Chapter V: Act IV: Scene I

In the foreground a narrow arcade running round an old building which has begun to fall into decay; bushes and grass about it; in the background the banks of the Volga and view beyond it.

(_Several Persons of both Sexes approach the Arcade._)

FIRST. It's spotting with rain, seems as though it might be a storm coming on.

SECOND. Look, it's gathering yonder.

FIRST. A good thing we've somewhere to take shelter.

[_They all go under the arches._

A WOMAN. What a lot of folks out on the parade, too! To-day being a holiday, everyone's out walking. The merchants' ladies all pranked out in their best.

FIRST. They'll stand up somewhere out of the rain.

SECOND. Look, at the people hurrying this way now!

FIRST (_staring round at the walls_). I say, old fellow, it must have been covered with paintings once, do you know. One can make them out even now, here and there.

SECOND. To be sure! Of course the walls were covered with paintings. Now it's all been let go to rack and ruin, and the old place is falling to pieces. There's been nothing done to it since the fire. But to be sure you don't remember that fire, it will be forty years ago.

FIRST. Whatever's this picture here, old fellow? It's not easy to make out what it's about.

SECOND. That's a picture of the torments of hell.

FIRST. Oh! so that's what it is!

SECOND. And there's folks of all sorts and conditions going down into the fire, see?

FIRST. To be sure, yes, I understand it now.

SECOND. Of every sort and rank.

FIRST. And niggers too?

SECOND. Yes, niggers too.

FIRST. And I say, old fellow, what's this?

SECOND. That's the Lithuanian invasion. A battle, d'ye see? Our men fighting with the men of Lithuania.

FIRST. Who were these Lithuanians?

SECOND. Can't say. Lithuanians, to be sure.

FIRST. But they do say, you know, they fell down on us from heaven.

SECOND. I can't tell about that, I daresay they did.

A WOMAN. What ignorance! Why, everyone knows the Lithuanians fell from heaven. Well to be sure! and it was in memory of the battle with them that these mounds were made.

FIRST. There, old fellow! That's so, you see!

[_Enter Dikoy and Kuligin, his head bare. All the bystanders bow and assume a respectful air on seeing Dikoy._

SCENE II

The Same, DIKOY and KULIGIN.

DIKOY. Ugh, I'm wet through. (_To Kuligin_) Get away from me! Let me alone! (_Angrily_) Fool of a man!

KULIGIN. Saviol Prokofitch, it would be conferring a benefit, your worship, on all the residents in the town.

DIKOY. Go along! A mighty benefit! Who wants such a benefit?

KULIGIN. And on you, indeed, your worship, Saviol Prokofitch. To be set up, for instance, on the parade in the open space. And as for expense,--the expense would be trifling: a stone column (_indicates the size of each thing by gestures_), a copper disc, round like this, and a pivot, an upright pivot (_shows, gesticulating_) of the simplest description. I will put it all up and carve the figures on the face myself too. And, your worship, when you are pleased to take a walk, or any other people are out walking, you will go up to it, and see at once what o'clock it is. As it is, it's a fine position and a fine view and all, but, as it were, it wants something. And we have visitors too, your worship, who come here to see our views, and it will always be an ornament,--a pleasant object for the eye to rest on.

DIKOY. But why on earth do you come pestering me with every sort of idiocy? It's possible, don't you see, that I don't want to talk to you. You ought first to ascertain whether I am disposed to listen to you or not, you dolt. What am I to you? ... am I your equal, eh? Damn the fellow! A mighty clever idea he's hit upon! And then up he must come and straightway start holding forth upon it.

KULIGIN. If I were about my own business, I should be to blame certainly. But I am speaking in the public interest, your worship. And it's no great matter spending about a pound on a public object! More than that would not be needed, sir.

DIKOY. I daresay you'd like to pocket the money; who knows anything of you?

KULIGIN. Seeing that I want to give my services for nothing, your worship, how could I pocket anything? And everyone knows me here; no one can say any harm of me.

DIKOY. They may know you, for all I care, but I don't want to know you.

KULIGIN. Why insult an honest man, sir?

DIKOY. Am I to account to you for what I say or do? Let me tell you I allow no one to criticise my actions--no, not folks of far more consequence than you. I shall think of you as I choose to think of you. Others may say you're an honest man, but I look upon you as a brigand, and that's all about it. You seem anxious to hear my opinion, so here it is! I say you're a brigand, and nothing else! Do you want to have the law of me, hey? Very well then, let me tell you you're a worm. If I choose, I spare you; if I choose, I can trample you under foot!

KULIGIN. So be it, Saviol Prokofitch! I am only a poor man, sir, it costs little to be rude to me. But let me remind you, your honour, virtue is honourable even in rags!

DIKOY. None of your insolence now! Mind that!

KULIGIN. I am not being insolent to you in any way, sir, and I merely addressed you because I thought you might have a mind to do something for the town sometime. You have a great deal of power, your worship, if only you had the wish to do some good. Now, for instance, we've storms so often, and yet we don't put up lightning conductors.

DIKOY (_haughtily_). It's all vanity!

KULIGIN. How can it be vanity when experiments have been made.

DIKOY. What sort of lightning conductors are you talking about?

KULIGIN. Steel ones.

DIKOY (_wrathfully_). Well, and what then?

KULIGIN. Steel rods.

DIKOY (_getting more and more furious_). I hear they're steel rods, you viper, but what of it? Granted they're steel rods! Well, what of it?

KULIGIN. Nothing.

DIKOY. And what is the cause of a storm to your notions, hey? Come, speak up!

KULIGIN. Electricity.

DIKOY (_stamping_). 'Lectricity he says! Ah, a brigand you are and no mistake! a storm is sent as a chastisement to make us feel our sins, and you want with rods and tackle of one sort and another, God forgive you, to ward it off! What, are you a Tartar or what? Are you a Tartar? Speak up! A Tartar, hey?

KULIGIN. Saviol Prokofitch, your honour, Derzhavin said:

In body, I languish in the dust, In mind, I command the tempest.

DIKOY. For such words you ought to be led off to the police captain, he'd give it to you! Just listen, worthy citizens, what the fellow is saying!

KULIGIN. There's no help for it, I must submit! But when I have made my fortune, then you'll see how I'll talk!

[_With a wave of his hand goes out._

DIKOY. What! are you going to steal a fortune? Stop him! The false scoundrel! How ever is one to treat such people! I don't know. (_Turning to the crowd_) And you, damned rascals, you're enough to make anyone swear! Here I'd no wish to lose my temper, and he must needs go and put me out, as if it were on purpose. Curse the fellow! (_angrily_) Has the rain given over, eh?

FIRST. I fancy it has.

DIKOY. You fancy! go and see, you fool. Tell me, you fancy, indeed!

FIRST (_going outside the arches_). It has left off!

[_Dikoy goes out and all follow him. The scene is empty for a little while. Varvara runs quickly in under the arcade and, hiding herself, peeps out._

SCENE III

VARVARA and later BORIS.

VARVARA. I believe it's he! (_Boris advances from the background of the scene_.) Sss-sss! (_Boris looks round_.) Come here. (_She beckons, Boris goes up to her_.) What are we to do with Katerina? For mercy's sake tell me!

BORIS. Why, what is it?

VARVARA. It's terrible, that's all. Her husband has come back, do you know that? We didn't expect him, but he's here.

BORIS. No, I didn't know it.

VARVARA. She's simply beside herself.

BORIS. It seems as if I had only lived for these ten short days that he has been away. And now not to see her!

VARVARA. Oh, I've no patience with you! I've something to tell you! She's shaking all over, as if she were in a fever. She's so pale, she wanders about the house, as though she were looking for something. Her eyes are wild, she's like a mad thing! She began crying long ago in the morning, she simply sobs. Merciful Heavens, what am I to do with her?

BORIS. But perhaps this will pass off.

VARVARA. I doubt it. She daren't raise her eyes to her husband. Mamma's begun to notice it, and she follows her about and keeps a suspicious eye upon her. She looks daggers at her; and that makes her worse than ever. It makes one wretched to see her. And I'm afraid too.

BORIS. What are you afraid of?

VARVARA. You don't know her. She's a strange creature. One never knows what to expect from her! She will do things ...

BORIS. My God! What's to be done? You must talk to her thoroughly. Can't you manage to soothe her?

VARVARA. I've tried. She doesn't even hear. Better leave her alone.

BORIS. Well, what do you suppose she may do?

VARVARA. Why, simply this: fling herself down at her husband's feet, and tell him everything. That's what I'm afraid of.

BORIS (_with horror_). Could she possibly!

VARVARA. She may do anything.

BORIS. Where is she now?

VARVARA. At this moment she's out on the parade with her husband, and my mother's with them too. You go and meet them, if you like. But no, you'd better not go, or she'll very likely lose her head completely. (_A peal of thunder in the distance_) Isn't that thunder? _(Looks out)_ Yes, it's raining too. And here are people coming this way. Get somewhere out of sight, and I'll stand here where I can be seen, so that they won't notice anything. _(Enter several persons of both sexes and different classes.)_

SCENE IV

VARVARA and various persons, and later, MME. KABANOVA, KABANOV, KATERINA and KULIGIN.

FIRST. The good lady seems awfully frightened by the way she's hurrying for shelter.

A WOMAN. No use seeking shelter! If it's written in the book of fate, there's no escaping!

KATERINA _(running in)._ Ah, Varvara! _(Seizes her hand and holds it tight.)_

VARVARA. Come, be quiet!

KATERINA. It will be my death!

VARVARA. Come, come! Pull yourself together!

KATERINA. No! I can't. I can do nothing. My heart aches so.

MME. KABANOVA _(entering)._ Let me tell you, one should live so as to be always ready for anything. You would not be in such terror then.

KABANOV. But what sins in special has she to frighten her, mamma? Her sins are no more than all of us have to repent; being afraid of storms is a matter of temperament.

MME. KABANOVA. How do you know, pray? The heart of another is darkness.

KABANOV _(jestingly)._ Oh well, maybe, something very wicked while I was away; certainly when I've been here she never did anything bad.

MME. KABANOVA. Maybe, when you were away, then.

KABANOV _(jesting)._ Katia, my girl, you'd better repent, if you've been sinful in any way. You can't have secrets from me, you know; no, you naughty girl, I know all about it.

KATERINA _(looks him straight in the face)._ Dear Tihon!

VARVARA. Come, why do you keep teazing her? Can't you see she's not well?

[_Boris steps out of the crowd and bows to the Kabanovs._

KATERINA (_shrieks_). Ah!

KABANOV. What are you frightened of? Did you think it was a stranger? This is a friend! Is your uncle quite well?

BORIS. Quite, thank you.

KATERINA (_to Varvara_). What more does he want of me? ... Isn't it enough that I am in torture like this.

[_Leans against Varvara, sobs._

VARVARA (_aloud, so that her mother should hear_). We're simply tired out, and don't know what to do with her; and now outsiders must come up too!

[_Gives Boris a sign and he walks away to the entrance of the arcade._

KULIGIN (coming into the middle of the scene and addressing the crowd). Why, what are you afraid of, I should like to know! every blade of grass, every flower is rejoicing now, while we try to get away and are as frightened as if it were a disaster! The storm kill us indeed! It's not a storm to be dreaded, it's a blessing! Yes, a blessing! Everything's dreadful to you. If the Northern Lights shine in the heavens--you ought to admire and marvel at "the dawn breaking in the land of midnight!" But you are in terror, and imagine it means war or flood. If a comet comes--I can't take my eyes from it! a thing so beautiful! the stars we have looked upon to our hearts' content, they are always with us, but that is something new; well, one must gaze and admire! But you're afraid even to look at the sky, and all in a tremble! You make a bogey out of everything. Ah, what a people! I'm not afraid, you see. Come, sir, let's go on!

BORIS. Yes, let us go! it's more terrible here! [_Goes._

SCENE V

The Same, without BORIS and KULIGIN.

MME. KABANOVA. Well, that's a pretty sermon he gave us! Something worth hearing, and no mistake! What have the times come to, when such as he turn teacher! If an old man talks so, what can we expect from the young ones!

A WOMAN. The whole sky's overcast. It's covered up all over, as it were, with a cap.

FIRST. Eh, mate, see how the storm cloud is rolling into a ball, as though there were something alive turning round in it. And see how it's creeping up towards us, creeping like a live thing!

SECOND. Mark my words, that storm's not coming up for nothing. It's the truth I tell you; I know. It'll strike someone dead, or set fire to a house; you'll see, look what an extraordinary colour!

KATERINA _(listening)._ What are they saying? They say someone will be struck dead.

KABANOV. You know what stuff they talk, any nonsense that comes into their heads.

MME. KABANOVA. Don't you criticise your elders! They know better than you. Old people have forewarnings of all sorts. Old people don't talk at random.

KATERINA _(to her husband)._ Dear Tihon, I know who will be struck dead.

VARVARA _(to Katerina, softly)._ If only you would hold your tongue!

KABANOV. How do you know?

KATERINA. It will strike me. Pray for me, then.

[_Enter Old Lady with footmen. Katerina with a shriek hides her face._

SCENE VI

The Same and the OLD LADY.

THE OLD LADY. Why hide your face? It's no use hiding! One can see you're afraid. You've no wish to die! She wants to live! To be sure she does!--look what a beauty! Ha, ha, ha! Beauty! Better pray to God to take away your beauty! It's beauty that is our ruin! Ruin to yourself, a snare to others, so rejoice in your beauty if you will! Many, many, you lead into sin! Giddy fellows fight duels over you, slash each other with swords for your sake. And you are glad! Old men, honourable men, forget that they must die, tempted by beauty! And who has to answer for all. Better go down into the abyss with your beauty! Yes, quick, quick. _(Katerina hides herself.)_ Where will you hide away, foolish one! There's no escaping God! _(A clap of thunder.)_ All of you will burn in fire unquenchable! [_Exit._

KATERINA. Ah, I am dying!

VARVARA. Why do you torture yourself like this! Stand on one side and pray; you will feel better.

KATERINA _(goes to the wall and drops on her knees, then jumps up quickly, seeing the picture on the wall)._ Ah! Hell! Hell! The fire unquenchable! _(Mme. Kabanova, Kabanov, and Varvara surround her.)_ My heart is torn! I can bear it no longer! Mother! Tihon! I have sinned against God and against you! Did I not swear to you I would not set eyes on anyone when you were away! You remember! you remember! And do you know what I have done in my sinfulness? The first night I went out of the house....

KABANOV _(in despair, in tears, pulls at her sleeve)._ You mustn't, you mustn't! don't! What are you saying? Mother is here!

MME. KABANOVA _(severely)._ Come, come, speak, now you have begun.

KATERINA. And every night the same.... _(Sobs, Kabanov tries to embrace her)._

MME. KABANOVA. Let her be! With whom?

VARVARA. She's raving, she doesn't know what she is saying.

MME. KABANOVA. You be quiet! So this is the meaning of it! Well, with whom?

KATERINA. With Boris Grigoritch. _(A clap of thunder.)_ Ah!

[_Falls unconscious in her husband's arms._

MME. KABANOVA. Well, son! You see what freedom leads to! I told you so, but you wouldn't heed me. See what you've brought on yourself!