That terrible year 1570
Ivan the Fourth's foul forces of fear fell
Furiously upon Novgorod, where he
Believed he beheld boyars' betrayal
Rich middle classes resisted his rule
Siding with Poland-Lithuania
Made to move from Moscow, Ivan's mental
State scarred, the tsar tormented by Tatars
Striking from south and east, their prisoners
Taken by Khans to Turkish slavery
The Cossacks consequently kept quite well
These hordes from the borders of old Russia
Expansion and firm rule would always be
The goal, after Ivan the Terrible
who are the boyars? Oh I'm so confused!
ReplyDeleteI dunno Jude - probably the aristocracy or upper middle classes. In effect tho they were just furry-hatted vodka-downing bullies who deserved everything they got!
ReplyDelete