CHARACTERS

BERNARDA. (age: 60)
MARIA JOSEFA, Bernarda's Mother (age: 80)
ANGUSTIAS, Bernarda's Daughter (age: 39)
MAGDALENA, Bernarda's Daughter (age: 30)
AMELIA, Bernarda's Daughter (age: 27)
MARTIRIO, Bernarda's Daughter (age: 24)
ADELA, Bernarda's Daughter (age: 20)
A MAID (age: 50)
LA PONCIA, A Maid (age: 60)
PRUDENCIA (age: 50)
Women in Mourning

The writer states that these Three Acts are intended as a photographic document.

ACT ONE

A very white room in Bernarda Alba's house. The walls are white. There are arched doorways with jute
curtains tied back with tassels and ruffles. Wicker chairs. On the walls, pictures of unlikely land-
scapes full of nymphs or legendary kings.

It is summer. A great brooding silence fills the stage. It is empty when the curtain rises. Bells can
be heard tolling outside.

FIRST SERVANT, entering. The tolling of those bells hits me right between the eyes.

PONCIA, she enters, eating bread and sausage. More than two hours of mumbo jumbo. Priests are here
from all the towns. The church looks beautiful. At the first responsory for the dead, Magdalena faint-
ed.

FIRST SERVANT. She's the one who's left most alone.

PONCIA. She's the only one who loved her father. Ay! Thank God we're alone for a little. I came over
to eat.

FIRST SERVANT. If Bernarda sees you...

PONCIA. She's not eating today so she'd just as soon we'd all die of hunger! Domineering old tyrant!
But she'll be fooled! I opened the sausage crock.

FIRST SERVANT, with an anxious sadness. Couldn't you give me some for my little girl, Poncia?

PONCIA. Go ahead! And take a fistful of peas too. She won't know the difference today.

VOICE, within. Bernarda!

PONCIA. There's the grandmother! Isn't she locked up tight?

FIRST SERVANT. Two turns of the key.

PONCIA. You'd better put the cross-bar up too. She's got the fingers of a lock-picker!

VOICE, within. Bernardal

PONCIA, shouting. She's coming!

To The Servant.

Clean everything up good. If Bernarda doesn't find things shining, she'll pull out the few hairs I
have left.

SERVANT. What a woman!

PONCIA. Tyrant over everyone around her. She's perfectly capable of sitting on your heart and watch-
ing you die for a whole year without turning off that cold little smile she wears on her wicked face.
Scrub, scrub those dishes!

SERVANT. I've got blood on my hands from so much polishing of everything.

PONCIA. She's the cleanest, she's the decentest, she's the highest everything! A good rest her poor
husband's earned!

The bells stop.

SERVANT. Did all the relatives come?

PONCIA. Just hers. His people hate her. They came to see him dead and make the sign of the cross over
him; that's all.

SERVANT. Are there enough chairs?

PONCIA. More than enough. Let them sit on the floor. When Bernarda's father died people stopped com-
ing under this roof. She doesn't want them to see her in her "domain." Curse her!

SERVANT. She's been good to you.

PONCIA. Thirty years washing her sheets. Thirty years eating her leftovers. Nights of watching when
she had a cough. Whole days peeking through a crack in the shutters to spy on the neighbors and carry
her the tale. Life without secrets one from the other. But in spite of that--curse her! May the "pain
of the piercing nail" strike her in the eyes.

SERVANT. Poncia!

PONCIA. But I'm a good watchdog! I bark when I'm told and bite beggars' heels when she sics me on
'em. My sons work in her fields--both of them already married, but one of these days I'll have enough.

SERVANT. And then...?

PONCIA. Then I'll lock myself up in a room with her and spit in her face--a whole year. "Bernarda,
here's for this, that and the other!" Till I leave her--just like a lizard the boys have squashed.
For that's what she is--she and her whole family! Not that I envy her her life. Five girls are left
her, five ugly daughters--not counting Angustias the eldest, by her first husband, who has money--
the rest of them, plenty of eyelets to embroider, plenty of linen petticoats, but bread and grapes
when it comes to inheritance.

SERVANT. Well, I'd like to have what they've got!

PONCIA. All we have is our hands and a hole in God's earth.

SERVA.NT. And that's the only earth they'll ever leave to us--to us who have nothing!

PONCIA, at the cupboard. This glass has some specks.

SERVANT. Neither soap nor rag will take them off.

The bells toll.

PONCIA. The last prayer! I'm going over and listen. I certainly like the way our priest sings. In
the Pater Noster his voice went up, and up--like a pitcher filling with water little by little. Of
course, at the end his voice cracked, but it's glorious to hear it. No, there never was anybody
like the old Sacristan--Tronchapinos. At my mother's Mass, may she rest in peace, he sang.
The walls shook--and when he said "Amen," it was as if a wolf had come into the church.

Imitating him. A-a-a-a-men!

She starts coughing.

SERVANT. Watch out--you'll strain your windpipe!

PONCIA. I'd rather strain something else!

Goes out laughing.

The Servant scrubs. The bells toll.

SERVANT, imitating the bells. Dong, dong, dong. Dong, dong, dong. May God forgive him!

BEGGAR WOMAN, at the door, with a little girl. Blessed be God!

SERVANT. Dong, dong, dong. I hope he waits many years for us! Dong, dong, dong.

BEGGAR, loudly, a little annoyed. Blessed be God!

SERVANT, annoyed. Forever and ever!

BEGGAR. I came for the scraps.

The bells stop tolling.

SERVANT. You can go right out the way you came in. Today's scraps are for me.

BEGGAR. But you have somebody to take care of you--and my little girl and I are all alone!

SERVANT. Dogs are alone too, and they live.

BEGGAR. They always give them to me.

SERVANT. Get out of here! Who let you in anyway? You've already tracked up the place.

The Beggar Woman and Little Girl leave. The Servant goes on scrubbing.

Floors finished with oil, cupboards, pedestals, iron beds--but us servants, we can suffer in silence
--and live in mud huts with a plate and a spoon. I hope someday not a one will be left to tell it.

The bells sound again.

Yes, yes--ring away. Let them put you in a coffin with gold inlay and brocade to carry it on--you're
no less dead than I'll be, so take what's coming to you, Antonio Maria Benavides--stiff in your broad-
cloth suit and your high boots --take what's coming to you! You'll never again lift my skirts behind
the corral door!

From the rear door, two by two, women In mourning with large shawls and black skirts and fans, begin
to enter. They come in slowly until the stage is full.

SERVANT, breaking into a wail. Oh, Antonio Maria Ben-avides, now you'll never see these walls, nor
Break bread in this house again! I'm the one who loved you most of all your servants.

Pulling her hair.

Must I live on after you've gone? Must I go on living?

The two hundred women finish coming in, and Bernardo and her five daughters enter. Bernardo leans on
a cane.

BERNARDA, to The Servant. Silence!

SERVANT, weeping. Bernarda!

BERNARDA. Less shrieking and more work. You should have had all this cleaner for the wake. Get out.
This isn't your place.

The Servant goes off crying.

The poor are like animals--they seem to be made of different stuff.

FIRST WOMAN. The poor feel their sorrows too.

BERNARDA. But they forget them in front of a plateful of peas.

FIRST GIRL, timidly. Eating is necessary for living.

BERNARDA. At your age one doesn't talk in front of older people.

WOMAN. Be quiet, child.

BERNARDA. I've never taken lessons from anyone. Sit down.

They sit down. Pause. Loudly:

Magdalena, don't cry. If you want to cry, get under your bed. Do you hear me?

SECOND WOMAN, to Bernardo. Have you started to work the fields?

THIRD WOMAN. The sun comes down like lead.

FIRST WOMAN. I haven't known heat like this for years.

Pause.They all fan themselves.

BERNARDA. Is the lemonade ready?

PONCIA. Yes, Bernarda.

She brings in a large tray full of little white jars which she distributes.

BERNARDA. Give the men some.

PONCIA. They're already drinking in the patio.

BERNARDA. Let them get out the way they came in. I don't want them walking through here.

A GIRL, to Angustias. Pepe el Romano was with the men during the service.

ANGUSTIAS. There he was.

BERNARDA. His mother was there. She saw his mother. Neither she nor I saw Pepe ...

GIRL. I thought...

BERNARDA. The one who was there was Darajali, the widower. Very close to your Aunt. We all of us
saw him.

SECOND WOMAN, aside, in a low voice. Wicked, worse than wicked woman!

THIRD. WOMAN. A tongue like a knife!

BERNARDA. Women in church shouldn't look at any man but the priest--and him only because he wears
skirts. To turn your head is to be looking for the warmth of corduroy.

FIRST WOMAN. Sanctimonious old snake!

PONCiA, between her teeth. Itching for a man's warmth.

BERNARDA, beating with her cane on the floor. Blessed be God!

ALL, crossing themselves. Forever blessed and praised.

BERNARDA. Rest in peace with holy company at your head.

ALL. Rest in peace!

BERNARDA. With the Angel Saint Michael, and his sword of justice.

ALL. Rest in peace!

BERNARDA. With the key that opens, and the hand that locks.

ALL. Rest in peace!

BERNARDA. With the most blessed, and the little lights of the field.

ALL. Rest in peace!

BERNARDA. With our holy charity, and all souls on land and sea.

ALL. Rest in peace!

BERNARDA. Grant rest to your servant, Antonio Maria Benavides, and give him the crown of your bless-
ed glory. ALL. Amen.

BERNARDA, she rises and chants. Requiem aeternarn donat eis domine.

ALL, standing and chanting in the Gregorian fashion. Et lux perpetua lute ab eis.

They cross themselves.

FIRST WOMAN. May you have health to pray for his soul.

They start filing out.

THIRD WOMAN. You won't lack loaves of hot bread.

SECOND WOMAN. Nor a roof for your daughters.

They are all filing in front of Bernarda and going out. Angustias leaves by the door to the patio.

FOURTH WOMAN. May you go on enjoying your wedding wheat.

PONCIA, she enters, carrying a money bag. From the men--this bag of money for Masses.

BERNARDA. Thank them--and let them have a glass of brandy.

BERNARDA, to the women who have just left. Go back to your houses and criticize everything you've
seen! I hope it'll be many years before you pass under the archway of my door again.

PONCIA. You've nothing to complain about. The whole town came.

BERNARDA. Yes, to fill my house with the sweat from their wraps and the poison of their tongues.

AMELIA. Mother, don't talk like that.

BERNARDA. What other way is there to talk about this cursed village with no river--this village
full of wells where you drink water always fearful it's been poisoned?

PONCIA. Look what they've done to the floor.

BERNARDA. As though a herd of goats had passed through.

Poncia cleans the floor.

Adele, give me a fan.

ADELA. Take this one.

She gives her a round fan with green and red flowers.

BERNARDA, throwing the fan on the floor. Is that the fan to give to a widow? Give me a black one
and learn to respect your father's memory.

MARTIRIO. Take mine.

BERNARDA. And you?

MARTIRIO. I'm not hot.

BERNARDA. Well, look for another, because you'll need it. For the eight years of mourning, not a
breath of air will get in this house from the street. We'll act as if we'd sealed up doors and win-
dows with bricks. That's what happened in my father's house--and in my grandfather's house. Mean-
time, you can all start embroidering your hope-chest linens. I have twenty bolts of linen in the
chest from which to cut sheets and coverlets. Magdalena can embroider them.

MAGDALENA. It's all the same to me.

ADELA, sourly. If you don't want to embroider them--they can go without. That way yours will look
better.

MAGDALENA. Neither mine nor yours. I know I'm not going to marry. I'd rather carry sacks to the mill.
Anything except sit here day after day in this dark room.

BERNARDA. That's what a woman is for.

MAGDALENA. Cursed be all women.

BERNARDA. In this house you'll do what I order. You can't run with the story to your father any
more. Needle and thread for women. Whiplash and mules for men. That's the way it has to be for
people who have certain obligations.

Adele goes out.

VOICE. Bernarda! Let me out!

BERNARDA, calling. Let her out now!

The First Servant enters.

FIRST SERVANT. I had a hard time holding her. In spite of her eighty years, your mother's strong
as an oak.

BERNARDA. It runs in the family. My grandfather was the same way.

SERVANT. Several times during the wake I had to cover her mouth with an empty sack because she want-
ed to shout out to you to give her dishwater to drink at least, and some dogmeat, which is what she
says you feed her.

MARTIRIO. She's mean!

BERNARDA, to Servant. Let her get some fresh air in the patio.

SERVANT. She took her rings and the amethyst earrings out of the box, put them on, and told me she
wants to get married.

The daughters laugh.

BERNARDA. Go with her and be careful she doesn't get near the well.

SERVANT. You don't need to be afraid she'll jump

BERNARDA. It's not that-- but the neighbors can see her there from their windows.

The Servant leaves.

MARTIRIO. We'll go change our clothes.

BERNARDA. Yes, but don't take the 'kerchiefs from your heads.

Adela enters.

And Angustias?

ADELA, meaningfully. I saw her looking out through the cracks of the back door. The
men had just gone.

BERNARDA. And you, what were you doing at the door?

ADELA. I went there to see if the hens had laid.

BERNARDA. But the men had already gone!

ADELA, meaningfully. A group of them were still standing outside.

BERNARDA, furiously. Angustias! Angustias!

ANGUSTIAS, entering. Did you want something?

BERNARDA. For what--and at whom--were you looking?

ANGUSTIAS. Nobody.

BERNARDA. Is it decent for a woman of your class to he running after a man the day of her father's
funeral? Answer me! Whom were you looking at?

Pause.

ANGUSTIAS. I . . .

BERNARDA. Yes, you!

ANGUSTIAS. Nobody.

BERNARDA. Soft! Honeytongue!

She strikes her.

PONCIA, running to her. Bernarda, calm down

She holds her. Angustias weeps.

BERNARDA. Get out of here, all of you!

They all go out.

PONCIA. She did it not realizing what she was doing--although it's bad, of course. It really disgust-
ed me to see her sneak along to the patio. Then she stood at the window listening to the men's talk
which, as usual, was not the sort one should listen to.

BERNARDA. That's what they come to funerals for.

With curiosity.

What were they talking about?

PONCIA. They were talking about Paca la Roseta. Last night they tied her husband up in a stall, stuck
her on a horse behind the saddle, and carried her away to the depths of the olive grove.

BERNARDA. And what did she do?

PONCIA. She? She was just as happy--they say her breasts were exposed and Maximiliano held on to her
as if he were playing a guitar. Terrible!

BERNARDA. And what happened?

PONCIA. What had to happen. They came back almost at daybreak. Paca la Roseta with her hair loose and
a wreath of flowers on her head.

BERNARDA. She's the only bad woman we have in the village.

PONCIA. Because she's not from here. She's from far away. And those who went with her are the sons of
outsiders too. The men from here aren't up to a thing like that.

BERNARDA. No, but they like to see it, and talk about it, and suck their fingers over it.

PONCIA. They were saying a lot more things.

BERNARDA, looking from side to side with a certain fear. What things?

PONCIA. I'm ashamed to talk about them.

BERNARDA. And my daughter heard them?

PONCIA. Of course!

BERNARDA. That one takes after her Aunts: white and mealy-mouthed and casting sheep's eyes at any little
barber's compliment. Oh, what one has to go through and put up with so people will be decent and not too
wild!

PONCIA. It's just that your daughters are of an age when they ought to have husbands. Mighty little trou-
ble they give you. Angustias must be much more than thirty now.

BERNARDA. Exactly thirty-nine.

PONCIA. Imagine. And she's never had a beau...

BERNARDA, furiously. None of them has ever had a beau and they've never needed one! They get along very
well.

PONCIA. I didn't mean to offend you.

BERNARDA. For a hundred miles around there's no one good enough to come near them. The men in this town
are not of their class. Do you want me to turn them over to the first shepherd?

PONCIA. You should have moved to another town.

BERNARDA. That's it. To sell them!

PONCIA. No, Bernarda, to change.... Of course, any place else, they'd be the poor ones.

BERNARDA. Hold your tormenting tongue!

PONCIA. One can't even talk to you. Do we, or do we not share secrets?

BERNARDA. We do not. You're a servant and I pay you. Nothing more.

PONCIA. But...

FIRST SERVANT, entering. Don Arturo's here. He's come to see about dividing the inheritance.

BERNARDA. Let's go.

To The Servant.

You start whitewashing the patio.

To La Poncia.

And you start putting all the dead man's clothes away in the chest.

PONCIA. We could give away some of the things.

BERNARDA. Nothing--not a button even! Not even the cloth we covered his face with.

She goes out slowly, leaning on her cane. At the door she turns to look at the two servants. They go out.
She leaves.

Amelia and Martino enter.

AMELIA. Did you take the medicine?

MARTIRIO. For all the good it'll do me.

AMELIA. But you took it?

MARTIRIO. I do things without any faith, but like clockwork.

AMELIA. Since the new doctor came you look livelier.

MARTIRIO. I feel the same.

AMELIA. Did you notice? Adelaida wasn't at the funeral.

MARTIRIO. I know. Her sweetheart doesn't let her go out even to the front doorstep. Before, she was gay.
Now, not even powder on her face.

AMELIA. These days a girl doesn't know whether to have a beau or not.

MARTIRIO. It's all the same.

AMELIA. The whole trouble is all these wagging tongues that won't let us live. Adelaida has probably had
a bad time.

MARTIRIO. She's afraid of our mother. Mother is the only one who knows the story of Adelaida's father
and where he got his lands. Everytime she comes here, Mother twists the knife in the wound. Her father
killed his first wife's husband in Cuba so he could marry her himself. Then he left her there and went
off with another woman who already had one daughter, and then he took up with this other girl, Adel-
aida's mother, and married her after his second wife died insane.

AMELIA. But why isn't a man like that put in jail?

MARTIRIO. Because men help each other cover up things like that and no one's able to tell on them.

AMELIA. But Adelaida's not to blame for any of that.

MARTIRIO. No. But history repeats itself. I can see that everything is a terrible repetition. And she'll
have the same fate as her mother and grandmother--both of them wife to the man who fathered her.

AMELIA. What an awful thing!

MARTIRIO. It's better never to look at a man. I've been afraid of them since I was a little girl. I'd see
them in the yard, yoking the oxen and lifting gain sacks, shouting and stamping, and I was always afraid
to grow up for fear one of them would suddenly take me in his arms. God has made me weak and ugly and has
definitely put such things away from me.

AMELIA. Don't say that! Enrique Humanas was after you and he liked you.

MARTIRIO. That was just people's ideas! One time I stood in my nightgown at the window until daybreak
because he let me know through his shepherd's little girl that he was going to come, and he didn't. It
was all just talk. Then he married someone else who had more money than I.

AMELIA. And ugly as the devil.

MARTIRIO. What do men care about ugliness? All they care about is lands, yokes of oxen, and a submis-
sive bitch who'll feed them.

AMELIA. Ay!

Magdalena enters.

MAGDALENA. What are you doing?

MARTIRIO. Just here.

AMELIA. And you?

MAGDALENA. I've been going through all the rooms. Just to walk a little, and look at Grandmother's need-
lepoint pictures--the little woolen dog, and the black man wrestling with the lion--which we liked so
much when we were children. Those were happier times. A wedding lasted ten days and evil tongues weren't
in style. Today people are more refined. Brides wear white veils, just as in the cities, and we drink
bottled wine, but we rot inside because of what people might say.

MARTIRIO. Lord knows what went on then!

AMELIA, to Magdalena. One of your shoelaces has come untied.

MAGDALENA. What of it?

AMELIA. You'll step on it and fall.

MAGDALENA. One less!

MARTIRIO. And Adela?

MAGDALENA. Ah! She put on the green dress she made to wear for her birthday, went out to the yard, and
began shouting: "Chickens! Chickens, look at me!" I had to laugh.

AMELIA. If Mother had only seen her!

MAGDALENA Poor little thing! She's the youngest one of us and still has her illusions. I'd give something
to see her happy.

Pause. Angustias crosses the stage, carrying some towels.

ANGUSTIAS. What time is it?

MAGDALENA. It must be twelve.

ANGUSTIAS. So late?

AMELIA. It's about to strike.

Angustias goes out.

MAGDALENA, meaningfully. Do you know what?

Pointing after Angustias.

AMELIA. NO.

MAGDALENA. Come on!

MARTIRIO. I don't know what you're talking about!

MAGDALENA. Both of you know it better than I do, always with your heads together, like two little sheep,
but not letting anybody else in on it. I mean about Pepe el Romano!

MARTIRIO. Ah!

MAGDALENA, mocking her. Ah! The whole town's talking about it. Pepe el Romano is coming to marry Angust-
ias. Last night he was walking around the house and I think he's going to send a declaration soon.

MARTIRIO. I'm glad. He's a good man.

AMELIA. Me too. Angustias is well off.

MAGDALENA. Neither one of you is glad.

MARTIRIO. Magdalena! What do you mean?

MAGDALENA. If he were coming because of Angustias' looks, for Angustias as a woman, I'd be glad too,
but he's coming for her money. Even though Angustias is our sister, we're her family here and we know
she's old and sickly, and always has been the least attractive one of us! Because if she looked like
a dressed-up stick at twenty, what can she look like now, now that she's forty?

:MARTIRIO. Don't talk like that. Luck comes to the one who least expects it.

AMELIA. But Magdalena's right after all! Angustias has all her father's money; she's the only rich one
in the house and that's why, now that Father's dead and the money will be divided, they're coming for
her.

MAGDALENA. Pepe el Romano is twenty-five years old and the best looking man around here. The natural
thing would be for him to be after you, Amelia, or our Adela, who's twenty--not looking for the least
likely one in this house, a woman who, like her father, talks through her nose.

MARTIRIO. Maybe he likes that!

MAGDALENA. I've never been able to bear your hypocrisy.

MARTIRIO. Heavens!

Adela enters.

MAGDALENA. Did the chickens see you?

ADELA. What did you want me to do?

AMELIA. If Mother sees you, she'll drag you by your hair!

ADELA. I had a lot of illusions about this dress. I'd planned to put it on the day we were going to
eat watermelons at the well. There wouldn't have been another like it.

MARTIRIO. It's a lovely dress.

ADELA. And one that looks very good on me. It's the best thing Magdalena's ever cut.

MAGDALENA. And the chickens, what did they say to you?

ADELA. They presented me with a few fleas that riddled my legs.

They laugh.

MARTIRIO. What you can do is dye it black.

MAGDALENA. The best thing you can do is give it to Angustias for her wedding with Pepe el
Romano.

ADELA, with hidden emotion. But Pepe el Romano...

AMELIA. Haven't you heard about it?

ADELA. NO.

MAGDALENA. Well, now you know!

ADELA. But it can't be!

MAGDALENA. Money can do anything.

ADELA. Is that why she went out after the funeral and stood looking through the door?

Pause.

And that man would.

MAGDALENA. Would do anything.

Pause.

MARTIRIO. What are you thinking, Adela?

ADELA. I'm thinking that this mourning has caught me at the worst moment of my life for me to bear
it.

MAGDALENA. You'll get used to it.

ADELA, bursting out, crying with rage. I will not get used to it! I can't be locked up. I don't want
my skin to look like yours. I don't want my skin's whiteness lost in these rooms. Tomorrow I'm going
to put on my green dress and go walking in the streets. I want to go out!

The First Servant enters.

MAGDALENA, in a tone of authority. Adela!

SERVANT. The poor thing! How she misses her father....

She goes out.

MARTIRIO. Hush!

AMELIA. What happens to one will happen to all of us.

Adele grows calm.

MAGDALENA. The servant almost heard you.

SERVANT, entering. Pepe el Romano is coming along at the end of the street.

Amelia, Martirio and Magdalena run hurriedly.

MAGDALENA. Let's go see him!

They leave rapidly.

SERVANT, to Adela. Aren't you going?

ADELA. It's nothing to me.

SERVANT. Since he has to turn the corner, you'll see him better from the window of your room.

The Servant goes out. Adele is left on the stage, standing doubtfully; after a moment, she also
leaves rapidly, going toward her room. Bernardo and La Poncia come in.

BERNARDA. Damned portions and shares.

PONCIA. What a lot of money is left to Angustias!

BERNARDA. Yes.

PONCIA. And for the others, considerably less.

BERNARDA. You've told me that three times now, when you know I don't want it mentioned! Considerably
less; a lot less! Don't remind me any more.

Angustias comes in, her face heavily made up. Angustias!

ANGUSTIAS. Mother.

BERNARDA. Have you dared to powder your face? Have you dared to wash your face on the day of your
father's death?

ANGUSTIAS. He wasn't my father. Mine died a long time ago. Have you forgotten that already?

BERNARDA. You owe more to this man, father of your sisters, than to your own. Thanks to him, your
fortune is intact.

ANGUSTIAS. We'll have to see about that first!

BERNARDA. Even out of decency! Out of respect!

ANGUSTIAS. Let me go out, mother!

BERNARDA. Let you go out? After I've taken that powder off your face, I will. Spineless! Painted hussy!
Just like your aunts!

She removes the powder violently with her handkerchief. Now get out!

PONCIA. Bernarda, don't be so hateful!

BERNARDA. Even though my mother is crazy, I still have my five senses and I know what I'm doing.

They all enter.

MAGDALENA. What's going on here?

BERNARDA. Nothing's 'going on here!

MAGDALENA, to Angustias. If you're fighting over the inheritance, you're the richest one and can hang
on to it all.

ANGUSTIAS. Keep your tongue in your pocketbook!

BERNARDA, beating on the floor. Don't fool yourselves into thinking you'll sway me. Until I go out of
this house feet first I'll give the orders for myself and for you!

Voices are heard and Maria Josefa, Bernarda's mother, enters. She is very old and has decked out her
head and breast with flowers.

MARIA JOSEFA. Bernarda, where is my mantilla? Nothing, nothing of what I own will be for any of you. Not
my rings nor my black moire dress. Because not a one of you is going to marry--not a one. Bernarda, give
me my necklace of pearls.

BERNARDA, to The Servant. Why did you let her get in here?

SERVANT, trembling. She got away from me!

MARIA JOSEFA. I ran away because I want to marry--I want to get married to a beautiful manly man from the
shore of the sea. Because here the men run from women.

BERNARDA. Hush, hush, Mother!

MARIA JOSEFA. No, no--I won't hush. I don't want to see these single women, longing for marriage, turning
their hearts to dust; and I want to go to my home town. Bernarda, want a man to get married to and be happy
with!

BERNARDA. Lock her up!

MARIA JOSEFA. Let me go out, Bernarda!

The Servant seizes Maria Josefa.

BERNAUDA. Help her, all of you!

They all grab the old woman.

MARIA JOSEFA. I want to get away from here! Bernarda! To get married by the shore of the sea--by the shore
of the sea!

QUICK CURTAIN

ACT TWO

A white room in Bernarda's house. The doors on the left lead to the bedrooms.

Bernarda's Daughters are seated on low chairs, sewing. Magdalena is embroidering. La Panda is with them.

ANGUSTIAS. I've cut the third sheet.

MARTIRIO. That one goes to Amelia.

MAGDALENA. Angustias, shall I put Pepe's initials here too?

ANGUSTIAS, dryly. No.

MAGDALENA, calling, from off stage to Adele. Adela, aren't you coming?

AMELIA. She's probably stretched out on the bed.

PONCIA. Something's wrong with that one. I find her restless, trembling, frightened--as if a lizard were
between her breasts.

MARTIRIO. There's nothing, more or less, wrong with her than there is with all of us.

MAGDALENA. All of us except Angustias.

ANGUSTIAS. I feel fine, and anybody who doesn't like it can pop.

MAGDALENA. We all have to admit the nicest things about you are your figure and your tact.

ANGUSTIAS. Fortunately, I'll soon be out of this hell.

MAGDALENA. Maybe you won't get out!

MARTIRIO. Stop this talk!

ANGUSTIAS. Besides, a good dowry is better than dark eyes in one's face!

MAGDALENA. All you say just goes in one ear and out the other.

AMELIA, to La Poncia. Open the patio door and see if we can get a bit of a breeze.

La Poncia opens the door.

MARTIRIO. Last night I couldn't sleep because of the heat.

AMELIA. Neither could I.

MAGDALENA. I got up for a bit of air. There was a black storm cloud and a few drops even fell.

PONCIA. It was one in the morning and the earth seemed to give off fire. I got up too. Angustias was still
at the window with Pepe.

:MAGDALENA, with irony. That late? What time did he leave?

ANGUSTIAS. Why do you ask, if you saw him?

AMELIA. He must have left about one-thirty.

ANGESTIAS. Yes. How did you know?

AMELIA. I heard him cough and heard his mare's hoofbeats.

PONCIA. But I heard him leave around four.

ANGUSTIAS. It must have been someone else!

PONCIA. No, I'm sure of it!

AMELIA. That's what it seemed to me, too.

MAGDALENA. That's very strange!

Pause.

PONCIA. Listen, Angustias, what did he say to you the first time he came by your window?

ANGUSTIAS. Nothing. What should he say? Just talked.

MARTIRIO. It's certainly strange that two people who never knew each other should suddenly meet at a win-
dow and be engaged.

ANGUSTIAS. Well, I didn't mind.

AMELIA. I'd have felt very strange about it.

ANGUSTIAS. No, because when a man comes to a window he knows, from all the busybodies who come and go
and fetch and carry, that he's going to be told "yes."

MARTIRIO. All right, but he'd have to ask you.

ANGUSTIAS. Of course!

AMELIA, inquisitively. And how did he ask you?

ANGUSTIAS. Why, no way:--"You know I'm after you. I need a good, well brought up woman, and that's you--
if it's agreeable."

AMELIA. These things embarrass me!

ANGUSTIAS. They embarrass me too, but one has to go through it!

PONCA. And did he say anything more?

Axcusrus. Yes, he did all the talking.

MARTIRIO. And you?

ANGUSTIAS. I couldn't have said a word. My heart was almost coming out of my mouth. It was the first time
I'd ever been alone at night with a man.

MAGDALENA. And such a handsome man.

ANGUSTIAS. He's not bad looking!

PONCIA. Those things happen among people who have an idea how to do things, who talk and say and move their
hand. The first time my husband, Evaristo the Short-tailed, came to my window . . . Ha! Ha! Ha!

AMELIA. What happened?

PONCLA. It was very dark. I saw him coming along and as he went by he said, "Good evening." "Good evening,"
I said. Then we were both silent for more than half an hour. The sweat poured down my body. Then Evaristo
got nearer and nearer as if he wanted to squeeze in through the bars and said in a very low voice--come here
and let me feel you!"

They all laugh. Amelia gets up, runs, and looks through the door.

AMELIA. Ay, I thought mother was coming!

MAGDALENA. What she'd have done to us!

They go on laughing.

AMELIA. Sh-h-h! She'll hear us.

PONCIA. Then he acted very decently. Instead of getting some other idea, he went to raising birds, until he
died. You aren't married but it's good for you to know, anyway, that two weeks after the wedding a man gives
up the bed for the table, then the table for the tavern, and the woman who doesn't like it can just rot,
weeping in a corner.

AMELIA. You liked it.

PONCIA. I learned how to handle him!

MARTIRIO. Is it true that you sometimes hit him?

PONCIA. Yes, and once I almost poked out one of his eyes!

MAGDALENA. All women ought to be like that!

PONCIA. I'm one of your mother's school. One time I don't know what he said to me, and then I killed all his
birds--with the pestle!

They laugh.

MAGDALENA. Adela, child! Don't miss this.

AMELIA. Adela!

Pause.

MAGDALENA. I'll go see!

She goes out.

PONCIA. That child is sick!

AMELIA. Of course. She hardly sleeps!

PONCIA. What does she do, then?

SERVANT. How do I know what she does?

PONCIA. You probably know better than we do, since you sleep with just a wall between you.

ANGUSTIAS. Envy gnaws on people.

AMELIA. Don't exaggerate.

ANGUSTIAS. I can tell it in her eyes. She's getting the look of a crazy woman.

MARTIRIO. Don't talk about crazy women. This is one place you're not allowed to say that word.

Magdalena and Adele enter.

MAGDALENA. Didn't you say she was asleep?

ADELA. My body aches.

SERVANT, with a hidden meaning. Didn't you sleep well last night?

ADELA. Yes.

MARTIRIO. Then?

ADELA, loudly. Leave me alone. Awake or asleep, its no affair of yours. I'll do whatever I want to with my body.

MARTIRIO. I was just concerned about you!

ADELA. Concerned?--curious! Weren't you sewing? Well, continue! I wish I were invisible so I could pass through
a room without being asked where I was going!

SERVANT, entering. Bernarda is calling you. The man with the laces is here.

All but Adele and La Poncia go out, and as Martirio leaves, she looks fixedly at Adele.

ADELA. Don't look at me like that! If you want. I'll give you my eyes, for they're younger, and my back to
improve that hump you have, but look the other way when I go by.

roNctit. Adela, she's your sister, and the one who most loves you besides!

ADELA. She follows me everywhere. Sometimes she looks in my room to see if I'm sleeping. She won't let me
breathe, and always, "Too bad about that face!" "Too bad about that body! It's going to waste!" But I won't
let that happen. My body will be for whomever I choose.

PONCIA, insinuatingly, in a low voice. For Pepe el Romano, no?

ADELA, frightened. What do you mean?

PONCIA. What I said, Adela!

ADELA. Shut up!

PONCIA, loudly. Don't you think I've noticed?

ADELA. Lower your voice!

PONCIA. Then forget what you're thinking about!

ADELA. What do you know?

PONCIA. We old ones can see through walls. Where do you go when you get up at night?

ADELA. I wish you were blind!

PONCIA. But my head and hands are full of eyes, where something like this is concerned. I couldn't possibly
guess your intentions. Why did you sit almost naked at your window, and with the light on and the window o-
pen, when Pepe passed by the second night he came to talk with your sister?

ADELA. That's not true!

PONCIA. Don't be a child! Leave your sister alone. And if you like Pepe el Romano, keep it to yourself.

Adela weeps.

Besides, who says you can't marry him? Your sister Angustias is sickly. She'll die with her first child.
Narrow waisted, old--and out of my experience I can tell you she'll die. Then Pepe will do what all widowers
do in these parts: he'll marry the youngest and most beautiful, and that's you. Live on that hope, forget
him, anything; but don't go against God's law.

ADELA. Hush!

PONCIA. I won't hush!

ADELA. Mind your own business. Snooper, traitor!

PONCIA. I'm going to stick to you like a shadow!

ADELA. instead of cleaning the house and then going to bed and praying for the dead, you root around like
an old sow about goings on between men and women--so you can drool over them.

PONCIA. I keep watch; so people won't spit when they pass our door.

ADELA. What a tremendous affection you've suddenly conceived for my sister.

PoNci.k. I don't have any affection for any of you. I want to live in a decent house. I don't want to be
dirtied in my old age!

ADELA. Save your advice. It's already too late. For I'd leap not over you, just a servant, but over my mother
to put out this fire I feel in my legs and my mouth. What can you possibly say about me? That I lock myself
in my room and will not open the door? That I don't sleep? I'm smarter than you! See if you can catch the
hare with your hands.

PONCIA. Don't defy me, Adela, don't defy me! Because I can shout, light lamps, and make bells ring.

ADELA. Bring four thousand yellow flares and set them about the walls of the yard. No one can stop what has
to happen.

PONCIA. You like him that much?

ADELA. That much! Looking in his eyes I seem to drink his blood in slowly.

PONCIA. I won't listen to you.

ADELA. Well, you'll have to! I've been afraid of you. But now I'm stronger than you!

Angustias enters.

ANGUSTIAS. Always arguing!

PONCIA. Certainly. She insists that in all this heat I have to go bring her I don't know what from the store.

ANGUSTIAS. Did you buy me the bottle of perfume?

PONCTA. The most expensive one. And the face powder.

I put them on the table in your room.

Angustias goes out.

ADELA. And be quiet!

PONCIA. We'll see!

Martirio and Amelia enter.

MARTIRIO, to Adele. Did you see the laces?

AMELIA. Angustias', for her wedding sheets, are beautiful.

ADELA, to Martirio, who is carrying some lace. And these?

MARTIRIO. They're for me. For a nightgown.

ADELA, with sarcasm. One needs a sense of humor around here!

MARTIRIO, meaningfully. But only for me to look at. I don't have to exhibit myself before anybody.

PONCIA. No one ever sees us in our nightgowns.

MARTIRIO, meaningfully, looking at Adele. Sometimes they don't! But I love nice underwear. If I were rich,
I'd have it made of Holland Cloth. It's one of the few tastes I've left.

PONCIA. These laces are beautiful for babies' caps and christening gowns. I could never afford them for my
own. Now let's see if Angustias will use them for hers. Once she starts having children, they'll keep her
running night and day.

MAGDALENA. I don't intend to sew a stitch on them.

AMELIA. And much less bring up some stranger's children. Look how our neighbors across the road are--mak-
ing sacrifices for four brats.

PONCIA. They're better off than you. There at least they laugh and you can hear them fight.

MARTIRIO. Well, you go work for them, then.

PONCIA. No, fate has sent me to this nunnery!

Tiny bells are heard distantly as though through several thicknesses of wall.

MACDALENA. It's the men going back to work.

PONCIA. It was three o'clock a minute ago.

MARTIRIO. With this sun!

ADELA, sitting down. Ay! If only we could go out in the fields too!

MACDALENA, sitting down. Each class does what it has to!

MARTIRIO, sitting down. That's it!

AMELIA, sitting down. Ay!

PONCIA. There's no happiness like that in the fields right at this time of year. Yesterday morning the
reapers arrived. Forty or fifty handsome young men.

MACDALENA. Where are they from this year?

PONCIA. From far, far away. They came from the mountains! Happy! Like weathered trees! Shouting and
throwing stones! Last night a woman who dresses in sequins and dances, with an accordion, arrived, and
fifteen of them made a deal with her to take her to the olive grove. I saw them from far away. The one
who talked with her was a boy with green eyes--tight knit as a sheaf of wheat.

AMELIA. Really?

ADELA. Are you sure?

PONCIA. Years ago another one of those women came here, and I myself gave my eldest son some money
so he could go. Men need things like that.

ADELA. Everything's forgiven them.

AMELIA. To be born a woman's the worst possible punishment.

MACDALENA. Even our eyes aren't our own.

A distant song is heard, coming nearer.

PONCIA. There they are. They have a beautiful song.

AMELIA. They're going out to reap now.

CHORUS.
　　　　　The reapers have set out
　　　　　Looking for ripe wheat;
　　　　　They'll carry off the hearts
　　　　　Of any girls they meet.

Tambourines and carrariacas are heard. Pause. They all listen in the silence cut by the sun.

AMELIA. And they don't mind the sun!

MARTIRIO. They reap through flames.

ADELA. How I'd like to be a reaper so I could come and go as I pleased. Then we could forget what's eat-
ing us all.

MARTIRIO. What do you have to forget?

ADELA. Each one of us has something.

MARTIRIO, intensely. Each one!

PONCIA. Quiet! Quiet!

CHORUS, very distantly.
　　　　　Throw wide your doors and windows,
　　　　　You girls who live in the town
　　　　　The reaper asks you for roses
　　　　　With which to deck his crown.

PONCIA. What a song!

MARTIRIO, with nostalgia.
　　　　　Throw wide your doors and windows,
　　　　　You girls who live in the town.

ADELA, passionately.
　　　　　The reaper asks you for roses
　　　　　With which to deck his crown.

The song grows more distant.

PONCIA. Now they're turning the corner.

ADELA. Let's watch them from the window of my room.

PONCIA. Be careful not to open the shutters too much because they're likely to give them a push to see
who's looking.

The three leave. Martirio is left sitting on the low chair with her head between her hands.

AMELIA, drawing near her. What's wrong with you?

MARTIRIO. The heat makes me feel ill.

AMELIA. And it's no more than that?

MARTIRIO. Naturally.

Pause.

What time did you go to sleep last night?

AMELIA. I don't know. I sleep like a log. Why?

MARTIRIO. Nothing. Only I thought I heard someone in the yard.

AMELIA. Yes?

MARTIRIO. Very late.

AMELIA. And weren't you afraid?

MARTIRIO. No. I've heard it other nights.

AMELIA. We'd better watch out! Couldn't it have been the shepherds?

MARTIRIO. The shepherds come at six.

AMELIA. Maybe a young, unbroken mule?

MARTIRIO, to herself, with double meaning. That's it! That's it. An unbroken little mule.

AMELIA. We'll have to set a watch.

MARTIRIO. No. No. Don't say anything. It may be I've just imagined it.

AMELIA. Maybe.

Pause. Amelia starts to go.

MARTIRIO. Amelia!

AMELIA, at the door. What?

Pause.

MARTIRIO. Nothing.

Pause.

AMELIA. Why did you call me?

Pause.

MARTIRIO. It just came out. I didn't mean to.

Pause.

AMELIA. Lie down for a little.

ANGUSTIAS, she bursts in furiously, in a manner thot makes a great contrast with previous silence.
Where's that picture of Pepe I had under my pillow? Which one of you has it?

MARTIRIO. No one.

AMELIA. You'd think he was a silver St. Bartholomew.

ANGUSTIAS. Where's the picture?

Poncia, Magdalena and Adela enter.

ADELA. What picture?

ANGUSTIAS. One of you has hidden it on me.

MACDALENA. Do you have the effrontery to say that?

ANGUSTIAS. I had it in my room, and now it isn't there.

MARTIRIO. But couldn't it have jumped out into the yard at midnight? Pepe likes to walk around in the
moonlight.

ANGUSTIAS. Don't joke with me! When he comes I'll tell him.

PONCIA. Don't do that! Because it'll turn up.

Looking at Adela.

ANGUSTIAS. I'd like to know which one of you has it.

ADELA, looking at Martirio. Somebody has it! But not me!

MARTIRIO, with meaning. Of course not you!

BERNARDA, entering, with her cane. What scandal is this in my house in the heat's heavy silence? The
neighbors must have their ears glued to the walls.

ANGUSTIAS. They've stolen my sweetheart's picture!

BERNARDA, fiercely. Who? Who?

ANGUSTIAS. They have!

BERNARDA. Which one of you?

Silence.

Answer me!

Silence.

To La Poncia.

Search their rooms! Look in their beds. This comes of not tying you up with shorter leashes. But I'll
teach you now!

To Angustias.

Are you sure?

ANGUSTIAS. Yes.

BERNARDA. Did you look everywhere?

ANGUSTIAS. Yes, Mother.

They all stand in an embarrassed silence.

BERNARDA. At the end of my life--to make me drink the bitterest poison a mother knows.

To Poncia.

Did you find it?

PONCIA. Here it is.

BERNARDA. Where did you find it?

PONCIA. It was...

BERNARDA. Say it! Don't be afraid.

PONCIA, wonderingly. Between the sheets in Martirio's bed.

BERNARDA, to Martirio. Is that true?

MARTIRIO. It's true.

BERNARDA, advancing on her, beating her with her cane. You'll come to a bad end yet, you hypocrite!
Trouble maker!

MARTIRIO, fiercely. Don't hit me, Mother!

BERNARDA. All I want to!

MARTIRIO. If I let you! You hear me? Get back!

PONCIA. Don't be disrespectful to your mother!

ANGUSTIAS, holding Bernardo. Let her go, please!

BERNARDA. Not even tears in your eyes.

MARTIRIO. I'm not going to cry just to please you.

BERNARDA. Why did you take the picture?

MARTIRIO. Can't I play a joke on my sister? What else would I want it for?

ADELA, leaping forward, full of jealousy. It wasn't a joke! You never liked to play jokes. It was
something else bursting in her breast--trying to come out. Admit it openly now.

MARTIRIO. Hush, and don't make me speak; for if I should speak the walls would close together one
against the other with shame.

ADELA. An evil tongue never stops inventing lies.

BERNARDA. Adela!

MAGDALENA. You're crazy.

AMELIA. And you stone us all with your evil suspicions.

MARTIRIO. But some others do things more wicked!

ADELA. Until all at once they stand forth stark naked and the river carries them along.

BERNARDA. Spiteful!

ANGUSTIAS. It's not my fault Pepe el Romano chose me!

ADELA. For your money.

ANGUSTIAS. Mother!

BERNARDA. Silence!

MARTIRIO. For your fields and your orchards.

MAGDALENA. That's only fair.

BERNARDA. Silence, I say! I saw the storm coming but I didn't think it'd burst so soon. Oh, what
an avalanche of hate you've thrown on my heart! But I'm not old yet--I have five chains for you,
and this house my father built, so not even the weeds will know of my desolation. Out of here!

They go out. Bernardo sits down desolately. La Poncia is standing close to the wall. Bernardo re-
covers herself, and beats on the floor.

I'll have to let them feel the weight of my hand! Bernarda, remember your duty!

PONCIA. May I speak?

BERNARDA. Speak. I'm sorry you heard. A stranger is always out of place in a family.

PONCIA. What I've seen, I've seen.

BERNARDA. Angustias must get married right away.

PONCIA. Certainly. We'll have to get her away from here.

BERNARDA. Not her, him!

PONCIA. Of course. He's the one to get away from here. You've thought it all out.

BERNARDA. I'm not thinking. There are things that shouldn't and can't be thought out. I give or-
ders.

PONCIA. And you think he'll be satisfied to go away?

BERNARDA, rising. What are you imagining now?

PONCIA. He will, of course, marry Angustias.

BERNARDA. Speak up! I know you well enough to see that your knife's out for me.

PONCIA. I never knew a warning could be called murder.

BERNARDA. Have you some "warning" for me?

PONCIA. I'm not making any accusations, Bernarda. I'm only telling you to open your eyes and
you'll see.

BERNARDA. See what?

PONCIA. You've always been smart, Bernarda. You've seen other people's sins a hundred miles away.
Many times I've thought you could read minds. But, your children are your children, and now
you're blind.

BEFLNARDA. Are you talking about Martirio?

PONCIA. Well, yes--about Martino...

With curiosity.

I wonder why she hid the picture?

BERNARDA, shielding her daughter. After all, she says it was a joke. What else could it be?

PONCIA, scornfully. Do you believe that?

BERNARDA, sternly. I don't merely believe it. It's so!

PONCIA. Enough of this. We're talking about your family. But if we were talking about your neigh-
bor across the way, what would it be?

BERNARDA. Now you're beginning to pull the point of the knife out.

PONCIA, always cruelly. No, Bemarda. Something very grave is happening here. I don't want to put
the blame on your shoulders, but you've never given your daughters any freedom. Martirio is lovesick,
I don't care what you say. Why didn't you let her marry Enrique Humanas? Why, on the very day he
was coming to her window did you send him a message not to come?

BERNARDA, loudly. I'd do it a thousand times over! My blood won't mingle with the Humanas' while
I live! His father was a shepherd.

PONCIA. And you see now what's happening to you with these airs!

BERNARDA. I have them because I can afford to. And you don't have them because you know where
you came from!

PONCIA, with hate. Don't remind me! I'm old now. I've always been grateful for your protection.

BERNARDA, emboldened. You don't seem so!

PONCIA, with hate, behind softness. Martirio will forget this.

BERNARDA. And if she doesn't--the worse for her. I don't believe this is that "very grave thing"
that's happening here. Nothing's happening here. It's just that you wish it would! And if it should
happen one day, you can be sure it won't go beyond these walls.

PONCIA. I'm not so sure of that! There are people in town who can also read hidden thoughts, from
afar.

BERNARDA. How you'd like to see me and my daughters on our way to a whorehouse!

PONCIA. No one knows her own destiny!

BERNARDA. I know my destiny! And my daughters! The whorehouse was for a certain woman, already
dead. . . .

PONCIA, fiercely. Bernarda, respect the memory of my mother!

BERNARDA. Then don't plague me with your evil thoughts!

Pause.

PONCIA. I'd better stay out of everything.

BERNARDA. That's what you ought to do. Work and keep your mouth shut. The duty of all who work for
a living.

PONCIA. But we can't do that. Don't you think it'd be better for Pepe to marry Martirio or . . . yes! . . .
Adela?

BERNABDA. No, I don't think so.

PONCIA, with meaning. Adela! She's Romano's real sweetheart!

BERNARDA. Things are never the way we want them!

PONCIA. But it's hard work to turn them from their destined course. For Pepe to be with Angustias
seems wrong to me--and to other people--and even to the wind. Who knows if they'll get what they
want?

BERNARDA. There you go again! Sneaking up on me--giving me bad dreams. But I won't listen to you,
because if all you say should come to pass--I'd scratch your face.

PONCIA. Frighten someone else with that.

BERNARDA. Fortunately, my daughters respect me and have never gone against my will!

PONCIA. That's right! But, as soon as they break loose they'll fly to the rooftops!

BERNARDA. And I'll bring them down with stones!

PONCIA. Oh, yes! You were always the bravest one!

BERNARDA. I've always enjoyed a good fight!

PONCIA. But aren't people strange. You should see Angustias' enthusiasm for her lover, at her
age! And he seems very smitten too. Yesterday my oldest son told me that when he passed by with
the oxen at four-thirty in the morning they were still talking.

BERNARDA. At four-thirty?

ANGUSTIAS, entering. That's a lie!

PONCIA. That's what he told me.

BERNARDA, to Angustias. Speak up!

ANGUSTIAS. For more than a week Pepe has been leaving at one. May God strike me dead if I'm lying.

MARTIRIO, entering. I heard him leave at four too.

BERNARDA. But did you see him with your eyes?

MARTIRIO. I didn't want to look out. Don't you talk now through the side window?

ANGUSTIAS. We talk through my bedroom window.

Adele appears at the door.

MARTIRIO. Then...

BERNARDA. What's going on here?

PONCIA. If you're not careful, you'll find out! At least Pepe was at one of your windows--and at
four in the morning too!

BERNARDA. Are you sure of that?

PONCIA. You can't be sure of anything in this life!

ADELA. Mother, don't listen to someone who wants us to lose everything we have.

BERNARDA. I know how to take care of myself! If the townspeople want to come bearing false witness
against me, they'll run into a stone wall! Don't any of you talk about this! Sometimes other people
try to stir up a wave of filth to drown us.

MARTIRIO. I don't like to lie.

PONCIA. So there must be something.

BERNARDA. There won't be anything. I was born to have my eyes always open. Now I'll watch without
closing them 'til I die.

ANGUSTIAS. I have the right to know.

BERNARDA. You don't have any right except to obey. No one's going to fetch and carry for me.

To La Poncia.

And don't meddle in our affairs. No one will take a step without my knowing it.

SERVANT, entering. There's a big crowd at the top of the street, and all the neighbors are at their
doors!

BERNARDA, to Poncia. Run see what's happening!

The Girls are about to run out.

Where are you going? I always knew you for window-watching women and breakers of your mourning. All
of you, to the patio!

They go out. Bernardo leaves. Distant shouts are heard.

Martirio and Adele enter and listen, not daring to step farther than the front door.

MARTIRIO. You can be thankful I didn't happen to open my mouth.

ADELA. I would have spoken too.

MARTIRIO. And what were you going to say? Wanting isn't doing!

ADELA. I do what I can and what happens to suit me. You've wanted to, but haven't been able.

MARTIRIO. You won't go on very long.

ADELA. I'll have everything!

MARTIRIO. I'll tear you out of his arms!

ADELA, pleadingly. Martirio, let me be!

MARTIRIO. None of us will have him!

ADELA. He wants me for his house!

MARTIRIO. I saw how he embraced you!

ADELA. I didn't want him to. It's as if I were dragged by a rope.

MARTIRIO. I'll see you dead first!

Magdalena and Angustias look in. The tumult is increasing. A Servant enters with Bermuda. Poncia
also enters from another door.

PONCIA. Bernarda!

BERNARDA. What's happening?

PONCIA. Librada's daughter, the unmarried one, had a child and no one knows whose it is!

ADELA. A child?

PONCIA. And to hide her shame she killed it and hid it under the rocks, but the dogs, with more
heart than most Christians, dug it out and, as though directed by the hand of God, left it at her
door. Now they want to kill her. They're dragging her through the streets—and down the paths and
across the olive groves the men are coming, shouting so the fields shake.

BERNARDA. Yes, let them all come with olive whips and hoe handles—let them all come and kill her!

ADELA. No, not to kill her!

attattrazo. Yes—and let us go out too!

BERNARDA. And let whoever loses her decency pay for it!

Outside a woman's shriek and a great clamor is heard.

ADELA. Let her escape! Don't you go out!

MARTIRIO, looking at Adele. Let her pay what she owes!

BERNARDA, at the archway. Finish her before the guards come! Hot coals in the place where she
sinned!

ADELA, holding her belly. No! No!

BERNARDA. Kill her! Kill her!

CURTAIN

ACT THREE

Four white walls, lightly washed in blue, of the interior patio of Bernarda Alba's house. The door-
ways, illumined by the lights inside the rooms, give a tenuous glow to the stage.

At the center there is a table with a shaded oil lamp about which Bernarda and her Daughters are
eating. La Fonda serves them. Prudencia sits apart. When the curtain rises, there is a great silence
interrupted only by the noise of plates and silverware.

PRUDENCIA. I'm going. I've made you a long visit.

She rises.

BERNARDA. But wait, Prudencia. We never see one another.

PRUDENCIA. Have they sounded the last call to rosary?

PONCIA. Not yet.

Prudencia sits down again.

BERNARDA. And your husband, how's he getting on?

PRUDENCIA. The same.

BERNARDA. We never see him either.

PRUDENCIA. You know how he is. Since he quarrelled with his brothers over the inheritance, he hasn't
used the front door. He takes a ladder and climbs over the back wall.

BERNARDA. He's a real man! And your daughter?

PRUDENCIA. He's never forgiven her.

BERNARDA. He's right.

PRUDENCIA. I don't know what he told you. I suffer because of it.

BERNARDA. A daughter who's disobedient stops being a daughter and becomes an enemy.

PRUDENCIA. I let water run. The only consolation I've left is to take refuge in the church, but, since
I'm losing my sight, I'll have to stop coming so the children won't make fun of me.

A heavy blow is heard against the walls.

What's that?

BERNARDA. The stallion. lie's locked in the stall and he kicks against the wall of the house.

Shouting.

Tether him and take him out in the yard!

In a lower voice.

He must be too hot.

PRUDENCIA. Are you going to put the new mares to him?

BERNARDA. At daybreak.

PRUDENCIA. You've known how to increase your stock.

BERNARDA. By dint of money and struggling.

PONCIA, interrupting. And she has the best herd in these parts. It's a shame that prices are low.

BERNARDA. Do you want a little cheese and honey?

PRUDENCIA. I have no appetite.

The blow is heard again.

PONCIA. My God!

PRUDENCIA. It quivered in my chest!

BERNARDA, rising, furiously. Do I have to say things twice? Let him out to roll on the straw.

Pause. Then, as though speaking to The Stableman.

Well then, lock the mares in the corral, but let him run free or he may kick down the walls.

She returns to the table and sits again.

Ay, what a life!

PRUDENCIA. You have to fight like a man.

RERNARDA. That's it.

Adela gets up from the table.

Where are you going?

ADELA. For a drink of water.

BERNARDA, raising her voice. Bring a pitcher of cool water.

To Adela.

You can sit down.

Adela sits down.

PRUDENCIA. And Angustias, when will she get married?

BERNARDA. They're coming to ask for her within three days.

PRUDENCIA. You must be happy.

ANGUSTIAS. Naturally!

AMELIA, to Magdalena. You've spilled the salt!

MAGDALENA. You can't possibly have worse luck than you're having.

AMELIA. It always brings bad luck.

BERNARDA. That's enough!

PRUDENCIA, to Angustias. Has he given you the ring yet?

ANGUSTIAS. Look at it.

She holds it out.

PRUDENCIA. It's beautiful. Three pearls. In my day, pearls signified tears.

ANGUSTIAS. But things have changed now.

ADELA. I don't think so. Things go on meaning the same. Engagement rings should be diamonds.

PONCIA. The most appropriate.

BERNARDA. With pearls or without them, things are as one proposes.

MARTIRIO. Or as God disposes.

PRUDENCIA. I've been told your furniture is beautiful.

BERNARDA. It cost sixteen thousand reales.

PONCIA, interrupting. The best is the wardrobe with the mirror.

PRUDENCIA. I never saw a piece like that.

BERNARDA. We had chests.

PRUDENCIA. The important thing is that everything be for the best.

AMELIA. And that you never know.

BERNARDA. There's no reason why it shouldn't be.

Bells are heard very distantly.

PRUDENCIA. The last call.

To Angustias.

I'll be coming back to have you show me your clothes.

ANGUSTIAS. Whenever you like.

PRUDENCIA. Good evening--God bless you!

BERNARDA. Good-bye, Prudencia.

ALL FIVE DAUGHTERS, at the same time. God go with you!

Pause. Prudencia goes out.

BERNARDA. Well, we've eaten.

They rise.

ADELA. I'm going to walk as far as the gate to stretch my legs and get a bit of fresh air.

Magdalena sits down in a low chair and leans against the wall.

AMELIA. I'll go with you.

MARTIRIO. I too.

ADELA, with contained hate. I'm not going to get lost!

AMELIA. One needs company at night.

They go out. Bernarda sits down. Angustias is clearing the table.

BERNARDA. I've told you once already! I want you to talk to your sister Martino. What happened about
the picture was a joke and you must forget it.

ANGUSTIAS. You know she doesn't like me.

BERNARDA. Each one knows what she thinks inside. I don't pry into anyone's heart, but I want to put
up a good front and have family harmony. You understand?

ANGUSTIAS. Yes.

BERNARDA. Then that's settled.

MAGDALENA, she is almost asleep. Besides, you'll be gone in no time.

She falls asleep.

ANGUSTIAS. Not soon enough for me.

BERNARDA. What time did you stop talking last night?

ANGUSTIAS. Twelve-thirty.

BERNARDA. What does Pepe talk about?

ANGUSTIAS. I find him absent-minded. He always talks to me as though he were thinking of something
else. If I ask him what's the matter, he answers--"We men have our worries."

BERNARDA. You shouldn't ask him. And when you're married, even less. Speak if he speaks, and look at
him when he looks at you. That way youll get along.

ANGUSTIAS. But, Mother, I think he's hiding things from me.

BERNARDA. Don't try to find out. Don't ask him, and above all, never let him see you cry.

ANGUSTIAS. I should be happy, but I'm not.

BERNARDA. It's all the same.

ANGUSTIAS. Many nights I watch Pepe very closely through the window bars and he seems to fade away
as though he were hidden in a cloud of dust like those raised by the flocks.

BERNARDA. That's just because you're not strong.

ANGUSTIAS. I hope so!

BERNARDA. Is he coming tonight?

ANGUSTIAS. No, he went into town with his mother.

BERNARDA. Good, we'll get to bed early. Magdalena!

ANGUSTIAS. She's asleep.

Adele, Martirio and Amelia enter.

AMELIA. What a dark night!

ADELA. You can't see two steps in front of you.

MARTIRIO. A good night for robbers, for anyone who needs to hide.

ADELA. The stallion was in the middle of the corral. White. Twice as large. Filling all the darkness.

AMELIA. It's true. It was frightening. Like a ghost.

ADELA. The sky has stars as big as fists.

MARTIRIO. This one stared at them till she almost cracked her neck.

ADELA. Don't you like them up there?

MARTIRIO. What goes on over the roof doesn't mean a thing to me. I have my hands full with what hap-
pens under it.

ADELA. Well, that's the way it goes with you!

BERNARDA. And it goes the same for you as for her.

ANGUSTIAS. Good night.

ADELA. Are you going to bed now?

ANGUSTIAS. Yes, Pepe isn't coming tonight.

She goes out.

ADELA. Mother, why, when a star falls or lightning flashes, does one say:

　　　　　Holy Barbara, blessed on high
　　　　　May your name be in the sky
　　　　　With holy water written high?

BERNARDA. The old people know many things we've forgotten.

AMELIA. I close my eyes so I won't see them.

ADELA. Not I. I like to see what's quiet and been quiet for years on end, running with fire.

MARTIRIO. But all that has nothing to do with us.

BERNARDA. And it's better not to think about it.

ADELA. What a beautiful night! I'd like to stay up till very late and enjoy the breeze from the
fields.

BERNARDA. But we have to go to bed. Magdalena!

AMELIA. She's just dropped off.

BERNARDA. Magdalena!

MAGDALENA, annoyed. Leave me alone!

BERNARDA. To bed!

MAGDALENA, rising, in a bad humor. You don't give anyone a moment's peace!

She goes of grumbling.

AMELIA. Good night!

She goes out.

BERNARDA. You two get along, too.

MARTIRIO. How is it Angustias' sweetheart isn't coming tonight?

BERNARDA. He went on a trip.

MARTIRIO, looking at Adela. Ah!

ADELA. I'll see you in the morning!

She goes out. Martirio drinks some water and goes out slowly, looking at the door to the yard. La
Poncia enters.

PONCIA. Are you still here?

BERNARDA. Enjoying this quiet and not seeing anywhere the "very grave thing" that's happening here--
according to you.

PONCIA. Bernardo, let's not go any further with this.

BERNARDA. In this house there's no question of a yes or a no. My watchfulness can take care of any-
thing.

PONCIA. Nothing's happening outside. That's true, all right. Your daughters act and are as though
stuck in a cupboard. But neither you nor anyone else can keep watch inside a person's heart.

FERNARDA. My daughters breathe calmly enough.

PONCIA. That's your business, since you're their mother. I have enough to do just with serving you.

BERNARDA. Yes, you've turned quiet now.

PONCIA. I keep my place--that's all.

BERNARDA. The trouble is you've nothing to talk about. If there were grass in this house, you'd
make it your business to put the neighbors' sheep to pasture here.

PONCIA. I hide more than you think.

BERNARDA. Do your sons still see Pepe at four in the morning? Are they still repeating this house's
evil
litany?

PONCIA. They say nothing.

BERNARDA. Because they can't. Because there's nothing for them to sink their teeth in. And all be-
cause my eyes keep constant watch!

PONCIA. Bernardo, I don't want to talk about this because I'm afraid of what you'll do. But don't
you feel so safe.

BERNARDA. Very safe!

PONCIA. Who knows, lightning might strike suddenly. Who knows but what all of a sudden, in a rush
of blood, your heart might stop.

BERNARDA. Nothing will happen here. I'm on guard now against all your suspicions.

PONCIA. All the better for you.

BERNARDA. Certainly, all the better!

SERVANT, entering. I've just finished with the dishes. Is there anything else, Bernardo?

BERNARDA, rising. Nothing. I'm going to get some rest.

PONCIA. What time do you want me to call you?

BERNARDA. No time. Tonight I intend to sleep well. She goes out.

PONCIA. When you're powerless against the sea, it's easier to turn your back on it and not look at
it.

SERVANT. She's so proud! She herself pulls the blindfold over her eyes.

PONCIA. I can do nothing. I tried to head things off, but now they frighten me too much. You feel
this si-lence?--in each room there's a thunderstorm--and the day it breaks, it'll sweep all of us
along with it. But I've said what I had to say.

SERVANT. Bernardo thinks nothing can stand against her, yet she doesn't know the strength a man
has among women alone.

PONCIA. It's not all the fault of Pepe el Romano. It's true last year he was running after Adela;
and she was crazy about him--but she ought to keep her place and not lead him on. A man's a man.

SERVANT. And some there are who believe he didn't have to talk many times with Adela.

PONCIA. That's true.

In a low voice.

And some other things.

SERVANT. I don't know what's going to happen here.

PONCIA. How I'd like to sail across the sea and leave this house, this battleground, behind!

SERVANT. Bernarda's hurrying the wedding and it's possible nothing will happen.

PONCIA. Things have gone much too far already. Adela is set no matter what comes, and the rest of
them watch without rest.

SERVANT. Martirio too...?

PONCIA. That one's the worst. She's a pool of poison. She sees El Romano is not for her, and she'd
sink the world if it were in her hand to do so.

SERVANT. How bad they all are!

PONCIA. They're women without men, that's all. And in such matters even blood is forgotten.
Sh-h-h-hl

She listens.

SERVANT. What's the matter?

PONCIA, she rises. The dogs are barking.

SERVANT. Someone must have passed by the back door.

Adela enters wearing a white petticoat and corselet.

PONCIA. Aren't you in bed yet?

ADELA. I want a drink of water.

She drinks from a glass on the table.

PONCIA. I imagined you were asleep.

ADELA. I got thirsty and woke up. Aren't you two going to get some rest?

SERVANT. Soon now.

Adela goes out.

PONCIA. Let's go.

SERVANT. We've certainly earned some sleep. Bernarda doesn't let me rest the whole day.

PONCIA. Take the light.

SERVANT. The dogs are going mad.

PONCIA. They're not going to let us sleep.

They go out. The stage is left almost dark. Maria Josefa enters with a lamb in her arms.

MARIA JOSEFA, singing.

　　　　　Little lamb, child of mine,
　　　　　Let's go to the shore of the sea,
　　　　　The tiny ant will be at his doorway,
　　　　　I'll nurse you and give you your bread.
　　　　　Bernarda, old leopard-face,
　　　　　And Magdalena, hyena-face,
　　　　　Little lamb ...
　　　　　Rock, rock-a-bye,
　　　　　Let's go to the palms at Bethlehem's gate.

She laughs.

　　　　　Neither you nor I would want to sleep
　　　　　The door will open by itself
　　　　　And on the beach we'll go and hide
　　　　　In a little coral cabin.
　　　　　Bernarda, old leopard-face,
　　　　　And Magdalena, hyena-face, Little lamb .
　　　　　Rock, rock-a-bye,
　　　　　Let's go to the palms at Bethlehem's gate.

She goes off singing.

Adele enters. She looks about cautiously and disappears out the door leading to the corral. Martirio
enters by another door and stands in anguished watchfulness near the center of the stage. She also
is in petticoats. She covers herself with a small black scarf. Maria Josefa crosses before her.

MARTIRIO. Grandmother, where are you going?

MARIA JOSEFA. You are going to open the door for me? Who are you?

MARTIRIO. How did you get out here?

MARIA JOSEFA. I escaped. You, who are you?

MARTIRIO. Go back to bed.

MARIA JOSEFA. You're Martirio. Now I see you. Martirio, face of a martyr. And when are you going to
have a baby? I've had this one.

MARTIRIO. Where did you get that lamb?

MARIA JOSEFA. I know it's a lamb. But can't a lamb be a baby? It's better to have a lamb than not to
have anything. Old Bernarda, leopard-face, and Magdalena, hyena-face!

MARTIRIO. Don't shout.

MARIA JOSEFA. It's true. Everything's very dark. Just because I have white hair you think I can't have
babies, but I can--babies and babies and babies. This baby will have white hair, and I'd have this
baby, and another, and this one other; and with all of us with snow white hair we'll be like the waves
--one, then another, and another. Then we'll all sit down and all of us will have white heads, and
we'll be seafoam. Why isn't there any seafoam here? Nothing but mourning shrouds here.

MARTIRIO. Hush, hush.

MARIA JOSEFA. When my neighbor had a baby, I'd carry her some chocolate and later she'd bring me some,
and so on--always and always and always. You'll have white hair, but your neighbors won't come. Now I
have to go away, but I'm afraid the dogs will bite me. Won't you come with me as far as the fields? I
don't like fields. I like houses, but open houses, and the neighbor women asleep in their beds with
their little tiny tots, and the men outside sitting in their chairs. Pepe el Romano is a giant. All of
you love him. But he's going to devour you because you're grains of wheat. No, not grains of wheat.
Frogs with no tongues!

MARTIRIO, angrily. Come, off to bed with you.

She pushes her.

MARIA JOSEFA. Yes, but then you'll open the door for me, won't you?

MARTIRIO. Of course.

MARIA JOSEFA, weeping.

　　　　　Little lamb, child of mine,
　　　　　Let's go to the shore of the sea,
　　　　　The tiny ant will be at his doorway,
　　　　　I'll nurse you and give you your bread.

Martirio locks the door through which Maria Josefa came out and goes to the yard door There she hes-
itates, but goes two steps farther.

MARTIRIO, in a low voice. Adela!

Pause. She advances to the door. Then, calling.

Adela!

Adele enters. Her hair is disarranged.

ADELA. And what are you looking for me for?

MARTIRIO. Keep away from him.

ADELA. Who are you to tell me that?

MARTIRIO. That's no place for a decent woman.

ADELA. How you wish you'd been there!

MARTIRIO, shouting. This is the moment for me to speak. This can't go on.

ADELA. This is just the beginning. I've had strength enough to push myself forward--the spirit and
looks you lack. I've seen death under this roof, and gone out to look for what was mine, what belong-
ed to me.

MARTIRIO. That soulless man came for another woman. You pushed yourself in front of him.

ADELA. He came for the money, but his eyes were always on me.

MARTIRIO. I won't allow you to snatch him away. He'll marry Angustias.

ADELA. You know better than I he doesn't love her.

MARTIRIO. I know.

ADELA. You know because you've seen--he loves me, me!

MARTIRIO, desperately. Yes.

ADELA, close before her. He loves me, me! He loves me, me!

MARTIRIO. Stick me with a knife if you like, but don't tell me that again.

ADELA. That's why you're trying to fix it so I won't go away with him. It makes no difference to you
if he puts his arms around a woman he doesn't love. Nor does it to me. He could be a hundred years
with Angustias, but for him to have his arms around me seems terrible to you--because you too love
him! You love him!

MARTIRIO, dramatically. Yes! Let me say it without hiding my head. Yes! My breast's bitter, bursting
like a pomegranate. I love him!

ADELA, impulsively, hugging her. Martirio, Martirio, I'm not to blame!

MARTIRIO. Don't put your arms around me! Don't by to smooth it over. My blood's no longer yours, and
even though I try to think of you as a sister, I see you as just another woman.

She pushes her away.

ADELA. There's no way out here. Whoever has to drown --let her drown. Pepe is mine. He'll carry me to
the rushes along the river bank....

MARTIRIO. He won't!

ADELA. I can't stand this horrible house after the taste of his mouth. I'll be what he wants me to be.
Everybody in the village against me, burning me with their fiery fingers; pursued by those who claim
they're decent, and I'll wear, before them all, the crown of thorns that belongs to the mistress of a
married man.

MARTIRIO. Hush!

ADELA. Yes, yes.

In a low voice.

Let's go to bed. Let's let him marry Angustias. I don't care anymore, but I'll go off alone to a little
house where he'll come to see me whenever be wants, whenever he feels like it.

MARTIRIO. That'll never happen! Not while I have a drop of blood left in my body.

ADELA. Not just weak you, but a wild horse I could force to his knees with just the strength of my
little finger.

MARTIRIO. Don't raise that voice of yours to me. It irritates me. I have a heart full of a force so
evil that, without my wanting to be, I'm drowned by it.

ADELA. You show us the way to love our sisters. God must have meant to leave me alone in the midst of
darkness, because I can see you as I've never seen you before.

A whistle is heard and Adele runs toward the door, but Martirio gets in front of her.

MARTIRIO. Where are you going?

ADELA. Get away from that door!

MARTIRIO. Get by me if you can!

ADELA. Get away!

They struggle.

MARTIRIO, shouts. Mother! Mother!

ADELA. Let me go!

Bernardo enters. She wears petticoats and a black shawl.

BERNARDA. Quiet! Quiet! How poor I am without even a man to help me!

MARTIRIO, pointing to Adela. She was with him. Look at those skirts covered with straw!

BERNARDA, going furiously toward Adela. That's the bed of a bad woman!

ADELA, facing her. There'll be an end to prison voices here!

Adele snatches away her mother's cane and breaks it in two.

This is what I do with the tyrant's cane. Not another step. No one but Pepe commands me!

Magdalena enters.

MAGDALENA. Adela!

La Poncia and Angustias enter.

ADELA. I'm his.

To Angustias.

Know that--and go out in the yard and tell him. He'll be master in this house. He is out
there, breathing like a lion.

ANGUSTIAS. My God!

BERNARDA. The gun! Where's the gun?

She rushes out. La Poncia runs ahead of her. Amelia enters and looks on frightened, leaning her head
against the wall. Behind her comes Martirio.

ADELA. No one can hold me back!

She tries to go out.

ANGUSTIAS, holding her. You're not getting out of here with your body's triumph! Thief! Disgrace of
this house!

MAGDALENA. Let her go where we'll never see her again!

A shot is heard.

BERNARDA, entering. Just try looking for him now!

MARTIRIO, entering. That does away with Pepe el Romano.

ADELA. Pepe! My God! Pepe!

She runs out.

PONCIA. Did you kill him?

MARTIRIO. No. He raced away on his mare!

BERNARDA. It was my fault. A woman can't aim.

MAGDALENA. Then, why did you say . . . ?

MARTIRIO. For her! I'd like to pour a river of blood over her head!

PONCIA. Curse you!

MAGDALENA. Devil!

BERNARDA. Although it's better this way!

A thud is heard.

Adela! Adela!

PONCIA, at her door. Open this door!

BERNARDA. Open! Don't think the walls will hide your shame!

SERVANT, entering. All the neighbors are up!

BERNARDA, in a low voice, but like a roar. Open! Or knock the door down!

Pause. Everything is silent.

Adela!

She walks away from the door.

A hammer!

La Poncia throws herself against the door. It opens and she goes in. As she enters, she screams
and backs out.

What is it?

PONCIA, she puts her hands to her throat. May we never die like that!

The Sisters fall back. The Servant crosses herself. Bernardo screams and goes forward.

Don't go in!

BERNARDA. No, not I! Pepe, you're running now, alive, in the darkness, under the trees, but another
day you'll fall. Cut her down! My daughter died a virgin. Take her to another room and dress her as
though she were a virgin. No one will say anything about this! She died a virgin. Tell them, so that
at dawn, the bells will ring twice.

MARTIRIO. A thousand times happy she, who had him.

BERNARDA. And I want no weeping. Death must be looked at face to face. Silence!

To one daughter.

Be still, I said!

To another daughter.

Tears when you're alone! We'll drown ourselves in a sea of mourning. She, the youngest daughter of
Bernarda Alba, died a virgin. Did you hear me? Silence, silence, I said. Silence!

CURTAIN