Act I  Scene 1
RUSLAN; Before we came here, Princess, we swore that we’d stay friends.  We'll not give up that love and trust. Even for you.
FARLAF;  To the last drop of my blood, I'll protect you. Which of us will you have? I ache with hope – and fear! Choose quickly - and choose me!
NANNY;   Oo-er! Which’ll it be?  I vote for Farlaf!
CHORUS I;  Neh - Ruslan! [ad lib, with audience – Farlaf! Ruslan!]
DUKE;       Quiet!  Well, my dear?
RUSLAN;  Would you like longer to get to know us?
LUDMILLA; No, my lord. I shall do my duty to love and obey my husband, whoever I wed. But father, you allow me a free choice?
DUKE;       Yeah, honey, go ahead, take your pick.
LUDMILLA; Thank you. And whichever I choose, the other will stand by us?
RUSLAN; Yes, on our honour.
FARLAF; We swore it.
LUDMILLA; Then, my lords, this is my decision. Though I honour and respect you, my lord [to FARLAF], for my husband  –
[Blackout; roar of wind, lightning, thunder, screams.  Lights up; LUDMILLA & NANNY are gone]
DUKE;      Who sneezed? Everybody okay? Ludmilla? Ludmilla?
RUSLAN & FARLAF; Princess Ludmilla!
CHORUS I; That Nanny Natasha - she's gone too!
DUKE;      Nanny Natasha? [pleased] Magic! But where’s Ludmilla?
FARLAF;  What's this? [Picks up silver hair]
DUKE;      Silver  wool? How did it get here?
RUSLAN;  In the wind. Like magic. That’s the answer, sir, you were right!
DUKE;       I was?  Yeah, I was!
RUSLAN;  Magic!
CHORUS;  Magic?
DUKE;       Ludmilla's changed into a silver sheep?
RUSLAN;  No!
DUKE;       Nanny's changed into a silver sheep!
RUSLAN;   Some wizard has kidnapped them!
FARLAF;   We must rescue her.
DUKE;       Whoever brings Ludmilla back to me will be her husband, and rule Kiev after me!
RUSLAN;  We'll find her, Your Grace!
FARLAF;  I'll spend all my life seeking her!
RUSLAN;  Let's hope it doesn't take that long!
FARLAF;  How can you joke about it?
RUSLAN;  Better than crying!
FARLAF;  But how can we track down a wizard?
RUSLAN;  My old teacher, Finn the Sorcerer, lives in a cave north of here. I'll seek his help.
DUKE;      Farlaf, you go find the Witch Naina, she lives to the south.
FARLAF;  Right.  We’ll meet at the river crossing and work together. Two have three times the strength of one.
RUSLAN; That's the general, planning his campaign. Luck, cousin!
                           [Song,. RUSLAN, FARLAF, DUKE & CHORUS. Tune, Men of Harlech]
RUSLAN;              Here and now my sword I lift,                          And I dedicate each gift, 
Skill and strength to rescue swift                    Ludmilla sweet and pure!
FARLAF;              In this fateful, loving quest                                I will neither sleep nor rest  
Till Ludmilla all distressed                               Is once again secure!
ALL:      They will find my/ your daughter!                   They'll do as they oughter!
They’ll follow through, where'er she flew,      By land and sea and even water!
Not a quaver nor a waver,                                They will track your daughter down and save her!