Anton Antonovich Skvoznik Dmukhanovsky, the governor Anna Andreyevna, his wife Marya Antonovna, his daughter Luka Lukich Khlopov, the inspector of schools His wife Ammos Fiodorovich Liapkin-Tiapkin, t...

The Governor.⁠—A man grown old in the service, by no means a fool in his own way. Though he takes bribes, he carries himself with dignity. He is of a rather serious turn and even given somewhat to rat...

A Room in the Governor’s House. Anton Antonovich, the Governor, Artemy Filippovich, the Superintendent of Charities, Luka Lukich, the Inspector of Schools, Ammos Fiodorovich, the Judge, Stepan Ilyich,...

Anton Antonovich, the Governor, Artemy Filippovich, the Superintendent of Charities, Luka Lukich, the Inspector of Schools, Ammos Fiodorovich, the Judge, Stepan Ilyich, Christian Ivanovich, the Doctor...

Enter Ivan Kuzmich, the Postmaster. Postmaster: Tell me, gentlemen, who’s coming? What chinovnik? Governor: What, haven’t you heard? Postmaster: Bobchinsky told me. He was at the post office just now....

Enter Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky, out of breath. Bobchinsky: What an extraordinary occurrence! Dobchinsky: An unexpected piece of news! All: What is it? What is it? Dobchinsky: Something quite unforese...

The Governor, Bobchinsky, Dobchinsky, and Sergeant Svistunov. Governor: Well, is the cab ready? Svistunov: Yes, sir. Governor: Go out on the street⁠—or, no, stop⁠—go and bring⁠—why, where are the othe...

Enter the Police Captain. Governor: Hello, Stepan Ilyich, where the dickens have you been keeping yourself? What do you mean by acting that way? Captain: Why, I was just outside the gate. Governor: We...

Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna rush in on the stage. Anna: Where are they? Where are they? Oh, my God! Opening the door. Husband! Antosha! Anton! Hurriedly, to Marya. It’s all your fault. Dawdlin...

A small room in the inn, bed, table, travelling bag, empty bottle, boots, clothes brush, etc. Osip: Lying on his master’s bed. The devil take it! I’m so hungry. There’s a racket in my belly, as if a w...

Osip: Lying on his master’s bed. The devil take it! I’m so hungry. There’s a racket in my belly, as if a whole regiment were blowing trumpets. We’ll never reach home. I’d like to know what we are goin...

Osip and Khlestakov. Khlestakov: Here! Hands him his cap and cane. What, been warming the bed again! Osip: Why should I have been warming the bed? Have I never seen a bed before? Khlestakov: You’re ly...

Khlestakov: Alone. I am so ravenously hungry. I took a little stroll thinking I could walk off my appetite. But, hang it, it clings. If I hadn’t dissipated so in Penza I’d have had enough money to get...

Khlestakov, Osip, and a Servant. Servant: The landlord sent me up to ask what you want. Khlestakov: Ah, how do you do, brother! How are you? How are you? Servant: All right, thank you. Khlestakov: And...

Khlestakov alone. Khlestakov: A bad business if he refuses to let me have anything. I’m so hungry. I’ve never been so hungry in my life. Shall I try to raise something on my clothes? Shall I sell my t...

Khlestakov, Osip, and later the Servant. Khlestakov: Well? Osip: They’re bringing dinner. Khlestakov: Claps his hands and wriggles in his chair. Dinner, dinner, dinner! Servant: With plates and napkin...

Khlestakov alone. Khlestakov: It’s just as if I had eaten nothing at all, upon my word. It has only whetted my appetite. If I only had some change to send to the market and buy some bread. Osip: Enter...

Khlestakov, the Governor, and Dobchinsky. The Governor advances a few steps and stops. They stare at each other a few moments wide-eyed and frightened. Governor: Recovering himself a little and saluti...

The above and the Servant, accompanied by Osip. Bobchinsky peeps in at the door. Servant: Did your Honor wish anything? Khlestakov: Yes, let me have the bill. Servant: I gave you the second one a litt...

The Governor, Khlestakov and Dobchinsky. Governor: Would you care to inspect a few institutions in our town now⁠—the philanthropic institutions, for instance, and others? Khlestakov: But what is there...

Scene: The same as in Act I. Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna standing at the window in the same positions as at the end of Act I. Anna: There now! We’ve been waiting a whole hour. All on account o...

Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna standing at the window in the same positions as at the end of Act I. Anna: There now! We’ve been waiting a whole hour. All on account of your silly prinking. You we...

Enter Dobchinsky. Anna: Now tell me, aren’t you ashamed? You were the only one I relied on to act decently. They all ran away and you after them, and till now I haven’t been able to find out a thing. ...

Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna. Anna: Now, Mashenka, we must attend to our toilet. He’s a metropolitan swell and God forbid that he should make fun of us. You put on your blue dress with the litt...

Mishka and Osip. Osip: Where is this to go? Mishka: In here, in here. Osip: Wait, let me fetch breath first. Lord! What a wretched life! On an empty stomach any load seems heavy. Mishka: Say, uncle, w...

The Sergeants open both folding doors. Khlestakov enters followed by the Governor, then the Superintendent of Charities, the Inspector of Schools, Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky with a plaster on his nose....

The above, Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna. Governor: Permit me to introduce my family, my wife and daughter. Khlestakov: Bowing. I am happy, madam, to have the pleasure of meeting you. Anna: Our ...

The same without Khlestakov and the Governor. Bobchinsky: To Dobchinsky. There’s a man for you, Piotr Ivanovich. That’s what I call a man. I’ve never in my life been in the presence of so important a ...

Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna. Anna: Oh, how charming he is! Marya: A perfect dear! Anna: Such refined manners. You can recognize the big city article at once. How he carries himself, and all th...

The same and the Governor. Governor: Sh-sh! Anna: What is it? Governor: I wish I hadn’t given him so much to drink. Suppose even half of what he said is true? Sunk in thought. How can it not be true? ...

The same and Osip. All rush to meet Osip, beckoning to him. Anna: Come here, my good man. Governor: Hush! Tell me, tell me, is he asleep? Osip: No, not yet. He’s stretching himself a little. Anna: Wha...

The same, Derzhimorda and Svistunov. Governor: Sh⁠—sh! Bandy-legged bears⁠—thumping their boots on the floor! Bump, bump as if a thousand pounds were being unloaded from a wagon. Where in the devil ha...

Scene: Same as in Act III. Enter cautiously, almost on tiptoe, Ammos Fiodorovich, Artemy Filippovich, the Postmaster, Luka Lukich, Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky in full dress-uniform. Ammos: For God’s sak...

Enter cautiously, almost on tiptoe, Ammos Fiodorovich, Artemy Filippovich, the Postmaster, Luka Lukich, Dobchinsky and Bobchinsky in full dress-uniform. Ammos: For God’s sake, gentlemen, quick, form y...

Enter Khlestakov, looking sleepy. Khlestakov: Alone. I seem to have had a fine snooze. Where did they get those mattresses and feather beds from? I even perspired. After the meal yesterday they must h...

Khlestakov and the Judge. Judge: Comes in and stops. Talking to himself. Oh, God, bring me safely out of this! How my knees are knocking together! Drawing himself up and holding the sword in his hand....

Khlestakov and the Postmaster. Postmaster: In uniform, sword in hand. Drawing himself up. I have the honor to present myself⁠—Postmaster, Court Councilor Shpekin. Khlestakov: I’m glad to meet you. I l...

Khlestakov and Luka Lukich, who is practically pushed in on the stage. A voice behind him is heard saying nearly aloud, “Don’t be chickenhearted.” Luka: Drawing himself up, trembling, with his hand on...

Khlestakov and Artemy Filippovich. Artemy: Enters and draws himself up, his hand on his sword. I have the honor to present myself⁠—Superintendent of Charities, Court Councilor Zemlianika. Khlestakov: ...

Khlestakov, Bobchinsky, and Dobchinsky. Bobchinsky: I have the honor to present myself⁠—a resident of this town, Piotr, son of Ivan Bobchinsky. Dobchinsky: I am Piotr, son of Ivan Dobchinsky, a squire...

Khlestakov: Alone. My, there are a lot of officials here. They seem to be taking me for a government functionary. To be sure, I threw dust in their eyes yesterday. What a bunch of fools! I’ll write al...

Khlestakov and Osip entering with paper and ink. Khlestakov: Now, you simpleton, you see how they receive and treat me. Begins to write. Osip: Yes, thank God! But do you know what, Ivan Aleksandrovich...

Khlestakov and Merchants, with a basket of wine and sugar loaves. Khlestakov: What is it, friends? Merchants: We beseech your favor. Khlestakov: What do you want? Merchants: Don’t ruin us, your Worshi...

Khlestakov, the Locksmith’s Wife, and the noncommissioned Officer’s Widow. Locksmith’s Wife: Kneeling. I beseech your grace. Widow: I beseech your grace. Khlestakov: Who are you? Widow: Ivanova, widow...

Khlestakov and Marya Antonovna. Marya: Oh! Khlestakov: What frightened you so, mademoiselle? Marya: I wasn’t frightened. Khlestakov: Showing off. Please, miss. It’s a great pleasure to me that you too...

The same and Anna Andreyevna. Anna: Seeing Khlestakov on his knees. Oh, what a situation! Khlestakov: Rising. Oh, the devil! Anna: To Marya. What does this mean? What does this behavior mean? Marya: I...

The same and Marya Antonovna. Marya: Running in suddenly. Mamma, papa says you should⁠—Seeing Khlestakov on his knees, exclaims: Oh, what a situation! Anna: Well, what do you want? Why did you come in...

The same and the Governor in precipitate haste. Governor: Your Excellency, don’t ruin me, don’t ruin me. Khlestakov: What’s the matter? Governor: The merchants have complained to your Excellency. I as...

The same and Osip. Osip: The horses are ready. Khlestakov: Oh! All right. I’ll come presently. Governor: What’s that? Are you leaving? Khlestakov: Yes, I’m going. Governor: Then when⁠—that is⁠—I thoug...

Scene: Same as in Act IV. Governor, Anna Andreyevna, and Marya Antonovna. Governor: Well, Anna Andreyevna, eh? Did you ever imagine such a thing? Such a rich prize? I’ll be⁠—. Well, confess frankly, i...

Governor, Anna Andreyevna, and Marya Antonovna. Governor: Well, Anna Andreyevna, eh? Did you ever imagine such a thing? Such a rich prize? I’ll be⁠—. Well, confess frankly, it never occurred to you ev...

The same and the Merchants. Governor: Ah, how do you do, my fine fellows? Merchants: Bowing. We wish you health, father. Governor: Well, my dearly beloved friends, how are you? How are your goods sell...

The same, Ammos Fiodorovich, Artemy Filippovich, then Rastakovsky. Ammos: In the doorway. Are we to believe the report, Anton Antonovich? A most extraordinary piece of good fortune has befallen you, h...

The same, Korobkin and his wife, Liuliukov. Korobkin: I have the honor to congratulate you, Anton Antonovich, and you, Anna Andreyevna kissing her hand and you Marya Antonovna kissing her hand. Korobk...

A number of Guests enter. They kiss Anna’s hand saying: “Anna Andreyevna,” then Marya’s hand, saying “Marya Antonovna.” Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky enter jostling each other. Bobchinsky: I have the hono...

More Guests enter and kiss the ladies’ hands, among them Luka Lukich and his wife. Luka Lukich: I have the honor. Luka’s Wife: Running ahead. Congratulate you, Anna Andreyevna. They kiss. Really, I wa...

The same, the Police Captain and Sergeants. Captain: I have the honor to congratulate you, your Honor, and to wish you long years of prosperity. Governor: Thank you, thank you! Please sit down, gentle...

The same and the Postmaster, who rushes in with an unsealed letter in his hand. Postmaster: A most astonishing thing, ladies and gentlemen! The official whom we took to be an inspector general is not ...

The same and a Gendarme. Gendarme: An official from St. Petersburg sent by imperial order has arrived, and wants to see you all at once. He is stopping at the inn....

The Governor stands in the center rigid as a post, with outstretched hands and head thrown backward. On his right are his wife and daughter straining toward him. Back of them the Postmaster, turned to...