Far From the Madding Crowd

BOLDWOOD Very much. Now, I hope it’s not out of turn to say, but I shall be away until the harvest. Miss Everdene is alone at her farm; it is a great deal of work for a lady. I wonder if you might look out for her for me? Take a care to see that she’s all right.

GABRIEL You need not ask, Sir. Tis in all our interests to keep her safe and happy.

BOLDWOOD Well good, I’m glad we have an understanding. Goodnight.

GABRIEL Sir.

20. Hay Making

A song. The workers are haymaking in the field. Sergeant TROY appears and begins to help. BATHSHEBA arrives. TROY strides up to her.

TROY Miss Everdene!

BATHSHEBA Sergeant Troy. You know my name.

TROY Forgive me – I had no idea who you were when we met – had I known… though now I think on it, ‘Queen of the Cornmarket,’ I’ve heard you called on every road in Casterbridge. How could you be anyone else?

BATHSHEBA Why are you here? I do wish you would go.

TROY Now that’s unkind. I’m just volunteering. Used to help your uncle as a lad, thought I’d do the same for you. I’ve been here since dawn.

BATHSHEBA I suppose I must thank you for that.

TROY No, I come of my own free will.

BATHSHEBA Well, I’m glad, for I have no wish to feel obliged to you.

TROY Oh really. These are hard times, when ill luck should follow me, simply for saying you’re beautiful.

BATHSHEBA Well I’d rather you left me alone.

TROY And I’d rather have your curses than kisses from another. So here I shall stay.

BATHSHEBA You impudent man!

TROY Unjust.

BATHSHEBA I don’t allow strangers to be bold with me, Sergeant Troy, even in praise of me.

TROY Well, at least I have the satisfaction of knowing I speak the truth, whether it pleases you or not. Forgive me?

BATHSHEBA Why should I? You say such things!

TROY You are utterly fascinating.

BATHSHEBA I am not. What makes you say so?

TROY Everyone thinks it, I most of all.

BATHSHEBA I’ve never heard them say.

TROY Oh, they’re all in awe of you, everyone of them. And how I feel for them, for you do them a great disservice. They and the rest of mankind.

BATHSHEBA How so?

TROY Well. One man on average falls in love with one woman. She will marry him, he is content. But you! A hundred men will covet you. Your eyes bewitch us in our scores – but still, you can only marry one. And what of the rest? Say twenty drown their sorrow with drink, twenty mope away into despair, another score, well they may try to win over their passion, but they never will. And the rest? Why we will follow you our whole lives, doing desperate things in the pathetic hope you’ll notice us. Men are such fools in love. And then, of course, what of the ninety-nine woman those men won’t have married – all broken hearted. So you see. That is why a woman as lovely as you is truly a curse to her race.

BATHSHEBA goes to speak, but she’s stumped.

Go on. Forgive me.

BATHSHEBA Well. Perhaps you didn’t intend to be rude. And thank you for your help in the field. But please don’t speak to me again unless I speak first.

TROY That is too harsh!

BATHSHEBA It isn’t.

TROY But then you’ll never speak to me! How can you take away the one little ewe-lamb of pleasure that brightens my time here when our regiment will be gone soon –

BATHSHEBA (Perhaps a little too quickly) You’re going? When will that be?

TROY A month, maybe two. You may think me foolish for only wanting a word or two, but truly, you know nothing of the torture I feel – looking on you and unable to speak!

BATHSHEBA Nonsense, flatterer. (Pause) What is it like?

TROY It is not being able to think, hear or look in any direction except yours without feeling utterly wretched. My heart is on fire!

BATHSHEBA You’re pretending!

TROY I’m not. You are so distracting!

BATHSHEBA You do look distracted.

TROY I am!

BATHSHEBA Why you only saw me the other night, you stupid man.

TROY The lightning works instantaneously – I loved you then, at once, as I do now.

Pause.

BATHSHEBA Sergeant Troy! They will talk. And I have reasons for reserve which… I must get back.

TROY But I can talk to you?

BATHSHEBA No.

TROY Work in your fields?

BATHSHEBA No! Perhaps. I don’t know – if it really gives you pleasure.

TROY Oh yes. More than you can know.

He tips his cap to her. She moves off. GABRIEL and TROY both watch her go. TROY gives GABRIEL a friendly nod – almost triumphant – as he goes.

21. Workhouse

FANNY crosses the street. A man in a top hat passes her.

FANNY Sir? Have you any employment?

MAN Get on with you.

FANNY Please, sir – anything? Or your wife? Does she need a woman?

MAN Look at the state of you.

FANNY I have strong hands, I work hard.

MAN I told you, no.

FANNY goes. The man turns back to her.

There’s a workhouse in Casterbridge. If it comes to that. On West Street.

FANNY God bless you, Sir.

Upon my life, it makes my arm ache more that a week of sword drills.

BATHSHEBA Sword drills?

TROY Have you ever seen it?

BATHSHEBA No. I think I’d like to.

TROY Then you shall. I don’t have a sword here but I could get one by this evening. There. All present and correct.

He has now finishes his bee duties and takes the equipment off.

BATHSHEBA Thank you.

TROY Meet me in the copse at dusk. I’ll show you my cuts and thrusts.

BATHSHEBA I couldn’t possibly.

TROY Why not? No-one’ll know.

BATHSHEBA Perhaps if I brought Liddy –

TROY Why would you bring Liddy? Don’t you trust me? Come on beauty, you’ll meet me tonight.

BATHSHEBA It’s not proper.

TROY By the elms, behind the ridge. Bathsheba.

BATHSHEBA Miss Everdene.

TROY Until then...

TROY exits.

BATHSHEBA But wait... I never said I’d... oh, hell!

The noise from the swarm swells. Lights.

INTERVAL

BATHSHEBA Me?

TROY Though, unlike in real warfare, I’ll miss you each time – though only by a hair’s breadth. Whatever you do, don’t flinch. The question is, do you have the pluck for it?

He does a flourish and moves the sword so fast that she can’t tell what he’s doing.

BATHSHEBA Oh! How did you do that?

TROY Sleight of hand. Now, you’re sure you’re not afraid?

BATHSHEBA Is the sword sharp?

TROY It’s blunt as a post. Ready?

TROY performs his sword routine. It is an incredible feat of virtuosity.

There – what do you think to that?

BATHSHEBA That was… I…

TROY It’s quite all right – you are speechless. I understand. Wait –

He inspects her appearance.

BATHSHEBA What?

TROY You’ve a lock of hair out of place – allow me.

He swipes the curl off. BATHSHEBA can’t speak.

Bravely born.

BATHSHEBA How did you do that?

TROY Simple. I gave point to your shoulder, and instead of running you through, checked the extension a thousandth of an inch short in order to swipe it clean off.

BATHSHEBA You said the sword was blunt?!