The Miserly Knight (1903-05)

Baron: ...velikolépnïye moí sadï
sbegútsya nímfï rézvoyu tolpóyu,
i múzï dan' svoyú mne prinesút,
i vól'nïy géniy mne porabotítsya,
i dobrodétel', i bessónnïy trud
smirénno búdut zhdat' moyéy nagrádï.
Ya svístnu ­­–
i ko mne poslúsno,
róbko vpolzyót okrovavlénnoye zlodéystvo...

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Baron: ...into my magnificent gardens
will run nymphs in a playful throng,
and the Muses will bring me offerings,
and the free genie will be my slave,
and virtue and tireless labour
will patiently await my reward.
I have only to whistle,
and bloody villainy will crawl
obediently and timidly up to me...