 | The epic songs of Russia |  |
Nightingale Budimirovich
ALL authorities are agreed as to the foreign element
in Nightingale Budimirovich. He was not a
hero of Kief. Some regard him as a Norman
pirate, others as one of the prehistoric Slavs who dwelt
on the shores of the Baltic. The "land of Ledenetz,"
or Vedenetz as it appears in some variants, has led to
the suggestion that he was a merchant from Venice,
or one of the Italian architects who came to Russia in
the twelfth century.
One variant represents Nightingale's mother as
opposed to the marriage until her son has proved
himself in a long voyage. During his absence, young
David Popof arrives, and, stating that he had seen
Nightingale imprisoned for smuggling in Ledenetz,
seeks Love's hand in marriage. Nightingale returns
in time to claim his bride at the wedding feast. The
incident, and the treacherous suitor's name, recall the
story of Alyosha and Nastasya.
Nightingale Budimirovich's mythical signification is
probably the reverse of that of Nightingale the Robber.
They represent the opposite sides of the same atmospheric
phenomenon; the Robber being the rude and
boisterous gales, while fair Love's wooer is the breeze,
gentle and seductive as a minstrel.
The description of his ships recalls the famous
dragon ships of the ancient Scandinavians. An
Eastern tale describes the ceiling of a rich man's
house as "covered with figures of all sorts of wild
beasts, sea-monsters, and fishes. When the wind blew,
they moved about, and were reflected in the floor."
This exaggerated description of bas-reliefs explains
so forth. Nightingale is not an historical character.
His palace suggests that of Aladdin.
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