Redemption and two other plays Part 46

AKiM. Oh Lord, what sins, what sins!

POLICE OFFICER. Seize him, and send for the Elder! We must draw up an indictment and have witnesses to it! Get up and come here!

AKiM (to POLICE OFFICER). Now you--with the bright b.u.t.tons--I mean, you wait! Let him, what d'ye call it, speak out, I mean!

POLICE OFFICER. Mind, old man, and don't interfere! I have to draw up an indictment!

AKiM. Eh, what a fellow you are; wait, I say! Don't talk, I mean, about, what d'ye call it, 'ditements' Here G.o.d's work is being done.... A man is confessing, I mean! And you, what d'ye call it ...

'ditements!

POLICE OFFICER. The Elder!

AKiM. Let G.o.d's work be done, I mean, and then you. I mean you, do your business!

NIKiTA. And, Akoulina, my sin is great towards you; I seduced you; forgive me in Christ's name!

[Bows to the ground before her.

AKOULiNA (leaves the table). Let me go! I shan't be married! He told me to, but I shan't now!

POLICE OFFICER. Repeat what you have said.

NIKiTA. Wait, sir, let me finis.h.!.+

AKiM (with rapture). Speak, my son! Tell everything--you'll feel better! Confess to G.o.d, don't fear men! G.o.d--G.o.d! It is He!

NIKiTA. I poisoned the father, dog that I am, and I ruined the daughter! She was in my power, and I ruined her, and her baby!

AKOULiNA. True, that's true!

NIKiTA. I smothered the baby in the cellar with a board! I sat on it and smothered it--and its bones crunched! (Weeps.) And I buried it! I did it, all alone!

AKOULiNA. He raves! I told him to!

NIKiTA. Don't s.h.i.+eld me! I fear no one now! Forgive me, Christian Commune!

[Bows to the ground.

[Silence.

POLICE OFFICER. Bind him! The marriage is evidently off!

[Men come up with their belts.

NIKiTA. Wait, there's plenty of time! (Bows to the ground before his father.) Father, dear father, forgive me too,--fiend that I am! You told me from the first, when I took to bad ways, you said then, "If a claw is caught, the bird is lost!" I would not listen to your words, dog that I was, and it has turned out as you said! Forgive me, for Christ's sake!

AKiM (rapturously). G.o.d will forgive you, my own son! (Embraces him.) You have had no mercy on yourself; He will show mercy on you! G.o.d-- G.o.d! It is He!

[Enter ELDER.

ELDER. There are witnesses enough here.

POLICE OFFICER. We will have the examination at once.

[NIKiTA is bound.

AKOULiNA. (goes and stands by his side). I shall tell the truth! Ask me!

NIKiTA (bound). No need to ask! I did it all myself. The design was mine, and the deed was mine. Take me where you like. I will say no more!

CURTAIN

FOOTNOTES FOR THE POWER OF DARKNESS

1. It is customary to place a dying person under the icon. One or more icons hang in the hut of each Orthodox peasant.

2. Peasant weddings are usually in autumn. They are forbidden in Lent, and soon after Easter the peasants become too busy to marry till harvest is over.

3. A formal request for forgiveness is customary among Russians, but it is often no mere formality. Nikita's first reply is evasive; his second reply, "G.o.d will forgive you," is the correct one sanctioned by custom.

4. Loud public wailing of this kind is customary, and considered indispensable, among the peasants.

5. Where not otherwise mentioned in the stage directions, it is always the winter half of the hut that is referred to as "the hut." The summer half is not heated, and not used in winter under ordinary circ.u.mstances.

6. The Foundlings' Hospital in Moscow, where 80 to 90 percent of the children die.

7. Nan calls Mitritch "daddy" merely as a term of endearment.

8. Probably Kurds

9. This refers to the songs customary at the wedding of Russian peasants, praising the bride and bridegroom.

10. It is etiquette for a bride to bewail the approaching loss of her maidenhood.

END OF _THE POWER OF DARKNESS_

FRUITS OF CULTURE

CHARACTERS