A Drama in Verse

By Alexander pushkin

Rendered into English verse by Alfred Hayes

DRAMATIS PERSONAE*

Boris Godunov, afterwards Tsar. 
Prince Shuisky, Russian noble. 
Prince Vorotinsky, Russian noble. 
Shchelkalov, Russian Minister of State. 
Father Pimen, an old monk and chronicler. 
Gregory Otrepiev, a young monk, afterwards the Pretender
to the throne of Russia. 
The patriarch, Abbot of the Chudov Monastery. 
Missail, wandering friar. 
Varlaam, wandering friar. 
Athanasius MIKAILOVICH pushkin, friend of Prince Shuisky. 
Feodor, young son of Boris Godunov. 
Semyon Nikitich Godunov, secret agent of Boris Godunov. 
Gabriel pushkin, nephew of A. M. Pushkin. 
Prince Kurbsky, disgraced Russian noble. 
KHRUSHCHOV, disgraced Russian noble. 
KARELA, a Cossack. 
Prince Vishnevetsky. 
Mnishek, Governor of Sambor. 
Basmanov, a Russian officer. 
MARZHERET, officer of the Pretender. 
ROZEN, officer of the Pretender. 
Dimitry, the Pretender, formerly Gregory Otrepiev. 
Mosalsky, a Boyar. 
Ksenia, daughter of Boris Godunov. 
Nurse of Ksenia. 
Marina, daughter of Mnishek. 
ROUZYA, tire-woman of Ksenia. 
Hostess of tavern.

Boyars, The People, Inspectors, Officers, Attendants, Guests, a Boy in attendance on Prince Shuisky, a Catholic Priest, a Polish Noble, a Poet, an Idiot, a Beggar, Gentlemen, Peasants, Guards, Russian, Polish, and German Soldiers, a Russian Prisoner of War, Boys, an old Woman, Ladies, Serving-women.

The list of Dramatis Personae which does not appear in the original has been added for the convenience of the reader—­A.H.

PALACE OF THE KREMLIN

(February 20th, A.D. 1598)

Prince Shuisky and Vorotinsky

Vorotinsky.  To keep the city’s peace, that is the task
Entrusted to us twain, but you forsooth
Have little need to watch; Moscow is empty;
The people to the Monastery have flocked
After the patriarch.  What thinkest thou? 
How will this trouble end?

Shuisky.  How will it end? 
That is not hard to tell.  A little more
The multitude will groan and wail, Boris
Pucker awhile his forehead, like a toper
Eyeing a glass of wine, and in the end
Will humbly of his graciousness consent
To take the crown; and then—­and then will rule us
Just as before.