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      PERSONS.
    • The New Little Nun .
    • Her Lover .
    • Many Dead Nuns; among them:
    • An Aged Nun .
    • A Nun of Forty .
    • An Elderly Nun .
    • A Young Nun .
    • Several living Nuns; among them:
    • The Abbess .

Midnight in the cloister of the Convent of the Sepolte-Vive — the Buried-Alive: a Romanesque quadrangle which is flooded with moonlight and planted thick with flat tombstones. Above one side of this enclosure rise the gable of the chapel and the loggia of the belfry. On the opposite side one divines the roofs of a sleeping city and half hears the murmur of the sea a hundred feet below. In the distance a mountain-peak burns and glows as if tipped with an enormous live coal and sends a thin veil of smoke down its own dark sides to wander far and wide along a sinuous shore.

The New Nun
( half hidden in the arched and pillared shade ).

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 65 chars.

[The organ-notes from the chapel cease. The light in the window under the gable vanishes. The Nuns, with the Abbess at their head, issue from the chapel, cross the enclosure, and disperse among their cells. From the belfry there comes the stroke of twelve.]
The New Nun .

Note: Contains 118 words in 7 sentences using 629 chars.

[The air begins to become strangely close and oppressive. The bats flit uneasily beneath the shadowed vaulting of the arcades.]
The New Nun .

Note: Contains 61 words in 8 sentences using 339 chars.

[A distant sound, as if of iron at work on stone: a sound that is cautious, yet determined, energetic, even desperate. At the same time the tombstones grate uneasily upon their foundations.]
The New Nun .

Note: Contains 33 words in 5 sentences using 163 chars.

[The distant sound seems nearer; it rings with a passionate and high-hearted energy. At the same time the gravestones shift and heave, as if about to lift and to disclose their secrets.]
The New Nun .

Note: Contains 25 words in 3 sentences using 118 chars.

[The sound draws nearer still; it seems close to the dusky corner into which the New Nun has shrunk.]
The New Nun .

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 62 chars.

[The tombstones jar and labor, and the Dead Nuns , clad in conventual garb, rise from their graves. They congregate in the middle of the cloister.]
A Young Nun .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 20 chars.

A Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 29 chars.

An Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 11 words in 1 sentence using 61 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 21 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 43 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 7 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 60 words in 8 sentences using 299 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 23 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 16 words in 2 sentences using 74 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 45 chars.

An Aged Nun .

Note: Contains 7 words in 3 sentences using 34 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 13 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 9 words in 2 sentences using 42 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 15 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 39 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 9 words in 1 sentence using 44 chars.

The Aged Nun .

Note: Contains 23 words in 2 sentences using 117 chars.

The Young Nun
( as the sound rings louder ).

Note: Contains 19 words in 3 sentences using 92 chars.

The Aged Nun .

Note: Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 62 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 42 chars.

The Aged Nun .

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 7 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 44 chars.

The Aged Nun
( humbly ).

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 11 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 41 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 59 words in 7 sentences using 300 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 68 words in 7 sentences using 324 chars.

The Aged Nun .

Note: Contains 26 words in 2 sentences using 127 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 27 words in 2 sentences using 139 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 23 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 26 words in 4 sentences using 131 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 22 words in 2 sentences using 118 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 69 words in 3 sentences using 351 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 63 chars.

[The air becomes closer. The luster of the moon begins to dim.]
The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 26 words in 2 sentences using 127 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 11 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 77 words in 7 sentences using 394 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 19 chars.

The Aged Nun .

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 30 chars.

The Melancholy Nun .

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 27 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 123 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 19 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 25 words in 4 sentences using 116 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 22 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 73 words in 9 sentences using 395 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 21 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 4 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 13 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 9 words in 2 sentences using 41 chars.

The Nun of Forty
( passionately, to the Aged Nun ).

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 22 chars.

The Aged Nun .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 17 chars.

[The moon still dims. A sweeping flight of restless seabirds passes overhead. The work on the wall proceeds, unheeded by the Nuns.]
The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 42 words in 5 sentences using 233 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 18 words in 2 sentences using 88 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 14 words in 1 sentence using 64 chars.

The Aged Nun .

Note: Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 43 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 22 words in 2 sentences using 117 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 28 words in 3 sentences using 144 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 89 words in 8 sentences using 478 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 9 chars.

The Young Nun
( with vehemence ).

Note: Contains 18 words in 4 sentences using 89 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 3 words in 2 sentences using 13 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 27 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 42 words in 5 sentences using 200 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 16 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 11 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 18 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 53 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 19 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 78 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 4 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 41 words in 4 sentences using 191 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 4 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 47 words in 10 sentences using 248 chars.

The Elderly Nun
( coldly ).

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 28 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 29 words in 5 sentences using 131 chars.

[The sound of a stone falling upon other stones. The air grows more and more oppressive. The peak of the mountain glows with a kindling anger and its trail of smoke moves on with a darker and wider reach. The earth seems to shiver.]
The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 46 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 21 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 31 words in 4 sentences using 145 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 13 words in 3 sentences using 60 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 16 words in 3 sentences using 72 chars.

[Another stone falls. The bats tumble about heedlessly in the murky moonlight. Half awakened land-birds flit hither and thither with wild cries of alarm. The convent belfry quivers from top to base, and its bells are rung — but not by human hands.]
The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 28 words in 3 sentences using 140 chars.

[The New Little Nun , with a cry of terror, starts from her corner and rushes out into the edge of the moonlight: a hand has been thrust through the gap in the wall and a voice has followed.]
The Voice .

Note: Contains 2 words in 2 sentences using 15 chars.

The New Nun .

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 27 chars.

[The Nuns advance toward her. It were vain to say (from her own terror and from the failing light) whether or no she hears them or sees them.]
The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 21 words in 3 sentences using 99 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 49 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 30 chars.

The Young Nun
( motioning ).

Note: Contains 16 words in 2 sentences using 74 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 24 words in 5 sentences using 107 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 35 words in 6 sentences using 181 chars.

The Elderly Nun .

Note: Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 51 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 31 words in 6 sentences using 148 chars.

The Nun of Forty .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 18 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 19 words in 4 sentences using 87 chars.

Angelo
( advancing through the opening ).

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 47 chars.

Bianca
(waving him back).

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 19 chars.

Angelo .

Note: Contains 17 words in 2 sentences using 85 chars.

Bianca .

Note: Contains 8 words in 2 sentences using 37 chars.

Angelo .

Note: Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 47 chars.

Bianca .

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 84 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 9 words in 3 sentences using 48 chars.

Angelo .

Note: Contains 9 words in 2 sentences using 55 chars.

Bianca .

Note: Contains 15 words in 2 sentences using 71 chars.

Angelo .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 22 chars.

Bianca .

Note: Contains 26 words in 2 sentences using 127 chars.

Angelo .

Note: Contains 11 words in 1 sentence using 56 chars.

Bianca .

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 8 chars.

Angelo .

Note: Contains 22 words in 4 sentences using 111 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 93 chars.

[A thick dun cloud, illumined by intermittent flashes of volcanic fire, fills the cloister, and the lashings and groanings of a terrified sea come to them from below. The foundation-walls of the convent are all a-tremble, and the bells ring in an uncontrollable frenzy. The Nuns grope through the smoke and the darkness to seek retreat in their graves: not one can find her own.]
Angelo
( to Bianca ).

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 36 chars.

Bianca .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 21 chars.

Angelo .

Note: Contains 9 words in 1 sentence using 43 chars.

Bianca .

Note: Contains 13 words in 3 sentences using 66 chars.

The Young Nun
( standing alone in the middle of the enclosure, whence she shouts with all her might, as she waves her garment with two wild arms ).

Note: Contains 20 words in 4 sentences using 102 chars.

Angelo .

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 17 chars.

The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 32 chars.

[A violent shock of earthquake. The graves are completely upheaved and dismantled; the belfry totters; and the Abbess and her train fly screaming past the church-door just as the walls of the cloister are rent from top to bottom. Through the opening thus made one sees the toppling towers of the city and the confounded shipping of the port, and beneath the lifting smoke one views a score of burning villages upon the lava-swept mountain-side.]
Angelo
( pointing to the cleft wall ).

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 19 chars.

Angelo and Bianca pick their path through the wrecked and dismantled tombs, upon whose ruins the Dead Nuns lie wailing, affrighted and disconsolate.]
The Young Nun .

Note: Contains 81 words in 5 sentences using 423 chars.

[She treads a resolute way among the lamenting choir, and disappears in the pall of smoke as she follows Angelo and Bianca down the hillside.]
CC-BY-4.0
Lizenzvertrag
Holder of rights
Mathias Göbel
Citation Suggestion for this Object
TextGrid Repository (2024). American Drama. The Dead-and-Alive. The Dead-and-Alive. American Drama Corpus. Mathias Göbel. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0014-A7BA-C