Vera (loosens her hands violently from him, and starts up). I am a Nihilist! I cannot wear a crown!
Czar (falls at her feet). I am no king now. I am only a boy who has loved you better than his honour, better than his oath. For love of the people I would have been a patriot. For love of you I have been a traitor. Let us go forth together, we will live amongst the common people. I am no king. I will toil for you like the peasant or the serf. Oh, love me a little too! (Conspirators murmur outside.)
Vera (clutching dagger). To strangle whatever nature is in me, neither to love nor to be loved, neither to pity nor—— Oh, I am a woman! God help me, I am a woman! O Alexis! I too have broken my oath; I am a traitor. I love. Oh, do not speak, do not speak—(kisses his lips)—the first, the last time. (He clasps her in his arms; they sit on the couch together.)
Czar. I could die now.
Vera. What does death do in thy lips? Thy life, thy love are enemies of death. Speak not of death. Not yet, not yet.
Czar. I know not why death came into my heart. Perchance the cup of life is filled too full of pleasure to endure. This is our wedding night.
Vera. Our wedding night!
Czar. And if death came himself, methinks that I could kiss his pallid mouth, and suck sweet poison from it.
Vera. Our wedding night! Nay, nay. Death should not sit at the feast. There is no such thing as death.
Czar. There shall not be for us. (Conspirators murmur outside.)