Lyrics Pierre & The Great Comet Of 1812 Original Broadway Cast Natasha – Pierre & Anatole
Text:
During this scene, Natasha prepares to poison herself
Pierre:
You promised Countess Rostova to marry her and were about to elope, is that so?
Anatole:
I don’t consider myself bound to answer questions put to me in that tone
Pierre:
My face, already pale
Becomes distorted by fury
I seize you by the collar with my big big hands
And I shake you from side to side
Until your face shows a sufficient degree of terror
When I tell you I must talk to you!
Anatole:
Come now, this is stupid!
What what, don’t don’t!
Pierre:
You’re a scoundrel and a blackguard
And I don’t know what deprives me of the pleasure
Of smashing your head in with this!
He takes a heavy paperweight and lifts it threateningly, but at once puts it back in its place
Did you promise to marry her?
Anatole:
I didn’t think of it. I never promised, because
Pierre:
Have you any letters of hers?
Any letters?
I shan’t be violent, don’t be afraid
Anatole hands Pierre a pack of letters
First, the letters
Anatole:
But how can I?
Pierre:
Third
You must never breathe a word of what has happened between you and the Countess
Now I know I can’t prevent your doing so
But if you have a spark of conscience
Pierre paces the room several times in silence
Anatole:
Anatole sits at a table frowning and biting his lips
Pierre:
After all, you must understand
That besides your pleasure
There is such a thing as other people
And their happiness and peace
And that you are ruining a whole life
For the sake of amusing yourself!
Amuse yourself with women like my wife
With them you’re within your rights
But to promise a young girl to marry her
To deceive, to kidnap
Don’t you understand that that’s as cruel
As beating an old man or a child?
Anatole:
Well, I don’t know about that, eh?
I don’t know that and I don’t want to
But you have used such words to me
«Scoundrel» and so on
Which as a man of honor
I will not allow anyone to use
Pierre:
Is it satisfaction you want?
Anatole:
You could at least take back your words, eh?
If you want me to do as you wish?
Natasha drinks the poison
Pierre:
Fine, I take them back, I take them back!
And I ask you to forgive me
And if you require money for your journey
Anatole:
Anatole smiled
The reflection of that base and cringing smile
Which Pierre knew so well in his wife
Revolted him
Pierre:
Oh, vile and heartless brood!
Anatole:
Next day Anatole left
For Petersburg!