"Greetings, my fair prince," said she,
"Why are you so sad, tell me?
Why are you so dismal, say, Like a gloomy, cloudy day?"
"Grief is gnawing at my breast," Answered Prince Guidon, distressed–
"There's a wonder, I confess,
That I'm longing to possess,"
"Tell me then, what is this wonder?"
"Somewhere swells the sea in thunder,
Breakers surge, and with a roar,
Sweeping o'er a barren shore,
Leave behind, for all 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."
In reply, the snow-white swan
Murmured: "Is this all, Guidon?
Wonder not– though this may be
Strange for you, 'tis not for me,
or these sea-knights, prince, are none
But my brothers, every one.
Do not grieve; go home and wait,
Meet my brothers at your gate."
He obeyed her cheerfully,
Climbed his tower and scanned the seas
Lo! the waters, with a roar.
Seethed and swept the barren shore,
Leaving, wonderful to see,
Thirty stalwart knights and three,
All in mail a-gleaming bright,
Marching proudly left and right,
Two by two; and Chernomor, Hoary-headed, went before, Leading them in martial state
Right up to the city gate,
Prince Guidon, with flying feet,
Ran in haste his guests to greet;
Crowds pressed round in unbelief.
"Prince," proclaimed the hoary chief–
"It is by the swan's request
And, at her express behest,
We have come from out the sea Your fair city's guards to be.
Henceforth, from the ocean blue,
We will always come to you
Every day, on guard to stand By your lofty walls so grand.
Now, however, we must go– We're not used to land, you know:
We'll return, I promise you."
And they disappeared from view.
Breezes o'erthe ocean play
Speed a barque upon its way;
Sails all spread, it skims the seas,
Running swiftly 'fore the breeze,
Past a craggy island, where