CZAR (standing up): I am tired of being afraid. I have done with terror now. From this day I proclaim war against the people – war to their annihilation. As they have dealt with me, so shall I deal with them. I shall grind them to powder, and strew their dust upon the air. There shall be a spy in every man’s house, a traitor on every hearth, a hangman in every village, a gibbet in every square. Plague, leprosy, or fever shall be less deadly than my wrath; I will make every frontier a graveyard, every province a lazar-house, and cure the sick by the sword. I shall have peace in Russia, though it be the peace of the dead. Who said I was a coward? Who said I was afraid? See, thus shall I crush this people beneath my feet! (Takes up sword of CZAREVITCH off table and tramples on it.)

CZAREVITCH: Father, beware, the sword you tread on may turn and wound you. The people suffer long, but vengeance comes at last, vengeance with red hands and silent feet.

PRINCE PAUL: Bah! The people are bad shots; they always miss one.

CZAREVITCH: There are times when the people are the instruments of God.

CZAR: Ay! And when kings are God’s scourges for the people. Take him away! Take him away! Bring in my guards. (Enter the Imperial Guard. CZAR points to CZAREVITCH, who stands alone at the side of the stage.) We will bring him to prison ourselves: prison! I trust no prison. He would escape and kill me. I will have him shot here, here in the open square by the soldiers. Let me never see his face again. (CZAREVITCH is being led out.) No, no, leave him! I don’t trust guards. They are all Nihilists! (To PRINCE PAUL): I trust you, you have no mercy. (Throws window open and goes out on balcony.)

CZAREVITCH: If I am to die for the people I am ready. One Nihilist more or less in Russia, what does that matter?

PRINCE PAUL (looking at his watch): The dinner is sure to be spoiled. How annoying politics are; and eldest sons!

VOICE (outside, in the street): God save the people! (CZAR is shot, and staggers back into the room.)

CZAREVITCH (breaking from the guards, and rushing over): Father!

CZAR: Murderer! Murderer! You did it! Murderer! (Dies.)

TABLEAU

ACT DROP

ACT THREE

SCENE: same and business as Act One. Man in yellow dress, with drawn sword, at the door.

Password outside. Væ tyrannis.

Answer. Væ victis (repeated three times).

Enter CONSPIRATORS, who form a semicircle, masked and cloaked.

PRESIDENT: What hour is it?

FIRST CONSPIRATOR: The hour to strike.

PRESIDENT: What day?

SECOND CONSPIRATOR: The day of Marat.

PRESIDENT: In what month?

THIRD CONSPIRATOR: The months of liberty.

PRESIDENT: What is our duty?

FOURTH CONSPIRATOR: To obey.

PRESIDENT: Our creed?