And sour qwass--where are they then?"
At once they appear!

The peasants unloosen
Their waistbelts, and gather
Around the white napkin 420
To hold a great banquet.
In joy, they embrace
One another, and promise
That never again
Will they beat one another
Without sound reflection,
But settle their quarrels
In reason and honour
As God has commanded;
That nought shall persuade them 430
To turn their steps homewards
To kiss wives and children,
To see the old people,
Until they have settled
For once and forever
The subject of discord:
Until they've discovered
The man who, in Russia,
Is happy and free.

They swear to each other 440
To keep this, their promise,
And daybreak beholds them
Embosomed in slumber