Page:RussianFolkTales Afanasev 368pgs.djvu/352

336 If so, bogatýr is probably a corruption (though bog God and bogat rich) of the form buĭtur, found in the Slóvo, which is certainly cognate with the Turanian root buǐ, to command, v. notes in my edition of Igor.

Bryánsk. Bryánsk in the Province of Orël contains wonderful woods which were in ancient times impenetrable, and became the legendary home of magic, and of weird happenings. The Aspen tree is always associated in Russian folk-lore with magic and wizardry; it is also said that Judas hanged himself on this tree.

Chernígov. An ancient city of Russia on the Dniepr, a little higher up than Kíev.

Christ. As, in German folk-lore, the legends of Christ walking the earth with His disciples are very frequent and characteristic. There is a touch of friendly familiarity in this presentation which does not involve the least irreverence, but adds a touch of sarcastic humour which the Germans lack.

The Brother of Christ. For the punishment of the old man who grumbled at the good things of earth there is a surprisingly close analogy in Dante's Inferno, canto vii.

Chufil-Filyushka. Both these names are adaptations of the Greek θεόΦλος.