The priests, being unable to rid the peasants’ minds of “Kupalo’s Day,” adopted the simple expedient of bracketing him with the Christian St. John (Ivan). The 24th of June (July 7) is the latter’s feast day, but the country folk call it still “The Day of the Bathing of John.” In the Ukraine on that day maidens sing special songs, and most engagements are or were celebrated on this feast.
[3]. Trezilie: poisonous herbs.
[4]. The Duke, the husband to be.
“And during the same three days he is called a Duke and she a Dutchess, although they be very poor persons.”—(Anthony Jenkinson’s Letters from Russia, 1557, as given by Hakluyt.)
[5]. Falcon: metaphor for a lover.
[6]. Zuzula: the Cuckoo.
[7]. As the rose in our love songs so in those of Ukraina does the Cranberry or Kalina bloom—the symbol of beauty. Maidens are always being compared to it, and one sings: “Would I were red as a cranberry, for then never was I sad; my lips and cheeks were scarlet, but now they are pale.” The German story of the “Juniper Tree” finds its counterpart in the Cranberry-bush of the Ruthenians. A young girl was murdered, so runs the tale, and her relatives placed the Kalina on her grave. From a branch of this her brother made a flute—immediately a voice sighed: “Brother, play not so loud—do not bring sorrow to my heart!”
[8]. Barwēnok: evergreen marriage flower, periwinkle.
“Barwēnok,” so often mentioned in the folk-songs in connection with marriage—sometimes it is placed on graves—is a creeping vine, green among the snows of winter. It is akin in meaning to the Polish “meert” or myrtle.
“Little Barwēnok,