GENDARME OFFICER. Why don't you consider yourself a member of the Russian Empire? BORÍS. Because I do not recognise any empires. GENDARME OFFICER. What do you mean by not recognising? Do you wish to overthrow them? BORÍS. Certainly I wish it, and work for it. GENDARME OFFICER [To Clerk] Put that down. [To Borís] How do you work for it? BORÍS. By exposing fraud and lies, and by spreading the truth. When you entered I was telling these soldiers not to believe in the fraud into which they have been drawn. GENDARME OFFICER. But beside this method of exposing and persuading, do you approve of any others? BORÍS. No, I not only disapprove, but I consider all violence to be a great sin; and not only violence, but all concealment and craftiness ... GENDARME OFFICER. Write that down. Very well. Now kindly let me know whom you are acquainted with. Do you know Ivashénko? BORÍS. No. GENDARME OFFICER. Klein? BORÍS. I have heard of him, but never met him. Enter Priest (an old man wearing a cross and carrying a Bible). The Clerk goes up to him and receives his blessing. GENDARME OFFICER. Well, I think I may stop. I consider that you are not dangerous, and not within our jurisdiction. I wish you a speedy release. Good-day. [Presses Borís's hand]. BORÍS. One thing I should like to say to you. Forgive me, but I can't help saying it. Why have you chosen this wicked, cruel profession? I should advise you to give it up. GENDARME OFFICER [smiles] Thank you for your advice, but I have my reasons. My respects to you. [To Priest] Father, I relinquish my place to you [Exit with Clerk]. PRIEST. How can you so grieve the authorities by refusing to fulfil the duty of a Christian, to serve the Tsar and your Fatherland? BORÍS [smiling] Just because I want to fulfil my duty as a Christian, I do not wish to be a soldier. PRIEST. Why don't you wish it? It is said that, "To lay down one's life for a friend" is to be a true Christian.... BORÍS. Yes, to "lay down one's life," but not to take another man's. That is just what I want to do, to "lay down my life." PRIEST. You do not reason rightly, young man. John the Baptist said to the soldiers ... BORÍS [smiling] That only goes to prove that even in those days the soldiers used to rob, and he told them not to! PRIEST. Well, but why don't you wish to take your oath? BORÍS. You know that the Gospels forbid it! PRIEST. Not at all. You know that when Pilate said: "I adjure thee by the living God, art thou the Christ?" the Lord Jesus Christ answered "I am." That proves that oaths are not forbidden. BORÍS. Are not you ashamed to talk so? You--an old man. PRIEST. Take my advice and don't be obstinate. You and I cannot change the world. Just take your oath and you'll be at ease. Leave it to the Church to know what is a sin and what is not. BORÍS. Leave it to you? Are you not afraid to take so much sin upon yourself?