The Live Corpse. Tolstoy Leo
a gipsy woman who is looking on] Is this right? [Hums].
GIPSY. That's it, that's splendid!
FÉDYA. He'll never get it; and if he does take it down and shoves it into an opera, he'll only spoil it!.. Now, Másha, start off! Let's have “Fateful Hour” – take your guitar. [Rises, sits down opposite her, and gazes into her eyes].
Másha sings.
FÉDYA. That's good too! Másha, you're a brick!.. Now then, “Not at Eve”!
AFRÉMOV. No, wait! First, my burial song…
OFFICER. Why burial?
AFRÉMOV. Because, when I'm dead … you know, dead and laid in my coffin, the gipsies will come (you know I shall leave instructions with my wife) and they will begin to sing “I Walked a Mile” … and then I'll jump out of my coffin!.. Do you understand? [To the musician] You just write this down. [To the gipsies] Well, rattle along!
Gipsies sing.
AFRÉMOV. What do you think of that?.. Now then, “My Brave Lads”!
Gipsies sing.
Afrémov gesticulates and dances. The gipsies smile and continue singing, clapping their hands. Afrémov sits down and the song ends.
GIPSIES. Bravo! Michael Andréyevich!4 He's a real gipsy!
FÉDYA. Well, now “Not at Eve”!
Gipsies sing.
FÉDYA. That's it! It's wonderful … And where does it all happen – all that this music expresses? Ah, it's fine!.. And how is it man can reach such ecstasy, and cannot keep it?
MUSICIAN [taking notes] Yes, it's most original.
FÉDYA. Not original – but the real thing!
AFRÉMOV [to gipsies] Well, have a rest now. [Takes the guitar and sits down beside Kátya, one of the gipsies].
MUSICIAN. It's really simple, except the rhythm…
FÉDYA [waves his hand, goes to Másha, and sits down on sofa beside her] Oh, Másha, Másha! How you do turn me inside-out!
MÁSHA. And how about what I asked you for?
FÉDYA. What? Money?.. [Takes some out of his trouser-pocket] Here, take it!
Másha laughs, takes it, and hides it in her bosom.
FÉDYA [to the gipsies] Who can make it out? She opens heaven for me, and then asks for money to buy scents with! [To Másha] Why, you don't in the least understand what you're doing!
MÁSHA. Not understand indeed! I understand that when I am in love, I try to please my man, and sing all the better.
FÉDYA. Do you love me?
MÁSHA. Looks like it!
FÉDYA. Wonderful! [Kisses her].
Exeunt most of the gipsies. Some couples remain: Fédya with Másha, Afrémov with Kátya, and the officer with Gásha. The musician writes. A gipsy man strums a valse tune on the guitar.
FÉDYA. But I'm married, and your choir won't allow it…
MÁSHA. The choir is one thing, one's heart's another! I love those I love, and hate those I hate.
FÉDYA. Ah! This is good! Isn't it?
MÁSHA. Of course it's good – we've jolly visitors, and are all merry.
Enter gipsy man.
GIPSY [to Fédya] A gentleman is asking for you.
FÉDYA. What gentleman?
GIPSY. I don't know… Well dressed, wears a sable overcoat —
FÉDYA. A swell? Well, ask him in. [Exit Gipsy].
AFRÉMOV. Who has come to see you here?
FÉDYA. The devil knows! Who can want me?
Enter Karénin. Looks round.
FÉDYA. Ah, Victor! I never expected you!.. Take off your coat!.. What wind has blown you here? Come, sit down and listen to “Not at Eve.”
KARÉNIN.Je voudrais vous parler sans témoins.5
FÉDYA. What about?
KARÉNIN.Je viens de chez vous. Votre femme m'a chargé de cette lettre et puis …6
FÉDYA [takes letter, reads, frowns, then smiles affectionately] I say, Karénin, of course you know what is in this letter?
KARÉNIN. I know … and I want to say …
FÉDYA. Wait, wait a bit! Please don't imagine that I am drunk and my words irresponsible… I mean, that I am irresponsible! I am drunk, but in this matter I see quite clearly… Well, what were you commissioned to say?
KARÉNIN. I was commissioned to find you, and to tell you … that … she … is waiting for you. She asks you to forget everything and come back.
FÉDYA [listens in silence, gazing into Karénin's eyes] Still, I don't understand why you …
KARÉNIN. Elisabeth Andréyevna sent for me, and asked me …
FÉDYA. So …
KARÉNIN. But I ask you, not so much in your wife's name as from myself… Come home!
FÉDYA. You are a better man than I. (What nonsense! It is easy enough to be better than I) … I am a scoundrel, and you are a good – yes, a good man… And that is the very reason why I won't alter my decision… No! Not on that account either – but simply because I can't and won't… How could I return?
KARÉNIN. Let us go to my rooms now, and I'll tell her that you will return to-morrow.
FÉDYA. And to-morrow, what?.. I shall still be I, and she – she. [Goes to the table and drinks] It's best to have the tooth out at one go… Didn't I say that if I broke my word she was to throw me over? Well, I have broken it, and that's the end of it.
KARÉNIN. For you, but not for her!
FÉDYA. It is extraordinary that you should take pains to prevent our marriage being broken up!
KARÉNIN [is about to speak, but Másha comes up] …
FÉDYA [interrupting him] Just hear her sing “The Flax”!.. Másha!
The gipsies re-enter.
MÁSHA [whispers] An ovation, eh?
FÉDYA [laughs] An ovation!.. “Victor, my Lord! Son of Michael!” …
Gipsies sing a song of greeting and laudation.
KARÉNIN [listens in confusion then asks] How much shall I give them?
FÉDYA. Well, give them twenty-five roubles.7
Karénin gives the money.
FÉDYA. Splendid! And now, “The Flax!”
Gipsies sing.
FÉDYA [looks round] Karénin's bunked!.. Well, devil take him!
Gipsy group breaks up.
FÉDYA [sits down by Másha] Do you know who that was?
MÁSHA. I heard his name.
FÉDYA. He's an excellent fellow! He came to take me home to my wife. She loves a fool like me, and see what I am doing here …!
MÁSHA. Well, and it's wrong! You ought to go back to her… You ought to pity her.
FÉDYA. You think I ought to?
The polite way of addressing Mr. Afrémov.
I wanted to speak to you alone.
I have come from your home. Your wife has entrusted me with this letter and besides …
About £2, 10s.