V

Unto Kiev went a kobzar, Sat him down to rest him; And his escort was well burdened With a pile of baskets. For a little child was escort. Now he drops to slumber. At that moment the old kobzar Sings a song of Jesus. All who pass, come up and offer One, a roll; one, money To the old man and the children Come to the young escort. All the beauties look and marvel When they see him ragged: “See what wondrous hair fate gave him, But it gave no fortune!” Then along the road to Kiev Comes a coach resplendent, In the coach there is a lady With her lord and family. See, it stopped beside the beggars And the dust soon settles. Ivas ran up. Through the window A soft hand has beckoned. Then the lady looks at Ivas And she gives him money. The man looked--but turned so quickly-- For he recognized him, Recognized the black eyes sparkling And the black hair also, Knew his son stood there before him And he would not take him. For his name the lady asked him. “Ivas”--“That is pretty!” Then the coach moved on and Ivas In the dust was hidden. They picked up the things they’d gathered, Stood up, both poor devils, Made their prayers at sunset hour, Went along the highway.

The kalyna, Viburnum opulus, is used extensively to mark graves and memorials in Ukraine.

Brovary is on the boundary separating Muscovy from Ukraine.