Plays by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Part 24

RAZLYULYaYEV. [_To the girls_] So it's no use for me to wait; evidently I shan't get any sense out of you.

LiZA. What do you mean by sense? I don't understand.

MaSHA. It's ridiculous to listen to you.

RAZLYULYaYEV. Yes, it's funny for you; but how is it for me? Really, why don't you love me?

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA. Let's sit down.

_They sit down._

GuSLIN. [_Sings_]

"Four huts beside the brook That swift doth run.

There is a gossip In every one.

Dear gossips all four, My friends that be, Be friendly and kindly And nice to me.

When you're in the green garden, Take me with you; When you pluck flowers, Pluck me a few.

When you weave garlands, Weave me some too; When you go to the river, Take me with you.

When you throw in the garlands, Throw also my wreath; The others will float, When mine sinks beneath.

All of the sweethearts, They have come home; Mine, and mine only, He has not come."

ARiNA. [_Enters with bottles and gla.s.ses; and a servant-girl with relishes_] Here, I've brought them!

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. [_To the servant_] Pa.s.s it to the young ladies. [_The servant carries wine round to the girls, places the tray on the table and goes out_] Arina! Bring us some wine. Yes, pour it out, pour out the Madeira, the Madeira; it will cheer us up. That's all right! Let's have a gla.s.s; they won't condemn us--we're old folks! [_They drink_] Annushka!

Come along and drink some wine. Won't you have some?

ANNA IVaNOVNA. Well, why shouldn't I drink some! They say, don't drink when there's no one round, but when there's company, it's all right.

_Goes to_ PELAGeYA EGoROVNA, _drinks and talks in a whisper_.

ARiNA. Have you had a drop too much, my boys?

MiTYA. I don't drink.

RAZLYULYaYEV. With pleasure! [_He comes up with_ GuSLIN _and drinks; then catches hold of_ ARiNA] Now, then, let's start an old song. [_Sings_.

"Oh, I'll sing an old song, Of Erema, of Foma--"

ARiNA. Stop, saucy; you've crumpled me all up!

RAZLYULYaYEV. [_Sings_]

"The reins were in Kaluga; In Tarus' the hames were hid.

Grooved runners had the sleigh; All by itself it slid."

_The girls laugh_.

ARiNA. Let me go, I say! Now that's enough! [_Goes out_.

ANNA IVaNOVNA. What are you teasing the old woman for? Come and dance with me.

RAZLYULYaYEV. Come on, then! Play for us, Yasha!

YaSHA _plays; they dance_.

FIRST GUEST. That's a lively little woman.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Yes, very lively, very lively.

RAZLYULYaYEV. [_Stamping his feet_] That's the way we do it. [_Stops dancing_.

EGoRUSHKA. [_Enters_] The girls have come.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Ask them in. [EGoRUSHKA _goes out; the girls come in_.

ARiNA _brings in a dish and covers it_] Sit down and sing the dish songs; I'm so fond of them.

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA, MaSHA, LiZA, _and_ ANNA IVaNOVNA _take off their rings and put them into the dish; the girls sing_.

"Sow the wheat, my mother, and bake the cake for me.

Glory!

Many guests are coming, my lovers for to be. Glory!

Your guests will wear bast slippers, but mine have boots of hide. Glory!

The girl of whom the song is sung, much good it doth betide.

Glory!

The girl whose ring is taken out, will find it so without a doubt. Glory!"

RAZLYULYaYEV _rolls up his sleeves, takes out a ring and gives it to_ LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. High time, high time!

GIRLS. [_Sing_]

"In Belgorod a sparrow small, Glory!

In Belgorod sits on a wall. Glory!

In a strange land he looks about. Glory!

Her ring and fortune will come out. Glory!"

ARiNA. [_Enters_] The mummers have come; shall I let them in?

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Yes, let them in; let them have a dance. And you girls can sing afterwards.