And some will declare it must ruin
The Russdom once ruled by the knout.
I wonder—I very much wonder—
What NICK to this sight would have said—
I fear he'd have looked black as thunder,
And savage as RURIC the Red.
For this did we lose the Crimea?
For this did we larrup the Jews?
I really had not an idea
Republics could rule—and amuse.