Добре торгувалось (1857) - Степан Руданський

Note for English readers: The merchants intend to insult wagoner by saying that “only fools are sold here,” implying that he is the fool. The wagoner pretends to take their words literally — as if the shop actually sells fools as merchandise. Since only two men are sitting there (the merchants themselves), he implies they are the remaining “items for sale.” The joke works through deliberate literal misinterpretation and reversal of the insult. ----------- Чи в Києві, чи в Полтаві, Чи в самій столиці Ходив чумак з мазницею Помежи крамниці. І в крамницях, куди глянеш, — Сріблом-злотом сяє, А йому то і байдуже: Він дьогтю питає! Реготять дурні кацапи, А він тілько сплюне Та й до другої крамниці, Багатшої, суне. В найбагатшії крамниці Два купці сиділо, І туди чумак заходить З мазницею сміло: «Добридень вам, добрі люди!» — Та й зачав питати, Чи нема у них принаймні Дьогтю де продати. «Нету, нету! — купці кажуть, Та й, шельми, сміються: — Здесь не дьоготь — толькі дурні Адні продаються!» А чумак їм: «То нівроку ж, Добре торгувалось, Щойно два вас таких гарних На продаж осталось». ------------ The trade was good Whether in Kyiv or in Poltava, Or in the capital grand, A wagoner walked with his tar bucket Through the market stands. In every shop — wherever you looked — Silver and gold would shine, But he didn’t care for any of that: He was asking for tar to buy. The foolish Muscovites laughed at him, He’d just spit and move along, Heading off to another shop, Richer and proud and strong. In the richest shop of them all Two merchants sat inside, And in walked the wagoner bold, With his tar bucket at his side: “Good day to you, good gentlemen!” He politely made his plea — “Would you happen to have some tar That you might sell to me?” “No, no!” the merchants answered, Laughing as they spoke: “We don’t sell tar in here — Only fools are sold in this shop!” And the wagoner replied: “Well then, you must have done excellent business — If only two fine specimens Are still left in stock.”