CHRISTOPHE
A Play in Two Acts
Maurice Rowdon


CAST
A PLAINCLOTHES POLICEMAN (Mulatto)
CHRISTOPHE, King Of Haiti (Black)
SIR HOME RIGGS POPHAM, Rear Admiral (White)
DUKE OF MARMELADE (Black)
TOM GULLIVER (White)
DR.DUNCAN STEWART (White)
COUNT OF GONAIVES (Mulatto)
MARIE LOUISE, Queen of Haiti (Black)
PRINCE ROYAL (Black)
PRINCESS AMETHYST (Black)
PRINCESS ANN (Black)
GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES (Mulatto)
JUAN GONZALEZ, Archbishop (White)
COLONEL PAULIN (Black)
MARGUERITE PAULIN (Black)
TWO WOMEN TOURISTS (White)
Slaves, African guards, soldiers, courtiers.
A Caribbean dancing troupe.


ACT ONE
A ramp without visible supporting
columns rises steeply from downstage
actor's léft to upstage actor's right, and
disappears from sight. Beyond and under
it there is a deep, open, raked space to a
cyclorama background.
On the actor's right but downstage sits a
lifesize figure of wood, very ill-proportioned.
He has an oval head, slit eyes and a nose
like a gherkin. His mouth is half open and
a long tongue hangs down over his chin.
His body is long and cyclindrical, and
carved with decorations. A large phallus
protrudes from him like a cudgel. A table
stands before him.
A dim evening tropical light prevades the
open area.
There is the tom-ti-ti-tom of Voodoo drums
in the distance. The beat is regular,
unvaried.
HAITIANS all but naked move across the
open area silently. They are seen
vaguely in the dimness, silhouetted. Some
squat, wait. One or two are crippled.
TWO WOMEN TOURISTS, from the States,
appear at the foot of the ramp. They
have guidebooks, cameras, They stop
and look behind them nervously. They
begin walking up the ramp.
At once the figures in the open area come
alive, They run and cluster round the
TOURISTS, hold out their hands, touch
them, begging, THE TOURISTS recoil,
horrified.
Following close behind them is a sinister
figure with dark glasses, a mulatto. He
has a truncheon swinging from his wrist,
white. He is a plain-clothes POLICEMAN,
and hence-forward will be known as P.P.


Another SINISTER FIGURE with dark
glasses stands watching them from the
top of the ramp)
FIRST TOURIST:
(glancing round) These people give me the creeps!
SECOND
I like the creeps!
TOURIST:
(They giggle:and do on. THE SECOND
TOURIST turns and speaks boldly to
P.P. below)
Pardon me, sir
is there a chance of seeing some
Voodoo dancing tonight?
(after pausing to look them up and down) Where
you staying?
FIRST TOURIST:
(relieved at response) At the Sunset Lodge!
(only half addressing them) I bet you eat good up
there!
FIRST TOURIST:
(to SECOND) Yeah - burnt chicken livers'
(disregarding this) Oysters and mussels
turtle from
the lake! Wild pigeon and ducks
we catch 'em in
traps! Potatoes grow wild in Haiti! The hedge along
that garden wall (pointing offstage) has tapioca growing
on it. Think of that. We cook tapioca in coconut milk.
Bananas, mangoes, oranges. Palm wine, fresh lemon
squash. Coffee from wild beans, sweetened with sugar
cane juice! We got everything. Make a tablecloth out
of dried palm leaves, plates we cut from wood, half
a coconut shell makes a good cup! Hollowed-out
gourd, why that's a wine glass. (to the audience)
What the hell do we need you for? (cackling with
laughter) We're self-supporting!
(He regains a serious expression with
an effort and snaps his fingers towards
the wings. TWO HAITIANS bring forward
a banner)
This is our coat of arms, or used to be! (pointing
with his truncheon) Palm tree, with a sansculotte
cap perched on top. Sansculotte is French for without
your trousers, so it's a cap without its trousers!
(seriousness capsizes again) Here on one side are


flags and cannons
meaning independence. On the
(contd)
other a drum and a pyramid of cannon balls, meaning
strength. This is the coat of arms of a Black Republic,
the first there ever was!
(The Voodoo drums grow louder, and
he has to raise his voice more and more.
He gestures the banner away brutally)
Lesson number two. The one you never learned, and
maybe never will: The secret of our power, the
secret of all power! I'll tell you something - the
black people brought it all the way from Africa
they
were chained together, they were whipped, their days
were darker than the darkest of their nights, but they
had this inside them!
(A bustle in the open area as dark
figures come in and form a circle for the
Voodoo dance. The TOURISTS are
excited,
An altar is carried on, with sacrifices
of food and wine. There are Christian
images and banners - a crucifixion, a
Madonna and Child, saints. Prayers in
Latin are heard amid the Creole)
(pointing at TOURISTS) Look at them two lame ducks!
Clicking their picture boxes! They want to see some
Voodoo! But do they know about the power? Shall I
tell you what a man can do with this Voadoo? He can
plunge his hands. into boiling water and not feel a thing!
He can raise up plants where there wasn't none before!
That's why we're self-supporting: That's why every-
thing grows, it's the power of Voodoo!
(The TOURISTS click placidly, whisper,
gaze round at the dark figures)
Now the pounding of great drums mean that Ogoun
Badagris,the blood-smeared demon, must be appeased!
(The great drums start, in a surging
heavy boom-boom rhythm. The first
drums invited, excited; the second
compel, threaten.
A blazing fire is simulated in the centre
of the circle with spots. The MALE
PRIEST enters the open area)


That's the Papaloi, the male priest. He can breathe
(contd)
life into corpses. Then he uses them as servants.
We call them Zombies. They work at night!
(A ZOMBIE passes across the open
area, moving stiffly, blindly. The
TOURISTS show the appropriate horror.
The BEGGARS scatter from him in
panic.
The MAMALOI or Woman Priest enters)
The Mamaloi!
(WOMEN lay bowls round the fire,
singing, accompanied by little drums,
Damballa gomballa, kinga do ki la.
The other dancers repeat Konga do ki la
clapping their hands at every syllable)
(burlesquing as compere) Ti-Roro is one of the
favourite Voodoo dances. This can be seen with other
dances in the nightly exhibitions given by the Troupe
Folklorique d'Haiti at the Theatre de Verdure.
(doubles up with laughter) Look at them two! Shall I
tell you what they're thinking
'Is it real?' they're
thinking. 'Do they mean it? have I missed something?
is there something I don't know about?' And the answer
to that is (shouting fiercely, to the time of the drums)
YES: YES! YES!
(The scene and the drums are suddenly
blacked out. We hear his last yell in the
darkness and silence)
YES! They don't know about real life!
(And now, over the speakers, in the
darkness, the TOURISTS are talking
serenely, murmuring)
FIRST TOURIST: (over the speaker) Did you ever hear about the King
of Haiti? By name of Henry Christophe? He had a
court, believe it or not. A gold carriage, drawn by
Arab stallions.


SECOND TOURIST: (over the speaker) Wasn't he the tease who gave his
cronies the craziest names like the Duke of Marmalade?
FIRST TOURIST:
(over the speaker) That's it: The Duke of Marmalade:
Can you beat that?
(They laugh together serenely as a
mellow light comes up slowly on the
seated wooden figure.
Downstage left, at the foot of the ramp
two armchairs have been placed, with
an inlaid ivory table between them, all
backed by a screen bearing the royal
device of a phoenix with the words,
I rise again from my ashes,
A HAITIAN WOMAN enters soundlessly
from the right. She has wine and food.
She looks offstage carefully and then
faces the seated figure. Offers it food,
which she places on the table before it.
She is praying fervently sotto voce all
the time. She takes the wine and
sprinkles it over the figure..It makes
a loud spluttering noise, accompanied
by her whispered, ceaseless praying in
Creole.
She seats herself on the figure, fingering
his symbols of fertility, putting her arms
round his neck, urging him, pleading
with him,
HENRY CHRISTOPHE and an English
rear admiral SIR HOME RIGGS POPHAM
enter from the same side and stand
gazing at the WOMAN. They are followed
at some distance by a PAGE holding a
telescope wrapped in a white napkin,
CHRISTOPHE is a Black in his late
forties, handsome, once described by a
Frenchman as 'chilly in manner, urbane @
in conversation' and by a British naval
officer as a man with an 'intelligent,
pleasant and expressive' face. He stands
five feet, ten inches in height. His nose
is rather long, flat at the nostrils, and he
has slim lips. His eyes are small and
quick, except when he is in a rage, and


then they 'roll in his head', and grow
large. He has a high forehead. His
complexion is a deep red-brown rather
than black. He is dressed as Colonel in
Chief of the Haitian Guard - a long red
coat with black revers, collars and cuffs,
white lining and braid, red epaulets,
white knee breeches, white stockings, a
shako trimmed with red silk lace, red
braid and a red pom pom, and a gold
badge bearing the royal arms. SIR
HOME RIGGS POPHAM is older than
CHRISTOPHE, erect, grey-haired,
rubicund)
CHRISTOPHE:
She's praying for a child. My mother did the same.
If she prays hard enough he'll be a king. (chuckling)
My mother must have prayed hard. I never knew her.
I was sold early.
POPHAM:
(as they stand gazing at her) Can you replace all this
mumbo jumbo with the cross?
CHRISTOPHE:
(taking the telescope from his PAGE and scanning the
open area) Mumbo jumbo? It's good Creole!
POPHAM:
(watching him with a smile) They say in London that
you order more telescopes than the Greenwich
Observatory.
CHRISTOPHE:
(still scanning) The Greenwich Observatory being
what?
POPHAM:
A place for observing the heavens, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
(taking down his telescope) I observe my people!
That's a very sensible thing to do when you're the
king of slaves. They believe I've got special eyes.
In my arse, everywhere!
(The PAGE polishes the lens before
replacing the telescope in the napkin.
CHRISTOPHE and POPHAM stroll
across to the armchairs)
I caught a couple kissing behind the sugar canes with
that telescope. I had a priest down there in less
than an hour, married them on the spot. I've got to
teach these people in ten years what the rest of
the world learned in centuries.


POPHAM:
They tell me you married a brother and sister by
mistake once!
(They laugh pleasantly as they sit
down. The PAGE bows and withdraws)
CHRISTOPHE:
(loosening himself at the neck) All this damned gear!
(stretching his legs out with relief) But they love it!
POPHAM:
You know, I'm very impressed, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
You're surprised!
POPHAM:
I confess I didn't expect it. Not a castle with a
garrison of fifteen thousand men, and enough food for
a year's siege, and three hundred and sixty five cannons
cast in Europe, four cannon galleries, each of them
thirty feet wide and fifty feet long! And forty rooms
as your personal apartments! In this jungle, too,
where plants grow the height of a man overnight!.
(wiping his face)
CHRISTOPHE:
Eight chateaux, nine royal palaces in less than
fourteen years, and none of them inferior to
Versailles!


(The WOMAN withdraws from the
opposite area)
POPHAM:
My God, it's a relief - - - the coolness here.
CHRISTOPHE:
I have mountain water flowing under the floors
night and day.
POPHAM:
You know what people say? That you threw the
architects of the Citadel off the roof with your own
hands, to keep its secrets to yourself!
CHRISTOPHE:
As a matter of fact I have ten Germans locked
up in the Citadel at the present moment, putting
the last touches to the ramparts. If they were
Black I'd murder them. As it is I'll ship them
back to Europe - blindfold them all the way to
the port.
POPHAM:
But my dear Christophe - :
CHRISTOPHE:
(pointing up the ramp) You know what that place
means? We're safe against the French! The
Black people are safe!
POPHAM:
But the French won't invade! Not with us out
there!
CHRISTOPHE:
(fiercely) And how long can I depend on the
British Navy? You talk to me here, then you go
South to that fat mulatto pig Petion and talk to
him: Your government has never really
acknowledged me!
POPHAM:


CHRISTOPHE:
Yes I know you're doing your best. But it doesn't
depend on you. It depends on a gentleman in
Westminster who tots up figures and measures my
trade against Santo Domingo's. You don't realise,
Sir Home
a French invasion means slavery
again!
POPHAM:
We've been engaged in a war against France for as
long as I can remember, sir!
CHRISTOPHE:
But your policies change! You have a powerful
navy and I have none! But I shall get there, don' 't
worry. I've won your respect with pretty castles
and four cannon galleries. I can win your prime
ministers with trade figures. I shall beat my
people to the top! They have to work, night and day
they must work! Death doesn't matter. Neither
theirs nor mine. We haven't reached the individual
yet, Sir Home, not like you! We are numbers,
hordes, chained gangs! We haven't opened our
eyes! We're still lazing in the sun, waiting for a
whip to tear our backs! At night we listen to the
drums and go wild, we call on the gods to help us!
You see, Popham, my work isn't for this
generation, not for me or them, but for wherever the :
Black Man is, now and in the future! Do you realise
what hangs on my shoulders? I have to show what
the black man can do: And my people have to suffer
for that. They have to be the Christs for the whole
Black Race!
POPHAM:
You're very eloquent.
CHRISTOPHE:
'Eloquent', he says! (chuckling) You don't know
what you take for granted, Sir Home
What
centuries of order, co-operation!
POPHAM:
I'm beginning to realise,
CHRISTOPHE:
I'm surrounded by traitors: Only a few days ago I
found out that Brelle, my French chaplain, was
betraying me to France! There were secret docu-
ments in his vestments. Today he'll be executed.
Is that tyranny, Sir Home?
POPHAM:
(rising) I must get back to my ship, sir.
CHRISTOPHE:
(seeing him out with a hand on his shoulder) I need
your country's friendship, not just a few ships off my
coasts.


POPHAM:
You have it while we are enemies of France.
CHRISTOPHE:
And while I have a big coffee trade!
(They laugh)
Friendship has no conditions. I'm asking for un-
conditional friendship:
(POPHAM bows to him and leaves.
CHRISTOPHE strides up and down in
thought)
(pronouncing it the French way) Marmelade!
(The DUKE OF MARMELADE comes in
from behind the screen, dressed in the
simple style of George III's court)
I passed a hounfort near the gate. I prefer a
Christian chapel in its place, built of stone, with a
cross of solid gold. Have it up in two days.
(MARMELADE bows in silence and
leaves.
There are the drum -beats of execution.
CHRISTOPHE starts, looks up. The
French chaplain BRELLE passes
across the open area in procession, his
head hooded. On either side of him
there is an AFRICAN GUARD.
The procession disappears. The drum
beats cease, and there is the order
FIRE! offstage, followed by the crack
of muskets.
Instantaneously with the report the scene
BLACKS OUT. Over the speakers
comes a Haitian voice reciting a requiem.
The LIGHT COMES UP SLOWLY on the
open area, and the Latin dies away. The
royal device and the armchairs have gone.
The wooden figure also has gone and
there is a Christian altar (gilded cross)
in its place, and pews.


P.P. comes down the open area from
right upstage. He is carrying a long
stake with a horse's skull balanced on
it. He has flung a cloak over his
shoulders to denote the times of George
III, and no longer wears dark glasses
or carries a truncheon. He talks as he
comes down, holding the stake up in
demonstration, with a rather hideous
This is to ward off the duppies! The duppies are
the evil spirits of the dead! (he waggles it
burlesquely towards the audience, causing himself
to double up with laughter) You see this on graves,
and you see it outside the Voodoo huts. Now to get
back to Lesson Number Two. I'll tell you some-
thing about Voodoo. It runs the life of Haiti. It
always did. It finds jobs. It brings them to an
end. (making a slitting motion across his throat)
It makes and unmakes kings! Take the first slave
revolt in 1791! (gesturing, off) Drums please!
(The Voodoo drums start again
the
boom -boom of. the actual dance. A
microphone is handed to P.P. from the
wings, on a lead, by another PLAIN-
CLOTHES MAN with dark glasses)
(into the mike) We are about to witness what is
called the crise de loa, the ecstasy! when the loa
or god comes down!
(The Voodoo dance at its height bursts
into the open area, to the deafening
crash of the drums. The MAMALOI
whirls, sweating. The circling figures
clap hands, sway. Something fluttering
is born towards the MAMALOI)
(into the mike) The Mamaloi has a live cock in her
hand! At least it would be alive if you could take it:
As it is, in deference to the squeamish tastes of the
hardest meat -eaters in the history of white mankind,
we are substituting a stage chicken and stage blood:
She cuts off its head! (she does So
glint of steel)
Blood spurts out! (it does so, all over her face)
She drinks it! The moment of power has come!
Nature is in our hands!


(Screams of triumph. A MALE
FIGURE suddenly dashes forward to the
centre and screams in his ecstasy:
'TIME TO KILL THE WHITE MAN!
(into the mike) He's a slave-driver called Buckman.
Every Voodoo camp in the land got the same signal.
Sugar plantations burst into flame. The Whites
were massacred! (turning to the dancers with
sudden brutal impatience) OK! OK! Break it up!
(The dance and the drum beating end
raggedly. The dancers hurry off.
P.P. hànds the microphone back to the
wings)
Slaves walked, stumbled, hopped from miles around
for these Saturday -night ecstasies! It's something,
to have ecstasy in your life! No food, no happiness
- but ecstasy! Think it over! (again signalling, off)
OK, Mister!
(A file of HAITIANS, black, Creole,
white, enter and wait to be demonstrated
by P.P. One of them is the SLAVE
DRIVER we have just seen in the dance.
He now has a long whip)
(as he brings forward the first man, a White) This
one is a French planter. He brought the slaves
over from Africa. The slaves were driven by one
of their own kind. (bringing forward the SLAVE
DRIVER) This cartwhip is made of bullock hide
it really cuts. He whips the slaves
can you
demonstrate this please?
(SLAVE DRIVER gestures a Black to the
ground. The BLACK lies face down,
and SLAVE DRIVER raises his whip over
him in mime)
If a slave woman had to be flogged and was pregnant,
they scooped a hole out of the ground for her belly,
so as not to squeeze the baby
slave babies were
precious, and a midwife could get a flogging for
losing one. (to the miming ACTORS) OK, thank
you. A slave was sometimes buried up to his neck


in the ground and his head was used as a jack in a
(contd)
game of bowls. But don't believe these men were
brothers in suffering. This Creole here (SLAVE
DRIVER) and this Gold Coast man here, both
looked down on this Congo here, and he looked down
on this Quiamba here
excuse this use of human
beings for demonstration purposes, they're all
actors who agreed to come along in the interests of
the diffusion of useless knowledge (hideous grin) :
Now the Quiamba was about the laziest human
creature ever fertilised. He was everything King
Henry Christophe wasn't. But even so I bet there
was a little Quiamba inside King Henry. He had
to fight him every day, I bet. And he won. I mean,
he created himself. That's what Henry Christophe
did. I'll demonstrate all this by the end of the
programme
don't worry, I'll give you all the
facts the white mind craves for, and the white mind
behind the black face! Now this Nago was a
notorious thief. That accounts for the deep
incisions across his cheek
(with a wink)
greasepaint! But even the Nago had a higher place
than the Ibo, for who I always feel a special
sympathy. He's the saddest creature in God's
menagerie! Know what he did? Got together with
some other Ibo buddies in a hanging spree - stréng
themselves up quietly in fours and fives, and kicked
off! Isn't that wonderful? Well, that wàs Haiti a
couple of hundred years ago. These were the very
raw material of first the Black Revolt, and then King
Henry's state of North Haiti. But I haven't yet
mentioned the creme de la creme e the man who
was neither black nor white but had a special place
in his heart, of love and hate, for both: the mulatto!
L I don't need an actor for him because he's me!
(bowing) We looked down on the whole damned lot!
(doubling up with laughter)
(The DRIVER begins chaining up the
SLAVES by the neck)
Where were we? The Slave Revolt. For three
weeks there was nothing but smoke and massacre.
For twelve years there was war with the French.
It definitely looked like the Black Man didn't get on
with the White Man! To cap twelve years of war,
nine -tenths of the White Population were massacred
on the night of April 20th 1804.


(Voodoo drums start again in the
distance. Also distant screams -
sounds of massacre)
(with a grin) Yes, the sound-effects man. has
(contd)
always been kept pretty busy in Haiti - at least,
since the Christian came!
(The LIGHT in the open area begins to
FADE to evening.
SLAVE PARTY moves off across the
open area, followed by the FRENCH
PLANTER)
I won' 't try to describe the hideous cruelties carried
out by Whites on Blacks and Blacks on Whites.
Being the most refined specialists in violence that
have ever breathed you won 't need any stimulus.
from me. Let me just say that for the most un-
thinkably horrible refinements there has been
nothing like it even in your civilisation (cackles with
laughter)!
(Noiselessly, almost mimed, a cannon is
seen in silhouette being pushed and
pulled on to the ramp by six or so
SLAVES under a DRIVER. It rises up
the ramp. We hear their sighing and
groaning, their feet skidding. Slower
and slower the great cannon rises, the
figures slipping and falling, their skins
shining.
CHRISTOPHE enters on the ramp side and
stands watching its progress with, at the .
beginning, satisfaction. The PAGE with
the telescope is close behind him.
CHRISTOPHE is now bareheaded (he has
thick white hair) and holds a stout silver-
knobbed cane. He is dressed much like
George III in a plain swallow-tailed
jacket with white breeches. His only
decoration is the prominent Order of St.
Henry, a great gold star)
(indicating CHRISTOPHE) Then came the man with
a New Order for the slaves. He called it freedom.
Others called it a new slavery. Out of the two
hundred thousand slaves who built the Citadel high in
the clouds, twenty thousand died!


(P.P. stands watching CHRISTOPHE.
The Voodoo drums still sound in the
distance.
The cannon has stopped. It is all the
crew can do to hold it. We hear their
gasped cries
Peux pas! Peux pas!
CHRISTOPHE walks slowly up the
ramp. His sudden appearance makes
the DRIVER cry out in alarm)
DRIVER:
(letting his whip fall in utter terror) On! On!
(The cannon still doesn't move)
CHRISTOPHE:
(screaming) Well, well?
(He brings his cane down on the figures
again and again. Peux pas, peux pas
comes from them. Panting and sighing
and pushing make no difference. The
cannon begins to slip)
(beating them) You can! You can! You will:
DRIVER:
(quivering with ecstatic fear) On, on!
(In panic the DRIVER joins the pushing
and straining. The cannon continues
to slip)
CHRISTOPHE:
(pulling out a pistol) Up or you die! Up! You want
to die?
(The DRIVER screams as CHRISTOPHE
points the gun into his ear. The DRIVER
lets out at his men in panic)
To the top! (pointing the gun into the ears of the
straining men) To the top or you die! To the top!
(Faintly the cannon begins to move)
To the top! The top!
(It begins to race. They shout with the
effort. With a great final trundle it
makes the top and is quickly out of sight.


CHRISTOPHE pockets his pistol calmly
and takes his telescope from the PAGE
and scans the top of the ramp with it)
CHRISTOPHE:
(screaming after them) Into the clouds! To the
(contd)
top, you yawning scum! Would we rather be in the
South? under President Petion's stinking skirts ?
Stewing in our filth! Feeding the flies!
(He turns and comes down the ramp,
having evidently enjoyed himself. The
PAGE recoils from him. CHRISTOPHE
fumbles in his pockets)
(to the PAGE) Take these jewels! (handing him
jewels) Sprinkle them in the streets!
(He watches the PAGE's utter astonish-
ment as he looks down at the sparkling
mass of jewellery in his hand)
(laughing) You wouldn 't steal one would you! You
wouldn't want to go through life with one ear
one hand - one arm! Go on, sprinkle! sprinkle!
They're for slaves like you to goggle at!
(The PAGE sprinkles the jewels
frantically, as if only anxious to get rid
of them.
CHRISTOPHE withdraws downstage and
waits until a FIELD HAND is drawn into
the open area by the jewels. He is half
paralysed with astonishment. He bends.
He unbends quickly. He bends again,
his fingers go near the jewels, but a
twitch of fear makes him unbend again.
The operation is repeated, and this time
he very nearly grasps the jewels, until
CHRISTOPHE's voice makes him leap
into the air)
Take it! Take the jewel! (as the FIELD HAND
starts running) Come back! Take it! Take the
jewel!
(The FIELD HAND, quivering all over
with terror, bends down, and once again
his fingers go near the jewels)


CHRISTOPHE:
(screaming) Take it! (as the FIELD HAND takes
the jewel) A thief! A thief! You steal from the
Kingdom of Haiti! (bringing his cane down on the
FIELD HAND again and again)
(The FIELD HAND yells and cringes,
and CHRISTOPHE beats him out, right,
with the PAGE gazing on in terror.
There is a long scream, off, and then
silence. The PAGE runs away.
Stealthily, ragged BEGGARS enter the
open area and stare down at the jewels,
their mouths open. But none of them
touches)
CHRISTOPHE:
(off) And where's my court? Marmelade:
Marmelade!
(The BEGGARS scatter in the other
direction.
CHRISTOPHE returns)
My brother-in-law
the Duke of Marmelade!
(AIDES and COURTIERS appear, in a
helpless bunch. And then
MARMELADE suddenly appears)
General Jean Claude is awaiting new orders, is that
right ?
MARMELADE:
Yes, sir.
CHRISTOPHE:
I've made a decision: I shall fortify my southern
frontier! St. Marc will be the strongest garrison
in the Caribbean seas! The men of the 8th Regiment
of Foot will be responsible for getting timber across
for the engineers.
MARMELADE:
There are places where even mules can't get up,
sir
CHRISTOPHE:
Where the mule can't pass the human being can: I
shall have an entire forest transported to my southern
frontier. By the 8th Infantry Regiment. Do you
hear!


MARMELADE:
Yes, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
(to the COURTIERS) Don't stand there gaping! Get
to your various jobs!
(They fly like the wind from his raised
cane.
The SCENE BLACKS OUT. The Voodoo
drums cease.
The LIGHT COMES UP on the royal
device which is again at the foot of the
ramp, with two armchairs and a table
as before. A stern-looking young
Englishman, TOM GULLIVER, is
standing waiting, clearly rather scared.
He has glasses which he keeps polishing
with a huge handkerchief.
In the far distance there is a fanfare of
trumpets. GULLIVER grows more
restive, paces up and down. He can
hardly bear it.
Suddenly CHRISTOPHE appears, bare-
headed and simply dressed as before)
You may be seated.
GULLIVER:
(without moving) Thank you, sir.
CHRISTOPHE:
Ah, you know me. Observant. That's what I want
in my teachers, Mr. Gulliver.
GULLIVER:
Yes, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
(observing him) Severe but enthusiastic. Mr.
Wilberforce chooses well. He's a friend of mine.
A friend of humanity, wouldn't you say?
GULLIVER:
Oh, Mr. Wilberforce, sir, I consider not only a
great
CHRISTOPHE:
(indicating his own dress) Is this what your king
looks like ?
GULLIVER:
I haven't seen him, sir!


CHRISTOPHE:
What ? You haven't seen your own king? Doesn't
he visit your schools, keep an eye on things?
GULLIVER:
Well sir
CHRISTOPHE:
I remember getting an indignant letter from
Admiral Rowley when I was a general, after I'd
mistakenly fired at the good ship Hyperion. This
is what he said: 'I wish to express my indignation
and surprise at the outrageous acts of violence
committed on our sailors. This is not the first
time that officers under your orders have shown a
disposition to treat the British Flag with disrespect,
I demand, Sir, that you refrain hereafter from
giving the least interruption whatever to British
vessels employed in a Trade which His Majesty has
been pleased to authorise'. (laughing with
pleasure) Now, what do you think of that? I swore
to model myself on a king who could get his fighting
men to think like that!
GULLIVER:
(with astonishment) Can you memorise a whole
letter, sir ?
CHRISTOPHE:
My mind is an archive! It has to be, because I can 't
read or write.
GULLIVER:
This is very remarkable.
CHRISTOPHE:
(happy at the chance of displaying himself) At my
coronation banquet I replied to Commander
Douglas's toast with one to 'My dear brother,
George III, whose life I hope the Supreme Arbiter
may preserve to oppose an invincible obstacle to the
ambition of Napoleon and to be always the constant
friend of Haiti'.
GULLIVER:
I must say, sir a a :
CHRISTOPHE:
At my coronation I was declared 'Henry, by the grace
of God and the Constitutional Law of the State, King
of Haiti, Sovereign of Tartuga, Gonave and other
adjacent islands, Destroyer of Tyranny, Regenerator
and Benefactor of the Haitian nation, Creator of her
Moral, Political and Martial Institutions, First
Crowned Monarch of the New World, Defender of the
Faith, Founder of the Royal and Military order of St.
Henry. That's this (pointing to his star).


(The GRAND MASTER OF
CEREMONIES enters noiselessly)
MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
Your doctor, your majesty.
(DR. DUNCAN STEWART, a tall,
weather-beaten Scot, is shown in. He
carries a small black medical bag)
STEWART &
): Now, your majesty, how are we this morning?
CHRISTOPHE
(CHRISTOPHE greatly enjoys himself
at this triumph of accent and timing)
CHRISTOPHE:
A damned good doctor but unable to vary his speech!
Have you met by the way? Duncan Stewart and Tom
Gulliver.
(GULLIVER and STEWART bow to each
other)
STEWART:
Could I quickly take your pulse, your majesty?
CHRISTOPHE:
(holding out his hand and continuing to talk to
GULLIVER) Now sir, you're thinking, he's not
such a fool after all: Sir Home Popham thought I'd
be a savage, you took me for a fool with outrageous
ideas. Which is what Mr. Wilberforce thinks of
me too. He believes in the abolition of slavery as
other men believe in the abolition of cages for dogs.
But Mr. Clarkson
you know Mr. Clarkson?
(STEWART has taken an instrument out
of his bag)
GULLIVER:
Yes, sir.
STEWART:
Could I ask you to be seated, your majesty?
(CHRISTOPHE sits, and STEWART
unbuttons the king's shirt to put the
sounding horn to his chest, bending to
listen)


CHRISTOPHE:
Now Mr. Clarkson
STEWART:
Breathe in please, your majesty!
(CHRISTOPHE breathes in)
Out!
(He breathes out)
CHRISTOPHE:
Mr. Clarkson believes I'm human. I wrote to him
last year, 'If God blesses
STEWART:
(CHRISTOPHE breathes in)
Out!
(He breathes out. STEWART ràises
himself, replaces the instrument in his
bag and takes out a tiny mallet)
CHRISTOPHE:
'If God blesses my labours, 'I wrote, 'and grants me
time enough, I hope
STEWART:
Your tongue please!
CHRISTOPHE puts out his tongue with
remarkable rapidity)
Thank you!
CHRISTOPHE:
'I hope the people of Haiti, overcoming the odious
prejudice that has so long oppressed them, will -
(While he speaks STEWART folds one of
the king's legs over the other and begins
knocking the knee for a reaction. There
is a clear reaction each time)
'astonish the world with their knowledge!"
GULLIVER:
You alone must astonish the world, sir!


CHRISTOPHE:
I've done things, and I shall do things, which you had
best not know about, Mr. Gulliver. This is no longer
the British and Foreign School Society, Borough Road,
London! Which brings me to the question of the running
of my schools. You were trained according to the
Joseph Lancaster system, is that right?
(STEWART inspects the king's eyes
closely, opening the eyelids wide)
GULLIVER:
Yes, sir!
CHRISTOPHE:
His Manual of the System of Teaching Reading, Writing,
Arithmetic and Needlework has been read to me several
times. Now Mr. Lancaster and, no doubt, you disapprove
of corporal punishment. You prefer Badges of Merit
and Disgrace Marks. Now I have a new idea for my
national schools, and that is six to twelve strokes of
the cane for lateness, idleness, damaging school
property, lying, quarrelling and all the other things
that the slave-mind, once introduced to freedom, loves
to indulge.
(STEWART packs up his bag)
CHRISTOPHE:
(rising automatically) Two weeks imprisonment on
bread and water for absence! (seeing GULLIVER's
astonishment) Yes and I must insist on the same
imprisonment for not attending Sunday devotions, for
disobedience and for blasphemy! These things must
be rooted out!
GULLIVER:
But your majesty
CHRISTOPHE:
(to STEWART, who is about to leave) Do you find me
fit?
STEWART:
At the moment, yes. But you're not everlasting,
though you may think so! You overtax yourself and -
CHRISTOPHE:
(delighted with him) The same every day, to the word!
Now, Mr. Gulliver's come from England to run my
schools, Dr. Stewart. How would you like it if he
gave you a few lessons in self-expression?
STEWART:
(dourly passing on) I'll be on my way to the princesses,
your majesty.
(He bows his way out)


CHRISTOPHE:
Now (clapping his hands) I've put all that down in
the form of an order.
(An AIDE appears)
(to the AIDE) Bring me the document on education.
(as AIDE goes) You will soon see, Mr. Gulliver, that
you are dealing with a nation of slaves. Now being a
slave is a mentality, not a fact! First you feel a slave,
then somebody comes along and buys you - that's the
order of things! Your job is to root out the
mentality, as I rooted it out of myself. Why, years
ago my hand always rushed to my sword if a white man
spoke a sharp word in myjpresence! A slave
reaction! I had to root it out! I allowed myself no
envy, no bitterness, no desire for revenge! These are
slave reactions! (as document arrives) At the foot
of the page you will find that pupils must bring a doctor's
certificate to sehool with them on the first day of every
term, stating that they have no contagious diseases.
Working hours are from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
(CHRISTOPHE sits down and takes out
a pen, waiting to sign the document)
It requires my signature.
GULLIVER:
(handing him the document) But, your majesty, you
can write?
CHRISTOPHE:
Yes---one word. My own name.
(He signs with a flourish)
GULLIVER:
(looking at the document). You spell it the English way.
CHRISTOPHE:
Because I'm an Englishman! I was born on the
British island of Grenada.
(A golden festive LIGHT comes up in the
open area. In silence, moving like dolls,
COURTIERS and their WIVES enter under
the watchful eyes of the Grand Master of I
Ceremonies. They are so covered with
gold lace that it is difficult to tell what
else their clothes are made of. The men
have enormous epaulets. Their caps
have feathers nearly their own height.


They wear elegant silk hose. The basic
court dress is a white tunic reaching to
the knees, white silk hose and red morocco
shoes with gold buckles, a gold-hilted
sword and a round hat. The women have
dresses of the period, lavishly gold-laced.
Princes and dukes wear a black cloak
embroidered with gold and red facings.
Barons and knights have coats of blue or
red. The plumes of black, red, white or
green show a descending order of nobility.
The courtiers take their places in order
of eminence to wait for the king.
Thrones are placed left, for the royal
family.
The GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES
enters the royal area and ushers in the
king's DRESSER. The DRESSER has the
king's sword and belt, his gloves and hat.
CHRISTOPHE rises and is dressed.
When CHRISTOPHE is ready he is bowed
out by the GRAND MASTER OF
CEREMONIES.
GULLIVER is left alone with his own
perplexity again, clutching the document
the king has given him. He again
polishes his glasses.
The GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES
enters the open area and there is a stiff-
ening of attention among the courtiers.
Tenis struck on a great gong. GULLIVER
starts. At the tenth stroke there is a
fanfare of trumpets. GULLIVER leaves
the royal area hurriedly.


The royal family enter the open area from
the left. The queen, MARIE LOUISE, is
a plump creature: her face, broad and
black, beams with good nature. She is
about ten years younger than her husband,
Behind them come the PRINCE ROYAL,
Monseigneur JACQUES-VICTOR-HENRY,
a squat and corpulent youth of sixteen,
looking ten years older, sulky, arrogant
but good-hearted underneath. Then come
his two sisters, AMETHYST-HENRY, aged
twenty-two, and ANNE-ATHENAIRE-HENRY,
aged twenty. The court bows low and
curtseys.
The DUKE OF MARMELADE stands behind
the king's throne. The royal family is
seated.
The MASTER OF CEREMONIES goes to
the king and in the great hush receives
a whispered order from him. He bows low
and retires towards the courtiers)
CHRISTOPHE:
You may have heard that two French boats, a brig and
a frigate, appeared this morning in the harbour. You
know as well as I do that Napoleon Bonaparte was no
friend. He lured our great leader, Toussaint
L'ouverture, across to Paris for talks, and let him die
of starvation in prison. He brought back slavery!
That was his 'revolution' : And now a Bourbon has
once again lowered his soft white arse on to the French
throne. Louis XVIII also wants to have talks! No doubt
he would like me to come to Paris and die like Toussaint
in one of his prisons! He sends two boats to signal his
willingness. He makes them fire their cannon!
(hammering it out) He cannot bear the thought of black
men being free! The King of France wants to be King
of Haiti., He wants you slaves again! Impress it on the
people, wherever you can, that the danger of French
invasion is with us every day, every hour! That is the
reason for hard work!
(He nods to the GRAND MASTER OF
CEREMONIES, who goes to a woman
courtier and bows low to her)
MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
The Countess de Rosier to step forward.


(She steps forward and makes a deep
curtsey to the king)
CHRISTOPHE:
Countess de Rosier! Ihave something to say to you!
You are a whore, madame! You may return to your
place, for the moment.
(A gasp of astonishment as she curtseys
again and returns to her place utterly
terrified)
MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
The Count of Gonaives, with a petition, your majesty,
(COUNT OF GONAIVES, under a tall
waving feather, rises and begins reading
from a paper nervously. Feather and
paper quiver)
GONAIVES:
I humbly petition your majesty to institute an inquiry
into the arrest of five men at Port de Paix, and their
sentencing to death by your sovereign court for stealing.
I humbly submit to your majesty that these men came to
me with the jewels found lying in the street and I forgot
to inform the gendarmerie, who found the men that
evening in possession of the jewels, following my
instruction that they were to keep the jewels by them
until the arrival of the police, only I forgot to tell the
police.
(He sits down in confusion amid
laughter)
CHRISTOPHE:
(turning to MARMELADE) Arrange a court of appeal
on this sentence. Also (raising his voice ominously)
arrest this pretty count here and congey him to the
Citadel for a month's diet of bread and water, during
which time we hope he will find his m emory again!
(MARMELADE bows)
CHRISTOPHE:
Last week a petition was presented to us at the public
audience suggesting that our Rural Code be modified
in the matter of hours worked. Our people is hard-
driven. In the South, under the sleepy hand of
President Petion, the people can sit atd pick their
noses in the heat. You would no doubt like to do the
same. But look at our production figures. They are
far ahead of the South's. And our importance to
Europe and America depends on the size of our trade.


CHRISTOPHE:
We are already importing from Britain over a million
(contd)
pounds-worth of goods each year! Therefore I must
repeat the terms of the Rural Code for all to hear
the field-hands will rise at 3 a.m., take breakfast and
say prayers. At 4. 30 they will trim hedges and burn
refuse. They will eat again at 8. 00 a. m. At 9.00 a.m.
they will begin heavy work, until midday. The second
part of the day will be from 2. 00 p.1 m. until sundown,
when they will again say prayers. On the other hand
our people must have holidays. The Queen's Patron
Festival will bes especially sumptious this year.
(a flurry of excitement especially among the women)
My eight-horse state carriage will be used for the first
time. That's all. Remember that for all your
feathers you were slaves but fifteen years ago, and left
to yourselfres you would be slaves again as easily as a
drunkard falls asleep.
(He rises, and the royal family follows
suit. He walks down among the
courtiers, his family behind him. They
curtsey or bow in turn, as he pauses to
talk to them genially. Trays of chocolate
are brought in by pages.
After a gesture from MARMELADE two
of the African guards go towards the
COUNT OF GONAIVES and bow to him.
He follows them out left.
There is a booming shot from the harbour.
Everyone starts except CHRISTOPHE.
He goes on talking.
The COUNT OF GONAIVES, bare-
headed now, enters left at the foot of the
ramp, the two guards slightly behind him.
They begin walking slowly up the ramp.
CHRISTOPHE gradually frees himself
from conversation and drifts off right with
the royal family.
MARMELADE hurries after him)
MARMELADE:
Your orders for the Countess de Rosier, sir.
CHRISTOPHE:
(turning, for all to hear) In the. old days the French
used to punish their whores by riding them through the
streets naked, on an ass, facing its tail. You will do
the same.


(He leaves with his family. The
COUNTESS DE ROSIER is ushered out.
Then the court gradually drifts off, in the
order of eminence.
The royal party comes downstage to the
armchairs and the royal screen.
Another shot from the harbour)
MARIE LOUISE:
What does it mean, Henry?
CHRISTOPHE:
They're announcing their presence. If I take no notice,
it means I feel equal to them, and they go away again.
(to the PRINCESSES) Did my doctor see you?
(They lisp a 'yes')
CHRISTOPHE:
(to the elder) Let me see your tongue.
(She puts out her tongue)
It isn't good enough. I shall have a word with your
mother later. (to the PRINCE ROYAL) And you will
stay a moment, sir.
MARIE LOUISE:
Now leave your father to work, children. Come along.
(The PRINCESSES curtsey to the king and
leave with their mother. The PRINCE
ROYAL remains, awkward)
CHRISTOPHE:
(sitting down) Odd, isn't it? ---I learned everything from
the French---revolution, politics, how to think--- -and now
it's all coming back in their faces! I was prepared to be
the best friend Napoleon ever had, but there, he was too
ambitious, and like most other Europeans he didn't take
the Black Man seriously. You may sit down.
PRINCE ROYAL:
(remaining on his feet) Thank you, sir.
CHRISTOPHE:
Sit down, you damned fool! You're a prince not a kitchen
skivvy! You offend everybody in my Court with your
arrogance and then come here and play the cook! Sit
down or I'll knock you down!
(The PRINCE ROYAL seats himself)
CHRISTOPHE:
You aren't happy, are you' ? Why not?


PRINCE ROYAL: Oh I don't know. For one thing I feel people are
laughing at me. If it wasn't for you, they'd spit in my
face.
CHRISTOPHE:
(quietly) That only means you haven't built up your
magic, my dear Jacques. It takes time. It took a
lifetime to build up mine.
PRINCE ROYAL: All Europe laughs at us I believe.
CHRISTOPHE:
Do they? And how do you know that?
PRINCE ROYAL:
From what the Whites say. They bring back stories.
CHRISTOPHE:
You don't like Mr. Gulliver?
PRINCE ROYAL: Oh I like him well enough. But we're an independent
state, supposed to be! Why do we have to have all these
Whites round us?
CHRISTOPHE:
Is any state independent in that sense? We all need
each other. The Europeans need us for our coffee.
One day they'll have our embassies.
(Another shot from the harbour. The
PRINCE ROYAL jumps like jelly)
Look at you, man! And you wonder why they laugh at
you! Don't you understand that being afraid of ridicule
is being proud, and that the moment you stop being proud
people stop ridiculing you? And some White Men are
out to help us. Look at Mr. Wilberforce in England.
His name means the abolition of slavery everywhere in
the world: Why, he's got a marvellous scheme of
buying.the slaves in America and transporting them to
me as free citizens. Do you realise that Britain has
just offered four hundred thousand pounds to Spain as
compensation for giving up slaves? Tears came to my
eyes when I heard that! Of course they're after fat
trade-agreements but you see, Jacques, in politics
friendship is always mixed with interest! You just have
to get used to it:
PRINCE ROYAL: (who appears not to have been listening) They make up
terrible stories about you. They say you threw me out
of a palace window in a fit of rage.
CHRISTOPHE:
(roaring with laughter) You? I throw you? I'd need
the help of a dozen men!


PRINCE ROYAL: And all these absurd names---the Duke of Marmelade,
the Duke of Lemonade:
CHRISTOPHE:
What? Are you So ignorant of your country's geography?
Would you insult your country, you---it's future ruler?
I've half a mind to send you to the Citadel again! Don't
you know that the town of Marmelade was called so by the
French over a century ago? And the same for Limonade?
Learn, learn, my child.
and then tell them the
truth! That's how to stop ridicule! If you hear anyone
laughing at Marmelade again, ask him what the French
are doing with a Duc de Bouillon, the Duke of Soup!
and a Prince of Peas!
(MARMELADE enters)
MARMELADE:
An American sea captain has brought you a letter from
the French frigate.
CHRISTOPHE:
(after a pause of reflection) Bring him in so that I may
refuse it.
(MARMELADE bows and leaves)
I give you two chateaux, a dozen servants! Horses!
Above all I give you the first Black Kingdom in the history
of the world! And all you can say is that people three
thousand miles away ridicule you. (in a sudden fit of
rage) Get out, go on! You're a slave like the rest!
(The PRINCE ROYAL stumbles Qut in panic.
CHRISTOPHE remains with his head bowed.
MARMELADE enters noiselessly)
MARMELADE:
Captain Elisha Kent.
(He ushers in the American skipper, but
CHRISTOPHE remains in precisely the
same position)
(to the skipper) You will give me the letters please.
(He takes them and examines them)
You had no right to accept letters of this kind! Do you
realise I could clap you into gaol for an affront to our
sovereign.?
KENT:
(in utter bewilderment) Now---!


MARMELADE:
You may speak when asked to! These letters are addressed
to General Christophe! You are in the presence of his
majesty, King Henry 1 of Haiti! Now take these letters
where they came from and remove your boat from our
waters or we shall blow you out!
KENT:
(taking the letters) 'His majesty' : (to CHRISTOPHE)
I wish I had you in Charleston!
CHRISTOPHE:
(slowly looking up) And how much do you think I would
fetch? My dear captain, your crew honours you with
your title, surely? Won't you honour me with mine?
KENT:
I was only trying to do my best---
CHRISTOPHE:
We appreciate your efforts.. But politics isn't for
seamen. You may return to the harbour.
(KENT looks at him at a loss for words,
and leaves with MARMELADE behind him)
Marmelade!
MARMELADE returns)
That was a nice performance. Are you training to be
a king?
MARMELADE:
I was angry.
CHRISTOPHE:
You made an enemy. I made a friend. Will you bring
me ink and paper?
(MARMELADE claps his hands and
repeats the order to his aide)
I shall make a Declaration to the French Government.
By the way, you may release the Countess de Rosier.
MARMELADE:
But she hasn't been taken for a ride yet! The whole
town's waiting!
CHRISTOPHE:
Release her just the same. She'li be more careful in
future about how she lets Dr. Stewartin at night.
MARMELADE:
Dr. Stewart?
CHRISTOPHE:
He has her on her back twice a day---and the only man
who notices is me! You'll never make a king without
eyes! I only did it to frighten him into marriage. It
won't work. My idea is to encourage black-white


CHRISTOPHE:
relationships. We must melt the races together! I
(contd)
shall issue an Edict offering any white man who marries
a Black Woman citizenship after a year, wherever he
may be in the world. I'll even pay his fare here.
(The aide brings writing material and
leaves again)
(as MARMELADE writes) 'The sovereign of France
has declared that in negotiating with us nothing should
be done which could detract from what he owes to the
dignity of his crown, to justice and the interest of his
people. And we (with vehemence) we also declare
that we shall not be found wanting in what we owe to the
interest of our people and the dignity of our crown! 1
(He has been watching MARMELADE quite
closely all this while)
(standing over him) You feel it's quite a power, don't
you---being able to read and write? (MARMELADE
goes on writing) Are you helping to mature my
authority So that you may seize it ripe?
MARMELADE:
The idea never entered my head.
CHRISTOPHE:
(resuming the dictation) 'We do absolutely declare that
we will not negotiate with the French government on
any other footing than that of power with power,
sovereign with sovereign. f (stopping again) I've had
you up there on bread and water! (pointing up the ramp)
I can do it again! I know when silence is pregnant with
treason! (resuming his dictation) 'We declare and
affirm that, whatever be the menaces employed by the
French to intimidate us, or the magnitude of the
crimes and barbarity they count upon employing for the
attainment of this end, nothing shall for an instant shake
our determination! f
(He is about to begin his dictation again
when Voodoo drums begin sounding in
the distance)
(listening) Do you know what Toussaint always said? a
He said the true government of Haiti was the Voodoo
priest. (resuming dictation) 'I accuse the French
governm ent of---
(stopping again) That's from
the barracks, isn't it?
MARMELADE:
I should think not, your majesty.


CHRISTOPHE:
That makes you a fool or a liar. Voodoo's getting hold
of the soldiers again. And you generals can't be the
gainers from that any more than I can! (resuming)
'I accuse the French government of planning a war of
extermination! I accuse it of retaining the slave trade
so as to replace the population of Haiti with Africans
after its extermination!
(He stands listening to the drums while
MARMELADE writes.
The scene BLACKS OUT, but the Voodoo
drums surge up.
The LIGHTS COME UP on another Voodoo
ceremony in the open area (the thrones
have been removed). There is a fire as
before, in the centre, with chanting women.
Christian banners, images figure as before.
Swords have been placed at the altar, for
the invocation of the war-god, Féraille.
The PAPALOI enters with a cock in his
hand and goes the whole circle holding it
out rather like a censer. He then
bites off the cock's head, squirts the blood
from the neck into the fire-ashes.
CHRISTOPHE enters, stripped like a
field-hand. He is exhausted from a long
walk, streaming with sweat. He glances
round, concentrated like the others on the 8
PAPALOI. The drums increase in
intensity. He sits down, closing his eyes e
like the others. They sing the Feraille
song. Suddenly he rises, in the ecstasy.
Everyone now concentrates on him. He
goes into the circle, while the women chant
and the drums make the air throb. Blindly,
with his arms out, he makes the


circle. Only the whites of his eyes are
visible. He half dances, twitches He
stamps. Suddenly he goes to the fire and
plunges his arms in, with a scream that
goes on long and uncannily, between pain
and rapture. They are all concentrated on
his movements. The drums become silent.
The PAPALOI flings a red scarf round
CHRISTOPHE's neck. CHRISTOPHE holds
himself like a warrior, again half dances,
twitching.
Suddenly, he points, stretching his right
arm out, as if he had no voluntary control
over it. He stands, pointing, his eyes
closed. Then he collapses in a heap. The
drummers, the people, disperse.
Wind is heard in the silence. Distant
thunder, flashes.
After a time he raises himself, limps
downstage towards the chapel. He flings
himself into one of the pews and begins
praying fervently. It is a jumble of
Creole and Latin)
CHRISTOPHE:
(contd)
(bursting out) Release me! Release me from mistakes!
(He moans and cries to himself)
Oh Gods of Dahomey! Tonight I am Ogoun Feraille!,
patron of the warriors! You made me Ogoun Feraille!
You made me point south! Give me armies! Let me
be the power of the night, of the tree! Let my people
be the limbs of that power, the branches of that
tree, myself the trunk, the roots, the sap!
(He moans and cries to himself again)
Oh Gods of Dahomey! Look after Christ! Keep him
safe! I am crucified after him! When I shoot, when
I strike, my body receives it: Let my body be your
instrument! Let it not look to its suffering, let it not
look to the suffering of others!
(The wind rises and there is lightning
and a clap of thunder)
Yes, yes!


(Another clap of thunder)
CHRISTOPHE:
(contd)
You have given me power!
(He jumps up, crying with joy. He walks
into the open area, holding his hands out
as if to receive the storm. The lightning
flashes over him)


CHRISTOPHE:
(shouting up the ramp, after another clap of thunder)
Answer, you fools! Answer the gods! Fire! Fire!
(He dashes to the top of the ramp)
Fire, bodies! Answer the gods! Fire!
(The guns fire, in a deafening competition
with the thunder. He stands at the top of
the ramp in a new ecstasy, marvelling at
the combined flashes of the guns and the
lightning.
As the storm dies DR. DUNCAN STEWART
wanders on left with a blanket over his arm.
He looks round in the dimness, then sees
CHRISTOPHE at the top of the ramp. He
walks up. The guns cease as CHRISTOPHE
holds up his hand. STEWART draws level
with the king and puts the blanket round his
shoulders without a word. There is
silence)
STEWART:
It's wet and chill, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
Ihear something beating inside me! (taking STEWART's
arm) They're beating me a message. (stopping)
Petion's dead! President Petion's dead! They've freed
STEWART:
I've put a warming pan in your bed,
(P.P.strolls in from the right and watches
them as they come down the ramp)
The night's black, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
Everything good's black! The mouth of a cannon!
Power! Me! God! Black as the bowels of the earth,
as sleep, as death! Thunder's black!
(as they go off) Coffee's black! Unless you put milk
in and then it's mulatto! (doubles up with laughter)
During this short absence I've made two arrests, beaten
up an innocent man in order to show a guilty one what to
expect if he goes on taking coffee at a foreign embassy,
and paid a long overdue visit to the brothel. Being a
policeman's a busy life! Well, to get back to show
business. The king's mind is working---towards the
South. (imitating CHRISTOPHE's gesture under trance
in the Voodoo ceremony) That's where the Patron of


the Warriors pointed-- S south! And if it's true that
(contd)
President Petion's dead---why, then. (as a LIGHT
comes up in the open area) But for the moment it's
bread and circuses. The Queen's Patron Festival.
(with a compere's gesture towards the open area):
(Ballroom music comes up as courtiers
pour into the open area and begin dancing
under the watchful eyes of the GRAND
MASTER OF CEREMONIES. TOM
GULLIVER dances with one of the princesses.
DUNCAN STEWART dances with the
COUNTESS DE ROSIER. The PRINCE
ROYAL dressed in a green tunic with pink
facings and green satin breeches trimmed
with yellow (as commander of the Light
Horse) is chatting with SIR HOME RIGGS
POPHAM. The QUEEN is dancing with the
DUKE OF MARMELADE. The GRAND
MASTER OF CEREMONIES is waiting,
right, to signal on the servants, at the end
of the dance.
CHRISTOPHE enters in military uniform.
He strolls at the edge of the dance, smiling.
He follows one of the young women with
his eye. He takes the MASTER OF
CEREMONIES aside and brings him down-
stage, out of ear-shot to the others)
CHRISTOPHE:
Who's that charming young lady?
MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
The sister of Colonel Paulin, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
And the Colonel isn't here to look after her honour?
MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
No, your majesty. He's in St. Marc, supervising the
fortifications.
CHRISTOPHE:
He's one of my commanders?
MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
Yes, sir. Your 8th Regiment of Foot.
(CHRISTOPHE walks abruptly back to the
dance, which soon comes to an end.
The MASTER OF CEREMONIES hurries
back right to usher in the servants.


CHRISTOPHE strolls to the young woman
and she curtseys low to him. They strike
up a conversation but it is interrupted by
a great roar from the courtiers as servants
bring in a long covered table with sweet-
meats and glasses and champagne on ice.
The men come forward and take glasses
from the toasts. Champagne is poured)
POPHAM:
A health to His Majesty!
ALL:
A health to His Majesty!
(They drink)
MARMELADE:
A health to his majesty George III of England!
ALL:
His Majesty!
(They - including the king - drink)
CHRISTOPHE:
(with sudden passion) A health to Mr. William
Wilberforce!
ALL:
Mr. Wilberforce! Mr. Wilberforce!
(TOM GULLIVER excitedly thrusts himself
forward, glass in hand)
GULLIVER:
Gentlemen, I have seen all the sovereigns of Europe
and all the troops of all nations! (surprised laughter)
I have observed the laws and customs of the people
of all the countries I have visited: Well, Gentlemen,
I can honestly say this: I have seen the King of Haiti
at the head of his troops; I have examined the richness
of the uniforms, the bearing and discipline of the
Haitian army; I have observed the morals and studied
the laws of his country. And I have not seen anywhere
in Europe any sovereign of better presence, any troops
better dressed or better disciplined, nor any better
order, regularity and justice than in this Kingdom.
In your present situation, Gentlemen, you need fear no
enemy---you are invincible!
(A great cheer spiced with laughter goes
up. The men lift TOM GULLIVER off
his feet and carry him round.
A shout of Fireworks! 1 interrupts this.


GULLIVER is promptly dropped and
everyone rushes to the left side upstage,
leaving the liveried servants and the table.
A flash and a deafening crackle. The
courtiers send up an excited cheer.
POPHAM takes this opportunity of drawing
GULLIVER aside. They stroll downstage,
GULLIVER visibly unsteady.
They go down to the chapel, and after a
glance behind him POPHAM seats himself
in one of the pews and draws GULLIVER
to his side)
POPHAM:
Now sir, how are you facing up to the heat?
(Another splutter of fireworks)
GULLIVER:
Well I must say, Sir Home---
POPHAM:
Should I ask for leave on your behalf?
GULLIVER:
No, no! He'd take it like a stab in the back! I'd
rather die here and now.
POPHAM:
You look twenty years older. You must think about
your health, not him all the time!
GULLIVER:
I've never served a better master, never served a human
being more willingly---even to the death!
POPHAM:
You're trembling.
GULLIVER:
I tell you, sir, I went to one of my schools yesterday
and called out several of the pupils indiscriminately,
all of them black, all of them sons of slaves, and will
you believe me that not one of them faltered in a
single line of verse which they had learned by rote?
(reciting) 'Thyrsis, the music of that spring is not
so mournful as the strains you sing, Nor rivers
winding through the vales below, So sweetly warble,
or so smoothly flow! f
POPHAM:
(in astonishment) Ah.
GULLIVER:
I tell you, sir, that whatever may be said of the
stupidity of the negro, he is inferior only in so far
as slavery renders him so! He---!


(Another splutter of fireworks and a flash,
followed by cheers, causing GULLIVER
to jump)
POPHAM:
(with another glance round) Is it true he carries
his pistols everywhere nowadays? That he's
suspicious of everybody?
GULLIVER:
He can be very wild: He threw the Prince Royal into
the Citadel not long ago---a month on bread and water
his own son! There, sir!
you can hear it:
the noise!
POPHAM:
What noise?
GULLIVER:
It comes in the night---!
POPHAM:
(jumping up) You're sick, man!
(POPHAM tries to raise him but finds
that GULLIVER has slumped. There is
another splutter of fireworks.
POPHAM pulls GULLIVER's face up, lifts
one of his eyelids)
(shouting) A doctor!
(Another burst of fireworks)
(dashing across the open area) Dr. Stewart! Dr.
Stewart! (pushing through the crowd) Is Dr. Stewart
here?
(STEWART pushes his way out of the
crowd)
STEWART:
What the devil's up?
POPHAM:
It's young Gulliver. A touch of the fever!
STEWART:
(hurrying down) I could see this coming, Sir Home!
I told him as much!
(He pulls open GULLIVER's collar and
loosens his sleeves, pats his palms.
Courtiers follow them, and now the
KING appears, hurrying down, preoccupied)
CHRISTOPHE:
Who is it?


(The courtiers part for him)
POPHAM:
Tom Gulliver, sir!
(CHRISTOPHE takes hold of GULLIVER
and the latter opens his eyes for the first
time)
CHRISTOPHE:
Call the guards!
COURTIERS:
(everywhere at once) Guards! The guards!
(Several of the African guards hurry down)
STEWART:
Will you give him a little air, please?
(The QUEEN comes down too)
CHRISTOPHE:
(to STEWART) Get him to the hospital---my own
wing.
MARIE LOUISE:
What is it?
STEWART:
Yellow fever, ma'am.
(The African guards take GULLIVER up
on their shoulders. They carry him out
right, followed by STEWART)
MARIE LOUISE:
(to CHRISTOPHE) He talked so strangely to Amethyst.
He said that for two pins he'd marry her, only his
negro blood forbade him!
(They laugh together. POPHAM remains
solemn)
CHRISTOPHE:
(touching POPHAM's arm) Don't worry. He won't
die.
POPHAM:
Is there a cure?
CHRISTOPHE:
You don't think I'd leave him at the mercy of Stewart,
do you, with his blood-cupping and compresses? I've
got a witch doctor tucked away in the hospital grounds.
POPHAM:
What, then you do believe in all that mumbo-jumbo?
CHRISTOPHE:
Oh the mumbo-jumbo's a great help in delirium. But
the treatment is what I'm talking about. (ambiguously)
Herbs. (to the QUEEN) That was a fine speech,
my dear.


CHRISTOPHE:
There were tears pouring down their faces. (to
(contd)
POPHAM) It's the glitter they cry about. That's
where Petion fails. He doesn't give his people
anything to gape at. The slave loves to gape. Itis,
after all, the laziest thing a man can do.
POPHAM:
Talking of Petion, he's a sick man, I believe.
CHRISTOPHE:
Yes. Poor Petion. (after a pause) He spent his
life half asleep. His death won't be much of a change.
(to MARIE LOUISE) Well, my dear, have I made
you a good life?
MARIE LOUISE:
You made me a queen! (gaily) Isn't that right,
Sir Home ? There aren't many husbands do that!
POPHAM:
Indeed not, ma'am.
CHRISTOPHE:
(to POPHAM) But I swear she was happier when we
were moving camp once a week. Massacres all round
us, but she was happy!
POPHAM:
(to MARIE LOUISE) It must have been a hard time,
ma'am. With hardly a rag on your backs, I believe,
and a diet of berries.
MARIE LOUISE:
I often wonder if that isn't why the girls are poorly,
because of those first years. But then independence
came and things changed! Iused to walk through Cap
Henry on my husband's arm! He used to swing his
cane
(imitating him gaily)!
CHRISTOPHE:
(to check her) But you had a great career waiting
for you
that of Haiti's queen!
MARIE LOUISE:
Oh yes. I lost my friends. My lady in waiting hardly
dares to smile at me.
CHRISTOPHE:
If she felt free to smile at you she'd feel free to hate
you too. The slave has to be held in fear!
MARIE LOUISE:
Then how will they ever issue from slavery?
CHRISTOPHE:
(abruptly) Are you asking that for Marmelade?
MARIE LOUISE:
CHRISTOPHE:
The day I relax my hold is the day of my downfall and
yours!


(MARMELADE appears, left)
MARMELADE:
Your majesty. An urgent me ssage.
(CHRISTOPHE gazes at him in silence)
POPHAM:
(about to leave) If you'll excuse me, your majesty
CHRISTOPHE:
(still gazing at MARMELADE) No, stay. (to
MARMELADE) You can whisper it in my ear.
(with delicate irony touching his own ear) He often
does, you know (to POPHAM) - he whispers
something to me every day.
(After a moment of surprise MARMELADE
comes forward and whispers in his ear)
(to POPHAM) President Petion is dead. What will
your government say?
POPHAM:
I can tell you what I shall do. I shall send a couple of
cruisers down to Port au Prince to look after our
merchants in case of trouble.
CHRISTOPHE:
'Trouble' - you mean revolution?
POPHAM:
A war between the Mulattos and the Blacks, that's
a possibility.
CHRISTOPHE:
I've been trying to exploit such a possibility for years
without getting anywhere.
POPHAM:
You mean to invade the South, don't you ?
CHRISTOPHE:
Imean to make Haiti one kingdom, north and south,
under one king! And to my mind nothing would
serve your country's interest better!
POPHAM:
But Westminster won't be convinced that you can take
the South with you.
CHRISTOPHE:
You mean Sutherland! He's a damned fool.
POPHAM:
My government listens to him.
CHRISTOPHE:
Then they listen to a liar! He told them I liked
Napoleon Bonaparte, and intended to make myself
Emperor of the Western World!


POPHAM:
Sutherland is an energetic commercial agent, your
majesty. We probably have more trade with the
South than we do with you.
CHRISTOPHE:
POPHAM:
The easy-going policies of the South are more
conducive to quick trade than your long-term policies
are.
CHRISTOPHE:
Would it be too much to ask the people at Westminster
to sit down and study the facts instead of the immediate
trade figures? Or is imagination entirely outlawed
in Britain?
POPHAM:
As you know, sir, I am doing my best all the time.
But if you invade : -
CHRISTOPHE:
I can tell you what your government will do! It will
support me if I'm successful, and drop me if I'm not.
Trade figures are hard task masters, Sir Home.
Sometimes I think they are the new ty ranny.
POPHAM:
Of course I cannot hope for a declaration on your
part that you will not invade?
CHRISTOPHE:
(thinking this over) On your side, will you guarantee
that I shan 't be actively impeded by your ships if I
do invade ?
POPHAM:
Unless I receive quite clear orders from London to
impede your movements I shall do nothing but watch
the situation.
CHRISTOPHE:
(with a relieved laugh) How I envy you naval people
always watching us from the coast, while we
embroil ourselves!.
POPHAM:
We sometimes have storms! (to MARIE LOUISE)
Ma'am, I shall miss the procession but I hope to be
present at the opera. May I thank you again for one
of the happiest days of my life?
(He kisses the QUEEN's hand and bows
his way out, left.
The GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES
comes downstage from the open area,
with AFRICAN GUARDS)


MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
(to MARMELADE) The procession is forming, my
lord.
CHRISTOPHE:
Marmelade and I will have a quick word, my dear,
then . e
(MARIE LOUISE curtseys to CHRISTOPHE
and goes with the GRAND MASTER OF
CEREMONIES across the open area,
followed by the GUARDS)
MARMELADE:
The 8th Regiment are hardly fit to invade, but it might
boost their morale. They've been on fortification
fatigues for over six months.
CHRISTOPHE simply watches him)
CHRISTOPHE:
I could see Petion had died just by your eyes. You
see a chance in his death. What chance is that ?
MARMELADE:
I had no such thoughts, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
You have thoughts every moment of the day! You
generals want to be at war again. Is that it?
MARMELADE:
Well, that's what armies are for. If we nip in before
they plant a new president we might get control.
CHRISTOPHE:
What strength can we muster, apart from the tired
8th Regiment of Foot?
MARMELADE:
Five thousand men, sir.
CHRISTOPHE:
Five thousand - against twenty thousand!
MARMELADE:
But twenty thousand without a leader!
CHRISTOPHE:
(suddenly gripping him by the collar) Are you trying
to persuade me? ? Why? Why?
MARMELADE:
But it was always the plan to invade the South when the
time came!
CHRISTOPHE:
There's a plot in your dirty shallow eye! (releasing
him) Tell General Jean Claude to stand by.


MARMELADE:
(bowing) Yes, your majesty!
CHRISTOPHE strides across the open
area, followed by guards who appear
from nowhere.
MARMELADE waits until he is out of sight.
The COUNT OF GONAIVES appears from
the left. After a glance round they join
each other)
He won't invade. Tell Jean Claude that the king's
scared! Spread it in the South that he's afraid to
give his troops a whiff of the seductive air of freedom
down there! Say something rhetorical!
GONAIVES:
And the British?
MARMELADE:
They're after our coffee and sugar. As long as they
get those we could have a chimpanzee in charge!
(The procession begins crossing the
open area, and MARMELADE and
GONAIVES divide quickly, leaving by
opposite sides.
The ROYAL FAMILY walks under
canopies, with guards behind. The
Courtiers follow.
Bells and the Te Deum come up.
The scene and the bells fade)


ACT TWO
The LIGHT COMES UP on the chapel area.
On the opposite side the armchairs and
table are again in place, at the foot of the
ramp, the royal device behind them.
CHRISTOPHE is on one of the pews,
praying, dressed in his usual simple
court uniform. This time he is kneeling
straight, with his head raised and his
hands clasped in prayer.
CHRISTOPHE: Let this doubt pass from me. You see, I don't know
whether to follow gods or policies! (with sudden
distraction) It happened ever since I turned this
hounfort into a chapel! No! You can 't say that! Did
I offend the gods of Dahomey? putting one symbol in
place of another symbol, and both of them symbols -
just to appease Christ? But Christ is among you! And
yet - ! That night I knew ! I pointed south ! You gave
me the direction! And then I disobeyed! Christ made
me stop! He made me doubt! I He made me think of
policy! He made me see that my army might be dis-
loyal, and the generals too. He took away my strength!
Stop the whirl of my thoughts. Let me be still. Give
me another night of power like that one. Let the drums
beat a message inside me. Tell me what to do! Have
you finished with me? (he looks round, in the silence)
Gods ! (shrieking) Come back to me! Give me your
decision! Let your will be mine. (again silence)
There are no voices any more. It changed, ever since
I put a chapel here. Yet, Christ, you're with them!
You're among the gods! You're all one! You're all
one power! Be in me! Please flow into me again!
Let me build the black state! Let it come on the ear th
like Babylon, out of the hands of the gods, and let me
be the instrument of that. Iask for no more. Nothing
for myself. I shall go now. Let me not go by policies,
like the Christians. I don't mean you, Christ. But
let me not calculate, like them, let me not study the
chances. Yet that's what I've done! I didn't invade!
I saw a plot in Marmelade's eye, you see - a general's I
plot. (rising) Let me know what I must do, I shall
wait for you like a lover.
(He kneels at the end of the pew towards
the altar and then strolls across to the
armchairs. He sits down with a sigh.


A party of soldiers struggling under a load
of timber begins mounting the ramp,
directed by an NCO. There are the same
gasped 'Peux pas! Peux pas!' as from
the previous party of slaves.
MARGUERITE PAULIN enters the royal
area, touches the king's arm and giggles.
He doesn't move. She sits on his knee)
MARGUERITE: Don't you know me any more? Marguerite? Marguerite
Paulin? (tapping his nose playfully)
CHRISTOPHE: (absently) Marguerite
MARGUERITE: You promised me a walk.
(She jumps up and pulls at him. He rises
absently. They walk, his arm in hers,
across the open area while the timber
party continues to struggle up the ramp.
Suddenly CHRISTOPHE breaks loose from
her, but not violently)
CHRISTOPHE: Yes! Yes! I shall do it! Thank God! Thank God
you've spoken!
(He strides off, right, across the open
area, and MARGUERITE runs alarmed in
the other direction)
(off) Marmelade! Marmelade!
(Two vague figures appear in the chapel
area, look round stealthily. They go
straight to the altar and begin WI renching
the cross away from its mount.
As they work there is a fanfare of trumpets,
off, announcing a movement to arms.
Drums roll, calling troops together.
Officers and soldiers dash across the
open area. The order 'Left, right, left,
right !' comes over the speakers, with
marching feet.


The timber party has reached the top of
the ramp and disappears.
The new archbishop, JUAN GONZALE Z,
a White, is ushered into the royal area
by the GRAND MASTER. OF CEREMONIES.
He stands waiting rather irritably.
The two men succeed in wrenching the
cross clear away, and take it down. They
carry it off, wrapped in a cloak, right.
P.P. enters the open area from the right
and comes downstage with his staff and
horse's skull)
(nodding towards the violated altar) Two agents from
the South, where a new president has been elected even
more ineffectual than the last one. Name of Boyer.
The son of a mulatto woman and a white man. His
father disowned him because of his negro features,
with the result that the son began to despise said
features too, though he bore them in his own face.
So it goes! Anyway, the one energetic point in his
nature is his dislike of King Henry, his one determin-
ation to get rid of him by flooding the North with
paid agents. Now you'd think that King Henry, with
his shining gifts, must win, and a weak man like
Boyer lose, but that's not the story. It isn't virtue
that gets you on in politics. It's destiny. And weak
and lazy men have as much of that as anybody else.
(He goes to the altar and plants his staff
and horses skull in the place where the
cross was. He is just about to leave
again when he notices JUAN GONZALEZ)
That's the new archbishop. Name of Juan Gonzalez,
from Cuba. His mandate is to work for Christophe,
and pray for Boyer. You see, foreign empires favour
the weak. And destiny, seeing the way the wind blows,
follows suit!
(He bows and leaves.
The ARCHBISHOP's irritation is mounting
to a climax when CHRISTOPHE enters.
CHRISTOPHE kneels and kisses the
ARCHBISHOP's ring)


CHRISTOPHE:
I've kept you wait ting.
GONZALE Z:
You're a busy man, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
You mean a busy king. I don't like that word 'man'
from the mouth of a White. Not said in that tone,
anyway. (seating himself) I confessed every
peccadillo of my life to the last one, and he spilled
the whole lot to the French. I had to assert my
authority by having him shot.
GONZALEZ:
(gingerly) The Church is unlikely to send you two
spies in a row.
CHRISTOPHE:
That's what I thought. You won't enjoy it here. I
give you as much comfort as possible but it's uphill
work. I think I can say we're near the top of the hill.
Our trade's never been So good, the people are well
fed and beginning to realise that hard work brings in
dividends. You may be seated.
GONZALEZ:
(with an enormous sigh of relief) Thank you, your
majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
You're liverish. That's why you can't stand on your
feet for long. The last chap was as pale as parchment.
He also stank.
GONZALE Z:
(with disgust) Really, your majesty?
CHRISTOPHE:
The only water he ever knew was baptismal water.
Now listen to me. You're to be the champion of the
Black Race, do you hear that?
(JUAN GONZALEZ stares at him in
astonishment)
There's a war on. There's work to be done. You've
got to teach those poor distracted slaves outside that
Christ was talking about them and not just the Whites
If you don't do that you andIa and all the churches of the
earth are going to be swept away! ! We go together!
When Christ said 'ye are gods' he meant us as well as
you. He was saying that every creature has a light
inside him which no other man can dim! Show them
where their light is! Show them,to give way now to
laziness
Maty
and fail to build this state, will cost our race
and therefore mankind another hundred years of
struggle which may end bitterly, in civil war, in a fire -


CHRISTOPHE:
yes! - that will lick its way across the Americas,
(contd)
and not all the water of the Atlantic will be sufficient
to put it out!
GONZALEZ:
(bored) Yes, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
I know you haven't heard a word -
GONZALEZ:
Sir - !
CHRISTOPHE:
Let me explain something. All the volumes on the
Inquisition and the Jesuits in my library have been
read to me. IfI can speak and dictate well, ifI can
govern, dress up and comport myself as a king, it is
because of the universal language of the Church, the
vestments of the Church, her pomp and processions!
She has been my teacher, and the fact that I can
neither read nor write is irrelevant compared to the
knowledge that poured into me as a child, every time
I took the wafer. Now that's one fact. Here's another.
Any power I might have - any power to talk to, to
persuade God - to move Him into my body - came to
me by means of Voodoo! Now! There! (roaring
with laughter) Look at his face!
GONZALEZ:
Surely sir - !
CHRISTOPHE:
Voodoo means invoking nature until nature has been
surpassed, and (fiercely) you damned prelates
never surpass nature, you never get beyond yourselves!
So you can't teach people how to talk to God - you've
never heard Him inside yourself!
GONZALEZ:
Your majesty - !
CHRISTOPHE:
You come here fiddling with your ring! Chuck it away !
Removeit! There's urgent work to do! It's no good
spouting Latin at these people - their witch doctors do
the mumbo-jumbo much better than you, only they're
not such fools as to believe in it! (abruptly kneeling
and kissing the ARCHBISHOP's ring) I have work to
do. We're at war!
(He walks out.
GONZALEZ rises in a daze)
GONZALEZ:
A Lutheran! In this black pesthouse!


(The MASTER OF CEREMONIES enters
and bows him out.
P.P. appears again in the chapel area)
Here's another political law. If you build yourself up
into a legend, take care not to get sick or die. King
Henry did worse. He made a mistake. He didn't
invade the South when he could. And he did invade
when he couldn't. That's what I mean by destiny.
(the grin) You see how it works? You produce a
situation for yourself, and then you can't get out of it.
Now a weak and lazy man avoids situations altogether.
(Musket fire in the distance, followed by
shouting. P.P. turns and listens for a
moment)
The noises-off of destiny The news is spreading fast
- !'Papa Henry has lost his nerve ! Papa Henry has failed!*
That's one thing Papatoi mustn't do - fail like another
man! You see, his army's gone on strike !
(CHRISTOPHE's voice, rasping off,
Marmelade ! Marmelade !' Then silence
again. P.P. bows and leaves,
MARMELADE enters the royal area with
SIR HOME RIGGS POPHAM)
MARMELADE:
His majesty has been visiting the fortifications. He
should be here in a moment.
POPHAM:
(stopping him as he prepares to go) I spoke to
President Boyer. You know what he said? - 'King
Henry's reign of terror will be over in a year. He
was perfectly confident.
MARMELADE:
POPHAM:
He won't hear of a treaty! He -
(CHRISTOPHE again, off, 'Marmelade !' )
MARMELADE:
(on his way out) Your maj--!
(He and CHRISTOPHE meet in the doorway)
CHRISTOPHE:
Did you hear those shots?


MARMELADE:
Yes, sir! They were musket practice!
CHRISTOPHE:
Do they practice in the streets? Get down to the harbour,
man! See what it's all about!
(As MARMELADE leaves)
(to POPHAM) I saw mutiny in that man's eyes two
days ago. If you ever become a king, Sir Home,
keep a traitor at your side, You can read the news in
his eyes every morning.
POPHAM:
If a traitor, isn't he dangerous at this moment, So
close to the central authority?
CHRISTOPHE:
He's a bungler, that's all. One day he'll face a firing
squad! There are people born to bungling, you know.
POPHAM:
President Boyer won't hear of a treaty.
CHRISTOPHE:
So you told Marmelade. But I intend to beat President
Boyer to his knees. (with quick suspicion) Why tell
Marmelade? He might possibly replace me?
POPHAM:
Your majesty !
CHRISTOPHE:
You think me suspicious, insulting - but I'm being
realistic.
POPHAM:
I would say, not that you were suspicious, but that
you underestimated your hold on the people round you!
CHRISTOPHE:
(almost to himself) And if I told you I had no hold -
you wouldn't believe me !
(He is restless, giving POPHAM quick
glances)
My agents tell me there's hope of re volution in the
south - within days, hours - My troops will be welcomed
as liberators!
POPHAM:
It wasn't my impression, your majesty.
CHRISTOPHE:
But they're half starved, they're -
(The GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES
enters and bows)


GRAND MASTER
OF CEREMONIES: Her Majesty !
(MARIE LOUISE enters and curtseys to
CHRISTOPHE):
POPHAM:
(kissing her hand) Ma'am!
MARIE LOUISE:
Good morning, Sir Home! (to CHRISTOPHE) Those
shots, Henry!
CHRISTOPHE:
The Duke of Marmelade tells me they were musket
practice!
MARIE LOUISE:
But my people -
CHRISTOPHE:
Damn your people! They'd hear a revolution in the
tap of a drum ! Now listen to me. I spoke to Dr.
Stewart this morning. You will have my eldest
daughter take senna tomorrow in copious quantities!
Her tongue is still badly coated, she needs a purge!
I told you this as long as a year ago, and I reproach
you for not having done it before! And now please
leave me.
(She curtseys low to him and leaves, while
he continues striding restlessly up and
down)
If the army deserts me I'm finished - you know that?
I don't mean those damned generals but the NCOs -
they're the ones to watch ! They have the hungriest
expectations of promotion, higher pay! And
revolutions are made out of disappointed expectations.
(There is more musket fire in the distance,
together with Voodoo drums)
POPHAM:
(to change the subject) Iheard this morning, sir, that
Tsar Alexander of Russia had written to his embassy in
London to express his astonishment at the quality of your
letters to him !
CHRISTOPHE:
He said that?
POPHAM:
He confessed that he thought of you and your people as
sa vages until your letters came!
CHRISTOPHE:
It's lonely here, Sir Home! If Ihad more friends like
you!
Among all my people I have one friend like you,


CHRISTOPHE:
and that's Joachim, the commander of my own royal
(contd)
guard. One man - in half a million people!
POPHAM:
I managed to get a declaration from President Boyer
that, in the case of troubles here, he wouldn't invade
you.
CHRISTOPHE:
He invade me?
(he stops appalled) He here?
POPHAM:
Sir, if you were less vigilant - if you worked less hard
- expected less of others - !
CHRISTOPHE:
The Kingdom of Haiti wouldn't exist !
(The courtiers begin forming in the open
area for the levee, under the guidance of
the GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES.
Thrones are placed as before. The
courtiers whisper to each other busily,
in an atmosphere of anxiety. MARMELADE
enters the Royal area suavely)
MARMELADE:
You were right, sir. A disturbance at the harbour =
the 8th Regiment of Foot!
CHRISTOPHE:
(to POPHAM) We are meant to jump with surprise.
(to MARMELADE) And the commanding officer of the
8th Regiment?
MARMELADE:
On his way here, your majesty. The military governor
had to -
CHRISTOPHE:
(screaming at him) I saw the military governor in the
middle of the night! You're six hours behind with your
news!
MARMELADE:
(quietly) But there's a new development, sir. You
ordered the military governor to admonish the
commanding officer, who would in turn admonish his
troops. But the commanding officer of the 8th Regiment,
Colonel Paulin, refused to admonish his troops.
CHRISTOPHE :
Colonel Paulin? (trying to remember the name)
Paulin e
(He stands there in silence.
His dresser comes in with sword and belt,
gloves etc. with the MASTER OF
CEREMONIES,


CHRISTOPHE absently lets himself be
dressed)
CHRISTOPHE:
You weren't such a fool as to arrest him, I hope?
MARMELADE:
The military governor was about to do that but I
stopped him.
CHRISTOPHE:
If the South could have a famine - and we relieve
them - !
(He walks out before the GRAND MASTER
OF CEREMONIES, followed by the
dressers)
POPHAM:
(to MARMELADE) Is it revolution?
MARMELADE:
He has driven us too hard, Sir Home! There's no
sympathy left for him! He flung me into gaol once -
his son, the Prince Royal too - !
POPHAM:
(coldly) Your sovereign has his levee, I believe.
(They bow to each other and MARMELADE
leaves.
A fanfare of trumpets, and POPHAM leaves
the royal area. The Voodoo drums have
ceased.
The GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES
enters the open area with the royal family,
and they go to the thrones.
MARMELADE enters and stands behind
the king's throne)
CHRISTOPHE:
During the night and not long ago this morning a number
of men in the 8th Regiment of Foot fired shots into the
air and refused to continue their fatigue duties. They
are being dealt with, If the musket fire makes you
nervous, remember that your king is hale of heart and
limb. As you have depended on him in the past, so you
may depend on him in the future. Black Men are
children. My job is to make them grow up. It is pain-
ful work for the parent. It has been painful beyond words
for me! There will be no chocolate this morning.
(A Surprising amount of disappointment
follows this,


CHRISTOPHE whispers something to
MARMELADE, who leaves at once. Then
he gets up with his family, and they go
down the line of courtiers. He stops to
talk here and there, briefly and sternly.
MARMELADE ushers COLONEL PAULIN
into the royal area. PAULIN stands
waiting stiffly. MARMELADE strolls
about, whistling to himself, glancing at
PAULIN.
CHRISTOPHE and his family take leave
of the last courtier. They walk down-
stage. CHRISTOPHE is apart, pre-
occupied)
CHRISTOPHE:
(to the Prince Regent) You will remain with me, sir.
(MARIE LOUISE and the PRINCESSES
curtsey to the king and leave via the open
area. The courtiers begin breaking up)
(to the PRINCE ROYAL) I've seen your exercise book,
It looks like a bad case of the pox! I've never seen such
a mess in my life! You must study, not just one day
but every day! You must learn tenacity! (deliberately
within earshot of PAULIN) Black men can fight, but
briefly! They rebel, but briefly! Tenacity is a very
difficult thing for children to learn! (to the COLONEL)
Now, sir - (seeing the COLONEL's decoration) The
Cross of St. Henry?
PAULIN:
Yes, your majesty !
CHRISTOPHE:
Your name - where have I - ?
PAULIN:
You know my sister, I believe, sir!
CHRISTOPHE:
(unruffled) Ah, your sister. Now, sir, Your troops
were beating drums half the night - they were refusing
duty - bringing women into the camp - : And you refuse
to reprimand them? Why?
PAULIN:
Because I felt they were right!
CHRISTOPHE:
Right? To show insubordination to you? Do you realise
what you're saying? - that you have no love of command?


PAULIN:
I love my men more than my command! And they've
been sweated too long for them to bear - carrying
timber on their backs along mountain passes - they - !
CHRISTOPHE:
(screaming) I know very well what fatigues my
soldiers have to do!
PAULIN:
If there was no mutiny it was due to me! That's what
I told the military governor, and he didn't like it!
CHRISTOPHE:
And I don't like it! When I need you to take my
generals to school I'll elevate you to the necessary
rank but not before, do you hear? Do you dare to
stand there and defend your own insubordination, let
alone that of your troops?
PAULIN:
I do!
CHRISTOPHE:
You black ungrateful dog you! (screaming) My aides!
Where are my aides?
(The OFFICERS dash in)
You see this so-called officer? Strip him of his
epaulets!
(They step forward to seize his epaulets
but PAULIN steps back, clinging to them)
PAULIN:
I got these by my own efforts! They're mine ! But I
can do without this!
(He tears off his Cross of St. Henry and
flings it down in the direction of the KING.
The OFFICERS rush to him and hold him
back)
CHRISTOPHE:
What ? What?
PAULIN:
The black man has no use for crosses !
CHRISTOPHE:
You - you - tear off - ?
(He stands staring at PAULIN, aghast)
Take him to the Citadel! Fetter him!
(The OFFICERS bring in African guards,
and PAULIN is led away. MARMELADE
follows them.


CHRISTOPHE sinks into a chair. His
head is bowed, his hand over his heart.
The PRINCE ROYAL stands there, awkward,
frightened)
CHRISTOPHE:
(almost in a whisper) You may not have to govern
(contd)
after all.
PRINCE ROYAL: Will you be with us at Mass, sir?
CHRISTOPHE:
Have I missed in my life?
PRINCE ROYAL: Are you unwell, sir?
CHRISTOPHE:
It hurts me here! They always hurt mefhere! You
see, Jacques, we come on the earth to serve the gods,
and we never quite know how they will use us. Some-
times they tell us their will. And sometimes they
spring it on us, suddenly. My son, (pulling him
closer) I've never had a life. Never once thought of
myself. I only tried to find out what they want. Oh I
had your mother. And one or two other women, in
the last years. But they were only pauses in the work.
I return to their servicé every time, quickly, as if
they miss me ifI stayed too long away! And who do
you serve? (gazing at him) Perhaps they have other
designs for you. Your little brother died in Paris,
with no one to look after him, because I was fool
enough to entrust him to the French. Suppose I bring
death on my children? Jacques, why have I done it?
If their will was to make me do it, and I fail, why did
they make me do it? Perhaps I'm only a stage on the
way - a little bit of black evolution. But I won't be
that! I will win the war! I'll beat the troops to the
front with my own cane! I've done it before'!
(He rises, and the PRINCE ROYAL thinks
this is the signal for him to leave, He
bows and begins backing out of the room)
(without looking at him) Come back. Mass will be
celebrated at the chapel by the gate, not at the cathe-
dral. I don't want anyone to shoot you. They wouldn't
dare take a slug at me but they might at you. (chuckling
affectionately) Here, let me kiss you, my son. (he
kisses him) Be brave. Give your mother strength.
Tell her to put her finest coat ono
PRINCE ROYAL:
Does the archbishop know not to be at the cathedral,
sir?


CHRISTOPHE:
Damn the archbishbp! We'll pick up a priest from
somewhere.
(The PRINCE ROYAL bows and leaves.
CHRISTOPHE remains standing, absorbed.
The OFFICERS with COLONEL PAULIN,
African guards behind them, mount the
ramp slowly. PAULIN walks proudly,
bareheaded, stripped now of his
epaulets.
TOM GULLIVER enters the open area on
a stick, wasted with fever now, in the
company of DR. DUNCAN STEWART.
They are chuckling together)
GULLIVER:
What struck me most was the stocks at the end of
every bed!
STEWART:
Well you know - the black man's divilish difficult
about taking his medicine, Mr. Gulliver! If it
wasn't for them stocks half my patients'd die !
(Sounds of firing again, and shouting in
the distance. They stop, listen,
CHRISTOPHE seems not to hear. He puts
his hand over his heart again, frowning)
That's a damned unhealthy noise !
(They stroll downstage)
GULLIVER:
I heard a rumour, Dr. Stewart, that they might pounce
on us from the South !
STEWART:
Well, Sir Home Riggs Popham was telling me this
morning that there is no such danger. He gave a warning
to President Boyer. 'If you do invade you'll have the
British navy against you !' he said.
GULLIVER:
But why should they want to invade? The French are
the danger for both of them ! Why can't they unite?
STEWART:
Let me tell you something, Mr. Gulliver. In the
South this royal regimen! is looked on as a masquerade !
They laugh at our balls and titles and court uniforms,
and the airs this man gives himself!.


GULLIVER:
The king, you mean?
STEWART:
You look astonished! Do you take him for a real king,
then?
GULLIVER:
Real king? But no less than our own George - !
STEWART:
George, man? But George is half mad, he's bandy
and all he says is 'what, what, what;! That's a real
king. Not this one! He's a black man dressed up for
a pantomime!
GULLIVER:
Pantomime!
STEWART:
I tell you, man, he's eaten away with a greed that
can never be satisfied. It's a greed for time! He
must have time to build up the state of Haiti, he
needs another fifty, hundred years! And he's getting
old! Time's running out ! So he pushes the people
harder and harder. He'll break them, wreck them
body and soul to get there! I see it every day in my
hospitals, young man. The people are done They
can't last out! ! And the South is just waiting for the
explosion, Oh, they don't have to invade!
GULLIVER:
Naturally he believes in work - !
STEWART:
Oh, not for himself, not all the time! He has his
little flirtations as well -
GULLIVER:
The king? flirtations?
STEWART:
Why, you young duck - have you never had one your-
self? I heard you tell the Princess Amethyst that for
two pins you'd marry her -
GULLIVER:
I- the princess?
STEWART:
Yes, Mr. Gulliver, it's interesting what we have to
say in delirium!
(The prison party passes slowly out of
sight at the top of the ramp.
MARMELADE appears silently in the
royal area)
MARMELADE:
Her Majesty is waiting.


(Courtiers, dressed in their finest, appear
from both sides of the open area, drawing
the attention of TOM GULLIVER and DR.
STEWART. The courtiers form an
avenue along which the royal family will
walk on their way down to the chapel.
A simple chapel bell begins to sound.
Further sounds of musket fire,
CHRISTOPHE leaves the royal area, and
MARMELADE follows)
STEWART:
They're celebrating Mass here? (loudly, into
GULLIVER's ear) Because the bulletsare flying
roundabout the cathedral!
(The QUEEN and her children enter and
stand waiting for the king to appear)
GULLIVER:
It's the queen! Oh it does me good to see them all
again!
STEWART:
They ought to be in the stocks!
GULLIVER:
Who?
STEWART:
Those pasty- -faced princesses ! They won't take their
senna pods! The Princess Amethyst hasn't been for
five whole days!
(CHRISTOPHE enters with sword and hat
and insignia. The family bows and
curtseys to him, and he walks at the
queen's side down the avenue of courtiers,
who bow and curtsey in their turn.
They all crowd toward the chapel altar.
GULLIVER bows low to the KING)
CHRISTOPHE:
Well, Mr. Gulliver - I said you'd be back ! I saidI
needed you too much for you to die just yet!
(CHRISTOPHE goes on, chuckling to him-
self in an unusual way. GULLIVER gives
DR. STEWART a glance, Then he bows
to the rest of the family)


PRINCE ROYAL: Good morning, Mr. Gulliver!
GULLIVER:
Your Royal Highness !
(The courtiers crowd round and the
ROYAL FAMILY is soon lost to sight
close to the altar. The light grows on the
altar. The staff and horse's skull are
still there. The chapel bell ceases. The
Voodoo drums are heard again.
A sudden gasp goes up when everyone
sees the skull. Some back away,
recognising the symbol. STEWART and
GULLIVER hurry to look)
COURTIERS:
The duppies!
STEWART:
What the divil?
(There are sudden cries of 'Doctor!
Doctor Stewart! f
(pressing through the crowd) I'm here!
(The crowd closes round him)
(from the altar) Air! Give him air!
GULLIVER:
(calling across the open area) Guards! Guards!
(The African GUARDS come running. They:
hold the COURTIERS back from the ROYAL
FAMILY. Quiet returns. There is busy
murmuring close to the altar. CHRISTOPHE
becomes visible, in one of the pews, fallen
back but conscious. STEWART is cutting
his sleeves and necktie)
CHRISTOPHE:
(with quiet command, to the GRAND MASTER OF
CEREMONIES) Bring me my carriage. I am not
feeling well.
(He is sweating profusely. STEWART dabs
his face, goes on cutting at his clothes.
STEWART then raises CHRISTOPHE to his
feet, with the help of COURTIERS, who
keep glancing back in terror at the skull.
The MASTER OF CEREMONIES hurries
out)


CHRISTOPHE:
(with sudden muffled anger) Remove that! And get
(contd)
the archbishop! Does he call this a temple of Christ?
(He shuffles, bareheaded, his clothes
cut to ribbons, between the COURTIERS.
None of the other COURTIERS dares to
touch the skull.
CHRISTOPHE suddenly turns and screams
at them with all his strength)
Pull it down! Do you hear!
(The effort paralyses the right side of his
face. One of the COURTIERS runs in
panic and pulls the staff and skull down)
STEWART:
(trying to calm him) Your Majesty!
CHRISTOPHE:
You see how I have to doi their thinking for them?
(THE ROYAL PARTY with STEWART
move slowly out, right. The COURTIERS
remain, in an utter hush, watching)
(shouting, off) Even when I'm dead I'll go on thinking
for them!
(The COURTIER with the skull and
staff lets both drop. The COURTIERS
suddenly scatter across the open area,
feathers flying. The scene is empty.
GULLIVER has followed the royal party.
P.P. enters from the chapel side. He
goes to pick up his staff and skull)
Just before they got him into the carriage he caught
hold of the faithful Tom Gulliver's shoulder and said,
'A tiny spark can set a field of sugar cane alight: f
He was right. Just one man has to show defiance,
and a whole people knows how it feels!
(The Voodoo drums begin in the distance.
The ROYAL PARTY with STEWART and
GULLIVER pass across the open area.
CHRISTOPHE is now being carried on the
shoulders of six African GUARDS. His
clothes hang down in tatters. THE
PRINCESSES are crying)


(watching them) He didn't speak after that because,
as you may have seen, he was paralysed down the
right side of his face. When he gets him to the
hopital Dr. Stewart will take off about four cups of
blood. And tomorrow morning Dr. Stewart will
congratulate himself on' the fact that the king's
paralysis has disappeared, whereas Papaloi will have
done the trick in the night. He calls on the great god
Loco for advice. Loco is the god of medicine. He
tells the priest what herbs to use. His day is Wednesday
and he drinks a lot of rum. You sacrifice a grey cock
to Papa Loco!
(The PAPALOI passes across the open
area very slowly, concentrating, his
eyes all but closed, his arms slightly
held out before him. His direction is
the same as that of CHRISTOPHE's party.
An image of St. Joseph follows him.
The song of LOCO ATISOU is heard, off:
Va, Loco, Loco Valdi, Va, Loco, Loco,
Valadi, Va, Loco, Loco Valdi, Va, Loco,
Loco, Valadi, Man, Jean Valou Loco,
Loco Valadi!)
(while PAPALOI crosses) That's St. Joseph: (pointing
at the image) He's the same as Papa Loco! Now a fever
is a decision, it's an evolution of the body. It'destroys
the old life and prepares the new. And Papaloi is
mobilising all the force in King Henry's body
the fish,
the tiger, the snake, the root, the creeper, the tree,
the hooting chimpanzee! They are all inside the body,
their force has to be drawn into it, all breathing things
have to co-operate! And -
(with sudden impatience)
But what's the use of talking to you about all that? You
think when a man's sick a bug comes into his mouth
pop!
just like that
no cause!
explanation! (with immense fury) You're dumb!
You're derelicts' Your civilisation's a mountain of crap!
(The PAPALOI has passed out of sight)
(recovering himself with effort) Yes, the king's
paralysis will go, But the paralysis of the state
that
remains uncured!


(A mellow morning light comes up on
the royal area. CHRISTOPHE, in a
dressing gown now, is supported in by
two of his AIDES and lowered gently to
a chair. DR. STEWART and MARMELADE
follow.
CHRISTOPHE pants, leans heavily on his
cane.
P.P., complete with his staff and horse's
skull again, watches the scene)
CHRISTOPHE:
(to MARMELADE) You may go.
(STEWART settles the king with pillows,
and sits close to him, feeling his pulse,
touching his forehead.
Some time passes while the king recovers
his breath. MARMELADE bows his way
out.
CHRISTOPHE glances round to make sure
they are not overheard, and draws
STEWART closer)
Do they know I was paralysed?
STEWART:
It's a difficult thing to hide, your majesty! If you
hadn't shouted all might have been well.
CHRISTOPHE:
Deny it in your bulletins.
STEWART:
I already have!
(There are musket shots in the distance,
and shouting. CHRISTOPHE is aware
of STEWART starting)
CHRISTOPHE:
Is something the matter ?
STEWART:
Nothing, your majesty! I think you should try to rest
your mind.
(The morning levee begins to form in the
open area. Thrones are put in place as
before. But this time the COURTIERS are
full of gossip, in groups, undisciplined,
and the GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES
has difficulty with them)


CHRISTOPHE:
President Boyer told the French I was dead. They'll
put that in the French newspapers, and then
circulate them here. Dr. Stewart, I know every move
people are going to make!
I wish I wasn't so
aware, but I see everything
the smallest intrigue
there was never the smallest whisper of treason
which I couldn't hear, however far away! Ihear it
here! (plunging his hand on his solar plexus)
STEWART:
Tongue please!
CHRISTOPHE shows his tongue.
MARMELADE comes in again)
MARMELADE:
The levee, your majesty - will you
CHRISTOPHE:
I've got my uniform on under this, you gloating idiot!
Why
do you want to park your bungling arse here
when I'm gone you of all people
you?
(He raises himself painfully.
MARMELADE runs forward to help him
out of his seat. But CHRISTOPHE pushes
him aside)
(to STEWART) Tell him!
STEWART:
(to MARMELADE) His majesty is perfectly able to
walk!
CHRISTOPHE:
Now leave me alone, both of you,
(DR. STEWART and MARMELADE leave.
CHRISTOPHE slumps back into his
chair with exhaustion, panting. He closes
his eyes and puts his hands together in
prayer. He remains quite still.
The PAPALOI enters the royal area
soundlessly. He stands close to
CHRISTOPHE. Intense concentration
establishes itself between them. The
PAPALOI moves his lips rapidly without
uttering a sound. Gradually CHRISTOPHE,
the sweat pouring from him, rises from
his chair until he is erect and standing
quite firm. His breathing becomes normal.


The. PAPALOI leaves soundlessly.
CHRISTOPHE opens his eyes and walks
slowly out.
The COURTIERS arrange themselves,
whispering, taking no notice of the
GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES.
The ROYAL FAMILY enters the open
area. The COURTIERS are hushed
with astonishment when they see
that CHRISTOPHE is as erect and
unruffled as always before, and
impeccably dressed. He strides
slowly towards his throne with
the queen.
There is further sporadic firing in
the distance but the COURTIERS
no longer dare register this fact
by looking at each other.
CHRISTOPHE sits. MARMELADE
places himself behind the throne)
CHRISTOPHE:
It is important that the enemy in the South should know
that nothing unusual has happened. You see me in
perfect health. Conduct yourselves properly. They
are watching us for weakness. My downfall is yours.
But there is an enemy closer at hand than the South of
Haiti. He is here. In your hearts. He would like
something to go wrong. He would like not to stand
here for the levee like a painted doll, perhaps because
a painted doll is all he really is. You see, he's a
believer in chaos! He doesn't want the world to thrive!
He doesn't-even want to thrive himself! He wants to
let things go. That's his ideal. Left to himself
he would let the weeds grow up his legs from standing
still so long. You laugh! But courtiers can be shot
as well as mutineering soldiers! (a gasp) An
emergency can be declared! (trying to raise himself)
I can do away with my court
(with a sweeping
gesture): in one -:
(He falls back, gripped with
pain)
MARMELADE:
(running off) The doctor!


CHRISTOPHE:
(straining round) Come back! And you
MARMELADE returns with feigned surprise) aren't
you the enemy-in-chief? you scheming viper? Would
you like to be the first before the firing squad? (a
hush) Would you? It can be done in a moment. Make
your decision! My guards are waiting!
MARMELADE bows obediently)
(imitating him) 'Doctor! Doctor! f Was it you put
up the idea of a regency council? (screaming) There
will be no regency council! Because you'd be on it,
pulling the strings from behind! No, Idon't want any
Marmelade on my bread thank you! (sycophant
laughter from the COURTIERS)
CHRISTOPHE manages to lift himself
unaided, watched by the COURTIERS with
great suspense. MARIE LOUISE comes
to his side but he indicates that he wants
no help. And together the ROYAL
FAMILY walk down among the COURTIERS
as usual. CHRISTOPHE stops and
converses.
Shots are heard again. MARIE LOUISE
and her children look round, the
COURTIERS show signs of excitement,
but CHRISTOPHE does not seem to hear.
MARMELADE catches the COUNT OF
GONAIVE's eye and they hurry out of the
open area together.
The ROYAL FAMILY continues moving
among the COURTIERS. The Voodoo
drums are again heard in the distance.


MARMELADE and GONAIVES enter
the royal area downstage)
MARMELADE:
Did you see when he was shouting at me? His right
hand's useless! Now spread it among the generals
Lebrun, the Count of Gros-Morne, Prophete -
GONAIVES:
Prophète, the commander of the King's Light Horse?
MARMELADE:
Why not? Do you think there's a loyal man left? Tell
them to repeat it among the men
the king is dead!
Liberty! Tell them it comes from me
the king is -
(An AIDE dashes into the royal area.
He whispers something in MARMELADE's
ear)
MARMELADE:
(to GONAIVES) Fetch the doctor! Follow me!
(They all dash out.
There is more firing. The sounds of
shouting, some screams. The
COURTIERS are alarmed, restive, but
still the king goes on quietly talking.
MARMELADE runs into the open area
followed by DR. STEWART)
Your majesty!
(CHRISTOPHE turns slowly, struck
more by this breach of court etiquette
than anything else)
CHRISTOPHE:
(seeing STEWART) You bring my doctor
you '
MARMELADE:
(calmly) General Jean Claude, the military governor,
has just been shot. Dead. By his own men.
(The COURTIERS burst into excited
chatter. STEWART comes forward to
CHRISTOPHE, who totters. But
CHRISTOPHE pushes him violently aside.
He moves towards MARMELADE, raises


his cane at him. MARMELADE does
not move. Everyone watches. As
CHRISTOPHE comes within arm's
reach of MARMELADE he collapses
suddenly in a heap. MARIE LOUISE
screams. STEWART bends down to
tear open CHRISTOPHE's collar. There
is chaos, The COURTIERS rush out,
shouting. MARMELADE disappears.
The MASTER OF CEREMONIES hurries
African GUARDS towards the king.
They lift him as before, but this
time chair him out.
MARIE LOUISE follows with the
PRINCESSES. The PRINCE ROYAL
picks up the king's fallen cane and
gazes at it in a dazed way.
MARMELADE and GONAIVES with other
COURTIERS - no longer feathered
hurry into the chapel area and pull
the pews round for an urgent conference.
The open area clears)
MARMELADE:
We can't stop now, the NCOs have taken charge!
(contd)
Now get hold of the ringleaders and tell them they
have our support! Tell them we've freed their
commander, Colonel Paulin.. And get rid of these
damned clothes!
(Other COURTIERS join them)
Don't go near the palace! Don't touch any of the
Europeans, we'll need their support later. When I've
formed a government, I expect your help!
(A group of SOLDIERS burst from the
top of the ramp, chairing COLONEL
PAULIN. They race him down the
ramp, cheering, then out)


MARMELADE:
I'm in close touch with President Boyer. His troops are
fifty miles away, approaching fast.
(The sound of 'For he's a jolly good
fellow!' comes from COLONEL PAULIN's
party off)
Do I have your support?
COURTIERS:
Yes!
MARMELADE:
Wherever you find troops, pass the word to rally
round General Richard! That's my name from now on!
A COURTIER:
Are you keeping your insignia?
MARMELADE:
I'm stripping them off - - but in public! I learned
a bit of showmanship from that royal jackass!
(They leave, some of the COURTIERS
hanging back in undecided conversation.
CHRISTOPHE, helped by DR. STEWART
and the PRINCE ROYAL and an AIDE,
comes into the royal area. He slumps
down in a chair, and pillows are
brought)
CHRISTOPHE:
Then I shall sign with my left: Bring me the order.
(to the AIDE)
(The AIDE leaves again)
STEWART:
I can't guarantee your recovery if you go on like
this! Set up a regency council now, sir, in the
interests of your health!
CHRISTOPHE:
And the interests of the state? I shall sign
that document!
STEWART:
(shouting in his ear) But you can hardly talk,
sir!
(The AIDE returns with the order to
be signed)
CHRISTOPHE:
Where's Marmelade? Marmelade!


(More shouting is heard from outside,
closer now. 'Liberty! Liberty! f
CHRISTOPHE grips the table and begins
slowly and painfully making his signature
with his left hand.
A group of soldiers pass across the open
area, their muskets slung anyhow,
looking for trouble. They shout 'Liberty!
Liberty! 1 A cheer comes from outside,
and there is the sound of crackling flames.
A red glow casts its light across the open
area.
MARMELADE and several OFFICERS
cross the open area too, surrounded by
troops, now seen in the red glow of the
flames)
MARMELADE:
Iam no longer the Duke of Marmelade! No King!
No nobility! No tyranny!
(He tears the Cross of St. Henry from his
chest and flings it on the ground, and a
great cheer goes up)
I am the General Richard you have always known!
(They move off across the open area,
chanting 'No King, no Nobility, no
Tyranny! 1
The MASTER OF CEREMONIES bows his
way nervously into the royal area)
MASTER OF
Sir Home Riggs Popham, your majesty.
CEREMONIES:
(CHRISTOPHE is still at work on his
signature)
STEWART:
(in his ear) Sir Home's here sir!
CHRISTOPHE:
Send him in:
(The MASTER OF CEREMONIES leaves
just as MARIE LOUISE hurries in)


MARIE LOUISE:
Henry! They're shooting outside! (touching him)
Henry!
CHRISTOPHE:
(turning to her quietly) Does a little firing mean you
abandon the proprieties? Is my room a brothel?
MARIE LOUISE:
Henry! Your face!
CHRISTOPHE:
Now get among the courtiers. Take the Prince Royal
with you. Tell them I've issued an order to put down
the rebels! Istill have Joachim! I have the royal
guard!
(He hands the order to his AIDE, who
hurries out as POPHAM is shown in)
POPHAM:
Your majesty, they're burning the town!
CHRISTOPHE:
I've just sent Joachim with twelve hundred of my guard'
POPHAM:
I can bring in a couple of cruisers but they'll be of
little help! May I suggest a regency council? And
perhaps to ask Marmelade to join it, as the strongest
man outside the palace?
CHRISTOPHE:
Outside ? He's outside now?
STEWART:
I must really ask you to quiet yourself sir!
CHRISTOPHE slumps back)
CHRISTOPHE:
You know, Sir Home, a king always wonders in his
heart of hearts when he's going to be disobeyed. For
years I've given orders with that in the back of my
mind. And now it's happened. And it's a relief
like coming back to life. They don't need me any more.
POPHAM:
They? You mean the people?
CHRISTOPHE:
the people are neither here nor there!
POPHAM:
You should at least go to the citadel sir.
CHRISTOPHE:
I shall send my family there perhaps.
(More sounds of firing. The flames
grow.
MARMELADE dashes into the open area
again with OFFICERS and MEN)


MARMELADE:
He sends the royal guard to crush us! Four cannons
and twelve hundred men against five thousand. But
a million men would be useless against us (cheers)
---! Because they believe in liberty too! The king's
own guard believes in liberty! All twelve hundred of
them! (more cheers) No King! No Nobility! No
Tyranny!
(The chant is taken up. There are
drums close at hand, calling the troops
to gather.
MARMELADE and his party move across
the open area as an AIDE dashes into the
royal area)
AIDE:
General Joachim has returned sir! Without his troops!
He awaits you at the Citadel:
CHRISTOPHE:
Without his
AIDE:
They defected to the other side!
CHRISTOPHE:
(trying to rise) Why then, call my family. (to
POPHAM) You've been a kind friend, Sir Home. Go
back to your ship. (to STEWART) You sir
STEWART:
My job is to stay with you!
CHRISTOPHE:
(smiling, to POPHAM) You see what a doctor I have.
It's because I haven't paid him yet!
POPHAM:
You can joke now, with your capital in flames?
CHRISTOPHE:
I set light to it myself! I'm burning it down myself!
I've lived in death since I was ten, it's nothing new to
me - do you think I don't know what it is ? (screaming
at the flames) I've done it myself, do you hear? I
taught you revolt! Ishowed Marmelade the way! It
does me good! A defeat! I'm a man again, I wanted to
be a man again:
POPHAM:
But nothing's finished, it's just a riot!
CHRISTOPHE:
(relaxing into his chair again) Do you know something,
my old friend, we've been chatting together for twelve
years or more, and I don't even know if you're married!
Would it be too personal to ask, now?


POPHAM:
Not only married, sir, but with two daughters and a
son about the same age as your own.
CHRISTOPHE:
And have they been told about me?
POPHAM:
I have to give them a new instalment every time I dock
at Southampton! You're a fairy tale for them! They
grew up with it!
CHRISTOPHE:
I was for my own people too, a fairy tale. DidIdo
wrong, do you think? All these uniforms ---:
POPHAM:
Monarchy, sir, ensures political continuity.
CHRISTOPHE:
(laughing) Ah! Let that be your last remark! Bless
you for bringing Westminster here! Westminster's a
fairy tale too! People remember fairy tales all their
lives.
(A fresh burst of firing and shouting close
at hand, but CHRISTOPHE is quite
undisturbed)
Do you know, Sir Home, I am so expert, so trained, I
know my people so well, that I can calculate the
precise moment at which they will break down my
doors. Marmelade gave you a safe conduct?
POPHAM:
Yes.
CHRISTOPHE:
See that Gulliver gets it too. And this fellow. (meaning
STEWART) He thinks it's all because I had a heart
attack! But I had the heart attack because my time had
come, my people were too weak to go on. That's the
order of things.
POPHAM:
I'm afraid he's a doctor, sir, he could never see that!
CHRISTOPHE:
If I should be separated from my family, you will
bring them to England?
POPHAM:
I give you my solemn word.
CHRISTOPHE:
Take them first, please, to Mr. Wilberforce. He won't
be pleased to see them, because he doesn't really like
black people. But Mr. Clarkson will take them in.
Oh God! what it is to know human beings!
POPHAM:
I can get you all across to one of the Virgin Islands now
you could fight it out from there
collect new
men! We can smuggle you down to the harbour!


CHRISTOPHE:
My duty is here, dear friend. Besides, I'm interested
to see how far the riot goes.
(The GRAND MASTER OF CEREMONIES
enters with little ceremony)
MASTER OF
Her Majesty is waiting with your children sir!
CEREMONIES:
POPHAM:
May I repeat my offer?
CHRISTOPHE:
I shall stay with my people. You see, it's all being
played out here! (touching his solar plexus)
(They embrace)
POPHAM:
I shall have a boat lowered, waiting for you, for two
days.
CHRISTOPHE:
In two days I shall be Emperor of the Western World!
POPHAM:
Emperor?
(POPHAM bows low and leaves.
The MASTER OF CEREMONIES ushers
in the rest of the royal family. The
PRINCE ROYAL is frightened and
stumbling, while the PRINCESSES are
collected and quiet)
CHRISTOPHE:
(to MARIE LOUISE) Come closer my dear. I'm
sending you and the children to the Citadel with Dr.
Stewart. You may have to get used to being ordinary
citizens again.
MARIE LOUISE:
(fiercely) We shall stay here, with you! They're
slave om trash - they smile and fawn until you're down!
Look at that one (indicating the MASTER OF
CEREMONIES) his heart's outside with the rebels
get out, go on! Join them if you want to! Here's
the bravest man in Haiti, the only rebel you ever had,
but you couldn't see it!
(The MASTER OF CEREMONIES bows
his head and remains)
CHRISTOPHE:
(to MARIE LOUISE) You will go now, my dearest.


MARIE LOUISE: And you? We won't leave you here!
CHRISTOPHE:
Those are my orders. I shall follow you there in time.
Stewart, my staff will look after you. There's a year's
supply of food at the Citadel.
(STEWART bows, and one by one the
royal family takes leave of the king)
(to the PRINCE ROYAL) Now pull yourself together!
(to MARIE LOUISE) Do you know, I knew all this long
ago
it was on your Feast Day, I felt so happy I
knew something new was about to happen!
MARIE LOUISE: Henry - :
CHRISTOPHE:
(kissing her) You're a brave woman. God be with you.
(They all leave. CHRISTOPHE is alone.
More drums outside, more firing.
Cries of Liberty! This reaches his ears,
and he chuckles to himself, repeating
'Liberty!"
He strains round to the table and
manages to pull open the drawer. He
takes out a small silver pistol, which he
inspects and loads calmly. He tucks
it into his tunic)
Let Christ receive me first. So many murders!
Disappointments, hurts! So many curses on my head
every day! (trying to rise) Let me do it! (pleading)
Oh gods of Dahomey
before they get in let
me do it! Oh Christ, move them to let me do it!


(But he cannot rise, and breaks down
into weeping.
The PAPALOI appears in the open area,
stands quite still. He simply watches
CHRISTOPHE,
There are shouts close at hand. Banging
at one of the palace doors)
CHRISTOPHE:
They're here! (with terrific effort to raise himself)
(contd)
Help me to my room! Imust lie on my bed! They
must see me in state! (insisting) Help me! I know
my people! (relapsing into helpless tears again)
(Suddenly he sees the PAPALOI)
(with tremendous relief) Ah-h-h-h:
(He raises himself quite easily, and
walks across the open area towards the
PAPALOI, then out. The PAPALOI
follows noiselèssly.
The scene is empty. It is night. Only
desultory flames light the open area.
There is the sound of a single pistol shot,
then silence again.
Confused running, then an alarmed cry.
We hear MARIE LOUISE scream, and one
of the PRINCESSES cry)
STEWART:
(off) Guards! Guards!
(There are more hurrying footsteps.
TOM GULLIVER suddenly appears in the
royal area, dishevelled, his eyes starting
out of his head.


STEWART dashes in from the other
side)
STEWART:
Where are those damned guards? (seeing GULLIVER)
(contd)
Good God! What brings you here?
GULLIVER:
They're almost in the - is the king safe?
STEWART:
He's shot himself man! Through the heart! A
clean bullet wound - with his right arm
it was
paralysed!
GULLIVER:
The king is
STEWART:
Your idol's dead, Mr. Gulliver.
(The MASTER OF CEREMONIES enters,
right)
MASTER OF
I've bribed some of the guards, sir
they'll take
CEREMONIES:
him up to the Citadel! (he leaves again)
STEWART:
(to GULLIVER) Get down to the harbour! They won't
touch you. Go on! Are you still sick, man?
(GULLIVER turns blindly
to go)
Not that way, man!
(At this moment a few AFRICAN
GUARDS, no longer in dress
uniform, carry CHRISTOPHE's
body across the open area, with
the QUEEN and her FAMILY
immediately following. Leading
the party are the MASTER OF
CEREMONIES, armed now, and
another mulatto COURTIER.
GULLIVER watches it all, dazed.


The ROYAL PARTY moves towards the
ramp and DR. STEWART joins them.
They mount the ramp.
GULLIVER stands alone in the open
area, gazing up at them, The GUARDS
strain under the king's weight, urged on
at gunpoint by the MASTER OF CEREMONIES)
MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
Forward, go on!
(Shouts of Liberty! come this time from
the top of the ramp. Suddenly ragged
SOLDIERS rush from the top of the ramp,
colliding with the ROYAL PARTY)
SOLDIER:
The king! Throw him off the ramparts!
(But the silence of the ROYAL PARTY
and menaces from the GRAND MASTER
OF CEREMONIES stay them)
MASTER OF
CEREMONIES:
Stand back!
(The SOLDIERS watch the ROYAL PARTY
pass, then run on down the ramp shouting,
'The king is dead! The king is dead! 1
There is a great banging at the palace
doors below.
As the SOLDIERS reach the foot of the
ramp others burst in from the right.
The palace doors are down)
SOLDIERS:
The king is dead: The king is dead!
(They tear down the royal phoenix, tip
up the armchairs and tables, go to the
thrones and upset them. They take no
notice of GULLIVER, who stands gazing
at them in stupefaction.
The voodoo drums can be heard again.


There are unearthly screams from the
top of the ramp which make the SOLDIERS
below turn their heads.
A SOLDIER runs down the ramp
waving a bloodstained bayonet)
SOLDIER:
The Prince Royal is dead!
SOLDIERS:
To the Citadel! To the Citadel:
(They storm up the ramp.
MARMELADE rushes in with his party,
left. They hasten after the SOLDIERS
up the ramp)
MARMELADE:
(to his AIDES, who run ahead) Get hold of the
queen! See that she's safe!
(The scene is again empty save for
GULLIVER. Gradually the voices
die away.
He gazes round at the upturned
furniture. He manages to put the
royal phoenix upright again. He
stands looking at it, at the words,
I rise again from my ashes.
He gives it a last look and then walks
off across the open area, upstage
right.
The scene is empty. The flames
gradually die down.
There is silence. In the distance
Voodoo drums are heard.
THE END