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The Live Corpse
By
Leo Tolstoy
Contents
=
THEODORE
VASÍLYEVICH PROTÁSOV (FÉDYA).
ELISABETH ANDRÉYEVNA PROTÁSOVA
(LISA). His wife.
MÍSHA. Their son.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Lisa's mother.
SÁSHA. Lisa's younger, unmarried sister=
.
VICTOR MIHÁYLOVICH KARÉNIN.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA KARÉNINA.
PRINCE SERGIUS DMÍTRIEVICH ABRÉZ=
KOV.
MÁSHA. A gipsy girl.
IVÁN MAKÁROVICH. An old gipsy
man. } =
&nb=
sp; =
}
Másha's parents. NASTÁSIA IVÁNOVNA. An old gipsy woman=
. }
OFFICER.
MUSICIAN.
FIRST GIPSY MAN.
SECOND GIPSY MAN.
GIPSY WOMAN.
GIPSY CHOIR.
DOCTOR.
MICHAEL ALEXÁNDROVICH AFRÉMOV.
STÁKHOV. } =
}
BUTKÉVICH. } Fédya's boon companions. =
}
KOROTKÓV. }
IVÁN PETRÓVICH ALEXÁNDROV=
.
VOZNESÉNSKY. Karénin's secretary=
.
PETUSHKÓV. An artist.
ARTÉMYEV.
WAITER IN THE PRIVATE ROOM AT THE RESTAURANT.<= o:p>
WAITER IN A LOW-CLASS RESTAURANT.
MANAGER OF THE SAME.
POLICEMAN.
INVESTIGATING MAGISTRATE.
MÉLNIKOV.
CLERK.
USHER.
YOUNG LAWYER.
PETRÚSHIN. A lawyer.
LADY.
ANOTHER OFFICER.
ATTENDANT AT LAW COURTS.
THE PROTÁSOVS' NURSE.
THE PROTÁSOVS' MAID.
AFRÉMOV'S FOOTMAN.
KARÉNIN'S FOOTMAN.
=
THE LIVE CORPSE
&=
nbsp;
Protásov's[1] flat in Moscow. The scene represents a small dining-room.
[1]
Protásov is his family name, but the name by which he is usually
&=
nbsp;
Anna Pávlovna, a stout grey-haired lady, tightly laced, is
sitting alo=
ne at
the tea-table on which is a samovár. Enter nurse, carrying a teapot.
NURSE. May I have a little hot water, ma'am?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Yes. How's Baby?
NURSE. He's restless.... There's nothing worse
than for a lady to nurse her baby herself! She has her troubles, and the ch=
ild
must suffer. What can her milk be like, when she lies awake crying all nigh=
t?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. But she seems quieter no=
w.
NURSE. Quiet, indeed! It makes one ill to see =
her.
She's been writing something, and crying.
&=
nbsp;
Enter Sásha.
SÁSHA [to Nurse] Lisa is looking for yo=
u.
NURSE. I'm coming, I'm coming. [Exit].
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Nurse says she keeps on
crying.... Why can't she control herself?
SÁSHA. Well really, mother, you are
amazing!... A woman has left her husband, her child's father, and you expect
her to be calm!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, not calm ... But
what's done is done! If I, her mother, not only allowed my daughter to leave
her husband, but am even glad she has done it, that shows he deserved it. O=
ne
ought to rejoice, not to grieve, at the chance of freeing oneself from such=
a
bad man!
SÁSHA. Mother, why say such things? You
know it's not true! He's not bad--but on the contrary, he's a wonderful man=
, in
spite of his weaknesses.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Yes indeed, a
"wonderful" man--as soon as he has money in his pocket--his own or
other people's....
SÁSHA. Mother! He has never taken other
people's!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Yes he has--his wife's!
Where's the difference?
SÁSHA. But he gave all his property to =
his
wife!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Of course, when he knew =
that
otherwise he was sure to squander it all!
SÁSHA. Squander or not, I only know tha=
t a
wife must not separate from her husband, especially from such a one as
Fédya.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Then, in your opinion she
ought to wait till he has squandered everything, and brought his gipsy
mistresses into the house?
SÁSHA. He has no mistresses!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. That's the misfortune--he
seems to have bewitched you all! But not me--no! He won't come over me! I s=
ee
through him, and he knows it. Had I been in Lisa's place I should have left=
him
a year ago.
SÁSHA. How lightly you say it!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Not lightly at all. It's=
not
a light thing for me, as a mother, to see my daughter divorced. Believe me =
it's
not! But yet it is better than ruining a young life.... No, I'm thankful to=
God
that she has at last made up her mind, and that it is all over.
SÁSHA. Perhaps it's not all over!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Oh! If he only consents =
to a
divorce....
SÁSHA. What good will that do?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. This good; that she is
young, and may again be happy.
SÁSHA. Oh mother! It's dreadful to hear=
you
speak so! Lisa can't love another.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Why not, when she's free?
Many a man a thousand times better than your Fédya might turn up who
would be only too happy to marry Lisa.
SÁSHA. Mother, it's not right! I know
you're thinking of Victor Karénin....
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. And why shouldn't I? He =
has
loved her these ten years, and she loves him.
SÁSHA. Yes, but not as a husband! They =
have
been friends from childhood.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. We know those friendship=
s!
If only the obstacles were out of the way!
&=
nbsp;
Enter Maid.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. What is it?
MAID. The mistress has sent the porter with a =
note
for Mr. Karénin.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. What mistress?
MAID. Our mistress--Mrs. Protásova.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well?
MAID. Mr. Karénin has sent back word th=
at
he will come round at once.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [surprised] We were just speaking of him! Only I can't think why ... [to Sásha] Do you know?<= o:p>
SÁSHA. Perhaps I do, and perhaps I don'=
t!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. You always have secrets!=
SÁSHA. Lisa will tell you herself when =
she
comes.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [shakes her head. To Maid]
The samovár must be made to boil again. Take it, Dounyásha.
&=
nbsp;
Maid takes samovár, and exit.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [to Sásha who has
risen and is going out] It turns out just as I told you! She sent for him at
once....
SÁSHA. She may have sent for him for qu=
ite
a different reason.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. What for, then?
SÁSHA. Now, at this moment, Karé=
nin
is the same to her as old Nurse Trífonovna.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, you'll see.... Don=
't I
know her? She has sent for him to comfort her.
SÁSHA. Oh mother, how little you know h=
er,
to be able to suppose ...!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, we'll see!... And =
I am
very, very glad.
SÁSHA. We shall see! [Exit, humming a
tune].
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [alone, shakes her head a=
nd
mutters] It's all right, it's all right!
&=
nbsp;
Enter Maid.
MAID. Mr. Karénin has come.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well then, show him in, =
and
tell your mistress.
&=
nbsp;
Maid exit by inner door. Enter Karénin, who bows to Anna
Pávlovna.
KARÉNIN. Your daughter wrote to me to c=
ome.
I meant to come and see you to-night, anyhow. So I was very pleased ... Is
Elisabeth Andréyevna[2] well?
[2]
Elisabeth Andréyevna is the polite way of speaking of Mrs. Protásova, otherwise L=
isa.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Yes, she is well, but Ba=
by
is a bit restless. She will be here directly. [In a melancholy voice] Ah ye=
s!
It is a sad time.... But you know all about it, don't you?
KARÉNIN. I do. I was here, you know, the
day before yesterday, when his letter came. But is it possible that everyth=
ing
is irrevocably settled?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Why of course! Naturally=
! To
go through it all again would be intolerable.
KARÉNIN. This is a case where the prove=
rb
applies: "Measure ten times before you cut once." ... It is very
painful to cut into the quick.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Of course it is; but then
their marriage has long had a rift in it, so that the tearing asunder was
easier than one would have thought. He himself sees that, after what has
occurred, it is impossible for him to return.
KARÉNIN. Why so?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. How can you expect it, a=
fter
all his horrid goings-on--after he swore it should not happen again, and th=
at
if it did he would renounce all rights as a husband and set her perfectly f=
ree?
KARÉNIN. Yes, but how can a woman be fr=
ee
when she is bound by marriage?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. By divorce. He promised =
her
a divorce, and we shall insist on it.
KARÉNIN. Yes, but Elisabeth
Andréyevna loved him so....
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Ah, but her love has
suffered such trials that there can hardly be anything left of it! Drunkenn=
ess,
deception, and infidelity ... Can one love such a husband?
KARÉNIN. Nothing is impossible to love.=
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. You talk of love! But how
can one love such a man--a broken reed, whom one can never depend on? Don't=
you
know what it came to ...? [Looks round at the door, and continues hurriedly]
All his affairs in a muddle, everything pawned, nothing to pay with! Then t=
heir
uncle sends 2,000 roubles to pay the interest on their mortgaged estates, a=
nd
he takes the money and disappears. His wife is left at home, with a sick ba=
by,
waiting for him--and at last gets a note asking her to send him his clothes=
and
things!
KARÉNIN. Yes, yes; I know.
&=
nbsp;
Enter Lisa and Sásha.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, here is Victor
Miháylovich,[3] obedient to your summons.
[3]
The polite way of naming Mr. Karénin.
KARÉNIN. Yes, but I am sorry I was dela=
yed
for a few minutes.
LISA. Thank you. I have a great favour to ask =
of
you, and I have no one to turn to but you.
KARÉNIN. Anything in my power ...
LISA. You know all about ...?
KARÉNIN. I do.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well then, I shall leave=
you
[To Sásha] Come, we'll leave them alone. [Exit with Sásha].
LISA. Yes, he wrote to me saying that he consi=
ders
everything at an end ... [struggling with her tears] ... and I was hurt!...=
and
so ... In a word, I consented to break--I answered, accepting his renunciat=
ion.
KARÉNIN. And now you repent?
LISA. Yes. I feel that I was wrong, and that I
cannot do it. Anything is better than to be separated from him. In short--I
want you to give him this letter.... Please, Victor, give him the letter, a=
nd tell
him ... and bring him back!
KARÉNIN [surprised] Yes, but how?
LISA. Tell him I ask him to forget everything,=
and
to return. I might simply send the letter, but I know him: his first impuls=
e,
as always, will be the right one--but then someone will influence him, and
he'll change his mind and not do what he really wants to....
KARÉNIN. I will do what I can.
LISA. You're surprised at my asking you?
KARÉNIN. No.... Yet, to tell you the
truth--yes, I am surprised.
LISA. But you are not angry?
KARÉNIN. As if I could be angry with yo=
u!
LISA. I asked you because I know you care for =
him.
KARÉNIN. Him, and you too! You know tha=
t. I
am thinking not of myself, but of you. Thank you for trusting me! I will do
what I can.
LISA. I know.... I will tell you everything.
To-day I went to Afrémov's to find out where he was. I was told he h=
ad
gone to the gipsies--which is what I feared most of all. I know he will get
carried away if he is not stopped in time--and that's what has to be done..=
..
So you'll go?
KARÉNIN. Of course, and at once.
LISA. Go!... Find him, and tell him all is
forgotten and I am waiting for him.
KARÉNIN. But where am I to look for him=
?
LISA. He is with the gipsies. I went there
myself.... I went as far as the porch, and wished to send in the letter, but
changed my mind and decided to ask you. Here is the address.... Well, then,
tell him to return: tell him nothing has happened ... all is forgotten. Do =
it
for love of him, and for the sake of our friendship!
KARÉNIN. I will do all in my power! [Bo=
ws,
and exit].
LISA. I can't, I can't! Anything rather than .=
.. I
can't!
&=
nbsp;
Enter Sásha.
SÁSHA. Well, have you sent?
&=
nbsp;
Lisa nods affirmatively.
SÁSHA. And he agreed?
LISA. Of course.
SÁSHA. But why just him? I don't
understand.
LISA. But who else?
SÁSHA. Don't you know he is in love with
you?
LISA. That's dead and gone. Whom would you have
had me send?... Do you think he will come back?
SÁSHA. I am sure of it, because ...
&=
nbsp;
Enter Anna Pávlovna. Sásha is silent.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. And where is Victor
Miháylovich?
LISA. He's gone.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Gone! How's that?
LISA. I asked him to do something for me.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. "Do something?"
Another secret!
LISA. It's not a secret. I simply asked him to
give a letter into Fédya's own hands.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Fédya? What--to
Theodore Vasílyevich?
LISA. Yes, to Fédya.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. I thought all relations
between you were over!
LISA. I can't part from him.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. What? Are you going to b=
egin
all over again?
LISA. I wanted to, and tried ... but I can't!
Anything you like--only I can't part from him!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Then do you want to have=
him
back again?
LISA. Yes.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. To let that skunk into t=
he
house again?
LISA. Mother, I beg you not to speak so of my
husband!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. He was your husband.
LISA. No, he is my husband still.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. A spendthrift, a drunkar=
d, a
rake ... and you can't part from him?
LISA. Why do you torment me! You seem to want =
to
do it.... It's hard enough for me without that.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. I torment you! Well then,
I'll go. I can't stand by and see it....
&=
nbsp;
Lisa is silent.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. I see! That's just what =
you
want--I'm in your way.... I can't live so. I can't make you out at all! It's
all so new-fangled--first you make up your mind to separate, then you sudde=
nly send
for a man who is in love with you ...
LISA. Nothing of the kind.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Karénin proposed =
to
you ... and you send him to fetch your husband! Why? To arouse jealousy?
LISA. Mother, what you are saying is terrible!
Leave me alone!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Very well! Turn your mot=
her
out of the house, and let in your rake of a husband!... Yes, I will not rem=
ain
here! Good-bye, then--I leave you to your fate; you can do as you please! [=
Exit
slamming door].
LISA [drops into a chair] That's the last stra=
w!
SÁSHA. Never mind.... It will be all ri=
ght;
we'll soon pacify Mother.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [passing through]
Dounyásha! My trunk!
SÁSHA. Mother, listen!... [follows her =
out
with a significant glance to Lisa].
=
=
=
Cu=
rtain.
=
&=
nbsp;
A room in the gipsies' house. The choir is singing "Kanavela.&q=
uot;
Fédya in
his shirt-sleeves is lying prone on the sofa. Afrémov sits astride a chair in
front of the leader of the choir. An officer sits at a table, on wh=
ich
are bottles of champagne and glasses. A musician is taking
notes.
AFRÉMOV. Fédya, are you asleep?<= o:p>
FÉDYA [rising] Don't talk.... Now let's
have "Not at Eve."
GIPSY LEADER. That won't do, Theodore
Vasílyevich! Let Másha sing a solo now.
FÉDYA. All right! And then, "Not at
Eve." [Lies down again].
OFFICER. Sing "Fateful Hour."
GIPSY. All agreed?
AFRÉMOV. Go on!
OFFICER [to musician] Have you taken it down?<= o:p>
MUSICIAN. Quite impossible! It's different eve=
ry
time.... And the scale is somehow different. Look here! [Beckons to a gipsy
woman who is looking on] Is this right? [Hums].
GIPSY. That's it, that's splendid!
FÉDYA. He'll never get it; and if he do=
es
take it down and shoves it into an opera, he'll only spoil it!... Now,
Másha, start off! Let's have "Fateful Hour"--take your gui=
tar.
[Rises, sits down opposite her, and gazes into her eyes].
&=
nbsp;
Másha sings.
FÉDYA. That's good too! Másha,
you're a brick!... Now then, "Not at Eve"!
AFRÉMOV. No, wait! First, my burial
song....
OFFICER. Why burial?
AFRÉMOV. Because, when I'm dead ... you
know, dead and laid in my coffin, the gipsies will come (you know I shall l=
eave
instructions with my wife) and they will begin to sing "I Walked a
Mile" ... and then I'll jump out of my coffin!... Do you understand? [=
To
the musician] You just write this down. [To the gipsies] Well, rattle along=
!
&=
nbsp;
Gipsies sing.
AFRÉMOV. What do you think of that?... =
Now
then, "My Brave Lads"!
&=
nbsp;
Gipsies sing.
&=
nbsp;
Afrémov gesticulates and dances. The gipsies smile and contin=
ue singing, clapping=
their
hands. Afrémov sits down and the song ends.
GIPSIES. Bravo! Michael Andréyevich![4]
He's a real gipsy!
[4]
The polite way of addressing Mr. Afrémov.
FÉDYA. Well, now "Not at Eve"=
!
&=
nbsp;
Gipsies sing.
FÉDYA. That's it! It's wonderful ... And
where does it all happen--all that this music expresses? Ah, it's fine!... =
And
how is it man can reach such ecstasy, and cannot keep it?
MUSICIAN [taking notes] Yes, it's most origina=
l.
FÉDYA. Not original--but the real thing=
!
AFRÉMOV [to gipsies] Well, have a rest =
now.
[Takes the guitar and sits down beside Kátya, one of the gipsies].
MUSICIAN. It's really simple, except the
rhythm....
FÉDYA [waves his hand, goes to
Másha, and sits down on sofa beside her] Oh, Másha, Má=
sha!
How you do turn me inside-out!
MÁSHA. And how about what I asked you f=
or?
FÉDYA. What? Money?... [Takes some out =
of
his trouser-pocket] Here, take it!
&=
nbsp;
Másha laughs, takes it, and hides it in her bosom.
FÉDYA [to the gipsies] Who can make it =
out?
She opens heaven for me, and then asks for money to buy scents with! [To
Másha] Why, you don't in the least understand what you're doing!
MÁSHA. Not understand indeed! I underst=
and
that when I am in love, I try to please my man, and sing all the better.
FÉDYA. Do you love me?
MÁSHA. Looks like it!
FÉDYA. Wonderful! [Kisses her].
&=
nbsp;
Exeunt most of the gipsies. Some couples remain: Fédya with
Másha, Afrémov wi=
th
Kátya, and the officer with Gásha. The musician writes. A gipsy man strum=
s a
valse tune on the guitar.
FÉDYA. But I'm married, and your choir
won't allow it....
MÁSHA. The choir is one thing, one's
heart's another! I love those I love, and hate those I hate.
FÉDYA. Ah! This is good! Isn't it?
MÁSHA. Of course it's good--we've jolly
visitors, and are all merry.
&=
nbsp;
Enter gipsy man.
GIPSY [to Fédya] A gentleman is asking =
for
you.
FÉDYA. What gentleman?
GIPSY. I don't know.... Well dressed, wears a
sable overcoat--
FÉDYA. A swell? Well, ask him in. [Exit
Gipsy].
AFRÉMOV. Who has come to see you here?<= o:p>
FÉDYA. The devil knows! Who can want me=
?
&=
nbsp;
Enter Karénin. Looks round.
FÉDYA. Ah, Victor! I never expected you=
!...
Take off your coat!... What wind has blown you here? Come, sit down and lis=
ten
to "Not at Eve."
KARÉNIN. Je voudrais vous parler sans
témoins.[5]
[5] I
wanted to speak to you alone.
FÉDYA. What about?
KARÉNIN. Je viens de chez vous. Votre f=
emme
m'a chargé de cette lettre et puis ...[6]
[6] I
have come from your home. Your wife has entrusted me with this letter and besides ...
FÉDYA [takes letter, reads, frowns, then
smiles affectionately] I say, Karénin, of course you know what is in
this letter?
KARÉNIN. I know ... and I want to say .=
..
FÉDYA. Wait, wait a bit! Please don't
imagine that I am drunk and my words irresponsible.... I mean, that I am
irresponsible! I am drunk, but in this matter I see quite clearly.... Well,
what were you commissioned to say?
KARÉNIN. I was commissioned to find you,
and to tell you ... that ... she ... is waiting for you. She asks you to fo=
rget
everything and come back.
FÉDYA [listens in silence, gazing into
Karénin's eyes] Still, I don't understand why you ...
KARÉNIN. Elisabeth Andréyevna se=
nt
for me, and asked me ...
FÉDYA. So ...
KARÉNIN. But I ask you, not so much in =
your
wife's name as from myself.... Come home!
FÉDYA. You are a better man than I. (Wh=
at
nonsense! It is easy enough to be better than I) ... I am a scoundrel, and =
you
are a good--yes, a good man.... And that is the very reason why I won't alt=
er my
decision.... No! Not on that account either--but simply because I can't and
won't.... How could I return?
KARÉNIN. Let us go to my rooms now, and
I'll tell her that you will return to-morrow.
FÉDYA. And to-morrow, what?... I shall
still be I, and she--she. [Goes to the table and drinks] It's best to have =
the
tooth out at one go.... Didn't I say that if I broke my word she was to thr=
ow
me over? Well, I have broken it, and that's the end of it.
KARÉNIN. For you, but not for her!
FÉDYA. It is extraordinary that you sho=
uld
take pains to prevent our marriage being broken up!
KARÉNIN [is about to speak, but
Másha comes up] ...
FÉDYA [interrupting him] Just hear her =
sing
"The Flax"!... Másha!
&=
nbsp;
The gipsies re-enter.
MÁSHA [whispers] An ovation, eh?
FÉDYA [laughs] An ovation!... "Vic=
tor,
my Lord! Son of Michael!" ...
&=
nbsp;
Gipsies sing a song of greeting and laudation.
KARÉNIN [listens in confusion then asks]
How much shall I give them?
FÉDYA. Well, give them twenty-five
roubles.[7]
[7]
About £2, 10s.
&=
nbsp;
Karénin gives the money.
FÉDYA. Splendid! And now, "The
Flax!"
&=
nbsp;
Gipsies sing.
FÉDYA [looks round] Karénin's
bunked!... Well, devil take him!
&=
nbsp;
Gipsy group breaks up.
FÉDYA [sits down by Másha] Do you
know who that was?
MÁSHA. I heard his name.
FÉDYA. He's an excellent fellow! He cam=
e to
take me home to my wife. She loves a fool like me, and see what I am doing =
here
...!
MÁSHA. Well, and it's wrong! You ought =
to
go back to her.... You ought to pity her.
FÉDYA. You think I ought to? Well, I th=
ink
I ought not.
MÁSHA. Of course, if you don't love her=
you
need not. Only love counts.
FÉDYA. And how do you know that?
MÁSHA. Seems I do!
FÉDYA. Well, kiss me then!... Now, let's
have "The Flax" once more, and then finish up.
&=
nbsp;
Gipsies sing.
FÉDYA. Ah, how good it is! If only one
hadn't to wake up!... If one could die so!
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
&=
nbsp;
Two weeks have passed since Act I. Anna Pávlovna and
Karénin are discovered sittin=
g in
Lisa's dining-room. Enter Sásha.
KARÉNIN. Well, what news?
SÁSHA. The doctor says there is no dang=
er
at present, as long as he does not catch cold.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Yes, but Lisa is quite w=
orn
out.
SÁSHA. He says it's false croup, and a =
very
mild attack. [Points to a basket]. What's that?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Grapes. Victor brought t=
hem.
KARÉNIN. Won't you have some?
SÁSHA. Yes, she likes grapes. She has
become terribly nervous.
KARÉNIN. Naturally--after not sleeping =
for
two nights, and not eating.
SÁSHA. And how about you.
KARÉNIN. That's quite another matter.
&=
nbsp;
Enter doctor and Lisa.
DOCTOR [impressively] Yes, that's it. Change it every half-hour if he's awake, but if he's asleep don't disturb him. You ne= ed not paint the throat. The room must be kept at its present temperature ...<= o:p>
LISA. But if he again begins to choke?
DOCTOR. He probably won't, but if he should, u=
se
the spray. And give him the powders: one in the morning and the other at ni=
ght.
I will give you the prescription now.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Have a cup of tea, docto=
r?
DOCTOR. No thanks.... My patients are expecting
me.
&=
nbsp;
Sits down to the table. Sásha brings him paper and ink.
LISA. So you're sure it is not croup?
DOCTOR [smiling] Perfectly certain!
KARÉNIN [to Lisa] And now have some tea,
or, better still, go and lie down!... Just see what you look like....
LISA. Oh, now I am alive again. Thank you, you=
are
a true friend! [Presses his hand. Sásha moves away angrily] I am so
grateful to you, dear friend! At such times one recog ...
KARÉNIN. What have I done? There's real=
ly
no cause at all to thank me.
LISA. And who stopped up all night? Who fetched
the very best doctor?
KARÉNIN. I am already fully rewarded by=
the
fact that Mísha is out of danger; and above all by your kindness.
LISA [presses his hand again and laughs, showi=
ng
him some money in her hand] That's for the doctor; but I never know how to =
give
it....
KARÉNIN. Neither do I.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Don't know what?
LISA. How to give money to a doctor.... He has
saved more than my life, and I give him money! It seems so unpleasant.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Let me give it. I know h=
ow.
It's quite simple.
DOCTOR [rises and hands the prescription to Li=
sa]
These powders are to be well mixed in a tablespoonful of boiled water ... [=
goes
on talking].
&=
nbsp;
Karénin sits at the table drinking tea; Sásha and Anna
Pávlovna come forward.
SÁSHA. I can't bear the way they go on!
It's just as if she were in love with him.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, can it be wondered=
at?
SÁSHA. It's disgusting!
&=
nbsp;
Doctor takes leave of everybody, and exit. Anna Pávlovna goes
with him.
LISA [to Karénin] He's so sweet now! As
soon as even he was a little better he at once began to smile and crow. I m=
ust
go to him, but I don't like leaving you.
KARÉNIN. You had better have a cup of t=
ea,
and eat something.
LISA. I don't want anything now. I am so happy
after all that anxiety!... [Sobs].
KARÉNIN. There! You see how worn out you
are!
LISA. I'm so happy!... Would you like to have a
look at him?
KARÉNIN. Of course.
LISA. Then come with me. [Exeunt].
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [returning to Sásh=
a]
What are you looking so glum about?... I gave him the money quite well, and=
he
took it.
SÁSHA. It's disgusting! She has taken h=
im
with her to the nursery. It's just as if he were her fiancé or her
husband....
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Whatever does it matter =
to
you? Why need you get excited about it? Did you mean to marry him yourself?=
SÁSHA. I? Marry that pikestaff? I'd rat=
her
marry I don't know whom, than him! Such a thing never entered my head.... I=
am
only disgusted that, after Fédya, Lisa can be so attracted by a
stranger.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Not a stranger, but an o=
ld
playfellow!
SÁSHA. Don't I see by their smiles and
looks that they are in love?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, what is there to be
surprised at in that? He shares her anxiety about her baby, shows sympathy =
and
helps her ... and she feels grateful. Besides, why should she not love and
marry Victor?
SÁSHA. That would be
disgusting--disgusting....
&=
nbsp;
Enter Karénin and Lisa. Karénin silently takes leave.
Sásha goes of angrily.
LISA [to Anna Pávlovna] What's the matt=
er
with her?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. I really don't know.
&=
nbsp;
Lisa sighs, and is silent.
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
&=
nbsp;
Afrémov's sitting-room. Glasses of wine on the table. Afr&eac=
ute;mov,
Fédy=
a,
Stákhov (shaggy), Butkévich (close-shaven), and Korotkó=
;v
(a tuft-hun=
ter).
KOROTKÓV. And I tell you that he'll be =
out
of the running! La Belle Bois is the best horse in Europe.... Will you bet?=
STÁKHOV. Don't, my dear fellow.... You =
know
very well that nobody believes you, or will bet with you.
KOROTKÓV. I tell you your Cartouche won=
't
be in it!
AFRÉMOV. Stop quarrelling! Let me settl=
e it
... ask Fédya--he'll give you the right tip.
FÉDYA. Both horses are good. All depend=
s on
the jockey.
STÁKHOV. Gúsev is a rascal, and
needs a firm hand on him.
KOROTKÓV [shouts] No!
FÉDYA. Wait a bit--I'll settle your
differences.... Who won the Moscow Derby?
KOROTKÓV. He did--but what of that? It =
was
only chance. If Crakus had not fallen ill.... [Enter footman].
AFRÉMOV. What is it?
FOOTMAN. A lady has come, and is asking for Mr.
Protásov.
AFRÉMOV. What is she like? A real lady?=
FOOTMAN. I don't know her name, but she's a re=
al
lady.
AFRÉMOV. Fédya! a lady to see yo=
u!
FÉDYA [startled] Who is it?
AFRÉMOV. He doesn't know.
FOOTMAN. Shall I ask her into the dining-room?=
FÉDYA. No, wait.... I'll go myself and =
see.
&=
nbsp;
Exeunt Fédya and footman.
KOROTKÓV. Who can it be? It must be
Másha.
STÁKHOV. Which Másha?
KOROTKÓV. The gipsy. She's in love with
him, like a cat.
STÁKHOV. What a darling she is ...! And=
how
she sings!
AFRÉMOV. Charming! Tanyúsha and =
she!
They sang with Peter yesterday.
STÁKHOV. What a lucky fellow that is!
AFRÉMOV. Why? Because the girls are all
sweet on him? Not much luck in that!
KOROTKÓV. I can't bear gipsies--nothing
refined about them.
BUTKÉVICH. No, you can't say that!
KOROTKÓV. I'd give the whole lot for one
French woman!
AFRÉMOV. Yes, we know you--and your
æsthetics!... I'll go and see who it is. [Exit].
STÁKHOV. If it's Másha, bring he=
r in
here! We'll make her sing.... No, the gipsies aren't what they used to be.
Tanyúsha, now--by Gad!
BUTKÉVICH. And I believe they're just t=
he
same.
STÁKHOV. Just the same? When instead of
their own pieces they sing empty drawing-room songs?
BUTKÉVICH. Some drawing-room songs are =
very
good.
KOROTKÓV. Will you bet I don't get them=
to
sing a drawing-room song so that you won't know it from one of their own?
STÁKHOV. Korotkóv always wants to
bet!
&=
nbsp;
Enter Afrémov.
AFRÉMOV. I say, you fellows, it's not
Másha--and there's no room he can ask her into but this. Let us clear
out to the billiard room. [Exeunt].
&=
nbsp;
Enter Fédya and Sásha.
SÁSHA [confused] Fédya, forgive =
me
if it's unpleasant--but for God's sake hear me!... [Her voice trembles].
&=
nbsp;
Fédya walks up and down the room. Sásha sits down, and
follows him with
her eyes.
SÁSHA. Fédya! Come home!
FÉDYA. Just listen to me, Sásha =
...
I quite understand you, Sásha dear, and in your place I should do the
same--I should try to find some way to bring back the old state of affairs.=
But
if you were me, if--strange as it sounds--you, dear sensitive girl, were in=
my
place ... you would certainly have done as I did, and have gone away and ce=
ased
to spoil someone else's life.
SÁSHA. Spoil? How? As if Lisa could live
without you!
FÉDYA. Oh, Sásha dear! Dear
heart!... She can, she can! And she will yet be happy--far happier than with
me.
SÁSHA. Never!
FÉDYA. It seems so to you [Takes her ha=
nd]
... But that's not the point. The chief thing is, that I can't!... You know,
one folds a piece of thick paper this way and that a hundred times and stil=
l it
holds together; but fold it once more, and it comes in half.... So it was w=
ith Lisa
and me. It hurts me too much to look into her eyes--and she feels the same,
believe me!
SÁSHA. No, no!
FÉDYA. You say "No," but you
yourself know that it is "Yes"!
SÁSHA. I can only judge by myself. If I
were in her place, and you answered as you are doing, it would be dreadful!=
FÉDYA. Yes, for you ... [Pause; both are
agitated].
SÁSHA [rises] Must things really remain=
so?
FÉDYA. I suppose ...
SÁSHA. Fédya come back!
FÉDYA. Thank you, Sásha dear! You
will always remain a precious memory to me.... But good-bye, dear heart!...=
Let
me kiss you. [Kisses her forehead].
SÁSHA [agitated] No, I don't say good-b=
ye,
and I don't believe, and won't believe ... Fédya!
FÉDYA. Well then, listen! But give me y=
our
word that what I tell you, you won't repeat to anybody--do you promise?
SÁSHA. Of course!
FÉDYA. Well then, listen, Sásha.=
...
It's true that I am her husband and the father of her child, but I
am--superfluous! Wait, wait--don't reply.... You think I'm jealous? Not at =
all!
In the first place, I have no right; secondly, I have no cause. Victor
Karénin is her old friend and mine too. He loves her, and she him.
SÁSHA. No!
FÉDYA. She does--as an honest, moral wo=
man
can, who does not allow herself to love anyone but her husband. But she lov=
es,
and will love him when this obstacle [points to himself] is removed; and I =
will
remove it, and they shall be happy! [His voice trembles].
SÁSHA. Fédya, don't talk like th=
at!
FÉDYA. Why, you know very well that it's
true! And I shall be glad of their happiness, and it's the best I can do. I
shall not return, but shall give them their freedom.... Tell them so.... Do=
n't
answer--and good-bye!
&=
nbsp;
Kisses her on the forehead, and opens the door for her.
SÁSHA. Fédya--you are wonderful!=
FÉDYA. Good-bye, good-bye!... [Exit
Sásha].
FÉDYA. Yes, yes.... That's the thing ...
that's the thing!... [Rings].
&=
nbsp;
Enter footman.
FÉDYA. Call your master.... [Exit
footman].... And it's true--it's true.
&=
nbsp;
Enter Afrémov.
FÉDYA. Come along!
AFRÉMOV. Have you settled matters?
FÉDYA. Splendidly! [Sings]
"And she swore by ev'ry power ..."
Splendidly!... Where are they all?
AFRÉMOV. They're playing billiards.
FÉDYA. That's right--we will too [Sings=
]
"Rest here, just an hour ..."
Come along!
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
&=
nbsp;
Prince Abrézkov, a sixty-year-old bachelor with moustaches, a=
retired army man,
elegant, very dignified and melancholy-looking. Anna Dmítr=
ievna
Karénina (Victor's mother), a fifty-year-old "grande dame" who tr=
ies to
appear younger, and intersperses her remarks with French expression=
s.
&=
nbsp;
Anna Dmítrievna's sitting-room, furnished with expensive
simplicity, and
filled with souvenirs.
&=
nbsp;
Anna Dmítrievna is writing. Footman enters.
FOOTMAN. Prince Abrézkov ...
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, certainly ... [Tu=
rns
round and touches herself up before the looking-glass].
&=
nbsp;
Enter Abrézkov.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. J'espère que je=
ne
force pas la consigne....[8] [Kisses her hand].
[8] I
hope I am not forcing myself on you.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. You know that vous
êtes toujours le bienvenu[9]--and to-day especially! You got my note?=
[9]
You are always welcome.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I did, and this is my
answer.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Ah, my friend! I begin
quite to despair. Il est positivement ensorcelé![10] I never before =
knew
him so insistent, so obstinate, so pitiless, and so indifferent to me. He h=
as
quite changed since that woman dismissed her husband!
[10]
He is positively bewitched!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. What are the facts? Ho=
w do
matters actually stand?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He wants to marry her =
come
what may.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. And how about the husb=
and?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He agrees to a divorce=
.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Dear me!
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. And he, Victor, lends
himself to it, with all the abominations--lawyers, proofs of guilt--tout
ça est dégoutant![11] And it doesn't seem to repel him. I don=
't
understand him--he was always so sensitive, so reserved ...
[11]
It is all disgusting!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. He is in love! Ah, whe=
n a
man really loves ...
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, but how is it tha=
t in
our day love could be pure--could be a loving friendship, lasting through l=
ife?
That kind of love I understand and value.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Nowadays the young
generation no longer contents itself with those ideal relations. La possess=
ion
de l'âme ne leur suffit plus.[12] It can't be helped!... What can one=
do
with him?
[12]
For them, to possess the soul is no longer enough.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. You must not say that =
of
him--but it's as if he were under a spell. It's just as if he were someone
else.... You know, I called on her. He begged me so. I went there, did not =
find
her in, and left my card. Elle m'a fait demander si je ne pourrais la recev=
oir;[13]
and to-day [looks at the clock] at two o'clock, that is in a few minutes' t=
ime,
she will be here. I promised Victor I would receive her, but you understand=
how
I am placed! I am not myself at all; and so, from old habit, I sent for you=
. I
need your help!
[13]
She inquired whether I would receive her.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Thank you.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. This visit of hers, you
understand, will decide the whole matter--Victor's fate! I must either refu=
se
my consent--but how can I?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Don't you know her at =
all?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I have never seen her.=
But
I'm afraid of her. A good woman could not consent to leave her husband, and=
he
a good man, too! As a fellow-student of Victor's he used to visit us, you k=
now,
and was very nice. But whatever he may be, quels que soient les torts qu'il=
a
eus vis-à-vis d'elle,[14] one must not leave one's husband. She ough=
t to
bear her cross. What I don't understand is how Victor, with the convictions=
he
holds, can think of marrying a divorced woman! How often--quite lately--he =
has
argued warmly with Spítsin in my presence, that divorce was incompat=
ible
with true Christianity; and now he himself is going in for it! Si elle a pu=
le
charmer à un tel point[15] ... I am afraid of her! But I sent for yo=
u to
know what you have to say to it all, and instead of that I have been doing =
all
the talking myself! What do you think of it? Tell me your opinion. What oug=
ht I
to do? You have spoken with Victor?
[14]
However he may have wronged her.
[15]
If she has been able to charm him to such a degree ...
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I have: and I think he
loves her. He has grown used to loving her; and love has got a great hold on
him. He is a man who takes things slowly but firmly. What has once entered =
his
heart will never leave it again; and he will never love anyone but her; and=
he
can never be happy without her, or with anyone else.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. And how willingly
Várya Kazántseva would have married him! What a girl she is, =
and
how she loves him!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV [smiling]. C'est compter
sans son hôte![16] That is quite out of the question now. I think it's
best to submit, and help him to get married.
[16]
That's reckoning without your host!
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. To a divorced woman--a=
nd
have him meet his wife's husband?... I can't think how you can speak of it =
so
calmly. Is she a woman a mother could wish to see as the wife of her only
son--and such a son?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. But what is to be done=
, my
dear friend? Of course it would be better if he married a girl whom you knew
and liked; but since that's impossible ... Besides it's not as if he were g=
oing
to marry a gipsy, or goodness knows who ...! Lisa Protásova is a very
nice good woman. I know her, through my niece Nelly, and know her to be a
modest, kind-hearted, affectionate and moral woman.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. A moral woman--who mak=
es
up her mind to leave her husband!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. This is not like you!
You're unkind and harsh! Her husband is the kind of man of whom one says th=
at
they are their own worst enemies; but he is an even greater enemy to his wi=
fe.
He is a weak, fallen, drunken fellow. He has squandered all his property an=
d hers
too. She has a child.... How can you condemn her for leaving such a man? Nor
has she left him: he left her.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Oh, what mud! What mud!
And I have to soil my hands with it!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. And how about your rel=
igion?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Of course, of course! =
To
forgive, "As we forgive them that trespass against us." Mais, c'e=
st
plus fort que moi![17]
[17]
But it's beyond me!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. How could she live with
such a man? If she had not loved anyone else she would have had to leave hi=
m.
She would have had to, for her child's sake. The husband himself--an
intelligent kind-hearted man when he is in his senses--advises her to do it=
....
&= nbsp; Enter Victor, who kisses his mother's hand and greets Prince Abrézkov.<= o:p>
VICTOR. Mother, I have come to say this: Elisa=
beth
Andréyevna will be here in a minute, and I beg, I implore you--if you
still refuse your consent to my marriage ...
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA [interrupting him] Of
course I still refuse my consent ...
VICTOR [continues his speech and frowns] In th=
at
case I beg, I implore you, not to speak to her of your refusal! Don't settle
matters negatively ...
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I don't expect we shall
mention the subject. For my part, I certainly won't begin.
VICTOR. And she is even less likely to. I only
want you to make her acquaintance.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. The one thing I can't
understand is how you reconcile your desire to marry Mrs. Protásova,=
who
has a husband living, with your religious conviction that divorce is contra=
ry
to Christianity.
VICTOR. Mother, this is cruel of you! Are we
really so immaculate that we must always be perfectly consistent when life =
is
so complex? Mother, why are you so cruel to me?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I love you. I desire y=
our
happiness.
VICTOR [to Prince Abrézkov] Prince!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Of course you desire h=
is
happiness. But it is not easy for you and me, with our grey hairs, to
understand the young; and it is particularly difficult for a mother grown
accustomed to her own idea of how her son is to be happy. Women are all like
that.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, yes indeed! You a=
re
all against me! You may do it, of course. Vous êtes majeur.[18] ... B=
ut
you will kill me!
[18]
You are of age.
VICTOR. You are not yourself. This is worse th=
an
cruelty!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV [to Victor] Be quiet,
Victor. Your mother's words are always worse than her deeds.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I shall tell her how I
think and feel, but I will do it without offending her.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Of that I am sure.
&=
nbsp;
Enter footman.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Here she is.
VICTOR. I'll go.
FOOTMAN. Elisabeth Andréyevna
Protásova.
VICTOR. I am going. Please, Mother! [Exit.]
&=
nbsp;
Prince Abrézkov also rises.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Ask her in. [To Prince
Abrézkov] No, you must please stay here!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I thought you'd find a
tête-à-tête easier.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. No, I'm afraid ... [Is
restless] If I want to be left tête-à-tête with her, I w=
ill
nod to you. Cela dépendra.[19] ... To be left alone with her may mak=
e it
difficult for me. But I'll do like that if ... [Makes a sign].
[19]
It will depend.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I shall understand. I =
feel
sure you will like her. Only be just.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. How you are all against
me!
&=
nbsp;
Enter Lisa, in visiting dress and hat.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA [rising] I was sorry no=
t to
find you in, and it is kind of you to call.
LISA. I never dreamed that you'd be so good as=
to
call.... I am so grateful to you for wishing to see me.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA [pointing to Prince
Abrézkov] You are acquainted?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Yes, certainly. I have=
had
the pleasure of being introduced. [They shake hands and sit down] My niece
Nelly has often mentioned you to me.
LISA. Yes, she and I were great friends [glanc=
ing
timidly at Anna Dmítrievna], and we are still friendly. [To Anna
Dmítrievna] I never expected that you would wish to see me.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I knew your husband we=
ll.
He was friendly with Victor, and used to come to our house before he left f=
or
Tambóv. I think it was there you married?
LISA. Yes, it was there we married.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. But after his return to
Moscow he never visited us.
LISA. Yes, he hardly went out anywhere.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. And he never introduced
you to me.
&=
nbsp;
Awkward silence.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. The last time I met you
was at the theatricals at the Denísovs'. They went off very well; and
you were acting.
LISA. No ... Yes ... Of course ... I did act.
[Silence again]. Anna Dmítrievna, forgive me if what I am going to s=
ay
displeases you, but I can't and don't know how to dissemble! I have come
because Victor Miháylovich said ... because he--I mean, because you
wished to see me.... But it is best to speak out [with a catch in her voice]
... It is very hard for me.... But you are kind.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I'd better go.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, do.
&=
nbsp;
Prince Abrézkov takes leave of both women, and exit.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Listen, Lisa ... I am =
very
sorry for you, and I like you. But I love Victor. He is the one being I lov=
e in
the world. I know his soul as I know my own. It is a proud soul. He was pro=
ud
as a boy of seven.... Not proud of his name or wealth, but proud of his
character and innocence, which he has guarded. He is as pure as a maiden.
LISA. I know.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He has never loved any
woman. You are the first. I do not say I am not jealous. I am jealous. But =
we
mothers--your son is still a baby, and it is too soon for you--we are prepa=
red
for that. I was prepared to give him up to his wife and not to be jealous--=
but
to a wife as pure as himself ...
LISA. I ... have I ...
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Forgive me! I know it =
was
not your fault, but you are unfortunate. And I know him. Now he is ready to
bear--and will bear--anything, and he would never mention it, but he would
suffer. His wounded pride would suffer, and he would not be happy.
LISA. I have thought of that.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Lisa, my dear, you are=
a
wise and good woman. If you love him you must desire his happiness more than
your own. And if that is so, you will not wish to bind him and give him cau=
se
to repent--though he would never say a word.
LISA. I know he wouldn't! I have thought about= it, and have asked myself that question. I have thought of it, and have spoken = of it to him. But what can I do, when he says he does not wish to live without= me? I said to him: "Let us be friends, but do not spoil your life; do not = bind your pure life to my unfortunate one!" But he does not wish for that.<= o:p>
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. No, not at present....=
LISA. Persuade him to leave me, and I will agr=
ee.
I love him for his own happiness and not for mine. Only help me! Do not hate
me! Let us lovingly work together for his happiness!
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Yes, yes! I have grown
fond of you. [Kisses her. Lisa cries] And yet, and yet it is dreadful! If o=
nly
he had loved you before you married ...
LISA. He says he did love me then, but did not
wish to prevent a friend's happiness.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Ah, how hard it all is!
Still, we will love one another, and God will help us to find what we want.=
VICTOR [entering] Mother, dear! I have heard
everything! I expected this: you are fond of her, and all will be well!
LISA. I am sorry you heard. I should not have =
said
it if ...
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Still, nothing is sett=
led.
All I can say is, that if it were not for all these unfortunate circumstanc=
es,
I should have been glad. [Kisses her].
VICTOR. Only, please don't change!
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
&=
nbsp;
A plainly furnished room; bed, table, sofa. Fédya alone.
A knock at the door. A woman's voice outside. =
Why
have you locked yourself in, Theodore Vasílyevich? Fédya! Open
...!
FÉDYA [gets up and unlocks door] That's
right! Thank you for coming. It's dull, terribly dull!
MÁSHA. Why didn't you come to us? Been
drinking again? Eh, eh! And after you'd promised!
FÉDYA. D'you know, I've no money!
MÁSHA. And why have I taken it into my =
head
to care for you!
FÉDYA. Másha!
MÁSHA. Well, what about "Má=
sha,
Másha"? If you were really in love, you'd have got a divorce lo=
ng
ago. They themselves asked you to. You say you don't love her, but all the =
same
you keep to her! I see you don't wish ...
FÉDYA. But you know why I don't wish!
MÁSHA. That's all rubbish. People say q=
uite
truly that you're an empty fellow.
FÉDYA. What can I say to you? That your
words hurt me, you know without being told!
MÁSHA. Nothing hurts you!
FÉDYA. You know that the one joy I have=
in
life is your love.
MÁSHA. My love--yes; but yours doesn't
exist.
FÉDYA. All right. I'm not going to assu=
re
you. Besides, what's the good? You know!
MÁSHA. Fédya; why torment me?
FÉDYA. Which of us torments?
MÁSHA [cries] You are unkind!
FÉDYA [goes up and embraces her]
Másha! What's it all about? Stop that. One must live, and not whine.=
It
doesn't suit you at all, my lovely one!
MÁSHA. You do love me?
FÉDYA. Whom else could I love?
MÁSHA. Only me? Well then, read what you
have been writing.
FÉDYA. It will bore you.
MÁSHA. It's you who wrote it, so it's s=
ure
to be good.
FÉDYA. Well then listen. [Reads] "=
One
day, late in autumn, my friend and I agreed to meet on the Murýgin
fields, where there was a close thicket with many young birds in it. The day
was dull, warm, and quiet. The mist ..."
&= nbsp; Enter two old gipsies, Másha's parents, Iván Makárovich and Nastásia Ivánovna.<= o:p>
NASTÁSIA [stepping up to her daughter] =
Here
you are then, you damned runaway sheep! [To Fédya] My respects to yo=
u,
sir! [To Másha] Is that how you treat us, eh?
IVÁN [to Fédya] It's wrong, sir,
what you're doing! You're ruining the wench! Oh, but it's wrong ... You're
doing a dirty deed.
NASTÁSIA. Put on your shawl! March at
once!... Running away like this! What can I say to the choir? Gallivanting =
with
a beggar--what can you get out of him?
MÁSHA. I don't gallivant! I love this
gentleman, that's all. I've not left the choir. I'll go on singing, and what
...
IVÁN. Say another word, and I'll pull t=
he
hair off your head!... Slut!... Who behaves like that? Not your father, nor
your mother, nor your aunt!... It's bad, sir! We were fond of you--often and
often we sang to you without pay. We pitied you, and what have you done?
NASTÁSIA. You've ruined our daughter for
nothing ... our own, our only daughter, the light of our eyes, our priceless
jewel--you've trodden her into the mire, that's what you've done! You've no
conscience.
FÉDYA. Nastásia Ivánovna,=
you
suspect me falsely. Your daughter is like a sister to me. I care for her
honour. You must think no evil ... but I love her! What is one to do?
IVÁN. But you didn't love her when you =
had
money! If you'd then subscribed ten thousand roubles or so to the choir, you
might have had her honourably. But now you've squandered everything, and ca=
rry
her off by stealth! It's a shame, sir, a shame!
MÁSHA. He has not carried me off! I cam=
e to
him myself, and if you take me away now, I shall come back again. I love hi=
m,
and there's an end of it! My love is stronger than all your locks ... I won=
't!
NASTÁSIA. Come, Másha dearest! C=
ome,
my own! Don't sulk. You've done wrong, and now come along.
IVÁN. Now then, you've talked enough!
March! [Seizes her hand] Excuse us, sir! [Exit the three gipsies].
&=
nbsp;
Enter Prince Abrézkov.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Excuse me. I have been=
an
unwilling witness of an unpleasant scene....
FÉDYA. Whom have I the honour?...
[Recognises the Prince] Ah, Prince Abrézkov! [They shake hands].
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. An unwilling witness o=
f an
unpleasant scene. I should have been glad not to hear, but having overheard=
it,
I consider it my duty to tell you so. I was directed here, and had to wait =
at
the door for those people to come out--more particularly as their very loud=
voices
rendered my knocking inaudible.
FÉDYA. Yes, yes--please take a seat. Th=
ank
you for telling me: it gives me the right to explain that scene to you. I d=
on't
mind what you may think of me, but I should like to tell you that the
reproaches you heard addressed to that girl, that gipsy singer, were unjust.
That girl is as morally pure as a dove; and my relations with her are those=
of
a friend. There may be a tinge of romance in them, but it does not destroy =
the purity--the
honour--of the girl. That is what I wished to tell you; but what is it you =
want
of me? In what way can I be of service?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. In the first place, I =
...
FÉDYA. Forgive me, Prince. My present
social standing is such, that my former slight acquaintance with you does n=
ot
entitle me to a visit from you, unless you have some business with me. What=
is
it?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I won't deny it. You h=
ave
guessed right. I have business with you; but I beg you to believe that the
alteration in your position in no wise affects my attitude towards you.
FÉDYA. I am sure of it.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. My business is this. T=
he
son of my old friend, Anna Dmítrievna Karénina, and she herse=
lf,
have asked me to ascertain directly from you what are your relations ... Ma=
y I
speak out?... your relations with your wife, Elisabeth Andréyevna
Protásova.
FÉDYA. My relations with my wife, or ra=
ther
with her who was my wife, are entirely at an end.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. So I understood, and t=
hat
is why I accepted this difficult mission.
FÉDYA. At an end, and, I hasten to add,=
not
by her fault, but by mine--by my innumerable faults. She is, as she always =
was,
quite irreproachable.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Well then, Victor
Karénin, or rather his mother, asked me to find out what your intent=
ions
are.
FÉDYA [growing excited] What intentions=
? I
have none. I set her quite free! Moreover, I will never disturb her peace. I
know she loves Victor Karénin. Well, let her! I consider him a very
dull, but very good and honourable man, and I think that she will, as the
phrase goes, be happy with him; and--que le bon Dieu les bénisse![20]
That's all ...
[20]
May God bless them!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Yes, but we ...
FÉDYA [interrupting] And don't suppose =
that
I feel the least bit jealous. If I said that Victor is dull, I withdraw the
remark. He is an excellent, honourable, moral man: almost the direct opposi=
te
of myself. And he has loved her from childhood. Perhaps she too may have lo=
ved
him when she married me--that happens sometimes! The very best love is unco=
nscious
love. I believe she always did love him; but as an honest woman she did not
confess it even to herself. But ... a shadow of some kind always lay across=
our
family life--but why am I confessing to you?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Please do! Believe me,=
my
chief reason for coming to you was my desire to understand the situation
fully.... I understand you. I understand that the shadow, as you so well
express it, may have been ...
FÉDYA. Yes, it was; and that perhaps is=
why
I could not find satisfaction in the family life she provided for me, but w=
as
always seeking something, and being carried away. However, that sounds like=
excusing
myself. I don't want to, and can't, excuse myself. I was (I say with assura=
nce,
was) a bad husband. I say was, because in my consciousness I am not, and ha=
ve
long not been, her husband. I consider her perfectly free. So there you hav=
e my
answer to your question.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Yes, but you know Vict=
or's
family, and himself too. His relation to Elisabeth Andréyevna is, and
has been all through, most respectful and distant. He assisted her when she=
was
in trouble ...
FÉDYA. Yes, I by my dissipation helped =
to
draw them together. What's to be done? It had to be so!
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. You know the strictly
Orthodox convictions of that family. Having myself a broader outlook on thi=
ngs,
I do not share them; but I respect and understand them. I understand that f=
or
him, and especially for his mother, union with a woman without a Church
marriage is unthinkable.
FÉDYA. Yes, I know his stu ... his
strictness, his conservatism in these matters. But what do they want? A
divorce? I told them long ago that I am quite willing; but the business of
taking the blame on myself, and all the lies connected with it, are very
trying....[21]
[21]
Under the Russian law divorce was only obtainable if ocular evidence of adultery was
forthcoming, and a great deal of perjury was usually involved in such case=
s.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I quite understand you,
and sympathise. But how can it be avoided? I think it might be arranged that
way--but you are right. It is dreadful, and I quite understand you.
FÉDYA [pressing the Prince's hand] Thank
you, dear Prince! I always knew you were a kind and honourable man. Tell me
what to do. How am I to act? Put yourself in my place. I am not trying to
improve. I am a good-for-nothing; but there are things I cannot do quietly.=
I
cannot quietly tell lies.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I don't understand you!
You, a capable, intelligent man, so sensitive to what is good--how can you =
let
yourself be so carried away--so forget what you expect of yourself? How have
you ruined your life and come to this?
FÉDYA [forcing back tears of emotion] I
have led this disorderly life for ten years, and this is the first time a m=
an
like you has pitied me! I have been pitied by my boon-companions, by rakes =
and
by women; but a reasonable, good man like you ... Thank you! How did I come=
to
my ruin? First, through drink. It is not that drink tastes nice; but do wha=
t I will,
I always feel I am not doing the right thing, and I feel ashamed. I talk to=
you
now, and feel ashamed. As for being a Maréchal de la noblesse, or a =
Bank
Director--I should feel ashamed, so ashamed! It is only when I drink that I=
do
not feel this shame. And music: not operas or Beethoven, but gipsies!... Th=
at
is life! Energy flows into one's veins! And then those dear black eyes, and
those smiles! And the more delicious it is, the more ashamed one feels
afterwards.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. How about work?
FÉDYA. I have tried it, but it's no goo=
d. I
am always dissatisfied with it--but what's the use of talking about myself!=
I
thank you.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Then what am I to say?=
FÉDYA. Tell them I will do what they wi=
sh.
They want to get married, and that there should be no obstacle to their
marriage?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Of course.
FÉDYA. I'll do it! Tell them I will
certainly do it.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. But when?
FÉDYA. Wait a bit. Well, say in a
fortnight. Will that do?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Then I may tell them s=
o?
FÉDYA. You may. Good-bye, Prince! Thank=
you
once again!
[Exit Prince].
FÉDYA [sits for a long time and smiles
silently] That's the way, that's the way! It must be so, must be, must be!
Splendid!
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
=
&=
nbsp;
A private room in a restaurant. A waiter shows in Fédya and
Iván Petróvich
Alexándrov.
WAITER. Here, please. No one will disturb you
here. I'll bring some paper directly.
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Protásov,
I'll come in too.
FÉDYA [seriously] If you like, but I'm =
busy
and ... All right, come in.
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. You wish to repl=
y to
their demands? I'll tell you what to say. I should not do it that way--alwa=
ys
speak straight out, and act with decision.
FÉDYA [to waiter] A bottle of champagne=
!
&=
nbsp;
Exit waiter.
FÉDYA [taking out a revolver and puttin=
g it
on the table] Wait a bit!
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. What's that? Do =
you
want to shoot yourself? You can if you like. I understand you! They wish to
humiliate you, and you will show them the sort of man you are! You will kill
yourself with a revolver, and them with magnanimity. I understand you. I
understand everything, because I am a genius.
FÉDYA. Of course--of course. Only ...
[Enter waiter with paper and ink].
FÉDYA [covers the revolver with a napki=
n]
Uncork it--let's have a drink. [They drink. Fédya writes] Wait a bit=
!
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Here's to your .=
..
great journey! You know I'm above all this. I'm not going to restrain you! =
Life
and death are alike to Genius. I die in life, and live in death. You will k=
ill
yourself that two people should pity you; and I--I shall kill myself that t=
he
whole world may understand what it has lost. I won't hesitate, or think abo=
ut it!
I seize it [snatches revolver]--now! And all is over. But it is too soon ye=
t.
[Lays down revolver] Nor shall I write anything; they must understand it
themselves.... Oh, you ...
FÉDYA [writing] Wait a bit.
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Pitiful people! =
They
fuss, they bustle, and don't understand--don't understand anything at all..=
..
I'm not talking to you, I am only expressing my thoughts. And, after all, w=
hat
does humanity need? Very little--only to value its geniuses. But they always
are executed, persecuted, tortured.... No! I'm not going to be your toy! I =
will
drag you out into the open! No-o-o! Hypocrites!
FÉDYA [having finished writing, drinks =
and
reads over his letter] Go away, please!
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Go away? Well,
good-bye then! I am not going to restrain you. I shall do the same. But not
yet. I only want to tell you ...
FÉDYA. All right! You'll tell me
afterwards. And now, dear chap, just one thing: give this to the manager [g=
ives
him money] and ask if a parcel and a letter have come for me.... Please do!=
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. All right--then
you'll wait for me? I have still something important to tell you--something
that you will not hear in this world nor in the next, at any rate not till I
come there.... Am I to let him have all of this?
FÉDYA. As much as is necessary. [Exit
Iván Petróvich.]
&=
nbsp;
Fédya sighs with relief; locks the door behind Iván
Petróvich; takes up the revolver, =
cocks
it, puts it to his temple; shudders, and carefully lowers =
it
again. Groans.
FÉDYA. No; I can't! I can't! I can't!
[Knock at the door] Who's there?
[Másha's voice from outside] It's me!
FÉDYA. Who's "me"? Oh,
Másha ... [opens door].
MÁSHA. I've been to your place, to
Popóv's, to Afrémov's, and guessed that you must be here. [Se=
es
revolver] That's a nice thing! There's a fool! A regular fool! Is it possib=
le
you really meant to?
FÉDYA. No, I couldn't.
MÁSHA. Do I count for nothing at all? Y=
ou
heathen! You had no pity for me? Oh, Theodore Vasílyevich, it's a si=
n, a
sin! In return for my love ...
FÉDYA. I wished to release them. I prom=
ised
to, and I can't lie.
MÁSHA. And what about me?
FÉDYA. What about you? It would have set
you free too. Is it better for you to be tormented by me?
MÁSHA. Seems it's better. I can't live
without you.
FÉDYA. What sort of life could you have
with me? You'd have cried a bit, and then gone on living your own life.
MÁSHA. I shouldn't have cried at all! G=
o to
the devil, if you don't pity me! [Cries].
FÉDYA. Másha, dearest! I meant t=
o do
it for the best.
MÁSHA. Best for yourself!
FÉDYA [smiles] How's that, when I meant=
to
kill myself?
MÁSHA. Of course, best for yourself! But
what is it you want? Tell me.
FÉDYA. What I want? I want a great deal=
.
MÁSHA. Well, what? What?
FÉDYA. First of all, to keep my promise.
That is the first thing, and quite sufficient. To lie, and do all the dirty
work necessary to get a divorce ... I can't!
MÁSHA. Granted that it's horrid--I myse=
lf
...
FÉDYA. Next, they must really be free--=
my
wife and he. After all, they are good people; and why should they suffer?
That's the second thing.
MÁSHA. Well, there isn't much good in h=
er,
if she's thrown you over.
FÉDYA. She didn't--I threw her over.
MÁSHA. All right, all right! It's always
you. She is an angel! What else!
FÉDYA. This--that you are a good, dear
girlie--and that I love you, and if I live I shall ruin you.
MÁSHA. That's not your business. I know
quite well what will ruin me.
FÉDYA [sighs] But above all, above all =
...
What use is my life? Don't I know that I am a lost good-for-nothing? I am a
burden to myself and to everybody--as your father said. I'm worthless....
MÁSHA. What rubbish! I shall stick to y=
ou.
I've stuck to you already, and there's an end of it! As to your leading a b=
ad
life, drinking and going on the spree--well, you're a living soul! Give it =
up,
and have done with it!
FÉDYA. That's easily said.
MÁSHA. Well, then, do it.
FÉDYA. Yes, when I look at you I feel a=
s if
I could really do anything.
MÁSHA. And so you shall! Yes, you'll do=
it!
[Sees the letter] What's that? You've written to them? What have you writte=
n?
FÉDYA. What have I written?... [Takes t=
he
letter and is about to tear it up] It's no longer wanted now.
MÁSHA [snatches the letter] You've said=
you
would kill yourself? Yes? You did not mention the revolver--only said that
you'd kill yourself?
FÉDYA. Yes, that I should be no more.
MÁSHA. Give it me--give it, give it!...
Have you read What to Do?
FÉDYA. I think I have.
MÁSHA. It's a tiresome novel, but there=
's
one very, very good thing in it. That what's his name?--Rakhmánov--g=
oes
and pretends he has drowned himself. And you--can you swim?
FÉDYA. No.
MÁSHA. That's all right. Let me have yo=
ur
clothes--everything, and your pocket-book too.
FÉDYA. How can I?
MÁSHA. Wait a bit, wait, wait! Let's go
home; then you'll change your clothes.
FÉDYA. But it will be a fraud.
MÁSHA. All right! You go to bathe, your
clothes remain on the bank, in the pocket is your pocket-book and this lett=
er.
FÉDYA. Yes, and then?
MÁSHA. And then? Why, then we'll go off
together and live gloriously.
&=
nbsp;
Enter Iván Petróvich.
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. There now! And t=
he
revolver? I'll take it.
MÁSHA. Take it; take it! We're off.
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
=
&=
nbsp;
The Protásovs' drawing-room.
KARÉNIN. He promised so definitely, tha=
t I
am sure he will keep his word.
LISA. I am ashamed to say it, but I must confe=
ss
that what I heard about that gipsy girl makes me feel quite free. Don't thi=
nk
it is jealousy; it isn't, but you know--it sets me free. I hardly know how =
to
tell you....
KARÉNIN. You don't know how to tell me =
...
Why?
LISA [smiling] Never mind! Only let me explain
what I feel. The chief thing that tormented me was, that I felt I loved two
men; and that meant that I was an immoral woman.
KARÉNIN. You immoral?
LISA. But since I knew that he had got someone
else, and that he therefore did not need me, I felt free, and felt that I m=
ight
truthfully say that I love you. Now things are clear within me, and only my=
position
torments me. This divorce! It is such torture--and then this waiting!
KARÉNIN. It will soon, very soon, be
settled. Besides his promise, I sent my secretary to him with the petition
ready for signature, and told him not to leave till it is signed. If I did =
not
know him so well, I should think he was purposely behaving as he does.
LISA. He? No, it is the result both of his
weakness and his honesty. He doesn't want to say what is not true. Only you
were wrong to send him money.
KARÉNIN. I had to. The want of it might=
be
the cause of the delay.
LISA. No, there is something bad about money.<= o:p>
KARÉNIN. Well, anyhow, he need not have
been so punctilious ...
LISA. How selfish we are becoming!
KARÉNIN. Yes, I confess it. It's your o=
wn fault.
After all that waiting, that hopelessness, I am now so happy! And happiness
makes one selfish. It's your fault!
LISA. Do you think it's you only? I too--I feel
full of happiness, bathed in bliss! I have everything--Mísha has
recovered, your mother likes me, and you--and above all, I, I love!
KARÉNIN. Yes? And no repenting? No turn=
ing
back?
LISA. Since that day everything has changed in=
me.
KARÉNIN. And will not change again?
LISA. Never! I only wish you to have done with=
it
all as completely as I have.
&=
nbsp;
Enter nurse, with baby. Lisa takes the baby on her lap.
KARÉNIN. What wretched people we are!
LISA [kissing baby] Why?
KARÉNIN. When you married, and I heard =
of
it on my return from abroad, and was wretched because I felt that I had lost
you, it was a relief to me to find that you still remembered me. I was cont=
ent
even with that. Then when our friendship was established and I felt your
kindness to me, and even a little gleam of something in our friendship that=
was
more than friendship, I was almost happy. I was only tormented by a fear th=
at I
was not being honest towards Fédya. But no! I was always so firmly c=
onscious
that any other relation than one of purest friendship with my friend's wife=
was
impossible--besides which, I knew you--that I was not really troubled about
that. Afterwards, when Fédya began to cause you anxiety, and I felt =
that
I was of some use to you, and that my friendship was beginning to alarm you=
--I
was quite happy, and a sort of vague hope awoke in me. Still later, when he
became altogether impossible and you decided to leave him, and I spoke to y=
ou
plainly for the first time, and you did not say "No," but went aw=
ay
in tears--then I was perfectly happy; and had I then been asked what more I
wanted, I should have answered "Nothing"! But later on, when there
came the possibility of uniting our lives: when my mother grew fond of you =
and the
possibility began to be realised; when you told me that you loved and had l=
oved
me, and then (as you did just now) that he no longer existed for you and th=
at
you love only me--what more, one would think, could I wish for? But no! Now=
the
past torments me! I wish that past had not existed, and that there were not=
hing
to remind me of it.
LISA [reproachfully] Victor!
KARÉNIN. Lisa, forgive me! If I tell you
this, it is only because I don't want a single thought of mine about you to=
be
hidden from you. I have purposely told you, to show how bad I am, and how w=
ell
I know that I must struggle with and conquer myself.... And now I've done i=
t! I
love him.
LISA. That's as it should be. I did all I coul=
d,
but it was not I that did what you desired: it happened in my heart, from w=
hich
everything but you has vanished.
KARÉNIN. Everything?
LISA. Everything, everything--or I would not s=
ay
so.
&=
nbsp;
Enter footman.
FOOTMAN. Mr. Voznesénsky.
KARÉNIN. He's come with Fédya's
answer.
LISA [to Karénin] Ask him in here.
KARÉNIN [rising and going to the door]
Well, here is the answer!
LISA [gives baby to nurse; exit nurse] Is it
possible, Victor, that everything will now be decided? [Kisses Karén=
in].
&=
nbsp;
Enter Voznesénsky.
KARÉNIN. Well?
VOZNESÉNSKY. He has gone.
KARÉNIN. Gone! And without signing the
petition?
VOZNESÉNSKY. The petition is not signed,
but a letter was left for you and Elisabeth Andréyevna [Takes letter=
out
of his pocket and gives it to Karénin] I went to his lodgings, and w=
as
told he was at the restaurant. I went there, and Mr. Protásov told m=
e to
return in an hour and I should then have his answer. I went back, and then =
...
KARÉNIN. Is it possible that this means
another delay? More excuses! No, that would be downright wicked. How he has
fallen!
LISA. But do read the letter! [Karénin
opens letter].
VOZNESÉNSKY. You do not require me any
longer?
KARÉNIN. Well, no. Good-bye! Thank you =
...
[Pauses in astonishment as he reads].
&=
nbsp;
Exit Voznesénsky.
LISA. What--what is it?
KARÉNIN. This is awful!
LISA [takes hold of letter] Read!
KARÉNIN [reads] "Lisa and Victor, I
address myself to you both. I won't lie and call you 'dear' or anything els=
e. I
cannot master the feeling of bitterness and reproach (I reproach myself, but
all the same it is painful) when I think of you and of your love and happin=
ess.
I know everything. I know that though I was the husband, I have--by a serie=
s of
accidents--been in your way. C'est moi qui suis l'intrus.[22] But all the s=
ame,
I cannot restrain a feeling of bitterness and coldness towards you. I love =
you
both in theory, especially Lisa, Lisette! But actually I am more than cold
towards you. I know I am wrong, but cannot change."
[22]
It is I who am the intruder.
LISA. How can he ...
KARÉNIN [continues reading] "But to
business! This very feeling of discord within me forces me to fulfil your
desire not in the way you wish. Lying, acting so disgusting a comedy, bribi=
ng
the Consistorium, and all those horrors, are intolerably repulsive to me. V=
ile
as I may be, I am vile in a different way, and cannot take part in those ab=
ominations--simply
cannot! The solution at which I have arrived is the simplest: to be happy, =
you
must marry. I am in the way; consequently I must destroy myself...."
LISA [seizes Victor's hand] Victor!
KARÉNIN [reads] "... must destroy
myself. And I will do it. When you get this letter, I shall be no more.
"P.S. What a pity you sent me money to pay
for the divorce proceedings! It is unpleasant, and unlike you! But it can't=
be
helped. I have so often made mistakes, why shouldn't you make one? I return=
the
money. My way of escape is shorter, cheaper, and surer. All I ask is, don't=
be angry
with me, and think kindly of me. And, one thing more--there is a clockmaker,
Evgényev, here. Can't you help him, and set him on his feet? He's a =
good
man, though weak.--Good-bye,
=
&nb=
sp; =
&nb=
sp;
"FÉDYA."
LISA. He has taken his life! Yes ...
KARÉNIN [rings, and runs out to the hal=
l]
Call Mr. Voznesénsky back!
LISA. I knew it! I knew it! Fédya, dear
Fédya!
KARÉNIN. Lisa!
LISA. It's not true, not true that I didn't lo=
ve
him and don't love him! I love only him! I love him! And I've killed him. L=
eave
me!
&=
nbsp;
Enter Voznesénsky.
KARÉNIN. Where is Mr. Protásov? =
What
did they tell you?
VOZNESÉNSKY. They told me he went out t=
his
morning, left this letter, and had not returned.
KARÉNIN. We shall have to find out about
it, Lisa. I must leave you.
LISA. Forgive me, but I too can't lie! Go now-=
-go,
and find out ...
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
&=
nbsp;
A dirty room in a low-class restaurant. A table, at which people sit=
drinking tea and
vódka. In the foreground a small table, at which sits Fédya,
tattered, and much come down in the world. With him is Petushkóv,=
a
gentle, mild man with long hair, of clerical appearance. Both =
are
slightly drunk.
PETUSHKÓV. I understand, I understand. =
That
is true love! Yes? Go on.
FÉDYA. Well, you know, if a woman of our
class showed such feeling and sacrificed everything for the man she loved..=
..
But she was a gipsy, brought up to money-hunting, and yet she had this
self-sacrificing love! Gave everything, and wanted nothing herself! The
contrast was so wonderful!
PETUSHKÓV. Yes, in art we call it
"value." You can only get quite bright red by putting green round=
it.
But that's not to the point. I understand, quite understand.
FÉDYA. Yes, and I believe the one good
action of my life is that I never took advantage of her love. And do you kn=
ow
why?
PETUSHKÓV. Pity.
FÉDYA. Oh no! I never felt pity for her.
What I felt for her was always rapturous admiration--and when she sang! Ah,=
how
she sang--and perhaps still sings! I always regarded her as far above me. I=
did
not ruin her, simply because I loved her; loved her truly. And now she's a
good, happy memory! [Drinks].
PETUSHKÓV. Yes, I understand, I underst=
and.
It's ideal.
FÉDYA. I'll tell you something. I have =
had
my passions, and once I was in love with a lady--very handsome--and I loved=
her
nastily, like a dog. She gave me a rendezvous. And I did not go, because I
thought it was treating the husband shabbily. And it is strange that, even =
now,
when I remember it I want to feel pleased and to approve of myself for havi=
ng acted
honourably, but I always repent as if I had committed a sin! But in the cas=
e of
Másha, on the contrary, I am always pleased--pleased that I did not
pollute that feeling of mine.... I may fall lower still, sell all I have on=
me,
be covered with lice and sores--but this jewel ... no, not jewel, but ray of
sunshine, is still with me and in me.
PETUSHKÓV. I understand, I understand! =
And
where is she now?
FÉDYA. I don't know! And I'd rather not
know. All that belonged to a different life; and I don't want to mix it up =
with
this....
&=
nbsp;
A woman is heard screaming at a table behind. The manager and a policeman come in=
and
take her out. Fédya and Petushkóv listen, and look on in silenc=
e.
When all is quiet again,
PETUSHKÓV. Yes, your life is astonishin=
g.
FÉDYA. No, it's most simple! You know, =
in
the society in which I was born there are only three careers open to a
man--only three. The first is to enter the civil or military service, to ea=
rn
money and increase the abominations amid which we live. That was repulsive =
to
me. Perhaps I had not the capacity for it; but above all it repelled me. Th=
en
the second is to destroy those abominations. To do that you must be a hero;=
and
I am not a hero. And the third is to forget it all by going on the spree,
drinking and singing. That is what I did. And this is what my singing has
brought me to! [Drinks].
PETUSHKÓV. And what about family life? I
should be happy if I had a wife. My wife ruined me.
FÉDYA. Family life? Yes, my wife was an
ideal woman. She is still living. But how shall I tell you? There was no ye=
ast
in it--you know, the yeast that makes the beer froth! Well, there was nothi=
ng
of that in our life: it was flat, and I wanted something to help me to
forget--and one can't forget when there's no sparkle in life. Then I began =
to
do all sorts of nasty things. And you know, we love people for the good we =
do them,
and dislike them for the harm we do them; and I did her much harm. She seem=
ed to
love me ...
PETUSHKÓV. Why do you say
"seemed"?
FÉDYA. I say it because there was never
anything about her that made her creep into my soul as Másha did. But
that's not what I meant to say. When she was pregnant, or nursing her baby,=
I
used to vanish, and come home drunk; and of course, just because of that, I
loved her less and less. Yes, yes! [in ecstasy] I have it! The reason I love
Másha is that I did her good and not harm. That's why I love her. The
other one I tormented, and therefore I don't like her.... No, after all, I
simply don't like her! Was I jealous? Yes, but that too is past....
&=
nbsp;
Enter Artémyev, with a cockade on his cap, dyed moustaches, a=
nd
old renovat=
ed
clothes.
ARTÉMYEV. Wish you a good appetite! [Bo=
ws
to Fédya] I see you've made acquaintance with our painter, our artis=
t.
FÉDYA [coldly] Yes, we are acquainted.<= o:p>
ARTÉMYEV [to Petushkóv] And have=
you
finished the portrait?
PETUSHKÓV. No, I lost the order.
ARTÉMYEV [Sits down] I'm not in your wa=
y?
&=
nbsp;
Fédya and Petushkóv do not answer.
PETUSHKÓV. Theodore Vasílyevich =
was
telling me about his life.
ARTÉMYEV. Secrets? Then I won't disturb
you--go on? I'm sure I don't want you. Swine! [Goes to next table and calls=
for
beer. He listens all the time to Fédya's conversation with Petushk&o=
acute;v,
and leans towards them without their noticing it.]
FÉDYA. I don't like that gentleman.
PETUSHKÓV. He was offended.
FÉDYA. Well, let him be! I can't stand =
him.
He is such a fellow, my words won't come when he is there. Now with you I f=
eel
at ease, and comfortable. Well, what was I saying?
PETUSHKÓV. You were speaking about your
jealousy. And how was it you parted from your wife?
FÉDYA. Ah! [Pauses and considers] It's a
curious story. My wife is married ...
PETUSHKÓV. How's that? Are you divorced=
?
FÉDYA [smiles] No, I left her a widow.<= o:p>
PETUSHKÓV. What do you mean?
FÉDYA. I mean that she's a widow! I don=
't
exist.
PETUSHKÓV. Don't exist?
FÉDYA. No, I'm a corpse! Yes ...
[Artémyev leans over, listening] Well, you see--I can tell you about=
it;
and besides, it happened long ago; and you don't know my real name. It was =
this
way. When I had tired out my wife and had squandered everything I could lay=
my
hands on, and had become unbearable, a protector turned up for her. Don't
imagine that there was anything dirty or bad about it--no, he was my friend=
and
a very good fellow--only in everything my exact opposite! And as there is f=
ar
more evil than good in me, it follows that he was a good--a very good man:
honourable, firm, self-restrained and, in a word, virtuous. He had known my
wife from her childhood, and loved her. When she married me he resigned him=
self
to his fate. But later, when I became horrid and tormented her, he began to
come oftener to our house. I myself wished it. They fell in love with one
another, and meanwhile I went altogether to the bad, and abandoned my wife =
of
my own accord. And besides, there was Másha. I myself advised them to
marry. They did not want to, but I became more and more impossible, and it
ended in ...
PETUSHKÓV. The usual thing?
FÉDYA. No. I am sure; I know for certain
that they remained pure. He is a religious man, and considers marriage with=
out
the Church's blessing a sin. So they began asking me to agree to a divorce.=
I
should have had to take the blame on myself. It would have been necessary to
tell all sorts of lies ... and I couldn't! Believe me, it would have been
easier for me to take my life than to tell such lies--and I wished to do so.
But then a kind friend came and said, "Why do it?" and arranged it
all for me. I wrote a farewell letter, and next day my clothes, pocket-book=
and
letters were found on the river bank. I can't swim.
PETUSHKÓV. Yes, but how about the body?
They did not find that!
FÉDYA. They did! Fancy! A week later
somebody's body was found. My wife was called to identify the decomposing b=
ody.
She just glanced at it. "Is it he?" "It is." And so it =
was
left. I was buried, and they married and are living in this town, happily. =
And
I--here I am, living and drinking! Yesterday I passed their house. The wind=
ows
were lit up, and someone's shadow crossed the blind. Sometimes it's horrid,=
and
sometimes not. It's horrid when I've no money ... [Drinks].
ARTÉMYEV [approaches] Excuse me, but I
heard your story. It's a very good story, and more than that--a very useful
one! You say it's horrid when one has no money? There's nothing more horrid.
But you, in your position, should always have money. Aren't you a corpse? W=
ell
then ...
FÉDYA. Excuse me! I did not speak to you
and don't want your advice.
ARTÉMYEV. But I want to give it! You ar=
e a
corpse; but suppose you come to life again? Then they, your wife and that
gentleman, who are so happy--they would be bigamists, and at best would be =
sent
to the less distant parts of Siberia. So why should you lack money?
FÉDYA. I beg you to leave me alone.
ARTÉMYEV. Simply write a letter. I'll w=
rite
it for you if you like; only give me their address, and you'll be grateful =
to
me.
FÉDYA. Be off, I tell you! I have told =
you
nothing!
ARTÉMYEV. Yes, you have! Here's my witn=
ess.
The waiter heard you say you were a corpse.
WAITER. I know nothing about it.
FÉDYA. You scoundrel!
ARTÉMYEV. Am I a scoundrel? Eh, police!
I'll give him in charge!
&=
nbsp;
Fédya rises to go, but Artémyev holds him. Enter
policeman.
=
=
=
Curtain.
=
&=
nbsp;
The ivy-covered verandah of a bungalow in the country. Anna Dmítrievna
Karénina. Lisa (pregnant), nurse, and boy.
LISA. Now he's on his way from the station.
BOY. Who is?
LISA. Papa.
BOY. Papa's coming from the station?
LISA. C'est étonnant comme il l'aime,
tout-à-fait comme son père.[23]
[23]
It is surprising how he loves him--just as if he were his father.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Tant mieux! Se souvien=
t-il
de son père véritable?[24]
[24]
So much the better! Does he remember his real father?
LISA [sighs] I never speak to him about it. I =
say
to myself, "Why confuse him?" Sometimes I think I ought to tell h=
im.
What is your opinion, Maman?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. I think it is a matter=
of
feeling, Lisa, and if you obey your feelings your heart will tell you what =
to
say and when to say it. What a wonderful conciliator death is! I confess th=
ere
was a time when Fédya--whom I had known from a child--was repulsive =
to
me; but now I only remember him as that nice lad, Victor's friend, and as t=
he passionate
man who sacrificed himself--illegally and irreligiously, but still sacrific=
ed
himself--for those he loved. On aura beau dire, l'action est belle.[25]... I
hope Victor will not forget to bring the wool: I've hardly any left. [Knits=
].
[25]
Say what one likes--it is a fine action.
LISA. I hear him coming.
&=
nbsp;
The sound of wheels and bells is heard. Lisa rises, and goes to the =
edge of the veran=
da.
LISA. There's someone with him, a lady in a
bonnet--It's Mother! I have not seen her for an age. [Goes to the door].
&=
nbsp;
Enter Karénin and Anna Pávlovna.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [kisses Lisa and Anna
Dmítrievna] Victor met me, and has brought me here.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. He has done well.
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Yes, certainly. I though=
t to
myself, "When shall I see her again?" and kept putting it off. But
now I've come, and if you don't turn me out I will stay till the last train=
.
KARÉNIN [kisses his wife, mother, and t=
he
boy] D'you know what a piece of luck! Congratulate me--I have two days'
holiday. They'll be able to get on without me to-morrow.
LISA. Splendid! Two days! It's long since we h=
ad
that! We'll drive to the Hermitage, shall we?
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. What a likeness! Isn't h=
e a
strapping fellow? If only he has not inherited everything--his father's hea=
rt
...
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. But not his weakness.<= o:p>
LISA. No, everything! Victor agrees with me th=
at
if only he had been rightly guided in childhood ...
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, I don't know about
that; but I simply can't think of him without tears.
LISA. No more can we. How much higher he stands
now in our recollection!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Yes, I am sure of it.
LISA. How it all seemed insoluble at one time-=
-and
then everything suddenly came right.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. Well, Victor, did you =
get
the wool?
KARÉNIN. Yes, I did. [Brings a bag, and
takes out parcels]. Here is the wool, and this is the eau-de-Cologne; and h=
ere
are letters--one "On Government Service" for you, Lisa [hands her=
a
letter]. Well Anna Pávlovna, if you want to wash your hands I will s=
how
you your room. I must make myself tidy too; it is almost dinner time. Lisa,
Anna Pávlovna's room is the corner one downstairs, isn't it?
&=
nbsp;
Lisa is pale; holds the letter in trembling hands, and reads it.
KARÉNIN. What's the matter? Lisa, what =
is
it?
LISA. He is alive!... Oh God! When will he rel=
ease
me! Victor, what does this mean? [Sobs].
KARÉNIN [Takes letter and reads] This is
dreadful!
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. What is it? Why don't =
you
tell me?
KARÉNIN. It is dreadful! He's alive, sh=
e's
a bigamist, and I a criminal! It's a notice from the Examining Magistrate--a
summons for Lisa to appear before him.
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. What a dreadful man! W=
hy
has he done this?
KARÉNIN. All lies, lies!
LISA. Oh, how I hate him! I don't know what I =
am
saying ... [Exit in tears. Karénin follows her].
ANNA PÁVLOVNA. How is it he's alive?
ANNA DMÍTRIEVNA. All I know is, that as
soon as Victor came in contact with this world of mud--they were sure to dr=
aw
him in too! And so they have. It's all fraud--all lies!
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
&=
nbsp;
The room of an Examining Magistrate, who sits at a table talking to =
Mélnikov. =
At a
side table a clerk is sorting papers.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. But I never said anythin=
g of
the kind to her. She invented it, and now reproaches me.
MÉLNIKOV. She does not reproach you, bu=
t is
grieved.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. All right, I'll come to
dinner. But now I have a very interesting case on. [To Clerk] Ask her in.
CLERK. Shall I ask them both?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE [finishes his cigarette a=
nd
hides it] No, only Mrs. Karénina, or rather--by her first
husband--Protásova.
MÉLNIKOV [going out] Ah, Karénin=
a!
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Yes, it's a nasty affair.
It's true I am only beginning to look into it, but it's a bad business. Wel=
l,
good-bye! [Exit Mélnikov].
&=
nbsp;
Enter Lisa, in black and veiled.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Take a seat, please. [Po=
ints
to a chair] Believe me, I much regret to have to question you, but we are u=
nder
the necessity ... Please be calm, and remember that you need not answer my =
questions.
Only, in my opinion, for your own sake--and in fact for everybody's sake--t=
he
truth is best. It is always best, even practically.
LISA. I have nothing to conceal.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Well then [looks at
paper]--your name, position, religion--all that I have put down. Is it corr=
ect?
LISA. Yes.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. You are accused of contracting a marriage with another man, knowing your husband to be alive.<= o:p>
LISA. I did not know it.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. And also of having persu=
aded
your husband, and bribed him with money, to commit a fraud--a pretended
suicide--in order to free yourself of him.
LISA. That is all untrue.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Well then, allow me to p=
ut a
few questions. Did you send him 1,200 roubles in July of last year?
LISA. It was his own money, the proceeds of the
sale of some things of his. At the time I parted from him, and when I was
expecting a divorce, I sent him the money.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Just so! Very well. That=
money
was sent to him on the 17th of July, two days before his disappearance?
LISA. I think it was on the 17th, but I don't
remember.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. And why was the applicat=
ion
to the Consistorium for a divorce withdrawn, just at that time--and the law=
yer
told not to proceed with the case?
LISA. I don't know.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Well, and when the police
asked you to identify the body, how was it you recognised it as your husban=
d's?
LISA. I was so excited that I did not look at =
the
body, and I felt so sure it was he, that when they asked me I answered, &qu=
ot;I
think it is he."
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Yes, you did not see wel=
l,
in consequence of a very natural excitement. And now may I ask why you have
sent a monthly remittance to Sarátov, the very town where your first
husband was living?
LISA. My husband sent that money, and I cannot=
say
what it was for, as that is not my secret. But it was not sent to Theodore
Vasílyevich, for we were firmly convinced of his death. That I can s=
ay
for certain.[26]
[26]
Had Tolstoy lived to give a final revision to this play, he would probably have made it clearer=
that
Karénin sent a monthly payment to the clockmaker Evgénye=
v, in
response to the request contained in the last letter Fédya addr=
essed
to Lisa and himself; and that this money found its way to Fédya=
.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Very well. Only allow me=
to
remark, madam, that the fact of our being servants of the law does not prev=
ent
our being men; and believe me I quite understand your position and sympathi=
se
with you! You were tied to a man who squandered your property, was unfaithf=
ul--in
short, brought misfortune....
LISA. I loved him.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Yes; but still the desir=
e to
free yourself was natural, and you chose this simpler way, without realising
that it would lead you into what is considered a crime--bigamy! I quite
understand it. The judges will understand too; and therefore I advise you to
confess everything.
LISA. I have nothing to confess. I have never
lied. [Cries] Do you want me any longer?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I must ask you to remain
here. I will not trouble you with any more questions. Only kindly read this
over and sign it. It is your deposition. See whether your answers have been
correctly taken down. Please take that seat. [Points to an armchair by the
window. To Clerk] Ask Mr. Karénin to come in.
&=
nbsp;
Enter Karénin, stern and solemn.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Please take a seat.
KARÉNIN. Thank you! [Remains standing] =
What
do you want of me?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I have to take your
deposition.
KARÉNIN. In what capacity?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE [smiling] I, in the capac=
ity
of Examining Magistrate, am obliged to question you in the capacity of an
accused person.
KARÉNIN. Indeed! Accused of what?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Of marrying a woman whose
husband was alive. However, allow me to question you properly. Kindly sit d=
own.
KARÉNIN. Thank you.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Your name?
KARÉNIN. Victor Karénin.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Your calling?
KARÉNIN. Chamberlain and Member of Coun=
cil.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Age?
KARÉNIN. Thirty-eight.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Religion?
KARÉNIN. Orthodox; and I have never bef=
ore
been tried or questioned! Well?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Did you know that Theodo=
re
Vasílyevich Protásov was alive when you married his wife?
KARÉNIN. I did not know it. We were both
convinced that he was drowned.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. After Protásov's
alleged death, to whom in Sarátov did you send a monthly remittance?=
KARÉNIN. I do not wish to reply to that
question.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Very well. Why did you s=
end
money--1,200 roubles--to Mr. Protásov just before his pretended deat=
h on
17th July?
KARÉNIN. That money was given to me by =
my
wife ...
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. By Mrs. Protásova=
?
KARÉNIN. ... by my wife, to send to her
husband. She considered that money to be his, and having severed all connec=
tion
with him, considered it unfair to keep it.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. One more question--why d=
id
you withdraw the application for divorce?
KARÉNIN. Because Theodore Vasíly=
evich
undertook to apply for a divorce, and wrote me about it.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Have you got his letter?=
KARÉNIN. It has been lost.[27]
[27]
Karénin does not produce Fédya's letter because it would have=
proved connivance in the divo=
rce
proceedings.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. It is strange that
everything which might convince the Court of the truth of your evidence sho=
uld
either be lost or non-existent.
KARÉNIN. Do you want anything more?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I want nothing, except t=
o do
my duty; but you'll have to exonerate yourselves, and I have just advised M=
rs.
Protásova, and I advise you also, not to try to hide what everyone c=
an
see, but to say what really happened. Especially as Mr. Protásov is =
in
such a condition that he has already told everything just as it happened, a=
nd will
probably do the same in Court, I should advise ...
KARÉNIN. I request you to keep within t=
he
limits of your duty, and not to give me your advice! May we go? [Approaches
Lisa, who rises and takes his arm].
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I am very sorry to be
obliged to detain you ... [Karénin looks round in astonishment] Oh, I
don't mean that I arrest you. Though that would make it easier to get at the
truth, I shall not resort to such a measure. I only want to take Prot&aacut=
e;sov's
deposition in your presence, and to confront him with you--which will make =
it
easier for you to detect any falsehood in what he says. Please take a seat.=
Call
in Mr. Protásov!
&=
nbsp;
Enter Fédya, dirty and shabby.
FÉDYA [addresses Lisa and Karéni=
n]
Lisa! Elisabeth Andréyevna! Victor! I am not guilty! I wished to act=
for
the best. But if I am guilty ... forgive me, forgive me! [Bows low to them]=
.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Please to answer my
questions.
FÉDYA. Ask, then.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Your name?
FÉDYA. Why, you know it!
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Please answer.
FÉDYA. Well then, Theodore Protá=
sov.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Your calling, age and
religion?
FÉDYA [after a pause] Aren't you ashame=
d to
ask such nonsense? Ask what you want to know, and not such rubbish!
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I beg you to be more car=
eful
in your expressions, and to answer my questions!
FÉDYA. Well, if you're not ashamed of i=
t,
here you are: Calling, graduate; age, forty; religion, Orthodox. What next!=
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Did Mr. Karénin a=
nd
your wife know that you were alive when you left your clothes on the river =
bank
and disappeared?
FÉDYA. Certainly not! I wished really to
commit suicide, but afterwards--but there's no need to go into that. The th=
ing
is, that they knew nothing about it.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. How is it that you gave a
different account to the police officer?
FÉDYA. What police officer? Oh, when he
came to see me at the dosshouse? I was drunk, and was romancing. I don't
remember what I said. All that was rubbish. Now I am not drunk, and am tell=
ing
the whole truth! They knew nothing. They believed that I was no longer aliv=
e,
and I was glad of it. And everything would have gone on as it was, but for =
that
rascal, Artémyev! If anyone is guilty, it is I alone.
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I understand your wish t=
o be
magnanimous, but the law demands the truth. Why was money sent to you?
&=
nbsp;
Fédya is silent.
You received through Semyónov the money
sent to you in Sarátov?
&=
nbsp;
Fédya is silent.
Why don't you answer? It will be put down in t=
he
depositions that the accused did not answer these questions, and this may h=
arm
you and them very much. Well then, how was it?
FÉDYA [after a pause] Oh, Mr. Magistrat=
e,
how is it you are not ashamed! Why do you pry into other people's lives? You
are glad to have power, and to show it, you torment not physically but
morally--torment people a thousand times better than yourself!
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I beg ...
FÉDYA. You've nothing to beg! I shall s=
ay
what I think, and you [to Clerk] write it down! At least for once there wil=
l be
sensible human words in a police report! [Raises his voice] There are three
people: I, he, and she. Our relations to one another are complex--a spiritu=
al struggle
such as you know nothing of, a struggle between good and evil goes on. That
struggle ends in a manner which sets them free. They were all at peace. They
were happy, and remembered me with affection. I, fallen as I was, was glad =
that
I had acted as I ought, and that I, a good-for-nothing, had gone out of the=
ir
lives, so as not to stand in the way of people who were good and who had li=
fe
before them. And so we were all living, when suddenly a blackmailing scound=
rel
appears who wants me to take part in his rascality, and I send him about his
business. Then he comes to you, to the champion of Justice! The guardian of
Morality! And you, who receive each month a few pounds for doing your dirty
work, put on your uniform, and calmly bully these people--bully people whos=
e little
finger is worth more than your whole body and soul! People who would not ad=
mit
you to their anteroom! But you have got so far, and are pleased ...
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I shall have you turned =
out!
FÉDYA. I'm not afraid of anyone, because
I'm a corpse and you can't do me any harm. No position could be worse than
mine! So turn me out!
KARÉNIN. May we go?
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Immediately, but first s=
ign
your deposition.
FÉDYA. You'd be quite comic, if you wer=
en't
so vile!
EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Take him away! I arrest =
you.
FÉDYA [to Lisa and Karénin] Forg=
ive
me!
KARÉNIN [approaches and holds out his h=
and]
It had to happen!
&=
nbsp;
Lisa passes by. Fédya bows low to her.
=
=
&nb=
sp;
Curtain.
&=
nbsp;
A corridor of the Law Courts. In the background a door with glass panels, beside wh=
ich
stands an usher. Further to the right another door through whic=
h the
accused are led.
&=
nbsp;
Iván Petróvich Alexándrov comes to the first do=
or
and wishes to enter.
USHER. Where are you going? You mustn't! Shovi=
ng
in like that!
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Why mustn't I? T=
he
law says the proceedings are public. [Applause is heard from inside the Cou=
rt].
USHER. Anyhow, you mustn't, and that's all abo=
ut
it.
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Ignorant fellow!=
You
don't know whom you are speaking to!
=
A Young Lawyer in a dress-su=
it
enters from the Court.
YOUNG LAWYER. Are you concerned in this case?<= o:p>
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. No, I am the pub=
lic,
and this ignoramus--this Cerberus--won't let me in!
YOUNG LAWYER. But this door is not for the pub=
lic.
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. I know, but I am=
a
man who should be admitted.
YOUNG LAWYER. Wait a bit--they'll adjourn in a
minute. [Is just going, when he meets Prince Abrézkov].
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. May I ask how the case
stands?
YOUNG LAWYER. The Counsel are
speaking--Petrúshin is addressing the Court.
&=
nbsp;
Applause from within.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. And how do the defenda=
nts
bear their position?
YOUNG LAWYER. With great dignity, especially
Karénin and Elisabeth Andréyevna. It is as if not they were b=
eing
indicted, but they were indicting society! That's what is felt, and on that
Petrúshin is working.
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. Well, and Protá=
sov?
YOUNG LAWYER. He is terribly excited. He tremb=
les
all over; but that is natural, considering the life he leads. He is
particularly irritable, and interrupted the Public Prosecutor and Counsel
several times ...
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. What do you think the
result will be?
YOUNG LAWYER. It is hard to say. In any case t=
hey
won't be found guilty of premeditation; but still ... [A gentleman comes ou=
t,
and Prince Abrézkov moves towards the door] You wish to go in?
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I should like to.
YOUNG LAWYER. You are Prince Abrézkov?<= o:p>
PRINCE ABRÉZKOV. I am.
YOUNG LAWYER [to Usher] Let this gentleman pas=
s.
There is an empty chair just to the left.
&=
nbsp;
Usher lets Prince Abrézkov pass. As the door opens, Counsel is
seen speaki=
ng.
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Aristocrats! I a=
m an
aristocrat of the soul, and that is higher!
YOUNG LAWYER. Well, excuse me ... [Exit].
&=
nbsp;
Petushkóv enters hurriedly, and approaches Iván
Petróvich.
PETUSHKÓV. Ah, how are you, Iván
Petróvich? How are things going?
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Counsel are still
speaking, but this fellow won't let me in.
USHER. Don't make a noise here! This is not a
public-house!
&= nbsp; Applause. The doors open. Lawyers, and the public--men and women--come out.<= o:p>
A LADY. Splendid! He really moved me to tears.=
OFFICER. It's better than any novel. Only I do=
n't
understand how she could love him so. Dreadful object!
&=
nbsp;
The other door opens. The accused come out: first Lisa, then Karénin. T=
hey
pass along the corridor. Fédya follows alone.
LADY. Hush--here he is! Look how excited he se=
ems!
&=
nbsp;
Lady and Officer pass on.
FÉDYA [approaches Iván
Petróvich] Have you brought it?
IVÁN PETRÓVICH. Here it is. [Han=
ds
Fédya something].
FÉDYA [Hides it in his pocket, and wish=
es
to pass out, but sees Petushkóv] Stupid! Vile! Dreary, dreary!
Senseless. [Wishes to pass].
&=
nbsp;
Enter Counsel Petrúshin; stout, red, and animated. He approac=
hes Fédya.
PETRÚSHIN. Well, friend! Our affairs are going well--only don't you go and spoil things for me in your last speech!<= o:p>
FÉDYA. I won't speak. What is the use? I
shan't do it.
PETRÚSHIN. Yes, you must speak. But don=
't
be excited. The whole matter is now in a nutshell! Only tell them what you =
told
me--that if you are being tried, it is only for not having committed suicid=
e:
that is, for not doing what is considered a crime both by civil and
ecclesiastical law.
FÉDYA. I shan't say anything!
PETRÚSHIN. Why not?
FÉDYA. I don't want to, and shan't. Tel=
l me
only, at the worst, what will it be?
PETRÚSHIN. I have already told you--at
worst, exile to Siberia.
FÉDYA. Who will be exiled?
PETRÚSHIN. You and your wife.
FÉDYA. And at best?
PETRÚSHIN. Church penance, and of course
annulment of the second marriage.
FÉDYA. Then they will again tie me to
her--or rather, her to me?
PETRÚSHIN. Yes, that must be so. But do=
n't
excite yourself, and please say what I told you, and above all, don't say
anything superfluous. However [noticing that a circle of listeners has form=
ed
round them] I am tired, and will go and sit down; and you'd better take a r=
est.
The chief thing is, not to lose courage!
FÉDYA. No other sentence is possible?
PETRÚSHIN [going] No other.
&=
nbsp;
Enter Attendant.
ATTENDANT. Pass on! Pass on! No loitering in t=
he
corridor!
FÉDYA. Directly! [Takes out revolver and
shoots himself in the heart. Falls. All rush on him] All right, I think it =
is
done.... Lisa!...
&=
nbsp;
The audience, judges, accused, and witnesses rush out from all the <=
span
style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> doors.
&=
nbsp;
In front of all is Lisa. Behind her Másha, Karénin,
Iván Petróvich and Prince
Abrézkov.
LISA. Fédya, what have you done! Why?
FÉDYA. Forgive me that I could not ... =
free
you any other way.... It's not for you ... it's best for me. I have long ...
been ready ...
LISA. You will live!
&=
nbsp;
A Doctor bends over Fédya and listens.
FÉDYA. I need no doctor to tell me ...
Good-bye, Victor ... Ah, Másha!... it's too late this time ... [Weep=
s]
How good ... how good! [Dies].
=
=
=
Curtain.
=
=
&nb=
sp;
END OF "THE LIVE CORPSE."
The
following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first line is the original line, the
second the corrected one.
ELISABETH ANDRÉYEVNA PROTÁSOVA
(LISA). His wife ELISABETH ANDRÉYEVNA PROTÁSOVA (LISA). His w=
ife.
PROTÁSOVS' NURSE. THE PROTÁSOVS'
NURSE.
PROTÁSOVS' MAID. THE PROTÁSOVS'
MAID.
LISA. I can't, I can't! Anything rather than .=
. I
can't! LISA. I can't, I can't! Anything rather than ... I can't!
ANNA PÁVLOVNA [passing through]
Dunyásha! My trunk! ANNA PÁVLOVNA [passing through]
Dounyásha! My trunk!
&=
nbsp;
Two weeks have passed since Act 1. Anna Pávlovna and
Karénin are Two weeks have pa=
ssed
since Act I. Anna Pávlovna and Karénin are
&=
nbsp;
Fédya Stákhov (shaggy), Butkévich (close-shaven=
),
and Korotkóv (a Fédya,
Stákhov (shaggy), Butkévich (close-shaven), and Korotkó=
;v
(a
plus.[12] It can't be helped!.. What can one do with him? plus.[12=
] It
can't be helped!... What can one do with him?
nice. But whatever he may be, quels-que soient=
les
torts qu'il a eu nice. But whatever he may be, quels que soient les torts q=
u'il
a eus
that trespass against us." Mais, c'est pl=
us
fort qui moi! that trespass against us." Mais, c'est plus fort que moi=
![17]
VICTOR. I am going. Please, Mother! [Exit. VIC=
TOR.
I am going. Please, Mother! [Exit.]
&= nbsp; [Awkward silence. Awkward silence.<= o:p>
&=
nbsp;
The Protasovs' drawing-room. The Protás=
ovs'
drawing-room.
am more than cold towards you. I know I am wro=
ng,
but cannot change. am more than cold towards you. I know I am wrong, but ca=
nnot
change."
without their noticing it. without their notic=
ing
it.] ]