fairer than
the lily.
She's a true daughter of the Slav!
Such grace, such beauty does she
have!
Fairer than daughters of Francony.
Yes, but the damsel's not for us.
It profits not to fret and fuss.
And who is this noble Prince?
Ruslan?
The terror of the Pechenegs.
They cringe 'fore him like wild dogs
Or hide in terror of the man.
And who are those sad-faced men,
Sitting dejectedly, all three?
They're the maid's rejected suitors,
Cruelly racked by jealousy.
There I spy Rogdai, warrior bold
Whose sword brought more land
for Kiev to hold.
- And that one?
- Farlaf, a glutton unbridled.
In eating and drinking
by none is he rivaled.
But in the field he's not one
to shine.
And the other, brooding, his eyes
so fine?
Ratmir, heir to Khazar, 'tis said.
Festivities aren't time to pine.
What would you say? Their hope
has fled.
I give you my blessing, children.
I drink to your many years to live!
She who on earth is my dearest
treasure
To you, Ruslan, I gladly give.
Love her and cherish her forever,
Whatever she asks of you, fulfil.
May nothing on earth your happiness
sever,
And keep her safe from every ill!
Unto death I shall protect her,
And this I hereby swear, great King!
My life is hers, yea everything
Unto the tomb, my dear Ludmila.
O greatest Prince, the hour's here
That I must go to another home.
My sweetest father, it makes me
sorrow
That now I must leave you all alone.
Rogdai! Ratmir! Farlaf!
Forgive me.
There was no way but to refuse
You three. My daughter,
my Ludmila
Of her heart Ruslan did choose.
Ruslan?
Whatever in the world he is that
I ain't?
Alas! I'll have to go home alone...
Be happy,
Prince Ruslan valiant!
Be cursed, my rival, forever on!
Play, music, sweetly, with caress,
While to your tune I'll sing
a praise
To Ludmila's beauty and finesse,
To Ruslan's fighting strength and
grace.
For the newlyweds may they prepare
A gorgeous matrimonial bed,
And as the old custom fare,
The green, heady hops adorn its
head.
And may they bliss there in the care
Ofjolly Lel, the lovers' god.
The Prince invites you, 'tis his
whim
To play a game of chess with him!
A fearful challenge, I confess.
A charging boar would scare me
less.
Ludmila, Ruslan is at your feet,
And will remain for evermore.
What joy everlasting, beloved
heart,
My starry eagle...
Whom I adore!
Ludmila!
Ludmila!
- The Prince is winning.
- The game is his.
Father! Disaster upon us is!
My child? Ludmila? Speak out,
say!
By sorcery from us is carried away!
Out of my sight, no more art thou
A son of mine!
You broke your vow...
Guests and companions!
If human pity touches your heart,
See this old man, and take his part!
Speak, is there man among you
Who my child's abductor will
pursue?
A man whose vows are firm and
true? The man,
yes, hide your head, villain vile,
Who failed to protect my only child,
That man shall have Ludmila for
a bride
My thanks, and half my lands
beside.
I shall go!
He should go and hide!
I shall go!
I!
Farlaf, Rogdai?
And I!
The gallant Khan Ratmir?
To horse, to horse without delay.
We shall find your daughter,
do not fear.
Your Highness, I must not bide
here longer.
The Princess we leave to seek
and find.
Now may your valor be the stronger
And restore again my peace of mind.
At last! The taste is sweet
Of freedom! When will we meet -
The prospect likes me well -
a giant?
The blood'll pour as passions seethe
And victims offer to the sabre!
Rejoice, my blade and loyal steed!
And freely go prance and caper!
'Tis time to part, my friends, I say
Let us chance fate. So 'tis decided.
May each horse be given its own
way,
And fly by the touch of spur
unguided!
I bid you welcome, my son! At last!
I greet you here, Ruslan, most
warmly.
Here have I twenty long years
passed
Of my old age, and grim and lonely
They've been. But now has come
the day
For which, foreseeing it, I waited.
To meet, we two, my son, were