BORÍS. No, I don't. I recognise myself as a man, and a servant of God.
GENDARME OFFICER. Why don't you consider yourself a member of the Russian Empire?
BORÍS. Because I do not recognise any empires.
GENDARME OFFICER. What do you mean by not recognising? Do you wish to overthrow them?
BORÍS. Certainly I wish it, and work for it.
GENDARME OFFICER [To Clerk] Put that down. [To Borís] How do you work for it?
BORÍS. By exposing fraud and lies, and by spreading the truth. When you entered I was telling these soldiers not to believe in the fraud into which they have been drawn.
GENDARME OFFICER. But beside this method of exposing and persuading, do you approve of any others?
BORÍS. No, I not only disapprove, but I consider all violence to be a great sin; and not only violence, but all concealment and craftiness …
GENDARME OFFICER. Write that down. Very well. Now kindly let me know whom you are acquainted with. Do you know Ivashénko?