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diff --git a/26666-8.txt b/26666-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..c3d756a --- /dev/null +++ b/26666-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4242 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Light Shines in Darkness, by Leo Tolstoy + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Light Shines in Darkness + +Author: Leo Tolstoy + +Translator: Louise Maude + Aylmer Maude + +Release Date: September 20, 2008 [EBook #26666] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Jana Srna and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + [ Transcriber's Note: + This e-book belongs to Tolstoy's Plays (Complete Edition). The + front matter, including the table of contents, can be found in + e-book #26660; it lists the other plays in the collection. + + Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as + possible; changes (corrections of spelling and punctuation) made to + the original text are listed at the end of this file. + ] + + + + + THE LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS + + DRAMA + + + + +CHARACTERS + + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH SARÝNTSOV. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA SARÝNTSOVA. His wife. + +LYÚBA. Their daughter. + +STYÓPA. Their son. + +VÁNYA. A younger son. + +MISSY. Their daughter. + +THE SARÝNTSOVS' LITTLE CHILDREN. + +ALEXANDER MIKÁYLOVICH STARKÓVSKY. (Lyúba's betrothed in Act IV). + +MITROFÁN ERMÍLYCH. Ványa's tutor. + +THE SARÝNTSOVS' GOVERNESS. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA KÓHOVTSEVA. Mary Ivánovna's sister. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH KÓHOVTSEV. Her husband. + +LISA. Their daughter. + +PRINCESS CHEREMSHÁNOV. + +BORÍS. Her son. + +TÓNYA. Her daughter. + +A YOUNG PRIEST. + +THE SARÝNTSOVS' NURSE. + +THE SARÝNTSOVS' MEN-SERVANTS. + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. A peasant. + +A PEASANT WOMAN. His wife. + +MALÁSHKA. His daughter (carrying her baby-brother). + +PETER. A peasant. + +A RURAL POLICEMAN. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. A priest. + +A NOTARY. + +A CARPENTER. + +A GENERAL. + +HIS ADJUTANT. + +A COLONEL. + +A REGIMENTAL CLERK. + +A SENTINEL. + +TWO SOLDIERS. + +A GENDARME OFFICER. + +HIS CLERK. + +THE CHAPLAIN OF THE REGIMENT. + +THE CHIEF DOCTOR IN A MILITARY ASYLUM. + +AN ASSISTANT DOCTOR. + +WARDERS. + +AN INVALID OFFICER. + +PIANIST. + +COUNTESS. + +ALEXANDER PETRÓVICH. + +PEASANT MEN AND WOMEN, STUDENTS, LADIES, DANCING COUPLES. + + + + + THE LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS + + + + +ACT I + + +SCENE 1 + + The scene represents the verandah of a fine country-house, in front + of which a croquet-lawn and tennis-court are shown, also a + flower-bed. The children are playing croquet with their governess. + Mary Ivánovna Sarýntsova, a handsome elegant woman of forty; her + sister, Alexándra Ivánovna Kóhovtseva, a stupid, determined woman of + forty-five; and her husband, Peter Semyónovich Kóhovtsef, a fat + flabby man, dressed in a summer suit, with a pince-nez, are sitting + on the verandah at a table with a samovár and coffee-pot. Mary + Ivánovna Sarýntsova, Alexándra Ivánovna Kóhovtseva, and Peter + Semyónovich Kóhovtsev are drinking coffee, and the latter is + smoking. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. If you were not my sister, but a stranger, and +Nicholas Ivánovich not your husband, but merely an acquaintance, I +should think all this very original, and perhaps I might even encourage +him, _J'aurais trouvé tout ça trčs gentil_;[1] but when I see that +_your_ husband is playing the fool--yes, simply playing the fool--then I +can't help telling you what I think about it. And I shall tell your +husband, Nicholas, too. _Je lui dirai son fait, ma chčre._[2] I am not +afraid of anyone. + + [1] I should have considered it all very pretty. + + [2] I will tell him the plain fact, my dear. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I don't feel the least bit hurt; don't I see it all +myself? but I don't think it so very important. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. No. You don't think so, but I tell you that, if you +let it go on, you will be beggared. _Du train que cela va ..._[3] + + [3] At the rate things are going. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Come! Beggared indeed! Not with an income like +theirs. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, beggared! And please don't interrupt me, my +dear! Anything a _man_ does always seems right to you! + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Oh! I don't know. I was saying---- + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But you never do know what you are saying, because +when you men begin playing the fool, _il n'y a pas de raison que ça +finisse_.[4] I am only saying that if I were in your place, I should not +allow it. _J'aurais mis bon ordre ŕ toutes ces lubies._[5] What does it +all mean? A husband, the head of a family, has no occupation, abandons +everything, gives everything away, _et fait le généreux ŕ droite et ŕ +gauche_.[6] I know how it will end! _Nous en savons quelque chose._[7] + + [4] There is no reason for it to stop. + + [5] I should put an end to all these fads. + + [6] And plays the bountiful left and right. + + [7] We know something about it. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH [to Mary Ivánovna]. But do explain to me, Mary, what +is this new movement? Of course I understand Liberalism, County +Councils, the Constitution, schools, reading-rooms, and _tout ce qui +s'en suit_;[8] as well as Socialism, strikes, and an eight-hour day; but +what is this? Explain it to me. + + [8] All the rest of it. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But he told you about it yesterday. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. I confess I did not understand. The Gospels, the +Sermon on the Mount--and that churches are unnecessary! But then how is +one to pray, and all that? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes. That is the worst of it. He would destroy +everything, and give us nothing in its place. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. How did it begin? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. It began last year, after his sister died. He was very +fond of her, and her death had a very great effect on him. He became +quite morose, and was always talking about death; and then, you know, he +fell ill himself with typhus. When he recovered, he was quite a changed +man. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But, all the same, he came in spring to see us again +in Moscow, and was very nice, and played bridge. _Il était trčs gentil +et comme tout le monde._[9] + + [9] He was very nice, and like everybody else. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But, all the same, he was then quite changed. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. In what way? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. He was completely indifferent to his family, and purely +and simply had _l'idée fixe_. He read the Gospels for days on end, and +did not sleep. He used to get up at night to read, made notes and +extracts, and then began going to see bishops and hermits--consulting +them about religion. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And did he fast, or prepare for communion? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. From the time of our marriage--that's twenty years +ago--till then he had never fasted nor taken the sacrament, but at that +time he did once take the sacrament in a monastery, and then immediately +afterwards decided that one should neither take communion nor go to +church. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. That's what I say--thoroughly inconsistent! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, a month before, he would not miss a single service, +and kept every fast-day; and then he suddenly decided that it was all +unnecessary. What can one do with such a man? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I have spoken and will speak to him again. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Yes! But the matter is of no great importance. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. No? Not to you! Because you men have no religion. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Do let me speak. I say that that is not the point. +The point is this: if he denies the Church, what does he want the +Gospels for? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, so that we should live according to the Gospels and +the Sermon on the Mount, and give everything away. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. But how is one to live if one gives everything away? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And where has he found in the Sermon on the Mount +that we must shake hands with footmen? It says "Blessed are the meek," +but it says nothing about shaking hands! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, of course, he gets carried away, as he always used +to. At one time it was music, then shooting, then the school. But that +doesn't make it any the easier for me! + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Why has he gone to town to-day? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. He did not tell me, but I know it is about some trees of +ours that have been felled. The peasants have been cutting trees in our +wood. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. In the pine-tree plantation? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, they will probably be sent to prison and ordered to +pay for the trees. Their case was to be heard to-day, he told me of it, +so I feel certain that is what he has gone about. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. He will pardon them, and to-morrow they will come to +take the trees in the park. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, that is what it leads to. As it is, they break our +apple-trees and tread down the green cornfields, and he forgives them +everything. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Extraordinary! + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. That is just why I say that it must not be allowed +to go on. Why, if it goes on like that, _tout y passera_.[10] I think it +is your duty as a mother to _prendre tes mesures_.[11] + + [10] Everything will be lost. + + [11] To take measures. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. What can I do? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What indeed! Stop him! Explain to him that this +cannot go on. You have your children! What sort of an example is it for +them? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Of course, it is hard; but I go on bearing it, and hoping +it will pass, like his former infatuations. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, but "_Aide toi et Dieu t'aidera!_"[12] You must +make him feel that he has not only himself to think of, and that one +can't live like that. + + [12] God helps those who help themselves. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. The worst of all is that he no longer troubles about the +children, and I have to decide everything myself. I have an unweaned +baby, besides the older children: girls and boys, who have to be looked +after, and need guidance. And I have to do it all single-handed. He used +to be such an affectionate and attentive father, but now he seems no +longer to care. Yesterday I told him that Ványa is not studying +properly, and will not pass his exam., and he replied that it would be +by far the best thing for him to leave school altogether. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. To go where? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Nowhere! That's the most terrible thing about it; +everything we do is wrong, but he does not say what would be right. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. That's odd. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What is there odd about it? It is just _your_ usual +way. Condemn everything, and do nothing yourself! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Styópa has now finished at the University, and ought to +choose a career; but his father says nothing about it. He wanted to take +a post in the Civil Service, but Nicholas Ivánovich says he ought not to +do so. Then he thought of entering the Horse-Guards, but Nicholas +Ivánovich quite disapproved. Then the lad asked his father: "What am I +to do then--not go and plough after all?" and Nicholas Ivánovich said: +"Why not plough? It is much better than being in a Government Office." +So what was he to do? He comes to me and asks, and I have to decide +everything, and yet the authority is all in his hands. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, you should tell him so straight out. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. So I must! I shall have to talk to him. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And tell him straight out that you can't go on like +this. That you do your duty, and he must do his; or if not--let him hand +everything over to you. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. It is all so unpleasant! + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I will tell him, if you like. _Je lui dirai son +fait._[13] + + [13] I'll tell him the truth. + + Enter a young priest, confused and agitated. He carries a book, and + shakes hands all round. + +PRIEST. I have come to see Nicholas Ivánovich. I have, in fact, come to +return a book. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. He has gone to town, but will be back soon. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What book are you returning? + +PRIEST. Oh, it's Mr. Renan's _Life of Jesus_. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Dear me! What books you read! + +PRIEST [much agitated, lights a cigarette] It was Nicholas Ivánovich +gave it to me to read. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA [contemptuously] Nicholas Ivánovich gave it you! And +do you agree with Nicholas Ivánovich and Mr. Renan? + +PRIEST. No, of course not. If I really did agree, I should not, in fact, +be what is called a servant of the Church. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But if you are, as it is called, a faithful servant +of the Church, why don't you convert Nicholas Ivánovich? + +PRIEST. Everyone, in fact, has his own views on these matters, and +Nicholas Ivánovich really maintains much that is quite true, only he +goes astray, in fact, on the main point, the Church. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA [contemptuously] And what are the many things that +Nicholas Ivánovich maintains that are quite true? Is it true that the +Sermon on the Mount bids us give our property away to strangers and let +our own families go begging? + +PRIEST. The Church, in fact, sanctions the family, and the Holy Fathers +of the Church, in fact, blessed the family; but the highest perfection +really demands the renunciation of worldly advantages. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Of course the Anchorites acted so, but ordinary +mortals, I should imagine, should act in an ordinary way, as befits all +good Christians. + +PRIEST. No one can tell unto what he may be called. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And, of course, you are married? + +PRIEST. Oh yes. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And have you any children? + +PRIEST. Two. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Then why don't you renounce worldly advantages, and +not go about smoking a cigarette? + +PRIEST. Because of my weakness, in fact, my unworthiness. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Ah! I see that instead of bringing Nicholas +Ivánovich to reason, you support him. That, I tell you straight out, is +wrong! + + Enter Nurse. + +NURSE. Don't you hear baby crying? Please come to nurse him. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I'm coming, coming! [Rises and exit]. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I'm dreadfully sorry for my sister. I see how she +suffers. Seven children, one of them unweaned, and then all these fads +to put up with. It seems to me quite plain that he has something wrong +here [touching her forehead. To Priest] Now tell me, I ask you, what new +religion is this you have discovered? + +PRIEST. I don't understand, in fact ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Oh, please don't beat about the bush. You know very +well what I am asking you about. + +PRIEST. But allow me ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I ask you, what creed is it that bids us shake hands +with every peasant and let them cut down the trees, and give them money +for vódka, and abandon our own families? + +PRIEST. I don't know that ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. He says it is Christianity. You are a priest of the +Orthodox Greek Church, and therefore you must know and must say whether +Christianity bids us encourage robbery. + +PRIEST. But I ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Or else, why are you a priest, and why do you wear +long hair and a cassock? + +PRIEST. But we are not asked ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Not asked, indeed! Why, I am asking you! He told me +yesterday that the Gospels say, "Give to him that asketh of thee." But +then in what sense is that meant? + +PRIEST. In its plain sense, I suppose. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And I think not in the plain sense; we have always +been taught that everybody's position is appointed by God. + +PRIEST. Of course, but yet ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Oh, yes. It's just as I was told; you take his side, +and that is wrong! I say so straight out. If some young school teacher, +or some young lad, lickspittles to him, it's bad enough--but you, in +your position, should remember the responsibility that rests on you. + +PRIEST. I try to ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What sort of religion is it, when he does not go to +church, and does not believe in the sacraments? And instead of bringing +him to his senses, you read Renan with him, and interpret the Gospels in +a way of your own. + +PRIEST [excitedly] I cannot answer. I am, in fact, upset, and will hold +my tongue. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Oh! If only I were your Bishop; I'd teach you to +read Renan and smoke cigarettes. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. _Mais cessez, au nom du ciel. De quel droit?_[14] + + [14] But do stop, for heaven's sake. What right have you? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Please don't teach me. I am sure the Reverend Father +is not angry with me. What if I have spoken plainly. It would have been +worse had I bottled up my anger. Isn't that so? + +PRIEST. Forgive me if I have not expressed myself as I should. +[Uncomfortable pause]. + + Enter Lyúba and Lisa. Lyúba, Mary Ivánovna's daughter, is a handsome + energetic girl of twenty. Lisa, Alexándra Ivánovna's daughter, is a + little older. Both have kerchiefs on their heads, and are carrying + baskets, to go gathering mushrooms. They greet Alexándra Ivánovna, + Peter Semyónovich, and the priest. + +LYÚBA. Where is Mamma? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Just gone to the baby. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Now mind you bring back plenty of mushrooms. A little +village girl brought some lovely white ones this morning. I'd go with +you myself, but it's too hot. + +LISA. Do come, Papa! + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, go, for you are getting too fat. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Well, perhaps I will, but I must first fetch some +cigarettes. [Exit]. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Where are all the young ones? + +LYÚBA. Styópa is cycling to the station, the tutor has gone to town with +papa. The little ones are playing croquet, and Ványa is out there in the +porch, playing with the dogs. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, has Styópa decided on anything? + +LYÚBA. Yes. He has gone himself to hand in his application to enter the +Horse-Guards. He was horribly rude to papa yesterday. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Of course, it's hard on him too.... _Il n'y a pas de +patience qui tienne._[15] The young man must begin to live, and he is +told to go and plough! + + [15] There are limits to human endurance. + +LYÚBA. That's not what papa told him; he said ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Never mind. Still Styópa must begin life, and +whatever he proposes, it's all objected to. But here he is himself. + + The Priest steps aside, opens a book, and begins to read. Enter + Styópa cycling towards the verandah. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. _Quand on parle du soleil on en voit les +rayons._[16] We were just talking about you. Lyúba says you were rude to +your father. + + [16] Speak of the sun and you see its rays. + +STYÓPA. Not at all. There was nothing particular. He gave me his +opinion, and I gave him mine. It is not my fault that our views differ. +Lyúba, you know, understands nothing, but must have her say about +everything. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, and what have you decided on? + +STYÓPA. I don't know what Papa has decided. I'm afraid he does not quite +know himself; but as for me, I have decided to volunteer for the +Horse-Guards. In our house some special objection is made to every step +that is taken; but this is all quite simple. I have finished my studies, +and must serve my time. To enter a line regiment and serve with tipsy +low-class officers would be unpleasant, and so I'm entering the +Horse-Guards, where I have friends. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes; but why won't your father agree to it? + +STYÓPA. Papa! What is the good of talking about him? He is now possessed +by his _idée fixe_.[17] He sees nothing but what he wants to see. He +says military service is the basest kind of employment, and that +therefore one should not serve, and so he won't give me any money. + + [17] Fixed idea. + +LISA. No! Styópa. He did not say that! You know I was present. He says +that if you cannot avoid serving, you should go when you are called; but +that to volunteer, is to choose that kind of service of your own free +will. + +STYÓPA. But it's I, not he, who is going to serve. He himself was in the +army! + +LISA. Yes, but he does not exactly say that he will not give you the +money; but that he cannot take part in an affair that is contrary to his +convictions. + +STYÓPA. Convictions have nothing to do with it. One must serve--and +that's all! + +LISA. I only say what I heard. + +STYÓPA. I know you always agree with Papa. Do you know, Aunt, that Lisa +takes Papa's side entirely in everything? + +LISA. What is true ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Don't I know that Lisa always takes up with any kind +of nonsense. She scents nonsense. _Elle flaire cela de loin._[18] + + [18] She scents it from afar. + + Enter Ványa running in with a telegram in his hand, followed by the + dogs. He wears a red shirt. + +VÁNYA [to Lyúba]. Guess who is coming? + +LYÚBA. What's the use of guessing? Give it here [stretching towards him. +Ványa does not let her have the telegram]. + +VÁNYA. I'll not give it you, and I won't say who it is from. It's +someone who makes you blush! + +LYÚBA. Nonsense! Who is the telegram from? + +VÁNYA. There, you're blushing! Aunty, she is blushing, isn't she? + +LYÚBA. What nonsense! Who is it from? Aunty, who is it from? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. The Cheremshánovs. + +LYÚBA. Ah! + +VÁNYA. There you are! Why are you blushing? + +LYÚBA. Let me see the telegram, Aunt. [Reads] "Arriving all three by the +mail train. Cheremshánovs." That means the Princess, Borís, and Tónya. +Well, I am glad! + +VÁNYA. There you are, you're glad! Styópa, look how she is blushing. + +STYÓPA. That's enough--teasing over and over again. + +VÁNYA. Of course, because you're sweet on Tónya! You'd better cast lots; +for two men must not marry one another's sisters.[19] + + [19] In Russia the relationships that are set up by marriage debar a + marriage between a woman's brother-in-law and her sister. + +STYÓPA. Don't humbug! Shut up! How often have you been told to? + +LISA. If they are coming by the mail train, they will be here directly. + +LYÚBA. That's true, so we can't go for mushrooms. + + Enter Peter Semyónovich with his cigarettes. + +LYÚBA. Uncle Peter, we are not going! + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Why not? + +LYÚBA. The Cheremshánovs are coming directly. Better let's play tennis +till they come. Styópa, will you play? + +STYÓPA. I may as well. + +LYÚBA. Ványa and I against you and Lisa. Agreed? Then I'll get the balls +and call the boys. [Exit]. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. So I'm to stay here after all! + +PRIEST [preparing to go]. My respects to you. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. No, wait a bit, Father. I want to have a talk with +you. Besides, Nicholas Ivánovich will be here directly. + +PRIEST [sits down, and lights another cigarette]. He may be a long time. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. There, someone is coming. I expect it's he. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Which Cheremshánova is it? Can it be Golitzin's +daughter? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, of course. It's the Cheremshánova who lived in +Rome with her aunt. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Dear me, I shall be glad to see her. I have not met +her since those days in Rome when she used to sing duets with me. She +sang beautifully. She has two children, has she not? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, they are coming too. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. I did not know that they were so intimate with the +Sarýntsovs. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Not intimate, but they lodged together abroad last +year, and I believe that _la princesse a des vues sur Lyúba pour son +fils. C'est une fine mouche, elle flaire une jolie dot._[20] + + [20] The princess has her eye on Lyúba for her son. She is a knowing + one, and scents a nice dowry. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. But the Cheremshánovs themselves were rich. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. They _were_. The prince is still living, but he has +squandered everything, drinks, and has quite gone to the dogs. She +petitioned the Emperor, left her husband, and so managed to save a few +scraps. But she has given her children a splendid education. _Il faut +lui rendre cette justice._[21] The daughter is an admirable musician; +and the son has finished the University, and is charming. Only I don't +think Mary is quite pleased. Visitors are inconvenient just now. Ah! +here comes Nicholas. + + [21] One must do her that much justice. + + Enter Nicholas Ivánovich. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. How d'you do, Alína;[22] and you, Peter Semyónovich. +[To the Priest] Ah! Vasíly Nikanórych. [Shakes hands with them]. + + [22] Alína is an abbreviation, and a pet name, for Alexándra. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. There is still some coffee left. Shall I give you a +cup? It's rather cold, but can easily be warmed up. [Rings]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, thank you. I have had something. Where is Mary? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Feeding Baby. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Is she quite well? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Pretty well. Have you done your business? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I have. Yes. If there _is_ any tea or coffee left, I +will have some. [To Priest] Ah! you've brought the book back. Have you +read it? I've been thinking about you all the way home. + + Enter man-servant, who bows. Nicholas Ivánovich shakes hands with + him. Alexándra Ivánovna shrugs her shoulders, exchanging glances + with her husband. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Re-heat the samovár, please. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That's not necessary, Alína. I don't really want +any, and I'll drink it as it is. + + Missy, on seeing her father, leaves her croquet, runs to him, and + hangs round his neck. + +MISSY. Papa! Come with me. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [caressing her]. Yes, I'll come directly. Just let me +eat something first. Go and play, and I'll soon come. + + Exit Missy. + + Nicholas Ivánovich sits down to the table, and eats and drinks + eagerly. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, were they sentenced? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes! They were. They themselves pleaded guilty. [To +Priest] I thought you would not find Renan very convincing ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And you did not approve of the verdict? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [vexed]. Of course I don't approve of it. [To Priest] +The main question for you is not Christ's divinity, or the history of +Christianity, but the Church ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Then how was it? _They_ confessed their guilt, _et +vous leur avez donné un démenti_?[23] They did not steal them--but only +took the wood? + + [23] And you contradicted them. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [who had begun talking to the priest, turns +resolutely to Alexándra Ivánovna]. Alína, my dear, do not pursue me with +pinpricks and insinuations. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But not at all ... + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. And if you really want to know why I can't prosecute +the peasants about the wood they needed and cut down ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I should think they also need this samovár. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, if you want me to tell you why I can't agree +with those people being shut up in prison, and being totally ruined, +because they cut down ten trees in a forest which is considered to be +mine ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Considered so by everybody. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Oh dear! Disputing again. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Even if I considered that forest mine, which I +cannot do, we have 3000 acres of forest, with about 150 trees to the +acre. In all, about 450,000 trees--is that correct? Well, they have cut +down ten trees--that is, one 45-thousandth part. Now is it worth while, +and can one really decide, to tear a man away from his family and put +him in prison for that? + +STYÓPA. Ah! but if you don't hold on to this one 45-thousandth, all the +other 44,990 trees will very soon be cut down also. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But I only said _that_ in answer to your aunt. In +reality I have no right to this forest. Land belongs to everyone; or +rather, it can't belong to anyone. We have never put any labour into +this land. + +STYÓPA. No, but you saved money and preserved this forest. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. How did I get my savings? What enabled me to save +up? And I didn't preserve the forest myself! However, this is a matter +which can't be proved to anyone who does not himself feel ashamed when +he strikes at another man-- + +STYÓPA. But no one is striking anybody! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Just as when a man feels no shame at taking toll +from others' labour without doing any work himself, you cannot prove to +him that he ought to be ashamed; and the object of all the Political +Economy you learnt at the University is merely to justify the false +position in which we live. + +STYÓPA. On the contrary; science destroys all prejudices. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. However, all this is of no importance to me. What is +important is that in Yefím's[24] place I should have acted as he did, +and I should have been desperate had I been imprisoned. And as I wish to +do to others as I wish them to do to me--I cannot condemn him, but do +what I can to save him. + + [24] Yefím was the peasant who had cut down the tree. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. But, if one goes on that line, one cannot possess +anything. + + Alexándra Ivánovna and Styópa-- + + Both speak together + + { ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Then it is much more profitable to steal than to + { work. + { + { STYÓPA. You never reply to one's arguments. I say that a man who + { saves, has a right to enjoy his savings. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [smiling] I don't know which I am to reply to. [To +Peter Semyónovich] It's true. One should not possess anything. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But if one should not possess anything, one can't +have any clothes, nor even a crust of bread, but must give away +everything, so that it's impossible to live. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. And it should be impossible to live as we do! + +STYÓPA. In other words, we must die! Therefore, that teaching is unfit +for life.... + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No. It is given just that men may live. Yes. One +should give everything away. Not only the forest we do not use and +hardly ever see, but even our clothes and our bread. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What! And the children's too? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, the children's too. And not only our bread, but +ourselves. Therein lies the whole teaching of Christ. One must strive +with one's whole strength to give oneself away. + +STYÓPA. That means to die. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, even if you gave your life for your friends, +that would be splendid both for you and for others. But the fact is that +man is not solely a spirit, but a spirit within a body; and the flesh +draws him to live for itself, while the spirit of light draws him to +live for God and for others: and the life in each of us is not solely +animal, but is equipoised between the two. But the more it is a life for +God, the better; and the animal will not fail to take care of itself. + +STYÓPA. Why choose a middle course: an equipoise between the two? If it +is right to do so--why not give away everything and die? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That would be splendid. Try to do it, and it will be +well both for you and for others. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. No, that is not clear, not simple. _C'est tiré par +les cheveux._[25] + + [25] It's too fine spun. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, I can't help it, and it can't be explained by +argument. However, that is enough. + +STYÓPA. Yes, quite enough, and I also don't understand it. [Exit]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [turns to Priest] Well, what impression did the book +make on you? + +PRIEST [agitated] How shall I put it? Well, the historic part is +insufficiently worked out, and it is not fully convincing, or let us +say, quite reliable; because the materials are, as a matter of fact, +insufficient. Neither the Divinity of Christ, nor His lack of Divinity, +can be proved historically; there is but one irrefragable proof.... + + During this conversation first the ladies and then Peter Semyónovich + go out. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You mean the Church? + +PRIEST. Well, of course, the Church, and the evidence, let's say, of +reliable men--the Saints for instance. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Of course, it would be excellent if there existed a +set of infallible people to confide in. It would be very desirable; but +its desirability does not prove that they exist! + +PRIEST. And I believe that just _that is_ the proof. The Lord could not +in fact have exposed His law to the possibility of mutilation or +misinterpretation, but must in fact have left a guardian of His truth to +prevent that truth being mutilated. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Very well; but we first tried to prove the truth +itself, and now we are trying to prove the reliability of the guardian +of the truth. + +PRIEST. Well here, as a matter of fact, we require faith. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Faith--yes, we need faith. We can't do without +faith. Not, however, faith in what other people tell us, but faith in +what we arrive at ourselves, by our own thought, our own reason ... +faith in God, and in true and everlasting life. + +PRIEST. Reason may deceive. Each of us has a different mind. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [hotly] There, that is the most terrible blasphemy! +God has given us just one sacred tool for finding the truth--the only +thing that can unite us all, and we do not trust it! + +PRIEST. How can we trust in it, when there are contradictions? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Where are the contradictions? That twice two are +four; and that one should not do to others what one would not like +oneself; and that everything has a cause? Truths of that kind we all +acknowledge because they accord with all our reason. But that God +appeared on Mount Sinai to Moses, or that Buddha flew up on a sunbeam, +or that Mahomet went up into the sky, and that Christ flew there +also--on matters of that kind we are all at variance. + +PRIEST. No, we are not at variance, those of us who abide in the truth +are all united in one faith in God, Christ. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, even there, you are not united, but have all +gone asunder; so why should I believe you rather than I would believe a +Buddhist Lama? Only because I happened to be born in your faith? + +[The tennis players dispute] "Out!" "Not out!" + +VÁNYA. I saw it ...: + + During the conversation, men-servants set the table again for tea + and coffee. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You say the Church unites. But, on the contrary, the +worst dissensions have always been caused by the Church. "How often +would I have gathered you as a hen gathers her chickens." ... + +PRIEST. That was until Christ. But Christ did gather them all together. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, Christ united; but we have divided: because we +have understood him the wrong way round. He destroyed all Churches. + +PRIEST. Did he not say: "Go, tell the Church." + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. It is not a question of words! Besides those words +don't refer to what we call "Church." It is the spirit of the teaching +that matters. Christ's teaching is universal, and includes all +religions, and does not admit of anything exclusive; neither of the +Resurrection nor the Divinity of Christ, nor the Sacraments--nor of +anything that divides. + +PRIEST. That, as a matter of fact, if I may say so, is your own +interpretation of Christ's teaching. But Christ's teaching is all +founded on His Divinity and Resurrection. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That's what is so dreadful about the Churches. They +divide by declaring that they possess the full indubitable and +infallible truth. They say: "It has pleased us and the Holy Ghost." That +began at the time of the first Council of the Apostles. They then began +to maintain that they had the full and _exclusive_ truth. You see, if I +say there is a God: the first cause of the Universe, everyone can agree +with me; and _such_ an acknowledgment of God will unite us; but if I say +there is a God: Brahma, or Jehovah, or a Trinity, such a God divides us. +Men wish to unite, and to that end devise all means of union, but +neglect the one indubitable means of union--the search for truth! It is +as if people in an enormous building, where the light from above shone +down into the centre, tried to unite in groups around lamps in different +corners, instead of going towards the central light, where they would +naturally all be united. + +PRIEST. And how are the people to be guided--without any really definite +truth? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That's what is terrible! Each _one_ of us has to +save _his own_ soul, and has to do God's work _himself_, but instead of +that we busy ourselves saving _other people_ and teaching _them_. And +what do we teach them? We teach them now, at the end of the nineteenth +century, that God created the world in six days, then caused a flood, +and put all the animals in an ark, and all the rest of the horrors and +nonsense of the Old Testament. And then that Christ ordered everyone to +be baptized with water; and we make them believe in all the absurdity +and meanness of an Atonement essential to salvation; and then that he +rose up into the heavens which do not really exist, and there sat down +at the right hand of the Father. We have got used to all this, but +really it is dreadful! A child, fresh and ready to receive all that is +good and true, asks us what the world is, and what its laws are; and we, +instead of revealing to him the teaching of love and truth that has been +given to us, carefully ram into his head all sorts of horrible +absurdities and meannesses, ascribing them all to God. Is that not +terrible? It is as great a crime as man can commit. And we--you and your +Church--do this! Forgive me! + +PRIEST. Yes, if one looks at Christ's teaching from a rationalistic +point of view, it is so. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Whichever way one looks, it is so. [Pause]. + + Enter Alexándra Ivánovna. Priest bows to take his leave. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Good-bye, Father. He will lead you astray. Don't you +listen to him. + +PRIEST. No. Search the Scriptures! The matter is too important, as a +matter of fact, to be--let's say--neglected. [Exit]. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Really, Nicholas, you have no pity on him! Though he +is a priest, he is still only a boy, and can have no firm convictions or +settled views.... + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Give him time to settle down and petrify in +falsehood? No! Why should I? Besides, he is a good, sincere man. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But what will become of him if he believes you? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. He need not believe _me_. But if he saw the truth, +it would be well for him and for everybody. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. If it were really so good, everyone would be ready +to believe you. As it is, no one believes you, and your wife least of +all. She _can't_ believe you. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Who told you that? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, just you try and explain it to her! She will +never understand, nor shall I, nor anyone else in the world, that one +must care for other people and abandon one's own children. Go and try to +explain that to Mary! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, and Mary will certainly understand. Forgive me, +Alexándra, but if it were not for other people's influence, to which she +is very susceptible, she would understand me and go with me. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. To beggar your children for the sake of drunken +Yefím and his sort? Never! But if I have made you angry, please forgive +me. I can't help speaking out. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I am not angry. On the contrary, I am even glad you +have spoken out and given me the opportunity--challenged me--to explain +to Mary my whole outlook on life. On my way home to-day I was thinking +of doing so, and I will speak to her at once; and you will see that she +will agree, because she is wise and good. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, as to that, allow me to have my doubts. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But I have no doubts. For you know, this is not any +invention of my own; it is only what we all of us know, and what Christ +revealed to us. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, you think Christ revealed this, but I think he +revealed something else. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. It cannot be anything else. + + Shouts from the tennis ground. + +LYÚBA. Out! + +VÁNYA. No, we saw it. + +LISA. I know. It fell just here! + +LYÚBA. Out! Out! Out! + +VÁNYA. It's not true. + +LYÚBA. For one thing, it's rude to say "It's not true." + +VÁNYA. And it's rude to say what is not true! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Just wait a bit, and don't argue, but listen. Isn't +it true that at any moment we may die, and either cease to exist, or go +to God who expects us to live according to His will? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, what can I do in this life other than what the +supreme judge in my soul, my conscience--God--requires of me? And my +conscience--God--requires that I should regard everybody as equal, love +everybody, serve everybody. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Your own children too? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Naturally, my own too, but obeying all that my +conscience demands. Above all, that I should understand that my life +does not belong to me--nor yours to you--but to God, who sent us into +the world and who requires that we should do His will. And His will +is ... + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And you think that you will persuade Mary of this? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Certainly. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And that she will give up educating the children +properly, and will abandon them? Never! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Not only will she understand, but you too will +understand that it is the only thing to do. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Never! + + Enter Mary Ivánovna. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, Mary! I didn't wake you this morning, did I? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. No, I was not asleep. And have you had a successful day? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, very. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Why, your coffee is quite cold! Why do you drink it like +that? By the way, we must prepare for our visitors. You know the +Cheremshánovs are coming? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, if you're glad to have them, I shall be very +pleased. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I like her and her children, but they have chosen a +rather inconvenient time for their visit. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA [rising] Well, talk matters over with him, and I'll +go and watch the tennis. + + A pause, then Mary Ivánovna and Nicholas Ivánovich begin both + talking at once. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. It's inconvenient, because we must have a talk. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I was just saying to Aline ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. What? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, you speak first. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, I wanted to have a talk with you about Styópa. +After all, something _must_ be decided. He, poor fellow, feels +depressed, and does not know what awaits him. He came to me, but how can +I decide? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Why decide? He can decide for himself. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But, you know, he wants to enter the Horse-Guards as a +volunteer, and in order to do that he must get you to countersign his +papers, and he must also be in a position to keep himself; and you don't +give him anything. [Gets excited]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Mary, for heaven's sake don't get excited, but +listen to me. I don't give or withhold anything. To enter military +service of one's own free will, I consider either a stupid, insensate +action, suitable for a savage if the man does not understand the evil of +his action, or despicable if he does it from an interested motive.... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But nowadays everything seems savage and stupid to you. +After all, he must live; you lived! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [getting irritable] I lived when I did not +understand; and when nobody gave me good advice. However, it does not +depend on me but on him. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. How not on you? It's you who don't give him an allowance. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I can't give what is not mine! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Not yours? What do you mean? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. The labour of others does not belong to me. To give +him money, I must first take it from others. I have no right to do that, +and I cannot do it! As long as I manage the estate I must manage it as +my conscience dictates; and I cannot give the fruits of the toil of the +overworked peasants to be spent on the debaucheries of Life-Guardsmen. +Take over my property, and then I shall not be responsible! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. You know very well that I don't want to take it, and +moreover I can't. I have to bring up the children, besides nursing them +and bearing them. It is cruel! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Mary, dear one! That is not the main thing. When you +began to speak I too began and wanted to talk to you quite frankly. We +must not go on like this. We are living together, but don't understand +one another. Sometimes we even seem to misunderstand one another on +purpose. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I want to understand, but I don't. No, I don't understand +you. I do not know what has come to you. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well then, try and understand! This may not be a +convenient time, but heaven knows when we shall find a convenient time. +Understand not me--but yourself: the meaning of your own life! We can't +go on living like this without knowing what we are living for. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. We have lived so, and lived very happily. [Noticing a +look of vexation on his face] All right, all right, I am listening. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, I too lived so--that is to say, without +thinking why I lived; but a time came when I was terror-struck. Well, +here we are, living on other people's labour--making others work for +us--bringing children into the world and bringing them up to do the +same. Old age will come, and death, and I shall ask myself: "Why have I +lived?" In order to breed more parasites like myself? And, above all, we +do not even enjoy this life. It is only endurable, you know, while, like +Ványa, you overflow with life's energy. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But everybody lives like that. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. And they are all unhappy. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Not at all. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Anyhow, I saw that I was terribly unhappy, and that +I made you and the children unhappy, and I asked myself: "Is it +possible that God created us for this end?" And as soon as I thought of +it, I felt at once that he had not. I asked myself: "What, then, has God +created us for?" + + Enter Man-servant. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA [Not listening to her husband, turns to Servant] Bring +some boiled cream. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. And in the Gospels I found the answer, that we +certainly should not live for our own sake. That revealed itself to me +very clearly once, when I was pondering over the parable of the +labourers in the vineyard. You know? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, the labourers. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That parable seemed to show me more clearly than +anything else where my mistake had been. Like those labourers I had +thought that the vineyard was my own, and that my life was my own, and +everything seemed dreadful; but as soon as I had understood that my life +is not my own, but that I am sent into the world to do the will of +God ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But what of it? We all know that! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, if we know it we cannot go on living as we are +doing, for our whole life--far from being a fulfilment of His will--is, +on the contrary, a continual transgression of it. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But how is it a transgression--when we live without doing +harm to anyone? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But are we doing no harm? Such an outlook on life is +just like that of those labourers. Why we ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, I know the parable--and that he paid them all +equally. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [after a pause] No, it's not that. But do, Mary, +consider one thing--that we have only one life, and can live it well, or +can waste it. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I can't think and argue! I don't sleep at night; I am +nursing. I have to manage the whole house, and instead of helping me, +you say things to me that I don't understand. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Mary! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. And now these visitors. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, let us come to an understanding. [Kisses her] +Shan't we? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, only be like you used to be. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I can't, but now listen. + + The sound of bells and an approaching vehicle are heard. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I can't now--they have arrived! I must go to meet them. +[Exit behind corner of house. Styópa and Lyúba follow her]. + +VÁNYA. We shan't abandon it; we must finish the game later. Well, Lyúba, +what now? + +LYÚBA [seriously] No nonsense, please. + + Alexándra Ivánovna, with her husband and Lisa, come out on to the + verandah. Nicholas Ivánovich paces up and down wrapt in thought. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, have you convinced her? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Alína, what is going on between us is very +important. Jokes are out of place. It is not I who am convincing her, +but life, truth, God: they are convincing her--therefore she cannot help +being convinced, if not to-day then to-morrow, if not to-morrow ... It +is awful that no one ever has time. Who is it that has just come? + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. It's the Cheremshánovs. Catiche Cheremshánov, whom I +have not met for eighteen years. The last time I saw her we sang +together: "La ci darem la mano." [Sings]. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Please don't interrupt us, and don't imagine that I +shall quarrel with Nicholas. I am telling the truth. [To Nicholas +Ivánovich] I am not joking at all, but it seemed to me strange that you +wanted to convince Mary just when she had made up her mind to have it +out with you! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Very well, very well. They are coming. Please tell +Mary I shall be in my room. [Exit]. + + + Curtain. + + + + +ACT II + + +SCENE 1 + + In the same country-house, a week later. The scene represents a + large dining-hall. The table is laid for tea and coffee, with a + samovár. A grand piano and a music-stand are by the wall. Mary + Ivánovna, the Princess and Peter Semyónovich are seated at the + table. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Ah, Princess, it does not seem so long ago since you +were singing Rosina's part, and I ... though nowadays I am not fit even +for a Don Basilio. + +PRINCESS. Our children might do the singing now, but times have changed. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Yes, these are matter-of-fact times ... But your +daughter plays really seriously and well. Where are the young folk? Not +asleep still, surely? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, they went out riding by moonlight last night, and +returned very late. I was nursing baby and heard them. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. And when will my better-half be back? Have you sent +the coachman for her? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, they went for her quite early; I expect she will be +here soon. + +PRINCESS. Did Alexándra Ivánovna really go on purpose to fetch Father +Gerásim? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, the idea occurred to her yesterday, and she was off +at once. + +PRINCESS. _Quelle énergie! Je l'admire._[26] + + [26] What energy, I do admire her. + +PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. _Oh, pour ceci, ce n'est pas ça qui nous manque._[27] +[Takes out a cigar] But I will go and have a smoke and take a stroll +through the park with the dogs till the young people are up. [Exit]. + + [27] Oh, as far as that goes, we are not lacking. + +PRINCESS. I don't know, dear Mary Ivánovna, whether I am right, but it +seems to me that you take it all too much to heart. I understand him. He +is in a very exalted state of mind. Well, even supposing he does give to +the poor? Don't we anyway think too much about ourselves? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, if that were all, but you don't know him; nor all he +is after. It is not simply helping the poor, but a complete revolution, +the destruction of everything. + +PRINCESS. I do not wish to intrude into your family life, but if you +will allow me ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Not at all--I look upon you as one of the +family--especially now. + +PRINCESS. I should advise you to put your demands to him openly and +frankly, and to come to an agreement as to the limits ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA [excitedly] There are no limits! He wants to give away +everything. He wishes me now, at my age, to become a cook and a +washerwoman. + +PRINCESS. No, is it possible! That is extraordinary. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA [takes a letter out of her pocket] We are by ourselves and +I am glad to tell you all about it. He wrote me this letter yesterday. I +will read it to you. + +PRINCESS. What? He lives in the same house with you, and writes you +letters? How strange! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. No, I understand him there. He gets so excited when he +speaks. I have for some time past felt anxious about his health. + +PRINCESS. What did he write? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. This [reading] "You reproach me for upsetting our former +way of life, and for not giving you anything new in exchange, and not +saying how I should like to arrange our family affairs. When we begin to +discuss it we both get excited, and that's why I am writing to you. I +have often told you already why I cannot continue to live as we have +been doing; and I cannot, in a letter, show you why that is so, nor why +we must live in accord to Christ's teaching. You can do one of two +things: either believe in the truth and voluntarily go with me, or +believe in me and trusting yourself entirely to me--follow me." [Stops +reading] I can do neither the one nor the other. I do not consider it +necessary to live as he wishes us to. I have to consider the children, +and I cannot rely on him. [Reads] "My plan is this: We shall give our +land to the peasants, retaining only 135 acres besides the orchards and +kitchen-garden and the meadow by the river. We will try to work +ourselves, but will not force one another, nor the children. What we +keep should still bring us in about Ł50 a year." + +PRINCESS. Live on Ł50 a year--with seven children! Is it possible! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, here follows his whole plan: to give up the house +and have it turned into a school, and ourselves to live in the +gardener's two-roomed cottage. + +PRINCESS. Yes, now I begin to see that there is something abnormal about +it. What did you answer? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I told him I couldn't; that were I alone I would follow +him anywhere, but I have the children.... Only think! I am still nursing +little Nicholas. I tell him we can't break up everything like that. +After all, was that what I agreed to when I married? And now I am no +longer young or strong. Think what it has meant to bear and nurse nine +children. + +PRINCESS. I never dreamed that things had gone so far. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. That is how things are and I don't know what will +happen. Yesterday he excused the Dmítrovka peasants their rent; and he +wants to give the land to them altogether. + +PRINCESS. I do not think you should allow it. It is your duty to protect +your children. If he cannot deal with the estate, let him hand it over +to you. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But I don't want that. + +PRINCESS. You ought to take it for the children's sake. Let him transfer +the property to you. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. My sister Alexándra told him so; but he says he has no +right to do it; and that the land belongs to those who work it, and that +it is his duty to give it to the peasants. + +PRINCESS. Yes, now I see that the matter is far more serious than I +thought. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. And the Priest! The Priest takes his side, too. + +PRINCESS. Yes, I noticed that yesterday. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. That's why my sister has gone to Moscow. She wanted to +talk things over with a lawyer, but chiefly she went to fetch Father +Gerásim that he may bring his influence to bear. + +PRINCESS. Yes, I do not think that Christianity calls upon us to ruin +our families. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But he will not believe even Father Gerásim. He is so +firm; and when he talks, you know, I can't answer him. That's what is so +terrible, that it seems to me he is right. + +PRINCESS. That is because you love him. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I don't know, but it's terrible, and everything remains +unsettled--and that is Christianity! + + Enter Nurse. + +NURSE. Will you please come. Little Nicholas has woke up and is crying +for you. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Directly! When I am excited he gets stomach ache. Coming, +coming! + + Nicholas Ivánovich enters by another door, with a paper in his hand. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, this is impossible! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. What has happened? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Why, Peter is to be imprisoned on account of some +wretched pine-trees of ours. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. How's that? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Quite simply! He cut it down, and they informed the +Justice of Peace, and he has sentenced him to three months' +imprisonment. His wife has come about it. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, and can't anything be done? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Not now. The only way is not to possess any forest. +And I will not possess any. What is one to do? I shall, however, go and +see whether what we have done can be remedied. [Goes out on to the +verandah and meets Borís and Lyúba]. + +LYÚBA. Good morning, papa [kisses him], where are you going? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I have just returned from the village and am going +back again. They are just dragging a hungry man to prison because he ... + +LYÚBA. I suppose it's Peter? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, Peter. [Exit, followed by Mary Ivánovna]. + +LYÚBA [sits down in front of samovár] Will you have tea or coffee? + +BORÍS. I don't mind. + +LYÚBA. It's always the same, and I see no end to it! + +BORÍS. I don't understand him. I know the people are poor and ignorant +and must be helped, but not by encouraging thieves. + +LYÚBA. But how? + +BORÍS. By our whole activity. By using all our knowledge in their +service, but not by sacrificing one's own life. + +LYÚBA. And papa says, that that is just what is wanted. + +BORÍS. I don't understand. One can serve the people without ruining +one's own life. That is the way I want to arrange my life. If only +you ... + +LYÚBA. I want what you want, and am not afraid of anything. + +BORÍS. How about those earrings--that dress ... + +LYÚBA. The earrings can be sold and the dresses must be different, but +one need not make oneself quite a guy. + +BORÍS. I should like to have another talk with him. Do you think I +should disturb him if I followed him to the village? + +LYÚBA. Not at all. I see he has grown fond of you, and he addressed +himself chiefly to you last night. + +BORÍS [finishes his coffee] Well, I'll go then. + +LYÚBA. Yes, do, and I'll go and wake Lisa and Tónya. + + + Curtain. + + +SCENE 2 + + Village street. Iván Zyábrev, covered with a sheepskin coat, is + lying near a hut. + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. Maláshka! + + A tiny girl comes out of the hut with a baby in her arms. The baby + is crying. + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. Get me a drink of water. + + Maláshka goes back into the hut, from where the baby can be heard + screaming. She brings a bowl of water. + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. Why do you always beat the youngster and make him howl? +I'll tell mother. + +MALÁSHKA. Tell her then. It's hunger makes him howl! + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV [drinks] You should go and ask the Démkins for some milk. + +MALÁSHKA. I went, but there wasn't any. And there was no one at home. + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. Oh! if only I could die! Have they rung for dinner? + +MALÁSHKA. They have. Here's the master coming. + + Enter Nicholas Ivánovich. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Why have you come out here? + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. Too many flies in there, and it's too hot. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Then you're warm now? + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. Yes, now I'm burning all over. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. And where is Peter? Is he at home? + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. At home, at this time? Why, he's gone to the field to cart +the corn. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. And I hear that they want to put him in prison. + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. That's so, the Policeman has gone to the field for him. + + Enter a pregnant Woman, carrying a sheaf of oats and a rake. She + immediately hits Maláshka on the back of the head. + +WOMAN. What d'you mean by leaving the baby? Don't you hear him howling! +Running about the streets is all _you_ know. + +MALÁSHKA [howling] I've only just come out. Daddy wanted a drink. + +WOMAN. I'll give it you. [She sees the land-owner, N. I. Sarýntsov] +Good-day, sir. Children are a trouble! I'm quite done up, everything on +my shoulders, and now they're taking our only worker to prison, and this +lout is sprawling about here. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. What are you saying? He's quite ill! + +WOMAN. He's ill, and what about me? Am I not ill? When it's work, he's +ill; but to merry-make or pull my hair out, he's not too ill. Let him +die like a hound! What do I care? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. How can you say such wicked things? + +WOMAN. I know it's a sin; but I can't subdue my heart. I'm expecting +another child, and I have to work for two. Other people have their +harvest in already, and we have not mowed a quarter of our oats yet. I +ought to finish binding the sheaves, but can't. I had to come and see +what the children were about. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. The oats shall be cut--I'll hire someone, and to +bind the sheaves too. + +WOMAN. Oh, binding's nothing. I can do that myself, if it's only mown +down quick. What d'you think, Nicholas Ivánovich, will he die? He is +very ill! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I don't know. But he really is very ill. I think we +must send him to the hospital. + +WOMAN. Oh God! [Begins to cry] Don't take him away, let him die +here.[28] [To her husband, who utters something] What's the matter? + + [28] The woman, for all her roughness, is sorry to part from her + husband. + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV. I want to go to the hospital. Here I'm treated worse than +a dog. + +WOMAN. Well, I don't know. I've lost my head. Maláshka, get dinner +ready. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. What have you for dinner? + +WOMAN. What? Why, potatoes and bread, and not enough of that. [Enters +hut. A pig squeals, and children are crying inside]. + +IVÁN ZYÁBREV [groans] Oh Lord, if I could but die! + + Enter Borís. + +BORÍS. Can I be of any use? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Here no one can be of use to another. The evil is +too deeply rooted. Here we can only be of use to ourselves, by seeing on +what we build our happiness. Here is a family: five children, the wife +pregnant, the husband ill, nothing but potatoes to eat, and at this +moment the question is being decided whether they are to have enough to +eat next year or not. Help is not possible. How can one help? Suppose I +hire a labourer; who will he be? Just such another man: one who has +given up his farming, from drink or from want. + +BORÍS. Excuse me, but if so, what are you doing here? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I am learning my own position. Finding out who weeds +our gardens, builds our houses, makes our garments, and feeds and +clothes us. [Peasants with scythes and women with rakes pass by and bow. +Nicholas Ivánovich, stopping one of the Peasants] Ermíl, won't you take +on the job of carting for these people? + +ERMÍL [shakes his head] I would with all my heart, but I can't possibly +do it. I haven't carted my own yet. We are off now to do some carting. +But is Iván dying? + +ANOTHER PEASANT. Here's Sebastian, he may take on the job. I say, Daddy +Sebastian! They want a man to get the oats in. + +SEBASTIAN. Take the job on yourself. At this time of year one day's work +brings a year's food. [The Peasants pass on]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. They are all half-starved; they have only bread and +water, they are ill, and many of them are old. That old man, for +instance, is ruptured and is suffering, and yet he works from four in +the morning to ten at night, though he is only half alive. And we? Is it +possible, realising all this, to live quietly and consider oneself a +Christian? Or let alone a Christian--simply not a beast? + +BORÍS. But what can one do? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Not take part in this evil. Not own the land, nor +devour the fruits of their labour. How this can be arranged, I don't yet +know. The fact of the matter is--at any rate it was so with me--I lived +and did not realise how I was living. I did not realise that I am a son +of God and that we are all sons of God--and all brothers. But as soon as +I realised it--realised that we have all an equal right to live--my +whole life was turned upside down. But I cannot explain it to you now. I +will only tell you this: I was blind, just as my people at home are, but +now my eyes are opened and I cannot help seeing; and seeing it all, I +can't continue to live in such a way. However, that will keep till +later. Now we must see what can be done. + + Enter Policeman, Peter, his wife, and boy. + +PETER [falls at Nicholas Ivánovich's feet] Forgive me, for the Lord's +sake, or I'm ruined. How can the woman get in the harvest? If at least I +might be bailed out. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I will go and write a petition for you. [To +Policeman] Can't you let him remain here for the present? + +POLICEMAN. Our orders are to take him to the police-station now. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [to Peter] Well then go, and I'll do what I can. This +is evidently my doing. How can one go on living like this? [Exit]. + + + Curtain. + + +SCENE 3 + + In the same country-house. It is raining outside. A drawing-room + with a grand piano. Tónya has just finished playing a sonata of + Schumann's and is sitting at the piano. Styópa is standing by the + piano. Borís is sitting. Lyúba, Lisa, Mitrofán Ermílych and the + young Priest are all stirred by the music. + +LYÚBA. That andante! Isn't it lovely! + +STYÓPA. No, the scherzo. Though really the whole of it is beautiful. + +LISA. Very fine. + +STYÓPA. But I had no idea you were such an artist. It is real masterly +play. Evidently the difficulties no longer exist for you, and you think +only of the feeling, and express it with wonderful delicacy. + +LYÚBA. Yes, and with dignity. + +TÓNYA. While _I_ felt that it was not at all what I meant it to be. A +great deal remained unexpressed. + +LISA. What could be better? It was wonderful. + +LYÚBA. Schumann is good, but all the same Chopin takes a stronger hold +of one's heart. + +STYÓPA. He is more lyrical. + +TÓNYA. There is no comparison. + +LYÚBA. Do you remember his prelude? + +TÓNYA. Oh, the one called the George Sand prelude? [Plays the +commencement]. + +LYÚBA. No, not that one. That is very fine, but so hackneyed. Do play +this one. [Tónya plays what she can of it, and then breaks off]. + +TÓNYA. Oh, that is a lovely thing. There is something elemental about +it--older than creation. + +STYÓPA [laughs] Yes, yes. Do play it. But no, you are too tired. As it +is, we have had a delightful morning, thanks to you. + +TÓNYA [rises and looks out of window] There are some more peasants +waiting outside. + +LYÚBA. That is why music is so precious. I understand Saul. Though I'm +not tormented by devils, I still understand him. No other art can make +one so forget everything else as music does. [Approaches the window. To +Peasants] Whom do you want? + +PEASANTS. We have been sent to speak to Nicholas Ivánovich. + +LYÚBA. He is not in. You must wait. + +TÓNYA. And yet you are marrying Borís who understands nothing about +music. + +LYÚBA. Oh, surely not. + +BORÍS [absently] Music? Oh no. I like music, or rather I don't dislike +it. Only I prefer something simpler--I like songs. + +TÓNYA. But is not this sonata lovely? + +BORÍS. The chief thing is, that it is not important; and it rather hurts +me, when I think of the lives men live, that so much importance is +attached to music. + + They all eat sweetmeats, which are standing on the table. + +LISA. How nice it is to have a fiancé here and sweetmeats provided! + +BORÍS. Oh that is not my doing. It's mamma's. + +TÓNYA. And quite right too. + +LYÚBA. Music is precious because it seizes us, takes possession of us, +and carries us away from reality. Everything seemed gloomy till you +suddenly began to play, and really it has made everything brighter. + +LISA. And Chopin's valses. They are hackneyed, but all the same ... + +TÓNYA. This ... [plays]. + + Enter Nicholas Ivánovich. He greets Borís, Tónya, Styópa, Lisa, + Mitrofán Ermílych and the Priest. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Where's mamma? + +LYÚBA. I think she's in the nursery. + + Styópa calls the Man-servant. + +LYÚBA. Papa, how wonderfully Tónya plays! And where have you been? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. In the village. + + Enter servant, Afanásy. + +STYÓPA. Bring another samovár. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [greets the Man-servant, and shakes hands with +him[29]] Good-day. [Servant becomes confused. Exit Servant. Nicholas +Ivánovich also goes off]. + + [29] People shake hands much more often in Russia than in England, but + it is quite unusual to shake hands with a servant, and Nicholas + Ivánovich does it in consequence of his belief that all men are + brothers. + +STYÓPA. Poor Afanásy! He was terribly confused. I can't understand papa. +It is as if we were guilty of something. + + Enter Nicholas Ivánovich. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I was going back to my room without having told you +what I feel. [To Tónya] If what I say should offend you--who are our +guest--forgive me, but I cannot help saying it. You, Lisa, say that +Tónya plays well. All you here, seven or eight healthy young men and +women, have slept till ten o'clock, have eaten and drunk and are still +eating; and you play and discuss music: while there, where I have just +been, they were all up at three in the morning, and those who pastured +the horses at night have not slept at all; and old and young, the sick +and the weak, children and nursing-mothers and pregnant women are +working to the utmost limits of their strength, so that we here may +consume the fruits of their labour. Nor is that all. At this very +moment, one of them, the only breadwinner of a family, is being dragged +to prison because he has cut down one of a hundred thousand pine-trees +that grow in the forest that is called _mine_. And we here, washed and +clothed, having left the slops in our bedrooms to be cleaned up by +slaves, eat and drink and discuss Schumann and Chopin and which of them +moves us most or best cures our ennui? That is what I was thinking when +I passed you, so I have spoken. Consider, is it possible to go on living +in this way? [Stands greatly agitated]. + +LISA. True, quite true! + +LYÚBA. If one lets oneself think about it, one can't live. + +STYÓPA. Why? I don't see why the fact that people are poor should +prevent one talking about Schumann. The one does not exclude the other. +If one ... + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [angrily] If one has no heart, if one is made of +wood ... + +STYÓPA. Well, I'll hold my tongue. + +TÓNYA. It is a terrible problem; it is the problem of our day; and we +should not be afraid of it, but look it straight in the face, in order +to solve it. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. We cannot wait for the problem to be solved by +public measures. Every one of us must die--if not to-day, then +to-morrow. How can I live without suffering from this internal discord? + +BORÍS. Of course there is only one way; that is, not to take part in it +at all. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, forgive me if I have hurt you. I could not +help saying what I felt. [Exit]. + +STYÓPA. Not take part in it? But our whole life is bound up with it. + +BORÍS. That is why he says that the first step is to possess no +property; to change our whole way of life and live so as not to be +served by others but to serve others. + +TÓNYA. Well, I see _you_ have quite gone over to Nicholas Ivánovich's +side. + +BORÍS. Yes, I now understand it for the first time--after what I saw in +the village.... You need only take off the spectacles through which we +are accustomed to look at the life of the people, to realise at once the +connection between their sufferings and our pleasures--that is enough! + +MITROFÁN ERMÍLYCH. Yes, but the remedy does not consist in ruining one's +own life. + +STYÓPA. It is surprising how Mitrofán Ermílych and I, though we usually +stand poles asunder, come to the same conclusion: those are my very +words, "not ruin one's own life." + +BORÍS. Naturally! You both of you wish to lead a pleasant life, and +therefore want life arranged so as to ensure that pleasant life for you. +[To Styópa] You wish to maintain the present system, while Mitrofán +Ermílych wants to establish a new one. + + Lyúba and Tónya whisper together. Tónya goes to the piano and plays + a nocturne by Chopin. General silence. + +STYÓPA. That's splendid; that solves everything. + +BORÍS. It obscures and postpones everything! + + While Tónya is playing, Mary Ivánovna and the Princess enter quietly + and sit down to listen. + + Before the end of the nocturne carriage bells are heard outside. + +LYÚBA. It is Aunt. [Goes to meet her]. + + The music continues. Enter Alexándra Ivánovna, Father Gerásim (a + priest with a cross round his neck) and a Notary. All rise. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Please go on, it is very pleasant. + + The Princess approaches to receive his blessing, and the young + Priest does the same. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I have done exactly what I said I would do. I found +Father Gerásim, and you see I have persuaded him to come--he was on his +way to Koursk--so I have done my part; and here is the Notary. He has +got the deed ready; it only needs signing. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Won't you have some lunch? + + Notary puts down his papers on the table, and exit. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I am very grateful to Father Gerásim. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. What else could I do--though it was out of my way--yet +as a Christian I considered it my duty to visit him. + + Alexándra Ivánovna whispers to the young people. They consult + together and go out on to the verandah, all except Borís. The young + Priest also wants to go. + +FATHER GERÁSIM.[30] No. You as a pastor and spiritual father must remain +here! You may benefit by it yourself, and may be of use to others. Stay +here, if Mary Ivánovna has no objection. + + [30] Father Gerásim is modelled on the lines of the celebrated Father + John of Cronstadt. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. No, I am as fond of Father Vasíly as if he were one of +the family. I have even consulted him; but being so young he has not +much authority. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Naturally, naturally. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA [approaching] Well, you see now, Father Gerásim, that +you are the only person who can help and can bring him to reason. He is +a clever, well-read man, but learning, you know, can only do harm. He is +suffering from some sort of delusion. He maintains that the Christian +law forbids a man to own any property; but how is that possible? + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Temptation, spiritual pride, self-will! The Fathers of +the Church have answered the question satisfactorily. But how did this +befall him? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, to tell you everything ... when we married he was +quite indifferent to religion, and we lived so, and lived happily, +during our best years--the first twenty years. Then he began to reflect. +Perhaps he was influenced by his sister, or by what he read. Anyhow, he +began thinking and reading the Gospels, and then suddenly he grew +extremely religious, began going to church and visiting the monks. Then +all at once he gave all this up and changed his way of life completely. +He began doing manual labour, would not let the servants wait on him, +and above all he is now giving away his property. He yesterday gave away +a forest--both the trees and land. It frightens me, for I have seven +children. Do talk to him. I'll go and ask him whether he will see you. +[Exit]. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Nowadays many are falling away. And is the estate his or +his wife's? + +PRINCESS. His! That's what is so unfortunate. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. And what is his official rank? + +PRINCESS. His rank is not high. Only that of a cavalry captain, I +believe. He was once in the army. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. There are many who turn aside in that way. In Odessa +there was a lady who was carried away by Spiritualism and began to do +much harm. But all the same, God enabled us to lead her back to the +Church. + +PRINCESS. The chief thing, please understand, is that my son is about to +marry his daughter. I have given my consent, but the girl is used to +luxury and should therefore be provided for, and not have to depend +entirely on my son. Though I admit he is a hard-working and an +exceptional young man. + + Enter Mary Ivánovna and Nicholas Ivánovich. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. How d'you do, Princess? How d'you do? [To Father +Gerásim] I beg your pardon. I don't know your name.[31] + + [31] He knows that the priest is Father Gerásim, but wishes to address + him not as a priest, but by his Christian name and patronymic, as one + gentleman would usually address another. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Do you not wish to receive my blessing? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, I don't. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. My name is Gerásim Sédorovitch. Very pleased to meet +you. + + Men-servants bring lunch and wine. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Pleasant weather, and good for the harvest. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I suppose you came, at Alexándra Ivánovna's +invitation, to divert me from my errors and direct me in the path of +truth. If that is so, don't let us beat about the bush, but let us get +to business at once. I do not deny that I disagree with the teaching of +the Church. I used to agree with it, and then left off doing so. But +with my whole heart I wish to be in the truth and will at once accept it +if you show it to me. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. How is it you say you don't believe the teaching of the +Church? What is there to believe in, if not the Church? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. God and His law, given to us in the Gospels. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. The Church teaches that very law. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. If it did so, I should believe in the Church, but +unfortunately it teaches the contrary. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. The Church cannot teach the contrary, because it was +established by the Lord himself. It is written, "I give you power," and, +"Upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not +prevail against it." + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That was not said in this connection at all, and +proves nothing. But even if we were to admit that Christ established the +Church, how do I know that it was _your_ Church? + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Because it is said, "Where two or three are gathered +together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That, too, was not said in this connection, and +proves nothing. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. How _can_ one deny the Church? It alone provides +salvation. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I did not deny the Church until I found it supported +everything that is contrary to Christianity. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. It can make no mistakes, for it alone has the truth. +Those who leave it go astray, but the Church is sacred. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I have already told you that I do not accept that. I +do not accept it because, as is said in the Gospels, "By their deeds +shall ye know them, by their fruit shall ye know them." I have found out +that the Church blesses oaths, murders and executions. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. The Church acknowledges and sanctifies the Powers +ordained by God. + + During the conversation, Styópa, Lyúba, Lisa and Tónya at different + times enter the room and sit or stand listening. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I know that the Gospels say, not only "Do not kill," +but "Do not be angry," yet the Church blesses the army. The Gospel +says, "Swear not at all," yet the Church administers oaths. The Gospel +says ... + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Excuse me. When Pilate[32] said, "I adjure thee by the +living God," Christ accepted his oath by replying "I am." + + [32] Father Gerásim attributes to Pilate what was said by Caiaphas the + high priest. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Dear me! What are you saying? That is really absurd. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. That is why the Church does not permit everyone to +interpret the Gospel, lest he should go astray, but like a mother caring +for her child gives him an interpretation suitable to his strength. No, +let me finish! The Church does not lay on its children burdens too heavy +for them to bear, but demands that they should keep the Commandments: +love, do no murder, do not steal, do not commit adultery. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes! Do not kill me, do not steal from me my stolen +goods. We have all robbed the people, we have stolen their land and have +then made a law forbidding them to steal it back; and the Church +sanctions all these things. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Heresy and spiritual pride are speaking through you. You +ought to conquer your intellectual pride. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. It is not pride. I am only asking you what should I +do according to Christ's law, when I have become conscious of the sin of +robbing the people and enslaving them by means of the land. How am I to +act? Continue to own land and to profit by the labour of starving men: +putting them to this kind of work [points to Servant who is bringing in +the lunch and some wine], or am I to return the land to those from whom +my ancestors stole it? + +FATHER GERÁSIM. You must act as behoves a son of the Church. You have a +family and children, and you must keep and educate them in a way +suitable to their position. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Why? + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Because God has placed you in that position. If you wish +to be charitable, be charitable by giving away part of your property and +by visiting the poor. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But how is it that the rich young man was told that +the rich cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven? + +FATHER GERÁSIM. It is said, "If thou wouldest be perfect." + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But I _do_ wish to be perfect. The Gospels say, "Be +ye perfect as your Father in Heaven ..." + +FATHER GERÁSIM. But we have to understand in what connection a thing is +said. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I do try to understand, and all that is said in the +Sermon on the Mount is plain and comprehensible. + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Spiritual pride. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Where is the pride, since it is said that what is +hidden from the wise is revealed to babes? + +FATHER GERÁSIM. Revealed to the meek, but not to the proud. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But who is proud? I, who consider myself a man like +the rest of mankind, and one who therefore must live like the rest by +his own labour and as poorly as his brother men, or those who consider +themselves to be specially selected sacred people, knowing the whole +truth and incapable of error; and who interpret Christ's words their own +way? + +FATHER GERÁSIM [offended] Pardon me, Nicholas Ivánovich, I did not come +here to argue which of us is right, nor to receive an admonition, but I +called, at Alexándra Ivánovna's request, to talk things over with you. +But since you know everything better than I do, we had better end our +conversation. Only, once again, I must entreat you in God's name to come +to your senses. You have gone cruelly astray and are ruining yourself. +[Rises]. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Won't you have something to eat? + +FATHER GERÁSIM. No, I thank you. [Exit with Alexándra Ivánovna]. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA [to young Priest] And what now? + +PRIEST. Well, in my opinion, Nicholas Ivánovich spoke the truth, and +Father Gerásim produced no argument on his side. + +PRINCESS. He was not allowed to speak, and he did not like having a kind +of debate with everybody listening. It was his modesty that made him +withdraw. + +BORÍS. It wasn't modesty at all. All he said was so false. It was +evident that he had nothing to say. + +PRINCESS. Yes, with your usual instability I see that you are beginning +to agree with Nicholas Ivánovich about everything. If you believe such +things you ought not to marry. + +BORÍS. I only say that truth is truth, and I can't help saying it. + +PRINCESS. You of all people should not talk like that. + +BORÍS. Why not? + +PRINCESS. Because you are poor, and have nothing to give away. However, +all this is not our business. [Exit, followed by all except Nicholas +Ivánovich and Mary Ivánovna]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [sits pondering, then smiles at his own thoughts] +Mary! What is all this for? Why did you invite that wretched, erring +man? Why do those noisy women and that priest come into our most +intimate life? Can we not settle our own affairs? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. What am I to do, if you want to leave the children +penniless? That is what I cannot quietly submit to. You know that I am +not grasping, and that I want nothing for myself. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I know, I know and believe it. But the misfortune is +that you do not trust the truth. I know you see it, but you can't make +up your mind to rely on it. You rely neither on the truth nor on me. Yet +you trust the crowd--the Princess and the rest of them. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I believe in you, I always did; but when you want to let +the children go begging ... + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That means that you do not rely on me. Do you think +I have not struggled and have not feared! But afterwards I became +convinced that this course is not only possible but obligatory, and that +it is the one thing necessary and good for the children themselves. You +always say that were it not for the children you would follow me, but I +say that if we had no children we might live as we are doing; we should +then only be injuring ourselves, but now we are injuring them too. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But what am I to do, if I don't understand? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. And what am I to do? Don't I know why that wretched +man--dressed up in his cassock and wearing that cross--was sent for, and +why Alexándra Ivánovna brought the Notary? You want me to hand the +estate over to you, but I can't. You know that I have loved you all the +twenty years we have lived together. I love you and wish you well, and +therefore cannot sign away the estate to you. If I sign it away at all, +it can only be to give it back to those from whom it has been taken--the +peasants. And I can't let things remain as they are, but must give it to +them. I'm glad the Notary has come; and I will do it. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. No, that is dreadful! Why this cruelty? Though you think +it a sin, still give it to me. [Weeps]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You don't know what you are saying. If I give it to +you, I cannot go on living with you; I shall have to go away. I cannot +continue to live under these conditions. I shall not be able to look on +while the life-blood is squeezed out of the peasants and they are +imprisoned, in your name if not in mine. So choose! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. How cruel you are! Is this Christianity? It is harshness! +I cannot, after all, live as you want me to. I cannot rob my own +children and give everything away to other people; and that is why you +want to desert me. Well--do so! I see you have ceased loving me, and I +even know why. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Very well then--I will sign; but, Mary, you demand +the impossible of me. [Goes to writing-table and signs] You wished it, +but I shall not be able to go on living like this. + + + Curtain. + + + + +ACT III + + +SCENE 1 + + The scene is laid in Moscow. A large room. In it a carpenter's + bench; a table with papers on it; a book-cupboard; a looking-glass + and pictures on the wall behind, with some planks leaning in front + of them. A Carpenter and Nicholas Ivánovich wearing a carpenter's + apron are working at the bench, planing. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [takes a board from the vice] Is that all right? + +CARPENTER [setting a plane] Not quite, you must do it more boldly--like +this. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. It is easy to say boldly, but I can't manage it. + +CARPENTER. But why should your honour trouble to learn to be a +carpenter? There are such a lot of us nowadays that we can hardly get a +living as it is. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [at work again] I'm ashamed to lead an idle life. + +CARPENTER. Yours is that kind of position. God has given you property. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That's just where it is. I don't believe that God +gave it, but that some of us have taken it, and taken it from our +brother men. + +CARPENTER [taken aback] That's so! But still you've no need to do this. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I understand that it must seem strange to you that +while living in this house where there is such superfluity, I should +wish to earn something. + +CARPENTER [laughs] No. Everybody knows that gentlefolk want to master +everything. Well, now go over it again with the smoothing plane. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You won't believe me and will laugh, but still I +must tell you that formerly I was not ashamed to live in this way, but +now that I believe in Christ's law, which tells us we are all +brothers--I am ashamed to live so. + +CARPENTER. If you are ashamed of it, give away your property. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I wanted to, but failed, and gave it to my wife. + +CARPENTER. But after all it would not be possible for you to do it--you +are too used to comforts. + +[Voice outside the door] Papa, may I come in? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You may, you always may. + + Enter Lyúba. + +LYÚBA. Good-day, Jacob! + +CARPENTER. Good-day, Miss! + +LYÚBA. Borís has gone to his regiment. I am afraid of what he may do or +say there. What do you think? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. What can I think? He will do what is natural to him. + +LYÚBA. It is awful. He has such a short time to serve[33] and may go and +ruin his whole life. + + [33] The period of compulsory service for a University graduate would + be short in any case. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. He did well not to come to see me. He understands +that I can't say anything to him but what he knows himself. He told me +that he handed in his resignation because he sees that not only is there +no more immoral, lawless, cruel and brutal occupation than this one, the +object of which is to kill, but also that there is nothing more +degrading and mean than to have to submit implicitly to any man of +higher rank who happens to come along. He knows all that. + +LYÚBA. That's just why I am afraid. He knows that, and may want to take +some action. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. His conscience--the God that dwells within him--will +decide that. Had he come to me I should have given him only one piece of +advice: not to do anything in which he is guided by his reason +alone--nothing is worse than that--but only to act when his whole being +demands it. Now I, for instance, wished to act according to Christ's +injunction: to leave father, wife and children and to follow Him, and I +left home, but how did it end? It ended by my coming back and living +with you in luxury in town. Because I was trying to do more than I had +strength for, I have landed myself in this degrading and senseless +position: I wish to live simply and to work with my hands, but in these +surroundings, with lackeys and porters, it seems a kind of affectation. +I see that, even now, Jacob Nikonórych is laughing at me. + +CARPENTER. Why should I laugh? You pay me, and give me my tea. I am +grateful to you. + +LYÚBA. I wonder if I had not better go to him. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. My dear, my darling, I know you find it hard and are +frightened, though you should not be so. After all, I am a man who +understands life. Nothing evil can happen. All that appears evil really +makes one's heart more joyful; only understand that a man who has +started on that path will have to choose, and it sometimes happens that +God's side and the Devil's weigh so equally that the scales oscillate, +and it is then that the great choice has to be made. At that point any +interference from outside is terribly dangerous and tormenting. It is as +though a man were making such terrible efforts to draw a weight over a +ridge that the slightest touch would cause him to break his back. + +LYÚBA. Why should he suffer so? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That is as though a mother were to ask why she +should suffer. There can be no childbirth without suffering, and it is +the same in spiritual life. One thing I can tell you. Borís is a true +Christian, and consequently is free, and if you cannot as yet be like +him, or believe in God as he does, then believe in God through him. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA [behind door] May I come in? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You may always come in. What a reception I'm having +here to-day. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Our priest, Vasíly Nikonórovich, has come. He is going to +the Bishop, and has resigned his living! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Impossible! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. He is here! Lyúba, go and call him! He wants to see you. +[Exit Lyúba]. I had another reason for coming. I want to speak to you +about Ványa. He behaves abominably, and does his lesson so badly that he +can't possibly pass; and when I speak to him he is rude. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Mary, you know I am out of sympathy with the whole +manner of life you are all leading, and with the education you are +giving to the children. It is a terrible question for me, whether I have +a right to see them perishing before my very eyes ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Then you should suggest something else, something +definite. But what do you offer? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I cannot say what. But can only say that first we +should get rid of all this depraving luxury. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. So that they should become peasants! I cannot agree to +that. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Then don't consult me. The things that grieve you +are natural and inevitable. + + Enter Priest and Lyúba. The Priest and Nicholas Ivánovich kiss[34] + one another. + + [34] It is not unusual among Russians for men-friends to kiss one + another; but it is quite unusual for a man of position to kiss a + village priest who calls as a visitor--and it indicates great intimacy + or great emotion. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Is it possible that you have thrown it all up? + +PRIEST. I could stand it no longer. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I did not expect it so soon. + +PRIEST. But it was really impossible. In our calling we cannot be +indifferent. We have to hear confessions, and to administer the +Sacrament, and when once one has become convinced that it is all not +true ... + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, and what now? + +PRIEST. Now I am going to the Bishop to be questioned. I am afraid he +will exile me to the Solovétsk Monastery. At one time I thought of +asking you to help me to escape abroad, but then I considered that it +would seem cowardly. Only, there is my wife! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Where is she? + +PRIEST. She has gone to her father's. My mother-in-law came and took our +boy away. That hurt me very much. I should much like ... [pauses, +restraining his tears]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, may God help you! Are you staying with us? + +PRINCESS [running into the room] There now, it has happened. He has +refused to serve, and has been put under arrest. I have just been there +but was not admitted. Nicholas Ivánovich, you must go. + +LYÚBA. Has he refused? How do you know? + +PRINCESS. I was there myself! Vasíly Andréevich, who is a Member of the +Council, told me all about it. Borís just walked in and told them he +would serve no longer, would take no oath, and in fact said everything +Nicholas Ivánovich has taught him. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Princess! Can such things be taught? + +PRINCESS. I don't know. Only this is not Christianity! What is your +opinion, Father? + +PRIEST. I am no longer "Father." + +PRINCESS. Well, all the same. However, you are also one of them! No, I +cannot leave things in this state. And what cursed Christianity it is +that makes people suffer and perish. I hate this Christianity of yours. +It's all right for you, who know you won't be touched; but I have only +one son, and you have ruined him! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Do be calm, Princess. + +PRINCESS. Yes you, you have ruined him! And having ruined him, you must +save him. Go and persuade him to abandon all this nonsense. It's all +very well for rich people, but not for us. + +LYÚBA [crying] Papa, what can be done? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I will go. Perhaps I can be of some use. [Takes off +his apron]. + +PRINCESS [helping him on with his coat] They would not let me in, but +now we will go together and I shall get my way. [Exeunt]. + + + Curtain. + + +SCENE 2 + + A Government office. A Clerk is seated at a table, and a Sentinel is + pacing up and down. Enter a General with his Adjutant. The Clerk + jumps up, the Sentinel presents arms. + +GENERAL. Where is the Colonel? + +CLERK. Gone to see that new conscript, Your Excellency. + +GENERAL. Ah, very well. Ask him to come here to me. + +CLERK. Yes, Your Excellency. + +GENERAL. And what are you copying out? Isn't it the conscript's +evidence? + +CLERK. Yes, sir, it is. + +GENERAL. Give it here. + + The Clerk hands General the paper and exit. The General hands it to + his Adjutant. + +GENERAL. Please read it. + +ADJUTANT [reading] "These are my answers to the questions put to me, +namely: (1) Why I do not take my oath. (2) Why I refuse to fulfil the +demands of the Government. (3) What induced me to use words offensive +not only to the army but also to the Highest Authorities. In reply to +the first question: I cannot take the oath because I accept Christ's +teaching, which directly and clearly forbids taking oaths, as in St. +Matthew's Gospel, ch. 5 vv. 33-37, and in the Epistle of St. James, +ch. 5 v. 12." + +GENERAL. Of course he must be arguing! Putting his own interpretations! + +ADJUTANT [goes on reading] "The Gospel says: 'Swear not at all, but let +your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; and what is more than these is of +the evil one!' St. James's Epistle says: 'Before all things, brethren, +swear not by the heavens nor by the earth, nor by any other oath; but +let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay, that ye fall not into +temptation!' But apart from the fact that the Bible gives us such clear +injunctions not to swear--or even if it contained no such injunctions--I +should still be unable to swear to obey the will of men, because as a +Christian I must always obey the will of God, which does not always +coincide with the will of men." + +GENERAL. He must be arguing! If I had my way, there would be none of +this. + +ADJUTANT [reading] "I refuse to fulfil the demands of men calling +themselves the Government, because ..." + +GENERAL. What insolence! + +ADJUTANT. "Because those demands are criminal and wicked. They demand of +me that I should enter the army, and learn and prepare to commit murder, +though this is forbidden both in the Old and the New Testaments, and +above all by my conscience. To the third question ..." + + Enter Colonel followed by Clerk. The General shakes hands with + Colonel. + +COLONEL. You are reading the evidence? + +GENERAL. Yes. Unpardonably insolent language. Well, go on. + +ADJUTANT. "To the third question: What induced me to use offensive words +before the Court, my answer is: that I was induced to do so by the wish +to serve God, and in order to expose the fraud carried on in His name. +This desire, I hope to retain till I die, and therefore ..." + +GENERAL. Come; that's enough; one can't listen to all this balderdash. +The fact is all this sort of thing must be eradicated, and action taken +to prevent the people being perverted. [To Colonel] Have you spoken to +him? + +COLONEL. I have been doing so all the time. I tried to shame him, and +also to convince him that it would only be worse for himself, and that +he would gain nothing by it. Besides that, I spoke of his relations. He +was very excited, but holds to his opinions. + +GENERAL. A pity you talked to him so much. We are in the army not to +reason, but to act. Call him here! + + Exit Adjutant with Clerk. + +GENERAL [sits down] No, Colonel, that's not the way. Fellows of this +kind must be dealt with in a different manner. Decisive measures are +needed to cut off the diseased limb. One maggoty sheep infects the whole +flock. In these cases one must not be too squeamish. His being a Prince, +and having a mother and a fiancée, is none of our business. We have a +soldier before us and we must obey the Tsar's will. + +COLONEL. I only thought that we could move him more easily by +persuasion. + +GENERAL. Not at all--by firmness; only by firmness! I have dealt with +men of that sort before. He must be made to feel that he is a +nonentity--a grain of dust beneath a chariot wheel, and that he cannot +stop it. + +COLONEL. Well, we can try! + +GENERAL [getting irritable] No need to try! I don't need to try! I have +served the Tsar for forty-four years, I have given and am giving my life +to the service, and now this fellow wants to teach me and wants to read +me theological lectures! Let him take that to the Priest, but to me--he +is either a soldier or a prisoner. That's all! + + Enter Borís guarded by two Soldiers and followed by Adjutant and + Clerk. + +GENERAL [pointing with a finger] Place him there. + +BORÍS. I need no placing. I shall stand or sit where I like, for I do +not recognise your authority. + +GENERAL. Silence! You don't recognise authority? I will make you +recognise it. + +BORÍS [sits down on a stool] How wrong it is of you to shout so! + +GENERAL. Lift him, and make him stand! + + Soldiers raise him. + +BORÍS. That you can do, and you can kill me; but you cannot make me +submit ... + +GENERAL. Silence, I tell you. Hear what I have to say to you. + +BORÍS. I don't in the least want to hear what you have to say. + +GENERAL. He is mad! He must be taken to the hospital to be examined. +That is the only thing to do. + +COLONEL. The order was to send him to be examined at the Gendarmes' +office. + +GENERAL. Well, then, send him there. Only put him into uniform. + +COLONEL. He resists. + +GENERAL. Bind him. [To Borís] Please hear what I have to say to you. I +don't care what happens to you, but for your own sake I advise you, +bethink yourself. You will rot in a fortress, and not do any good to +anyone. Give it up. Well, you flared up a bit and I flared up. [Slaps +him on the shoulder] Go, take the oath and give up all that nonsense. +[To Adjutant] Is the Priest here? [To Borís] Well? [Borís is silent] Why +don't you answer? Really you had better do as I say. You can't break a +club with a whip. You can keep your opinions, but serve your time! We +will not use force with you. Well? + +BORÍS. I have nothing more to say, I have said all I had to. + +GENERAL. There, you see, you wrote that there are such and such texts in +the Gospels. Well, the Priest knows all about that. Have a talk with the +Priest, and then think things over. That will be best. Good-bye, and I +hope "au revoir," when I shall be able to congratulate you on having +entered the Tsar's service. Send the Priest here. [Exit, followed by +Colonel and Adjutant]. + +BORÍS [To Clerk and Convoy Soldiers] There you see how they deceive you. +They know that they are deceiving you. Don't submit to them. Lay down +your rifles and go away. Let them put you into the Disciplinary +Battalions and flog you; it will not be as bad as it is to serve such +impostors. + +CLERK. But how could one get on without an army? It's impossible. + +BORÍS. That is not for us to consider. We have to consider what God +demands of us; and God wants us. + +ONE OF THE SOLDIERS. But how is it that they speak of "the Christian +army"? + +BORÍS. That is not said anywhere in the Bible. It's these impostors who +invented it. + + Enter a Gendarme Officer with Clerk. + +GENDARME OFFICER. Is it here that the conscript, Prince Cheremshánov, is +being kept? + +CLERK. Yes, sir. Here he is. + +GENDARME OFFICER. Come here, please. Are you Prince Borís Siménovich +Cheremshánov, who refuses to take the oath? + +BORÍS. I am. + +GENDARME OFFICER [sits down and points to a seat opposite] Please sit +down. + +BORÍS. I think our conversation will be quite useless. + +GENDARME OFFICER. I don't think so. At any rate not useless to you. You +see it's like this. I am informed that you refuse military service and +the oath, and are therefore suspected of belonging to the Revolutionary +Party, and that is what I have to investigate. If it is true, we shall +have to withdraw you from the service and imprison you or banish you +according to the share you have taken in the revolution. If it is not +true, we shall leave you to the military authorities. You see I express +myself quite frankly to you, and I hope you will treat us in the same +way. + +BORÍS. In the first place I cannot trust men who wear this sort of thing +[pointing to the Gendarme Officer's uniform]. Secondly, your very +occupation is one I cannot respect, and for which I have the greatest +aversion. But I do not refuse to answer your questions. What do you wish +to know? + +GENDARME OFFICER. In the first place, tell me your name, your calling, +and your religion? + +BORÍS. You know all that and I will not reply. Only one of the questions +is of great importance to me. I am _not_ what is called an Orthodox +Christian. + +GENDARME OFFICER. What then is your religion? + +BORÍS. I do not label it. + +GENDARME OFFICER. But still?... + +BORÍS. Well then, the Christian religion, according to the Sermon on the +Mount. + +GENDARME OFFICER. Write it down [Clerk writes. To Borís] Still you +recognise yourself as belonging to some nationality or rank. + +BORÍS. No, I don't. I recognise myself as a man, and a servant of God. + +GENDARME OFFICER. Why don't you consider yourself a member of the +Russian Empire? + +BORÍS. Because I do not recognise any empires. + +GENDARME OFFICER. What do you mean by not recognising? Do you wish to +overthrow them? + +BORÍS. Certainly I wish it, and work for it. + +GENDARME OFFICER [To Clerk] Put that down. [To Borís] How do you work +for it? + +BORÍS. By exposing fraud and lies, and by spreading the truth. When you +entered I was telling these soldiers not to believe in the fraud into +which they have been drawn. + +GENDARME OFFICER. But beside this method of exposing and persuading, do +you approve of any others? + +BORÍS. No, I not only disapprove, but I consider all violence to be a +great sin; and not only violence, but all concealment and craftiness ... + +GENDARME OFFICER. Write that down. Very well. Now kindly let me know +whom you are acquainted with. Do you know Ivashénko? + +BORÍS. No. + +GENDARME OFFICER. Klein? + +BORÍS. I have heard of him, but never met him. + + Enter Priest (an old man wearing a cross and carrying a Bible). The + Clerk goes up to him and receives his blessing. + +GENDARME OFFICER. Well, I think I may stop. I consider that you are not +dangerous, and not within our jurisdiction. I wish you a speedy release. +Good-day. [Presses Borís's hand]. + +BORÍS. One thing I should like to say to you. Forgive me, but I can't +help saying it. Why have you chosen this wicked, cruel profession? I +should advise you to give it up. + +GENDARME OFFICER [smiles] Thank you for your advice, but I have my +reasons. My respects to you. [To Priest] Father, I relinquish my place +to you [Exit with Clerk]. + +PRIEST. How can you so grieve the authorities by refusing to fulfil the +duty of a Christian, to serve the Tsar and your Fatherland? + +BORÍS [smiling] Just because I want to fulfil my duty as a Christian, I +do not wish to be a soldier. + +PRIEST. Why don't you wish it? It is said that, "To lay down one's life +for a friend" is to be a true Christian.... + +BORÍS. Yes, to "lay down one's life," but not to take another man's. +That is just what I want to do, to "lay down my life." + +PRIEST. You do not reason rightly, young man. John the Baptist said to +the soldiers ... + +BORÍS [smiling] That only goes to prove that even in those days the +soldiers used to rob, and he told them not to! + +PRIEST. Well, but why don't you wish to take your oath? + +BORÍS. You know that the Gospels forbid it! + +PRIEST. Not at all. You know that when Pilate said: "I adjure thee by +the living God, art thou the Christ?" the Lord Jesus Christ answered "I +am." That proves that oaths are not forbidden. + +BORÍS. Are not you ashamed to talk so? You--an old man. + +PRIEST. Take my advice and don't be obstinate. You and I cannot change +the world. Just take your oath and you'll be at ease. Leave it to the +Church to know what is a sin and what is not. + +BORÍS. Leave it to you? Are you not afraid to take so much sin upon +yourself? + +PRIEST. What sin? Having been brought up firmly in the faith, and +having worked as a priest for thirty years, I can have no sins on my +shoulders. + +BORÍS. Whose then is the sin, when you deceive such numbers of people? +What have these poor fellows got in their heads? [Points to Sentinel]. + +PRIEST. You and I, young man, will never settle that. It is for us to +obey those placed above us. + +BORÍS. Leave me alone! I am sorry for you and--I confess--it disgusts me +to listen to you. Now if you were like that General--but you come here +with a cross and the Testament to persuade me in the name of Christ, to +deny Christ! Go [excitedly]. Leave me--Go. Let me be taken back to the +cell that I may not see anyone. I am tired, dreadfully tired! + +PRIEST. Well, if that is so, good-bye. + + Enter Adjutant. + +ADJUTANT. Well? + +PRIEST. Great obstinacy, great insubordination. + +ADJUTANT. So he has refused to take the oath and to serve? + +PRIEST. On no account will he. + +ADJUTANT. Then he must be taken to the hospital. + +PRIEST. And reported as ill? That no doubt would be better, or his +example may lead others astray. + +ADJUTANT. To be put under observation in the ward for the mentally +diseased. Those are my orders. + +PRIEST. Certainly. My respects to you. [Exit]. + +ADJUTANT [approaches Borís] Come, please. My orders are to conduct +you---- + +BORÍS. Where to? + +ADJUTANT. First of all to the hospital, where it will be quieter for +you, and where you will have time to think things over. + +BORÍS. I've thought them over long ago. But let us go! [Exeunt]. + + + Curtain. + + +SCENE 3 + + Room in Hospital. Head Doctor, Assistant Doctor, an Officer-Patient + in a dressing-gown, and two Warders wearing blouses. + +PATIENT. I tell you that you are only leading me to perdition. I have +already several times felt quite well. + +HEAD DOCTOR. You must not get excited. I should be glad to sign an order +for you to leave the hospital, but you know yourself that liberty is +dangerous for you. If I were sure that you would be looked after ... + +PATIENT. You think I should take to drink again? No, I have had my +lesson, but every extra day I spend here only does me harm. You are +doing [gets excited] the opposite of what you ought to do. You are +cruel. It's all very well for _you_! + +HEAD DOCTOR. Don't get excited. [Makes a sign to Warders; who come up +from behind]. + +PATIENT. It's easy for you to argue, being at liberty; but how about us +who are kept among madmen! [To Warders] What are you after? Be off! + +HEAD DOCTOR. I beg of you to be calm. + +PATIENT. But I beg and I demand that you set me free. [Yells, and rushes +at the Doctor, but the Warders seize him. A struggle; after which he is +taken out]. + +ASSISTANT DOCTOR. There! Now it has begun again. He nearly got at you +that time. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Alcoholic ... nothing can be done. But there is some +improvement. + + Enter Adjutant. + +ADJUTANT. How d'you do. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Good morning! + +ADJUTANT. I have brought you an interesting fellow, a certain Prince +Cheremshánov, who has been conscripted, but on religious grounds refuses +to serve. He was sent to the Gendarmes, but they say he does not come +within their jurisdiction, not being a political conspirator. The Priest +exhorted him, but also without effect. + +HEAD DOCTOR [laughing] And then as usual you bring him to us, as the +highest Court of Appeal. Well, let's have him. + + Exit Assistant Doctor. + +ADJUTANT. He is said to be a highly educated young man, and he is +engaged to a rich girl. It's extraordinary! I really consider this is +the right place for him! + +HEAD DOCTOR. Yes, it's a mania. + + Borís is brought in. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Glad to see you. Please take a seat and let's have a chat. +[To Adjutant] Please leave us. [Exit Adjutant]. + +BORÍS. I should like to ask you, if possible, if you mean to lock me up +somewhere, to be so good as to do it quickly and let me rest. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Excuse me, we must keep the rules. Only a few questions. +What do you feel? What are you suffering from? + +BORÍS. Nothing. I am perfectly well. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Yes, but you are not behaving like other people. + +BORÍS. I am behaving as my conscience demands. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Well, you see you have refused to perform your military +service. On what grounds do you do so? + +BORÍS. I am a Christian, and therefore cannot commit murder. + +HEAD DOCTOR. But one must defend one's country from her foes, and keep +those who want to destroy the social order from evil-doing. + +BORÍS. No one is attacking our country; and there are more among the +governors who destroy social order, than there are among those whom they +oppress. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Yes? But what do you mean by that? + +BORÍS. I mean this: the chief cause of evil--vódka--is sold by the +Government; false and fraudulent religion is also fostered by the +Government; and this military service which they demand of me--and which +is the chief means of demoralising the people--is also demanded by the +Government. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Then, in your opinion, Government and the State are +unnecessary. + +BORÍS. That I don't know; but I know for certain that I must take no +part in evil-doing. + +HEAD DOCTOR. But what is to become of the world? Is not our reason given +in order to enable us to look ahead. + +BORÍS. It is also given in order to enable us to see that social order +should not be maintained by violence, but by goodness; and that one +man's refusal to participate in evil cannot be at all dangerous. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Well now, allow me to examine you a bit. Will you have the +goodness to lie down? [Begins touching him] You feel no pain here? + +BORÍS. No. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Nor here? + +BORÍS. No. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Take a deep breath, please. Now don't breathe. Now allow me +[takes out a measure and measures forehead and nose]. Now be so good as +to shut your eyes and walk. + +BORÍS. Are you not ashamed to do all this? + +HEAD DOCTOR. What do you mean? + +BORÍS. All this nonsense? You know that I am quite well and that I am +sent here because I refuse to take part in their evil deeds, and because +they have no answer to give to the truth I told them; and that is why +they pretend to think me mad. And you co-operate with them. It is +horrid and it is shameful. Don't do it! + +HEAD DOCTOR. Then you don't wish to walk? + +BORÍS. No, I don't. You may torture me, but you must do it yourself; I +won't help you. [Hotly] Let me alone! [The Doctor presses button of +bell. Enter two Warders]. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Don't get excited. I quite understand that your nerves are +strained. Will you please go to your ward? + + Enter Assistant Doctor. + +ASSISTANT DOCTOR. Some visitors have just come to see Cheremshánov. + +BORÍS. Who are they? + +ASSISTANT DOCTOR. Sarýntsov and his daughter. + +BORÍS. I should like to see them. + +HEAD DOCTOR. There is no reason why you shouldn't. Ask them in. You may +see them here. [Exit, followed by Assistant and Warders]. + + Enter Nicholas Ivánovich and Lyúba. The Princess looks in at the + door and says, "_Go in, I'll come later._" + +LYÚBA [goes straight to Borís, takes his head in her hands and kisses +him] Poor Borís. + +BORÍS. No, don't pity me. I feel so well, so joyful, so light. How d'you +do. [Kisses Nicholas Ivánovich]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I have come to say chiefly one thing to you. First +of all, in such affairs it is worse to overdo it than not to do enough. +And in this matter you should do as is said in the Gospels, and not +think beforehand, "I shall say this, or do that": "When they deliver you +up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it is not ye that +speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaketh in you." That is to +say, do not act because you have reasoned out beforehand that you should +do so and so, but act only when your whole being feels that you cannot +act otherwise. + +BORÍS. I have done so. I did not think I should refuse to serve; but +when I saw all this fraud, those Mirrors of Justice, those Documents, +the Police and Officers smoking, I could not help saying what I did. I +was frightened, but only till I had begun, after that it was all so +simple and joyful. + + Lyúba sits down and cries. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Above all, do nothing for the sake of being praised, +or to gain the approval of those whose opinion you value. For myself I +can say definitely, that if you take the oath at once, and enter the +service, I shall love and esteem you not less but more than before; +because not the things that take place in the external world are +valuable, but that which goes on within the soul. + +BORÍS. Of course, for what happens within the soul must make a change in +the outside world. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, I have said my say. Your mother is here. She +is terribly upset. If you can do what she asks, do it--that is what I +wished to say to you. + + From the corridor outside hysterical weeping is heard. A Lunatic + rushes in, followed by Warders who drag him out again. + +LYÚBA. How terrible! And you will be kept here? [Weeps]. + +BORÍS. I am not afraid of it, I'm afraid of nothing now! I feel so +happy, the only thing I fear is what you feel about it. Do help me; I am +sure you will! + +LYÚBA. Can I be glad about it? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Not glad, that is impossible. I myself am not glad. +I suffer on his account and would gladly take his place, but though I +suffer I yet know that it is well. + +LYÚBA. It may be well; but when will they set him free? + +BORÍS. No one knows. I do not think of the future. The present is so +good, and you can make it still better. + + Enter the Princess, his mother. + +PRINCESS. I can wait no longer! [To Nicholas Ivánovich] Well, have you +persuaded him? Does he agree? Bórya, my darling, you understand, don't +you, what I suffer? For thirty years I have lived but for you; rearing +you, rejoicing in you. And now when everything has been done and is +complete--you suddenly renounce everything. Prison and disgrace! Oh no! +Bórya! + +BORÍS. Mamma! Listen to me. + +PRINCESS [to Nicholas Ivánovich] Why do you say nothing? You have ruined +him, it is for you to persuade him. It's all very well for you! Lyúba, +do speak to him! + +LYÚBA. I cannot! + +BORÍS. Mamma, do understand that there are things that are as impossible +as flying; and I cannot serve in the army. + +PRINCESS. You think that you can't! Nonsense. Everybody has served and +does serve. You and Nicholas Ivánovich have invented some new sort of +Christianity which is not Christianity, but a devilish doctrine to make +everybody suffer! + +BORÍS. As is said in the Gospels! + +PRINCESS. Nothing of the kind, or if it is, then all the same it is +stupid. Darling, Bórya, have pity on me. [Throws herself on his neck, +weeps] My whole life has been nothing but sorrow. There was but one ray +of joy, and you are turning it into torture. Bórya--have pity on me! + +BORÍS. Mamma, this is terribly hard on me. But I cannot explain it to +you. + +PRINCESS. Come now, don't refuse--say you will serve! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Say you will think it over--and do think it over. + +BORÍS. Very well then. But you too, Mamma, should have pity on me. It is +hard on me too. [Cries are again heard from the corridor]. You know I'm +in a lunatic asylum, and might really go mad. + + Enter Head Doctor. + +HEAD DOCTOR. Madam, this may have very bad consequences. Your son is in +a highly excited condition. I think we must put an end to this +interview. You may call on visiting days--Thursdays and Sundays. Please +come to see him before twelve o'clock. + +PRINCESS. Very well, very well, I will go. Bórya, good-bye! Think it +over. Have pity on me and meet me next Thursday with good news! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [shaking hands with Borís] Think it over with God's +help, and as if you knew you were to die to-morrow. Only so will you +decide rightly. Good-bye. + +BORÍS [approaching Lyúba] And what do you say to me? + +LYÚBA. I cannot lie; and I do not understand why you should torment +yourself and everybody. I do not understand--and can say nothing. [Goes +out weeping. Exeunt all except Borís]. + +BORÍS [alone] Oh how hard it is! Oh, how hard, Lord help me! [Prays]. + + Enter Warders with dressing-gown. + +WARDER. Please change. + + Borís puts on dressing-gown. + + + Curtain. + + + + +ACT IV + + +SCENE 1 + + In Moscow a year later. A drawing-room in the Sarýntsov's town house + is prepared for a dance. Footmen are arranging plants round the + grand piano. Enter Mary Ivánovna in an elegant silk dress, with + Alexándra Ivánovna. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. A ball? No, Only a dance! A "Juvenile Party" as they once +used to say. My children took part in the Theatricals at the Mákofs, and +have been asked to dances everywhere, so I must return the invitations. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I am afraid Nicholas does not like it. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I can't help it. [To Footmen] Put it here! [To Alexándra +Ivánovna] God knows how glad I should be not to cause him +unpleasantness. But I think he has become much less exacting. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. No, no! Only he does not show it so much. I saw how +upset he was when he went off to his own room after dinner. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. What can I do? After all, people must live. We have seven +children, and if they find no amusement at home, heaven knows what they +may be up to. Anyhow I am quite happy about Lyúba now. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Has he proposed, then? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. As good as proposed. He has spoken to her, and she has +said, Yes! + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. That again will be a terrible blow to Nicholas. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Oh, he knows. He can't help knowing. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. He does not like him. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA [to the Footmen] Put the fruit on the side-board. Like +whom? Alexander Mikáylovich? Of course not; because he is a living +negation of all Nicholas's pet theories. A nice pleasant kindly man of +the world. But oh! That terrible night-mare--that affair of Borís +Cheremshánov's. What has happened to him? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Lisa has been to see him. He is still there. She +says he has grown terribly thin, and the Doctors fear for his life or +his reason. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, he is one of the terrible sacrifices caused by +Nicholas's ideas. Why need he have been ruined? I never wished it. + + Enter Pianist. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA [to Pianist] Have you come to play? + +PIANIST. Yes, I am the pianist. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Please take a seat and wait a little. Won't you have a +cup of tea? + +PIANIST [goes to piano] No, thank you! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I never wished it. I liked Bórya, but still he was not a +suitable match for Lyúba--especially after he let himself be carried +away by Nicholas Ivánovich's ideas. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But still, the strength of his convictions is +astonishing. See what he endures! They tell him that as long as he +persists in refusing to serve, he will either remain where he is or be +sent to the fortress; but his reply is always the same. And yet Lisa +says he is full of joy and even merry! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Fanatic! But here comes Alexander Mikáylovich! + + Enter Alexander Mikáylovich Starkóvsky,[35] an elegant man in + evening dress. + + [35] Alexander in his Christian name, Mikáylovich (= son of Michael) + is his patronymic, and Starkóvsky in his surname which is seldom used + in ordinary social life. + +STARKÓVSKY. I am afraid I have come too soon. [Kisses the hands of both +ladies]. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. So much the better. + +STARKÓVSKY. And Lyúbov Nikoláyevna?[36] She proposed to dance a great +deal so as to make up for the time she has lost, and I have undertaken +to help her. + + [36] Lyúbov Nikoláyevna (= Love daughter of Nicholas) is the courteous + way of naming Lyúba. The latter is a pet name. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. She is sorting favours for the cotillion. + +STARKÓVSKY. I will go and help her, if I may? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Certainly. + + As Starkóvsky is going out he meets Lyúba in evening, but not + low-necked, dress carrying a cushion with stars and ribbons. + +LYÚBA. Ah! here you are. Good! Now you can help me. There are three more +cushions in the drawing-room. Go and fetch them all. + +STARKÓVSKY. I fly to do so! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Now, Lyúba; friends are coming, and they will be sure to +hint and ask questions. May we announce it? + +LYÚBA. No, Mamma, no. Why? Let them ask! Papa will not like it. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But he knows or guesses; and he will have to be told +sooner or later. I think it would be better to announce it to-day. Why, +_C'est le secret de la comédie_.[37] + + [37] It is only a comedy secret. + +LYÚBA. No, no, Mamma, please don't. It would spoil our whole evening. +No, no, you must not. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, as you please. + +LYÚBA. All right then: after the dance, just before supper. + + Enter Starkóvsky. + +LYÚBA. Well, have you got them? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I'll go and have a look at the little ones. [Exit with +Alexándra Ivánovna]. + +STARKÓVSKY [carrying three cushions, which he steadies with his chin, +and dropping things on the way] Don't trouble, Lyúbov Nikoláyevna, I'll +pick them up. Well, you have prepared a lot of favours. If only I can +manage to lead the dance properly! Ványa, come along. + +VÁNYA [bringing more favours] This is the whole lot. Lyúba, Alexander +Mikáylovich and I have a bet on, which of us will win the most favours. + +STARKÓVSKY. It will be easy for you, for you know everybody here, and +will gain them easily, while I shall have to charm the young ladies +first before winning anything. It means that I am giving you a start of +forty points. + +VÁNYA. But then you are a fiancé, and I am a boy. + +STARKÓVSKY. Well no, I am not a fiancé yet, and I am worse than a boy. + +LYÚBA. Ványa, please go to my room and fetch the gum and the pin-cushion +from the what-not. Only for goodness' sake don't break anything. + +VÁNYA. I'll break everything! [Runs off]. + +STARKÓVSKY [takes Lyúba's hand] Lyúba, may I? I am so happy. [Kisses her +hand] The mazurka is mine, but that is not enough. One can't say much in +a mazurka, and I must speak. May I wire to my people that I have been +accepted and am happy? + +LYÚBA. Yes, to-night. + +STARKÓVSKY. One word more: how will Nicholas Ivánovich take it? Have you +told him? Yes? + +LYÚBA. No, I haven't; but I will. He will take it as he now takes +everything that concerns the family. He will say, "Do as you think +best." But he will be grieved at heart. + +STARKÓVSKY. Because I am not Cheremshánov? Because I am a Maréchal de la +Noblesse? + +LYÚBA. Yes. But I have struggled with myself and deceived myself for his +sake; and it is not because I love him less that I am now doing not what +he wants, but it is because I can't lie. He himself says so. I do so +want to _live_! + +STARKÓVSKY. And life is the only truth! Well, and what of Cheremshánov? + +LYÚBA [excitedly] Don't speak of him to me! I wish to blame him, to +blame him whilst he is suffering; and I know it is because I feel guilty +towards him. All I know is that I feel there is a kind of love--and I +think a more real love than I ever felt for him. + +STARKÓVSKY. Lyúba, is that true? + +LYÚBA. You wish me to say that I love you with that real love--but I +won't say it. I do love you with a different kind of love; but it is not +the real thing either! Neither the one nor the other is the real +thing--if only they could be mixed together! + +STARKÓVSKY. No, no, I am satisfied with mine. [Kisses her hand] Lyúba! + +LYÚBA [pushes him away] No, let us sort these things. They are beginning +to arrive. + + Enter Princess with Tónya and a little girl. + +LYÚBA. Mamma will be here in a moment. + +PRINCESS. Are we the first? + +STARKÓVSKY. Some one must be! I have suggested making a gutta-percha +dummy to be the first arrival! + + Enter Styópa, also Ványa carrying the gum and pin-cushion. + +STYÓPA. I expected to see you at the Italian opera last night. + +TÓNYA. We were at my Aunt's, sewing for the charity-bazaar. + + Enter Students, Ladies, Mary Ivánovna and a Countess. + +COUNTESS. Shan't we see Nicholas Ivánovich? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. No, he never leaves his study to come to our gathering. + +STARKÓVSKY. Quadrille, please! [Claps his hands. The dancers take their +places and dance]. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA [approaches Mary Ivánovna] He is terribly agitated. +He has been to see Borís, and he came back and saw there was a ball, and +now he wants to go away! I went up to his door and overheard him talking +to Alexander Petróvich. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well? + +STARKÓVSKY. _Rond des dames. Les cavaliers en avant!_[38] + + [38] Starkóvsky, directing the dance, says: "Ladies form a circle. + Gentlemen advance!" + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. He has made up his mind that it is impossible for +him to live so, and he is going away. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. What a torment the man is! [Exit]. + + + Curtain. + + +SCENE 2 + + Nicholas Ivánovich's room. The dance music is heard in the distance. + Nicholas Ivánovich has an overcoat on. He puts a letter on the + table. Alexander Petróvich, dressed in ragged clothes, is with him. + +ALEXANDER PETRÓVICH. Don't worry, we can reach the Caucasus without +spending a penny, and there you can settle down. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. We will go by rail as far as Túla, and from thence +on foot. Well, I'm ready. [Puts letter in the middle of the table, and +goes to the door, where he meets Mary Ivánovna] Oh! Why have you come +here? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Why indeed? To prevent your doing a cruel thing. What's +all this for? Why d'you do it? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Why? Because I cannot continue living like this. I +cannot endure this terrible, depraved life. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. It is awful. My life--which I give wholly to you and the +children--has all of a sudden become "depraved." [Sees Alexander +Petróvich] _Renvoyez au moins cet homme. Je ne veux pas qu'il soit +témoin de cette conversation._[39] + + [39] At least send that man away. I don't wish him to be a witness of + our conversation. + +ALEXANDER PETRÓVICH. _Comprenez. Toujours moi partez._[40] + + [40] Alexander Petróvich replies in very bad French: "I understand! I + am always to go away!" + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Wait for me out there, Alexander Petróvich, I'll +come in a minute. + + Exit Alexander Petróvich. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. And what can you have in common with such a man as that? +Why is he nearer to you than your own wife? It is incomprehensible! And +where are you going? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I have left a letter for you. I did not want to +speak; it is too hard; but if you wish it, I will try to say it quietly. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. No, I don't understand. Why do you hate and torture your +wife, who has given up everything for you? Tell me, have I been going to +balls, or gone in for dress, or flirted? My whole life has been devoted +to the family. I nursed them all myself; I brought them up, and this +last year the whole weight of their education, and the managing our +affairs, has fallen on me.... + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [interrupting] But all this weight falls on you, +because you do not wish to live as I proposed. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But that was impossible! Ask anyone! It was impossible to +let the children grow up illiterate, as you wished them to do, and for +me to do the washing and cooking. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I never wanted that! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, anyhow it was something of that kind! No, you are a +Christian, you wish to do good, and you say you love men; then why do +you torture the woman who has devoted her whole life to you? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. How do I torture you? I love you, but ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But is it not torturing me to leave me and to go away? +What will everybody say? One of two things, either that I am a bad +woman, or that you are mad. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, let us say I am mad; but I can't live like +this. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But what is there so terrible in it, even if once in a +winter (and only once, because I feared you would not like it) I do give +a party--and even then a very simple one, only ask Mánya and Barbara +Vasílyevna! Everybody said I could not do less--and that it was +absolutely necessary. And now it seems even a crime, for which I shall +have to suffer disgrace. And not only disgrace. The worst of all is that +you no longer love me! You love everyone else--the whole world, +including that drunken Alexander Petróvich--but I still love you and +cannot live without you. Why do you do it? Why? [Weeps]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But you don't even wish to understand my life; my +spiritual life. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I do wish to understand it, but I can't. I see that your +Christianity has made you hate your family and hate me; but I don't +understand why! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You see the others do understand! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Who? Alexander Petróvich, who gets money out of you? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. He and others: Tónya and Vasíly Nikonórovich. But +even if nobody understood it, that would make no difference. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Vasíly Nikonórovich has repented, and has got his living +back, and Tónya is at this very moment dancing and flirting with Styópa. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I am sorry to hear it, but it does not turn black +into white, and it cannot change my life. Mary! You do not need me. Let +me go! I have tried to share your life and to bring into it what for me +constitutes the whole of life; but it is impossible. It only results in +torturing myself and you. I not only torment myself, but spoil the work +I try to accomplish. Everybody, including that very Alexander Petróvich, +has the right to tell me that I am a hypocrite; that I talk but do not +act! That I preach the Gospel of poverty while I live in luxury, +pretending that I have given up everything to my wife! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. So you are ashamed of what people say? Really, can't you +rise above that? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. It's not that I am ashamed (though I am ashamed), +but that I am spoiling God's work. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. You yourself often say that it fulfils itself despite +man's opposition; but that's not the point. Tell me, what do you want of +me? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Haven't I told you? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But, Nicholas, you know that that is impossible. Only +think, Lyúba is now getting married; Ványa is entering the university; +Missy and Kátya are studying. How can I break all that off? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Then what am I to do? + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Do as you say one should do: have patience, love. Is it +too hard for you? Only bear with us and do not take yourself from us! +Come, what is it that torments you? + + Enter Ványa running. + +VÁNYA. Mamma, they are calling you! + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Tell them I can't come. Go, go! + +VÁNYA. Do come! [He runs off]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. You don't wish to see eye to eye--nor to understand +me. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. It is not that I don't wish to, but that I can't. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, you don't wish to, and we drift further and +further apart. Only enter into my feelings; put yourself for a moment in +my place, and you will understand. First, the whole life here is +thoroughly depraved. You are vexed with the expression, but I can give +no other name to a life built wholly on robbery; for the money you live +on is taken from the land you have stolen from the peasants. Moreover, I +see that this life is demoralising the children: "Whoso shall cause one +of these little ones to stumble," and I see how they are perishing and +becoming depraved before my very eyes. I cannot bear it when grown-up +men dressed up in swallow-tail coats serve us as if they were slaves. +Every dinner we have is a torture to me. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. But all this was so before. Is it not done by +everyone--both here and abroad? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But _I_ can't do it. Since I realised that we are +all brothers, I cannot see it without suffering. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. That is as you please. One can invent anything. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [hotly] It's just this want of understanding that is +so terrible. Take for instance to-day! I spent this morning at Rzhánov's +lodging-house, among the outcasts there; and I saw an infant literally +die of hunger; a boy suffering from alcoholism; and a consumptive +charwoman rinsing clothes outside in the cold. Then I returned home, and +a footman with a white tie opens the door for me. I see my son--a mere +lad--ordering that footman to fetch him some water; and I see the army +of servants who work for us. Then I go to visit Borís--a man who is +sacrificing his life for truth's sake. I see how he, a pure, strong, +resolute man, is deliberately being goaded to lunacy and to +destruction, that the Government may be rid of him! I know, and they +know, that his heart is weak, and so they provoke him, and drag him to a +ward for raving lunatics. It is too dreadful, too dreadful. And when I +come home, I hear that the one member of our family who understood--not +me but the truth--has thrown over both her betrothed to whom she had +promised her love, and the truth, and is going to marry a lackey, a +liar ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. How very Christian! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, it is wrong of me, and I am to blame, but I +only want you to put yourself in my place. I mean to say that she has +turned from the truth ... + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. You say, "from the truth"; but other people--the +majority--say from "an error." You see Vasíly Nikonórovich once thought +he was in error, but now has come back to the Church. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. That's impossible ---- + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. He has written to Lisa! She will show you the letter. +That sort of conversion is very unstable. So also in Tónya's case; I +won't even speak of that fellow Alexander Petróvich, who simply +considers it profitable! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [getting angry] Well, no matter. I only ask _you_ to +understand me. I still consider that truth is truth! All this hurts me +very much. And here at home I see a Christmas-tree, a ball, and hundreds +of roubles being spent while men are dying of hunger. I cannot live so. +Have pity on me, I am worried to death. Let me go! Good-bye. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. If you go, I will go with you. Or if not with you, I will +throw myself under the train you leave by; and let them all go to +perdition--and Missy and Kátya too. Oh my God, my God. What torture! +Why? What for? [Weeps]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [at the door] Alexander Petróvich, go home! I am not +going. [To his wife] Very well, I will stay. [Takes off his overcoat]. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA [embracing him] We have not much longer to live. Don't let +us spoil everything after twenty-eight years of life together. Well, +I'll give no more parties; but do not punish me so. + + Enter Ványa and Kátya running. + +VÁNYA and KATYA. Mamma, be quick--come. + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. Coming, coming. So let us forgive one another! [Exit with +Kátya and Ványa]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. A child, a regular child; or a cunning woman? No, a +cunning child. Yes, yes. It seems Thou dost not wish me to be Thy +servant in this Thy work. Thou wishest me to be humiliated, so that +everyone may point his finger at me and say, "He preaches, but he does +not perform." Well, let them! Thou knowest best what Thou requirest: +submission, humility! Ah, if I could but rise to that height! + + Enter Lisa. + +LISA. Excuse me. I have brought you a letter from Vasíly Nikonórovich. +It is addressed to me, but he asks me to tell you. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Can it be really true? + +LISA. Yes. Shall I read it? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Please do. + +LISA [reading] "I write to beg you to communicate this to Nicholas +Ivánovich. I greatly regret the error which led me openly to stray from +the Holy Orthodox Church, to which I rejoice to have now returned. I +hope you and Nicholas Ivánovich will follow the same path. Please +forgive me!" + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. They have tortured him into this, poor fellow. But +still it is terrible. + +LISA. I also came to tell you that the Princess is here. She came +upstairs to me in a dreadfully excited state and is determined to see +you. She has just been to see Borís. I think you had better not see +her. What good can it do for her to see you? + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No. Call her in. Evidently this is fated to be a day +of dreadful torture. + +LISA. Then I'll go and call her. [Exit]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [alone] Yes--could I but remember that life consists +only in serving Thee; and that if Thou sendest a trial, it is because +Thou holdest me capable of enduring it, and knowest that my strength is +equal to it: else it would not be a trial.... Father, help me--help me +to do Thy will. + + Enter Princess. + +PRINCESS. You receive me? You do me that honour? My respects to you. I +don't give you my hand, for I hate you and despise you. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. What has happened? + +PRINCESS. Just this, that they are moving him to the Disciplinary +Battalion; and it is you who are the cause of it. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Princess, if you want anything, tell me what it is; +but if you have come here merely to abuse me, you only injure yourself. +You cannot offend me, for with my whole heart I sympathise with you and +pity you! + +PRINCESS. What charity! What exalted Christianity! No, Mr. Sarýntsov, +you cannot deceive me! We know you now. You have ruined my son, but you +don't care; and you go giving balls; and your daughter--my son's +betrothed--is to be married and make a good match, that you approve of; +while you pretend to lead a simple life, and go carpentering. How +repulsive you are to me, with your new-fangled Pharisaism. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Don't excite yourself so, Princess. Tell me what you +have come for--surely it was not simply to scold me? + +PRINCESS. Yes, that too! I must find vent for all this accumulated +pain. But what I want is this: He is being removed to the Disciplinary +Battalion, and I cannot bear it. It is you who have done it. You! You! +You! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Not I, but God. And God knows how sorry I am for +you. Do not resist this will. He wants to test you. Bear the trial +meekly. + +PRINCESS. I cannot bear it meekly. My whole life was wrapped up in my +son; and you have taken him from me and ruined him. I cannot be calm. I +have come to you--it is my last attempt to tell you that you have ruined +him and that it is for you to save him. Go and prevail on them to set +him free. Go and see the Governor-General, the Emperor, or whom you +please. It is your duty to do it. If you don't do it, I know what I +shall do. You will have to answer to me for it! + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Teach me what to do. I am ready to do anything. + +PRINCESS. I again repeat it--you must save him! If you do not--beware! +Good-bye. [Exit]. + + Nicholas Ivánovich (alone). Lies down on sofa. Silence. The door + opens and the dance music sounds louder. Enter Styópa. + +STYÓPA. Papa is not here, come in! + + Enter the adults and the children, dancing in couples. + +LYÚBA [noticing Nicholas Ivánovich] Ah, you _are_ here. Excuse us. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [rising] Never mind. [Exit dancing couples]. + +NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Vasíly Nikonórovich has recanted. I have ruined +Borís. Lyúba is getting married. Can it be that I have been mistaken? +Mistaken in believing in Thee? No! Father help me! + + + Curtain. + + + + +Tolstoy left the following notes for a fifth act which was never +written. + + + + +ACT V + +Disciplinary Battalion. A cell. Prisoners sitting and lying. Borís is +reading the Gospel and explaining it. A man who has been flogged is +brought in. "Ah, if there were but a Pugachev[41] to revenge us on such +as you." The Princess bursts in, but is turned out. Conflict with an +officer. Prisoners led to prayers. Borís sent to the Penitentiary Cell: +"He shall be flogged!" + + [41] Pugachev was the leader of a formidable rebellion in Russia in + the eighteenth century. + + +Scene changes. + +The Tsar's Cabinet. Cigarettes; jokes; caresses. The Princess is +announced. "Let her wait." Enter petitioners, flattery, then the +Princess. Her request is refused. Exit. + + +Scene changes. + +Mary Ivánovna talks about illness with the doctor. "He has changed, has +become more gentle, but is dispirited." Enter Nicholas Ivánovich and +speaks to Doctor about the uselessness of treatment. But for his wife's +sake he agrees to it. Enter Tónya with Styópa. Lyúba with Starkóvsky. +Conversation about land. Nicholas Ivánovich tries not to offend them. +Exeunt all. Nicholas Ivánovich with Lisa. "I am always in doubt whether +I have done right. I have accomplished nothing. Borís has perished, +Vasíly Nikonórovich has recanted. I set an example of weakness. +Evidently God does not wish me to be his servant. He has many other +servants--and can accomplish his will without me, and he who realises +this is at peace." Exit Lisa. He prays. The Princess rushes in and +shoots him. Everybody comes running into the room. He says he did it +himself by accident. He writes a petition to the Emperor. Enter Vasíly +Nikonórovich with Doukhobors.[42] Dies rejoicing that the fraud of the +Church is exposed, and that he has understood the meaning of his life. + + [42] Tolstoy did not fully realise the facts (described in _A Peculiar + People_) of the Doukhobors' submission to their leader, or of their + belief in him as an incarnation of the Deity. In fact, when he wrote + this play, Tolstoy regarded the Doukhobors as a type of what all + Christians should be. + +_This play was begun in the 'eighties, and continued in 1900 and 1902._ + + + END OF "THE LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS." + + + +[ Transcriber's Note: + + The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first + line is the original line, the second the corrected one. + + forty-five; and her husband, Peter Semyónovich Kóhovstsef, a fat + forty-five; and her husband, Peter Semyónovich Kóhovtsef, a fat + + on the verandah at a table with a samovar and coffee-pot. Mary + on the verandah at a table with a samovár and coffee-pot. Mary + + [9] He was very nice, and like everybody else + [9] He was very nice, and like everybody else. + +is your duty as a mother to _prendre tes mésures_.[11] +is your duty as a mother to _prendre tes mesures_.[11] + +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I'm coming, coming? [Rises and exit]. +MARY IVÁNOVNA. I'm coming, coming! [Rises and exit]. + +for vodka, and abandon our own families. +for vódka, and abandon our own families? + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Re-heat the samovar, please. +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Re-heat the samovár, please. + +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I should think they also need this samovar. +ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I should think they also need this samovár. + +other 44,990 trees will very soon be cut down also. + There are 449,990 trees remaining. This might either be a typesetting + mistake or an error made by Styópa. + +can be proved historically; there is but one irrefragible proof.... +can be proved historically; there is but one irrefragable proof.... + +PRIEST. How can we trust in it, when there are contradictions. +PRIEST. How can we trust in it, when there are contradictions? + + [Enter Nurse]. + Enter Nurse. + +coming +coming! + +LYÚBA. Yes, do, and I'll go and wake Lisa and Tánya. +LYÚBA. Yes, do, and I'll go and wake Lisa and Tónya. + +what I feel. (To Tónya) If what I say should offend you--who are our +what I feel. [To Tónya] If what I say should offend you--who are our + +SCENE 2. [in ACT II] +SCENE 2 + +STARKÓVSKY. And Lyubóv Nikoláyevna?[36] She proposed to dance a great +STARKÓVSKY. And Lyúbov Nikoláyevna?[36] She proposed to dance a great + + [36] Lyúbov Nikolávna (= Love daughter of Nicholas) is the courteous + [36] Lyúbov Nikoláyevna (= Love daughter of Nicholas) is the courteous +] + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Light Shines in Darkness, by Leo Tolstoy + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIGHT SHINES IN DARKNESS *** + +***** This file should be named 26666-8.txt or 26666-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/2/6/6/6/26666/ + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Jana Srna and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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