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could only restrest。 ＇She raises her head＇ I am a sea…gullnono； I am an
actress。 ＇She hears ARKADINA and TRIGORIN laughing in the distance；
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The Sea…Gull
runs to the door on the left and looks through the keyhole＇ He is there too。
＇She goes back to TREPLIEFF＇ Ah； wellno matter。 He does not believe
in the theatre； he used to laugh at my dreams； so that little by little I
became down…hearted and ceased to believe in it too。 Then came all the
cares of love； the continual anxiety about my little one； so that I soon grew
trivial and spiritless； and played my parts without meaning。 1 never knew
what to do with my hands； and I could not walk properly or control my
voice。 You cannot imagine the state of mind of one who knows as he goes
through a play how terribly badly he is acting。 I am a sea…gullnono； that
is not wha t I meant to say。 Do you remember how you shot a seagull once？
A man chanced to pass that way and destroyed it out of idleness。 That is an
idea for a short story； but it is not what I meant to say。 ＇She passes her
hand across her forehead＇ What was I saying？ Oh； yes； the stage。 I have
changed now。 Now I am a real actress。 I act with joy； with exaltation； I am
intoxicated by it； and feel that I am superb。 I have been walking and
walking； and thinking and thinking； ever since I have been here； and I feel
the strength of my spirit growing in me every day。 I know now； I
understand at last； Constantine； that for us； whether we write or act； it is
not the honour and glory of which I have dreamt that is important； it is the
strength to endure。 One must know how to bear one's cross； and one must
have faith。 I believe； and so do not suffer so much； and when I think of my
calling I do not fear life。
TREPLIEFF。 ＇Sadly＇ You have found your way； you know where you
are going； but I am still groping in a chaos of phantoms and dreams； not
knowing whom and what end I am serving by it all。 I do not believe in
anything； and I do not know what my calling is。
NINA。 ＇Listening＇ Hush！ I must go。 Good…bye。 When I have become a
famous actress you must come and see me。 Will you promise to come？ But
now ＇She takes his hand＇ it is late。 I can hardly stand。 I am fainting。 I am
hungry。
TREPLIEFF。 Stay； and let me bring you some supper。
NINA。 No； noand don't come out； I can find the way alone。 My
carriage is not far away。 So she brought him back with her？ However；
what difference can that make to me？ Don't tell Trigorin anything when
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The Sea…Gull
you see him。 I love himI love him even more than I used to。 It is an idea
for a short story。 I love himI love him passionatelyI love him to despair。
Have you forgotten； Constantine； how pleasant the old times were？ What a
gay； bright； gentle； pure life we led？ How a feeling as sweet and tender as
a flower blossomed in our hearts？ Do you remember； ＇She recites＇ 〃All
men and beasts； lions； eagles； and quails； horned stags； geese； spiders；
silent fish that inhabit the waves； starfish from the sea； and creatures
invisible to the eyein one word； lifeall； all life； completing the dreary
round set before it； has died out at last。 A thousand years have passed since
the earth last bore a living creature on its breast； and the unhappy moon
now lights her lamp in vain。 No longer are the cries of storks heard in the
meadows； or the drone of beetles in the groves of limes〃
She embraces TREPLIEFF impetuously and runs out onto the terrace。
TREPLIEFF。 ＇After a pause＇ It would be a pity if she were seen in the
garden。 My mother would be distressed。
He stands for several minutes tearing up his manuscripts and throwing
them under the table； then unlocks the door on the right and goes out。
DORN。 ＇Trying to force open the door on the left＇ Odd！ This door
seems to be locked。 ＇He comes in and puts the chair back in its former
place＇ This is like a hurdle race。
ARKADINA and PAULINA come in； followed by JACOB carrying
some bottles； then come MASHA； SHAMRAEFF； and TRIGORIN。
ARKADINA。 Put the claret and the beer here； on the table； so that we
can drink while we are playing。 Sit down； friends。
PAULINA。 And bring the tea at once。
She lights the candles and takes her seat at the card…table。
SHAMRAEFF leads TRIGORIN to the cupboard。
SHAMRAEFF。 Here is the stuffed sea…gull I was telling you about。
＇He takes the sea…gull out of the cupboard＇ You told me to have it done。
TRIGORIN。 ＇looking at the bird＇ I don't remember a thing about it； not
a thing。 ＇A shot is heard。 Every one jumps。＇
ARKADINA。 ＇Frightened＇ What was that？
DORN。 Nothing at all； probably one of my medicine bottles has blown
up。 Don't worry。 ＇He goes out through the door on the right； and comes
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The Sea…Gull
back in a few moments＇ It is as I thought； a flask of ether has exploded。
＇He sings＇
〃Spellbound once more I stand before thee。〃
ARKADINA。 ＇Sitting down at the table＇ Heavens！ I was really
frightened。 That noise reminded me of ＇She covers her face with her
hands＇ Everything is black before my eyes。
DORN。 ＇Looking through the pages of a magazine； to TRIGORIN＇
There was an article from America in this magazine about two months ago
that I wanted to ask you about； among other things。 ＇He leads TRIGORIN
to the front of the stage＇ I am very much interested in this question。 ＇He
lowers his voice and whispers＇ You must take Madame Arkadina away
from here； what I wanted to say was； that Constantine has shot himself。
The curtain falls。
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