An excellent subject for
comedy now that the war is over, no doubt; but if General A had
let this out at the time, what would have been the effect on
General B's soldiers? And had the stage made known what the Prime
Minister and the Secretary of State for War who overruled General
A thought of him, and what he thought of them, as now revealed in
raging controversy, what would have been the effect on the
nation? That is why comedy, though sorely tempted, had to be
loyally silent; for the art of the dramatic poet knows no
patriotism; recognizes no obligation but truth to natural
history; cares not whether Germany or England perish; is ready to
cry with Brynhild, "Lass'uns verderben, lachend zu grunde geh'n"
sooner than deceive or be deceived; and thus becomes in time of
war a greater military danger than poison, steel, or
trinitrotoluene. That is why I had to withhold Heartbreak House
from the footlights during the war; for the Germans might on any
night have turned the last act from play into earnest, and even
then might not have waited for their cues.
June, 1919.
HEARTBREAK HOUSE
ACT I
The hilly country in the middle of the north edge of Sussex,
looking very pleasant on a fine evening at the end of September,
is seen through the windows of a room which has been built so as
to resemble the after part of an old-fashioned high-pooped ship,
with a stern gallery; for the windows are ship built with heavy
timbering, and run right across the room as continuously as the
stability of the wall allows.
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