“...Bloodshed, riots and disasters constitute the main and, unfortunately, most curious part of the world's chronicles; but the History of our Fatherland, like others, describing cruel wars and disastrous strife, rarely mentions rebellions against the legitimate authorities: which serves to the great honor of the Russian people. He, it seems, always felt the need for obedience and the truth that the willful rule of citizens is, in any case, a great disaster for the state. Thus, the people of Moscow generously endured all the horrors of the times of Tsar Ivan Vasilyevich, all the furies of his oprichniki, who, like a gang of robbers, committed crimes in the capital as in enemy land. Citizens humbly brought a complaint, found no defense, remained silent - and only in the churches of the King of Kings they prayed to touch heaven with tears, to soften the cruel heart of John...” The work is given in the pre-reform alphabet.