With their mother, sly deceiver,
Did not wish to let their tsar
See this wondrous isle so far.
"What a wonder," quoth the cook,
Winking at the others"Look:
There's a city by the shore!
Have you heard the like before? Here's a wonder, though, worth telling–
There's a little squirrel dwelling In a fir tree; all day long,
Cracking nuts, it sings a song.
Nuts–most wondrous to behold!
Every shell is solid gold;
Kernels–each an emerald pure!
That's a wonder, to be sure."
Tsar Saltan thought this most curious,
Our mosquito waxed most furious
And, with his mosquito might,
Stung his aunt's right eye, in spite.
Turning pale, she swooned from pain–
But her eye ne'er saw again.
Sister, serving maids and mother,
Chased him, tripping one another,
Screamed: "You cursed insect, you!
Only wait!"
But he just flew
Through a casement, o'erthe main,
Swiftly to his own domain.
Pensively Guidon once more
Gazes seaward from the shore.
Suddenly, before his sight
Swam the graceful swan, snow-white.
"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 burning to possess.
'Tis a wonder well worth telling–
Somewhere, there's a squirrel dwelling
In a fir tree; all day long,
Cracking nuts, it sings a song.
Nuts, most wondrous, I am told;
Every shell is solid gold,
Kernels–each an emerald pure.
But can I of this be sure?"
Here the swan said in reply:
"Yes–this rumor does not lie;
Marvel not–though this may be
Strange for you, 'tis not for me.
Grieve not–I will gladly do
This slight service, prince, for you."
Home he sped with cheerful stride,