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...... ! |