Who Can Be Happy and Free in Russia? Part 38

He now earns his living By means of his peep-show, 410 Where, plainly discerned, Are the Kremlin and Moscow, While music plays too.

The instrument once Had gone wrong, and the soldier, No capital owning, Bought three metal spoons, Which he beat to make music; But the words that he knew Did not suit the new music, 420 And folk did not laugh.

The soldier was sly, though: He made some new words up That went with the music.

They hail him with rapture!

"Good-health to you, Grandad!

Jump down, drink some vodka, And give us some music."

"It's true I got _up_ here, But how to get-down?" 430

"You're going, I see, To the town for your pension, But look what has happened: It's burnt to the ground."

"Burnt down? Yes, and rightly!

What then? Then I'll go To St. Petersburg for it; For all my old comrades Are there with their pensions, They'll show me the way." 440

"You'll go by the train, then?"

The old fellow whistles: "Not long you've been serving Us, orthodox Christians, You, infidel railway!

And welcome you were When you carried us cheaply From Peters to Moscow.

(It cost but three roubles.) But now you want seven, 450 So, go to the devil!

"Lady so insolent, lady so arrogant!

Hiss like a snake as you glide!

_Fig for you! Fig for you! Fig for you! Fig for you!_ Puff at the whole countryside!

Crushing and maiming your toll you extort, Straight in the face of the peasant you snort, Soon all the people of Russia you may Cleaner than any big broom sweep away!"

"Come, give us some music," 460 Says Vla.s.s to the soldier, "For here there are plenty Of holiday people, 'Twill be to your profit.

You see to it, Klimka!"

(Though Vla.s.s doesn't like him, Whenever there's something That calls for arranging He leaves it to Klimka: "You see to it, Klimka!" 470 And Klimka is pleased.)

And soon the old soldier Is helped from the hay-cart: He's weak on his legs,--tall, And strikingly thin.

His uniform seems To be hung from a pole; There are medals upon it.

It cannot be said That his face is attractive, 480 Especially when It's distorted by _tic_: His mouth opens wide And his eyes burn like charcoal,-- A regular demon!

The music is started, The people run back From the banks of the Volga.

He sings to the music.

A spasm has seized him: 490 He leans on his niece, And his left leg upraising He twirls it around In the air like a weight.

His right follows suit then, And murmuring, "Curse it!"

He suddenly masters And stands on them both.

"You see to it, Klimka!"

Of course he'll arrange it 500 In Petersburg fashion: He stands them together, The niece and the uncle; Takes two wooden dishes And gives them one each, Then springs on a tree-trunk To make an oration.

(The soldier can't help Adding apt little words To the speech of the peasant, 510 And striking his spoons.)

The soldier is stamping His feet. One can hear His dry bones knock together.

When Klimka has finished The peasants come crowding, Surrounding the soldier, And some a kopeck give, And others give half: In no time a rouble 520 Is piled on the dishes.

EPILOGUE

GRiSHA DOBROSKLONOW

A CHEERFUL SEASON--CHEERFUL SONGS

The feast was continued Till morning--a splendid, A wonderful feast!

Then the people dispersing Went home, and our peasants Lay down 'neath the willow; Iona--meek pilgrim Of G.o.d--slept there too.

And Sava and Grisha, The sons of the deacon, 10 Went home, with their parent Unsteady between them.

They sang; and their voices, Like bells on the Volga, So loud and so tuneful, Came chiming together:

"Praise to the hero Bringing the nation Peace and salvation!

"That which will surely 20 Banish the night He[60] has awarded-- Freedom and Light!

"Praise to the hero Bringing the nation Peace and salvation!

"Blessings from Heaven, Grace from above, Rained on the battle, Conquered by Love. 30

"Little we ask Thee-- Grant us, O Lord, Strength to be honest, Fearing Thy word!

"Brotherly living, Sharing in part, That is the roadway Straight to the heart.

"Turn from that teaching Tender and wise-- 40 Cowards and traitors Soon will arise.

"People of Russia, Banish the night!

You have been granted That which is needful-- Freedom and Light!"

The deacon was poor As the poorest of peasants: A mean little cottage 50 Like two narrow cages, The one with an oven Which smoked, and the other For use in the summer,-- Such was his abode.

No horse he possessed And no cow. He had once had A dog and a cat, But they'd both of them left him.

His sons put him safely 60 To bed, snoring loudly; Then Savushka opened A book, while his brother Went out, and away To the fields and the forest.

A broad-shouldered youth Was this Grisha; his face, though, Was terribly thin.

In the clerical college The students got little 70 To eat. Sometimes Grisha Would lie the whole night Without sleep; only longing For morning and breakfast,-- The coa.r.s.e piece of bread And the gla.s.sful of sbeeten.[61]

The village was poor And the food there was scanty, But still, the two brothers Grew certainly plumper 80 When home for the holidays-- Thanks to the peasants.

The boys would repay them By all in their power, By work, or by doing Their little commissions In town. Though the deacon Was proud of his children, He never had given Much thought to their feeding. 90 Himself, the poor deacon, Was endlessly hungry, His princ.i.p.al thought Was the manner of getting The next piece of food.

He was rather light-minded And vexed himself little; But Dyomna, his wife, Had been different entirely: She worried and counted, 100 So G.o.d took her soon.

The whole of her life She by salt[62] had been troubled: If bread has run short One can ask of the neighbours; But salt, which means money, Is hard to obtain.

The village with Dyomna Had shared its bread freely; And long, long ago 110 Would her two little children Have lain in the churchyard If not for the peasants.

And Dyomna was ready To work without ceasing For all who had helped her; But salt was her trouble, Her thought, ever present.