Enjoying it highly,
With jubilant faces,
From time to time throwing
A right witty word
Into Peterkin's speeches, 450
Which _you'd_ never hit on,
Although you should swallow
Your pen and your pad!...

Some folk there are always
Who crowd on the platform
(The comedy ended),
To greet the performers,
To gossip and chat.

"How now, my fine fellows,
And where do you come from?" 460

"As serfs we used only
To play for the masters,[18]
But now we are free,
And the man who will treat us
Alone is our Master!"
"Well spoken, my brothers;
Enough time you've wasted
Amusing the nobles;
Now play for the peasants!
Here, waiter, bring vodka, 470
Sweet wine, tea, and syrup,
And see you make haste!"