His many secretaries,
With blanched and sallow cheek,
With bended back before him
Kneeled, groveling and meek.
Inkwell tied to the button,
And in their hand a quill,
And on their back a knapsack
Petitioners might fill.
Gendarmes, austere and trusty,
Stood back of Vladimir,
Prepared for drastic treatment
If danger should appear.
Upon the floor his subjects
Suppliant lay, and prone
Flat on their bellies, cringing
Before his mighty throne.
This time the public hearing
Was boisterous and loud;
Most of the Russian Clergy
Made up the noisy crowd.
The popes, the priests, the deacons,
The vestry of the fold,
Old women candle-lighters,
Boys who the church-bells tolled.
With them came chorus singers,
Musicians, proselytes,
The grave diggers and elders—
Even the acolytes.
[48]
