"In reality, it was so. Consequently, I must not be sorry. I was told what to expect. Thus you can marry and love, children, without deceit, and know how to make your choice.
The moon climbs the sky
Serenely and brightly.
The soldier lad knightly
To the battle must hie.
His gun is loaded all with care;
And to him says the maiden fair,
My dearest, with courage
Go forth e'en to die.[1]
"With such girls as that you can fall in love, and such you can marry."
("Forget what I told you, Sasha; listen to her," whispers Viéra Pavlovna, and presses her husband's hand, "Why didn't I tell thee this? now I shall tell thee," whispers Katerina Vasílyevna.)
"I allow you to love such, and I bless you, my children.
My dearest, with courage
Go forth e'en to die!
"I have had a perfectly lovely time with you; and where there is enjoyment, you must have something to drink.
Hey! my little ale-house maiden.
Pour me out the mead and wine!
"Mead is simply because you can't lose a word out of the song. Is there any champagne left? is there? Capital! open the bottle.
Hey! my little ale-house maiden.
Pour me out the mead and wine!
So that gay and joyous feelings
May fill full this heart of mine.
"Who is the 'ale-house maiden'? I am the 'ale-house maiden.'
Black as night the maiden's brows are,
Bright as steel her heel!"[2]
- ↑ Literally: The moon rises Both quiet and calm. But the soldier lad Goes to battle. He loads his gun, And the girl tells him, My dear, boldly Trust thyself to fate.
- ↑ These last six lines are in the Malo-Russian dialect; almost every noun a diminutive. The last two lines read literally, And the little shonkárka has black little brows. Hammered little heel-rings (podkivki).
