(On their knees,
groaning
and wailing.
Pushkin - Boris Gudonov
Not only is the nunnery
Crowded; the precincts too are crammed with people.
Look what a sight! All Moscow has thronged here.
See! Fences, roofs, and every single storey
Of the Cathedral bell tower, the church-domes,
The very crosses are studded thick with people.
1ST PERSON. A goodly sight indeed!
2ND PERSON. What is that noise?
3RD PERSON. Listen! What noise is that? --The people groaned;
See there! They fall like waves, row upon row--
Again--again--Now, brother, 'tis our turn;
Be quick, down on your knees!
THE PEOPLE.
(On their knees, groaning and wailing. )
Have pity on us,
Our father! O, rule over us! O, be
Father to us, and tsar!
1ST PERSON. (Sotto voce. ) Why are they wailing?
2ND PERSON. How can we know? The boyars know well enough.
It's not our business.
PEASANT WOMAN. (With child. )
Now, what's this? Just when
It ought to cry, the child stops crying. I'll show you!
Crowded; the precincts too are crammed with people.
Look what a sight! All Moscow has thronged here.
See! Fences, roofs, and every single storey
Of the Cathedral bell tower, the church-domes,
The very crosses are studded thick with people.
1ST PERSON. A goodly sight indeed!
2ND PERSON. What is that noise?
3RD PERSON. Listen! What noise is that? --The people groaned;
See there! They fall like waves, row upon row--
Again--again--Now, brother, 'tis our turn;
Be quick, down on your knees!
THE PEOPLE.
(On their knees, groaning and wailing. )
Have pity on us,
Our father! O, rule over us! O, be
Father to us, and tsar!
1ST PERSON. (Sotto voce. ) Why are they wailing?
2ND PERSON. How can we know? The boyars know well enough.
It's not our business.
PEASANT WOMAN. (With child. )
Now, what's this? Just when
It ought to cry, the child stops crying. I'll show you!
