..
Oh Ruslan!
She can't resist! Oh, joy divine
That which I coveted! She's mine!
Ho, Chernomor!
Come out to me!
To mortal combat I challenge thee!
Now, warrior, your blood shall
spill today.
Chernomor's might shall overcome
and slay!
This is no fight, 'tis an embrace.
Wizard, that mace of yours,
that mace!
Ah, listen, knight unto my plea.
I'll let you go, I promise thee.
Your gallantry and youthful fire
I freely confess that I admire.
Pay heed, sir, you shall not come
to harm...
- No, you shall die this day!
- Pay heed, good warrior!
No, vile worm,
You who stole my wife away.
Ruslan won't hear your imploring!
His sword is pulled, your ploy
ignoring.
Know, tyrant, that this sword of
mine
Is fit to trim off that beard of
thine!
No, warrior, I ask your mercy:
I weaken fast, I hardly breathe.
Oh spare my life, I'm in your power,
And put your sword back in its
sheath.
Trembling are you, aha! Now is
the hour!
Abandon, bow down to a Russian's
steel!
To Ludmila speed to do my will.
Now sorcerer, of your beauty shorn
My helm these hairs now adorn!
Help!
Help!
Help!
Help!
Ludmila. Where are you, love?
Reply!
Don't you hear me? It is I!
No trace of her. Nay not a sign.
Tears blind my eyes, for her I pine.
But wait. My sword is still with me!
And while I live, I'll search
for thee!
Ludmila, where are you, love?
Reply!
Ludmila's in the summerhouse yet.
She sleeps beneath a magic net.
I'm here, Ludmila! Your Ruslan.
Take courage, knight. Be on your way
And bear her back in arms so strong.
In those arms of yours she does
belong.
Take her and cherish her alway.
So, Ruslan, you are joyous? Glad?
I promise soon you will be sad!
My son, go without any waiting,
Fly off to the Pechenegs' domain.
Pray them to attack, no time
wasting.
Attack before Ruslan is here again!
Halt!
- Where speeds that rider in a haste?
- Perhaps of wine he had a taste.
'Tis nothing, I warrant, to grieve
us.
I think that he should leave us.
The Tartar's boy I, illustrious Khan
From Kiev with a message come.
Feel you under my brown Kaftan.
It shall talk, though I be dumb.
Accept this for your pains,
my friend.
My doubts have now come
to an end.
Now is the time. To horse! To horse!
To the Russians our swords shall
give discourse!
The Tartar's young son?
In a prisoner's style?
You'll pay for your betrayal,
traitor vile!
You'll pay the cost, you young
upstart.
No, I keep not motley in my heart!
Seize the fool clown, for he does
ache
To be burned as firewood at the
stake!
Catch the jester!
The twelve fair maidens that me
loved
I have forsaken in your behalf.
I well preferred your warm embraces
To their amorous and magic graces.
And leaving their merry town,
Under protective forest frame
I lay my sword and helmet down,
Relinquished all my rivals and fame.
And now I am, humble and peaceful,
In the fisher's hut perched on the
shore
Enjoying every moment blissful
With you, my love, for evermore.
Ratmir?
In this wild place alone?
With a girl? What have you done?
What do I see?
When often in war
Your mighty sword you bravely bore?
My comrade, for me all that is past.
Of war and combat growing weary
My trusty sword from me I cast.
This maid and place I love more
dearly.
Most precious is this girl I hold.
Your riches are much more than
gold.
The ways of war are forgot to me...
Even Ludmila's great beauty.
Know then that she's here with me.
Ludmila's here? How can it be?
Did I hear true? Near here is she?
Russia's Ludmila I shall see?
But where?
Oh no, my vows I'd break,
My own sweet love is dear to me.
For she did this to happen make
That I accepted happily.
She brought me back to life again
Giving me love that I'll retain.
That one is happy who is free,
Who finds refuge in a cozy shed,
Devoid of any care or grief,
A cup of good wine in his hand.
That one is happy who is merry,
With no burden on his mind,
To whom the girls their favors