Coins are minted from each shell,
Coins with which they buy and sell.
People live in plenty there,
Not in huts, but mansions fair.
Prince Guidon reigns there, and he
Sends his compliments to thee."
Here the tsar said, in amaze:
"If but God prolong my days,
I shall visit this strange isle
Guest with this Guidon a while."
But the cook, and royal weaver,
With their mother, sly deceiver,
Did not wish to let the tsar
See this wondrous isle so far.
And the weaver, smiling wryly,
Thus addressed the tsar, most slyly:
"Wherein lies this wonder, pray?
Squirrels cracking nuts all day–
Heaping emeralds, we're told, Left and right a-throwing gold!
Nothing strange in this see I!
Be this true, or but a lie,
I know of a better wonder.
Lo! The ocean swells in thunder,
Surges with a mighty roar,
Overflows a barren shore,
Leaving, wonderful to see,
Thirty stalwart knights and three, All in mail a-gleaming bright, Marching proudly left and right;
Each one brave beyond compare,
Tall of stature, young and fair,
All alike beyond belief,
Led by Chernomor, their chief.
That's a wonder, now, for you,
Marvelously strange, but true."
Wisely, though, the guests were mute–
They with her did not dispute.
But the tsar waxed very curious,
And Guidon waxed very furious,
Fiercely buzzed and settled right
On his aunt's left eye, in spite.
Turning pale, she gave a cry–
She was blinded in her eye.
Screams of anger filled the air–
"Catch it! kill that insect there!
O you nasty insect, you!"
But Guidon just calmly flew Through the casement, o'erthe main,
Swiftly to his own domain.
By the blue sea he is pacing,
On the blue sea he is gazing.
And once more, before his sight
Swam the graceful swan, snow-white.