MARINA TSVETAEVA
503
Alya: "Aha! I know-the governor. That's m
Don Quixote–
the governor!"
(Poor J-sky!)
* * *
I tell a story:
"You see, there was an old, ancient woman, not at all silly. A
dried flower- a rose! Fiery eyes, a proudly set head, she used to be a
cruel beauty. And it's all still there-only it'sju-ust about to disinte–
grate ... A rose-colored dress, splendid and terrible, because she's
seventy years old, a rose evening cap, delicate slippers . Under her
sharp heel a taut, tightly stuffed satin pillow - also rose-colored - a
heavy, dense, squeaky satin ... And so, at the stroke of midnight–
her granddaughter's fiance appears. He's a little late. He's elegant,
gallant, handsome - a camisole, a sword ..."
Alya, interrupting, "Oh Marina! - Death or Casanova!"
(She knows the latter from my plays,
Adventure
and
The Phoenix. )
* * *
"Alechka, what do you think the last word should be in
Grand-
mother
*? Her last word - rather, breath! - upon which she dies?"
"Of course - Love!"
"True, true, only I thought perhaps :
Amour."
I explain the difference between a concept and its incarnation:
"Love- is a concept,
Amour-
the incarnation. A concept- is
general, round, the incarnation - is sharp - upwards! everything
toward one point. Do you understand?"
"Oh, Marina, I understood!"
"Then give me an example."
"I'm afraid it won't be true. They're both too airy."
"It
doesn't matter, go ahead.
If
it's not right, I'll tell you."
"Music- is a concept, a voice- the incarnation." (Pause) "And
also: glory-is a concept, a heroic deed-the incarnation. But Ma–
rina, how strange! A heroic deed - is a concept, a hero - is the incar–
nation ."
* * *
"Alya! What a wonderful thing-dreams!"
• A play which I didn't finish , and lost.
