BORÍS. Yes, to “lay down one's life,” but not to take another man's. That is just what I want to do, to “lay down my life.”
PRIEST. You do not reason rightly, young man. John the Baptist said to the soldiers …
BORÍS [smiling] That only goes to prove that even in those days the soldiers used to rob, and he told them not to!
PRIEST. Well, but why don't you wish to take your oath?
BORÍS. You know that the Gospels forbid it!
PRIEST. Not at all. You know that when Pilate said: “I adjure thee by the living God, art thou the Christ?” the Lord Jesus Christ answered “I am.” That proves that oaths are not forbidden.
BORÍS. Are not you ashamed to talk so? You—an old man.
PRIEST. Take my advice and don't be obstinate. You and I cannot change the world. Just take your oath and you'll be at ease. Leave it to the Church to know what is a sin and what is not.
BORÍS. Leave it to you? Are you not afraid to take so much sin upon yourself?
PRIEST. What sin? Having been brought up firmly in the faith, and having worked as a priest for thirty years, I can have no sins on my shoulders.