PEASANT. That is to say, you think we ought to strike? To meet that, my friend, they have the soldiers. They'd send their soldiers ... one, two, fire!... some would get shot, and others taken up. Soldiers give short shrift! TRAVELLER. But is it not also the likes of you that are soldiers? Why should they shoot at their own fellows? PEASANT. How can they help it? That's what the oath is for. TRAVELLER. The oath? What oath? PEASANT. Don't you understand? Aren't you a Russian?... The oath is--well, it's the oath! TRAVELLER. It means swearing, doesn't it? PEASANT. Well, of course! They swear by the Cross and by the Gospels, to lay down their life for their country. TRAVELLER. Well, I think that should not be done. PEASANT. What should not be done? TRAVELLER. Taking the oath. PEASANT. Not done? Why, the law demands it! TRAVELLER. No, it is not in the Law. In the Law of Christ, it is plainly forbidden. He said: "Swear not at all." PEASANT. Come now! What about the priests? TRAVELLER [_takes a book, looks for the place, and reads_]: "It was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, _but I say unto you, Swear not at all_.... But let your speech be, Yea, yea; nay, nay: and whatsoever is more than these is of the evil one" (Matthew v. 33). So, according to Christ's Law, you must not swear. PEASANT. If there were no oath, there would be no soldiers. TRAVELLER. Well, and what good are the soldiers? PEASANT. What good?... But supposing other Tsars were to come and attack our Tsar ... what then? TRAVELLER. If the Tsars quarrel, let them fight it out themselves. PEASANT. Come! How could that be possible? TRAVELLER. It's very simple. He that believes in God, no matter what you may tell him, will never kill a man. PEASANT. Then why did the priest read out in church that war was declared, and the Reserves were to be ready? TRAVELLER. I know nothing about that; but I know that in the Commandments, in the Sixth, it says quite plainly: "Thou shalt do no murder." You see, it is forbidden for a man to kill a man. PEASANT. That means, at home! At the wars, how could you help it? They're enemies! TRAVELLER. According to Christ's Gospel, there is no such thing as an enemy. You are told to love everybody. [_Opens the Bible and looks for place._ PEASANT. Well, read it! TRAVELLER. "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment.... Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy: but I say unto you, Love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you" (Matthew v. 21, 43-44). [_A long pause._ PEASANT. Well, but what about taxes? Ought we to refuse to pay them too? TRAVELLER. That's as you think best. If your own children are hungry, naturally you should first feed them.