Saith the Czar + 

My people come to me and make their moan: + 

“We starve, your Majesty⁠—give us a stone.” + 

That’s flat rebellion!⁠—how the devil dare + 

They starve right in my capital? Their prayer + 

For something in their bellies I will meet + 

With that which I’ll not trouble them to eat. + 

They ask for greater freedom. No, indeed⁠— + 

What happened to my ancestor who freed + 

The serfs? His grateful subjects duly flung + 

Something that spoke to him without a tongue. + 

So he was sacrificed for Freedom’s sake, + 

And gathered to his fathers with a rake. + 

I from Autocracy my people free? + 

Ah, would to Heaven they could deliver me! + 