human
How strange! what is he doing here?
gpt
No, brethren, said Petrof, pointing to something,
human
He, like a sheaf of straw, was wholly consumed by the sacred fire which we all serve, continued the voice.
gpt
But he has completely fulfilled all that God gave him; therefore he ought to be considered a great man. You may despise him, torture him, humiliate him, continued the voice, more and more energetically,
human
I do not wish to bow my knee before him,
gpt
Why is he great? And why should we bow before him? Has he conducted himself in an honorable and righteous manner? Has he brought society any advantage? Do we not know how he borrowed money, and never returned it; how he carried off a violin that belonged to a brother artist, and pawned it?
human
My God! how did he know all that?
gpt
Do we not know, the voice went on,
human
My God! that is all true, but protect me, cried Albert.
gpt
You are the only one who knows why I did so.
human
Stop, for shame! cried Petrof's voice again.
gpt
What right have you to accuse him? Have you lived his life? Have you experienced his enthusiasms?
human
Right! right!
gpt
Art is the highest manifestation of power in man. It is given only to the favored few, and it lifts the chosen to such an eminence that the head swims, and it is hard to preserve its integrity. In art, as in every struggle, there are heroes who bring all under subjection to them, and perish if they do not attain their ends.
human
Right! right!
gpt
That is not the case with you. This does not concern you, sternly said the artist Petrof, addressing Delesof.
human
Yes, humble him, despise him, he continued,
gpt
Get thee gone, I do not know you, replied Petrof.
human
Go your own way, you cannot come here.
gpt
Here, you drunken fellow, you cannot come here,