Was then supreme. But would they now? - Nay, nay,

It is too late to blow on the cold embers

Of this dispute; with all thy wits and firmness

Thou'lt not withstand him. Were't not better for thee

To furnish to our chief a wise example,

Proclaim Dimitry tsar, and by that act

Bind him your friend for ever? How thinkest thou?

BASMANOV. Tomorrow thou shalt know.

PUSHKIN. Resolve.

BASMANOV. Farewell.

PUSHKIN. Ponder it well, Basmanov.

(Exit.) BASMANOV. He is right.

Everywhere treason ripens; what shall I do?

Wait, that the rebels may deliver me

In bonds to the Otrepiev? Had I not better

Forestall the stormy onset of the flood,

Myself to - ah! But to forswear mine oath!

Dishonour to deserve from age to age!

The trust of my young sovereign to requite

With horrible betrayal! 'Tis a light thing

For a disgraced exile to meditate

Sedition and conspiracy; but I?

Is it for me, the favourite of my lord? -

But death - but power - the people's miseries...

(He ponders.) Here! Who is there? (Whistles.) A horse here!

Sound the muster!

PUBLIC SQUARE IN MOSCOW.

PUSHKIN enters, surrounded by the people THE PEOPLE. The tsarevich a boyar hath sent to us.

Let's hear what the boyar will tell us. Hither!

Hither!

PUSHKIN. (On a platform.) Townsmen of Moscow! The tsarevich

Bids me convey his greetings to you. (He bows.) Ye know

How Divine Providence saved the tsarevich

From out the murderer's hands; he went to punish

His murderer, but God's judgment hath already

Struck down Boris. All Russia hath submitted

Unto Dimitry; with heartfelt repentance