Chapter IV: Act III: Scene I

The Street. The gates of the Kabanovs' house, a garden seat before the gates.

MME. KABANOVA and FEKLUSHA (_sitting on the bench_).

FEKLUSHA. The end of the world is at hand, ma'am, by every sign and token, Marfa Ignatievna, the end of the world is at hand. It's peace and paradise still here in your town, but in other towns it's simply Sodom, ma'am: the noise, the bustle, the incessant traffic! The people keep running, one one way, and one another.

MME. KABANOVA. We've no need to hurry, my dear, we live without haste.

FEKLUSHA. No, ma'am; there is peace and quietness in this town, because there are many people, you for instance, adorned with virtues, as with flowers; that's why everything is done decorously and tranquilly. Why, what is the meaning of all that haste and bustle, ma'am? It is vanity, to be sure! In Moscow now: the folk run to and fro; there's no knowing for why. It is all vanity. It is a people, full of vanity, ma'am, and so it runs to and fro. Each one fancies he's hurrying on business; he hastens, poor fellow, doesn't recognise people; it seems to him that someone is beckoning him; but when he gets to the place, sure enough it's empty, there's nothing there, it's only a dream. And he is downcast and disappointed. And another one fancies that he's overtaking someone he knows. Anyone looking on can see in a trice that there's no one; but it seems to him in his vanity and delusion that he's overtaking someone. Vanity, to be sure, is like a fog about them. Here among you on a fine evening like this, it's not often anyone even comes out to sit at his gate; but in Moscow now there's walking and playing, and a fearful racket going on in the street; a continual roar. And what's more, Marfa Ignatievna, ma'am, they've harnessed a fiery serpent to drive: all, look you, for the sake of more speed.

MME. KABANOVA. I have heard tell of it, my dear.

FEKLUSHA. But I, ma'am, have seen it with my own eyes; no doubt, others, in blindness and vanity, see nothing, so it seems a machine to them, but I saw it doing like this _(spreading out her fingers)_ with its paws. And a roar, too, that folks of righteous life hear for what it is.

MME. KABANOVA. You can call it anything you like, call it a machine, if you will; the people is foolish and will believe anything. But as for me you might load me with gold, I wouldn't drive with such a thing.

FEKLUSHA. The very idea, ma'am! The Lord preserve us from such a thing. And let me tell you too, Marfa Ignatievna, ma'am, a vision I had in Moscow. I went out early in the morning, it was just dawn, and on a high, very high house, on the roof, I saw someone standing, with a black face. You understand whom I mean. And he kept moving his hands, as though he were scattering something, but nothing fell. Then I divined that he was the enemy sowing tares, and the people in their blindness see it not, and gather them up. And that is why they run to and fro so, and the women among them are all so thin, and never get plump and comfortable, but always look as if they had lost something, or were looking for something, and that careworn they are, you feel sorry for them.

MME. KABANOVA. Anything is possible, my dear, in our times, one can't be surprised at anything.

FEKLUSHA. Hard times they are, Marfa Ignatievna, ma'am, very hard. Already the time has begun diminishing.

MME. KABANOVA. How is that? diminishing, my dear?

FEKLUSHA. We, of course--how should we observe it in our blindness and vanity? but wise people have observed that time has grown shorter with us. Once the summer and the winter dragged on endlessly, you got tired of looking for the end of them, but now, before one's time to look about one, they've flown. The days and the hours still seem the same, of course; but the time keeps growing shorter and shorter, for our sins. That's what the learned folk say about it.

MME. KABANOVA. And worse than that will be, my dear.

FEKLUSHA. I only trust we shan't live to see it.

MME. KABANOVA. Maybe, we shall. [_Enter Dikoy._

SCENE II

The Same and DIKOY.

MME. KABANOVA. What brings you abroad so late, old friend?

DIKOY. Why, who's to hinder me being out, I should like to know?

MME. KABANOVA. Who wants to hinder you, indeed!

DIKOY. Well, then what's the use of talking? Whose control am I under, hey? What next will you say? What the devil....

MME. KABANOVA. Now then, keep a little check on your tongue! You'd better look out for someone else to talk to! I won't let you off so easily as some do! Go your way wherever you're going. Come indoors, Feklusha.

[_Gets up._

DIKOY. Wait a bit, old friend, wait a bit! Don't be angry. You're in no hurry to get home; your home's not many miles away. Here it is!

MME. KABANOVA. If you've come on business, don't shout at me, but speak out plainly.

DIKOY. I've no business, but I'm drunk, that's what it is!

MME. KABANOVA. Well, would you have me praise you for that, hey?

DIKOY. Needn't praise or blame. Only I'm drunk, and that's all about it. I can't get over it till I've slept it off.

MME. KABANOVA. Well, go and have a sleep then.

DIKOY. Where am I to go?

MME. KABANOVA. Home, of course, where else?

DIKOY. But if I don't want to go home.

MME. KABANOVA. Why not, allow me to ask you?

DIKOY. Because I've a row going on there.

MME. KABANOVA. Why, who is there to quarrel with? You're the only quarrelsome one there, you know.

DIKOY. Well, what if I am quarrelsome, hey? What of it, hey?

MME. KABANOVA. Oh, nothing. Only there's no great glory in doing battle all your life with women, that's all.

DIKOY. Well, I suppose they ought to obey me! Or am I to obey them, hey?

MME. KABANOVA. I really wonder at you; with all the crowd of folks in your house, not a single one can do anything to your liking.

DIKOY. That's so!

MME. KABANOVA. Come, what do you want of me?

DIKOY. Well, talk me out of my temper. You're the only person in the whole town who knows how to talk to me.

MME. KABANOVA. Go in, Feklusha, and order a little something to be served. _(Feklusha goes.)_ Let's go indoors.

DIKOY. No, I'm not going indoors, I'm worse indoors!

MME. KABANOVA. How have they put you into such a rage?

DIKOY. I've been so all day since the morning.

MME. KABANOVA. I suppose they've been asking for money.

DIKOY. As if they were in league together, damn them. One after another the whole day long they've been at me.

MME. KABANOVA. No doubt you'll have to give it them, or they wouldn't persist.

DIKOY. I know that; but what would you have me do, since I've a temper like that? Why, I know that I must pay, still I can't do it with a good will. You're a friend of mine, and I've to pay you something, and you come and ask me for it, I'm bound to swear at you! Pay I will, if pay I must, but I must swear too. For you've only to hint at money to me, and I feel hot all over in a minute; red-hot all over, and that's all about it. And to be sure at such times, I'd swear at anyone for nothing at all.

MME. KABANOVA. You've no one over you, and so you think you can do as you like.

DIKOY. No, you hold your tongue! Listen to me! I'll tell you the sort of troubles that happen to me. I had fasted and all ready for sacrament in Lent, and then the evil one thrusts a wretched peasant under my nose. He had come for money,--for wood he had supplied us. And for my sins he must needs show himself at a time like that! I fell into sin, of course, I pitched into him, pitched into him finely, I did, all but thrashed him. There you have it, my temper! Afterwards I asked his pardon, bowed down at his feet, upon my word I did. It's the truth I'm telling you, I bowed down at a peasant's feet. That's what my temper brings me to: on the spot there, in the mud I bowed down at his feet; before everyone, I did.

MME. KABANOVA. But what do you work yourself up into a rage on purpose for? That's not right, my friend!

DIKOY. On purpose? How d'you mean?

MME. KABANOVA. I've seen you, I know all about it. When you see that people are going to ask you for anything, you go and pick a quarrel purposely with one of your household, so as to work yourself into a rage. For you know that when you're in a rage, no one dare come near you. That's a pretty thing!

DIKOY. Well, what of it? Who likes parting with his property?

[_Glasha comes in._

GLASHA. Marfa Ignatievna, lunch is served!

MME. KABANOVA. Well, old friend, come in! Have a taste of what God has sent us!

DIKOY. Much obliged.

MME. KABANOVA. Pray walk in. _(Ushers Dikoy in front and follows him in. Glasha, folding her arms, stands at the gates.)_

GLASHA. If that isn't Boris Grigoritch coming. Sure now he's not after his uncle? Or may be, just out for a stroll--to be sure, out for a stroll, he must be. [_Enter Boris._

SCENE III

GLASHA, BORIS, later KULIGIN.

BORIS. Isn't my uncle inside?

GLASHA. Yes. Do you want him?

BORIS. They sent me from home to find out where he was. But since he's with you let him stop there; no one wants him. At home they're pleased and happy that he's out.

GLASHA. Our good lady out to marry him, she'd soon make him mind what he's about. But I mustn't stop here gossiping with you! Good-bye. [_Exit._

BORIS. Ah, merciful Heavens! For one glimpse of her! I can't go into the house. No one calls anywhere uninvited in this place. What a life! We are living in the same town, almost next door; yet we barely see each other once a week, and then only in church, or in the street,--and that's all! When a woman's married here she might as well be buried,--it's all the same. _(Silence.)_ If only I had never seen her; it would have been better for me! I can only see her by snatches, and before people,--who are all eyes, staring at one. It's simply heartrending. And yet there's no mastering oneself. If I go out for a walk, I always find myself here at the gate. And what use is there in coming here? There's never any chance of seeing her, and what's more, it may give rise to gossip and do her harm. Well, it's a fine town, certainly!

[_He is going, Kuligin comes, meeting him._

KULIGIN. Well, sir? out for a walk?

BORIS. Yes, it's very pleasant out now.

KULIGIN. Very pleasant it is, sir, walking now. The stillness, the sweet air, the scent of flowers from the far side of the Volga, the clear sky--

The space aloft, filled full of stars, Stars numberless, space limitless.

Shall we go to the parade, there's not a soul there.

BORIS. Yes, come along.

KULIGIN That's our town all over, sir! Here they've made a parade, but they don't walk there. They only walk out on fete days, and then they only make a show of being out for a walk. They really come out to show off their best clothes. You never meet anyone but maybe a drunken attorney's clerk reeling home from the tavern. The poor have no time, sir, to walk out; they must work and worry day and night. Three hours' sleep is all they get out of the twenty-four. But what are the rich about? You'd wonder why they shouldn't walk about and enjoy the fresh air. But not a bit of it! They've all had their gates, sir, locked up long ago, and their dogs let loose. ... Do you suppose they are at work at their business, or praying to God? No, sir! And it's not for fear of thieves they lock themselves up; it's that folks shouldn't see the way they ill-treat their household, and bully their families. And the tears that flow behind those bolts, unseen, unheard of! But there's no need to tell you that, sir! You can judge of it for yourself. And the sordid sodden vice within those barred gates, sir! And all hidden and buried--no one sees or knows anything of it, God alone beholds it! Stare at me as you like, say they, in the street and among folk, but you've nothing to do with my family; that's what I have locks for, and bolts and bars and savage dogs. The family's something apart, secret! We know all about such secrets!--secrets, sir, that make one man merry, perhaps, while the rest are weeping and wailing. Much secrecy about it! Everyone knows! Robbing their orphans, kinsfolk, nephews, beating their dependents till they're too cowed to hint at what goes on within doors,--there's no great secret in that! But that's enough of them! Do you know, sir, who do go for walks here? The young fellows and girls. They steal an hour or two from sleep and walk out in couples. There's a couple over there!

[_Kudriash and Varvara are seen. They kiss._

BORIS. They are kissing.

KULIGIN. We don't think much of that.

[_Kudriash goes off, and Varvara goes towards her own gate and beckons Boris, he goes up to her._

SCENE IV

BORIS, KULIGIN and VARVARA.

KULIGIN. I'll go to the parade, sir. I'm in your way. I'll wait for you there.

BORIS. Very well, I'll come directly.

VARVARA (_hiding her face in her kerchief_). Do you know the hollow behind the Kabanovs' garden?

BORIS. Yes.

VARVARA. You come there a little later on.

BORIS. What for?

VARVARA. How stupid you are! Come; then you'll see what for. Well, you'd better make haste now, since that person's waiting for you. (_Boris goes_.) There, he didn't know me! Well, now let him wonder, I know very well that Katerina won't hold out, she'll run out to see him. [_Goes in at the gate. Curtain_.

SCENE V

The scene changes.

A hollow dell covered with bushes; at the top of it the Kabanovs' garden and a gate; a path leading down from it.

(_Kudriash enters with a, guitar_.)

KUDRIASH. No one. What is she up to? Well, I'll sit and wait for her. (_Seats himself on a stone_) This is slow; I'll sing a song (_sings_).

As the Don Cossack, the Cossack, leads his horse to drink, The brave young man, he stands at the gate, At the gate he stands, and ponders in his heart, In his heart he ponders, how he will slay his wife. And the wife, the wife besought him, Falling down at his swift feet; Master, friend of my heart, I pray thee, Strike me not, slay me not in the evening! But kill me, slay me after midnight! Let my little children be asleep, My little children, and all my good neighbours. [_Enter Boris_.

SCENE VI

KUDRIASH and BORIS.

KUDRIASH (_stops singing_). Hullo! Such a sober, staid person as you, out on the spree too?

BORIS. Kudriash, is that you?

KUDRIASH. It is, Boris Grigoritch.

BORIS. What are you here for?

KUDRIASH. What for? I suppose because I want to be here, Boris Grigoritch, since I am here. I shouldn't have come if I hadn't wanted to. Where is fortune taking you?

BORIS (_looking carefully at the scene around him_). Look here, Kudriash, I've got to stop here, and I've no doubt it's all the same to you, so you might go and sit in some other place.

KUDRIASH. No, Boris Grigoritch, you're here, I perceive, for the first time, but this is a place where I have often sat, and this little path has been trodden by my feet. I like you, sir, and am ready to do you any service; but you'll kindly refrain from meeting me in this path at night, lest evil come of it. Fair words are better than gold.

BORIS. What is the matter with you, Vania?

KUDRIASH. Vania, indeed! I know my name's Vania. But you go on your way, that's all about it. Find a girl to your liking, and walk out with her to your heart's content, and no one will say a word to you. But don't meddle with other fellows' girls! That's not the way we do things here, or the fellows will break your legs for you. For my girl ... Well, I don't know what I wouldn't do! I'd cut your throat!

BORIS. You're angry for no reason; I've not the slightest idea of robbing you of her. I shouldn't have come here if I hadn't been told to.

KUDRIASH. Who told you to?

BORIS. I couldn't make out, it was dark. A girl stopped me in the street and said I was to come just here, behind the Kabanovs' garden, where there is a little path.

KUDRIASH. Who could that be?

BORIS. Listen, Kudriash. Could I speak to you openly, you wouldn't gossip?

KUDRIASH. You needn't be afraid of that! I'm as safe as the grave.

BORIS. I know nothing of your habits and ways of doing things here; but the fact is ...

KUDRIASH. You're in love.

BORIS. Yes, Kudriash.

KUDRIASH. Oh, well, that's all right. We're free enough in that way. The girls amuse themselves as they like, and the father and mother have nothing to say to it. It's only the wives are kept shut up.

BORIS. That's just what's so sad.

KUDRIASH. You don't mean to say you're in love with a married woman?

BORIS. She is married, Kudriash.

KUDRIASH. Ah, Boris Grigoritch, you must drop that!

BORIS. It's easy to say drop it! I daresay it's all the same to you, you'll throw up one and pick up another easily enough! But I can't do like that! If once I love ...

KUDRIASH. That's as much as to say you're ready to ruin the poor thing completely, Boris Grigoritch!

BORIS. God forbid! God forbid! No, Kudriash, how can you! I ready to ruin her! I only want to see her, to speak to her, I ask for nothing more.

KUDRIASH. You can't answer for yourself like that, sir! And just think what sort of people you have to deal with here. You know them yourself. They'd be the death of her, they'd torment her into the grave.

BORIS. Ah, don't say that, Kudriash, please don't frighten me!

KUDRIASH. But does she care for you?

BORIS. I don't know.

KUDRIASH. Have you ever met then?

BORIS. I have only once been in their house with my uncle. And I see her in church, and pass her sometimes on the parade. Ah, Kudriash, how she prays, if you could see her! the angelic smile on her face! her face seems to shed light.

KUDRIASH. Oh, then it's the young wife of Kabanov.

BORIS. Yes, Kudriash.

KUDRIASH. Oh, so that's it! Well, I humbly congratulate you!

BORIS. What for?

KUDRIASH. Well, things look promising for you, since she's sent you word to come here.

BORIS. Can it be she sent word?

KUDRIASH. Why, who else could it be?

BORIS. No, you're making fun of me! It can't be so. (_Clutches his head_.)

KUDRIASH. What's the matter?

BORIS. I shall go mad with joy.

KUDRIASH. What next! I can't see anything to go mad about! You look out that you don't make a mess of things and get her into trouble! Her husband's a fool, we all know, but her mother-in-law is terrible.

[_Varvara comes out of the gate._

SCENE VII

The Same and VARVARA, afterwards KATERINA.

VARVARA (_at the gate, sings_). "Beyond the river, the swift river, My Vania's walking, dear Vania's walking" ...

KUDRIASH (_going on with the song_). "Going to the fair." (_Whistles._)

VARVARA (_comes down the path and, hiding her face in her kerchief, goes up to Boris_). You wait a bit, lad. You've something to wait for. (_To Kudriash_) Let's go to the Volga.

KUDRIASH. Why have you been so long? Kept me waiting again! You know I don't like it! (_Varvara puts one arm round him and they walk away._)

BORIS. It's like a dream! This night, and singing and trysts! They're walking, their arms round each other. It is so new for me, so sweet! Here I am waiting for something. And what I am waiting for--I know not and cannot picture to myself; only my heart is throbbing and every nerve is quivering. I cannot think even what to say to her, I can hardly breathe, my knees are shaking! My stupid heart is in my mouth, I can't quiet it. Here she comes. (_Katerina slowly comes down the path, wrapt in a large white kerchief, her eyes fixed on the ground. Silence._) Is it you? Katerina Petrovna? (_Silence._) How can I ever thank you,--I don't know. (_Silence._) If you only knew, Katerina Petrovna, how I love you!

[_Tries to take her hand._

KATERINA (_with terror, but not raising her eyes_). Do not touch me, do not touch me! Alas, alas!

BORIS. Do not be angry!

KATERINA. Go away from me, go away, unhappy man! Do you know that never by any prayer can I be free of this sin, never again! Like a stone it will lie on my soul, like a stone.

BORIS. Do not send me away!

KATERINA. Why did you come? Why did you come for my undoing? I am a wife, you know, I must live with my husband, till I lie in the grave....

BORIS. You told me yourself to come ...

KATERINA. Till the grave; do you understand?

BORIS. Better if I had never seen you.

KATERINA (_with great emotion_). You see what I am preparing for myself? What is the only place left for me?

BORIS. Calm yourself. (_Takes her hand_) Sit down!

KATERINA. Why do you wish for my ruin?

BORIS. How can I wish to injure you, when I love you more than anything in the world, more than myself?

KATERINA. No, no! You have been the undoing of me.

BORIS. Am I such a wicked wretch?

KATERINA (_shaking her head_). I am lost, lost, lost!

BORIS. God forbid! I'd rather perish myself!

KATERINA. Have I not forsaken my home, and come out to you in the night?

BORIS. You came of your own free will.

KATERINA. I have no will. If I had had any will left of my own, I would not have come to you. (_Lifts her eyes and looks at Boris. A short silence_.) Your will is upon me now, don't you see that? [_Sinks on his neck_.

BORIS (_puts his arms about Katerina_). My life!

KATERINA. Ah, if death would come quickly now!

BORIS. Why die when life is so sweet for us?

KATERINA. No, life is not for me! I know it is not for me!

BORIS. Don't say such things, please, don't torture me.

KATERINA. Yes, you are happy, you are free as the air, but I! ...

BORIS. No one shall know of our love. Do you think I have no feeling for you?

KATERINA. Ah! Why feel for me, it's no one's fault. I have come to this of myself. Don't think of me! Anyone may know, anyone may see what I do! (_Takes Boris in her arms_.) Since I have not feared to do wrong for you, am I likely to fear the judgment of men? They do say, it will be better for one, if one has to suffer here on earth for any sin.

BORIS. Come, why think of that, when we are happy now!

KATERINA. Why, truly! I shall have long years to weep enough hereafter.

BORIS. And I was so frightened, I thought you would send me away.

KATERINA (_smiling_). Send you away! How could I? Not with my heart. If you had not come, think I should have gone to you myself.

BORIS. I never even guessed you loved me.

KATERINA. I have loved you for so long. It's as though, for my sins, you came here to torment me. Directly I saw you I ceased to belong to myself. From the first moment, I believe, if you had beckoned to me, I would have followed you; to the ends of the earth I would have followed you, and never looked back.

BORIS. Has your husband gone away for long?

KATERINA. For a fortnight.

BORIS. O, then we will be happy! that is a long time.

KATERINA. We will be happy. And then ... (_sinks into dreamy musing_). If they lock me up, that will be my death! And if they don't lock me up, I will find some way to see you again! [_Enter Kudriash and Varvara_.

SCENE VIII

The Same, with KUDRIASH and VARVARA.

VARVARA. Well, have you made friends? (_Katerina hides her face on Boris's breast_).

BORIS. Yes.

VARVARA. You might go and walk about a bit and let us rest. When it's time to go in, Vania will shout. (_Boris and Katerina go away, Kudriash and Varvara sit down on the stone_.)

KUDRIASH. This is a first-rate plan, getting out at the garden gate. It's fine and convenient for us.

VARVARA. It's all my doing.

KUDRIASH. There's no one like you for such things. But what if your mother catches you?

VARVARA. Oh! How could she? It would never enter her head!

KUDRIASH. But if by ill luck, it were to?

VARVARA. Her first sleep is sound; in the early morning now, there is more chance of her being awake.

KUDRIASH. But there's never any knowing! Some evil spirit might rouse her up.

VARVARA. Well, even then! Our gate into the yard is locked on the inside, the garden side; she would knock and knock and then go away. And in the morning we'd declare we'd been sound asleep and heard nothing. Besides, Glasha's on the lookout; the faintest sound, she'd let us know in a minute. One can't do anything without some risk! No, indeed! the only thing is to mind what one's about and not get into a scrape. (_Kudriash strikes a few cords on the guitar. Varvara leans on the shoulder of Kudriash who plays softly, paying no attention to her. Varvara yawning_) How could we find out what time it is?

KUDRIASH. It's one o'clock.

VARVARA. How do you know?

KUDRIASH. A watchman struck one blow on his board just now.

VARVARA (_yawning_). It's late. Shout to them! We'll get out earlier tomorrow, so as to have longer.

KUDRIASH (_gives a whistle and then sings loudly_)

They're all going home! They're all going home! But I won't go home!

BORIS (_behind the scenes_). I hear!

VARVARA (_gets up_). Well, good-bye! (_yawns, then gives a cool kiss to Kudriash, as if he were an old and very intimate friend_). To-morrow mind you come earlier! (_Looks in the direction in which Boris and Katerina went away_) You've said good-bye enough, you're not parting for ever, you'll see each other to-morrow (_yawns and stretches, Katerina hurries in, followed by Boris_).

SCENE IX

KUDRIASH, VARVARA, BORIS and KATERINA.

KATERINA. Come, let us go now, let us go! (_They go up the path, Katerina turns round_). Good-bye!

BORIS. Till to-morrow.

KATERINA. Yes, to-morrow! Tell me what you dream to-night!

[_The girls reach the gate_.

BORIS. Yes, yes.

KUDRIASH (_sings and plays guitar_) Come out, lassie, while you may Till the glow of setting day! Ai-lalee, while you may, Till the glow of setting day!

VARVARA (_at the gate_). Aye, my laddie, while I may, Till the glow of break of day! Ai-lalee, while I may, Till the glow of break of day!

KUDRIASH. When the sun has risen fair And I may not linger mair. [_Exit singing._