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KARMA
MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited
LONDON • BOMBAY • CALCUTTA • MADRAS
MELBOURNE
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY
NEW YORK • BOSTON • CHICAGO
DALLAS • SAN FRANCISCO
THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, Ltd.
TORONTO
KARMA
A RE-INCARNATION PLAY
IN
PROLOGUE, EPILOGUE & THREE ACTS
BY
ALGERNON BLACKWOOD
AND
VIOLET PEARN
MACMILLAN AND CO., LIMITED
ST. MARTIN'S STREET, LONDON
i 9 i 8
COPYRIGHT
CONTENTS
Prologue. Present Day
Act I. Their First Life Together
Time — 2000 b.c. Egypt .
Act II. Their Second Life Together
Time — 325 b.c. Greece .
Act III. Their Third Life Together
Time — Fifteenth Century. Italy
Epilogue. Present Day
page
1
43
89
137
209
PROLOGUE
PRESENT DAY
CHARACTERS
Phillip Lattin (45), British Agent in Egypt.
Mrs. Lattin, his wife (40), mentally and
physically ill; a woman of strong
personality and exacting.
The Doctor, unpretentious, simple in
bearing, gentle in manner.
Nurse.
PROLOGUE
Scene — Room in Lattin's London house.
Mrs. Lattin lies on sofa. A picture of
Ancient Egypt, showing the Nile, palms
and temples on wall easily visible to her.
Time — Present day, evening.
Mrs. Lattin
What time is it, nurse — now ?
Nurse
Close on half-past five.
Mrs. Lattin
(With irritability of a sick woman.)
Not later ? Are you sure ? It's so
dark.
Nurse
(Soothingly.) The dusk is closing
in ; I'll light your lamp.
3
4 KARMA
Mrs. Lattin
Half-past five, you said ? My hus-
band expected to be back before this.
Hasn't he come ? The appointment
was for half-past two.
Nurse
The Foreign Office takes its time.
Mr. Lattin will come to you the
moment he gets in.
Mrs. Lattin
You're sure ? I thought I heard
his step.
Nurse
I'll go and see the moment the lamp
is lit. But he never forgets. He
always comes in here first.
Mrs. Lattin
But he's so long to-day, longer than
usual. And he looked so grave, nurse,
KARMA 5
when he left. He looked worried, I
thought. You noticed it ?
Nurse
He is taken up with these politics
just now. It's only natural, consider-
ing the crisis in Egypt. But he's
always so in earnest, isn't he ? I
noticed nothing unusual. The Govern-
ment is lucky to have him at such a
time. No one could fill his place.
(Brings lamp.) There's the lamp. Is
the shading right ?
Mrs. Lattin
Fill his place ! No, indeed. Phillip
understands the natives better than
anybody in the world. And the
country too (wistfully). If only I
could bring myself to go back to Egypt
with him. (Irritably.) The light
catches my eye there. To the left
6 KARMA
a little. Now to the right. Thank
you.
Nurse
The doctors all agree it's best not,
don't they ? The dry climate
Mrs. Lattin
It's not that, nurse. Dryness is
what I need — warmth and dryness.
It's something else. Egypt frightens
me. I can't sleep there. Dreams
come to me.
Nurse
The doctors said it was the effect of
the climate on the nerves.
Mrs. Lattin
Oh, I know. I'd face it if I could
— another winter. It means so much
to Mr. Lattin, doesn't it ? Nurse !
It's curious — it's strange, don't you
KARMA 7
think — that Mr. Lattin feels nothing
of that / feel there ? I mean
Nurse
Hark ! I think that's Mr. Lattin's
step. I'll go and see.
Mrs. Lattin
It can't be the new doctor, can it ?
Nurse
Dr. Ogilvie ? Not yet. Six o'clock
he was to come. He won't be here
before his time. These great special-
ists are busy men.
Mrs. Lattin
(Wearily.) I've seen so many doc-
tors. I hardly feel as if I had the
strength for a new examination. Dr.
Ogilvie will do me no good.
8 KARMA
Nurse
Still you will see him. For your
husband's sake.
Mrs. Lattin
Ah, yes, for Phillip's sake. I think
my husband's coming, nurse.
{Enter Phillip.)
Nurse
Good - evening, Mr. Lattin. Mrs.
Lattin is a trifle better. I'll leave you
for a little, but she must not tire her-
self. We are expecting Dr. Ogilvie
at six.
Phillip
I'll be very careful.
[Nurse exit.
(Phillip comes to his wife.)
Mrs. Lattin
At last, Phillip. I'm so glad you've
KARMA 9
come, dear. I've been waiting and
longing so. They kept you — but you
belong to me, don't you ? You're
tired, poor old thing. Come to me,
Phillip — closer. (Stretches out hand.)
Phillip
I am a bit late. I'm sorry, Little
Child. They kept me, yes. But
you ?
Mrs. Lattin
I'm well enough to listen. You're
back ; I forgive you. And it's all
arranged as you wished — as you
hoped ?
Phillip
Sir George was kindness itself
Mrs. Lattin
You saw the Foreign Secretary !
Phillip
You didn't know I was such a big-
10 KARMA
wig, did you ? It is important, you
see, dear. The situation out there is
complicated. I've left them in the
lurch a little, and my advice — er — my
knowledge, Sir George was good
enough to say — at such a time
Mrs. Lattin
In the lurch, Phillip ! How in the
lurch ? You're only asking a longer
leave than usual.
Phillip
There, there. I don't want you to
worry your dear head with politics.
The new doctor will be here any
minute now. That's far more im-
portant.
Mrs. Lattin
I would rather know exactly. It
doesn't worry me.
KARMA 11
Phillip
It's all been arranged most satis-
factorily, dear ; and I'm very pleased.
So you're pleased with me — eh ?
Mrs. Lattin
Phillip — what has been arranged ?
Phillip
Sir George was most complimentary.
The Government would recognise my
services — my long services, he called
it. He even discussed with me —
asked my advice, if you must know
the full weight of honour placed upon
me ! — as to my successor
Mrs. Lattin
Successor !
Phillip
But, darling, some one must fill my
12 KARMA
place. There must be a locum tenens,
as they say in the church.
Mrs. Lattin
You've — resigned !
Phillip
Dear one, there was no other way.
It's a formality, you see. I can
always take it up again where I left
it off. Our man in Egypt — just now
— must be there. He must be on the
spot, of course
Mrs. Lattin
But six months' leave ! Surely, six
months' leave
Phillip
Means the entire winter. There,
there, Little Child, it's nothing. You
must not exaggerate like this. What
KARMA 13
is my work in Egypt compared to
being with you. The doctors forbid
you to go out. It's quite simple : I
prefer to stay with you. My world
lies in your heart. I — I can always
take up the work again when — when
you're better.
Mrs. Lattin
Resigned, resigned ! You have
actually resigned. Your career — I
have broken your career — at last —
completely. Is it wrong, then, that
I need you so ?
Phillip
Hush, dearest
Mrs. Lattin
You have paid this tremendous
price — and I have made you pay it.
14 KARMA
Phillip
I wish to be always with you. That
is my only wish, my only happiness.
Mrs. Lattin
For my sake you have sacrificed
Phillip
It's I who am selfish to tire you
with all this stupid Government busi-
ness. There, now ; you've talked too
much and I have done you harm.
There's only happiness in my heart.
No more nonsense - talk about sacri-
fice. You must lie quiet and rest
again. I can be always with you.
Mrs. Lattin
Yes, to the end — my end and yours.
O God ! Why did I not understand
before ?
KARMA 15
Phillip
You must not speak like that.
Love — our love — knows no end.
Mrs. Lattin
Oh, I am miserable, Phillip, miser-
able, miserable.
Phillip
Please, do not say such things.
Mrs. Lattin
But I must, I must. My selfishness
has brought you to this last renounce-
ment. Egypt has meant so much to
you,
Phillip
Too much, Mary, too much. Egypt
was coming between us.
Mrs. Lattin
Your work there, the great work I
16 KARMA
have ruined . . . ! Egypt meant home
to you.
Phillip
Home is where you are, dearest,
and nowhere else. You have taught
me this — in time. (To himself .) Egypt!
Ah, Egypt !
Mrs. Lattin
I hate it. It terrifies me. There is
pain for me in Egypt. An instinctive
dread comes over me always — some-
thing from very far away. I have
struggled against it, for your sake,
but — oh, it's so, so strong. If only
you could forgive me !
Phillip
Hush, dearest !
Mrs. Lattin
But it has come between us. You
love it so. And it's my fault that you
can't — your career, I mean
KARMA 17
Phillip
Dear one, whatever is, is right.
There is nothing to regret. Egypt,
indeed, has drawn me strangely. There
is some power out there — a spiritual
power — that has cast a glamour over
me. It has been a passion with me.
Mrs. Lattin
My instinctive terror !
Phillip
And my instinctive love !
[They glance together in silence at
a great picture above the bed —
an Egyptian night-scene, with
stars and Nile.
Yes . . . yes . . . strange indeed !
From my earliest days it drew me.
Those palms and temples, that ma-
jestic desert !
18 KARMA
Mrs. Lattin
Phillip, don't ! Those stars, that
river bring me sadness — immense re-
gret. I feel them always rising over
me. They watch me !
Phillip
Forgive me. It was the marvellous
beauty took me. I
Mrs. Lattin
But it's an unearthly beauty. And
something in it — lost. It's lost to you.
And I — oh, but I do love you so ; for
ever and ever you are mine — aren't
you?
[He stoops and kisses her. She
half rises, whispering :
Phillip, dearest — something strange
comes over me. I see a lifting of this
KARMA 19
heavy English sky. I have been
through this before — I have done this
very thing before — long, long ago —
injured you somehow ! Oh, Phillip,
can it be that we have lived before —
pre - existence — is it true ? (Sinks
back.) I think ... I think I must
be near to . . . death !
Phillip
Hush, hush, my darling. These are
sick fancies only. Your brain is tired.
We must not talk like this.
Mrs. Lattin
I am tired, yes ; but it is my soul
that aches and not my body. Phillip,
I want your forgiveness.
Phillip
There is nothing to forgive. I love
you.
20 KARMA
Mrs. Lattin
(Spiritually tortured and perplexed.)
I want your real forgiveness — before I
go. I have been suffering deeply,
deeply. Curtains have been rising. I
almost see. Something seems growing
clearer to me. I've done wrong some-
where ! Why have I pulled against
you all these years — against your
work ? It cannot be my love that is
at fault. You're wholly mine — and yet
I want your forgiveness somehow
Phillip
(Deep patience.) All the love and
forgiveness in the world I give you,
Little Child. But you ask for what
was always yours.
Mrs. Lattin
Your broken mission. You alone
KARMA 21
have the strength and patience Egypt
needs. I have ruined all, all, all !
Phillip
There ! I forgive you, then. (Kisses
her.) I forgive you all, all, all. But
please calm yourself. This excite-
ment does vou harm. You torment
yourself for nothing. It is I who have
been, and am, the egoist. All men
who think their work is a mission are
shameless egoists.
Mrs. Lattin
Thank you, Phillip, for this great
gift of your forgiveness. But it is
not enough. I want to understand —
and so forgive myself.
Phillip
You must rest now a little. It was
criminal of me to let you talk so
much. No, not another word. I'll
22 KARMA
leave you for a bit. You must be
calm to see the Doctor. It's nearly
six
Mrs. Lattin
Dr. Ogilvie can't help me.
Phillip
What ! The first man of the day !
His wonderful cures
Mrs. Lattin
He cures the body only. / need a
soul physician. Oh, Phillip, I believe
sometimes my yearning must bring
him to me.
Phillip
My darling, it is your body alone
that is ill. Your suffering gives you
these strange fancies.
Mrs. Lattin
You love me too well to under-
KARMA 23
stand. (Sighs.) My illness is not
only of the body. Now, leave me,
dearest. I wish to see him quite
alone.
Phillip
Little Child, you shall. You can
dismiss the nurse. (Glances at clock.)
It is close on six.
Mrs. Lattin
Kiss me. (He kisses her softly and
goes out.) If only — ah, if only my
great yearning . . .
[She lies back exhausted. Sighs.
Covers her face with her hands.
After a moment she uncovers
her face and half sits up again.
She stares hard at Egyptian
picture on the wall.
The fault lies in my soul, and it
comes first from there — from Egypt.
The river is rising, rising once again.
The stars are rising too. They watch
24 KARMA
me, and they wait. They're always
watching us. O God ! If only some
one could make me understand ! If
some great doctor of the soul . . . !
(Sinks back. Her eyes close. She lies
very still.)
[A big clock on the mantelpiece
strikes the first three strokes
of six o'clock, then stops. The
door opens slowly and a
man enters quietly. He looks
round the room, sees her on
the sofa apparently asleep, and
stands still, a few feet inside
the door. He looks steadily
at her a moment, then glances
at the picture of Egypt on the
wall. He smiles gently. His
figure is a little bent, perhaps.
He is not a big man with
any marked presence. As he
smiles, she opens her eyes and
sees him. She shows surprise
KARMA 25
and slight embarrassment She
raises herself on one arm. Her
voice is hushed rather when
she speaks. He remains near
the open door.
I beg your pardon. Is it — Dr.
Ogilvie ?
Doctor
I am the Doctor.
Mrs. Lattin
I must apologise. Did no one-
Doctor
I found my way.
[Both pause, gazing.
Mrs. Lattin
(With relief.) Ah ! Thank you.
[She makes an unfinished gesture
towards a seat. Her eyes re-
main fixed on his. She smiles
faintly.
26 KARMA
Doctor
You called for me. (He makes one
step nearer.)
Mrs. Lattin
My husband, I believe, did write.
We — expected you.
Doctor
I am come.
Mrs. Lattin
It is exceedingly — it is more than
kind of you. You are so good, I
mean — (stammers; sinks back upon
the cushions, unable to maintain the
effort). I am very ill.
Doctor
I know.
Mrs. Lattin
You know ! Ah yes — you know.
KARMA 27
Doctor
That is why you called me. That
is why I am here now.
Mrs. Lattin
I can tell you very briefly what
Doctor
It is unnecessary.
Mrs. Lattin
But
Doctor
I have been watching you.
[He straightens up a little ; a new
dignity is in him. She gazes
intently. She stretches out a
hand, then withdraws it, hesi-
tatingly, again.
Mrs. Lattin
You mean ?
28 KARMA
Doctor
I knew — that you would send for
me.
Mrs. Lattin
Ah ! The medical journals ! My
case, of course — its peculiar — er — its
hopelessness.
Doctor
There are no hopeless cases. (He
smiles. His voice is very gentle.)
Mrs. Lattin
(Bewildered.) You are very ki —
good. I thank you, already.
Doctor
(Shaking his head quietly.) And you
already — I see — are on the way to
your recovery.
Mrs. Lattin
Recovery !
KARMA 29
Doctor
Since you realise that you are very
ill.
Mrs. Lattin
Oh — in that sense.
Doctor
In every sense.
[She is more and more aware of
something unusual in him.
She keeps her gaze steadily on
his face. She makes a gesture
towards him 9 then hesitates.
She seems on the point of
saying more — speaking more
freely.
Mrs. Lattin
I think — there must be a mistake
somewhere. I don't quite understand
how you
30 KARMA
Doctor
There are no mistakes.
Mrs. Lattin
But you are sure it is me you have
come to see ?
Doctor
It is you.
Mrs. Lattin
Mrs. Lattin ? [He bows his head.
In this street and house — 13 Bristol
Square ?
Doctor
This street, this square {moves nearer
and puts his hand upon her head), this
very house you occupy — for the
moment.
[She stares at him. They smile.
She is aware of another mean-
ing in his words. A touch of
awe shows in her manner.)
KARMA 31
Mrs. Lattin
{Low.) This— body ?
Doctor
Which, for the moment, you — are
occupying, Little Child.
Mrs. Lattin
{Awed.) You know that name !
My husband's secret name !
Doctor
It is — your name.
[He moves back a step so that she
can see the picture. One hand
he stretches towards her as in
blessing. Her eyes turn from
the Egyptian night-scene to his
face again.
Mrs. Lattin
{Softly, to herself.) My little secret
32 KARMA
love-name. It is too marvellous —
this. I am completely at a loss to —
(breaks off, as he looks down and smiles
at her).
Doctor
Love names truly always.
Mrs. Lattin
He . . . has . . . always . . . called
me so.
Doctor
He has loved you truly — always.
Mrs. Lattin
(Sitting up.) But you know every-
thing in the world ! Who are you —
really ? (Awe increases in her.)
Doctor
I am the Doctor.
KARMA 33
Mrs. Lattin
Doctor ! The greatest calling in
the world ! A doctor's powers
Doctor
Are, by rights, divine.
Mrs. Lattin
Life or death
Doctor
Life and death.
Mrs. Lattin
{Hushed.) But — you are more than
doctor ; you are also — Priest.
Doctor
I am at your service.
Mrs. Lattin
{Light breaking on her face. She
stretches out a hand to him. He takes
it.) To heal me. I feel great power
34 KARMA
pouring from you — into me. It is
like wind and fire.
Doctor
Life is a wind and fire. It is life
you feel. Your claim is great, because
of your great wish, your true desire.
You deserve. And I have come.
Mrs. Lattin
{Puzzled.) Deserve ! My great
desire ! My claim . . . !
Doctor
Your sickness is not of the heart, but
of the soul. Your desire was prayer.
Mrs. Lattin
You have read my heart.
Doctor
Little Child, it is in your eyes.
KARMA 35
Mrs. Lattin
And you know my very soul.
Doctor
Little Child, I am come to heal it.
Mrs. Lattin
Recovery ! You said recovery.
While I lie dying here by inches !
Doctor
You love.
Mrs. Lattin
With all my heart.
Doctor
And — soul ?
[He looks questioningly down at
her with great tenderness. Her
expression shows the dawn of
comprehension.
36 KARMA
Mrs. Lattin
(Very low.) I love — wrongly —
somewhere. I forgot — my soul. And
I have wrecked him, wrecked his life,
his work.
Doctor
(To himself.) Again.
Mrs. Lattin
(Not catching his word.) Is there
recovery for that ? Can you heal
that?
Doctor
He does not question your love for
him?
Mrs. Lattin
He is too big-hearted. He has
sacrificed all for me. It is regret and
remorse that kill me now — they bring
death more quickly. If only I could
understand !
KARMA 87
Doctor
You shall.
Mrs. Lattin
{Bitterly.) When it is too late.
Can you give recovery for that ? Can
the forgiveness that I crave — his
forgiveness — undo what has been ?
{Hides her face and sobs.) I must die
without forgiveness.
Doctor
Recovery begins with understand-
ing.
Mrs. Lattin
I want his forgiveness.
Doctor
You must — forgive yourself.
Mrs. Lattin
Oh, oh, I do not understand. My re-
morse goes with me even into the grave.
38 KARMA
Doctor
Remorse brings weakness. The for-
giveness of another affects that other
only.
Mrs. Lattin
(Looking up.) Yes ?
Doctor
Understand. Then, without regret,
go forward. To forgive yourself is —
true forgiveness.
Mrs. Lattin
I feel something wonderful in you.
Your words bring life again ... I
. . . There seems something I re-
member — remember almost — very dim
and far away. . . . (Her eye falls
upon the Egyptian picture. She gazes
fascinated at it.) The stars . . . the
river . . . are rising, surely . . .
KARMA 39
Doctor
You remember — life. And life shall
teach you this.
Mrs. Lattin
Life! My life! Oh, what is it
rising in me ? A curtain lifts. I see
. . . myself. Ah, now it goes again . . .
The pain . . . the pain is awful ! It all
has been before somewhere, I know . . .
Have I done this before, then ? If
only I could see, I might understand.
Doctor
You shall see. Understanding shall
bring recovery.
[As he speaks he retires slowly
backwards towards the open
door. Her eyes remain fixed
upon the picture.
Mrs. Lattin
Recovery ! I half remember . . .
I begin to . . . understand . . . !
40 KARMA
Doctor
The soul reaps ever its own harvest,
for the soul is linked to all its past.
Mrs. Lattin
{Faintly.) The past! My past . . .!
Our past together . . .
Doctor
Your pain and prayer may lift for
once the curtain. Remembering, you
shall understand. And, understanding,
you shall learn to — forgive yourself.
[A light falls on his face and figure
by the door. Just before he
disappears she tears her gaze
away from the picture, and
turns to him with outstretched
hands. He raises his hands
as though he were lifting a
curtain and holding it up.
KARMA 41
Mrs. Lattin
It lifts, it lifts ! I hear wind among
the palms, and lapping waters. A
voice is whispering ..." Little Child "
. . . yet in another tongue . . .
[From beyond the door his last
words reach her with a distant,
half-chanting sound.
Doctor
Egypt ! Where you began — with
him. Your earliest life. Then other
lives as well. See — and understand.
[She sinks back exhausted. Her
face is radiant through her
tears. She has just strength
enough to touch the pneumatic
bell beside the bed.
CURTAIN
ACT I
THEIR FIRST LIFE TOGETHER.
TIME— 2000 B.C.
EGYPT
43
CHARACTERS
Menophis, a young Egyptian, well born,
about 30.
Neferttti, an Egyptian dancing-girl.
Sethos, Egyptian youth.
Rames, High Priest in Temple of Aton.
44
ACT I
Scene — Banks of the Nile. White temple
visible in distance. Keyhrens Pyramid seen
very far away.
Late evening, sunset.
(Nefertiti and Sethos enter and
pause.)
Nefertiti
Now leave me, Sethos. And go
swiftly. (With gesture of pushing him
off.) I must be alone. You follow
me as wind follows a bird.
Sethos
Yet never touch you as wind does
the bird. And when you dance your
feet dance on my heart. No other
dancing-girl compares with you.
45
46 KARMA
Nefertiti
Last moon Pharaoh himself told me
that. I know it. But now leave me.
I am here to worship.
Seihos
(Supplicating.) May I not stay a
moment — at least, until Menophis ?
Nefertiti
Sethos, you heard me. It is the
sacred night. The Tear of Isis falls into
our River when the dusk has passed
to darkness. And I must worship.
Sethos
Menophis comes also with the dusk.
You meet here every evening ; and
when he comes I am forgotten. May
I not stay and be remembered — till he
comes ? (Implores.) Your beauty
makes me slavish. Out of his plenty
he will not miss so little, and I — starve.
KARMA 47
Nefertiti
Not now. Sethos, I tell you, go !
His coming, as you know, makes the
dry desert live for me. I would not
have him troubled for so little. He
hardly is aware of your existence — as
yet. But, should I ever need you —
slave !
Sethos
(Eagerly.) As yet ! Need me ! Oh,
Nefertiti, if you could use me I should
die of happiness.
Nefertiti
Then prepare to die, for the time
may come.
Sethos
Oh, may it happen soon !
Nefertiti
(Teasing.) The Gods alone know
48 KARMA
what may happen, and when. You
are my slave. Then, vanish !
Sethos
(Bowing.) Your slave obeys. (Ris-
ing.) But your lover will wait among
the palm-trees yonder. Menophis may
not come. The Gods know what will
happen, and it is said the Gods have
claimed him for themselves. He is a
prize, it seems, that earth and heaven
both desire. I have heard rumours.
(Moves off lingeringly.) If you need
escort back to Memphis your lightest
call will reach me.
Nefertiti
Go ! I shall not need your escort.
My happiness and his are in the keep-
ing of the Gods. Leave me to worship.
Sethos
(With boy's passion.) Oh, Nefertiti,
KARMA 49
the wild sweetness of the desert is in
your breath ! To me you are holy as
our sacred River ! May the Gods
grant you all your heart's desire.
Sethos is your slave for ever — even
though his heart should break.
[Exit, slowly, looking back.
Nefertiti
(Smiling to herself.) A slave is
always useful — for slavish purposes.
I may put you to the test some day !
[She watches him out of sight be-
hind the palms, then goes to
the water's edge and splashes
idly with her bare foot several
times in succession, accom-
panying each splash with a
remark.
He'll bury himself in the Temple. . . .
He'll bury himself in my arms. . . . He'll
become a monk at Rames' bidding. . . .
He'll become mine. (Makes biggest
e
50 KARMA
splash of all.) I've got him . . . under
this very foot ! {Hears his footstep.)
Menophis
(Entering.) You here ! Nefertiti !
(She pretends not to hear. She is
worshipping.) Nefertiti !