Zhar-Ptitsa

So at night she sought the _Zhar-Ptitsa_, which was sitting up and flapping its wings, and asked whether she might fly abroad on its back.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

The _Zhar-Ptitsa_ recommences its magic song, and its cage flashes anew like fire.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

So long did they remain talking that, before the _Zhar-Ptitsa_ and his rider could get back, "the day began to dawn -- the bird sank lower and lower and fell to the ground."

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

The _Zhar-Ptitsa_, or Fire-Bird, which plays so important a part in this story, is worthy of special notice.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

_Zhar-Ptitsa_ which flies every night into the garden, so he orders his sons to keep watch there by turns.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

_Zhar-Ptitsa_ sinks into a death-like slumber when the day dawns, to awake to fresh life after the sunset.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

When the veil was lifted, she cried in astonishment "Can such beauty be?" and determined to fly on the _Zhar-Ptitsa_ to the original of the picture.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

Aided by a wolf, he reaches the garden in which the _Zhar-Ptitsa_ lives, and succeeds in taking it out of its golden cage.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

When the hero has been killed by his brothers, and they have carried off the _Zhar-Ptitsa_, and their victim's golden steed, and his betrothed princess -- as long as he lies dead, the princess remains mute and mournful, the horse refuses to eat, the bird is silent, and its cage is lustreless.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858

On the first and second occasion he remained asleep during her visit, having been plunged into a magic slumber by the _Zhar-Ptitsa_.

Russian Fairy Tales A Choice Collection of Muscovite Folk-lore William Ralston Shedden Ralston 1858