Arkel.
And then there is someone else…
Melisande.
Who is it?
Arkel.
It is…you must not get frightened… He does not wish you the least harm, be sure of that… If you are afraid he will go away…he is very unhappy…
Melisande.
Who is it?
Arkel.
It is…it is your husband…it is Golaud…
Melisande.
Golaud is here? Why does he not come close to me?
Golaud (dragging himself toward the bed).
Melisande… Melisande.
Melisande.
Is it you, Golaud? I hardly recognized you at all… It is because I have the evening sun in my eyes… Why do you look at the walls? You have grown thin and older… Is it long since we have seen one another?
Golaud (to Arkel and the physician).
Will you go away a little, my poor friends… I will leave the door wide open… A moment only… I would like to tell her something; without it I shall not be able to die… Will you?—You can come back at once… Do not refuse me this… I am an unfortunate. (Arkel and the physician go out.) Melisande, have you pity on me as I have pity on you?… Melisande?…do you forgive me, Melisande?…
Melisande.
Yes. yes. I forgive you. ..what shall I forgive?
Golaud.
I have done you so much harm, Melisande… I cannot tell you the harm I have done you… But I see it, I see it so clearly today…since the first day… And all is of my fault, all that has happened, all that will happen… If I could tell it, you would see it as I see it… I see all, I see everything… But I loved you so much… I loved you so much… 'Tis I who will die… And I would like to know… I want to ask you… You will not be angry with me? The truth must be told to one about to die… He must know the truth, with out that he could not sleep… Do you swear to tell me the truth?
Melisande.
Yes.
Golaud.
Did you love Pelléas?
Melisande.
Why, yes; I loved him. Where is he?
Golaud.
You do not understand me?—You will not understand me.—It seems to me…it seems to me… Well, then, here: I ask you if you loved him with a forbidden love?… Have you…have you both been guilty? Say it, say it, yes, yes, yes?
Melisande.
No, no: we have not been guilty.—Why do you ask that?
Golaud.
Melisande!…tell me the truth for the love of God!
Melisande.
Why, have I not told the truth?
Golaud.
Do not lie thus any more, at the moment of dying!
