The Project Gutenberg EBook of Uma scena conjugal, by Luiz Couceiro
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
Title: Uma scena conjugal
Comedia--lever de rideau
Author: Luiz Couceiro
Release Date: May 11, 2008 [EBook #25436]
Language: Portuguese
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UMA SCENA CONJUGAL ***
Produced by Pedro Saborano. A partir da digitalização
disponibilizada pela bibRIA.
LUIZ COUCEIRO
UMA SCENA CONJUGAL
COMEDIA--lever de rideau
AVEIRO
TYP. MINERVA CENTRAL
1905
UMA SCENA CONJUGAL
LUIZ COUCEIRO
UMA SCENA CONJUGAL
COMEDIA--lever de rideau
AVEIRO
TYP. MINERVA CENTRAL
1905
Reserva-se o direito de propriedade
A
Off.^e
_O auctor._
PERSONAGENS
Carlos e Bertha
_Carlos está trabalhando á sua secretária._
_Bertha lendo um romance junto d'elle._
Carlos (_descansando do trabalho a que se entrega e preparando um
cigarro_)
Darei á penna um pouco de repouso
E descanço ao trabalho a que me prendo...
Bertha
N'esse caso estás hoje preguiçoso?
Carlos
Não; mas emquanto o meu cigarro accendo,
Vou desviar a tua vista immersa
No romance a que prestes attenção...
Bertha (_interrompendo_)
Dando-me alguns instantes de conversa?
Carlos
Se te apraz, se te agrada?
Bertha (_fechando o livro_)
E porque não!
Tambem fecho o meu livro por momentos
Carlos (_interrompendo_)
Cuja leitura acaso te aborrece
Penso eu?...
Bertha
Errados são taes pensamentos,
É bonita, e desperta algo interesse
Carlos
Ora adeus! Um romance trivial,
Muitas vezes de pura phantazia.
Mas que as mulheres acham principal
Possuir como bôa companhia,
Sim! romance d'amôr não é verdade?
Bertha
É d'amôr, com effeito; dizes bem,
E tanto assim, que na realidade,
«Meus Amores» é nome que elle tem
Carlos
«Meus Amores»!! Tem graça! Com tal titulo,
Faria eu um romance original
Bertha
Tu?!
Carlos
Eu, pois; e crê que em mais d'um capitulo...
Bertha (_interrompendo_)
Descrevias a vida conjugal?
Carlos
Tolinha!... sempre tens cada lembrança!
O casamento assumpto não daria
E nem com isso ingenua creança,
Vale a pena augmentar a livraria!
Bertha (_admirada_)
Então!?
Carlos
Então, buscava mui sómente
A historia de todo o meu passado,
Narrando o que a minha alma ainda sente...
Bertha (_áparte_)
Patife!! Todo o instante é bem azádo
Para dizer-me só palavras duras!
(_alto_) De fórma que passavas em revista?...
Carlos
Todas as minhas mil e uma aventuras,
Em que nunca deixou d'haver conquista
Nem falhou o mais duro coração...
Bertha (_áparte_)
É demais!!! Mas vingança vou jurar!
(_alto_) E no livro da sua confecção
Poderei eu tambem collaborar?
Carlos
Quem! tu? Da esposa, amôr e só constancia,
Tanto é o que poderás descrever.
Bertha (_altiva_)
Qual! Esse amôr jámais teve importancia,
Não acabaste ha pouco de o dizer!
Acredita meu caro, que ha de sobra
Elementos na minha mocidade,
Que possam reforçar a tua obra
E dar-lhe bem maior publicidade!...
Carlos (_ironicamente_)
Ah! eu creio. Acredito plenamente!
E pódes convencer-te que não peccas,
Se quizeres expôr sinceramente
O muito que adoravas as bonecas...
Bertha (_irritada_)
Senhor! Consentir, não posso que altere
A traducção das minhas expressões!
Saiba que me melindra e só me fére,
Suppondo que sentidas vibrações
A recordar um tempo bem feliz,
Se fundam em tão simples innocencia!...
Carlos (_surprehendido_)
Perdão se a offendi!
Bertha (_continuando_)
É como diz:
E repito com muita consciencia,
Ter os dados precizos e bastantes,
Para com elles dar mais um motivo
A que o seu livro tenha assignantes
E seja digno do melhor archivo...
Carlos (_mais surprehendido_)
O que!?... pensarás tu em desvendar
Um segredo, ou talvez, algum mysterio?!!...
Bertha
Não sei; apenas julgo acrescentar,
Que só digo a verdade e fallo a sério...
Carlos (_surprezo_)
Devo então suppôr n'essa affirmativa
Que fosses n'outro tempo aventuroza?!!
Bertha
Se fui!... e como tenho inda bem viva
A recordação da vida amorosa,
Tão cheia de prazer, de tanto gôzo!...
Carlos (_irritado_)
Senhora! não graceje! e se é sincera,
Explique e narre tudo a seu espozo?...
Bertha
Ceus! Não queira avivar a primavera
Das minhas aventuras; por Deus peço?
Carlos (_admiradissimo_)
Das suas aventuras?! Todavia,
O fim de taes palavras eu não meço,
E desejo saber o que existia,
Que advinhal-o, não posso, nem eu sei!
Bertha
Que havia de existir? O que? Senhor?
Digo-lhe só, que muito, muito amei
E gosei as delicias do amor!...
Carlos
Comtudo, diga de que fórma e como?!
Bertha
Contar-lho, era fazer um bom romance
Que ao certo não cabia n'um só tômo!...
Carlos (_impaciente_)
Lembro que em desespero não me lance!
Exigindo me conte a sua historia!
Bertha
Ah! quer? pois bem; e visto que me obriga
A dizer-lhe o que tenho de memoria,
Vou tudo já contar
Escute...
Carlos
Diga?
Bertha
Recorda-me que outr'ora, não sei quando,
D'intenso amor minha alma despertava,
E o coração dizia palpitando,
Que d'amor, uma outra alma se aliava:
E acode-me senhor ao pensamento,
Que nunca tornará a reviver,
Nem tão incomparavel sentimento,
Nem hora que assimille esse prazer.
Era bem nova ainda, era creança,
Mas dentro em pouco, eu já comprehendia,
Que a minha vida até ahi tão mansa,
Da mais louca paixão em febre ardia
E d'outros mil affectos era preza...
Carlos (_interrompendo_)
E não ousaes Senhora vêr-me rude?!
Bertha
Não. Se d'amor é feita a Natureza,
Amar, não é peccado, mas virtude!
Carlos
Se ás vezes não reverte em sacrilegio
Findae a narrativa por quem sões!
Bertha
Ah! sim! dar-lhe-hei esse previlegio,
Eu proseguirei...
Carlos (_altivo_)
Vamos, e depois?
Bertha
Depois, senhor, se o tempo bem corria,
Bem mais depressa o meu amor galgava,
Até que em sorridente e lindo dia.
Qual vulcão, chamma intensa o inflamava.
Estavam satisfeitos os desejos
Da mulher, que contente e delirante,
Se deixou cahir sofrega de beijos,
Nos braços d'um querido e terno amante...
Carlos (_surprehendidissimo_)
Nos braços d'um amante hein!... hein! Senhora?!
E então, com que coragem inaudita,
Faz tal revelação sómente agora,
A esposa indigna, mil vezes maldicta!
.....................................
Nos braços d'um amante, não é assim?!!
E com que arrojo, com que atrevimento,
Procura descobrir perante mim
O seu infame e vil procedimento!
Bertha (_interrompendo_)
Chame-lhe tudo quanto bem quizer,
Se pequei, se cahi, porém, no abysmo,
A eito n'elle cahe muita mulher.
Carlos
Mas, meu Deus! É demais tanto cynismo!!
.......................................
De forma, que a mulher por mim sonhada,
E que eu ardentemente possui,
Denuncia, confessa, exclama e brada.
Que m'enganou?!...
Bertha
E que inda ri de si!
Carlos
Senhora! Que medonha crueldade!!...
Bertha
Que quer?! é um engano natural...
Suppoz, julgou que eu era uma beldade,
Conquistou-me como um grande ideal
Emanado dos Ceus, ente divino,
Mulher de formosura incomparavel,
De olhar meigo, suave e rosto fino,
Imagem linda, santa e adoravel,
Nympha, que a muza canta em dôce estylo,
Em poema sublime, em verso bello,
O quadro mais perfeito de Murillo,
E da sculptura, a estatua modello.
Sonhou-me assim, porém foi sonho erróneo
Hoje, eis apenas o ente que não passa
D'um objecto preciso ao matrimonio,
Sem que tenha sequer uma só graça
D'aquellas que o Senhor imaginou.
Hoje eis a mulher simples e vulgar,
Sem os dons d'outro tempo que passou,
E que ao vêr-me, pensára architetar.
Emfim: Mulher inutil, sem valor...
Carlos
E que ora transforma em atroz calvario
A vida do hymineu!...
Bertha
Oh! meu Senhôr:
Isso é tão futil, é tão secundario,
Que de f'rido, mostrar-se-me aparente,
Creia, revela em bôa consciencia,
Nem sêr constante, nem sêr coherente...
Carlos (_desesperado_)
Basta senhora, se é muita a prudencia
Minha, maior é inda a gran cordura
Com que ouço semilhante confissão,
De deshonra, de vergonha e amargura!...
Bertha (_áparte_)
E para mim, de tanta inspiração!
Carlos (_continuando_)
Basta, sim! E nem mais uma palavra
Que aggrave tão fataes desenganos,
Nem augmente a dôr que em minha alma lavra,
Sabendo que motivos bem profanos
Ao meu lár desventura agora traz:
Ao lár onde até aqui sómente via,
Ninho feito de amôr, feito de páz,
Na mais leal e santa companhia;
Ninho feito de bençãos infinitas,
Canto da mais risonha f'licidade
Por Deus enviada em graças bemdictas,
Berço de sã virtude e honestidade...
....................................
E só agora, só n'este momento,
De tão louca illusão tenho o alcance!
Bertha (_áparte_)
Graças! e parabens ao meu talento,
Que já encontra assumpto p'ra um romance!
Carlos (_continuando_)
E só agora, apenas n'este instante,
Vem dizer, revelar, esta Senhora,
Que ousou cahir nos braços d'um amante!!
Bertha
E que a partir d'então, desde essa hora,
Sem que á minha mente outra ideia assome,
Eu nunca deixarei de bemdizer
O seu amor, a vida e o seu nome!...
Carlos (_com rancor_)
Nome que eu desejara conhecer,
Para em sangue vingar o atroz insulto
Hoje lançado ao rosto d'um marido
Cuja honra, lhe devera ser um culto!
Ah! Senhora, depois de ter ouvido
Revelações fataes e tão extranhas.
Depois de supportar tantas surprezas,
Indique-me o auctor d'essas façanhas
O seu cumplice para taes proezas?!
Bertha
Pensa então n'uma breve desaffronta?
Carlos
Nem mais, senhora, e bem depressa,
Que é esse o sentimento que desponta
N'um peito que á loucura se arremeça!
Bertha
E afinal, o que lucra, não me diz?
Carlos (_estupefacto_)
Que lucro!? Dar da minha honra um exemplo...
Bertha
Mas olhe, que o que fui, gosei e fiz
Em nada altera a paz do nosso templo!...
Carlos
Surprehende-nos a fórma audaciosa
Como allude á baixeza do seu feito!!...
Bertha
Ouça!... A avivar a data venturoza
Do que acabo d'expôr, pende ao meu peito
Um retrato: Quer vêr Vossa Excellencia?...
Carlos
Que a tanto não avance, eu a aconselho!!
Bertha (_mostrando o retrato_)
Pois meu amigo, tenha paciencia,
Já agora ha-de vêr-se n'este espelho...
Carlos (_surprehendido_)
An??!... Eu?!!... o seu marido?!!
Bertha
Sim, pois quem?
Quem a não ser o meu real senhôr,
Se eu nunca, nunca amei a mais ninguem!
Se eu jámais conheci um outro amôr?!...
Carlos (_sem comprehender_)
Mas?!!...
Bertha (_interrompendo_)
Diga-me, se em vista d'esta scena,
De tanta sensação e sentimento,
Em verdade, lhe vale, ou não, a pena
Dar apreço e valôr ao casamento?...
Carlos (_com doçura_)
Eu comprehendo esposa da minha alma!
É dos Deuses o gosto da vingança?!
Bertha
Que espero e creio tenha a palma,
De mais firmar o bem d'esta aliança!
Carlos (_abraçando Bertha_)
Oh! sim, minha querida, ente adorado!
Aproveito a lição de ensino duro;
E crê, que de falar-te no passado,
Nunca mais:
Eu prometo
Bertha
Juras?
Carlos (_afirmativamente_)
Juro.
End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Uma scena conjugal, by Luiz Couceiro
*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UMA SCENA CONJUGAL ***
***** This file should be named 25436-8.txt or 25436-8.zip *****
This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
https://www.gutenberg.org/2/5/4/3/25436/
Produced by Pedro Saborano. A partir da digitalização
disponibilizada pela bibRIA.
Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
will be renamed.
Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules,
set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project
Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you
do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is
subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
redistribution.
*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at
https://gutenberg.org/license).
Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic works
1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all
the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be
used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few
things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See
paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works. See paragraph 1.E below.
1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the
collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an
individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in
a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check
the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning
the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
States.
1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
copied or distributed:
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
1.E.9.
1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked
to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
Gutenberg-tm License.
1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or
distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
that
- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is
owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments
must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
License. You must require such a user to return or
destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
Project Gutenberg-tm works.
- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
of receipt of the work.
- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the
Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
1.F.
1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
your equipment.
1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
DAMAGE.
1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you
received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with
the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy
is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
opportunities to fix the problem.
1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER
WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists
because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
people in all walks of life.
Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project
Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org.
Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
Foundation
The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at
https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at
809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email
[email protected]. Email contact links and up to date contact
information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official
page at https://pglaf.org
For additional contact information:
Dr. Gregory B. Newby
Chief Executive and Director
[email protected]
Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
Literary Archive Foundation
Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations
($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
status with the IRS.
The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations
where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To
SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
particular state visit https://pglaf.org
While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
approach us with offers to donate.
International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other
ways including including checks, online payments and credit card
donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate
Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
works.
Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project
Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily
keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
https://www.gutenberg.org
This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
