I came from Moscow.

PRETENDER. What of Godunov?

PRISONER. The battle's loss, Mstislavsky's wound, hath caused him

Much apprehension; Shuisky he hath sent

To take command.

PRETENDER. But why hath he recalled

Basmanov unto Moscow?

PRISONER. The tsar rewarded

His services with honour and with gold.

Basmanov in the council of the tsar

Now sits.

PRETENDER. The army had more need of him.

Well, how go things in Moscow?

PRISONER. All is quiet,

Thank God.

PRETENDER. Say, do they look for me?

PRISONER. God knows;

They dare not talk too much there now. Of some

The tongues have been cut off, of others even

The heads. It is a fearsome state of things -

Each day an execution. All the prisons

Are crammed. Wherever two or three forgather

In public places, instantly a spy

Worms himself in; the tsar himself examines

At leisure the denouncers. It is just

Sheer misery; so silence is the best.

PRETENDER. An enviable life for the tsar's people!

Well, how about the army?

PRISONER. What of them?

Clothed and full-fed they are content with all.

PRETENDER. But is there much of it?

PRISONER. God knows.

PRETENDER. All told

Will there be thirty thousand?

PRISONER. Yes; 'twill run

Even to fifty thousand.