COMPACT DISC 1
A
Prolog
Prologue
N-o 1
No. 1
OL’GA, MAŠA, IRINA
Múzïka igráyet tak bódro.
Mne kážetsya, yeščó nemnógo, i mï uznáyem,
začém živyóm, začém stradáyem.
Pridyót vrémya, i vsyo uznáyem, dlya čegó ėti
stradániya.
No stradániya náši pereydút v rádost’ dlya tekh,
kto búdet žit’ pósle nas
i pomyánut dóbrïm slóvom tekh, kto živyót tepér’.
O, kak igráyet múzïka! Oní ukhódyat ot nas, odín
ušól, sovsém, sovsém i navsegdá.
OLGA, MASHA, IRINA
That music is so cheerful.
I think we shall soon discover why we live, why
we suffer.
There will come the time when we shall know the
reason for our suffering.
But our suffering will turn to joy for those who live
after us,
and they will remember with kind words those who
are living now.
Oh, how they’re playing that music! They’re leaving us,
one’s already gone, completely, completely and for ever.
OL’GA
Vsyo stánet vospominánem, dlya nas načnyótsya
nóvaya žizn’.
OLGA
Only memories remain, for us there’ll be a new life.
MAŠA
Mï ostánemsya odní, načnyóm nášu žizn’ snóva,
našu žizn’.
MASHA
We remain alone, we’ll start our life anew.
IRINA
Nádo žit’, nádo rabótat’, tól’ko rabótat’ nádo žit’.
IRINA
We must live, we must work, we must only work!
71
B
Sekvénciya Irinï (Pérvaya sekvénciya)
First Sequence: Irina
N-o 2
No. 2
IRINA
Bóže moy! Kudá vsyo ušló?
Ya vsyo zabïla. Ya vsyo zabïváyu…
A žizn’ ukhódit i nikogdá ne vernyótsya.
Mï nikogdá ne uyédem v Moskvú.
IRINA
My God! Where has everything gone?
I have forgotten everything. I forget everything.
And life is slipping away, never to return.
We shall never go to Moscow.
(Masha whistles loudly.)
OL’GA
Mílaya… moyá prekrásnaya sestrá…
OLGA
My dear… my lovely sister…
IRINA
Moy mozg vïsokh,
pokhudéla, podurnéla, postaréla. Kak ya živú do
sikh por, ne znáyu.
IRINA
My brain has shrivelled,
I have grown thin, grown ugly, grown old. How I’ve
managed to live this long, I don’t know.
OL’GA
Ne plač’! Ya strádayu.
OLGA
Don’t cry! It upsets me.
IRINA
Ya ne pláču!
Dovól’no! Dovól’no!
IRINA
I’m not crying!
Enough! Enough!
OL’GA
Mílaya, sovétuyu tebé kak sestrá, kak drug,
vïkhodí za baróna!
OLGA
My dear, please take my advice as a sister, as a friend,
and marry the Baron!
73
C
IRINA
Ya vsyo ždalá, pereselímsya v Moskvú,
a tam mne vstrétitsya moy nastoyáščiy.
Ya mečtála o nyom, lyubíla…
IRINA
I’ve been waiting and waiting until we go to live in
and there I would meet my true love…
[Moscow,
I’ve dreamt of him… I’ve loved him…
OL’GA
Moyá prekrásnaya sestrá, ya vsyo ponimáyu.
On, právda, nekrasívïy, no on takóy poryádočnïy…
Ved’ zámuž vïkhódyat ne iz lyubví,
a iz-za obyáz(a)nnosti.
OLGA
My dearest sister, I understand it all.
Of course, he’s not so good-looking, but he is a
decent man…
After all, one doesn’t marry for love,
but because it is one’s duty.
(Masha whistles. Olga goes out.)
N-o 3 Refrén
No. 3 Refrain
(Natasha, carrying a candle, silently crosses the
stage. Masha whistles continuously, with short
pauses, and watches Natasha who goes out.)
D
MAŠA
Oná khódit tak, kak búdto samá podožglá.
MASHA
Anyone would think from the way she walks about
that she’s the one who started the fire.
N-o 4
No. 4
(Sound of buildings on fire… Vershinin enters,
smiling and rubbing his hands together.)
VERŠININ
Molodcï!
VERSHININ
(to Masha)
Splendid fellows!
75
(Masha turns to Vershinin, happy; Kulygin laughs and
rubs his hands as if copying Vershinin)
Molodcï! Zolotóy naród!
Yésli bï ne soldátï, to sgorél bï ves’ górod.
Akh, čto za molodcï! Zolotóy…
Splendid fellows! First class team!
If it hadn’t been for the troops, the whole town would
have burnt down.
Ah, what splendid fellows they are! First class…
KULÏGIN
Kotórïy…
kotórïy čas, gospodá?
KULYGIN
What…
What time is it, gentlemen?
(Outside, the noise suddenly subsides.)
TUZENBAKH
Uže svetáyet.
TUZENBACH
It’s already getting light.
IRINA
Vse sidyát,
IRINA
Everyone’s still sitting down.
(The Doctor enters, drunk.)
Everybody’s still sitting there, nobody seems to want
to go home.
And that Soliony, he’s sitting there as well.
Doctor, you ought to go to bed!
vse sidyát, niktó ne khóčet idtí.
I vaš Solyónïy sidít…
Vï bï, Dóktor, šli spat’!
DOKTOR
Bla(go)daryú!
DOCTOR
Thank you so much!
KULÏGIN
Iván Románič nazyu-zyu-zyu-zyúkalsya! Molodéc!
KULYGIN
Ivan Romanich is a little bit tiddly-iddly-iddly! Well done!
(The Doctor walks over to a china clock. Vershinin,
amused by the unbearable noise level, acts a little
dumb show for Masha’s benefit, covering and uncovering his ears with his hands like a little boy.)
77
VERŠININ
Ya plókho vïglyažu – khu.
Pri požáre zagryaznílsya ves’.
Včerá mél’kom slïšal, búdto nášu brigádu khotyát
perevestí v Pól’šu.
VERSHININ
I look awful!
(Masha echoes Vershinin under her breath.)
I got so dirty during the fire!
I heard a rumour yesterday that they’re planning to
transfer our brigade to Poland.
TUZENBAKH
Ya tóže slïšal. Čto ž?
Górod togdá sovsém opustéyet.
TUZENBACH
I heard that also. What of it?
The town will be completely deserted then.
IRINA
I mï uyédem.
IRINA
And we shall leave as well.
(The china clock falls to the ground and shatters – all
stare at the Doctor.)
DOKTOR
F-dr-bz-gï! [Vdrébezgi!]
DOCTOR
Smsh-t-bts! [Smashed to bits!]
IRINA
IRINA
(sadly)
Ivan Romanich! Ivan Romanich!
Iván Románič! Iván Románič!
VERŠININ
Segódnya u menyá kakóye-to osóboye nastroyéniye.
«Khóčetsya žit’ čertóvski…»
MAŠA
«… kakóye-to… -stroyéniye…
Khóčetsya žit’ čertóvski…»
VERSHININ
(to Masha)
I’m in a special kind of mood today.
“Damned if we don’t want to live it up a bit…”
MASHA
“… kind… mood…
Damned if we don’t want to live it up a bit…”
(Soliony suddenly appears.)
79
IRINA
Net, požáluyst(a), ukhodíte. Syudá nel’zyá.
VERŠININ
«Lyubvi vse vózrastï pokór…»
SOLYONÏY
E
IRINA
(to Soliony)
No, please go away. You can’t come in here.
VERSHININ
(quietly, insistently)
“To love at any age we’re prey…”1
(Masha and Vershinin stand up and sing quietly
Gremin’s aria, paying no attention to Soliony.)
Počemú ž ėto, barónu móžno, a mne nel’zyá?
SOLIONY
(to Irina)
Why, pray, is the Baron allowed here, and I am not?
VERŠININ
Nad(o) ukhódit’, v sámom déle. Kak požár?
VERSHININ
Well, I think it’s time to go. How is the fire?
SOLYONÏY
Govoryát, stikháyet.
Net, a vsyo-takí ėto položítel’no stránno.
Počemú barónu móžno, a mne nel’zyá?
SOLIONY
They say it’s dying down.
No, but this is really very strange.
Why may the Baron come here, and I may not?
N-o 5
No. 5
TUZENBAKH
TUZENBACH
(tipsy)
Let’s make peace.
Daváyte mirít’sya.
SOLYONÏY
Počemú mirít’sya? Ya s vámi ne ssórilsya.
SOLIONY
(hissing)
Why should we make peace? There’s no dispute
between us.
1
Gremin’s Aria from Eugene Onegin (Act III)
81
TUZENBAKH
U vas kharákter stránnïy, nádo skazát’.
TUZENBACH
I must say, you’re a strange character.
SOLYONÏY
«Ya stránen, ya stránen. Kto že ne stránen?»
SOLIONY
“I’m strange, I’m strange. Who isn’t strange?”2
TUZENBAKH
Vsyo že vï mne simpatíčnï, simpa…
TUZENBACH
All the same, I’m really quite fond of you, quite fond…
SOLYONÏY
Vïp’em! Ya prótiv vas, barón, nikogdá
ničegó ne imél.
SOLIONY
Let’s have a drink together! Baron, I have never had
anything against you.
DOKTOR
DOCTOR
(tonelessly, to Irina)
… onion soup, and then for the second course chekhartma, anyhow, some kind of meat dish.
… sup s lúkom, a na žarkóye čekhartmá myasnóye.
TUZENBAKH
… čerem… myasnó…
TUZENBACH
(to himself)
… cherem… meaty…
SOLYONÏY
«Čeremšá» vovsé ne myáso, a rasténiye.
SOLIONY
Cheremsha isn’t meat at all, it’s a vegetable.
TUZENBAKH
rasté…
TUZENBACH
Vege…
DOKTOR
Net, ángel moy. «Čekhartmá» – baránina.
DOCTOR
No, my dear fellow, chekhartma is made with lamb.
2
Quotation from Pushkin’s poem The Gypsies
83
SOLYONÏY
A ya vam govoryú…
če… če… ot «čeremší» takóy že zápakh kak ot
česnoká.
SOLIONY
Well, I’m telling you…
Che-che-cheremsha stinks like garlic.
DOKTOR
Vï nikogdá ne yéli «čekhartmï», ángel moy.
DOCTOR
You’ve never eaten chekhartma, my dear fellow.
TUZENBAKH
Brávo, bra-kha-kha-kha-vo,
TUZENBACH
Bravo, bra-ha-ha-ha-vo.
SOLYONÏY
SOLIONY
(mockingly)
Cheremsha… cheremsha… cheremsha…
čeremší… čeremší… čeremší…
DOKTOR
čekhartmá, čekhartmá, čekhartmá
DOCTOR
(calmly)
Chekhartma, chekhartma, chekhartma.
TUZENBAKH
česnoká, česnoká…
TUZENBACH
Garlic… garlic!
OL’GA, ANDREY
Dovól’no, dovól’no gospodá!
OLGA & ANDREI
That’s enough, gentlemen!
FEDOTIK, RODĖ
Kha, kha, kha…
FEDOTIK, RODÉ
Ha, ha, ha…
TUZENBAKH
Andryúša, daváyte vïp’em na «tï». Ya s tobóy,
Andryúša, v Moskvú poyédu, v universitét.
TUZENBACH
Andriusha, let’s drink to our intimate friendship, let’s
call each other “thou”. I’ll come to Moscow with
you, Andriusha, and we’ll go to the university
together.
SOLYONÏY
V kakóy? V Moskvé dva universitéta.
SOLIONY
Which one? There are two universities in Moscow.
85
ANDREY
V Moskvé odín…
ANDREI
In Moscow there is one…
ANDREY, TUZENBAKH
… universit(é)t.
ANDREI, TUZENBACH
(with exaggerated movements of the lips)
… university.
SOLYONÏY
A ya vam govoryú: dva!
SOLIONY
I tell you, there are two!
ANDREY
Pus(t’) khot’ tri.
ANDREI
I don’t care if there are three.
SOLYONÏY
V Moskvé dva universitéta:
stárïy i nóvïy.
SOLIONY
In Moscow there are two universities:
the old and the new.
TUZENBAKH, ANDREY, DOKTOR, VERŠININ,
KULÏGIN, ANFISA
univers(i)t(é)t
TUZENBACH, ANDREI, DOCTOR, VERSHININ,
KULYGIN, ANFISA
University.
TUZENBAKH
Bravo! Bravo!
TUZENBACH
Bravo! Bravo!
(drunken waltz movements)
ANDREY, KULÏGIN, VERŠININ, DOKTOR, RODĖ,
FEDOTIK
Khu, khu.
ANDREI, KULYGIN, VERSHININ, DOCTOR, RODÉ,
FEDOTIK
Hoo… hoo…
MAŠA
Barón p’yan! Barón p’yan!
MASHA
The Baron’s drunk! The Baron’s drunk!
(Natasha enters and whispers in the Doctor’s ear –
the Doctor turns to Kulygin – Kulygin to Andrei –
Andrei to Irina. Natasha exits. Every one stands about
helplessly, only Anfisa continues to rush about.)
87
IRINA
Čto takóye?
IRINA
What is it?
KULÏGIN
khe, khe… porá ukhodít’.
KULYGIN
Heh, time to go.
ANDREY
Natáša govorít, čto Bóbik ne zdoróv… i…
ANDREI
Natasha… says that Bobik isn’t well… and…
(Soliony, Kulygin, Vershinin, Fedotik and Rodé go out,
the others stand as if turned to stone, while Anfisa
bustles about audibly muttering the double bass theme
under her breath – then she also stands still.)
MAŠA
MASHA
(mockingly, to Andrei)
It’s not Bobik who’s ill, it’s her…
(pointing to her forehead)
right here! She’s so common!
Ne Bóbik bólen, a oná samá…
vot gde! Meščánka!
TUZENBAKH
Žážda, žizn’.
F
TUZENBACH
(to himself, like a little boy)
Longing for life.
(Masha, Olga, Andrei and Anfisa go out; Tuzenbach
and Irina remain, as well as the Doctor in the background.)
N-o 6
No. 6
IRINA
Ya ne lyublyú i boyús’ ėtogo vášego Solyónogo.
IRINA
I don’t care for that man Soliony; I’m afraid of him.
TUZENBAKH
Žážda…
Žal’… mne i žal’ yegó no ból’še.
TUZENBACH
Longing, sorry…
I’m sorry for him, mostly…
89
IRINA
O čom vï dúmayete?
IRINA
What are you thinking about?
TUZENBAKH
… žal’… Skól’ko let mne yeščó ostálos’ vperedí
polnïkh moyéy lyubví k vam.
TUZENBACH
… sorry. How many years stretch out before me,
filled with my love for you!
IRINA
Ne, ne! Ne govoríte o lyubví!
IRINA
No, no! Don’t speak of love!
TUZENBAKH
U menyá strástnaya, strástnaya žážda žízni, bor’bï,
trudá.
I ėta žážda slilás’ vo mne s lyubóv’yu k vam. I, kak
naróčno,
TUZENBACH
I have a passionate longing for life, for struggle, for
work.
And this thirst has mingled inside me with love for
you. And just because…
IRINA
A, ne govoríte o lyubví.
IRINA
No, don’t speak of love.
TUZENBAKH
vï prekrásnï, Irína.
I vsya žizn’ kážetsya mne takóy prekrásnoy.
TUZENBACH
… you are beautiful, Irina,
the whole of life seems beautiful to me.
IRINA
Prekrásnoy? Perestán’te!
IRINA
Beautiful? Do be quiet!
TUZENBAKH
Toská po trudú, o Bóže moy, kak oná mne
ponyátna!
Ya ne rabótal nikogdá, nikogdá ne rabótal.
Moyá sem’yá ne znála trudá i nikakíkh zabót.
Menyá oberegáli ot trudá.
No tepér’ prišló vrémya.
TUZENBACH
This longing to work, oh my God, how well I understand it!
I have never worked, never worked at all.
My family had no idea what work was, they had no
cares or worries at all.
I was shielded from work, kept away from it.
But now the time has come.
(Soliony enters.)
91
Gotóvitsya síl’naya búrya i skóro sdúyet s nášego
óbščestva len’ i gnilúyu skúku.
A čérez dvádcat’ pyat’ let búdet káždïy čelovék,
káždïy čelovék rabótat’…
There is a great storm brewing, and it will sweep away
from our society all the idleness, all the worthless,
rotten boredom of everything.
(The Doctor steps forward.)
But in twenty five years’ time everyone, everyone
will work.
DOKTOR
Ya ne búdu rabótat’.
DOCTOR
I’m not going to work.
TUZENBAKH
Vï ne v sčot.
TUZENBACH
You don’t count.
IRINA
Dvádcat’ pyat’ let, dvádcat’ pyat’…
IRINA
Twenty five years, twenty five…
DOKTOR
Ya právda nikogdá ne rabótal.
DOCTOR
Of course, I’ve never done any work.
SOLYONÏY
Dvádcat’ pyat’ let vas užé ne búdet na svéte, sláva
Bógu!
SOLIONY
In twenty five years you’ll no longer be on earth,
thank God!
IRINA
dvádcat’…
IRINA
Twenty…
DOKTOR
… pyat’
DOCTOR
… five…
SOLYONÏY
Vï umryóte ot kondráški, íli ya poteryáyu terpéniye
i vsažú vam púlyu v lob, ángel moy.
SOLIONY
You’ll be dead of a stroke, or else I’ll finally lose patience
with you and plant a bullet in your brain, my dear chap.
(The Doctor looks at Soliony. Soliony looks at Irina…
looks away. The Doctor comes up to Tuzenbach and
puts his hand on his shoulder.)
93
G
DOKTOR
Kho, kho, kho, ya nikogdá ničegó ne délal.
DOCTOR
Ho, ho, ho, I never did a stroke of work of any kind.
(He leads Tuzenbach out. Soliony takes a scent bottle
from his pocket and sprinkles scent over his chest
and hands.)
IRINA
«Prekrásnoy…» U nas… tryokh sestyór… žizn’…
ne bïlá… yeščó… «prekrásnoy».
IRINA
(to herself)
“Beautiful”… for us… three sisters… life has
never… yet… been “beautiful”.
N-o 7
No. 7
SOLYONÏY
Ya lyublyú, ya lyublyú, beskonéčno lyublyú…
SOLIONY
I love you, I love you, I love you eternally…
IRINA
Net, požáluyst(a), ukhodíte!
IRINA
No, I beg you, go away!
SOLYONÏY
Ya ne mogú žit’ bez vas.
Ya lyublyú, beskonéčno lyublyú, o moyó blažénstvo!
SOLIONY
I cannot live without you.
I love you, I love you eternally, oh my perfect bliss!
(He falls to his knees in front of Irina.)
Oh happiness! Oh utter happiness!
What glorious, fabulous, astounding eyes, such as I
have never before seen in a woman. I love you,
love you eternally, I cannot live…
You are the only woman who can understand me.
Never before have I told you of my love.
O sčást’e! O sčást’e, sčást’e!
Roskóšnïye, čúdnïye, izumítel’nïye glazá, o kakíkh
ya ne vidál ni u odnóy žénščinï. Ya lyublyú,
beskonéčno lyublyú, ya ne mogú žit’…
tól’ko vï odná móžete ponyát’ menyá.
Pérvïy raz ya govoryú o lyubví k vam.
95
IRINA
Perestán’te! Ne govoríte…
IRINA
Please stop. Don’t speak to me…
SOLYONÏY
Nu, mne vsyo ravnó.
Nasíl’no mil ne búdeš’.
No sčastlívïkh sopérnikov u menyá ne dolžnó bït’.
Klyanús’ vam vsem svyatïm, sopérnika ya ub’yú,
tól’ko vï odná
SOLIONY
Well never mind!
You can’t force people to be kind.
But I won’t put up with any successful rivals.
I swear to you by all the saints, any rival I… shall…
kill. You alone…
(He slowly sinks to his knees.)
… understand me…
(Natasha enters and stands rooted to the spot;
Soliony notices her.)
móžete ponyát’ me(nyá…)
H
N-o 8
No. 8
SOLYONÏY
Vï tóže zdes’?
SOLIONY
You here too?
NATAŠA
Prostíte, ya po-domášnemu.
NATASHA
Do excuse me, I’m not quite dressed for company.
SOLYONÏY
Nu, mne vsyo ravnó. Proščáyte!
SOLIONY
Anyhow, I don’t care. Good-bye.
(Soliony goes out, staying behind the screen where
he sobs soundlessly.)
NATAŠA
Tï ustála?
NATASHA
Are you tired?
(She kisses Irina. Soliony disappears.)
97
IRINA
Bóbik spit?
IRINA
Is Bobik asleep?
NATAŠA
Da, no nespokóyno spit.
Pereberís’ poká k Ól’ge, tvoyá kómnata khorošá
dlya rebyónka.
NATASHA
Yes, but he’s restless.
(Natasha begins to pace to and fro.)
The nursery he’s in at the moment is so cold and
damp.
(She kisses Irina.)
Couldn’t you move in with Olga for a while? Your
room would be perfect for a child.
IRINA
Kudá?
IRINA
Where?
NATAŠA
Tï s Óley búdeš’ v odnóy kómnate, poká čto, a
tvoyú kómnatu
NATASHA
You and Olga can share a room, so that your
room…
(A bell is heard.)
… can be for Bobik. That must be Olga now!
(Anfisa enters, passes by Natasha, muttering contemptuously without looking at her.)
V teperéšney détskoy khólodno i sïró.
Bóbiku… Dólžno bït’, Ól’ga!
ANFISA
Protopópov…
ANFISA
Protopopov…
NATAŠA
Protopópov? Khi, khi, khi. Skaží, seyčás!
NATASHA
Protopopov? Hee, hee, hee. Tell him I’m just coming!
(She runs off, reappears in a winter coat and goes
out, banging the door behind her.)
99
I
N-o 9 V sádu (Pérvoye pro š čániye)
No. 9: In the garden (The first farewell)
FEDOTIK, RODĖ
Spasíbo za vsyo!
FEDOTIK, RODÉ
(to Tuzenbach)
Thank you for everything!
TUZENBAKH
Proščáyte!
TUZENBACH
Farewell!
FEDOTIK, RODĖ
Spasíbo za vsyo!
FEDOTIK, RODÉ
(to Irina)
Thank you for everything!
IRINA
Do svidániya!
IRINA
Au revoir!
FEDOTIK, RODĖ
Ne «do svidániya», a «proščáyte», mï ból’š(e) už
nikogdá ne uvídimsya!
FEDOTIK, RODÉ
It’s not au revoir, it’s farewell for good, we shall
never meet again!
(Fedotik kisses Irina’s hand.)
IRINA
Vozmóžno, kogdá-nibúd’ yeščó vstrétimsya.
IRINA
Perhaps we shall meet again sometime, after all.
KULÏGIN
Vozmóžno, ženítes’ tam v Pól’še, kto znáyet! Vot
ya i zaplákal.
KULYGIN
Perhaps you’ll get married in Poland, who knows?
Just look at me, I’m crying.
FEDOTIK, RODĖ
Závtra uyédut poslédniye tri bataréi, i v górode
nastúpit tišiná.
FEDOTIK, RODÉ
The last three batteries are leaving tomorrow, and
then the town will be completely quiet.
TUZENBAKH
I skúčišča strášnaya.
TUZENBACH
And horribly boring.
101
J
FEDOTIK, RODĖ
Spasíbo za vsyo.
FEDOTIK, RODÉ
Thank you for everything!
DOKTOR
trrrr bum biya, tarara bum biya…
DOCTOR
Ta-ra-ra boom bi-ya, ta-ra-ra-boom bi-ya…
(Fedotik, Rodé and Tuzenbach go out.)
IRINA
Ušlí.
IRINA
They’ve gone.
DOKTOR
A so mnóy zabïli prostít’sya.
DOCTOR
They forgot to say good-bye to me.
IRINA
Vï že čegó?
IRINA
What of it?
DOKTOR
Da, i ya kak to zabïl.
DOCTOR
Yes, anyhow I sort of forgot too.
N-o 10 V sádu
No. 10 (In the garden)
IRINA
Iván Románič, vï včerá bïli na bul’váre,
skažíte, čto proizošló tam!
IRINA
Ivan Romanich, you were in the boulevard yesterday,
tell me what happened there!
DOKTOR
Pustyakí.
DOCTOR
Nothing much.
KULÏGIN
Rasskázïvayut, čto Solyónïy i barón vstrétilis’ na
bul’váre ókolo teátra.
Solyónïy stal pridirát’sya k barónu.
KULYGIN
What I heard is that Soliony and the Baron met in
the boulevard just near the theatre,
and Soliony picked a quarrel with the Baron.
103
DOKTOR
Vsyo čepukhá!
DOCTOR
It’s all a lot of nonsense!
KULÏGIN
Govoryát, Solyónïy vlyublyón v Irínu,
KULYGIN
Apparently, Soliony is in love with Irina…
(Soliony appears.)
… and therefore has grown to hate the Baron.
i poėtomu voznenavídel baróna.
SOLYONÏY
Khe!
SOLIONY
Heh!
(Kulygin goes off into the garden with an air of
satisfaction. Irina runs in a panic to the Doctor.)
IRINA
Menyá segódnya vsyo pugayet.
IRINA
Everything frightens me today.
DOKTOR
tarara bum, tarara bum biya
DOCTOR
Ta-ra-ra boom, ta-ra-ra boom bi-ya.
SOLYONÏY
Dóktor, porá! Užé polovína pérvogo.
SOLIONY
Doctor, it’s time to go! It’s already half past twelve.
(He sprinkles himself with scent.)
KULÏGIN
Aú, Máša, aú Má-ša!
KULYGIN
(calling into the garden)
Masha! Hallo, Ma…
SOLYONÏY
Moí rúki pákhnut trúpom.
SOLIONY
My hands smell like a corpse.
DOKTOR
tarara…
DOCTOR
Ta-ra-ra…
(The Doctor, Soliony and Kulygin go out.)
105
106
N o 11: Au jardin (Deuxièmes Adieux)
Nr. 11: Im Garten (Zweiter Abschied)
TOUZENBACH
Ma chérie, j’arrive tout de suite.
TUSENBACH
Meine Liebste. Bin sogleich zurück.
IRINA
Où vas-tu?
IRINA
Wohin? Wohin?
TOUZENBACH
Je dois aller en ville… accompagner les camarades.
TUSENBACH
Ich müßte… ganz kurz in die Stadt…
IRINA
Ce n’est pas vrai… Qu’est-il arrivé hier près du
théâtre?
IRINA
Das… ist nicht wahr… Was ist gestern denn passiert, neben dem Theater?
TOUZENBACH
Je reviendrai tantôt. Et demain je t’emmènerai…
et mes rêves prendront corps.
Mais voilà, une chose seulement: tu ne m’aimes pas.
TUSENBACH
Bin gleich wieder da, und morgen nehm’ ich dich
mit mir fort…
Damit mein Traum sich erfüllt.
Doch ich weiß genau… daß du mich nicht lieb hast.
IRINA
Je serai ta femme, fidèle et obéissante.
Je n’ai jamais aimé de ma vie. Oh, j’ai tellement rêvé
d’amour… Tu as un regard inquiet.
IRINA
Ich will deine Frau werden, treu und gehorsam.
Ich liebte niemals in meinem Leben. Oh, wie träumte
ich von Liebe… Deine Augen sind ruhelos.
TOUZENBACH
Je n’ai pas fermé l’œil de la nuit. Dis quelque chose.
(Il lui baise la main.)
TUSENBACH
Tat kein Auge zu… Komm, sag irgendwas.
(küßt ihr die Hand)
IRINA
Quoi? Dire quoi?
IRINA
Was? Was soll ich sagen?
TOUZENBACH
Quelque chose.
TUSENBACH
Irgendwas.
K
N-o 11 V sádu (Vtoróye proščániye)
No. 11 In the garden (The second farewell)
TUZENBAKH
Mílaya, ya seyčás pridú.
TUZENBACH
My dear, I’ll be back in a moment.
IRINA
Kudá? Kudá?
IRINA
Where are you going? Where?
TUZENBAKH
Mne núžno… v górod… provodít’…
TUZENBACH
I’ve got to… in the town… see someone off…
IRINA
Ne… ne právda… Čto včerá proizošló ókolo
teátra?
IRINA
No…, that’s not true… tell me what happened outside the theatre yesterday?
TUZENBAKH
Ya skóro vernús’, a závtra ya uvezú tebyá.
Moí mečtï oživút.
Tól’ko vot odnó – tï menyá ne lyúbiš’.
TUZENBACH
I’ll be back soon, and tomorrow I shall take you
away.
My dreams are coming true.
There’s only one thing: you don’t love me.
IRINA
Ya búdu tvoyéy ženóy, vérnoy i pokórnoy.
Ya ne lyubíla ni rázu v žízni. O, ya tak mečtála o
lyubví… U tebyá bespokóynïy vzglyad.
IRINA
I shall be your wife, loyal and obedient to you.
I have never loved in my life. Oh, how I dreamed of
love… You have such a worried look.
TUZENBAKH
Ya ne spal vsyu noč’. Skaží čto-nibud’.
TUZENBACH
I did not sleep all night. Tell me something.
(He kisses her hand.)
IRINA
Čto? Čto skazát’?
IRINA
What? What should I tell you?
TUZENBAKH
Čto-nibud’?
TUZENBACH
Something? Anything?
107
IRINA
Pólno! Pólno! Ya poydú s tobóy.
IRINA
Enough! Enough! I’ve said, I will come with you.
TUZENBAKH
Net, net!
Irína!
TUZENBACH
No, no!
(He runs off, but turns round; despairingly.)
Irina!
IRINA
Čto?
IRINA
What?
TUZENBAKH
TUZENBACH
(returning to Irina)
I… I… I haven’t had any coffee today.
Ask them to make me some…
(He runs out.)
Ya, ya, ya segódnya ne pil kófe.
Skaží, čtóbï mne svaríli…
L
N-o 12 V sádu
No. 12 (In the garden)
IRINA
IRINA
(to Olga)
The Baron and I are going to get married tomorrow,
and tomorrow we shall go away, and the day after
our new life will begin.
(In the distance a shot is heard.)
May God preserve me!
Mï s barónom závtra venčáyemsya,
závtra že uyezžáyem, i poslezávtra načináyetsya
nóvaya žizn’.
Kak-to mne pomóžet Bog?
DOKTOR
Ól’ga Sergéyevna!
DOCTOR
(entering in a rush)
Olga Sergeyevna!
OL’GA
Čto?
OLGA
What?
109
DOKTOR
Ničegó…
DOCTOR
Nothing…
(He whispers something in her ear.)
OL’GA
Ne móžet bït’!
OLGA
It can’t be!
(to Irina)
I don’t know how to tell you…
Ya ne znáyu, kak tebé ėto skazát’…
IRINA
Čto?
IRINA
What?
(Olga looks at the Doctor.)
DOKTOR
Seyčás na duėli ubít barón.
Tarara bum biya, tarara bum biya…
DOCTOR
The Baron has just been killed in a duel.
Tarara boom biya, tarara boom biya…
IRINA
Ya znála, ya znála…
IRINA
I knew it, I knew it…
111
COMPACT DISC 2
A
Sekvénciya Andreya
(Vtoráya sekvénciya)
Second Sequence: Andrei
N-o 13
No. 13
OL’GA
Andréy!
OLGA
Andrei!
IRINA
Kak vïdokhsya i postarél on ókolo ėtoy žénščinï!
IRINA
How stale and old he’s become since he’s been
around that woman!
MAŠA
MASHA
(ironically)
Ho! – “that woman!”
Kho! – «žénščinï!»
OL’GA
Rán’še proféssorom khotél stat’, a včerá khvalílsya,
čto popál v člénï zémskoy uprávï.
OLGA
Once he used to dream of becoming a professor,
and yesterday he was boasting of becoming a
member of the local council.
MAŠA
A Protopópov predsedátel’. Ves’ górod smeyótsya…
MASHA
Of which Protopopov is the Chairman. The whole
town’s laughing.
OL’GA
… i tól’ko on ničegó ne znáyet.
OLGA
And he’s the only one who doesn’t know it.
113
IRINA
Ya ne mogú vïnosit’ ból’še.
Ne mogú! Bóže moy! Kudá vsyo ušló…
IRINA
(weeping)
I cannot stand any more. I can’t!
My God! Where has it all gone…
OL’GA
Čto tï? Čto s tobóy? Ne plač’! Mílaya…
Moyá prekrásnaya sestrá…
OLGA
What’s wrong? Why are you upset? Don’t cry!
My dear… My lovely sister…
IRINA
Ya vsyo zabïla. Ya vsyo zabïváyu…
a žizn’ ukhódit, i nikogdá ne vernyótsya,
mï nikogdá ne uyédem v Moskvú.
IRINA
I have forgotten everything. I forget everything…
and life – is slipping away, never to return,
we shall never go to Moscow.
MAŠA
okh, «a žizn’… ukhódit, a žizn’ ukhódit…»
MASHA
Oh, “and life… is slipping, and life is slipping…”
(She whistles.)
OL’GA
Mílaya, moyá prekrásnaya sestrá, ya vsyo
ponimáyu…
OLGA
My dear, my lovely sister, I do understand it all…
IRINA
Moy mozg vïsokh,
pokhudéla, podurnéla, postaréla…
Kak ya živú do sikh por, ne znáyu…
IRINA
My brain has shrivelled,
I’ve grown thin, I’ve grown ugly, I’ve grown old…
How I have lived until now… I don’t know…
OL’GA
Ne plač’! Ne plač’, ya stradáyu.
OLGA
Don’t cry, it upsets me so.
115
IRINA
Ya ne plaču, ne pláču, dovól’no, dovól’no.
IRINA
I’m not crying, not crying, enough, enough.
MAŠA
MASHA
(to herself)
Silence… silence.
molčániye… molčániye.
OL’GA
B
Vsyo khorošó, vsyo khorošó.
OLGA
(addressing both her sisters)
Everything’s all right, all is well.
N-o 14 Refrén
No. 14 Refrain
(Natasha, holding a candle in her hand, quickly
crosses the stage.)
C
MAŠA
Oná khódit tak, kak búdto samá podožglá.
MASHA
Anyone would think from the way walks about that
she was the one who started the fire.
N-o 15
No. 15
(The sudden noise of buildings on fire. Olga takes
some dresses out of a cupboard for the victims of
the fire.)
ANDREY
Gde Ól’ga? Kakóy gromádnïy požár…
ANDREI
(bursting on to the stage)
Where’s Olga? What a huge fire…
(Anfisa enters.)
117
OL’GA
Vot! Ėto seróye voz’mí… vot, ėto i ėto…
OLGA
(to Anfisa)
There! Take this grey one… there, and this one, and
this one…
ANDREY
Raz mï vse vméste, ob’yasnímsya.
ANDREI
Now that we’re all together, let me explain things to you.
OL’GA
Mï móžem ob’yasnít’sya závtra, Andryúša!
OLGA
We can sort things out tomorrow, Andriusha!
VERŠININ
VERSHININ
(offstage)
“… damned if we don’t want to live it up a bit…”
«… khótčetsya žit’ čertóvski…»
MAŠA
«… žit’ čertóvski…»
Proščáy, Ól’ga!
Spi spokóyno! Proščáy, Andréy! Závtra s ními
ob’yasníš’sya.
ANDREY
MASHA
“… damned if we don’t…”
Good-bye, Olga!
(She kisses Irina.)
Sleep well! Good-bye, Andrei! You’ll be able to sort
things out with them tomorrow.
Počemú otkrovénno ne skážete?
ANDREI
(despairingly)
Why don’t you come right out with it?
ANFISA
Ólyuška, mílaya, ne goní tï menyá.
ANFISA
Oliushka, my love, don’t send me away.
ANDREY
ANDREI
(to Irina)
I just want to say what I have to say, and then I’ll go…
Tól’ko… tól’ko skažú i uydú. Seyčás…
OL’GA
Glúposti tï govoríš’.
OLGA
(to Anfisa)
Don’t talk such nonsense.
119
ANFISA
Ne goní, ne goní
ANFISA
Don’t send me away, don’t send me…
OL’GA
Niktó tebyá ne gónit!
OLGA
Nobody is going to send you away.
ANDREY
Vo pérvïkh, vï čtó-to iméyete prótiv Natáši. Oná
prekrásnïy čelovék, pryamóy i blagoródnïy.
Ya uvažáyu yeyó i trébuyu, čtóbï yeyó uvažáli tákže
drugíye.
ANDREI
In the first place, you… you have something against
Natasha. She is a wonderful person, straightforward and a fine character.
I respect her and demand that other people do the
same.
ANFISA
Ya staráyus’, ya rabótayu, ne goní tï menyá.
ANFISA
I try my best, I do my work, don’t send me away.
OL’GA
Niktó tebyá ne gónit.
OLGA
Nobody is going to send you away.
ANDREY
Vo vtorïkh, vï serdítes’ za to, čto ya ne proféssor?
No ya slúžu v sémstve, ya goržús’ ėtim, yésli
khotíte znat’.
ANDREI
Secondly, I suppose you’re angry with me that I
haven’t become a professor? But I serve on the
council, and I’m proud of that, if you’d like to
know.
ANFISA
Ya rabótayu, ya slábaya, ya staráyus’, ne goní tï
menyá!
ANFISA
I do my work, I’ve not much strength left, I try my
best, don’t send me away.
OL’GA
Tï ustála, niktó tebyá ne gónit.
OLGA
You’re tired… nobody is going to send you away.
(Kulygin enters.)
ANDREY
V trét’ikh…
ANDREI
Thirdly…
121
D
KULÏGIN
Máši zdes’ net? Stránno! Porá idtí domóy, khe,
khe, khe…
KULYGIN
Isn’t Masha here? Strange! Time to be going home,
heh, heh, heh…
(He goes out.)
ANDREY
Natáša prevoskhódnïy čelovék…
ANDREI
Natasha is a wonderful person…
(He runs out.)
ANFISA
Ya rabotayu, ya slábayu, kudá mne idtí?
ANFISA
I do my work, I’ve not much strength, where would
I go?
OL’GA
Tï ustála, otdokhní!
OLGA
You’re tired, go and rest!
N-o 16
No. 16
NATAŠA
Tak mnógo naródu dóma
núžno pomogát’ pogorél’cam, ėto obyázannost’
bogátïkh!
Ya tól’ko boyús’, čtóbï Bóbik i Sófočka ne
zarazílis’,
NATASHA
So many people in the house!
We do have to help the folk who lost their homes in
the fire, that’s our duty as well-off people!
I only hope that Bobik and Sofochka haven’t caught
anything nasty.
(to Anfisa)
How dare you sit in my presence!
Get up at once! Get out of here!
(Anfisa goes out, reluctantly, not hurrying. Natasha
addresses Olga.)
In any case, what makes you put up with that old
woman? There’s no need for us to have useless
people staying in the house.
pri mne ne smey sidét’!
Vstan’! Stupáy otsyúda!
I začém tï déržiš’ ėtu starúkhu? Líšnikh ne dolžnó
bït’ v dóme.
123
OL’GA
Tï tak grúbo obošlás’ s nyáney…
prósto ya… ya ne v sostoyánii perenosít’.
OLGA
You behaved so rudely to Nanny…
I just don’t think that I… can bear it any more.
NATAŠA
Prostí! Prostí! Tï ustála.
NATASHA
Forgive me! Forgive me! You’re tired.
OL’GA
Oná užé trídcat’ let u nas.
OLGA
She has been with us for thirty years.
NATAŠA
Íli ya ne ponimáyu, íli že tï ne khóčeš’ ponyát’
menyá.
Oná tól’ko spit íli… íli sidít.
NATASHA
Either I don’t understand, or you simply don’t want
to understand me.
She does nothing but sleep… or sit about.
OL’GA
I puskáy sidít.
OLGA
Well then, let her sit about.
NATAŠA
NATASHA
(hysterical)
What do you mean, let her sit about?
We have a chambermaid, a cook, what on earth use
is that old woman?
Don’t you dare contradict me!
Don’t let me find that old witch here tomorrow!
And if you don’t move downstairs, then you and I
shall always be squabbling.
Kak, puskáy sidít?
U nas gorníčnaya, kukhárka, dlya čegó nam ėta
starúkha?
Ne smet’ mne vozražát’!
I čtóbï mne závtra ėtoy stároy ved’mï zdes’ ne bïlo,
právo, yésli tï ne pereberyóš’sya vniz, to mï
vsegdá búdem ssórit’sya.
Ėto užásno.
(imitating Olga)
That’s awful.
(She goes out.)
125
E
N-o 17
No. 17
VERŠININ
Yésli bï ne soldátï, to sgorél bï ves’ górod. Akh, čto
za molodcï! Zolotóy…
VERSHININ
If it hadn’t been for the soldiers, the whole town would
have burnt down. Ah, what splendid fellows. First…
KULÏGIN
Kotórïy… kotórïy čas, gospodá?
KULYGIN
What… what time is it, gentlemen?
(The Doctor enters, the worse for drink.)
Ivan Romanich is a bit tiddly-iddly-iddly! Well done! The
Doctor’s been at the bottle! And how!…
Iván Románič nazyu-zyu-zyu-zyúkalsya! Molodéc!
U Dóktora zapóy! Ėkiy kakóy…
DOKTOR
Čort, čort, čort, bï vsekh pobrál!
Dúmayut, čto ya dóktor, uméyu lečít’ vsyákiye
bolézni, a ya ne znáyu rešítel’no ničegó.
Čort, čort, čort bï pobrál,
DOCTOR
(weeping)
Devil, devil, devil take the lot of them!
They think I’m a doctor, that I can cure all sorts of
illnesses, but the truth is I know absolutely nothing.
Devil, devil, devil take them!
ėta žénščina umerlá. I ya vinovát v yeyó smérti. Ya
vsyo (khokho), vsyo pozabïl,
That woman died. And her death was all my fault. I
forgo-o-ot everything.
RODĖ, FEDOTIK, TUZENBAKH, VERŠININ, KULÏGIN
žénščina, žénščina…
RODÉ, FEDOTIK, TUZENBACH, VERSHININ, KULYGIN
That woman, woman…
IRINA
… umerlá, smérti, smérti.
IRINA
… is dead, dead.
DOKTOR
DOCTOR
(goes over to the china clock)
Devil, devil, devil…
(The china clock falls to the ground and smashes.)
Smsh-t-bts! [Smashed to bits!]
čort, čort, čort…
F-dr-bz-gï! [Vdrébezgi!]
127
IRINA
F
Iván Románič! Iván Románič!
Ėto bïli časï pokóynoy mámï.
IRINA
(sadly)
Ivan Romanich! Ivan Romanich!
That was our dear late mother’s clock.
N-o 18
No. 18
DOKTOR
Móžet bït’… vášey mámï, da, vašey mamï!
DOCTOR
Maybe it was… your mother’s, yes… your mother’s!
IRINA
Ya ustála!
IRINA
I’m tired!
(to Fedotik)
You’ve got used to treating me like a child, but look,
I’m grown up now.
Vï privïklí obraščát’sya so mnoy, kak s málen’koy,
no ved’ ya užé vïrosla.
RODĖ
V ėtoy kómnate ne vídno požára, tut pokóyno.
Užé četvyórtïy čas. Svetáyet.
Khokhokho… požár, govoryát, stikháyet.
FEDOTIK
Seyčás na Moskóvskoy u Pïžikova kupíl dlya vas
cvetnïkh karandašéy. I vot ėtot nóžinek. A dlya
sebyá ya kupíl nóžik… vot poglyadíte.
TUZENBAKH
Podayú v otstávku. Básta!
RODÉ
You can’t see the fire from this room, it’s peaceful in
here.
(to Kulygin)
It’s already well after three. It’s getting light.
Ho ho… they say the fire’s dying down.
FEDOTIK
(to Irina)
I just bought these crayons for you from Pyzhikov’s
on Moscow Street. And this little penknife. And I
bought a knife for myself… look, here it is.
TUZENBACH
(to Irina)
I’m going to resign my commission. Basta!
129
Pyat’ let vse razdúmïval i nakonéc rešíl.
Búdu rabótat’. Žrébiy bróšen.
Vï znáyete, ya podál v otstávku.
I’ve been thinking about it for five years, and finally
decided.
I shall work. The die is cast.
You know, I’ve put in for my discharge.
VERŠININ
Kogdá načalsyá požár, ya pobežál skoréy domóy;
podkhožú, smotryú – dom naš cel i nevredím i
vne opástnosti…
VERSHININ
When the fire started, I rushed home as fast as I
could, went in and had a look round – our home
was all still there, undamaged, there was no danger.
KULÏGIN
Kotórïy čas, gospodá?
Khe-khe-khe. Da, i ya ustál na sovéte.
KULYGIN
(to Rodé)
What time is it, gentlemen?
Heh-heh-heh. Yes, I got rather tired at the council
meeting.
(Natasha and Soliony enter, arm in arm.)
NATAŠA
Ya govoryú moyemú mïlïšú: «Zdrávstvuy, Bóbik!»
NATASHA
I said, “Hello, Bobik!”
RODĖ
Sgorél tól’ko odín kvartál, a ved’ bïl véter, vnačále
kazálos’, čto gorít ves’ górod…
RODÉ
Part of the town was on fire, but after all there
was a wind, so at first it looked as though the
whole town would catch fire.
FEDOTIK
A dlya sebyá ya kupíl nóžik… vot poglyadíte.
Nož, yeščó drugóy nož, trétiy, ėto v ušákh
kovïryát’…
FEDOTIK
I bought myself a knife too… look, here it is.
It has a blade, and another blade, then a third, this
thing is for cleaning out your ears…
VERŠININ
… no moí dve dévočki stoyát u poróga v odnóm
bel’é…
VERSHININ
But my two daughters were standing at the front
door just in their underclothes.
131
DOKTOR
Móžet, ya ne razbivál, a tól’ko kážetsya, čto razbíl.
DOCTOR
Perhaps I didn’t break it, it just…
NATAŠA
On glyadít na menyá kak to osóbenno.
NATASHA
He looks at me in such a special way.
IRINA
Ustála.
IRINA
I’m tired.
(to Tuzenbach)
No, I don’t like the telegraph office much.
I’ll have to find another position, that one doesn’t
suit me.
What I really wanted, what I was dreaming of, it just
doesn’t seem to have any of that at all.
Net, ne lyublyú ya telegráfa, ne lyublyú.
Nádo poiskát’ drugúyu dólžnost’, a ėta ne po mne.
Čegó ya tak khotéla, o čem mečtála, togó-to v ney
ímenno i net.
RODĖ
Dóktor, skól’ko vam let?
Kho-kho-kho… Ya segódnya naróčno vïspalsya
pósle obéda, dúmal, čto vsyu noč’ búdu
táncevat’.
FEDOTIK
… ėto nóžnički, ėto nógti čistít’.
Govoryát, poskoréye núžno sostávit’ óbščestvo
dlya pómošči pogorél’cam.
Prekrásnaya mïsl’.
Pogorél, pogorél! Ves’ dóčista!
RODÉ
(to the Doctor)
Doctor, how old are you?
Ho-ho-ho… I specially had a good sleep after lunch,
thinking that I was going to be dancing all night
long.
(He dances.)
FEDOTIK
… these are scissors, this is for cleaning your nails.
(to Vershinin)
They’re saying that there’s an urgent need to set up
a society for the relief of the people who lost
everything in the fire.
It’s a very good idea.
(He dances.)
Burnt down, burnt down! Completely gone!
133
TUZENBAKH
Menyá vse prósyat ustróit’ koncért v pól’zu pogorél’cev. Móžno bï ustróit’, yésli zakhotét’.
Már’ya Sergéyevna, po-móyemu, igráyet na royále
čudésno.
Zdes’ v górode rešítel’no niktó ne ponimáyet
múzïki, ni odná dušá,
no ya, ya ponimáyu i čéstnïm slóvom uveryáyu vas,
čto Maríya Sergéyevna igráyet velikolepno.
TUZENBACH
(to Kulygin)
Everybody is asking me to arrange a concert in aid
of the fire victims. It could be done, if there really
was a call for it.
Maria Sergeyevna plays the piano wonderfully well,
in my opinion.
But in this town there’s absolutely no one who
understands anything about music, not a soul,
but I do understand, and I give you my word, Maria
Sergeyevna plays excellently.
VERŠININ
… máteri net, suyetít’sya naród, bégayut lóšadi,
sobáki, i u dévoček na licákh trevóga, úžas,
mol’bá, ne znáyu čto: sérdce u menyá sžálos’…
VERSHININ
Their mother is nowhere to be seen, people are
rushing about, the horses are stampeding, dogs,
and the look on the girls’ faces of terror, fright,
pleading, I don’t know what else. My heart turned
over…
KULÏGIN
Khe-khe-khe… nazyuzyúkalsya.
KULYGIN
Heh-heh-heh… tiddly.
(to Tuzenbach)
You’re quite right, Baron. She’s a wonderful player. I
love her very much, Masha I mean. She is splendid. Yes, but would it be quite suitable for her…
[to appear in a concert?]
Vï právï, barón. Čudésno igráyet! Ya yeyó óčen’
lyublyú, Mášu. Oná slávnaya. Da, no prilíčno li
yey… [učástvovat’ v koncérte?]
NATAŠA
Vï dúmayete, vo mne govorít tól’ko mat’, net, net,
uveryáyu vas!
NATASHA
Of course, you’ll be thinking, it’s just the mother in
me talking. No, no, I do assure you!
DOKTOR
DOCTOR
(weeping)
Perhaps it just seems to us that we exist…
Móžet bēt’, nam tól’ko kážetsya, čto mē suščestvúyem…
135
IRINA
Trud bez poėzii, bez mïsley.
Vïydet pas’yáns, ya vížu. Búdem v Moskvé.
RODĖ
Ya segódnya naróčno vïspalsya pósle obéda,
dúmal, čto vsyu noč’ búdu táncevat’.
Vse dóčista. Ničegó ne ostálos’. I gítara sgoréla, i
fotográfiya sgoréla.
FEDOTIK
Ničegó ne ostálos’. I gitára sgoréla, i fotográfiya
sgoréla, i vse moí pís’ma… i khotél podarít’ vam
zapisnúyu knížečku – tóže sgoréla.
Ya seyčás pokažú vam drugóy pas’yáns.
Net, ne vïydet. Vídite vos’myórka leglá na dvóyku
pik. Znáčit, vï ne búdete v Moskvé.
IRINA
(to Tuzenbach)
Work without poetry, without thought…
(to Fedotik, showing the cards)
Look, the patience is coming out. We’ll live, and go
to Moscow.
RODÉ
I specially had a really good sleep after lunch, as I
thought I would be dancing all night long.
(to Irina)
Burnt down completely. Nothing left at all. And the
guitar was burnt, and the photographs.
FEDOTIK
Nothing left! The guitar was burnt, and my photographs, and all my letters… and I’d meant to give
you a little notebook – but it was burnt too.
(to Irina)
Now I’m going to show you another kind of patience.
No, this one isn’t coming out. You see, the eight was
covering the two of spades. That means you won’t
be going to Moscow.
TUZENBAKH
Niktó ne ponimáyet múzïki, ni odná dušá, no ya…
ya ponimáyu i čéstnïm slóvom uveryáyu vas.
TUZENBACH
Nobody understands music, not a soul, but I… I do
understand and on my word of honour, I assure
you…
VERŠININ
[… sérdce u menyá sžálos’,] kogdá ya uvídel ėti licá.
Bóže moy, dúmayu…
VERSHININ
[My heart turned over] when I saw their faces.
My God, I was thinking…
137
Kak požár?
Včerá ya mél’kom slïšal búdto nášu brigádu
khotyát perevestí kudá-to dalekó.
(to Rodé)
How is the fire doing?
(to Tuzenbach)
I heard a rumour yesterday that there are plans to
transfer our brigade to somewhere quite far away.
KULÏGIN
… učástvovat’ v koncérte? Khe-khe-khe, nazyuzyúkalsya.
Dólžen priznát’sya, naš diréktor, khoróšiy čelovék…
KULYGIN
… to appear in a concert? Heh-heh-heh, tiddly.
I must admit that our Director is a good man…
SOLYONÏY
Yésli bï ėtot rebyónok bïl moy, to ya izžáril bï yegó
na skovoródke i s’el bï.
SOLIONY
If that child were mine then I’d fry him in a frying pan
and eat him.
DOKTOR
… a na sámom déle nas net?
DOCTOR
… but in reality we’re not there at all?
IRINA
V ėtu noč’ ya postaréla na désyat’ let.
IRINA
This night I’ve aged ten years.
RODĖ
RODÉ
(to Vershinin)
How is the fire? They say it’s dying down.
Kak požár? Požár, govoryát, stikháyet.
FEDOTIK
Vse dóčista. Ničegó ne ostálos’.
FEDOTIK
(to Vershinin)
Completely gone. Nothing left at all.
TUZENBAKH
Ya ponimáyu i čéstnïm slóvom uveryáyu vas, čto
Maríya Sergéyevna igráyet velikolépno.
TUZENBACH
I do understand, and on my word of honour I do assure
you that Maria Sergeyevna is an excellent player.
VERŠININ
Odní govoryát, v Cárstvo Pól’skoye, drugíye –
búdto v Čitú.
VERSHININ
Some say we may be going to Poland, according to
others we shall end up in Chita.
139
KULÏGIN
[… naš diréktor, khoróšiy čelovék,]
dáže óčen’ khoróšiy, uméyšiy,
no u negó takíye vzglyadï…
KULYGIN
[… that our Director is a good man,]
I could even say a very good man, and highly knowledgeable…
but he does have certain views…
NATAŠA
Grúbïy, nevospítannïy čelovék!
NATASHA
What a coarse, ill-bred man!
RODĖ
Sgorél tól’ko odín kvartál, a ved’ bïl véter,
v načále kazálos’, čto gorít ves’ górod.
RODÉ
Only one part of the town burned down, but since
there was a wind,
it looked to begin with as though the whole town
would burn.
FEDOTIK
I gitára sgoréla, i fotográfiya sgoréla, i vse moí
pís’ma.
FEDOTIK
The guitar went, and the photographs, and all my
letters.
TUZENBAKH
Umét’ igrát’ tak roskóšno i v tóže vrémya soznavát’, čto tebyá niktó, niktó ne ponimáyet.
TUZENBACH
What a thing it is, to play so beautifully, and at the
same time to know that there is nobody, but
nobody, to appreciate it.
KULÏGIN
Závtra i poslezávtra célïy den’ otdïkhát’.
KULYGIN
Tomorrow and the day after tomorrow are holidays,
all day.
DOKTOR
Ničegó ya ne znáyu…
DOCTOR
I know nothing…
RODĖ
Dúmal, čto vsyu noč’ búdu táncevat’.
RODÉ
I thought I was going to be dancing all night long.
141
G
FEDOTIK
I khotél podarít’ vam zapisnúyu knížečku – tóže
sgoréla.
FEDOTIK
And I’d meant to give you a notebook, but that got
burnt as well.
VERŠININ
Fyódor Íl’ič, poyédemte so mnoy kúda-nibud’!
Ya dóma ne mogú ostavát’sya, sovsém ne mogú…
Poyédemte!
VERSHININ
(to Kulygin)
Fyodor Ilyich, won’t you come out with me somewhere?
I can’t stay at home, I simply can’t… Do let’s go!
KULÏGIN
Vsegó khoróšego. Khe-khe-khe…
KULYGIN
Everything’s all right. Heh-heh-heh!
DOKTOR
Niktó ničegó ne znáyet.
DOCTOR
Nobody knows anything.
(All go out except the Doctor.)
N-o 19 Re čitatív
No. 19 Recitative
ANDREY
Mílïy ded, kak stránno prokhódit žízn’. Opustéyet
naš dom. Ostánus’ v dóme ya odín.
ANDREI
My dear old man, how strangely life turns out. Our
house is getting deserted; I shall be left here
alone.
DOKTOR
A žená?
DOCTOR
(still drunk)
What about your wife?
ANDREY
Žená yest’ žená.
Ya lyublyú Natášu, no inogdá
oná kážetsya udivítel’no… vul’gárnoy.
I togdá ya ne ponimáyu, počemú ya tak yeyó lyubíl
kogdá-to.
ANDREI
My wife is my wife.
I do love Natasha, but sometimes
she does strike me as being astonishingly… vulgar.
And at those times I don’t understand what it was
that made me love her so much, whenever it was.
143
H
DOKTOR
Znáyeš’, brat, dam tebé sovét: nadén’ šápku,
voz’mí v rúki pálku i ukhodí, dalekó, bez
oglyádki.
I čem dál’še uydyóš’, tem lúčše.
DOCTOR
You know, my brother, I’m going to give you a piece of
advice: put on your hat, take your stick, and go off
somewhere far away, without a backward glance.
And the farther you go, the better.
N-o 20 Monológ Andreya
No. 20 Andrei’s Monologue
ANDREY
O, gde onó, kudá ušló moyó próšloye,
kogdá ya bïl mólod, vésel, umyón,
kogdá ya mečtál i mïslil izyaščno,
kogdá nastoyáščeye i búduščeye moyó ozaryálos’
nadéždoy?
Nastoyáščeye stálo protívno, skúčno, séro, séro,
bespolézno i nesčástno…
Górod naš suščestvúyet užé dvésti let,
v nyom sto tïsyač žíteley
i net ni odnogó, kotórïy ne bïl bï pokhóž na
drugíkh,
ni odnogó podvížnika
ni v próšlom, ni v nastoyáščem,
ni odnogó učónogo, ni odnogó khudóžnika,
ni málo-mál’ski zamétnogo čelovéka,
kotórïy vozbuždál bï závist’
íli strástnoye želániye podražát’ yemú,
tól’ko yedyát, p’yut, spyat,
potóm umiráyut…
ANDREI
Oh where has it gone, where is all the time,
my past when I was young and gay, merry and bright,
when my dreams and thoughts were all of higher things,
when present and future were bright with promise?
Now the present has become repulsive to me, dull
and grey, pointless and unhappy…
This town, our town has been in existence for two
hundred years,
a hundred thousand people live in it,
and there’s not one of them who is not exactly like
all the others,
not a single great figure
either now or in the past,
none who has dedicated his life to becoming
a scholar or an artist,
none outstanding in the smallest particular,
none to excite envy
or a passionate desire to emulate him,
they all just eat and drink and sleep
and then they die…
145
I
Nastoyáščeye protívno,
no kogdá ya dúmayu o búduščem,
to tak khorošó!
Ya vížu svobódu…
Mï svobódnï ot prázdnosti.
The present time is repulsive, but
when I think of the future,
the future is good!
I see before us freedom…
and we shall be free of our good-for-nothing idleness.
N-o 21
No. 21
NATAŠA
Ėto tï? Andryúša?
Vous êtes un ours!
NATASHA
Is that you, Andriusha?
(The doorbell rings.)
Il ne faut pas du bruit, la Sophie est dormée déjà.3
(Anfisa enters, and passes by Natasha not looking at
her.)
Vous êtes un ours!
ANFISA
Protopópov…
ANFISA
Protopopov…
NATAŠA
Protopópov? Khi-khi-khi. Skaží, seyčás!
NATASHA
Protopopov? Hee-hee-hee. Tell him I’m just coming!
ANDREY
Poydyómte skoréye.
ANDREI
Let’s go right away.
DOKTOR
Čto (že) spešít’?
DOCTOR
What’s the hurry?
ANDREY
Ya boyús’, žená ne ostanovíla bï.
ANDREI
I’m afraid my wife might try to stop me.
Il ne faut pas du bruit, la Sophie est dormée déjà.
3
Natasha snobbishly attempts to express herself in French.
147
J
DOKTOR
A!
DOCTOR
Ah!
ANDREY
Poydyóm kúkhney.
ANDREI
Let’s go through the kitchen.
(Both men go out on the right. Natasha appears
again, now dressed in a winter coat, and goes out on
the left.)
Sekvénciya Ma ši (Trét’ya sekvénciya)
Third Sequence: Masha
N-o 22
No. 22
(Tea in the drawing room. A teacup falls to the ground.
Irina is talking and joking with Fedotik. Rodé is beside
the Doctor, laughingly reassuring him. The Doctor, in
conversation with Rodé, looks distractedly and disconsolately at the broken china. Tuzenbach stands aside,
alone. Anfisa looks at the Doctor and hands cups to
Tuzenbach and Rodé. Masha stands apart from the
others, looking fixedly in front of her, whistling quietly.)
TUZENBAKH
Zabïl skazát’, segódnya u vas v gostyákh
búdet naš nóvïy bataréynïy komandír Veršínin.
TUZENBACH
(to Irina)
I forgot to tell you, our new Battery Commander,
Vershinin, is coming to pay a call today.
IRINA
On stárïy?
IRINA
Is he old?
TUZENBAKH
Net, ničegó.
TUZENBACH
No, not really.
149
FEDOTIK
Net.
RODĖ
Net?
DOKTOR
FEDOTIK
(agreeing)
No, he’s not.
RODÉ
(doubtfully)
Really?
Net.
DOCTOR
(equably)
No.
(Anfisa returns, bringing a new teacup for the
Doctor, clears up the broken pieces, and goes out.)
IRINA
Interésnïy čelovék?
IRINA
Is he an interesting man?
TUZENBAKH
Ničegó sebé.
TUZENBACH
He’s all right.
FEDOTIK
FEDOTIK
(doubtfully)
He’s all right.
Ničegó sebé.
RODĖ
Ničegó sebé.
DOKTOR
Ničegó.
IRINA
Kudá tï?
RODÉ
(doubtfully)
He’s all right.
DOCTOR
(to himself)
He’s all right.
IRINA
(to Masha, who picks up her hat)
Where are you off to?
151
MAŠA
Domóy.
MASHA
I’m going home.
IRINA
Stránno.
IRINA
That’s strange.
ANFISA
Vnizú stoít neznakómïy polkóvnik.
ANFISA
(to Irina)
There’s a colonel I don’t know, downstairs.
TUZENBAKH
Veršínin, dolžnó bït’.
TUZENBACH
That must be Vershinin.
MAŠA
MASHA
(kissing Irina)
Good-bye, darling!
(She stays. Vershinin enters.)
Proščáy, moyá khoróšaya!
VERŠININ
Čest’ iméyu predstavít’sya: Veršínin. – Óčen’ rad,
čto ya nakonéc u vas. Kakíye vï stáli!
IRINA
VERSHININ
(to Masha and Irina)
May I have the honour to introduce myself:
Vershinin. I am very pleased to be in your house,
after so long. How you’ve changed!
Požáluysta.
IRINA
(offering him a seat)
Please, come in.
VERŠININ
Kak ya rad!
No ved’ vas tri sestrï. Lic užé ne pómnyu, no
znáyu, čto u vášego otcá bïli tri málen’kiye
dévočki. Kak vrémya létit!
VERSHININ
Delighted!
But surely there were three of you sisters? I don’t
remember your faces, but I do remember that
your father had three little girls. How time flies!
153
TUZENBAKH
Aleksándr Ignát’evič iz Moskvï.
TUZENBACH
(to Irina)
Alexander Ignatievich comes from Moscow.
IRINA
Iz Moskvï? Vï iz Moskvï? Ólya! Ólya!
IRINA
From Moscow? You’re from Moscow? Olia! Olia!
(She runs out.)
VERŠININ
VERSHININ
(to Masha)
Now I think I’m beginning to remember your face a
little.
Vot váše licó, kážetsya, nemnóžko pómnyu.
MAŠA
A ya vas – net.
MASHA
(to Vershinin)
I don’t remember you at all.
(Irina returns with Olga.)
OL’GA
Vï iz Moskvï? Mne vsegdá kazálos’, čto vsyo tam
pómnyu i vdrug –
OLGA
You’re from Moscow? I always thought I remembered everything from there, and yet…
MAŠA
Tepér’ vspómnila.
MASHA
I’ve just remembered.
VERŠININ
Vï davnó uyékhali iz Moskvï?
VERSHININ
(to Olga)
Is it long since you left Moscow?
OL’GA
Odínnadcat’ let.
OLGA
Eleven years.
IRINA
Odínnadcat’ let.
IRINA
Eleven years.
MAŠA
Odínnadcat’ let.
MASHA
Eleven years.
155
VERŠININ
Ya znal vášu mátušku.
VERSHININ
I knew your dear mother.
DOKTOR
Khoróšaya bïlá, khoróšaya bïlá. Cárstvo yey nebésnoye!
DOCTOR
She was a wonderful person, she was lovely, may
she rest in Heaven.
(to Irina)
My dearest girl, my little white dove, allow me
to congratulate you on your Saint’s Day.
(He gives her an enormous shell. Irina puts it to her
ear, listens to it, then lays it aside.)
Dévočka moyá, ptíca moyá bélaya, pozvól’ mne
pozdrávit’ tebyá s dnyom tvoyegó ángela.
K
TUZENBAKH
Bït’ móžet, o nášey žízni vspómnyat s uvažéniyem.
TUZENBACH
It may well be that one day our life will be remembered with pride.
VERŠININ
Čelovéku núžno takóye predčúvstviye, ináče on
ne stal bï žit’. Búduščeye zemlí nevoobrazímo
prekrásno.
VERSHININ
A man needs a presentiment of that sort, otherwise
he cannot live. The future of our planet will be
unimaginably great.
N-o 23
No. 23
MAŠA
Ya… ostayús’.
MASHA
I’ll… stay.
(Kulygin enters.)
KULÏGIN
KULYGIN
(offering a little notebook to Irina)
My dear sister! Allow me to congratulate you on
your Saint’s Day.
Dorogáya sestrá! Pozvól’ mne pozdrávit’ tebyá s
dnyom tvoyegó ángela.
157
Kulïgin, učítel’ zdéšney gimnázii.
Nadvórnïy sovétnik!
(to Vershinin)
Kulygin. I am a teacher at the local high school,
and hold the rank of Court Counsellor!
(He kisses Masha.)
DOKTOR
«–dvórnïy sovétnik!»
DOCTOR
“Court Counsellor!”
IRINA
No ved’ tï mne podaríl eyó užé.
IRINA
(to Kulygin)
But surely you gave me this before.
KULÏGIN
Kho, kha, kha, v takóm slúčaye otdáy polkóvniku.
KULYGIN
Ho, ha, ha, in that case give it to the colonel.
VERŠININ
Blagodaryú vas. Veršinin.
VERSHININ
Thank you kindly. Vershinin.
(He begins to take his leave.)
OL’GA
Vï ukhodíte? Net! Net!
OLGA
You’re not leaving? No, don’t go!
IRINA
Ostán’tes’, požáluysta.
IRINA
Do stay, please.
KULÏGIN
Segódnya, voskrésnïy den’, den’ ótdïkha, búdem
že otdïkhát’, búdem veselít’sya…
KULYGIN
Today, Sunday, is a holiday, a day of rest, so we shall
rest and enjoy ourselves…
(to Masha)
and then, in the evening, we are invited to the
Director’s…
a potóm véčer u diréktora…
MAŠA
Ya ne poydú!
MASHA
I’m not going.
159
KULÏGIN
Mílaya Máša, počemú?
KULYGIN
Masha, my dear, why ever not?
MAŠA
Pósle ob ėtom.
MASHA
We’ll talk about it later.
KULÏGIN
Mílaya moyá Máša, dorogáya moyá Máša,
žená moyá khoróšaya, slávnaya, čúdnaya…
KULYGIN
Dear Masha, my dearest one, my lovely wife,
magnificent and wonderful…
(He tries to kiss her. Masha turns away.)
I’m so happy, I’m so happy.
(He kisses her. Masha wipes away his kiss.)
Ya dovólen, ya dovólen…
L
MAŠA
Mne nadoyélo, nadoyélo, nadoyélo.
MASHA
I’ve had enough, I’m absolutely fed up, fed up.
KULÏGIN
Máša menyá lyúbit, lyú…
KULYGIN
(smiling at Vershinin)
Masha loves me, she does love…
MAŠA
Khorošó, ya poydú – tól’ko otstán’, požáluysta!
MASHA
All right, I’ll go – but just leave me alone, please!
N-o 24
No. 24
(Evening. It is dark. Anfisa is cleaning and tidying up,
lighting the candles. Vershinin roams around in good
humour. Masha strums on the piano, which is out of
sight.)
VERŠININ
Čáyu khóčetsya…
VERSHININ
I’d like some tea.
ANFISA
«Čáyu khóčetsya.»
ANFISA
“Wants some tea.”
161
MAŠA
Ne znáyu… V nášem górode sámïye poryádočnïye,
sámïye blagoródnïye i vospítannïye lyúdi…
MASHA
I don’t know… the most decent people in our town,
the most well-bred and civilised…
VERŠININ
Da, da, da, čáyu…
VERSHININ
Yes, yes, yes… tea.
MAŠA
Ėto voyénnïye.
MASHA
… are the military.
VERŠININ
S udovól’stviyem vïpil bï čáyu.
VERSHININ
I should really like to have some tea.
MAŠA
Menyá vïdali zámuž,
kogdá mne bïlo vosemnádcat’ let…
MASHA
They married me off
when I was eighteen years old…
VERŠININ
Da, da, da.
Yésli poslúšat’ zdéšnego intelligénta, štátskogo íli
voyénnogo, to s ženóy on zamúčilsya, s dómom
zamúčilsya, s lošad’mí zamúčilsya.
VERSHININ
Yes, yes, yes…
If you listen to any member of the intelligentsia
round here, whether civilian or military, you’ll find
that he’s tired of his wife, tired of his home, tired
of his horses.
But tell me, why does he aim so low in life? Why?
No skažíte, počemú žízni on khvatáyet tak
nevïsokó? Počemú?
MAŠA
Počemú? Žízni khvatáyet tak, počemú?
Vï segódnya nemnógo ne v dúkhe.
MASHA
Why does he aim so low… Why?
You seem out of sorts today.
VERŠININ
Da… Ya possórilsya s ženóy.
Ya nikogdá ne govoryú ob ėtom. V sem’ časóv
utrá mï náčali branít’sya, a v dévyat’ ya khlópnul
dvér’yu i ušól.
VERSHININ
Yes… I’ve had a quarrel with my wife.
I never talk about it, you know. At seven o’clock this
morning we began to shout at one another, and at
nine I slammed the door behind me and went out.
163
Stránno, žáluyus’ tól’ko vam odnóy.
It’s strange, but I feel it’s only to you I can unburden
myself.
(He kisses her hand.)
MAŠA
Nezadólgo do smérti otcá gudélo v trúbe. Tóčno
tak.
MASHA
Not long before Father’s death, the wind made that
booming noise in the chimney, just like now.
VERŠININ
Vï suyevérnï?
VERSHININ
Are you superstitious?
MAŠA
Da. Da.
MASHA
Yes. Yes.
VERŠININ
Vï velikolépnaya žénščina, velikolépnaya, čúdnaya
žénščina.
Zdes’ temnó, no ya vížu blesk vášikh glaz, váši
dvižéniya, kotórïye mne snyátsya.
VERSHININ
You are a wonderful woman, a wonderful, marvellous woman.
It’s dark in here, but I see the radiance in your eyes,
the way you move, and I see them in my dreams.
MAŠA
MASHA
(moves to sit on another chair)
It’s lighter over here.
Zdes’ svetléy.
VERŠININ
Ya vas lyublyú, váší glazá, váši dvižéniya,
lyublyú…
VERSHININ
I love you, I love your eyes, the way you move,
I love you.
(He falls to his knees.)
MAŠA
Ne govoríte ėtogo ból’še nikogdá
a vpróčem… mne vsyo ravnó, vsyo ravnó…
MASHA
Don’t ever say that again,
although… I don’t mind…
(Anfisa serves tea.)
165
ANFISA
Maša, čay pit’!
Vam pis’mó, bátyuška.
ANFISA
Masha, time for tea!
(to Vershinin)
There’s a letter for you, sir.
VERŠININ
Ot dóčeri.
VERSHININ
From my daughter.
(He reads.)
MAŠA
Čto takóye? Ne sekrét?
MASHA
What is it? Is it a secret?
VERŠININ
Žená opyát’ otravílas’.
Užásno nepriyátno vsyo ėto.
Mílaya moyá, slávnaya žénščina.
Ya zdes’ proydú potikhón’ku.
VERSHININ
My wife has taken poison again.
It’s all terribly unpleasant.
My dear, dear, wonderful woman…
(lingeringly kissing her hand)
I’ll just creep out this way.
ANFISA
Kudá že on?
ANFISA
Where’s he going?
MAŠA
Otstán’! Nadoyéla, stáraya!
MASHA
Get away from me! I’ve had enough of you, old
woman!
(Natasha appears.)
NATAŠA
Mílaya Máša, k čemú upotreblyát’ v razgovóre
takíye vïražéniya?
NATASHA
Masha my dear, is it really necessary to use such
expressions?
(patronizingly)
Je vous prie pardonnez moi, Marie, mais vous avez
des manières un peu grossières.
Je vous prie pardonnez-moi, Marie, mais vous avez
des manières un peu grossières.
167
M
N-o 25
No. 25
MAŠA
Pokáyus’ vam, už ból’še nikomú. Ya lyublyú ėtogo
čelovéka. Ya lyublyú Veršínina.
MASHA
I must tell you both, there’s none else I can tell. I’m
in love with that man. I love Vershinin.
OL’GA
Ya vsyo ravnó ne slïšu.
OLGA
(hysterical)
Stop that now!
(recovering her self-possession, very energetically)
In any case I won’t hear any more.
MAŠA
Snačála on mne kazálsya stránnïm. Potóm yegó
žaléla, potom polyubíla…
MASHA
At first I thought he was rather strange, then I felt
sorry for him, and then I fell in love…
OL’GA
Kakíye bï tï glúposti ne govoríla, ya vsyo ravnó ne
slïšu.
OLGA
I don’t care what nonsense you talk, I’m not
listening.
MAŠA
Ė, glúpaya tï. Lyublyú – znáčit takáya sud’bá moyá.
MASHA
Oh, you’re the one who’s being silly. I’m in love – so
that is my destiny.
OL’GA
Ostáv’ ėto! ne slïšu!
OLGA
Stop that! I won’t hear any more.
MAŠA
On menyá lyúbit.
Ne khorošó? Čto iz nas búdet?
Priználas’ vam, tepér’ búdu molčát’, tól’ko molčániye… molčániye…
MASHA
He loves me.
It’s not a good thing to have happened, is it? What’s
to become of us?
Now that I’ve told you everything I’ll keep silent,
nothing more but silence… silence…
(She goes out.)
(Ya stradáyu) Ostáv’ ėto!
169
N
OL’GA
Vsyo khorošó, no yésli bï ya vïšla zámuž, i célïy
den’ sidéla dóma, to bïlo bï lučše. Ya bï lyubíla
múža.
OLGA
That’s all very well, but if I had married, and stayed
at home every day, I think it would have been
better for me. I would have loved my husband.
N-o 26 V sádu (Trét’e proš čániye)
No. 26 In the garden (The third farewell)
VERŠININ
Ól’ga Sergéyevna, ya vam želáyu vsegó dóbrogo.
Gde Maríya Sergéyevna?
VERSHININ
Olga Sergeyevna, my very best wishes. Where is
Maria Sergeyevna?
IRINA
Oná v sadú. Ya poydú poíšču yeyó.
IRINA
She is in the garden. I’ll go and find her.
VERŠININ
Búd’te dobrï! Ya toroplyús’.
VERSHININ
If you would be so kind. I’m in rather a hurry.
(to Olga)
Everything comes to an end.
Now it is time for us to part.
(He looks at his watch.)
Vsyo iméyet svoy konéc.
I vot mï dolžnï rasstát’sya.
OL’GA
V górode závtra ne búdet užé ni odnogó
voyénnogo.
Vsyo stánet vospominániyem.
OLGA
There won’t be a single soldier left in the town
tomorrow.
There’ll be nothing but memories.
VERŠININ
Nu, spasíbo vam.
VERSHININ
Well, my thanks to you.
OL’GA
Čto ž ėto… Máša ne idyót?
OLGA
What’s happening? Isn’t Masha coming?
171
VERŠININ
Čto že yeščó vam skazát’ na proščániye
O čom pofilosófstvovat’? Žizn’ tyaželá.
Ya prišól popraščát’sya.
VERSHININ
What else can I say to you by way of farewell?
What more can I philosophise about? Life is not
easy.
(Masha enters, Olga moves away slightly.)
I came to say good-bye.
MAŠA
Proščáy!
MASHA
Good-bye!
(He embraces her, she clings passionately to him;
they exchange a long kiss. Kulygin appears behind
them, upstage. Olga senses his presence, and slowly
moves closer to Masha.)
VERŠININ
VERSHININ
(trying to break away from Masha)
Write to me…
(Masha does not want to let him go.)
Let me go… it’s time… let me go…
Piší mne…
pustí menyá… porá… pustí menyá…
OL’GA
Búdet, búdet, búdet.
OLGA
(seeing Kulygin approach)
That’s enough! That’s enough!
VERŠININ
Ól’ga Sergéyevna, voz’míte yeyó…
mne užé… porá… opozdál… pustí menyá…
VERSHININ
Olga Sergeyevna, please take her…
I have to… it’s time… I’m late… let me go…
OL’GA
Búdet, búdet, búdet.
OLGA
That’s enough, that’s enough!
(Vershinin kisses Olga’s hand, she remains indifferent.
As he kisses Olga’s hand, Masha lets go of him.
Vershinin leaves quickly.)
173
VERŠININ
Ne zabïváy!
VERSHININ
(turning as he goes)
Don’t forget me!
(He goes out. Olga embraces Masha.)
OL’GA
Búdet, Máša! Perestán’, mílaya.
OLGA
That’s enough now, Masha! Do stop, my dear.
MAŠA
Ya putáyu.
MASHA
I think I’m going mad.
OL’GA
Uspokóysya, Máša!
OLGA
Calm down, Masha!
KULÏGIN
Khoróšaya moyá Máša, tï moyá žená…
KULYGIN
My dear Masha, you’re my wife…
IRINA
Bóže moy!
IRINA
My God!
OL’GA
Bóže moy! Kudá vsyo ušló.
Ne svistí, Máša!
OLGA
My God! Where has everything gone?
Don’t whistle, Masha!
Translation: Anthony Phillips
! 1999 Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Hamburg
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