When the Tsarítsa received the letter she read it through and said to herself, “How can I redeem the Tsar? If I go myself, the Accursed King will receive me and will take me to himself as a wife. If I send one of the ministers, I can place no reliance on him .” So what did she advise? She cut off her red hair, went and disguised herself as a wandering musician, took her gúsli , and never told anybody, and so set out on her road and way.

She arrived at the Accursed King’s courtyard and began to play the gúsli so finely as had never been heard or listened to for ages. When the King heard such wonderful music he summoned the harpist into the palace. “Hail, guslyár ! From what land have you come? From what kingdom?” asked the King.