The Power of Darkness

and pushes you where he likes!” But as I don’t fear men, I’m easy! I can spit in the devil’s beard, and at the sow his mother! He can’t do me no harm! There, put that in your pipe! Nikíta Crossing himself. True enough! What was I about? Throws down the rope. Mítritch What? Nikíta Rises. You tell me not to fear men? Mítritch Why fear such muck as they are? You look at ’em in the bathhouse! All made of one paste! One has a bigger belly, another a smaller; that’s all the difference there is! Fancy being afraid of ’em! Deuce take ’em! Nikíta True enough! What was I about? Mítritch What? Nikíta You tell me not to fear men? Mítritch Why fear such muck as they are? You look at ’em in the bathhouse! Matryóna From the yard. Well, are you coming? Nikíta Ah! Better so! I’m coming! Goes towards yard.

Scene II

Interior of hut, full of people, some sitting round tables and others standing. In the front corner Akoulína and the Bridegroom. On one of the tables an Icon and a loaf of rye-bread. Among the visitors are Marína, her husband, and a Police Officer, also a Hired Driver, the Matchmaker, and the Best Man. The women are singing. Anísya carries round the drink. The singing stops.

The Driver	If we are to go, let’s go! The church ain’t so near.
The Best Man	All right; you wait a bit till the stepfather has given his blessing. But where is he?
Anísya	He is coming⁠—coming at once, dear friends! Have another glass all of you; don’t refuse!
The Matchmaker	Why is he so long? We’ve been waiting such a time!
Anísya	He’s coming; coming directly, coming in no time! He’ll be here before one could plait a girl’s hair who’s had her hair cropped! Drink, friends! Offers the drink. Coming at once! Sing again, my pets, meanwhile!
The Driver	They’ve sung all their songs, waiting here!
	The women sing. Nikíta and Akím enter during the singing.
Nikíta	Holds his father’s arm and pushes him in before him. Go, father; I can’t do without you!
Akím	I don’t like⁠—I mean what d’ye call it⁠ ⁠…
Nikíta	To the women. Enough! Be quiet! Looks round the hut. Marína, are you there?
The Matchmaker	Go, take the icon, and give them your blessing!
Nikíta	Wait a while! Looks round. Akoulína, are you there?
Matchmaker	What are you calling everybody for? Where should she be? How queer he seems!
Anísya	Gracious goodness! Why, he’s barefoot!
Nikíta	Father, you are here! Look at me! Christian Commune, you are all here, and I am here! I am⁠ ⁠… Falls on his knees.
Anísya	Nikíta darling, what’s the matter with you? Oh my head, my head!
Matchmaker	Here’s a go!
Matryóna	I did say he was taking too much of that French wine! Come to your senses; what are you about?
	They try to lift him; he takes no heed of them, but looks in front of him.
Nikíta	Christian Commune! I have sinned, and I wish to confess!
Matryóna	Shakes him by the shoulder. Are you mad? Dear friends, he’s gone crazy! He must be taken away!
Nikíta	Shakes her off. Leave me alone! And you, father, hear me! And first, Marína, look here! Bows to the ground to her and rises. I have sinned towards you! I promised to marry you, I tempted you, and forsook you! Forgive me, in Christ’s name! Again bows to the ground before her.
Anísya	And what are you drivelling about? It’s not becoming! No one wants to know! Get up! It’s like your impudence!
Matryóna	Oh, oh, he’s bewitched! And however did it happen? It’s a spell! Get up! what nonsense are you jabbering? Pulls him.
Nikíta	Shakes his head. Don’t touch me! Forgive me my sin towards you, Marína! Forgive me, for Christ’s sake!
	Marína covers her face with her hands in silence.
Anísya	Get up, I tell you! Don’t be so impudent! What are you thinking about⁠—to recall it? Enough humbug! It’s shameful! Oh my poor head! He’s quite crazy!
Nikíta	Pushes his wife away and turns to Akoulína. Akoulína, now I’ll speak to you! Listen, Christian Commune! I’m a fiend, Akoulína! I have sinned against you! Your father died no natural death! He was poisoned!
Anísya	Screams. Oh my head! What’s he about?
Matryóna	The man’s beside himself! Lead him away!
	The folk come up and try to seize him.
Akím	Motions them back with his arms. Wait! You lads, what d’ye call it, wait, I mean!
Nikíta	Akoulína, I poisoned him! Forgive me, in Christ’s name!
Akoulína	Jumps up. He’s telling lies! I know who did it!
Matchmaker	What are you about? You sit still!
Akím	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!
Akím	To Police Officer. Now you⁠—with the bright buttons⁠—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!
Akím	Eh, what a fellow you are; wait, I say! Don’t talk, I mean, about, what d’ye call it, ’ditements! Here God’s work is being done.⁠ ⁠… A man is confessing, I mean! And you, what d’ye call it⁠ ⁠… ’ditements!
Police Officer	The Elder!
Akím	Let God’s work be done, I mean, and then you, I mean, you do your business!
Nikíta	And, Akoulína, my sin is great towards you; I seduced you; forgive me in Christ’s name! Bows to the ground before her.
Akoulína	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.
Nikíta	Wait, sir, let me finish!
Akím	With rapture. Speak, my son! Tell everything⁠—you’ll feel better! Confess to God, don’t fear men! God⁠—God! It is He!
Nikíta	I poisoned the father, dog that I am, and I ruined the daughter! She