I pray you first to make the difficult choice;
Will you the necklace wear of pearls, or else
The emerald half-moon?
Will you the necklace wear of pearls, or else
The emerald half-moon?
Pushkin - Boris Gudonov
In memory of me accept this gift.
(Gives him a ring. )
When fate fulfils for me her covenant,
When I assume the crown of my forefathers,
I hope again to hear the measured tones
Of thy sweet voice, and thy inspired lay.
Musa gloriam Coronat, gloriaque musam.
And so, friends, till tomorrow, au revoir.
ALL. Forward! Long live Dimitry! Forward, forward!
Long live Dimitry, the great prince of Moscow!
CASTLE OF THE GOVERNOR
MNISHEK IN SAMBOR
Dressing-Room of Marina
MARINA, ROUZYA (dressing her), Serving-Women
MARINA.
(Before a mirror. ) Now then, is it ready? Cannot
you make haste?
ROUZYA.
I pray you first to make the difficult choice;
Will you the necklace wear of pearls, or else
The emerald half-moon?
MARINA. My diamond crown.
ROUZYA. Splendid! Do you remember that you wore it
When to the palace you were pleased to go?
They say that at the ball your gracious highness
Shone like the sun; men sighed, fair ladies whispered--
'Twas then that for the first time young Khotkevich
Beheld you, he who after shot himself.
And whosoever looked on you, they say
That instant fell in love.
MARINA. Can't you be quicker?
ROUZYA. At once. Today your father counts upon you.
'Twas not for naught the young tsarevich saw you;
He could not hide his rapture; wounded he is
Already; so it only needs to deal him
A resolute blow, and instantly, my lady,
He'll be in love with you. 'Tis now a month
Since, quitting Cracow, heedless of the war
And throne of Moscow, he has feasted here,
Your guest, enraging Poles alike and Russians.
Heavens!