his own
intelligence by that of others.
To pass judgement on lunacy
is a futile endeavor.
But we've digressed from our
subject far too far already.
Ah, wives...
You can't accuse them of having
lost all attachment to their husbands,
but their fidelity in marriage
has waned.
The time has come to decree
that wives stop being unfaithful
and husbands turn their attention
to conjugal love.
The boys will have to be deeply
in love with their betrothed,
and the girls will be expected
to obey.
- But will it do any good?
- None whatsoever.
- What's then the point?
-That'll be our excuse before the Sun.
We'll say we did decree. They
didn't heed, that's their own fault.
We cannot post a guard
before every man's house.
Beside the point, though I admit,
you put it nicely.
It bothered me all night,
and here's what I think.
All our subjects are to meet
at dawn on Day of Yarilo.
And every unmarried boy and girl
should take part in a great rite.
We shall unite them all
in holy wedlock.
Yarilo will heed this great
sacrifice of ours.
That's impossible, Your Majesty.
All the boys and the girls have
done lately is quarrel.
But why?
There's a new girl in the village
called Snow Maiden.
The girls fight the boys
out ofjealousy,
the result being the battles
are getting deadly.
I don't believe it! Though,
on second thought, you may be right.
O gracious Tsar! A beautiful girl
begs you to receive her!
Are maidens forbidden to enter
these halls? Aren't the doors open?
Not so much noise, please!
Thank you.
O gracious Tsar!
You must help me, I beg you!
Is that the way to behave?
He has torn my heart out!
Tell us about it. I'm listening.
After taking every advantage
of my tender feelings,
and bragging about it,
he calls me shameless...
I hear, my child, your sobs and
grievance.
Still, I confess, all this is not
very clear to me,
if you'll pardon my saying so.
Could you tell me how this man
abandoned you, and offended you?
- Shall I tell you everything?
- By all means, my child.
May I ask you a question,
glorious Tsar?
Have vows lost their meaning?
Does no one have a conscience?
Or must we lose our trust
in everyone?
Lose our trust, my dear little dove?
But we cannot live without
trust and conscience.
- So I trusted him...
- Go on!
I must ask you something else,
O glorious Tsar.
Suppose there's a man I care about.
If the man's sweet and affectionate,
is it wrong to love him?
- You must love him, my child.
- That's exactly what I did.
I paid no attention to my parents,
relatives or my friends.
Nobody mattered except my love
for this man.
And he pleaded very hard with me
to give my heart forever.
And now I have been abandoned
by this very man.
I'm shameless, he says
in front of everyone!
My poor dear child.
Your words have gone straight to
my heart. So artless, guileless!
I never had to persuade the girls.
A smile and they came to me.
I had gold to pay for their caresses.
Here is some mead...
Which do you like best?
Raspberry flavor, ginger or aniseed?
- It doesn't matter.
- Choose the one you like.
That poor girl's tale of woe,
Bermyata. It's simply incredible!
Call all our subjects here at once!
May they all see the Tsar's justice!
Ho, minions!
Bring Misghir to the royal court!
Summon the people to witness
the awesome royal judgement!
- Hear ye!
- Faithful subjects of the Tsar!
By his Majesty's order!
- Gather ye at the main gates!
- At the Ceremonial door!
- A public trial!
- Justice shall be meted!
- From the ceremonial court!
- Come to the royal staircase!
- Come to the royal palace!
- At the oakwood door!
Justice shall be meted!
A public trial!
The accused is present!
- Do you repent for your sins?
- I repent.
Mighty Tsar! He has got to beg
her pardon on his knees.
Or else chastise the low scoundrel
immediately!
His sin is ghastly. We cannot
allow pity to stir our hearts.
The man insults love, the feeling
that