Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District-Act One Scene Three

Katerina's bedroom KATERINA Time for bed. The day is over, time for bed, time for bed. I've no one to talk to, oh, how boring it is, how boring, just walls and doors with locks on them. Enter Boris. BORIS Katerina! KATERINA Yes? BORIS Time for bed. KATERINA It's still quite early. BORIS Nonsense! What have you got to do? Your husband's not here, no need to waste the candle. KATERINA All right, I'll go to bed. Exit Boris. Katerina undresses. The foal runs after the filly, the tom cat seeks the female, the dove hastens to his mate, but no one hurries to me. The wind caresses the birch tree and the sun warms it with his heat, for everyone there's a smile from somewhere, but no one will come to me, no one will put his hand round my waist, no one will press his lips to mine. No one will stroke my white breast, no one will tire me out with his passionate embraces. The days go by in a joyless procession, my life will flash past without a smile. No one, no one will ever come to me, no one will come to me. Katerina undresses completely and lies down on the bed. A knock is heard at the door. Who's there? Who's that knocking? SERGEY outside the door Please don't be afraid. It's me. KATERINA Who? SERGEY Sergey. KATERINA Sergey? What is it? What do you want here at night? SERGEY Just a small matter, open the door! KATERINA What small matter? SERGEY Open the door, then I'll tell you. Katerina opens the door. Enter Sergey. KATERINA Well, what is it? SERGEY I've come to ask if I can borrow a book … KATERINA What book? SERGEY … to have a read. KATERINA Sergey, I haven't any books. I can't read anyway and my husband doesn't read books. SERGEY I'm dying of boredom. KATERINA Well, why don't you get married? SERGEY Who to? A daughter of the house would never have me and I've no use for common girls; they're so ill educated and I'm a man of fine feelings; that's why I'm bored. KATERINA I'm bored too. SERGEY No wonder! KATERINA If only I had a child! SERGEY Yes, but even a child, if you'll allow me to put it like this, comes as a result of something, not just of its own accord. Now let's suppose you did have a bit on the side, like all the other women do… in your position you'd find it pretty well impossible to meet him. Say he was someone here in this very house? Do you think I don't understand? I've been in service for years and seen enough of women's lot. KATERINA Yes … All right, Sergey, go away now. SERGEY I'll be on my way. KATERINA Goodbye. Sergey does not leave. SERGEY That was a good wrestle we had. you're certainly strong... KATERINA Well, why bring that up? SERGEY Allow me to say, it was the happiest moment in my life, would you like to try again? KATERINA Don't you dare! SERGEY Or let's get hold of each other. He embraces Katerina. KATERINA Let go, Sergey, let go! What are you thinking of? Let go! The old man might come back and see us; let go, Sergey! SERGEY Anyway, I'm stronger than you. KATERINA Sergey, you mustn't. What are you doing? I'm afraid. SERGEY My dearest! KATERINA What are you doing? Darling, let go, darling, I don't wa… SERGEY Oh, Katya, my dearest love! KATERINA Go away, for God's sake, I'm a married woman. SERGEY You mustn't speak of that. KATERINA I have no husband but you alone. BORIS offstage Katerina... KATERINA The old man … BORIS … are you in bed? KATERINA I'm just going. BORIS Well, all right. KATERINA Go, quick. SERGEY I shan't go anywhere away from here. KATERINA The old man will lock the doors. SERGEY To a lover windows can be a doorway. Come, my Katyal KATERINA Darling!