what is that far away upon the waters? is it a white gull? or are those white wings not wings, but sails? no, it is not a gull, but the ship of the brothers simeon, and she approaches as rapidly as the wind which blows her sails. the cannon boom, native melodies are played on the cords of the masts. soon the ship is anchored, the crystal bridge prepared, and the korolevna helena, the beautiful princess, appears like a never-setting sun, her eyes like bright stars, and oh! how happy is the tsar archidei!