THE WOOD SPRITE Farewell winter!

The roosters have crowed.

Fairy Spring comes down to earth.

My watch is over. Off to my hole and sleep.

FAIRY SPRING At the appointed hour, I come to the land of the Berendeys.

A land of cold, a land of winters long…

A silent land, whose welcome does not cheer.

The playful springs are captive under ice.

The forests are silent under snow.

The moon burns and the stars glisten…

And all is light, but there’s no warmth.

It’s nothing like the Southern valleys,

The happy lands across the warm seas.

There, the flowering meadows, the somber myrtle thickets…

Acacias and roses perfume the evening air.

A warm steam rises from the cultivated gardens

And the lazy moonlight glistens on the minarets.

And yet, I love the midnight lands.

I enjoy awakening the mighty Nature from its slumber

And summoning the mysterious power from the depths of the Earth.

I like warming the desolate land for the joys of love.

I decorate its meadows and bushes with colorful flowers

For the games and celebrations of its people.

My friends, gossipy magpies, gloomy rooks and larks

Crane and his friend the heron, gallant swans and geese

And little sparrows – are you cold?

I am ashamed to admit, it is all my fault.

Sixteen years ago I flirted with Father Frost,

The gray-haired old lecher

And ever since I have been his slave.

I would leave the old man, but we have a daughter, Snowmaiden.

Frost keeps our child in these vast forests of eternal shade,

Deep in the heart of woods that never thaw.

I love my child, so I am afraid to quarrel with the old man.

And he is happy to freeze both me, Spring, and the Berendeys.

The jealous Sun watches us in anger.

That is the reason for the cruel winters and the spring colds.

Do you shiver, my poor dears? Dance to keep warm!

Many times, I have seen people warm themselves with dancing.

CHORUS OF BIRDS Birds gathered into flocks.

Birds sitting in rows.

Who among you, birds, are the masters?

Who among you, birds, are the servants?

Geese and ducks are nobles, sparrows are peasants…

The eagle is our governor, the quail is his deputy.

A blizzard! We are cold!

FAIRY SPRING Quick! Into the woods!

Father Frost is playing a joke on us.

FATHER FROST When the cold cracks the timbers and walls…

When the frost makes the gates creak on their hinges…

How I love it!

As the wagons are hurrying home

I shine a bright light in the sky, spreading over the snow

Blue, red and purple.

How I love it!

I am even angrier at dawn

Sneaking around the human dwellings,

Freezing the smoke in their chimneys.

How I love it!

FAIRY SPRINGYou’ve had your fun. It’s time you headed North.

FATHER FROSTDon’t you push me out the door. I’ll leave on my own.

You’re not happy to see the old man any more.

You’re quick to forget the good old days.

I’m off at dawn, for the Siberian tundra.

FAIRY SPRINGAnd who will take care of Snowmaiden?

FATHER FROSTOur daughter is all grown. She needs to nannies.

Her house is safely hidden.

FAIRY SPRING Old man, a girl needs freedom!

FATHER FROSTListen! The Sun means to kill Snowmaiden.

He will plant love into her heart with his fiery rays

And she will be lost.

But for as long as her soul remains innocent

He has no power over her.

Listen! A girl needs watching.

Let’s send her to live with the humans.

FAIRY SPRING I am willing.

FATHER FROSTSnowmaiden, my child!

SNOWMAIDENI’m here.

FAIRY SPRINGMy poor wild child, let me hold you.

Do you want to be free, to live with humans?

SNOWMAIDENI do! Let me!

FATHER FROSTWhat calls you from your father’s house?

What’s so attractive about humans?

SNOWMAIDENHuman songs.

Berry picking with friends, calling to each other in the woods – A-oo!

Dancing in circles, repeating after Lel his springtime songs.

Without singing, my life has no joy.

Let me go, father!

And when, in winter cold, you return to your dark forest

I will comfort you, sing you a song as the blizzard rages.

I will learn happy songs from Lel.

Oh father!

Berry picking with friends, calling to each other in the woods – A-oo!

To dance in circles, repeating after Lel his springtime songs.

Without singing, my life has no joy.

FATHER FROSTHow do you know Lel?

SNOWMAIDENFrom my hiding place in the bushes, I have seen the girls

Go to him, gaze into his eyes, caress him, and call him tender names

FAIRY SPRING And is the handsome Lel so good at singing?

SNOWMAIDENOh mother, I have heard the lark’s song vibrating over the meadows

The swan's plaintive call over quiet waters, the nightingale’s loud trills

But I could listen to Lel’s shepherd songs day and night.

They make me melt inside.

FATHER FROSTDid you hear that? Melting!

Run from Lel. Be careful of his singing.

FAIRY SPRINGI will not let you keep our daughter prisoner.

SNOWMAIDENI am your dutiful daughter, but I am not afraid of Lel.

FAIRY SPRING If you should ever feel sad and have need of anything

Come to Yarilo’s valley and call me.

I will give you anything you ask for.

FATHER FROSTWhen walking late, keep closer to the forest.

I will command the wood sprites to keep watch over you.

Listen, Wood Sprite, if Lel or any other man

Tries to molest our daughter, defend her.

Lead him into the tangled thickets, drown him in the swamp.

WOOD SPRITEI will.

SNOWMAIDENGoodbye father, goodbye mama, goodbye forest!

FAIRY SPRING, FATHER FROST, WOOD SPRITE Goodbye!

LEL For your warm welcome, the shepherd will pay you with song.

SNOWMAIDENWelcome, handsome Lel.

LEL Do you order me to sing?

SNOWMAIDENI dare not order, but I ask you kindly.

Songs are my only consolation.

If you are willing, sing. I’ll pay you well.

LEL I don’t take payment from girls.

But if you should offer the poor little shepherd boy a kiss…

SNOWMAIDENYou’re asking for a kiss? Is it so dear?

Your songs are worth much more. I will not kiss you.

LELThen pick a flower and give it to me.

SNOWMAIDENTake it!

LEL If the girls ask, I’ll say I got it from you.

The little strawberry grew under a bush.

An orphan girl was on a mountain born.

The berry will freeze without sun.

The girl will waste away without kisses.

The shepherd sings in the forest, of the fir trees and the birches.

The world is mine!

A girl is hurrying along a path, carrying two wreaths:

One for him and one for her.

Quiet down, forest, and let love do the talking.

CHORUSOur Lel, handsome Lel. Come to us!

SNOWMAIDENWhere are you going? Why did you drop my flower?

LELWhat shall I do with it? It has already faded!

Where do I go? Behold, on yonder branch, a bird.

He’ll sing a little, then he’ll fly away. Say, can you hold him?

They’re waiting for me.

We’ll run around and have a bit of fun, away from their strict mothers.

SNOWMAIDENHow much pain there is here!

The flower, crumpled up by Lel, fell like a heavy stone upon my heart.

He runs to them, they’re prettier…

They laugh louder and speak in warmer voices.

And I’m about to cry that Lel has left me.

Handsome Lel, run where you’re loved.

Seek love, for you deserve it.

But why am I so hurt and so despondent?

Father Frost, what evil you have done me!

But from my mother Spring, I’ll take some warmth.

Just a tiny bit, to warm my frozen heart.

KUPAVA She stands alone, poor thing. Even Lel abandoned her.

SNOWMAIDENLel is bored with me.

He wants fun, he wants hot passionate caresses, and I am shy.

KUPAVASnowmaiden, I am so happy.

I could throw my arms around the neck of every passer-by

And shout my joy.

Hear me, and share with me the joy I feel!

As I gathered flowers, a handsome man approached.

One cannot live without a sweetheart.

Eventually, everyone must fall in love.

No matter how you try to hold back your heart.

As you surely know already.

The man promised to marry me. And we became quite close.

He is from the tsar’s court, a merchant by the name of Mizgir.

He swore to me that at dawn on the Sun god Yarilo’s holy day…

We will exchange wreaths in front of the tsar.

Snowmaiden, today my Mizgir comes to meet my friends.

It’s him!

My dear friends, here comes the man who will take me away from you.

Hide me, and only give me up for a large ransom.

MIZGIRFair maidens, is Kupava hiding among you?

GIRLSWe won’t give her up!

We haven’t finished singing, we haven’t finished playing.

MIZGIRYou need her, but I need her more.

Who will caress me? Who will comb my hair?

GIRLSWe will only give her up if you pay us in gold.

MIZGIRI will gladly give you my gold…

And there is a ship waiting in harbor with nuts and candies for you too.

GIRLSHe struts like a peacock about our yard, molting golden feathers.

Don’t let him take our girl away from home!

MIZGIRWatch out, or I will try a very different kind of persuasion.

KUPAVA My beloved, for you I leave my parents and my village home.

Do not break my heart.

Friends, let’s sing a loud and happy song, out in the meadow.

GIRLSIn the plain there stands a linden-tree…

KUPAVASnowmaiden, dance with me for the last time…

SNOWMAIDENTake Lel as well and go, I’m right behind you.

KUPAVA My love, let’s go, and they will follow.

MIZGIR Your friend Snowmaiden, why does she ask for Lel?

KUPAVAShe will be sad without him.

MIZGIRWouldn’t she rather walk with me? You can take Lel.

KUPAVA But I am yours. The grave alone shall part us.

MIZGIRI don’t care where you walk. I’m staying here.

KUPAVACover my eyes with running sand, crush my heart with a mill-stone.

Go take another woman, I cannot bear to look at you.

Snowmaiden, give me back my lover!

SNOWMAIDENKupava and her friend, leave me. I don’t belong with you.

MIZGIRSnowmaiden, stay. Who is your lucky lover?

SNOWMAIDENI have no lover.

MIZGUIR. Then I’ll be yours.

Look, Kupava. The Sun is setting already. Can you bring it back?

KUPAVAOne cannot turn back the Sun.

MIZGIRSo it is with love that has faded. It’s gone for good, Kupava.

KUPAVAWoe is me! Friends, come back!

MIZGIRLove me! I will ply you with precious gifts.

Servants, bring sacks of gold and silver.

SNOWMAIDENLel, flee!

LELGoodbye.

SNOWMAIDENWhy are you crying?

LELWhen you experience it yourself, you’ll know why people cry.

MIZGIRLove me! I will ply you with precious gifts.

I will give you my whole life too.

I have traveled around the world, I have met many beautiful women.

But never saw a beauty like yours.

KUPAVAFriends, come back! Look! I am crying.

Despair is choking me by the throat, and my lips are burning with fever.

And he is happy, looking into her eyes, can’t get enough of her!

Why did you stop loving me?

MIZGIRA man in love values a woman’s modesty. Her timid eyes are down…

And only a furtive tender glance they cast in his direction.

You embraced me with both arms, and seeing your lack of shame…

I thought, you’d trade me for another.

KUPAVAWill no one defend me?

Bees, leave your honey combs and form an angry swarm.

Plunge your stings into his shameless eyes.

Fragrant, climbing, curling hops, turn his laughter sour.

As he is talking to a girl, make him an ignoramus.

As he walks home, let him hit his drunken head on a post.

Cold, deep river, hide my pain.

LELDo not drown your heart. Your pain will pass and it will live again.

KUPAVAYou worthless, worthless man.

Our protector, radiant tsar!

TSARTell me what happened.

KUPAVARadiant tsar, an unbelievable outrage…

TSARTell me what happened.

KUPAVAHe took my hear and my soul, he had his fill of my caresses

And then he called me shameless in front of all the people!

TSARMaiden, I hear your complaint, I see the truth and feel your pain.

But what’s the use? Tell me, who is he?

KUPAVAOh my great tsar…

TSARSay it!

KUPAVAShall I tell all?

TSARTell it all!

KUPAVASpring is in the air, and there are many celebrations…

Many strolls through the forest and the meadow.

It does not take long for a girl to meet a boy.

TSARSo who did you meet?

KUPAVAI met a man of the Mizgir clan, of the trade profession.

TSARI know it.

KUPAVAOh my great tsar…

TSARSay it!

KUPAVAMay I tell all?

TSARTell it all!

KUPAVASo if a girl meets a boy, handsome and sweet…

If she thinks she could live her life with him, in peace and happiness

Should she not love him?

TSARShe should, my dear.

KUPAVASo I did. May I tell all?

TSARTell it all!

KUPAVAI forgot everyone, my friends and my family

All I knew, all I remembered, was my tender love

We kissed and we embraced, we gazed into each other’s eyes

Beloved tsar, it seems our happiness was not meant to last.

We decided to go into the forest with my friends…

But as soon as he saw Snowmaiden, the evil heartbreaker

He flew at her like a hawk.

He hovers over her.

He has cast me aside and shamed me.

Yet I am faithful as before.

He has begged for my heart, but now he curses me.

He called me shameless in front of all the people!

TSARPoor girl! Your honest grief, it moves me.

KUPAVAI can’t see the light of day. I feel as if my legs were broken

I could fall at any moment, like a sheaf of grain

TSARBeautiful girl. I am astonished at your simple tale.

Mizgir, will you beg for her forgiveness and take her as your wife?

MIZGIRMizgir has but one wife, Snowmaiden.

KUPAVAGreat tsar, I’ll hate him till the day I die.

TSARHis misdeeds call for death, but we don’t have such bloody laws.

So let the gods punish him. But we shall condemn him to exile.

Run him into the forest! Let the wild animals be his friends.

Wolves cruel as himself – their savage hearts are like your own, Mizgir!

MIZGIR I have nothing to say in my defense.

But if you, great tsar, had only seen Snowmaiden…

SNOWMAIDENGreetings, tsar.

TSARNature is full of miracles. Widely it spreads its wondrous gifts.

It casts a spring flower in a forgotten corner, feeds it with dew.

And the flower excites us with its fragrance.

Snowmaiden, your time has come. Pick a man after your heart.

SNOWMAIDENI don’t know where to find him.

TSARYour heart will tell you.

SNOWMAIDENMy heart is silent.

LELGreat tsar, she does not yet know love.

TSARSuch a beauty, and knows not love?

No wonder Yarilo the Sun God is angry!

Whoever wakes love in her heart before the night is out

Will, with a royal gift, take her for his wife.

A great honor awaits you, shepherd!

MIZGIR Great tsar, postpone my exile.

I swear, my love will ignite her untouched heart.

TSARMizguir and Lel, I accept your offers, and happily await Yarilo’s day.

At dusk, we shall gather in the sacred wood for games and song.

The night will pass quickly.

And at the pink light of dawn, wearing a green wreath…

The tsar will walk to meet the Sun among his jubilant people

GIRLSA linden-tree grows in the meadow.

And beneath it is a white tent.

In the tent is a girl.

She has gathered flowers and made a wreath.

Who is it for?

It is for the one she loves.

TSARThank you for your songs and your dances.

The joyful day is leaving, the evening rays grow pale.

Cold dark tendrils weave about the branches.

And soon the night will fall onto the tops of trees.

It is time we go to our tents

And end this day in a happy circle of friends.

Handsome Lel, sing us a parting song.

LELThe rain cloud said to the thunder:

You make noise, and I will spread water.

Let is sprinkle the ground with a spring rain.

The little flowers will be so happy.

Girls will come out to gather berries. And the boys will follow.

Oh my Lel!

In the woods, the girls have spread out –

Some are in the bushes, and some are in the pine trees

Picking berries, calling to each other.

Then one girl disappears.

The girls burst into tears: was our friend eaten by a wolf?

Oh my Lel!

The girls meet a stranger, a strange old man.

Stupid girls, have you lost your wits?

What use is your calling? Why would she answer?

Go look in the bushes.

Oh my Lel!

TSARThank you, Lel!

Among the shy young maidens, pick one and bring her before us

And let her give you a hot kiss for your song.

SNOWMAIDENTake me, dear Lel!

TSARThis bold kiss has ignited warmth in this old man’s heart.

As if I had downed a heavy cup of strong mead.

Speaking of mead, it’s time we honor it.

It’s joys are within reach even to the old.

Let us hurry and have fun, my children!

SNOWMAIDENHandsome Lel, why do you hurt me so?

Am I not beautiful?

But you take Kupava, bring her to the tsar and kiss her.

Sweet Lel, love me, just a little.

Wait, and Snowmaiden will love you too.

Take me to the tsar’s tent, and meet the rising sun with me.

My wreath is wilted. I must pick new flowers from the meadow.

MIZGIRSnowmaiden, I have been looking for you.

SNOWMAIDENNo, go away! Please don’t.

MIZGIRI will not let go of you until I tell you how my heart suffers.

My soul did not know love until this moment, only pleasure.

My proud heart is used to giving orders.

It did not cry, it did not know how to beg for mercy.

Now I am broken under the great weight of passion.

Look, before you, a proud man stands on his knees.

SNOWMAIDENWhy? Get up, Mizgir!

MIZGIR Say but one word to me, I am begging you!

Will you love me or not?

SNOWMAIDENYour words frighten me, your tears are terrifying.

Go away, let go of me.

You are a good man. Let me be. Let go. Why do you threaten me?

MIZGIRWait! You are right that I am terrifying. Shame colors my face.

You must pay for my humiliation.

In the depths of the warm blue sea, there are precious pearls.

I sent divers to the bottom and they brought me one pearl

Such as no tsar’s crown contains.

I will trade you, the priceless pearl for your love.

SNOWMAIDENKeep your priceless pearls.

My love may not be worth much, but I will not sell it.

MIZGIRThen you will give it up for free!

Enough words. Put away your flowers.

I swore before the tsar, gods, and the entire people.

It’s time! You are my wife!

SNOWMAIDENLet go! Save me, handsome Lel!

MIZGIRLel might come. But first, Mizgir will take what the shepherd wants.

WOOD SPRITEWait, Mizgir.

Follow the running ghost all night.

MIZGIRSweet vision flickers before me. Hold on!

Drunk with love, I confused a tree stump for your body

The glint of green lightning bugs, I confused for your eyes

WOOD SPRITEChase after your dream

MIZGIRI see her ghost again. It beckons to me.

I swore before the tsar, gods, and the entire people.

It’s time! You are my wife!

Snowmaiden, wait!

WOOD SPRITESunlight alone will drive away his dream.

LELWhere did she go?

KUPAVAI barely found you, my heart’s desire. You made me feel warm.

You saved me from shame and ridicule and rescued my pride.

You made me equal to them with your kiss.

LEL Well did I know what kind of heart I captured.

And happily I give my soul to you.

KUPAVAI don’t know if your love will last, but my love is for life, my sweet.

Handsome Lel, I am yours forever.

LELMy eyes have found your eyes, my heart has found it’s refuge.

Let’s go. The night is fading, and dawn colors the edge of the Earth.

It will spread, wider and brighter. It is time to meet Yarilo the Sun.

KUPAVANight is fading. It’s time to meet the dawn!

SNOWMAIDENHeartbreaker! It’s what you called me.

Yet you are the one taking Lel from me.

LELSnowmaiden, you should listen more to Kupava’s fiery words.

It is time you learned how a heart speaks when it burns with love.

Know that Lel needs more than a child’s love.

Good bye.

SNOWMAIDENO Mother Spring, I've been deceived!

Weeping, I implore you: I want to love!

Give love to me! And take my life instead.

LEL, KUPAVALet’s go. The night is fading, and dawn colors the edge of the Earth.

It will spread, wider and brighter. It is time to meet Yarilo the Sun.

SNOWMAIDENMama, your abandoned daughter calls out to you in tears.

Come from beneath the waves to hear my complaint.

FAIRY SPRING My child, what is your plea?

I can comfort you with a parting gift. This is my final hour.

At dawn, Yarilo the Sun God takes over, and Summer starts.

What are you lacking?

SNOWMAIDENLove. Everyone around me is in love. I am the only one unhappy.

I want to love, but I have neither words not feeling.

I have known painful jealousy, but known not love.

I am afraid that my beauty shall fade without happiness.

Mama, give me love!

FAIRY SPRING My child, I am prepared to give it.

This wreath contains the source of love.

Lily of the valley, the pure white fragrant flower of dawn…

Will cast a languid shine on your white cheeks.

The tiny forget-me-nots will brighten your smile.

The rose will cast a blush over your chest and shoulders.

The cornflower will color your eyes blue…

The poppy will cloud your judgment, the hops will turn your head…

SNOWMAIDENMama, what is happening to me?

The forest is full of beauty.

Water calls out to me, the bushes invite me to sit in their shade.

And the sky…

MIZGIRWait, Snowmaiden!

I have been chasing you all night. My strength deserts me.

Are you afraid?

SNOWMAIDENNo, I am not afraid. Let me look into your eyes!

I am irresistibly drawn to your bold glance, your ardent voice.

MIZGIRI am hanging on to your every word…

Afraid to believe in this unexpected happiness.

SNOWMAIDENIs this a dream? No, my heart seeks your protection.

I want to press my body to yours.

Darling, I am yours! Take me home with you.

I swear to love you, to anticipate your every wish.

MIZGIRIs this a dream? Say more, more.

Your words fill me with such happiness.

SNOWMAIDENMy darling, we must run. Hide me from the sun.

His treacherous rays scare me with their malicious glint.

Save your Snowmaiden!

MIZGIRBut your love is my only salvation.

I will show you to the tsar, and he will pardon me.

SNOWMAIDENI do not dare disobey my parents.

They felt trouble coming, and told me to hide my love from the Sun.

Save our love and take mercy on me.

MIZGIRYou are accustomed to giving orders, but I am no boy.

I order – stay! But if trouble comes, I will die with you.

SNOWMAIDENDarling, I am yours! Take me home with you.

I swear to love you, to anticipate your every wish.

MIZGIRSay more, more. Your words fill me with boundless happiness.

SNOWMAIDENLook, the sky is burning. Hold me close.

Hide me from the Sun’s fiery rays.

MIZGIRSay more, more. Your words fill me with boundless happiness.

TSAR May your union be blessed with joy and plenty

Many children and grandchildren.

MIZGIRGreat tsar, I have fulfilled your wish. Now bless my marriage.

TSARDo you willingly give your life over to this man?

With your hand, do you give him your heart?

SNOWMAIDENGreat tsar, ask me a hundred times, and a hundred times I’ll answer:

I love him.

As the pale morning dawned, I revealed to my chosen…

My love and rushed to his embrace.

But what is happening to me? Bliss or death?

What rapture! What sweet longing!

Mother Spring! I thank you for this happiness.

I thank you for the sweet gift of love.

Lel, in my ears are your bewitching songs.

Fire in my eyes … fire in my heart … fire in my blood.

Fire everywhere. I love and I melt from the sweet feeling of love.

Godbye everyone. Goodbye my friends, goodbye, my fair bridegroom.

Goodbye, my darling. I am yours. My last glance is for you.

CHORUS A marvel strange and most mysterious!

She is melting like snow. The girl is no more!

LEL Radiance and power, our Sun Yarilo!

There is nothing more beautiful than you!

Give us, god of light, a warm summer and a plentiful harvest.