Gavriil and Pushkin’s Swan-Princess - Гавриил и пушкинская Царевна-Лебедь

Гаврилушка больше всех сказок Пушкина любит “Сказку о царе Салтане, его сыне - славном и могучем богатыре Гвидоне Салтановиче, и о прекрасной Царевне-Лебеди“ :) Благодарим всех за теплоту и нежность в адрес нашей семьи, и желаем новогоднего настроения и предчувствия Рождественских чудес! Gavriil likes The Tale of Tsar Saltan, his son brave bogatyr Gvidon and wonderful Swan-Princess by Pushkin very much. Thank you so much for the kind words addressed to our family, we wish you great pre Christmas time in anticipation of miracles. By the sea, the prince now paces, On the blue sea now he gazes. Suddenly, before Guidon Swam the graceful snow-white swan. “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 - “Every youth has his own bride - Only I unmarried bide.“ “Who is she you wish to wed? Tell me, now.“ Guidon then said: “There’s a fair princess; they say That she charms all hearts away - Brighter than the sun at noon, She outshines the midnight moon; In her braids, a crescent beams, On her brow, a bright star gleams. She herself is sweet of face, Full of majesty and grace. When she speaks, her sweet voice seems Like the flow of tinkling streams. Is this true, though, or a lie?“ Anxiously, he waits reply. Silently, the snow-white swan Pondered; then she said: “Guidon - Yes-this maiden I can find; But a wife’s no mitten, mind, From your lily hand to cast, Or unto your belt make fast; Listen now to my advice: Weigh this matter well - think twice, So that on your marriage morrow You do not repent in sorrow.“ Here Guidon with ardour swore That he’d thought of this before; That ’twas high time he was married, Too long single had he tarried; That for this princess so fair He would any perils dare, Sacrifice his very soul, Barefoot, walk right to the pole. Sighing thoughtfully, the swan Murmured: “Why so far, Guidon? Know, your future bride is here - I am that princess, my dear.“ Then she spread her wings, to soar O’er the waves towards the shore. There, amid a clump of trees, Folded them with graceful ease, Shook herself, and then and there Turned into a maiden fair - In her braids, a crescent beamed, On her brow, a bright star gleamed; She was sweet in form and face, Full of majesty and grace. When she spoke, her sweet voice seemed Like the flow of tinkling streams. He embraced the fair princess, Folded her unto his breast. Hand in hand with her he sped To his mother dear, and said, Falling on his bended knees: “Mother darling - if you please, I have chosen me a bride - She will be your love and pride. Your consent we crave to wed, And your blessing, too,“ he said - “Bless our marriage, so that we Live in love and harmony.“ Translated from the Russian by Louis Zellikoff