In iron, like a wild beast from oversea,

We'll hale him into Moscow, I swear by God.

(Exit with TRUBETSKOY.) TSAR. The Lord of Sweden hath by envoys tendered

Alliance to me. But we have no need

To lean on foreign aid; we have enough

Of our own warlike people to repel

Traitors and Poles. I have refused. - Shchelkalov!

In every district to the governors

Send edicts, that they mount their steeds, and send

The people as of old on service; likewise

Ride to the monasteries, and there enlist

The servants of the churchmen. In days of old,

When danger faced our country, hermits freely

Went into battle; it is not now our wish

To trouble them; no, let them pray for us;

Such is the tsar's decree, such the resolve

Of his boyars. And now a weighty question

We shall determine; ye know how everywhere

The insolent pretender hath spread abroad

His artful rumours; letters everywhere,

By him distributed, have sowed alarm

And doubt; seditious whispers to and fro

Pass in the market-places; minds are seething.

We needs must cool them; gladly would I refrain

From executions, but by what means and how?

That we will now determine. Holy father,

Thou first declare thy thought.

PATRIARCH. The Blessed One,

The All-Highest, hath instilled into thy soul,

Great lord, the spirit of kindness and meek patience;

Thou wishest not perdition for the sinner,

Thou wilt wait quietly, until delusion

Shall pass away; for pass away it will,