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Lesja Ukrainka

Encyclopedia of the life and works

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Act 1

Lesja Ukrainka

Translated by Percival Cundy

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The same spot, but spring is further advanced. The edge of the forest seems to be covered with a tender green veil, and in some places the top of the trees are tinted with a greenish shade. The lake is full to its brim, the green shores forming a crown of vegetation around it.

Into the glade from out the forest come Uncle Lev and his nephew Lukash. Lev is an elderly peasant, grave, but with a very kindly face, in Polissyan style he wears his hair long, falling in a white fullness on his shoulders from beneath his square cap of grey felt. He is dressed in coarse hempen cloth, over which he wears a very light-grey smock; his high boots are made of bast; in his hand he carries a fishing net; a knife is stuck in his belt; and on a broad strap across his shoulders, he carries a basket made of woven felt.

Lukash is a very young man, sturdy, black-browed, handsome, with a still childish look in his eyes. Like his uncle he is dressed in hempen cloth but of a finer weave. His shirt, hanging outside and belted, is embroidered in white, with an open collar, fastened with red knots at both collar and cuffs. His belt is of red leather and on his head is a straw hat. A knife is stuck in his belt and there is a small pouch hanging from it on the string.

Arriving at the shore of the lake, Lukash stops.

Uncle Lev

Why are you stopping here? This is no place

To try for fish. Too slimy, slippery.

Lukash

I only want to cut myself a pipe;

The reeds right here are very fine for that.

Uncle Lev

But you’ve got all the pipes you’ll ever use.

Lukash

No, very few – one each of cranberry,

Of willow, and of linden – that is all.

I must have one that’s made of reed. That plays

The best of all.

Uncle Lev

All right, amuse yourself.

That’s why God gave us holy days. But when

Tomorrow comes, we’ll start some building here.

‘Tis time to drive the cattle to the woods.

See yonder how the grass is springing up.

Lukash

But how shall we abide here in this place?

The people say it’s bad – a dangerous spot.

Uncle Lev

Maybe for some. But I, good nephew, know

The art of dealing with such things as these:

Where one should lay a cross, where stick a twig,

Where simply spit three times, and that’s enough.

We’ll sow around our quarters poppy seed;

Before the threshold we’ll plant gentian root.

No evil spirit then will trouble us…

Well, I’ll be off, and you do what you please.

They separate. Lukash goes towards the lake and vanishes in the reeds. Lev walks along by the shore and is lost to view behind the willows.

Rusalka

(Comes swimming to the shore and cries out.)

Grandfather! Forest Elf! There’s trouble, help!

Forest Elf

(A tiny bearded old man appears. He is nimble in his movements, but grave of countenance, dressed in dark brown, the color of bark, and wears a shaggy fur cap.)

Now what’s the matter with you?

Rusalka

There’s a youth

Who’s cutting reeds to make a pipe.

Forest Elf

That all?

That’s no great trouble. Why are you so mean?

They’re going to build a dwelling here, it seems.

Forbid them I will not, provided they

Don’t use live trees.

Rusalka

Oh dear! A dwelling here?

We must have people here? Those dreadful folk

Who dwell beneath straw roofs! I can’t bear them!

I can’t endure that awful smell of straw!

I’ll flood them and with water wash away

That hateful smell! I’ll give such trespassers

Wet welcome when they come.

Forest Elf

Stay, not so fast!

It’s Uncle Lev who comes to settle here,

And he’s our friend. Sometimes in jest he’ll use

His simple arts to scare the forest sprites.

I love the good old man! Had it not been

For him that oak would long ago be gone,

Which has beheld our doings many a year,

Our dances, councils, and our mysteries.

Three Germans once inspected it; they stood

Around it with their arms extended wide,

And scarce their fingers touched. They offered gold,

New-minted dollars, to the folk for help.

But Uncle Lev swore by his life that none

Should touch the oak as long as he drew breath.

And so I also swore by my white beard

That Uncle Lev and all his tribe should be

Forever safe in this our forest home.

Rusalka

Indeed! My father soon will drown them all!

Forest Elf

Don’t let him try it. If he does, I’ll fill

His lake cram-full with last year’s brush and leaves.

Rusalka

Oh, dearie me! How dreadful! Ha-ha-ha!

(She disappears in the water).

Forest Elf, muttering to himself, sits down on a fallen tree and lights his pipe.

From the reeds there comes the sound of a pipe playing a tender, undulating air. As the melody evolves, everything in the forest gradually comes into life. First, the buds on the willows and the alders open out, then the birches commence to put forth leaves. On the lake the water lilies expand the flowers on their lily pads. The wild rose also begins to blush with its tender buds.

From behind the trunk of an old, half-withered, tattered willow, Mavka emerges. She is dressed in a bright green garment, and her black hair, hanging loose, has a greenish sheen. She makes gestures with her hands and rubs them across her eyes.

Mavka

Ah me, how long I’ve slept!

Forest Elf

A long time, child!

Anemones have long since ceased to bloom;

And now the cuckoo’s striking his alarm.

He’s put his scarlet booties on, and soon

He’ll measure off the summertime for all.

Already from the south come flying guests:

And yonder on the lake, there, where it’s clear,

Like yellow balls of fluff, the ducklings swim.

Mavka

What was it that awoke me?

Forest Elf

Maybe spring.

Mavka

I never heard a spring to sing the sounds

I hear today. Or did I simply dream?

(Lukash plays again.)

There, hark!.. Is that not spring that’s singing now?

Forest Elf

Oh, no! – a youth who’s playing on his pipe.

Mavka

A youth? Maybe ‘tis “He Who Rends the Dikes?”

I ne’er expected aught like that from him!

Forest Elf

A human youth it is, nephew to Lev,

And Lukash is his name.

Mavka

I don’t know him.

Forest Elf

Because he’s not here long. He’s from afar;

Not from these woods, but from the groves of pine

Where our Great Father all his winters spends.

The widowed mother and her orphaned son

Were given a home by good old Uncle Lev.

Mavka

I’d dearly love to see what he is like.

Forest Elf

What’s he to you?

Mavka

He must be good to see!

Forest Elf

Beware how you gaze on these human youths:

It’s perilous for wood nymphs such as you.

Mavka

How stern you have become, grandfather dear.

You don’t intend to hold me in as close

As Water Goblin holds Rusalka?

Forest Elf

No,

My child, I don’t. But Water Goblin in

His weeds has been accustomed all his life

To live by sucking other lives, while I

Respect your freedom. Go! sport with the wind,

Play all you like with wild Will-o’-the-Wisp;

Allure all spirits to yourself, be they

Of water, forest, mountain, field, or air.

But keep afar from human pathways, child;

You’ll find no freedom there, but woes instead,

To clog your steps and weigh you down. My child,

Once start to tread them and your freedom’s gone!

Mavka

(Laughing)

La-la! like that, my freedom would be lost?

That’s just as though the wind should cease to be!

Lukash with his pipe suddenly emerges. Forest Elf and Mavka hastily conceal themselves.

Lukash is about to cut a birch to test the sap. Mavka dashes out and seizes him by the hand.

Mavka

No, no, don’t touch! Don’t cut the tree, you’ll kill!

Lukash

Why, girl, what’s wrong? I am no murderer!

I only wanted to try out the sap

Of this tree here.

Mavka

Don’t shed it! That’s its blood.

Don’t draw the blood from out my sister’s veins!

Lukash

You call this birch tree “sister”? How is that?

Who are you then?

Mavka

I’m Mavka, forest nymph.

Lukash

(Not overly astonished, he examines her closely.)

So, you’re a forest nymph! I’ve heard of them

From old folks many a time, but never yet

Saw one myself.

Mavka

And did you want to see?

Lukash

Why shouldn’t I? But see, you’re just the same

As any girl… no… like a lady fair!

Your hands are white, your figure’s straight and slim,

Your clothes, somehow, are not the same as ours…

Why is it that your eyes aren’t always green?

(He looks at her closely.)

Ah, now, they’re green again… a moment since

They were as blue as heaven… now they’re grey

As thunder clouds… no, now they’re almost black,

Or maybe brown… Why, you are wonderful!

Mavka

(Smiling)

You think me beautiful?

Lukash

(Abashed)

How can I tell?

Mavka

(Laughing)

Who else should tell?

Lukash

What questions you do ask!

Mavka

(In frank surprise)

Why should such questions be a task?

See there, doth not the wild rose ask:

“Am I not lovely?” The ash tree nods, his branches bow,

He says: “None lovelier than thou”.

Lukash

I never knew that trees could talk like that.

I thought they were but speechless growing things.

Mavka

In all the forest there is nothing mute.

Lukash

And have you always lived here in the woods?

Mavka

In all my life I’ve never been outside.

Lukash

Did you live anywhere before?

Mavka

Indeed,

I never thought on things like that at all…

(She ponders a moment.)

It seems to me that here I’ve always lived…

Lukash

And were you always just the same as now?

Mavka

I think I’ve been the same…

Lukash

Your family,

Who are they? Or perhaps you’ve none at all?

Mavka

There’s Forest Elf whom I call “grandfather”,

And he calls me his “daughter”, sometimes “child”.

Lukash

Well, which is he, your father, or grandsire?

Mavka

I do not know. Is it not all the same?

Lukash

(Laughing)

What queer folk in this wood! There’s someone you

Call “mother”, or “grandmother” – what you will?

Mavka

It seems to me at times the willow tree –

That old, half-withered one – my mother is,

For during wintertime she took me in,

And spread inside a bed of something soft

On which I slept.

Lukash

You spent the winter there!

And what work did you do the winter through?

Mavka

Why, naught; I slept. Who works in wintertime?

The lake’s asleep, the forest, and the reeds.

The willow kept on creaking: “Sleep, my dear…”

And always, I dreamed lovely dreams, all white:

In silver settings, I saw sparkling gems,

And carpets made of unknown grass, and flowers

Pure white and glittering. Quiet, tender stars,

Clear white, fell down from heaven, and shaped themselves

Into a white pavilion. Clean and pure

Beneath that tent it seemed. A coronet

Of crystal clear seemed glittering everywhere…

I slept; I breathed so freely, easily.

Through those white dreams came rosy thoughts which made

Themselves into a bright embroidery.

The dreams thus woven out of gold and blue,

Were peaceful, tranquil, not like summer dreams…

Lukash

(Listening avidly)

Oh, how you talk…

Mavka

You like it, do you not?

He nods his head affirmatively.

That pipe of yours can speak with better tongue.

Play me a tune and I will swing to it.

She takes some of the long hanging branches of the birch, and knotting them together, makes a seat into which she springs and begins to rock herself gently. Lukash, leaning against the oak plays on his reed pipe without taking his eyes off Mavka. He plays spring songs and Mavka, listening, involuntarily joins in singing the melodies he plays.

«How lovely is the strain

Of mingled joy and pain;

It cuts deep in the breast

And cleaves the heart in twain».

A cuckoo responds to the music, a nightingale follows likewise. The wild rose blooms more ardently, the white blossoms of the cranberry tree expand, the hawthorn reddens bashfully, even the black, leafless thorn bush begins to shoot forth tender shoots.

Mavka entranced, sways quietly, smiling, while in her eyes there is a yearning which almost overflows in tears. Lukash perceiving this, stops playing.

Lukash

Why are you weeping, maiden?

Mavka

(She passes her hand across her eyes.)

Did I weep?

Indeed… ah, no! ‘Tis but the evening dew.

The sun is setting… See, upon the lake

The mist is rising…

Lukash

Nay, ‘tis early still!

Mavka

You wouldn’t like it if the day were spent?

Lukash shakes his head, signifying he wouldn’t.

Why not?

Lukash

My uncle then would call me home.

Mavka

You’d much prefer to stay with me?

Lukash nods affirmatively.

You see,

You’re talking now just as the ash tree did.

Lukash

(Laughing)

I needs must learn to talk as folk do here,

Since I’m to spend the summer here.

Mavka

(Rejoicing)

In truth?

Lukash

Tomorrow we begin to build right here.

Mavka

You build a house?

Lukash

No, just a hut at first,

Together with a pen.

Mavka

Just like the birds:

You take a lot of pains to build a nest

And then abandon it.

Lukash

No, we shall build

For ever.

Mavka

How for ever? You just said

You’re only going to spend the summer here.

Lukash

(Embarrassed)

Well, I don’t know… ‘T was Uncle Lev who said

He’d give me here a piece of ground and house,

Because in autumn he wants me to wed…

Mavka

(Alarmed)

Wed whom?

Lukash

I don’t know. Uncle did not say,

And maybe he has not yet found the girl.

Mavka

Can you not find a partner for yourself?

Lukash

(Gazing at her)

Maybe I could, but…

Mavka

What?

Lukash

Oh, nothing… but…

(Breaking off he begins to play a melancholy air on his pipe, then drops his hands and sinks into a moody train of thought.)

Mavka

(After a little silence)

When people mate, do they do so for long?

Lukash

For life, of course!

Mavka

Why, that is like the doves…

I’ve often envied them – so tenderly

They love each other… But I’ve never known

Such tender love, unless ‘twas from the birch,

And that is why I call her “sister”. Yet

She always seems so sorrowful, so pale,

So bowed and swaying, making mournful sounds;

It often makes me weep to gaze at her.

The alder I don’t like; it is too rough.

The aspen, somehow, always frightens me;

It must feel fear, it trembles all the time.

The oak is much too stern. And the wild rose

Is prickly, like the hawthorn and the brier.

The ash, the plane, the maple, they are proud.

The cranberry so glories in her pride

Of beauty, that she cares for nothing else.

I was like her last year it seems to me,

But now, somehow, she makes me ill at ease;

For when one thinks of it, it’s true that here

I’m utterly alone…

(She falls into a melancholy brooding).

Lukash

Your willow tree –

The one that you call “mother” – what of her?

Mavka

The willow?.. Ah! she’s good to winter in;

But in the summer, oh, she is so dry! –

Forever creaking: “Winter’s coming on…”

No! I’m alone… I’m utterly alone…

Lukash

Here in the woods there are not only trees,

But also hosts of spirits of all sorts.

(A trifle maliciously.)

Don’t be so sorrowful, for we have heard

About your sports, your frolics, jollities!

Mavka

All those are but like sudden gusts of wind,

Which start up, swirl around, then disappear.

With us there’s nothing like you have – for life!

Lukash

(Drawing nearer)

Would you like that?

Suddenly a loud shouting from Uncle Lev is heard.

Voice

Hey, Lukash! Where are you?

Lukash

(Answering)

I’m here, I come!

Voice

Well, come at once!

Lukash

What an impatient man!

(He shouts back in response.)

I’m coming!

(He starts to leave.)

Mavka

You’ll come back?

Lukash

I cannot tell.

(He disappears in the bushes.)

Flying out of the forest comes Will-o’-the-Wisp, a handsome youth, dressed in red, with a shock of reddish hair blown about by wind. He tries to embrace Mavka, but she evades him.

Mavka

Don’t touch me!

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Why not, pray?

Mavka

Fly off and see

How in the fields the crops are getting green.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

What care I for those crops?

Mavka

Well, there you’ll find

Your Field Sprite who is busy in the rye.

Already she’s begun to plait for you

A garland of the brightest vivid green.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

I have forgotten her.

Mavka

Forget me too.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Now, don’t make mock of me! Come on, let’s fly!

I’ll carry you to far-off mountains green.

You’ve always wished to see the spruce and fir.

Mavka

Now I don’t wish to.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

What! And why not now?

Mavka

Because I’ve lost desire.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Some mad whim!

Why have you lost desire?

Mavka

I’ve no interest.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

(Coaxingly, he circles round her.)

Let’s fly, let’s fly up high! and there my sisters hail,

The mountain spirits, free as is the comet’s tail!

In dizzy circling dances round you they will sail,

As bright as lightning’s trail!

From out the ferns for you

I’ll pluck the flowers frail;

To tear some stars from heaven

I know

I cannot fail:

Upon the mountain snows

I’ll bleach a magic veil

To keep you from all bale.

And so that you may call the forest crown your own,

We’ll cast the Dragon-King down from his lofty throne,

And set for our defence each mountain, rock, and stone!

Then cheer my heart forlorn!

From evening until morn

A garment glittering

To you I’ll always bring.

And chaplets you shall wear,

And in the dances share.

On pinions I will bear

You far to crimson seas, to where the wealthy sun

His golden store in secret depths has laid.

And then we’ll take a peep into the stars’ abode,

And strip from them their silvery sheen, and with the load

We’ll weave ourselves for rest a velvet shade.

Then when the dawning comes, and cloudlets white are stirred

To gather in the heavens like some bright, fleecy herd,

Which drinks the clear cool water from a tranquil pool,

We’ll rest like loving sweethearts on the flowery…

Mavka

(Impatiently)

Fool!

Will-o’-the-Wisp

How pettishly you’ve broken off my rhyme!

(Aggrieved, and maliciously.)

Have you forgotten last year’s summertime?

Mavka

(Indifferently)

Of last year’s summer I no memory keep.

What was sung then died out in winter’s sleep;

No memory it provokes.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

(Mysteriously, urgently)

What of that grove of oaks?

Mavka

I went to gather berries, I suppose…

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Perhaps to find some trace of me, who knows?

Mavka

I tore wild hops down from the trees, I think…

Will-o’-the-Wisp

To make a couch for me in which to sink?

Mavka

No, fragrant garlands my black hair to grace!

Will-o’-the-Wisp

You hoped, perhaps, a lover’s fond embrace?

Mavka

No, ‘tis the birch alone who cares for me.

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Yet there was someone whom you wished to see?

Mavka

Ha-ha-ha! I do not know.

Ask the grove if it was so!

I’ll go and deck my hair with flowers today…

(She starts off towards the forest).

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Beware! Cold dews will smite them with decay!

Mavka

While the breeze is blowing,

And the sun is glowing,

Who will cold dews fear?

(She runs off and vanishes in the forest.)

Will-o’-the-Wisp

Stay a moment, maiden,

With longing I am laden!

Where are you, o where?

He also rushes into the forest. For a few moments his red garment is seen flashing amongst the trees and his voice is heard echoing: “O where?”

The crimson of the setting sun bathes the forest, then dies out. A white mist rises up over the lake. Uncle Lev and Lukash come out into the glade.

Uncle Lev

(Muttering angrily)

That damned Water Goblin! May he dry up!

I’d finished catching fish and started out

To cross the lake by skiff, I only meant

To reach the other side – he up and grabbed

The bottom of my skiff and held it fast.

I couldn’t stir. A bit more, I’d have sunk!

But I’m not quite a fool; I grabbed his beard

And got a twist of it around my hand,

And got my knife from out my belt – By God,

I would have sliced it off! But that damned fog –

A bump – and over went the skiff with me!

I hardly got out to the bank alive,

And lost my skiff as well… The dirty scamp!

(To Lukash.)

And something, too, must have caught hold of you.

I yelled and shouted, bellowed till I’m hoarse.

Where were you all the time?

Lukash

I told you where –

Just cutting me a pipe.

Uncle Lev

A little long,

It seems to me, it took to cut a pipe!

Lukash

(Uncomfortably)

But, Uncle, I…

Uncle Lev

(Smiling, having recovered his good humor)

Eh, lad, don’t try to lie!

You’re still too young for that. It hurts the tongue.

Much better hunt some dry brush in the wood

And start a fire so I can dry myself.

I wouldn’t dare go home all wet like this;

Before I’d get there, I should be assailed

By one I won’t name here – bad cess to her! –

And afterwards she’d rack my very soul…

Lukash goes into the forest where a moment later he is heard cracking and breaking dry branches.

Uncle Lev

(Sitting down on the gnarled roots of an oak tree, he tries to strike fire in order to light his pipe.)

Good grief! You strike and strike! The flint is wet,

The tinder’s gone… Maybe in this old oak

I’ll find a bit of punk that’s dry enough

To light my pipe?

(He gropes about the trunk in search of punk).

Out of the mist over the lake, a white female form arises, more like a wisp of vapor than a human shape. The thin fingers on its long white hands claw menacingly as the figure advances towards Uncle Lev.

Uncle Lev

(Aghast)

What’s this? Is it a ghost?

Aha! I know. It’s well I saw it first!

(Recovering himself, he takes some roots and herbs out of his wallet, and stretches them out towards the approaching phantom as though to ward it off. The phantom retreats somewhat. He recites a charm, speaking faster and faster as he does so.)

Evil spirit, Fever Wraith,

Burning fever, shivering ague!

Back into the scum you go, back into the slime;

Where good people do not walk,

Where the fowls don’t drink,

Where my voice you hear no more!

Here no power you dare employ

My white body to destroy,

My bones’ marrow to enjoy,

My red blood with which to toy,

No one’s health may you annoy.

Fly, you phantom, fly!

Perish, specter, die!

The phantom slowly retreats to the lake and dissolves in the mist. Lukash comes with an armful of brush, lays it down before his uncle, takes out his flint and steel, strikes it and lights a fire.

Lukash

There, Uncle, warm yourself.

Uncle Lev

Thank you, my lad.

You’re good to your old uncle.

(He lights his pipe at the fire.)

Ah, that’s good!

(Tutting his wallet under his head for a pillow, he stretches out in front of the fire and gazes at it through half-closed eyes.)

Lukash

Suppose you tell a story, Uncle.

Uncle Lev

See,

You’re still a child! Which one would you prefer?

The Sorcerer? or Tromsina the Dwarf?

Lukash

I’ve heard those two. You know some better ones

That none can tell so well.

Uncle Lev

(After pondering a while)

All right, here goes:

I’ll tell about the Princess of the Wave.

(He begins to recite in a quiet, sing-song, measured tone.)

Whene’er the house is warm

And everybody’s gay,

We like to tell our tales

Until the break of day.

Beyond the forest’s mighty sweep,

Beyond the heaving ocean deep,

Beyond the lofty mountains steep,

There is a marvellous, enchanted strand

Where Urai rules the land.

And in that land the sun doth ne’er decline,

The moon doth always shine;

The stars that glitter in that wondrous clime

Keep dancing all the time.

Of all those stars the brightest one was he

Whose name was Silver Prodigy.

His little face so nice

Bore not a trace of vice,

His flowing hair was gilded by the sun,

His silver weapon in his small hand shone…

Lukash

But what about the Princess?

Uncle Lev

Eh? just wait!..

Now when young Silver Prodigy to manhood’s years approached,

He pondered much about his lot and thus his thoughts he broached:

“I’ve turned out handsomest of all, I guess,

And yet have not achieved my happiness.

Mother Star!” he loudly cried,

Where shall I go for a bride:

Seek among the chivalry,

Or the proud nobility,

Or perhaps the royalty,

Or the simple laity?

Is there not some princess fair,

Worthy with me life to share?”

(Uncle Lev begins to drowse.)

So off he went until he reached the ocean blue,

And there upon the beach a pearly necklace threw…

Lukash

Hey, Uncle! You’ve missed something out, I’m sure.

Uncle Lev

You think so?.. Well, ‘tis you who don’t pay heed!

…Then from the ocean rolling, a monstrous billow came,

And from the billow horses sped,

As red as flame,

All harnessed to a chariot red,

And in the chariot was…

(He stops, overcome by sleep.)

Lukash

What then? A princess in the chariot sat?

Uncle Lev

(Through his sleep)

What?.. How?.. What princess?

Lukash

Ah! he’s fast asleep.

(For some time Lukash gazes pensively at the fire, then rises and moves away from it. He saunters about the glade, playing on his pipe, low and almost inaudibly).

It grows quite dark in the forest, yet the darkness is not dense, but transparent, as it usually is just before moonrise. The darting flames of the fire seem to be carrying on a mysterious dance with the shadows. The flowers nearest to the fire now gleam in full color, then fade out in the thick darkness. Along the edge of the forest the trunks of the aspens and birches loom strangely. The spring wind blows fitfully, running through the trees and fluttering their branches. The mist over the lake drifts out in white billows into the bushes, and the reeds and aspens concealed by the floating mist whisper one to another. Out of the thicket Mavka comes running, swiftly, as though fleeing. Her hair is dishevelled, her dress disordered. In the glade she stops and looks around her, pressing her hands to her bosom, then rushes to the birch and stops once more.

Mavka

Grateful thanks, o magic night,

For your cover in my flight,

And you paths, who helped my search

And have led me to the birch!

O my sister, shield me now!

(She hides behind the birch, clasping its trunk).

Lukash

(Coming up noiselessly to the tree.)

Mavka, is that you?

Mavka

(Quickly.)

Yes.

Lukash

You were running?

Mavka

Like a hare.

Lukash

You were fleeing?

Mavka

Yes.

Lukash

From whom?

Mavka

From him, who’s fire itself.

Lukash

Where is he now?

Mavka

Hush, hush! or he’ll come flying round again.

Silence a moment.

Lukash

How you tremble! And I can feel the birch

Vibrate, and all its leaves are murmuring.

Mavka

(Moving away from the tree)

Alas! I am afraid to lean on it,

Yet thus I cannot stand.

Lukash

Then lean on me.

I’m strong… I’ll hold you and will you defend.

Mavka leans against him. They stand in close embrace. The moonlight creeps on, covering the forest. It spreads all over the glade and steals under the birch. From the forest the song the nightingale and all the voices of a night in spring are heard. The breeze blows fitfully. Rusalka emerges out of the illuminated mist on the lake and silently watches the young pair.

Lukash pressing Mavka closer to himself, bends his face lower and lower down to hers and suddenly kisses her.

Mavka

(Crying out in ecstasy)

Oh, joy! A star from heaven fell in my heart!

Rusalka

Ha-ha!

(With a laugh and a splash she dives into the water.)

Lukash

(Startled)

What’s that?

Mavka

Rusalka, that was all!

My playmate – she won’t harm us; have no fear!

She’s wilful, and she loves to mock at folk.

But what care I… I care for nothing more

In all the world!

Lukash

You care for me, don’t you?

Mavka

You are my world, more splendid, more beloved,

Than he whom hitherto I knew, and he

Is far more splendid since we two are one.

Lukash

Then we two are now one?

Mavka

Do you not hear

The nightingale singing the marriage song?

Lukash

‘Tis true… I hear that she no longer chirps

Or twitters as she always did. She sings:

“Now kiss her! Kiss her! Kiss!”

(He kisses her with a long, tremulous kiss.)

And her I’ll kiss!

Kiss her to death!

A gust of wind comes, blowing white blossoms like a snowstorm all over the glade.

Mavka

No, no, I mustn’t die!

‘T would be…

Lukash

What’s that you say? I didn’t mean

To frighten you.

Mavka

And yet ‘twould lovely be

To die as dies a falling star…

Lukash

(Speaking caressingly.)

Enough!

Don’t talk of things like that! Don’t talk at all!

Don’t talk of anything! Ah, no, do talk!

The way you talk is strange, but, somehow, sweet

It is to listen to… Why don’t you speak?

Ah, have I angered you?

Mavka

I am listening

To you make love.

(She takes his head in her hands, turns his face up to the light of the moon and scrutinizes it).

Lukash

Don’t! That makes me afraid.

Your eyes seem peering down into my soul…

I cannot stand it. Talk to me, make fun,

Ask questions, tell me what you like, or laugh…

Mavka

Your voice is clear as is the running stream;

Your eyes, though, are opaque.

Lukash

Maybe the moon’s

Not bright enough.

Mavka

(She presses her head to his breast as though fainting.)

Perhaps.

Lukash

Oh, have you swooned?

Mavka

No, hush! I want to hear your heart speak loud.

It talks, but faintly, like the nights in spring.

Lukash

Why must you try to hear it? You should not!

Mavka

You say I should not? Then I will not, love!

I should not, must not? Then I never will,

Dear heart! Instead, I will caress you, sweet!

You are not used to that?

Lukash

I’ve never been

In love before, and so I never knew

That love could be so sweet.

(She caresses him passionately until he cries out in ecstasy.)

Oh, Mavka dear,

You’re drawing out my soul.

Mavka

I’ll draw it out!

I’ll draw your singing soul out in these arms,

Enchant your heart with lovely words and charms…

With kisses I your lips will close

Until they yearn,

Until they burn,

As do the blossoms on the rose!

I’ll gaze into your deep blue eyes

Until they blaze,

And shoot forth rays,

As do the bright stars in the skies!

(Suddenly she claps her hands.)

But how shall I attract those eyes of yours?

With flowers I’m still unadorned.

Lukash

No need!

You’re lovely without flowers’ help.

Mavka

No, no!

I want to be adorned with flowers for you,

As suits a forest queen.

(She runs to the other end of the glade away from the lake, inhere there are flowering shrubs.)

Lukash

No, wait for me!

I’ll put the flowers on myself.

(He runs after her).

Mavka

Alas!

The flowers at night – their colors go to sleep…

Lukash

See, fireflies in the grass! I’ll gather some

And put them in your hair to shine. They’ll seem

Just like a crown of lovely, sparkling stars.

(He puts a few fireflies in her hair.)

No, let me take a look… How beautiful!

(Beside himself with joy, he pulls her into his embrace, then looses her.)

I must collect still more. I’ll dress you up

As if you were a queen in jewelled robes!

(He hunts around in the grass along the bushes for more fireflies).

Mavka

I’ll break some blossoms from the cranberry tree.

She sleeps not – nightingale, keep her awake.

(She breaks off the white flowers and decks her dress with them).

Rusalka

(She emerges out of the mist again. Turning back towards the reeds, she whispers.)

Little Lost Babes, in the night,

Kindle now your lanterns bright!

Two moving lights are seen in the reeds. Then the Lost Babes come forth, each bearing a lantern. The lights sometimes flare up brightly and then fade out almost completely. Rusalka gathers them closely to her, whispering and pointing a little way off to the dim figure of Lukash, who is groping about in the bushes in an intoxication of joy.

See there, that one who’s wandering about –

He’s like that father who abandoned you,

Who ruined your dead mother, let her die –

He should no longer live!

Lost Babes

You drown him then!

Rusalka

I do not dare; the Forest Elf forbids.

Lost Babes

But we’re not strong enough; we are too small.

Rusalka

You are tiny,

Light and shiny;

With your lights in small hands sure

You can foolish folk allure.

Go into the rushes there

Where no Forest Elf can hear.

Should he come out,

Put your lights out,

Disappear!

Be like lights deceiving always

O’er the pathways;

Burst out bright o’er reeds and rushes,

Lead him into bogs and slushes.

When he’s slipping,

Send him dipping

Down into the deepest slime…

Then I’ll finish him this time!

Off now, like a flash!

Lost Babes

(To one another as they proceed)

You go there. This way I’ll take

And we’ll meet upon the lake.

Rusalka

(Elated)

They’re off!

(She rushes to a marshy pool, takes water and sprinkles it backwards over her shoulder. From behind the bushes Kutz jumps out. He is a youthful imp, like a manikin.)

Kutzie, Kutzie, where you stand

Here before me, kiss my hand!

(With an imperious gesture she stretches out her hand. Kutz kisses it.)

Kutz

Lady, what is now your wish?

Rusalka

For you I prepare a dish

One you will like, if you don’t miss your aim.

(She points to Lukash.)

See there, you’re well accustomed to such game?

Kutz

(With a wave of his hand.)

Whatever’s in the mud,

For the mouth is good!

Rusalka

There’s the meat for you!

‘Twill bring you joy and please your grandam too.

Kutz skips into the bushes and vanishes. Rusalka in the rushes peers after the Lost Babes, who keep flashing and dimming their lights, running forwards and backwards and weaving in circles.

Lukash

(Still hunting for fireflies, notices the lights.)

What lovely fireflies, so swift and bright!

Such splendid ones I’ve never seen… so large!

I must get hold of them!

(He chases them, first one, then the other. Imperceptibly they lead him on towards the danger spots.)

Mavka

Don’t go for them!

Sweetheart, don’t go for them! It’s the Lost Babes!

They’ll lead you into peril!

Lukash absorbed in the chase, does not hear her and keeps right on; then with a sudden cry.

Lukash

Lord, I’m gone!

I’m tangled in the weeds! They drag me down!

Mavka comes running up at his cries. She cannot, however, reach him because he has sunk into the mud some distance from the solid bank. Holding her belt with one hand, she casts the other end out towards him.

Mavka

Now catch it!

It fails to reach him.

Lukash

Oh, it doesn’t reach! Now, what?

Mavka

(She runs to the willow, the branches of which hang out over the water.)

O willow dear! O mother dear, please save!

(Quick as a squirrel, she climbs up the tree and, clinging to the outmost branches, again casts out the belt. This time it reaches. Lukash grasps its end, Mavka pulls it back towards herself, then giving him a hand, helps him to climb into the tree.)

Rusalka in the water gives a muffled groan of vexation and disappears in the mist. The Lost Babes also vanish.

Uncle Lev

(Awakened by the outcries.)

Hey, now! What’s this? Some phantom here again?

Avaunt, accursed!

(Looking around)

Hey, Lukash; where are you?

Lukash

(From the willow)

Up here, up here!

Uncle Lev

(Coming nearer and looking up into the tree.)

What are you doing there?

Come down at once, I say! – the girl as well!

Lukash climbs down but Mavka remains where she is.

Lukash

Oh dear! I nearly drowned there in those weeds.

I stepped into a hole, and she’s the one

(Pointing to Mavka)

Who somehow saved my life.

Uncle Lev

And why do you

Go sneaking round at dead of night as though

You were a haunt?

Lukash

I was after fireflies…

(He breaks off in embarrassment.)

Uncle Lev

(Now noticing the fireflies in Mavka ‘s hair.)

I might have known without your telling me.

I see myself just how the matter lies!

Mavka

Oh, Uncle, I’m the one who rescued him.

Uncle Lev

Just hear her: “Uncle!” Now we’ve got a niece!

And who was it enticed him in the trap?

(He shakes his head disapprovingly.)

You forest folk! There is your loyalty!

I’ll get that Forest Elf for this, so he

Won’t get away again! inside an oak

I’ll stuff that whiskered piece of trickiness,

As he’ll find out! He serfs his maids to do

His dirty work while he stays out of sight!

Mavka

(She runs swiftly down from the tree.)

No, no! He’s not to blame. May Dragon-King

Pour out his wrath on me, if it’s not true!

And I am innocent!

Uncle Lev

Well – I believe

You now, for that’s your’ greatest oath, I know.

Lukash

Oh, Uncle! She it is who saved my life.

So help me God! without her I’d have drowned!

Uncle Lev

Well, girl! although you don’t possess a soul,

You have a good kind heart. You’ll pardon me

For what I said in anger.

(To Lukash.)

Why were you

Out chasing fireflies in the dangerous marsh?

Were there none in the brushes on dry land?

Lukash

But those were such big ones, such brilliant ones!

Uncle Lev

Aha, I know them! It was those Lost Babes.

All right, just wait. Tomorrow I’ll bring here

Some pups who don’t fear witches – then we’ll see

Who does the whining here!

Voices of the Lost Babes

(Groaning miserably, almost like the grunting of frogs.)

No, grandfather, please!

We are not to blame.

Out among the weeds,

We were gathering reeds.

We had no idea

Visitors were here,

Or we ne’er had come

Up above the scum.

Babes so weak and frail

Can but weep and wail!

Uncle Lev

You notice how the treacherous mist sneaks out

To hide the witches’ spawn? Well, let it try!

I’ll soon find out who’s guilty and who’s not…

(To Lukash.)

Well, nephew, don’t you think it’s time for us

To start for home?

(To Mavka)

Goodbye, my girl!

Mavka

You’ll come again tomorrow? I can show

You where to find good lumber for your house.

Uncle Lev

I see you’ve nosed in all of our affairs.

You’re smart! Well, you can come. I’m used to you,

And you folk also must get used to us.

Let’s go! Goodbye!

(They start off.)

Mavka

(More to Lukash than to Uncle Lev.)

I’ll be expecting you.

Lukash drops behind his uncle, silently squeezes Mavka’s two hands, kisses her without a sound, and overtaking his uncle, departs with him into the forest.

Mavka

(Alone)

Dear night, couldst thou more swiftly pass away!

Forgive me! for I yet ne’er knew a day

So blest, so happy, such a day so bright,

So calm and tender as thou art, O night!

O birch, why must thou always mournful be?

Behold me, sister, filled with ecstasy!

O willow, no more o’er the waters weep!

Be kind, while here thy child love’s watch doth keep.

And tell me, O my father, thou dark grove,

Where it were best for me this night to rove.

The night is brief, but separation’s long…

What destiny awaits me – grief or song?

The moon sinks behind the dark mass of the forest. The darkness, velvety black, envelops the glade. Nothing is now visible except the dying coals of the fire, but by the fireflies which she is still wearing in her hair, Mavka can be traced as she wanders among the trees. Her headdress at times shines out as a complete circlet, then again in separate sparklings until it is completely lost in the gloom. A deep midnight silence falls, broken only occasionally by the rustling of leaves in the forest, a sound as though someone were sighing in his sleep.