,transcrib]'s ,note3     ,?is e-book   
belongs to ,tol/oy's ,plays 7,complete  
,edition74 ,!     front matt]1 includ+ !
 table ( cont5ts1 c be f\nd 9     e-book
 #bfffj2 x li/s ! o!r plays 9 !         
collection4      ,e ef=t has be5 made to
 replicate ?is text z fai?fully z       
possible2 *anges 7corrections (         
punctuation7 made to ! orig9al     text 
are li/$ at ! end ( ?is file4           
,,! ,,fir/ ,,di/ill]                    
,a ,,com$y ,,9 ,,six ,,acts             
7#ahhf7     ,,*>act]s   ,a ,,peasant4   
,,wife4 ,,8  ,,"m4      ,,gr&fa!r4      
,,little ,,daught]4  ,a ,,neighb\r4     
,,f\r ,,village ,,eld]s4  ,,old ,,wom51 
,,wom51 ,,girls ,,& ,,lads4   ,,! ,,*ief
 ,,( ,,! ,,devils4  ,,8 ,,secret>y4  ,a 
,,d&y ,,imp4  ,,! ,,(ficials' ,,imp4    
,,! ,,peasants' ,,imp4  ,,s5t9els1      
,,doorkeep]s ,,& ,,imps4                
,,! ,,fir/ ,,di/ill]                    
,a ,,com$y     ,,act ,i   ,,peasant     
pl\gh+4 ,looks up ,x's noon4 ,"t to     
unh>ness4 ,gee up1 get along6 ,fagg$    

out8 ,poor old bea/6 ,"o m turn & back  
aga91 t w be ! la/ furr[1 & !n d9n]4 ,x 
0 a good idea to br+ t *unk ( bread )   
me4 ,i'll n g home1 b sit d[n by ! well 
& h a bite & a re/1 & ,peggy c graze    
a:ile4 ,!n1 ) ,god's help1 to "w aga91 &
 ! pl\gh+ w be done 9 good "t4          
,ent] ,imp2 hides beh9d a bu%4  ,,imp4  
,see :at a good fell[ he is6 ,keeps     
call+ on ,god4 ,wait a bit1 fri5d1--y'll
 be call+ on ! ,devil be=e long6 ,i'll j
 take away 8 *unk4 ,he'll miss x be=e   
long1 & w beg9 to hunt = x4 ,he'll be   
hungry1 & !n he'll swe> & call on !     
,devil4      ,takes ! *unk ( bread &    
sits d[n beh9d ! bu% wat*+ to     see   
:at ! ,peasant w d4  ,,peasant          
unh>nesses ! horse ,) ,god's bless+6    
,lets ! horse loose1 & goes t[>ds !     
place :]e 8 coat is ly+ ,i'm awfully    
hungry4 ,! wife cut a big *unk1 b see if
 ,i don't eat x all4 ,com+ up to ! coat 
,gone6 ,i mu/ h put x "u ! coat4 ,lift+ 
! coat ,no1 x's n "h ei!r6 ,:at has     
happ5$8 ,%akes ! coat4  ,,imp beh9d !   

bu% ,g on1 g on1 se>* away6 ,i've got x 
safe6  ,,peasant moves ! pl\gh & %akes 8
 coat aga9 ,?is is /range6 ,v /range6   
,no "o 0 "h1 yet ! *unk is gone6 ,if !  
birds _h be5 at x !re w\ld be "s crumbs 
left1 b !re's n a s+le crumb6 ,no "o has
 be5 "h1 & yet "s "o has tak5 x6  ,,imp 
rises & looks out ,n[ he'll call on !   
,devil4  ,,peasant4 ,well1 x seems !re's
 no help = x6 ,nev] m9d1 ,i %an't />ve  
to dea?4 ,if "s "o has tak5 x1 he's tak5
 x2 let him eat x1 & may x d him good4  
,,imp spits ,oh1 ! damn$ peasant6       
,in/ead ( swe>+ prop]ly1 he only says1  
,may x d him good4 ,:at c "o d ) su* a  
fell[8      ,peasant lies d[n to re/1   
makes ! sign ( ! cross1 yawns1 &        
falls asleep4  ,,imp comes out f beh9d !
 bu% ,x's all v well = ! boss to talk4  
,! boss keeps on say+1 ,y don't br+     
en\gh peasants to ,hell6 ,see :at a lot 
( tradesm51 g5tlefolk1 & all sorts ( p  
flock 9 e day1 & h[ few peasants6 ,n[1  
h['s "o to get r\nd ?is "o8 ,!re's no   
way ( gett+ hold ( him4 ,hav5't ,i /ol5 

8 la/ cru/8 ,:at c ,i d bett] ?an t8 ,& 
yet he didn't swe>4 ,i'm at my wits' end
 :at to d6 ,well1 ,i mu/ g & report6    
,disappe>s into ! gr\nd4                
,curta94     ,,act ,,ii      ,hell4 ,!  
,*ief ( ! ,devils sits 9 ! highe/ place4
 ,! ,devil's     ,secret>y sits l[] d[n1
 at a table ) writ+ mat]ials4           
,s5t9els /& at ea* side4 ,to ! "r are   
five ,imps (     diff]5t k9ds4 ,to !    
left1 by ! door1 ! ,doorkeep]4 ,a       
d&ifi$ ,imp /&s be=e ! ,*ief4   ,,!     
,,d&y ,,imp4 ,! :ole ( my booty = ! ?ree
 ye>s has be5 #bbj1jje m54 ,!y're all 9 
my p[] n[4  ,,! ,,*ief4 ,all "r4 ,?ank  
y4 ,pass on4      ,! ,d&y ,imp goes to !
 "r4  ,,! ,,*ief to ! ,secret>y ,i'm    
tir$6 ,is !re mu* bus9ess left8 ,^:     
reports h we _h1 & ^: are /ill to come8 
,,! ,,secret>y c\nts on 8 f+]s &1 z he  
c\nts1 po9ts to ! ,imps to ! "r4 ,:5 he 
m5tions any ,imp1 ! "o ref]r$ to b[s    
,we've _h ! ,g5tlefolks' ,devil's       
report4 ,he's captur$ #ahcf 9 all4 ,& ! 
,tradesm5's ,devil's ) #ifdc4 ,f !      

,lawy]s'1 #cdbc4 ,! ,wom5's we've also j
 _h3 #ahf1cae m>ri$ wom51 & #ag1dch     
maids4 ,only two ,devils are left1 !    
,(ficials' & ! ,peasants'4 ,!re are     
altoge!r #bbj1jje s\ls on ! li/4        
,,*ief4 ,well !n1 we'd bett] f9i% x all 
to-day4 ,to ! ,doorkeep] ,let !m 96     
,! ,(ficials' ,devil ent]s1 & b[s to !  
,*ief4  ,,*ief4 ,well1 h[ h y got on8   
,,(ficials' ,,imp laugh+1 & rubb+ 8 h&s 
,my affairs are all "r1 j z soot !y are 
:ite6 ,! booty is su* t ,i don't rememb]
 any?+ l x s9ce ! creation ( ! _w4      
,,*ief4 ,:at1 h y captur$ a great _m8   
,,(ficials' ,,imp4 ,x's n s mu* !       
quantity4 ,only #acej m5 9 all1 b su*   
spl5did fell[s6 ,su* fell[s1 !y might   
%ame any ,devil6 ,!y c embroil p bett]  
?an we ourselves c4 ,i've introduc$ a   
new fa%ion among !m4  ,,*ief4 ,:at's t  
new fa%ion8  ,,(ficials' ,,imp4 ,:y1 9  
=m] times lawy]s 7 9 att5dance on !     
judges & deceiv$ p4 ,n[1 ,i've arrang$ =
 !m to d bus9ess also ap>t f ! judges4  
,:oev] pays mo/1 is ! "o to ^: bus9ess  

!y att5d4 ,& !y'll take su* tr\ble ov] x
 t !y'll make out a case :]e !re is     
none6 ,!y & ! (ficials betwe5 !m embroil
 p f> bett] ?an we ,devils c4  ,,*ief4  
,all "r4 ,i'll h a look at !m4 ,y may   
pass on4      ,! ,(ficials' ,imp goes to
 ! "r4  ,,*ief to ,doorkeep] ,let 9 !   
la/ "o4      ,ent] ! ,peasants' ,imp ) !
 *unk ( bread4 ,he b[s to !     gr\nd4  
,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,i c't live l ?is any
 long]6 ,give me ano!r appo9tm5t6       
,,*ief4 ,:at appo9tm5t8 ,:at are y      
jabb]+ ab\t8 ,get up & talk s5se4 ,give 
9 y\r report6 ,h[ _m peasants h y       
captur$ ?is week8  ,,peasants' ,,imp    
cry+ ,n "o6  ,,*ief4 ,:at8 ,n "o6 ,:at d
 y mean8 ,:at h y be5 do+8 ,:]e h y be5 
loaf+8  ,,peasants' ,,imp :imp]+ ,i've n
 be5 loaf+2 ,i've be5 /ra9+ e n]ve all !
 "t1 b ,i c't d any?+6 ,!re n[1 ,i w5t &
 took 8 la/ cru/ f "u ! v nose ( "o (   
!m1 &1 in/ead ( swe>+1 he wi%$ x might d
 me good6  ,,*ief4 ,:at8444 ,:at8444    
,:at are y mumbl+ !re8 ,j bl[ y\r nose1 
& !n speak s5sibly6 ,"o c't make head or

 tail ( :at y're say+4  ,,peasants'     
,,imp4 ,:y1 !re 0 a peasant pl\gh+2 & ,i
 knew he _h br\ght only a *unk ( bread )
 him1 & _h no?+ else to eat4 ,i /ole 8  
cru/4 ,by rights he %\ld h sworn2 b :at 
does he d8 ,he says1 ,let him :o has    
tak5 x eat x1 & may x d him good6 ,i've 
br\ght ! *unk ( bread away ) me4 ,"h x  
is6  ,,*ief4 ,well1 & :at ( ! o!rs8     
,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,!y're all alike4 ,i 
c\ld n manage to take a s+le "o4        
,,*ief4 ,h[ d>e y appe> be=e me ) empty 
h&s8 ,& z if t 7 n en\gh1 y mu/ ne$s br+
 "s /9k+ cru/ or o!r "h6 ,d y mean to   
mock me8 ,d y mean to live 9 ,hell & eat
 ! bread ( idl5ess8 ,! o!rs d _! be/1 & 
"w h>d6 ,:y1 !y po9ts to ! ,imps h ea*  
suppli$ #aj1jjj or #bj1jjj1 or ev5      
#bjj1jjj4 ,& y come ) empty h&s1 & br+ a
 mis]able cru/1 & beg9 sp9n+ y\r y>ns4  
,y *att]1 b don't "w2 & t's :y y've lo/ 
hold ( !m4 ,b wait a bit1 my fri5d1     
,i'll tea* y a ?+ or two6  ,,peasants'  
,,imp4 ,be=e y puni% me1 li/5 to :at    
,i'll tell y4 ,x's all v well = ^? o!r  

,devils1 :o h to d ) g5tlefolk1 )       
m]*ants1 or ) wom54 ,x's all pla9 sail+ 
= !m6 ,%[ a nobleman a coronet1 or a f9e
 e/ate1 & y've got him1 & may lead him  
:]e y l4 ,x's ! same ) a tradesman4 ,%[ 
him "s money & /ir up 8 covet\sness1 & y
 may lead him z ) a halt]4 ,& ) ! wom5  
x's also pla9 sail+4 ,give !m f9]y &    
sweets--& y may d :at y l ) !m4 ,b z to 
! peasants--!re's a long r[ to hoe ) !m6
 ,:5 he's at "w f morn till             
night--sometimes ev5 f> into ! night--& 
nev] />ts )\t a ?\ght ( ,god1 h['s "o to
 get at him8 ,ma/]1 remove me f ^!      
peasants6 ,i'm tir$ to dea? ( !m1 & h   
ang]$ y into ! b>ga96  ,,*ief4 ,y're    
humbugg+1 y idl]6 ,x's no use y\r talk+ 
ab\t ! o!rs4 ,!y've got hold ( !        
m]*ants1 ! nobles1 & ! wom51 because !y 
knew h[ to treat !m1 & inv5t$ new traps 
= !m6 ,! (ficial "o !re--he has made q a
 new dep>ture4 ,y mu/ ?9k ( some?+ too6 
,y've /ol5 a cru/1 & brag ab\t x6 ,:at a
 clev] ?+ to d6 ,surr\nd !m ) sn>es1 &  
!y'll get caught 9 "o or o!r ( !m4 ,b   

loaf+ ab\t z y d1 & leav+ ! way op5 =   
!m1 ^? peasants ( y\rs h ga9$ /r5g?4 ,!y
 beg9 n to c>e ab\t _! la/ cru/4 ,if !y 
take to su* ways1 & tea* _! wom5 ! same1
 !y'll get q beyond u6 ,inv5t some?+6   
,get out ( ! hole z be/ y c4            
,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,i c't ?9k h[ to set 
ab\t x4 ,let me (f6 ,i c /& x no long]6 
,,*ief angrily ,c't /& x6 ,:at d y ?9k1 
!n8 ,am ,i to d y\r "w = y8  ,,peasants'
 ,,imp4 ,i c't6  ,,*ief4 ,c't8 ,wait a  
bit6 ,hollo1 !re6 br+ ! swit*es2 give   
him a ?ra%+4      ,! ,s5t9els seize !   
,imp & :ip him4  ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,oh6
 ,oh6 ,oh6444  ,,*ief4 ,h y ?\ght (     
some?+8  ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,oh1 oh1 ,i 
c't6  ,,*ief4 ,give him "s m4 ,!y :ip   
,well--?\ght ( some?+8  ,,peasants'     
,,imp4 ,yes--yes1 ,i h6  ,,*ief4 ,well1 
tell u :at x is4  ,,peasants' ,,imp4    
,i've inv5t$ a dodge t w br+ !m all into
 my grasp1 if y'll only let me take a   
lab\r]'s place ) t peasant4 ,b ,i c't   
expla9 :at x is be=eh&4  ,,*ief4 ,all   
"r4 ,only rememb]1 t if y don't atone = 

t cru/ )9 ?ree ye>s1 ,i'll flay y alive6
  ,,peasants' ,,imp4 ,!y'll all be m9e 9
 ?ree ye>s' "t4  ,,*ief4 ,all "r4 ,:5 ! 
?ree ye>s are pa/1 ,i %all come & see = 
myself6                                 
,curta94     ,,act ,,iii      ,a b>n4   
,c>ts load$ ) gra94 ,! ,imp z a ,lab\r]4
 ,he is     %ovell+ gra9 (f ! c>t1 & !  
,peasant is c>ry+ x away     9 a        
measure4   ,,lab\r]4 ,sev56  ,,peasant4 
,h[ _m qu>t]s8  ,,lab\r] looks at !     
numb]s m>k$ on ! b>n door ,tw5ty-six    
qu>t]s4 ,& ?is is ! sev5? bu%el ( !     
tw5ty-sev5? qu>t]4  ,,peasant4 ,x won't 
all g 92 ! b>n is ne>ly full6  ,,lab\r]4
 ,%ovel x nice & ev54  ,,peasant4 ,s ,i 
w4      ,exit ) measure4  ,,lab\r]      
alone1 takes (f 8 cap1 8 horns appe> ,x 
w be "s "t be=e he returns4 ,i'll ease  
my horns a bit4 ,horns rise ,& ,i'll    
take my boots (f too2 ,i c't d x :5 he's
 "h4 ,takes 8 boots (f1 8 ho(s appe>4   
,sits on ! ?re%old ,x's ! ?ird ye> n[4  
,x's ne> ! "t ( reckon+4 ,!re's m corn  
?an !re's room =4 ,only "o m ?+ left to 

tea* him1 & !n let ! ,*ief come & see = 
himself4 ,i'll h some?+ wor? %[+ him6   
,he'll =give me = t cru/6      ,neighb\r
 approa*es4 ,lab\r] hides 8 horns &     
ho(s4  ,,neighb\r4 ,good day to y4      
,,lab\r]4 ,! same to y4  ,,neighb\r4    
,:]e's y\r ma/]8  ,,lab\r]4 ,he's gone  
to spread ! gra9 m ev52 x won't all g 94
  ,,neighb\r4 ,de> me1 :at a run ( luck 
y\r ma/] is hav+6 ,m ?an he has room =8 
,we're all amaz$ at ! h>ve/s y\r ma/]   
has _h ^! two ye>s4 ,x's z if "s "o _h  
told him :at 0 com+4 ,la/ ye> 0 a dry   
season1 & he _h s[n 9 ! bog4 ,o!rs _h no
 h>ve/1 b y\r ?re%+ gr\nd 0 cov]$ )     
%eaves6 ,?is ye> we've a ra9y summ]1 &  
he's be5 %>p en\gh to s[ on ! hill4     
,ev]ybody's corn has rott$1 b y h a     
spl5did h>ve/4 ,:at gra96 ,ah1 :at gra96
      ,takes "s gra91 weighs x 9 8 h&1 &
 *ews x4  ,,peasant ent]s ) empty       
measure ,h[ d'ye d1 neighb\r8           
,,neighb\r4 ,good day4 ,i 0 say+ to y\r 
man "h1 h[ well y manag$ to guess :]e to
 s[ y\r corn4 ,e "o envies y4 ,:at      

heaps1 :at heaps ( corn y h got6 ,y'll n
 eat x all 9 t5 ye>s4  ,,peasant4 ,x's  
all ?anks to ,ni*olas "h4 ,po9ts to     
,lab\r] ,x 0 8 luck4 ,la/ ye> ,i s5t him
 to pl\gh1 & :at did he d b pl\gh 9 !   
bog4 ,i gave him a scold+1 b he p]suad$ 
me to s[ !re4 ,& s ,i did1 & x turn$ out
 all = ! be/6 ,& ?is ye> he aga9 guess$ 
"r1 & s[$ on ! hill6  ,,neighb\r4 ,x's z
 if he knew :at k9d ( season x w\ld be4 
,yes1 y h got corn en\gh & no mi/ake6   
,sil5ce ,& ,i h come to ask y to l5d me 
a sack ( rye4 ,ours is all us$ up4 ,i'll
 return x next ye>4  ,,peasant4 ,all "r1
 y may h x4  ,,lab\r] nudg+ ! ,peasant  
,don't give x6  ,,peasant4 ,no m words  
ab\t x4 ,take x4  ,,neighb\r4 ,?ank y4  
,i'll j run & fet* a sack4  ,,lab\r]    
aside ,he keeps to 8 old ways 444 /ill  
goes on giv+4 ,he doesn't always obey   
me4 ,b j wait a bit4 ,he'll soon /op    
giv+ away4      ,exit ,neighb\r4        
,,peasant sitt+ d[n on ! ?re%old ,:y    
%\ld "o n give to a good man8  ,,lab\r]4
 ,giv+ is "o ?+1 gett+ back ano!r6 ,y   

"k--          ,x's a good _w to l5d 91 a
 good _w to sp5d 91          ,b to get  
back "o's own1 x's ! wor/ _w t's kn[n4  
,t's :at ! old folk say4  ,,peasant4    
,don't worry4 ,we've pl5ty ( corn4      
,,lab\r]4 ,well1 :at ( t8  ,,peasant4   
,we've en\gh1 n only till next h>ve/ b =
 two ye>s ahead4 ,:at are we to d ) x   
all8  ,,lab\r]4 ,:at are we to d ) x8 ,i
 c\ld make su* /uff ( ?is corn z w\ld   
make y rejoice all ! days ( y\r life4   
,,peasant4 ,:y1 :at w\ld y make ( x8    
,,lab\r]4 ,a k9d ( dr9k4 ,dr9k1 t w\ld  
give y /r5g? :5 y are weak1 satisfy y :5
 y are hungry1 give y sleep :5 y are    
re/less1 make y m]ry :5 y're sad1 give y
 c\rage :5 y're afraid4 ,t's ! dr9k ,i'd
 make6  ,,peasant4 ,rubbi%6  ,,lab\r]4  
,rubbi% inde$6 ,x 0 j ! same :5 ,i told 
y to s[ 9 ! bog1 & !n on ! hill4 ,y did 
n believe me !n1 b n[ y "k6 ,y'll f9d   
out ab\t ! dr9k ! same way4  ,,peasant4 
,b :at w y make x (8  ,,lab\r]4 ,:y1 (  
?is same corn4  ,,peasant4 ,b won't t be
 a s98  ,,lab\r]4 ,j he> him6 ,:y %\ld x

 be a s98 ,ev]y?+ is giv5 = a joy to    
man4  ,,peasant4 ,& :]e did y get all   
y\r wisdom f1 ,nick8 ,y seem a v ord9>y 
man to look at1 & h>d-work+ too4 ,:y1 ,i
 don't rememb] y s mu* z ev] tak+ y\r   
boots (f all ^! two ye>s y've be5 ) me4 
,& yet y seem to "k ev]y?+4 ,:]e did y  
le>n x8  ,,lab\r]4 ,i've be5 ab\t a good
 deal6  ,,peasant4 ,& s y say ?is dr9k w
 give "o /r5g?8  ,,lab\r]4 ,j wait till 
y try x & see ! good t comes ( x4       
,,peasant4 ,& h[ are we to make x8      
,,lab\r]4 ,x's n h>d to make :5 y "k h[6
 ,only we %all want a copp] & a c\ple ( 
iron vessels4  ,,peasant4 ,& does x ta/e
 nice8  ,,lab\r]4 ,z sweet z honey4 ,:5 
once y've ta/$ x y'll nev] give x up4   
,,peasant4 ,is t s8 ,well1 ,i'll g to ! 
neighb\r's2 he us$ to h a copp]4 ,we'll 
h a try6                                
,curta94     ,,act ,,iv      ,a b>n4 ,9 
! middle a clos$ copp] on ! fire1 )     
ano!r     vessel1 "u :i* is a tap4      
,,lab\r] holds a tumbl] "u ! tap & dr9ks
 ! _s ,well1 ma/]1 x's ready n[4        

,,peasant sitt+ on 8 heels & look+ on   
,:at a que] ?+4 ,"h's wat] com+ out ( ! 
mixture4 ,:y are y lett+ ?is wat] (f    
fir/8  ,,lab\r]4 ,x's n wat]4 ,x is ! v 
/uff itself6  ,,peasant4 ,:y is x s     
cle>8 ,i ?\ght x w\ld be yell[ l gra94  
,?is is j l wat]4  ,,lab\r]4 ,b y j     
smell x6  ,,peasant4 ,ah1 :at a sc5t6   
,well1 well1 let's see :at x's l 9 !    
m\?4 ,let me ta/e6 ,tries to take !     
tumbl] out ( ! ,lab\r]'s h&4  ,,lab\r]4 
,m9d1 y'll spill x6 ,turns ! tap (f1    
dr9ks & smacks 8 lips ,x's ready6 ,"h y 
are4 ,dr9k x6  ,,peasant dr9ks1 fir/    
sipp+1 !n tak+ m & m1 till he empties ! 
glass & gives x back ,n[ !n1 "s m4 ,"o  
c't tell ! ta/e f su* a drop4  ,,lab\r] 
laugh+ ,well1 y seem to l x6 ,draws "s  
m4  ,,peasant dr9ks ,eh1 t's ! sort6    
,let's call ! missis4 ,hey1 ,m>?a6 ,come
 along6 ,x's ready6 ,come on !re6       
,ent] ,wife & little girl4  ,,wife4     
,:at's ! matt]8 ,:y are y kick+ up su* a
 r[8  ,,peasant4 ,y j ta/e :at we've be5
 di/ill+4 ,h&s h] ! glass ,smell6 ,:at  

does x smell (8  ,,wife smells ,de> me6 
,,peasant4 ,dr9k6  ,,wife4 ,b p]haps x  
may d "o "s h>m8  ,,peasant4 ,dr9k1     
fool6  ,,wife4 ,true4 ,x is nice6       
,,peasant a little tipsy ,nice inde$6 ,y
 wait & see :at'll happ54 ,nick says x  
drives all we>9ess out ( "o's bones4 ,! 
"y gr[ old4 ,i mean1 ! old gr[ "y4 ,!re 
n[1 ,i've only _h two glasses ( x1 & all
 my bones h got easy4 ,swagg]s ,y see8  
,wait a bit1 :5 y & ,i dr9k x e day     
we'll gr[ "y aga96 ,come1 ,m>?a6        
,embraces h]4  ,,wife4 ,get along4 ,:y1 
x's made y q silly4  ,,peasant4 ,!re1 y 
see6 ,y said ,nick & ,i 7 wa/+ ! corn1 b
 j see :at /uff we've concoct$4 ,eh8    
,x's good1 a9't x8  ,,wife4 ,( c\rse1   
x's good if x makes ! old "y aga94 ,j   
see h[ jolly x has made y6 ,& ,i feel   
jolly too6 ,n[ !n1 jo9 96 ,ah 444 ,ah   
444 ,ah 444 ,s+s4  ,,peasant4 ,yes1 t's 
! way6 ,we'll all be "y1 all "y4        
,,wife4 ,we mu/ call "m-9-law1 = %e's   
always sad & grumbl+4 ,%e ne$s r5ew+4   
,:5 %e's y\ng] %e'll get k9d]4          

,,peasant tipsy ,yes1 call "m4 ,call h] 
"h1 & gr&fa!r too4 ,i say1 ,m>y1 run &  
call y\r granny & great-gr&fa!r4 ,tell  
him he mu/ get d[n f ! ov56 ,we'll make 
him "y aga94 ,n[ !n1 quick6 ,"o1 two1   
?ree1 & away6 ,(f l a %ot6 ,girl runs   
(f4 ,to ,wife ,we'll h ano!r glass4     
,lab\r] fills & h&s ! glasses4          
,,peasant dr9ks ,at fir/ we got "y at ! 
top1 9 ! tongue2 !n x w5t d[n into !    
arms4 ,n[ x has rea*$ ! feet4 ,i feel my
 feet gett+ y\ng]4 ,!y're mov+ (        
!mselves4 ,/>ts danc+4  ,,wife dr9ks    
,y're a real clev] 'un1 ,nick6 ,n[ !n1  
/rike up6      ,lab\r] takes a          
balalyka#a & plays4 ,peasant & ,wife    
dance4    #a ,! balalyka is an in/rum5t 
7g5]ally ?ree-/r+$7 us$ by   ,russian   
peasants1 & answ]+ to ! negroes' banjo4 
,,lab\r] plays 9 ! =egr\nd ( ! sc5e1    
laugh+ & w9k+ z he wat*es !m4 ,!n he    
leaves (f play+1 b !y /ill cont9ue to   
dance ,y'll pay = t cru/6 ,y've done x  
n[1 my f9e fell[s4 ,!y'll nev] get out (
 x4 ,! ,*ief c come :5 he likes n[6     

,ent] a fre%-look+ eld]ly woman1 & a v  
old :ite-hair$     man1 ! ,peasant's    
,gr&fa!r4  ,,gr&fa!r4 ,:at's ! matt]8 ,h
 y gone mad8 ,danc+ :ile e "o else is at
 "w6  ,,wife dances & claps h] h&s      
,oh--,oh--,oh-- ,s+s          ,t ,i'm   
s9n+ ,i w own1          ,free f s9 is   
,god alone6  ,,old ,,woman4 ,oh1 y      
wret*6 ,! ov5's n clean$ out yet1 & "h y
 are danc+6  ,,peasant4 ,wait a bit1 "m4
 ,see :at has be5 happ5+ "h4 ,we c make 
old p "y aga96 ,"h y are6 ,j dr9k ?is6  
,passes tumbl]4  ,,old ,,woman4 ,!re's  
pl5ty ( wat] 9 ! well4 ,smells x ,b :at 
h y put 98 ,my--:at a smell6  ,,peasant4
 ,y j dr9k x4  ,,old ,,woman ta/es ,de> 
me6 ,b won't "o die ( x8  ,,wife4 ,x w  
make y m alive4 ,y'll gr[ "y aga96      
,,old ,,woman4 ,nons5se6 ,dr9ks ,b x's  
nice6 ,bett] ?an our dr9ks4 ,"h1 fa!r1 h
 "s too4      ,gr&fa!r sits d[n & %akes 
8 head4  ,,lab\r]4 ,nev] m9d him4 ,b    
granny mu/ h ano!r glass4 ,h&s "s to !  
old woman4  ,,old ,,woman4 ,if only no  
h>m comes ( x4 ,oh de>1 x does burn6 ,b 

x is nice4  ,,wife4 ,dr9k x6 ,!n y'll   
feel x runn+ ?r\gh y\r ve9s4  ,,old     
,,woman4 ,well1 ,i suppose ,i'll h to   
try4 ,dr9ks4  ,,wife4 ,has x rea*$ y\r  
feet yet8  ,,old ,,woman4 ,true en\gh1 x
 does run ?r\gh y4 ,i feel x "h n[6 ,& x
 really makes "o feel q light4          
,come--give me "s m4 ,dr9ks aga9 ,f9e6  
,n[ ,i'm q "y aga94  ,,peasant4 ,didn't 
,i tell y8  ,,old ,,woman4 ,ah1 x's a   
pity my old man is no long] "h4 ,he     
might h se5 once m :at ,i 0 l 9 my "y   
days4      ,lab\r] plays4 ,peasant &    
,wife dance4  ,,old ,,woman comes into !
 middle ,d y call t danc+8 ,let me %[ y4
 ,dances ,t's ! way6 ,!n l ?is1 & l t6  
,d y see8      ,gr&fa!r goes up to !    
vessel & lets ! _s run out on to     !  
gr\nd4  ,,peasant notices & ru%es at 8  
,gr&fa!r ,:at are y up to1 y old fool8  
,spill+ su* f9e /uff6 ,oh1 y old dot>d6 
,pu%es him away & holds tumbl] "u tap   
,y've empti$ x all6  ,,gr&fa!r4 ,x's    
evil & n good6 ,god has s5t y a good    
h>ve/ = y to fe$ y\rself & o!rs1 b y h  

turn$ ! corn into devils' dr9k4 ,no good
 w come ( x4 ,give up ?is bus9ess4 ,else
 y'll p]i% & ru9 o!rs6 ,y ?9k ?is is    
dr9k8 ,x's fire1 & w burn y up6 ,takes a
 br& f ! fire & lights ! spilt _s4 ,! _s
 burns4 ,!y all look on ) horror4       
,curta94     ,,act ,v      ,int]ior (   
hut4 ,! ,lab\r] alone1 8 horns & ho(s   
%[+4   ,,lab\r]4 ,!re's lots ( corn4 ,m 
?an !re's room =1 & he's n[ got a ta/e =
 x4 ,we've be5 di/ill+ aga91 & we've    
fill$ a b>rel & hidd5 x away4 ,we're n  
go+ to treat any "o = no?+1 b :5 we want
 to get some?+ out ( a fell[1 !n we'll  
treat him6 ,s to-day ,i told him to     
invite ! village eld]s & treat !m1 t !y 
%\ld divide up ! prop]ty betwe5 him & 8 
gr&fa!r1 & give ev]y?+ to him & no?+ to 
! old man6 ,my ?ree ye>s are up to-day1 
& my "w is f9i%$4 ,let ! ,*ief come &   
see = himself4 ,i ne$n't be a%am$ ( 8   
see+ x6      ,*ief appe>s out ( ! gr\nd4
  ,,*ief4 ,"t's up6 ,h y r$eem$ y\r     
bread-blund]8 ,i told y ,i'd come & see 
= myself4 ,h y manag$ ! ,peasant8       

,,lab\r]4 ,done him completely6 ,judge =
 y\rself4 ,"s ( !m w meet "h soon4 ,get 
into ! ov51 & see :at !y'll d4 ,y'll be 
well satisfi$6  ,,*ief climbs into ! ov5
 ,we'll see6      ,ent] ! ,peasant & f\r
 old m54 ,! ,wife foll[s4 ,! m5 sit     
d[n r\nd ! table4 ,! ,wife lays ! clo?1 
sets ox-foot brawn     & pies on !      
table4 ,! old m5 ex*ange greet+s )      
,lab\r]4  ,,fir/ ,,eld]4 ,well1 h y made
 m ( ! dr9k8  ,,lab\r]4 ,yes1 we've     
di/ill$ z mu* z we ne$4 ,:y let valuable
 /uff be wa/$8  ,,second ,,eld]4 ,& is x
 a success8  ,,lab\r]4 ,bett] ?an ! fir/
 lot4  ,,second ,,eld]4 ,b :]e did y    
le>n to make x8  ,,lab\r]4 ,go+ ab\t 9 !
 _w "o le>ns _m ?+s6  ,,?ird ,,eld]4    
,yes1 yes1 y're a kn[+ fell[4      ,wife
 br+s spirits & glasses4  ,,peasant4 ,h 
a drop6      ,wife takes a decant] &    
fills glasses4  ,,wife4 ,d u ! hon\r6   
,,fir/ ,,eld] dr9ks ,y\r heal?6 ,ah1 t's
 good4 ,x runs "r ?r\gh all "o's jo9ts4 
,t's :at ,i call prop] dr9k6      ,! o!r
 ?ree ,eld]s d ! same4 ,*ief gets out ( 

! ov54     ,lab\r] goes & /&s by him4   
,,lab\r] to ,*ief ,see :at w happ5 n[6  
,i'll trip up ! woman ) my foot & %e'll 
spill ! liquor4 ,=m]ly he did n grudge 8
 la/ cru/1 b n[ see :at he'll d ab\t a  
glass ( spirits6  ,,peasant4 ,n[ !n1    
wife1 fill aga9 & h& x r\nd 9 due       
ord]--fir/ to our fri5d "h1 !n to ,daddy
 ,mi*ael4      ,wife fills a glass &    
goes r\nd ! table4 ,! ,lab\r] trips h]  
up2 %e /umbles & upsets ! glass4        
,,wife4 ,graci\s goodness1 ,i've spilt  
x6 ,:y d y get 9 my way1 conf\nd y8     
,,peasant to ,wife ,!re n[1 :at a clumsy
 bea/6 ,h] f+]s are all ?umbs1 & %e goes
 swe>+ at o!rs6 ,see :at f9e /uff %e    
goes spill+ on ! gr\nd6  ,,wife4 ,i     
didn't d x on purpose4  ,,peasant4 ,on  
purpose inde$6 ,wait till ,i get up2    
,i'll tea* y h[ to p\r spirits on !     
gr\nd4 ,to ,lab\r] ,& y too1 y conf\nd$ 
fool1 :at are y pranc+ r\nd ! table =8  
,g to ! ,devil6      ,wife aga9 fills & 
h&s ! glasses r\nd4  ,,lab\r] goes back 
to ! ov5 to ! ,*ief ,y see8 ,=m]ly he   

did n grudge 8 la/ cru/1 & n[ = a glass 
( spirits he ne>ly beat 8 wife & s5t me 
to y--to ! ,devil6  ,,*ief4 ,x's good1 v
 good6 ,i'm satisfi$4  ,,lab\r]4 ,y wait
 a bit4 ,let !m empty ! bottle--& y'll  
see :at w happ54 ,ev5 n[ !y are giv+ ea*
 o!r smoo? oily words2 pres5tly !y'll   
/>t flatt]+ ea* o!r1--z cunn+ z foxes4  
,,peasant4 ,well1 old fri5ds1 :at's y\r 
op9ion ( my bus9ess8 ,my gr&fa!r has be5
 liv+ ) me1 & ,i h be5 fe$+ him & fe$+  
him1 & n[ he's gone to live ) my uncle1 
& wants to take 8 %>e ( ! prop]ty & give
 x to uncle6 ,consid] x well2 y are wise
 m54 ,we c\ld z well d )\t our own heads
 z )\t y4 ,!re's no "o 9 ! :ole village 
to come ne> y4 ,take y = example1 ,ivn  
,f$tit*--doesn't e "o say y're fir/     
among m58 ,& z = me1 ,i'll tell y !     
tru?1 ,ivn ,f$tit*1 ,i'm fond] ( y ?an (
 my own fa!r or "m4 ,z = ,mi*ael        
,/epnit*1 he's an old fri5d4  ,,fir/    
,,eld] to ,peasant ,x's good to talk ) a
 good man4 ,x's ! way to get wisdom4    
,x's j ! same ) y4 ,"o c't f9d any "o to

 comp>e ) y ei!r4  ,,second ,,eld]4     
,wise & affectionate--t's :at ,i l y =4 
,,?ird ,,eld]4 ,y h my be/ sympa?y4 ,i  
c't f9d words to express x4 ,i 0 say+ to
 my old woman only to-day 444  ,,f\r?   
,,eld]4 ,a fri5d1 a real fri5d6         
,,lab\r] nudges ! ,*ief ,d y he>8 ,all  
lies6 ,!y abuse "o ano!r beh9d _! backs1
 b see h[ ?ick !y are lay+ x on n[1--l  
foxes wagg+ _! tails6 ,& x all comes f t
 dr9k4  ,,*ief4 ,t dr9k is good1 v good6
 ,if !y take to ly+ l t1 !y'll all be   
ours4 ,v good2 ,i'm satisfi$6  ,,lab\r]4
 ,wait a bit4 ,:5 !y've f9i%$ a second  
bottle x w be bett] /ill6  ,,wife s]ves 
,d h ano!r glass4  ,,fir/ ,,eld]4 ,won't
 x be too mu*8 ,y\r heal?6 ,dr9ks ,x's  
pleasant to dr9k 9 ! company ( a good   
man4  ,,second ,,eld]4 ,h[ c "o help    
dr9k+8 ,heal? to ! ho/ & ho/ess6  ,,?ird
 ,,eld]4 ,fri5ds1 y\r heal?6  ,,f\r?    
,,eld]4 ,?is is a brew ( ! "r sort6     
,let's be m]ry6 ,we'll arrange ?+s = y4 
',cos x all dep5ds on me6  ,,fir/       
,,eld]4 ,on y8 ,no1 n on y1 b on :at y\r

 s5iors say4  ,,f\r? ,,eld]4 ,my s5iors 
are great] fools4 ,g :]e y came f6      
,,second ,,eld]4 ,:at are y up to n[8 ,y
 fool6  ,,?ird ,,eld]4 ,x's true :at    
he's say+6 ',cos :y8 ,! ho/ is n        
ent]ta9+ u = no?+4 ,he means bus9ess4 ,!
 bus9ess c be arrang$4 ,only y mu/ /&   
treat6 ,%[ u due respect4 ',cos x's y z 
wants me1 & n ,i y6 ,y're own bro!r to !
 pig6  ,,peasant4 ,& y're itself6 ,:at  
are y yell+ =8 ,?9k to surprise me8 ,y  
are all good at /uff+ y\rselves6  ,,fir/
 ,,eld]4 ,:at are y giv+ y\rself airs =8
 ,see if ,i don't twi/ y\r nose to "o   
side6  ,,peasant4 ,we'll see ^: nose w  
get twi/$6  ,,second ,,eld]4 ,?9k       
y\rself su* a m>vel8 ,g to ! ,devil6 ,i 
won't speak to y--,i'll g away6         
,,peasant holds him ,:at1 w y break up !
 company8  ,,second ,,eld]4 ,let me g1  
or ,i'll call = help6  ,,peasant4 ,i    
won't6 ,:at "r h y to 4448  ,,second    
,,eld]4 ,?is "r6 ,beats him4  ,,peasant 
to ! o!r ,eld]s ,help me6      ,!y fall 
on "o ano!r1 & all speak at once4       

,,fir/ ,,eld]4 ,t's :y4 ',cos x means   
we're all hav+ a spree-ee6  ,,second    
,,eld]4 ,i c arrange ev]y?+6  ,,?ird    
,,eld]4 ,let's h "s m6  ,,peasant to    
,wife ,br+ ano!r bottle6      ,all sit  
r\nd ! table aga9 & dr9k4  ,,lab\r] to  
,*ief ,h y notic$8 ,! wolf's blood 9 !m 
0 ar\s$1 & !y've turn$ z fi]ce z wolves4
  ,,*ief4 ,! dr9k is good6 ,i'm         
satisfi$6  ,,lab\r]4 ,wait a bit4 ,let  
!m empty a ?ird bottle4 ,?+s w be bett] 
/ill6                                   
,curta94     ,,act ,,vi      ,! sc5e    
repres5ts a village /reet4 ,to ! "r "s  
old wom5     are sitt+ on logs ( wood ) 
! ,gr&fa!r4 ,9 ! c5tre1 is     a r+ (   
wom51 girls1 & lads4 ,dance music is    
play$ & !y     dance4 ,noise is he>d f !
 hut1 & drunk5 screams4 ,an old man     
comes out & %\ts 9 a tipsy voice4 ,!    
,peasant foll[s him &     leads him     
back4   ,,gr&fa!r4 ,ah1 :at do+s6 :at   
do+s6 ,"o w\ld ?9k1 :at m w\ld any "o   
want ?an to d 8 "w on week days1 & :5   
,sunday comes r\nd1 to h a good wa%1    

clean ! h>ness1 & re/ a bit & sit ) 8   
family2 or g outside & h a talk ) ! old 
folk ab\t matt]s conc]n+ ! ,commune4    
,or1 if y're "y1 h a game4 ,!re !y are  
play+1--& x's pleasant to look at !m4   
,x's all pleasant & good4 ,screams      
inside ! hut ,b ?is sort ( ?+1 :at is x8
 ,x only leads m5 a/ray1 & pleases !    
,devils4 ,& x all comes ( fat liv+6     
,tipsy m5 come tumbl+ out ( ! hut1 %\t1 
& cat* hold ( !     girls4  ,,girls4    
,leave (f1 ,daddy ,tom6 ,:at d y mean by
 x8  ,,lads4 ,let's g into ! lane4 ,x's 
impossible to play "h4      ,exeunt all 
:o 7 play+ 9 ! r+4  ,,peasant goes up to
 ,gr&fa!r ,:at h y got n[8 ,! ,eld]s w  
allot ev]y?+ to me6 ,snaps 8 f+]s at him
 ,t's :at y'll get6 ,s !re y are6 ,x's  
all m9e & y've no?+6 ,!y'll tell y s    
!mselves6      ,! f\r ,eld]s speak all  
at once4  ,,fir/ ,,eld]4 ',cos ,i "k    
:at's :at6  ,,second ,,eld]4            
',=e all ,i'll be he>d1          ',cos  
,i'm an old bird6  ,,?ird ,,eld]4       
,fri5d6 de> fri5d1 de>e/ fri5d6  ,,f\r? 

,,eld]4          ,jog along hut1 jog    
along b$1          ,! missis has n[h]e  
to lay d[n h] head6  ,n[ !n1 come along6
      ,! ,eld]s take ea* o!r's arms 9   
c\ples & g (f reel+1 "o     c\ple foll[+
 ! o!r4 ,! ,peasant turns back to ! hut1
 b     /umbles be=e he rea*es x1--falls 
d[n1 & lies mutt]+     incompreh5sible  
words t s\nd l grunts4 ,! ,gr&fa!r &    
^? he 0 )1 rise & exeunt4      ,ent]    
,lab\r] & ,*ief ( ,devils4  ,,lab\r]4   
,did y see8 ,n[ ! sw9e's blood has be5  
r\s$ 9 !m1 & f wolves !y h turn$ into   
sw9e6 ,po9ts to ,peasant ,!re he lies 9 
! dirt & grunts l a hog6  ,,*ief4 ,y h  
succe$$6 ,fir/ l foxes1 !n l wolves1 &  
n[ l sw9e6 ,well1 t is a dr9k6 ,b tell  
me1 h[ did y make x8 ,i suppose x's made
 ( a mixture ( foxes'1 wolves'1 & sw9e's
 blood8  ,,lab\r]4 ,oh no6 ,i only      
suppli$ him ) too mu* corn6 ,z long z he
 _h only z mu* corn z he ne$$1 he did n 
grudge 8 la/ cru/1 b :5 he _h m ?an he  
knew :at to d )1 ! fox's1 ! wolf's1 & ! 
sw9e's blood 9 him awoke4 ,he always _h 

bea/'s blood 9 him1 only x c\ld n get ! 
upp] h&4  ,,*ief4 ,well1 y're a f9e     
fell[6 ,y've aton$ = y\r cru/-blund]4   
,n[ !y only ne$ to dr9k spirits1 & !y're
 altoge!r ours6                         
,curta94                        ,,end   
,,( ,,! ,,fir/ ,,di/ill]4               
,transcrib]'s ,note3    ,! foll[+ is a  
li/ ( corrections made to ! orig9al4 ,! 
fir/   l9e is ! orig9al l9e1 ! second ! 
correct$ "o4                            
,curta9   at ! ends ( ,acts ,,iii & ,v  
,curta94      ,wife aga9 fills & h&s !  
glasses r\nd     ,wife aga9 fills & h&s 
! glasses r\nd4