Victorian Anthology
Extract from the Stage Version of Jekyll and Hyde
Robert Louis Stevenson
Jekyll: Poor humankind. Bound by laws as rigid as the sheepskin covers of the book that holds them. And I, who have toiled for freedom doomed to eternal wretchedness, the possessor of a secret I dare not even whisper. Heaven help me, Heaven help me. (Stands at fire)
Agnes: Harry
Jekyll: (At table, not hearing her, aside) In the power of the monster, I myself created. In its power. What if it should present itself here—before them—what if….
Agnes (aside): What does he say? Harry.
Jekyll: Agnes. (shrinking from her) Is that you?
Agnes: Yes, there is something wrong. I have seen it in your face for days. What is it Harry? You must let me share in this. How else am I to help you?
Jekyll: You cannot help me. There is no help for me on earth.
Agnes: Harry.
Jekyll: We are at the cross-roads—we must part before it is too late. I must go on alone.
Agnes: Part?
Jekyll: Yes.
Do you know me? I have promised to be your wife—I love you. Look, this is I—Agnes Carew.
Jekyll: It is you who do not know me. I am unfit to live upon the good earth with you.
Agnes: Are you not Henry Jekyll?
Jekyll: The philanthropist, the man of science, the distinguished person—before the world, yes. How if it were all a lie? If I were like one possessed of a Wend—wearing at times, another shape, vile, monstrous, hideous beyond belief?
Agnes: Oh, be silent. (Hiding face in hands)
Jekyll: Yes, a Wend without conscience, and without remorse—inventing crimes and longing only to commit them.
Agnes: This is horrible. Who accuses you. You are ill and tired—you are not yourself.
Jekyll: That is true. I am but half myself—the other half is—
Agnes: Mine. You have no right to accuse it falsely.
Jekyll: You will not believe—if I dared tell you—
Agnes: You shall tell me nothing.
Jekyll: You are right. It is best to part so.
Agnes: Part? How little you know me. If you have sins to conquer, I have mine. Who is there without sin in all the world? We are born into it to help one another. And when you need me most, am I to give you up—to leave you.
Jekyll: You can say these things. You ask me nothing.
Agnes: No, you have won my love—you must accept it.
Jekyll: But if you knew—
Agnes: (Drawing nearer, tenderly) How much I might confess to you. You would not listen.
Jekyll: Darling, I—no I cannot tell her that, never that.
Agnes: Who ever lived that was not tempted by the Wend. To be tempted is not to yield. We will resist.
Agnes: (In his arms) Harry, do you remember, where I met you first?
Jekyll: In the ward of the hospital—yes.
Agnes: Where you watched by my poor old nurse who was dying. You were there night and day, with all that human skill could do, with more than human patience and devotion. I tried to thank you for your kind looks—your gentle words. I could not speak.
Jekyll: But your eyes said it all. And then I loved you. It was a strange courtship.
Agnes: That is the man I know. There is no other.