SHUISKY. I swear to thee - TSAR. Nay, Shuisky, swear not, but reply; was it

Indeed Dimitry?

SHUISKY. He.

TSAR. Consider, prince.

I promise clemency; I will not punish

With vain disgrace a lie that's past. But if

Thou now beguile me, then by my son's head

I swear - an evil fate shall overtake thee,

Requital such that Tsar Ivan Vasilievich

Shall shudder in his grave with horror of it.

SHUISKY. In punishment no terror lies; the terror

Doth lie in thy disfavour; in thy presence

Dare I use cunning? Could I deceive myself

So blindly as not recognise Dimitry?

Three days in the cathedral did I visit

His corpse, escorted thither by all Uglich.

Around him thirteen bodies lay of those

Slain by the people, and on them corruption

Already had set in perceptibly.

But lo! The childish face of the tsarevich

Was bright and fresh and quiet as if asleep;

The deep gash had congealed not, nor the lines

Of his face even altered. No, my liege,

There is no doubt; Dimitry sleeps in the grave.

TSAR. Enough, withdraw.

(Exit SHUISKY.) I choke! - let me get my breath!

I felt it; all my blood surged to my face,

And heavily fell back. - So that is why

For thirteen years together I have dreamed

Ever about the murdered child. Yes, yes -

'Tis that! - now I perceive. But who is he,

My terrible antagonist? Who is it

Opposeth me? An empty name, a shadow.

Can it be a shade shall tear from me the purple,

A sound deprive my children of succession?