"The Barin already Is bursting with anger; He nags and reproaches, He can't stop recalling The rights of the nobles. The rank of his Fathers, He winds them all into Petrov, like a corkscrew.
"The peasants are patient, 610 But even their patience Must come to an end. Petrov was out early, Had eaten no breakfast, Felt dizzy already, And now with the words Of the Barin all buzzing Like flies in his ears-- Why, he couldn't keep steady, He laughed in his face! 620
"'Have done, you old scarecrow!' He said to the Barin. 'You crazy old clown!' His jaw once unmuzzled He let enough words out To stuff the Pomyéshchick With Fathers and Grandfathers Into the bargain. The oaths of the lords Are like stings of mosquitoes, 630 But those of the peasant Like blows of the pick-axe. The Barin's dumbfounded! He'd safely encounter A rain of small shot, But he cannot face stones. The ladies are with him, They, too, are bewildered, They run to the peasant And try to restrain him. 640
"He bellows, 'I'll kill you! For what are you swollen With pride, you old dotard, You scum of the pig-sty? Have done with your jabber! You've lost your strong grip On the soul of the peasant, The last one you are. By the will of the peasant Because he is foolish 650 They treat you as master To-day. But to-morrow The ball will be ended; A good kick behind We will give the Pomyéshchick, And tail between legs Send him back to his dwelling To leave us in peace!'
"The Barin is gasping, 'You rebel ... you rebel!' 660 He trembles all over, Half-dead he has fallen, And lies on the earth!
"The end! think the others, The black-moustached footguards, The beautiful ladies; But they are mistaken; It isn't the end.
"An order: to summon The village together 670 To witness the punishment Dealt to the rebel Before the Pomyéshchick.... The heirs and the ladies Come running in terror To Klím, to Petrov, And to me: 'Only save us!' Their faces are pale, 'If the trick is discovered We're lost!' 680 It is Klím's place To deal with the matter: He drinks with Petrov All day long, till the evening, Embracing him fondly. Together till midnight They pace round the village, At midnight start drinking Again till the morning. Petrov is as tipsy 690 As ever man was, And like that he is brought To the Barin's large courtyard, And all is perfection! The Barin can't move From the balcony, thanks To his yesterday's shaking. And Klím is well pleased.