The telephone in my hotel room rang
It was the Czar calling
Apparently following up on the emissary
Who met with me some time earlier
To provide me with the report I had already published
Causing me to wonder the intent
Behind that superfluous action
The Czar expressed profuse gratitude
For the service I had rendered him
Though I could recall no such service
And he insisted that I pay him a visit
At the palace in St. Petersburg
I immediately wondered
Who’s going to pay for this visit
And as if simultaneously anticipating
And evading the question
The Czar assured me
That I would be well accommodated at his abode
Scrupulously avoiding mention of
The travel expenses that appeared to have become
My responsibility
Two can play that game I thought
And I in turn assured the Czar
That he would get my answer
As soon as my business in this city
Not my home was completed
Though I did not doubt
That having tracked me down on this occasion
The Czar would not fail to do so again