"But Father sat talking And drinking till late With the 'swat.'[45] I was frightened. I slept not all night.... 120
"Oh, youth, pray you, tell me, Now what can you find In the maiden to please you? And where have you seen her? Perhaps in the sledges With merry young friends Flying down from the mountain? Then you were mistaken, O son of your father, It was but the frost 130 And the speed and the laughter That brought the bright tints To the cheeks of the maiden. Perhaps at some feast In the home of a neighbour You saw her rejoicing And clad in bright colours? But then she was plump From her rest in the winter; Her rosy face bloomed 140 Like the scarlet-hued poppy; But wait!--have you been To the hut of her father And seen her at work Beating flax in the barn? Ah, what shall I do? I will take brother falcon And send him to town: 'Fly to town, brother falcon, And bring me some cloth 150 And six colours of worsted, And tassels of blue. I will make a fine curtain, Embroider each corner With Tsar and Tsaritsa, With Moscow and Kiev, And Constantinople, And set the great sun Shining bright in the middle, And this I will hang 160 In the front of my window: Perhaps you will see it, And, struck by its beauty, Will stand and admire it, And will not remember To seek for the maiden....'
"And so till the morning I lay with such thoughts. 'Now, leave me, young fellow,' I said to the youth 170 When he came in the evening; 'I will not be foolish Enough to abandon My freedom in order To enter your service. God sees me--I will not Depart from my home!'
"'Do come,' said young Phílip, 'So far have I travelled To fetch you. Don't fear me-- 180 I will not ill-treat you.' I begged him to leave me, I wept and lamented; But nevertheless I was still a young maiden: I did not forget Sidelong glances to cast At the youth who thus wooed me. And Phílip was handsome, Was rosy and lusty, 190 Was strong and broad-shouldered, With fair curling hair, With a voice low and tender.... Ah, well ... I was won....
"'Come here, pretty fellow, And stand up against me, Look deep in my eyes-- They are clear eyes and truthful; Look well at my rosy Young face, and bethink you: 200 Will you not regret it, Won't my heart be broken, And shall I not weep Day and night if I trust you And go with you, leaving My parents forever?'