In the famous city of Anton ruled the brave and mighty King Guidon;
who heard so much from his own subjects, as well as foreigners, of the
beauty of the Princess Militrisa Kirbitovna, that he longed to see
her. So he set out, and travelled to the city of Dimichtian, where he
saw her many times, and fell deeply in love with her.
When King Guidon returned home, he sent his servant Litcharda as
ambassador to King Kirbit Versoulovich, the father of the Princess
Militrisa Kirbitovna, with a letter written by his own hand, to ask
for his daughter in marriage. When Litcharda arrived at the city of
Dimichtian, he delivered to King Kirbit the letter from his master;
and after Kirbit had read it through, he went at once to the Princess
Militrisa, and said to her: "My dear daughter, the fame of your beauty
has reached the brave and powerful King Guidon. He has been in the
city to see you, and has fallen deeply in love with you. He has sent a
messenger to demand your hand, and I have already given my consent."
As King Kirbit spoke these words, Militrisa fell to weeping; and her
father seeing this said: "Grieve not, dear daughter, Guidon is
powerful, renowned, and rich; he will be a good husband to you, and
you will share the government with him. To refuse his request is
impossible, for he would return with a large army, storm our city, and
carry you off by force."
When the Princess Militrisa heard this, she began to sob, fell on her
knees, and said: "My lord and father, you have sovereign power over
me, but let me confess the truth: I have seen Guidon, but his very
look terrified me; I fear therefore to marry him. I entreat you, dear
father, to alter your resolution, and to give me to Tsar Dadon, who is
our neighbour, a faithful friend, and protector of our kingdom." But
Kirbit did not listen to her entreaties, and sent her to King Guidon
to be his wife, in the city of Anton. Guidon rejoiced exceedingly at
her arrival, ordered a great feast to be prepared for their wedding
the following day, and set at liberty all the prisoners in his kingdom
on this joyous event.
For three years Guidon lived with Militrisa, and they had one only
son, named Bova Korolevich, who was of a powerful figure and handsome
bearing, and he grew, not from day to day, but from hour to hour. One
day Queen Militrisa Kirbitovna called her faithful servant Litcharda,
and said: "Do me a true service; I will repay you with gold and
precious stones: take this letter to Tsar Dadon, without the knowledge
of King Guidon: fail not to do my bidding, or you shall die a
miserable death."
Litcharda took the private letter of the Queen, mounted his horse,
rode to Tsar Dadon, and delivered the letter to him. When Dadon read
it through he laughed, and said to Litcharda: "Your Queen either jokes
or wishes to affront me: she invites me to lead my army before the
city of Anton, and promises to deliver up her husband to me; this
cannot truly be meant, because she has a young son." But Litcharda
replied: "Mighty Tsar Dadon, let not this letter arouse your
suspicion; put me in prison with food and drink, collect your army,
and march to the city of Anton, and if the contents of the letter
prove untrue, let me suffer death."
When Tsar Dadon heard these words from Litcharda, he rejoiced, and
ordering the trumpets to sound, he collected an army of thirty
thousand men, marched upon the city of Anton, and encamped on the
royal meadows. No sooner was Militrisa Kirbitovna informed that Tsar
Dadon was encamped before the city with his army, than, dressing
herself in her best attire, she went to King Guidon, and, pretending
to be ill, begged him to go out and slay a wild boar for her to eat.
The King was glad to oblige his wife, and mounting his trusty horse,
rode out to hunt.
As soon as he had left the city, Militrisa ordered the drawbridges to
be raised and the gates to be shut. And hardly had King Guidon
approached Tsar Dadon's rearguard, when the latter instantly pursued
him. Guidon turned his horse towards the city, but flight was in vain;
when he came to the gates, and found them closed, and the drawbridges
up, he was sad at heart, and exclaimed: "Most miserable of men! Now I
see the cunning of my wicked wife, and the death she has prepared for
me. But Bova, my dear boy, why did you not tell me of your mother's
treachery?" As he spoke these words Dadon rode at him, pierced him
through the heart with his lance, and Guidon fell dead from his horse.
When Militrisa Kirbitovna saw this from the city walls, she ordered
the gates to be opened and the bridges let down, and went out to meet
Tsar Dadon, kissed him on the lips, took him by the white hands, and
conducted him into the castle. Here they sat together at a table where
a banquet was spread, and they began to feast. But the little boy,
Bova Korolevich, young as he was, when he saw his mother's wicked
conduct, went out of the castle to the stable, and sitting down under
a manger was sad at heart. His attendant, Simbalda, saw him sitting
there, and wept at the sight, and said: "My dear young master, Bova
Korolevich, your cruel mother has let Tsar Dadon kill my good lord
your father, and now she feasts and sports with the murderer in the
palace. You are young, my child, and cannot avenge your father's
death; indeed, who knows but that she may kill you likewise? To save
our lives, therefore, we will fly to the city of Sumin, over which my
father rules." And so saying, Simbalda saddled for himself a good
steed, and for Bova a palfrey, took with him thirty stout young
fellows, and hurried out of the city.
As soon as Dadon's followers saw this, they went and told their master
that Bova and Simbalda had escaped towards Sumin. When Tsar Dadon
heard this he forthwith commanded his army to be collected, and sent
in pursuit of Bova Korolevich and his protector Simbalda, whom they
overtook at a short distance from Sumin. Simbalda at once saw their
danger, and, setting spurs to his horse, galloped off to the city and
shut the gates. But Bova Korolevich, who was very young, could not
hold his seat upon the horse, and fell to the ground. Then the
pursuers seized Bova, and carried him to Tsar Dadon, who sent him to
his mother, Militrisa; and, collecting all his army, he rode up to the
city of Sumin, in order to take it by force, and put to death its
inhabitants and Simbalda; and pitched his tent on the forbidden
meadows around the city.
One night Dadon dreamed that Bova Korolevich pierced him through with
a lance: and when he awoke he called to him his chief boyar, and sent
him to Queen Militrisa, bidding her to put Bova to death. But when
Militrisa Kirbitovna heard this message she replied: "I cannot myself
kill him, for he is my own son; but I will command him to be thrown
into a dark dungeon, and kept without food or drink, and so he will
die of hunger."
Meanwhile Tsar Dadon lay encamped before the city of Sumin for half a
year, but could neither take it by force nor starvation; so at length
he broke up his camp and returned to Anton. After his departure,
Simbalda assembled an army of fifteen thousand men, marched upon the
city of Anton, surrounded it on all sides, and demanded that Bova
should be given up to him. But Dadon collected an army twice as
strong as Simbalda's, and drove him back into the city of Sumin.
One day, as Queen Militrisa was walking in her garden, she by chance
passed the prison where Bova Korolevich was confined. Then he cried
aloud: "Alas! my gracious mother, fair Queen Militrisa, why are you so
enraged against me? Why have you put me in prison and given me no food
on purpose to let me die of hunger? Have I grieved you by any ill
conduct or cruel words, that you treat me in this way, or have wicked
people spoken evil of me to you?" Militrisa answered: "I know of
nothing wrong in you, and have only put you in prison on account of
your irreverence to Tsar Dadon, who defends our kingdom against our
enemies, while you are young; but I will soon set you at liberty, and
will send you now some sweetmeats and meat; you can eat as much as you
like."
[Illustration: "ALAS! MY GRACIOUS MOTHER, WHY HAVE YOU PUT ME IN
PRISON?"]
So saying, Queen Militrisa went into the palace and set to work to
make two cakes, of wheaten dough and serpent's fat, which she baked
and sent to Bova Korolevich by a servant maid named Chernavka. But
when the maid came to Bova she said: "Master, do not eat the cakes
which your mother has sent, but give them to the dogs, for they are
poisoned, here is a piece of my own bread." So Bova took the cakes
and threw them to the dogs, and as soon as they tasted them they died.
And when he saw Chernavka's kindness and fidelity, he took her black
bread and ate it, and begged her not to close the prison door: so she
left it open, and when she came again to Militrisa she told her she
had given the cakes to Bova.
As soon as the servant was gone, Bova escaped from his prison and went
to the harbour to forget his sorrow. There some drunken people seized
and carried him on board a ship, and the merchants on it asked him of
what condition he was. Bova Korolevich told them that he was of the
poor class, and that his mother got her living by washing linen for
strangers. When the sailors heard this they wondered that he should
look so handsome, and bethought them how they might keep him with
them. They began to wrangle as to who should be his master, but as
soon as Bova perceived their intention, he told them not to quarrel
for his sake, for that he would serve them all in turn.
Then the shipmen left the city of Anton and sailed out to sea, to the
Armenian kingdom of King Sensibri Andronovich. There they cast anchor,
and went into the city to follow their business; whilst Bova went on
shore, and wandered about, playing on the lute. Meantime the port
officers came on board the ship, whom King Sensibri sent to enquire
whence the ship had come, who the merchants were, and what was their
business. But when they heard Bova Korolevich playing, and saw the
beauty of his features, they forgot what they had come for, and
returning to King Sensibri, said only that they had seen a youth of
unspeakable beauty on board the ship, who played on the lute so
wonderfully that they were never tired of listening to him; adding,
that they had quite forgotten to enquire what wares the ship
contained. When the King heard this he went himself to the ship, and
when he had seen Bova, he offered to purchase him, but the merchants
would not sell him for any price, telling the King that he belonged to
them all equally, and relating how they had picked him up on the
seashore. At this King Sensibri flew into a rage, and instantly
ordered them to be driven out of his kingdom, forbidding them ever to
return. On hearing this order, the merchants agreed to sell Bova
Korolevich for three hundred bars of gold.
When Bova was brought to the Court, the King called to him and said:
"Tell me, young fellow, to what class do you belong, and what is your
name?" And Bova replied: "Gracious King, Sensibri Andronovich, I am of
the poor class, and lost my father at an early age: my mother washes
linen for strangers; and thus supports herself and me. My name is
Anhusei, and I will serve thee henceforth faithfully."
When the King heard this he said: "As you are of the lowest class and
cannot remember your father, go into my stables, and you shall be the
head over all my grooms." So Bova made his bow and went into the
stable.
Bova often drove out with his comrades to the forbidden meadows of the
King, to get grass for the horses; but he never took a sickle with
him, but pulled all the grass with his hands, and gathered himself as
much as ten men together could mow. When the other grooms saw this
they were amazed at his strength. His fame at length reached the
King's daughter, the fair Drushnevna, who went to see him: and as soon
as she beheld Bova, she was enraptured with his uncommon beauty. And
one day she said to the King: "My gracious father, you are indeed
powerful and renowned, not only in your own kingdom, but in all
countries far and near, and no King, Tsar, or Knight can compare with
you; but, O King! you have no trusty and clever steward in your
household. Now, I have heard that there is a young lad in our royal
stables whom you have purchased from some shipmen; his name is
Anhusei. This lad will prove trusty and useful in your service; order
him to be taken from the stable and employed in your household."
King Sensibri replied: "My dear daughter, I have never refused to
grant any one of your wishes, and in this matter too you are free to
do as you will." When the Princess Drushnevna heard these words, she
thanked her father, made her obeisance, and went out. Then she ordered
Bova to be called and desired him to leave his old task and to enter
on his new employment in the household.
The next day she called Bova to her and said: "Hark ye, Anhusei,
to-morrow my father will have a great feast, and all the princes,
boyars, and knights will be present to eat and drink and sport; you
must stand near me at the table to do my bidding." Thereupon Bova made
his bow and was going away, but the Princess Drushnevna called him
back, and said: "Tell me the truth, young fellow, what class do you
belong to--of boyar or kingly race? Or are you the son of some brave
knight, or of a merchant from a foreign land? And what is your true
name? I believe not that you are born of common folk as you told my
father." Then Bova replied: "Gracious Lady, I have told your royal
father truly my name and condition, and can only repeat it to you."
And so saying he left the room.
On the morrow the King held a great feast, and Bova had to hold a
roasted swan to the Princess Drushnevna, which she began to carve;
and, on purpose, she let fall a fork on the floor. Bova instantly
picked it up, and as he held it out to her she kissed him on the head.
As soon as the feast was ended, Bova lay down to sleep, and slept
three days and three nights; no shaking could arouse him. The fourth
day, when he awoke, he rode out into the open country, walked into the
forbidden meadows, gathered some beautiful flowers, and, making a
wreath, placed it on his head, and so went into the city. When the
Princess saw him thus decked out, she called him before her, and bade
him take the wreath from his head and place it on hers. Bova did not
obey; but he took the wreath from his head, pulled it to pieces, and
flung it on the ground; then he left the room, and shut the door after
him with such force that he pulled out the silver handle, and a stone
fell from the wall and wounded him on the head. The fair Drushnevna
hearing this, cured his wound with her medicines; and when it was
healed Bova lay down again to sleep, and slept five days and five
nights.
Now at this time King Marcobrun came from the kingdom beyond the Don,
with many hundred thousand warriors; and surrounding the Armenian city
with his army, he sent an ambassador to Sensibri to demand the
Princess his daughter Drushnevna for wife; promising, in return, to
reward and defend him; but threatening, in case of his refusal, to
destroy the city with fire and sword, to throw him into prison, and
carry off his daughter by force. Then King Sensibri answered: "Tell
your Master, the renowned King Marcobrun that, until this day, I have
never had any disagreement with him, but have lived in friendship and
good-will; and that I have no desire now to quarrel with him; but
better it had been to have sent you with a simple request instead of
threats. I pardon him, however, on account of his youth, and invite
him to my royal castle to eat bread and salt, and to celebrate the
marriage with my daughter."
King Sensibri dismissed the messenger, and commanding the city gates
to be opened, went himself to meet King Marcobrun, took him by his
white hands, led him into the marble palace, seated him at an oaken
table spread with checkered tablecloths and sweetmeats, and they fell
to eating and drinking and disport.
Just then Bova Korolevich awoke from his five days' sleep, and heard
the confused sounds of men, and the neighing of horses, outside the
city. Whereupon he went into the white marble palace to Princess
Drushnevna, and said: "Gracious Lady, I hear the sounds of men and
horses outside the city, and people say that Marcobrun's nobles are
amusing themselves with holding a tournament. I have a wish to join in
it; command, I pray, a good steed to be given me, and allow me to go
forth and see the sports."
The Princess answered: "My little fellow Anhusei, how can you ride
with Marcobrun's nobles? You are still very young, and cannot sit fast
on a horse. However, if you have so great a longing to go, choose a
good horse and ride off to see the sport; but take no weapon, and do
not mingle in their games."
The instant Bova received this permission he went into the stable,
straddled across a broom, and so rode out of the city. And as soon as
Marcobrun's nobles saw Bova Korolevich riding upon a broom, they began
to laugh at him, and cried: "Look, look at King Sensibri's groom!
riding cock-horse upon a broom! to sweep the field and make us room!"
But Bova did not relish their jokes, and riding up to them, he
defended himself with his broom, laying about him right and left, and
knocking them down by twos and threes. When Marcobrun's nobles saw
this sport they rushed upon Bova, ten or more at once; but he took
them as they came, and overthrew them all. Thereat the other knights
were enraged, and attacked Bova, two hundred in a body, and tried to
ride him down. Still Bova flinched not, but slew them all, one after
another, to the number of two hundred thousand men. When the King's
daughter saw this from her window, she went to her father and said:
"My gracious father, command your servant Anhusei to return. He has
ridden forth to see the sports of Marcobrun's nobles; but they are
engaged against him, and are attacking him with great fury. It were a
shame to let him be slain: he is still but a young child, and has
little strength." So King Sensibri Andronovich instantly sent to Bova,
and ordered him to return to the city.
Bova obeyed the command, rode back to the city, lay down to sleep, and
slept for nine days and nine nights. Meanwhile the powerful Tsar and
knight Lukoper came to the Armenian kingdom: his head was as large as
a beer-barrel, his eyebrows were a span apart, his shoulders an
arrow's length broad, and he was as tall as a journey. Never before
had such a powerful knight been heard of; and he came at the head of
a host twice as strong as the army of Marcobrun. Then he surrounded
the city of King Sensibri, and sent an ambassador to him, demanding
the hand of the Princess Drushnevna; threatening, if he refused, to
lay waste his city with fire and sword, to imprison all the
inhabitants, to overthrow Marcobrun's army, slay both Kings, and carry
off the Princess Drushnevna. But if Sensibri assented to his demand,
Lukoper promised him his aid and protection.
When King Sensibri heard this message he dared not refuse, and
dismissed the ambassador without an answer. Then he called Marcobrun,
and took counsel with him, and they agreed to attack Lukoper with all
their forces. They forthwith ordered their horses to be saddled; each
seized in his right hand a steel sword, and in his left a sharp lance,
and they rode forth out of the city. When the Tsar Lukoper beheld
them, he rode with the blunt end of his lance against Marcobrun and
Sensibri, overthrew them one after another, took them prisoners, and
sent them to his father, Saltan Saltanovich, who was encamped with his
army on the seashore. Then Lukoper fell upon the armies of Sensibri
and Marcobrun, and slew them without mercy, while his gallant steed
trampled down still more than he killed; and in a short time the
royal forbidden meadows were covered with the dead.
Just at this time Bova Korolevich awoke from his sleep, and heard the
noise of Lukoper's army, and the neighing of the horses. Then he went
to the Princess Drushnevna and said: "Gracious Lady, I hear the noise
of Lukoper's warriors, who are disporting in a tourney after the
victory over your father and Marcobrun, whom he has sent prisoners to
his father the Tsar Saltan Saltanovich, on the seashore. I am
therefore come, as your faithful servant, to crave permission to take
from the royal stable a good horse, with trappings, a sword, and a
steel lance. Let me go forth against Lukoper's army, measure my
strength with him, and try the valour of his boasting warriors." The
Princess answered: "I will consent to your wish, young fellow; but you
must first tell me truly of what rank of life you are, and what is
your real name? You have not told my father the truth: your handsome
figure and valorous deeds show clearly that you are no poor man's
son."
"Lady," replied Bova Korolevich, "I would not disclose to you my true
rank and name, but that I am now going forth to a battle of life and
death, and know not whether I shall return from it alive, or lose my
head in rescuing my King from prison; therefore I will confess the
truth. My father was the renowned King Guidon, a mighty hero in the
field, and a merciful prince to his subjects. My mother is Queen
Militrisa, daughter of the Tsar Kirbit Versoulovich: my name is Bova.
I left my country in early youth, when King Dadon laid waste our
kingdom, treacherously murdered my father, and seized upon his
dominions. He sought to kill me too; but I fled, sailed with some
merchants to your kingdom, and was bought by your father."
When the Princess heard this story she loved Bova Korolevich still
more, and she said to him: "Brave Knight, you would engage in a fight
of life and death with the Tsar Lukoper, but you do not know, perhaps,
how powerful he is, and what an immense army he has with him; besides,
you are still very young, and have not the strength of manhood. Stay
rather in my city, take me for your wife, and protect my country and
people against our foes."
Bova, however, was unmoved by her words; and again entreated her to
let him have a steed and armour. When the Princess Drushnevna saw how
earnestly he begged, she took from the wall a battle sword, buckled it
on him with her own hands, put on his armour, and led him to the stone
stable to fetch a steed, which stood there behind twelve iron doors
and twelve huge locks. Then she commanded the grooms to strike off the
locks; but as soon as the horse perceived a rider worthy of him, he
began to burst the doors with his hoofs, broke them all down, ran out,
set himself on his hind legs before Bova, and neighed so loud that the
fair Drushnevna and all the bystanders were ready to fall down
senseless.
When Bova took the horse by his black-grey mane and began to pat him,
he stood still as if rooted to the spot; and Bova Korolevich seeing
this, placed a Tcherkess saddle upon him, with girths of Persian silk
and golden buckles. And when he vaulted into the saddle and took leave
of the Princess Drushnevna, she embraced and kissed him. The royal
Chamberlain, named Orlop, who saw this, began to reproach her, which
angered Bova so much that he hurled him to the ground half-dead with
the butt-end of his lance, and rode out of the city. Then Bova struck
the flanks of his steed, which started, rose from the ground, and
leaped over the city wall.
When Bova beheld the camp of the Tsar Lukoper, in which the tents
stood as thick as trees in a forest, he drew his battle sword and
mace, and rode straight against the mighty Tsar. The crash of two
mountains falling upon one another is not so great as was the onset
between these two powerful knights. Lukoper struck at Bova's heart
with his lance, but Bova parried the thrust with his shield, and the
lance was shivered in pieces. Then Bova struck Lukoper on the head
with his sword, and cleft his body in twain to the very saddle; after
which he fell upon Lukoper's army, and many as he slew with his
battle-axe, as many again were trodden down under his horse's hoofs.
Bova fought five days without resting, and overthrew well nigh the
whole army; a small number only escaped, who fled to the Tsar Saltan,
and said to him: "Our Lord Tsar Saltan Saltanovich, after we had taken
prisoners Tsars Sensibri and Marcobrun, and had overthrown all their
enemies, a young fellow of handsome look rushed out of Sensibri's
city, who slew your brave son Lukoper in single combat, and routed our
whole army. He is even now in pursuit of us, slaying all whom he can
overtake, and will presently attack you."
On hearing this, Tsar Saltan was seized with terror, and hastened with
his troops on board his ships, leaving all his tents and treasures
behind, cut the cable, and instantly set sail from the Armenian
kingdom. But hardly had he left the shore when Bova rode into the
camp, and found not a single living soul except the Kings Marcobrun
and Sensibri, who lay bound hand and foot beside Saltan's tent. Bova
Korolevich freed them from their bonds, and rode with them back to the
Armenian kingdom.
On the way Sensibri Andronovich said to Bova: "My trusty servant
Anhusei, I see your fidelity and valour; I owe my liberty to you, and
I know not how to reward you: ask of me whatsoever you desire--my
treasures are at your command." Then Bova answered: "My gracious lord
King, I am rewarded by your royal favour, and ask no more; but I will
serve you faithfully to the best of my power." And as they conversed
thus they came to the Armenian city, where they feasted and made
merry. Then Bova lay down to sleep, and slept nine days and nine
nights.
At length Kings Sensibri and Marcobrun, tired of feasting, rode out
into the fields to hunt for three days. And meanwhile it happened that
the Chamberlain, jealous of the favour that the King showed to Bova,
called to him thirty young fellows and said: "My friends, you see that
this rascal Anhusei has deceived our King and the Princess Drushnevna,
and, turning their favour from us, drives us from their presence. Come
with me into the stable where he sleeps; let us put him to death, and
I will reward you with gold and silver, with jewels and fine clothes."
When Orlop had told his plan, one of the thirty answered: "We are not
strong enough to slay Anhusei in his sleep; should he awake he would
kill us all. A better plan would be for one of us to lie in the King's
bed, whilst he is out at the chase, to summon Anhusei, and give him a
letter to the Tsar Saltan Saltanovich desiring him to put Anhusei to
death."
When the Chamberlain Orlop heard this he leaped for joy, embraced the
fellow who had given this wicked advice, and rewarded him more than
the rest. And when the letter was prepared, Orlop went and lay down in
the King's bed, called Bova to him, and said: "Do me a service,
Anhusei; take this letter and give it to the Tsar Saltan with your own
hand. On your return I will reward you in any way you may desire."
Bova, who was half asleep, did not discover the cheat, but took the
letter, went out and saddled a good horse, and rode off to the kingdom
of the Tsar Saltan.
Bova rode for two months, until he came to a desert, where there was
neither river, brook, nor fountain, and grew sore athirst. At length
he met a pilgrim, who had a leather bottle full of water, and he
begged him for a draught to quench his thirst. The old man secretly
put a sleeping powder into the water and gave it to Bova; but hardly
had he drunk it than it took effect, and he fell from his horse and
slept like one dead. Then the old man took the battle sword, mounted
the horse and rode off, leaving Bova alone and unarmed in the midst of
the desert.
Bova slept on for ten days; and when he awoke and saw that his steed,
his sword, and battle-axe were all gone he wept bitterly and said to
himself: "It seems that I am doomed to lose my life in this service,
and that King Sensibri has sent me to Tsar Saltan only to meet death
in return for my fidelity." Then he went his way on foot, and his head
hung lower than his shoulders.
When Bova Korolevich appeared before the Tsar Saltan he bowed to the
ground, handed him the letter and said: "Long life to you, gracious
lord and Tsar Saltan Saltanovich! I am sent by King Sensibri to your
Majesty to bring news of his health, to enquire after yours, and to
deliver to your Majesty this letter." Then Saltan took the letter,
broke the seal, and after reading it exclaimed aloud: "Where are my
valiant knights, my faithful servants and warriors? Seize this
messenger from King Sensibri, and lead him to the gallows, for he has
slain my dear son and destroyed our mighty army."
Thereupon sixty of Saltan's knights rode forth, surrounded Bova, and
led him into the open fields to hang him. On the way Bova bethought
him how he could have deserved such a shameful death, and to lose his
life in the flower of his days. "Better had it been," said he, "if my
mother had killed me in the city of Anton, or if I had been slain by
Marcobrun's nobles or by Lukoper in the field." And with that he rose
up, overthrew all the sixty knights, and fled out of the kingdom.
When the Tsar Saltan heard this, he instantly commanded the trumpets
to sound, and collected his knights to the number of a hundred
thousand, pursued Bova Korolevich, and surrounded him on all sides.
Bova had neither a good steed, a sharp sword, nor a steel lance--he
had nothing with which to defend himself. Then he seized one of
Saltan's warriors, and began to fight with him; but he saw that he
could not slay them all, and gave himself up prisoner. So they seized
him, bound his hands, and led him before Saltan Saltanovich. As soon
as the Tsar saw Bova he ordered the hangman to be fetched, to hang
him.
Just then the Tsar's daughter, the fair Princess Miliheria, fell on
her knees before her father and said: "My gracious lord and father, do
not let Bova be hung, but allow me to speak; his death will not bring
either my brother or your army to life again. Rather grant him his
life, turn him to our faith, and make him the successor to your
throne. Then will he be a defence in war to your old age."
The Tsar answered: "My dear daughter, Miliheria, you comfort me with
your tender words and wise advice; I give Bova into your hands, and if
he embraces our faith he shall be my successor and your husband, and I
will resign to him all my cities and villages, my treasures of gold
and jewels."
The Tsar's daughter made her obeisance to her father, left the hall,
and ordered Bova to be brought before her. Then she endeavoured with
gentle speech to persuade him to adopt her faith; but Bova answered
that neither for the whole kingdom, nor all the treasures of gold and
jewels, would he consent to change his faith.
Then Miliheria commanded Bova to be led to prison, and the entrance to
be stopped up with sand, and that he should have no food nor drink for
five days. At the end of this time she put on a gold-embroidered
dress, adorned with jewels, and went to the prison. Then she ordered
the sand to be removed, and the door to be opened, and, going in, she
said to Bova: "Now, young fellow, have you considered the matter? Will
you change your faith, and live, and rule over my father's kingdom,
or have you not yet overcome your obstinacy and will rather end your
life on gallows?"
"Never, as long as I live, will I deny my faith," answered Bova, "nor
abandon it for yours. Tempt me not in vain with cunning words and
promises; I will rather suffer death than be a despicable man."
The Princess Miliheria was very angry at Bova's answer; she went
instantly to her father and said: "My lord and father, I confess to
you my wrong in having interceded for the life of this unbelieving
prisoner, in the hope of converting him to our faith, and making him a
good subject of your Majesty. But now I see his obstinacy and hard
heart, I no longer plead for him, but give him back into your hands;
do with him as you will." And so saying she went out.
Saltan Saltanovich, on hearing this, called to him thirty bold
knights, and sent them to Bova's prison; but when they came thither
they could not remove the sand from the door as the Tsar's daughter,
in her anger, had heaped up too much; and they thought of taking off
the roof and dragging Bova out. Then Bova Korolevich was sad at heart,
and said, weeping: "Alas, I am the most unfortunate of men! I have
neither sword nor battle-axe, while my foes are numberless, and I am
moreover weakened by five days' hunger and confinement." Then he sat
down in a corner of the prison and felt close to him on the ground a
sword of steel. He seized it, overjoyed, turned it round and round,
and scarcely trusted his unlooked-for prize. Then he went to the spot
where Saltan's knights were letting themselves down into the prison;
and cutting off their heads, one after the other as they came down, he
laid them in a heap.
Meanwhile Saltan was awaiting the return of the knights whom he had
sent after Bova; at last he was angered at their long delay, and sent
as many more to their help; but Bova slew these likewise, and piled up
their bodies in a heap; and climbing up this he escaped from prison
and hastened to the harbour, where he saw a ship lying at anchor. Then
he cried with a loud voice: "Ho, masters! take an honest young fellow
on board your ship! Save me from a cruel death, and I will reward you
richly."
When the merchants heard this they sent a boat to the shore and took
Bova Korolevich on board the ship. Presently his pursuers came
galloping up in pursuit of Bova, and with them the Tsar Saltan
Saltanovich himself. Then Saltan cried aloud to the sailors: "Ho! you
foreign merchants, surrender instantly yon malefactor, who has
escaped from my prison and taken refuge in your ship! Deliver him up
or I will never again allow you to trade in my kingdom, but command
you to be seized and put to a miserable death."
The merchants were terrified by these threats, and were about to send
Bova back to shore; but he drew a sword from under his cloak, laid
about him, and slew them right and left. At the sight of this the rest
fell on their knees before him, and promised to sail with him wherever
he wished. Then Bova ordered them to set sail and steer for the open
sea. And after a voyage of three months they came to the kingdom over
the Don; and not knowing it he enquired of a fisherman what country it
was he saw in the distance. "Yonder lies the Sadonic kingdom," replied
the fisherman, "and the king of it is named Marcobrun." Then Bova
asked: "Can it be the same Marcobrun who went to seek the hand of the
daughter of King Sensibri?" "The same," replied the fisherman, "and he
has not long returned home with his betrothed, the Princess
Drushnevna; their wedding is speedily to be celebrated."
When Bova Korolevich heard this, he staggered, and for a time could
not utter a word. At length he came to himself, and said to the
fisherman: "Land me on the other side, my good fellow, and I will
reward you handsomely." Then he divided among the ship's crew the
property of the merchants he had slain, took leave of them, and went
to the Sadonic kingdom. On landing, Bova directed his steps towards
Marcobrun's chief city. For two days he went on and on without meeting
anyone. On the third day he met the pilgrim who had given him the
sleeping powder and robbed him of his sword, his battle-axe, and
steed. Then Bova seized and flung him on the ground, saying: "Villain!
you robbed me with a pitcher of water, carried off my brave steed, and
left me helpless in a desert, to be torn to pieces by wild beasts. Now
take your reward and die."
Then the pilgrim entreated Bova for mercy: "Brave knight, have pity
and grant my life! I will give back your horse, your sword, and
battle-axe, and, for my crime, three powders besides. Wash yourself
with one of these and you will become old, so that no one will
recognize you; if you wash with the second, you will grow young as
before; and if you put the third powder into any person's drink he
will sleep as soundly as if he were dead for nine days."
When Bova Korolevich heard this, he took the powders, the battle
sword, and the battle-axe; but gave back the horse and his clothes to
the pilgrim. Thereupon he washed himself with the first powder, and
went to the royal court and began to beg alms in the kitchen, in the
name of Bova Korolevich. One of the cooks, hearing this, seized a
brand from the hearth, beat Bova on the head, exclaiming: "Be off, you
worthless fellow! don't come begging here in Bova's name: it is
forbidden in this country to utter his name under pain of death."
Bova did not feel the blow, but seized a brand, belaboured the cook,
and said: "What mean you, scoundrel, to beat your betters? You might
first have tried words before coming to blows." But the poor cook had
already given up the ghost, and this exhortation was thrown away upon
him. When his comrades saw this they ran out and told the Seneschal,
who went into the kitchen and asked Bova how the matter stood. Then
Bova said to the Seneschal: "Noble sir, I know not the customs of this
country, and have heard nothing of your prohibition. I begged alms of
your cook, in the name of Bova Korolevich, knowing that he was
everywhere honoured for his valour; but the man beat me with a cudgel,
without saying a word; I returned the blows and have killed him
unintentionally."
When the Seneschal heard this, his anger was turned into favour, and
he said to Bova: "Hark ye, old man; from this hour on never more beg
alms in Bova's name, for we are commanded to slay anyone who speaks a
word in his praise in this country; you are, however, pardoned for
your ignorance. Go straight to the back court, where you will see the
fair Princess Drushnevna, who gives alms to beggars like you. In three
days her wedding with King Marcobrun is to be celebrated."
Bova bowed to the Seneschal, and went to the back court, where he
beheld Drushnevna; but there was such a crowd of beggars that he could
not make his way up to her, and many of them beat and pushed about the
old man. This annoyed Bova, and he began to push in turn, and soon
made his way to the fair Drushnevna, and said: "Gracious Princess,
betrothed to the renowned King Marcobrun, give me alms, in the name of
Bova Korolevich!"
When the Princess heard these words her countenance changed: she let
fall from her hand the dish with the money, and could scarcely stand.
Then she ordered one of her maids to distribute the alms amongst the
beggars, called Bova to her, and asked him why he had begged alms in
that name. And Bova answered: "My gracious Lady, I know Bova
Korolevich well, for I was with him in the same prison, in the
kingdom of the Tsar Saltan; we ate black bread and drank dirty water
together, and I shared with him hunger and cold; he confessed to me
that you, fair Princess, loved him dearly, and had pledged him your
word to marry no one but him. Therefore I have had the boldness to beg
alms in his name."
"Ah, my good man," said Drushnevna, "where did you leave Bova
Korolevich? If I but knew where he was I would instantly go and seek
him, were it through thrice nine lands to the thirtieth country."
"He was released from prison with me," replied Bova; "and I came to
this kingdom in his company; he stayed behind, and whither he is gone
I know not; but I wandered to this city." As he spoke, King Marcobrun
entered, and saw tears in Drushnevna's eyes; he asked her why she
wept, and whether anyone had offended her. "No, King Marcobrun, I wept
on hearing from this man that my father is lying on his death-bed."
Then Marcobrun ordered Bova to go away, and tried to comfort the
Princess. "My dear Drushnevna, grieve not for your father's illness;
he will recover; your grief cannot help him, and will only injure your
health: your dark eyes will be dimmed with tears, and sorrow will
destroy your beauty."
As the King was speaking, Bova went into the stable, where his trusty
steed stood fastened with twelve chains. And when the horse heard his
brave rider approach, he began to burst through the iron doors and
break his chains; and having done so, and escaped into the open
fields, he galloped up to Bova, seated himself on his hind legs, and
tried to embrace him. Bova seized him by the mane and stroked his
neck.
When the grooms saw this they went and told it all to Marcobrun. And
the King hastened into the courtyard, and saw Bova and the horse;
then, calling to him, he ordered him to serve in the stables of his
court and to tend his war-horse. When the Princess Drushnevna heard
this, she summoned Bova and asked him how he could undertake to tame
this steed, which no one ever ventured to approach on account of his
rage. And Bova answered: "Gracious Princess, this horse is restive and
fierce to King Marcobrun's grooms, who have never ridden on him; but
he knows his former master in the kingdom of Sensibri Andronovich, and
him he obeys. The horse recognized me at once, and you have thrice
spoken with me, and have not discovered that I am Bova Korolevich!"
So saying, he was going away, but the Princess held him back, and
said: "Trouble me not with your prate, old man, nor mock my grief; I
know Bova Korolevich; he is young and handsome, but you are old and
grey-headed."
"If you believe me not," replied Bova, "order some water to be
brought, and you shall see whether I speak the truth." So they brought
a basin of water, and Bova washed himself before the eyes of
Drushnevna with the white powder, and instantly he was young and
handsome as before. And when the Princess saw this she jumped from her
seat for joy, threw her arms round Bova's neck, and said: "My dear
friend, Bova Korolevich, for your sake I have refused these three
years to obey my father and listen to the suit of King Marcobrun; but
not hearing any tidings of you for so long a time I thought you were
dead, and was compelled, against my will, to come with Marcobrun to
his kingdom. Here I have deferred the wedding from day to day, in the
hope of hearing some tidings of you; but now that I see you face to
face I can boldly dismiss Marcobrun and wander with you to the end of
the world."
"My dear Drushnevna," replied Bova Korolevich, "you may rely on my
valour; but we cannot now leave this place openly on account of the
great number of Marcobrun's warriors, and the multitudes of people,
whom not ten of the bravest knights could slay, especially in the
heart of their city. But take this powder and mix it in Marcobrun's
drink: he will then sleep soundly for nine days, and in this time we
can fly from his dominions."
Hardly had he spoken, given her the powder, and gone away, when King
Marcobrun came in. Then Drushnevna spoke with him softly and kindly,
brought him a glass of sweet mead on a silver tray, and shook the
sleeping powder into it: Marcobrun, charmed by her coaxing manner,
instantly took the mead, drank it off, and presently fell asleep.
The Princess Drushnevna went out and ordered her faithful servants to
bring her a good nag, and the kingly steed for Bova Korolevich. Then
she gave him a suit of armour, and in the darkness of the night they
fled out of the kingdom. For three days they rode on without stopping,
and on the fourth they chose out a pleasant spot, halted by a clear
brook, pitched a tent, and, tired with their journey, fell fast
asleep.
It was a fine morning when Bova Korolevich took his steed to water,
and on a sudden the horse began to neigh and stamp on the ground, and
thus gave Bova to understand that an enemy was advancing against him.
Then he saddled his steed, donned his armour, girded on his battle
sword, and went into the tent and took leave of Drushnevna saying: "My
dear Princess, I am going out to fight with a great army, but grieve
not for me. Before the sun goes down I shall have gained the victory
and returned to you." So saying, he rode forth against the enemy, and
defeated them, so that only three men were left alive. And when he
heard that the army was sent by Marcobrun in pursuit of him, he said
to these three knights: "Tell King Marcobrun to beware of pursuing me
lest he lose his whole army, for he knows well who I am." Thereupon
these three rode back to their King, and told him that Bova had slain
the army of three hundred thousand men, and that they three alone
survived. Then Marcobrun ordered the trumpets to sound, and assembled
an army of four million men, and said to his boyars: "My faithful
servants, pursue Bova, and bring him and Drushnevna alive to me." And
all the kingdom answered with one voice: "Our Lord and King, you have
a knight Polkan who has been confined in prison for many years;
perhaps he can overtake Bova, for he clears seven versts at a single
leap. From his head to his waist he is a man--the rest of his body is
in the form of a horse."
On hearing this from the knights, Marcobrun sent immediately for
Polkan, and said to him: "Sir Polkan, pursue Bova Korolevich and bring
him and Drushnevna to me; I will reward you richly." So Polkan
promised to fulfil his command, and hastened after Bova and the
Princess.
One day Bova was walking in the fields near his tent when on a sudden
he heard Polkan come running; he stepped into the tent and said to
Drushnevna: "My dear Princess I can hear a powerful knight come riding
this way in the direction from Marcobrun's kingdom; but I do not know
whether he will prove a friend or foe." Then Drushnevna answered: "No
doubt it is some one whom Marcobrun has sent in pursuit of us, and he
must be the stout knight Polkan, who can leave behind him seven versts
at a bound: he will soon overtake us."
Bova took his battle sword, mounted his steed, and rode forth. Polkan
met him, and cried aloud with a terrible voice: "Ha, rascal! you shall
not escape out of my hands!" And so saying, he tore up by the roots an
oak of a hundred years' growth and struck Bova with it on the head;
but Bova staggered not under the blow; with both hands he seized his
battle sword, and aimed at Polkan to slay him; but he missed his blow,
and the sword was struck half-way up to the hilt in the earth, and
Bova fell from his saddle. Then Polkan caught his horse; but the horse
began to fight with his feet, and bite with his teeth, until Polkan
fled. The horse followed him, until Polkan's strength quite failed him
and he dropped half-dead near the tent of Bova Korolevich. Then Bova
went up to Polkan and asked him whether he had rather live or die; and
Polkan replied: "Brother Bova, let us make peace with one another and
be brothers, and there will not be our match in the wide world." So
Bova made a treaty with Polkan, and Bova was to be the elder and
Polkan the younger brother.
Then Bova mounted his good steed and Drushnevna her palfrey, and
Polkan followed them. Thus they rode for a long time, and at length
they saw before them the city of Kostel, in which ruled the Tsar Uril.
And when Uril heard of their approach he ordered the city gates to be
closed and made fast. Then Polkan ran and leaped over the walls and
opened the gates, whereupon Bova and Drushnevna rode into the city.
The Tsar Uril came to meet them with the Tsarina, and conducted them
with great honour into the palace, and they all fell to feasting and
making merry.
Meanwhile King Marcobrun advanced against the city of Kostel with
three times a hundred thousand men, beleaguered the city, and sent an
ambassador to the Tsar Uril, commanding him fiercely to deliver up to
him Bova, Drushnevna, and Polkan. Then Tsar Uril assembled his army,
took with him his two sons, and went out to fight with Marcobrun; they
fought bravely, but Marcobrun overthrew their whole army, and took the
Tsar and his sons prisoners. Then Uril promised King Marcobrun to
deliver up Bova, Drushnevna, and Polkan, and left his sons as
hostages. So Marcobrun dismissed the Tsar Uril, and gave him a million
and a half men from his army, to fetch Bova and Polkan.
The Tsar Uril went into his chamber and lay down to sleep; but Polkan
stepped to the door of his room and listened to what the Tsar should
say of him to his wife. Then the Tsar told the Tsarina how he had left
his sons as hostages with Marcobrun and promised to deliver up Bova,
Drushnevna, and Polkan. And the Tsarina replied: "My dear husband, it
is impossible to give them up." At these words the Tsar struck her in
the face, saying: "Women have long hair, but short wits." When Polkan
heard this he was enraged, opened the door, entered the room, seizing
the Tsar by his head, flung him to the ground and killed him.
Polkan now looked down into the courtyard and perceived that it was
filled with Marcobrun's soldiers; so, without more ado, he took Bova's
battle sword and slew ten thousand men, drove all the rest out of the
city, closed the gates, and barred them fast, after which he returned
into the castle, awakened Bova Korolevich, and told him all that had
happened. Bova embraced him and thanked him for his faithful service;
thereupon they armed themselves, and rode out of the city against
Marcobrun's army. Bova took the right side and Polkan the left, and
they overthrew the whole army, and set free the children of the Tsar
Uril. King Marcobrun fled into the Sadonic kingdom, and bound himself,
his children, and his grandchildren with an oath never to pursue Bova.
Bova and Polkan now returned with Uril's sons to the city of Kostel;
and when they arrived at the castle Bova said to the Tsarina: "Here
are your children, Lady!" The remains of the army he made swear
allegiance to Uril's sons, and left them to govern as before.
Then Bova rode with the knight Polkan and the fair Drushnevna to the
city of Sumin, to his attendant Simbalda, in order to raise a small
army to march against King Dadon and expel him from the city of Anton.
They rode a long time, and at length halted in a meadow, and pitched
their white tent to rest. Drushnevna had two sons born here, and Bova
named one Litcharda and the other Simbalda.
One day, as Bova was walking with Polkan around his tent, they beheld
in the distance a thick cloud of dust; then said Bova to Polkan:
"Hasten and see whether an army is advancing, or a bold knight comes
riding this way, or a merchant's caravan is on the road." When Polkan
heard this request, he rode forth and presently brought back some
warriors bound. And Bova asked: "Tell me, you warriors, freely and
without resistance, what power comes yonder, and from what country,
who is your King, and wherefore are you sent out?" The soldiers
answered: "Brave Knight, we are sent with a great army by King Dadon
to the kingdom of Armenia to demand the stepson of our King who ran
away in his youth, to be given up by the Tsar Sensibri Andronovich;
his name is Bova."
"Face about, and tell the commander of your army not to march into the
Armenian kingdom, but await me on the spot where you meet him. I am
Bova Korolevich, and will soon follow you to inspect your army."
So saying, Bova dismissed the prisoners, and said to Polkan:
"Comrade, I will now ride out to fight with Dadon's army which is sent
against me: I pray you to remain near my white tent to protect my wife
against enemies and wild beasts; but tell her not that I am gone out
to battle; for I shall soon return to reward your faithful service,
and if need be, to lay down my life for you." So saying he took leave
of Polkan, mounted his steed, and rode with all haste against Dadon's
army; and he speedily laid about him right and left, and slew them
until the few who survived fell on their knees and begged for mercy.
Whilst Bova was thus engaged, and Drushnevna was sitting in the tent,
two huge lions rushed out of the forest and flew at Polkan to tear him
to pieces. Polkan attacked them bravely, and slew one with a single
stroke; but the other lion he could not overcome so easily, and after
a long fight Polkan and the lion at last both fell dead. Shortly after
Drushnevna went out of the tent, and when she saw the dead bodies of
Polkan and the lions she thought that Bova must also have been killed
by these wild beasts. So she took her two sons, mounted her palfrey,
which was tied up to the tent, and rode away from that fearful spot as
fast as she could.
When Drushnevna arrived at the city of the Tsar Saltan, she
dismounted and turned her palfrey loose in the fields, saying: "Go
your way, rove where you will, my trusty nag, until you find a good
master!" Then she went to a brook, washed herself with the black
powder, and became on a sudden dark-coloured and haggard; and thus she
went her way to the city.
After Bova Korolevich had destroyed King Dadon's army, he returned to
the place where he had left his wife and Polkan, to take them with him
to the city of Sumin. When he came to his tent, what was his horror at
beholding the dead bodies of Polkan and the lions; and, not finding
either Drushnevna or her children in the tent, he imagined that the
lions had killed both Polkan and his wife. Then sorrow struck Bova to
the heart, and after weeping long and bitterly upon that fatal spot,
he rode off alone to his faithful attendant Simbalda.
When Bova arrived at the city of Sumin he was received with great
honour by Simbalda; and he speedily ordered an army to be assembled,
took with him Tervis, the son of Simbalda, and marched against the
city of Anton.
At this time King Dadon was living in his city, without care or
trouble, and awaiting from hour to hour the surrender of Bova by King
Sensibri, little dreaming that the army he had sent to fetch him had
been destroyed. On a sudden messengers came running to him to announce
that Bova Korolevich was besieging the city of Anton on all sides.
When King Dadon heard this, he instantly commanded his whole army to
be assembled; and he collected above thrice one hundred thousand men,
and marched out to battle. But Bova did not wish to shed blood
needlessly, and ordered all his warriors not to stir from the spot.
Then he looked steadfastly at Dadon, rode at him full gallop, and
struck him a sword-blow on the head which, though a light one, cleft
his skull, and Dadon fell dead from his horse. Bova ordered the body
to be taken up and borne into the city of Anton that Queen Militrisa
should herself behold his end. Meanwhile he went to his father's grave
and wept over it, and then returned to the city of Sumin.
When Dadon's body was brought before Militrisa, she fell to weeping
bitterly; and, as she washed the blood off with her tears, she
perceived that he was still living. Instantly she sent her faithful
servants into all the kingdoms round about to fetch a doctor for King
Dadon, promising to reward him richly.
Bova, on learning that Dadon was still alive, and had sent to seek a
doctor, resolved to go himself to the city of Anton, disguised as a
physician, and to kill King Dadon. Thereupon he washed himself with
the black powder, and was instantly changed into an old man, dressed
himself like a doctor, and took with him Tervis and a sharp sword. On
reaching the city, Bova sent word to King Dadon that some physicians
had come from a foreign country to cure his wounds. When the King
heard this he instantly commanded the strangers to be brought before
him, and promised that if they healed his wounds they should be richly
rewarded. Then Bova Korolevich bowed himself, and said that he would
speedily cure the King; but that all the bystanders must go away, and
leave the King alone with him. Dadon instantly assented; and as soon
as they were alone, Bova seized him by his beard, drew the sword from
under his cloak, and exclaimed: "Villain, take the reward for letting
yourself be seduced by the beauty of Queen Militrisa treacherously to
murder my father."
So saying, Bova struck off King Dadon's head, laid it upon a silver
dish, covered it with a white cloth, and went to his mother Militrisa.
When he entered her chamber he said to her: "My gracious Mother, I am
come to inform you that your beloved husband Dadon is quite recovered
from his wounds, and has sent us to announce the glad tidings to you
with this present." Thereupon he gave into her hands the dish, with
King Dadon's head upon it. When Militrisa raised the cloth and beheld
the head, she was so horror-struck that for some time she could not
utter a word; at length she fell to tearing her hair and clothes, and
took an oath to kill Bova Korolevich for slaying Dadon and having
called himself her son.
Then Bova took some water, washed himself with the white powder, and
in an instant was young and handsome as ever. Militrisa at once knew
him, fell at his feet, and began to beg for pardon. But Bova ordered
Tervis to take her and nail her up in a cask, and roll her into the
sea. Then he called together the princes and boyars and announced to
them that he was Bova Korolevich, the rightful heir to the throne of
his father Guidon, returned from foreign lands, and required of them
the oath of allegiance. Immediately all the princes, boyars and others
swore fidelity to Bova, and wished him a happy accession to the
throne; after which the King ordered feasts and rejoicings to be made
for a whole month.
After the feasts Bova sent an ambassador with presents to Saltan, to
demand his daughter, Miliheria in marriage, as he believed Drushnevna
to have been torn to pieces by the lions. Then Saltan sent for his
daughter and said: "My dear child, I have just received a letter from
the knight whom you shut up in prison and endeavoured to convert to
our faith. He is a King's son, and rules over his own kingdom: he has
sent me presents, and sues for your hand. Tell me now whether you will
give your consent."
On hearing this the Princess Miliheria was glad at heart, and said
that she was ready in all things to obey her father's will. The same
day Saltan received presents from the ambassador, and forthwith
ordered everything to be prepared for the journey.
Whilst all this was passing, the Queen Drushnevna was living in the
same city, and washed linen for her livelihood. And thus she
maintained her two sons, who grew not from day to day, but from hour
to hour, and surpassed all other children in beauty. She had no
thought that Bova Korolevich was still alive; but when by chance she
heard that an ambassador had been sent by him to the Tsar Saltan to
demand the hand of his daughter, and that Saltan had consented to the
match, she took with her her two sons, and went into the city of Anton
where he ruled, travelling slowly and with great fatigue. At length
she arrived, the very same day that Bova was to be married to
Miliheria. Then she washed herself with the white powder, and was as
beautiful as ever; and she sent her sons to the castle to present
themselves to Bova Korolevich, and inform him of their condition and
adventures.
Litcharda and Simbalda (so the boys were named) stationed themselves
in the passage through which Bova had to pass with his princes and
boyars on his way to dinner. And as he was entering his apartment, his
eye fell upon the lads, and he asked who they were, and for whom they
were waiting. Then the elder son made his obeisance and said: "We are,
O King, the children of the most renowned knight and hero in the wide
world, Bova Korolevich, and the fair Queen Drushnevna; our beloved
father left us when very young in the open country under a tent, with
our mother and the knight Polkan, who was killed by lions. But we fled
from the spot, with our mother, and have ever since been wandering
about in various countries in search of our father."
Then Bova Korolevich embraced them tenderly, exclaiming: "My sons, my
sons! I am your father, and little had I hoped to have ever seen you
again alive. But where is my beloved wife, your mother?"
Then Litcharda told him where they had left Drushnevna; and Bova
instantly sent some of his boyars to conduct her to the castle.
When Bova beheld her again he was overjoyed; and, for such unexpected
happiness, he ordered the feasting to be doubled, and the taxes to be
remitted to his subjects for the two whole months. His faithful
servant Simbalda he rewarded with many towns; and to his son Tervis he
gave the fair Miliheria Saltanovna; then he sent them to her father,
bidding him to love and honour his new son-in-law, and adding, that it
had been impossible for him to marry her after the return of his wife
Drushnevna.
Then Bova sent Simbalda's brother Ohen with an army into the Armenian
kingdom to win it from Orlop, whom he ordered to be put to death. Bova
gave the Armenian kingdom to Ohen and his successors; but he himself
remained in the city of Anton, and ruled happily.