No. Search the Scriptures! The matter is too important, as a matter of fact, to be--let's say--neglected. (Exit). ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Really, Nicholas, you have no pity on him! Though he is a priest, he is still only a boy, and can have no firm convictions or settled views.... NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Give him time to settle down and petrify in falsehood? No! Why should I? Besides, he is a good, sincere man. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But what will become of him if he believes you? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. He need not believe me. But if he saw the truth, it would be well for him and for everybody. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. If it were really so good, everyone would be ready to believe you. As it is, no one believes you, and your wife least of all. She can't believe you. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Who told you that? ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, just you try and explain it to her! She will never understand, nor shall I, nor anyone else in the world, that one must care for other people and abandon one's own children. Go and try to explain that to Mary! NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, and Mary will certainly understand. Forgive me, Alexándra, but if it were not for other people's influence, to which she is very susceptible, she would understand me and go with me. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. To beggar your children for the sake of drunken Yefím and his sort? Never! But if I have made you angry, please forgive me. I can't help speaking out. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I am not angry. On the contrary, I am even glad you have spoken out and given me the opportunity--challenged me--to explain to Mary my whole outlook on life. On my way home to-day I was thinking of doing so, and I will speak to her at once; and you will see that she will agree, because she is wise and good. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, as to that, allow me to have my doubts. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But I have no doubts. For you know, this is not any invention of my own; it is only what we all of us know, and what Christ revealed to us. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, you think Christ revealed this, but I think he revealed something else. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. It cannot be anything else. Shouts from the tennis ground. LYÚBA. Out! VÁNYA. No, we saw it.

A Young Priest Monologue from The Light Shines in Darkness

Rehearse A Young Priest's monologue