1.Let Vergil1 sing the praises of Augustus2,genius celebrate merit,and flattery extol3 the talents of the great. "The short and simple annals4 of the poor" engross5 my pen;and while I record the history of Flor Silin's virtues,though I speak of a poor peasant,I shall describe a noble man. I ask neloquence6 tassist me in the task;modest worth rejects the aid of ornament tset it off.
2.It is impossible,even at this distant period,treflect without horror on the miseries of that year known in Lower Volga7 by the name of the "Famine Year." I remember the summer,whose scorching heats had dried up all the fields,and the drought8 had nrelief but from the tears of the ruined farmer.
3.I remember the cold,comfortless autumn,and the despairing rustics,crowding round their empty barns,with folded arms and sorrowful countenances,pondering on their misery,instead of rejoicing,as usual,at the golden harvest. I remember the winter which succeeded,and I reflect with agony on the miseries it brought with it. Whole families left their homes tbecome beggars on the1Vergil,was the greatest of Roman poets,born in the year 70 B.C.and died 19 B.C.2Augustus,Caesar was emperor of Rome in the latter portion of Vergil's life,and received many compliments in the verses of his friend the poet.3Extol,televate by praise. 4Annals,history of events. 5Engross,toccupy wholly.6Eloquence,the power of speaking well.7Lower Volga is a district in eastern Russia,bordering on the Caspian Sea,and takes its name from the river Volga.8Drought,want of rain or water.highway.
4.At night the canopy of heaven served them as their only shelter from the piercing winds and bitter frost. Tdescribe these scenes would be tharm the feelings of my readers;therefore,tmy tale. In those days I lived on an estate1 not far from Simbirsk2;and,though but a child,I have not forgotten the impression made on my mind by the general calamity.
5.In a village adjoining lived Flor Silin,a poor,laboring peasant,-a man remarkable for his assiduity and the skill and judgment with which he cultivated his lands. He was blessed with abundant crops;and his means being larger than his wants,his granaries3,even at this time,were full of corn. The dry year coming on had beggared all the village except himself. Here was an opportunity tgrow rich. Mark how Flor Silin acted. Having called the poorest of his neighbors about him,he addressed them in the following manner:
6."My friends,you want corn for your subsistence4. God hasblessed me with abundance. Assist in thrashing out a quantity,and each of you take what he wants for his family." The peasants were amazed at this unexampled generosity;for sordid propensities5 exist in the village as well as in the populous city.
7.The fame of Flor Silin's benevolence having reached other villages,the famished inhabitants presented themselves before him,and begged for corn. This good creature received them as brothers;and,while his store remained,afforded all relief. At length,his wife,seeing nend tthe generosity of his noble spirit,reminded him how necessary it would be tthink of their own wants,and hold his lavish hand before it was tolate. "It is written in the Scripture," said1Estate,property in land.2Simbirsk,is a town of eastern Russia,on the Volga. 3 Granary,a storehouse far grain.4Subsistence,means of support.5Propensities,bent of mind,inclination.he,"Give,and it shall be given untyou."
8.The following year Providence listened tthe prayers of the poor,and the harvest was abundant. The peasants whhad been saved from starving by Flor Silin now gathered around him.
9."Behold," said they,"the corn you lent us. You saved our wives and children. We should have been famished but for you;may God reward you;he only can;all we have tgive is our corn and grateful thanks." "I want ncorn at present,my good neighbors," said he;"my harvest has exceeded all my expectations;for the rest,thank heaven: I have been but an humble instrument."
10.They urged him in vain. "No," said he,"I shall not accept your corn. If you have superfluities1,share them among your poor neighbors,who,being unable tsow their fields last autumn,are still in want;let us assist them,my dear friends;the Almighty will bless us for it." "Yes," replied the grateful peasants,"our poor neighbors shall have this corn. They shall know it is tyou that they owe this timely succor2,and join tteach their children the debt of gratitude due tyour benevolent heart." Silin raised his tearful eyes theaven. An angel might have envied him his feelings.
-Nikolai Karamzin.
