--BASIL--
(In his studio writing a letter to Dorian.)

I was quite wrong to think it impossible to ever share it with the public. I’d wished to explain to you in person, but I feel I must now tell you my reason for originally wishing the picture to remain a secret. From the moment we met you had the most unexpected effect on me.

THREE MONTHS AGO I MET DORIAN GRAY...

--DORIAN--
(In his library, facing the portrait.)
IS THIS THE EXPRESSION MY FACE WOULD DISPLAY

--BASIL--
CAN I DESCRIBE TO YOU
CAN I MAKE YOU FEEL THE SAME WAY

--DORIAN--
IF THIS MYSTICAL PICTURE
WERE NOT TO PORTRAY

--BASIL--
AS WHEN I FIRST SAW YOU
DORIAN GRAY

--DORIAN--
EVERY TRANSGRESSING THOUGHT
THAT I HAVE EVERY DAY?

--BASIL--
THERE WAS MAGIC THE MOMENT
YOU WALKED IN THE ROOM

--DORIAN--
THINK – THINK
IS THIS MY DOOM?

--BASIL--
LIKE LAZARUS LEAVING THE TOMB
A NEW LIGHT ILLUMED ME

--DORIAN--
THINK – THINK
WHAT CAN I DO WITH THIS NIGHTMARE?
SHOULD I CARE?

--BASIL--
A NEW ARTISTIC VISION CONSUMED ME
I WAS NOT AT ALL FAIR

--DORIAN--
IF OTHERS SEE
THIS CURIOSITY

--BASIL--
DECLINING TO SHARE

--DORIAN--
WHAT – AM I CRAZY?
IF THIS MONSTER STAYS

--BASIL--
WHAT YOU INSPIRED

--DORIAN--
HE WILL HAVE ME DESTROYED

--BASIL--
WITH DOUBT I WAS MIRED

--DORIAN--
BY HIDING HIM
THAT I’LL AVOID

--BASIL--
EVERY PICTURE PAINTED
IS A PICTURE OF THE PAINTER
MORE THAN OF THE SUBJECT
HE HAS PAINTED
HOW CAN THIS BE
WHEN IT’S ONLY BRUSH STROKES?
BUT SOMEHOW IN YOUR PICTURE
NOT ONLY IS IT YOU WE SEE
BUT SO MUCH
MAYBE FAR TOO MUCH OF ME

--DORIAN--
(In counterpoint to BASIL.)
I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL
THIS IS MY SALVATION
I’M FREE
NONE OF THE PLEASURES
IN ALL OF CREATION
ARE FAR FROM ME NOW
NOW THAT I SEE
MY EVERY FANTASY
EACH WHIM
CAN BE ACTED ON IN SECRECY

DEAR BASIL
YOU AND I MUST ALWAYS STAY FRIENDS

(Sitting to write.)

BUT THE PAINTING THAT YOU WANT
HAS BEEN DESTROYED
ASKING ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS
PLEASE AVOID
ANNOYED YOU MUST BE
BUT BASIL
YOU MUST TRUST ME
SINCERELY
YOURS

(HE hands the letter and some pound notes to A MESSENGER BOY who appears.)

NOW MY ELEGANT UGLY FRIEND
DO YOU COMPREHEND
THE GIFT OF IMMORTALITY
YOU HAVE GRANTED ME?

MY APPEARANCE WILL BE NEVER CHANGING
WHILE THIS GHASTLY PICTURE
WILL BE WHERE EACH SIN
WITH HORROR WILL ENGRAVE
THE SECRETS I WILL TAKE TO THE GRAVE
IF I EVER DIE

NOW THE SUN RISES ON ME
LIGHTING UP INFINITY
I WILL GO ON AND ON
STARTING NOW
WITH THIS ONE FINAL DAWN

(Lights up in Basil’s studio as THE MESSENGER BOY delivers Dorian’s reply to him, and the artist jumps up in shock after reading the brief letter. HE sinks to his knees in despair.)

--BASIL--
DORIAN DON’T LEAVE ME
YOU HAVE RUINED ME
MY REPUTATION
STANDING AND RANK
WILL NOW BE
BLANK!

(DORIAN triumphantly closes the curtain on the painting.)