said he . They returned home , but they had n't had time to sit down when the thunder crashed , the ceiling split open , and in flew a raven . The Raven smote upon the floor and became a brave youth . The former youths had been handsome , but this one was handsomer still . ` Well , Prince Ivan ! Before I came as a guest , but now I have come as a wooer ! Give me the Princess Anna to wife . ' ' I wo n't interfere with my sister 's freedom . If you gain her affections , let her marry you . ' So the Princess Anna married the Raven , and he bore her away into his own realm . Prince Ivan was left alone . A whole year he lived without his sisters ; then he grew weary , and said : ' I will set out in search of my sisters . ' He got ready for the journey , he rode and rode , and one day he saw a whole army lying dead on the plain . He cried aloud , ` If there be a living man there , let him make answer ! Who has slain this mighty host ? ' There replied unto him a living man : ` All this mighty host has been slain by the fair Princess Marya Morevna . ' Prince Ivan rode further on , and came to a white tent , and forth came to meet him the fair Princess Marya Morevna . ` Hail , Prince ! ' says she ; ` whither does God send you ? and is it of your free will or against your will ? '
Prince Ivan replied , ` Not XXXXX their will do brave youths ride ! '
Before against as by for of on to with without