"We come from afar, And a trouble torments us, A trouble so great That for it we've forsaken Our homes and our work, And our appetites fail. We're orthodox peasants, From District 'Most Wretched,' From 'Destitute Parish,' 410 From neighbouring hamlets-- 'Patched,' 'Barefoot,' and 'Shabby,' 'Bleak,' 'Burnt-Out,' and 'Hungry,' And 'Harvestless,' too. We met in the roadway And argued about Who is happy in Russia. Luka said, 'The pope,' And Demyan, 'The Pomyeshchick,' And Prov said, 'The Tsar,' 420 And Roman, 'The official.' 'The round-bellied merchant,' Said both brothers Goobin, Mitrodor and Ivan. Pakhom said, 'His Highness, The Tsar's Chief Adviser.' Like bulls are the peasants: Once folly is in them You cannot dislodge it Although you should beat them 430 With stout wooden cudgels, They stick to their folly And nothing will move them. We argued and quarrelled, While quarrelling fought, And while fighting decided That never again Would we turn our steps homewards To kiss wives and children, To see the old people, 440 Until we have found The reply to our question, Of who can in Russia Be happy and free? We've questioned the pope, We've asked the Pomyeshchick, And now we ask you. We'll seek the official, The Minister, merchant, We even will go 450 To the Tsar--Little Father, Though whether he'll see us We cannot be sure. But rumour has told us That _you're_ free and happy. Then say, in God's name, If the rumour be true." Matrona Korchagin Does not seem astonished, But only a sad look 460 Creeps into her eyes, And her face becomes thoughtful. "Your errand is surely A foolish one, brothers," She says to the peasants, "For this is the season Of work, and no peasant For chatter has time." "Till now on our journey Throughout half the Empire 470 We've met no denial," The peasants protest. "But look for yourselves, now, The corn-ears are bursting. We've not enough hands." "And we? What are we for? Just give us some sickles, And see if we don't Get some work done to-morrow!" The peasants reply. 480 Matrona sees clearly Enough that this offer Must not be rejected; "Agreed," she said, smiling, "To such lusty fellows As you, we may well look For ten sheaves apiece." "You give us your promise To open your heart to us?" "I will hide nothing." 490