pback with a shout. "Now, Ivan, do not delay- Let's be going on our way- Three days have already passed And tomorrow is our last. Our old man will die of sorrow If we don't get back tomorrow." Said Ivan: "I've done my best, But I cannot raise that chest- I'd be very happy to, But it's more than I can do- Though I tried three times to lift it, Yet I couldn't even shift it; It must hold at least a score, Or a hundred fiends, or more." Here his horse, without a sound, Raised the casket from the ground To his neck, with one light kick, And then said: "Now, mount me, quick- Time is nearly up, you know, And we still have far to go." Horse and rider, tired and worn, Reached the palace gates at dawn, And the Tsar ran out to meet him- "Where's my ring?" was all his greeting. Vanya got off from his horse Proudly answered: "Here, of course And, a little casket, too. Call the guards, though, for-look you, Yes, it may seem small, but yet It could crush the fiend, I'll bet." So the guards were called, and they Took the jewel box away; Then the Tsar, he forthwith sped To the Tsar-Maid, and he said In a sweet and tender voice: "Dear, your ring is found-rejoice! Now, permit me to repeat There's no obstacle, my sweet, To prevent us, 0 my life, From becoming man and wife In the morning; but, my dear, Come and see, your ring is here. " "Yes, I know, I know," she said- "Still-we cannot yet be wed." "Why can you not be my wife? Why?-I love you more than life; And, forgive my boldness, do, I just want to marry you. If you don't... at dawn tomorrow I shall die of grief and sorrow! 0, Tsaritsa-pity me!" But the Tsar-Maid said, said she: "Only look-you're old and grey- I'm but fifteen and a day- We can't marry-if we do, All the tsars will laugh at you, Saying-there goes youth with age.' But the Tsar replied in rage: "Mock me? Only let them dare- They won't laugh again, I swear! I shall put them all to flight- Kith and kin to death I'll smite!" "Even then," the Tsar-Maid said, "You and I cannot be wed. I won't marry you-remember Roses don't bloom in December; I am beautiful-let's see- What can you boast of to me?" Quoth the Tsar: "I may be old Yet I am both gay and bold. When I dress myself a bit Everybody will admit That I'm handsome as can be. But-what need of this?" said he, "If but you and I be wed." But the Tsar-Maid merely said: "Never, never in my life Will I ever be the wife Of an old, old man like you, Grey haired, ugly, toothless, too!" Frowning, as he scratched his head, Here the old Tsar only said: "Now, whatever shall I do? How I want to marry you! Yet the only thing you say Is, for ever Nay and Nay!" But again the Tsar-Maid said: "Grey hairs I shall never wed! You regain your youth anew, And I'll gladly marry you." "0, Tsaritsa, dear-look here- One can't be reborn, I fear, Only God works wonders, see." Then the Tsar-Maid said, said she: "If you have no fear of pain, You will soon be young again. Listen-early in the morn, On the palace court-yard lawn, You must have three cauldrons ready, Two-on fires burning steady; Now, the first one must be filled To the brim, with water chilled; While the next-with water hot- Have it boiled there on the spot; Then, with milk fill up the last, Heat it, till the milk boils fast; If you wish to marry me, Young and handsome wish to be, First you must your robes divest, Plunge into the milk, undressed; Next, in boiling water; then, In the water cold-and when You emerge-believe me, you Will be young and handsome too!" All the Tsar did was to say That his groom come straightaway. "Are you sending me once more," Cried Ivan, "off to the shore? No, Your Majesty-not if I can help it- I'm still stiff, As it is-no, I won't go!" "No," the Tsar said-"No, no, no- Listen, now-tomorrow morn On the palace court-yard lawn, I will have three cauldrons filled: One will have cold water, chilled, In the second cauldron-pot There'll be water, boiling hot; While with milk I'll fill the last, Heating it till it boils fast. You, Ivan, must do your best- These three cauldrons you must test- First bathe in the milk, my son, Then the waters, one by one." "Listen to his blarney," said Vanya, and he shook his head- "Chickens, pigs, and turkeys-yes- People scald them, I confess; I'm no pig or turkey, though, Nor a chicken, as you know. Now, a cold bath-why that's quite Diff'rent and, I'll say, all right; As to being boiled alive- You can't tempt me-don't you strive; But-enough, Your Majesty- Don't you make a fool of me." Wrathfully, the Tsar's beard shook- "What-me argue with you? Look! If my bidding be not done With the rising of the sun, I will have you drawn and quartered, Tortured on the wheels and slaughtered! Off with you, you wretched plague, you!" Shivering as with the ague, Vanya to the hayloft crept, Where his little humpback slept. "Why, Ivanushka, so sad? Why so downcast, then, my lad? Has our bridegroom found another Task for you, my little brother?" Said his horse; Ivan, in tears, Kissed his little horse's ears, Held his neck in close embrace As the tears rolled down his face. "Woe is me, my horse," sobbed he, "He will be the death of me; Now I've got to bathe, undressed, In three cauldrons, for a test; In the first, there's water, chilled; Next, with boiling water's filled; In the third-milk, scathing hot." "Yes that is a task you've got," Said his horse. "For this, you need All my friendship, yes, indeed; Your misfortunes are the price Of refusing my advice; Thank that evil feather for All your woes and sorrows sore. But, God bless you-do not cry- We will manage, you and I. I would sooner perish, than Leave you in the lurch, Ivan. Listen, lad-tomorrow morn, When you strip there on the lawn, Say: 'Your Gracious Majesty! Please to send my horse to me So that I can say good-bye To my horse before I die.' Now, I know he will agree And he'll send a groom for me I will wave my tail about, In each cauldron, dip my snout; Then I'll squirt upon you, twice, Whistle long and loudly thrice; You-be sure to look alive, In the milk then quickly dive, Then-in waters hot and cold Dive, just as you have been told. Now, my lad, go, say your prayers, Sleep in peace, forget your cares." Dawn had scarce begun to peep, Humpback roused Ivan from sleep: "Hey, my lad, stop snoring, do! Up ! Your duty's calling you !" So Vanyusha scratched his head, Yawned, and scrambled out of bed, Crossed himself and said a prayer, Sauntered to the court-yard, where, Near the cauldrons, in a row, Sat the servants, high and low- Princes, dukes, and lords and pages, Cooks and coachmen, fools and sages- Sat and whispered with a smile And discussed Ivan, the while Logs were fed on to the fire So that it should not expire. Then the portals opened wide And the Tsar, with his young bride, Came to watch there, with the rest, How Ivan would stand the test. And the Tsar called out: "Ivan, Now, undress yourself, my man- Dive, and bathe without delay In those cauldrons there, I say!" Vanya stripped-no word said he, And the young Tsaritsa, she Veiled herself right then and there So as not to see him bare. To the cauldrons Vanya sped, Peered inside, and scratched his head. While the Tsar said: "Now, Ivan- Come on-do your duty, man!" Said Ivan: "Your Majesty, Please to send my horse to me So that I can say good-bye To my horse, before I die." Pondering o'er this request, Graciously he acquiesced, And the Tsar was pleased to send For Vanyusha's faithful friend, And Ivan then said adieu To his humpbacked horse so true. Humpback waved his tail about, In each cauldron dipped his snout, Then he squirted on him twice, Whistled long and loudly thrice; Vanya gave his horse one look, Then a deep, long breath he took, After which, as he was told, In each cauldron dived, full bold. In and out he dived, and when He emerged-no words nor pen Could describe him-he was so Handsome, I should have you know. Then he dried himself, and dressed, To the Tsar-Maid bowed his best, Glanced around with haughty air, No prince handsomer, you'd swear. "What a wonder-did you ever?" Cried the crowd, and-"Well I never!" Hastily the Tsar undressed, Twice and thrice he crossed his breast, Dived into the cauldron pot And was boiled there on the spot! Here the Tsar-Maid stood up, and Called for silence with her hand; Then, unveiling her fair face, Thus addressed the populace: "Listen, now! The Tsar is dead- Will you have me in his stead? Am I pleasing in your eyes? Speak! If so, then recognise As the lord of all the land, My beloved husband"-and, Pointing to Ivan, she placed Her fair arm around his waist. "We are willing!" all replied- "We would die for you!" they cried- "For the sake of your sweet eyes, Tsar Ivan we'll recognise." Hand in hand, the Royal pair- Tsar, and young Tsaritsa fair- To the holy altar sped, And in God's church they were wed. Cannons from the castle flashed, Trumpets blared and cymbals crashed; From the cellars, then and there, Casks were rolled with vintage rare. And all night the drunken throng Shouted out in merry song: "Long live Tsar Ivan!" they cried, "And the Fair Tsar-Maid, his bride!" In the palace, mirth held sway, Wines like water flowed that day, And before the groaning boards Princes drank with Dukes and Lords. Twas a pleasure! I was there, Mead and wine I drank, I swear; Though my whiskers bathed in wine, Nothing passed these lips of mine. The End