"On Lady-day Philip Went back to the city; A little while later Our baby was born. Like a bright-coloured picture Was he--little Djoma; The sunbeams had given Their radiance to him, 230 The pure snow its whiteness; The poppies had painted His lips; by the sable His brow had been pencilled; The falcon had fashioned His eyes, and had lent them Their wonderful brightness. At sight of his first Angel smile, all the anger And bitterness nursed 240 In my bosom was melted; It vanished away Like the snow on the meadows At sight of the smiling Spring sun. And not longer I worried and fretted; I worked, and in silence I let them upbraid. But soon after that A misfortune befell me: 250 The manager by The Pomyeshchick appointed, Called Sitnikov, hotly Began to pursue me. 'My lovely Tsaritsa! 'My rosy-ripe berry!' Said he; and I answered, 'Be off, shameless rascal! Remember, the berry Is not in _your_ forest!' 260 I stayed from the field-work, And hid in the cottage; He very soon found me. I hid in the corn-loft, But Mother-in-law Dragged me out to the courtyard; 'Now don't play with fire, girl!' She said. I besought her To send him away, But she answered me roughly, 270 'And do you want Philip To serve as a soldier?' I ran to Savyeli, The grandfather, begging His aid and advice. "I haven't yet told you A word of Savyeli, The only one living Of Philip's relations Who pitied and loved me. 280 Say, friends, shall I tell you About him as well?" "Yes, tell us his tale, And we'll each throw a couple Of sheaves in to-morrow, Above what we promised." "Well, well," says Matrona, "And 'twould be a pity To give old Savyeli No place in the story; 290 For he was a happy one, Too--the old man...." CHAPTER III SAVYELI