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1、The Importance of Being EarnestA Trivial Comedy for Serious PeopleTHE PERSONS IN THE PLAYJohn Worthing, J.P.Algernon MoncrieffRev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.Merriman, ButlerLane, ManservantLady BracknellHon. Gwendolen FairfaxCecily CardewMiss Prism, GovernessTHE SCENES OF THE PLAYACT I. Algernon Moncrieff
2、s Flat in Half-Moon Street, W.ACT II. The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton.ACT III. Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.TIME: The Present.LONDON: ST. JAMESS THEATRELessee and Manager: Mr. George AlexanderFebruary 14th, 1895* * * * *John Worthing, J.P.: Mr. George Alexander.Algernon Moncrieff:
3、 Mr. Allen Aynesworth.Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.: Mr. H. H. Vincent.Merriman: Mr. Frank Dyall.Lane: Mr. F. Kinsey Peile.Lady Bracknell: Miss Rose Leclercq.Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax: Miss Irene Vanbrugh.Cecily Cardew: Miss Evelyn Millard.Miss Prism: Mrs. George Canninge.FIRST ACTSCENEMorning-room in Alge
4、rnons flat in Half-Moon Street. The room isluxuriously and artistically furnished. The sound of a piano is heard inthe adjoining room.Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the music hasceased, Algernon enters.Algernon. Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?Lane. I didnt think it po
5、lite to listen, sir.Algernon. Im sorry for that, for your sake. I dont playaccurately-any one can play accurately-but I play with wonderfulexpression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. Ikeep science for Life.Lane. Yes, sir.Algernon. And, speaking of the science of Life, have y
6、ou got thecucumber sandwiches cut for Lady Bracknell?Lane. Yes, sir. Hands them on a salver.Algernon. Inspects them, takes two, and sits down on the sofa. Oh! . . .by the way, Lane, I see from your book that on Thursday night, whenLord Shoreman and Mr. Worthing were dining with me, eight bottles ofc
7、hampagne are entered as having been consumed.Lane. Yes, sir; eight bottles and a pint.Algernon. Why is it that at a bachelors establishment the servantsinvariably drink the champagne? I ask merely for information.Lane. I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir. I haveoften observed tha
8、t in married households the champagne is rarely of afirst-rate brand.Algernon. Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralising as that?Lane. I believe it _is_ a very pleasant state, sir. I have had verylittle experience of it myself up to the present. I have only beenmarried once. That was in consequence
9、of a misunderstanding betweenmyself and a young person.Algernon. Languidly_._ I dont know that I am much interested in yourfamily life, Lane.Lane. No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. I never think ofit myself.Algernon. Very natural, I am sure. That will do, Lane, thank you.Lane. Thank you
10、, sir. Lane goes out.Algernon. Lanes views on marriage seem somewhat lax. Really, if thelower orders dont set us a good example, what on earth is the use ofthem? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moralresponsibility.Enter Lane.Lane. Mr. Ernest Worthing.Enter Jack.Lane goes out_._
11、Algernon. How are you, my dear Ernest? What brings you up to town?Jack. Oh, pleasure, pleasure! What else should bring one anywhere?Eating as usual, I see, Algy!Algernon. Stiffly_._ I believe it is customary in good society totake some slight refreshment at five oclock. Where have you been sincelast
12、 Thursday?Jack. Sitting down on the sofa. In the country.Algernon. What on earth do you do there?Jack. Pulling off his gloves_._ When one is in town one amusesoneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people. It isexcessively boring.Algernon. And who are the people you amuse?Jack. Airily_
13、._ Oh, neighbours, neighbours.Algernon. Got nice neighbours in your part of Shropshire?Jack. Perfectly horrid! Never speak to one of them.Algernon. How immensely you must amuse them! Goes over and takessandwich. By the way, Shropshire is your county, is it not?Jack. Eh? Shropshire? Yes, of course. H
14、allo! Why all these cups? Whycucumber sandwiches? Why such reckless extravagance in one so young? Whois coming to tea?Algernon. Oh! merely Aunt Augusta and Gwendolen.Jack. How perfectly delightful!Algernon. Yes, that is all very well; but I am afraid Aunt Augusta wontquite approve of your being here
15、.Jack. May I ask why?Algernon. My dear fellow, the way you flirt with Gwendolen is perfectlydisgraceful. It is almost as bad as the way Gwendolen flirts with you.Jack. I am in love with Gwendolen. I have come up to town expressly topropose to her.Algernon. I thought you had come up for pleasure? . . . I call thatbusiness.
