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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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