Bolshoy Dramatic Theatre, Kazan, in the 1950s

Masquerade (MASKARAD, 1835)

By Mikhail Lermontov

Translated from Russian by Laurence Senelick

“My temperament is like Lermontov’s,” declares the antisocial bully Captain Solyony in Chekhov’s Three Sisters (1901).  He then quotes a familiar line from a Lermontov poem: “But he, the rebel, seeks the storm/ As if the storm could bring him peace.” These clichés sum up what Lermontov meant to the average literate Russian before the Revolution and possibly still does.  Rebellious, headstrong, or, alternately, Romantic, Byronic, these are the standard epithets applied to Lermontov.

Mikhail Yurievich Lermontov (1814-1841) encouraged these descriptors, for he revelled in self-dramatization.  Tracing his ancestry to the Scottish Learmonts, he was steeped in Russian poetry up to and including Pushkin, along with Schiller, Vigny, Lamartine, Byron, Walter Scott and Shakespeare (in English).  He also developed a precocious passion for the Caucasus, his poetic homeland. Although far from wealthy, Lermontov, like his fellow guardsmen, caroused, gambled, flirted at balls.  However, his pervasive sense of irony prevented him from active participation in the revolutionary ferment brewing among the officer class. He was a contrarian due more to a turbulent temperament than to ideological conviction.

His hero Pushkin’s death in a duel was a critical turning-point in Lermontov’s attitude to his society. He believed the event to have been engineered by the highest authorities. The poem he wrote in response circulated widely and was regarded by the government as a “call to revolution.” This led to his being arrested, court-martialed, expelled from the Guards and exiled to the Caucasus.

Barely a year later Lermontov was pardoned. He returned, reinstated in the Guards, and began publishing poetry in magazines. St Petersburg high society was, during the despotic rule of Nicholas I, regimented and policed. Under such constraints, Lermontov enjoyed provoking scandals. The isolation, internal struggle, disbelief in convention nursed by Lermontov were projected on to the heroes in his work.The harm they do is both recalcitrant and against their better natures. They are Camus’s outsider avant la lettre

On leave in Petersburg in January 1841 Lermontov provoked a duel with the French ambassador’s son and was ordered to leave the capital in forty-eight hours.  On his way south he behaved like a schoolboy on holiday, attending picnics, musicales and dances. While vacationing at a spa he teased an old school-mate Major Martynov for showing off his “assumed Byronism” Martynov issued a challenge and in the duel on 15 July the poet fell, a victim of his own contradictory nature. 

Like many of his contemporaries, Lermontov was stage-struck. His first dramatic experiments, however, went unperformed; so he was particularly eager to get Masquerade on to the boards. He submitted a three-act version to the government censor in October 1835 and saw it rejected as “indecent” and “rude.” Lermontov was advised to change the ending to “the triumph of virtue” and the reconciliation of the Arbenin couple, thereby making nonsense of the whole concept.  The somewhat rewritten play, with the addition of the character of the Unknown and a supplemental fourth act, was resubmitted and again rejected. An uncut text would not appear in print until 1873. However, the censor’s copy survives and is the basis of all published and produced versions of Masquerade.

Scenes from the play began to appear at actors’ benefits from 1852. Late nineteenth-century interpretations, heavily expurgated and abridged, tended to be melodramatic. Not until Meyerhold’s lavish production in St Petersburg in 1917 on the eve of the February Revolution were the mystical, symbolic and demonic elements of the play emphasized. This staging remained in the repertory of the Alexandra (Pushkin) Theatre to 1941, when its sets and costumes were destroyed in a warehouse fire. Revived sporadically during the late Soviet period, Masquerade has recently become a favorite of innovative directors such as Rimās Tuminās and Valery Fokin.

The title of the drama is an obvious symbol: all high society (svet, which, like the French le monde, also means “world”) is a masquerade with no place for genuine feelings, its glamor concealing vice. In this play it is a multifaceted and contrasting motif which allows the author, with a limited cast, to create a broad genre picture of relationships. St Petersburg in the 1830s is depicted as hypocritical, mendacious, egotistical, caught up in frivolous and soul-destroying activities which allow entry to otherwise inadmissible villains The complicated mechanism of the intrigues against the central figure keeps the characters focused, revealing variations on social psychology and morality.

Masquerade’s protagonist Arbenin is a typical Lermontov anti-hero. Having outlived his youthful ideals, recognizing all the vileness of his past actions and despising the world around him, he rebels against himself. He hopes to create a new life through love “of a weak creature, an angel of beauty.” Without Nina “he has no happiness nor soul nor feeling nor existence.”  He is constantly gnawed by misgivings, disturbing thoughts; he “trembles at his bliss,” fears to lose his only joy, his soul’s idol.   A drawing-room Lucifer, he is an apostate from God, not a denier of God.

Arbenin’s callous cruelty is hard to accept, but he is not simply “possessive,” a self-centered villain. The inner struggle, exacerbated by external circumstances, clouds his mind, awakens the beast in him, and turns him into a murderer. Lermontov makes no attempt to justify him, but insists that Arbenin is the victim of a corrupt society that hates and attacks him for being superior to the petty, envious people who surround him. Nevertheless, Arbenin’s downfall is foreshadowed less in the hostile circumstances than in his own nature. His Aristotelian hamartia is shaped by the peculiarities of his personality, the inevitable consequence of egotism and all-embracing scorn, which drive him to make the fatal error.  The bitter experience that raised him above the ruck poisons him with boundless suspicion and distrust of people and life, and society won’t forgive his aloofness. In the censor-imposed fourth act, Arbenin, not so much repentant as despairing, Oedipus-like recognizes his error and by going insane causes his psychic death. For all these reasons, Arbenin is no Othello. He is, in fact, his own Iago. 

So, Masquerade eludes the traditional definitions of tragedy. The unbridled nature of Arbenin’s outbursts is a deliberate attack on literary decorum. Although the fourth act in some ways diverts the action to a more predictable kind of poetic justice, it also, in the character of the Unknown, provides a dimension of the occult or mystical. Moreover, the flashes of sardonic wit turn certain scenes into satiric comedy.  In its idiosyncratic eclecticism and its titanic anti-hero, Masquerade may be considered as revolutionary a drama as Hernani or La dame aux camélias.

For all its tragic power, Masquerade is little known and less produced outside of Russia because of the difficulty of translation.  Lermontov wrote it in intricate rhymed verse copied from Griboedov’s satiric comedy Woe from Wit. The poet Guy Daniels once wrote, “Rhyme in Russian – and most especially feminine, dactylic and hyperdactylic – is much less emphatic than in English, because it so often involves flexional segments of words (case-endings, etc.) that have little ‘semantic weight.’” The ratio in Russian stress between strong and weak is one-to-two, so Russian speech patterns fall into dactyls as readily as the English fall into iambs. To preserve Lermontov’s rhymes forces English into contorted postures.

Another reason for eschewing rhyme is that the heroic couplet, once common in Restoration tragedy, it is used in English-language drama mainly for comic effect. It may be appropriate for a translation of Woe from Wit in which aphoristic wit is at a premium and rhyme can serve as a punch-line. In a work such as Masquerade with its overheated rhetoric, rhyme has diminishing returns, both obfuscating meaning and provoking hilarity. Yet to render the dialogue as flat-footed prose denatures its pungency. Fortunately, in Masquerade Lermontov employs four- and five-footed iambs, which I have tried, whenever possible, to recreate. This lends, I hope, a Shakespearian tinge to the cut-and-thrust of the dialogue. I have also carefully preserved Lermontov’s line breaks, because they indicate rhetorical emphases and may prove useful to actors.  As to the vocabulary and diction, I have tried to stick to what one might find in English fiction and poetry of the 1830s.

Laurence Senelick (b.1942) is Fletcher Professor Emeritus of Drama and Oratory at Tufts University and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. His translations from the Russian include Russian Satiric Comedy; Russian Comedy of the Nikolaian Era; The Complete Plays of Anton Chekhov; and The Crooked Mirror: Plays from a Modernist Russian Cabaret, as well as individual works by Gogol and Shvarts. Among his other works on Russian culture are Russian Dramatic Theory from Pushkin to the Symbolists; The Chekhov Theatre; Soviet Theatre: A Documentary History; and Stanislavsky: A Life in Letters.

Masquerade

Drama in 4 acts, in verse

By Mikhail Lermontov

Translated by Laurence Senelick

Characters

Evgeny Aleksandrovich Arbenin

Nina, his wife

Prince Zvezdich

Baroness Strahl

Afanasy Pavlovich Kazarin

Adam Petrovich Sprikh

A Masquer [The Unknown]

An Official

Gamblers

Guests

Male and female servants

ACT ONE

Scene 1

Gamblers, Prince Zvezdich, Kazarin and Sprikh. A game of faro is in progress, and stakes are laid against the bank.  Men are standing around.

FIRST PUNTER. Ivan Ilych, I’d like to place my bet.

BANKER.  Please do.

FIRST PUNTER.        A hundred rubles.

BANKER.                                           Very well.

SECOND PUNTER.                                      Good luck then.

THIRD PUNTER.      Your luck had better improve.

The bet you’ve made is scanty…

FOURTH PUNTER.                          You’ll have to up the ante.

THIRD PUNTER. Here goes.

SECOND PUNTER.              All in?… no, that’ll sting you!

FOURTH PUNTER. Listen, friend, if you don’t double now,

 You’ll be left holding the bag.

THIRD PUNTER (quietly, to First PUNTER). Keep your eyes peeled.

PRINCE.                     I shoot the works! Va banque.

SECOND PUNTER.                                      Hey, Prince,               

Hot temper only clouds the brain – play coolly.

PRINCE.                     For once spare me your advice.

BANKER. It’s covered.

PRINCE.                     Devil take it.

BANKER.                                           Please pay up.

SECOND PUNTER (jeering). I guess you’ll be cleaned out, eager to lose it all. 

How much for your epaulettes?

PRINCE.  I earned them with honor – I won’t sell them to you.

SECOND PUNTER (through clenched teeth, leaving).        You should be more cautious

At your age and with such rotten luck.

(Prince, drinking a glass of lemonade, sits to one side and is lost in thought.)

SPRIKH (steps up with a show of concern). Do you need money, Prince? I’ll help you out right now,

Low interest… And I can wait a hundred years.

(Prince bows coldly and turns away. Sprikh exits in displeasure.)

(Arbenin enters and bows, approaching the table; then makes a few signs to Kazarin and steps aside with him.)

ARBENIN. What’s this, not playing?… eh, Kazarin,

KAZARIN.     I’m just watching the others, pal.

But you, dear boy! Married, rich — quite the gentleman …

And quite forgot your old companions!

ARBENIN.                 Yes, I haven’t been with you for a while.

KAZARIN. Business keeps you occupied at all times?

ARBENIN.                             Love….not business.

KAZARIN. Escorting your wife to balls.

ARBENIN.                             No.

KAZARIN.                                         Do you gamble now?

ARBENIN.                                                                             No – I’ve sworn off!

But there’re new faces here, who’s that clothes-horse?

KAZARIN.                                                                                         Sprikh!

Adam Petrovich!.. I’ll introduce you right away.

(Sprikh comes up and bows.)

May I introduce you to my friend Arbenin.

SPRIKH.         I know you.

ARBENIN.                             I don’t recall

We’ve ever met.

SPRIKH.                                             By hearsay.

I’ve heard so much about you

That I’ve wanted to meet you for ever so long.

ARBENIN. About you, unfortunately, I have heard nothing.

But, of course, you’ll fill in all the details.

(They bow again. Sprikh, with a sour expression on his face, exits.)

I don’t like him… I’ve seen a multitude of ugly mugs,

But that one is no joke;

That malicious smile, those eyes… like glass beads;

By his looks — he’s not a man, — but rather like a devil.

KAZARIN.     Oh, dear friend, — what matter looks?

So what if he’s the devil himself!… as a man he’s not without his uses,

Just say the word — he’ll lend you money.

What parts he’s from I couldn’t say;

He speaks all languages,

Most likely he’s a yid.

He knows everyone, does business everywhere,

Never forgets a thing, is well informed, with a finger in every pie,

            Been horsewhipped more than once, with atheists he’s an atheist,

With a plaster saints a Jesuit; with us a rabid card player.

And with men of honor — the most honorable of all.

In short, you’ll take to him, I’m sure!

ARBENIN. It’s a good likeness – though the original is repellant!

Say, who’s that tall fellow with the moustache

And wearing rouge to boot?

No doubt, a constant customer in fashion shops,

Most likely a retired Romeo who’s been in foreign parts?

Of course, a hero out of a job

And an expert target shooter?

KAZARIN. Close enough… He was cashiered from his regiment over a duel

Or rather, because he skipped the duel.

Chose not to be a killer — besides, his mother

Didn’t let him –. Some five years later.

He was challenged again,

    And this time fought like mad.

ARBENIN.     And that little fellow?

His hair dishevelled, with a friendly smile,

A cross and snuffbox?…

KAZARIN.                                         Trushchov…

Oh, a worthless runt;

Served seven years in Georgia,

Or sent there with some general,

Caught someone red-handed,

Killed time under some official for five years,

And got that cross around his neck.

ARBENIN. Your new acquaintances are really choice!

PUNTERS (shouting). Kazarin! Afanasy Pavlovich, come here!

KAZARIN. Coming.  (With feigned concern.)

Your disloyalty is something awful!

Ha, ha, ha, ha!

FIRST PUNTER.        Hurry up.

KAZARIN.                                         What’s the trouble?

(There is a lively discussion among the cardplayers, then they calm down. Arbenin notices Prince Zvezdich and goes over to him.)

ARBENIN.     Prince, how is it you’re here?  It can’t be your first time?

PRINCE (displeased). I meant to ask you the same thing.

ARBENIN.     Please let me anticipate your answer.

I’m an old hand around here; here’s where I often used

To watch in mute excitement

How the wheel of fortune spun out luck.

One man would be raised up, another crushed by it.

 I envied no one, but felt no sympathy.

I’ve seen many a youth, full of hope

And feeling, happily ignorant

Of what life has to teach… with eager spirits,

Whose first and only aim had once been love…

They quickly perished before my very eyes.

And now I’m doomed to watch it once again!

ZVEZDICH (emotionally takes him by the hand). I lost.

ARBENIN.                 So I see. What then? drown yourself!..

ZVEZDICH. Oh! I’m in despair.

ARBENIN.                 It’s either/or:

Either vow you’ll never play again,

Or get back to the table right away.

But to win at it you must make up your mind:

Abandon everything: family, friends, honor,

You have to weigh, impartially assay

Your capabilities, your very soul: dissect them

In detail; inure yourself to read

    Clearly on the faces of men you barely know,

Each impulse, every thought; — spend years

     Training your hands,

Despising everything: the laws of man and those of nature,

Practice all day, play all night, with no respite from your mania,

            So no one will suspect it is a mania. 

No flinching, when your equal in skill confronts you,

Any moment your success can come to a humiliating end.

And don’t blush when someone boldly calls you:

 “Cheat!”

(Silence. The Prince has hardly listened in his agitation.)

PRINCE. I don’t know, what’s to become of me, what am I to do?

ARBENIN.                                                                             Whatever you want.

PRINCE. Maybe luck…

ARBENIN.                             Oh, there’s no luck about it!

PRINCE. But I’ve lost everything!… Ah, give me some advice.

ARBENIN.  I don’t give advice.

PRINCE.                                 Then I’ll go back to the table…

ARBENIN (suddenly taking him by the arm).                       Hold on,

I’ll play… instead of you. You’re young — I once

Was young and inexperienced,

And arrogant and rash like you,

And if only … (Stops abruptly.) someone had restrained me…

How different… (Stares at him intently.)

(Changes his tone.)

Shake my hand firmly for luck,

     The rest need not concern you!

(He steps up to the table, where they make room for him.)

            Don’t turn away a veteran,

I want to find what fate

Has in store for me, and whether she’ll reject a former worshipper

In favor of her current admirers!

KAZARIN. He couldn’t help it – the addiction has flared up. 

(Quietly.) Well, don’t let them grind your face in the mud

And show them what it’s like

To tangle with a seasoned gambler.

GAMBLERS.  Go ahead, you hold the cards. — you’re the host, we’re the guests.

FIRST PUNTER (into the ear of the Second Punter). Watch out now, — keep your eyes peeled!..

This highway robber makes me nervous,

For he might trump my ace.

(The game begins; everyone crowds around the table; occasional exclamations. In the course of the following dialogue, many men gloomily leave the table.)

(Sprikh leads Kazarin downstage.)

SPRIKH (archly). They’ve all huddled in a bunch, to brave the coming storm.

KAZARIN. He’ll have them terrorized for all next month!

SPRIKH.                                                                     Obviously.

He’s an expert.

KAZARIN.                 He was.

SPRIKH.                                             Was, and now…

KAZARIN.                                                                             Now?

He’s rich and married and become a solid citizen;

He seems meek as a lambkin — but the same old beast lurks within…

People claim: you can mend your ways,

Subdue your nature. – A foolish thing to say;

He may pretend to be an angel,

Meanwhile the devil still dwells within his soul.

    And you, my friend (clapping him on the shoulder),

though you’re a babe compared to him,

Have a little imp residing in you too.

(Two gamblers engaged in lively conversation go by.)

FIRST GAMBLER. I told you so.

SECOND GAMBLER.                      What can you do, pal?

We’ve met our match, for sure.

Whatever tricks I tried — no, we all went down like tenpins.

I blush to think of it…

KAZARIN (walks up to them).          What is it, gentlemen, not up to scratch? Eh?

FIRST GAMBLER. Your Arbenin’s a card sharp.   

KAZARIN.                                                     And what are you, gentlemen?

(Sudden excitement at the table among the gamblers.)

THIRD PUNTER. For pity’s sake, he’ll turn his hundred to a thousand.

FOURTH PUNTER (aside).              He’ll bet on the wrong card…

FIFTH PUNTER.                                                                   We shall see.

ARBENIN (rises).                                                                                          Basta!

(He picks up the gold and walks away; the others remain at the table, including Kazarin and Sprikh. Arbenin silently takes the Prince aside and gives him the money. Arbenin is pale.)

PRINCE.         Oh, I’ll never forget this…

You’ve saved my life…

ARBENIN.                             And your money too.

(Sardonically)            

And really, it’s hard to tell

Which of the two has greater value.  

PRINCE.  You’ve made a great sacrifice for me.

ARBENIN.                                                                 Not at all.

I was glad of the chance to stir my blood by some excitement,

To stimulate my mind and heart with the suspense;

I sat down to play —  the way you’d go to battle.

PRINCE.                     But you might have lost.

ARBENIN.     I… no!.. those blissful days are over.

I see through it all … all their subtle tricks I know,

And that’s why I no longer play.

PRINCE. You shun my gratitude.

ARBENIN. Let me tell you in all honesty I cannot bear it.

I’ve never been obliged to aught or anyone in all my life,

And if I ever did someone a good turn,

It’s not because I cared for him;

But – simply – I saw some profit in it.

PRINCE. I don’t believe you.

ARBENIN.                                         Who asked you to?

I’ve been used to that a long time now.

If I weren’t so lazy, I’d be more of a hypocrite…

But let’s drop the subject…

 (A moment of silence.)

    It wouldn’t be a bad idea if you and I had some distraction.

 After all, the holidays are upon us, and there’s probably a masquerade

At Engelhardt’s[1]…

PRINCE.                                 There is.

ARBENIN.                                                     Shall we go?

PRINCE.                                                                                 I’d be glad to.

ARBENIN (aside). I can relax amidst the crowd.

PRINCE.                                 There will be women there… beauties…

    And they say there will even be…

ARBENIN. Let them talk, what’s it to us?

Behind a mask all ranks are equal,

Masquers have neither souls nor titles — only bodies.

Once their faces are concealed by masks,

They dare unmask their feelings.

(They exit.)

FIRST GAMBLER.                He threw in his hand at just the right time… troublemaker…

SECOND GAMBLER.  At least he brought us to our senses.

SERVANT (enters). Dinner is served…

HOST.                                                 Let’s go in, gentlemen,

The champagne will console you for your losses.

(They go out.)

SPRIKH (alone). I want to get in with Arbenin…

But I do like to eat for free.

(Puts his finger to his brow.)

I’ll dine here… I may learn something more

And then I’ll speed after them to the masquerade.

(He exits, communing with himself.)

Scene 2

The Masquerade

The crowd of masquers crosses up and down on the stage; to the left is a sofa.

ARBENIN (enters). In vain on every side I seek distraction,

The motley throng about me buzz and hum…

But my heart’s cold, my fancy frozen in inaction:

They’re alien to me, and I to all of them!

(Prince enters, yawning.)

                        There’s the latest generation. 

When I was his age, was I just like that?

Well, Prince?.. not stumbled on to an adventure yet?

PRINCE.                     How can I, roaming at large a whole hour now!

ARBENIN. Ah! you want luck to latch on to you. 

A new approach  –  it’s up to you to unearth it.

PRINCE. All these masks are stupid…

ARBENIN.                             No mask is stupid: when silent, they’re mysterious, when they Begin to speak… so charming.

You can impart to their words a smile, a glance, what you will…

Why, for instance, look over there,

How stately that tall Turkish woman strides… how plump,

How her breasts swell with passion, unconfined.

Do you know who she is?

Perhaps some proud countess or princess,

A high society Diana  …a Venus in disguise,

And perhaps too this same beauty

Might visit you tomorrow night for half an hour.

In either case, you really wouldn’t be the loser.

(He exits.)

(A domino approaches and stops; the Prince stands lost in thought.)

PRINCE.                     So that’s the way things are? It’s easy to make up a story…

Even so, I can’t help yawning…

But here comes a woman… God help me!

(A masked woman comes out of the crowd and taps him on the shoulder.)

LADY MASQUER.                                       I know…

You!

PRINCE.                     Intimately, it would seem.

LADY MASQUER. And what you were thinking about —  I know as well.

PRINCE.  In that case you have the advantage of me.

(Peers under her mask.)

But if I’m not mistaken,

You have a tasty little mouth.

LADY MASQUER. If you’re attracted to me, so much the worse.

PRINCE.                                                                                 For whom?

LADY MASQUER. For one of us.

PRINCE.                                             I don’t see why?

You don’t scare me with that prediction,

And though I’m not the cleverest of men,

I’ll find out who you are…

LADY MASQUER.               Then perhaps you know

How our conversation ends?…

PRINCE. We’ll have a chat and go our separate ways.

LADY MASQUER.                                                   Really?

PRINCE.         You to the left, I to the right…

LADY MASQUER. But what if I’m here for just one purpose—

To meet and speak with you;

And what if I say that in an hour you’ll

Swear you never will forget me,

That you’ll be glad to give up your life for me the moment

I fly away like a nameless phantom,

If you hear but one phrase

From my lips: Till our next meeting!..

PRINCE. You’re a clever mask, but so much talking!

If you know me, tell me: who am I?

LADY MASQUER.  You? You have no principles, no morals, no God:

You’re a self-centered, wicked, but weak man;

The perfect mirror of our time,

This present age, glittering but devoid of sense.

You want to live a full life, but steer clear of passion.

You want it all but cannot make a sacrifice;

You despise servile and heartless people,

And yet you’re the plaything of these very people.

Oh! I know you…

PRINCE.                                 How flattering.

LADY MASQUER. You’ve done much harm.

PRINCE.                                                         Perhaps not meaning to.

LADY MASQUER, Who knows! All I do know is

No woman ought to love you.

PRINCE. I’m not looking for love.

LADY MASQUER.               You don’t know how to.

PRINCE. Or rather, I’m tired of looking.

LADY MASQUER.                           But what if she appeared before you

And suddenly said, “I’m yours!.”

Would you dare remain unfeeling then?

PRINCE.                     But who is “she”?…  An ideal, of course.

LADY MASQUER.   No, a woman… and what do you care?

PRINCE. Well, show her to me, let her boldly appear before me.

LADY MASQUER. You’re asking a great deal – think over what you’ve said!

(A brief silence.) 

She asks no sighs nor declarations,

Nor tears, nor pleas, nor ardent speeches…

Just swear an oath to forgo all attempts

To find out who she is… and about all this

Keep silent…

PRINCE.                                 I swear by heaven and earth,

And by my honor.

LADY MASQUER.               Take care, let’s go!

And remember, what we share is not a joke.

(They go out arm in arm.)

(Arbenin enters with two masquers; he is tugging one of the male masquers by the arm.)

ARBENIN.                 Sir, you have told me things

My honor will not allow

Me to endure…

Do you know who I am?..

MASQUER.                                       I know who you were.

ARBENIN.                 Take off your mask — right now!

You’re acting dishonorably.

MASQUER. What for! My face is just as unfamiliar to you

As this mask, — and this is the first time I’ve ever seen you.

ARBENIN. I don’t believe it! For some reason you’re afraid of me,

But it’s a disgrace to lose my temper. You’re a coward, get you gone.

MAN.              Farewell then, but take care.

        Bad luck will come your way tonight.

(He disappears into the crowd.)

ARBENIN. Hold on!… he’s gone… who is he? He’s got me good and worried.

Some cowardly enemy.

I’ve more than enough of those,

Ha, ha, ha, ha! Farewell, my friend, safe travels…

(Sprikh appears. On the sofa sit two masked ladies; someone comes up and becomes intimate with one of them, takes her hand… She tears herself away and as she leaves a bracelet falls from her arm.)

SPRIKH. Who were you tugging at so ruthlessly,

Evgeny Aleksandrovich?…

ARBENIN.                                         Just harassing

A friend.

SPRIKH.                     Harassing is the word,

But not in fun. — He’s gone and cursed you out.

ARBENIN.     To whom?

SPRIKH.                                 Some masquer.

ARBENIN.                                                     Your hearing

Is enviable.

SPRIKH.         I hear all but don’t tell all

Nor meddle in other people’s business…

ARBENIN.                                                                 That’s obvious.

But, there may be something you don’t know… and that’s a shame! 

Speaking of that..

SPRIKH.                                 Speaking of what, sir?

ARBENIN.                                                                 Never mind, it’s just a joke…

SPRIKH. Tell me…

ARBENIN.                 They say that your wife’s a beauty…

SPRIKH. Well, sir, what of it?

ARBENIN (changing his tone). That swarthy fellow with the moustache is heading your way!

(He leaves, whistling a tune.)

SPRIKH (alone).        I hope you choke…

You laugh at me… but you’ll wear horns yourself!

(He loses himself in the crowd.)

(LADY MASQUER, alone, enters quickly in excitement and drops onto the sofa.)

LADY MASQUER. Ah!… I can hardly breathe… he keeps chasing me…

What if he had torn off my mask… no,

He didn’t recognize me… And by what chance

Would anyone suspect that a woman society

Admires and envies would, with impassioned lack of restraint,

Throw herself at him, praying

Only for a few sweet moments,

Not demanding love — but mere compassion,

And boldly say — I’m yours!…

He will never learn my secret…

Let it be… my desires are done… but he wants

Some token to remember me by,

A ring… what can I do… it’s an appalling risk!

(Sees the bracelet on the floor and picks it up.)

What luck. My God ,– someone lost an enamelled

Gold bracelet… I’ll give it to him, that’ll work…

Let him find me now.

(The PRINCE, with a lorgnette, quickly breaks through the crowd.)

PRINCE.                                 Quite so… there she is.

I’d recognize her ‘midst a thousand others.

(Sits down on the sofa and takes her by the hand.)

 Oh! you won’t run away.

LADY MASQUER.                           I’m not running away from you.

What do you want?

PRINCE.                                 To look at you.

LADY MASQUER.                                       What an odd notion!…

I’m here before your eyes…

PRINCE.                                                         That’s a cruel joke!

But then you mean to joke, while my intent’s a different one…

If you don’t reveal those heavenly features

To me right now  —

I’ll rip off that lying false face

By force…

LADY MASQUER.               How like a man!…

You’re never satisfied… It’s not enough

I love you… no! You want it all;

You have to desecrate my honor,

So that when you meet me at a ball or on a promenade,

You can laugh and tell your friends

About your frivolous affair,

And, to resolve their doubts,

Exclaim: “that’s she!”… and point a finger at me.

PRINCE. I recognize your voice…

LADY MASQUER.                           Do you indeed! that’s a wonder!

A hundred women all speak in the same voice:

They’ll put you to shame – just accost them,

    You’ll get what you deserve.

PRINCE. But my happiness is incomplete.

LADY MASQUER.                                       But how can you tell…

Perhaps you should thank your stars

That I don’t want to doff this mask.

Maybe I’m old, ugly… what a face

You’d make at that!

PRINCE.                                 You want to scare me off,

But knowing how splendid half your face is,

How could I not surmise the rest?

LADY MASQUER (making to leave).          Farewell forever!..

PRINCE.                                                                                             Oh, one minute more!

Won’t you give me something as a keepsake! Have you

No pity on a madman?

LADY MASQUER (moving two steps away).  You’re right, I do feel sorry for you – take my bracelet.

(She throws the bracelet on the floor; as he picks it up she conceals herself in the crowd.)

PRINCE (his eyes look for her in vain). I’m just another fool… it’s enough to

Drive you crazy…

(Sees Arbenin.)

Hey!

ARBENIN (crosses, rapt in thought).            Now who was that prophet of ill omen…

He must know me… and it wasn’t meant as a joke.

PRINCE (coming up to him). Your recent lesson served me well.

ARBENIN. Sincerely glad to hear it.

PRINCE.                                             But luck flew in

All by itself.

ARBENIN.                             That’s ever the way with luck.

PRINCE. But as soon as I grasped it and thought, “The deal is done,” suddenly…

(blows on his palm)

Now I cannot boldly make the claim:

Unless this all turns out to be a dream, I’m a perfect fool.

ARBENIN. Since I know nothing about it, I won’t contradict you.

PRINCE. Everything’s a joke with you; can’t you clear up my confusion?

I’ll tell you all.

(A few words in his ear.)

I was so surprised!

The minx broke away – and this

(displays the bracelet)

is like a dream.

The ending was most pitiful.

ARBENIN (smiling).                          Well, the beginning wasn’t bad!… 

But show it to me… this bracelet is pretty enough,

I’ve seen one like it somewhere… wait a bit.

Or no, maybe not… I’ve forgotten.

PRINCE. Where shall I find her…

ARBENIN.                                         Pick up any woman.

This place is full of them — you won’t have far to look!

PRINCE. But what if it isn’t she?

ARBENIN.                                         That may be so,

But where’s the harm?… Use your imagination…

PRINCE. No! I’ll look for her even at the bottom of the sea, the bracelet

Will be a clue.

ARBENIN.                             Well, let’s take a couple of turns around –

But if she’s not an utter fool,

Her trail has long grown cold.

Scene 3

Arbenin’s Home.

Evgeny Arbenin and a servant enter.

ARBENIN. Well, the evening’s at an end – how glad I am.

Good to forget oneself a while;

All that motley rabble — that whole masquerade

Is whirling around in my brain.

    And what I did there – wasn’t it ridiculous!…

Giving advice to a lover,

    Confirming hunches, comparing bracelets…

And dreaming on behalf of others as poets do…

Honest to God, that kind of role doesn’t suit

A man of my years!

(To Servant.)

Say, has the mistress come home?

SERVANT. No, sir.

ARBENIN.                 When will she?

SERVANT.                                         The lady promised

To be back by twelve, sir.

ARBENIN.                                         It’s going on two  –

She can’t have stayed the night there!

SERVANT.     I don’t know, sir.

ARBENIN.                             Is that so? — Well, run along — set a candle

On the table; I’ll call if need be.

(Servant leaves; Arbenin sits in an armchair.)

ARBENIN.     God is just! And now I’m all but

Condemned to suffer torments

For all my past sins.

Time was that other men’s wives would wait for me,

Now I’m waiting for my own wife…

Amidst a circle of charming deceivers I wasted

My youth stupidly, pointlessly;

They loved me, often ardently, passionately,

But not one of them did I love.

The romance barely begun, I knew the final act,

And to other’s hearts recited

Amorous speeches the way a nanny does a fairy-tale.

      And how tiresome life became for me, how tedious!

Then someone gave me shrewd advice

To get married… to have the sacred right

To love precisely no one else in the world.

So I found a wife, a submissive creature;

She was beautiful and gentle,

   Like the lamb of God groomed for the sacrifice,

I led her to the altar myself…

And suddenly a forgotten chord awoke in me:

   I gazed into my dead soul…

And saw that I loved her;

  And – shameful though it is to admit it… I was terrified!..

  Once more dreams, once more love

Raged in the vastness of a hollow breast;

A shattered craft, again I’m cast upon the open sea:

Will I reach shore again?

(Falls into deep thought.)

(Nina enters on tiptoe and kisses him on the forehead from behind.)

ARBENIN. Ah, greetings, Nina – at last!

It’s about time.

NINA.                         Can it be so late?

ARBENIN. I’ve been waiting for you a whole hour.

NINA.                         Seriously? 

Ah, that’s sweet of you.

ARBENIN.                             But you may think… it’s silly?

He’s waiting… while I…

NINA.                                     Ah, for heaven’s sake!…

You’re always out of sorts, you scowl,

Nothing suits you;

     When we’re apart, you miss me,

But when we meet you growl!

Just say to me: “Nina,

        Give up society, I’ll live with you

And for you; why does someone else,

Some soulless, vapid

Boulevard dandy, squeezed into a corset,

Dance attendance on you in society from morn to night,

       While I see you for but an hour each day

And can hardly say two words to you?”

Say this to me… and I’m ready

To bury my youth in the country,

Give up balls, luxury, fashion,

And this tiresome liberty.

Only speak simply to me as a friend… But where

Has my imagination carried me away… 

Let’s suppose you do love me, but so little

That you’re not even jealous of anyone!

ARBENIN (smiling).              How else? I’m used to a carefree life

And to be jealous is ridiculous.

NINA.                                                                                     Of course.

ARBENIN. You’re angry?

NINA.                                     No, I’m grateful.

ARBENIN. But you’re upset.

NINA.                                     I’m only saying

You don’t love me.

ARBENIN.                                         Nina!

NINA.                                                                         What?

ARBEIN.        Listen…one destiny has bound

Us together forever… a mistake perhaps;

But that’s not for you or me to judge.

(Draws her on to his lap and kisses her.)

You’re young in years and spirit,

And in this huge book of life you’ve read

Only the title page, and before you

Lies the open sea of happiness and evil.

 Take any road,

Hope and dream – on the horizon there are many hopes,

And your past life is pure! 

Ignorant of both your heart and mine,

You gave yourself to me — and I believe you love me,

      But instinctively, playing at feelings,

Frolicking like a child.

      I love differently: I’ve seen it all,

Been through it all before, figured it all out and held it cheap.

      I’ve often loved, I’ve hated far more often.

And most of all I’ve suffered!

At first I set no end to my desires, and then no end to my contempt,

Sometimes I failed to understand myself,

Sometimes the world failed to understand me.

I knew full well my life bears the stamp of perdition,

And coldly turned away the warm embrace

Of feeling and of mundane happiness…

Many years passed this way.

Those days poisoned by the waywardness

Of my licentious youth,

With what deep revulsion

I think of them as I lie on your breast.

So it was, before I realized how precious you are, unhappy me!

But soon this rough bark

Peeled off my soul, a beautiful new world

Opened before my eyes and not in vain.

And I was resurrected for life and goodness.

But there are times when a certain malignant spirit

Draws me back to the chaos of my early days,

    Wipes from my memory

Your bright eyes, your enchanting voice.

In the struggle with myself, weighed down by a load of heavy thoughts,

    I grow taciturn, morose and stern,

I fear to defile you with my touch.

I fear to fright you with my groans,

Sounds wrenched from my torments.

That’s when you say: he doesn’t love me!

(She looks at him affectionately and runs her hand through his hair.)

NINA. You’re a strange sort of man!.. When you speak to me

So eloquently of your love,

With your brain on fire

        And your thoughts glowing so brightly in your eyes,

        Then I have no trouble believing it all. 

        But often…

ARBENIN.                              Often?

NINA.                                                             No!… but sometimes!…

ARBENIN. I’m too old at heart, you’re too young,

But we may be able to share our feelings,

And, I remember at your age,

I believed everything unconditionally.

NINA. You’re displeased again… my God!

ARBENIN. Oh, no…, I’m happy, happy…  I’m a cruel,

Mad slanderer; but far,

Far from the envious, malicious crowd

I’m happy… I’m with you!

       Let’s forget what came before!

       Those heavy, dark days of yore!

I see that the Creator has sent you to me

From His heaven as recompense.

(Kisses her hands, and suddenly noticing one of her bracelets is missing, stops and turns pale.)

NINA.             You’ve gone pale, you’re trembling.… O God!

ARBENIN (leaping up). I? Never mind! where’s your other bracelet?

NINA.             It’s lost.

ARBENIN.                             Ah! Lost.

NINA.                                                             So what?

It’s no great loss.

It cost a mere twenty-five rubles, no more.

ARBENIN (to himself). Lost… Why does this trouble me so much?

What strange suspicions whisper in my ear! 

As if this were but a dream,

   And now comes the awakening!…

NINA.             I really can’t understand you.

ARBENIN (looks piercingly at her, crossing his arms). The bracelet is lost?

NINA (offended).                                                                                            No! I’m lying!

ARBENIN (to himself).          But the resemblance, the resemblance!

NINA.                                                                         I must have dropped it

In the carriage – have them search it;

Of course, I wouldn’t have dared wear it

    If I had imagined…

ARBENIN (rings for the servant, who enters).

Turn the carriage inside out,

There’s a lost bracelet there… Heaven help you

If you come back without it.

(To Nina.)

It’s a question of my honor

 And my happiness. (The servant exits.)  (After a pause, to her.)

What if he doesn’t find the bracelet there?

NINA.             Then it must be somewhere else.

ARBENIN. Somewhere else? Where’s that — do you know?

NINA.                                                                                     This is the first time

You’ve been so mean and so severe;

And the sooner to relieve your mind,

Tomorrow I’ll order a new one just like it.

(Servant enters.)

ARBENIN.     Well?… answer me at once…

SERVANT. I’ve been all over the carriage, sir.

ARBENIN.     And you didn’t find it there!

SERVANT.                                                     No way, sir.

ARBENIN.     I knew it… Get out. (Looks significantly at Nina.)

SERVANT.  It must have been lost at the masquerade.

ARBENIN. Ah!… The masquerade!… So you were there? 

(To the Servant.)  Out. (To her.)

What was the point

                            Of not telling me before? I’m sure

That if you had accorded me the honor

Of escorting you there and bringing you home.

I wouldn’t have embarrassed you by my strict supervision

Or my vulgar affection…

                  Whom were you with?

NINA.                                                 Ask anybody;

They’ll tell you everything,and even with elaborations.

They’ll explain it in detail:

Who was there, with whom I spoke,

        To whom I gave my bracelet as a keepsake.

And you’ll find it out a hundred times better

Than if you’d gone to the masquerade yourself.

(Laughs.)

Ridiculous, ridiculous, for heaven’s sake!

Isn’t it a shame, a sin

To make such a fuss over such trifles?

ARBENIN. God grant that laugh is not your last!

NINA.             Oh, if you go on with these foolish fancies,

   It certainly won’t be the last.

ARBENIN.                 Who knows, perhaps…

                  Listen, Nina!… I’m being ridiculous, of course,

For loving you as intensely and infinitely

As only a man can love.

 And what’s the wonder there? Others in the world

      Have a million hopes and aims:

One man considers only wealth,

     Another is absorbed in science,

This man achieves rank, awards — or fame,

That man loves society, amusements,

Another travels, another’s blood is stirred by gambling…

I travelled, gambled, was giddy-pated, and worked hard at it,

Won friends, perfidious love;

I didn’t care for rank, and I never achieved fame.

Rich and penniless both bored me stiff.

I saw evil everywhere, but proud as I was,

I never bowed down to it anywhere.

All that was left for me in life was you:

A weak vessel but an angel of beauty;

Your love, your smile, your glance, your breath…

I am a man:  while these are mine,

Without them I have no happiness, no soul,

    No feeling, no existence!

But if I am deceived… if I’m

Deceived… if I have been nursing a viper in my bosom

All these days, — if I’ve correctly

Guessed the truth, and, lulled by affection

And mocked by someone behind my back!

Listen, Nina… I was born

With a soul that seethes like lava:

       Till it turns molten, it’s as hard

       As a rock… but it’s dangerous sport

      To encounter it once it erupts! then,

Then don’t expect forgiveness –

I‘ll not call on the law for my revenge;

But with no tears and no regret

I shall myself destroy both of our lives!

(Tries to take her hand; she springs to one side.)

NINA. Don’t come near me… oh, how terrible you are!

ARBENIN.                                                                             Really?…

I’m terrible? No, you’re joking, I’m ridiculous!

Laugh, go on and laugh… Why, now that you’ve attained your goal,

Do you turn pale and tremble? Quick, where is he,

The ardent lover, your masquerade playboy?

Let him come and have his bit of fun. 

You’ve let me taste all the other tortures of hell,

Only this one is lacking.

NINA.             This is the working of suspicion!

And all on account of a bracelet;

Believe me, your behavior looks absurd

                    Not only to me but the whole world!

ARBENIN. Yes! Laugh at me, you, all the fools on earth,

             Neglectful but pathetic husbands

Whom once even I deceived,

But who meanwhile live in a fools’

Paradise… Alas!… but you, my heavenly

And earthly paradise…farewell!..

Farewell, I know it all.

(To Nina.)

Begone from me, hyena!

And did I think, fool that I am, that, moved to grieving

     And contrition, she would confess it

All to me… and on her knees?

    Yes! I would have melted had I seen

But one tear… a single one… but no! – derision was my answer.

NINA.             I don’t know who has maligned me,

But I forgive you; I’m not guilty of this.

I’m sorry but I cannot help you.

Nor will I tell lies to comfort you.

ARBENIN. Oh, be still… I beg you… that’s enough.

NINA.             But listen… I’m innocent… as God

Is my judge, listen…

ARBENIN.                             I know by heart

Whatever you’re going to say.

NINA.                                                                         It distresses me

To hear your accusations… I love

You, Evgeny.

ARBENIN.                                         Well, in all honesty,

That confession comes on cue…

NINA.                                                                         Listen to me, I beseech you;

Oh God, what do you want?

ARBENIN.                                                     Revenge!

NINA. Revenge on whom?

ARBENIN.                                                     Oh, the time will come,

And truly you will wonder at me.

NINA. But not on me… what are you waiting for?

ARBENIN.                                                                 Heroics aren’t your strong suit.

NINA (scornfully).     On whom then?

ARBENIN.                                         Whom are you afraid for?

NINA. Are many more such moments in store for me?

Oh, stop it… you’re killing me

    With your jealousy… I don’t know how

To beg, and you’re implacable… But even now

I forgive you.

ARBENIN.                             Wasted effort.

NINA. Even so, there is a God… He won’t forgive you.

ARBENIN.                                                                             Shame on me!

(Nina leaves in tears. Arbenin alone.)

ARBENIN.     Such is woman!.. oh, I’ve known you all this long while

All your caresses and reproaches,

But this knowledge of mine is pathetic

And makes me pay dearly for the lesson!…

Besides, why should anyone love me?

Because I have a forbidding look and harsh voice!

(Crosses to his wife’s door and listens.)

What’s she doing: laughing, most likely!…

No, she’s crying. (Moves away.) Pity it’s too late!

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

Scene One

(Baroness Strahl sitting wearily in an armchair. She flings aside her book.)

BARONESS. A thought occurs:  what is the point of living? Eternally

To defer to others’ standards

And serve as slaves forever! George Sand may be right!

What is woman nowadays? A creature devoid of free will,

The plaything of others’ whims and passions!

In a world full of judges and defenseless in that world,

She has to conceal all the ardor of her feelings

Or stifle them as they begin to flower;

What is woman? From her very youth

She’s auctioned to the highest bidder, decked out like a sacrificial victim;

She’s accused of loving no one but herself,

Yet banned from loving others.

       At times passion rages in her breast,

Driving out fear, reason, thought;

And if somehow, forgetful of society’s control,

She discloses her true self

And yields to her feelings heart and soul –

       Then farewell happiness and peace of mind!

Such is society… indifferent to one’s inmost self! By looks,

                    By outward show it decides what’s honest and what’s vice, —

                    But will not tolerate affront to its conventions,

And cruelly doles out punishments!..

(About to read.)

       No, I can’t read… I’m upset

       By all these second thoughts, I fear him

As something hostile… and when I recall past events,

I even wonder at myself.

(Nina enters.)

NINA. Riding in the sleigh, I had the notion

To drop in on you, mon amour.

BARONESS. C’est une idée charmante, vous en avez toujours!

(They sit.)

Somehow you look more pale than ever

Today, despite the wind and frost.

And your eyes are red – not from weeping, I’m sure!

NINA. I passed a sleepless night and don’t feel very well now.

BARONESS.              Your doctor’s no good – take another one.

(Prince Zvezdich enters.)

BARONESS (coldly).             Ah, Prince.

PRINCE.                                                         I came by yesterday

With news our picnic has been cancelled.

BARONESS. Please take a seat, Prince.

PRINCE.                                                         I was just wagering

That you’d be disappointed, — but you look unperturbed.

BARONESS. I really am sorry.

PRINCE.                                             But I’m delighted;

I’d give a score of picnics for a masquerade.

NINA.             Were you at the masquerade yesterday?

PRINCE.                     I was.

BARONESS.                          In what costume?

NINA.             There were so many there…

PRINCE.                                                         Yes; but

I recognized a few of our ladies behind their masks.

Of course you are such fanciers of fancy dress. (Laughs.)

BARONESS (heatedly). I should inform you, Prince,

That such aspersions are not funny in the least.

If a respectable woman chooses

To drop by where all manner of riffraff,

Where every scatterbrain feels free to insult and mock her

At the risk of being recognized — You should be ashamed:

And refrain from such remarks.

PRINCE. I can’t refrain; to be ashamed I’m willing.

(An Official enters.)

BARONESS.              Where are you from?

OFFICIAL.                                                     I’ve come straight from the board

To discuss your case.

BARONESS. Has it been settled?

OFFICIAL.                                         No, but soon! Perhaps

I intrude?..

BARONESS. By no means.

(Goes to the window and speaks with him.)

PRINCE (aside)                      Now’s the time for a declaration!

(To Nina.)

I saw you in a shop just now.

NINA. Which one?

PRINCE.                     For English goods.

NINA.                                                             How long ago?

PRINCE.                                                                                             Just now.

NINA. I’m surprised I didn’t recognize you.

PRINCE. You were preoccupied…

NINA (quickly).                                  I was picking out a bracelet

To match this one (takes out of her reticule).

PRINCE.         A charming little bracelet.

But where’s its mate?

NINA.                                     Lost.

PRINCE.                                                         Is that so?..

NINA.             What’s so strange about that?

PRINCE.                                                         If it’s no secret,

When?

NINA.             A couple of days ago, yesterday, last week.

Why do you need to know when?

PRINCE.         I had a notion in my head,

      A rather odd one.

(Aside.) She’s embarrassed – my question upset her!

Oh, these modest women! (To Nina.) I’d like to offer

You my services… it may yet be found.

NINA. You may…but where?

PRINCE.                                 Where was it lost?

NINA. I don’t remember.

PRINCE.                                 Might it have been at a ball?

NINA.                                                                                     That may well be.

PRINCE. Or given to someone as a keepsake?

NINA. How did you come to that conclusion?

And to whom would I give it?

                   If not to my husband?

PRINCE.                                             As if a husband were the only person in the world –

You have a host of lady friends, I’m sure.

But let’s say that it’s lost – and he

Who finds it for you –

Will he get some reward?

NINA (smiling).          That depends…

PRINCE.                                             What if he

Loves you, if in his wayward dream

He sought you,– and for a smile from you, a word,

Would spare nothing on this earth!

What if some time you chose

     To hint to him

Of bliss-to-come —  if

Unrecognized behind a mask,

     You lavished on him words of love…

Oh! do take my meaning.

NINA.                                                 From this,

All I take is that you’ve gone too far…

And now for the first and last time

I humbly pray you do not speak to me.

PRINCE. Oh God! I was dreaming… Are you really angry? (To himself.) 

You’re trying to wriggle out of it! fine…but sooner or later

I’ll get what I’m after.

(Nina crosses to the Baroness. The Official bows and exits.)

NINA.             Adieu, ma chère. – till tomorrow, I have to go.

BARONESS. Tarry a while, mon ange; I’ve had no time

To say two words.

(They exchange kisses.)

NINA.                                     I’ll expect you tomorrow morning. (She leaves.)

BARONESS.              To me a day seems longer than a week.

PRINCE (aside). I’ll be revenged on you! where a modest woman is concerned,

Most likely, I’m a fool — most likely, she’ll deny it all,

But I did recognize the bracelet.

BARONESS.                                                  A penny for your thoughts, Prince?

PRINCE.         Yes, my thoughts come thick and fast.

BARONESS.              Your conversation

Seemed spirited – what was the argument?

PRINCE. I was sure I’d met her at the masquerade.

BARONESS.                                                  Whom?

PRINCE.                                                                                 Her.

BARONESS.                                                                                      What, Nina?

PRINCE.                                                                                                                     Yes!…

I proved it to her.

BARONESS.                          You’re shameless,

I see, you slander people to their faces.

PRINCE.         Sometimes I like to play the eccentric.

BARONESS.              At least be merciful behind our backs! 

Besides, there is no proof.

PRINCE. No… only yesterday I was given a bracelet,

And she has one just like it.

BARONESS. Some proof… there is a logical explanation!

    Such bracelets can be found in any shop!

PRINCE.                     I’ve just now visited them all

And I’m convinced there are only two like it.

(After a silence.)

BARONESS    Tomorrow I’ll give Nina some useful advice:

Not to confide in chatterboxes.

PRINCE.                     And what advice have you for me?

BARONESS.                                                                          You?

Carry on more boldly what you’ve so successfully begun

And be more cautious of a lady’s honor.

PRINCE. For your two counsels I’m doubly grateful.  (Exits.)

BARONESS.  How can a man toy so glibly with a woman’s honor?

Had I revealed myself to him, it would have been the same with me!

So farewell, Prince, it’s not for me to turn you

From the primrose path: oh no, God forbid.

The one thing I find strange, how could I find

Her bracelet, — so! Nina was there –

   And that explains the whole charade…

I don’t know why, but I love him,

Maybe out of boredom or frustration

Or jealousy… I languish and I grieve,

    And take delight in nothing!

I already seem to hear the laughter of the vapid crowd,

And the whisper of spiteful commiseration!

No, I’ll spare myself… even at another’s expense —

From this shame — even at the cost of suffering

I’ll have to redeem this new misdeed of mine!…

(She falls into thought.)

What a chain of terrible events.

(Sprikh enters, bows.)

BARONESS.              Ah, Sprikh, you’re always right on cue.

SPRIKH.         Goodness me – I should be glad

To be of use whene’er I can.

Your late husband…

BARONESS.                          You’re always so attentive!

SPRIKH.                                                                                 The baron, rest in peace…

BARONESS.                                                                                                               About

            Five years ago, as I recall.

SPRIKH.                                                         Borrowed a thousand…

BARONESS.                                                                                                  I know,

But the interest for five years

I’ll pay you today.

SPRIKH.                                 I don’t need the money, ma’am,

Goodness me, ma’am, I just happened to remember it.

BARONESS. Tell me, what’s the news?

SPRIKH.                                                         From a certain count

I’ve heard – I only just left him,

A host of stories.

BARONESS.                                      Did you hear anything

About Prince Zvezdich and Arbenin’s wife?

SPRIKH (puzzled).     No… I heard… a sort of… no — 

It was the talk of the town and then it wasn’t…

(Aside.) Just what it was, I can’t remember, what a nuisance!..

BARONESS.              Oh, if it’s out in open,

There’s no point in talking about it.

SPRIKH. But I’d like to know your

Views on the matter.

BARONESS.  Society has already condemned them;

However, I might give them some advice –

I’d say to him: what women most admire

In a man is constancy,

                   They want to see him overcome a thousand obstacles

To attain his lady fair.

And I would wish her to be less severe and more discreet! 

Farewell, M’sieur Sprikh, my sister is waiting

To dine with me — . Otherwise I’d do my duty by you.

(On the way out, aside.)

Now I’m safe — a useful lesson for me.

SPRIKH (alone). Don’t worry, I caught the hint

And won’t wait to hear it twice!

Such a quick wit, a keen imagination!

There’s intrigue here… yes, I’ll lend a helping hand in this affair — 

The Prince will thank me for it –

I’ll offer to be his go-between…

       Then here I’ll hasten with the report,

       And then, who knows, I may be paid the money

For that five years’ interest.

Scene 2

Arbenin’s Study

ARBENIN (alone).  There’s clearly cause for jealousy — but there’s no proof!

  I fear to err — but haven’t the temper to be patient — 

              Let it lie, overlook it as a momentary slip?

That kind of life is grimmer than the grave!

  There are people, so I’ve seen, — with souls so icebound

They live in a state of bliss and sleep peacefully through a thunderstorm –

An enviable life!

SERVANT (enters).               A man awaits downstairs.

He brings a note to the mistress from a princess.

ARBENIN. Which one?

SERVANT.                             I didn’t inquire, sir.

ARBENIN.                                                                  A note? to Nina!..

(He exits. Servant remains. Enter Afanasy Pavlovich Kazarin.)

SERVANT. The master just went out, sir; please wait a moment, sir.

KAZARIN.                                                                                         Very well.

SERVANT.                                                                 I’ll announce you at once, sir. (Exits.)

KAZARIN. I’m prepared to wait a year, I’ll wait,

As long as you like, M’sieur Arbenin.

My affairs are in such a mess it’s got me down!

I need an ingenious partner,

And it wouldn’t hurt if he were also

Generous by nature, with, on the side,

Some three thousand serfs

And patrons in the upper crust.

Once more I have to haul Arbenin back

      To gambling; he’ll be true to the old days. 

       He’ll know how to back a friend

And not quail in the face of striplings.

   Ah, this younger generation

     Gets on my nerves!

 Talk sense to them as much as you please,

They don’t know when to start or when it’s quitting time,

         They make no show of honesty,

         Nor do they cheat genteelly!

         Consider how many of the old-timers

Rose in the ranks,

Out of the gutter,

Forged links with the highest society –

And how did this occur? — they knew how to keep up

Appearances in all things, abide by its laws,

Follow the rules – and behold! –

                   They end up with both honor and millions!..

SPRIKH (enters).  Ah! Afanasy Pavlovich, — wonderful.

Oh, how glad I am, I didn’t expect to meet you here.

KAZARIN.     Nor I you.  – Paying a call?

SPRIKH.                                                                     Yes, sir,

And you?

KAZARIN.                 I too!

SPRIKH.                                             Really? Then it’s no bad thing

We’ve met, — I need a word with you

            About a little business deal.

KAZARIN.     Wheeling and dealing’s what you do,

But just one deal is something new.

SPRIKH.                                                         Your bon mot is beside the point,

But really I must have a word.

KAZARIN.                             And so must I.

SPRIKH.                                                                     Then we’ll see eye to eye.

KAZARIN. I don’t know about that… Talk!

SPRIKH.                                                         Let me ask you:

Have you heard that your friend

Arbenin… (Makes horns with his fingers.)

KAZARIN.                             What?… It can’t be! 

You know for sure…

SPRIKH.                                             Honest to God!

I was arbitrating it myself — just five minutes ago;

Who should know better?

KAZARIN.                                         The devil’s always close at hand.

SPRIKH.         You see: the other day his wife,

I don’t remember, at a ball or after church

Or at a masquerade, met up with a certain

Princeling – she showed enough of herself to him,

And very soon he found himself happy and in love,

    But suddenly this beauty

Tried to squirm out of it a tiny bit.

The prince was furious — and rushed around everywhere

To tell the tale — you can imagine the furor that it caused!

I was asked to referee the matter…

I set to work – and settled it in no time;

The prince promised to keep quiet… he dashed off a note,

Which yours truly corrected slightly

  And instantly delivered.

KAZARIN. Watch out lest the husband tear your ears off.

SPRIKH.                     I’m used to be involved in such affairs,

And managed without duels…

KAZARIN. And without being horsewhipped?

SPRIKH.                                                         Nothing’s serious to you, you’ll have your joke…

But I’ll always insist that a man mustn’t risk his life

With nothing to be gained.

KAZARIN.                                         True enough!

It’s a great wrong to risk such a

Priceless life without some profit.

SPRIKH. But this is by the way – I wanted to speak with you

About something important.

KAZARIN.                                          What is it?

SPRIKH.                                                                     An anecdote! 

Here’s the gist.

KAZARIN.                             Be off, you and your deals,

   I think Arbenin’s on his way.

SPRIKH.         There’s no one here yet – not long ago I was brought

Five greyhounds from Count Vrutti.

KAZARIN.     Your anecdote, I swear to God, is most entertaining!

SPRIKH. Your brother is a sportsman, this would be a wondrous buy!

KAZARIN.     And so Arbenin — like an idiot…

SPRIKH.         Listen to me.

KAZARIN.                             Is made a laughing-stock,

Blatantly cuckolded and ridiculed!

  So much for marriage!

SPRIKH.                                                                     Your brother

Would be overjoyed at such a bargain.

KAZARIN.    In marriage fidelity and happiness – all lies….

Hey, don’t get married, Sprikh.

SPRIKH.                                                         Why, I’ve been married for ages.

Listen, I’ve a special treasure.

KAZARIN.                                                     Your wife?

SPRIKH.                                                                                 My dog.

KAZARIN.                                          So you’re still on about dogs! 

Listen, my dear friend,

I don’t know about your wife – no one knows what God has in store –

    But those dogs’ll be on your hands for quite some time.

(Arbenin enters with a letter. They are standing to the left of the study; he does not see them.)

            He’s rapt in that letter; I’d love to know what’s in it.

ARBENIN (not noticing them).  Oh, gratitude!… And did I not long ago

Rescue his honor and his future, scarcely knowing

Who he was — and what comes next? —  Oh! snake in the grass!

Matchless double-dealing!… Toying with me,

   He insinuates himself into my house like a thief,

To cover me with shame and disgrace!…

And I didn’t believe my eyes, forgetting

   The bitter experience of many days.

Like a child, ignorant of human behavior,

I dared not suspect such a crime;

I thought:  the blame’s all hers…he doesn’t know

Who this woman is… like an outlandish dream,

He will forget his night’s adventure!

He didn’t forget it, he kept seeking till he found her,

   And then he could not stop…

There’s gratitude!… I’ve seen a great deal on this earth,

But still manage to be amazed.

(Rereads the letter.)

      “I’ve found you, but you did not want

       To admit it.” Incredible modesty, by the way.

 “You are right…what is more terrible than gossip?

   “We might have been overheard by accident.

   “So it was not disdain but fear

        “That I read in your flashing eyes.

“You’re fond of secrets– so let this be a secret!

“But I would sooner die than give you up.”

SPRIKH. The letter!  so, so, it – all’s lost in an instant.

ARBENIN      Oho! An ingenious seducer – truly,

I’d like to send him a blood-stained answer.

(To Kazarin.)

            What, have you been here?

KAZARIN.                                                     I’ve been waiting a full hour.

SPRIKH (aside). I’ll head over to the Baroness, let her fume

      And go to pieces any way she likes.

(Moves to the door and exits unnoticed.)

KAZARIN.                 Sprikh and I – where’s Sprikh?

Vanished.

(Aside.) The letter! So that’s it, I understand!

(To Arbenin.)  You’re lost in thought…

ARBENIN.                                                     Yes, lost in thought.

KAZARIN. About the vanity of earthly hopes and blessings?

ARBENIN. Almost! about gratitude.

KAZARIN.                                         Opinions

Differ on that score,

     But no matter what’s been thought about it,

     The subject still deserves consideration.

ARBENIN. And your opinion?

KAZARIN.                                         I think, my friend,

That gratitude is something which most

Depends on the value of the service,

The good we do depends not always on ourselves!

For instance, yesterday once more

Slukin lost nearly five thousand to me,

And I am, honest to God, most grateful.

That’s how it is: whether I’m eating, drinking or sleeping,

He’s in my thoughts.

ARBENIN.                             You’re always joking, Kazarin.

KAZARIN.     Listen, I’m fond of you

And so I’ll speak in earnest;

But do me a favor, pal, and lose that lowering look,

And I’ll reveal to you

        All the mysteries of earthly wisdom.

You want to know my opinion

Of gratitude… take heed: be patient.

         No matter how Voltaire or Descartes interprets it –

For me the world is — a pack of cards.

Life is the bank, Fate deals, I play,

And apply the rules of the game to fellow men.

    Now here’s an instance

To explain these rules,

Assume I’ve staked a thousand on an ace:

Out of superstition – I have a hunch about the cards!

And let’s assume, by chance, without cheating

   It won – I am delighted;

But still I’m not going to be grateful to that ace.

I’ll quietly rake in my winnings,

And raise and raise until I fold;

Or till the jackpot’s won

   And the crumpled card is –underneath the table!

 Now… but you’re not listening, my dear fellow?

ARBENIN (lost in thought). There’s evil everywhere – deceit on every hand.

And the other day like a block of wood,

 I listened to it all without a word!

KAZARIN (aside).                             He’s lost in thought.

(To Arbenin.)                                                  Now we’ll move

To another case and analyze the matter;

But by degrees, so we don’t get confused.

Assume, for instance, in gambling or debauchery,

    Again you wanted to indulge

    And your friend happens to be there

And says: “Hey, be careful, pal”,

And offers other sage advice,

Which is worth nothing.

But you chance to listen to him anyway;

His advanced age demands respect;

So if he kept you from getting drunk,

Then on the spot you get him drunk without delay

And beat him at cards after he taught you how to cheat.

And if he prevents you from gambling… go to a ball,

Fall in love with his wife… or perhaps not fall in love

But seduce her, to pay the husband back.

In both cases, you’d be right, my friend,

In paying for one lesson with another.

ARBENIN. You’re a magnificent moralist!

(Aside.)  So everybody knows about it…

Ah, Prince!.. I’ll repay you honorably for your lesson.

KAZARIN (paying no attention).      One last point remains to be elucidated;

You love a woman… you sacrifice to her your honor,

Wealth, friendship, and perhaps your life;

  You lavish on her pleasantries and compliments,

But why should she be grateful to you? 

You’ve done it all out of lust

And in some measure vanity —

To possess her you sacrificed your all,

But not for her happiness.

Yes, — just mull that over for a while dispassionately

And you’ll say yourself that everything in the world is relative.

ARBENIN (downcast).          Yes, yes, you’re right; what can love offer a woman?

She needs new conquests every day.

You may weep, torment yourself, and plead –

And your tearful face and voice she deems ridiculous.

You’re right — only a blockhead would dream of finding

His earthly paradise in a single woman.

KAZARIN.     You reason very soundly

For a happily married man.

ARBENIN.                                                     Do I indeed?

KAZARIN.  Aren’t you?

ARBENIN.                             Oh! happy… yes…

KAZARIN.                                                                 I am delighted,

But all the same ‘tis pity that you’re married!

ARBENIN.     Why’s that?

KAZARIN.                             It’s just so… I’m remembering

The days of yore… when you and I

Would live it up, at another man’s expense – I don’t know

 Whose, but we were clever lads!..

 Those were the days…  in the morning, rest and relaxation, 

Memories of the pleasant night before…

Then dinner, wine – Raoul’s best vintage[2] 

Sparkling and bubbling in cut-glass goblets,

Riotous talk, no end of witticisms;

       Then to the theatre — my soul quivers

At the thought of you and me backstage

Chatting up ballerinas and actresses…

                   Isn’t it true that way back then

Everything was better and cheaper?

As soon as the play was over… we’d fly straight as an arrow

To a friend’s… go in… the game already at white heat;

Heaps of money stacked up on the cards;

     One fellow would be all ablaze…another

Paler than a corpse in the grave.

         We’d take a seat… the battle would be joined!..

            Then,.then dark passions and sensations

            Would course through your soul!

         And often some momentous thought would wind

            The mainspring of a fervid mind…

And were you to beat your opponent by your knowhow,

Were you to compel fate itself to fall meekly at your feet –,

Even Napoleon in person

Would seem to you pathetic and absurd.

ARBENIN (looks away). Oh! who will bring back to me… you tempestuous hopes,

You unendurable but fiery days!

For you I’d give up the bliss of ignorance,

Indifference, serenity – these are not for me!

Am I to be a husband and father of a family,

            I, I who has tasted

All the sweets of vice and villainy,

And never once shrank to encounter them?

            Begone, virtue: I know you not,

               I’ve been deceived even by you,

And our brief union now I rend asunder.

Farewell  – farewell! (Falls on to a chair and covers his face.)

KAZARIN.                                         Now he is mine!..

Scene 3

(A room in the Prince’s house. The door into another room is open. The Prince is in it, sleeping on a sofa.)

IVAN a servant (looks at the clock). It’s long past seven.

He told me to wake him at eight.

He’s sleeping Russian-style, not following the fashion,

So I’ve time to run out to the shop.

I’ll lock the door…  that’s trustier… 

But… oops… there’s someone’s on the stairs.

I’ll say he’s not at home…and get them off my hands more quickly.

(Arbenin enters.)

ARBENIN. Is the Prince at home?

IVAN.                                                 No, sir.

ARBENIN.                                                                 That is a lie.

IVAN.                                                                                                 He went out

Five minutes ago.

ARBENIN (listening).            You’re lying! He’s in there

 (Indicates the next room),

Sleeping soundly  — listen to the way he breathes.

(Aside.) I’ll soon put an end to that.

IVAN (aside).                                                             He’s doesn’t miss a trick…

(To Arbenin.) The Prince gave orders not to be awakened.

ARBENIN. He likes to sleep…so much the better:

It may turn out he’ll sleep forever.

(To the servant.) I believe I said

 I’d wait till he wakes up. 

(Ivan exits.)

ARBENIN (alone). The auspicious moment’s come!,,,– now or never.

Now I’ll manage it with neither fear nor effort. 

I’ll prove that in our generation

There’s still one soul in whom an offense

Once planted will bear fruit… Oh! I’m not their underling,

It’s too late for me to bow down to them…

If I were to challenge the enemy in public,

They’d laugh… but they won’t laugh now! 

Oh no, that’s not my way!… I won’t endure a disgrace

On my head even an hour and do nothing.

(Opens the door.)

Asleep!… what is he dreaming one last time?

(A terrifying smile).

What if he died of a stroke –

His head is hanging down …I’ll let his blood…

And put it down to kindly nature!

(Enters the room. A couple of minutes pass, and he emerges pale.)

 I can’t.

(Silence.)

Yes! it’s beyond my strength and will!…

I betrayed myself, and started trembling,

For the first time in my life… How long

Have I been a coward?… A coward?… Who called me that….

I did,and it’s true… shameful, shameful,

Run away, blush, you contemptible fellow.

The times have crushed you to the earth like so many others.

You were only bragging to yourself, that’s plain;

 Oh! the pity of it!… the downright pity… even you are unmanned

Beneath the weight of modern culture! 

Love… you’re not up to it… And revenge

You tried… you came – and couldn’t do it!

(Silence. He sits down.)

 I’m flown too high,

I’ll have to choose a surer path…

Another scheme has sunk

  Deep into my tortured breast. 

 So, so, he will live… killing is out of fashion; 

They string up killers in the public square.

So!… I was born among civilized people;

Glib words and gold… those are our daggers and our poison!

(Takes pen and ink and writes a note, then takes his hat.)

(On his way to the door Arbenin bumps into a lady in a veil.)

LADY IN VEIL. Oh!..  all is lost…

ARBENIN.                                         What’s that?

LADY IN VEIL (pulling away).                                Let me go.

ARBENIN.     That was no pretend cry

Of marketable virtue.

(To her, sternly.)

Quiet!

Not a word, or on the spot…

What a suspicion! –Take off

Your veil while we’re alone here!

LADY. I didn’t mean to come here, I was mistaken.

ARBENIN.                                                     Yes – a slight

   Mistake, it seems,

But you mistook the time, not the place.

LADY.                                                                                    For heaven’s sake,

Let me go; I don’t know you.

ARBENIN. Your embarrassment is strange — you’d better own up.

He’s sleeping now… and may awake at any moment!

I know it all… but I want

To be certain…

LADY.                        You know?..

(He throws back the veil and steps back in amazement, then recovers.)

ARBENIN.                                         Thank you, Lord,

For letting me be wrong at least for now!

BARONESS.  Oh! what have I done? It’s all over now.

ARBENIN.      Your despair is misplaced at the moment –

I agree it’s no fun at such a time

To meet with a cold hand

Instead of a warm embrace…

But the alarm is only temporary… no harm’s been done;

I’m discreet, willing to hold my tongue — Thank God

‘Tis I, not someone else…

                 Or else the whole town would be buzzing with it.

BARONESS.  Ah! he’s awake, he’s talking.

ARBENIN.                                                                 In his sleep …

But you may be calm, I’m going now.

Yet explain to me by what power

This Cupid — has suddenly enchanted you.

Why, when he himself is as insensitive as steel,

Do all women blaze with passion for him?

Why isn’t he at your feet with pining,

Pleading, vows, tears?

While… you… you’re here alone… a woman with a soul;

Dead to shame, you’ve come to give yourself to him…

Why would some other woman, in no way

Worse than you, be prepared

To give him everything:  happiness, life, love… for just one glance, one word?

Why… oh, I’m a fool!

 (In a frenzy.)              Why, why?

BARONESS (resolutely). I understand what you’re referring to… I know

What brought you here…

ARBENIN.                                         How so? — who told you?…

(Remembering himself.)

 And what do you know?..

BARONESS.                                      Oh, I beseech you,

Forgive me…

ARBENIN.                             I haven’t accused you of anything;

On the contrary, I rejoice at a friend’s good luck.

BARONESS. I was blinded by passion;

I’m to blame for it all, but listen…

ARBENIN.                                                     What for?

It’s really all the same to me… I am no friend to hidebound morality.

BARONESS. But if it hadn’t been for me, there’d be no letter,

Nor…

ARBENIN.                 Ah! that’s too much by far!…

Letter?… Which one?… ah! so it was you then!

You coupled them…instructed them… how long

     Have you assumed such roles?

     What drove you to it?… Is this

Where you escort your innocent victims

     Or do the youngsters come to you?

      Ye, –I admit!…  you are an asset to every drawing-room!

.. And I’m no longer surprised by the depravity of our ladies!…

BARONESS. Oh1, my God.

ARBENIN.                                         I’m not saying this to flatter you …

How much do all these gentry pay you?

BARONESS (drops into a chair).      Why, you’re not human.

ARBENIN. My mistake, sorry, you do it from a sense of honor!

(About to exit.)

BARONESS. Oh, I’m losing my mind – wait!

He’s going, won’t listen… oh, I’m dying…

ARBENIN.                                                                             Well, then! proceed,

This should enhance your reputation…

        No need to fear me now, farewell….

But God keep us from meeting in future…

        You took everything I had, everything in the world.

         I ‘ll be your stalker at all times,

All places… – on the street, in private, in society;

         And if we should run into one other …woe betide you!

             I’d kill you… but death is to be the reward

 I must save for another woman.

You see, I’m tender-hearted… instead of the torments of hell,

 I leave you heaven on earth.  (Exits.)

BARONESS (calls after him). Listen — I swear… it was a trick… she’s

Innocent… and the bracelet!… I did it all!… I alone…

He’s gone, didn’t listen, what can I do? Despair

All round… there’s no sense to it… I want

To save him no matter what… I’ll

Beg and grovel; reveal

                  My own deceit, my crime!

   He’s awake… he’s coming…  I’m resolute, oh agony!..

PRINCE (from the other room).         Ivan! Who’s there?… I heard voices!

Such servants! Can’t get a wink of sleep for even half an hour! (Enters.)

Bah, what a visitation!

A beauty! I’m delighted!

(Recognizes her and recoils.)

Ah, Baroness! no…I can’t believe it!

BARONESS. Why did you recoil? (In a faint voice.) 

Are you surprised?

PRINCE (embarrassed).        Of course, pleasantly …

But I hadn’t expected such good fortune.

BARONESS.  And it would be peculiar if you had.

PRINCE.         What was I thinking? Oh – if I’d only known.

BARONESS. You could have known everything and yet know nothing.

PRINCE.         I’m ready to make amends for my fault;

I’ll humbly accept whatever punishment

You like… I was blind and dumb; my ignorance

Was to blame… and now I cannot find the words…

(Takes her by the hand.)

But your hands… are ice!  and in your face distress!

Are my words so open to suspicion?

BARONESS. You’re mistaken!… I didn’t resolve to come here

To demand love

Or try to force a declaration.

Forgetting shame and fear is characteristic of us both.

No, it’s a sacred obligation:

My former life is over,

And another life awaits me now;

But I was the cause of evil,

And, before abandoning society forever, 

I’ve come now to expiate it!

I’m willing to endure my shame;

    I didn’t save myself… but I’ll save others.

PRINCE. What does this mean?

BARONESS.                                      Don’t try and stop me!

It cost me great effort

To make up my mind to speak out… Unwittingly,

You were the sole cause

Of my distress…  Despite that,

I must save you… the why and wherefore

I know not… you don’t deserve

     All these sacrifices… you are incapable of love,

     Or understanding… and I might not

            Even wish you to…

    But listen!.. today I learned,

No matter how…that yesterday

You indiscreetly wrote a letter to Arbenin’s wife.

            The rumor runs,

     She loves you, — that is a lie, a lie!

Don’t believe it, for heaven’s sake!  the very idea…

       Could ruin us all!… all! She

Knows nothing… but her husband… read it… and he’s terrifying

        In his love and hate –

He was just here… he’ll kill you… he’s a past master

Of villainy… you’re so young.

PRINCE.                                             Your fear is groundless! 

Arbenin is a man of the world, — and he’s too clever

To go and make it public;

And, needlessly, for no good reason,

End a silly comedy with a bloody finale.

So he lost his temper, – no great harm in that;

We’ll get pistols from Lepage’s, [3]

Measure off thirty-two paces,

And, honestly, I didn’t earn these epaulets

                    By running from the foe.

BARONESS. But what if your life is more precious to someone

Other than yourself… what if it’s bound up with someone else’s life,

And what if you are killed… killed!.. Oh, God!

 And I’m to blame for all of it!

PRINCE. You?

BARONESS.              Take pity on me.

PRINCE (thinking it over).                             I am obliged to fight;

I’m guilty in his eyes — I’ve wronged his honor,

All unawares; but there’s no way

To put it right.

BARONESS.                                      There is a way.

PRINCE. By lying?  is that it? Find me another way,

 I will not lie to save my life,

And I’ll be off at once.

BARONESS.                                       A moment! …don’t go

And hear me out.

(Takes him by the hand.)

 You’ve been deceived in everything!… That woman in a mask…

(leans against a table, sinking)

‘twas I!…

PRINCE.         You? Oh Providence!

(Silence.)

            But Sprikh!… he said… it’s all his fault…

BARONESS (recovering and moving away).

It was a moment’s delusion,

A dreadful folly — and now I repent it!

It’s over — forget about it all.

Give her back the bracelet — it was found by chance,

   Some quirk of fate;

And promise me this will remain

A secret… let God be my judge.

He will forgive you… Forgiveness is not within your power!

I shall withdraw… I don’t suppose

We’ll meet again.

(Going toward the door, she sees that he intends to run after her.)

Don’t follow me.  (Exits.)

PRINCE (after prolonged consideration).

I really don’t know what to think,

And all I can understand is that,

Like a schoolboy, I’ve lost a good chance

By doing nothing.

(Goes over to the table.) 

Well, what’s here: a note – from whom? 

Arbenin… I’ll read it!… 

“Dear Prince! come to N’s tonight; there will be great doings… and we’ll have

a jolly time… I didn’t want to wake you, otherwise you’d be dozing off all night – Farewell. — I’ll be expecting you without fail; sincerely yours,

Evgeny Arbenin.” 

Well, honestly, you’d need sharp eyes

To spot a challenge here.

Whoever heard of an invitation to supper

As lead-up to a challenge to a duel?

Scene 4

A Room at N’s

(KAZARIN, HOST and ARBENIN sit down to play cards.)

KAZARIN. So you’ve actually given up all those prejudices

Society takes pride in,

            And set your feet upon your former path!..

A capital idea… you must be a poet,

And, more than that, by all tokens, a genius,

Family life inhibits you,

Give me your hand, dear friend,

You’re one of us.

ARBENIN.                                          I’m one of you! The past can’t be denied.

KAZARIN.     Upon my word,

It’s delightful to see how clever people respect things nowadays;

For them convention is more cumbersome than chains…

Am I right, will you go halves with me?

HOST.             We’ve got to fleece the Prince a little.

KAZARIN.      Yes…yes. (Aside.) The sport should prove amusing.

HOST. We’ll see… A coach!…

(A noise is heard.)

ARBENIN.                                         ‘Tis he.

KAZARIN.                                                                 Your hand

Is shaking?…

ARBENIN.                 It’s nothing! — I’m out of practice.

(Enter the Prince.)

HOST. Ah, Prince!  I’m delighted – please don’t stand on ceremony,

Take off your saber and have a seat.

A dreadful battle’s to be joined.

PRINCE.                                                         Oh! I’m happy to look on.

ARBENIN.     Has the last time made you afraid to play again?

PRINCE.                     No, honestly, not with you.

(Aside.)  According to the rules of society, I oblige the husband,

While I pursue the wife…

Let me win there and lose here!… (Sits.)

ARBENIN. I’ve just been by to see you.

PRINCE.                                                         I read your note

And, as you see, followed its instructions.

ARBENIN.                                                                             In your doorway

I encountered someone embarrassed and distraught.

PRINCE.         And did you recognize the someone?

ARBENIN (laughing).           It seems I did! 

Prince, you’re a dangerous philanderer,

I understood it all, I. I figured it all out…

PRINCE (aside). He understood nothing — that’s clear. (Walks away and lays down his saber.)

ARBENIN. I wouldn’t want you to set your sights

On my wife. 

PRINCE (distracted).             Why not?

ARBENIN. Because – the virtue lovers

Look for in a husband, —  is one I don’t possess.

(Aside.) Nothing fazes him… oh, I’ll destroy

Your sugar-candy world, you fool, and pour poison on it.

 And if you could wager your soul on a card,

 I’d stake my own against yours.

(They play. Arbenin deals.)

KAZARIN.     I bet fifty rubles.

PRINCE.                                             So do I.

ARBENIN.                 I’ll tell you an anecdote

I heard when I was younger.

Can’t ger it out of my mind at the moment.

You see: there was some gentleman,

A married man – your win, Kazarin –

A married man, who, trusting in his wife’s

Fidelity, slumbered in sweet oblivion —

You’re somewhat inattentive, Prince,

And will lose as a result.

The kind husband was loved, lived tranquilly day after day;

And, to complete his blessings, this carefree spouse

Was dealt a friend… he had once done him

An important service – and therefore

Thought him, so it seemed, honest and conscientious.

What then? I don’t know

By what chance — but the husband learned

That this grateful friend, this all too honest debtor,

Offered his services to the man’s wife.

PRINCE.  What did the husband do?

ARBENIN (as if not hearing the question).  Prince, you’re neglecting the game. 

You’re doubling without looking. (Staring at him intensely.)

So you are curious

To know what the husband did?..  He seized on some mere trifle,

And slapped his face … how would you have acted,

Prince?

PRINCE.                     I would have done the same. So, did they

Shoot it out?

ARBENIN.                             No.

PRINCE.                                             Settle it with swords?

ARBENIN. No, no.

KAZARIN.                 So they made peace?

ARBENIN (smiling bitterly).  Oh, no.

PRINCE.                                             Then what did he do?

ARBENIN.     He took that as revenge

and left the seducer with the slap.

PRINCE (laughing).   But that’s utterly against the rules!

ARBENIN.                                         Who has decreed that there are

Laws or rules to hatred and revenge?

(They play. — Silence.)

PRINCE.         That’s mine, that one’s mine.

ARBENIN (rising).                                        Hold on, you switched

That card!

PRINCE.                     I? listen here…

ARBENIN.                                         The game

Is over… there’s no fair play here.

You (Breathing hard.)

     Are a cardsharp and a blackguard.

PRINCE. I? I?

ARBENIN.     A blackguard and I brand you here and now,

So everyone will deem it an offense to meet you.

(Throws the cards in his face. The Prince is so surprised as to be nonplussed.)

 (Lowering his voice.)

Now we’re quits.

KAZARIN.                                         What’s come over you? 

(To the Host.)  He broke it off at the best moment.

The fellow was warming up, might have lost two hundred thousand!

PRINCE (recovering, jumps up). Right now, I must, I must – have

Blood! Only your blood will wash away this insult!

ARBENIN. A shooting match?  with you?  and me? you’re deluded.

PRINCE.         You’re a coward! (Tries to throw himself at Arbenin.)

ARBENIN (threatening).       Go ahead! but I don’t advise you

To take another step —  or even stay here!

I may be a coward, — but even a coward

Couldn’t be scared of you.

ZVEZDICH.                           Oh, I’ll force you to fight!

I’ll tell it everywhere, how you’ve behaved,

It makes you — not I — the blackguard.…

ARBENIN.                                                     I am prepared for that.

PRINCE (coming closer). I’ll say I was with your wife –.

Oh, take care!… remember the bracelet…

ARBENIN.                 I’ve already punished you for that…

PRINCE.                     Oh, rage… where am I? the whole world

Is against me – I’ll kill you!..

ARBENIN.                                                                 And that

Is in your power – I would even counsel you

To kill me soon…. Otherwise, it’s likely

Your courage will turn cold within the hour.

PRINCE.  Oh, where are you, my honor?… Take back your words,

Restore it to me — and I’ll be at your feet,

But you hold nothing sacred,

       Are you a man or demon?

ARBENIN.                                                     I? —  a gambler!

PRINCE (falling, covering his face).  My honor, honor!…

ARBENIN.                                                                       Yes, your honor’s gone for good.

The barrier between good and evil has been pulled down,

And all society will turn from you in scorn.

From now on you’ll go the way of an outcast,

You’ll taste the sweetness of bloody tears,

The happiness of those dear to you will weigh heavy

       On your soul, while you’ll be thinking

Of the same thing day and night, and gradually feelings

Of love, of beauty will wither and die,

And no manner of art will give you back your happiness!

All your roistering friends will drop like leaves

Off a rotten bough; and with a blush

You’ll hide your face as you pass through the crowd,

      And shame will gnaw at you more

Than crime does an evil-doer!

                 And now – farewell… (On his way out.)

I wish you a long life.  (He exits.)

End of Act Two

ACT THREE

Scene One

A Ball

(A throng of lady guests is milling about.)

HOSTESS.      I’m waiting for the Baroness, but I don’t know: 

Whether she’ll come  — truly, I’d be sorry if she didn’t

For your sake.

FIRST GUEST.                      I don’t know what you mean.

SECOND GUEST.                             You’re waiting for the Baroness Strahl?

She’s gone away!..

MANY.                                   Where to? what for — how long ago?

SECOND GUEST.                 Off to the country this very morning.

FIRST GUEST.                                                                      Good Lord!..

What was the cause? was it of her own free will?

SECOND GUEST.     A foolish fancy! – a  romance!.. Don’t

Count on her!

(They disperse. Another group, men.)

THIRD GUEST.         You know, the Prince lost.

FOURTH GUEST. Quite the contrary, he won  — but apparently not on the up and up,

And got slapped in the face.

FIFTH GUEST.                      Did he resort to pistols?

FOURTH GUEST.     No, he refused.

THIRD GUEST.                                             What a lowlife

He turned out to be!..

FIFTH GUEST.                      From this day forth

He’s a stranger to me.

SIXTH GUEST.                     Me too! – what an underhanded way to act.

FOURTH GUEST. Will he be here?

THIRD GUEST.                                 No, honestly he wouldn’t dare.

FOURTH GUEST. There he is!

(The Prince steps up; people scarcely bow to him. Everyone moves away except the Fifth and Sixth Guests. Then they move away too. Nina sits down on a sofa.)

PRINCE.         Now we’re away from all of them,

There won’t be another chance. (To her.)

I have to have a word with you,

And you must hear me out.

NINA. Must I?

PRINCE.                     For your own happiness.

NINA.             What strange concern.

PRINCE.       Yes, strange, because it’s your fault

That I’m ruined… but I pity you, I see

That I am struck down by the self-same hand,

That will murder you; – and I will never stoop

To a paltry revenge — 

But hear me and be on your guard:

Your husband is a villain, soulless and godless,

And I predict that danger threatens you. 

Farewell forever, the villain is yet to be unmasked,

And I cannot chastise him now –

    But the day will come —  I shall lie in wait…

Take your bracelet, I don’t need it any more.

(Arbenin watches them at a distance.)

NINA.             You’re out of your mind, Prince, — it would be

A shame if I got angry with you now.

PRINCE. Farewell forever – I implore you for the last time…

NINA. Where are you going, very far away, I suppose.

 Might it be it the moon?

PRINCE.                                             No, closer than that, the Caucasus. (Exiting.)

HOSTESS (to the others). Almost everyone has come and it’ll be cramped in here.

                        Please, gentlemen,

Mesdames, let’s move to the salon.

(They exit.)

ARBENIN (alone, to himself). Am I in doubt?  Am I?  Everyone knows about it;

Sarcastic remarks from every side

Harass me… They deem me pitiful, ridiculous!

And where are the fruits of all my labors?

And where is that power with which I once

Could lash a whole crowd with a word, a flash of wit?

Two women slew it!

One of them… Oh, I love her,

I do love — and am so cruelly deceived…

No, I won’t abandon her to others…

Nor let them judge us…

I’ll deliver the last judgment on my own…

And find the capital punishment for her – let mine be here

(points to his heart).

She is to die, I can no longer

Live with her… Might we live apart?

(As if frightened.)

It is decided;

She is to die — my earlier firm resolve

I will not alter! Clearly, she was doomed

To be cut down in the prime of life, to be loved

By a villain such as I and love

Another… that’s obvious! …how could she go on living

After that!.. Thou, God, unseen

But all-seeing  — take her, take her;

I hand her over to you as my pledge to Thee –

Forgive her, bless her — 

But I’m not God, and I do not forgive!

(Music is heard. He paces the room, suddenly stops.)

                     Some ten years ago I set out

On a career of dissipation.

One night I lost nearly every last penny,

I knew the value of gold-pieces then,

But not the value of life;

        In my despair — I went and bought

Poison – and returned once more

To the gaming table – as the blood boiled in my breast.

        In one hand I held a glass of

Lemonade  — in the other the four of spades.

                   My last ruble lay dormant in my pocket

Along with the precious powder – the risk, ‘tis true, was great;

But luck held firm – and in an hour I’d won! 

       From that time on I’ve saved that powder,

Amidst the tribulations of an arduous life,

       Like a mysterious and wondrous talisman,

I’ve saved it for a rainy day, and that day isn’t far. (Exits quickly.)

(On his last lines, the Hostess, Nina and several ladies enter with their dance partners.)

HOSTESS.      It’s a good idea to rest a while.

LADY (to another). It’s so hot in here I’m melting.

GUEST.  Nastasya Pavlovna will sing us something.

NINA.             Honestly, I don’t know the new ballads,

And the old ones are boring.

LADY.            Ah, sing anyway, Nina, sing.

HOSTESS.      I know you’re too kind to make us

Entreat in vain for a whole hour.

NINA (sitting down at the piano). Then I order you to listen attentively,

At least that punishment

May serve you right!  (Sings.)

When I see an unbidden tear

Well up with sorrow in your eyes,

I greet the sight with cruel cheer,

Glad that my rival prompts your sighs.

                                    The worm of passion gnaws unseen

                                    At your defenseless heart and soul.

                                    Then I rejoice for it must mean

                                    He loves in part, while my love’s whole.                              

                                    But if, by chance, a happy gleam

                                    Your tearful glances should acquire,

                                    A nightmare swallows up my dream,

                                    I’m filled with anguish and hellfire.

(Near the end of the third verse, Arbenin enters and leans on the piano. She stops upon seeing him.)

ARBENIN.     Why don’t you go on?

NINA.                                                 I’ve quite forgotten

How it ends.

ARBENIN.                                         If you like,

I’ll prompt your memory.

NINA (embarrassed).                                     No, what for?

 (Aside, to the Hostess.) I’m not feeling well. (She rises.)

GUEST (to another).                                                  In every fashionable song

There are always words

A lady dare not utter.

SECOND GUEST. Besides, our native language is still too blunt

To accommodate women’s subtleties.

THIRD GUEST.  You’re right: like a savage who cares for nothing but his freedom,

Our proud language will not make allowances,

                  Whereas we good-naturedly make far too many allowances.

(Ice cream is served, The guests disperse to the other end of the salon or singly into other rooms,so that finally Arbenin and Nina are alone. The Unknown appears far upstage.)

NINA (to the Hostess).  It’s so hot in there, I’ll sit down out of the way and rest!

(To her husband.)  My angel, bring me some ice cream.

(Arbenin shudders and goes for the ice cream; he returns and sprinkles the poison into it.)

ARBENIN (aside).     Death, lend your aid!

NINA (to him).                                               I feel somehow depressed, bored;

Trouble must be on the way.

ARBENIN (aside).     Sometimes I’ve faith in premonitions. (Gives her the ice cream.) \

Take this, it’s a cure for boredom.

NINA. Yes, it’ll cool me off. (She eats.)

ARBENIN.                                         Oh, how could it not cool you off?

NINA.             It is boring here today.

ARBENIN.                                         What’s to be done?

 To keep people from boring you — you have to learn

To appreciate stupidity and intrigue!

That’s what makes the world go round!

NINA.             You’re right! It’s dreadful!…

ARBENIN.                                                  Yes, dreadful!

NINA.             There are no spotless souls…

ARBENIN.                                                                 No,

I thought I’d found one, but to no avail.

NINA.             What do you mean?

ARBENIN.                                         I was saying

That I found only one such soul in the world…

You.

NINA.                         You’re pale.

ARBENIN.                                         Too much dancing.

NINA. Remember, mon ami!  you didn’t leave your seat.

ARBENIN. Then I must have danced too little!

NINA (giving him the empty saucer).            Take this, put it on the table.

ARBENIN (takes it away).                                                                             All gone, all of it!

Not one drop left for me! How cruel. (Musing.)  

The fatal step is taken, there’s no going back;

But no one else must perish on her account.

(He throws the saucer on the floor and it breaks.)

NINA. You’re so clumsy.

ARBENIN.                             Never mind, I’m ill.;

Let’s go home at once.

NINA.     Let’s, but tell me, my dear;

You’re so gloomy today! Are you displeased with me?

ARBENIN.     No, I’m pleased with you now.

(They exit.)

THE UNKNOWN (left alone). I almost took pity, — there was one moment

When I wanted to rush in and… (thinks it over).

No, let fate’s decree play out to the end,

Then my turn to act will come. (He exits.)

Scene Two

Arbenin’s bedroom. Nina enters, a Maid-servant behind her.

MAID-SERVANT. You’ve turned a bit pale, madam.

NINA (removing her earrings).         I’m not well.

MAID-SERVANT.                                                     You’re tired.

NINA (aside).             My husband frightens me,

I don’t know why! He’s taciturn, and throws strange looks at me.

(To the Maid-Servant.) 

I feel faint somehow; probably tight-lacing of my stays –

Tell me, did my toilette suit me today?

(Goes to the mirror.)

You’re right; I am pale, pale as death;

But who isn’t pale in Petersburg, am I right?

Only one old princess,

And that’s — all rouge! How very ingenious!

(Removes her false ringlets and unplaits her braid.)

 Off you go and bring me a shawl.

(Sits down in an armchair.) 

How lovely that new waltz is! It was so thrilling

To be whirled around so swiftly – and a wonderful trance

Involuntarily spun me and my thoughts far away,

And my heart clenched; in either sadness

Or gladness —  Sasha, fetch me a book.

That prince was pestering me again  —

But I do feel truly sorry for that crazy little boy! 

The things he was saying… a villain and chastisement…

The Caucasus… troubles… he was raving.

MAID-SERVANT.                                                     May I clear away? (indicates her clothes.)

NINA. Leave them. (Becomes rapt in thought.)

(Arbenin appears in the doorway.)

MAID-SERVANT.     Do you wish me to go?

ARBENIN (to the Maid-servant, quietly).     Do so.

(Maid-Servant does not leave.) 

Go on. 

(She exits. He locks the door.)

ARBENIN. You don’t need her any more.

NINA. Now that you’re here?

ARBENIN.                             Now that I’m here!

NINA.                                                             I feel quite ill!

 And my head’s on fire – come closer,

Lay your hand here — do you feel how it burns?

Why did I eat that ice cream –

I probably caught a chill then –

Don’t you think?

ARBENIN (distracted).         Ice cream? yes…

NINA. My dear!  I’ve wanted to have a word with you!

For some time now you’ve changed.

I receive none of your former endearments,

Your tone is abrupt and your look is cold.

And all because of that masquerade – oh, I hate them:

I’ve sworn never to go to another one.

ARBENIN (aside).     No surprise there! You can dispense with them now!

NINA. That’s what it means to take just one imprudent step.

ARBENIN. Imprudent! Oh!

NINA.                                     And that caused all the trouble.

ARBENIN.      You should have thought about that sooner.

NINA.  Oh, if I had known your temper sooner,

I doubt I would have become your wife;

To torment you, suffer myself –

What jolly fun that is!

ARBENIN.     Quite so: what’s the point of my love for you?

NINA.  What kind of love is that? What kind of life do I lead?

ARBENIN (sitting beside her). You’re right! what is life anyway?  life is an empty vessel.

While the blood courses swiftly through our veins,

All the world is a joy and comfort to us.

Years of desire and passion go by

And everything grows darker, darker!

What is life? a drawn-out stale charade

To amuse children;

Where the first scene is birth! where the second

Is a ghastly series of worries and agonies from hidden wounds,

Where death is the last scene, and the whole is a cheat!

NINA (pointing to her breast).           There’s a burning sensation here.

ARBENIN (carrying on).                                                                   It’ll pass! it means nothing! Be quiet and listen: 

I said that life is precious only while it’s beautiful,

But how long can that last!… life is like a ball.

You whirl and spin – gaily, all round it’s bright and shiny…

Once you’re back home, you doff your rumpled clothes, — 

And all is forgotten, simply because you’re tired.

Better far while you’re still young to bid farewell to life,

While your soul is not yet callous

To its heartless emptiness;

To fly in a twinkling to the next world

While your mind is unburdened by a past,

While the struggle against death is still easy –

But fate does not allot such happiness to everyone.

NINA.             Oh no, I want to live.

ARBENIN.                                         What for?

NINA.                                                                         Evgeny,

I’m in agony, I’m not well.

ARBENIN.                             But aren’t there pains

More intense, more terrible than yours?

NINA. Send for the doctor.

ARBENIN.                             Life is an eternity, death is but a moment!

NINA. But I – I want to live.

ARBENIN.                             And so many consolations

Await the martyrs there.

NINA (fearfully).                                For pity’s sake:

Go for the doctor at once.

ARBENIN (rises, coldly).                  I will not.

NINA (after a silence). Of course you’re joking –but it’s a heartless joke;

I might die –go quickly.

ARBENIN.      What for?  Can’t you die

Without a doctor?

NINA.                                                             But you’re so cruel,

Evgeny, – I’m your wife.

ARBENIN.                                         Yes! I know — I know!

NINA.             Oh, show me some pity! Flames are ravaging

My breast, I’m dying.

ARBENIN. So soon? Not yet.

(looks at the clock.)

 Still half an hour to go.

NINA.             Oh, you don’t love me.

ARBENIN.                                         And why should

I love you? — because you put the whole of hell

Within my breast? oh, no! I’m glad, I’m glad

To see you suffer; God, God! 

        And you, you dare to ask for love! 

        I loved you in no small measure, did I not!

        And did you know how much this affection cost me?

And did I ask so much from your love?

A tender smile, a welcoming look in your eyes –

        But what did I find: scheming and betrayal.  

Was it possible! could I be sold! –

Sold for a fool’s kiss… I who

Was glad to give away my soul at the first word,

To betray me? me? and so soon!

NINA.             Oh, had I but

Known what I did wrong — then…

ARBENIN.                                    Quiet, or I’ll lose my mind!

When will these torments cease?

NINA.             My bracelet —  the prince found it, — then

Some slanderer

Deceived you.

ARBENIN.                             So, I was deceived!

Or rather, I was mistaken!… I dreamt

That I could be happy…. I thought

I could love and believe afresh… but the fatal hour has come,

And it is all over, like a dying man’s delirium!

Perhaps I might have realized my heavenly dreams,

By infusing them with hope,

And restored to life everything that once had flourished in my heart, —

You would have none of it, would you! 

Weep!  Weep –but what are they, Nina,

What are women’s tears? Water!

I wept! I, a man!

From spite, jealousy, torment and shame

I wept – indeed I did! 

Do you have any idea what it means

When a man weeps!

Oh, don’t come near him at that moment: 

Death is in his hands and hell within his breast.

NINA (in tears falls to her knees and raises her arms to heaven).

Heavenly father, have mercy!

He doesn’t hear, but Thou art all-hearing – Thou art all-knowing,

And Thou wilt vindicate me!

ARBENIN.     Stop – don’t lie to His face!

NINA.                         No, I’m not lying  — .

I will not violate His sanctity with a lying prayer,

I’m rendering up to Him my suffering soul. 

He, your judge, will be my defender.

ARBENIN (meanwhile is pacing around the room with folded arms).

Now is the time to pray, Nina:

You are to die any minute now –

 And people will regard your end as a mystery,

And only a higher Court will judge us.

NINA. What? Die! now, right now  – no, that can’t be!

ARBENIN (laughing).  I knew beforehand this would shake you to your core!

NINA.             Death, death! He is right – a fire within my breast — sheer hell…

ARBENIN.     Yes, I fed you poison at the ball.

(Silence.)

NINA. I don’t believe you, it isn’t possible — No, you’re (Throws herself at him.)

Teasing me… you’re not a monster… no! there is a spark

Of goodness in your soul… with such coldness

You wouldn’t destroy me in the prime of life –

Don’t turn away so, Evgeny,

Don’t prolong my suffering,

Save me, dispel my fears …

Look at me…

(Looks straight into his eyes and jumps back.) 

Oh! death is in your eyes!

(She drops onto a chair and covers her eyes. He comes up and kisses her.)

ARBENIN.     Yes, you shall die – and I’ll remain here

Alone, alone… years will pass.

I’ll die — and I’ll still be alone! A terrifying prospect!

But you! don’t be afraid: a lovely world

Will open up to you, and angels will bear

You to your heavenly home.

(He weeps.)

Yes, I love you, love you… and I’ve consigned

To oblivion all that was, there is a limit to revenge,

And here it is: behold, your murderer

Here, like a child sobbing over you …

(Silence.)

NINA (tears herself away and leaps up).  Somebody, somebody… help! …I’m dying –

Poison, poison – they can’t hear me… I realize

        How careful you’ve been… nobody… will come…

But remember! There is a judge on high

        And I curse you, murderer.

(Unable to reach the doors, she falls unconscious.)

ARBENIN (laughs bitterly). A curse! What good is that?

 I’m cursed by God. (Steps up to her.)

Poor creature! –

     She can’t bear the punishment…

(Stands with arms folded.)

So pale! (Shudders.)

 But all her features are at peace, they don’t reveal

Any contrition, any remorse…

How can that be?

NINA (faintly).                                        Farewell, Evgeny!

I’m dying, but innocent… You are a villain…

ARBENIN.  No, no – don’t speak, no help’s to be had from

Lies or cunning …  tell me quickly:

I was deceived…Hell itself could not make

     A mockery of my love.

     You’re silent? Oh!  the revenge is worthy of you.

            But it will not help, you’re dying…

And people will regard it as a mystery – you needn’t worry!

NINA.             I don’t care now… I’m still

Innocent in the eyes of God. (She dies.)

ARBENIN (steps over to her and quickly turns away).         Another lie.

(He drops into an armchair.)

End of Act Three

ACT FOUR

Scene One

ARBENIN (seated on a sofa beside a table). 

I’ve grown weak wressling with myself

Amidst agonizing efforts…,

And finally my feelings enjoy

A kind of painful, specious peace of mind!..

       Only at times unbidden cares

Rattle my soul as in a frigid dream,

        And my heart aches as if in expectation.

Isn’t it all over – can there be left

Fresh suffering on earth for me to savor?..

Nonsense!.. days will pass – oblivion will descend,

Beneath the weight of years imagination will fade,

        And sooner or later peace must

Once more settle in my heart!

(Falls into thought, suddenly raises his head.)

I’m wrong!.. no, memory is

Inexorable!.. how vividly I see

       Her pleas, her entreaties. —  Oh! away, away,

You waking viper. (Buries his head in his hands.)

KAZARIN (enters; quietly). Arbenin here?  Sorrowful and sighing.

Let’s see how he will play this comedy.

(To Arbenin.)

Dear friend, I hurried to you

As soon as I learned about your loss.

What’s to be done – fate would have it so,

It could have happened to anyone.

(Silence.)

That’ll do, old pal, take off your mask,

Don’t pull such solemn faces.

After all, that may work

On the public — but you and I are actors.

Tell me, pal… say, how pale you’ve grown,

A man would think you’d been up all night playing cards.

Oh, you old scoundrel — but we’ll have time

To talk it over later… Here come your relatives:

They’re here, no doubt, to pay their respects to the deceased.

Farewell then, see you another day. (He exits.)

(Relatives arrive.)

LADY (to Female Cousin).  It’s plain to see the Lord has cursed him.

He was a bad husband, had been a bad son.

         Remind me to go shopping

And buy material for mourning weeds.

         Even though I have no income at all now,

I have to ruin myself for my relations.

FEMALE COUSIN.   Ma tante! What was the cause

Of our cousine’s death?

LADY. The cause, madam, is your idiotic fashionable society.

You’ll live to see such woes yourself. (They exit.)

(Doctor and Old Man emerge from the deceased’s room.)

OLD MAN.    Were you there when she passed away?

DOCTOR.                                                                   They hadn’t time

To fetch me… I’ve always said:

Dancing and ice cream mean trouble.

OLD MAN.    The shroud is elaborate – did you notice the brocade?

Last spring my brother

Had the exact same thing on his coffin. (He exits.)

DOCTOR (goes up to Arbenin and takes his hand).  You must get some rest.

ARBENIN (shudders).                                                           Ah!

(Aside.)  My heart is breaking!

DOCTOR. You’ve overindulged your grief tonight.

Get some sleep.

ARBENIN.                                         I’ll try.

DOCTOR.                                                       There’s no help

For it; but you must

Look after yourself.

ARBENIN.                                         Oho! I’m invulnerable.

     What earthly travails

My heart has suffered…

And I am living still … I longed for happiness,

And in the form of an angel God sent it to me;

     My criminal breath

     Profaned its divinity,

        And now behold

                This beauteous creature– cold, dead.

       Once in my life, a man I didn’t know

I saved from ruin, at the risk of honor,

And he — laughing, joking, without a word,

He took away all I had – all, and in a single hour. (Exits.)

DOCTOR. He is seriously ill – and I don’t doubt

That a dark cloud of torments fills his mind –

But if he goes insane,

I shall answer for his life.

(As he goes out. he runs into two men.)

(Enter the Unknown and Prince Zvezdich.)

THE UNKNOWN . Allow me to inquire – may we

See Arbenin.

DOCTOR.                   Honestly, I dare not say, since

His wife passed away just yesterday.

UNKNOWN.                                                  What a pity.

DOCTOR. And he’s distraught.

UNKNOWN.                          And I’m sorry for him. 

But is he at home?

DOCTOR.                               He? he is at home! — yes.

UNKNOWN. I have the most urgent business with him.

DOCTOR. You’re friends of his, I assume, gentlemen?

UNKNOWN.              Not at the moment – but we came here

To improve our acquaintance.

DOCTOR.                               He is seriously ill.

PRINCE (alarmed).                                                    Unconscious?

DOCTOR.                                                                                           No, he walks, talks,

And there’s still hope.

PRINCE.                                 Thank God!

(Doctor exits.)

PRINCE. Oh, at last!

UNKNOWN.                          Your face is on fire.

Are you firm in your resolve?

PRINCE.         But will you vouchsafe to me

         That your suspicion is confirmed?

UNKNOWN..  Listen, — we both have the same objective.

 We both hate him;

But you don’t know his soul – dark

And deep, like the portals to a tomb;

       Whatever it lets in is buried there forever.

My suspicions need to be proven — neither forgiveness

Nor pity are known to him. –

When offended, it’s revenge!  revenge

Is then his aim, his only law.

Yes, his wife’s sudden death is not an accident.

I know:  you and he are enemies — and I’m happy to serve you.

You shall fight — and I’ll be in your corner,

   A witness to the scene.

PRINCE. But how did you learn that yesterday

I was insulted by him?

UNKNOWN.                          I’d be glad to tell you,

But you’d find it tiresome. 

Besides — the whole town’s talking.

PRINCE. The thought’s unbearable!

UNKNOWN..                                                 You let it distress you too much.

PRINCE.         Oh, you don’t know what such shame is like.

UNKNOWN.  Shame? —  no – and experience will teach you to forget it.

PRINCE.         But who are you?

UNKNOWN..                                                 You need to know my name?

                             I’m your confederate, with zeal and friendship

                              Ready to defend your honor.

                              You need know nothing more.

But, hush! the man is coming… with slow

And ponderous tread. – ‘Tis he! – withdraw

        A moment – I have business with him.

And you would not make a serviceable witness.

(The Prince moves aside.)

(Arbenin enters with a candle.)

ARBENIN.          Death! death! Oh, here and everywhere,

    The word has pierced me to the core,

It persecutes me; silently

For a full hour I watched by her mute corpse,

     And my heart was full, full of

     Inexpressible longing.

Her features displayed serenity and childlike confidence.

Her ever-present smile flowered quietly

                 As eternity opened before her,

And her soul read its fate in it.

Might I have been mistaken? — impossible

To have been mistaken — who could prove

     Her innocence to me? – lies! lies! 

Where is the proof — I have enough of it!

I didn’t believe her — whom then would I believe.

Yes, I was a passionate husband — but a cold-blooded

      Judge – who would dare

To contradict me?

UNKNOWN.                                      I would dare!

ARBENIN (startled at first, and, stepping back, raises the candle to his face).

And who are you?

UNKNOWN.                          It’s no wonder, Evgeny,

You don’t recognize me — but we were friends.

ARBENIN.     But who are you?

UNKNOWN.                                      I am your guardian angel.

Yes, unnoticed, I was with you everywhere;

Always with another face, always in different garments –

I ‘ve known all your dealings and now and then your thoughts –

Not long ago I warned you at the masquerade.

ARBENIN (shuddering).        I don’t care for fortune tellers, —

And I pray you leave immediately. – I mean it.

UNKNOWN. So I see. —  but, despite your menacing voice

   And imperative command, 

I shall not go. Yes, I see, I see clearly

You don’t recognize me, I’m not one of those people

  Who can, at a moment of danger,

   Abandon a long-standing goal.

 I’ve reached my goal — and here I’ll stay,

Even if I die – but won’t take one step back.

ARBENIN.     I’m that way myself,–  but I don’t

Boast about it.

(Sits.)

I’m listening.

UNKNOWN (aside).                                      So far

My words have not moved him!

    Or have I read him wrongly?..

We’ll see.

(To Arbenin.)

Seven years ago

You struck up my acquaintance, Arbenin. I was young

And green, but impulsive and rich. 

But you – that coldness was already imbedded in your breast,

That diabolical contempt for everything

    Of which you boasted everywhere!

I don’t know whether to attribute it to intelligence

Or circumstance  — I will not analyze

Your soul, — only the God who created

Such an object could understand it.

ARBENIN.     A good beginning.

UNKNOWN.                          The end will be no worse.

You inveigled me — drew me

To you…  My purse

    Was full – and besides

     I believed in luck. — I sat down to play with you,

   And lost; my father was parsimonious

And stern. —  And not to suffer

His reproaches — I decided to win it back.

But even though you were young then, too, you held me

In your clutches — and I lost it all again.

I gave in to despair – there were,

You may remember,

Both tears and pleas…  In you they excited

Naught but laughter. – Oh! better far to plunge

A dagger into me! — But at that time

You did not see into the future like a prophet.

And only now has the evil seed

Produced fruit worthy of it.

(Arbenin starts to leap up, but becomes rapt in thought.)

And from that moment I abandoned everything,

Women and love, the bliss of youth,

Fond dreams and sweet emotions,

And a new world within a world opened up to me.

            A world of strange new sensations,

A world peopled by the pariahs,

Self-loving minds and ice-cold passions

And captivating torments.

I saw that money ruled the world,

And I bowed down before it. — Years passed,

It all flew by so rapidly:  riches and health;

The door to happiness closed to me forever! 

I concluded one last contract with Destiny

            And that is why I am here now.

 Ah! You’re trembling, – you understand

My goal — and the meaning of what I have been saying.

Now,– repeat once more you do not know me.

ARBENIN.                 Begone — I recognize you – I do!

UNKNOWN.. Begone! is that all — You laughed at me,

And I would be glad to have a laugh in turn.

Not long ago by chance a rumor reached me

That you were happy, married and rich.

And I grew bitter – and my heart began to murmur,

     And I thought at length: Why

Is he happy — and a certain feeling

Whispered to me: go, go, and shake him up!

And so, mixing with the crowd, I began

To follow you relentlessly, everywhere, always at your back,

I learned it all – and finally my efforts

Have come to an end…

      Listen — I’ve found out – and — and will reveal

To you this one truth …

(Draws out his words.)

 Listen: you…murdered your wife!…

(Arbenin recoils. The Prince steps up.)

ARBENIN.     Murdered? —  I? — Prince! – Oh! what is this…

UNKNOWN (stepping away).  I have no more to say, let him pronounce the rest.

ARBENIN (coming forth in a frenzy).  Ah! a conspiracy… excellent… I’m

In your hands…who dares to stop you?

No one… you’re the masters here… I’m meek; now I’m

        At your feet…. my soul quails

At your glances… I’m a fool, a child,

And to your words I have no reply,

I am defeated in a moment, confounded by a jest,

And I’ll quietly put my head on the block;

But haven’t you observed that I still have

Presence of mind and experience and strength?

Did you think all this is buried in her grave?

That I won’t repay you in the good old way?

          So this is how low I’ve sunk in your regard,

Because of gossip’s scheming prattle!

Yes, this scenario was well devised –

But you haven’t come up with an ending.

         And this boy — even he has taken into his head

To fight me. One slap

Wasn’t enough – no, he wants another,

And you’ll get it, my dear fellow.

You’re fed up with life! And that’s not strange– it’s the life of a fool,

The life of a street-corner philanderer.

Now take comfort – you’ll be killed, you will be killed,

Will die — with the reputation and the death of a blackguard.

PRINCE.                     We’ll see – the sooner the better.

ARBENIN.                                                                             Let’s go, let’s go.

PRINCE. Now I’m happy.

UNKNOWN (stopping him).             Yes,–  but you’ve forgot the most important thing.

PRINCE (stopping Arbenin).  Hold on – you’ll have to learn — that you accused me

                        For no reason… that your victim

Was not guilty in the least —  you insulted me

At the worst moment… I merely wanted

To explain things — but let’s go.

ARBENIN. What? What?

UNKNOWN.                          Your wife was innocent – you treated her too harshly.

ARBENIN (roars with laughter)                   You have a lot of jokes in stock!

PRINCE.         No, no — I’m not joking, I swear to the Lord who made us.

             The Baroness found the bracelet by chance and

By her hand gave it to me.

I mistook the identity — but your wife

Rejected my love.

If I had known that so much evil

Would follow from this one mistake,

I probably wouldn’t have sought so much as a smile or a glance,

And the baroness — here’s a letter from her

Which explains it all. 

Read it quickly – the moments are precious to me…

(Arbenin glances at the letter and reads.)

UNKNOWN (sanctimoniously raising his eyes to heaven). 

Providence is punishing the villain! 

‘Tis pity that an innocent woman had to perish!

But only sorrow awaited her here below;

Her salvation is in heaven!

       Ah, I saw her once –

Her eyes clearly revealed all the purity of her soul.

       Who would think that a momentary storm would crush

This lovely flower.

                        Why do you keep silent, wretched man? 

Tear your hair – writhe in torment — and scream –

 “Horrors! – Oh, horrors!”

ARBENIN (rushing at them).            I’ll choke the life out of you, torturers!

(Suddenly grows weak and drops onto a chair.)

PRINCE (shoving him roughly).        Remorse won’t help you now.

The pistols await — our quarrel isn’t settled yet.

He’s silent, isn’t listening, perhaps

He’s lost his mind…

UNKNOWN.                                                              Perhaps…

PRINCE.                     You spoiled it for me.

UNKNOWN.                                                  We have different objectives. 

I’ve had my revenge, for you I think it’s too late now!

ARBENIN (rises with a wild look).   Oh, what did you say?… No strength, no strength…

I was so offended, I was so certain…

Forgive me, forgive me, oh God! …

(Roars with laughter.)

But tears, grievances, prayers? 

But would You forgive?

(Falls to his knees.)

Well, now I’ve fallen to my knees before you both:

Tell me — isn’t it true – the treachery,

The scheming was obvious… I insist, I order

You to accuse her this very instant.

Is she innocent? After all, were you there? 

Did you look into my soul?

As I’m pleading now, so she pled then.

A mistake – I was mistaken – so what!

 She told me the same thing, but I said it was a lie.

(Rises.)

I told her so.

(Silence.)

But I have news for you:

I’m not her murderer.

(Glares fixedly at the Stranger.)

You, quick,

Admit it, Speak boldly,

At least be frank with me.

Oh, dear friend, why were you cruel.

After all, I loved her, I wouldn’t give one of

Her tears for heaven and paradise, if I could –

But I forgive you. (Falls on his breast and weeps.)

UNKNOWN (pushing him away roughly). Get a grip — pull yourself together!

(To the Prince.)

 Let’s take him away from here… he’s bound to recover

In the fresh air.

(Takes Arbenin by the arm.)

                        Arbenin!

ARBENIN. We’ll never meet again… farewell… we’re going… we’re going!

Here – here — 

(Breaking away, he rushes through the door to where her coffin is.)

PRINCE.                                 Stop him!..

UNKNOWN.  And this proud mind is wrecked today!

ARBENIN (returning with a wild groan).

Here, look! Look!..

(Rushes center stage.)

            I told you you were cruel!

(He falls to the ground and sits in a semi-recumbent posture with a fixed stare. The Prince and the Unknown stand over him.)

UNKNOWN.              I’ve waited long for full revenge,

And now I am avenged completely!

PRINCE. He’s lost his mind… happy… but I? My peace of mind and honor

Are gone forever!

END

---

[1]   Vasily Vasil’evich Engelhardt (1785-1837), retired colonel, opened a building in St Petersburg in the 1820s for balls, masquerades and public concerts.  The censor was concerned that the mention of Engelhardt in such a context might be seen as a slight.

[2]  F. Raoul conducted a trade in French wines in St Petersburg.

[3]   Famous Parisian gunsmith, whose pistols were used for duelling.