Page:The Russian Garland of Fairy Tales.djvu/261

 Anastasia, with one-half of my kingdom as her dowry." Then Yaroslav, being merry and lighthearted, said: "Show me thy daughter, O Tsar Vorcholomei." And the Tsar instantly ordered his daughter to appear before him, dressed in sumptuous attire, and she was more beautiful than any fancy could imagine. Then Vorcholomei took her by the hand and led her to Yaroslav. She reached to him a golden goblet of wine, and Yaroslav said: "Health to thee, dear Princess, the fairest in the wide world, long years of happiness to thee." And he kissed her sugared lips. Then the Princess said to him: "Health to thee, too, my brave and dear knight!" Then Yaroslav went to the Tsar Vorcholomei, and said: "O Tsar, thy fair daughter pleases me, and I will take her to wife." So Vorcholomei immediately commanded everything to be prepared for the wedding: and they all fell again to feasting and making merry.

Early the next morning the Tsar commanded another feast to be made ready, and taking Yaroslav by the hand, said: "Brave knight Sir Yaroslav Lasarevich, I give thee in marriage my dear and beauteous daughter Anastasia: love her well and truly, and live in harmony with her. And, that I may witness your happy life, I bestow on thee as her dowry my whole kingdom: only guard it