Mea culpa

JOHANNA sits sewing)
JUDGE (Sings):
Mea culpa, mea culpa,
Mea maxima culpa,
Mea maxima maxima culpa!
God deliver me! Release me!
Forgive me! Restrain me! Pervade me!
(He peers through the keyhole of the door to JOHANNA' s room)
Johanna, Johanna,
So suddenly a woman,
The light behind your window —
It penetrates your gown ...
Johanna, Johanna,
The sun — I see the sun through your —
(Ashamed, he stops peering)
No!
God!
Deliver me!
(Sinks to his knees)
Deliver me!
(Starts tearing off his robes)
Down!
68
Down.
Down ...
(Now naked to the waist, he picks up a scourge/row the
table)
Johanna, Johanna,
I watch you from the shadows.
You sigh before your window
And gaze upon the town ...
Your lips part, Johanna,
So young and soft and beautiful —
(Whips himself)
God!
(Again and again, as he continues)
Deliver me!
Filth
Leave me!
Johanna, Johanna,
I treasured you in innocence
And loved you like a daughter.
You mock me, JOHANNA,
You tempt me with your innocence,
You tempt me with those quivering —
(Whips himself)
No!
(Again and again)
God!
Deliver me!
It will-
Stop—
Now! It will —
Stop —
Right-
Now.
Right-
Now.
Right-
Now ...
(Calm again, having kneed his way over to the door, he peers through the keyhole)
Johanna, Johanna,
I cannot keep you longer.
The world is at your window,
You want to fly away.
You stir me, Johanna,
So suddenly a woman,
I cannot watch you one more day — !
(Again whips himself into a frenzy)
God!
Deliver me!
God!
Deliver me!
God!
Deliver —
(Climaxes)
God!!
(Panting, he relaxes; when he is in control again, he starts to dress)
Johanna, Johanna,
I'll keep you here forever,
I'll wed you on the morrow.
Johanna, Johanna,
The world will never touch you,
I'll wed you on the morrow!
As years pass, Johanna,
You'll tend me in my solitude,
No longer as a daughter,
As a woman.
(He is fully dressed again)
Johanna, Johanna,
I'll hold you here forever then,
You'll keep away from windows and
You'll
Deliver me,
Johanna,
From this
Hot
Red
Devil
With your
Soft
White
Cool
Virgin
Palms...
(Magisterial again, picking up the Bible, he produces a key and opens the door, the key forgotten, still in the lock. JOHANNA jumps Up)
JOHANNA: Father!
JUDGE: JOHANNA, I trust you've not been near the window again.
JOHANNA (During this speech her eyes fall on the key in the lock): Hardly, dear father, when it has been shuttered and barred these last three days.
JUDGE: How right I was to insist on such a precaution, for once again he has come, that conscienceless young sailor. Ten times has he been driven from my door and yet.. . (Breaks off, gazing at her, smitten with lust) How sweet you look in that light muslin gown.
JOHANNA: 'Tis nothing but an old dress, father.
JUDGE: But fairer on your young form than wings on an angel... oh, if I were to think ...
JOHANNA (Demurely, moving to the door): Think what, dear father?
JUDGE: If I were to think you encouraged this young rogue ...
JOHANNA (During this speech, she slips the key from the lock, hides it in her dress): I? maid trained from the cradle to find in modesty and obedience the greatest of all virtues? Dear father, when have you ceased to warn me of the
wickedness of men?
JUDGE: Venal young men of the street with only one thought in their heads. But there are men of different and far higher breed. I have one in mind for you.
JOHANNA: You have?
JUDGE: gentle man, who would shield you from all earthly cares and guide your faltering steps to the sober warmth of womanhood — a husband — a protector — and yet an ardent lover too. It is a man who through all the years has surely earned your affection. (