Death of Robert of Molesme
Robert of Molesme, the revered founder of the Cistercian Order, lies on his deathbed in the infirmary of Molesme Abbey. The monks gather around him in solemn prayer, preparing for his passing and the
Setting
The infirmary of Molesme Abbey, a modest yet solemn space within the monastery walls. The room is small, with a high ceiling and narrow windows that let in slivers of morning light. The stone walls are unadorned, reflecting the Cistercian emphasis on simplicity and austerity. A wooden crucifix hangs above the simple wooden bed where Robert of Molesme lies.
Characters
Robert of Molesme
primary
An elderly man with a frail, gaunt frame, his once-strong body now withered by age and illness. His face is deeply lined with wrinkles of wisdom and asceticism, framed by a thinning crown of white hair. His hands, resting atop the rough woolen blanket, are bony yet retain the callouses of manual labor. His piercing blue eyes, though clouded by pain, still hold the intensity of spiritual conviction.
Prior
primary
A middle-aged man of lean but sturdy build, with deep-set eyes shadowed by fatigue and a closely cropped tonsure. His face bears the marks of asceticism—hollow cheeks and a furrowed brow—but his hands remain steady, accustomed to ritual.
Novice
secondary
A young man in his late teens or early twenties, slender with a pale complexion from years spent indoors. His hands are delicate yet show signs of recent manual labor. His hair is tonsured in the monastic style, with a clean-shaven face revealing youthful features and wide, earnest eyes.
Brother Infirmarian
secondary
A thin, wiry man in his late fifties with a deeply lined face that speaks of years spent in both prayer and labor. His hands are rough from preparing herbs yet move with practiced precision. His brown eyes, though weary, hold a quiet intensity. His tonsure is neatly kept, and a short, graying beard frames his mouth.
Acolyte
background
A young boy, no more than 14 years of age, with a slender frame and delicate features. His fair hair is cropped short in the monastic style, and his pale complexion is streaked with silent tears. His hands, though small, are calloused from menial tasks within the abbey.
Dialog
Robert of Molesme
Pater noster... in manus tuas, Domine... commendo spiritum meum...
Prior
Sancte Roberte, pater noster... recumbite in pace. The Rule shall endure as you have taught us.
Brother Infirmarian
Our blessed father’s breath grows faint. The poppy draught... it will ease his passage.
Robert of Molesme
Laborare est orare... laborare... orare... Let the brethren remember...
Prior
The Divine Office will be sung without ceasing. We shall keep vigil as his soul ascends.
Brother Infirmarian
The fever has broken, but the flesh fails. His struggle is nearly ended.
Robert of Molesme
Ecce... venio... ad te...