--- title: Magic and Witchcraft., part 6 — Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Musc… · full text with trees description: Magic and Witchcraft., part 6, «Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore»: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: "How can I help being unhappy, when I'm utterly done for?" --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collecti…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/) / Magic and Witchcraft., part 6 # Magic and Witchcraft., part 6 Magic and Witchcraft., part 6 of «Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore»: the whole text, 189 sentences and 2593 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 1 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/1/) — "How can I help being unhappy, when I'm utterly done for?" - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/2/) — "Why what's the matter? - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/3/) — Speak out plainly." - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/4/) — "Well then, granny, I've got to read psalms over the princess, and, do you know, she's a witch!" - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/5/) — "I knew that before you did! - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/6/) — But don't be frightened, there's a knife for you. - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/7/) — When you go into the church, trace a circle round you; then read away from your psalter and don't look behind you. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/8/) — Whatever happens there, whatever horrors may appear, mind your own business and go on reading, reading. - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/9/) — But if you look behind you, it will be all over with you!" - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/10/) — In the evening the boy went to the church, traced a circle round him with the knife, and betook himself to the psalter. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/11/) — Twelve o'clock struck. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/12/) — The lid of the coffin flew up; the Princess arose, leapt out, and cried-- - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/13/) — "Now I'll teach you to go peeping through my windows, and telling people what you saw!" - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/14/) — She began rushing at the priest's son, but she couldn't anyhow break into the circle. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/15/) — Then she began to conjure up all sorts of horrors. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/16/) — But in spite of all that she did, he went on reading and reading, and never gave a look round. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/17/) — And at daybreak the Princess rushed at her coffin, and tumbled into it at full length, all of a heap. - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/18/) — The next night everything went on just the same. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/19/) — The priest's son wasn't a bit afraid, went on reading without a stop right up to daybreak, and in the morning went to the old woman. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/20/) — She asked him-- - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/21/) — "Well! have you seen horrors?" - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/22/) — "Yes, granny!" - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/23/) — "It will be still more horrible this time. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/24/) — Here's a hammer for you and four nails. — checked by a teacher - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/25/) — Knock them into the four corners of the coffin, and when you begin reading the psalter, stick up the hammer in front of you." - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/26/) — In the evening the priest's son went to the church, and did everything just as the old woman had told him. - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/27/) — Twelve o'clock struck, the coffin lid fell to the ground, the Princess jumped up and began tearing from side to side, and threatening the youth. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/28/) — Then she conjured up horrors, this time worse than before. - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/29/) — It seemed to him as if a fire had broken out in the church; all the walls were wrapped in flames! - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/30/) — But he held his ground and went on reading, never once looking behind him. - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/31/) — Just before daybreak the Princess rushed to her coffin--then the fire seemed to go out immediately, and all the deviltry vanished! - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/32/) — In the morning the King came to the church, and saw that the coffin was open, and in the coffin lay the princess, face downwards. - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/33/) — "What's the meaning of all this?" says he. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/34/) — The lad told him everything that had taken place. - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/35/) — Then the king gave orders that an aspen stake should be driven into his daughter's breast, and that her body should be thrust into a hole in the ground. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/36/) — But he rewarded the priest's son with a heap of money and various lands. - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/37/) — Perhaps the most remarkable among the stories of this class is the following, which comes from Little Russia. - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/38/) — Those readers who are acquainted with the works of Gogol, the great Russian novelist, who was a native of that part of the country, will observe how closely he has kept to popular traditions in his thrilling story of the \_Vy\_, which has been translated into English, from the French, under the title of "The King of the Gnomes." - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/39/) — \[365\] - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/40/) — THE SOLDIER'S MIDNIGHT WATCH. - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/41/) — \[366\] - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/42/) — Once upon a time there was a Soldier who served God and the great Gosudar for fifteen years, without ever setting eyes on his parents. - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/43/) — At the end of that time there came an order from the Tsar to grant leave to the soldiers--to twenty-five of each company at a time--to go and see their families. - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/44/) — Together with the rest our Soldier, too, got leave to go, and set off to pay a visit to his home in the government of Kief. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/45/) — After a time he reached Kief, visited the \_Lavra\_, prayed to God, bowed down before the holy relics, and then started again for his birthplace, a provincial town not far off. - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/46/) — Well, he walked and walked. - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/47/) — Suddenly there happens to meet him a fair maiden who was the daughter of a merchant in that same town; a most remarkable beauty. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/48/) — Now everyone knows that if a soldier catches sight of a pretty girl, nothing will make him pass her by quietly, but he hooks on to her somehow or other. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/49/) — And so this Soldier gets alongside of the merchant's daughter, and says to her jokingly-- - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/50/) — "How now, fair damsel! not broken in to harness yet?" - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/51/) — "God knows, soldier, who breaks in whom," replies the girl. " - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/52/) — I may do it to you, or you to me." - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/53/) — So saying she laughed and went her way. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/54/) — Well, the Soldier arrived at home, greeted his family, and rejoiced greatly at finding they were all in good health. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/55/) — Now he had an old grandfather, as white as a \_lun\_, who had lived a hundred years and a bit. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/56/) — The Soldier was gossiping with him, and said: - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/57/) — "As I was coming home, grandfather, I happened to meet an uncommonly fine girl, and, sinner that I am, I chaffed her, and she said to me: - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/58/) — "'God knows, soldier, whether you'll break me in to harness, or I'll break you.'" - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/59/) — "Eh, sirs! whatever have you done? - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/60/) — Why that's the daughter of our merchant here, an awful witch! - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/61/) — She's sent more than one fine young fellow out of the white world." - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/62/) — "Well, well! - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/63/) — I'm not one of the timid ones, either! - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/64/) — You won't frighten me in a hurry. - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/65/) — We'll wait and see what God will send." - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/66/) — "No, no, grandson!" says the grandfather. " - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/67/) — If you don't listen to me, you won't be alive to-morrow!" - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/68/) — "Here's a nice fix!" says the Soldier. - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/69/) — "Yes, such a fix that you've never known anything half so awful, even when soldiering." - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/70/) — "What must I do then, grandfather?" - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/71/) — "Why this. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/72/) — Provide yourself with a bridle, and take a thick aspen cudgel, and sit quietly in the izba--don't stir a step anywhere. - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/73/) — During the night she will come running in, and if she manages to say before you can 'Stand still, my steed!' you will straightway turn into a horse. - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/74/) — Then she will jump upon your back, and will make you gallop about until she has ridden you to death. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/75/) — But if you manage to say before she speaks, 'Tprru! stand still, jade!' she will be turned into a mare. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/76/) — Then you must bridle her and jump on her back. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/77/) — She will run away with you over hill and dale, but do you hold your own; hit her over the head with the aspen cudgel, and go on hitting her until you beat her to death." - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/78/) — The Soldier hadn't expected such a job as this, but there was no help for it. - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/79/) — So he followed his grandfather's advice, provided himself with a bridle and an aspen cudgel, took his seat in a corner, and waited to see what would happen. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/80/) — At the midnight hour the passage door creaked and the sound of steps was heard; the witch was coming! - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/81/) — The moment the door of the room opened, the Soldier immediately cried out-- - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/82/) — "Tprru! stand still, jade!" - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/83/) — The witch turned into a mare, and he bridled her, led her into the yard, and jumped on her back. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/84/) — The mare carried him off over hills and dales and ravines, and did all she could to try and throw her rider. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/85/) — But no! the Soldier stuck on tight, and thumped her over the head like anything with the aspen cudgel, and went on treating her with a taste of the cudgel until he knocked her off her feet, and then pitched into her as she lay on the ground, gave her another half-dozen blows or so, and at last beat her to death. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/86/) — By daybreak he got home. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/87/) — "Well, my friend! how have you got on?" asks his grandfather. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/88/) — "Glory be to God, grandfather! - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/89/) — I've beaten her to death!" - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/90/) — "All right! now lie down and go to sleep." - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/91/) — The Soldier lay down and fell into a deep slumber. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/92/) — Towards evening the old man awoke him-- - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/93/) — "Get up, grandson." - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/94/) — He got up. - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/95/) — "What's to be done now? - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/96/) — As the merchant's daughter is dead, you see, her father will come after you, and will bid you to his house to read psalms over the dead body." - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/97/) — "Well, grandfather, am I to go, or not?" - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/98/) — "If you go, there'll be an end of you; and if you don't go, there'll be an end of you! - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/99/) — Still, it's best to go." - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/100/) — "But if anything happens, how shall I get out of it?" **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/page/2/) - ← previous: [Magic and Witchcraft., part 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/46/) - next →: [Magic and Witchcraft., part 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/48/) - ↑ back to [Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/)