IVAN.     Your  Majesty  .  ..
FYODOR.  Understand  me,  Prince.  I  do  not  doubt
you.  I  merely  want  .  ..
KLESHNIN.  No,  Little  Father,  allow  me!  If  this  is
what  you  intend  to  do,  then  let  me  ask  him.  Prince-
Protector!  Can  you  swear  by  the  blessed  ikon  over
yonder  that  you  did  not  intend  to  betray  your  Tsar?

IVAN.     I  do  not  recognize  your  right  to  question  me.
FYODOR.  Prince,  it  is  not  he  —  it  is  I  who  am  asking
you!


TSAR  FYODOR  IVANOVITCH  67

KLESHNIN.     I  shall  take  down  the  ikon  at  once  I

FYODOR.  There  is  no  need  of  ikons!  Tell  me  on
your  word  of  honor.  Well,  Prince?

IVAN.     Spare  me!

IRINA  [who  has  been  watching  Ivan  steadily]  My
Lord,  why  offend  with  such  a  question  one  whose  virtues
are  a  household  word?  Do  not  ask  him.  Just  exact  his
solemn  oath  that  he  will  remain  in  the  future  as  true
and  faithful  as  he  has  been  in  the  past.
FYODOR.  No,  Irina,  I  want  to  shame  this  man.  Tell
me  on  your  word  of  honor,  Prince!  Were  you  plotting
against  me?  Why  don't  you  speak?

KLESHNIN.  On  your  word  of  honor!  Do  you  hear,
Prince?  [To  hi?nself]  It  would  have  been  more  bind-
ing had  he  sworn  on  the  ikon.
IRINA  [to  Fyodor]  Dear  husband  —

FYODOR.     Well,  Prince?

IVAN.     Spare  me!

FYODOR.     No.     I  shall  not!

KLESHNIN.     Are  you  perhaps  afraid,  Prince?

FYODOR.  Afraid  —  nonsense!  He  is  stubborn  and
hard,  but  I  am  more  hard  and  stubborn  than  he.  Tit
for  tat !  I  shall  not  let  him  go  until  he  answers.
