第4章(2020年)を書き終えて1ヵ月以上経ったころ、ふと一軒の古本屋に入った。珍しく文庫本を豊富に備えている店で、昔読んだ本の背表紙などをなつかしく見ていると、ストリンドベリ(1849-1912)の『死の舞踏』というタイトルが目に飛び込んできた。山本有三の翻訳だから、ドイツ語訳からの重訳だろう。1953年発行の創元文庫だった。

結局買わなかったが、気になる書名だったので、Gutenberg の英語訳をダウンロードして読み始めた(以下、冒頭部分のト書き)。同じ店に行く機会があれば文庫を買うつもりだ。

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PART I

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CHARACTERS

EDGAR, Captain in the Coast Artillery
ALICE, his wife, a former actress
CURT, Master of Quarantine
JENNY }
THE OLD WOMAN } Subordinate characters
THE SENTRY }

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The scene is laid inside of a round fort built of granite.

In the background, a gateway, closed by huge, swinging double doors; in these, small square window panes, through which may be seen a sea shore with batteries and the sea beyond.

On either side of the gateway, a window with flower pots and bird cages.

To the right of the gateway, an upright piano; further down the stage, a sewing-table and two easy-chairs.

On the left, half-way down the stage, a writing-table with a telegraph instrument on it; further down, a what-not full of framed photographs. Beside it, a couch that can be used to sleep on. Against the wall, a buffet.

A lamp suspended from the ceiling. On the wall near the piano hang two large laurel wreaths with ribbons. Between them, the picture of a woman in stage dress.

Beside the door, a hat-stand on which hang accoutrements, sabres, and so forth. Near it, a chiffonier.

To the left of the gateway hangs a mercurial barometer.

It is a mild Fall evening. The doors stand open, and a sentry is seen pacing back and forth on the shore battery. He wears a helmet with a forward pointed brush for a crest. Now and then his drawn sabre catches the red glare of the setting sun. The sea lies dark and quiet.

The CAPTAIN sits in the easy-chair to the left of the sewing-table, fumbling an extinguished cigar. He has on a much-worn undress uniform and riding-boots with spurs. Looks tired and bored.

ALICE sits in the easy-chair on the right, doing nothing at all. Looks tired and expectant.