I lived the quarter of a century Without knowing happy days; My life went quickly as a cart Drawn by swift horses. I never knew the tenderness of parents Which God gives to all; For fifteen years I lived in a shop Busied in heaping up riches for a rich man. I was in my twentieth year, When I was taken as a recruit; I thought that the end had come To my sorrowful sufferings, But no! and here misfortune awaited me; I was destined to serve in that country, Where I had to fight like a lion with the foe, For the honour of Russia, for my dear country. I shall for a long time not forget That hour, and that date of the 17th,[2] In which by the River Liao-he I remained forever without my legs. Now I live contented with all Where good food and drink are given, But I would rather be a free bird And see the dear home where I was born. Footnote 2: August 17th, Battle of Liaoyang. This is the sequel: “PAST” I will tell you, brothers, How I spent my youth; I heaped up silver, I did not know the sight of copper; I was merry, young and nice; I loved lovely maidens; I lived in clover, lived in freedom, Like a young “barine.” I slept on straw, Just like a little pig. I had a very big house Where I could rest. It was a mouldy barn, There where the women beat the flax. Every day I bathed In spring water; I used for a towel My scanty leg-cloth. In the beer-shops, too, I used to like to go, To show how proudly I knew how to drink “vodka.” Now at the age of twenty-six This liberty no longer is for me. I remember my mouldy roof, And I shed a bitter tear. When I lived at home I was contented, I experienced no bitterness in service. I have learnt to know something, Fate has brought me to Moscow; I live in a house in fright and grief, Every day and every hour, And when I think of liberty, My sight is screwed with weeping. That is how I lived from my youth; That is what freedom means. I drank “vodka” in freedom, Afterwards I have only to weep. Such am I, young Vanionsia,