"'Since long has the merchant Been wooing the mill, But I'm not such a dullard. Five times have I been here To ask if there _would_ be A second day's bidding, They answered, 'There will.' You know that the peasant Won't carry his money All over the by-ways 440 Without a good reason, So I have none with me; And look--now they tell me There's no second bidding And ask for the money! The cunning ones tricked me And laughed--the base heathens! And said to me sneering: 'But, what can you do In an hour? Where find money?' 450 "'They're crafty and strong, But the people are stronger! The merchant is rich-- But the people are richer! Hey! What is _his_ worth To _their_ treasury, think you? Like fish in the ocean The wealth of the people; You'll draw it and draw it-- But not see its end! 460 Now, brother, God hears me, Come, give me this money! Next Friday I'll pay you The very last farthing. It's not that I care For the mill--it's the insult! Whoever knows Ermil, Whoever believes him, Will give what he can.' "A miracle happened; 470 The coat of each peasant Flew up on the left As though blown by a wind! The peasants are bringing Their money to Ermil, Each gives what he can. Though Ermil's well lettered He writes nothing down; It's well he can count it So great is his hurry. 480 They gather his hat full Of all kinds of money, From farthings to bank-notes, The notes of the peasant All crumpled and torn. He has the whole sum now, But still the good people Are bringing him more. "'Here, take this, too, Ermil, You'll pay it back later!' 490 "He bows to the people In all four directions, Gets down from the waggon, And pressing the hat Full of money against him, Runs back to the sale-room As fast as he can. "The sellers are speechless And stare in amazement, The merchant turns green 500 As the money is counted And laid on the table. "The sellers come round him All craftily praising His excellent bargain. But Ermil sees through them; He gives not a farthing, He speaks not a word. "The whole town assembles At market next Friday, 510 When Ermil is paying His debt to the people. How can he remember To whom he must pay it? No murmur arises, No sound of discussion, As each man tells quietly The sum to be paid him. "And Ermil himself said, That when it was finished 520 A rouble was lying With no one to claim it; And though till the evening He went, with purse open, Demanding the owner, It still was unclaimed. The sun was just setting When Ermil, the last one To go from the market, Assembled the beggars 530 And gave them the rouble." ...