throne, angry with all and everyone. He was raving, looking black as a churchyard raven. TSAR You have done your best, old chap, Yet Fedot escaped the trap, Here's the official notice of your death I have made up. First, however, I must think How to kill you best, you pig, Shall I strangle you with a pillow, Or just strike with a candlestick? GENERAL I have come to grief, my lord, You may hit me, here's the sword, I just want to tell you: don't Bother me with this Fedot! I'm a fool, but judge me not, I'm a man of a different sort, I would rather go to combat Or take part in an assault. TSAR You are brave when sword in hand, But you've got to understand, You must overcome the soldier Using wisdom, and - unarmed! If you do all anyhow, As you've done it up to now, I shall bring you to the scaffold, Under axe, you scarecrow. The fool tried to think again though he didn't have much brain. He thought again and again but all was in vain. He whistled up his dogs, and of’he went to see Yaga in the bogs. On seeing the General she fled as far as the Urals, but then, to be on the safe side, she changed her mind and returned to her place, just in case! OLD WITCH You are suffering from nerves, There's a pimple on your nose, It's the politics that tells On your spirit and your health. Take this pill of rabbit's dung, It's been really well done! It's much healthier than honey Though it doesn't taste so fine. And although it isn't sweet, And some people die from it, Those who manage to survive Live a long and healthy life! GENERAL It's all rubbish what you say, You had better find a way And tell me how the soldier-man Can be put out of the way. Though you really tried hard All your tricks have fallen flat! Don't pretend you're hard of hearing, I just don't believe in that! You should pull your wits together, Try and use your magic better, For we must admit: Fedot Isn't so brainless as we thought! OLD WITCH Generally, I'm sly and shrewd, Or, should I say, I'm quite crooked, But today my luck is out, I can't make my magic good! All these days I've been in pain, Burning inside, all aflame, I've been suffering of late From inflammation of the brain! Oh my back! I'm feeling stiff! I think I need some relief! Therefore, such being the case, Leave me alone, I'm on sick leave! GENERAL You are ill. Well, never min' Eat a frog, and you'll be fine. Mother nature, as I heard, 's the best healer in the world! You don't even think about Cheating me an' fooling around! You are wicked, so don't shirk, Turn your wickedness to work! If you don't do as you're told I shall draw out my sword! Though you're a friend of mine I shall make you toe the line! OLD WITCH Magic, magic, tell me what, Three are here, yours are not, Ace of diamonds, oaken coffin, Tell me all about Fedot!.. Let the soldier show his skill, Let him get something unreal, Something That Cannot Be Found, In This World, Nor Underground! Now, Fedot, you're in for it! The idea is just brilliant! You will never carry out Such a task! On no account! Soldier Fedot is summoned to the court. Again it's a task of state significance. There seems to be no end to Fedot's torment! Meanwhile, this is by far not the resolution of the plot! TSAR Do your utmost and get me Something That Cannot Be! Write it down for it might Somehow get out of your mind! I shall tell you my condition: If you don't fulfil the mission, I shall tear you to ribbons For I hate your disposition! Cheer up, get under way! You must do it without delay , It's a matter of state importance, D’ you understand what I say? Fedot came home filled with deathly gloom Marusya dashed to him in affection, but he paid no attention. With death penalty in store, ------------------------------ Читайте также: - текст Шерлок Холмс и доктор Ватсон. Собака Баскервилей. на английском - текст Рождественские каникулы на английском - текст Война в доме на английском - текст Левиафан на английском - текст Крокодил Гена на английском |