| Told her that his heart was burning, | Молит князь: душа-де просит, |
| For his sire, his soul was yearning... | Так и тянет и уносит... |
| In the twinkling of an eye | Вот опять она его Вмиг обрызгала всего: |
| He became a tiny fly, | В муху князь оборотился, |
| And he flew across the sea | Полетел и опустился |
| Where, 'twixt sky and ocean, he | Между моря и небес |
| Settled on the deck and stole | На корабль - и в щель залез. |
| Out of sight into a hole. | Ветер весело шумит, |
| Merrily the breeze is singing, | Судно весело бежит |
| O'er the waves a ship is winging, Past the Island of Buyan, | Мимо острова Буяна, |
| To the realm of Tsar Saltan, | В царство славного Салтана - |
| Now his longed-for land so dear, | И желанная страна |
| Stands out in the distance, clear, | Вот уж издали видна; |
| Now the ship at anchor rests, | Вот на берег вышли гости; |
| And the merchants, honored guests, | Царь Салтан зовет их в гости, |
| Palacewards their footsteps make | И за ними во дворец |
| With our gallant in their wake. | Полетел наш удалец. |
| There, in regal raiment, sate | Видит: весь сияя в злате, |
| Tsar Saltan in royal state. | Царь Салтан сидит в палате |
| On his head-his jeweled crown, | На престоле и в венце, |
| On his face-a' pensive frown, | С грустной думой на лице. |
| While the one-eyed cook, and weaver, | А ткачиха с Бабарихой |
| And their mother, sly deceiver, | Да с кривою поварихой |
| Sit around the tsar and stare | Около царя сидят, |
| At him with a toad-like glare. | Злыми жабами глядят. |
| Tsar Saltan, with royal grace, | Царь Салтан гостей сажает |
| Gave the merchants each his place, | За свой стол и вопрошает: |
| Then he said: "Now, masters mine- | "Ой вы, гости-господа, |
| Sailed you far across the brine? | Долго ль ездили? куда? |
| Are things well where you have been? | Ладно ль за морем, иль худо, |
| What strange wonders have you seen?" | И какое в свете чудо?" |
| Quoth the merchants: | Корабельщики в ответ: |
| "If you please, We have sailed the seven seas; | "Мы объехали весь свет; |
| Peace reigns overseas, serene. | За морем житье не худо; |
