"All that's in the song Happened now to me. Do you know the song? 30 Have you heard it sung?" "Yes, we know it well; Gossip, you begin, We will all join in." _Matrona_ So sleepy, so weary I am, and my heavy head Clings to the pillow. But out in the passage My Father-in-law Begins stamping and swearing. 40 _Peasants in Chorus_ Stamping and swearing! Stamping and swearing! He won't let the poor woman Rest for a moment. Up, up, up, lazy-head! Up, up, up, lie-abed! Lazy-head! Lie-abed! Slut! _Matrona_ So sleepy, so weary 50 I am, and my heavy head Clings to the pillow; But out in the passage My Mother-in-law Begins scolding and nagging. _Peasants in Chorus_ Scolding and nagging! Scolding and nagging! She won't let the poor woman Rest for a moment. Up, up, up, lazy-head! 60 Up, up, up, lie-abed! Lazy-head! Lie-abed! Slut! "A quarrelsome household It was--that of Philip's To which I belonged now; And I from my girlhood Stepped straight into Hell. My husband departed 70 To work in the city, And leaving, advised me To work and be silent, To yield and be patient: 'Don't splash the red iron With cold water--it hisses!' With father and mother And sisters-in-law he Now left me alone; Not a soul was among them 80 To love or to shield me, But many to scold. One sister-in-law-- It was Martha, the eldest,-- Soon set me to work Like a slave for her pleasure. And Father-in-law too One had to look after, Or else all his clothes To redeem from the tavern. 90 In all that one did There was need to be careful, Or Mother-in-law's Superstitions were troubled (One never could please her). Well, some superstitions Of course may be right; But they're most of them evil. And one day it happened That Mother-in-law 100 Murmured low to her husband That corn which is stolen Grows faster and better. So Father-in-law Stole away after midnight.... It chanced he was caught, And at daybreak next morning Brought back and flung down Like a log in the stable. "But I acted always 110 As Philip had told me: I worked, with the anger Hid deep in my bosom, And never a murmur Allowed to escape me. And then with the winter Came Philip, and brought me A pretty silk scarf; And one feast-day he took me To drive in the sledges; 120 And quickly my sorrows Were lost and forgotten: I sang as in old days At home, with my father. For I and my husband Were both of an age, And were happy together When only they left us Alone, but remember A husband like Philip 130 Not often is found." "Do you mean to say That he never once beat you?"