,transcriber's ,note3 ,this e-book belongs to ,tolstoy's ,plays 7,complete ,edition74 ,the front matter1 including the table of contents1 can be found in e-book #bfffj2 it lists the other plays in the collection4 ,every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as possible2 changes 7corrections of punctuation7 made to the original text are listed at the end of this file4 ,,the ,,first ,,distiller ,a ,,comedy ,,in ,,six ,,acts 7#ahhf7 ,,characters ,a ,,peasant4 ,,wife4 ,,his ,,mother4 ,,grandfather4 ,,little ,,daughter4 ,a ,,neighbour4 ,,four ,,village ,,elders4 ,,old ,,women1 ,,women1 ,,girls ,,and ,,lads4 ,,the ,,chief ,,of ,,the ,,devils4 ,,his ,,secretary4 ,a ,,dandy ,,imp4 ,,the ,,officials' ,,imp4 ,,the ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,,sentinels1 ,,doorkeepers ,,and ,,imps4 ,,the ,,first ,,distiller ,a ,,comedy ,,act ,i ,,peasant ploughing4 ,looks up ,it's noon4 ,time to unharness4 ,gee up1 get along6 ,fagged out8 ,poor old beast6 ,one more turn and back again1 that will be the last furrow1 and then dinner4 ,it was a good idea to bring that chunk of bread with me4 ,i'll not go home1 but sit down by the well and have a bite and a rest1 and ,peggy can graze awhile4 ,then1 with ,god's help1 to work again1 and the ploughing will be done in good time4 ,enter ,imp2 hides behind a bush4 ,,imp4 ,see what a good fellow he is6 ,keeps calling on ,god4 ,wait a bit1 friend1--you'll be calling on the ,devil before long6 ,i'll just take away his chunk4 ,he'll miss it before long1 and will begin to hunt for it4 ,he'll be hungry1 and then he'll swear and call on the ,devil4 ,takes the chunk of bread and sits down behind the bush watching to see what the ,peasant will do4 ,,peasant unharnesses the horse ,with ,god's blessing6 ,lets the horse loose1 and goes towards the place where his coat is lying ,i'm awfully hungry4 ,the wife cut a big chunk1 but see if ,i don't eat it all4 ,coming up to the coat ,gone6 ,i must have put it under the coat4 ,lifting the coat ,no1 it's not here either6 ,what has happened8 ,shakes the coat4 ,,imp behind the bush ,go on1 go on1 search away6 ,i've got it safe6 ,,peasant moves the plough and shakes his coat again ,this is strange6 ,very strange6 ,no one was here1 yet the chunk is gone6 ,if the birds had been at it there would be some crumbs left1 but there's not a single crumb6 ,no one has been here1 and yet some one has taken it6 ,,imp rises and looks out ,now he'll call on the ,devil4 ,,peasant4 ,well1 it seems there's no help for it6 ,never mind1 ,i shan't starve to death4 ,if some one has taken it1 he's taken it2 let him eat it1 and may it do him good4 ,,imp spits ,oh1 the damned peasant6 ,instead of swearing properly1 he only says1 ,may it do him good4 ,what can one do with such a fellow8 ,peasant lies down to rest1 makes the sign of the cross1 yawns1 and falls asleep4 ,,imp comes out from behind the bush ,it's all very well for the boss to talk4 ,the boss keeps on saying1 ,you don't bring enough peasants to ,hell6 ,see what a lot of tradesmen1 gentlefolk1 and all sorts of people flock in every day1 and how few peasants6 ,now1 how's one to get round this one8 ,there's no way of getting hold of him4 ,haven't ,i stolen his last crust8 ,what can ,i do better than that8 ,and yet he didn't swear4 ,i'm at my wits' end what to do6 ,well1 ,i must go and report6 ,disappears into the ground4 ,curtain4 ,,act ,,ii ,hell4 ,the ,chief of the ,devils sits in the highest place4 ,the ,devil's ,secretary sits lower down1 at a table with writing materials4 ,sentinels stand at each side4 ,to the right are five ,imps of different kinds4 ,to the left1 by the door1 the ,doorkeeper4 ,a dandified ,imp stands before the ,chief4 ,,the ,,dandy ,,imp4 ,the whole of my booty for the three years has been #bbj1jje men4 ,they're all in my power now4 ,,the ,,chief4 ,all right4 ,thank you4 ,pass on4 ,the ,dandy ,imp goes to the right4 ,,the ,,chief to the ,secretary ,i'm tired6 ,is there much business left8 ,whose reports have we had1 and whose are still to come8 ,,the ,,secretary counts on his fingers and1 as he counts1 points to the ,imps to the right4 ,when he mentions any ,imp1 the one referred to bows ,we've had the ,gentlefolks' ,devil's report4 ,he's captured #ahcf in all4 ,and the ,tradesmen's ,devil's with #ifdc4 ,from the ,lawyers'1 #cdbc4 ,the ,women's we've also just had3 #ahf1cae married women1 and #ag1dch maids4 ,only two ,devils are left1 the ,officials' and the ,peasants'4 ,there are altogether #bbj1jje souls on the list4 ,,chief4 ,well then1 we'd better finish it all to-day4 ,to the ,doorkeeper ,let them in6 ,the ,officials' ,devil enters1 and bows to the ,chief4 ,,chief4 ,well1 how have you got on8 ,,officials' ,,imp laughing1 and rubbing his hands ,my affairs are all right1 just as soot they are white6 ,the booty is such that ,i don't remember anything like it since the creation of the world4 ,,chief4 ,what1 have you captured a great many8 ,,officials' ,,imp4 ,it's not so much the quantity4 ,only #acej men in all1 but such splendid fellows6 ,such fellows1 they might shame any ,devil6 ,they can embroil people better than we ourselves can4 ,i've introduced a new fashion among them4 ,,chief4 ,what's that new fashion8 ,,officials' ,,imp4 ,why1 in former times lawyers were in attendance on the judges and deceived people4 ,now1 ,i've arranged for them to do business also apart from the judges4 ,whoever pays most1 is the one to whose business they attend4 ,and they'll take such trouble over it that they'll make out a case where there is none6 ,they and the officials between them embroil people far better than we ,devils can4 ,,chief4 ,all right4 ,i'll have a look at them4 ,you may pass on4 ,the ,officials' ,imp goes to the right4 ,,chief to ,doorkeeper ,let in the last one4 ,enter the ,peasants' ,imp with the chunk of bread4 ,he bows to the ground4 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,i can't live like this any longer6 ,give me another appointment6 ,,chief4 ,what appointment8 ,what are you jabbering about8 ,get up and talk sense4 ,give in your report6 ,how many peasants have you captured this week8 ,,peasants' ,,imp crying ,not one6 ,,chief4 ,what8 ,not one6 ,what do you mean8 ,what have you been doing8 ,where have you been loafing8 ,,peasants' ,,imp whimpering ,i've not been loafing2 ,i've been straining every nerve all the time1 but ,i can't do anything6 ,there now1 ,i went and took his last crust from under the very nose of one of them1 and1 instead of swearing1 he wished it might do me good6 ,,chief4 ,what8444 ,what8444 ,what are you mumbling there8 ,just blow your nose1 and then speak sensibly6 ,one can't make head or tail of what you're saying4 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,why1 there was a peasant ploughing2 and ,i knew he had brought only a chunk of bread with him1 and had nothing else to eat4 ,i stole his crust4 ,by rights he should have sworn2 but what does he do8 ,he says1 ,let him who has taken it eat it1 and may it do him good6 ,i've brought the chunk of bread away with me4 ,here it is6 ,,chief4 ,well1 and what of the others8 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,they're all alike4 ,i could not manage to take a single one4 ,,chief4 ,how dare you appear before me with empty hands8 ,and as if that were not enough1 you must needs bring some stinking crust or other here6 ,do you mean to mock me8 ,do you mean to live in ,hell and eat the bread of idleness8 ,the others do their best1 and work hard6 ,why1 they points to the ,imps have each supplied #aj1jjj or #bj1jjj1 or even #bjj1jjj4 ,and you come with empty hands1 and bring a miserable crust1 and begin spinning your yarns4 ,you chatter1 but don't work2 and that's why you've lost hold of them4 ,but wait a bit1 my friend1 ,i'll teach you a thing or two6 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,before you punish me1 listen to what ,i'll tell you4 ,it's all very well for those other ,devils1 who have to do with gentlefolk1 with merchants1 or with women4 ,it's all plain sailing for them6 ,show a nobleman a coronet1 or a fine estate1 and you've got him1 and may lead him where you like4 ,it's the same with a tradesman4 ,show him some money and stir up his covetousness1 and you may lead him as with a halter4 ,and with the women it's also plain sailing4 ,give them finery and sweets--and you may do what you like with them4 ,but as to the peasants--there's a long row to hoe with them6 ,when he's at work from morn till night--sometimes even far into the night--and never starts without a thought of ,god1 how's one to get at him8 ,master1 remove me from these peasants6 ,i'm tired to death of them1 and have angered you into the bargain6 ,,chief4 ,you're humbugging1 you idler6 ,it's no use your talking about the others4 ,they've got hold of the merchants1 the nobles1 and the women1 because they knew how to treat them1 and invented new traps for them6 ,the official one there--he has made quite a new departure4 ,you must think of something too6 ,you've stolen a crust1 and brag about it6 ,what a clever thing to do6 ,surround them with snares1 and they'll get caught in one or other of them4 ,but loafing about as you do1 and leaving the way open for them1 those peasants of yours have gained strength4 ,they begin not to care about their last crust4 ,if they take to such ways1 and teach their women the same1 they'll get quite beyond us6 ,invent something6 ,get out of the hole as best you can4 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,i can't think how to set about it4 ,let me off6 ,i can stand it no longer6 ,,chief angrily ,can't stand it6 ,what do you think1 then8 ,am ,i to do your work for you8 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,i can't6 ,,chief4 ,can't8 ,wait a bit6 ,hollo1 there6 bring the switches2 give him a thrashing4 ,the ,sentinels seize the ,imp and whip him4 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,oh6 ,oh6 ,oh6444 ,,chief4 ,have you thought of something8 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,oh1 oh1 ,i can't6 ,,chief4 ,give him some more4 ,they whip ,well--thought of something8 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,yes--yes1 ,i have6 ,,chief4 ,well1 tell us what it is4 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,i've invented a dodge that will bring them all into my grasp1 if you'll only let me take a labourer's place with that peasant4 ,but ,i can't explain what it is beforehand4 ,,chief4 ,all right4 ,only remember1 that if you don't atone for that crust within three years1 ,i'll flay you alive6 ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,they'll all be mine in three years' time4 ,,chief4 ,all right4 ,when the three years are past1 ,i shall come and see for myself6 ,curtain4 ,,act ,,iii ,a barn4 ,carts loaded with grain4 ,the ,imp as a ,labourer4 ,he is shovelling grain off the cart1 and the ,peasant is carrying it away in a measure4 ,,labourer4 ,seven6 ,,peasant4 ,how many quarters8 ,,labourer looks at the numbers marked on the barn door ,twenty-six quarters4 ,and this is the seventh bushel of the twenty-seventh quarter4 ,,peasant4 ,it won't all go in2 the barn is nearly full6 ,,labourer4 ,shovel it nice and even4 ,,peasant4 ,so ,i will4 ,exit with measure4 ,,labourer alone1 takes off his cap1 his horns appear ,it will be some time before he returns4 ,i'll ease my horns a bit4 ,horns rise ,and ,i'll take my boots off too2 ,i can't do it when he's here4 ,takes his boots off1 his hoofs appear4 ,sits on the threshold ,it's the third year now4 ,it's near the time of reckoning4 ,there's more corn than there's room for4 ,only one more thing left to teach him1 and then let the ,chief come and see for himself4 ,i'll have something worth showing him6 ,he'll forgive me for that crust6 ,neighbour approaches4 ,labourer hides his horns and hoofs4 ,,neighbour4 ,good day to you4 ,,labourer4 ,the same to you4 ,,neighbour4 ,where's your master8 ,,labourer4 ,he's gone to spread the grain more even2 it won't all go in4 ,,neighbour4 ,dear me1 what a run of luck your master is having6 ,more than he has room for8 ,we're all amazed at the harvests your master has had these two years4 ,it's as if some one had told him what was coming4 ,last year was a dry season1 and he had sown in the bog4 ,others had no harvest1 but your threshing ground was covered with sheaves6 ,this year we've a rainy summer1 and he's been sharp enough to sow on the hill4 ,everybody's corn has rotted1 but you have a splendid harvest4 ,what grain6 ,ah1 what grain6 ,takes some grain1 weighs it in his hand1 and chews it4 ,,peasant enters with empty measure ,how d'ye do1 neighbour8 ,,neighbour4 ,good day4 ,i was saying to your man here1 how well you managed to guess where to sow your corn4 ,every one envies you4 ,what heaps1 what heaps of corn you have got6 ,you'll not eat it all in ten years4 ,,peasant4 ,it's all thanks to ,nicholas here4 ,points to ,labourer ,it was his luck4 ,last year ,i sent him to plough1 and what did he do but plough in the bog4 ,i gave him a scolding1 but he persuaded me to sow there4 ,and so ,i did1 and it turned out all for the best6 ,and this year he again guessed right1 and sowed on the hill6 ,,neighbour4 ,it's as if he knew what kind of season it would be4 ,yes1 you have got corn enough and no mistake6 ,silence ,and ,i have come to ask you to lend me a sack of rye4 ,ours is all used up4 ,i'll return it next year4 ,,peasant4 ,all right1 you may have it4 ,,labourer nudging the ,peasant ,don't give it6 ,,peasant4 ,no more words about it4 ,take it4 ,,neighbour4 ,thank you4 ,i'll just run and fetch a sack4 ,,labourer aside ,he keeps to his old ways 444 still goes on giving4 ,he doesn't always obey me4 ,but just wait a bit4 ,he'll soon stop giving away4 ,exit ,neighbour4 ,,peasant sitting down on the threshold ,why should one not give to a good man8 ,,labourer4 ,giving is one thing1 getting back another6 ,you know-- ,it's a good world to lend in1 a good world to spend in1 ,but to get back one's own1 it's the worst world that's known4 ,that's what the old folk say4 ,,peasant4 ,don't worry4 ,we've plenty of corn4 ,,labourer4 ,well1 what of that8 ,,peasant4 ,we've enough1 not only till next harvest but for two years ahead4 ,what are we to do with it all8 ,,labourer4 ,what are we to do with it8 ,i could make such stuff of this corn as would make you rejoice all the days of your life4 ,,peasant4 ,why1 what would you make of it8 ,,labourer4 ,a kind of drink4 ,drink1 that would give you strength when you are weak1 satisfy you when you are hungry1 give you sleep when you are restless1 make you merry when you're sad1 give you courage when you're afraid4 ,that's the drink ,i'd make6 ,,peasant4 ,rubbish6 ,,labourer4 ,rubbish indeed6 ,it was just the same when ,i told you to sow in the bog1 and then on the hill4 ,you did not believe me then1 but now you know6 ,you'll find out about the drink the same way4 ,,peasant4 ,but what will you make it of8 ,,labourer4 ,why1 of this same corn4 ,,peasant4 ,but won't that be a sin8 ,,labourer4 ,just hear him6 ,why should it be a sin8 ,everything is given for a joy to man4 ,,peasant4 ,and where did you get all your wisdom from1 ,nick8 ,you seem a very ordinary man to look at1 and hard-working too4 ,why1 ,i don't remember you so much as ever taking your boots off all these two years you've been with me4 ,and yet you seem to know everything4 ,where did you learn it8 ,,labourer4 ,i've been about a good deal6 ,,peasant4 ,and so you say this drink will give one strength8 ,,labourer4 ,just wait till you try it and see the good that comes of it4 ,,peasant4 ,and how are we to make it8 ,,labourer4 ,it's not hard to make when you know how6 ,only we shall want a copper and a couple of iron vessels4 ,,peasant4 ,and does it taste nice8 ,,labourer4 ,as sweet as honey4 ,when once you've tasted it you'll never give it up4 ,,peasant4 ,is that so8 ,well1 ,i'll go to the neighbour's2 he used to have a copper4 ,we'll have a try6 ,curtain4 ,,act ,,iv ,a barn4 ,in the middle a closed copper on the fire1 with another vessel1 under which is a tap4 ,,labourer holds a tumbler under the tap and drinks the spirit ,well1 master1 it's ready now4 ,,peasant sitting on his heels and looking on ,what a queer thing4 ,here's water coming out of the mixture4 ,why are you letting this water off first8 ,,labourer4 ,it's not water4 ,it is the very stuff itself6 ,,peasant4 ,why is it so clear8 ,i thought it would be yellow like grain4 ,this is just like water4 ,,labourer4 ,but you just smell it6 ,,peasant4 ,ah1 what a scent6 ,well1 well1 let's see what it's like in the mouth4 ,let me taste6 ,tries to take the tumbler out of the ,labourer's hand4 ,,labourer4 ,mind1 you'll spill it6 ,turns the tap off1 drinks and smacks his lips ,it's ready6 ,here you are4 ,drink it6 ,,peasant drinks1 first sipping1 then taking more and more1 till he empties the glass and gives it back ,now then1 some more4 ,one can't tell the taste from such a drop4 ,,labourer laughing ,well1 you seem to like it6 ,draws some more4 ,,peasant drinks ,eh1 that's the sort6 ,let's call the missis4 ,hey1 ,martha6 ,come along6 ,it's ready6 ,come on there6 ,enter ,wife and little girl4 ,,wife4 ,what's the matter8 ,why are you kicking up such a row8 ,,peasant4 ,you just taste what we've been distilling4 ,hands her the glass ,smell6 ,what does it smell of8 ,,wife smells ,dear me6 ,,peasant4 ,drink6 ,,wife4 ,but perhaps it may do one some harm8 ,,peasant4 ,drink1 fool6 ,,wife4 ,true4 ,it is nice6 ,,peasant a little tipsy ,nice indeed6 ,you wait and see what'll happen4 ,nick says it drives all weariness out of one's bones4 ,the young grow old4 ,i mean1 the old grow young4 ,there now1 ,i've only had two glasses of it1 and all my bones have got easy4 ,swaggers ,you see8 ,wait a bit1 when you and ,i drink it every day we'll grow young again6 ,come1 ,martha6 ,embraces her4 ,,wife4 ,get along4 ,why1 it's made you quite silly4 ,,peasant4 ,there1 you see6 ,you said ,nick and ,i were wasting the corn1 but just see what stuff we've concocted4 ,eh8 ,it's good1 ain't it8 ,,wife4 ,of course1 it's good if it makes the old young again4 ,just see how jolly it has made you6 ,and ,i feel jolly too6 ,now then1 join in6 ,ah 444 ,ah 444 ,ah 444 ,sings4 ,,peasant4 ,yes1 that's the way6 ,we'll all be young1 all young4 ,,wife4 ,we must call mother-in-law1 for she's always sad and grumbling4 ,she needs renewing4 ,when she's younger she'll get kinder4 ,,peasant tipsy ,yes1 call mother4 ,call her here1 and grandfather too4 ,i say1 ,mary1 run and call your granny and great-grandfather4 ,tell him he must get down from the oven6 ,we'll make him young again4 ,now then1 quick6 ,one1 two1 three1 and away6 ,off like a shot6 ,girl runs off4 ,to ,wife ,we'll have another glass4 ,labourer fills and hands the glasses4 ,,peasant drinks ,at first we got young at the top1 in the tongue2 then it went down into the arms4 ,now it has reached the feet4 ,i feel my feet getting younger4 ,they're moving of themselves4 ,starts dancing4 ,,wife drinks ,you're a real clever 'un1 ,nick6 ,now then1 strike up6 ,labourer takes a balalyka#a and plays4 ,peasant and ,wife dance4 #a ,the balalyka is an instrument 7generally three-stringed7 used by ,russian peasants1 and answering to the negroes' banjo4 ,,labourer plays in the foreground of the scene1 laughing and winking as he watches them4 ,then he leaves off playing1 but they still continue to dance ,you'll pay for that crust6 ,you've done it now1 my fine fellows4 ,they'll never get out of it4 ,the ,chief can come when he likes now6 ,enter a fresh-looking elderly woman1 and a very old white-haired man1 the ,peasant's ,grandfather4 ,,grandfather4 ,what's the matter8 ,have you gone mad8 ,dancing while every one else is at work6 ,,wife dances and claps her hands ,oh--,oh--,oh-- ,sings ,that ,i'm sinning ,i will own1 ,free from sin is ,god alone6 ,,old ,,woman4 ,oh1 you wretch6 ,the oven's not cleaned out yet1 and here you are dancing6 ,,peasant4 ,wait a bit1 mother4 ,see what has been happening here4 ,we can make old people young again6 ,here you are6 ,just drink this6 ,passes tumbler4 ,,old ,,woman4 ,there's plenty of water in the well4 ,smells it ,but what have you put in8 ,my--what a smell6 ,,peasant4 ,you just drink it4 ,,old ,,woman tastes ,dear me6 ,but won't one die of it8 ,,wife4 ,it will make you more alive4 ,you'll grow young again6 ,,old ,,woman4 ,nonsense6 ,drinks ,but it's nice6 ,better than our drinks4 ,here1 father1 have some too4 ,grandfather sits down and shakes his head4 ,,labourer4 ,never mind him4 ,but granny must have another glass4 ,hands some to the old woman4 ,,old ,,woman4 ,if only no harm comes of it4 ,oh dear1 it does burn6 ,but it is nice4 ,,wife4 ,drink it6 ,then you'll feel it running through your veins4 ,,old ,,woman4 ,well1 ,i suppose ,i'll have to try4 ,drinks4 ,,wife4 ,has it reached your feet yet8 ,,old ,,woman4 ,true enough1 it does run through you4 ,i feel it here now6 ,and it really makes one feel quite light4 ,come--give me some more4 ,drinks again ,fine6 ,now ,i'm quite young again4 ,,peasant4 ,didn't ,i tell you8 ,,old ,,woman4 ,ah1 it's a pity my old man is no longer here4 ,he might have seen once more what ,i was like in my young days4 ,labourer plays4 ,peasant and ,wife dance4 ,,old ,,woman comes into the middle ,do you call that dancing8 ,let me show you4 ,dances ,that's the way6 ,then like this1 and like that6 ,do you see8 ,grandfather goes up to the vessel and lets the spirit run out on to the ground4 ,,peasant notices and rushes at his ,grandfather ,what are you up to1 you old fool8 ,spilling such fine stuff6 ,oh1 you old dotard6 ,pushes him away and holds tumbler under tap ,you've emptied it all6 ,,grandfather4 ,it's evil and not good6 ,god has sent you a good harvest for you to feed yourself and others1 but you have turned the corn into devils' drink4 ,no good will come of it4 ,give up this business4 ,else you'll perish and ruin others6 ,you think this is drink8 ,it's fire1 and will burn you up6 ,takes a brand from the fire and lights the spilt spirit4 ,the spirit burns4 ,they all look on with horror4 ,curtain4 ,,act ,v ,interior of hut4 ,the ,labourer alone1 his horns and hoofs showing4 ,,labourer4 ,there's lots of corn4 ,more than there's room for1 and he's now got a taste for it4 ,we've been distilling again1 and we've filled a barrel and hidden it away4 ,we're not going to treat any one for nothing1 but when we want to get something out of a fellow1 then we'll treat him6 ,so to-day ,i told him to invite the village elders and treat them1 that they should divide up the property between him and his grandfather1 and give everything to him and nothing to the old man6 ,my three years are up to-day1 and my work is finished4 ,let the ,chief come and see for himself4 ,i needn't be ashamed of his seeing it6 ,chief appears out of the ground4 ,,chief4 ,time's up6 ,have you redeemed your bread-blunder8 ,i told you ,i'd come and see for myself4 ,have you managed the ,peasant8 ,,labourer4 ,done him completely6 ,judge for yourself4 ,some of them will meet here soon4 ,get into the oven1 and see what they'll do4 ,you'll be well satisfied6 ,,chief climbs into the oven ,we'll see6 ,enter the ,peasant and four old men4 ,the ,wife follows4 ,the men sit down round the table4 ,the ,wife lays the cloth1 sets ox-foot brawn and pies on the table4 ,the old men exchange greetings with ,labourer4 ,,first ,,elder4 ,well1 have you made more of the drink8 ,,labourer4 ,yes1 we've distilled as much as we need4 ,why let valuable stuff be wasted8 ,,second ,,elder4 ,and is it a success8 ,,labourer4 ,better than the first lot4 ,,second ,,elder4 ,but where did you learn to make it8 ,,labourer4 ,going about in the world one learns many things6 ,,third ,,elder4 ,yes1 yes1 you're a knowing fellow4 ,wife brings spirits and glasses4 ,,peasant4 ,have a drop6 ,wife takes a decanter and fills glasses4 ,,wife4 ,do us the honour6 ,,first ,,elder drinks ,your health6 ,ah1 that's good4 ,it runs right through all one's joints4 ,that's what ,i call proper drink6 ,the other three ,elders do the same4 ,chief gets out of the oven4 ,labourer goes and stands by him4 ,,labourer to ,chief ,see what will happen now6 ,i'll trip up the woman with my foot and she'll spill the liquor4 ,formerly he did not grudge his last crust1 but now see what he'll do about a glass of spirits6 ,,peasant4 ,now then1 wife1 fill again and hand it round in due order--first to our friend here1 then to ,daddy ,michael4 ,wife fills a glass and goes round the table4 ,the ,labourer trips her up2 she stumbles and upsets the glass4 ,,wife4 ,gracious goodness1 ,i've spilt it6 ,why do you get in my way1 confound you8 ,,peasant to ,wife ,there now1 what a clumsy beast6 ,her fingers are all thumbs1 and she goes swearing at others6 ,see what fine stuff she goes spilling on the ground6 ,,wife4 ,i didn't do it on purpose4 ,,peasant4 ,on purpose indeed6 ,wait till ,i get up2 ,i'll teach you how to pour spirits on the ground4 ,to ,labourer ,and you too1 you confounded fool1 what are you prancing round the table for8 ,go to the ,devil6 ,wife again fills and hands the glasses round4 ,,labourer goes back to the oven to the ,chief ,you see8 ,formerly he did not grudge his last crust1 and now for a glass of spirits he nearly beat his wife and sent me to you--to the ,devil6 ,,chief4 ,it's good1 very good6 ,i'm satisfied4 ,,labourer4 ,you wait a bit4 ,let them empty the bottle--and you'll see what will happen4 ,even now they are giving each other smooth oily words2 presently they'll start flattering each other1--as cunning as foxes4 ,,peasant4 ,well1 old friends1 what's your opinion of my business8 ,my grandfather has been living with me1 and ,i have been feeding him and feeding him1 and now he's gone to live with my uncle1 and wants to take his share of the property and give it to uncle6 ,consider it well2 you are wise men4 ,we could as well do without our own heads as without you4 ,there's no one in the whole village to come near you4 ,take you for example1 ,ivn ,fedtitch--doesn't every one say you're first among men8 ,and as for me1 ,i'll tell you the truth1 ,ivn ,fedtitch1 ,i'm fonder of you than of my own father or mother4 ,as for ,michael ,stepnitch1 he's an old friend4 ,,first ,,elder to ,peasant ,it's good to talk with a good man4 ,it's the way to get wisdom4 ,it's just the same with you4 ,one can't find any one to compare with you either4 ,,second ,,elder4 ,wise and affectionate--that's what ,i like you for4 ,,third ,,elder4 ,you have my best sympathy4 ,i can't find words to express it4 ,i was saying to my old woman only to-day 444 ,,fourth ,,elder4 ,a friend1 a real friend6 ,,labourer nudges the ,chief ,do you hear8 ,all lies6 ,they abuse one another behind their backs1 but see how thick they are laying it on now1--like foxes wagging their tails6 ,and it all comes from that drink4 ,,chief4 ,that drink is good1 very good6 ,if they take to lying like that1 they'll all be ours4 ,very good2 ,i'm satisfied6 ,,labourer4 ,wait a bit4 ,when they've finished a second bottle it will be better still6 ,,wife serves ,do have another glass4 ,,first ,,elder4 ,won't it be too much8 ,your health6 ,drinks ,it's pleasant to drink in the company of a good man4 ,,second ,,elder4 ,how can one help drinking8 ,health to the host and hostess6 ,,third ,,elder4 ,friends1 your health6 ,,fourth ,,elder4 ,this is a brew of the right sort6 ,let's be merry6 ,we'll arrange things for you4 ',cos it all depends on me6 ,,first ,,elder4 ,on you8 ,no1 not on you1 but on what your seniors say4 ,,fourth ,,elder4 ,my seniors are greater fools4 ,go where you came from6 ,,second ,,elder4 ,what are you up to now8 ,you fool6 ,,third ,,elder4 ,it's true what he's saying6 ',cos why8 ,the host is not entertaining us for nothing4 ,he means business4 ,the business can be arranged4 ,only you must stand treat6 ,show us due respect4 ',cos it's you as wants me1 and not ,i you6 ,you're own brother to the pig6 ,,peasant4 ,and you're itself6 ,what are you yelling for8 ,think to surprise me8 ,you are all good at stuffing yourselves6 ,,first ,,elder4 ,what are you giving yourself airs for8 ,see if ,i don't twist your nose to one side6 ,,peasant4 ,we'll see whose nose will get twisted6 ,,second ,,elder4 ,think yourself such a marvel8 ,go to the ,devil6 ,i won't speak to you--,i'll go away6 ,,peasant holds him ,what1 will you break up the company8 ,,second ,,elder4 ,let me go1 or ,i'll call for help6 ,,peasant4 ,i won't6 ,what right have you to 4448 ,,second ,,elder4 ,this right6 ,beats him4 ,,peasant to the other ,elders ,help me6 ,they fall on one another1 and all speak at once4 ,,first ,,elder4 ,that's why4 ',cos it means we're all having a spree-ee6 ,,second ,,elder4 ,i can arrange everything6 ,,third ,,elder4 ,let's have some more6 ,,peasant to ,wife ,bring another bottle6 ,all sit round the table again and drink4 ,,labourer to ,chief ,have you noticed8 ,the wolf's blood in them was aroused1 and they've turned as fierce as wolves4 ,,chief4 ,the drink is good6 ,i'm satisfied6 ,,labourer4 ,wait a bit4 ,let them empty a third bottle4 ,things will be better still6 ,curtain4 ,,act ,,vi ,the scene represents a village street4 ,to the right some old women are sitting on logs of wood with the ,grandfather4 ,in the centre1 is a ring of women1 girls1 and lads4 ,dance music is played and they dance4 ,noise is heard from the hut1 and drunken screams4 ,an old man comes out and shouts in a tipsy voice4 ,the ,peasant follows him and leads him back4 ,,grandfather4 ,ah1 what doings6 what doings6 ,one would think1 what more would any one want than to do his work on week days1 and when ,sunday comes round1 to have a good wash1 clean the harness1 and rest a bit and sit with his family2 or go outside and have a talk with the old folk about matters concerning the ,commune4 ,or1 if you're young1 have a game4 ,there they are playing1--and it's pleasant to look at them4 ,it's all pleasant and good4 ,screams inside the hut ,but this sort of thing1 what is it8 ,it only leads men astray1 and pleases the ,devils4 ,and it all comes of fat living6 ,tipsy men come tumbling out of the hut1 shout1 and catch hold of the girls4 ,,girls4 ,leave off1 ,daddy ,tom6 ,what do you mean by it8 ,,lads4 ,let's go into the lane4 ,it's impossible to play here4 ,exeunt all who were playing in the ring4 ,,peasant goes up to ,grandfather ,what have you got now8 ,the ,elders will allot everything to me6 ,snaps his fingers at him ,that's what you'll get6 ,so there you are6 ,it's all mine and you've nothing6 ,they'll tell you so themselves6 ,the four ,elders speak all at once4 ,,first ,,elder4 ',cos ,i know what's what6 ,,second ,,elder4 ',fore all ,i'll be heard1 ',cos ,i'm an old bird6 ,,third ,,elder4 ,friend6 dear friend1 dearest friend6 ,,fourth ,,elder4 ,jog along hut1 jog along bed1 ,the missis has nowhere to lay down her head6 ,now then1 come along6 ,the ,elders take each other's arms in couples and go off reeling1 one couple following the other4 ,the ,peasant turns back to the hut1 but stumbles before he reaches it1--falls down1 and lies muttering incomprehensible words that sound like grunts4 ,the ,grandfather and those he was with1 rise and exeunt4 ,enter ,labourer and ,chief of ,devils4 ,,labourer4 ,did you see8 ,now the swine's blood has been roused in them1 and from wolves they have turned into swine6 ,points to ,peasant ,there he lies in the dirt and grunts like a hog6 ,,chief4 ,you have succeeded6 ,first like foxes1 then like wolves1 and now like swine6 ,well1 that is a drink6 ,but tell me1 how did you make it8 ,i suppose it's made of a mixture of foxes'1 wolves'1 and swine's blood8 ,,labourer4 ,oh no6 ,i only supplied him with too much corn6 ,as long as he had only as much corn as he needed1 he did not grudge his last crust1 but when he had more than he knew what to do with1 the fox's1 the wolf's1 and the swine's blood in him awoke4 ,he always had beast's blood in him1 only it could not get the upper hand4 ,,chief4 ,well1 you're a fine fellow6 ,you've atoned for your crust-blunder4 ,now they only need to drink spirits1 and they're altogether ours6 ,curtain4 ,,end ,,of ,,the ,,first ,,distiller4 ,transcriber's ,note3 ,the following is a list of corrections made to the original4 ,the first line is the original line1 the second the corrected one4 ,curtain at the ends of ,acts ,,iii and ,v ,curtain4 ,wife again fills and hands the glasses round ,wife again fills and hands the glasses round4