Zhivoy trup Page #4

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He assisted her when she was in trouble.

Yes, I by my dissipation helped

to draw them together.

What's to be done?

It had to be so!

Having myself a broader outlook on things,

I can understand, that for him,

and especially for his mother,

union with a woman without

a Church marriage is unthinkable.

Yes, I know his stu his strictness,

his conservatism in these matters.

But what do they want? A divorce?

I told them I'm willing; but the business

of taking the blame on myself

and all the lies connected with it,

are very trying

I quite understand you, and sympathize.

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.

Thank you, dear Prince! I always knew

you were a kind and honourable man.

But, 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.

Still, I don't understand you!

You, a capable, intelligent man,

so sensitive to what is good

how could you be so carried away

and forget what you expect of yourself?

How have you ruined your life

and come to this?

First, Prince, through drink.

It is not that drink tastes nice.

But do what I will, I always feel

I'm not doing the right thing,

and I feel ashamed.

I talk to you now, and feel ashamed.

As for being a Marechal de la noblesse,

or a Bank Director, I'd feel ashamed.

So ashamed! It is only when I drink

that I do not feel this shame.

And music:
not operas or Beethoven,

but gypsies

That 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.

How about work?

I have tried it, but it's no good.

I am always dissatisfied. But, what's use

in talking about myself. Thank you.

Then what am I to say?

Tell them I will do what they wish.

They want to get married, and there

should be no obstacle to their marriage?

Of course.

I will. Tell them I'll certainly do it.

But when?

Wait a bit

Well, say in a fortnight. Will that do?

Then I may tell them so?

You may.

Goodbye, Prince.

Thank you once again.

That's good.

That's the way.

It must be so.

That's the way. Splendid.

It must be.

"Liza and Victor,

I address myself to you both"

That's good.

Splendid.

It must be so.

Gorushka

End of Part One

Part Two

Protasov May I come in?

Protasov, I'll come in too.

Protasov! I'll come in, Protasov.

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.

You wish to reply to their demands?

I'll tell you what to say.

I always speak straight out,

and act with decision.

I'm not going to restrain you.

Life and death are alike to Genius.

I die in life, and live in death.

You will kill yourself

that two people should pity you;

and I I shall kill myself, that

the whole world may understand

what it has lost.

But it is too soon yet.

Protasov?

Protasov?

Protasov!

Let's have a drink, Protasov.

Here's to your great journey!

Have you brought it?

Pitiful people! They fuss, they bustle.

And don't understand anything at all

I'm not talking to you,

I am only expressing my thoughts.

And, after all, what does humanity need?

Very little only to value its geniuses.

But they are always executed,

persecuted, tortured.

No! I'm not going to be your toy!

I will drag you out into the open!

No-o-o! Hypocrites!

Go away, please!

Go away?

Please do!

Well goodbye then.

I am not going to restrain you.

I only want to tell you

You'll tell me afterwards.

And now, dear chap, just one thing.

Give this to the manager

and ask if a parcel and a letter

have come for me.

Please do.

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?

As much as I owe him.

Well, then

I've been to your place,

to Popov's, to Afremov's,

and guessed that you must be here.

Ive been running all the night.

Oh, youre drunk!

Ah-h!

A fool!

A regular fool!

Did you really mean to do it?

I couldn't I couldn't.

Do I count for nothing at all?

You are a scoffer.

Godless!

Do I count for nothing?

You had no pity for me?

Have you ever thought of me?

You had no pity!

Madwoman.

Oh, Fyodor Vasilyevich, it's a sin.

A sin in return for my love.

What about me?

It would have set you free too.

Is it better to be tormented by me?

Seems it's better.

I can't live without you.

What sort of life for you, with me?

You'd cry a bit, then you'd live on.

I shouldn't have cried at all!

Go to the devil, if you don't pity me!

Masha, dearest!

I meant to do it for the best.

Best for yourself!

How's that, when I meant to kill myself?

Of course, best for yourself!

But what is it you want? Tell me.

But tell me, what?

Well, what?

Tell me, what do you want?

What I want? I want a great deal.

And what?

Well, what?

First of all, to keep my promise. That is

the first thing, and quite sufficient.

To lie, and do all the dirty work

for getting a divorce I can't!

All right.

Well, there isn't much good in her,

if she's thrown you over.

She didn't I threw her over.

Right. All right! It's always you.

She is an angel! What else!

But above all, what use is my life?

I know I'm a good-for-nothing.

I'm a burden to myself

and to everybody.

I'm worthless, as your father said.

Rubbish!

I've stuck to you for my life,

and there's an end of it!

As to your leading a bad life, drinking

and all well, you're a living soul.

Aren't you?

Yes, I am.

If so, give it up, and that's that!

That's easily said.

Well, then, do it.

Yes, when I look at you

I feel as if I could really do anything.

And so you shall!

Yes, you'll do it!

And the revolver?

I won't hesitate, or think about it

I seize it now! And all is over.

But it is too soon yet.

I'm not going to be your toy!

I sent my secretary to him

with the petition ready for signature,

and told him not to leave

till it is signed.

He promised so definitely,

that I am sure he will keep his word.

I am ashamed to say it,

but I must confess

I must confess that what I heard

about that gypsy girl

makes me feel quite free.

It isn't a jelousy, but you know

it sets me free. I hardly can explain

Can't explain?

Never mind

Now things are clear within me,

and only my position torments me.

It is such torture

and then this waiting.

If I did not know him so well,

I'd think he was delaying on purpose.

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.

I had to. The want of it might be

the cause of the delay.

But still, there is something bad

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