Tsar
General, you′re feeling blue.
Is it quinsy or the flu?
Or you′ve drunk too much of beer,
Or you′ve lost at cards, have you?

Or your army is too small,
Or you do not want to serve at all,
Or you′ve found some defects
In a cannon tube or cannon ball?

Tell me openly, don′t lie,
What is it that makes you sigh?
I should like to know in detail
When and where and what and why!

General
Well, I went to see Fedot
The other day, and you know what:
When I saw his charming wife
I fell down on the spot.

It′s two days, upon my word,
That I haven′t touched the sword,
There′s nothing left for me but sigh,
I′m afraid, I′m going to die.

Yesterday, I will confess,
I made a sin: I wrote a verse,
The doc is scared for my brains,
It′s a shock of love, he claims.

Tsar
The soldier must be gotten rid of.
Didn′t he know that I′m a widow?
I′ll remind you of your duty:
Go and bring me now that beauty!

As for this insidious man
Wipe him out, if you can,
Grind him out so that he
Mightn′t hang around here!

General
To kidnap her I′ve got wits,
But think of people in the streets,
When they learn it′s your idea
They will tear you to bits.

Tsar and General
People are quite bold today,
They will show their teeth, won′t they?
You and I dislike the soldier
But they′re all the other way!

Tsar
Are you such a fool all days
Or is it just on Saturdays?
Must I tell my minister
Everything in every case?

To prevent the vicious tongues
You must act on legal grounds,
Or, in other words, just try
And do it... on the sly!

I for one give you my word:
You will have a good reward,
Our smiths have been assigned ,
To forge medal for you, mind!

Tsar и General
The medal will be forged by tomorrow!