He, to their persuasions deaf,
Bade the women hold their breath.
"I'm your tsar and not a child!"
Shouted he in passion wild–
"We will sail today. No more!"
Stamped his foot and slammed the door.
From his casement, silently,
Prince Guidon gazed at the sea.
Scarce a ripple stirred the deep
As it sighed as though in sleep.
On the far horizon blue
Sails came one by one in view.
Tsar Saltan's fleet, at long last, O'er the seas was sailing fast.
At this sight, Guidon rushed out,
Uttering a mighty shout:
"Mother dear, come hither, do–
You, my fair princess, come too–
Only look out yonder–there
Sails my father, I declare!"
Through his spyglass, Prince Guidon Sees the royal fleet sail on;
While on deck, his father stands,
Spyglass also in his hands.
With him are the cook, and weaver,
And their mother, sly deceiver;
Wonder in their gaze, they stare
At this isle so strange and fair.
In salute the cannons roared,
Carols sweet from belfries soared.
To the shore Guidon then ran,
There to welcome Tsar Saltan,
And the royal cook, and weaver,
And their mother, sly deceiver.
Citywards the tsar led he–
Not a single word said he.
Now the palace came in sight,
Sentries, clad in armor bright.
Tsar Saltan looked on to see
Thirty stalwart knights and three–
Each one brave beyond compare,
Tall of stature, young and fair,
All alike beyond belief,
Led by Chernomor, their chief.
Then he reached the courtyard wide,
Where a lofty fir he spied. In its shadow–lo, behold,
Cracking nuts of solid gold, Sat a little squirrel, singing,
Emeralds into sacklets flinging.
Golden nutshells lay around On the spacious courtyard ground.
Further on the guests now press,
Meet the wonderful princess:
In her braids, a crescent beams,