What a former life! - And above and below - you go without a convoy, - You smoke Plan, you go for a haul And fleece passengers. And at a robbery you take with you A reliable accomplice, Then you pick someone’s pocket And make off quietly. Until we are followed, until we are threatened We endure this. You’ve lived well, but then beckoned "Petrovka, thirty-eight". I went through children’s home, prison, shelter and I didn’t fear penitentiary, When I was brought before the people’s court, I was a bit excited Why lie to us about the "People’s court"! - I didn’t see any people, The judge means freedom and the public prosecutor Offended me at once. I answered the questions, But judgement was given with scorn, - And I did not agree in the least With such a formulation! I do not deny my guilt - I didn’t time only once But it was described that I treated people roughly. That’s not true! - You approach quietly and ask for a hundred rubles... What’s that to do with a knife, what’s that to do with robbery? Modify the formulation! Oh, had been in the hall - When I spoke: "Comrades of the people! Why make reproaches - You’ve after all fed me and gave me to drink! Everybody gave me money whithout tears, threats and blood... I’m awfully thankful to you for all the good words!" And in that hall there would be applauded stamdingly And I would interrupt sobbing Telling them in a low voice: "Thank you for the attention! It’s true - isn’t it, That I am a quick robber? How could I look into people’s eyes With such a formulation?!
© Elisabeth Jelinek. Translation, 2018