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| A Drama in Four Acts |
| CAST OF CHARACTERS. |
| MIKHAIL IVANOFF KOSTILYOFF — Keeper of a night lodging. |
| VASSILISA KARPOVNA — His wife. |
| NATASHA — Her sister. |
| VASKA PEPEL — A young thief. |
| ANDREI MITRITCH KLESHTCH — A locksmith. |
| ANNA — His wife. |
| NASTYA — A street-walker. |
| KVASHNYA — A vendor of meat-pies. |
| BUBNOFF — A cap-maker. |
| THE BARON. |
| THE ACTOR. |
| LUKA — A pilgrim. |
| ALYOSHKA — A shoemaker. |
| KRIVOY ZOB, THE TARTAR - Porters. |
| NIGHT LODGERS, TRAMPS AND OTHERS. |
| ACT ONE. |
| A cellar resembling a cave. |
| The ceiling, which merges into stone walls, is low and grimy, and the plaster and paint are peeling off. |
| There is a window, high up on the right wall, from which comes the light. |
| The right corner, which constitutes Pepel's room, is partitioned off by thin boards. Close to the corner of this room is Bubnoff's wooden bunk. |
| In the left corner stands a large Russian stove. In the stone wall, left, is a door leading to the kitchen where live Kvashnya, the Baron, and Nastya. |
| Against the wall, between the stove and the door, is a large bed covered with dirty chintz. |
| Bunks line the walls. In the foreground, by the left wall, is a block of wood with a vise and a small anvil fastened to it, and another smaller block of wood somewhat further towards the back. |
| Kleshtch is seated on the smaller block, trying keys into old locks. |
| At his feet are two large bundles of various keys, wired together, also a battered tin samovar, a hammer, and pincers. |
| In the centre are a large table, two benches, and a stool, all of which are of dirty, unpainted wood. |
| Behind the table Kvashnya is busying herself with the samovar. The Baron sits chewing a piece of black bread, and Nastya occupies the stool, leans her elbows on the table, and reads a tattered book. |
| In the bed, behind curtains, Anna lies coughing. |
| Bubnoff is seated on his bunk, attempting to shape a pair of old trousers with the help of an ancient hat shape which he holds between his knees. |
| Scattered about him are pieces of buckram, oilcloth, and rags. |
| Satine, just awakened, lies in his bunk, grunting. |
| On top of the stove, the Actor, invisible to the audience, tosses about and coughs. |
| KVASHNYA. |
| No, my dear, said I, keep away from me with such proposals. |
| I've been through it all, you see — and not for a hundred baked lobsters would I marry again! |
| BUBNOFF [ to Satine ] What are you grunting about? [ |
| Satine keeps on grunting ] |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Why should I, said I, a free woman, my own mistress, enter my name into somebody else's passport and sell myself into slavery — no! |
| Why — I wouldn't marry a man even if he were an American prince! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| You lie! |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Wha-at? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| You lie! |
| You're going to marry Abramka....... |
| THE BARON [ snatching the book out of Nastya's hand and reading the title ] "Fatal Love"...... [ |
| Laughs ] |
| NASTYA [ stretching out her hand ] Give it back — give it back! |
| Stop fooling! |
| [ The Baron looks at her and waves the book in the air ] |
| KVASHNYA [ to Kleshtch ] You crimson goat, you — calling me a liar! |
| How dare you be so rude to me? |
| THE BARON [ hitting Nastya on the head with the book ] Nastya, you little fool! |
| NASTYA [ reaching for the book ] Give it back! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Oh — what a great lady...... |
| but you'll marry Abramka just the same — that's all you're waiting for...... |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Sure! |
| Anything else? |
| You nearly beat your wife to death! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Shut up, you old bitch! |
| It's none of your business! |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Ho-ho! |
| can't stand the truth, can you? |
| THE BARON. |
| They're off again! |
| Nastya, where are you? |
| NASTYA [ without lifting her head ] Hey — go away! |
| ANNA [ putting her head through the curtains ] The day has started. |
| For God's sake, don't row! |
| ANNA. |
| Every blessed day...... |
| let me die in peace, can't you? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Noise won't keep you from dying. |
| KVASHNYA [ walking up to Anna ] Little mother, how did you ever manage to live with this wretch? |
| ANNA. |
| Leave me alone — get away from me....... |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Well, well! |
| You poor soul...... |
| how's the pain in the chest — any better? |
| THE BARON. |
| Kvashnya! |
| Time to go to market....... |
| KVASHNYA. |
| We'll go presently. [ |
| To Anna ] Like some hot dumplings? |
| ANNA. |
| No, thanks. |
| Why should I eat? |
| KVASHNYA. |
| You must eat. |
| Hot food — good for you! |
| I'll leave you some in a cup. |
| Eat them when you feel like it. |
| Come on, sir! [ |
| To Kleshtch ] You evil spirit! [ |
| Goes into kitchen ] |
| ANNA [ coughing ] Lord, Lord...... |
| THE BARON [ painfully pushing forward Nastya's head ] Throw it away — little fool! |
| NASTYA [ muttering ] Leave me alone — I don't bother you...... [ |
| The Baron follows Kvashnya, whistling. ] |
| SATINE [ sitting up in his bunk ] Who beat me up yesterday? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Does it make any difference who? |
| SATINE. |
| Suppose they did — but why did they? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Were you playing cards? |
| SATINE. |
| Yes! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| That's why they beat you. |
| SATINE. |
| Scoundrels! |
| THE ACTOR [ raising his head from the top of the stove ] One of these days they'll beat you to death! |
| SATINE. |
| You're a jackass! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Why? |
| SATINE. |
| Because a man can die only once! |
| THE ACTOR [ after a silence ] I don't understand — |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Say! You crawl from that stove — and start cleaning house! Don't play the delicate primrose! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| None of your business! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Wait till Vassilisa comes — she'll show you whose business it is! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| To hell with Vassilisa! |
| To-day is the Baron's turn to clean....... |
| Baron! |
| [ The Baron comes from the kitchen. ] THE BARON. |
| I've no time to clean...... |
| I'm going to market with Kvashnya. |
| THE ACTOR. |
| That doesn't concern me. |
| Go to the gallows if you like. |
| It's your turn to sweep the floor just the same — I'm not going to do other people's work...... |
| THE BARON. |
| Go to blazes! |
| Nastya will do it. |
| Hey there — fatal love! |
| Wake up! [ |
| Takes the book away from Nastya ] |
| NASTYA [ getting up ] What do you want? |
| Give it back to me! |
| You scoundrel! |
| And that's a nobleman for you! |
| THE BARON [ returning the book to her ] Nastya! |
| Sweep the floor for me — will you? |
| NASTYA [ goes to kitchen ] Not so's you'll notice it! |
| KVASHNYA [ to the Baron through kitchen door ] Come on — you! |
| They don't need you! |
| Actor! |
| You were asked to do it, and now you go ahead and attend to it — it won't kill you...... |
| [ The Baron comes from the kitchen, across his shoulders a wooden beam from which hang earthen pots covered with rags. ] |
| THE BARON. Heavier than ever! |
| SATINE. |
| It paid you to be born a Baron, eh? |
| KVASHNYA [ to Actor ] See to it that you sweep up! [ |
| Crosses to outer door, letting the Baron pass ahead ] |
| THE ACTOR [ climbing down from the stove ] It's bad for me to inhale dust. [ |
| With pride ] My organism is poisoned with alcohol. [ |
| Sits down on a bunk, meditating ] |
| SATINE. |
| Organism — organon....... |
| ANNA. |
| Andrei Mitritch....... |
| KLESHTCH. |
| What now? |
| ANNA. |
| Kvashnya left me some dumplings over there — you eat them! |
| KLESHTCH [ coming over to her ] And you — don't you want any? |
| ANNA. |
| No. Why should I eat? |
| You're a workman — you need it. |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Frightened, are you? |
| Don't be! |
| You'll get all right! |
| ANNA. |
| Go and eat! |
| It's hard on me....... |
| I suppose very soon...... |
| KLESHTCH [ walking away ] Never mind — maybe you'll get well — you can never tell! [ |
| Goes into kitchen ] |
| THE ACTOR [ loud, as if he had suddenly awakened ] Yesterday the doctor in the hospital said to me: " |
| "Your organism," he said, "is entirely poisoned with alcohol......" |
| SATINE [ smiling ] Organon...... |
| THE ACTOR [ stubbornly ] Not organon — organism! |
| SATINE. |
| Sibylline....... |
| THE ACTOR [ shaking his fist at him ] Nonsense! |
| I'm telling you seriously...... |
| if the organism is poisoned...... |
| that means it's bad for me to sweep the floor — to inhale the dust...... |
| SATINE. |
| Macrobistic...... |
| hah! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What are you muttering? |
| SATINE. |
| Words — and here's another one for you — transcendentalistic...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What does it mean? |
| SATINE. |
| Don't know — I forgot...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Then why did you say it? |
| SATINE. |
| Just so! |
| I'm bored, brother, with human words — all our words. |
| Bored! |
| I've heard each one of them a thousand times surely. |
| THE ACTOR. |
| In Hamlet they say: " |
| "Words, words, words!" |
| It's a good play. |
| I played the grave-digger in it once....... |
| [ Kleshtch comes from the kitchen. ] KLESHTCH. |
| Will you start playing with the broom? |
| THE ACTOR. |
| None of your business. [ Striking his chest ] Ophelia! |
| O — remember me in thy prayers! |
| [ Back stage is heard a dull murmur, cries, and a police whistle. |
| Kleshtch sits down to work, filing screechily. ] |
| SATINE. |
| I love unintelligible, obsolete words. |
| When I was a youngster — and worked as a telegraph operator — I read heaps of books....... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Were you really a telegrapher? |
| SATINE. |
| I was. |
| There are some excellent books — and lots of curious words...... |
| Once I was an educated man, do you know? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| BUBNOFF. |
| I've heard it a hundred times. |
| Well, so you were! |
| That isn't very important! |
| Me — well — once I was a furrier. |
| I had my own shop — what with dyeing the fur all day long, my arms were yellow up to the elbows, brother. |
| But look at my hands now — they're plain dirty — that's what! |
| SATINE. |
| Well, and what then? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| That's all! |
| SATINE. |
| What are you trying to prove? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Oh, well — just matching thoughts — no matter how much dye you get on yourself, it all comes off in the end — yes, yes — |
| SATINE. |
| Oh — my bones ache! |
| THE ACTOR [ sits, nursing his knees ] Education is all rot. |
| Talent is the thing. |
| I knew an actor — who read his parts by heart, syllable by syllable — but he played heroes in a way that...... |
| why — the whole theatre would rock with ecstasy! |
| SATINE. |
| Bubnoff, give me five kopecks. |
| BUBNOFF. |
| I only have two — |
| THE ACTOR. |
| I say — talent, that's what you need to play heroes. |
| And talent is nothing but faith in yourself, in your own powers — |
| SATINE. |
| Give me five kopecks and I'll have faith that you're a hero, a crocodile, or a police inspector — Kleshtch, give me five kopecks. |
| SATINE. |
| What are you cursing for? |
| I know you haven't a kopeck in the world! |
| ANNA. |
| Andrei Mitritch — I'm suffocating — I can't breathe — KLESHTCH. |
| What shall I do? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Open the door into the hall. |
| KLESHTCH. |
| All right. |
| You're sitting on the bunk, I on the floor. |
| You change places with me, and I'll let you open the door. |
| I have a cold as it is. |
| BUBNOFF [ unconcernedly ] I don't care if you open the door — it's your wife who's asking — |
| KLESHTCH [ morosely ] I don't care who's asking — |
| SATINE. |
| My head buzzes — ah — why do people have to hit each other over the heads? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| They don't only hit you over the head, but over the rest of the body as well. [ |
| Rises ] I must go and buy some thread — our bosses are late to-day — seems as if they've croaked. [ |
| Exit ] |
| [ Anna coughs; |
| Satine is lying down motionless, his hands folded behind his head. ] |
| THE ACTOR [ looks about him morosely, then goes to Anna ] Feeling bad, eh? |
| ANNA. |
| I'm choking — |
| THE ACTOR. |
| If you wish, I'll take you into the hallway. |
| Get up, then, come! [ He helps her to rise, wraps some sort of a rag about her shoulders, and supports her toward the hall ] It isn't easy. |
| I'm sick myself — poisoned with alcohol...... |
| [ Kostilyoff appears in the doorway. ] KOSTILYOFF. |
| Going for a stroll? |
| What a nice couple — the gallant cavalier and the lady fair! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Step aside, you — don't you see that we're invalids? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Pass on, please! [ |
| Hums a religious tune, glances about him suspiciously, and bends his head to the left as if listening to what is happening in Pepel's room. |
| Kleshtch is jangling his keys and scraping away with his file, and looks askance at the other ] Filing? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| What? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| I say, are you filing? [ |
| Pause ] What did I want to ask? [ |
| Quick and low ] Hasn't my wife been here? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| I didn't see her. |
| KOSTILYOFF [ carefully moving toward Pepel's room ] You take up a whole lot of room for your two rubles a month. |
| The bed — and your bench — yes — you take up five rubles' worth of space, so help me God! |
| I'll have to put another half ruble to your rent — |
| KLESHTCH. |
| You'll put a noose around my neck and choke me...... |
| you'll croak soon enough, and still all you think of is half rubles — |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Why should I choke you? |
| What would be the use? |
| God be with you — live and prosper! |
| But I'll have to raise you half a ruble — I'll buy oil for the ikon lamp, and my offering will atone for my sins, and for yours as well. |
| You don't think much of your sins — not much! |
| Oh, Andrushka, you're a wicked man! |
| Your wife is dying because of your wickedness — no one loves you, no one respects you — your work is squeaky, jarring on every one. |
| KLESHTCH [ shouts ] What do you come here for — just to annoy me? [ |
| Satine grunts loudly. ] |
| KOSTILYOFF [ with a start ] God, what a noise! [ |
| The Actor enters. ] |
| THE ACTOR. I've put her down in the hall and wrapped her up. |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| You're a kindly fellow. |
| That's good. |
| Some day you'll be rewarded for it. |
| THE ACTOR. |
| When? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| In the Beyond, little brother — there all our deeds will be reckoned up. |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Suppose you reward me right now? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| How can I do that? |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Wipe out half my debt. |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| He-ho! |
| You're always jesting, darling — always poking fun...... |
| can kindliness of heart be repaid with gold? |
| Kindliness — it's above all other qualities. |
| But your debt to me — remains a debt. And so you'll have to pay me back. |
| You ought to be kind to me, an old man, without seeking for reward! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| You're a swindler, old man! [ |
| Goes into kitchen ] [ Kleshtch rises and goes into the hall. ] |
| KOSTILYOFF [ to Satine ] See that squeaker — ? |
| He ran away — he doesn't like me! |
| SATINE. |
| Does anybody like you besides the Devil? |
| KOSTILYOFF [ laughing ] Oh — you're so quarrelsome! |
| But I like you all — I understand you all, my unfortunate down-trodden, useless brethren...... [ |
| Suddenly, rapidly ] Is Vaska home? |
| SATINE. |
| See for yourself — KOSTILYOFF [ goes to the door and knocks ] Vaska! |
| [ The Actor appears at the kitchen door, chewing something. ] |
| PEPEL. |
| Who is it? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| It's I — I, Vaska! |
| PEPEL. |
| What do you want? |
| KOSTILYOFF [ stepping aside ] Open! |
| SATINE [ without looking at Kostilyoff ] He'll open — and she's there — [ The Actor makes a grimace. ] |
| KOSTILYOFF [ in a low, anxious tone ] Eh? |
| Who's there? |
| What? |
| SATINE. |
| Speaking to me? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| What did you say? |
| SATINE. |
| Oh — nothing — I was just talking to myself — |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Take care, brother. |
| Don't carry your joking too far! [ |
| Knocks loudly at door ] Vassily! |
| PEPEL [ opening door ] Well? |
| What are you disturbing me for? |
| KOSTILYOFF [ peering into room ] I — you see — PEPEL. |
| Did you bring the money? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| I've something to tell you — PEPEL. |
| Did you bring the money? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| What money? |
| Wait — |
| PEPEL. |
| Why — the seven rubles for the watch — well? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| What watch, Vaska? |
| Oh, you — |
| PEPEL. |
| Look here. |
| Yesterday, before witnesses, I sold you a watch for ten rubles, you gave me three — now let me have the other seven. |
| What are you blinking for? |
| You hang around here — you disturb people — and don't seem to know yourself what you're after. |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Sh-sh! |
| Don't be angry, Vaska. |
| The watch — it is — SATINE. |
| Stolen! |
| KOSTILYOFF [ sternly ] I do not accept stolen goods — how can you imagine — |
| PEPEL [ taking him by the shoulder ] What did you disturb me for? |
| What do you want? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| I don't want — anything. |
| I'll go — if you're in such a state — PEPEL. |
| Be off, and bring the money! |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| What ruffians! |
| I — I — [ Exit ] THE ACTOR. |
| What a farce! |
| SATINE. |
| That's fine — I like it. |
| PEPEL. |
| What did he come here for? |
| SATINE [ laughing ] Don't you understand? |
| He's looking for his wife. |
| Why don't you beat him up once and for all, Vaska? |
| PEPEL. |
| Why should I let such trash interfere with my life? |
| SATINE. |
| Show some brains! |
| And then you can marry Vassilisa — and become our boss — |
| PEPEL. |
| Heavenly bliss! |
| And you'd smash up my household and, because I'm a soft-hearted fool, you'll drink up everything I possess. [ |
| Sits on a bunk ] Old devil — woke me up — I was having such a pleasant dream. |
| I dreamed I was fishing — and I caught an enormous trout — such a trout as you only see in dreams! |
| I was playing him — and I was so afraid the line would snap. |
| I had just got out the gaff — and I thought to myself — in a moment — |
| SATINE. |
| It wasn't a trout, it was Vassilisa — THE ACTOR. |
| He caught Vassilisa a long time ago. |
| PEPEL [ angrily ] You can all go to the devil — and Vassilisa with you — [ Kleshtch comes from the hall. ] |
| KLESHTCH. Devilishly cold! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Why didn't you bring Anna back? |
| She'll freeze, out there — KLESHTCH. |
| Natasha took her into the kitchen — THE ACTOR. |
| The old man will kick her out — |
| KLESHTCH [ sitting down to his work ] Well — Natasha will bring her in here — SATINE. |
| Vassily — give me five kopecks! |
| THE ACTOR [ to Satine ] Oh, you — always five kopecks — Vassya — give us twenty kopecks — |
| PEPEL. |
| I'd better give it to them now before they ask for a ruble. |
| Here you are! |
| SATINE. |
| Gibraltar! |
| There are no kindlier people in the world than thieves! |
| KLESHTCH [ morosely ] They earn their money easily — they don't work — |
| SATINE. |
| Many earn it easily, but not many part with it so easily. |
| Work? |
| Make work pleasant — and maybe I'll work too. |
| Yes — maybe. |
| When work's a pleasure, life's, too. |
| When it's toil, then life is a drudge. [ |
| To the Actor ] You, Sardanapalus! |
| Come on! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Let's go, Nebuchadnezzar! |
| I'll get as drunk as forty thousand topers! [ |
| They leave. ] |
| PEPEL [ yawning ] Well, how's your wife? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| It seems as if soon — [ Pause. ] |
| PEPEL. Now I look at you — seems to me all that filing and scraping of yours is useless. KLESHTCH. |
| Well — what else can I do? |
| PEPEL. |
| Nothing. |
| KLESHTCH. |
| How can I live? |
| PEPEL. |
| People manage, somehow. |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Them? |
| Call them people? |
| Call them people? |
| Muck and dregs — that's what they are! |
| I'm a workman — I'm ashamed even to look at them. |
| I've slaved since I was a child....... |
| D'you think I shan't be able to tear myself away from here? |
| I'll crawl out of here, even if I have to leave my skin behind — but crawl out I will! |
| my wife'll die...... |
| I've lived here six months, and it seems like six years. |
| PEPEL. |
| Nobody here's any worse off than you...... |
| say what you like...... |
| KLESHTCH. |
| No worse is right. |
| They've neither honor nor conscience. |
| PEPEL [ indifferently ] What good does it do — honor or conscience? |
| Can you get them on their feet instead of on their uppers — through honor and conscience? |
| Honor and conscience are needed only by those who have power and energy...... |
| BUBNOFF [ coming back ] Oh — I'm frozen...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Bubnoff! |
| Got a conscience? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What? |
| A conscience? |
| PEPEL. |
| Exactly! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What do I need a conscience for? |
| I'm not rich. |
| PEPEL. |
| Just what I said: |
| honor and conscience are for the rich — right! |
| And Kleshtch is upbraiding us because we haven't any! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Why — did he want to borrow some of it? |
| PEPEL. |
| No — he has plenty of his own...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Oh — are you selling it? |
| You won't sell much around here. |
| But if you had some old boxes, I'd buy them — on credit...... |
| PEPEL [ didactically ] You're a jackass, Andrushka! |
| On the subject of conscience you ought to hear Satine — or the Baron...... |
| KLESHTCH. |
| I've nothing to talk to them about! |
| PEPEL. |
| They have more brains than you — even if they're drunkards...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| He who can be drunk and wise at the same time is doubly blessed...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Satine says every man expects his neighbor to have a conscience, but — you see — it isn't to any one's advantage to have one — that's a fact. |
| [ Natasha enters, followed by Luka who carries a stick in his hand, a bundle on his back, a kettle and a teapot slung from his belt. ] |
| LUKA. |
| How are you, honest folks? |
| PEPEL [ twisting his mustache ] Aha — Natasha! |
| BUBNOFF [ to Luka ] I was honest — up to spring before last. |
| NATASHA. |
| Here's a new lodger...... |
| LUKA. |
| Oh, it's all the same to me. Crooks — I don't mind them, either. |
| For my part there's no bad flea — they're all black — and they all jump —....... |
| Well, dearie, show me where I can stow myself. |
| NATASHA [ pointing to kitchen door ] Go in there, grand-dad. |
| LUKA. |
| Thanks, girlie! |
| One place is like another — as long as an old fellow keeps warm, he keeps happy...... |
| PEPEL. |
| What an amusing old codger you brought in, Natasha! |
| NATASHA. |
| A hanged sight more interesting than you!...... |
| Andrei, your wife's in the kitchen with us — come and fetch her after a while...... |
| KLESHTCH. |
| All right — I will...... |
| NATASHA. |
| And be a little more kind to her — you know she won't last much longer. |
| KLESHTCH. |
| I know...... |
| NATASHA. |
| Knowing won't do any good — it's terrible — dying — don't you understand? |
| PEPEL. |
| Well — look at me — I'm not afraid...... |
| NATASHA. |
| Oh — you're a wonder, aren't you? |
| BUBNOFF [ whistling ] Oh — this thread's rotten...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Honestly, I'm not afraid! |
| I'm ready to die right now. |
| Knife me to the heart — and I'll die without making a sound...... |
| even gladly — from such a pure hand...... |
| NATASHA [ going out ] Spin that yarn for some one else! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Oh — that thread is rotten — rotten — |
| NATASHA [ at hallway door ] Don't forget your wife, Andrei! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| All right. |
| PEPEL. |
| She's a wonderful girl! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| She's all right. |
| PEPEL. |
| What makes her so curt with me? |
| Anyway — she'll come to no good here...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Through you — sure! |
| PEPEL. |
| Why through me? |
| I feel sorry for her...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| As the wolf for the lamb! |
| PEPEL. |
| You lie! |
| I feel very sorry for her...... |
| very...... |
| very sorry! |
| She has a tough life here — I can see that...... |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Just wait till Vassilisa catches you talking to her! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Vassilisa? |
| She won't give up so easily what belongs to her — she's a cruel woman! |
| PEPEL [ stretching himself on the bunk ] You two prophets can go to hell! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Just wait — you'll see! |
| LUKA [ singing in the kitchen ] "In the dark of the night the way is black......" |
| KLESHTCH. Another one who yelps! |
| PEPEL. |
| It's dreary! |
| Why do I feel so dreary? |
| You live — and everything seems all right. |
| But suddenly a cold chill goes through you — and then everything gets dreary...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Dreary? |
| Hm-hm — PEPEL. |
| Yes — yes — LUKA [ sings ] "The way is black......" |
| PEPEL. |
| Old fellow! |
| Hey there! |
| LUKA [ looking from kitchen door ] You call me? |
| PEPEL. Yes. |
| Don't sing! |
| LUKA [ coming in ] You don't like it? |
| PEPEL. |
| When people sing well I like it — LUKA. |
| In other words — I don't sing well? |
| PEPEL. |
| Evidently! |
| LUKA. |
| Well, well — and I thought I sang well. |
| That's always the way: |
| a man imagines there's one thing he can do well, and suddenly he finds out that other people don't think so...... |
| PEPEL [ laughs ] That's right...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| First you say you feel dreary — and then you laugh! |
| PEPEL. None of your business, raven! |
| LUKA. |
| Who do they say feels dreary? |
| PEPEL. |
| I do. [ |
| The Baron enters. ] |
| LUKA. |
| Well, well — out there in the kitchen there's a girl reading and crying! |
| That's so! |
| Her eyes are wet with tears...... |
| I say to her: " |
| "What's the matter, darling?" And she says: "It's so sad!" " |
| "What's so sad?" |
| say I. "The book!" says she.-- |
| .--And that's how people spend their time. |
| Just because they're bored...... |
| THE BARON. |
| She's a fool! |
| PEPEL. |
| Have you had tea, Baron? |
| THE BARON. |
| Yes. |
| Go on! |
| PEPEL. |
| Well — want me to open a bottle? |
| THE BARON. |
| Of course. |
| Go on! |
| PEPEL. |
| Drop on all fours, and bark like a dog! |
| THE BARON. |
| Fool! |
| What's the matter with you? |
| Are you drunk? |
| PEPEL. |
| Go on — bark a little! |
| It'll amuse me. |
| You're an aristocrat. |
| You didn't even consider us human formerly, did you? |
| THE BARON. |
| Go on! |
| PEPEL. |
| Well — and now I am making you bark like a dog — and you will bark, won't you? |
| THE BARON. |
| All right. I will. |
| You jackass! |
| What pleasure can you derive from it since I myself know that I have sunk almost lower than you. |
| You should have made me drop on all fours in the days when I was still above you. |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What's over, is over. Remain only trivialities. |
| We know no class distinctions here. |
| We've shed all pride and self-respect. Blood and bone — man — just plain man — that's what we are! |
| LUKA. |
| In other words, we're all equal...... |
| and you, friend, were you really a Baron? |
| THE BARON. |
| Who are you? |
| A ghost? |
| LUKA [ laughing ] I've seen counts and princes in my day — this is the first time I meet a baron — and one who's decaying — at that! |
| PEPEL [ laughing ] Baron, I blush for you! |
| THE BARON. |
| It's time you knew better, Vassily...... |
| LUKA. |
| Hey-hey — I look at you, brothers — the life you're leading...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Such a life! As soon as the sun rises, our voices rise, too — in quarrels! |
| THE BARON. |
| We've all seen better days — yes! |
| I used to wake up in the morning and drink my coffee in bed — coffee — with cream! |
| Yes — |
| LUKA. |
| And yet we're all human beings. |
| Pretend all you want to, put on all the airs you wish, but man you were born, and man you must die. |
| And as I watch I see that the wiser people get, the busier they get — and though from bad to worse, they still strive to improve — stubbornly — |
| THE BARON. |
| Who are you, old fellow? |
| Where do you come from? |
| LUKA. |
| I? |
| THE BARON. |
| Are you a tramp? |
| LUKA. |
| We're all of us tramps — why — I've heard said that the very earth we walk on is nothing but a tramp in the universe. |
| THE BARON [ severely ] Perhaps. |
| But have you a passport? |
| LUKA [ after a short pause ] And what are you — a police inspector? |
| PEPEL [ delighted ] You scored, old fellow! |
| Well, Barosha, you got it this time! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Yes — our little aristocrat got his! |
| THE BARON [ embarrassed ] What's the matter? |
| I was only joking, old man. |
| Why, brother, I haven't a passport, either. |
| THE BARON. |
| Oh — well — I have some sort of papers — but they have no value — |
| LUKA. |
| They're papers just the same — and no papers are any good — PEPEL. |
| Baron — come on to the saloon with me — |
| Baron — come on to the saloon with me — |
| THE BARON. |
| I'm ready. |
| Good-bye, old man — you old scamp — LUKA. |
| Maybe I am one, brother — PEPEL [ near doorway ] Come on — come on! [ |
| Leaves, Baron following him quickly. ] |
| Was he really once a Baron? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Who knows? |
| A gentleman — ? |
| Yes. That much he's even now. Occasionally it sticks out. |
| He never got rid of the habit. |
| LUKA. |
| Nobility is like small-pox. |
| A man may get over it — but it leaves marks...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| He's all right all the same — occasionally he kicks — as he did about your passport...... |
| [ Alyoshka comes in, slightly drunk, with a concertina in his hand, whistling. ] |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Hey there, lodgers! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What are you yelling for? |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Excuse me — I beg your pardon! |
| I'm a well-bred man — BUBNOFF. |
| On a spree again? |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Right you are! |
| A moment ago Medyakin, the precinct captain, threw me out of the police station and said: " |
| "Look here — I don't want as much as a smell of you to stay in the streets — d'you hear?" |
| I'm a man of principles, and the boss croaks at me — and what's a boss anyway — pah!-- |
| !--it's all bosh — the boss is a drunkard. |
| I don't make any demands on life. |
| I want nothing — that's all. |
| Offer me one ruble, offer me twenty — it doesn't affect me. [ Nastya comes from the kitchen ] Offer me a million — I won't take it! |
| And to think that I, a respectable man, should be ordered about by a pal of mine — and he a drunkard! |
| I won't have it — I won't! |
| [ Nastya stands in the doorway, shaking her head at Alyoshka. ] |
| LUKA [ good-naturedly ] Well, boy, you're a bit confused — BUBNOFF. |
| Aren't men fools! |
| ALYOSHKA [ stretches out on the floor ] Here, eat me up alive — and I don't want anything. |
| I'm a desperate man. |
| Show me one better! |
| Why am I worse than others? |
| There! |
| Medyakin said: " |
| "If you show yourself on the streets I smash your face!" |
| And yet I shall go out — I'll go — and stretch out in the middle of the street — let them choke me — I don't want a thing! |
| NASTYA. |
| Poor fellow — only a boy — and he's already putting on such airs — |
| ALYOSHKA [ kneeling before her ] Lady! |
| Mademoiselle! |
| Parlez français — ? |
| Prix courrant? |
| I'm on a spree — |
| NASTYA [ in a loud whisper ] Vassilisa! |
| VASSILISA [ opens door quickly; |
| to Alyoshka ] You here again? |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| How do you do — ? |
| Come in — you're welcome — |
| VASSILISA. |
| I told you, young puppy, that not a shadow of you should stick around here — and you're back — eh? |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Vassilisa Karpovna...... |
| shall I tune up a funeral march for you? |
| VASSILISA [ seizing him by the shoulders ] Get out! |
| ALYOSHKA [ moving towards the door ] Wait — you can't put me out this way! |
| I learned this funeral march a little while ago! |
| It's refreshing music...... |
| wait — you can't put me out like that! |
| VASSILISA. |
| I'll show whether I can or not. |
| I'll rouse the whole street against you — you foul-mouthed creature — you're too young to bark about me — |
| ALYOSHKA [ running out ] All right — I'll go — VASSILISA. |
| Look out — I'll get you yet! |
| ALYOSHKA [ opens the door and shouts ] Vassilisa Karpovna — I'm not afraid of you — [ Hides ] |
| [ Luka laughs. ] |
| VASSILISA. Who are you? LUKA. A passer-by — a traveler...... VASSILISA. |
| Stopping for the night or going to stay here? LUKA. I'll see. VASSILISA. |
| Have you a passport? |
| LUKA. Yes. VASSILISA. |
| Give it to me. |
| LUKA. |
| I'll bring it over to your house — |
| VASSILISA. Call yourself a traveler? |
| If you'd say a tramp — that would be nearer the truth — |
| LUKA [ sighing ] You're not very kindly, mother! |
| [ Vassilisa goes to door that leads to Pepel's room, Alyoshka pokes his head through the kitchen door. ] |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Has she left? |
| VASSILISA [ turning around ] Are you still here? |
| [ Alyoshka disappears, whistling. |
| Nastya and Luka laugh. ] |
| BUBNOFF [ to Vassilisa ] He isn't here — VASSILISA. Who? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Vaska. |
| VASSILISA. |
| Did I ask you about him? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| I noticed you were looking around — VASSILISA. |
| I am looking to see if things are in order, you see? |
| Why aren't the floors swept yet? |
| How often did I give orders to keep the house clean? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| It's the actor's turn to sweep — |
| VASSILISA. |
| Never mind whose turn it is! |
| If the health inspector comes and fines me, I'll throw out the lot of you — |
| BUBNOFF [ calmly ] Then how are you going to earn your living? |
| VASSILISA. I don't want a speck of dirt! [ Goes to kitchen; to Nastya ] What are you hanging round here for? Why's your face all swollen up? |
| Why are you standing there like a dummy? |
| Go on — sweep the floor! Did you see Natalia? |
| Was she here? |
| NASTYA. |
| I don't know — I haven't seen her...... |
| VASSILISA. Bubnoff! |
| Was my sister here? BUBNOFF. She brought him along. VASSILISA. |
| That one — was he home? |
| BUBNOFF. Vassily? |
| Yes — Natalia was here talking to Kleshtch — VASSILISA. |
| I'm not asking you whom she talked to. |
| Dirt everywhere — filth — oh, you swine! |
| Mop it all up — do you hear? [ |
| Exit rapidly ] |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What a savage beast she is! |
| LUKA. She's a lady that means business! |
| NASTYA. |
| You grow to be an animal, leading such a life — any human being tied to such a husband as hers...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Well — that tie isn't worrying her any — LUKA. |
| Does she always have these fits? |
| BUBNOFF. Always. |
| You see, she came to find her lover — but he isn't home — |
| LUKA. |
| I guess she was hurt. |
| Oh-ho! |
| Everybody is trying to be boss — and is threatening everybody else with all kinds of punishment — and still there's no order in life...... |
| and no cleanliness — |
| BUBNOFF. |
| All the world likes order — but some people's brains aren't fit for it. |
| All the same — the room should be swept — Nastya — you ought to get busy! |
| NASTYA. |
| Oh, certainly? Anything else? Think I'm your servant? [ |
| Silence ] I'm going to get drunk to-night — dead-drunk! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Fine business! |
| LUKA. Why do you want to get drunk, girlie? A while ago you were crying — and now you say you'll get drunk — |
| NASTYA [ defiantly ] I'll drink — then I cry again — that's all there's to it! |
| BUBNOFF. That's nothing! |
| LUKA. |
| But for what reason — tell me! Every pimple has a cause! [ |
| Nastya remains silent, shaking her head ] Oh — you men — what's to become of you? |
| All right — I'll sweep the place. |
| Where's your broom? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Behind the door — in the hall — [ Luka goes into the hall. ] |
| Nastinka! |
| NASTYA. Yes? BUBNOFF. Why did Vassilisa jump on Alyoshka? |
| NASTYA. He told her that Vaska was tired of her and was going to get rid of her — and that he's going to make up to Natasha — I'll go away from here — I'll find another lodging-house — |
| BUBNOFF. Why? Where? NASTYA. |
| I'm sick of this — I'm not wanted here! |
| BUBNOFF [ calmly ] You're not wanted anywhere — and, anyway, all people on earth are superfluous — |
| [ Nastya shakes her head. |
| Rises and slowly, quietly, leaves the cellar. |
| Miedviedieff comes in. Luka, with the broom, follows him. ] MIEDVIEDIEFF. I don't think I know you — LUKA. |
| How about the others — d'you know them all? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| I must know everybody in my precinct. |
| But I don't know you. LUKA. |
| That's because, uncle, the whole world can't stow itself away in your precinct — some of it was bound to remain outside...... [ |
| Goes into kitchen ] |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ crosses to Bubnoff ] It's true — my precinct is rather small — yet it's worse than any of the very largest. |
| Just now, before getting off duty, I had to bring Alyoshka, the shoemaker, to the station house. |
| Just imagine — there he was, stretched right in the middle of the street, playing his concertina and yelping: " |
| "I want nothing, nothing!" |
| Horses going past all the time — and with all the traffic going on, he could easily have been run over — and so on! |
| He's a wild youngster — so I just collared him — he likes to make mischief — |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Coming to play checkers to-night? MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Yes — I'll come — how's Vaska? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Same as ever — MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Meaning — he's getting along — ? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Why shouldn't he? |
| He's able to get along all right. |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ doubtfully ] Why shouldn't he? [ |
| Luka goes into hallway, carrying a pail ] M-yes — there's a lot of talk about Vaska. |
| Haven't you heard? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| I hear all sorts of gossip...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| There seems to have been some sort of talk concerning Vassilisa. |
| Haven't you heard about it? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Oh — why — generally speaking. |
| Perhaps you know — and lie. |
| Everybody knows — [ Severely ] You mustn't lie, brother! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Why should I lie? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| That's right. |
| Dogs! |
| They say that Vaska and Vassilisa...... |
| but what's that to me? |
| I'm not her father. |
| I'm her uncle. |
| Why should they ridicule me? [ Kvashnya comes in ] What are people coming to? |
| They laugh at everything. Aha — you here? KVASHNYA. Well — my love-sick garrison — ? Bubnoff! |
| He came up to me again on the marketplace and started pestering me about marrying him...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Go to it! |
| Why not? |
| He has money and he's still a husky fellow. |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Me — ? |
| I should say so! KVASHNYA. You ruffian! |
| Don't you dare touch my sore spot! |
| I've gone through it once already, darling. |
| Marriage to a woman is just like jumping through a hole in the ice in winter. |
| You do it once, and you remember it the rest of your life...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Wait! |
| There are different breeds of husbands...... |
| KVASHNYA. But there's only one of me! |
| When my beloved husband kicked the bucket, I spent the whole day all by my lonely — just bursting with joy. |
| I sat and simply couldn't believe it was true....... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| If your husband beat you without cause, you should have complained to the police. |
| KVASHNYA. I complained to God for eight years — and he didn't help. MIEDVIEDIEFF. Nowadays the law forbids to beat your wife...... |
| all is very strict these days — there's law and order everywhere. |
| You can't beat up people without due cause. |
| If you beat them to maintain discipline — all right...... |
| LUKA [ comes in with Anna ] Well — we finally managed to get here after all. Oh, you! Why do you, weak as you are, walk about alone? |
| Where's your bunk? |
| ANNA [ pointing ] Thank you, grand-dad. |
| KVASHNYA. There — she's married — look at her! |
| LUKA. |
| The little woman is in very bad shape...... she was creeping along the hallway, clinging to the wall and moaning — why do you leave her by herself? |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Oh, pure carelessness on our part, little father — forgive us! |
| Her maid, it appears, went out for a walk...... |
| LUKA. |
| Go on — poke fun at me...... |
| but, all the same, how can you neglect a human being like that? |
| No matter who or what, every human life has its worth...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| There should be supervision! |
| Suppose she died suddenly — ? |
| That would cause a lot of bother...... |
| we must look after her! |
| LUKA. True, sergeant! |
| LUKA. True, sergeant! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Well — yes — though I'm not a sergeant — ah — yet! |
| LUKA. No! But you carry yourself most martially! |
| [ Noise of shuffling feet is heard in the hallway. |
| Muffled cries. ] |
| I'll go and see...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| I'll go, too. It is my duty! |
| Why separate people when they fight? |
| They'll stop sooner or later of their own accord. |
| One gets tired of fighting. |
| Why not let them fight all they want to — freely? |
| They wouldn't fight half as often — if they'd remember former beatings...... |
| BUBNOFF [ climbing down from his bunk ] Why don't you speak to your superiors about it? |
| KOSTILYOFF [ throws open the door and shouts ] Abram! |
| Come quick — Vassilisa is killing Natasha — come quick! |
| [ Kvashnya, Miedviedieff, and Bubnoff rush into hallway; |
| Luka looks after them, shaking his head. ] |
| ANNA. |
| Oh God — poor little Natasha...... |
| LUKA. |
| Who's fighting out there? |
| ANNA. |
| Our landladies — they're sisters...... |
| LUKA [ crossing to Anna ] Why? |
| ANNA. |
| Oh — for no reason — except that they're both fat and healthy...... |
| LUKA. |
| What's your name? |
| ANNA. |
| Anna...... |
| I look at you...... |
| you're like my father — my dear father...... |
| you're as gentle as he was — and as soft....... |
| LUKA. |
| Soft! Yes! They pounded me till I got soft! [ |
| Laughs tremulously ] CURTAIN. [Portrait: MAXIM GORKY: |
| RUSSIA'S GREATEST LIVING PLAYWRIGHT] ACT TWO. Same as Act I — Night. |
| On the bunks near the stove Satine, the Baron, Krivoy Zob, and the Tartar play cards. |
| Kleshtch and the Actor watch them. |
| Bubnoff, on his bunk, is playing checkers with Miedviedieff. |
| Luka sits on a stool by Anna's bedside. |
| The place is lit by two lamps, one on the wall near the card players, the other is on Bubnoff's bunk. |
| THE TARTAR. |
| I'll play one more game — then I'll stop...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Zob! |
| Sing! [ |
| He sings ] "The sun rises and sets......" |
| ZOB [ joining in ] "But my prison is dark, dark......" |
| THE TARTAR [ to Satine ] Shuffle the cards — and shuffle them well. |
| We know your kind — |
| ZOB AND BUBNOFF [ together ] "Day and night the wardens Watch beneath my window......" |
| ANNA. |
| Blows — insults — I've had nothing but that all my life long...... |
| LUKA. Don't worry, little mother! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Look where you're moving! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Oh, yes — that's right...... |
| THE TARTAR [ threatening Satine with his fist ] You're trying to palm a card? |
| I've seen you — you scoundrel...... |
| ZOB. |
| Stop it, Hassan! |
| They'll skin us anyway...... |
| come on, Bubnoff! |
| ANNA. |
| I can't remember a single day when I didn't go hungry...... I've been afraid, waking, eating, and sleeping...... |
| all my life I've trembled — afraid I wouldn't get another bite...... |
| all my life I've been in rags — all through my wretched life — and why...... ? |
| LUKA. |
| Yes, yes, child — you're tired — never you mind! |
| THE ACTOR [ to Zob ] Play the Jack — the Jack, devil take you! |
| THE BARON. |
| And we play the King! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| They always win. |
| SATINE. |
| Such is our habit. MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| I have the Queen! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| And so have I! |
| ANNA. |
| I'm dying...... |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Look, look! |
| Prince, throw up the game — throw it up, I tell you! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Can't he play without your assistance? |
| THE BARON. |
| Look out, Andrushka, or I'll beat the life out of you! |
| THE TARTAR. |
| Deal once more — the pitcher went after water — and got broke — and so did I! |
| [ Kleshtch shakes his head and crosses to Bubnoff. ] |
| ANNA. |
| I keep on thinking — is it possible that I'll suffer in the other world as I did in this — is it possible? |
| There, too? |
| LUKA. |
| Nothing of the sort! |
| Don't you disturb yourself! |
| You'll rest there...... |
| be patient. |
| We all suffer, dear, each in our own way....... [ |
| Rises and goes quickly into kitchen ] |
| BUBNOFF [ sings ] "Watch as long as you please......" |
| ZOB. " |
| "I shan't run away......" |
| BOTH [ together ] "I long to be free, free — Alas! |
| I cannot break my chains......." |
| THE TARTAR [ yells ] That card was up his sleeve! |
| THE BARON [ embarrassed ] Do you want me to shove it up your nose? |
| THE ACTOR [ emphatically ] Prince! |
| You're mistaken — nobody — ever...... |
| THE TARTAR. |
| I saw it! |
| You cheat! |
| I won't play! |
| SATINE [ gathering up the cards ] Leave us alone, Hassan...... |
| you knew right along that we're cheats — why did you play with us? |
| THE BARON. |
| He lost forty kopecks and he yelps as if he had lost a fortune! |
| And a Prince at that! |
| THE TARTAR [ excitedly ] Then play honest! |
| SATINE. |
| What for? |
| THE TARTAR. |
| What do you mean "what for"? |
| SATINE. |
| Exactly. |
| What for? |
| THE TARTAR. |
| Don't you know? |
| SATINE. I don't. Do you? |
| [ The Tartar spits out, furiously; |
| the others laugh at him. ] |
| ZOB [ good-naturedly ] You're a funny fellow, Hassan! |
| Try to understand this! |
| If they should begin to live honestly, they'd die of starvation inside of three days. |
| THE TARTAR. |
| That's none of my business. |
| You must live honestly! |
| ZOB. |
| They did you brown! |
| Come and let's have tea....... [ |
| Sings ] "O my chains, my heavy chains......" |
| BUBNOFF [ sings ] "You're my steely, clanking wardens......" |
| ZOB. |
| Come on, Hassanka! [ |
| Leaves the room, singing ] "I cannot tear you, cannot break you......" |
| [ The Tartar shakes his fist threateningly at the Baron, and follows the other out of the room. ] |
| SATINE [ to Baron, laughing ] Well, Your Imperial Highness, you've again sat down magnificently in a mud puddle! |
| You've learned a lot — but you're an ignoramus when it comes to palming a card. |
| THE BARON [ spreading his hands ] The Devil knows how it happened....... |
| THE ACTOR. |
| You're not gifted — you've no faith in yourself — and without that you can never accomplish anything...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| I've one Queen — and you've two — oh, well...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| One's enough if she has brains — play! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| You lost, Abram Ivanovitch? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| None of your business — see? |
| Shut up! |
| SATINE. |
| I've won fifty-three kopecks. |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Give me three of them...... |
| though, what'll I do with them? |
| LUKA [ coming from kitchen ] Well — the Tartar was fleeced all right, eh? |
| Going to have some vodka? |
| THE BARON. |
| Come with us. |
| SATINE. |
| I wonder what you'll be like when you're drunk. |
| LUKA. |
| Same as when I'm sober. |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Come on, old man — I'll recite verses for you...... |
| LUKA. |
| What? |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Verses. Don't you understand? |
| LUKA. |
| Verses? |
| And what do I want with verses? THE ACTOR. |
| Sometimes they're funny — sometimes sad. |
| SATINE. |
| Well, poet, are you coming? [ |
| Exit with the Baron ] |
| THE ACTOR. |
| I'm coming. |
| I'll join you. |
| For instance, old man, here's a bit of verse — I forget how it begins — I forget...... [ |
| brushes his hand across his forehead ] |
| BUBNOFF. |
| There! |
| Your Queen is lost — go on, play! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| I made the wrong move. |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Formerly, before my organism was poisoned with alcohol, old man, I had a good memory. |
| But now it's all over with me, brother. |
| I used to declaim these verses with tremendous success — thunders of applause...... |
| you have no idea what applause means...... |
| it goes to your head like vodka! |
| I'd step out on the stage — stand this way — [ Strikes a pose ]--I'd stand there and...... [ |
| Pause ] I can't remember a word — I can't remember! |
| My favorite verses — isn't it ghastly, old man? |
| LUKA. |
| Yes — is there anything worse than forgetting what you loved? |
| Your very soul is in the thing you love! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| I've drunk my soul away, old man — brother, I'm lost...... |
| and why? |
| Because I had no faith....... |
| I'm done with...... |
| LUKA. |
| Well — then — cure yourself! |
| Nowadays they have a cure for drunkards. |
| They treat you free of charge, brother. |
| There's a hospital for drunkards — where they're treated for nothing. |
| They've owned up, you see, that even a drunkard is a human being, and they're only too glad to help him get well. |
| Well — then — go to it! |
| THE ACTOR [ thoughtfully ] Where? |
| Where is it? |
| LUKA. |
| Oh — in some town or other...... |
| what do they call it — ? |
| I'll tell you the name presently — only, in the meanwhile, get ready. |
| Don't drink so much! Take yourself in hand — and bear up! |
| And then, when you're cured, you'll begin life all over again. |
| Sounds good, brother, doesn't it, to begin all over again? |
| Well — make up your mind! |
| THE ACTOR [ smiling ] All over again — from the very beginning — that's fine...... |
| yes...... |
| all over again...... [ |
| Laughs ] Well — then — I can, can't I? |
| LUKA. |
| Why not? |
| A human being can do anything — if he only makes up his mind. |
| THE ACTOR [ suddenly, as if coming out of a trance ] You're a queer bird! |
| See you anon! [ |
| Whistles ] Old man — au revoir! [ |
| Exit ] |
| ANNA. |
| Grand-dad! |
| LUKA. |
| Yes, little mother? |
| ANNA. |
| Talk to me. |
| LUKA [ close to her ] Come on — let's chat...... |
| [ Kleshtch, glancing around, silently walks over to his wife, looks at her, and makes queer gestures with his hands, as though he wanted to say something. ] |
| LUKA. What is it, brother? KLESHTCH [ quietly ] Nothing...... |
| [ Crosses slowly to hallway door, stands on the threshold for a few seconds, and exit. ] |
| [ Crosses slowly to hallway door, stands on the threshold for a few seconds, and exit. ] |
| LUKA [ looking after him ] Hard on your man, isn't it? |
| ANNA. |
| He doesn't concern me much...... |
| LUKA. |
| Did he beat you? |
| Worse than that — it's he who's killed me — |
| BUBNOFF. |
| My wife used to have a lover — the scoundrel — how clever he was at checkers! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Hm-hm — |
| ANNA. |
| Grand-dad! |
| Talk to me, darling — I feel so sick...... |
| LUKA. |
| Never mind — it's always like this before you die, little dove — never mind, dear! |
| Just have faith! |
| Once you're dead, you'll have peace — always. |
| There's nothing to be afraid of — nothing. Quiet! |
| Peace! |
| Lie quietly! |
| Death wipes out everything. Death is kindly. |
| You die — and you rest — that's what they say. |
| It is true, dear! |
| Because — where can we find rest on this earth? |
| [ Pepel enters. |
| He is slightly drunk, dishevelled, and sullen. |
| Sits down on bunk near door, and remains silent and motionless. ] |
| ANNA. |
| And how is it — there? More suffering? |
| LUKA. |
| Nothing of the kind! |
| No suffering! |
| Trust me! |
| Rest — nothing else! |
| They'll lead you into God's presence, and they'll say: " |
| "Dear God! Behold! Here is Anna, Thy servant!" |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ sternly ] How do you know what they'll say up there? |
| Oh, you...... |
| [ Pepel, on hearing Miedviedieff's voice, raises his head and listens. ] |
| LUKA. |
| Apparently I do know, Mr. Sergeant! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ conciliatory ] Yes — it's your own affair — though I'm not exactly a sergeant — yet — |
| BUBNOFF. |
| I jump two! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Damn — play! |
| LUKA. |
| And the Lord will look at you gently and tenderly and He'll say: " |
| "I know this Anna!" |
| Then He'll say: "Take Anna into Paradise. |
| Let her have peace. |
| I know. Her life on earth was hard. |
| She is very weary. |
| Let Anna rest in peace!" |
| ANNA [ choking ] Grandfather — if it were only so — if there were only rest and peace...... |
| LUKA. |
| There won't be anything else! |
| Trust me! |
| Die in joy and not in grief. |
| Death is to us like a mother to small children...... |
| ANNA. |
| But — perhaps — perhaps I get well...... ? |
| LUKA [ laughing ] Why — ? |
| Just to suffer more? |
| ANNA. |
| But — just to live a little longer...... |
| just a little longer! |
| Since there'll be no suffering hereafter, I could bear it a little longer down here...... |
| LUKA. |
| There'll be nothing in the hereafter...... |
| but only...... |
| PEPEL [ rising ] Maybe yes — maybe no! |
| ANNA [ frightened ] Oh — God! |
| LUKA. |
| Hey — Adonis! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Who's that yelping? |
| PEPEL [ crossing over to him ] I! |
| What of it? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| You yelp needlessly — that's what! |
| People ought to have some dignity! PEPEL. |
| Block-head! |
| And that's an uncle for you — ho-ho! |
| LUKA [ to Pepel, in an undertone ] Look here — don't shout — this woman's dying — her lips are already grey — don't disturb her! |
| PEPEL. |
| I've respect for you, grand-dad. |
| You're all right, you are! |
| You lie well, and you spin pleasant yarns. |
| Go on lying, brother — there's little fun in this world...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Is the woman really dying? |
| LUKA. |
| You think I'm joking? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| That means she'll stop coughing. |
| Her cough was very disturbing. |
| I jump two! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| I'd like to murder you! |
| PEPEL. |
| Abramka! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| I'm not Abramka to you! |
| PEPEL. |
| Abrashka! |
| Is Natasha ill? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| None of your business! |
| PEPEL. |
| Come — tell me! |
| Did Vassilisa beat her up very badly? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| That's none of your business, either! |
| It's a family affair! |
| Who are you anyway? |
| PEPEL. |
| Whoever I am, you'll never see Natashka again if I choose! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ throwing up the game ] What's that? |
| Who are you alluding to? |
| My niece by any chance? |
| You thief! |
| PEPEL. |
| A thief whom you were never able to catch! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Wait — I'll catch you yet — you'll see — sooner than you think! |
| PEPEL. |
| If you catch me, God help your whole nest! |
| Do you think I'll keep quiet before the examining magistrate? |
| Every wolf howls! |
| They'll ask me: " |
| "Who made you steal and showed you where?" " |
| "Mishka Kostilyoff and his wife!" " |
| "Who was your fence?" " |
| "Mishka Kostilyoff and his wife!" |
| PEPEL. |
| They'll believe me all right — because it's the truth! |
| And I'll drag you into it, too. |
| Ha! |
| I'll ruin the lot of you — devils — just watch! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ confused ] You lie! |
| You lie! |
| And what harm did I do to you, you mad dog? |
| PEPEL. |
| And what good did you ever do me? |
| LUKA. |
| That's right! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ to Luka ] Well — what are you croaking about? |
| Is it any of your business? |
| This is a family matter! |
| BUBNOFF [ to Luka ] Leave them alone! |
| What do we care if they twist each other's tails? |
| LUKA [ peacefully ] I meant no harm. |
| All I said was that if a man isn't good to you, then he's acting wrong...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ uncomprehending ] Now then — we all of us here know each other — but you — who are you? [ |
| Frowns and exit ] |
| LUKA. |
| The cavalier is peeved! |
| Oh-ho, brothers, I see your affairs are a bit tangled up! |
| PEPEL. |
| He'll run to complain about us to Vassilisa...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| You're a fool, Vassily. |
| You're very bold these days, aren't you? Watch out! |
| It's all right to be bold when you go gathering mushrooms, but what good is it here? |
| They'll break your neck before you know it! |
| PEPEL. |
| Well — not as fast as all that! |
| You don't catch us Yaroslavl boys napping! |
| If it's going to be war, we'll fight...... |
| LUKA. |
| Look here, boy, you really ought to go away from here — PEPEL. |
| Where? |
| Please tell me! |
| LUKA. |
| Go to Siberia! |
| PEPEL. |
| If I go to Siberia, it'll be at the Tsar's expense! |
| LUKA. |
| Listen! You go just the same! |
| You can make your own way there. |
| They need your kind out there...... |
| PEPEL. |
| My way is clear. |
| My father spent all his life in prison, and I inherited the trait. |
| Even when I was a small child, they called me thief — thief's son. |
| LUKA. |
| But Siberia is a fine country — a land of gold. |
| Any one who has health and strength and brains can live there like a cucumber in a hot-house. |
| PEPEL. |
| Old man, why do you always tell lies? |
| LUKA. |
| What? |
| PEPEL. |
| Are you deaf? |
| I ask — why do you always lie? |
| LUKA. |
| What do I lie about? |
| PEPEL. |
| About everything. |
| According to you, life's wonderful everywhere — but you lie...... |
| why? |
| LUKA. |
| Try to believe me. Go and see for yourself. |
| And some day you'll thank me for it. |
| What are you hanging round here for? |
| And, besides, why is truth so important to you? |
| Just think! |
| Truth may spell death to you! |
| PEPEL. |
| It's all one to me! |
| If that — let it be that! |
| LUKA. |
| Oh — what a madman! |
| Why should you kill yourself? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What are you two jawing about, anyway? |
| I don't understand. |
| What kind of truth do you want, Vaska? |
| And what for? |
| You know the truth about yourself — and so does everybody else...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Just a moment! Don't crow! |
| Let him tell me! |
| Listen, old man! |
| Is there a God? |
| [ Luka smiles silently. ] |
| BUBNOFF. |
| People just drift along — like shavings on a stream. |
| When a house is built — the shavings are thrown away! |
| PEPEL. |
| Well? |
| Is there a God? |
| Tell me. |
| LUKA [ in a low voice ] If you have faith, there is; |
| if you haven't, there isn't...... whatever you believe in, exists...... |
| [ Pepel looks at Luka in staring surprise. ] |
| BUBNOFF. |
| I'm going to have tea — come on over to the restaurant! |
| LUKA [ to Pepel ] What are you staring at? |
| PEPEL. Oh — just because! |
| Wait now — you mean to say...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Well — I'm off. [ |
| Goes to door and runs into Vassilisa. ] |
| PEPEL. |
| So — you...... |
| VASSILISA [ to Bubnoff ] Is Nastasya home? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| No. [ Exit ] PEPEL. |
| Oh — you've come — ? |
| VASSILISA [ crossing to Anna ] Is she alive yet? |
| VASSILISA [ crossing to Anna ] Is she alive yet? |
| LUKA. |
| Don't disturb her! |
| VASSILISA. |
| What are you loafing around here for? |
| LUKA. |
| VASSILISA [ turning towards Pepel's room ] Vassily! |
| I've some business with you...... |
| [ Luka goes to hallway door, opens it, and shuts it loudly, then warily climbs into a bunk, and from there to the top of the stove. ] |
| VASSILISA [ calling from Pepel's room ] Vaska — come here! |
| PEPEL. |
| I won't come — I don't want to...... |
| VASSILISA. Why? |
| What are you angry about? |
| PEPEL. |
| I'm sick of the whole thing...... |
| VASSILISA. |
| Sick of me, too? |
| PEPEL. Yes! |
| Of you, too! |
| [ Vassilisa draws her shawl about her, pressing her hands over her breast. |
| Crosses to Anna, looks carefully through the bed curtains, and returns to Pepel. ] |
| Well — out with it! |
| VASSILISA. |
| What do you want me to say? |
| I can't force you to be loving, and I'm not the sort to beg for kindness. |
| Thank you for telling me the truth. |
| PEPEL. |
| What truth? |
| VASSILISA. |
| That you're sick of me — or isn't it the truth? [ |
| Pepel looks at her silently. |
| She turns to him ] What are you staring at? |
| Don't you recognize me? |
| PEPEL [ sighing ] You're beautiful, Vassilisa! [ |
| She puts her arm about his neck, but he shakes it off ] But I never gave my heart to you....... |
| I've lived with you and all that — But I never really liked you...... |
| VASSILISA [ quietly ] That so? |
| Well — ? |
| PEPEL. |
| What is there to talk, about? |
| Nothing. |
| Go away from me! |
| VASSILISA. |
| Taken a fancy to some one else? |
| PEPEL. |
| None of your business! |
| Suppose I have — I wouldn't ask you to be my match-maker! |
| VASSILISA [ significantly ] That's too bad...... |
| perhaps I might arrange a match...... |
| PEPEL [ suspiciously ] Who with? |
| VASSILISA. |
| You know — why do you pretend? |
| Vassily — let me be frank. [ |
| With lower voice ] I won't deny it — you've offended me...... |
| it was like a bolt from the blue...... |
| you said you loved me — and then all of a sudden...... |
| PEPEL. |
| It wasn't sudden at all. |
| It's been a long time since I...... |
| woman, you've no soul! |
| A woman must have a soul...... |
| we men are beasts — we must be taught — and you, what have you taught me — ? |
| VASSILISA. |
| Never mind the past! |
| I know — no man owns his own heart — you don't love me any longer...... |
| well and good, it can't be helped! |
| PEPEL. |
| So that's over. |
| We part peaceably, without a row — as it should be! |
| VASSILISA. |
| Just a moment! |
| All the same, when I lived with you, I hoped you'd help me out of this swamp — I thought you'd free me from my husband and my uncle — from all this life — and perhaps, Vassya, it wasn't you whom I loved — but my hope — do you understand? |
| I waited for you to drag me out of this mire...... |
| PEPEL. |
| You aren't a nail — and I'm not a pair of pincers! |
| I thought you had brains — you are so clever — so crafty...... |
| VASSILISA [ leaning closely towards him ] Vassa — let's help each other! |
| PEPEL. How? |
| VASSILISA [ low and forcibly ] My sister — I know you've fallen for her....... |
| PEPEL. |
| And that's why you beat her up, like the beast you are! |
| Look out, Vassilisa! |
| Don't you touch her! |
| VASSILISA. |
| Wait. |
| Don't get excited. |
| We can do everything quietly and pleasantly. |
| You want to marry her. |
| I'll give you money...... |
| three hundred rubles — even more than that...... |
| PEPEL [ moving away from her ] Stop! |
| What do you mean? |
| VASSILISA. |
| Rid me of my husband! |
| Take that noose from around my neck...... |
| PEPEL [ whistling softly ] So that's the way the land lies! |
| You certainly planned it cleverly...... |
| in other words, the grave for the husband, the gallows for the lover, and as for yourself...... |
| VASSILISA. |
| Vassya! |
| Why the gallows? |
| It doesn't have to be yourself — but one of your pals! |
| And supposing it were yourself — who'd know? |
| Natalia — just think — and you'll have money — you go away somewhere...... |
| you free me forever — and it'll be very good for my sister to be away from me — the sight of her enrages me....... |
| I get furious with her on account of you, and I can't control myself. |
| I tortured the girl — I beat her up — beat her up so that I myself cried with pity for her — but I'll beat her — and I'll go on beating her! |
| VASSILISA. |
| I'm not bragging — I speak the truth. |
| Think now, Vassa. |
| You've been to prison twice because of my husband — through his greed. |
| He clings to me like a bed-bug — he's been sucking the life out of me for the last four years — and what sort of a husband is he to me? |
| He's forever abusing Natasha — calls her a beggar — he's just poison, plain poison, to every one...... |
| PEPEL. |
| You spin your yarn cleverly...... |
| VASSILISA. |
| Everything I say is true. |
| Only a fool could be as blind as you....... |
| [ Kostilyoff enters stealthily and comes forward noisily. ] |
| PEPEL [ to Vassilisa ] Oh — go away! |
| VASSILISA. |
| Think it over! [ |
| Sees her husband ] What? |
| You? |
| Following me? |
| [ Pepel leaps up and stares at Kostilyoff savagely. ] |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| It's I, I! |
| So the two of you were here alone — you were — ah — conversing? [ |
| Suddenly stamps his feet and screams ] Vassilisa — you bitch! |
| You beggar! |
| You damned hag! [ |
| Frightened by his own screams which are met by silence and indifference on the part of the others ] Forgive me, O Lord...... |
| Vassilisa — again you've led me into the path of sin....... |
| I've been looking for you everywhere. |
| It's time to go to bed. |
| You forgot to fill the lamps — oh, you...... |
| beggar! Swine! [ |
| Shakes his trembling fist at her, while Vassilisa slowly goes to door, glancing at Pepel over her shoulder ] |
| PEPEL [ to Kostilyoff ] Go away — clear out of here — |
| KOSTILYOFF [ yelling ] What? |
| I? The Boss? I get out? You thief! |
| PEPEL [ sullenly ] Go away, Mishka! |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Don't you dare — I — I'll show you. |
| [ Pepel seizes him by the collar and shakes him. |
| From the stove come loud noises and yawns. |
| Pepel releases Kostilyoff who runs into the hallway, screaming. ] |
| PEPEL [ jumping on a bunk ] Who is it? |
| Who's on the stove? |
| LUKA [ raising his head ] Eh? |
| PEPEL. |
| You? |
| LUKA [ undisturbed ] I — I myself — oh, dear Jesus! |
| PEPEL [ shuts hallway door, looks for the wooden closing bar, but can't find it ] The devil! |
| Come down, old man! |
| LUKA. |
| I'm climbing down — all right...... |
| PEPEL [ roughly ] What did you climb on that stove for? |
| LUKA. |
| Where was I to go? |
| PEPEL. |
| Why — didn't you go out into the hall? |
| LUKA. |
| The hall's too cold for an old fellow like myself, brother. |
| PEPEL. |
| You overheard? |
| LUKA. |
| Yes — I did. |
| How could I help it? |
| Am I deaf? |
| Well, my boy, happiness is coming your way. |
| Real, good fortune I call it! |
| PEPEL [ suspiciously ] What good fortune — ? |
| LUKA. |
| In so far as I was lying on the stove...... |
| PEPEL. Why did you make all that noise? |
| LUKA. |
| Because I was getting warm...... |
| it was your good luck...... |
| I thought if only the boy wouldn't make a mistake and choke the old man...... |
| LUKA. |
| Small wonder! |
| It isn't difficult to make a mistake of that sort. |
| PEPEL [ smiling ] What's the matter? |
| Did you make the same sort of mistake once upon a time? |
| LUKA. |
| Boy, listen to me. |
| Send that woman out of your life! |
| Don't let her near you! |
| Her husband — she'll get rid of him herself — and in a shrewder way than you could — yes! |
| Don't you listen to that devil! |
| Look at me! |
| I am bald-headed — know why? |
| Because of all these women....... |
| Perhaps I knew more women than I had hair on the top of my head — but this Vassilisa — she's worse than the plague....... |
| PEPEL. |
| I don't understand...... |
| I don't know whether to thank you — or — well...... |
| LUKA. |
| Don't say a word! |
| You won't improve on what I said. |
| Listen: |
| take the one you like by the arm, and march out of here — get out of here — clean out...... |
| PEPEL [ sadly ] I can't understand people. |
| Who is kind and who isn't? |
| It's all a mystery to me...... |
| LUKA. |
| What's there to understand? |
| There's all breeds of men...... |
| they all live as their hearts tell them...... |
| good to-day, bad to-morrow! |
| But if you really care for that girl...... |
| take her away from here and that's all there is to it. |
| Otherwise go away alone...... |
| you're young — you're in no hurry for a wife...... |
| PEPEL [ taking him by the shoulder ] Tell me! |
| Why do you say all this? |
| LUKA. |
| Wait. Let me go. |
| I want a look at Anna...... |
| she was coughing so terribly...... [ |
| Goes to Anna's bed, pulls the curtains, looks, touches her. |
| Pepel thoughtfully and distraught, follows him with his eyes ] Merciful Jesus Christ! |
| Take into Thy keeping the soul of this woman Anna, new-comer amongst the blessed! |
| PEPEL [ softly ] Is she dead? |
| [ Without approaching, he stretches himself and looks at the bed. ] |
| LUKA [ gently ] Her sufferings are over! |
| Where's her husband? |
| PEPEL. |
| In the saloon, most likely...... |
| LUKA. |
| Well — he'll have to be told...... |
| PEPEL [ shuddering ] I don't like corpses! |
| LUKA [ going to door ] Why should you like them? |
| It's the living who demand our love — the living...... |
| PEPEL. |
| I'm coming with you...... |
| LUKA. |
| Are you afraid? |
| PEPEL. |
| I don't like it...... |
| [ They go out quickly. |
| The stage is empty and silent for a few moments. |
| Behind the door is heard a dull, staccato, incomprehensible noise. |
| Then the Actor enters. ] |
| THE ACTOR [ stands at the open door, supporting himself against the jamb, and shouts ] Hey, old man — where are you — ? |
| I just remembered — listen...... [ |
| Takes two staggering steps forward and, striking a pose, recites ] |
| Takes two staggering steps forward and, striking a pose, recites ] |
| "Good people! |
| If the world cannot find A path to holy truth, Glory be to the madman who will enfold all humanity In a golden dream......" |
| [ Natasha appears in the doorway behind the Actor ] Old man! [ |
| recites ] "If to-morrow the sun were to forget To light our earth, To-morrow then some madman's thought Would bathe the world in sunshine......." |
| NATASHA [ laughing ] Scarecrow! |
| THE ACTOR [ turns to her ] Oh — it's you? |
| Where's the old man, the dear old man? |
| Not a soul here, seems to me...... |
| Natasha, farewell — right — farewell! |
| NATASHA [ entering ] Don't wish me farewell, before you've wished me how-d'you-do! |
| THE ACTOR [ barring her way ] I am going. |
| Spring will come — and I'll be here no longer — |
| THE ACTOR. |
| In search of a town — to be cured — And you, Ophelia, must go away! |
| Take the veil! |
| Just imagine — there's a hospital to cure — ah — organisms for drunkards — a wonderful hospital — built of marble — with marble floors...... |
| light — clean — food — and all gratis! |
| And a marble floor — yes! |
| I'll find it — I'll get cured — and then I shall start life anew....... |
| I'm on my way to regeneration, as King Lear said. |
| Natasha, my stage name is...... |
| Svertchkoff — Zavoloushski...... |
| do you realize how painful it is to lose one's name? |
| Even dogs have their names...... |
| [ Natasha carefully passes the Actor, stops at Anna's bed and looks. ] |
| To be nameless — is not to exist! |
| NATASHA. |
| Look, my dear — why — she's dead....... |
| THE ACTOR [ shakes his head ] Impossible...... |
| NATASHA [ stepping back ] So help me God — look...... |
| BUBNOFF [ appearing in doorway ] What is there to look at? |
| NATASHA. |
| Anna — she's dead! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| That means — she's stopped coughing! [ |
| Goes to Anna's bed, looks, and returns to his bunk ] We must tell Kleshtch — it's his business to know...... |
| THE ACTOR. |
| I'll go — I'll say to him — she lost her name — [ Exit ] |
| NATASHA. [ |
| in centre of room ] I, too — some day — I'll be found in the cellar — dead....... |
| BUBNOFF [ spreading out some rags on his bunk ] What's that? |
| What are you muttering? |
| NATASHA. |
| Nothing much...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Waiting for Vaska, eh? |
| Take care — Vassilisa'll break your head! |
| NATASHA. |
| Isn't it the same who breaks it? |
| I'd much rather he'd do it! |
| BUBNOFF [ lying down ] Well — that's your own affair...... |
| NATASHA. |
| It's best for her to be dead — yet it's a pity...... |
| oh, Lord — why do we live? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| It's so with all...... |
| we're born, live, and die — and I'll die, too — and so'll you — what's there to be gloomy about? |
| [ Enter Luka, the Tartar, Zob, and Kleshtch. |
| The latter comes after the others, slowly, shrunk up. ] |
| ZOB. |
| We've heard — God rest her soul...... |
| THE TARTAR [ to Kleshtch ] We must take her out of here. |
| Out into the hall! |
| This is no place for corpses — but for the living...... |
| KLESHTCH [ quietly ] We'll take her out — |
| [ Everybody goes to the bed, Kleshtch looks at his wife ever the others' shoulders. ] |
| ZOB [ to the Tartar ] You think she'll smell? |
| I don't think she will — she dried up while she was still alive...... |
| NATASHA. |
| God! |
| If they'd only a little pity...... |
| if only some one would say a kindly word — oh, you...... |
| LUKA. |
| Don't be hurt, girl — never mind! |
| Why and how should we pity the dead? |
| Come, dear! |
| We don't pity the living — we can't even pity our own selves — how can we? |
| BUBNOFF [ yawning ] And, besides, when you're dead, no word will help you — when you're still alive, even sick, it may....... |
| THE TARTAR [ stepping aside ] The police must be notified...... |
| ZOB. |
| The police — must be done! |
| Kleshtch! |
| Did you notify the police? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| No — she's got to be buried — and all I have is forty kopecks — |
| ZOB. |
| Well — you'll have to borrow then — otherwise we'll take up a collection...... |
| one'll give five kopecks, others as much as they can. |
| But the police must be notified at once — or they'll think you killed her or God knows what not...... |
| [ Crosses to the Tartar's bunk and prepares to lie down by his side. ] |
| NATASHA [ going to Bubnoff's bunk ] Now — I'll dream of her...... |
| I always dream of the dead...... |
| I'm afraid to go out into the hall by myself — it's dark there...... |
| LUKA [ following her ] You better fear the living — I'm telling you...... |
| NATASHA. |
| Take me across the hall, grandfather. |
| LUKA. |
| Come on — come on — I'll take you across — [ They go away. |
| Pause. ] |
| ZOB [ to the Tartar ] Oh-ho! |
| Spring will soon be here, little brother, and it'll be quite warm. |
| In the villages the peasants are already making ready their ploughs and harrows, preparing to till...... |
| and we...... |
| Hassan? |
| Snoring already? Damned Mohammedan! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Tartars love sleep! |
| KLESHTCH [ in centre of room, staring in front of him ] What am I to do now? |
| ZOB. |
| Lie down and sleep — that's all...... |
| KLESHTCH [ softly ] But — she...... |
| how about...... |
| [ No one answers him. |
| Satine and the Actor enter. ] |
| THE ACTOR [ yelling ] Old man! |
| Come here, my trusted Duke of Kent! |
| SATINE. |
| Miklookha-Maklai is coming — ho-ho! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| It has been decided upon! |
| Old man, where's the town — where are you? |
| SATINE. |
| Fata Morgana, the old man bilked you from top to bottom! |
| There's nothing — no towns — no people — nothing at all! |
| THE TARTAR [ jumping up ] Where's the boss? |
| I'm going to the boss. |
| If I can't sleep, I won't pay! |
| Corpses — drunkards...... [ |
| Exit quickly ] |
| [ Satine looks after him and whistles. ] |
| BUBNOFF [ in a sleepy voice ] Go to bed, boys — be quiet...... |
| night is for sleep...... |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Yes — so — there's a corpse here....... " |
| "Our net fished up a corpse......." |
| Verses — by Béranger....... |
| SATINE [ screams ] The dead can't hear...... |
| the dead do not feel — Scream!-- |
| !--Roar!...... |
| the dead don't hear! |
| [ In the doorway appears Luka. ] |
| CURTAIN. ACT THREE. |
| "The Waste," a yard strewn with rubbish and overgrown with weeds. |
| Back, a high brick wall which shuts out the sight of the sky. |
| Near it are elder bushes. |
| Right, the dark, wooden wall of some sort of house, barn or stable. |
| Left, the grey, tumbledown wall of Kostilyoff's night asylum. |
| It is built at an angle so that the further corner reaches almost to the centre of the yard. |
| Between it and the wall runs a narrow passage. |
| In the grey, plastered wall are two windows, one on a level with the ground, the other about six feet higher up and closer to the brick wall. |
| Near the latter wall is a big sledge turned upside down and a beam about twelve feet long. |
| Right of the wall is a heap of old planks. |
| Evening. The sun is setting, throwing a crimson light on the brick wall. |
| Early spring, the snow having only recently melted. |
| The elder bushes are not yet in bud. |
| Natasha and Nastya are sitting side by side on the beam. |
| Luka and the Baron are on the sledge. |
| Kleshtch is stretched on the pile of planks to the right. |
| Bubnoff's face is at the ground floor window. |
| NASTYA [ with closed eyes, nodding her head in rhythm to the tale she is telling in a sing-song voice ] So then at night he came into the garden. |
| I had been waiting for him quite a while. I trembled with fear and grief — he trembled, too...... |
| he was as white as chalk — and he had the pistol in his hand...... |
| NATASHA [ chewing sun-flower seeds ] Oh — are these students really such desperate fellows...... ? |
| NASTYA. |
| And he says to me in a dreadful voice: " |
| "My precious darling......" |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Ho-ho! |
| Precious — ? |
| THE BARON. |
| Shut up! |
| If you don't like it, you can lump it! But don't interrupt her....... |
| Go on...... |
| NASTYA. " |
| "My one and only love," he says, "my parents," he says, "refuse to give their consent to our wedding — and threaten to disown me because of my love for you. |
| Therefore," he says, "I must take my life." |
| And his pistol was huge — and loaded with ten bullets...... " |
| "Farewell," he says, "beloved comrade! |
| I have made up my mind for good and all...... |
| I can't live without you......" |
| and I replied: " |
| "My unforgettable friend — my Raoul......." |
| BUBNOFF [ surprised ] What? |
| What? |
| Krawl — did you call him — ? |
| THE BARON. |
| Nastka! |
| But last time his name was Gaston....... |
| NASTYA [ jumping up ] Shut up, you bastards! |
| Ah — you lousy mongrels! |
| You think for a moment that you can understand love — true love? |
| My love was real honest-to-God love! [ |
| To the Baron ] You good-for-nothing!...... |
| educated, you call yourself — drinking coffee in bed, did you? |
| LUKA. |
| Now, now! Wait, people! |
| Don't interfere! |
| Show a little respect to your neighbors...... |
| it isn't the word that matters, but what's in back of the word. |
| That's what matters! Go on, girl! It's all right! |
| BUBNOFF. Go on, crow! |
| See if you can make your feathers white! |
| THE BARON. |
| Well — continue! |
| NATASHA. |
| Pay no attention to them...... |
| what are they? |
| They're just jealous...... |
| they've nothing to tell about themselves...... |
| NASTYA [ sits down again ] I'm going to say no more! |
| If they don't believe me they'll laugh. [ |
| Stops suddenly, is silent for a few seconds, then, shutting her eyes, continues in a loud and intense voice, swaying her hands as if to the rhythm of far music ] And then I replied to him: " |
| "Joy of my life! |
| My bright moon! |
| And I, too, I can't live without you — because I love you madly, so madly — and I shall keep on loving you as long as my heart beats in my bosom. |
| But — " I say — "don't take your young life! |
| Think how necessary it is to your dear parents whose only happiness you are. |
| Leave me! |
| Better that I should perish from longing for you, my life! |
| I alone! |
| I — ah — as such, such! |
| Better that I should die — it doesn't matter...... |
| I am of no use to the world — and I have nothing, nothing at all — " [ Covers her face with her hand and weeps gently ] |
| NATASHA [ in a low voice ] Don't cry — don't! [ |
| Luka, smiling, strokes Nastya's head. ] |
| BUBNOFF [ laughs ] Ah — you limb of Satan! |
| THE BARON [ also laughs ] Hey, old man? |
| Do you think it's true? |
| It's all from that book "Fatal Love"...... |
| it's all nonsense! |
| Let her alone! |
| NATASHA. |
| And what's it to you? |
| Shut up — or God'll punish you! |
| NASTYA [ bitterly ] God damn your soul! |
| You worthless pig! |
| Soul — bah!--you haven't got one! |
| LUKA [ takes Nastya's hand ] Come, dear! |
| It's nothing! |
| Don't be angry — I know — I believe you! |
| You're right, not they! |
| If you believe you had a real love affair, then you did — yes! |
| And as for him — don't be angry with a fellow-lodger...... |
| maybe he's really jealous, and that's why he's laughing. |
| Maybe he never had any real love — maybe not — come on — let's go! |
| NASTYA [ pressing her hand against her breast ] Grandfather! |
| So help me God — it happened! |
| So help me God — it happened! |
| It happened! |
| He was a student, a Frenchman — Gastotcha was his name — he had a little black beard — and patent leathers — may God strike me dead if I'm lying! |
| And he loved me so — my God, how he loved me! |
| LUKA. |
| Yes, yes, it's all right. |
| Patent leathers, you said? |
| Well, well, well — and you loved him, did you? [ |
| Disappears with her around the corner ] |
| THE BARON. |
| God — isn't she a fool, though? |
| She's good-hearted — but such a fool — it's past belief! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| And why are people so fond of lying — just as if they were up before the judge — really! |
| NATASHA. |
| I guess lying is more fun than speaking the truth — I, too...... |
| THE BARON. |
| What — you, too? |
| Go on! |
| NATASHA. |
| Oh — I imagine things — invent them — and I wait — THE BARON. |
| For what? |
| NATASHA [ smiling confusedly ] Oh — I think that perhaps — well — to-morrow somebody will really appear — some one — oh — out of the ordinary — or something'll happen — also out of the ordinary....... |
| I've been waiting for it — oh — always....... |
| But, really, what is there to wait for? [ |
| Pause ] |
| THE BARON [ with a slight smile ] Nothing — I expect nothing! |
| What is past, is past! |
| Through! |
| Over with! |
| And then what? NATASHA. |
| And then — well — to-morrow I imagine suddenly that I'll die — and I get frightened...... |
| in summer it's all right to dream of death — then there are thunder storms — one might get struck by lightning...... |
| THE BARON. |
| You've a hard life...... |
| your sister's a wicked-tempered devil! |
| NATASHA. |
| Tell me — does anybody live happily? |
| It's hard for all of us — I can see that...... |
| KLESHTCH [ who until this moment has sat motionless and indifferent, jumps up suddenly ] For all? |
| You lie! |
| Not for all! |
| If it were so — all right! |
| Then it wouldn't hurt — yes! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| What in hell's bit you? |
| Just listen to him yelping! [ |
| Kleshtch lies down again and grunts. ] |
| THE BARON. |
| Well — I'd better go and make my peace with Nastinka — if I don't, she won't treat me to vodka...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Hm — people love to lie...... |
| with Nastka — I can see the reason why. |
| She's used to painting that mutt of hers — and now she wants to paint her soul as well...... |
| put rouge on her soul, eh? |
| But the others — why do they? |
| Take Luka for instance — he lies a lot...... |
| and what does he get out of it? |
| He's an old fellow, too — why does he do it? |
| THE BARON [ smiling and walking away ] All people have drab-colored souls — and they like to brighten them up a bit...... |
| LUKA [ appearing from round the corner ] You, sir, why do you tease the girl? |
| Leave her alone — let her cry if it amuses her...... |
| she weeps for her own pleasure — what harm is it to you? |
| THE BARON. |
| Nonsense, old man! |
| She's a nuisance. |
| Raoul to-day, Gaston to-morrow — always the same old yarn, though! |
| Still — I'll go and make up with her. [ |
| Leaves ] |
| LUKA. |
| That's right — go — and be nice to her. |
| Being nice to people never does them any harm...... |
| NATASHA. |
| You're so good, little father — why are you so good? |
| LUKA. |
| Good, did you say? |
| Well — call it that! [ |
| Behind the brick wall is heard soft singing and the sounds of a concertina ] Some one has to be kind, girl — some one must pity people! |
| Christ pitied everybody — and he said to us: "Go and do likewise!" |
| I tell you — if you pity a man when he most needs it, good comes of it. |
| Why — I used to be a watchman on the estate of an engineer near Tomsk — all right — the house was right in the middle of a forest — lonely place — winter came — and I remained all by myself. |
| Well — one night I heard a noise — |
| LUKA. |
| Exactly! Thieves creeping in! |
| I took my gun — I went out. |
| I looked and saw two of them opening a window — and so busy that they didn't even see me. |
| I yell: "Hey there — get out of here!" |
| And they turn on me with their axes — I warn them to stand back, or I'd shoot — and as I speak, I keep on covering them with my gun, first the one, then the other — they go down on their knees, as if to implore me for mercy. |
| And by that time I was furious — because of those axes, you see — and so I say to them: " |
| "I was chasing you, you scoundrels — and you didn't go. |
| Now you go and break off some stout branches!"-- |
| !"--and they did so — and I say: "Now — one of you lie down and let the other one flog him!" |
| So they obey me and flog each other — and then they begin to implore me again. " |
| "Grandfather," they say, "for God's sake give us some bread! |
| We're hungry!" |
| There's thieves for you, my dear! [ |
| Laughs ] And with an ax, too! |
| Yes — honest peasants, both of them! |
| And I say to them, "You should have asked for bread straight away!" |
| And they say: " |
| "We got tired of asking — you beg and beg — and nobody gives you a crumb — it hurts!" |
| So they stayed with me all that winter — one of them, Stepan, would take my gun and go shooting in the forest — and the other, Yakoff, was ill most of the time — he coughed a lot...... |
| and so the three of us together looked after the house...... then spring came...... " |
| "Good-bye, grandfather," they said — and they went away — back home to Russia...... |
| NATASHA. |
| Were they escaped convicts? |
| LUKA. |
| That's just what they were — escaped convicts — from a Siberian prison camp...... |
| honest peasants! |
| If I hadn't felt sorry for them — they might have killed me — or maybe worse — and then there would have been trial and prison and afterwards Siberia — what's the sense of it? |
| Prison teaches no good — and Siberia doesn't either — but another human being can...... |
| yes, a human being can teach another one kindness — very simply! [ |
| Pause ] |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Hm — yes — I, for instance, don't know how to lie...... |
| why — as far as I'm concerned, I believe in coming out with the whole truth and putting it on thick...... |
| why fuss about it? |
| KLESHTCH [ again jumps up as if his clothes were on fire, and screams ] What truth? |
| Where is there truth? [ |
| Tearing at his ragged clothes ] Here's truth for you! |
| No work! |
| No strength! |
| That's the only truth! |
| Shelter — there's no shelter! |
| You die — that's the truth! |
| Hell! |
| What do I want with the truth? |
| Let me breathe! |
| Why should I be blamed? |
| What do I want with truth? |
| To live — Christ Almighty!-- |
| !--they won't let you live — and that's another truth! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| He's mad! |
| LUKA. |
| Dear Lord...... |
| listen to me, brother — |
| KLESHTCH [ trembling with excitement ] They say: |
| there's truth! |
| You, old man, try to console every one...... |
| I tell you — I hate every one! |
| And there's your truth — God curse it — understand? |
| I tell you — God curse it! |
| [ Rushes away round the corner, turning as he goes. ] |
| LUKA. |
| Ah — how excited he got! |
| Where did he run off to? |
| NATASHA. |
| He's off his head...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| God — didn't he say a whole lot, though? |
| As if he was playing drama — he gets those fits often...... |
| he isn't used to life yet...... |
| PEPEL [ comes slowly round the corner ] Peace on all this honest gathering! |
| Well, Luka, you wily old fellow — still telling them stories? |
| LUKA. |
| You should have heard how that fellow carried on! |
| PEPEL. |
| Kleshtch — wasn't it? |
| What's wrong with him? |
| He was running like one possessed! |
| LUKA. |
| You'd do the same if your own heart were breaking! |
| PEPEL [ sitting down ] I don't like him...... |
| he's got such a nasty, bad temper — and so proud! [ |
| Imitating Kleshtch ] "I'm a workman!" |
| And he thinks everyone's beneath him. |
| Go on working if you feel like it — nothing to be so damned haughty about! |
| If work is the standard — a horse can give us points — pulls like hell and says nothing! |
| Natasha — are your folks at home? |
| NATASHA. |
| They went to the cemetery — then to night service...... |
| PEPEL. |
| So that's why you're free for once — quite a novelty! |
| LUKA [ to Bubnoff, thoughtfully ] There — you say — truth! |
| Truth doesn't always heal a wounded soul. |
| For instance, I knew of a man who believed in a land of righteousness...... |
| LUKA. |
| In a land of righteousness. He said: " |
| "Somewhere on this earth there must be a righteous land — and wonderful people live there — good people! |
| They respect each other, help each other, and everything is peaceful and good!" |
| And so that man — who was always searching for this land of righteousness — he was poor and lived miserably — and when things got to be so bad with him that it seemed there was nothing else for him to do except lie down and die — even then he never lost heart — but he'd just smile and say: " |
| "Never mind! |
| I can stand it! |
| A little while longer — and I'll have done with this life — and I'll go in search of the righteous land!"-- |
| !"--it was his one happiness — the thought of that land...... |
| LUKA. |
| And then to this place — in Siberia, by the way — there came a convict — a learned man with books and maps — yes, a learned man who knew all sorts of things — and the other man said to him: " |
| "Do me a favor — show me where is the land of righteousness and how I can get there." |
| At once the learned man opened his books, spread out his maps, and looked and looked and he said — no — he couldn't find this land anywhere...... |
| everything was correct — all the lands on earth were marked — but not this land of righteousness...... |
| PEPEL [ in a low voice ] Well? |
| Wasn't there a trace of it? [ Bubnoff roars with laughter. ] |
| NATASHA. |
| Wait...... |
| well, little father? |
| LUKA. |
| The man wouldn't believe it....... " |
| "It must exist," he said, "look carefully. |
| Otherwise," he says, "your books and maps are of no use if there's no land of righteousness." |
| The learned man was offended. "My plans," he said, "are correct. But there exists no land of righteousness anywhere." |
| Well, then the other man got angry. |
| He'd lived and lived and suffered and suffered, and had believed all the time in the existence of this land — and now, according to the plans, it didn't exist at all. |
| He felt robbed! |
| And he said to the learned man: " |
| "Ah — you scum of the earth! |
| You're not a learned man at all — but just a damned cheat!"-- |
| !"--and he gave him a good wallop in the eye — then another one...... [ |
| After a moment's silence ] And then he went home and hanged himself! |
| [ All are silent. |
| Luka, smiling, looks at Pepel and Natasha. ] |
| PEPEL [ low-voiced ] To hell with this story — it isn't very cheerful...... |
| NATASHA. |
| He couldn't stand the disappointment...... |
| BUBNOFF [ sullen ] Ah — it's nothing but a fairy-tale...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Well — there is the righteous land for you — doesn't exist, it seems...... |
| NATASHA. |
| I'm sorry for that man...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| All a story — ho-ho!-- |
| !--land of righteousness — what an idea! [ |
| Exit through window ] |
| LUKA [ pointing to window ] He's laughing! [ |
| Pause ] Well, children, God be with you! |
| I'll leave you soon...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Where are you going to? |
| LUKA. |
| To the Ukraine — I heard they discovered a new religion there — I want to see — yes! |
| People are always seeking — they always want something better — God grant them patience! |
| PEPEL. |
| You think they'll find it? |
| LUKA. |
| The people? |
| They will find it! |
| He who seeks, will find! |
| He who desires strongly, will find! |
| NATASHA. |
| If only they could find something better — invent something better...... |
| LUKA. |
| They're trying to! |
| But we must help them girl — we must respect them...... |
| NATASHA. |
| How can I help them? |
| I am helpless myself! |
| I am helpless myself! |
| PEPEL [ determined ] Again — listen — I'll speak to you again, Natasha — here — before him — he knows everything...... |
| run away with me? |
| NATASHA. |
| Where? |
| From one prison to another? |
| I told you — I'm through with being a thief, so help me God! |
| I'll quit! If I say so, I'll do it! |
| I can read and write — I'll work — He's been telling me to go to Siberia on my own hook — let's go there together, what do you say? |
| Do you think I'm not disgusted with my life? |
| Oh — Natasha — I know...... |
| I see...... |
| I console myself with the thought that there are lots of people who are honored and respected — and who are bigger thieves than I! |
| But what good is that to me? |
| It isn't that I repent...... |
| I've no conscience...... |
| but I do feel one thing: |
| One must live differently. |
| One must live a better life...... |
| one must be able to respect one's own self...... |
| LUKA. |
| That's right, friend! |
| May God help you! |
| It's true! |
| A man must respect himself! |
| PEPEL. |
| I've been a thief from childhood on. |
| Everybody always called me "Vaska — the thief — the son of a thief!" |
| Oh — very well then — I am a thief —....... |
| just imagine — now, perhaps, I'm a thief out of spite — perhaps I'm a thief because no one ever called me anything different....... |
| Well, Natasha — ? |
| NATASHA [ sadly ] Somehow I don't believe in words — and I'm restless to-day — my heart is heavy...... |
| as if I were expecting something...... |
| it's a pity, Vassily, that you talked to me to-day...... |
| PEPEL. |
| When should I? |
| It isn't the first time I speak to you...... |
| NATASHA. |
| And why should I go with you? |
| I don't love you so very much — sometimes I like you — and other times the mere sight of you makes me sick...... |
| it seems — no — I don't really love you...... |
| when one really loves, one sees no fault....... |
| But I do see...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Never mind — you'll love me after a while! |
| I'll make you care for me...... |
| if you'll just say yes! |
| For over a year I've watched you...... |
| you're a decent girl...... |
| you're kind — you're reliable — I'm very much in love with you...... |
| [ Vassilisa, in her best dress, appears at window and listens. ] |
| NATASHA. |
| Yes — you love me — but how about my sister...... ? |
| PEPEL [ confused ] Well, what of her? |
| There are plenty like her...... |
| LUKA. |
| You'll be all right, girl! |
| If there's no bread, you have to eat weeds...... |
| PEPEL [ gloomily ] Please — feel a little sorry for me! |
| My life isn't all roses — it's a hell of a life...... |
| little happiness in it...... |
| I feel as if a swamp were sucking me under...... |
| and whatever I try to catch and hold on to, is rotten...... |
| it breaks...... |
| Your sister — oh — I thought she was different...... |
| if she weren't so greedy after money...... |
| I'd have done anything for her sake, if she were only all mine...... |
| but she must have someone else...... |
| and she has to have money — and freedom...... |
| because she doesn't like the straight and narrow...... |
| she can't help me. |
| But you're like a young fir-tree...... you bend, but you don't break...... |
| LUKA. |
| Yes — go with him, girl, go! |
| He's a good lad — he's all right! |
| Only tell him every now and then that he's a good lad so that he won't forget it — and he'll believe you. |
| Just you keep on telling him "Vasya, you're a good man — don't you forget it!" |
| Just think, dear, where else could you go except with him? |
| Your sister is a savage beast...... |
| and as for her husband, there's little to say of him? |
| He's rotten beyond words...... |
| and all this life here, where will it get you? |
| But this lad is strong...... |
| NATASHA. |
| Nowhere to go — I know — I thought of it. |
| The only thing is — I've no faith in anybody — and there's no place for me to turn to...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Yes, there is! |
| But I won't let you go that way — I'd rather cut your throat! |
| NATASHA [ smiling ] There — I'm not his wife yet — and he talks already of killing me! |
| PEPEL [ puts his arms around her ] Come, Natasha! |
| Say yes! |
| NATASHA [ holding him close ] But I'll tell you one thing, Vassily — I swear it before God...... |
| the first time you strike me or hurt me any other way, I'll have no pity on myself...... |
| I'll either hang myself...... or...... |
| PEPEL. |
| May my hand wither if ever I touch you! |
| LUKA. |
| Don't doubt him, dear! |
| He needs you more than you need him! |
| VASSILISA [ from the window ] So now they're engaged! |
| Love and advice! |
| NATASHA. |
| They've come back — oh, God — they saw — oh, Vassily...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Why are you frightened? |
| Nobody'll dare touch you now! |
| VASSILISA. |
| Don't be afraid, Natalia! |
| He won't beat you...... |
| he don't know how to love or how to beat...... |
| I know! |
| LUKA [ in a low voice ] Rotten old hag — like a snake in the grass...... |
| VASSILISA. |
| He dares only with the word! |
| KOSTILYOFF [ enters ] Natashka! |
| What are you doing here, you parasite? |
| Gossiping? |
| Kicking about your family? |
| And the samovar not ready? |
| And the table not cleared? |
| NATASHA [ going out ] I thought you were going to church...... ? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| None of your business what we intended doing! |
| Mind your own affairs — and do what you're told! |
| PEPEL. |
| Shut up, you! |
| She's no longer your servant! |
| Don't go, Natalia — don't do a thing! |
| NATASHA. |
| Stop ordering me about — you're commencing too soon! [ |
| Leaves ] |
| PEPEL [ to Kostilyoff ] That's enough. |
| You've used her long enough — now she's mine! |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Yours? |
| When did you buy her — and for how much? [ |
| Vassilisa roars with laughter. ] |
| LUKA. |
| Go away, Vasya! |
| PEPEL. |
| Don't laugh, you fools — or first thing you know I'll make you cry! |
| VASSILISA. |
| Oh, how terrible! |
| Oh — how you frighten me! |
| LUKA. |
| Vassily — go away! |
| Don't you see — she's goading you on...... |
| ridiculing you, don't you understand...... ? |
| PEPEL. |
| Yes...... |
| You lie, lie! |
| You won't get what you want! |
| VASSILISA. |
| Nor will I get what I don't want, Vasya! |
| PEPEL [ shaking his fist at her ] We'll see...... [ |
| Exit ] |
| VASSILISA [ disappearing through window ] I'll arrange some wedding for you...... |
| KOSTILYOFF [ crossing to Luka ] Well, old man, how's everything? |
| LUKA. |
| All right! |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| You're going away, they say — ? |
| LUKA. |
| Soon. |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Where to? |
| LUKA. |
| I'll follow my nose...... |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Tramping, eh? |
| Don't like stopping in one place all the time, do you? |
| LUKA. |
| Even water won't pass beneath a stone that's sunk too firmly in the ground, they say...... |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| That's true for a stone. |
| But man must settle in one place. |
| Men can't live like cockroaches, crawling about wherever they want....... |
| A man must stick to one place — and not wander about aimlessly...... |
| LUKA. |
| But suppose his home is wherever he hangs his hat? |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Why, then — he's a vagabond,--useless...... |
| a human being must be of some sort of use — he must work...... |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Yes — sure...... just look! |
| What's a vagabond? |
| A strange fellow...... |
| unlike all others. |
| If he's a real pilgrim then he's some good in the world...... |
| perhaps he discovered a new truth. |
| Well — but not every truth is worth while. |
| Let him keep it to himself and shut up about it! |
| Or else — let him speak in a way which no one can understand...... |
| don't let him interfere...... don't let him stir up people without cause! |
| It's none of his business how other people live! |
| Let him follow his own righteous path...... |
| in the woods — or in a monastery — away from everybody! |
| He mustn't interfere — nor condemn other people — but pray — pray for all of us — for all the world's sins — for mine — for yours — for everybody's. To pray — that's why he forsakes the world's turmoil! |
| That's so! [ Pause ] But you — what sort of a pilgrim are you — ? |
| An honest person must have a passport...... all honest people have passports...... |
| yes...... ! |
| LUKA. |
| In this world there are people — and also just plain men...... |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Don't coin wise sayings! |
| Don't give me riddles! |
| I'm as clever as you...... |
| what's the difference — people and men? |
| LUKA. |
| What riddle is there? |
| I say — there's sterile and there's fertile ground...... |
| whatever you sow in it, grows...... |
| that's all...... |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| What do you mean? |
| LUKA. |
| Take yourself for instance...... |
| if the Lord God himself said to you: " |
| "Mikhailo, be a man!"-- |
| !"--it would be useless — nothing would come of it — you're doomed to remain just as you are...... |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| Oh — but do you realize that my wife's uncle is a policeman, and that if I...... |
| VASSILISA [ coming in ] Mikhail Ivanitch — come and have your tea...... |
| KOSTILYOFF [ to Luka ] You listen! |
| Get out! |
| You leave this place — hear? |
| VASSILISA. |
| Yes — get out, old man! |
| Your tongue's too long! |
| And — who knows — you may be an escaped convict...... |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| If I ever see sign of you again after to-day — well — I've warned you! |
| LUKA. |
| You'll call your uncle, eh? |
| Go on — call him! |
| Tell him you've caught an escaped convict — and maybe uncle'll get a reward — perhaps all of three kopecks...... |
| BUBNOFF [ in the window ] What are you bargaining about? |
| Three kopecks — for what? |
| LUKA. |
| They're threatening to sell me...... |
| VASSILISA [ to her husband ] Come...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| For three kopecks? |
| Well — look out, old man — they may even do it for one! |
| KOSTILYOFF [ to Bubnoff ] You have a habit of jumping up like a jack-in-the-box! |
| VASSILISA. |
| The world is full of shady people and crooks — LUKA. |
| Hope you'll enjoy your tea! |
| VASSILISA [ turning ] Shut up! |
| You rotten toadstool! [ |
| Leaves with her husband. ] |
| LUKA. |
| I'm off to-night. |
| I'm off to-night. |
| BUBNOFF. |
| That's right. |
| Don't outstay your welcome! |
| LUKA. |
| True enough. |
| I know. |
| Perhaps I've escaped the gallows by getting away in time...... |
| LUKA. |
| Well? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| That's true. |
| It was this way. |
| My wife took up with my boss. |
| He was great at his trade — could dye a dog's skin so that it looked like a raccoon's — could change cat's skin into kangaroo — muskrats, all sorts of things. |
| Well — my wife took up with him — and they were so mad about each other that I got afraid they might poison me or something like that — so I commenced beating up my wife — and the boss beat me...... |
| we fought savagely! |
| Once he tore off half my whiskers — and broke one of my ribs...... |
| well, then I, too, got enraged....... |
| I cracked my wife over the head with an iron yard-measure — well — and altogether it was like an honest-to-God war! |
| And then I saw that nothing really could come of it...... |
| they were planning to get the best of me! |
| So I started planning — how to kill my wife — I thought of it a whole lot...... |
| but I thought better of it just in time...... and got away...... |
| LUKA. |
| That was best! |
| Let them go on changing dogs into raccoons! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Only — the shop was in my wife's name...... |
| and so I did myself out of it, you see? |
| Although, to tell the truth, I would have drunk it away...... |
| I'm a hard drinker, you know...... |
| LUKA. |
| A hard drinker — oh...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| The worst you ever met! |
| Once I start drinking, I drink everything in sight, I'll spend every bit of money I have — everything except my bones and my skin...... |
| what's more, I'm lazy...... it's terrible how I hate work! |
| [ Enter Satine and the Actor, quarreling. ] |
| SATINE. |
| Nonsense! |
| You'll go nowhere — it's all a damned lie! |
| Old man, what did you stuff him with all those fairy-tales for? |
| THE ACTOR. |
| You lie! |
| Grandfather! |
| Tell him that he lies!-- |
| !--I am going away. |
| I worked to-day — I swept the streets...... |
| and I didn't have a drop of vodka. |
| What do you think of that? |
| Here they are — two fifteen kopeck pieces — and I'm sober! |
| SATINE. |
| Why — that's absurd! |
| Give it to me — I'll either drink it up — or lose it at cards...... |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Get out — this is for my journey...... |
| LUKA [ to Satine ] And you — why are you trying to lead him astray? |
| SATINE. |
| Tell me, soothsayer, beloved by the Gods, what's my future going to be? |
| I've gone to pieces, brother — but everything isn't lost yet, grandfather...... there are sharks in this world who got more brains than I! |
| LUKA. |
| You're cheerful, Constantine — and very agreeable! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Actor, come over here! [ |
| The Actor crosses to window, sits down on the sill before Bubnoff, and speaks in a low voice with him ] |
| SATINE. |
| You know, brother, I used to be a clever youngster. |
| It's nice to think of it. |
| I was a devil of a fellow...... |
| danced splendidly, played on the stage, loved to amuse people...... |
| it was awfully gay...... |
| LUKA. |
| How did you get to be what you are? |
| SATINE. |
| You're inquisitive, old man! |
| You want to know everything? |
| What for? |
| LUKA. |
| I want to understand the ways of men — I look at you, and I don't understand. |
| You're a bold lad, Constantine, and you're no fool...... |
| yet, all of a sudden...... |
| SATINE. |
| It's prison, grandfather — I spent four years and seven months in prison...... |
| afterwards — where could I go? |
| SATINE. |
| On account of a scoundrel — whom I killed in a fit of rage...... |
| and despair...... and in prison I learned to play cards...... |
| LUKA. |
| You killed — because of a woman? |
| SATINE. |
| Because of my own sister....... |
| But look here — leave me alone! |
| I don't care for these cross-examinations — and all this happened a long time ago. |
| It's already nine years since my sister's death....... |
| Brother, she was a wonderful girl...... |
| LUKA. |
| You take life easily! |
| And only a while ago that locksmith was here — and how he did yell! |
| SATINE. |
| Kleshtch? |
| LUKA. |
| Yes — "There's no work," he shouted; " |
| "there isn't anything......" |
| SATINE. |
| He'll get used to it. |
| What could I do? |
| LUKA [ softly ] Look — here he comes! [ |
| Kleshtch walks in slowly, his head bowed low. ] |
| SATINE. |
| Hey, widower! |
| Why are you so down in the mouth? |
| What are you thinking? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| I'm thinking — what'll I do? |
| I've no food — nothing — the funeral ate up all...... |
| SATINE. |
| I'll give you a bit of advice...... |
| do nothing! |
| Just be a burden to the world at large! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Go on — talk — I'd be ashamed of myself...... |
| SATINE. |
| Why — people aren't ashamed to let you live worse than a dog. Just think...... |
| you stop work — so do I — so do hundreds, thousands of others — everybody — understand?-- |
| ?--everybody'll quit working...... |
| nobody'll do a damned thing — and then what'll happen? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| They'll all starve to death...... |
| LUKA [ to Satine ] If those are your notions, you ought to join the order of Begunes — you know — there's some such organization...... |
| SATINE. |
| I know — grandfather — and they're no fools...... |
| [ Natasha is heard screaming behind Kostilyoff's window: " |
| "What for? |
| Stop! |
| What have I done?" ] |
| LUKA [ worried ] Natasha! |
| That was she crying — oh, God...... |
| [ From Kostilyoff's room is heard noise, shuffling, breaking of crockery, and Kostilyoff's shrill cry: " |
| "Ah! |
| Heretic! |
| Bitch!" ] |
| VASSILISA. |
| Wait, wait — I'll teach her — there, there! |
| NATASHA. |
| They're beating me — killing me...... |
| SATINE [ shouts through the window ] Hey — you there —...... |
| LUKA [ trembling ] Where's Vassily — ? |
| Call Vaska — oh, God — listen, brothers...... |
| THE ACTOR [ running out ] I'll find him at once! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| They beat her a lot these days...... |
| SATINE. |
| Come on, old man — we'll be witnesses...... |
| LUKA [ following Satine ] Oh — witnesses — what for? |
| Vassily — he should be called at once! |
| NATASHA. |
| Sister — sister dear! |
| Va-a-a...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| They've gagged her — I'll go and see...... |
| [ The noise in Kostilyoff's room dies down gradually as if they had gone into the hallway. |
| The old man's cry: "Stop!" |
| is heard. |
| A door is slammed noisily, and the latter sound cuts off all the other noises sharply. |
| Quiet on the stage. |
| Twilight. ] |
| KLESHTCH [ seated on the sledge, indifferently, rubbing his hands; |
| mutters at first indistinguishably, then: ] What then? |
| One must live. [ |
| Louder ] Must have shelter — well? |
| There's no shelter, no roof — nothing...... |
| there's only man — man alone — no hope...... |
| no help...... |
| [ Exit slowly, his head bent. |
| A few moments of ominous silence, then somewhere in the hallway a mass of sounds, which grows in volume and comes nearer. |
| Individual voices are heard. ] |
| VASSILISA. |
| I'm her sister — let go...... |
| KOSTILYOFF. |
| What right have you...... ? |
| VASSILISA. |
| Jail-bird! |
| SATINE. |
| Call Vaska — quickly! |
| Zob — hit him! |
| [ A police whistle. |
| The Tartar runs in, his right hand in a sling. ] THE TARTAR. |
| There's a new law for you — kill only in daytime! [ |
| Enter Zob, followed by Miedviedieff. ] ZOB. |
| I handed him a good one! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| You — how dare you fight? |
| THE TARTAR. |
| What about yourself? |
| What's your duty? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ running after ] Stop — give back my whistle! |
| KOSTILYOFF [ runs in ] Abram! |
| Stop him! |
| Hold him! |
| He's a murderer — he...... |
| [ Enter Kvashnya and Nastya supporting Natasha who is disheveled. |
| Satine backs away, pushing away Vassilisa who is trying to attack her sister, while, near her, Alyoshka jumps up and down like a madman, whistles into her ear, shrieking, roaring. |
| Also other ragged men and women. ] |
| SATINE [ to Vassilisa ] Well — you damned bitch! |
| VASSILISA. |
| Let go, you jail-bird! |
| I'll tear you to pieces — if I have to pay for it with my own life! |
| KVASHNYA [ leading Natasha aside ] You — Karpovna — that's enough — stand back — aren't you ashamed? |
| Or are you crazy? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ seizes Satine ] Aha — caught at last! |
| SATINE. |
| Zob — beat them up! |
| Vaska — Vaska...... |
| [ They all, in a chaotic mass, struggle near the brick wall. |
| They lead Natasha to the right, and set her on a pile of wood. |
| Pepel rushes in from the hallway and, silently, with powerful movements, pushes the crowd aside. ] PEPEL. |
| Natalia, where are you...... |
| you...... |
| KOSTILYOFF [ disappearing behind a corner ] Abram! |
| Seize Vaska! |
| Comrades — help us get him! |
| The thief! |
| The robber! |
| PEPEL. |
| You — you old bastard! [ |
| Aiming a terrific blow at Kostilyoff. Kostilyoff falls so that only the upper part of his body is seen. |
| Pepel rushes to Natasha ] |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ yells to Satine ] Keep out of this — it's a family affair...... |
| they're relatives — and who are you...... |
| PEPEL [ to Natasha ] What did she do to you? |
| She used a knife? |
| KVASHNYA. |
| God — what beasts! |
| They've scalded the child's feet with boiling water! |
| NASTYA. |
| They overturned the samovar...... |
| THE TARTAR. |
| Maybe an accident — you must make sure — you can't exactly tell...... |
| NATASHA [ half fainting ] Vassily — take me away — |
| VASSILISA. |
| Good people! |
| Come! Look! |
| He's dead! |
| Murdered! |
| [ All crowd into the hallway near Kostilyoff. |
| Bubnoff leaves the crowd and crosses to Pepel. ] |
| BUBNOFF [ in a low voice, to Pepel ] Vaska — the old man is done for! |
| PEPEL [ looks at him, as though he does not understand ] Go — for help — she must be taken to the hospital...... |
| PEPEL [ looks at him, as though he does not understand ] Go — for help — she must be taken to the hospital...... |
| I'll settle with them...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| I say — the old man — somebody's killed him...... |
| [ The noise on the stage dies out like a fire under water. |
| Distinct, whispered exclamations: "Not really?" " |
| "The devil!" " |
| "Hold on now!" " |
| "Let's get away before the police comes!" |
| The crowd disappears. |
| Bubnoff, the Tartar, Nastya, and Kvashnya, rush up to Kostilyoff's body. ] |
| VASSILISA [ rises and cries out triumphantly ] Killed — my husband's killed! |
| Vaska killed him! |
| I saw him! |
| Brothers, I saw him! |
| Well — Vasya — the police! |
| PEPEL [ moves away from Natasha ] Let me alone. [ |
| Looks at Kostilyoff; |
| to Vassilisa ] Well — are you glad? [ |
| Touches the corpse with his foot ] The old bastard is dead! |
| Your wish has been granted! |
| Why not do the same to you? [ |
| Throws himself at her ] |
| [ Satine and Zob quickly overpower him, and Vassilisa disappears in the passage. ] |
| SATINE. |
| Come to your senses! |
| ZOB. |
| Hold on! |
| Not so fast! |
| VASSILISA [ appearing ] Well, Vaska, dear friend? |
| You can't escape your fate....... |
| Police — Abram — whistle! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| Those devils tore my whistle off! |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Here it is! [ |
| Whistles, Miedviedieff runs after him ] |
| SATINE [ leading Pepel to Natasha ] Don't be afraid, Vaska! |
| Killed in a row! |
| That's nonsense — only manslaughter — you won't have to serve a long term...... |
| VASSILISA. |
| Hold Vaska — he killed him — I saw it! |
| SATINE. |
| I, too, gave the old man a couple of blows — he was easily fixed...... |
| you call me as witness, Vaska! |
| PEPEL. |
| I don't need to defend myself...... |
| I want to drag Vassilisa into this mess — and I'll do it — she was the one who wanted it...... |
| she was the one who urged me to kill him — she goaded me on...... |
| NATASHA [ sudden and loud ] Oh — I understand — so that's it, Vassily? |
| Good people! |
| They're both guilty — my sister and he — they're both guilty! |
| They had it all planned! |
| So, Vassily, that's why you spoke to me a while ago — so that she should overhear everything — ? |
| Good people! |
| She's his mistress — you know it — everybody knows it — they're both guilty! |
| She — she urged him to kill her husband — he was in their way — and so was I! |
| And now they've maimed me...... |
| PEPEL. |
| Natalia! |
| What's the matter with you? |
| What are you saying? |
| SATINE. |
| Oh — hell! |
| VASSILISA. |
| You lie. |
| She lies. |
| He — Vaska killed him...... |
| NATASHA. |
| They're both guilty! |
| God damn you both! |
| SATINE. |
| What a mix-up! |
| Hold on, Vassily — or they'll ruin you between them! |
| ZOB. |
| I can't understand it — oh — what a mess! |
| PEPEL. |
| Natalia! |
| It can't be true! |
| Surely you don't believe that I — with her — SATINE. |
| So help me God, Natasha! |
| Just think...... |
| VASSILISA [ in the passage ] They've killed my husband — Your Excellency! |
| Vaska Pepel, the thief, killed him. |
| Captain! |
| I saw it — everybody saw it...... |
| NATASHA [ tossing about in agony; |
| her mind wandering ] Good people — my sister and Vaska killed him! |
| The police — listen — this sister of mine — here — she urged, coaxed her lover — there he stands — the scoundrel! |
| They both killed him! Put them in jail! |
| Bring them before the judge! |
| Take me along, too! |
| To prison! |
| Christ Almighty — take me to prison, too! |
| CURTAIN. ACT FOUR. |
| Same as Act I. But Pepel's room is no longer there, and the partition has been removed. |
| Furthermore, there is no anvil at the place where Kleshtch used to sit and work. |
| In the corner, where Pepel's room used to be, the Tartar lies stretched out, rather restless, and groaning from time to time. |
| Kleshtch sits at one end of the table, repairing a concertina and now and then testing the stops. |
| At the other end of the table sit Satine, the Baron, and Nastya. |
| In front of them stand a bottle of vodka, three bottles of beer, and a large loaf of black bread. |
| The Actor lies on top of the stove, shifting about and coughing. |
| It is night. The stage is lit by a lamp in the middle of the table. |
| Outside the wind howls. |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Yes...... |
| he disappeared during the confusion and noise...... |
| THE BARON. |
| He vanished under the very eyes of the police — just like a puff of smoke...... |
| SATINE. |
| That's how sinners flee from the company of the righteous! |
| NASTYA. |
| He was a dear old soul! |
| But you — you aren't men — you're just — oh — like rust on iron! |
| THE BARON [ drinks ] Here's to you, my lady! |
| SATINE. |
| He was an inquisitive old fellow — yes! |
| Nastenka here fell in love with him...... |
| NASTYA. |
| Yes! I did! |
| Madly! |
| It's true! |
| He saw everything — understood everything...... |
| SATINE [ laughing ] Yes, generally speaking, I would say that he was — oh — like mush to those who can't chew....... |
| THE BARON [ laughing ] Right! |
| Like plaster on a boil! KLESHTCH. |
| He was merciful — you people don't know what pity means...... |
| SATINE. |
| What good can I do you by pitying you? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| You needn't have pity — but you needn't harm or offend your fellow-beings, either! |
| THE TARTAR [ sits up on his bunk, nursing his wounded hand carefully ] He was a fine old man. |
| The law of life was the law of his heart...... |
| and he who obeys this law, is good, while he who disregards it, perishes...... |
| THE BARON. |
| What law, Prince? |
| THE TARTAR. |
| There are a number — different ones — you know...... |
| THE BARON. |
| Proceed! |
| THE TARTAR. |
| Do not do harm unto others — such is the law! |
| SATINE. |
| Oh — you mean the Penal Code, criminal and correctional, eh? |
| THE BARON. |
| And also the Code of Penalties inflicted by Justices of the Peace! |
| THE TARTAR. |
| No. I mean the Koran. |
| It is the supreme law — and your own soul ought to be the Koran — yes! |
| KLESHTCH [ testing his concertina ] It wheezes like all hell! |
| But the Prince speaks the truth — one must live abiding by the law — by the teachings of the Gospels...... |
| THE TARTAR. |
| The Prophet Mohammed gave to us the law. He said: " |
| "Here is the law! |
| Do as it is written therein!" |
| Later on a time will arrive when the Koran will have outlived its purpose — and time will bring forth its own laws — every generation will create its own...... |
| SATINE. |
| To be sure! |
| Time passed on — and gave us — the Criminal Code...... |
| It's a strong law, brother — it won't wear off so very soon! |
| NASTYA [ banging her glass on the table ] Why — why do I stay here — with you? |
| I'll go away somewhere — to the ends of the world! |
| THE BARON. |
| Without any shoes, my lady? |
| NASTYA. |
| I'll go — naked, if must be — creeping on all fours! |
| THE BARON. |
| That'll be rather picturesque, my lady — on all fours! |
| NASTYA. |
| Yes — and I'll crawl if I have to — anything at all — as long as I don't have to see your faces any longer — oh, I'm so sick of it all — the life — the people — everything! |
| SATINE. |
| When you go, please take the actor along — he's preparing to go to the very same place — he has learned that within a half mile's distance of the end of the world there's a hospital for diseased organons...... |
| THE ACTOR [ raising his head over the top of the stove ] A hospital for organisms — you fool! |
| SATINE. |
| For organons — poisoned with vodka! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Yes! |
| He will go! |
| He will indeed! |
| You'll see! |
| THE BARON. |
| Who is he, sir? |
| THE ACTOR. |
| I! |
| THE BARON. |
| Thanks, servant of the goddess — what's her name — ? |
| The goddess of drama — tragedy — whatever is her name — ? |
| THE ACTOR. |
| The muse, idiot! |
| Not the goddess — the muse! |
| SATINE. |
| Lachesis — Hera — Aphrodite — Atropos — oh! |
| To hell with them all! |
| You see — Baron — it was the old man who stuffed the actor's head full with this rot...... |
| THE BARON. |
| That old man's a fool...... |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Ignoramuses! |
| Beasts! |
| Melpomene — that's her name! |
| Heartless brutes! |
| Bastards! You'll see! He'll go! " |
| "On with the orgy, dismal spirits!"-- |
| !"--poem — ah — by Béranger! |
| Yes — he'll find some spot where there's no — no...... |
| THE BARON. |
| Where there's nothing, sir? |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Right! |
| Nothing! " |
| "This hole shall be my grave — I am dying — ill and exhausted......" |
| Why do you exist? |
| Why? |
| THE BARON. |
| You! |
| God or genius or orgy — or whatever you are — don't roar so loud! |
| THE ACTOR. |
| You lie! |
| I'll roar all I want to! |
| NASTYA [ lifting her head from the table and throwing up her hands ] Go on! |
| Yell! |
| Let them listen to you! |
| THE BARON. |
| Where is the sense, my lady? |
| SATINE. |
| Leave them alone, Baron! |
| To hell with the lot! |
| Let them yell — let them knock their damned heads off if they feel like it! |
| There's a method in their madness! |
| Don't you go and interfere with people as that old fellow did! |
| Yes — it's he — the damned old fool — he bewitched the whole gang of us! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| He persuaded them to go away — but failed to show them the road...... |
| THE BARON. |
| That old man was a humbug! |
| NASTYA. |
| Liar! |
| You're a humbug yourself! |
| THE BARON. |
| Shut up, my lady! |
| KLESHTCH. |
| The old man didn't like truth very much — as a matter of fact he strongly resented it — and wasn't he right, though? |
| Just look — where is there any truth? |
| And yet, without it, you can't breathe! |
| For instance, our Tartar Prince over there, crushed his hand at his work — and now he'll have to have his arm amputated — and there's the truth for you! |
| SATINE [ striking the table with his clenched fist ] Shut up! |
| You sons of bitches! |
| Fools! |
| Not another word about that old fellow! [ |
| To the Baron ] You, Baron, are the worst of the lot! |
| You don't understand a thing, and you lie like the devil! |
| The old man's no humbug! |
| The old man's no humbug! |
| What's the truth? |
| Man! Man — that's the truth! |
| He understood man — you don't! |
| You're all as dumb as stones! |
| I understand the old man — yes! |
| God damn you! Lots of people lie out of pity for their fellow-beings! |
| I know! |
| I've read about it! |
| They lie — oh — beautifully, inspiringly, stirringly! |
| Some lies bring comfort, and others bring peace — a lie alone can justify the burden which crushed a workman's hand and condemns those who are starving! |
| I know what lying means! |
| The weakling and the one who is a parasite through his very weakness — they both need lies — lies are their support, their shield, their armor! |
| But the man who is strong, who is his own master, who is free and does not have to suck his neighbors' blood — he needs no lies! |
| To lie — it's the creed of slaves and masters of slaves! |
| Truth is the religion of the free man! |
| THE BARON. |
| Bravo! |
| Well spoken! Hear, hear! |
| I agree! |
| You speak like an honest man! |
| SATINE. |
| And why can't a crook at times speak the truth — since honest people at times speak like crooks? |
| Yes — I've forgotten a lot — but I still know a thing or two! |
| The old man? |
| Oh — he's wise! |
| He affected me as acid affects a dirty old silver coin! |
| Let's drink to his health! |
| Fill the glasses...... [ |
| Nastya fills a glass with beer and hands it to Satine, who laughs ] The old man lives within himself...... |
| he looks upon all the world from his own angle. |
| Once I asked him: " |
| "Grand-dad, why do people live?" [ |
| Tries to imitate Luka's voice and gestures ] And he replied: " |
| "Why, my dear fellow, people live in the hope of something better! |
| For example — let's say there are carpenters in this world, and all sorts of trash...... |
| people...... and they give birth to a carpenter the like of which has never been seen upon the face of the earth...... he's way above everybody else, and has no equal among carpenters! |
| The brilliancy of his personality was reflected on all his trade, on all the other carpenters, so that they advanced twenty years in one day! |
| This applies to all other trades — blacksmiths and shoemakers and other workmen — and all the peasants — and even the aristocrats live in the hopes of a higher life! |
| Each individual thinks that he's living for his own Self, but in reality he lives in the hope of something better. |
| A hundred years — sometimes longer — do we expect, live for the finer, higher life......" [ |
| Nastya stares intently into Satine's face. |
| Kleshtch stops working and listens. |
| The Baron bows his head very low, drumming softly on the table with his fingers. |
| The Actor, peering down from the stove, tries to climb noiselessly into the bunk ] "Every one, brothers, every one lives in the hope of something better. |
| That's why we must respect each and every human being! |
| How do we know who he is, why he was born, and what he is capable of accomplishing? |
| Perhaps his coming into the world will prove to be our good fortune...... |
| Especially must we respect little children! |
| Children — need freedom! |
| Don't interfere with their lives! |
| Respect children!" [ |
| Pause ] |
| THE BARON [ thoughtfully ] Hm — yes — something better?-- |
| ?--That reminds me of my family...... |
| an old family dating back to the time of Catherine...... |
| all noblemen, soldiers, originally French...... |
| they served their country and gradually rose higher and higher. |
| In the days of Nicholas the First my grandfather, Gustave DeBille, held a high post — riches — hundreds of serfs...... |
| horses — cooks — |
| NASTYA. |
| You liar! |
| It isn't true! |
| THE BARON [ jumping up ] What? |
| Well — go on — NASTYA. |
| It isn't true. |
| THE BARON [ screams ] A house in Moscow! |
| A house in Petersburg! |
| Carriages! |
| Carriages with coats of arms! |
| [ Kleshtch takes his concertina and goes to one side, watching the scene with interest. ] |
| NASTYA. |
| You lie! |
| THE BARON. |
| Shut up!-- |
| !--I say — dozens of footmen...... |
| NASTYA [ delighted ] You lie! |
| THE BARON. |
| I'll kill you! |
| NASTYA [ ready to run away ] There were no carriages! |
| SATINE. |
| Stop, Nastenka! |
| Don't infuriate him! |
| THE BARON. |
| Wait — you bitch! |
| My grandfather...... |
| NASTYA. |
| There was no grandfather! |
| There was nothing! [ |
| Satine roars with laughter. ] |
| THE BARON [ worn out with rage, sits down on bench ] Satine! |
| Tell that slut — what — ? |
| You, too, are laughing? |
| You — don't believe me either? [ |
| Cries out in despair, pounding the table with his fists ] It's true — damn the whole lot of you! |
| NASTYA [ triumphantly ] So — you're crying? |
| Understand now what a human being feels like when nobody believes him? |
| KLESHTCH [ returning to the table ] I thought there'd be a fight...... |
| THE TARTAR. |
| Oh — people are fools! |
| It's too bad...... |
| THE BARON. |
| I shall not permit any one to ridicule me! |
| I have proofs — documents — damn you! |
| SATINE. |
| Forget it! |
| Forget about your grandfather's carriages! |
| You can't drive anywhere in a carriage of the past! |
| THE BARON. |
| How dare she — just the same — ? |
| NASTYA. |
| Just imagine! |
| How dare I — ? |
| SATINE. |
| You see — she does dare! |
| How is she any worse than you are? |
| Although, surely, in her past there wasn't even a father and mother, let alone carriages and a grandfather...... |
| THE BARON [ quieting down ] Devil take you — you do know how to argue dispassionately — and I, it seems — I've no will-power...... |
| SATINE. |
| Acquire some — it's useful...... [ |
| Pause ] Nastya! |
| Are you going to the hospital? |
| NASTYA. |
| What for? |
| SATINE. |
| To see Natashka. |
| NASTYA. |
| Oh — just woke up, did you? |
| She's been out of the hospital for some time — and they can't find a trace of her...... |
| SATINE. |
| Oh — that woman's a goner! KLESHTCH. |
| It's interesting to see whether Vaska will get the best of Vassilisa, or the other way around — ? |
| NASTYA. |
| Vassilisa will win out! |
| She's shrewd! |
| And Vaska will go to the gallows! |
| SATINE. |
| For manslaughter? No — only to jail...... |
| NASTYA. |
| Too bad — the gallows would have been better...... |
| that's where all of you should be sent...... |
| swept off into a hole — like filth...... |
| SATINE [ astonished ] What's the matter? |
| Are you crazy? |
| THE BARON. |
| Oh — give her a wallop — that'll teach her to be less impertinent...... |
| NASTYA. |
| Just you try to touch me! |
| THE BARON. |
| I shall! |
| SATINE. |
| Stop! |
| Don't insult her! |
| I can't get the thought of the old man out of my head! [ |
| Roars with laughter ] Don't offend your fellow-beings! |
| Suppose I were offended once in such a way that I'd remember it for the rest of my life? |
| What then? |
| Should I forgive? |
| No, no! |
| THE BARON [ to Nastya ] You must understand that I'm not your sort...... |
| you — ah — you piece of dirt! |
| NASTYA. |
| You bastard! |
| Why — you live off me like a worm off an apple! [ |
| The men laugh amusedly. ] |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Fool! |
| An apple — ? |
| THE BARON. |
| You can't be angry with her — she's just an ass — |
| NASTYA. |
| You laugh! |
| Liars? Don't strike you as funny, eh? |
| THE ACTOR [ morosely ] Give them a good beating! |
| NASTYA. |
| If I only could! [ |
| Takes a cup from the table and throws it on the floor ] That's what I'd like to do to you all! |
| THE TARTAR. |
| Why break dishes — eh — silly girl? |
| THE BARON [ rising ] That'll do! |
| I'll teach her manners in half a second! |
| NASTYA [ running toward door ] Go to hell! |
| SATINE [ calling after her ] Hey! |
| That's enough! |
| Whom are you trying to frighten? |
| What's all the row about, anyway? |
| NASTYA. |
| Dogs! |
| I hope you'll croak! |
| Dogs! [ |
| Runs out ] THE ACTOR [ morosely ] Amen! |
| THE TARTAR. |
| Allah! |
| Mad women, these Russians! |
| They're bold, wilful; |
| Tartar women aren't like that! |
| They know the law and abide by it....... |
| KLESHTCH. |
| She ought to be given a sound hiding! |
| THE BARON. |
| The slut! |
| KLESHTCH [ testing the concertina ] It's ready! |
| But its owner isn't here yet — that young fellow is burning his life away...... |
| SATINE. |
| Care for a drink — now? |
| KLESHTCH. |
| Thanks...... it's time to go to bed...... |
| SATINE. |
| Getting used to us? |
| KLESHTCH [ drinks, then goes to his bunk ] It's all right...... |
| there are people everywhere — at first you don't notice it...... |
| but after a while you don't mind....... |
| [ The Tartar spreads some rags over his bunk, then kneels on them and prays. ] |
| THE BARON [ to Satine, pointing at the Tartar ] Look! |
| SATINE. |
| Stop! |
| He's a good fellow! |
| Leave him alone! [ |
| Roars with laughter ] I feel kindly to-day — the devil alone knows the reason why...... |
| THE BARON. |
| You always feel kindly when you're drunk — you're even wiser at such times...... |
| SATINE. |
| When I'm drunk? |
| Yes — then I like everything — right — He prays? |
| That's fine! |
| A man may believe or not — that's his own affair — a man is free — he pays for everything himself — belief or unbelief — love — wisdom...... |
| a man pays for everything — and that's just why he's free! |
| Man is — truth! |
| And what is man? |
| It's neither you nor I nor they — oh, no — it's you and they and I and the old man — and Napoleon — Mohammed — all in one! [ |
| Outlines vaguely in the air the contour of a human being ] Do you understand? |
| It's tremendous! |
| It contains the beginning and the end of everything — everything is in man — and everything exists for him! |
| Man alone exists — everything else is the creation of his hands and his brain! |
| Man! |
| It is glorious! |
| It sounds — oh — so big! |
| Man must be respected — not degraded with pity — but respected, respected! |
| Let us drink to man, Baron! [ |
| Rises ] It is good to feel that you are a man! |
| I'm a convict, a murderer, a crook — granted!-- |
| !--When I'm out on the street people stare at me as if I were a scoundrel — they draw away from me — they look after me and often they say: " |
| "You dog! |
| You humbug! |
| Work!" Work? |
| And what for? |
| to fill my belly? [ |
| Roars with laughter ] I've always despised people who worry too much about their bellies. |
| It isn't right, Baron! |
| It isn't! |
| Man is loftier than that! |
| Man stands above hunger! |
| THE BARON. |
| You — reason things out....... |
| Well and good — it brings you a certain amount of consolation....... |
| Personally I'm incapable of it...... |
| Personally I'm incapable of it...... |
| I don't know how. [ |
| Glances around him and then, softly, guardedly ] Brother — I am afraid — at times. |
| Do you understand? |
| Afraid!-- |
| !--Because — what next? |
| Rot! |
| What's a man to be afraid of? |
| THE BARON [ pacing up and down ] You know — as far back as I can remember, there's been a sort of fog in my brain. |
| I was never able to understand anything. |
| Somehow I feel embarrassed — it seems to me that all my life I've done nothing but change clothes — and why? |
| I don't understand! |
| I studied — I wore the uniform of the Institute for the Sons of the Nobility...... |
| but what have I learned? |
| I don't remember! |
| I married — I wore a frock-coat — then a dressing-gown...... |
| but I chose a disagreeable wife...... and why? |
| I don't understand. |
| I squandered everything that I possessed — I wore some sort of a grey jacket and brick-colored trousers — but how did I happen to ruin myself? |
| I haven't the slightest idea....... |
| I had a position in the Department of State....... |
| I wore a uniform and a cap with insignia of rank....... I embezzled government funds...... |
| so they dressed me in a convict's garb — and later on I got into these clothes here — and it all happened as in a dream — it's funny...... |
| SATINE. |
| Not very! |
| It's rather — silly! |
| THE BARON. Yes — silly! |
| I think so, too. |
| Still — wasn't I born for some sort of purpose? |
| SATINE [ laughing ] Probably — a man is born to conceive a better man. [ |
| Shaking his head ]--It's all right! |
| THE BARON. |
| That she-devil Nastka! |
| Where did she run to? |
| I'll go and see — after all, she...... [ |
| Exit; pause ] |
| THE ACTOR. |
| Tartar! [ |
| Pause ] Prince! [ |
| The Tartar looks round ] Say a prayer for me...... |
| THE TARTAR. |
| What? |
| THE ACTOR [ softly ] Pray — for me! |
| THE TARTAR [ after a silence ] Pray for your own self! |
| THE ACTOR [ quickly crawls off the stove and goes to the table, pours out a drink with shaking hands, drinks, then almost runs to passage ] All over! |
| [ Satine whistles. Miedviedieff enters, dressed in a woman's flannel shirt-waist; |
| followed by Bubnoff. Both are slightly drunk. |
| Bubnoff carries a bunch of pretzels in one hand, a couple of smoked fish in the other, a bottle of vodka under one arm, another bottle in his coat pocket. ] |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| A camel is something like a donkey — only it has no ears....... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Shut up! |
| You're a variety of donkey yourself! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| A camel has no ears at all, at all — it hears through its nostrils...... |
| BUBNOFF [ to Satine ] Friend! |
| I've looked for you in all the saloons and all the cabarets! |
| Take this bottle — my hands are full...... |
| SATINE. |
| Put the pretzels on the table — then you'll have one hand free — |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Right! |
| Hey — you donkey — look! |
| Isn't he a clever fellow? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| All crooks are clever — I know! |
| They couldn't do a thing without brains. |
| An honest man is all right even if he's an idiot...... but a crook must have brains. |
| But, speaking about camels, you're wrong...... |
| you can ride them — they have no horns...... |
| and no teeth either...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Where's everybody? |
| Why is there no one here? |
| Come on out...... |
| I treat! |
| Who's in the corner? |
| SATINE. |
| How soon will you drink up everything you have? |
| Scarecrow! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Very soon! |
| I've very little this time. |
| Zob — where's Zob? |
| KLESHTCH [ crossing to table ] He isn't here...... |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Waughrr! |
| Bull-dog! |
| Brr-zz-zz!-- |
| !--Turkey-cock! |
| Don't bark and don't growl! |
| Drink — make merry — and don't be sullen!-- |
| !--I treat everybody — Brother, I love to treat — if I were rich, I'd run a free saloon! |
| So help me God, I would! |
| With an orchestra and a lot of singers! Come, every one! |
| Drink and eat — listen to the music — and rest in peace! |
| Beggars — come, all you beggars — and enter my saloon free of charge! |
| Satine — you can have half my capital — just like that! |
| SATINE. |
| You better give me all you have straight away! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| All my capital? |
| Right now? |
| Well — here's a ruble — here's twenty kopecks — five kopecks — sun flower seeds — and that's all! |
| SATINE. |
| That's splendid! |
| It'll be safer with me — I'll gamble with it...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| I'm a witness — the money was given you for safe-keeping. |
| How much is it? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| You? |
| You're a camel — we don't need witnesses...... |
| ALYOSHKA [ comes in barefoot ] Brothers, I got my feet wet! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Go on and get your throat wet — and nothing'll happen — you're a fine fellow — you sing and you play — that's all right! |
| But it's too bad you drink — drink, little brother, is harmful, very harmful...... |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| I judge by you! |
| Only when you're drunk do you resemble a human being...... |
| Kleshtch! |
| Is my concertina fixed? [ |
| Sings and dances ] |
| "If my mug were not so attractive, My sweetheart wouldn't love me at all......" |
| Boys, I'm frozen — it's cold...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. Hm — and may I ask who's this sweetheart? |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Shut up! |
| From now on, brother, you are neither a policeman nor an uncle! |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Just auntie's husband! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| One of your nieces is in jail — the other one's dying...... |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ proudly ] You lie! |
| She's not dying — she disappeared — without trace...... |
| [ Satine roars. ] |
| BUBNOFF. |
| All the same, brothers — a man without nieces isn't an uncle! |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Your Excellency! |
| Listen to the drummer of the retired billygoats' brigade! [ Sings ] |
| "My sweetheart has money, I haven't a cent. |
| But I'm a cheerful, Merry lad!" |
| Oh — isn't it cold! |
| [ Enter Zob. |
| From now until the final curtain men and women drift in, undress, and stretch out on the bunks, grumbling. ] |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Come here — sit down — brother, let's sing my favorite ditty, eh? |
| THE TARTAR. |
| Night was made for sleep! |
| Sing your songs in the daytime! |
| SATINE. |
| Well — never mind, Prince — come here! |
| THE TARTAR. |
| What do you mean — never mind? |
| There's going to be a noise — there always is when people sing! |
| BUBNOFF [ crossing to the Tartar ] Count — ah — I mean Prince — how's your hand? |
| Did they cut it off? |
| THE TARTAR. |
| What for? |
| We'll wait and see — perhaps it won't be necessary...... |
| a hand isn't made of iron — it won't take long to cut it off...... |
| ZOB. |
| It's your own affair, Hassanka! |
| You'll be good for nothing without your hand. |
| We're judged by our hands and backs — without the pride of your hand, you're no longer a human being. |
| Tobacco-carting — that's your business! |
| Come on — have a drink of vodka — and stop worrying! |
| KVASHNYA [ comes in ] Ah, my beloved fellow-lodgers! |
| It's horrible outside — snow and slush...... |
| is my policeman here? |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Wearing my blouse again? |
| And drunk, eh? |
| What's the idea? |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF. |
| In celebration of Bubnoff's birthday...... |
| besides, it's cold...... |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Better look out — stop fooling about and go to sleep! |
| MIEDVIEDIEFF [ goes to kitchen ] Sleep? |
| I can — I want to — it's time — [ Exit ] |
| SATINE. |
| What's the matter? |
| Why are you so strict with him? |
| KVASHNYA. |
| You can't be otherwise, friend. |
| You have to be strict with his sort. I took him as a partner. |
| I thought he'd be of some benefit to me — because he's a military man — and you're a rough lot...... |
| and I am a woman — and now he's turned drunkard — that won't do at all! |
| SATINE. |
| You picked a good one for partner! |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Couldn't get a better one. |
| You wouldn't want to live with me...... |
| you think you're too fine! |
| And even if you did it wouldn't last more than a week...... |
| you gamble me and all I own away at cards! |
| SATINE [ roars with laughter ] That's true, landlady — I'd gamble...... |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Yes, yes. |
| Alyoshka! |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Here he is — I, myself! |
| KVASHNYA. |
| What do you mean by gossiping about me? |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| I? |
| I speak out everything — whatever my conscience tells me. |
| There, I say, is a wonderful woman! |
| Splendid meat, fat, bones — over four hundred pounds! But brains — ? Not an ounce! |
| KVASHNYA. |
| You're a liar! |
| I've lot of brains! |
| What do you mean by saying I beat my policeman? |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| I thought you did — when you pulled him by the hair! |
| KVASHNYA [ laughs ] You fool! |
| You aren't blind, are you? |
| Why wash dirty linen in public? |
| And — it hurts his feelings — that's why he took to drink...... |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| It's true, evidently, that even a chicken likes vodka...... [ |
| Satine and Kleshtch roar with laughter. ] |
| KVASHNYA. |
| Go on — show your teeth! |
| What sort of a man are you anyway, Alyoshka? |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| Oh — I am first-rate! |
| Master of all trades! |
| I follow my nose! |
| BUBNOFF [ near the Tartar's bunk ] Come on! |
| At all events — we won't let you sleep! |
| We'll sing all night. |
| Zob! |
| ZOB. |
| Sing — ? |
| All right...... |
| ALYOSHKA. |
| And I'll play...... |
| SATINE. |
| We'll listen! |
| THE TARTAR [ smiling ] Well — Bubnoff — you devil — bring the vodka — we'll drink — we'll have a hell of a good time! |
| The end will come soon enough — and then we'll be dead! |
| BUBNOFF. |
| Fill his glass, Satine! |
| Zob — sit down! |
| Ah — brothers — what does a man need after all? |
| Ah — brothers — what does a man need after all? |
| There, for instance, I've had a drink — and I'm happy! |
| Zob! |
| Start my favorite song! |
| I'll sing — and then I'll cry....... |
| ZOB [ begins to sing ] "The sun rises and sets......" |
| Door opens quickly. ] |
| THE BARON [ on the threshold; |
| yells ] Hey — you — come — come here! |
| Out in the waste — in the yard...... |
| over there...... |
| The actor — he's hanged himself....... |
| [ Silence. |
| All stare at the Baron. |
| Behind him appears Nastya, and slowly, her eyes wide with horror, she walks to the table. ] |
| SATINE [ in a matter-of-fact voice ] Damned fool — he ruined the song...... ! |
| SATINE [ in a matter-of-fact voice ] Damned fool — he ruined the song...... ! |