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  What it means

  What is permitted to the governor is not permitted to you, stinker — rules differ for the powerful and the common people.

  English equivalent

  One law for the rich and another for the poor.

  Vocabulary

  • wolno — it is permitted, one may
  • wojewoda — voivode, regional governor
  • smród — stench; here used as a contemptuous address (stinker)

  Grammar note

  Rhymes on 'wojewodzie' and 'smrodzie' (locative/dative forms). The rhyme makes the social contrast memorable.

  Cultural context

  The 'wojewoda' was a powerful regional administrator in historical Poland. The rhyme uses 'smrodzie' as a humorous insult for the common person.

  Intermediate

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