The rich man loved a poor woman,
The scientist loved a dumb woman,
The ruddy man loved a pale woman,
The kind man loved a bad woman,
And the gold a copper coin.
«Where, merchant, is your wealth all?»
«In a wallet that's full of holes!»
«Where, proud one, is what you know?»
«Under a girl's pillow.»
«Where are your red cheeks, gorgeous sight?»
«Whitened down in the black night.»
«Where is the cross with silver chain?»
«Under the girl's boots again.»
Rich man don't love a poor woman,
Scientist don't love a dumb woman,
Ruddy man don't love a pale woman,
Kind man don't love a bad woman,
And the gold a copper coin.
Полюбил богатый — бедную,
Полюбил учёный — глупую,
Полюбил румяный — бледную,
Полюбил хороший — вредную:
Золотой — полушку медную.
— Где, купец, твоё роскошество?
«Во дырявом во лукошечке!»
— Где, гордец, твои учёности?
«Под подушкой у девчоночки!»
— Где, красавец, щёки алые?
«За́ ночь чёрную — растаяли».
— Крест серебряный с цепочкою?
«У девчонки под сапожками!»
Не люби, богатый, — бедную,
Не люби, учёный, — глупую,
Не люби, румяный, — бледную,
Не люби, хороший, — вредную:
Золотой — полушку медную!
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