Czar Nikita And His 40 Daughters
December, 1965
the first english translation of a long-outlawed bawdy ballad by 19th century russia's greatest poetCzar Nikita once reigned widely,Richly, merrily and idly,Did no good nor evil thing,Kept his kingdom flourishing;Worked a little when too bored,Feasted, drank and praised the Lord.With some ladies he admired,Forty daughters he had sired,Forty maids with pretty faces,Four times ten celestial graces,Gentle-tempered, dear and fair;Ah, what ankles, I declare!Chestnut locks, the heart rejoices,Eyes--a...
