In an embrace of steel the two

Bold knights are locked (they're on their mettle),

But seem quite moveless, as if to

Their saddles welded. Rage and ire

Their limbs turn stiff. A liquid fire

Sweeps like a torrent through their veins;

They're intertwined; chest 'gainst chest streins-

But now they weaker grow, they tire;

'Tis clear that soon one of them must

Go under, by the other bested.

Ruslan with iron hand a thrust

To his fierce rival gives, and, wresting

Him from the saddle, lifts him high

Above himself and never falters

But hurls him down into the waters

That seethe below them, shouting "Die!"

I'm sure, my friends, you've guessed arigh

With whom my brave and gallant knight

His duel fought. Of battles deadly

The seeker rash it was, Rogdai.

The hope of Kiev, darkly, madly

Ludmila loved he and was by

This led to seek his rival. On

A Dnieper bank it was he found him:

Persistence and resolve had won!

Alas! The hero's strength unbounded

Deserted him, and in the wild

He met his end, was then beguiled

By a young mermaid who caressed him,

And to her icy bosom pressed him,

And, laughing, drew him down at last....

For many years thereafter, when

Night came and o'er the heavens cast