The Little Humpbacked Horse
Translated by Louis Zellikoff
Text edits and subs by N.Giroux
Past the woods and mountains steep,
Past the rolling waters deep,
You will find a hamlet pleasant
Where once dwelt an aged peasant.
Of his sons-and he had three
Th'eldest sharp was as could be;
Second was nor dull nor bright,
But the third-a fool all right.
But, upon an evil day,
Dire misfortune came their way-
Someone, 'twixt the dark and dawn,
Took to trampling down their corn;
Never had such grief before
Come to visit at their door;
Day and night they sat and thought
How the villain could be caught,
Till at last they understood
Nightly guard would do them good.
You, Ivan just go around
Watch the field and space abound
Danila and Iíll stay behind
Soon the pesky thief weíll find.
Stars, starsÖ one, two, threeÖ
All night long, I count thee
Three, four, fiveÖand sixth one too!
Ainít no summing you on fingers few!
"Oh, ho ho-so this is it!
You're the rogue-but wait a bit!
Since you sat me, I confess
I am yours now to possessÖ
But if you will set me free
Two brave stallions I would give thee
And such handsome steeds I'd bear
As have ne'er been seen, I swear.
And a third I promise you,
Only twelve hands high, with two
Little humps upon his back-
Ears-a yard long...
If you wish, why, sell the two,
But, Ivan, whate'er you do,
Part not with the little steed,
Though you be in direst need.
Faithful friend to you he'll be,
Where you go, on land or sea.
So, farewell, Ivan
For now I will roam free...
-Not in our fieldsÖhopefully!!!
Log house, stoveÖ all swing around,
Ainít no place for their master to lay down
Where in this hangover dread
Shall I hide my rowdy head ?
Hey, stomp with your foot
Donít you worry ëbout the boot
Drunks ìknee-deepî all seas shall measure
But their heads they do not treasure
Lord be merciful and fair!
Just you look what lovely pair
Our young fool has hidden thereÖ
Across the meadows and the ponds
At dawnís earliest hour
The rain of multicolored gems
The Sun from its beard doth shower
Oh, the field, the field of mine
Roaming free just feels so fine!
Oh, my horses black as night,
With your golden manes so bright!
Did not I look after you?
What foul devil stole you? Who?
Donít blame devils for their deeds-
Your two brothers stole those steeds.
Yes, your loss is great, I know-
But I'll help you in your woe.
Mount my back-when I say: 'Go',
Hold to me for all you know.
Now, this is a'curious light.
Look-there's light in plenty here-
But no smoke or heat-I swear
And you very well may stare!
That's a Fire-Bird's feather there!
But, Ivan, for your own sake,
Touch it not, for in its wake
Many sorrows, many woes
Follow everywhere it goes
Is that what you're telling me?
Woes and sorrows-we shall see!
Many sorrows, many woes
Follow everywhere it goes
Capital City
Now, there was an old tradition
That, without the Mayor's permission,
Nothing could be bought or sold,
Nor for barter, nor for gold.
As the church-bells called for prayer,
On his palfrey rode the Mayor.
Golden trumpet gaily sounding,
Voice stentorian resounding:
Guests and honest merchants there,
Open up and sell your ware!
You, my watchmen, guard their stalls
Keep the order, squash the brawls!
Then the merchants loudly call,
As each opens up his stall:
"Honest masters-come this way!
See what wares we have today!î
Sables, ferretsÖ different furs
Pick and choose, you lovely girls!
Here I have the yokes renowned
Saddles and some horsewhips sound!
Tawed reins!
Honey cakes!
Spiced brine apples!
Tasty bakes!
Come young maidens and young lads!
Savor all my gingerbreads!
-Tsarís approaching
-Redhead chamberlain ëside him
Heís horse keepersí chief supreme.
Oh dear father!
Oh dear mother!
What a sight theyíre to behold
Just to me, you wil be sold!
My good people, who
Owns these handsome chargers two?
Tsar, these steeds belong to me,
I'm their owner, too, you see.
Will you sell them to me, say?
No, I'm swapping them today.
What will you be taking, then?
Twice five caps of silver
That I think will make it..ten?
I will give you that, young man!
Brothers, are you not ashamed?
Though you're clev'rer than Ivan,
Still, Ivan's an honest man.
Whatcha looking at, old snake?
Take the steeds, for goodness sake!
Oh, good people, what a show!
I could die just laughing so!
Now, my grooms can't hold those two-
So, there's nothing else to do,
But to come along with me.
I shall issue a decree,
Make you Master of my Horse,
Like a lord, you'll live, of course
What a wonder! Let it be
I shall serve Your Majesty!
Have I fallen from your grace ?
And my job which I embrace?
My displeasure, do observe!
Under Ivan you shall serve!
Take them, Ivan, faithful slave
To my stable, steeds so brave!
Just you wait, you dirty lout,
Time will come, I'll turn you out.
Tsarís Stables
Servant life is sloth and folly
Chasing pigeons-he is jolly
Steeds well-fed and clean appear
Could some ghost be working here?
Can it be, a goblin sprite
Comes and braids their manes at night?
Watch him-that's what I shall do.
And wonít stop until Iím through.
In the city now is night,
All around are sleeping tight
But no peace will come to me
Even when Iím tired, see?
Iíll your silky bangs unbraid
With a fine-toothed comb inlaid
Brush your manes and braid'em back
And admire your beauty black.
Oh you, skipping horses mine
You are graceful, you are fine!
But the heart perceives most dear
My humpback thatís always near.
Oh, so thatís whatís going on
With our little fiendish spawn!
This shall be your bitter end,
To the gallows youíll be sent.
To confess, O Majesty,
I have dared to come to thee!
Be not angry with thy slave.
Suffer me to speak, I crave.
Speak without any fibs,
Or the whip will count your ribs.
All the Court knows it is true,
That Ivan conceals from you
Fire-Bird's feather, SireÖBehold!
And he boasts, as I have heard,
That, did you but say the word,
He could bring the Bird of Fire
To your Royal Chamber, Sire.
Fetch for me that foolish lad!
Wonít escape my fist-too bad!
By what law and what decree
Have you from Our Majesty
Hidden what is ours by right?
Yes-the Fire-Bird's feather bright?
ëBout the feather in my hatÖ
How could he discover that?
I've no feather-and, how, pray,
Could such wonders come my way?
What? You dare refute thy Sire?
Look, what have just acquired!
Pardon me this once, please do
And I'll lie no more to you.
You'll be pardoned for the nonce,
Seeing you have sinned but once
You have boasted, as I've heard,
That, did I but say the word,
You could bring the Bird of Fire
To the Chamber of your Sire.
May the lightning strike my head
If such thing I ever said!
If you do not bring it to me
To my Royal Chamber, now,
By my Royal Beard I vow,
I will find you anywhere
And impale you, so take care.
Off, you serf!
Now you'll shed many a tear!
You rejected my advice-
Now, you have to pay the price.
Oh, whatever shall I do?
Help me, oh my friend so true.
I will say 'twixt you and me-
This is easy as can be.
Service lies ahead, so please
Put your mind, Ivan, at ease.
But whatever shall I do?
Help me, oh my friend so true.
Telling you in language plain,
We will need the best of grain,
And two troughs; then, if you please,
Wine, brought in from overseas.
Really, weíve no time to waste.
And at dawn we must make haste.
Hereís to where the Birds so bright
Flock before the dawn at night.
These are hellish beings, I swear
Fiery riff-raff everywhere
Oh, my little humpback dear,
Hurry fast,come-do you hear!
-Ivanís gone long time from here
-Somewhere lies he drunk, I fear.
Let you down this time, I think,
Broke decrees and did not blink
Were he empty-handed to arrive
I would have to skin the fool alive.
I am twisting little rope
Lovingly, kidís noose I grope
Just for his, of all the heads
He shall test the strength of threads.
Soon, Iíll finish with my noose
Insultís gone when heíll hang loose.
Vile hound, snout of swine
May you bow-like twist your spine!
May you choke on birch bark shoe!
May you fall the black earth through!
What have you brought back for me?
Show me! patienceís not my trait.
Father Tsar, a momentís wait!
Bid them first, Your Majesty,
Shut the chamber casement tight,
Draw the shades, keep out the light.
Hey, Boyars! You should make haste
need day with night replaced, Shadows by the black embraced.
Call the firemen-and quick!
Water hose would do the trick!
Hold him still and hold him tight
Bind the rascal, bind him right
Get him, catch him, grab a hold!
Quickly, flee from fowl bold!
Oh how lively you do leap
Come enjoy your peaceful keep!
Vanya, friend, I love you so,
Lightened is my heart, you know.
And, in token of my joy,
Be my Royal Groom, my boy!
You won't always prosper so,
Have such foolish luck-oh no!
I'll get you in trouble, yet!
Yes, I will, my little pet!
In a distant clime, my brothers,
Flows an ocean, like no others;
And it washes foreign shores,
And it's sailed by merchant moors
Those who have sailed, and so know,
Tell about a maiden fair
Living on that ocean there. She's no common maiden, see-
Daughter to the Sun is she,
Moonís her brother, goes the word
Scarlet dress she wears, I heard.
Sails a boat-of gold it's made,
And she wields a silver oar,
Steers that boat from shore to shore.
Gusli in her hand, she sings
As she plucks its silver strings.
I'll get you in trouble, yet!
Yes, I will, my little pet!
Get him, get him get him clean
Front and back and in between
Birch twig switch of leafy green
One,two-water off duckís back is dripping
Good health comes from all this whipping
And will be our Father mild
Rosy red like tender child
From the waters boiling wild
One,two-water off duckís back is dripping
Good health comes from all this whipping
Poor more water from the bowls
Bring more heat with steaming coals!
One,two-water off duckís back is dripping
Good health comes from all this whipping
Poor more water from the bowls
Bring more heat with steaming coals!
Tsar, your Vanya gaily said,
Swearing by your Royal Head,
That he knew this birdie-yes-
So he called her, I confess.
And, O Sire, it's also true
That he bragged to catch her, too.
I have been informed, dear Vanya,
That just now, my lad, you said,
Swearing by my Royal Head,
That, did I but say the word, You could bring another bird.
For your Monarch-you did swear
You could catch the Tsar-Maid Fair.
Oh dear father, Iíve been hexed.
By such gossip Iím perplexed.
But no matter what you say
You will not fool me this way!
Look-If you do not bring to me
That Tsar-Maid, in short weeks three,
To my Chamber lovely bird,
Mark Ivan my royal word,
Tortures grand till your life ceases.
Youíll be pulled apart in pieces.
Turn your gaze ahead, at last
See ñ the ocean spreading vast
There it is, the whole year round,
This Tsar-Maiden can be found.
This Godís world is full of wonder
Look at all the beauty yonder!
In this lovely silky tent
I my loneliness lament
And for no-one my voice sings
As I nod and pluck my strings
Oh you wild winds, donít howl
Fall asleep, you beast and fowl
Slumber deep in vales and coves,
Mountains steep and oak tree groves
Master! Slumber quickly shirk
Tis the time to fix our work
Oh dear Tsar, itís time to sing
Since Tsar-Maiden he wonít bring
Serf has played another trick
Drive him in a coffin thick.
May you perish hound mean!
May you croak in a ravine!
May you fall into a pond,
When you roam the great beyond!
Peerless, beautiful princess-
Be my bride! Agree-say yes!
When I first saw you, desire
Burned within my breast like fire!
Oh! Your lovely eyes so bright-
They will haunt me day and night!
They will torture me by day
And at nights, drive sleep away!
Say but one sweet word to me
Everything is ready, see-
And tomorrow, oh my life,
We'll be wedded man and wife.
Oh, what need is there to wed?
I shall be alone instead!
What to do, O Maiden Fair?
Wedding dreams have made me square!
If you love me truly, bring
Me in three days' time, my ring
Lying in the ocean bed- Only then can we be wed.
Get Ivan without ado!
Vanya-here's a job for you-
Go down to the ocean blue.
From its bottom, you must bring
Me the Tsar-Maid's signet-ring.
If you execute this task,
I will give you all you ask.
But I've only just got back,
And my joints are fit to crack.
Back to shore again so soon?
Want to marry fast, buffoon!
No more arguments, I say-
Now, be off without delay
They come out into the clearing
To the ocean Ivanís steering,
Where, with giant head and tail,
Lies the Monster-Marvel Whale.
These ten years he lies in pain,
Ignorant of how to gain
Pardon, to this very day.
Oh, his eyes are looking sad
Why this suffering and dread?
He endures this punishment,
For, without the Lord's consent,
Thirty ships, one day, he swallowed
As their ocean course they followed.
If he sets them free again
God will take away his pain,
May God speed you, gentles two-
Whither bound, and whence are you?
We're the Tsar-Maid's envoys, see-
From the capital are we
From seaís bottom please do bring
Us the Tsar-Maid's signet-ring.
For what sins, can you explain?
Must I bear this grief and pain?
Has some sin brought all this bane?
And how can I the pardon gain?
I can tell you, Monster-Whale
Why you suffer and you ail.
If you help me get the ring
Freedom my advice will bring.
Certainly-for friends like you
There is nothing I won't do.
Heed my words, 0 Christians true-
Mark what I am telling you-
If you wish to keep away
From a briny grave today,
Get you gone this minute, now!
Wonders will take place, I vow,
For the Monster Whale will turn
And the sea will seethe and churn.
Troubleís brewing!
Troubleís coming!
From the Whale we should be running!!!
Youíve endured this torment
Since without Lordís consent
Thirty ships, one day, you swallowed
As their ocean course they followed.
If you set them free again
God will take away your pain.
O'er the billows, o'er the sea,
O'er the ocean wide and free,
At the bottom of the world,
Fly our ships with sails unfurled.
Masts are rising higher yet,
Sails from foamy splashes wet,
Villages and forests green,
Native region can be seen.
Tell me, friends, what can I do
In return, or give to you?
From the oceanís floor Iíll bring
You the lovely Maiden's ring.
Brought no ring from underneathÖ
May he rot and all his teeth.
-Thank you kindly, Monster-Whale!
-No, tis you, my friend, I hail!
I'll remember till I die
What you've done for meñgood-bye!
I canít lift this heavy chest
Filled with fiendish hordes for jest
By the wily Monster Whale.
Mount my back and tightly so
Hold to me for all you know.
Maiden fair, hear my voice?
Ring is found- do rejoice!
And, forgive my boldness, do,
I just want to marry you.
Yes, I know, I know, my lad-
Still-We can't be wedded yet.
Why?-I love you more than life!
Why can you not be my wife?
Of an old, old man like you?
Grey haired, ugly, toothless, too?
Though you think I may be old
Yet Iím lively and Iím bold.
Look here-you're old and grey-
I am but fifteen today-
You regain your youth anew,
And I'll gladly marry you.
O, dear Maiden, listen here-
One can't be reborn, I fear
If you have no fear of pain,
You will soon be young again.
Listen-early in the morn,
On the palace court-yard lawn,
You must have three cauldrons ready,
Two-on fires burning steady.
Now, the first one must be filled
To the brim, with water chilled,
While the next-with water hot-
Have it boiled there on the spot;
Then, with milk fill up the last,
Heat it, till the milk boils fast.
If you want to marry me,
Young and handsome wish to be,
First you must your robes divest,
Plunge into the milk, undressed.
Next, in boiling water.Then,
In the water cold-and when
You emerge- Oh, Father my,
Youíll be young and handsome guy.
Oh, dear Father, donít get sad,
Try this trick on our lad.
Cauldrons' magic he should test
If it works, then be my guest.
Listen, now-tomorrow morn
On the palace court-yard lawn,
You, Ivan, must do your best-
These three cauldrons you must test-
First bathe in the milk, my son,
Then the waters, one by one.
Chickens, pigs, and turkeys-yes- People scald them, I confess.
A cold bath-why that's quite Diff'rent and thatís alright.
As to being boiled alive- You can't tempt me-don't you strive.
What? You dare talk back to me? Put him under lock and key!
Talk like this-you getting then Bread and water regimen!
First you do the cauldron bit Then weíll talk about it.
Better if we never met.
Woes to you, I do regret.
Tsar will be the death of me.
Heíll be boiling me, you see.
God bless you and do not cry-
We will manage, you and I.
I would sooner perish, than Leave you in the lurch, Ivan.
Say: Your Gracious Majesty!
Please to send my horse to me
So that I can say good-bye
To my horse before I die.
Now, my lad, go, say your prayers,
Sleep in peace, forget your cares.
Now, undress yourself, my man-
Try the cauldrons best you can.
Oh, allow Your Majesty,
Please to send my horse to me
So that I can say good-bye To my horse, before I die.
If the milk does not boil proper,
Water one will be his stopper.
Why are you just staying still?
Waitís been long-now do my will!
If you have no fear of pain,
You will soon be young again.
The End