A Survey of Russian Literature, with Selections | Page 9

Scripture story is entirely
forgotten. In these Joseph is always a "Tzarévitch," or king's son, his
father being sometimes David, sometimes "the Tzar of India," or of
"the Idolaters' Land," or some such country. He is confined in a tower,
because the soothsayers have foretold that he will become a Christian
(or because he is already a Christian he shuts himself up). One day he is
permitted to ride about the town, and although all old people have been
ordered to keep out of sight, he espies one aged cripple, and thus learns
that his father has grossly deceived him, in asserting that no one ever
becomes old or ill in his kingdom. He forthwith becomes a Christian,
and flees to the desert. Then comes his wail to "Mother Desert Most
Fair," as she stands "afar off in the valley": "O Desert fair, receive me
to thy depths, as a mother her own child, and a pastor his faithful sheep,
into thy voiceless quiet, beloved mother mine!" "Mother Desert"
proceeds to remonstrate with her "beloved child": "Who is to rule," she
says, "over thy kingdom, thy palaces of white stone, thy young bride?
When spring cometh, all the lakes will be aflood, all the trees will be
clothed with verdure, heavenly birds will warble therein with voices
angelic: in the desert thou wilt have none of this; thy food will be
fir-bark, thy drink marsh-water." Nevertheless, "Joseph Tzarévitch"
persists in his intention, and Mother Desert receives him at last. Most
versions of this ballad are full of genuine poetry, but a few are rather
ludicrous: for example, "Mother Desert" asks Joseph, "How canst thou
leave thy sweet viands and soft feather-beds to come to me?"
Of David, strange to say, we find very little mention, save in the "Dove
Book," or as the father of Joseph, or of some other equally preposterous
person.
Among the ballads on themes drawn from the New Testament, those
relating to the birth of Christ, and the visit of the Wise Men; to John the
Baptist, and to Lazarus, are the most numerous. The Three Wise Men
sometimes bring queer gifts. One ballad represents them as being
Lithuanians, and only two in number, who bring Christ offerings of
botvínya--a savory and popular dish, in the form of a soup served cold,

with ice, and composed of small beer brewed from sour, black, rye
bread, slightly thickened with strained spinach, in which float cubes of
fresh cucumber, the green tops of young onions, cold boiled fish,
horseradish, bacon, sugar, shrimps, any cold vegetables on hand, and
whatever else occurs to the cook. Joseph stands by the window, holding
a bowl and a spoon, and stares at the gift. "Queer people, you
Lithuanians," he remarks. "Christ doesn't eat botvínya. He eats only
rolls with milk and honey (or rolls and butter)." In one case, the Three
Wise Men appear as three buffaloes bringing gifts; in another as "the
fine rain, the red sun, and the bright moon," showing that nature
worship can assume a very fair semblance of Christianity.
Christ's baptism is sometimes represented by his mother bathing him in
the river; and this is thought to stand for the weary sun which is bathed
every night in the ocean. A "Legend of the Sun," whose counterpart can
be found in other lands, represents the sun as being attended by flaming
birds, who dip their wings in the ocean at night and sprinkle him, and
by angels who carry his imperial robe and crown to the Lord's throne
every night, and clothe him again in them every morning, while the
cock proclaims the "resurrection of all things." In the Christmas carols,
angels perform the same offices, and the flaming phoenix-birds are
omitted.
The Apostle Peter's timid and disputatious character seems to be well
understood by the people. One day, according to a ballad, he gets into a
dispute with the Lord, as to which is the larger, heaven or earth. "The
earth," declares St. Peter; "Heaven," maintains the Lord. "But let us not
quarrel. Call down two or three angels to measure heaven and earth
with a silken cord. So was it done; and lo! St. Peter was right, and the
Lord was wrong! Heaven is the smaller, because it is all level, while the
earth has hills and valleys!"
On another occasion, "all the saints were sitting at table, except the
Holy Spirit." "Peter, Peter, my servant," says the Lord, "go bring the
Holy Spirit." Peter has not traversed half the road, when he encounters
a wondrous marvel, a fearful fire. He trembles with fear and turns back.
"Why hast thou not brought the Holy Spirit?" inquires the Lord. Peter

explains. "Ho, Peter, that is no marvel! that is the Holy Spirit. Thou
shouldst have brought it hither