Part 31 (1/2)

I know not what followed (The Mother of G.o.d Must have come to my aid), It seems that I fell At the feet of the lady, And cried, 'Oh, protect us!

They try to deceive us!

My husband--the only 240 Support of my children-- They've taken away-- Oh, they've acted unjustly!'...

”'Who are you, my pigeon?'

”My answer I know not, Or whether I gave one; A sudden sharp pang tore My body in twain.”

”I opened my eyes In a beautiful chamber, 250 In bed I was laid 'Neath a canopy, brothers, And near me was sitting A nurse, in a head-dress All streaming with ribbons.

She's nursing a baby.

'Who's is it?' I ask her.

”'It's yours, little Mother.'

I kiss my sweet child.

It seems, when I fell 260 At the feet of the lady, I wept so and raved so, Already so weakened By grief and exhaustion, That there, without warning, My labour had seized me.

I bless the sweet lady, Elyen Alexandrovna, Only a mother Could bless her as I do. 270 She christened my baby, Lidorushka called him.”

”And what of your husband?”

”They sent to the village And started enquiries, And soon he was righted.

Elyen Alexandrovna Brought him herself To my side. She was tender And clever and lovely, 280 And healthy, but childless, For G.o.d would not grant her A child. While I stayed there My baby was never Away from her bosom.

She tended and nursed him Herself, like a mother.

The spring had set in And the birch trees were budding, Before she would let us 290 Set out to go home.

”Oh, how fair and bright In G.o.d's world to-day!

Glad my heart and gay!

”Homewards lies our way, Near the wood we pause, See, the meadows green, Hark! the waters play.

Rivulet so pure, Little child of Spring, 300 How you leap and sing, Rippling in the leaves!

High the little lark Soars above our heads, Carols blissfully!

Let us stand and gaze; Soon our eyes will meet, I will laugh to thee, Thou wilt smile at me, Wee Lidorushka! 310

”Look, a beggar comes, Trembling, weak, old man, Give him what we can.

'Do not pray for us,'

Let us to him say, 'Father, you must pray For Elyenushka, For the lady fair, Alexandrovna!'

”Look, the church of G.o.d! 320 Sign the cross we twain Time and time again....

'Grant, O blessed Lord, Thy most fair reward To the gentle heart Of Elyenushka, Alexandrovna!'

”Green the forest grows, Green the pretty fields, In each dip and dell 330 Bright a mirror gleams.

Oh, how fair it is In G.o.d's world to-day, Glad my heart and gay!

Like the snowy swan O'er the lake I sail, O'er the waving steppes Speeding like the quail.

”Here we are at home.

Through the door I fly 340 Like the pigeon grey; Low the family Bow at sight of me, Nearly to the ground, Pardon they beseech For the way in which They have treated me.

'Sit you down,' I say, 'Do not bow to me.

Listen to my words: 350 You must bow to one Better far than I, Stronger far than I, Sing your praise to her.'

”'Sing to whom,' you say?

'To Elyenushka, To the fairest soul G.o.d has sent on earth: Alexandrovna!'”