first conspirator
Nabat.
president
The answer?
second conspirator
Kalit.
·18· president
What hour is it?
third conspirator
The hour to suffer.
president
What day?
fourth conspirator
The day of oppression.
president
What year?
fifth conspirator
Since the Revolution of France, the ninth year.
president
How many are we in number?
sixth conspirator
Ten, nine, and three.
president
The Galilæan had less to conquer the world; but what is our mission?
·19· seventh conspirator
To give freedom.
president
Our creed?
eighth conspirator
To annihilate.
president
Our duty?
ninth conspirator
To obey.
president
Brothers, the questions have been answered well. There are none but Nihilists present. Let us see each other’s faces! [The Conspirators unmask.] Michael, recite the oath.
michael
To strangle whatever nature is in us; neither to love nor to be loved, neither to pity nor to be pitied, neither to marry nor to be given in marriage, till the end is come; to stab secretly by night; to drop poison in the glass; to set father against son, and husband against wife; without fear, without hope, without future, to suffer, to annihilate, to revenge.
·20· president
Are we all agreed?
conspirators
We are all agreed. [They disperse in various directions about the stage.]
president
’Tis after the hour, Michael, and she is not yet here.
michael
Would that she were! We can do little without her.
alexis
She cannot have been seized, President? but the police are on her track, I know.
michael
You always seem to know a good deal about the movements of the police in Moscow—too much for an honest conspirator.
president
If those dogs have caught her, the red flag of the people will float on a barricade in every street till we find her! It was foolish of her to go to the Grand Duke’s ball. I told her so, but ·21· she said she wanted to see the Czar and all his cursed brood face to face.
alexis
Gone to the State ball?
michael
I have no fear. She is as hard to capture as a she-wolf is, and twice as dangerous; besides, she is well disguised. But is there any news from the Palace to-night, President? What is that bloody despot doing now besides torturing his only son? Have any of you seen him? One hears strange stories about him. They say he loves the people; but a king’s son never does that. You cannot breed them like that.
president
Since he came back from abroad a year ago his father has kept him in close prison in his palace.
michael
An excellent training to make him a tyrant in his turn; but is there any news, I say?
·22· president
A council is to be held to-morrow, at four o’clock, on some secret business the spies cannot find out.
michael
A council in a king’s palace is sure to be about some bloody work or other. But in what room is this council to be held?
president
[Reading from letter.] In the yellow tapestry room called after the Empress Catherine.
michael
I care not for such long-sounding names. I would know where it is.
president
I cannot tell, Michael. I know more about the insides of prisons than of palaces.
michael
[Speaking suddenly to Alexis.] Where is this room, Alexis?
alexis
It is on the first floor, looking out on to the inner courtyard. But why do you ask, Michael?
michael
Nothing, nothing, boy! I merely take a great interest in the Czar’s life and movements and I knew you could tell me all about the palace. ·23· Every poor student of medicine in Moscow knows all about king’s houses. It is their duty, is it not?
alexis
[Aside.] Can Michael suspect me? There is something strange in his manner to-night. Why doesn’t she come? The whole fire of revolution seems fallen into dull ashes when she is not here.
michael
Have you cured many patients lately, at your hospital, boy?
alexis
There is one who lies sick to death I would fain cure, but cannot.
michael
Ay,
