Selected plays

for life, and I am an old man, almost a corpse already. Don't I know it? Of course I see that it is foolish for me to live so long, but wait! I shall soon set you all free. My life cannot drag on much longer.

HELENA. You're overtaxing my powers of endurance. Be quiet, for God's sake!

SEREBRYAKOV. It appears that, thanks to me, everybody's power of endurance is being overtaxed; everybody is miserable, only I am blissfully triumphant. Oh, yes, isn't it obvious?

HELENA. Be quiet! You're torturing me.

SEREBRYAKOV. I torture everybody. Obviously.

HELENA. [Weeping] This is unbearable! Tell me, what is it you want from me?

SEREBRYAKOV. Nothing.

HELENA. Then be quiet, please.

SEREBRYAKOV. It is funny that everybody listens to Ivan and his old idiot of a mother, but the moment I open my lips you all begin to feel ill-treated. You can't even stand the sound of my voice. Even if I am hateful, even if I am a selfish tyrant, haven't I the right to be one at my age? Haven't I earned it? Haven't I, I ask you, the right to be respected, now that I am old?

HELENA. No one is disputing your rights. [The window slams in the wind] The wind's rising, I'd better shut the window. [She shuts it] We'll have rain in a moment. Your rights have never been questioned by anybody. [Pause]

The WATCHMAN in the garden sounds his rattle and sings a song.

SEREBRYAKOV. I have spent my life working in the interests of learning. I am used to my library and the lecture hall and to the esteem and admiration of my colleagues. Now I suddenly find myself plunged in this wilderness, condemned to see the same stupid people from morning till night and listen to their futile conversation. I want to live; I long for success and fame and the stir of the world, and here I am in exile! Oh, it is dreadful to spend every moment grieving for the lost past, to see the success of others and sit here with nothing to do but to fear death. I can't stand it! I don't have the strength. And they will not even forgive me for being old!

HELENA. Wait, have patience; I'll be old myself in four or five years.

SONYA comes in.

SONYA. Father, you sent for Dr. Astrov, and now when he comes you refuse to see him. It's inconsiderate to give a man so much trouble for nothing.

SEREBRYAKOV. What do I care about your Astrov? He understands medicine about as well as I understand astronomy.

SONYA. We can't send for the whole medical faculty, can we, to treat your gout?

SEREBRYAKOV. I won't talk to that madman!

SONYA. Do as you please. [She sits down.] It's all the same to me.

SEREBRYAKOV. What time is it?

HELENA. After midnight.

SEREBRYAKOV. It is stifling in here. Sonya, hand me that bottle on the table.

SONYA. Here it is. [She hands him a bottle of medicine.]

SEREBRYAKOV. [Crossly] No, not that one! Can't you understand me? Can't I ask you to do a thing?

SONYA. Will you stop throwing tantrums? Some people may like it, but you can please leave