Monologue

Duchess Monologue from The Duchess of Padua

From The Duchess of Padua by Oscar Wilde

female · romantic · 1:06 min

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Sit down here, A little lower than me: yes, just so, sweet, That I may run my fingers through your hair, And see your face turn upwards like a flower To meet my kiss. Have you not sometimes noted, When we unlock some long-disuséd room With heavy dust and soiling mildew filled, Where never foot of man has come for years, And from the windows take the rusty bar, And fling the broken shutters to the air, And let the bright sun in, how the good sun Turns every grimy particle of dust Into a little thing of dancing gold? Guido, my heart is that long-empty room, But you have let love in, and with its gold Gilded all life. Do you not think that love Fills up the sum of life?

About this piece

The Duchess expresses her deep affection and transformative experience of love to Guido, comparing her heart to a long-empty room that has been filled with light and life through his presence.

20s · joy · love · redemption · identity · transformation

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Run it out loud with a spotlight that follows your voice, line by line, until it's off the page. Free to start, no credit card.

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