THE PEOPLE. (On their knees, groaning and wailing.) Have pity on us, Our father! O, rule over us! O, be Father to us, and tsar! 1ST PERSON. (Sotto voce.) Why are they wailing? 2ND PERSON. How can we know? The boyars know well enough. It's not our business. PEASANT WOMAN. (With child.) Now, what's this? Just when It ought to cry, the child stops crying. I'll show you! Here comes the bogie-man! Cry, cry, you spoilt one! (Throws it on the ground; the child screams.) That's right, that's right! 1ST PERSON. As everyone is crying, We also, brother, will begin to cry. 2ND PERSON. Brother, I try my best, but can't. 1ST PERSON. Nor I. Have you not got an onion? 2ND PERSON. No; I'll wet My eyes with spittle. What's up there now? 1ST PERSON. Who knows What's going on? THE PEOPLE. The crown for him! He is tsar! He has yielded!--Boris!--Our tsar!--Long live Boris! THE PALACE OF THE KREMLIN BORIS, PATRIARCH, Boyars BORIS. Thou, father Patriarch, all ye boyars! My soul lies bare before you; ye have seen With what humility and fear I took This mighty power upon me. Ah! How heavy My weight of obligation! I succeed The great Ivans; succeed the angel tsar!-- O Righteous Father, King Of kings, look down From Heaven upon the tears of Thy true servants, And send on him whom Thou hast loved, whom Thou Exalted hast on earth so wondrously, Thy holy blessing. May I rule my people In glory, and like Thee be good and righteous! To you, boyars, I look for help. Serve me As ye served him, what time I shared your labours, Ere I was chosen by the people's will. BOYARS. We will not from our plighted oath depart. BORIS. Now let us go to kneel before the tombs Of Russia's great departed rulers. Then Bid summon all our people to a feast, All, from the noble to the poor blind beggar. To all free entrance, all most welcome guests. (Exit, the Boyars following.) PRINCE VOROTINSKY. (Stopping Shuisky.) You rightly guessed. SHUISKY. Guessed what? VOROTINSKY. Why, you remember-- The other day, here on this very spot. SHUISKY. No, I remember nothing. VOROTINSKY. When the people Flocked to the Virgin's Field, thou said'st-- SHUISKY. 'Tis not The time for recollection. There are times When I should counsel you not to remember, But even to forget. And for the rest, I sought but by feigned calumny to prove thee, The truelier to discern thy secret thoughts. But see! The people hail the tsar--my absence May be remarked. I'll join them. VOROTINSKY. Wily courtier! NIGHT Cell in the Monastery of Chudov (A.D. 1603) FATHER PIMEN, GREGORY (sleeping)