TSAR. I listen.

SHUISKY. (Sotto voce, pointing to FEODOR.) But, sire--

TSAR. The tsarevich May learn whate'er Prince Shuisky knoweth. Speak.

SHUISKY. My liege, from Lithuania there have come Tidings to us--

TSAR. Are they not those same tidings Which yestereve a courier bore to Pushkin?

SHUISKY. Nothing is hidden from him!--Sire, I thought Thou knew'st not yet this secret.

TSAR. Let not that Trouble thee, prince; I fain would scrutinise Thy information; else we shall not learn The actual truth.

SHUISKY. I know this only, Sire; In Cracow a pretender hath appeared; The king and n.o.bles back him.

TSAR. What say they?

And who is this pretender?

SHUISKY. I know not.

TSAR. But wherein is he dangerous?

SHUISKY. Verily Thy state, my liege, is firm; by graciousness, Zeal, bounty, thou hast won the filial love Of all thy slaves; but thou thyself dost know The mob is thoughtless, changeable, rebellious, Credulous, lightly given to vain hope, Obedient to each momentary impulse, To truth deaf and indifferent; it feedeth On fables; shameless boldness pleaseth it.

So, if this unknown vagabond should cross The Lithuanian border, Dimitry's name Raised from the grave will gain him a whole crowd Of fools.

TSAR. Dimitry's?--What?--That child's?--Dimitry's?

Withdraw, tsarevich.

SHUISKY. He flushed; there'll be a storm!

FEODOR. Suffer me, Sire--

TSAR. Impossible, my son; Go, go!

(Exit FEODOR.)

Dimitry's name!

SHUISKY. Then he knew nothing.

TSAR. Listen: take steps this very hour that Russia Be fenced by barriers from Lithuania; That not a single soul pa.s.s o'er the border, That not a hare run o'er to us from Poland, Nor crow fly here from Cracow. Away!

SHUISKY. I go.

TSAR. Stay!--Is it not a fact that this report Is artfully concocted? Hast ever heard That dead men have arisen from their graves To question tsars, legitimate tsars, appointed, Chosen by the voice of all the people, crowned By the great Patriarch? Is't not laughable?

Eh? What? Why laugh'st thou not thereat?

SHUISKY. I, Sire?

TSAR. Hark, Prince Va.s.sily; when first I learned this child Had been--this child had somehow lost its life, 'Twas thou I sent to search the matter out.

Now by the Cross and G.o.d I do adjure thee, Declare to me the truth upon thy conscience; Didst recognise the slaughtered boy; was't not A subst.i.tute? Reply.

SHUISKY. I swear to thee--

TSAR. Nay, Shuisky, swear not, but reply; was it Indeed Dimitry?

SHUISKY. He.

TSAR. Consider, prince.

I promise clemency; I will not punish With vain disgrace a lie that's past. But if Thou now beguile me, then by my son's head I swear--an evil fate shall overtake thee, Requital such that Tsar Ivan Vasilievich Shall shudder in his grave with horror of it.

SHUISKY. In punishment no terror lies; the terror Doth lie in thy disfavour; in thy presence Dare I use cunning? Could I deceive myself So blindly as not recognise Dimitry?

Three days in the cathedral did I visit His corpse, escorted thither by all Uglich.

Around him thirteen bodies lay of those Slain by the people, and on them corruption Already had set in perceptibly.

But lo! The childish face of the tsarevich Was bright and fresh and quiet as if asleep; The deep gash had congealed not, nor the lines Of his face even altered. No, my liege, There is no doubt; Dimitry sleeps in the grave.

TSAR. Enough, withdraw.

(Exit SHUISKY.)

I choke!--let me get my breath!

I felt it; all my blood surged to my face, And heavily fell back.--So that is why For thirteen years together I have dreamed Ever about the murdered child. Yes, yes-- 'Tis that!--now I perceive. But who is he, My terrible antagonist? Who is it Opposeth me? An empty name, a shadow.

Can it be a shade shall tear from me the purple, A sound deprive my children of succession?

Fool that I was! Of what was I afraid?

Blow on this phantom--and it is no more.

So, I am fast resolved; I'll show no sign Of fear, but nothing must be held in scorn.

Ah! Heavy art thou, crown of Monomakh!

CRACOW. HOUSE OF VISHNEVETSKY

The PRETENDER and a CATHOLIC PRIEST

PRETENDER. Nay, father, there will be no trouble. I know The spirit of my people; piety Does not run wild in them, their tsar's example To them is sacred. Furthermore, the people Are always tolerant. I warrant you, Before two years my people all, and all The Eastern Church, will recognise the power Of Peter's Vicar.

PRIEST. May Saint Ignatius aid thee When other times shall come. Meanwhile, tsarevich, Hide in thy soul the seed of heavenly blessing; Religious duty bids us oft dissemble Before the blabbing world; the people judge Thy words, thy deeds; G.o.d only sees thy motives.

PRETENDER. Amen. Who's there?

(Enter a Servant.)

Say that we will receive them.

(The doors are opened; a crowd of Russians and Poles enters.)

Comrades! Tomorrow we depart from Cracow.