“Say not so, my son! the maid is promised;
’Tis no jest! she is of monarchs’ kindred.”
But the hero cared not for his mother:
Loud he called to Dobrivoy, his servant—
“Dobrivoy! come hither, trusty servant!
Bring my brown steed forth, and make him ready—
Make him ready with the silver saddle;
Rein him with the gold-embroider’d bridle.”
When the steed was ready, forth he hasten’d,
Flung him on his back, and spurr’d him onward