Brussels, 10th–19th July, 1873.
This scene is constructed from fragments of Verlaine’s trial. On one side of the stage, Rimbaud lies in bed, his arm in a sling. Verlaine sits on the other side of the stage, in court. The magistrate, Judge Théodore T’Serstevens, and his Clerk commute from one side of the stage to the other. When the scene opens, the Clerk is taking down Rimbaud’s statement.
Rimbaud … When the wound had been dressed, the three of us returned to the hotel. Verlaine asked me continually not to leave him and to stay with him; but I refused to agree and left the hotel about seven o’clock in the evening, accompanied by Verlaine and his mother. Not far from the Place Rouppe, Verlaine went on a few paces ahead, and then turned towards me: I saw him put his hand in his pocket to get his revolver, so I turned and walked away. I met the police officer and told him what had happened to me, and he invited Verlaine to accompany him to the police station.
If Verlaine had let me leave freely, I would have taken no action against him for the wound he inflicted on me …
Verlaine … I swear to tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God and all His saints.
Judge Have you any previous convictions?
Verlaine No.
Judge What is the motive behind your presence in Brussels?
Verlaine I was hoping that my wife might come and join me here, as she had already done so on one occasion since our separation.
Judge I fail to see how the departure of a friend could have cast you into such despair. Did there not exist between you and Rimbaud other relations besides those of friendship?
Verlaine No; this is a suggestion slanderously invented by my wife and her family to harm me; I have been accused of this in my wife’s petition for divorce.
Judge Both doctors have testified that on the basis of their examination they are satisfied that you have recently indulged in both active and passive sodomy.
Judge Then do you deny that you are a practising sodomist?
Verlaine The word is sodomite …
Pause. The Judge and the Clerk return to the court, where the Clerk reads Rimbaud’s final statement, as the lights dim.
Clerk … I, the undersigned, Arthur Rimbaud, declare it to be the truth that on Thursday, the 10th inst., at the moment when M. Paul Verlaine fired at me and wounded me slightly in the left wrist, M. Verlaine was in such a complete state of drunkenness, that he had no idea of what he was doing.
I am utterly convinced that there was no criminal premeditation in his action.
I further declare that I am willing to withdraw from any criminal, correctional or civil action against him, and as from today renounce the benefits of any proceedings which may be brought against M. Verlaine by the Public Prosecutor arising from this matter …
Judge … The accused, Paul-Marie Verlaine, is committed for trial at the criminal court, charged under article 399 of the Penal Code, of grievous bodily harm. The preliminary examination is closed …
Clerk (in the darkness) Paul-Marie Verlaine, the court finds you guilty of grievous bodily harm and sentences you to a fine of 200 francs and 2 years’ imprisonment.