He became a tiny fly,
And he flew across the sea
Where, 'twixt sky and ocean, he
Settled on the deck and stole
Out of sight into a hole.
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 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,
On his face–a' pensive frown,
While the one-eyed cook, and weaver,
And their mother, sly deceiver,
Sit around the tsar and stare
At him with a toad-like glare.
Tsar Saltan, with royal grace,
Gave the merchants each his place,
Then he said: "Now, masters mine–
Sailed you far across the brine?
Are things well where you have been?
What strange wonders have you seen?"
Quoth the merchants:
"If you please, We have sailed the seven seas;
Peace reigns overseas, serene.
There, we saw this wondrous scene:
On an island, far away,
Stands a city, grand and gay–
Churches tall, with golden domes,
Gardens green and stately homes;
By the palace grows a fir
In whose shade, O royal sir, Stands a crystal cage; and there
Dwells a squirrel, strange and rare–
Full of frolic; all day long,
Cracking nuts, it sings a song,
Nuts, most wondrous to behold–
Every shell is solid gold,
Kernels–each an emerald bright;
Sentries guard it day and night,
It has slaves, like any lord,
Yes, and scribes each nut record.
Troops in passing give salute
With their martial drum and flute.
Maidens store these gems away Under lock and key each day;