Stands a city, proud and fair.
Cannons with a mighty roar
Bid the merchants put to shore;
When the merchants land, Guidon
Bids them be his guests anon;
Feasts them first with meat and wine,
Then he says:
"Now, masters mine– Tell me what you have for sale,
Whither bound, and whence you hail?"
Said the merchants:
"If you please, We have sailed the seven seas;
Swords of Damask steel we've sold,
Virgin silver, too, and gold.
Now we're overdue, you know,
And we still have far to go–
Past the Island of Buyan,
Back to gracious Tsar Saltan,"
"Gentles," murmured Prince Guidon–
"May fair breezes speed you on,
O'er the ocean, o'er the main,
Back to Tsar Saltan again.
Yes, and when your tsar you see,
Give him compliments from me."
Bowing low before him, they
Left the prince and sailed away.
He, though, hastened to the shore
Where he met the swan once more;
Told her that his heart was burning,
For his sire, his soul was yearning...
So she drenched him, head to toe.
In a trice, he shrank, and lo!
Ere or he could even gasp,
He had turned into a wasp.
Then he buzzed, and rapidly
Overtook the ship at sea;
Gently settled aft, and stole
Out of sight into a hole.
Merrily the breeze is singing,
O'erthe waves a ship is winging
Past the Island of Buyan
To the realm of Tsar Saltan.
Now his longed-for land so dear
Stands out in the distance, clear.
Now the ship at anchor rests,
And the merchants, honored guests
Palacewards their footsteps make
With our gallant in their wake.
There, in regal raiment, sate
Tsar Saltan in royal state.
On his head–his jeweled crown,