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The Little Humpbacked Horse
The Little Humpbacked Horse
Yershov
Printed
in
the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Progress Publishers Moscow
Night her shadows softly spread, What foul devil stole you? Who?
And Ivan set out for bed Plague on him, the dirty dog!
. Through the village he went, swinging, May he perish in a bog!
Munching at his crust, and singing; When he to the next world goes,
Through the meadow now he skips, May he trip and break his nose!
With his hands upon his hips; Oh, my horses black as night,
In the shack, upon his toes, With your golden manes so bright!"
Like a very lord, he goes. Humpback neighed and shook his head:
Everything was in its place- "Do not fret, Ivan," he said.
But the steeds-of them no trace! "Yes, your loss is great, I know-
Only tiny humpback, neighing, But I'll help you in your woe.
Fawned around his feet, a-playing, Blame the devil for his deeds-
Flapping both ears left and right, Your two brothers stole those steeds.
Prancing gaily in delight. Dry your tears, Ivan-make haste-
At this sight, Ivan wept sore, We have not much time to waste.
As he leaned against the door. Mount my back-when I say: 'Go,'
"Oh, my horses black as night, Hold to me for all you know.
With your golden manes so bright! Though I'm small-that's true, of course,
Did not I look after you? I'm as good as any horse.
Once I get into my pace He stood on his feet and shivered
Any demon I'll outrace." Shook his mane and, with a neigh,
Like an arrow sped away.
Saying this, he stretched out flat, Only dust clouds marked the course
On his back Ivan then sat, Of the rider and the horse.
Grabbed his ears and held them tight, On they flew, as quick as thought-
Shouting out with all his might; In a trice, the thieves were caught.
Little humpback's sinews quivered,
Seeing him, his brothers stared, We can hardly make ends meet.
Scratched their heads, confused and Quit-rent's always overdue,
scared; The police, they fleece us too.
Wrathfully, Ivan exclaimed: So, Gavrilo, here, and I
"Brothers, are you not ashamed! All last night ne'er closed an eye
Though you're clev'rer than Ivan, Talking of our sorry plight
Still, Ivan's an honest man. And of how to put things right;
I did not rob you-not I!" So, to meet our many needs,
Th'eldest, squirming, made reply: We resolved to sell your steeds
"We are both to blame, For a thousand at the fair-
I fear, But, dear brother-listen here- Not a ruble less, I swear;
And, consider if you please And, in gratitude to you,
That we lead no life of ease; Bring you back a gift or two-
Though we sow a lot of wheat, High-heeled boots of finest leather,
And a cap, with bells and feather. Something's burning-yes, a fire!
Then-the old man's frail and ailing- Just the thing that we require!
He can work no more-he's failing, Listen, now, Vanyusha dear,
Yet must dodder out his span- Go and fetch some embers here-
Come, you're not a fool, Ivan." For it really slipped my mind,
"If that's so," Ivan said, "well, And I left my flint behind."
I suppose you'd better sell To himself says brother Dan:
My two golden-crested horses- "May you break your neck, young man!"
Take me with you-let's join forces. Says Gavrilo, "Do I care?
" If thoughts could, their thoughts would Lord knows what is burning there.
kill- If a highwayman besets him,
But, perforce, they feigned goodwill. We for ever can forget him."
Soon the sky grew overcast,
Colder, colder blew the blast, So our fool, who knew no care,
So they called a bivouac Climbed upon his horse right there,
So as not to lose the track, Twined its mane around his wrist,
In a wood; the steeds were made Urged it on with heel and fist,
Fast beneath its leafy shade; Shouting out with all his might.
There they made themselves at ease, Up his horse rose out of sight.
Ate and drank beneath the trees, Then Gavrilo cried in fright:
After which, in happy mood, "Saints be with us all this night!
Each made merry as he could. Save us, Lord, from evil sin-
Soon, Danilo saw a light Say-what devil's under him?'
In the darkness of the night; Brighter, brighter shone the light,
Nudged Gavrilo on the sly, Swifter, swifter was their flight
Cunningly, he winked an eye, Till they halted where it lay-
Pointed where the light was burning, There, the field was bright as day,
Coughed a muffled cough of warning, Lit by wondrous brilliant rays-
After which he scratched his head. Cold and smokeless in their blaze!
"My-how dark it is," he said. Here, Ivan in stark surprise,
"If the moon would show her face Stared and said: "Why, bless my eyes!
Even for a little space, Look-there's light in plenty there-
How much better it would be- But no smoke or heat-I swear
Why, the blindest owl can see Now, this is a'curious light."
More than us-but stay-look there-
Can you see it? I declare
Quoth his horse: "Yes, you're quite right. That, without the Mayor's permission,
And you very well may stare! Nothing could be bought or sold,
That's a Fire-Bird's feather there! Nor for barter, nor for gold.
But, Ivan, for your own sake, As the church-bells called for prayer,
Touch it not, for in its wake On his palfrey rode the Mayor;
Many sorrows, many woes Spurred and belted, furs on shoulders,
Follow everywhere it goes." Guarded by a hundred soldiers,
Growled our fool: "You're telling me- Near him, bearded and sedate,
Woes and sorrows-we shall see!" Rode a crier in full state,
So he wrapped it up with care Golden trumpet gaily sounding,
In a rag to hide the glare, Voice stentorian resounding:
Hid it in his hat, and then "Oyez, honest merchants there,
Galloped swiftly back again; Open up and sell your ware!
Tied his horse fast to a tree, And you watchmen-stay you near,
To his brothers then said he: Guard their stalls-keep eye and ear
"When I got there, all I found, Sharp, maintaining strictest order,
Was a burnt stump on the ground; Keep from riots and disorder;
I blew hard to raise a spark, See no rogue, however sly,
Nearly burst there in the dark. Fools good folk with honeyed lie.
And I puffed and puffed-in vain, " Then the merchants loudly call,
For it wouldn't burn again!" As each opens up his stall:
Both his brothers laughed all night "Honest masters-come this way!
At Ivan, in sheer delight. See what wares we have today!
He, however, merely crept Oh, come buy! Come buy! come buy!
'Neath the wain and snoring, slept Our goods always satisfy!"
Till the dawning of the day, Buyers flock like flies round honey,
When to town they drove away, Choose their goods and pay their money;
Halting at the Hostlers' Fair, As the coins change hands and chink,
Opposite the Palace there. Merchants to the watchmen wink.
After he had gazed his fill, So, there's nothing else to do,
He turned round with right goodwill, But to come along with me.
Saying: "My good people, who I shall issue a decree,
Owns these handsome chargers two? Make you Master of my Horse,
Who's the master?" Here, Ivan, Like a lord, you'll live, of course;
Arms akimbo, like a Pan*, (Pan-Gentleman - You'll have raiment of the best,
Tr.) Gold brocade upon your chest;
Pushed his brothers both aside, On my royal word-you'll see!
Puffed his cheeks and proudly cried: Are you willing?" "Well, I'll be ...
"Tsar, these steeds belong to me, In the Palace I shall live!
I'm their owner, too, you see." And to me, the Tsar will give
"Will you sell them to me, say?" Handsome raiment of the best,
"No, I'm swapping them today." Gold brocade upon my chest!
"What will you be taking, then?" Like a lord, I'll live in clover,
"Twice five caps-and that makes ten, Rule the Royal Stables over!
Full of silver-that's my price!" I, a ploughboy, now will be
So the coins were in a trice Voivode to His Majesty!
Counted out-the Tsar, in pleasure, Well, I never! Your commission,
Gave five rubles for good measure- I accept, Tsar, on condition-
Generous a tsar was he ! That you never treat me rough,
Ten grey grooms in livery, Always let me sleep enough-
Trimmed with gold and silver slashes, Or you'll see no more of me!"
Each with gaily coloured sashes,
Each with saffian whip in hand, Whistling to his horses, he
Took the horses' bridles, and Sauntered through the city, singing,
Led them to the Royal Palace, Carelessly his mittens swinging,
But the steeds, in play, or malice, Followed by his steeds a-prancing
Tripped their grooms and straightway ran, And his humpbacked horse a-dancing
Bridles broken, to Ivan. To the rhythm of his song,
Back the Tsar drove to Ivan, And the marvel of the throng.
Said to him: "Look here, my man, As for his two brothers, they
Now, my grooms can't hold those two-
Stowed the silver safe away And was taken for a sprite;
In their belts; then, in high feather, How he lost his feather bright;
Had a drink or two together How he laid the Fire-Bird's snare;
And rode home in glee; once there, How he stole the Tsar-Maid fair;
Shared the money fair and square; How he found her ring for her,
Married, 'mid much joy and laughter, How he was her messenger;
Lived and prospered ever after. How the Sun, at his request,
And the rest of all their days Gave the Monster Whale his rest;
Spoke of their Ivan with praise. One more deed, but not the least,
How he thirty ships released;
Let us now forget those two How, when boiled in cauldrons, he
And, good people, Christians true, Came out handsome as could be.
I'll amuse you if I can In a word, how our young man
With the deeds of our Ivan. Ended up as Tsar Ivan.
How he ruled the stables over,
Living like a lord in clover,
PART TWO
Of Ivan and of his deeds,
Of the tiny fallow bay
Tales, you know, are quickly spun, Talking horse, so wise and gay.
Deeds are sooner said than done. Goats are grazing on the seas,
Hills are overgrown with trees;
Golden bridle, loosely swinging,
Onñå again my tale proceeds See the stallion sunward winging-
Far below him, forests glide; Feigned to be Ivan's best friend,
Thunder-clouds, on every side, Masked his feelings to this end,
Race across the sky and dash, Thinking-"Wait, you dirty lout,
Hurling lightning as they crash. Time will come, I'll turn you out."
Wait-this is the prelude to
What I shall be telling you. So, the chamberlain began
Have you heard of Buyan Island As weeks passed, to watch Ivan;
Floating on the ocean wild, and And he noticed that he never
Of the maiden wondrous fair Fed or groomed those steeds, or ever
Sleeping in a casket there? Took them out for exercise;
Forest beasts with gentle tread Yet those steeds, to his surprise,
Guard her grave, while overhead Always were, whene'er paraded,
Nightingales their music pour. Brushed and burnished, manes a-braided.
Wait, my friends, a little more- Tails, in flowing ringlets streaming,
Now my prelude's said and done, Glossy coats, like satin gleaming,
And my story is begun. Mangers-always full of wheat
Which, it seemed, grew at their feet.
Well, good friends and Christians true, And huge tubs, he could have sworn,
Fellow-countrymen-look you- Were fresh-filled with mead each morn.
Our young fellow made his way "Now, whatever can this mean?"
To the Palace that fine day. Sighed the chamberlain in spleen-
He is Master of the Horse "Can it be, a goblin sprite
And he doesn't pine, of course, Comes and plays his pranks at night?
For his brothers and his dad. Watch him-that's what I shall do.
And, indeed, why should our lad, And it should be easy to
Living in the Royal Court, Spin a story in a flash
Waste on them a single thought? And to settle that fool's hash.
He has garments gay in plenty I shall tell the Tsar, of course,
And possesses five and twenty That the Master of the Horse
Chests, all full of caps and shoes Is a wicked infidel,
Out of which to pick and choose. And a sorcerer as well;
All he does is eat his fill, That Old Nick his soul has taken,
Slake his thirst, and sleep at will. That he has God's Church forsaken,
Bows before the Cross of Rome,
Now, the chamberlain began, During Lent, eats meat at home."
As weeks passed, to watch Ivan ...
You should know, that he had been So, the former Chief of Horse
(Till Ivan came on the scene) (Yes, the chamberlain, of course)
Master of the Royal Horse- That same evening hid away
His was noble blood, of course- In a stall, beneath some hay.
So, no wonder that he bore
Malice towards Ivan, and swore Blackest midnight came at last,
That he'd die, but soon or late Pit-a-pat, his heart beat fast;
Drive the upstart from the gate. Lying there, with bated breath,
But the rogue, his good time biding He peeped out, as still as death,
And his double-dealing hiding, Waiting for that sprite-when hark!
Loud the door creaked in the dark,
And the horses pawed the ground
As the sprite, without a sound,
Entered-though he looked, of course,
Like the Master of the Horse;
First he barred the door; then he
Took his hat off carefully,
And from it he slowly took
Out his kerchief, which he shook
Till the Fire-Bird's feather blazed;
While the chamberlain, amazed,
Nearly screamed there in the hay,
Almost gave himself away.
Unsuspectingly, the sprite
In a corn-bin placed the light,
After which, with tender care,
He commenced to groom the pair;
Braided their fine manes so long,
While he sang a merry song;
Meanwhile, crouching there and
quivering,
Hair all bristling, skin a-shivering,
Stared the chamberlain in fright
At the joker of the night.
He could not believe his eyes- Sure the sprite was in disguise!
It nor horns nor whiskers wore- "Speak, without exaggeration
Twas a handsome lad he saw! And without prevarication."
Hair with ribbons gaily dressed, Yawned the Tsar. "If you tell fibs,
Gold brocade upon his chest; Know, the knout will count your ribs."
Saffian boots right to his knees- Gathering his courage, he
This was Vanya, if you please! Said: "God bless Your Majesty!
Now, what could this mean? On the Holy Cross, forsooth,
Our spy Stared again and rubbed his eye I am telling you the truth.
And he growled out finally: All the Court knows it is true-
"Oh, so that is it! I see! That Ivan conceals from you
Very well! I'll tell the Tsar That which can't be bought or sold
What a smart young man you are! Nor for silver, nor for gold-
Just you wait until tomorrow- It's a Fire-Bird's feather, see,
You'll remember me with sorrow!" Which he hides, Your Majesty."
But Ivan, quite unaware "What! A Fire-Bird's!
Of the evil lurking there, And he dare,
Gaily sings his little song, Cursed varlet, such a rare ...
As he braids those manes so long. Oh, the villain-wait and see
After he had groomed each steed, What a whipping there will be!"
Filled each tub with cooling mead, "That's not all," the chamberlain
And the bins with choicest corn, Whispered, as he bowed again.
He let out a sleepy yawn,
Wrapped the feather up once more, (* Yeruslan-a valiant Knight,
Laid himself upon the floor; endowed with fabulous strength,
By his horses made his bed and hero of Russian folklore)
With his hat beneath his head.
"Were it but the feather, he
With the dawn, the chamberlain Might retain it, Majesty-
Stretched his limbs to ease the strain But, he boasts, as I have heard,
And, on hearing our Ivan That, did you but say the word,
Snoring loud as Yeruslan*, He could bring the Bird of Fire
Rose, and on his tip-toes crept To your Royal Chamber, Sire."
Cautiously to where he slept, And the spy, with servile tread,
Snatched the feather from his hat On all fours approached the bed,
Then he vanished-just like that! Dropped the treasure-and once more
Banged his head upon the floor.
As the Tsar woke with a snore, Long the Tsar, enchanted, gazed,
There he stood, right at the door; Chortled, stroked his beard, amazed;
Bowing low, until his head Bit the feather's tip, then he
Hit the floor, he whined and said: Placed it under lock and key,
"To confess, 0 Majesty, houted in impatience and,
I have dared to come to thee! As confirming his command,
Be not angry with thy slave- Waved his sceptre in the air:
Suffer me to speak, I crave." "Hey! You! Fetch me that fool there!"
All the lords-in-waiting ran When I'm sleeping in my bed."
Instantly to fetch Ivan; But the lords-in-waiting said:
But, colliding near the door, "Up! The Tsar sent us to say
Fell and sprawled upon the floor, That you come without delay!"
While the Tsar in huge delight "Oh, the Tsar? Ah, well, then, wait-
Roared with laugher at the sight; I will dress and go there straight,"
So his lords, all quick to see Yawning answered our Ivan.
What so pleased His Majesty, So he put on his kaftan,
Winks exchanged as they once more Tied his girdle in its place,
Threw themselves upon the floor. Combed his hair and washed his face;
Whereupon, amused thereat, And strode forth in pompous pride,
He gave each a brand-new hat, Horse whip dangling by his side.
After which they once more ran
Hurrying, to fetch Ivan; When he reached His Majesty,
And without an accident Our Ivan bowed low, then he
This time, on their mission went. Hummed and hawed and puffed his chest,
When they reached the stables, they Said: "Why did you spoil my rest?"
Rushed inside without delay, Here, the Tsar jumped up in bed,
Fell upon our poor fool there, Left eye squinting, seeing red.
Kicked him, punched him, pulled his hair, "Silence," wrathfully roared he-
Fully half an hour, or more- "It is you must answer me!
All Ivan did, was to snore, By what law and what decree
Finally, a stable groom Have you from Our Majesty
Woke him with a stable broom. Hidden what is ours by right?
Jumping up, Ivan bawled out: Yes-the Fire-Bird's feather bright?
Am I not your lawful Tsar?
"Varlets-what are you about? Answer, heathen that you are!"
I shall teach you not to worry But Ivan made answer bold-
Me, you villains, in a hurry, Waved his hand and shouted:
"Hold! When did I give you my hat? I make hairs and heads to fly!
How could you discover that? That's what I am like, my man,
What-have you got second sight? So, let's not waste words, Ivan.
You can lock me up, all right, You have boasted, as I've heard,
You can have me beaten flat- That, did I but say the word,
I've no feather, and that's that!" You could bring the Bird of Fire
"You'll be flogged! Now answer me!" To the Chamber of your Sire.
"But I'm speaking plainly-see, Now, do not say 'No' to me-
I've no feather-and, how, pray, Do your best and bring one, see?"
Could such wonders come my way?" Up Ivan bounced like a ball:
Here the Tsar sprang to the floor, "Nothing of the sort at all,"
Shook the feather with a roar- Shouted he, and wiped his eye;
"What is this? Now will you dare "I that feather don't deny-
Stand and contradict me there?" But the talk about the bird
Here Ivan gave just one look, Is as false as it's absurd."
Like a storm-tossed leaf he shook, Wrathfully, the Tsar's beard shook:
Dropped his hat in sheer dismay. "What-me argue with you? Look!
"Ah, you don't know what to say," If you do not bring to me
Said the Tsar. "But wait, my man ..." That Fire-Bird, in sennights three,
"Mercy, mercy," cried Ivan, To my Royal Chamber, now,
Grovelling upon the floor, By my Royal Beard I vow,
At the Tsar's feet, sobbing sore- Hide yourself where e'er you please-
"Pardon me this once, please do Under ground, or under seas-
And I'll lie no more to you." I'll have you impaled, my man!
"You'll be pardoned for the nonce, Off, you scum!" In tears, Ivan
Seeing you have sinned but once," To the hayloft made his way
Said the Tsar. "But bear in mind Where his little humpback lay.
I'll not always be so kind.
Gracious, when I'm angry-why,
Hearing him, his humpback ran Said he, fawning round his knees.
Full of glee to meet Ivan; "Put your mind, Ivan, at ease,
But on seeing him in tears, Tell me what has happened, please-
Almost sobbed, and drooped his ears: Just confide in me, Ivan,
"Why, Ivanushka, so sad? I will help you if I can.
Tell me what's the matter, lad," Are you ill? If not, then who
Has upset you? Tell me, do." Say to him in language plain:
And Ivan, in bitter tears, 'Tsar, I need the best of grain,
As he kissed his humpback's ears, And two troughs; then, if you please,
Said: "The Tsar-Oh, have you heard? Wine-brought in from overseas;
Bids me bring a Fire-Bird! Tell them that they must make haste,
Oh, whatever shall I do?" For I have no time to waste-
In reply, his horse said: "True, I’ll be off at dawn of day.'"
Your misfortune's great, I know. So Ivan went straightaway,
But I'll help you in your woe. Told the Tsar in language plain:
You rejected my advice- "Tsar, I need the best of grain,
Now, you have to pay the price; And two troughs; then, if you please,
For remember, when you found Wine-brought in from overseas;
That bird's feather on the ground, Tell them, too, they must make haste-
I told you, for your own sake, For I have no time to waste-
Not to touch it; in its wake With the early dawn of day
Many sorrows, many woes I'll be going on my way."
Follow everywhere it goes.
Now, Ivan, you see that I, So the Tsar gave strict commands
When I warned you, told no lie. To fulfil Ivan's demands;
But, Ivan, 'twixt you and me- Called Ivan a brave young man,
This is easy as can be; Said: "God speed you" to Ivan.
Service lies ahead, my man.
Now, go to the Tsar, Ivan,
"Listen," thus the Tsar began, "I have been informed, Ivan,
That just now, my lad, you said, And a tent of gold brocade,
Swearing by my Royal Head, And a dinner-service, made
That, did I but say the word, All of gold, from overseas;
You could bring another bird Sweetmeats, too, her taste to please.'"
For your Monarch-you did swear So Ivan with fearless tread
You could catch the Tsar-Maid Fair." Went back to the Tsar, and said:
"God save you from every harm," "For the Tsar-Maid's capture, Sire,
Cried the Tsar's groom in alarm. Two large cloths I will require,
"Really, only in a dream And a tent of gold brocade,
Could I say such things, I deem. And a dinner-service, made
But no matter what you say All of gold, from overseas;
You will not fool me this way!" Sweetmeats, too, her taste to please."
Wrathfully, the Tsar's beard shook: "Ah-at last you've found your head,"
"What-me argue with you? Yawned the Tsar, and from his bed
Look-If you do not bring to me Gave his lords most strict commands
That Tsar-Maid, in sennights three, To fulfil Ivan's demands.
To my Royal Chamber-now, Called Ivan a brave young man,
By my Royal Beard, I vow- Said: "God-speed to you, Ivan."
Hide yourself where e'er you please,
Under ground, or under seas- Dawn had scarce begun to peep,
I'll have you impaled, my man! Humpback roused Ivan from sleep:
Off, you scum!" In tears, Ivan "Hey, my lad, stop snoring, do,
To the hayloft made his way, Up! your duty's calling you."
Where his little humpback lay. So Ivan got up and dressed
Warmly for his royal quest;
"Why, Ivanushka, so sad? Took the tent of gold brocade,
What's the matter now, my lad?" Took the dinner-service, made
Little humpbacked horse enquired; All of gold, from overseas,
"Are you ill? or only tired? Sweetmeats, too, her taste to please.
What's the trouble? Tell me who Took the cloths, and everything
Has upset you? Tell me, do." Tied up tightly with a string,
And Ivan, in bitter tears, Put it all into a sack,
Kissed his little horse's ears Climbed upon his horse's back,
Sobbing: "Oh, my humpback dear, Chewing on a piece of bread,
I must bring the Tsar-Maid here. To the rising sun he sped,
Oh, whatever shall I do?" Off to seek the Tsar-Maid Fair.
In reply, his horse said: "True Seven days they rode, I swear;
Your misfortune's great, I know When the eighth day dawned, they stood
But I'll help you in your woe. In a dark and dense green wood,
You rejected my advice- Here the humpback stopped, and said:
Now, you have to pay the price; "See-the ocean lies ahead-
But, Ivan, 'twixt you and me, There it is, the whole year round,
This is easy as can be. This Tsar-Maiden can be found;
Service lies ahead, my man; Only twice a year, not more,
Now, go to the Tsar, Ivan, Does she spend the day on shore;
Say: To catch the Tsar-Maid, Sire, And, tomorrow, I've a notion,
Two large cloths I shall require,
We shall see her on the ocean."
Palace portals met their sight, All its pillars made of gold,
Crowned in crystal, gleaming bright; Twisted cunningly, and scrolled
On each pillar shone a star; She has got a silver tongue.
Round the palace, near and far, It's not easy to recall
Fragrant gardens, fair to see, Every word that she let fall."
Spread in verdant brilliancy. "Which Tsaritsa-who is she?"
Birds of paradise were singing "Why, the Tsar-Maid, don't you see?"
In their golden cages, swinging "What-our Tsar-Maid ?-you don't say
'Mong the silver branches there. It was you stole her away?"
Mansions rose there, tall and fair. With a gasp cried Moon Moonovich.
Stars upon the palace spire, And Ivanushka Petrovich
Burning with a holy fire, Answered: "Why, yes-surely Ma'am-
Formed a Christian Cross, whose rays I'm the Royal Groom, I am.
Set the heavens all ablaze. And our Tsar gave me just three
Weeks to find and fetch her, see?
Through the portals then they rode Otherwise, you see, he said,
And Ivan, dismounting, strode I would lose my curly head."
To the palace, with bare head. Here the Moon in glad surprise
There he saw the Moon, and said: Hugged Ivan and dried her eyes.
"Greetings, gracious Moon Moonovich, "Okh, Ivanushka Petrovich,"
I'm Ivanushka Petrovich Murmured gracious Moon Moonovich,
And from countries far away "You have brought such news today
Greetings I bring you today." That I don't know what to say;
"Take a seat, Ivan Petrovich," When we lost our dear Princess,
Murmured gracious Moon Moonovich, How we mourned, you'll never guess;
"Tell me now, and let me know, That's the reason why, you see,
Why you left the Earth below I've been grieving bitterly
For our realms so bright and blue; These three nights and these three days,
From what people, land are you? In dark clouds concealed my rays;
How you found your way, confess- All this time I mourned and wept,
Tell me all the truth, no less!" Never ate a crumb, nor slept-
"From a land on Earth I come, This is why her brother shrouds
From a realm of Christiandom," His bright face in gloomy clouds;
Sitting down, Ivan replied. Why he sends no warming rays
"I have crossed the ocean wide Down to Earth these many days,
My Tsaritsa's will to do- Shedding many a bitter tear,
In your palace, bow to you- Mourning for his sister dear.
Then repeat these words-now hear: Let me know, though-is she well-
Tell my darling mother dear Is she homesick for us, tell?"
That her daughter down below, "She'd be pretty, I would say,
On the Earth, desires to know But she's wasting right away;
Why, for these three nights and days, She's as skinny as can be
She conceals from her her rays; Only skin and bones, you see-
Why my handsome brother shrouds When she's married, though, no doubt
His bright face in gloomy clouds, She'll improve and get quite stout,
Never sending rays of love For the Tsar will wed her soon."
From his misty heights above?-' "What? The villain!" screamed the Moon-
This is all-I think-though young, "Why-he's eighty, if a day,
And he wants to wed with May!
I declare, upon my life,
She will never be his wife;
See what that old nasty toad
Wants-to reap, who never sowed.
Why, he's greedy as he's vain!"
Then the portals opened wide Humpback waved his tail about,
And the Tsar, with his young bride, In each cauldron dipped his snout,
Came to watch there, with the rest, Then he squirted on him twice,
How Ivan would stand the test. Whistled long and loudly thrice;
And the Tsar called out: "Ivan, Vanya gave his horse one look,
Now, undress yourself, my man- Then a deep, long breath he took,
Dive, and bathe without delay After which, as he was told,
In those cauldrons there, I say!" In each cauldron dived, full bold.
Vanya stripped-no word said he, In and out he dived, and when
And the young Tsaritsa, she He emerged-no words nor pen
Veiled herself right then and there Could describe him-he was so
Handsome, I should have you know.
Then he dried himself, and dressed,
To the Tsar-Maid bowed his best,
Glanced around with haughty air,
No prince handsomer, you'd swear.