Igor was sixteen when he was given the sealed envelope that his father had handed to Ibo Pasha, by which time he was skilled in both the spoken and written word of his native Russian language. Stanislav began it with a poem:
Not for every plashing wavelet, watches keen the helmsman eye.
Not for every plashing wavelet, watches keen the helmsman eye.He awaits the last huge roller, when the ninth wave surges high.
He awaits the last huge roller, when the ninth wave surges high.But until that last strong roller, swells with deep decisive roar,
But until that last strong roller, swells with deep decisive roar,We must meet the strife and effort, of the waves that go before.
We must meet the strife and effort, of the waves that go before.Even though we scarce perceive them, sinking vanquishe
