Lords and Lovers, and Other Dramas

Adr. You must go to bed, my son. There is nothing for you to do.

Vasil. [Rising] Nothing for me to do? Why am I in the world then?

Adr. To be our light—our song—to find our angels for us.

Vasil. [Looking down at his violin] It is broken.

Adr. [Picking it up] You will mend it.

Vasil. And the heart too? [Goes to table, left front, and sits by it, despondent and thoughtful] We were wrong to-day, Adrian. I was wrong. No one has a right to happiness while others are suffering because of things that are in the power of man to help. The good people who forget what is out of sight, as if misery—or duty—were a question of eyes and ears, they are the most to blame. [Rises] If they would all help—just all of the good. [Goes to door, rear, and stands a moment looking out] The princess dances at the ball to-night.

Adr. My boy!

Vasil. [Coming back to Adrian] But they will not all help—not yet. Perhaps the world of peace must come before the world of love, not out of it ... as war has come before peace. The law of Moses was once the best law. His race saved itself by it. Has the day of its necessity passed, Adrian? Are we sure?

Adr. It has passed for the man.

Vasil. But humanity is so far behind the man.

Adr. [Gently] That is what made Christ.

Vasil. And that is what killed him!

[Enter a priest, street door]

Priest. Blessed be this house.

Adr. Welcome, father.

Priest. Is death here?

Adr. Yes, father. [Crosses to right and opens door for priest to enter] You have many visits to make to-night.

Priest. Many, my son. [Stops before Adrian] I have a message for the Shepherd of Lonz.

Adr. [Taking letter] Thank you, father.

Priest. Thank her that sent it, and God who made her heart. [Passes into room, right]

Adr. [After looking over letter] The princess has danced to some purpose, my boy. Vera is free. She will be on her way to Odessa by morning.

Vasil. Free? The princess saved her? My princess! Did she write it? [Taking letter] I will read it with kisses!

Adr. It must be burnt.

Vasil. No, let me keep it—a little while.

Adr. We must be careful. Hush—some one is coming.

[Vasil retreats to table, rear. Enter Korelenko in great agitation]

Kore. Yaltowa is on fire! We are one night too late! They must have heard——

Adr. On fire? Now?

Kore. I waited with Gregorief at Breshloff's, the others went on to Yaltowa, where——

Adr. You waited for Petrizoff?

Kore. This ball was only to cover their scheme——

Adr. You waited with Gregorief for Petrizoff?

Kore. He will pass through the village about four o'clock.

Adr. But now—O, you are saved from that thing!

Kore. Yes. If we kill him now the fire will seem only a part of the deed. It will help them fix the lie upon us.

Adr. Too late, thank God!

Kore. You think of nothing but Petrizoff! What of the people now dying in Yaltowa? Dying because he lives? Go see the horrors there! The reactionists are everywhere in the streets, disguised as revolutionists, looting and murdering! Your Karitz peasants are being turned into beasts——

[Adrian gives a deep groan and sits overcome, by table front, left]

Kore. It is not too late! Our friends—Russia—freedom—yet may live if you will help us! Your name will justify Petrizoff's death to the world. With the loss of their chief the reactionists will be in confusion, before they can recover you can organize the great leagues into a militia——

Adr. You are mad to think such power is in me.

Kore. You don't know your power! You can do it—you only—and it must be done now—before the war in the East is over—before the Czar can make new promises—give us the mockery of a constitution, and fool half of us back to allegiance—before——

Adr. [Rising, shaken] It can not rest with me. One man can not make destiny.

Kore. Yes, when that man is you—when the time is now! Absolutism is at its ebb. Will you wait till the tide gathers and flows over us again in waves of blood?

Adr. [To himself, walking] Are there then two codes? One for the man, one for the race? And when they conflict, the man must yield?

Kore. Codes! The question of a man's right to his breath is settled outside of ethics! O, Adrian, brother, be a man to-night and not a preacher! Never in the history of the world has there been a revolution so ripe, so terrible, without a leader to march at its head.

Adr. Humanity has dropped the club. It will drop the gun. Even the soldiers are throwing it down. And shall I pick it up——

Kore. Only for a day! Petrizoff alone stands between us and the army. Vitelkin, the next in power, is ready to join us. But he is suspected already, and must soon resign—or be poisoned. If we remove Petrizoff now thirty regiments will come to us with Vitelkin, and others will follow until the Czar is without an army. In a month—a fortnight—the revolutionists will be masters of the nation——

Adr. Masters of the nation! [Walks away, and returns, much calmer, to Korelenko] If it is true that only the life of Petrizoff stands between the revolutionists and triumph, he can not long be the sole barrier. He must see his folly and change his——

Kore. [Furious] Were he to turn angel now, he should die for his past sins!

Adr. [Sadly] I see. We should unfetter the avenging lion, not loosen the dove of peace, with Petrizoff's death.

Kore. I did not mean that. You know it was the anger of a moment. [Kneeling] For the last time I beg you—in the name of all that redeems man from the beast——

Adr. [Very pale] Rise, Korelenko. Heal ye first yourselves. Out of your differences, your divisions, you make your master. If for one day enmity should sleep, if for one day every lover of freedom should love his neighbor, in that day the oppressor would fall. Rise! I will not do it.

Kore. [Springing up] You will!

Adr. Will?

Kore. Yes. The princess Sophie Travinski is betrayed to Petrizoff. I hoped to prevail without telling you, and spare your heart what mine suffers.

Adr. Betrayed?

Kore. She has aided to-night in the escape of a prisoner taken by Petrizoff's order. He will know all by morning if he lives.

Adr. This lie will not tempt me, Sasha. I can hardly believe you have uttered it. [Fearfully] I might have believed you.

Kore. I am prepared for your doubt. Gregorief waits outside. He will support my word [going to door].

Adr. No! I will not see him again. It is true. [Crosses uncertainly and sits on bench before loom] O, is there no end to this night?

Kore. A princess Ghedimin went to Yakutsk for a lesser offence.

Adr. Don't—don't speak.

Kore. [After watching him a moment] If Petrizoff dies he will never know.

Adr. There is no time to warn her.

Kore. Then the evidence will go to Petrizoff at once.

Adr. You would do that?

Kore. No, but Gregorief would. He is waiting for your answer.

Adr. My answer?

Kore. You know how to save her.

Adr. [Rising] How?

Kore. Join us.

Adr. [Sinking down again] You might be merciful now, Korelenko.

Kore. [Unbelievingly] You will not save her?

Adr. Not that way.

Kore. There is no other.

Adr. Then she——

Kore. Adrian, I can not believe you. You will save her!

Adr. How can I now? The struggle is over. For a heavenly motive I refused to join you; I can not consent now for an earthly one. O, if you had not told me! If you had pleaded a little longer—[Realizes what he is saying, and looks at Korelenko with a bitter smile] You see it is impossible.

Kore. [Raging] I will kill you!

Adr. Do, Sasha.

Kore. [Turning from him] Vera! My little girl!

Adr. [Rising suddenly] O, I have not told you——

Kore. What? Quick!

Adr. Vera is free. Read this—where—Vasil, the letter!

[Vasil, who sits by the small table, silently lays the letter upon it. Korelenko crosses and snatches it up]

Adr. [As Korelenko reads] You see they will wait for you on the Petoff road until two o'clock. You must go at once. The princess has arranged for you to journey with Vera if you wish, and you must now, for to remain here means imprisonment on the Yaltowa charge. [Korelenko is dumb, looking at the letter] Don't lose hope, Sasha. You can still help us in America—perhaps do more for the cause there than here—and you will have Vera——

Kore. [Strangely] You must save her now, Adrian.

Adr. She is saved. Haven't you read? Don't you see?

Kore. Not Vera, the princess. It was I who betrayed her. And it was Vera she saved. I was so sure of you. You said——

Adr. I am sorry for you, Korelenko. You have sold the angel in your service.

Kore. No! You did it! You deceived me! You swore you loved her!

Adr. I swore the truth.

Kore. Bah! Such love! Prove it! Prove it! [Hurries to the little cabinet in wall, rear, unlocks it, takes out a bomb from his pocket, places it in the cabinet, locks the door and returns to Adrian with key] Prove it! I am going to Vera. Gregorief will wait at Breshloff's. Send him this key within an hour and he will know what to do. [Offers key to Adrian, who looks at him silently. Korelenko throws key to the floor] There it is! Send it, or her fate will be on your soul, not mine! [Exit]

Adr. O, Infinite Love, why didst make us as men to try us as gods?... And I might have saved her. Might? ... [Goes slowly to the key, stoops and picks it up. As he raises his head his glance falls on the portrait of the Saviour on wall in front of him] Unto seventy times seven. [He drops the key and takes a step or two toward the picture] Thou too wert man!... [As he gazes at the portrait Vasil comes softly forward, takes up the key, returns to table, and sits looking at the key as if fascinated. Curtain]

Scene 1. Same room. Vasil asleep on bench, rear, left. Adrian watching by him.

Adr. If I had saved him this day ... this night! But now ... what peace can heal him? [Rises and walks] Lord, Lord, from out these burning days, let one, just one, go free! As thou lovest thy world, let him be spared, let him be spared!

[Enter Sophie, street door. Adrian looks at her uncomprehendingly. She crosses to him]

Adr. Why have you come?

Soph. To warn you!

Adr. The boy—do not wake him.

[Sophie crosses to left, rear, Adrian following. She looks down, at Vasil, stoops and tenderly kisses him, then moves away with Adrian. Vasil opens his eyes and looks after them]

Adr. The last two hours have been terrible, but he rests now.

Soph. You must take him with you.

Adr. With me?

Soph. I have come from the ball.

Adr. I see.

Soph. Orloff is a very weak man. I found out that you are to be arrested to-night.

Adr. It has come then.

Soph. Is Korelenko going with Vera?

Adr. I hope so. He has gone to meet her.

Soph. Then you can't take his place. We must think of some other way—and quickly.

Adr. Not for me. It is you who must go. You are betrayed to Petrizoff.

Soph. I hoped you wouldn't hear that. I am in no danger.

Adr. [Between fear and relief] No danger?

Soph. [With a half smile] By and by you will believe that I can take care of myself.

[Enter Korelenko with Vera]

Soph. Not gone?

Adr. You are lost.

Soph. Why did you bring her back? You have no right to destroy her life!

Vera. I would not go. My place is with Alexander. [Softly] You ought to understand that, princess.

Soph. [To Korelenko] She is a child. She did not know. You should have gone with her.

Kore. Your highness, that was impossible.

Soph. It was not! All was prepared——

Kore. [To Adrian] Does she know?

Soph. That I am betrayed? Yes, but the man entrusted with the evidence happened to be a devoted servant of my own—[Alexander groans] He will fall! And you—Adrian—what is the matter?

Kore. [Steadying himself against the loom and clasping Vera] I have thrown our lives away—mine and Vera's—that is all.

Soph. Why couldn't you go with her?

Kore. Because it was I who betrayed you. And could I accept life and love at your hands?

Soph. [Shrinking] You? But why——

Kore. I can not answer. Come, Vera, to your grandmother.

[Exeunt Korelenko and Vera, right, centre]

Soph. O, why did he do it?

Adr. I can tell you.

Soph. Then why?

Adr. Because he believed—O, Sophie, beloved, before I speak, look at me with the love in your eyes as I saw it first. I did not know it was for me then. Let me see it now while I know you are mine—mine! Yes, yes, you love me!

Soph. Ah, Adrian, I am afraid I love nothing else.

[Vasil covers his eyes with his arm]

Adr. And you will kiss me once?

Soph. Once?

Adr. As if we were parting forever, Sophie. [She embraces and kisses him. He moves away from her] Now I will tell you why Alexander could not answer you, and why I can. He betrayed you believing that I could and would save you.

Soph. And you——

Adr. Could, but would not.

Soph. [Moving back] What are you saying, Adrian?

Adr. I could have saved you but I would not. Isn't it clear?

Soph. [Moving back till she stands in dim light] No—I don't——

Adr. I would not consent to Petrizoff's death.

Soph. [Lifting her head] O! [Regarding him steadily] You refused your consent when you knew that his death would save me?

Adr. [Lowering his eyes] I did.

Soph. He, a murderer, whose death has been justly due a thousand times, and I, innocent, the woman you say you love——

Adr. [Bowing his head, not meeting her look] I have told you the truth.

Soph. And that is why we part forever?

Adr. That is why.

Soph. Because I could not forgive you?

Adr. No. I should want more than forgiveness. I should want you to understand.

Soph. That you were right?

Adr. Yes.

Soph. And I couldn't understand?

Adr. [Still hopelessly, not looking at her] No.

Soph. [Coming nearer] And we part forever? [He makes no answer. She comes nearer] Forever? [He is still silent. She comes near enough to turn his face to hers] Forever, Adrian?

Adr. Sophie! [Takes her in his arms]

Soph. O, do you think I will ever leave you now?

Adr. You do understand!

Soph. [Smiling] That I can never be in your way? You will always sacrifice me first? Yes, I knew that all the time, but you didn't.

Adr. And it makes no difference?

Soph. How can it when I love you?

Adr. I wonder if God understands women.

Soph. O, some of them. The rest He made to puzzle over when eternity hangs on His hands.

Adr. [Kissing her] Heaven-heart!

Soph. [Releasing herself] That must wait. We haven't a minute——

[They hear steps outside, and stand waiting. Orloff and two guards enter]

Orl. It is my turn to be surprised, your highness. I suppose you are here to assure this prisoner of safety.

Soph. What prisoner?

Orl. Adrian Lavrov.

[Guards put fetters on Adrian's wrists]

Adr. For what crime am I arrested?

Orl. [To guards] Keep him here until I return.

Adr. For what crime?

Orl. For crime sufficient.

Adr. I insist upon knowing.

Orl. You will know soon enough—in the next world. They say everything is known there.

Soph. He is ashamed to tell you. You are arrested as chief instigator in the burning of Yaltowa.

Adr. Is it possible?

Soph. More than possible. It is so. That is the crime you will die for unless you are rescued by a rising of the people.

Adr. That must not be!

Orl. Don't worry. We are giving your friends enough to think about.

[Sophie has gradually neared the door. Orloff steps before her]

Orl. Pardon me, your highness. You invited me into your carriage a few hours ago. I beg to return the courtesy.

Soph. Let me pass!

Orl. You will leave here only under my escort.

Soph. I know where I shall die then.

Orl. You have cost me one prisoner.

Soph. What proof have you?

Orl. None—yet. But I know it.

Soph. O wonderful sagacity!

Orl. And I shall lay my reasons before Petrizoff.

Soph. I suppose you believe, too, that I would rescue the Shepherd of Lonz?

Orl. I shall at least not lose sight of him until he is in prison. [Sophie turns her back upon Orloff] You must come with me or stay here under guard. I don't promise you as pleasant a journey as you gave me, for I shall not be at so much trouble to please. I shall not even ask you to let me repeat the little kiss——

Soph. Sir!

Orl. On your hand, which you so kindly permitted. [Sophie again attempts to pass him] Will your highness take my arm to the carriage? We have only a short distance to drive before meeting Petrizoff. [Looking at his watch] He ought to be almost here.

Soph. I will stay here.

Orl. In shackles?

Soph. [Holding out her arms] Yes.

Orl. Stay then. But I will not bind you.

Soph. No, I might not forgive you that if it turns out that you have made a fool's mistake.

Orl. There is no mistake, as you will learn after I have seen Petrizoff. [To guards] No conversation between prisoners. [To Sophie] Let me assure you that these guards can be trusted. [Exit]

[Adrian sits in the large chair, a guard stationed on each side of him. Sophie sits on low stool before him, and lays her head upon his knees]

A guard. [Anxiously] It is not permitted to communicate——

Soph. Then don't, sir!

[Silence for a moment, then the noise of horses approaching]

Soph. Ah—Petrizoff!

[Vasil rises cautiously. The guards have their backs to him and the door. He stands on the bench, unlocks cabinet, takes out the bomb, puts it under his blouse, and goes softly out]

Adr. Sophie—Sophie—you do not regret——

Soph. No, no! Don't, Adrian! Forget all but love—love—love! This is the last—the last——

[Sound of trampling without, shrieks and noises. They start and listen. Korelenko runs through the room from right and out at street door. Vera comes on after him. Adrian and Sophie rise and look questioningly at each other. The guards lift their weapons. Adrian looks toward bench and sees that Vasil is gone]

Adr. Vasil! [To Vera] Is he in there?

Vera. No, Adrian.

Adr. He has gone out. He will be hurt. [Looks suddenly at cabinet, which is open] Who has been here? Gregorief? [Stares at cabinet. Sophie's gaze follows his. He turns to her, speaking slowly] There was a bomb in that cabinet. Could it be possible—that——

Soph. [Gently] I am afraid it is true.

Adr. Never! Not him!

Soph. Adrian! Beloved!

Adr. [Not heeding her] Vasil! Vasil! [Staggers to seat by table, front, left. Guards keep by him. Enter Korelenko followed by Gregorief and others]

Vera. [Running to Korelenko] Vasil—where is he? [Korelenko is silent]

Soph. Is he hurt?

Kore. The boy—or——

Soph. The boy.

Kore. Not hurt, but taken.

[Adrian throws his fettered arms upon the table and lays his face upon them]

Soph. Is Petrizoff dead?

Kore. Only a wound. This night belongs to hell. O, if it could have been as we planned!

Soph. No one is killed?

Kore. No one but Orloff.

Soph. Orloff dead! [Under her breath] Then I am safe.

Kore. Gods, if only it had been Petrizoff! His escape is unbelievable. [Turning to Adrian] What says the preacher now?

Soph. Don't! See his fetters?

Kore. Ah! When——

Greg. [Crossing to Adrian] Fortunate man! Now he may develop his soul!

Soph. How can you?

Greg. How could he, madam? How could he? Do you know what he has done? He has killed every man that died in Yaltowa to-night—he has slaughtered every child—he has outraged every woman! What else? Freedom offered him her hand and he struck her to earth! He has scattered her forces—he has strengthened her oppressor—and the rivers of blood that must now drench Russia shall flow from his door! But—ha! ha! he has saved his soul!

[Enter Irtenieff, attended]

Irtenieff. I want the prisoner, Adrian Lavrov. [No one answers. He sees Adrian and crosses to him] What is your crime? [Adrian does not raise his head]

Soph. None.

Irten. You are arrested for the burning of Yaltowa? All prisoners taken on that charge are free by the order of Petrizoff.

Soph. Take off his chains!

[At a sign from Irtenieff guards unfetter Adrian, who does not seem to know what they are doing]

Kore. Such an order from Petrizoff? What does it mean?

Irten. It means that he is frightened into saying his prayers for a day or two.

Soph. Adrian, my dear one, look up!

Irten. [To Korelenko] And if you've a particular regard, as I've heard, for the little beauty there, you'd better get her out of Russia before his scare rubs off.

Kore. Thank you, sir.

[Exeunt Irtenieff, men, and guards left by Orloff. Dawn has been gradually breaking, showing through door and window, rear. Sophie continues to talk softly to Adrian and finally he raises his head]

Adr. They will bury the sunshine of the world—shut up his golden years in darkness——

Soph. We will free him, Adrian. We will live to set him free.

[Zarkoff, and Vasil guarded, appear at door]

Zarkoff. [Stepping in] Now show your accomplices. [Vasil stands on the threshold, silent, looking eagerly at the faces in the room] You swore you would tell who helped you if we brought you here.

Vasil. I will.

Zar. [Pointing to Gregorief] Is he one?

Vasil. Let me take my time. You wouldn't hurry on your way to Schlusselburg, would you? I must speak to my friends first. Adrian—father, brother, master—the songs have all come back. When I only looked on, doing nothing to help, the music stopped, but now——

Zar. Too many words, sir!

Vasil. Now I am doing my part, I have a right to my song. They will take me to——

Zar. Stop that!

Vasil. And under the stormy waters my heart will be singing——

Zar. Say your good-bys, and be done!

Vasil. Put your ear to my violin, and you will hear——

Zar. Come!

Vasil. You must yield something too, Adrian. Step back to the law of Moses for vantage if you can leap to Christ with the world in your arms.

Zar. You have broken your oath!

Vasil. I have not. I will tell you.

Zar. Speak then. Who are your confederates?

Vasil. There is but one.

Zar. Who? Where is he?

Vasil. He is here—in this room—he is in every prison in Russia—he is in every heart that knows the meaning of love—but if you want to arrest him [stepping back into the sunlight and pointing upward] you must go up there, for he is God.

Zar. That for your blasphemy! [Strikes Vasil on the mouth with his sword] Off with him!

[Guards take Vasil off. Zarkoff follows. Silence broken by a groan from Adrian]

Soph. Beloved, beloved, he shall be free! The whole world shall help us!

Greg. May we knock down the prisons now, Lavrov?

Adr. O God, in all thy ages can this be justified?

Kore. You can justify it in a moment. Adrian Lavrov, this is your call to war. If you respond, his life is well lost.

Adr. War? [Staggers up] Yes. And I will use the strongest of earthly weapons, the arms of peace. The powers that upbuild are as invincible as the universe. By them it stands. Only by their toleration do the forces of destruction live. Toleration? Only by the support of the powers of peace do the powers that destroy exist. Is not the army of the Czar fed by us, clothed by us, paid by us? And if we refuse to give, must it not beg of us? If he who works not shall not eat, what is the doom of the destroyer? The sower shall not sow for him, the reaper shall not reap for him, the builder shall not build for him, the physician shall not heal him, the scholar shall not teach him, the lawyer shall not plead for him, no trade shall supply him, no craft shall assist him, no art shall amuse him. The mills shall be silent, the wheels shall not turn, the wires shall be dumb, until he cries out "Peace, thou art master: let me be so much as thy servant!"

A revolutionist. Right! This, too, is war!

Adr. Yes. The new war of a new day. Not in madness hurling bombs, but giving our pity as we take our right.

Man. And who will pay your soldiers of peace? Must not their women and children eat?

Adr. The money we now pay to our brothers to strike us shall put bread in our mouths.

A revolutionist. Keep the taxes!

Man. You join us at last!

Adr. No. We join each other ... under the only unconquerable power. Gather an army and go forth with guns, and you may be laid in the dust. But the gathered forces of peace are as the fingers on God's hand, one with His strength, one with His will. Friends, friends, we have been searching earth for the weapon already in our grasp. The woman at the loom, the mujik in the field, the workman on the housetop, the man at the wire, the throttle, the wheel, hold it in their hands. To know its might—to use it together—that is all. Together! O, they must see it—as I do now! I will gather my disciples, we will knock at every door and preach the gospel of united peace until all our unions are one union, all our bodies one body, with one breath, one heart, one head. In barin and peasant, mechanic and noble, Christian and Jew, Finn, Pole, Czech, Serb, Georgian, Tatar, must be born as in one man the conscious strength of peace. And to its deliverance I give my life, my soul! [Sits down. Sophie leans over him] ... Yes ... he shall be free.

Greg. [Who has been searching Vasil's violin, comes forward with a paper in his hand] They shall all be free! We will make no terms, we will accept no constitution, till every dungeon door be open, till we hold in our arms the brothers who have made freedom no longer a dream of the night but a song of the morning! To them we owe the liberty that is dawning, and shall we tread the earth they give us while they perish beneath it? Hear our latest martyr—the youngest of us all. Hear the "Voice of Schlusselburg!"