the tsar thought a moment. "for this time," he said, "i will not let thee die, for it pleases me to grant thee my grace. but from this very day, this very hour, thou never shalt see god's light nor the bright sunshine nor the silvery moon. thou shalt never walk at liberty through the wide fields, but thou, my dear guest, shalt dwell in a palace where no sunny ray ever penetrates. you, my servants, take him, chain his hands and his feet and lead him to my chief jailor. and you six simeons follow me. you have my grace and reward. to-morrow every one of you will begin to work for me according to his gifts and capacities."