"Do not cry, grey cuckoo,
In the dark pine-wood.
It foretells me much sorrow
For I'm leaving my own home."
In general the symbolic images of sorrow, love, death, etc. bring us back to the field of old poetry.
In regard to the subject-matter, the chastushki are as inexhaustible as the national life itself. The chastushka brings into its circle of observation various objects, touches different domains of popular thought and life. Thus, a railway was constructed in some distant part of the country, and the peasantry began to sing:—
"Tell us for the sake of God
Where is the railway,—here?" etc.
The chief theme of the chastushki is of course the love and wooing of the young people. The heroes of the amorous chastushka, who are called by numerous loving names, are described at times as being engaging and charming by their beauty or other qualities; at times they are sharply and sarcastically ridiculed for their traits and faults.
"Blue eyes are treacherous.
Those of grey are sly.
My pretty boy has dark eyes,
Which are most lively."
"I have a nice sweetheart.
Whom I'm ashamed to take with me,
For the horses get frightened.
And the cabbies swear."
In selecting the object of the affections, different determining factors are brought into play, such as disposition, good looks, family connections, wealth, etc. But the mutual sympathy and inclination of the young couples are most appreciated, while the question of wealth or poverty in most cases is of such small consideration as to be of no decisive importance:—
