So, if this unknown
vagabond
should cross
The Lithuanian border, Dimitry's name
Raised from the grave will gain him a whole crowd
Of fools.
The Lithuanian border, Dimitry's name
Raised from the grave will gain him a whole crowd
Of fools.
Pushkin - Boris Gudonov
Nothing is hidden from him!
--Sire, I thought
Thou knew'st not yet this secret.
TSAR. Let not that
Trouble thee, prince; I fain would scrutinise
Thy information; else we shall not learn
The actual truth.
SHUISKY. I know this only, Sire;
In Cracow a pretender hath appeared;
The king and nobles back him.
TSAR. What say they?
And who is this pretender?
SHUISKY. I know not.
TSAR. But wherein is he dangerous?
SHUISKY. Verily
Thy state, my liege, is firm; by graciousness,
Zeal, bounty, thou hast won the filial love
Of all thy slaves; but thou thyself dost know
The mob is thoughtless, changeable, rebellious,
Credulous, lightly given to vain hope,
Obedient to each momentary impulse,
To truth deaf and indifferent; it feedeth
On fables; shameless boldness pleaseth it.
So, if this unknown vagabond should cross
The Lithuanian border, Dimitry's name
Raised from the grave will gain him a whole crowd
Of fools.
TSAR. Dimitry's? --What? --That child's? --Dimitry's?
Withdraw, tsarevich.
SHUISKY. He flushed; there'll be a storm!
FEODOR. Suffer me, Sire--
TSAR. Impossible, my son;
Go, go!
(Exit FEODOR. )
Dimitry's name!
SHUISKY. Then he knew nothing.
Thou knew'st not yet this secret.
TSAR. Let not that
Trouble thee, prince; I fain would scrutinise
Thy information; else we shall not learn
The actual truth.
SHUISKY. I know this only, Sire;
In Cracow a pretender hath appeared;
The king and nobles back him.
TSAR. What say they?
And who is this pretender?
SHUISKY. I know not.
TSAR. But wherein is he dangerous?
SHUISKY. Verily
Thy state, my liege, is firm; by graciousness,
Zeal, bounty, thou hast won the filial love
Of all thy slaves; but thou thyself dost know
The mob is thoughtless, changeable, rebellious,
Credulous, lightly given to vain hope,
Obedient to each momentary impulse,
To truth deaf and indifferent; it feedeth
On fables; shameless boldness pleaseth it.
So, if this unknown vagabond should cross
The Lithuanian border, Dimitry's name
Raised from the grave will gain him a whole crowd
Of fools.
TSAR. Dimitry's? --What? --That child's? --Dimitry's?
Withdraw, tsarevich.
SHUISKY. He flushed; there'll be a storm!
FEODOR. Suffer me, Sire--
TSAR. Impossible, my son;
Go, go!
(Exit FEODOR. )
Dimitry's name!
SHUISKY. Then he knew nothing.
