human
What is the matter? asked his parents;
gpt
Dear parents, answered the son,
human
What then is the meaning? Tell us the whole truth; do not hide it from us,
gpt
Oh, how sad it sounds! replied the son.
human
How much better would it be never to have been born!
gpt
Do not frighten us, said the parents, alarmed.
human
If thou dost really understand the meaning of the song, tell us at once.
gpt
Do you not hear for yourselves? The nightingale says: 'The time will come when Ivan, the merchant's son, shall become Ivan, the king's son, and his own father shall serve him as a simple servant.'