EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. One more question—why did you withdraw the application for divorce?

KARNIN. Because Theodore Vaslyevich undertook to apply for a divorce, and wrote me about it.

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Have you got his letter?

KARNIN. It has been lost.[27]

[27] Karnin does not produce Fdya's letter because it would have proved connivance in the divorce proceedings.

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. It is strange that everything which might convince the Court of the truth of your evidence should either be lost or non-existent.

KARNIN. Do you want anything more?

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I want nothing, except to do my duty; but you'll have to exonerate yourselves, and I have just advised Mrs. Protsova, and I advise you also, not to try to hide what everyone can see, but to say what really happened. Especially as Mr. Protsov is in such a condition that he has already told everything just as it happened, and will probably do the same in Court, I should advise...

KARNIN. I request you to keep within the limits of your duty, and not to give me your advice! May we go? [Approaches Lisa, who rises and takes his arm].

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I am very sorry to be obliged to detain you... [Karnin looks round in astonishment] Oh, I don't mean that I arrest you. Though that would make it easier to get at the truth, I shall not resort to such a measure. I only want to take Protsov's deposition in your presence, and to confront him with you—which will make it easier for you to detect any falsehood in what he says. Please take a seat. Call in Mr. Protsov!

Enter Fdya, dirty and shabby.

FDYA [addresses Lisa and Karnin] Lisa! Elisabeth Andryevna! Victor! I am not guilty! I wished to act for the best. But if I am guilty ... forgive me, forgive me! [Bows low to them].

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Please to answer my questions.

FDYA. Ask, then.

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Your name?

FDYA. Why, you know it!

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Please answer.

FDYA. Well then, Theodore Protsov.

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Your calling, age and religion?

FDYA [after a pause] Aren't you ashamed to ask such nonsense? Ask what you want to know, and not such rubbish!

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I beg you to be more careful in your expressions, and to answer my questions!

FDYA. Well, if you're not ashamed of it, here you are: Calling, graduate; age, forty; religion, Orthodox. What next!

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Did Mr. Karnin and your wife know that you were alive when you left your clothes on the river bank and disappeared?

FDYA. Certainly not! I wished really to commit suicide, but afterwards—but there's no need to go into that. The thing is, that they knew nothing about it.

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. How is it that you gave a different account to the police officer?

FDYA. What police officer? Oh, when he came to see me at the dosshouse? I was drunk, and was romancing. I don't remember what I said. All that was rubbish. Now I am not drunk, and am telling the whole truth! They knew nothing. They believed that I was no longer alive, and I was glad of it. And everything would have gone on as it was, but for that rascal, Artmyev! If anyone is guilty, it is I alone.

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I understand your wish to be magnanimous, but the law demands the truth. Why was money sent to you?

Fdya is silent.

You received through Semynov the money sent to you in Sartov?

Fdya is silent.

Why don't you answer? It will be put down in the depositions that the accused did not answer these questions, and this may harm you and them very much. Well then, how was it?

FDYA [after a pause] Oh, Mr. Magistrate, how is it you are not ashamed! Why do you pry into other people's lives? You are glad to have power, and to show it, you torment not physically but morally—torment people a thousand times better than yourself!

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I beg...

FDYA. You've nothing to beg! I shall say what I think, and you [to Clerk] write it down! At least for once there will be sensible human words in a police report! [Raises his voice] There are three people: I, he, and she. Our relations to one another are complex—a spiritual struggle such as you know nothing of, a struggle between good and evil goes on. That struggle ends in a manner which sets them free. They were all at peace. They were happy, and remembered me with affection. I, fallen as I was, was glad that I had acted as I ought, and that I, a good-for-nothing, had gone out of their lives, so as not to stand in the way of people who were good and who had life before them. And so we were all living, when suddenly a blackmailing scoundrel appears who wants me to take part in his rascality, and I send him about his business. Then he comes to you, to the champion of Justice! The guardian of Morality! And you, who receive each month a few pounds for doing your dirty work, put on your uniform, and calmly bully these people—bully people whose little finger is worth more than your whole body and soul! People who would not admit you to their anteroom! But you have got so far, and are pleased...

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. I shall have you turned out!

FDYA. I'm not afraid of anyone, because I'm a corpse and you can't do me any harm. No position could be worse than mine! So turn me out!

KARNIN. May we go?

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Immediately, but first sign your deposition.

FDYA. You'd be quite comic, if you weren't so vile!

EXAMINING MAGISTRATE. Take him away! I arrest you.

FDYA [to Lisa and Karnin] Forgive me!

KARNIN [approaches and holds out his hand] It had to happen!

Lisa passes by. Fdya bows low to her.

Curtain.

SCENE 2

A corridor of the Law Courts. In the background a door with glass panels, beside which stands an usher. Further to the right another door through which the accused are led.

Ivn Petrvich Alexndrov comes to the first door and wishes to enter.

USHER. Where are you going? You mustn't! Shoving in like that!

IVN PETRVICH. Why mustn't I? The law says the proceedings are public. [Applause is heard from inside the Court].

USHER. Anyhow, you mustn't, and that's all about it.

IVN PETRVICH. Ignorant fellow! You don't know whom you are speaking to!

A Young Lawyer in a dress-suit enters from the Court.

YOUNG LAWYER. Are you concerned in this case?

IVN PETRVICH. No, I am the public, and this ignoramus—this Cerberus—won't let me in!

YOUNG LAWYER. But this door is not for the public.

IVN PETRVICH. I know, but I am a man who should be admitted.

YOUNG LAWYER. Wait a bit—they'll adjourn in a minute. [Is just going, when he meets Prince Abrzkov].

PRINCE ABRZKOV. May I ask how the case stands?

YOUNG LAWYER. The Counsel are speaking—Petrshin is addressing the Court.

Applause from within.

PRINCE ABRZKOV. And how do the defendants bear their position?

YOUNG LAWYER. With great dignity, especially Karnin and Elisabeth Andryevna. It is as if not they were being indicted, but they were indicting society! That's what is felt, and on that Petrshin is working.

PRINCE ABRZKOV. Well, and Protsov?

YOUNG LAWYER. He is terribly excited. He trembles all over; but that is natural, considering the life he leads. He is particularly irritable, and interrupted the Public Prosecutor and Counsel several times...

PRINCE ABRZKOV. What do you think the result will be?

YOUNG LAWYER. It is hard to say. In any case they won't be found guilty of premeditation; but still... [A gentleman comes out, and Prince Abrzkov moves towards the door] You wish to go in?

PRINCE ABRZKOV. I should like to.

YOUNG LAWYER. You are Prince Abrzkov?

PRINCE ABRZKOV. I am.

YOUNG LAWYER [to Usher] Let this gentleman pass. There is an empty chair just to the left.

Usher lets Prince Abrzkov pass. As the door opens, Counsel is seen speaking.

IVN PETRVICH. Aristocrats! I am an aristocrat of the soul, and that is higher!

YOUNG LAWYER. Well, excuse me... [Exit].

Petushkv enters hurriedly, and approaches Ivn Petrvich.

PETUSHKV. Ah, how are you, Ivn Petrvich? How are things going?

IVN PETRVICH. Counsel are still speaking, but this fellow won't let me in.

USHER. Don't make a noise here! This is not a public-house!

Applause. The doors open. Lawyers, and the public—men and women—come out.

A LADY. Splendid! He really moved me to tears.

OFFICER. It's better than any novel. Only I don't understand how she could love him so. Dreadful object!

The other door opens. The accused come out: first Lisa, then Karnin. They pass along the corridor. Fdya follows alone.

LADY. Hush—here he is! Look how excited he seems!

Lady and Officer pass on.

FDYA [approaches Ivn Petrvich] Have you brought it?

IVN PETRVICH. Here it is. [Hands Fdya something].

FDYA [Hides it in his pocket, and wishes to pass out, but sees Petushkv] Stupid! Vile! Dreary, dreary! Senseless. [Wishes to pass].

Enter Counsel Petrshin; stout, red, and animated. He approaches Fdya.

PETRSHIN. Well, friend! Our affairs are going well—only don't you go and spoil things for me in your last speech!

FDYA. I won't speak. What is the use? I shan't do it.

PETRSHIN. Yes, you must speak. But don't be excited. The whole matter is now in a nutshell! Only tell them what you told me—that if you are being tried, it is only for not having committed suicide: that is, for not doing what is considered a crime both by civil and ecclesiastical law.

FDYA. I shan't say anything!

PETRSHIN. Why not?

FDYA. I don't want to, and shan't. Tell me only, at the worst, what will it be?

PETRSHIN. I have already told you—at worst, exile to Siberia.

FDYA. Who will be exiled?

PETRSHIN. You and your wife.

FDYA. And at best?

PETRSHIN. Church penance, and of course annulment of the second marriage.

FDYA. Then they will again tie me to her—or rather, her to me?

PETRSHIN. Yes, that must be so. But don't excite yourself, and please say what I told you, and above all, don't say anything superfluous. However [noticing that a circle of listeners has formed round them] I am tired, and will go and sit down; and you'd better take a rest. The chief thing is, not to lose courage!

FDYA. No other sentence is possible?

PETRSHIN [going] No other.

Enter Attendant.

ATTENDANT. Pass on! Pass on! No loitering in the corridor!

FDYA. Directly! [Takes out revolver and shoots himself in the heart. Falls. All rush on him] All right, I think it is done.... Lisa!...

The audience, judges, accused, and witnesses rush out from all the doors.

In front of all is Lisa. Behind her Msha, Karnin, Ivn Petrvich and Prince Abrzkov.

LISA. Fdya, what have you done! Why?

FDYA. Forgive me that I could not ... free you any other way.... It's not for you ... it's best for me. I have long ... been ready...

LISA. You will live!

A Doctor bends over Fdya and listens.

FDYA. I need no doctor to tell me ... Good-bye, Victor ... Ah, Msha!... it's too late this time ... [Weeps] How good ... how good! [Dies].

Curtain.

END OF "THE LIVE CORPSE."



[ Transcriber's Note:

The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.

ELISABETH ANDRYEVNA PROTSOVA (LISA). His wife ELISABETH ANDRYEVNA PROTSOVA (LISA). His wife.

PROTSOVS' NURSE. THE PROTSOVS' NURSE.

PROTSOVS' MAID. THE PROTSOVS' MAID.

LISA. I can't, I can't! Anything rather than . . I can't! LISA. I can't, I can't! Anything rather than ... I can't!

ANNA PVLOVNA [passing through] Dunysha! My trunk! ANNA PVLOVNA [passing through] Dounysha! My trunk!

Two weeks have passed since Act 1. Anna Pvlovna and Karnin are Two weeks have passed since Act I. Anna Pvlovna and Karnin are

Fdya Stkhov (shaggy), Butkvich (close-shaven), and Korotkv (a Fdya, Stkhov (shaggy), Butkvich (close-shaven), and Korotkv (a

plus.[12] It can't be helped!.. What can one do with him? plus.[12] It can't be helped!... What can one do with him?

nice. But whatever he may be, quels-que soient les torts qu'il a eu nice. But whatever he may be, quels que soient les torts qu'il a eus

that trespass against us." _Mais, c'est plus fort qui moi! that trespass against us." _Mais, c'est plus fort que moi!_[17]

VICTOR. I am going. Please, Mother! [Exit. VICTOR. I am going. Please, Mother! [Exit.]

[Awkward silence. Awkward silence.

The Protasovs' drawing-room. The Protsovs' drawing-room.

am more than cold towards you. I know I am wrong, but cannot change. am more than cold towards you. I know I am wrong, but cannot change."

without their noticing it. without their noticing it.] ]

THE END