V Ceremony of the Wreath-Weaving
The Kalina7 grows in a little valley;
It has blossomed with a white, white flower.
The bridesmaids went to pluck a bough
But empty-handed come they now.
Its plucking lay not in their power.
But there went Marusenka,
There the little Duchess went.
The Cranberry her blossoms lent.
Home came Marusenka to the bright Room of Welcome.
Home to the pretty maidens then came she.
Before her little face she set the flowers,
And she looked at them long and earnestly.
Then of her father asked Marusenka:
“Like this Kalinonka shall I be?”
“As long as thou stayest by my hearth-side,
Child, thou’lt be like that Cranberry.
“But when thou goest upon thy journey
Thy beauty, alas, will fall from thee.
O youthful one, from thy braids so golden
Thy beauty swiftly away shall flee!”