Innokenty Annensky
Children`s balloons

Balloons, balloons!
Children’s balloons!
Fathers’ money!
Buy my balloons, kind sirs!
Hey, fox fur coat, if you have some to spare,
Don’t begrudge five little kopecks:
I’ll let them go right up to the sky —
Two hours later, get an eyeful, with both your eyes!
It’s really good, they say, when they’re free...
Shouldn’t I cut one off, Your Worship?
Order them for the joy of all,
Three seventy-five, no bargaining!
        Surely no less
        For freeing movement?
        What? You pass?..
Hey, aunt, which are you bargaining for?
        Small?
Pardon me, it’s one I caught...
        It happens —
Another will grow,
And our Titus
Behaves himself so
That he’s not growing his belly.
But he’s always looking high up
From his great thoughts!..
Which are you bargaining for?
Don’t squeeze, you’re not my children’s godfather,
You’ll spoil it, then you can’t blow it up...
        Children’s balloons.
        Red ones, lilac ones,
        Very cheap!
        Children’s balloons!
Hey, you with the collar, do you speak
German? Then take ten of them in pairs,
The rest are free...
Pity you’re a bit weak in German, but no
Matter — an agreement is the chief thing!
Come on, old man!
How are you?-Just what you want:
This one — it’s pot bellied,
        A bit yellow
And with Katie on its heart...
        The price isn’t the price —
        Five kopecks in all,
And another twenty-five,
And add ten as a gentleman —
Take the one with the Empire’s coat of arms!
        Children’s balloons, balloons!
        Balloons for you, kind sirs, and for us,
        Kind sirs, something for a few drinks!

Translated by R. H. Morrison