The Cherry Orchard / Вишневый сад. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Anya. [Thoughtful] The moon is rising.

Epikhodovis heard playing the same sad song on his guitar. The moon rises. Somewhere by the poplarsVaryais looking forAnyaand calling, “Anya, where are you?”

Trofimov. Yes, the moon has risen. [Pause] There is happiness, there it comes; it comes nearer and nearer; I hear its steps already. And if we do not see it we shall not know it, but what does that matter? Others will see it!

The voice of Varya. Anya! Where are you?

Trofimov. That’s Varya again! [Angry] Disgraceful!

Anya. Never mind. Let’s go to the river. It’s nice there.

Trofimov. Let’s go.

They go out.

The voice of Varya. Anya! Anya!

Curtain.

Act III

A reception-room cut off from a drawing-room by an arch. Chandelier lighted. A Jewish band, the one mentioned in Act II, is heard playing in another room. Evening. In the drawing-room the grandrond is being danced. Voice ofSimeonov Pischin“Promenade a une paire!” Dancers come into the reception-room; the first pair arePischinandCharlotta Ivanovna; the second,TrofimovandLubov Andreyevna; the third,Anyaand thepost office clerk; the fourth,Varyaand thestation-master, and so on.Varyais crying gently and wipes away her tears as she dances.Dunyashais in the last pair. They go off into the drawing-room,Pischinshouting, “Grand rond, balancez:” and “Les cavaliers à genou et remerciez vos dames!”Fiers, in a dress-coat, carries a tray with seltzer-water across. EnterPischinandTrofimovfrom the drawing-room.

Pischin. I’m full-blooded and have already had two strokes; it’s hard for me to dance, but, as they say, if you’re in Rome, you must do as Rome does. I’ve got the strength of a horse. My dead father, who liked a joke, peace to his bones, used to say, talking of our ancestors, that the ancient stock of the Simeonov-Pischins was descended from that identical horse that Caligula made a senator… [Sits] But the trouble is, I’ve no money! A hungry dog only believes in meat. [Snores and wakes up again immediately] So I… only believe in money…

Trofimov. Yes. There is something equine about your figure.

Pischin. Well… a horse is a fine animal… you can sell a horse.

Billiard playing can be heard in the next room.Varyaappears under the arch.

Trofimov. [Teasing] Madame Lopakhin! Madame Lopakhin!

Varya. [Angry] Decayed gentleman!

Trofimov. Yes, I am a decayed gentleman, and I’m proud of it!

Varya. [Bitterly] We’ve hired the musicians, but how are they to be paid? [Exit.]

Trofimov. [ToPischin] If the energy which you, in the course of your life, have spent in looking for money to pay interest had been used for something else, then, I believe, after all, you’d be able to turn everything upside down.

Pischin. Nietzsche… a philosopher… a very great, a most celebrated man… a man of enormous brain, says in his books that you can forge bank-notes.

Trofimov. And have you read Nietzsche?

Pischin. Well… Dashenka told me. Now I’m in such a position, I wouldn’t mind forging them… I’ve got to pay 310 roubles the day after tomorrow… I’ve got 130 already… [Feels his pockets, nervously] I’ve lost the money! The money’s gone! [Crying] Where’s the money? [Joyfully] Here it is behind the lining… I even began to perspire.

EnterLubov AndreyevnaandCharlotta Ivanovna.

Lubov. [Humming a Caucasian dance] Why is Leonid away so long? What’s he doing in town? [ToDunyasha] Dunyasha, give the musicians some tea.

Trofimov. Business is off, I suppose.

Lubov. And the musicians needn’t have come, and we needn’t have got up this ball… Well, never mind… [Sits and sings softly.]

Charlotta. [Gives a pack of cards toPischin] Here’s a pack of cards, think of any one card you like.

Pischin. I’ve thought of one.

Charlotta. Now shuffle. All right, now. Give them here, oh my dear Mr. Pischin. Ein, zwei, drei! Now look and you’ll find it in your coat-tail pocket.

Pischin. [Takes a card out of his coat-tail pocket] Eight of spades, quite right! [Surprised] Think of that now!

Charlotta. [Holds the pack of cards on the palm of her hand. ToTrofimov] Now tell me quickly. What’s the top card?

Trofimov. Well, the queen of spades.

Charlotta. Right! [ToPischin] Well now? What card’s on top?

Pischin. Ace of hearts.

Charlotta. Right! [Claps her hands, the pack of cards vanishes] How lovely the weather is today. [A mysterious woman’s voice answers her, as if from under the floor, “Oh yes, it’s lovely weather, madam.”] You are so beautiful, you are my ideal. [Voice, “You, madam, please me very much too.”]

Station-master. [Applauds] Madame ventriloquist, bravo!

Pischin. [Surprised] Think of that, now! Delightful, Charlotte Ivanovna… I’m simply in love…

Charlotta. In love? [Shrugging her shoulders] Can you love? Guter Mensch aber schlechter Musikant.

Trofimov. [SlapsPischinon the shoulder] Oh, you are a horse!

Charlotta. Attention please, here’s another trick. [Takes a shawl from a chair] Here’s a very nice plaid shawl, I’m going to sell it… [Shakes it] Won’t anybody buy it?

Pischin. [Astonished] Think of that now!

Charlotta.Ein, zwei, drei.

She quickly lifts up the shawl, which is hanging down.Anyais standing behind it; she bows and runs to her mother, hugs her and runs back to the drawing-room amid general applause.

Lubov. [Applauds] Bravo, bravo!

Charlotta. Once again! Ein, zwei, drei!

Lifts the shawl.Varyastands behind it and bows.

Pischin. [Astonished] Think of that, now.

Charlotta. The end!