Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
AN IDEAL HUSBAND
AN IDEAL HUSBAND
Autore
Oscar Fingal OFlahertie Wills Wilde nasce nel 1854 a Dublino. Frequenta
con successo la Portora Royal School di Enniskillen, il Trinity College di
Dublino e il Magdalen College di Oxford, ottenendo nel novembre 1878
il prestigioso Bachelor of Arts. Diviene ben presto famoso non solo
per le sue opere, ma anche per i suoi atteggiamenti stravaganti, come
passeggiare a Piccadilly con un giglio o un girasole in mano. La sua vita
sentimentale molto turbolenta: si sposa con Constance Lloyd nel 1884, ma
il matrimonio fallisce dopo qualche anno. Intreccia poi una relazione con
Lord Alfred Douglas che porta pubblicamente a galla la sua omosessualit
e crea un grande scandalo nella societ vittoriana dellepoca. Nel 1895
intenta una causa per diffamazione contro il marchese di Queensberry, ma
senza successo. Anzi, da querelante diventa imputato e viene condannato
a due anni di lavori forzati per omosessualit. E la rovina sociale ed
economica. Uscito di prigione nel 1897, ritorna a Parigi, ma la discesa sociale
inesorabile. Morir, povero e malato, nel 1900.
Alcune opere
The Duchess of Padua (1883) - The Happy Prince and Other Tales (1888)
- The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890) - Salom (1893) - Lady Windermeres
Fan (1892) - A Woman of No Importance (1893) - The Importance of Being
Earnest (1895) - An Ideal Husband (1895) - De Profundis (1897) - The
Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898)
La trama
Note di regia
SYNOPSIS OF SCENES
ACT I
ATTO I
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
Scene 5
Scene 6
page 6
page
7
page
9
page 11
page 15
page 18
Scena 1
Scena 2
Scena 3
Scena 4
Scena 5
Scena 6
ACT II
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scena 1
Scena 2
Scena 3
ACT III
pag.
pag.
pag.
21
26
30
pag.
pag.
pag.
34
36
40
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
46
48
51
53
ATTO III
page 34
page 36
page 40
Scena 1
Scena 2
Scena 3
ATTO IV
ACT IV
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
Scene 4
6
7
9
11
15
18
ATTO II
page 21
page 26
page 30
Scene 1
Scene 2
Scene 3
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
pag.
page
page
page
page
46
48
51
53
Scena 1
Scena 2
Scena 3
Scena 4
CHARACTERS
(in order of appearance)
PERSONAGGI
(in ordine di apparizione)
ACT I
ATTO I
SCENE 1
SCENA 1
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Mabel Chiltern, the Earl of Caversham, Mrs. Cheveley.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern receives the guests as they begin to ascend the
staircase. The sound of a string quartette is faintly heard.
Mabel Chiltern. Certainly, the evenings in this house are the best in town.
Mabel Chiltern. Certo che le serate in questa casa sono le migliori in citt.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. The perfection fascinates people.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. La perfezione affascina la gente.
Voice of Mason (announcing guests as they arrive at the top of the staircase).
... The Earl of Caversham.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (advances towards Mrs. Cheveley with a sweet smile.
Then suddenly stops, and bows rather distantly). I think Mrs. Cheveley and I
have met before.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I dont really think there will be a lot in common
between you and my husband, Mrs. Cheveley!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Non credo davvero che avrete molto in comune
con mio marito, Signora Cheveley!
SCENE 2
SCENA 2
Sir Robert Chiltern. Dear sister, good-evening! You are wonderful as always.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Cara sorellina, buona sera! Siete meravigliosa come sempre.
Sir Robert Chiltern. You are the brilliant Mrs. Cheveley, I suppose. Our
attachs in Vienna write to us about nothing else.
Mrs. Cheveley. Thank you, Sir Robert. An acquaintance that begins with
a compliment is sure to develop into a real friendship. It starts in the right
manner.
Mabel Chiltern. I shall go and see if Lord Arthur Goring has arrived. Please
excuse me.
Signora Cheveley (to Robert). I have found out that I knew Lady Gertrude
Chiltern already.
Sir Robert Chiltern (smiling). And what prizes did you get, Mrs. Cheveley?
Sir Robert Chiltern (sorridendo). E voi, Signora Cheveley, che premi vincevate?
Sir Robert Chiltern. I am sure they were for something charming! But do sit
down.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Sono certo che erano per qualcosa di affascinante! Vi
prego, accomodatevi.
Sir Robert Chiltern. And now tell me, what made you leave your brilliant
Vienna for our gloomy London.
Sir Robert Chiltern. E ora ditemi, cosa vi spinge a lasciare la vostra brillante
Vienna per la nostra malinconica Londra.
Mrs. Cheveley. I wanted very much to meet you, and... to ask you to do
something for me.
Mrs. Cheveley. Later on. (Rises.) Now, I would like to walk through your
beautiful house. Poor Baron Arnheim used to tell me you had some
wonderful pictures. Do you remember the Baron?
Signora Cheveley. Pi tardi. (Si alza.) Ora vorrei visitare la vostra bella
casa.. Il povero Barone Arnheim... mi ha detto che avete dei quadri
splendidi. Vi ricordate di lui?
Sir Robert Chiltern (after a pause). He was very remarkable, in many ways.
Sir Robert Chiltern (dopo una pausa). Un uomo notevole, sotto molti aspetti.
SCENE 3
SCENA 3
Sir Robert Chiltern. Good evening, my dear Arthur! Mrs. Cheveley, allow
me to introduce to you Lord Arthur Goring, the idlest man in London.
Lord Arthur Goring (bowing). I did not think you would remember me, Mrs.
Cheveley.
Lord Arthur Goring. I believe so. May I ask if you intend staying in London
long?
Mrs. Cheveley. It depends partly on the weather, partly on the cooking, and
partly on Sir Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. You are not going to drop us into a European war, I
hope.
She nods to Lord Arthur Goring, with a look of amusement in her eyes,
and exits with Sir Robert Chiltern. Mabel Chiltern enters.
Accenna un saluto a Lord Arthur Goring, con una luce divertita negli occhi,
ed esce accompagnata da Sir Robert Chiltern. Mabel Chiltern entra.
Lord Arthur Goring. Then I am sorry I did not stay away longer. I like being
missed.
Mabel Chiltern. You are always telling me of your bad qualities, Lord Goring.
Lord Arthur Goring. Up to now I have only told you half of them, Miss Mabel!
Mabel Chiltern. Well, I delight in your bad qualities. I wouldnt have you
part with them.
Mabel Chiltern. Be, i vostri difetti mi divertono. Non vorrei mai che ve ne
separaste.
Lord Arthur Goring. How very nice of you! But then you are always nice.
Lord Arthur Goring. Molto gentile, da parte vostra! Del resto, voi siete
sempre gentile.
Mabel Chiltern. Do you know Mrs. Cheveley well? What kind of a woman is
she?
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh! A genius in the daytime and a beauty at night!
Mabel Chiltern (si alza). Voi non venite nella stanza da musica?
Lord Arthur Goring. Not if there is any music playing, Miss Mabel.
She exits. The Earl of Caversham enters and goes to his son.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir! What are you doing here? Wasting your life
as usual! You should be in bed, sir. You always stay up into the late hours! I
heard that the other night you were dancing till four oclock in the morning!
Conte di Caversham. Ebbene, sir, cosa fate da queste parti? Sprecate la vita,
come al solito! Dovreste essere a letto, sir. Fate sempre le ore piccole! Ho
sentito dire che laltra sera avete ballato fino alle quattro del mattino!
Lord Arthur Goring. Solo fino alle quattro meno un quarto, padre.
Lord Arthur Goring. I love talking about nothing, father. It is the only thing
I know anything about.
Mabel Chiltern. Tutti parlano della Signora Cheveley! Ho una gran fame.
Lord Arthur Goring, volete offrirmi qualcosa per cena?
SCENE 4
Sir Robert Chiltern, Mrs Cheveley.
Sir Robert Chiltern and Mrs. Cheveley enter.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Are you going to any of our country houses before you
leave England, Mrs. Cheveley?
Mrs. Cheveley. My stay in England really depends on you, Sir Robert.
SCENA 4
Sir Robert Chiltern, Signora Cheveley.
Sir Robert e la Signora Cheveley entrano.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Prima di lasciare lInghilterra, visiterete qualche nostra
residenza di campagna, Signora Cheveley?
Signora Cheveley. Il mio soggiorno in Inghilterra dipende proprio da voi, Sir
Robert.
11
Sir Robert Chiltern (prendendo posto al suo fianco). Dite sul serio?
Mrs. Cheveley. Quite seriously. I want to talk to you about a great political
and financial project, about the Argentine Canal Company, in fact.
Sir Robert Chiltern. What a tedious, practical subject for you to talk about,
Mrs. Cheveley!
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, I like tedious, practical subjects. What I dont like are
tedious, practical people. Besides, you are interested, I know, in International
Canal projects. As, for example, the Suez Canal.
Signora Cheveley. Oh, io amo gli argomenti noiosi e prosaici. Ci che non amo
sono le persone noiose e prosaiche. Inoltre, mi risulta voi siate interessato ai
progetti dei canali internazionali. Come il Canale di Suez, per esempio.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Yes. But the Suez Canal was a very great and splendid
undertaking. This Argentine project is a well and good stock exchange
swindle.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Believe me, Mrs. Cheveley, it is a fraud. Let us call
things by their proper names. It makes matters simpler. I hope you have not
invested in it. I am sure you are far too clever to have done that.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Who could have advised you to do such a thing?
Sir Robert Chiltern (rising). Lets leave these subjects and let me show you
the music-room.
She motions to him with her fan to sit down again beside her.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I fear I have no advice to give you, Mrs. Cheveley,
except to interest yourself in something less dangerous. The success of the
Canal depends, of course, on the attitude of England, and I am going to lay
the report of the Commissioners before the House tomorrow evening.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Temo di non potervi dare nessun consiglio, Signora
Cheveley, se non quello di interessarvi a faccende meno rischiose. Il successo
del canale dipende dalla posizione che assumer lInghilterra, ovvio, e
domani sera sottoporr al giudizio della Camera la relazione dei commissari.
Mrs. Cheveley. You must not do that. For your own interests, Sir Robert, to
say nothing of mine, you must not do that.
Signora Cheveley. Ecco ci che non dovete fare. Non dovrete farlo, nel
vostro interesse, Sir Robert, per non parlare del mio.
Sir Robert Chiltern (guardandola incredulo). Nel mio interesse? Mia cara
Signora Cheveley, cosa volete dire?
Mrs. Cheveley. Sir Robert, I will be quite frank with you. I want you to say to
the House that you have reason to believe that the Canal, once completed,
will be of great international value. Will you do that for me?
Signora Cheveley. Sir Robert, sar molto franca con voi. Voglio che diciate
alla Camera di aver motivo di credere che il Canale, una volta completato,
sar di estrema importanza internazionale. Farete questo per me?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Signora Cheveley, non potete farmi una proposta del
genere sul serio!
Mrs. Cheveley. I am quite serious. (With emphasis.) And, if you do what I ask
you, I... will pay you very well!
Signora Cheveley. Mai stata cos seria. (Con enfasi.) E, se farete ci che vi
chiedo, io... vi ripagher profumatamente!
Mrs. Cheveley (with extreme self-confidence). My dear Sir Robert, you are
a man of the world, and you have your price, I suppose. Everybody has
nowadays.
Signora Cheveley (con estrema disinvoltura). Mio caro Sir Robert, siete un
uomo di mondo e avete un prezzo, immagino. Tutti ne hanno uno, al giorno
doggi.
Sir Robert Chiltern (rises indignantly). If you will allow me, I will call your
carriage for you. You have lived so long abroad, Mrs. Cheveley, that you
seem unable to realise that you are talking to an English gentleman.
Mrs. Cheveley (detains him by touching his arm with her fan, and keeping it
there while she is talking). I realise that I am talking to a man who laid the
foundation of his fortune by selling to a stock exchange speculator a Cabinet
secret.
Mrs. Cheveley (rising and facing him). I mean that I know the real origin of
your wealth and your career, and I have got your letter, too.
Sir Robert Chiltern. What letter?
Mrs. Cheveley (contemptuously). The letter you wrote to Baron Arnheim,
when you were Lord Radleys secretary, suggesting the Baron to buy Suez
Canal shares... a letter written three days before the Government announced
its own purchase.
Sir Robert Chiltern (hoarsely). It is not true.
Mrs. Cheveley. You thought that letter had been destroyed. How foolish of
you! It is in my possession.
Signora Cheveley. Credevate che quella lettera fosse stata distrutta. Che
stupido! in mio possesso.
Mrs. Cheveley. It was a fraud, Sir Robert. Let us call things by their proper
names. It makes everything simpler. Now I am going to sell you that letter,
and the price I ask for it is your public support of the Argentine project. You
made your own fortune out of one canal. Now you must help me and my
friends to make our fortunes out of another!
Sir Robert Chiltern. It is disgraceful, what you propose... disgraceful!
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, no! This is the game of life as we all have to play it, Sir
Robert, sooner or later!
Sir Robert Chiltern. What you ask is impossible.
Signora Cheveley. Era una truffa, Sir Robert. Chiamiamo le cose col loro
nome. Rende tutto pi facile. Ora mia intenzione rivendervi la lettera, e
il prezzo che vi chiedo in cambio il vostro sostegno pubblico al progetto
argentino. Avete costruito la vostra fortuna su un canale. Ora dovete aiutare
me e i miei amici a costruire la nostra su un altro canale!
Sir Robert Chiltern. vergognoso, ci che mi proponete... vergognoso!
Signora Cheveley. Oh, no! solo la partita della vita che, prima o poi,
dobbiamo giocare tutti, Sir Robert!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Mi chiedete limpossibile.
Mrs. Cheveley. You are going to make it possible, I have no doubts. Suppose
that when I leave this house I drive down to some newspaper office, and give
them this scandal and the proof of it! They will drag you down.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Stop! (In a low voice.) I will give you any sum of money
you want.
Mrs. Cheveley. Even you are not rich enough, Sir Robert, to buy back your
past. No man is.
Signora Cheveley. Neanche voi, Sir Robert, siete abbastanza ricco per
ricomprarvi il vostro passato. Nessun uomo lo .
14
Sir Robert Chiltern. Mio Dio! Cosa vi ha portata nella mia vita?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Dont go. I accept. The report shall be withdrawn. I will
arrange for a question to be put to me on the subject.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Non andate. Accetto. La relazione sar ritirata. Far in
modo che mi venga fatta uninterpellanza in materia.
Mrs. Cheveley. Thank you. And now you can call my carriage for me, Sir
Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern exits.
SCENE 5
Mrs. Cheveley, Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Sir Robert Chiltern, Lord Arthur
Goring, Mabel Chiltern. Lady Gertrude Chiltern enters.
Signora Cheveley. Grazie. E ora potete far chiamare la mia carrozza, Sir
Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern esce.
SCENA 5
Signora Cheveley, Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Sir Robert Chiltern, Lord Arthur
Goring, Mabel Chiltern. Lady Gertrude Chiltern entra.
Mrs. Cheveley. What a charming house you have, Lady Chiltern! I have
spent a delightful evening. It has been so interesting getting to know your
husband.
Signora Cheveley. Che casa splendida avete, Lady Chiltern! Ho passato una
serata deliziosa. stato cos interessante conoscere di vostro marito.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Why did you wish to meet my husband, Mrs.
Cheveley?
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, I will tell you. I wanted to interest him in the Argentine
Canal project, of which I am sure you have heard. I converted him in ten
minutes.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. There must be some mistake. That scheme could
never have my husbands support.
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, I assure you its all settled. But, of course, for the next
twenty-four hours the whole thing is a big secret.
Sir Robert Chiltern, Lord Arthur Goring and Mabel Chiltern enter.
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, dont be so solemn about it, or I shall be obliged to give
my card to you. Will you accompany me downstairs, Robert? Now that we
have both the same interests at heart we will be great friends, I hope!
Signora Cheveley. Oh, non siate cos solenne, o sar costretta a lasciare io un
biglietto per voi. Mi accompagnate dabbasso, Sir Robert? Ora che abbiamo
a cuore gli stessi interessi, diventeremo grandi amici, spero!
Lord Arthur Goring. My father told me to go to bed an hour ago. I dont see
why I shouldnt give you the same advice. I always pass on good advice. It is
the only thing to do with it. It is never of any use to oneself.
Lord Arthur Goring. Mio padre mi ha detto di andare a dormire unora fa.
Non vedo perch non dovrei darvi lo stesso consiglio, Passo sempre i buoni
consigli agli altri. lunico modo di usarli. A noi non servono mai.
Mabel Chiltern. Lord Goring, I am not going to bed for several hours. (She
sits on the sofa, catches sight of something that is lying on the sofa half hidden
Lord Arthur Goring takes it from her, and, pulling out a letter-case, puts the
ornament in it, then places it in his breast-pocket with perfect care.
Lord Arthur Goring. Signorina Mabel, sto per farvi una richiesta molto
particolare.
Mabel Chiltern (eagerly). Oh, please do! I have been waiting for it all evening.
Lord Arthur Goring (un po perplesso, ma subito padrone di s). Non dite
a nessuno che ho preso questa spilla. Se qualcuno dovesse scrivere per
reclamarla, fatemelo sapere immediatamente.
Lord Arthur Goring. Well, you see I gave this brooch to somebody once,
years ago.
Lord Arthur Goring. Be, vedete, ho regalato questa spilla a una persona,
una volta, anni fa.
She exits.
Esce.
Lord Arthur Goring (to Lady Gertrude). Splendid as usual. I shall go to bed
too. Good-night.
Le bacia la mano.
SCENE 6
SCENA 6
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, it is not true, is it? You are not going to
give your support to this Argentine speculation are you? You couldnt!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, ditemi, non vero? Non offrirete il vostro
sostegno alla speculazione argentina? Non potete!
Sir Robert Chiltern (sorpreso). Chi vi ha detto che intendevo far questo?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Mrs. Cheveley. She seemed to laugh at me with it.
Robert, I know that woman. We were at school together. She is untruthful,
dishonest. I despised and hated her. She was sent away from school for
stealing. Why do you let her influence you?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (sadly). Ones past is what one is. It is the only way
by which people should be judged.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. But it is true, Robert. She told me that tomorrow
you will support the most dishonest and fraudulent scheme there has ever
been in political life?
Sir Robert Chiltern (biting his lip). I was mistaken in the view I took. We all
may make mistakes. Besides, Gertrude, public and private life are different
things.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. They should both represent man at his highest. I
see no difference between them.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert! Oh, it is horrible that I should have to ask
you such a question... Robert, are you telling me the whole truth?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert! Oh, terribile che debba farvi questa
domanda... Robert, mi state dicendo tutta la verit?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (after a pause). Why do you not answer it?
Sir Robert Chiltern (sitting down). Gertrude, truth is a very complex thing,
and politics is a very complex business. Sooner or later in political life one
has to compromise.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I have not changed. But circumstances alter things.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Non pu mai essere necessario fare ci che non
onorevole. Cosa ci guadagnereste? Denaro? Non ne abbiamo bisogno!
Potere? Ma il potere non niente in se stesso. il potere di fare bene ci
che ha valore... questo, e questo soltanto. Robert, ditemi, perch state per
compiere questazione disonorevole?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, all your life you have stood apart from
others. You have never let the world dirty you. To the world, as to myself,
you have always been an ideal. Oh! Still be that ideal. Dont throw away that
precious inheritance!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, per tutta la vita vi siete distinto dagli altri.
Non avete mai lasciato che il mondo vi sporcasse. Per il mondo, come anche
per me, siete sempre stato un ideale. Oh, siate ancora questideale. Non
gettate al vento questa preziosa eredit!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I know that there are men who hide horrible secrets
in their lives... Oh! dont tell me you are one of them! Robert, is there in your
life any secret dishonour or disgrace? Tell me, tell me at once, so that...
Sir Robert Chiltern. So that what?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (speaking very slowly). So that our lives may separate.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Separate?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Entirely separate. It would be better for us both.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude, there is nothing in my past life that you might
not know.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. I was sure of it, Robert. I was sure of it. You must
write to her at once, now!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Write now! It is almost midnight.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. That doesnt matter. She must know at once that
she has been mistaken in you. Write her immediately, Robert.
Sir Robert sits down and writes.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. So che esistono uomini che nascondono nella loro
vita segreti orribili... Oh, non ditemi che siete uno di loro! Robert, avete un
segreto disonorevole o vergognoso nella vostra vita? Ditemelo, ditemelo
subito, cos...
Sir Robert Chiltern. Cos cosa?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (parlando molto lentamente). Cos le nostre vite
potranno separarsi.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Separarsi?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Separarsi definitivamente. Sarebbe meglio per tutti
e due.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude, non c niente nella mia vita passata che voi
non dobbiate sapere.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Ne ero sicura, Robert, ne ero sicura. Dovete
scriverle subito, ora!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Scriverle ora! quasi mezzanotte.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Non importa. Deve sapere subito che si sbagliata
su di voi... Scrivetele subito, Robert.
Sir Robert inizia a scrivere.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Write that you refuse to support this project of hers, as
you believe it to be a dishonest project. Yes... write the word dishonest. I feel
that tonight I have saved you from something that would make men honour
you less than they do now. I dont think you realise sufficiently, Robert, that you
have brought into the political life of our time a nobler atmosphere, purer aims
and higher ideals... I know it, and for that I love you, Robert.
Lady Geltrude Chiltern. I will love you always, because you will always be
worthy of love.
ACT II
ATTO II
SCENE 1
SCENA 1
Lord Arthur Goring. My dear Robert. You should have told your wife
the whole thing. Women have a wonderful instinct about things. They can
discover everything except the obvious.
Lord Arthur Goring. Mio caro Robert. Avreste dovuto raccontare tutto a
vostra moglie. Le donne hanno un intuito meraviglioso per le cose. Loro
riescono a scoprire tutto, eccetto levidenza.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, I couldnt tell my wife. It would have separated
us for life, and I would have lost the love of the one woman in the world I
worship, of the only woman who has ever made me feel love.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, non potevo dirlo a mia moglie. Avrebbe
significato separarsi per tutta la vita, e avrei perso lamore dellunica donna
al mondo che adoro, dellunica donna che abbia mai suscitato in me amore.
Lord Arthur Goring. I should like to have a serious talk about life with Lady
Chiltern.
Lord Arthur Goring. Vorrei fare a Lady Chiltern un bel discorso serio sulla vita.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Yes; but nothing will make her alter her views.
Lord Arthur Goring. Be, per male che vada, rimarr solo un esperimento
psicologico.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gli esperimenti di questo tipo sono terribilmente pericolosi.
Lord Arthur Goring. Tutto pericoloso, amico mio. Se cos non fosse, non
varrebbe la pena di vivere... Be, sono costretto a dirvi che avreste dovuto
parlargliene anni fa, secondo me.
Sir Robert Chiltern. When? When we were engaged? Do you think she
would have married me if she had known everything. But, after all, whom
did I hurt by what I did? No one.
Sir Robert Chiltern (pacing up and down the room). Arthur, do you think
right to destroy the career of a man for a misdeed committed when he was
still a boy? I was twenty-two at the time. Is it fair, Arthur?
Lord Arthur Goring. Life is never fair, Robert. And perhaps it is a good
thing for most of us that it is not.
Lord Arthur Goring. La vita non mai giusta, Robert. E forse un bene per
molti di noi che non lo sia.
Sir Robert Chiltern. The God of this century is money. To succeed one must
be rich.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Il dio di questo secolo il denaro. Per avere successo, si
deve essere ricchi.
Sir Robert Chiltern. When I became old, perhaps. I wanted my success when
I was young. I couldnt wait.
Lord Arthur Goring. No one in our day has had such a brilliant success.
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, how could you have sold yourself for money?
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, come avete potuto vendervi per denaro?
Sir Robert Chiltern (excitedly). I did not sell myself for money. I bought
success at a great price. That is all.
Lord Arthur Goring (gravely). Yes, you certainly paid a great price for it.
But what first made you think of doing such a thing?
Lord Arthur Goring (serio). S, di certo lavete pagato molto caro. Ma cosa
vi ha indotto allinizio a compiere un gesto simile?
Sir Robert Chiltern. No; he was a man of culture, charm, and distinction.
One of the most intellectual men I ever met.
Sir Robert Chiltern. No; era un uomo di cultura, fascino e distinzione. Uno
dei pi grandi intellettuali che abbia mai incontrato.
Lord Arthur Goring. Ah! I prefer a fool gentleman any day. But how did he
do it? Tell me the whole thing.
Sir Robert Chiltern (si accascia su una poltrona vicino allo scrittoio). Una
sera dopo cena il Barone cominci a parlare del successo nella vita moderna
come di qualcosa che si pu ridurre a una scienza esatta. Lui ha capito che
ero completamente affascinato dalle sue parole e dalla sua filosofia del
potere e alcuni giorni dopo mi scrisse un biglietto, invitandomi ad andare a
trovarlo. Ricordo bene le sue parole che il lusso non era nientaltro che uno
sfondo, e che il potere sugli altri uomini, il potere sul mondo, era lunica cosa
che valesse la pena di avere.
Lord Arthur Goring (con grande decisione). Una dottrina assai superficiale.
Sir Robert Chiltern (rising). I didnt think so then. Wealth has given me
enormous power. It gave me, at the start of my life, freedom, and freedom is
everything. You have never been poor, and never known what ambition is.
You cannot understand what a wonderful chance the Baron gave me. Few
men get such a chance.
Lord Arthur Goring. Fortunately for them, if one is to judge by results. But
tell me the rest.
Sir Robert Chiltern. He said to me that if I ever could give him any private
information of real value, he would make me a very rich man. Six weeks
later certain private documents passed through my hands.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Mi disse che, se mai avessi potuto dargli informazioni
riservate importanti, avrebbe fatto di me un uomo ricco. Sei settimane pi
tardi mi passarono tra le mani certi documenti riservati.
Lord Arthur Goring (keeping his eyes steadily fixed on the carpet). State
documents?
Lord Arthur Goring (tiene gli occhi fissi sul tappeto, con insistenza).
Documenti di Stato?
Lord Arthur Goring. I had no idea that you, of all men in the world, could
have been so weak, Robert.
Lord Arthur Goring. Tra tutti gli uomini al mondo, non avrei mai creduto
che proprio voi, Robert, sareste stato cos debole.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Weak? Oh, I am tired of hearing this word. Tired of
hearing it used and to use it. Weak? But to satisfy certain temptations one
requires immense strength, dear Goring! One decide ones life in an instant!
One requires courage, frightening courage!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Debole? Sono stufo di questa parola: sono stufo di
sentirla usare e di usarla! Debole? Ma per soddisfare certe tentazioni ci
vuole una forza immensa, caro Goring! Si decide della vita in un istante! E ci
vuole coraggio: un coraggio spaventoso!
23
Lord Arthur Goring. But tell me, Robert, did you never suffer any regret for
what you did?
Lord Arthur Goring. Ma, Robert, ditemi, non avete mai avuto nessun
rimorso per ci che avete fatto?
Sir Robert Chiltern. No. I thought that I had fought the enemy with its own
weapons, and won.
Sir Robert Chiltern. No. Pensavo di aver combattuto il nemico con le sue
stesse armi, e di aver vinto.
Lord Arthur Goring (sadly). Did you think you had won?
Sir Robert Chiltern. I thought so. (After a long pause.) Arthur, do you
despise me for what I have told you?
Lord Arthur Goring (with deep feeling in his voice). I am very sorry for you,
Robert.
Lord Arthur Goring (con voce angosciata). Mi dispiace molto per voi,
Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I didnt suffer any remorse but since then I have given
to public charities the money the Baron gave to me.
Lord Arthur Goring (looking up). Public charities? You must have a very
dirty conscience.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Oh, dont say that, Arthur; dont talk like that!
Lord Arthur Goring. Never mind what I say, Robert! I will help you in any
way I can. Of course you know that.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Thank you, Arthur, thank you. But what can we do
now?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Grazie, Arthur, grazie. Cosa possiamo fare adesso?
Lord Arthur Goring (leaning back with his hands in his pockets). Well, the
English like a man who admits that he has done wrong. It is one of the best
things in them. However, in your case, Robert, a confession would not be
proper. It would ruin you.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, the only thing for me to do now is to fight until
the end.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, lunica cosa che mi resta da fare ora,
combattere fino alla fine.
Lord Arthur Goring (rising). I was waiting for you to say that, Robert. And
you must begin by telling your wife the whole story.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I couldnt do it. You should rather tell me how I can
defend myself against that Mrs Cheveley? You knew her well, didnt you?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Non potrei mai farlo. Ditemi piuttosto come posso
difendermi da quella Signora Cheveley? La conoscevate bene, no?
Lord Arthur Goring (arranging his necktie). So little that I got engaged to be
married to her once. The affair lasted for three days... nearly.
Lord Arthur Goring (aggiustandosi la cravatta). Cos poco che una volta mi
fidanzai con lei. La faccenda durata tre giorni... quasi.
Lord Arthur Goring (airily). Oh, I forget. At least, it is not important. By the
way, have you tried to offer her money? She used to be very fond of money.
Lord Arthur Goring (con noncuranza). Oh, lho dimenticato. Ad ogni modo,
non ha nessuna importanza. A proposito, avete tentato di corromperla col
denaro? Amava il denaro alla follia.
Lord Arthur Goring. I cant tell you how at present. But every one has some
weak point.
Lord Arthur Goring. Adesso non so dirvi come. Ma ognuno ha il suo punto
debole.
Lord Arthur Goring. In your place I dont think I should have the smallest
scruple. She is completely well able to take care of herself.
Lord Arthur Goring. Al posto vostro non credo mi farei il bench minimo
scrupolo. perfettamente in grado di badare a se stessa.
Sir Robert Chiltern (sits down at the table and takes a pen in his hand).
Well, I shall send a telegram to the Embassy at Vienna, to inquire if there is
anything known against her. I will fight her to the death, as long as my wife
knows nothing.
Sir Robert Chiltern (siede al tavolo e prende in mano una penna). Bene,
mander un telegramma in codice allAmbasciata di Vienna per chiedere se
si sa qualcosa contro di lei. La combatter fino in fondo, finch mia moglie
non sapr nulla.
25
Lord Arthur Goring (strongly). Oh, fight in any case... in any case.
Sir Robert Chiltern (with a gesture of despair). If my wife found out, there
would be little left to fight for. Well, as soon as I hear from Vienna, I shall let
you know the result.
SCENE 2
Lord Arthur Goring, Sir Robert Chiltern, Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Mabel Chiltern.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern enters in walking dress.
Lord Arthur Goring (con fermezza). Oh, combattetela in ogni caso... in ogni
caso.
Sir Robert Chiltern (con un gesto di disperazione). Se mia moglie scoprisse
tutto, mi rimarrebbe ben poco per cui lottare. Be, appena avr notizie da
Vienna, vi far sapere.
SCENA 2
Lord Arthur Goring, Sir Robert Chiltern, Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Mabel Chiltern.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern entra in abito da passeggio.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. No, I have just come from the Womans Liberal
Association, where, by the way, Robert, your name was received with loud
applause, and now I have come in to have my tea. (To Lord Arthur Goring.)
You will stay and have some tea, wont you?
Lord Arthur Goring (in his most earnest manner). Oh, please dont. It is
so pretty. One of the prettiest hats I have ever seen. I hope the Womans
Liberal Association received it with loud applause.
Lord Arthur Goring (con grande entusiasmo). Oh, vi prego, non fatelo.
cos grazioso. uno dei cappelli pi graziosi che abbia mai visto. Spero
che allAssociazione Liberale Femminile labbiano accolto con un lungo
applauso.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (with a smile). We have much more important work
to do than look at bonnets, Lord Arthur Goring.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Oh, dull, useful, delightful things, Factory Acts,
Female Inspectors, the Eight Hours Bill, the Parliamentary Franchise...
Everything, in fact, that you would find completely uninteresting.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Oh, cose noiose, utili, deliziose, leggi sul lavoro
in fabbrica, ispettrici, la proposta delle otto ore, il suffragio parlamentare...
tutto ci, insomma, che voi considerereste assolutamente privo di interesse.
26
Lady Gertrude Chiltern exits through the door leading to her boudoir.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern esce dalla porta che conduce al suo boudoir.
Sir Robert Chiltern (takes Lord Arthur Gorings hand). You have been a
good friend to me, Arthur, a thoroughly good friend.
Sir Robert Chiltern (prende la mano di Lord Arthur Goring). Siete stato un
buon amico per me, Arthur, un ottimo amico.
Lord Arthur Goring. I dont know that I have been able to do much for you,
Robert, as yet. I am thoroughly disappointed with myself.
Lord Arthur Goring. Finora, non credo di essere riuscito a far molto per voi,
Robert. Sono molto deluso di me stesso.
Sir Robert Chiltern. You have enabled me to tell you the truth. That is
something. The truth has always stifled me. The great thing in life is to live
the truth. (Sighs, and goes towards the door.) Ill see you soon again, shant I?
Lord Arthur Goring (guardandola dritto negli occhi). Con assoluta franchezza?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Surely. You have nothing to conceal, have you?
Lord Arthur Goring. Nothing. But, my dear Lady Chiltern, I think, if you
will allow me to say so, that in practical life...
Lord Arthur Goring. Niente. Ma, cara Lady Chiltern, penso che, se mi
permetterete di esprimermi cos, nella vita pratica...
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (smiling). Of which you know so little, Lord Arthur
Goring...
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (sorridendo). Di cui voi sapete molto poco, Lord
Arthur Goring...
Lord Arthur Goring. Once a man has set his heart and soul on getting to a
certain point, if he has to climb the hill, he climbs the hill; if he has to walk in
the mud...
Lord Arthur Goring. Cammina nel fango. Naturalmente sto solo parlando
della vita in generale.
Lord Arthur Goring. Every man, for his own nature, has elements of
weakness, or worse than weakness. Supposing, for instance, that any public
man, my father, or Lord Merton, or Robert, say, had, years ago, written some
compromising letter to some one...
Lord Arthur Goring. Ogni uomo, per sua stessa natura, ha dei punti deboli,
o qualcosa di peggio. Supponiamo, per esempio, che un politico qualsiasi,
mio padre, o Lord Merton, o Robert, avesse scritto, anni fa, una lettera
compromettente a qualcuno...
Lord Arthur Goring (laughing). You must excuse me, Lady Chiltern. It
wont occur again, if I can help it.
Mabel Chiltern. Dear Gertrude, dont say such a dreadful thing to Lord
Arthur Goring. Seriousness is not for him. Good evening Lord Arthur
Goring! Pray be as trivial as you can.
Mabel Chiltern. Cara Gertrude, non dite una cosa cos terribile a Lord
Arthur Goring. La seriet non gli si addice affatto. Buonasera, Lord Arthur
Goring! Vi prego, rimanete il pi frivolo possibile.
Lord Arthur Goring. I should like to, Miss Mabel, but I am afraid I am... a
little out of practice this morning; and besides, I must go now.
Mabel Chiltern. Just when I have come in! What dreadful manners you
have! I am sure you were very badly brought up.
Lord Arthur Goring. I was.
Mabel Chiltern. Will you ride tomorrow morning?
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes, at ten.
Mabel Chiltern. Dont forget.
Lord Arthur Goring. Of course I shant. Goodbye.
Mabel Chiltern. I will accompany you, Lord Goring.
They go out, then Mabel Chiltern comes running back.
Mabel Chiltern. Oh, Gertrude, do you know who is coming to see you? That
dreadful Mrs. Cheveley, in a most lovely gown. Did you ask her?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (rising). Mrs. Cheveley! Coming here? Impossible!
Mabel Chiltern. Proprio quando arrivo io! Che maniere orribili avete! Sono
certa che siete stato educato malissimo.
Lord Arthur Goring. vero.
Mabel Chiltern. Uscite a cavallo, domattina?
Lord Arthur Goring. S, alle dieci.
Mabel Chiltern. Non dimenticatevene.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, di certo non lo dimenticher. Arrivederci.
Mabel Chiltern. Vi accompagno, Lord Goring.
Escono, poi Mabel Chiltern rientra di corsa.
Mabel Chiltern. Oh, Gertrude, sapete chi sta venendo a trovarvi? Quellorribile
Signora Cheveley, e indossa un abito splendido. Siete stata voi a invitarla?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (alzandosi). La Signora Cheveley! Sta venendo
qui? Impossibile!
29
Mabel Chiltern. I assure you she is coming up the stairs. She is very selfconfident.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. You need not wait, Mabel. Tell please to Mason to
let her in.
SCENE 3
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Mrs. Cheveley, Sir Robert Chiltern.
Mrs. Cheveley enters.
SCENA 3
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Signora Cheveley, Sir Robert Chiltern.
La Signora Cheveley entra.
Signora Cheveley. Buongiorno Signora Chiltern.
Signora Cheveley. Vedo che in tutti questi anni non siete cambiata affatto,
Gertrude.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Non cambio mai.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. It has taught me that a person who has once been
guilty of a dishonest and dishonourable action may be guilty of it a second
time, and should be avoided.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Mi ha insegnato che una persona che una volta
stata colpevole di unazione disonesta e disonorevole pu farlo una seconda
volta, e quindi dovrebbe essere evitata.
30
Mrs. Cheveley. Then I am sorry for you, Gertrude, very sorry for you.
Signora Cheveley. Allora sono spiacente per voi, Gertrude, molto spiacente
per voi.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. You see now, I was sure, that for many reasons any
further meeting between us during your stay in London is quite impossible.
Mrs. Cheveley (leaning back in her chair). You dislike me. I am quite aware
of that. And I have always detested you. And yet I have come here to do you
a service.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (contemptuously). Like the service you wished to
give my husband last night, I suppose. Thank heaven, I saved him from that.
Mrs. Cheveley (starting to her feet). It was you who made him write that
insolent letter to me, then? It was you who made him break his promise.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Yes.
Mrs. Cheveley. Then you must make him keep it. I give you till tomorrow
morning... no more. I hold your husband in the palm of my hand, and if you
are wise you will make him do what I told him.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (rising and going towards her). You are impertinent.
What has my husband to do with you? With a woman like you?
Mrs. Cheveley (with a bitter laugh). In this world like meets with like. It is
because your husband is himself a fraudulent and dishonest person that we
go so well together.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Ora comprenderete, ne sono certa, che per varie
ragioni qualsiasi ulteriore incontro tra noi durante il vostro soggiorno a
Londra assolutamente impossibile.
Signora Cheveley (appoggiandosi allo schienale della sedia). Vi sono
antipatica. Lo so bene. E io vi ho sempre detestata. Eppure, sono venuta qui
a farvi un favore.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (sprezzante). Come il favore che volevate fare a
mio marito ieri sera, immagino. Grazie al cielo, lho salvato.
Signora Cheveley (alzandosi di scatto). Siete stata voi, dunque, a fargli
scrivere quella lettera arrogante? Siete stata voi a convincerlo a non
mantenere la promessa?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. S.
Signora Cheveley. Allora, dovete fargliela mantenere. Vi do tempo fino a
domattina... non di pi. Tengo in pugno vostro marito, e se siete saggia, gli
farete fare quel che gli chiedo.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (si alza e va verso di lei). Siete uninsolente. Cosha
a che fare mio marito con voi? Con una donna come voi?
Signora Cheveley (con una risata amara). In questo mondo i simili
attraggono i propri simili. Noi due siamo cos ben assortiti perch vostro
marito stesso fraudolento e disonesto.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. How dare you match my husband with yourself?
Leave my house. You are unfit to enter it.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Come osate abbassare mio marito al vostro livello?
Lasciate questa casa. Non siete degna di starci.
Sir Robert Chiltern enters from behind. He hears his wifes last words, and
sees to whom they are addressed. He grows deadly pale.
Sir Robert Chiltern entra dal retro. Sente le ultime parole della moglie e
vede a chi sono rivolte. Diventa pallidissimo.
31
Mrs. Cheveley. Your house! A house bought with the money of dishonour.
A house, everything in which has been paid for by fraud. (Turns round and
sees Sir Robert Chiltern.) Ask him what the origin of his fortune is! Get him
to tell you how he sold to a stockbroker a Cabinet secret. Learn from him to
what you owe your position.
Signora Cheveley. La vostra casa! Una casa comprata a prezzo del disonore.
Una casa in cui tutto stato pagato con la frode. (Si gira e vede Sir Robert
Chiltern.) Chiedetegli qual lorigine della sua fortuna! Fatevi raccontare
come ha venduto un segreto di Gabinetto a un agente di Borsa. Apprendete
da lui a cosa dovete la vostra posizione.
Mrs. Cheveley (pointing at him with outstretched finger). Look at him! Can
he deny it?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Go! Go at once. You have done your worst now.
Mrs. Cheveley. My worst? I have not yet finished with you, with either of
you. I give you both till tomorrow at noon. If by then you havent done
what I told you to do, the whole world shall know about the past of Robert
Chiltern.
She exits.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Oh, tell me it is not true! Lie to me! Lie to me! Tell
me it is not true!
Signora Cheveley. Il peggio? Non ho ancora finito con voi, con nessuno dei
due. Vi do tempo fino a domani a mezzogiorno. Se per allora non avrete
fatto quel che vi ho ordinato, il mondo intero conoscer lorigine di Robert
Chiltern.
Esce.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Oh, ditemi che non vero! Mentitemi! Mentitemi!
Ditemi che non vero!
Sir Robert Chiltern. What this woman said is quite true. But, Gertrude, listen
to me. Let me tell you the whole thing.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Ci che ha detto quella donna vero. Ma, Gertrude,
ascoltatemi. Lasciate che vi racconti tutta la storia.
Va verso di lei.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Dont come near me. Dont touch me. I feel as if
you had dirtied me for ever. You lied to the whole world. And yet you will
not lie to me.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (thrusting him back with outstretched hands). No,
dont speak! Say nothing! You were to me something apart from common
life; a thing pure, noble and honest, without a stain. The world seemed to me
finer because you were in it, and goodness more real because you lived. And
now... oh, when I think that I made you my ideal! The ideal of my life!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (lo respinge a braccia tese). No, non parlate! Non dite
niente! Voi per me eravate qualcosa di diverso dalla vita comune, una cosa
pura, nobile, onesta, senza macchia. Mi sembrava che il mondo fosse pi bello
perch ceravate voi, e la bont pi vera perch esistevate voi. E ora... Oh, se
penso che ho fatto di un uomo come voi il mio ideale! Lideale della mia vita!
32
Sir Robert Chiltern. There was your mistake. Love should forgive all sins,
except a sin against itself. You made a false idol of me, and I had not the
courage to come down, show you my wounds, tell you my weaknesses. I was
afraid that I might lose your love, as I have lost it now. What this woman
asked of me was nothing compared to what she offered to me. She offered
security, peace, stability. The sin of my youth... I could have killed it for ever,
burned the one witness against me. You prevented me... just you, you whom
I have so wildly loved... have ruined me!
He passes from the room. Lady Gertrude Chiltern rushes towards him, but
the door is closed when she reaches it. Pale with anguish flings herself down
beside a sofa and buries her face. Her sobs are like the sobs of a child.
33
ACT III
ATTO III
SCENE 1
SCENA 1
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, why will parents always appear at the wrong time?
Conte di Caversham (si siede). Desidero fare con voi un discorso serio, sir.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir, it is only ten oclock. What is your objection?
Conte di Caversham. Be, sono solo le dieci, sir. Che obiezioni avete
sullora?
Lord Arthur Goring. Well, the fact is, father, this is not my day for talking
seriously.
Lord Arthur Goring. Il fatto , padre, che oggi non il mio giorno fisso per
parlare di cose serie.
Lord Arthur Goring. During the season, I only talk seriously on the first
Tuesday in every month father, from four to seven.
Earl of Caversham. Well, make it Tuesday.
Lord Arthur Goring. But it is after seven, father, and my doctor says I must
not have any serious conversation after seven. It makes me talk in my sleep.
Earl of Caversham. Talk in your sleep, sir? What does that matter? You are
not married.
Conte di Caversham. Parlate nel sonno, sir? E cosa importa? Tanto non siete
sposato.
Earl of Caversham. Hum! That is what I have come to talk to you about, sir.
You have got to get married, and at once. Damn you, sir, it is your duty to
get married. You cant be always living for pleasure. Look what your friend
Robert Chiltern has achieved by probity, hard work, and a sensible marriage
with a good woman. Why dont you imitate him, sir? Why dont you take him
as your model?
Earl of Caversham. I wish you would. I feel cold air, I feel it distinctly.
Lord Arthur Goring. So do I, father. It is terribly cold air. I will come and
see you tomorrow, father. We can talk over anything you like. Let me help
you on with your cloak, father.
Earl of Caversham. No, sir, I have called this evening for a purpose, and I am
going to see it through at all costs to my health or yours. Put down my cloak, sir.
Conte di Caversham. No, sir, stasera sono venuto qui con uno scopo ben
preciso, e voglio arrivare al dunque a tutti i costi, anche a prezzo della mia
salute o della vostra. Riponete il mio mantello, sir.
Lord Arthur Goring. Certainly, father. But let us go into the smoking room,
father. Your sneezes break my heart.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir, I suppose I have a right to sneeze when I choose?
Lord Arthur Goring (apologetically). Quite so, father, quite so.
The Earl of Caversham goes off grumbling into the smoking-room.
Lord Arthur Goring (to himself). I might go to say to my butler to show Mrs.
Chiltern into the drawing-room when she arrives. And not to admit anyone
else, under any circumstances.
He exits for an instant. The Earl of Caversham enters from the smoking room.
Lord Arthur Goring. Certo, padre. Ma andiamo nella sala da fumo, padre. I
vostri starnuti mi straziano il cuore.
Conte di Caversham. Ebbene, sir, suppongo di aver diritto a starnutire
quando mi pare.
Lord Arthur Goring (in tono di scusa). Pi che giusto, padre, pi che giusto.
Il Conte di Caversham va borbottando verso la sala del fumo.
Lord Arthur Goring (tra s). Vado a dire al maggiordomo di far accomodare
in salotto la Signora Chiltern, quando arriva. E di non lasciar passare nessun
altro, per nessuna ragione.
Esce per un secondo. Il Conte di Caversham rientra dalla sala del fumo.
SCENE 2
Conte di Caversham. Ebbene, sir? Credete che io sia qui al vostro servizio?
Lord Arthur Goring (frastornato rientra). Scusatemi, padre.
SCENA 2
Mrs. Cheveley, Lord Arthur Goring, the Earl of Caversham, Sir Robert Chiltern.
Mrs. Cheveley enters.
Mrs. Cheveley (to herself). The butler told me that Lord Goring was
expecting me. How thoughtful of him! To expect the unexpected shows a
truly modern intellect. (Goes towards the drawing-room and looks in.) Ugh,
how dull a bachelors drawing room looks. I shall have to alter all this. (Goes
to the table.) Let me see (Takes up letters.) Bills and cards, debts and old
women! Who on earth writes to him on pink paper? How silly to write on
pink paper! A letter from Gertrude Chiltern. (Looks around and then reads
it.) I trust you. I need you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.
Signora Cheveley (tra s). Il maggiordomo mi detto che Lord Goring mi stava
aspettando. Che lungimiranza! Aspettarsi linaspettato d prova di un intelletto
veramente moderno. (Va verso il salotto e vi lancia dentro unocchiata.) Dio,
com scialbo il salotto di uno scapolo! Dovr cambiar tutto. (Va alla scrivania.)
Vediamo (Prende le lettere.) Conti da pagare e biglietti, debiti e anziane
nobildonne! E chi sar mai a scrivergli su carta rosa? Che sciocchezza scrivere
su carta rosa! Lettera da Gertrude Chiltern. (Si guarda in giro e poi la legge.)
Mi fido di voi. Ho bisogno di voi. Vengo da voi. Gertrude.
36
A look of triumph comes over her face. She is just about to steal the letter,
when hears voices growing. Mrs. Cheveley grows pale, and stops.
The voices grow louder, and she goes into the drawingroom.
Lord Arthur Goring and the Earl of Caversham enter.
Earl of Caversham (testily). That is a matter for me, sir. You would probably
make a very poor choice. There is property at stake. It is not a matter for
affection. Affection comes later on in a marriage.
Lord Arthur Goring. Yes, in married life affection comes when people
thoroughly dislike each other, father, doesnt it?
Lord Arthur Goring. S, tra marito e moglie laffetto nasce quando i due si
detestano, vero, padre?
Earl of Caversham. Certainly, sir. I mean certainly not, sir. You are talking
very foolishly tonight. What I say is that marriage is a matter for common
sense.
Sir Robert Chiltern. My friend, I must talk to you. My wife has discovered
everything.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Devo parlarle, caro amico. Mia moglie ha scoperto
tutto.
Lord Arthur Goring (after some hesitation). Oh, simply by something in the
expression of your face as you came in. Who told her?
Lord Arthur Goring (dopo una breve esitazione). Oh, lho intuito
dallespressione del vostro viso, appena siete entrato. Chi glielo ha detto?
Lord Arthur Goring (after a pause). Do you have any news about her?
Lord Arthur Goring. Certo, mio caro Robert. (Tra s.) Phipps mi ha
informato che la Signora Chiltern in quella stanza. Mi sono proprio
cacciato in un bel pasticcio! Coraggio, vediamo di venirne a capo. Le dar
una bella lezione attraverso la porta. Impresa tuttaltro che facile, per.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, tell me what I should do. My life seems to have
fallen around me.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Arthur, ditemi cosa devo fare. come se la mia vita mi
stesse crollando addosso.
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, you love your wife, dont you?
Sir Robert Chiltern. I love her more than anything else in the world. I used
to think ambition was the great thing. It is not. There is nothing but love. But
now there is a wide space between us.
Lord Arthur Goring. Has she never in her life done something wrong...
some indiscretion... that she should not forgive your sin?
Lord Arthur Goring. Non ha mai fatto qualche sciocchezza, in vita sua... non
c mai stata qualche indiscrezione... per cui non debba perdonare il vostro
peccato?
Sir Robert Chiltern. My wife! Never! She does not know what weakness or
temptation is... she is pitiless in her perfection.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Mia moglie! Mai! Non sa cosa siano debolezza o
tentazione... senza piet nella sua perfezione
Lord Arthur Goring. Your wife will forgive you. Perhaps at this moment she
is forgiving you. She loves you, Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. God grant it! God grant it! (Buries his face in his
hands.) But there is something more I have to tell you, Arthur I have
made up my mind what I am going to say tonight in the House.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Dio lo voglia! Dio lo voglia! (Nasconde il viso tra le
mani.) Ma c qualcosaltro che devo dirvi, Arthur... Ho deciso cosa dir
stasera alla Camera.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I heard a chair fall in the next room. Someone has been
listening.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Ho sentito cadere una sedia nella stanza accanto. Ci ha
ascoltato qualcuno.
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, you are excited, mad. I tell you there is no one
in that room. Sit down, Robert.
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, siete agitato, nervoso. Vi dico che in quella
stanza non c nessuno. Sedetevi, Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Do you give me your word of honour that there is no
one there?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Mi date la vostra parola donore che non c nessuno di l?
Lord Arthur Goring. S.
Si siede.
Sir Robert Chiltern (si alza). Arthur, lasciate che controlli io stesso.
Lord Arthur Goring. For Gods sake, dont! There is some one there. Some
one whom you must not see.
Lord Arthur Goring. Dont say that, Robert! It was for your sake that she
came here.
Lord Arthur Goring. Non dite questo, Robert! per amor vostro che
venuta qui.
Sir Robert Chiltern. You are mad. What have I to do with her business with
you? You are well suited to each other. She is corrupt, shameful... you, false,
treacherous.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Siete pazzo! Cosa centro io con gli intrighi che ha
con voi? Siete fatti luno per laltra. Lei, corrotta e indegna... voi, falso
traditore.
39
Sir Robert Chiltern. Let me pass, sir. You have lied enough upon your word
of honour.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Fatemi passare, sir. Avete mentito abbastanza sulla
vostra parola donore.
SCENE 3
SCENA 3
Lord Arthur Goring. Mrs. Cheveley! Great heavens!... May I ask what you
were doing in my drawing-room?
Lord Arthur Goring. Signora Cheveley! Santo cielo!... Posso chiedervi cosa
facevate nel mio salotto?
She makes a sign to him to take her cloak off, which he does.
Lord Arthur Goring. I am glad you have called. I am going to give you some
good advice.
Lord Arthur Goring. Sono contento che siate venuta. Voglio darvi qualche
buon consiglio.
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, no, pray dont. One should never give a woman anything
that she cant wear in the evening.
Signora Cheveley. Oh, no, vi prego, non fatelo. Non si dovrebbe mai offrire
niente a una donna che non possa indossare la sera.
Lord Arthur Goring. I see you are quite as wilful as you used to be.
Lord Arthur Goring. Vedo che siete caparbia, proprio come lo eravate un tempo.
Mrs. Cheveley. Oh, no, far more! I have greatly improved. I have had more
experience.
Signora Cheveley. Oh, no, molto di pi! Ho fatto grandi progressi. Ho avuto
molte esperienze.
Lord Arthur Goring. Too much experience is a dangerous thing. You have
come here to sell me Robert Chilterns letter, havent you?
Lord Arthur Goring. Troppe esperienze sono pericolose. Siete venuta qui
per vendermi la lettera di Robert Chiltern, non cos?
Mrs. Cheveley. To offer it to you on conditions. How did you guess that?
Lord Arthur Goring. Because you havent mentioned the subject. Have you
got it with you?
Lord Arthur Goring. Perch non ne avete parlato. Lavete qui con voi?
40
Mrs. Cheveley (sitting down). Oh, no! A well-made dress has no pockets.
Signora Cheveley (sedendosi). Oh, no! Un vestito ben fatto non ha tasche.
Mrs. Cheveley. How absurdly English you are! Money is not what I want.
Signora Cheveley. Come siete assurdamente inglese! Il denaro non ci che voglio.
Mrs. Cheveley motions to him to sit down beside her. He smiles, and does so.
La Signora Cheveley gli fa cenno di sedersi accanto a lei. Lui sorride e si siede.
Lord Arthur Goring. That was the natural result of my loving you.
Lord Arthur Goring. You pretended to love me, because I was rich.
Lord Arthur Goring. My dear Mrs. Cheveley, you have always been far too
clever to know anything about love.
Lord Arthur Goring. Mia cara Signora Cheveley, siete sempre stata fin
troppo intelligente per sapere cosa sia lamore.
Mrs. Cheveley. I dont mind bad husbands. I have had two. They amused me
immensely.
Mrs. Cheveley (after a pause). I thought you would have risen to some
great height of self-sacrifice, Arthur.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh! I do that as it is. Self-sacrifice is a thing that should
be prohibited by law. It is so demoralising to the people for whom one
sacrifices oneself. They always go to the bad.
Mrs. Cheveley. For the privilege of being your wife I was ready to surrender
a great prize: the climax of my diplomatic career. You declined. Very well. If
Sir Robert doesnt support my Argentine project, I shall expose him. Voil
tout.
Si alza.
Lord Arthur Goring. Non potete farlo. Sarebbe vile, orribile e infame.
Signora Cheveley (alzando le spalle). Oh, non usate paroloni. Significano
cos poco. Non c altro da dire. Devo andare. Addio. Non ci stringiamo la
mano?
Lord Arthur Goring. A voi? No. Stasera siete venuta qui a parlare di amore
e nello stesso momento state per rovinare la vita delle persone pi nobili e
gentili di questo mondo. Questo non posso perdonarvelo.
Signora Cheveley. Arthur, siete ingiusto verso di me. Non sono andata
affatto da Gertrude per offenderla. Sono andata a farle visita solo per
domandare se un ornamento, un gioiello che ho perso da qualche parte ieri
sera, era stato trovato dai Chiltern. Ma lei non ha lasciato parlare.
Lord Arthur Goring. I found it myself. (Goes over to the writing-table and
pulls out the drawer.) This is the brooch, isnt it?
Lord Arthur Goring. Lho trovata io stesso. (Si avvicina allo scrittoio e apre i
cassetti.) questa la spilla, vero?
Solleva la spilla.
Mrs. Cheveley (holding out her handsome arm). No; but it looks very well on
me as a bracelet, doesnt it?
Lord Arthur Goring. It looked well even on my cousin, ten years ago.
Lord Arthur Goring. Stava bene anche sul braccio di mia cugina, dieci anni fa.
Lord Arthur Goring. I mean that you stole that ornament from my cousin,
Mary Berkshire, to whom I gave it when she was married. I determined to
say nothing about it till I had found the person who stole it. I have found the
thief now, and I have heard her own confession.
Lord Arthur Goring. Voglio dire che avete rubato questo gioiello a mia
cugina, Mary Berkshire, a cui lo donai quando si spos. Mi sono ripromesso
di non dir niente finch non avessi scoperto il ladro. Ora ho scoperto il ladro,
e ho ascoltato la sua confessione.
Mrs. Cheveley (tossing her head). I will deny the whole affair from beginning
to end.
Mrs. Cheveley tries to get the bracelet off her arm, but fails.
Lord Arthur Goring looks on amused.
Lord Arthur Goring. The drawback of stealing a thing, Mrs. Cheveley, is that
one never knows how wonderful the thing that one steals is.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, dont use big words. They mean so little.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, non usate paroloni. Significano cos poco.
Lord Arthur Goring. Tomorrow the Berkshires will prosecute you. That is
what the police are for.
Mrs. Cheveley (is now in an agony of physical terror. Her face is distorted). I
will do anything you want.
Mrs. Cheveley. I have not got it with me. I will give it to you tomorrow.
Lord Arthur Goring. You know you are lying. Give it to me at once.
Mrs. Cheveley pulls the letter out, and hands it to him. She is horribly pale.
Lord Arthur Goring takes the letter, examines it, sighs, and tears it up.
Mrs. Cheveley (catches sight of Lady Chilterns letter, the cover of which is
just showing from under the blotting-book). Please get me a glass of water.
Goes to the corner of the room and pours out a glass of water. While his back
is turned Mrs. Cheveley steals Lady Geltrude Chilterns letter. When Lord
Goring returns the glass she refuses it with a gesture.
Mrs. Cheveley. No, thank you. Will you help me on with my cloak?
Le mette il mantello.
Mrs. Cheveley. Thanks. I am never going to try to harm Robert Chiltern again.
Signora Cheveley. Grazie. Non cercher di fare pi alcun male a Robert Chiltern.
Lord Arthur Goring. Fortunately you will not have the chance, Mrs. Cheveley.
Lord Arthur Goring. Per fortuna non ne avete la possibilit, Signora Cheveley.
Mrs. Cheveley. Well, if even I had the chance, I wouldnt. On the contrary, I
am going to render him a great service.
Mrs. Cheveley. I find that somehow Gertrude Chilterns dying speech and
confession has strayed into my pocket.
Mrs. Cheveley (with a bitter note of triumph in her voice). I mean that I am
going to send Robert Chiltern the love-letter his wife wrote to you tonight.
Signora Chiltern (con un perfido tono di trionfo nella voce). Voglio dire che
mander a Robert Chiltern la lettera damore che sua moglie vi ha scritto stasera.
Mrs. Cheveley (laughing). I need you. I trust you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.
Signora Cheveley (ridendo). Ho bisogno di voi. Mi fido di voi, vengo da voi. Gertrude.
Lord Arthur Goring rushes to the bureau and takes up the envelope,
finds is empty, and turns round.
Lord Arthur Goring. You wretched creature, must you always be stealing?
Give me back that letter. Ill take it from you by force. You shall not leave
my room till I have got it.
Esce correndo.
45
ACT IV
ATTO IV
SCENE 1
SCENA 1
Lord Arthur Goring (pulls out his watch, inspects it, and rings the bell). It is a
great nuisance. I cant find any one in this house to talk to. And I am full of
interesting information.
He throws himself down into a chair, picks up a paper and begins to read it.
The Earl of Caversham enters.
Earl of Caversham. Well, sir, what are you doing here? Wasting your time as
usual, I suppose?
Lord Arthur Goring (throws down paper and rises). My dear father, when
one pays a visit it is for the purpose of wasting other peoples time, not ones
own.
Earl of Caversham. Have you been thinking of what I spoke to you about
last night?
Lord Arthur Goring. I have been thinking of nothing else.
Earl of Caversham. Are you engaged to be married yet?
Lord Arthur Goring (genially). Not yet: but I hope to be before lunchtime.
Earl of Caversham (caustically). You can have till dinner time if it would be
of any convenience to you.
Lord Arthur Goring. Thank you, but I think Id sooner be engaged before
lunch.
Earl of Caversham. Hmm! I never know when you are serious or not.
Lord Arthur Goring. Neither do I, father.
A pause.
Earl of Caversham. I suppose you have read The Times this morning?
Lord Arthur Goring (airily). The Times? Certainly not. I only read The
Morning Post.
Earl of Caversham. Do you mean to say you have not read The Times
leading article on Robert Chilterns career?
Lord Arthur Goring. Good heavens! No. What does it say?
Earl of Caversham. What should it say, sir? Everything complimentary, of
course. Chilterns speech last night on this Argentine Canal project was one
of the finest pieces of oratory ever delivered in the House.
Lord Arthur Goring. And did... did Chiltern support the project?
Conte di Caversham. Umm! Non so mai quando siete serio e quando non lo
siete.
Lord Arthur Goring. Nemmeno io, padre.
Pausa.
Conte di Caversham. Immagino che abbiate letto il Times, stamattina.
Lord Arthur Goring (sbadato). Il Times? No di certo. Leggo solo il Morning
Post.
Conte di Caversham. Volete dire che non avete letto larticolo di fondo del
Times, sulla carriera di Robert Chiltern?
Lord Arthur Goring. Santo cielo! No. Cosa dice?
Conte di Caversham. E cosa dovrebbe dire, sir? tutto un elogio,
naturalmente. Ieri sera, il discorso di Chiltern su quel progetto del Canale
argentino stato uno dei pi bei pezzi di oratoria mai tenuto alla Camera.
Lord Arthur Goring. E... Chiltern ha appoggiato il progetto?
Earl of Caversham. Support it, sir? How little you know him! Why, he
denounced it completely, and the whole system of modern political finance.
This speech is the turning-point in his career, as The Times points out. You
should read this article, sir. (Opens The Times.) Sir Robert Chiltern... most
rising of our young statesmen... Brilliant orator... Unblemished career...
They will never say that of you, sir.
Lord Arthur Goring. Spero proprio di no, padre. Tuttavia, sono contento di
ci che mi dite di Robert, assai contento. Ha mostrato di avere fegato.
Conte di Caversham. Perch non cercate di fare qualcosa di utile nella vita?
Lord Arthur Goring. Sono ancora troppo giovane.
Conte di Caversham. Perch non chiedete la mano della graziosa Signorina
Chiltern?
47
Lord Arthur Goring. I dont know what the chances are today.
Earl of Caversham. If she did accept you she would be the prettiest fool in
England.
SCENE 2
SCENA 2
Mabel Chiltern. Oh!... How do you do, Lord Caversham? I hope Lady
Caversham is well?
Mabel Chiltern. Oh!... Come state, Conte di Caversham? Spero che Lady
Caversham stia bene.
Mabel Chiltern (turning round with feigned surprise). Oh, are you here?
Of course you understand that after your breaking your appointment I am
never going to speak to you again.
Mabel Chiltern (si gira con finta sorpresa). Oh, siete qui? Naturalmente
comprenderete che non ho intenzione di parlarvi mai pi, visto che non
avete rispettato il vostro appuntamento.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, please dont say such a thing. You are the one
person in London I really like to have to listen to me.
Lord Arthur Goring. Oh, vi prego, non dite una cosa simile. Voi siete lunica
persona in tutta Londra da cui amo essere ascoltato.
Mabel Chiltern. Lord Arthur Goring, I never believe a single word that
either you or I say to each other.
Mabel Chiltern. Lord Arthur Goring, non credo nemmeno a una parola, mia
o vostra, pronunciata quando ci parliamo.
Earl of Caversham. You are quite right, my dear, quite right... as far as he is
concerned, I mean.
Mabel Chiltern. Do you think you could possibly make your son behave a
little better occasionally? Just for a change.
Mabel Chiltern. Pensate che non ci sia proprio verso di indurre vostro figlio
a comportarsi un po meglio, qualche volta? Cos, tanto per cambiare.
Mabel Chiltern. It is very good for you to be in the way, and to know what
people say of you behind your back.
Lord Arthur Goring. I dont at all like knowing what people say of me
behind my back. It makes me far too conceited.
Lord Arthur Goring. Non mi piace affatto sapere ci che la gente dice alle
mie spalle. Mi rende fin troppo presuntuoso.
Earl of Caversham. After that, my dear, I really must say good morning to you.
Conte di Caversham. Dopo questo, mia cara, non posso che augurarvi buona
giornata.
Mabel Chiltern. Oh, I hope you are not going to leave me all alone with
Lord Arthur Goring? Especially at such an early hour in the day.
Mabel Chiltern. Oh, non mi lascerete tutta sola con Lord Arthur Goring,
spero? Specie la mattina cos presto.
He shakes hands with Mabel Chiltern, picks up his hat and stick, and goes out,
with a parting glare of indignation at Lord Arthur Goring.
Mabel Chiltern (picks up roses and begins to arrange them in a bowl on the
table). People who dont keep their appointments in the Park are horrid.
Mabel Chiltern (prende delle rose e comincia a sistemarle in un vaso sul tavolo).
Le persone che non rispettano gli appuntamenti al Parco sono orrende.
Mabel Chiltern. I am glad you admit it. But I wish you wouldnt look so
pleased about it.
Lord Arthur Goring. I cant help it. I always look pleased when I am with
you.
Lord Arthur Goring. Non posso farne a meno. Sono sempre contento,
quando sto con voi.
49
Lord Arthur Goring. Please dont, Miss Mabel. I have something very
particular to say to you.
Lord Arthur Goring (somewhat taken aback). Well, yes, it is... I am bound to
say it is.
Lord Arthur Goring (piuttosto stupito). Be, si... devo riconoscere che una
proposta.
Mabel Chiltern (con un sospiro di piacere). Che bello! E con questa, oggi
fanno due.
Lord Arthur Goring (indignantly). The second? What conceited idiot has
been so impertinent to dare to propose to you before I had?
Lord Arthur Goring (indignato). Due? Chi quel cretino presuntuoso che
ha osato dichiararsi prima di me?
Mabel Chiltern. As you didnt turn up this morning, I very nearly said yes.
Mabel Chiltern. Visto che stamani non vi siete fatto vivo, avevo il s sulla
punta della lingua.
Mabel Chiltern. Lo so. E credo che avreste anche potuto farvi avanti un po
prima. Sono sicura di avervi dato un sacco di opportunit.
Lord Arthur Goring. Vi prego, siate seria, Mabel. Vi ho detto che vi amo.
Non potete amarmi un poco anche voi, in cambio?
Mabel Chiltern. You silly Arthur! If you knew anything about... anything,
which you dont, you would know that I adore you. Every one in London
knows it except you.
Mabel Chiltern. Siete uno sciocco, Arthur! Se solo voi sapeste... qualcosa che
non sapete, allora sapreste che io vi adoro. Lo sa tutta Londra, eccetto voi.
Lord Arthur Goring catches her in his arms and kisses her.
Then, after a pause of bliss.
Lord Arthur Goring. Dear! Do you know I was terribly afraid of being
refused!
Lord Arthur Goring. Cara! Sapete che avevo una paura terribile di essere
rifiutato!
50
Mabel Chiltern (looking up at him). But who has ever refused you, Arthur?
Lord Arthur Goring (kisses her). And now I must go and see Gertrude. I
have been trying to talk to her or to Robert the whole morning.
Lord Arthur Goring (la bacia). E ora devo andare da Gertrude. tutta la
mattina che cerco di parlare con lei o con Robert.
Mabel Chiltern. Do you mean to say you didnt come here expressly to
propose to me?
Mabel Chiltern. Volete dire che non siete venuto qui espressamente per
chiedere la mia mano?
SCENE 3
SCENA 3
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Good morning, dear! How pretty you are looking!
Mabel Chiltern (prende in disparte Lord Arthur Goring). Aspetter nella serra.
She blows a kiss to him, unobserved by Lady Gertrude Chiltern, and goes out.
Lord Arthur Goring. Lady Gertrude Chiltern, I have some very good news
to tell you. Mrs. Cheveley gave me Roberts letter last night, and I tore it up.
Robert is safe.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (sinking on the sofa). Safe! Oh, I am so glad of that!
What a good friend you are to him... to us!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (lasciandosi cadere sul divano). Salvo! Oh, sono cos
felice! Che buon amico siete per lui... per noi!
51
Lord Arthur Goring. There is only one person now that could be said to be
in any danger.
Lord Arthur Goring. Adesso c una sola persona che potrebbe dirsi in
pericolo.
Lord Arthur Goring. Danger is too great a word. But I admit I have
something to tell you that may distress you. Yesterday evening you wrote
me a very beautiful letter, asking me for my help. You wrote to me as one of
your oldest friends. Mrs. Cheveley stole that letter from my rooms.
Lord Arthur Goring (si alza). La Signora Cheveley ci ha ricamato sopra una
certa conclusione, e ha deciso di spedire la lettera a vostro marito.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. E che conclusione potrebbe mai ricamarci sopra?...
Oh, no! Questo no! Questo no! Se io, in difficolt e bisognosa del vostro
aiuto, confidando in voi, decido di venire da voi... per farmi consigliare...
aiutare... Oh, esistono donne cos terribili da...? Mio marito non capir!
Lord Arthur Goring. And now you should tell Robert the whole thing at
once.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (lo guarda con un moto di sorpresa che rasenta
quasi il terrore). Raccontare tutto?
Lord Arthur Goring. I think it is better that he should know the exact truth.
Lord Arthur Goring. Penso sia meglio che sappia tutta la verit.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (alzandosi). Oh, non potrei mai, non potrei mai!
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. No. The letter must be intercepted. That is all. But
how can I do it? Letters arrive for him every moment of the day.
Lord Arthur Goring. Please stay calm, Lady Chiltern. I will find a solution.
Whatever it takes. (Goes to the door, and opens it.) Oh, Robert is coming
upstairs with the letter in his hand. It has reached him already.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (with a cry of pain). Oh, you have saved his life;
what have you done with mine?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (con un grido di dolore). Oh, avete salvato la sua
vita, ma che ne avete fatto della mia?
SCENE 4
SCENA 4
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Lord Arthur Goring, Sir Robert Chiltern, Mabel Chiltern.
Sir Robert Chiltern enters. He has the letter in his hand, and is reading it. He
comes towards his wife, not noticing Lord Arthur Gorings presence.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern, Lord Arthur Goring, Sir Robert Chiltern, Mabel Chiltern.
Sir Robert Chiltern entra. Ha la lettera tra le mani e la sta leggendo. Va verso
la moglie, senza notare la presenza di Lord Arthur Goring.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I need you. I trust you. I am coming to you. Gertrude.
Oh, my love! Is this true? Do you indeed trust me, and want me, Gertrude?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Ho bisogno di voi. Mi fido di voi. Vengo da voi. Gertrude.
Oh, amore mio! vero? Davvero ho la vostra fiducia e avete bisogno di me,
Gertrude?
Lord Arthur Goring, unseen by Sir Robert Chiltern, makes an imploring sign
to Lady Gertrude Chiltern to accept the situation and Sir Roberts error.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Yes. (Taking his hand.) And I loved you.
Lord Arthur Goring, non visto da Sir Robert Chiltern, fa un cenno implorante a
Lady Gertrude Chiltern perch assecondi la situazione e lerrore di Sir Robert.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. S. (Prendendogli la mano.) E vi amavo.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. There is no disgrace in the future for you and not
any public shame. Lord Arthur Goring has destroyed the letter.
Sir Robert Chiltern. I am so glad now I made that speech last night in the
House, so glad. I made it thinking that public disgrace might be the result.
But it has not been so.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Ora sono cos contento di aver fatto quel discorso alla
Camera, ieri sera, cos contento. Lho fatto pensando che in cambio avrei
ricevuto disonore pubblico. Ma non andata cos.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude... I suppose I should retire from public life?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude... credo che dovrei ritirarmi dalla vita pubblica.
Sir Robert Chiltern. And would you be happy living somewhere alone with
me, abroad perhaps, or in the country away from London, away from public
life? Would you have no regrets?
Sir Robert Chiltern (going towards him). Arthur, I thank you for what you
did for me. I dont know how to repay you.
Sir Robert Chiltern (andando verso di lui). Arthur, devo ringraziarvi per ci
che avete fatto per me. Non so come sdebitarmi.
Lord Arthur Goring. My father has just told me that you are to have the
vacant seat in the Cabinet!
Lord Arthur Goring. Mio padre mi ha appena detto che state per ottenere il
seggio libero nel Gabinetto!
Sir Robert Chiltern (with a look of joy and triumph). A seat in the Cabinet?
(He sees his wife looking at him with her clear, candid eyes. He then realises
that it is impossible.) I cannot accept this offer. I have made up my mind to
decline it.
Sir Robert Chiltern. mia intenzione ritirarmi subito dalla vita pubblica.
Lord Arthur Goring (angrily). You decline? Never heard such stupid
nonsense in my life. Lady Chiltern, will you let him do this?
Lord Arthur Goring (adirato). Rifiutate? Mai sentite in vita mia tante
cretinate! Lady Chiltern, glielo lasciate fare?
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Penso che mio marito abbia preso la decisione
giusta, Arthur. Io lapprovo.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (taking her husbands hand). I have never admired
him so much before. He is finer than even I thought him. (To Sir Robert
Chiltern.) You will go and write your letter to the Prime Minister now, wont
you? Dont hesitate about it, Robert.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (prende la mano del marito). Non lho mai
ammirato tanto prima dora. persino migliore di quanto io pensassi. (A Sir
Robert Chiltern.) Andrete ora a scrivere la lettera al Primo Ministro, vero?
Non esitate, Robert.
Sir Robert Chiltern (with a touch of bitterness). I suppose I had better write
it at once.
Sir Robert Chiltern (con una punta di amarezza). Immagino sia meglio
scrivergli subito.
He exits.
Esce.
Lord Arthur Goring. Lady Chiltern, why are you behaving as Mrs.
Cheveley?
Lord Arthur Goring. Lady Chiltern, perch giocate le carte della Signora
Cheveley?
Lord Arthur Goring. Mrs. Cheveley made an attempt to ruin your husband
and then failed.
Lord Arthur Goring (pulling himself together for a great effort). Lady
Chiltern, allow me. You wrote me a letter last night in which you said you
trusted me and wanted my help. Now is the time when you have got to trust
me, to trust in my judgment. You love Robert. Do not rob him of the fruits
of his ambition, dont condemn him to a sterile failure, he, who was born for
triumph and success.
Lord Arthur Goring. Rather than lose your love, Robert would do anything.
He is making for you a terrible sacrifice. Take my advice, Lady Gertrude
Chiltern, and do not accept a sacrifice so great. Power is his passion. Without
it he would lose everything, even his power to feel love. Your husbands life
is at this moment in your hands.
Lord Arthur Goring. Pur di non perdere il vostro amore, Robert farebbe
qualsiasi cosa. Sta facendo per voi un terribile sacrificio. Seguite il mio
consiglio, Lady Gertrude Chiltern, e non accettate un sacrificio cos grande.
Il potere la sua passione. Senza, perderebbe tutto, persino la capacit di
amare. La vita di vostro marito nelle vostre mani ora.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude, here is the draft of my letter. Shall I read it to
you?
Sir Robert Chiltern. Gertrude, ecco la minuta della lettera. Volete che ve la legga?
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, you are your sisters guardian, and I want your
permission to marry her. That is all.
Lord Arthur Goring. Robert, siete il tutore di vostra sorella, perci vi chiedo
di dare il vostro consenso alle nostre nozze. Ecco tutto.
Sir Robert Chiltern (with a troubled look). Do you want to marry my sister?
Sir Robert Chiltern (con uno sguardo turbato). Volete sposare mia sorella?
56
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, if they love each other, why shouldnt they
get married?
Sir Robert Chiltern. When I called on you yesterday evening I found Mrs.
Cheveley concealed in your rooms. I know you were engaged to be married
to her once. You spoke to me last night of her as a pure and stainless women,
a woman whom you respected and honoured. But I cannot give my sisters
life into your hands.
Sir Robert Chiltern. Quando sono venuto da voi, ieri sera, ho trovato la
Signora Cheveley nascosta nelle vostre stanze. So che un tempo eravate
fidanzati e volevate sposarla. Ieri sera me lavete descritta come una donna
pura e senza macchia, una donna che rispettavate e onoravate. Ma non
posso lasciare nelle vostre mani la vita di mia sorella.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, it was not Mrs. Cheveley whom Lord
Arthur Goring was expecting last night.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, non era la Signora Cheveley colei che Lord
Arthur Goring pensava di incontrare, ieri sera.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern. Robert, ieri pomeriggio Lord Goring mi disse che se
mai fossi stata in difficolt, potevo affidarmi a lui per ricevere aiuto, perch
il nostro amico pi caro. In seguito, dopo la terribile scena avvenuta in questa
stanza, gli scrissi... la lettera che hai letto prima. (Sir Robert Chiltern prende la
lettera dalla tasca.) Alla fine, non sono andata da Lord Arthur Goring. Ho deciso
che era da noi due soli che doveva venire laiuto. Invece, ci andata la Signora
Cheveley. Ha rubato la mia lettera e stamattina ve lha spedita anonima, per farvi
credere... Oh! Robert, non riesco nemmeno a dire ci che voleva voi credeste...
Sir Robert Chiltern. What! I could never doubted your goodness. Arthur,
you can go to Mabel, and you have my best wishes!
Sir Robert Chiltern. Ma come! Non potrei mai dubitare della vostra onest.
Arthur, potete andare da Mabel, e con i miei migliori auguri!
Lord Arthur Goring. Well, I hope she hasnt changed her mind.
He exits.
Esce.
Voice of the Earl of Caversham. If you dont make her an ideal husband, Ill
send you away without any financial support.
Voice of Mabel Chiltern. An ideal husband! Oh, I dont think I should like
that. He can be what he chooses.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (kisses the husband). For all of us a new life is
beginning.
Lady Gertrude Chiltern (bacia il marito). Per tutti noi sta cominciando una
nuova vita.
THE END
FINE
58
1. PUZZLE
An Ideal Husband
1
2
3
Surname: Name: F o M o
N.: Address:
Postcode:
Town:
4
5
6
Province:
Telephone: Mobile:
E-mail:
Date of birth:
10
School:
11
N.: Address:
Postcode:
Town:
12
Province:
Telephone:
Now read the column under the arrow and youll find the solution.
English teacher:
Date
Signature
Il Palchetto Stage s.a.s. ai sensi e in conformit con lart. 13, D. Lgs 30 giugno 2003 n. 196,
informa che i dati raccolti saranno utilizzati per informarLa in merito a nuove iniziative.
Solution: A .............................................................................................................................
3. RIDDLE
In each of O. Wildes sayings in box (A), quoted from the text, there is a
missing word. Find it in box (B).
In the box below there are 9 words, quoted from the text. Match
each word with the appropriate meaning in list (A) and write it on the
broken lines in list (B).
obvious = H
Example: 1 Women can discover everything except the ......................
BOX
STOCKBROKER - ACQUAINTANCE - CLEVER - FREEDOM
BUTLER - BACHELOR - CAREER - SCRUPLE - PRIZE
BOX (B)
O PROHIBITED
O ADVICE
H OBVIOUS
S DANGEROUS
U DISLIKE
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
U STRENGHT
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
M ITSELF
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
R WASTING
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Now match letters and numbers in box (C) and youll find the solution.
BOX (C)
1
Solution: ........................................................................................
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Now read the letters in the circles and write them in the correct
order on the broken line below and youll find the solution.
Solution: .................................................................................................................................
4. GRID
5. A SPOT OF RELAXATION
Why is Arthur Goring the hero of the story?
A proverb
In the list below there are 15 adjectives, quoted from the text. Find
them in the grid (vertically, horizontally, diagonally and backwards).
The remaining letters will give you the solution.
1. CHARMING
2. DIFFERENT
3. DISHONEST
4. FOOLISH
5. HORRIBLE
6. IDLE
7. BRILLIANT
8. PRACTICAL
9. PRIVATE
10. SPLENDID
11. STUPID
12. TEDIOUS
13. UNJUST
14. WRETCHED
15. IMMENSE
O M
TEXT ANALYSIS
The plot
2) Where does Mrs. Cheveley come from and where is she staying in
the city?
7) What does Lady Chiltern want for her husband? Does he consider
himself to be an Ideal husband?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
8) What does Miss Mabel Chiltern want for her husband? Does she
consider and/or want him to be an Ideal husband?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
4) What does Sir Robert Chiltern and his wife think of the project?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
The characters
6) What was the problem he had in the past and who was his
advisor?
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................................................................
Literary references