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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/1756-h.zip b/1756-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..f17ae4d --- /dev/null +++ b/1756-h.zip diff --git a/1756-h/1756-h.htm b/1756-h/1756-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7161ffe --- /dev/null +++ b/1756-h/1756-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3376 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Uncle Vanya, by Anton Checkov + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { margin-top: .75em; margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Uncle Vanya, by Anton Checkov + +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: Uncle Vanya + +Author: Anton Checkov + +Release Date: November 23, 2008 [EBook #1756] +Last Updated: November 26, 2012 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE VANYA *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + UNCLE VANYA + </h1> + <h2> + SCENES FROM COUNTRY LIFE + </h2> + <h3> + IN FOUR ACTS + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Anton Checkov + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h3> + Contents + </h3> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> CHARACTERS </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>UNCLE VANYA</b> </a> + </p> + <br /> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> ACT I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> ACT II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> ACT III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> ACT IV </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHARACTERS + </h2> + <p> + ALEXANDER SEREBRAKOFF, a retired professor + </p> + <p> + HELENA, his wife, twenty-seven years old + </p> + <p> + SONIA, his daughter by a former marriage + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA, widow of a privy councilor, and mother of Serebrakoff's + first wife + </p> + <p> + IVAN (VANYA) VOITSKI, her son + </p> + <p> + MICHAEL ASTROFF, a doctor + </p> + <p> + ILIA (WAFFLES) TELEGIN, an impoverished landowner + </p> + <p> + MARINA, an old nurse + </p> + <p> + A WORKMAN + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + The scene is laid on SEREBRAKOFF'S country place + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + UNCLE VANYA + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <div class="play"> + <h2> + ACT I + </h2> + <p> + A country house on a terrace. In front of it a garden. In an avenue of + trees, under an old poplar, stands a table set for tea, with a samovar, + etc. Some benches and chairs stand near the table. On one of them is + lying a guitar. A hammock is swung near the table. It is three o'clock + in the afternoon of a cloudy day. + </p> + <p> + MARINA, a quiet, grey-haired, little old woman, is sitting at the table + knitting a stocking. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF is walking up and down near her. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. [Pouring some tea into a glass] Take a little tea, my son. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Takes the glass from her unwillingly] Somehow, I don't seem to + want any. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Then will you have a little vodka instead? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. No, I don't drink vodka every day, and besides, it is too hot + now. [A pause] Tell me, nurse, how long have we known each other? + </p> + <p> + MARINA. [Thoughtfully] Let me see, how long is it? Lord—help me to + remember. You first came here, into our parts—let me think—when + was it? Sonia's mother was still alive—it was two winters before + she died; that was eleven years ago—[thoughtfully] perhaps more. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Have I changed much since then? + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Oh, yes. You were handsome and young then, and now you are an + old man and not handsome any more. You drink, too. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Yes, ten years have made me another man. And why? Because I am + overworked. Nurse, I am on my feet from dawn till dusk. I know no rest; + at night I tremble under my blankets for fear of being dragged out to + visit some one who is sick; I have toiled without repose or a day's + freedom since I have known you; could I help growing old? And then, + existence is tedious, anyway; it is a senseless, dirty business, this + life, and goes heavily. Every one about here is silly, and after living + with them for two or three years one grows silly oneself. It is + inevitable. [Twisting his moustache] See what a long moustache I have + grown. A foolish, long moustache. Yes, I am as silly as the rest, nurse, + but not as stupid; no, I have not grown stupid. Thank God, my brain is + not addled yet, though my feelings have grown numb. I ask nothing, I + need nothing, I love no one, unless it is yourself alone. [He kisses her + head] I had a nurse just like you when I was a child. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Don't you want a bite of something to eat? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. No. During the third week of Lent I went to the epidemic at + Malitskoi. It was eruptive typhoid. The peasants were all lying side by + side in their huts, and the calves and pigs were running about the floor + among the sick. Such dirt there was, and smoke! Unspeakable! I slaved + among those people all day, not a crumb passed my lips, but when I got + home there was still no rest for me; a switchman was carried in from the + railroad; I laid him on the operating table and he went and died in my + arms under chloroform, and then my feelings that should have been + deadened awoke again, my conscience tortured me as if I had killed the + man. I sat down and closed my eyes—like this—and thought: + will our descendants two hundred years from now, for whom we are + breaking the road, remember to give us a kind word? No, nurse, they will + forget. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Man is forgetful, but God remembers. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Thank you for that. You have spoken the truth. + </p> + <p> + Enter VOITSKI from the house. He has been asleep after dinner and looks + rather dishevelled. He sits down on the bench and straightens his + collar. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. H'm. Yes. [A pause] Yes. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Have you been asleep? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Yes, very much so. [He yawns] Ever since the Professor and his + wife have come, our daily life seems to have jumped the track. I sleep + at the wrong time, drink wine, and eat all sorts of messes for luncheon + and dinner. It isn't wholesome. Sonia and I used to work together and + never had an idle moment, but now Sonia works alone and I only eat and + drink and sleep. Something is wrong. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. [Shaking her head] Such a confusion in the house! The Professor + gets up at twelve, the samovar is kept boiling all the morning, and + everything has to wait for him. Before they came we used to have dinner + at one o'clock, like everybody else, but now we have it at seven. The + Professor sits up all night writing and reading, and suddenly, at two + o'clock, there goes the bell! Heavens, what is that? The Professor wants + some tea! Wake the servants, light the samovar! Lord, what disorder! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Will they be here long? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. A hundred years! The Professor has decided to make his home + here. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Look at this now! The samovar has been on the table for two + hours, and they are all out walking! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. All right, don't get excited; here they come. + </p> + <p> + Voices are heard approaching. SEREBRAKOFF, HELENA, SONIA, and TELEGIN + come in from the depths of the garden, returning from their walk. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Superb! Superb! What beautiful views! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. They are wonderful, your Excellency. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. To-morrow we shall go into the woods, shall we, papa? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Ladies and gentlemen, tea is ready. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Won't you please be good enough to send my tea into the + library? I still have some work to finish. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. I am sure you will love the woods. + </p> + <p> + HELENA, SEREBRAKOFF, and SONIA go into the house. TELEGIN sits down at + the table beside MARINA. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. There goes our learned scholar on a hot, sultry day like this, + in his overcoat and goloshes and carrying an umbrella! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. He is trying to take good care of his health. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. How lovely she is! How lovely! I have never in my life seen a + more beautiful woman. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. Do you know, Marina, that as I walk in the fields or in the + shady garden, as I look at this table here, my heart swells with + unbounded happiness. The weather is enchanting, the birds are singing, + we are all living in peace and contentment—what more could the + soul desire? [Takes a glass of tea.] + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Dreaming] Such eyes—a glorious woman! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Come, Ivan, tell us something. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Indolently] What shall I tell you? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Haven't you any news for us? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. No, it is all stale. I am just the same as usual, or perhaps + worse, because I have become lazy. I don't do anything now but croak + like an old raven. My mother, the old magpie, is still chattering about + the emancipation of woman, with one eye on her grave and the other on + her learned books, in which she is always looking for the dawn of a new + life. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. And the Professor? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. The Professor sits in his library from morning till night, as + usual— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Straining the mind, wrinkling the brow, + We write, write, write, + Without respite + Or hope of praise in the future or now." +</pre> + <p> + Poor paper! He ought to write his autobiography; he would make a really + splendid subject for a book! Imagine it, the life of a retired + professor, as stale as a piece of hardtack, tortured by gout, headaches, + and rheumatism, his liver bursting with jealousy and envy, living on the + estate of his first wife, although he hates it, because he can't afford + to live in town. He is everlastingly whining about his hard lot, though, + as a matter of fact, he is extraordinarily lucky. He is the son of a + common deacon and has attained the professor's chair, become the + son-in-law of a senator, is called "your Excellency," and so on. But + I'll tell you something; the man has been writing on art for twenty-five + years, and he doesn't know the very first thing about it. For + twenty-five years he has been chewing on other men's thoughts about + realism, naturalism, and all such foolishness; for twenty-five years he + has been reading and writing things that clever men have long known and + stupid ones are not interested in; for twenty-five years he has been + making his imaginary mountains out of molehills. And just think of the + man's self-conceit and presumption all this time! For twenty-five years + he has been masquerading in false clothes and has now retired absolutely + unknown to any living soul; and yet see him! stalking across the earth + like a demi-god! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I believe you envy him. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Yes, I do. Look at the success he has had with women! Don Juan + himself was not more favoured. His first wife, who was my sister, was a + beautiful, gentle being, as pure as the blue heaven there above us, + noble, great-hearted, with more admirers than he has pupils, and she + loved him as only beings of angelic purity can love those who are as + pure and beautiful as themselves. His mother-in-law, my mother, adores + him to this day, and he still inspires a sort of worshipful awe in her. + His second wife is, as you see, a brilliant beauty; she married him in + his old age and has surrendered all the glory of her beauty and freedom + to him. Why? What for? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Is she faithful to him? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Yes, unfortunately she is. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Why unfortunately? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Because such fidelity is false and unnatural, root and branch. + It sounds well, but there is no logic in it. It is thought immoral for a + woman to deceive an old husband whom she hates, but quite moral for her + to strangle her poor youth in her breast and banish every vital desire + from her heart. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. [In a tearful voice] Vanya, I don't like to hear you talk so. + Listen, Vanya; every one who betrays husband or wife is faithless, and + could also betray his country. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Crossly] Turn off the tap, Waffles. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. No, allow me, Vanya. My wife ran away with a lover on the day + after our wedding, because my exterior was unprepossessing. I have never + failed in my duty since then. I love her and am true to her to this day. + I help her all I can and have given my fortune to educate the daughter + of herself and her lover. I have forfeited my happiness, but I have kept + my pride. And she? Her youth has fled, her beauty has faded according to + the laws of nature, and her lover is dead. What has she kept? + </p> + <p> + HELENA and SONIA come in; after them comes MME. VOITSKAYA carrying a + book. She sits down and begins to read. Some one hands her a glass of + tea which she drinks without looking up. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Hurriedly, to the nurse] There are some peasants waiting out + there. Go and see what they want. I shall pour the tea. [Pours out some + glasses of tea.] + </p> + <p> + MARINA goes out. HELENA takes a glass and sits drinking in the hammock. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I have come to see your husband. You wrote me that he had + rheumatism and I know not what else, and that he was very ill, but he + appears to be as lively as a cricket. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. He had a fit of the blues yesterday evening and complained of + pains in his legs, but he seems all right again to-day. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. And I galloped over here twenty miles at break-neck speed! No + matter, though, it is not the first time. Once here, however, I am going + to stay until to-morrow, and at any rate sleep <i>quantum satis.</i> + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Oh, splendid! You so seldom spend the night with us. Have you had + dinner yet? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. No. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Good. So you will have it with us. We dine at seven now. [Drinks + her tea] This tea is cold! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. Yes, the samovar has grown cold. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Don't mind, Monsieur Ivan, we will drink cold tea, then. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. I beg your pardon, my name is not Ivan, but Ilia, ma'am—Ilia + Telegin, or Waffles, as I am sometimes called on account of my + pock-marked face. I am Sonia's godfather, and his Excellency, your + husband, knows me very well. I now live with you, ma'am, on this estate, + and perhaps you will be so good as to notice that I dine with you every + day. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. He is our great help, our right-hand man. [Tenderly] Dear + godfather, let me pour you some tea. + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. Oh! Oh! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. What is it, grandmother? + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. I forgot to tell Alexander—I have lost my memory—I + received a letter to-day from Paul Alexevitch in Kharkoff. He has sent + me a new pamphlet. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Is it interesting? + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. Yes, but strange. He refutes the very theories which he + defended seven years ago. It is appalling! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. There is nothing appalling about it. Drink your tea, mamma. + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. It seems you never want to listen to what I have to say. + Pardon me, Jean, but you have changed so in the last year that I hardly + know you. You used to be a man of settled convictions and had an + illuminating personality—— + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Oh, yes. I had an illuminating personality, which illuminated + no one. [A pause] I had an illuminating personality! You couldn't say + anything more biting. I am forty-seven years old. Until last year I + endeavoured, as you do now, to blind my eyes by your pedantry to the + truths of life. But now—Oh, if you only knew! If you knew how I + lie awake at night, heartsick and angry, to think how stupidly I have + wasted my time when I might have been winning from life everything which + my old age now forbids. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Uncle Vanya, how dreary! + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. [To her son] You speak as if your former convictions + were somehow to blame, but you yourself, not they, were at fault. You + have forgotten that a conviction, in itself, is nothing but a dead + letter. You should have done something. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Done something! Not every man is capable of being a writer <i>perpetuum + mobile</i> like your Herr Professor. + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. What do you mean by that? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Imploringly] Mother! Uncle Vanya! I entreat you! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. I am silent. I apologise and am silent. [A pause.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. What a fine day! Not too hot. [A pause.] + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. A fine day to hang oneself. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN tunes the guitar. MARINA appears near the house, calling the + chickens. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Chick, chick, chick! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. What did the peasants want, nurse? + </p> + <p> + MARINA. The same old thing, the same old nonsense. Chick, chick, chick! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Why are you calling the chickens? + </p> + <p> + MARINA. The speckled hen has disappeared with her chicks. I am afraid + the crows have got her. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN plays a polka. All listen in silence. Enter WORKMAN. + </p> + <p> + WORKMAN. Is the doctor here? [To ASTROFF] Excuse me, sir, but I have + been sent to fetch you. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Where are you from? + </p> + <p> + WORKMAN. The factory. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Annoyed] Thank you. There is nothing for it, then, but to go. + [Looking around him for his cap] Damn it, this is annoying! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Yes, it is too bad, really. You must come back to dinner from the + factory. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. No, I won't be able to do that. It will be too late. Now where, + where—[To the WORKMAN] Look here, my man, get me a glass of vodka, + will you? [The WORKMAN goes out] Where—where—[Finds his cap] + One of the characters in Ostroff's plays is a man with a long moustache + and short wits, like me. However, let me bid you good-bye, ladies and + gentlemen. [To HELENA] I should be really delighted if you would come to + see me some day with Miss Sonia. My estate is small, but if you are + interested in such things I should like to show you a nursery and + seed-bed whose like you will not find within a thousand miles of here. + My place is surrounded by government forests. The forester is old and + always ailing, so I superintend almost all the work myself. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I have always heard that you were very fond of the woods. Of + course one can do a great deal of good by helping to preserve them, but + does not that work interfere with your real calling? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. God alone knows what a man's real calling is. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. And do you find it interesting? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Yes, very. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Sarcastically] Oh, extremely! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You are still young, not over thirty-six or seven, I should say, + and I suspect that the woods do not interest you as much as you say they + do. I should think you would find them monotonous. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. No, the work is thrilling. Dr. Astroff watches over the old woods + and sets out new plantations every year, and he has already received a + diploma and a bronze medal. If you will listen to what he can tell you, + you will agree with him entirely. He says that forests are the ornaments + of the earth, that they teach mankind to understand beauty and attune + his mind to lofty sentiments. Forests temper a stern climate, and in + countries where the climate is milder, less strength is wasted in the + battle with nature, and the people are kind and gentle. The inhabitants + of such countries are handsome, tractable, sensitive, graceful in speech + and gesture. Their philosophy is joyous, art and science blossom among + them, their treatment of women is full of exquisite nobility—— + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Laughing] Bravo! Bravo! All that is very pretty, but it is + also unconvincing. So, my friend [To ASTROFF] you must let me go on + burning firewood in my stoves and building my sheds of planks. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. You can burn peat in your stoves and build your sheds of stone. + Oh, I don't object, of course, to cutting wood from necessity, but why + destroy the forests? The woods of Russia are trembling under the blows + of the axe. Millions of trees have perished. The homes of the wild + animals and birds have been desolated; the rivers are shrinking, and + many beautiful landscapes are gone forever. And why? Because men are too + lazy and stupid to stoop down and pick up their fuel from the ground. + [To HELENA] Am I not right, Madame? Who but a stupid barbarian could + burn so much beauty in his stove and destroy that which he cannot make? + Man is endowed with reason and the power to create, so that he may + increase that which has been given him, but until now he has not + created, but demolished. The forests are disappearing, the rivers are + running dry, the game is exterminated, the climate is spoiled, and the + earth becomes poorer and uglier every day. [To VOITSKI] I read irony in + your eye; you do not take what I am saying seriously, and—and—after + all, it may very well be nonsense. But when I pass peasant-forests that + I have preserved from the axe, or hear the rustling of the young + plantations set out with my own hands, I feel as if I had had some small + share in improving the climate, and that if mankind is happy a thousand + years from now I will have been a little bit responsible for their + happiness. When I plant a little birch tree and then see it budding into + young green and swaying in the wind, my heart swells with pride and I—[Sees + the WORKMAN, who is bringing him a glass of vodka on a tray] however—[He + drinks] I must be off. Probably it is all nonsense, anyway. Good-bye. + </p> + <p> + He goes toward the house. SONIA takes his arm and goes with him. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. When are you coming to see us again? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I can't say. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. In a month? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF and SONIA go into the house. HELENA and VOITSKI walk over to the + terrace. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You have behaved shockingly again. Ivan, what sense was there in + teasing your mother and talking about <i>perpetuum mobile?</i> And at + breakfast you quarreled with Alexander again. Really, your behaviour is + too petty. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. But if I hate him? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You hate Alexander without reason; he is like every one else, + and no worse than you are. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. If you could only see your face, your gestures! Oh, how tedious + your life must be. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. It is tedious, yes, and dreary! You all abuse my husband and + look on me with compassion; you think, "Poor woman, she is married to an + old man." How well I understand your compassion! As Astroff said just + now, see how you thoughtlessly destroy the forests, so that there will + soon be none left. So you also destroy mankind, and soon fidelity and + purity and self-sacrifice will have vanished with the woods. Why cannot + you look calmly at a woman unless she is yours? Because, the doctor was + right, you are all possessed by a devil of destruction; you have no + mercy on the woods or the birds or on women or on one another. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. I don't like your philosophy. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. That doctor has a sensitive, weary face—an interesting + face. Sonia evidently likes him, and she is in love with him, and I can + understand it. This is the third time he has been here since I have + come, and I have not had a real talk with him yet or made much of him. + He thinks I am disagreeable. Do you know, Ivan, the reason you and I are + such friends? I think it is because we are both lonely and unfortunate. + Yes, unfortunate. Don't look at me in that way, I don't like it. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. How can I look at you otherwise when I love you? You are my + joy, my life, and my youth. I know that my chances of being loved in + return are infinitely small, do not exist, but I ask nothing of you. + Only let me look at you, listen to your voice— + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Hush, some one will overhear you. + </p> + <p> + [They go toward the house.] + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Following her] Let me speak to you of my love, do not drive me + away, and this alone will be my greatest happiness! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Ah! This is agony! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN strikes the strings of his guitar and plays a polka. MME. + VOITSKAYA writes something on the leaves of her pamphlet. + </p> + <p> + The curtain falls. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ACT II + </h2> + <p> + The dining-room of SEREBRAKOFF'S house. It is night. The tapping of the + WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden. SEREBRAKOFF is dozing in an + arm-chair by an open window and HELENA is sitting beside him, also half + asleep. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [Rousing himself] Who is here? Is it you, Sonia? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. It is I. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Oh, it is you, Nelly. This pain is intolerable. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Your shawl has slipped down. [She wraps up his legs in the + shawl] Let me shut the window. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. No, leave it open; I am suffocating. I dreamt just now that + my left leg belonged to some one else, and it hurt so that I woke. I + don't believe this is gout, it is more like rheumatism. What time is it? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Half past twelve. [A pause.] + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I want you to look for Batushka's works in the library + to-morrow. I think we have him. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. What is that? + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Look for Batushka to-morrow morning; we used to have him, I + remember. Why do I find it so hard to breathe? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You are tired; this is the second night you have had no sleep. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. They say that Turgenieff got angina of the heart from gout. + I am afraid I am getting angina too. Oh, damn this horrible, accursed + old age! Ever since I have been old I have been hateful to myself, and I + am sure, hateful to you all as well. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You speak as if we were to blame for your being old. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I am more hateful to you than to any one. + </p> + <p> + HELENA gets up and walks away from him, sitting down at a distance. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. You are quite right, of course. I am not an idiot; I can + understand you. You are young and healthy and beautiful, and longing for + life, and I am an old dotard, almost a dead man already. Don't I know + it? Of course I see that it is foolish for me to live so long, but wait! + I shall soon set you all free. My life cannot drag on much longer. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You are overtaxing my powers of endurance. Be quiet, for God's + sake! + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. It appears that, thanks to me, everybody's power of + endurance is being overtaxed; everybody is miserable, only I am + blissfully triumphant. Oh, yes, of course! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Be quiet! You are torturing me. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I torture everybody. Of course. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Weeping] This is unbearable! Tell me, what is it you want me to + do? + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Nothing. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Then be quiet, please. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. It is funny that everybody listens to Ivan and his old + idiot of a mother, but the moment I open my lips you all begin to feel + ill-treated. You can't even stand the sound of my voice. Even if I am + hateful, even if I am a selfish tyrant, haven't I the right to be one at + my age? Haven't I deserved it? Haven't I, I ask you, the right to be + respected, now that I am old? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. No one is disputing your rights. [The window slams in the wind] + The wind is rising, I must shut the window. [She shuts it] We shall have + rain in a moment. Your rights have never been questioned by anybody. + </p> + <p> + The WATCHMAN in the garden sounds his rattle. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I have spent my life working in the interests of learning. + I am used to my library and the lecture hall and to the esteem and + admiration of my colleagues. Now I suddenly find myself plunged in this + wilderness, condemned to see the same stupid people from morning till + night and listen to their futile conversation. I want to live; I long + for success and fame and the stir of the world, and here I am in exile! + Oh, it is dreadful to spend every moment grieving for the lost past, to + see the success of others and sit here with nothing to do but to fear + death. I cannot stand it! It is more than I can bear. And you will not + even forgive me for being old! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Wait, have patience; I shall be old myself in four or five + years. + </p> + <p> + SONIA comes in. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Father, you sent for Dr. Astroff, and now when he comes you + refuse to see him. It is not nice to give a man so much trouble for + nothing. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. What do I care about your Astroff? He understands medicine + about as well as I understand astronomy. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. We can't send for the whole medical faculty, can we, to treat + your gout? + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I won't talk to that madman! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Do as you please. It's all the same to me. [She sits down.] + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. What time is it? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. One o'clock. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. It is stifling in here. Sonia, hand me that bottle on the + table. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Here it is. [She hands him a bottle of medicine.] + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [Crossly] No, not that one! Can't you understand me? Can't + I ask you to do a thing? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Please don't be captious with me. Some people may like it, but + you must spare me, if you please, because I don't. Besides, I haven't + the time; we are cutting the hay to-morrow and I must get up early. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI comes in dressed in a long gown and carrying a candle. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. A thunderstorm is coming up. [The lightning flashes] There it + is! Go to bed, Helena and Sonia. I have come to take your place. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [Frightened] No, n-o, no! Don't leave me alone with him! + Oh, don't. He will begin to lecture me. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. But you must give them a little rest. They have not slept for + two nights. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Then let them go to bed, but you go away too! Thank you. I + implore you to go. For the sake of our former friendship do not protest + against going. We will talk some other time—— + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Our former friendship! Our former—— + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Hush, Uncle Vanya! + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [To his wife] My darling, don't leave me alone with him. He + will begin to lecture me. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. This is ridiculous. + </p> + <p> + MARINA comes in carrying a candle. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. You must go to bed, nurse, it is late. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. I haven't cleared away the tea things. Can't go to bed yet. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. No one can go to bed. They are all worn out, only I enjoy + perfect happiness. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. [Goes up to SEREBRAKOFF and speaks tenderly] What's the matter, + master? Does it hurt? My own legs are aching too, oh, so badly. + [Arranges his shawl about his legs] You have had this illness such a + long time. Sonia's dead mother used to stay awake with you too, and wear + herself out for you. She loved you dearly. [A pause] Old people want to + be pitied as much as young ones, but nobody cares about them somehow. + [She kisses SEREBRAKOFF'S shoulder] Come, master, let me give you some + linden-tea and warm your poor feet for you. I shall pray to God for you. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [Touched] Let us go, Marina. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. My own feet are aching so badly, oh, so badly! [She and SONIA + lead SEREBRAKOFF out] Sonia's mother used to wear herself out with + sorrow and weeping. You were still little and foolish then, Sonia. Come, + come, master. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF, SONIA and MARINA go out. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I am absolutely exhausted by him, and can hardly stand. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. You are exhausted by him, and I am exhausted by my own self. I + have not slept for three nights. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Something is wrong in this house. Your mother hates everything + but her pamphlets and the professor; the professor is vexed, he won't + trust me, and fears you; Sonia is angry with her father, and with me, + and hasn't spoken to me for two weeks; I am at the end of my strength, + and have come near bursting into tears at least twenty times to-day. + Something is wrong in this house. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Leave speculating alone. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You are cultured and intelligent, Ivan, and you surely + understand that the world is not destroyed by villains and + conflagrations, but by hate and malice and all this spiteful tattling. + It is your duty to make peace, and not to growl at everything. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Help me first to make peace with myself. My darling! [Seizes + her hand.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Let go! [She drags her hand away] Go away! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Soon the rain will be over, and all nature will sigh and awake + refreshed. Only I am not refreshed by the storm. Day and night the + thought haunts me like a fiend, that my life is lost for ever. My past + does not count, because I frittered it away on trifles, and the present + has so terribly miscarried! What shall I do with my life and my love? + What is to become of them? This wonderful feeling of mine will be wasted + and lost as a ray of sunlight is lost that falls into a dark chasm, and + my life will go with it. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I am as it were benumbed when you speak to me of your love, and + I don't know how to answer you. Forgive me, I have nothing to say to + you. [She tries to go out] Good-night! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Barring the way] If you only knew how I am tortured by the + thought that beside me in this house is another life that is being lost + forever—it is yours! What are you waiting for? What accursed + philosophy stands in your way? Oh, understand, understand—— + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Looking at him intently] Ivan, you are drunk! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Perhaps. Perhaps. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Where is the doctor? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. In there, spending the night with me. Perhaps I am drunk, + perhaps I am; nothing is impossible. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Have you just been drinking together? Why do you do that? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Because in that way I get a taste of life. Let me do it, + Helena! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You never used to drink, and you never used to talk so much. Go + to bed, I am tired of you. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Falling on his knees before her] My sweetheart, my beautiful + one—— + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Angrily] Leave me alone! Really, this has become too + disagreeable. + </p> + <p> + HELENA goes out. A pause. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI [Alone] She is gone! I met her first ten years ago, at her + sister's house, when she was seventeen and I was thirty-seven. Why did I + not fall in love with her then and propose to her? It would have been so + easy! And now she would have been my wife. Yes, we would both have been + waked to-night by the thunderstorm, and she would have been frightened, + but I would have held her in my arms and whispered: "Don't be afraid! I + am here." Oh, enchanting dream, so sweet that I laugh to think of it. + [He laughs] But my God! My head reels! Why am I so old? Why won't she + understand me? I hate all that rhetoric of hers, that morality of + indolence, that absurd talk about the destruction of the world——[A + pause] Oh, how I have been deceived! For years I have worshipped that + miserable gout-ridden professor. Sonia and I have squeezed this estate + dry for his sake. We have bartered our butter and curds and peas like + misers, and have never kept a morsel for ourselves, so that we could + scrape enough pennies together to send to him. I was proud of him and of + his learning; I received all his words and writings as inspired, and + now? Now he has retired, and what is the total of his life? A blank! He + is absolutely unknown, and his fame has burst like a soap-bubble. I have + been deceived; I see that now, basely deceived. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF comes in. He has his coat on, but is without his waistcoat or + collar, and is slightly drunk. TELEGIN follows him, carrying a guitar. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Play! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. But every one is asleep. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Play! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN begins to play softly. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Are you alone here? No women about? [Sings with his arms + akimbo.] + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "The hut is cold, the fire is dead; + Where shall the master lay his head?" +</pre> + <p> + The thunderstorm woke me. It was a heavy shower. What time is it? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. The devil only knows. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I thought I heard Helena's voice. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. She was here a moment ago. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. What a beautiful woman! [Looking at the medicine bottles on the + table] Medicine, is it? What a variety we have; prescriptions from + Moscow, from Kharkoff, from Tula! Why, he has been pestering all the + towns of Russia with his gout! Is he ill, or simply shamming? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. He is really ill. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. What is the matter with you to-night? You seem sad. Is it + because you are sorry for the professor? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Leave me alone. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Or in love with the professor's wife? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. She is my friend. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Already? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. What do you mean by "already"? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. A woman can only become a man's friend after having first been + his acquaintance and then his beloved—then she becomes his friend. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. What vulgar philosophy! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. What do you mean? Yes, I must confess I am getting vulgar, but + then, you see, I am drunk. I usually only drink like this once a month. + At such times my audacity and temerity know no bounds. I feel capable of + anything. I attempt the most difficult operations and do them + magnificently. The most brilliant plans for the future take shape in my + head. I am no longer a poor fool of a doctor, but mankind's greatest + benefactor. I evolve my own system of philosophy and all of you seem to + crawl at my feet like so many insects or microbes. [To TELEGIN] Play, + Waffles! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. My dear boy, I would with all my heart, but do listen to + reason; everybody in the house is asleep. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Play! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN plays softly. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I want a drink. Come, we still have some brandy left. And then, + as soon as it is day, you will come home with me. [He sees SONIA, who + comes in at that moment.] + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I beg your pardon, I have no collar on. + </p> + <p> + [He goes out quickly, followed by TELEGIN.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Uncle Vanya, you and the doctor have been drinking! The good + fellows have been getting together! It is all very well for him, he has + always done it, but why do you follow his example? It looks dreadfully + at your age. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Age has nothing to do with it. When real life is wanting one + must create an illusion. It is better than nothing. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Our hay is all cut and rotting in these daily rains, and here you + are busy creating illusions! You have given up the farm altogether. I + have done all the work alone until I am at the end of my strength—[Frightened] + Uncle! Your eyes are full of tears! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Tears? Nonsense, there are no tears in my eyes. You looked at + me then just as your dead mother used to, my darling—[He eagerly + kisses her face and hands] My sister, my dearest sister, where are you + now? Ah, if you only knew, if you only knew! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. If she only knew what, Uncle? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. My heart is bursting. It is awful. No matter, though. I must + go. [He goes out.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Knocks at the door] Dr. Astroff! Are you awake? Please come here + for a minute. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Behind the door] In a moment. + </p> + <p> + He appears in a few seconds. He has put on his collar and waistcoat. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. What do you want? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Drink as much as you please yourself if you don't find it + revolting, but I implore you not to let my uncle do it. It is bad for + him. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Very well; we won't drink any more. I am going home at once. + That is settled. It will be dawn by the time the horses are harnessed. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. It is still raining; wait till morning. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. The storm is blowing over. This is only the edge of it. I must + go. And please don't ask me to come and see your father any more. I tell + him he has gout, and he says it is rheumatism. I tell him to lie down, + and he sits up. To-day he refused to see me at all. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. He has been spoilt. [She looks in the sideboard] Won't you have a + bite to eat? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Yes, please. I believe I will. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. I love to eat at night. I am sure we shall find something in + here. They say that he has made a great many conquests in his life, and + that the women have spoiled him. Here is some cheese for you. + </p> + <p> + [They stand eating by the sideboard.] + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I haven't eaten anything to-day. Your father has a very + difficult nature. [He takes a bottle out of the sideboard] May I? [He + pours himself a glass of vodka] We are alone here, and I can speak + frankly. Do you know, I could not stand living in this house for even a + month? This atmosphere would stifle me. There is your father, entirely + absorbed in his books, and his gout; there is your Uncle Vanya with his + hypochondria, your grandmother, and finally, your step-mother— + </p> + <p> + SONIA. What about her? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. A human being should be entirely beautiful: the face, the + clothes, the mind, the thoughts. Your step-mother is, of course, + beautiful to look at, but don't you see? She does nothing but sleep and + eat and walk and bewitch us, and that is all. She has no + responsibilities, everything is done for her—am I not right? And + an idle life can never be a pure one. [A pause] However, I may be + judging her too severely. Like your Uncle Vanya, I am discontented, and + so we are both grumblers. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Aren't you satisfied with life? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I like life as life, but I hate and despise it in a little + Russian country village, and as far as my own personal life goes, by + heaven! there is absolutely no redeeming feature about it. Haven't you + noticed if you are riding through a dark wood at night and see a little + light shining ahead, how you forget your fatigue and the darkness and + the sharp twigs that whip your face? I work, that you know—as no + one else in the country works. Fate beats me on without rest; at times I + suffer unendurably and I see no light ahead. I have no hope; I do not + like people. It is long since I have loved any one. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. You love no one? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Not a soul. I only feel a sort of tenderness for your old nurse + for old-times' sake. The peasants are all alike; they are stupid and + live in dirt, and the educated people are hard to get along with. One + gets tired of them. All our good friends are petty and shallow and see + no farther than their own noses; in one word, they are dull. Those that + have brains are hysterical, devoured with a mania for self-analysis. + They whine, they hate, they pick faults everywhere with unhealthy + sharpness. They sneak up to me sideways, look at me out of a corner of + the eye, and say: "That man is a lunatic," "That man is a wind-bag." Or, + if they don't know what else to label me with, they say I am strange. I + like the woods; that is strange. I don't eat meat; that is strange, too. + Simple, natural relations between man and man or man and nature do not + exist. [He tries to go out; SONIA prevents him.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. I beg you, I implore you, not to drink any more! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Why not? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. It is so unworthy of you. You are well-bred, your voice is sweet, + you are even—more than any one I know—handsome. Why do you + want to resemble the common people that drink and play cards? Oh, don't, + I beg you! You always say that people do not create anything, but only + destroy what heaven has given them. Why, oh, why, do you destroy + yourself? Oh, don't, I implore you not to! I entreat you! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Gives her his hand] I won't drink any more. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Promise me. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I give you my word of honour. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Squeezing his hand] Thank you. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I have done with it. You see, I am perfectly sober again, and + so I shall stay till the end of my life. [He looks his watch] But, as I + was saying, life holds nothing for me; my race is run. I am old, I am + tired, I am trivial; my sensibilities are dead. I could never attach + myself to any one again. I love no one, and never shall! Beauty alone + has the power to touch me still. I am deeply moved by it. Helena could + turn my head in a day if she wanted to, but that is not love, that is + not affection— + </p> + <p> + [He shudders and covers his face with his hands.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. What is it? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Nothing. During Lent one of my patients died under chloroform. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. It is time to forget that. [A pause] Tell me, doctor, if I had a + friend or a younger sister, and if you knew that she, well—loved + you, what would you do? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Shrugging his shoulders] I don't know. I don't think I should + do anything. I should make her understand that I could not return her + love—however, my mind is not bothered about those things now. I + must start at once if I am ever to get off. Good-bye, my dear girl. At + this rate we shall stand here talking till morning. [He shakes hands + with her] I shall go out through the sitting-room, because I am afraid + your uncle might detain me. [He goes out.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Alone] Not a word! His heart and soul are still locked from me, + and yet for some reason I am strangely happy. I wonder why? [She laughs + with pleasure] I told him that he was well-bred and handsome and that + his voice was sweet. Was that a mistake? I can still feel his voice + vibrating in the air; it caresses me. [Wringing her hands] Oh! how + terrible it is to be plain! I am plain, I know it. As I came out of + church last Sunday I overheard a woman say, "She is a dear, noble girl, + but what a pity she is so ugly!" So ugly! + </p> + <p> + HELENA comes in and throws open the window. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. The storm is over. What delicious air! [A pause] Where is the + doctor? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. He has gone. [A pause.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Sonia! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Yes? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. How much longer are you going to sulk at me? We have not hurt + each other. Why not be friends? We have had enough of this. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. I myself—[She embraces HELENA] Let us make peace. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. With all my heart. [They are both moved.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Has papa gone to bed? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. No, he is sitting up in the drawing-room. Heaven knows what + reason you and I had for not speaking to each other for weeks. [Sees the + open sideboard] Who left the sideboard open? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Dr. Astroff has just had supper. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. There is some wine. Let us seal our friendship. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Yes, let us. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Out of one glass. [She fills a wine-glass] So, we are friends, + are we? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Yes. [They drink and kiss each other] I have long wanted to make + friends, but somehow, I was ashamed to. [She weeps.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Why are you crying? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. I don't know. It is nothing. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. There, there, don't cry. [She weeps] Silly! Now I am crying too. + [A pause] You are angry with me because I seem to have married your + father for his money, but don't believe the gossip you hear. I swear to + you I married him for love. I was fascinated by his fame and learning. I + know now that it was not real love, but it seemed real at the time. I am + innocent, and yet your clever, suspicious eyes have been punishing me + for an imaginary crime ever since my marriage. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Peace, peace! Let us forget the past. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You must not look so at people. It is not becoming to you. You + must trust people, or life becomes impossible. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Tell me truly, as a friend, are you happy? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Truly, no. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. I knew it. One more question: do you wish your husband were + young? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. What a child you are! Of course I do. Go on, ask something else. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Do you like the doctor? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Yes, very much indeed. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Laughing] I have a stupid face, haven't I? He has just gone out, + and his voice is still in my ears; I hear his step; I see his face in + the dark window. Let me say all I have in my heart! But no, I cannot + speak of it so loudly. I am ashamed. Come to my room and let me tell you + there. I seem foolish to you, don't I? Talk to me of him. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. What can I say? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. He is clever. He can do everything. He can cure the sick, and + plant woods. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. It is not a question of medicine and woods, my dear, he is a man + of genius. Do you know what that means? It means he is brave, profound, + and of clear insight. He plants a tree and his mind travels a thousand + years into the future, and he sees visions of the happiness of the human + race. People like him are rare and should be loved. What if he does + drink and act roughly at times? A man of genius cannot be a saint in + Russia. There he lives, cut off from the world by cold and storm and + endless roads of bottomless mud, surrounded by a rough people who are + crushed by poverty and disease, his life one continuous struggle, with + never a day's respite; how can a man live like that for forty years and + keep himself sober and unspotted? [Kissing SONIA] I wish you happiness + with all my heart; you deserve it. [She gets up] As for me, I am a + worthless, futile woman. I have always been futile; in music, in love, + in my husband's house—in a word, in everything. When you come to + think of it, Sonia, I am really very, very unhappy. [Walks excitedly up + and down] Happiness can never exist for me in this world. Never. Why do + you laugh? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Laughing and covering her face with her hands] I am so happy, so + happy! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I want to hear music. I might play a little. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Oh, do, do! [She embraces her] I could not possibly go to sleep + now. Do play! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Yes, I will. Your father is still awake. Music irritates him + when he is ill, but if he says I may, then I shall play a little. Go, + Sonia, and ask him. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Very well. + </p> + <p> + [She goes out. The WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. It is long since I have heard music. And now, I shall sit and + play, and weep like a fool. [Speaking out of the window] Is that you + rattling out there, Ephim? + </p> + <p> + VOICE OF THE WATCHMAN. It is I. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Don't make such a noise. Your master is ill. + </p> + <p> + VOICE OF THE WATCHMAN. I am going away this minute. [Whistles a tune.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Comes back] He says, no. + </p> + <p> + The curtain falls. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ACT III + </h2> + <p> + The drawing-room of SEREBRAKOFF'S house. There are three doors: one to + the right, one to the left, and one in the centre of the room. VOITSKI + and SONIA are sitting down. HELENA is walking up and down, absorbed in + thought. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. We were asked by the professor to be here at one o'clock. + [Looks at his watch] It is now a quarter to one. It seems he has some + communication to make to the world. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Probably a matter of business. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. He never had any business. He writes twaddle, grumbles, and + eats his heart out with jealousy; that's all he does. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Reproachfully] Uncle! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. All right. I beg your pardon. [He points to HELENA] Look at + her. Wandering up and down from sheer idleness. A sweet picture, really. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I wonder you are not bored, droning on in the same key from + morning till night. [Despairingly] I am dying of this tedium. What shall + I do? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Shrugging her shoulders] There is plenty to do if you would. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. For instance? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. You could help run this place, teach the children, care for the + sick—isn't that enough? Before you and papa came, Uncle Vanya and + I used to go to market ourselves to deal in flour. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I don't know anything about such things, and besides, they don't + interest me. It is only in novels that women go out and teach and heal + the peasants; how can I suddenly begin to do it? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. How can you live here and not do it? Wait awhile, you will get + used to it all. [Embraces her] Don't be sad, dearest. [Laughing] You + feel miserable and restless, and can't seem to fit into this life, and + your restlessness is catching. Look at Uncle Vanya, he does nothing now + but haunt you like a shadow, and I have left my work to-day to come here + and talk with you. I am getting lazy, and don't want to go on with it. + Dr. Astroff hardly ever used to come here; it was all we could do to + persuade him to visit us once a month, and now he has abandoned his + forestry and his practice, and comes every day. You must be a witch. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Why should you languish here? Come, my dearest, my beauty, be + sensible! The blood of a Nixey runs in your veins. Oh, won't you let + yourself be one? Give your nature the reins for once in your life; fall + head over ears in love with some other water sprite and plunge down head + first into a deep pool, so that the Herr Professor and all of us may + have our hands free again. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Angrily] Leave me alone! How cruel you are! [She tries to go + out.] + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Preventing her] There, there, my beauty, I apologise. [He + kisses her hand] Forgive me. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Confess that you would try the patience of an angel. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. As a peace offering I am going to fetch some flowers which I + picked for you this morning: some autumn roses, beautiful, sorrowful + roses. [He goes out.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Autumn roses, beautiful, sorrowful roses! + </p> + <p> + [She and HELENA stand looking out of the window.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. September already! How shall we live through the long winter + here? [A pause] Where is the doctor? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. He is writing in Uncle Vanya's room. I am glad Uncle Vanya has + gone out, I want to talk to you about something. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. About what? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. About what? + </p> + <p> + [She lays her head on HELENA'S breast.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Stroking her hair] There, there, that will do. Don't, Sonia. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. I am ugly! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You have lovely hair. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Don't say that! [She turns to look at herself in the glass] No, + when a woman is ugly they always say she has beautiful hair or eyes. I + have loved him now for six years, I have loved him more than one loves + one's mother. I seem to hear him beside me every moment of the day. I + feel the pressure of his hand on mine. If I look up, I seem to see him + coming, and as you see, I run to you to talk of him. He is here every + day now, but he never looks at me, he does not notice my presence. It is + agony. I have absolutely no hope, no, no hope. Oh, my God! Give me + strength to endure. I prayed all last night. I often go up to him and + speak to him and look into his eyes. My pride is gone. I am not mistress + of myself. Yesterday I told Uncle Vanya I couldn't control myself, and + all the servants know it. Every one knows that I love him. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Does he? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. No, he never notices me. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Thoughtfully] He is a strange man. Listen, Sonia, will you + allow me to speak to him? I shall be careful, only hint. [A pause] + Really, to be in uncertainty all these years! Let me do it! + </p> + <p> + SONIA nods an affirmative. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Splendid! It will be easy to find out whether he loves you or + not. Don't be ashamed, sweetheart, don't worry. I shall be careful; he + will not notice a thing. We only want to find out whether it is yes or + no, don't we? [A pause] And if it is no, then he must keep away from + here, is that so? + </p> + <p> + SONIA nods. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. It will be easier not to see him any more. We won't put off the + examination an instant. He said he had a sketch to show me. Go and tell + him at once that I want to see him. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [In great excitement] Will you tell me the whole truth? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Of course I will. I am sure that no matter what it is, it will + be easier for you to bear than this uncertainty. Trust to me, dearest. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Yes, yes. I shall say that you want to see his sketch. [She + starts out, but stops near the door and looks back] No, it is better not + to know—and yet—there may be hope. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. What do you say? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Nothing. [She goes out.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Alone] There is no greater sorrow than to know another's secret + when you cannot help them. [In deep thought] He is obviously not in love + with her, but why shouldn't he marry her? She is not pretty, but she is + so clever and pure and good, she would make a splendid wife for a + country doctor of his years. [A pause] I can understand how the poor + child feels. She lives here in this desperate loneliness with no one + around her except these colourless shadows that go mooning about talking + nonsense and knowing nothing except that they eat, drink, and sleep. + Among them appears from time to time this Dr. Astroff, so different, so + handsome, so interesting, so charming. It is like seeing the moon rise + on a dark night. Oh, to surrender oneself to his embrace! To lose + oneself in his arms! I am a little in love with him myself! Yes, I am + lonely without him, and when I think of him I smile. That Uncle Vanya + says I have the blood of a Nixey in my veins: "Give rein to your nature + for once in your life!" Perhaps it is right that I should. Oh, to be + free as a bird, to fly away from all your sleepy faces and your talk and + forget that you have existed at all! But I am a coward, I am afraid; my + conscience torments me. He comes here every day now. I can guess why, + and feel guilty already; I should like to fall on my knees at Sonia's + feet and beg her forgiveness, and weep. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF comes in carrying a portfolio. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. How do you do? [Shakes hands with her] Do you want to see my + sketch? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Yes, you promised to show me what you had been doing. Have you + time now? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Of course I have! + </p> + <p> + He lays the portfolio on the table, takes out the sketch and fastens it + to the table with thumb-tacks. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Where were you born? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Helping him] In St. Petersburg. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. And educated? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. At the Conservatory there. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. You don't find this life very interesting, I dare say? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Oh, why not? It is true I don't know the country very well, but + I have read a great deal about it. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I have my own desk there in Ivan's room. When I am absolutely + too exhausted to go on I drop everything and rush over here to forget + myself in this work for an hour or two. Ivan and Miss Sonia sit rattling + at their counting-boards, the cricket chirps, and I sit beside them and + paint, feeling warm and peaceful. But I don't permit myself this luxury + very often, only once a month. [Pointing to the picture] Look there! + That is a map of our country as it was fifty years ago. The green tints, + both dark and light, represent forests. Half the map, as you see, is + covered with it. Where the green is striped with red the forests were + inhabited by elk and wild goats. Here on this lake, lived great flocks + of swans and geese and ducks; as the old men say, there was a power of + birds of every kind. Now they have vanished like a cloud. Beside the + hamlets and villages, you see, I have dotted down here and there the + various settlements, farms, hermit's caves, and water-mills. This + country carried a great many cattle and horses, as you can see by the + quantity of blue paint. For instance, see how thickly it lies in this + part; there were great herds of them here, an average of three horses to + every house. [A pause] Now, look lower down. This is the country as it + was twenty-five years ago. Only a third of the map is green now with + forests. There are no goats left and no elk. The blue paint is lighter, + and so on, and so on. Now we come to the third part; our country as it + appears to-day. We still see spots of green, but not much. The elk, the + swans, the black-cock have disappeared. It is, on the whole, the picture + of a regular and slow decline which it will evidently only take about + ten or fifteen more years to complete. You may perhaps object that it is + the march of progress, that the old order must give place to the new, + and you might be right if roads had been run through these ruined woods, + or if factories and schools had taken their place. The people then would + have become better educated and healthier and richer, but as it is, we + have nothing of the sort. We have the same swamps and mosquitoes; the + same disease and want; the typhoid, the diphtheria, the burning + villages. We are confronted by the degradation of our country, brought + on by the fierce struggle for existence of the human race. It is the + consequence of the ignorance and unconsciousness of starving, shivering, + sick humanity that, to save its children, instinctively snatches at + everything that can warm it and still its hunger. So it destroys + everything it can lay its hands on, without a thought for the morrow. + And almost everything has gone, and nothing has been created to take its + place. [Coldly] But I see by your face that I am not interesting you. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I know so little about such things! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. There is nothing to know. It simply isn't interesting, that's + all. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Frankly, my thoughts were elsewhere. Forgive me! I want to + submit you to a little examination, but I am embarrassed and don't know + how to begin. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. An examination? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Yes, but quite an innocent one. Sit down. [They sit down] It is + about a certain young girl I know. Let us discuss it like honest people, + like friends, and then forget what has passed between us, shall we? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Very well. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. It is about my step-daughter, Sonia. Do you like her? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Yes, I respect her. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Do you like her—as a woman? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Slowly] No. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. One more word, and that will be the last. You have not noticed + anything? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. No, nothing. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Taking his hand] You do not love her. I see that in your eyes. + She is suffering. You must realise that, and not come here any more. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. My sun has set, yes, and then I haven't the time. [Shrugging + his shoulders] Where shall I find time for such things? [He is + embarrassed.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Bah! What an unpleasant conversation! I am as out of breath as + if I had been running three miles uphill. Thank heaven, that is over! + Now let us forget everything as if nothing had been said. You are + sensible. You understand. [A pause] I am actually blushing. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. If you had spoken a month ago I might perhaps have considered + it, but now—[He shrugs his shoulders] Of course, if she is + suffering—but I cannot understand why you had to put me through + this examination. [He searches her face with his eyes, and shakes his + finger at her] Oho, you are wily! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. What does this mean? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Laughing] You are a wily one! I admit that Sonia is suffering, + but what does this examination of yours mean? [He prevents her from + retorting, and goes on quickly] Please don't put on such a look of + surprise; you know perfectly well why I come here every day. Yes, you + know perfectly why and for whose sake I come! Oh, my sweet tigress! + don't look at me in that way; I am an old bird! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Perplexed] A tigress? I don't understand you. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Beautiful, sleek tigress, you must have your victims! For a + whole month I have done nothing but seek you eagerly. I have thrown over + everything for you, and you love to see it. Now then, I am sure you knew + all this without putting me through your examination. [Crossing his arms + and bowing his head] I surrender. Here you have me—now, eat me. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You have gone mad! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. You are afraid! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I am a better and stronger woman than you think me. Good-bye. + [She tries to leave the room.] + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Why good-bye? Don't say good-bye, don't waste words. Oh, how + lovely you are—what hands! [He kisses her hands.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Enough of this! [She frees her hands] Leave the room! You have + forgotten yourself. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Tell me, tell me, where can we meet to-morrow? [He puts his arm + around her] Don't you see that we must meet, that it is inevitable? + </p> + <p> + He kisses her. VOITSKI comes in carrying a bunch of roses, and stops in + the doorway. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Without seeing VOITSKI] Have pity! Leave me, [lays her head on + ASTROFF'S shoulder] Don't! [She tries to break away from him.] + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Holding her by the waist] Be in the forest tomorrow at two + o'clock. Will you? Will you? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Sees VOITSKI] Let me go! [Goes to the window deeply + embarrassed] This is appalling! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Throws the flowers on a chair, and speaks in great excitement, + wiping his face with his handkerchief] Nothing—yes, yes, nothing. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. The weather is fine to-day, my dear Ivan; the morning was + overcast and looked like rain, but now the sun is shining again. + Honestly, we have had a very fine autumn, and the wheat is looking + fairly well. [Puts his map back into the portfolio] But the days are + growing short. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Goes quickly up to VOITSKI] You must do your best; you must use + all your power to get my husband and myself away from here to-day! Do + you hear? I say, this very day! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Wiping his face] Oh! Ah! Oh! All right! I—Helena, I saw + everything! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [In great agitation] Do you hear me? I must leave here this very + day! + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF, SONIA, MARINA, and TELEGIN come in. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. I am not very well myself, your Excellency. I have been limping + for two days, and my head— + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Where are the others? I hate this house. It is a regular + labyrinth. Every one is always scattered through the twenty-six enormous + rooms; one never can find a soul. [Rings] Ask my wife and Madame + Voitskaya to come here! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I am here already. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Please, all of you, sit down. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Goes up to HELENA and asks anxiously] What did he say? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I'll tell you later. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. You are moved. [looking quickly and inquiringly into her face] I + understand; he said he would not come here any more. [A pause] Tell me, + did he? + </p> + <p> + HELENA nods. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [To TELEGIN] One can, after all, become reconciled to being + an invalid, but not to this country life. The ways of it stick in my + throat and I feel exactly as if I had been whirled off the earth and + landed on a strange planet. Please be seated, ladies and gentlemen. + Sonia! [SONIA does not hear. She is standing with her head bowed sadly + forward on her breast] Sonia! [A pause] She does not hear me. [To + MARINA] Sit down too, nurse. [MARINA sits down and begins to knit her + stocking] I crave your indulgence, ladies and gentlemen; hang your ears, + if I may say so, on the peg of attention. [He laughs.] + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Agitated] Perhaps you do not need me—may I be excused? + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. No, you are needed now more than any one. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. What is it you want of me? + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. You—but what are you angry about? If it is anything I + have done, I ask you to forgive me. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Oh, drop that and come to business; what do you want? + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA comes in. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Here is mother. Ladies and gentlemen, I shall begin. I have + asked you to assemble here, my friends, in order to discuss a very + important matter. I want to ask you for your assistance and advice, and + knowing your unfailing amiability I think I can count on both. I am a + book-worm and a scholar, and am unfamiliar with practical affairs. I + cannot, I find, dispense with the help of well-informed people such as + you, Ivan, and you, Telegin, and you, mother. The truth is, <i>manet + omnes una nox,</i> that is to say, our lives are in the hands of God, + and as I am old and ill, I realise that the time has come for me to + dispose of my property in regard to the interests of my family. My life + is nearly over, and I am not thinking of myself, but I have a young wife + and daughter. [A pause] I cannot continue to live in the country; we + were not made for country life, and yet we cannot afford to live in town + on the income derived from this estate. We might sell the woods, but + that would be an expedient we could not resort to every year. We must + find some means of guaranteeing to ourselves a certain more or less + fixed yearly income. With this object in view, a plan has occurred to me + which I now have the honour of presenting to you for your consideration. + I shall only give you a rough outline, avoiding all details. Our estate + does not pay on an average more than two per cent on the money invested + in it. I propose to sell it. If we then invest our capital in bonds, it + will earn us four to five per cent, and we should probably have a + surplus over of several thousand roubles, with which we could buy a + summer cottage in Finland— + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Hold on! Repeat what you just said; I don't think I heard you + quite right. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I said we would invest the money in bonds and buy a cottage + in Finland with the surplus. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. No, not Finland—you said something else. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I propose to sell this place. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Aha! That was it! So you are going to sell the place? Splendid. + The idea is a rich one. And what do you propose to do with my old mother + and me and with Sonia here? + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. That will be decided in due time. We can't do everything at + once. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Wait! It is clear that until this moment I have never had a + grain of sense in my head. I have always been stupid enough to think + that the estate belonged to Sonia. My father bought it as a wedding + present for my sister, and I foolishly imagined that as our laws were + made for Russians and not Turks, my sister's estate would come down to + her child. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Of course it is Sonia's. Has any one denied it? I don't + want to sell it without Sonia's consent; on the contrary, what I am + doing is for Sonia's good. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. This is absolutely incomprehensible. Either I have gone mad or—or— + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. Jean, don't contradict Alexander. Trust to him; he knows + better than we do what is right and what is wrong. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. I shan't. Give me some water. [He drinks] Go ahead! Say + anything you please—anything! + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine why you are so upset. I don't pretend that + my scheme is an ideal one, and if you all object to it I shall not + insist. [A pause.] + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. [With embarrassment] I not only nourish feelings of respect + toward learning, your Excellency, but I am also drawn to it by family + ties. My brother Gregory's wife's brother, whom you may know; his name + is Constantine Lakedemonoff, and he used to be a magistrate— + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Stop, Waffles. This is business; wait a bit, we will talk of + that later. [To SEREBRAKOFF] There now, ask him what he thinks; this + estate was bought from his uncle. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Ah! Why should I ask questions? What good would it do? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. The price was ninety-five thousand roubles. My father paid + seventy and left a debt of twenty-five. Now listen! This place could + never have been bought had I not renounced my inheritance in favour of + my sister, whom I deeply loved—and what is more, I worked for ten + years like an ox, and paid off the debt. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I regret ever having started this conversation. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Thanks entirely to my own personal efforts, the place is + entirely clear of debts, and now, when I have grown old, you want to + throw me out, neck and crop! + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine what you are driving at. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have managed this place, and have sent + you the returns from it like the most honest of servants, and you have + never given me one single word of thanks for my work, not one—neither + in my youth nor now. You allowed me a meagre salary of five hundred + roubles a year, a beggar's pittance, and have never even thought of + adding a rouble to it. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. What did I know about such things, Ivan? I am not a + practical man and don't understand them. You might have helped yourself + to all you wanted. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Yes, why did I not steal? Don't you all despise me for not + stealing, when it would have been only justice? And I should not now + have been a beggar! + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. [Sternly] Jean! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. [Agitated] Vanya, old man, don't talk in that way. Why spoil + such pleasant relations? [He embraces him] Do stop! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have been sitting here with my mother + like a mole in a burrow. Our every thought and hope was yours and yours + only. By day we talked with pride of you and your work, and spoke your + name with veneration; our nights we wasted reading the books and papers + which my soul now loathes. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. Don't, Vanya, don't. I can't stand it. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [Wrathfully] What under heaven do you want, anyway? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. We used to think of you as almost superhuman, but now the + scales have fallen from my eyes and I see you as you are! You write on + art without knowing anything about it. Those books of yours which I used + to admire are not worth one copper kopeck. You are a hoax! + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Can't any one make him stop? I am going! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Ivan, I command you to stop this instant! Do you hear me? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. I refuse! [SEREBRAKOFF tries to get out of the room, but + VOITSKI bars the door] Wait! I have not done yet! You have wrecked my + life. I have never lived. My best years have gone for nothing, have been + ruined, thanks to you. You are my most bitter enemy! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. I can't stand it; I can't stand it. I am going. [He goes out in + great excitement.] + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. But what do you want? What earthly right have you to use + such language to me? Ruination! If this estate is yours, then take it, + and let me be ruined! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I am going away out of this hell this minute. [Shrieks] This is + too much! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. My life has been a failure. I am clever and brave and strong. + If I had lived a normal life I might have become another Schopenhauer or + Dostoieffski. I am losing my head! I am going crazy! Mother, I am in + despair! Oh, mother! + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. [Sternly] Listen, Alexander! + </p> + <p> + SONIA falls on her knees beside the nurse and nestles against her. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Oh, nurse, nurse! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Mother! What shall I do? But no, don't speak! I know what to + do. [To SEREBRAKOFF] And you will understand me! + </p> + <p> + He goes out through the door in the centre of the room and MME. + VOITSKAYA follows him. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Tell me, what on earth is the matter? Take this lunatic out + of my sight! I cannot possibly live under the same roof with him. His + room [He points to the centre door] is almost next door to mine. Let him + take himself off into the village or into the wing of the house, or I + shall leave here at once. I cannot stay in the same house with him. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [To her husband] We are leaving to-day; we must get ready at + once for our departure. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. What a perfectly dreadful man! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [On her knees beside the nurse and turning to her father. She + speaks with emotion] You must be kind to us, papa. Uncle Vanya and I are + so unhappy! [Controlling her despair] Have pity on us. Remember how + Uncle Vanya and Granny used to copy and translate your books for you + every night—every, every night. Uncle Vanya has toiled without + rest; he would never spend a penny on us, we sent it all to you. We have + not eaten the bread of idleness. I am not saying this as I should like + to, but you must understand us, papa, you must be merciful to us. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Very excited, to her husband] For heaven's sake, Alexander, go + and have a talk with him—explain! + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. Very well, I shall have a talk with him, but I won't + apologise for a thing. I am not angry with him, but you must confess + that his behaviour has been strange, to say the least. Excuse me, I + shall go to him. + </p> + <p> + [He goes out through the centre door.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Be gentle with him; try to quiet him. [She follows him out.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Nestling nearer to MARINA] Nurse, oh, nurse! + </p> + <p> + MARINA. It's all right, my baby. When the geese have cackled they will + be still again. First they cackle and then they stop. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Nurse! + </p> + <p> + MARINA. You are trembling all over, as if you were freezing. There, + there, little orphan baby, God is merciful. A little linden-tea, and it + will all pass away. Don't cry, my sweetest. [Looking angrily at the door + in the centre of the room] See, the geese have all gone now. The devil + take them! + </p> + <p> + A shot is heard. HELENA screams behind the scenes. SONIA shudders. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Bang! What's that? + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [Comes in reeling with terror] Hold him! hold him! He has + gone mad! + </p> + <p> + HELENA and VOITSKI are seen struggling in the doorway. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Trying to wrest the revolver from him] Give it to me; give it + to me, I tell you! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Let me go, Helena, let me go! [He frees himself and rushes in, + looking everywhere for SEREBRAKOFF] Where is he? Ah, there he is! [He + shoots at him. A pause] I didn't get him? I missed again? [Furiously] + Damnation! Damnation! To hell with him! + </p> + <p> + He flings the revolver on the floor, and drops helpless into a chair. + SEREBRAKOFF stands as if stupefied. HELENA leans against the wall, + almost fainting. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Take me away! Take me away! I can't stay here—I can't! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [In despair] Oh, what shall I do? What shall I do? + </p> + <p> + SONIA. [Softly] Oh, nurse, nurse! + </p> + <p> + The curtain falls. + </p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ACT IV + </h2> + <p> + VOITSKI'S bedroom, which is also his office. A table stands near the + window; on it are ledgers, letter scales, and papers of every + description. Near by stands a smaller table belonging to ASTROFF, with + his paints and drawing materials. On the wall hangs a cage containing a + starling. There is also a map of Africa on the wall, obviously of no use + to anybody. There is a large sofa covered with buckram. A door to the + left leads into an inner room; one to the right leads into the front + hall, and before this door lies a mat for the peasants with their muddy + boots to stand on. It is an autumn evening. The silence is profound. + TELEGIN and MARINA are sitting facing one another, winding wool. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. Be quick, Marina, or we shall be called away to say good-bye + before you have finished. The carriage has already been ordered. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. [Trying to wind more quickly] I am a little tired. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. They are going to Kharkoff to live. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. They do well to go. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. They have been frightened. The professor's wife won't stay here + an hour longer. "If we are going at all, let's be off," says she, "we + shall go to Kharkoff and look about us, and then we can send for our + things." They are travelling light. It seems, Marina, that fate has + decreed for them not to live here. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. And quite rightly. What a storm they have just raised! It was + shameful! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. It was indeed. The scene was worthy of the brush of Aibazofski. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. I wish I'd never laid eyes on them. [A pause] Now we shall have + things as they were again: tea at eight, dinner at one, and supper in + the evening; everything in order as decent folks, as Christians like to + have it. [Sighs] It is a long time since I have eaten noodles. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. Yes, we haven't had noodles for ages. [A pause] Not for ages. + As I was going through the village this morning, Marina, one of the + shop-keepers called after me, "Hi! you hanger-on!" I felt it bitterly. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Don't pay the least attention to them, master; we are all + dependents on God. You and Sonia and all of us. Every one must work, no + one can sit idle. Where is Sonia? + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. In the garden with the doctor, looking for Ivan. They fear he + may lay violent hands on himself. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Where is his pistol? + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. [Whispers] I hid it in the cellar. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI and ASTROFF come in. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Leave me alone! [To MARINA and TELEGIN] Go away! Go away and + leave me to myself, if but for an hour. I won't have you watching me + like this! + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. Yes, yes, Vanya. [He goes out on tiptoe.] + </p> + <p> + MARINA. The gander cackles; ho! ho! ho! + </p> + <p> + [She gathers up her wool and goes out.] + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Leave me by myself! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I would, with the greatest pleasure. I ought to have gone long + ago, but I shan't leave you until you have returned what you took from + me. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. I took nothing from you. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I am not jesting, don't detain me, I really must go. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. I took nothing of yours. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. You didn't? Very well, I shall have to wait a little longer, + and then you will have to forgive me if I resort to force. We shall have + to bind you and search you. I mean what I say. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Do as you please. [A pause] Oh, to make such a fool of myself! + To shoot twice and miss him both times! I shall never forgive myself. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. When the impulse came to shoot, it would have been as well had + you put a bullet through your own head. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Shrugging his shoulders] Strange! I attempted murder, and am + not going to be arrested or brought to trial. That means they think me + mad. [With a bitter laugh] Me! I am mad, and those who hide their + worthlessness, their dullness, their crying heartlessness behind a + professor's mask, are sane! Those who marry old men and then deceive + them under the noses of all, are sane! I saw you kiss her; I saw you in + each other's arms! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Yes, sir, I did kiss her; so there. [He puts his thumb to his + nose.] + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [His eyes on the door] No, it is the earth that is mad, because + she still bears us on her breast. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. That is nonsense. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Well? Am I not a madman, and therefore irresponsible? Haven't I + the right to talk nonsense? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. This is a farce! You are not mad; you are simply a ridiculous + fool. I used to think every fool was out of his senses, but now I see + that lack of sense is a man's normal state, and you are perfectly + normal. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Covers his face with his hands] Oh! If you knew how ashamed I + am! These piercing pangs of shame are like nothing on earth. [In an + agonised voice] I can't endure them! [He leans against the table] What + can I do? What can I do? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Nothing. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. You must tell me something! Oh, my God! I am forty-seven years + old. I may live to sixty; I still have thirteen years before me; an + eternity! How shall I be able to endure life for thirteen years? What + shall I do? How can I fill them? Oh, don't you see? [He presses + ASTROFF'S hand convulsively] Don't you see, if only I could live the + rest of my life in some new way! If I could only wake some still, bright + morning and feel that life had begun again; that the past was forgotten + and had vanished like smoke. [He weeps] Oh, to begin life anew! Tell me, + tell me how to begin. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Crossly] What nonsense! What sort of a new life can you and I + look forward to? We can have no hope. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. None? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. None. Of that I am convinced. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Tell me what to do. [He puts his hand to his heart] I feel such + a burning pain here. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Shouts angrily] Stop! [Then, more gently] It may be that + posterity, which will despise us for our blind and stupid lives, will + find some road to happiness; but we—you and I—have but one + hope, the hope that we may be visited by visions, perhaps by pleasant + ones, as we lie resting in our graves. [Sighing] Yes, brother, there + were only two respectable, intelligent men in this county, you and I. + Ten years or so of this life of ours, this miserable life, have sucked + us under, and we have become as contemptible and petty as the rest. But + don't try to talk me out of my purpose! Give me what you took from me, + will you? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. I took nothing from you. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. You took a little bottle of morphine out of my medicine-case. + [A pause] Listen! If you are positively determined to make an end to + yourself, go into the woods and shoot yourself there. Give up the + morphine, or there will be a lot of talk and guesswork; people will + think I gave it to you. I don't fancy having to perform a post-mortem on + you. Do you think I should find it interesting? + </p> + <p> + SONIA comes in. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Leave me alone. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [To SONIA] Sonia, your uncle has stolen a bottle of morphine + out of my medicine-case and won't give it up. Tell him that his + behaviour is—well, unwise. I haven't time, I must be going. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Uncle Vanya, did you take the morphine? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Yes, he took it. [A pause] I am absolutely sure. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Give it up! Why do you want to frighten us? [Tenderly] Give it + up, Uncle Vanya! My misfortune is perhaps even greater than yours, but I + am not plunged in despair. I endure my sorrow, and shall endure it until + my life comes to a natural end. You must endure yours, too. [A pause] + Give it up! Dear, darling Uncle Vanya. Give it up! [She weeps] You are + so good, I am sure you will have pity on us and give it up. You must + endure your sorrow, Uncle Vanya; you must endure it. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI takes a bottle from the drawer of the table and hands it to + ASTROFF. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. There it is! [To SONIA] And now, we must get to work at once; + we must do something, or else I shall not be able to endure it. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Yes, yes, to work! As soon as we have seen them off we shall go + to work. [She nervously straightens out the papers on the table] + Everything is in a muddle! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Putting the bottle in his case, which he straps together] Now + I can be off. + </p> + <p> + HELENA comes in. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Are you here, Ivan? We are starting in a moment. Go to + Alexander, he wants to speak to you. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. Go, Uncle Vanya. [She takes VOITSKI 'S arm] Come, you and papa + must make peace; that is absolutely necessary. + </p> + <p> + SONIA and VOITSKI go out. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I am going away. [She gives ASTROFF her hand] Good-bye. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. So soon? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. The carriage is waiting. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Good-bye. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. You promised me you would go away yourself to-day. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I have not forgotten. I am going at once. [A pause] Were you + frightened? Was it so terrible? + </p> + <p> + HELENA. Yes. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Couldn't you stay? Couldn't you? To-morrow—in the forest— + </p> + <p> + HELENA. No. It is all settled, and that is why I can look you so bravely + in the face. Our departure is fixed. One thing I must ask of you: don't + think too badly of me; I should like you to respect me. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Ah! [With an impatient gesture] Stay, I implore you! Confess + that there is nothing for you to do in this world. You have no object in + life; there is nothing to occupy your attention, and sooner or later + your feelings must master you. It is inevitable. It would be better if + it happened not in Kharkoff or in Kursk, but here, in nature's lap. It + would then at least be poetical, even beautiful. Here you have the + forests, the houses half in ruins that Turgenieff writes of. + </p> + <p> + HELENA. How comical you are! I am angry with you and yet I shall always + remember you with pleasure. You are interesting and original. You and I + will never meet again, and so I shall tell you—why should I + conceal it?—that I am just a little in love with you. Come, one + more last pressure of our hands, and then let us part good friends. Let + us not bear each other any ill will. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Pressing her hand] Yes, go. [Thoughtfully] You seem to be + sincere and good, and yet there is something strangely disquieting about + all your personality. No sooner did you arrive here with your husband + than every one whom you found busy and actively creating something was + forced to drop his work and give himself up for the whole summer to your + husband's gout and yourself. You and he have infected us with your + idleness. I have been swept off my feet; I have not put my hand to a + thing for weeks, during which sickness has been running its course + unchecked among the people, and the peasants have been pasturing their + cattle in my woods and young plantations. Go where you will, you and + your husband will always carry destruction in your train. I am joking of + course, and yet I am strangely sure that had you stayed here we should + have been overtaken by the most immense desolation. I would have gone to + my ruin, and you—you would not have prospered. So go! E finita la + comedia! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Snatching a pencil off ASTROFF'S table, and hiding it with a + quick movement] I shall take this pencil for memory! + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. How strange it is. We meet, and then suddenly it seems that we + must part forever. That is the way in this world. As long as we are + alone, before Uncle Vanya comes in with a bouquet—allow me—to + kiss you good-bye—may I? [He kisses her on the cheek] So! + Splendid! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. I wish you every happiness. [She glances about her] For once in + my life, I shall! and scorn the consequences! [She kisses him + impetuously, and they quickly part] I must go. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Yes, go. If the carriage is there, then start at once. [They + stand listening.] + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. E finita! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI, SEREBRAKOFF, MME. VOITSKAYA with her book, TELEGIN, and SONIA + come in. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [To VOITSKI] Shame on him who bears malice for the past. I + have gone through so much in the last few hours that I feel capable of + writing a whole treatise on the conduct of life for the instruction of + posterity. I gladly accept your apology, and myself ask your + forgiveness. [He kisses VOITSKI three times.] + </p> + <p> + HELENA embraces SONIA. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [Kissing MME. VOITSKAYA'S hand] Mother! + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. [Kissing him] Have your picture taken, Alexander, and + send me one. You know how dear you are to me. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. Good-bye, your Excellency. Don't forget us. + </p> + <p> + SEREBRAKOFF. [Kissing his daughter] Good-bye, good-bye all. [Shaking + hands with ASTROFF] Many thanks for your pleasant company. I have a deep + regard for your opinions and your enthusiasm, but let me, as an old man, + give one word of advice at parting: do something, my friend! Work! Do + something! [They all bow] Good luck to you all. [He goes out followed by + MME. VOITSKAYA and SONIA.] + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI [Kissing HELENA'S hand fervently] Good-bye—forgive me. I + shall never see you again! + </p> + <p> + HELENA. [Touched] Good-bye, dear boy. + </p> + <p> + She lightly kisses his head as he bends over her hand, and goes out. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Tell them to bring my carriage around too, Waffles. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN. All right, old man. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF and VOITSKI are left behind alone. ASTROFF collects his paints + and drawing materials on the table and packs them away in a box. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Why don't you go to see them off? + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Let them go! I—I can't go out there. I feel too sad. I + must go to work on something at once. To work! To work! + </p> + <p> + He rummages through his papers on the table. A pause. The tinkling of + bells is heard as the horses trot away. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. They have gone! The professor, I suppose, is glad to go. He + couldn't be tempted back now by a fortune. + </p> + <p> + MARINA comes in. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. They have gone. [She sits down in an arm-chair and knits her + stocking.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA comes in wiping her eyes. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. They have gone. God be with them. [To her uncle] And now, Uncle + Vanya, let us do something! + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. To work! To work! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. It is long, long, since you and I have sat together at this + table. [She lights a lamp on the table] No ink! [She takes the inkstand + to the cupboard and fills it from an ink-bottle] How sad it is to see + them go! + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA comes slowly in. + </p> + <p> + MME. VOITSKAYA. They have gone. + </p> + <p> + She sits down and at once becomes absorbed in her book. SONIA sits down + at the table and looks through an account book. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. First, Uncle Vanya, let us write up the accounts. They are in a + dreadful state. Come, begin. You take one and I will take the other. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. In account with [They sit silently writing.] + </p> + <p> + MARINA. [Yawning] The sand-man has come. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. How still it is. Their pens scratch, the cricket sings; it is + so warm and comfortable. I hate to go. [The tinkling of bells is heard.] + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. My carriage has come. There now remains but to say good-bye to + you, my friends, and to my table here, and then—away! [He puts the + map into the portfolio.] + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Don't hurry away; sit a little longer with us. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Impossible. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Writing] And carry forward from the old debt two seventy-five— + </p> + <p> + WORKMAN comes in. + </p> + <p> + WORKMAN. Your carriage is waiting, sir. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. All right. [He hands the WORKMAN his medicine-case, portfolio, + and box] Look out, don't crush the portfolio! + </p> + <p> + WORKMAN. Very well, sir. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. When shall we see you again? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. Hardly before next summer. Probably not this winter, though, of + course, if anything should happen you will let me know. [He shakes hands + with them] Thank you for your kindness, for your hospitality, for + everything! [He goes up to MARINA and kisses her head] Good-bye, old + nurse! + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Are you going without your tea? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I don't want any, nurse. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Won't you have a drop of vodka? + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [Hesitatingly] Yes, I might. + </p> + <p> + MARINA goes out. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. [After a pause] My off-wheeler has gone lame for some reason. I + noticed it yesterday when Peter was taking him to water. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. You should have him re-shod. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. I shall have to go around by the blacksmith's on my way home. + It can't be avoided. [He stands looking up at the map of Africa hanging + on the wall] I suppose it is roasting hot in Africa now. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. Yes, I suppose it is. + </p> + <p> + MARINA comes back carrying a tray on which are a glass of vodka and a + piece of bread. + </p> + <p> + MARINA. Help yourself. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF drinks + </p> + <p> + MARINA. To your good health! [She bows deeply] Eat your bread with it. + </p> + <p> + ASTROFF. No, I like it so. And now, good-bye. [To MARINA] You needn't + come out to see me off, nurse. + </p> + <p> + He goes out. SONIA follows him with a candle to light him to the + carriage. MARINA sits down in her armchair. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Writing] On the 2d of February, twenty pounds of butter; on + the 16th, twenty pounds of butter again. Buckwheat flour—[A pause. + Bells are heard tinkling.] + </p> + <p> + MARINA. He has gone. [A pause.] + </p> + <p> + SONIA comes in and sets the candle stick on the table. + </p> + <p> + SONIA. He has gone. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [Adding and writing] Total, fifteen—twenty-five— + </p> + <p> + SONIA sits down and begins to write. + </p> + <p> + [Yawning] Oh, ho! The Lord have mercy. + </p> + <p> + TELEGIN comes in on tiptoe, sits down near the door, and begins to tune + his guitar. + </p> + <p> + VOITSKI. [To SONIA, stroking her hair] Oh, my child, I am miserable; if + you only knew how miserable I am! + </p> + <p> + SONIA. What can we do? We must live our lives. [A pause] Yes, we shall + live, Uncle Vanya. We shall live through the long procession of days + before us, and through the long evenings; we shall patiently bear the + trials that fate imposes on us; we shall work for others without rest, + both now and when we are old; and when our last hour comes we shall meet + it humbly, and there, beyond the grave, we shall say that we have + suffered and wept, that our life was bitter, and God will have pity on + us. Ah, then dear, dear Uncle, we shall see that bright and beautiful + life; we shall rejoice and look back upon our sorrow here; a tender + smile—and—we shall rest. I have faith, Uncle, fervent, + passionate faith. [SONIA kneels down before her uncle and lays her head + on his hands. She speaks in a weary voice] We shall rest. [TELEGIN plays + softly on the guitar] We shall rest. We shall hear the angels. We shall + see heaven shining like a jewel. We shall see all evil and all our pain + sink away in the great compassion that shall enfold the world. Our life + will be as peaceful and tender and sweet as a caress. I have faith; I + have faith. [She wipes away her tears] My poor, poor Uncle Vanya, you + are crying! [Weeping] You have never known what happiness was, but wait, + Uncle Vanya, wait! We shall rest. [She embraces him] We shall rest. [The + WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden; TELEGIN plays softly; MME. + VOITSKAYA writes something on the margin of her pamphlet; MARINA knits + her stocking] We shall rest. + </p> + <p> + The curtain slowly falls. + </p> + <br /> + </div> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Uncle Vanya, by Anton Checkov + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE VANYA *** + +***** This file should be named 1756-h.htm or 1756-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/5/1756/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + +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. 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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: Uncle Vanya + +Author: Anton Checkov + +Posting Date: November 23, 2008 [EBook #1756] +Release Date: May, 1999 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE VANYA *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + + + + + +UNCLE VANYA + +SCENES FROM COUNTRY LIFE + +IN FOUR ACTS + +By Anton Checkov + + + + +CHARACTERS + +ALEXANDER SEREBRAKOFF, a retired professor + +HELENA, his wife, twenty-seven years old + +SONIA, his daughter by a former marriage + +MME. VOITSKAYA, widow of a privy councilor, and mother of Serebrakoff's +first wife + +IVAN (VANYA) VOITSKI, her son + +MICHAEL ASTROFF, a doctor + +ILIA (WAFFLES) TELEGIN, an impoverished landowner + +MARINA, an old nurse + +A WORKMAN + +The scene is laid on SEREBRAKOFF'S country place + + + + +UNCLE VANYA + + + + +ACT I + +A country house on a terrace. In front of it a garden. In an avenue of +trees, under an old poplar, stands a table set for tea, with a samovar, +etc. Some benches and chairs stand near the table. On one of them is +lying a guitar. A hammock is swung near the table. It is three o'clock +in the afternoon of a cloudy day. + +MARINA, a quiet, grey-haired, little old woman, is sitting at the table +knitting a stocking. + +ASTROFF is walking up and down near her. + +MARINA. [Pouring some tea into a glass] Take a little tea, my son. + +ASTROFF. [Takes the glass from her unwillingly] Somehow, I don't seem to +want any. + +MARINA. Then will you have a little vodka instead? + +ASTROFF. No, I don't drink vodka every day, and besides, it is too hot +now. [A pause] Tell me, nurse, how long have we known each other? + +MARINA. [Thoughtfully] Let me see, how long is it? Lord--help me to +remember. You first came here, into our parts--let me think--when was +it? Sonia's mother was still alive--it was two winters before she died; +that was eleven years ago--[thoughtfully] perhaps more. + +ASTROFF. Have I changed much since then? + +MARINA. Oh, yes. You were handsome and young then, and now you are an +old man and not handsome any more. You drink, too. + +ASTROFF. Yes, ten years have made me another man. And why? Because I am +overworked. Nurse, I am on my feet from dawn till dusk. I know no rest; +at night I tremble under my blankets for fear of being dragged out to +visit some one who is sick; I have toiled without repose or a day's +freedom since I have known you; could I help growing old? And then, +existence is tedious, anyway; it is a senseless, dirty business, this +life, and goes heavily. Every one about here is silly, and after +living with them for two or three years one grows silly oneself. It is +inevitable. [Twisting his moustache] See what a long moustache I have +grown. A foolish, long moustache. Yes, I am as silly as the rest, nurse, +but not as stupid; no, I have not grown stupid. Thank God, my brain is +not addled yet, though my feelings have grown numb. I ask nothing, I +need nothing, I love no one, unless it is yourself alone. [He kisses her +head] I had a nurse just like you when I was a child. + +MARINA. Don't you want a bite of something to eat? + +ASTROFF. No. During the third week of Lent I went to the epidemic at +Malitskoi. It was eruptive typhoid. The peasants were all lying side by +side in their huts, and the calves and pigs were running about the floor +among the sick. Such dirt there was, and smoke! Unspeakable! I slaved +among those people all day, not a crumb passed my lips, but when I got +home there was still no rest for me; a switchman was carried in from the +railroad; I laid him on the operating table and he went and died in +my arms under chloroform, and then my feelings that should have been +deadened awoke again, my conscience tortured me as if I had killed the +man. I sat down and closed my eyes--like this--and thought: will our +descendants two hundred years from now, for whom we are breaking the +road, remember to give us a kind word? No, nurse, they will forget. + +MARINA. Man is forgetful, but God remembers. + +ASTROFF. Thank you for that. You have spoken the truth. + +Enter VOITSKI from the house. He has been asleep after dinner and +looks rather dishevelled. He sits down on the bench and straightens his +collar. + +VOITSKI. H'm. Yes. [A pause] Yes. + +ASTROFF. Have you been asleep? + +VOITSKI. Yes, very much so. [He yawns] Ever since the Professor and his +wife have come, our daily life seems to have jumped the track. I sleep +at the wrong time, drink wine, and eat all sorts of messes for luncheon +and dinner. It isn't wholesome. Sonia and I used to work together and +never had an idle moment, but now Sonia works alone and I only eat and +drink and sleep. Something is wrong. + +MARINA. [Shaking her head] Such a confusion in the house! The Professor +gets up at twelve, the samovar is kept boiling all the morning, and +everything has to wait for him. Before they came we used to have dinner +at one o'clock, like everybody else, but now we have it at seven. The +Professor sits up all night writing and reading, and suddenly, at two +o'clock, there goes the bell! Heavens, what is that? The Professor wants +some tea! Wake the servants, light the samovar! Lord, what disorder! + +ASTROFF. Will they be here long? + +VOITSKI. A hundred years! The Professor has decided to make his home +here. + +MARINA. Look at this now! The samovar has been on the table for two +hours, and they are all out walking! + +VOITSKI. All right, don't get excited; here they come. + +Voices are heard approaching. SEREBRAKOFF, HELENA, SONIA, and TELEGIN +come in from the depths of the garden, returning from their walk. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Superb! Superb! What beautiful views! + +TELEGIN. They are wonderful, your Excellency. + +SONIA. To-morrow we shall go into the woods, shall we, papa? + +VOITSKI. Ladies and gentlemen, tea is ready. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Won't you please be good enough to send my tea into the +library? I still have some work to finish. + +SONIA. I am sure you will love the woods. + +HELENA, SEREBRAKOFF, and SONIA go into the house. TELEGIN sits down at +the table beside MARINA. + +VOITSKI. There goes our learned scholar on a hot, sultry day like this, +in his overcoat and goloshes and carrying an umbrella! + +ASTROFF. He is trying to take good care of his health. + +VOITSKI. How lovely she is! How lovely! I have never in my life seen a +more beautiful woman. + +TELEGIN. Do you know, Marina, that as I walk in the fields or in +the shady garden, as I look at this table here, my heart swells with +unbounded happiness. The weather is enchanting, the birds are singing, +we are all living in peace and contentment--what more could the soul +desire? [Takes a glass of tea.] + +VOITSKI. [Dreaming] Such eyes--a glorious woman! + +ASTROFF. Come, Ivan, tell us something. + +VOITSKI. [Indolently] What shall I tell you? + +ASTROFF. Haven't you any news for us? + +VOITSKI. No, it is all stale. I am just the same as usual, or perhaps +worse, because I have become lazy. I don't do anything now but croak +like an old raven. My mother, the old magpie, is still chattering about +the emancipation of woman, with one eye on her grave and the other on +her learned books, in which she is always looking for the dawn of a new +life. + +ASTROFF. And the Professor? + +VOITSKI. The Professor sits in his library from morning till night, as +usual-- + + "Straining the mind, wrinkling the brow, + We write, write, write, + Without respite + Or hope of praise in the future or now." + +Poor paper! He ought to write his autobiography; he would make a +really splendid subject for a book! Imagine it, the life of a retired +professor, as stale as a piece of hardtack, tortured by gout, headaches, +and rheumatism, his liver bursting with jealousy and envy, living on the +estate of his first wife, although he hates it, because he can't afford +to live in town. He is everlastingly whining about his hard lot, though, +as a matter of fact, he is extraordinarily lucky. He is the son of +a common deacon and has attained the professor's chair, become the +son-in-law of a senator, is called "your Excellency," and so on. But +I'll tell you something; the man has been writing on art for twenty-five +years, and he doesn't know the very first thing about it. For +twenty-five years he has been chewing on other men's thoughts about +realism, naturalism, and all such foolishness; for twenty-five years he +has been reading and writing things that clever men have long known and +stupid ones are not interested in; for twenty-five years he has been +making his imaginary mountains out of molehills. And just think of the +man's self-conceit and presumption all this time! For twenty-five years +he has been masquerading in false clothes and has now retired absolutely +unknown to any living soul; and yet see him! stalking across the earth +like a demi-god! + +ASTROFF. I believe you envy him. + +VOITSKI. Yes, I do. Look at the success he has had with women! Don Juan +himself was not more favoured. His first wife, who was my sister, was +a beautiful, gentle being, as pure as the blue heaven there above us, +noble, great-hearted, with more admirers than he has pupils, and she +loved him as only beings of angelic purity can love those who are as +pure and beautiful as themselves. His mother-in-law, my mother, adores +him to this day, and he still inspires a sort of worshipful awe in her. +His second wife is, as you see, a brilliant beauty; she married him in +his old age and has surrendered all the glory of her beauty and freedom +to him. Why? What for? + +ASTROFF. Is she faithful to him? + +VOITSKI. Yes, unfortunately she is. + +ASTROFF. Why unfortunately? + +VOITSKI. Because such fidelity is false and unnatural, root and branch. +It sounds well, but there is no logic in it. It is thought immoral for a +woman to deceive an old husband whom she hates, but quite moral for her +to strangle her poor youth in her breast and banish every vital desire +from her heart. + +TELEGIN. [In a tearful voice] Vanya, I don't like to hear you talk so. +Listen, Vanya; every one who betrays husband or wife is faithless, and +could also betray his country. + +VOITSKI. [Crossly] Turn off the tap, Waffles. + +TELEGIN. No, allow me, Vanya. My wife ran away with a lover on the day +after our wedding, because my exterior was unprepossessing. I have never +failed in my duty since then. I love her and am true to her to this day. +I help her all I can and have given my fortune to educate the daughter +of herself and her lover. I have forfeited my happiness, but I have kept +my pride. And she? Her youth has fled, her beauty has faded according to +the laws of nature, and her lover is dead. What has she kept? + +HELENA and SONIA come in; after them comes MME. VOITSKAYA carrying a +book. She sits down and begins to read. Some one hands her a glass of +tea which she drinks without looking up. + +SONIA. [Hurriedly, to the nurse] There are some peasants waiting out +there. Go and see what they want. I shall pour the tea. [Pours out some +glasses of tea.] + +MARINA goes out. HELENA takes a glass and sits drinking in the hammock. + +ASTROFF. I have come to see your husband. You wrote me that he had +rheumatism and I know not what else, and that he was very ill, but he +appears to be as lively as a cricket. + +HELENA. He had a fit of the blues yesterday evening and complained of +pains in his legs, but he seems all right again to-day. + +ASTROFF. And I galloped over here twenty miles at break-neck speed! No +matter, though, it is not the first time. Once here, however, I am going +to stay until to-morrow, and at any rate sleep _quantum satis._ + +SONIA. Oh, splendid! You so seldom spend the night with us. Have you had +dinner yet? + +ASTROFF. No. + +SONIA. Good. So you will have it with us. We dine at seven now. [Drinks +her tea] This tea is cold! + +TELEGIN. Yes, the samovar has grown cold. + +HELENA. Don't mind, Monsieur Ivan, we will drink cold tea, then. + +TELEGIN. I beg your pardon, my name is not Ivan, but Ilia, ma'am--Ilia +Telegin, or Waffles, as I am sometimes called on account of my +pock-marked face. I am Sonia's godfather, and his Excellency, your +husband, knows me very well. I now live with you, ma'am, on this estate, +and perhaps you will be so good as to notice that I dine with you every +day. + +SONIA. He is our great help, our right-hand man. [Tenderly] Dear +godfather, let me pour you some tea. + +MME. VOITSKAYA. Oh! Oh! + +SONIA. What is it, grandmother? + +MME. VOITSKAYA. I forgot to tell Alexander--I have lost my memory--I +received a letter to-day from Paul Alexevitch in Kharkoff. He has sent +me a new pamphlet. + +ASTROFF. Is it interesting? + +MME. VOITSKAYA. Yes, but strange. He refutes the very theories which he +defended seven years ago. It is appalling! + +VOITSKI. There is nothing appalling about it. Drink your tea, mamma. + +MME. VOITSKAYA. It seems you never want to listen to what I have to say. +Pardon me, Jean, but you have changed so in the last year that I +hardly know you. You used to be a man of settled convictions and had an +illuminating personality---- + +VOITSKI. Oh, yes. I had an illuminating personality, which illuminated +no one. [A pause] I had an illuminating personality! You couldn't say +anything more biting. I am forty-seven years old. Until last year I +endeavoured, as you do now, to blind my eyes by your pedantry to the +truths of life. But now--Oh, if you only knew! If you knew how I lie +awake at night, heartsick and angry, to think how stupidly I have wasted +my time when I might have been winning from life everything which my old +age now forbids. + +SONIA. Uncle Vanya, how dreary! + +MME. VOITSKAYA. [To her son] You speak as if your former convictions +were somehow to blame, but you yourself, not they, were at fault. You +have forgotten that a conviction, in itself, is nothing but a dead +letter. You should have done something. + +VOITSKI. Done something! Not every man is capable of being a writer +_perpetuum mobile_ like your Herr Professor. + +MME. VOITSKAYA. What do you mean by that? + +SONIA. [Imploringly] Mother! Uncle Vanya! I entreat you! + +VOITSKI. I am silent. I apologise and am silent. [A pause.] + +HELENA. What a fine day! Not too hot. [A pause.] + +VOITSKI. A fine day to hang oneself. + +TELEGIN tunes the guitar. MARINA appears near the house, calling the +chickens. + +MARINA. Chick, chick, chick! + +SONIA. What did the peasants want, nurse? + +MARINA. The same old thing, the same old nonsense. Chick, chick, chick! + +SONIA. Why are you calling the chickens? + +MARINA. The speckled hen has disappeared with her chicks. I am afraid +the crows have got her. + +TELEGIN plays a polka. All listen in silence. Enter WORKMAN. + +WORKMAN. Is the doctor here? [To ASTROFF] Excuse me, sir, but I have +been sent to fetch you. + +ASTROFF. Where are you from? + +WORKMAN. The factory. + +ASTROFF. [Annoyed] Thank you. There is nothing for it, then, but to go. +[Looking around him for his cap] Damn it, this is annoying! + +SONIA. Yes, it is too bad, really. You must come back to dinner from the +factory. + +ASTROFF. No, I won't be able to do that. It will be too late. Now where, +where--[To the WORKMAN] Look here, my man, get me a glass of vodka, will +you? [The WORKMAN goes out] Where--where--[Finds his cap] One of the +characters in Ostroff's plays is a man with a long moustache and short +wits, like me. However, let me bid you good-bye, ladies and gentlemen. +[To HELENA] I should be really delighted if you would come to see me +some day with Miss Sonia. My estate is small, but if you are interested +in such things I should like to show you a nursery and seed-bed whose +like you will not find within a thousand miles of here. My place is +surrounded by government forests. The forester is old and always ailing, +so I superintend almost all the work myself. + +HELENA. I have always heard that you were very fond of the woods. Of +course one can do a great deal of good by helping to preserve them, but +does not that work interfere with your real calling? + +ASTROFF. God alone knows what a man's real calling is. + +HELENA. And do you find it interesting? + +ASTROFF. Yes, very. + +VOITSKI. [Sarcastically] Oh, extremely! + +HELENA. You are still young, not over thirty-six or seven, I should say, +and I suspect that the woods do not interest you as much as you say they +do. I should think you would find them monotonous. + +SONIA. No, the work is thrilling. Dr. Astroff watches over the old woods +and sets out new plantations every year, and he has already received a +diploma and a bronze medal. If you will listen to what he can tell you, +you will agree with him entirely. He says that forests are the ornaments +of the earth, that they teach mankind to understand beauty and attune +his mind to lofty sentiments. Forests temper a stern climate, and in +countries where the climate is milder, less strength is wasted in the +battle with nature, and the people are kind and gentle. The inhabitants +of such countries are handsome, tractable, sensitive, graceful in speech +and gesture. Their philosophy is joyous, art and science blossom among +them, their treatment of women is full of exquisite nobility---- + +VOITSKI. [Laughing] Bravo! Bravo! All that is very pretty, but it is +also unconvincing. So, my friend [To ASTROFF] you must let me go on +burning firewood in my stoves and building my sheds of planks. + +ASTROFF. You can burn peat in your stoves and build your sheds of stone. +Oh, I don't object, of course, to cutting wood from necessity, but why +destroy the forests? The woods of Russia are trembling under the blows +of the axe. Millions of trees have perished. The homes of the wild +animals and birds have been desolated; the rivers are shrinking, and +many beautiful landscapes are gone forever. And why? Because men are too +lazy and stupid to stoop down and pick up their fuel from the ground. +[To HELENA] Am I not right, Madame? Who but a stupid barbarian could +burn so much beauty in his stove and destroy that which he cannot make? +Man is endowed with reason and the power to create, so that he may +increase that which has been given him, but until now he has not +created, but demolished. The forests are disappearing, the rivers are +running dry, the game is exterminated, the climate is spoiled, and the +earth becomes poorer and uglier every day. [To VOITSKI] I read irony in +your eye; you do not take what I am saying seriously, and--and--after +all, it may very well be nonsense. But when I pass peasant-forests +that I have preserved from the axe, or hear the rustling of the young +plantations set out with my own hands, I feel as if I had had some small +share in improving the climate, and that if mankind is happy a thousand +years from now I will have been a little bit responsible for their +happiness. When I plant a little birch tree and then see it budding +into young green and swaying in the wind, my heart swells with pride and +I--[Sees the WORKMAN, who is bringing him a glass of vodka on a tray] +however--[He drinks] I must be off. Probably it is all nonsense, anyway. +Good-bye. + +He goes toward the house. SONIA takes his arm and goes with him. + +SONIA. When are you coming to see us again? + +ASTROFF. I can't say. + +SONIA. In a month? + +ASTROFF and SONIA go into the house. HELENA and VOITSKI walk over to the +terrace. + +HELENA. You have behaved shockingly again. Ivan, what sense was there +in teasing your mother and talking about _perpetuum mobile?_ And at +breakfast you quarreled with Alexander again. Really, your behaviour is +too petty. + +VOITSKI. But if I hate him? + +HELENA. You hate Alexander without reason; he is like every one else, +and no worse than you are. + +VOITSKI. If you could only see your face, your gestures! Oh, how tedious +your life must be. + +HELENA. It is tedious, yes, and dreary! You all abuse my husband and +look on me with compassion; you think, "Poor woman, she is married to +an old man." How well I understand your compassion! As Astroff said just +now, see how you thoughtlessly destroy the forests, so that there will +soon be none left. So you also destroy mankind, and soon fidelity and +purity and self-sacrifice will have vanished with the woods. Why cannot +you look calmly at a woman unless she is yours? Because, the doctor +was right, you are all possessed by a devil of destruction; you have no +mercy on the woods or the birds or on women or on one another. + +VOITSKI. I don't like your philosophy. + +HELENA. That doctor has a sensitive, weary face--an interesting face. +Sonia evidently likes him, and she is in love with him, and I can +understand it. This is the third time he has been here since I have +come, and I have not had a real talk with him yet or made much of him. +He thinks I am disagreeable. Do you know, Ivan, the reason you and I are +such friends? I think it is because we are both lonely and unfortunate. +Yes, unfortunate. Don't look at me in that way, I don't like it. + +VOITSKI. How can I look at you otherwise when I love you? You are my +joy, my life, and my youth. I know that my chances of being loved in +return are infinitely small, do not exist, but I ask nothing of you. +Only let me look at you, listen to your voice-- + +HELENA. Hush, some one will overhear you. + +[They go toward the house.] + +VOITSKI. [Following her] Let me speak to you of my love, do not drive me +away, and this alone will be my greatest happiness! + +HELENA. Ah! This is agony! + +TELEGIN strikes the strings of his guitar and plays a polka. MME. +VOITSKAYA writes something on the leaves of her pamphlet. + +The curtain falls. + + + + +ACT II + +The dining-room of SEREBRAKOFF'S house. It is night. The tapping of the +WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden. SEREBRAKOFF is dozing in an +arm-chair by an open window and HELENA is sitting beside him, also half +asleep. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Rousing himself] Who is here? Is it you, Sonia? + +HELENA. It is I. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Oh, it is you, Nelly. This pain is intolerable. + +HELENA. Your shawl has slipped down. [She wraps up his legs in the +shawl] Let me shut the window. + +SEREBRAKOFF. No, leave it open; I am suffocating. I dreamt just now that +my left leg belonged to some one else, and it hurt so that I woke. I +don't believe this is gout, it is more like rheumatism. What time is it? + +HELENA. Half past twelve. [A pause.] + +SEREBRAKOFF. I want you to look for Batushka's works in the library +to-morrow. I think we have him. + +HELENA. What is that? + +SEREBRAKOFF. Look for Batushka to-morrow morning; we used to have him, I +remember. Why do I find it so hard to breathe? + +HELENA. You are tired; this is the second night you have had no sleep. + +SEREBRAKOFF. They say that Turgenieff got angina of the heart from gout. +I am afraid I am getting angina too. Oh, damn this horrible, accursed +old age! Ever since I have been old I have been hateful to myself, and I +am sure, hateful to you all as well. + +HELENA. You speak as if we were to blame for your being old. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I am more hateful to you than to any one. + +HELENA gets up and walks away from him, sitting down at a distance. + +SEREBRAKOFF. You are quite right, of course. I am not an idiot; I can +understand you. You are young and healthy and beautiful, and longing for +life, and I am an old dotard, almost a dead man already. Don't I know +it? Of course I see that it is foolish for me to live so long, but wait! +I shall soon set you all free. My life cannot drag on much longer. + +HELENA. You are overtaxing my powers of endurance. Be quiet, for God's +sake! + +SEREBRAKOFF. It appears that, thanks to me, everybody's power of +endurance is being overtaxed; everybody is miserable, only I am +blissfully triumphant. Oh, yes, of course! + +HELENA. Be quiet! You are torturing me. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I torture everybody. Of course. + +HELENA. [Weeping] This is unbearable! Tell me, what is it you want me to +do? + +SEREBRAKOFF. Nothing. + +HELENA. Then be quiet, please. + +SEREBRAKOFF. It is funny that everybody listens to Ivan and his old +idiot of a mother, but the moment I open my lips you all begin to feel +ill-treated. You can't even stand the sound of my voice. Even if I am +hateful, even if I am a selfish tyrant, haven't I the right to be one +at my age? Haven't I deserved it? Haven't I, I ask you, the right to be +respected, now that I am old? + +HELENA. No one is disputing your rights. [The window slams in the wind] +The wind is rising, I must shut the window. [She shuts it] We shall have +rain in a moment. Your rights have never been questioned by anybody. + +The WATCHMAN in the garden sounds his rattle. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I have spent my life working in the interests of learning. +I am used to my library and the lecture hall and to the esteem and +admiration of my colleagues. Now I suddenly find myself plunged in this +wilderness, condemned to see the same stupid people from morning till +night and listen to their futile conversation. I want to live; I long +for success and fame and the stir of the world, and here I am in exile! +Oh, it is dreadful to spend every moment grieving for the lost past, to +see the success of others and sit here with nothing to do but to fear +death. I cannot stand it! It is more than I can bear. And you will not +even forgive me for being old! + +HELENA. Wait, have patience; I shall be old myself in four or five +years. + +SONIA comes in. + +SONIA. Father, you sent for Dr. Astroff, and now when he comes you +refuse to see him. It is not nice to give a man so much trouble for +nothing. + +SEREBRAKOFF. What do I care about your Astroff? He understands medicine +about as well as I understand astronomy. + +SONIA. We can't send for the whole medical faculty, can we, to treat +your gout? + +SEREBRAKOFF. I won't talk to that madman! + +SONIA. Do as you please. It's all the same to me. [She sits down.] + +SEREBRAKOFF. What time is it? + +HELENA. One o'clock. + +SEREBRAKOFF. It is stifling in here. Sonia, hand me that bottle on the +table. + +SONIA. Here it is. [She hands him a bottle of medicine.] + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Crossly] No, not that one! Can't you understand me? Can't +I ask you to do a thing? + +SONIA. Please don't be captious with me. Some people may like it, but +you must spare me, if you please, because I don't. Besides, I haven't +the time; we are cutting the hay to-morrow and I must get up early. + +VOITSKI comes in dressed in a long gown and carrying a candle. + +VOITSKI. A thunderstorm is coming up. [The lightning flashes] There it +is! Go to bed, Helena and Sonia. I have come to take your place. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Frightened] No, n-o, no! Don't leave me alone with him! +Oh, don't. He will begin to lecture me. + +VOITSKI. But you must give them a little rest. They have not slept for +two nights. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Then let them go to bed, but you go away too! Thank you. I +implore you to go. For the sake of our former friendship do not protest +against going. We will talk some other time---- + +VOITSKI. Our former friendship! Our former---- + +SONIA. Hush, Uncle Vanya! + +SEREBRAKOFF. [To his wife] My darling, don't leave me alone with him. He +will begin to lecture me. + +VOITSKI. This is ridiculous. + +MARINA comes in carrying a candle. + +SONIA. You must go to bed, nurse, it is late. + +MARINA. I haven't cleared away the tea things. Can't go to bed yet. + +SEREBRAKOFF. No one can go to bed. They are all worn out, only I enjoy +perfect happiness. + +MARINA. [Goes up to SEREBRAKOFF and speaks tenderly] What's the +matter, master? Does it hurt? My own legs are aching too, oh, so badly. +[Arranges his shawl about his legs] You have had this illness such a +long time. Sonia's dead mother used to stay awake with you too, and wear +herself out for you. She loved you dearly. [A pause] Old people want to +be pitied as much as young ones, but nobody cares about them somehow. +[She kisses SEREBRAKOFF'S shoulder] Come, master, let me give you some +linden-tea and warm your poor feet for you. I shall pray to God for you. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Touched] Let us go, Marina. + +MARINA. My own feet are aching so badly, oh, so badly! [She and SONIA +lead SEREBRAKOFF out] Sonia's mother used to wear herself out with +sorrow and weeping. You were still little and foolish then, Sonia. Come, +come, master. + +SEREBRAKOFF, SONIA and MARINA go out. + +HELENA. I am absolutely exhausted by him, and can hardly stand. + +VOITSKI. You are exhausted by him, and I am exhausted by my own self. I +have not slept for three nights. + +HELENA. Something is wrong in this house. Your mother hates everything +but her pamphlets and the professor; the professor is vexed, he won't +trust me, and fears you; Sonia is angry with her father, and with me, +and hasn't spoken to me for two weeks; I am at the end of my strength, +and have come near bursting into tears at least twenty times to-day. +Something is wrong in this house. + +VOITSKI. Leave speculating alone. + +HELENA. You are cultured and intelligent, Ivan, and you surely +understand that the world is not destroyed by villains and +conflagrations, but by hate and malice and all this spiteful tattling. +It is your duty to make peace, and not to growl at everything. + +VOITSKI. Help me first to make peace with myself. My darling! [Seizes +her hand.] + +HELENA. Let go! [She drags her hand away] Go away! + +VOITSKI. Soon the rain will be over, and all nature will sigh and awake +refreshed. Only I am not refreshed by the storm. Day and night the +thought haunts me like a fiend, that my life is lost for ever. My past +does not count, because I frittered it away on trifles, and the present +has so terribly miscarried! What shall I do with my life and my love? +What is to become of them? This wonderful feeling of mine will be wasted +and lost as a ray of sunlight is lost that falls into a dark chasm, and +my life will go with it. + +HELENA. I am as it were benumbed when you speak to me of your love, and +I don't know how to answer you. Forgive me, I have nothing to say to +you. [She tries to go out] Good-night! + +VOITSKI. [Barring the way] If you only knew how I am tortured by the +thought that beside me in this house is another life that is being lost +forever--it is yours! What are you waiting for? What accursed philosophy +stands in your way? Oh, understand, understand---- + +HELENA. [Looking at him intently] Ivan, you are drunk! + +VOITSKI. Perhaps. Perhaps. + +HELENA. Where is the doctor? + +VOITSKI. In there, spending the night with me. Perhaps I am drunk, +perhaps I am; nothing is impossible. + +HELENA. Have you just been drinking together? Why do you do that? + +VOITSKI. Because in that way I get a taste of life. Let me do it, +Helena! + +HELENA. You never used to drink, and you never used to talk so much. Go +to bed, I am tired of you. + +VOITSKI. [Falling on his knees before her] My sweetheart, my beautiful +one---- + +HELENA. [Angrily] Leave me alone! Really, this has become too +disagreeable. + +HELENA goes out. A pause. + +VOITSKI [Alone] She is gone! I met her first ten years ago, at her +sister's house, when she was seventeen and I was thirty-seven. Why did I +not fall in love with her then and propose to her? It would have been so +easy! And now she would have been my wife. Yes, we would both have been +waked to-night by the thunderstorm, and she would have been frightened, +but I would have held her in my arms and whispered: "Don't be afraid! +I am here." Oh, enchanting dream, so sweet that I laugh to think of it. +[He laughs] But my God! My head reels! Why am I so old? Why won't +she understand me? I hate all that rhetoric of hers, that morality of +indolence, that absurd talk about the destruction of the world----[A +pause] Oh, how I have been deceived! For years I have worshipped that +miserable gout-ridden professor. Sonia and I have squeezed this estate +dry for his sake. We have bartered our butter and curds and peas like +misers, and have never kept a morsel for ourselves, so that we could +scrape enough pennies together to send to him. I was proud of him and +of his learning; I received all his words and writings as inspired, and +now? Now he has retired, and what is the total of his life? A blank! He +is absolutely unknown, and his fame has burst like a soap-bubble. I have +been deceived; I see that now, basely deceived. + +ASTROFF comes in. He has his coat on, but is without his waistcoat or +collar, and is slightly drunk. TELEGIN follows him, carrying a guitar. + +ASTROFF. Play! + +TELEGIN. But every one is asleep. + +ASTROFF. Play! + +TELEGIN begins to play softly. + +ASTROFF. Are you alone here? No women about? [Sings with his arms +akimbo.] + + "The hut is cold, the fire is dead; + Where shall the master lay his head?" + +The thunderstorm woke me. It was a heavy shower. What time is it? + +VOITSKI. The devil only knows. + +ASTROFF. I thought I heard Helena's voice. + +VOITSKI. She was here a moment ago. + +ASTROFF. What a beautiful woman! [Looking at the medicine bottles on +the table] Medicine, is it? What a variety we have; prescriptions from +Moscow, from Kharkoff, from Tula! Why, he has been pestering all the +towns of Russia with his gout! Is he ill, or simply shamming? + +VOITSKI. He is really ill. + +ASTROFF. What is the matter with you to-night? You seem sad. Is it +because you are sorry for the professor? + +VOITSKI. Leave me alone. + +ASTROFF. Or in love with the professor's wife? + +VOITSKI. She is my friend. + +ASTROFF. Already? + +VOITSKI. What do you mean by "already"? + +ASTROFF. A woman can only become a man's friend after having first been +his acquaintance and then his beloved--then she becomes his friend. + +VOITSKI. What vulgar philosophy! + +ASTROFF. What do you mean? Yes, I must confess I am getting vulgar, but +then, you see, I am drunk. I usually only drink like this once a month. +At such times my audacity and temerity know no bounds. I feel capable +of anything. I attempt the most difficult operations and do them +magnificently. The most brilliant plans for the future take shape in +my head. I am no longer a poor fool of a doctor, but mankind's greatest +benefactor. I evolve my own system of philosophy and all of you seem to +crawl at my feet like so many insects or microbes. [To TELEGIN] Play, +Waffles! + +TELEGIN. My dear boy, I would with all my heart, but do listen to +reason; everybody in the house is asleep. + +ASTROFF. Play! + +TELEGIN plays softly. + +ASTROFF. I want a drink. Come, we still have some brandy left. And then, +as soon as it is day, you will come home with me. [He sees SONIA, who +comes in at that moment.] + +ASTROFF. I beg your pardon, I have no collar on. + +[He goes out quickly, followed by TELEGIN.] + +SONIA. Uncle Vanya, you and the doctor have been drinking! The good +fellows have been getting together! It is all very well for him, he has +always done it, but why do you follow his example? It looks dreadfully +at your age. + +VOITSKI. Age has nothing to do with it. When real life is wanting one +must create an illusion. It is better than nothing. + +SONIA. Our hay is all cut and rotting in these daily rains, and here you +are busy creating illusions! You have given up the farm altogether. +I have done all the work alone until I am at the end of my +strength--[Frightened] Uncle! Your eyes are full of tears! + +VOITSKI. Tears? Nonsense, there are no tears in my eyes. You looked at +me then just as your dead mother used to, my darling--[He eagerly kisses +her face and hands] My sister, my dearest sister, where are you now? Ah, +if you only knew, if you only knew! + +SONIA. If she only knew what, Uncle? + +VOITSKI. My heart is bursting. It is awful. No matter, though. I must +go. [He goes out.] + +SONIA. [Knocks at the door] Dr. Astroff! Are you awake? Please come here +for a minute. + +ASTROFF. [Behind the door] In a moment. + +He appears in a few seconds. He has put on his collar and waistcoat. + +ASTROFF. What do you want? + +SONIA. Drink as much as you please yourself if you don't find it +revolting, but I implore you not to let my uncle do it. It is bad for +him. + +ASTROFF. Very well; we won't drink any more. I am going home at once. +That is settled. It will be dawn by the time the horses are harnessed. + +SONIA. It is still raining; wait till morning. + +ASTROFF. The storm is blowing over. This is only the edge of it. I must +go. And please don't ask me to come and see your father any more. I tell +him he has gout, and he says it is rheumatism. I tell him to lie down, +and he sits up. To-day he refused to see me at all. + +SONIA. He has been spoilt. [She looks in the sideboard] Won't you have a +bite to eat? + +ASTROFF. Yes, please. I believe I will. + +SONIA. I love to eat at night. I am sure we shall find something in +here. They say that he has made a great many conquests in his life, and +that the women have spoiled him. Here is some cheese for you. + +[They stand eating by the sideboard.] + +ASTROFF. I haven't eaten anything to-day. Your father has a very +difficult nature. [He takes a bottle out of the sideboard] May I? [He +pours himself a glass of vodka] We are alone here, and I can speak +frankly. Do you know, I could not stand living in this house for even a +month? This atmosphere would stifle me. There is your father, entirely +absorbed in his books, and his gout; there is your Uncle Vanya with his +hypochondria, your grandmother, and finally, your step-mother-- + +SONIA. What about her? + +ASTROFF. A human being should be entirely beautiful: the face, the +clothes, the mind, the thoughts. Your step-mother is, of course, +beautiful to look at, but don't you see? She does nothing but sleep +and eat and walk and bewitch us, and that is all. She has no +responsibilities, everything is done for her--am I not right? And an +idle life can never be a pure one. [A pause] However, I may be judging +her too severely. Like your Uncle Vanya, I am discontented, and so we +are both grumblers. + +SONIA. Aren't you satisfied with life? + +ASTROFF. I like life as life, but I hate and despise it in a little +Russian country village, and as far as my own personal life goes, by +heaven! there is absolutely no redeeming feature about it. Haven't you +noticed if you are riding through a dark wood at night and see a little +light shining ahead, how you forget your fatigue and the darkness and +the sharp twigs that whip your face? I work, that you know--as no one +else in the country works. Fate beats me on without rest; at times I +suffer unendurably and I see no light ahead. I have no hope; I do not +like people. It is long since I have loved any one. + +SONIA. You love no one? + +ASTROFF. Not a soul. I only feel a sort of tenderness for your old nurse +for old-times' sake. The peasants are all alike; they are stupid and +live in dirt, and the educated people are hard to get along with. One +gets tired of them. All our good friends are petty and shallow and see +no farther than their own noses; in one word, they are dull. Those that +have brains are hysterical, devoured with a mania for self-analysis. +They whine, they hate, they pick faults everywhere with unhealthy +sharpness. They sneak up to me sideways, look at me out of a corner of +the eye, and say: "That man is a lunatic," "That man is a wind-bag." Or, +if they don't know what else to label me with, they say I am strange. I +like the woods; that is strange. I don't eat meat; that is strange, too. +Simple, natural relations between man and man or man and nature do not +exist. [He tries to go out; SONIA prevents him.] + +SONIA. I beg you, I implore you, not to drink any more! + +ASTROFF. Why not? + +SONIA. It is so unworthy of you. You are well-bred, your voice is sweet, +you are even--more than any one I know--handsome. Why do you want to +resemble the common people that drink and play cards? Oh, don't, I beg +you! You always say that people do not create anything, but only destroy +what heaven has given them. Why, oh, why, do you destroy yourself? Oh, +don't, I implore you not to! I entreat you! + +ASTROFF. [Gives her his hand] I won't drink any more. + +SONIA. Promise me. + +ASTROFF. I give you my word of honour. + +SONIA. [Squeezing his hand] Thank you. + +ASTROFF. I have done with it. You see, I am perfectly sober again, and +so I shall stay till the end of my life. [He looks his watch] But, as +I was saying, life holds nothing for me; my race is run. I am old, I +am tired, I am trivial; my sensibilities are dead. I could never attach +myself to any one again. I love no one, and never shall! Beauty alone +has the power to touch me still. I am deeply moved by it. Helena could +turn my head in a day if she wanted to, but that is not love, that is +not affection-- + +[He shudders and covers his face with his hands.] + +SONIA. What is it? + +ASTROFF. Nothing. During Lent one of my patients died under chloroform. + +SONIA. It is time to forget that. [A pause] Tell me, doctor, if I had a +friend or a younger sister, and if you knew that she, well--loved you, +what would you do? + +ASTROFF. [Shrugging his shoulders] I don't know. I don't think I should +do anything. I should make her understand that I could not return her +love--however, my mind is not bothered about those things now. I must +start at once if I am ever to get off. Good-bye, my dear girl. At this +rate we shall stand here talking till morning. [He shakes hands with +her] I shall go out through the sitting-room, because I am afraid your +uncle might detain me. [He goes out.] + +SONIA. [Alone] Not a word! His heart and soul are still locked from me, +and yet for some reason I am strangely happy. I wonder why? [She laughs +with pleasure] I told him that he was well-bred and handsome and that +his voice was sweet. Was that a mistake? I can still feel his voice +vibrating in the air; it caresses me. [Wringing her hands] Oh! how +terrible it is to be plain! I am plain, I know it. As I came out of +church last Sunday I overheard a woman say, "She is a dear, noble girl, +but what a pity she is so ugly!" So ugly! + +HELENA comes in and throws open the window. + +HELENA. The storm is over. What delicious air! [A pause] Where is the +doctor? + +SONIA. He has gone. [A pause.] + +HELENA. Sonia! + +SONIA. Yes? + +HELENA. How much longer are you going to sulk at me? We have not hurt +each other. Why not be friends? We have had enough of this. + +SONIA. I myself--[She embraces HELENA] Let us make peace. + +HELENA. With all my heart. [They are both moved.] + +SONIA. Has papa gone to bed? + +HELENA. No, he is sitting up in the drawing-room. Heaven knows what +reason you and I had for not speaking to each other for weeks. [Sees the +open sideboard] Who left the sideboard open? + +SONIA. Dr. Astroff has just had supper. + +HELENA. There is some wine. Let us seal our friendship. + +SONIA. Yes, let us. + +HELENA. Out of one glass. [She fills a wine-glass] So, we are friends, +are we? + +SONIA. Yes. [They drink and kiss each other] I have long wanted to make +friends, but somehow, I was ashamed to. [She weeps.] + +HELENA. Why are you crying? + +SONIA. I don't know. It is nothing. + +HELENA. There, there, don't cry. [She weeps] Silly! Now I am crying +too. [A pause] You are angry with me because I seem to have married your +father for his money, but don't believe the gossip you hear. I swear to +you I married him for love. I was fascinated by his fame and learning. I +know now that it was not real love, but it seemed real at the time. I +am innocent, and yet your clever, suspicious eyes have been punishing me +for an imaginary crime ever since my marriage. + +SONIA. Peace, peace! Let us forget the past. + +HELENA. You must not look so at people. It is not becoming to you. You +must trust people, or life becomes impossible. + +SONIA. Tell me truly, as a friend, are you happy? + +HELENA. Truly, no. + +SONIA. I knew it. One more question: do you wish your husband were +young? + +HELENA. What a child you are! Of course I do. Go on, ask something else. + +SONIA. Do you like the doctor? + +HELENA. Yes, very much indeed. + +SONIA. [Laughing] I have a stupid face, haven't I? He has just gone out, +and his voice is still in my ears; I hear his step; I see his face in +the dark window. Let me say all I have in my heart! But no, I cannot +speak of it so loudly. I am ashamed. Come to my room and let me tell you +there. I seem foolish to you, don't I? Talk to me of him. + +HELENA. What can I say? + +SONIA. He is clever. He can do everything. He can cure the sick, and +plant woods. + +HELENA. It is not a question of medicine and woods, my dear, he is a man +of genius. Do you know what that means? It means he is brave, profound, +and of clear insight. He plants a tree and his mind travels a thousand +years into the future, and he sees visions of the happiness of the human +race. People like him are rare and should be loved. What if he does +drink and act roughly at times? A man of genius cannot be a saint in +Russia. There he lives, cut off from the world by cold and storm and +endless roads of bottomless mud, surrounded by a rough people who are +crushed by poverty and disease, his life one continuous struggle, with +never a day's respite; how can a man live like that for forty years and +keep himself sober and unspotted? [Kissing SONIA] I wish you happiness +with all my heart; you deserve it. [She gets up] As for me, I am a +worthless, futile woman. I have always been futile; in music, in love, +in my husband's house--in a word, in everything. When you come to think +of it, Sonia, I am really very, very unhappy. [Walks excitedly up and +down] Happiness can never exist for me in this world. Never. Why do you +laugh? + +SONIA. [Laughing and covering her face with her hands] I am so happy, so +happy! + +HELENA. I want to hear music. I might play a little. + +SONIA. Oh, do, do! [She embraces her] I could not possibly go to sleep +now. Do play! + +HELENA. Yes, I will. Your father is still awake. Music irritates him +when he is ill, but if he says I may, then I shall play a little. Go, +Sonia, and ask him. + +SONIA. Very well. + +[She goes out. The WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden.] + +HELENA. It is long since I have heard music. And now, I shall sit and +play, and weep like a fool. [Speaking out of the window] Is that you +rattling out there, Ephim? + +VOICE OF THE WATCHMAN. It is I. + +HELENA. Don't make such a noise. Your master is ill. + +VOICE OF THE WATCHMAN. I am going away this minute. [Whistles a tune.] + +SONIA. [Comes back] He says, no. + +The curtain falls. + + + + +ACT III + +The drawing-room of SEREBRAKOFF'S house. There are three doors: one to +the right, one to the left, and one in the centre of the room. VOITSKI +and SONIA are sitting down. HELENA is walking up and down, absorbed in +thought. + +VOITSKI. We were asked by the professor to be here at one o'clock. +[Looks at his watch] It is now a quarter to one. It seems he has some +communication to make to the world. + +HELENA. Probably a matter of business. + +VOITSKI. He never had any business. He writes twaddle, grumbles, and +eats his heart out with jealousy; that's all he does. + +SONIA. [Reproachfully] Uncle! + +VOITSKI. All right. I beg your pardon. [He points to HELENA] Look at +her. Wandering up and down from sheer idleness. A sweet picture, really. + +HELENA. I wonder you are not bored, droning on in the same key from +morning till night. [Despairingly] I am dying of this tedium. What shall +I do? + +SONIA. [Shrugging her shoulders] There is plenty to do if you would. + +HELENA. For instance? + +SONIA. You could help run this place, teach the children, care for the +sick--isn't that enough? Before you and papa came, Uncle Vanya and I +used to go to market ourselves to deal in flour. + +HELENA. I don't know anything about such things, and besides, they don't +interest me. It is only in novels that women go out and teach and heal +the peasants; how can I suddenly begin to do it? + +SONIA. How can you live here and not do it? Wait awhile, you will get +used to it all. [Embraces her] Don't be sad, dearest. [Laughing] You +feel miserable and restless, and can't seem to fit into this life, and +your restlessness is catching. Look at Uncle Vanya, he does nothing now +but haunt you like a shadow, and I have left my work to-day to come here +and talk with you. I am getting lazy, and don't want to go on with it. +Dr. Astroff hardly ever used to come here; it was all we could do to +persuade him to visit us once a month, and now he has abandoned his +forestry and his practice, and comes every day. You must be a witch. + +VOITSKI. Why should you languish here? Come, my dearest, my beauty, be +sensible! The blood of a Nixey runs in your veins. Oh, won't you let +yourself be one? Give your nature the reins for once in your life; fall +head over ears in love with some other water sprite and plunge down head +first into a deep pool, so that the Herr Professor and all of us may +have our hands free again. + +HELENA. [Angrily] Leave me alone! How cruel you are! [She tries to go +out.] + +VOITSKI. [Preventing her] There, there, my beauty, I apologise. [He +kisses her hand] Forgive me. + +HELENA. Confess that you would try the patience of an angel. + +VOITSKI. As a peace offering I am going to fetch some flowers which I +picked for you this morning: some autumn roses, beautiful, sorrowful +roses. [He goes out.] + +SONIA. Autumn roses, beautiful, sorrowful roses! + +[She and HELENA stand looking out of the window.] + +HELENA. September already! How shall we live through the long winter +here? [A pause] Where is the doctor? + +SONIA. He is writing in Uncle Vanya's room. I am glad Uncle Vanya has +gone out, I want to talk to you about something. + +HELENA. About what? + +SONIA. About what? + +[She lays her head on HELENA'S breast.] + +HELENA. [Stroking her hair] There, there, that will do. Don't, Sonia. + +SONIA. I am ugly! + +HELENA. You have lovely hair. + +SONIA. Don't say that! [She turns to look at herself in the glass] No, +when a woman is ugly they always say she has beautiful hair or eyes. I +have loved him now for six years, I have loved him more than one loves +one's mother. I seem to hear him beside me every moment of the day. I +feel the pressure of his hand on mine. If I look up, I seem to see him +coming, and as you see, I run to you to talk of him. He is here every +day now, but he never looks at me, he does not notice my presence. It +is agony. I have absolutely no hope, no, no hope. Oh, my God! Give me +strength to endure. I prayed all last night. I often go up to him and +speak to him and look into his eyes. My pride is gone. I am not mistress +of myself. Yesterday I told Uncle Vanya I couldn't control myself, and +all the servants know it. Every one knows that I love him. + +HELENA. Does he? + +SONIA. No, he never notices me. + +HELENA. [Thoughtfully] He is a strange man. Listen, Sonia, will you +allow me to speak to him? I shall be careful, only hint. [A pause] +Really, to be in uncertainty all these years! Let me do it! + +SONIA nods an affirmative. + +HELENA. Splendid! It will be easy to find out whether he loves you or +not. Don't be ashamed, sweetheart, don't worry. I shall be careful; he +will not notice a thing. We only want to find out whether it is yes or +no, don't we? [A pause] And if it is no, then he must keep away from +here, is that so? + +SONIA nods. + +HELENA. It will be easier not to see him any more. We won't put off the +examination an instant. He said he had a sketch to show me. Go and tell +him at once that I want to see him. + +SONIA. [In great excitement] Will you tell me the whole truth? + +HELENA. Of course I will. I am sure that no matter what it is, it will +be easier for you to bear than this uncertainty. Trust to me, dearest. + +SONIA. Yes, yes. I shall say that you want to see his sketch. [She +starts out, but stops near the door and looks back] No, it is better not +to know--and yet--there may be hope. + +HELENA. What do you say? + +SONIA. Nothing. [She goes out.] + +HELENA. [Alone] There is no greater sorrow than to know another's secret +when you cannot help them. [In deep thought] He is obviously not in love +with her, but why shouldn't he marry her? She is not pretty, but she +is so clever and pure and good, she would make a splendid wife for a +country doctor of his years. [A pause] I can understand how the poor +child feels. She lives here in this desperate loneliness with no one +around her except these colourless shadows that go mooning about talking +nonsense and knowing nothing except that they eat, drink, and sleep. +Among them appears from time to time this Dr. Astroff, so different, so +handsome, so interesting, so charming. It is like seeing the moon +rise on a dark night. Oh, to surrender oneself to his embrace! To lose +oneself in his arms! I am a little in love with him myself! Yes, I am +lonely without him, and when I think of him I smile. That Uncle Vanya +says I have the blood of a Nixey in my veins: "Give rein to your nature +for once in your life!" Perhaps it is right that I should. Oh, to be +free as a bird, to fly away from all your sleepy faces and your talk and +forget that you have existed at all! But I am a coward, I am afraid; my +conscience torments me. He comes here every day now. I can guess why, +and feel guilty already; I should like to fall on my knees at Sonia's +feet and beg her forgiveness, and weep. + +ASTROFF comes in carrying a portfolio. + +ASTROFF. How do you do? [Shakes hands with her] Do you want to see my +sketch? + +HELENA. Yes, you promised to show me what you had been doing. Have you +time now? + +ASTROFF. Of course I have! + +He lays the portfolio on the table, takes out the sketch and fastens it +to the table with thumb-tacks. + +ASTROFF. Where were you born? + +HELENA. [Helping him] In St. Petersburg. + +ASTROFF. And educated? + +HELENA. At the Conservatory there. + +ASTROFF. You don't find this life very interesting, I dare say? + +HELENA. Oh, why not? It is true I don't know the country very well, but +I have read a great deal about it. + +ASTROFF. I have my own desk there in Ivan's room. When I am absolutely +too exhausted to go on I drop everything and rush over here to forget +myself in this work for an hour or two. Ivan and Miss Sonia sit rattling +at their counting-boards, the cricket chirps, and I sit beside them and +paint, feeling warm and peaceful. But I don't permit myself this luxury +very often, only once a month. [Pointing to the picture] Look there! +That is a map of our country as it was fifty years ago. The green tints, +both dark and light, represent forests. Half the map, as you see, is +covered with it. Where the green is striped with red the forests were +inhabited by elk and wild goats. Here on this lake, lived great flocks +of swans and geese and ducks; as the old men say, there was a power of +birds of every kind. Now they have vanished like a cloud. Beside the +hamlets and villages, you see, I have dotted down here and there the +various settlements, farms, hermit's caves, and water-mills. This +country carried a great many cattle and horses, as you can see by the +quantity of blue paint. For instance, see how thickly it lies in this +part; there were great herds of them here, an average of three horses to +every house. [A pause] Now, look lower down. This is the country as it +was twenty-five years ago. Only a third of the map is green now with +forests. There are no goats left and no elk. The blue paint is lighter, +and so on, and so on. Now we come to the third part; our country as it +appears to-day. We still see spots of green, but not much. The elk, the +swans, the black-cock have disappeared. It is, on the whole, the picture +of a regular and slow decline which it will evidently only take about +ten or fifteen more years to complete. You may perhaps object that it +is the march of progress, that the old order must give place to the new, +and you might be right if roads had been run through these ruined woods, +or if factories and schools had taken their place. The people then would +have become better educated and healthier and richer, but as it is, we +have nothing of the sort. We have the same swamps and mosquitoes; +the same disease and want; the typhoid, the diphtheria, the burning +villages. We are confronted by the degradation of our country, brought +on by the fierce struggle for existence of the human race. It is the +consequence of the ignorance and unconsciousness of starving, shivering, +sick humanity that, to save its children, instinctively snatches +at everything that can warm it and still its hunger. So it destroys +everything it can lay its hands on, without a thought for the morrow. +And almost everything has gone, and nothing has been created to take its +place. [Coldly] But I see by your face that I am not interesting you. + +HELENA. I know so little about such things! + +ASTROFF. There is nothing to know. It simply isn't interesting, that's +all. + +HELENA. Frankly, my thoughts were elsewhere. Forgive me! I want to +submit you to a little examination, but I am embarrassed and don't know +how to begin. + +ASTROFF. An examination? + +HELENA. Yes, but quite an innocent one. Sit down. [They sit down] It is +about a certain young girl I know. Let us discuss it like honest people, +like friends, and then forget what has passed between us, shall we? + +ASTROFF. Very well. + +HELENA. It is about my step-daughter, Sonia. Do you like her? + +ASTROFF. Yes, I respect her. + +HELENA. Do you like her--as a woman? + +ASTROFF. [Slowly] No. + +HELENA. One more word, and that will be the last. You have not noticed +anything? + +ASTROFF. No, nothing. + +HELENA. [Taking his hand] You do not love her. I see that in your eyes. +She is suffering. You must realise that, and not come here any more. + +ASTROFF. My sun has set, yes, and then I haven't the time. [Shrugging +his shoulders] Where shall I find time for such things? [He is +embarrassed.] + +HELENA. Bah! What an unpleasant conversation! I am as out of breath as +if I had been running three miles uphill. Thank heaven, that is over! +Now let us forget everything as if nothing had been said. You are +sensible. You understand. [A pause] I am actually blushing. + +ASTROFF. If you had spoken a month ago I might perhaps have +considered it, but now--[He shrugs his shoulders] Of course, if she is +suffering--but I cannot understand why you had to put me through this +examination. [He searches her face with his eyes, and shakes his finger +at her] Oho, you are wily! + +HELENA. What does this mean? + +ASTROFF. [Laughing] You are a wily one! I admit that Sonia is suffering, +but what does this examination of yours mean? [He prevents her from +retorting, and goes on quickly] Please don't put on such a look of +surprise; you know perfectly well why I come here every day. Yes, you +know perfectly why and for whose sake I come! Oh, my sweet tigress! +don't look at me in that way; I am an old bird! + +HELENA. [Perplexed] A tigress? I don't understand you. + +ASTROFF. Beautiful, sleek tigress, you must have your victims! For a +whole month I have done nothing but seek you eagerly. I have thrown over +everything for you, and you love to see it. Now then, I am sure you knew +all this without putting me through your examination. [Crossing his arms +and bowing his head] I surrender. Here you have me--now, eat me. + +HELENA. You have gone mad! + +ASTROFF. You are afraid! + +HELENA. I am a better and stronger woman than you think me. Good-bye. +[She tries to leave the room.] + +ASTROFF. Why good-bye? Don't say good-bye, don't waste words. Oh, how +lovely you are--what hands! [He kisses her hands.] + +HELENA. Enough of this! [She frees her hands] Leave the room! You have +forgotten yourself. + +ASTROFF. Tell me, tell me, where can we meet to-morrow? [He puts his arm +around her] Don't you see that we must meet, that it is inevitable? + +He kisses her. VOITSKI comes in carrying a bunch of roses, and stops in +the doorway. + +HELENA. [Without seeing VOITSKI] Have pity! Leave me, [lays her head on +ASTROFF'S shoulder] Don't! [She tries to break away from him.] + +ASTROFF. [Holding her by the waist] Be in the forest tomorrow at two +o'clock. Will you? Will you? + +HELENA. [Sees VOITSKI] Let me go! [Goes to the window deeply +embarrassed] This is appalling! + +VOITSKI. [Throws the flowers on a chair, and speaks in great excitement, +wiping his face with his handkerchief] Nothing--yes, yes, nothing. + +ASTROFF. The weather is fine to-day, my dear Ivan; the morning was +overcast and looked like rain, but now the sun is shining again. +Honestly, we have had a very fine autumn, and the wheat is looking +fairly well. [Puts his map back into the portfolio] But the days are +growing short. + +HELENA. [Goes quickly up to VOITSKI] You must do your best; you must use +all your power to get my husband and myself away from here to-day! Do +you hear? I say, this very day! + +VOITSKI. [Wiping his face] Oh! Ah! Oh! All right! I--Helena, I saw +everything! + +HELENA. [In great agitation] Do you hear me? I must leave here this very +day! + +SEREBRAKOFF, SONIA, MARINA, and TELEGIN come in. + +TELEGIN. I am not very well myself, your Excellency. I have been limping +for two days, and my head-- + +SEREBRAKOFF. Where are the others? I hate this house. It is a regular +labyrinth. Every one is always scattered through the twenty-six enormous +rooms; one never can find a soul. [Rings] Ask my wife and Madame +Voitskaya to come here! + +HELENA. I am here already. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Please, all of you, sit down. + +SONIA. [Goes up to HELENA and asks anxiously] What did he say? + +HELENA. I'll tell you later. + +SONIA. You are moved. [looking quickly and inquiringly into her face] I +understand; he said he would not come here any more. [A pause] Tell me, +did he? + +HELENA nods. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [To TELEGIN] One can, after all, become reconciled to being +an invalid, but not to this country life. The ways of it stick in my +throat and I feel exactly as if I had been whirled off the earth and +landed on a strange planet. Please be seated, ladies and gentlemen. +Sonia! [SONIA does not hear. She is standing with her head bowed sadly +forward on her breast] Sonia! [A pause] She does not hear me. [To +MARINA] Sit down too, nurse. [MARINA sits down and begins to knit her +stocking] I crave your indulgence, ladies and gentlemen; hang your ears, +if I may say so, on the peg of attention. [He laughs.] + +VOITSKI. [Agitated] Perhaps you do not need me--may I be excused? + +SEREBRAKOFF. No, you are needed now more than any one. + +VOITSKI. What is it you want of me? + +SEREBRAKOFF. You--but what are you angry about? If it is anything I have +done, I ask you to forgive me. + +VOITSKI. Oh, drop that and come to business; what do you want? + +MME. VOITSKAYA comes in. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Here is mother. Ladies and gentlemen, I shall begin. I +have asked you to assemble here, my friends, in order to discuss a very +important matter. I want to ask you for your assistance and advice, and +knowing your unfailing amiability I think I can count on both. I am a +book-worm and a scholar, and am unfamiliar with practical affairs. I +cannot, I find, dispense with the help of well-informed people such as +you, Ivan, and you, Telegin, and you, mother. The truth is, _manet omnes +una nox,_ that is to say, our lives are in the hands of God, and as I +am old and ill, I realise that the time has come for me to dispose of +my property in regard to the interests of my family. My life is nearly +over, and I am not thinking of myself, but I have a young wife and +daughter. [A pause] I cannot continue to live in the country; we were +not made for country life, and yet we cannot afford to live in town on +the income derived from this estate. We might sell the woods, but that +would be an expedient we could not resort to every year. We must find +some means of guaranteeing to ourselves a certain more or less fixed +yearly income. With this object in view, a plan has occurred to me which +I now have the honour of presenting to you for your consideration. I +shall only give you a rough outline, avoiding all details. Our estate +does not pay on an average more than two per cent on the money invested +in it. I propose to sell it. If we then invest our capital in bonds, +it will earn us four to five per cent, and we should probably have a +surplus over of several thousand roubles, with which we could buy a +summer cottage in Finland-- + +VOITSKI. Hold on! Repeat what you just said; I don't think I heard you +quite right. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I said we would invest the money in bonds and buy a cottage +in Finland with the surplus. + +VOITSKI. No, not Finland--you said something else. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I propose to sell this place. + +VOITSKI. Aha! That was it! So you are going to sell the place? Splendid. +The idea is a rich one. And what do you propose to do with my old mother +and me and with Sonia here? + +SEREBRAKOFF. That will be decided in due time. We can't do everything at +once. + +VOITSKI. Wait! It is clear that until this moment I have never had a +grain of sense in my head. I have always been stupid enough to think +that the estate belonged to Sonia. My father bought it as a wedding +present for my sister, and I foolishly imagined that as our laws were +made for Russians and not Turks, my sister's estate would come down to +her child. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Of course it is Sonia's. Has any one denied it? I don't +want to sell it without Sonia's consent; on the contrary, what I am +doing is for Sonia's good. + +VOITSKI. This is absolutely incomprehensible. Either I have gone mad +or--or-- + +MME. VOITSKAYA. Jean, don't contradict Alexander. Trust to him; he knows +better than we do what is right and what is wrong. + +VOITSKI. I shan't. Give me some water. [He drinks] Go ahead! Say +anything you please--anything! + +SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine why you are so upset. I don't pretend +that my scheme is an ideal one, and if you all object to it I shall not +insist. [A pause.] + +TELEGIN. [With embarrassment] I not only nourish feelings of respect +toward learning, your Excellency, but I am also drawn to it by family +ties. My brother Gregory's wife's brother, whom you may know; his name +is Constantine Lakedemonoff, and he used to be a magistrate-- + +VOITSKI. Stop, Waffles. This is business; wait a bit, we will talk of +that later. [To SEREBRAKOFF] There now, ask him what he thinks; this +estate was bought from his uncle. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Ah! Why should I ask questions? What good would it do? + +VOITSKI. The price was ninety-five thousand roubles. My father paid +seventy and left a debt of twenty-five. Now listen! This place could +never have been bought had I not renounced my inheritance in favour of +my sister, whom I deeply loved--and what is more, I worked for ten years +like an ox, and paid off the debt. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I regret ever having started this conversation. + +VOITSKI. Thanks entirely to my own personal efforts, the place is +entirely clear of debts, and now, when I have grown old, you want to +throw me out, neck and crop! + +SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine what you are driving at. + +VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have managed this place, and have sent +you the returns from it like the most honest of servants, and you have +never given me one single word of thanks for my work, not one--neither +in my youth nor now. You allowed me a meagre salary of five hundred +roubles a year, a beggar's pittance, and have never even thought of +adding a rouble to it. + +SEREBRAKOFF. What did I know about such things, Ivan? I am not a +practical man and don't understand them. You might have helped yourself +to all you wanted. + +VOITSKI. Yes, why did I not steal? Don't you all despise me for not +stealing, when it would have been only justice? And I should not now +have been a beggar! + +MME. VOITSKAYA. [Sternly] Jean! + +TELEGIN. [Agitated] Vanya, old man, don't talk in that way. Why spoil +such pleasant relations? [He embraces him] Do stop! + +VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have been sitting here with my mother +like a mole in a burrow. Our every thought and hope was yours and yours +only. By day we talked with pride of you and your work, and spoke your +name with veneration; our nights we wasted reading the books and papers +which my soul now loathes. + +TELEGIN. Don't, Vanya, don't. I can't stand it. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Wrathfully] What under heaven do you want, anyway? + +VOITSKI. We used to think of you as almost superhuman, but now the +scales have fallen from my eyes and I see you as you are! You write on +art without knowing anything about it. Those books of yours which I used +to admire are not worth one copper kopeck. You are a hoax! + +SEREBRAKOFF. Can't any one make him stop? I am going! + +HELENA. Ivan, I command you to stop this instant! Do you hear me? + +VOITSKI. I refuse! [SEREBRAKOFF tries to get out of the room, but +VOITSKI bars the door] Wait! I have not done yet! You have wrecked my +life. I have never lived. My best years have gone for nothing, have been +ruined, thanks to you. You are my most bitter enemy! + +TELEGIN. I can't stand it; I can't stand it. I am going. [He goes out in +great excitement.] + +SEREBRAKOFF. But what do you want? What earthly right have you to use +such language to me? Ruination! If this estate is yours, then take it, +and let me be ruined! + +HELENA. I am going away out of this hell this minute. [Shrieks] This is +too much! + +VOITSKI. My life has been a failure. I am clever and brave and strong. +If I had lived a normal life I might have become another Schopenhauer +or Dostoieffski. I am losing my head! I am going crazy! Mother, I am in +despair! Oh, mother! + +MME. VOITSKAYA. [Sternly] Listen, Alexander! + +SONIA falls on her knees beside the nurse and nestles against her. + +SONIA. Oh, nurse, nurse! + +VOITSKI. Mother! What shall I do? But no, don't speak! I know what to +do. [To SEREBRAKOFF] And you will understand me! + +He goes out through the door in the centre of the room and MME. +VOITSKAYA follows him. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Tell me, what on earth is the matter? Take this lunatic out +of my sight! I cannot possibly live under the same roof with him. His +room [He points to the centre door] is almost next door to mine. Let him +take himself off into the village or into the wing of the house, or I +shall leave here at once. I cannot stay in the same house with him. + +HELENA. [To her husband] We are leaving to-day; we must get ready at +once for our departure. + +SEREBRAKOFF. What a perfectly dreadful man! + +SONIA. [On her knees beside the nurse and turning to her father. She +speaks with emotion] You must be kind to us, papa. Uncle Vanya and I +are so unhappy! [Controlling her despair] Have pity on us. Remember how +Uncle Vanya and Granny used to copy and translate your books for you +every night--every, every night. Uncle Vanya has toiled without rest; +he would never spend a penny on us, we sent it all to you. We have not +eaten the bread of idleness. I am not saying this as I should like to, +but you must understand us, papa, you must be merciful to us. + +HELENA. [Very excited, to her husband] For heaven's sake, Alexander, go +and have a talk with him--explain! + +SEREBRAKOFF. Very well, I shall have a talk with him, but I won't +apologise for a thing. I am not angry with him, but you must confess +that his behaviour has been strange, to say the least. Excuse me, I +shall go to him. + +[He goes out through the centre door.] + +HELENA. Be gentle with him; try to quiet him. [She follows him out.] + +SONIA. [Nestling nearer to MARINA] Nurse, oh, nurse! + +MARINA. It's all right, my baby. When the geese have cackled they will +be still again. First they cackle and then they stop. + +SONIA. Nurse! + +MARINA. You are trembling all over, as if you were freezing. There, +there, little orphan baby, God is merciful. A little linden-tea, and it +will all pass away. Don't cry, my sweetest. [Looking angrily at the door +in the centre of the room] See, the geese have all gone now. The devil +take them! + +A shot is heard. HELENA screams behind the scenes. SONIA shudders. + +MARINA. Bang! What's that? + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Comes in reeling with terror] Hold him! hold him! He has +gone mad! + +HELENA and VOITSKI are seen struggling in the doorway. + +HELENA. [Trying to wrest the revolver from him] Give it to me; give it +to me, I tell you! + +VOITSKI. Let me go, Helena, let me go! [He frees himself and rushes in, +looking everywhere for SEREBRAKOFF] Where is he? Ah, there he is! [He +shoots at him. A pause] I didn't get him? I missed again? [Furiously] +Damnation! Damnation! To hell with him! + +He flings the revolver on the floor, and drops helpless into a chair. +SEREBRAKOFF stands as if stupefied. HELENA leans against the wall, +almost fainting. + +HELENA. Take me away! Take me away! I can't stay here--I can't! + +VOITSKI. [In despair] Oh, what shall I do? What shall I do? + +SONIA. [Softly] Oh, nurse, nurse! + +The curtain falls. + + + + +ACT IV + +VOITSKI'S bedroom, which is also his office. A table stands near +the window; on it are ledgers, letter scales, and papers of every +description. Near by stands a smaller table belonging to ASTROFF, with +his paints and drawing materials. On the wall hangs a cage containing a +starling. There is also a map of Africa on the wall, obviously of no use +to anybody. There is a large sofa covered with buckram. A door to the +left leads into an inner room; one to the right leads into the front +hall, and before this door lies a mat for the peasants with their muddy +boots to stand on. It is an autumn evening. The silence is profound. +TELEGIN and MARINA are sitting facing one another, winding wool. + +TELEGIN. Be quick, Marina, or we shall be called away to say good-bye +before you have finished. The carriage has already been ordered. + +MARINA. [Trying to wind more quickly] I am a little tired. + +TELEGIN. They are going to Kharkoff to live. + +MARINA. They do well to go. + +TELEGIN. They have been frightened. The professor's wife won't stay here +an hour longer. "If we are going at all, let's be off," says she, "we +shall go to Kharkoff and look about us, and then we can send for our +things." They are travelling light. It seems, Marina, that fate has +decreed for them not to live here. + +MARINA. And quite rightly. What a storm they have just raised! It was +shameful! + +TELEGIN. It was indeed. The scene was worthy of the brush of Aibazofski. + +MARINA. I wish I'd never laid eyes on them. [A pause] Now we shall have +things as they were again: tea at eight, dinner at one, and supper in +the evening; everything in order as decent folks, as Christians like to +have it. [Sighs] It is a long time since I have eaten noodles. + +TELEGIN. Yes, we haven't had noodles for ages. [A pause] Not for ages. +As I was going through the village this morning, Marina, one of the +shop-keepers called after me, "Hi! you hanger-on!" I felt it bitterly. + +MARINA. Don't pay the least attention to them, master; we are all +dependents on God. You and Sonia and all of us. Every one must work, no +one can sit idle. Where is Sonia? + +TELEGIN. In the garden with the doctor, looking for Ivan. They fear he +may lay violent hands on himself. + +MARINA. Where is his pistol? + +TELEGIN. [Whispers] I hid it in the cellar. + +VOITSKI and ASTROFF come in. + +VOITSKI. Leave me alone! [To MARINA and TELEGIN] Go away! Go away and +leave me to myself, if but for an hour. I won't have you watching me +like this! + +TELEGIN. Yes, yes, Vanya. [He goes out on tiptoe.] + +MARINA. The gander cackles; ho! ho! ho! + +[She gathers up her wool and goes out.] + +VOITSKI. Leave me by myself! + +ASTROFF. I would, with the greatest pleasure. I ought to have gone long +ago, but I shan't leave you until you have returned what you took from +me. + +VOITSKI. I took nothing from you. + +ASTROFF. I am not jesting, don't detain me, I really must go. + +VOITSKI. I took nothing of yours. + +ASTROFF. You didn't? Very well, I shall have to wait a little longer, +and then you will have to forgive me if I resort to force. We shall have +to bind you and search you. I mean what I say. + +VOITSKI. Do as you please. [A pause] Oh, to make such a fool of myself! +To shoot twice and miss him both times! I shall never forgive myself. + +ASTROFF. When the impulse came to shoot, it would have been as well had +you put a bullet through your own head. + +VOITSKI. [Shrugging his shoulders] Strange! I attempted murder, and am +not going to be arrested or brought to trial. That means they think +me mad. [With a bitter laugh] Me! I am mad, and those who hide their +worthlessness, their dullness, their crying heartlessness behind a +professor's mask, are sane! Those who marry old men and then deceive +them under the noses of all, are sane! I saw you kiss her; I saw you in +each other's arms! + +ASTROFF. Yes, sir, I did kiss her; so there. [He puts his thumb to his +nose.] + +VOITSKI. [His eyes on the door] No, it is the earth that is mad, because +she still bears us on her breast. + +ASTROFF. That is nonsense. + +VOITSKI. Well? Am I not a madman, and therefore irresponsible? Haven't I +the right to talk nonsense? + +ASTROFF. This is a farce! You are not mad; you are simply a ridiculous +fool. I used to think every fool was out of his senses, but now I +see that lack of sense is a man's normal state, and you are perfectly +normal. + +VOITSKI. [Covers his face with his hands] Oh! If you knew how ashamed +I am! These piercing pangs of shame are like nothing on earth. [In an +agonised voice] I can't endure them! [He leans against the table] What +can I do? What can I do? + +ASTROFF. Nothing. + +VOITSKI. You must tell me something! Oh, my God! I am forty-seven years +old. I may live to sixty; I still have thirteen years before me; an +eternity! How shall I be able to endure life for thirteen years? +What shall I do? How can I fill them? Oh, don't you see? [He presses +ASTROFF'S hand convulsively] Don't you see, if only I could live the +rest of my life in some new way! If I could only wake some still, bright +morning and feel that life had begun again; that the past was forgotten +and had vanished like smoke. [He weeps] Oh, to begin life anew! Tell me, +tell me how to begin. + +ASTROFF. [Crossly] What nonsense! What sort of a new life can you and I +look forward to? We can have no hope. + +VOITSKI. None? + +ASTROFF. None. Of that I am convinced. + +VOITSKI. Tell me what to do. [He puts his hand to his heart] I feel such +a burning pain here. + +ASTROFF. [Shouts angrily] Stop! [Then, more gently] It may be that +posterity, which will despise us for our blind and stupid lives, will +find some road to happiness; but we--you and I--have but one hope, the +hope that we may be visited by visions, perhaps by pleasant ones, as we +lie resting in our graves. [Sighing] Yes, brother, there were only two +respectable, intelligent men in this county, you and I. Ten years or so +of this life of ours, this miserable life, have sucked us under, and we +have become as contemptible and petty as the rest. But don't try to talk +me out of my purpose! Give me what you took from me, will you? + +VOITSKI. I took nothing from you. + +ASTROFF. You took a little bottle of morphine out of my medicine-case. +[A pause] Listen! If you are positively determined to make an end +to yourself, go into the woods and shoot yourself there. Give up the +morphine, or there will be a lot of talk and guesswork; people will +think I gave it to you. I don't fancy having to perform a post-mortem on +you. Do you think I should find it interesting? + +SONIA comes in. + +VOITSKI. Leave me alone. + +ASTROFF. [To SONIA] Sonia, your uncle has stolen a bottle of morphine +out of my medicine-case and won't give it up. Tell him that his +behaviour is--well, unwise. I haven't time, I must be going. + +SONIA. Uncle Vanya, did you take the morphine? + +ASTROFF. Yes, he took it. [A pause] I am absolutely sure. + +SONIA. Give it up! Why do you want to frighten us? [Tenderly] Give it +up, Uncle Vanya! My misfortune is perhaps even greater than yours, but I +am not plunged in despair. I endure my sorrow, and shall endure it until +my life comes to a natural end. You must endure yours, too. [A pause] +Give it up! Dear, darling Uncle Vanya. Give it up! [She weeps] You are +so good, I am sure you will have pity on us and give it up. You must +endure your sorrow, Uncle Vanya; you must endure it. + +VOITSKI takes a bottle from the drawer of the table and hands it to +ASTROFF. + +VOITSKI. There it is! [To SONIA] And now, we must get to work at once; +we must do something, or else I shall not be able to endure it. + +SONIA. Yes, yes, to work! As soon as we have seen them off we shall +go to work. [She nervously straightens out the papers on the table] +Everything is in a muddle! + +ASTROFF. [Putting the bottle in his case, which he straps together] Now +I can be off. + +HELENA comes in. + +HELENA. Are you here, Ivan? We are starting in a moment. Go to +Alexander, he wants to speak to you. + +SONIA. Go, Uncle Vanya. [She takes VOITSKI 'S arm] Come, you and papa +must make peace; that is absolutely necessary. + +SONIA and VOITSKI go out. + +HELENA. I am going away. [She gives ASTROFF her hand] Good-bye. + +ASTROFF. So soon? + +HELENA. The carriage is waiting. + +ASTROFF. Good-bye. + +HELENA. You promised me you would go away yourself to-day. + +ASTROFF. I have not forgotten. I am going at once. [A pause] Were you +frightened? Was it so terrible? + +HELENA. Yes. + +ASTROFF. Couldn't you stay? Couldn't you? To-morrow--in the forest-- + +HELENA. No. It is all settled, and that is why I can look you so bravely +in the face. Our departure is fixed. One thing I must ask of you: don't +think too badly of me; I should like you to respect me. + +ASTROFF. Ah! [With an impatient gesture] Stay, I implore you! Confess +that there is nothing for you to do in this world. You have no object +in life; there is nothing to occupy your attention, and sooner or later +your feelings must master you. It is inevitable. It would be better if +it happened not in Kharkoff or in Kursk, but here, in nature's lap. +It would then at least be poetical, even beautiful. Here you have the +forests, the houses half in ruins that Turgenieff writes of. + +HELENA. How comical you are! I am angry with you and yet I shall always +remember you with pleasure. You are interesting and original. You and +I will never meet again, and so I shall tell you--why should I conceal +it?--that I am just a little in love with you. Come, one more last +pressure of our hands, and then let us part good friends. Let us not +bear each other any ill will. + +ASTROFF. [Pressing her hand] Yes, go. [Thoughtfully] You seem to be +sincere and good, and yet there is something strangely disquieting about +all your personality. No sooner did you arrive here with your husband +than every one whom you found busy and actively creating something was +forced to drop his work and give himself up for the whole summer to +your husband's gout and yourself. You and he have infected us with your +idleness. I have been swept off my feet; I have not put my hand to +a thing for weeks, during which sickness has been running its course +unchecked among the people, and the peasants have been pasturing their +cattle in my woods and young plantations. Go where you will, you and +your husband will always carry destruction in your train. I am joking of +course, and yet I am strangely sure that had you stayed here we should +have been overtaken by the most immense desolation. I would have gone +to my ruin, and you--you would not have prospered. So go! E finita la +comedia! + +HELENA. [Snatching a pencil off ASTROFF'S table, and hiding it with a +quick movement] I shall take this pencil for memory! + +ASTROFF. How strange it is. We meet, and then suddenly it seems that +we must part forever. That is the way in this world. As long as we are +alone, before Uncle Vanya comes in with a bouquet--allow me--to kiss you +good-bye--may I? [He kisses her on the cheek] So! Splendid! + +HELENA. I wish you every happiness. [She glances about her] For once +in my life, I shall! and scorn the consequences! [She kisses him +impetuously, and they quickly part] I must go. + +ASTROFF. Yes, go. If the carriage is there, then start at once. [They +stand listening.] + +ASTROFF. E finita! + +VOITSKI, SEREBRAKOFF, MME. VOITSKAYA with her book, TELEGIN, and SONIA +come in. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [To VOITSKI] Shame on him who bears malice for the past. I +have gone through so much in the last few hours that I feel capable of +writing a whole treatise on the conduct of life for the instruction +of posterity. I gladly accept your apology, and myself ask your +forgiveness. [He kisses VOITSKI three times.] + +HELENA embraces SONIA. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Kissing MME. VOITSKAYA'S hand] Mother! + +MME. VOITSKAYA. [Kissing him] Have your picture taken, Alexander, and +send me one. You know how dear you are to me. + +TELEGIN. Good-bye, your Excellency. Don't forget us. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Kissing his daughter] Good-bye, good-bye all. [Shaking +hands with ASTROFF] Many thanks for your pleasant company. I have a deep +regard for your opinions and your enthusiasm, but let me, as an old man, +give one word of advice at parting: do something, my friend! Work! Do +something! [They all bow] Good luck to you all. [He goes out followed by +MME. VOITSKAYA and SONIA.] + +VOITSKI [Kissing HELENA'S hand fervently] Good-bye--forgive me. I shall +never see you again! + +HELENA. [Touched] Good-bye, dear boy. + +She lightly kisses his head as he bends over her hand, and goes out. + +ASTROFF. Tell them to bring my carriage around too, Waffles. + +TELEGIN. All right, old man. + +ASTROFF and VOITSKI are left behind alone. ASTROFF collects his paints +and drawing materials on the table and packs them away in a box. + +ASTROFF. Why don't you go to see them off? + +VOITSKI. Let them go! I--I can't go out there. I feel too sad. I must go +to work on something at once. To work! To work! + +He rummages through his papers on the table. A pause. The tinkling of +bells is heard as the horses trot away. + +ASTROFF. They have gone! The professor, I suppose, is glad to go. He +couldn't be tempted back now by a fortune. + +MARINA comes in. + +MARINA. They have gone. [She sits down in an arm-chair and knits her +stocking.] + +SONIA comes in wiping her eyes. + +SONIA. They have gone. God be with them. [To her uncle] And now, Uncle +Vanya, let us do something! + +VOITSKI. To work! To work! + +SONIA. It is long, long, since you and I have sat together at this +table. [She lights a lamp on the table] No ink! [She takes the inkstand +to the cupboard and fills it from an ink-bottle] How sad it is to see +them go! + +MME. VOITSKAYA comes slowly in. + +MME. VOITSKAYA. They have gone. + +She sits down and at once becomes absorbed in her book. SONIA sits down +at the table and looks through an account book. + +SONIA. First, Uncle Vanya, let us write up the accounts. They are in a +dreadful state. Come, begin. You take one and I will take the other. + +VOITSKI. In account with [They sit silently writing.] + +MARINA. [Yawning] The sand-man has come. + +ASTROFF. How still it is. Their pens scratch, the cricket sings; it is +so warm and comfortable. I hate to go. [The tinkling of bells is heard.] + +ASTROFF. My carriage has come. There now remains but to say good-bye to +you, my friends, and to my table here, and then--away! [He puts the map +into the portfolio.] + +MARINA. Don't hurry away; sit a little longer with us. + +ASTROFF. Impossible. + +VOITSKI. [Writing] And carry forward from the old debt two +seventy-five-- + +WORKMAN comes in. + +WORKMAN. Your carriage is waiting, sir. + +ASTROFF. All right. [He hands the WORKMAN his medicine-case, portfolio, +and box] Look out, don't crush the portfolio! + +WORKMAN. Very well, sir. + +SONIA. When shall we see you again? + +ASTROFF. Hardly before next summer. Probably not this winter, though, of +course, if anything should happen you will let me know. [He shakes +hands with them] Thank you for your kindness, for your hospitality, for +everything! [He goes up to MARINA and kisses her head] Good-bye, old +nurse! + +MARINA. Are you going without your tea? + +ASTROFF. I don't want any, nurse. + +MARINA. Won't you have a drop of vodka? + +ASTROFF. [Hesitatingly] Yes, I might. + +MARINA goes out. + +ASTROFF. [After a pause] My off-wheeler has gone lame for some reason. I +noticed it yesterday when Peter was taking him to water. + +VOITSKI. You should have him re-shod. + +ASTROFF. I shall have to go around by the blacksmith's on my way home. +It can't be avoided. [He stands looking up at the map of Africa hanging +on the wall] I suppose it is roasting hot in Africa now. + +VOITSKI. Yes, I suppose it is. + +MARINA comes back carrying a tray on which are a glass of vodka and a +piece of bread. + +MARINA. Help yourself. + +ASTROFF drinks + +MARINA. To your good health! [She bows deeply] Eat your bread with it. + +ASTROFF. No, I like it so. And now, good-bye. [To MARINA] You needn't +come out to see me off, nurse. + +He goes out. SONIA follows him with a candle to light him to the +carriage. MARINA sits down in her armchair. + +VOITSKI. [Writing] On the 2d of February, twenty pounds of butter; on +the 16th, twenty pounds of butter again. Buckwheat flour--[A pause. +Bells are heard tinkling.] + +MARINA. He has gone. [A pause.] + +SONIA comes in and sets the candle stick on the table. + +SONIA. He has gone. + +VOITSKI. [Adding and writing] Total, fifteen--twenty-five-- + +SONIA sits down and begins to write. + +[Yawning] Oh, ho! The Lord have mercy. + +TELEGIN comes in on tiptoe, sits down near the door, and begins to tune +his guitar. + +VOITSKI. [To SONIA, stroking her hair] Oh, my child, I am miserable; if +you only knew how miserable I am! + +SONIA. What can we do? We must live our lives. [A pause] Yes, we shall +live, Uncle Vanya. We shall live through the long procession of days +before us, and through the long evenings; we shall patiently bear the +trials that fate imposes on us; we shall work for others without rest, +both now and when we are old; and when our last hour comes we shall +meet it humbly, and there, beyond the grave, we shall say that we have +suffered and wept, that our life was bitter, and God will have pity on +us. Ah, then dear, dear Uncle, we shall see that bright and beautiful +life; we shall rejoice and look back upon our sorrow here; a tender +smile--and--we shall rest. I have faith, Uncle, fervent, passionate +faith. [SONIA kneels down before her uncle and lays her head on his +hands. She speaks in a weary voice] We shall rest. [TELEGIN plays softly +on the guitar] We shall rest. We shall hear the angels. We shall see +heaven shining like a jewel. We shall see all evil and all our pain sink +away in the great compassion that shall enfold the world. Our life will +be as peaceful and tender and sweet as a caress. I have faith; I have +faith. [She wipes away her tears] My poor, poor Uncle Vanya, you are +crying! [Weeping] You have never known what happiness was, but wait, +Uncle Vanya, wait! We shall rest. [She embraces him] We shall rest. [The +WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden; TELEGIN plays softly; MME. +VOITSKAYA writes something on the margin of her pamphlet; MARINA knits +her stocking] We shall rest. + +The curtain slowly falls. + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Uncle Vanya, by Anton Checkov + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK UNCLE VANYA *** + +***** This file should be named 1756.txt or 1756.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/5/1756/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer + +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. 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VOITSKAYA, widow of a privy councilor, and mother of +Serebrakoff's first wife + +IVAN (VANYA) VOITSKI, her son + +MICHAEL ASTROFF, a doctor + +ILIA (WAFFLES) TELEGIN, an impoverished landowner + +MARINA, an old nurse + +A WORKMAN + +The scene is laid on SEREBRAKOFF'S country place + +UNCLE VANYA + +ACT I + +A country house on a terrace. In front of it a garden. In an +avenue of trees, under an old poplar, stands a table set for tea, +with a samovar, etc. Some benches and chairs stand near the +table. On one of them is lying a guitar. A hammock is swung near +the table. It is three o'clock in the afternoon of a cloudy day. + +MARINA, a quiet, grey-haired, little old woman, is sitting at the +table knitting a stocking. + +ASTROFF is walking up and down near her. + +MARINA. [Pouring some tea into a glass] Take a little tea, my +son. + +ASTROFF. [Takes the glass from her unwillingly] Somehow, I don't +seem to want any. + +MARINA. Then will you have a little vodka instead? + +ASTROFF. No, I don't drink vodka every day, and besides, it is +too hot now. [A pause] Tell me, nurse, how long have we known +each other? + +MARINA. [Thoughtfully] Let me see, how long is it? Lord--help me +to remember. You first came here, into our parts--let me +think--when was it? Sonia's mother was still alive--it was two +winters before she died; that was eleven years +ago--[thoughtfully] perhaps more. + +ASTROFF. Have I changed much since then? + +MARINA. Oh, yes. You were handsome and young then, and now you +are an old man and not handsome any more. You drink, too. + +ASTROFF. Yes, ten years have made me another man. And why? +Because I am overworked. Nurse, I am on my feet from dawn till +dusk. I know no rest; at night I tremble under my blankets for +fear of being dragged out to visit some one who is sick; I have +toiled without repose or a day's freedom since I have known you; +could I help growing old? And then, existence is tedious, anyway; +it is a senseless, dirty business, this life, and goes heavily. +Every one about here is silly, and after living with them for two +or three years one grows silly oneself. It is inevitable. +[Twisting his moustache] See what a long moustache I have grown. +A foolish, long moustache. Yes, I am as silly as the rest, nurse, +but not as stupid; no, I have not grown stupid. Thank God, my +brain is not addled yet, though my feelings have grown numb. I +ask nothing, I need nothing, I love no one, unless it is yourself +alone. [He kisses her head] I had a nurse just like you when I +was a child. + +MARINA. Don't you want a bite of something to eat? + +ASTROFF. No. During the third week of Lent I went to the epidemic +at Malitskoi. It was eruptive typhoid. The peasants were all +lying side by side in their huts, and the calves and pigs were +running about the floor among the sick. Such dirt there was, and +smoke! Unspeakable! I slaved among those people all day, not a +crumb passed my lips, but when I got home there was still no rest +for me; a switchman was carried in from the railroad; I laid him +on the operating table and he went and died in my arms under +chloroform, and then my feelings that should have been deadened +awoke again, my conscience tortured me as if I had killed the +man. I sat down and closed my eyes--like this--and thought: will +our descendants two hundred years from now, for whom we are +breaking the road, remember to give us a kind word? No, nurse, +they will forget. + +MARINA. Man is forgetful, but God remembers. + +ASTROFF. Thank you for that. You have spoken the truth. + +Enter VOITSKI from the house. He has been asleep after dinner and +looks rather dishevelled. He sits down on the bench and +straightens his collar. + +VOITSKI. H'm. Yes. [A pause] Yes. + +ASTROFF. Have you been asleep? + +VOITSKI. Yes, very much so. [He yawns] Ever since the Professor +and his wife have come, our daily life seems to have jumped the +track. I sleep at the wrong time, drink wine, and eat all sorts +of messes for luncheon and dinner. It isn't wholesome. Sonia and +I used to work together and never had an idle moment, but now +Sonia works alone and I only eat and drink and sleep. Something +is wrong. + +MARINA. [Shaking her head] Such a confusion in the house! The +Professor gets up at twelve, the samovar is kept boiling all the +morning, and everything has to wait for him. Before they came we +used to have dinner at one o'clock, like everybody else, but now +we have it at seven. The Professor sits up all night writing and +reading, and suddenly, at two o'clock, there goes the bell! +Heavens, what is that? The Professor wants some tea! Wake the +servants, light the samovar! Lord, what disorder! + +ASTROFF. Will they be here long? + +VOITSKI. A hundred years! The Professor has decided to make his +home here. + +MARINA. Look at this now! The samovar has been on the table for +two hours, and they are all out walking! + +VOITSKI. All right, don't get excited; here they come. + +Voices are heard approaching. SEREBRAKOFF, HELENA, SONIA, and +TELEGIN come in from the depths of the garden, returning from +their walk. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Superb! Superb! What beautiful views! + +TELEGIN. They are wonderful, your Excellency. + +SONIA. To-morrow we shall go into the woods, shall we, papa? + +VOITSKI. Ladies and gentlemen, tea is ready. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Won't you please be good enough to send my tea into +the library? I still have some work to finish. + +SONIA. I am sure you will love the woods. + +HELENA, SEREBRAKOFF, and SONIA go into the house. TELEGIN sits +down at the table beside MARINA. + +VOITSKI. There goes our learned scholar on a hot, sultry day like +this, in his overcoat and goloshes and carrying an umbrella! + +ASTROFF. He is trying to take good care of his health. + +VOITSKI. How lovely she is! How lovely! I have never in my life +seen a more beautiful woman. + +TELEGIN. Do you know, Marina, that as I walk in the fields or in +the shady garden, as I look at this table here, my heart swells +with unbounded happiness. The weather is enchanting, the birds +are singing, we are all living in peace and contentment--what +more could the soul desire? [Takes a glass of tea.] + +VOITSKI. [Dreaming] Such eyes--a glorious woman! + +ASTROFF. Come, Ivan, tell us something. + +VOITSKI. [Indolently] What shall I tell you? + +ASTROFF. Haven't you any news for us? + +VOITSKI. No, it is all stale. I am just the same as usual, or +perhaps worse, because I have become lazy. I don't do anything +now but croak like an old raven. My mother, the old magpie, is +still chattering about the emancipation of woman, with one eye on +her grave and the other on her learned books, in which she is +always looking for the dawn of a new life. + +ASTROFF. And the Professor? + +VOITSKI. The Professor sits in his library from morning till +night, as usual-- + + "Straining the mind, wrinkling the brow, + We write, write, write, + Without respite + Or hope of praise in the future or now." + +Poor paper! He ought to write his autobiography; he would make a +really splendid subject for a book! Imagine it, the life of a +retired professor, as stale as a piece of hardtack, tortured by +gout, headaches, and rheumatism, his liver bursting with jealousy +and envy, living on the estate of his first wife, although he +hates it, because he can't afford to live in town. He is +everlastingly whining about his hard lot, though, as a matter of +fact, he is extraordinarily lucky. He is the son of a common +deacon and has attained the professor's chair, become the +son-in-law of a senator, is called "your Excellency," and so on. +But I'll tell you something; the man has been writing on art for +twenty-five years, and he doesn't know the very first thing about +it. For twenty-five years he has been chewing on other men's +thoughts about realism, naturalism, and all such foolishness; for +twenty-five years he has been reading and writing things that +clever men have long known and stupid ones are not interested in; +for twenty-five years he has been making his imaginary mountains +out of molehills. And just think of the man's self-conceit and +presumption all this time! For twenty-five years he has been +masquerading in false clothes and has now retired absolutely +unknown to any living soul; and yet see him! stalking across the +earth like a demi-god! + +ASTROFF. I believe you envy him. + +VOITSKI. Yes, I do. Look at the success he has had with women! +Don Juan himself was not more favoured. His first wife, who was +my sister, was a beautiful, gentle being, as pure as the blue +heaven there above us, noble, great-hearted, with more admirers +than he has pupils, and she loved him as only beings of angelic +purity can love those who are as pure and beautiful as +themselves. His mother-in-law, my mother, adores him to this day, +and he still inspires a sort of worshipful awe in her. His second +wife is, as you see, a brilliant beauty; she married him in his +old age and has surrendered all the glory of her beauty and +freedom to him. Why? What for? + +ASTROFF. Is she faithful to him? + +VOITSKI. Yes, unfortunately she is. + +ASTROFF. Why unfortunately? + +VOITSKI. Because such fidelity is false and unnatural, root and +branch. It sounds well, but there is no logic in it. It is +thought immoral for a woman to deceive an old husband whom she +hates, but quite moral for her to strangle her poor youth in her +breast and banish every vital desire from her heart. + +TELEGIN. [In a tearful voice] Vanya, I don't like to hear you +talk so. Listen, Vanya; every one who betrays husband or wife is +faithless, and could also betray his country. + +VOITSKI. [Crossly] Turn off the tap, Waffles. + +TELEGIN. No, allow me, Vanya. My wife ran away with a lover on +the day after our wedding, because my exterior was +unprepossessing. I have never failed in my duty since then. I +love her and am true to her to this day. I help her all I can and +have given my fortune to educate the daughter of herself and her +lover. I have forfeited my happiness, but I have kept my pride. +And she? Her youth has fled, her beauty has faded according to +the laws of nature, and her lover is dead. What has she kept? + +HELENA and SONIA come in; after them comes MME. VOITSKAYA +carrying a book. She sits down and begins to read. Some one hands +her a glass of tea which she drinks without looking up. + +SONIA. [Hurriedly, to the nurse] There are some peasants waiting +out there. Go and see what they want. I shall pour the tea. +[Pours out some glasses of tea.] + +MARINA goes out. HELENA takes a glass and sits drinking in the +hammock. + +ASTROFF. I have come to see your husband. You wrote me that he +had rheumatism and I know not what else, and that he was very +ill, but he appears to be as lively as a cricket. + +HELENA. He had a fit of the blues yesterday evening and +complained of pains in his legs, but he seems all right again +to-day. + +ASTROFF. And I galloped over here twenty miles at break-neck +speed! No matter, though, it is not the first time. Once here, +however, I am going to stay until to-morrow, and at any rate +sleep _quantum satis._ + +SONIA. Oh, splendid! You so seldom spend the night with us. Have +you had dinner yet? + +ASTROFF. No. + +SONIA. Good. So you will have it with us. We dine at seven now. +[Drinks her tea] This tea is cold! + +TELEGIN. Yes, the samovar has grown cold. + +HELENA. Don't mind, Monsieur Ivan, we will drink cold tea, then. + +TELEGIN. I beg your pardon, my name is not Ivan, but Ilia, +ma'am--Ilia Telegin, or Waffles, as I am sometimes called on +account of my pock-marked face. I am Sonia's godfather, and his +Excellency, your husband, knows me very well. I now live with +you, ma'am, on this estate, and perhaps you will be so good as to +notice that I dine with you every day. + +SONIA. He is our great help, our right-hand man. [Tenderly] Dear +godfather, let me pour you some tea. + +MME. VOITSKAYA. Oh! Oh! + +SONIA. What is it, grandmother? + +MME. VOITSKAYA. I forgot to tell Alexander--I have lost my +memory--I received a letter to-day from Paul Alexevitch in +Kharkoff. He has sent me a new pamphlet. + +ASTROFF. Is it interesting? + +MME. VOITSKAYA. Yes, but strange. He refutes the very theories +which he defended seven years ago. It is appalling! + +VOITSKI. There is nothing appalling about it. Drink your tea, +mamma. + +MME. VOITSKAYA. It seems you never want to listen to what I have +to say. Pardon me, Jean, but you have changed so in the last year +that I hardly know you. You used to be a man of settled +convictions and had an illuminating personality--- + +VOITSKI. Oh, yes. I had an illuminating personality, which +illuminated no one. [A pause] I had an illuminating personality! +You couldn't say anything more biting. I am forty-seven years +old. Until last year I endeavoured, as you do now, to blind my +eyes by your pedantry to the truths of life. But now--Oh, if you +only knew! If you knew how I lie awake at night, heartsick and +angry, to think how stupidly I have wasted my time when I might +have been winning from life everything which my old age now +forbids. + +SONIA. Uncle Vanya, how dreary! + +MME. VOITSKAYA. [To her son] You speak as if your former +convictions were somehow to blame, but you yourself, not they, +were at fault. You have forgotten that a conviction, in itself, +is nothing but a dead letter. You should have done something. + +VOITSKI. Done something! Not every man is capable of being a +writer _perpetuum mobile_ like your Herr Professor. + +MME. VOITSKAYA. What do you mean by that? + +SONIA. [Imploringly] Mother! Uncle Vanya! I entreat you! + +VOITSKI. I am silent. I apologise and am silent. [A pause.] + +HELENA. What a fine day! Not too hot. [A pause.] + +VOITSKI. A fine day to hang oneself. + +TELEGIN tunes the guitar. MARINA appears near the house, calling +the chickens. + +MARINA. Chick, chick, chick! + +SONIA. What did the peasants want, nurse? + +MARINA. The same old thing, the same old nonsense. Chick, chick, +chick! + +SONIA. Why are you calling the chickens? + +MARINA. The speckled hen has disappeared with her chicks. I am +afraid the crows have got her. + +TELEGIN plays a polka. All listen in silence. Enter WORKMAN. + +WORKMAN. Is the doctor here? [To ASTROFF] Excuse me, sir, but I +have been sent to fetch you. + +ASTROFF. Where are you from? + +WORKMAN. The factory. + +ASTROFF. [Annoyed] Thank you. There is nothing for it, then, but +to go. [Looking around him for his cap] Damn it, this is +annoying! + +SONIA. Yes, it is too bad, really. You must come back to dinner +from the factory. + +ASTROFF. No, I won't be able to do that. It will be too late. Now +where, where-- [To the WORKMAN] Look here, my man, get me a glass +of vodka, will you? [The WORKMAN goes out] Where--where-- [Finds +his cap] One of the characters in Ostroff's plays is a man with a +long moustache and short wits, like me. However, let me bid you +good-bye, ladies and gentlemen. [To HELENA] I should be really +delighted if you would come to see me some day with Miss Sonia. +My estate is small, but if you are interested in such things I +should like to show you a nursery and seed-bed whose like you +will not find within a thousand miles of here. My place is +surrounded by government forests. The forester is old and always +ailing, so I superintend almost all the work myself. + +HELENA. I have always heard that you were very fond of the woods. +Of course one can do a great deal of good by helping to preserve +them, but does not that work interfere with your real calling? + +ASTROFF. God alone knows what a man's real calling is. + +HELENA. And do you find it interesting? + +ASTROFF. Yes, very. + +VOITSKI. [Sarcastically] Oh, extremely! + +HELENA. You are still young, not over thirty-six or seven, I +should say, and I suspect that the woods do not interest you as +much as you say they do. I should think you would find them +monotonous. + +SONIA. No, the work is thrilling. Dr. Astroff watches over the +old woods and sets out new plantations every year, and he has +already received a diploma and a bronze medal. If you will listen +to what he can tell you, you will agree with him entirely. He +says that forests are the ornaments of the earth, that they teach +mankind to understand beauty and attune his mind to lofty +sentiments. Forests temper a stern climate, and in countries +where the climate is milder, less strength is wasted in the +battle with nature, and the people are kind and gentle. The +inhabitants of such countries are handsome, tractable, sensitive, +graceful in speech and gesture. Their philosophy is joyous, art +and science blossom among them, their treatment of women is full +of exquisite nobility--- + +VOITSKI. [Laughing] Bravo! Bravo! All that is very pretty, but it +is also unconvincing. So, my friend [To ASTROFF] you must let me +go on burning firewood in my stoves and building my sheds of +planks. + +ASTROFF. You can burn peat in your stoves and build your sheds of +stone. Oh, I don't object, of course, to cutting wood from +necessity, but why destroy the forests? The woods of Russia are +trembling under the blows of the axe. Millions of trees have +perished. The homes of the wild animals and birds have been +desolated; the rivers are shrinking, and many beautiful +landscapes are gone forever. And why? Because men are too lazy +and stupid to stoop down and pick up their fuel from the ground. +[To HELENA] Am I not right, Madame? Who but a stupid barbarian +could burn so much beauty in his stove and destroy that which he +cannot make? Man is endowed with reason and the power to create, +so that he may increase that which has been given him, but until +now he has not created, but demolished. The forests are +disappearing, the rivers are running dry, the game + is exterminated, the climate is spoiled, and the earth becomes +poorer and uglier every day. [To VOITSKI] I read irony in your +eye; you do not take what I am saying seriously, and--and--after +all, it may very well be nonsense. But when I pass +peasant-forests that I have preserved from the axe, or hear the +rustling of the young plantations set out with my own hands, I +feel as if I had had some small share in improving the climate, +and that if mankind is happy a thousand years from now I will +have been a little bit responsible for their happiness. When I +plant a little birch tree and then see it budding into young +green and swaying in the wind, my heart swells with pride and +I--[Sees the WORKMAN, who is bringing him a glass of vodka on a +tray] however--[He drinks] I must be off. Probably it is all +nonsense, anyway. Good-bye. + +He goes toward the house. SONIA takes his arm and goes with him. + +SONIA. When are you coming to see us again? + +ASTROFF. I can't say. + +SONIA. In a month? + +ASTROFF and SONIA go into the house. HELENA and VOITSKI walk over +to the terrace. + +HELENA. You have behaved shockingly again. Ivan, what sense was +there in teasing your mother and talking about _perpetuum +mobile?_ And at breakfast you quarreled with Alexander again. +Really, your behaviour is too petty. + +VOITSKI. But if I hate him? + +HELENA. You hate Alexander without reason; he is like every one +else, and no worse than you are. + +VOITSKI. If you could only see your face, your gestures! Oh, how +tedious your life must be. + +HELENA. It is tedious, yes, and dreary! You all abuse my husband +and look on me with compassion; you think, "Poor woman, she is +married to an old man." How well I understand your compassion! As +Astroff said just now, see how you thoughtlessly destroy the +forests, so that there will soon be none left. So you also +destroy mankind, and soon fidelity and purity and self-sacrifice +will have vanished with the woods. Why cannot you look calmly at +a woman unless she is yours? Because, the doctor was right, you +are all possessed by a devil of destruction; you have no mercy on +the woods or the birds or on women or on one another. + +VOITSKI. I don't like your philosophy. + +HELENA. That doctor has a sensitive, weary face--an interesting +face. Sonia evidently likes him, and she is in love with him, and +I can understand it. This is the third time he has been here +since I have come, and I have not had a real talk with him yet or +made much of him. He thinks I am disagreeable. Do you know, Ivan, +the reason you and I are such friends? I think it is because we +are both lonely and unfortunate. Yes, unfortunate. Don't look at +me in that way, I don't like it. + +VOITSKI. How can I look at you otherwise when I love you? You are +my joy, my life, and my youth. I know that my chances of being +loved in return are infinitely small, do not exist, but I ask +nothing of you. Only let me look at you, listen to your voice-- + +HELENA. Hush, some one will overhear you. + +[They go toward the house.] + +VOITSKI. [Following her] Let me speak to you of my love, do not +drive me away, and this alone will be my greatest happiness! + +HELENA. Ah! This is agony! + +TELEGIN strikes the strings of his guitar and plays a polka. MME. +VOITSKAYA writes something on the leaves of her pamphlet. + +The curtain falls. + +ACT II + +The dining-room of SEREBRAKOFF'S house. It is night. The tapping +of the WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden. SEREBRAKOFF is +dozing in an arm-chair by an open window and HELENA is sitting +beside him, also half asleep. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Rousing himself] Who is here? Is it you, Sonia? + +HELENA. It is I. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Oh, it is you, Nelly. This pain is intolerable. + +HELENA. Your shawl has slipped down. [She wraps up his legs in +the shawl] Let me shut the window. + +SEREBRAKOFF. No, leave it open; I am suffocating. I dreamt just +now that my left leg belonged to some one else, and it hurt so +that I woke. I don't believe this is gout, it is more like +rheumatism. What time is it? + +HELENA. Half past twelve. [A pause.] + +SEREBRAKOFF. I want you to look for Batushka's works in the +library to-morrow. I think we have him. + +HELENA. What is that? + +SEREBRAKOFF. Look for Batushka to-morrow morning; we used to have +him, I remember. Why do I find it so hard to breathe? + +HELENA. You are tired; this is the second night you have had no +sleep. + +SEREBRAKOFF. They say that Turgenieff got angina of the heart +from gout. I am afraid I am getting angina too. Oh, damn this +horrible, accursed old age! Ever since I have been old I have +been hateful to myself, and I am sure, hateful to you all as +well. + +HELENA. You speak as if we were to blame for your being old. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I am more hateful to you than to any one. + +HELENA gets up and walks away from him, sitting down at a +distance. + +SEREBRAKOFF. You are quite right, of course. I am not an idiot; I +can understand you. You are young and healthy and beautiful, and +longing for life, and I am an old dotard, almost a dead man +already. Don't I know it? Of course I see that it is foolish for +me to live so long, but wait! I shall soon set you all free. My +life cannot drag on much longer. + +HELENA. You are overtaxing my powers of endurance. Be quiet, for +God's sake! + +SEREBRAKOFF. It appears that, thanks to me, everybody's power of +endurance is being overtaxed; everybody is miserable, only I am +blissfully triumphant. Oh, yes, of course! + +HELENA. Be quiet! You are torturing me. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I torture everybody. Of course. + +HELENA. [Weeping] This is unbearable! Tell me, what is it you +want me to do? + +SEREBRAKOFF. Nothing. + +HELENA. Then be quiet, please. + +SEREBRAKOFF. It is funny that everybody listens to Ivan and his +old idiot of a mother, but the moment I open my lips you all +begin to feel ill-treated. You can't even stand the sound of my +voice. Even if I am hateful, even if I am a selfish tyrant, +haven't I the right to be one at my age? Haven't I deserved it? +Haven't I, I ask you, the right to be respected, now that I am +old? + +HELENA. No one is disputing your rights. [The window slams in the +wind] The wind is rising, I must shut the window. [She shuts it] +We shall have rain in a moment. Your rights have never been +questioned by anybody. + +The WATCHMAN in the garden sounds his rattle. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I have spent my life working in the interests of +learning. I am used to my library and the lecture hall and to the +esteem and admiration of my colleagues. Now I suddenly find +myself plunged in this wilderness, condemned to see the same +stupid people from morning till night and listen to their futile +conversation. I want to live; I long for success and fame and the +stir of the world, and here I am in exile! Oh, it is dreadful to +spend every moment grieving for the lost past, to see the success +of others and sit here with nothing to do but to fear death. I +cannot stand it! It is more than I can bear. And you will not +even forgive me for being old! + +HELENA. Wait, have patience; I shall he old myself in four or +five years. + +SONIA comes in. + +SONIA. Father, you sent for Dr. Astroff, and now when he comes +you refuse to see him. It is not nice to give a man so much +trouble for nothing. + +SEREBRAKOFF. What do I care about your Astroff? He understands +medicine about as well as I understand astronomy. + +SONIA. We can't send for the whole medical faculty, can we, to +treat your gout? + +SEREBRAKOFF. I won't talk to that madman! + +SONIA. Do as you please. It's all the same to me. [She sits +down.] + +SEREBRAKOFF. What time is it? + +HELENA. One o'clock. + +SEREBRAKOFF. It is stifling in here. Sonia, hand me that bottle +on the table. + +SONIA. Here it is. [She hands him a bottle of medicine.] + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Crossly] No, not that one! Can't you understand me? +Can't I ask you to do a thing? + +SONIA. Please don't be captious with me. Some people may like it, +but you must spare me, if you please, because I don't. Besides, I +haven't the time; we are cutting the hay to-morrow and I must get +up early. + +VOITSKI comes in dressed in a long gown and carrying a candle. + +VOITSKI. A thunderstorm is coming up. [The lightning flashes] +There it is! Go to bed, Helena and Sonia. I have come to take +your place. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Frightened] No, n o, no! Don't leave me alone with +him! Oh, don't. He will begin to lecture me. + +VOITSKI. But you must give them a little rest. They have not +slept for two nights. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Then let them go to bed, but you go away too! Thank +you. I implore you to go. For the sake of our former friendship +do not protest against going. We will talk some other time--- + +VOITSKI. Our former friendship! Our former--- + +SONIA. Hush, Uncle Vanya! + +SEREBRAKOFF. [To his wife] My darling, don't leave me alone with +him. He will begin to lecture me. + +VOITSKI. This is ridiculous. + +MARINA comes in carrying a candle. + +SONIA. You must go to bed, nurse, it is late. + +MARINA. I haven't cleared away the tea things. Can't go to bed +yet. + +SEREBRAKOFF. No one can go to bed. They are all worn out, only I +enjoy perfect happiness. + +MARINA. [Goes up to SEREBRAKOFF and speaks tenderly] What's the +matter, master? Does it hurt? My own legs are aching too, oh, so +badly. [Arranges his shawl about his legs] You have had this +illness such a long time. Sonia's dead mother used to stay awake +with you too, and wear herself out for you. She loved you dearly. +[A pause] Old people want to be pitied as much as young ones, but +nobody cares about them somehow. [She kisses SEREBRAKOFF'S +shoulder] Come, master, let me give you some linden-tea and warm +your poor feet for you. I shall pray to God for you. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Touched] Let us go, Marina. + +MARINA. My own feet are aching so badly, oh, so badly! [She and +SONIA lead SEREBRAKOFF out] Sonia's mother used to wear herself +out with sorrow and weeping. You were still little and foolish +then, Sonia. Come, come, master. + +SEREBRAKOFF, SONIA and MARINA go out. + +HELENA. I am absolutely exhausted by him, and can hardly stand. + +VOITSKI. You are exhausted by him, and I am exhausted by my own +self. I have not slept for three nights. + +HELENA. Something is wrong in this house. Your mother hates +everything but her pamphlets and the professor; the professor is +vexed, he won't trust me, and fears you; Sonia is angry with her +father, and with me, and hasn't spoken to me for two weeks; I am +at the end of my strength, and have come near bursting into tears +at least twenty times to-day. Something is wrong in this house. + +VOITSKI. Leave speculating alone. + +HELENA. You are cultured and intelligent, Ivan, and you surely +understand that the world is not destroyed by villains and +conflagrations, but by hate and malice and all this spiteful +tattling. It is your duty to make peace, and not to growl at +everything. + +VOITSKI. Help me first to make peace with myself. My darling! +[Seizes her hand.] + +HELENA. Let go! [She drags her hand away] Go away! + +VOITSKI. Soon the rain will be over, and all nature will sigh and +awake refreshed. Only I am not refreshed by the storm. Day and +night the thought haunts me like a fiend, that my life is lost +for ever. My past does not count, because I frittered it away on +trifles, and the present has so terribly miscarried! What shall I +do with my life and my love? What is to become of them? This +wonderful feeling of mine will be wasted and lost as a ray of +sunlight is lost that falls into a dark chasm, and my life will +go with it. + +HELENA. I am as it were benumbed when you speak to me of your +love, and I don't know how to answer you. Forgive me, I have +nothing to say to you. [She tries to go out] Good-night! + +VOITSKI. [Barring the way] If you only knew how I am tortured by +the thought that beside me in this house is another life that is +being lost forever--it is yours! What are you waiting for? What +accursed philosophy stands in your way? Oh, understand, +understand--- + +HELENA. [Looking at him intently] Ivan, you are drunk! + +VOITSKI. Perhaps. Perhaps. + +HELENA. Where is the doctor? + +VOITSKI. In there, spending the night with me. Perhaps I am +drunk, perhaps I am; nothing is impossible. + +HELENA. Have you just been drinking together? Why do you do that? + +VOITSKI. Because in that way I get a taste of life. Let me do it, +Helena! + +HELENA. You never used to drink, and you never used to talk so +much. Go to bed, I am tired of you. + +VOITSKI. [Falling on his knees before her] My sweetheart, my +beautiful one--- + +HELENA. [Angrily] Leave me alone! Really, this has become too +disagreeable. + +HELENA goes out. A pause. + +VOITSKI [Alone] She is gone! I met her first ten years ago, at +her sister's house, when she was seventeen and I was +thirty-seven. Why did I not fall in love with her then and +propose to her? It would have been so easy! And now she would +have been my wife. Yes, we would both have been waked to-night by +the thunderstorm, and she would have been frightened, but I would +have held her in my arms and whispered: "Don't be afraid! I am +here." Oh, enchanting dream, so sweet that I laugh to think of +it. [He laughs] But my God! My head reels! Why am I so old? Why +won't she understand me? I hate all that rhetoric of hers, that +morality of indolence, that absurd talk about the destruction of +the world--- [A pause] Oh, how I have been deceived! For years I +have worshipped that miserable gout-ridden professor. Sonia and I +have squeezed this estate dry for his sake. We have bartered our +butter and curds and peas like misers, and have never kept a +morsel for ourselves, so that we could scrape enough pennies +together to send to him. I was proud of him and of his learning; +I received all his words and writings as inspired, and now? Now +he has retired, and what is the total of his life? A blank! He is +absolutely unknown, and his fame has burst like a soap-bubble. I +have been deceived; I see that now, basely deceived. + +ASTROFF comes in. He has his coat on, but is without his +waistcoat or collar, and is slightly drunk. TELEGIN follows him, +carrying a guitar. + +ASTROFF. Play! + +TELEGIN. But every one is asleep. + +ASTROFF. Play! + +TELEGIN begins to play softly. + +ASTROFF. Are you alone here? No women about? [Sings with his arms +akimbo.] + + "The hut is cold, the fire is dead; + Where shall the master lay his head?" + +The thunderstorm woke me. It was a heavy shower. What time is it? + +VOITSKI. The devil only knows. + + ASTROFF. I thought I heard Helena's voice. + + VOITSKI. She was here a moment ago. + + ASTROFF. What a beautiful woman! [Looking at the medicine +bottles on the table] Medicine, is it? What a variety we have; +prescriptions from Moscow, from Kharkoff, from Tula! Why, he has +been pestering all the towns of Russia with his gout! Is he ill, +or simply shamming? + + VOITSKI. He is really ill. + +ASTROFF. What is the matter with you to-night? You seem sad. Is +it because you are sorry for the professor? + + VOITSKI. Leave me alone. + + ASTROFF. Or in love with the professor's wife? + + VOITSKI. She is my friend. + + ASTROFF. Already? + + VOITSKI. What do you mean by "already"? + +ASTROFF. A woman can only become a man's friend after having +first been his acquaintance and then his beloved--then she +becomes his friend. + +VOITSKI. What vulgar philosophy! + +ASTROFF. What do you mean? Yes, I must confess I am getting +vulgar, but then, you see, I am drunk. I usually only drink like +this once a month. At such times my audacity and temerity know no +bounds. I feel capable of anything. I attempt the most difficult +operations and do them magnificently. The most brilliant plans +for the future take shape in my head. I am no longer a poor fool +of a doctor, but mankind's greatest benefactor. I evolve my own +system of philosophy and all of you seem to crawl at my feet like +so many insects or microbes. [To TELEGIN] Play, Waffles! + +TELEGIN. My dear boy, I would with all my heart, but do listen to +reason; everybody in the house is asleep. + +ASTROFF. Play! + +TELEGIN plays softly. + +ASTROFF. I want a drink. Come, we still have some brandy left. +And then, as soon as it is day, you will come home with me. [He +sees SONIA, who comes in at that moment.] + +ASTROFF. I beg your pardon, I have no collar on. + +[He goes out quickly, followed by TELEGIN. + +SONIA. Uncle Vanya, you and the doctor have been drinking! The +good fellows have been getting together! It is all very well for +him, he has always done it, but why do you follow his example? It +looks dreadfully at your age. + +VOITSKI. Age has nothing to do with it. When real life is + wanting one must create an illusion. It is better than nothing. + +SONIA. Our hay is all cut and rotting in these daily rains, and +here you are busy creating illusions! You have given up the farm +altogether. I have done all the work alone until I am at the end +of my strength--[Frightened] Uncle! Your eyes are full of tears! + +VOITSKI. Tears? Nonsense, there are no tears in my eyes. You +looked at me then just as your dead mother used to, my +darling--[He eagerly kisses her face and hands] My sister, my +dearest sister, where are you now? Ah, if you only knew, if you +only knew! + +SONIA. If she only knew what, Uncle? + +VOITSKI. My heart is bursting. It is awful. No matter, though. I +must go. [He goes out.] + +SONIA. [Knocks at the door] Dr. Astroff! Are you awake? Please +come here for a minute. + +ASTROFF. [Behind the door] In a moment. + +He appears in a few seconds. He has put on his collar and +waistcoat. + +ASTROFF. What do you want? + +SONIA. Drink as much as you please yourself if you don't find it +revolting, but I implore you not to let my uncle do it. It is bad +for him. + +ASTROFF. Very well; we won't drink any more. I am going home at +once. That is settled. It will be dawn by the time the horses are +harnessed. + +SONIA. It is still raining; wait till morning. + +ASTROFF. The storm is blowing over. This is only the edge of it. +I must go. And please don't ask me to come and see your father +any more. I tell him he has gout, and he says it is rheumatism. I +tell him to lie down, and he sits up. To-day he refused to see me +at all. + +SONIA. He has been spoilt. [She looks in the sideboard] Won't you +have a bite to eat? + +ASTROFF. Yes, please. I believe I will. + +SONIA. I love to eat at night. I am sure we shall find something +in here. They say that he has made a great many conquests in his +life, and that the women have spoiled him. Here is some cheese +for you. + +[They stand eating by the sideboard.] + +ASTROFF. I haven't eaten anything to-day. Your father has a very +difficult nature. [He takes a bottle out of the sideboard] May I? +[He pours himself a glass of vodka] We are alone here, and I can +speak frankly. Do you know, I could not stand living in this +house for even a month? This atmosphere would stifle me. There is +your father, entirely absorbed in his books, and his gout; there +is your Uncle Vanya with his hypochondria, your grandmother, and +finally, your step-mother-- + +SONIA. What about her? + +ASTROFF. A human being should be entirely beautiful: the face, +the clothes, the mind, the thoughts. Your step-mother is, of +course, beautiful to look at, but don't you see? She does nothing +but sleep and eat and walk and bewitch us, and that is all. She +has no responsibilities, everything is done for her--am I not +right? And an idle life can never be a pure one. [A pause] +However, I may be judging her too severely. Like your Uncle +Vanya, I am discontented, and so we are both grumblers. + +SONIA. Aren't you satisfied with life? + +ASTROFF. I like life as life, but I hate and despise it in a +little Russian country village, and as far as my own personal +life goes, by heaven! there is absolutely no redeeming feature +about it. Haven't you noticed if you are riding through a dark +wood at night and see a little light shining ahead, how you +forget your fatigue and the darkness and the sharp twigs that +whip your face? I work, that you know--as no one else in the +country works. Fate beats me on without rest; at times I suffer +unendurably and I see no light ahead. I have no hope; I do not +like people. It is long since I have loved any one. + +SONIA. You love no one? + +ASTROFF. Not a soul. I only feel a sort of tenderness for your +old nurse for old-times' sake. The peasants are all alike; they +are stupid and live in dirt, and the educated people are hard to +get along with. One gets tired of them. All our good friends are +petty and shallow and see no farther than their own noses; in one +word, they are dull. Those that have brains are hysterical, +devoured with a mania for self-analysis. They whine, they hate, +they pick faults everywhere with unhealthy sharpness. They sneak +up to me sideways, look at me out of a corner of the eye, and +say: "That man is a lunatic," "That man is a wind-bag." Or, if +they don't know what else to label me with, they say I am +strange. I like the woods; that is strange. I don't eat meat; +that is strange, too. Simple, natural relations between man and +man or man and nature do not exist. [He tries to go out; SONIA +prevents him.] + +SONIA. I beg you, I implore you, not to drink any more! + +ASTROFF. Why not? + +SONIA. It is so unworthy of you. You are well-bred, your voice is +sweet, you are even--more than any one I know--handsome. Why do +you want to resemble the common people that drink and play cards? +Oh, don't, I beg you! You always say that people do not create +anything, but only destroy what heaven has given them. Why, oh, +why, do you destroy yourself? Oh, don't, I implore you not to! I +entreat you! + +ASTROFF. [Gives her his hand] I won't drink any more. + +SONIA. Promise me. + +ASTROFF. I give you my word of honour. + +SONIA. [Squeezing his hand] Thank you. + +ASTROFF. I have done with it. You see, I am perfectly sober +again, and so I shall stay till the end of my life. [He looks his +watch] But, as I was saying, life holds nothing for me; my race +is run. I am old, I am tired, I am trivial; my sensibilities are +dead. I could never attach myself to any one again. I love no +one, and never shall! Beauty alone has the power to touch me +still. I am deeply moved by it. Helena could turn my head in a +day if she wanted to, but that is not love, that is not +affection-- + +[He shudders and covers his face with his hands.] + +SONIA. What is it? + +ASTROFF. Nothing. During Lent one of my patients died under +chloroform. + +SONIA. It is time to forget that. [A pause] Tell me, doctor, if I +had a friend or a younger sister, and if you knew that she, +well--loved you, what would you do? + +ASTROFF. [Shrugging his shoulders] I don't know. I don't think I +should do anything. I should make her understand that I could not +return her love--however, my mind is not bothered about those +things now. I must start at once if I am ever to get off. +Good-bye, my dear girl. At this rate we shall stand here talking +till morning. [He shakes hands with her] I shall go out through +the sitting-room, because I am afraid your uncle might detain me. +[He goes out.] + +SONIA. [Alone] Not a word! His heart and soul are still locked +from me, and yet for some reason I am strangely happy. I wonder +why? [She laughs with pleasure] I told him that he was well-bred +and handsome and that his voice was sweet. Was that a mistake? I +can still feel his voice vibrating in the air; it caresses me. +[Wringing her hands] Oh! how terrible it is to be plain! I am +plain, I know it. As I came out of church last Sunday I overheard +a woman say, "She is a dear, noble girl, but what a pity she is +so ugly!" So ugly! + +HELENA comes in and throws open the window. + +HELENA. The storm is over. What delicious air! [A pause] Where is +the doctor? + +SONIA. He has gone. [A pause.] + +HELENA. Sonia! + +SONIA. Yes? + +HELENA. How much longer are you going to sulk at me? We have not +hurt each other. Why not be friends? We have had enough of this. + +SONIA. I myself--[She embraces HELENA] Let us make peace. + +HELENA. With all my heart. [They are both moved.] + +SONIA. Has papa gone to bed? + +HELENA. No, he is sitting up in the drawing-room. Heaven knows +what reason you and I had for not speaking to each other for +weeks. [Sees the open sideboard] Who left the sideboard open? + +SONIA. Dr. Astroff has just had supper. + +HELENA. There is some wine. Let us seal our friendship. + +SONIA. Yes, let us. + +HELENA. Out of one glass. [She fills a wine-glass] So, we are +friends, are we? + +SONIA. Yes. [They drink and kiss each other] I have long wanted +to make friends, but somehow, I was ashamed to. [She weeps.] + +HELENA. Why are you crying? + +SONIA. I don't know. It is nothing. + +HELENA. There, there, don't cry. [She weeps] Silly! Now I am +crying too. [A pause] You are angry with me because I seem to +have married your father for his money, but don't believe the +gossip you hear. I swear to you I married him for + love. I was fascinated by his fame and learning. I know now that +it was not real love, but it seemed real at the time. I am +innocent, and yet your clever, suspicious eyes have been +punishing me for an imaginary crime ever since my marriage. + +SONIA. Peace, peace! Let us forget the past. + +HELENA. You must not look so at people. It is not becoming to +you. You must trust people, or life becomes impossible. + +SONIA. Tell me truly, as a friend, are you happy? + +HELENA. Truly, no. + +SONIA. I knew it. One more question: do you wish your husband +were young? + +HELENA. What a child you are! Of course I do. Go on, ask +something else. + +SONIA. Do you like the doctor? + +HELENA. Yes, very much indeed. + +SONIA. [Laughing] I have a stupid face, haven't I? He has just +gone out, and his voice is still in my ears; I hear his step; I +see his face in the dark window. Let me say all I have in my +heart! But no, I cannot speak of it so loudly. I am ashamed. Come +to my room and let me tell you there. I seem foolish to you, +don't I? Talk to me of him. + +HELENA. What can I say? + +SONIA. He is clever. He can do everything. He can cure the sick, +and plant woods. + +HELENA. It is not a question of medicine and woods, my dear, he +is a man of genius. Do you know what that means? It means he is +brave, profound, and of clear insight. He plants a tree and his +mind travels a thousand years into the future, and he sees +visions of the happiness of the human race. People like him are +rare and should be loved. What if he does drink and act roughly +at times? A man of genius cannot be a saint in Russia. There he +lives, cut off from the world by cold and storm and endless roads +of bottomless mud, surrounded by a rough people who are crushed +by poverty and disease, his life one continuous struggle, with +never a day's respite; how can a man live like that for forty +years and keep himself sober and unspotted? [Kissing SONIA] I +wish you happiness with all my heart; you deserve it. [She gets +up] As for me, I am a worthless, futile woman. I have always been +futile; in music, in love, in my husband's house--in a word, in +everything. When you come to think of it, Sonia, I am really +very, very unhappy. [Walks excitedly up and down] Happiness can +never exist for me in this world. Never. Why do you laugh? + +SONIA. [Laughing and covering her face with her hands] I am so +happy, so happy! + +HELENA. I want to hear music. I might play a little. + +SONIA. Oh, do, do! [She embraces her] I could not possibly go to +sleep now. Do play! + +HELENA. Yes, I will. Your father is still awake. Music irritates +him when he is ill, but if he says I may, then I shall play a +little. Go, Sonia, and ask him. + +SONIA. Very well. + +[She goes out. The WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden.] + +HELENA. It is long since I have heard music. And now, I shall sit +and play, and weep like a fool. [Speaking out of the window] Is +that you rattling out there, Ephim? + +VOICE OF THE WATCHMAN. It is I. + +HELENA. Don't make such a noise. Your master is ill. + +VOICE OF THE WATCHMAN. I am going away this minute. [Whistles a +tune.] + +SONIA. [Comes back] He says, no. + +The curtain falls. + +ACT III + +The drawing-room of SEREBRAKOFF'S house. There are three doors: +one to the right, one to the left, and one in the centre of the +room. VOITSKI and SONIA are sitting down. HELENA is walking up +and down, absorbed in thought. + +VOITSKI. We were asked by the professor to be here at one +o'clock. [Looks at his watch] It is now a quarter to one. It +seems he has some communication to make to the world. + +HELENA. Probably a matter of business. + +VOITSKI. He never had any business. He writes twaddle, grumbles, +and eats his heart out with jealousy; that's all he does. + +SONIA. [Reproachfully] Uncle! + +VOITSKI. All right. I beg your pardon. [He points to HELENA] Look +at her. Wandering up and down from sheer idleness. A sweet +picture, really. + +HELENA. I wonder you are not bored, droning on in the same key +from morning till night. [Despairingly] I am dying of this +tedium. What shall I do? + +SONIA. [Shrugging her shoulders] There is plenty to do if you +would. + +HELENA. For instance? + +SONIA. You could help run this place, teach the children, care +for the sick--isn't that enough? Before you and papa came, Uncle +Vanya and I used to go to market ourselves to deal in flour. + +HELENA. I don't know anything about such things, and besides, +they don't interest me. It is only in novels that women go out +and teach and heal the peasants; how can I suddenly begin to do +it? + +SONIA. How can you live here and not do it? Wait awhile, you will +get used to it all. [Embraces her] Don't be sad, dearest. +[Laughing] You feel miserable and restless, and can't seem to fit +into this life, and your restlessness is catching. Look at Uncle +Vanya, he does nothing now but haunt you like a shadow, and I +have left my work to-day to come here and talk with you. I am +getting lazy, and don't want to go on with it. Dr. Astroff hardly +ever used to come here; it was all we could do to persuade him to +visit us once a month, and now he has abandoned his forestry and +his practice, and comes every day. You must be a witch. + +VOITSKI. Why should you languish here? Come, my dearest, my +beauty, be sensible! The blood of a Nixey runs in your veins. Oh, +won't you let yourself be one? Give your nature the reins for +once in your life; fall head over ears in love with some other +water sprite and plunge down head first into a deep pool, so that +the Herr Professor and all of us may have our hands free again. + +HELENA. [Angrily] Leave me alone! How cruel you are! [She tries +to go out.] + +VOITSKI. [Preventing her] There, there, my beauty, I apologise. +[He kisses her hand] Forgive me. + +HELENA. Confess that you would try the patience of an angel. + +VOITSKI. As a peace offering I am going to fetch some flowers +which I picked for you this morning: some autumn roses, +beautiful, sorrowful roses. [He goes out.] + +SONIA. Autumn roses, beautiful, sorrowful roses! + +[She and HELENA stand looking out of the window.] + +HELENA. September already! How shall we live through the long +winter here? [A pause] Where is the doctor? + +SONIA. He is writing in Uncle Vanya's room. I am glad Uncle Vanya +has gone out, I want to talk to you about something. + +HELENA. About what? + +SONIA. About what? + +[She lays her head on HELENA'S breast.] + +HELENA. [Stroking her hair] There, there, that will do. Don't, +Sonia. + +SONIA. I am ugly! + +HELENA. You have lovely hair. + +SONIA. Don't say that! [She turns to look at herself in the +glass] No, when a woman is ugly they always say she has beautiful +hair or eyes. I have loved him now for six years, I have loved +him more than one loves one's mother. I seem to hear him beside +me every moment of the day. I feel the pressure of his hand on +mine. If I look up, I seem to see him coming, and as you see, I +run to you to talk of him. He is here every day now, but he never +looks at me, he does not notice my presence. It is agony. I have +absolutely no hope, no, no hope. Oh, my God! Give me strength to +endure. I prayed all last night. I often go up to him and speak +to him and look into his eyes. My pride is gone. I am not +mistress of myself. Yesterday I told Uncle Vanya I couldn't +control myself, and all the servants know it. Every one knows +that I love him. + +HELENA. Does he? + +SONIA. No, he never notices me. + +HELENA. [Thoughtfully] He is a strange man. Listen, Sonia, will +you allow me to speak to him? I shall be careful, only hint. [A +pause] Really, to be in uncertainty all these years! Let me do +it! + +SONIA nods an affirmative. + +HELENA. Splendid! It will be easy to find out whether he loves +you or not. Don't be ashamed, sweetheart, don't worry. I shall be +careful; he will not notice a thing. We only want to find out +whether it is yes or no, don't we? [A pause] And if it is no, +then he must keep away from here, is that so? + +SONIA nods. + +HELENA. It will be easier not to see him any more. We won't put +off the examination an instant. He said he had a sketch to show +me. Go and tell him at once that I want to see him. + +SONIA. [In great excitement] Will you tell me the whole truth? + +HELENA. Of course I will. I am sure that no matter what it is, it +will be easier for you to bear than this uncertainty. Trust to +me, dearest. + +SONIA. Yes, yes. I shall say that you want to see his sketch. +[She starts out, but stops near the door and looks back] No, it +is better not to know--and yet--there may be hope. + +HELENA. What do you say? + +SONIA. Nothing. [She goes out.] + +HELENA. [Alone] There is no greater sorrow than to know another's +secret when you cannot help them. [In deep thought] He is +obviously not in love with her, but why shouldn't he marry her? +She is not pretty, but she is so clever and pure and good, she +would make a splendid wife for a country doctor of his years. [A +pause] I can understand how the poor child feels. She lives here +in this desperate loneliness with no one around her except these +colourless shadows that go mooning about talking nonsense and +knowing nothing except that they eat, drink, and sleep. Among +them appears from time to time this Dr. Astroff, so different, so +handsome, so interesting, so charming. It is like seeing the moon +rise on a dark night. Oh, to surrender oneself to his embrace! To +lose oneself in his arms! I am a little in love with him myself! +Yes, I am lonely without him, and when I think of him I smile. +That Uncle Vanya says I have the blood of a Nixey in my veins: +"Give rein to your nature for once in your life!" Perhaps it is +right that I should. Oh, to be free as a bird, to fly away from +all your sleepy faces and your talk and forget that you have +existed at all! But I am a coward, I am afraid; my conscience +torments me. He comes here every day now. I can guess why, and +feel guilty already; I should like to fall on my knees at Sonia's +feet and beg her forgiveness, and weep. + +ASTROFF comes in carrying a portfolio. + +ASTROFF. How do you do? [Shakes hands with her] Do you want to +see my sketch? + +HELENA. Yes, you promised to show me what you had been doing. +Have you time now? + +ASTROFF. Of course I have! + +He lays the portfolio on the table, takes out the sketch and +fastens it to the table with thumb-tacks. + +ASTROFF. Where were you born? + +HELENA. [Helping him] In St. Petersburg. + +ASTROFF. And educated? + +HELENA. At the Conservatory there. + +ASTROFF. You don't find this life very interesting, I dare say? + +HELENA. Oh, why not? It is true I don't know the country very +well, but I have read a great deal about it. + +ASTROFF. I have my own desk there in Ivan's room. When I am +absolutely too exhausted to go on I drop everything and rush over +here to forget myself in this work for an hour or two. Ivan and +Miss Sonia sit rattling at their counting-boards, the cricket +chirps, and I sit beside them and paint, feeling warm and +peaceful. But I don't permit myself this luxury very often, only +once a month. [Pointing to the picture] Look there! That is a map +of our country as it was fifty years ago. The green tints, both +dark and light, represent forests. Half the map, as you see, is +covered with it. Where the green is striped with red the forests +were inhabited by elk and wild goats. Here on this lake, lived +great flocks of swans and geese and ducks; as the old men say, +there was a power of birds of every kind. Now they have vanished +like a cloud. Beside the hamlets and villages, you see, I have +dotted down here and there the various settlements, farms, +hermit's caves, and water-mills. This country carried a great +many cattle and horses, as you can see by the quantity of blue +paint. For instance, see how thickly it lies in this part; there +were great herds of them here, an average of three horses to +every house. [A pause] Now, look lower down. This is the country +as it was twenty-five years ago. Only a third of the map is green +now with forests. There are no goats left and no elk. The blue +paint is lighter, and so on, and so on. Now we come to the third +part; our country as it appears to-day. We still see spots of +green, but not much. The elk, the swans, the black-cock have +disappeared. It is, on the whole, the picture of a regular and +slow decline which it will evidently only take about ten or +fifteen more years to complete. You may perhaps object that it is +the march of progress, that the old order must give place to the +new, and you might be right if roads had been run through these +ruined woods, or if factories and schools had taken their place. +The people then would have become better educated and healthier +and richer, but as it is, we have nothing of the sort. We have +the same swamps and mosquitoes; the same disease and want; the +typhoid, the diphtheria, the burning villages. We are confronted +by the degradation of our country, brought on by the fierce +struggle for existence of the human race. It is the consequence +of the ignorance and unconsciousness of starving, shivering, sick +humanity that, to save its children, instinctively snatches at +everything that can warm it and still its hunger. So it destroys +everything it can lay its hands on, without a thought for the +morrow. And almost everything has gone, and nothing has been +created to take its place. [Coldly] But I see by your face that I +am not interesting you. + +HELENA. I know so little about such things! + +ASTROFF. There is nothing to know. It simply isn't interesting, +that's all. + +HELENA. Frankly, my thoughts were elsewhere. Forgive me! I want +to submit you to a little examination, but I am embarrassed and +don't know how to begin. + +ASTROFF. An examination? + +HELENA. Yes, but quite an innocent one. Sit down. [They sit down] +It is about a certain young girl I know. Let us discuss it like +honest people, like friends, and then forget what has passed +between us, shall we? + +ASTROFF. Very well. + +HELENA. It is about my step-daughter, Sonia. Do you like her? + +ASTROFF. Yes, I respect her. + +HELENA. Do you like her--as a woman? + +ASTROFF. [Slowly] No. + +HELENA. One more word, and that will be the last. You have not +noticed anything? + +ASTROFF. No, nothing. + +HELENA. [Taking his hand] You do not love her. I see that in your +eyes. She is suffering. You must realise that, and not come here +any more. + +ASTROFF. My sun has set, yes, and then I haven't the time. +[Shrugging his shoulders] Where shall I find time for such +things? [He is embarrassed. + +HELENA. Bah! What an unpleasant conversation! I am as out of +breath as if I had been running three miles uphill. Thank heaven, +that is over! Now let us forget everything as if nothing had been +said. You are sensible. You understand. [A pause] I am actually +blushing. + +ASTROFF. If you had spoken a month ago I might perhaps have +considered it, but now--[He shrugs his shoulders] Of course, if +she is suffering--but I cannot understand why you had to put me +through this examination. [He searches her face with his eyes, +and shakes his finger at her] Oho, you are wily! + +HELENA. What does this mean? + +ASTROFF. [Laughing] You are a wily one! I admit that Sonia is +suffering, but what does this examination of yours mean? [He +prevents her from retorting, and goes on quickly] Please don't +put on such a look of surprise; you know perfectly well why I +come here every day. Yes, you know perfectly why and for whose +sake I come! Oh, my sweet tigress! don't look at me in that way; +I am an old bird! + +HELENA. [Perplexed] A tigress? I don't understand you. + +ASTROFF. Beautiful, sleek tigress, you must have your victims! +For a whole month I have done nothing but seek you eagerly. I +have thrown over everything for you, and you love to see it. Now +then, I am sure you knew all this without putting me through your +examination. [Crossing his arms and bowing his head] I surrender. +Here you have me--now, eat me. + +HELENA. You have gone mad! + +ASTROFF. You are afraid! + +HELENA. I am a better and stronger woman than you think me. +Good-bye. [She tries to leave the room.] + +ASTROFF. Why good-bye? Don't say good-bye, don't waste words. Oh, +how lovely you are--what hands! [He kisses her hands.] + +HELENA. Enough of this! [She frees her hands] Leave the room! You +have forgotten yourself. + +ASTROFF. Tell me, tell me, where can we meet to-morrow? [He puts +his arm around her] Don't you see that we must meet, that it is +inevitable? + +He kisses her. VOITSKI comes in carrying a bunch of roses, and +stops in the doorway. + +HELENA. [Without seeing VOITSKI] Have + pity! Leave me, [lays her head on ASTROFF'S shoulder] Don't! +[She tries to break away from him.] + +ASTROFF. [Holding her by the waist] Be in the forest tomorrow at +two o'clock. Will you? Will you? + +HELENA. [Sees VOITSKI] Let me go! [Goes to the window deeply +embarrassed] This is appalling! + +VOITSKI. [Throws the flowers on a chair, and speaks in great +excitement, wiping his face with his handkerchief] Nothing--yes, +yes, nothing. + +ASTROFF. The weather is fine to-day, my dear Ivan; the morning +was overcast and looked like rain, but now the sun is shining +again. Honestly, we have had a very fine autumn, and the wheat is +looking fairly well. [Puts his map back into the portfolio] But +the days are growing short. + +HELENA. [Goes quickly up to VOITSKI] You must do your best; you +must use all your power to get my husband and myself away from +here to-day! Do you hear? I say, this very day! + +VOITSKI. [Wiping his face] Oh! Ah! Oh! All right! I--Helena, I +saw everything! + +HELENA. [In great agitation] Do you hear me? I must leave here +this very day! + +SEREBRAKOFF, SONIA, MARINA, and TELEGIN come in. + +TELEGIN. I am not very well myself, your Excellency. I have been +limping for two days, and my head-- + +SEREBRAKOFF. Where are the others? I hate this house. It is a +regular labyrinth. Every one is always scattered through the +twenty-six enormous rooms; one never can find a soul. [Rings] Ask +my wife and Madame Voitskaya to come here! + +HELENA. I am here already. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Please, all of you, sit down. + +SONIA. [Goes up to HELENA and asks anxiously] What did he say? + +HELENA. I'll tell you later. + +SONIA. You are moved. [looking quickly and inquiringly into her +face] I understand; he said he would not come here any more. [A +pause] Tell me, did he? + +HELENA nods. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [To TELEGIN] One can, after all, become reconciled +to being an invalid, but not to this country life. The ways of it +stick in my throat and I feel exactly as if I had been whirled +off the earth and landed on a strange planet. Please be seated, +ladies and gentlemen. Sonia! [SONIA does not hear. She is +standing with her head bowed sadly forward on her breast] Sonia! +[A pause] She does not hear me. [To MARINA] Sit down too, nurse. +[MARINA sits down and begins to knit her stocking] I crave your +indulgence, ladies and gentlemen; hang your ears, if I may say +so, on the peg of attention. [He laughs.] + +VOITSKI. [Agitated] Perhaps you do not need me--may I be excused? + +SEREBRAKOFF. No, you are needed now more than any one. + +VOITSKI. What is it you want of me? + +SEREBRAKOFF. You--but what are you angry about? If it is anything +I have done, I ask you to forgive me. + +VOITSKI. Oh, drop that and come to business; what do you want? + +MME. VOITSKAYA comes in. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Here is mother. Ladies and gentlemen, I shall begin. +I have asked you to assemble here, my friends, in order to +discuss a very important matter. I want to ask you for your +assistance and advice, and knowing your unfailing amiability I +think I can count on both. I am a book-worm and a scholar, and am +unfamiliar with practical affairs. I cannot, I find, dispense +with the help of well-informed people such as you, Ivan, and you, +Telegin, and you, mother. The truth is, _manet omnes una nox,_ +that is to say, our lives are in the hands of God, and as I am +old and ill, I realise that the time has come for me to dispose +of my property in regard to the interests of my family. My life +is nearly over, and I am not thinking of myself, but I have a +young wife and daughter. [A pause] I cannot continue to live in +the country; we were not made for country life, and yet we cannot +afford to live in town on the income derived from this estate. We +might sell the woods, but that would be an expedient we could not +resort to every year. We must find some means of guaranteeing to +ourselves a certain more or less fixed yearly income. With this +object in view, a plan has occurred to me which I now have the +honour of presenting to you for your consideration. I shall only +give you a rough outline, avoiding all details. Our estate does +not pay on an average more than two per cent on the money +invested in it. I propose to sell it. If we then invest our +capital in bonds, it will earn us four to five per cent, and we +should probably have a surplus over of several thousand roubles, +with which we could buy a summer cottage in Finland-- + +VOITSKI. Hold on! Repeat what you just said; I don't think I +heard you quite right. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I said we would invest the money in bonds and buy a +cottage in Finland with the surplus. + +VOITSKI. No, not Finland--you said something else. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I propose to sell this place. + +VOITSKI. Aha! That was it! So you are going to sell the place? +Splendid. The idea is a rich one. And what do you propose to do +with my old mother and me and with Sonia here? + +SEREBRAKOFF. That will be decided in due time. We can't do +everything at once. + +VOITSKI. Wait! It is clear that until this moment I have never +had a grain of sense in my head. I have always been stupid enough +to think that the estate belonged to Sonia. My father bought it +as a wedding present for my sister, and I foolishly imagined that +as our laws were made for Russians and not Turks, my sister's +estate would come down to her child. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Of course it is Sonia's. Has any one denied it? I +don't want to sell it without Sonia's consent; on the contrary, +what I am doing is for Sonia's good. + +VOITSKI. This is absolutely incomprehensible. Either I have gone +mad or--or-- + +MME. VOITSKAYA. Jean, don't contradict Alexander. Trust to him; +he knows better than we do what is right and what is wrong. + +VOITSKI. I shan't. Give me some water. [He drinks] Go ahead! Say +anything you please--anything! + +SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine why you are so upset. I don't +pretend that my scheme is an ideal one, and if you all object to +it I shall not insist. [A pause.] + +TELEGIN. [With embarrassment] I not only nourish feelings of +respect toward learning, your Excellency, but I am also drawn to +it by family ties. My brother Gregory's wife's brother, whom you +may know; his name is Constantine Lakedemonoff, and he used to be +a magistrate-- + +VOITSKI. Stop, Waffles. This is business; wait a bit, we will +talk of that later. [To SEREBRAKOFF] There now, ask him what he +thinks; this estate was bought from his uncle. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Ah! Why should I ask questions? What good would it +do? + +VOITSKI. The price was ninety-five thousand roubles. My father +paid seventy and left a debt of twenty-five. Now listen! This +place could never have been bought had I not renounced my +inheritance in favour of my sister, whom I deeply loved--and what +is more, I worked for ten years like an ox, and paid off the +debt. + +SEREBRAKOFF. I regret ever having started this conversation. + +VOITSKI. Thanks entirely to my own personal efforts, the place is +entirely clear of debts, and now, when I have grown old, you want +to throw me out, neck and crop! + +SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine what you are driving at. + +VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have managed this place, and +have sent you the returns from it like the most honest of +servants, and you have never given me one single word of thanks +for my work, not one--neither in my youth nor now. You allowed me +a meagre salary of five hundred roubles a year, a beggar's +pittance, and have never even thought of adding a rouble to it. + +SEREBRAKOFF. What did I know about such things, Ivan? I am not a +practical man and don't understand them. You might have helped +yourself to all you wanted. + +VOITSKI. Yes, why did I not steal? Don't you all despise me for +not stealing, when it would have been only justice? And I should +not now have been a beggar! + +MME. VOITSKAYA. [Sternly] Jean! + +TELEGIN. [Agitated] Vanya, old man, don't talk in that way. Why +spoil such pleasant relations? [He embraces him] Do stop! + +VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have been sitting here with my +mother like a mole in a burrow. Our every thought and hope was +yours and yours only. By day we talked with pride of you and your +work, and spoke your name with veneration; our nights we wasted +reading the books and papers which my soul now loathes. + +TELEGIN. Don't, Vanya, don't. I can't stand it. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Wrathfully] What under heaven do you want, anyway? + +VOITSKI. We used to think of you as almost superhuman, but now +the scales have fallen from my eyes and I see you as you are! You +write on art without knowing anything about it. Those books of +yours which I used to admire are not worth one copper kopeck. You +are a hoax! + +SEREBRAKOFF. Can't any one make him stop? I am going! + +HELENA. Ivan, I command you to stop this instant! Do you hear me? + +VOITSKI. I refuse! [SEREBRAKOFF tries to get out of the room, but +VOITSKI bars the door] Wait! I have not done yet! You have +wrecked my life. I have never lived. My best years have gone for +nothing, have been ruined, thanks to you. You are my most bitter +enemy! + +TELEGIN. I can't stand it; I can't stand it. I am going. [He goes +out in great excitement.] + +SEREBRAKOFF. But what do you want? What earthly right have you to +use such language to me? Ruination! If this estate is yours, then +take it, and let me be ruined! + +HELENA. I am going away out of this hell this minute. [Shrieks] +This is too much! + +VOITSKI. My life has been a failure. I am clever and brave and +strong. If I had lived a normal life I might have become another +Schopenhauer or Dostoieffski. I am losing my head! I am going +crazy! Mother, I am in despair! Oh, mother! + +MME. VOITSKAYA. [Sternly] Listen, Alexander! + +SONIA falls on her knees beside the nurse and nestles against +her. + +SONIA. Oh, nurse, nurse! + +VOITSKI. Mother! What shall I do? But no, don't speak! I know +what to do. [To SEREBRAKOFF] And you will understand me! + +He goes out through the door in the centre of the room and MME. +VOITSKAYA follows him. + +SEREBRAKOFF. Tell me, what on earth is the matter? Take this +lunatic out of my sight! I cannot possibly live under the same +roof with him. His room [He points to the centre door] is almost +next door to mine. Let him take himself off into the village or +into the wing of the house, or I shall leave here at once. I +cannot stay in the same house with him. + +HELENA. [To her husband] We are leaving to-day; we must get ready +at once for our departure. + +SEREBRAKOFF. What a perfectly dreadful man! + +SONIA. [On her knees beside the nurse and turning to her father. +She speaks with emotion] You must be kind to us, papa. Uncle +Vanya and I are so unhappy! [Controlling her despair] Have pity +on us. Remember how Uncle Vanya and Granny used to copy and +translate your books for you every night--every, every night. +Uncle Vanya has toiled without rest; he would never spend a penny +on us, we sent it all to you. We have not eaten the bread of +idleness. I am not saying this as I should like to, but you must +understand us, papa, you must be merciful to us. + +HELENA. [Very excited, to her husband] For heaven's sake, +Alexander, go and have a talk with him--explain! + +SEREBRAKOFF. Very well, I shall have a talk with him, but I won't +apologise for a thing. I am not angry with him, but you must +confess that his behaviour has been strange, to say the least. +Excuse me, I shall go to him. + +[He goes out through the centre door.] + +HELENA. Be gentle with him; try to quiet him. [She follows him +out.] + +SONIA. [Nestling nearer to MARINA] Nurse, oh, nurse! + +MARINA. It's all right, my baby. When the geese have cackled they +will be still again. First they cackle and then they stop. + +SONIA. Nurse! + +MARINA. You are trembling all over, as if you were freezing. +There, there, little orphan baby, God is merciful. A little +linden-tea, and it will all pass away. Don't cry, my sweetest. +[Looking angrily at the door in the centre of the room] See, the +geese have all gone now. The devil take them! + +A shot is heard. HELENA screams behind the scenes. SONIA +shudders. + +MARINA. Bang! What's that? + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Comes in reeling with terror] Hold him! hold him! +He has gone mad! + +HELENA and VOITSKI are seen struggling in the doorway. + +HELENA. [Trying to wrest the revolver from him] Give it to me; +give it to me, I tell you! + +VOITSKI. Let me go, Helena, let me go! [He frees himself and +rushes in, looking everywhere for SEREBRAKOFF] Where is he? Ah, +there he is! [He shoots at him. A pause] I didn't get him? I +missed again? [Furiously] Damnation! Damnation! To hell with him! + +He flings the revolver on the floor, and drops helpless into a +chair. SEREBRAKOFF stands as if stupefied. HELENA leans against +the wall, almost fainting. + +HELENA. Take me away! Take me away! I can't stay here--I can't! + +VOITSKI. [In despair] Oh, what shall I do? What shall I do? + +SONIA. [Softly] Oh, nurse, nurse! + +The curtain falls. + +ACT IV + +VOITSKI'S bedroom, which is also his office. A table stands near +the window; on it are ledgers, letter scales, and papers of every +description. Near by stands a smaller table belonging to ASTROFF, +with his paints and drawing materials. On the wall hangs a cage +containing a starling. There is also a map of Africa on the wall, +obviously of no use to anybody. There is a large sofa covered +with buckram. A door to the left leads into an inner room; one to +the right leads into the front hall, and before this door lies a +mat for the peasants with their muddy boots to stand on. It is an +autumn evening. The silence is profound. TELEGIN and MARINA are +sitting facing one another, winding wool. + +TELEGIN. Be quick, Marina, or we shall be called away to say +good-bye before you have finished. The carriage has already been +ordered. + +MARINA. [Trying to wind more quickly] I am a little tired. + +TELEGIN. They are going to Kharkoff to live. + +MARINA. They do well to go. + +TELEGIN. They have been frightened. The professor's wife won't +stay here an hour longer. "If we are going at all, let's be off," +says she, "we shall go to Kharkoff and look about us, and then we +can send for our things." They are travelling light. It seems, +Marina, that fate has decreed for them not to live here. + +MARINA. And quite rightly. What a storm they have just raised! It +was shameful! + +TELEGIN. It was indeed. The scene was worthy of the brush of +Aibazofski. + +MARINA. I wish I'd never laid eyes on them. [A pause] Now we +shall have things as they were again: tea at eight, dinner at +one, and supper in the evening; everything in order as decent +folks, as Christians like to have it. [Sighs] It is a long time +since I have eaten noodles. + +TELEGIN. Yes, we haven't had noodles for ages. [A pause] Not for +ages. As I was going through the village this morning, Marina, +one of the shop-keepers called after me, "Hi! you hanger-on!" I +felt it bitterly. + +MARINA. Don't pay the least attention to them, master; we are all +dependents on God. You and Sonia and all of us. Every one must +work, no one can sit idle. Where is Sonia? + +TELEGIN. In the garden with the doctor, looking for Ivan. They +fear he may lay violent hands on himself. + +MARINA. Where is his pistol? + +TELEGIN. [Whispers] I hid it in the cellar. + +VOITSKI and ASTROFF come in. + +VOITSKI. Leave me alone! [To MARINA and TELEGIN] Go away! Go away +and leave me to myself, if but for an hour. I won't have you +watching me like this! + +TELEGIN. Yes, yes, Vanya. [He goes out on tiptoe.] + +MARINA. The gander cackles; ho! ho! ho! + +[She gathers up her wool and goes out.] + +VOITSKI. Leave me by myself! + +ASTROFF. I would, with the greatest pleasure. I ought to have +gone long ago, but I shan't leave you until you have returned +what you took from me. + +VOITSKI. I took nothing from you. + +ASTROFF. I am not jesting, don't detain me, I really must go. + +VOITSKI. I took nothing of yours. + +ASTROFF. You didn't? Very well, I shall have to wait a little +longer, and then you will have to forgive me if I resort to +force. We shall have to bind you and search you. I mean what I +say. + +VOITSKI. Do as you please. [A pause] Oh, to make such a fool of +myself! To shoot twice and miss him both times! I shall never +forgive myself. + +ASTROFF. When the impulse came to shoot, it would have been as +well had you put a bullet through your own head. + +VOITSKI. [Shrugging his shoulders] Strange! I attempted murder, +and am not going to be arrested or brought to trial. That means +they think me mad. [With a bitter laugh] Me! I am mad, and those +who hide their worthlessness, their dullness, their crying +heartlessness behind a professor's mask, are sane! Those who marry +old men and then deceive them under the noses of all, are sane! I +saw you kiss her; I saw you in each other's arms! + +ASTROFF. Yes, sir, I did kiss her; so there. [He puts his thumb +to his nose.] + +VOITSKI. [His eyes on the door] No, it is the earth that is mad, +because she still bears us on her breast. + +ASTROFF. That is nonsense. + +VOITSKI. Well? Am I not a madman, and therefore irresponsible? +Haven't I the right to talk nonsense? + +ASTROFF. This is a farce! You are not mad; you are simply a +ridiculous fool. I used to think every fool was out of his +senses, but now I see that lack of sense is a man's normal state, +and you are perfectly normal. + +VOITSKI. [Covers his face with his hands] Oh! If you knew how +ashamed I am! These piercing pangs of shame are like nothing on +earth. [In an agonised voice] I can't endure them! [He leans +against the table] What can I do? What can I do? + +ASTROFF. Nothing. + +VOITSKI. You must tell me something! Oh, my God! I am forty-seven +years old. I may live to sixty; I still have thirteen years +before me; an eternity! How shall I be able to endure life for +thirteen years? What shall I do? How can I fill them? Oh, don't +you see? [He presses ASTROFF'S hand convulsively] Don't you see, +if only I could live the rest of my life in some new way! If I +could only wake some still, bright morning and feel that life had +begun again; that the past was forgotten and had vanished like +smoke. [He weeps] Oh, to begin life anew! Tell me, tell me how to +begin. + +ASTROFF. [Crossly] What nonsense! What sort of a new life can you +and I look forward to? We can have no hope. + +VOITSKI. None? + +ASTROFF. None. Of that I am convinced. + +VOITSKI. Tell me what to do. [He puts his hand to his heart] I +feel such a burning pain here. + +ASTROFF. [Shouts angrily] Stop! [Then, more gently] It may be +that posterity, which will despise us for our blind and stupid +lives, will find some road to happiness; but we--you and I--have +but one hope, the hope that we may be visited by visions, perhaps +by pleasant ones, as we lie resting in our graves. [Sighing] Yes, +brother, there were only two respectable, intelligent men in this +county, you and I. Ten years or so of this life of ours, this +miserable life, have sucked us under, and we have become as +contemptible and petty as the rest. But don't try to talk me out +of my purpose! Give me what you took from me, will you? + +VOITSKI. I took nothing from you. + +ASTROFF. You took a little bottle of morphine out of my +medicine-case. [A pause] Listen! If you are positively determined +to make an end to yourself, go into the woods and shoot yourself +there. Give up the morphine, or there will be a lot of talk and +guesswork; people will think I gave it to you. I don't fancy +having to perform a post-mortem on you. Do you think I should +find it interesting? + +SONIA comes in. + +VOITSKI. Leave me alone. + +ASTROFF. [To SONIA] Sonia, your uncle has stolen a bottle of +morphine out of my medicine-case and won't give it up. Tell him +that his behaviour is--well, unwise. I haven't time, I must be +going. + +SONIA. Uncle Vanya, did you take the morphine? + +ASTROFF. Yes, he took it. [A pause] I am absolutely sure. + +SONIA. Give it up! Why do you want to frighten us? [Tenderly] +Give it up, Uncle Vanya! My misfortune is perhaps even greater +than yours, but I am not plunged in despair. I endure my sorrow, +and shall endure it until my life comes to a natural end. You +must endure yours, too. [A pause] Give it up! Dear, darling Uncle +Vanya. Give it up! [She weeps] You are so good, I am sure you +will have pity on us and give it up. You must endure your sorrow, +Uncle Vanya; you must endure it. + +VOITSKI takes a bottle from the drawer of the table and hands it +to ASTROFF. + +VOITSKI. There it is! [To SONIA] And now, we must get to work at +once; we must do something, or else I shall not be able to endure +it. + +SONIA. Yes, yes, to work! As soon as we have seen them off we +shall go to work. [She nervously straightens out the papers on +the table] Everything is in a muddle! + +ASTROFF. [Putting the bottle in his case, which he straps +together] Now I can be off. + +HELENA comes in. + +HELENA. Are you here, Ivan? We are starting in a moment. Go to +Alexander, he wants to speak to you. + +SONIA. Go, Uncle Vanya. [She takes VOITSKI 'S arm] Come, you and +papa must make peace; that is absolutely necessary. + +SONIA and VOITSKI go out. + +HELENA. I am going away. [She gives ASTROFF her hand] Good-bye. + +ASTROFF. So soon? + +HELENA. The carriage is waiting. + +ASTROFF. Good-bye. + +HELENA. You promised me you would go away yourself to-day. + +ASTROFF. I have not forgotten. I am going at once. [A pause] Were +you frightened? Was it so terrible? + +HELENA. Yes. + +ASTROFF. Couldn't you stay? Couldn't you? To-morrow--in the +forest-- + +HELENA. No. It is all settled, and that is why I can look you so +bravely in the face. Our departure is fixed. One thing I must ask +of you: don't think too badly of me; I should like you to respect +me. + +ASTROFF. Ah! [With an impatient gesture] Stay, I implore you! +Confess that there is nothing for you to do in this world. You +have no object in life; there is nothing to occupy your +attention, and sooner or later your feelings must master you. It +is inevitable. It would be better if it happened not in Kharkoff +or in Kursk, but here, in nature's lap. It would then at least be +poetical, even beautiful. Here you have the forests, the houses +half in ruins that Turgenieff writes of. + +HELENA. How comical you are! I am angry with you and yet I shall +always remember you with pleasure. You are interesting and +original. You and I will never meet again, and so I shall tell +you--why should I conceal it?--that I am just a little in love +with you. Come, one more last pressure of our hands, and then let +us part good friends. Let us not bear each other any ill will. + +ASTROFF. [Pressing her hand] Yes, go. [Thoughtfully] You seem to +be sincere and good, and yet there is something strangely +disquieting about all your personality. No sooner did you arrive +here with your husband than every one whom you found busy and +actively creating something was forced to drop his work and give +himself up for the whole summer to your husband's gout and +yourself. You and he have infected us with your idleness. I have +been swept off my feet; I have not put my hand to a thing for +weeks, during which sickness has been running its course +unchecked among the people, and the peasants have been pasturing +their cattle in my woods and young plantations. Go where you +will, you and your husband will always carry destruction in your +train. I am joking of course, and yet I am strangely sure that +had you stayed here we should have been overtaken by the most +immense desolation. I would have gone to my ruin, and you--you +would not have prospered. So go! E finita la comedia! + +HELENA. [Snatching a pencil off ASTROFF'S table, and hiding it +with a quick movement] I shall take this pencil for memory! + +ASTROFF. How strange it is. We meet, and then suddenly it seems +that we must part forever. That is the way in this world. As long +as we are alone, before Uncle Vanya comes in with a +bouquet--allow me--to kiss you good-bye--may I? [He kisses her on +the cheek] So! Splendid! + +HELENA. I wish you every happiness. [She glances about her] For +once in my life, I shall! and scorn the consequences! [She kisses +him impetuously, and they quickly part] I must go. + +ASTROFF. Yes, go. If the carriage is there, then start at once. +[They stand listening.] + +ASTROFF. E finita! + +VOITSKI, SEREBRAKOFF, MME. VOITSKAYA with her book, TELEGIN, and +SONIA come in. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [To VOITSKI] Shame on him who bears malice for the +past. I have gone through so much in the last few hours that I +feel capable of writing a whole treatise on the conduct of life +for the instruction of posterity. I gladly accept your apology, +and myself ask your forgiveness. [He kisses VOITSKI three times.] + +HELENA embraces SONIA. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Kissing MME. VOITSKAYA'S hand] Mother! + +MME. VOITSKAYA. [Kissing him] Have your picture taken, Alexander, +and send me one. You know how dear you are to me. + +TELEGIN. Good-bye, your Excellency. Don't forget us. + +SEREBRAKOFF. [Kissing his daughter] Good-bye, good-bye all. +[Shaking hands with ASTROFF] Many thanks for your pleasant +company. I have a deep regard for your opinions and your +enthusiasm, but let me, as an old man, give one word of advice at +parting: do something, my friend! Work! Do something! [They all +bow] Good luck to you all. [He goes out followed by MME. +VOITSKAYA and SONIA.] + +VOITSKI [Kissing HELENA'S hand fervently] Good-bye--forgive me. I +shall never see you again! + +HELENA. [Touched] Good-bye, dear boy. + +She lightly kisses his head as he bends over her hand, and goes +out. + +ASTROFF. Tell them to bring my carriage around too, Waffles. + +TELEGIN. All right, old man. + +ASTROFF and VOITSKI are left behind alone. ASTROFF collects his +paints and drawing materials on the table and packs them away in +a box. + +ASTROFF. Why don't you go to see them off? + +VOITSKI. Let them go! I--I can't go out there. I feel too sad. I +must go to work on something at once. To work! To work! + +He rummages through his papers on the table. A pause. The +tinkling of bells is heard as the horses trot away. + +ASTROFF. They have gone! The professor, I suppose, is glad to go. +He couldn't be tempted back now by a fortune. + +MARINA comes in. + +MARINA. They have gone. [She sits down in an arm-chair and knits +her stocking.] + +SONIA comes in wiping her eyes. + +SONIA. They have gone. God be with them. [To her uncle] And now, +Uncle Vanya, let us do something! + +VOITSKI. To work! To work! + +SONIA. It is long, long, since you and I have sat together at +this table. [She lights a lamp on the table] No ink! [She takes +the inkstand to the cupboard and fills it from an ink-bottle] How +sad it is to see them go! + +MME. VOITSKAYA comes slowly in. + +MME. VOITSKAYA. They have gone. + +She sits down and at once becomes absorbed in her book. SONIA +sits down at the table and looks through an account book. + +SONIA. First, Uncle Vanya, let us write up the accounts. They are +in a dreadful state. Come, begin. You take one and I will take +the other. + +VOITSKI. In account with [They sit silently writing.] + +MARINA. [Yawning] The sand-man has come. + +ASTROFF. How still it is. Their pens scratch, the cricket sings; +it is so warm and comfortable. I hate to go. [The tinkling of +bells is heard.] + +ASTROFF. My carriage has come. There now remains but to say +good-bye to you, my friends, and to my table here, and +then--away! [He puts the map into the portfolio.] + +MARINA. Don't hurry away; sit a little longer with us. + +ASTROFF. Impossible. + +VOITSKI. [Writing] And carry forward from the old debt two +seventy-five-- + +WORKMAN comes in. + +WORKMAN. Your carriage is waiting, sir. + +ASTROFF. All right. [He hands the WORKMAN his medicine-case, +portfolio, and box] Look out, don't crush the portfolio! + +WORKMAN. Very well, sir. + +SONIA. When shall we see you again? + +ASTROFF. Hardly before next summer. Probably not this winter, +though, of course, if anything should happen you will let me +know. [He shakes hands with them] Thank you for your kindness, +for your hospitality, for everything! [He goes up to MARINA and +kisses her head] Good-bye, old nurse! + +MARINA. Are you going without your tea? + +ASTROFF. I don't want any, nurse. + +MARINA. Won't you have a drop of vodka? + +ASTROFF. [Hesitatingly] Yes, I might. + +MARINA goes out. + +ASTROFF. [After a pause] My off-wheeler has gone lame for some +reason. I noticed it yesterday when Peter was taking him to +water. + +VOITSKI. You should have him re-shod. + +ASTROFF. I shall have to go around by the blacksmith's on my way +home. It can't be avoided. [He stands looking up at the map of +Africa hanging on the wall] I suppose it is roasting hot in +Africa now. + +VOITSKI. Yes, I suppose it is. + +MARINA comes back carrying a tray on which are a glass of vodka +and a piece of bread. + +MARINA. Help yourself. + +ASTROFF drinks + +MARINA. To your good health! [She bows deeply] Eat your bread +with it. + +ASTROFF. No, I like it so. And now, good-bye. [To MARINA] You +needn't come out to see me off, nurse. + +He goes out. SONIA follows him with a candle to light him to the +carriage. MARINA sits down in her armchair. + +VOITSKI. [Writing] On the 2d of February, twenty pounds of +butter; on the 16th, twenty pounds of butter again. Buckwheat +flour--[A pause. Bells are heard tinkling.] + +MARINA. He has gone. [A pause.] + +SONIA comes in and sets the candle stick on the table. + +SONIA. He has gone. + +VOITSKI. [Adding and writing] Total, fifteen--twenty-five-- + +SONIA sits down and begins to write. + +[Yawning] Oh, ho! The Lord have mercy. + +TELEGIN comes in on tiptoe, sits down near the door, and begins +to tune his guitar. + +VOITSKI. [To SONIA, stroking her hair] Oh, my child, I am +miserable; if you only knew how miserable I am! + +SONIA. What can we do? We must live our lives. [A pause] Yes, we +shall live, Uncle Vanya. We shall live through the long +procession of days before us, and through the long evenings; we +shall patiently bear the trials that fate imposes on us; we shall +work for others without rest, both now and when we are old; and +when our last hour comes we shall meet it humbly, and there, +beyond the grave, we shall say that we have suffered and wept, +that our life was bitter, and God will have pity on us. Ah, then +dear, dear Uncle, we shall see that bright and beautiful life; we +shall rejoice and look back upon our sorrow here; a tender +smile--and--we shall rest. I have faith, Uncle, fervent, +passionate faith. [SONIA kneels down before her uncle and lays +her head on his hands. She speaks in a weary voice] We shall +rest. [TELEGIN plays softly on the guitar] We shall rest. We +shall hear the angels. We shall see heaven shining like a jewel. +We shall see all evil and all our pain sink away in the great +compassion that shall enfold the world. Our life will be as +peaceful and tender and sweet as a caress. I have faith; I have +faith. [She wipes away her tears] My poor, poor Uncle Vanya, you +are crying! [Weeping] You have never known what happiness was, +but wait, Uncle Vanya, wait! We shall rest. [She embraces him] We +shall rest. [The WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden; +TELEGIN plays softly; MME. VOITSKAYA writes something on the +margin of her pamphlet; MARINA knits her stocking] We shall rest. + +The curtain slowly falls. + + + + + +End of The Project Gutenberg Etext of Uncle Vanya, by Anton Checkov + diff --git a/old/vanya10.zip b/old/vanya10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..a74bc58 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/vanya10.zip diff --git a/old/vanya10h.htm b/old/vanya10h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..33a8685 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/vanya10h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,2102 @@ +<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> +<html> +<head> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Uncle Vanya, by Anton Chekhov</title> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> +<style type="text/css"> +<!-- +body {margin:10%; text-align:justify} +blockquote {font-size:14pt} +P {font-size:14pt} +--> +</style> +</head> +<body> + + + + +<PRE> +The Project Gutenberg eBook of Uncle Vanya, by Anton Chekhov + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before downloading or redistributing +this or any other Project Gutenberg eBook. + +This header should be the first thing seen when viewing this Project +Gutenberg file. Please do not remove it. Do not change or edit the +header without written permission. + +Please read the "legal small print," and other information about the +eBook and Project Gutenberg at the bottom of this file. Included is +important information about your specific rights and restrictions in +how the file may be used. You can also find out about how to make a +donation to Project Gutenberg, and how to get involved. + + +**Welcome To The World of Free Plain Vanilla Electronic Texts** + +**eBooks Readable By Both Humans and By Computers, Since 1971** + +*****These eBooks Were Prepared By Thousands of Volunteers!***** + + +Title: Uncle Vanya + +Author: Anton Chekhov + +Release Date: May, 1999 [EBook #1756] +[Date last updated: January 31, 2004] + +Edition: 10 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, UNCLE VANYA *** + + + + +</PRE> +<h1>Uncle Vanya +<br>by Anton Checkov</h1> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h2 align="center"> UNCLE VANYA</h2> +<h3 align="center">SCENES FROM COUNTRY LIFE</h3> +<h4 align="center">IN FOUR ACTS</h4> +<h4 align="center"> </h4> +<h3>CHARACTERS</h3> +<h3> </h3> +<p>ALEXANDER SEREBRAKOFF, a retired professor</p> +<p>HELENA, his wife, twenty-seven years old</p> +<p>SONIA, his daughter by a former marriage</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA, widow of a privy councilor, and mother of + Serebrakoff's first wife</p> +<p>IVAN (VANYA) VOITSKI, her son</p> +<p>MICHAEL ASTROFF, a doctor</p> +<p>ILIA (WAFFLES) TELEGIN, an impoverished landowner</p> +<p>MARINA, an old nurse</p> +<p>A WORKMAN</p> +<p> </p> +<p>The scene is laid on SEREBRAKOFF'S country place</p> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<h2 align="center">UNCLE VANYA</h2> +<h3 align="center">ACT I</h3> +<p>A country house on a terrace. In front of it a garden. In an + avenue of trees, under an old poplar, stands a table set for tea, + with a samovar, etc. Some benches and chairs stand near the + table. On one of them is lying a guitar. A hammock is swung near + the table. It is three o'clock in the afternoon of a cloudy day.</p> +<p>MARINA, a quiet, grey-haired, little old woman, is sitting at the table knitting + a stocking.</p> +<p>ASTROFF is walking up and down near her.</p> +<p>MARINA. [Pouring some tea into a glass] Take a little tea, my + son.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Takes the glass from her unwillingly] Somehow, I don't + seem to want any.</p> +<p>MARINA. Then will you have a little vodka instead?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. No, I don't drink vodka every day, and besides, it is + too hot now. [A pause] Tell me, nurse, how long have we known + each other?</p> +<p>MARINA. [Thoughtfully] Let me see, how long is it? Lord--help me + to remember. You first came here, into our parts--let me + think--when was it? Sonia's mother was still alive--it was two + winters before she died; that was eleven years + ago--[thoughtfully] perhaps more.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Have I changed much since then?</p> +<p>MARINA. Oh, yes. You were handsome and young then, and now you + are an old man and not handsome any more. You drink, too.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Yes, ten years have made me another man. And why? + Because I am overworked. Nurse, I am on my feet from dawn till + dusk. I know no rest; at night I tremble under my blankets for + fear of being dragged out to visit some one who is sick; I have + toiled without repose or a day's freedom since I have known you; + could I help growing old? And then, existence is tedious, anyway; + it is a senseless, dirty business, this life, and goes heavily. + Every one about here is silly, and after living with them for two + or three years one grows silly oneself. It is inevitable. + [Twisting his moustache] See what a long moustache I have grown. + A foolish, long moustache. Yes, I am as silly as the rest, nurse, + but not as stupid; no, I have not grown stupid. Thank God, my + brain is not addled yet, though my feelings have grown numb. I + ask nothing, I need nothing, I love no one, unless it is yourself + alone. [He kisses her head] I had a nurse just like you when I + was a child.</p> +<p>MARINA. Don't you want a bite of something to eat?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. No. During the third week of Lent I went to the epidemic at Malitskoi. + It was eruptive typhoid. The peasants were all lying side by side in their huts, + and the calves and pigs were running about the floor among the sick. Such dirt + there was, and smoke! Unspeakable! I slaved among those people all day, not + a crumb passed my lips, but when I got home there was still no rest for me; + a switchman was carried in from the railroad; I laid him on the operating table + and he went and died in my arms under chloroform, and then my feelings that + should have been deadened awoke again, my conscience tortured me as if I had + killed the man. I sat down and closed my eyes--like this--and thought: will + our descendants two hundred years from now, for whom we are breaking the road, + remember to give us a kind word? No, nurse, they will forget.</p> +<p>MARINA. Man is forgetful, but God remembers.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Thank you for that. You have spoken the truth.</p> +<p>Enter VOITSKI from the house. He has been asleep after dinner and + looks rather dishevelled. He sits down on the bench and + straightens his collar.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. H'm. Yes. [A pause] Yes.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Have you been asleep?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Yes, very much so. [He yawns] Ever since the Professor + and his wife have come, our daily life seems to have jumped the + track. I sleep at the wrong time, drink wine, and eat all sorts + of messes for luncheon and dinner. It isn't wholesome. Sonia and + I used to work together and never had an idle moment, but now + Sonia works alone and I only eat and drink and sleep. Something + is wrong.</p> +<p>MARINA. [Shaking her head] Such a confusion in the house! The + Professor gets up at twelve, the samovar is kept boiling all the + morning, and everything has to wait for him. Before they came we + used to have dinner at one o'clock, like everybody else, but now + we have it at seven. The Professor sits up all night writing and + reading, and suddenly, at two o'clock, there goes the bell! + Heavens, what is that? The Professor wants some tea! Wake the + servants, light the samovar! Lord, what disorder!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Will they be here long?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. A hundred years! The Professor has decided to make his + home here.</p> +<p>MARINA. Look at this now! The samovar has been on the table for + two hours, and they are all out walking!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. All right, don't get excited; here they come.</p> +<p>Voices are heard approaching. SEREBRAKOFF, HELENA, SONIA, and + TELEGIN come in from the depths of the garden, returning from + their walk.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Superb! Superb! What beautiful views!</p> +<p>TELEGIN. They are wonderful, your Excellency.</p> +<p>SONIA. To-morrow we shall go into the woods, shall we, papa?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Ladies and gentlemen, tea is ready.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Won't you please be good enough to send my tea into + the library? I still have some work to finish.</p> +<p>SONIA. I am sure you will love the woods.</p> +<p>HELENA, SEREBRAKOFF, and SONIA go into the house. TELEGIN sits + down at the table beside MARINA.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. There goes our learned scholar on a hot, sultry day like + this, in his overcoat and goloshes and carrying an umbrella!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. He is trying to take good care of his health.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. How lovely she is! How lovely! I have never in my life + seen a more beautiful woman.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. Do you know, Marina, that as I walk in the fields or in + the shady garden, as I look at this table here, my heart swells + with unbounded happiness. The weather is enchanting, the birds + are singing, we are all living in peace and contentment--what + more could the soul desire? [Takes a glass of tea.]</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Dreaming] Such eyes--a glorious woman!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Come, Ivan, tell us something.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Indolently] What shall I tell you?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Haven't you any news for us?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. No, it is all stale. I am just the same as usual, or + perhaps worse, because I have become lazy. I don't do anything + now but croak like an old raven. My mother, the old magpie, is + still chattering about the emancipation of woman, with one eye on + her grave and the other on her learned books, in which she is + always looking for the dawn of a new life.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. And the Professor?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. The Professor sits in his library from morning till night, as usual-- +</p> +<blockquote> + <p> "Straining the mind, wrinkling the brow, </p> + <p>We write, write, write, </p> + <p>Without respite </p> + <p>Or hope of praise in the future or now."</p> +</blockquote> +<p>Poor paper! He ought to write his autobiography; he would make a + really splendid subject for a book! Imagine it, the life of a + retired professor, as stale as a piece of hardtack, tortured by + gout, headaches, and rheumatism, his liver bursting with jealousy + and envy, living on the estate of his first wife, although he + hates it, because he can't afford to live in town. He is + everlastingly whining about his hard lot, though, as a matter of + fact, he is extraordinarily lucky. He is the son of a common + deacon and has attained the professor's chair, become the + son-in-law of a senator, is called "your Excellency," and so on. + But I'll tell you something; the man has been writing on art for + twenty-five years, and he doesn't know the very first thing about + it. For twenty-five years he has been chewing on other men's + thoughts about realism, naturalism, and all such foolishness; for + twenty-five years he has been reading and writing things that + clever men have long known and stupid ones are not interested in; + for twenty-five years he has been making his imaginary mountains + out of molehills. And just think of the man's self-conceit and + presumption all this time! For twenty-five years he has been + masquerading in false clothes and has now retired absolutely + unknown to any living soul; and yet see him! stalking across the + earth like a demi-god!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I believe you envy him.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Yes, I do. Look at the success he has had with women! + Don Juan himself was not more favoured. His first wife, who was + my sister, was a beautiful, gentle being, as pure as the blue + heaven there above us, noble, great-hearted, with more admirers + than he has pupils, and she loved him as only beings of angelic + purity can love those who are as pure and beautiful as + themselves. His mother-in-law, my mother, adores him to this day, + and he still inspires a sort of worshipful awe in her. His second + wife is, as you see, a brilliant beauty; she married him in his + old age and has surrendered all the glory of her beauty and + freedom to him. Why? What for?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Is she faithful to him?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Yes, unfortunately she is.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Why unfortunately?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Because such fidelity is false and unnatural, root and + branch. It sounds well, but there is no logic in it. It is + thought immoral for a woman to deceive an old husband whom she + hates, but quite moral for her to strangle her poor youth in her + breast and banish every vital desire from her heart.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. [In a tearful voice] Vanya, I don't like to hear you + talk so. Listen, Vanya; every one who betrays husband or wife is + faithless, and could also betray his country.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Crossly] Turn off the tap, Waffles.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. No, allow me, Vanya. My wife ran away with a lover on + the day after our wedding, because my exterior was + unprepossessing. I have never failed in my duty since then. I + love her and am true to her to this day. I help her all I can and + have given my fortune to educate the daughter of herself and her + lover. I have forfeited my happiness, but I have kept my pride. + And she? Her youth has fled, her beauty has faded according to + the laws of nature, and her lover is dead. What has she kept?</p> +<p>HELENA and SONIA come in; after them comes MME. VOITSKAYA + carrying a book. She sits down and begins to read. Some one hands + her a glass of tea which she drinks without looking up.</p> +<p>SONIA. [Hurriedly, to the nurse] There are some peasants waiting + out there. Go and see what they want. I shall pour the tea. + [Pours out some glasses of tea.]</p> +<p>MARINA goes out. HELENA takes a glass and sits drinking in the + hammock.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I have come to see your husband. You wrote me that he + had rheumatism and I know not what else, and that he was very + ill, but he appears to be as lively as a cricket.</p> +<p>HELENA. He had a fit of the blues yesterday evening and + complained of pains in his legs, but he seems all right again + to-day.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. And I galloped over here twenty miles at break-neck + speed! No matter, though, it is not the first time. Once here, + however, I am going to stay until to-morrow, and at any rate + sleep _quantum satis._</p> +<p>SONIA. Oh, splendid! You so seldom spend the night with us. Have + you had dinner yet?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. No.</p> +<p>SONIA. Good. So you will have it with us. We dine at seven now. + [Drinks her tea] This tea is cold!</p> +<p>TELEGIN. Yes, the samovar has grown cold.</p> +<p>HELENA. Don't mind, Monsieur Ivan, we will drink cold tea, then.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. I beg your pardon, my name is not Ivan, but Ilia, + ma'am--Ilia Telegin, or Waffles, as I am sometimes called on + account of my pock-marked face. I am Sonia's godfather, and his + Excellency, your husband, knows me very well. I now live with + you, ma'am, on this estate, and perhaps you will be so good as to + notice that I dine with you every day.</p> +<p>SONIA. He is our great help, our right-hand man. [Tenderly] Dear + godfather, let me pour you some tea.</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. Oh! Oh!</p> +<p>SONIA. What is it, grandmother?</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. I forgot to tell Alexander--I have lost my + memory--I received a letter to-day from Paul Alexevitch in + Kharkoff. He has sent me a new pamphlet.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Is it interesting?</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. Yes, but strange. He refutes the very theories + which he defended seven years ago. It is appalling!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. There is nothing appalling about it. Drink your tea, + mamma.</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. It seems you never want to listen to what I have + to say. Pardon me, Jean, but you have changed so in the last year + that I hardly know you. You used to be a man of settled + convictions and had an illuminating personality---</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Oh, yes. I had an illuminating personality, which + illuminated no one. [A pause] I had an illuminating personality! + You couldn't say anything more biting. I am forty-seven years + old. Until last year I endeavoured, as you do now, to blind my + eyes by your pedantry to the truths of life. But now--Oh, if you + only knew! If you knew how I lie awake at night, heartsick and + angry, to think how stupidly I have wasted my time when I might + have been winning from life everything which my old age now + forbids.</p> +<p>SONIA. Uncle Vanya, how dreary!</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. [To her son] You speak as if your former + convictions were somehow to blame, but you yourself, not they, + were at fault. You have forgotten that a conviction, in itself, + is nothing but a dead letter. You should have done something.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Done something! Not every man is capable of being a + writer _perpetuum mobile_ like your Herr Professor.</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. What do you mean by that?</p> +<p>SONIA. [Imploringly] Mother! Uncle Vanya! I entreat you!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. I am silent. I apologise and am silent. [A pause.]</p> +<p>HELENA. What a fine day! Not too hot. [A pause.]</p> +<p>VOITSKI. A fine day to hang oneself.</p> +<p>TELEGIN tunes the guitar. MARINA appears near the house, calling + the chickens.</p> +<p>MARINA. Chick, chick, chick!</p> +<p>SONIA. What did the peasants want, nurse?</p> +<p>MARINA. The same old thing, the same old nonsense. Chick, chick, + chick!</p> +<p>SONIA. Why are you calling the chickens?</p> +<p>MARINA. The speckled hen has disappeared with her chicks. I am + afraid the crows have got her.</p> +<p>TELEGIN plays a polka. All listen in silence. Enter WORKMAN.</p> +<p>WORKMAN. Is the doctor here? [To ASTROFF] Excuse me, sir, but I + have been sent to fetch you.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Where are you from?</p> +<p>WORKMAN. The factory.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Annoyed] Thank you. There is nothing for it, then, but + to go. [Looking around him for his cap] Damn it, this is + annoying!</p> +<p>SONIA. Yes, it is too bad, really. You must come back to dinner + from the factory.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. No, I won't be able to do that. It will be too late. Now + where, where-- [To the WORKMAN] Look here, my man, get me a glass + of vodka, will you? [The WORKMAN goes out] Where--where-- [Finds + his cap] One of the characters in Ostroff's plays is a man with a + long moustache and short wits, like me. However, let me bid you + good-bye, ladies and gentlemen. [To HELENA] I should be really + delighted if you would come to see me some day with Miss Sonia. + My estate is small, but if you are interested in such things I + should like to show you a nursery and seed-bed whose like you + will not find within a thousand miles of here. My place is + surrounded by government forests. The forester is old and always + ailing, so I superintend almost all the work myself.</p> +<p>HELENA. I have always heard that you were very fond of the woods. + Of course one can do a great deal of good by helping to preserve + them, but does not that work interfere with your real calling?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. God alone knows what a man's real calling is.</p> +<p>HELENA. And do you find it interesting?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Yes, very.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Sarcastically] Oh, extremely!</p> +<p>HELENA. You are still young, not over thirty-six or seven, I + should say, and I suspect that the woods do not interest you as + much as you say they do. I should think you would find them + monotonous.</p> +<p>SONIA. No, the work is thrilling. Dr. Astroff watches over the + old woods and sets out new plantations every year, and he has + already received a diploma and a bronze medal. If you will listen + to what he can tell you, you will agree with him entirely. He + says that forests are the ornaments of the earth, that they teach + mankind to understand beauty and attune his mind to lofty + sentiments. Forests temper a stern climate, and in countries + where the climate is milder, less strength is wasted in the + battle with nature, and the people are kind and gentle. The + inhabitants of such countries are handsome, tractable, sensitive, + graceful in speech and gesture. Their philosophy is joyous, art + and science blossom among them, their treatment of women is full + of exquisite nobility---</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Laughing] Bravo! Bravo! All that is very pretty, but it + is also unconvincing. So, my friend [To ASTROFF] you must let me + go on burning firewood in my stoves and building my sheds of + planks.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. You can burn peat in your stoves and build your sheds of stone. Oh, + I don't object, of course, to cutting wood from necessity, but why destroy the + forests? The woods of Russia are trembling under the blows of the axe. Millions + of trees have perished. The homes of the wild animals and birds have been desolated; + the rivers are shrinking, and many beautiful landscapes are gone forever. And + why? Because men are too lazy and stupid to stoop down and pick up their fuel + from the ground. [To HELENA] Am I not right, Madame? Who but a stupid barbarian + could burn so much beauty in his stove and destroy that which he cannot make? + Man is endowed with reason and the power to create, so that he may increase + that which has been given him, but until now he has not created, but demolished. + The forests are disappearing, the rivers are running dry, the game is exterminated, + the climate is spoiled, and the earth becomes poorer and uglier every day. [To + VOITSKI] I read irony in your eye; you do not take what I am saying seriously, + and--and--after all, it may very well be nonsense. But when I pass peasant-forests + that I have preserved from the axe, or hear the rustling of the young plantations + set out with my own hands, I feel as if I had had some small share in improving + the climate, and that if mankind is happy a thousand years from now I will have + been a little bit responsible for their happiness. When I plant a little birch + tree and then see it budding into young green and swaying in the wind, my heart + swells with pride and I--[Sees the WORKMAN, who is bringing him a glass of vodka + on a tray] however--[He drinks] I must be off. Probably it is all nonsense, + anyway. Good-bye.</p> +<p>He goes toward the house. SONIA takes his arm and goes with him.</p> +<p>SONIA. When are you coming to see us again?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I can't say.</p> +<p>SONIA. In a month?</p> +<p>ASTROFF and SONIA go into the house. HELENA and VOITSKI walk over + to the terrace.</p> +<p>HELENA. You have behaved shockingly again. Ivan, what sense was + there in teasing your mother and talking about _perpetuum + mobile?_ And at breakfast you quarreled with Alexander again. + Really, your behaviour is too petty.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. But if I hate him?</p> +<p>HELENA. You hate Alexander without reason; he is like every one + else, and no worse than you are.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. If you could only see your face, your gestures! Oh, how + tedious your life must be.</p> +<p>HELENA. It is tedious, yes, and dreary! You all abuse my husband + and look on me with compassion; you think, "Poor woman, she is + married to an old man." How well I understand your compassion! As + Astroff said just now, see how you thoughtlessly destroy the + forests, so that there will soon be none left. So you also + destroy mankind, and soon fidelity and purity and self-sacrifice + will have vanished with the woods. Why cannot you look calmly at + a woman unless she is yours? Because, the doctor was right, you + are all possessed by a devil of destruction; you have no mercy on + the woods or the birds or on women or on one another.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. I don't like your philosophy.</p> +<p>HELENA. That doctor has a sensitive, weary face--an interesting + face. Sonia evidently likes him, and she is in love with him, and + I can understand it. This is the third time he has been here + since I have come, and I have not had a real talk with him yet or + made much of him. He thinks I am disagreeable. Do you know, Ivan, + the reason you and I are such friends? I think it is because we + are both lonely and unfortunate. Yes, unfortunate. Don't look at + me in that way, I don't like it.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. How can I look at you otherwise when I love you? You are + my joy, my life, and my youth. I know that my chances of being + loved in return are infinitely small, do not exist, but I ask + nothing of you. Only let me look at you, listen to your voice--</p> +<p>HELENA. Hush, some one will overhear you.</p> +<p>[They go toward the house.]</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Following her] Let me speak to you of my love, do not + drive me away, and this alone will be my greatest happiness!</p> +<p>HELENA. Ah! This is agony!</p> +<p>TELEGIN strikes the strings of his guitar and plays a polka. MME. + VOITSKAYA writes something on the leaves of her pamphlet.</p> +<p>The curtain falls.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">ACT II</h3> +<p> </p> +<p>The dining-room of SEREBRAKOFF'S house. It is night. The tapping + of the WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden. SEREBRAKOFF is + dozing in an arm-chair by an open window and HELENA is sitting + beside him, also half asleep.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [Rousing himself] Who is here? Is it you, Sonia?</p> +<p>HELENA. It is I.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Oh, it is you, Nelly. This pain is intolerable.</p> +<p>HELENA. Your shawl has slipped down. [She wraps up his legs in the shawl] Let + me shut the window. </p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. No, leave it open; I am suffocating. I dreamt just + now that my left leg belonged to some one else, and it hurt so + that I woke. I don't believe this is gout, it is more like + rheumatism. What time is it?</p> +<p>HELENA. Half past twelve. [A pause.]</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I want you to look for Batushka's works in the + library to-morrow. I think we have him.</p> +<p>HELENA. What is that?</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Look for Batushka to-morrow morning; we used to have + him, I remember. Why do I find it so hard to breathe?</p> +<p>HELENA. You are tired; this is the second night you have had no + sleep.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. They say that Turgenieff got angina of the heart + from gout. I am afraid I am getting angina too. Oh, damn this + horrible, accursed old age! Ever since I have been old I have + been hateful to myself, and I am sure, hateful to you all as + well.</p> +<p>HELENA. You speak as if we were to blame for your being old.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I am more hateful to you than to any one.</p> +<p>HELENA gets up and walks away from him, sitting down at a + distance.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. You are quite right, of course. I am not an idiot; I + can understand you. You are young and healthy and beautiful, and + longing for life, and I am an old dotard, almost a dead man + already. Don't I know it? Of course I see that it is foolish for + me to live so long, but wait! I shall soon set you all free. My + life cannot drag on much longer.</p> +<p>HELENA. You are overtaxing my powers of endurance. Be quiet, for + God's sake!</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. It appears that, thanks to me, everybody's power of + endurance is being overtaxed; everybody is miserable, only I am + blissfully triumphant. Oh, yes, of course!</p> +<p>HELENA. Be quiet! You are torturing me.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I torture everybody. Of course.</p> +<p>HELENA. [Weeping] This is unbearable! Tell me, what is it you + want me to do?</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Nothing.</p> +<p>HELENA. Then be quiet, please.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. It is funny that everybody listens to Ivan and his + old idiot of a mother, but the moment I open my lips you all + begin to feel ill-treated. You can't even stand the sound of my + voice. Even if I am hateful, even if I am a selfish tyrant, + haven't I the right to be one at my age? Haven't I deserved it? + Haven't I, I ask you, the right to be respected, now that I am + old?</p> +<p>HELENA. No one is disputing your rights. [The window slams in the + wind] The wind is rising, I must shut the window. [She shuts it] + We shall have rain in a moment. Your rights have never been + questioned by anybody.</p> +<p>The WATCHMAN in the garden sounds his rattle.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I have spent my life working in the interests of + learning. I am used to my library and the lecture hall and to the + esteem and admiration of my colleagues. Now I suddenly find + myself plunged in this wilderness, condemned to see the same + stupid people from morning till night and listen to their futile + conversation. I want to live; I long for success and fame and the + stir of the world, and here I am in exile! Oh, it is dreadful to + spend every moment grieving for the lost past, to see the success + of others and sit here with nothing to do but to fear death. I + cannot stand it! It is more than I can bear. And you will not + even forgive me for being old!</p> +<p>HELENA. Wait, have patience; I shall he old myself in four or + five years.</p> +<p>SONIA comes in.</p> +<p>SONIA. Father, you sent for Dr. Astroff, and now when he comes + you refuse to see him. It is not nice to give a man so much + trouble for nothing.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. What do I care about your Astroff? He understands + medicine about as well as I understand astronomy.</p> +<p>SONIA. We can't send for the whole medical faculty, can we, to + treat your gout?</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I won't talk to that madman!</p> +<p>SONIA. Do as you please. It's all the same to me. [She sits + down.]</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. What time is it?</p> +<p>HELENA. One o'clock.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. It is stifling in here. Sonia, hand me that bottle + on the table.</p> +<p>SONIA. Here it is. [She hands him a bottle of medicine.]</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [Crossly] No, not that one! Can't you understand me? + Can't I ask you to do a thing?</p> +<p>SONIA. Please don't be captious with me. Some people may like it, + but you must spare me, if you please, because I don't. Besides, I + haven't the time; we are cutting the hay to-morrow and I must get + up early.</p> +<p>VOITSKI comes in dressed in a long gown and carrying a candle.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. A thunderstorm is coming up. [The lightning flashes] + There it is! Go to bed, Helena and Sonia. I have come to take + your place.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [Frightened] No, n o, no! Don't leave me alone with + him! Oh, don't. He will begin to lecture me.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. But you must give them a little rest. They have not + slept for two nights.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Then let them go to bed, but you go away too! Thank + you. I implore you to go. For the sake of our former friendship + do not protest against going. We will talk some other time---</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Our former friendship! Our former---</p> +<p>SONIA. Hush, Uncle Vanya!</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [To his wife] My darling, don't leave me alone with + him. He will begin to lecture me.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. This is ridiculous.</p> +<p>MARINA comes in carrying a candle.</p> +<p>SONIA. You must go to bed, nurse, it is late.</p> +<p>MARINA. I haven't cleared away the tea things. Can't go to bed + yet.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. No one can go to bed. They are all worn out, only I + enjoy perfect happiness.</p> +<p>MARINA. [Goes up to SEREBRAKOFF and speaks tenderly] What's the + matter, master? Does it hurt? My own legs are aching too, oh, so + badly. [Arranges his shawl about his legs] You have had this + illness such a long time. Sonia's dead mother used to stay awake + with you too, and wear herself out for you. She loved you dearly. + [A pause] Old people want to be pitied as much as young ones, but + nobody cares about them somehow. [She kisses SEREBRAKOFF'S + shoulder] Come, master, let me give you some linden-tea and warm + your poor feet for you. I shall pray to God for you.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [Touched] Let us go, Marina.</p> +<p>MARINA. My own feet are aching so badly, oh, so badly! [She and + SONIA lead SEREBRAKOFF out] Sonia's mother used to wear herself + out with sorrow and weeping. You were still little and foolish + then, Sonia. Come, come, master.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF, SONIA and MARINA go out.</p> +<p>HELENA. I am absolutely exhausted by him, and can hardly stand.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. You are exhausted by him, and I am exhausted by my own + self. I have not slept for three nights.</p> +<p>HELENA. Something is wrong in this house. Your mother hates + everything but her pamphlets and the professor; the professor is + vexed, he won't trust me, and fears you; Sonia is angry with her + father, and with me, and hasn't spoken to me for two weeks; I am + at the end of my strength, and have come near bursting into tears + at least twenty times to-day. Something is wrong in this house.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Leave speculating alone.</p> +<p>HELENA. You are cultured and intelligent, Ivan, and you surely + understand that the world is not destroyed by villains and + conflagrations, but by hate and malice and all this spiteful + tattling. It is your duty to make peace, and not to growl at + everything.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Help me first to make peace with myself. My darling! + [Seizes her hand.]</p> +<p>HELENA. Let go! [She drags her hand away] Go away!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Soon the rain will be over, and all nature will sigh and + awake refreshed. Only I am not refreshed by the storm. Day and + night the thought haunts me like a fiend, that my life is lost + for ever. My past does not count, because I frittered it away on + trifles, and the present has so terribly miscarried! What shall I + do with my life and my love? What is to become of them? This + wonderful feeling of mine will be wasted and lost as a ray of + sunlight is lost that falls into a dark chasm, and my life will + go with it.</p> +<p>HELENA. I am as it were benumbed when you speak to me of your + love, and I don't know how to answer you. Forgive me, I have + nothing to say to you. [She tries to go out] Good-night!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Barring the way] If you only knew how I am tortured by + the thought that beside me in this house is another life that is + being lost forever--it is yours! What are you waiting for? What + accursed philosophy stands in your way? Oh, understand, + understand---</p> +<p>HELENA. [Looking at him intently] Ivan, you are drunk!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Perhaps. Perhaps.</p> +<p>HELENA. Where is the doctor?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. In there, spending the night with me. Perhaps I am + drunk, perhaps I am; nothing is impossible.</p> +<p>HELENA. Have you just been drinking together? Why do you do that?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Because in that way I get a taste of life. Let me do it, + Helena!</p> +<p>HELENA. You never used to drink, and you never used to talk so + much. Go to bed, I am tired of you.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Falling on his knees before her] My sweetheart, my + beautiful one---</p> +<p>HELENA. [Angrily] Leave me alone! Really, this has become too + disagreeable.</p> +<p>HELENA goes out. A pause.</p> +<p>VOITSKI [Alone] She is gone! I met her first ten years ago, at + her sister's house, when she was seventeen and I was + thirty-seven. Why did I not fall in love with her then and + propose to her? It would have been so easy! And now she would + have been my wife. Yes, we would both have been waked to-night by + the thunderstorm, and she would have been frightened, but I would + have held her in my arms and whispered: "Don't be afraid! I am + here." Oh, enchanting dream, so sweet that I laugh to think of + it. [He laughs] But my God! My head reels! Why am I so old? Why + won't she understand me? I hate all that rhetoric of hers, that + morality of indolence, that absurd talk about the destruction of + the world--- [A pause] Oh, how I have been deceived! For years I + have worshipped that miserable gout-ridden professor. Sonia and I + have squeezed this estate dry for his sake. We have bartered our + butter and curds and peas like misers, and have never kept a + morsel for ourselves, so that we could scrape enough pennies + together to send to him. I was proud of him and of his learning; + I received all his words and writings as inspired, and now? Now + he has retired, and what is the total of his life? A blank! He is + absolutely unknown, and his fame has burst like a soap-bubble. I + have been deceived; I see that now, basely deceived.</p> +<p>ASTROFF comes in. He has his coat on, but is without his + waistcoat or collar, and is slightly drunk. TELEGIN follows him, + carrying a guitar.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Play!</p> +<p>TELEGIN. But every one is asleep.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Play!</p> +<p>TELEGIN begins to play softly.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Are you alone here? No women about? [Sings with his arms akimbo.]</p> +<blockquote> + <p> "The hut is cold, the fire is dead; </p> + <p>Where shall the master lay his head?" </p> +</blockquote> +<p>The thunderstorm woke me. It was a heavy shower. What time is it?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. The devil only knows.</p> +<p> ASTROFF. I thought I heard Helena's voice.</p> +<p> VOITSKI. She was here a moment ago.</p> +<p> ASTROFF. What a beautiful woman! [Looking at the medicine + bottles on the table] Medicine, is it? What a variety we have; + prescriptions from Moscow, from Kharkoff, from Tula! Why, he has + been pestering all the towns of Russia with his gout! Is he ill, + or simply shamming?</p> +<p> VOITSKI. He is really ill.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. What is the matter with you to-night? You seem sad. Is + it because you are sorry for the professor?</p> +<p> VOITSKI. Leave me alone.</p> +<p> ASTROFF. Or in love with the professor's wife?</p> +<p> VOITSKI. She is my friend.</p> +<p> ASTROFF. Already?</p> +<p> VOITSKI. What do you mean by "already"?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. A woman can only become a man's friend after having + first been his acquaintance and then his beloved--then she + becomes his friend.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. What vulgar philosophy!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. What do you mean? Yes, I must confess I am getting + vulgar, but then, you see, I am drunk. I usually only drink like + this once a month. At such times my audacity and temerity know no + bounds. I feel capable of anything. I attempt the most difficult + operations and do them magnificently. The most brilliant plans + for the future take shape in my head. I am no longer a poor fool + of a doctor, but mankind's greatest benefactor. I evolve my own + system of philosophy and all of you seem to crawl at my feet like + so many insects or microbes. [To TELEGIN] Play, Waffles!</p> +<p>TELEGIN. My dear boy, I would with all my heart, but do listen to + reason; everybody in the house is asleep.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Play!</p> +<p>TELEGIN plays softly.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I want a drink. Come, we still have some brandy left. + And then, as soon as it is day, you will come home with me. [He + sees SONIA, who comes in at that moment.]</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I beg your pardon, I have no collar on.</p> +<p>[He goes out quickly, followed by TELEGIN.</p> +<p>SONIA. Uncle Vanya, you and the doctor have been drinking! The + good fellows have been getting together! It is all very well for + him, he has always done it, but why do you follow his example? It + looks dreadfully at your age.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Age has nothing to do with it. When real life is + wanting one must create an illusion. It is better than nothing.</p> +<p>SONIA. Our hay is all cut and rotting in these daily rains, and + here you are busy creating illusions! You have given up the farm + altogether. I have done all the work alone until I am at the end + of my strength--[Frightened] Uncle! Your eyes are full of tears!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Tears? Nonsense, there are no tears in my eyes. You + looked at me then just as your dead mother used to, my + darling--[He eagerly kisses her face and hands] My sister, my + dearest sister, where are you now? Ah, if you only knew, if you + only knew!</p> +<p>SONIA. If she only knew what, Uncle?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. My heart is bursting. It is awful. No matter, though. I + must go. [He goes out.]</p> +<p>SONIA. [Knocks at the door] Dr. Astroff! Are you awake? Please + come here for a minute.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Behind the door] In a moment.</p> +<p>He appears in a few seconds. He has put on his collar and + waistcoat.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. What do you want?</p> +<p>SONIA. Drink as much as you please yourself if you don't find it + revolting, but I implore you not to let my uncle do it. It is bad + for him.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Very well; we won't drink any more. I am going home at + once. That is settled. It will be dawn by the time the horses are + harnessed.</p> +<p>SONIA. It is still raining; wait till morning.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. The storm is blowing over. This is only the edge of it. + I must go. And please don't ask me to come and see your father + any more. I tell him he has gout, and he says it is rheumatism. I + tell him to lie down, and he sits up. To-day he refused to see me + at all.</p> +<p>SONIA. He has been spoilt. [She looks in the sideboard] Won't you + have a bite to eat?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Yes, please. I believe I will.</p> +<p>SONIA. I love to eat at night. I am sure we shall find something + in here. They say that he has made a great many conquests in his + life, and that the women have spoiled him. Here is some cheese + for you.</p> +<p>[They stand eating by the sideboard.]</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I haven't eaten anything to-day. Your father has a very + difficult nature. [He takes a bottle out of the sideboard] May I? + [He pours himself a glass of vodka] We are alone here, and I can + speak frankly. Do you know, I could not stand living in this + house for even a month? This atmosphere would stifle me. There is + your father, entirely absorbed in his books, and his gout; there + is your Uncle Vanya with his hypochondria, your grandmother, and + finally, your step-mother--</p> +<p>SONIA. What about her?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. A human being should be entirely beautiful: the face, + the clothes, the mind, the thoughts. Your step-mother is, of + course, beautiful to look at, but don't you see? She does nothing + but sleep and eat and walk and bewitch us, and that is all. She + has no responsibilities, everything is done for her--am I not + right? And an idle life can never be a pure one. [A pause] + However, I may be judging her too severely. Like your Uncle + Vanya, I am discontented, and so we are both grumblers.</p> +<p>SONIA. Aren't you satisfied with life?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I like life as life, but I hate and despise it in a + little Russian country village, and as far as my own personal + life goes, by heaven! there is absolutely no redeeming feature + about it. Haven't you noticed if you are riding through a dark + wood at night and see a little light shining ahead, how you + forget your fatigue and the darkness and the sharp twigs that + whip your face? I work, that you know--as no one else in the + country works. Fate beats me on without rest; at times I suffer + unendurably and I see no light ahead. I have no hope; I do not + like people. It is long since I have loved any one.</p> +<p>SONIA. You love no one?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Not a soul. I only feel a sort of tenderness for your + old nurse for old-times' sake. The peasants are all alike; they + are stupid and live in dirt, and the educated people are hard to + get along with. One gets tired of them. All our good friends are + petty and shallow and see no farther than their own noses; in one + word, they are dull. Those that have brains are hysterical, + devoured with a mania for self-analysis. They whine, they hate, + they pick faults everywhere with unhealthy sharpness. They sneak + up to me sideways, look at me out of a corner of the eye, and + say: "That man is a lunatic," "That man is a wind-bag." + Or, if + they don't know what else to label me with, they say I am + strange. I like the woods; that is strange. I don't eat meat; + that is strange, too. Simple, natural relations between man and + man or man and nature do not exist. [He tries to go out; SONIA + prevents him.]</p> +<p>SONIA. I beg you, I implore you, not to drink any more!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Why not?</p> +<p>SONIA. It is so unworthy of you. You are well-bred, your voice is + sweet, you are even--more than any one I know--handsome. Why do + you want to resemble the common people that drink and play cards? + Oh, don't, I beg you! You always say that people do not create + anything, but only destroy what heaven has given them. Why, oh, + why, do you destroy yourself? Oh, don't, I implore you not to! I + entreat you!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Gives her his hand] I won't drink any more.</p> +<p>SONIA. Promise me.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I give you my word of honour.</p> +<p>SONIA. [Squeezing his hand] Thank you.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I have done with it. You see, I am perfectly sober + again, and so I shall stay till the end of my life. [He looks his + watch] But, as I was saying, life holds nothing for me; my race + is run. I am old, I am tired, I am trivial; my sensibilities are + dead. I could never attach myself to any one again. I love no + one, and never shall! Beauty alone has the power to touch me + still. I am deeply moved by it. Helena could turn my head in a + day if she wanted to, but that is not love, that is not + affection--</p> +<p>[He shudders and covers his face with his hands.]</p> +<p>SONIA. What is it?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Nothing. During Lent one of my patients died under + chloroform.</p> +<p>SONIA. It is time to forget that. [A pause] Tell me, doctor, if I + had a friend or a younger sister, and if you knew that she, + well--loved you, what would you do?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Shrugging his shoulders] I don't know. I don't think I + should do anything. I should make her understand that I could not + return her love--however, my mind is not bothered about those + things now. I must start at once if I am ever to get off. + Good-bye, my dear girl. At this rate we shall stand here talking + till morning. [He shakes hands with her] I shall go out through + the sitting-room, because I am afraid your uncle might detain me. + [He goes out.]</p> +<p>SONIA. [Alone] Not a word! His heart and soul are still locked + from me, and yet for some reason I am strangely happy. I wonder + why? [She laughs with pleasure] I told him that he was well-bred + and handsome and that his voice was sweet. Was that a mistake? I + can still feel his voice vibrating in the air; it caresses me. + [Wringing her hands] Oh! how terrible it is to be plain! I am + plain, I know it. As I came out of church last Sunday I overheard + a woman say, "She is a dear, noble girl, but what a pity she is + so ugly!" So ugly!</p> +<p>HELENA comes in and throws open the window.</p> +<p>HELENA. The storm is over. What delicious air! [A pause] Where is + the doctor?</p> +<p>SONIA. He has gone. [A pause.]</p> +<p>HELENA. Sonia!</p> +<p>SONIA. Yes?</p> +<p>HELENA. How much longer are you going to sulk at me? We have not + hurt each other. Why not be friends? We have had enough of this.</p> +<p>SONIA. I myself--[She embraces HELENA] Let us make peace.</p> +<p>HELENA. With all my heart. [They are both moved.]</p> +<p>SONIA. Has papa gone to bed?</p> +<p>HELENA. No, he is sitting up in the drawing-room. Heaven knows + what reason you and I had for not speaking to each other for + weeks. [Sees the open sideboard] Who left the sideboard open?</p> +<p>SONIA. Dr. Astroff has just had supper.</p> +<p>HELENA. There is some wine. Let us seal our friendship.</p> +<p>SONIA. Yes, let us.</p> +<p>HELENA. Out of one glass. [She fills a wine-glass] So, we are + friends, are we?</p> +<p>SONIA. Yes. [They drink and kiss each other] I have long wanted + to make friends, but somehow, I was ashamed to. [She weeps.]</p> +<p>HELENA. Why are you crying?</p> +<p>SONIA. I don't know. It is nothing.</p> +<p>HELENA. There, there, don't cry. [She weeps] Silly! Now I am + crying too. [A pause] You are angry with me because I seem to + have married your father for his money, but don't believe the + gossip you hear. I swear to you I married him for + love. I was fascinated by his fame and learning. I know now that + it was not real love, but it seemed real at the time. I am + innocent, and yet your clever, suspicious eyes have been + punishing me for an imaginary crime ever since my marriage.</p> +<p>SONIA. Peace, peace! Let us forget the past.</p> +<p>HELENA. You must not look so at people. It is not becoming to + you. You must trust people, or life becomes impossible.</p> +<p>SONIA. Tell me truly, as a friend, are you happy?</p> +<p>HELENA. Truly, no.</p> +<p>SONIA. I knew it. One more question: do you wish your husband + were young?</p> +<p>HELENA. What a child you are! Of course I do. Go on, ask + something else.</p> +<p>SONIA. Do you like the doctor?</p> +<p>HELENA. Yes, very much indeed.</p> +<p>SONIA. [Laughing] I have a stupid face, haven't I? He has just + gone out, and his voice is still in my ears; I hear his step; I + see his face in the dark window. Let me say all I have in my + heart! But no, I cannot speak of it so loudly. I am ashamed. Come + to my room and let me tell you there. I seem foolish to you, + don't I? Talk to me of him.</p> +<p>HELENA. What can I say?</p> +<p>SONIA. He is clever. He can do everything. He can cure the sick, + and plant woods.</p> +<p>HELENA. It is not a question of medicine and woods, my dear, he + is a man of genius. Do you know what that means? It means he is + brave, profound, and of clear insight. He plants a tree and his + mind travels a thousand years into the future, and he sees + visions of the happiness of the human race. People like him are + rare and should be loved. What if he does drink and act roughly + at times? A man of genius cannot be a saint in Russia. There he + lives, cut off from the world by cold and storm and endless roads + of bottomless mud, surrounded by a rough people who are crushed + by poverty and disease, his life one continuous struggle, with + never a day's respite; how can a man live like that for forty + years and keep himself sober and unspotted? [Kissing SONIA] I + wish you happiness with all my heart; you deserve it. [She gets + up] As for me, I am a worthless, futile woman. I have always been + futile; in music, in love, in my husband's house--in a word, in + everything. When you come to think of it, Sonia, I am really + very, very unhappy. [Walks excitedly up and down] Happiness can + never exist for me in this world. Never. Why do you laugh?</p> +<p>SONIA. [Laughing and covering her face with her hands] I am so + happy, so happy!</p> +<p>HELENA. I want to hear music. I might play a little.</p> +<p>SONIA. Oh, do, do! [She embraces her] I could not possibly go to + sleep now. Do play!</p> +<p>HELENA. Yes, I will. Your father is still awake. Music irritates + him when he is ill, but if he says I may, then I shall play a + little. Go, Sonia, and ask him.</p> +<p>SONIA. Very well.</p> +<p>[She goes out. The WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden.]</p> +<p>HELENA. It is long since I have heard music. And now, I shall sit + and play, and weep like a fool. [Speaking out of the window] Is + that you rattling out there, Ephim?</p> +<p>VOICE OF THE WATCHMAN. It is I.</p> +<p>HELENA. Don't make such a noise. Your master is ill.</p> +<p>VOICE OF THE WATCHMAN. I am going away this minute. [Whistles a + tune.]</p> +<p>SONIA. [Comes back] He says, no.</p> +<p>The curtain falls.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">ACT III</h3> +<p> </p> +<p>The drawing-room of SEREBRAKOFF'S house. There are three doors: + one to the right, one to the left, and one in the centre of the + room. VOITSKI and SONIA are sitting down. HELENA is walking up + and down, absorbed in thought.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. We were asked by the professor to be here at one o'clock. [Looks at + his watch] It is now a quarter to one. It seems he has some communication to + make to the world.</p> +<p>HELENA. Probably a matter of business.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. He never had any business. He writes twaddle, grumbles, + and eats his heart out with jealousy; that's all he does.</p> +<p>SONIA. [Reproachfully] Uncle!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. All right. I beg your pardon. [He points to HELENA] Look + at her. Wandering up and down from sheer idleness. A sweet + picture, really.</p> +<p>HELENA. I wonder you are not bored, droning on in the same key + from morning till night. [Despairingly] I am dying of this + tedium. What shall I do?</p> +<p>SONIA. [Shrugging her shoulders] There is plenty to do if you + would.</p> +<p>HELENA. For instance?</p> +<p>SONIA. You could help run this place, teach the children, care + for the sick--isn't that enough? Before you and papa came, Uncle + Vanya and I used to go to market ourselves to deal in flour.</p> +<p>HELENA. I don't know anything about such things, and besides, + they don't interest me. It is only in novels that women go out + and teach and heal the peasants; how can I suddenly begin to do + it?</p> +<p>SONIA. How can you live here and not do it? Wait awhile, you will + get used to it all. [Embraces her] Don't be sad, dearest. + [Laughing] You feel miserable and restless, and can't seem to fit + into this life, and your restlessness is catching. Look at Uncle + Vanya, he does nothing now but haunt you like a shadow, and I + have left my work to-day to come here and talk with you. I am + getting lazy, and don't want to go on with it. Dr. Astroff hardly + ever used to come here; it was all we could do to persuade him to + visit us once a month, and now he has abandoned his forestry and + his practice, and comes every day. You must be a witch.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Why should you languish here? Come, my dearest, my + beauty, be sensible! The blood of a Nixey runs in your veins. Oh, + won't you let yourself be one? Give your nature the reins for + once in your life; fall head over ears in love with some other + water sprite and plunge down head first into a deep pool, so that + the Herr Professor and all of us may have our hands free again.</p> +<p>HELENA. [Angrily] Leave me alone! How cruel you are! [She tries + to go out.]</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Preventing her] There, there, my beauty, I apologise. + [He kisses her hand] Forgive me.</p> +<p>HELENA. Confess that you would try the patience of an angel.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. As a peace offering I am going to fetch some flowers + which I picked for you this morning: some autumn roses, + beautiful, sorrowful roses. [He goes out.]</p> +<p>SONIA. Autumn roses, beautiful, sorrowful roses!</p> +<p>[She and HELENA stand looking out of the window.]</p> +<p>HELENA. September already! How shall we live through the long + winter here? [A pause] Where is the doctor?</p> +<p>SONIA. He is writing in Uncle Vanya's room. I am glad Uncle Vanya + has gone out, I want to talk to you about something.</p> +<p>HELENA. About what?</p> +<p>SONIA. About what?</p> +<p>[She lays her head on HELENA'S breast.]</p> +<p>HELENA. [Stroking her hair] There, there, that will do. Don't, + Sonia.</p> +<p>SONIA. I am ugly!</p> +<p>HELENA. You have lovely hair.</p> +<p>SONIA. Don't say that! [She turns to look at herself in the + glass] No, when a woman is ugly they always say she has beautiful + hair or eyes. I have loved him now for six years, I have loved + him more than one loves one's mother. I seem to hear him beside + me every moment of the day. I feel the pressure of his hand on + mine. If I look up, I seem to see him coming, and as you see, I + run to you to talk of him. He is here every day now, but he never + looks at me, he does not notice my presence. It is agony. I have + absolutely no hope, no, no hope. Oh, my God! Give me strength to + endure. I prayed all last night. I often go up to him and speak + to him and look into his eyes. My pride is gone. I am not + mistress of myself. Yesterday I told Uncle Vanya I couldn't + control myself, and all the servants know it. Every one knows + that I love him.</p> +<p>HELENA. Does he?</p> +<p>SONIA. No, he never notices me.</p> +<p>HELENA. [Thoughtfully] He is a strange man. Listen, Sonia, will + you allow me to speak to him? I shall be careful, only hint. [A + pause] Really, to be in uncertainty all these years! Let me do + it!</p> +<p>SONIA nods an affirmative.</p> +<p>HELENA. Splendid! It will be easy to find out whether he loves + you or not. Don't be ashamed, sweetheart, don't worry. I shall be + careful; he will not notice a thing. We only want to find out + whether it is yes or no, don't we? [A pause] And if it is no, + then he must keep away from here, is that so?</p> +<p>SONIA nods.</p> +<p>HELENA. It will be easier not to see him any more. We won't put + off the examination an instant. He said he had a sketch to show + me. Go and tell him at once that I want to see him.</p> +<p>SONIA. [In great excitement] Will you tell me the whole truth?</p> +<p>HELENA. Of course I will. I am sure that no matter what it is, it + will be easier for you to bear than this uncertainty. Trust to + me, dearest.</p> +<p>SONIA. Yes, yes. I shall say that you want to see his sketch. + [She starts out, but stops near the door and looks back] No, it + is better not to know--and yet--there may be hope.</p> +<p>HELENA. What do you say?</p> +<p>SONIA. Nothing. [She goes out.]</p> +<p>HELENA. [Alone] There is no greater sorrow than to know another's + secret when you cannot help them. [In deep thought] He is + obviously not in love with her, but why shouldn't he marry her? + She is not pretty, but she is so clever and pure and good, she + would make a splendid wife for a country doctor of his years. [A + pause] I can understand how the poor child feels. She lives here + in this desperate loneliness with no one around her except these + colourless shadows that go mooning about talking nonsense and + knowing nothing except that they eat, drink, and sleep. Among + them appears from time to time this Dr. Astroff, so different, so + handsome, so interesting, so charming. It is like seeing the moon + rise on a dark night. Oh, to surrender oneself to his embrace! To + lose oneself in his arms! I am a little in love with him myself! + Yes, I am lonely without him, and when I think of him I smile. + That Uncle Vanya says I have the blood of a Nixey in my veins: + "Give rein to your nature for once in your life!" Perhaps it is + right that I should. Oh, to be free as a bird, to fly away from + all your sleepy faces and your talk and forget that you have + existed at all! But I am a coward, I am afraid; my conscience + torments me. He comes here every day now. I can guess why, and + feel guilty already; I should like to fall on my knees at Sonia's + feet and beg her forgiveness, and weep.</p> +<p>ASTROFF comes in carrying a portfolio.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. How do you do? [Shakes hands with her] Do you want to + see my sketch?</p> +<p>HELENA. Yes, you promised to show me what you had been doing. + Have you time now?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Of course I have!</p> +<p>He lays the portfolio on the table, takes out the sketch and + fastens it to the table with thumb-tacks.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Where were you born?</p> +<p>HELENA. [Helping him] In St. Petersburg.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. And educated?</p> +<p>HELENA. At the Conservatory there.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. You don't find this life very interesting, I dare say?</p> +<p>HELENA. Oh, why not? It is true I don't know the country very + well, but I have read a great deal about it.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I have my own desk there in Ivan's room. When I am + absolutely too exhausted to go on I drop everything and rush over + here to forget myself in this work for an hour or two. Ivan and + Miss Sonia sit rattling at their counting-boards, the cricket + chirps, and I sit beside them and paint, feeling warm and + peaceful. But I don't permit myself this luxury very often, only + once a month. [Pointing to the picture] Look there! That is a map + of our country as it was fifty years ago. The green tints, both + dark and light, represent forests. Half the map, as you see, is + covered with it. Where the green is striped with red the forests + were inhabited by elk and wild goats. Here on this lake, lived + great flocks of swans and geese and ducks; as the old men say, + there was a power of birds of every kind. Now they have vanished + like a cloud. Beside the hamlets and villages, you see, I have + dotted down here and there the various settlements, farms, + hermit's caves, and water-mills. This country carried a great + many cattle and horses, as you can see by the quantity of blue + paint. For instance, see how thickly it lies in this part; there + were great herds of them here, an average of three horses to + every house. [A pause] Now, look lower down. This is the country + as it was twenty-five years ago. Only a third of the map is green + now with forests. There are no goats left and no elk. The blue + paint is lighter, and so on, and so on. Now we come to the third + part; our country as it appears to-day. We still see spots of + green, but not much. The elk, the swans, the black-cock have + disappeared. It is, on the whole, the picture of a regular and + slow decline which it will evidently only take about ten or + fifteen more years to complete. You may perhaps object that it is + the march of progress, that the old order must give place to the + new, and you might be right if roads had been run through these + ruined woods, or if factories and schools had taken their place. + The people then would have become better educated and healthier + and richer, but as it is, we have nothing of the sort. We have + the same swamps and mosquitoes; the same disease and want; the + typhoid, the diphtheria, the burning villages. We are confronted + by the degradation of our country, brought on by the fierce + struggle for existence of the human race. It is the consequence + of the ignorance and unconsciousness of starving, shivering, sick + humanity that, to save its children, instinctively snatches at + everything that can warm it and still its hunger. So it destroys + everything it can lay its hands on, without a thought for the + morrow. And almost everything has gone, and nothing has been + created to take its place. [Coldly] But I see by your face that I + am not interesting you.</p> +<p>HELENA. I know so little about such things!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. There is nothing to know. It simply isn't interesting, + that's all.</p> +<p>HELENA. Frankly, my thoughts were elsewhere. Forgive me! I want + to submit you to a little examination, but I am embarrassed and + don't know how to begin.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. An examination?</p> +<p>HELENA. Yes, but quite an innocent one. Sit down. [They sit down] + It is about a certain young girl I know. Let us discuss it like + honest people, like friends, and then forget what has passed + between us, shall we?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Very well.</p> +<p>HELENA. It is about my step-daughter, Sonia. Do you like her?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Yes, I respect her.</p> +<p>HELENA. Do you like her--as a woman?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Slowly] No.</p> +<p>HELENA. One more word, and that will be the last. You have not + noticed anything?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. No, nothing.</p> +<p>HELENA. [Taking his hand] You do not love her. I see that in your + eyes. She is suffering. You must realise that, and not come here + any more.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. My sun has set, yes, and then I haven't the time. + [Shrugging his shoulders] Where shall I find time for such + things? [He is embarrassed.</p> +<p>HELENA. Bah! What an unpleasant conversation! I am as out of + breath as if I had been running three miles uphill. Thank heaven, + that is over! Now let us forget everything as if nothing had been + said. You are sensible. You understand. [A pause] I am actually + blushing.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. If you had spoken a month ago I might perhaps have + considered it, but now--[He shrugs his shoulders] Of course, if + she is suffering--but I cannot understand why you had to put me + through this examination. [He searches her face with his eyes, + and shakes his finger at her] Oho, you are wily!</p> +<p>HELENA. What does this mean?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Laughing] You are a wily one! I admit that Sonia is + suffering, but what does this examination of yours mean? [He + prevents her from retorting, and goes on quickly] Please don't + put on such a look of surprise; you know perfectly well why I + come here every day. Yes, you know perfectly why and for whose + sake I come! Oh, my sweet tigress! don't look at me in that way; + I am an old bird!</p> +<p>HELENA. [Perplexed] A tigress? I don't understand you.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Beautiful, sleek tigress, you must have your victims! + For a whole month I have done nothing but seek you eagerly. I + have thrown over everything for you, and you love to see it. Now + then, I am sure you knew all this without putting me through your + examination. [Crossing his arms and bowing his head] I surrender. + Here you have me--now, eat me.</p> +<p>HELENA. You have gone mad!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. You are afraid!</p> +<p>HELENA. I am a better and stronger woman than you think me. + Good-bye. [She tries to leave the room.]</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Why good-bye? Don't say good-bye, don't waste words. Oh, + how lovely you are--what hands! [He kisses her hands.]</p> +<p>HELENA. Enough of this! [She frees her hands] Leave the room! You + have forgotten yourself.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Tell me, tell me, where can we meet to-morrow? [He puts + his arm around her] Don't you see that we must meet, that it is + inevitable?</p> +<p>He kisses her. VOITSKI comes in carrying a bunch of roses, and + stops in the doorway.</p> +<p>HELENA. [Without seeing VOITSKI] Have + pity! Leave me, [lays her head on ASTROFF'S shoulder] Don't! + [She tries to break away from him.]</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Holding her by the waist] Be in the forest tomorrow at + two o'clock. Will you? Will you?</p> +<p>HELENA. [Sees VOITSKI] Let me go! [Goes to the window deeply + embarrassed] This is appalling!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Throws the flowers on a chair, and speaks in great + excitement, wiping his face with his handkerchief] Nothing--yes, + yes, nothing.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. The weather is fine to-day, my dear Ivan; the morning + was overcast and looked like rain, but now the sun is shining + again. Honestly, we have had a very fine autumn, and the wheat is + looking fairly well. [Puts his map back into the portfolio] But + the days are growing short.</p> +<p>HELENA. [Goes quickly up to VOITSKI] You must do your best; you + must use all your power to get my husband and myself away from + here to-day! Do you hear? I say, this very day!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Wiping his face] Oh! Ah! Oh! All right! I--Helena, I + saw everything!</p> +<p>HELENA. [In great agitation] Do you hear me? I must leave here + this very day!</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF, SONIA, MARINA, and TELEGIN come in.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. I am not very well myself, your Excellency. I have been + limping for two days, and my head--</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Where are the others? I hate this house. It is a + regular labyrinth. Every one is always scattered through the + twenty-six enormous rooms; one never can find a soul. [Rings] Ask + my wife and Madame Voitskaya to come here!</p> +<p>HELENA. I am here already.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Please, all of you, sit down.</p> +<p>SONIA. [Goes up to HELENA and asks anxiously] What did he say?</p> +<p>HELENA. I'll tell you later.</p> +<p>SONIA. You are moved. [looking quickly and inquiringly into her + face] I understand; he said he would not come here any more. [A + pause] Tell me, did he?</p> +<p>HELENA nods.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [To TELEGIN] One can, after all, become reconciled + to being an invalid, but not to this country life. The ways of it + stick in my throat and I feel exactly as if I had been whirled + off the earth and landed on a strange planet. Please be seated, + ladies and gentlemen. Sonia! [SONIA does not hear. She is + standing with her head bowed sadly forward on her breast] Sonia! + [A pause] She does not hear me. [To MARINA] Sit down too, nurse. + [MARINA sits down and begins to knit her stocking] I crave your + indulgence, ladies and gentlemen; hang your ears, if I may say + so, on the peg of attention. [He laughs.]</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Agitated] Perhaps you do not need me--may I be excused?</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. No, you are needed now more than any one.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. What is it you want of me?</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. You--but what are you angry about? If it is anything + I have done, I ask you to forgive me.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Oh, drop that and come to business; what do you want?</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA comes in.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Here is mother. Ladies and gentlemen, I shall begin. + I have asked you to assemble here, my friends, in order to + discuss a very important matter. I want to ask you for your + assistance and advice, and knowing your unfailing amiability I + think I can count on both. I am a book-worm and a scholar, and am + unfamiliar with practical affairs. I cannot, I find, dispense + with the help of well-informed people such as you, Ivan, and you, + Telegin, and you, mother. The truth is, _manet omnes una nox,_ + that is to say, our lives are in the hands of God, and as I am + old and ill, I realise that the time has come for me to dispose + of my property in regard to the interests of my family. My life + is nearly over, and I am not thinking of myself, but I have a + young wife and daughter. [A pause] I cannot continue to live in + the country; we were not made for country life, and yet we cannot + afford to live in town on the income derived from this estate. We + might sell the woods, but that would be an expedient we could not + resort to every year. We must find some means of guaranteeing to + ourselves a certain more or less fixed yearly income. With this + object in view, a plan has occurred to me which I now have the + honour of presenting to you for your consideration. I shall only + give you a rough outline, avoiding all details. Our estate does + not pay on an average more than two per cent on the money + invested in it. I propose to sell it. If we then invest our + capital in bonds, it will earn us four to five per cent, and we + should probably have a surplus over of several thousand roubles, + with which we could buy a summer cottage in Finland--</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Hold on! Repeat what you just said; I don't think I + heard you quite right.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I said we would invest the money in bonds and buy a + cottage in Finland with the surplus.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. No, not Finland--you said something else.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I propose to sell this place.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Aha! That was it! So you are going to sell the place? + Splendid. The idea is a rich one. And what do you propose to do + with my old mother and me and with Sonia here?</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. That will be decided in due time. We can't do + everything at once.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Wait! It is clear that until this moment I have never + had a grain of sense in my head. I have always been stupid enough + to think that the estate belonged to Sonia. My father bought it + as a wedding present for my sister, and I foolishly imagined that + as our laws were made for Russians and not Turks, my sister's + estate would come down to her child.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Of course it is Sonia's. Has any one denied it? I + don't want to sell it without Sonia's consent; on the contrary, + what I am doing is for Sonia's good.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. This is absolutely incomprehensible. Either I have gone + mad or--or--</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. Jean, don't contradict Alexander. Trust to him; + he knows better than we do what is right and what is wrong.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. I shan't. Give me some water. [He drinks] Go ahead! Say + anything you please--anything!</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine why you are so upset. I don't + pretend that my scheme is an ideal one, and if you all object to + it I shall not insist. [A pause.]</p> +<p>TELEGIN. [With embarrassment] I not only nourish feelings of + respect toward learning, your Excellency, but I am also drawn to + it by family ties. My brother Gregory's wife's brother, whom you + may know; his name is Constantine Lakedemonoff, and he used to be + a magistrate--</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Stop, Waffles. This is business; wait a bit, we will + talk of that later. [To SEREBRAKOFF] There now, ask him what he + thinks; this estate was bought from his uncle.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Ah! Why should I ask questions? What good would it + do?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. The price was ninety-five thousand roubles. My father + paid seventy and left a debt of twenty-five. Now listen! This + place could never have been bought had I not renounced my + inheritance in favour of my sister, whom I deeply loved--and what + is more, I worked for ten years like an ox, and paid off the + debt.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I regret ever having started this conversation.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Thanks entirely to my own personal efforts, the place is + entirely clear of debts, and now, when I have grown old, you want + to throw me out, neck and crop!</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine what you are driving at.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have managed this place, and + have sent you the returns from it like the most honest of + servants, and you have never given me one single word of thanks + for my work, not one--neither in my youth nor now. You allowed me + a meagre salary of five hundred roubles a year, a beggar's + pittance, and have never even thought of adding a rouble to it.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. What did I know about such things, Ivan? I am not a + practical man and don't understand them. You might have helped + yourself to all you wanted.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Yes, why did I not steal? Don't you all despise me for + not stealing, when it would have been only justice? And I should + not now have been a beggar!</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. [Sternly] Jean!</p> +<p>TELEGIN. [Agitated] Vanya, old man, don't talk in that way. Why + spoil such pleasant relations? [He embraces him] Do stop!</p> +<p> VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have been sitting here with my + mother like a mole in a burrow. Our every thought and hope was + yours and yours only. By day we talked with pride of you and your + work, and spoke your name with veneration; our nights we wasted + reading the books and papers which my soul now loathes.</p> +<p> TELEGIN. Don't, Vanya, don't. I can't stand it.</p> +<p> SEREBRAKOFF. [Wrathfully] What under heaven do you want, anyway?</p> +<p> VOITSKI. We used to think of you as almost superhuman, but now + the scales have fallen from my eyes and I see you as you are! You + write on art without knowing anything about it. Those books of + yours which I used to admire are not worth one copper kopeck. You + are a hoax!</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Can't any one make him stop? I am going!</p> +<p>HELENA. Ivan, I command you to stop this instant! Do you hear me?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. I refuse! [SEREBRAKOFF tries to get out of the room, but + VOITSKI bars the door] Wait! I have not done yet! You have + wrecked my life. I have never lived. My best years have gone for + nothing, have been ruined, thanks to you. You are my most bitter + enemy!</p> +<p>TELEGIN. I can't stand it; I can't stand it. I am going. [He goes + out in great excitement.]</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. But what do you want? What earthly right have you to + use such language to me? Ruination! If this estate is yours, then + take it, and let me be ruined!</p> +<p>HELENA. I am going away out of this hell this minute. [Shrieks] + This is too much!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. My life has been a failure. I am clever and brave and + strong. If I had lived a normal life I might have become another + Schopenhauer or Dostoieffski. I am losing my head! I am going + crazy! Mother, I am in despair! Oh, mother!</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. [Sternly] Listen, Alexander!</p> +<p>SONIA falls on her knees beside the nurse and nestles against + her.</p> +<p>SONIA. Oh, nurse, nurse!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Mother! What shall I do? But no, don't speak! I know + what to do. [To SEREBRAKOFF] And you will understand me!</p> +<p>He goes out through the door in the centre of the room and MME. + VOITSKAYA follows him.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Tell me, what on earth is the matter? Take this lunatic out of + my sight! I cannot possibly live under the same roof with him. His room [He + points to the centre door] is almost next door to mine. Let him take himself + off into the village or into the wing of the house, or I shall leave here at + once. I cannot stay in the same house with him.</p> +<p>HELENA. [To her husband] We are leaving to-day; we must get ready + at once for our departure.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. What a perfectly dreadful man!</p> +<p>SONIA. [On her knees beside the nurse and turning to her father. + She speaks with emotion] You must be kind to us, papa. Uncle + Vanya and I are so unhappy! [Controlling her despair] Have pity + on us. Remember how Uncle Vanya and Granny used to copy and + translate your books for you every night--every, every night. + Uncle Vanya has toiled without rest; he would never spend a penny + on us, we sent it all to you. We have not eaten the bread of + idleness. I am not saying this as I should like to, but you must + understand us, papa, you must be merciful to us.</p> +<p>HELENA. [Very excited, to her husband] For heaven's sake, + Alexander, go and have a talk with him--explain!</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. Very well, I shall have a talk with him, but I won't + apologise for a thing. I am not angry with him, but you must + confess that his behaviour has been strange, to say the least. + Excuse me, I shall go to him.</p> +<p>[He goes out through the centre door.]</p> +<p>HELENA. Be gentle with him; try to quiet him. [She follows him + out.]</p> +<p>SONIA. [Nestling nearer to MARINA] Nurse, oh, nurse!</p> +<p>MARINA. It's all right, my baby. When the geese have cackled they + will be still again. First they cackle and then they stop.</p> +<p>SONIA. Nurse!</p> +<p>MARINA. You are trembling all over, as if you were freezing. + There, there, little orphan baby, God is merciful. A little + linden-tea, and it will all pass away. Don't cry, my sweetest. + [Looking angrily at the door in the centre of the room] See, the + geese have all gone now. The devil take them!</p> +<p>A shot is heard. HELENA screams behind the scenes. SONIA + shudders.</p> +<p>MARINA. Bang! What's that?</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [Comes in reeling with terror] Hold him! hold him! + He has gone mad!</p> +<p>HELENA and VOITSKI are seen struggling in the doorway.</p> +<p>HELENA. [Trying to wrest the revolver from him] Give it to me; + give it to me, I tell you!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Let me go, Helena, let me go! [He frees himself and + rushes in, looking everywhere for SEREBRAKOFF] Where is he? Ah, + there he is! [He shoots at him. A pause] I didn't get him? I + missed again? [Furiously] Damnation! Damnation! To hell with him!</p> +<p>He flings the revolver on the floor, and drops helpless into a + chair. SEREBRAKOFF stands as if stupefied. HELENA leans against + the wall, almost fainting.</p> +<p>HELENA. Take me away! Take me away! I can't stay here--I can't!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [In despair] Oh, what shall I do? What shall I do?</p> +<p>SONIA. [Softly] Oh, nurse, nurse!</p> +<p>The curtain falls.</p> +<p> </p> +<h3 align="center">ACT IV</h3> +<p> </p> +<p>VOITSKI'S bedroom, which is also his office. A table stands near the window; + on it are ledgers, letter scales, and papers of every description. Near by stands + a smaller table belonging to ASTROFF, with his paints and drawing materials. + On the wall hangs a cage containing a starling. There is also a map of Africa + on the wall, obviously of no use to anybody. There is a large sofa covered with + buckram. A door to the left leads into an inner room; one to the right leads + into the front hall, and before this door lies a mat for the peasants with their + muddy boots to stand on. It is an autumn evening. The silence is profound. TELEGIN + and MARINA are sitting facing one another, winding wool. </p> +<p>TELEGIN. Be quick, Marina, or we shall be called away to say + good-bye before you have finished. The carriage has already been + ordered.</p> +<p>MARINA. [Trying to wind more quickly] I am a little tired.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. They are going to Kharkoff to live.</p> +<p>MARINA. They do well to go.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. They have been frightened. The professor's wife won't + stay here an hour longer. "If we are going at all, let's be off," + says she, "we shall go to Kharkoff and look about us, and then we + can send for our things." They are travelling light. It seems, + Marina, that fate has decreed for them not to live here.</p> +<p>MARINA. And quite rightly. What a storm they have just raised! It + was shameful!</p> +<p>TELEGIN. It was indeed. The scene was worthy of the brush of + Aibazofski.</p> +<p>MARINA. I wish I'd never laid eyes on them. [A pause] Now we + shall have things as they were again: tea at eight, dinner at + one, and supper in the evening; everything in order as decent + folks, as Christians like to have it. [Sighs] It is a long time + since I have eaten noodles.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. Yes, we haven't had noodles for ages. [A pause] Not for + ages. As I was going through the village this morning, Marina, + one of the shop-keepers called after me, "Hi! you hanger-on!" I + felt it bitterly.</p> +<p>MARINA. Don't pay the least attention to them, master; we are all + dependents on God. You and Sonia and all of us. Every one must + work, no one can sit idle. Where is Sonia?</p> +<p>TELEGIN. In the garden with the doctor, looking for Ivan. They + fear he may lay violent hands on himself.</p> +<p>MARINA. Where is his pistol?</p> +<p>TELEGIN. [Whispers] I hid it in the cellar.</p> +<p>VOITSKI and ASTROFF come in.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Leave me alone! [To MARINA and TELEGIN] Go away! Go away + and leave me to myself, if but for an hour. I won't have you + watching me like this!</p> +<p>TELEGIN. Yes, yes, Vanya. [He goes out on tiptoe.]</p> +<p>MARINA. The gander cackles; ho! ho! ho!</p> +<p>[She gathers up her wool and goes out.]</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Leave me by myself!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I would, with the greatest pleasure. I ought to have + gone long ago, but I shan't leave you until you have returned + what you took from me.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. I took nothing from you.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I am not jesting, don't detain me, I really must go.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. I took nothing of yours.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. You didn't? Very well, I shall have to wait a little + longer, and then you will have to forgive me if I resort to + force. We shall have to bind you and search you. I mean what I + say.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Do as you please. [A pause] Oh, to make such a fool of + myself! To shoot twice and miss him both times! I shall never + forgive myself.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. When the impulse came to shoot, it would have been as + well had you put a bullet through your own head.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Shrugging his shoulders] Strange! I attempted murder, + and am not going to be arrested or brought to trial. That means + they think me mad. [With a bitter laugh] Me! I am mad, and those + who hide their worthlessness, their dullness, their crying + heartlessness behind a professor's mask, are sane! Those who marry + old men and then deceive them under the noses of all, are sane! I + saw you kiss her; I saw you in each other's arms!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Yes, sir, I did kiss her; so there. [He puts his thumb + to his nose.]</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [His eyes on the door] No, it is the earth that is mad, + because she still bears us on her breast.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. That is nonsense.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Well? Am I not a madman, and therefore irresponsible? + Haven't I the right to talk nonsense?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. This is a farce! You are not mad; you are simply a + ridiculous fool. I used to think every fool was out of his + senses, but now I see that lack of sense is a man's normal state, + and you are perfectly normal.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Covers his face with his hands] Oh! If you knew how + ashamed I am! These piercing pangs of shame are like nothing on + earth. [In an agonised voice] I can't endure them! [He leans + against the table] What can I do? What can I do?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Nothing.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. You must tell me something! Oh, my God! I am forty-seven + years old. I may live to sixty; I still have thirteen years + before me; an eternity! How shall I be able to endure life for + thirteen years? What shall I do? How can I fill them? Oh, don't + you see? [He presses ASTROFF'S hand convulsively] Don't you see, + if only I could live the rest of my life in some new way! If I + could only wake some still, bright morning and feel that life had + begun again; that the past was forgotten and had vanished like + smoke. [He weeps] Oh, to begin life anew! Tell me, tell me how to + begin.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Crossly] What nonsense! What sort of a new life can you + and I look forward to? We can have no hope.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. None?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. None. Of that I am convinced.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Tell me what to do. [He puts his hand to his heart] I + feel such a burning pain here.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Shouts angrily] Stop! [Then, more gently] It may be + that posterity, which will despise us for our blind and stupid + lives, will find some road to happiness; but we--you and I--have + but one hope, the hope that we may be visited by visions, perhaps + by pleasant ones, as we lie resting in our graves. [Sighing] Yes, + brother, there were only two respectable, intelligent men in this + county, you and I. Ten years or so of this life of ours, this + miserable life, have sucked us under, and we have become as + contemptible and petty as the rest. But don't try to talk me out + of my purpose! Give me what you took from me, will you?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. I took nothing from you.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. You took a little bottle of morphine out of my + medicine-case. [A pause] Listen! If you are positively determined + to make an end to yourself, go into the woods and shoot yourself + there. Give up the morphine, or there will be a lot of talk and + guesswork; people will think I gave it to you. I don't fancy + having to perform a post-mortem on you. Do you think I should + find it interesting?</p> +<p>SONIA comes in.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Leave me alone.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [To SONIA] Sonia, your uncle has stolen a bottle of + morphine out of my medicine-case and won't give it up. Tell him + that his behaviour is--well, unwise. I haven't time, I must be + going.</p> +<p>SONIA. Uncle Vanya, did you take the morphine?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Yes, he took it. [A pause] I am absolutely sure.</p> +<p>SONIA. Give it up! Why do you want to frighten us? [Tenderly] + Give it up, Uncle Vanya! My misfortune is perhaps even greater + than yours, but I am not plunged in despair. I endure my sorrow, + and shall endure it until my life comes to a natural end. You + must endure yours, too. [A pause] Give it up! Dear, darling Uncle + Vanya. Give it up! [She weeps] You are so good, I am sure you + will have pity on us and give it up. You must endure your sorrow, + Uncle Vanya; you must endure it.</p> +<p>VOITSKI takes a bottle from the drawer of the table and hands it + to ASTROFF.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. There it is! [To SONIA] And now, we must get to work at + once; we must do something, or else I shall not be able to endure + it.</p> +<p>SONIA. Yes, yes, to work! As soon as we have seen them off we + shall go to work. [She nervously straightens out the papers on + the table] Everything is in a muddle!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Putting the bottle in his case, which he straps + together] Now I can be off.</p> +<p>HELENA comes in.</p> +<p>HELENA. Are you here, Ivan? We are starting in a moment. Go to + Alexander, he wants to speak to you.</p> +<p>SONIA. Go, Uncle Vanya. [She takes VOITSKI 'S arm] Come, you and + papa must make peace; that is absolutely necessary.</p> +<p>SONIA and VOITSKI go out.</p> +<p>HELENA. I am going away. [She gives ASTROFF her hand] Good-bye.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. So soon?</p> +<p>HELENA. The carriage is waiting.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Good-bye.</p> +<p>HELENA. You promised me you would go away yourself to-day.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I have not forgotten. I am going at once. [A pause] Were + you frightened? Was it so terrible?</p> +<p>HELENA. Yes.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Couldn't you stay? Couldn't you? To-morrow--in the + forest--</p> +<p>HELENA. No. It is all settled, and that is why I can look you so + bravely in the face. Our departure is fixed. One thing I must ask + of you: don't think too badly of me; I should like you to respect + me.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Ah! [With an impatient gesture] Stay, I implore you! + Confess that there is nothing for you to do in this world. You + have no object in life; there is nothing to occupy your + attention, and sooner or later your feelings must master you. It + is inevitable. It would be better if it happened not in Kharkoff + or in Kursk, but here, in nature's lap. It would then at least be + poetical, even beautiful. Here you have the forests, the houses + half in ruins that Turgenieff writes of.</p> +<p>HELENA. How comical you are! I am angry with you and yet I shall + always remember you with pleasure. You are interesting and + original. You and I will never meet again, and so I shall tell + you--why should I conceal it?--that I am just a little in love + with you. Come, one more last pressure of our hands, and then let + us part good friends. Let us not bear each other any ill will.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Pressing her hand] Yes, go. [Thoughtfully] You seem to + be sincere and good, and yet there is something strangely + disquieting about all your personality. No sooner did you arrive + here with your husband than every one whom you found busy and + actively creating something was forced to drop his work and give + himself up for the whole summer to your husband's gout and + yourself. You and he have infected us with your idleness. I have + been swept off my feet; I have not put my hand to a thing for + weeks, during which sickness has been running its course + unchecked among the people, and the peasants have been pasturing + their cattle in my woods and young plantations. Go where you + will, you and your husband will always carry destruction in your + train. I am joking of course, and yet I am strangely sure that + had you stayed here we should have been overtaken by the most + immense desolation. I would have gone to my ruin, and you--you + would not have prospered. So go! E finita la comedia!</p> +<p>HELENA. [Snatching a pencil off ASTROFF'S table, and hiding it + with a quick movement] I shall take this pencil for memory!</p> +<p>ASTROFF. How strange it is. We meet, and then suddenly it seems + that we must part forever. That is the way in this world. As long + as we are alone, before Uncle Vanya comes in with a + bouquet--allow me--to kiss you good-bye--may I? [He kisses her on + the cheek] So! Splendid!</p> +<p>HELENA. I wish you every happiness. [She glances about her] For + once in my life, I shall! and scorn the consequences! [She kisses + him impetuously, and they quickly part] I must go.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Yes, go. If the carriage is there, then start at once. + [They stand listening.]</p> +<p>ASTROFF. E finita!</p> +<p>VOITSKI, SEREBRAKOFF, MME. VOITSKAYA with her book, TELEGIN, and + SONIA come in.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [To VOITSKI] Shame on him who bears malice for the + past. I have gone through so much in the last few hours that I + feel capable of writing a whole treatise on the conduct of life + for the instruction of posterity. I gladly accept your apology, + and myself ask your forgiveness. [He kisses VOITSKI three times.]</p> +<p>HELENA embraces SONIA.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [Kissing MME. VOITSKAYA'S hand] Mother!</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. [Kissing him] Have your picture taken, Alexander, + and send me one. You know how dear you are to me.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. Good-bye, your Excellency. Don't forget us.</p> +<p>SEREBRAKOFF. [Kissing his daughter] Good-bye, good-bye all. + [Shaking hands with ASTROFF] Many thanks for your pleasant + company. I have a deep regard for your opinions and your + enthusiasm, but let me, as an old man, give one word of advice at + parting: do something, my friend! Work! Do something! [They all + bow] Good luck to you all. [He goes out followed by MME. + VOITSKAYA and SONIA.]</p> +<p>VOITSKI [Kissing HELENA'S hand fervently] Good-bye--forgive me. I + shall never see you again!</p> +<p>HELENA. [Touched] Good-bye, dear boy.</p> +<p>She lightly kisses his head as he bends over her hand, and goes + out.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Tell them to bring my carriage around too, Waffles.</p> +<p>TELEGIN. All right, old man.</p> +<p>ASTROFF and VOITSKI are left behind alone. ASTROFF collects his + paints and drawing materials on the table and packs them away in + a box.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Why don't you go to see them off?</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Let them go! I--I can't go out there. I feel too sad. I + must go to work on something at once. To work! To work!</p> +<p>He rummages through his papers on the table. A pause. The + tinkling of bells is heard as the horses trot away.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. They have gone! The professor, I suppose, is glad to go. + He couldn't be tempted back now by a fortune.</p> +<p>MARINA comes in.</p> +<p>MARINA. They have gone. [She sits down in an arm-chair and knits + her stocking.]</p> +<p>SONIA comes in wiping her eyes.</p> +<p>SONIA. They have gone. God be with them. [To her uncle] And now, + Uncle Vanya, let us do something!</p> +<p>VOITSKI. To work! To work!</p> +<p>SONIA. It is long, long, since you and I have sat together at + this table. [She lights a lamp on the table] No ink! [She takes + the inkstand to the cupboard and fills it from an ink-bottle] How + sad it is to see them go!</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA comes slowly in.</p> +<p>MME. VOITSKAYA. They have gone.</p> +<p>She sits down and at once becomes absorbed in her book. SONIA + sits down at the table and looks through an account book.</p> +<p>SONIA. First, Uncle Vanya, let us write up the accounts. They are + in a dreadful state. Come, begin. You take one and I will take + the other.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. In account with [They sit silently writing.]</p> +<p>MARINA. [Yawning] The sand-man has come.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. How still it is. Their pens scratch, the cricket sings; + it is so warm and comfortable. I hate to go. [The tinkling of + bells is heard.]</p> +<p>ASTROFF. My carriage has come. There now remains but to say + good-bye to you, my friends, and to my table here, and + then--away! [He puts the map into the portfolio.]</p> +<p>MARINA. Don't hurry away; sit a little longer with us.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Impossible.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Writing] And carry forward from the old debt two + seventy-five--</p> +<p>WORKMAN comes in.</p> +<p>WORKMAN. Your carriage is waiting, sir.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. All right. [He hands the WORKMAN his medicine-case, + portfolio, and box] Look out, don't crush the portfolio!</p> +<p>WORKMAN. Very well, sir.</p> +<p>SONIA. When shall we see you again?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. Hardly before next summer. Probably not this winter, + though, of course, if anything should happen you will let me + know. [He shakes hands with them] Thank you for your kindness, + for your hospitality, for everything! [He goes up to MARINA and + kisses her head] Good-bye, old nurse!</p> +<p>MARINA. Are you going without your tea?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I don't want any, nurse.</p> +<p>MARINA. Won't you have a drop of vodka?</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [Hesitatingly] Yes, I might.</p> +<p>MARINA goes out.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. [After a pause] My off-wheeler has gone lame for some + reason. I noticed it yesterday when Peter was taking him to + water.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. You should have him re-shod.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. I shall have to go around by the blacksmith's on my way + home. It can't be avoided. [He stands looking up at the map of + Africa hanging on the wall] I suppose it is roasting hot in + Africa now.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. Yes, I suppose it is.</p> +<p>MARINA comes back carrying a tray on which are a glass of vodka + and a piece of bread.</p> +<p>MARINA. Help yourself.</p> +<p>ASTROFF drinks</p> +<p>MARINA. To your good health! [She bows deeply] Eat your bread + with it.</p> +<p>ASTROFF. No, I like it so. And now, good-bye. [To MARINA] You + needn't come out to see me off, nurse.</p> +<p>He goes out. SONIA follows him with a candle to light him to the + carriage. MARINA sits down in her armchair.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Writing] On the 2d of February, twenty pounds of + butter; on the 16th, twenty pounds of butter again. Buckwheat + flour--[A pause. Bells are heard tinkling.]</p> +<p>MARINA. He has gone. [A pause.]</p> +<p>SONIA comes in and sets the candle stick on the table.</p> +<p>SONIA. He has gone.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [Adding and writing] Total, fifteen--twenty-five--</p> +<p>SONIA sits down and begins to write.</p> +<p>[Yawning] Oh, ho! The Lord have mercy.</p> +<p>TELEGIN comes in on tiptoe, sits down near the door, and begins + to tune his guitar.</p> +<p>VOITSKI. [To SONIA, stroking her hair] Oh, my child, I am + miserable; if you only knew how miserable I am!</p> +<p>SONIA. What can we do? We must live our lives. [A pause] Yes, we + shall live, Uncle Vanya. We shall live through the long + procession of days before us, and through the long evenings; we + shall patiently bear the trials that fate imposes on us; we shall + work for others without rest, both now and when we are old; and + when our last hour comes we shall meet it humbly, and there, + beyond the grave, we shall say that we have suffered and wept, + that our life was bitter, and God will have pity on us. Ah, then + dear, dear Uncle, we shall see that bright and beautiful life; we + shall rejoice and look back upon our sorrow here; a tender + smile--and--we shall rest. I have faith, Uncle, fervent, + passionate faith. [SONIA kneels down before her uncle and lays + her head on his hands. She speaks in a weary voice] We shall + rest. [TELEGIN plays softly on the guitar] We shall rest. We + shall hear the angels. We shall see heaven shining like a jewel. + We shall see all evil and all our pain sink away in the great + compassion that shall enfold the world. Our life will be as + peaceful and tender and sweet as a caress. I have faith; I have + faith. [She wipes away her tears] My poor, poor Uncle Vanya, you + are crying! [Weeping] You have never known what happiness was, + but wait, Uncle Vanya, wait! We shall rest. [She embraces him] We + shall rest. [The WATCHMAN'S rattle is heard in the garden; + TELEGIN plays softly; MME. VOITSKAYA writes something on the + margin of her pamphlet; MARINA knits her stocking] We shall rest.</p> +<p>The curtain slowly falls.</p> +<BR> +<BR> +<BR> +<BR> +<PRE> +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK, UNCLE VANYA *** + +This file should be named vanya10h.htm or vanya10h.zip +Corrected EDITIONS of our eBooks get a new NUMBER, vanya11h.htm +VERSIONS based on separate sources get new LETTER, vanya10ah.htm + + +Project Gutenberg eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the US +unless a copyright notice is included. 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