13. He is From Another Land
[Vysarius’ apartments. Sunset.]
[The magician’s apartments—the interior of a black, lacquered pyramid. The floor is paved in gold. Everywhere the elements of vanitas—clocks (hundreds of them), gilded prayer books, mirrored orbs, torquetum and sundial, wilted flowers, rotten fruit—strangely arrayed throughout the space.
The VALET sits, cross-legged, on a moth-worn velvet pillow, toying with the wind-up rooster. In the farthest corner, the magician, VYSARIUS, is seated on an ebony throne—mysterious, faraway, reclining like a crumbled titan. There is a knocking from without. The VALET looks to VYSARIUS, who nods. The VALET moves to a triangular door set into the wall and pulls it open.
Sunset light pours in, LEOPOLD enters, the door shuts.]
VALET, to Vysarius.
Doctor Vysarius, I present the Great Astronomer.
[VYSARIUS is perfectly still.]
LEOPOLD.
Doctor Vysarius, I come before you, covered in my shame, to beg your understanding. I spoke rashly, and, in ignorance, heaped on yourself insult, and on myself, disgrace. I beg your pardon. Give it me. We shall be friends.
[VYSARIUS is perfectly still.]
End this mute deception.
You yourself are no exception
To the rule that binds mankind:
Everyone must speak their mind!
[VYSARIUS is perfectly still.]
VALET.
He is from another land, and of another kind,
Where silence is a virtue, and speeches are maligned.
LEOPOLD.
What land is that?
VALET.
Where there is heat upon the water’s face,
Where darkness flies from dawn’s disgrace.
LEOPOLD.
What’s his rank in that strange nation?
Pauper, prince—what is his station?
VALET.
You may call him what you like;
It’s in Man’s nature to give names.
Such was his privilege, from the start,
To put a sound to silent things . . .
LEOPOLD.
Silent things?
VALET.
Earth and stone; sun and God.
LEOPOLD.
Even God has spoken.
VALET.
Oh, yes? And have you heard Him?