The Storm

KATERINA. One minute he's kind, one minute he's angry, but he's drinking all the while. He is loathsome to me, loathsome; his kindness is worse than his blows.

BORIS.

You are wretched, Katia?

KATERINA.

So wretched, so wretched, that it were better to die!

BORIS. Who could have dreamed that we should have to suffer such anguish for our love! I'd better have run away then!

KATERINA. It was an evil day for me when I saw you. Joy I have known little of, but of sorrow, of sorrow, how much! And how much is still before me! But why think of what is to be! I am seeing you now, that they cannot take away from me; and I care for nothing more. All I wanted was to see you. Now my heart is much easier; as though a load had been taken off me. I kept thinking you were angry with me, that you were cursing me….

BORIS.

How can you! How can you!

KATERINA. No, that's not what I mean; that's not what I wanted to say! I was sick with longing for you, that's it; and now, I have seen you….

BORIS.

They must not come upon us here!

KATERINA.

Stay a minute! Stay a minute! Something I meant to say to you! I've

forgotten! Something I had to say! Everything is in confusion in my head,

I can remember nothing.

BORIS.

It's time I went, Katia!

KATERINA.

Wait a minute, a minute!

BORIS.

Come, what did you want to say?

KATERINA. I will tell you directly. (Thinking a moment.) Yes! As you travel along the highroads, do not miss over one beggar, give to everyone, and bid them pray for my sinful soul.

BORIS.

Ah, if these people knew what it is to me to part from you! My God! God

grant they may one day know such bitterness as I know now. Farewell,

Katia! (embraces her and tries to go away). Miscreants! monsters! Ah, if

I were strong!

KATERINA.

Stay, stay! Let me look at you for the last time (gazes into his face).

Now all's over with me. The end is come for me. Now, God be with thee. Go,

go quickly!

BORIS (moves away a few steps and stands still). Katia, I feel a dread of something! You have something fearful in your mind? I shall be in torture as I go, thinking of you.

KATERINA. No, no! Go in God's name! (Boris is about to go up to her.) No, no, enough.

BORIS (sobbing). God be with thee! There's only one thing to pray God for, that she may soon be dead, that she may not be tortured long! Farewell!

KATERINA.

Farewell!

[Boris goes out. Katerina follows him with her eyes and stands for some time, lost in thought.

SCENE IV

KATERINA (alone). Where am I going now? Home? No, home or the grave—it's the same. Yes, home or the grave! … the grave! Better the grave…. A little grave under a tree … how sweet…. The sunshine warms it, the sweet rain falls on it … in the spring the grass grows on it, soft and sweet grass … the birds will fly in the tree and sing, and bring up their little ones, and flowers will bloom; golden, red and blue … all sorts of flowers, (dreamily) all sorts of flowers … how still! how sweet! My heart's as it were lighter! But of life I don't want to think! Live again! No, no, no use … life is not good! … And people are hateful to me, and the house is hateful, and the walls are hateful! I will not go there! No, no, I will not go! If I go to them, they'll come and talk, and what do I want with that? Ah, it has grown dark! And there is singing again somewhere! What are they singing? I can't make out…. To die now…. What are they singing? It is just the same whether death comes, or of myself … but live I cannot! A sin to die so! … they won't pray for me! If anyone loves me he will pray … they will fold my arms crossed in the grave! Oh yes…. I remember. But when they catch me, and take me home by force…. Ah, quickly, quickly! (Goes to the river bank. Aloud) My dear one! My sweet! Farewell! [Exit.

[Enter Mme. Kabanova, Kabanov, Kuligin and workmen with torches.

SCENE V

MME. KABANOVA, KABANOV and KULIGIN.

KULIGIN.

They say she was seen here.

KABANOV.

Is it certain?

KULIGIN.

They say they saw her.

KABANOV.

Thank God, if she has been seen alive.

MME. KABANOVA.

And you in such a fright already and crying over it! There's no need.

She's not worth fretting about! Don't worry yourself, we shall have our

hands full with her for many a long year yet.

KABANOV. Who would have dreamed of her coming here! A place so frequented. No one would ever think of hiding here.

MME. KABANOVA. That's just her way! The shameless hussy! She wants to keep up her character, it seems!

[A crowd with torches collects, coming in from different directions.

ONE OF THE CROWD.

Well, is she found?

MME. KABANOVA.

It seems not. She seems to have vanished into the earth.

SEVERAL VOICES.