Classic Poem

SCENE THE TWENTY FOURTH.

The Place of Execution

POUSHKIN. A CROWD OF THE PEOPLE .

A VOICE FROM THE CROWD .

By one of the Boyards has the Tsarevitch sent
A message to his people; let us closer stand,
That we may hear.

POUSHKIN .

Good Moscow citizens!
His royal greeting the Tsarevitch sends.
You all do know, how from assassin hands,
Of God's free mercy, was young Dmitry saved;
How God, the top of judgment, had Boris
Struck low, ere he the evil doer reached
To Dmitry's rule our country now submits:
With lowered arms and loyal humbleness,
Basmanoff sends his troops the oath to take.
To you Dmitry comes with love and peace,
And say, will you, the Godounoff to please,
Lay impious hands upon the lawful Tsar,
Or rise against great Monomach's grandson?

THE PEOPLE .

Nay, God forbid!

POUSHKIN .

Good Moscow citizens!
The world doth know the wrongs you have endured
Beneath the haughty upstart's cruel sway;
Extortion, exile, prison, and the block;
Hard toil and hunger,... such your daily lot.
To all alike will Dmitry pity show:
Boyards, the nobles, tradesmen, or allies,
Or clerks, .. all honest folk without except.
Will you be obstinate, and, blind, refuse
The proffered boon of mercy unrestrained?
Nor yet forget, the royal throne he mounts
With all the rights of his ancestors dread
Fear God and reverence the Tsar, nor dare
Provoke his righteous wrath, but kiss
The cross in homage to his mighty rule;
And send, in sign of peace, without delay
Your bishops, priests, boyards, and delegates,
That lowly they salute their sov'reign Tsar.

THE PEOPLE .

No need for idle talk! He speaks the truth.
All hail, Dmitry! All hail, the Tsar Dmitry!

A PEASANT .

To Kremlin Palace let us go, good friends,
And seize the squeaking cubs of Godounoff!

THE PEOPLE .

We'll seize and strangle them! All hail, Dmitry!
And cursed be Boris and his whole race!