The groomsmen welcome the approaching bride with song, and follow the bridal pair to the altar. From out the stables the second couple are now brought. Wild screeches and the squeak of the bagpipe accompany them in their progress. The pomp of wedding garments only serves to make them more ridiculous. They are received with mocking rhymes, which seem to please them highly. Both are very drunk; they kiss every one who comes in their way; but as they near each other they cut hideous grimaces at one another; and as they go up to the altar steps the bride gives the bridegroom a good pinch on the arm, while the bridegroom deals her out a smart kick with his foot. This couple is also placed at the table, so that bridegrooms and brides stand one at each corner. At the second peal of bells the wedding-mother descends with her whole retinue from the castle. The retinue is composed of twelve female slaves, clad in white, who line the steps on either side. The wedding-mother mounts the tribune alone, and takes her seat upon the throne. She is dressed like a queen, and wears a purple mantle; her cap of marten-skin is embroidered with gold and pearls; her face painted white and red. She begins the ceremony. "Schinko, what do you bring the bride for your wedding present?" And Schinko details what he brings her: "Two gay-colored beds, a cloak of Karassia cloth lined with fox, a breastplate with silver buttons, a kokosnik set with pearls, two pair of red boots, an embroidered linen shirt, twelve zinc plates, a dish, and a gold-embroidered head-dress and veil--if she behaves well!" All these gifts were brought round by the bridegroom's supporters, and severally shown to the guests. The bride, on her side, gives the bridegroom clothes, ornaments, household utensils, and, last, a bundle of birch rods, "with which he is to chastise me when I do not behave well." Now it is the turn of the second couple. "Well, Polyka, and what do you bring your bridegroom?" But this well-assorted couple are not content that one should speak before the other; one interrupts the other, and they splutter out: "I, a ragged cloak." "I, a pot with a hole in it." "I, a footless stocking in which ten cats could not catch one mouse." "I, an empty jug that once had brandy in it." "I, a bed sacking, with no blankets, and that lacks feathers." The wedding guests laughed themselves ill over this dialogue of the bridal couple. "And then twelve pair of 'dubina'!" shouted the bridegroom, with a loud laugh. "With two ends to them," returned the bride, with a giggle. The word "dubina," so soft-sounding in Russian, signifies in the barbaric English tongue--stick! The sack has found a mouth, the vinegar jar a stopper, and he his match, grinned the wedding guests.