The Russian story book : $b containing tales from the song-cycles of Kiev and Novgorod and other early sourcesWilson, Richard
General
The Russian story book : $b containing tales from the song-cycles of Kiev and Novgorod and other early sources
Wilson, Richard
Mythology, Slavic -- Juvenile literature
Then the forty pilgrims looked in anger and sadness upon Kasyan. "What
shall we do to you now, young Kasyan?" they asked sternly. "Did you
not impose the great vow upon us of your own choice?"
"Beloved comrades," said their leader, "I did not steal the royal
cup. Nevertheless do now what has been agreed amongst us, and break
not your great vow for me."
Then they wept sorely, but they took Kasyan and did with him in
accordance with their terrible vow. After that they prayed to God
and went on their way once more to the holy city of Jerusalem. Young
Nikitich stood in silence while the vow was performed, and then
rode back at great speed to Kiev town, where he gave the cup to
Prince Vladimir and told of all he had seen. When he had finished
the Princess Apraxia fell in her place to the floor; and when her
ladies had restored her she spoke no word, but unloosing her golden
hair and unbinding her golden girdle she went unto the courtyard and
lay upon the great dung-heap.
Prince Vladimir now prepared himself to go and see the wonder of the
fulfilment of the vow. But before he could reach the place where
Kasyan had been buried to the breast in moist Mother Earth there
passed over the boundless white plain an aged saint with flowing
beard, ruddy cheeks, and eyes which shone with the laughter of boys
and girls. With his holy hands he restored Kasyan to his completeness,
his manly strength and youthful beauty, and set him again upon his
nimble feet, saying:
"Go thy way, young Kasyan, and thou shalt overtake the forty at the
first inn upon the way to the holy city of Jerusalem. Pray in that holy
city, visit the grave of the risen Lord and bathe in Jordan river. And
when you come home again build a cathedral church to St. Nicholas,
who loves all men and especially youths and maidens." Then the old
man vanished from sight; it was only a snow-wreath driven before the
winter wind across the white world and he was gone.
Young Kasyan went on his way and late on that same evening he
overtook his companions, who, when they saw that he was much more
comely than he had ever been, rejoiced over him and praised God for
His goodness. Meanwhile Prince Vladimir had come to the place where
young Kasyan had been buried and found a deep pit only, whereupon he
and his company returned in wondering amazement to Kiev town.
Once more the one-and-forty pilgrims home returning stood at the
gateway of Prince Vladimir's palace, asking alms in the name of the
Risen Lord. Then the Prince begged them with reverence to enter his
great hall and partake of his hospitality, and they came within the
portals. But before they sat down to meat Kasyan asked that he might
be taken to the Princess, who still lay upon the dung-heap, and whom
when he saw in her sorrow and debasement he breathed upon with his
holy breath. Then he laid his white hand upon her lowly head and
pardoned her, and she arose, arrayed herself, and had never seemed
so fair in the eyes of her lord, Prince Vladimir.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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