to me, say?
No, I'm swapping them today.
What will you be taking, then?
Twice five caps of silver
That I think will make it..ten?
I will give you that, young man!
Brothers, are you not ashamed?
Though you're clev'rer than Ivan,
Still, Ivan's an honest man.
Whatcha looking at, old snake?
Take the steeds, for goodness sake!
Oh, good people, what a show!
I could die just laughing so!
Now, my grooms can't hold those two-
So, there's nothing else to do,
But to come along with me.
I shall issue a decree,
Make you Master of my Horse,
Like a lord, you'll live, of course.
What a wonder! Let it be
I shall serve Your Majesty!
Have I fallen from your grace?
And my job which I embrace?
My displeasure, do observe!
Under Ivan you shall serve!
Take them, Ivan, faithful slave-
To my stable, steeds so brave!
This new upstart brings me malice
I shall drive you out of palace!
Tsar’s Stables
Servant life is sloth and folly.
Chasing pigeons-he is jolly
Steeds well-fed and clean appear
Could some ghost be working here?
Can it be, a goblin sprite
Comes and braids their manes at night?
I will watch my little pet-
He shall bite the bullet yet.
City's covered now by night,
Everyone is sleeping tight.
But no peace will come to me.
Even when I’m tired, see?
I’ll your silky bangs unbraid
With a fine-toothed comb inlaid
Brush your manes and braid'em back
And admire your beauty black.
Oh you, skipping horses mine
You are graceful, you are fine!
But the heart beholds most dear
My humpback who’s always near.
Oh, so that’s what’s going on
With our little fiendish spawn!
This shall be your bitter end,
To the gallows you’ll be sent.
-To confess, O Majesty,
I have dared to come to thee!
Be not angry with thy slave.
Suffer me to speak, I crave.
-Speak without any fibs,
Or the whip will count your ribs.
-All the Court knows it is true,
That Ivan conceals from you
Tis not silver and not gold.
Fire-Bird's feather, Sire…Behold!
And he boasts, as I have heard,
That, did you but say the word,
He could bring the Bird of Fire
To your Royal Chamber, Sire.
-Fetch for me that foolish lad!
Won’t escape my fist-Too bad!
By what law and what decree
Have you from Our Majesty
Hidden what is ours by right?
Yes-the Fire-Bird's feather bright?
‘Bout the feather in my hat…
How could he discover that?
I've no feather-and, how, pray,
Could such wonders come my way?
-What? You dare refute thy Sire?
Look, what I have just acquired!
-Pardon me this once, please do
And I'll lie no more to you.
-You'll be pardoned for the nonce,
Seeing you have sinned but once
You have boasted, as I've heard,
That, did I but say the word,
You could bring the Bird of Fire
To the Chamber of your Sire.
-May the lightning strike my head
If such thing I ever said!
-If you don't acquire this thing
For the Chamber of your king
By my Royal Beard I vow,
I will get you anyhow
And impale you, keep in mind
Off, you serf!
...-with tears blind!
Woe has come to you, indeed-
My advice you did not heed.
Horse of mine, what shall I do?
Help me, oh my Humpback true.
I will say 'twixt you and me-
This is easy as can be.
Service lies ahead, so please
Put your mind, Ivan, at ease.
But whatever shall I do?
Help me, oh my Humpback true.
Telling you in language plain,
We will need the best of grain,
And two troughs. Then, if you please,
Wine, brought in from overseas.
Really, we’ve no time to waste.
And at dawn we must make haste.
Here’s to where the Birds so bright
Flock before the dawn at night.
Water from the stream to drink.
We will catch them here, I think.
These are hellish beings, I swear
Fiery riff-raff everywhere
Oh, my little humpback dear,
Hurry fast, come-do you hear!
-Ivan’s gone long time from here.
-Somewhere lays he drunk, I fear.
Let you down this time, I think,
Broke decrees and did not blink.
Brings me nothing-won't forgive!
Skin the fool-and he won't live!
I am twisting little rope