---
title: Magic and Witchcraft., part 6 — Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Musc… · full text with trees · page 2
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?"
---

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# Magic and Witchcraft., part 6 · page 2

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[1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/) **2**

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- [101](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/101/) — "Listen, grandson!
- [102](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/102/) — When you go to the merchant's he will offer you brandy; don't you drink much--drink only a moderate allowance.
- [103](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/103/) — Afterwards the merchant will take you into the room in which his daughter is lying in her coffin, and will lock you in there.
- [104](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/104/) — You will read out from the psalter all the evening, and up to midnight.
- [105](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/105/) — Exactly at midnight a strong wind will suddenly begin to blow, the coffin will begin to shake, its lid will fall off.
- [106](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/106/) — Well, as soon as these horrors begin, jump on to the stove as quick as you can, squeeze yourself into a corner, and silently offer up prayers.
- [107](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/107/) — She won't find you there."
- [108](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/108/) — Half an hour later came the merchant, and besought the Soldier, crying:
- [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/109/) — "Ah, Soldier! there's a daughter of mine dead; come and read the psalter over her."
- [110](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/110/) — The Soldier took a psalter and went off to the merchant's house.
- [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/111/) — The merchant was greatly pleased, seated him at his table, and began offering him brandy to drink.
- [112](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/112/) — The Soldier drank, but only moderately, and declined to drink any more.
- [113](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/113/) — The merchant took him by the hand and led him to the room in which the corpse lay.
- [114](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/114/) — "Now then," he says, "read away at your psalter."
- [115](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/115/) — Then he went out and locked the door.
- [116](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/116/) — There was no help for it, so the Soldier took to his psalter and read and read.
- [117](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/117/) — Exactly at midnight there was a great blast of wind, the coffin began to rock, its lid flew off.
- [118](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/118/) — The Soldier jumped quickly on to the stove, hid himself in a corner, guarded himself by a sign of the cross, and began whispering prayers.
- [119](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/119/) — Meanwhile the witch had leapt out of the coffin, and was rushing about from side to side--now here, now there.
- [120](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/120/) — Then there came running up to her countless swarms of evil spirits; the room was full of them!
- [121](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/121/) — "What are you looking for?" say they.
- [122](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/122/) — "A soldier.
- [123](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/123/) — He was reading here a moment ago, and now he's vanished!"
- [124](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/124/) — The devils eagerly set to work to hunt him up.
- [125](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/125/) — They searched and searched, they rummaged in all the corners.
- [126](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/126/) — At last they cast their eyes on the stove; at that moment, luckily for the Soldier, the cocks began to crow.
- [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/127/) — In the twinkling of an eye all the devils had vanished, and the witch lay all of a heap on the floor.
- [128](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/128/) — The Soldier got down from the stove, laid her body in the coffin, covered it up all right with the lid, and betook himself again to his psalter.
- [129](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/129/) — At daybreak came the master of the house, opened the door, and said--
- [130](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/130/) — "Hail, Soldier!"
- [131](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/131/) — "I wish you good health, master merchant."
- [132](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/132/) — "Have you spent the night comfortably?"
- [133](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/133/) — "Glory be to God! yes."
- [134](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/134/) — "There are fifty roubles for you, but come again, friend, and read another night."
- [135](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/135/) — "Very good, I'll come."
- [136](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/136/) — The Soldier returned home, lay down on the bench, and slept till evening.
- [137](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/137/) — Then he awoke and said--
- [138](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/138/) — "Grandfather, the merchant bid me go and read the psalter another night.
- [139](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/139/) — Should I go or not?"
- [140](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/140/) — "If you go, you won't remain alive, and if you don't go, just the same!
- [141](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/141/) — But you'd better go.
- [142](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/142/) — Don't drink much brandy, drink just what is right; and when the wind blows, and the coffin begins to rock, slip straight into the stove.
- [143](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/143/) — There no one will find you."
- [144](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/144/) — The Soldier got ready and went to the merchant's, who seated him at table, and began plying him with brandy.
- [145](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/145/) — Afterwards he took him to where the corpse was, and locked him into the room.
- [146](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/146/) — The Soldier went on reading, reading.
- [147](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/147/) — Midnight came, the wind blew, the coffin began to rock, the coffin lid fell afar off on the ground.
- [148](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/148/) — He was into the stove in a moment.
- [149](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/149/) — Out jumped the witch and began rushing about; round her swarmed devils, the room was full of them!
- [150](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/150/) — "What are you looking for?" they cry.
- [151](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/151/) — "Why, there he was reading a moment ago, and now he's vanished out of sight.
- [152](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/152/) — I can't find him."
- [153](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/153/) — The devils flung themselves on the stove.
- [154](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/154/) — "Here's the place," they cried, "where he was last night!"
- [155](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/155/) — There was the place, but he wasn't there!
- [156](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/156/) — This way and that they rushed.
- [157](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/157/) — Suddenly the cocks began to crow, the devils vanished, the witch lay stretched on the floor.
- [158](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/158/) — The Soldier stayed awhile to recover his breath, crept out of the stove, put the merchant's daughter back in her coffin, and took to reading the psalter again.
- [159](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/159/) — Presently he looks round, the day has already dawned.
- [160](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/160/) — His host arrives:
- [161](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/161/) — "Hail, Soldier!" says he.
- [162](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/162/) — "I wish you good health, master merchant."
- [163](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/163/) — "Has the night passed comfortably?"
- [164](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/164/) — "Glory be to God! yes."
- [165](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/165/) — "Come along here, then."
- [166](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/166/) — The merchant led him out of the room, gave him a hundred roubles, and said--
- [167](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/167/) — "Come, please, and read here a third night; I sha'n't treat you badly."
- [168](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/168/) — "Good, I'll come."
- [169](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/169/) — The Soldier returned home.
- [170](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/170/) — "Well, grandson, what has God sent you?" says his grandfather.
- [171](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/171/) — "Nothing much, grandfather!
- [172](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/172/) — The merchant told me to come again.
- [173](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/173/) — Should I go or not?"
- [174](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/174/) — "If you go, you won't remain alive, and if you don't go, you won't remain alive!
- [175](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/175/) — But you'd better go."
- [176](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/176/) — "But if anything happens where must I hide?"
- [177](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/177/) — "I'll tell you, grandson.
- [178](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/178/) — Buy yourself a frying-pan, and hide it so that the merchant sha'n't see it.
- [179](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/179/) — When you go to his house he'll try to force a lot of brandy on you.
- [180](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/180/) — You look out, don't drink much, drink just what you can stand.
- [181](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/181/) — At midnight, as soon as the wind begins to roar, and the coffin to rock, do you that very moment climb on to the stove-pipe, and cover yourself over with the frying-pan.
- [182](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/182/) — There no one will find you out."
- [183](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/183/) — The Soldier had a good sleep, bought himself a frying-pan,\[367\] hid it under his cloak, and towards evening went to the merchant's house.
- [184](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/184/) — The merchant seated him at table and took to plying him with liquor--tried every possible kind of invitation and cajolery on him.
- [185](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/185/) — "No," says the Soldier, "that will do.
- [186](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/186/) — I've had my whack.
- [187](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/187/) — I won't have any more."
- [188](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/188/) — "Well, then, if you won't drink, come along and read your psalter."
- [189](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/189/) — The merchant took him to his dead daughter, left him alone with her, and locked the door.

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[1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/47/) **2**

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- ← previous: [Magic and Witchcraft., part 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/46/)
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- ↑ back to [Russian Fairy Tales: A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg22373/)