After his speech, Rodychev had to “kneel down and kiss the minister’s hand” for forgiveness. The author of the poem points out that although the politician showed cowardice and weak will, “a skillfully and adroitly spoken word cannot be suppressed by dark forces”. And he seems to be right - more than a century has passed, and the expression is still used worldwide.

 

Satan's Whip

Source: National Parliamentary Library of Georgia