The Nightmare

Scene: "Marian Dreams a Terrible Dream"

(Marian starts to toss and turn in her drugged sleep)

[ALL]
(off stage)
The day is past and over
All thanks, oh Lord, to thee
I pray thee now that sinless
The hours of dark may be

Though many are the perils
Through which I have to go
Oh Lord, keep me in thy sight
And guard me through the coming night

The holly and the ivy
When they are both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly bears the crown

O, the rising of the sun
And the running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing in the choir

Sweet singing in the choir
Sweet singing in the choir

Sing, for it's Lammastide!
Sing, for it's Lammastide!

Dance for who knows if we'll live til the spring
Dance for who knows if we'll live til the spring

Who will protect us?
A doll made of corn

(During this, events become Gothic and unreal. We hear ironic echoes of the story so far - voices swirling and overlapping. Anne Catherick, Laura, Hartright, Glyde and Fosco all appear to her as if in a dream)

[ANNE]
I can trust you

[LAURA]
So strange, and yet so true
I see myself...

[MARIAN]
It's true!

[GLYDE]
I will not stand for it, I will not!

[FOSCO]
You'll be fine, Lady Glyde

[LAURA]
I don't trust him, or anyone!

[HARTWRIGHT]
Are you happy now?

[MARIAN]
Laura, you know you can trust me!

[LAURA]
Trust you? Now, why should I trust you?

[ANNE]
You have betrayed me!

[GLYDE]
Take her back to the asylum!

[FOSCO]
You will not be harmed!

[LAURA]
Marian, wake up!

[ANNE]
I'll haunt you...

[HARTWRIGHT]
She had a secret she would tell...

[ANNE]
I'll haunt you till you die!

[LAURA]
Wake up! Help me!

[HARTWRIGHT]
Perhaps I'm not the only one with secrets!

[FOSCO]
I am a doctor. Trust me

[ANNE]
They've come to lock me up!

[GLYDE]
You must be confined!

[ANNE]
(screams)

[LAURA]
What have they done to you?!

[FOSCO]
And I never lie!

[MARIAN]
I would wake and find her! Wake and find her...

I must find her...

(Laura is dragged out by Glyde. Fosco exits. Marian manages to drag herself up)