The Browning Version Page #7

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that are essential.

Essential for what?

''The Agamemnon,

Rendered into English Verse by--''

Hmm. When did you do that?

Before our marriage.

It is unfinished.

Our marriage?

No, the translation.

These are for burning.

Mm. About time, too.

There were a lot more up in the attic.

I had them cleared out yesterday.

You haven't looked at them for years,

so I suppose you don't want them.

Why didn't you come back

to the cricket match?

I was talking to young Gilbert,

my successor.

Oh, yes.

Nice young fellow, that.

He looks as though

he's got what it takes.

Yes.

I bet when he leaves

it won't be without a pension.

It will be roses, roses all the way.

Tears, cheers and good-bye, Mr. Chips.

- I expect so.

- What's the matter?

Nothing.

You're not going to have another

of your attacks, are you? You look awful.

I am perfectly all right.

Well, you know best.

Your medicine's there if you want it.

Don't forget you've got to change.

- [ Knocking On Door ]

- Come in.

Yes, Taplow, what is it?

Oh, nothing, sir.

What do you mean by ''nothing''?

Well, I just came back

to say good-bye, sir.

Oh.

I rather dashed out

this morning, I'm afraid.

You see,

I had that golf date, and, well...

I just thought I'd come back

and wish you luck, sir.

Thank you, Taplow.

That's good of you.

- Oh, you found it, sir.

- Thank you for coming round, Taplow.

Sir, I thought this might interest you.

- What is it?

- Verse translation of the Agamemnon.

The Browning version.

Oh, it's not much good, I'm afraid.

I've been reading it

in the chapel gardens.

Hmm. It's very interesting, Taplow.

I know the translation, of course.

It has its faults, I agree.

But, oh, I think you will enjoy it more

when you get used to the meter he employs.

Oh, but it's for you, sir.

- For me?

- Yes, sir. I've written in it.

Did you buy this, Taplow?

Yes, sir.

It was only secondhand.

You shouldn't spend

your pocket money in this way.

Oh, that's all right, sir.

It wasn't very much.

Oh, the price isn't still inside, is it?

No.Just what you have written.

Nothing else.

What's the matter, sir?

Did I get the accent wrong on the --

No, no. The perispomenon

is perfectly correct.

Taplow, would you be good enough

to take that bottle of medicine...

which you so kindly

brought in this morning...

and pour me out one dose in a glass,

which you will find in the dining room?

Yes, sir.

[ Sobs ]

[ Sobbing ]

[ Sobbing Continues ]

Thank you.

You must forgive this little

exhibition of weakness, Taplow.

The truth is that I have been going

through rather a strain lately.

Oh, I quite understand, sir.

- [ Knocking On Door ]

- Come in.

- [ Mr. Crocker-Harris ] Ah, Hunter.

- Hello.

Oh, am I too early?

You sure I'm not disturbing you?

No. This is not a lesson.

[ Blowing ]

Taplow very kindly

came in to say good-bye.

Oh. Are you sure I'm not intruding?

Oh, no. I want you to see this book

that Taplow has just given me.

Look. A translation of the Agamemnon

by Robert Browning.

Do you see the inscription

he has written inside?

Yes, but it's no good to me, I'm afraid.

I never learned Greek.

Then we must translate it

for him, mustn't we, Taplow?

[ Speaking Greek ]

That, in a rough translation, means...

''God from afar looks graciously

upon a gentle master.''

I see. Very pleasant and very apt.

Very pleasant.

But perhaps, after all...

not so very apt.

Well, good-bye, sir.

Good-bye, Taplow,

and thank you very much.

[ Door Closes ]

Dear me. What a fool I must have

made of myself in front of that boy.

And in front of you, too, Hunter.

I really don't know

what you can think of me.

Nonsense.

I'm not a very emotional person,

as you may know...

but there was something

so very unexpected...

and, uh, touching about his action...

coming as it did so soon after--

This is a very delightful thing to have,

don't you think?

Delightful.

The quotation, of course,

he didn't find entirely for himself.

I happened to make some little joke

about it in class the other day...

but, well, he must have remembered

to have found it so readily.

Perhaps he means it.

I'm sure he does,

or he wouldn't have written it.

Well, now, let me get you a drink.

A glass of sherry.

Thank you.

There.

- Oh, hello, Frank.

- Hello.

Andrew, you'll be late.

Your husband has just been given

a very nice present.

- Oh? Who by?

- Taplow.

Oh, Taplow.

He bought it with his own pocket money, Millie,

and wrote a very charming inscription inside.

''God looks kindly

upon a gracious master.''

No, not ''gracious.''

''Gentle,'' I think.

Malthakos, yes.

I think ''gentle'' would be

the better translation.

I believe I would rather have had this present

than almost anything I can think of.

Let me see.

The artful little beast.

- Millie.

- Why artful, Millie?

Why artful, Millie?

Because, my dear,

I came into the room this morning...

to find Taplow giving

an imitation of you to Frank here.

Obviously, he was scared stiff I'd tell you

and you'd ditch his promotion or something.

I don't blame him for trying

a few shillings' worth of appeasement.

I see.

I think I'll have

a glass of sherry, too.

You've already had a dose

of that medicine, haven't you, dear?

I shouldn't have another if I were you.

I am allowed two at a time.

In heaven's name, Millie,

how could you?

Well, why not? Why should he be allowed

his comforting little illusions? I'm not.

Listen. You're to go to his room now

and tell him it was a lie.

- Certainly not. It wasn't a lie.

- If you don't, I will.

I shouldn't if I were you.

It'll only make things worse. He won't believe you.

- We'll see about that.

- All right, see what happens.

He knows I don't lie to him.

He knows what I've told him's the truth,

and he'll hate you for your sympathy.

He'll think you're making fun of him.

Like Taplow.

We're finished, Millie, you and I.

Oh. Oh, Frank, really.

- I mean it, Millie.

- Oh, don't be silly, darling.

Come and sit down

and forget all about artful little boys...

and their five-shilling presents

and talk to me.

Forget? If I live to be a hundred...

I shall never forget the glimpse

you've just given me of yourself.

Frank, I don't understand.

What is this? What have I done?

I think you know

what you've done, Millie.

Go and look after Andrew.

Why all this sudden concern for Andrew?

Because I think he's been

about as badly hurt as a human being can be.

Hurt? Andrew?

- You can't hurt Andrew. He's dead.

- Why do you hate him so?

I don't hate him. You can't hate the dead.

You can only despise them, and I despise Andrew.

- What do you mean he's dead?

- He's not a man at all.

He's a human being, isn't he?

And he's sick.

If you have any sense of decency,

you'll go and see how he is.

Decency?

You're a fine one to talk about decency...

when all these months

you've been deceiving him.

At your urgent invitation.

Thank you for that.

I deserve it.

- I deserve a lot worse, too.

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