Ivan Krylov
Quartet

An impish little Monkey,
A Goat, a Bear,
And their confrere,
A most judicious Donkey,
Resolved to play a string quartet in G.
Supplied with score, viola, two ашddles, and a bass,
They sat down in a shady place
To charm the whole world with their artistry:
They scraped, fiddle-dee-dum, they whacked, fiddle-dee-dee.

“Stop, fellows, stop!” the Monkey cried. “No wonder it’s no good!
How could the music go right? You’re not sitting where you should.
You, Bruin, with your bass — you sit across from Billy Goat.
As first violin. I'll sit down right
Across from Brother Jackass. That way, our every note
Will make the very hills and trees dance for delight.”

Seats changed, they once more started in,
But only made a fearful din.
“Wait, boys!” the Goat said. “Let’s begin
All over again. I’ll bleat time, and it’ll sound fine,
If we sit in a line.”

Accordingly, they all sat in a solemn row:
But still the quartet wouldn’t go.
Worse even than their music, they began to jangle
And wrangle
About w'ho should sit where.

Hearing the noise, a Nightingale came winging through the air,
And offered them free consultation.
“We’d like” they said, “an explanation
Of how to play this quartet to make music out of it.
We have the score right here; our fiddles are all fit.
Just tell us, please: How should w'e sit?”

“Musicianship,” said Nightingale, “requires skillfulness;
Also, a nicer ear, I’d guess.
Than those you gentlemen possess.
I fear, my friends, you never will be fit
To make music, no matter how you sit.”

Translated by Guy Daniels