To answer us truly, 100
Consulting your conscience
And searching your knowledge,
Not feigning nor mocking
The question we put you.
If not, we will go
Further on."

"I will promise
If you will but put me
A serious question
To answer it gravely, 110
With truth and with reason,
Not feigning nor mocking,
Amen!"

"We are grateful,
And this is our story:
We all had set out
On particular errands,
And met in the roadway.
Then one asked another:
Who is he,--the man 120
Free and happy in Russia?
And I said, 'The pope,'
And Roman, 'The Pomyeshchick,'
And Prov said, 'The Tsar,'
And Demyan, 'The official';
'The round-bellied merchant,'
Said both brothers Goobin,