Savva and the Life of Man: Two plays by Leonid AndreyevAndreyev, Leonid
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Savva and the Life of Man: Two plays by Leonid Andreyev
Andreyev, Leonid
Russian drama -- Translations into English
I don't know. I suppose for joy. Father Kirill grunts like a pig "Oui,
oui, oui." They all act as if they were drunk.
SAVVA _(rising, agitated)_
As if they were drunk? What does that mean? Perhaps they really are
drunk.
FRIAR
Oh no, Mr. Tropinin. It's all on account of the miracle. They are mad
with joy. Father Kirill keeps grunting "Oui, oui, oui." He vows that
if he remains alive he'll swear off liquor and live as a hermit.
SAVVA _(eyeing him)_
Well?
FRIAR
That's all.
SAVVA
What do they say?
FRIAR
They say they'll do penance and stop sinning. They hug each other and
behave as if they were drunk.
SAVVA _(walking up and down, stroking his forehead with his hand)_
Yes, hm. So that's the way! Yes.
LIPA _(following him with her eyes)_
Go away from here, Savva. You are not wanted here.
SAVVA
What?
LIPA _(reluctantly)_
They may recognize you and then--Why don't you put on a hat at least?
You look like--
FRIAR
Yes, go--please go--dear Mr. Savva. Why, they--why, they might kill
you!
SAVVA _(in a sudden outburst of anger)_
Leave me alone! No one will kill me. It's bosh! _(Pause. Sits down)_
I wish I could get a drink of water or something. I am very thirsty.
Isn't there a pool or something of the kind around here?
FRIAR _(looking in terror at Savva)_
No, it's all dried up.
SAVVA _(frowning)_
Sorry.
FRIAR
Oh, that woman there has a jug of water. _(Gleefully)_ I'll go and ask
her for it. _(Runs)_
LIPA
You ought not to have that water. Go away from here, Savva, go away.
Look what gladness there is all around you. Everybody, everything
rejoices. The earth is glad. The sun is glad. You are the only one who
is not--you alone. I still can't forget that you are my brother. Go.
But wherever you go, bear with you the memory of this day always.
Remember that the same fate awaits you everywhere. The earth will not
surrender her God to you; the people will not surrender to you that
whereby they live and breathe. Yesterday I still feared you. To-day
I regard you with pity. You are pitiful, Savva! Go! Why are you
laughing?
SAVVA _(smiling)_
Isn't it a little premature, sister, for you to be delivering my
funeral oration?
LIPA
Aren't you frightened yet?
SAVVA
Why should I be frightened? At your tricks and jugglery? I am used to
the lies and frauds, Lipa. You can't frighten me with them. I still
have a lot of stupid confidence left. It will help. It will come in
handy the next time.
LIPA
Savva!
FRIAR _(bringing the jug of water)_
I had the hardest time getting it from her. She was like flint. She
said she needed it herself. She was a hard case.
SAVVA
Thank you, boy. _(Drinks with avidity)_ Fine! _(Drinks the last drop)_
That was fine water. Take it back and tell the woman her water was
fine and that there is none like it in all the world.
FRIAR _(merrily)_
All right, I'll tell her. _(Goes off)_
LIPA _(in a whisper)_
You are the enemy of the human race.
SAVVA _(smacking his lips)_
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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