Ministers. Arrest the Czarevitch!
Czar. A Nihilist! If you have sown with them, you shall reap with them! If you have talked with them, you shall rot with them! If you have lived with them, with them you shall die!
Prince Petro. Die!
Czar. A plague on all sons, I say! There should be no more marriages in Russia when one can breed such vipers as you are! Arrest the Czarevitch, I say!
Prince Paul. Czarevitch! by order of the Emperor, I demand your sword. (Czarevitch gives up sword; Prince Paul places it on the table.) Foolish boy! you are not made for a conspirator; you have not learned to hold your tongue. Heroics are out of place in a palace.
Czar (sinks into his chair with his eyes fixed on the Czarevitch). O God!
Czare. If I am to die for the people, I am ready; one Nihilist more or less in Russia, what does that matter?
Prince Paul (aside). A good deal I should say to the one Nihilist.
[23]Czare. The mighty brotherhood to which I belong has a thousand such as I am, ten thousand better still! (The Czar starts in his seat.) The star of freedom is risen already, and far off I hear the mighty wave democracy break on these cursed shores.[23]
Prince Paul (to Prince Petrovitch). In that case you and I had better learn how to swim.