godless heathen at his meal. One ox he ate, and then drank a vessel of beer which had been carried in by seven-and-twenty men. 'You have a good appetite, father,' said Ilija. 'Don't take the liberty of making observations to me. I desire to fight one alone of your heroes, named Ilija.' 'Here he is,' said the beggar. So Ilija took off his beggar's hat and clapped it on him and his head went out through the roof, and then he pitched him into the court-yard. He never troubled the governor afterwards for a whole ox or a twenty-seven-man barrel of beer. Ilija remained at the court of Tchernikof in great honour and renown." It would be an advantage to introduce in this article no stories but those peculiar to each country, if possible. However, that is out of the question with respect to Russia. The following tale, one of the best told in the Russian collection, will be recognised as a close relative to the "Gardener's Son and the King of Greece's Daughter" in our Wexford collection. The lover of this sort of literature will find an agreeable exercise in comparing the two versions of the same story, one popular in the shadow of Mount Leinster, the other in the neighbourhood of the Ural chain, with such an array of leagues between the two localities. RUSSIAN STORIES, NO.3: THE FIRE-BIRD AND THE GREY WOLF. "In a certain kingdom once lived a Czar named Wuislaf Andronowitsch, who had three sons, -Dimitri, Vasili, and Ivan. In the Czar's garden were many beautiful trees which bore no fruit, but one precious apple-tree always gave an abundant crop. "But a pestilent bird whom they called the Fire Bird, and who had golden feathers and eyes of crystal, flew into the Czar's garden every night, and carried away some of the precious apples. "This greatly grieved the Czar Wuislaf Andronowitsch, and he called his three sons into his chamber one day, and said, 'Whichever of you can secure the Fire Bird for me, to him I will give half my kingdom during my life, and the other half after my death.' All the Czarewitsches cried out with one voice,-"Noble Herr Father, Kingly Majesty, we shall do our utmost to take the Fire Bird alive.' "The first night watched the Czarewitsch Dimitri Andronowitsch under the tree, but he slept, and the Fire Bird came and flew away with sundry apples. Early in the morning the Czar Wuislaf Andronowitsch called his son the Czarewitsch Dimitri Andronowitsch, and asked him, 'Had the Fire-Bird taken any apples,' and he answered, 'My Noble Herr Father, last night it came not.'* "The next night the Czarewitsch Vasili watched with the same result, and to the Herr Noble Father he gave the same answer. "Next night Ivan the youngest prince took his turn. He sat under the tree one, two, three hours; and at last such a light shone in the garden as if all was in flames, for the Fire Bird had just flown into the tree, and was busily engaged plucking the fruit. The prince drew as close as he could, and seized her by the tail, but she was away like a flash of lightning, leaving one feather in his hands. "Great was the Czar's joy next morning when Ivan presented him the feather. It was a wonderful feather, for in the darkest room it gave as much light as many lamps. The Czar locked it in his cabinet as a costly treasure, and the Fire Bird never more disturbed the apple-tree. "The Czar again called his sons together, and thus spoke :-'My dear sons, I am very anxious to get possession of the Fire Bird. Whoever secures her shall get what I promised.' Dimitri and Vasili, who envied their youngest brother for having obtained the feather, went away together, and Ivan staid at home. "After some days he asked his father's blessing, and leave to go search for the Fire Bird. 'Nay,' said the Czar, 'I am old, and if I died while you all were away, confusion would arise * This tale would assume unconscionable proportions if literally translated, and the titles quoted in every instance. Thus far, we have been very faithful to our original, For the rest we give the sense in a concise form. among my people.' But Ivan begged so earnestly, that the Czar was tired out at last, and gave him permission. "He mounted a good steed, and rode away till he came to an open green plain on which stood a pillar with this inscription written on it, 'Whoever departs straightway from this pillar shall suffer hunger and cold. He that takes his way to the right, shall save his life but lose his horse. Whoever turns to the left shall meet the contrary fortune.' "So the prince took the right road and went on, one, two, three days without meeting an adventure. Then a big grey wolf came into his path, and accosted him, 'Hail, Ivan, Czar's son, foolish youth, you read the inscription; what brought you this way to lose your horse?' So saying he took the animal by the neck, threw him on his back and walked off with him. "The prince was in much grief for his good steed, and wandered on sorrowfully for a whole day. He was about lying down to take some rest when up came the grey wolf. 'I pity you, my poor prince,' said he, 'for the loss of your steed. Get on my back, and tell me where and for what you are travelling.' And the prince told him. "Faster than any horse went the wolf, and at last they came to a low stone wall. Within this wall,' said the wolf, 'is a fine garden, and the Fire Bird sits therein in her golden cage. Get over the wall, secure the bird, but touch not the cage; if you do, misfortune will follow.' "The prince scaled the wall, and took the Fire Bird out of her golden cage, and was bringing her along, but said he to himself, 'How can I keep her without a cage?' So he went back, but scarcely had he laid hands on it, when the most terrible outcries were heard over the garden, and all the guards crowded round him, and brought him before King Dalmat, the owner of the garden and the bird. ""Isn't this a shameful thing for you to have attempted,' said King Dalmat. 'Whose son are you-what is your own name-what kingdom do you belong to--and how did you hear of the Fire Bird?' The prince answered the questions, and then said King Dalmat, 'If you had presented yourself to me with a request for the bird, you should have got it. Now that you have acted so improperly, you must proceed to the court of Czar Afron, twenty-seven countries away, and bring me his horse with the golden mane. You must then get the Fire Bird for the Czar your father. If you fail, I'll have it proclaimed in all the neighbouring countries that you are a thievish knight.' "Away went the prince, very sorrowful, and coming to the wolf he told him his news. O thou foolish young man!' said the wolf, 'why did you not attend to my directions? But what's done is done. Get on my back.' He got on his back, and like an arrow from a bow they went. At night they were outside of the white stone stables of Czar Afron. 'Inside,' said the wolf, 'is the horse with the golden mane. The guards and stableboys are asleep. Touch nothing; bring nothing away but the horse, or evil will befal you. "He got into the stable, and was taking away the horse with the golden mane, but there was a golden bridle hanging by a nail, and it bewitched him. He took hold of it to put it on the horse, when such a clatter and noise arose in the stable as was enough to deafen him. All the sleepers were wide awake in a moment, and surrounded him, and abused him, and bound him, and dragged him before Czar Afron. "The Czar Afron was in great displeasure. 'Who,' said he, 'is your father? What is your name? What brought you here?' &c., &c., &c. He made the same observations as Czar Dalmat, but said he would not report him as honourless in all the neighbouring countries, provided 1 he he brought brought him the beauteous Queen Helena, who lived seven-and-twenty countries off, and whom he had long loved, but was unable to obtain. "The poor prince came to the wolf with shame on his face and sorrow in his heart. 'Ah, foolish prince!" said he, 'why did you not do as I directed? But sorrow is useless; what's done is done. Get on my back, and we'll soon be in Queen Helena's kingdom.' Away they went like an arrow, and in a short time they came to a golden wicket, which opened into Queen Helena's garden. ""Go back now,' said the wolf, 'and wait for me in that field under the green oak.' The wolf sat at the wicket till Queen Helena came out in the cool evening to walk in the garden with her waiting maids, her nurses, and her ladies. As she passed by the gate the wolf sprung over, seized her, sprung back again, and was soon by the prince's side. 'Get on my back, prince,' said he; and away they went. First the queen was frightened, but the prince was so handsome, and so kind, that she soon forgot her fright. When they came near the Czar Afron's court, the prince cried out to the wolf, 'Oh, how can I live if I must leave Queen Helena with the Czar?' 'You need not leave her unless she herself wishes it.' 'I do not wish it,' said she. For the prince had told her his story as they came, and by this time they loved one another dearly. "When they came to a field outside the town, said the wolf to Helena, stay here under this tree till the prince returns. So the two went on, and as they were about quitting the field the wolf rolled himself in the dewy grass, and another Queen Helena stood before Prince Ivan. Great was the joy of Czar Afron when he beheld Queen Helena. He gladly gave the horse to Ivan, who rode on to the cak in the field, and great was the joy of Helena on seeing him. He placed her before him, and on they rode toward Czar Dalmat's kingdom. "The false queen seemed very sad for two days, and then she asked permission from Czar Afron to walk out in the fields with her maids, her nurses, and her ladies, to recover her spirits. While the ladies and maids were playing about, and gathering flowers, they were startled by a grey wolf running through them. He disappeared in the wood, and Queen Helena they saw no more. "As Ivan and Helena were riding along, up came the grey wolf. 'Get on me, the grey wolf,' said he, and let Queen Helena stay on the horse with the golden mane. 'Ah!' said the prince, 'you have got for me the beauteous Queen Helena and the horse with the golden mane. Could you not get me the Fire Bird and the gold cage?' 'I can and will,' said he; get off my back.' The moment he was off, the grey wolf became another horse with a gold mane. 'Stay here,' said he to Queen Helena, 'till Prince Ivan returns.' "Much rejoiced was Czar Dalmat when he saw Prince Ivan riding into the court-yard on the horse with the golden mane. He gave him the Fire Bird with its golden cage, and the prince was soon again out of the city, and by the side of Helena. They rode towards his father's kingdom, and the third day the grey wolf was by their side again. 'Get on my back, Prince Ivan,' said he, 'and let Queen Helena have the horse with the gold mane entirely to herself.' 'How did you get away from Czar Dalınat?' 'Oh, very easy. To-day he mounted his horse with the gold mane, and when we were in the open country he felt his steed slipping from him, and saw a grey wolf running away.' "When they arrived where the grey wolf first showed himself, he took leave of them, and very sorry and very grateful they were to him. They rode till the sun became very hot, and they alighted to rest where two trees gave them shade. The queen rested under one tree, the prince under the other, and the cage with the fire bird was hung on a branch. When they were asleep, who should come by but his brothers, and much rejoiced they were to see the fire bird, the horse with the golden mane, and the queen. They cut Prince Ivan in pieces, and cast lots,-one for the queen, and the other for the horse and the bird. Prince Vasili got the queen, and then they wakened her up. She screamed out in anguish when she looked on the remains of her dear Ivan, and they let her give way to her misery for a while. "Then said Vasili to her, with his naked sword at her breast, 'You have become mine by lot. We are returning home. Swear to keep what is just done a secret, or we shall serve you just as we did our brother. She was going to refuse, but thought on the wolf's power, and she took the oath. She begged them to bury the remains of their brother, but they would not, and away they went towards home. "One day, two days went by, and the third day was shining when the grey wolf happened to be passing by. He knew to whom the poor pieces of flesh and bone belonged, but life had left them, and he could do nothing. He went behind a bush, and when two young ravens lighted on the pieces, and were going to tear them, he seized them, and made a motion as if he was going to eat them. The old father raven jumped down on a low branch of the tree, and begged him to spare his sons. 'I will,' said he, 'when you bring me a flask of the water of life and another of the water of death.' 'I would have to fly over twenty-seven countries for them,' said the raven. 'The sooner you set out, the sooner your young ones will be safe,' said the grey wolf, and away he flew. "In three days he was back, with the two flasks. 'Now shall we see,' said the grey wolf, 'if the waters have kept their virtues.' He tore one of the young ravens in three parts, touched the parts with the water of death, and they were re-united. He touched the body then with the water of life, and life entered it. He then touched the different parts of the prince with the water of death, and all came into their proper places; and when the water of life touched the united body, it arose and walked and spoke. The first words were-'How long have I slept ?' "The prince was soon on the grey wolf's back again, and it was not long till they were at his father's palace gate. There the grey wolf left him, after the prince hugging his neck, and thanking him with the tears in his eyes. "He entered the hall just as they were sitting down to the wedding dinner of Prince Vasili and Queen Helena. The eyes nearly started out of the heads of the two wicked brothers at the sight of him, and the bride rushed from the table into his arins, and laughed and cried with joy. When the old Czar heard the particulars of all the adventures, he had the wicked princes locked up in the dungeon of his castle, and the marriage of Prince Ivan and the lovely Queen Helena was celebrated the same day." The Cossacks, though enjoying a Tartar name (Kassac, robber), are not of the great family of the Turks or Tartars. They are the descendants of the early Russes of Novogorod and Kiev, whom their neighbourhood to enemies had long invested with a warlike character. For centuries, however, they have rather affected the manners and customs of their neighbours the Tartars, than those of the more plodding Russians. The example of their oral lore here presented is characteristic of the natural disposition and aspirations of the high-capped and long-bearded folk who are, or at least were, unconscious of doing any thing discreditable when enriching themselves at the expense of the lives and property of their neighbours. The story is in fact an apology for Cossack sentiment, in matters of a meum et tuum character. The original of our specimen tale is found in the Nowosselje already mentioned, Petersburgh, 1833. There is a German version in "Lehmann's Magazine of Foreign Literature," Nos. 71, 72, Berlin, 1836. RUSSO-COSSACK STORY: VALIANT GEORGE "Our story is about a wonderful time in the early days of creation, when four-footed animals no more than fish or fowl knew what to make of themselves, or what to do. They were not yet brought under the dominion of man; so they had no notion of order or authority. Some spoke Calmuc-some the Tartar tongue; and no one knew whom he was to eat, whom he was to live at peace with, whom he might destroy, whom he had reason to dread. "A grey wolf found himself very uncomfortable in his den after a couple of days fast, and thought it would be well to go out into the world; where, as he was told by a fox who happened to pass by his lair with a cock in his mouth, the VALIANT GEORGE administered justice, and decided all causes, great and small. "So he cocked his tail, stood still, snuffed the air, looked at himself, sat on his hind-quarters like a dog, looked about him, gave a deep sigh, shook his head, licked himself, yawned, and stretched his hind legs. 'After all,' said he, 'what am I to do in this bustling crowd, abroad in the clear light of day, which does not agree with my constitution? They say you can always live and always learn. I'll stay at home and learn, and not go abroad to meet my death like a fool.' "So he crept into his den, lay ou his side, and for amusement and to pass the time, began to bite his hide and smooth his hair; but night fell, and he began to find that quiet and study had not appeased his hunger. So he crept out, held up his nose to the wind, which blew sharp through his rough hair, and so he traversed a valley. He smelled some living thing, and though it was his first time to come in presence of his food, and could not tell what it was like, he was mightily pleased with its odour. "It was a troop of cameleopards among whom he had got, and they were as quiet and fearless as sheep are now. With the greatest ease he disabled a couple of pair of them. A few poor creatures attempted to escape; but he broke the knee of one, the hip of another, and the neck of the third. These three made frightful confusion, beating the ground with heads and limbs; the others flew away, spread the news of the disaster everywhere, and a world's council was called in consequence. Wild beasts and birds came in person; but the fish finding passage by land out of the question, sent tortoises, crabs, and frogs as their representatives. These, through age and size, were nearly tired to death, and did not arrive till the business had been concluded. Since that time the fishes have lost their voice. "So the great council was held, and Sir Isgrim who had been surprised at the last quarter of the last cameleopard, was arraigned before it. Great was the general indignation. general indignation. The young animals were horrified by the sight of the bones. The ape who was bone-setter general, expressed his disgust at their destruction, and all the females wept over the loss already incurred, and the desolate state they and their cubs would be reduced to, if such proceedings were allowed. So professor bone-setter took on himself the office of provost, drew on a pair of gloves, leaned his head on one side, and decreed a hundred and one lashes on the hide of the offender. 'Perhaps that would teach him how to behave the next time he met with a herd of cameleopards.' He humbly asked how was he to live? would they not at least allow him the calves; but they cried out with one voice, he should decidedly give up all slaughtering and eating, either on street or highway, or in secret nooks, but should live like a beast of decency and rectitude, and not venture to spill one drop of blood. "Here the poor fellow shed a flood of tears, shrugged his shoulders, and spoke- But dear gentlemen colleagues,' said he, 'what shall I eat? How may I appease my hunger? Shall I never venture on taking my food? If not, take away my teeth, and give me the ox's nature.' ""The devil is your colleague, not we,' cried they; and the noisy world's congress having given its unanimous verdict, came to an end, and the members all withdrew to their homes in groups, while the culprit with head down and tail between his legs, pondered on his hard fate, and the barrier which lay between him and those choice morsels he so loved. "By this time the 'Brave George' had established some order in the world, and while Sir Isgrim with stooped head and piteous mien was wondering why those teeth had been given to him to place him at contention with all other living things, it came into his mind that he would endeavour to tread in the paths of honour, and in order to get suitable instruction for his conduct he determined on visiting Valiant George.* visiting ""George,' said he, sitting down on his haunches and bending his stiff neck as low as he could; it is useless to think otherwise; Í must get something to eat; my stomach is shrivelled up. Why did you give me teeth, mouth, throat, and stomach, if I am allowed nothing to put into or between them? Order me meat and drink. Indeed you need not mind the drink. Water is easily got, but give your orders that I be supplied with beef, mutton, and what not. I had a hearty meal yes * Valiant George is of course a personage of the old Sarmatian Mythology, of limited intelligence and limited powers, such as is found in most of the old systems. It is probable that his original title was changed by the Christian Cossacks for that of the military saint martyred under Diocletian. |