"'What's wrong? Call the Elder!'
And then, in an instant,
The matter is settled: 320
'The shepherd is tiny—
His youth and his folly
May well be forgiven.
The woman's presumption
You'll punish severely!'
"'Oh, Barin, God bless you!'
I danced with delight!
'Fedótka is safe now!
Run home, quick, Fedótka.'
"'Your will shall be done, sir,' 330
The Elder said, bowing;
'Now, woman, prepare;
You can dance later on!'
"A gossip then whispered,
'Fall down at the feet
Of the Elder—beg mercy!'
"'Fedótka—go home!'
"Then I kissed him, and told him:
'Remember, Fedótka,
That I shall be angry 340
If once you look backwards.
Run home!'
"Well, my brothers,
To leave out a word
Of the song is to spoil it,—
I lay on the ground…."
* * * * *
"I crawled like a cat
To Fedótushka's corner
That night. He was sleeping,
He tossed in his dream. 350
One hand was hung down,
While the other, clenched tightly,
Was shielding his eyes:
'You've been crying, my treasure;
Sleep, darling, it's nothing—
See, Mother is near!'
I'd lost little Djóma
While heavy with this one;
He was but a weakling,
But grew very clever. 360
He works with his dad now,
And built such a chimney
With him, for his master,
The like of it never
Was seen. Well, I sat there
The whole of the night
By the sweet little shepherd.
At daybreak I crossed him,
I fastened his laputs,
I gave him his wallet, 370
His horn and his whip.
The rest began stirring,
But nothing I told them
Of all that had happened,
But that day I stayed
From the work in the fields.
"I went to the banks
Of the swift little river,
I sought for a spot
Which was silent and lonely 380
Amid the green rushes
That grow by the bank.