Classic Poem

SCENE THE TWENTY FIFTH.

The Kremlin House of the Godounoffs Sentinel before the Door.

THEODORE. KSENIA. SENTINEL. BEGGAR. CROWD OF THE PEOPLE .

BEGGAR .

For Christ's sake, give a trifle to the poor!

SENTINEL .

Move on; it is forbidden to speak with the prisoners.

THEODORE .

Come here, old man. I am the poorer of us two!
Thou, at least, art free.

FIRST CITIZEN .

Look, the brother and sister, poor things, like birds in cage confined.

SECOND CITIZEN .

Why throw away pity on them? Accursed race!

FIRST CITIZEN .

The father, it is true, was guilty; but these poor children have done no wrong.

SECOND CITIZEN .

Rubbish! they are chips of the old block.

KSENIA .

Brother, brother! It seems, those Boyards there are coming to us.

THEODORE .

That is Golitzine, and that Mosalsky. The others I know not.

KSENIA .

Ah, darling, my heart misgives me.

THE PEOPLE .

Make room there! Room for the Boyards!

FIRST CITIZEN .

What have they to do there?

SECOND CITIZEN .

Most likely to make Theodore Godounoff take the oath.

FIRST CITIZEN .

Thinkest so? But listen, what is that noise in the house?
All is hurry and confusion!

SECOND CITIZEN .

Dost thou hear that shriek? A woman's voice! Let us go in!
The doors are closed. The cries are hushed, but the noise continues.

MOSALSKY .

Citizens! Marie Godounoff and her son, Theodore, have poisoned themselves. We have seen their dead bodies. ( The people are silent with horror .) Why remain you silent? Cry out with me: Long live the Tsar, Dmitry Ivanovitch!