Radically Happy

Continued from Orsinine: Eleventh Night, or As You Love It.

Hat tip to Twelfth Night – Act 4, scene 2

For reasons unknown, the Fool disguises himself as the parish priest Saint Topas and visits the imprisoned Lecherio.

Fool: [voice disguised as Topas, a doddering old man] Is this the cell of the notorious madman Lecherio?

Lecherio: [tired] Cut it out, fool. I know it is you.

Fool: [Topas voice] Cut IT out? Are you so eager to become a eunuch then?

L: [angry] Damn you! Why must you be so annoying?

Fool. [mimicking Lecherio] Why must YOU be so annoying?

L. Damn your eyes. I didn’t ask to be here.

F. [mimicking] I didn’t ask to be…

L. [reflexively] Here.

F. [own voice. Gently.] Here. Hear, hear.

[long pause]

L. [sincerely] Why AM I here, fool?

F. Ask a Fool a question, you’ll get a Fool’s answer.

L. Damn you, I am trying to be serious.

F. [quietly, after another long pause] I am trying to be.

L. Be what, damn you?

[Longer pause. The Fool disappears. Scurrying noises. The Fool reappears bearing pen, paper and candle, which he leaves just outside Lecherio’s cell]

Fool: [whispering] What you need me to be.

Lecherio’s Letter

Hat tip to Twelfth Night – Act 5, scene 1.

My Lord Orsino, I have wronged you. But you wronged me first. Thought it was not of your own doing.

I am thy brother by half. Born of the same Lord, but not the same mother. Sent away to a different time and place, where I knew not my birth, or even my true name.

When I encountered thee, I was filled with envy and contempt for the life of ease and security I imagined thou hast enjoyed at my expense.

But now I see thou art as much a prisoner of your palace and privilege as I am of these dungeons and darkness. And that perhaps you envy me my independence as much as I envy you your comfort.

The Fool made of himself a mirror that I might see myself as others see me. And see myself in you.

Will you not now release me, and embrace me, that the sundered halves of our house be made whole?