Settled down, a happy pair,
Lacking nothing but an heir.
Breezes o'er the 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
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,
Contraband, prince, was our ware,
And our profits– rich and rare,
We have far to travel yet–
Homewards– East– our course is set,
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.
Pray remind your tsar from me,
That his gracious majesty Said he'd visit us some day:
We regret his long delay.
Give him my regards." Thereon
Off the merchants went.
Guidon This time stayed with his fair bride,
Never more to leave her side.
Merrily the breeze is singing,
O'er the 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 each merchant is the guest
Of the tsar, by his behest.
On his royal throne of state,
Crowned in glory, there he sate,
While the royal cook, and weaver,
And their mother, sly deceiver,
With four eyes, though they be three,
Stared at him voraciously.
Tsar Saltan, with royal grace,