- Musician Smychkov: I am playing at the betrothal ball tonight...
- Major Domo: You're early.
- Musician Smychkov: Eh, yes, I know, yes.
- Major Domo: Go away.
- Musician Smychkov: What?
- Major Domo: Come back later.
- Musician Smychkov: Eh...
- Major Domo: Later!
- Musician Smychkov: Yes. Eh, eh, could I leave this somewhere?
- [indicating the double bass he is carrying on his back]
- Major Domo: No.
- Musician Smychkov: It's very heavy...
- Major Domo: Good.
- [turns his back and leaves]
- Princess Costanza: How do you know I'm a princess?
- Musician Smychkov: Eh, oh... eh, well... when, eh... eh, y-you looked like one.
- Princess Costanza: I look like one?
- Musician Smychkov: Eh, no. eh... well, to be perfectly honest, I did see your... tiara.
- Musician Razmakhaikin: Oh all right, we'll take your bass for you.
- Musician Smychkov: What?
- Musician Zhuchkov: The bass, we'll take it for you. But get a move on!
- Musician Smychkov: Oh, no, don't bother.
- Musician Zhuchkov: Don't be late for Maestro Lakeyich.
- Musician Smychkov: No, don't!
- Musician Razmakhaikin: That's all right.
- [they lift the bass onto their small cart]
- Musician Smychkov: No don't bother, please don't.
- Musician Razmakhaikin: You'd do the same for us.
- Musician Smychkov: No I wouldn't!
- Musician Razmakhaikin: [they laugh] Of course you would.
- Musician Smychkov: [shouting] Leave it! I'd never help you, never!
- [as they set off on their tandem]
- Musician Smychkov: I hate you both! Bring her back, you stupid... tradesmen!