this beauty, magical and
kingly
You must rejoice, forget your gloom.
The fountains like birds are singing,
And diamond flowers are in bloom.
This gauzy tent wherein I sit,
These songs, a lovelorn heart's
outpouring,
Which, for all that, are rather
boring,
In faith, I need them not a whit!
And saying that, she started to eat.
Come no closer your lust on me
to wreak!
Abortion! Monstrosity!
Bearded freak!
My beard is caught beneath the bed!
Tear it not or I'll have your head!
Monster misbegotten...
You are depraved and rotten!
That one is happy who is free,
Who finds refuge in a cozy shed,
Devoid of any care or grief,
With a cup of good wine in his hand...
That one is happy who is merry,
With no burden on his mind...
Ruslan? Alone? With no steed?
I'll teach you a lesson now, indeed!
Beware, Ruslan! Your head I'll
smite!
Protect me, Gods, and turn me
right!
Just let me catch you. You're dead!
I'll make you shorter by a head!
Now, poltroon, you'll have to die!
- Farlaf?
- Yes, that's me, Rogdai!
To take Farlaf for Prince Ruslan?
That only could do a very drunk man!
You've got mistaken? Never mind.
Go there, and you'll him find!
Arise, Farlaf, no need to fear,
'Tis only Naina appearing here.
Pay heed to the words of mine,
lovely youth:
In peace none can journey the world,
forsooth.
By Kiev with your father rather stay
Than voyage far all livelong day.
Stay there and count not the hours.
And shortly Ludmila shall be ours.
Stay, valiant knight, ride not away!
Rogdai is here to fight and slay!
Hard have I ridden to meet you.
In manful combat to unseat you!
'Tis you that'll perish away from
your mother
For seeking to steal the bride of
another!
Die, rival mine, and pay the cost!
Your life in combat you have lost!
Farlaf! What's the matter? I don't
believe.
I just escaped by the skin of my
teeth!
You hardly hold on your feet...
For days I nothing had to eat.
I fought with a giant, evil and
smug.
Though he put a spell over sword
of mine,
I still succeeded with this very mug
To split his head down to his spine!
Oh my beloved! You are a hero!
Of good causes gallant cavaliero!
- Naina, you? 'Tis nothing tragic?
- Greetings, my brother in magic.
Grave news bring I. On vengeance
sore,
The most feared of all the knights,
Comes over snow and icy heights
Ruslan, magnificent in war!
My thanks, Naina! Yet I say
Chernomor fears none of mortal clay.
Set not at naught this beard so
long.
As long as it remains intact
None can me hurt, however strong.
It does protect me if attacked.
- What of Ruslan?
- His fate is sealed.
- My Lord speaks truth?
- Ruslan will yield.
I put it on, I disappear!
I raise it, and I am here!
What hat is this?
Good morrow, wizard!
I have nothing to fear!
In possessing this piece of wear
I shall no longer have a care!
I put on my turban,
And I am not there!
You slaves and servants of my guard,
Hasten in coming to my side!
Ludmila's here, you must find her
Wherever she may try to hide!
Or, and I swear I make no joke,
To death you all with this beard
I'll choke!
Here's the turban. It's plain to see,
And now, idiots, try to catch me!
Think you can trick me, Chernomor?
You'll tire soon and mock no more!
We know not where Ludmila can be!
The blame for this belongs to me.
I've searched the whole palace thru,
The garden and the waterfall, too.
The summer house and every place.
Ludmila vanished without a trace!
Night cloaks the lea; from far away
The chilling winds of ocean carry.
Come, youthful roamer, do not
tarry;
Take shelter in our castle, pray!
The nights in languid calm we spend,
The days in feasts and merrymaking.
Come, youthful wanderer, attend
This fete of ours, to joy awaking.
We many are and beauties all;
Our lips are soft, our speeches
tender.
Come, youthful wanderer, surrender
And heed ourjoyous, secret call!
O speak O field! Tell who's spread
Over you the bones of the dead?
Oho! You're