And none of thy kin will be near thee to love, praise or advise.
“Why dost thou not write, therefore, and tell thy mother to sail?
Surely her hands are anxious to cover thy head with a veil.”
Then to the wondering maidens the sad Marusya said:
“Verily now I know not if ever I shall be wed:
“I shall never write to my mother and ask her to come to me.
For alas, I have no mother since I dwell in this far country!”
THE DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
(Old Folk-Song)
The bride sings to her lover: