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56 ✦ vladimir mayakovsky Violin and a Bit Nervously The violin was beside herself with begging and suddenly burst out so like a child that the drum couldn’t hold back anymore: “Very good, very good, very good!” But he was tired and didn’t stick around for the violin’s speech— he stepped out onto dazzling Kuznetsky and was off. The orchestra looked on like strangers as the violin cried her heart out without words, without tact, only somewhere a stupid cymbal clanged out: “What’s that? How’s that?” And when the helicon, copper-faced, sweaty, shouted: “Fool! Crybaby! Use a hankie!”— I got up, made my way, reeling, through the sheet music, through the music stands stooped in horror, and for some reason shouted: “My God!” Threw my arms around her wooden neck: “You know what, violin? We’re awfully alike: I also bawl— but I can’t prove a thing!” The musicians had a laugh: “He’s really stepped in it! Come home to his wooden bride! What a head case!” But I couldn’t care less! I’m a good guy. “You know what, violin? Let’s— let’s live together! Ah?” 1914 the early years ✦ 57 ...

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