Act 2 Scene 3

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_ ACT II SCENE 3

In the same country-house. It is raining outside. A drawing-room with a grand piano. Tonya has just finished playing a sonata of Schumann's and is sitting at the piano. Styopa is standing by the piano. Boris is sitting. Lyuba, Lisa, Mitrofan Ermilych and the young Priest are all stirred by the music.

LYUBA. That andante! Isn't it lovely!

STYOPA. No, the scherzo. Though really the whole of it is beautiful.

LISA. Very fine.

STYOPA. But I had no idea you were such an artist. It is real masterly play. Evidently the difficulties no longer exist for you, and you think only of the feeling, and express it with wonderful delicacy.

LYUBA. Yes, and with dignity.

TONYA. While _I_ felt that it was not at all what I meant it to be. A great deal remained unexpressed.

LISA. What could be better? It was wonderful.

LYUBA. Schumann is good, but all the same Chopin takes a stronger hold of one's heart.

STYOPA. He is more lyrical.

TONYA. There is no comparison.

LYUBA. Do you remember his prelude?

TONYA. Oh, the one called the George Sand prelude? [Plays the commencement].

LYUBA. No, not that one. That is very fine, but so hackneyed. Do play this one. [Tonya plays what she can of it, and then breaks off].

TONYA. Oh, that is a lovely thing. There is something elemental about it--older than creation.

STYOPA [laughs] Yes, yes. Do play it. But no, you are too tired. As it is, we have had a delightful morning, thanks to you.

TONYA [rises and looks out of window] There are some more peasants waiting outside.

LYUBA. That is why music is so precious. I understand Saul. Though I'm not tormented by devils, I still understand him. No other art can make one so forget everything else as music does. [Approaches the window. To Peasants] Whom do you want?

PEASANTS. We have been sent to speak to Nicholas Ivanovich.

LYUBA. He is not in. You must wait.

TONYA. And yet you are marrying Boris who understands nothing about music.

LYUBA. Oh, surely not.

BORIS [absently] Music? Oh no. I like music, or rather I don't dislike it. Only I prefer something simpler--I like songs.

TONYA. But is not this sonata lovely?

BORIS. The chief thing is, that it is not important; and it rather hurts me, when I think of the lives men live, that so much importance is attached to music.

[They all eat sweetmeats, which are standing on the table.]

LISA. How nice it is to have a fiance here and sweetmeats provided!

BORIS. Oh that is not my doing. It's mamma's.

TONYA. And quite right too.

LYUBA. Music is precious because it seizes us, takes possession of us, and carries us away from reality. Everything seemed gloomy till you suddenly began to play, and really it has made everything brighter.

LISA. And Chopin's valses. They are hackneyed, but all the same ...

TONYA. This ... [plays].

[Enter Nicholas Ivanovich. He greets Boris, Tonya, Styopa, Lisa, Mitrofan Ermilych and the Priest.]

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. Where's mamma?

LYUBA. I think she's in the nursery.

[Styopa calls the Man-servant.]

LYUBA. Papa, how wonderfully Tonya plays! And where have you been?

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. In the village.

[Enter servant, Afanasy.]

STYOPA. Bring another samovar.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH [greets the Man-servant, and shakes hands with him[29]] Good-day. [Servant becomes confused. Exit Servant. Nicholas Ivanovich also goes off].

[Note 29: People shake hands much more often in Russia
than in England, but it is quite unusual to shake hands
with a servant, and Nicholas Ivanovich does it in
consequence of his belief that all men are brothers.]

STYOPA. Poor Afanasy! He was terribly confused. I can't understand papa. It is as if we were guilty of something.

[Enter Nicholas Ivanovich.]

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. I was going back to my room without having told you what I feel. [To Tonya] If what I say should offend you--who are our guest--forgive me, but I cannot help saying it. You, Lisa, say that Tonya plays well. All you here, seven or eight healthy young men and women, have slept till ten o'clock, have eaten and drunk and are still eating; and you play and discuss music: while there, where I have just been, they were all up at three in the morning, and those who pastured the horses at night have not slept at all; and old and young, the sick and the weak, children and nursing-mothers and pregnant women are working to the utmost limits of their strength, so that we here may consume the fruits of their labour. Nor is that all. At this very moment, one of them, the only breadwinner of a family, is being dragged to prison because he has cut down one of a hundred thousand pine-trees that grow in the forest that is called _mine_. And we here, washed and clothed, having left the slops in our bedrooms to be cleaned up by slaves, eat and drink and discuss Schumann and Chopin and which of them moves us most or best cures our ennui? That is what I was thinking when I passed you, so I have spoken. Consider, is it possible to go on living in this way? [Stands greatly agitated].

LISA. True, quite true!

LYUBA. If one lets oneself think about it, one can't live.

STYOPA. Why? I don't see why the fact that people are poor should prevent one talking about Schumann. The one does not exclude the other. If one ...

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH [angrily] If one has no heart, if one is made of wood ...

STYOPA. Well, I'll hold my tongue.

TONYA. It is a terrible problem; it is the problem of our day; and we should not be afraid of it, but look it straight in the face, in order to solve it.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. We cannot wait for the problem to be solved by public measures. Every one of us must die--if not to-day, then to-morrow. How can I live without suffering from this internal discord?

BORIS. Of course there is only one way; that is, not to take part in it at all.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. Well, forgive me if I have hurt you. I could not help saying what I felt. [Exit].

STYOPA. Not take part in it? But our whole life is bound up with it.

BORIS. That is why he says that the first step is to possess no property; to change our whole way of life and live so as not to be served by others but to serve others.

TONYA. Well, I see _you_ have quite gone over to Nicholas Ivanovich's side.

BORIS. Yes, I now understand it for the first time--after what I saw in the village.... You need only take off the spectacles through which we are accustomed to look at the life of the people, to realise at once the connection between their sufferings and our pleasures--that is enough!

MITROFAN ERMILYCH. Yes, but the remedy does not consist in ruining one's own life.

STYOPA. It is surprising how Mitrofan Ermilych and I, though we usually stand poles asunder, come to the same conclusion: those are my very words, "not ruin one's own life."

BORIS. Naturally! You both of you wish to lead a pleasant life, and therefore want life arranged so as to ensure that pleasant life for you. [To Styopa] You wish to maintain the present system, while Mitrofan ErmIlych wants to establish a new one.

[Lyuba and Tonya whisper together. Tonya goes to the piano and plays a nocturne by Chopin. General silence.]

STYOPA. That's splendid; that solves everything.

BORIS. It obscures and postpones everything!

[While Tonya is playing, Mary Ivanovna and the Princess enter quietly and sit down to listen.]

[Before the end of the nocturne carriage bells are heard outside.]

LYUBA. It is Aunt. [Goes to meet her].

[The music continues. Enter Alexandra Ivanovna, Father Gerasim (a priest with a cross round his neck) and a Notary. All rise.]

FATHER GERASIM. Please go on, it is very pleasant.

[The Princess approaches to receive his blessing, and the young Priest does the same.]

ALEXANDRA IVANOVNA. I have done exactly what I said I would do. I found Father Gerasim, and you see I have persuaded him to come--he was on his way to Koursk--so I have done my part; and here is the Notary. He has got the deed ready; it only needs signing.

MARY IVANOVNA. Won't you have some lunch?

[Notary puts down his papers on the table, and exit.]

MARY IVANOVNA. I am very grateful to Father Gerasim.

FATHER GERASIM. What else could I do--though it was out of my way--yet as a Christian I considered it my duty to visit him.

[Alexandra Ivanovna whispers to the young people. They
consult together and go out on to the verandah, all
except Boris. The young Priest also wants to go.]

FATHER GERASIM.[30] No. You as a pastor and spiritual father must remain here! You may benefit by it yourself, and may be of use to others. Stay here, if Mary Ivanovna has no objection.

[Note 30: Father Gerasim is modelled on the lines
of the celebrated Father John of Cronstadt.]

MARY IVANOVNA. No, I am as fond of Father Vasily as if he were one of the family. I have even consulted him; but being so young he has not much authority.

FATHER GERASIM. Naturally, naturally.

ALEXANDRA IVANOVNA [approaching] Well, you see now, Father Gerasim, that you are the only person who can help and can bring him to reason. He is a clever, well-read man, but learning, you know, can only do harm. He is suffering from some sort of delusion. He maintains that the Christian law forbids a man to own any property; but how is that possible?

FATHER GERASIM. Temptation, spiritual pride, self-will! The Fathers of the Church have answered the question satisfactorily. But how did this befall him?

MARY IVANOVNA. Well, to tell you everything ... when we married he was quite indifferent to religion, and we lived so, and lived happily, during our best years--the first twenty years. Then he began to reflect. Perhaps he was influenced by his sister, or by what he read. Anyhow, he began thinking and reading the Gospels, and then suddenly he grew extremely religious, began going to church and visiting the monks. Then all at once he gave all this up and changed his way of life completely. He began doing manual labour, would not let the servants wait on him, and above all he is now giving away his property. He yesterday gave away a forest--both the trees and land. It frightens me, for I have seven children. Do talk to him. I'll go and ask him whether he will see you. [Exit].

FATHER GERASIM. Nowadays many are falling away. And is the estate his or his wife's?

PRINCESS. His! That's what is so unfortunate.

FATHER GERASIM. And what is his official rank?

PRINCESS. His rank is not high. Only that of a cavalry captain, I believe. He was once in the army.

FATHER GERASIM. There are many who turn aside in that way. In Odessa there was a lady who was carried away by Spiritualism and began to do much harm. But all the same, God enabled us to lead her back to the Church.

PRINCESS. The chief thing, please understand, is that my son is about to marry his daughter. I have given my consent, but the girl is used to luxury and should therefore be provided for, and not have to depend entirely on my son. Though I admit he is a hard-working and an exceptional young man.

[Enter Mary Ivanovna and Nicholas Ivanovich.]

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. How d'you do, Princess? How d'you do? [To Father Gerasim] I beg your pardon. I don't know your name.[31]

[31] He knows that the priest is Father Gerasim, but
wishes to address him not as a priest, but by his
Christian name and patronymic, as one gentleman
would usually address another.

FATHER GERASIM. Do you not wish to receive my blessing?

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. No, I don't.

FATHER GERASIM. My name is Gerasim Sedorovitch. Very pleased to meet you.

[Men-servants bring lunch and wine.]

FATHER GERASIM. Pleasant weather, and good for the harvest.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. I suppose you came, at Alexandra Ivanovna's invitation, to divert me from my errors and direct me in the path of truth. If that is so, don't let us beat about the bush, but let us get to business at once. I do not deny that I disagree with the teaching of the Church. I used to agree with it, and then left off doing so. But with my whole heart I wish to be in the truth and will at once accept it if you show it to me.

FATHER GERASIM. How is it you say you don't believe the teaching of the Church? What is there to believe in, if not the Church?

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. God and His law, given to us in the Gospels.

FATHER GERASIM. The Church teaches that very law.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. If it did so, I should believe in the Church, but unfortunately it teaches the contrary.

FATHER GERASIM. The Church cannot teach the contrary, because it was established by the Lord himself. It is written, "I give you power," and, "Upon this rock I will build my Church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. That was not said in this connection at all, and proves nothing. But even if we were to admit that Christ established the Church, how do I know that it was _your_ Church?

FATHER GERASIM. Because it is said, "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. That, too, was not said in this connection, and proves nothing.

FATHER GERASIM. How _can_ one deny the Church? It alone provides salvation.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. I did not deny the Church until I found it supported everything that is contrary to Christianity.

FATHER GERASIM. It can make no mistakes, for it alone has the truth. Those who leave it go astray, but the Church is sacred.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. I have already told you that I do not accept that. I do not accept it because, as is said in the Gospels, "By their deeds shall ye know them, by their fruit shall ye know them." I have found out that the Church blesses oaths, murders and executions.

FATHER GERASIM. The Church acknowledges and sanctifies the Powers ordained by God.

[During the conversation, Styopa, Lyuba, Lisa and
Tonya at different times enter the room and sit
or stand listening.]

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. I know that the Gospels say, not only "Do not kill," but "Do not be angry," yet the Church blesses the army. The Gospel says, "Swear not at all," yet the Church administers oaths. The Gospel says ...

FATHER GERASIM. Excuse me. When Pilate[32] said, "I adjure thee by the living God," Christ accepted his oath by replying "I am."

[32] Father Gerasim attributes to Pilate what was said by Caiaphas the high priest.]

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. Dear me! What are you saying? That is really absurd.

FATHER GERASIM. That is why the Church does not permit everyone to interpret the Gospel, lest he should go astray, but like a mother caring for her child gives him an interpretation suitable to his strength. No, let me finish! The Church does not lay on its children burdens too heavy for them to bear, but demands that they should keep the Commandments: love, do no murder, do not steal, do not commit adultery.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. Yes! Do not kill me, do not steal from me my stolen goods. We have all robbed the people, we have stolen their land and have then made a law forbidding them to steal it back; and the Church sanctions all these things.

FATHER GERASIM. Heresy and spiritual pride are speaking through you. You ought to conquer your intellectual pride.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. It is not pride. I am only asking you what should I do according to Christ's law, when I have become conscious of the sin of robbing the people and enslaving them by means of the land. How am I to act? Continue to own land and to profit by the labour of starving men: putting them to this kind of work [points to Servant who is bringing in the lunch and some wine], or am I to return the land to those from whom my ancestors stole it?

FATHER GERASIM. You must act as behoves a son of the Church. You have a family and children, and you must keep and educate them in a way suitable to their position.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. Why?

FATHER GERASIM. Because God has placed you in that position. If you wish to be charitable, be charitable by giving away part of your property and by visiting the poor.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. But how is it that the rich young man was told that the rich cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

FATHER GERASIM. It is said, "If thou wouldest be perfect."

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. But I _do_ wish to be perfect. The Gospels say, "Be ye perfect as your Father in Heaven ..."

FATHER GERASIM. But we have to understand in what connection a thing is said.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. I do try to understand, and all that is said in the Sermon on the Mount is plain and comprehensible.

FATHER GERASIM. Spiritual pride.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. Where is the pride, since it is said that what is hidden from the wise is revealed to babes?

FATHER GERASIM. Revealed to the meek, but not to the proud.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. But who is proud? I, who consider myself a man like the rest of mankind, and one who therefore must live like the rest by his own labour and as poorly as his brother men, or those who consider themselves to be specially selected sacred people, knowing the whole truth and incapable of error; and who interpret Christ's words their own way?

FATHER GERASIM [offended] Pardon me, Nicholas Ivanovich, I did not come here to argue which of us is right, nor to receive an admonition, but I called, at Alexandra Ivanovna's request, to talk things over with you. But since you know everything better than I do, we had better end our conversation. Only, once again, I must entreat you in God's name to come to your senses. You have gone cruelly astray and are ruining yourself. [Rises].

MARY IVANOVNA. Won't you have something to eat?

FATHER GERASIM. No, I thank you. [Exit with Alexandra Ivanovna].

MARY IVANOVNA [to young Priest] And what now?

PRIEST. Well, in my opinion, Nicholas Ivanovich spoke the truth, and Father GerAsim produced no argument on his side.

PRINCESS. He was not allowed to speak, and he did not like having a kind of debate with everybody listening. It was his modesty that made him withdraw.

BORIS. It wasn't modesty at all. All he said was so false. It was evident that he had nothing to say.

PRINCESS. Yes, with your usual instability I see that you are beginning to agree with Nicholas Ivanovich about everything. If you believe such things you ought not to marry.

BORIS. I only say that truth is truth, and I can't help saying it.

PRINCESS. You of all people should not talk like that.

BORIS. Why not?

PRINCESS. Because you are poor, and have nothing to give away. However, all this is not our business. [Exit, followed by all except Nicholas Ivanovich and Mary Ivanovna].

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH [sits pondering, then smiles at his own thoughts] Mary! What is all this for? Why did you invite that wretched, erring man? Why do those noisy women and that priest come into our most intimate life? Can we not settle our own affairs?

MARY IVANOVNA. What am I to do, if you want to leave the children penniless? That is what I cannot quietly submit to. You know that I am not grasping, and that I want nothing for myself.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. I know, I know and believe it. But the misfortune is that you do not trust the truth. I know you see it, but you can't make up your mind to rely on it. You rely neither on the truth nor on me. Yet you trust the crowd--the Princess and the rest of them.

MARY IVANOVNA. I believe in you, I always did; but when you want to let the children go begging ...

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. That means that you do not rely on me. Do you think I have not struggled and have not feared! But afterwards I became convinced that this course is not only possible but obligatory, and that it is the one thing necessary and good for the children themselves. You always say that were it not for the children you would follow me, but I say that if we had no children we might live as we are doing; we should then only be injuring ourselves, but now we are injuring them too.

MARY IVANOVNA. But what am I to do, if I don't understand?

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. And what am I to do? Don't I know why that wretched man--dressed up in his cassock and wearing that cross--was sent for, and why Alexandra Ivanovna brought the Notary? You want me to hand the estate over to you, but I can't. You know that I have loved you all the twenty years we have lived together. I love you and wish you well, and therefore cannot sign away the estate to you. If I sign it away at all, it can only be to give it back to those from whom it has been taken--the peasants. And I can't let things remain as they are, but must give it to them. I'm glad the Notary has come; and I will do it.

MARY IVANOVNA. No, that is dreadful! Why this cruelty? Though you think it a sin, still give it to me. [Weeps].

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. You don't know what you are saying. If I give it to you, I cannot go on living with you; I shall have to go away. I cannot continue to live under these conditions. I shall not be able to look on while the life-blood is squeezed out of the peasants and they are imprisoned, in your name if not in mine. So choose!

MARY IVANOVNA. How cruel you are! Is this Christianity? It is harshness! I cannot, after all, live as you want me to. I cannot rob my own children and give everything away to other people; and that is why you want to desert me. Well--do so! I see you have ceased loving me, and I even know why.

NICHOLAS IVANOVICH. Very well then--I will sign; but, Mary, you demand the impossible of me. [Goes to writing-table and signs] You wished it, but I shall not be able to go on living like this.

[Curtain.] _

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