'i am a great king and i have a most beautiful daughter, the princess helena. there is no one in the universe more beautiful and more wise than she; there is no bridegroom worthy of her in any place under the bright sun, no tsar, no king, no tsarevitch, no korolevitch. to no one will i ever give my daughter, the princess helena, and whoever shall dare to court her, on such an one will i declare war, ruin his country, and capture himself.'"