In the garden the tables are set our to form three sides of a rectangle; the guests, already drunk, are celebrating the wedding of Katerina and Sergey. The bridal pair are in the centre. The feast is coming to an end. Nearby is the cellar where Zinoviy's body lies. Katerina is very restless and on edge. The guests are toasting the bridal pair.
GUESTS
Long live the happy pair,
Katerina and Sergey, long life to you!
Long live the happy pair,
may they live long in love and harmony!
Long live the happy pair,
Katerina and Sergey, long life to you!
We wish you health and happiness
and a life of harmony.
Long life!
PRIEST
Give her a kiss! Give her a kiss!
GUESTS
Give her a kiss! Give her a kiss!
Katerina and Sergey kiss.
GUESTS
Ha, ha, ha!...
PRIEST
That's fine! Kiss her again!
GUESTS
Give her a kiss! Give her a kiss!
They kiss again.
KATERINA
Dear friends,
help yourselves, please!
GUESTS
Thank you, thank you.
PRIEST
Who is fairer than the sun in the sky,
who is fairer than the sun in the sky?
Eh!
GUESTS
Is there none fairer than the sun in the sky,
is there none fairer than the sun in the sky?
Yes there is!
PRIEST
Indeed there is!
Indeed there is one fairer than the sun in the sky,
there is! There is!
Indeed there is one fairer fairer than the sun in the sky!
Who is it?
GUESTS
We know of none fairer than the sun in the sky
we know of none fairer than the sun in the sky!
PRIEST
Katerina Lvovna is fairer than the sun in the sky,
mm ... ah ... really lovely!
Mm ... her hand...
Give her a kiss!
GUESTS
Give her a kiss, give her a kiss!
PRIEST
He, he, he!...
Have they gone all shy?
GUESTS
He, he, he!
The guests are drunk and almost asleep.
Long live Katerina Lvovna,
she's fairer than the sun in the sky, long may she live!
PRIEST
Give her a kiss!
Katerina notices that the lock on the cellar door is broken.
KATERINA
Oh!
PRIEST
Give her a kiss!
SERGEY
What's the matter?
GUESTS
He, he, he!
KATERINA
The lock's broken.
SERGEY
Well?
KATERINA
That's where Zinoviy is,
look, it's terrifying. Oh!
When they all go home
we'll make a run for it!
SERGEY
It can't be.
It's true, it's broken;
hush,hush.
PRIEST
Who is fairer than the sun in the sky.
Who is fairer …
Where are the happy pair,
having it off together?
Bit early isn't it, it's not yet night, he, he, he!
GUESTS
Long life!
KATERINA
to the guests
Help yourselves, please.
GUESTS
Katerina Lvovna is fairer than the sun in the sky!
They fall asleep.
PRIEST
Who is fairer than the sun in the sky, eh?
DRUNKEN GUEST
Give her a kiss!
The guests are asleep. Katerina and Sergey are very agitated.
KATERINA
Sergey, we must escape,
someone's broken the lock,
they must have seen the body there.
SERGEY
What about the household?
And the business?
KATERINA
We'll have to drop everything.
Let's take all the money,
it'll be enough for us to live on;
we might just have time.
Go and get the money quickly,
there's not a moment to lose!
Sergey runs into the house.
Oh, where's he got to, where's he got to?
SERGEY
Coming, coming!
Sergey returns. Katerina hears footsteps and sees the policemen approaching, led by the sergeant. Katerina is distraught and rushes about the stage trying to escape.
KATERINA
What's this?
It's too late...
Oh, Sergey, we're done for...
SERGEY
What do you mean, done for? Let's run for it!
KATERINA
Wherever to?
A knock is heard at the gate.
SERGEY
Who's there?
POLICEMEN
The police!
The gate opens. Enter the police.
SERGEANT
How do you do?
KATERINA
outwardly calm
How do you do?
SERGEANT
You didn't invite us,
aren't we good enough for you?
But here we are anyway!
A little matter has arisen!
So, what a lot of guests!
Looks as if a lot of wine's been drunk!
Hasn't it? There's a little matter of a certain kind,
to put it bluntly, there's a little matter!
Katerina embraces Sergey
KATERINA
Don't keep beating about the bush,
put the handcuffs on, then!
Oh, Sergey, forgive me,
forgive me, Seryozha!
Seryozha!
She holds out her hands to the policemen. They handcuff her.
SERGEANT
Get the handcuffs on! Look sharp!
Sergey tries to escape.
SERGEY
Let me go, you swine.
POLICEMEN
Get him, get him, get him, get him!
They immediately get hold of him. He resists and they beat him. Katerina in handcuffs rushe to defend Sergey. They are both securely handcuffed.
SERGEY
Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!
SERGEANT
No you don't! You won t get away!
You won't get away!
Take that, and that, and that, and that!
POLICEMEN
No you don't! Ha, ha, ha! …
That's what he needs, just what he needs!
That's what he needs, just what he needs!
KATERINA
Don't you dare!
Don't you dare!
SERGEANT
Keep a tight hold of him!
Off to prison with him!
He is led away.
KATERINA
Oh, Sergey, forgive me,
forgive me.
