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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 très 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 chère._[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 à 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 à droite et à
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 très 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 £50 a year."
PRINCESS. Live on £50 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.