The Power of Darkness

God willed it so. And what’s the matter with your life? You are rich⁠ ⁠… Nikíta My life!⁠ ⁠… It’s only that I don’t wish to disturb the wedding feast, or I’d take this rope here takes hold of the rope on the straw and throw it across that rafter there. Then I’d make a noose and stretch it out, and I’d climb on to that rafter and jump down with my head in the noose! That’s what my life is! Marína That’s enough! Lord help you! Nikíta You think I’m joking? You think I’m drunk? I’m not drunk! Today even drink takes no hold on me! I’m devoured by misery! Misery is eating me up completely, so that I care for nothing! Oh, little Marína, it’s only with you I ever lived! Do you remember how we used to while away the nights together at the railway? Marína Don’t you rub the sores, Nikíta! I’m bound legally now, and you too. My sin has been forgiven, don’t disturb⁠ ⁠… Nikíta What shall I do with my heart? Where am I to turn to? Marína What’s there to be done? You’ve got a wife. Don’t go looking at others, but keep to your own! You loved Anísya, then go on loving her! Nikíta Oh, that Anísya, she’s gall and wormwood to me, but she’s round my feet like rank weeds! Marína Whatever she is, still she’s your wife.⁠ ⁠… But what’s the use of talking; you’d better go to your visitors, and send my husband to me. Nikíta Oh dear, if you knew the whole business⁠ ⁠… but there’s no good talking! Enter Marína’s husband, red and tipsy, and Nan. Marína’s Husband Marína! Missis! My old woman! are you here? Nikíta There’s your husband calling you. Go! Marína And you? Nikíta I? I’ll lie down here for a bit! Lies down on the straw. Husband Where is she then? Nan There she is, near the barn. Husband What are you standing there for? Come to the feast! The hosts want you to come and do them honour! The wedding party is just going to start, and then we can go too. Marína Going towards her husband. I didn’t want to go in. Husband Come on, I tell you! You’ll drink a glass to our nephew Peter’s health, the rascal! Else the hosts might take offence! There’s plenty of time for our business. Marína’s husband puts his arm around her, and goes reeling out with her. Nikíta Rises and sits down on the straw. Ah, now that I’ve seen her, life seems more sickening than ever! It was only with her that I ever really lived! I’ve ruined my life for nothing! I’ve done for myself! Lies down. Where can I go? If mother earth would but open and swallow me! Nan Sees Nikíta, and runs towards him. Daddy, I say, daddy! They’re looking for you! Her godfather and all of them have already blessed her. Truly they have, they’re getting cross! Nikíta Aside. Where can I go to? Nan What? What are you saying? Nikíta I’m not saying anything! Don’t bother! Nan Daddy! Come, I say! Nikíta is silent, Nan pulls him by the hand. Dad, go and bless them! My word, they’re angry, they’re grumbling! Nikíta Drags away his hand. Leave me alone! Nan Now then! Nikíta Threatens her with the rope. Go, I say! I’ll give it you! Nan Then I’ll send mother! Runs away. Nikíta Rises. How can I go? How can I take the holy icon in my hands? How am I to look her in the face! Lies down again. Oh, if there were a hole in the ground, I’d jump in! No one should see me, and I should see no one! Rises again. No, I shan’t go⁠ ⁠… May they all go to the devil, I shan’t go! Takes the rope and makes a noose, and tries it on his neck. That’s the way! Enter Matryóna. Nikíta sees his mother, takes the rope off his neck, and again lies down in the straw. Matryóna Comes in hurriedly. Nikíta! Nikíta, I say! He don’t even answer! Nikíta, what’s the matter? Have you had a drop too much? Come, Nikíta dear; come, honey! The people are tired of waiting. Nikíta Oh dear, what have you done with me? I’m a lost man! Matryóna But what is the matter then? Come, my own; come, give them your blessing, as is proper and honourable, and then it’ll all be over! Why, the people are waiting! Nikíta How can I give blessings? Matryóna Why, in the usual way! Don’t you know? Nikíta I know, I know! But who is it I am to bless? What have I done to her? Matryóna What have you done? Eh, now he’s going to remember it! Why, who knows anything about it? Not a soul! And the girl is going of her own accord. Nikíta Yes, but how? Matryóna Because she’s afraid, of course. But still she’s going. Besides, what’s to be done now? She should have thought sooner! Now she can’t refuse. And his kinsfolk can’t take offence either. They saw the girl twice, and get money with her too! It’s all safe and sound! Nikíta Yes, but what’s in the cellar? Matryóna Laughs. In the cellar? Why, cabbages, mushrooms, potatoes, I suppose! Why remember the past? Nikíta I’d be only too glad to forget it; but I can’t! When I let my mind go, it’s just as if I heard.⁠ ⁠… Oh, what have you done with me? Matryóna Now, what are you humbugging for? Nikíta Turns face downward. Mother! Don’t torment me! I’ve got it up to there! Puts his hand to his throat. Matryóna Still it has to be done! As it is, people are talking. “The master’s gone away and won’t come; he can’t make up his mind to give his blessing.” They’ll be putting two and two together. As soon as they see you’re frightened they’ll begin guessing. “The thief none suspect who walks bold and erect!” But you’ll be getting out of the frying-pan into the fire! Above