea(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

hear its 7a5es as if 7ere $oin$ to dip both hands in@ -e cannot stay

here@ They may be all around us@


-here do you 7ant to $o>

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

/o matter 7here@ /o matter 7here@ 7ill not hear the sound of that 7ater

any more@ Let us $o@ Let us $o@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t seems to me that hear somethin$ else besides( 6 Listen@

A sound of footsteps, s7ift and distant, is heard amon$ the dead lea5es(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

There is somethin$ comin$ to7ards us@


32/47

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

)e is comin$@ )e is comin$@ )e is comin$ back@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

)e is takin$ little steps, like a little child ( ( (

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

Let us reproach him nothin$ toCday@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

think it is not the step of a man@

A bi$ do$ enters the forest and passes before them( 6 Silence(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-ho is there> 6 -ho are you> 6 )a5e pity on us, 7e ha5e been 7aitin$ so

lon$@ ( ( ( The do$ stops , and returnin$, lays his front pa7s on the blind

mans knees( Ah@ ah@ 7hat ha5e you put on my knees> -hat is it> ( ( ( s it

an animal> think it is a do$> ( ( ( .h@ oh@ it is the do$@ it is the do$ from

the asylum@ ?ome here@ come here@ )e has come to deli5er us@ ?ome

here@ come here@

T)* .T)*+S(

?ome here@ come here@

F+ST BL/0 MA/((

)e has come to deli5er us@ )e has follo7ed our traces@ )e is lickin$ my

hands as if he had found me after hundreds of years@ )e is ho7lin$ for Doy@

)e 7ill die of Doy@ Listen@ listen@

T)* .T)*+S(

?ome here@ come here@



33/47

)e has perhaps run on in front of somebody> ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

/o, no, he is alone( 6 hear nothin$ comin$( 6 -e need no other $uide9there is none better( )e 7ill lead us 7here5er 7e 7ant to $o9 he 7ill obey

us ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

dare not follo7 him(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

/or (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-hy not> )e sees better than 7e do(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

Let us not listen to the 7omen@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

think that somethin$ has chan$ed in the sky9 breathe freely9 the air is

pure no7 ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

t is the seaCbree;e that is blo7in$ round us(

ST) BL/0 MA/(

t seems to me that it is $oin$ to $et li$ht9 think the sun is risin$ ( ( (


think it is $oin$ to be cold ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(


34/47

-e shall :nd the 7ay( )e is dra$$in$ me alon$( )e is drunk 7ith Doy@ 6

can no lon$er hold him back@ ( ( ( Follo7 me@ follo7 me@ -e are $oin$

home@ ( ( (

)e rises, dra$$ed alon$ by the do$, 7ho leads him to7ards themotionless priest, and there stops(

T)* .T)*+S(

-here are you> -here are you> 6 -here are you $oin$> Take care@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-ait@ 7ait@ 0ont follo7 me yet9 7ill come back ( ( ( )e is standin$ still( 6-hat is it> 6 Ah@ ah@ ha5e touched somethin$ 5ery cold@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

-hat are you sayin$> can hardly hear your 5oice any more(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

ha5e touched ( ( ( think am touchin$ a face@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-hat are you sayin$> 6 .ne can hardly understand you any more( -hat is

the matter 7ith you> 6 -here are you> 6 Are you already so far a7ay from

us>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

.h@ oh@ oh@ dont yet kno7 7hat it is ( ( ( 6 There is a dead man in ourmidst@

T)* .T)*+S(

A dead man in our midst> -here are you> 7here are you>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

There is a dead man amon$ us, tell you@ .h@ oh@ ha5e touched a deadface@ 6 2ou are sittin$ ne8t to a dead body@ .ne of us must ha5e died


35/47

suddenly@ But speak then, that may kno7 7hich are ali5e@ -here are

you> 6 Ans7er@ ans7er all to$ether@

They ans7er in succession sa5e the mad 7oman and the deaf man9 the

three 7omen ha5e ceased prayin$(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

can no lon$er distin$uish your 5oices@ ( ( ( 2ou are all speakin$ alike@ ( ( (

They are all tremblin$@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

There are t7o 7ho did not ans7er ( ( ( -here are they>

)e touches 7ith his stick the :fth blind man(

FFT) BL/0 MA/(

.h@ oh@ 7as asleep9 let me sleep@

ST) BL/0 MA/(

t is not he( 6 s it the mad 7oman>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

She is sittin$ ne8t me9 can hear her li5e ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

think ( ( ( think it is the priest@ 6 )e is standin$@ ?ome@ come@ come@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

)e is standin$>

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

Then he is not dead@


36/47


-here is he>

ST) BL/0 MA/(?ome and see@ ( ( (

They all rise, sa5e the mad 7oman and the :fth blind man, and $rope

their 7ay to7ards the dead(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

s he here> 6 s it he>

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

2es@ yes@ reco$nise him@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

. 3od@ . 3od@ 7hat is to become of us@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

Father@ father@ 6 s it you> Father, 7hat has happened> 6 -hat is the

matter 7ith you> 6 Ans7er us@ 6 -e are all $athered round you ( ( ( .h@ oh@

oh@


Brin$ some 7ater9 he is perhaps still ali5e ( ( (

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

Let us try ( ( ( )e 7ill perhaps be able to lead us back to the asylum ( ( (

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t is useless9 cannot hear his heart( 6 )e is cold ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(


37/47

)e died 7ithout a 7ord(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

)e ou$ht to ha5e 7arned us(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

.h@ ho7 old he 7as@ ( ( ( t is the :rst time e5er touched his face ( ( (

T)+0 BL/0 MA/ #feelin$ the corpse&(

)e is taller than 7e are@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

)is eyes are 7ide open9 he died 7ith clasped hands ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

)e died, so, for no reason ( ( (

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

)e is not standin$, he is sittin$ on a stone ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

. 3od@ . 3od@ did not kno7 all ( ( ( all@ ( ( ( )e had been ill so lon$ ( ( ( )e

must ha5e su


38/47

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-as he ill> ( ( ( )e ne5er told us ( ( (

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

heard him 7hisper somethin$ as he 7ent ( ( ( think he 7as speakin$ to

our youn$ sister9 7hat did he say>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

She 7ill not ans7er(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

2ou 7ill not ans7er us any more> 6 But 7here are you then> 6 Speak@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

2ou made him su did you kno7 it>


-e kne7 nothin$ ( ( ( -e had ne5er seen him ( ( ( -hen ha5e 7e e5er

kno7n of anythin$ that passed before our poor dead eyes> ( ( ( )e ne5er

complained ( ( ( /o7 it is too late ( ( ( ha5e seen three die ( ( ( but ne5er

so ( ( ( /o7 it is our turn ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

t is not that made him su


39/47

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

)e died $oin$ to fetch 7ater for the mad 7oman ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(-hat are 7e to do no7> -here shall 7e $o>

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

-here is the do$>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

)ere9 he 7ill not lea5e the dead(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

0ra$ him a7ay@ 0ri5e him o

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

)ere9 am here( Are 7e all to$ether> 6 ?ome nearer to me( -here are

your hands> 6 t is 5ery cold(


40/47

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

.h@ ho7 cold your hands are@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(-hat are you doin$>

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

7as puttin$ my hands to my eyes( thou$ht 7as $oin$ to see all at once

( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-ho is that cryin$>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

t is the mad 7oman sobbin$(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

2et she does not kno7 the truth>


think 7e shall die here ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

Some one 7ill come perhaps ( ( (


-ho else 7ould be likely to come> ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

dont kno7(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

think the nuns 7ill come out of the asylum ( ( (


41/47

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

There ne5er $o out of an e5enin$(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

They ne5er $o out at all(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

think that the men from the bi$ li$hthouse 7ill see us ( ( (


They ne5er come do7n from their to7er(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

They mi$ht see us ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

They are al7ays lookin$ to7ard the sea(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

t is cold@


Listen to the dead lea5es9 think it is free;in$(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

.h@ ho7 hard the earth is@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

hear to my left a noise that cannot make out ( ( (



42/47

t is the sea moanin$ a$ainst the rocks(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

thou$ht it 7as the 7omen(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

hear the ice breakin$ under the 7a5es ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-ho is it that is shi5erin$ so> he is makin$ us all shake on the stone@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

can no lon$er open my hands(


hear another noise that cannot make out ( ( (

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

-hich of us is it that is shi5erin$ so> )e is shakin$ the stone@


think it is a 7oman(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

think the mad 7oman is shi5erin$ most(

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

cannot hear her child(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

think he is still suckin$(


43/47


)e is the only one that can see 7here 7e are@

F+ST BL/0 MA/( hear the north 7ind(

ST) BL/0 MA/(

think there are no more stars9 it is $oin$ to sno7(

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

Then 7e are lost@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

f one of us falls asleep he must be 7aked(


am sleepy thou$h(

A sEuall makes the dead lea5es 7hirl(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

0o you hear the dead lea5es> think some one is comin$ to7ards us@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

t is the 7ind9 listen@

T)+0 BL/0 MA/(

/o one 7ill come no7@


The $reat cold is comin$ ( ( (


44/47

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

hear some one 7alkin$ in the distance@

F+ST BL/0 MA/( only hear the dead lea5es@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

hear some one 7alkin$ 5ery far from us@

S*?./0 BL/0 MA/(

only hear the north 7ind(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

tell you that some one is comin$ to7ards us@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

hear a sound of 5ery slo7 footsteps ( ( (



t be$ins to sno7 in $reat =akes(

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

.h@ oh@ 7hat is fallin$ so cold on my hands>

ST) BL/0 MA/(

t is sno7in$@

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

Let us dra7 up close to one another@


45/47

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

But listen to the sound of the footsteps@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(For 3ods sake@ be still an instant@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

They are dra7in$ nearer@ they are dra7in$ nearer@ listen then@

)ere the mad 7omans child be$ins to 7ail suddenly in the dark(


The child is cryin$@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

t sees@ it sees@ t must see somethin$ as it is cryin$@ She sei;es the child

in her arms and mo5es for7ard in the direction 7hence the sound of

footsteps seems to come9 the other 7omen follo7 her an8iously and

surround her( am $oin$ to meet it@


Take care@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

.h@ ho7 he is cryin$@ 6 -hat is it> 6 0ont cry( 6 0ont be afraid9 there is

nothin$ to be afraid of9 7e are here all about you( 6 -hat do you see> 6

Fear nothin$@ 6 0ont cry so@ 6 -hat is it that you see> 6 Tell us, 7hat is it

that you see>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

The sound of footsteps is dra7in$ nearer9 listen@ listen@


hear the rustlin$ of a dress amon$ the dead lea5es(


46/47

ST) BL/0 MA/(

s it a 7oman>


s it the sound of footsteps>

F+ST BL/0 MA/(

t is perhaps the sea on the dead lea5es>

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

/o, no@ they are footsteps@ they are footsteps@ they are footsteps@

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

-e shall soon kno79 listen to the dead lea5es(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

hear them, hear them, almost beside us@ listen@ listen@ 6 -hat is it thatyou see> -hat is it that you see>

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

-hich 7ay is he lookin$>

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

)e al7ays follo7s the sound of the footsteps@ 6 Look@ Look@ -hen turnhim a7ay he turns back to look ( ( ( )e sees@ he sees@ he sees@ 6 )e must

see somethin$ stran$e@ ( ( (

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/( comin$ for7ard(

Lift him abo5e us, that he may see(

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

Step aside@ step aside@ She lifts the child abo5e the $roup of si$htless(

The footsteps ha5e stopped ri$ht amon$ us@ ( ( (


47/47


They are here@ They are here in our midst@

T)* 2.4/3 BL/0 -.MA/(

-ho are you>

Silence(

T)* .L0*ST BL/0 -.MA/(

)a5e pity on us@

Silence( The child cries more desperately(

Documents

The Sightless