The Power of Darkness by graf Tolstoy Leo (people reading books txt) 📕
ANÍSYA. All I know is, that I could not live if Nikíta went away.
MATRYÓNA. Naturally, when one's young it's no easy matter! You, a wench in full bloom, to be living with the dregs of a man like that husband of yours.
ANÍSYA. Mother Matryóna, would you believe it? I'm that sick of him, that sick of this long-nosed cur of mine, I can hardly bear to look at him.
MATRYÓNA. Yes, I see, it's one of them cases. Just look here, [looks round and whispers] I've been to see that old man, you know--he's given me simples of two kinds. This, you see, is a sleeping draught. "Just give him one of these powders," he says, "and he'll sleep so sound you might jump on him!" And this here, "This is that kind of simple," he says, "that if you
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AKOULÍNA. He raves! I told him to!
NIKÍTA. Don't shield me! I fear no one now! Forgive me, Christian Commune! [Bows to the ground].
Silence.
POLICE OFFICER. Bind him! The marriage is evidently off!
Men come up with their belts.
NIKÍTA. Wait, there's plenty of time! [Bows to the ground before his father] Father, dear father, forgive me too,—fiend that I am! You told me from the first, when I took to bad ways, you said then, “If a claw is caught, the bird is lost!” I would not listen to your words, dog that I was, and it has turned out as you said! Forgive me, for Christ's sake!
AKÍM [rapturously] God will forgive you, my own son! [Embraces him] You have had no mercy on yourself, He will show mercy on you! God—God! It is He!
Enter Elder.
ELDER. There are witnesses enough here.
POLICE OFFICER. We will have the examination at once.
Nikíta is bound.
AKOULÍNA [goes and stands by his side] I shall tell the truth! Ask me!
NIKÍTA [bound] No need to ask! I did it all myself. The design was mine, and the deed was mine. Take me where you like. I will say no more!
Curtain.
END OF “THE POWER OF DARKNESS.”
[1] It is customary to place a dying person under the icón. One or more icóns hang in the hut of each Orthodox peasant.
[2] Peasant weddings are usually in autumn. They are forbidden in Lent, and soon after Easter the peasants become too busy to marry till harvest is over.
[3] A formal request for forgiveness is customary among Russians, but it is often no mere formality. Nikíta's first reply is evasive; his second reply, “God will forgive you,” is the correct one sanctioned by custom.
[4] Loud public wailing of this kind is customary, and considered indispensable, among the peasants.
[5] Where not otherwise mentioned in the stage directions, it is always the winter half of the hut that is referred to as “the hut.” The summer half is not heated, and not used in winter under ordinary circumstances.
[6] The Foundlings' Hospital in Moscow, where 80 to 90 per cent. of the children die.
[7] Nan calls Mítritch “daddy” merely as a term of endearment.
[8] Probably Kurds.
[9] This refers to the songs customary at the wedding of Russian peasants, praising the bride and bridegroom.
[10] It is etiquette for a bride to bewail the approaching loss of her maidenhood.
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