VOROTINSKY. Why didst thou then not crush him?

SHUISKY. At the time,

I do confess, his unexpected calmness,

His shamelessness, dismayed me. Honestly

He looked me in the eyes; he questioned me

Closely, and I repeated to his face

The foolish tale himself had whispered to me.

VOROTINSKY. An ugly business, prince.

SHUISKY. What could I do?

Declare all to Feodor? But the tsar

Saw all things with the eyes of Godunov.

Heard all things with the ears of Godunov;

Grant even that I might have fully proved it,

Boris would have denied it there and then,

And I should have been haled away to prison,

And in good time - like mine own uncle - strangled

Within the silence of some deaf-walled dungeon.

I boast not when I say that, given occasion,

No penalty affrights me. I am no coward,

But also am no fool, and do not choose

Of my free will to walk into a halter.

VOROTINSKY. Monstrous misdeed! Listen; I warrant you

Remorse already gnaws the murderer;

Be sure the blood of that same innocent child

Will hinder him from mounting to the throne.

SHUISKY. That will not baulk him; Boris is not so timid!

What honour for ourselves, ay, for all Russia!

A slave of yesterday, a Tartar, son

By marriage of Maliuta, of a hangman,

Himself in soul a hangman, he to wear

The crown and robe of Monomakh! -

VOROTINSKY. You are right;

He is of lowly birth; we twain can boast

A nobler lineage.

SHUISKY. Indeed we may!