"The Governor's dwelling
Again is before me,
With balconies, turrets,
And steps which are covered
With beautiful carpets.
I gaze at the windows
All shaded with curtains. 160
'Now, which is your chamber,'
I think, 'my desired one?
Say, do you sleep sweetly?
Of what are you dreaming?'
I creep up the doorsteps,
And keep to the side
Not to tread on the carpets;
And there, near the entrance,
I wait for the porter.
"'You're early, my gossip!' 170
Again I am startled:
A stranger I see,—
For at first I don't know him;
A livery richly
Embroidered he wears now;
He holds a fine staff;
He's not bald any longer!
He laughs—'You were frightened?'
"'I'm tired, little Uncle.'
"'You've plenty of courage, 180
God's mercy be yours!
Come, give me another,
And I will befriend you.'
"(I give him a rouble.)
'Now come, I will make you
Some tea in my office.'
"His den is just under
The stairs. There's a bedstead,
A little iron stove,
And a candlestick in it, 190
A big samovar,
And a lamp in the corner.
Some pictures are hung
On the wall. 'That's His Highness,'
The porter remarks,
And he points with his finger.
I look at the picture:
A warrior covered
With stars. 'Is he gentle?'
"'That's just as you happen 200
To find him. Why, neighbour,
The same is with me:
To-day I'm obliging,
At times I'm as cross
As a dog.'
"'You are dull here,
Perhaps, little Uncle?'
"'Oh no, I'm not dull;
I've a task that's exciting:
Ten years have I fought 210
With a foe: Sleep his name is.
And I can assure you
That when I have taken
An odd cup of vodka,
The stove is red hot,
And the smuts from the candle
Have blackened the air,
It's a desperate struggle!'
"There's somebody knocking.
Makhár has gone out; 220
I am sitting alone now.
I go to the door
And look out. In the courtyard
A carriage is waiting.
I ask, 'Is he coming?'
'The lady is coming,'
The porter makes answer,
And hurries away
To the foot of the staircase.
A lady descends, 230
Wrapped in costliest sables,
A lackey behind her.
I know not what followed
(The Mother of God
Must have come to my aid),
It seems that I fell
At the feet of the lady,
And cried, 'Oh, protect us!
They try to deceive us!
My husband—the only 240
Support of my children—
They've taken away—
Oh, they've acted unjustly!'…