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+Project Gutenberg's Fairy Tales From all Nations, by Anthony R. Montalba
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Fairy Tales From all Nations
+
+Author: Anthony R. Montalba
+
+Illustrator: Richard Doyle
+
+Release Date: January 14, 2011 [EBook #34956]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAIRY TALES FROM ALL NATIONS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+(This file was produced from images generously made
+available by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           FAIRY TALES FROM
+
+                             ALL NATIONS.
+
+
+
+                                  BY
+
+                         ANTHONY R. MONTALBA.
+
+
+
+           WITH TWENTY-FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS BY RICHARD DOYLE.
+
+
+
+
+                               LONDON:
+
+                     CHAPMAN & HALL, 186, STRAND.
+
+                              MDCCCXLIX.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+TO
+
+
+THE ILLUSTRIOUS PATRON OF LETTERS
+
+THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL FITZWILLIAM,
+
+This Little Book
+
+IS HUMBLY INSCRIBED,
+
+AS A MARK OF SINCEREST GRATITUDE AND RESPECT,
+
+BY HIS MOST OBEDIENT AND DEVOTED SERVANT,
+
+A. R. MONTALBA.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+The time has been, but happily exists no longer, when it would have
+been necessary to offer an apology for such a book as this. In those
+days it was not held that
+
+    Beauty is its own excuse for being;
+
+on the contrary, a spurious utilitarianism reigned supreme in
+literature, and fancy and imagination were told to fold their wings,
+and travel only in the dusty paths of every-day life. Fairy tales, and
+all such flights into the region of the supernatural, were then
+condemned as merely idle things, or as pernicious occupations for
+faculties that should be always directed to serious and profitable
+concerns. But now we have cast off that pedantic folly, let us hope
+for ever. We now acknowledge that innocent amusement is good for its
+own sake, and we do not affect to prove our advance in civilisation by
+our incapacity to relish those sportive creations of unrestricted
+fancy that have been the delight of every generation in every land
+from times beyond the reach of history.
+
+The materials of the following Collection have been carefully chosen
+from more than a hundred volumes of the fairy lore of all nations; and
+none of them, so far as the Editor is aware, have been previously
+translated into English.
+
+The Editor cannot close this brief Preface without expressing his
+grateful acknowledgments of the enhanced attraction imparted to his
+little work by Mr. Richard Doyle's admirable Illustrations.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+TALE.                          LANGUAGE.           AUTHOR.            PAGE.
+
+BIRTH OF THE FAIRY TALE                                                  1
+
+SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED         _Danish_          TORGEN MOE AND
+                                                  P. ASBI�RNSON          9
+
+THE STORY OF ARGILIUS AND
+THE FLAME KING                  _Slavonic_        COUNT MAYL�TH         20
+
+PERSEVERE AND PROSPER           _Arabic_          DR. G. WEIL           38
+
+PRINCE OF THE GLOW-WORMS        _German_          FRIEDRICH VON SALLET  41
+
+THE TWO MISERS                  _Hebrew_                                71
+
+PRINCE CHAFFINCH                _French_                                73
+
+THE WOLF AND THE NIGHTINGALE    _Swedish_         E. M. ANNDT          105
+
+THE ENCHANTED CROW              _Polish_          K. W. WOYCICKY       132
+
+THE DRAGON-GIANT AND HIS
+STONE STEED                     _Russian_         O. L. B. WOLFF       153
+
+THE STORY OF SIVA AND MADHAVA   _Sanskrit_        SOMADEVA BHATTA      185
+
+THE GOBLIN BIRD                 _Betschuanian_    CASALIS              201
+
+THE SHEPHERD AND THE SERPENT    _German_                               209
+
+THE EXPEDITIOUS FROG            _Wendian_         LEOPOLD HAUSST AND
+                                                  J. E. SCHMALER       215
+
+EASTWARD OF THE SUN, AND
+WESTWARD OF THE MOON            _Norwegian_       P. ASBI�RNSON        217
+
+THE LITTLE MAN IN GREY          _Upper Lusatian_  MONTZ HAUSST         236
+
+RED, WHITE, AND BLACK           _Norman_          L'HERITIER           243
+
+THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES      _African_
+AND THE WIZARD KING.                                                   249
+
+THE STUDY OF MAGIC UNDER
+DIFFICULTIES                    _Italian_         STRAPPAROLA          268
+
+FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE             _Hungarian_       G. VON GALL          281
+
+THE LUCKY DAYS                  _Italian_         STRAPPAROLA          309
+
+THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS         _Icelandish_                           313
+
+THE THREE DOGS                  _Frieslandish_    L. BECKSTEIN         329
+
+THE COURAGEOUS FLUTE-PLAYER     _Franconian_                           339
+
+THE GLASS HATCHET               _Hungarian_       G. VON GALL          345
+
+THE GOLDEN DUCK                 _Bohemian_        WOLFGARD A. GERLE    360
+
+GOLDY                           _German_          JUSTINUS KERNER      377
+
+THE SERPENT PRINCE              _Italian_         BASILE               384
+
+THE PROPHETIC DREAM                                                    398
+
+
+The Illustrations drawn by RICHARD DOYLE, and engraved by G. DALZIEL,
+E. DALZIEL, ISABEL THOMPSON, C. T. THOMPSON, RICHARD THOMPSON, and W.
+T. GREEN.
+
+
+
+
+FAIRY TALES FROM ALL NATIONS
+
+
+
+
+THE BIRTH OF THE FAIRY TALE.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When nursery tales and entertaining stories did not yet exist--and
+those were dull times for children, for then their youthful paradise
+wanted its gayest butterfly--there lived two royal children, a brother
+and sister. They played with each other in a garden allotted to them
+by their royal sire. This garden was full of the most beautiful and
+fragrant flowers; its paths were over-spread with golden sands and
+many-coloured stones, which vied in brilliancy with the dew which
+glistened on the flowers, illuminated by the splendour of an eastern
+sun. There were in it cool grottos with rippling streams; fountains
+spouting high towards heaven; exquisitely chiselled marble statues;
+lovely arbours and bowers inviting to repose; gold and silver fish
+swam in the reservoirs, and the most beautiful birds flitted about in
+gilded cages so spacious that they scarcely felt that they were
+confined, whilst others at full liberty flew from tree to tree,
+filling the air with their sweet song. Yet the children who possessed
+all these delights, and saw them daily, were satiated with them and
+felt weary. They looked without pleasure on the brilliancy of the
+stones; the fragrance of the flowers and the dancing water of the
+fountains no longer attracted them; they cared not for the fish which
+were mute to them, nor for the birds whose warbling they did not
+comprehend. They sat mournful and listless beside each other; having
+everything that children could desire--kind parents, costly toys, the
+richest clothing, every delicacy the land could furnish, with liberty
+to roam from morning until evening in the beautiful garden,--still
+they were unsatisfied and they knew not why!--they could not tell what
+else they wanted.
+
+Then came to them the queen, their mother, beautiful and majestic,
+with a countenance expressive of love and gentleness. She grieved to
+see her children so mournful, meeting her with melancholy smiles,
+instead of gaily bounding to her embrace. Her heart was sorrowful
+because her children were not happy as she thought they ought to be,
+for as yet they knew not care; and, thanks to an all-good Providence,
+the heaven of childhood is usually bright and cloudless.
+
+The queen placed herself between her two children. She threw her full
+white arms round their necks, and said to them with endearing maternal
+tenderness, "What ails you, my beloved children?"--"We know not, dear
+mother!" replied the boy.--"We do not feel happy!" said the girl.
+
+"Yet everything is fair in this garden, and you have everything that
+can give you pleasure. Do all these things then afford you no
+enjoyment?" demanded the queen, whilst tears filled her eyes, through
+which beamed a soul of goodness.
+
+"What we have and enjoy seems not to be the one thing which we want,"
+answered the girl.--"We wish for something else, but we know not what
+it is," added the boy.
+
+The queen sat silent and sad, pondering what that might be for which
+her children pined. What could possibly afford them greater pleasure
+than that splendid garden, the richness of their clothing, the variety
+of their toys, the delicacy of their food, the flavour of their
+beverage? But in vain; she could not divine the unknown object of
+their desire.
+
+"Oh, that I myself were again a child!" said the queen to herself with
+a deep sigh. "I should then perhaps discover what would impart
+cheerfulness to my children. To comprehend the wish of a child, one
+should be a child oneself. But I have already wandered too far beyond
+the boundaries of childhood where fly the golden birds of paradise;
+those beautiful birds without feet, that never require the repose of
+which all earthly creatures stand in need. Oh, that such a bird would
+come to my assistance, and bring to my dear children that precious
+gift which should dispel their gloom and make them happy!"
+
+And, behold, the queen had scarcely formed this wish, when a
+wondrously beautiful bird, whose splendour surpassed all that can be
+imagined, bent its flight from the ethereal sky, and wheeled round and
+round until it attracted the gaze of the queen and her children, who
+on beholding it were filled with astonishment, and with one voice
+exclaimed: "Oh, how wonderful is that bird!" And wonderful indeed it
+was, and gorgeous to behold as it gradually descended towards them.
+Like burnished gold blended with sparkling jewels shone its plumage,
+reflecting the seven colours of the rainbow, and dazzling the eye
+which it still rivetted anew by its indescribable charms. Beautiful as
+it was, the aspect of the bird inspired them with a kind of awe,
+which, though not unpleasing, increased when they felt the wafting of
+its wings, and suddenly beheld it rest in the lap of the queen. It
+looked on them with its full eyes, which, though they resembled the
+friendly smiling eyes of a child, had yet in them something strange
+and almost unearthly; an expression the children could not comprehend,
+and therefore feared to consider. They now observed also, that mingled
+with the bright coloured plumage of this unearthly bird, were some
+black feathers which they had not before perceived. But scarcely was a
+moment permitted to them for these observations, ere the wonder-bird
+again arose, soared aloft higher and higher till it was lost to the
+sight in the blue and cloudless ether. The queen and her children
+watched its flight in amazement until it had entirely vanished, and
+when they again looked down, lo, a new wonder! The bird had deposited
+in the mother's lap an egg which beamed like the precious opal with
+many-coloured brilliancy. With one voice, the royal children
+exclaimed: "Oh, the beautiful egg!" whilst the mother smiled in an
+ecstasy of joy; for a voice within her predicted to her that this was
+the jewel which alone was wanting to complete the happiness of her
+children. This egg, she thought, within its thousand-coloured shell,
+must contain the treasure that would ensure to her children that which
+has ever been, and ever will be withheld from age--Contentment;--the
+longing for that treasure and the anticipation of it would charm away
+their childish melancholy.
+
+The children could not gaze their fill on the splendid egg, and soon
+in admiring it, forgot the bird that had bestowed it on them. At first
+they hardly ventured to touch their treasure, but after a while, the
+maiden first took courage to lay upon it one of her rosy fingers,
+exclaiming whilst a purple blush of delight over-spread her innocent
+face: "The egg is warm!" then the royal youth, to try the truth of his
+sister's words, cautiously touched it also, and lastly the mother
+placed her beautifully white and taper finger on the costly egg,
+which then separated into two parts, and there came out from it a
+being most marvellous to behold. It had wings, and yet it was no bird,
+nor yet butterfly nor bee, though it was a combination of all these
+infinitely and indescribably blended. It was in short, that multiform
+many-coloured childish Ideal, the _Fairy Tale_, dispensing pleasure,
+and happiness, and inspiration to infancy and youth. The mother
+thenceforth no longer beheld her children pining with melancholy, for
+the Fairy Tale became their constant companion, and remained with them
+till the sun which shone on their last day of childhood had set. The
+possession of this wondrous being from that day endeared to them
+garden and flowers, bowers and grottos, forests and valleys; for it
+gave new life and charms to all around them. Borne on its wings they
+flew far and wide through the great measureless world, and yet, ever
+at their wish, they were in a moment wafted back to their own home.
+
+Those royal children were mankind in their youthful paradise, and
+nature was their lovely serene and mild mother. Their wishes drew down
+from heaven the wonder-bird, PHANTASY, most brilliant of plumage
+although intermingled with its feathers, were some of the deepest
+black: the egg deposited by this bright bird, contained the GOLDEN
+FAIRY TALES: and as the affection of the children for Fairy Lore grew
+stronger from day to day, enlivening and making happy the time of
+their childhood, the stories themselves wandered forth, and were
+welcomed alike in hall and palace, castle and cottage, ever growing in
+charms and novelty, till they at length received the mission of
+pleasing manhood also. The grave, the toil-worn, and the aged, would
+listen with pleased ear to their wonderful relations, and dwell with
+fond recollection on the golden birth of those Fairy charms.
+
+
+
+
+SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED.
+
+[Danish.]
+
+
+In a far-distant land, there reigned a queen, who was one day driving
+in a sledge over the new fallen snow, when, as it chanced, she was
+seized with a bleeding at her nose, which obliged her to alight. As
+she stood leaning against the stump of a tree, and gazed on her
+crimson blood that fell on the snow, she thought to herself, "I have
+now twelve sons, and not one daughter; could I but have a daughter
+fair as that snow and rosy as that blood, I should no longer care
+about my sons." She had scarcely murmured the wish, before a sorceress
+stood beside her. "Thou shalt have a daughter," said she, "and she
+shall be fair as this snow and rosy as thy blood; but thy twelve sons
+shall then be mine; thou may'st, however, retain them with thee, until
+thy daughter shall be baptized."
+
+Now, at the appointed time the queen brought into the world a
+daughter, who was fair as snow and rosy as blood, just as the
+sorceress had promised, and on that account she was called Snow-white
+and Rosy-red; and there was great joy throughout all the royal
+household, but the queen rejoiced more than all the rest. But when she
+remembered her promise to the sorceress, a strange sensation oppressed
+her heart, and she sent for a silversmith, and commanded him to make
+twelve silver spoons, one for each of the princes; she had one made
+for the princess also. On the day that the princess was baptized, the
+twelve princes were transformed into twelve wild ducks, and flew away,
+and were no more seen. The princess, however, grew up, and became
+wonderfully beautiful; but she was always wrapped in her own thoughts,
+and so melancholy, that no one could guess what was the matter with
+her.
+
+One evening, when the queen was also in a very melancholy mood,
+thinking on her lost sons, she said to Snow-white and Rosy-red, "Why
+are you always so sad, my daughter? If there is anything the matter
+with you, tell it me. If there is anything you wish for, you shall
+have it."
+
+"Oh, dear mother," she replied, "all around me seems so desolate;
+other children have brothers and sisters, but I have none, and that is
+why I am so sad."
+
+"My daughter," said the queen, "you also once had brothers, for I had
+twelve sons, but I gave them all up in order to have you;" and
+thereupon she related to her all that had occurred.
+
+When the princess heard what had befallen her brothers, she could no
+longer remain at home in peace, and notwithstanding all her mother's
+tears and entreaties, nothing would satisfy her but she must and would
+set off in search of her brothers, for she thought that she alone was
+guilty of causing their misfortune; so she secretly left the palace.
+She wandered about the world, and went so far that you would not
+believe it possible that such a delicate maiden could have gone to
+such a distance. Once she strayed about a whole night in a great
+forest, and towards the morning she was so tired that she lay down on
+a bank and slept. Then she dreamed that she penetrated still farther
+into the forest, till she came to a little wooden hut, and therein she
+found her brothers. When she awoke, she saw before her a little beaten
+path through the moss, and she followed it till in the thickest of the
+forest she saw a little wooden hut, just like that she had dreamed
+of.
+
+She entered it, but saw no one. There were, however, twelve beds and
+twelve chairs, and on the table lay twelve spoons, and, in fact, there
+were twelve of every article she saw there. The princess was
+overjoyed, for she could not but fancy that her twelve brethren dwelt
+there, and that it was to them that the beds, and the chairs, and the
+spoons belonged. Then she made a fire on the hearth, swept the room,
+and made the beds; afterwards she cooked a meal for them, and set
+everything out in the best order possible. And when she had finished
+her cooking and had prepared everything for her brothers, she sat down
+and ate something for herself, laid her spoon on the table, and crept
+under the bed belonging to her youngest brother.
+
+She had scarcely concealed herself there, when she heard a great
+rustling in the air, and presently in flew twelve wild ducks; but the
+moment they crossed the threshold, they were instantly transformed
+into the princes, her brothers!
+
+"Ah, how nicely everything is arranged here, and how delightfully warm
+it is already," they exclaimed.
+
+"Heaven reward the person who has warmed our room so nicely, and
+prepared such an excellent repast for us;" and hereupon each took his
+silver spoon in order to begin eating. But when each prince had taken
+his own, there was still one remaining, so like the others that they
+could not distinguish it. Then the princes looked at each other, and
+were very much astonished.
+
+"That must be our sister's spoon," said they; "and since the spoon is
+here, she herself cannot be far off."
+
+"If it is our sister, and if she is here," said the eldest, "she shall
+be killed, for she is the cause of our misfortune."
+
+"Nay," said the youngest, "it would be a sin to kill her; she is not
+guilty of what we suffer; if any one is in fault, it is no other than
+our own mother."
+
+Then they all began to search high and low, and at last they looked
+under all the beds, and when they came to the bed of the youngest
+prince, they found the princess, and drew her from under it.
+
+The eldest prince was now again for killing her, but she entreated
+them earnestly to spare her life, and said, "Ah, do not kill me; I
+have wandered about so long seeking for you, and I would willingly
+give my life if that would disenchant you."
+
+"Nay, but if you will disenchant us," said they, "we will spare your
+life; for you can do it if you will."
+
+"Indeed; only tell me then what I am to do, for I will do anything you
+wish," said the princess.
+
+"You must collect the down of the dandelion flowers, and you must
+card, and spin, and weave it; and of that material you must cut out
+and make twelve caps, and twelve shirts, and twelve cravats, a set for
+each of us; but during the time that you are occupied in doing so, you
+must neither speak, nor weep, nor smile. If you can do that, we shall
+be disenchanted."
+
+"But where shall I be able to find sufficient down for all the caps,
+and shirts, and cravats?" asked she.
+
+"That you shall soon see," said the princes; and then they led her out
+into a great meadow, where were so many dandelions with their white
+down waving in the wind and glittering in the sun, that the glitter of
+them could be seen at a very great distance. The princess had never in
+all her life seen so many dandelions, and she began directly to pluck
+and collect them, and she brought home as many as she could carry; and
+in the evening she began to card and spin them into yarn. Thus she
+continued doing for a very long time; every day she gathered the down
+from the dandelions, and she attended on the princes also; she cooked
+for them, and made their beds; and every evening they flew home as
+wild ducks, became princes again during the night, and in the morning
+flew away again, as wild ducks.
+
+Now it happened one day when Snow-white and Rosy-red had gone to the
+meadow to collect the dandelion-down--if I do not mistake, that was
+the last time that she required to collect them--that the young king
+of the country was hunting, and rode towards the meadow where
+Snow-white and Rosy-red was collecting her material. The king was
+astonished to see such a beautiful maiden walking there, and gathering
+the dandelion-down. He stopped his horse and addressed her; but when
+he could get no answer from her, he was still more astonished, and as
+the maiden pleased him so well, he resolved to carry her to his royal
+residence, and make her his wife. He commanded his attendants,
+therefore, to lift her upon his horse; but Snow-white and Rosy-red
+wrung her hands, and pointed to the bag wherein she had her work. So
+the king understood at last what she meant, and bade his attendants
+put the bag also on his horse. That being done, the princess, by
+degrees, yielded to his wish that she should go with him, for the king
+was a very handsome man, and spoke so gently, and kindly, to her. But
+when they arrived at the palace, and the old queen, who was the
+king's step-mother, saw how beautiful Snow-white and Rosy-red was, she
+became quite jealous and angry; and she said to the king:--"Do you not
+see, then, that you have brought home a sorceress with you? for she
+can neither speak, nor laugh, nor cry." The king, however, heeded not
+his step-mother's words, but celebrated his nuptials with the fair
+maiden, and lived very happily with her. She, however, did not cease
+to work continually at the shirts.
+
+Before the year was out, Snow-white and Rosy-red brought a little
+prince into the world. This made the old queen still more envious and
+spiteful than before; and when night came, she slipped into the
+queen's room, and whilst she slept, carried off the infant, and threw
+it into a pit which was full of snakes. Then she returned, made an
+incision in one of the queen's fingers, and having smeared her mouth
+with the blood, she went to the king, and said:--"Come now, and see
+what sort of a wife you have got; she has just devoured her own
+child." Thereupon the king was so distressed that he very nearly shed
+tears, and said:--"Yes, it must be true, since I see it with my own
+eyes; but she surely will not do so again; this time I will spare
+her." Before the year was out the queen brought into the world
+another prince, and the same occurred this time, as before. The
+step-mother was still more jealous and spiteful; she again slipped
+into the young queen's room, during the night, and, whilst she slept,
+carried off the babe, and threw it into the pit to the serpents. Then
+she made an incision in the queen's finger, smeared her lips with the
+blood, and told the king that his wife had again devoured her own
+child. The king's distress was greater than can be imagined, and he
+said:--"Yes, it must be so, since I see it with my own eyes; but
+surely she will never do so again; I will spare her this once more."
+
+Before that year was out, Snow-white and Rosy-red brought a daughter
+into the world, and this also the old queen threw into the serpent
+hole, as she had done the others, made an incision in the young
+queen's finger, smeared her lips with the blood, and then again said
+to the king: "Come and see if I do not say truly, she is a sorceress:
+for she has now devoured her third child," Then the king was more
+distressed than can be described, for he could no longer spare her,
+but was obliged to command that she should be burnt alive. Now when
+the pile of faggots was blazing, and the young queen was to ascend,
+she made signs that twelve boards should be laid round the pile. This
+being done she placed on them, the shirts, caps, and cravats, she had
+made for her brothers; but the left sleeve of the youngest brother's
+shirt was wanting, for she had not been able to finish it. No sooner
+had she done this than a great rustling and fluttering was heard in
+the air, and twelve wild ducks came flying from the wood, and each
+took a shirt, cap, and cravat in his beak, and flew off with them.
+
+"Are you convinced now that she is a sorceress?" said the wicked
+step-mother to the king: "make haste and have her burnt before the
+flames consume all the wood."
+
+"There is no need of such haste," said the king; "we have plenty more
+wood, and I am very desirous to see what will be the end of all this."
+
+At that moment came the twelve princes riding up, all as handsome and
+graceful as possible, only the youngest prince, instead of a left arm,
+had a duck's wing.
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked the princes.
+
+"My wife is going to be burnt," said the king, "because she is a
+sorceress, and has devoured her children."
+
+"That has she not," said the princes. "Speak now, sister! You have
+delivered us, now save yourself."
+
+[Illustration: SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED. P. 19.]
+
+Then Snow-white and Rosy-red spoke, and related all that had happened,
+and that each time she had a child, the old queen had slipped into the
+room, taken the child, and then made an incision in her finger, and
+smeared the blood upon her lips. And the princes led the king to the
+serpent hole, and there lay the children, playing with the serpents
+and adders, and finer children than these could not be seen. Then the
+king carried them with him to his step-mother, and asked her what the
+person deserved who had desired to betray an innocent queen, and three
+such lovely children.
+
+"To be torn in pieces by twelve wild horses," said the old queen.
+
+"You have pronounced your own doom, and shall suffer the punishment,"
+said the king, and forthwith the old queen was tied to twelve wild
+horses, and torn to pieces. But Snow-white and Rosy-red set off with
+the king, her husband, and her three children, and her twelve
+brothers, and went home to her parents, and told them all that had
+happened to her; and there were rejoicings throughout the kingdom,
+because the princess was saved, and that she had disenchanted her
+twelve brothers.
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF ARGILIUS AND THE FLAME-KING.
+
+[Slavonic]
+
+
+In a certain distant land once reigned a king and queen, who had three
+daughters and one son. As the king and queen were talking one day
+together about family matters, the king said to his consort: "Whenever
+our daughters happen to marry we shall be obliged to give to each of
+their husbands a portion of our kingdom, which will thereby be greatly
+diminished; I think therefore that we cannot do better than marry them
+all three to our son, and so the kingdom will remain entire. In
+another eight days, harvest will be over, and then we will celebrate
+the nuptials."
+
+The son overheard this discourse, and thought within himself, "that
+shall never come to pass."
+
+Now the king and queen having gone to a distant farm to superintend
+the reapers, some one approached the window, knocked at it, and said
+to the prince: "Little prince, I am come to marry your eldest sister."
+
+The young prince replied: "Wait a moment, you shall have her
+directly." He called his eldest sister, and as soon as she entered the
+room, he caught her in his arms, and threw her out of the window. She
+did not, however, fall to the ground, but on a golden bridge, which
+was very, very long, in fact it reached to the sun. Her unknown lover
+took her by the hand, and led her along the golden bridge to his
+kingdom in the centre of the sun, for this unknown happened to be the
+Sun-king.
+
+About noon some one else knocked at the window and said, as the former
+had done: "Little prince, I want to marry your second sister."
+
+The little prince replied: "Wait a moment, you shall have her
+directly." He went into his second sister's apartment, lifted her up,
+and threw her out of the window. She did not fall to the ground
+either, but into a chariot in the air. Four horses, which never ceased
+snorting and prancing, were harnessed to it. The unknown placed
+himself in the chariot, and as he brandished the whip, the clouds
+spread themselves out so as to form a road, the rolling of the
+chariot wheels was like a storm, and they disappeared in an instant.
+The unknown was the Wind-king.
+
+The little prince was right glad to think that he had already
+established two sisters, and when toward evening some one else knocked
+at the window, he said: "You need not speak, I know what you want:"
+and out he threw his youngest sister. She fell into a silvery stream.
+The unknown took her by the arm, and the waves bore her gently to the
+moon, for her lover was no other than the Moon-king. The young prince
+then went well pleased to bed.
+
+When the king and queen returned the next day they were very much
+surprised at hearing what their son had done; but as they had got
+three such powerful sons-in-law, as the kings of the Sun, Wind, and
+Moon, they were well satisfied, and said to the young prince: "See how
+grand your sisters are become through their husbands. You must try
+also to find some powerful queen to be your wife."
+
+The prince answered: "I have already fixed on one Kavadiska, and no
+other shall be my wife."
+
+The king and queen were quite shocked at this audacious speech, and
+endeavoured to dissuade him from the thought by all kinds of rational
+arguments; as, however, they in no wise succeeded, they at length
+said: "Well, then go forth, my son, and may Heaven guide thee in thy
+rash enterprise."
+
+The old king then took two bottles from his chest and gave them to his
+son, with these words: "See, my son, this bottle contains the water of
+life, and this the water of death. If thou sprinkle a corpse with the
+water of life it will be restored to life, but if thou sprinkle a
+living being with this water of death, it will immediately die. Take
+these bottles, they are my greatest treasure; perhaps they may be
+serviceable to thee." Now all the courtiers began to weep excessively,
+especially the ladies, who were all very partial to the prince. He,
+however, was very cheerful and full of hope, kissed the hands of his
+royal parents, placed the bottles about his person, that of life on
+the right side, and that of death on the left, girded on his sword,
+and departed.
+
+He had already wandered far when he reached a valley which was full of
+slain men. The young prince took his bottle of the water of life and
+sprinkled some in the eyes of one of the dead, who immediately rose
+up, rubbed his eyes, and said: "Ha! how long I have been sleeping."
+The king's son asked him, "What has taken place here?" to which the
+dead man replied: "Yesterday we fought against Kavadiska and she cut
+us all to pieces." The king's son said: "Since you were so weak as not
+to be able to defend yourselves against a woman, you do not deserve to
+live;" and then he sprinkled him with the water of death, on which the
+man fell down again, dead, amongst the other corpses.
+
+In the next valley lay a whole army in the same condition; the prince
+again re-animated one of the dead, and inquired: "Did you also fight
+against Kavadiska?" "Yes," returned the dead. "Why did you make war
+upon her?" resumed the prince. "Know'st thou not," rejoined the dead,
+"that our king desires to marry her, but that she will have no one for
+her husband, but him who shall conquer her? We went out against her
+with three armies: yesterday she destroyed one; this morning at
+sunrise the second; and she is at this moment fighting against the
+third?" The prince sprinkled the speaker with the water of death, and
+immediately he also fell to the ground.
+
+In the third valley lay the third host. The re-animated warrior said:
+"The fight is only just now ended; Kavadiska has slain us all." "Where
+shall I find her?" asked the prince. "Her castle is on the other side
+of that mountain," replied the warrior, and sank down again as soon as
+the prince sprinkled him.
+
+Argilius--so was the prince called--crossed the mountain and came to
+Kavadiska's castle. He entered. No one was within. In Kavadiska's
+chamber hung a sword, which ceased not to spring out of its sheath and
+then in again. "Ho, ho, since thou art so restless," thought Argilius,
+"I will take possession of thee. Thou pleasest me better than my own
+sword, which never stirs unless I wield it." So he took off his own
+sword and exchanged it for the other. He had scarcely done so, when
+Kavadiska suddenly stood before him. "Thou darest to intrude into my
+castle?" exclaimed she; "draw then, thou must fight me." She snatched
+the sword from the wall. Argilius drew the blade for which he had just
+exchanged his own. They began to fight, but the first time their
+swords crossed Kavadiska's broke off in the middle. Then she said
+joyfully: "Thou art my bridegroom!" and fell on his neck, and kissed
+and caressed him, and forthwith became his wife.
+
+After they had lived some time happily together, Kavadiska said one
+morning: "Beloved husband, I must leave thee for a short time. It is
+the first and last time I shall ever separate from thee. In seven
+times seven days I shall return, and thenceforth our life shall flow
+on in uninterrupted happiness. Everything in the castle is at thy
+command, only do not enter the furthest room; great misfortunes may
+befall us if you do." Having said these words she vanished.
+
+The time passed very heavily for Argilius after his wife had left him;
+he wandered through the whole castle, till at last he came to the
+furthest chamber. Being young and thoughtless he opened it. He saw
+therein an old man, whose beard was fire; this was the Flame-king
+Holofernes, but Argilius did not know who he was. The old man had
+three iron hoops round his body, which bound him fast to the wall.
+
+"Hail to thee, young man," said he; "see, my beard is flame; I am very
+hot, give me a goblet of wine." Now, as Argilius was very kindly
+disposed, he gave him a goblet; and as soon as he had drunk it, one of
+the hoops round his body gave way. He chuckled and said: "Thou hast
+greatly relieved me; give me now another goblet." Argilius did so, and
+when the Flame-king had emptied that, another hoop gave way. He
+chuckled again and said: "Twice hast thou given me wine, now give me
+a goblet of water." And when Argilius had done as he was requested,
+the third hoop sprang off, and the Flame-king disappeared.
+
+Kavadiska had not performed half of her journey before Holofernes
+stood by her side. He addressed her, and his beard waved in anger:
+"Thou hast rejected me for thy husband, thou hast slain three of my
+armies, thou hast detained me in prison: now thou art in my power; and
+now not my wife, but the lowest of my servants shalt thou be." Since
+her marriage with Argilius, Kavadiska had lost all her power,
+therefore her resistance was in vain. In three leaps the Flame-king
+had already borne her to his realm.
+
+Seven times seven days passed, and Kavadiska did not return. Then
+Argilius became very uneasy, and he resolved to go and see his three
+brothers-in-law, and inquire if they could give him any information
+where Kavadiska was. He arrived first at the Sun-king's palace, who
+was just then coming home.
+
+"Welcome, little brother-in-law," began he.
+
+"Ah! dear brother-in-law," said Argilius, "I am in search of my wife
+Kavadiska; know'st thou not where she is? Hast thou not seen her?"
+
+"No," rejoined the Sun-king, "I have not seen her. Perhaps she is only
+visible by night, and in that case thou must inquire of our
+brother-in-law the Moon-king."
+
+They then took refreshments together, and sat till night came on, when
+Argilius went on to the Moon-king. He reached his palace just as the
+Moon-king was about to begin his night wandering, and Argilius having
+told what he wanted, the Moon-king replied:--
+
+"I have not seen her; but come, join me in my nightly pilgrimage,
+perhaps we shall discover her." They wandered all night, but did not
+get sight of her. Then said the Moon-king:--
+
+"It is now time for me to go home; but yonder comes our brother-in-law
+the Wind-king; speak to him; he drives about everywhere, perhaps he
+may have seen her."
+
+The Wind-king stood beside them, and when he heard his little
+brother-in-law's business, he said:--
+
+"Assuredly I know where she is. The Flame-king, Holofernes, has got
+her imprisoned in a subterranean cavern, and she is obliged to wash
+all his kitchen utensils in the fiery stream, and as this makes her
+very hot, I often waft a cooling breeze upon her."
+
+"I thank thee, dear brother-in-law, for having given her some relief;
+pray carry me to her," said Argilius.
+
+"Right willingly," rejoined the Wind-king: so he gave a great puff,
+and he and Argilius, together with the horse of the latter, stood the
+next moment in the presence of his Kavadiska. Her joy was so great
+that she let all the kitchen utensils fall into the fiery stream; but
+Argilius, without stopping to talk much, lifted her on his horse and
+rode off.
+
+The Flame-king was at that time in his own apartment; he heard an
+extraordinary noise in the stable, and on going into it he found his
+horse Taigarot prancing, neighing, biting the manger, and pawing the
+ground. Taigarot was a very peculiar kind of horse; he understood
+human language, and could even speak, and he had nine feet!
+
+"What mad tricks are you playing?" cried Holofernes; "have you not had
+enough hay and oats, or have they not given you drink?"
+
+"Oats and hay I have had in plenty," said Taigarot, "and drink, too;
+but they have carried off Kavadiska from you."
+
+The Flame-king shivered with rage.
+
+"Be calm," said Taigarot; "you may even eat, drink, and sleep, for in
+three bounds I will overtake her."
+
+Holofernes did as his horse bade him, and when he had sufficiently
+rested and refreshed himself, he mounted Taigarot, and in three bounds
+overtook Argilius. He tore Kavadiska from his arms and cried out, as
+he was springing home again:--
+
+"Because you set me at liberty, I do not kill thee this time; but if
+thou returnest once again, thou art lost."
+
+Argilius went back very melancholy to his three brothers-in-law, and
+related what had happened. They took counsel together, and then
+said:--
+
+"Thou must find a horse which is still swifter of foot than Taigarot;
+there is, however, but one such horse existing, and he is Taigarot's
+younger brother. It is true he has only four feet, but still he is
+decidedly swifter than Taigarot."
+
+"Where shall I find this horse?" inquired Argilius.
+
+The brothers-in-law replied:--
+
+"The witch Iron-nose keeps the horse concealed under-ground; go to
+her, enter into her service, and demand the horse in lieu of other
+wages."
+
+"Carry me thither, dear brothers-in-law," said Argilius.
+
+"Immediately," said the Sun-king; "but first accept this gift from thy
+brothers-in-law, who love thee dearly."
+
+With these words he gave him a little staff, which was half gold and
+half silver, and which never ceased vibrating. It was made of
+sunshine, moonshine, and wind.
+
+"Whenever thou standest in need of us, stick this staff in the ground,
+and immediately we shall be by thy side."
+
+Then the Sun-king took his little brother-in-law on one of his beams,
+and carried him for one day; then the Moon-king did the same for a
+whole night, and finally the Wind-king carried him for a whole day and
+a whole night too, and by that time he reached the palace of the witch
+Iron-nose.
+
+The palace of the witch was constructed entirely of deaths'-heads; one
+only was wanting to complete the building. When the old woman heard a
+knocking at her gate, she looked out of the window, and rejoiced: "At
+last another!" exclaimed she, "I have waited three hundred years in
+vain for this death's-head to complete my magnificent edifice: come
+in, my good youth!"
+
+Argilius entered, and was a little startled when he first beheld the
+old woman, for she was very tall, very ugly, and her nose was of iron.
+
+"I should like to enter your service," were his words.
+
+"Well," replied she, "what wages do you ask?"
+
+"The horse which you keep under-ground."
+
+"You shall have him if you serve faithfully; if you fail however once
+only, you shall be put to death."
+
+"Very well."
+
+"With me,"--these were witch Iron-nose's last words,--"with me the
+year's service consists of only three days; you may begin your service
+at once. You will attend to my stud in the meadow, and if in the
+evening a single one is missing, you die."
+
+She then led him to the stable. The horses were all of metal, neighed
+terribly, and made the most surprising leaps.
+
+"Attend to your business," said Iron-nose, and then locked herself in
+her apartment. Argilius opened the covered enclosure, threw himself on
+one of the metal horses and rushed out with the whole troop. They were
+no sooner on the meadow, when the horse on which he rode threw him
+into a deep morass, where he sank up to the breast. The whole troop
+scattered themselves here and there, when Argilius stuck the little
+staff his brothers-in-law had given him into the ground, and at once
+the sun's rays struck with such heat on the morass, that it dried up
+instantly, and the metal horses began to melt, and ran terrified back
+to the shed. The witch was very much surprised when she saw they were
+all driven in again. "To-morrow you must tend my twelve coursers,"
+said she; "if you are not home again with the last rays of the sun,
+you die: they are more difficult to manage than the metal horses."
+
+"Do your duty," said Argilius, "I shall do mine."
+
+The twelve coursers soon ran all different ways. Argilius set his
+staff in the ground, and a fearful storm arose. The wind blew against
+every horse, and let them rear and prance as they would, the wind got
+the better of them, and they were all obliged to return to their
+stable. Argilius immediately shut the stable door, and at that moment
+the last rays of the sun went down just as Witch Iron-nose reached the
+stable. She was quite astonished when she saw the horses and Argilius.
+
+"If you do your work well this night, to-morrow you shall be free. Go
+and milk the metal mares, and prepare a bath of the milk, which must
+be ready with the first rays of the sun."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Argilius went to the metal shed, and as he had a misgiving that this
+would prove the hardest task of all, he was about to set his staff in
+the ground, when he was met by his brother-in-law, the Moon-king.
+
+"I was seeking thee," said he. "I know already what thou needest.
+Where my light shines, just by the metallic horses' shed, dig about
+three spans deep, and thou wilt find a golden bridle, which, whilst
+thou holdest in thy hand, will cause all the mares to obey thee."
+
+Argilius did as he was desired, and all the metallic mares stood quite
+still and suffered themselves to be milked. In the morning the bath
+was ready, the smoke and steam rose up from the milk, which now
+boiled. Witch Iron-nose said: "Place thyself in it."
+
+"If I stand this trial," replied Argilius, "I shall ride away
+immediately after; let the horse therefore be brought out for the
+possession of which I bargained."
+
+The horse instantly stood by the bath. It was small, ill-looking, and
+dirty. As Argilius approached to enter the bath, the horse put his
+head into the milk, and sucked out all the fire, so that Argilius
+remained unhurt in it, and when he came out he was seven times
+handsomer than before. Witch Iron-nose was much charmed by his
+appearance, and thought within herself: "Now I in like manner will
+make myself seven times handsomer than I am, and then I will marry
+this youth."
+
+She sprang into the bath. The horse, however, again put his head into
+the milk, and blew back into it the fire he had previously sucked out,
+and Witch Iron-nose was immediately scalded to death.
+
+Argilius sprang on his horse and rode away. When they had got beyond
+the Witch's domain, the horse said: "Wash me in this stream."
+
+Argilius did so, and the horse became the colour of gold, and to each
+hair hung a little golden bell. The horse at one leap cleared the sea,
+and carried his master to the cave of the Flame-king. Kavadiska was
+again standing by the side of the fiery stream, washing the kitchen
+utensils.
+
+"Come," cried Argilius, "I will rescue thee,"
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed she, "Holofernes will slay thee if he overtakes thee."
+
+Argilius had, however, already lifted her on his horse and ridden off.
+Taigarot again set up a wonderful noise in his stable.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried the Flame-king.
+
+"Kavadiska has escaped," replied Taigarot.
+
+"Well then, I will again eat, drink and sleep; in three bounds thou
+wilt overtake her as before," said Holofernes.
+
+"Not so," rejoined Taigarot, "mount me directly, and even then we
+shall not overtake them. Argilius rides my younger brother, and he is
+the swiftest horse in the whole world."
+
+Holofernes buckled on his fire-spurs, and flew after the fugitives. It
+is true, he got sight of them, but he could not come up with them.
+Then the horse of Argilius turning back his head called out: "Why dost
+thou let those fiery spurs be stuck in thy side, brother? They will
+burn thy entrails, they are so long; and yet thou wilt never come up
+with me. It would be much better that we should both serve one
+master."
+
+Taigarot perceived this, and the next time Holofernes stuck the spurs
+in him, he threw the Flame-king. As they were very high up in the air,
+(in fact, they were as high as the stars), Holofernes fell to the
+ground with such force, that he broke his neck. As for Argilius, he
+brought Kavadiska back to her castle, where they again celebrated
+their nuptials, lived very happy; and, if they have not died since,
+they live there to this very day.
+
+
+
+
+PERSEVERE AND PROSPER.
+
+[Arabic.]
+
+
+"_He that seeketh shall find, and to him that knocketh shall be
+opened_," says an old Arab proverb. "I will try that," said a youth
+one day. To carry out his intentions he journeyed to Bagdad, where he
+presented himself before the Vizier. "Lord!" said he, "for many years
+I have lived a quiet and solitary life, the monotony of which wearies
+me. I have never permitted myself earnestly to will anything. But as
+my teacher daily repeated to me, '_He that seeketh shall find, and to
+him that knocketh shall be opened_,' so have I now come to the
+resolution with might and heart to _will_, and the resolution of my
+_will_ is nothing less than to have the Caliph's daughter for my
+wife."
+
+The Vizier thought the poor man was mad, and told him to call again
+some other time.
+
+Perseveringly he daily returned, and never felt disconcerted at the
+same often-repeated answer. One day, the Caliph called on the Vizier,
+just as the youth was delivering his statement.
+
+Full of astonishment the Caliph listened to the strange demand, and
+being in no peculiar humour for having the poor youth's head taken
+off, but on the contrary, rather inclined for pleasantry, his
+Mightiness condescendingly said: "For the great, the wise, or the
+brave, to request a princess for wife, is a moderate demand; but what
+are your claims? To be the possessor of my daughter you must
+distinguish yourself by one of these attributes, or else by some great
+undertaking. Ages ago a carbuncle of inestimable value was lost in the
+Tigris; he who finds it shall have the hand of my daughter."
+
+The youth, satisfied with the promise of the Caliph, went to the
+shores of the Tigris. With a small vessel he every morning went to the
+river, scooping out the water and throwing it on the land; and after
+having for hours thus employed himself, he knelt down and prayed. The
+fishes became at last uneasy at his perseverance; and being fearful
+that, in course of time, he might exhaust the waters, they assembled
+in great council.
+
+"What is the purpose of this man?" demanded the monarch of the fishes.
+
+"The possession of the carbuncle that lies buried in the sluice of the
+Tigris," was the reply.
+
+"I advise you, then," said the aged monarch, "to give it up to him;
+for if he has the steady will, and has positively resolved to find it,
+he will drain the last drop of water from the Tigris, rather than
+deviate a hair's breadth from his purpose."
+
+The fishes, out of fear, threw the carbuncle into the vessel of the
+youth; and the latter, as a reward, received the daughter of the
+Caliph for his wife.
+
+"He who earnestly _wills_, can do _much_!"
+
+
+
+
+THE PRINCE OF THE GLOW-WORMS.
+
+[German.]
+
+
+"No! I'll bear it no longer, you good-for-nothing vagabond!" screamed
+the old woman to little Julius. "When you should be sitting with your
+book in your hand trying to learn somewhat, if I do but turn my back
+off goes the dunce to the wood, and stays there for whole days,
+frightening me out of my wits! What business have you in the wood,
+pray? You ought to stay at home and learn your book or help me in my
+work. And then you let one have no peace by night either. What's the
+use of my telling you ten times over all the stories I know about the
+black man and the grim wolf? You godless child you! You care for none
+of the things that frighten good pious children almost to death; but
+in the dead of the night off you go into the dark forest, through
+hedges and brambles, making me fine work to wash and patch your
+clothes. This is the last day I'll put up with it. The very next time
+I'll turn you out of doors; and then you may go far enough before
+you'll find anybody to take pity on you, you lazy foundling, and feed
+you, as I have done, out of sheer humanity!"
+
+"I cannot say much for your food," replied the boy shortly and
+carelessly, as he sat dreamily in a corner playing with a wild flower.
+
+"What!" shrieked the old woman in a still sharper key; "you ungrateful
+viper! Is that the thanks I get for so often cooking something on
+purpose, because our nice savoury potatoes and nourishing black bread
+are not good enough for you? And so, forsooth, the gentleman must have
+milk porridge and honey cakes,--and even these he pecks at as if they
+were not delicate enough for him, the beggarly ingrate!"
+
+"One might as well eat mill-stones and wood-choppers as your vile hard
+potatoes and sour bread," said Julius in the same tone of
+indifference.
+
+The old woman fell into such a rage that her breath failed her for
+further utterance; so her husband, who was making bird-traps at the
+table, began in his turn.
+
+"You rascal! do you dare to blaspheme God's good gifts, when, if we
+did not feed you out of charity--you must starve! And what return do
+you make us, you stray vagabond? When the fellow wants to slip out at
+night, truly he can be as sharp and cunning as any fox; but place a
+book before him, that he may learn to be pious and wise, and he loses
+his senses at once, and stares as stupidly at the letters as a cow at
+a new gate. Does he suppose I picked him off the road for love of his
+paltry flaxen hair and his blue goggle eyes? Fool that I was for my
+pains! Mark my words, and let every one beware of having anything to
+do with a child that is not his own flesh and blood! Why was I such a
+goose as not to let the child lie where I found him, kicking and
+screaming in the forest?"
+
+"Well, why did you not?" said Julius. "I should have fared much better
+beneath God's bright sky, than in your nasty smoky hovel."
+
+At this, the old pair--he with a stick, and she snatching up a
+broom--rushed furiously on the boy, screaming and scolding as if they
+had a wager who should make most noise. But the child, light and
+active as a roebuck, bounded away. He fled to the wood; and when at
+last the old people had calmed down a little they heard him singing in
+the distance--
+
+    "You ill-favoured couple, adieu to you now!
+    I'm off to the forest where waves the green bough.
+    The bees, they know neither to read nor to write,
+    Yet they gather sweet honey in sunshine bright;
+    Though the little birds never were taught how to spell,
+    Full many a blithe song they warble right well;
+    The flowers are not fed on potato-roots vile,
+    Yet through the long summer's day sweetly they smile.
+    The butterfly, he has no tailor to pay,
+    Yet he never feels cold,--and who dresses so gay?
+    The glow-worms at eve show a lovelier light
+    Than the dim lamps that mortals consume through the night.
+    So adieu, ye vile pair, whom no more I shall see,--
+    To the wood! to the wood! there I'm wealthy and free!"
+
+Fearlessly ran Julius about in the forest, and the further he
+penetrated into it the lighter grew his heart. The dark night came on;
+and many a child would have been frightened, and fancied the tall dark
+trees with their strangely contorted branches were giants with long
+arms, or black dragons with twisted tails. But Julius was accustomed
+to wander by night, and went gaily on. When, however, it began to
+rain, and it was so dark that he found difficulty in walking, he sang
+in a clear sweet voice:--
+
+              "You glow-worms bright,
+                You leaf-clad trees,
+              That shine in the night,
+                And that bend in the breeze;
+    Hither I came, for I trusted that you
+    Would lighten my darkness and shelter me too.
+    Come, glow-worms! light me to my mossy bed,--
+    Branches! keep off the rain-drops from my head!"
+
+Then, a light shone suddenly through the thick tangled bushes and wild
+plants; and a multitude of glow-worms came clustering round his
+footsteps like little torch-bearers, and guided him along a smooth and
+pleasant path to a retired spot, where the bushes and trees were
+entwined so as to form a little airy cave, the ground of which was
+covered with soft moss. Julius, being very tired, stretched himself on
+the moss; and the branches closed over his head, making such a thick
+covering with their leaves that not the smallest rain-drop could
+penetrate it. Then, he sang:--
+
+    "Now, glow-worms, let your tiny torches gleam
+    To light my chamber with their emerald beam;
+    In mazy dances round and round me sweep,
+    Shedding your radiance o'er me whilst I sleep,
+    That I may gaze in slumber's vision fair
+    On heaven's bright stars and breathe earth's perfumed air!"
+
+At these words, a thousand glow-worms at the very least came from all
+sides. Some hung themselves on the leaves like little coronets of
+lamps. Others lay like scattered gems on the moss; whilst others again
+circled round him executing the most intricate figures. A great number
+fixed themselves in the boy's fair hair,--so that he seemed to wear a
+starry crown. So, in the gold green twilight, sat Julius on the soft
+green moss, amongst flitting lamps, and concealed by arches and
+columns from which streamed forth a green radiance, whilst the mild
+and perfumed air played around him, and he heard the rain drip and the
+wind murmur mysteriously--but neither could approach him. He gazed
+smilingly around; when he suddenly heard a murmuring sound that soon
+formed itself into whispered words. It proceeded from a glow-worm that
+had perched on the rim of his ear, and spoke to him thus:--
+
+    "If thy thoughts are pure and mild,
+    Such as beseem a holy child,
+    A wondrous tale will please thee well,--
+    And such a tale I now can tell."
+
+To this Julius replied:--
+
+    "I seem to myself like some legend strange,
+      So thy tale I shall gladly hear:
+    So it be but one of wild chance and change,
+      Come whisper it in mine ear."
+
+Then, the glow-worm began her story:--
+
+"As glow-worms bright we now appear, but little nimble elves we were;
+in form and in figure much like unto thee, but many hundred times less
+were we. In India was our dwelling-place, far--oh how far!--away;
+where midst green leaves and blossoms bright we sported all the day.
+We scaled the petals of the flowers, within their cups to lie: and
+rocked by zephyrs, passed the hours in dreamy phantasy. Our food was
+the Aroma sweet exhaled by blossoms fair; and to and fro we darted
+fleet, light as the ambient air. 'Twas thus in careless mood we lived,
+nor good nor ill did we; when lo! an earnest man arrived, and a holy
+tale told he.
+
+"He told us how Creation's Lord had with His own made peace; because
+His son His blood had poured, to make His anger cease. For that
+life-blood, He willing gave, had slaked the flames of hell; and His
+hard-wrung victory o'er the grave had broken its fierce spell. And not
+the human race alone,--all things that breathe and move, and e'en the
+insensate-seeming stone, were rescued by such love. Hence, through
+all nature's vast domain a universal tremor ran; a thrill like that of
+death's fierce pain shot through the ransomed race of man.
+
+"'Twas thus the old man daily urged, in high and holy speech, and
+gently led us to accept the creed he came to teach:--till at length we
+let him sprinkle us with pearly drops of dew; and he hailed us then a
+Christian race, and blessed us all anew. And in token of that
+blessing, as we bent before him low, he gently laid his finger light
+upon each fairy brow; and as the consecrating sign his finger
+traced,--lo! there up sprang on each a brilliant star like that which
+now I bear. Then did the old man in the ground a cross of pure white
+place,--and calling us around him, spake in words of truth and grace.
+
+"'Revere this holy symbol; and as ye have lived for pleasure and ease,
+without a creed,--by some good deed henceforward strive your Lord to
+appease. There are men living in this land who still in sin and
+blindness stand; they lay their dead in the forest's shade, and
+scatter o'er them flowers fair, but seek not their poor souls to aid
+by holy song or prayer. Wherefore, in night's still secresy, for the
+service of the dead, be ready aye to watch and pray and your little
+light to shed. That ye this pious work may do, lo! this fair star is
+given you!'--And many more high words he spake ere his departure he
+did take. Thenceforth we led a holy life, as he command had given; and
+often in the silent night, we prayed that through our song and light,
+the cleansed soul might win its way to heaven."
+
+"How could you do that? You cannot sing, surely," interrupted Julius.
+To which the glow-worm answered:
+
+"Thou canst no other voices hear but such as thundering reach thy ear.
+Thou little dull-eared earth-bound wight, thou canst not e'en perceive
+by night the stars' majestic music sounding, through the azure vaults
+rebounding, with such a full and mighty voice, that though we listen
+and rejoice, our delicate nerves shrink tremblingly beneath that storm
+of harmony. Think'st thou 'tis without sense and feeling, that in our
+spark-twined dances wheeling, some of us darting radiance throw,
+whilst others burn with steady glow? But thou knows't not how closely
+bound by mystic tie are light and sound.
+
+"Now hear my story on.--
+
+"Not all of us became Christians; and one of our orders in particular,
+which had learnt from a Greek the philosophy of Epicurus, still held
+to its doctrines. This was the butterfly-tribes,--who like ourselves
+were also elves. A light and godless race they were, thinking nothing
+worth their care but how to appear in colours gay; and to their
+sensual maxims true, they would drink deep of ambrosial dew, and then
+for hours would sleep; whilst we, the star-adorned nation, sucked of
+the flowers' sweet exhalation just so much from the humid air as for
+our nourishment we needed. But those light creatures far exceeded. The
+fragrance-breathing rose they courted, and with the young field-lilies
+sported, till at length of their strength and their perfume bereft,
+the poor wasted flowers to perish were left. By their uncertain
+zig-zag flight, dear child, thou well may'st see, that they have drunk
+more than is right and their senses clouded be.
+
+"We wore a garb of simple green; but they were ever to be seen in
+jackets with ribbons all gay bedight, and in every idle fashion
+light,--so that we sometimes laughed to see their folly and their
+vanity.
+
+"That is evident enough if you only look at their patch-work clothing
+put together without the slightest taste. The foolish fellow with the
+swallow-tails thought he had done a vastly clever thing when he
+appended to each wing a tail like that the swallows have; and after
+all, this monstrous affectation is but a trumpery imitation of that
+which nature to the swallows gave. Then, that insufferable ass, the
+Peacock's Eye, must copy him in his folly, and wear great spectacles
+of coloured glass, which are so far from helping him to see that his
+own clear eyes look dim, owing to that fantastic whim. Thou thinkest,
+perhaps, the one who wears a mantle grave like a funeral pall is far
+above such senseless airs,--but he's the greatest fool of all! That
+garb of sorrow is but worn wonder and pity to excite, to seem as if
+condemned to mourn--a sorrow-stricken wight. Others there are who on
+their jackets gay, cause numbers to be traced; no doubt, you'll say,
+to mind them that the years unheeded go and teach them how to value
+time. But no! Those youths are your Don Juans, and the numbers show in
+pride how many flowers by them brought low have pined and died.
+
+"The king who then did o'er us reign thought of a method somewhat
+strange, by which their licence to restrain and work a beneficial
+change. He caused to be enforced throughout the nation, a most
+peculiar kind of education. He shut the youthful butterflies within a
+narrow case of skin, wherein they were so tightly bound they could not
+turn their bodies round--and there close prisoners they remained
+till they a certain age attained. I must confess, the principle to me
+seemed very wrong,--and so it proved to be; for so far from the matter
+being mended, we had just the reverse of what the king intended. The
+closer they were mewed in prison, the more they longed for
+liberty,--and only waited to be free, to plunge in deepest revelry.
+
+"But angry thoughts are leading me astray,--I've wandered from my
+theme too far away. To speak of many things I am beguiled which must
+be meaningless to such a child.
+
+"Thou now shalt hear the sequel of my tale. There was one set amongst
+the butterflies more worthless than all the rest. These were the
+confirmed old topers, who had imbibed so much of the ambrosial dew
+that their bodies had grown fat and unwieldy, and had very large
+stomachs. Such clumsy butterflies as these had little chance the
+flowers to please; and so whenever one approached, each bent aside its
+calyx bright in mockery of the uncouth wight. Or if by chance one
+clambered up to reach the blossom's nectar-cup, its stem would bend
+beneath his weight, and down the awkward creature straight would go,
+and all its members dislocate. So then their evil deeds they did under
+the cover of the night. When every flower was soundly sleeping, they
+came like midnight robbers creeping,--then drew them softly to the
+ground, and sucked from their lips their nectar breath; so that many a
+flower at morn was found, lying pale in death and sinfully robbed of
+all its wealth, that had closed its leaves in rosy health.
+
+"Now, my child, thou may'st be sure, full little could those elves
+endure that we, on our holy mission bound, the silence and darkness
+should chase away by our song, and our prayer, and our emerald
+ray,--hoping by that solemn sound to give the dead repose.
+
+"Those who had drunk deep by day, roused by it could not sleep away
+the ill effects of their carouse, so they with aches and fevers rose.
+But those deceitful spoilers of the flowers, who trusted by night's
+shade protected to work their purpose undetected, had now to
+fast,--for as we passed, the flowers who loved to hear our song saw by
+our light, that pierced the night, their foes come creeping stealthily
+along. This with the jealousy within their hearts that glowed, because
+the star had not on them, too, been bestowed, between our tribes
+raised feud and jar,--whence bitter grief has grown. They had a king,
+to whom was known full many a spell of gramarye; 'twas said, that he
+a league had made with spirits lost, and by their aid could read the
+scroll of destiny. And there he found this dread decree, which told
+our coming misery:--
+
+"'When the star-adorned race, shall fall from innocence and
+grace,--when their first murder shall be done,--when their monarch's
+first-born son by the waves of the sea shall swallowed be;--then vain
+shall be rendered their song and their prayer,--from amongst them the
+white cross shall disappear,--and to insects transformed they shall
+flutter and creep, doomed far from their own land to wander and weep.
+The fatal spell may be undone only by their king's lost son; but ere
+even he can set them free, he must their chosen sovereign be.'
+
+"The king of the butterflies, when he heard this, began to consider
+how he might contrive to bring us to endless wretchedness; and as by
+magic he could appear in any form he chose to wear, an angel's guise
+he took one day, and neared the spot where our king lay deep sleeping
+in a tulip's cup. He by the rustling wakened up, was struck with
+wonder and pious awe, when he the angel near him saw; who thus in
+wicked words began:--
+
+"'Thy loving wife shall bear a son to thee, of whom 'tis written in
+the Book of Fate, that if he be not whelmed beneath the sea, the elfin
+nation shall be desolate, and from their native country driven:--such
+is the mysterious will of Heaven. Therefore must thou this offering
+make for the elfin nation's sake; else thy people's love for thee,
+will turn to hatred when they see thou wilt not save them from their
+misery; and thou thyself a shameful death shalt die.'
+
+"This said, the guilty wretch departed. No longer slept the king; but
+heavy hearted, he musing lay, till break of day. And lo! just as the
+sun his radiance bright o'er earth began to shed, the queen gave birth
+unto a child, lovely and innocent and mild, and small as a pin's head!
+
+"The king looked on it, but no pleasure glowed in his heart at this
+new treasure; and as he gazed, an icy chill through all his members
+seemed to thrill; for love of his people, and desire to save his own
+life, did inspire his thoughts with a ferocious plan.
+
+"He had a faithful serving-man, to whom his secret he confided; and to
+him command he gave to plunge the child beneath the wave, there to
+find a watery grave. The boy, however, did not perish:--how he escaped
+I shall tell thee hereafter.
+
+"Thus no murder yet had stained the nation; and the white cross still
+remained amongst us, and we dwelt unchanged in our accustomed spot.
+But the servant, by remorse urged on, revealed the murder he had done.
+Then, loyal as was hitherto the nation, the crime so raised our
+indignation, that our duty we forgot.
+
+"In the first tumult of their ire some of our fiercest spirits did
+conspire their monarch's blood to spill. They tore the thorns from the
+stem of the rose, and the strongest and longest and sharpest they
+chose to work their wicked will. Beneath their mantles green they hid
+the spears; and sought their king, the curse-beladen one, who again in
+the tulip lay alone in sorrow and in tears. Wildly they the stem
+ascended, and in their rage they struck the deadly blow; they pierced
+him till his heart's blood forth did flow,--and with his life, his
+sorrow ended.
+
+"Now the sinful deed was done,--now our innocence was gone! Heaven
+withdrew its sheltering hand. The white cross the old man had given,
+the token of our bond with heaven,--vanished from the land! And as we
+flocked together trembling, we heard a rushing through the air, as if
+fierce winds in conflict were. Devouring grief our hearts distracted;
+our delicate limbs all suddenly contracted, and into ugly worms we
+turned!
+
+[Illustration: THE PRINCE OF THE GLOW WORMS. P. 56.]
+
+"Yet as we were not guilty all of the vile crime that caused our fall,
+the fair light still upon our foreheads burned. And as we sat in fear
+and gloom, a shrill voice thus pronounced our doom.
+
+"Henceforth as homeless worms, away, away!--wander and stray, here and
+there, and up and down, until at length ye place the crown on the brow
+of the child who by your king's decree was sunk amid the waves of the
+foaming sea. Far, far from hence is his dwelling-place, and he seems
+like a child of the human race,--but him ye shall know by the star on
+his brow.
+
+"'Your lost cross, too, ye must find once more, which he is destined
+to restore; when your king and your cross shall again be found, your
+penance shall end and the spell be unbound.'
+
+"The gay-dressed elves who had their king deceived by treachery and
+lies, were, like ourselves, transformed, and became butterflies.
+
+"Soon as we heard our melancholy doom, we fled, and traversed many a
+distant land,--ever peering through the gloom, into each little
+sleeping-room; peeping about us all the night, in hope to see the
+twinkling light on the brow of some fair boy. And we looked on many a
+blessed child, who in his sleep so sweetly smiled, that we would have
+chosen him with joy,--but the star was wanting still."
+
+"Poor worms!" said Julius; "and thus you still are seeking now, the
+boy with the star upon his brow?"
+
+"Oh! no my child! by Heaven led, we have found the child with the
+light on his head; and now I will tell what him befel.
+
+"In his death-struggle with the waves, unto a leaflet green he clung
+which floated on the tide, and with a lightsome bound he sprang upon
+its upturned side. Contented thus he lay at rest, swayed by the
+billows here and there, safely housed and free from care, in the
+leaflets' soft green breast. His only food was the radiance bright
+which the stars shed down on him by night, and by that delicate food
+sustained he made a voyage long.
+
+"But why dost thou stare so fixedly?--why dreamily gaze before thee
+so?"
+
+Then Julius said:--
+
+"A dreamy sense is o'er me stealing, of moments long gone by:--when I
+in a green leaf thus was laid, gazing upwards on the sky, whilst the
+dancing waves around me played. I was rocked by the sea as it rippled
+lightly,--fed by the stars which shone o'er me brightly; and on I
+sailed right merrily! And feeding thus on the delicate light by the
+bright stars downward shed, my nature grew unfit to live by the
+grosser human bread."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Now that the light is o'er thee breaking, now that thy memory is
+awaking,--hear me further," said the glow-worm.--"For four long months
+the billows bore the child, until he reached the shore of a far and
+distant land, where they left him on the strand. A stork came proudly
+stalking by,--well pleased when he such prize did spy; for by the
+garment green deceived, a tree-frog he the child believed. And he
+resolved the morsel rare to carry home unto his wife, who loved almost
+as her life, such choice and tender fare. He took him in his fine long
+beak, and with him mounted in the air; but had not travelled far nor
+long, when he beheld an eagle strong flying towards him in might; and
+being somewhat of a coward, surprised at this event untoward, his bill
+he opened in a fright,--and down the elfin child from high fell to the
+earth again.
+
+"Why dost thou start as if some pain shot through thee? Why on thy
+breast are thy small hands pressed?"
+
+The boy replied:--
+
+"I feel an icy chill through all my members thrill. It must have been
+a dream, but unto me doth seem that I had such a fall one day,--and
+such a piercing blast right through my breast then passed, its very
+memory takes my breath away."
+
+Then the glow-worm said:--
+
+"Oft we mistake some vision vain for life's reality,--and view the
+wild creations of our brain as things long past but true. But listen,
+now, while I conclude my tale. Thou think'st perhaps the child, in
+falling, his limbs would break or dislocate; but as a feather would
+descend, light fell that child on the foliage green, and not a tender
+leaf was seen beneath his weight to bend. Giddy with spinning through
+the air, and breathless for awhile he lay; but soon to sense he did
+awaken, and found that he no harm had taken. Above his head, full,
+bright, and red, a strawberry hung, green leaves among, and its
+fragrance o'er him shed. Whether the child was of wit bereft, or that,
+deprived of the starry spark, he had fasted so long in the stork's
+bill dark, that hunger did his sense betray, is more than I can think
+or say; but the berry to him seemed ruddy and bright, as if woven with
+a web of light. This when the foolish elf-child saw, he strove with
+all his might to draw the unwholesome earth-fruit to the ground, which
+he no easy labour found; then round his little arms he threw, and to
+his lips the fruit he drew and sucked its ruby juice. A weary task the
+boy did find, to penetrate the tough hard rind; then for a second's
+space he drained the nectar which the fruit contained,--one hundredth
+part at least he drank,--and mastered by its potency, upon the earth
+he sank.
+
+"But alas! all was now lost, that earthly food was unto him fell
+poison. Soon each little limb unseemly swelled and spread. His
+floating golden locks, as fine as the slight thread that spiders
+twine, became as coarse as hay; and every nerve and sinew grew thick
+and unsightly to the view. The berry's power had changed him into a
+child of man; and he now began to scream and cry and make such direful
+noises, as would have drowned the united sound of a thousand elfin
+voices."
+
+"Ah woe is me!" exclaimed Julius, sobbing; "if I had not so madly
+sucked the deadly juice of that coarse berry, I still should feed on
+the perfumed air, and never have known vile human fare."
+
+Then the glow-worm, greatly excited, whispered to him:--
+
+"Know, child beloved, I am thy mother:--the elfin queen, entranced
+with joy at finding thee, dear human boy! Alas! that thou shouldst so
+gigantic be and I so very small, that we cannot rush into each other's
+arms to seal the charms of meeting by a kiss! Thou bearest the light
+upon thy brow that dull-eyed mortals cannot see; but we have found
+thee, child, and now from the magic thrall both we and those shall
+soon be free.
+
+"List, and hear me, while I tell how thou may'st unbind the spell.
+First, thou must the white cross find; which, when withdrawn from us
+by Heaven, was to a holy hermit given. Wandering in the north, he bore
+it,--toiling in the south, he wore it,--whilst many a wonder by its
+power he wrought: and when his pious mission the holy man had ended,
+he took it to a church where as a relic 'tis suspended. The church
+full often hast thou seen when wandering in the forest green; and
+thither must thou go this night, nor sound nor sight must thy heart
+affright, and nought must make thee in thy purpose falter,--but boldly
+take the cross from the high altar. Nought of evil shall come to
+thee--'tis only fear that can undo thee; for the Butterfly King will
+strive, from fright, to make thee turn again, and all thy hopes our
+race to right, by magic to render vain. The cross hangs to a rosary,
+and a lamp burns before it unceasingly. Now, off to thy work without
+delay, and to the chapel gate on thy steps we will wait, to light thee
+on thy way."
+
+Then up sprang Julius joyously. "How light feels my bosom, my heart
+how strong!--'tis as if I had known this all along. Hurrah! I'm the
+Elfin King. Little care I for the false butterfly. The white cross
+from the church I'll quickly bring. Come, light me, light me on the
+track!--triumphant soon you will see me back!"
+
+Then his mother, attended by all the other glow-worms, lighted him on
+his way, and he followed with bounding steps. They drew up outside the
+church-door whilst he entered alone; cold blasts blowing down upon him
+from the lofty, pale, glimmering dome. Onward he went without fear. A
+great hideous bat fluttered round his head twittering: "Return; go not
+to the altar high, for if to spurn my threat thou dare, I will stick
+my claws into thy hair, and tear thy locks out one by one, until with
+pain thou shalt cry and moan, and thy curly head shall be bald as a
+stone."
+
+"For this coarse straw I little care, soon I shall have much finer
+hair," said Julius;--and on he went cheerfully.
+
+Next came a great black owl, with very sharp beak and claws, and
+sparkling eyes. He also fluttered round Julius, till the tips of his
+frightful wings scratched the boy's forehead, whilst he screeched
+aloud: "Return, return, go quickly back, else thy blue eyes I will
+claw and hack till thou shalt cry in agony, and blinded thou shalt
+be."
+
+"My eyes are not so very fine; I shall soon have some that will softer
+shine," answered Julius, as he approached the altar before which stood
+the undying lamp.
+
+Then suddenly up rose a pale rattling skeleton, round whose scraggy
+neck hung the rosary with the white cross; and as the spectre glared
+at him from its eyeless sockets, it said with a hollow voice:
+"Forbear, forbear, audacious boy! Ere that cross thy prize can be,
+thou must conquer it from me. I am Death, the strong, the mighty; no
+mortal yet has vanquished me."
+
+Julius shrank, and for a moment hesitated; but he heard his mother
+whisper from the church-door: "Away with fear, 'tis all delusion,
+magic art and vain illusion. Fearlessly upon him look--thy gaze the
+phantom cannot brook; by thy mild look and gentle eye, thou shalt win
+the victory. Seize the cross and banish fear, the spectre so shall
+disappear."
+
+Julius then regained courage; he rushed up to the skeleton and grasped
+the cross! Instantly the phantom vanished, and all was still around
+him. He returned thoughtfully and without running. The elves were
+waiting for him at the door, and lighted him back to the place whence
+they had come. He then set up the cross on a little mossy hillock; and
+all the glow-worms formed themselves into a circle round it, and
+prayed and sang songs of gratitude,--which, however, were inaudible to
+Julius.
+
+His mother then seated herself on the tip of his ear, and whispered:
+"Ere our deliverance full can be, thou must once more become as we.
+The charmed drink already in thy veins is working. Four elements it
+contains: the sound of my voice, the forest's cool air, the fragrance
+of the flowers by night, and the brightly-coloured light which thou
+didst so eagerly inhale whilst we were dancing round thee. If that
+thou dost desire once more thy coarse fat body to restore to its once
+delicate form, then know, thou must henceforth to eat forego, save of
+the rays from the bright stars beaming, save of the sweets from the
+young flowers streaming. Now, sleep in peace, and by to-morrow's light
+thy limbs will be more delicate and slight."
+
+Julius stretched himself on the moss, and slept. The next morning he
+did not waken until it was late; and then he felt himself so
+wonderfully light that he fancied he must be able to jump as high as
+the heavens. In order to try his strength, he made a spring, intending
+to clear a little ant-heap which he mistook for a hill; but he fell in
+the midst of it, and had great difficulty in extricating himself, so
+small had he already become. He ate nothing all that day; and at
+night, was lighted to bed by the glow-worms who danced round him
+whilst he slept.
+
+On the second day he had already become so diminutive that he was
+obliged to stand on tip-toe to smell a yellow primrose. When he awoke
+on the third morning, he saw high in the heavens the sun with its
+golden disk surrounded by silver-white rays. But it did not dazzle him
+in the least, let him look at it as steadfastly as he would; and, to
+his great surprise, he observed an entirely green rainbow which
+stretched down from it to the earth. He went close to it; and then
+discovered that the rainbow was only a thick stem, which he grasped
+with both hands, and by a great effort shook,--when behold! the sun
+moved a little out of its place. He could not help laughing at
+himself; for he now perceived that what he had taken for the yellow
+sun with the white rays and the green rainbow, was only a large daisy
+on its stalk.
+
+He had now diminished to the proper dimensions of an elf. When evening
+came, therefore, all the glow-worms assembled round him on the moss to
+swear fealty to him. The peers of the realm brought with them a crown
+of pure star-light ore, very delicately and tastefully wrought, with
+which they solemnly crowned Julius, and no sooner was the crown placed
+on his head, than in a moment, as if by magic touch, they were all
+changed into little graceful elves, and on the brow of each was a
+star. They then took the oath of fidelity, and Julius swore to
+maintain the constitution. This done, the rejoicings began, and they
+shouted and huzzaed until the noise was as great as that which the
+grass makes when it is growing in the sweet spring time.
+
+Julius and his mother embraced and kissed each other. She could not
+repeat too often how pretty and slight he was, and how very much he
+resembled his father:--and then she shed oceans of tears for her
+murdered husband.
+
+The elves rejoiced the whole night through; but when the morning
+dawned, they said to each other with some uneasiness: "How are we to
+get back to India, to our beautiful native land?" Then a light breeze
+murmured amongst the branches, and shook down a hundred-leaved rose,
+so that all its delicate curved petals were scattered to the
+ground--and a voice was heard, saying:
+
+"There your carriages, light as air, you to the spicy east shall
+bear,--and the cross you shall find in your own bright land, already
+borne there by an unseen hand."
+
+All the elves now seated themselves in the rose leaves,--Julius and
+his mother and the court occupying the finest. Then a gentle zephyr
+sprang up; which raised all the rose leaves into the air, and wafted
+them softly in the morning dawn home to the east,--the elves
+singing:--
+
+    To India, to India, the land of our birth!
+              Where the zephyrs blow lightly,
+              And the flowers glow brightly,
+    And the atmosphere scent-laden floats o'er the earth;
+    Where under the wide-spreading leaves we find shelter,
+    Nor care how winds whistle, nor how the storms pelter.
+              Over our heads
+              Their green roof spreads--
+
+    And safe within their vernal bowers
+              We elfin spirits dance and play,
+              While some soft and holy lay
+    Is sung by the tall and fragrant flowers
+              On their green stems bending,
+              And heavenward sending
+    Angel hymns of joyous blending.
+    In solemn pomp again we'll tread,
+              By our tapers' light,
+              In the still dark night,
+    To bring to their resting-place the dead!
+    --Away then, away! carried swift by the wind,
+    At the dawning of day to our native Ind!
+
+
+
+
+THE TWO MISERS.
+
+[Hebrew.]
+
+
+A miser living in Kufa had heard that in Bassora also there dwelt a
+Miser--more miserly than himself, to whom he might go to school, and
+from whom he might learn much. He forthwith journeyed thither; and
+presented himself to the great master as a humble commencer in the Art
+of Avarice, anxious to learn, and under him to become a student.
+"Welcome!" said the Miser of Bassora; "we will straight go into the
+market to make some purchase." They went to the baker.
+
+"Hast thou good bread?"
+
+"Good, indeed, my masters,--and fresh and soft as butter." "Mark this,
+friend," said the man of Bassora to the one of Kufa, "--butter is
+compared with bread as being the better of the two: as we can only
+consume a small quantity of that, it will also be the cheaper,--and
+we shall therefore act more wisely, and more savingly too, in being
+satisfied with butter."
+
+They then went to the butter-merchant, and asked if he had good
+butter.
+
+"Good, indeed,--and flavoury and fresh as the finest olive oil," was
+the answer.
+
+"Mark this also,"--said the host to his guest; "oil is compared with
+the very best butter, and, therefore, by much ought to be preferred to
+the latter."
+
+They next went to the oil vendor:--
+
+"Have you good oil?"
+
+"The very best quality,--white and transparent as water," was the
+reply.
+
+"Mark that too," said the Miser of Bassora to the one of Kufa; "by
+this rule water is the very best. Now, at home I have a pail-full, and
+most hospitably therewith will I entertain you." And indeed on their
+return nothing but water did he place before his guest,--because they
+had learnt that water was better than oil, oil better than butter,
+butter better than bread.
+
+"God be praised!" said the Miser of Kufa,--"I have not journeyed this
+long distance in vain!"
+
+
+
+
+PRINCE CHAFFINCH.
+
+[French.]
+
+
+There was once a king and queen who ruled with the greatest kindness
+and simplicity imaginable; and their subjects were just such good
+folks as themselves, so that both parties agreed very well. As,
+however, there is no condition in the world which has not its cares
+and sorrows, so also this king and queen were not free from them; in
+fact, the peace of their lives was considerably disturbed by a fairy,
+who had patronised them from their earliest years. Fairy
+Grumble-do--that was her name--was incessantly finding fault, would
+repeat the same words a hundred times a day, and grumbled at every
+thing that was doing, and at all that had been done. Setting aside
+this little failing, she was in all other respects the best soul in
+the world, and it gave her the greatest satisfaction when she could
+oblige or serve anybody.
+
+The union of the royal pair had hitherto proved childless, but
+whenever they besought Fairy Grumble-do to give them children, she
+invariably replied:--"Children! what do you want children for? To hear
+them squalling from morning till night, till you, as well as I, will
+be ready to jump out of our skins with the noise? What's the use of
+children? Nobody knows what to do with them; they only bring care and
+trouble!"
+
+Some such remarks were all the king and queen got for their
+entreaties; and the fairy's ill-humour, and the snuffling tone in
+which she uttered these speeches made them quite unbearable. The good
+king and queen, however, never lost their patience, so that at last
+the fairy lost hers, and, in a pet, she all of a sudden gratified them
+with seven princes at a birth.
+
+The queen remarked in her usual mild and quiet manner, that she had
+now a great many children, to which Fairy Grumble-do answered,
+snarlingly:--"Well, you wished for children, Madam queen, and now you
+have got them according to your wish, and in order that you may have
+enough of them, I shall just double the number."
+
+No sooner said than done, and the queen brought into the world seven
+more princes at a birth. The royal pair were now quite in trouble;
+fourteen princes of the blood are, in fact, no joke; for however rich
+one may be, fourteen princes to nurse, educate, and establish
+handsomely, costs a good bit of money. Fairy Grumble-do was quite
+right there; fourteen princes do require a good deal of waiting on,
+and so she found plenty to do all day, with finding fault, and
+scolding first this attendant, then that nursemaid, then this servant,
+or that preceptor; and when she once got into the children's
+apartment, no one could hear himself speak, for the noise she made.
+Still at bottom she meant very kindly, and she promised the anxious
+queen that she would take good care of the princes, and one day
+provide for them all. Those old times were very good ones, and things
+were managed in royal residences with great simplicity. The young
+princes played all day with the children of the towns-people, because
+they went to the same school with them, and no one had a word to say
+against it, which would hardly be the case now-a-days, for kings and
+everybody else are grown much grander than they were then.
+
+Quite close to the palace dwelt an honest charcoal-burner, who lived
+in his little cottage contentedly on what he earned by the sale of his
+charcoal. All his neighbours esteemed him as the worthiest man in the
+world, and the king himself had great confidence in his capacity, and
+would often ask his counsel in matters of government. He was called
+the coal-man throughout all the country, and no one within ten miles
+round would have any coals but from him, so that he had to serve every
+household, even those of the nobility and the fairies. Wherever he
+carried his coals, he was a favourite, and even little children were
+not afraid of him, and no one ever said to them, "Behave prettily,
+else the charcoal-burner will take you away." After working all day at
+his business, he went to his little cottage at night to rest, and to
+enjoy his freedom, for he was sole master in the house. His wife had
+been long dead, and had left him only one little daughter, called
+Gracious; for she was the prettiest creature in the world.
+
+[Illustration: PRINCE CHAFFINCH. P. 76.]
+
+He loved this child beyond all measure; and, indeed, not without
+reason, for a prettier little maiden could not be found on earth; in
+spite of the coal-smoke that enveloped her, and her poor clothing, she
+always appeared charming and agreeable, and no one could help
+loving her on account of her wonderful amiability. The king's youngest
+son, little Prince Chaffinch, who was as sprightly as he was pretty,
+was extremely attached to Gracious, preferred her to all the other
+children of his acquaintance, and would play with no one but her, so
+that they were always seen together, and indeed, they could not live
+without one another. Meanwhile the worthy coal-man, who felt old age
+approaching, grew very anxious about the fate of Gracious, after he
+should have ceased to live; for the partiality of the king for him did
+not seem to him sufficient to put him at ease about her. "The king,"
+he would say to himself, as he pondered on the subject, "has a large
+family of his own, and is obliged to ask so much of the fairy for his
+own necessities, that he surely will not have courage to put in a good
+word for my child. Even if he were to promise to do so, I should not
+depend on him. For"--thus he ever concluded his self-conferences, "the
+poor king, is in fact, worse off than I am; he has fourteen to provide
+for; I only one. His are princes; mine is only a poor burgher maid.
+Mine therefore will be easier to provide for. A poor girl like her can
+manage to get along in the world; she stands alone; but a poor prince
+never; hundreds hang about him, draining him, and consuming all his
+substance." Now, after thinking it over and over, he grew quite
+unhappy at heart, and he knew not what to do. So he went one day, head
+and heart full of care, to a very beneficent fairy, who had always
+behaved very kindly to him. She was called Fairy Bonbon; she it was,
+who, in order to please epicures, both small and great, invented those
+sweets which now bear her name. When the good fairy saw the coal-man
+in such trouble, she asked him what ailed him; and after he had given
+her a highly sensible reply, she promised him in good earnest, that
+she would take Gracious under her own care, and desired him to bring
+the child to her the following Sunday.
+
+The coal-man obeyed punctually, and when the time came he made little
+Gracious put on her best clothes, and the new coloured little shoes he
+had bought for her the day before, and set off with his dear little
+daughter. Gracious skipped before him, then ran back to him, and took
+hold of his hand, saying:--"We are going to the castle, we are going
+to the castle!" for her father had not told her anything further about
+it.
+
+When they arrived, Fairy Bonbon received them very kindly, but
+notwithstanding all was so fine in the castle, and that she had so
+many bonbons and other nice things, Gracious could not be happy when
+her father went away and left her behind. For the first time in her
+life she began to cry, and could scarcely leave off again. This
+touched the fairy extremely, so that she grew quite fond of Gracious,
+and all who were present said:--"My daughter would not cry so if she
+were obliged to part from me." But in time little Gracious became
+reconciled to her new residence, and was so obedient and docile that
+the good fairy Bonbon never had occasion to reprove her, nor even to
+tell her twice of the same thing, so that she took great delight in
+her.
+
+When her father came to visit her, the pretty child always ran to meet
+him, and threw herself into his arms without fearing to soil the fine
+clothes which the fairy had given her. After kissing and caressing her
+dear papa to her heart's content, she always inquired after her
+friend, Prince Chaffinch, and sent him her best bonbons and toys. The
+coal-man always carried them very conscientiously to the prince, who
+never failed to send his thanks and a message to say how earnestly he
+longed to see her once again.
+
+Thus Gracious lived till she was twelve years old, and then Fairy
+Bonbon, who was extraordinarily fond of her, took her father one day
+into her boudoir, and desired him to be seated, as she did not like to
+see the old man standing up in her presence. The coal-man excused
+himself at first, but the fairy insisted, so that at last he was
+obliged to obey, although it seemed to him a very strange thing to sit
+down in his clothes all covered with coal-dust on a white taffeta
+arm-chair, and he could not think how he should manage to prevent his
+jacket from leaving marks on it.
+
+At last, however, the fairy constrained him to be seated; and she then
+said to him, "Old friend, I love your daughter."
+
+"Honoured madam," replied he, "you are very kind; but indeed you are
+much in the right, for she is a very dear child."
+
+"I wish now to consult with you what I shall do," said the fairy; "for
+you must know I shall be obliged shortly to travel for a considerable
+time in another country."
+
+"Ah, madam, then do have the goodness to take her along with you,"
+rejoined the coal-man.
+
+"That is not in my power," answered she. "I can, however, provide very
+well for her. Only tell me what would be most agreeable to you that I
+should do for her."
+
+"Then I would most humbly beg," replied the coal-man, "that you would
+have the kindness to make her queen of a little kingdom, just such a
+one as may please your ladyship."
+
+Though gratified by this request, the fairy represented to him, that
+the higher the station, the more cares and sorrows it has; but the
+coal-man assured her in return, that cares and sorrows are to be found
+everywhere, and that those of royalty are the easiest to bear.
+
+"I do not ask of you, most gracious madam fairy," continued he, "to
+make me a king. I prefer remaining a charcoal-burner; that is my
+trade, which I understand, and as for the trade of royalty, I do not
+think that I understand that at all. But Gracious is still young, and
+she can learn it, I'll be bound for it; it cannot, after all, be so
+very difficult, for I see every day that people manage it one way or
+another."
+
+"Well," answered Fairy Bonbon, as she dismissed him, "I will see what
+I can do. I must tell you beforehand, however, that Gracious will have
+much to suffer, and she will find it very bitter."
+
+"Very possible, gracious Madam Bonbon," replied he. "I also have gone
+through many bitter things, and have not gained very much after all,
+so have the kindness still to make a queen of her; I ask nothing."
+
+With these words he took leave.
+
+Meanwhile Fairy Grumble-do had provided for almost all the fourteen
+princes. She had sent some of them out into the wide world to seek
+their fortunes, whereby they had at last succeeded in obtaining
+kingdoms, and the rest she had wedded to rich princesses, so that at
+least they were safe from want. For little Prince Chaffinch, as yet,
+however, she had done nothing; so she came one day to court in her
+usual agreeable humour, and found papa and mamma caressing and
+fondling their child.
+
+"Ha," said she, "that is a properly spoiled young gentleman, who will
+never be good for anything all his days. I lay any wager he does not
+know A from B. Repeat me your yesterday's lesson, sir, at once, and if
+you miss a single word, you shall have a proper whipping."
+
+Chaffinch immediately repeated his lesson, which, as usual, he had
+learnt perfectly, and went through his examination in a style which
+was quite wonderful for his age. The king and queen did not dare to
+let their gratification at this appear, for fear thereby of
+redoubling Madam Grumble-do's ill-humour, for she now maintained that
+the instruction given to the prince was not worth a farthing; that it
+was far too difficult and too learned for him.
+
+She then turned to the king and queen: "Pray, what is the reason of
+your never having asked me to do anything for him yet? It is just your
+way. I have been worried into providing for all your other
+simpletons--they are the most stupid kings reigning; but that one, of
+whom something might perhaps be made, is to be spoilt by you, just
+because he is your nest-quackel. But I will not allow it any longer.
+He shall go out, and directly too. He is a fine youth, and it would be
+a shame to leave him any longer with you. I will not have to reproach
+myself with that; folks know that I am your friend, and they shall not
+have to say that I encourage you in your follies. Now, let us have no
+words about it; let us consider together what is best to be done, for
+I am not at all obstinate; I am always willing to listen to good
+advice."
+
+The king and queen said very politely that she must decide on that,
+for she knew very well that her will was theirs.
+
+"Well then," replied Fairy Grumble-do, "he must travel; travelling
+gives a young man a proper finish."
+
+"Very true," said both king and queen with one voice. "But," continued
+the queen, "consider that the outfit of the other princes very much
+exhausted our coffers, and that just at present we have not the means
+wherewith to send out Chaffinch in a style befitting his rank. It
+would be very unpleasant for folks to say, 'That is the son of a king,
+and he travels like a poor student.'"
+
+"So, that's your vanity, is it?" growled the fairy; "truly vanity is
+vastly becoming to people who have fourteen children. You say the
+other youths have cost you so much; then, I did nothing for them, I
+suppose; you leave all that out of your calculation. Pray, what did
+they cost you? Just their bits of meals when they were at home, and a
+couple of boxes full of clothes when they went on their travels. Who
+found all the rest? Not you, truly; it was I; but you are a pair of
+ungrateful creatures, so you are."
+
+"Kind madam," answered the queen, "my husband has set down all the
+expenses in the account-book; you can convince yourself."
+
+"A pretty thing, indeed," rejoined Fairy Grumble-do. "Pray, how long
+has it been in fashion for a king to keep a debtor-and-creditor ledger
+like a tailor? That sounds vastly regal, truly. What is the use of all
+the good counsels I have given you, if this is the way you conduct
+yourselves. Shame on you! However, I will not worry myself, but I will
+put an end to the thing at once. The youth is as giddy as a butterfly,
+and wherever he goes he will be telling everybody 'I am a prince and
+my father is a king,' Is it not so, eh?"
+
+"Dearest madam godmamma," interposed Prince Chaffinch, "I will say
+nothing but what you desire me to say."
+
+"Wait till you are asked, Master Pert!" rejoined she; "you shall say
+nothing at all, and I'll take care to prevent you from opening your
+self-sufficient beak. Only wait a moment!"
+
+As she blustered out this, she touched him with her wand, and
+transformed him into the little bird which to this day bears his name.
+The king and queen wished to embrace him, but there was no doing that
+any longer now he had become so small; they could only set him on
+their fingers. They had scarcely time to kiss him even, for he flew
+off, in obedience to the fairy, who pronounced these terrible words:
+"Fly where thou canst; do what thou must."
+
+The tears of the king and queen, it is true, did move Fairy Grumble-do
+a little, but she would not let that be seen, and merely said, "That
+is just like you; you are served quite rightly," and then she seated
+herself in her post-chaise, which was drawn by seven magpies and seven
+cocks, who made a shocking noise; and off she drove in a very
+ill-humour to the assembly of the fairies, which was held that very
+day.
+
+By chance she was seated next to the kind fairy Bonbon, and as the
+mouth is prompt to speak about that of which the heart is full, she
+related to the latter all the trouble she had had in providing
+suitably for the fourteen princes; during which narration she did not
+fail to give it well to the king and queen, just as if they were
+present. At last she asked her colleague if she happened to have a
+kingdom or a princess to bestow on Prince Chaffinch.
+
+Fairy Bonbon, notoriously the best-hearted creature in the world, who
+was quite averse to this incessant scolding, told her that she would
+willingly undertake to find one, but only on condition that Fairy
+Grumble-do should not interfere in it, and permit her first to put
+the young prince to the proof.
+
+"Do what you please," resumed the latter, speaking more through her
+nose than ever--"do what you please, so that I hear no more about the
+matter."
+
+She then renounced all her fairy rights over Prince Chaffinch, and
+then drew up a formal contract, which they both signed with their own
+hands in presence of the lawyer and of competent witnesses.
+
+Bonbon, who soon perceived that her two proteg�'s were well suited to
+each other, resolved to look still closer into the matter, in order to
+proceed the more securely, and to make Gracious truly happy. But she
+was much pressed for time as the day of her departure was irrevocably
+fixed, and was rapidly approaching. She had therefore to devise some
+means by which the two might have an opportunity of working out their
+own destiny by faith and truth. The first thing she did, therefore,
+was to catch Chaffinch, whose natural sprightliness caused him to
+delight greatly in flying about, to shut him up in a cage, and bring
+him to her castle.
+
+As soon as the young enchanted prince beheld Gracious he was very
+joyful, flapped his wings, and tried with all his strength to get out
+of the cage and fly to her. He was delighted, however, when she said
+to him, "Good morrow, my little bird; dear, how beautiful you are!"
+Yet he felt grieved at the same time that he could only answer her by
+his twittering, but he did that as agreeably as he could, and made
+every demonstration of tenderness that a bird could. This greatly
+touched Gracious, though she did not in the least suspect the truth;
+and she said, quite unreservedly to Bonbon, that she had always been
+particularly fond of chaffinches; at which the kind fairy smiled, and
+made her a present of the enchanted prince, on condition of her taking
+care of him as of the apple of her eye. This Gracious willingly
+promised, and did so too with the greatest satisfaction.
+
+When the day came for the fairy to depart, she said to Gracious, "Take
+great care of the chaffinch, and never let him out of the cage; for
+were he to fly away, I should be extremely displeased."
+
+She then entered her carriage, which was made of silver-paper. Her
+castle, her garden, her domestics and her horses, all went off through
+the air with her, and Gracious now remained alone and sorrowful in her
+little house of porcelain, which assuredly was very pretty; but what
+avails prettiness when one is sad? The garden was constantly full of
+cherries, gooseberries, oranges, and, in short, of all imaginable
+fruits, always ripe and well-flavoured; the oven, of biscuits,
+tea-cakes, and macaroons; the store-room, of sweetmeats and
+confectionery of all kinds: and all these good things might well have
+consoled her, but she could not enjoy them, for the little chaffinch
+slept unbrokenly in his cage. She visited him every five minutes, but
+still he did not wake, and she mentally reproached the fairy with
+having robbed her of such sweet consolation. At last, after trying
+vainly every means of awaking him, she resolved to examine him closer,
+to see if she could not discover the fairy's secret.
+
+It is true she did not arrive at this resolution without that
+uneasiness and self-reproach which one always feels when acting
+contrary to an express command. She even opened the cage several
+times, and then shut it again suddenly; but at last she blamed herself
+for her timidity, summoned courage, and took the bird in her pretty
+little hand. No sooner was he out of the cage than he flew out and
+perched on the window-frame, which most unfortunately she had not
+closed, so little had she thought on what might occur to her.
+Embarrassed and alarmed, she endeavoured to catch him again.
+
+The chaffinch flew into the garden, and she jumped out of the window,
+which fortunately was on the ground-floor; but such was her anxiety
+that she would have sprung out, had it been on the fourth story.
+Calling him by the prettiest and tenderest names, she sought to entice
+him, but whenever she fancied she would certainly catch him, off he
+flew, from the garden to the field, and on towards a great forest,
+which filled her with despair, for she knew perfectly well how useless
+it would be to hunt after a chaffinch in a forest; when suddenly, the
+bird, of which she had never lost sight, turned into the prince as she
+had seen him when she was a child.
+
+"What! is it you, Prince Chaffinch," exclaimed she,--"and you fly me?"
+
+"Yes, it is I, lovely Gracious," replied he; "but a supernatural force
+obliges me to keep far from thee; I desire to approach thee, and
+cannot."
+
+They now indeed perceived that they were always at least four paces
+distant from each other. Gracious, enraptured at again seeing the
+prince, forgot how disobedient she had been to the fairy, and her
+fears grew calm, in proportion as love took possession of her heart.
+
+As neither of them dared return to the little dwelling which they had
+left, nor indeed did they know the way back, they went into the wood,
+gathered nuts, and asked each other a hundred questions as to what had
+occurred since they last met. They then rejoiced at their good fortune
+in being again together, and refreshed themselves with the hope of now
+remaining near each other. At last they saw a peasant's hut, and went
+to it to request shelter for the night, that they might resolve on
+what they should do the next day.
+
+The prince, when they got very near to it, said to Gracious, "Wait
+here under this great tree, whilst I go and reconnoitre the house and
+its inhabitants."
+
+When he got there, he found a woman who was sweeping before her door,
+and of her he inquired if she would receive him and Gracious for the
+night into her house.
+
+The old woman answered: "You seem to me to be two disobedient
+children, who have run away from your parents, and do not deserve to
+meet with compassion."
+
+Chaffinch was, to say the truth, a little embarrassed by this remark,
+but he said all sorts of flattering things to her, and offered to
+labour for her; in short, he spoke like a lover willing to make any
+sacrifice for his beloved, for he began to fear that Gracious would
+have to pass the night in the wood, exposed to the wolves, of which he
+had heard such terrible stories.
+
+Whilst he was trying to persuade the hard-hearted old woman, it
+happened that the giant Koloquintius, the king, or to speak more
+accurately, the tyrant of the whole district, who was hunting in the
+wood, rode past the very spot where Gracious was waiting. He thought
+her surprisingly charming, and was a good deal astonished that she did
+not think him equally so, nor appear to be enchanted at seeing him.
+Without saying a word to her, he desired one of his suite to lift up
+the little maiden and place her under his arm, which being done, he
+set spurs to his horse, and galloped off to his capital city.
+
+The cries and lamentations of Gracious did not move him in the least,
+and she now--when it was too late--repented of her disobedience. Her
+cries disturbed Prince Chaffinch and the old woman in their
+conversation; the former ran towards the spot where he had left
+Gracious; but who can describe his grief, when he saw her under the
+giant's arm! Had he been there at the right moment, he would have
+endeavoured at the risk of his life to prevent that deed of violence,
+but now he had nothing to do but to follow her. But night overtook
+him, he lost sight of her, and quite exhausted, he sat down to give
+free course to his grief and tears.
+
+As he sat, he perceived, close to him, a little light, like that of a
+glow-worm. At first he paid no attention to it, but the light grew
+larger and larger, and at last changed into a female clothed in a
+brown garment, who said to him: "Console thyself, Chaffinch, do not
+give way to despair; take this flask, which is made of a gourd, and
+this shepherd's pouch; thou wilt find them always filled with whatever
+thou desirest to eat and drink. Take also this hazel-rod, and when
+thou hast need of me, put it under thy left foot and call me; I will
+always come to thy assistance. This little dog is commanded never to
+leave thee, thou may'st want him. Farewell, Chaffinch. I am the kind
+Bonbon."
+
+Chaffinch was already greatly moved by these gifts, but when he heard
+the name which Gracious had so often pronounced, he sank at the
+fairy's feet, embraced her knees, and cried: "Ah, beneficent lady,
+Gracious has been carried off, how is it possible that your Highness
+did not hasten to deliver her?"
+
+"I know what has befallen her," replied Bonbon,--"but she was
+disobedient, I want not to know anything about her; thou alone must
+aid her."
+
+At these words, the light and the fairy disappeared, and Chaffinch sat
+in such darkness that he could not see his hand when he held it before
+his eyes. He was however, much comforted by thinking that he could now
+be of assistance to Gracious, though fear and anxiety still tormented
+him greatly, and his new friend, the little dog, was unable by all its
+caresses to divert him.
+
+At last, the longed-for day dawned, and he was now able to continue
+his wanderings. Towards evening he arrived at the chief city, where he
+found everybody talking only of Gracious' beauty, and of Koloquintius'
+passion for her. It was said that the giant was very shortly to marry
+her, and that he had already commenced building a palace for the new
+queen. This news cut little Chaffinch to the heart.
+
+When the people with whom he was speaking, saw his shepherd's pouch,
+they said, "This is a handsome little shepherd, why should he not tend
+the king's sheep? His majesty is in want of a shepherd, and would no
+doubt confer that high office upon him."
+
+The desire of being near Gracious determined Chaffinch to take this
+hint. He therefore presented himself before Koloquintius, who regarded
+him attentively: as he only asked for courteous treatment, and
+required no wages, the king appointed him to be his own private
+shepherd. His new office did not, however, bring him into the vicinity
+of Gracious, so that he did not gain much thereby. He only learned
+that Koloquintius was very melancholy because Gracious did not respond
+to his love, and this comforted him a little.
+
+Some days after, as he was following his sheep, he saw a state
+carriage, attended by twelve negroes on horseback, with drawn swords,
+quit the palace, and in this carriage sat Gracious. Little Chaffinch
+heroically threw himself in the way of the horses, held his shepherd's
+staff before them, and thundered out with his feeble voice, "Wretches!
+whither go you?"
+
+When Gracious saw her Chaffinch in such great peril, she fainted, and
+he also lost his senses. When he came to himself, he seized his hazel
+wand,--instantly the good Bonbon stood beside him.
+
+"Ah, kind lady!" said he, "Gracious is lost, perhaps already dead!"
+
+"No," replied the Fairy, "Koloquintius is only sending her to the
+tower because he is furious at her coldness to him, and her fidelity
+to thee. Consider how thou may'st get thither also; think for thyself.
+I will assist thee; only I cannot change thee into a bird, because
+thou hast already been one; at all events Gracious will have much to
+suffer, for the tower is a terrible prison, but it serves her quite
+right,--why was she disobedient?"
+
+Thereupon she vanished.
+
+The prince, in great distress, conducted (that is, his little dog did
+it for him) the king's sheep along the road which the carriage that
+conveyed Gracious had taken, and he shortly came within sight of the
+terrible tower, which stood in the midst of a great plain, and had
+neither windows nor doors, only a small aperture at the top; it could
+only be entered by a subterranean passage, the entrance to which was
+concealed in a neighbouring mountain, which it was necessary to point
+out to those who were unacquainted with it. Prince Chaffinch was very
+glad that he had received such a clever little dog from the fairy, for
+it did all his business for him, whilst he kept his eyes constantly
+fixed on the tower. The more he considered, the more he was convinced
+of the impossibility of getting into it; but love, which conquers all
+difficulties, at last inspired him with a plan.
+
+After he had lamented a thousand times that he could not again be a
+bird, he besought the good fairy Bonbon, to change him into a paper
+kite. She granted his request, and conferred on his little dog the
+power of effecting the transformation; he barked three times, took the
+hazel-rod in his mouth, and touched the prince with it, who now became
+a paper kite, with power to resume his own form as occasion might
+require. Then, by the aid of his faithful dog, the prince succeeded in
+first reaching the top of the tower, and then getting within it to
+Gracious.
+
+It was no small delight to her to hear the assurances of his love, nor
+was it a less one to him to hear the same from her, and gratefully did
+he express his acknowledgments--for, in spite of his altered form, he
+still retained his speech. The pleasures of this conversation would
+have caused him to forget altogether that he could not remain for ever
+in the tower, and that he must feed his flock, if the little dog, more
+faithful to duty than he, had not pulled the string to which he was
+fastened, just at the right moment.
+
+Chaffinch no sooner reached the ground, than he resumed his own
+figure, and drove the flock back again to the royal sheepfold; but his
+whole thought was on the pleasure of flying to his dear Gracious,
+which caused him to be greatly vexed whenever the wind blew too
+strongly for him to be able to ascend, and Gracious shared in his
+grief.
+
+Thus they went on for some time; but as there are always to be found
+people who interfere in what does not concern them, others who want to
+know everything, and still more, others who are always striving to
+show themselves very obliging to the great and rich; it was soon
+observed by some of these, that the kite very often descended from the
+dark tower. Koloquintius was informed of it; he instantly went
+thither, in order to punish the audacious persons who dared to convey
+letters in this manner to Gracious, for it never struck him that the
+kite could serve for any other purpose. Chaffinch and Gracious were
+just in the most interesting conversation, when they were disturbed
+from it by the vehemence with which the faithful dog pulled back the
+prince, for Koloquintius ran up to him, exclaiming vehemently: "Where
+is the shepherd, where is the shepherd? I must kill him, because he
+has not informed me of what is going on here."
+
+The dog, fearing that Koloquintius might take the string out of his
+mouth, and so get the prince into his own hands, let the kite fly,
+which was carried far away by the wind, which happened to be very
+high, and catching up the gourd flask, and the shepherd's pouch, ran
+off to his master, whom he loved very much, and who now had resumed
+his own figure. Favoured by the approaching night, they concealed
+themselves in the mountains, whilst Koloquintius, foaming with rage,
+was obliged to drive his sheep home himself. In order that no one
+should approach little Gracious, he caused his whole army to draw up
+on the plain, and commanded them to watch day and night, that no one
+whatsoever should approach the tower.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Prince Chaffinch beheld all this from the high mountain where he and
+the dog had placed themselves, and again appealed to Bonbon for
+assistance. She immediately appeared, but when he begged her to give
+him an army, wherewith to combat that of Koloquintius, she vanished
+without saying a word, and only left him a rod, and a great bag of
+sugar-plums. When one is sad, and one's heart is heavy, one is not
+much inclined to take a joke; and at first Chaffinch thought she meant
+to make a jest of him; but when he reflected how kindly she had always
+acted towards him, his confidence in her returned, and he took the bag
+of sugar-plums under his arm, and the rod in his right hand, and
+accompanied by his faithful dog, advanced valiantly to meet the foe.
+As he came nearer to them, he remarked that they grew gradually less
+and less, and that their lines contracted; and when he got so near
+that they could hear him speak, he perceived, to his no small
+astonishment, that all these formidable soldiers, and moustached
+grenadiers, had shrunk into children of four years old, so that he
+cried aloud to them:--"Yield this moment, or you shall all be
+whipped." Then the whole army began to cry, and ran away, pursued by
+the dog, who soon threw them into complete disorder. To as many as he
+could catch, Chaffinch gave sugar-plums, whereupon they immediately
+swore to obey him.
+
+Encouraged by their example, the others soon returned, and they one
+and all submitted to Chaffinch; so that Koloquintius was now left
+without an army to defend him, whilst the prince had a formidable one;
+for as soon as they submitted voluntarily to him, they all recovered
+their former size and strength.
+
+By this time Koloquintius arrived; but he no sooner saw Prince
+Chaffinch than he likewise lost his giant form and strength, and
+became not merely a little child like the others, but a very little
+dwarf, with crooked legs. The prince caused a dragoon's cap, and a
+gay-coloured garment, with hanging sleeves, to be made for him, and
+destined him to be train-bearer to Gracious, and to attend upon her in
+her apartments.
+
+After this great victory the first care of Chaffinch was to hasten to
+the dark tower, in order to set his beloved free. After so many
+sufferings and sorrows, her joy at finding herself again free was
+indescribable. As they reached the city, Fairy Bonbon and Fairy
+Grumble-do also arrived there from opposite directions. The two lovers
+now expressed to them their warmest gratitude, and requested them to
+decide their fate. Fairy Grumble-do replied:--
+
+"I assure you I have never troubled my head about you; I should have
+been a fool indeed to concern myself with such light ware. You are
+nothing to me, for the rest of your blessed family give me quite
+enough to do without you. Such a parcel of relations as belong to
+Prince Chaffinch, never did king's son, in all the wide world, possess
+before; a pretty brood truly."
+
+"Dear madam and sister," interposed Fairy Bonbon, in the gentlest
+manner, "you know our agreement; only have the kindness to cause the
+king and queen, and the worthy coal-man, to come hither, and I will
+undertake the rest."
+
+"So," rejoined Madam Grumble-do, "I am to be wedding coachman--am I?"
+
+"Oh! not so, dear madam and sister," answered Bonbon; "you have only
+to say if it is not agreeable to you, and I will go myself."
+
+"A pretty errand--a dog's errand," snarled Madam Grumble-do, who
+nevertheless ordered her car to turn into a coach, and to bring
+thither the desired guests. Whilst Bonbon, Gracious, and Chaffinch,
+were caressing each other, Fairy Grumble-do met the Court-dwarf,
+Koloquintius, who came in her way just at the right moment,--for
+every one was welcome to her so that she had some one to scold,--and
+she gave it him prettily on the text of his vanity and self-love.
+
+"Now you are punished," said she, "and nobody pities you; but, on the
+contrary, you are the laughingstock of all your former subjects; that,
+however, you have always been, though formerly they ridiculed you
+secretly, and in whispers; now, however, they do it loudly, and in the
+market-place; it will do you a deal of good."
+
+So she continued to abuse him till the arrival of the king and queen,
+when she let him go and turned to them.
+
+"You need not trouble yourselves to thank me for anything; it was not
+I who sent for you, and indeed I am very sorry you are come, for now
+there will be no getting rid of you again. Good counsel would be
+thrown away upon you now, you irrational creatures."
+
+She then perceived the old coal-man, and exclaimed:--"A pretty
+father-in-law that, for a prince."
+
+The coal-man was not the sort of person to take such an address
+pleasantly, and would soon have given her a rough answer, but that the
+good Fairy Bonbon came up and begged the company to walk into the
+house. But Fairy Grumble-do did not like that neither; the general
+joy made her peevish.
+
+Gracious embraced her dear father a thousand times, who all this while
+had not suffered any privation, for Bonbon had made him a present of
+the porcelain house in which she had often received the king and
+queen. These fondled their little Chaffinch, and willingly consented
+to his marriage with Gracious, when proposed to them by Bonbon. The
+subjects of Koloquintius were absolved from the oath they had sworn to
+him, and acknowledged Prince Chaffinch as their lawful monarch. Thus
+did the pretty prince obtain a fine kingdom and a charming wife.
+
+Chaffinch and Gracious long governed in peace and happiness, and had a
+great many dear children, who also became kings and queens, for a good
+and pretty daughter makes not alone her own happiness, but also that
+of her parents, and her husband.
+
+
+
+
+THE WOLF AND THE NIGHTINGALE.
+
+[Swedish.]
+
+
+In ancient times, when matters went on in the world very differently
+from what they now do, there reigned a king in Scotland who had the
+loveliest queen that ever graced a throne. Her beauty and amiability
+were such, that her praise was sung by every minstrel and tale-teller,
+and they called her the Scottish phoenix. This fair queen bore to
+her husband two children, a son and a daughter, and then died in the
+prime of her youth.
+
+The king mourned for her many years, and could not forget her; he even
+said that he would never marry again. But human resolutions are
+unstable, and can never be depended on; and after the lapse of years,
+when the children were already grown up, he took to himself a second
+wife. The new queen was an evil-disposed woman, and made indeed a
+step-mother to the king's children. Yet the prince and princess were
+mirrors of grace and loveliness, and this was the cause of their
+step-mother's hatred of them; for the people, who loved the memory of
+the former queen, were constantly praising the young people, but never
+said anything about her; and whenever she appeared in public with the
+young princess, they always applauded and welcomed the latter,
+exclaiming, "She is good and fair like her mother." This roused her
+jealousy; she was full of spite towards them, and pondered how she
+might play them some evil trick; but she concealed the malignity of
+her heart under the mask of friendliness, for she dared not let the
+king perceive that she was ill-disposed towards them, and the nation
+would have stoned her and torn her in pieces if she had done them any
+harm.
+
+The princess, who was called Aurora, was now fifteen years of age,
+blooming as a rose, and the fairest princess far and near. Many kings'
+sons, princes and counts, courted her and sought her hand; but she
+replied to them all, "I prefer my merry and unfettered girlhood to any
+lover," and thereupon they had nothing to do but to return from whence
+they came.
+
+At last, however, the right one came. He was a prince from the East, a
+handsome and majestic man, and to him she was betrothed with the
+consent and approbation of the king and of her step-mother. Already
+the bridal wreath was twined; musicians were hired for the dance, and
+the whole nation rejoiced at the approaching nuptials of the fair
+Princess Aurora. But far other thoughts were in the queen's heart, and
+with threatening gestures she said to herself, "I will hire musicians
+who shall play a very different tune, and those feet shall dance
+elsewhere than in the bridal chamber. For," continued she, "this
+throws me quite in the shade, and my sun must set before this Aurora;
+especially now that she is going to have such a stately man for her
+husband, and will give descendants to her father, for I am childless.
+The nation, too, delights in her, and receives her with acclamation,
+but takes no note of me. Yet I am the queen: yes, I am the queen, and
+soon all shall know that it is I who am queen, and not Aurora."
+
+And she meditated day and night how she might ruin the princess and
+her brother; but not one of her wicked plans succeeded, for they were
+too well guarded by their attendants, who valued them like the apple
+of their eye, and never left them day nor night, because of the dear
+love they bore to their mother, the departed queen.
+
+At length the bridal day arrived, and the queen having no more time to
+lose, bethought herself of the most wicked art she knew, and
+approaching the young people in the most friendly way possible, begged
+them to go with her into the rose-garden, where she would show them a
+wonderfully beauteous flower which had just opened. Willingly they
+went with her, for the garden was close to the palace, and no one
+suspected any evil, for it was only mid-day, and the king and the
+grandees of the land were all assembled in the great hall of the
+palace where the nuptials were to be solemnised.
+
+The queen led her step-children to the furthermost corner of the
+garden where grew her flowers, till they came beneath a dark yew tree,
+where she pretended to have something particular to show to them. Then
+she murmured to herself some words in a low tone, broke off a branch
+from the tree, and with it gave some strokes on the backs of the
+prince and princess. Immediately they were transformed. The prince, in
+the shape of a raging wolf, sprang over the wall and ran into the
+forest; and the princess as a grey bird, called a nightingale, flew
+into a tree and sang a melancholy air.
+
+So well did the queen play her part, that no one suspected anything.
+She ran shrieking to the castle, and with rent clothes and dishevelled
+hair sank on the steps of the hall, acting as if some great disaster
+had befallen her, and by the king's command her women carried her to
+her chamber. A full quarter of an hour passed ere she came to herself.
+Then she assumed an attitude of grief, wept, and exclaimed, "Ah, poor
+Aurora, what a bridal day for thee! Ah, unfortunate prince!"
+
+After repeatedly exclaiming in this manner, she at length related that
+a band of robbers had suddenly burst into the garden, and had forcibly
+torn the royal children from her arms, and carried them off; that they
+had struck herself to the ground and left her half dead; and she then
+showed a swelling on her forehead, to produce which she had purposely
+hit her head against a tree. They all believed her words, and the king
+commanded all the great lords, and counts, and knights, and squires,
+to mount their horses and pursue the robbers. They traversed the
+forest in all directions, and visited every cave, and rock, and
+mountain, for at least three miles round the palace, but they could
+not find a trace of either the robbers or the prince and princess. The
+king, however, could not rest, and caused further search and
+enquiries to be made, for weeks and months; and he sent messengers
+into all the countries he could think of; but all was in vain, and at
+length it was as if the prince and princess had never been in
+existence, so entirely had they disappeared.
+
+The old king, however, thought that the robbers had been tempted by
+the fine jewels that the prince and princess wore on the wedding day,
+and that they had stripped them of those and then murdered them, and
+buried their bodies in some secret place: this so grieved him that he
+shortly after died. On his death-bed, as he had no children, he
+bestowed his kingdom on his wife, and besought his subjects to be true
+and obedient to her as they had been to him. They gave their promise,
+and acknowledged her as queen, more out of love for him than for her.
+
+Thus four years passed away, when, in the second year after the king's
+death, the queen began to govern with great rigour; and with the
+treasures the king had left behind him, she hired foreign soldiers
+whom she brought over the sea to guard her and to keep watch over the
+palace; for she knew that she was not beloved by her subjects, and she
+said, "That they should now do out of fear what they would not do for
+love."
+
+And so it came to pass, that from day to day she became more hated by
+every one, but nobody durst show his hate, for the slightest whisper
+against her was punished with death. Nevertheless, the murmurs and
+whispers still went on; and it was commonly said among the people,
+that the queen had a hand in the children's disappearance; for, in
+truth, there were plenty of persons who, on account of her sharp eyes
+and her affected love for the children, suspected her of evil
+practices against them. These murmurs, so far from dying away, went on
+increasing; but the queen cared not for them, and thought "they will
+remain the brutes into which I have transformed them, and no one will
+deprive me of the crown." However, things turned out otherwise than
+she expected.
+
+Meanwhile the poor royal children led a sorry life. The prince had
+fled to the forest as a grey wolf, and was obliged to conduct himself
+like a wolf, and howl like one too, and by day to wander about in
+desolate places, and to prowl about at night like a thief; for wolfish
+fear had also sprung up in his heart. And also, he was obliged to live
+like other wolves, on all sorts of prey--on wild animals and birds,
+and in the dreary winter-time he was often obliged to content himself
+with a mouse, and live on very short commons, and with chattering
+teeth, to make his bed amongst the hard cold stones. And this
+certainly was very different from the princely mode of life to which
+he had been accustomed previous to his being driven into this wild
+savage misery.
+
+He had, however, one peculiarity, which was, that he only destroyed
+and devoured animals, and never desired to take human blood. Yet there
+was one after whose blood he did thirst, and that was the wicked woman
+who had transformed him; but she took very good care never to go where
+she might be within reach of that wolf's teeth. It must not, however,
+be supposed that the prince, who was now a wolf, still preserved human
+reason. No; all had grown dark within him, and under the form of the
+beast as which he was condemned to scour the forest, he had also very
+little more than brute understanding. It is true, a dim instinct often
+drew him towards the royal residence and its gardens, as though he had
+cause to expect that he should find prey there; but he had no clear
+remembrance of the past: how indeed should it have lasted under a
+wolf's skin? At those moments when he felt the impulse, he was always
+also seized with unusual fierceness; but as soon as he came within a
+thousand paces of the spot, a cold shudder passed through him and
+compelled him to retire. This was the effect of the queen's magic art,
+which enabled her to keep him banished from her to just that distance,
+and no further.
+
+She, however, did all in her power to destroy him, and caused her
+attendants to hunt very frequently in the forest which surrounded the
+castle, thinking that it was most probable that he was still there. On
+this account, twice in almost every week, she caused noisy hunts and
+battues after wolves and foxes to be held there; and, as a pretext for
+these, she kept a great many pretty deer there, of which our royal
+wolf did not fail to devour as many as he could catch. He, however,
+always contrived to escape the danger, although the dogs often had
+their claws in the hair of his back, and the hunters aimed many a shot
+at him. He concealed himself for the moment, and when the noise ceased
+and the bugles no longer resounded, he returned to the thicket, which
+was close to the castle, and lay in the sunny spots where, as a boy
+and youth, he had often played. Still he knew nothing of the past, but
+it was a mysterious love that drew him thither.
+
+The Princess Aurora as we have said had flown up into a tree, being
+transformed into a nightingale. But her soul had not become dark
+beneath its light feathery garb, like the prince's within the wolf's
+hide; and she knew much more than he, both of her own self and of men,
+only she was deprived of the power of speech. But she sang all the
+more sweetly in her solitude, and often so beautifully, that the
+beasts skipped and leaped with delight, and the birds gathered round
+her, and the trees and flowers rustled and bent their heads. I think
+the very stones might have danced had they but had the power to love,
+but their hearts were too cold. Men would soon have remarked the
+little bird, and much talk would have arisen about her, but some
+secret power withheld them from entering the wood, so that they never
+heard the nightingale sing.
+
+I have already related how the queen persecuted the poor royal wolf
+with hunts and battues, so that he was the innocent cause of great
+trouble and inconvenience to the whole wolvine family. As great evil
+too befel the little birds, and in those days of tyranny, it was a
+great misfortune to be born either a thrush, a linnet, or a
+nightingale, in the neighbourhood of the castle. For the queen, after
+the death of the king had thrown all the power into her own hands,
+suddenly pretended to have an illness of so peculiar a kind, that not
+only were the cries, cawing, and chattering of birds of prey
+insupportable to her, but even the sweetest twittering and warbling of
+the merry little birds affected her unpleasantly; and in order to make
+people believe this, she fainted on two occasions when she heard them
+sing.
+
+This, however, was only a deception; her wicked aim was to kill the
+little nightingale, if by chance it should still frequent those groves
+and gardens. She knew full well that the little bird could not
+approach within a hundred paces of the castle, for she had cast her
+witch-spell upon her, as well as upon her brother. Under the pretext
+of this nervous sensibility to tender and delicate sounds, war was
+waged, not only against the pretty little royal nightingale, but
+against all the warblers in the vicinity. They were all proscribed and
+outlawed, and the queen's foresters and gamekeepers received the
+strictest orders to wage war against every feathered creature, and not
+to spare even the robin: no, nor the wren, at whom no sportsman ever
+before fired shot.
+
+This terrible hatred of the queen's was a misfortune for the whole
+feathered race, not only for those which lived at large in the woods
+and groves, but even for those which were kept in the court-yards and
+houses. No feathered creature was to be found in the capital city,
+nor in the vicinity of the royal residence; for the people thought to
+pay court to the queen, and to win her favour, by imitating her
+caprices. There was a destruction of the feathered tribe, like another
+slaughter of the innocents. How many thousand canaries, goldfinches,
+linnets, and nightingales; nay, even how many parrots and cockatoos,
+from the East and West Indies, had their necks wrung! Discordant, or
+melodious throats, the chattering, and the silent, were all menaced
+with one fate; it became a crime to be born either a goose, or a
+turkey, or a hen; and the common domestic fowls grew as scarce as
+Chinese golden pheasants. If the queen had waged such war against the
+feathered race for another ten years, they would have quite died out
+of the country. Indeed, not only were all the birds murdered, but
+scarcely did a human being now take a walk in the wood, for fear of
+being suspected of going thither in hopes to hear the song of a bird.
+
+And thus it was, that no one ever heard the wondrous song of the
+little nightingale, except here and there a solitary sportsman, and
+these never spoke of it, lest they should be punished by the queen for
+not having shot it. And indeed, to the honour of the foresters it must
+be said, that most of them followed their own good disposition, and
+seldom shot any little bird, but they were obliged to fire through the
+forest till it rang again. And this prevented any singing, and indeed
+many birds withdrew from it altogether, on account of the incessant
+noise, and never returned. The little nightingale, however, whom
+heaven especially protected, so that she escaped all the plots against
+her life, could not forsake the green forest behind the castle, where,
+in her childhood, she had played, and skipped about, so that although
+she flew away as soon as the bugles sounded, and the halloos and
+hurrahs echoed through the wood, she always returned again. And
+although her little songs, as coming from a sad heart, were, for the
+most part, melancholy and plaintive, still it was pleasing to her to
+live so amongst the green trees, and gay flowers, and to sing
+something sweet to the moon and stars; and she was unhappy only during
+a few months in the year. This was the season when autumn approached,
+and she was obliged to go with the other nightingales into foreign
+climes until the return of spring.
+
+The little feathered princess confined herself then mostly to the
+trees and meadows where she had sported as a child; or in later years,
+with companions of her own age, had twined wreaths and garlands; or
+in the happiest days of her life, had wandered in those solitudes with
+her beloved. Her favourite haunt was a spot where grew a thick green
+oak, which spread over a murmuring rivulet, and which served as a
+covert for the soft whispers of their love. In this place she often
+saw the wolf, who was also led thither by a dim feeling of the past,
+but she knew not that it was her unfortunate brother. Yet she grew
+attached to him, because he so often lay down and listened to her song
+as though he understood it; and she often pitied him for being a harsh
+and wild wolf, that could not flutter from bough to bough, like
+herself and other little birds. But now I must also tell of a man,
+who, in that solitary forest, was often a listener to the little
+nightingale. This man was the eastern prince, her destined bridegroom
+when she was yet a princess.
+
+Whilst the old king yet lived, he loved this prince beyond all other
+men, because of his virtues and valour, and on his death-bed had
+recommended him to the queen as her counsellor and helper in all
+difficulties and dangers, and especially as a brave and experienced
+warrior. On this account, after the king's death, he had remained
+about the queen, solely for love of the departed. But he soon
+perceived that the queen hated him, and was even plotting against his
+life, so he suddenly withdrew from her court, and left the country.
+She, however, caused him to be pursued as a traitor and a fugitive,
+and sent forth a decree, proclaiming him an outlaw, by which every one
+was empowered to slay him, and bring his head, on which a high price
+was set, to the royal castle. But he escaped to his father's land,
+which lay many hundred miles to the east of the queen's palace, and
+there dwelt with him. Still in his heart, he found no rest, and his
+grief for his vanished princess never subsided. A wonderful thing also
+came upon him, for once every year he disappeared, without any one
+being able to discover whither he went. He then saddled his horse,
+clad himself in obscure-looking armour, and rode off so that no one
+could trace his path. He felt himself impelled to enter the country of
+the queen who had outlawed him, and to visit that forest wherein the
+princess had disappeared. This powerful impulse seized him annually,
+just before the time when the princess had vanished, and he rode
+through wild, desolate, and remote places, until he reached the
+well-known spots, where he had once wandered with his betrothed. The
+green oak by the rivulet, was also his favourite place. There he
+passed fourteen nights in tears, and prayers, and lamentations for
+his beloved; by day, however, he concealed himself in the neighbouring
+thicket. There he had often seen and heard the little nightingale, and
+taken delight in her wonderful, and almost bird-surpassing song.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Yet they knew nought of each other; and although the little bird
+always felt sadness, and longing in her heart, when the knight had
+ridden away, still she knew not wherefore, and her deep and
+languishing Tin! Tin! still resounded in his heart when he had
+returned to his father-land. It was, however, with him, as with most
+other men who love, or do something mysterious, which puzzles all
+around them, he was not conscious of his own secret. That he was
+impelled each year to ride stealthily away he knew full well--but
+wherefore he was so impelled, he knew not at all.
+
+Now a long time had passed since the death of the king, and it was
+already the sixth year since the royal children had disappeared, and
+the queen lived in splendour and enjoyments, and caused the beasts to
+be hunted, and the birds to be shot, and was no less harsh and cruel
+to her subjects than to the wild inhabitants of the woods. She fancied
+herself almost omnipotent, and thought her good fortune and power
+would have no end. Still, ever since that day, she had never entered
+the forest, a secret terror had always withheld her. She, however, did
+not allow herself to dwell upon it, nor did she perceive that a magic
+spell was the real cause.
+
+Now it came to pass that she had appointed a grand festival and
+banquet, to which were invited all the princes and princesses of the
+kingdom, and all the nobles and all the principal officials. In the
+afternoon a grand wolf hunt was to take place in the forest, at which
+the princes intreated her to be present. She hesitated a long while
+under all kinds of pretences, but at last she allowed herself to be
+persuaded. She, however, placed herself in a very high chariot, and
+bade three of her bravest warriors, completely armed, to seat
+themselves beside her. She also commanded several hundred armed
+outriders to keep before and behind and by the side of the chariot,
+and a long train of carriages, full of lords and ladies, followed. The
+wolf was never out of her thoughts, but she said to herself: "Let the
+wolf come; nay, let a hundred wolves even come, this brave company
+will soon make an end of them." Thus does providence blind even the
+most far-seeing and cunning when they are ripe for punishment; for it
+had been foretold to her by other masters of her godless art, that she
+must beware of the sixth year. But of that she thought not then.
+
+And it was a fair and cheerful spring day, and they went out into the
+forests with trumpets and horns, and the steeds neighed and the arms
+clashed, and the naked swords and spears glittered in the sun; but the
+queen outshone them all in her most splendid attire and all her
+jewels, as she sat enthroned in her high chariot. Already the chase
+had commenced with loud huzzas and hurrahs, and the clanging horns of
+the hunters and the baying of the dogs. Then a lion rushed before
+them followed by a boar; but they did not fear, and every man stood
+firm at his post, and they struck down the monsters. But ere long came
+a still more dreadful beast, which filled them all with alarm. A
+tremendous wolf rushed from the thicket upon the green plain, and
+howled so awfully, that hunters, dogs, and riders, all took flight.
+The wolf ran like an arrow from a bow; nay, he did not run, but flew
+between the men and horses, and not one of these remembered that he
+was armed with a bow, and a spear, and a sword, so dreadful was the
+aspect of the monster, and so terrifically did he open his foaming
+jaws. The queen, who saw him making towards her chariot, shrieked
+"Help! help!" The women screamed and fainted, many a man cowardly did
+the same. No one thought of obstructing the wolf's course, and with
+one spring, he threw himself on the chariot, tore from it the proud
+woman, and dyed his teeth and jaws in her blood. All the rest had
+fled, or stood at bay.
+
+And oh, wonder! when they endeavoured to rally their courage in order
+to attack, the wolf was no more to be seen, but where he had just
+stood appeared the form of a handsome and armed young man! The men
+were astonished at the magic change, but some brandished their weapons
+as though they would attack him as a second monster. Then suddenly an
+ancient lord came forward from among them, the chancellor of the
+kingdom, and forbade them, crying aloud, "By my grey hairs I charge
+you, men, hold off! You know not whom you would strike;" and before
+they could collect their thoughts he lay prostrate on the ground
+before the young man and kissed his knees and hands, saying, "Welcome,
+thou noble blossom of a noble sire, who again art risen in thy beauty!
+And rejoice, oh nation; the son of thy lawful king is returned, and he
+is now your king!"
+
+At these words many hastened round and recognised the prince, and
+hailed him as their lord, and then the rest followed their example.
+They were full of terror, and astonishment, and joy, all at once, and
+thought no more of the demolished queen nor of the wolf; for that the
+prince had been the wolf they had no idea.
+
+The young king desired them all to follow him to his father's castle;
+he also stopped the chase, and the horns and trumpets which just
+before had disturbed the woods, now resounded before him to celebrate
+his happy return. And when again he was within, and looked down from
+his father's turrets, tears filled his eyes, and he wept both in joy
+and sorrow; for he remembered now all his trouble and thought of the
+bitter past, which lay upon him like a heavy dream. Then suddenly all
+grew clear in his mind, and he was able to relate to the chancellor
+and the nobles of the kingdom what had befallen him, and that only by
+the heart's blood of the old wicked witch, who was called his
+step-mother and their queen, could he be restored to his own form. The
+report of this astonishing wonder immediately circulated through the
+city and amongst the whole nation; and they all rejoiced that their
+beloved king's son was restored to them, and that the queen, whom they
+hated, had been torn in pieces by the fangs of the wolf which she
+herself had created.
+
+But as the prince gradually came to himself, and bethought himself of
+all that had occurred, it lay heavy on his heart where his beloved
+sister, the Princess Aurora, might be, and whether she also were
+concealed within the skin of some animal, or feathery covering. Then
+he remembered her melancholy bridal day. And he enquired of every one
+about her; but all were silent, for none could give him any
+information. Then he again became sad and full of care, but this care
+and sadness were soon changed into joy.
+
+For when all the noise of the wolf-chase took place, the poor prince
+from the East was just then lying concealed in his thicket, and the
+charming little nightingale was silent, and hidden amongst the green
+leaves of her oak. But a mysterious sensation shot through her little
+heart as soon as the thirsty fangs of the wolf, her brother, were
+bathed in the queen's blood.
+
+Now when the chase was over, and the forest again was still, and the
+sun had set, the prince came out of his dark recess, and leant sadly
+against the stem of the green oak, wetting the grass with his tears,
+as was his nightly custom; and his heart seemed more than usually
+oppressed with sorrow. The little bird in the branches, however, began
+to sing to him, as was her wont, and he fancied that she sang
+differently from before, and with more enigmatical significance, and
+almost in a human voice. And a shudder came over him, and in great
+agitation he exclaimed, looking up amongst the branches:--"Little
+bird, little bird, tell me, canst thou speak?"
+
+And the little nightingale answered yes, just as human beings are wont
+to answer, and wondered at herself that she was able to speak, and
+for joy she began to weep, and for a long time was silent. Then again
+she opened her little beak, and related to the man, in an audible
+human voice, the whole history of her transformation, and that of her
+brother, and by what a miracle he had again become a man. For in a
+moment all had become clear in her mind, as if a spirit had whispered
+it all to her.
+
+The man exulted in his heart when he heard her tale, and he reflected
+much within him, and revolved many a plan; and the little bird
+frolicked and flew confidingly around him; yet although she now knew
+her own history, and what had occurred so well, she knew not in the
+least who he was. And he enticed the little bird, and caressed it, and
+fondled it, and intreated it to come with him, and he would place it
+in a garden where bloomed eternal spring, and where no falcon ever
+entered, and no one ever fired a shot. That would be far pleasanter
+than to flutter about in wild thickets, and have to tremble at the
+thought of winter, and of hunters and birds of prey. But the little
+bird would hear nothing of it, and praised freedom and her green oak,
+and twittered, and sang, and fluttered round the man, who took no
+heed, for he seemed plunged in other thoughts.
+
+But see what were his thoughts! For before the little bird was aware,
+the man had caught her by her little feet, and hastily made off, threw
+himself on his horse, and flew full gallop as if pursued by a tempest
+to an inn which he knew in the city, not far from the castle, took
+there a solitary chamber, and shut himself up in it with his little
+bird. When the little bird saw him take out the key, and give other
+signs of its being her prison, she began to weep bitterly, and to
+implore him to let her fly; for she felt quite oppressed and wretched
+in the closed room, and could not but think of her green trees, and
+her cherished liberty. But the man took no notice of her tears and
+supplications, and would not let her fly.
+
+Then the little bird grew angry, and began to transform herself into
+various shapes, in order to terrify the man, that he might open the
+doors and windows, and be glad that she should fly away. So she became
+in succession a tiger and lion, an otter, a snake, a scorpion, a
+tarantula, and at last a frightful dragon, which flew upon the man
+with poisonous tongue. But none of these frightened him in the least,
+but he kept his determination, and the little bird had all her trouble
+for nothing, and was obliged to become a bird again.
+
+And the man stood in deep thought, for something he had read in
+ancient tales came into his mind. So he drew a knife from his pocket,
+and cut a gash in the little finger of his left hand, where the
+heart's blood flows most vigorously. And he smeared the blood on the
+little head and body of the bird, which he had no sooner done than the
+miracle was completed.
+
+That very moment the little bird became a most lovely maiden, and the
+prince lay at her feet and kissed her hand, respectfully and
+submissively. The nightingale had now become the Princess Aurora, and
+recognised in the man her bridegroom, the prince from the land of the
+East. She was quite as young and beautiful as she was six years
+before, at the time of her transformation. For it is a peculiarity of
+transformations that the years during which persons are transformed do
+not add to their age, but a thousand years do not count for more than
+a second.
+
+It is easy to imagine the joy of the pair; for when two loving hearts
+which have remained faithful to each other, meet again, after a long
+time, that is truly the greatest joy on earth. But they did not linger
+long together, but caused the king to be informed that two foreign
+princes from a distant land had arrived at his court, and requested
+his royal hospitality. Then the king went out to welcome them, and
+recognised his beloved sister Aurora, and his dear friend the prince
+from the land of the East, and was overjoyed; and the nation rejoiced
+with him, that all was restored as before, and that the kingdom no
+longer belonged to strangers.
+
+After a few days he set the royal crown upon his head, and began to
+govern in his father's stead. He celebrated his sister's nuptials with
+the greatest magnificence, and there was dancing and feasting and
+knightly games. She and the prince also received from him a noble
+establishment both of land and attendants, so that they were able to
+live almost like kings. Aurora had, however, begged her brother to
+give her the wood, wherein as a bird she had fluttered through so many
+cheerful, and also sorrowful days, and this he willingly granted her.
+She built there a stately royal castle by the stream where she had so
+often sat and sung, and the thick green oak came into the centre of
+the palace-garden, and flourished yet many a year after her, so that
+her posterity still played beneath its shadow. She, however, caused a
+command to be issued that the wood should to all times be left in its
+natural majesty; she also gave peace to all little singing-birds, and
+forbade, in the strongest manner, traps or snares to be set within
+those sacred precincts, or that the little creatures should be
+molested in any way. And her brother reigned as a great and pious
+king, and she and her brave husband lived in happy love till they
+arrived at a snow-white age, and saw their children's children around
+them, till at length, accompanied by the blessing of God and men, they
+sank softly to sleep. It has been a custom ever since, amongst their
+children and descendants, that the eldest prince of their house should
+be christened Rossignol, and the eldest princess Philomela; for she
+desired to establish a pious recollection through all times of the
+marvellous misfortune that befel her when she was transformed into a
+nightingale. For Rossignol means, in fact, Rose-bird--the nightingales
+sing chiefly in the rose season--and Philomela, friend of song. The
+word nightingale means, however, songstress of the night, and this is
+the best of all.
+
+
+
+
+THE ENCHANTED CROW.
+
+[Polish.]
+
+
+In a royal palace dwelt, once upon a time, three fair sisters, all
+equally young and pretty; the youngest, however, although not at all
+more beautiful than the two elder, was the best and most amiable of
+them all.
+
+About half a mile distant from the palace, stood another lordly
+dwelling, but which had then fallen into decay, although it still
+could boast of a beautiful garden. In this garden the youngest
+princess took great pleasure to wander.
+
+Once as she was walking up and down between the lime trees, a black
+crow hopped from under a rose-bush. The poor bird was all mutilated
+and bloody, and the princess was moved with compassion for him. The
+crow no sooner perceived this than he broke out into the following
+discourse:--
+
+"No black crow am I by birth, but an unhappy prince, suffering under a
+malediction, and doomed to pass my years in this miserable condition.
+If thou wilt, oh youthful princess, thou canst rescue me. But to do
+so, thou must resolve to be ever my companion, to forsake thy sisters,
+and to live in this castle. There is a habitable chamber in it,
+wherein stands a golden bed; in that chamber thou must live in
+solitude. But forget not, that whatsoever thou mayest see and hear by
+night, thou must let no cry of fear escape thee; for if thou shouldst
+utter but one single moan my tortures will be doubled."
+
+The kind-hearted princess did forsake her father and sisters, and
+hastened to the castle; and there dwelt in the chamber which contained
+the golden bed. She was so full of anxious thought that she could not
+sleep. As midnight drew near she heard, to her no small terror, some
+one creeping in. The door opened wide, and a whole band of evil
+spirits entered the chamber. They kindled a great fire on the hearth,
+and placed over it a large cauldron, full of boiling water. With great
+noise and loud cries they approached the bed, tore from it the
+trembling maiden, and dragged her to the cauldron.
+
+She was almost dead from fear, but she uttered no sound. Then suddenly
+the cock crew, and all vanished. The crow immediately appeared, and
+hopped joyfully about the room, and thanked the princess for her
+courageous behaviour, for the sufferings of the unhappy bird were
+already lessened.
+
+One of her elder sisters, who had much curiosity in her disposition,
+having heard of this, came to visit the princess in her ruined castle.
+She besought her so earnestly, that the kind-hearted maiden at length
+permitted her to pass one night beside her, in the golden bed. When
+the evil spirits appeared as usual about midnight, the elder sister
+shrieked aloud from fear, and immediately the cry of a bird in pain
+was heard.
+
+The young sister from that time never received the visits of either of
+her sisters. Thus did she live; solitary by day, and suffering by
+night the most terrible alarm from the evil spirits; but the crow came
+daily to her, and thanked her for her endurance, assuring her that his
+dreadful sufferings were greatly mitigated.
+
+Thus had passed two years, when the crow came to her, and thus
+addressed her:--
+
+"In one year more I shall be delivered from the punishment to which I
+am condemned; for then seven years will have passed over my head. But
+before I can re-assume my real form, and gain possession of my
+treasures, thou must go out into the wide world, and become a
+servant."
+
+Obedient to the will of her betrothed, the young princess served for a
+whole year as a maid, and notwithstanding her youth and beauty, she
+escaped all the snares laid for her by the ill-disposed.
+
+One evening while she was spinning flax, and her white hands were
+wearied with work, she heard a rustling, and an exclamation of joy. A
+handsome young man entered her presence, knelt before her, and kissed
+the little weary white hands.
+
+"It is I," cried he, "I am the prince, whom thou, by thy goodness,
+whilst I wandered in the form of a black crow, didst deliver from the
+most dreadful tortures. Return with me now to my castle, there will we
+live together in happiness."
+
+They went together to the castle where she had undergone so much
+terror. The palace was, however, no longer recognisable, it was so
+improved and adorned, and in it did they dwell together for a hundred
+happy and joyous years.
+
+
+
+
+THE DRAGON-GIANT AND HIS STONE-STEED.
+
+[Russian.]
+
+
+Not one amongst the numerous wives of Vladimir the Great was
+comparable in beauty to the Bulgarian Princess Milolika. Her eyes
+resembled those of the falcon; the fur of the sable was not more
+glossy than her eyebrows, and her breast was whiter than snow.
+
+She had been carried off by robbers of the Volga, from the vicinity of
+Boogord, the capital of her native country, and on account of her rare
+beauty they deemed her worthy to be a wife of the great monarch. They
+therefore conducted her to Kiev, the residence of the mighty Vladimir,
+and presented her to him. Vladimir, a good judge of female charms, the
+moment he beheld her, was enchanted by the surpassing beauty of the
+Bulgarian princess, and in a short time his love for her became so
+great that he made her his consort, and dismissed all his other
+wives. The proud heart of the king's daughter was touched by this
+proof of his affection, and she rewarded his tenderness with
+reciprocal and true love.
+
+The life of Vladimir was now one of great happiness. His conquests had
+procured him riches in superfluity; a long period of peace had
+augmented the prosperity of his country; his subjects loved him as
+their father; and the tenderness of Milolika made earth seem to him as
+heaven.
+
+One day as in company with his consort and his Bojars, he sat in the
+golden chamber by his oaken table, holding a festival in memory of a
+victory over the Greeks, the sound of a warrior's horn was heard at a
+distance. The rejoicings in the lofty hall suddenly ceased. The
+monarch and the Bojars cast their eyes to the ground, full of thought
+and heaviness. Sw�torad alone, the spirited Voivode of Kiev, started
+up from the table, and leaving his goblet undrained, approached the
+great monarch. "Thou art," spake he, as he bent low before him, "thou
+art our father and our lord, thou art the child of renown: wherefore
+sinks thy head? Why does the sound of the warrior's horn make thy
+heart heavy? Even if it be a hostile knight who now appears before
+the capital, hast thou not enough brave heroes to confront any foe?
+Away then! Send forth thy heralds to demand who dares to defy the
+country of the Russians?"
+
+Vladimir looked friendly upon the gallant Sw�torad, and thus replied
+to his address: "I thank thee for thy zeal, good Sw�torad; but my
+anxiety does not arise from fear. I have defeated hosts, made myself
+master of fortified cities, and overthrown kings: how should I know
+fear? But it was my desire henceforth to preserve to my subjects the
+blessing of peace, and that alone is the cause that this challenge to
+combat makes me sorrowful. If however it must be so, I will defend my
+country and myself. Go and send heralds to demand who dares to come
+forth against Kiev, to challenge Vladimir to battle?"
+
+The brave Sw�torad immediately sent forth two heralds, who sprang upon
+their horses and rushed to the open plain, where they at once beheld a
+monstrous tent, before which a horse of unusual size was grazing. As
+soon as the horse perceived them, he stamped upon the ground, and
+cried aloud in a human voice: "Awake powerful son of the dragon,
+Tugarin awake! Kiev sends heralds to thee."
+
+This marvel considerably astounded the heralds, and their amazement
+was increased when they beheld issuing from the tent a giant of the
+most monstrous kind, beneath whose footsteps the earth resounded. Yet
+they did not lose their composure, but discharged their commission as
+beseemed them well. "Who art thou?" cried they, after they had
+courteously bent before him. "Who art thou, bold youth from a foreign
+land? What is thy name, and how stands thy report in thy father-land?
+Art thou a Czar, or a Czarewitsch? A king or a king's son? We are sent
+by the invincible prince of Kiev, the son of renown, by Vladimir, to
+ask thee why thou darest to advance against Kiev?--how thou darest to
+challenge him to combat?"
+
+The questions displeased the giant, and he fell into fierce wrath.
+Lightning flashed from his eyes, his nose sent forth sparks, and he
+addressed the heralds in a voice of thunder: "Contemptible wights, how
+dare ye to put such questions to me? The herald's staff alone protects
+you from my fury. Return, and tell your prince that I am come to fetch
+his head, in order to carry it to the great king, Trewul, of Bulgaria,
+who is wrath with him, for the abduction of his sister Milolika. Tell
+him, that nought can save him; neither the summit of the mountain,
+nor the darkness of the forest, and that he cannot redeem his head by
+gold, nor by silver, by jewels, nor by pearls. What I am called, and
+what my report is in my country, it needs not that you should know;
+sufficient, that I show you what I can perform." At these words, he
+grasped an enormous stone, which lay near the tent, and flung it with
+such force into the air, that it resembled a little speck.
+
+Full of terror, the heralds returned to Kiev, and presenting
+themselves before the monarch, related what they had seen and heard.
+When Milolika heard that the horse had called the stranger knight
+Tugarin, Son of the Dragon, she grew pale, and a stream of tears
+bedewed her cheeks. "Ah," cried she, "beloved husband, we are lost!
+Nought can save us, but our flight to the sacred Bug. Tugarin is an
+invincible enchanter. His magic power ceases only on the shores of the
+Bug. Thither let us fly."[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: The river Bug was especially held sacred by the
+Slavonians, and its waters possessed the power to destroy all kinds of
+magic.]
+
+Vladimir endeavoured to re-assure his consort. He represented to her
+that the brave warriors, and the walls of the impregnable Kiev, would
+afford them sufficient protection; but Milolika was not to be
+comforted. "Thou knowest not, beloved husband," said she, sobbing and
+crying, "how dangerous is this giant, Tugarin, to me and my family,
+and how bitterly he must hate thee, since he was my betrothed, and
+awaited my hand." Vladimir besought Milolika to explain to him this
+enigma, and she related the following:--
+
+"I am the daughter of the Bulgarian king, Bogoris, and of the princess
+Kuridana. My birth-place is the city Shikotin, where my parents were
+wont to pass the summer months. As this city lies on the banks of the
+Volga, it offers great facilities for fishing, a diversion to which my
+mother was extremely partial.
+
+"Once, when my father was fighting against a neighbouring nation, my
+mother endeavoured to while away her grief at his absence by her
+accustomed diversion, and caused the nets to be spread in the Volga.
+The fish were very plentiful, and a great number of barks and boats
+covered the river, amongst which, the vessel in which my mother was
+embarked, was distinguishable by its magnificence and elegance.
+Surrounded by her ladies, and her body-guard, Kuridana stood in the
+centre of the vessel, and beheld with pleasure the spectacle of the
+fishery, when suddenly a mountain, that was situated on the other side
+of the river, burst with a tremendous crash. Every eye was directed
+to the spot, and they saw issue from the aperture, a man of rude, and
+terrific aspect, seated on a car of shining steel drawn by two winged
+horses. He directed his course towards the river, and when he reached
+the water, the steel car rolled over the waves, as if they had been
+firm land. When it was perceived that he was bending his way to my
+mother's bark, heralds were dispatched in a boat, to inquire why he
+presumed to approach the princess without permission. But the fierce
+being, who was a powerful and malignant enchanter, did not permit the
+unfortunate heralds to discharge their commission. As they began to
+speak, he blew upon their boat, overset it, and all who were in it
+were buried beneath the waves. At this melancholy sight, my mother's
+attendants seized their bows, and discharged a shower of arrows
+against the intruder; but in vain, for the arrows rebounded from him,
+and fell shivered into the water.
+
+"The greatest amazement now seized all present, for they became
+petrified when the magician with a single word, bound every boat, with
+its crew, so that they stood motionless, whilst he, with outstretched
+arms, hastened towards my mother, and endeavoured to remove her into
+his car. But some unseen power crippled all his efforts. Each time he
+endeavoured to seize Kuridana, his arms sank powerless, and he was, at
+length, obliged to desist from the vain enterprise. He then sprang
+into the bark, cast himself on his knees before her, and in the most
+moving, and earnest expressions, besought her love. He promised her
+all the treasures of the world, and the highest earthly happiness, if
+she would reward his vehement love with reciprocal affection, or only
+lay aside the talisman which she wore upon her breast. This talisman,
+which now preserved her, she had received at her birth from a
+beneficent enchantress, and as she well knew its force, she had drawn
+it out of the case where she usually concealed it, and held it before
+his eyes.
+
+"Then the evil one trembled so violently, that at last, as if stricken
+by lightning, he fell to the ground, and not until Kuridana had again
+enclosed the talisman, did he recover from his insensibility. He then
+sprang up, and mounted his steel car, uttering the most fearful
+threats, 'Think not,' cried he, foaming with shame and rage, 'think
+not to escape my hands; I will possess thee, and will force Bogoris
+himself, by the most dreadful devastation of his country, to yield
+thee to me. Behold, I swear by Tschernobog,[2] that I will either,
+slay, or gain possession of thee. Thou shalt see me soon again,' With
+these words he disappeared.
+
+[Footnote 2: Tschernobog was the evil spirit of the Slavonians, and no
+one could swear more solemnly, than by Tschernobog.]
+
+"Kuridana then left the spot, and not believing herself secure in
+Shikotin, retired to the strong city of Boogord, where she awaited, in
+great anxiety, the result of this alarming adventure.
+
+"The very next morning, appeared on the plain before the capital city,
+a dreadful two-headed monster, of that dragon species which, in the
+language of my country, is called Sylant. It devoured herbs, and
+flocks, and men, and devastated the surrounding country with its
+poisonous breath. In a short time, the region round Boogord became a
+desert, and many brave warriors, who sought to free their country of
+this demon, fell victims to their patriotism and valour. The Sylant
+appeared each morning before the walls, and bellowed out with a
+fearful voice,: 'Bogoris, give me Kuridana, or I will make thy country
+a desert!'
+
+"No sooner did my father hear of the misfortune which menaced his
+people, and his beloved Kuridana, than he left his career of victory,
+and hastened to the capital. What were his feelings when he beheld
+the misery which the monster had spread over his land! But greater
+bitterness still awaited him, for when the first tempest of joy and
+grief, which his return had excited in the hearts of all, and
+especially in that of Kuridana, had subsided, this noble-minded
+princess proposed herself as a willing sacrifice for the king, and the
+good Bulgarians. 'No!' cried Bogoris, 'sooner will I perish, than lose
+thee. I will combat the Dragon. Perhaps the Gods will grant me
+victory, and if I am vanquished in the fight, at least I shall die for
+thee, and for my country,' The most generous dispute now arose between
+the magnanimous pair, and finally they agreed to appeal to the
+decision of the magnates of the empire, who should decide the dispute.
+
+"The king assembled them, and when they had heard Kuridana's
+resolution, they loaded her with panegyrics, and expressions of
+gratitude. 'Thy magnanimous sacrifice alone, Kuridana,' said the
+eldest of the assembly, an aged man, of a hundred years, 'can rescue
+us and Bulgaria. For, supposing that Bogoris were to fight with the
+Sylant, and fall, would not our misfortune be greater still? No,
+Prince! thou must preserve thyself for thy people, in order to heal
+the wounds which the Dragon has inflicted. Kuridana alone can save
+us.' All the magnates coincided with the old man, and Bogoris was in
+despair.
+
+"It was morning, and the dreadful words: 'Bogoris, give me thy wife!'
+at that moment resounded round the palace. Kuridana courageously
+arose, embraced her speechless husband, and bade him an eternal
+farewell.
+
+"At the words '_for ever_,' Bogoris sank senseless on the ground.
+Manly as his heart had been up to that hour, it could not endure
+separation from the beloved Kuridana. The high-minded wife bedewed him
+with her tears, but at length, turning to the nobles, who stood round
+her weeping, she said: 'Lead me where you will. I am prepared to
+endure everything for my husband and my country,' They now
+reverentially supported her trembling steps, and conducted her as
+rapidly as her weak state permitted, to the front of the city.
+
+"Meanwhile the altars smoked with incense, and both priests and people
+supplicated for the deliverance of their noble princess.
+
+"Shortly after the magnates had left the palace with Kuridana, Bogoris
+came to himself, and when he perceived that he was alone, he guessed
+his misfortune, and his despair knew no bounds. He drew his sword,
+and was in the act of piercing his breast with it, in order not to
+survive Kuridana, when a matron of beautiful and majestic aspect stood
+before him, staid his hand, and thus addressed him:
+
+"'What, Bogoris! Dost thou despair?--Be tranquil; the Sylant has no
+power to harm Kuridana. The talisman which she wears on her breast,
+will, at all times, and under all circumstances, mock his power. I am
+the enchantress Dobrada, the protectress of thy wife, she who, as thou
+knewest, hung the talisman around her immediately on her birth. But it
+is not now requisite that I should reveal to thee the causes which
+induced me to provide her with that shield against danger. Enough,
+that I foresaw at her birth that she would have much to fear from the
+love of a powerful sorcerer, called Sarragur. And because I am ever
+willing to do all the good I can, I hung around her this talisman,
+which protects her from his utmost power, and will now defend her from
+the Sylant, who is no other than Sarragur himself. For, when he
+perceived that I was opposed to his passion, and had taken Kuridana
+under my protection, he sought to avenge himself on me, by every kind
+of secret mischief, so that I was at length obliged to chastise him.
+By my superior power, I enclosed him within a mountain by the Volga,
+and bound his fate by the most awful spell, which even Tschernobog
+respects, to a golden fish, which I sank in the depths of the Volga.
+By this spell, Sarragur was to remain in his subterranean prison until
+some mortal should draw up the golden fish; and should he ever thus
+obtain his freedom, he could then never transform himself into an evil
+and noxious animal, except on the condition that he should never again
+resume his own form, and should perish shortly after the
+transformation. It chanced that a sturgeon swallowed the golden fish,
+and this sturgeon was caught on the very day when Kuridana was
+diverting herself with the fishery. Sarragur thus became free, and the
+first use he made of his freedom was to endeavour to carry off
+Kuridana, whom he still loved with unabated passion.
+
+"'When this attempt was baffled by the power of the talisman, and
+still more, when he perceived Kuridana's aversion for him, he became
+furious, and transformed himself into the Sylant, although he knew
+what must be the consequences. Madman, his hour is come, and thou,
+Bogoris, art destined to destroy him. Receive from my hands the sword
+of the renowned Egyptian king, Sesostris. It possesses the wonderful
+power of destroying every spell, and with it thou wilt overpower the
+sorcerer, though he should summon all the powers of hell to succour
+him. Only, mark what I am now about to say. In order to extirpate
+Sarragur, and every remembrance of him from the earth, thou must cut
+off both the heads of the Sylant by one stroke. If thou succeed not in
+doing this, and hewest off but one head, the sorcerer, it is true,
+will lose his life, but he will escape to his cavern, where, before he
+expires, he will lay an egg, in which will be enclosed all his magic
+power, and from the head hewn off, will arise a horse of stone, which
+shall receive life at the moment the bad spirits shall have hatched
+the egg, and from this egg will issue the giant Tugarin, who, one day,
+will be formidable to thy children. For, not only will he inherit from
+his father the entire power to work evil, whereby so much misery has
+befallen thee and thy land, but he will also love thy daughter as
+fiercely as Sarragur loves thy wife. Thy son Trewul will refuse him
+his sister's hand, and then he will desolate the country, until
+Milolika's hand is promised to him. He also is to be conquered by no
+other weapon than the sword of the wise Sesostris, and a knight who
+shall live without having been born, is destined to slay him. After
+thy victory over the Sylant, hang up the sword in thy armoury amongst
+the other swords there, and at the appointed time fate will give it
+into the hands destined wield it. Of that which I have now told thee,
+reveal not a word, except to thy wife, and she may hereafter repeat it
+to her daughter.'
+
+"Having uttered these words, Dobrada shrouded herself in a
+rose-coloured cloud, and disappeared. Heavenly perfumes filled the
+chamber, and Bogoris felt that all sorrow had vanished from his soul.
+Hastily he vaulted on his horse, and rushed to deliver his wife and
+his country from the fell sorcerer.
+
+"When he reached the plain, he beheld the efforts of the Sylant to
+grasp Kuridana, and how he was impeded by the talisman, from coming
+close to her. Bogoris immediately unsheathed his sword, and flew upon
+the monster. When the Sylant perceived his antagonist, he sent forth
+fire streams from both his jaws, which, however, were rendered
+innocuous by the sword of Sesostris. In order to bring the combat to a
+speedy conclusion, Bogoris aimed a powerful stroke at the heads of the
+monster, which would assuredly have separated both from the trunk, and
+so have extirpated the sorcerer and all remembrance of him from the
+earth, if the Sylant, at the very moment the stroke fell, had not
+soared into the air. By this movement, he saved one head. The other
+rolled on the ground, and immediately became stone. Awfully bellowing,
+the impure being flew to his cavern. Bogoris pursued, but in vain; the
+Sylant disappeared in the mountain by the Volga, which immediately
+closed on him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"My father regretted that he had not succeeded in entirely
+annihilating the sorcerer and all his brood; but joy at having
+delivered his beloved wife and his country, soon prevailed over
+sorrow. He committed the future to the Gods, and after he had revealed
+to my mother the predictions of the good enchantress, he hung up the
+sword of Sesostris in his armoury.
+
+"My parents passed the remainder of their lives in uninterrupted peace
+and content. When I was grown up, my mother related to me her history,
+and at the same time revealed to me what awaited me through the giant
+Tugarin. She then hung round me the talisman which she had received
+from Dobrada. Shortly after this both my parents died. After their
+death I lived several years with my brother in undisturbed
+tranquillity, till one day the report arose of a wonderful phenomenon
+of nature, which was to be seen in the vicinity of the capital. The
+king, my brother, went thither, and I accompanied him. They showed us
+a stone which daily increased in size, and was assuming the form of an
+enormous horse. Everybody marvelled at this sport of Nature, as they
+called it; but I remembered Dobrada's predictions, and doubted not
+that the hour of Tugarin's birth, and of my misfortunes, was arrived.
+Whilst I was still thinking on it, we were alarmed by an earthquake.
+The neighbouring Sylant Mount,--for from the time the Sylant had
+escaped thither, it had borne that name,--opened, and a giant of
+monstrous size stepped forth. He strode across the Volga, and went
+straight to the stone horse. The moment he laid his hand on it, it
+became animated. The giant sprang upon it, and dashed towards me. He
+tried to seize me, but quickly drew back his robber hands, as if they
+had been burnt. The power of the talisman withstood him. He then
+turned towards my brother, and cried out in dreadful tones:--'Hear,
+Trewul! I see that thy sister cannot be carried off by force, and
+therefore I require of thee to persuade her to give me her hand
+voluntarily. I give thee three days for consideration, and when they
+are expired, I either receive Milolika from thy hands, or I make thy
+country desolate.' After these terrible words he departed on his
+colossal steed, with the rapidity of lightning.
+
+"We returned heavy-hearted to the city, where my brother immediately
+assembled the council, and laid before it the giant's demand, and his
+threats. The counsellors were unanimously of opinion, that, as the
+princess was averse to giving her hand to the giant, an army must be
+sent against him, of sufficient force to set his menaces at nought.
+Ten thousand archers, and two thousand horsemen, in armour, were
+hastily collected, and on the dawn of the third day, were drawn out
+on the plain before the city, to await the giant. Tugarin soon
+appeared, and the Bulgarians at once discharged their arrows and darts
+at him, but they proved as powerless against him as formerly against
+his father. They rebounded from him as from a rock. At this attack,
+the giant broke forth with mingled rage and scorn:--'What,' bellowed
+he, 'does Trewul send troops against me? Must I then become his enemy?
+Woe to the helpless being!' And without further delay, he seized the
+horsemen and archers by the dozen, and swallowed them a dozen at a
+time, till not a man was left.
+
+"He then began to lay waste and destroy everything round the city. Men
+and cattle were all engulfed in the monster's insatiable maw. He
+shattered the dwellings of the inhabitants with his gigantic fists.
+Whole forests were uprooted by him, and the hoofs of his enormous
+horse trod down fields and meadows. At length my brother, in order to
+put a stop to the universal misery, resolved to sacrifice me. With
+bitter tears he announced to me that he knew no other means of saving
+himself and his country from destruction, than to promise my hand to
+the giant. I replied to him only by my tears, and he reluctantly sent
+an embassy to invite Tugarin to Boogord. He came. Proudly he advanced
+to the gate where Trewul and the nobles of the land awaited him. I was
+in despair. At length I bethought me of a means of escape. I agreed to
+bestow my hand on the giant, on condition that, through some
+beneficent power, he should first obtain the form and stature of an
+ordinary man. I trusted that this would not easily be done, and in the
+mean time I might be able to effect my escape. Tugarin, blinded by his
+love for me, did not hesitate to accept the condition, and swore by
+Tschernobog, that he would not require me to be delivered to him until
+my requisition was satisfied. He established himself in Boogord, and
+served my brother with great zeal. I soon found an opportunity of
+making my escape, and wandering a whole day without food, was at last
+taken by the robbers of the Volga, and brought to thy court.
+
+"You will now, my beloved husband," said Milolika, as she concluded
+her narration, "easily comprehend the danger which threatens you.
+Tugarin must hate thee, since thou art my husband. His power is great,
+and no one can vanquish him, except the knight who came unborn into
+the world, and no weapon can slay him, but the sword of the wise
+Sesostris. Thou and all thy brave heroes are powerless against him.
+Therefore, dear husband, let us flee. On the banks of the sacred Bug
+we shall be safe; no magic can operate there."
+
+This narration made the deepest impression on the heart of the prince;
+he could not, however, resolve to abandon his country in the hour of
+need, and besides, to fly before a single warrior, great as he might
+be, seemed still not a very honourable proceeding. "What!" exclaimed
+he, "shall the monarch before whom the East trembles, whose courage
+the whole world admires, shall he shrink in the moment of
+danger,--shall he, with all his might, flee before a single foe? No:
+sooner a hundred times will I die the most cruel death!" But with all
+this how was he to comfort Milolika? How was he to withstand the
+dreadful giant, seeing that he had not, unborn, beheld the light,
+neither did he possess the sword of the Egyptian king Sesostris? These
+difficulties weighed upon his soul. The first, however, he soon
+disposed of. He bethought himself that the lime with which the walls
+of Kiev were constructed, had been tempered with water from the sacred
+Bug, and consequently would prevent the giant from entering the city.
+This sufficed to tranquillise Milolika, who no longer insisted on
+flight, as she perceived that her beloved Vladimir was just as secure
+in Kiev, as he would be on the shores of the Bug. As far as she
+herself was concerned, the giant could avail nothing, since the power
+of the talisman would shield her from every danger. But still the
+thought of the combat with this giant, greatly disturbed the prince.
+"Where," said he, "is the unborn mortal who is destined, with the
+sword of Sesostris, to destroy the fell Tugarin?"
+
+Lo! suddenly a knight of bold and noble aspect, armed with a costly
+sword, and cased in shining armour, but without shield or lance, rode
+at full speed into the court of the palace. He sprang from his
+spirited steed, and gave him to his lusty squire. Then he proudly
+advanced up the steps, to the golden chamber of the great monarch, and
+addressed Vladimir as follows:--"My name is Dobr�n� Mikilitsch, and I
+come to serve thee."
+
+"Thou art welcome," replied Vladimir, "but how is it possible that
+thou hast escaped the giant Tugarin, who holds the road to Kiev in
+blockade?"
+
+"Tugarin!" rejoined the knight, "_I_ fear him!--already would I have
+laid his great head at thy feet, but that I desired to achieve that
+deed in thy presence."
+
+The monarch marvelled at the boldness of the stranger-youth, and
+inquired if he seriously intended to combat the giant.
+
+"Assuredly," said Dobr�n�, "and with that object am I come to Kiev."
+
+"But knowest thou not, that none can vanquish the giant, except only a
+knight who came into the world unborn?"
+
+"I know it," replied Dobr�n�, "and that knight am I!"
+
+"Hast thou, then, the sword of Sesostris?"
+
+"Behold it," said Dobr�n�, as he drew the sword from its scabbard,
+"and if thou wilt permit me, mighty prince, to relate to thee my
+history, thou wilt know that it is I who am appointed by destiny to
+rid the earth of the monster Tugarin."
+
+The monarch joyfully granted him permission, and Dobr�n� thus
+commenced:--
+
+"It is true that I had both a father and a mother, but not the less
+did I behold the light of the world without going through the process
+of being born. Shortly before my mother would have brought me forth,
+she was slain by robbers, during a journey she was making with my
+father, to visit a relation. My father being also killed, I must
+doubtless have perished, if the beneficent enchantress Dobrada, who
+was just then passing by, had not rescued me, and taken me under her
+protection. She carried me to the beautiful island, in the ocean,
+where she usually dwells, and brought me up with the greatest care.
+She nourished me with the milk of a lioness, bathed me several times a
+day in the waves of the ocean, and inured me by day and night to
+labour and privation. This mode of education rendered my body so
+strong, that in my tenth year, I was already able to tear up the
+strongest trees by the root. Six ancient men instructed me in all the
+six-and-twenty known languages, and in arms, wherein I made such
+progress, that in my fifteenth year I was able to parry at once all
+the six swords of my teachers. Dobrada recompensed me for my diligence
+with the shining armour I now wear, which possesses the virtue of
+protecting my body from every danger.
+
+"Shortly after that time, the enchantress whom I loved and honoured as
+a mother, thus addressed me:--'Dobr�n� Mikilitsch, thy education is
+completed, and it is time that in foreign lands thou shouldst by
+knightly deeds acquire renown and honour. Go forth: thou art destined
+for great things. It is not permitted to me to reveal all the future
+to thee; but thus much thou mayst know: thou wilt obtain possession of
+the wondrous sword of the wise Sesostris of Egypt. As soon as thou
+approachest it, the sword thou now wearest will fall of itself to the
+earth, and that of Sesostris will become agitated. Take possession of
+it in peace, for thou wilt require it, for a great service thou must
+render to him in whose armoury thou wilt find it; for with it thou
+wilt destroy a mighty sorcerer and giant, who has worked him much woe.
+Whatever else thou mayst require during thy travels,' continued she,
+'this ring will supply. Thou hast but to turn it three times on thy
+finger, in order to see every reasonable wish fulfilled.'
+
+"She then bade me enter a boat into which she followed me. The boat
+shot through the waves like an arrow, and I presently sank into a
+profound sleep. How long our journey was I know not; for when I awoke
+I found myself alone on a vast plain, not far from a large city. But
+Dobrada could not have long quitted me, for the heavenly perfumes
+which ordinarily surrounded her, yet floated round me, and far in the
+eastern horizon I saw the rose-coloured cloud which always shrouded
+her. My soul was now filled with sadness at the thought that I was
+now separated from the wise and kind Dobrada, whom I loved as my
+mother.
+
+"At length I regained my composure. I wished that I had a horse and
+squire that I might ride into the city that lay near me, and as at the
+same time I accidentally turned on my finger three times the ring,
+whose virtue I scarcely recollected, I saw at once before me a squire
+with two horses, of which I selected the finest and the most richly
+adorned for myself, and left the other for my squire; and thus I rode
+into the city.
+
+"At the gate I was informed that the city was called Boogord, and was
+the capital of the Bulgarian empire. Trewul reigned in Boogord, and
+the giant Tugarin was at his court. The king had been obliged to
+promise him the hand of his sister, in order to avert the total ruin
+of his country, which the giant had devastated until Trewul had
+acceded to his desire. When I appeared in the king's presence, I made
+a very favourable impression on him, and he not only received me into
+his service, but made me keeper of the armoury, the first dignity at
+the Bulgarian court.
+
+"From the first moment that Tugarin beheld me, he manifested the
+bitterest hate towards me; and when I heard what evil he had brought
+on Trewul and his land, I doubted not that he was the sorcerer and
+giant I was destined to overthrow. But the sword of Sesostris was
+still wanting to me. It was however not long before this invaluable
+weapon came into my possession.
+
+"I entered the royal armoury in order to inspect the weapons entrusted
+to my care, and I had scarcely crossed the threshold when the sword I
+wore fell to the ground, and amongst the numerous others that hung
+there, I observed one moving to and fro. I could not doubt that this
+was the wonderful sword of the Egyptian king with which I was to slay
+the giant. I took possession of it with the greater confidence, from
+the knowledge that by its aid I should rid Trewul of so dangerous an
+enemy to himself and his family. I girded it upon me, and hung mine in
+its place.
+
+"From that moment the giant avoided me, knowing most likely by his
+magic art that I was in possession of the sword that was to be fatal
+to him, and ere long he disappeared from Boogord, telling the king he
+was going in search of Milolika.
+
+"I immediately took leave of the king, and set out in pursuit of the
+giant. I gained information on my way that he had gone to Kiev, where
+Milolika resided as thy wife. I hastened after him, and am come, as I
+see, at the right moment to prevent misfortune. I now await thy
+permission, mighty prince, to engage in combat thy enemy and mine."
+
+As he concluded Dobr�n� bent one knee before the monarch, who rose
+from his seat, and taking the golden chain from his own neck, threw it
+round the knight's with the following words: "Let this mark of my
+favour prove to thee, Dobr�n� Mikilitsch, how greatly I rejoice to
+have so brave a knight in my service. To-morrow thou shalt engage the
+giant, and I doubt not that thou wilt conquer." He then commanded that
+an apartment should be prepared for him in the palace, and all due
+honour be paid to him. Dobr�n� returned thanks to the monarch for the
+favours shown him, and took leave in order to repose after his
+journey, and to gather strength for the approaching fight.
+
+In the mean time the heralds by Vladimir's command went round the
+city, and summoned the people to assemble on the walls the following
+morning, to witness the combat between the knight and the sorcerer,
+and the priests offered up solemn sacrifices to implore blessings on
+Kiev and the knight against the malignant sorcerer and the powers
+which aided him.
+
+Scarcely had the purple-tinted Simzerla[3] spread her glowing mantle
+over the sky, and decked the path of the great light of the world with
+her thousand coloured rays, before the vast population of Kiev
+impatiently thronged to the walls in order not to delay the grand
+spectacle. The monarch attended by his consort and all the magnates of
+the empire, ascended a tribunal which had been hastily erected over
+the principal gate of the city for this great event.
+
+[Footnote 3: Simzerla was the Aurora of the Slavonians.]
+
+The clangor of trumpets and horns at length announced the arrival of
+the knight. Ten thousand corsletted warriors rode with uplifted lances
+before him, and drew up in two lines before the gate. After them, on a
+richly caparisoned charger, rode the knight in his shining armour,
+bearing in his hand the precious sword of Sesostris. The people
+welcomed him with a cry of joy, and the warriors clashed their arms as
+he appeared before the gate. With noble bearing and knightly aspect he
+turned his horse and saluted the monarch by thrice lowering his sword.
+"Great ruler of Russia," he began, "at thy command I go forth to fight
+the sorcerer and giant Tugarin, who has presumed to challenge thee to
+combat." "Go forth," replied Vladimir, "go forth, valiant youth, and
+fight in my name the vile sorcerer: may the Gods give thee victory!"
+Dobr�n� then dashed at full speed through the lines of warriors to the
+white tent, followed by the acclamations and the blessings of the
+spectators.
+
+The giant, who had been awakened by the unusual noise of the trumpets
+and horns, and the joyful cries of the people, had already mounted his
+horse, and was in the act of riding towards the city to ascertain the
+cause, when he beheld the knight approaching. When he recognised in
+him the dreaded keeper of the Bulgarian monarch's armoury, who was in
+possession of the wonderful sword, he set up a fearful yell. Foaming
+with rage he rushed with out-spread arms against the knight to grasp
+him; but Dobr�n� laughed at his impotent fury, and in order better to
+overcome him, he first touched with his sword the enchanted horse,
+which immediately crumbled into dust. He then caused the
+magic-destroying weapon of the wise Sesostris to gleam over the head
+of the sorcerer, who, by the sudden crumbling of his horse, had fallen
+to the earth. Tugarin's destruction seemed inevitable, and the
+beholders from the walls already shouted forth their plaudits to the
+victor, when at once all the powers of hell broke forth to aid
+their beloved son. A stream of fire crackled between the combatants,
+fiery serpents hissed around the knight, and a thick cloud of smoke
+enveloped the giant. But short was this infernal display. Dobr�n�
+touched the stream with his sword, made a few strokes with it in the
+air, and the fiery flood and the hissing serpents vanished. He then
+approached the smoke which concealed the giant, but scarcely had he
+thrust his sword into it, when like the enchantments that also
+disappeared. The giant was seen outstretched on the ground, and heard
+to roar with terror. No sooner did he perceive that the smoke which
+concealed him had vanished, than he sprang up and rushed, as if in
+madness, on the knight. Dobr�n� awaited him unmoved, and as the giant
+stretched forth his monstrous hands for the second time to seize him,
+he cut them both off with a single stroke. The second stroke of that
+wondrous sword, wielded by the strong hand of the knight, severed the
+vile head from the shoulders. The colossus fell, and the earth shook
+beneath his weight.
+
+[Illustration: THE DRAGON GIANT. P. 183.]
+
+Then the people lifted up a cry of joy. A hundred thousand voices
+shouted, "Long live our monarch, and the conqueror of the giant,
+Dobr�n� Mikilitsch!"
+
+The knight, who had dismounted to raise the fallen enemy's head on
+the point of his sword in sign of victory, was about to remount in
+order to give the monarch an account of his combat, when he beheld him
+coming towards him, accompanied by his consort and the magnates of the
+empire. The courteous knight hastened forward and laid the giant's
+head at his feet. The great prince embraced him in presence of the
+assembled people, and placed on his finger a gold ring, whilst
+Milolika hung around him a gold-embroidered scarf. Dobr�n� bent his
+knee and thanked the royal pair in graceful and courteous words for
+these marks of favour. They then all returned full of joy to the city,
+where the festivities and rejoicings in honour of the knight lasted
+many weeks.
+
+Vladimir also despatched messengers to his brother-in-law, Trewul, to
+inform him of his marriage with the beautiful Milolika, and the
+overthrow of their common enemy, the giant Tugarin. Dobr�n� however
+remained at the court of Vladimir, and performed many more great and
+valiant deeds, which procured him great fame and honour, and rendered
+great service to the monarch, and he became the most beloved and most
+esteemed, both by prince and people, of all the knights in Vladimir's
+court.
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF SIVA AND MADHAVA.
+
+[Sanskrit.]
+
+
+There still exists a town famed for its splendour and richness, called
+Ratnapura. In it there once dwelt two rogues, Siva and Madhava, who,
+with the help of their confederates, contrived to make both rich and
+poor of that place victims to their cunning and rapacity.
+
+Once these two individuals met together to consult. "This town," they
+said, "has so entirely been laid under contribution by us, that we can
+have no reasonable hopes of any further success; let us, therefore, go
+to Ujjayini, and settle ourselves down there. The house-priest of the
+king, Sankar'aswarni by name, is considered a very rich man, and if,
+by some contrivance, we could possess ourselves of his treasures, it
+would be easy to curry favour with the charming and lovely women of
+the Malavese. The Brahmins, without exception, call him avaricious and
+miserly, for, though so rich that he measures his treasures by the
+bushel, he begrudges every offering to their altars, and it is only on
+compulsion he gives a portion of the dues. It is also well known that
+he has a remarkably beautiful daughter, whom, if we once are able to
+gain his confidence, one of us must receive as a wife from his own
+hands."
+
+After this, these two rogues, Siva and Madhava, having first matured
+their plans and resolved upon the parts each individually was to play,
+took their departure from the city of Ratnapura and soon arrived at
+Ujjayini.
+
+Madhava, disguised as a Rajput, remained with his followers in a small
+village outside the city; but Siva, more versed in all the arts of
+deceit, entered the town alone, garbed in the habit of a devout
+penitent. He built a cell on an elevated place on the banks of the
+Sipra, from whence he could be well observed, and here he laid on the
+ground a deer-skin, a pot wherein to collect alms, some darbha-grass,
+and some clay.
+
+At the first dawn of morning he rubbed his whole body over with clay;
+he then entered the river, and remained with his head for a
+considerable time under the water; leaving the bath, he steadfastly
+fixed his gaze on the sun, then, holding in his hand some kusa-grass,
+he knelt before the image of a god, murmuring his prayers; he then
+plucked holy flowers, which he sacrificed to Siva, and when his
+offering was concluded he again began to pray, and remained long lost
+in deepest devotion.
+
+On the following day, in order to gather alms, he wandered through the
+town, mute, as if dumb, leaning on a staff, and his only raiment
+consisting of the small skin of a black gazelle. After having made his
+collections at the houses of the Brahmins, he divided the gifts
+received into three parts; the first he gave to the crows, the second
+to the first person he met, and with the third he fed himself; then
+slowly counting the beads of his rosary, with constant and fervent
+prayers, he returned to his cell. The nights he devoted, apparently,
+to deepest meditation, and to the solution of great religious and
+philosophical questions.
+
+Thus, by daily repeating these deceptions, he impressed on the
+inhabitants so great an idea of his sanctity that he was universally
+revered; and, when he passed, the people of Ujjayini reverentially
+bowed and knelt before him, exclaiming, "This is, indeed, a holy
+man!"
+
+Meanwhile, his friend Madhava had, through his spies, received
+intelligence of all these doings, and now, magnificently dressed like
+a Rajput he also entered the city. He took up his abode in an adjacent
+temple, and went to the banks of the Sipra to bathe in the river.
+After having performed his ablutions, Madhava saw Siva, who, lost in
+prayer, knelt before the image of the god. The former then, along with
+his retinue, prostrated himself in reverence before the holy man; and
+addressing the people around him, said, "There lives not on earth a
+more devout penitent; more than once in my travels have I seen him,
+when, as here, he has been visiting the sacred rivers and the holy
+places of pilgrimage."
+
+Though Siva had well observed and heard his companion, no feature
+betrayed the fact; immoveably as before, he continued in his devotion.
+Madhava soon after returned to his dwelling.
+
+In the depth of night in a lonely place they again met, where, after
+having well feasted, they consulted together upon their next
+proceedings. At the dawn of morning Siva returned to his cell, and
+Madhava commanded one of his companions at an early hour of the day as
+follows: "Take these two robes of honour and present them to
+Sankar'aswarni, the house-priest of the king, and address him
+thus:--'A Rajput named Madhava, treacherously assaulted, and by his
+nearest relations driven from his empire, has, with the vast treasures
+of his father, taken refuge in these realms, and is anxious to present
+himself before the king and offer him the faithful and gratuitous
+services of himself and his brave followers. He has therefore sent me
+to thee, thou ocean of fame, to beg thy permission to visit him.'" As
+Madhava had commanded him, the follower, holding the robes of honour
+in his hands, waited at the house of the priest. Watching a favourable
+opportunity when the priest was alone, he presented himself before
+him, laid the presents at his feet, and delivered Madhava's message.
+The priest, full of dignity, received them condescendingly, and
+longing for some of the treasures to which the messenger had made no
+slight allusions, he graciously acquiesced in the demand.
+
+Madhava consequently went the following day at a proper hour to visit
+the priest, accompanied by his followers, dressed like courtiers, in
+magnificent robes, and with silver spears in their hands. A messenger
+was sent in advance to announce them, and the priest receiving them
+at the entrance of his house, most reverentially saluted them, and
+gave them the very best welcome. Madhava after having passed a short
+time in pleasant conversation, and made a favourable impression on the
+priest, returned to his own dwelling.
+
+The following day he again sent two robes of honour, and then
+presented himself to the priest, saying: "We are anxious as early as
+possible to enter the service of the king, for time hangs heavily on
+our hands; let our sole recompense be the honour of attending him, for
+we have sufficient treasures for all our wants."
+
+When the priest had heard this, hoping to extract large sums from him,
+he granted his request, and immediately went to the king, who, out of
+esteem and love for his religious adviser, at once permitted the
+introduction of the Rajput at court.
+
+On the following day the priest formally introduced Madhava and his
+followers to the king, who graciously, and with honours received them,
+and at once appointed the former to fill a high station in the
+household, for he was greatly pleased with his appearance, which in
+everything resembled that of a high-born Rajput. Thus was Madhava
+fairly installed at court, but every night he went secretly to Siva,
+to consult with him about their plans. Once the avaricious priest
+said to Madhava, who with his rich presents had shown him marked
+attention: "Come and live in my house," and as he pressed him very
+much, Madhava and his followers removed to the spacious dwelling of
+the priest.
+
+Madhava had procured a great quantity of ornaments and trinkets set
+with false stones, wondrously well imitated; these he had inclosed in
+a jewel-box, which, slightly opening it that the priest might learn
+its contents, he begged him to deposit in his treasury. By this
+artifice he entirely won his confidence, and being thus secure, he
+feigned illness, and by abstaining for several days from taking any
+food, at last grew so thin and emaciated, that he had every appearance
+of being in a very alarming state of health. A few more days thus
+passed away, and the illness seemed to make rapid progress, when in a
+faint voice he thus addressed the priest, who was sitting at the side
+of his bed: "The malady which is devouring my strength and energies
+seems a retribution from the Gods for some of the sins my flesh has
+committed; bring therefore to me, O wise and pious man, some
+distinguished Brahmin to whom I may bequeath my treasures to insure my
+salvation here and there; for what man, even of ordinary wisdom
+would, when life is ebbing, set value on gold or jewels!"
+
+Whereupon the priest answered: "I will do as thou wishest."
+
+Out of gratitude, Madhava knelt down and kissed his feet. But whatever
+Brahmin the priest brought to the sick man, not one pleased him; he
+said an inward voice told him that their life was not pure enough,
+their favour with Brahma not sufficient. When this had been several
+times repeated, with the same result, one of the rogues, who was
+standing by, suggested in a low tone of voice, "As not one of all
+these Brahmins seems worthy of the benefits intended to be conferred;
+the holy priest, Siva, so celebrated for his sanctity, who dwells on
+the shores of the Sipra, might be sent for: perhaps he might find
+favour with our master."
+
+Madhava when appealed to, sighed heavily, and as if unable in his
+agony to articulate, bowed his head by way of consent. The priest
+forthwith rose and went to Siva, whom he found absorbed in deepest
+meditation. After having walked round him without being observed, he
+at last placed himself on the ground facing him. The impostor having
+finished his long-protracted prayers, raised his eyes, when the
+priest reverentially saluted him, and said: "Most holy man, if thou
+wouldst permit me, I have a petition to make to thee; there lives at
+my house a very rich Rajput, by name, Madhava, born in the south, and
+lately arrived from thence. He is dying, and wishes for some holy
+individual to whom he may give his riches; if it should please thee, I
+think it is for thee he intends all his treasures, which consist in
+ornaments and jewels of inestimable value."
+
+Siva having attentively listened to this, thoughtfully and slowly
+answered: "Brahmin, how should I, whose whole earthly striving and
+longing is after immortal reward; whose only aspiration is heaven,
+there to have my prayers and my privations recognised and approved;
+whose meagre maintenance is derived from alms of the charitable; how
+should I feel any wish or desire for earthly possessions?"
+
+Whereupon the king's priest answered: "Say not so, noble and pious
+man! Well you know the pleasure of the God towards the Brahmin-priest,
+who in his own person is able to offer hospitality to the Gods and to
+man; who within his own house can welcome and relieve the devout
+pilgrim; who with rich contributions can assist in the embellishments
+of their temples and the splendour of their service, and who by
+taking a wife can extend his sphere of utility and philanthropy. Only
+by the possession of treasures these things are achievable, therefore
+it is laudable in man to strive after wealth. The father of a family
+is the best of Brahmins."
+
+To which Siva answered: "Whence should I take a wife? My poverty
+prevents my alliance with any great family."
+
+When the priest heard this he thought the treasures already his own,
+and having found a favourable opportunity, he said to him: "I have an
+unmarried daughter, her name is Vinyasvamini; she is most beautiful;
+her I will give thee to wife. The treasure that will be thine through
+the generosity of Madhava, I will guard and preserve for thee; choose,
+therefore, the pleasures and the bliss of the married state."
+
+Siva attentively and with inward pleasure listened to the words of the
+priest, in which he saw their deep-laid scheme and their anxious
+wishes brought into fulfilment, and with diffidence he answered:
+"Brahmin, if by so doing I shall be able to please you and gain your
+favour, I consent to it; and as regards the treasure, to you I leave
+the whole and sole control and management thereof, as neither my
+understanding nor inclination lies in that direction."
+
+Rejoiced at this answer of Siva, the priest forthwith took him into
+his house, assigned him a suite of apartments there, and announced to
+Madhava his arrival and what he had done, for which the latter warmly
+thanked him. Next the priest gave his unhappy daughter in marriage to
+Siva, thus sacrificing her to his avarice; and on the third day after
+the nuptials he led the bridegroom to Madhava, who now assumed a
+faintness as if in the last gasp of dissolution. After a pause,
+apparently rallying all his strength, he said: "In deepest humiliation
+I salute thee, most holy man, and beg of thee to accept, as I am dying
+and shall have no use for it, all that I possess of earthly wealth."
+He then had the artfully imitated jewels brought from the priest's
+treasury, and according to the sacred rites and customs on such
+occasions, had them presented to Siva. The latter, in accepting them,
+handed them over to the priest without even looking at them, saying,
+"Of such things I understand nothing, but you know their value."
+
+"I will take care of them, as agreed between us," answered the priest;
+and again deposited the supposed treasure in its former place of
+security. Siva, after having in solemn words pronounced his blessing
+over Madhava, returned to the apartments of his wife.
+
+The following day Madhava seemed already greatly recovered, and
+ascribed this wonderful change to the influence of his gift and the
+holiness of the man on whom he had bestowed it. In warmest terms, he
+thanked the priest for his kind interference, and assured him of his
+everlasting gratitude. With Siva he now openly allied himself,
+praising him every where, and declaring that through his great powers
+alone his life had been preserved.
+
+After the lapse of a few days Siva said to the priest, "It is not
+right that I thus should continue to live in thy house where I must be
+of vast expense to thee; thou hadst better give me a sum, if only
+corresponding with half the value of the gems, which you consider so
+precious."
+
+The priest, who in reality priced these jewels and ornaments at an
+inestimable sum, a sum capable of purchasing an empire, was very glad
+to assent to such a proposition; and with the idea of giving something
+like the twentieth part of their value, he gave him all the money he
+possessed. He then had documents drawn out, in which on both sides the
+exchange of the properties was legally secured, for fear that Siva in
+the course of time might repent of his bargain. They then separated,
+Siva and his wife living in greatest joy and happiness, and soon they
+were joined by Madhava, with whom the former now divided the treasures
+of the priest.
+
+After some years the priest wanted money to make some purchase, and
+taking a part of the ornaments, he went to a goldsmith who had a stand
+in the market to offer them for sale. This man, who was a great judge,
+after narrowly examining them, cried out, full of astonishment--"The
+man who has manufactured these must indeed be a great artisan; for
+though of no intrinsic value, they are the finest and most wonderful
+imitations that ever were worked out of such materials; for these
+stones are nothing but glass, and the setting nothing but gilt metal."
+
+Having heard this, the priest, breathless though full of despair, ran
+back to his house, fetched the contents of the whole casket, and,
+unwilling to believe, went from one merchant to the other to have his
+treasure examined; but in every instance the answer was the
+same--"Only glass and brass!" The priest, as if he had been struck by
+lightning, fell senseless on the ground, and had to be carried home;
+but early the following morning having recovered, he ran to Siva and
+said to him, "Take back thy jewels, and return me my money."
+
+This the other refused, alleging that the greater part of it had
+already been expended, and the rest he had so invested as to be most
+useful for his wife and children.
+
+Thus disputing they both went before the king, on whom Madhava at the
+time was in attendance. The priest in the following words made the
+king acquainted with his case: "Behold, my gracious king, these
+ornaments; they are all artfully manufactured out of valueless metal,
+coloured pieces of glass and crystal. Without knowing this, and
+believing them real, I have given Siva my whole fortune in exchange
+for them, and he already has spent it."
+
+To which Siva answered: "From my very childhood, mighty king, have I
+lived in holy seclusion and devotion; from this seclusion the father
+of my wife drew me forth, pressed and entreated me to accept the gift
+of honour, with the value of which I was wholly ignorant; but he
+assured me he was aware of its great pecuniary worth, and he would
+guarantee it to me. On my accepting it, without even giving it a look,
+I handed it over to him: he afterwards voluntarily purchased it from
+me, giving me his own price, and in proof of this I adduce this
+contract in his own handwriting: now, mighty ruler, judge between us;
+I have in truth laid the case fairly before you."
+
+Siva having thus concluded his defence, Madhava addressed himself to
+the priest, saying: "Speak not derogatorily of this holy man, now your
+son. Whatever the cause of your grievance, he is innocent, as you
+yourself are good and upright; but I also owe an explanation to my
+liege and master. In what way can I have committed myself?--neither
+from you nor him have I taken or accepted the least benefit. The
+fortune my father left me I had for years given into the custody of an
+old and tried friend of our house; removing it from thence I presented
+it, under the circumstances your majesty is aware of, to this Brahmin.
+But if they had not been real gems, but only worthless metal and glass
+as this worthy priest intimates, by what means was my restoration to
+health so wonderfully wrought? That I gave it with pure and honest
+intention, witness for me the all but miracle by which I was saved!"
+
+Thus spoke Madhava without changing a feature; but the king and his
+ministers laughed, and testified the good opinion they entertained for
+him. They then pronounced the following judgment:--"Neither Siva nor
+Madhava are in the least to blame, they are wholly innocent."
+
+In sorrow and shame the priest went his way, robbed of his whole
+fortune, and punished for his avarice and the heartless manner in
+which he had sacrificed his daughter; though fortunately for her and
+no thanks to her father, she found in Siva a good and affectionate
+husband.
+
+The two rogues altered their mode of life: thenceforward they walked
+in the path of virtue and well-doing; and favoured by the king, whom
+they faithfully served, they lived many years honoured, respected, and
+happy in Ujjayini.
+
+
+
+
+THE GOBLIN BIRD.
+
+[Betschuanian, South Africa.]
+
+
+Two brothers one day set out from their father's hut, to seek their
+fortune. The name of the elder one was Maszilo, the younger one was
+called Mazziloniane. After a few days' journeying they reached a
+plain, from which branched two roads; the one led eastwards, the other
+westwards. The first road was covered with the footmarks of cattle,
+the other with the footmarks of dogs. Maszilo followed the latter
+road, his brother went in the opposite direction.
+
+After some days travelling Mazziloniane passed a hill which formerly
+had been inhabited, and felt not a little astonished at beholding a
+great quantity of earthen vessels, all of which were placed upside
+down. In the hope of finding some treasure concealed under them, he
+removed several, until he came to one of immense size. Mazziloniane,
+gathering all his strength, gave it a violent push, but the vessel
+remained immoveable. The young traveller now doubled his exertions,
+but in vain. Twice he was obliged to fasten the girdle round his
+loins, which through his exertions had burst; the vessel seemed as if
+rooted to the ground. But all at once, as if by magic, it was upset by
+a slight touch, and revealed to the youthful and trembling
+Mazziloniane, a hideous and deformed giant.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Why dost thou disturb me?" demanded the monster, in a voice of
+thunder.
+
+Mazziloniane, having recovered from his first fright, observed with
+horror that one of the legs of the giant was as thick as the stem of a
+large tree, whilst the other was of an ordinary size.
+
+"As a well-merited punishment for thy temerity in disturbing me, thou
+shalt henceforth carry me about;" and so saying the monster jumped on
+the shoulders of the unfortunate youth, who, unable to support such a
+weight, fell prostrate on the ground. Recovering himself with
+difficulty, he endeavoured to advance a few steps, and again he fell
+to the earth, his strength now wholly failing him. But the sight of an
+eland, which was swiftly passing by, presented to his mind the means
+of delivery.
+
+"Dear father," said he, with trembling voice, to the abortion,
+"release me for a moment; the reason why I cannot carry you is that I
+have nothing wherewith to fasten you to my back; give me a few moments
+to kill the eland which has just passed by, and out of its hide I will
+cut some thongs for that purpose."
+
+His demand was granted, and with the dogs that had accompanied him he
+disappeared from the plain. After he had run a considerable distance
+he took refuge in a cavern. But the thick-legged monster, tired of
+waiting, soon followed, and wherever he discovered a footmark of the
+youth, he in a mocking voice cried out:--
+
+"The pretty little footmark of my dear child, the pretty little
+footmark of Mazziloniane."
+
+The youth heard him approaching, and felt the ground tremble under his
+steps. Seized with despair he left the cavern, and calling his dogs,
+he set them on the enemy; stroking and encouraging them, he said--
+
+"On! my brave dogs, kill him, devour him, but leave his thick leg for
+me."
+
+The dogs obeyed the command of their master, and soon there was
+nothing left but the deformed and shapeless leg, which now he
+fearlessly approached, and with his axe cut into pieces, and, O
+wonder! out of it came a herd of most beautiful cows, one of them
+being as white as the driven snow; overjoyed he drove the cattle
+before him, taking the road leading to his father's hut.
+
+Meanwhile the other brother having got possession of a great number of
+dogs, he also returned towards his home, and they both now met on the
+same place where they so shortly before had separated. The younger
+embracing the elder brother, offered him part of his herd, saying to
+him: "As fortune has favoured me most, take what you like, but you
+must leave me the white cow, for to no one else can she ever belong."
+
+But Maszilo seemed to have placed his every desire upon this very
+animal; regardless of all the rest, he begged and intreated his
+brother to give up to him the possession thereof; but in vain were his
+prayers. Having journeyed together for two days, on the third day they
+came to a spring--"Let us tarry here," said Maszilo, "I am faint and
+exhausted with thirst; let us dig a deep hole, and convey the water
+into it, that it may get cool and fresh."
+
+When they had dug the well, Maszilo went in search of a great flat
+stone, and with it covered the hole to protect the water from being
+heated by the rays of the sun; after the water had been sufficiently
+cooled, Maszilo drank first. His brother was now going to do the same,
+but the moment he bent himself over the well, Maszilo suddenly taking
+him by the hair, forced his head under the water, and held it there
+until he was suffocated; he then pushed the corpse into the hole, and
+covered it over with the stone.
+
+With drooping head, though now sole master of the herd, the murderer
+proceeded on his journey, but hardly had he advanced a few steps, when
+a little bird perched on the horn of the white cow, and in a mournful
+tune sang: "Tsiri! tsiri! Maszilo killed Mazziloniane to get
+possession of the white cow which the murdered brother so much loved."
+
+Enraged, he killed the bird with a stone, but hardly had he
+sufficiently recovered himself to proceed on his journey, when the
+bird again came flying, placed itself on the same spot, and repeated
+the same words; Maszilo again killed him with a stone, and then
+crushed him with his heavy staff; but within a few minutes the bird
+reappeared for the third time, again perching on the horn of the cow,
+and repeating the same words.
+
+"Ah, Demon!" cried Maszilo, choking with rage, "I will try a more
+effectual way to silence thee;" whereupon he threw his staff at the
+hated little bird, who in such doleful tunes had stirred up and
+upbraided his conscience-stricken soul: he again killed it, and then
+lighting a fire, in it he burnt the bird to ashes, which he scattered
+in the winds.
+
+[Illustration: THE GOBLIN BIRD. P. 207.]
+
+Now convinced that the goblin-bird would return no more, Maszilo, full
+of pride and hardiness, returned to his father's dwelling. On his
+arrival there, he was surrounded by all the villagers, who, full of
+curiosity, gathered around him, in admiration of the rich flock, and
+praised his good fortune, but the first impulse of their curiosity
+satiated, they almost with one voice inquired "Where is Mazziloniane?"
+
+"I know not; we went different ways," answered he.
+
+Many of his relations now surrounded the white cow, and exclaimed: "Oh
+how beautiful she is! what fine hair! what a pure colour! happy the
+man that owns such a treasure!"
+
+Suddenly, their exclamations were changed into deep silence, for upon
+one of the horns of the much-admired animal appeared a little bird,
+singing in most melancholy strains, "Tsiri! tsiri! Maszilo killed
+Mazziloniane, to get possession of the white cow which the murdered
+brother so much loved."
+
+"What! has Maszilo killed his brother?" all exclaimed, and, full of
+horror, turned away from the murderer, unable to account to themselves
+for the emotion he inspired, and the strangeness of the disclosure.
+Infuriated, they drove Maszilo from their home, into the desert: in
+the confusion this occasioned, the little bird flew to the murdered
+man's sister, and whispered in her ear, "I am the soul of
+Mazziloniane; Maszilo has killed me; my body lies in a well near the
+desert, go bury it--" and then the bird flew back into the desert,
+evermore to be the companion of the murderer.
+
+
+
+
+THE SHEPHERD AND THE SERPENT.
+
+[German, Traditional.]
+
+
+In a peaceful, pleasantly situated little village, there once lived a
+poor shepherd youth. Near the village was a valley, a lonely retired
+spot, whither the youth always guided his flock; and it seemed as
+though he had selected that quiet valley for his favourite retreat. He
+never took his noon-day meal, nor lay down to repose in the cool
+shade, except in that beloved place. Thither was he ever drawn by an
+irresistible longing.
+
+The place itself was simple enough--a rugged block of stone, beneath
+which murmured a little rivulet, and a wild cherry-tree which
+overshadowed the stone with its leafy branches, were all that was to
+be seen there; but the youth felt happy when he spread his meal upon
+that stone, and drank from that streamlet. When, after having partaken
+of his meal, he stretched himself to rest upon the stone, he would
+fancy he heard a mysterious singing, and sometimes a sighing too,
+beneath it; he would then listen and watch, but would finally slumber
+and dream. His spirit seemed to be ever wrapped in mysterious
+unearthly happiness. On going forth with his flocks in the morning,
+and returning home with them in the evening, this unaccountable
+longing seemed always to take possession of him. He liked not to
+accompany the throng of merry village youths and maidens who went
+about singing and frolicking on festive evenings, but preferred to
+walk alone, silent and even melancholy. But when the fair morning
+dawned again, and he went forth with his lambs over heath and meadow,
+his spirit grew ever more serene as he drew nearer to the beloved
+stone and to the shade of the dear cherry-tree. It often happened,
+too, that whilst he rested there and played upon his flute, a
+silver-white serpent came out from under the stone, and after
+wreathing herself caressingly at his feet, would then erect herself
+and gaze upon the shepherd, until two big tears would roll from her
+eyes, and then she softly slid back again: on these occasions a still
+more peculiar and strange feeling filled the shepherd's heart.
+
+At length he altogether ceased to associate with the merry band of
+youths and maidens; their mirthsome noise was unpleasant to him;
+whilst, on the contrary, the still solitude became more and more dear
+to him.
+
+One lovely Sunday in the spring time--it was Trinity Sunday, which the
+peasants call "Golden Sunday," and which they always keep with
+especial festivity--when the youth of the village were to have a merry
+dance beneath the linden-trees, the pensive shepherd boy, drawn by
+that inexpressible longing, directed his steps at mid-day to the
+lonely valley of the stone and cherry-tree. He gazed serenely upon the
+dear spot, and then sat down and listened musingly to the rustling of
+the leaves and the mysterious sounds under the stone, when suddenly a
+bright light shone before his eyes, a pang of terror shot through his
+heart, and looking up he saw a beauteous form arrayed in white like an
+angel, standing before him with a soft expression and folded hands,
+whilst with transported senses he heard a sweet voice thus address
+him: "O youth, fear not, but hear the supplication of an unhappy
+maiden, and do not drive me from thee, nor flee from my misfortune. I
+am a noble princess, and have immense treasures of pearls and gold;
+but for many hundred years I have languished under enchantment, have
+been banished beneath this stone, and am doomed to glide about in the
+form of a serpent. In that shape I have often gazed on thee and
+conceived the hope that thou mayest release me. Thou art still pure in
+heart as a child. Only once throughout the whole year, this very hour
+on Golden Sunday, am I permitted to wander on the earth in my own
+form; and if I then find a youth with a pure heart, I may implore him
+for my deliverance. Release me then, thou beloved one! release me, I
+implore thee by all that is holy!"--The maiden sank at the shepherd's
+feet, which she clasped as she looked up to him weeping. The heart of
+the youth heaved with transport; he raised the angelic maiden and
+faltered out: "Oh say only what I must do to free thee, thou fair
+beloved one!"
+
+"Return hither to-morrow at the same hour," replied she, "and when I
+appear before thee in my serpent form, and wind myself around thee,
+and thrice kiss thee, do not, oh! do not shudder, else must I again
+languish enchanted here for another century!" She vanished, and again
+a soft sighing and singing issued from beneath the stone.
+
+On the following day, at the hour of noon, the shepherd, not without
+fear in his heart, waited at the appointed place, and supplicated
+Heaven for strength and constancy at the trying moment of the
+serpent's kiss. Already the silver-white serpent glided from beneath
+the stone, approached the youth, twined herself round his body, and
+raised her serpent head, with its bright eyes, to kiss him. He
+remained steady, and endured the three kisses. A mighty crash was then
+heard, and dreadful thunders rolled around the youth, who had fallen
+senseless on the ground. A magic change passed over him, and when he
+was restored to his senses, he found himself lying on white cushions
+of silk, in a richly-adorned chamber, with the beautiful maiden
+kneeling by his couch, holding his hand to her heart. "Oh, thanks be
+to Heaven!" exclaimed she, when he opened his eyes; "receive my
+thanks, beloved youth, for my deliverance, and take as thy reward my
+fair lands, and this palace with all its rich treasures, and take me
+too as thy faithful wife: thou shalt henceforth be happy, and have
+plenitude of joy!"
+
+And the shepherd was happy and joyful; that longing of his heart which
+had so often drawn him towards the stone, was gloriously satisfied. He
+dwelt, remote from the world, in the bosom of happiness, with his
+fair spouse; and he never wished himself back on earth, nor amongst
+his lambs again. But in the village there was great lamentation for
+the shepherd who had so suddenly vanished: they sought him in the
+valley, and by the stone under the cherry-tree, whither he had last
+gone, but neither the shepherd, nor the stone, nor the cherry-tree
+were to be found any longer; and no human eye ever again beheld any
+trace of either.
+
+
+
+
+THE EXPEDITIOUS FROG.
+
+[Wendian.]
+
+
+A fox came one day at full speed to a pond to drink. A frog who was
+sitting there, began to croak at him. Then, said the fox, "Be off with
+you, or I'll swallow you."
+
+The frog, however, replied: "Don't give yourself such airs; I am
+swifter than you!"
+
+At this the fox laughed; but as the frog persisted in boasting of his
+swiftness, the fox said at length: "Now, then, we will both run to the
+next town, and we shall see which can go the faster."
+
+Then the fox turned round, and as he did so, the frog leapt up into
+his bushy tail. Off went the fox, and when he reached the gate of the
+city, he turned round again to see if he could spy the frog coming
+after him. As he did so, the frog hopped out of his tail on the
+ground. The fox, after looking all about without being able to see the
+frog, turned round once more in order to enter the city.
+
+Then the frog called out to him: "So! you are come at last? I am just
+going back again, for I really thought you meant not to come at all."
+
+
+
+
+EASTWARD OF THE SUN, AND WESTWARD OF THE MOON.
+
+[Norwegian.]
+
+
+In days of yore there lived a poor charcoal-burner who had many
+children. His poverty was so great, that he knew not how to feed them
+from day to day, and they had scarcely any clothes to cover them.
+Nevertheless all the children were very beautiful, but the youngest
+daughter was the most beautiful of them all.
+
+Now it happened on a Thursday evening, late in the autumn, that a
+terrible storm came on. It was dark as pitch, the rain came down in
+torrents, and the wind blew till the windows cracked again. The whole
+family sat round the hearth, busy with their different occupations;
+suddenly some one gave three loud knocks at the window; the man went
+out to see whom it could be, and when he got outside the door, he saw
+standing by it, a great white bear.
+
+"Good evening to you!" said the bear.
+
+"Good evening!" said the man.
+
+"I have called," said the bear, "to say that if you will give me your
+youngest daughter in marriage, I will make you as rich as you now are
+poor."
+
+The man thought that would not be amiss, but he considered that he
+must first consult his daughter on the subject; so he stepped in, and
+told her that a great white bear was outside the door, who had
+promised to make him as rich as he was now poor, provided he would
+give him his youngest daughter in marriage. The maiden, however, said
+"No," and would hear nothing at all about the matter; so the man went
+out again, spoke very civilly to the bear, and told him to call again
+next Thursday evening, and in the mean time he would try what could be
+done. During the week they tried to persuade the maiden, and told her
+all kinds of fine things as to the riches they were to have, and how
+well she herself would be provided for, till at last she consented. So
+she washed the two or three things she had, dressed herself as well as
+she could, and made herself ready for the journey.
+
+[Illustration: EASTWARD OF THE SUN AND WESTWARD OF THE MOON. P. 219.]
+
+When the bear returned the following Thursday evening, all was ready:
+the maiden took her bundle in her hand, seated herself on his back,
+and off they went. When they had gone a good way, the bear asked her:
+"Do you feel sad?"
+
+No, that she did not in the least.
+
+"Mind you hold fast by my shaggy coat," said the bear, "and then there
+will be nothing to fear."
+
+Thus she rode on the bear's back far far away--indeed nobody can say
+precisely how far it was--and at last they arrived at a great rock.
+The bear knocked, and a door opened, through which they entered a
+large castle, in which were a great many rooms, all lighted with
+lamps, and glittering with gold and silver: there was also a grand
+saloon, and in the saloon stood a table covered with the most costly
+viands. The bear then gave her a silver bell, which he told her to
+ring when she wanted anything, and it would immediately be brought to
+her. Now after she had eaten and drunk, and towards evening grew
+tired, and wished to go to bed, she rang her bell, and immediately a
+door opened into a chamber, where there was as beautiful a bed as she
+could wish for, ready prepared for her; the pillows were covered with
+silk, and the curtains fringed with gold, and all her toilette
+utensils were of silver and gold. As soon, however, as she had
+extinguished the light, and lay down in her bed, some one came and
+lay down by her side, and this happened every night; but she could
+never see who it was, as the person never came till after the light
+was put out, and always went away before day-break.
+
+Thus she lived for some time, contented and happy, till at length she
+felt so great a desire to see her parents, and brothers and sisters,
+that she grew quite dull and melancholy. Then the bear asked her one
+day why she was always so still and thoughtful.
+
+"Ah!" replied she, "I feel so lonely here in the castle, for I so much
+wish to see my parents, and brothers and sisters, once more."
+
+"That you can easily do," said the bear, "but you must promise me that
+you will never converse with your mother alone, but only when all the
+others are present; for she will try to take you by the hand and lead
+you into another room, in order to speak to you alone, but do not
+consent to it, for if you do, she will make both you and me unhappy."
+
+The maiden said she would be very careful to do as he desired her.
+
+The following Sunday the bear came to her, and said she might now
+begin her journey to her parents. She seated herself on his back, and
+they commenced their journey. After they had travelled a very long
+time, they came to a great white castle, and she saw her sisters going
+in and out, and all was so beautiful and grand, it was quite a
+pleasure to behold it.
+
+"That is where your parents dwell," said the bear, "now do not forget
+what I have said to you, or you will make yourself and me very
+miserable."
+
+She would not forget, repeated the maiden, and she entered the castle;
+the bear, however, went back again. When her parents saw their
+daughter, they were more delighted than it is possible to express.
+They could not thank her enough for what she had done for them, and
+they told how wonderfully comfortable they were now, and inquired how
+matters went with her. Oh, she also was very happy, returned the
+maiden, she had everything she could desire. What else she told them,
+I do not exactly know, but I believe it was no every-day tale that she
+told them. In the afternoon, when they had dined, it happened exactly
+as the bear had foretold; the mother wanted to talk with her daughter
+in private, but the maiden remembered what the bear had said, and
+would not go with her, but said: "Oh, we can say what we have got to
+say, quite as well here."
+
+Now, how it happened, I cannot tell, but all I know is, that her
+mother persuaded her at last, and then she got the whole history from
+her. The maiden related how some one came into her bed every night,
+but that she had never seen who it was, and that made her so uneasy,
+and the day seemed very long to her, because she was always alone.
+
+"Who knows!" said the mother, "surely it must be some wizard who
+sleeps by you; but if you will take my advice, when he is fast asleep,
+get up and strike a light, and see who it is; but be careful not to
+let any grease drop upon him."
+
+In the evening the bear came to fetch the maiden home. When they had
+gone a good way he asked her if it had not happened as he had told
+her.
+
+"Yes," she could not deny that it had.
+
+"Have you listened to your mother's counsel?" said the bear; "if you
+have, you have ruined yourself and me, and our friendship is at an
+end."
+
+"No," she had not done so, replied she.
+
+Now when they had got home, and the maiden had gone to bed, the same
+happened as usual, some one came and lay down by her. During the
+night, however, when she heard that he was asleep, she rose and
+kindled a light, and then she saw lying in her bed the handsomest
+prince that can be imagined, and she immediately loved him so well,
+that she could not refrain from kissing him that very moment. But as
+she did this, she accidentally let three drops of oil fall from her
+lamp, upon his shirt, and thereupon he awoke.
+
+"What have you done?" cried he, as he opened his eyes; "now you have
+made yourself and me unhappy for ever. If you had but held out for a
+year, I should have been delivered; for I have a step-mother who has
+enchanted me, so that by day I am a bear, but at night I become a man
+again. But all is over for us both, for I must now leave you, and
+return to her. She dwells in a castle which lies _eastward of the
+Sun_, and _westward of the Moon_, and there I shall be obliged to
+marry a princess who has a nose three ells long."
+
+The maiden then began to weep and bemoan herself; but it was too late,
+the prince was obliged to go. She asked him if she might not accompany
+him.
+
+"No," said he, "that must not be."
+
+"Can you not then tell me the road that I may find you?" inquired
+she; "for I suppose I may be allowed that."
+
+"Yes, that you are right welcome to do," said he; "but there is no
+road that leads to it; for the castle lies eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon, and you will never get there."
+
+In the morning when she awoke, the prince and the castle had both
+vanished, and she found herself lying on the bare earth, in a thick
+dark forest, and she was dressed in her old clothes, and near her lay
+the same bundle that she had brought with her from her former home.
+When she had rubbed her eyes till she was quite awake, and had cried
+till she could cry no longer, she began her journey, and wandered for
+many a long day, till at last she came to a great mountain. At the
+foot of the mountain sat an old woman, playing with a golden apple;
+the maiden asked her if she could tell her the way to where the prince
+lived with his step-mother, in a castle which was situated eastward of
+the Sun, and westward of the Moon, and who was to marry a princess who
+had a nose three ells long.
+
+"How come you to know him?" asked the woman. "Can you be the maiden
+whom he wished to marry?"
+
+"Yes," she replied, "she was that maiden."
+
+"So! then you are the chosen one!" resumed the woman; "ah! my child,"
+continued she, "I would willingly help you, but I myself know nothing
+more of the castle than that it lies eastward of the Sun, and westward
+of the Moon, and that you are almost certain never to get there; I
+will, however, lend you my horse, and you may ride on him to my next
+neighbour; perhaps she may be able to tell you the way thither, but
+when you have reached her, just give the horse a pat under the left
+ear, and bid him go home again; and now take this golden apple, for
+perhaps you may find a use for it."
+
+The maiden mounted the horse, and rode for a long, long, time; and at
+last arrived at another mountain, where sat an old woman with a golden
+reel. The maiden asked her if she could tell her the way to the
+castle, which lay eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon. This
+old woman, however, said just like the other, that she knew nothing
+more about the castle than that it lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon, "and you are almost sure never to find it,"
+added she, "but I will lend you my horse to ride upon to my next
+neighbour, and perhaps she may tell you the way; when you get there,
+however, just give the horse a pat under his left ear, and tell him
+to go home; now take this reel, for perhaps you may find some use for
+it."
+
+The maiden seated herself on the horse, and rode for many days and
+weeks; at last she again arrived at a mountain where an old woman sat
+spinning with a golden distaff. The maiden now again inquired about
+the prince, and the castle which was situated eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon.
+
+"Are you she whom the prince wished to marry?" asked the woman.
+
+"Yes," replied the maiden.
+
+But this old woman knew no more about the castle than the two others.
+
+"Eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon, lies the castle, and
+you are almost certain never to get there. But I will lend you my
+horse, and you may ride upon him to the East Wind; perhaps he may be
+able to tell you the way, but when you get to him, give the horse a
+pat under the left ear, and bid him go home, and now take this golden
+distaff, you will probably have occasion for it."
+
+She rode now a very long time, and at last arrived where the East Wind
+dwelt, and asked him if he could not tell her how to get to the
+prince who lived in the castle which lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon.
+
+"Truly, I have often heard tell of the prince, and of the castle too,"
+said the East Wind, "but I cannot tell you the way, for I have never
+blown so far; but I will carry you to my brother, the West Wind;
+perhaps he may know, for he is much stronger than I am. You have only
+to seat yourself on my back, and I will bear you thither."
+
+The maiden seated herself on his back, and off they went. When they
+reached the West Wind, the East Wind told him that he had brought a
+maiden who was to marry the prince who dwelt in the castle that lay
+eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon, and asked if he could
+tell the way thither.
+
+"No," answered the West Wind. "I have never blown so far. But," said
+he, addressing the maiden, "you may seat yourself on my back, and I
+will carry you to the South Wind; he may be able to tell you, for he
+is much stronger than I, and blows and blusters every where."
+
+So the maiden seated herself on his back, and when they had reached
+the South Wind, the West Wind asked him if he did not know the way to
+the castle which lay eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon,
+for the maiden whom he had brought with him, said he, was to marry the
+prince who dwelt there.
+
+"I have blown pretty far, and pretty strong in my time," said the
+South Wind, "but I never went so far as that. If, however, you desire
+it," said he to the maiden, "I will carry you to my brother, the North
+Wind, who is the eldest and strongest of us all, and if he cannot tell
+you the way, you may rest assured you will never find it."
+
+The maiden seated herself on his back, and off they went at such a
+rate that the plain heaved again.
+
+In a very short time they reached the North Wind; but he was so wild
+and turbulent that long before they got up to him, he blew, I know not
+how much snow and ice, in their faces.
+
+"What do you want?" cried he, in a voice that made their skin creep.
+
+"Oh, you must not be so rough with us," said the South Wind; "for here
+am I, your own brother, and this is the maiden who is to marry the
+prince who dwells in the castle which lies eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon, and she is very desirous to ask you if you
+cannot give her some information about it."
+
+"Yes, I know full well where it lies," said the North Wind; "I wafted
+an aspen leaf thither, once; but I was so fatigued that I could not
+blow for many a long day afterwards. If, however, you are resolved to
+go," said he to the maiden, "and are not afraid, I will take you on my
+back and try whether I can waft you so far."
+
+"Yes," said the maiden, "there I must and will go, by all possible
+means, and I will not be frightened either, let it be as bad as it
+may."
+
+"In that case you must pass the night here," said the North Wind; "for
+we must have the whole day before us, if we are to go there."
+
+Early the next morning the North Wind awakened her, got himself into
+breath, and grew so large and strong, that it was terrible to behold;
+and off they dashed through the air, as if the world were coming to an
+end. Then arose such an awful storm, that whole villages and forests
+were overturned, and as they passed over the ocean, the ships sank by
+hundreds. On they went still over the water, so far as no one would
+believe, but the North Wind became weaker and weaker, and so weak did
+he become, that he could scarcely blow any more, and he sank lower and
+lower, and at last got so low, that the waves flowed over his heels.
+
+"Are you frightened?" inquired he of the maiden.
+
+"No, not in the least," said she.
+
+Now they were only a very little way from land, and the North Wind had
+scarcely any strength remaining, to enable him to reach the shore
+under the windows of the castle that lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon. When he did get there, however, he was so weary
+and faint, that he was obliged to rest many days before he could
+return home.
+
+In the morning the maiden seated herself under the windows of the
+castle, and played with her golden apple, and the first person who saw
+her, was the long-nosed princess whom the prince was to marry.
+
+"What do you ask for your golden apple?" inquired the princess, as she
+opened her window.
+
+"It is not to be had for gold nor for gain;" said the maiden.
+
+"If you will not part with it for gold nor for gain, what will you
+take for it?" demanded the princess: "I will give whatever you ask."
+
+"Well, then, if you will let me pass a night by the prince's side, you
+shall have it," said the maiden.
+
+"Oh! that you are quite welcome to do," said the princess, and took
+the golden apple.
+
+But when at night the maiden came into the prince's chamber, he was
+fast asleep; she called to him and shook him, and cried and moaned,
+but she could not awaken him, and as soon as the morning dawned, the
+princess with the long nose came and drove her out of the room.
+
+That day the maiden again placed herself under the castle windows, and
+unwound the yarn from the golden reel, and the long-nosed princess
+spoke to her as on the day before. She asked her what she would take
+for the reel, but the maiden said it was not to be had for gold nor
+gain, but that if she might pass another night beside the prince, the
+princess should have it. She agreed, and took the golden reel. But
+when the maiden entered the chamber the prince was fast asleep; and,
+let her call and shake him, and weep and wail as she might, she could
+not rouse him; and when the morning dawned, the princess with the long
+nose again came and drove her away.
+
+This day the maiden seated herself as before with her golden distaff
+and span. When the princess saw the distaff, she wanted that also, and
+opened the window, and asked what she would sell it for. The maiden
+replied as before, neither for gold nor gain; but if the princess
+would let her pass another night with the prince, she should have it.
+Yes, she was very welcome, said the princess, and took the distaff.
+Now it happened that some persons who slept close to the prince's
+apartment, had heard the lamentations and melancholy cries of the
+maiden during the two nights, and that morning they told the prince of
+it. So in the evening when the princess brought the drink which the
+prince was accustomed to take before he went to bed, he pretended to
+drink it, but in reality he poured it on the ground behind him, for he
+suspected strongly that the princess had mixed a sleeping potion with
+it. Now when the maiden went into his room that night, he was wide
+awake, and was overjoyed at seeing her, and he made her tell him all
+that had happened to her, and how she had contrived to get to the
+castle. When she had related all he said:--
+
+"You are come just at the right moment; for to-morrow is to be my
+wedding with the princess; but I want nothing of her and her long
+nose, for you are the only one I will wed. I shall therefore say,
+that I want to know what my bride is fit for, and I shall require her
+to wash the three spots of oil out of my shirt. This she will
+willingly undertake to do, but I know that she will not succeed; for
+the spots were made by your hand, and can only be washed out again by
+Christian hands, and not by the hands of such a pack of sorcerers as
+she belongs to. I shall, however, say, that I will have no other bride
+than she who can succeed, and when they have all tried and failed, I
+shall call you, and desire you to try." So the night passed happily
+away, and on the bridal day the prince said:--
+
+"I should like vastly to see what my bride is fit for."
+
+"That is no more than fair," said the step-mother.
+
+"I have such a beautiful shirt," said the prince, "that I should like
+to wear it on my bridal day, but there are spots of grease on it, and
+I would willingly have them washed out; I have in consequence resolved
+to wed none but her who is able to wash them out."
+
+Truly, that was no such mighty matter, thought the women, and
+immediately set to work; and the princess with the long nose began to
+wash away as fast as she could. But the longer she washed, the larger
+and darker grew the spots.
+
+"Oh! you do not know much about the matter," said the old sorceress,
+her mother: "give it to me."
+
+But when she got hold of the shirt, it grew darker still, and the more
+she washed and rubbed, the larger grew the spots. Now the other
+witches of the establishment all tried their hands on the shirt, and
+the longer they washed the worse it grew, and at last the whole shirt
+looked as if it had been put up the chimney.
+
+"Ah! you are all good for nothing," cried the prince; "there sits a
+poor beggar wrench under the windows; I'll lay any wager she knows
+more about washing than all of you put together. Come hither, wench!"
+cried he; and when she came, he asked her:--
+
+"Can you wash that shirt clean?"
+
+"I don't know," said the maiden; "but I think I can."
+
+So the maiden took the shirt, and under her hands it soon became as
+white as the falling snow.
+
+"Ah, I will have thee for my bride!" cried the prince, and when the
+old sorceress heard that, she fell into such a tremendous rage, that
+it killed her; and I think that the princess with the long nose, and
+the whole pack of witches, must have expired also, for I have never
+heard of them since. Then the prince and his bride set free all the
+Christians who were confined in the castle; and they took as much gold
+and silver as they could carry away, and went far away from the castle
+that lies eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon. But how they
+contrived to get away, and whither they went, I do not know; if,
+however, they are what I take them for, they are at no very great
+distance from here.
+
+
+
+
+THE LITTLE MAN IN GREY.
+
+[Upper Lusatia.]
+
+
+A miner, a blacksmith, and a nun were travelling together through the
+wide world. One day they were bewildered in a dark forest, and were so
+wearied with wandering that they thought themselves right fortunate
+when they saw, at a distance, a building wherein they hoped to find
+shelter. They went up to it, and found that it was an ancient castle,
+which, although half in ruins, still was in condition to afford a
+habitation for such distressed pilgrims as they. They resolved
+therefore to enter, and held a council how they might best establish
+themselves in it, and they very soon agreed that it would be best that
+one of them should always remain at home whilst the other two went out
+in search of provisions. They then cast lots who should first stay
+behind, and the lot fell on the nun.
+
+So when the miner and the blacksmith were gone out into the forest,
+she prepared the food, and when noon arrived, and her companions did
+not return, she ate her share of the provisions. As soon as she had
+finished her meal a little man, clad in grey, came to the door, and
+shivering, said: "Oh, I am so cold!"
+
+Then the nun said to him: "Come to the fire and warm thyself."
+
+The little man did as the nun desired him, but presently after he
+exclaimed: "Oh, how hungry I am!"
+
+Then the nun said to him: "There is food by the fire; eat some of it."
+
+The little man fell upon the food, and in a very short time devoured
+it all. When the nun saw what he had done she was very angry, and
+scolded him for not having left any food for her companions. Upon this
+the little man flew into a great passion, seized the nun, beat her,
+and threw her from one wall to the other. He then quitted the castle
+and went his way, leaving the nun on the floor. Towards evening the
+two companions returned home very hungry, and when they found no food
+they reproached the nun bitterly, and would not believe her when she
+told them what had happened.
+
+The following day the miner proposed to keep watch in the castle, and
+said he would take good care that no one should have to go to bed
+fasting. So the two others went into the forest, and the miner looked
+after the cooking, ate his share, and put the rest by on the oven. The
+little grey clad man came as before, but how terrified was the miner
+when he perceived that this time the little man had two heads. He
+shivered as on the preceding day, saying: "Oh, how cold I am!"
+
+Much frightened, the miner pointed to the hearth. Then the little man
+said: "Oh, how hungry I am!"
+
+"There is food on the oven," said the miner; "eat some."
+
+Then the little man fell to with both his heads, and soon ate it all
+up, and licked the plates clean. When the miner reproached him for
+eating all up, he got for his pains just the same treatment as the
+nun. The little man beat him black and blue, and flung him against the
+walls till they cracked; the poor miner lost both sight and hearing,
+and at last the little man left him lying there, and went his way.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When the blacksmith and the nun returned hungry in the evening, and
+found no supper, the blacksmith fell into a great rage with the miner,
+and declared that when his turn should come next day to watch, the
+castle, no one should want a supper. The next day, at meal time, the
+little man appeared again but this time he had three heads. He
+complained of cold, and was bidden by the blacksmith to sit by the
+hearth. When he said he was hungry, the blacksmith gave him a portion
+of the food. The little man soon dispatched that, and looked greedily
+round with his six eyes, asking for more food, and when the blacksmith
+hesitated to give it him, he tried to treat him as he had done the
+nun and the miner; the blacksmith, however, was no coward, and seizing
+a great smith's hammer, he rushed on the little man, and struck off
+two of his heads, so that he made off as fast as he could with his
+remaining head. But the blacksmith chased him through the forest along
+many a pathway, till at last he suddenly disappeared through an iron
+door. The blacksmith was thus obliged to give up the pursuit, but
+promised himself not to rest until, with the aid of his two
+companions, he should have brought the matter to a satisfactory
+conclusion.
+
+Meantime the nun and the miner had returned home. The smith set their
+supper before them as he had undertaken to do, and then related his
+adventure, showing them the two heads he had cut off, with their
+staring glazed eyes. They then all three resolved to free themselves
+altogether, if possible, from the little grey man, and the very next
+day they set to work. They searched a long time before they could find
+the iron door through which he had disappeared the preceding day, and
+great toil did it cost them before they were able to break it open.
+They then found themselves in a great vaulted chamber wherein sat a
+beautiful maiden at a table, working. She started up, and threw
+herself at their feet, thanking them as her deliverers, and told them
+that she was the daughter of a king, and had been confined there by a
+powerful sorcerer. Yesterday afternoon she had suddenly felt that the
+spell was loosened, and from that moment she had hourly expected her
+freedom, but that besides herself there was the daughter of another
+king confined in the same place. They then went in search of the other
+king's daughter and set her at liberty also. She thanked them joyfully
+in like manner, and said that she also had felt since yesterday
+afternoon that the spell was unbound. The two royal maidens now
+informed their liberators that in concealed caves of the castle great
+treasures were hoarded, which were guarded by a terrible dog. They
+went in search of them and at length came upon the dog, whom the
+blacksmith slew with his hammer, although he endeavoured to defend
+himself.
+
+The treasure consisted of whole tons of gold and silver, and a
+handsome young man sat beside them as if to guard them. He came to
+meet them and thanked them for setting him free. He was the son of a
+king, but had been transformed by a sorcerer into the three-headed
+little man and banished to that castle. By the loss of two of his
+heads the spell was taken off the two royal maidens, and when the
+blacksmith slew the terrible dog he himself was delivered from it. For
+that service the whole of the treasure should be theirs.
+
+The treasure was then divided, and it was a long time before they
+could complete the distribution. The two princesses, however, out of
+gratitude to their deliverers, married the miner and the blacksmith,
+and the handsome prince married the nun; and so they passed the rest
+of their lives in peace and joy.
+
+
+
+
+RED, WHITE, AND BLACK.
+
+[Normandy.]
+
+
+The eldest son of a mighty monarch was once walking alone in a field,
+which, as it was the depth of winter, happened to be covered with
+snow. He perceived a raven flying by, and shot him. The bird fell dead
+on the ground and the snow was sprinkled with his blood. The glossy
+black of his plumage, the dazzling white of the snow, and the red
+blood, formed a combination of colours which delighted the eyes of the
+prince. The impression did not pass away from his memory; the colours
+seemed perpetually to float before his eyes, and at length he
+conceived in his heart an intense desire to possess a wife who should
+be as rosy as that blood, as white as that snow, and have hair as
+black as the plumage of that raven.
+
+One day as he sat profoundly musing on the object of his desires, a
+voice said to him:--"My prince, go travel into Marvel-land, and there
+in the centre of an immense forest you will find an apple-tree,
+bearing larger and fairer fruit than you have ever yet beheld; pluck
+three of the apples, but forbear to open them until you shall be again
+at home; they will present you with a bride exactly such as you
+covet."
+
+Marvel-land was very remote from the prince's home, and very difficult
+of access, but nothing could deter him from undertaking the journey.
+He started forthwith, travelled over land and sea, and searched the
+forest with the utmost diligence, till at length he found the tree. He
+broke off three fine apples, and as, in the first transports of his
+joy, he could not resist the curiosity which urged him, he opened one
+of them on the spot. A lovely maiden came out of it so enchantingly
+fair, and so exactly corresponding to the image he had formed, that he
+was lost in admiration. But the maiden, so far from being well
+disposed towards him, gazed on him with looks of scorn, and bitterly
+reproaching him for having carried her off, vanished from his sight.
+
+This great disappointment might naturally have reduced him to despair;
+but as he was of a disposition to be easily consoled, he soon
+comforted himself with the trust that the two remaining apples would
+give him compensation for his loss. Full of this sweet hope, he
+resolved not to open them until he should reach his own country. But
+even the saddest experience does not always suffice to enable us to
+resist temptation. The prince's impatience was stronger than his
+reason, and a second time he yielded to his desire of opening one of
+the remaining apples.
+
+He was at that time on the sea, and as there is very little amusement
+to be had during a voyage on that element, perhaps very few persons
+would have acted otherwise than he did. He persuaded himself that if
+he caused the whole of the deck to be covered with an awning, the fair
+one could not escape him. He therefore opened the second apple, and as
+before, a maiden of unequalled beauty stood before him; she manifested
+the same displeasure as the former one, and notwithstanding the
+precautions he had taken, disappeared in like manner. But even these
+two experiences barely sufficed to render the prince prudent.
+
+At length however he reached his native country, and on opening the
+remaining apple, a third maiden as lovely as the others, but far more
+gentle, appeared. He immediately married her, and they were the
+happiest couple in the world.
+
+After a time he was obliged to go out to war against a neighbouring
+potentate, and thus to quit his beloved. The queen-mother, in whose
+power the young bride now found herself, had never approved the
+marriage. She caused her daughter-in-law to be murdered in a barbarous
+manner, flung the corpse into the moat that surrounded the castle, and
+to complete her guilty deed, she substituted for the unhappy queen a
+person who was entirely devoted to herself.
+
+When the prince returned he was greatly astonished to find a wife so
+different from the one he had left. But the queen his mother assured
+him confidently that the person she presented to him was his wife. She
+did not attempt to deny the great alteration in her appearance, but
+she ascribed the transformation to the effect of magic.
+
+In truth, the mode by which the prince had obtained his wife did give
+some appearance of probability to the queen's assertion, and at all
+events, whether from softness of disposition, or absence of distrust,
+the prince believed what he was told. But all was unavailing to make
+him forget his first passion. Night and day he mused upon the past,
+and would pass whole hours leaning against the window of his palace.
+
+One day as he was thus musing in deep melancholy, he perceived in the
+castle moat a fish whose shining scales were red, white, and black. He
+was so struck by the sight that he never withdrew his eyes from the
+fish. The old queen, who considered this extraordinary attention to
+the fish as a consequence of his early passion, resolved to destroy
+every object that might tend to recall it to his memory. She therefore
+commanded the false princess to feign the most vehement longing to eat
+the very fish which had so attracted her husband's attention. He could
+not deny a request which in the opinion of all others was so innocent.
+The fish was caught, served at the table of the supposed princess, and
+the prince relapsed into his usual melancholy.
+
+Not very long after he was comforted by the appearance of a tree which
+was red, white, and black. The tree was of an unknown genus, no one
+had planted it, nor sown any seed; it had suddenly grown up on the
+spot where the scales of the fish had been thrown away.
+
+This fair tree gave the prince great pleasure and the queen equal
+displeasure; she at once resolved on its destruction in spite of the
+sad prince's remonstrances. It was uprooted and burnt; but from its
+ashes suddenly arose a magnificent palace constructed of red rubies,
+white pearls, and black ebony. The three colours which the prince so
+loved, produced now an enchanting effect. Long did he endeavour in
+vain to enter that fair palace; the gates remained fast closed, and at
+last he contented himself with incessantly contemplating it, and
+passed day after day in this occupation which recalled to him the
+object of his wishes.
+
+His constancy was at last rewarded; the gates flew open; he entered
+the palace, and after traversing numerous apartments, he found in a
+small chamber his first wife whom he had so tenderly loved, and whose
+memory was so dear to him. She reproached him for having by his
+yielding disposition caused her so much suffering, but at the same
+time testified the vivid joy which she felt as she perceived that he
+was so deserving of the forgiveness she bestowed on him.
+
+The happiness of the re-united pair was not again disturbed, and they
+lived together perfectly satisfied with their destiny.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES AND THE WIZARD KING.
+
+[African.]
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived a king who had twelve daughters, whom he
+loved so tenderly that he could not bear that they should be out of
+his presence, except when he was sleeping in the afternoon, and then
+they always took a walk. On one occasion, it happened that whilst the
+king was enjoying his afternoon's nap, the princesses went out as
+usual, but they did not return home. This threw all the inhabitants of
+the country into the greatest trouble and affliction, but the king was
+still more grieved than any of his subjects. He sent messengers to
+every corner of his kingdom, and into all the foreign lands he had
+ever heard mentioned, causing search to be made for his daughters; but
+no tidings could he get of them.
+
+So, after a time, it became quite clear to everybody that they had
+been carried off by some wizard. The report of this soon spread from
+city to city, and from country to country, till at last it reached the
+ears of another king, who lived far, far away, and this king happened
+to have twelve sons. When the twelve princes heard the marvellous tale
+about the twelve princesses, they begged their father to permit them
+to travel in search of the missing royal maidens. The old king,
+however, for a long time would not hear of any such thing, for he
+feared that he might never see his sons again; but they threw
+themselves at his feet, and besought him so long and earnestly that at
+last he yielded, and gave them leave to set out on their travels. He
+caused a vessel to be equipped for them, and gave the charge of it to
+one of his courtiers, called Commander Rod. Long, long did they sail,
+and whenever they touched on the coast of any country, they made every
+inquiry about the princesses, but could not discover the least trace
+of them.
+
+They had nearly completed the seventh year since they first set sail,
+when a violent storm arose. It blew such a gale that they thought they
+never should reach the shore; but on the third day the tempest
+subsided, and suddenly it became quite calm. All on board were now so
+fatigued by the hard work they had done during the tempest that they
+all went to sleep at once, excepting only the youngest prince, who
+became very restless, and could not sleep at all. Now whilst he was
+pacing the deck, the vessel neared an island, and on the shore was a
+little dog running backwards and forwards, and howling and barking
+towards the ship as if it wanted to be taken on board. The king's son
+whistled to it, and tried to entice it to him, but it seemed afraid to
+leave the shore, and only barked and howled louder still. The prince
+thought it would be a sin to leave the poor dog to perish, for he
+supposed it had escaped there from some ship that had foundered during
+the storm. He therefore set to work to lower the boat, and after
+having rowed to the shore, he went towards the little dog, but
+whenever he was about to lay hold of it, it sprang from him, and so
+lured him onward, till at last he found himself unexpectedly in the
+court of a great and magnificent castle, when the little dog suddenly
+changed into a beautiful princess.
+
+The prince then noticed, sitting on the beach, a man so gigantic and
+frightful that he was quite alarmed. "You have no cause for
+uneasiness," said the man; but when the prince heard his voice he was
+more frightened still.
+
+"I know very well what you want; you are one of the twelve princes who
+are in search of the twelve lost princesses. I know also where they
+are. They are beside my master, each sitting on her own chair, and
+combing the hair of one of his heads, for he has twelve. You have now
+been sailing about for seven years, and you have to sail for seven
+years more before you will find them. As to what concerns yourself,
+individually, you should be welcome to remain here and marry my
+daughter, but you must first kill my master, for he is very harsh to
+us, and we have long been quite tired of him: and when he is dead I
+shall be king in his place. Try now if you can wield this sword," said
+the wizard, for such he was.
+
+The prince tried to grasp a rusty sword which hung against the wall,
+but could not stir it from the spot.
+
+"Well, then you must take a draught out of this flask," said the
+wizard.
+
+The prince did so, and was then able to unhang the sword from the
+wall; after a second draught he could raise it, and the third enabled
+him to wield it with as much ease as his own.
+
+"When you return on board the vessel," said the wizard prince, "you
+must conceal the sword in your hammock, so that Commander Rod may not
+see it. He cannot wield it, I know, but he will hate you on that
+account, and try to kill you. When seven more years all but three days
+shall have passed away," he continued, "the same that has befallen you
+now will again occur: a violent gale will arise, with storm and hail,
+and when it is over, all will be again fatigued, and lie down in their
+hammocks. You must then take the sword, and row to land. You will
+arrive at a castle guarded by wolves, bears, and lions, but you need
+not fear them; they will crawl at your feet. As soon as you enter the
+castle, you will see the giant sitting in a splendidly adorned
+chamber, and a princess will be seated on her own chair, beside one of
+his twelve heads. As soon as you see him you must with all speed cut
+off one head after the other, before he awakes, for should he do that,
+he will eat you alive."
+
+The prince returned to the ship with the sword, and did not forget
+what the wizard had told him. The others were still lying sound
+asleep, so he concealed the sword in his hammock without Commander Rod
+or any of the others perceiving it. A breeze now sprang up, and the
+prince awakened the crew, and told them that with such a fair wind
+they must no longer lie sleeping there. Time wore on, and the prince
+was for ever thinking of the adventure that awaited him, and much
+doubted that it would have a fortunate issue.
+
+At last, when seven years all but three days were over, everything
+happened just as the wizard had foretold. A fierce tempest arose, and
+lasted three days, and when it was over the whole crew were fatigued,
+and lay down to sleep in their hammocks. The youngest prince, however,
+then rowed to the shore, and there he found the castle, guarded by
+wolves, bears, and lions, who all crawled at his feet, so that he
+entered without opposition. In one of the apartments sat the king,
+asleep, and the twelve princesses sat each on her chair, employed as
+the wizard had said. The prince made signs to them that they should
+retire; they however pointed to the wizard, and signed to him in
+return that he had better quickly withdraw. But he tried to make them
+understand, by looks and gestures, that he was come to deliver them,
+and when, at length, they understood his design, they stole softly
+away one after the other. Then the prince rushed on the wizard king,
+and cut off his heads, so that the blood flowed like a great river,
+and when he had convinced himself that the wizard was dead, he rowed
+back to the vessel, and again concealed the sword. He thought he had
+now done enough unaided, and as he could not carry the giant's corpse
+out of the castle without assistance, he resolved that the others
+should help him. He therefore awakened them, and told them it was a
+shame that they should lie sleeping there, whilst he had found the
+princesses, and delivered them out of the wizard's power. They all
+laughed at him, and said he must have been asleep too, and had only
+dreamt that he had become such a hero; for it was far more likely that
+one of themselves should deliver the princesses than such a youth as
+he.
+
+Then the prince told them all that had happened, so they consented to
+row to the land, and when they beheld the river of blood, and the
+wizard's castle, and his twelve heads lying there, and saw also the
+twelve princesses, they were convinced that he had spoken the truth,
+and so assisted him in throwing the heads and the corpse of the wizard
+into the sea. They were now all right merry and pleased, but none were
+better pleased than the princesses to be delivered from the task of
+sitting all day beside the giant, combing his twelve heads.
+
+The princes and princesses, after they had collected as much of the
+gold and silver, and as many of the costly articles in the castle as
+they could carry, returned to the vessel, and again set sail. They had
+not gone far, however, when the princesses recollected that, in their
+joy, they had omitted to bring away with them their golden crowns,
+which were in a great chest, and these they very much desired to have
+with them. As no one else seemed inclined to go back for them, the
+youngest of the king's sons said: "Since I have already dared to do so
+much, I may as well also fetch the golden crowns, if you will take in
+the sails and wait my return."
+
+Yes, they were willing to do that; they would lower the sails and wait
+till he returned. But the prince was no sooner out of sight of the
+vessel than Commander Rod, who wished to play the principal part, and
+to marry the youngest princess, said: "It was no use for us to stay
+here waiting for the prince, who, we may be sure, will not come back;
+besides," added he, "you know full well that the king has given to me
+full power to sail when and where I think proper;" then he insisted
+further that they should all say that it was he who had set the
+princesses free: and if any one of them should dare to say otherwise
+it should cost him his life. The princes were afraid to contradict
+him, so they sailed away. Meanwhile the younger prince had rowed to
+the shore, and soon found in the castle the chest containing the
+golden crowns, and after a great deal of trouble and fatigue, for it
+was very heavy, he succeeded in heaving it into the boat. But when he
+got out into the open sea, the ship was no longer in sight. He looked
+north, south, east, and west, but no trace could he discover of it,
+and he quickly guessed what had occurred. He knew that to row after it
+would be quite useless, so he had only to turn back and row again to
+the shore. It is true that he was rather alarmed at the idea of
+passing the night all alone in the castle, but there was no avoiding
+it; so he screwed up his courage as well as he could, locked all the
+gates and doors, and lay down to sleep in a bed which he found ready
+prepared in one of the apartments. But he felt very uneasy, and became
+much more terrified, on presently hearing in the roof over his head,
+and along the walls, a creaking and cracking, as if the castle were
+about to split asunder; and then came a great rustling close to his
+bed, like a whole haystack falling down. However, he was in some
+degree comforted when he immediately after the noise heard a voice
+bidding him not to be alarmed.
+
+    "Fear not, fear not, thy friend I am;
+    I am the wondrous bird called Dam.
+    When thou'rt in trouble call on me:
+    I shall be near to succour thee,"
+
+said the voice, and then added: "As soon as you wake to-morrow
+morning, you must go directly to the Stabur[4], and fetch me four
+bushels of rye for my breakfast; I must have a good meal, otherwise I
+can do nothing for you."
+
+[Footnote 4: A building used as a kind of store-room or larder, and
+supported on short pillars or posts, so as not to allow it to touch
+the ground.]
+
+When the prince awoke in the morning, he saw by his bed-side a
+terribly large bird, who had a feather at the back of his head as long
+as a half-grown fir tree. The prince immediately went to the Stabur
+and brought thence four bushels of rye, as the wondrous bird Dam had
+commanded, who, as soon as he had taken his breakfast, desired the
+prince to hang the chest containing the golden crowns on one side of
+his neck, and as much gold and silver as would balance it on the
+other, and then to get upon his back and hold fast by the long
+feather. The prince obeyed and off they went, whizzing through the air
+at such a rate, that in a very short time they found themselves
+exactly above the ship. The prince then wished to go on board, that he
+might get the sword which the wizard had given him.
+
+[Illustration: THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES AND THE WIZARD KING. P.
+259.]
+
+But the wondrous bird Dam told him that he must not do so: "Commander
+Rod," added he, "will not discover it; but if you go on board he will
+try to kill you, for he very much wishes to marry the youngest
+princess; but make yourself easy about her, for every night she places
+a drawn sword on the bed by her side."
+
+At last they reached the castle of the wizard prince, who gave the
+young prince a hearty welcome. He seemed as if he could not make
+enough of him, for having killed his sovereign, in whose stead he was
+now king. He would willingly have given his daughter and half his
+kingdom to the young prince, but that the latter was so much in love
+with the youngest of the twelve princesses, that he could think of no
+one but her, and he was all impatience to be off again.
+
+The wizard, however, besought him to have a little patience, and told
+him that the princesses were doomed to sail about still for twice
+seven years before they could return home. As to the youngest
+princess, the wizard said exactly the same as the wondrous bird Dam:
+"You may be quite at ease concerning her," said he, "for she always
+carries a drawn sword to bed with her. And if you do not believe me,
+you may go on board when they next sail past this place, to convince
+yourself; and, at the same time, bring me the sword I lent you, for I
+must positively have it back."
+
+Now after seven years' more wandering, the princes and princesses were
+again sailing past the island; a terrible storm came on as before, and
+after it was over the king's son went on board and found them all fast
+asleep as on the former occasions; but by each of the princes a
+princess also lay asleep. Only the youngest princess slept alone, with
+a naked sword beside her; and on the floor, in front of the bed, lay
+Commander Rod, also sound asleep. The king's son took the sword from
+his hammock, and rowed to the island, without any one having perceived
+that he had been on board.
+
+The prince, however, grew more and more impatient, always wishing to
+set out again.
+
+At length, when the second seven years were completed all but three
+weeks, the wizard said to him: "Now you may prepare for your voyage,
+since you are determined not to remain with us. I will lend you an
+iron boat that will go of itself on the water, by your merely saying
+to it: 'Boat, go forwards.' In the boat you will find a boat-hook,
+which you must lift up a little when you see the ship right before
+you. Such a fresh breeze will then spring up, that the ship's crew
+will forget to look after you. As soon as you get near the ship, raise
+the boat-hook a little higher, and then a storm will arise that will
+give them other work to do than spying after you. When you shall have
+passed the ship, raise the boat-hook for the third time, but you must
+be careful each time to lay it down again, else there will be such a
+tempest, that you, as well as the others, will perish. On reaching the
+shore, you need take no further trouble about the boat than to turn it
+upside down, shove it into the sea, and say: 'Boat, go home again.'"
+
+When the prince was departing, he received from the wizard so much
+gold and silver, together with other treasures, and clothes and linen
+which the princess had made for him during his long stay in the
+island, that he was a great deal richer than any of his brothers.
+
+He had no sooner seated himself in the boat and said, "Boat, go
+forwards," than on it went, and when he came in sight of the ship, he
+raised the boat-hook, and a breeze sprang up, so that the crew forgot
+to look after him; and on nearing the vessel he did the same, when
+such a storm and gale arose, that the ship was covered with the white
+spray, and the waves broke over the deck, so that the crew had no
+leisure to remark him. At last when he had passed the ship, he raised
+the boat-hook the third time, and the crew found enough to do to make
+them quite forget him. He reached the land long before the ship, and,
+after taking his property out of the boat, he turned it over, shoved
+it into the sea, saying, "Boat, go home," and away it went.
+
+He now disguised himself as a sailor, and went to the wretched hovel
+of an old woman, to whom he said he was a poor shipwrecked sailor, the
+only one of the crew who had escaped drowning; and he begged shelter
+in her hut for himself and the things he had saved from the wreck.
+
+"Ah, heaven help me," replied the woman, "I can give no one shelter. I
+have not even a bed for myself, let alone any one else."
+
+Oh! that did not signify, said the sailor, so that he had but a roof
+over his head, it was all one to him what he lay upon; therefore she
+would not surely refuse him the shelter of her roof, since he was
+content to take things as he found them.
+
+In the evening, he brought his things to the cottage, and the old
+woman, who did not at all dislike to have something new to talk about,
+began inquiring who he was, where he had been, and whither he was
+going; what were the things he had brought with him; on what business
+he was travelling, and whether he had heard anything of the twelve
+princesses who had disappeared so many years ago, with so many other
+questions, that it would be tiresome to repeat them.
+
+But the sailor replied that he felt so ill, and had such a terrible
+headache from the fatigues he had undergone during the storm, that he
+could not accurately recollect anything that had passed; but that
+after he should have had a few days repose, and recovered from his
+labours, she should hear all.
+
+The next day, however, the old woman renewed her questions, but the
+sailor pretended still to have such a terrible headache, that he could
+not rightly remember anything; though he did let a word or two drop,
+as by accident, which showed that he did know something about the
+princesses.
+
+Off ran the old woman to tell this news to all the gossips in the
+neighbourhood, who hurried one after the other to the hut, to hear all
+about the princesses; and to ask whether the sailor had seen them, if
+they were soon coming, and a hundred other questions.
+
+Still the sailor had such a terrible headache, that he could not
+answer their questions. Thus much, however, he did say: that if the
+princesses were not wrecked during that fierce storm, they would
+certainly arrive in fourteen days, or even sooner. He had certainly
+seen them alive, but they might have since perished.
+
+One of the gossips went forthwith to the royal residence, and related
+all that she had heard; and when the king heard it, he desired that
+the sailor should be brought to him.
+
+The sailor replied, "I have no clothes in which I can appear before
+the king."
+
+But he was told that he must go, for the king must and would see him,
+whatever appearance he might make, for he was the first person who had
+ever brought any news of the princesses. So he entered the king's
+presence, when he was asked if he had really seen the princesses.
+
+"Yes," said the sailor, "but I know not if they still live, for when
+I saw them, it was during such a fierce storm, that we were wrecked.
+But if they did not then go to the bottom, they may be here in about
+fourteen days, or perhaps sooner."
+
+When the king heard this, he was almost frantic with joy, and at the
+appointed time for the arrival of the princesses, he went down to the
+shore in state to meet them; and great was the rejoicing through the
+land, when at last the ship sailed into port, with the princes, and
+princesses, and Commander Rod. The eleven elder princesses were in
+high spirits and good humour; but the youngest, whom Commander Rod was
+anxious to marry, was very sad and wept incessantly, for which the
+king chid her, and asked her why she was not happy and cheerful, like
+her sisters. She had no cause, thought he, to be sad, now she was
+delivered from the wizard, and had such a fine man as Commander Rod
+for her lover. The Princess however durst not tell the truth, for
+Commander Rod had told the king that it was himself who had liberated
+the princesses, and had threatened to kill any one who should say
+otherwise.
+
+Now, one day while the princesses were making their wedding clothes, a
+man in a coarse sailor's jacket, with a pedlar's pack on his back,
+came and asked them if they would not like to buy some fine things for
+their wedding, for he had some costly articles of gold and silver.
+
+"Yes," said they, "very possibly they might," and they looked very
+attentively at the ornaments, and still more so at him, for they could
+not help fancying that they had seen both him and the goods before.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+At last the youngest princess said, that he who had such costly
+articles, might perhaps have others still more suitable to them.
+
+"Very possibly," returned the pedlar.
+
+But her sisters bade her be quiet, and remember Commander Rod's
+threat.
+
+Shortly after, when the princesses were sitting at the window, the
+king's son came again in his coarse sailor jacket, carrying the chest
+with the golden crowns.
+
+On entering the hall, he opened the chest, and now when the princesses
+recognised each her own golden crown, the youngest princess said:--"To
+me it seems only fair and just, that he who suffers for us, should
+receive the reward to which he is entitled; our deliverer is not
+Commander Rod, but he who has now brought us our golden crowns, is
+also he who destroyed the wizard."
+
+Then the king's son threw off his jacket, and stood there far more
+splendidly attired than any of the rest.
+
+The king now caused Commander Rod to be put to death for his perfidy,
+and gave his daughter in marriage to the young prince.
+
+The rejoicings in the royal residence were very great, and each prince
+took his princess away to a different realm, so that the tale was told
+and talked about in no less than twelve distinct kingdoms.
+
+
+
+
+THE STUDY OF MAGIC UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
+
+[Italian.]
+
+
+In the island of Sicily, and in the fair and famous city of Messina,
+dwelt a man, Lactantius by name, who was a great proficient in two
+different arts. By day, and ostensibly to his fellow-citizens, he
+carried on the trade of a tailor; but by night, and secretly, he
+studied the art of necromancy. One evening, when he had locked himself
+in his room, and was occupied with all kinds of magic works, as ill
+luck would have it, a young man, one of his apprentices, came to the
+door. Dionysius, such was his name, had returned to fetch from the
+chamber of Lactantius something which he had forgotten. When he
+perceived that the door was closed, but at the same time heard a noise
+within, he crept gently up, peeped through the keyhole, and witnessed
+his master's magic doings. Such delight did this give the young man,
+that from that moment he thought of nothing but how he might secretly
+learn his master's art. Needle, thimble, and shears thenceforth were
+little troubled by him; he cared alone to learn that which no one
+cared to teach him, and so from having been an industrious, attentive,
+useful workman, he became careless, idle, and inattentive. Lactantius
+perceiving this change in his apprentice, discharged him from his
+service, and sent him back to his father, who was much grieved in
+consequence.
+
+The father having repeatedly lectured his son, with tears besought him
+to attend to his duty, and taking him back to the tailor, earnestly
+begged him to receive his son once again, desiring him, should he
+again neglect his business, to punish him severely.
+
+Lactantius, out of kindness to the poor man, was soon persuaded; he
+again received his pupil, and instructed him carefully every day in
+cutting out and sewing. As, however, Dionysius would absolutely learn
+nothing, his master gave him many a sound caning, so that the poor
+apprentice, who received more blows than bread, was always black and
+blue, all of which he bore with the greatest patience, so insensible
+had he become to everything through the engrossing desire to learn
+that secret art which he night after night watched his master carry
+on, as he stood peeping through the keyhole.
+
+Lactantius, who took him for the stupid lout he appeared to be, at
+last gave himself no further trouble to conceal his witchcraft from
+him, thinking that as he could not even learn the business of
+tailoring, which is so easy, he would far less comprehend witchcraft,
+which is really a puzzling art. He therefore no longer made a secret
+of his practices to Dionysius, who now thought himself the most
+fortunate of men, and who although others considered him such a
+blockhead, in a very short time became such a proficient in the magic
+art, that he understood more of it than his master.
+
+One day, as the father was passing by Lactantius' house, not seeing
+his son in the shop, he entered, and found that, instead of working
+with the other apprentices, he was cleaning the house, and in short,
+performing all the offices of a housemaid.
+
+This so disturbed the good man, that he took his son home with him,
+and thus lectured him: "Thou knowest, Dionysius, how much I have
+expended on thee, in the hope that thou wouldst learn a useful
+business, whereby one day to support thyself and me; but, alas! I have
+sown my seed on the waters, for thou refusest to learn anything. Truly
+this will be my death, for I am so poor I know not how to support
+myself, nor have I any means of providing for thee. Therefore, I
+beseech thee, my son, learn to support thyself in any respectable way
+thou canst."
+
+Having said this, the old man began to weep, when Dionysius, moved by
+his distress, replied: "Dear father, I thank you a thousand times, and
+from my heart, for all the trouble and anxiety you have had on my
+account: but I beg you will not think, because I did not learn
+tailoring, as you wished me, that I have therefore passed the time in
+idleness. On the contrary, by night-watching and unwearied efforts, I
+have learned an art which I hope hereafter to exercise so
+efficaciously that you and I shall live all our days in peace and joy.
+That you may not imagine that I say this merely to satisfy you for the
+moment, I will at once give you a proof of what I affirm.
+
+"To-morrow, by means of my secret art, I will transform myself into a
+fine horse; saddle and bridle me, and lead me to the market, and sell
+me. When you shall have made your bargain, go quietly home, your
+pocket full of money, and you shall find me here again in the same
+form which I now bear. Judge therefore whether or not I have learned
+something useful, since in so short a time I can earn for you the
+necessaries of life. Take especial heed, however, when you sell me,
+not to part with my bridle; this, come what will, you must carefully
+retain, else I shall not be able to return, and perhaps you may never
+see me again."
+
+The next morning Dionysius stripped himself in presence of his father,
+and after anointing himself with a certain ointment, he murmured some
+words, whereupon, to the inexpressible astonishment of the good old
+man, in the place of his son, a fine powerful horse suddenly appeared,
+which he immediately harnessed as his son had instructed him, and led
+him to the market. As soon as the merchants and horse-dealers saw him,
+they gathered round him, quite delighted with the beauty of the horse,
+the action of whose limbs and whole body was so perfect, and who
+showed such a fleetness and fire, that it was quite surprising. All
+inquired if the horse were for sale, to which the old man replied in
+the affirmative.
+
+By accident, Lactantius was in the market, and as soon as he saw the
+horse, and had narrowly examined him, he at once discovered that it
+was a magic horse. He therefore withdrew unperceived from the crowd,
+and hastened home, disguised himself as a merchant, and provided with
+an ample sum of money, returned to the market, where he found the man
+still with his horse. He approached the animal, and after attentively
+observing him, recognised in him his apprentice, Dionysius. He then
+asked the old man if he would sell him, and they soon concluded a
+bargain. Lactantius paid him two hundred gold pieces; but as he took
+him by the bridle to lead him away, the old man objected, saying that
+he had sold the horse but not the bridle, which he must have back
+again. Lactantius however contrived to talk him over, so that he
+obtained the bridle as well as the horse, which he led home, and
+fastening him to the stall, gave him for breakfast and supper so many
+hundred blows, that the poor beast became nothing but skin and bones,
+and excited the compassion of all who beheld him.
+
+Lactantius had two daughters, who, when they saw their father's
+barbarity, went daily into the stable to do what they could for the
+poor horse. They caressed him, patted him, and treated him with all
+possible kindness, and one day went so far as to lead him by the
+halter to drink at the stream. The moment, however, the horse found
+himself by the water, he threw himself into it, and transforming
+himself into a little fish, he disappeared in the waves.
+
+At this extraordinary occurrence the maidens stood speechless with
+astonishment, and returning home, gave way to the deepest sorrow. Some
+time after Lactantius returned, and went into the stable to administer
+a little further chastisement to his horse, when to his great
+astonishment he found him gone. Very indignant thereat, he went to his
+daughters, and beheld them in tears. Without inquiring the cause, for
+he knew full well the cause of their trouble, he said to them: "My
+children, fear nothing, only tell me what has become of the horse, in
+order that I may at once take measures concerning him."
+
+The poor maidens composed themselves on hearing these words, and
+related to him what had happened. When the father had heard the story,
+he hastened to the river, transformed himself into a large fish,
+dashed into the water, and as fast as his fins could carry him pursued
+the little fish, intending to swallow him.
+
+When the latter beheld the voracious fish, with its terrible teeth, he
+was dreadfully alarmed at the thought of being swallowed by him, and
+approaching the bank of the river, he left the water, and in the form
+of a beautiful ruby, set in gold, he threw himself unseen into the
+little basket which the king's daughter, who happened just then to be
+amusing herself with picking up little pebbles on the sand, carried on
+her arm.
+
+As soon as the princess, who was called Violante, returned home, she
+took her treasures out of the little basket, and perceived the ring
+shining amongst the pebbles. Quite delighted, she placed it on her
+finger, and could not desist from contemplating it.
+
+At night, when the princess had retired to her sleeping apartment, the
+ring suddenly changed into a handsome young man. He laid his hand on
+the princess's mouth, who was about to scream aloud, then threw
+himself at her feet and besought her forgiveness. He assured her he
+was not there with any disrespectful purpose, but only to implore her
+assistance, and then told her his misfortune, and the persecutions he
+had to endure.
+
+Violante, somewhat re-assured by the bright light of the lamp which
+burned in her chamber, as also by the words of the young man, whom she
+found very handsome and attractive, felt compassion for him, and
+said: "Young man, thou art very bold in entering a place where thy
+presence was not desired. But in consideration of thy misfortune, I
+will forgive thee. Thy narration has awakened all my compassion, and I
+will show thee that I am not made of marble, nor have a heart of
+adamant. I am even resolved, so far as my honour will permit, to give
+thee my entire protection."
+
+The young man humbly returned thanks, and, when day dawned, again
+transformed himself into the ring, which the princess placed amongst
+her most costly jewels.
+
+It happened just about that time, that the king fell dangerously ill,
+and all his physicians declared his disease was incurable.
+
+This came to the ears of Lactantius, who thereupon disguised himself
+as a physician, went to the royal palace, and being introduced to the
+king, inquired carefully respecting his symptoms, felt his pulse,
+examined his countenance, and said: "Your majesty's disease is no
+doubt an obstinate one, and very dangerous; but take courage: in a
+short time I will restore you to health, for I possess a remedy by
+which I can in a few days cure the severest and most dangerous illness
+that exists."
+
+"Master physician," replied the king, "if you restore me to health, I
+promise to reward you so richly that you shall be content for the rest
+of your life."
+
+"My sovereign," rejoined the physician, "I desire neither rank,
+honours, nor riches, but only request your majesty will grant me one
+favour."
+
+The king readily promised this, on condition that he should require
+nothing that was impossible.
+
+"I ask nothing more of your majesty than a ruby set in gold, which is
+now in the possession of the princess your daughter."
+
+When the king heard this modest request, he sent for his daughter, and
+in presence of the physician, desired her to fetch her whole stock of
+jewels. The princess obeyed, leaving out, however, the precious ring.
+But when the physician had thoroughly examined them, he said the ruby
+he wished for was not amongst them.
+
+Violante, who valued her ruby above all the rest, affirmed that she
+had no other jewels than those now before them; whereupon the king
+said to the physician: "Retire now, and return to-morrow; I will
+undertake that my daughter shall give me the ring."
+
+When the physician was gone, the king called Violante, and inquired in
+the gentlest manner, where was the beautiful ruby which the physician
+wished for; saying that if she would give it to him, she should have
+in its place a still more beautiful and precious one. But she
+positively denied having it in her possession.
+
+She no sooner returned to her apartment, than she locked herself in,
+and began to weep bitterly at the thought of losing her poor ruby,
+which she bathed with her tears, and kissed with the utmost
+tenderness.
+
+When the ruby felt the hot tears that fell from the princess's eyes,
+and heard her deep sighs, it assumed the human form, and said to her:
+"Princess, on whom my life hangs, I beseech you, do not thus
+immoderately grieve at my misfortune. Let us rather devise some means
+of rescue; for that physician who so zealously covets the possession
+of me, is no other than my greatest foe Lactantius, who desires to
+kill me. Therefore I implore you, do not give me into his hand, but
+feign to be indignant, and dash me against the wall: leave the rest to
+my care."
+
+The following morning the physician again visited the king, who
+informed him that his daughter still persisted that she did not
+possess the ring. Lactantius much displeased, on hearing this,
+however, positively asserted that the ruby was in the princess's
+collection.
+
+Thereupon the king again sent for the princess, and in the physician's
+presence said to her: "Violante, thou knowest that I owe the
+restoration of my health to this man's skill and care. He requires no
+other recompense of me than that ring which he declares to be in thy
+possession, and which thou dost assert thou hast not. I should have
+thought thy love for me would have led thee not to give thy ruby
+alone, but thy very life. I beseech thee, by the obedience thou owest
+to me, by the affection I have borne thee, to withhold it from me no
+longer."
+
+The princess, on hearing her father's will so decidedly expressed,
+returned to her room, collected all her jewels, amongst which she laid
+the ruby, and taking them one by one in her hand, in the presence of
+her father, showed them each in succession to the physician, who, the
+moment he saw the ruby, would have laid his hand on it, saying:
+"Princess, this is the ring I wish for, and which the king has
+promised me."
+
+But the princess, repelling him, said: "Stay, master, you shall have
+it!" and holding the ring in her hand, exclaimed: "Then it is this
+precious jewel, so infinitely dear to me, that you covet: I must
+renounce this, for the loss of which I shall be inconsolable for life.
+But I do not yield it willingly, but only because the king, my
+father, requires it of me."
+
+With these words she flung the ruby against the wall. As it fell to
+the ground it instantly changed into a beautiful pomegranate, which
+burst as it fell, and its seeds were scattered all over the room.
+
+The physician as quickly became a cock, in order to swallow all the
+seeds, and thus to destroy the unlucky Dionysius; but he had
+miscalculated: one of the seeds had so concealed itself that the cock
+could not discover it. The seed watched its opportunity, transformed
+itself into a fox, who throwing himself on master cock, seized him by
+the throat, and strangled and devoured him in the presence of the
+astonished monarch and his daughter Violante. Dionysius then resumed
+his human form, and related all to the king, who thought he could not
+do better than immediately give him his daughter in marriage. They
+lived long together in peace and happiness, and the good old father of
+Dionysius became, instead of an indigent man, a rich and powerful one;
+whilst, on the other hand, the cruelty of Lactantius had cost him his
+life.
+
+
+
+
+FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE;
+
+OR, THE VERY WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF PISTA, THE SWINEHERD.
+
+[Hungarian.]
+
+
+Near the centre of a thick forest once dwelt a forester with his
+beloved wife. The chase was his occupation, and he lived contentedly
+on the provision which his ever-active bow procured him from day to
+day. In this manner he passed two years very happily; although the
+blessing of children, which he earnestly desired, had been hitherto
+denied him. But the saying, "Patience brings roses," consoled him, and
+indeed the saying did at last prove true, and in so striking a manner,
+that it seemed as if destiny had exerted its utmost power to fulfil
+it, in his case, even to excess. In the third year, whilst the
+forester was away hunting in the wood, his family was increased by the
+addition of twelve fine, healthy sons, upon whom the attendant
+midwife bestowed every necessary care, and then placed them in a
+circle on the floor in the centre of the room, where the sturdy
+infants stretched their limbs and raised their voices for the first
+time in a tremendously loud Tutti.
+
+Whilst these events were taking place, the day declined, and evening
+gradually threw its shade over field and mountain. The light-hearted
+hunter bethought him of his supper, and returned, laden with two or
+three hares, to his cottage.
+
+But how thunderstruck was he when he heard that Heaven had showered
+down upon him such an abundant blessing. He entered, gazed, and at the
+sight of the liberal gift, at once lost his reason, and rushed raving
+out of doors back into the depths of the dark forest, never to return
+again.
+
+The poor forsaken wife now remained in her hut with her twelve little
+sons, desiring nothing more ardently than to be able to leave her bed,
+in order to provide food for her children.
+
+The midwife afforded her all the assistance in her power, and when at
+length she recovered, she prepared a bow and arrows, scoured the woods
+and hills, and daily brought home as much game as was requisite for
+the support of herself and her children. Thus she lived fifteen years;
+during which period the little ones grew strong and healthy, and
+learned from her to provide, by hunting, for their own necessities.
+
+But before they reached their sixteenth year, it pleased Heaven to
+call their mother to itself, and now the youths, deprived of parental
+care, were abandoned to their fate. They continued to live as before,
+on the products of the chase, which they fraternally divided amongst
+them, and remained together in harmony and peace.
+
+The distracted father meanwhile continued to wander incessantly
+through the forest. His habiliments had long been torn to rags, and
+his appearance terrified every one who beheld him. Although other
+foresters occasionally met him, and brought tidings of him to his
+sons, yet no one could ever lay hold of him, as he shunned the
+approach of everybody, and at the aspect of a human being he hastened
+like a frightened beast to hide himself in the thicket. But his
+unhappy fate was a daily increasing source of sorrow to his sons, who
+at length consulted seriously together, how they might get him into
+their hands, so as to be able to take care of him, and, if possible,
+restore him to reason.
+
+They at length agreed to betake themselves, provided with a roasted
+goose, a pitcher of brandy, and one large boot, to a certain spring in
+the forest, near which the foresters frequently saw him. With these
+things they went to the appointed spot, placed them close to the
+spring, and then concealed themselves in the bushes to watch for his
+arrival.
+
+They had waited a considerable time when they heard the sound of
+footsteps, and beheld a dark figure approaching the spring. With
+ardent curiosity they peeped from their concealment, and at length
+saw, with surprise and horror, a being more like a ghost than a man,
+but who, however, perfectly corresponded to the description which the
+foresters had given them of their unfortunate father.
+
+When he approached the spring to slake his thirst he started on
+perceiving the unaccustomed objects which were beside it, and prepared
+to start off at the moment, should he perceive a human form. But as
+the youths kept themselves entirely concealed, and made not the least
+noise, his alarm subsided, and he ventured to drink from the spring.
+
+After he had refreshed himself, the roasted goose, the little pitcher,
+and the large boot seemed again to attract his attention, and he could
+not resist the desire to make himself master of them. He laid himself
+down quite leisurely by the boot, devoured the goose with the greatest
+avidity, and emptied the pitcher with a satyr-like expression of
+countenance.
+
+The liquor seemed quickly to affect him; for almost as soon as he had
+swallowed it he manifested his satisfaction by fantastic leaps, and
+all kinds of ridiculous antics. He soon laid hold of the boot,
+examined it attentively on all sides, and nodded his head knowingly,
+as if in self-approval for having devised its purpose.
+
+Thus satisfied with himself, he again seated himself on the ground,
+and endeavoured to draw the boot over both feet at once; and although
+it was large enough to admit the foot of a demi-giant, it cost the
+lunatic extraordinary efforts to effect his object. Overpowered by
+fatigue, and the strength of the liquor he had drunk, he gradually
+sank down by the stream, and fell asleep.
+
+His sons, when they perceived this, hastened with the greatest caution
+from the bushes, raised the intoxicated sleeper from the ground, and
+carried him home. But before they had half reached the hut, they
+discovered with horror that the burthen, which at every step had
+appeared to grow heavier, was a corpse. Whether it was the effect of
+the too hastily swallowed drink, or the too rapid satisfaction of his
+appetite after long fasting, in either case, the father lay dead in
+the arms of his sons. With tears of regret, and self-reproaches for
+their ill-advised attempt, the afflicted sons buried the beloved
+corpse, under an oak not far from the cottage.
+
+They lived together for some time after this event, but at length,
+being imbued with the desire of seeing foreign countries, they
+resolved to renounce their hitherto rude mode of life, and each to set
+out in a different direction to seek his fortune.
+
+When they had fixed the day for their separation they once more went
+hunting together, in order to provide so much food as they might
+require for at least the first day of their wandering. On the day
+appointed for their departure they went to the oak which shaded their
+father's grave, swore eternal brotherly love to each other, and after
+mutually taking an affectionate leave, each pursued his separate way.
+
+To relate what occurred to each of these twelve brethren, and how each
+fulfilled his appointed destiny, would be a very tedious task, and the
+more so as the fate of the younger brother was alone sufficiently
+remarkable to deserve attention.
+
+This youth had from his earliest years an aversion to all kind of
+labour and trouble; hence, in all his necessities he always relied on
+the favour of Fortune, and the more so as he had more than once had
+reason to surmise that she was favourably inclined towards him. Whilst
+his brothers laboriously pursued their game under every disadvantage
+of time, place, and weather, he would lie at his ease, with his
+weapons beside him, on a grassy hill, beneath the shade of the trees;
+and it generally came to pass that whilst his brothers pursued some
+poor hare, in the sweat of their brow, a roebuck would come, as if at
+his call, so near to him that he could shoot it without the least
+exertion. Owing to this, he had to endure many a jeer from his
+brethren, whose jealousy was excited by his good luck, and they called
+him in derision Lazy Bones.
+
+His confidence in the favour of the blind goddess guided him
+prosperously on his way. By day he shot all kinds of game, which came
+in abundance towards him, kindled a fire, roasted and eat it; at
+night, he stretched himself on the soft grass, and slept refreshingly
+till the next morning. After he had pursued his way in this manner for
+six days, he arrived at a royal city altogether unknown to him. He
+entered one of the best inns, and offered the host a hare in exchange
+for a draught of wine, to refresh himself with after the fatigue of
+his journey. The host gave him credit for more than he was able both
+to eat and drink, offered him a bed, and charged him the most moderate
+price.
+
+Just as he sat down to table, a multitude of persons assembled in the
+room of the inn, and conversed with each other about a most remarkable
+occurrence which had just taken place. The affair was indeed one of no
+trifling importance, for it concerned the royal establishment. The
+king had had ninety-nine swineherds, who one and all had disappeared,
+and in all probability would never again be heard of. The
+nine-and-ninetieth of these had been missed only the night before, and
+it was much doubted whether the king would be able to find any one
+again who would be willing to undertake so perilous a charge. For
+although the highest wages were offered to any one who would undertake
+to tend the royal swine but for a single day, yet no one throughout
+the whole kingdom had yet offered himself, and the illustrious owner
+of the swine was in great risk of losing them all.
+
+The young stranger listened to this narration with surprise, but could
+not conjecture what could be the difficulty attached to the service.
+As the host had for some time been employed in looking out for
+swineherds for the king, he asked his young guest whether he would
+undertake the office, adding at the same time, that the king would
+give a year's wages for a single day's service.
+
+"Why not?" replied Pista, (that was the young adventurer's name) and
+he declared himself quite willing to undertake the charge, as he
+thought the business of a swineherd did not demand more skill and
+trouble than he was accustomed to exert. His consent thus given, the
+host joyfully conducted him to the king and praised throughout the
+whole city the courageous resolution of his guest.
+
+The monarch received them both graciously, and not only confirmed the
+offer made by the host to the youth, but promised him a gratuity into
+the bargain, in case of his discharging his duty with zeal and
+perseverance.
+
+He commanded a capital supper to be placed before him, and appointing
+him to drive the swine in the morning to the heath, he dismissed him
+with the most gracious wishes for his welfare.
+
+Before the dawn of day, Pista was already at his post. The heath lay
+in a pleasant district, inclosed on the one side by mountains, and on
+the other by a thick forest. On his arrival there he found all
+tranquil, and could not imagine what danger was to be apprehended.
+
+He passed the day in expectation, and the evening approached as
+peacefully as the day had departed. The moon and stars shed their
+light over the district, and the refreshing coolness of the air
+invited the carefree herdsman to repose. He lay calmly down near his
+herd, commended them and himself to fortune, and slept in peace.
+
+He had not slept an hour, when the most extraordinary of all night
+visions awakened him. The oldest patriarch of the herd stood before
+him, and thus addressed him: "Fear not, for I am thy friend, and come
+to thee as a well-intentioned counsellor, to warn thee of the danger
+that awaits thee. As I have selected thee for my prot�g�, I will
+assist thee to the best of my power. When thou drivest us home
+to-morrow, mind to request the king to give thee a loaf of bread and a
+flask of wine, for the following day. These shall preserve thee from
+all misfortune. A great dragon who rules this forest, will endeavour
+to overthrow and swallow thee. But if thou givest him these gifts,
+thou wilt not only be able to resist him, but after he shall have
+drunk the wine thou mayest destroy him."
+
+Pista was not a little astonished at this apparition; he rubbed his
+eyes, pricked up his ears, and collected all his senses, to convince
+himself that he was really awake and not dreaming. But when he saw the
+boar standing bodily before him, and distinctly heard every word, he
+at last returned him grateful thanks for his friendly admonition, and
+promised punctually to observe his instructions.
+
+The following evening he drove the herd home. The king met him, not
+without astonishment, caused the year's wages to be paid to him
+immediately, and gave him permission further to ask some favour.
+Pista, well pleased, put the money in his pocket, and for the present
+asked for nothing more than bread and wine for the following evening.
+
+The cock had scarcely crowed to welcome the first hour of the morning,
+when our herdsman again passed out at the city gate with his herd. He
+betook himself to the same heath where he had passed the foregoing
+night, and had had the strange _t�te-�-t�te_ with the boar.
+
+As soon as he reached the spot, his bristly Mentor again approached
+him and said:--
+
+    "Up and mount me without fear,
+    Swift on my back I thee will bear;
+    So that, ere many minutes' space,
+    Thou shalt reach the appointed place."
+
+The youth bestrode the boar, and in a trice found himself in the
+neighbouring wood, and deposited under an enormous oak. The boar then
+repeated what he had said to his prot�g� the preceding day, and
+hastened back to the herd.
+
+Pista prepared himself for his adventure, and before he could
+accurately reconnoitre the field of battle, so dreadful a noise
+proceeding from the interior of the forest pierced his ears, that all
+the trees round him creaked and rustled as in a storm. It came nearer
+and nearer, and he soon perceived a monstrous dragon, rapidly making
+towards him, tearing the bushes and trees as he passed, and even
+throwing them to the ground. Mindful of his Mentor's words, Pista took
+courage, offered the bread and wine to the dragon, and besought him to
+spare his life.
+
+This liberal offer astonished the dragon more than the resistance of a
+whole band of herdsmen would have done. He quietly received the gifts,
+devoured the bread with much satisfaction, and as the wine speedily
+took effect, he drowsily tumbled on the earth. Pista did not delay to
+avail himself of the opportunity. When he perceived that the dragon
+slept, he drew out his knife and cut the throat of the drunken
+monster; before, however, he had completed the operation, he saw a
+copper key fall out of his jaws, which he picked up and put in his
+pocket.
+
+[Illustration: FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE. P. 292.]
+
+In the meantime, the herd had gradually moved towards the interior of
+the forest, to a considerable distance from the spot where the dragon
+had met his death. Pista, fearing he might lose the objects of his
+charge, resolved to cut across the bend of the forest, and to go in a
+straight line, the same by which the dragon had come, to look after
+them.
+
+He had not gone far, when a new overwhelming surprise banished them
+from his thoughts. An immense castle, entirely built of copper, stood
+before him, far surpassing in splendour the residence of his king, and
+which seemed the more to invite him to enter, inasmuch as he could
+nowhere descry a single guard to forbid his approach.
+
+Solitary and silent was all around him: not even the song of a bird
+broke the stillness. Hastening up to the castle, he found all the
+gates locked; but suddenly remembering the key in his pocket, he drew
+it out and tried it in the nearest gate, and discovered to his joyful
+surprise that it opened every lock. He soon found himself in the
+interior of a most magnificent palace, with such a number of state
+rooms opening round him, that he could hardly tell which he should
+first enter. He passed through the grand hall and went from room to
+room, until he at last reached a great saloon, the walls of which were
+mirrors, whilst all manner of gold and silver articles of furniture
+glittered round him. In the centre of the room stood a table of
+silver, whereon lay a golden rod. Without precisely knowing wherefore,
+he took up the rod and struck the table with it, upon which a young
+dragon immediately appeared, and with indescribable courtesy begged
+that he would honour him with his commands.
+
+Recovering from his surprise, Pista expressed a wish to be shown the
+whole interior of the palace, with the gardens belonging to it. The
+obliging dragon immediately complied with, and requested his guest to
+follow him. He led him through all the chambers and halls of the
+palace, each of which seemed to contain the treasure of a whole
+kingdom; thence into the stables, where splendid coursers fed from
+silver mangers on golden oats, and who neighed loudly at the entrance
+of their visitors.
+
+At last Pista and his attendant came into a garden full of
+marvellously beautiful flowers and delicious fruits, which seemed to
+the stranger like a second paradise. He could not refrain from
+plucking a rose, which he stuck in his cap.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When he had seen all, he inquired of the dragon for the lord of the
+palace. The dragon bowed before him with the greatest reverence, and
+begged him, as the owner from thenceforth of the palace and its
+treasures, graciously to accept his homage, promising at the same time
+that he would guard all with the utmost vigilance, and endeavour to
+deserve his approbation.
+
+Pista was not a little astonished at this address, but as all the
+events which had befallen him within the last few days, appeared to
+him to be nothing less than natural, he accepted the dragon's homage,
+and played the part of master as well as he could. Having nodded
+approbation to his new servitor, he left the castle with proud
+gravity. The portals closed of themselves after him with thundering
+noise; he then carefully locked all the gates with his key, and
+returned to seek his swine.
+
+It was not long before he met the whole herd in the best order. The
+sun was already glowing in the west, and the shadows of the mountains
+stretched across the plains. It seemed time to turn homewards; he
+whistled; the herd put itself in motion; and before the evening star
+shone in the heavens, they were all at home again in their sheds.
+
+Pista had no sooner housed his charge, than the king's daughters came
+running towards him with the most unusual friendliness. The youngest
+had seen from afar the rose in his cap, and as she could not resist
+the desire to possess it, she begged from him the lovely flower. The
+swineherd instantly presented it to the princess, and thought himself
+highly honoured when he saw his gift placed in the bosom of the most
+charming of the royal maidens.
+
+The king, meanwhile, deeply amazed at the no less punctual than safe
+return of his herdsman, sent for him into his presence, and inquired
+particularly about all that had occurred to him on the heath. But
+Pista carefully avoided satisfying his curiosity; gave very brief
+answers to his questions; and said nothing that could betray his
+fortunate adventure.
+
+"This rose," said he, "which I found already plucked, and lying on the
+stem of a tree, is all that I saw on my way. I stuck it in my hat that
+it might not fade quite unenjoyed."
+
+The king again expressed his entire satisfaction and favour; and
+promised for the future days the same rich reward he had already
+enjoyed.
+
+The herdsman thanked his patron and returned to his swine, in order to
+pass the night near them on his bed of straw.
+
+Just about midnight the friendly boar awakened him as on the
+preceding night, and said, "Pista must provide himself with bread and
+wine for the coming day also, as he would have to do with a still
+larger dragon than the former."
+
+He advised him to double the measure of provisions, and told him he
+would have nothing to fear if he encountered the monster as
+courageously as he did that of the day before.
+
+Before day-break Pista supplied himself with two loaves and two flasks
+of wine, and went as usual with the swine to the heath. Arrived there,
+the boar again approached him and said:--
+
+    "Up and mount me without fear,
+    Swift on my back I will thee bear;
+    This day thou must higher go,
+    And still higher fortune know."
+
+The youth obeyed the boar, and sooner than if on a racer's back he
+found himself by an inclosure, considerably beyond the place where he
+stopped the day before. The boar again deposited him under an oak,
+repeated several times what he had before enforced, and left him to
+his destiny.
+
+Pista had not long to wait; he soon heard a terrible rustling
+descending from the tops of the trees. By degrees it grew darker
+around him, and at once a monstrous dragon, much larger than the
+first, came sailing through the air, whose out-spread wings shaded,
+like a thunder-cloud, the district beneath, as with furious haste he
+seemed descending on the herdsman. But Pista lost no time in offering
+him the two loaves and the two flasks, which so fortunately appeased
+the monster that he immediately stretched himself on the grass, and,
+much at his ease, swallowed the provisions, and then fell asleep and
+snored like thunder. Pista again seized the favourable moment and cut
+the dragon's throat, from whose jaws fell a silver key, which he put
+at once into his pocket.
+
+Then he went, as on the preceding day, into the interior of the
+forest, and soon saw a palace built entirely of silver, which dazzled
+his eyes from afar by its brilliancy. All that he saw and did in the
+Copper Palace, he saw and did here; only the magnificence of the one
+far exceeded that of the other, and caused him to linger here much
+longer. After a very obsequious dragon had shown him all the
+treasures, and at last led him into the garden, he plucked there a
+silver rose, of which there were great numbers, and stuck it in his
+cap. He then locked the gates of his beautiful palace with the silver
+key, returned to his herd, and as the day was declining, drove them
+quietly home.
+
+As before, the king's daughters came familiarly to meet him, and the
+youngest snatched the silver rose from him, and ran playfully with it
+to her father. The king sent for him as before, questioned him of all
+that had occurred, and having received satisfactory answers, expressed
+his entire approbation.
+
+The same adventure occurred on the third day, with the sole difference
+that the herdsman this time entered a Golden Palace, and brought from
+the garden a golden rose, which the fair princess appropriated as
+before.
+
+It happened that a festival which the king had long resolved to give
+to the suitors of his daughters, was just about to be held. He caused
+three golden apples of the same size to be made, on each of which he
+had inscribed the name of one of the princesses. These he ordered to
+be suspended by golden threads in the front court of his castle, as
+the prize of a trial of skill, for which the victor was to receive the
+hand of one of the princesses. Whoever, at full gallop, should succeed
+in striking down with his lance one of these apples, was to receive
+the golden fruit and the princess whose name it bore. As the three
+sisters were no less extraordinarily beautiful than rich, it may
+easily be guessed that the number of their suitors was not small. A
+countless number of princes from far and near were assembled in the
+royal city, and the king's brother was also present with his nine
+daughters. The whole kingdom took a lively interest in this festival,
+and young and old rejoiced at its commencement. Whatever the royal
+treasures could produce was exhibited there, and all the rich and
+noble flocked thither to contribute their share towards enhancing the
+pomp of the long looked for feast.
+
+As it was to be supposed that Pista would not willingly be absent from
+such a grand sight, the youngest princess, out of gratitude for her
+three roses, invited him to witness it; advising him not to stay away
+if he had any curiosity to see all the most precious of her father's
+possessions, in horses, clothes, and jewels. But to the no small
+surprise of the princess, the herdsman thanked her for her invitation,
+but said he preferred remaining with his equals, and would tend the
+swine as usual.
+
+The morning arrived, and all within and around the city was in motion.
+The streets swarmed with countless people: even the most helpless
+cripples dragged themselves along, anxious to see the show. Pista
+alone drove forth his swine with the utmost indifference, and did not
+evince the slightest curiosity.
+
+Who could have guessed, however, what the homely youth had secretly
+determined, and what a trick he had resolved to play on all the
+princely suitors? He no sooner reached the heath than he hastened to
+the forest where his late adventures had occurred. He went to the
+Copper Palace, entered the hall, and with a stroke of the golden wand
+commanded the serviceable dragon to provide for him the most
+magnificent attire and the finest courser. The dragon rapidly obeyed
+his master's order, dressed him as expeditiously and handily as the
+most experienced valet could have done, and then as quickly cantered
+up a splendidly caparisoned steed, who seemed to breathe fire as he
+neighed with desire for the combat.
+
+Pista mounted his horse, and the courts of the castle thundered
+beneath his tramp. He flew, as if borne on the lightning's wing, over
+the heath and road, and suddenly appeared in the lists of the royal
+disputants. The brilliancy of his attire, the swiftness and strength
+of his horse, and the costly jewels that adorned him, dazzled all
+eyes, and it could not have occurred to any one that in him they
+beheld the swineherd. The king himself thought he must be his equal
+in dignity, and offered him the honour of precedence. But Pista
+declined this distinction, and requested, on the contrary, to be
+allowed to be the last on the list of suitors.
+
+At last the signal was given. All pressed to the lists, and the race
+began. Riders and horses flew emulously towards the prize, but not one
+succeeded in even touching either of the apples with his lance.
+
+Suddenly the unknown guest darted over the course like an arrow, and
+hit the first of the three apples so dexterously, that it, together
+with the golden thread to which it was fastened, remained hanging on
+his lance. The gaze of all was fixed upon him; but without vouchsafing
+a look on any, he flew with his prize straight across the lists and
+disappeared.
+
+This unexpected circumstance created universal embarrassment amongst
+the disconcerted suitors, and determined the king to postpone the
+remainder of the festival until the following day. Meanwhile he sent
+some of his swiftest riders in search of the strange fugitive, in
+order to discover, if possible, whence he came. But before these were
+ready to start, our knight had already become invisible, and, in his
+herdsman's dress, had again rejoined his swine.
+
+In the evening, as usual, he brought them home, and attended to them
+in the customary manner. But before he retired to rest, the youngest
+of the princesses descried him, and hastening to him, related in great
+agitation the untoward event which had that day deprived her of the
+apple destined to her, and at the same time of him who should have
+been her bridegroom. The herdsman expressed his great sympathy, and
+tried to console her, by saying that no one could tell whether the
+misfortune that had happened might not in the end turn out to her
+advantage.
+
+The next day, before the ceremonies recommenced, Pista was again on
+the heath with his herd. This day he went to the Silver Palace,
+attired himself still more splendidly, and mounted a yet finer horse.
+Swift as the wind, and resplendent in gold and jewels, he again sprang
+to the lists. All were astonished at this second apparition. All
+inclined themselves before him, and no one recognised in him the same
+guest who had so distinguished himself on the preceding day.
+
+But, as yesterday, all eyes were riveted on him; he set spurs to his
+horse, and sprang with hanging bridle to the prize, then flew like an
+arrow, bearing the second apple across the lists, and disappeared
+from the sight of the astonished multitude.
+
+The king and his illustrious guests now began to apprehend that some
+supernatural power influenced these events, and they had nearly
+determined not to renew the trial of skill till the following year.
+But as already two of the golden apples were lost, they could not
+resist their curiosity respecting the third and last. The king
+therefore appointed the conclusion of the festival for the next
+morning, and in the meantime endeavoured to tranquillise himself as
+well as he could.
+
+As before, so was it on this third occasion. The herdsman had gone
+early to the heath, and now appeared in an attire, and mounted on a
+horse, this time procured from the Golden Palace, both of which
+infinitely surpassed the two former. He carried off the third apple,
+and fled, to the wonder of all, swift as the wind, far out of sight.
+
+The festival was now over; the assembly separated; the suitors
+returned to their homes, and the king lamented the fate of his beloved
+daughters. The daughters shed many tears, and mourned over their fate
+as an appointment of Heaven, forbidding them ever to have a
+bridegroom.
+
+As the very first of these occurrences had caused the king entirely
+to forget to pay the herdsman his daily wages, the latter had now
+three days' hire due to him. Pista therefore availed himself of the
+pretext of demanding his wages as a good opportunity to learn what
+impression his three adventures had made at court. That same evening,
+when he brought home his herd, he presented himself before the king,
+but apprehending that, if he left his three apples in the stall, they
+might be purloined, he concealed them in his hat, which he retained on
+his head, although in presence of his monarch.
+
+The king perceived this disrespectful conduct of his herdsman not
+without surprise; but, as he was exceedingly well disposed towards
+him, on account of his great services, he indulgently asked him what
+he required. Pista had scarcely prepared himself to make his request,
+when the youngest, and now exceedingly discontented princess entered,
+and with an air of highly offended pride, snatched his hat off his
+head.
+
+The golden apples fell out of it, and rolled to the monarch's feet.
+
+What was the astonishment of the whole court! The princesses
+recognised their names, and could not express their delight at finding
+their apples. The king pressed the youth in the most gracious terms
+to explain how he had come by them.
+
+Pista replied, with the utmost frankness, that he was the winner of
+the three apples, and therefore thought he had a full right to one of
+the princesses for his bride.
+
+Now, as the king, mindful of the unexampled splendour, as also the
+extraordinary good fortune by which the stranger had distinguished
+himself in the lists, anticipated some still greater advantage behind
+the darkness of this mysterious occurrence, he admitted the herdsman's
+claim with very little hesitation.
+
+The youngest of the princesses felt herself suddenly cheered, and so
+powerfully attracted to the metamorphosed swineherd, that in spite of
+his peasant's dress she threw her arms around his neck. The king
+immediately decided that he should become her husband, and the
+following morning the wedding was celebrated with the utmost
+magnificence, in presence of the whole court, at the Golden Palace in
+the forest, which Pista immediately selected for his residence.
+
+When the banquet was over, the bridegroom commanded his faithful
+dragon, who had already the day before provided a numerous
+establishment of domestics of his own winged race, immediately to
+bring hither his eleven brothers, whose respective names he had
+furnished him with, and had described their persons as accurately as
+he could.
+
+Before the sun went down the eleven brothers were seen coming at full
+gallop to the Golden Palace. By the care of the ever active dragon
+they were all splendidly dressed, and they rejoiced and wondered not a
+little at the unexpected change in their destiny.
+
+Two of them married the sisters of their royal sister-in-law, and the
+rest married the nine daughters of the other king. They soon conquered
+for themselves as many kingdoms, and lived happily together till their
+dying day.
+
+
+
+
+THE LUCKY DAYS.
+
+[Italian.]
+
+
+At Casena, in Romagna, lived a poor widow, a very worthy, industrious
+woman, by name Lucietta. She unfortunately had an only son, who, for
+stupidity and laziness, had yet to find his equal. He would lie in bed
+till noon, and when he did resolve to rise, he took a full hour to rub
+his eyes, and then he would be nearly as long stretching his arms and
+legs; in short, he behaved like the veriest sluggard upon earth.
+
+This grieved his mother very much, for she had once hoped that he
+would some day become the support of her old age; and she never ceased
+to urge and advise him, in order to make him a little more active and
+industrious.
+
+"My son," she often said to him, "he who would see good days in this
+world must exert himself, be industrious, and rise at break of day;
+for good fortune favours the industrious and the vigilant, but never
+comes to the lazy and sluggardly. Therefore, my son, if you will
+believe my counsel, and follow it, then you shall see good days, and
+all will fall out to your heart's content."
+
+Lucilio--that was the young man's name--the silliest of the silly,
+unquestionably heard what his mother said, but he did not understand
+the meaning of her words. He got up as if he were waking out of a deep
+and heavy sleep, and sauntered along the road before the city gate,
+where he stretched himself, in order to finish his nap, right across
+the pathway, so that all entering or leaving the city could not avoid
+stumbling over him.
+
+It so happened that the very night before, three inhabitants of the
+city had gone out to bury a treasure which they had accidentally
+discovered. They had succeeded in finding it again, and were in the
+act of carrying it home, when they came upon Lucilio, who still lay
+across the road, but no longer sleeping. He had just waked up, and was
+looking round him for one of the good days his mother had prophesied
+to him.
+
+"Heaven send you a good day, friend," said the first of the three men,
+as he walked over him.
+
+"Heaven be praised!" said Lucilio, when he heard the words. "Now I
+shall have a good day!"
+
+The man who had buried the treasure, conscious of his fault, fancied
+directly that these words bore reference to him, and that the secret
+had been betrayed. This was quite natural; for whoever has a bad
+conscience, always interprets the most indifferent words as an
+allusion to himself.
+
+The second man then stumbled over Lucilio, likewise wishing him, as
+his predecessor had done, a good day. Whereupon Lucilio, still
+dwelling on the good days, said to himself, but half loud, "Now I have
+two of them!"
+
+The third followed and saluted him as the two others had done, also
+wishing that Heaven might send him a good day. Up started Lucilio,
+overjoyed, and exclaiming, "Oh! delightful! Now I have got all three
+of them! I am fortunate!"
+
+He alluded only to three lucky days; but the buriers of the treasure
+thought he meant them; and as they feared he might go and give
+information of them to the magistrate, they took him aside, told him
+the whole affair, and, to bribe him into silence, gave him the fourth
+part of the treasure.
+
+Well pleased, Lucilio took his portion, carried it home to his mother,
+and said, "Dear mother, Heaven's blessing has been with me; for, as I
+did as you desired, so I have found the good days. Take this money,
+and buy with it all we require."
+
+The mother was not a little pleased at the fortunate occurrence, and
+urged her son to go on exerting himself that he might find more such
+good days.
+
+
+
+
+THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS.
+
+[Icelandish.]
+
+
+Not very far from Drontheim, in Norway, dwelt a powerful man, blessed
+with all the gifts of fortune. A considerable portion of the land
+around belonged to him; numerous herds grazed in his pastures, and a
+numerous establishment of domestics contributed to the grandeur of his
+dwelling. He had an only daughter called Aslog, whose beauty was
+celebrated far and near. The most illustrious of her countrymen sought
+to obtain her hand, but without success; and those who arrived gay and
+full of hope, rode away in silence and with heavy hearts. Her father,
+who thought that his daughter's rejection of so many suitors proceeded
+from her anxiety to make a prudent choice, did not interfere, and
+rejoiced to think that she was so discreet. At length, however, when
+he perceived that the noblest and the most wealthy of the land were
+rejected equally with all others, he grew angry, and thus addressed
+her:--
+
+"Hitherto I have left you at full liberty to make your own selection;
+but, as I observe that you reject all indiscriminately, and that the
+most eligible suitors are yet in your opinion not good enough for you,
+I shall no longer permit such conduct. Is my race, then, to be
+extinguished, and are my possessions to fall into the hands of
+strangers? I am resolved to bend your stubborn will. I give you time
+for consideration until the great winter nights' festival; if you
+shall not then have made your election, be prepared to accept him whom
+I determine upon for you."
+
+Aslog loved a handsome, brave, and noble youth, whose name was Orm.
+She loved him with her whole soul, and would have preferred death to
+giving her hand to any one but him. But Orm was poor, and his poverty
+compelled him to take service in her father's house. Aslog's love for
+him was therefore kept secret, for her haughty father would never have
+consented to an alliance with a man in so subordinate a position. When
+Aslog beheld his stern aspect and heard his angry words, she became
+deathly pale, for she knew his disposition, and was well aware that he
+would put his threat in execution. Without offering a word in reply,
+she withdrew to her chamber, there to consider how to escape the storm
+that menaced her.
+
+The great festival drew near, and her anxiety increased daily.
+
+At length the lovers resolved to fly. "I know a hiding place," said
+Orm, "where we can remain undiscovered till we find an opportunity of
+quitting the country."
+
+During the night, whilst all were asleep, Orm conducted the trembling
+Aslog across the snow and fields of ice to the mountains. The moon and
+stars, which always seem brightest in the cold winter's night, lighted
+them on their way. They had brought with them some clothes and furs,
+but that was all they could carry.
+
+They climbed the mountains the whole night long, till they arrived at
+a solitary spot completely encircled by rock. Here Orm led the weary
+Aslog into a cave, the dark and narrow entrance to which was scarcely
+perceptible; it soon widened, however, into a spacious chamber that
+penetrated far into the mountain. Orm kindled a fire, and they sat
+beside it, leaning against the rock, shut out from the rest of the
+world.
+
+Orm was the first who had discovered this cavern, which is now shown
+as a curiosity; and, as at that time no one knew of its existence,
+they were secure from the pursuit of Aslog's father. Here they passed
+the winter. Orm went out to chase the wild animals of the lonely
+region, and Aslog remained in the cave, attended to the fire, and
+prepared their necessary food. She frequently climbed to the summit of
+the rock, but, far as her eye could reach, it beheld only the
+sparkling snow-fields.
+
+Spring arrived, the woods became green, the fields arrayed themselves
+in bright colours, and Aslog dared now only seldom, and with great
+precaution, to emerge from her cavern.
+
+One evening Orm returned home bringing news that he had recognised, at
+a distance, her father's people, and that they had no doubt also
+descried him, as they could see as clearly as himself. "They will
+surround this place," continued he, "and not rest till they have found
+us; we must therefore instantly be off."
+
+They immediately descended the mountain on the other side, and reached
+the sea-shore, where they fortunately found a boat. Orm pushed off,
+and the boat was driven into the open sea. They had, it is true,
+escaped their pursuers, but they were now exposed to perils of another
+kind. Whither should they turn? They dared not land, for Aslog's
+father was lord of the whole coast, and they would so fall into his
+hands. Nothing remained, therefore, for them, but to commit the boat
+to the winds and waves, which pursued its way all night, so that at
+day-break the coast had disappeared, and they saw only sky and water;
+they had not brought any provisions with them, and hunger and thirst
+began to torture them. Thus they drove on for three days, and Aslog,
+weak and exhausted, foresaw their certain destruction.
+
+At length, on the evening of the third day, they beheld an island of
+considerable size, surrounded by a multitude of lesser islets. Orm
+immediately steered towards it, but, as they approached it, a gale
+arose and the waves swelled higher and higher; he turned the boat in
+hopes to be able to land on some other side, but equally without
+success. Whenever the bark approached the island, it was driven back
+as if by some invisible force.
+
+Orm, gazing on the unhappy Aslog, who seemed dying from exhaustion,
+crossed himself, and uttered an exclamation, which had scarcely passed
+his lips, when the storm ceased, the waves sank, and the little bark
+landed without further obstruction. He then sprang on shore, and a few
+mussels which he collected, so revived and strengthened the exhausted
+Aslog, that in a short time she also was able to quit the boat.
+
+The island was entirely covered with dwarf mushrooms, and appeared to
+be uninhabited; but when they had penetrated nearly to the centre of
+it they perceived a house, half of which only was above the ground,
+and the other half under it. In the hope that they might find human
+help they joyfully approached it; they listened for some sound, but
+the deepest silence prevailed all around. At length Orm opened the
+door and entered with his companion; great was their astonishment,
+however, when they perceived everything prepared as if for
+inhabitants, but no living being visible. The fire burnt on the hearth
+in the middle of the room, and a kettle with fish hung over it,
+waiting, probably, for some one to make a meal of its contents; beds
+were ready prepared for the reception of sleepers. Orm and Aslog stood
+for a time doubtful, and looked fearfully about; at length, impelled
+by hunger, they took the food and eat it. When they had satisfied
+their hunger, and, by the last rays of the sun, could not discover any
+one far and wide, they yielded to fatigue and lay down on the beds, a
+luxury which they had so long been deprived of.
+
+They had fully expected to be awakened in the night by the return of
+the owners of the house, but they were deceived in their expectation;
+throughout the following day, also, no one appeared, and it seemed as
+if some invisible power had prepared the house for their reception.
+Thus did they pass the whole summer most happily; it is true they were
+alone, but the absence of mankind was not felt by them. The eggs of
+wild-fowl and the fish which they caught afforded them sufficient
+provision.
+
+When autumn approached, Aslog bore a son, and in the midst of their
+rejoicing at his arrival they were surprised by a wonderful
+apparition.--The door opened suddenly, and an old woman entered; she
+wore a beautiful blue garment, and in her form and manner was
+something dignified, and at the same time unusual and strange.
+
+"Let not my sudden appearance alarm you," said she. "I am the owner of
+this house, and I thank you for having kept it so clean and well, and
+that I now find everything in such good order. I would willingly have
+come sooner, but I could not until the little heathen there--pointing
+to the infant--had established himself here. Now I have free access;
+but do not, I pray you, fetch a priest here from the main-land to
+baptise him, for then I shall be obliged to go away again. If you
+fulfil my wish, not only may you remain here, but every good you can
+desire I will bestow on you; whatever you undertake shall succeed;
+good fortune shall attend you wherever you go. But if you break this
+condition, you may assure yourselves that misfortune on misfortune
+shall visit you, and I will even avenge myself on the child. If you
+stand in need of anything, or are in danger, you have only to
+pronounce my name thrice: I will appear and aid you. I am of the race
+of the ancient giants, and my name is Guru. Beware, however, of
+pronouncing, in my presence, the name that no giant likes to hear, and
+never make the sign of the cross, nor cut it in any of the boards in
+the house. You may live here the year round; only on Yule evening be
+so kind as to leave the house to me as soon as the sun goes down. Then
+we celebrate our great festival, the only occasion on which we are
+permitted to be merry. If, however, you do not like to quit the house,
+remain as quietly as possible under ground, and, as you value your
+lives, do not look into the room before midnight; after that hour you
+may again take possession of all."
+
+When the old woman had thus spoken, she disappeared, and Aslog and
+Orm, thus rendered easy as to their position, lived on without
+disturbance contented and happy. Orm never cast his net without a good
+draught--never shot an arrow that did not hit--in short, whatever he
+undertook, however trifling it might be, prospered visibly.
+
+When Christmas came they made the house as clean as possible, set
+everything in order, kindled a fire on the hearth, and on the approach
+of twilight descended to the under part of the house, where they
+remained quiet and silent. At length it grew dark, and they fancied
+they heard a rustling and snorting in the air, like that which the
+swans make in the winter season. In the wall over the hearth was an
+aperture that could be opened and shut to admit light, or to let out
+smoke. Orm raised the lid, which was covered with a skin, and put out
+his head, when a wonderful spectacle presented itself. The little
+surrounding islets were illuminated by countless little blue lights,
+which moved incessantly, danced up and down, then slid along the
+shore, collected together, and approached nearer and nearer to the
+island in which Orm and Aslog dwelt. When they reached it they
+arranged themselves in a circle round a great stone, which stood not
+very far from the shore, and which was well known to Orm. But how
+great was his astonishment, when he saw that the stone had assumed a
+perfectly human form, although of gigantic stature. He could now
+clearly distinguish that the lights were carried by dwarfs, whose pale
+earth-coloured faces, with large noses and red eyes, in the form of
+birds' beaks and owls' eyes, surmounted mis-shapen bodies. They
+waddled and shuffled here and there, and seemed to be sad and gay at
+the same time. Suddenly the circle opened, the little people drew back
+on either side, and Guru, who now appeared as large as the stone,
+approached with giant steps. She threw her arms around the stony
+figure, which at that moment received life and movement. At the first
+indication of this, the little people set up, accompanied by
+extraordinary grimaces and gestures, such a song, or rather howl, that
+the whole island resounded and shook with the noise. Orm, quite
+terrified, drew in his head, and he and Aslog now remained in the dark
+so quiet, that they scarcely dared to breathe.
+
+[Illustration: THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS. P. 322.]
+
+The procession arrived at the house, as was clearly perceived by the
+nearer approach of the howl. They now all entered. Light and
+active, the dwarfs skipped over the benches; heavy and dull sounded
+the steps of the giants among them. Orm and his wife heard them lay
+out the table and celebrate their feast with the clattering of plates
+and cries of joy. When the feast was over and midnight was
+approaching, they began to dance to that magic melody which wraps the
+soul in sweet bewilderment, and which has been heard by some persons
+in the valleys and amid the rocks, who have thus learnt the air from
+subterranean musicians.
+
+No sooner did Aslog hear the melody than she was seized with an
+indescribable longing to witness the dance. Orm was unable to restrain
+her. "Let me look," said she, "or my heart will break." She took her
+infant and placed herself at the furthest extremity of the chamber,
+where she could see everything without being herself seen. Long did
+she watch, without turning away her eyes, the dance, and the agile and
+wonderful steps and leaps of the little beings, who seemed to float in
+the air and scarcely to touch the ground, whilst the enchanting music
+of the elfs filled her soul.
+
+In the mean time the infant on her arm grew sleepy and breathed
+heavily, and, without remembering the promise she had made to the old
+woman, she made the sign of the cross (as is the custom) over the
+child's mouth, and said, "Christ bless thee, my child!" She had
+scarcely uttered the words when a fearful piercing cry arose. The
+sprites rushed headlong out of the house, their lights were
+extinguished, and in a few minutes they had all left the house. Orm
+and Aslog, terrified almost to death, hid themselves in the remotest
+corner of the house. They ventured not to move until day-break, and,
+not until the sun shone through the hole over the hearth, did they
+find courage to come out of their hiding-place.
+
+The table was still covered as the sprites had left it, with all their
+precious and wonderfully wrought silver vessels. In the middle of the
+room stood, on the ground, a high copper vessel half filled with sweet
+metheglin, and by its side a drinking-horn of pure gold. In the corner
+lay a stringed instrument, resembling a dulcimer, on which, as it is
+believed, the female giants play. They gazed with admiration on all,
+but did not venture to touch anything. Greatly were they startled,
+however, when, on turning round, they beheld, seated at the table, a
+monstrous form, which Orm immediately recognised as the giant whom
+Guru had embraced. It was now a cold hard stone. Whilst they stood
+looking at it, Guru herself, in her giant form, entered the room. She
+wept so bitterly that her tears fell on the ground, and it was long
+before her sobs would allow her utterance; at length she said:--
+
+"Great sorrow have you brought upon me; I must now weep for the
+remainder of my days. As, however, I know that you did it not from any
+evil intention, I forgive you, although it would be easy for me to
+crumble this house over your heads like an egg-shell.
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed she, "there sits my husband, whom I loved better than
+myself, turned for ever into stone, never again to open his eyes. For
+three hundred years I lived with my father in the island of Kuman,
+happy in youthful innocence, the fairest amongst the virgins of the
+giant race. Mighty heroes were rivals for my hand; the sea that
+surrounds that island is full of fragments of rock which they hurled
+at each other in fight. Andfind won the victory, and I was betrothed
+to him. But before our marriage came the abhorred Odin into the
+country, conquered my father, and drove us out of the island. My
+father and sister fled to the mountains, and my eyes have never since
+beheld them. Andfind and I escaped to this island, where we lived for
+a long time in peace, and began to hope that we should never be
+disturbed. But Destiny, which no one can escape, had decreed
+otherwise; Oluff came from Britain. They called him the Holy, and
+Andfind at once discovered that his journey would be fatal to the
+giant race. When he heard Oluf's ship dashing through the waves, he
+went to the shore and blew against it with all his strength. The waves
+rose into mountains. But Oluf was mightier than he; his vessel flew
+unharmed through the waves, like an arrow from the bow. He steered
+straight to our island. When the ship was near enough for Andfind to
+reach it, he grasped the prow with his right hand, and was in the act
+of sending it to the bottom, as he had often done with other ships.
+But Oluf, the dreadful Oluf, stepped forwards, and crossing his hands,
+cried out with a loud voice:--'Stand there, a stone, until the last
+day!' and in that moment my unhappy husband became a mass of stone.
+The ship sailed on unhindered towards the mountain, which it severed,
+and separated from it the little islands that lie around it.
+
+"From that day all my happiness was annihilated, and I have passed my
+life in loneliness and sorrow. Only on Yule evening can a petrified
+giant recover life for seven hours, if one of the race embraces him,
+and is willing to renounce a hundred years of life for this purpose.
+It is seldom that a giant does this. I loved my husband too tenderly
+not to recall him to life as often as I could, at whatever cost to
+myself. I never counted how often I had done it, in order that I might
+not know when the time would come when I should share his fate, and in
+the act of embracing him become one with him. But ah! even this
+consolation is denied me. I can never again awaken him with an
+embrace, since he has heard the name which I may not utter, and never
+will he again see the light until the dawn of the last day.
+
+"I am about to quit this place. You will never again behold me. All
+that is in the house I bestow on you. I reserve only my dulcimer. Let
+no one presume to set foot on the little surrounding islands. There
+dwells the little subterranean race, whom I will protect as long as I
+live."
+
+With these words she vanished. The following spring, Orm carried the
+golden horn and the silver vessels to Drontheim, where no one knew
+him. The value of these costly utensils was so great, that he was
+enabled to purchase all that a rich man requires. He loaded his vessel
+with his purchases, and returned to the island, where he lived for
+many years in uninterrupted happiness. Aslog's father soon became
+reconciled to his wealthy son-in-law.
+
+The stone figure remained seated in the house. No one was able to
+remove it thence. The stone was so hard that axe and hammer were
+shivered against it, without making the slightest impression on it.
+There the giant remained till a holy man came to the island, and with
+one word restored it to its former place, where it still is to be
+seen.
+
+The copper vessel which the subterranean people left behind them, is
+preserved as a memorial in the island, which is still called the
+Island of the Hut.
+
+
+
+
+THE THREE DOGS.
+
+[Frieslandish.]
+
+
+A shepherd who had two children, a son and a daughter, had, at his
+death, nothing to leave them but three sheep, and the little cottage
+they inhabited. On his death-bed he blessed them, and with his last
+breath admonished them to divide the legacy, and share it
+affectionately. When the children had buried their beloved father, the
+brother asked the sister which part of the inheritance she would
+prefer,--the sheep or the cottage? and as she chose the cottage, he
+said, "Then I will take the sheep, and wander out in the wide world;
+many a one has there found his fortune, and I am a Sunday child." With
+these words he embraced his sister, and with his inheritance left his
+native place.
+
+Far and wide did he wander, and much did he suffer--fortune never once
+recognising him as her son. Once, full of sorrow, uncertain whither
+to bend his steps, he sat down by a cross road, when all at once there
+stood before him a man accompanied by three large dogs, the one
+greater than the other, strongly built, and jet black.
+
+"Well, my brave youth," said the man, "you have there three fine
+sheep, and if you choose we will exchange property; let me have your
+sheep, and you shall have my dogs."
+
+In spite of his mournful disposition, the youth could not help
+laughing at the proposal. "What am I to do with your dogs?" demanded
+he; "my sheep feed themselves, but your dogs will want to be fed."
+
+"My dogs are of a peculiar kind," answered the stranger; "they will
+provide for you, instead of your providing for them, and besides they
+will bring you great fortune. The smallest of them is called
+Bring-food; the second, Tear-to-pieces; and the great and strong one
+is named Break-steel-and-iron."
+
+The shepherd, persuaded by the stranger, gave up his sheep; and now,
+to try their quality, he called out "Bring-food!" and forthwith one of
+the dogs ran away, and soon returned with a great basket full of the
+costliest and daintiest victuals. The shepherd was now much pleased
+at his exchange, and travelled far and wide over the land.
+
+Once on his road he met a carriage hung all over with black crape
+drawn by two horses, which were covered with cloth of the same colour,
+and the coachman, too, was in deep mourning. In the carriage was
+seated a wondrously beautiful lady, also enveloped in the mournful
+colour of sorrow, and bitterly weeping; the horses, with drooping
+heads, paced slowly along. "What means this?" said he to the coachman;
+but the coachman gave an evasive answer; at last, however, after much
+pressing, he related as follows: "There dwells in this neighbourhood a
+ferocious dragon who caused great havoc and destruction; to appease
+him, and to secure the land against his devastation, a compact has
+been entered into with him, and he each year receives as tribute a
+fair maiden, whom he at one morsel devours and swallows. All the
+maidens in the kingdom at the age of fourteen draw lots between them,
+and this year the lot has fallen upon the daughter of the king: on
+this account the king and the whole state were plunged into the
+deepest grief; but such terror did the dragon inspire, that they dared
+not refuse him the sacrifice."
+
+The shepherd felt pity for the beautiful young princess, and followed
+the carriage, which at last stopped at a high mountain. The princess
+descended, and, full of despair and anguish, went slowly onwards to
+meet her awful destiny. The driver, on observing that the youth
+followed her, warned him; the shepherd, however, was not to be
+persuaded, but followed her steps.
+
+When they had thus advanced half-way up the mountain, the terrible
+monster approached from the summit, with an awful noise, to devour the
+victim. From its widely-extended jaws issued streams of burning
+sulphur, its body was encircled with thick horny scales, on its feet
+it had immense claws, and wings were attached to its long serpentine
+neck: already was it near enough to pounce upon its prey, when the
+shepherd cried out, "Tear-to-pieces!" and his second dog threw himself
+upon the dragon, and attacked him with such strength and ferocity,
+that, after a short combat, the monster fell exhausted and dead at the
+feet of his antagonist, who, to finish his victory, wholly devoured
+him, leaving only two teeth; these the shepherd put in his pocket.
+
+The princess, overcome with the extreme emotions of fear and joy, had
+fainted away; the shepherd by every means in his power tried to
+restore her back to life, in which he at last succeeded. When fully
+recovered, the princess threw herself at the feet of her deliverer,
+thanking, and imploring him to return with her to her father, who
+would richly reward him for having returned him his daughter, and
+saved the country from the scourge of the dragon.
+
+The youth answered, he would first like to see and know a little more
+of the world; but in three years he would return, and by this
+resolution he remained. The maiden then returned to her carriage, and
+the shepherd continued his wanderings in an opposite direction.
+
+Meanwhile the coachman, who had been a spectator of the whole, now
+meditated in his own black mind how to turn this fortunate conclusion
+of the tragedy to his own profit and aggrandizement. As they were
+passing over a bridge, under which flowed a great stream, he turned
+himself to the princess and said, "Your deliverer is gone, and was not
+even anxious for your thanks. It would be a noble action of yours to
+make the fortune of a poor man. If you, therefore, were to tell your
+father that it was by my hand that the dragon perished, this would be
+accomplished. But should you refuse to do so, I will throw you into
+this deep river, and no one will ever ask after you, being all
+convinced that the dragon has devoured you." The maiden cried and
+prayed, but in vain; she was forced to swear that she would proclaim
+the coachman as her deliverer, and never divulge the secret to any
+mortal.
+
+They then returned to the capital, where all was rejoicing and
+gladness at their return. The black banners were removed from the
+steeples of the church, and gay coloured ones were hoisted to replace
+them. The king with tears of joy embraced his daughter and her
+supposed deliverer: "Thou hast not only saved my child," said he, "but
+thou hast also delivered my land from the greatest pestilence by which
+it ever has been scourged: to reward you royally for your undaunted
+courage, and in a manner commensurate with your great service, I
+intend to bestow my daughter in marriage upon you; but as she is yet
+too young, we will defer the ceremony for one year."
+
+The coachman thanked the king, was forthwith richly apparelled,
+elevated to the rank of a duke, with the possession of a dukedom, and
+instructed in those polite manners requisite in his new and elevated
+station. The princess was much afflicted, and bewailed her mournful
+destiny most bitterly, when she was informed of the promise her father
+had made; but withal she feared to break her oath. When the year was
+at an end, in spite of all her entreaties she could not obtain from
+her father anything beyond the promise that the wedding should be
+delayed for another year. This also expired.
+
+She again threw herself at her father's feet imploring for yet another
+year, for she well remembered the promise of her young and handsome
+deliverer, that in three years he would return. The king could not
+resist her entreaties, and acquiesced in her prayer on the condition
+that at the termination of that time she would wed the man he had
+chosen for her. The time again quickly elapsed. The auspicious day was
+already fixed, on the towers gay banners waved in the breeze, and the
+joyful shouting of the people mounted to the sky.
+
+On the same day a stranger, with three dogs, entered the town. On
+demanding the reason of the public rejoicing, he was informed that the
+king's daughter, that very day, was to be united to the man that had
+delivered her and the country from the terrible dragon, which he had
+slain.
+
+The stranger, in no very measured terms, pronounced this man an
+impostor, who had decked himself with other's feathers: the watch who,
+passing by, had overheard him, at once apprehended him and threw him
+into a strong prison guarded with doors and bars of iron. As he lay on
+his bundle of straw and sorrowfully contemplated his destiny, he
+thought he heard the whining of his dogs,--a gleam of hope suddenly
+burst upon him--"Break-steel-and-iron!" cried he as loud as he could,
+and hardly had he uttered the words when he saw the paws of his
+biggest dog hard at work on the bars of his window, tearing and
+breaking them down as if they had been reeds; the dog then jumped down
+into the cell and bit the chains with which his master was fettered,
+to pieces; whereupon both left the prison by the window as hastily as
+possible. He was now again at liberty, but the thought painfully
+oppressed him that another should have reaped the benefit of the deed
+of which he deserved the merit and reward. He felt also very hungry,
+and he called to one of his dogs, "Bring-food," which dog soon
+returned with a napkin full of costly food; the napkin was marked
+with a royal crown.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The king was seated at table, with all the great men of his land
+around him, when the dog made its appearance, and, as if in
+supplication, licked the hand of the princely maiden. She at once
+recognised the dog, and tied her own napkin round his neck, looking
+upon his appearance as foreboding her deliverance. She then prayed her
+father for a few words in private, when she disclosed to him the whole
+of the secret: the king sent a messenger to see whither the dog went,
+and the stranger was soon after brought into the royal presence. The
+former coachman, pale and trembling at his appearance, fell upon his
+knees imploring mercy; the princess at once recognised the stranger as
+her saviour, who moreover proved his identity by the two dragon teeth
+that he yet carried about with him. The coachman was thrown into a
+deep dungeon and his dignities were conferred on the shepherd, who was
+the same day wedded to the princess.
+
+The youthful pair lived a long time in the greatest happiness. The
+former shepherd often thought of his sister; and, that she might
+participate in his felicity, a carriage and servants were sent to
+fetch her, and before long she was pressed to the breast of her
+affectionate brother; then one of the dogs said to his master, "Our
+time is now expired; you need us no longer; we remained thus long with
+you to see whether in fortune also you would remember your sister, or
+whether the sudden acquisition of wealth and power would make you
+proud, forgetful, and austere. You have not proved guilty of such
+wickedness, but have shown yourself virtuous and affectionate." The
+dogs then changed into birds and vanished in the air.
+
+
+
+
+THE COURAGEOUS FLUTE-PLAYER.
+
+[A traditional tale in Franconia.]
+
+
+There lived once a gay-hearted musician, who played the flute in a
+masterly style, and earned his living by wandering about, and playing
+on his instrument in all the towns and villages he came to. One
+evening he arrived at a farm-house, and resolved to stay there, as he
+could not reach the next village before night-fall. The farmer gave
+him a very friendly reception, made him sit down at his own table, and
+after supper requested him to play him an air on his flute. When the
+musician had finished, he looked out of the window, and saw by the
+light of the moon, at no great distance from the farm, an ancient
+castle, which was partly in ruins.
+
+"What old castle is that?" said the musician; "and to whom did it
+belong?"
+
+The farmer then related to him, that many, many years ago, a count
+had dwelt there, who was very rich, but also very avaricious. He had
+been very harsh to his vassals, had never given any alms to the poor,
+and had finally died without heirs, as his avarice had deterred him
+from marrying. His nearest relations had then taken possession of the
+castle, but had not been able to discover any money whatever in it. It
+was, therefore, supposed that he must have buried the treasure, and
+that it must still be lying concealed in some part of the old castle.
+Many persons had gone into the castle in hopes of finding the
+treasure, but no one had ever appeared again; and on this account the
+authorities of the village had forbidden any access to it, and had
+seriously warned all people throughout the country against going
+there.
+
+The musician listened attentively, and when the farmer had finished
+his narration, he expressed the most ardent desire to go into the
+castle, for he had a brave heart, and knew not fear. The farmer,
+however, entreated him earnestly, even on his knees, to have regard
+for his young life, and not to enter the castle. But prayers and
+entreaties were vain: the musician was not to be shaken in his
+resolution. Two of the farmer's men were obliged to light a couple of
+lanterns and accompany the courageous musician to the old and dreaded
+castle. When he reached it, he sent them home again with one of the
+lanterns, and taking the other in his hand, he boldly ascended a long
+flight of steps. Arrived at the top, he found himself in a spacious
+hall, which had doors on all sides. He opened the first he came to,
+entered a chamber, and seating himself at an old-fashioned table,
+placed his light thereon, and began playing on his flute. Meanwhile,
+the farmer could not close his eyes all night, through anxiety for his
+fate, and often looked out of the window towards the tower, and
+rejoiced exceedingly when he heard each time his guest still making
+sweet music. But when, at length, the clock against the wall struck
+eleven, and the flute-playing ceased, he became dreadfully alarmed,
+believing no otherwise than that the ghost, or devil, or whoever it
+might be that inhabited the castle, had, doubtless, twisted the poor
+youth's neck. The musician, however, had continued playing without
+fear until he was tired, and at length finding himself hungry, as he
+had not eaten much at the farmer's, he walked up and down the room,
+and looked about him. At last he spied a pot full of uncooked lentils,
+and on another table stood a vessel full of water, another full of
+salt, and a flask of wine. He quickly poured the water over the
+lentils, added the salt, made a fire in the stove, as there was plenty
+of wood by the side of it, and began to cook soup. Whilst the lentils
+were stewing, he emptied the flask of wine, and began playing again on
+his flute. As soon as the lentils were ready, he took them off the
+fire, shook them into the plate that stood ready on the table, and eat
+heartily of them. He then looked at his watch, and saw it was about
+eleven o'clock. At that moment the door suddenly flew open, and two
+tall black men entered, carrying on their shoulders a bier, on which
+lay a coffin. Without uttering a word, they placed the bier before the
+musician, who did not interrupt himself in his meal on account of
+them, and then they went out again at the same door, as silently as
+they had come in. As soon as they were gone the musician hastily rose
+from his seat, and uncovered the coffin. A little old and shrivelled
+man, with grey hair and a grey beard, lay therein; but the young man
+felt no fear, and lifting him out of the coffin, placed him by the
+stove, and no sooner did the body become warm, than life returned to
+it. Then the musician became quite busy with the old man, gave him
+some of the lentils to eat, and even fed him as a mother does her
+child. At last the old man became quite animated, and said to him,
+"Follow me!"
+
+The little old man led the way, and the young flutist, taking his
+lantern, followed without trepidation. They descended a long and
+dilapidated flight of steps, and at last arrived in a deep gloomy
+vault.
+
+On the ground lay a great heap of money. Then the little man said to
+the youth, "Divide this heap for me into two equal portions; but mind
+that thou leave not anything over, for if thou dost I will deprive
+thee of life!"
+
+The youth merely smiled in reply, and immediately began to count out
+the money upon two great tables, laying a piece alternately on each,
+and so in no long time he had separated the heap into two equal
+portions; but just at the last he found there was one kreutzer over.
+After a moment's thought he drew out his pocket-knife, set the blade
+upon the kreutzer, and striking it with a hammer that was lying there,
+cut the coin in half. When he had thrown one half on each of the
+heaps, the little man became right joyous, and said: "Thou courageous
+man, thou hast released me! It is now already a hundred years that I
+have been doomed to watch my treasure, which I collected out of
+avarice, until some one should succeed in dividing the money into two
+equal portions. Not one of the many who have tried could do it; and I
+was obliged to strangle them all. One of the heaps of gold is thine;
+distribute the other among the poor. Thou happy man, thou hast
+released me!"
+
+When he had uttered these words, the little old man vanished. The
+youth, however, re-ascended the steps, and began again to play in the
+same chamber as before, merry tunes on his flute.
+
+Rejoiced was the farmer when he again heard the notes; and with the
+earliest dawn he went to the castle and joyfully met the youth. The
+latter related to him the events of the night, and then descended to
+his treasure, with which he did as the little old man had commanded
+him. He caused, however, the old castle to be pulled down, and there
+soon stood a new one in its place, where the musician, now become a
+rich man, took up his abode.
+
+
+
+
+THE GLASS HATCHET.
+
+[Hungarian.]
+
+
+In a remote land there dwelt, in former days, a wealthy count. He and
+his consort most ardently wished for a child, to whom they might
+bequeath their riches; but a long time passed ere their wish was
+gratified. At length, after twelve weary years, the countess bore a
+son; but short was the time granted her to rejoice at the
+accomplishment of her desire, for she died the day after the child's
+birth. Before she expired, she warned her husband never to allow the
+child to touch the earth with his feet, for, from the moment he should
+do so he would fall into the power of a bad fairy who was on the watch
+for him. The countess then breathed her last.
+
+The boy throve well, and when he had outgrown the age for being in the
+nurse's arms, a peculiarly-formed chair was constructed for him, in
+which he could, unassisted, convey himself about the garden of his
+father's castle. At other times he was carried in a litter, and most
+carefully attended to and watched, in order that he might never touch
+the earth with his feet.
+
+As, however, the physicians, in order to supply the absence of other
+exercise, prescribed riding on horseback, he was instructed in that
+art as soon as he was ten years of age, and soon became proficient
+enough in it to be allowed to ride out daily, without any apprehension
+of danger to him being felt by his father. On these occasions he was
+always attended by a numerous suite.
+
+He rode almost every day in the forest and on the plain, and returned
+safely home. In this manner many years glided away; and the warning
+given by the late countess almost ceased to be dwelt upon, and the
+enjoined precautions were observed rather from old habit than from any
+immediate sense of their importance.
+
+One day the youth, with his attendants, rode across the fields to a
+wood, where his father frequently took the diversion of hunting. The
+path led to a rivulet, the borders of which were overgrown with
+bushes. The riders crossed it; when suddenly a hare, startled by the
+tramp of the horses, sprang from the bush and fled through the wood.
+The young count pursued, and had almost overtaken it, when the
+saddle-girth of his horse broke; saddle and rider rolled together on
+the ground, and at the same moment he vanished from the sight of his
+terrified attendants, leaving no trace behind.
+
+All search or enquiry was vain; and they recognised in the misfortune
+the power of the evil fairy, against whom the countess had uttered her
+dying warning. The old count was deeply afflicted; but as he could do
+nothing to effect the deliverance of his son, he resigned himself to
+fate, and lived patiently and solitary, in the hope that a more
+favourable destiny might yet one day rescue the youth from the hands
+of his enemy.
+
+The young count had scarcely touched the earth before he was seized by
+the invisible fairy, and carried off by her. He seemed now transported
+to quite a new world, and without a hope of ever being released from
+it. A strangely-built castle, surrounded by a spacious lake, was the
+fairy's residence. A floating bridge, which rested only on clouds,
+afforded a passage across it. On the other side were only forests and
+mountains, which were constantly wrapped in a dense fog, and in which
+no human voice, nor even that of any other living creature was ever
+heard. All around him was awful, mysterious, and gloomy; and only on
+the eastern side of the castle, where a little promontory stretched
+out into the lake, a narrow path wound through a valley in the rocks,
+behind which a river glistened.
+
+As soon as the fairy with her captive arrived on her territory, she
+commanded him fiercely to execute all her behests with the extremest
+precision, at the risk of being punished severely for disobedience and
+delay.
+
+She then gave him a glass hatchet, bidding him cross the bridge of
+clouds and go into the forest, where she expected him to cut down all
+the timber before sun-set. At the same time she warned him, on pain of
+her severest displeasure, not to speak to the dark maiden whom in all
+probability he would meet in the forest.
+
+The young count listened respectfully to her orders, and betook
+himself with his glass hatchet to the appointed place. The bridge of
+clouds seemed at each step he took to sink beneath him; but fear would
+not admit of his delaying; and so he soon arrived, although much
+fatigued by his mode of passage, at the wood, where he immediately
+began his work.
+
+But he had no sooner made his first stroke at a tree, than the glass
+hatchet flew into a thousand splinters. The youth was so distressed he
+knew not what to do, so much did he fear the chastisement that the
+cruel fairy would inflict on him. He wandered hither and thither, and
+at length, quite exhausted by anxiety and fatigue, he sank on the
+ground and slept.
+
+After a time something roused him; when upon opening his eyes, he
+beheld the black maiden standing before him. Remembering the
+prohibition he did not venture to address her. But she greeted him
+kindly, and inquired if he did not belong to the owner of the domain.
+The young count made a sign in the affirmative. The maiden then
+related that she was in like manner bound to obey the fairy who had by
+magic transformed her and forced her to wander in that ugly form,
+until some youth should take pity on her and conduct her over that
+river beyond which the domain of the fairy and her power did not
+extend. On the further side of the river she was powerless to harm any
+one who, by swimming through the waves, should reach the other shore.
+
+These words inspired the young count with so much courage, that he
+revealed to the black maiden the whole of his destiny, and asked her
+counsel how he might escape punishment, since the wood was not cut
+down, and the hatchet was broken.
+
+"I know," resumed the maiden, "that the fairy, in whose power we both
+are, is my own mother; but thou must not betray that I have told thee
+this, for it would cost me my life. If thou wilt promise to deliver
+me, I will assist thee, and will perform for thee all that my mother
+commands thee to do."
+
+The youth promised joyfully; she again warned him several times not to
+say a word to the fairy that should betray her, and then gave him a
+beverage, which he had no sooner drunk than he fell into a soft
+slumber.
+
+How great was his astonishment on waking to find the glass hatchet
+unbroken at his feet, all the trees of the forest cut down and lying
+round him!
+
+He instantly hastened back across the cloud bridge, and informed the
+fairy that her behest was obeyed. She heard with much surprise that
+the forest was cut down, and that the glass hatchet was still
+uninjured, and being unable to believe that he had performed all that
+unassisted, she closely questioned him whether he had seen and spoken
+to the black maiden. But the count strongly denied that he had, and
+affirmed that he had not once looked up from his work. When she found
+that she could learn nothing further from him, she gave him some bread
+and water, and showed him a little dark closet where she bade him pass
+the night.
+
+Almost before day-break the fairy again wakened him, assigned him for
+that day's task to cleave, with the same glass hatchet, all the wood
+he had felled into billets, and then to arrange them in heaps; at the
+same time she again warned him, with redoubled threats, not to go near
+the black maiden, or dare converse with her.
+
+Although his present work was in no respect easier than that of the
+preceding day, the youth set off in much better spirits, for he hoped
+for the assistance of the black maiden. He crossed the bridge quicker
+and more lightly than the day before, and had scarcely passed it when
+he beheld her. She received him with a friendly salutation; and when
+she heard what the fairy had now required of him, she said, smiling,
+"Do not be uneasy," and handed to him a similar beverage to that of
+yesterday. The count again fell into a deep sleep. When he awoke his
+work was done; for all the trees of the forest were cut up into blocks
+and arranged in heaps.
+
+He returned home quickly. When the fairy heard that he had performed
+this task also, she was still more surprised than before. She again
+inquired if he had seen or spoken to the black maiden; but the count
+had the prudence to preserve his secret, and she was again obliged to
+content herself with his denial.
+
+On the third day she set him a new task, and this was the most
+difficult of all. She commanded him to build, on the further side of
+the lake, a magnificent castle, which should consist of nothing but
+gold, silver, and precious stones; and if he did not build the said
+castle in less than one hour's time, he might expect the most dreadful
+fate.
+
+The count listened to her commands without alarm, such was the
+confidence he reposed in the black maiden. Cheerily he hastened across
+the bridge, and immediately recognised the spot where the palace was
+to be erected. Pickaxes, hammers, spades, and all manner of tools
+requisite for building, lay scattered around; but neither gold, nor
+silver, nor jewels could he spy. He had, however, scarcely begun to
+feel uneasy at this circumstance, when the black maiden beckoned to
+him from a rock at some distance, behind which she had concealed
+herself from her mother's searching looks. The youth hastened to her
+well pleased, and besought her to assist him in the execution of her
+mother's orders.
+
+This time, however, the fairy had watched the count from a window of
+her castle, and descried him and her daughter just as they were about
+to conceal themselves behind the rock. She set up such a frightful
+scream, that the mountains and the lake re-echoed with it, and the
+terrified pair scarcely dared to look out from their hiding-place,
+whilst the infuriated fairy, with violent gestures and hasty strides,
+her hair and garments streaming in the wind, hastened across the
+bridge of clouds. The youth gave himself up for lost; each step of the
+fairy seemed to bring him nearer to destruction. The maiden, however,
+took courage, and bade him follow her as quickly as possible. Before
+they hastened from the spot she broke a stone from the rock, uttered a
+spell over it, and threw it towards the place from which her mother
+was advancing. At once a glittering palace arose before the eyes of
+the fairy, which dazzled her with its lustre, and delayed her by the
+numerous windings of its avenue, through which she was obliged to
+thread her way.
+
+Meanwhile the black maiden hurried the count along, in order to reach
+the river, the opposite bank of which alone could protect her for ever
+from the persecutions of the raging fairy. But before they had got
+half way, she was again so near them that her imprecations, and even
+the rustling of her garments reached their ears.
+
+The terror of the youth was extreme; he dared not to look behind him,
+and had scarcely power left to advance. At every breath he fancied
+that he felt the hand of the terrible fairy on his neck. Then the
+maiden stopped, again uttered a spell, and was at once transformed
+into a pond, whilst the count swam upon its waters under the figure of
+a drake.
+
+The fairy, incensed to the utmost at this new transformation, called
+down thunder and hail on the two fugitives; but the water refused to
+be disturbed, and whilst it remained calm no thunder-cloud would
+approach it. She now employed her power to cause the pond to vanish
+from the spot: she pronounced a magic spell, and called up a hill of
+sand at her feet, which she intended should choke up the pond. But the
+sand-hill drove the water still further on, and seemed rather to
+augment than diminish it. When the fairy found this would not answer,
+and that her art failed so entirely, she had recourse to cunning. She
+threw a heap of golden nuts into the pond, hoping thereby to entice
+the drake, and catch him; but he snapped at the nuts with his bill,
+pushed them all back to the margin, dived here and there, and made
+game of the fairy in various ways.
+
+Finding herself again cheated, and unwilling to see the reflection of
+her face in the pond, glowing, as it was, with rage and mortification,
+she turned back full of fury to devise some other stratagem by which
+to catch the fugitives.
+
+She concealed herself behind the very same rock which had served them
+for a place of refuge, and watched for the moment when they should
+both resume their natural form in order to pursue their way.
+
+It was not long before the maiden disenchanted herself, as well as the
+count, and as they could nowhere perceive their persecutor, they both
+hastened in good spirits to the river.
+
+But scarcely had they proceeded a hundred paces, when the fairy burst
+out again after them with redoubled speed, shaking at them the dagger
+with which she meant to pierce them both. But she was doomed to see
+her intentions again frustrated and derided; for just as she thought
+she had reached the flying pair, a marble chapel rose before her, in
+the narrow portal of which stood a colossal monk, to prevent her
+entrance.
+
+Foaming with passion she struck at the monk's face with her dagger,
+but behold, it fell into shivers at her feet. She was beside herself
+with desperation, and raved at the chapel till the columns and dome
+resounded. Then she determined to annihilate the whole building and
+the fugitives with it at once. She stamped thrice, and the earth began
+to quake. A hollow murmur like that of a rising tempest was heard from
+below, and the monk and chapel began to totter.
+
+As soon as she perceived this, she retired to some distance behind the
+edifice, that she might not be buried under its ruins. But she was
+again deceived in her expectation; for she had no sooner retired from
+the steps, than the monk and chapel disappeared, and an awful forest
+surrounded her with its black shade, whence issued a terrible sound of
+the mingled bellowing, roaring, howling and baying of wild bulls,
+bears, and wolves.
+
+Her rage gave way to terror at this new apparition, for she dreaded
+every moment to be destroyed by these creatures, who all seemed to
+set her power at defiance. She therefore deemed it most prudent to
+work her way back through bush and briar towards the lighter side of
+the forest, in order from thence again to try her might and cunning
+against the hated pair.
+
+Meantime, both had pursued their way to the river with their utmost
+speed. As this river resisted all kind of enchantment, consequently it
+was hostile to the black maiden whose hour of deliverance had not yet
+struck, and it might have proved fatal to her; she therefore did not
+let the moment for her complete disenchantment escape, but reminded
+the youth of his promise. She gave him a bow and arrows and a dagger,
+and instructed him in the use he was to make of these weapons.
+
+She then vanished from his sight, and at the moment of her
+disappearance, a raging boar rushed upon him, menacing to rip him up.
+But the youth took courage and shot an arrow at him with such good
+aim, that it pierced the animal's skull. It fell to the ground, and
+from its jaws sprang a hare, which fled as on the wings of the wind
+along the bank of the river. The youth again bent his bow, and
+stretched the hare on the earth, when a snow-white dove rose into the
+air, and circled round him with friendly cooings. As by the
+directions he had received from the black maiden he was equally
+forbidden to spare the dove, he sent another arrow from his bow, and
+brought it down. Approaching to examine it more closely, he found in
+its place an egg, which spontaneously rolled to his feet.
+
+The final transformation now drew near. A powerful vulture sailed down
+upon him with wide stretched beak threatening him with destruction.
+But the youth seized the egg, waited till the bird approached him, and
+cast it into its throat. The monster at once disappeared, and the
+loveliest maiden the count had ever beheld stood before his delighted
+eyes.
+
+Whilst these events were occurring, the fairy had worked her way out
+of the forest, and now adopted her last means of reaching the
+fugitives in case they should not already have passed the river. As
+soon as she emerged from the forest, she called up her dragon-drawn
+car and mounted high in the air. She soon descried the lovers, with
+interlaced arms, swimming easily as a couple of fish towards the
+opposite bank.
+
+[Illustration: THE GLASS HATCHET. P. 358.]
+
+Swift as lightning she bore down with her dragon-car, and regardless
+of all peril, she endeavoured to reach them, even though they were in
+the river. But the hostile stream drew down the car into its
+depths, and dashed her about with its waves until she hung upon the
+bushes a prey to its finny inhabitants. Thus the lovers were finally
+rescued. They hastened to the paternal castle, where the count
+received them with transport. The following day their nuptials were
+celebrated with great magnificence, and all the inhabitants far and
+near rejoiced at the happy event.
+
+
+
+
+THE GOLDEN DUCK.
+
+[Bohemian.]
+
+
+Deep in the bosom of a wood once stood a little cottage, inhabited by
+a poor widow. Her name was Jutta, and she had formerly lived in easy
+circumstances, but through various misfortunes, without any fault of
+her own, she had fallen into poverty.
+
+By the labour of her hands she with difficulty contrived to support
+herself, her daughter Adelheid, and the two children of her departed
+brother, Henry and Emma. The children, who were good and pious,
+especially Henry and Emma, did their utmost to assist her by their
+diligence: the girls spun, and the boy helped the old woman to
+cultivate the garden, and tended the sheep, whose milk formed the
+principal part of their daily sustenance.
+
+One evening they were all sitting together in the little cottage,
+whilst a tremendous storm raged without. The rain poured down in
+torrents, and flash after flash of lightning followed the thunder,
+which broke over the mountains, and seemed as if it would never cease.
+
+The old woman had just sung to the children the song of the
+water-sprite who danced with a young maiden till he drew her down into
+the abyss, when suddenly they heard a tap at the door. The startled
+children huddled close together, but the mother took courage and
+opened it, when a soft female voice begged her to give shelter to a
+traveller who had been overtaken in the forest by the storm.
+
+The stranger was an elderly woman of a noble and dignified appearance,
+but so kind and friendly in her manner that all were anxious to show
+her some attention. Whilst the widow was regretting that her poverty
+did not allow her to receive such a guest in a more worthy manner,
+Henry lighted the fire, and Emma was anxious to kill her favourite
+pigeons for her supper, but the lady would not permit this, and took
+only a little milk.
+
+The following morning, when Jutta and the children awoke, they were
+not a little astonished at beholding, instead of the aged woman who
+had entered the hut the night before, a youthful one of superhuman
+beauty, arrayed in a magnificent dress which sparkled with diamonds.
+
+"Know," said the stranger to the widow, "that you yesterday received
+into your dwelling no mortal, but a fairy; I always try those mortals
+whom I desire to benefit, and you have stood the trial. To little Emma
+I am especially beholden, because she would yesterday have killed for
+my supper what she most values, her pigeons. For this she shall be
+gifted. Whenever she weeps, either for joy or sorrow, pearls instead
+of tears shall drop from her eyes, and the hairs she combs from her
+head shall turn into threads of pure gold. But beware that no ray of
+sun ever shine upon her uncovered countenance, for then a great
+misfortune will befall her; from henceforth never let her go into the
+open air without being covered with a veil."
+
+The beneficent fairy having thus spoken, vanished; but Jutta, who was
+desirous to prove the truth of her words, hastily spread a large cloth
+on the ground, placed the little maiden on it, and commenced combing
+her long fair locks. Immediately the hairs that fell on the cloth
+became threads of gold, and when the old woman told the child how rich
+and grand she might now become, and what pretty toys she might buy,
+she wept for joy, and the most beautiful pearls rolled from her eyes
+upon the linen cloth.
+
+The next day the old woman betook herself to the nearest town, sold
+the pearls and the threads of gold, and bought a fine veil, without
+which Emma was never suffered to leave the house. She often combed the
+child's hair several times in the day, telling her all the time the
+prettiest tales, which drew from her eyes abundance of tears, either
+of pleasure or compassion, so that in a short time Jutta possessed a
+considerable treasure in gold and pearls.
+
+At first she sold her treasures to Jews, and received but little for
+them, as they believed the goods were stolen. By and by, however, when
+she had become possessed of a small landed estate in the district, she
+traded with jewellers and goldsmiths, who paid her according to the
+value of her goods, and so at length she collected a very considerable
+treasure.
+
+Meanwhile Adelheid and Emma grew into young women. But the increasing
+wealth of the old woman, whom her neighbours had formerly known to be
+in such straitened circumstances, and who knew not how she had
+acquired her riches, gave occasion for envious tongues to utter many
+an evil speech against her. Still further were their curiosity and
+ill-nature excited by the singular circumstance that Emma always went
+about veiled, and under these circumstances, what could be more
+natural than that the greater part of them were ready to swear without
+hesitation that old Jutta was a vile witch, and ought to be burned?
+
+Now although these evil speeches were unable to do the widow any real
+injury, still she was not a little vexed and annoyed when they reached
+her ears, or when she perceived that she was looked upon with
+suspicious and wondering looks; and finding it impossible by obliging
+and friendly conduct, or even by conferring benefits, to win the
+hearts of her neighbours, or to stop their calumnies, she preferred to
+abandon altogether the place where she had been known in indifferent
+circumstances, and to go far away, where her riches would not excite
+suspicions against her. She therefore resolved to sell her estate, and
+to take up her residence in the city of Prague. In order, however, not
+to be too precipitate, she first sent thither her nephew, Henry, that
+she might become a little acquainted with their future residence,
+before removing from the former one.
+
+So Henry went to the Bohemian capital, and, as he was a personable
+youth, had good manners, and was richly provided with money by his
+aunt, so that he could live in as good style as any of the nobles of
+the land, he soon became on friendly terms with numerous counts and
+other illustrious persons. Judging by his personal appearance and
+expenditure they took him for one of their own station; nay, one of
+them, a young count, became his confidential friend, and, as wine
+often unlocks the secrets of the heart, it happened one day that Henry
+let out the whole secret concerning his sister, quite forgetting at
+the moment his aunt's strict prohibition ever to reveal it.
+
+When the count heard so much of the extraordinary understanding, good
+heart, sweetness, and beauty of the young maiden who was possessed of
+such wonderful gifts, his heart at once glowed with love for her, and
+he said with great warmth:--
+
+"I myself possess a domain of such great value, that I am in no need
+of the riches of another; but I have ever desired to have a wife
+distinguished above all others for her beauty, virtue, and other rare
+gifts; therefore I offer my hand to your sister, and I swear to you
+that I will do all in my power that I may call so wonderful a maiden
+my own."
+
+Henry perceived his indiscretion now that it was too late, and he
+could not withstand the earnest entreaties of his friend to obtain for
+him the hand of his sister. In order, indeed, to lose no time, the
+count immediately caused to be constructed an entirely closed and
+well-covered carriage in which to transport Emma to him, without her
+being exposed to a breath of air.
+
+Surprising as was his proposal, it was so honourable a one, that,
+after a few minutes' reflection, Emma could not think of refusing such
+an illustrious and amiable young man as Henry described the count to
+be. The brother, therefore, hastened back with the news of her
+consent, and the count immediately went to his residence, in order to
+make preparations for the reception of his bride, and for a
+magnificent bridal entertainment.
+
+During the interval, Emma, accompanied by her mother and Adelheid,
+began her journey, and when they had proceeded about half-way, they
+came to a great forest. The heat was oppressive, and Emma happened to
+draw aside her veil, just as Jutta, in order to look after the
+attendants whom the count had sent to escort his bride on the journey,
+thoughtlessly opened the door of the carriage. No sooner did a sunbeam
+shine on the maiden, than she was suddenly transformed into a golden
+duck, flew out of the carriage, and vanished from the sight of her
+terrified aunt.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+As soon as the old woman had recovered from her first alarm, she was
+greatly troubled how to escape the wrath of the count. They had still
+to traverse a considerable portion of the forest. So she sent the
+servants who had not perceived the occurrence, under some pretext, to
+a village at some distance, and during their absence she covered her
+own daughter with Emma's veil. On their return they found the old
+woman in the greatest distress; she wrung her hands, and related with
+well simulated despair, that having gone with her daughter only a few
+steps from the carriage, armed men had surprised them, and carried off
+her Adelheid.
+
+The count's servants, deceived by the despairing words and gestures of
+the old woman, searched the forest, in hopes of tracing the robbers,
+but as was to be expected, without success. Meanwhile Jutta instructed
+her daughter in the part she was to play, in order that she in Emma's
+place might become the count's wife. And as she feared she might not
+be able to conceal the cheat from Henry, she desired the servants not
+to go through Prague, but to take the direct road to the count's
+castle.
+
+When they arrived, Jutta descended alone from the carriage, carefully
+closed it again, and besought the count, that until her niece had
+entirely recovered from the fatigue of the journey, he would permit
+them both to occupy a chamber from which all daylight could be
+excluded, and she forbade at first any visit from the bridegroom.
+Impatient as the latter was to see his bride, he yet submitted to this
+delay which the old woman so earnestly requested of him. The most
+splendid apartments were now thrown open to the mother and daughter,
+and the most inner chamber of the suite was so hung with curtains that
+no daylight could penetrate. In this room dwelt Jutta with her
+daughter, and even Henry, who came to visit his supposed sister, was,
+under pretext of her being indisposed, not allowed to enter. As his
+aunt, however, provided him with plenty of money, and the merry life
+in Prague pleased him better than the retirement of the country, he
+soon returned thither.
+
+The count, whom Jutta put off from day to day under various pretexts
+from visiting his bride, at length lost patience, and would not be
+longer withheld by the gold and pearls which Jutta continually brought
+him; he forced his way into the chamber, and clasped Adelheid in his
+arms.
+
+Although the count could not but remark that Adelheid in no degree
+corresponded to the description her brother had given of her, he was
+still prepared to fulfil his word, and was therefore married, though
+with the greatest privacy, to the false bride. Very shortly, he became
+aware that neither her heart nor mind possessed the excellence that
+had been represented to him; and in consequence of this discovery,
+when he next met his brother-in-law, he overwhelmed him with
+reproaches. The contemptuous expressions which the count used
+respecting his bride, whom Henry had only known as the loveliest and
+most amiable maiden in all Bohemia, so incensed Henry, that he forgot
+all the consideration due to the rich and powerful man, and the count,
+who, besides this, believed himself to have been deceived by Henry,
+caused him to be seized, brought to his castle, and thrown into a deep
+dungeon.
+
+The wife of the count, who was also most severely punished for the
+crime in which she had taken part, overwhelmed her mother with the
+bitterest reproaches. More than once she was on the point of
+confessing the fraud to her husband, but he drove her from him, and
+would not listen to her.
+
+Whilst these women were thus suffering for their crime, Henry sat in
+his dungeon, hopeless of ever recovering his freedom, or of being able
+to take vengeance on him who had so unjustly treated him; when one
+day, as he lay in despair, a sweet voice reached him, which sang a
+song he had often listened to when his sister Emma used to sing it in
+former days.
+
+The youth, who distinctly recognised his sister's voice, uttered her
+name, and on looking upwards, he saw, by the light of the moon, a duck
+fluttering before him, whose feathers were of gold, and whose neck was
+adorned by a costly row of pearls.
+
+Then said the golden duck to the astonished youth, "I am thy sister
+Emma, who, transformed into a golden duck, fly about without a home."
+
+She then related to her brother what had occurred during the journey,
+and the deception her aunt had been guilty of. As she thus recounted
+her unhappy fate, which constrained her to fly about unprotected, her
+life exposed to the snares of the hunters, whilst her beloved brother
+was languishing in prison, she wept abundantly; and the tears rolled
+about the tower as costly pearls, and golden feathers fell from her,
+and glittered on the dark ground.
+
+The brother and sister pitied and tried to console each other. Henry
+especially lamented his talkativeness, which had brought all this
+misfortune upon them. At day-break the duck flew away, after promising
+to visit her brother every night.
+
+After this intercourse had lasted some time, one night she did not
+make her appearance, which threw poor Henry into the greatest anxiety,
+for he feared she might, for the sake of her precious feathers, have
+been caught, or perhaps even killed. Then, for the first time, the
+door of his prison was opened; the count's superintendent entered,
+announced that he was free, and conducted him to the very same
+apartments which he had occupied in happier days.
+
+Before Henry could recover from his surprise, the count himself
+entered, tenderly embraced him, and besought his forgiveness for all
+the suffering that had been inflicted on him.
+
+The warder of the tower, it appeared, had remarked the golden duck,
+and heard with astonishment how she spoke with a human voice, and
+conversed with the prisoner; all of which he had disclosed to the
+count. The count thus discovered, by listening in secret to their
+conversation, the fraud which had imposed the false bride upon him
+instead of the true and beautiful one. Vain, however, were his efforts
+the following night to get the golden duck into his power; she escaped
+from all the attendants who endeavoured to catch her; and snares and
+nets and all the artifices they practised, and all the pains they
+took, were of no avail.
+
+Then the count entreated the intercession of the brother. Since his
+hard fate had robbed him of such an amiable wife, he besought her at
+least in her present form to inhabit his castle. It was possible that
+his grief, his love, might move the offended fairy to restore her to
+her former shape.
+
+Henry freely forgave the count, and promised to make his request known
+to his sister the next time she should visit him. Before, however, the
+duck's next visit, Adelheid expired, for the reproaches of her
+husband, and her own grief and remorse, had brought her to the grave.
+As soon as she was dead, the count banished Jutta to a remote place
+and forbade her ever to appear in his presence again. With Henry he
+lived on his former friendly terms.
+
+Both lived in hopes of the reappearance of the golden duck. Long did
+they wait in vain, and they began to fear that the endeavours of the
+count to catch her had scared her from the place for ever, when one
+afternoon, as Henry was sitting alone in the dining-hall, she flew in
+at the window, and began gathering up the scattered crumbs on the
+table. How great was the brother's joy! He addressed her by the
+tenderest names, stroked her golden feathers, and inquired why she had
+remained so long absent.
+
+Then Emma complained of the efforts to catch her, which the count's
+servants had made, and threatened never to return should such he
+repeated. The entreaty which Henry made in the count's name that she
+would dwell in the castle she decidedly rejected; and as she heard a
+noise in the adjoining chamber, she hastily flew away.
+
+For a long time the youth hesitated whether he should tell the count
+of his sister's visit; as, however, he knew the strong affection of
+his friend, and feared he might not refrain from fresh attempts
+against the liberty of the golden duck, he resolved to say nothing
+about it. But the count had seen the duck fly past, and when Henry
+said nothing about it, he conceived mistrust of him, and laid a new
+plan to get possession of her.
+
+The following morning, when Emma flew into her brother's chamber, the
+window was suddenly closed, the count having fastened a cord to it
+from above, and in a few moments he entered the room thinking he had
+now made sure of the much-desired prize. But the duck fluttered about,
+and made her exit through the keyhole.
+
+Henry was much distressed, for he feared that he should now see his
+beloved sister no more, and heaped reproaches on the astonished count,
+who returned them to him so liberally, that they separated in mutual
+disgust, and Henry resolved to quit the city and wander through the
+wide world.
+
+One day after he had long travelled he found himself in a thick fir
+wood, when suddenly a female form of great dignity stood before him,
+in whom Henry at once recognised the fairy who had so richly gifted
+his sister.
+
+"Wherefore," said she, with a reproachful look, "didst thou leave the
+castle at the time when thy sister's ill fortune, of which thou wert
+the cause, was beginning to turn to good? Hasten back immediately,
+confirm the count in the remorse for his profligate life which is now
+awakening in him, and the golden duck will then be released from her
+enchantment. And not only shall she retain the wonderful gifts she has
+hitherto possessed, but thenceforth she shall no longer have to fear
+air and sun-light."
+
+The fairy disappeared, and Henry returned full of hope to the castle.
+On his way thither he met several of the count's servants, who told
+him their lord had sent them out with commands not to return until
+they found him. For they added, since Henry's departure had left the
+count so lonely and forsaken, he had fallen sick through sorrow and
+longing after his friend.
+
+When Henry entered the count's chamber, he found him lying on his bed
+really ill and unhappy. He comforted him with the fairy's promise, and
+the count solemnly vowed that he would never more return to his wild
+and sinful mode of life.
+
+Scarcely had he uttered this solemn vow, when the window flew open of
+itself, the golden duck flew into the chamber, and, perching on the
+bed-post, said, "The period of my trials is completed. I may now
+return to my former figure and remain with you for ever."
+
+Then the golden feathers dropped from her body; the long beak rounded
+into mouth and chin, above which gazed a pair of lovely eyes; before
+they could look round, a wondrously beautiful maiden stood before
+them, magnificently habited, and her joy at being re-united to her
+brother and her bridegroom drew the purest pearls from her eyes.
+
+At the sight of her the count felt himself at once cured of his
+illness, and, a few days after, the nuptial feast was celebrated with
+all the pomp and magnificence befitting the high station and great
+wealth of the count.
+
+
+
+
+GOLDY.
+
+[From Justinus Kerner.]
+
+
+Many a long year ago there lived in a great forest a poor herdsman,
+who had built himself a log cabin in the midst of it, where he dwelt
+with his wife and his six children, all of whom were boys. There was a
+draw-well by the house, and a little garden, and when their father was
+looking after the cattle the children carried out to him a cool
+draught from the well, or a dish of vegetables from the garden.
+
+The youngest of the boys was called by his parents Goldy, for his
+locks were like gold, and although the youngest he was stronger and
+taller than all his brothers. When the children went out into the
+fields, Goldy always went first with a branch of a tree in his hand,
+and no otherwise would the other children go, for each feared lest
+some adventure should befall him; but when Goldy led them they
+followed cheerfully, one behind the other, through even the darkest
+thicket, although the moon might have already risen over the
+mountains.
+
+One evening, on their return from their father, the children had
+amused themselves by playing in the wood, and Goldy especially had so
+heated himself in their games, that he was as rosy as the sky at
+sun-set.
+
+"Let us return," said the eldest, "it seems growing dark."
+
+"See," said the second, "there is the moon!"
+
+At that moment a light appeared through the dark fir-trees, and a
+female form, shining like the moon, seated herself on the mossy stone,
+and span, with a crystal distaff, a fine thread, nodding her head
+towards Goldy, singing:--
+
+    "The snow-white finch, the gold rose, for thee;
+    The king's crown lies in the lap of the sea!"
+
+She was about to continue her song when the thread broke, and she was
+instantly extinguished like the flame of a candle. It being now quite
+dark, terror seized the children, and they ran about crying piteously,
+one here, and another there, over rock and pit, till they lost each
+other.
+
+Many a day and night did Goldy wander in the thick forest, but could
+find neither his brothers nor his father's hut, nor yet the trace of a
+human foot, for the forest had become more dense; one hill seemed to
+rise above another, and pit after pit intercepted his path.
+
+The blackberries, that grew in profusion, satisfied his hunger and
+slaked his thirst, otherwise he must have perished miserably. At last,
+on the third day--some say it was not until the sixth or seventh--the
+forest became less and less dense, and at last he got out of it, and
+found himself in a lovely green meadow.
+
+Then his heart grew light, and he inhaled the pure fresh air.
+
+Nets were spread over the meadow, for a bird-catcher lived there, who
+caught the birds which flew out of the wood, and carried them into the
+city for sale.
+
+"That is just such a boy as I want," thought the bird-catcher, when he
+saw Goldy, who stood in the meadow close to the net, gazing with
+longing eyes into the blue sky; and then in jest he drew his net, and
+imprisoned within it the astonished boy, who could not comprehend what
+had befallen him. "That's the way we catch the birds that come out of
+the wood," said the bird-catcher, laughing heartily. "Your red
+feathers please me right well. So I have caught you, have I, my little
+fox? You had better stay with me, and I will teach you how to catch
+birds!"
+
+Goldy was well content; he thought he should lead a merry life amongst
+the birds, especially as he abandoned all hope of again finding his
+father's hut.
+
+"Let us see how much you have learnt," said the bird-catcher to him,
+some days after. Goldy drew the net, and caught a snow-white
+chaffinch.
+
+"Confound you and this white chaffinch!" screamed the bird-catcher;
+"you are in league with the evil one!" and he drove him roughly from
+the meadow, at the same time treading under his feet, the white
+chaffinch which Goldy had handed over to him.
+
+Goldy could not conceive what the bird-catcher meant; he returned
+sadly, but yet not despairingly, to the forest, with the intention of
+renewing his endeavours to find his father's hut. Day and night he
+wandered about, climbing over fragments of rock and old fallen trees,
+and often stumbled and fell over the old black roots which protruded
+in all directions from out of the ground.
+
+On the third day, however, the forest once more became somewhat
+clearer, and he issued from it into a beautiful bright garden, full of
+the most delightful flowers, and as he had never before seen such he
+stood gazing full of admiration. The gardener no sooner perceived
+him--for Goldy stood beneath the sunflowers, and his locks glistened
+in the sunshine just like one of them--than he exclaimed: "Ha! he is
+just such a boy as I want!" and the garden-gate closed directly. Goldy
+was very well satisfied, for he thought he should lead a gay life
+amongst the flowers, and he had again lost the hope of getting back to
+his father's cottage.
+
+"Off with you to the forest!" said the gardener to him one morning,
+"and fetch me the stem of a wild rose, that I may engraft cultivated
+roses on it."
+
+Goldy went and returned with a rose-bush bearing the most beautiful
+golden-coloured roses imaginable, which looked exactly as if they were
+the work of the most skilful of goldsmiths, and prepared to adorn a
+monarch's table.
+
+"Confound you, with these golden roses!" screamed the gardener; "you
+are in league with the evil one!" and he drove Goldy roughly out of
+the garden, as with plenty of abuse he trampled the golden roses on
+the ground.
+
+Goldy knew not what the gardener could mean; but he went calmly back
+into the forest, and again set himself to seek after his father's
+cabin.
+
+He walked on day and night, from tree to tree, from rock to rock. On
+the third day, the forest again became clearer and clearer, and he
+came to the shore of the blue sea. It lay before him without a
+boundary; the sun mirrored itself in the crystal surface, which
+glistened like liquid gold, and gay vessels with far-floating
+streamers floated on the waves. Some fishermen sat in a pretty bark on
+the shore, into which Goldy entered, and gazed with wonder out into
+the bright distance.
+
+"We stand in need of just such a boy," said the fisherman, and off
+they pushed into the sea. Goldy was well pleased to go with them, for
+he thought it must be a golden life there amongst the bright waves,
+and he had quite lost all hope of again finding his father's hut.
+
+The fishermen cast their nets, but took nothing.
+
+"Let us see if you will have better luck," said an old fisherman with
+silver hair, addressing Goldy. With unskilful hands he let down the
+net into the deep, drew it up, and lo! he brought up in it--a crown of
+pure gold.
+
+"Triumph!" cried the ancient fisherman, at the same time throwing
+himself at Goldy's feet. "I hail thee as our king! A hundred years
+ago, the last of our kings, having no heir, when he was about to die,
+cast his crown into the sea, and until the fortunate being destined by
+fate, should again draw up the crown from the deep, the throne,
+without an occupant, was to remain wrapt in gloom."
+
+"Hail to our king!" cried all the fishermen, and they placed the crown
+on the boy's head. The tidings of Goldy and of the regained crown,
+resounded from vessel to vessel, and across the sea far into the land.
+The golden surface was soon crowded with gay barks and ships, adorned
+with festoons of flowers and branches; they all saluted with loud
+acclamations of joy the vessel in which was the Boy-king. He stood
+with the bright crown upon his head, at the prow of the vessel, and
+gazed calmly on the sun as it sank into the sea, whilst his golden
+locks waved in the refreshing evening breeze.
+
+
+
+
+THE SERPENT PRINCE.
+
+[Italian.]
+
+
+There lived once a peasant's wife who would have given all she
+possessed to have a child, but yet she never had one.
+
+One day her husband brought home a bundle of twigs from the wood, out
+of which crept a pretty little young serpent. When Sabatella, that was
+the peasant woman's name, saw the little serpent, she sighed deeply
+and said: "Even serpents have their offspring; I alone am so
+unfortunate as to remain childless!"
+
+"Since you are childless," replied the little serpent, "take me in
+lieu of a child; you shall have no cause to repent, and I will love
+you more than a son."
+
+When Sabatella heard the serpent speak, she was at first ready to go
+out of her wits from fright; but at length taking courage said: "If it
+be only for your kind words, I will love you as well as if you were my
+own child."
+
+So saying, she showed the serpent a cupboard in the house for his bed,
+and she gave him a share, daily, of all she had to eat, and so the
+serpent grew; and when he was quite grown up, he said to the peasant,
+Cola Mattheo by name, whom he considered in the light of a father:
+"Dear Papa, I wish to marry."
+
+"I am willing," said Mattheo; "we will look about for a serpent like
+yourself, and conclude the alliance at once."
+
+"Why so," replied the serpent; "we shall then only become connected
+with vipers, and similar vermin. I greatly prefer to marry the king's
+daughter; so pray go forthwith, solicit the king for her, and say that
+a serpent wishes to have her for his wife."
+
+Cola Mattheo, who was a simple-minded man, went without further delay
+to the king, and said: "The persons of messengers are always held
+sacred. Know, therefore, that a serpent desires to have your daughter
+for his wife; and I am come hither in my capacity of gardener to see
+whether I can graft a dove upon a serpent."
+
+The king, perceiving that he was somewhat of a booby, in order to get
+rid of him, said: "Go home, and tell this serpent that if he can turn
+all the fruit in this garden into gold, I will give him my daughter in
+marriage," and laughing heartily, he dismissed the peasant.
+
+When Cola Mattheo reported the king's answer, the serpent replied: "Go
+early in the morning and collect all the fruit kernels you can find
+throughout the city, and sow them in the royal garden; then you shall
+behold a wonder."
+
+Cola Mattheo, who was a great simpleton, said nothing, but as soon as
+the sun with his golden besom had swept away the shades of night, he
+took his basket under his arm, went from street to street, carefully
+picking up every seed and kernel of peach, pomegranate, apricot,
+cherry, and all other fruits he could find. Then he sowed them in the
+royal garden as the serpent had desired him,--which he had no sooner
+done than he perceived the stems of the trees, together with their
+leaves, flowers, and fruit, all turn into shining gold; and the king,
+when he saw it, went almost out of his senses, and could not tell what
+to make of the affair.
+
+But when Cola Mattheo was sent by the serpent to request the king to
+perform his promise, the king replied: "Not so fast! For if the
+serpent really desires to have my daughter in marriage, he must do
+something more; and, in fact, I should like him to change the walls
+and the paths in my garden into precious stones."
+
+On this new demand being reported to the serpent, he said: "Go early
+in the morning and collect all the potsherds you can find on the
+ground; strew them in the paths and on the walls of the garden; then
+we shall soon make the king perform his promise."
+
+And when the night had passed away, Cola Mattheo took a great basket
+and collected all the bits of broken pots, pans, jugs, cups and
+saucers, and all similar rubbish; and when he had done with them as
+the serpent desired him, the garden was suddenly covered with
+emeralds, rubies, chalcedonies, and carbuncles, so that its brilliancy
+dazzled all eyes, and astonished all hearts. The king was almost
+petrified at this spectacle, and knew not what had befallen him.
+
+When, however, the serpent caused him to be again reminded of his
+promise, he answered: "All this is nothing yet. I must have this
+palace quite filled with gold."
+
+When Cola brought this further put-off from the king, the serpent only
+said: "Go and take a bunch of green herbs, and sweep the floors of the
+palace with it; then we shall see what will happen."
+
+Mattheo directly made a great bunch of purslain, marjoram, rue, and
+chervil, with which he swept the floors of the palace, and immediately
+the rooms were filled with gold in such quantities, that poverty must
+have fled at least a hundred houses off.
+
+Now when the peasant went once more in the name of the serpent to
+demand the princess, the king found himself constrained at last to
+keep his promise. He called his daughter, and said: "My beloved
+Grannonia, in order to make sport of an individual who requested you
+in marriage, I required things of him which seemed impossible. As,
+however, I now find myself obliged to fulfil my promise--I entreat
+you, my dutiful daughter, not to bring my word to disgrace, but that
+you will resign yourself to what Heaven wills, and I am constrained to
+do."
+
+"Do as you please, my lord and father," answered Grannonia, "for I
+will not depart one hair's breadth from what you desire."
+
+On hearing this the king desired Cola Mattheo to conduct the serpent
+to his presence; who accordingly repaired to court in a carriage made
+entirely of gold, drawn by four elephants, also of gold. As they
+passed along, however, everybody fled before them, from terror at
+seeing such a dreadfully large serpent.
+
+When the serpent reached the palace, the courtiers shuddered and
+trembled; even the very scullions ran away, and the king and queen
+shut themselves up in a remote chamber. Grannonia alone retained her
+self-possession; and although her royal parents called to her, saying:
+"Fly, fly, Grannonia!" she stirred not from the spot, and merely said:
+"I will not flee from the husband whom you have given me."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+No sooner had the serpent entered the apartment, than he encircled
+Grannonia with his tail, kissed her, then drew her into another
+chamber, locked the door, and stripping off his skin, was transformed
+into a remarkably handsome young man, with golden locks and bright
+eyes, who immediately embraced Grannonia with the utmost tenderness,
+and paid her the most flattering attentions.
+
+The king, on seeing the serpent lock himself into another room with
+the princess, said to his wife: "Heaven have pity on our poor
+daughter; for, unquestionably, all is over with her. This confounded
+serpent has, no doubt, by this time swallowed her up like the yolk of
+an egg." And they peeped through the keyhole to see what had happened.
+
+But when they beheld the surprising elegance and beauty of the young
+man, and perceived the serpent skin, which had been thrown down on the
+ground, they burst open the door, rushed in, and seizing the skin,
+threw it into the fire, where it was instantly consumed. Whereupon the
+young man exclaimed: "Ah! you wretched people, what have you done to
+me!" and changing himself into a pigeon, he flew with such force
+against the window glass, that it broke, and he flew through, although
+very much injured.
+
+Grannonia, who in one and the same moment beheld herself thus
+rejoicing and grieving, happy and unhappy, rich and poor, complained
+bitterly at this destruction of her happiness, this poisoning of her
+joy, this sad change of her fortune, all of which she laid to the
+charge of her parents, although these assured her they had not
+intended to do wrong. She, however, ceased not to bemoan herself until
+night drew in, and as soon as all the inmates of the palace were in
+their beds, she collected all her jewels, and went out at a back door,
+determined to search till she should again find her lost treasure.
+When she got beyond the city, guided by the moonshine, she met a fox,
+who offered to be her companion; to which Grannonia replied: "You are
+heartily welcome to me, neighbour, for I do not know the district very
+well."
+
+They went on together a considerable way, and reached a forest, where
+the tops of the lofty trees met on high, and formed an agreeable
+canopy over their heads. As they were weary with walking, and wished
+to repose, they went under the thick leafy roof, where a rivulet
+sported with the fresh grass, sprinkling it with its clear drops.
+
+They lay down on the mossy carpet, paid the debt of sleep to nature
+for the wear and tear of life, and did not wake until the sun with his
+wonted fire gave notice that men might resume their avocations; but
+after they had risen, they stood awhile listening to the song of the
+little birds, as Grannonia took infinite pleasure in hearing their
+twittering.
+
+When the fox perceived this, he said: "If you understood, as I do,
+what they say, your pleasure would be infinitely greater."
+
+Excited by his words--for curiosity as well as love of gossip is a
+natural gift in all women--Grannonia begged the fox to tell her what
+he had learned from the birds.
+
+The fox allowed her to urge him for a considerable time, in order to
+awaken still greater curiosity for what he was going to relate; but at
+length he told her that the birds were conversing about a misfortune
+which had befallen the son of a king, who, having given offence to a
+wicked enchantress, had been doomed by her to remain for seven long
+years in the form of a serpent. The period of his enchantment arriving
+at its close, he had fallen in love with the daughter of a king, and
+having, on finding himself in a room alone with her, stripped off his
+serpent's skin, her parents had broken in upon them and had burnt the
+skin; whereupon the prince, by flying through a window in the form of
+a pigeon, had so severely injured himself, that the surgeons had no
+hope of his recovery.
+
+Grannonia, on hearing the history of her beloved prince, immediately
+inquired whose son the prince might be, and if there were any means by
+which his cure could be effected. The fox replied, that those birds
+had said that he was the son of the King of Ballone-Grosso, and that
+no other means existed of stopping up the holes in his head, so that
+his reason should not evaporate through them, but to anoint the wounds
+with the blood of those very birds who had narrated the circumstance.
+
+On hearing these words, Grannonia besought the fox to be so very kind
+as to catch the birds for her, that she might get their blood, and
+promised to share with him the profit she would make by curing the
+prince.
+
+"Softly to work," said the fox; "let us wait till night, and when the
+birds are gone to roost, I will climb the tree and strangle them one
+after the other."
+
+So he passed the day talking alternately of the beauty of the king's
+son, of the father of the princess, and of the misfortune that had
+befallen her, till at length night came on. When the fox saw all the
+little birds asleep on the branches, he climbed very quietly and
+cautiously up, and caught all the chaffinches, goldfinches, and
+fly-catchers that were on the tree, killed them, and put their blood
+in a little flask he carried with him, in order to refresh himself on
+the road.
+
+Grannonia was expressing her delight at this success, when the fox
+said to her: "My dear daughter, your joy is all in vain; for you have
+gained nothing at all, unless besides the blood of the birds you also
+possess mine, which I certainly do not mean to give you;" and so
+saying, off he ran.
+
+Grannonia, who saw that all her hopes were about to be annihilated, in
+order to obtain her desires, had recourse to cunning and flattery; so
+she cried out to him: "Dear daddy fox, you would be quite in the right
+to take care of your skin, if I were not so much indebted to you, and
+if there were no more foxes in the world. But since you know how much
+I have to thank you for, and that in these fields there is no lack of
+creatures of your kind, you may rely without uneasiness on me, and
+therefore do not act like the cow who kicks down the pail after she
+has filled it with her milk. Stand still, do not leave me, but
+accompany me to this king's city, in order that he may hire me of you
+for a servant."
+
+The fox into whose head it never entered that a fox could ever be
+duped, found himself, however, deceived by a woman; for he had
+scarcely given his assent to accompanying Grannonia, and had not gone
+fifty paces with her, before she ungratefully knocked him down with
+the stick she carried, killed him, and poured his blood into the
+flask.
+
+She then ran off as fast as she could, until she reached
+Ballone-Grosso. There she went straight to the royal palace, and
+caused the king to be informed she was come to cure the prince's
+wounds.
+
+The king had her immediately brought into his presence, greatly
+surprised that a young maiden should promise to do that which the most
+skilful surgeons in his kingdom acknowledged themselves incompetent to
+effect. But as there would be no harm in trying, he gave her
+permission to make the experiment.
+
+Grannonia, however, said: "If I fulfil your wishes, you must promise
+to give me your son for my husband." The king, who had lost all hope
+of seeing his son restored, replied: "Only restore him to health and
+spirits, and you shall have him just as you make him. For it is not
+too much for me to give a husband to one who gives me a son."
+
+So they went into the prince's room, and no sooner had Grannonia
+anointed him with the blood than he was entirely cured. Now when
+Grannonia saw him well and cheerful, she said to the king that he must
+keep his word; whereupon the latter turned to his son, and spoke thus:
+"My dear son, but lately I looked upon you as dead, and now, when I
+least expected, I see you again living and well; and since I promised
+this young maiden in case she restored you, that you should become her
+husband, and as heaven has been so gracious to me, enable me, if you
+have any regard for me, to fulfil my promise, for gratitude constrains
+me to recompense this service."
+
+The prince replied: "My lord and father, I wish my will were as free
+as my love for you is great. But since I have already given my word to
+another woman, you would not wish that I should break my promise; and
+this young maiden herself will not counsel me to act so faithlessly to
+her whom I love, therefore I must remain true to my choice."
+
+When Grannonia heard these words, and perceived that the prince
+retained the memory of her so vividly in his heart, she felt
+unspeakable joy, and said, whilst she blushed to crimson: "But if I
+persuade the maiden whom you love, to renounce her claim on you,
+would you then comply with my wish?"
+
+"Far be it from me," replied the prince, "that I should ever efface
+the fair image of my beloved from my breast. Whatever she may do, my
+desire and my sentiments will remain unaltered; and were I to risk my
+life for it, still I never would consent to the change."
+
+Grannonia, who could no longer conceal her feelings, now made herself
+known; for the darkness of the chamber, where all the curtains were
+drawn on account of the prince's illness, and her own disguise, had
+entirely prevented him from recognising her. The moment he perceived
+who she was, he embraced her with indescribable joy, and then related
+to his father who she was, and what she had done for him.
+
+Then they sent for the parents of the princess, and the marriage
+festival was celebrated with great rejoicings, so that it was again
+made manifest that for the joys of love, sorrow is ever the best
+seasoning.
+
+
+
+
+THE PROPHETIC DREAM.
+
+[Oral]
+
+
+In a little obscure village, there once dwelt a poor shepherd, who,
+for many years, supported himself and his family upon the very
+trifling wages he earned by his labour. Besides his wife he had one
+only child, a boy. He had accustomed this boy, from a very early age,
+to go out with him to the pastures, and had instructed him in the
+duties of a faithful shepherd, so that as the child grew up he could
+entrust the flocks to his care, whilst he himself could earn a few
+pence by basket weaving. The young shepherd gaily led his flocks over
+the fields and pastures, whistling or singing some cheerful song, or
+cracking his whip, that the time should not pass heavily with him. At
+noon he lay down at his ease by his flock, ate his bread, and quenched
+his thirst at the rivulet, and then slept for a short time before he
+drove it further.
+
+One day when he had lain down under a shady tree for his noontide
+rest, the young shepherd slept and had a remarkable dream. He was
+journeying on, far, far on--he heard a loud clinking sound, like to a
+heap of coins incessantly falling on the ground--a thundering noise
+like the report of incessant firing--he saw a countless band of
+soldiers, with glittering armour and weapons--all these sights and
+sounds encircled him and resounded about him. Then he seemed to wander
+on, constantly ascending a mountain until he arrived at the summit,
+where a throne was erected on which he seated himself, leaving beside
+him a vacant place, which a beautiful woman who suddenly appeared,
+immediately occupied. The young shepherd still dreaming, rose up,
+saying in a solemn and earnest voice: "I am King of Spain;" and at
+that moment he awoke.
+
+Pondering on his strange dream, the youth led on his flock, and in the
+evening, whilst he assisted his parents in their work as they sat
+before their cottage door cutting fodder, he related it to them, and
+concluded by saying: "Verily, if I dream that again, I will be off to
+Spain to see whether I shall be made king."
+
+"Foolish boy," murmured the old father; "thou be made king? Don't go
+and make yourself a laughingstock."
+
+His mother laughed outright, rubbing her hands, and repeating in
+amaze, "King of Spain! king of Spain!"
+
+The next day at noon he lay down again under the same tree, and oh,
+wonder! the same dream took possession of his senses. He hardly had
+patience to watch his flock till evening; gladly would he have run
+home, and at once set out on his journey to Spain. When at length his
+work was done, he again related his romantic dream, saying: "If I do
+but dream this once again, I will go off directly, on the very same
+day."
+
+The third day he lay down again under the same tree, and the same
+dream again visited him for the third time. The youth raised himself
+up in his sleep, exclaiming: "I am King of Spain," and thereupon he
+awoke. He gathered up his hat, his whip, and his provision bag,
+collected his sheep, and went back straight to the village. When he
+got there the people began to chide him for returning so long before
+vespers; but the youth was so excited that he paid no heed to the
+reproofs either of the neighbours or of his parents, but packed up his
+Sunday clothes, hung the bundle on a hazel stick, and throwing it
+over his shoulder started off without another word. He put his best
+foot foremost, and ran so fast that one would have thought he hoped to
+reach Spain that same night.
+
+He got no further however that day than to the borders of a forest,
+and not a village nor even a solitary cottage could he descry; so he
+resolved to take his night's rest in a thick bush. He had scarcely
+fallen asleep when he was disturbed by a great noise. A company of
+men, conversing loudly, passed before the bush which he had made his
+bed. The youth crept softly forward, and followed the men at a little
+distance, saying to himself: "Perhaps thou mayest still find a
+lodging; where these men pass the night, thou surely mayest also
+sleep." They had not gone much further before they came to a house of
+considerable dimensions, which, however, was situated in the centre of
+the dark forest. The men knocked, and were admitted, and the young
+shepherd unperceived slipped in with them into the house. Another door
+was then thrown open, and they all entered a large and very
+imperfectly lighted room, on the floor of which lay numerous trusses
+of straw, beds and coverlids, which seemed ready prepared for the
+men's night repose. The shepherd boy crept quickly under a heap of
+straw, which was scattered near the door, and lay in his concealment
+on the look-out for all he might see and hear. As he was a very sharp
+boy, with all his senses about him, it was not long before he made out
+that he was amongst a band of robbers, whose captain was the owner of
+the house. This latter, as soon as the newly arrived members of the
+band had stretched themselves on their couches, ascended an elevated
+seat, and said in a deep bass voice: "My brave comrades, give me an
+account of your day's work; where you have been, and what booty you
+have got!"
+
+A tall man, with a coal black beard, was the first to raise himself
+from his bed, and answered: "My good captain, early this morning I
+robbed a rich nobleman of his leathern breeches; these have two
+pockets, and as often as they are turned inside out, and well shaken,
+a heap of ducats falls on the ground."
+
+"That sounds well, indeed!" said the captain.
+
+Then uprose another, and said: "I stole from a great general his
+three-cornered hat; and this hat has the property, that so long as it
+is turned round upon the head shots are fired off incessantly from its
+three corners."
+
+"That's worth hearing," replied the captain; upon which a third man
+sat up, saying: "I have deprived a knight of his sword, and when you
+stick the point of this sword into the earth, up starts at that very
+moment a regiment of soldiers."
+
+"A brave deed," exclaimed the captain; as the fourth robber then
+began: "I drew off the boots of a traveller whilst he slept, and
+whoever puts on those boots goes seven miles at every step."
+
+"I commend a bold deed," said the captain, highly pleased; "hang up
+your prizes against the wall, and now eat and drink heartily, and
+sleep well." So saying, he left the sleeping apartment of the robbers,
+who caroused lustily, and then slept soundly. When all was still and
+the men in deep sleep, the young shepherd stole from his hiding-place,
+put on the leathern breeches, set the hat upon his head, girded on the
+sword, drew on the boots, and slipped softly out of the house. As soon
+as he was outside the door, the boots, to his infinite delight, at
+once manifested their magic virtue, and it was not long before the
+youth entered the great capital of Spain; it is called Madrid.
+
+He asked the very first person he met to direct him to the most
+considerable hotel in the city; but received for answer, "You little
+urchin, get off with you to some place where such as yourself lodge,
+and not to where great lords dine." A shining gold piece, however,
+soon made his adviser a little more courteous, so that now he
+willingly conducted the youth to the best hotel. Arrived there, he at
+once engaged the best apartments, and said to his host: "Well, how
+goes it in your city? What is the latest news here?"
+
+The host made a long face, and replied: "My little gentleman, you must
+be indeed quite a stranger here. It seems that you have not yet heard
+that his majesty, our king, is on the eve of departing for the wars
+with an army of twenty thousand men. You must know we have enemies,
+powerful enemies. Oh, these are, indeed, dreadful times! Is your
+little worship disposed to join the army?"
+
+"No doubt!" said the stripling, whose countenance beamed with joy.
+
+No sooner had the host left him, than he quickly drew off his leather
+breeches, shook out a heap of gold pieces, and purchased for himself
+costly garments with arms and accoutrements, dressed himself in them,
+and then craved an audience of the king. As he entered the palace,
+and was being conducted by two chamberlains through a spacious and
+magnificent hall, he was met by a young and wondrously beautiful lady,
+who graciously saluted him, and whom he beheld surrounded by
+courtiers, who bowed to her as he passed, whilst they whispered to
+him, "That is the princess--the king's daughter."
+
+The young shepherd was not a little enraptured by the beauty of the
+princess; and he was so inspired by his admiration and delight, that
+he was able to speak boldly and confidently to the monarch.
+
+"I come," said he, "most humbly to offer to your majesty my services
+as a warrior. The army I bring to you shall gain the victory for you;
+and it shall win for your majesty whatever you may be pleased to
+desire. But I ask of you one recompense, namely, that if I gain the
+victory for you, I may receive your lovely daughter in marriage. Will
+you grant me this, my most gracious king?"
+
+The king was astonished at the youth's bold address, and answered: "Be
+it so--I agree to your request. If you return home a conqueror, you
+shall be my successor, and I will give you my daughter in marriage."
+
+The _ci-devant_ shepherd now betook himself all alone to the open
+plain, and began to strike his sword here and there in the ground, and
+in a few minutes there stood on the plain many thousand well-armed
+combatants, and the youth himself, richly armed and adorned, sat as
+their leader on a noble horse decked with gold embroidered housings
+and a lustrous bridle. The young general led his troops against the
+foe, and a bloody battle was fought. Unceasing death-shots thundered
+from the commander's hat, and his sword called up one regiment after
+another from the ground, so that in a few hours the enemy was
+vanquished and scattered, and the flag of victory waved above the
+conquered camp. The victor pursued and conquered from his foe a
+considerable portion of his country. Victorious, and crowned with
+glory, he returned to Spain, where his greatest good fortune still
+awaited him. The fair daughter of the king had been no less struck by
+the handsome youth whom she met in the hall, than he had been by her;
+and the most gracious monarch knew how to value duly the great service
+rendered to him by the brave young man. He kept his word--gave him his
+daughter in marriage, and made him heir to his throne.
+
+[Illustration: THE PROPHETIC DREAM. P. 406.]
+
+The nuptials were celebrated with the greatest magnificence, and he
+who had so shortly before been only a shepherd youth sat now in high
+estate. Soon after the wedding the old king resigned his crown and
+sceptre into the hands of his son-in-law, who, seated proudly on the
+throne, with his beautiful consort beside him, received the oath of
+allegiance from his people.
+
+Then he thought of his so quickly-fulfilled dream and of his poor
+parents, and when he was alone with his wife, he thus addressed her:
+"My beloved, know that I have parents living still, but they are very
+poor; my father is a village herdsman, dwelling far away in Germany,
+where I myself, as a boy, looked after cattle, until a marvellous
+dream revealed to me that I should become king of Spain. Fortune has
+been favourable to me; I am now a king, but I would willingly see my
+parents also prosperous, therefore with your kind consent I will
+return to my former home, and bring my parents hither."
+
+The young queen was well content that her husband should do as he
+proposed, so he set off and travelled of course very fast, being
+possessed of the seven-mile boots. On his way the young monarch
+restored the magical articles which he had taken from the robbers to
+their rightful owners, retaining only the boots; he carried back with
+him his parents, who were almost beside themselves for joy, and to the
+former owner of the boots he gave a dukedom in exchange for them.
+After that he lived happily and worthily all the rest of his days.
+
+THE END.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Fairy Tales From all Nations, by 
+Anthony R. Montalba
+
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+<pre>
+
+Project Gutenberg's Fairy Tales From all Nations, by Anthony R. Montalba
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Fairy Tales From all Nations
+
+Author: Anthony R. Montalba
+
+Illustrator: Richard Doyle
+
+Release Date: January 14, 2011 [EBook #34956]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAIRY TALES FROM ALL NATIONS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+(This file was produced from images generously made
+available by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="tr"><p class="center">Transcriber's note</p>
+<p class="center">Sixteen page numbers are missing from 136 to 152. None of the stories are missing . This is only an error in numbering.</p>
+</div>
+<h1>FAIRY TALES FROM<br />
+
+ALL NATIONS.</h1>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>BY</h3>
+
+<h2>ANTHONY R. MONTALBA.</h2>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>WITH TWENTY-FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS BY RICHARD DOYLE.</h3>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>LONDON:</h3>
+<h3>CHAPMAN &amp; HALL, 186, STRAND.</h3>
+
+<h3>MDCCCXLIX.
+</h3>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<h4>TO</h4>
+
+<h4>THE ILLUSTRIOUS PATRON OF LETTERS</h4>
+
+<h2>THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL FITZWILLIAM,</h2>
+
+<h3>This Little Book</h3>
+
+<h4>IS HUMBLY INSCRIBED,</h4>
+
+<h4>AS A MARK OF SINCEREST GRATITUDE AND RESPECT,
+</h4>
+<h4>BY HIS MOST OBEDIENT AND DEVOTED SERVANT,</h4>
+
+<p class="p1">A. R. MONTALBA.
+</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>PREFACE.</h2>
+
+
+<p>The time has been, but happily exists no longer, when it would have
+been necessary to offer an apology for such a book as this. In those
+days it was not held that</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">Beauty is its own excuse for being;<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>on the contrary, a spurious utilitarianism reigned supreme in
+literature, and fancy and imagination were told to fold their wings,
+and travel only in the dusty paths of every-day life. Fairy tales, and
+all such flights into the region of the supernatural, were then
+condemned as merely idle things, or as pernicious occupations for
+faculties that should be always directed to serious and profitable
+concerns. But now we have cast off that pedantic folly, let us hope
+for ever. We now acknowledge that innocent amusement is good for its
+own sake, and we do not affect to prove our advance in civilisation by
+our incapacity to relish those sportive creations of unrestricted
+fancy that have been the delight of every generation in every land
+from times beyond the reach of history.</p>
+
+<p>The materials of the following Collection have been carefully chosen
+from more than a hundred volumes of the fairy lore of all nations; and
+none of them, so far as the Editor is aware, have been previously
+translated into English.</p>
+
+<p>The Editor cannot close this brief Preface without expressing his
+grateful acknowledgments of the enhanced attraction imparted to his
+little work by Mr. Richard Doyle's admirable Illustrations.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2>CONTENTS.</h2>
+
+<table summary="Contents">
+<tr><td class="center f1">TALE.</td>
+  <td class="center f1">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="center f1">LANGUAGE.</td>
+  <td class="center">&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="center f1">AUTHOR.</td><td class="tocpg f1">PAGE.</td>
+</tr>
+<tr>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td class="tocpg f1">&nbsp;</td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_BIRTH_OF_THE_FAIRY_TALE">BIRTH OF THE FAIRY TALE</a></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td>
+</tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#SNOW-WHITE_AND_ROSY-RED">SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Danish</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Torgen Moe and</span>
+<span class="smcap">P. Asbi�rnson</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_ARGILIUS_AND_THE_FLAME-KING">THE STORY OF ARGILIUS AND<br />
+THE FLAME KING</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Slavonic</i></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Count Mayl�th</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_20">20</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#PERSEVERE_AND_PROSPER">PERSEVERE AND PROSPER</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Arabic</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Dr. G. Weil</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_38">38</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_PRINCE_OF_THE_GLOW-WORMS">PRINCE OF THE GLOW-WORMS</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>German</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Friedrich von Sallet</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_41">41</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_TWO_MISERS">THE TWO MISERS</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Hebrew</i></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_71">71</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#PRINCE_CHAFFINCH">PRINCE CHAFFINCH</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>French</i></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_73">73</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_WOLF_AND_THE_NIGHTINGALE">THE WOLF AND THE NIGHTINGALE</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Swedish</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">E. M. Anndt</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_105">105</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_ENCHANTED_CROW">THE ENCHANTED CROW</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Polish</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">K. W. Woycicky</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_132">132</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_DRAGON-GIANT_AND_HIS_STONE-STEED">THE DRAGON-GIANT AND HIS
+STONE STEED</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Russian</i></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">O. L. B. Wolff</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_153">153</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_STORY_OF_SIVA_AND_MADHAVA">THE STORY OF SIVA AND MADHAVA</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Sanskrit</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Somadeva Bhatta</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_185">185</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_GOBLIN_BIRD">THE GOBLIN BIRD</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Betschuanian</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Casalis</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_201">201</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_SHEPHERD_AND_THE_SERPENT">THE SHEPHERD AND THE SERPENT</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>German</i></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_209">209</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_EXPEDITIOUS_FROG">THE EXPEDITIOUS FROG</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Wendian</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Leopold Hausst and</span>
+<span class="smcap">J. E. Schmaler</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_215">215</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#EASTWARD_OF_THE_SUN_AND_WESTWARD_OF_THE_MOON">EASTWARD OF THE SUN, AND
+WESTWARD<br />
+OF THE MOON</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Norwegian</i></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">P. Asbi�rnson</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_217">217</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_LITTLE_MAN_IN_GREY">THE LITTLE MAN IN GREY</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Upper Lusatian</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Montz Hausst</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_236">236</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#RED_WHITE_AND_BLACK">RED, WHITE, AND BLACK</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Norman</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">L'Heritier</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_243">243</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_TWELVE_LOST_PRINCESSES_AND_THE_WIZARD_KING">THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES<br />
+AND THE WIZARD KING.</a></td>
+ <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>African</i></td>
+
+<td></td>
+<td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_249">249</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_STUDY_OF_MAGIC_UNDER_DIFFICULTIES">THE STUDY OF MAGIC UNDER
+DIFFICULTIES</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Italian</i></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+<td><span class="smcap">Strapparola</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_268">268</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#FORTUNES_FAVOURITE">FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Hungarian</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">G. von Gall</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_281">281</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_LUCKY_DAYS">THE LUCKY DAYS</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Italian</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Strapparola</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_309">309</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_FEAST_OF_THE_DWARFS">THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Icelandish</i></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_313">313</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_THREE_DOGS">THE THREE DOGS</a></td>
+<td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Frieslandish</i></td>
+  <td></td><td><span class="smcap">L. Beckstein</span></td>
+   <td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_329">329</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_COURAGEOUS_FLUTE-PLAYER">THE COURAGEOUS FLUTE-PLAYER</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Franconian</i></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_339">339</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_GLASS_HATCHET">THE GLASS HATCHET</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Hungarian</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">G. von Gall</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_345">345</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_GOLDEN_DUCK">THE GOLDEN DUCK</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Bohemian</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Wolfgard A. Gerle</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_360">360</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#GOLDY">GOLDY</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>German</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Justinus Kerner</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_377">377</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_SERPENT_PRINCE">THE SERPENT PRINCE</a></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><i>Italian</i></td>
+  <td>&nbsp;</td>
+  <td><span class="smcap">Basile</span></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_384">384</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td><a href="#THE_PROPHETIC_DREAM">THE PROPHETIC DREAM</a></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td>
+  <td></td><td class="tocpg"><a href="#Page_398">398</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+<p class="center">The Illustrations drawn by <span class="smcap">Richard Doyle</span>, and engraved by <span class="smcap">G. Dalziel</span>,
+<span class="smcap">E. Dalziel</span>, <span class="smcap">Isabel Thompson</span>, <span class="smcap">C. T. Thompson</span>, <span class="smcap">Richard Thompson</span>, and <span class="smcap">W.
+T. Green.</span></p>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p>
+<h2>FAIRY TALES FROM ALL NATIONS</h2>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+<h2><a name="THE_BIRTH_OF_THE_FAIRY_TALE" id="THE_BIRTH_OF_THE_FAIRY_TALE"></a>THE BIRTH OF THE FAIRY TALE.</h2>
+
+
+<div>
+<img class="figleft" src="images/image_010_01.jpg" width="400" height="172" alt=""  />
+<img class="figleft" src="images/image_010_02.jpg" width="223" height="200" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>hen nursery tales and entertaining stories did not yet exist&mdash;and
+those were dull times for children, for then their youthful paradise
+wanted its gayest butterfly&mdash;there lived two royal children, a brother
+and sister. They played with each other in a garden allotted to them
+by their royal sire. This garden was full of the most beautiful and
+fragrant flowers; its paths were over-spread with golden sands and
+many-coloured stones, which vied in brilliancy with the dew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span> which
+glistened on the flowers, illuminated by the splendour of an eastern
+sun. There were in it cool grottos with rippling streams; fountains
+spouting high towards heaven; exquisitely chiselled marble statues;
+lovely arbours and bowers inviting to repose; gold and silver fish
+swam in the reservoirs, and the most beautiful birds flitted about in
+gilded cages so spacious that they scarcely felt that they were
+confined, whilst others at full liberty flew from tree to tree,
+filling the air with their sweet song. Yet the children who possessed
+all these delights, and saw them daily, were satiated with them and
+felt weary. They looked without pleasure on the brilliancy of the
+stones; the fragrance of the flowers and the dancing water of the
+fountains no longer attracted them; they cared not for the fish which
+were mute to them, nor for the birds whose warbling they did not
+comprehend. They sat mournful and listless beside each other; having
+everything that children could desire&mdash;kind parents, costly toys, the
+richest clothing, every delicacy the land could furnish, with liberty
+to roam from morning until evening in the beautiful garden,&mdash;still
+they were unsatisfied and they knew not why!&mdash;they could not tell what
+else they wanted.</p>
+
+<p>Then came to them the queen, their mother,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span> beautiful and majestic,
+with a countenance expressive of love and gentleness. She grieved to
+see her children so mournful, meeting her with melancholy smiles,
+instead of gaily bounding to her embrace. Her heart was sorrowful
+because her children were not happy as she thought they ought to be,
+for as yet they knew not care; and, thanks to an all-good Providence,
+the heaven of childhood is usually bright and cloudless.</p>
+
+<p>The queen placed herself between her two children. She threw her full
+white arms round their necks, and said to them with endearing maternal
+tenderness, "What ails you, my beloved children?"&mdash;"We know not, dear
+mother!" replied the boy.&mdash;"We do not feel happy!" said the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet everything is fair in this garden, and you have everything that
+can give you pleasure. Do all these things then afford you no
+enjoyment?" demanded the queen, whilst tears filled her eyes, through
+which beamed a soul of goodness.</p>
+
+<p>"What we have and enjoy seems not to be the one thing which we want,"
+answered the girl.&mdash;"We wish for something else, but we know not what
+it is," added the boy.</p>
+
+<p>The queen sat silent and sad, pondering what that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span> might be for which
+her children pined. What could possibly afford them greater pleasure
+than that splendid garden, the richness of their clothing, the variety
+of their toys, the delicacy of their food, the flavour of their
+beverage? But in vain; she could not divine the unknown object of
+their desire.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that I myself were again a child!" said the queen to herself with
+a deep sigh. "I should then perhaps discover what would impart
+cheerfulness to my children. To comprehend the wish of a child, one
+should be a child oneself. But I have already wandered too far beyond
+the boundaries of childhood where fly the golden birds of paradise;
+those beautiful birds without feet, that never require the repose of
+which all earthly creatures stand in need. Oh, that such a bird would
+come to my assistance, and bring to my dear children that precious
+gift which should dispel their gloom and make them happy!"</p>
+
+<p>And, behold, the queen had scarcely formed this wish, when a
+wondrously beautiful bird, whose splendour surpassed all that can be
+imagined, bent its flight from the ethereal sky, and wheeled round and
+round until it attracted the gaze of the queen and her children, who
+on beholding it were filled with astonishment, and with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span> one voice
+exclaimed: "Oh, how wonderful is that bird!" And wonderful indeed it
+was, and gorgeous to behold as it gradually descended towards them.
+Like burnished gold blended with sparkling jewels shone its plumage,
+reflecting the seven colours of the rainbow, and dazzling the eye
+which it still rivetted anew by its indescribable charms. Beautiful as
+it was, the aspect of the bird inspired them with a kind of awe,
+which, though not unpleasing, increased when they felt the wafting of
+its wings, and suddenly beheld it rest in the lap of the queen. It
+looked on them with its full eyes, which, though they resembled the
+friendly smiling eyes of a child, had yet in them something strange
+and almost unearthly; an expression the children could not comprehend,
+and therefore feared to consider. They now observed also, that mingled
+with the bright coloured plumage of this unearthly bird, were some
+black feathers which they had not before perceived. But scarcely was a
+moment permitted to them for these observations, ere the wonder-bird
+again arose, soared aloft higher and higher till it was lost to the
+sight in the blue and cloudless ether. The queen and her children
+watched its flight in amazement until it had entirely vanished, and
+when they again looked down,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> lo, a new wonder! The bird had deposited
+in the mother's lap an egg which beamed like the precious opal with
+many-coloured brilliancy. With one voice, the royal children
+exclaimed: "Oh, the beautiful egg!" whilst the mother smiled in an
+ecstasy of joy; for a voice within her predicted to her that this was
+the jewel which alone was wanting to complete the happiness of her
+children. This egg, she thought, within its thousand-coloured shell,
+must contain the treasure that would ensure to her children that which
+has ever been, and ever will be withheld from age&mdash;Contentment;&mdash;the
+longing for that treasure and the anticipation of it would charm away
+their childish melancholy.</p>
+
+<p>The children could not gaze their fill on the splendid egg, and soon
+in admiring it, forgot the bird that had bestowed it on them. At first
+they hardly ventured to touch their treasure, but after a while, the
+maiden first took courage to lay upon it one of her rosy fingers,
+exclaiming whilst a purple blush of delight over-spread her innocent
+face: "The egg is warm!" then the royal youth, to try the truth of his
+sister's words, cautiously touched it also, and lastly the mother
+placed her beautifully white and taper finger on the costly egg,
+which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> then separated into two parts, and there came out from it a
+being most marvellous to behold. It had wings, and yet it was no bird,
+nor yet butterfly nor bee, though it was a combination of all these
+infinitely and indescribably blended. It was in short, that multiform
+many-coloured childish Ideal, the <i>Fairy Tale</i>, dispensing pleasure,
+and happiness, and inspiration to infancy and youth. The mother
+thenceforth no longer beheld her children pining with melancholy, for
+the Fairy Tale became their constant companion, and remained with them
+till the sun which shone on their last day of childhood had set. The
+possession of this wondrous being from that day endeared to them
+garden and flowers, bowers and grottos, forests and valleys; for it
+gave new life and charms to all around them. Borne on its wings they
+flew far and wide through the great measureless world, and yet, ever
+at their wish, they were in a moment wafted back to their own home.</p>
+
+<p>Those royal children were mankind in their youthful paradise, and
+nature was their lovely serene and mild mother. Their wishes drew down
+from heaven the wonder-bird, <span class="smcap">Phantasy</span>, most brilliant of plumage
+although intermingled with its feathers, were some of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> the deepest
+black: the egg deposited by this bright bird, contained the <span class="smcap">Golden
+Fairy Tales</span>: and as the affection of the children for Fairy Lore grew
+stronger from day to day, enlivening and making happy the time of
+their childhood, the stories themselves wandered forth, and were
+welcomed alike in hall and palace, castle and cottage, ever growing in
+charms and novelty, till they at length received the mission of
+pleasing manhood also. The grave, the toil-worn, and the aged, would
+listen with pleased ear to their wonderful relations, and dwell with
+fond recollection on the golden birth of those Fairy charms.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="SNOW-WHITE_AND_ROSY-RED" id="SNOW-WHITE_AND_ROSY-RED"></a>SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Danish.]</h3>
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_018.jpg" alt="I" width="100" height="105" /></div>
+
+<p>n a far-distant land, there reigned a queen, who was one day driving
+in a sledge over the new fallen snow, when, as it chanced, she was
+seized with a bleeding at her nose, which obliged her to alight. As
+she stood leaning against the stump of a tree, and gazed on her
+crimson blood that fell on the snow, she thought to herself, "I have
+now twelve sons, and not one daughter; could I but have a daughter
+fair as that snow and rosy as that blood, I should no longer care
+about my sons." She had scarcely murmured the wish, before a sorceress
+stood beside her. "Thou shalt have a daughter," said she, "and she
+shall be fair as this snow and rosy as thy blood; but thy twelve sons
+shall then be mine; thou may'st, however, retain them with thee, until
+thy daughter shall be baptized."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Now, at the appointed time the queen brought into the world a
+daughter, who was fair as snow and rosy as blood, just as the
+sorceress had promised, and on that account she was called Snow-white
+and Rosy-red; and there was great joy throughout all the royal
+household, but the queen rejoiced more than all the rest. But when she
+remembered her promise to the sorceress, a strange sensation oppressed
+her heart, and she sent for a silversmith, and commanded him to make
+twelve silver spoons, one for each of the princes; she had one made
+for the princess also. On the day that the princess was baptized, the
+twelve princes were transformed into twelve wild ducks, and flew away,
+and were no more seen. The princess, however, grew up, and became
+wonderfully beautiful; but she was always wrapped in her own thoughts,
+and so melancholy, that no one could guess what was the matter with
+her.</p>
+
+<p>One evening, when the queen was also in a very melancholy mood,
+thinking on her lost sons, she said to Snow-white and Rosy-red, "Why
+are you always so sad, my daughter? If there is anything the matter
+with you, tell it me. If there is anything you wish for, you shall
+have it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear mother," she replied, "all around me<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> seems so desolate;
+other children have brothers and sisters, but I have none, and that is
+why I am so sad."</p>
+
+<p>"My daughter," said the queen, "you also once had brothers, for I had
+twelve sons, but I gave them all up in order to have you;" and
+thereupon she related to her all that had occurred.</p>
+
+<p>When the princess heard what had befallen her brothers, she could no
+longer remain at home in peace, and notwithstanding all her mother's
+tears and entreaties, nothing would satisfy her but she must and would
+set off in search of her brothers, for she thought that she alone was
+guilty of causing their misfortune; so she secretly left the palace.
+She wandered about the world, and went so far that you would not
+believe it possible that such a delicate maiden could have gone to
+such a distance. Once she strayed about a whole night in a great
+forest, and towards the morning she was so tired that she lay down on
+a bank and slept. Then she dreamed that she penetrated still farther
+into the forest, till she came to a little wooden hut, and therein she
+found her brothers. When she awoke, she saw before her a little beaten
+path through the moss, and she followed it till in the thickest of the
+forest she saw a little wooden hut, just like that she had dreamed
+of.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She entered it, but saw no one. There were, however, twelve beds and
+twelve chairs, and on the table lay twelve spoons, and, in fact, there
+were twelve of every article she saw there. The princess was
+overjoyed, for she could not but fancy that her twelve brethren dwelt
+there, and that it was to them that the beds, and the chairs, and the
+spoons belonged. Then she made a fire on the hearth, swept the room,
+and made the beds; afterwards she cooked a meal for them, and set
+everything out in the best order possible. And when she had finished
+her cooking and had prepared everything for her brothers, she sat down
+and ate something for herself, laid her spoon on the table, and crept
+under the bed belonging to her youngest brother.</p>
+
+<p>She had scarcely concealed herself there, when she heard a great
+rustling in the air, and presently in flew twelve wild ducks; but the
+moment they crossed the threshold, they were instantly transformed
+into the princes, her brothers!</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, how nicely everything is arranged here, and how delightfully warm
+it is already," they exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven reward the person who has warmed our room so nicely, and
+prepared such an excellent repast for us;" and hereupon each took his
+silver spoon in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> order to begin eating. But when each prince had taken
+his own, there was still one remaining, so like the others that they
+could not distinguish it. Then the princes looked at each other, and
+were very much astonished.</p>
+
+<p>"That must be our sister's spoon," said they; "and since the spoon is
+here, she herself cannot be far off."</p>
+
+<p>"If it is our sister, and if she is here," said the eldest, "she shall
+be killed, for she is the cause of our misfortune."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay," said the youngest, "it would be a sin to kill her; she is not
+guilty of what we suffer; if any one is in fault, it is no other than
+our own mother."</p>
+
+<p>Then they all began to search high and low, and at last they looked
+under all the beds, and when they came to the bed of the youngest
+prince, they found the princess, and drew her from under it.</p>
+
+<p>The eldest prince was now again for killing her, but she entreated
+them earnestly to spare her life, and said, "Ah, do not kill me; I
+have wandered about so long seeking for you, and I would willingly
+give my life if that would disenchant you."</p>
+
+<p>"Nay, but if you will disenchant us," said they, "we will spare your
+life; for you can do it if you will."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Indeed; only tell me then what I am to do, for I will do anything you
+wish," said the princess.</p>
+
+<p>"You must collect the down of the dandelion flowers, and you must
+card, and spin, and weave it; and of that material you must cut out
+and make twelve caps, and twelve shirts, and twelve cravats, a set for
+each of us; but during the time that you are occupied in doing so, you
+must neither speak, nor weep, nor smile. If you can do that, we shall
+be disenchanted."</p>
+
+<p>"But where shall I be able to find sufficient down for all the caps,
+and shirts, and cravats?" asked she.</p>
+
+<p>"That you shall soon see," said the princes; and then they led her out
+into a great meadow, where were so many dandelions with their white
+down waving in the wind and glittering in the sun, that the glitter of
+them could be seen at a very great distance. The princess had never in
+all her life seen so many dandelions, and she began directly to pluck
+and collect them, and she brought home as many as she could carry; and
+in the evening she began to card and spin them into yarn. Thus she
+continued doing for a very long time; every day she gathered the down
+from the dandelions, and she attended on the princes also; she cooked
+for them, and made their beds; and every evening they flew home<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> as
+wild ducks, became princes again during the night, and in the morning
+flew away again, as wild ducks.</p>
+
+<p>Now it happened one day when Snow-white and Rosy-red had gone to the
+meadow to collect the dandelion-down&mdash;if I do not mistake, that was
+the last time that she required to collect them&mdash;that the young king
+of the country was hunting, and rode towards the meadow where
+Snow-white and Rosy-red was collecting her material. The king was
+astonished to see such a beautiful maiden walking there, and gathering
+the dandelion-down. He stopped his horse and addressed her; but when
+he could get no answer from her, he was still more astonished, and as
+the maiden pleased him so well, he resolved to carry her to his royal
+residence, and make her his wife. He commanded his attendants,
+therefore, to lift her upon his horse; but Snow-white and Rosy-red
+wrung her hands, and pointed to the bag wherein she had her work. So
+the king understood at last what she meant, and bade his attendants
+put the bag also on his horse. That being done, the princess, by
+degrees, yielded to his wish that she should go with him, for the king
+was a very handsome man, and spoke so gently, and kindly, to her. But
+when they arrived at the palace, and the old queen,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> who was the
+king's step-mother, saw how beautiful Snow-white and Rosy-red was, she
+became quite jealous and angry; and she said to the king:&mdash;"Do you not
+see, then, that you have brought home a sorceress with you? for she
+can neither speak, nor laugh, nor cry." The king, however, heeded not
+his step-mother's words, but celebrated his nuptials with the fair
+maiden, and lived very happily with her. She, however, did not cease
+to work continually at the shirts.</p>
+
+<p>Before the year was out, Snow-white and Rosy-red brought a little
+prince into the world. This made the old queen still more envious and
+spiteful than before; and when night came, she slipped into the
+queen's room, and whilst she slept, carried off the infant, and threw
+it into a pit which was full of snakes. Then she returned, made an
+incision in one of the queen's fingers, and having smeared her mouth
+with the blood, she went to the king, and said:&mdash;"Come now, and see
+what sort of a wife you have got; she has just devoured her own
+child." Thereupon the king was so distressed that he very nearly shed
+tears, and said:&mdash;"Yes, it must be true, since I see it with my own
+eyes; but she surely will not do so again; this time I will spare
+her." Before the year was out the queen brought into the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> world
+another prince, and the same occurred this time, as before. The
+step-mother was still more jealous and spiteful; she again slipped
+into the young queen's room, during the night, and, whilst she slept,
+carried off the babe, and threw it into the pit to the serpents. Then
+she made an incision in the queen's finger, smeared her lips with the
+blood, and told the king that his wife had again devoured her own
+child. The king's distress was greater than can be imagined, and he
+said:&mdash;"Yes, it must be so, since I see it with my own eyes; but
+surely she will never do so again; I will spare her this once more."</p>
+
+<p>Before that year was out, Snow-white and Rosy-red brought a daughter
+into the world, and this also the old queen threw into the serpent
+hole, as she had done the others, made an incision in the young
+queen's finger, smeared her lips with the blood, and then again said
+to the king: "Come and see if I do not say truly, she is a sorceress:
+for she has now devoured her third child," Then the king was more
+distressed than can be described, for he could no longer spare her,
+but was obliged to command that she should be burnt alive. Now when
+the pile of faggots was blazing, and the young queen was to ascend,
+she made signs that twelve<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> boards should be laid round the pile. This
+being done she placed on them, the shirts, caps, and cravats, she had
+made for her brothers; but the left sleeve of the youngest brother's
+shirt was wanting, for she had not been able to finish it. No sooner
+had she done this than a great rustling and fluttering was heard in
+the air, and twelve wild ducks came flying from the wood, and each
+took a shirt, cap, and cravat in his beak, and flew off with them.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you convinced now that she is a sorceress?" said the wicked
+step-mother to the king: "make haste and have her burnt before the
+flames consume all the wood."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no need of such haste," said the king; "we have plenty more
+wood, and I am very desirous to see what will be the end of all this."</p>
+
+<p>At that moment came the twelve princes riding up, all as handsome and
+graceful as possible, only the youngest prince, instead of a left arm,
+had a duck's wing.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you going to do?" asked the princes.</p>
+
+<p>"My wife is going to be burnt," said the king, "because she is a
+sorceress, and has devoured her children."</p>
+
+<p>"That has she not," said the princes. "Speak now, sister! You have
+delivered us, now save yourself."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_029.jpg" width="500" height="719" alt="SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED."  />
+<span class="caption">SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then Snow-white and Rosy-red spoke, and related all that had happened,
+and that each time she had a child, the old queen had slipped into the
+room, taken the child, and then made an incision in her finger, and
+smeared the blood upon her lips. And the princes led the king to the
+serpent hole, and there lay the children, playing with the serpents
+and adders, and finer children than these could not be seen. Then the
+king carried them with him to his step-mother, and asked her what the
+person deserved who had desired to betray an innocent queen, and three
+such lovely children.</p>
+
+<p>"To be torn in pieces by twelve wild horses," said the old queen.</p>
+
+<p>"You have pronounced your own doom, and shall suffer the punishment,"
+said the king, and forthwith the old queen was tied to twelve wild
+horses, and torn to pieces. But Snow-white and Rosy-red set off with
+the king, her husband, and her three children, and her twelve
+brothers, and went home to her parents, and told them all that had
+happened to her; and there were rejoicings throughout the kingdom,
+because the princess was saved, and that she had disenchanted her
+twelve brothers.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_ARGILIUS_AND_THE_FLAME-KING" id="THE_STORY_OF_ARGILIUS_AND_THE_FLAME-KING"></a>THE STORY OF ARGILIUS AND THE FLAME-KING.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Slavonic]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_031.jpg" alt="I" width="90" height="248" /></div>
+<p>n a certain distant land once reigned a king and queen, who had three
+daughters and one son. As the king and queen were talking one day
+together about family matters, the king said to his consort: "Whenever
+our daughters happen to marry we shall be obliged to give to each of
+their husbands a portion of our kingdom, which will thereby be greatly
+diminished; I think therefore that we cannot do better than marry them
+all three to our son, and so the kingdom will remain entire. In
+another eight days, harvest will be over, and then we will celebrate
+the nuptials."</p>
+
+<p>The son overheard this discourse, and thought within himself, "that
+shall never come to pass."</p>
+
+<p>Now the king and queen having gone to a distant<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> farm to superintend
+the reapers, some one approached the window, knocked at it, and said
+to the prince: "Little prince, I am come to marry your eldest sister."</p>
+
+<p>The young prince replied: "Wait a moment, you shall have her
+directly." He called his eldest sister, and as soon as she entered the
+room, he caught her in his arms, and threw her out of the window. She
+did not, however, fall to the ground, but on a golden bridge, which
+was very, very long, in fact it reached to the sun. Her unknown lover
+took her by the hand, and led her along the golden bridge to his
+kingdom in the centre of the sun, for this unknown happened to be the
+Sun-king.</p>
+
+<p>About noon some one else knocked at the window and said, as the former
+had done: "Little prince, I want to marry your second sister."</p>
+
+<p>The little prince replied: "Wait a moment, you shall have her
+directly." He went into his second sister's apartment, lifted her up,
+and threw her out of the window. She did not fall to the ground
+either, but into a chariot in the air. Four horses, which never ceased
+snorting and prancing, were harnessed to it. The unknown placed
+himself in the chariot, and as he brandished the whip, the clouds
+spread themselves out<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> so as to form a road, the rolling of the
+chariot wheels was like a storm, and they disappeared in an instant.
+The unknown was the Wind-king.</p>
+
+<p>The little prince was right glad to think that he had already
+established two sisters, and when toward evening some one else knocked
+at the window, he said: "You need not speak, I know what you want:"
+and out he threw his youngest sister. She fell into a silvery stream.
+The unknown took her by the arm, and the waves bore her gently to the
+moon, for her lover was no other than the Moon-king. The young prince
+then went well pleased to bed.</p>
+
+<p>When the king and queen returned the next day they were very much
+surprised at hearing what their son had done; but as they had got
+three such powerful sons-in-law, as the kings of the Sun, Wind, and
+Moon, they were well satisfied, and said to the young prince: "See how
+grand your sisters are become through their husbands. You must try
+also to find some powerful queen to be your wife."</p>
+
+<p>The prince answered: "I have already fixed on one Kavadiska, and no
+other shall be my wife."</p>
+
+<p>The king and queen were quite shocked at this audacious speech, and
+endeavoured to dissuade him from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> the thought by all kinds of rational
+arguments; as, however, they in no wise succeeded, they at length
+said: "Well, then go forth, my son, and may Heaven guide thee in thy
+rash enterprise."</p>
+
+<p>The old king then took two bottles from his chest and gave them to his
+son, with these words: "See, my son, this bottle contains the water of
+life, and this the water of death. If thou sprinkle a corpse with the
+water of life it will be restored to life, but if thou sprinkle a
+living being with this water of death, it will immediately die. Take
+these bottles, they are my greatest treasure; perhaps they may be
+serviceable to thee." Now all the courtiers began to weep excessively,
+especially the ladies, who were all very partial to the prince. He,
+however, was very cheerful and full of hope, kissed the hands of his
+royal parents, placed the bottles about his person, that of life on
+the right side, and that of death on the left, girded on his sword,
+and departed.</p>
+
+<p>He had already wandered far when he reached a valley which was full of
+slain men. The young prince took his bottle of the water of life and
+sprinkled some in the eyes of one of the dead, who immediately rose
+up, rubbed his eyes, and said: "Ha! how long I have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> been sleeping."
+The king's son asked him, "What has taken place here?" to which the
+dead man replied: "Yesterday we fought against Kavadiska and she cut
+us all to pieces." The king's son said: "Since you were so weak as not
+to be able to defend yourselves against a woman, you do not deserve to
+live;" and then he sprinkled him with the water of death, on which the
+man fell down again, dead, amongst the other corpses.</p>
+
+<p>In the next valley lay a whole army in the same condition; the prince
+again re-animated one of the dead, and inquired: "Did you also fight
+against Kavadiska?" "Yes," returned the dead. "Why did you make war
+upon her?" resumed the prince. "Know'st thou not," rejoined the dead,
+"that our king desires to marry her, but that she will have no one for
+her husband, but him who shall conquer her? We went out against her
+with three armies: yesterday she destroyed one; this morning at
+sunrise the second; and she is at this moment fighting against the
+third?" The prince sprinkled the speaker with the water of death, and
+immediately he also fell to the ground.</p>
+
+<p>In the third valley lay the third host. The re-animated warrior said:
+"The fight is only just now ended; Kavadiska has slain us all." "Where
+shall<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> I find her?" asked the prince. "Her castle is on the other side
+of that mountain," replied the warrior, and sank down again as soon as
+the prince sprinkled him.</p>
+
+<p>Argilius&mdash;so was the prince called&mdash;crossed the mountain and came to
+Kavadiska's castle. He entered. No one was within. In Kavadiska's
+chamber hung a sword, which ceased not to spring out of its sheath and
+then in again. "Ho, ho, since thou art so restless," thought Argilius,
+"I will take possession of thee. Thou pleasest me better than my own
+sword, which never stirs unless I wield it." So he took off his own
+sword and exchanged it for the other. He had scarcely done so, when
+Kavadiska suddenly stood before him. "Thou darest to intrude into my
+castle?" exclaimed she; "draw then, thou must fight me." She snatched
+the sword from the wall. Argilius drew the blade for which he had just
+exchanged his own. They began to fight, but the first time their
+swords crossed Kavadiska's broke off in the middle. Then she said
+joyfully: "Thou art my bridegroom!" and fell on his neck, and kissed
+and caressed him, and forthwith became his wife.</p>
+
+<p>After they had lived some time happily together, Kavadiska said one
+morning: "Beloved husband, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> must leave thee for a short time. It is
+the first and last time I shall ever separate from thee. In seven
+times seven days I shall return, and thenceforth our life shall flow
+on in uninterrupted happiness. Everything in the castle is at thy
+command, only do not enter the furthest room; great misfortunes may
+befall us if you do." Having said these words she vanished.</p>
+
+<p>The time passed very heavily for Argilius after his wife had left him;
+he wandered through the whole castle, till at last he came to the
+furthest chamber. Being young and thoughtless he opened it. He saw
+therein an old man, whose beard was fire; this was the Flame-king
+Holofernes, but Argilius did not know who he was. The old man had
+three iron hoops round his body, which bound him fast to the wall.</p>
+
+<p>"Hail to thee, young man," said he; "see, my beard is flame; I am very
+hot, give me a goblet of wine." Now, as Argilius was very kindly
+disposed, he gave him a goblet; and as soon as he had drunk it, one of
+the hoops round his body gave way. He chuckled and said: "Thou hast
+greatly relieved me; give me now another goblet." Argilius did so, and
+when the Flame-king had emptied that, another hoop gave way. He
+chuckled again and said: "Twice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> hast thou given me wine, now give me
+a goblet of water." And when Argilius had done as he was requested,
+the third hoop sprang off, and the Flame-king disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>Kavadiska had not performed half of her journey before Holofernes
+stood by her side. He addressed her, and his beard waved in anger:
+"Thou hast rejected me for thy husband, thou hast slain three of my
+armies, thou hast detained me in prison: now thou art in my power; and
+now not my wife, but the lowest of my servants shalt thou be." Since
+her marriage with Argilius, Kavadiska had lost all her power,
+therefore her resistance was in vain. In three leaps the Flame-king
+had already borne her to his realm.</p>
+
+<p>Seven times seven days passed, and Kavadiska did not return. Then
+Argilius became very uneasy, and he resolved to go and see his three
+brothers-in-law, and inquire if they could give him any information
+where Kavadiska was. He arrived first at the Sun-king's palace, who
+was just then coming home.</p>
+
+<p>"Welcome, little brother-in-law," began he.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! dear brother-in-law," said Argilius, "I am in search of my wife
+Kavadiska; know'st thou not where she is? Hast thou not seen her?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No," rejoined the Sun-king, "I have not seen her. Perhaps she is only
+visible by night, and in that case thou must inquire of our
+brother-in-law the Moon-king."</p>
+
+<p>They then took refreshments together, and sat till night came on, when
+Argilius went on to the Moon-king. He reached his palace just as the
+Moon-king was about to begin his night wandering, and Argilius having
+told what he wanted, the Moon-king replied:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I have not seen her; but come, join me in my nightly pilgrimage,
+perhaps we shall discover her." They wandered all night, but did not
+get sight of her. Then said the Moon-king:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It is now time for me to go home; but yonder comes our brother-in-law
+the Wind-king; speak to him; he drives about everywhere, perhaps he
+may have seen her."</p>
+
+<p>The Wind-king stood beside them, and when he heard his little
+brother-in-law's business, he said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Assuredly I know where she is. The Flame-king, Holofernes, has got
+her imprisoned in a subterranean cavern, and she is obliged to wash
+all his kitchen utensils in the fiery stream, and as this makes her
+very hot, I often waft a cooling breeze upon her."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I thank thee, dear brother-in-law, for having given her some relief;
+pray carry me to her," said Argilius.</p>
+
+<p>"Right willingly," rejoined the Wind-king: so he gave a great puff,
+and he and Argilius, together with the horse of the latter, stood the
+next moment in the presence of his Kavadiska. Her joy was so great
+that she let all the kitchen utensils fall into the fiery stream; but
+Argilius, without stopping to talk much, lifted her on his horse and
+rode off.</p>
+
+<p>The Flame-king was at that time in his own apartment; he heard an
+extraordinary noise in the stable, and on going into it he found his
+horse Taigarot prancing, neighing, biting the manger, and pawing the
+ground. Taigarot was a very peculiar kind of horse; he understood
+human language, and could even speak, and he had nine feet!</p>
+
+<p>"What mad tricks are you playing?" cried Holofernes; "have you not had
+enough hay and oats, or have they not given you drink?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oats and hay I have had in plenty," said Taigarot, "and drink, too;
+but they have carried off Kavadiska from you."</p>
+
+<p>The Flame-king shivered with rage.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Be calm," said Taigarot; "you may even eat, drink, and sleep, for in
+three bounds I will overtake her."</p>
+
+<p>Holofernes did as his horse bade him, and when he had sufficiently
+rested and refreshed himself, he mounted Taigarot, and in three bounds
+overtook Argilius. He tore Kavadiska from his arms and cried out, as
+he was springing home again:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Because you set me at liberty, I do not kill thee this time; but if
+thou returnest once again, thou art lost."</p>
+
+<p>Argilius went back very melancholy to his three brothers-in-law, and
+related what had happened. They took counsel together, and then
+said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Thou must find a horse which is still swifter of foot than Taigarot;
+there is, however, but one such horse existing, and he is Taigarot's
+younger brother. It is true he has only four feet, but still he is
+decidedly swifter than Taigarot."</p>
+
+<p>"Where shall I find this horse?" inquired Argilius.</p>
+
+<p>The brothers-in-law replied:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The witch Iron-nose keeps the horse concealed under-ground; go to
+her, enter into her service, and demand the horse in lieu of other
+wages."</p>
+
+<p>"Carry me thither, dear brothers-in-law," said Argilius.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Immediately," said the Sun-king; "but first accept this gift from thy
+brothers-in-law, who love thee dearly."</p>
+
+<p>With these words he gave him a little staff, which was half gold and
+half silver, and which never ceased vibrating. It was made of
+sunshine, moonshine, and wind.</p>
+
+<p>"Whenever thou standest in need of us, stick this staff in the ground,
+and immediately we shall be by thy side."</p>
+
+<p>Then the Sun-king took his little brother-in-law on one of his beams,
+and carried him for one day; then the Moon-king did the same for a
+whole night, and finally the Wind-king carried him for a whole day and
+a whole night too, and by that time he reached the palace of the witch
+Iron-nose.</p>
+
+<p>The palace of the witch was constructed entirely of deaths'-heads; one
+only was wanting to complete the building. When the old woman heard a
+knocking at her gate, she looked out of the window, and rejoiced: "At
+last another!" exclaimed she, "I have waited three hundred years in
+vain for this death's-head to complete my magnificent edifice: come
+in, my good youth!"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Argilius entered, and was a little startled when he first beheld the
+old woman, for she was very tall, very ugly, and her nose was of iron.</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to enter your service," were his words.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied she, "what wages do you ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"The horse which you keep under-ground."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have him if you serve faithfully; if you fail however once
+only, you shall be put to death."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well."</p>
+
+<p>"With me,"&mdash;these were witch Iron-nose's last words,&mdash;"with me the
+year's service consists of only three days; you may begin your service
+at once. You will attend to my stud in the meadow, and if in the
+evening a single one is missing, you die."</p>
+
+<p>She then led him to the stable. The horses were all of metal, neighed
+terribly, and made the most surprising leaps.</p>
+
+<p>"Attend to your business," said Iron-nose, and then locked herself in
+her apartment. Argilius opened the covered enclosure, threw himself on
+one of the metal horses and rushed out with the whole troop. They were
+no sooner on the meadow, when the horse on which he rode threw him
+into a deep morass, where he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> sank up to the breast. The whole troop
+scattered themselves here and there, when Argilius stuck the little
+staff his brothers-in-law had given him into the ground, and at once
+the sun's rays struck with such heat on the morass, that it dried up
+instantly, and the metal horses began to melt, and ran terrified back
+to the shed. The witch was very much surprised when she saw they were
+all driven in again. "To-morrow you must tend my twelve coursers,"
+said she; "if you are not home again with the last rays of the sun,
+you die: they are more difficult to manage than the metal horses."</p>
+
+<p>"Do your duty," said Argilius, "I shall do mine."</p>
+
+<p>The twelve coursers soon ran all different ways. Argilius set his
+staff in the ground, and a fearful storm arose. The wind blew against
+every horse, and let them rear and prance as they would, the wind got
+the better of them, and they were all obliged to return to their
+stable. Argilius immediately shut the stable door, and at that moment
+the last rays of the sun went down just as Witch Iron-nose reached the
+stable. She was quite astonished when she saw the horses and Argilius.</p>
+
+<p>"If you do your work well this night, to-morrow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> you shall be free. Go
+and milk the metal mares, and prepare a bath of the milk, which must
+be ready with the first rays of the sun."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_045.jpg" width="600" height="454" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>Argilius went to the metal shed, and as he had a misgiving that this
+would prove the hardest task of all, he was about to set his staff in
+the ground, when he was met by his brother-in-law, the Moon-king.</p>
+
+<p>"I was seeking thee," said he. "I know already what thou needest.
+Where my light shines, just by the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> metallic horses' shed, dig about
+three spans deep, and thou wilt find a golden bridle, which, whilst
+thou holdest in thy hand, will cause all the mares to obey thee."</p>
+
+<p>Argilius did as he was desired, and all the metallic mares stood quite
+still and suffered themselves to be milked. In the morning the bath
+was ready, the smoke and steam rose up from the milk, which now
+boiled. Witch Iron-nose said: "Place thyself in it."</p>
+
+<p>"If I stand this trial," replied Argilius, "I shall ride away
+immediately after; let the horse therefore be brought out for the
+possession of which I bargained."</p>
+
+<p>The horse instantly stood by the bath. It was small, ill-looking, and
+dirty. As Argilius approached to enter the bath, the horse put his
+head into the milk, and sucked out all the fire, so that Argilius
+remained unhurt in it, and when he came out he was seven times
+handsomer than before. Witch Iron-nose was much charmed by his
+appearance, and thought within herself: "Now I in like manner will
+make myself seven times handsomer than I am, and then I will marry
+this youth."</p>
+
+<p>She sprang into the bath. The horse, however, again put his head into
+the milk, and blew back into it the fire he had previously sucked out,
+and Witch Iron-nose was immediately scalded to death.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Argilius sprang on his horse and rode away. When they had got beyond
+the Witch's domain, the horse said: "Wash me in this stream."</p>
+
+<p>Argilius did so, and the horse became the colour of gold, and to each
+hair hung a little golden bell. The horse at one leap cleared the sea,
+and carried his master to the cave of the Flame-king. Kavadiska was
+again standing by the side of the fiery stream, washing the kitchen
+utensils.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," cried Argilius, "I will rescue thee,"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" exclaimed she, "Holofernes will slay thee if he overtakes thee."</p>
+
+<p>Argilius had, however, already lifted her on his horse and ridden off.
+Taigarot again set up a wonderful noise in his stable.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" cried the Flame-king.</p>
+
+<p>"Kavadiska has escaped," replied Taigarot.</p>
+
+<p>"Well then, I will again eat, drink and sleep; in three bounds thou
+wilt overtake her as before," said Holofernes.</p>
+
+<p>"Not so," rejoined Taigarot, "mount me directly, and even then we
+shall not overtake them. Argilius rides my younger brother, and he is
+the swiftest horse in the whole world."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Holofernes buckled on his fire-spurs, and flew after the fugitives. It
+is true, he got sight of them, but he could not come up with them.
+Then the horse of Argilius turning back his head called out: "Why dost
+thou let those fiery spurs be stuck in thy side, brother? They will
+burn thy entrails, they are so long; and yet thou wilt never come up
+with me. It would be much better that we should both serve one
+master."</p>
+
+<p>Taigarot perceived this, and the next time Holofernes stuck the spurs
+in him, he threw the Flame-king. As they were very high up in the air,
+(in fact, they were as high as the stars), Holofernes fell to the
+ground with such force, that he broke his neck. As for Argilius, he
+brought Kavadiska back to her castle, where they again celebrated
+their nuptials, lived very happy; and, if they have not died since,
+they live there to this very day.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="PERSEVERE_AND_PROSPER" id="PERSEVERE_AND_PROSPER"></a>PERSEVERE AND PROSPER.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Arabic.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_049.jpg" alt="H" width="120" height="208" /></div>
+<p><i>e that seeketh shall find, and to him that knocketh shall be
+opened</i>," says an old Arab proverb. "I will try that," said a youth
+one day. To carry out his intentions he journeyed to Bagdad, where he
+presented himself before the Vizier. "Lord!" said he, "for many years
+I have lived a quiet and solitary life, the monotony of which wearies
+me. I have never permitted myself earnestly to will anything. But as
+my teacher daily repeated to me, '<i>He that seeketh shall find, and to
+him that knocketh shall be opened</i>,' so have I now come to the
+resolution with might and heart to <i>will</i>, and the resolution of my
+<i>will</i> is nothing less than to have the Caliph's daughter for my
+wife."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The Vizier thought the poor man was mad, and told him to call again
+some other time.</p>
+
+<p>Perseveringly he daily returned, and never felt disconcerted at the
+same often-repeated answer. One day, the Caliph called on the Vizier,
+just as the youth was delivering his statement.</p>
+
+<p>Full of astonishment the Caliph listened to the strange demand, and
+being in no peculiar humour for having the poor youth's head taken
+off, but on the contrary, rather inclined for pleasantry, his
+Mightiness condescendingly said: "For the great, the wise, or the
+brave, to request a princess for wife, is a moderate demand; but what
+are your claims? To be the possessor of my daughter you must
+distinguish yourself by one of these attributes, or else by some great
+undertaking. Ages ago a carbuncle of inestimable value was lost in the
+Tigris; he who finds it shall have the hand of my daughter."</p>
+
+<p>The youth, satisfied with the promise of the Caliph, went to the
+shores of the Tigris. With a small vessel he every morning went to the
+river, scooping out the water and throwing it on the land; and after
+having for hours thus employed himself, he knelt down and prayed. The
+fishes became at last uneasy at his perseverance;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> and being fearful
+that, in course of time, he might exhaust the waters, they assembled
+in great council.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the purpose of this man?" demanded the monarch of the fishes.</p>
+
+<p>"The possession of the carbuncle that lies buried in the sluice of the
+Tigris," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I advise you, then," said the aged monarch, "to give it up to him;
+for if he has the steady will, and has positively resolved to find it,
+he will drain the last drop of water from the Tigris, rather than
+deviate a hair's breadth from his purpose."</p>
+
+<p>The fishes, out of fear, threw the carbuncle into the vessel of the
+youth; and the latter, as a reward, received the daughter of the
+Caliph for his wife.</p>
+
+<p>"He who earnestly <i>wills</i>, can do <i>much</i>!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_PRINCE_OF_THE_GLOW-WORMS" id="THE_PRINCE_OF_THE_GLOW-WORMS"></a>THE PRINCE OF THE GLOW-WORMS.</h2>
+
+<h3>[German.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_052.jpg" alt="N" width="110" height="128" /></div>
+<p>o! I'll bear it no longer, you good-for-nothing vagabond!" screamed
+the old woman to little Julius. "When you should be sitting with your
+book in your hand trying to learn somewhat, if I do but turn my back
+off goes the dunce to the wood, and stays there for whole days,
+frightening me out of my wits! What business have you in the wood,
+pray? You ought to stay at home and learn your book or help me in my
+work. And then you let one have no peace by night either. What's the
+use of my telling you ten times over all the stories I know about the
+black man and the grim wolf? You godless child you! You care for none
+of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> things that frighten good pious children almost to death; but
+in the dead of the night off you go into the dark forest, through
+hedges and brambles, making me fine work to wash and patch your
+clothes. This is the last day I'll put up with it. The very next time
+I'll turn you out of doors; and then you may go far enough before
+you'll find anybody to take pity on you, you lazy foundling, and feed
+you, as I have done, out of sheer humanity!"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot say much for your food," replied the boy shortly and
+carelessly, as he sat dreamily in a corner playing with a wild flower.</p>
+
+<p>"What!" shrieked the old woman in a still sharper key; "you ungrateful
+viper! Is that the thanks I get for so often cooking something on
+purpose, because our nice savoury potatoes and nourishing black bread
+are not good enough for you? And so, forsooth, the gentleman must have
+milk porridge and honey cakes,&mdash;and even these he pecks at as if they
+were not delicate enough for him, the beggarly ingrate!"</p>
+
+<p>"One might as well eat mill-stones and wood-choppers as your vile hard
+potatoes and sour bread," said Julius in the same tone of
+indifference.</p>
+
+<p>The old woman fell into such a rage that her breath<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> failed her for
+further utterance; so her husband, who was making bird-traps at the
+table, began in his turn.</p>
+
+<p>"You rascal! do you dare to blaspheme God's good gifts, when, if we
+did not feed you out of charity&mdash;you must starve! And what return do
+you make us, you stray vagabond? When the fellow wants to slip out at
+night, truly he can be as sharp and cunning as any fox; but place a
+book before him, that he may learn to be pious and wise, and he loses
+his senses at once, and stares as stupidly at the letters as a cow at
+a new gate. Does he suppose I picked him off the road for love of his
+paltry flaxen hair and his blue goggle eyes? Fool that I was for my
+pains! Mark my words, and let every one beware of having anything to
+do with a child that is not his own flesh and blood! Why was I such a
+goose as not to let the child lie where I found him, kicking and
+screaming in the forest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, why did you not?" said Julius. "I should have fared much better
+beneath God's bright sky, than in your nasty smoky hovel."</p>
+
+<p>At this, the old pair&mdash;he with a stick, and she snatching up a
+broom&mdash;rushed furiously on the boy, screaming and scolding as if they
+had a wager who should make<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> most noise. But the child, light and
+active as a roebuck, bounded away. He fled to the wood; and when at
+last the old people had calmed down a little they heard him singing in
+the distance&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"You ill-favoured couple, adieu to you now!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I'm off to the forest where waves the green bough.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The bees, they know neither to read nor to write,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Yet they gather sweet honey in sunshine bright;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Though the little birds never were taught how to spell,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Full many a blithe song they warble right well;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The flowers are not fed on potato-roots vile,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Yet through the long summer's day sweetly they smile.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The butterfly, he has no tailor to pay,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Yet he never feels cold,&mdash;and who dresses so gay?<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The glow-worms at eve show a lovelier light<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Than the dim lamps that mortals consume through the night.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">So adieu, ye vile pair, whom no more I shall see,&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To the wood! to the wood! there I'm wealthy and free!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Fearlessly ran Julius about in the forest, and the further he
+penetrated into it the lighter grew his heart. The dark night came on;
+and many a child would have been frightened, and fancied the tall dark
+trees with their strangely contorted branches were giants with long
+arms, or black dragons with twisted tails. But Julius was accustomed
+to wander by night, and went gaily on. When, however, it began to
+rain, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> it was so dark that he found difficulty in walking, he sang
+in a clear sweet voice:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i4">"You glow-worms bright,<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">You leaf-clad trees,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">That shine in the night,<br /></span>
+<span class="i6">And that bend in the breeze;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Hither I came, for I trusted that you<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Would lighten my darkness and shelter me too.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Come, glow-worms! light me to my mossy bed,&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Branches! keep off the rain-drops from my head!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Then, a light shone suddenly through the thick tangled bushes and wild
+plants; and a multitude of glow-worms came clustering round his
+footsteps like little torch-bearers, and guided him along a smooth and
+pleasant path to a retired spot, where the bushes and trees were
+entwined so as to form a little airy cave, the ground of which was
+covered with soft moss. Julius, being very tired, stretched himself on
+the moss; and the branches closed over his head, making such a thick
+covering with their leaves that not the smallest rain-drop could
+penetrate it. Then, he sang:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Now, glow-worms, let your tiny torches gleam<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To light my chamber with their emerald beam;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In mazy dances round and round me sweep,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Shedding your radiance o'er me whilst I sleep,<br /></span>
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span><span class="i0">That I may gaze in slumber's vision fair<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">On heaven's bright stars and breathe earth's perfumed air!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>At these words, a thousand glow-worms at the very least came from all
+sides. Some hung themselves on the leaves like little coronets of
+lamps. Others lay like scattered gems on the moss; whilst others again
+circled round him executing the most intricate figures. A great number
+fixed themselves in the boy's fair hair,&mdash;so that he seemed to wear a
+starry crown. So, in the gold green twilight, sat Julius on the soft
+green moss, amongst flitting lamps, and concealed by arches and
+columns from which streamed forth a green radiance, whilst the mild
+and perfumed air played around him, and he heard the rain drip and the
+wind murmur mysteriously&mdash;but neither could approach him. He gazed
+smilingly around; when he suddenly heard a murmuring sound that soon
+formed itself into whispered words. It proceeded from a glow-worm that
+had perched on the rim of his ear, and spoke to him thus:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"If thy thoughts are pure and mild,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Such as beseem a holy child,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">A wondrous tale will please thee well,&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And such a tale I now can tell."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>To this Julius replied:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span>&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"I seem to myself like some legend strange,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">So thy tale I shall gladly hear:<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">So it be but one of wild chance and change,<br /></span>
+<span class="i2">Come whisper it in mine ear."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Then, the glow-worm began her story:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"As glow-worms bright we now appear, but little nimble elves we were;
+in form and in figure much like unto thee, but many hundred times less
+were we. In India was our dwelling-place, far&mdash;oh how far!&mdash;away;
+where midst green leaves and blossoms bright we sported all the day.
+We scaled the petals of the flowers, within their cups to lie: and
+rocked by zephyrs, passed the hours in dreamy phantasy. Our food was
+the Aroma sweet exhaled by blossoms fair; and to and fro we darted
+fleet, light as the ambient air. 'Twas thus in careless mood we lived,
+nor good nor ill did we; when lo! an earnest man arrived, and a holy
+tale told he.</p>
+
+<p>"He told us how Creation's Lord had with His own made peace; because
+His son His blood had poured, to make His anger cease. For that
+life-blood, He willing gave, had slaked the flames of hell; and His
+hard-wrung victory o'er the grave had broken its fierce spell. And not
+the human race alone,&mdash;all things that breathe and move, and e'en the
+insensate-seeming stone, were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> rescued by such love. Hence, through
+all nature's vast domain a universal tremor ran; a thrill like that of
+death's fierce pain shot through the ransomed race of man.</p>
+
+<p>"'Twas thus the old man daily urged, in high and holy speech, and
+gently led us to accept the creed he came to teach:&mdash;till at length we
+let him sprinkle us with pearly drops of dew; and he hailed us then a
+Christian race, and blessed us all anew. And in token of that
+blessing, as we bent before him low, he gently laid his finger light
+upon each fairy brow; and as the consecrating sign his finger
+traced,&mdash;lo! there up sprang on each a brilliant star like that which
+now I bear. Then did the old man in the ground a cross of pure white
+place,&mdash;and calling us around him, spake in words of truth and grace.</p>
+
+<p>"'Revere this holy symbol; and as ye have lived for pleasure and ease,
+without a creed,&mdash;by some good deed henceforward strive your Lord to
+appease. There are men living in this land who still in sin and
+blindness stand; they lay their dead in the forest's shade, and
+scatter o'er them flowers fair, but seek not their poor souls to aid
+by holy song or prayer. Wherefore, in night's still secresy, for the
+service of the dead, be ready aye to watch and pray and your little
+light to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> shed. That ye this pious work may do, lo! this fair star is
+given you!'&mdash;And many more high words he spake ere his departure he
+did take. Thenceforth we led a holy life, as he command had given; and
+often in the silent night, we prayed that through our song and light,
+the cleansed soul might win its way to heaven."</p>
+
+<p>"How could you do that? You cannot sing, surely," interrupted Julius.
+To which the glow-worm answered:</p>
+
+<p>"Thou canst no other voices hear but such as thundering reach thy ear.
+Thou little dull-eared earth-bound wight, thou canst not e'en perceive
+by night the stars' majestic music sounding, through the azure vaults
+rebounding, with such a full and mighty voice, that though we listen
+and rejoice, our delicate nerves shrink tremblingly beneath that storm
+of harmony. Think'st thou 'tis without sense and feeling, that in our
+spark-twined dances wheeling, some of us darting radiance throw,
+whilst others burn with steady glow? But thou knows't not how closely
+bound by mystic tie are light and sound.</p>
+
+<p>"Now hear my story on.&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Not all of us became Christians; and one of our orders in particular,
+which had learnt from a Greek the philosophy of Epicurus, still held
+to its doctrines. This<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> was the butterfly-tribes,&mdash;who like ourselves
+were also elves. A light and godless race they were, thinking nothing
+worth their care but how to appear in colours gay; and to their
+sensual maxims true, they would drink deep of ambrosial dew, and then
+for hours would sleep; whilst we, the star-adorned nation, sucked of
+the flowers' sweet exhalation just so much from the humid air as for
+our nourishment we needed. But those light creatures far exceeded. The
+fragrance-breathing rose they courted, and with the young field-lilies
+sported, till at length of their strength and their perfume bereft,
+the poor wasted flowers to perish were left. By their uncertain
+zig-zag flight, dear child, thou well may'st see, that they have drunk
+more than is right and their senses clouded be.</p>
+
+<p>"We wore a garb of simple green; but they were ever to be seen in
+jackets with ribbons all gay bedight, and in every idle fashion
+light,&mdash;so that we sometimes laughed to see their folly and their
+vanity.</p>
+
+<p>"That is evident enough if you only look at their patch-work clothing
+put together without the slightest taste. The foolish fellow with the
+swallow-tails thought he had done a vastly clever thing when he
+appended to each wing a tail like that the swallows have; and after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span>
+all, this monstrous affectation is but a trumpery imitation of that
+which nature to the swallows gave. Then, that insufferable ass, the
+Peacock's Eye, must copy him in his folly, and wear great spectacles
+of coloured glass, which are so far from helping him to see that his
+own clear eyes look dim, owing to that fantastic whim. Thou thinkest,
+perhaps, the one who wears a mantle grave like a funeral pall is far
+above such senseless airs,&mdash;but he's the greatest fool of all! That
+garb of sorrow is but worn wonder and pity to excite, to seem as if
+condemned to mourn&mdash;a sorrow-stricken wight. Others there are who on
+their jackets gay, cause numbers to be traced; no doubt, you'll say,
+to mind them that the years unheeded go and teach them how to value
+time. But no! Those youths are your Don Juans, and the numbers show in
+pride how many flowers by them brought low have pined and died.</p>
+
+<p>"The king who then did o'er us reign thought of a method somewhat
+strange, by which their licence to restrain and work a beneficial
+change. He caused to be enforced throughout the nation, a most
+peculiar kind of education. He shut the youthful butterflies within a
+narrow case of skin, wherein they were so tightly bound they could not
+turn their bodies round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span>&mdash;and there close prisoners they remained
+till they a certain age attained. I must confess, the principle to me
+seemed very wrong,&mdash;and so it proved to be; for so far from the matter
+being mended, we had just the reverse of what the king intended. The
+closer they were mewed in prison, the more they longed for
+liberty,&mdash;and only waited to be free, to plunge in deepest revelry.</p>
+
+<p>"But angry thoughts are leading me astray,&mdash;I've wandered from my
+theme too far away. To speak of many things I am beguiled which must
+be meaningless to such a child.</p>
+
+<p>"Thou now shalt hear the sequel of my tale. There was one set amongst
+the butterflies more worthless than all the rest. These were the
+confirmed old topers, who had imbibed so much of the ambrosial dew
+that their bodies had grown fat and unwieldy, and had very large
+stomachs. Such clumsy butterflies as these had little chance the
+flowers to please; and so whenever one approached, each bent aside its
+calyx bright in mockery of the uncouth wight. Or if by chance one
+clambered up to reach the blossom's nectar-cup, its stem would bend
+beneath his weight, and down the awkward creature straight would go,
+and all its members dislocate. So then their evil deeds they did under
+the cover of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> night. When every flower was soundly sleeping, they
+came like midnight robbers creeping,&mdash;then drew them softly to the
+ground, and sucked from their lips their nectar breath; so that many a
+flower at morn was found, lying pale in death and sinfully robbed of
+all its wealth, that had closed its leaves in rosy health.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, my child, thou may'st be sure, full little could those elves
+endure that we, on our holy mission bound, the silence and darkness
+should chase away by our song, and our prayer, and our emerald
+ray,&mdash;hoping by that solemn sound to give the dead repose.</p>
+
+<p>"Those who had drunk deep by day, roused by it could not sleep away
+the ill effects of their carouse, so they with aches and fevers rose.
+But those deceitful spoilers of the flowers, who trusted by night's
+shade protected to work their purpose undetected, had now to
+fast,&mdash;for as we passed, the flowers who loved to hear our song saw by
+our light, that pierced the night, their foes come creeping stealthily
+along. This with the jealousy within their hearts that glowed, because
+the star had not on them, too, been bestowed, between our tribes
+raised feud and jar,&mdash;whence bitter grief has grown. They had a king,
+to whom was known full many a spell of gramarye; 'twas said,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> that he
+a league had made with spirits lost, and by their aid could read the
+scroll of destiny. And there he found this dread decree, which told
+our coming misery:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'When the star-adorned race, shall fall from innocence and
+grace,&mdash;when their first murder shall be done,&mdash;when their monarch's
+first-born son by the waves of the sea shall swallowed be;&mdash;then vain
+shall be rendered their song and their prayer,&mdash;from amongst them the
+white cross shall disappear,&mdash;and to insects transformed they shall
+flutter and creep, doomed far from their own land to wander and weep.
+The fatal spell may be undone only by their king's lost son; but ere
+even he can set them free, he must their chosen sovereign be.'</p>
+
+<p>"The king of the butterflies, when he heard this, began to consider
+how he might contrive to bring us to endless wretchedness; and as by
+magic he could appear in any form he chose to wear, an angel's guise
+he took one day, and neared the spot where our king lay deep sleeping
+in a tulip's cup. He by the rustling wakened up, was struck with
+wonder and pious awe, when he the angel near him saw; who thus in
+wicked words began:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"'Thy loving wife shall bear a son to thee, of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> whom 'tis written in
+the Book of Fate, that if he be not whelmed beneath the sea, the elfin
+nation shall be desolate, and from their native country driven:&mdash;such
+is the mysterious will of Heaven. Therefore must thou this offering
+make for the elfin nation's sake; else thy people's love for thee,
+will turn to hatred when they see thou wilt not save them from their
+misery; and thou thyself a shameful death shalt die.'</p>
+
+<p>"This said, the guilty wretch departed. No longer slept the king; but
+heavy hearted, he musing lay, till break of day. And lo! just as the
+sun his radiance bright o'er earth began to shed, the queen gave birth
+unto a child, lovely and innocent and mild, and small as a pin's head!</p>
+
+<p>"The king looked on it, but no pleasure glowed in his heart at this
+new treasure; and as he gazed, an icy chill through all his members
+seemed to thrill; for love of his people, and desire to save his own
+life, did inspire his thoughts with a ferocious plan.</p>
+
+<p>"He had a faithful serving-man, to whom his secret he confided; and to
+him command he gave to plunge the child beneath the wave, there to
+find a watery grave. The boy, however, did not perish:&mdash;how he escaped
+I shall tell thee hereafter.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_068.jpg" width="500" height="720" alt="THE PRINCE OF THE GLOW WORMS."  />
+<span class="caption">THE PRINCE OF THE GLOW WORMS.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>"Thus no murder yet had stained the nation; and the white cross still
+remained amongst us, and we dwelt unchanged in our accustomed spot.
+But the servant, by remorse urged on, revealed the murder he had done.
+Then, loyal as was hitherto the nation, the crime so raised our
+indignation, that our duty we forgot.</p>
+
+<p>"In the first tumult of their ire some of our fiercest spirits did
+conspire their monarch's blood to spill. They tore the thorns from the
+stem of the rose, and the strongest and longest and sharpest they
+chose to work their wicked will. Beneath their mantles green they hid
+the spears; and sought their king, the curse-beladen one, who again in
+the tulip lay alone in sorrow and in tears. Wildly they the stem
+ascended, and in their rage they struck the deadly blow; they pierced
+him till his heart's blood forth did flow,&mdash;and with his life, his
+sorrow ended.</p>
+
+<p>"Now the sinful deed was done,&mdash;now our innocence was gone! Heaven
+withdrew its sheltering hand. The white cross the old man had given,
+the token of our bond with heaven,&mdash;vanished from the land! And as we
+flocked together trembling, we heard a rushing through the air, as if
+fierce winds in conflict were. Devouring grief our hearts distracted;
+our delicate <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>limbs all suddenly contracted, and into ugly worms we
+turned!</p>
+
+
+<p>"Yet as we were not guilty all of the vile crime that caused our fall,
+the fair light still upon our foreheads burned. And as we sat in fear
+and gloom, a shrill voice thus pronounced our doom.</p>
+
+<p>"Henceforth as homeless worms, away, away!&mdash;wander and stray, here and
+there, and up and down, until at length ye place the crown on the brow
+of the child who by your king's decree was sunk amid the waves of the
+foaming sea. Far, far from hence is his dwelling-place, and he seems
+like a child of the human race,&mdash;but him ye shall know by the star on
+his brow.</p>
+
+<p>"'Your lost cross, too, ye must find once more, which he is destined
+to restore; when your king and your cross shall again be found, your
+penance shall end and the spell be unbound.'</p>
+
+<p>"The gay-dressed elves who had their king deceived by treachery and
+lies, were, like ourselves, transformed, and became butterflies.</p>
+
+<p>"Soon as we heard our melancholy doom, we fled, and traversed many a
+distant land,&mdash;ever peering through the gloom, into each little
+sleeping-room; peeping about us all the night, in hope to see the
+twinkling light<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> on the brow of some fair boy. And we looked on many a
+blessed child, who in his sleep so sweetly smiled, that we would have
+chosen him with joy,&mdash;but the star was wanting still."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor worms!" said Julius; "and thus you still are seeking now, the
+boy with the star upon his brow?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! no my child! by Heaven led, we have found the child with the
+light on his head; and now I will tell what him befel.</p>
+
+<p>"In his death-struggle with the waves, unto a leaflet green he clung
+which floated on the tide, and with a lightsome bound he sprang upon
+its upturned side. Contented thus he lay at rest, swayed by the
+billows here and there, safely housed and free from care, in the
+leaflets' soft green breast. His only food was the radiance bright
+which the stars shed down on him by night, and by that delicate food
+sustained he made a voyage long.</p>
+
+<p>"But why dost thou stare so fixedly?&mdash;why dreamily gaze before thee
+so?"</p>
+
+<p>Then Julius said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"A dreamy sense is o'er me stealing, of moments long gone by:&mdash;when I
+in a green leaf thus was laid, gazing upwards on the sky, whilst the
+dancing waves around me played. I was rocked by the sea as it<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> rippled
+lightly,&mdash;fed by the stars which shone o'er me brightly; and on I
+sailed right merrily! And feeding thus on the delicate light by the
+bright stars downward shed, my nature grew unfit to live by the
+grosser human bread."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_072.jpg" width="600" height="435" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>"Now that the light is o'er thee breaking, now that thy memory is
+awaking,&mdash;hear me further," said the glow-worm.&mdash;"For four long months
+the billows bore the child, until he reached the shore of a far and
+distant land, where they left him on the strand. A stork came proudly
+stalking by,&mdash;well pleased when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> he such prize did spy; for by the
+garment green deceived, a tree-frog he the child believed. And he
+resolved the morsel rare to carry home unto his wife, who loved almost
+as her life, such choice and tender fare. He took him in his fine long
+beak, and with him mounted in the air; but had not travelled far nor
+long, when he beheld an eagle strong flying towards him in might; and
+being somewhat of a coward, surprised at this event untoward, his bill
+he opened in a fright,&mdash;and down the elfin child from high fell to the
+earth again.</p>
+
+<p>"Why dost thou start as if some pain shot through thee? Why on thy
+breast are thy small hands pressed?"</p>
+
+<p>The boy replied:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I feel an icy chill through all my members thrill. It must have been
+a dream, but unto me doth seem that I had such a fall one day,&mdash;and
+such a piercing blast right through my breast then passed, its very
+memory takes my breath away."</p>
+
+<p>Then the glow-worm said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Oft we mistake some vision vain for life's reality,&mdash;and view the
+wild creations of our brain as things long past but true. But listen,
+now, while I conclude my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> tale. Thou think'st perhaps the child, in
+falling, his limbs would break or dislocate; but as a feather would
+descend, light fell that child on the foliage green, and not a tender
+leaf was seen beneath his weight to bend. Giddy with spinning through
+the air, and breathless for awhile he lay; but soon to sense he did
+awaken, and found that he no harm had taken. Above his head, full,
+bright, and red, a strawberry hung, green leaves among, and its
+fragrance o'er him shed. Whether the child was of wit bereft, or that,
+deprived of the starry spark, he had fasted so long in the stork's
+bill dark, that hunger did his sense betray, is more than I can think
+or say; but the berry to him seemed ruddy and bright, as if woven with
+a web of light. This when the foolish elf-child saw, he strove with
+all his might to draw the unwholesome earth-fruit to the ground, which
+he no easy labour found; then round his little arms he threw, and to
+his lips the fruit he drew and sucked its ruby juice. A weary task the
+boy did find, to penetrate the tough hard rind; then for a second's
+space he drained the nectar which the fruit contained,&mdash;one hundredth
+part at least he drank,&mdash;and mastered by its potency, upon the earth
+he sank.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But alas! all was now lost, that earthly food was unto him fell
+poison. Soon each little limb unseemly swelled and spread. His
+floating golden locks, as fine as the slight thread that spiders
+twine, became as coarse as hay; and every nerve and sinew grew thick
+and unsightly to the view. The berry's power had changed him into a
+child of man; and he now began to scream and cry and make such direful
+noises, as would have drowned the united sound of a thousand elfin
+voices."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah woe is me!" exclaimed Julius, sobbing; "if I had not so madly
+sucked the deadly juice of that coarse berry, I still should feed on
+the perfumed air, and never have known vile human fare."</p>
+
+<p>Then the glow-worm, greatly excited, whispered to him:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Know, child beloved, I am thy mother:&mdash;the elfin queen, entranced
+with joy at finding thee, dear human boy! Alas! that thou shouldst so
+gigantic be and I so very small, that we cannot rush into each other's
+arms to seal the charms of meeting by a kiss! Thou bearest the light
+upon thy brow that dull-eyed mortals cannot see; but we have found
+thee, child, and now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> from the magic thrall both we and those shall
+soon be free.</p>
+
+<p>"List, and hear me, while I tell how thou may'st unbind the spell.
+First, thou must the white cross find; which, when withdrawn from us
+by Heaven, was to a holy hermit given. Wandering in the north, he bore
+it,&mdash;toiling in the south, he wore it,&mdash;whilst many a wonder by its
+power he wrought: and when his pious mission the holy man had ended,
+he took it to a church where as a relic 'tis suspended. The church
+full often hast thou seen when wandering in the forest green; and
+thither must thou go this night, nor sound nor sight must thy heart
+affright, and nought must make thee in thy purpose falter,&mdash;but boldly
+take the cross from the high altar. Nought of evil shall come to
+thee&mdash;'tis only fear that can undo thee; for the Butterfly King will
+strive, from fright, to make thee turn again, and all thy hopes our
+race to right, by magic to render vain. The cross hangs to a rosary,
+and a lamp burns before it unceasingly. Now, off to thy work without
+delay, and to the chapel gate on thy steps we will wait, to light thee
+on thy way."</p>
+
+<p>Then up sprang Julius joyously. "How light feels my bosom, my heart
+how strong!&mdash;'tis as if I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> had known this all along. Hurrah! I'm the
+Elfin King. Little care I for the false butterfly. The white cross
+from the church I'll quickly bring. Come, light me, light me on the
+track!&mdash;triumphant soon you will see me back!"</p>
+
+<p>Then his mother, attended by all the other glow-worms, lighted him on
+his way, and he followed with bounding steps. They drew up outside the
+church-door whilst he entered alone; cold blasts blowing down upon him
+from the lofty, pale, glimmering dome. Onward he went without fear. A
+great hideous bat fluttered round his head twittering: "Return; go not
+to the altar high, for if to spurn my threat thou dare, I will stick
+my claws into thy hair, and tear thy locks out one by one, until with
+pain thou shalt cry and moan, and thy curly head shall be bald as a
+stone."</p>
+
+<p>"For this coarse straw I little care, soon I shall have much finer
+hair," said Julius;&mdash;and on he went cheerfully.</p>
+
+<p>Next came a great black owl, with very sharp beak and claws, and
+sparkling eyes. He also fluttered round Julius, till the tips of his
+frightful wings scratched the boy's forehead, whilst he screeched
+aloud: "Return,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> return, go quickly back, else thy blue eyes I will
+claw and hack till thou shalt cry in agony, and blinded thou shalt
+be."</p>
+
+<p>"My eyes are not so very fine; I shall soon have some that will softer
+shine," answered Julius, as he approached the altar before which stood
+the undying lamp.</p>
+
+<p>Then suddenly up rose a pale rattling skeleton, round whose scraggy
+neck hung the rosary with the white cross; and as the spectre glared
+at him from its eyeless sockets, it said with a hollow voice:
+"Forbear, forbear, audacious boy! Ere that cross thy prize can be,
+thou must conquer it from me. I am Death, the strong, the mighty; no
+mortal yet has vanquished me."</p>
+
+<p>Julius shrank, and for a moment hesitated; but he heard his mother
+whisper from the church-door: "Away with fear, 'tis all delusion,
+magic art and vain illusion. Fearlessly upon him look&mdash;thy gaze the
+phantom cannot brook; by thy mild look and gentle eye, thou shalt win
+the victory. Seize the cross and banish fear, the spectre so shall
+disappear."</p>
+
+<p>Julius then regained courage; he rushed up to the skeleton and grasped
+the cross! Instantly the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> phantom vanished, and all was still around
+him. He returned thoughtfully and without running. The elves were
+waiting for him at the door, and lighted him back to the place whence
+they had come. He then set up the cross on a little mossy hillock; and
+all the glow-worms formed themselves into a circle round it, and
+prayed and sang songs of gratitude,&mdash;which, however, were inaudible to
+Julius.</p>
+
+<p>His mother then seated herself on the tip of his ear, and whispered:
+"Ere our deliverance full can be, thou must once more become as we.
+The charmed drink already in thy veins is working. Four elements it
+contains: the sound of my voice, the forest's cool air, the fragrance
+of the flowers by night, and the brightly-coloured light which thou
+didst so eagerly inhale whilst we were dancing round thee. If that
+thou dost desire once more thy coarse fat body to restore to its once
+delicate form, then know, thou must henceforth to eat forego, save of
+the rays from the bright stars beaming, save of the sweets from the
+young flowers streaming. Now, sleep in peace, and by to-morrow's light
+thy limbs will be more delicate and slight."</p>
+
+<p>Julius stretched himself on the moss, and slept. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> next morning he
+did not waken until it was late; and then he felt himself so
+wonderfully light that he fancied he must be able to jump as high as
+the heavens. In order to try his strength, he made a spring, intending
+to clear a little ant-heap which he mistook for a hill; but he fell in
+the midst of it, and had great difficulty in extricating himself, so
+small had he already become. He ate nothing all that day; and at
+night, was lighted to bed by the glow-worms who danced round him
+whilst he slept.</p>
+
+<p>On the second day he had already become so diminutive that he was
+obliged to stand on tip-toe to smell a yellow primrose. When he awoke
+on the third morning, he saw high in the heavens the sun with its
+golden disk surrounded by silver-white rays. But it did not dazzle him
+in the least, let him look at it as steadfastly as he would; and, to
+his great surprise, he observed an entirely green rainbow which
+stretched down from it to the earth. He went close to it; and then
+discovered that the rainbow was only a thick stem, which he grasped
+with both hands, and by a great effort shook,&mdash;when behold! the sun
+moved a little out of its place. He could not help laughing at
+himself; for he now perceived that what he had taken for the yellow<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span>
+sun with the white rays and the green rainbow, was only a large daisy
+on its stalk.</p>
+
+<p>He had now diminished to the proper dimensions of an elf. When evening
+came, therefore, all the glow-worms assembled round him on the moss to
+swear fealty to him. The peers of the realm brought with them a crown
+of pure star-light ore, very delicately and tastefully wrought, with
+which they solemnly crowned Julius, and no sooner was the crown placed
+on his head, than in a moment, as if by magic touch, they were all
+changed into little graceful elves, and on the brow of each was a
+star. They then took the oath of fidelity, and Julius swore to
+maintain the constitution. This done, the rejoicings began, and they
+shouted and huzzaed until the noise was as great as that which the
+grass makes when it is growing in the sweet spring time.</p>
+
+<p>Julius and his mother embraced and kissed each other. She could not
+repeat too often how pretty and slight he was, and how very much he
+resembled his father:&mdash;and then she shed oceans of tears for her
+murdered husband.</p>
+
+<p>The elves rejoiced the whole night through; but when the morning
+dawned, they said to each other with some uneasiness: "How are we to
+get back to India,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> to our beautiful native land?" Then a light breeze
+murmured amongst the branches, and shook down a hundred-leaved rose,
+so that all its delicate curved petals were scattered to the
+ground&mdash;and a voice was heard, saying:</p>
+
+<p>"There your carriages, light as air, you to the spicy east shall
+bear,&mdash;and the cross you shall find in your own bright land, already
+borne there by an unseen hand."</p>
+
+<p>All the elves now seated themselves in the rose leaves,&mdash;Julius and
+his mother and the court occupying the finest. Then a gentle zephyr
+sprang up; which raised all the rose leaves into the air, and wafted
+them softly in the morning dawn home to the east,&mdash;the elves
+singing:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">To India, to India, the land of our birth!<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Where the zephyrs blow lightly,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">And the flowers glow brightly,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And the atmosphere scent-laden floats o'er the earth;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Where under the wide-spreading leaves we find shelter,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Nor care how winds whistle, nor how the storms pelter.<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Over our heads<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">Their green roof spreads&mdash;<br /></span>
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span></div><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">And safe within their vernal bowers<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">We elfin spirits dance and play,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">While some soft and holy lay<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Is sung by the tall and fragrant flowers<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">On their green stems bending,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">And heavenward sending<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Angel hymns of joyous blending.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">In solemn pomp again we'll tread,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">By our tapers' light,<br /></span>
+<span class="i4">In the still dark night,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">To bring to their resting-place the dead!<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">&mdash;Away then, away! carried swift by the wind,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">At the dawning of day to our native Ind!<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_TWO_MISERS" id="THE_TWO_MISERS"></a>THE TWO MISERS.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Hebrew.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_084.jpg" alt="A" width="110" height="105" /></div>
+<p>&nbsp; miser living in Kufa had heard that in Bassora also there dwelt a
+Miser&mdash;more miserly than himself, to whom he might go to school, and
+from whom he might learn much. He forthwith journeyed thither; and
+presented himself to the great master as a humble commencer in the Art
+of Avarice, anxious to learn, and under him to become a student.
+"Welcome!" said the Miser of Bassora; "we will straight go into the
+market to make some purchase." They went to the baker.</p>
+
+<p>"Hast thou good bread?"</p>
+
+<p>"Good, indeed, my masters,&mdash;and fresh and soft as butter." "Mark this,
+friend," said the man of Bassora to the one of Kufa, "&mdash;butter is
+compared with bread as being the better of the two: as we can only
+consume a small quantity of that, it will also be the cheaper,&mdash;and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>
+we shall therefore act more wisely, and more savingly too, in being
+satisfied with butter."</p>
+
+<p>They then went to the butter-merchant, and asked if he had good
+butter.</p>
+
+<p>"Good, indeed,&mdash;and flavoury and fresh as the finest olive oil," was
+the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Mark this also,"&mdash;said the host to his guest; "oil is compared with
+the very best butter, and, therefore, by much ought to be preferred to
+the latter."</p>
+
+<p>They next went to the oil vendor:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Have you good oil?"</p>
+
+<p>"The very best quality,&mdash;white and transparent as water," was the
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Mark that too," said the Miser of Bassora to the one of Kufa; "by
+this rule water is the very best. Now, at home I have a pail-full, and
+most hospitably therewith will I entertain you." And indeed on their
+return nothing but water did he place before his guest,&mdash;because they
+had learnt that water was better than oil, oil better than butter,
+butter better than bread.</p>
+
+<p>"God be praised!" said the Miser of Kufa,&mdash;"I have not journeyed this
+long distance in vain!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="PRINCE_CHAFFINCH" id="PRINCE_CHAFFINCH"></a>PRINCE CHAFFINCH.</h2>
+
+<h3>[French.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_086.jpg" alt="T" width="110" height="115" /></div>
+<p>here was once a king and queen who ruled with the greatest kindness
+and simplicity imaginable; and their subjects were just such good
+folks as themselves, so that both parties agreed very well. As,
+however, there is no condition in the world which has not its cares
+and sorrows, so also this king and queen were not free from them; in
+fact, the peace of their lives was considerably disturbed by a fairy,
+who had patronised them from their earliest years. Fairy
+Grumble-do&mdash;that was her name&mdash;was incessantly finding fault, would
+repeat the same words a hundred times a day, and grumbled at every
+thing that was doing, and at all that had been done. Setting aside
+this little failing, she was in all other respects the best soul in
+the world,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> and it gave her the greatest satisfaction when she could
+oblige or serve anybody.</p>
+
+<p>The union of the royal pair had hitherto proved childless, but
+whenever they besought Fairy Grumble-do to give them children, she
+invariably replied:&mdash;"Children! what do you want children for? To hear
+them squalling from morning till night, till you, as well as I, will
+be ready to jump out of our skins with the noise? What's the use of
+children? Nobody knows what to do with them; they only bring care and
+trouble!"</p>
+
+<p>Some such remarks were all the king and queen got for their
+entreaties; and the fairy's ill-humour, and the snuffling tone in
+which she uttered these speeches made them quite unbearable. The good
+king and queen, however, never lost their patience, so that at last
+the fairy lost hers, and, in a pet, she all of a sudden gratified them
+with seven princes at a birth.</p>
+
+<p>The queen remarked in her usual mild and quiet manner, that she had
+now a great many children, to which Fairy Grumble-do answered,
+snarlingly:&mdash;"Well, you wished for children, Madam queen, and now you
+have got them according to your wish, and in order that you may have
+enough of them, I shall just double the number."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>No sooner said than done, and the queen brought into the world seven
+more princes at a birth. The royal pair were now quite in trouble;
+fourteen princes of the blood are, in fact, no joke; for however rich
+one may be, fourteen princes to nurse, educate, and establish
+handsomely, costs a good bit of money. Fairy Grumble-do was quite
+right there; fourteen princes do require a good deal of waiting on,
+and so she found plenty to do all day, with finding fault, and
+scolding first this attendant, then that nursemaid, then this servant,
+or that preceptor; and when she once got into the children's
+apartment, no one could hear himself speak, for the noise she made.
+Still at bottom she meant very kindly, and she promised the anxious
+queen that she would take good care of the princes, and one day
+provide for them all. Those old times were very good ones, and things
+were managed in royal residences with great simplicity. The young
+princes played all day with the children of the towns-people, because
+they went to the same school with them, and no one had a word to say
+against it, which would hardly be the case now-a-days, for kings and
+everybody else are grown much grander than they were then.</p>
+
+<p>Quite close to the palace dwelt an honest charcoal-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span>burner, who lived
+in his little cottage contentedly on what he earned by the sale of his
+charcoal. All his neighbours esteemed him as the worthiest man in the
+world, and the king himself had great confidence in his capacity, and
+would often ask his counsel in matters of government. He was called
+the coal-man throughout all the country, and no one within ten miles
+round would have any coals but from him, so that he had to serve every
+household, even those of the nobility and the fairies. Wherever he
+carried his coals, he was a favourite, and even little children were
+not afraid of him, and no one ever said to them, "Behave prettily,
+else the charcoal-burner will take you away." After working all day at
+his business, he went to his little cottage at night to rest, and to
+enjoy his freedom, for he was sole master in the house. His wife had
+been long dead, and had left him only one little daughter, called
+Gracious; for she was the prettiest creature in the world.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_090.jpg" width="500" height="725" alt="PRINCE CHAFFINCH."  />
+<span class="caption">PRINCE CHAFFINCH.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>He loved this child beyond all measure; and, indeed, not without
+reason, for a prettier little maiden could not be found on earth; in
+spite of the coal-smoke that enveloped her, and her poor clothing, she
+always appeared charming and agreeable, and no one could <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>help
+loving her on account of her wonderful amiability. The king's youngest
+son, little Prince Chaffinch, who was as sprightly as he was pretty,
+was extremely attached to Gracious, preferred her to all the other
+children of his acquaintance, and would play with no one but her, so
+that they were always seen together, and indeed, they could not live
+without one another. Meanwhile the worthy coal-man, who felt old age
+approaching, grew very anxious about the fate of Gracious, after he
+should have ceased to live; for the partiality of the king for him did
+not seem to him sufficient to put him at ease about her. "The king,"
+he would say to himself, as he pondered on the subject, "has a large
+family of his own, and is obliged to ask so much of the fairy for his
+own necessities, that he surely will not have courage to put in a good
+word for my child. Even if he were to promise to do so, I should not
+depend on him. For"&mdash;thus he ever concluded his self-conferences, "the
+poor king, is in fact, worse off than I am; he has fourteen to provide
+for; I only one. His are princes; mine is only a poor burgher maid.
+Mine therefore will be easier to provide for. A poor girl like her can
+manage to get along in the world; she stands alone; but a poor prince
+never; hundreds hang about him, draining<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> him, and consuming all his
+substance." Now, after thinking it over and over, he grew quite
+unhappy at heart, and he knew not what to do. So he went one day, head
+and heart full of care, to a very beneficent fairy, who had always
+behaved very kindly to him. She was called Fairy Bonbon; she it was,
+who, in order to please epicures, both small and great, invented those
+sweets which now bear her name. When the good fairy saw the coal-man
+in such trouble, she asked him what ailed him; and after he had given
+her a highly sensible reply, she promised him in good earnest, that
+she would take Gracious under her own care, and desired him to bring
+the child to her the following Sunday.</p>
+
+<p>The coal-man obeyed punctually, and when the time came he made little
+Gracious put on her best clothes, and the new coloured little shoes he
+had bought for her the day before, and set off with his dear little
+daughter. Gracious skipped before him, then ran back to him, and took
+hold of his hand, saying:&mdash;"We are going to the castle, we are going
+to the castle!" for her father had not told her anything further about
+it.</p>
+
+<p>When they arrived, Fairy Bonbon received them very kindly, but
+notwithstanding all was so fine in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> castle, and that she had so
+many bonbons and other nice things, Gracious could not be happy when
+her father went away and left her behind. For the first time in her
+life she began to cry, and could scarcely leave off again. This
+touched the fairy extremely, so that she grew quite fond of Gracious,
+and all who were present said:&mdash;"My daughter would not cry so if she
+were obliged to part from me." But in time little Gracious became
+reconciled to her new residence, and was so obedient and docile that
+the good fairy Bonbon never had occasion to reprove her, nor even to
+tell her twice of the same thing, so that she took great delight in
+her.</p>
+
+<p>When her father came to visit her, the pretty child always ran to meet
+him, and threw herself into his arms without fearing to soil the fine
+clothes which the fairy had given her. After kissing and caressing her
+dear papa to her heart's content, she always inquired after her
+friend, Prince Chaffinch, and sent him her best bonbons and toys. The
+coal-man always carried them very conscientiously to the prince, who
+never failed to send his thanks and a message to say how earnestly he
+longed to see her once again.</p>
+
+<p>Thus Gracious lived till she was twelve years old, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> then Fairy
+Bonbon, who was extraordinarily fond of her, took her father one day
+into her boudoir, and desired him to be seated, as she did not like to
+see the old man standing up in her presence. The coal-man excused
+himself at first, but the fairy insisted, so that at last he was
+obliged to obey, although it seemed to him a very strange thing to sit
+down in his clothes all covered with coal-dust on a white taffeta
+arm-chair, and he could not think how he should manage to prevent his
+jacket from leaving marks on it.</p>
+
+<p>At last, however, the fairy constrained him to be seated; and she then
+said to him, "Old friend, I love your daughter."</p>
+
+<p>"Honoured madam," replied he, "you are very kind; but indeed you are
+much in the right, for she is a very dear child."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish now to consult with you what I shall do," said the fairy; "for
+you must know I shall be obliged shortly to travel for a considerable
+time in another country."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, madam, then do have the goodness to take her along with you,"
+rejoined the coal-man.</p>
+
+<p>"That is not in my power," answered she. "I can, however, provide very
+well for her. Only tell me what<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> would be most agreeable to you that I
+should do for her."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I would most humbly beg," replied the coal-man, "that you would
+have the kindness to make her queen of a little kingdom, just such a
+one as may please your ladyship."</p>
+
+<p>Though gratified by this request, the fairy represented to him, that
+the higher the station, the more cares and sorrows it has; but the
+coal-man assured her in return, that cares and sorrows are to be found
+everywhere, and that those of royalty are the easiest to bear.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not ask of you, most gracious madam fairy," continued he, "to
+make me a king. I prefer remaining a charcoal-burner; that is my
+trade, which I understand, and as for the trade of royalty, I do not
+think that I understand that at all. But Gracious is still young, and
+she can learn it, I'll be bound for it; it cannot, after all, be so
+very difficult, for I see every day that people manage it one way or
+another."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," answered Fairy Bonbon, as she dismissed him, "I will see what
+I can do. I must tell you beforehand, however, that Gracious will have
+much to suffer, and she will find it very bitter."</p>
+
+<p>"Very possible, gracious Madam Bonbon," replied<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> he. "I also have gone
+through many bitter things, and have not gained very much after all,
+so have the kindness still to make a queen of her; I ask nothing."</p>
+
+<p>With these words he took leave.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Fairy Grumble-do had provided for almost all the fourteen
+princes. She had sent some of them out into the wide world to seek
+their fortunes, whereby they had at last succeeded in obtaining
+kingdoms, and the rest she had wedded to rich princesses, so that at
+least they were safe from want. For little Prince Chaffinch, as yet,
+however, she had done nothing; so she came one day to court in her
+usual agreeable humour, and found papa and mamma caressing and
+fondling their child.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha," said she, "that is a properly spoiled young gentleman, who will
+never be good for anything all his days. I lay any wager he does not
+know A from B. Repeat me your yesterday's lesson, sir, at once, and if
+you miss a single word, you shall have a proper whipping."</p>
+
+<p>Chaffinch immediately repeated his lesson, which, as usual, he had
+learnt perfectly, and went through his examination in a style which
+was quite wonderful for his age. The king and queen did not dare to
+let<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> their gratification at this appear, for fear thereby of
+redoubling Madam Grumble-do's ill-humour, for she now maintained that
+the instruction given to the prince was not worth a farthing; that it
+was far too difficult and too learned for him.</p>
+
+<p>She then turned to the king and queen: "Pray, what is the reason of
+your never having asked me to do anything for him yet? It is just your
+way. I have been worried into providing for all your other
+simpletons&mdash;they are the most stupid kings reigning; but that one, of
+whom something might perhaps be made, is to be spoilt by you, just
+because he is your nest-quackel. But I will not allow it any longer.
+He shall go out, and directly too. He is a fine youth, and it would be
+a shame to leave him any longer with you. I will not have to reproach
+myself with that; folks know that I am your friend, and they shall not
+have to say that I encourage you in your follies. Now, let us have no
+words about it; let us consider together what is best to be done, for
+I am not at all obstinate; I am always willing to listen to good
+advice."</p>
+
+<p>The king and queen said very politely that she must decide on that,
+for she knew very well that her will was theirs.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well then," replied Fairy Grumble-do, "he must travel; travelling
+gives a young man a proper finish."</p>
+
+<p>"Very true," said both king and queen with one voice. "But," continued
+the queen, "consider that the outfit of the other princes very much
+exhausted our coffers, and that just at present we have not the means
+wherewith to send out Chaffinch in a style befitting his rank. It
+would be very unpleasant for folks to say, 'That is the son of a king,
+and he travels like a poor student.'"</p>
+
+<p>"So, that's your vanity, is it?" growled the fairy; "truly vanity is
+vastly becoming to people who have fourteen children. You say the
+other youths have cost you so much; then, I did nothing for them, I
+suppose; you leave all that out of your calculation. Pray, what did
+they cost you? Just their bits of meals when they were at home, and a
+couple of boxes full of clothes when they went on their travels. Who
+found all the rest? Not you, truly; it was I; but you are a pair of
+ungrateful creatures, so you are."</p>
+
+<p>"Kind madam," answered the queen, "my husband has set down all the
+expenses in the account-book; you can convince yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"A pretty thing, indeed," rejoined Fairy Grumble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span>-do. "Pray, how long
+has it been in fashion for a king to keep a debtor-and-creditor ledger
+like a tailor? That sounds vastly regal, truly. What is the use of all
+the good counsels I have given you, if this is the way you conduct
+yourselves. Shame on you! However, I will not worry myself, but I will
+put an end to the thing at once. The youth is as giddy as a butterfly,
+and wherever he goes he will be telling everybody 'I am a prince and
+my father is a king,' Is it not so, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Dearest madam godmamma," interposed Prince Chaffinch, "I will say
+nothing but what you desire me to say."</p>
+
+<p>"Wait till you are asked, Master Pert!" rejoined she; "you shall say
+nothing at all, and I'll take care to prevent you from opening your
+self-sufficient beak. Only wait a moment!"</p>
+
+<p>As she blustered out this, she touched him with her wand, and
+transformed him into the little bird which to this day bears his name.
+The king and queen wished to embrace him, but there was no doing that
+any longer now he had become so small; they could only set him on
+their fingers. They had scarcely time to kiss him even, for he flew
+off, in obedience to the fairy, who pronounced<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> these terrible words:
+"Fly where thou canst; do what thou must."</p>
+
+<p>The tears of the king and queen, it is true, did move Fairy Grumble-do
+a little, but she would not let that be seen, and merely said, "That
+is just like you; you are served quite rightly," and then she seated
+herself in her post-chaise, which was drawn by seven magpies and seven
+cocks, who made a shocking noise; and off she drove in a very
+ill-humour to the assembly of the fairies, which was held that very
+day.</p>
+
+<p>By chance she was seated next to the kind fairy Bonbon, and as the
+mouth is prompt to speak about that of which the heart is full, she
+related to the latter all the trouble she had had in providing
+suitably for the fourteen princes; during which narration she did not
+fail to give it well to the king and queen, just as if they were
+present. At last she asked her colleague if she happened to have a
+kingdom or a princess to bestow on Prince Chaffinch.</p>
+
+<p>Fairy Bonbon, notoriously the best-hearted creature in the world, who
+was quite averse to this incessant scolding, told her that she would
+willingly undertake to find one, but only on condition that Fairy
+Grumble-do<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> should not interfere in it, and permit her first to put
+the young prince to the proof.</p>
+
+<p>"Do what you please," resumed the latter, speaking more through her
+nose than ever&mdash;"do what you please, so that I hear no more about the
+matter."</p>
+
+<p>She then renounced all her fairy rights over Prince Chaffinch, and
+then drew up a formal contract, which they both signed with their own
+hands in presence of the lawyer and of competent witnesses.</p>
+
+<p>Bonbon, who soon perceived that her two proteg&eacute;'s were well suited to
+each other, resolved to look still closer into the matter, in order to
+proceed the more securely, and to make Gracious truly happy. But she
+was much pressed for time as the day of her departure was irrevocably
+fixed, and was rapidly approaching. She had therefore to devise some
+means by which the two might have an opportunity of working out their
+own destiny by faith and truth. The first thing she did, therefore,
+was to catch Chaffinch, whose natural sprightliness caused him to
+delight greatly in flying about, to shut him up in a cage, and bring
+him to her castle.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the young enchanted prince beheld Gracious he was very
+joyful, flapped his wings, and tried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> with all his strength to get out
+of the cage and fly to her. He was delighted, however, when she said
+to him, "Good morrow, my little bird; dear, how beautiful you are!"
+Yet he felt grieved at the same time that he could only answer her by
+his twittering, but he did that as agreeably as he could, and made
+every demonstration of tenderness that a bird could. This greatly
+touched Gracious, though she did not in the least suspect the truth;
+and she said, quite unreservedly to Bonbon, that she had always been
+particularly fond of chaffinches; at which the kind fairy smiled, and
+made her a present of the enchanted prince, on condition of her taking
+care of him as of the apple of her eye. This Gracious willingly
+promised, and did so too with the greatest satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>When the day came for the fairy to depart, she said to Gracious, "Take
+great care of the chaffinch, and never let him out of the cage; for
+were he to fly away, I should be extremely displeased."</p>
+
+<p>She then entered her carriage, which was made of silver-paper. Her
+castle, her garden, her domestics and her horses, all went off through
+the air with her, and Gracious now remained alone and sorrowful in her
+little house of porcelain, which assuredly was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> very pretty; but what
+avails prettiness when one is sad? The garden was constantly full of
+cherries, gooseberries, oranges, and, in short, of all imaginable
+fruits, always ripe and well-flavoured; the oven, of biscuits,
+tea-cakes, and macaroons; the store-room, of sweetmeats and
+confectionery of all kinds: and all these good things might well have
+consoled her, but she could not enjoy them, for the little chaffinch
+slept unbrokenly in his cage. She visited him every five minutes, but
+still he did not wake, and she mentally reproached the fairy with
+having robbed her of such sweet consolation. At last, after trying
+vainly every means of awaking him, she resolved to examine him closer,
+to see if she could not discover the fairy's secret.</p>
+
+<p>It is true she did not arrive at this resolution without that
+uneasiness and self-reproach which one always feels when acting
+contrary to an express command. She even opened the cage several
+times, and then shut it again suddenly; but at last she blamed herself
+for her timidity, summoned courage, and took the bird in her pretty
+little hand. No sooner was he out of the cage than he flew out and
+perched on the window-frame, which most unfortunately she had not
+closed, so little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> had she thought on what might occur to her.
+Embarrassed and alarmed, she endeavoured to catch him again.</p>
+
+<p>The chaffinch flew into the garden, and she jumped out of the window,
+which fortunately was on the ground-floor; but such was her anxiety
+that she would have sprung out, had it been on the fourth story.
+Calling him by the prettiest and tenderest names, she sought to entice
+him, but whenever she fancied she would certainly catch him, off he
+flew, from the garden to the field, and on towards a great forest,
+which filled her with despair, for she knew perfectly well how useless
+it would be to hunt after a chaffinch in a forest; when suddenly, the
+bird, of which she had never lost sight, turned into the prince as she
+had seen him when she was a child.</p>
+
+<p>"What! is it you, Prince Chaffinch," exclaimed she,&mdash;"and you fly me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is I, lovely Gracious," replied he; "but a supernatural force
+obliges me to keep far from thee; I desire to approach thee, and
+cannot."</p>
+
+<p>They now indeed perceived that they were always at least four paces
+distant from each other. Gracious, enraptured at again seeing the
+prince, forgot how disobedient she had been to the fairy, and her
+fears grew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> calm, in proportion as love took possession of her heart.</p>
+
+<p>As neither of them dared return to the little dwelling which they had
+left, nor indeed did they know the way back, they went into the wood,
+gathered nuts, and asked each other a hundred questions as to what had
+occurred since they last met. They then rejoiced at their good fortune
+in being again together, and refreshed themselves with the hope of now
+remaining near each other. At last they saw a peasant's hut, and went
+to it to request shelter for the night, that they might resolve on
+what they should do the next day.</p>
+
+<p>The prince, when they got very near to it, said to Gracious, "Wait
+here under this great tree, whilst I go and reconnoitre the house and
+its inhabitants."</p>
+
+<p>When he got there, he found a woman who was sweeping before her door,
+and of her he inquired if she would receive him and Gracious for the
+night into her house.</p>
+
+<p>The old woman answered: "You seem to me to be two disobedient
+children, who have run away from your parents, and do not deserve to
+meet with compassion."</p>
+
+<p>Chaffinch was, to say the truth, a little embarrassed by this remark,
+but he said all sorts of flattering things<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> to her, and offered to
+labour for her; in short, he spoke like a lover willing to make any
+sacrifice for his beloved, for he began to fear that Gracious would
+have to pass the night in the wood, exposed to the wolves, of which he
+had heard such terrible stories.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst he was trying to persuade the hard-hearted old woman, it
+happened that the giant Koloquintius, the king, or to speak more
+accurately, the tyrant of the whole district, who was hunting in the
+wood, rode past the very spot where Gracious was waiting. He thought
+her surprisingly charming, and was a good deal astonished that she did
+not think him equally so, nor appear to be enchanted at seeing him.
+Without saying a word to her, he desired one of his suite to lift up
+the little maiden and place her under his arm, which being done, he
+set spurs to his horse, and galloped off to his capital city.</p>
+
+<p>The cries and lamentations of Gracious did not move him in the least,
+and she now&mdash;when it was too late&mdash;repented of her disobedience. Her
+cries disturbed Prince Chaffinch and the old woman in their
+conversation; the former ran towards the spot where he had left
+Gracious; but who can describe his grief, when he saw her under the
+giant's arm! Had he been there at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> the right moment, he would have
+endeavoured at the risk of his life to prevent that deed of violence,
+but now he had nothing to do but to follow her. But night overtook
+him, he lost sight of her, and quite exhausted, he sat down to give
+free course to his grief and tears.</p>
+
+<p>As he sat, he perceived, close to him, a little light, like that of a
+glow-worm. At first he paid no attention to it, but the light grew
+larger and larger, and at last changed into a female clothed in a
+brown garment, who said to him: "Console thyself, Chaffinch, do not
+give way to despair; take this flask, which is made of a gourd, and
+this shepherd's pouch; thou wilt find them always filled with whatever
+thou desirest to eat and drink. Take also this hazel-rod, and when
+thou hast need of me, put it under thy left foot and call me; I will
+always come to thy assistance. This little dog is commanded never to
+leave thee, thou may'st want him. Farewell, Chaffinch. I am the kind
+Bonbon."</p>
+
+<p>Chaffinch was already greatly moved by these gifts, but when he heard
+the name which Gracious had so often pronounced, he sank at the
+fairy's feet, embraced her knees, and cried: "Ah, beneficent lady,
+Gracious has been carried off, how is it possible that your Highness
+did not hasten to deliver her?"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know what has befallen her," replied Bonbon,&mdash;"but she was
+disobedient, I want not to know anything about her; thou alone must
+aid her."</p>
+
+<p>At these words, the light and the fairy disappeared, and Chaffinch sat
+in such darkness that he could not see his hand when he held it before
+his eyes. He was however, much comforted by thinking that he could now
+be of assistance to Gracious, though fear and anxiety still tormented
+him greatly, and his new friend, the little dog, was unable by all its
+caresses to divert him.</p>
+
+<p>At last, the longed-for day dawned, and he was now able to continue
+his wanderings. Towards evening he arrived at the chief city, where he
+found everybody talking only of Gracious' beauty, and of Koloquintius'
+passion for her. It was said that the giant was very shortly to marry
+her, and that he had already commenced building a palace for the new
+queen. This news cut little Chaffinch to the heart.</p>
+
+<p>When the people with whom he was speaking, saw his shepherd's pouch,
+they said, "This is a handsome little shepherd, why should he not tend
+the king's sheep? His majesty is in want of a shepherd, and would no
+doubt confer that high office upon him."</p>
+
+<p>The desire of being near Gracious determined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> Chaffinch to take this
+hint. He therefore presented himself before Koloquintius, who regarded
+him attentively: as he only asked for courteous treatment, and
+required no wages, the king appointed him to be his own private
+shepherd. His new office did not, however, bring him into the vicinity
+of Gracious, so that he did not gain much thereby. He only learned
+that Koloquintius was very melancholy because Gracious did not respond
+to his love, and this comforted him a little.</p>
+
+<p>Some days after, as he was following his sheep, he saw a state
+carriage, attended by twelve negroes on horseback, with drawn swords,
+quit the palace, and in this carriage sat Gracious. Little Chaffinch
+heroically threw himself in the way of the horses, held his shepherd's
+staff before them, and thundered out with his feeble voice, "Wretches!
+whither go you?"</p>
+
+<p>When Gracious saw her Chaffinch in such great peril, she fainted, and
+he also lost his senses. When he came to himself, he seized his hazel
+wand,&mdash;instantly the good Bonbon stood beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, kind lady!" said he, "Gracious is lost, perhaps already dead!"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied the Fairy, "Koloquintius is only sending her to the
+tower because he is furious at her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> coldness to him, and her fidelity
+to thee. Consider how thou may'st get thither also; think for thyself.
+I will assist thee; only I cannot change thee into a bird, because
+thou hast already been one; at all events Gracious will have much to
+suffer, for the tower is a terrible prison, but it serves her quite
+right,&mdash;why was she disobedient?"</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon she vanished.</p>
+
+<p>The prince, in great distress, conducted (that is, his little dog did
+it for him) the king's sheep along the road which the carriage that
+conveyed Gracious had taken, and he shortly came within sight of the
+terrible tower, which stood in the midst of a great plain, and had
+neither windows nor doors, only a small aperture at the top; it could
+only be entered by a subterranean passage, the entrance to which was
+concealed in a neighbouring mountain, which it was necessary to point
+out to those who were unacquainted with it. Prince Chaffinch was very
+glad that he had received such a clever little dog from the fairy, for
+it did all his business for him, whilst he kept his eyes constantly
+fixed on the tower. The more he considered, the more he was convinced
+of the impossibility of getting into it; but love, which conquers all
+difficulties, at last inspired him with a plan.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>After he had lamented a thousand times that he could not again be a
+bird, he besought the good fairy Bonbon, to change him into a paper
+kite. She granted his request, and conferred on his little dog the
+power of effecting the transformation; he barked three times, took the
+hazel-rod in his mouth, and touched the prince with it, who now became
+a paper kite, with power to resume his own form as occasion might
+require. Then, by the aid of his faithful dog, the prince succeeded in
+first reaching the top of the tower, and then getting within it to
+Gracious.</p>
+
+<p>It was no small delight to her to hear the assurances of his love, nor
+was it a less one to him to hear the same from her, and gratefully did
+he express his acknowledgments&mdash;for, in spite of his altered form, he
+still retained his speech. The pleasures of this conversation would
+have caused him to forget altogether that he could not remain for ever
+in the tower, and that he must feed his flock, if the little dog, more
+faithful to duty than he, had not pulled the string to which he was
+fastened, just at the right moment.</p>
+
+<p>Chaffinch no sooner reached the ground, than he resumed his own
+figure, and drove the flock back again to the royal sheepfold; but his
+whole thought was on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span> the pleasure of flying to his dear Gracious,
+which caused him to be greatly vexed whenever the wind blew too
+strongly for him to be able to ascend, and Gracious shared in his
+grief.</p>
+
+<p>Thus they went on for some time; but as there are always to be found
+people who interfere in what does not concern them, others who want to
+know everything, and still more, others who are always striving to
+show themselves very obliging to the great and rich; it was soon
+observed by some of these, that the kite very often descended from the
+dark tower. Koloquintius was informed of it; he instantly went
+thither, in order to punish the audacious persons who dared to convey
+letters in this manner to Gracious, for it never struck him that the
+kite could serve for any other purpose. Chaffinch and Gracious were
+just in the most interesting conversation, when they were disturbed
+from it by the vehemence with which the faithful dog pulled back the
+prince, for Koloquintius ran up to him, exclaiming vehemently: "Where
+is the shepherd, where is the shepherd? I must kill him, because he
+has not informed me of what is going on here."</p>
+
+<p>The dog, fearing that Koloquintius might take the string out of his
+mouth, and so get the prince into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> his own hands, let the kite fly,
+which was carried far away by the wind, which happened to be very
+high, and catching up the gourd flask, and the shepherd's pouch, ran
+off to his master, whom he loved very much, and who now had resumed
+his own figure. Favoured by the approaching night, they concealed
+themselves in the mountains, whilst Koloquintius, foaming with rage,
+was obliged to drive his sheep home himself. In order that no one
+should approach little Gracious, he caused his whole army to draw up
+on the plain, and commanded them to watch day and night, that no one
+whatsoever should approach the tower.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_115.jpg" width="600" height="389" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>Prince Chaffinch beheld all this from the high mountain where he and
+the dog had placed themselves, and again appealed to Bonbon for
+assistance. She immediately appeared, but when he begged her to give
+him an army, wherewith to combat that of Koloquintius, she vanished
+without saying a word, and only left him a rod, and a great bag of
+sugar-plums. When one is sad, and one's heart is heavy, one is not
+much inclined to take a joke; and at first Chaffinch thought she meant
+to make a jest of him; but when he reflected how kindly she had always
+acted towards him, his confidence in her returned, and he took the bag
+of sugar-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span>plums under his arm, and the rod in his right hand, and
+accompanied by his faithful dog, advanced valiantly to meet the foe.
+As he came nearer to them, he remarked that they grew gradually less
+and less, and that their lines contracted; and when he got so near
+that they could hear him speak, he perceived, to his no small
+astonishment, that all these formidable soldiers, and moustached
+grenadiers, had shrunk into children of four years old, so that he
+cried aloud to them:&mdash;"Yield this moment, or you shall all be
+whipped." Then the whole army began to cry, and ran away, pursued by
+the dog, who soon threw them into complete<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> disorder. To as many as he
+could catch, Chaffinch gave sugar-plums, whereupon they immediately
+swore to obey him.</p>
+
+<p>Encouraged by their example, the others soon returned, and they one
+and all submitted to Chaffinch; so that Koloquintius was now left
+without an army to defend him, whilst the prince had a formidable one;
+for as soon as they submitted voluntarily to him, they all recovered
+their former size and strength.</p>
+
+<p>By this time Koloquintius arrived; but he no sooner saw Prince
+Chaffinch than he likewise lost his giant form and strength, and
+became not merely a little child like the others, but a very little
+dwarf, with crooked legs. The prince caused a dragoon's cap, and a
+gay-coloured garment, with hanging sleeves, to be made for him, and
+destined him to be train-bearer to Gracious, and to attend upon her in
+her apartments.</p>
+
+<p>After this great victory the first care of Chaffinch was to hasten to
+the dark tower, in order to set his beloved free. After so many
+sufferings and sorrows, her joy at finding herself again free was
+indescribable. As they reached the city, Fairy Bonbon and Fairy
+Grumble-do also arrived there from opposite directions. The two lovers
+now expressed to them their warmest gratitude,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> and requested them to
+decide their fate. Fairy Grumble-do replied:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I assure you I have never troubled my head about you; I should have
+been a fool indeed to concern myself with such light ware. You are
+nothing to me, for the rest of your blessed family give me quite
+enough to do without you. Such a parcel of relations as belong to
+Prince Chaffinch, never did king's son, in all the wide world, possess
+before; a pretty brood truly."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear madam and sister," interposed Fairy Bonbon, in the gentlest
+manner, "you know our agreement; only have the kindness to cause the
+king and queen, and the worthy coal-man, to come hither, and I will
+undertake the rest."</p>
+
+<p>"So," rejoined Madam Grumble-do, "I am to be wedding coachman&mdash;am I?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! not so, dear madam and sister," answered Bonbon; "you have only
+to say if it is not agreeable to you, and I will go myself."</p>
+
+<p>"A pretty errand&mdash;a dog's errand," snarled Madam Grumble-do, who
+nevertheless ordered her car to turn into a coach, and to bring
+thither the desired guests. Whilst Bonbon, Gracious, and Chaffinch,
+were caressing each other, Fairy Grumble-do met the Court-dwarf,
+Koloquintius,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> who came in her way just at the right moment,&mdash;for
+every one was welcome to her so that she had some one to scold,&mdash;and
+she gave it him prettily on the text of his vanity and self-love.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you are punished," said she, "and nobody pities you; but, on the
+contrary, you are the laughingstock of all your former subjects; that,
+however, you have always been, though formerly they ridiculed you
+secretly, and in whispers; now, however, they do it loudly, and in the
+market-place; it will do you a deal of good."</p>
+
+<p>So she continued to abuse him till the arrival of the king and queen,
+when she let him go and turned to them.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not trouble yourselves to thank me for anything; it was not
+I who sent for you, and indeed I am very sorry you are come, for now
+there will be no getting rid of you again. Good counsel would be
+thrown away upon you now, you irrational creatures."</p>
+
+<p>She then perceived the old coal-man, and exclaimed:&mdash;"A pretty
+father-in-law that, for a prince."</p>
+
+<p>The coal-man was not the sort of person to take such an address
+pleasantly, and would soon have given her a rough answer, but that the
+good Fairy Bonbon came up and begged the company to walk into the
+house. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> Fairy Grumble-do did not like that neither; the general
+joy made her peevish.</p>
+
+<p>Gracious embraced her dear father a thousand times, who all this while
+had not suffered any privation, for Bonbon had made him a present of
+the porcelain house in which she had often received the king and
+queen. These fondled their little Chaffinch, and willingly consented
+to his marriage with Gracious, when proposed to them by Bonbon. The
+subjects of Koloquintius were absolved from the oath they had sworn to
+him, and acknowledged Prince Chaffinch as their lawful monarch. Thus
+did the pretty prince obtain a fine kingdom and a charming wife.</p>
+
+<p>Chaffinch and Gracious long governed in peace and happiness, and had a
+great many dear children, who also became kings and queens, for a good
+and pretty daughter makes not alone her own happiness, but also that
+of her parents, and her husband.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_WOLF_AND_THE_NIGHTINGALE" id="THE_WOLF_AND_THE_NIGHTINGALE"></a>THE WOLF AND THE NIGHTINGALE.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Swedish.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_120.jpg" alt="I" width="100" height="126" /></div>
+<p>n ancient times, when matters went on in the world very differently
+from what they now do, there reigned a king in Scotland who had the
+loveliest queen that ever graced a throne. Her beauty and amiability
+were such, that her praise was sung by every minstrel and tale-teller,
+and they called her the Scottish ph&oelig;nix. This fair queen bore to
+her husband two children, a son and a daughter, and then died in the
+prime of her youth.</p>
+
+<p>The king mourned for her many years, and could not forget her; he even
+said that he would never marry again. But human resolutions are
+unstable, and can never be depended on; and after the lapse of years,
+when the children were already grown up, he took to himself a second
+wife. The new queen was an evil-<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span>disposed woman, and made indeed a
+step-mother to the king's children. Yet the prince and princess were
+mirrors of grace and loveliness, and this was the cause of their
+step-mother's hatred of them; for the people, who loved the memory of
+the former queen, were constantly praising the young people, but never
+said anything about her; and whenever she appeared in public with the
+young princess, they always applauded and welcomed the latter,
+exclaiming, "She is good and fair like her mother." This roused her
+jealousy; she was full of spite towards them, and pondered how she
+might play them some evil trick; but she concealed the malignity of
+her heart under the mask of friendliness, for she dared not let the
+king perceive that she was ill-disposed towards them, and the nation
+would have stoned her and torn her in pieces if she had done them any
+harm.</p>
+
+<p>The princess, who was called Aurora, was now fifteen years of age,
+blooming as a rose, and the fairest princess far and near. Many kings'
+sons, princes and counts, courted her and sought her hand; but she
+replied to them all, "I prefer my merry and unfettered girlhood to any
+lover," and thereupon they had nothing to do but to return from whence
+they came.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>At last, however, the right one came. He was a prince from the East, a
+handsome and majestic man, and to him she was betrothed with the
+consent and approbation of the king and of her step-mother. Already
+the bridal wreath was twined; musicians were hired for the dance, and
+the whole nation rejoiced at the approaching nuptials of the fair
+Princess Aurora. But far other thoughts were in the queen's heart, and
+with threatening gestures she said to herself, "I will hire musicians
+who shall play a very different tune, and those feet shall dance
+elsewhere than in the bridal chamber. For," continued she, "this
+throws me quite in the shade, and my sun must set before this Aurora;
+especially now that she is going to have such a stately man for her
+husband, and will give descendants to her father, for I am childless.
+The nation, too, delights in her, and receives her with acclamation,
+but takes no note of me. Yet I am the queen: yes, I am the queen, and
+soon all shall know that it is I who am queen, and not Aurora."</p>
+
+<p>And she meditated day and night how she might ruin the princess and
+her brother; but not one of her wicked plans succeeded, for they were
+too well guarded by their attendants, who valued them like the apple
+of their eye,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> and never left them day nor night, because of the dear
+love they bore to their mother, the departed queen.</p>
+
+<p>At length the bridal day arrived, and the queen having no more time to
+lose, bethought herself of the most wicked art she knew, and
+approaching the young people in the most friendly way possible, begged
+them to go with her into the rose-garden, where she would show them a
+wonderfully beauteous flower which had just opened. Willingly they
+went with her, for the garden was close to the palace, and no one
+suspected any evil, for it was only mid-day, and the king and the
+grandees of the land were all assembled in the great hall of the
+palace where the nuptials were to be solemnised.</p>
+
+<p>The queen led her step-children to the furthermost corner of the
+garden where grew her flowers, till they came beneath a dark yew tree,
+where she pretended to have something particular to show to them. Then
+she murmured to herself some words in a low tone, broke off a branch
+from the tree, and with it gave some strokes on the backs of the
+prince and princess. Immediately they were transformed. The prince, in
+the shape of a raging wolf, sprang over the wall and ran into the
+forest; and the princess as a grey bird, called a nightingale, flew
+into a tree and sang a melancholy air.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So well did the queen play her part, that no one suspected anything.
+She ran shrieking to the castle, and with rent clothes and dishevelled
+hair sank on the steps of the hall, acting as if some great disaster
+had befallen her, and by the king's command her women carried her to
+her chamber. A full quarter of an hour passed ere she came to herself.
+Then she assumed an attitude of grief, wept, and exclaimed, "Ah, poor
+Aurora, what a bridal day for thee! Ah, unfortunate prince!"</p>
+
+<p>After repeatedly exclaiming in this manner, she at length related that
+a band of robbers had suddenly burst into the garden, and had forcibly
+torn the royal children from her arms, and carried them off; that they
+had struck herself to the ground and left her half dead; and she then
+showed a swelling on her forehead, to produce which she had purposely
+hit her head against a tree. They all believed her words, and the king
+commanded all the great lords, and counts, and knights, and squires,
+to mount their horses and pursue the robbers. They traversed the
+forest in all directions, and visited every cave, and rock, and
+mountain, for at least three miles round the palace, but they could
+not find a trace of either the robbers or the prince and princess. The
+king, however, could not rest, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> caused further search and
+enquiries to be made, for weeks and months; and he sent messengers
+into all the countries he could think of; but all was in vain, and at
+length it was as if the prince and princess had never been in
+existence, so entirely had they disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>The old king, however, thought that the robbers had been tempted by
+the fine jewels that the prince and princess wore on the wedding day,
+and that they had stripped them of those and then murdered them, and
+buried their bodies in some secret place: this so grieved him that he
+shortly after died. On his death-bed, as he had no children, he
+bestowed his kingdom on his wife, and besought his subjects to be true
+and obedient to her as they had been to him. They gave their promise,
+and acknowledged her as queen, more out of love for him than for her.</p>
+
+<p>Thus four years passed away, when, in the second year after the king's
+death, the queen began to govern with great rigour; and with the
+treasures the king had left behind him, she hired foreign soldiers
+whom she brought over the sea to guard her and to keep watch over the
+palace; for she knew that she was not beloved by her subjects, and she
+said, "That they should now do out of fear what they would not do for
+love."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And so it came to pass, that from day to day she became more hated by
+every one, but nobody durst show his hate, for the slightest whisper
+against her was punished with death. Nevertheless, the murmurs and
+whispers still went on; and it was commonly said among the people,
+that the queen had a hand in the children's disappearance; for, in
+truth, there were plenty of persons who, on account of her sharp eyes
+and her affected love for the children, suspected her of evil
+practices against them. These murmurs, so far from dying away, went on
+increasing; but the queen cared not for them, and thought "they will
+remain the brutes into which I have transformed them, and no one will
+deprive me of the crown." However, things turned out otherwise than
+she expected.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the poor royal children led a sorry life. The prince had
+fled to the forest as a grey wolf, and was obliged to conduct himself
+like a wolf, and howl like one too, and by day to wander about in
+desolate places, and to prowl about at night like a thief; for wolfish
+fear had also sprung up in his heart. And also, he was obliged to live
+like other wolves, on all sorts of prey&mdash;on wild animals and birds,
+and in the dreary winter-time he was often obliged to content himself
+with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> a mouse, and live on very short commons, and with chattering
+teeth, to make his bed amongst the hard cold stones. And this
+certainly was very different from the princely mode of life to which
+he had been accustomed previous to his being driven into this wild
+savage misery.</p>
+
+<p>He had, however, one peculiarity, which was, that he only destroyed
+and devoured animals, and never desired to take human blood. Yet there
+was one after whose blood he did thirst, and that was the wicked woman
+who had transformed him; but she took very good care never to go where
+she might be within reach of that wolf's teeth. It must not, however,
+be supposed that the prince, who was now a wolf, still preserved human
+reason. No; all had grown dark within him, and under the form of the
+beast as which he was condemned to scour the forest, he had also very
+little more than brute understanding. It is true, a dim instinct often
+drew him towards the royal residence and its gardens, as though he had
+cause to expect that he should find prey there; but he had no clear
+remembrance of the past: how indeed should it have lasted under a
+wolf's skin? At those moments when he felt the impulse, he was always
+also seized with unusual fierceness;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> but as soon as he came within a
+thousand paces of the spot, a cold shudder passed through him and
+compelled him to retire. This was the effect of the queen's magic art,
+which enabled her to keep him banished from her to just that distance,
+and no further.</p>
+
+<p>She, however, did all in her power to destroy him, and caused her
+attendants to hunt very frequently in the forest which surrounded the
+castle, thinking that it was most probable that he was still there. On
+this account, twice in almost every week, she caused noisy hunts and
+battues after wolves and foxes to be held there; and, as a pretext for
+these, she kept a great many pretty deer there, of which our royal
+wolf did not fail to devour as many as he could catch. He, however,
+always contrived to escape the danger, although the dogs often had
+their claws in the hair of his back, and the hunters aimed many a shot
+at him. He concealed himself for the moment, and when the noise ceased
+and the bugles no longer resounded, he returned to the thicket, which
+was close to the castle, and lay in the sunny spots where, as a boy
+and youth, he had often played. Still he knew nothing of the past, but
+it was a mysterious love that drew him thither.</p>
+
+<p>The Princess Aurora as we have said had flown up<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> into a tree, being
+transformed into a nightingale. But her soul had not become dark
+beneath its light feathery garb, like the prince's within the wolf's
+hide; and she knew much more than he, both of her own self and of men,
+only she was deprived of the power of speech. But she sang all the
+more sweetly in her solitude, and often so beautifully, that the
+beasts skipped and leaped with delight, and the birds gathered round
+her, and the trees and flowers rustled and bent their heads. I think
+the very stones might have danced had they but had the power to love,
+but their hearts were too cold. Men would soon have remarked the
+little bird, and much talk would have arisen about her, but some
+secret power withheld them from entering the wood, so that they never
+heard the nightingale sing.</p>
+
+<p>I have already related how the queen persecuted the poor royal wolf
+with hunts and battues, so that he was the innocent cause of great
+trouble and inconvenience to the whole wolvine family. As great evil
+too befel the little birds, and in those days of tyranny, it was a
+great misfortune to be born either a thrush, a linnet, or a
+nightingale, in the neighbourhood of the castle. For the queen, after
+the death of the king had thrown all the power into her own hands,
+suddenly pretended to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> have an illness of so peculiar a kind, that not
+only were the cries, cawing, and chattering of birds of prey
+insupportable to her, but even the sweetest twittering and warbling of
+the merry little birds affected her unpleasantly; and in order to make
+people believe this, she fainted on two occasions when she heard them
+sing.</p>
+
+<p>This, however, was only a deception; her wicked aim was to kill the
+little nightingale, if by chance it should still frequent those groves
+and gardens. She knew full well that the little bird could not
+approach within a hundred paces of the castle, for she had cast her
+witch-spell upon her, as well as upon her brother. Under the pretext
+of this nervous sensibility to tender and delicate sounds, war was
+waged, not only against the pretty little royal nightingale, but
+against all the warblers in the vicinity. They were all proscribed and
+outlawed, and the queen's foresters and gamekeepers received the
+strictest orders to wage war against every feathered creature, and not
+to spare even the robin: no, nor the wren, at whom no sportsman ever
+before fired shot.</p>
+
+<p>This terrible hatred of the queen's was a misfortune for the whole
+feathered race, not only for those which lived at large in the woods
+and groves, but even for those which were kept in the court-yards and
+houses. No feathered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> creature was to be found in the capital city,
+nor in the vicinity of the royal residence; for the people thought to
+pay court to the queen, and to win her favour, by imitating her
+caprices. There was a destruction of the feathered tribe, like another
+slaughter of the innocents. How many thousand canaries, goldfinches,
+linnets, and nightingales; nay, even how many parrots and cockatoos,
+from the East and West Indies, had their necks wrung! Discordant, or
+melodious throats, the chattering, and the silent, were all menaced
+with one fate; it became a crime to be born either a goose, or a
+turkey, or a hen; and the common domestic fowls grew as scarce as
+Chinese golden pheasants. If the queen had waged such war against the
+feathered race for another ten years, they would have quite died out
+of the country. Indeed, not only were all the birds murdered, but
+scarcely did a human being now take a walk in the wood, for fear of
+being suspected of going thither in hopes to hear the song of a bird.</p>
+
+<p>And thus it was, that no one ever heard the wondrous song of the
+little nightingale, except here and there a solitary sportsman, and
+these never spoke of it, lest they should be punished by the queen for
+not having shot it. And indeed, to the honour of the foresters it must
+be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> said, that most of them followed their own good disposition, and
+seldom shot any little bird, but they were obliged to fire through the
+forest till it rang again. And this prevented any singing, and indeed
+many birds withdrew from it altogether, on account of the incessant
+noise, and never returned. The little nightingale, however, whom
+heaven especially protected, so that she escaped all the plots against
+her life, could not forsake the green forest behind the castle, where,
+in her childhood, she had played, and skipped about, so that although
+she flew away as soon as the bugles sounded, and the halloos and
+hurrahs echoed through the wood, she always returned again. And
+although her little songs, as coming from a sad heart, were, for the
+most part, melancholy and plaintive, still it was pleasing to her to
+live so amongst the green trees, and gay flowers, and to sing
+something sweet to the moon and stars; and she was unhappy only during
+a few months in the year. This was the season when autumn approached,
+and she was obliged to go with the other nightingales into foreign
+climes until the return of spring.</p>
+
+<p>The little feathered princess confined herself then mostly to the
+trees and meadows where she had sported as a child; or in later years,
+with companions of her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> own age, had twined wreaths and garlands; or
+in the happiest days of her life, had wandered in those solitudes with
+her beloved. Her favourite haunt was a spot where grew a thick green
+oak, which spread over a murmuring rivulet, and which served as a
+covert for the soft whispers of their love. In this place she often
+saw the wolf, who was also led thither by a dim feeling of the past,
+but she knew not that it was her unfortunate brother. Yet she grew
+attached to him, because he so often lay down and listened to her song
+as though he understood it; and she often pitied him for being a harsh
+and wild wolf, that could not flutter from bough to bough, like
+herself and other little birds. But now I must also tell of a man,
+who, in that solitary forest, was often a listener to the little
+nightingale. This man was the eastern prince, her destined bridegroom
+when she was yet a princess.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst the old king yet lived, he loved this prince beyond all other
+men, because of his virtues and valour, and on his death-bed had
+recommended him to the queen as her counsellor and helper in all
+difficulties and dangers, and especially as a brave and experienced
+warrior. On this account, after the king's death, he had remained
+about the queen, solely for love of the departed. But he soon
+perceived that the queen hated<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> him, and was even plotting against his
+life, so he suddenly withdrew from her court, and left the country.
+She, however, caused him to be pursued as a traitor and a fugitive,
+and sent forth a decree, proclaiming him an outlaw, by which every one
+was empowered to slay him, and bring his head, on which a high price
+was set, to the royal castle. But he escaped to his father's land,
+which lay many hundred miles to the east of the queen's palace, and
+there dwelt with him. Still in his heart, he found no rest, and his
+grief for his vanished princess never subsided. A wonderful thing also
+came upon him, for once every year he disappeared, without any one
+being able to discover whither he went. He then saddled his horse,
+clad himself in obscure-looking armour, and rode off so that no one
+could trace his path. He felt himself impelled to enter the country of
+the queen who had outlawed him, and to visit that forest wherein the
+princess had disappeared. This powerful impulse seized him annually,
+just before the time when the princess had vanished, and he rode
+through wild, desolate, and remote places, until he reached the
+well-known spots, where he had once wandered with his betrothed. The
+green oak by the rivulet, was also his favourite place. There he
+passed fourteen nights in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> tears, and prayers, and lamentations for
+his beloved; by day, however, he concealed himself in the neighbouring
+thicket. There he had often seen and heard the little nightingale, and
+taken delight in her wonderful, and almost bird-surpassing song.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_135.jpg" width="600" height="437" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>Yet they knew nought of each other; and although the little bird
+always felt sadness, and longing in her heart, when the knight had
+ridden away, still she knew not wherefore, and her deep and
+languishing Tin! Tin! still resounded in his heart when he had
+returned<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> to his father-land. It was, however, with him, as with most
+other men who love, or do something mysterious, which puzzles all
+around them, he was not conscious of his own secret. That he was
+impelled each year to ride stealthily away he knew full well&mdash;but
+wherefore he was so impelled, he knew not at all.</p>
+
+<p>Now a long time had passed since the death of the king, and it was
+already the sixth year since the royal children had disappeared, and
+the queen lived in splendour and enjoyments, and caused the beasts to
+be hunted, and the birds to be shot, and was no less harsh and cruel
+to her subjects than to the wild inhabitants of the woods. She fancied
+herself almost omnipotent, and thought her good fortune and power
+would have no end. Still, ever since that day, she had never entered
+the forest, a secret terror had always withheld her. She, however, did
+not allow herself to dwell upon it, nor did she perceive that a magic
+spell was the real cause.</p>
+
+<p>Now it came to pass that she had appointed a grand festival and
+banquet, to which were invited all the princes and princesses of the
+kingdom, and all the nobles and all the principal officials. In the
+afternoon a grand wolf hunt was to take place in the forest, at which
+the princes intreated her to be present. She<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> hesitated a long while
+under all kinds of pretences, but at last she allowed herself to be
+persuaded. She, however, placed herself in a very high chariot, and
+bade three of her bravest warriors, completely armed, to seat
+themselves beside her. She also commanded several hundred armed
+outriders to keep before and behind and by the side of the chariot,
+and a long train of carriages, full of lords and ladies, followed. The
+wolf was never out of her thoughts, but she said to herself: "Let the
+wolf come; nay, let a hundred wolves even come, this brave company
+will soon make an end of them." Thus does providence blind even the
+most far-seeing and cunning when they are ripe for punishment; for it
+had been foretold to her by other masters of her godless art, that she
+must beware of the sixth year. But of that she thought not then.</p>
+
+<p>And it was a fair and cheerful spring day, and they went out into the
+forests with trumpets and horns, and the steeds neighed and the arms
+clashed, and the naked swords and spears glittered in the sun; but the
+queen outshone them all in her most splendid attire and all her
+jewels, as she sat enthroned in her high chariot. Already the chase
+had commenced with loud huzzas and hurrahs, and the clanging horns of
+the hunters and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> baying of the dogs. Then a lion rushed before
+them followed by a boar; but they did not fear, and every man stood
+firm at his post, and they struck down the monsters. But ere long came
+a still more dreadful beast, which filled them all with alarm. A
+tremendous wolf rushed from the thicket upon the green plain, and
+howled so awfully, that hunters, dogs, and riders, all took flight.
+The wolf ran like an arrow from a bow; nay, he did not run, but flew
+between the men and horses, and not one of these remembered that he
+was armed with a bow, and a spear, and a sword, so dreadful was the
+aspect of the monster, and so terrifically did he open his foaming
+jaws. The queen, who saw him making towards her chariot, shrieked
+"Help! help!" The women screamed and fainted, many a man cowardly did
+the same. No one thought of obstructing the wolf's course, and with
+one spring, he threw himself on the chariot, tore from it the proud
+woman, and dyed his teeth and jaws in her blood. All the rest had
+fled, or stood at bay.</p>
+
+<p>And oh, wonder! when they endeavoured to rally their courage in order
+to attack, the wolf was no more to be seen, but where he had just
+stood appeared the form of a handsome and armed young man! The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> men
+were astonished at the magic change, but some brandished their weapons
+as though they would attack him as a second monster. Then suddenly an
+ancient lord came forward from among them, the chancellor of the
+kingdom, and forbade them, crying aloud, "By my grey hairs I charge
+you, men, hold off! You know not whom you would strike;" and before
+they could collect their thoughts he lay prostrate on the ground
+before the young man and kissed his knees and hands, saying, "Welcome,
+thou noble blossom of a noble sire, who again art risen in thy beauty!
+And rejoice, oh nation; the son of thy lawful king is returned, and he
+is now your king!"</p>
+
+<p>At these words many hastened round and recognised the prince, and
+hailed him as their lord, and then the rest followed their example.
+They were full of terror, and astonishment, and joy, all at once, and
+thought no more of the demolished queen nor of the wolf; for that the
+prince had been the wolf they had no idea.</p>
+
+<p>The young king desired them all to follow him to his father's castle;
+he also stopped the chase, and the horns and trumpets which just
+before had disturbed the woods, now resounded before him to celebrate
+his happy return. And when again he was within, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> looked down from
+his father's turrets, tears filled his eyes, and he wept both in joy
+and sorrow; for he remembered now all his trouble and thought of the
+bitter past, which lay upon him like a heavy dream. Then suddenly all
+grew clear in his mind, and he was able to relate to the chancellor
+and the nobles of the kingdom what had befallen him, and that only by
+the heart's blood of the old wicked witch, who was called his
+step-mother and their queen, could he be restored to his own form. The
+report of this astonishing wonder immediately circulated through the
+city and amongst the whole nation; and they all rejoiced that their
+beloved king's son was restored to them, and that the queen, whom they
+hated, had been torn in pieces by the fangs of the wolf which she
+herself had created.</p>
+
+<p>But as the prince gradually came to himself, and bethought himself of
+all that had occurred, it lay heavy on his heart where his beloved
+sister, the Princess Aurora, might be, and whether she also were
+concealed within the skin of some animal, or feathery covering. Then
+he remembered her melancholy bridal day. And he enquired of every one
+about her; but all were silent, for none could give him any
+information. Then he again<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> became sad and full of care, but this care
+and sadness were soon changed into joy.</p>
+
+<p>For when all the noise of the wolf-chase took place, the poor prince
+from the East was just then lying concealed in his thicket, and the
+charming little nightingale was silent, and hidden amongst the green
+leaves of her oak. But a mysterious sensation shot through her little
+heart as soon as the thirsty fangs of the wolf, her brother, were
+bathed in the queen's blood.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the chase was over, and the forest again was still, and the
+sun had set, the prince came out of his dark recess, and leant sadly
+against the stem of the green oak, wetting the grass with his tears,
+as was his nightly custom; and his heart seemed more than usually
+oppressed with sorrow. The little bird in the branches, however, began
+to sing to him, as was her wont, and he fancied that she sang
+differently from before, and with more enigmatical significance, and
+almost in a human voice. And a shudder came over him, and in great
+agitation he exclaimed, looking up amongst the branches:&mdash;"Little
+bird, little bird, tell me, canst thou speak?"</p>
+
+<p>And the little nightingale answered yes, just as human beings are wont
+to answer, and wondered at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> herself that she was able to speak, and
+for joy she began to weep, and for a long time was silent. Then again
+she opened her little beak, and related to the man, in an audible
+human voice, the whole history of her transformation, and that of her
+brother, and by what a miracle he had again become a man. For in a
+moment all had become clear in her mind, as if a spirit had whispered
+it all to her.</p>
+
+<p>The man exulted in his heart when he heard her tale, and he reflected
+much within him, and revolved many a plan; and the little bird
+frolicked and flew confidingly around him; yet although she now knew
+her own history, and what had occurred so well, she knew not in the
+least who he was. And he enticed the little bird, and caressed it, and
+fondled it, and intreated it to come with him, and he would place it
+in a garden where bloomed eternal spring, and where no falcon ever
+entered, and no one ever fired a shot. That would be far pleasanter
+than to flutter about in wild thickets, and have to tremble at the
+thought of winter, and of hunters and birds of prey. But the little
+bird would hear nothing of it, and praised freedom and her green oak,
+and twittered, and sang, and fluttered round the man, who took no
+heed, for he seemed plunged in other thoughts.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But see what were his thoughts! For before the little bird was aware,
+the man had caught her by her little feet, and hastily made off, threw
+himself on his horse, and flew full gallop as if pursued by a tempest
+to an inn which he knew in the city, not far from the castle, took
+there a solitary chamber, and shut himself up in it with his little
+bird. When the little bird saw him take out the key, and give other
+signs of its being her prison, she began to weep bitterly, and to
+implore him to let her fly; for she felt quite oppressed and wretched
+in the closed room, and could not but think of her green trees, and
+her cherished liberty. But the man took no notice of her tears and
+supplications, and would not let her fly.</p>
+
+<p>Then the little bird grew angry, and began to transform herself into
+various shapes, in order to terrify the man, that he might open the
+doors and windows, and be glad that she should fly away. So she became
+in succession a tiger and lion, an otter, a snake, a scorpion, a
+tarantula, and at last a frightful dragon, which flew upon the man
+with poisonous tongue. But none of these frightened him in the least,
+but he kept his determination, and the little bird had all her trouble
+for nothing, and was obliged to become a bird again.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>And the man stood in deep thought, for something he had read in
+ancient tales came into his mind. So he drew a knife from his pocket,
+and cut a gash in the little finger of his left hand, where the
+heart's blood flows most vigorously. And he smeared the blood on the
+little head and body of the bird, which he had no sooner done than the
+miracle was completed.</p>
+
+<p>That very moment the little bird became a most lovely maiden, and the
+prince lay at her feet and kissed her hand, respectfully and
+submissively. The nightingale had now become the Princess Aurora, and
+recognised in the man her bridegroom, the prince from the land of the
+East. She was quite as young and beautiful as she was six years
+before, at the time of her transformation. For it is a peculiarity of
+transformations that the years during which persons are transformed do
+not add to their age, but a thousand years do not count for more than
+a second.</p>
+
+<p>It is easy to imagine the joy of the pair; for when two loving hearts
+which have remained faithful to each other, meet again, after a long
+time, that is truly the greatest joy on earth. But they did not linger
+long together, but caused the king to be informed that two foreign
+princes from a distant land had arrived at his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> court, and requested
+his royal hospitality. Then the king went out to welcome them, and
+recognised his beloved sister Aurora, and his dear friend the prince
+from the land of the East, and was overjoyed; and the nation rejoiced
+with him, that all was restored as before, and that the kingdom no
+longer belonged to strangers.</p>
+
+<p>After a few days he set the royal crown upon his head, and began to
+govern in his father's stead. He celebrated his sister's nuptials with
+the greatest magnificence, and there was dancing and feasting and
+knightly games. She and the prince also received from him a noble
+establishment both of land and attendants, so that they were able to
+live almost like kings. Aurora had, however, begged her brother to
+give her the wood, wherein as a bird she had fluttered through so many
+cheerful, and also sorrowful days, and this he willingly granted her.
+She built there a stately royal castle by the stream where she had so
+often sat and sung, and the thick green oak came into the centre of
+the palace-garden, and flourished yet many a year after her, so that
+her posterity still played beneath its shadow. She, however, caused a
+command to be issued that the wood should to all times be left in its
+natural majesty; she also gave peace to all little singing-birds, and
+forbade,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> in the strongest manner, traps or snares to be set within
+those sacred precincts, or that the little creatures should be
+molested in any way. And her brother reigned as a great and pious
+king, and she and her brave husband lived in happy love till they
+arrived at a snow-white age, and saw their children's children around
+them, till at length, accompanied by the blessing of God and men, they
+sank softly to sleep. It has been a custom ever since, amongst their
+children and descendants, that the eldest prince of their house should
+be christened Rossignol, and the eldest princess Philomela; for she
+desired to establish a pious recollection through all times of the
+marvellous misfortune that befel her when she was transformed into a
+nightingale. For Rossignol means, in fact, Rose-bird&mdash;the nightingales
+sing chiefly in the rose season&mdash;and Philomela, friend of song. The
+word nightingale means, however, songstress of the night, and this is
+the best of all.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_ENCHANTED_CROW" id="THE_ENCHANTED_CROW"></a>THE ENCHANTED CROW.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Polish.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_147.jpg" alt="I" width="75" height="200" /></div>
+<p>n a royal palace dwelt, once upon a time, three fair sisters, all
+equally young and pretty; the youngest, however, although not at all
+more beautiful than the two elder, was the best and most amiable of
+them all.</p>
+
+<p>About half a mile distant from the palace, stood another lordly
+dwelling, but which had then fallen into decay, although it still
+could boast of a beautiful garden. In this garden the youngest
+princess took great pleasure to wander.</p>
+
+<p>Once as she was walking up and down between the lime trees, a black
+crow hopped from under a rose-bush. The poor bird was all mutilated
+and bloody, and the princess was moved with compassion for him. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span>
+crow no sooner perceived this than he broke out into the following
+discourse:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"No black crow am I by birth, but an unhappy prince, suffering under a
+malediction, and doomed to pass my years in this miserable condition.
+If thou wilt, oh youthful princess, thou canst rescue me. But to do
+so, thou must resolve to be ever my companion, to forsake thy sisters,
+and to live in this castle. There is a habitable chamber in it,
+wherein stands a golden bed; in that chamber thou must live in
+solitude. But forget not, that whatsoever thou mayest see and hear by
+night, thou must let no cry of fear escape thee; for if thou shouldst
+utter but one single moan my tortures will be doubled."</p>
+
+<p>The kind-hearted princess did forsake her father and sisters, and
+hastened to the castle; and there dwelt in the chamber which contained
+the golden bed. She was so full of anxious thought that she could not
+sleep. As midnight drew near she heard, to her no small terror, some
+one creeping in. The door opened wide, and a whole band of evil
+spirits entered the chamber. They kindled a great fire on the hearth,
+and placed over it a large cauldron, full of boiling water. With great
+noise and loud cries they approached the bed,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> tore from it the
+trembling maiden, and dragged her to the cauldron.</p>
+
+<p>She was almost dead from fear, but she uttered no sound. Then suddenly
+the cock crew, and all vanished. The crow immediately appeared, and
+hopped joyfully about the room, and thanked the princess for her
+courageous behaviour, for the sufferings of the unhappy bird were
+already lessened.</p>
+
+<p>One of her elder sisters, who had much curiosity in her disposition,
+having heard of this, came to visit the princess in her ruined castle.
+She besought her so earnestly, that the kind-hearted maiden at length
+permitted her to pass one night beside her, in the golden bed. When
+the evil spirits appeared as usual about midnight, the elder sister
+shrieked aloud from fear, and immediately the cry of a bird in pain
+was heard.</p>
+
+<p>The young sister from that time never received the visits of either of
+her sisters. Thus did she live; solitary by day, and suffering by
+night the most terrible alarm from the evil spirits; but the crow came
+daily to her, and thanked her for her endurance, assuring her that his
+dreadful sufferings were greatly mitigated.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Thus had passed two years, when the crow came to her, and thus
+addressed her:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"In one year more I shall be delivered from the punishment to which I
+am condemned; for then seven years will have passed over my head. But
+before I can re-assume my real form, and gain possession of my
+treasures, thou must go out into the wide world, and become a
+servant."</p>
+
+<p>Obedient to the will of her betrothed, the young princess served for a
+whole year as a maid, and notwithstanding her youth and beauty, she
+escaped all the snares laid for her by the ill-disposed.</p>
+
+<p>One evening while she was spinning flax, and her white hands were
+wearied with work, she heard a rustling, and an exclamation of joy. A
+handsome young man entered her presence, knelt before her, and kissed
+the little weary white hands.</p>
+
+<p>"It is I," cried he, "I am the prince, whom thou, by thy goodness,
+whilst I wandered in the form of a black crow, didst deliver from the
+most dreadful tortures. Return with me now to my castle, there will we
+live together in happiness."</p>
+
+<p>They went together to the castle where she had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> undergone so much
+terror. The palace was, however, no longer recognisable, it was so
+improved and adorned, and in it did they dwell together for a hundred
+happy and joyous years.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_DRAGON-GIANT_AND_HIS_STONE-STEED" id="THE_DRAGON-GIANT_AND_HIS_STONE-STEED"></a>THE DRAGON-GIANT AND HIS STONE-STEED.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Russian.]</h3>
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_152.jpg" alt="N" width="100" height="102" /></div>
+
+<p>ot one amongst the numerous wives of Vladimir the Great was
+comparable in beauty to the Bulgarian Princess Milolika. Her eyes
+resembled those of the falcon; the fur of the sable was not more
+glossy than her eyebrows, and her breast was whiter than snow.</p>
+
+<p>She had been carried off by robbers of the Volga, from the vicinity of
+Boogord, the capital of her native country, and on account of her rare
+beauty they deemed her worthy to be a wife of the great monarch. They
+therefore conducted her to Kiev, the residence of the mighty Vladimir,
+and presented her to him. Vladimir, a good judge of female charms, the
+moment he beheld her, was enchanted by the surpassing beauty of the
+Bulgarian princess, and in a short time his love for her became so
+great that he made her his consort,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> and dismissed all his other
+wives. The proud heart of the king's daughter was touched by this
+proof of his affection, and she rewarded his tenderness with
+reciprocal and true love.</p>
+
+<p>The life of Vladimir was now one of great happiness. His conquests had
+procured him riches in superfluity; a long period of peace had
+augmented the prosperity of his country; his subjects loved him as
+their father; and the tenderness of Milolika made earth seem to him as
+heaven.</p>
+
+<p>One day as in company with his consort and his Bojars, he sat in the
+golden chamber by his oaken table, holding a festival in memory of a
+victory over the Greeks, the sound of a warrior's horn was heard at a
+distance. The rejoicings in the lofty hall suddenly ceased. The
+monarch and the Bojars cast their eyes to the ground, full of thought
+and heaviness. Sw&acirc;torad alone, the spirited Voivode of Kiev, started
+up from the table, and leaving his goblet undrained, approached the
+great monarch. "Thou art," spake he, as he bent low before him, "thou
+art our father and our lord, thou art the child of renown: wherefore
+sinks thy head? Why does the sound of the warrior's horn make thy
+heart heavy? Even if it be a hostile knight who now<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> appears before
+the capital, hast thou not enough brave heroes to confront any foe?
+Away then! Send forth thy heralds to demand who dares to defy the
+country of the Russians?"</p>
+
+<p>Vladimir looked friendly upon the gallant Sw&acirc;torad, and thus replied
+to his address: "I thank thee for thy zeal, good Sw&acirc;torad; but my
+anxiety does not arise from fear. I have defeated hosts, made myself
+master of fortified cities, and overthrown kings: how should I know
+fear? But it was my desire henceforth to preserve to my subjects the
+blessing of peace, and that alone is the cause that this challenge to
+combat makes me sorrowful. If however it must be so, I will defend my
+country and myself. Go and send heralds to demand who dares to come
+forth against Kiev, to challenge Vladimir to battle?"</p>
+
+<p>The brave Sw&acirc;torad immediately sent forth two heralds, who sprang upon
+their horses and rushed to the open plain, where they at once beheld a
+monstrous tent, before which a horse of unusual size was grazing. As
+soon as the horse perceived them, he stamped upon the ground, and
+cried aloud in a human voice: "Awake powerful son of the dragon,
+Tugarin awake! Kiev sends heralds to thee."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This marvel considerably astounded the heralds, and their amazement
+was increased when they beheld issuing from the tent a giant of the
+most monstrous kind, beneath whose footsteps the earth resounded. Yet
+they did not lose their composure, but discharged their commission as
+beseemed them well. "Who art thou?" cried they, after they had
+courteously bent before him. "Who art thou, bold youth from a foreign
+land? What is thy name, and how stands thy report in thy father-land?
+Art thou a Czar, or a Czarewitsch? A king or a king's son? We are sent
+by the invincible prince of Kiev, the son of renown, by Vladimir, to
+ask thee why thou darest to advance against Kiev?&mdash;how thou darest to
+challenge him to combat?"</p>
+
+<p>The questions displeased the giant, and he fell into fierce wrath.
+Lightning flashed from his eyes, his nose sent forth sparks, and he
+addressed the heralds in a voice of thunder: "Contemptible wights, how
+dare ye to put such questions to me? The herald's staff alone protects
+you from my fury. Return, and tell your prince that I am come to fetch
+his head, in order to carry it to the great king, Trewul, of Bulgaria,
+who is wrath with him, for the abduction of his sister Milolika. Tell
+him, that nought can save him; neither the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span> summit of the mountain,
+nor the darkness of the forest, and that he cannot redeem his head by
+gold, nor by silver, by jewels, nor by pearls. What I am called, and
+what my report is in my country, it needs not that you should know;
+sufficient, that I show you what I can perform." At these words, he
+grasped an enormous stone, which lay near the tent, and flung it with
+such force into the air, that it resembled a little speck.</p>
+
+<p>Full of terror, the heralds returned to Kiev, and presenting
+themselves before the monarch, related what they had seen and heard.
+When Milolika heard that the horse had called the stranger knight
+Tugarin, Son of the Dragon, she grew pale, and a stream of tears
+bedewed her cheeks. "Ah," cried she, "beloved husband, we are lost!
+Nought can save us, but our flight to the sacred Bug. Tugarin is an
+invincible enchanter. His magic power ceases only on the shores of the
+Bug. Thither let us fly."<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a></p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> The river Bug was especially held sacred by the
+Slavonians, and its waters possessed the power to destroy all kinds of
+magic.</p></div>
+
+<p>Vladimir endeavoured to re-assure his consort. He represented to her
+that the brave warriors, and the walls of the impregnable Kiev, would
+afford them sufficient protection; but Milolika was not to be
+comforted. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span>"Thou knowest not, beloved husband," said she, sobbing and
+crying, "how dangerous is this giant, Tugarin, to me and my family,
+and how bitterly he must hate thee, since he was my betrothed, and
+awaited my hand." Vladimir besought Milolika to explain to him this
+enigma, and she related the following:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I am the daughter of the Bulgarian king, Bogoris, and of the princess
+Kuridana. My birth-place is the city Shikotin, where my parents were
+wont to pass the summer months. As this city lies on the banks of the
+Volga, it offers great facilities for fishing, a diversion to which my
+mother was extremely partial.</p>
+
+<p>"Once, when my father was fighting against a neighbouring nation, my
+mother endeavoured to while away her grief at his absence by her
+accustomed diversion, and caused the nets to be spread in the Volga.
+The fish were very plentiful, and a great number of barks and boats
+covered the river, amongst which, the vessel in which my mother was
+embarked, was distinguishable by its magnificence and elegance.
+Surrounded by her ladies, and her body-guard, Kuridana stood in the
+centre of the vessel, and beheld with pleasure the spectacle of the
+fishery, when suddenly a mountain, that was situated on the other side
+of the river, burst<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> with a tremendous crash. Every eye was directed
+to the spot, and they saw issue from the aperture, a man of rude, and
+terrific aspect, seated on a car of shining steel drawn by two winged
+horses. He directed his course towards the river, and when he reached
+the water, the steel car rolled over the waves, as if they had been
+firm land. When it was perceived that he was bending his way to my
+mother's bark, heralds were dispatched in a boat, to inquire why he
+presumed to approach the princess without permission. But the fierce
+being, who was a powerful and malignant enchanter, did not permit the
+unfortunate heralds to discharge their commission. As they began to
+speak, he blew upon their boat, overset it, and all who were in it
+were buried beneath the waves. At this melancholy sight, my mother's
+attendants seized their bows, and discharged a shower of arrows
+against the intruder; but in vain, for the arrows rebounded from him,
+and fell shivered into the water.</p>
+
+<p>"The greatest amazement now seized all present, for they became
+petrified when the magician with a single word, bound every boat, with
+its crew, so that they stood motionless, whilst he, with outstretched
+arms, hastened towards my mother, and endeavoured to remove her into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span>
+his car. But some unseen power crippled all his efforts. Each time he
+endeavoured to seize Kuridana, his arms sank powerless, and he was, at
+length, obliged to desist from the vain enterprise. He then sprang
+into the bark, cast himself on his knees before her, and in the most
+moving, and earnest expressions, besought her love. He promised her
+all the treasures of the world, and the highest earthly happiness, if
+she would reward his vehement love with reciprocal affection, or only
+lay aside the talisman which she wore upon her breast. This talisman,
+which now preserved her, she had received at her birth from a
+beneficent enchantress, and as she well knew its force, she had drawn
+it out of the case where she usually concealed it, and held it before
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Then the evil one trembled so violently, that at last, as if stricken
+by lightning, he fell to the ground, and not until Kuridana had again
+enclosed the talisman, did he recover from his insensibility. He then
+sprang up, and mounted his steel car, uttering the most fearful
+threats, 'Think not,' cried he, foaming with shame and rage, 'think
+not to escape my hands; I will possess thee, and will force Bogoris
+himself, by the most dreadful devastation of his country, to yield
+thee to me. Behold, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span> swear by Tschernobog,<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> that I will either,
+slay, or gain possession of thee. Thou shalt see me soon again,' With
+these words he disappeared.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> Tschernobog was the evil spirit of the Slavonians, and no
+one could swear more solemnly, than by Tschernobog.</p></div>
+
+<p>"Kuridana then left the spot, and not believing herself secure in
+Shikotin, retired to the strong city of Boogord, where she awaited, in
+great anxiety, the result of this alarming adventure.</p>
+
+<p>"The very next morning, appeared on the plain before the capital city,
+a dreadful two-headed monster, of that dragon species which, in the
+language of my country, is called Sylant. It devoured herbs, and
+flocks, and men, and devastated the surrounding country with its
+poisonous breath. In a short time, the region round Boogord became a
+desert, and many brave warriors, who sought to free their country of
+this demon, fell victims to their patriotism and valour. The Sylant
+appeared each morning before the walls, and bellowed out with a
+fearful voice,: 'Bogoris, give me Kuridana, or I will make thy country
+a desert!'</p>
+
+<p>"No sooner did my father hear of the misfortune which menaced his
+people, and his beloved Kuridana, than he left his career of victory,
+and hastened to the capital. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span>What were his feelings when he beheld
+the misery which the monster had spread over his land! But greater
+bitterness still awaited him, for when the first tempest of joy and
+grief, which his return had excited in the hearts of all, and
+especially in that of Kuridana, had subsided, this noble-minded
+princess proposed herself as a willing sacrifice for the king, and the
+good Bulgarians. 'No!' cried Bogoris, 'sooner will I perish, than lose
+thee. I will combat the Dragon. Perhaps the Gods will grant me
+victory, and if I am vanquished in the fight, at least I shall die for
+thee, and for my country,' The most generous dispute now arose between
+the magnanimous pair, and finally they agreed to appeal to the
+decision of the magnates of the empire, who should decide the dispute.</p>
+
+<p>"The king assembled them, and when they had heard Kuridana's
+resolution, they loaded her with panegyrics, and expressions of
+gratitude. 'Thy magnanimous sacrifice alone, Kuridana,' said the
+eldest of the assembly, an aged man, of a hundred years, 'can rescue
+us and Bulgaria. For, supposing that Bogoris were to fight with the
+Sylant, and fall, would not our misfortune be greater still? No,
+Prince! thou must preserve thyself for thy people, in order to heal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span>
+the wounds which the Dragon has inflicted. Kuridana alone can save
+us.' All the magnates coincided with the old man, and Bogoris was in
+despair.</p>
+
+<p>"It was morning, and the dreadful words: 'Bogoris, give me thy wife!'
+at that moment resounded round the palace. Kuridana courageously
+arose, embraced her speechless husband, and bade him an eternal
+farewell.</p>
+
+<p>"At the words '<i>for ever</i>,' Bogoris sank senseless on the ground.
+Manly as his heart had been up to that hour, it could not endure
+separation from the beloved Kuridana. The high-minded wife bedewed him
+with her tears, but at length, turning to the nobles, who stood round
+her weeping, she said: 'Lead me where you will. I am prepared to
+endure everything for my husband and my country,' They now
+reverentially supported her trembling steps, and conducted her as
+rapidly as her weak state permitted, to the front of the city.</p>
+
+<p>"Meanwhile the altars smoked with incense, and both priests and people
+supplicated for the deliverance of their noble princess.</p>
+
+<p>"Shortly after the magnates had left the palace with Kuridana, Bogoris
+came to himself, and when he perceived that he was alone, he guessed
+his misfortune, and his despair knew no bounds. He drew his sword,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span>
+and was in the act of piercing his breast with it, in order not to
+survive Kuridana, when a matron of beautiful and majestic aspect stood
+before him, staid his hand, and thus addressed him:</p>
+
+<p>"'What, Bogoris! Dost thou despair?&mdash;Be tranquil; the Sylant has no
+power to harm Kuridana. The talisman which she wears on her breast,
+will, at all times, and under all circumstances, mock his power. I am
+the enchantress Dobrada, the protectress of thy wife, she who, as thou
+knewest, hung the talisman around her immediately on her birth. But it
+is not now requisite that I should reveal to thee the causes which
+induced me to provide her with that shield against danger. Enough,
+that I foresaw at her birth that she would have much to fear from the
+love of a powerful sorcerer, called Sarragur. And because I am ever
+willing to do all the good I can, I hung around her this talisman,
+which protects her from his utmost power, and will now defend her from
+the Sylant, who is no other than Sarragur himself. For, when he
+perceived that I was opposed to his passion, and had taken Kuridana
+under my protection, he sought to avenge himself on me, by every kind
+of secret mischief, so that I was at length obliged to chastise him.
+By my superior<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> power, I enclosed him within a mountain by the Volga,
+and bound his fate by the most awful spell, which even Tschernobog
+respects, to a golden fish, which I sank in the depths of the Volga.
+By this spell, Sarragur was to remain in his subterranean prison until
+some mortal should draw up the golden fish; and should he ever thus
+obtain his freedom, he could then never transform himself into an evil
+and noxious animal, except on the condition that he should never again
+resume his own form, and should perish shortly after the
+transformation. It chanced that a sturgeon swallowed the golden fish,
+and this sturgeon was caught on the very day when Kuridana was
+diverting herself with the fishery. Sarragur thus became free, and the
+first use he made of his freedom was to endeavour to carry off
+Kuridana, whom he still loved with unabated passion.</p>
+
+<p>"'When this attempt was baffled by the power of the talisman, and
+still more, when he perceived Kuridana's aversion for him, he became
+furious, and transformed himself into the Sylant, although he knew
+what must be the consequences. Madman, his hour is come, and thou,
+Bogoris, art destined to destroy him. Receive from my hands the sword
+of the renowned Egyptian king, Sesostris. It possesses<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> the wonderful
+power of destroying every spell, and with it thou wilt overpower the
+sorcerer, though he should summon all the powers of hell to succour
+him. Only, mark what I am now about to say. In order to extirpate
+Sarragur, and every remembrance of him from the earth, thou must cut
+off both the heads of the Sylant by one stroke. If thou succeed not in
+doing this, and hewest off but one head, the sorcerer, it is true,
+will lose his life, but he will escape to his cavern, where, before he
+expires, he will lay an egg, in which will be enclosed all his magic
+power, and from the head hewn off, will arise a horse of stone, which
+shall receive life at the moment the bad spirits shall have hatched
+the egg, and from this egg will issue the giant Tugarin, who, one day,
+will be formidable to thy children. For, not only will he inherit from
+his father the entire power to work evil, whereby so much misery has
+befallen thee and thy land, but he will also love thy daughter as
+fiercely as Sarragur loves thy wife. Thy son Trewul will refuse him
+his sister's hand, and then he will desolate the country, until
+Milolika's hand is promised to him. He also is to be conquered by no
+other weapon than the sword of the wise Sesostris, and a knight who
+shall live without having been born, is destined to slay him. After<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span>
+thy victory over the Sylant, hang up the sword in thy armoury amongst
+the other swords there, and at the appointed time fate will give it
+into the hands destined wield it. Of that which I have now told thee,
+reveal not a word, except to thy wife, and she may hereafter repeat it
+to her daughter.'</p>
+
+<p>"Having uttered these words, Dobrada shrouded herself in a
+rose-coloured cloud, and disappeared. Heavenly perfumes filled the
+chamber, and Bogoris felt that all sorrow had vanished from his soul.
+Hastily he vaulted on his horse, and rushed to deliver his wife and
+his country from the fell sorcerer.</p>
+
+<p>"When he reached the plain, he beheld the efforts of the Sylant to
+grasp Kuridana, and how he was impeded by the talisman, from coming
+close to her. Bogoris immediately unsheathed his sword, and flew upon
+the monster. When the Sylant perceived his antagonist, he sent forth
+fire streams from both his jaws, which, however, were rendered
+innocuous by the sword of Sesostris. In order to bring the combat to a
+speedy conclusion, Bogoris aimed a powerful stroke at the heads of the
+monster, which would assuredly have separated both from the trunk, and
+so have extirpated the sorcerer and all remembrance of him from the
+earth, if the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> Sylant, at the very moment the stroke fell, had not
+soared into the air. By this movement, he saved one head. The other
+rolled on the ground, and immediately became stone. Awfully bellowing,
+the impure being flew to his cavern. Bogoris pursued, but in vain; the
+Sylant disappeared in the mountain by the Volga, which immediately
+closed on him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_167.jpg" width="600" height="453" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>"My father regretted that he had not succeeded in entirely
+annihilating the sorcerer and all his brood; but joy at having
+delivered his beloved wife and his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[169]</a></span> country, soon prevailed over
+sorrow. He committed the future to the Gods, and after he had revealed
+to my mother the predictions of the good enchantress, he hung up the
+sword of Sesostris in his armoury.</p>
+
+<p>"My parents passed the remainder of their lives in uninterrupted peace
+and content. When I was grown up, my mother related to me her history,
+and at the same time revealed to me what awaited me through the giant
+Tugarin. She then hung round me the talisman which she had received
+from Dobrada. Shortly after this both my parents died. After their
+death I lived several years with my brother in undisturbed
+tranquillity, till one day the report arose of a wonderful phenomenon
+of nature, which was to be seen in the vicinity of the capital. The
+king, my brother, went thither, and I accompanied him. They showed us
+a stone which daily increased in size, and was assuming the form of an
+enormous horse. Everybody marvelled at this sport of Nature, as they
+called it; but I remembered Dobrada's predictions, and doubted not
+that the hour of Tugarin's birth, and of my misfortunes, was arrived.
+Whilst I was still thinking on it, we were alarmed by an earthquake.
+The neighbouring Sylant Mount,&mdash;for from the time the Sylant had
+escaped thither, it had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[170]</a></span> borne that name,&mdash;opened, and a giant of
+monstrous size stepped forth. He strode across the Volga, and went
+straight to the stone horse. The moment he laid his hand on it, it
+became animated. The giant sprang upon it, and dashed towards me. He
+tried to seize me, but quickly drew back his robber hands, as if they
+had been burnt. The power of the talisman withstood him. He then
+turned towards my brother, and cried out in dreadful tones:&mdash;'Hear,
+Trewul! I see that thy sister cannot be carried off by force, and
+therefore I require of thee to persuade her to give me her hand
+voluntarily. I give thee three days for consideration, and when they
+are expired, I either receive Milolika from thy hands, or I make thy
+country desolate.' After these terrible words he departed on his
+colossal steed, with the rapidity of lightning.</p>
+
+<p>"We returned heavy-hearted to the city, where my brother immediately
+assembled the council, and laid before it the giant's demand, and his
+threats. The counsellors were unanimously of opinion, that, as the
+princess was averse to giving her hand to the giant, an army must be
+sent against him, of sufficient force to set his menaces at nought.
+Ten thousand archers, and two thousand horsemen, in armour, were
+hastily collected,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[171]</a></span> and on the dawn of the third day, were drawn out
+on the plain before the city, to await the giant. Tugarin soon
+appeared, and the Bulgarians at once discharged their arrows and darts
+at him, but they proved as powerless against him as formerly against
+his father. They rebounded from him as from a rock. At this attack,
+the giant broke forth with mingled rage and scorn:&mdash;'What,' bellowed
+he, 'does Trewul send troops against me? Must I then become his enemy?
+Woe to the helpless being!' And without further delay, he seized the
+horsemen and archers by the dozen, and swallowed them a dozen at a
+time, till not a man was left.</p>
+
+<p>"He then began to lay waste and destroy everything round the city. Men
+and cattle were all engulfed in the monster's insatiable maw. He
+shattered the dwellings of the inhabitants with his gigantic fists.
+Whole forests were uprooted by him, and the hoofs of his enormous
+horse trod down fields and meadows. At length my brother, in order to
+put a stop to the universal misery, resolved to sacrifice me. With
+bitter tears he announced to me that he knew no other means of saving
+himself and his country from destruction, than to promise my hand to
+the giant. I replied to him only by my tears, and he reluctantly sent
+an<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[172]</a></span> embassy to invite Tugarin to Boogord. He came. Proudly he advanced
+to the gate where Trewul and the nobles of the land awaited him. I was
+in despair. At length I bethought me of a means of escape. I agreed to
+bestow my hand on the giant, on condition that, through some
+beneficent power, he should first obtain the form and stature of an
+ordinary man. I trusted that this would not easily be done, and in the
+mean time I might be able to effect my escape. Tugarin, blinded by his
+love for me, did not hesitate to accept the condition, and swore by
+Tschernobog, that he would not require me to be delivered to him until
+my requisition was satisfied. He established himself in Boogord, and
+served my brother with great zeal. I soon found an opportunity of
+making my escape, and wandering a whole day without food, was at last
+taken by the robbers of the Volga, and brought to thy court.</p>
+
+<p>"You will now, my beloved husband," said Milolika, as she concluded
+her narration, "easily comprehend the danger which threatens you.
+Tugarin must hate thee, since thou art my husband. His power is great,
+and no one can vanquish him, except the knight who came unborn into
+the world, and no weapon can slay him, but the sword of the wise
+Sesostris.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[173]</a></span> Thou and all thy brave heroes are powerless against him.
+Therefore, dear husband, let us flee. On the banks of the sacred Bug
+we shall be safe; no magic can operate there."</p>
+
+<p>This narration made the deepest impression on the heart of the prince;
+he could not, however, resolve to abandon his country in the hour of
+need, and besides, to fly before a single warrior, great as he might
+be, seemed still not a very honourable proceeding. "What!" exclaimed
+he, "shall the monarch before whom the East trembles, whose courage
+the whole world admires, shall he shrink in the moment of
+danger,&mdash;shall he, with all his might, flee before a single foe? No:
+sooner a hundred times will I die the most cruel death!" But with all
+this how was he to comfort Milolika? How was he to withstand the
+dreadful giant, seeing that he had not, unborn, beheld the light,
+neither did he possess the sword of the Egyptian king Sesostris? These
+difficulties weighed upon his soul. The first, however, he soon
+disposed of. He bethought himself that the lime with which the walls
+of Kiev were constructed, had been tempered with water from the sacred
+Bug, and consequently would prevent the giant from entering the city.
+This sufficed to tranquillise Milolika, who no<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[174]</a></span> longer insisted on
+flight, as she perceived that her beloved Vladimir was just as secure
+in Kiev, as he would be on the shores of the Bug. As far as she
+herself was concerned, the giant could avail nothing, since the power
+of the talisman would shield her from every danger. But still the
+thought of the combat with this giant, greatly disturbed the prince.
+"Where," said he, "is the unborn mortal who is destined, with the
+sword of Sesostris, to destroy the fell Tugarin?"</p>
+
+<p>Lo! suddenly a knight of bold and noble aspect, armed with a costly
+sword, and cased in shining armour, but without shield or lance, rode
+at full speed into the court of the palace. He sprang from his
+spirited steed, and gave him to his lusty squire. Then he proudly
+advanced up the steps, to the golden chamber of the great monarch, and
+addressed Vladimir as follows:&mdash;"My name is Dobr&uuml;n&auml; Mikilitsch, and I
+come to serve thee."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou art welcome," replied Vladimir, "but how is it possible that
+thou hast escaped the giant Tugarin, who holds the road to Kiev in
+blockade?"</p>
+
+<p>"Tugarin!" rejoined the knight, "<i>I</i> fear him!&mdash;already would I have
+laid his great head at thy feet, but that I desired to achieve that
+deed in thy presence."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[175]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The monarch marvelled at the boldness of the stranger-youth, and
+inquired if he seriously intended to combat the giant.</p>
+
+<p>"Assuredly," said Dobr&uuml;n&auml;, "and with that object am I come to Kiev."</p>
+
+<p>"But knowest thou not, that none can vanquish the giant, except only a
+knight who came into the world unborn?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know it," replied Dobr&uuml;n&auml;, "and that knight am I!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hast thou, then, the sword of Sesostris?"</p>
+
+<p>"Behold it," said Dobr&uuml;n&auml;, as he drew the sword from its scabbard,
+"and if thou wilt permit me, mighty prince, to relate to thee my
+history, thou wilt know that it is I who am appointed by destiny to
+rid the earth of the monster Tugarin."</p>
+
+<p>The monarch joyfully granted him permission, and Dobr&uuml;n&auml; thus
+commenced:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"It is true that I had both a father and a mother, but not the less
+did I behold the light of the world without going through the process
+of being born. Shortly before my mother would have brought me forth,
+she was slain by robbers, during a journey she was making with my
+father, to visit a relation. My father being<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[176]</a></span> also killed, I must
+doubtless have perished, if the beneficent enchantress Dobrada, who
+was just then passing by, had not rescued me, and taken me under her
+protection. She carried me to the beautiful island, in the ocean,
+where she usually dwells, and brought me up with the greatest care.
+She nourished me with the milk of a lioness, bathed me several times a
+day in the waves of the ocean, and inured me by day and night to
+labour and privation. This mode of education rendered my body so
+strong, that in my tenth year, I was already able to tear up the
+strongest trees by the root. Six ancient men instructed me in all the
+six-and-twenty known languages, and in arms, wherein I made such
+progress, that in my fifteenth year I was able to parry at once all
+the six swords of my teachers. Dobrada recompensed me for my diligence
+with the shining armour I now wear, which possesses the virtue of
+protecting my body from every danger.</p>
+
+<p>"Shortly after that time, the enchantress whom I loved and honoured as
+a mother, thus addressed me:&mdash;'Dobr&uuml;n&auml; Mikilitsch, thy education is
+completed, and it is time that in foreign lands thou shouldst by
+knightly deeds acquire renown and honour. Go forth: thou art destined
+for great things. It is not permitted to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[177]</a></span> me to reveal all the future
+to thee; but thus much thou mayst know: thou wilt obtain possession of
+the wondrous sword of the wise Sesostris of Egypt. As soon as thou
+approachest it, the sword thou now wearest will fall of itself to the
+earth, and that of Sesostris will become agitated. Take possession of
+it in peace, for thou wilt require it, for a great service thou must
+render to him in whose armoury thou wilt find it; for with it thou
+wilt destroy a mighty sorcerer and giant, who has worked him much woe.
+Whatever else thou mayst require during thy travels,' continued she,
+'this ring will supply. Thou hast but to turn it three times on thy
+finger, in order to see every reasonable wish fulfilled.'</p>
+
+<p>"She then bade me enter a boat into which she followed me. The boat
+shot through the waves like an arrow, and I presently sank into a
+profound sleep. How long our journey was I know not; for when I awoke
+I found myself alone on a vast plain, not far from a large city. But
+Dobrada could not have long quitted me, for the heavenly perfumes
+which ordinarily surrounded her, yet floated round me, and far in the
+eastern horizon I saw the rose-coloured cloud which always shrouded
+her. My soul was now filled with sadness at the thought that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[178]</a></span> I was
+now separated from the wise and kind Dobrada, whom I loved as my
+mother.</p>
+
+<p>"At length I regained my composure. I wished that I had a horse and
+squire that I might ride into the city that lay near me, and as at the
+same time I accidentally turned on my finger three times the ring,
+whose virtue I scarcely recollected, I saw at once before me a squire
+with two horses, of which I selected the finest and the most richly
+adorned for myself, and left the other for my squire; and thus I rode
+into the city.</p>
+
+<p>"At the gate I was informed that the city was called Boogord, and was
+the capital of the Bulgarian empire. Trewul reigned in Boogord, and
+the giant Tugarin was at his court. The king had been obliged to
+promise him the hand of his sister, in order to avert the total ruin
+of his country, which the giant had devastated until Trewul had
+acceded to his desire. When I appeared in the king's presence, I made
+a very favourable impression on him, and he not only received me into
+his service, but made me keeper of the armoury, the first dignity at
+the Bulgarian court.</p>
+
+<p>"From the first moment that Tugarin beheld me, he manifested the
+bitterest hate towards me; and when I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[179]</a></span> heard what evil he had brought
+on Trewul and his land, I doubted not that he was the sorcerer and
+giant I was destined to overthrow. But the sword of Sesostris was
+still wanting to me. It was however not long before this invaluable
+weapon came into my possession.</p>
+
+<p>"I entered the royal armoury in order to inspect the weapons entrusted
+to my care, and I had scarcely crossed the threshold when the sword I
+wore fell to the ground, and amongst the numerous others that hung
+there, I observed one moving to and fro. I could not doubt that this
+was the wonderful sword of the Egyptian king with which I was to slay
+the giant. I took possession of it with the greater confidence, from
+the knowledge that by its aid I should rid Trewul of so dangerous an
+enemy to himself and his family. I girded it upon me, and hung mine in
+its place.</p>
+
+<p>"From that moment the giant avoided me, knowing most likely by his
+magic art that I was in possession of the sword that was to be fatal
+to him, and ere long he disappeared from Boogord, telling the king he
+was going in search of Milolika.</p>
+
+<p>"I immediately took leave of the king, and set out in pursuit of the
+giant. I gained information on my way that he had gone to Kiev, where
+Milolika resided as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[180]</a></span> thy wife. I hastened after him, and am come, as I
+see, at the right moment to prevent misfortune. I now await thy
+permission, mighty prince, to engage in combat thy enemy and mine."</p>
+
+<p>As he concluded Dobr&uuml;n&auml; bent one knee before the monarch, who rose
+from his seat, and taking the golden chain from his own neck, threw it
+round the knight's with the following words: "Let this mark of my
+favour prove to thee, Dobr&uuml;n&auml; Mikilitsch, how greatly I rejoice to
+have so brave a knight in my service. To-morrow thou shalt engage the
+giant, and I doubt not that thou wilt conquer." He then commanded that
+an apartment should be prepared for him in the palace, and all due
+honour be paid to him. Dobr&uuml;n&auml; returned thanks to the monarch for the
+favours shown him, and took leave in order to repose after his
+journey, and to gather strength for the approaching fight.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time the heralds by Vladimir's command went round the
+city, and summoned the people to assemble on the walls the following
+morning, to witness the combat between the knight and the sorcerer,
+and the priests offered up solemn sacrifices to implore blessings on
+Kiev and the knight against the malignant sorcerer and the powers
+which aided him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[181]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had the purple-tinted Simzerla<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a> spread her glowing mantle
+over the sky, and decked the path of the great light of the world with
+her thousand coloured rays, before the vast population of Kiev
+impatiently thronged to the walls in order not to delay the grand
+spectacle. The monarch attended by his consort and all the magnates of
+the empire, ascended a tribunal which had been hastily erected over
+the principal gate of the city for this great event.</p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> Simzerla was the Aurora of the Slavonians.</p></div>
+
+<p>The clangor of trumpets and horns at length announced the arrival of
+the knight. Ten thousand corsletted warriors rode with uplifted lances
+before him, and drew up in two lines before the gate. After them, on a
+richly caparisoned charger, rode the knight in his shining armour,
+bearing in his hand the precious sword of Sesostris. The people
+welcomed him with a cry of joy, and the warriors clashed their arms as
+he appeared before the gate. With noble bearing and knightly aspect he
+turned his horse and saluted the monarch by thrice lowering his sword.
+"Great ruler of Russia," he began, "at thy command I go forth to fight
+the sorcerer and giant Tugarin, who has presumed to challenge thee to
+combat." "Go forth," replied <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[182]</a></span>Vladimir, "go forth, valiant youth, and
+fight in my name the vile sorcerer: may the Gods give thee victory!"
+Dobr&uuml;n&auml; then dashed at full speed through the lines of warriors to the
+white tent, followed by the acclamations and the blessings of the
+spectators.</p>
+
+<p>The giant, who had been awakened by the unusual noise of the trumpets
+and horns, and the joyful cries of the people, had already mounted his
+horse, and was in the act of riding towards the city to ascertain the
+cause, when he beheld the knight approaching. When he recognised in
+him the dreaded keeper of the Bulgarian monarch's armoury, who was in
+possession of the wonderful sword, he set up a fearful yell. Foaming
+with rage he rushed with out-spread arms against the knight to grasp
+him; but Dobr&uuml;n&auml; laughed at his impotent fury, and in order better to
+overcome him, he first touched with his sword the enchanted horse,
+which immediately crumbled into dust. He then caused the
+magic-destroying weapon of the wise Sesostris to gleam over the head
+of the sorcerer, who, by the sudden crumbling of his horse, had fallen
+to the earth. Tugarin's destruction seemed inevitable, and the
+beholders from the walls already shouted forth their plaudits to the
+victor, when at once all the powers <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[183]</a></span>of hell broke forth to aid
+their beloved son. A stream of fire crackled between the combatants,
+fiery serpents hissed around the knight, and a thick cloud of smoke
+enveloped the giant. But short was this infernal display. Dobr&uuml;n&auml;
+touched the stream with his sword, made a few strokes with it in the
+air, and the fiery flood and the hissing serpents vanished. He then
+approached the smoke which concealed the giant, but scarcely had he
+thrust his sword into it, when like the enchantments that also
+disappeared. The giant was seen outstretched on the ground, and heard
+to roar with terror. No sooner did he perceive that the smoke which
+concealed him had vanished, than he sprang up and rushed, as if in
+madness, on the knight. Dobr&uuml;n&auml; awaited him unmoved, and as the giant
+stretched forth his monstrous hands for the second time to seize him,
+he cut them both off with a single stroke. The second stroke of that
+wondrous sword, wielded by the strong hand of the knight, severed the
+vile head from the shoulders. The colossus fell, and the earth shook
+beneath his weight.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_183.jpg" width="500" height="723" alt="THE DRAGON GIANT."  />
+<span class="caption">THE DRAGON GIANT.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Then the people lifted up a cry of joy. A hundred thousand voices
+shouted, "Long live our monarch, and the conqueror of the giant,
+Dobr&uuml;n&auml; Mikilitsch!"</p>
+
+<p>The knight, who had dismounted to raise the fallen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[184]</a></span> enemy's head on
+the point of his sword in sign of victory, was about to remount in
+order to give the monarch an account of his combat, when he beheld him
+coming towards him, accompanied by his consort and the magnates of the
+empire. The courteous knight hastened forward and laid the giant's
+head at his feet. The great prince embraced him in presence of the
+assembled people, and placed on his finger a gold ring, whilst
+Milolika hung around him a gold-embroidered scarf. Dobr&uuml;n&auml; bent his
+knee and thanked the royal pair in graceful and courteous words for
+these marks of favour. They then all returned full of joy to the city,
+where the festivities and rejoicings in honour of the knight lasted
+many weeks.</p>
+
+<p>Vladimir also despatched messengers to his brother-in-law, Trewul, to
+inform him of his marriage with the beautiful Milolika, and the
+overthrow of their common enemy, the giant Tugarin. Dobr&uuml;n&auml; however
+remained at the court of Vladimir, and performed many more great and
+valiant deeds, which procured him great fame and honour, and rendered
+great service to the monarch, and he became the most beloved and most
+esteemed, both by prince and people, of all the knights in Vladimir's
+court.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[185]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_STORY_OF_SIVA_AND_MADHAVA" id="THE_STORY_OF_SIVA_AND_MADHAVA"></a>THE STORY OF SIVA AND MADHAVA.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Sanskrit.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_186.jpg" alt="T" width="125" height="117" /></div>
+<p>here still exists a town famed for its splendour and richness, called
+Ratnapura. In it there once dwelt two rogues, Siva and Madhava, who,
+with the help of their confederates, contrived to make both rich and
+poor of that place victims to their cunning and rapacity.</p>
+
+<p>Once these two individuals met together to consult. "This town," they
+said, "has so entirely been laid under contribution by us, that we can
+have no reasonable hopes of any further success; let us, therefore, go
+to Ujjayini, and settle ourselves down there. The house-priest of the
+king, Sankar'aswarni by name, is considered a very rich man, and if,
+by some contrivance, we could possess ourselves of his treasures, it
+would be easy to curry favour with the charming and lovely<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[186]</a></span> women of
+the Malavese. The Brahmins, without exception, call him avaricious and
+miserly, for, though so rich that he measures his treasures by the
+bushel, he begrudges every offering to their altars, and it is only on
+compulsion he gives a portion of the dues. It is also well known that
+he has a remarkably beautiful daughter, whom, if we once are able to
+gain his confidence, one of us must receive as a wife from his own
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>After this, these two rogues, Siva and Madhava, having first matured
+their plans and resolved upon the parts each individually was to play,
+took their departure from the city of Ratnapura and soon arrived at
+Ujjayini.</p>
+
+<p>Madhava, disguised as a Rajput, remained with his followers in a small
+village outside the city; but Siva, more versed in all the arts of
+deceit, entered the town alone, garbed in the habit of a devout
+penitent. He built a cell on an elevated place on the banks of the
+Sipra, from whence he could be well observed, and here he laid on the
+ground a deer-skin, a pot wherein to collect alms, some darbha-grass,
+and some clay.</p>
+
+<p>At the first dawn of morning he rubbed his whole body over with clay;
+he then entered the river, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[187]</a></span> remained with his head for a
+considerable time under the water; leaving the bath, he steadfastly
+fixed his gaze on the sun, then, holding in his hand some kusa-grass,
+he knelt before the image of a god, murmuring his prayers; he then
+plucked holy flowers, which he sacrificed to Siva, and when his
+offering was concluded he again began to pray, and remained long lost
+in deepest devotion.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day, in order to gather alms, he wandered through the
+town, mute, as if dumb, leaning on a staff, and his only raiment
+consisting of the small skin of a black gazelle. After having made his
+collections at the houses of the Brahmins, he divided the gifts
+received into three parts; the first he gave to the crows, the second
+to the first person he met, and with the third he fed himself; then
+slowly counting the beads of his rosary, with constant and fervent
+prayers, he returned to his cell. The nights he devoted, apparently,
+to deepest meditation, and to the solution of great religious and
+philosophical questions.</p>
+
+<p>Thus, by daily repeating these deceptions, he impressed on the
+inhabitants so great an idea of his sanctity that he was universally
+revered; and, when he passed, the people of Ujjayini reverentially
+bowed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[188]</a></span> and knelt before him, exclaiming, "This is, indeed, a holy
+man!"</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, his friend Madhava had, through his spies, received
+intelligence of all these doings, and now, magnificently dressed like
+a Rajput he also entered the city. He took up his abode in an adjacent
+temple, and went to the banks of the Sipra to bathe in the river.
+After having performed his ablutions, Madhava saw Siva, who, lost in
+prayer, knelt before the image of the god. The former then, along with
+his retinue, prostrated himself in reverence before the holy man; and
+addressing the people around him, said, "There lives not on earth a
+more devout penitent; more than once in my travels have I seen him,
+when, as here, he has been visiting the sacred rivers and the holy
+places of pilgrimage."</p>
+
+<p>Though Siva had well observed and heard his companion, no feature
+betrayed the fact; immoveably as before, he continued in his devotion.
+Madhava soon after returned to his dwelling.</p>
+
+<p>In the depth of night in a lonely place they again met, where, after
+having well feasted, they consulted together upon their next
+proceedings. At the dawn of morning Siva returned to his cell, and
+Madhava commanded one of his companions at an early hour of the day as
+follows:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[189]</a></span> "Take these two robes of honour and present them to
+Sankar'aswarni, the house-priest of the king, and address him
+thus:&mdash;'A Rajput named Madhava, treacherously assaulted, and by his
+nearest relations driven from his empire, has, with the vast treasures
+of his father, taken refuge in these realms, and is anxious to present
+himself before the king and offer him the faithful and gratuitous
+services of himself and his brave followers. He has therefore sent me
+to thee, thou ocean of fame, to beg thy permission to visit him.'" As
+Madhava had commanded him, the follower, holding the robes of honour
+in his hands, waited at the house of the priest. Watching a favourable
+opportunity when the priest was alone, he presented himself before
+him, laid the presents at his feet, and delivered Madhava's message.
+The priest, full of dignity, received them condescendingly, and
+longing for some of the treasures to which the messenger had made no
+slight allusions, he graciously acquiesced in the demand.</p>
+
+<p>Madhava consequently went the following day at a proper hour to visit
+the priest, accompanied by his followers, dressed like courtiers, in
+magnificent robes, and with silver spears in their hands. A messenger
+was sent in advance to announce them, and the priest<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[190]</a></span> receiving them
+at the entrance of his house, most reverentially saluted them, and
+gave them the very best welcome. Madhava after having passed a short
+time in pleasant conversation, and made a favourable impression on the
+priest, returned to his own dwelling.</p>
+
+<p>The following day he again sent two robes of honour, and then
+presented himself to the priest, saying: "We are anxious as early as
+possible to enter the service of the king, for time hangs heavily on
+our hands; let our sole recompense be the honour of attending him, for
+we have sufficient treasures for all our wants."</p>
+
+<p>When the priest had heard this, hoping to extract large sums from him,
+he granted his request, and immediately went to the king, who, out of
+esteem and love for his religious adviser, at once permitted the
+introduction of the Rajput at court.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day the priest formally introduced Madhava and his
+followers to the king, who graciously, and with honours received them,
+and at once appointed the former to fill a high station in the
+household, for he was greatly pleased with his appearance, which in
+everything resembled that of a high-born Rajput. Thus was Madhava
+fairly installed at court, but every night he went secretly to Siva,
+to consult with him about their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[191]</a></span> plans. Once the avaricious priest
+said to Madhava, who with his rich presents had shown him marked
+attention: "Come and live in my house," and as he pressed him very
+much, Madhava and his followers removed to the spacious dwelling of
+the priest.</p>
+
+<p>Madhava had procured a great quantity of ornaments and trinkets set
+with false stones, wondrously well imitated; these he had inclosed in
+a jewel-box, which, slightly opening it that the priest might learn
+its contents, he begged him to deposit in his treasury. By this
+artifice he entirely won his confidence, and being thus secure, he
+feigned illness, and by abstaining for several days from taking any
+food, at last grew so thin and emaciated, that he had every appearance
+of being in a very alarming state of health. A few more days thus
+passed away, and the illness seemed to make rapid progress, when in a
+faint voice he thus addressed the priest, who was sitting at the side
+of his bed: "The malady which is devouring my strength and energies
+seems a retribution from the Gods for some of the sins my flesh has
+committed; bring therefore to me, O wise and pious man, some
+distinguished Brahmin to whom I may bequeath my treasures to insure my
+salvation here and there; for what man, even of ordinary<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[192]</a></span> wisdom
+would, when life is ebbing, set value on gold or jewels!"</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon the priest answered: "I will do as thou wishest."</p>
+
+<p>Out of gratitude, Madhava knelt down and kissed his feet. But whatever
+Brahmin the priest brought to the sick man, not one pleased him; he
+said an inward voice told him that their life was not pure enough,
+their favour with Brahma not sufficient. When this had been several
+times repeated, with the same result, one of the rogues, who was
+standing by, suggested in a low tone of voice, "As not one of all
+these Brahmins seems worthy of the benefits intended to be conferred;
+the holy priest, Siva, so celebrated for his sanctity, who dwells on
+the shores of the Sipra, might be sent for: perhaps he might find
+favour with our master."</p>
+
+<p>Madhava when appealed to, sighed heavily, and as if unable in his
+agony to articulate, bowed his head by way of consent. The priest
+forthwith rose and went to Siva, whom he found absorbed in deepest
+meditation. After having walked round him without being observed, he
+at last placed himself on the ground facing him. The impostor having
+finished his long-protracted prayers,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[193]</a></span> raised his eyes, when the
+priest reverentially saluted him, and said: "Most holy man, if thou
+wouldst permit me, I have a petition to make to thee; there lives at
+my house a very rich Rajput, by name, Madhava, born in the south, and
+lately arrived from thence. He is dying, and wishes for some holy
+individual to whom he may give his riches; if it should please thee, I
+think it is for thee he intends all his treasures, which consist in
+ornaments and jewels of inestimable value."</p>
+
+<p>Siva having attentively listened to this, thoughtfully and slowly
+answered: "Brahmin, how should I, whose whole earthly striving and
+longing is after immortal reward; whose only aspiration is heaven,
+there to have my prayers and my privations recognised and approved;
+whose meagre maintenance is derived from alms of the charitable; how
+should I feel any wish or desire for earthly possessions?"</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon the king's priest answered: "Say not so, noble and pious
+man! Well you know the pleasure of the God towards the Brahmin-priest,
+who in his own person is able to offer hospitality to the Gods and to
+man; who within his own house can welcome and relieve the devout
+pilgrim; who with rich contributions can assist in the embellishments
+of their temples and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[194]</a></span> the splendour of their service, and who by
+taking a wife can extend his sphere of utility and philanthropy. Only
+by the possession of treasures these things are achievable, therefore
+it is laudable in man to strive after wealth. The father of a family
+is the best of Brahmins."</p>
+
+<p>To which Siva answered: "Whence should I take a wife? My poverty
+prevents my alliance with any great family."</p>
+
+<p>When the priest heard this he thought the treasures already his own,
+and having found a favourable opportunity, he said to him: "I have an
+unmarried daughter, her name is Vinyasvamini; she is most beautiful;
+her I will give thee to wife. The treasure that will be thine through
+the generosity of Madhava, I will guard and preserve for thee; choose,
+therefore, the pleasures and the bliss of the married state."</p>
+
+<p>Siva attentively and with inward pleasure listened to the words of the
+priest, in which he saw their deep-laid scheme and their anxious
+wishes brought into fulfilment, and with diffidence he answered:
+"Brahmin, if by so doing I shall be able to please you and gain your
+favour, I consent to it; and as regards the treasure, to you I leave
+the whole and sole control and management thereof,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[195]</a></span> as neither my
+understanding nor inclination lies in that direction."</p>
+
+<p>Rejoiced at this answer of Siva, the priest forthwith took him into
+his house, assigned him a suite of apartments there, and announced to
+Madhava his arrival and what he had done, for which the latter warmly
+thanked him. Next the priest gave his unhappy daughter in marriage to
+Siva, thus sacrificing her to his avarice; and on the third day after
+the nuptials he led the bridegroom to Madhava, who now assumed a
+faintness as if in the last gasp of dissolution. After a pause,
+apparently rallying all his strength, he said: "In deepest humiliation
+I salute thee, most holy man, and beg of thee to accept, as I am dying
+and shall have no use for it, all that I possess of earthly wealth."
+He then had the artfully imitated jewels brought from the priest's
+treasury, and according to the sacred rites and customs on such
+occasions, had them presented to Siva. The latter, in accepting them,
+handed them over to the priest without even looking at them, saying,
+"Of such things I understand nothing, but you know their value."</p>
+
+<p>"I will take care of them, as agreed between us," answered the priest;
+and again deposited the supposed treasure in its former place of
+security. Siva, after<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[196]</a></span> having in solemn words pronounced his blessing
+over Madhava, returned to the apartments of his wife.</p>
+
+<p>The following day Madhava seemed already greatly recovered, and
+ascribed this wonderful change to the influence of his gift and the
+holiness of the man on whom he had bestowed it. In warmest terms, he
+thanked the priest for his kind interference, and assured him of his
+everlasting gratitude. With Siva he now openly allied himself,
+praising him every where, and declaring that through his great powers
+alone his life had been preserved.</p>
+
+<p>After the lapse of a few days Siva said to the priest, "It is not
+right that I thus should continue to live in thy house where I must be
+of vast expense to thee; thou hadst better give me a sum, if only
+corresponding with half the value of the gems, which you consider so
+precious."</p>
+
+<p>The priest, who in reality priced these jewels and ornaments at an
+inestimable sum, a sum capable of purchasing an empire, was very glad
+to assent to such a proposition; and with the idea of giving something
+like the twentieth part of their value, he gave him all the money he
+possessed. He then had documents drawn out, in which on both sides the
+exchange of the properties<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[197]</a></span> was legally secured, for fear that Siva in
+the course of time might repent of his bargain. They then separated,
+Siva and his wife living in greatest joy and happiness, and soon they
+were joined by Madhava, with whom the former now divided the treasures
+of the priest.</p>
+
+<p>After some years the priest wanted money to make some purchase, and
+taking a part of the ornaments, he went to a goldsmith who had a stand
+in the market to offer them for sale. This man, who was a great judge,
+after narrowly examining them, cried out, full of astonishment&mdash;"The
+man who has manufactured these must indeed be a great artisan; for
+though of no intrinsic value, they are the finest and most wonderful
+imitations that ever were worked out of such materials; for these
+stones are nothing but glass, and the setting nothing but gilt metal."</p>
+
+<p>Having heard this, the priest, breathless though full of despair, ran
+back to his house, fetched the contents of the whole casket, and,
+unwilling to believe, went from one merchant to the other to have his
+treasure examined; but in every instance the answer was the
+same&mdash;"Only glass and brass!" The priest, as if he had been struck by
+lightning, fell senseless on the ground, and had to be carried home;
+but early the following morning having<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[198]</a></span> recovered, he ran to Siva and
+said to him, "Take back thy jewels, and return me my money."</p>
+
+<p>This the other refused, alleging that the greater part of it had
+already been expended, and the rest he had so invested as to be most
+useful for his wife and children.</p>
+
+<p>Thus disputing they both went before the king, on whom Madhava at the
+time was in attendance. The priest in the following words made the
+king acquainted with his case: "Behold, my gracious king, these
+ornaments; they are all artfully manufactured out of valueless metal,
+coloured pieces of glass and crystal. Without knowing this, and
+believing them real, I have given Siva my whole fortune in exchange
+for them, and he already has spent it."</p>
+
+<p>To which Siva answered: "From my very childhood, mighty king, have I
+lived in holy seclusion and devotion; from this seclusion the father
+of my wife drew me forth, pressed and entreated me to accept the gift
+of honour, with the value of which I was wholly ignorant; but he
+assured me he was aware of its great pecuniary worth, and he would
+guarantee it to me. On my accepting it, without even giving it a look,
+I handed it over to him: he afterwards voluntarily purchased it from
+me, giving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[199]</a></span> me his own price, and in proof of this I adduce this
+contract in his own handwriting: now, mighty ruler, judge between us;
+I have in truth laid the case fairly before you."</p>
+
+<p>Siva having thus concluded his defence, Madhava addressed himself to
+the priest, saying: "Speak not derogatorily of this holy man, now your
+son. Whatever the cause of your grievance, he is innocent, as you
+yourself are good and upright; but I also owe an explanation to my
+liege and master. In what way can I have committed myself?&mdash;neither
+from you nor him have I taken or accepted the least benefit. The
+fortune my father left me I had for years given into the custody of an
+old and tried friend of our house; removing it from thence I presented
+it, under the circumstances your majesty is aware of, to this Brahmin.
+But if they had not been real gems, but only worthless metal and glass
+as this worthy priest intimates, by what means was my restoration to
+health so wonderfully wrought? That I gave it with pure and honest
+intention, witness for me the all but miracle by which I was saved!"</p>
+
+<p>Thus spoke Madhava without changing a feature; but the king and his
+ministers laughed, and testified the good opinion they entertained for
+him. They then<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[200]</a></span> pronounced the following judgment:&mdash;"Neither Siva nor
+Madhava are in the least to blame, they are wholly innocent."</p>
+
+<p>In sorrow and shame the priest went his way, robbed of his whole
+fortune, and punished for his avarice and the heartless manner in
+which he had sacrificed his daughter; though fortunately for her and
+no thanks to her father, she found in Siva a good and affectionate
+husband.</p>
+
+<p>The two rogues altered their mode of life: thenceforward they walked
+in the path of virtue and well-doing; and favoured by the king, whom
+they faithfully served, they lived many years honoured, respected, and
+happy in Ujjayini.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[201]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_GOBLIN_BIRD" id="THE_GOBLIN_BIRD"></a>THE GOBLIN BIRD.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Betschuanian, South Africa.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_202.jpg" alt="T" width="140" height="147" /></div>
+<p>wo brothers one day set out from their father's hut, to seek their
+fortune. The name of the elder one was Maszilo, the younger one was
+called Mazziloniane. After a few days' journeying they reached a
+plain, from which branched two roads; the one led eastwards, the other
+westwards. The first road was covered with the footmarks of cattle,
+the other with the footmarks of dogs. Maszilo followed the latter
+road, his brother went in the opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>After some days travelling Mazziloniane passed a hill which formerly
+had been inhabited, and felt not a little astonished at beholding a
+great quantity of earthen vessels, all of which were placed upside
+down. In the hope of finding some treasure concealed under them, he
+removed several, until he came to one of immense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[202]</a></span> size. Mazziloniane,
+gathering all his strength, gave it a violent push, but the vessel
+remained immoveable. The young traveller now doubled his exertions,
+but in vain. Twice he was obliged to fasten the girdle round his
+loins, which through his exertions had burst; the vessel seemed as if
+rooted to the ground. But all at once, as if by magic, it was upset by
+a slight touch, and revealed to the youthful and trembling
+Mazziloniane, a hideous and deformed giant.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_203.jpg" width="500" height="582" alt=""  />
+</div>
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[203]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Why dost thou disturb me?" demanded the monster, in a voice of
+thunder.</p>
+
+<p>Mazziloniane, having recovered from his first fright, observed with
+horror that one of the legs of the giant was as thick as the stem of a
+large tree, whilst the other was of an ordinary size.</p>
+
+<p>"As a well-merited punishment for thy temerity in disturbing me, thou
+shalt henceforth carry me about;" and so saying the monster jumped on
+the shoulders of the unfortunate youth, who, unable to support such a
+weight, fell prostrate on the ground. Recovering himself with
+difficulty, he endeavoured to advance a few steps, and again he fell
+to the earth, his strength now wholly failing him. But the sight of an
+eland, which was swiftly passing by, presented to his mind the means
+of delivery.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear father," said he, with trembling voice, to the abortion,
+"release me for a moment; the reason why I cannot carry you is that I
+have nothing wherewith to fasten you to my back; give me a few moments
+to kill the eland which has just passed by, and out of its hide I will
+cut some thongs for that purpose."</p>
+
+<p>His demand was granted, and with the dogs that had accompanied him he
+disappeared from the plain.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[204]</a></span> After he had run a considerable distance
+he took refuge in a cavern. But the thick-legged monster, tired of
+waiting, soon followed, and wherever he discovered a footmark of the
+youth, he in a mocking voice cried out:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"The pretty little footmark of my dear child, the pretty little
+footmark of Mazziloniane."</p>
+
+<p>The youth heard him approaching, and felt the ground tremble under his
+steps. Seized with despair he left the cavern, and calling his dogs,
+he set them on the enemy; stroking and encouraging them, he said&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"On! my brave dogs, kill him, devour him, but leave his thick leg for
+me."</p>
+
+<p>The dogs obeyed the command of their master, and soon there was
+nothing left but the deformed and shapeless leg, which now he
+fearlessly approached, and with his axe cut into pieces, and, O
+wonder! out of it came a herd of most beautiful cows, one of them
+being as white as the driven snow; overjoyed he drove the cattle
+before him, taking the road leading to his father's hut.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the other brother having got possession of a great number of
+dogs, he also returned towards his home, and they both now met on the
+same place where they so shortly before had separated. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[205]</a></span> younger
+embracing the elder brother, offered him part of his herd, saying to
+him: "As fortune has favoured me most, take what you like, but you
+must leave me the white cow, for to no one else can she ever belong."</p>
+
+<p>But Maszilo seemed to have placed his every desire upon this very
+animal; regardless of all the rest, he begged and intreated his
+brother to give up to him the possession thereof; but in vain were his
+prayers. Having journeyed together for two days, on the third day they
+came to a spring&mdash;"Let us tarry here," said Maszilo, "I am faint and
+exhausted with thirst; let us dig a deep hole, and convey the water
+into it, that it may get cool and fresh."</p>
+
+<p>When they had dug the well, Maszilo went in search of a great flat
+stone, and with it covered the hole to protect the water from being
+heated by the rays of the sun; after the water had been sufficiently
+cooled, Maszilo drank first. His brother was now going to do the same,
+but the moment he bent himself over the well, Maszilo suddenly taking
+him by the hair, forced his head under the water, and held it there
+until he was suffocated; he then pushed the corpse into the hole, and
+covered it over with the stone.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>With drooping head, though now sole master of the herd, the murderer
+proceeded on his journey, but hardly had he advanced a few steps, when
+a little bird perched on the horn of the white cow, and in a mournful
+tune sang: "Tsiri! tsiri! Maszilo killed Mazziloniane to get
+possession of the white cow which the murdered brother so much loved."</p>
+
+<p>Enraged, he killed the bird with a stone, but hardly had he
+sufficiently recovered himself to proceed on his journey, when the
+bird again came flying, placed itself on the same spot, and repeated
+the same words; Maszilo again killed him with a stone, and then
+crushed him with his heavy staff; but within a few minutes the bird
+reappeared for the third time, again perching on the horn of the cow,
+and repeating the same words.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Demon!" cried Maszilo, choking with rage, "I will try a more
+effectual way to silence thee;" whereupon he threw his staff at the
+hated little bird, who in such doleful tunes had stirred up and
+upbraided his conscience-stricken soul: he again killed it, and then
+lighting a fire, in it he burnt the bird to ashes, which he scattered
+in the winds.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_209.jpg" width="500" height="715" alt="THE GOBLIN BIRD."  />
+<span class="caption">THE GOBLIN BIRD.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>Now convinced that the goblin-bird would return no more, Maszilo, full
+of pride and hardiness, returned to <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[207]</a></span>his father's dwelling. On his
+arrival there, he was surrounded by all the villagers, who, full of
+curiosity, gathered around him, in admiration of the rich flock, and
+praised his good fortune, but the first impulse of their curiosity
+satiated, they almost with one voice inquired "Where is Mazziloniane?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know not; we went different ways," answered he.</p>
+
+<p>Many of his relations now surrounded the white cow, and exclaimed: "Oh
+how beautiful she is! what fine hair! what a pure colour! happy the
+man that owns such a treasure!"</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly, their exclamations were changed into deep silence, for upon
+one of the horns of the much-admired animal appeared a little bird,
+singing in most melancholy strains, "Tsiri! tsiri! Maszilo killed
+Mazziloniane, to get possession of the white cow which the murdered
+brother so much loved."</p>
+
+<p>"What! has Maszilo killed his brother?" all exclaimed, and, full of
+horror, turned away from the murderer, unable to account to themselves
+for the emotion he inspired, and the strangeness of the disclosure.
+Infuriated, they drove Maszilo from their home, into the desert: in
+the confusion this occasioned, the little bird flew to the murdered
+man's sister, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[208]</a></span> whispered in her ear, "I am the soul of
+Mazziloniane; Maszilo has killed me; my body lies in a well near the
+desert, go bury it&mdash;" and then the bird flew back into the desert,
+evermore to be the companion of the murderer.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[209]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_SHEPHERD_AND_THE_SERPENT" id="THE_SHEPHERD_AND_THE_SERPENT"></a>THE SHEPHERD AND THE SERPENT.</h2>
+
+<h3>[German, Traditional.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_212.jpg" alt="I" width="100" height="107" /></div>
+<p>n a peaceful, pleasantly situated little village, there once lived a
+poor shepherd youth. Near the village was a valley, a lonely retired
+spot, whither the youth always guided his flock; and it seemed as
+though he had selected that quiet valley for his favourite retreat. He
+never took his noon-day meal, nor lay down to repose in the cool
+shade, except in that beloved place. Thither was he ever drawn by an
+irresistible longing.</p>
+
+<p>The place itself was simple enough&mdash;a rugged block of stone, beneath
+which murmured a little rivulet, and a wild cherry-tree which
+overshadowed the stone with its leafy branches, were all that was to
+be seen there; but the youth felt happy when he spread his meal<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[210]</a></span> upon
+that stone, and drank from that streamlet. When, after having partaken
+of his meal, he stretched himself to rest upon the stone, he would
+fancy he heard a mysterious singing, and sometimes a sighing too,
+beneath it; he would then listen and watch, but would finally slumber
+and dream. His spirit seemed to be ever wrapped in mysterious
+unearthly happiness. On going forth with his flocks in the morning,
+and returning home with them in the evening, this unaccountable
+longing seemed always to take possession of him. He liked not to
+accompany the throng of merry village youths and maidens who went
+about singing and frolicking on festive evenings, but preferred to
+walk alone, silent and even melancholy. But when the fair morning
+dawned again, and he went forth with his lambs over heath and meadow,
+his spirit grew ever more serene as he drew nearer to the beloved
+stone and to the shade of the dear cherry-tree. It often happened,
+too, that whilst he rested there and played upon his flute, a
+silver-white serpent came out from under the stone, and after
+wreathing herself caressingly at his feet, would then erect herself
+and gaze upon the shepherd, until two big tears would roll from her
+eyes, and then she softly slid back again:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[211]</a></span> on these occasions a still
+more peculiar and strange feeling filled the shepherd's heart.</p>
+
+<p>At length he altogether ceased to associate with the merry band of
+youths and maidens; their mirthsome noise was unpleasant to him;
+whilst, on the contrary, the still solitude became more and more dear
+to him.</p>
+
+<p>One lovely Sunday in the spring time&mdash;it was Trinity Sunday, which the
+peasants call "Golden Sunday," and which they always keep with
+especial festivity&mdash;when the youth of the village were to have a merry
+dance beneath the linden-trees, the pensive shepherd boy, drawn by
+that inexpressible longing, directed his steps at mid-day to the
+lonely valley of the stone and cherry-tree. He gazed serenely upon the
+dear spot, and then sat down and listened musingly to the rustling of
+the leaves and the mysterious sounds under the stone, when suddenly a
+bright light shone before his eyes, a pang of terror shot through his
+heart, and looking up he saw a beauteous form arrayed in white like an
+angel, standing before him with a soft expression and folded hands,
+whilst with transported senses he heard a sweet voice thus address
+him: "O youth, fear not, but hear the supplication of an unhappy
+maiden, and do not drive me from thee, nor flee from my misfortune. I
+am a noble<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[212]</a></span> princess, and have immense treasures of pearls and gold;
+but for many hundred years I have languished under enchantment, have
+been banished beneath this stone, and am doomed to glide about in the
+form of a serpent. In that shape I have often gazed on thee and
+conceived the hope that thou mayest release me. Thou art still pure in
+heart as a child. Only once throughout the whole year, this very hour
+on Golden Sunday, am I permitted to wander on the earth in my own
+form; and if I then find a youth with a pure heart, I may implore him
+for my deliverance. Release me then, thou beloved one! release me, I
+implore thee by all that is holy!"&mdash;The maiden sank at the shepherd's
+feet, which she clasped as she looked up to him weeping. The heart of
+the youth heaved with transport; he raised the angelic maiden and
+faltered out: "Oh say only what I must do to free thee, thou fair
+beloved one!"</p>
+
+<p>"Return hither to-morrow at the same hour," replied she, "and when I
+appear before thee in my serpent form, and wind myself around thee,
+and thrice kiss thee, do not, oh! do not shudder, else must I again
+languish enchanted here for another century!" She vanished, and again
+a soft sighing and singing issued from beneath the stone.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[213]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On the following day, at the hour of noon, the shepherd, not without
+fear in his heart, waited at the appointed place, and supplicated
+Heaven for strength and constancy at the trying moment of the
+serpent's kiss. Already the silver-white serpent glided from beneath
+the stone, approached the youth, twined herself round his body, and
+raised her serpent head, with its bright eyes, to kiss him. He
+remained steady, and endured the three kisses. A mighty crash was then
+heard, and dreadful thunders rolled around the youth, who had fallen
+senseless on the ground. A magic change passed over him, and when he
+was restored to his senses, he found himself lying on white cushions
+of silk, in a richly-adorned chamber, with the beautiful maiden
+kneeling by his couch, holding his hand to her heart. "Oh, thanks be
+to Heaven!" exclaimed she, when he opened his eyes; "receive my
+thanks, beloved youth, for my deliverance, and take as thy reward my
+fair lands, and this palace with all its rich treasures, and take me
+too as thy faithful wife: thou shalt henceforth be happy, and have
+plenitude of joy!"</p>
+
+<p>And the shepherd was happy and joyful; that longing of his heart which
+had so often drawn him towards the stone, was gloriously satisfied. He
+dwelt, remote<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[214]</a></span> from the world, in the bosom of happiness, with his
+fair spouse; and he never wished himself back on earth, nor amongst
+his lambs again. But in the village there was great lamentation for
+the shepherd who had so suddenly vanished: they sought him in the
+valley, and by the stone under the cherry-tree, whither he had last
+gone, but neither the shepherd, nor the stone, nor the cherry-tree
+were to be found any longer; and no human eye ever again beheld any
+trace of either.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[215]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_EXPEDITIOUS_FROG" id="THE_EXPEDITIOUS_FROG"></a>THE EXPEDITIOUS FROG.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Wendian.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_218.jpg" alt="I" width="125" height="123" /></div>
+<p>&nbsp; fox came one day at full speed to a pond to drink. A frog who was
+sitting there, began to croak at him. Then, said the fox, "Be off with
+you, or I'll swallow you."</p>
+
+<p>The frog, however, replied: "Don't give yourself such airs; I am
+swifter than you!"</p>
+
+<p>At this the fox laughed; but as the frog persisted in boasting of his
+swiftness, the fox said at length: "Now, then, we will both run to the
+next town, and we shall see which can go the faster."</p>
+
+<p>Then the fox turned round, and as he did so, the frog leapt up into
+his bushy tail. Off went the fox, and when he reached the gate of the
+city, he turned round again to see if he could spy the frog coming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[216]</a></span>
+after him. As he did so, the frog hopped out of his tail on the
+ground. The fox, after looking all about without being able to see the
+frog, turned round once more in order to enter the city.</p>
+
+<p>Then the frog called out to him: "So! you are come at last? I am just
+going back again, for I really thought you meant not to come at all."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[217]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="EASTWARD_OF_THE_SUN_AND_WESTWARD_OF_THE_MOON" id="EASTWARD_OF_THE_SUN_AND_WESTWARD_OF_THE_MOON"></a>EASTWARD OF THE SUN, AND WESTWARD OF THE MOON.</h2>
+<h3>[Norwegian.]</h3>
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_220.jpg" alt="I" width="100" height="106" /></div>
+<p>n days of yore there lived a poor charcoal-burner who had many
+children. His poverty was so great, that he knew not how to feed them
+from day to day, and they had scarcely any clothes to cover them.
+Nevertheless all the children were very beautiful, but the youngest
+daughter was the most beautiful of them all.</p>
+
+<p>Now it happened on a Thursday evening, late in the autumn, that a
+terrible storm came on. It was dark as pitch, the rain came down in
+torrents, and the wind blew till the windows cracked again. The whole
+family sat round the hearth, busy with their different occupations;
+suddenly some one gave three loud knocks at the window; the man went
+out to see whom it could be, and when he got outside the door, he saw
+standing by it, a great white bear.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[218]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Good evening to you!" said the bear.</p>
+
+<p>"Good evening!" said the man.</p>
+
+<p>"I have called," said the bear, "to say that if you will give me your
+youngest daughter in marriage, I will make you as rich as you now are
+poor."</p>
+
+<p>The man thought that would not be amiss, but he considered that he
+must first consult his daughter on the subject; so he stepped in, and
+told her that a great white bear was outside the door, who had
+promised to make him as rich as he was now poor, provided he would
+give him his youngest daughter in marriage. The maiden, however, said
+"No," and would hear nothing at all about the matter; so the man went
+out again, spoke very civilly to the bear, and told him to call again
+next Thursday evening, and in the mean time he would try what could be
+done. During the week they tried to persuade the maiden, and told her
+all kinds of fine things as to the riches they were to have, and how
+well she herself would be provided for, till at last she consented. So
+she washed the two or three things she had, dressed herself as well as
+she could, and made herself ready for the journey.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_223.jpg" width="500" height="720" alt="EASTWARD OF THE SUN AND WESTWARD OF THE MOON."  />
+<span class="caption">EASTWARD OF THE SUN AND WESTWARD OF THE MOON.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>When the bear returned the following Thursday evening, all was ready:
+the maiden took her bundle in <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[219]</a></span>her hand, seated herself on his back,
+and off they went. When they had gone a good way, the bear asked her:
+"Do you feel sad?"</p>
+
+<p>No, that she did not in the least.</p>
+
+<p>"Mind you hold fast by my shaggy coat," said the bear, "and then there
+will be nothing to fear."</p>
+
+<p>Thus she rode on the bear's back far far away&mdash;indeed nobody can say
+precisely how far it was&mdash;and at last they arrived at a great rock.
+The bear knocked, and a door opened, through which they entered a
+large castle, in which were a great many rooms, all lighted with
+lamps, and glittering with gold and silver: there was also a grand
+saloon, and in the saloon stood a table covered with the most costly
+viands. The bear then gave her a silver bell, which he told her to
+ring when she wanted anything, and it would immediately be brought to
+her. Now after she had eaten and drunk, and towards evening grew
+tired, and wished to go to bed, she rang her bell, and immediately a
+door opened into a chamber, where there was as beautiful a bed as she
+could wish for, ready prepared for her; the pillows were covered with
+silk, and the curtains fringed with gold, and all her toilette
+utensils were of silver and gold. As soon, however, as she had
+extinguished<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[220]</a></span> the light, and lay down in her bed, some one came and
+lay down by her side, and this happened every night; but she could
+never see who it was, as the person never came till after the light
+was put out, and always went away before day-break.</p>
+
+<p>Thus she lived for some time, contented and happy, till at length she
+felt so great a desire to see her parents, and brothers and sisters,
+that she grew quite dull and melancholy. Then the bear asked her one
+day why she was always so still and thoughtful.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" replied she, "I feel so lonely here in the castle, for I so much
+wish to see my parents, and brothers and sisters, once more."</p>
+
+<p>"That you can easily do," said the bear, "but you must promise me that
+you will never converse with your mother alone, but only when all the
+others are present; for she will try to take you by the hand and lead
+you into another room, in order to speak to you alone, but do not
+consent to it, for if you do, she will make both you and me unhappy."</p>
+
+<p>The maiden said she would be very careful to do as he desired her.</p>
+
+<p>The following Sunday the bear came to her, and said she might now
+begin her journey to her parents.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[221]</a></span> She seated herself on his back, and
+they commenced their journey. After they had travelled a very long
+time, they came to a great white castle, and she saw her sisters going
+in and out, and all was so beautiful and grand, it was quite a
+pleasure to behold it.</p>
+
+<p>"That is where your parents dwell," said the bear, "now do not forget
+what I have said to you, or you will make yourself and me very
+miserable."</p>
+
+<p>She would not forget, repeated the maiden, and she entered the castle;
+the bear, however, went back again. When her parents saw their
+daughter, they were more delighted than it is possible to express.
+They could not thank her enough for what she had done for them, and
+they told how wonderfully comfortable they were now, and inquired how
+matters went with her. Oh, she also was very happy, returned the
+maiden, she had everything she could desire. What else she told them,
+I do not exactly know, but I believe it was no every-day tale that she
+told them. In the afternoon, when they had dined, it happened exactly
+as the bear had foretold; the mother wanted to talk with her daughter
+in private, but the maiden remembered what the bear had said, and
+would not go with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[222]</a></span> her, but said: "Oh, we can say what we have got to
+say, quite as well here."</p>
+
+<p>Now, how it happened, I cannot tell, but all I know is, that her
+mother persuaded her at last, and then she got the whole history from
+her. The maiden related how some one came into her bed every night,
+but that she had never seen who it was, and that made her so uneasy,
+and the day seemed very long to her, because she was always alone.</p>
+
+<p>"Who knows!" said the mother, "surely it must be some wizard who
+sleeps by you; but if you will take my advice, when he is fast asleep,
+get up and strike a light, and see who it is; but be careful not to
+let any grease drop upon him."</p>
+
+<p>In the evening the bear came to fetch the maiden home. When they had
+gone a good way he asked her if it had not happened as he had told
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she could not deny that it had.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you listened to your mother's counsel?" said the bear; "if you
+have, you have ruined yourself and me, and our friendship is at an
+end."</p>
+
+<p>"No," she had not done so, replied she.</p>
+
+<p>Now when they had got home, and the maiden had gone to bed, the same
+happened as usual, some one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[223]</a></span> came and lay down by her. During the
+night, however, when she heard that he was asleep, she rose and
+kindled a light, and then she saw lying in her bed the handsomest
+prince that can be imagined, and she immediately loved him so well,
+that she could not refrain from kissing him that very moment. But as
+she did this, she accidentally let three drops of oil fall from her
+lamp, upon his shirt, and thereupon he awoke.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you done?" cried he, as he opened his eyes; "now you have
+made yourself and me unhappy for ever. If you had but held out for a
+year, I should have been delivered; for I have a step-mother who has
+enchanted me, so that by day I am a bear, but at night I become a man
+again. But all is over for us both, for I must now leave you, and
+return to her. She dwells in a castle which lies <i>eastward of the
+Sun</i>, and <i>westward of the Moon</i>, and there I shall be obliged to
+marry a princess who has a nose three ells long."</p>
+
+<p>The maiden then began to weep and bemoan herself; but it was too late,
+the prince was obliged to go. She asked him if she might not accompany
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"No," said he, "that must not be."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you not then tell me the road that I may find<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[224]</a></span> you?" inquired
+she; "for I suppose I may be allowed that."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that you are right welcome to do," said he; "but there is no
+road that leads to it; for the castle lies eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon, and you will never get there."</p>
+
+<p>In the morning when she awoke, the prince and the castle had both
+vanished, and she found herself lying on the bare earth, in a thick
+dark forest, and she was dressed in her old clothes, and near her lay
+the same bundle that she had brought with her from her former home.
+When she had rubbed her eyes till she was quite awake, and had cried
+till she could cry no longer, she began her journey, and wandered for
+many a long day, till at last she came to a great mountain. At the
+foot of the mountain sat an old woman, playing with a golden apple;
+the maiden asked her if she could tell her the way to where the prince
+lived with his step-mother, in a castle which was situated eastward of
+the Sun, and westward of the Moon, and who was to marry a princess who
+had a nose three ells long.</p>
+
+<p>"How come you to know him?" asked the woman. "Can you be the maiden
+whom he wished to marry?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," she replied, "she was that maiden."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[225]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"So! then you are the chosen one!" resumed the woman; "ah! my child,"
+continued she, "I would willingly help you, but I myself know nothing
+more of the castle than that it lies eastward of the Sun, and westward
+of the Moon, and that you are almost certain never to get there; I
+will, however, lend you my horse, and you may ride on him to my next
+neighbour; perhaps she may be able to tell you the way thither, but
+when you have reached her, just give the horse a pat under the left
+ear, and bid him go home again; and now take this golden apple, for
+perhaps you may find a use for it."</p>
+
+<p>The maiden mounted the horse, and rode for a long, long, time; and at
+last arrived at another mountain, where sat an old woman with a golden
+reel. The maiden asked her if she could tell her the way to the
+castle, which lay eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon. This
+old woman, however, said just like the other, that she knew nothing
+more about the castle than that it lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon, "and you are almost sure never to find it,"
+added she, "but I will lend you my horse to ride upon to my next
+neighbour, and perhaps she may tell you the way; when you get there,
+however,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[226]</a></span> just give the horse a pat under his left ear, and tell him
+to go home; now take this reel, for perhaps you may find some use for
+it."</p>
+
+<p>The maiden seated herself on the horse, and rode for many days and
+weeks; at last she again arrived at a mountain where an old woman sat
+spinning with a golden distaff. The maiden now again inquired about
+the prince, and the castle which was situated eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you she whom the prince wished to marry?" asked the woman.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied the maiden.</p>
+
+<p>But this old woman knew no more about the castle than the two others.</p>
+
+<p>"Eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon, lies the castle, and
+you are almost certain never to get there. But I will lend you my
+horse, and you may ride upon him to the East Wind; perhaps he may be
+able to tell you the way, but when you get to him, give the horse a
+pat under the left ear, and bid him go home, and now take this golden
+distaff, you will probably have occasion for it."</p>
+
+<p>She rode now a very long time, and at last arrived where the East Wind
+dwelt, and asked him if he could<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[227]</a></span> not tell her how to get to the
+prince who lived in the castle which lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon.</p>
+
+<p>"Truly, I have often heard tell of the prince, and of the castle too,"
+said the East Wind, "but I cannot tell you the way, for I have never
+blown so far; but I will carry you to my brother, the West Wind;
+perhaps he may know, for he is much stronger than I am. You have only
+to seat yourself on my back, and I will bear you thither."</p>
+
+<p>The maiden seated herself on his back, and off they went. When they
+reached the West Wind, the East Wind told him that he had brought a
+maiden who was to marry the prince who dwelt in the castle that lay
+eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon, and asked if he could
+tell the way thither.</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered the West Wind. "I have never blown so far. But," said
+he, addressing the maiden, "you may seat yourself on my back, and I
+will carry you to the South Wind; he may be able to tell you, for he
+is much stronger than I, and blows and blusters every where."</p>
+
+<p>So the maiden seated herself on his back, and when they had reached
+the South Wind, the West<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[228]</a></span> Wind asked him if he did not know the way to
+the castle which lay eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon,
+for the maiden whom he had brought with him, said he, was to marry the
+prince who dwelt there.</p>
+
+<p>"I have blown pretty far, and pretty strong in my time," said the
+South Wind, "but I never went so far as that. If, however, you desire
+it," said he to the maiden, "I will carry you to my brother, the North
+Wind, who is the eldest and strongest of us all, and if he cannot tell
+you the way, you may rest assured you will never find it."</p>
+
+<p>The maiden seated herself on his back, and off they went at such a
+rate that the plain heaved again.</p>
+
+<p>In a very short time they reached the North Wind; but he was so wild
+and turbulent that long before they got up to him, he blew, I know not
+how much snow and ice, in their faces.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want?" cried he, in a voice that made their skin creep.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you must not be so rough with us," said the South Wind; "for here
+am I, your own brother, and this is the maiden who is to marry the
+prince who dwells in the castle which lies eastward of the Sun,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[229]</a></span> and
+westward of the Moon, and she is very desirous to ask you if you
+cannot give her some information about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know full well where it lies," said the North Wind; "I wafted
+an aspen leaf thither, once; but I was so fatigued that I could not
+blow for many a long day afterwards. If, however, you are resolved to
+go," said he to the maiden, "and are not afraid, I will take you on my
+back and try whether I can waft you so far."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the maiden, "there I must and will go, by all possible
+means, and I will not be frightened either, let it be as bad as it
+may."</p>
+
+<p>"In that case you must pass the night here," said the North Wind; "for
+we must have the whole day before us, if we are to go there."</p>
+
+<p>Early the next morning the North Wind awakened her, got himself into
+breath, and grew so large and strong, that it was terrible to behold;
+and off they dashed through the air, as if the world were coming to an
+end. Then arose such an awful storm, that whole villages and forests
+were overturned, and as they passed over the ocean, the ships sank by
+hundreds. On they went still over the water, so far as no one would
+believe,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[230]</a></span> but the North Wind became weaker and weaker, and so weak did
+he become, that he could scarcely blow any more, and he sank lower and
+lower, and at last got so low, that the waves flowed over his heels.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you frightened?" inquired he of the maiden.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not in the least," said she.</p>
+
+<p>Now they were only a very little way from land, and the North Wind had
+scarcely any strength remaining, to enable him to reach the shore
+under the windows of the castle that lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon. When he did get there, however, he was so weary
+and faint, that he was obliged to rest many days before he could
+return home.</p>
+
+<p>In the morning the maiden seated herself under the windows of the
+castle, and played with her golden apple, and the first person who saw
+her, was the long-nosed princess whom the prince was to marry.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you ask for your golden apple?" inquired the princess, as she
+opened her window.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not to be had for gold nor for gain;" said the maiden.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will not part with it for gold nor for gain, what will you
+take for it?" demanded the princess: "I will give whatever you ask."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[231]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, if you will let me pass a night by the prince's side, you
+shall have it," said the maiden.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! that you are quite welcome to do," said the princess, and took
+the golden apple.</p>
+
+<p>But when at night the maiden came into the prince's chamber, he was
+fast asleep; she called to him and shook him, and cried and moaned,
+but she could not awaken him, and as soon as the morning dawned, the
+princess with the long nose came and drove her out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>That day the maiden again placed herself under the castle windows, and
+unwound the yarn from the golden reel, and the long-nosed princess
+spoke to her as on the day before. She asked her what she would take
+for the reel, but the maiden said it was not to be had for gold nor
+gain, but that if she might pass another night beside the prince, the
+princess should have it. She agreed, and took the golden reel. But
+when the maiden entered the chamber the prince was fast asleep; and,
+let her call and shake him, and weep and wail as she might, she could
+not rouse him; and when the morning dawned, the princess with the long
+nose again came and drove her away.</p>
+
+<p>This day the maiden seated herself as before with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[232]</a></span> her golden distaff
+and span. When the princess saw the distaff, she wanted that also, and
+opened the window, and asked what she would sell it for. The maiden
+replied as before, neither for gold nor gain; but if the princess
+would let her pass another night with the prince, she should have it.
+Yes, she was very welcome, said the princess, and took the distaff.
+Now it happened that some persons who slept close to the prince's
+apartment, had heard the lamentations and melancholy cries of the
+maiden during the two nights, and that morning they told the prince of
+it. So in the evening when the princess brought the drink which the
+prince was accustomed to take before he went to bed, he pretended to
+drink it, but in reality he poured it on the ground behind him, for he
+suspected strongly that the princess had mixed a sleeping potion with
+it. Now when the maiden went into his room that night, he was wide
+awake, and was overjoyed at seeing her, and he made her tell him all
+that had happened to her, and how she had contrived to get to the
+castle. When she had related all he said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"You are come just at the right moment; for to-morrow is to be my
+wedding with the princess; but I want nothing of her and her long
+nose, for you are the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[233]</a></span> only one I will wed. I shall therefore say,
+that I want to know what my bride is fit for, and I shall require her
+to wash the three spots of oil out of my shirt. This she will
+willingly undertake to do, but I know that she will not succeed; for
+the spots were made by your hand, and can only be washed out again by
+Christian hands, and not by the hands of such a pack of sorcerers as
+she belongs to. I shall, however, say, that I will have no other bride
+than she who can succeed, and when they have all tried and failed, I
+shall call you, and desire you to try." So the night passed happily
+away, and on the bridal day the prince said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I should like vastly to see what my bride is fit for."</p>
+
+<p>"That is no more than fair," said the step-mother.</p>
+
+<p>"I have such a beautiful shirt," said the prince, "that I should like
+to wear it on my bridal day, but there are spots of grease on it, and
+I would willingly have them washed out; I have in consequence resolved
+to wed none but her who is able to wash them out."</p>
+
+<p>Truly, that was no such mighty matter, thought the women, and
+immediately set to work; and the princess with the long nose began to
+wash away as fast as she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[234]</a></span> could. But the longer she washed, the larger
+and darker grew the spots.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! you do not know much about the matter," said the old sorceress,
+her mother: "give it to me."</p>
+
+<p>But when she got hold of the shirt, it grew darker still, and the more
+she washed and rubbed, the larger grew the spots. Now the other
+witches of the establishment all tried their hands on the shirt, and
+the longer they washed the worse it grew, and at last the whole shirt
+looked as if it had been put up the chimney.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! you are all good for nothing," cried the prince; "there sits a
+poor beggar wrench under the windows; I'll lay any wager she knows
+more about washing than all of you put together. Come hither, wench!"
+cried he; and when she came, he asked her:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Can you wash that shirt clean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," said the maiden; "but I think I can."</p>
+
+<p>So the maiden took the shirt, and under her hands it soon became as
+white as the falling snow.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I will have thee for my bride!" cried the prince, and when the
+old sorceress heard that, she fell into such a tremendous rage, that
+it killed her; and I think<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[235]</a></span> that the princess with the long nose, and
+the whole pack of witches, must have expired also, for I have never
+heard of them since. Then the prince and his bride set free all the
+Christians who were confined in the castle; and they took as much gold
+and silver as they could carry away, and went far away from the castle
+that lies eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon. But how they
+contrived to get away, and whither they went, I do not know; if,
+however, they are what I take them for, they are at no very great
+distance from here.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[236]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_LITTLE_MAN_IN_GREY" id="THE_LITTLE_MAN_IN_GREY"></a>THE LITTLE MAN IN GREY.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Upper Lusatia.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_241.jpg" alt="A" width="135" height="185" /></div>
+<p>&nbsp; miner, a blacksmith, and a nun were travelling together through the
+wide world. One day they were bewildered in a dark forest, and were so
+wearied with wandering that they thought themselves right fortunate
+when they saw, at a distance, a building wherein they hoped to find
+shelter. They went up to it, and found that it was an ancient castle,
+which, although half in ruins, still was in condition to afford a
+habitation for such distressed pilgrims as they. They resolved
+therefore to enter, and held a council how they might best establish
+themselves in it, and they very soon agreed that it would be best that
+one of them should always remain at home whilst the other two went out
+in search of provisions. They then cast lots who should first stay
+behind, and the lot fell on the nun.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[237]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So when the miner and the blacksmith were gone out into the forest,
+she prepared the food, and when noon arrived, and her companions did
+not return, she ate her share of the provisions. As soon as she had
+finished her meal a little man, clad in grey, came to the door, and
+shivering, said: "Oh, I am so cold!"</p>
+
+<p>Then the nun said to him: "Come to the fire and warm thyself."</p>
+
+<p>The little man did as the nun desired him, but presently after he
+exclaimed: "Oh, how hungry I am!"</p>
+
+<p>Then the nun said to him: "There is food by the fire; eat some of it."</p>
+
+<p>The little man fell upon the food, and in a very short time devoured
+it all. When the nun saw what he had done she was very angry, and
+scolded him for not having left any food for her companions. Upon this
+the little man flew into a great passion, seized the nun, beat her,
+and threw her from one wall to the other. He then quitted the castle
+and went his way, leaving the nun on the floor. Towards evening the
+two companions returned home very hungry, and when they found no food
+they reproached the nun bitterly, and would not believe her when she
+told them what had happened.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[238]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The following day the miner proposed to keep watch in the castle, and
+said he would take good care that no one should have to go to bed
+fasting. So the two others went into the forest, and the miner looked
+after the cooking, ate his share, and put the rest by on the oven. The
+little grey clad man came as before, but how terrified was the miner
+when he perceived that this time the little man had two heads. He
+shivered as on the preceding day, saying: "Oh, how cold I am!"</p>
+
+<p>Much frightened, the miner pointed to the hearth. Then the little man
+said: "Oh, how hungry I am!"</p>
+
+<p>"There is food on the oven," said the miner; "eat some."</p>
+
+<p>Then the little man fell to with both his heads, and soon ate it all
+up, and licked the plates clean. When the miner reproached him for
+eating all up, he got for his pains just the same treatment as the
+nun. The little man beat him black and blue, and flung him against the
+walls till they cracked; the poor miner lost both sight and hearing,
+and at last the little man left him lying there, and went his way.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_244.jpg" width="600" height="393" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>When the blacksmith and the nun returned hungry in the evening, and
+found no supper, the blacksmith fell into a great rage with the miner,
+and declared<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[239]</a></span> that when his turn should come next day to watch, the
+castle, no one should want a supper. The next day, at meal time, the
+little man appeared again but this time he had three heads. He
+complained of cold, and was bidden by the blacksmith to sit by the
+hearth. When he said he was hungry, the blacksmith gave him a portion
+of the food. The little man soon dispatched that, and looked greedily
+round with his six eyes, asking for more food, and when the blacksmith
+hesitated to give it him, he tried to treat him as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[240]</a></span> had done the
+nun and the miner; the blacksmith, however, was no coward, and seizing
+a great smith's hammer, he rushed on the little man, and struck off
+two of his heads, so that he made off as fast as he could with his
+remaining head. But the blacksmith chased him through the forest along
+many a pathway, till at last he suddenly disappeared through an iron
+door. The blacksmith was thus obliged to give up the pursuit, but
+promised himself not to rest until, with the aid of his two
+companions, he should have brought the matter to a satisfactory
+conclusion.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime the nun and the miner had returned home. The smith set their
+supper before them as he had undertaken to do, and then related his
+adventure, showing them the two heads he had cut off, with their
+staring glazed eyes. They then all three resolved to free themselves
+altogether, if possible, from the little grey man, and the very next
+day they set to work. They searched a long time before they could find
+the iron door through which he had disappeared the preceding day, and
+great toil did it cost them before they were able to break it open.
+They then found themselves in a great vaulted chamber wherein sat a
+beautiful maiden at a table, working. She started up, and threw<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[241]</a></span>
+herself at their feet, thanking them as her deliverers, and told them
+that she was the daughter of a king, and had been confined there by a
+powerful sorcerer. Yesterday afternoon she had suddenly felt that the
+spell was loosened, and from that moment she had hourly expected her
+freedom, but that besides herself there was the daughter of another
+king confined in the same place. They then went in search of the other
+king's daughter and set her at liberty also. She thanked them joyfully
+in like manner, and said that she also had felt since yesterday
+afternoon that the spell was unbound. The two royal maidens now
+informed their liberators that in concealed caves of the castle great
+treasures were hoarded, which were guarded by a terrible dog. They
+went in search of them and at length came upon the dog, whom the
+blacksmith slew with his hammer, although he endeavoured to defend
+himself.</p>
+
+<p>The treasure consisted of whole tons of gold and silver, and a
+handsome young man sat beside them as if to guard them. He came to
+meet them and thanked them for setting him free. He was the son of a
+king, but had been transformed by a sorcerer into the three-headed
+little man and banished to that castle. By the loss of two of his
+heads the spell was taken off<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[242]</a></span> the two royal maidens, and when the
+blacksmith slew the terrible dog he himself was delivered from it. For
+that service the whole of the treasure should be theirs.</p>
+
+<p>The treasure was then divided, and it was a long time before they
+could complete the distribution. The two princesses, however, out of
+gratitude to their deliverers, married the miner and the blacksmith,
+and the handsome prince married the nun; and so they passed the rest
+of their lives in peace and joy.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[243]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="RED_WHITE_AND_BLACK" id="RED_WHITE_AND_BLACK"></a>RED, WHITE, AND BLACK.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Normandy.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft1"><img src="images/image_248.jpg" alt="T" width="110" height="133" /></div>
+
+<p>he eldest son of a mighty monarch was once walking alone in a field,
+which, as it was the depth of winter, happened to be covered with
+snow. He perceived a raven flying by, and shot him. The bird fell dead
+on the ground and the snow was sprinkled with his blood. The glossy
+black of his plumage, the dazzling white of the snow, and the red
+blood, formed a combination of colours which delighted the eyes of the
+prince. The impression did not pass away from his memory; the colours
+seemed perpetually to float before his eyes, and at length he
+conceived in his heart an intense desire to possess a wife who should
+be as rosy as that blood, as white as that snow, and have hair as
+black as the plumage of that raven.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[244]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>One day as he sat profoundly musing on the object of his desires, a
+voice said to him:&mdash;"My prince, go travel into Marvel-land, and there
+in the centre of an immense forest you will find an apple-tree,
+bearing larger and fairer fruit than you have ever yet beheld; pluck
+three of the apples, but forbear to open them until you shall be again
+at home; they will present you with a bride exactly such as you
+covet."</p>
+
+<p>Marvel-land was very remote from the prince's home, and very difficult
+of access, but nothing could deter him from undertaking the journey.
+He started forthwith, travelled over land and sea, and searched the
+forest with the utmost diligence, till at length he found the tree. He
+broke off three fine apples, and as, in the first transports of his
+joy, he could not resist the curiosity which urged him, he opened one
+of them on the spot. A lovely maiden came out of it so enchantingly
+fair, and so exactly corresponding to the image he had formed, that he
+was lost in admiration. But the maiden, so far from being well
+disposed towards him, gazed on him with looks of scorn, and bitterly
+reproaching him for having carried her off, vanished from his sight.</p>
+
+<p>This great disappointment might naturally have reduced him to despair;
+but as he was of a disposition<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[245]</a></span> to be easily consoled, he soon
+comforted himself with the trust that the two remaining apples would
+give him compensation for his loss. Full of this sweet hope, he
+resolved not to open them until he should reach his own country. But
+even the saddest experience does not always suffice to enable us to
+resist temptation. The prince's impatience was stronger than his
+reason, and a second time he yielded to his desire of opening one of
+the remaining apples.</p>
+
+<p>He was at that time on the sea, and as there is very little amusement
+to be had during a voyage on that element, perhaps very few persons
+would have acted otherwise than he did. He persuaded himself that if
+he caused the whole of the deck to be covered with an awning, the fair
+one could not escape him. He therefore opened the second apple, and as
+before, a maiden of unequalled beauty stood before him; she manifested
+the same displeasure as the former one, and notwithstanding the
+precautions he had taken, disappeared in like manner. But even these
+two experiences barely sufficed to render the prince prudent.</p>
+
+<p>At length however he reached his native country, and on opening the
+remaining apple, a third maiden as lovely as the others, but far more
+gentle, appeared.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[246]</a></span> He immediately married her, and they were the
+happiest couple in the world.</p>
+
+<p>After a time he was obliged to go out to war against a neighbouring
+potentate, and thus to quit his beloved. The queen-mother, in whose
+power the young bride now found herself, had never approved the
+marriage. She caused her daughter-in-law to be murdered in a barbarous
+manner, flung the corpse into the moat that surrounded the castle, and
+to complete her guilty deed, she substituted for the unhappy queen a
+person who was entirely devoted to herself.</p>
+
+<p>When the prince returned he was greatly astonished to find a wife so
+different from the one he had left. But the queen his mother assured
+him confidently that the person she presented to him was his wife. She
+did not attempt to deny the great alteration in her appearance, but
+she ascribed the transformation to the effect of magic.</p>
+
+<p>In truth, the mode by which the prince had obtained his wife did give
+some appearance of probability to the queen's assertion, and at all
+events, whether from softness of disposition, or absence of distrust,
+the prince believed what he was told. But all was unavailing to make
+him forget his first passion. Night and day he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[247]</a></span> mused upon the past,
+and would pass whole hours leaning against the window of his palace.</p>
+
+<p>One day as he was thus musing in deep melancholy, he perceived in the
+castle moat a fish whose shining scales were red, white, and black. He
+was so struck by the sight that he never withdrew his eyes from the
+fish. The old queen, who considered this extraordinary attention to
+the fish as a consequence of his early passion, resolved to destroy
+every object that might tend to recall it to his memory. She therefore
+commanded the false princess to feign the most vehement longing to eat
+the very fish which had so attracted her husband's attention. He could
+not deny a request which in the opinion of all others was so innocent.
+The fish was caught, served at the table of the supposed princess, and
+the prince relapsed into his usual melancholy.</p>
+
+<p>Not very long after he was comforted by the appearance of a tree which
+was red, white, and black. The tree was of an unknown genus, no one
+had planted it, nor sown any seed; it had suddenly grown up on the
+spot where the scales of the fish had been thrown away.</p>
+
+<p>This fair tree gave the prince great pleasure and the queen equal
+displeasure; she at once resolved on its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[248]</a></span> destruction in spite of the
+sad prince's remonstrances. It was uprooted and burnt; but from its
+ashes suddenly arose a magnificent palace constructed of red rubies,
+white pearls, and black ebony. The three colours which the prince so
+loved, produced now an enchanting effect. Long did he endeavour in
+vain to enter that fair palace; the gates remained fast closed, and at
+last he contented himself with incessantly contemplating it, and
+passed day after day in this occupation which recalled to him the
+object of his wishes.</p>
+
+<p>His constancy was at last rewarded; the gates flew open; he entered
+the palace, and after traversing numerous apartments, he found in a
+small chamber his first wife whom he had so tenderly loved, and whose
+memory was so dear to him. She reproached him for having by his
+yielding disposition caused her so much suffering, but at the same
+time testified the vivid joy which she felt as she perceived that he
+was so deserving of the forgiveness she bestowed on him.</p>
+
+<p>The happiness of the re-united pair was not again disturbed, and they
+lived together perfectly satisfied with their destiny.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[249]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_TWELVE_LOST_PRINCESSES_AND_THE_WIZARD_KING" id="THE_TWELVE_LOST_PRINCESSES_AND_THE_WIZARD_KING"></a>THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES AND THE WIZARD KING.</h2>
+
+<h3>[African.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_254.jpg" alt="O" width="120" height="115" /></div>
+<p>nce upon a time there lived a king who had twelve daughters, whom he
+loved so tenderly that he could not bear that they should be out of
+his presence, except when he was sleeping in the afternoon, and then
+they always took a walk. On one occasion, it happened that whilst the
+king was enjoying his afternoon's nap, the princesses went out as
+usual, but they did not return home. This threw all the inhabitants of
+the country into the greatest trouble and affliction, but the king was
+still more grieved than any of his subjects. He sent messengers to
+every corner of his kingdom, and into all the foreign lands he had
+ever heard mentioned, causing search to be made for his daughters; but
+no tidings could he get of them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[250]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So, after a time, it became quite clear to everybody that they had
+been carried off by some wizard. The report of this soon spread from
+city to city, and from country to country, till at last it reached the
+ears of another king, who lived far, far away, and this king happened
+to have twelve sons. When the twelve princes heard the marvellous tale
+about the twelve princesses, they begged their father to permit them
+to travel in search of the missing royal maidens. The old king,
+however, for a long time would not hear of any such thing, for he
+feared that he might never see his sons again; but they threw
+themselves at his feet, and besought him so long and earnestly that at
+last he yielded, and gave them leave to set out on their travels. He
+caused a vessel to be equipped for them, and gave the charge of it to
+one of his courtiers, called Commander Rod. Long, long did they sail,
+and whenever they touched on the coast of any country, they made every
+inquiry about the princesses, but could not discover the least trace
+of them.</p>
+
+<p>They had nearly completed the seventh year since they first set sail,
+when a violent storm arose. It blew such a gale that they thought they
+never should reach the shore; but on the third day the tempest
+subsided, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[251]</a></span> suddenly it became quite calm. All on board were now so
+fatigued by the hard work they had done during the tempest that they
+all went to sleep at once, excepting only the youngest prince, who
+became very restless, and could not sleep at all. Now whilst he was
+pacing the deck, the vessel neared an island, and on the shore was a
+little dog running backwards and forwards, and howling and barking
+towards the ship as if it wanted to be taken on board. The king's son
+whistled to it, and tried to entice it to him, but it seemed afraid to
+leave the shore, and only barked and howled louder still. The prince
+thought it would be a sin to leave the poor dog to perish, for he
+supposed it had escaped there from some ship that had foundered during
+the storm. He therefore set to work to lower the boat, and after
+having rowed to the shore, he went towards the little dog, but
+whenever he was about to lay hold of it, it sprang from him, and so
+lured him onward, till at last he found himself unexpectedly in the
+court of a great and magnificent castle, when the little dog suddenly
+changed into a beautiful princess.</p>
+
+<p>The prince then noticed, sitting on the beach, a man so gigantic and
+frightful that he was quite alarmed. "You have no cause for
+uneasiness," said the man; but<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[252]</a></span> when the prince heard his voice he was
+more frightened still.</p>
+
+<p>"I know very well what you want; you are one of the twelve princes who
+are in search of the twelve lost princesses. I know also where they
+are. They are beside my master, each sitting on her own chair, and
+combing the hair of one of his heads, for he has twelve. You have now
+been sailing about for seven years, and you have to sail for seven
+years more before you will find them. As to what concerns yourself,
+individually, you should be welcome to remain here and marry my
+daughter, but you must first kill my master, for he is very harsh to
+us, and we have long been quite tired of him: and when he is dead I
+shall be king in his place. Try now if you can wield this sword," said
+the wizard, for such he was.</p>
+
+<p>The prince tried to grasp a rusty sword which hung against the wall,
+but could not stir it from the spot.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then you must take a draught out of this flask," said the
+wizard.</p>
+
+<p>The prince did so, and was then able to unhang the sword from the
+wall; after a second draught he could raise it, and the third enabled
+him to wield it with as much ease as his own.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[253]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"When you return on board the vessel," said the wizard prince, "you
+must conceal the sword in your hammock, so that Commander Rod may not
+see it. He cannot wield it, I know, but he will hate you on that
+account, and try to kill you. When seven more years all but three days
+shall have passed away," he continued, "the same that has befallen you
+now will again occur: a violent gale will arise, with storm and hail,
+and when it is over, all will be again fatigued, and lie down in their
+hammocks. You must then take the sword, and row to land. You will
+arrive at a castle guarded by wolves, bears, and lions, but you need
+not fear them; they will crawl at your feet. As soon as you enter the
+castle, you will see the giant sitting in a splendidly adorned
+chamber, and a princess will be seated on her own chair, beside one of
+his twelve heads. As soon as you see him you must with all speed cut
+off one head after the other, before he awakes, for should he do that,
+he will eat you alive."</p>
+
+<p>The prince returned to the ship with the sword, and did not forget
+what the wizard had told him. The others were still lying sound
+asleep, so he concealed the sword in his hammock without Commander Rod
+or any of the others perceiving it. A breeze now sprang<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[254]</a></span> up, and the
+prince awakened the crew, and told them that with such a fair wind
+they must no longer lie sleeping there. Time wore on, and the prince
+was for ever thinking of the adventure that awaited him, and much
+doubted that it would have a fortunate issue.</p>
+
+<p>At last, when seven years all but three days were over, everything
+happened just as the wizard had foretold. A fierce tempest arose, and
+lasted three days, and when it was over the whole crew were fatigued,
+and lay down to sleep in their hammocks. The youngest prince, however,
+then rowed to the shore, and there he found the castle, guarded by
+wolves, bears, and lions, who all crawled at his feet, so that he
+entered without opposition. In one of the apartments sat the king,
+asleep, and the twelve princesses sat each on her chair, employed as
+the wizard had said. The prince made signs to them that they should
+retire; they however pointed to the wizard, and signed to him in
+return that he had better quickly withdraw. But he tried to make them
+understand, by looks and gestures, that he was come to deliver them,
+and when, at length, they understood his design, they stole softly
+away one after the other. Then the prince rushed on the wizard king,
+and cut off his heads, so that the blood flowed like<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[255]</a></span> a great river,
+and when he had convinced himself that the wizard was dead, he rowed
+back to the vessel, and again concealed the sword. He thought he had
+now done enough unaided, and as he could not carry the giant's corpse
+out of the castle without assistance, he resolved that the others
+should help him. He therefore awakened them, and told them it was a
+shame that they should lie sleeping there, whilst he had found the
+princesses, and delivered them out of the wizard's power. They all
+laughed at him, and said he must have been asleep too, and had only
+dreamt that he had become such a hero; for it was far more likely that
+one of themselves should deliver the princesses than such a youth as
+he.</p>
+
+<p>Then the prince told them all that had happened, so they consented to
+row to the land, and when they beheld the river of blood, and the
+wizard's castle, and his twelve heads lying there, and saw also the
+twelve princesses, they were convinced that he had spoken the truth,
+and so assisted him in throwing the heads and the corpse of the wizard
+into the sea. They were now all right merry and pleased, but none were
+better pleased than the princesses to be delivered from the task of
+sitting all day beside the giant, combing his twelve heads.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[256]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The princes and princesses, after they had collected as much of the
+gold and silver, and as many of the costly articles in the castle as
+they could carry, returned to the vessel, and again set sail. They had
+not gone far, however, when the princesses recollected that, in their
+joy, they had omitted to bring away with them their golden crowns,
+which were in a great chest, and these they very much desired to have
+with them. As no one else seemed inclined to go back for them, the
+youngest of the king's sons said: "Since I have already dared to do so
+much, I may as well also fetch the golden crowns, if you will take in
+the sails and wait my return."</p>
+
+<p>Yes, they were willing to do that; they would lower the sails and wait
+till he returned. But the prince was no sooner out of sight of the
+vessel than Commander Rod, who wished to play the principal part, and
+to marry the youngest princess, said: "It was no use for us to stay
+here waiting for the prince, who, we may be sure, will not come back;
+besides," added he, "you know full well that the king has given to me
+full power to sail when and where I think proper;" then he insisted
+further that they should all say that it was he who had set the
+princesses free: and if any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[257]</a></span> one of them should dare to say otherwise
+it should cost him his life. The princes were afraid to contradict
+him, so they sailed away. Meanwhile the younger prince had rowed to
+the shore, and soon found in the castle the chest containing the
+golden crowns, and after a great deal of trouble and fatigue, for it
+was very heavy, he succeeded in heaving it into the boat. But when he
+got out into the open sea, the ship was no longer in sight. He looked
+north, south, east, and west, but no trace could he discover of it,
+and he quickly guessed what had occurred. He knew that to row after it
+would be quite useless, so he had only to turn back and row again to
+the shore. It is true that he was rather alarmed at the idea of
+passing the night all alone in the castle, but there was no avoiding
+it; so he screwed up his courage as well as he could, locked all the
+gates and doors, and lay down to sleep in a bed which he found ready
+prepared in one of the apartments. But he felt very uneasy, and became
+much more terrified, on presently hearing in the roof over his head,
+and along the walls, a creaking and cracking, as if the castle were
+about to split asunder; and then came a great rustling close to his
+bed, like a whole haystack falling down. However,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[258]</a></span> he was in some
+degree comforted when he immediately after the noise heard a voice
+bidding him not to be alarmed.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Fear not, fear not, thy friend I am;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I am the wondrous bird called Dam.<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">When thou'rt in trouble call on me:<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">I shall be near to succour thee,"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>said the voice, and then added: "As soon as you wake to-morrow
+morning, you must go directly to the Stabur<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a>, and fetch me four
+bushels of rye for my breakfast; I must have a good meal, otherwise I
+can do nothing for you."</p>
+
+<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> A building used as a kind of store-room or larder, and
+supported on short pillars or posts, so as not to allow it to touch
+the ground.</p></div>
+
+<p>When the prince awoke in the morning, he saw by his bed-side a
+terribly large bird, who had a feather at the back of his head as long
+as a half-grown fir tree. The prince immediately went to the Stabur
+and brought thence four bushels of rye, as the wondrous bird Dam had
+commanded, who, as soon as he had taken his breakfast, desired the
+prince to hang the chest containing the golden crowns on one side of
+his neck, and as much gold and silver as would balance it on the
+other, <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[259]</a></span>and then to get upon his back and hold fast by the long
+feather. The prince obeyed and off they went, whizzing through the air
+at such a rate, that in a very short time they found themselves
+exactly above the ship. The prince then wished to go on board, that he
+might get the sword which the wizard had given him.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_265.jpg" width="500" height="725" alt="THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES AND THE WIZARD KING."  />
+<span class="caption">THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES AND THE WIZARD KING.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>But the wondrous bird Dam told him that he must not do so: "Commander
+Rod," added he, "will not discover it; but if you go on board he will
+try to kill you, for he very much wishes to marry the youngest
+princess; but make yourself easy about her, for every night she places
+a drawn sword on the bed by her side."</p>
+
+<p>At last they reached the castle of the wizard prince, who gave the
+young prince a hearty welcome. He seemed as if he could not make
+enough of him, for having killed his sovereign, in whose stead he was
+now king. He would willingly have given his daughter and half his
+kingdom to the young prince, but that the latter was so much in love
+with the youngest of the twelve princesses, that he could think of no
+one but her, and he was all impatience to be off again.</p>
+
+<p>The wizard, however, besought him to have a little patience, and told
+him that the princesses were doomed to sail about still for twice
+seven years before they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[260]</a></span> could return home. As to the youngest
+princess, the wizard said exactly the same as the wondrous bird Dam:
+"You may be quite at ease concerning her," said he, "for she always
+carries a drawn sword to bed with her. And if you do not believe me,
+you may go on board when they next sail past this place, to convince
+yourself; and, at the same time, bring me the sword I lent you, for I
+must positively have it back."</p>
+
+<p>Now after seven years' more wandering, the princes and princesses were
+again sailing past the island; a terrible storm came on as before, and
+after it was over the king's son went on board and found them all fast
+asleep as on the former occasions; but by each of the princes a
+princess also lay asleep. Only the youngest princess slept alone, with
+a naked sword beside her; and on the floor, in front of the bed, lay
+Commander Rod, also sound asleep. The king's son took the sword from
+his hammock, and rowed to the island, without any one having perceived
+that he had been on board.</p>
+
+<p>The prince, however, grew more and more impatient, always wishing to
+set out again.</p>
+
+<p>At length, when the second seven years were completed all but three
+weeks, the wizard said to him: "Now you may prepare for your voyage,
+since you are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[261]</a></span> determined not to remain with us. I will lend you an
+iron boat that will go of itself on the water, by your merely saying
+to it: 'Boat, go forwards.' In the boat you will find a boat-hook,
+which you must lift up a little when you see the ship right before
+you. Such a fresh breeze will then spring up, that the ship's crew
+will forget to look after you. As soon as you get near the ship, raise
+the boat-hook a little higher, and then a storm will arise that will
+give them other work to do than spying after you. When you shall have
+passed the ship, raise the boat-hook for the third time, but you must
+be careful each time to lay it down again, else there will be such a
+tempest, that you, as well as the others, will perish. On reaching the
+shore, you need take no further trouble about the boat than to turn it
+upside down, shove it into the sea, and say: 'Boat, go home again.'"</p>
+
+<p>When the prince was departing, he received from the wizard so much
+gold and silver, together with other treasures, and clothes and linen
+which the princess had made for him during his long stay in the
+island, that he was a great deal richer than any of his brothers.</p>
+
+<p>He had no sooner seated himself in the boat and said, "Boat, go
+forwards," than on it went, and when<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[262]</a></span> he came in sight of the ship, he
+raised the boat-hook, and a breeze sprang up, so that the crew forgot
+to look after him; and on nearing the vessel he did the same, when
+such a storm and gale arose, that the ship was covered with the white
+spray, and the waves broke over the deck, so that the crew had no
+leisure to remark him. At last when he had passed the ship, he raised
+the boat-hook the third time, and the crew found enough to do to make
+them quite forget him. He reached the land long before the ship, and,
+after taking his property out of the boat, he turned it over, shoved
+it into the sea, saying, "Boat, go home," and away it went.</p>
+
+<p>He now disguised himself as a sailor, and went to the wretched hovel
+of an old woman, to whom he said he was a poor shipwrecked sailor, the
+only one of the crew who had escaped drowning; and he begged shelter
+in her hut for himself and the things he had saved from the wreck.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, heaven help me," replied the woman, "I can give no one shelter. I
+have not even a bed for myself, let alone any one else."</p>
+
+<p>Oh! that did not signify, said the sailor, so that he had but a roof
+over his head, it was all one to him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[263]</a></span> what he lay upon; therefore she
+would not surely refuse him the shelter of her roof, since he was
+content to take things as he found them.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, he brought his things to the cottage, and the old
+woman, who did not at all dislike to have something new to talk about,
+began inquiring who he was, where he had been, and whither he was
+going; what were the things he had brought with him; on what business
+he was travelling, and whether he had heard anything of the twelve
+princesses who had disappeared so many years ago, with so many other
+questions, that it would be tiresome to repeat them.</p>
+
+<p>But the sailor replied that he felt so ill, and had such a terrible
+headache from the fatigues he had undergone during the storm, that he
+could not accurately recollect anything that had passed; but that
+after he should have had a few days repose, and recovered from his
+labours, she should hear all.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, however, the old woman renewed her questions, but the
+sailor pretended still to have such a terrible headache, that he could
+not rightly remember anything; though he did let a word or two drop,
+as by accident, which showed that he did know something about the
+princesses.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[264]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Off ran the old woman to tell this news to all the gossips in the
+neighbourhood, who hurried one after the other to the hut, to hear all
+about the princesses; and to ask whether the sailor had seen them, if
+they were soon coming, and a hundred other questions.</p>
+
+<p>Still the sailor had such a terrible headache, that he could not
+answer their questions. Thus much, however, he did say: that if the
+princesses were not wrecked during that fierce storm, they would
+certainly arrive in fourteen days, or even sooner. He had certainly
+seen them alive, but they might have since perished.</p>
+
+<p>One of the gossips went forthwith to the royal residence, and related
+all that she had heard; and when the king heard it, he desired that
+the sailor should be brought to him.</p>
+
+<p>The sailor replied, "I have no clothes in which I can appear before
+the king."</p>
+
+<p>But he was told that he must go, for the king must and would see him,
+whatever appearance he might make, for he was the first person who had
+ever brought any news of the princesses. So he entered the king's
+presence, when he was asked if he had really seen the princesses.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the sailor, "but I know not if they still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[265]</a></span> live, for when
+I saw them, it was during such a fierce storm, that we were wrecked.
+But if they did not then go to the bottom, they may be here in about
+fourteen days, or perhaps sooner."</p>
+
+<p>When the king heard this, he was almost frantic with joy, and at the
+appointed time for the arrival of the princesses, he went down to the
+shore in state to meet them; and great was the rejoicing through the
+land, when at last the ship sailed into port, with the princes, and
+princesses, and Commander Rod. The eleven elder princesses were in
+high spirits and good humour; but the youngest, whom Commander Rod was
+anxious to marry, was very sad and wept incessantly, for which the
+king chid her, and asked her why she was not happy and cheerful, like
+her sisters. She had no cause, thought he, to be sad, now she was
+delivered from the wizard, and had such a fine man as Commander Rod
+for her lover. The Princess however durst not tell the truth, for
+Commander Rod had told the king that it was himself who had liberated
+the princesses, and had threatened to kill any one who should say
+otherwise.</p>
+
+<p>Now, one day while the princesses were making their wedding clothes, a
+man in a coarse sailor's jacket,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[266]</a></span> with a pedlar's pack on his back,
+came and asked them if they would not like to buy some fine things for
+their wedding, for he had some costly articles of gold and silver.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said they, "very possibly they might," and they looked very
+attentively at the ornaments, and still more so at him, for they could
+not help fancying that they had seen both him and the goods before.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_273.jpg" width="600" height="439" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>At last the youngest princess said, that he who had such costly
+articles, might perhaps have others still more suitable to them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[267]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Very possibly," returned the pedlar.</p>
+
+<p>But her sisters bade her be quiet, and remember Commander Rod's
+threat.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly after, when the princesses were sitting at the window, the
+king's son came again in his coarse sailor jacket, carrying the chest
+with the golden crowns.</p>
+
+<p>On entering the hall, he opened the chest, and now when the princesses
+recognised each her own golden crown, the youngest princess said:&mdash;"To
+me it seems only fair and just, that he who suffers for us, should
+receive the reward to which he is entitled; our deliverer is not
+Commander Rod, but he who has now brought us our golden crowns, is
+also he who destroyed the wizard."</p>
+
+<p>Then the king's son threw off his jacket, and stood there far more
+splendidly attired than any of the rest.</p>
+
+<p>The king now caused Commander Rod to be put to death for his perfidy,
+and gave his daughter in marriage to the young prince.</p>
+
+<p>The rejoicings in the royal residence were very great, and each prince
+took his princess away to a different realm, so that the tale was told
+and talked about in no less than twelve distinct kingdoms.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[268]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_STUDY_OF_MAGIC_UNDER_DIFFICULTIES" id="THE_STUDY_OF_MAGIC_UNDER_DIFFICULTIES"></a>THE STUDY OF MAGIC UNDER DIFFICULTIES.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Italian.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_275.jpg" alt="I" width="110" height="142" /></div>
+<p>n the island of Sicily, and in the fair and famous city of Messina,
+dwelt a man, Lactantius by name, who was a great proficient in two
+different arts. By day, and ostensibly to his fellow-citizens, he
+carried on the trade of a tailor; but by night, and secretly, he
+studied the art of necromancy. One evening, when he had locked himself
+in his room, and was occupied with all kinds of magic works, as ill
+luck would have it, a young man, one of his apprentices, came to the
+door. Dionysius, such was his name, had returned to fetch from the
+chamber of Lactantius something which he had forgotten. When he
+perceived that the door was closed, but at the same time heard a noise
+within, he crept gently up, peeped through the keyhole, and witnessed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[269]</a></span>
+his master's magic doings. Such delight did this give the young man,
+that from that moment he thought of nothing but how he might secretly
+learn his master's art. Needle, thimble, and shears thenceforth were
+little troubled by him; he cared alone to learn that which no one
+cared to teach him, and so from having been an industrious, attentive,
+useful workman, he became careless, idle, and inattentive. Lactantius
+perceiving this change in his apprentice, discharged him from his
+service, and sent him back to his father, who was much grieved in
+consequence.</p>
+
+<p>The father having repeatedly lectured his son, with tears besought him
+to attend to his duty, and taking him back to the tailor, earnestly
+begged him to receive his son once again, desiring him, should he
+again neglect his business, to punish him severely.</p>
+
+<p>Lactantius, out of kindness to the poor man, was soon persuaded; he
+again received his pupil, and instructed him carefully every day in
+cutting out and sewing. As, however, Dionysius would absolutely learn
+nothing, his master gave him many a sound caning, so that the poor
+apprentice, who received more blows than bread, was always black and
+blue, all of which he bore with the greatest patience, so insensible
+had he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[270]</a></span> become to everything through the engrossing desire to learn
+that secret art which he night after night watched his master carry
+on, as he stood peeping through the keyhole.</p>
+
+<p>Lactantius, who took him for the stupid lout he appeared to be, at
+last gave himself no further trouble to conceal his witchcraft from
+him, thinking that as he could not even learn the business of
+tailoring, which is so easy, he would far less comprehend witchcraft,
+which is really a puzzling art. He therefore no longer made a secret
+of his practices to Dionysius, who now thought himself the most
+fortunate of men, and who although others considered him such a
+blockhead, in a very short time became such a proficient in the magic
+art, that he understood more of it than his master.</p>
+
+<p>One day, as the father was passing by Lactantius' house, not seeing
+his son in the shop, he entered, and found that, instead of working
+with the other apprentices, he was cleaning the house, and in short,
+performing all the offices of a housemaid.</p>
+
+<p>This so disturbed the good man, that he took his son home with him,
+and thus lectured him: "Thou knowest, Dionysius, how much I have
+expended on thee, in the hope that thou wouldst learn a useful<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[271]</a></span>
+business, whereby one day to support thyself and me; but, alas! I have
+sown my seed on the waters, for thou refusest to learn anything. Truly
+this will be my death, for I am so poor I know not how to support
+myself, nor have I any means of providing for thee. Therefore, I
+beseech thee, my son, learn to support thyself in any respectable way
+thou canst."</p>
+
+<p>Having said this, the old man began to weep, when Dionysius, moved by
+his distress, replied: "Dear father, I thank you a thousand times, and
+from my heart, for all the trouble and anxiety you have had on my
+account: but I beg you will not think, because I did not learn
+tailoring, as you wished me, that I have therefore passed the time in
+idleness. On the contrary, by night-watching and unwearied efforts, I
+have learned an art which I hope hereafter to exercise so
+efficaciously that you and I shall live all our days in peace and joy.
+That you may not imagine that I say this merely to satisfy you for the
+moment, I will at once give you a proof of what I affirm.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow, by means of my secret art, I will transform myself into a
+fine horse; saddle and bridle me, and lead me to the market, and sell
+me. When you shall have made your bargain, go quietly home, your<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[272]</a></span>
+pocket full of money, and you shall find me here again in the same
+form which I now bear. Judge therefore whether or not I have learned
+something useful, since in so short a time I can earn for you the
+necessaries of life. Take especial heed, however, when you sell me,
+not to part with my bridle; this, come what will, you must carefully
+retain, else I shall not be able to return, and perhaps you may never
+see me again."</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Dionysius stripped himself in presence of his father,
+and after anointing himself with a certain ointment, he murmured some
+words, whereupon, to the inexpressible astonishment of the good old
+man, in the place of his son, a fine powerful horse suddenly appeared,
+which he immediately harnessed as his son had instructed him, and led
+him to the market. As soon as the merchants and horse-dealers saw him,
+they gathered round him, quite delighted with the beauty of the horse,
+the action of whose limbs and whole body was so perfect, and who
+showed such a fleetness and fire, that it was quite surprising. All
+inquired if the horse were for sale, to which the old man replied in
+the affirmative.</p>
+
+<p>By accident, Lactantius was in the market, and as soon as he saw the
+horse, and had narrowly examined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[273]</a></span> him, he at once discovered that it
+was a magic horse. He therefore withdrew unperceived from the crowd,
+and hastened home, disguised himself as a merchant, and provided with
+an ample sum of money, returned to the market, where he found the man
+still with his horse. He approached the animal, and after attentively
+observing him, recognised in him his apprentice, Dionysius. He then
+asked the old man if he would sell him, and they soon concluded a
+bargain. Lactantius paid him two hundred gold pieces; but as he took
+him by the bridle to lead him away, the old man objected, saying that
+he had sold the horse but not the bridle, which he must have back
+again. Lactantius however contrived to talk him over, so that he
+obtained the bridle as well as the horse, which he led home, and
+fastening him to the stall, gave him for breakfast and supper so many
+hundred blows, that the poor beast became nothing but skin and bones,
+and excited the compassion of all who beheld him.</p>
+
+<p>Lactantius had two daughters, who, when they saw their father's
+barbarity, went daily into the stable to do what they could for the
+poor horse. They caressed him, patted him, and treated him with all
+possible kindness, and one day went so far as to lead him by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[274]</a></span> the
+halter to drink at the stream. The moment, however, the horse found
+himself by the water, he threw himself into it, and transforming
+himself into a little fish, he disappeared in the waves.</p>
+
+<p>At this extraordinary occurrence the maidens stood speechless with
+astonishment, and returning home, gave way to the deepest sorrow. Some
+time after Lactantius returned, and went into the stable to administer
+a little further chastisement to his horse, when to his great
+astonishment he found him gone. Very indignant thereat, he went to his
+daughters, and beheld them in tears. Without inquiring the cause, for
+he knew full well the cause of their trouble, he said to them: "My
+children, fear nothing, only tell me what has become of the horse, in
+order that I may at once take measures concerning him."</p>
+
+<p>The poor maidens composed themselves on hearing these words, and
+related to him what had happened. When the father had heard the story,
+he hastened to the river, transformed himself into a large fish,
+dashed into the water, and as fast as his fins could carry him pursued
+the little fish, intending to swallow him.</p>
+
+<p>When the latter beheld the voracious fish, with its terrible teeth, he
+was dreadfully alarmed at the thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[275]</a></span> of being swallowed by him, and
+approaching the bank of the river, he left the water, and in the form
+of a beautiful ruby, set in gold, he threw himself unseen into the
+little basket which the king's daughter, who happened just then to be
+amusing herself with picking up little pebbles on the sand, carried on
+her arm.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the princess, who was called Violante, returned home, she
+took her treasures out of the little basket, and perceived the ring
+shining amongst the pebbles. Quite delighted, she placed it on her
+finger, and could not desist from contemplating it.</p>
+
+<p>At night, when the princess had retired to her sleeping apartment, the
+ring suddenly changed into a handsome young man. He laid his hand on
+the princess's mouth, who was about to scream aloud, then threw
+himself at her feet and besought her forgiveness. He assured her he
+was not there with any disrespectful purpose, but only to implore her
+assistance, and then told her his misfortune, and the persecutions he
+had to endure.</p>
+
+<p>Violante, somewhat re-assured by the bright light of the lamp which
+burned in her chamber, as also by the words of the young man, whom she
+found very handsome and attractive, felt compassion for him, and
+said:<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[276]</a></span> "Young man, thou art very bold in entering a place where thy
+presence was not desired. But in consideration of thy misfortune, I
+will forgive thee. Thy narration has awakened all my compassion, and I
+will show thee that I am not made of marble, nor have a heart of
+adamant. I am even resolved, so far as my honour will permit, to give
+thee my entire protection."</p>
+
+<p>The young man humbly returned thanks, and, when day dawned, again
+transformed himself into the ring, which the princess placed amongst
+her most costly jewels.</p>
+
+<p>It happened just about that time, that the king fell dangerously ill,
+and all his physicians declared his disease was incurable.</p>
+
+<p>This came to the ears of Lactantius, who thereupon disguised himself
+as a physician, went to the royal palace, and being introduced to the
+king, inquired carefully respecting his symptoms, felt his pulse,
+examined his countenance, and said: "Your majesty's disease is no
+doubt an obstinate one, and very dangerous; but take courage: in a
+short time I will restore you to health, for I possess a remedy by
+which I can in a few days cure the severest and most dangerous illness
+that exists."</p>
+
+<p>"Master physician," replied the king, "if you restore<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[277]</a></span> me to health, I
+promise to reward you so richly that you shall be content for the rest
+of your life."</p>
+
+<p>"My sovereign," rejoined the physician, "I desire neither rank,
+honours, nor riches, but only request your majesty will grant me one
+favour."</p>
+
+<p>The king readily promised this, on condition that he should require
+nothing that was impossible.</p>
+
+<p>"I ask nothing more of your majesty than a ruby set in gold, which is
+now in the possession of the princess your daughter."</p>
+
+<p>When the king heard this modest request, he sent for his daughter, and
+in presence of the physician, desired her to fetch her whole stock of
+jewels. The princess obeyed, leaving out, however, the precious ring.
+But when the physician had thoroughly examined them, he said the ruby
+he wished for was not amongst them.</p>
+
+<p>Violante, who valued her ruby above all the rest, affirmed that she
+had no other jewels than those now before them; whereupon the king
+said to the physician: "Retire now, and return to-morrow; I will
+undertake that my daughter shall give me the ring."</p>
+
+<p>When the physician was gone, the king called Violante, and inquired in
+the gentlest manner, where was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[278]</a></span> the beautiful ruby which the physician
+wished for; saying that if she would give it to him, she should have
+in its place a still more beautiful and precious one. But she
+positively denied having it in her possession.</p>
+
+<p>She no sooner returned to her apartment, than she locked herself in,
+and began to weep bitterly at the thought of losing her poor ruby,
+which she bathed with her tears, and kissed with the utmost
+tenderness.</p>
+
+<p>When the ruby felt the hot tears that fell from the princess's eyes,
+and heard her deep sighs, it assumed the human form, and said to her:
+"Princess, on whom my life hangs, I beseech you, do not thus
+immoderately grieve at my misfortune. Let us rather devise some means
+of rescue; for that physician who so zealously covets the possession
+of me, is no other than my greatest foe Lactantius, who desires to
+kill me. Therefore I implore you, do not give me into his hand, but
+feign to be indignant, and dash me against the wall: leave the rest to
+my care."</p>
+
+<p>The following morning the physician again visited the king, who
+informed him that his daughter still persisted that she did not
+possess the ring. Lactantius much displeased, on hearing this,
+however, positively asserted that the ruby was in the princess's
+collection.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[279]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Thereupon the king again sent for the princess, and in the physician's
+presence said to her: "Violante, thou knowest that I owe the
+restoration of my health to this man's skill and care. He requires no
+other recompense of me than that ring which he declares to be in thy
+possession, and which thou dost assert thou hast not. I should have
+thought thy love for me would have led thee not to give thy ruby
+alone, but thy very life. I beseech thee, by the obedience thou owest
+to me, by the affection I have borne thee, to withhold it from me no
+longer."</p>
+
+<p>The princess, on hearing her father's will so decidedly expressed,
+returned to her room, collected all her jewels, amongst which she laid
+the ruby, and taking them one by one in her hand, in the presence of
+her father, showed them each in succession to the physician, who, the
+moment he saw the ruby, would have laid his hand on it, saying:
+"Princess, this is the ring I wish for, and which the king has
+promised me."</p>
+
+<p>But the princess, repelling him, said: "Stay, master, you shall have
+it!" and holding the ring in her hand, exclaimed: "Then it is this
+precious jewel, so infinitely dear to me, that you covet: I must
+renounce this, for the loss of which I shall be inconsolable for life.
+But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[280]</a></span> I do not yield it willingly, but only because the king, my
+father, requires it of me."</p>
+
+<p>With these words she flung the ruby against the wall. As it fell to
+the ground it instantly changed into a beautiful pomegranate, which
+burst as it fell, and its seeds were scattered all over the room.</p>
+
+<p>The physician as quickly became a cock, in order to swallow all the
+seeds, and thus to destroy the unlucky Dionysius; but he had
+miscalculated: one of the seeds had so concealed itself that the cock
+could not discover it. The seed watched its opportunity, transformed
+itself into a fox, who throwing himself on master cock, seized him by
+the throat, and strangled and devoured him in the presence of the
+astonished monarch and his daughter Violante. Dionysius then resumed
+his human form, and related all to the king, who thought he could not
+do better than immediately give him his daughter in marriage. They
+lived long together in peace and happiness, and the good old father of
+Dionysius became, instead of an indigent man, a rich and powerful one;
+whilst, on the other hand, the cruelty of Lactantius had cost him his
+life.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[281]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="FORTUNES_FAVOURITE" id="FORTUNES_FAVOURITE"></a>FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE;</h2>
+
+<h3>OR, THE VERY WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF PISTA, THE SWINEHERD.</h3>
+
+<h3>[Hungarian.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_288.jpg" alt="I" width="100" height="110" /></div>
+<p>ear the centre of a thick forest once dwelt a forester with his
+beloved wife. The chase was his occupation, and he lived contentedly
+on the provision which his ever-active bow procured him from day to
+day. In this manner he passed two years very happily; although the
+blessing of children, which he earnestly desired, had been hitherto
+denied him. But the saying, "Patience brings roses," consoled him, and
+indeed the saying did at last prove true, and in so striking a manner,
+that it seemed as if destiny had exerted its utmost power to fulfil
+it, in his case, even to excess. In the third year, whilst the
+forester was away hunting in the wood, his family was increased by the
+addition of twelve fine, healthy sons, upon whom<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[282]</a></span> the attendant
+midwife bestowed every necessary care, and then placed them in a
+circle on the floor in the centre of the room, where the sturdy
+infants stretched their limbs and raised their voices for the first
+time in a tremendously loud Tutti.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst these events were taking place, the day declined, and evening
+gradually threw its shade over field and mountain. The light-hearted
+hunter bethought him of his supper, and returned, laden with two or
+three hares, to his cottage.</p>
+
+<p>But how thunderstruck was he when he heard that Heaven had showered
+down upon him such an abundant blessing. He entered, gazed, and at the
+sight of the liberal gift, at once lost his reason, and rushed raving
+out of doors back into the depths of the dark forest, never to return
+again.</p>
+
+<p>The poor forsaken wife now remained in her hut with her twelve little
+sons, desiring nothing more ardently than to be able to leave her bed,
+in order to provide food for her children.</p>
+
+<p>The midwife afforded her all the assistance in her power, and when at
+length she recovered, she prepared a bow and arrows, scoured the woods
+and hills, and daily brought home as much game as was requisite for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[283]</a></span>
+the support of herself and her children. Thus she lived fifteen years;
+during which period the little ones grew strong and healthy, and
+learned from her to provide, by hunting, for their own necessities.</p>
+
+<p>But before they reached their sixteenth year, it pleased Heaven to
+call their mother to itself, and now the youths, deprived of parental
+care, were abandoned to their fate. They continued to live as before,
+on the products of the chase, which they fraternally divided amongst
+them, and remained together in harmony and peace.</p>
+
+<p>The distracted father meanwhile continued to wander incessantly
+through the forest. His habiliments had long been torn to rags, and
+his appearance terrified every one who beheld him. Although other
+foresters occasionally met him, and brought tidings of him to his
+sons, yet no one could ever lay hold of him, as he shunned the
+approach of everybody, and at the aspect of a human being he hastened
+like a frightened beast to hide himself in the thicket. But his
+unhappy fate was a daily increasing source of sorrow to his sons, who
+at length consulted seriously together, how they might get him into
+their hands, so as to be able to take care of him, and, if possible,
+restore him to reason.</p>
+
+<p>They at length agreed to betake themselves, provided<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[284]</a></span> with a roasted
+goose, a pitcher of brandy, and one large boot, to a certain spring in
+the forest, near which the foresters frequently saw him. With these
+things they went to the appointed spot, placed them close to the
+spring, and then concealed themselves in the bushes to watch for his
+arrival.</p>
+
+<p>They had waited a considerable time when they heard the sound of
+footsteps, and beheld a dark figure approaching the spring. With
+ardent curiosity they peeped from their concealment, and at length
+saw, with surprise and horror, a being more like a ghost than a man,
+but who, however, perfectly corresponded to the description which the
+foresters had given them of their unfortunate father.</p>
+
+<p>When he approached the spring to slake his thirst he started on
+perceiving the unaccustomed objects which were beside it, and prepared
+to start off at the moment, should he perceive a human form. But as
+the youths kept themselves entirely concealed, and made not the least
+noise, his alarm subsided, and he ventured to drink from the spring.</p>
+
+<p>After he had refreshed himself, the roasted goose, the little pitcher,
+and the large boot seemed again to attract his attention, and he could
+not resist the desire<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[285]</a></span> to make himself master of them. He laid himself
+down quite leisurely by the boot, devoured the goose with the greatest
+avidity, and emptied the pitcher with a satyr-like expression of
+countenance.</p>
+
+<p>The liquor seemed quickly to affect him; for almost as soon as he had
+swallowed it he manifested his satisfaction by fantastic leaps, and
+all kinds of ridiculous antics. He soon laid hold of the boot,
+examined it attentively on all sides, and nodded his head knowingly,
+as if in self-approval for having devised its purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Thus satisfied with himself, he again seated himself on the ground,
+and endeavoured to draw the boot over both feet at once; and although
+it was large enough to admit the foot of a demi-giant, it cost the
+lunatic extraordinary efforts to effect his object. Overpowered by
+fatigue, and the strength of the liquor he had drunk, he gradually
+sank down by the stream, and fell asleep.</p>
+
+<p>His sons, when they perceived this, hastened with the greatest caution
+from the bushes, raised the intoxicated sleeper from the ground, and
+carried him home. But before they had half reached the hut, they
+discovered with horror that the burthen, which at every step had
+appeared to grow heavier, was a corpse. Whether it was the effect of
+the too hastily swallowed drink, or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[286]</a></span> the too rapid satisfaction of his
+appetite after long fasting, in either case, the father lay dead in
+the arms of his sons. With tears of regret, and self-reproaches for
+their ill-advised attempt, the afflicted sons buried the beloved
+corpse, under an oak not far from the cottage.</p>
+
+<p>They lived together for some time after this event, but at length,
+being imbued with the desire of seeing foreign countries, they
+resolved to renounce their hitherto rude mode of life, and each to set
+out in a different direction to seek his fortune.</p>
+
+<p>When they had fixed the day for their separation they once more went
+hunting together, in order to provide so much food as they might
+require for at least the first day of their wandering. On the day
+appointed for their departure they went to the oak which shaded their
+father's grave, swore eternal brotherly love to each other, and after
+mutually taking an affectionate leave, each pursued his separate way.</p>
+
+<p>To relate what occurred to each of these twelve brethren, and how each
+fulfilled his appointed destiny, would be a very tedious task, and the
+more so as the fate of the younger brother was alone sufficiently
+remarkable to deserve attention.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[287]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This youth had from his earliest years an aversion to all kind of
+labour and trouble; hence, in all his necessities he always relied on
+the favour of Fortune, and the more so as he had more than once had
+reason to surmise that she was favourably inclined towards him. Whilst
+his brothers laboriously pursued their game under every disadvantage
+of time, place, and weather, he would lie at his ease, with his
+weapons beside him, on a grassy hill, beneath the shade of the trees;
+and it generally came to pass that whilst his brothers pursued some
+poor hare, in the sweat of their brow, a roebuck would come, as if at
+his call, so near to him that he could shoot it without the least
+exertion. Owing to this, he had to endure many a jeer from his
+brethren, whose jealousy was excited by his good luck, and they called
+him in derision Lazy Bones.</p>
+
+<p>His confidence in the favour of the blind goddess guided him
+prosperously on his way. By day he shot all kinds of game, which came
+in abundance towards him, kindled a fire, roasted and eat it; at
+night, he stretched himself on the soft grass, and slept refreshingly
+till the next morning. After he had pursued his way in this manner for
+six days, he arrived at a royal city altogether unknown to him. He
+entered one of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[288]</a></span> best inns, and offered the host a hare in exchange
+for a draught of wine, to refresh himself with after the fatigue of
+his journey. The host gave him credit for more than he was able both
+to eat and drink, offered him a bed, and charged him the most moderate
+price.</p>
+
+<p>Just as he sat down to table, a multitude of persons assembled in the
+room of the inn, and conversed with each other about a most remarkable
+occurrence which had just taken place. The affair was indeed one of no
+trifling importance, for it concerned the royal establishment. The
+king had had ninety-nine swineherds, who one and all had disappeared,
+and in all probability would never again be heard of. The
+nine-and-ninetieth of these had been missed only the night before, and
+it was much doubted whether the king would be able to find any one
+again who would be willing to undertake so perilous a charge. For
+although the highest wages were offered to any one who would undertake
+to tend the royal swine but for a single day, yet no one throughout
+the whole kingdom had yet offered himself, and the illustrious owner
+of the swine was in great risk of losing them all.</p>
+
+<p>The young stranger listened to this narration with surprise, but could
+not conjecture what could be the difficulty attached to the service.
+As the host had for some time<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[289]</a></span> been employed in looking out for
+swineherds for the king, he asked his young guest whether he would
+undertake the office, adding at the same time, that the king would
+give a year's wages for a single day's service.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" replied Pista, (that was the young adventurer's name) and
+he declared himself quite willing to undertake the charge, as he
+thought the business of a swineherd did not demand more skill and
+trouble than he was accustomed to exert. His consent thus given, the
+host joyfully conducted him to the king and praised throughout the
+whole city the courageous resolution of his guest.</p>
+
+<p>The monarch received them both graciously, and not only confirmed the
+offer made by the host to the youth, but promised him a gratuity into
+the bargain, in case of his discharging his duty with zeal and
+perseverance.</p>
+
+<p>He commanded a capital supper to be placed before him, and appointing
+him to drive the swine in the morning to the heath, he dismissed him
+with the most gracious wishes for his welfare.</p>
+
+<p>Before the dawn of day, Pista was already at his post. The heath lay
+in a pleasant district, inclosed on the one side by mountains, and on
+the other by a thick forest. On his arrival there he found all
+tranquil, and could not imagine what danger was to be apprehended.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[290]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He passed the day in expectation, and the evening approached as
+peacefully as the day had departed. The moon and stars shed their
+light over the district, and the refreshing coolness of the air
+invited the carefree herdsman to repose. He lay calmly down near his
+herd, commended them and himself to fortune, and slept in peace.</p>
+
+<p>He had not slept an hour, when the most extraordinary of all night
+visions awakened him. The oldest patriarch of the herd stood before
+him, and thus addressed him: "Fear not, for I am thy friend, and come
+to thee as a well-intentioned counsellor, to warn thee of the danger
+that awaits thee. As I have selected thee for my prot&eacute;g&eacute;, I will
+assist thee to the best of my power. When thou drivest us home
+to-morrow, mind to request the king to give thee a loaf of bread and a
+flask of wine, for the following day. These shall preserve thee from
+all misfortune. A great dragon who rules this forest, will endeavour
+to overthrow and swallow thee. But if thou givest him these gifts,
+thou wilt not only be able to resist him, but after he shall have
+drunk the wine thou mayest destroy him."</p>
+
+<p>Pista was not a little astonished at this apparition; he rubbed his
+eyes, pricked up his ears, and collected<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[291]</a></span> all his senses, to convince
+himself that he was really awake and not dreaming. But when he saw the
+boar standing bodily before him, and distinctly heard every word, he
+at last returned him grateful thanks for his friendly admonition, and
+promised punctually to observe his instructions.</p>
+
+<p>The following evening he drove the herd home. The king met him, not
+without astonishment, caused the year's wages to be paid to him
+immediately, and gave him permission further to ask some favour.
+Pista, well pleased, put the money in his pocket, and for the present
+asked for nothing more than bread and wine for the following evening.</p>
+
+<p>The cock had scarcely crowed to welcome the first hour of the morning,
+when our herdsman again passed out at the city gate with his herd. He
+betook himself to the same heath where he had passed the foregoing
+night, and had had the strange <i>t&ecirc;te-&agrave;-t&ecirc;te</i> with the boar.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as he reached the spot, his bristly Mentor again approached
+him and said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Up and mount me without fear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Swift on my back I thee will bear;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">So that, ere many minutes' space,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Thou shalt reach the appointed place."<br /></span>
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[292]</a></span></div></div>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_300.jpg" width="500" height="721" alt="FORTUNE&#39;S FAVOURITE."  />
+<span class="caption">FORTUNE&#39;S FAVOURITE.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>The youth bestrode the boar, and in a trice found himself in the
+neighbouring wood, and deposited under an enormous oak. The boar then
+repeated what he had said to his prot&eacute;g&eacute; the preceding day, and
+hastened back to the herd.</p>
+
+<p>Pista prepared himself for his adventure, and before he could
+accurately reconnoitre the field of battle, so dreadful a noise
+proceeding from the interior of the forest pierced his ears, that all
+the trees round him creaked and rustled as in a storm. It came nearer
+and nearer, and he soon perceived a monstrous dragon, rapidly making
+towards him, tearing the bushes and trees as he passed, and even
+throwing them to the ground. Mindful of his Mentor's words, Pista took
+courage, offered the bread and wine to the dragon, and besought him to
+spare his life.</p>
+
+<p>This liberal offer astonished the dragon more than the resistance of a
+whole band of herdsmen would have done. He quietly received the gifts,
+devoured the bread with much satisfaction, and as the wine speedily
+took effect, he drowsily tumbled on the earth. Pista did not delay to
+avail himself of the opportunity. When he perceived that the dragon
+slept, he drew out his knife and cut the throat of the drunken
+monster; <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[293]</a></span>before, however, he had completed the operation, he saw a
+copper key fall out of his jaws, which he picked up and put in his
+pocket.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime, the herd had gradually moved towards the interior of
+the forest, to a considerable distance from the spot where the dragon
+had met his death. Pista, fearing he might lose the objects of his
+charge, resolved to cut across the bend of the forest, and to go in a
+straight line, the same by which the dragon had come, to look after
+them.</p>
+
+<p>He had not gone far, when a new overwhelming surprise banished them
+from his thoughts. An immense castle, entirely built of copper, stood
+before him, far surpassing in splendour the residence of his king, and
+which seemed the more to invite him to enter, inasmuch as he could
+nowhere descry a single guard to forbid his approach.</p>
+
+<p>Solitary and silent was all around him: not even the song of a bird
+broke the stillness. Hastening up to the castle, he found all the
+gates locked; but suddenly remembering the key in his pocket, he drew
+it out and tried it in the nearest gate, and discovered to his joyful
+surprise that it opened every lock. He soon found himself in the
+interior of a most magnificent<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[294]</a></span> palace, with such a number of state
+rooms opening round him, that he could hardly tell which he should
+first enter. He passed through the grand hall and went from room to
+room, until he at last reached a great saloon, the walls of which were
+mirrors, whilst all manner of gold and silver articles of furniture
+glittered round him. In the centre of the room stood a table of
+silver, whereon lay a golden rod. Without precisely knowing wherefore,
+he took up the rod and struck the table with it, upon which a young
+dragon immediately appeared, and with indescribable courtesy begged
+that he would honour him with his commands.</p>
+
+<p>Recovering from his surprise, Pista expressed a wish to be shown the
+whole interior of the palace, with the gardens belonging to it. The
+obliging dragon immediately complied with, and requested his guest to
+follow him. He led him through all the chambers and halls of the
+palace, each of which seemed to contain the treasure of a whole
+kingdom; thence into the stables, where splendid coursers fed from
+silver mangers on golden oats, and who neighed loudly at the entrance
+of their visitors.</p>
+
+<p>At last Pista and his attendant came into a garden full of
+marvellously beautiful flowers and delicious<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[295]</a></span> fruits, which seemed to
+the stranger like a second paradise. He could not refrain from
+plucking a rose, which he stuck in his cap.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_304.jpg" width="500" height="573" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>When he had seen all, he inquired of the dragon for the lord of the
+palace. The dragon bowed before him with the greatest reverence, and
+begged him, as the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[296]</a></span> owner from thenceforth of the palace and its
+treasures, graciously to accept his homage, promising at the same time
+that he would guard all with the utmost vigilance, and endeavour to
+deserve his approbation.</p>
+
+<p>Pista was not a little astonished at this address, but as all the
+events which had befallen him within the last few days, appeared to
+him to be nothing less than natural, he accepted the dragon's homage,
+and played the part of master as well as he could. Having nodded
+approbation to his new servitor, he left the castle with proud
+gravity. The portals closed of themselves after him with thundering
+noise; he then carefully locked all the gates with his key, and
+returned to seek his swine.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before he met the whole herd in the best order. The
+sun was already glowing in the west, and the shadows of the mountains
+stretched across the plains. It seemed time to turn homewards; he
+whistled; the herd put itself in motion; and before the evening star
+shone in the heavens, they were all at home again in their sheds.</p>
+
+<p>Pista had no sooner housed his charge, than the king's daughters came
+running towards him with the most unusual friendliness. The youngest
+had seen<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[297]</a></span> from afar the rose in his cap, and as she could not resist
+the desire to possess it, she begged from him the lovely flower. The
+swineherd instantly presented it to the princess, and thought himself
+highly honoured when he saw his gift placed in the bosom of the most
+charming of the royal maidens.</p>
+
+<p>The king, meanwhile, deeply amazed at the no less punctual than safe
+return of his herdsman, sent for him into his presence, and inquired
+particularly about all that had occurred to him on the heath. But
+Pista carefully avoided satisfying his curiosity; gave very brief
+answers to his questions; and said nothing that could betray his
+fortunate adventure.</p>
+
+<p>"This rose," said he, "which I found already plucked, and lying on the
+stem of a tree, is all that I saw on my way. I stuck it in my hat that
+it might not fade quite unenjoyed."</p>
+
+<p>The king again expressed his entire satisfaction and favour; and
+promised for the future days the same rich reward he had already
+enjoyed.</p>
+
+<p>The herdsman thanked his patron and returned to his swine, in order to
+pass the night near them on his bed of straw.</p>
+
+<p>Just about midnight the friendly boar awakened him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[298]</a></span> as on the
+preceding night, and said, "Pista must provide himself with bread and
+wine for the coming day also, as he would have to do with a still
+larger dragon than the former."</p>
+
+<p>He advised him to double the measure of provisions, and told him he
+would have nothing to fear if he encountered the monster as
+courageously as he did that of the day before.</p>
+
+<p>Before day-break Pista supplied himself with two loaves and two flasks
+of wine, and went as usual with the swine to the heath. Arrived there,
+the boar again approached him and said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Up and mount me without fear,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">Swift on my back I will thee bear;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">This day thou must higher go,<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">And still higher fortune know."<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The youth obeyed the boar, and sooner than if on a racer's back he
+found himself by an inclosure, considerably beyond the place where he
+stopped the day before. The boar again deposited him under an oak,
+repeated several times what he had before enforced, and left him to
+his destiny.</p>
+
+<p>Pista had not long to wait; he soon heard a terrible rustling
+descending from the tops of the trees. By<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[299]</a></span> degrees it grew darker
+around him, and at once a monstrous dragon, much larger than the
+first, came sailing through the air, whose out-spread wings shaded,
+like a thunder-cloud, the district beneath, as with furious haste he
+seemed descending on the herdsman. But Pista lost no time in offering
+him the two loaves and the two flasks, which so fortunately appeased
+the monster that he immediately stretched himself on the grass, and,
+much at his ease, swallowed the provisions, and then fell asleep and
+snored like thunder. Pista again seized the favourable moment and cut
+the dragon's throat, from whose jaws fell a silver key, which he put
+at once into his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>Then he went, as on the preceding day, into the interior of the
+forest, and soon saw a palace built entirely of silver, which dazzled
+his eyes from afar by its brilliancy. All that he saw and did in the
+Copper Palace, he saw and did here; only the magnificence of the one
+far exceeded that of the other, and caused him to linger here much
+longer. After a very obsequious dragon had shown him all the
+treasures, and at last led him into the garden, he plucked there a
+silver rose, of which there were great numbers, and stuck it in his
+cap. He then locked the gates of his beautiful palace with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[300]</a></span> silver
+key, returned to his herd, and as the day was declining, drove them
+quietly home.</p>
+
+<p>As before, the king's daughters came familiarly to meet him, and the
+youngest snatched the silver rose from him, and ran playfully with it
+to her father. The king sent for him as before, questioned him of all
+that had occurred, and having received satisfactory answers, expressed
+his entire approbation.</p>
+
+<p>The same adventure occurred on the third day, with the sole difference
+that the herdsman this time entered a Golden Palace, and brought from
+the garden a golden rose, which the fair princess appropriated as
+before.</p>
+
+<p>It happened that a festival which the king had long resolved to give
+to the suitors of his daughters, was just about to be held. He caused
+three golden apples of the same size to be made, on each of which he
+had inscribed the name of one of the princesses. These he ordered to
+be suspended by golden threads in the front court of his castle, as
+the prize of a trial of skill, for which the victor was to receive the
+hand of one of the princesses. Whoever, at full gallop, should succeed
+in striking down with his lance one of these apples, was to receive
+the golden fruit and the princess whose name it bore. As the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[301]</a></span> three
+sisters were no less extraordinarily beautiful than rich, it may
+easily be guessed that the number of their suitors was not small. A
+countless number of princes from far and near were assembled in the
+royal city, and the king's brother was also present with his nine
+daughters. The whole kingdom took a lively interest in this festival,
+and young and old rejoiced at its commencement. Whatever the royal
+treasures could produce was exhibited there, and all the rich and
+noble flocked thither to contribute their share towards enhancing the
+pomp of the long looked for feast.</p>
+
+<p>As it was to be supposed that Pista would not willingly be absent from
+such a grand sight, the youngest princess, out of gratitude for her
+three roses, invited him to witness it; advising him not to stay away
+if he had any curiosity to see all the most precious of her father's
+possessions, in horses, clothes, and jewels. But to the no small
+surprise of the princess, the herdsman thanked her for her invitation,
+but said he preferred remaining with his equals, and would tend the
+swine as usual.</p>
+
+<p>The morning arrived, and all within and around the city was in motion.
+The streets swarmed with countless people: even the most helpless
+cripples dragged themselves along, anxious to see the show. Pista
+alone<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[302]</a></span> drove forth his swine with the utmost indifference, and did not
+evince the slightest curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>Who could have guessed, however, what the homely youth had secretly
+determined, and what a trick he had resolved to play on all the
+princely suitors? He no sooner reached the heath than he hastened to
+the forest where his late adventures had occurred. He went to the
+Copper Palace, entered the hall, and with a stroke of the golden wand
+commanded the serviceable dragon to provide for him the most
+magnificent attire and the finest courser. The dragon rapidly obeyed
+his master's order, dressed him as expeditiously and handily as the
+most experienced valet could have done, and then as quickly cantered
+up a splendidly caparisoned steed, who seemed to breathe fire as he
+neighed with desire for the combat.</p>
+
+<p>Pista mounted his horse, and the courts of the castle thundered
+beneath his tramp. He flew, as if borne on the lightning's wing, over
+the heath and road, and suddenly appeared in the lists of the royal
+disputants. The brilliancy of his attire, the swiftness and strength
+of his horse, and the costly jewels that adorned him, dazzled all
+eyes, and it could not have occurred to any one that in him they
+beheld the swineherd. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[303]</a></span> king himself thought he must be his equal
+in dignity, and offered him the honour of precedence. But Pista
+declined this distinction, and requested, on the contrary, to be
+allowed to be the last on the list of suitors.</p>
+
+<p>At last the signal was given. All pressed to the lists, and the race
+began. Riders and horses flew emulously towards the prize, but not one
+succeeded in even touching either of the apples with his lance.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the unknown guest darted over the course like an arrow, and
+hit the first of the three apples so dexterously, that it, together
+with the golden thread to which it was fastened, remained hanging on
+his lance. The gaze of all was fixed upon him; but without vouchsafing
+a look on any, he flew with his prize straight across the lists and
+disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>This unexpected circumstance created universal embarrassment amongst
+the disconcerted suitors, and determined the king to postpone the
+remainder of the festival until the following day. Meanwhile he sent
+some of his swiftest riders in search of the strange fugitive, in
+order to discover, if possible, whence he came. But before these were
+ready to start, our knight had already become invisible, and, in his
+herdsman's dress, had again rejoined his swine.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[304]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In the evening, as usual, he brought them home, and attended to them
+in the customary manner. But before he retired to rest, the youngest
+of the princesses descried him, and hastening to him, related in great
+agitation the untoward event which had that day deprived her of the
+apple destined to her, and at the same time of him who should have
+been her bridegroom. The herdsman expressed his great sympathy, and
+tried to console her, by saying that no one could tell whether the
+misfortune that had happened might not in the end turn out to her
+advantage.</p>
+
+<p>The next day, before the ceremonies recommenced, Pista was again on
+the heath with his herd. This day he went to the Silver Palace,
+attired himself still more splendidly, and mounted a yet finer horse.
+Swift as the wind, and resplendent in gold and jewels, he again sprang
+to the lists. All were astonished at this second apparition. All
+inclined themselves before him, and no one recognised in him the same
+guest who had so distinguished himself on the preceding day.</p>
+
+<p>But, as yesterday, all eyes were riveted on him; he set spurs to his
+horse, and sprang with hanging bridle to the prize, then flew like an
+arrow, bearing the second<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[305]</a></span> apple across the lists, and disappeared
+from the sight of the astonished multitude.</p>
+
+<p>The king and his illustrious guests now began to apprehend that some
+supernatural power influenced these events, and they had nearly
+determined not to renew the trial of skill till the following year.
+But as already two of the golden apples were lost, they could not
+resist their curiosity respecting the third and last. The king
+therefore appointed the conclusion of the festival for the next
+morning, and in the meantime endeavoured to tranquillise himself as
+well as he could.</p>
+
+<p>As before, so was it on this third occasion. The herdsman had gone
+early to the heath, and now appeared in an attire, and mounted on a
+horse, this time procured from the Golden Palace, both of which
+infinitely surpassed the two former. He carried off the third apple,
+and fled, to the wonder of all, swift as the wind, far out of sight.</p>
+
+<p>The festival was now over; the assembly separated; the suitors
+returned to their homes, and the king lamented the fate of his beloved
+daughters. The daughters shed many tears, and mourned over their fate
+as an appointment of Heaven, forbidding them ever to have a
+bridegroom.</p>
+
+<p>As the very first of these occurrences had caused the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[306]</a></span> king entirely
+to forget to pay the herdsman his daily wages, the latter had now
+three days' hire due to him. Pista therefore availed himself of the
+pretext of demanding his wages as a good opportunity to learn what
+impression his three adventures had made at court. That same evening,
+when he brought home his herd, he presented himself before the king,
+but apprehending that, if he left his three apples in the stall, they
+might be purloined, he concealed them in his hat, which he retained on
+his head, although in presence of his monarch.</p>
+
+<p>The king perceived this disrespectful conduct of his herdsman not
+without surprise; but, as he was exceedingly well disposed towards
+him, on account of his great services, he indulgently asked him what
+he required. Pista had scarcely prepared himself to make his request,
+when the youngest, and now exceedingly discontented princess entered,
+and with an air of highly offended pride, snatched his hat off his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>The golden apples fell out of it, and rolled to the monarch's feet.</p>
+
+<p>What was the astonishment of the whole court! The princesses
+recognised their names, and could not express their delight at finding
+their apples. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[307]</a></span> king pressed the youth in the most gracious terms
+to explain how he had come by them.</p>
+
+<p>Pista replied, with the utmost frankness, that he was the winner of
+the three apples, and therefore thought he had a full right to one of
+the princesses for his bride.</p>
+
+<p>Now, as the king, mindful of the unexampled splendour, as also the
+extraordinary good fortune by which the stranger had distinguished
+himself in the lists, anticipated some still greater advantage behind
+the darkness of this mysterious occurrence, he admitted the herdsman's
+claim with very little hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>The youngest of the princesses felt herself suddenly cheered, and so
+powerfully attracted to the metamorphosed swineherd, that in spite of
+his peasant's dress she threw her arms around his neck. The king
+immediately decided that he should become her husband, and the
+following morning the wedding was celebrated with the utmost
+magnificence, in presence of the whole court, at the Golden Palace in
+the forest, which Pista immediately selected for his residence.</p>
+
+<p>When the banquet was over, the bridegroom commanded his faithful
+dragon, who had already the day before provided a numerous
+establishment of domestics of his own winged race, immediately to
+bring hither<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[308]</a></span> his eleven brothers, whose respective names he had
+furnished him with, and had described their persons as accurately as
+he could.</p>
+
+<p>Before the sun went down the eleven brothers were seen coming at full
+gallop to the Golden Palace. By the care of the ever active dragon
+they were all splendidly dressed, and they rejoiced and wondered not a
+little at the unexpected change in their destiny.</p>
+
+<p>Two of them married the sisters of their royal sister-in-law, and the
+rest married the nine daughters of the other king. They soon conquered
+for themselves as many kingdoms, and lived happily together till their
+dying day.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[309]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_LUCKY_DAYS" id="THE_LUCKY_DAYS"></a>THE LUCKY DAYS.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Italian.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_318.jpg" alt="A" width="110" height="104" /></div>
+<p>t Casena, in Romagna, lived a poor widow, a very worthy, industrious
+woman, by name Lucietta. She unfortunately had an only son, who, for
+stupidity and laziness, had yet to find his equal. He would lie in bed
+till noon, and when he did resolve to rise, he took a full hour to rub
+his eyes, and then he would be nearly as long stretching his arms and
+legs; in short, he behaved like the veriest sluggard upon earth.</p>
+
+<p>This grieved his mother very much, for she had once hoped that he
+would some day become the support of her old age; and she never ceased
+to urge and advise him, in order to make him a little more active and
+industrious.</p>
+
+<p>"My son," she often said to him, "he who would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[310]</a></span> see good days in this
+world must exert himself, be industrious, and rise at break of day;
+for good fortune favours the industrious and the vigilant, but never
+comes to the lazy and sluggardly. Therefore, my son, if you will
+believe my counsel, and follow it, then you shall see good days, and
+all will fall out to your heart's content."</p>
+
+<p>Lucilio&mdash;that was the young man's name&mdash;the silliest of the silly,
+unquestionably heard what his mother said, but he did not understand
+the meaning of her words. He got up as if he were waking out of a deep
+and heavy sleep, and sauntered along the road before the city gate,
+where he stretched himself, in order to finish his nap, right across
+the pathway, so that all entering or leaving the city could not avoid
+stumbling over him.</p>
+
+<p>It so happened that the very night before, three inhabitants of the
+city had gone out to bury a treasure which they had accidentally
+discovered. They had succeeded in finding it again, and were in the
+act of carrying it home, when they came upon Lucilio, who still lay
+across the road, but no longer sleeping. He had just waked up, and was
+looking round him for one of the good days his mother had prophesied
+to him.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[311]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Heaven send you a good day, friend," said the first of the three men,
+as he walked over him.</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven be praised!" said Lucilio, when he heard the words. "Now I
+shall have a good day!"</p>
+
+<p>The man who had buried the treasure, conscious of his fault, fancied
+directly that these words bore reference to him, and that the secret
+had been betrayed. This was quite natural; for whoever has a bad
+conscience, always interprets the most indifferent words as an
+allusion to himself.</p>
+
+<p>The second man then stumbled over Lucilio, likewise wishing him, as
+his predecessor had done, a good day. Whereupon Lucilio, still
+dwelling on the good days, said to himself, but half loud, "Now I have
+two of them!"</p>
+
+<p>The third followed and saluted him as the two others had done, also
+wishing that Heaven might send him a good day. Up started Lucilio,
+overjoyed, and exclaiming, "Oh! delightful! Now I have got all three
+of them! I am fortunate!"</p>
+
+<p>He alluded only to three lucky days; but the buriers of the treasure
+thought he meant them; and as they feared he might go and give
+information of them to the magistrate, they took him aside, told him<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[312]</a></span>
+the whole affair, and, to bribe him into silence, gave him the fourth
+part of the treasure.</p>
+
+<p>Well pleased, Lucilio took his portion, carried it home to his mother,
+and said, "Dear mother, Heaven's blessing has been with me; for, as I
+did as you desired, so I have found the good days. Take this money,
+and buy with it all we require."</p>
+
+<p>The mother was not a little pleased at the fortunate occurrence, and
+urged her son to go on exerting himself that he might find more such
+good days.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[313]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_FEAST_OF_THE_DWARFS" id="THE_FEAST_OF_THE_DWARFS"></a>THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Icelandish.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_322.jpg" alt="I" width="100" height="102" /></div>
+<p>ot very far from Drontheim, in Norway, dwelt a powerful man, blessed
+with all the gifts of fortune. A considerable portion of the land
+around belonged to him; numerous herds grazed in his pastures, and a
+numerous establishment of domestics contributed to the grandeur of his
+dwelling. He had an only daughter called Aslog, whose beauty was
+celebrated far and near. The most illustrious of her countrymen sought
+to obtain her hand, but without success; and those who arrived gay and
+full of hope, rode away in silence and with heavy hearts. Her father,
+who thought that his daughter's rejection of so many suitors proceeded
+from her anxiety to make a prudent choice, did not interfere, and
+rejoiced to think that she was so discreet. At length, however, when
+he perceived that the noblest and the most wealthy of the land were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[314]</a></span>
+rejected equally with all others, he grew angry, and thus addressed
+her:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Hitherto I have left you at full liberty to make your own selection;
+but, as I observe that you reject all indiscriminately, and that the
+most eligible suitors are yet in your opinion not good enough for you,
+I shall no longer permit such conduct. Is my race, then, to be
+extinguished, and are my possessions to fall into the hands of
+strangers? I am resolved to bend your stubborn will. I give you time
+for consideration until the great winter nights' festival; if you
+shall not then have made your election, be prepared to accept him whom
+I determine upon for you."</p>
+
+<p>Aslog loved a handsome, brave, and noble youth, whose name was Orm.
+She loved him with her whole soul, and would have preferred death to
+giving her hand to any one but him. But Orm was poor, and his poverty
+compelled him to take service in her father's house. Aslog's love for
+him was therefore kept secret, for her haughty father would never have
+consented to an alliance with a man in so subordinate a position. When
+Aslog beheld his stern aspect and heard his angry words, she became
+deathly pale, for she knew his disposition, and was well aware that he
+would put his threat in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[315]</a></span> execution. Without offering a word in reply,
+she withdrew to her chamber, there to consider how to escape the storm
+that menaced her.</p>
+
+<p>The great festival drew near, and her anxiety increased daily.</p>
+
+<p>At length the lovers resolved to fly. "I know a hiding place," said
+Orm, "where we can remain undiscovered till we find an opportunity of
+quitting the country."</p>
+
+<p>During the night, whilst all were asleep, Orm conducted the trembling
+Aslog across the snow and fields of ice to the mountains. The moon and
+stars, which always seem brightest in the cold winter's night, lighted
+them on their way. They had brought with them some clothes and furs,
+but that was all they could carry.</p>
+
+<p>They climbed the mountains the whole night long, till they arrived at
+a solitary spot completely encircled by rock. Here Orm led the weary
+Aslog into a cave, the dark and narrow entrance to which was scarcely
+perceptible; it soon widened, however, into a spacious chamber that
+penetrated far into the mountain. Orm kindled a fire, and they sat
+beside it, leaning against the rock, shut out from the rest of the
+world.</p>
+
+<p>Orm was the first who had discovered this cavern, which is now shown
+as a curiosity; and, as at that time no one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[316]</a></span> knew of its existence,
+they were secure from the pursuit of Aslog's father. Here they passed
+the winter. Orm went out to chase the wild animals of the lonely
+region, and Aslog remained in the cave, attended to the fire, and
+prepared their necessary food. She frequently climbed to the summit of
+the rock, but, far as her eye could reach, it beheld only the
+sparkling snow-fields.</p>
+
+<p>Spring arrived, the woods became green, the fields arrayed themselves
+in bright colours, and Aslog dared now only seldom, and with great
+precaution, to emerge from her cavern.</p>
+
+<p>One evening Orm returned home bringing news that he had recognised, at
+a distance, her father's people, and that they had no doubt also
+descried him, as they could see as clearly as himself. "They will
+surround this place," continued he, "and not rest till they have found
+us; we must therefore instantly be off."</p>
+
+<p>They immediately descended the mountain on the other side, and reached
+the sea-shore, where they fortunately found a boat. Orm pushed off,
+and the boat was driven into the open sea. They had, it is true,
+escaped their pursuers, but they were now exposed to perils of another
+kind. Whither should they turn? They dared not land, for Aslog's
+father was lord of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[317]</a></span> whole coast, and they would so fall into his
+hands. Nothing remained, therefore, for them, but to commit the boat
+to the winds and waves, which pursued its way all night, so that at
+day-break the coast had disappeared, and they saw only sky and water;
+they had not brought any provisions with them, and hunger and thirst
+began to torture them. Thus they drove on for three days, and Aslog,
+weak and exhausted, foresaw their certain destruction.</p>
+
+<p>At length, on the evening of the third day, they beheld an island of
+considerable size, surrounded by a multitude of lesser islets. Orm
+immediately steered towards it, but, as they approached it, a gale
+arose and the waves swelled higher and higher; he turned the boat in
+hopes to be able to land on some other side, but equally without
+success. Whenever the bark approached the island, it was driven back
+as if by some invisible force.</p>
+
+<p>Orm, gazing on the unhappy Aslog, who seemed dying from exhaustion,
+crossed himself, and uttered an exclamation, which had scarcely passed
+his lips, when the storm ceased, the waves sank, and the little bark
+landed without further obstruction. He then sprang on shore, and a few
+mussels which he collected,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[318]</a></span> so revived and strengthened the exhausted
+Aslog, that in a short time she also was able to quit the boat.</p>
+
+<p>The island was entirely covered with dwarf mushrooms, and appeared to
+be uninhabited; but when they had penetrated nearly to the centre of
+it they perceived a house, half of which only was above the ground,
+and the other half under it. In the hope that they might find human
+help they joyfully approached it; they listened for some sound, but
+the deepest silence prevailed all around. At length Orm opened the
+door and entered with his companion; great was their astonishment,
+however, when they perceived everything prepared as if for
+inhabitants, but no living being visible. The fire burnt on the hearth
+in the middle of the room, and a kettle with fish hung over it,
+waiting, probably, for some one to make a meal of its contents; beds
+were ready prepared for the reception of sleepers. Orm and Aslog stood
+for a time doubtful, and looked fearfully about; at length, impelled
+by hunger, they took the food and eat it. When they had satisfied
+their hunger, and, by the last rays of the sun, could not discover any
+one far and wide, they yielded to fatigue and lay down on the beds, a
+luxury which they had so long been deprived of.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[319]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>They had fully expected to be awakened in the night by the return of
+the owners of the house, but they were deceived in their expectation;
+throughout the following day, also, no one appeared, and it seemed as
+if some invisible power had prepared the house for their reception.
+Thus did they pass the whole summer most happily; it is true they were
+alone, but the absence of mankind was not felt by them. The eggs of
+wild-fowl and the fish which they caught afforded them sufficient
+provision.</p>
+
+<p>When autumn approached, Aslog bore a son, and in the midst of their
+rejoicing at his arrival they were surprised by a wonderful
+apparition.&mdash;The door opened suddenly, and an old woman entered; she
+wore a beautiful blue garment, and in her form and manner was
+something dignified, and at the same time unusual and strange.</p>
+
+<p>"Let not my sudden appearance alarm you," said she. "I am the owner of
+this house, and I thank you for having kept it so clean and well, and
+that I now find everything in such good order. I would willingly have
+come sooner, but I could not until the little heathen there&mdash;pointing
+to the infant&mdash;had established himself here. Now I have free access;
+but do not, I<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[320]</a></span> pray you, fetch a priest here from the main-land to
+baptise him, for then I shall be obliged to go away again. If you
+fulfil my wish, not only may you remain here, but every good you can
+desire I will bestow on you; whatever you undertake shall succeed;
+good fortune shall attend you wherever you go. But if you break this
+condition, you may assure yourselves that misfortune on misfortune
+shall visit you, and I will even avenge myself on the child. If you
+stand in need of anything, or are in danger, you have only to
+pronounce my name thrice: I will appear and aid you. I am of the race
+of the ancient giants, and my name is Guru. Beware, however, of
+pronouncing, in my presence, the name that no giant likes to hear, and
+never make the sign of the cross, nor cut it in any of the boards in
+the house. You may live here the year round; only on Yule evening be
+so kind as to leave the house to me as soon as the sun goes down. Then
+we celebrate our great festival, the only occasion on which we are
+permitted to be merry. If, however, you do not like to quit the house,
+remain as quietly as possible under ground, and, as you value your
+lives, do not look into the room before midnight; after that hour you
+may again take possession of all."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[321]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When the old woman had thus spoken, she disappeared, and Aslog and
+Orm, thus rendered easy as to their position, lived on without
+disturbance contented and happy. Orm never cast his net without a good
+draught&mdash;never shot an arrow that did not hit&mdash;in short, whatever he
+undertook, however trifling it might be, prospered visibly.</p>
+
+<p>When Christmas came they made the house as clean as possible, set
+everything in order, kindled a fire on the hearth, and on the approach
+of twilight descended to the under part of the house, where they
+remained quiet and silent. At length it grew dark, and they fancied
+they heard a rustling and snorting in the air, like that which the
+swans make in the winter season. In the wall over the hearth was an
+aperture that could be opened and shut to admit light, or to let out
+smoke. Orm raised the lid, which was covered with a skin, and put out
+his head, when a wonderful spectacle presented itself. The little
+surrounding islets were illuminated by countless little blue lights,
+which moved incessantly, danced up and down, then slid along the
+shore, collected together, and approached nearer and nearer to the
+island in which Orm and Aslog dwelt. When they reached it they<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[322]</a></span>
+arranged themselves in a circle round a great stone, which stood not
+very far from the shore, and which was well known to Orm. But how
+great was his astonishment, when he saw that the stone had assumed a
+perfectly human form, although of gigantic stature. He could now
+clearly distinguish that the lights were carried by dwarfs, whose pale
+earth-coloured faces, with large noses and red eyes, in the form of
+birds' beaks and owls' eyes, surmounted mis-shapen bodies. They
+waddled and shuffled here and there, and seemed to be sad and gay at
+the same time. Suddenly the circle opened, the little people drew back
+on either side, and Guru, who now appeared as large as the stone,
+approached with giant steps. She threw her arms around the stony
+figure, which at that moment received life and movement. At the first
+indication of this, the little people set up, accompanied by
+extraordinary grimaces and gestures, such a song, or rather howl, that
+the whole island resounded and shook with the noise. Orm, quite
+terrified, drew in his head, and he and Aslog now remained in the dark
+so quiet, that they scarcely dared to breathe.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_332.jpg" width="500" height="713" alt="THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS."  />
+<span class="caption">THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>The procession arrived at the house, as was clearly perceived by the
+nearer approach of the howl. They <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[323]</a></span>now all entered. Light and
+active, the dwarfs skipped over the benches; heavy and dull sounded
+the steps of the giants among them. Orm and his wife heard them lay
+out the table and celebrate their feast with the clattering of plates
+and cries of joy. When the feast was over and midnight was
+approaching, they began to dance to that magic melody which wraps the
+soul in sweet bewilderment, and which has been heard by some persons
+in the valleys and amid the rocks, who have thus learnt the air from
+subterranean musicians.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner did Aslog hear the melody than she was seized with an
+indescribable longing to witness the dance. Orm was unable to restrain
+her. "Let me look," said she, "or my heart will break." She took her
+infant and placed herself at the furthest extremity of the chamber,
+where she could see everything without being herself seen. Long did
+she watch, without turning away her eyes, the dance, and the agile and
+wonderful steps and leaps of the little beings, who seemed to float in
+the air and scarcely to touch the ground, whilst the enchanting music
+of the elfs filled her soul.</p>
+
+<p>In the mean time the infant on her arm grew<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[324]</a></span> sleepy and breathed
+heavily, and, without remembering the promise she had made to the old
+woman, she made the sign of the cross (as is the custom) over the
+child's mouth, and said, "Christ bless thee, my child!" She had
+scarcely uttered the words when a fearful piercing cry arose. The
+sprites rushed headlong out of the house, their lights were
+extinguished, and in a few minutes they had all left the house. Orm
+and Aslog, terrified almost to death, hid themselves in the remotest
+corner of the house. They ventured not to move until day-break, and,
+not until the sun shone through the hole over the hearth, did they
+find courage to come out of their hiding-place.</p>
+
+<p>The table was still covered as the sprites had left it, with all their
+precious and wonderfully wrought silver vessels. In the middle of the
+room stood, on the ground, a high copper vessel half filled with sweet
+metheglin, and by its side a drinking-horn of pure gold. In the corner
+lay a stringed instrument, resembling a dulcimer, on which, as it is
+believed, the female giants play. They gazed with admiration on all,
+but did not venture to touch anything. Greatly were they startled,
+however, when, on turning round, they beheld, seated at the table, a
+monstrous form, which Orm immediately<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[325]</a></span> recognised as the giant whom
+Guru had embraced. It was now a cold hard stone. Whilst they stood
+looking at it, Guru herself, in her giant form, entered the room. She
+wept so bitterly that her tears fell on the ground, and it was long
+before her sobs would allow her utterance; at length she said:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"Great sorrow have you brought upon me; I must now weep for the
+remainder of my days. As, however, I know that you did it not from any
+evil intention, I forgive you, although it would be easy for me to
+crumble this house over your heads like an egg-shell.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" exclaimed she, "there sits my husband, whom I loved better than
+myself, turned for ever into stone, never again to open his eyes. For
+three hundred years I lived with my father in the island of Kuman,
+happy in youthful innocence, the fairest amongst the virgins of the
+giant race. Mighty heroes were rivals for my hand; the sea that
+surrounds that island is full of fragments of rock which they hurled
+at each other in fight. Andfind won the victory, and I was betrothed
+to him. But before our marriage came the abhorred Odin into the
+country, conquered my father, and drove us out of the island. My
+father and sister fled to the mountains, and my eyes have never since
+beheld them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[326]</a></span> Andfind and I escaped to this island, where we lived for
+a long time in peace, and began to hope that we should never be
+disturbed. But Destiny, which no one can escape, had decreed
+otherwise; Oluff came from Britain. They called him the Holy, and
+Andfind at once discovered that his journey would be fatal to the
+giant race. When he heard Oluf's ship dashing through the waves, he
+went to the shore and blew against it with all his strength. The waves
+rose into mountains. But Oluf was mightier than he; his vessel flew
+unharmed through the waves, like an arrow from the bow. He steered
+straight to our island. When the ship was near enough for Andfind to
+reach it, he grasped the prow with his right hand, and was in the act
+of sending it to the bottom, as he had often done with other ships.
+But Oluf, the dreadful Oluf, stepped forwards, and crossing his hands,
+cried out with a loud voice:&mdash;'Stand there, a stone, until the last
+day!' and in that moment my unhappy husband became a mass of stone.
+The ship sailed on unhindered towards the mountain, which it severed,
+and separated from it the little islands that lie around it.</p>
+
+<p>"From that day all my happiness was annihilated, and I have passed my
+life in loneliness and sorrow.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[327]</a></span> Only on Yule evening can a petrified
+giant recover life for seven hours, if one of the race embraces him,
+and is willing to renounce a hundred years of life for this purpose.
+It is seldom that a giant does this. I loved my husband too tenderly
+not to recall him to life as often as I could, at whatever cost to
+myself. I never counted how often I had done it, in order that I might
+not know when the time would come when I should share his fate, and in
+the act of embracing him become one with him. But ah! even this
+consolation is denied me. I can never again awaken him with an
+embrace, since he has heard the name which I may not utter, and never
+will he again see the light until the dawn of the last day.</p>
+
+<p>"I am about to quit this place. You will never again behold me. All
+that is in the house I bestow on you. I reserve only my dulcimer. Let
+no one presume to set foot on the little surrounding islands. There
+dwells the little subterranean race, whom I will protect as long as I
+live."</p>
+
+<p>With these words she vanished. The following spring, Orm carried the
+golden horn and the silver vessels to Drontheim, where no one knew
+him. The value of these costly utensils was so great, that he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[328]</a></span>
+enabled to purchase all that a rich man requires. He loaded his vessel
+with his purchases, and returned to the island, where he lived for
+many years in uninterrupted happiness. Aslog's father soon became
+reconciled to his wealthy son-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>The stone figure remained seated in the house. No one was able to
+remove it thence. The stone was so hard that axe and hammer were
+shivered against it, without making the slightest impression on it.
+There the giant remained till a holy man came to the island, and with
+one word restored it to its former place, where it still is to be
+seen.</p>
+
+<p>The copper vessel which the subterranean people left behind them, is
+preserved as a memorial in the island, which is still called the
+Island of the Hut.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[329]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_THREE_DOGS" id="THE_THREE_DOGS"></a>THE THREE DOGS.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Frieslandish.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_340.jpg" alt="A" width="120" height="163" /></div>
+<p>&nbsp; shepherd who had two children, a son and a daughter, had, at his
+death, nothing to leave them but three sheep, and the little cottage
+they inhabited. On his death-bed he blessed them, and with his last
+breath admonished them to divide the legacy, and share it
+affectionately. When the children had buried their beloved father, the
+brother asked the sister which part of the inheritance she would
+prefer,&mdash;the sheep or the cottage? and as she chose the cottage, he
+said, "Then I will take the sheep, and wander out in the wide world;
+many a one has there found his fortune, and I am a Sunday child." With
+these words he embraced his sister, and with his inheritance left his
+native place.</p>
+
+<p>Far and wide did he wander, and much did he suffer&mdash;fortune never once
+recognising him as her son.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[330]</a></span> Once, full of sorrow, uncertain whither
+to bend his steps, he sat down by a cross road, when all at once there
+stood before him a man accompanied by three large dogs, the one
+greater than the other, strongly built, and jet black.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my brave youth," said the man, "you have there three fine
+sheep, and if you choose we will exchange property; let me have your
+sheep, and you shall have my dogs."</p>
+
+<p>In spite of his mournful disposition, the youth could not help
+laughing at the proposal. "What am I to do with your dogs?" demanded
+he; "my sheep feed themselves, but your dogs will want to be fed."</p>
+
+<p>"My dogs are of a peculiar kind," answered the stranger; "they will
+provide for you, instead of your providing for them, and besides they
+will bring you great fortune. The smallest of them is called
+Bring-food; the second, Tear-to-pieces; and the great and strong one
+is named Break-steel-and-iron."</p>
+
+<p>The shepherd, persuaded by the stranger, gave up his sheep; and now,
+to try their quality, he called out "Bring-food!" and forthwith one of
+the dogs ran away, and soon returned with a great basket full of the
+costliest and daintiest victuals. The shepherd was now much<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[331]</a></span> pleased
+at his exchange, and travelled far and wide over the land.</p>
+
+<p>Once on his road he met a carriage hung all over with black crape
+drawn by two horses, which were covered with cloth of the same colour,
+and the coachman, too, was in deep mourning. In the carriage was
+seated a wondrously beautiful lady, also enveloped in the mournful
+colour of sorrow, and bitterly weeping; the horses, with drooping
+heads, paced slowly along. "What means this?" said he to the coachman;
+but the coachman gave an evasive answer; at last, however, after much
+pressing, he related as follows: "There dwells in this neighbourhood a
+ferocious dragon who caused great havoc and destruction; to appease
+him, and to secure the land against his devastation, a compact has
+been entered into with him, and he each year receives as tribute a
+fair maiden, whom he at one morsel devours and swallows. All the
+maidens in the kingdom at the age of fourteen draw lots between them,
+and this year the lot has fallen upon the daughter of the king: on
+this account the king and the whole state were plunged into the
+deepest grief; but such terror did the dragon inspire, that they dared
+not refuse him the sacrifice."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[332]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The shepherd felt pity for the beautiful young princess, and followed
+the carriage, which at last stopped at a high mountain. The princess
+descended, and, full of despair and anguish, went slowly onwards to
+meet her awful destiny. The driver, on observing that the youth
+followed her, warned him; the shepherd, however, was not to be
+persuaded, but followed her steps.</p>
+
+<p>When they had thus advanced half-way up the mountain, the terrible
+monster approached from the summit, with an awful noise, to devour the
+victim. From its widely-extended jaws issued streams of burning
+sulphur, its body was encircled with thick horny scales, on its feet
+it had immense claws, and wings were attached to its long serpentine
+neck: already was it near enough to pounce upon its prey, when the
+shepherd cried out, "Tear-to-pieces!" and his second dog threw himself
+upon the dragon, and attacked him with such strength and ferocity,
+that, after a short combat, the monster fell exhausted and dead at the
+feet of his antagonist, who, to finish his victory, wholly devoured
+him, leaving only two teeth; these the shepherd put in his pocket.</p>
+
+<p>The princess, overcome with the extreme emotions of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[333]</a></span> fear and joy, had
+fainted away; the shepherd by every means in his power tried to
+restore her back to life, in which he at last succeeded. When fully
+recovered, the princess threw herself at the feet of her deliverer,
+thanking, and imploring him to return with her to her father, who
+would richly reward him for having returned him his daughter, and
+saved the country from the scourge of the dragon.</p>
+
+<p>The youth answered, he would first like to see and know a little more
+of the world; but in three years he would return, and by this
+resolution he remained. The maiden then returned to her carriage, and
+the shepherd continued his wanderings in an opposite direction.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the coachman, who had been a spectator of the whole, now
+meditated in his own black mind how to turn this fortunate conclusion
+of the tragedy to his own profit and aggrandizement. As they were
+passing over a bridge, under which flowed a great stream, he turned
+himself to the princess and said, "Your deliverer is gone, and was not
+even anxious for your thanks. It would be a noble action of yours to
+make the fortune of a poor man. If you, therefore, were to tell your
+father that it was by my hand that the dragon perished,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[334]</a></span> this would be
+accomplished. But should you refuse to do so, I will throw you into
+this deep river, and no one will ever ask after you, being all
+convinced that the dragon has devoured you." The maiden cried and
+prayed, but in vain; she was forced to swear that she would proclaim
+the coachman as her deliverer, and never divulge the secret to any
+mortal.</p>
+
+<p>They then returned to the capital, where all was rejoicing and
+gladness at their return. The black banners were removed from the
+steeples of the church, and gay coloured ones were hoisted to replace
+them. The king with tears of joy embraced his daughter and her
+supposed deliverer: "Thou hast not only saved my child," said he, "but
+thou hast also delivered my land from the greatest pestilence by which
+it ever has been scourged: to reward you royally for your undaunted
+courage, and in a manner commensurate with your great service, I
+intend to bestow my daughter in marriage upon you; but as she is yet
+too young, we will defer the ceremony for one year."</p>
+
+<p>The coachman thanked the king, was forthwith richly apparelled,
+elevated to the rank of a duke, with the possession of a dukedom, and
+instructed in those polite<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[335]</a></span> manners requisite in his new and elevated
+station. The princess was much afflicted, and bewailed her mournful
+destiny most bitterly, when she was informed of the promise her father
+had made; but withal she feared to break her oath. When the year was
+at an end, in spite of all her entreaties she could not obtain from
+her father anything beyond the promise that the wedding should be
+delayed for another year. This also expired.</p>
+
+<p>She again threw herself at her father's feet imploring for yet another
+year, for she well remembered the promise of her young and handsome
+deliverer, that in three years he would return. The king could not
+resist her entreaties, and acquiesced in her prayer on the condition
+that at the termination of that time she would wed the man he had
+chosen for her. The time again quickly elapsed. The auspicious day was
+already fixed, on the towers gay banners waved in the breeze, and the
+joyful shouting of the people mounted to the sky.</p>
+
+<p>On the same day a stranger, with three dogs, entered the town. On
+demanding the reason of the public rejoicing, he was informed that the
+king's daughter, that very day, was to be united to the man that had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[336]</a></span>
+delivered her and the country from the terrible dragon, which he had
+slain.</p>
+
+<p>The stranger, in no very measured terms, pronounced this man an
+impostor, who had decked himself with other's feathers: the watch who,
+passing by, had overheard him, at once apprehended him and threw him
+into a strong prison guarded with doors and bars of iron. As he lay on
+his bundle of straw and sorrowfully contemplated his destiny, he
+thought he heard the whining of his dogs,&mdash;a gleam of hope suddenly
+burst upon him&mdash;"Break-steel-and-iron!" cried he as loud as he could,
+and hardly had he uttered the words when he saw the paws of his
+biggest dog hard at work on the bars of his window, tearing and
+breaking them down as if they had been reeds; the dog then jumped down
+into the cell and bit the chains with which his master was fettered,
+to pieces; whereupon both left the prison by the window as hastily as
+possible. He was now again at liberty, but the thought painfully
+oppressed him that another should have reaped the benefit of the deed
+of which he deserved the merit and reward. He felt also very hungry,
+and he called to one of his dogs, "Bring-food," which dog soon
+returned with a napkin full of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[337]</a></span> costly food; the napkin was marked
+with a royal crown.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_348.jpg" width="600" height="433" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>The king was seated at table, with all the great men of his land
+around him, when the dog made its appearance, and, as if in
+supplication, licked the hand of the princely maiden. She at once
+recognised the dog, and tied her own napkin round his neck, looking
+upon his appearance as foreboding her deliverance. She then prayed her
+father for a few words in private, when she disclosed to him the whole
+of the secret: the king sent a messenger to see whither the dog went,
+and the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[338]</a></span> stranger was soon after brought into the royal presence. The
+former coachman, pale and trembling at his appearance, fell upon his
+knees imploring mercy; the princess at once recognised the stranger as
+her saviour, who moreover proved his identity by the two dragon teeth
+that he yet carried about with him. The coachman was thrown into a
+deep dungeon and his dignities were conferred on the shepherd, who was
+the same day wedded to the princess.</p>
+
+<p>The youthful pair lived a long time in the greatest happiness. The
+former shepherd often thought of his sister; and, that she might
+participate in his felicity, a carriage and servants were sent to
+fetch her, and before long she was pressed to the breast of her
+affectionate brother; then one of the dogs said to his master, "Our
+time is now expired; you need us no longer; we remained thus long with
+you to see whether in fortune also you would remember your sister, or
+whether the sudden acquisition of wealth and power would make you
+proud, forgetful, and austere. You have not proved guilty of such
+wickedness, but have shown yourself virtuous and affectionate." The
+dogs then changed into birds and vanished in the air.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[339]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_COURAGEOUS_FLUTE-PLAYER" id="THE_COURAGEOUS_FLUTE-PLAYER"></a>THE COURAGEOUS FLUTE-PLAYER.</h2>
+
+<h3>[A traditional tale in Franconia.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_350.jpg" alt="T" width="115" height="112" /></div>
+<p>here lived once a gay-hearted musician, who played the flute in a
+masterly style, and earned his living by wandering about, and playing
+on his instrument in all the towns and villages he came to. One
+evening he arrived at a farm-house, and resolved to stay there, as he
+could not reach the next village before night-fall. The farmer gave
+him a very friendly reception, made him sit down at his own table, and
+after supper requested him to play him an air on his flute. When the
+musician had finished, he looked out of the window, and saw by the
+light of the moon, at no great distance from the farm, an ancient
+castle, which was partly in ruins.</p>
+
+<p>"What old castle is that?" said the musician; "and to whom did it
+belong?"</p>
+
+<p>The farmer then related to him, that many, many<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[340]</a></span> years ago, a count
+had dwelt there, who was very rich, but also very avaricious. He had
+been very harsh to his vassals, had never given any alms to the poor,
+and had finally died without heirs, as his avarice had deterred him
+from marrying. His nearest relations had then taken possession of the
+castle, but had not been able to discover any money whatever in it. It
+was, therefore, supposed that he must have buried the treasure, and
+that it must still be lying concealed in some part of the old castle.
+Many persons had gone into the castle in hopes of finding the
+treasure, but no one had ever appeared again; and on this account the
+authorities of the village had forbidden any access to it, and had
+seriously warned all people throughout the country against going
+there.</p>
+
+<p>The musician listened attentively, and when the farmer had finished
+his narration, he expressed the most ardent desire to go into the
+castle, for he had a brave heart, and knew not fear. The farmer,
+however, entreated him earnestly, even on his knees, to have regard
+for his young life, and not to enter the castle. But prayers and
+entreaties were vain: the musician was not to be shaken in his
+resolution. Two of the farmer's men were obliged to light a couple of
+lanterns and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[341]</a></span> accompany the courageous musician to the old and dreaded
+castle. When he reached it, he sent them home again with one of the
+lanterns, and taking the other in his hand, he boldly ascended a long
+flight of steps. Arrived at the top, he found himself in a spacious
+hall, which had doors on all sides. He opened the first he came to,
+entered a chamber, and seating himself at an old-fashioned table,
+placed his light thereon, and began playing on his flute. Meanwhile,
+the farmer could not close his eyes all night, through anxiety for his
+fate, and often looked out of the window towards the tower, and
+rejoiced exceedingly when he heard each time his guest still making
+sweet music. But when, at length, the clock against the wall struck
+eleven, and the flute-playing ceased, he became dreadfully alarmed,
+believing no otherwise than that the ghost, or devil, or whoever it
+might be that inhabited the castle, had, doubtless, twisted the poor
+youth's neck. The musician, however, had continued playing without
+fear until he was tired, and at length finding himself hungry, as he
+had not eaten much at the farmer's, he walked up and down the room,
+and looked about him. At last he spied a pot full of uncooked lentils,
+and on another table stood a vessel full of water, another<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[342]</a></span> full of
+salt, and a flask of wine. He quickly poured the water over the
+lentils, added the salt, made a fire in the stove, as there was plenty
+of wood by the side of it, and began to cook soup. Whilst the lentils
+were stewing, he emptied the flask of wine, and began playing again on
+his flute. As soon as the lentils were ready, he took them off the
+fire, shook them into the plate that stood ready on the table, and eat
+heartily of them. He then looked at his watch, and saw it was about
+eleven o'clock. At that moment the door suddenly flew open, and two
+tall black men entered, carrying on their shoulders a bier, on which
+lay a coffin. Without uttering a word, they placed the bier before the
+musician, who did not interrupt himself in his meal on account of
+them, and then they went out again at the same door, as silently as
+they had come in. As soon as they were gone the musician hastily rose
+from his seat, and uncovered the coffin. A little old and shrivelled
+man, with grey hair and a grey beard, lay therein; but the young man
+felt no fear, and lifting him out of the coffin, placed him by the
+stove, and no sooner did the body become warm, than life returned to
+it. Then the musician became quite busy with the old man, gave him
+some of the lentils to eat, and even fed him as a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[343]</a></span> mother does her
+child. At last the old man became quite animated, and said to him,
+"Follow me!"</p>
+
+<p>The little old man led the way, and the young flutist, taking his
+lantern, followed without trepidation. They descended a long and
+dilapidated flight of steps, and at last arrived in a deep gloomy
+vault.</p>
+
+<p>On the ground lay a great heap of money. Then the little man said to
+the youth, "Divide this heap for me into two equal portions; but mind
+that thou leave not anything over, for if thou dost I will deprive
+thee of life!"</p>
+
+<p>The youth merely smiled in reply, and immediately began to count out
+the money upon two great tables, laying a piece alternately on each,
+and so in no long time he had separated the heap into two equal
+portions; but just at the last he found there was one kreutzer over.
+After a moment's thought he drew out his pocket-knife, set the blade
+upon the kreutzer, and striking it with a hammer that was lying there,
+cut the coin in half. When he had thrown one half on each of the
+heaps, the little man became right joyous, and said: "Thou courageous
+man, thou hast released me! It is now already a hundred years that I
+have been doomed to watch my treasure, which I collected out of
+avarice,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[344]</a></span> until some one should succeed in dividing the money into two
+equal portions. Not one of the many who have tried could do it; and I
+was obliged to strangle them all. One of the heaps of gold is thine;
+distribute the other among the poor. Thou happy man, thou hast
+released me!"</p>
+
+<p>When he had uttered these words, the little old man vanished. The
+youth, however, re-ascended the steps, and began again to play in the
+same chamber as before, merry tunes on his flute.</p>
+
+<p>Rejoiced was the farmer when he again heard the notes; and with the
+earliest dawn he went to the castle and joyfully met the youth. The
+latter related to him the events of the night, and then descended to
+his treasure, with which he did as the little old man had commanded
+him. He caused, however, the old castle to be pulled down, and there
+soon stood a new one in its place, where the musician, now become a
+rich man, took up his abode.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[345]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_GLASS_HATCHET" id="THE_GLASS_HATCHET"></a>THE GLASS HATCHET.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Hungarian.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_356.jpg" alt="I" width="100" height="133" /></div>
+<p>n a remote land there dwelt, in former days, a wealthy count. He and
+his consort most ardently wished for a child, to whom they might
+bequeath their riches; but a long time passed ere their wish was
+gratified. At length, after twelve weary years, the countess bore a
+son; but short was the time granted her to rejoice at the
+accomplishment of her desire, for she died the day after the child's
+birth. Before she expired, she warned her husband never to allow the
+child to touch the earth with his feet, for, from the moment he should
+do so he would fall into the power of a bad fairy who was on the watch
+for him. The countess then breathed her last.</p>
+
+<p>The boy throve well, and when he had outgrown the age for being in the
+nurse's arms, a peculiarly-formed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[346]</a></span> chair was constructed for him, in
+which he could, unassisted, convey himself about the garden of his
+father's castle. At other times he was carried in a litter, and most
+carefully attended to and watched, in order that he might never touch
+the earth with his feet.</p>
+
+<p>As, however, the physicians, in order to supply the absence of other
+exercise, prescribed riding on horseback, he was instructed in that
+art as soon as he was ten years of age, and soon became proficient
+enough in it to be allowed to ride out daily, without any apprehension
+of danger to him being felt by his father. On these occasions he was
+always attended by a numerous suite.</p>
+
+<p>He rode almost every day in the forest and on the plain, and returned
+safely home. In this manner many years glided away; and the warning
+given by the late countess almost ceased to be dwelt upon, and the
+enjoined precautions were observed rather from old habit than from any
+immediate sense of their importance.</p>
+
+<p>One day the youth, with his attendants, rode across the fields to a
+wood, where his father frequently took the diversion of hunting. The
+path led to a rivulet, the borders of which were overgrown with
+bushes. The riders crossed it; when suddenly a hare, startled by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[347]</a></span> the
+tramp of the horses, sprang from the bush and fled through the wood.
+The young count pursued, and had almost overtaken it, when the
+saddle-girth of his horse broke; saddle and rider rolled together on
+the ground, and at the same moment he vanished from the sight of his
+terrified attendants, leaving no trace behind.</p>
+
+<p>All search or enquiry was vain; and they recognised in the misfortune
+the power of the evil fairy, against whom the countess had uttered her
+dying warning. The old count was deeply afflicted; but as he could do
+nothing to effect the deliverance of his son, he resigned himself to
+fate, and lived patiently and solitary, in the hope that a more
+favourable destiny might yet one day rescue the youth from the hands
+of his enemy.</p>
+
+<p>The young count had scarcely touched the earth before he was seized by
+the invisible fairy, and carried off by her. He seemed now transported
+to quite a new world, and without a hope of ever being released from
+it. A strangely-built castle, surrounded by a spacious lake, was the
+fairy's residence. A floating bridge, which rested only on clouds,
+afforded a passage across it. On the other side were only forests and
+mountains, which were constantly wrapped in a dense fog, and in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[348]</a></span> which
+no human voice, nor even that of any other living creature was ever
+heard. All around him was awful, mysterious, and gloomy; and only on
+the eastern side of the castle, where a little promontory stretched
+out into the lake, a narrow path wound through a valley in the rocks,
+behind which a river glistened.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as the fairy with her captive arrived on her territory, she
+commanded him fiercely to execute all her behests with the extremest
+precision, at the risk of being punished severely for disobedience and
+delay.</p>
+
+<p>She then gave him a glass hatchet, bidding him cross the bridge of
+clouds and go into the forest, where she expected him to cut down all
+the timber before sun-set. At the same time she warned him, on pain of
+her severest displeasure, not to speak to the dark maiden whom in all
+probability he would meet in the forest.</p>
+
+<p>The young count listened respectfully to her orders, and betook
+himself with his glass hatchet to the appointed place. The bridge of
+clouds seemed at each step he took to sink beneath him; but fear would
+not admit of his delaying; and so he soon arrived, although much
+fatigued by his mode of passage, at the wood, where he immediately
+began his work.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[349]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>But he had no sooner made his first stroke at a tree, than the glass
+hatchet flew into a thousand splinters. The youth was so distressed he
+knew not what to do, so much did he fear the chastisement that the
+cruel fairy would inflict on him. He wandered hither and thither, and
+at length, quite exhausted by anxiety and fatigue, he sank on the
+ground and slept.</p>
+
+<p>After a time something roused him; when upon opening his eyes, he
+beheld the black maiden standing before him. Remembering the
+prohibition he did not venture to address her. But she greeted him
+kindly, and inquired if he did not belong to the owner of the domain.
+The young count made a sign in the affirmative. The maiden then
+related that she was in like manner bound to obey the fairy who had by
+magic transformed her and forced her to wander in that ugly form,
+until some youth should take pity on her and conduct her over that
+river beyond which the domain of the fairy and her power did not
+extend. On the further side of the river she was powerless to harm any
+one who, by swimming through the waves, should reach the other shore.</p>
+
+<p>These words inspired the young count with so much courage, that he
+revealed to the black maiden the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[350]</a></span> whole of his destiny, and asked her
+counsel how he might escape punishment, since the wood was not cut
+down, and the hatchet was broken.</p>
+
+<p>"I know," resumed the maiden, "that the fairy, in whose power we both
+are, is my own mother; but thou must not betray that I have told thee
+this, for it would cost me my life. If thou wilt promise to deliver
+me, I will assist thee, and will perform for thee all that my mother
+commands thee to do."</p>
+
+<p>The youth promised joyfully; she again warned him several times not to
+say a word to the fairy that should betray her, and then gave him a
+beverage, which he had no sooner drunk than he fell into a soft
+slumber.</p>
+
+<p>How great was his astonishment on waking to find the glass hatchet
+unbroken at his feet, all the trees of the forest cut down and lying
+round him!</p>
+
+<p>He instantly hastened back across the cloud bridge, and informed the
+fairy that her behest was obeyed. She heard with much surprise that
+the forest was cut down, and that the glass hatchet was still
+uninjured, and being unable to believe that he had performed all that
+unassisted, she closely questioned him whether he had seen and spoken
+to the black maiden. But the count strongly denied that he had, and
+affirmed that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[351]</a></span> he had not once looked up from his work. When she found
+that she could learn nothing further from him, she gave him some bread
+and water, and showed him a little dark closet where she bade him pass
+the night.</p>
+
+<p>Almost before day-break the fairy again wakened him, assigned him for
+that day's task to cleave, with the same glass hatchet, all the wood
+he had felled into billets, and then to arrange them in heaps; at the
+same time she again warned him, with redoubled threats, not to go near
+the black maiden, or dare converse with her.</p>
+
+<p>Although his present work was in no respect easier than that of the
+preceding day, the youth set off in much better spirits, for he hoped
+for the assistance of the black maiden. He crossed the bridge quicker
+and more lightly than the day before, and had scarcely passed it when
+he beheld her. She received him with a friendly salutation; and when
+she heard what the fairy had now required of him, she said, smiling,
+"Do not be uneasy," and handed to him a similar beverage to that of
+yesterday. The count again fell into a deep sleep. When he awoke his
+work was done; for all the trees of the forest were cut up into blocks
+and arranged in heaps.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[352]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He returned home quickly. When the fairy heard that he had performed
+this task also, she was still more surprised than before. She again
+inquired if he had seen or spoken to the black maiden; but the count
+had the prudence to preserve his secret, and she was again obliged to
+content herself with his denial.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day she set him a new task, and this was the most
+difficult of all. She commanded him to build, on the further side of
+the lake, a magnificent castle, which should consist of nothing but
+gold, silver, and precious stones; and if he did not build the said
+castle in less than one hour's time, he might expect the most dreadful
+fate.</p>
+
+<p>The count listened to her commands without alarm, such was the
+confidence he reposed in the black maiden. Cheerily he hastened across
+the bridge, and immediately recognised the spot where the palace was
+to be erected. Pickaxes, hammers, spades, and all manner of tools
+requisite for building, lay scattered around; but neither gold, nor
+silver, nor jewels could he spy. He had, however, scarcely begun to
+feel uneasy at this circumstance, when the black maiden beckoned to
+him from a rock at some distance, behind which she had concealed
+herself from her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[353]</a></span> mother's searching looks. The youth hastened to her
+well pleased, and besought her to assist him in the execution of her
+mother's orders.</p>
+
+<p>This time, however, the fairy had watched the count from a window of
+her castle, and descried him and her daughter just as they were about
+to conceal themselves behind the rock. She set up such a frightful
+scream, that the mountains and the lake re-echoed with it, and the
+terrified pair scarcely dared to look out from their hiding-place,
+whilst the infuriated fairy, with violent gestures and hasty strides,
+her hair and garments streaming in the wind, hastened across the
+bridge of clouds. The youth gave himself up for lost; each step of the
+fairy seemed to bring him nearer to destruction. The maiden, however,
+took courage, and bade him follow her as quickly as possible. Before
+they hastened from the spot she broke a stone from the rock, uttered a
+spell over it, and threw it towards the place from which her mother
+was advancing. At once a glittering palace arose before the eyes of
+the fairy, which dazzled her with its lustre, and delayed her by the
+numerous windings of its avenue, through which she was obliged to
+thread her way.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile the black maiden hurried the count<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[354]</a></span> along, in order to reach
+the river, the opposite bank of which alone could protect her for ever
+from the persecutions of the raging fairy. But before they had got
+half way, she was again so near them that her imprecations, and even
+the rustling of her garments reached their ears.</p>
+
+<p>The terror of the youth was extreme; he dared not to look behind him,
+and had scarcely power left to advance. At every breath he fancied
+that he felt the hand of the terrible fairy on his neck. Then the
+maiden stopped, again uttered a spell, and was at once transformed
+into a pond, whilst the count swam upon its waters under the figure of
+a drake.</p>
+
+<p>The fairy, incensed to the utmost at this new transformation, called
+down thunder and hail on the two fugitives; but the water refused to
+be disturbed, and whilst it remained calm no thunder-cloud would
+approach it. She now employed her power to cause the pond to vanish
+from the spot: she pronounced a magic spell, and called up a hill of
+sand at her feet, which she intended should choke up the pond. But the
+sand-hill drove the water still further on, and seemed rather to
+augment than diminish it. When the fairy found this would not answer,
+and that her art failed so entirely,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[355]</a></span> she had recourse to cunning. She
+threw a heap of golden nuts into the pond, hoping thereby to entice
+the drake, and catch him; but he snapped at the nuts with his bill,
+pushed them all back to the margin, dived here and there, and made
+game of the fairy in various ways.</p>
+
+<p>Finding herself again cheated, and unwilling to see the reflection of
+her face in the pond, glowing, as it was, with rage and mortification,
+she turned back full of fury to devise some other stratagem by which
+to catch the fugitives.</p>
+
+<p>She concealed herself behind the very same rock which had served them
+for a place of refuge, and watched for the moment when they should
+both resume their natural form in order to pursue their way.</p>
+
+<p>It was not long before the maiden disenchanted herself, as well as the
+count, and as they could nowhere perceive their persecutor, they both
+hastened in good spirits to the river.</p>
+
+<p>But scarcely had they proceeded a hundred paces, when the fairy burst
+out again after them with redoubled speed, shaking at them the dagger
+with which she meant to pierce them both. But she was doomed to see
+her intentions again frustrated and derided;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[356]</a></span> for just as she thought
+she had reached the flying pair, a marble chapel rose before her, in
+the narrow portal of which stood a colossal monk, to prevent her
+entrance.</p>
+
+<p>Foaming with passion she struck at the monk's face with her dagger,
+but behold, it fell into shivers at her feet. She was beside herself
+with desperation, and raved at the chapel till the columns and dome
+resounded. Then she determined to annihilate the whole building and
+the fugitives with it at once. She stamped thrice, and the earth began
+to quake. A hollow murmur like that of a rising tempest was heard from
+below, and the monk and chapel began to totter.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she perceived this, she retired to some distance behind the
+edifice, that she might not be buried under its ruins. But she was
+again deceived in her expectation; for she had no sooner retired from
+the steps, than the monk and chapel disappeared, and an awful forest
+surrounded her with its black shade, whence issued a terrible sound of
+the mingled bellowing, roaring, howling and baying of wild bulls,
+bears, and wolves.</p>
+
+<p>Her rage gave way to terror at this new apparition, for she dreaded
+every moment to be destroyed by these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[357]</a></span> creatures, who all seemed to
+set her power at defiance. She therefore deemed it most prudent to
+work her way back through bush and briar towards the lighter side of
+the forest, in order from thence again to try her might and cunning
+against the hated pair.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime, both had pursued their way to the river with their utmost
+speed. As this river resisted all kind of enchantment, consequently it
+was hostile to the black maiden whose hour of deliverance had not yet
+struck, and it might have proved fatal to her; she therefore did not
+let the moment for her complete disenchantment escape, but reminded
+the youth of his promise. She gave him a bow and arrows and a dagger,
+and instructed him in the use he was to make of these weapons.</p>
+
+<p>She then vanished from his sight, and at the moment of her
+disappearance, a raging boar rushed upon him, menacing to rip him up.
+But the youth took courage and shot an arrow at him with such good
+aim, that it pierced the animal's skull. It fell to the ground, and
+from its jaws sprang a hare, which fled as on the wings of the wind
+along the bank of the river. The youth again bent his bow, and
+stretched the hare on the earth, when a snow-white dove rose into the
+air,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[358]</a></span> and circled round him with friendly cooings. As by the
+directions he had received from the black maiden he was equally
+forbidden to spare the dove, he sent another arrow from his bow, and
+brought it down. Approaching to examine it more closely, he found in
+its place an egg, which spontaneously rolled to his feet.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_370.jpg" width="500" height="713" alt="THE GLASS HATCHET."  />
+<span class="caption">THE GLASS HATCHET.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>The final transformation now drew near. A powerful vulture sailed down
+upon him with wide stretched beak threatening him with destruction.
+But the youth seized the egg, waited till the bird approached him, and
+cast it into its throat. The monster at once disappeared, and the
+loveliest maiden the count had ever beheld stood before his delighted
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst these events were occurring, the fairy had worked her way out
+of the forest, and now adopted her last means of reaching the
+fugitives in case they should not already have passed the river. As
+soon as she emerged from the forest, she called up her dragon-drawn
+car and mounted high in the air. She soon descried the lovers, with
+interlaced arms, swimming easily as a couple of fish towards the
+opposite bank.</p>
+
+<p>Swift as lightning she bore down with her dragon-car, and regardless
+of all peril, she endeavoured to reach them, even though they were in
+the river. But the <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[359]</a></span>hostile stream drew down the car into its
+depths, and dashed her about with its waves until she hung upon the
+bushes a prey to its finny inhabitants. Thus the lovers were finally
+rescued. They hastened to the paternal castle, where the count
+received them with transport. The following day their nuptials were
+celebrated with great magnificence, and all the inhabitants far and
+near rejoiced at the happy event.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[360]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_GOLDEN_DUCK" id="THE_GOLDEN_DUCK"></a>THE GOLDEN DUCK.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Bohemian.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_373.jpg" alt="D" width="115" height="129" /></div>
+<p>eep in the bosom of a wood once stood a little cottage, inhabited by
+a poor widow. Her name was Jutta, and she had formerly lived in easy
+circumstances, but through various misfortunes, without any fault of
+her own, she had fallen into poverty.</p>
+
+<p>By the labour of her hands she with difficulty contrived to support
+herself, her daughter Adelheid, and the two children of her departed
+brother, Henry and Emma. The children, who were good and pious,
+especially Henry and Emma, did their utmost to assist her by their
+diligence: the girls spun, and the boy helped the old woman to
+cultivate the garden, and tended the sheep, whose milk formed the
+principal part of their daily sustenance.</p>
+
+<p>One evening they were all sitting together in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[361]</a></span> little cottage,
+whilst a tremendous storm raged without. The rain poured down in
+torrents, and flash after flash of lightning followed the thunder,
+which broke over the mountains, and seemed as if it would never cease.</p>
+
+<p>The old woman had just sung to the children the song of the
+water-sprite who danced with a young maiden till he drew her down into
+the abyss, when suddenly they heard a tap at the door. The startled
+children huddled close together, but the mother took courage and
+opened it, when a soft female voice begged her to give shelter to a
+traveller who had been overtaken in the forest by the storm.</p>
+
+<p>The stranger was an elderly woman of a noble and dignified appearance,
+but so kind and friendly in her manner that all were anxious to show
+her some attention. Whilst the widow was regretting that her poverty
+did not allow her to receive such a guest in a more worthy manner,
+Henry lighted the fire, and Emma was anxious to kill her favourite
+pigeons for her supper, but the lady would not permit this, and took
+only a little milk.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning, when Jutta and the children awoke, they were
+not a little astonished at beholding, instead of the aged woman who
+had entered the hut the night before, a youthful one of superhuman
+beauty,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[362]</a></span> arrayed in a magnificent dress which sparkled with diamonds.</p>
+
+<p>"Know," said the stranger to the widow, "that you yesterday received
+into your dwelling no mortal, but a fairy; I always try those mortals
+whom I desire to benefit, and you have stood the trial. To little Emma
+I am especially beholden, because she would yesterday have killed for
+my supper what she most values, her pigeons. For this she shall be
+gifted. Whenever she weeps, either for joy or sorrow, pearls instead
+of tears shall drop from her eyes, and the hairs she combs from her
+head shall turn into threads of pure gold. But beware that no ray of
+sun ever shine upon her uncovered countenance, for then a great
+misfortune will befall her; from henceforth never let her go into the
+open air without being covered with a veil."</p>
+
+<p>The beneficent fairy having thus spoken, vanished; but Jutta, who was
+desirous to prove the truth of her words, hastily spread a large cloth
+on the ground, placed the little maiden on it, and commenced combing
+her long fair locks. Immediately the hairs that fell on the cloth
+became threads of gold, and when the old woman told the child how rich
+and grand she might now become, and what pretty toys she might buy,
+she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[363]</a></span> wept for joy, and the most beautiful pearls rolled from her eyes
+upon the linen cloth.</p>
+
+<p>The next day the old woman betook herself to the nearest town, sold
+the pearls and the threads of gold, and bought a fine veil, without
+which Emma was never suffered to leave the house. She often combed the
+child's hair several times in the day, telling her all the time the
+prettiest tales, which drew from her eyes abundance of tears, either
+of pleasure or compassion, so that in a short time Jutta possessed a
+considerable treasure in gold and pearls.</p>
+
+<p>At first she sold her treasures to Jews, and received but little for
+them, as they believed the goods were stolen. By and by, however, when
+she had become possessed of a small landed estate in the district, she
+traded with jewellers and goldsmiths, who paid her according to the
+value of her goods, and so at length she collected a very considerable
+treasure.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile Adelheid and Emma grew into young women. But the increasing
+wealth of the old woman, whom her neighbours had formerly known to be
+in such straitened circumstances, and who knew not how she had
+acquired her riches, gave occasion for envious tongues to utter many
+an evil speech against her. Still<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[364]</a></span> further were their curiosity and
+ill-nature excited by the singular circumstance that Emma always went
+about veiled, and under these circumstances, what could be more
+natural than that the greater part of them were ready to swear without
+hesitation that old Jutta was a vile witch, and ought to be burned?</p>
+
+<p>Now although these evil speeches were unable to do the widow any real
+injury, still she was not a little vexed and annoyed when they reached
+her ears, or when she perceived that she was looked upon with
+suspicious and wondering looks; and finding it impossible by obliging
+and friendly conduct, or even by conferring benefits, to win the
+hearts of her neighbours, or to stop their calumnies, she preferred to
+abandon altogether the place where she had been known in indifferent
+circumstances, and to go far away, where her riches would not excite
+suspicions against her. She therefore resolved to sell her estate, and
+to take up her residence in the city of Prague. In order, however, not
+to be too precipitate, she first sent thither her nephew, Henry, that
+she might become a little acquainted with their future residence,
+before removing from the former one.</p>
+
+<p>So Henry went to the Bohemian capital, and, as he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[365]</a></span> was a personable
+youth, had good manners, and was richly provided with money by his
+aunt, so that he could live in as good style as any of the nobles of
+the land, he soon became on friendly terms with numerous counts and
+other illustrious persons. Judging by his personal appearance and
+expenditure they took him for one of their own station; nay, one of
+them, a young count, became his confidential friend, and, as wine
+often unlocks the secrets of the heart, it happened one day that Henry
+let out the whole secret concerning his sister, quite forgetting at
+the moment his aunt's strict prohibition ever to reveal it.</p>
+
+<p>When the count heard so much of the extraordinary understanding, good
+heart, sweetness, and beauty of the young maiden who was possessed of
+such wonderful gifts, his heart at once glowed with love for her, and
+he said with great warmth:&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>"I myself possess a domain of such great value, that I am in no need
+of the riches of another; but I have ever desired to have a wife
+distinguished above all others for her beauty, virtue, and other rare
+gifts; therefore I offer my hand to your sister, and I swear to you
+that I will do all in my power that I may call so wonderful a maiden
+my own."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[366]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Henry perceived his indiscretion now that it was too late, and he
+could not withstand the earnest entreaties of his friend to obtain for
+him the hand of his sister. In order, indeed, to lose no time, the
+count immediately caused to be constructed an entirely closed and
+well-covered carriage in which to transport Emma to him, without her
+being exposed to a breath of air.</p>
+
+<p>Surprising as was his proposal, it was so honourable a one, that,
+after a few minutes' reflection, Emma could not think of refusing such
+an illustrious and amiable young man as Henry described the count to
+be. The brother, therefore, hastened back with the news of her
+consent, and the count immediately went to his residence, in order to
+make preparations for the reception of his bride, and for a
+magnificent bridal entertainment.</p>
+
+<p>During the interval, Emma, accompanied by her mother and Adelheid,
+began her journey, and when they had proceeded about half-way, they
+came to a great forest. The heat was oppressive, and Emma happened to
+draw aside her veil, just as Jutta, in order to look after the
+attendants whom the count had sent to escort his bride on the journey,
+thoughtlessly opened the door of the carriage. No sooner did a sunbeam
+shine on the maiden, than she was suddenly transformed into a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[367]</a></span> golden
+duck, flew out of the carriage, and vanished from the sight of her
+terrified aunt.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 600px;">
+<img src="images/image_380.jpg" width="600" height="512" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>As soon as the old woman had recovered from her first alarm, she was
+greatly troubled how to escape the wrath of the count. They had still
+to traverse a considerable portion of the forest. So she sent the
+servants who had not perceived the occurrence, under some pretext, to
+a village at some distance, and during their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[368]</a></span> absence she covered her
+own daughter with Emma's veil. On their return they found the old
+woman in the greatest distress; she wrung her hands, and related with
+well simulated despair, that having gone with her daughter only a few
+steps from the carriage, armed men had surprised them, and carried off
+her Adelheid.</p>
+
+<p>The count's servants, deceived by the despairing words and gestures of
+the old woman, searched the forest, in hopes of tracing the robbers,
+but as was to be expected, without success. Meanwhile Jutta instructed
+her daughter in the part she was to play, in order that she in Emma's
+place might become the count's wife. And as she feared she might not
+be able to conceal the cheat from Henry, she desired the servants not
+to go through Prague, but to take the direct road to the count's
+castle.</p>
+
+<p>When they arrived, Jutta descended alone from the carriage, carefully
+closed it again, and besought the count, that until her niece had
+entirely recovered from the fatigue of the journey, he would permit
+them both to occupy a chamber from which all daylight could be
+excluded, and she forbade at first any visit from the bridegroom.
+Impatient as the latter was to see his bride, he yet submitted to this
+delay which the old<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[369]</a></span> woman so earnestly requested of him. The most
+splendid apartments were now thrown open to the mother and daughter,
+and the most inner chamber of the suite was so hung with curtains that
+no daylight could penetrate. In this room dwelt Jutta with her
+daughter, and even Henry, who came to visit his supposed sister, was,
+under pretext of her being indisposed, not allowed to enter. As his
+aunt, however, provided him with plenty of money, and the merry life
+in Prague pleased him better than the retirement of the country, he
+soon returned thither.</p>
+
+<p>The count, whom Jutta put off from day to day under various pretexts
+from visiting his bride, at length lost patience, and would not be
+longer withheld by the gold and pearls which Jutta continually brought
+him; he forced his way into the chamber, and clasped Adelheid in his
+arms.</p>
+
+<p>Although the count could not but remark that Adelheid in no degree
+corresponded to the description her brother had given of her, he was
+still prepared to fulfil his word, and was therefore married, though
+with the greatest privacy, to the false bride. Very shortly, he became
+aware that neither her heart nor mind possessed the excellence that
+had been represented to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[370]</a></span> him; and in consequence of this discovery,
+when he next met his brother-in-law, he overwhelmed him with
+reproaches. The contemptuous expressions which the count used
+respecting his bride, whom Henry had only known as the loveliest and
+most amiable maiden in all Bohemia, so incensed Henry, that he forgot
+all the consideration due to the rich and powerful man, and the count,
+who, besides this, believed himself to have been deceived by Henry,
+caused him to be seized, brought to his castle, and thrown into a deep
+dungeon.</p>
+
+<p>The wife of the count, who was also most severely punished for the
+crime in which she had taken part, overwhelmed her mother with the
+bitterest reproaches. More than once she was on the point of
+confessing the fraud to her husband, but he drove her from him, and
+would not listen to her.</p>
+
+<p>Whilst these women were thus suffering for their crime, Henry sat in
+his dungeon, hopeless of ever recovering his freedom, or of being able
+to take vengeance on him who had so unjustly treated him; when one
+day, as he lay in despair, a sweet voice reached him, which sang a
+song he had often listened to when his sister Emma used to sing it in
+former days.</p>
+
+<p>The youth, who distinctly recognised his sister's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[371]</a></span> voice, uttered her
+name, and on looking upwards, he saw, by the light of the moon, a duck
+fluttering before him, whose feathers were of gold, and whose neck was
+adorned by a costly row of pearls.</p>
+
+<p>Then said the golden duck to the astonished youth, "I am thy sister
+Emma, who, transformed into a golden duck, fly about without a home."</p>
+
+<p>She then related to her brother what had occurred during the journey,
+and the deception her aunt had been guilty of. As she thus recounted
+her unhappy fate, which constrained her to fly about unprotected, her
+life exposed to the snares of the hunters, whilst her beloved brother
+was languishing in prison, she wept abundantly; and the tears rolled
+about the tower as costly pearls, and golden feathers fell from her,
+and glittered on the dark ground.</p>
+
+<p>The brother and sister pitied and tried to console each other. Henry
+especially lamented his talkativeness, which had brought all this
+misfortune upon them. At day-break the duck flew away, after promising
+to visit her brother every night.</p>
+
+<p>After this intercourse had lasted some time, one night she did not
+make her appearance, which threw poor Henry into the greatest anxiety,
+for he feared she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[372]</a></span> might, for the sake of her precious feathers, have
+been caught, or perhaps even killed. Then, for the first time, the
+door of his prison was opened; the count's superintendent entered,
+announced that he was free, and conducted him to the very same
+apartments which he had occupied in happier days.</p>
+
+<p>Before Henry could recover from his surprise, the count himself
+entered, tenderly embraced him, and besought his forgiveness for all
+the suffering that had been inflicted on him.</p>
+
+<p>The warder of the tower, it appeared, had remarked the golden duck,
+and heard with astonishment how she spoke with a human voice, and
+conversed with the prisoner; all of which he had disclosed to the
+count. The count thus discovered, by listening in secret to their
+conversation, the fraud which had imposed the false bride upon him
+instead of the true and beautiful one. Vain, however, were his efforts
+the following night to get the golden duck into his power; she escaped
+from all the attendants who endeavoured to catch her; and snares and
+nets and all the artifices they practised, and all the pains they
+took, were of no avail.</p>
+
+<p>Then the count entreated the intercession of the brother. Since his
+hard fate had robbed him of such<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[373]</a></span> an amiable wife, he besought her at
+least in her present form to inhabit his castle. It was possible that
+his grief, his love, might move the offended fairy to restore her to
+her former shape.</p>
+
+<p>Henry freely forgave the count, and promised to make his request known
+to his sister the next time she should visit him. Before, however, the
+duck's next visit, Adelheid expired, for the reproaches of her
+husband, and her own grief and remorse, had brought her to the grave.
+As soon as she was dead, the count banished Jutta to a remote place
+and forbade her ever to appear in his presence again. With Henry he
+lived on his former friendly terms.</p>
+
+<p>Both lived in hopes of the reappearance of the golden duck. Long did
+they wait in vain, and they began to fear that the endeavours of the
+count to catch her had scared her from the place for ever, when one
+afternoon, as Henry was sitting alone in the dining-hall, she flew in
+at the window, and began gathering up the scattered crumbs on the
+table. How great was the brother's joy! He addressed her by the
+tenderest names, stroked her golden feathers, and inquired why she had
+remained so long absent.</p>
+
+<p>Then Emma complained of the efforts to catch her,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[374]</a></span> which the count's
+servants had made, and threatened never to return should such he
+repeated. The entreaty which Henry made in the count's name that she
+would dwell in the castle she decidedly rejected; and as she heard a
+noise in the adjoining chamber, she hastily flew away.</p>
+
+<p>For a long time the youth hesitated whether he should tell the count
+of his sister's visit; as, however, he knew the strong affection of
+his friend, and feared he might not refrain from fresh attempts
+against the liberty of the golden duck, he resolved to say nothing
+about it. But the count had seen the duck fly past, and when Henry
+said nothing about it, he conceived mistrust of him, and laid a new
+plan to get possession of her.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning, when Emma flew into her brother's chamber, the
+window was suddenly closed, the count having fastened a cord to it
+from above, and in a few moments he entered the room thinking he had
+now made sure of the much-desired prize. But the duck fluttered about,
+and made her exit through the keyhole.</p>
+
+<p>Henry was much distressed, for he feared that he should now see his
+beloved sister no more, and heaped reproaches on the astonished count,
+who returned them to him so liberally, that they separated in mutual
+disgust,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[375]</a></span> and Henry resolved to quit the city and wander through the
+wide world.</p>
+
+<p>One day after he had long travelled he found himself in a thick fir
+wood, when suddenly a female form of great dignity stood before him,
+in whom Henry at once recognised the fairy who had so richly gifted
+his sister.</p>
+
+<p>"Wherefore," said she, with a reproachful look, "didst thou leave the
+castle at the time when thy sister's ill fortune, of which thou wert
+the cause, was beginning to turn to good? Hasten back immediately,
+confirm the count in the remorse for his profligate life which is now
+awakening in him, and the golden duck will then be released from her
+enchantment. And not only shall she retain the wonderful gifts she has
+hitherto possessed, but thenceforth she shall no longer have to fear
+air and sun-light."</p>
+
+<p>The fairy disappeared, and Henry returned full of hope to the castle.
+On his way thither he met several of the count's servants, who told
+him their lord had sent them out with commands not to return until
+they found him. For they added, since Henry's departure had left the
+count so lonely and forsaken, he had fallen sick through sorrow and
+longing after his friend.</p>
+
+<p>When Henry entered the count's chamber, he found<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[376]</a></span> him lying on his bed
+really ill and unhappy. He comforted him with the fairy's promise, and
+the count solemnly vowed that he would never more return to his wild
+and sinful mode of life.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had he uttered this solemn vow, when the window flew open of
+itself, the golden duck flew into the chamber, and, perching on the
+bed-post, said, "The period of my trials is completed. I may now
+return to my former figure and remain with you for ever."</p>
+
+<p>Then the golden feathers dropped from her body; the long beak rounded
+into mouth and chin, above which gazed a pair of lovely eyes; before
+they could look round, a wondrously beautiful maiden stood before
+them, magnificently habited, and her joy at being re-united to her
+brother and her bridegroom drew the purest pearls from her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>At the sight of her the count felt himself at once cured of his
+illness, and, a few days after, the nuptial feast was celebrated with
+all the pomp and magnificence befitting the high station and great
+wealth of the count.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[377]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="GOLDY" id="GOLDY"></a>GOLDY.</h2>
+
+<h3>[From Justinus Kerner.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_390.jpg" alt="M" width="125" height="111" /></div>
+<p>any a long year ago there lived in a great forest a poor herdsman,
+who had built himself a log cabin in the midst of it, where he dwelt
+with his wife and his six children, all of whom were boys. There was a
+draw-well by the house, and a little garden, and when their father was
+looking after the cattle the children carried out to him a cool
+draught from the well, or a dish of vegetables from the garden.</p>
+
+<p>The youngest of the boys was called by his parents Goldy, for his
+locks were like gold, and although the youngest he was stronger and
+taller than all his brothers. When the children went out into the
+fields, Goldy always went first with a branch of a tree in his hand,
+and no otherwise would the other children go, for each feared lest
+some adventure should befall him; but when Goldy led them they
+followed cheerfully, one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[378]</a></span> behind the other, through even the darkest
+thicket, although the moon might have already risen over the
+mountains.</p>
+
+<p>One evening, on their return from their father, the children had
+amused themselves by playing in the wood, and Goldy especially had so
+heated himself in their games, that he was as rosy as the sky at
+sun-set.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us return," said the eldest, "it seems growing dark."</p>
+
+<p>"See," said the second, "there is the moon!"</p>
+
+<p>At that moment a light appeared through the dark fir-trees, and a
+female form, shining like the moon, seated herself on the mossy stone,
+and span, with a crystal distaff, a fine thread, nodding her head
+towards Goldy, singing:&mdash;</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"The snow-white finch, the gold rose, for thee;<br /></span>
+<span class="i0">The king's crown lies in the lap of the sea!"<br /></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>She was about to continue her song when the thread broke, and she was
+instantly extinguished like the flame of a candle. It being now quite
+dark, terror seized the children, and they ran about crying piteously,
+one here, and another there, over rock and pit, till they lost each
+other.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[379]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Many a day and night did Goldy wander in the thick forest, but could
+find neither his brothers nor his father's hut, nor yet the trace of a
+human foot, for the forest had become more dense; one hill seemed to
+rise above another, and pit after pit intercepted his path.</p>
+
+<p>The blackberries, that grew in profusion, satisfied his hunger and
+slaked his thirst, otherwise he must have perished miserably. At last,
+on the third day&mdash;some say it was not until the sixth or seventh&mdash;the
+forest became less and less dense, and at last he got out of it, and
+found himself in a lovely green meadow.</p>
+
+<p>Then his heart grew light, and he inhaled the pure fresh air.</p>
+
+<p>Nets were spread over the meadow, for a bird-catcher lived there, who
+caught the birds which flew out of the wood, and carried them into the
+city for sale.</p>
+
+<p>"That is just such a boy as I want," thought the bird-catcher, when he
+saw Goldy, who stood in the meadow close to the net, gazing with
+longing eyes into the blue sky; and then in jest he drew his net, and
+imprisoned within it the astonished boy, who could not comprehend what
+had befallen him. "That's the way we catch the birds that come out of
+the wood,"<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[380]</a></span> said the bird-catcher, laughing heartily. "Your red
+feathers please me right well. So I have caught you, have I, my little
+fox? You had better stay with me, and I will teach you how to catch
+birds!"</p>
+
+<p>Goldy was well content; he thought he should lead a merry life amongst
+the birds, especially as he abandoned all hope of again finding his
+father's hut.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us see how much you have learnt," said the bird-catcher to him,
+some days after. Goldy drew the net, and caught a snow-white
+chaffinch.</p>
+
+<p>"Confound you and this white chaffinch!" screamed the bird-catcher;
+"you are in league with the evil one!" and he drove him roughly from
+the meadow, at the same time treading under his feet, the white
+chaffinch which Goldy had handed over to him.</p>
+
+<p>Goldy could not conceive what the bird-catcher meant; he returned
+sadly, but yet not despairingly, to the forest, with the intention of
+renewing his endeavours to find his father's hut. Day and night he
+wandered about, climbing over fragments of rock and old fallen trees,
+and often stumbled and fell over the old black roots which protruded
+in all directions from out of the ground.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day, however, the forest once more became<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[381]</a></span> somewhat
+clearer, and he issued from it into a beautiful bright garden, full of
+the most delightful flowers, and as he had never before seen such he
+stood gazing full of admiration. The gardener no sooner perceived
+him&mdash;for Goldy stood beneath the sunflowers, and his locks glistened
+in the sunshine just like one of them&mdash;than he exclaimed: "Ha! he is
+just such a boy as I want!" and the garden-gate closed directly. Goldy
+was very well satisfied, for he thought he should lead a gay life
+amongst the flowers, and he had again lost the hope of getting back to
+his father's cottage.</p>
+
+<p>"Off with you to the forest!" said the gardener to him one morning,
+"and fetch me the stem of a wild rose, that I may engraft cultivated
+roses on it."</p>
+
+<p>Goldy went and returned with a rose-bush bearing the most beautiful
+golden-coloured roses imaginable, which looked exactly as if they were
+the work of the most skilful of goldsmiths, and prepared to adorn a
+monarch's table.</p>
+
+<p>"Confound you, with these golden roses!" screamed the gardener; "you
+are in league with the evil one!" and he drove Goldy roughly out of
+the garden, as with plenty of abuse he trampled the golden roses on
+the ground.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[382]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Goldy knew not what the gardener could mean; but he went calmly back
+into the forest, and again set himself to seek after his father's
+cabin.</p>
+
+<p>He walked on day and night, from tree to tree, from rock to rock. On
+the third day, the forest again became clearer and clearer, and he
+came to the shore of the blue sea. It lay before him without a
+boundary; the sun mirrored itself in the crystal surface, which
+glistened like liquid gold, and gay vessels with far-floating
+streamers floated on the waves. Some fishermen sat in a pretty bark on
+the shore, into which Goldy entered, and gazed with wonder out into
+the bright distance.</p>
+
+<p>"We stand in need of just such a boy," said the fisherman, and off
+they pushed into the sea. Goldy was well pleased to go with them, for
+he thought it must be a golden life there amongst the bright waves,
+and he had quite lost all hope of again finding his father's hut.</p>
+
+<p>The fishermen cast their nets, but took nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us see if you will have better luck," said an old fisherman with
+silver hair, addressing Goldy. With unskilful hands he let down the
+net into the deep, drew it up, and lo! he brought up in it&mdash;a crown of
+pure gold.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[383]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Triumph!" cried the ancient fisherman, at the same time throwing
+himself at Goldy's feet. "I hail thee as our king! A hundred years
+ago, the last of our kings, having no heir, when he was about to die,
+cast his crown into the sea, and until the fortunate being destined by
+fate, should again draw up the crown from the deep, the throne,
+without an occupant, was to remain wrapt in gloom."</p>
+
+<p>"Hail to our king!" cried all the fishermen, and they placed the crown
+on the boy's head. The tidings of Goldy and of the regained crown,
+resounded from vessel to vessel, and across the sea far into the land.
+The golden surface was soon crowded with gay barks and ships, adorned
+with festoons of flowers and branches; they all saluted with loud
+acclamations of joy the vessel in which was the Boy-king. He stood
+with the bright crown upon his head, at the prow of the vessel, and
+gazed calmly on the sun as it sank into the sea, whilst his golden
+locks waved in the refreshing evening breeze.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[384]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_SERPENT_PRINCE" id="THE_SERPENT_PRINCE"></a>THE SERPENT PRINCE.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Italian.]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_397.jpg" alt="T" width="110" height="112" /></div>
+<p>here lived once a peasant's wife who would have given all she
+possessed to have a child, but yet she never had one.</p>
+
+<p>One day her husband brought home a bundle of twigs from the wood, out
+of which crept a pretty little young serpent. When Sabatella, that was
+the peasant woman's name, saw the little serpent, she sighed deeply
+and said: "Even serpents have their offspring; I alone am so
+unfortunate as to remain childless!"</p>
+
+<p>"Since you are childless," replied the little serpent, "take me in
+lieu of a child; you shall have no cause to repent, and I will love
+you more than a son."</p>
+
+<p>When Sabatella heard the serpent speak, she was at first ready to go
+out of her wits from fright; but at length taking courage said: "If it
+be only for your kind words, I will love you as well as if you were my
+own child."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[385]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So saying, she showed the serpent a cupboard in the house for his bed,
+and she gave him a share, daily, of all she had to eat, and so the
+serpent grew; and when he was quite grown up, he said to the peasant,
+Cola Mattheo by name, whom he considered in the light of a father:
+"Dear Papa, I wish to marry."</p>
+
+<p>"I am willing," said Mattheo; "we will look about for a serpent like
+yourself, and conclude the alliance at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Why so," replied the serpent; "we shall then only become connected
+with vipers, and similar vermin. I greatly prefer to marry the king's
+daughter; so pray go forthwith, solicit the king for her, and say that
+a serpent wishes to have her for his wife."</p>
+
+<p>Cola Mattheo, who was a simple-minded man, went without further delay
+to the king, and said: "The persons of messengers are always held
+sacred. Know, therefore, that a serpent desires to have your daughter
+for his wife; and I am come hither in my capacity of gardener to see
+whether I can graft a dove upon a serpent."</p>
+
+<p>The king, perceiving that he was somewhat of a booby, in order to get
+rid of him, said: "Go home, and tell this serpent that if he can turn
+all the fruit in this garden into gold, I will give him my daughter in
+marriage," and laughing heartily, he dismissed the peasant.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[386]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>When Cola Mattheo reported the king's answer, the serpent replied: "Go
+early in the morning and collect all the fruit kernels you can find
+throughout the city, and sow them in the royal garden; then you shall
+behold a wonder."</p>
+
+<p>Cola Mattheo, who was a great simpleton, said nothing, but as soon as
+the sun with his golden besom had swept away the shades of night, he
+took his basket under his arm, went from street to street, carefully
+picking up every seed and kernel of peach, pomegranate, apricot,
+cherry, and all other fruits he could find. Then he sowed them in the
+royal garden as the serpent had desired him,&mdash;which he had no sooner
+done than he perceived the stems of the trees, together with their
+leaves, flowers, and fruit, all turn into shining gold; and the king,
+when he saw it, went almost out of his senses, and could not tell what
+to make of the affair.</p>
+
+<p>But when Cola Mattheo was sent by the serpent to request the king to
+perform his promise, the king replied: "Not so fast! For if the
+serpent really desires to have my daughter in marriage, he must do
+something more; and, in fact, I should like him to change the walls
+and the paths in my garden into precious stones."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[387]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>On this new demand being reported to the serpent, he said: "Go early
+in the morning and collect all the potsherds you can find on the
+ground; strew them in the paths and on the walls of the garden; then
+we shall soon make the king perform his promise."</p>
+
+<p>And when the night had passed away, Cola Mattheo took a great basket
+and collected all the bits of broken pots, pans, jugs, cups and
+saucers, and all similar rubbish; and when he had done with them as
+the serpent desired him, the garden was suddenly covered with
+emeralds, rubies, chalcedonies, and carbuncles, so that its brilliancy
+dazzled all eyes, and astonished all hearts. The king was almost
+petrified at this spectacle, and knew not what had befallen him.</p>
+
+<p>When, however, the serpent caused him to be again reminded of his
+promise, he answered: "All this is nothing yet. I must have this
+palace quite filled with gold."</p>
+
+<p>When Cola brought this further put-off from the king, the serpent only
+said: "Go and take a bunch of green herbs, and sweep the floors of the
+palace with it; then we shall see what will happen."</p>
+
+<p>Mattheo directly made a great bunch of purslain, marjoram, rue, and
+chervil, with which he swept the floors of the palace, and immediately
+the rooms were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[388]</a></span> filled with gold in such quantities, that poverty must
+have fled at least a hundred houses off.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the peasant went once more in the name of the serpent to
+demand the princess, the king found himself constrained at last to
+keep his promise. He called his daughter, and said: "My beloved
+Grannonia, in order to make sport of an individual who requested you
+in marriage, I required things of him which seemed impossible. As,
+however, I now find myself obliged to fulfil my promise&mdash;I entreat
+you, my dutiful daughter, not to bring my word to disgrace, but that
+you will resign yourself to what Heaven wills, and I am constrained to
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"Do as you please, my lord and father," answered Grannonia, "for I
+will not depart one hair's breadth from what you desire."</p>
+
+<p>On hearing this the king desired Cola Mattheo to conduct the serpent
+to his presence; who accordingly repaired to court in a carriage made
+entirely of gold, drawn by four elephants, also of gold. As they
+passed along, however, everybody fled before them, from terror at
+seeing such a dreadfully large serpent.</p>
+
+<p>When the serpent reached the palace, the courtiers shuddered and
+trembled; even the very scullions ran away, and the king and queen
+shut themselves up in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[389]</a></span> a remote chamber. Grannonia alone retained her
+self-possession; and although her royal parents called to her, saying:
+"Fly, fly, Grannonia!" she stirred not from the spot, and merely said:
+"I will not flee from the husband whom you have given me."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img src="images/image_402.jpg" width="500" height="618" alt=""  />
+</div>
+
+<p>No sooner had the serpent entered the apartment, than he encircled
+Grannonia with his tail, kissed her,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[390]</a></span> then drew her into another
+chamber, locked the door, and stripping off his skin, was transformed
+into a remarkably handsome young man, with golden locks and bright
+eyes, who immediately embraced Grannonia with the utmost tenderness,
+and paid her the most flattering attentions.</p>
+
+<p>The king, on seeing the serpent lock himself into another room with
+the princess, said to his wife: "Heaven have pity on our poor
+daughter; for, unquestionably, all is over with her. This confounded
+serpent has, no doubt, by this time swallowed her up like the yolk of
+an egg." And they peeped through the keyhole to see what had happened.</p>
+
+<p>But when they beheld the surprising elegance and beauty of the young
+man, and perceived the serpent skin, which had been thrown down on the
+ground, they burst open the door, rushed in, and seizing the skin,
+threw it into the fire, where it was instantly consumed. Whereupon the
+young man exclaimed: "Ah! you wretched people, what have you done to
+me!" and changing himself into a pigeon, he flew with such force
+against the window glass, that it broke, and he flew through, although
+very much injured.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[391]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Grannonia, who in one and the same moment beheld herself thus
+rejoicing and grieving, happy and unhappy, rich and poor, complained
+bitterly at this destruction of her happiness, this poisoning of her
+joy, this sad change of her fortune, all of which she laid to the
+charge of her parents, although these assured her they had not
+intended to do wrong. She, however, ceased not to bemoan herself until
+night drew in, and as soon as all the inmates of the palace were in
+their beds, she collected all her jewels, and went out at a back door,
+determined to search till she should again find her lost treasure.
+When she got beyond the city, guided by the moonshine, she met a fox,
+who offered to be her companion; to which Grannonia replied: "You are
+heartily welcome to me, neighbour, for I do not know the district very
+well."</p>
+
+<p>They went on together a considerable way, and reached a forest, where
+the tops of the lofty trees met on high, and formed an agreeable
+canopy over their heads. As they were weary with walking, and wished
+to repose, they went under the thick leafy roof, where a rivulet
+sported with the fresh grass, sprinkling it with its clear drops.</p>
+
+<p>They lay down on the mossy carpet, paid the debt of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[392]</a></span> sleep to nature
+for the wear and tear of life, and did not wake until the sun with his
+wonted fire gave notice that men might resume their avocations; but
+after they had risen, they stood awhile listening to the song of the
+little birds, as Grannonia took infinite pleasure in hearing their
+twittering.</p>
+
+<p>When the fox perceived this, he said: "If you understood, as I do,
+what they say, your pleasure would be infinitely greater."</p>
+
+<p>Excited by his words&mdash;for curiosity as well as love of gossip is a
+natural gift in all women&mdash;Grannonia begged the fox to tell her what
+he had learned from the birds.</p>
+
+<p>The fox allowed her to urge him for a considerable time, in order to
+awaken still greater curiosity for what he was going to relate; but at
+length he told her that the birds were conversing about a misfortune
+which had befallen the son of a king, who, having given offence to a
+wicked enchantress, had been doomed by her to remain for seven long
+years in the form of a serpent. The period of his enchantment arriving
+at its close, he had fallen in love with the daughter of a king, and
+having, on finding himself in a room alone with her, stripped off his
+serpent's skin, her parents had broken in upon them and had burnt the
+skin; whereupon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[393]</a></span> prince, by flying through a window in the form of
+a pigeon, had so severely injured himself, that the surgeons had no
+hope of his recovery.</p>
+
+<p>Grannonia, on hearing the history of her beloved prince, immediately
+inquired whose son the prince might be, and if there were any means by
+which his cure could be effected. The fox replied, that those birds
+had said that he was the son of the King of Ballone-Grosso, and that
+no other means existed of stopping up the holes in his head, so that
+his reason should not evaporate through them, but to anoint the wounds
+with the blood of those very birds who had narrated the circumstance.</p>
+
+<p>On hearing these words, Grannonia besought the fox to be so very kind
+as to catch the birds for her, that she might get their blood, and
+promised to share with him the profit she would make by curing the
+prince.</p>
+
+<p>"Softly to work," said the fox; "let us wait till night, and when the
+birds are gone to roost, I will climb the tree and strangle them one
+after the other."</p>
+
+<p>So he passed the day talking alternately of the beauty of the king's
+son, of the father of the princess, and of the misfortune that had
+befallen her, till at length night came on. When the fox saw all the
+little<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[394]</a></span> birds asleep on the branches, he climbed very quietly and
+cautiously up, and caught all the chaffinches, goldfinches, and
+fly-catchers that were on the tree, killed them, and put their blood
+in a little flask he carried with him, in order to refresh himself on
+the road.</p>
+
+<p>Grannonia was expressing her delight at this success, when the fox
+said to her: "My dear daughter, your joy is all in vain; for you have
+gained nothing at all, unless besides the blood of the birds you also
+possess mine, which I certainly do not mean to give you;" and so
+saying, off he ran.</p>
+
+<p>Grannonia, who saw that all her hopes were about to be annihilated, in
+order to obtain her desires, had recourse to cunning and flattery; so
+she cried out to him: "Dear daddy fox, you would be quite in the right
+to take care of your skin, if I were not so much indebted to you, and
+if there were no more foxes in the world. But since you know how much
+I have to thank you for, and that in these fields there is no lack of
+creatures of your kind, you may rely without uneasiness on me, and
+therefore do not act like the cow who kicks down the pail after she
+has filled it with her milk. Stand still, do not leave me, but
+accompany me to this king's city, in order that he may hire me of you
+for a servant."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[395]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The fox into whose head it never entered that a fox could ever be
+duped, found himself, however, deceived by a woman; for he had
+scarcely given his assent to accompanying Grannonia, and had not gone
+fifty paces with her, before she ungratefully knocked him down with
+the stick she carried, killed him, and poured his blood into the
+flask.</p>
+
+<p>She then ran off as fast as she could, until she reached
+Ballone-Grosso. There she went straight to the royal palace, and
+caused the king to be informed she was come to cure the prince's
+wounds.</p>
+
+<p>The king had her immediately brought into his presence, greatly
+surprised that a young maiden should promise to do that which the most
+skilful surgeons in his kingdom acknowledged themselves incompetent to
+effect. But as there would be no harm in trying, he gave her
+permission to make the experiment.</p>
+
+<p>Grannonia, however, said: "If I fulfil your wishes, you must promise
+to give me your son for my husband." The king, who had lost all hope
+of seeing his son restored, replied: "Only restore him to health and
+spirits, and you shall have him just as you make him. For it is not
+too much for me to give a husband to one who gives me a son."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[396]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So they went into the prince's room, and no sooner had Grannonia
+anointed him with the blood than he was entirely cured. Now when
+Grannonia saw him well and cheerful, she said to the king that he must
+keep his word; whereupon the latter turned to his son, and spoke thus:
+"My dear son, but lately I looked upon you as dead, and now, when I
+least expected, I see you again living and well; and since I promised
+this young maiden in case she restored you, that you should become her
+husband, and as heaven has been so gracious to me, enable me, if you
+have any regard for me, to fulfil my promise, for gratitude constrains
+me to recompense this service."</p>
+
+<p>The prince replied: "My lord and father, I wish my will were as free
+as my love for you is great. But since I have already given my word to
+another woman, you would not wish that I should break my promise; and
+this young maiden herself will not counsel me to act so faithlessly to
+her whom I love, therefore I must remain true to my choice."</p>
+
+<p>When Grannonia heard these words, and perceived that the prince
+retained the memory of her so vividly in his heart, she felt
+unspeakable joy, and said, whilst she blushed to crimson: "But if I
+persuade the maiden<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[397]</a></span> whom you love, to renounce her claim on you,
+would you then comply with my wish?"</p>
+
+<p>"Far be it from me," replied the prince, "that I should ever efface
+the fair image of my beloved from my breast. Whatever she may do, my
+desire and my sentiments will remain unaltered; and were I to risk my
+life for it, still I never would consent to the change."</p>
+
+<p>Grannonia, who could no longer conceal her feelings, now made herself
+known; for the darkness of the chamber, where all the curtains were
+drawn on account of the prince's illness, and her own disguise, had
+entirely prevented him from recognising her. The moment he perceived
+who she was, he embraced her with indescribable joy, and then related
+to his father who she was, and what she had done for him.</p>
+
+<p>Then they sent for the parents of the princess, and the marriage
+festival was celebrated with great rejoicings, so that it was again
+made manifest that for the joys of love, sorrow is ever the best
+seasoning.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[398]</a></span></p>
+<h2><a name="THE_PROPHETIC_DREAM" id="THE_PROPHETIC_DREAM"></a>THE PROPHETIC DREAM.</h2>
+
+<h3>[Oral]</h3>
+
+<div class="figleft"><img src="images/image_411.jpg" alt="I" width="110" height="121" /></div>
+<p>n a little obscure village, there once dwelt a poor shepherd, who,
+for many years, supported himself and his family upon the very
+trifling wages he earned by his labour. Besides his wife he had one
+only child, a boy. He had accustomed this boy, from a very early age,
+to go out with him to the pastures, and had instructed him in the
+duties of a faithful shepherd, so that as the child grew up he could
+entrust the flocks to his care, whilst he himself could earn a few
+pence by basket weaving. The young shepherd gaily led his flocks over
+the fields and pastures, whistling or singing some cheerful song, or
+cracking his whip, that the time should not pass heavily with him. At
+noon he lay down at his ease by his flock, ate his bread, and quenched
+his thirst at the rivulet, and then slept for a short time before he
+drove it further.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[399]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>One day when he had lain down under a shady tree for his noontide
+rest, the young shepherd slept and had a remarkable dream. He was
+journeying on, far, far on&mdash;he heard a loud clinking sound, like to a
+heap of coins incessantly falling on the ground&mdash;a thundering noise
+like the report of incessant firing&mdash;he saw a countless band of
+soldiers, with glittering armour and weapons&mdash;all these sights and
+sounds encircled him and resounded about him. Then he seemed to wander
+on, constantly ascending a mountain until he arrived at the summit,
+where a throne was erected on which he seated himself, leaving beside
+him a vacant place, which a beautiful woman who suddenly appeared,
+immediately occupied. The young shepherd still dreaming, rose up,
+saying in a solemn and earnest voice: "I am King of Spain;" and at
+that moment he awoke.</p>
+
+<p>Pondering on his strange dream, the youth led on his flock, and in the
+evening, whilst he assisted his parents in their work as they sat
+before their cottage door cutting fodder, he related it to them, and
+concluded by saying: "Verily, if I dream that again, I will be off to
+Spain to see whether I shall be made king."</p>
+
+<p>"Foolish boy," murmured the old father; "thou be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[400]</a></span> made king? Don't go
+and make yourself a laughingstock."</p>
+
+<p>His mother laughed outright, rubbing her hands, and repeating in
+amaze, "King of Spain! king of Spain!"</p>
+
+<p>The next day at noon he lay down again under the same tree, and oh,
+wonder! the same dream took possession of his senses. He hardly had
+patience to watch his flock till evening; gladly would he have run
+home, and at once set out on his journey to Spain. When at length his
+work was done, he again related his romantic dream, saying: "If I do
+but dream this once again, I will go off directly, on the very same
+day."</p>
+
+<p>The third day he lay down again under the same tree, and the same
+dream again visited him for the third time. The youth raised himself
+up in his sleep, exclaiming: "I am King of Spain," and thereupon he
+awoke. He gathered up his hat, his whip, and his provision bag,
+collected his sheep, and went back straight to the village. When he
+got there the people began to chide him for returning so long before
+vespers; but the youth was so excited that he paid no heed to the
+reproofs either of the neighbours or of his parents, but packed up his
+Sunday clothes, hung the bundle on a hazel<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[401]</a></span> stick, and throwing it
+over his shoulder started off without another word. He put his best
+foot foremost, and ran so fast that one would have thought he hoped to
+reach Spain that same night.</p>
+
+<p>He got no further however that day than to the borders of a forest,
+and not a village nor even a solitary cottage could he descry; so he
+resolved to take his night's rest in a thick bush. He had scarcely
+fallen asleep when he was disturbed by a great noise. A company of
+men, conversing loudly, passed before the bush which he had made his
+bed. The youth crept softly forward, and followed the men at a little
+distance, saying to himself: "Perhaps thou mayest still find a
+lodging; where these men pass the night, thou surely mayest also
+sleep." They had not gone much further before they came to a house of
+considerable dimensions, which, however, was situated in the centre of
+the dark forest. The men knocked, and were admitted, and the young
+shepherd unperceived slipped in with them into the house. Another door
+was then thrown open, and they all entered a large and very
+imperfectly lighted room, on the floor of which lay numerous trusses
+of straw, beds and coverlids, which seemed ready prepared for the
+men's night repose. The<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[402]</a></span> shepherd boy crept quickly under a heap of
+straw, which was scattered near the door, and lay in his concealment
+on the look-out for all he might see and hear. As he was a very sharp
+boy, with all his senses about him, it was not long before he made out
+that he was amongst a band of robbers, whose captain was the owner of
+the house. This latter, as soon as the newly arrived members of the
+band had stretched themselves on their couches, ascended an elevated
+seat, and said in a deep bass voice: "My brave comrades, give me an
+account of your day's work; where you have been, and what booty you
+have got!"</p>
+
+<p>A tall man, with a coal black beard, was the first to raise himself
+from his bed, and answered: "My good captain, early this morning I
+robbed a rich nobleman of his leathern breeches; these have two
+pockets, and as often as they are turned inside out, and well shaken,
+a heap of ducats falls on the ground."</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds well, indeed!" said the captain.</p>
+
+<p>Then uprose another, and said: "I stole from a great general his
+three-cornered hat; and this hat has the property, that so long as it
+is turned round upon the head shots are fired off incessantly from its
+three corners."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[403]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's worth hearing," replied the captain; upon which a third man
+sat up, saying: "I have deprived a knight of his sword, and when you
+stick the point of this sword into the earth, up starts at that very
+moment a regiment of soldiers."</p>
+
+<p>"A brave deed," exclaimed the captain; as the fourth robber then
+began: "I drew off the boots of a traveller whilst he slept, and
+whoever puts on those boots goes seven miles at every step."</p>
+
+<p>"I commend a bold deed," said the captain, highly pleased; "hang up
+your prizes against the wall, and now eat and drink heartily, and
+sleep well." So saying, he left the sleeping apartment of the robbers,
+who caroused lustily, and then slept soundly. When all was still and
+the men in deep sleep, the young shepherd stole from his hiding-place,
+put on the leathern breeches, set the hat upon his head, girded on the
+sword, drew on the boots, and slipped softly out of the house. As soon
+as he was outside the door, the boots, to his infinite delight, at
+once manifested their magic virtue, and it was not long before the
+youth entered the great capital of Spain; it is called Madrid.</p>
+
+<p>He asked the very first person he met to direct him to the most
+considerable hotel in the city; but received<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[404]</a></span> for answer, "You little
+urchin, get off with you to some place where such as yourself lodge,
+and not to where great lords dine." A shining gold piece, however,
+soon made his adviser a little more courteous, so that now he
+willingly conducted the youth to the best hotel. Arrived there, he at
+once engaged the best apartments, and said to his host: "Well, how
+goes it in your city? What is the latest news here?"</p>
+
+<p>The host made a long face, and replied: "My little gentleman, you must
+be indeed quite a stranger here. It seems that you have not yet heard
+that his majesty, our king, is on the eve of departing for the wars
+with an army of twenty thousand men. You must know we have enemies,
+powerful enemies. Oh, these are, indeed, dreadful times! Is your
+little worship disposed to join the army?"</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt!" said the stripling, whose countenance beamed with joy.</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had the host left him, than he quickly drew off his leather
+breeches, shook out a heap of gold pieces, and purchased for himself
+costly garments with arms and accoutrements, dressed himself in them,
+and then craved an audience of the king. As he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[405]</a></span> entered the palace,
+and was being conducted by two chamberlains through a spacious and
+magnificent hall, he was met by a young and wondrously beautiful lady,
+who graciously saluted him, and whom he beheld surrounded by
+courtiers, who bowed to her as he passed, whilst they whispered to
+him, "That is the princess&mdash;the king's daughter."</p>
+
+<p>The young shepherd was not a little enraptured by the beauty of the
+princess; and he was so inspired by his admiration and delight, that
+he was able to speak boldly and confidently to the monarch.</p>
+
+<p>"I come," said he, "most humbly to offer to your majesty my services
+as a warrior. The army I bring to you shall gain the victory for you;
+and it shall win for your majesty whatever you may be pleased to
+desire. But I ask of you one recompense, namely, that if I gain the
+victory for you, I may receive your lovely daughter in marriage. Will
+you grant me this, my most gracious king?"</p>
+
+<p>The king was astonished at the youth's bold address, and answered: "Be
+it so&mdash;I agree to your request. If you return home a conqueror, you
+shall be my successor, and I will give you my daughter in marriage."<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[406]</a></span></p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 500px;">
+<img class="img1" src="images/image_420.jpg" width="500" height="712" alt="THE PROPHETIC DREAM."  />
+<span class="caption">THE PROPHETIC DREAM.</span>
+</div>
+
+<p>The <i>ci-devant</i> shepherd now betook himself all alone to the open
+plain, and began to strike his sword here and there in the ground, and
+in a few minutes there stood on the plain many thousand well-armed
+combatants, and the youth himself, richly armed and adorned, sat as
+their leader on a noble horse decked with gold embroidered housings
+and a lustrous bridle. The young general led his troops against the
+foe, and a bloody battle was fought. Unceasing death-shots thundered
+from the commander's hat, and his sword called up one regiment after
+another from the ground, so that in a few hours the enemy was
+vanquished and scattered, and the flag of victory waved above the
+conquered camp. The victor pursued and conquered from his foe a
+considerable portion of his country. Victorious, and crowned with
+glory, he returned to Spain, where his greatest good fortune still
+awaited him. The fair daughter of the king had been no less struck by
+the handsome youth whom she met in the hall, than he had been by her;
+and the most gracious monarch knew how to value duly the great service
+rendered to him by the brave young man. He kept his word&mdash;gave him his
+daughter in marriage, and made him heir to his throne.</p>
+
+<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[407]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The nuptials were celebrated with the greatest magnificence, and he
+who had so shortly before been only a shepherd youth sat now in high
+estate. Soon after the wedding the old king resigned his crown and
+sceptre into the hands of his son-in-law, who, seated proudly on the
+throne, with his beautiful consort beside him, received the oath of
+allegiance from his people.</p>
+
+<p>Then he thought of his so quickly-fulfilled dream and of his poor
+parents, and when he was alone with his wife, he thus addressed her:
+"My beloved, know that I have parents living still, but they are very
+poor; my father is a village herdsman, dwelling far away in Germany,
+where I myself, as a boy, looked after cattle, until a marvellous
+dream revealed to me that I should become king of Spain. Fortune has
+been favourable to me; I am now a king, but I would willingly see my
+parents also prosperous, therefore with your kind consent I will
+return to my former home, and bring my parents hither."</p>
+
+<p>The young queen was well content that her husband should do as he
+proposed, so he set off and travelled of course very fast, being
+possessed of the seven-mile boots. On his way the young monarch
+restored the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[408]</a></span> magical articles which he had taken from the robbers to
+their rightful owners, retaining only the boots; he carried back with
+him his parents, who were almost beside themselves for joy, and to the
+former owner of the boots he gave a dukedom in exchange for them.
+After that he lived happily and worthily all the rest of his days.</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Fairy Tales From all Nations, by 
+Anthony R. Montalba
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+</body>
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@@ -0,0 +1,8797 @@
+Project Gutenberg's Fairy Tales From all Nations, by Anthony R. Montalba
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: Fairy Tales From all Nations
+
+Author: Anthony R. Montalba
+
+Illustrator: Richard Doyle
+
+Release Date: January 14, 2011 [EBook #34956]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK FAIRY TALES FROM ALL NATIONS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Chris Curnow, and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+(This file was produced from images generously made
+available by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+                           FAIRY TALES FROM
+
+                             ALL NATIONS.
+
+
+
+                                  BY
+
+                         ANTHONY R. MONTALBA.
+
+
+
+           WITH TWENTY-FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS BY RICHARD DOYLE.
+
+
+
+
+                               LONDON:
+
+                     CHAPMAN & HALL, 186, STRAND.
+
+                              MDCCCXLIX.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+TO
+
+
+THE ILLUSTRIOUS PATRON OF LETTERS
+
+THE RIGHT HON. THE EARL FITZWILLIAM,
+
+This Little Book
+
+IS HUMBLY INSCRIBED,
+
+AS A MARK OF SINCEREST GRATITUDE AND RESPECT,
+
+BY HIS MOST OBEDIENT AND DEVOTED SERVANT,
+
+A. R. MONTALBA.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+The time has been, but happily exists no longer, when it would have
+been necessary to offer an apology for such a book as this. In those
+days it was not held that
+
+    Beauty is its own excuse for being;
+
+on the contrary, a spurious utilitarianism reigned supreme in
+literature, and fancy and imagination were told to fold their wings,
+and travel only in the dusty paths of every-day life. Fairy tales, and
+all such flights into the region of the supernatural, were then
+condemned as merely idle things, or as pernicious occupations for
+faculties that should be always directed to serious and profitable
+concerns. But now we have cast off that pedantic folly, let us hope
+for ever. We now acknowledge that innocent amusement is good for its
+own sake, and we do not affect to prove our advance in civilisation by
+our incapacity to relish those sportive creations of unrestricted
+fancy that have been the delight of every generation in every land
+from times beyond the reach of history.
+
+The materials of the following Collection have been carefully chosen
+from more than a hundred volumes of the fairy lore of all nations; and
+none of them, so far as the Editor is aware, have been previously
+translated into English.
+
+The Editor cannot close this brief Preface without expressing his
+grateful acknowledgments of the enhanced attraction imparted to his
+little work by Mr. Richard Doyle's admirable Illustrations.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+TALE.                          LANGUAGE.           AUTHOR.            PAGE.
+
+BIRTH OF THE FAIRY TALE                                                  1
+
+SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED         _Danish_          TORGEN MOE AND
+                                                  P. ASBIORNSON          9
+
+THE STORY OF ARGILIUS AND
+THE FLAME KING                  _Slavonic_        COUNT MAYLATH         20
+
+PERSEVERE AND PROSPER           _Arabic_          DR. G. WEIL           38
+
+PRINCE OF THE GLOW-WORMS        _German_          FRIEDRICH VON SALLET  41
+
+THE TWO MISERS                  _Hebrew_                                71
+
+PRINCE CHAFFINCH                _French_                                73
+
+THE WOLF AND THE NIGHTINGALE    _Swedish_         E. M. ANNDT          105
+
+THE ENCHANTED CROW              _Polish_          K. W. WOYCICKY       132
+
+THE DRAGON-GIANT AND HIS
+STONE STEED                     _Russian_         O. L. B. WOLFF       153
+
+THE STORY OF SIVA AND MADHAVA   _Sanskrit_        SOMADEVA BHATTA      185
+
+THE GOBLIN BIRD                 _Betschuanian_    CASALIS              201
+
+THE SHEPHERD AND THE SERPENT    _German_                               209
+
+THE EXPEDITIOUS FROG            _Wendian_         LEOPOLD HAUSST AND
+                                                  J. E. SCHMALER       215
+
+EASTWARD OF THE SUN, AND
+WESTWARD OF THE MOON            _Norwegian_       P. ASBIORNSON        217
+
+THE LITTLE MAN IN GREY          _Upper Lusatian_  MONTZ HAUSST         236
+
+RED, WHITE, AND BLACK           _Norman_          L'HERITIER           243
+
+THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES      _African_
+AND THE WIZARD KING.                                                   249
+
+THE STUDY OF MAGIC UNDER
+DIFFICULTIES                    _Italian_         STRAPPAROLA          268
+
+FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE             _Hungarian_       G. VON GALL          281
+
+THE LUCKY DAYS                  _Italian_         STRAPPAROLA          309
+
+THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS         _Icelandish_                           313
+
+THE THREE DOGS                  _Frieslandish_    L. BECKSTEIN         329
+
+THE COURAGEOUS FLUTE-PLAYER     _Franconian_                           339
+
+THE GLASS HATCHET               _Hungarian_       G. VON GALL          345
+
+THE GOLDEN DUCK                 _Bohemian_        WOLFGARD A. GERLE    360
+
+GOLDY                           _German_          JUSTINUS KERNER      377
+
+THE SERPENT PRINCE              _Italian_         BASILE               384
+
+THE PROPHETIC DREAM                                                    398
+
+
+The Illustrations drawn by RICHARD DOYLE, and engraved by G. DALZIEL,
+E. DALZIEL, ISABEL THOMPSON, C. T. THOMPSON, RICHARD THOMPSON, and W.
+T. GREEN.
+
+
+
+
+FAIRY TALES FROM ALL NATIONS
+
+
+
+
+THE BIRTH OF THE FAIRY TALE.
+
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When nursery tales and entertaining stories did not yet exist--and
+those were dull times for children, for then their youthful paradise
+wanted its gayest butterfly--there lived two royal children, a brother
+and sister. They played with each other in a garden allotted to them
+by their royal sire. This garden was full of the most beautiful and
+fragrant flowers; its paths were over-spread with golden sands and
+many-coloured stones, which vied in brilliancy with the dew which
+glistened on the flowers, illuminated by the splendour of an eastern
+sun. There were in it cool grottos with rippling streams; fountains
+spouting high towards heaven; exquisitely chiselled marble statues;
+lovely arbours and bowers inviting to repose; gold and silver fish
+swam in the reservoirs, and the most beautiful birds flitted about in
+gilded cages so spacious that they scarcely felt that they were
+confined, whilst others at full liberty flew from tree to tree,
+filling the air with their sweet song. Yet the children who possessed
+all these delights, and saw them daily, were satiated with them and
+felt weary. They looked without pleasure on the brilliancy of the
+stones; the fragrance of the flowers and the dancing water of the
+fountains no longer attracted them; they cared not for the fish which
+were mute to them, nor for the birds whose warbling they did not
+comprehend. They sat mournful and listless beside each other; having
+everything that children could desire--kind parents, costly toys, the
+richest clothing, every delicacy the land could furnish, with liberty
+to roam from morning until evening in the beautiful garden,--still
+they were unsatisfied and they knew not why!--they could not tell what
+else they wanted.
+
+Then came to them the queen, their mother, beautiful and majestic,
+with a countenance expressive of love and gentleness. She grieved to
+see her children so mournful, meeting her with melancholy smiles,
+instead of gaily bounding to her embrace. Her heart was sorrowful
+because her children were not happy as she thought they ought to be,
+for as yet they knew not care; and, thanks to an all-good Providence,
+the heaven of childhood is usually bright and cloudless.
+
+The queen placed herself between her two children. She threw her full
+white arms round their necks, and said to them with endearing maternal
+tenderness, "What ails you, my beloved children?"--"We know not, dear
+mother!" replied the boy.--"We do not feel happy!" said the girl.
+
+"Yet everything is fair in this garden, and you have everything that
+can give you pleasure. Do all these things then afford you no
+enjoyment?" demanded the queen, whilst tears filled her eyes, through
+which beamed a soul of goodness.
+
+"What we have and enjoy seems not to be the one thing which we want,"
+answered the girl.--"We wish for something else, but we know not what
+it is," added the boy.
+
+The queen sat silent and sad, pondering what that might be for which
+her children pined. What could possibly afford them greater pleasure
+than that splendid garden, the richness of their clothing, the variety
+of their toys, the delicacy of their food, the flavour of their
+beverage? But in vain; she could not divine the unknown object of
+their desire.
+
+"Oh, that I myself were again a child!" said the queen to herself with
+a deep sigh. "I should then perhaps discover what would impart
+cheerfulness to my children. To comprehend the wish of a child, one
+should be a child oneself. But I have already wandered too far beyond
+the boundaries of childhood where fly the golden birds of paradise;
+those beautiful birds without feet, that never require the repose of
+which all earthly creatures stand in need. Oh, that such a bird would
+come to my assistance, and bring to my dear children that precious
+gift which should dispel their gloom and make them happy!"
+
+And, behold, the queen had scarcely formed this wish, when a
+wondrously beautiful bird, whose splendour surpassed all that can be
+imagined, bent its flight from the ethereal sky, and wheeled round and
+round until it attracted the gaze of the queen and her children, who
+on beholding it were filled with astonishment, and with one voice
+exclaimed: "Oh, how wonderful is that bird!" And wonderful indeed it
+was, and gorgeous to behold as it gradually descended towards them.
+Like burnished gold blended with sparkling jewels shone its plumage,
+reflecting the seven colours of the rainbow, and dazzling the eye
+which it still rivetted anew by its indescribable charms. Beautiful as
+it was, the aspect of the bird inspired them with a kind of awe,
+which, though not unpleasing, increased when they felt the wafting of
+its wings, and suddenly beheld it rest in the lap of the queen. It
+looked on them with its full eyes, which, though they resembled the
+friendly smiling eyes of a child, had yet in them something strange
+and almost unearthly; an expression the children could not comprehend,
+and therefore feared to consider. They now observed also, that mingled
+with the bright coloured plumage of this unearthly bird, were some
+black feathers which they had not before perceived. But scarcely was a
+moment permitted to them for these observations, ere the wonder-bird
+again arose, soared aloft higher and higher till it was lost to the
+sight in the blue and cloudless ether. The queen and her children
+watched its flight in amazement until it had entirely vanished, and
+when they again looked down, lo, a new wonder! The bird had deposited
+in the mother's lap an egg which beamed like the precious opal with
+many-coloured brilliancy. With one voice, the royal children
+exclaimed: "Oh, the beautiful egg!" whilst the mother smiled in an
+ecstasy of joy; for a voice within her predicted to her that this was
+the jewel which alone was wanting to complete the happiness of her
+children. This egg, she thought, within its thousand-coloured shell,
+must contain the treasure that would ensure to her children that which
+has ever been, and ever will be withheld from age--Contentment;--the
+longing for that treasure and the anticipation of it would charm away
+their childish melancholy.
+
+The children could not gaze their fill on the splendid egg, and soon
+in admiring it, forgot the bird that had bestowed it on them. At first
+they hardly ventured to touch their treasure, but after a while, the
+maiden first took courage to lay upon it one of her rosy fingers,
+exclaiming whilst a purple blush of delight over-spread her innocent
+face: "The egg is warm!" then the royal youth, to try the truth of his
+sister's words, cautiously touched it also, and lastly the mother
+placed her beautifully white and taper finger on the costly egg,
+which then separated into two parts, and there came out from it a
+being most marvellous to behold. It had wings, and yet it was no bird,
+nor yet butterfly nor bee, though it was a combination of all these
+infinitely and indescribably blended. It was in short, that multiform
+many-coloured childish Ideal, the _Fairy Tale_, dispensing pleasure,
+and happiness, and inspiration to infancy and youth. The mother
+thenceforth no longer beheld her children pining with melancholy, for
+the Fairy Tale became their constant companion, and remained with them
+till the sun which shone on their last day of childhood had set. The
+possession of this wondrous being from that day endeared to them
+garden and flowers, bowers and grottos, forests and valleys; for it
+gave new life and charms to all around them. Borne on its wings they
+flew far and wide through the great measureless world, and yet, ever
+at their wish, they were in a moment wafted back to their own home.
+
+Those royal children were mankind in their youthful paradise, and
+nature was their lovely serene and mild mother. Their wishes drew down
+from heaven the wonder-bird, PHANTASY, most brilliant of plumage
+although intermingled with its feathers, were some of the deepest
+black: the egg deposited by this bright bird, contained the GOLDEN
+FAIRY TALES: and as the affection of the children for Fairy Lore grew
+stronger from day to day, enlivening and making happy the time of
+their childhood, the stories themselves wandered forth, and were
+welcomed alike in hall and palace, castle and cottage, ever growing in
+charms and novelty, till they at length received the mission of
+pleasing manhood also. The grave, the toil-worn, and the aged, would
+listen with pleased ear to their wonderful relations, and dwell with
+fond recollection on the golden birth of those Fairy charms.
+
+
+
+
+SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED.
+
+[Danish.]
+
+
+In a far-distant land, there reigned a queen, who was one day driving
+in a sledge over the new fallen snow, when, as it chanced, she was
+seized with a bleeding at her nose, which obliged her to alight. As
+she stood leaning against the stump of a tree, and gazed on her
+crimson blood that fell on the snow, she thought to herself, "I have
+now twelve sons, and not one daughter; could I but have a daughter
+fair as that snow and rosy as that blood, I should no longer care
+about my sons." She had scarcely murmured the wish, before a sorceress
+stood beside her. "Thou shalt have a daughter," said she, "and she
+shall be fair as this snow and rosy as thy blood; but thy twelve sons
+shall then be mine; thou may'st, however, retain them with thee, until
+thy daughter shall be baptized."
+
+Now, at the appointed time the queen brought into the world a
+daughter, who was fair as snow and rosy as blood, just as the
+sorceress had promised, and on that account she was called Snow-white
+and Rosy-red; and there was great joy throughout all the royal
+household, but the queen rejoiced more than all the rest. But when she
+remembered her promise to the sorceress, a strange sensation oppressed
+her heart, and she sent for a silversmith, and commanded him to make
+twelve silver spoons, one for each of the princes; she had one made
+for the princess also. On the day that the princess was baptized, the
+twelve princes were transformed into twelve wild ducks, and flew away,
+and were no more seen. The princess, however, grew up, and became
+wonderfully beautiful; but she was always wrapped in her own thoughts,
+and so melancholy, that no one could guess what was the matter with
+her.
+
+One evening, when the queen was also in a very melancholy mood,
+thinking on her lost sons, she said to Snow-white and Rosy-red, "Why
+are you always so sad, my daughter? If there is anything the matter
+with you, tell it me. If there is anything you wish for, you shall
+have it."
+
+"Oh, dear mother," she replied, "all around me seems so desolate;
+other children have brothers and sisters, but I have none, and that is
+why I am so sad."
+
+"My daughter," said the queen, "you also once had brothers, for I had
+twelve sons, but I gave them all up in order to have you;" and
+thereupon she related to her all that had occurred.
+
+When the princess heard what had befallen her brothers, she could no
+longer remain at home in peace, and notwithstanding all her mother's
+tears and entreaties, nothing would satisfy her but she must and would
+set off in search of her brothers, for she thought that she alone was
+guilty of causing their misfortune; so she secretly left the palace.
+She wandered about the world, and went so far that you would not
+believe it possible that such a delicate maiden could have gone to
+such a distance. Once she strayed about a whole night in a great
+forest, and towards the morning she was so tired that she lay down on
+a bank and slept. Then she dreamed that she penetrated still farther
+into the forest, till she came to a little wooden hut, and therein she
+found her brothers. When she awoke, she saw before her a little beaten
+path through the moss, and she followed it till in the thickest of the
+forest she saw a little wooden hut, just like that she had dreamed
+of.
+
+She entered it, but saw no one. There were, however, twelve beds and
+twelve chairs, and on the table lay twelve spoons, and, in fact, there
+were twelve of every article she saw there. The princess was
+overjoyed, for she could not but fancy that her twelve brethren dwelt
+there, and that it was to them that the beds, and the chairs, and the
+spoons belonged. Then she made a fire on the hearth, swept the room,
+and made the beds; afterwards she cooked a meal for them, and set
+everything out in the best order possible. And when she had finished
+her cooking and had prepared everything for her brothers, she sat down
+and ate something for herself, laid her spoon on the table, and crept
+under the bed belonging to her youngest brother.
+
+She had scarcely concealed herself there, when she heard a great
+rustling in the air, and presently in flew twelve wild ducks; but the
+moment they crossed the threshold, they were instantly transformed
+into the princes, her brothers!
+
+"Ah, how nicely everything is arranged here, and how delightfully warm
+it is already," they exclaimed.
+
+"Heaven reward the person who has warmed our room so nicely, and
+prepared such an excellent repast for us;" and hereupon each took his
+silver spoon in order to begin eating. But when each prince had taken
+his own, there was still one remaining, so like the others that they
+could not distinguish it. Then the princes looked at each other, and
+were very much astonished.
+
+"That must be our sister's spoon," said they; "and since the spoon is
+here, she herself cannot be far off."
+
+"If it is our sister, and if she is here," said the eldest, "she shall
+be killed, for she is the cause of our misfortune."
+
+"Nay," said the youngest, "it would be a sin to kill her; she is not
+guilty of what we suffer; if any one is in fault, it is no other than
+our own mother."
+
+Then they all began to search high and low, and at last they looked
+under all the beds, and when they came to the bed of the youngest
+prince, they found the princess, and drew her from under it.
+
+The eldest prince was now again for killing her, but she entreated
+them earnestly to spare her life, and said, "Ah, do not kill me; I
+have wandered about so long seeking for you, and I would willingly
+give my life if that would disenchant you."
+
+"Nay, but if you will disenchant us," said they, "we will spare your
+life; for you can do it if you will."
+
+"Indeed; only tell me then what I am to do, for I will do anything you
+wish," said the princess.
+
+"You must collect the down of the dandelion flowers, and you must
+card, and spin, and weave it; and of that material you must cut out
+and make twelve caps, and twelve shirts, and twelve cravats, a set for
+each of us; but during the time that you are occupied in doing so, you
+must neither speak, nor weep, nor smile. If you can do that, we shall
+be disenchanted."
+
+"But where shall I be able to find sufficient down for all the caps,
+and shirts, and cravats?" asked she.
+
+"That you shall soon see," said the princes; and then they led her out
+into a great meadow, where were so many dandelions with their white
+down waving in the wind and glittering in the sun, that the glitter of
+them could be seen at a very great distance. The princess had never in
+all her life seen so many dandelions, and she began directly to pluck
+and collect them, and she brought home as many as she could carry; and
+in the evening she began to card and spin them into yarn. Thus she
+continued doing for a very long time; every day she gathered the down
+from the dandelions, and she attended on the princes also; she cooked
+for them, and made their beds; and every evening they flew home as
+wild ducks, became princes again during the night, and in the morning
+flew away again, as wild ducks.
+
+Now it happened one day when Snow-white and Rosy-red had gone to the
+meadow to collect the dandelion-down--if I do not mistake, that was
+the last time that she required to collect them--that the young king
+of the country was hunting, and rode towards the meadow where
+Snow-white and Rosy-red was collecting her material. The king was
+astonished to see such a beautiful maiden walking there, and gathering
+the dandelion-down. He stopped his horse and addressed her; but when
+he could get no answer from her, he was still more astonished, and as
+the maiden pleased him so well, he resolved to carry her to his royal
+residence, and make her his wife. He commanded his attendants,
+therefore, to lift her upon his horse; but Snow-white and Rosy-red
+wrung her hands, and pointed to the bag wherein she had her work. So
+the king understood at last what she meant, and bade his attendants
+put the bag also on his horse. That being done, the princess, by
+degrees, yielded to his wish that she should go with him, for the king
+was a very handsome man, and spoke so gently, and kindly, to her. But
+when they arrived at the palace, and the old queen, who was the
+king's step-mother, saw how beautiful Snow-white and Rosy-red was, she
+became quite jealous and angry; and she said to the king:--"Do you not
+see, then, that you have brought home a sorceress with you? for she
+can neither speak, nor laugh, nor cry." The king, however, heeded not
+his step-mother's words, but celebrated his nuptials with the fair
+maiden, and lived very happily with her. She, however, did not cease
+to work continually at the shirts.
+
+Before the year was out, Snow-white and Rosy-red brought a little
+prince into the world. This made the old queen still more envious and
+spiteful than before; and when night came, she slipped into the
+queen's room, and whilst she slept, carried off the infant, and threw
+it into a pit which was full of snakes. Then she returned, made an
+incision in one of the queen's fingers, and having smeared her mouth
+with the blood, she went to the king, and said:--"Come now, and see
+what sort of a wife you have got; she has just devoured her own
+child." Thereupon the king was so distressed that he very nearly shed
+tears, and said:--"Yes, it must be true, since I see it with my own
+eyes; but she surely will not do so again; this time I will spare
+her." Before the year was out the queen brought into the world
+another prince, and the same occurred this time, as before. The
+step-mother was still more jealous and spiteful; she again slipped
+into the young queen's room, during the night, and, whilst she slept,
+carried off the babe, and threw it into the pit to the serpents. Then
+she made an incision in the queen's finger, smeared her lips with the
+blood, and told the king that his wife had again devoured her own
+child. The king's distress was greater than can be imagined, and he
+said:--"Yes, it must be so, since I see it with my own eyes; but
+surely she will never do so again; I will spare her this once more."
+
+Before that year was out, Snow-white and Rosy-red brought a daughter
+into the world, and this also the old queen threw into the serpent
+hole, as she had done the others, made an incision in the young
+queen's finger, smeared her lips with the blood, and then again said
+to the king: "Come and see if I do not say truly, she is a sorceress:
+for she has now devoured her third child," Then the king was more
+distressed than can be described, for he could no longer spare her,
+but was obliged to command that she should be burnt alive. Now when
+the pile of faggots was blazing, and the young queen was to ascend,
+she made signs that twelve boards should be laid round the pile. This
+being done she placed on them, the shirts, caps, and cravats, she had
+made for her brothers; but the left sleeve of the youngest brother's
+shirt was wanting, for she had not been able to finish it. No sooner
+had she done this than a great rustling and fluttering was heard in
+the air, and twelve wild ducks came flying from the wood, and each
+took a shirt, cap, and cravat in his beak, and flew off with them.
+
+"Are you convinced now that she is a sorceress?" said the wicked
+step-mother to the king: "make haste and have her burnt before the
+flames consume all the wood."
+
+"There is no need of such haste," said the king; "we have plenty more
+wood, and I am very desirous to see what will be the end of all this."
+
+At that moment came the twelve princes riding up, all as handsome and
+graceful as possible, only the youngest prince, instead of a left arm,
+had a duck's wing.
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked the princes.
+
+"My wife is going to be burnt," said the king, "because she is a
+sorceress, and has devoured her children."
+
+"That has she not," said the princes. "Speak now, sister! You have
+delivered us, now save yourself."
+
+[Illustration: SNOW-WHITE AND ROSY-RED. P. 19.]
+
+Then Snow-white and Rosy-red spoke, and related all that had happened,
+and that each time she had a child, the old queen had slipped into the
+room, taken the child, and then made an incision in her finger, and
+smeared the blood upon her lips. And the princes led the king to the
+serpent hole, and there lay the children, playing with the serpents
+and adders, and finer children than these could not be seen. Then the
+king carried them with him to his step-mother, and asked her what the
+person deserved who had desired to betray an innocent queen, and three
+such lovely children.
+
+"To be torn in pieces by twelve wild horses," said the old queen.
+
+"You have pronounced your own doom, and shall suffer the punishment,"
+said the king, and forthwith the old queen was tied to twelve wild
+horses, and torn to pieces. But Snow-white and Rosy-red set off with
+the king, her husband, and her three children, and her twelve
+brothers, and went home to her parents, and told them all that had
+happened to her; and there were rejoicings throughout the kingdom,
+because the princess was saved, and that she had disenchanted her
+twelve brothers.
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF ARGILIUS AND THE FLAME-KING.
+
+[Slavonic]
+
+
+In a certain distant land once reigned a king and queen, who had three
+daughters and one son. As the king and queen were talking one day
+together about family matters, the king said to his consort: "Whenever
+our daughters happen to marry we shall be obliged to give to each of
+their husbands a portion of our kingdom, which will thereby be greatly
+diminished; I think therefore that we cannot do better than marry them
+all three to our son, and so the kingdom will remain entire. In
+another eight days, harvest will be over, and then we will celebrate
+the nuptials."
+
+The son overheard this discourse, and thought within himself, "that
+shall never come to pass."
+
+Now the king and queen having gone to a distant farm to superintend
+the reapers, some one approached the window, knocked at it, and said
+to the prince: "Little prince, I am come to marry your eldest sister."
+
+The young prince replied: "Wait a moment, you shall have her
+directly." He called his eldest sister, and as soon as she entered the
+room, he caught her in his arms, and threw her out of the window. She
+did not, however, fall to the ground, but on a golden bridge, which
+was very, very long, in fact it reached to the sun. Her unknown lover
+took her by the hand, and led her along the golden bridge to his
+kingdom in the centre of the sun, for this unknown happened to be the
+Sun-king.
+
+About noon some one else knocked at the window and said, as the former
+had done: "Little prince, I want to marry your second sister."
+
+The little prince replied: "Wait a moment, you shall have her
+directly." He went into his second sister's apartment, lifted her up,
+and threw her out of the window. She did not fall to the ground
+either, but into a chariot in the air. Four horses, which never ceased
+snorting and prancing, were harnessed to it. The unknown placed
+himself in the chariot, and as he brandished the whip, the clouds
+spread themselves out so as to form a road, the rolling of the
+chariot wheels was like a storm, and they disappeared in an instant.
+The unknown was the Wind-king.
+
+The little prince was right glad to think that he had already
+established two sisters, and when toward evening some one else knocked
+at the window, he said: "You need not speak, I know what you want:"
+and out he threw his youngest sister. She fell into a silvery stream.
+The unknown took her by the arm, and the waves bore her gently to the
+moon, for her lover was no other than the Moon-king. The young prince
+then went well pleased to bed.
+
+When the king and queen returned the next day they were very much
+surprised at hearing what their son had done; but as they had got
+three such powerful sons-in-law, as the kings of the Sun, Wind, and
+Moon, they were well satisfied, and said to the young prince: "See how
+grand your sisters are become through their husbands. You must try
+also to find some powerful queen to be your wife."
+
+The prince answered: "I have already fixed on one Kavadiska, and no
+other shall be my wife."
+
+The king and queen were quite shocked at this audacious speech, and
+endeavoured to dissuade him from the thought by all kinds of rational
+arguments; as, however, they in no wise succeeded, they at length
+said: "Well, then go forth, my son, and may Heaven guide thee in thy
+rash enterprise."
+
+The old king then took two bottles from his chest and gave them to his
+son, with these words: "See, my son, this bottle contains the water of
+life, and this the water of death. If thou sprinkle a corpse with the
+water of life it will be restored to life, but if thou sprinkle a
+living being with this water of death, it will immediately die. Take
+these bottles, they are my greatest treasure; perhaps they may be
+serviceable to thee." Now all the courtiers began to weep excessively,
+especially the ladies, who were all very partial to the prince. He,
+however, was very cheerful and full of hope, kissed the hands of his
+royal parents, placed the bottles about his person, that of life on
+the right side, and that of death on the left, girded on his sword,
+and departed.
+
+He had already wandered far when he reached a valley which was full of
+slain men. The young prince took his bottle of the water of life and
+sprinkled some in the eyes of one of the dead, who immediately rose
+up, rubbed his eyes, and said: "Ha! how long I have been sleeping."
+The king's son asked him, "What has taken place here?" to which the
+dead man replied: "Yesterday we fought against Kavadiska and she cut
+us all to pieces." The king's son said: "Since you were so weak as not
+to be able to defend yourselves against a woman, you do not deserve to
+live;" and then he sprinkled him with the water of death, on which the
+man fell down again, dead, amongst the other corpses.
+
+In the next valley lay a whole army in the same condition; the prince
+again re-animated one of the dead, and inquired: "Did you also fight
+against Kavadiska?" "Yes," returned the dead. "Why did you make war
+upon her?" resumed the prince. "Know'st thou not," rejoined the dead,
+"that our king desires to marry her, but that she will have no one for
+her husband, but him who shall conquer her? We went out against her
+with three armies: yesterday she destroyed one; this morning at
+sunrise the second; and she is at this moment fighting against the
+third?" The prince sprinkled the speaker with the water of death, and
+immediately he also fell to the ground.
+
+In the third valley lay the third host. The re-animated warrior said:
+"The fight is only just now ended; Kavadiska has slain us all." "Where
+shall I find her?" asked the prince. "Her castle is on the other side
+of that mountain," replied the warrior, and sank down again as soon as
+the prince sprinkled him.
+
+Argilius--so was the prince called--crossed the mountain and came to
+Kavadiska's castle. He entered. No one was within. In Kavadiska's
+chamber hung a sword, which ceased not to spring out of its sheath and
+then in again. "Ho, ho, since thou art so restless," thought Argilius,
+"I will take possession of thee. Thou pleasest me better than my own
+sword, which never stirs unless I wield it." So he took off his own
+sword and exchanged it for the other. He had scarcely done so, when
+Kavadiska suddenly stood before him. "Thou darest to intrude into my
+castle?" exclaimed she; "draw then, thou must fight me." She snatched
+the sword from the wall. Argilius drew the blade for which he had just
+exchanged his own. They began to fight, but the first time their
+swords crossed Kavadiska's broke off in the middle. Then she said
+joyfully: "Thou art my bridegroom!" and fell on his neck, and kissed
+and caressed him, and forthwith became his wife.
+
+After they had lived some time happily together, Kavadiska said one
+morning: "Beloved husband, I must leave thee for a short time. It is
+the first and last time I shall ever separate from thee. In seven
+times seven days I shall return, and thenceforth our life shall flow
+on in uninterrupted happiness. Everything in the castle is at thy
+command, only do not enter the furthest room; great misfortunes may
+befall us if you do." Having said these words she vanished.
+
+The time passed very heavily for Argilius after his wife had left him;
+he wandered through the whole castle, till at last he came to the
+furthest chamber. Being young and thoughtless he opened it. He saw
+therein an old man, whose beard was fire; this was the Flame-king
+Holofernes, but Argilius did not know who he was. The old man had
+three iron hoops round his body, which bound him fast to the wall.
+
+"Hail to thee, young man," said he; "see, my beard is flame; I am very
+hot, give me a goblet of wine." Now, as Argilius was very kindly
+disposed, he gave him a goblet; and as soon as he had drunk it, one of
+the hoops round his body gave way. He chuckled and said: "Thou hast
+greatly relieved me; give me now another goblet." Argilius did so, and
+when the Flame-king had emptied that, another hoop gave way. He
+chuckled again and said: "Twice hast thou given me wine, now give me
+a goblet of water." And when Argilius had done as he was requested,
+the third hoop sprang off, and the Flame-king disappeared.
+
+Kavadiska had not performed half of her journey before Holofernes
+stood by her side. He addressed her, and his beard waved in anger:
+"Thou hast rejected me for thy husband, thou hast slain three of my
+armies, thou hast detained me in prison: now thou art in my power; and
+now not my wife, but the lowest of my servants shalt thou be." Since
+her marriage with Argilius, Kavadiska had lost all her power,
+therefore her resistance was in vain. In three leaps the Flame-king
+had already borne her to his realm.
+
+Seven times seven days passed, and Kavadiska did not return. Then
+Argilius became very uneasy, and he resolved to go and see his three
+brothers-in-law, and inquire if they could give him any information
+where Kavadiska was. He arrived first at the Sun-king's palace, who
+was just then coming home.
+
+"Welcome, little brother-in-law," began he.
+
+"Ah! dear brother-in-law," said Argilius, "I am in search of my wife
+Kavadiska; know'st thou not where she is? Hast thou not seen her?"
+
+"No," rejoined the Sun-king, "I have not seen her. Perhaps she is only
+visible by night, and in that case thou must inquire of our
+brother-in-law the Moon-king."
+
+They then took refreshments together, and sat till night came on, when
+Argilius went on to the Moon-king. He reached his palace just as the
+Moon-king was about to begin his night wandering, and Argilius having
+told what he wanted, the Moon-king replied:--
+
+"I have not seen her; but come, join me in my nightly pilgrimage,
+perhaps we shall discover her." They wandered all night, but did not
+get sight of her. Then said the Moon-king:--
+
+"It is now time for me to go home; but yonder comes our brother-in-law
+the Wind-king; speak to him; he drives about everywhere, perhaps he
+may have seen her."
+
+The Wind-king stood beside them, and when he heard his little
+brother-in-law's business, he said:--
+
+"Assuredly I know where she is. The Flame-king, Holofernes, has got
+her imprisoned in a subterranean cavern, and she is obliged to wash
+all his kitchen utensils in the fiery stream, and as this makes her
+very hot, I often waft a cooling breeze upon her."
+
+"I thank thee, dear brother-in-law, for having given her some relief;
+pray carry me to her," said Argilius.
+
+"Right willingly," rejoined the Wind-king: so he gave a great puff,
+and he and Argilius, together with the horse of the latter, stood the
+next moment in the presence of his Kavadiska. Her joy was so great
+that she let all the kitchen utensils fall into the fiery stream; but
+Argilius, without stopping to talk much, lifted her on his horse and
+rode off.
+
+The Flame-king was at that time in his own apartment; he heard an
+extraordinary noise in the stable, and on going into it he found his
+horse Taigarot prancing, neighing, biting the manger, and pawing the
+ground. Taigarot was a very peculiar kind of horse; he understood
+human language, and could even speak, and he had nine feet!
+
+"What mad tricks are you playing?" cried Holofernes; "have you not had
+enough hay and oats, or have they not given you drink?"
+
+"Oats and hay I have had in plenty," said Taigarot, "and drink, too;
+but they have carried off Kavadiska from you."
+
+The Flame-king shivered with rage.
+
+"Be calm," said Taigarot; "you may even eat, drink, and sleep, for in
+three bounds I will overtake her."
+
+Holofernes did as his horse bade him, and when he had sufficiently
+rested and refreshed himself, he mounted Taigarot, and in three bounds
+overtook Argilius. He tore Kavadiska from his arms and cried out, as
+he was springing home again:--
+
+"Because you set me at liberty, I do not kill thee this time; but if
+thou returnest once again, thou art lost."
+
+Argilius went back very melancholy to his three brothers-in-law, and
+related what had happened. They took counsel together, and then
+said:--
+
+"Thou must find a horse which is still swifter of foot than Taigarot;
+there is, however, but one such horse existing, and he is Taigarot's
+younger brother. It is true he has only four feet, but still he is
+decidedly swifter than Taigarot."
+
+"Where shall I find this horse?" inquired Argilius.
+
+The brothers-in-law replied:--
+
+"The witch Iron-nose keeps the horse concealed under-ground; go to
+her, enter into her service, and demand the horse in lieu of other
+wages."
+
+"Carry me thither, dear brothers-in-law," said Argilius.
+
+"Immediately," said the Sun-king; "but first accept this gift from thy
+brothers-in-law, who love thee dearly."
+
+With these words he gave him a little staff, which was half gold and
+half silver, and which never ceased vibrating. It was made of
+sunshine, moonshine, and wind.
+
+"Whenever thou standest in need of us, stick this staff in the ground,
+and immediately we shall be by thy side."
+
+Then the Sun-king took his little brother-in-law on one of his beams,
+and carried him for one day; then the Moon-king did the same for a
+whole night, and finally the Wind-king carried him for a whole day and
+a whole night too, and by that time he reached the palace of the witch
+Iron-nose.
+
+The palace of the witch was constructed entirely of deaths'-heads; one
+only was wanting to complete the building. When the old woman heard a
+knocking at her gate, she looked out of the window, and rejoiced: "At
+last another!" exclaimed she, "I have waited three hundred years in
+vain for this death's-head to complete my magnificent edifice: come
+in, my good youth!"
+
+Argilius entered, and was a little startled when he first beheld the
+old woman, for she was very tall, very ugly, and her nose was of iron.
+
+"I should like to enter your service," were his words.
+
+"Well," replied she, "what wages do you ask?"
+
+"The horse which you keep under-ground."
+
+"You shall have him if you serve faithfully; if you fail however once
+only, you shall be put to death."
+
+"Very well."
+
+"With me,"--these were witch Iron-nose's last words,--"with me the
+year's service consists of only three days; you may begin your service
+at once. You will attend to my stud in the meadow, and if in the
+evening a single one is missing, you die."
+
+She then led him to the stable. The horses were all of metal, neighed
+terribly, and made the most surprising leaps.
+
+"Attend to your business," said Iron-nose, and then locked herself in
+her apartment. Argilius opened the covered enclosure, threw himself on
+one of the metal horses and rushed out with the whole troop. They were
+no sooner on the meadow, when the horse on which he rode threw him
+into a deep morass, where he sank up to the breast. The whole troop
+scattered themselves here and there, when Argilius stuck the little
+staff his brothers-in-law had given him into the ground, and at once
+the sun's rays struck with such heat on the morass, that it dried up
+instantly, and the metal horses began to melt, and ran terrified back
+to the shed. The witch was very much surprised when she saw they were
+all driven in again. "To-morrow you must tend my twelve coursers,"
+said she; "if you are not home again with the last rays of the sun,
+you die: they are more difficult to manage than the metal horses."
+
+"Do your duty," said Argilius, "I shall do mine."
+
+The twelve coursers soon ran all different ways. Argilius set his
+staff in the ground, and a fearful storm arose. The wind blew against
+every horse, and let them rear and prance as they would, the wind got
+the better of them, and they were all obliged to return to their
+stable. Argilius immediately shut the stable door, and at that moment
+the last rays of the sun went down just as Witch Iron-nose reached the
+stable. She was quite astonished when she saw the horses and Argilius.
+
+"If you do your work well this night, to-morrow you shall be free. Go
+and milk the metal mares, and prepare a bath of the milk, which must
+be ready with the first rays of the sun."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Argilius went to the metal shed, and as he had a misgiving that this
+would prove the hardest task of all, he was about to set his staff in
+the ground, when he was met by his brother-in-law, the Moon-king.
+
+"I was seeking thee," said he. "I know already what thou needest.
+Where my light shines, just by the metallic horses' shed, dig about
+three spans deep, and thou wilt find a golden bridle, which, whilst
+thou holdest in thy hand, will cause all the mares to obey thee."
+
+Argilius did as he was desired, and all the metallic mares stood quite
+still and suffered themselves to be milked. In the morning the bath
+was ready, the smoke and steam rose up from the milk, which now
+boiled. Witch Iron-nose said: "Place thyself in it."
+
+"If I stand this trial," replied Argilius, "I shall ride away
+immediately after; let the horse therefore be brought out for the
+possession of which I bargained."
+
+The horse instantly stood by the bath. It was small, ill-looking, and
+dirty. As Argilius approached to enter the bath, the horse put his
+head into the milk, and sucked out all the fire, so that Argilius
+remained unhurt in it, and when he came out he was seven times
+handsomer than before. Witch Iron-nose was much charmed by his
+appearance, and thought within herself: "Now I in like manner will
+make myself seven times handsomer than I am, and then I will marry
+this youth."
+
+She sprang into the bath. The horse, however, again put his head into
+the milk, and blew back into it the fire he had previously sucked out,
+and Witch Iron-nose was immediately scalded to death.
+
+Argilius sprang on his horse and rode away. When they had got beyond
+the Witch's domain, the horse said: "Wash me in this stream."
+
+Argilius did so, and the horse became the colour of gold, and to each
+hair hung a little golden bell. The horse at one leap cleared the sea,
+and carried his master to the cave of the Flame-king. Kavadiska was
+again standing by the side of the fiery stream, washing the kitchen
+utensils.
+
+"Come," cried Argilius, "I will rescue thee,"
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed she, "Holofernes will slay thee if he overtakes thee."
+
+Argilius had, however, already lifted her on his horse and ridden off.
+Taigarot again set up a wonderful noise in his stable.
+
+"What's the matter?" cried the Flame-king.
+
+"Kavadiska has escaped," replied Taigarot.
+
+"Well then, I will again eat, drink and sleep; in three bounds thou
+wilt overtake her as before," said Holofernes.
+
+"Not so," rejoined Taigarot, "mount me directly, and even then we
+shall not overtake them. Argilius rides my younger brother, and he is
+the swiftest horse in the whole world."
+
+Holofernes buckled on his fire-spurs, and flew after the fugitives. It
+is true, he got sight of them, but he could not come up with them.
+Then the horse of Argilius turning back his head called out: "Why dost
+thou let those fiery spurs be stuck in thy side, brother? They will
+burn thy entrails, they are so long; and yet thou wilt never come up
+with me. It would be much better that we should both serve one
+master."
+
+Taigarot perceived this, and the next time Holofernes stuck the spurs
+in him, he threw the Flame-king. As they were very high up in the air,
+(in fact, they were as high as the stars), Holofernes fell to the
+ground with such force, that he broke his neck. As for Argilius, he
+brought Kavadiska back to her castle, where they again celebrated
+their nuptials, lived very happy; and, if they have not died since,
+they live there to this very day.
+
+
+
+
+PERSEVERE AND PROSPER.
+
+[Arabic.]
+
+
+"_He that seeketh shall find, and to him that knocketh shall be
+opened_," says an old Arab proverb. "I will try that," said a youth
+one day. To carry out his intentions he journeyed to Bagdad, where he
+presented himself before the Vizier. "Lord!" said he, "for many years
+I have lived a quiet and solitary life, the monotony of which wearies
+me. I have never permitted myself earnestly to will anything. But as
+my teacher daily repeated to me, '_He that seeketh shall find, and to
+him that knocketh shall be opened_,' so have I now come to the
+resolution with might and heart to _will_, and the resolution of my
+_will_ is nothing less than to have the Caliph's daughter for my
+wife."
+
+The Vizier thought the poor man was mad, and told him to call again
+some other time.
+
+Perseveringly he daily returned, and never felt disconcerted at the
+same often-repeated answer. One day, the Caliph called on the Vizier,
+just as the youth was delivering his statement.
+
+Full of astonishment the Caliph listened to the strange demand, and
+being in no peculiar humour for having the poor youth's head taken
+off, but on the contrary, rather inclined for pleasantry, his
+Mightiness condescendingly said: "For the great, the wise, or the
+brave, to request a princess for wife, is a moderate demand; but what
+are your claims? To be the possessor of my daughter you must
+distinguish yourself by one of these attributes, or else by some great
+undertaking. Ages ago a carbuncle of inestimable value was lost in the
+Tigris; he who finds it shall have the hand of my daughter."
+
+The youth, satisfied with the promise of the Caliph, went to the
+shores of the Tigris. With a small vessel he every morning went to the
+river, scooping out the water and throwing it on the land; and after
+having for hours thus employed himself, he knelt down and prayed. The
+fishes became at last uneasy at his perseverance; and being fearful
+that, in course of time, he might exhaust the waters, they assembled
+in great council.
+
+"What is the purpose of this man?" demanded the monarch of the fishes.
+
+"The possession of the carbuncle that lies buried in the sluice of the
+Tigris," was the reply.
+
+"I advise you, then," said the aged monarch, "to give it up to him;
+for if he has the steady will, and has positively resolved to find it,
+he will drain the last drop of water from the Tigris, rather than
+deviate a hair's breadth from his purpose."
+
+The fishes, out of fear, threw the carbuncle into the vessel of the
+youth; and the latter, as a reward, received the daughter of the
+Caliph for his wife.
+
+"He who earnestly _wills_, can do _much_!"
+
+
+
+
+THE PRINCE OF THE GLOW-WORMS.
+
+[German.]
+
+
+"No! I'll bear it no longer, you good-for-nothing vagabond!" screamed
+the old woman to little Julius. "When you should be sitting with your
+book in your hand trying to learn somewhat, if I do but turn my back
+off goes the dunce to the wood, and stays there for whole days,
+frightening me out of my wits! What business have you in the wood,
+pray? You ought to stay at home and learn your book or help me in my
+work. And then you let one have no peace by night either. What's the
+use of my telling you ten times over all the stories I know about the
+black man and the grim wolf? You godless child you! You care for none
+of the things that frighten good pious children almost to death; but
+in the dead of the night off you go into the dark forest, through
+hedges and brambles, making me fine work to wash and patch your
+clothes. This is the last day I'll put up with it. The very next time
+I'll turn you out of doors; and then you may go far enough before
+you'll find anybody to take pity on you, you lazy foundling, and feed
+you, as I have done, out of sheer humanity!"
+
+"I cannot say much for your food," replied the boy shortly and
+carelessly, as he sat dreamily in a corner playing with a wild flower.
+
+"What!" shrieked the old woman in a still sharper key; "you ungrateful
+viper! Is that the thanks I get for so often cooking something on
+purpose, because our nice savoury potatoes and nourishing black bread
+are not good enough for you? And so, forsooth, the gentleman must have
+milk porridge and honey cakes,--and even these he pecks at as if they
+were not delicate enough for him, the beggarly ingrate!"
+
+"One might as well eat mill-stones and wood-choppers as your vile hard
+potatoes and sour bread," said Julius in the same tone of
+indifference.
+
+The old woman fell into such a rage that her breath failed her for
+further utterance; so her husband, who was making bird-traps at the
+table, began in his turn.
+
+"You rascal! do you dare to blaspheme God's good gifts, when, if we
+did not feed you out of charity--you must starve! And what return do
+you make us, you stray vagabond? When the fellow wants to slip out at
+night, truly he can be as sharp and cunning as any fox; but place a
+book before him, that he may learn to be pious and wise, and he loses
+his senses at once, and stares as stupidly at the letters as a cow at
+a new gate. Does he suppose I picked him off the road for love of his
+paltry flaxen hair and his blue goggle eyes? Fool that I was for my
+pains! Mark my words, and let every one beware of having anything to
+do with a child that is not his own flesh and blood! Why was I such a
+goose as not to let the child lie where I found him, kicking and
+screaming in the forest?"
+
+"Well, why did you not?" said Julius. "I should have fared much better
+beneath God's bright sky, than in your nasty smoky hovel."
+
+At this, the old pair--he with a stick, and she snatching up a
+broom--rushed furiously on the boy, screaming and scolding as if they
+had a wager who should make most noise. But the child, light and
+active as a roebuck, bounded away. He fled to the wood; and when at
+last the old people had calmed down a little they heard him singing in
+the distance--
+
+    "You ill-favoured couple, adieu to you now!
+    I'm off to the forest where waves the green bough.
+    The bees, they know neither to read nor to write,
+    Yet they gather sweet honey in sunshine bright;
+    Though the little birds never were taught how to spell,
+    Full many a blithe song they warble right well;
+    The flowers are not fed on potato-roots vile,
+    Yet through the long summer's day sweetly they smile.
+    The butterfly, he has no tailor to pay,
+    Yet he never feels cold,--and who dresses so gay?
+    The glow-worms at eve show a lovelier light
+    Than the dim lamps that mortals consume through the night.
+    So adieu, ye vile pair, whom no more I shall see,--
+    To the wood! to the wood! there I'm wealthy and free!"
+
+Fearlessly ran Julius about in the forest, and the further he
+penetrated into it the lighter grew his heart. The dark night came on;
+and many a child would have been frightened, and fancied the tall dark
+trees with their strangely contorted branches were giants with long
+arms, or black dragons with twisted tails. But Julius was accustomed
+to wander by night, and went gaily on. When, however, it began to
+rain, and it was so dark that he found difficulty in walking, he sang
+in a clear sweet voice:--
+
+              "You glow-worms bright,
+                You leaf-clad trees,
+              That shine in the night,
+                And that bend in the breeze;
+    Hither I came, for I trusted that you
+    Would lighten my darkness and shelter me too.
+    Come, glow-worms! light me to my mossy bed,--
+    Branches! keep off the rain-drops from my head!"
+
+Then, a light shone suddenly through the thick tangled bushes and wild
+plants; and a multitude of glow-worms came clustering round his
+footsteps like little torch-bearers, and guided him along a smooth and
+pleasant path to a retired spot, where the bushes and trees were
+entwined so as to form a little airy cave, the ground of which was
+covered with soft moss. Julius, being very tired, stretched himself on
+the moss; and the branches closed over his head, making such a thick
+covering with their leaves that not the smallest rain-drop could
+penetrate it. Then, he sang:--
+
+    "Now, glow-worms, let your tiny torches gleam
+    To light my chamber with their emerald beam;
+    In mazy dances round and round me sweep,
+    Shedding your radiance o'er me whilst I sleep,
+    That I may gaze in slumber's vision fair
+    On heaven's bright stars and breathe earth's perfumed air!"
+
+At these words, a thousand glow-worms at the very least came from all
+sides. Some hung themselves on the leaves like little coronets of
+lamps. Others lay like scattered gems on the moss; whilst others again
+circled round him executing the most intricate figures. A great number
+fixed themselves in the boy's fair hair,--so that he seemed to wear a
+starry crown. So, in the gold green twilight, sat Julius on the soft
+green moss, amongst flitting lamps, and concealed by arches and
+columns from which streamed forth a green radiance, whilst the mild
+and perfumed air played around him, and he heard the rain drip and the
+wind murmur mysteriously--but neither could approach him. He gazed
+smilingly around; when he suddenly heard a murmuring sound that soon
+formed itself into whispered words. It proceeded from a glow-worm that
+had perched on the rim of his ear, and spoke to him thus:--
+
+    "If thy thoughts are pure and mild,
+    Such as beseem a holy child,
+    A wondrous tale will please thee well,--
+    And such a tale I now can tell."
+
+To this Julius replied:--
+
+    "I seem to myself like some legend strange,
+      So thy tale I shall gladly hear:
+    So it be but one of wild chance and change,
+      Come whisper it in mine ear."
+
+Then, the glow-worm began her story:--
+
+"As glow-worms bright we now appear, but little nimble elves we were;
+in form and in figure much like unto thee, but many hundred times less
+were we. In India was our dwelling-place, far--oh how far!--away;
+where midst green leaves and blossoms bright we sported all the day.
+We scaled the petals of the flowers, within their cups to lie: and
+rocked by zephyrs, passed the hours in dreamy phantasy. Our food was
+the Aroma sweet exhaled by blossoms fair; and to and fro we darted
+fleet, light as the ambient air. 'Twas thus in careless mood we lived,
+nor good nor ill did we; when lo! an earnest man arrived, and a holy
+tale told he.
+
+"He told us how Creation's Lord had with His own made peace; because
+His son His blood had poured, to make His anger cease. For that
+life-blood, He willing gave, had slaked the flames of hell; and His
+hard-wrung victory o'er the grave had broken its fierce spell. And not
+the human race alone,--all things that breathe and move, and e'en the
+insensate-seeming stone, were rescued by such love. Hence, through
+all nature's vast domain a universal tremor ran; a thrill like that of
+death's fierce pain shot through the ransomed race of man.
+
+"'Twas thus the old man daily urged, in high and holy speech, and
+gently led us to accept the creed he came to teach:--till at length we
+let him sprinkle us with pearly drops of dew; and he hailed us then a
+Christian race, and blessed us all anew. And in token of that
+blessing, as we bent before him low, he gently laid his finger light
+upon each fairy brow; and as the consecrating sign his finger
+traced,--lo! there up sprang on each a brilliant star like that which
+now I bear. Then did the old man in the ground a cross of pure white
+place,--and calling us around him, spake in words of truth and grace.
+
+"'Revere this holy symbol; and as ye have lived for pleasure and ease,
+without a creed,--by some good deed henceforward strive your Lord to
+appease. There are men living in this land who still in sin and
+blindness stand; they lay their dead in the forest's shade, and
+scatter o'er them flowers fair, but seek not their poor souls to aid
+by holy song or prayer. Wherefore, in night's still secresy, for the
+service of the dead, be ready aye to watch and pray and your little
+light to shed. That ye this pious work may do, lo! this fair star is
+given you!'--And many more high words he spake ere his departure he
+did take. Thenceforth we led a holy life, as he command had given; and
+often in the silent night, we prayed that through our song and light,
+the cleansed soul might win its way to heaven."
+
+"How could you do that? You cannot sing, surely," interrupted Julius.
+To which the glow-worm answered:
+
+"Thou canst no other voices hear but such as thundering reach thy ear.
+Thou little dull-eared earth-bound wight, thou canst not e'en perceive
+by night the stars' majestic music sounding, through the azure vaults
+rebounding, with such a full and mighty voice, that though we listen
+and rejoice, our delicate nerves shrink tremblingly beneath that storm
+of harmony. Think'st thou 'tis without sense and feeling, that in our
+spark-twined dances wheeling, some of us darting radiance throw,
+whilst others burn with steady glow? But thou knows't not how closely
+bound by mystic tie are light and sound.
+
+"Now hear my story on.--
+
+"Not all of us became Christians; and one of our orders in particular,
+which had learnt from a Greek the philosophy of Epicurus, still held
+to its doctrines. This was the butterfly-tribes,--who like ourselves
+were also elves. A light and godless race they were, thinking nothing
+worth their care but how to appear in colours gay; and to their
+sensual maxims true, they would drink deep of ambrosial dew, and then
+for hours would sleep; whilst we, the star-adorned nation, sucked of
+the flowers' sweet exhalation just so much from the humid air as for
+our nourishment we needed. But those light creatures far exceeded. The
+fragrance-breathing rose they courted, and with the young field-lilies
+sported, till at length of their strength and their perfume bereft,
+the poor wasted flowers to perish were left. By their uncertain
+zig-zag flight, dear child, thou well may'st see, that they have drunk
+more than is right and their senses clouded be.
+
+"We wore a garb of simple green; but they were ever to be seen in
+jackets with ribbons all gay bedight, and in every idle fashion
+light,--so that we sometimes laughed to see their folly and their
+vanity.
+
+"That is evident enough if you only look at their patch-work clothing
+put together without the slightest taste. The foolish fellow with the
+swallow-tails thought he had done a vastly clever thing when he
+appended to each wing a tail like that the swallows have; and after
+all, this monstrous affectation is but a trumpery imitation of that
+which nature to the swallows gave. Then, that insufferable ass, the
+Peacock's Eye, must copy him in his folly, and wear great spectacles
+of coloured glass, which are so far from helping him to see that his
+own clear eyes look dim, owing to that fantastic whim. Thou thinkest,
+perhaps, the one who wears a mantle grave like a funeral pall is far
+above such senseless airs,--but he's the greatest fool of all! That
+garb of sorrow is but worn wonder and pity to excite, to seem as if
+condemned to mourn--a sorrow-stricken wight. Others there are who on
+their jackets gay, cause numbers to be traced; no doubt, you'll say,
+to mind them that the years unheeded go and teach them how to value
+time. But no! Those youths are your Don Juans, and the numbers show in
+pride how many flowers by them brought low have pined and died.
+
+"The king who then did o'er us reign thought of a method somewhat
+strange, by which their licence to restrain and work a beneficial
+change. He caused to be enforced throughout the nation, a most
+peculiar kind of education. He shut the youthful butterflies within a
+narrow case of skin, wherein they were so tightly bound they could not
+turn their bodies round--and there close prisoners they remained
+till they a certain age attained. I must confess, the principle to me
+seemed very wrong,--and so it proved to be; for so far from the matter
+being mended, we had just the reverse of what the king intended. The
+closer they were mewed in prison, the more they longed for
+liberty,--and only waited to be free, to plunge in deepest revelry.
+
+"But angry thoughts are leading me astray,--I've wandered from my
+theme too far away. To speak of many things I am beguiled which must
+be meaningless to such a child.
+
+"Thou now shalt hear the sequel of my tale. There was one set amongst
+the butterflies more worthless than all the rest. These were the
+confirmed old topers, who had imbibed so much of the ambrosial dew
+that their bodies had grown fat and unwieldy, and had very large
+stomachs. Such clumsy butterflies as these had little chance the
+flowers to please; and so whenever one approached, each bent aside its
+calyx bright in mockery of the uncouth wight. Or if by chance one
+clambered up to reach the blossom's nectar-cup, its stem would bend
+beneath his weight, and down the awkward creature straight would go,
+and all its members dislocate. So then their evil deeds they did under
+the cover of the night. When every flower was soundly sleeping, they
+came like midnight robbers creeping,--then drew them softly to the
+ground, and sucked from their lips their nectar breath; so that many a
+flower at morn was found, lying pale in death and sinfully robbed of
+all its wealth, that had closed its leaves in rosy health.
+
+"Now, my child, thou may'st be sure, full little could those elves
+endure that we, on our holy mission bound, the silence and darkness
+should chase away by our song, and our prayer, and our emerald
+ray,--hoping by that solemn sound to give the dead repose.
+
+"Those who had drunk deep by day, roused by it could not sleep away
+the ill effects of their carouse, so they with aches and fevers rose.
+But those deceitful spoilers of the flowers, who trusted by night's
+shade protected to work their purpose undetected, had now to
+fast,--for as we passed, the flowers who loved to hear our song saw by
+our light, that pierced the night, their foes come creeping stealthily
+along. This with the jealousy within their hearts that glowed, because
+the star had not on them, too, been bestowed, between our tribes
+raised feud and jar,--whence bitter grief has grown. They had a king,
+to whom was known full many a spell of gramarye; 'twas said, that he
+a league had made with spirits lost, and by their aid could read the
+scroll of destiny. And there he found this dread decree, which told
+our coming misery:--
+
+"'When the star-adorned race, shall fall from innocence and
+grace,--when their first murder shall be done,--when their monarch's
+first-born son by the waves of the sea shall swallowed be;--then vain
+shall be rendered their song and their prayer,--from amongst them the
+white cross shall disappear,--and to insects transformed they shall
+flutter and creep, doomed far from their own land to wander and weep.
+The fatal spell may be undone only by their king's lost son; but ere
+even he can set them free, he must their chosen sovereign be.'
+
+"The king of the butterflies, when he heard this, began to consider
+how he might contrive to bring us to endless wretchedness; and as by
+magic he could appear in any form he chose to wear, an angel's guise
+he took one day, and neared the spot where our king lay deep sleeping
+in a tulip's cup. He by the rustling wakened up, was struck with
+wonder and pious awe, when he the angel near him saw; who thus in
+wicked words began:--
+
+"'Thy loving wife shall bear a son to thee, of whom 'tis written in
+the Book of Fate, that if he be not whelmed beneath the sea, the elfin
+nation shall be desolate, and from their native country driven:--such
+is the mysterious will of Heaven. Therefore must thou this offering
+make for the elfin nation's sake; else thy people's love for thee,
+will turn to hatred when they see thou wilt not save them from their
+misery; and thou thyself a shameful death shalt die.'
+
+"This said, the guilty wretch departed. No longer slept the king; but
+heavy hearted, he musing lay, till break of day. And lo! just as the
+sun his radiance bright o'er earth began to shed, the queen gave birth
+unto a child, lovely and innocent and mild, and small as a pin's head!
+
+"The king looked on it, but no pleasure glowed in his heart at this
+new treasure; and as he gazed, an icy chill through all his members
+seemed to thrill; for love of his people, and desire to save his own
+life, did inspire his thoughts with a ferocious plan.
+
+"He had a faithful serving-man, to whom his secret he confided; and to
+him command he gave to plunge the child beneath the wave, there to
+find a watery grave. The boy, however, did not perish:--how he escaped
+I shall tell thee hereafter.
+
+"Thus no murder yet had stained the nation; and the white cross still
+remained amongst us, and we dwelt unchanged in our accustomed spot.
+But the servant, by remorse urged on, revealed the murder he had done.
+Then, loyal as was hitherto the nation, the crime so raised our
+indignation, that our duty we forgot.
+
+"In the first tumult of their ire some of our fiercest spirits did
+conspire their monarch's blood to spill. They tore the thorns from the
+stem of the rose, and the strongest and longest and sharpest they
+chose to work their wicked will. Beneath their mantles green they hid
+the spears; and sought their king, the curse-beladen one, who again in
+the tulip lay alone in sorrow and in tears. Wildly they the stem
+ascended, and in their rage they struck the deadly blow; they pierced
+him till his heart's blood forth did flow,--and with his life, his
+sorrow ended.
+
+"Now the sinful deed was done,--now our innocence was gone! Heaven
+withdrew its sheltering hand. The white cross the old man had given,
+the token of our bond with heaven,--vanished from the land! And as we
+flocked together trembling, we heard a rushing through the air, as if
+fierce winds in conflict were. Devouring grief our hearts distracted;
+our delicate limbs all suddenly contracted, and into ugly worms we
+turned!
+
+[Illustration: THE PRINCE OF THE GLOW WORMS. P. 56.]
+
+"Yet as we were not guilty all of the vile crime that caused our fall,
+the fair light still upon our foreheads burned. And as we sat in fear
+and gloom, a shrill voice thus pronounced our doom.
+
+"Henceforth as homeless worms, away, away!--wander and stray, here and
+there, and up and down, until at length ye place the crown on the brow
+of the child who by your king's decree was sunk amid the waves of the
+foaming sea. Far, far from hence is his dwelling-place, and he seems
+like a child of the human race,--but him ye shall know by the star on
+his brow.
+
+"'Your lost cross, too, ye must find once more, which he is destined
+to restore; when your king and your cross shall again be found, your
+penance shall end and the spell be unbound.'
+
+"The gay-dressed elves who had their king deceived by treachery and
+lies, were, like ourselves, transformed, and became butterflies.
+
+"Soon as we heard our melancholy doom, we fled, and traversed many a
+distant land,--ever peering through the gloom, into each little
+sleeping-room; peeping about us all the night, in hope to see the
+twinkling light on the brow of some fair boy. And we looked on many a
+blessed child, who in his sleep so sweetly smiled, that we would have
+chosen him with joy,--but the star was wanting still."
+
+"Poor worms!" said Julius; "and thus you still are seeking now, the
+boy with the star upon his brow?"
+
+"Oh! no my child! by Heaven led, we have found the child with the
+light on his head; and now I will tell what him befel.
+
+"In his death-struggle with the waves, unto a leaflet green he clung
+which floated on the tide, and with a lightsome bound he sprang upon
+its upturned side. Contented thus he lay at rest, swayed by the
+billows here and there, safely housed and free from care, in the
+leaflets' soft green breast. His only food was the radiance bright
+which the stars shed down on him by night, and by that delicate food
+sustained he made a voyage long.
+
+"But why dost thou stare so fixedly?--why dreamily gaze before thee
+so?"
+
+Then Julius said:--
+
+"A dreamy sense is o'er me stealing, of moments long gone by:--when I
+in a green leaf thus was laid, gazing upwards on the sky, whilst the
+dancing waves around me played. I was rocked by the sea as it rippled
+lightly,--fed by the stars which shone o'er me brightly; and on I
+sailed right merrily! And feeding thus on the delicate light by the
+bright stars downward shed, my nature grew unfit to live by the
+grosser human bread."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Now that the light is o'er thee breaking, now that thy memory is
+awaking,--hear me further," said the glow-worm.--"For four long months
+the billows bore the child, until he reached the shore of a far and
+distant land, where they left him on the strand. A stork came proudly
+stalking by,--well pleased when he such prize did spy; for by the
+garment green deceived, a tree-frog he the child believed. And he
+resolved the morsel rare to carry home unto his wife, who loved almost
+as her life, such choice and tender fare. He took him in his fine long
+beak, and with him mounted in the air; but had not travelled far nor
+long, when he beheld an eagle strong flying towards him in might; and
+being somewhat of a coward, surprised at this event untoward, his bill
+he opened in a fright,--and down the elfin child from high fell to the
+earth again.
+
+"Why dost thou start as if some pain shot through thee? Why on thy
+breast are thy small hands pressed?"
+
+The boy replied:--
+
+"I feel an icy chill through all my members thrill. It must have been
+a dream, but unto me doth seem that I had such a fall one day,--and
+such a piercing blast right through my breast then passed, its very
+memory takes my breath away."
+
+Then the glow-worm said:--
+
+"Oft we mistake some vision vain for life's reality,--and view the
+wild creations of our brain as things long past but true. But listen,
+now, while I conclude my tale. Thou think'st perhaps the child, in
+falling, his limbs would break or dislocate; but as a feather would
+descend, light fell that child on the foliage green, and not a tender
+leaf was seen beneath his weight to bend. Giddy with spinning through
+the air, and breathless for awhile he lay; but soon to sense he did
+awaken, and found that he no harm had taken. Above his head, full,
+bright, and red, a strawberry hung, green leaves among, and its
+fragrance o'er him shed. Whether the child was of wit bereft, or that,
+deprived of the starry spark, he had fasted so long in the stork's
+bill dark, that hunger did his sense betray, is more than I can think
+or say; but the berry to him seemed ruddy and bright, as if woven with
+a web of light. This when the foolish elf-child saw, he strove with
+all his might to draw the unwholesome earth-fruit to the ground, which
+he no easy labour found; then round his little arms he threw, and to
+his lips the fruit he drew and sucked its ruby juice. A weary task the
+boy did find, to penetrate the tough hard rind; then for a second's
+space he drained the nectar which the fruit contained,--one hundredth
+part at least he drank,--and mastered by its potency, upon the earth
+he sank.
+
+"But alas! all was now lost, that earthly food was unto him fell
+poison. Soon each little limb unseemly swelled and spread. His
+floating golden locks, as fine as the slight thread that spiders
+twine, became as coarse as hay; and every nerve and sinew grew thick
+and unsightly to the view. The berry's power had changed him into a
+child of man; and he now began to scream and cry and make such direful
+noises, as would have drowned the united sound of a thousand elfin
+voices."
+
+"Ah woe is me!" exclaimed Julius, sobbing; "if I had not so madly
+sucked the deadly juice of that coarse berry, I still should feed on
+the perfumed air, and never have known vile human fare."
+
+Then the glow-worm, greatly excited, whispered to him:--
+
+"Know, child beloved, I am thy mother:--the elfin queen, entranced
+with joy at finding thee, dear human boy! Alas! that thou shouldst so
+gigantic be and I so very small, that we cannot rush into each other's
+arms to seal the charms of meeting by a kiss! Thou bearest the light
+upon thy brow that dull-eyed mortals cannot see; but we have found
+thee, child, and now from the magic thrall both we and those shall
+soon be free.
+
+"List, and hear me, while I tell how thou may'st unbind the spell.
+First, thou must the white cross find; which, when withdrawn from us
+by Heaven, was to a holy hermit given. Wandering in the north, he bore
+it,--toiling in the south, he wore it,--whilst many a wonder by its
+power he wrought: and when his pious mission the holy man had ended,
+he took it to a church where as a relic 'tis suspended. The church
+full often hast thou seen when wandering in the forest green; and
+thither must thou go this night, nor sound nor sight must thy heart
+affright, and nought must make thee in thy purpose falter,--but boldly
+take the cross from the high altar. Nought of evil shall come to
+thee--'tis only fear that can undo thee; for the Butterfly King will
+strive, from fright, to make thee turn again, and all thy hopes our
+race to right, by magic to render vain. The cross hangs to a rosary,
+and a lamp burns before it unceasingly. Now, off to thy work without
+delay, and to the chapel gate on thy steps we will wait, to light thee
+on thy way."
+
+Then up sprang Julius joyously. "How light feels my bosom, my heart
+how strong!--'tis as if I had known this all along. Hurrah! I'm the
+Elfin King. Little care I for the false butterfly. The white cross
+from the church I'll quickly bring. Come, light me, light me on the
+track!--triumphant soon you will see me back!"
+
+Then his mother, attended by all the other glow-worms, lighted him on
+his way, and he followed with bounding steps. They drew up outside the
+church-door whilst he entered alone; cold blasts blowing down upon him
+from the lofty, pale, glimmering dome. Onward he went without fear. A
+great hideous bat fluttered round his head twittering: "Return; go not
+to the altar high, for if to spurn my threat thou dare, I will stick
+my claws into thy hair, and tear thy locks out one by one, until with
+pain thou shalt cry and moan, and thy curly head shall be bald as a
+stone."
+
+"For this coarse straw I little care, soon I shall have much finer
+hair," said Julius;--and on he went cheerfully.
+
+Next came a great black owl, with very sharp beak and claws, and
+sparkling eyes. He also fluttered round Julius, till the tips of his
+frightful wings scratched the boy's forehead, whilst he screeched
+aloud: "Return, return, go quickly back, else thy blue eyes I will
+claw and hack till thou shalt cry in agony, and blinded thou shalt
+be."
+
+"My eyes are not so very fine; I shall soon have some that will softer
+shine," answered Julius, as he approached the altar before which stood
+the undying lamp.
+
+Then suddenly up rose a pale rattling skeleton, round whose scraggy
+neck hung the rosary with the white cross; and as the spectre glared
+at him from its eyeless sockets, it said with a hollow voice:
+"Forbear, forbear, audacious boy! Ere that cross thy prize can be,
+thou must conquer it from me. I am Death, the strong, the mighty; no
+mortal yet has vanquished me."
+
+Julius shrank, and for a moment hesitated; but he heard his mother
+whisper from the church-door: "Away with fear, 'tis all delusion,
+magic art and vain illusion. Fearlessly upon him look--thy gaze the
+phantom cannot brook; by thy mild look and gentle eye, thou shalt win
+the victory. Seize the cross and banish fear, the spectre so shall
+disappear."
+
+Julius then regained courage; he rushed up to the skeleton and grasped
+the cross! Instantly the phantom vanished, and all was still around
+him. He returned thoughtfully and without running. The elves were
+waiting for him at the door, and lighted him back to the place whence
+they had come. He then set up the cross on a little mossy hillock; and
+all the glow-worms formed themselves into a circle round it, and
+prayed and sang songs of gratitude,--which, however, were inaudible to
+Julius.
+
+His mother then seated herself on the tip of his ear, and whispered:
+"Ere our deliverance full can be, thou must once more become as we.
+The charmed drink already in thy veins is working. Four elements it
+contains: the sound of my voice, the forest's cool air, the fragrance
+of the flowers by night, and the brightly-coloured light which thou
+didst so eagerly inhale whilst we were dancing round thee. If that
+thou dost desire once more thy coarse fat body to restore to its once
+delicate form, then know, thou must henceforth to eat forego, save of
+the rays from the bright stars beaming, save of the sweets from the
+young flowers streaming. Now, sleep in peace, and by to-morrow's light
+thy limbs will be more delicate and slight."
+
+Julius stretched himself on the moss, and slept. The next morning he
+did not waken until it was late; and then he felt himself so
+wonderfully light that he fancied he must be able to jump as high as
+the heavens. In order to try his strength, he made a spring, intending
+to clear a little ant-heap which he mistook for a hill; but he fell in
+the midst of it, and had great difficulty in extricating himself, so
+small had he already become. He ate nothing all that day; and at
+night, was lighted to bed by the glow-worms who danced round him
+whilst he slept.
+
+On the second day he had already become so diminutive that he was
+obliged to stand on tip-toe to smell a yellow primrose. When he awoke
+on the third morning, he saw high in the heavens the sun with its
+golden disk surrounded by silver-white rays. But it did not dazzle him
+in the least, let him look at it as steadfastly as he would; and, to
+his great surprise, he observed an entirely green rainbow which
+stretched down from it to the earth. He went close to it; and then
+discovered that the rainbow was only a thick stem, which he grasped
+with both hands, and by a great effort shook,--when behold! the sun
+moved a little out of its place. He could not help laughing at
+himself; for he now perceived that what he had taken for the yellow
+sun with the white rays and the green rainbow, was only a large daisy
+on its stalk.
+
+He had now diminished to the proper dimensions of an elf. When evening
+came, therefore, all the glow-worms assembled round him on the moss to
+swear fealty to him. The peers of the realm brought with them a crown
+of pure star-light ore, very delicately and tastefully wrought, with
+which they solemnly crowned Julius, and no sooner was the crown placed
+on his head, than in a moment, as if by magic touch, they were all
+changed into little graceful elves, and on the brow of each was a
+star. They then took the oath of fidelity, and Julius swore to
+maintain the constitution. This done, the rejoicings began, and they
+shouted and huzzaed until the noise was as great as that which the
+grass makes when it is growing in the sweet spring time.
+
+Julius and his mother embraced and kissed each other. She could not
+repeat too often how pretty and slight he was, and how very much he
+resembled his father:--and then she shed oceans of tears for her
+murdered husband.
+
+The elves rejoiced the whole night through; but when the morning
+dawned, they said to each other with some uneasiness: "How are we to
+get back to India, to our beautiful native land?" Then a light breeze
+murmured amongst the branches, and shook down a hundred-leaved rose,
+so that all its delicate curved petals were scattered to the
+ground--and a voice was heard, saying:
+
+"There your carriages, light as air, you to the spicy east shall
+bear,--and the cross you shall find in your own bright land, already
+borne there by an unseen hand."
+
+All the elves now seated themselves in the rose leaves,--Julius and
+his mother and the court occupying the finest. Then a gentle zephyr
+sprang up; which raised all the rose leaves into the air, and wafted
+them softly in the morning dawn home to the east,--the elves
+singing:--
+
+    To India, to India, the land of our birth!
+              Where the zephyrs blow lightly,
+              And the flowers glow brightly,
+    And the atmosphere scent-laden floats o'er the earth;
+    Where under the wide-spreading leaves we find shelter,
+    Nor care how winds whistle, nor how the storms pelter.
+              Over our heads
+              Their green roof spreads--
+
+    And safe within their vernal bowers
+              We elfin spirits dance and play,
+              While some soft and holy lay
+    Is sung by the tall and fragrant flowers
+              On their green stems bending,
+              And heavenward sending
+    Angel hymns of joyous blending.
+    In solemn pomp again we'll tread,
+              By our tapers' light,
+              In the still dark night,
+    To bring to their resting-place the dead!
+    --Away then, away! carried swift by the wind,
+    At the dawning of day to our native Ind!
+
+
+
+
+THE TWO MISERS.
+
+[Hebrew.]
+
+
+A miser living in Kufa had heard that in Bassora also there dwelt a
+Miser--more miserly than himself, to whom he might go to school, and
+from whom he might learn much. He forthwith journeyed thither; and
+presented himself to the great master as a humble commencer in the Art
+of Avarice, anxious to learn, and under him to become a student.
+"Welcome!" said the Miser of Bassora; "we will straight go into the
+market to make some purchase." They went to the baker.
+
+"Hast thou good bread?"
+
+"Good, indeed, my masters,--and fresh and soft as butter." "Mark this,
+friend," said the man of Bassora to the one of Kufa, "--butter is
+compared with bread as being the better of the two: as we can only
+consume a small quantity of that, it will also be the cheaper,--and
+we shall therefore act more wisely, and more savingly too, in being
+satisfied with butter."
+
+They then went to the butter-merchant, and asked if he had good
+butter.
+
+"Good, indeed,--and flavoury and fresh as the finest olive oil," was
+the answer.
+
+"Mark this also,"--said the host to his guest; "oil is compared with
+the very best butter, and, therefore, by much ought to be preferred to
+the latter."
+
+They next went to the oil vendor:--
+
+"Have you good oil?"
+
+"The very best quality,--white and transparent as water," was the
+reply.
+
+"Mark that too," said the Miser of Bassora to the one of Kufa; "by
+this rule water is the very best. Now, at home I have a pail-full, and
+most hospitably therewith will I entertain you." And indeed on their
+return nothing but water did he place before his guest,--because they
+had learnt that water was better than oil, oil better than butter,
+butter better than bread.
+
+"God be praised!" said the Miser of Kufa,--"I have not journeyed this
+long distance in vain!"
+
+
+
+
+PRINCE CHAFFINCH.
+
+[French.]
+
+
+There was once a king and queen who ruled with the greatest kindness
+and simplicity imaginable; and their subjects were just such good
+folks as themselves, so that both parties agreed very well. As,
+however, there is no condition in the world which has not its cares
+and sorrows, so also this king and queen were not free from them; in
+fact, the peace of their lives was considerably disturbed by a fairy,
+who had patronised them from their earliest years. Fairy
+Grumble-do--that was her name--was incessantly finding fault, would
+repeat the same words a hundred times a day, and grumbled at every
+thing that was doing, and at all that had been done. Setting aside
+this little failing, she was in all other respects the best soul in
+the world, and it gave her the greatest satisfaction when she could
+oblige or serve anybody.
+
+The union of the royal pair had hitherto proved childless, but
+whenever they besought Fairy Grumble-do to give them children, she
+invariably replied:--"Children! what do you want children for? To hear
+them squalling from morning till night, till you, as well as I, will
+be ready to jump out of our skins with the noise? What's the use of
+children? Nobody knows what to do with them; they only bring care and
+trouble!"
+
+Some such remarks were all the king and queen got for their
+entreaties; and the fairy's ill-humour, and the snuffling tone in
+which she uttered these speeches made them quite unbearable. The good
+king and queen, however, never lost their patience, so that at last
+the fairy lost hers, and, in a pet, she all of a sudden gratified them
+with seven princes at a birth.
+
+The queen remarked in her usual mild and quiet manner, that she had
+now a great many children, to which Fairy Grumble-do answered,
+snarlingly:--"Well, you wished for children, Madam queen, and now you
+have got them according to your wish, and in order that you may have
+enough of them, I shall just double the number."
+
+No sooner said than done, and the queen brought into the world seven
+more princes at a birth. The royal pair were now quite in trouble;
+fourteen princes of the blood are, in fact, no joke; for however rich
+one may be, fourteen princes to nurse, educate, and establish
+handsomely, costs a good bit of money. Fairy Grumble-do was quite
+right there; fourteen princes do require a good deal of waiting on,
+and so she found plenty to do all day, with finding fault, and
+scolding first this attendant, then that nursemaid, then this servant,
+or that preceptor; and when she once got into the children's
+apartment, no one could hear himself speak, for the noise she made.
+Still at bottom she meant very kindly, and she promised the anxious
+queen that she would take good care of the princes, and one day
+provide for them all. Those old times were very good ones, and things
+were managed in royal residences with great simplicity. The young
+princes played all day with the children of the towns-people, because
+they went to the same school with them, and no one had a word to say
+against it, which would hardly be the case now-a-days, for kings and
+everybody else are grown much grander than they were then.
+
+Quite close to the palace dwelt an honest charcoal-burner, who lived
+in his little cottage contentedly on what he earned by the sale of his
+charcoal. All his neighbours esteemed him as the worthiest man in the
+world, and the king himself had great confidence in his capacity, and
+would often ask his counsel in matters of government. He was called
+the coal-man throughout all the country, and no one within ten miles
+round would have any coals but from him, so that he had to serve every
+household, even those of the nobility and the fairies. Wherever he
+carried his coals, he was a favourite, and even little children were
+not afraid of him, and no one ever said to them, "Behave prettily,
+else the charcoal-burner will take you away." After working all day at
+his business, he went to his little cottage at night to rest, and to
+enjoy his freedom, for he was sole master in the house. His wife had
+been long dead, and had left him only one little daughter, called
+Gracious; for she was the prettiest creature in the world.
+
+[Illustration: PRINCE CHAFFINCH. P. 76.]
+
+He loved this child beyond all measure; and, indeed, not without
+reason, for a prettier little maiden could not be found on earth; in
+spite of the coal-smoke that enveloped her, and her poor clothing, she
+always appeared charming and agreeable, and no one could help
+loving her on account of her wonderful amiability. The king's youngest
+son, little Prince Chaffinch, who was as sprightly as he was pretty,
+was extremely attached to Gracious, preferred her to all the other
+children of his acquaintance, and would play with no one but her, so
+that they were always seen together, and indeed, they could not live
+without one another. Meanwhile the worthy coal-man, who felt old age
+approaching, grew very anxious about the fate of Gracious, after he
+should have ceased to live; for the partiality of the king for him did
+not seem to him sufficient to put him at ease about her. "The king,"
+he would say to himself, as he pondered on the subject, "has a large
+family of his own, and is obliged to ask so much of the fairy for his
+own necessities, that he surely will not have courage to put in a good
+word for my child. Even if he were to promise to do so, I should not
+depend on him. For"--thus he ever concluded his self-conferences, "the
+poor king, is in fact, worse off than I am; he has fourteen to provide
+for; I only one. His are princes; mine is only a poor burgher maid.
+Mine therefore will be easier to provide for. A poor girl like her can
+manage to get along in the world; she stands alone; but a poor prince
+never; hundreds hang about him, draining him, and consuming all his
+substance." Now, after thinking it over and over, he grew quite
+unhappy at heart, and he knew not what to do. So he went one day, head
+and heart full of care, to a very beneficent fairy, who had always
+behaved very kindly to him. She was called Fairy Bonbon; she it was,
+who, in order to please epicures, both small and great, invented those
+sweets which now bear her name. When the good fairy saw the coal-man
+in such trouble, she asked him what ailed him; and after he had given
+her a highly sensible reply, she promised him in good earnest, that
+she would take Gracious under her own care, and desired him to bring
+the child to her the following Sunday.
+
+The coal-man obeyed punctually, and when the time came he made little
+Gracious put on her best clothes, and the new coloured little shoes he
+had bought for her the day before, and set off with his dear little
+daughter. Gracious skipped before him, then ran back to him, and took
+hold of his hand, saying:--"We are going to the castle, we are going
+to the castle!" for her father had not told her anything further about
+it.
+
+When they arrived, Fairy Bonbon received them very kindly, but
+notwithstanding all was so fine in the castle, and that she had so
+many bonbons and other nice things, Gracious could not be happy when
+her father went away and left her behind. For the first time in her
+life she began to cry, and could scarcely leave off again. This
+touched the fairy extremely, so that she grew quite fond of Gracious,
+and all who were present said:--"My daughter would not cry so if she
+were obliged to part from me." But in time little Gracious became
+reconciled to her new residence, and was so obedient and docile that
+the good fairy Bonbon never had occasion to reprove her, nor even to
+tell her twice of the same thing, so that she took great delight in
+her.
+
+When her father came to visit her, the pretty child always ran to meet
+him, and threw herself into his arms without fearing to soil the fine
+clothes which the fairy had given her. After kissing and caressing her
+dear papa to her heart's content, she always inquired after her
+friend, Prince Chaffinch, and sent him her best bonbons and toys. The
+coal-man always carried them very conscientiously to the prince, who
+never failed to send his thanks and a message to say how earnestly he
+longed to see her once again.
+
+Thus Gracious lived till she was twelve years old, and then Fairy
+Bonbon, who was extraordinarily fond of her, took her father one day
+into her boudoir, and desired him to be seated, as she did not like to
+see the old man standing up in her presence. The coal-man excused
+himself at first, but the fairy insisted, so that at last he was
+obliged to obey, although it seemed to him a very strange thing to sit
+down in his clothes all covered with coal-dust on a white taffeta
+arm-chair, and he could not think how he should manage to prevent his
+jacket from leaving marks on it.
+
+At last, however, the fairy constrained him to be seated; and she then
+said to him, "Old friend, I love your daughter."
+
+"Honoured madam," replied he, "you are very kind; but indeed you are
+much in the right, for she is a very dear child."
+
+"I wish now to consult with you what I shall do," said the fairy; "for
+you must know I shall be obliged shortly to travel for a considerable
+time in another country."
+
+"Ah, madam, then do have the goodness to take her along with you,"
+rejoined the coal-man.
+
+"That is not in my power," answered she. "I can, however, provide very
+well for her. Only tell me what would be most agreeable to you that I
+should do for her."
+
+"Then I would most humbly beg," replied the coal-man, "that you would
+have the kindness to make her queen of a little kingdom, just such a
+one as may please your ladyship."
+
+Though gratified by this request, the fairy represented to him, that
+the higher the station, the more cares and sorrows it has; but the
+coal-man assured her in return, that cares and sorrows are to be found
+everywhere, and that those of royalty are the easiest to bear.
+
+"I do not ask of you, most gracious madam fairy," continued he, "to
+make me a king. I prefer remaining a charcoal-burner; that is my
+trade, which I understand, and as for the trade of royalty, I do not
+think that I understand that at all. But Gracious is still young, and
+she can learn it, I'll be bound for it; it cannot, after all, be so
+very difficult, for I see every day that people manage it one way or
+another."
+
+"Well," answered Fairy Bonbon, as she dismissed him, "I will see what
+I can do. I must tell you beforehand, however, that Gracious will have
+much to suffer, and she will find it very bitter."
+
+"Very possible, gracious Madam Bonbon," replied he. "I also have gone
+through many bitter things, and have not gained very much after all,
+so have the kindness still to make a queen of her; I ask nothing."
+
+With these words he took leave.
+
+Meanwhile Fairy Grumble-do had provided for almost all the fourteen
+princes. She had sent some of them out into the wide world to seek
+their fortunes, whereby they had at last succeeded in obtaining
+kingdoms, and the rest she had wedded to rich princesses, so that at
+least they were safe from want. For little Prince Chaffinch, as yet,
+however, she had done nothing; so she came one day to court in her
+usual agreeable humour, and found papa and mamma caressing and
+fondling their child.
+
+"Ha," said she, "that is a properly spoiled young gentleman, who will
+never be good for anything all his days. I lay any wager he does not
+know A from B. Repeat me your yesterday's lesson, sir, at once, and if
+you miss a single word, you shall have a proper whipping."
+
+Chaffinch immediately repeated his lesson, which, as usual, he had
+learnt perfectly, and went through his examination in a style which
+was quite wonderful for his age. The king and queen did not dare to
+let their gratification at this appear, for fear thereby of
+redoubling Madam Grumble-do's ill-humour, for she now maintained that
+the instruction given to the prince was not worth a farthing; that it
+was far too difficult and too learned for him.
+
+She then turned to the king and queen: "Pray, what is the reason of
+your never having asked me to do anything for him yet? It is just your
+way. I have been worried into providing for all your other
+simpletons--they are the most stupid kings reigning; but that one, of
+whom something might perhaps be made, is to be spoilt by you, just
+because he is your nest-quackel. But I will not allow it any longer.
+He shall go out, and directly too. He is a fine youth, and it would be
+a shame to leave him any longer with you. I will not have to reproach
+myself with that; folks know that I am your friend, and they shall not
+have to say that I encourage you in your follies. Now, let us have no
+words about it; let us consider together what is best to be done, for
+I am not at all obstinate; I am always willing to listen to good
+advice."
+
+The king and queen said very politely that she must decide on that,
+for she knew very well that her will was theirs.
+
+"Well then," replied Fairy Grumble-do, "he must travel; travelling
+gives a young man a proper finish."
+
+"Very true," said both king and queen with one voice. "But," continued
+the queen, "consider that the outfit of the other princes very much
+exhausted our coffers, and that just at present we have not the means
+wherewith to send out Chaffinch in a style befitting his rank. It
+would be very unpleasant for folks to say, 'That is the son of a king,
+and he travels like a poor student.'"
+
+"So, that's your vanity, is it?" growled the fairy; "truly vanity is
+vastly becoming to people who have fourteen children. You say the
+other youths have cost you so much; then, I did nothing for them, I
+suppose; you leave all that out of your calculation. Pray, what did
+they cost you? Just their bits of meals when they were at home, and a
+couple of boxes full of clothes when they went on their travels. Who
+found all the rest? Not you, truly; it was I; but you are a pair of
+ungrateful creatures, so you are."
+
+"Kind madam," answered the queen, "my husband has set down all the
+expenses in the account-book; you can convince yourself."
+
+"A pretty thing, indeed," rejoined Fairy Grumble-do. "Pray, how long
+has it been in fashion for a king to keep a debtor-and-creditor ledger
+like a tailor? That sounds vastly regal, truly. What is the use of all
+the good counsels I have given you, if this is the way you conduct
+yourselves. Shame on you! However, I will not worry myself, but I will
+put an end to the thing at once. The youth is as giddy as a butterfly,
+and wherever he goes he will be telling everybody 'I am a prince and
+my father is a king,' Is it not so, eh?"
+
+"Dearest madam godmamma," interposed Prince Chaffinch, "I will say
+nothing but what you desire me to say."
+
+"Wait till you are asked, Master Pert!" rejoined she; "you shall say
+nothing at all, and I'll take care to prevent you from opening your
+self-sufficient beak. Only wait a moment!"
+
+As she blustered out this, she touched him with her wand, and
+transformed him into the little bird which to this day bears his name.
+The king and queen wished to embrace him, but there was no doing that
+any longer now he had become so small; they could only set him on
+their fingers. They had scarcely time to kiss him even, for he flew
+off, in obedience to the fairy, who pronounced these terrible words:
+"Fly where thou canst; do what thou must."
+
+The tears of the king and queen, it is true, did move Fairy Grumble-do
+a little, but she would not let that be seen, and merely said, "That
+is just like you; you are served quite rightly," and then she seated
+herself in her post-chaise, which was drawn by seven magpies and seven
+cocks, who made a shocking noise; and off she drove in a very
+ill-humour to the assembly of the fairies, which was held that very
+day.
+
+By chance she was seated next to the kind fairy Bonbon, and as the
+mouth is prompt to speak about that of which the heart is full, she
+related to the latter all the trouble she had had in providing
+suitably for the fourteen princes; during which narration she did not
+fail to give it well to the king and queen, just as if they were
+present. At last she asked her colleague if she happened to have a
+kingdom or a princess to bestow on Prince Chaffinch.
+
+Fairy Bonbon, notoriously the best-hearted creature in the world, who
+was quite averse to this incessant scolding, told her that she would
+willingly undertake to find one, but only on condition that Fairy
+Grumble-do should not interfere in it, and permit her first to put
+the young prince to the proof.
+
+"Do what you please," resumed the latter, speaking more through her
+nose than ever--"do what you please, so that I hear no more about the
+matter."
+
+She then renounced all her fairy rights over Prince Chaffinch, and
+then drew up a formal contract, which they both signed with their own
+hands in presence of the lawyer and of competent witnesses.
+
+Bonbon, who soon perceived that her two protege's were well suited to
+each other, resolved to look still closer into the matter, in order to
+proceed the more securely, and to make Gracious truly happy. But she
+was much pressed for time as the day of her departure was irrevocably
+fixed, and was rapidly approaching. She had therefore to devise some
+means by which the two might have an opportunity of working out their
+own destiny by faith and truth. The first thing she did, therefore,
+was to catch Chaffinch, whose natural sprightliness caused him to
+delight greatly in flying about, to shut him up in a cage, and bring
+him to her castle.
+
+As soon as the young enchanted prince beheld Gracious he was very
+joyful, flapped his wings, and tried with all his strength to get out
+of the cage and fly to her. He was delighted, however, when she said
+to him, "Good morrow, my little bird; dear, how beautiful you are!"
+Yet he felt grieved at the same time that he could only answer her by
+his twittering, but he did that as agreeably as he could, and made
+every demonstration of tenderness that a bird could. This greatly
+touched Gracious, though she did not in the least suspect the truth;
+and she said, quite unreservedly to Bonbon, that she had always been
+particularly fond of chaffinches; at which the kind fairy smiled, and
+made her a present of the enchanted prince, on condition of her taking
+care of him as of the apple of her eye. This Gracious willingly
+promised, and did so too with the greatest satisfaction.
+
+When the day came for the fairy to depart, she said to Gracious, "Take
+great care of the chaffinch, and never let him out of the cage; for
+were he to fly away, I should be extremely displeased."
+
+She then entered her carriage, which was made of silver-paper. Her
+castle, her garden, her domestics and her horses, all went off through
+the air with her, and Gracious now remained alone and sorrowful in her
+little house of porcelain, which assuredly was very pretty; but what
+avails prettiness when one is sad? The garden was constantly full of
+cherries, gooseberries, oranges, and, in short, of all imaginable
+fruits, always ripe and well-flavoured; the oven, of biscuits,
+tea-cakes, and macaroons; the store-room, of sweetmeats and
+confectionery of all kinds: and all these good things might well have
+consoled her, but she could not enjoy them, for the little chaffinch
+slept unbrokenly in his cage. She visited him every five minutes, but
+still he did not wake, and she mentally reproached the fairy with
+having robbed her of such sweet consolation. At last, after trying
+vainly every means of awaking him, she resolved to examine him closer,
+to see if she could not discover the fairy's secret.
+
+It is true she did not arrive at this resolution without that
+uneasiness and self-reproach which one always feels when acting
+contrary to an express command. She even opened the cage several
+times, and then shut it again suddenly; but at last she blamed herself
+for her timidity, summoned courage, and took the bird in her pretty
+little hand. No sooner was he out of the cage than he flew out and
+perched on the window-frame, which most unfortunately she had not
+closed, so little had she thought on what might occur to her.
+Embarrassed and alarmed, she endeavoured to catch him again.
+
+The chaffinch flew into the garden, and she jumped out of the window,
+which fortunately was on the ground-floor; but such was her anxiety
+that she would have sprung out, had it been on the fourth story.
+Calling him by the prettiest and tenderest names, she sought to entice
+him, but whenever she fancied she would certainly catch him, off he
+flew, from the garden to the field, and on towards a great forest,
+which filled her with despair, for she knew perfectly well how useless
+it would be to hunt after a chaffinch in a forest; when suddenly, the
+bird, of which she had never lost sight, turned into the prince as she
+had seen him when she was a child.
+
+"What! is it you, Prince Chaffinch," exclaimed she,--"and you fly me?"
+
+"Yes, it is I, lovely Gracious," replied he; "but a supernatural force
+obliges me to keep far from thee; I desire to approach thee, and
+cannot."
+
+They now indeed perceived that they were always at least four paces
+distant from each other. Gracious, enraptured at again seeing the
+prince, forgot how disobedient she had been to the fairy, and her
+fears grew calm, in proportion as love took possession of her heart.
+
+As neither of them dared return to the little dwelling which they had
+left, nor indeed did they know the way back, they went into the wood,
+gathered nuts, and asked each other a hundred questions as to what had
+occurred since they last met. They then rejoiced at their good fortune
+in being again together, and refreshed themselves with the hope of now
+remaining near each other. At last they saw a peasant's hut, and went
+to it to request shelter for the night, that they might resolve on
+what they should do the next day.
+
+The prince, when they got very near to it, said to Gracious, "Wait
+here under this great tree, whilst I go and reconnoitre the house and
+its inhabitants."
+
+When he got there, he found a woman who was sweeping before her door,
+and of her he inquired if she would receive him and Gracious for the
+night into her house.
+
+The old woman answered: "You seem to me to be two disobedient
+children, who have run away from your parents, and do not deserve to
+meet with compassion."
+
+Chaffinch was, to say the truth, a little embarrassed by this remark,
+but he said all sorts of flattering things to her, and offered to
+labour for her; in short, he spoke like a lover willing to make any
+sacrifice for his beloved, for he began to fear that Gracious would
+have to pass the night in the wood, exposed to the wolves, of which he
+had heard such terrible stories.
+
+Whilst he was trying to persuade the hard-hearted old woman, it
+happened that the giant Koloquintius, the king, or to speak more
+accurately, the tyrant of the whole district, who was hunting in the
+wood, rode past the very spot where Gracious was waiting. He thought
+her surprisingly charming, and was a good deal astonished that she did
+not think him equally so, nor appear to be enchanted at seeing him.
+Without saying a word to her, he desired one of his suite to lift up
+the little maiden and place her under his arm, which being done, he
+set spurs to his horse, and galloped off to his capital city.
+
+The cries and lamentations of Gracious did not move him in the least,
+and she now--when it was too late--repented of her disobedience. Her
+cries disturbed Prince Chaffinch and the old woman in their
+conversation; the former ran towards the spot where he had left
+Gracious; but who can describe his grief, when he saw her under the
+giant's arm! Had he been there at the right moment, he would have
+endeavoured at the risk of his life to prevent that deed of violence,
+but now he had nothing to do but to follow her. But night overtook
+him, he lost sight of her, and quite exhausted, he sat down to give
+free course to his grief and tears.
+
+As he sat, he perceived, close to him, a little light, like that of a
+glow-worm. At first he paid no attention to it, but the light grew
+larger and larger, and at last changed into a female clothed in a
+brown garment, who said to him: "Console thyself, Chaffinch, do not
+give way to despair; take this flask, which is made of a gourd, and
+this shepherd's pouch; thou wilt find them always filled with whatever
+thou desirest to eat and drink. Take also this hazel-rod, and when
+thou hast need of me, put it under thy left foot and call me; I will
+always come to thy assistance. This little dog is commanded never to
+leave thee, thou may'st want him. Farewell, Chaffinch. I am the kind
+Bonbon."
+
+Chaffinch was already greatly moved by these gifts, but when he heard
+the name which Gracious had so often pronounced, he sank at the
+fairy's feet, embraced her knees, and cried: "Ah, beneficent lady,
+Gracious has been carried off, how is it possible that your Highness
+did not hasten to deliver her?"
+
+"I know what has befallen her," replied Bonbon,--"but she was
+disobedient, I want not to know anything about her; thou alone must
+aid her."
+
+At these words, the light and the fairy disappeared, and Chaffinch sat
+in such darkness that he could not see his hand when he held it before
+his eyes. He was however, much comforted by thinking that he could now
+be of assistance to Gracious, though fear and anxiety still tormented
+him greatly, and his new friend, the little dog, was unable by all its
+caresses to divert him.
+
+At last, the longed-for day dawned, and he was now able to continue
+his wanderings. Towards evening he arrived at the chief city, where he
+found everybody talking only of Gracious' beauty, and of Koloquintius'
+passion for her. It was said that the giant was very shortly to marry
+her, and that he had already commenced building a palace for the new
+queen. This news cut little Chaffinch to the heart.
+
+When the people with whom he was speaking, saw his shepherd's pouch,
+they said, "This is a handsome little shepherd, why should he not tend
+the king's sheep? His majesty is in want of a shepherd, and would no
+doubt confer that high office upon him."
+
+The desire of being near Gracious determined Chaffinch to take this
+hint. He therefore presented himself before Koloquintius, who regarded
+him attentively: as he only asked for courteous treatment, and
+required no wages, the king appointed him to be his own private
+shepherd. His new office did not, however, bring him into the vicinity
+of Gracious, so that he did not gain much thereby. He only learned
+that Koloquintius was very melancholy because Gracious did not respond
+to his love, and this comforted him a little.
+
+Some days after, as he was following his sheep, he saw a state
+carriage, attended by twelve negroes on horseback, with drawn swords,
+quit the palace, and in this carriage sat Gracious. Little Chaffinch
+heroically threw himself in the way of the horses, held his shepherd's
+staff before them, and thundered out with his feeble voice, "Wretches!
+whither go you?"
+
+When Gracious saw her Chaffinch in such great peril, she fainted, and
+he also lost his senses. When he came to himself, he seized his hazel
+wand,--instantly the good Bonbon stood beside him.
+
+"Ah, kind lady!" said he, "Gracious is lost, perhaps already dead!"
+
+"No," replied the Fairy, "Koloquintius is only sending her to the
+tower because he is furious at her coldness to him, and her fidelity
+to thee. Consider how thou may'st get thither also; think for thyself.
+I will assist thee; only I cannot change thee into a bird, because
+thou hast already been one; at all events Gracious will have much to
+suffer, for the tower is a terrible prison, but it serves her quite
+right,--why was she disobedient?"
+
+Thereupon she vanished.
+
+The prince, in great distress, conducted (that is, his little dog did
+it for him) the king's sheep along the road which the carriage that
+conveyed Gracious had taken, and he shortly came within sight of the
+terrible tower, which stood in the midst of a great plain, and had
+neither windows nor doors, only a small aperture at the top; it could
+only be entered by a subterranean passage, the entrance to which was
+concealed in a neighbouring mountain, which it was necessary to point
+out to those who were unacquainted with it. Prince Chaffinch was very
+glad that he had received such a clever little dog from the fairy, for
+it did all his business for him, whilst he kept his eyes constantly
+fixed on the tower. The more he considered, the more he was convinced
+of the impossibility of getting into it; but love, which conquers all
+difficulties, at last inspired him with a plan.
+
+After he had lamented a thousand times that he could not again be a
+bird, he besought the good fairy Bonbon, to change him into a paper
+kite. She granted his request, and conferred on his little dog the
+power of effecting the transformation; he barked three times, took the
+hazel-rod in his mouth, and touched the prince with it, who now became
+a paper kite, with power to resume his own form as occasion might
+require. Then, by the aid of his faithful dog, the prince succeeded in
+first reaching the top of the tower, and then getting within it to
+Gracious.
+
+It was no small delight to her to hear the assurances of his love, nor
+was it a less one to him to hear the same from her, and gratefully did
+he express his acknowledgments--for, in spite of his altered form, he
+still retained his speech. The pleasures of this conversation would
+have caused him to forget altogether that he could not remain for ever
+in the tower, and that he must feed his flock, if the little dog, more
+faithful to duty than he, had not pulled the string to which he was
+fastened, just at the right moment.
+
+Chaffinch no sooner reached the ground, than he resumed his own
+figure, and drove the flock back again to the royal sheepfold; but his
+whole thought was on the pleasure of flying to his dear Gracious,
+which caused him to be greatly vexed whenever the wind blew too
+strongly for him to be able to ascend, and Gracious shared in his
+grief.
+
+Thus they went on for some time; but as there are always to be found
+people who interfere in what does not concern them, others who want to
+know everything, and still more, others who are always striving to
+show themselves very obliging to the great and rich; it was soon
+observed by some of these, that the kite very often descended from the
+dark tower. Koloquintius was informed of it; he instantly went
+thither, in order to punish the audacious persons who dared to convey
+letters in this manner to Gracious, for it never struck him that the
+kite could serve for any other purpose. Chaffinch and Gracious were
+just in the most interesting conversation, when they were disturbed
+from it by the vehemence with which the faithful dog pulled back the
+prince, for Koloquintius ran up to him, exclaiming vehemently: "Where
+is the shepherd, where is the shepherd? I must kill him, because he
+has not informed me of what is going on here."
+
+The dog, fearing that Koloquintius might take the string out of his
+mouth, and so get the prince into his own hands, let the kite fly,
+which was carried far away by the wind, which happened to be very
+high, and catching up the gourd flask, and the shepherd's pouch, ran
+off to his master, whom he loved very much, and who now had resumed
+his own figure. Favoured by the approaching night, they concealed
+themselves in the mountains, whilst Koloquintius, foaming with rage,
+was obliged to drive his sheep home himself. In order that no one
+should approach little Gracious, he caused his whole army to draw up
+on the plain, and commanded them to watch day and night, that no one
+whatsoever should approach the tower.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Prince Chaffinch beheld all this from the high mountain where he and
+the dog had placed themselves, and again appealed to Bonbon for
+assistance. She immediately appeared, but when he begged her to give
+him an army, wherewith to combat that of Koloquintius, she vanished
+without saying a word, and only left him a rod, and a great bag of
+sugar-plums. When one is sad, and one's heart is heavy, one is not
+much inclined to take a joke; and at first Chaffinch thought she meant
+to make a jest of him; but when he reflected how kindly she had always
+acted towards him, his confidence in her returned, and he took the bag
+of sugar-plums under his arm, and the rod in his right hand, and
+accompanied by his faithful dog, advanced valiantly to meet the foe.
+As he came nearer to them, he remarked that they grew gradually less
+and less, and that their lines contracted; and when he got so near
+that they could hear him speak, he perceived, to his no small
+astonishment, that all these formidable soldiers, and moustached
+grenadiers, had shrunk into children of four years old, so that he
+cried aloud to them:--"Yield this moment, or you shall all be
+whipped." Then the whole army began to cry, and ran away, pursued by
+the dog, who soon threw them into complete disorder. To as many as he
+could catch, Chaffinch gave sugar-plums, whereupon they immediately
+swore to obey him.
+
+Encouraged by their example, the others soon returned, and they one
+and all submitted to Chaffinch; so that Koloquintius was now left
+without an army to defend him, whilst the prince had a formidable one;
+for as soon as they submitted voluntarily to him, they all recovered
+their former size and strength.
+
+By this time Koloquintius arrived; but he no sooner saw Prince
+Chaffinch than he likewise lost his giant form and strength, and
+became not merely a little child like the others, but a very little
+dwarf, with crooked legs. The prince caused a dragoon's cap, and a
+gay-coloured garment, with hanging sleeves, to be made for him, and
+destined him to be train-bearer to Gracious, and to attend upon her in
+her apartments.
+
+After this great victory the first care of Chaffinch was to hasten to
+the dark tower, in order to set his beloved free. After so many
+sufferings and sorrows, her joy at finding herself again free was
+indescribable. As they reached the city, Fairy Bonbon and Fairy
+Grumble-do also arrived there from opposite directions. The two lovers
+now expressed to them their warmest gratitude, and requested them to
+decide their fate. Fairy Grumble-do replied:--
+
+"I assure you I have never troubled my head about you; I should have
+been a fool indeed to concern myself with such light ware. You are
+nothing to me, for the rest of your blessed family give me quite
+enough to do without you. Such a parcel of relations as belong to
+Prince Chaffinch, never did king's son, in all the wide world, possess
+before; a pretty brood truly."
+
+"Dear madam and sister," interposed Fairy Bonbon, in the gentlest
+manner, "you know our agreement; only have the kindness to cause the
+king and queen, and the worthy coal-man, to come hither, and I will
+undertake the rest."
+
+"So," rejoined Madam Grumble-do, "I am to be wedding coachman--am I?"
+
+"Oh! not so, dear madam and sister," answered Bonbon; "you have only
+to say if it is not agreeable to you, and I will go myself."
+
+"A pretty errand--a dog's errand," snarled Madam Grumble-do, who
+nevertheless ordered her car to turn into a coach, and to bring
+thither the desired guests. Whilst Bonbon, Gracious, and Chaffinch,
+were caressing each other, Fairy Grumble-do met the Court-dwarf,
+Koloquintius, who came in her way just at the right moment,--for
+every one was welcome to her so that she had some one to scold,--and
+she gave it him prettily on the text of his vanity and self-love.
+
+"Now you are punished," said she, "and nobody pities you; but, on the
+contrary, you are the laughingstock of all your former subjects; that,
+however, you have always been, though formerly they ridiculed you
+secretly, and in whispers; now, however, they do it loudly, and in the
+market-place; it will do you a deal of good."
+
+So she continued to abuse him till the arrival of the king and queen,
+when she let him go and turned to them.
+
+"You need not trouble yourselves to thank me for anything; it was not
+I who sent for you, and indeed I am very sorry you are come, for now
+there will be no getting rid of you again. Good counsel would be
+thrown away upon you now, you irrational creatures."
+
+She then perceived the old coal-man, and exclaimed:--"A pretty
+father-in-law that, for a prince."
+
+The coal-man was not the sort of person to take such an address
+pleasantly, and would soon have given her a rough answer, but that the
+good Fairy Bonbon came up and begged the company to walk into the
+house. But Fairy Grumble-do did not like that neither; the general
+joy made her peevish.
+
+Gracious embraced her dear father a thousand times, who all this while
+had not suffered any privation, for Bonbon had made him a present of
+the porcelain house in which she had often received the king and
+queen. These fondled their little Chaffinch, and willingly consented
+to his marriage with Gracious, when proposed to them by Bonbon. The
+subjects of Koloquintius were absolved from the oath they had sworn to
+him, and acknowledged Prince Chaffinch as their lawful monarch. Thus
+did the pretty prince obtain a fine kingdom and a charming wife.
+
+Chaffinch and Gracious long governed in peace and happiness, and had a
+great many dear children, who also became kings and queens, for a good
+and pretty daughter makes not alone her own happiness, but also that
+of her parents, and her husband.
+
+
+
+
+THE WOLF AND THE NIGHTINGALE.
+
+[Swedish.]
+
+
+In ancient times, when matters went on in the world very differently
+from what they now do, there reigned a king in Scotland who had the
+loveliest queen that ever graced a throne. Her beauty and amiability
+were such, that her praise was sung by every minstrel and tale-teller,
+and they called her the Scottish phoenix. This fair queen bore to
+her husband two children, a son and a daughter, and then died in the
+prime of her youth.
+
+The king mourned for her many years, and could not forget her; he even
+said that he would never marry again. But human resolutions are
+unstable, and can never be depended on; and after the lapse of years,
+when the children were already grown up, he took to himself a second
+wife. The new queen was an evil-disposed woman, and made indeed a
+step-mother to the king's children. Yet the prince and princess were
+mirrors of grace and loveliness, and this was the cause of their
+step-mother's hatred of them; for the people, who loved the memory of
+the former queen, were constantly praising the young people, but never
+said anything about her; and whenever she appeared in public with the
+young princess, they always applauded and welcomed the latter,
+exclaiming, "She is good and fair like her mother." This roused her
+jealousy; she was full of spite towards them, and pondered how she
+might play them some evil trick; but she concealed the malignity of
+her heart under the mask of friendliness, for she dared not let the
+king perceive that she was ill-disposed towards them, and the nation
+would have stoned her and torn her in pieces if she had done them any
+harm.
+
+The princess, who was called Aurora, was now fifteen years of age,
+blooming as a rose, and the fairest princess far and near. Many kings'
+sons, princes and counts, courted her and sought her hand; but she
+replied to them all, "I prefer my merry and unfettered girlhood to any
+lover," and thereupon they had nothing to do but to return from whence
+they came.
+
+At last, however, the right one came. He was a prince from the East, a
+handsome and majestic man, and to him she was betrothed with the
+consent and approbation of the king and of her step-mother. Already
+the bridal wreath was twined; musicians were hired for the dance, and
+the whole nation rejoiced at the approaching nuptials of the fair
+Princess Aurora. But far other thoughts were in the queen's heart, and
+with threatening gestures she said to herself, "I will hire musicians
+who shall play a very different tune, and those feet shall dance
+elsewhere than in the bridal chamber. For," continued she, "this
+throws me quite in the shade, and my sun must set before this Aurora;
+especially now that she is going to have such a stately man for her
+husband, and will give descendants to her father, for I am childless.
+The nation, too, delights in her, and receives her with acclamation,
+but takes no note of me. Yet I am the queen: yes, I am the queen, and
+soon all shall know that it is I who am queen, and not Aurora."
+
+And she meditated day and night how she might ruin the princess and
+her brother; but not one of her wicked plans succeeded, for they were
+too well guarded by their attendants, who valued them like the apple
+of their eye, and never left them day nor night, because of the dear
+love they bore to their mother, the departed queen.
+
+At length the bridal day arrived, and the queen having no more time to
+lose, bethought herself of the most wicked art she knew, and
+approaching the young people in the most friendly way possible, begged
+them to go with her into the rose-garden, where she would show them a
+wonderfully beauteous flower which had just opened. Willingly they
+went with her, for the garden was close to the palace, and no one
+suspected any evil, for it was only mid-day, and the king and the
+grandees of the land were all assembled in the great hall of the
+palace where the nuptials were to be solemnised.
+
+The queen led her step-children to the furthermost corner of the
+garden where grew her flowers, till they came beneath a dark yew tree,
+where she pretended to have something particular to show to them. Then
+she murmured to herself some words in a low tone, broke off a branch
+from the tree, and with it gave some strokes on the backs of the
+prince and princess. Immediately they were transformed. The prince, in
+the shape of a raging wolf, sprang over the wall and ran into the
+forest; and the princess as a grey bird, called a nightingale, flew
+into a tree and sang a melancholy air.
+
+So well did the queen play her part, that no one suspected anything.
+She ran shrieking to the castle, and with rent clothes and dishevelled
+hair sank on the steps of the hall, acting as if some great disaster
+had befallen her, and by the king's command her women carried her to
+her chamber. A full quarter of an hour passed ere she came to herself.
+Then she assumed an attitude of grief, wept, and exclaimed, "Ah, poor
+Aurora, what a bridal day for thee! Ah, unfortunate prince!"
+
+After repeatedly exclaiming in this manner, she at length related that
+a band of robbers had suddenly burst into the garden, and had forcibly
+torn the royal children from her arms, and carried them off; that they
+had struck herself to the ground and left her half dead; and she then
+showed a swelling on her forehead, to produce which she had purposely
+hit her head against a tree. They all believed her words, and the king
+commanded all the great lords, and counts, and knights, and squires,
+to mount their horses and pursue the robbers. They traversed the
+forest in all directions, and visited every cave, and rock, and
+mountain, for at least three miles round the palace, but they could
+not find a trace of either the robbers or the prince and princess. The
+king, however, could not rest, and caused further search and
+enquiries to be made, for weeks and months; and he sent messengers
+into all the countries he could think of; but all was in vain, and at
+length it was as if the prince and princess had never been in
+existence, so entirely had they disappeared.
+
+The old king, however, thought that the robbers had been tempted by
+the fine jewels that the prince and princess wore on the wedding day,
+and that they had stripped them of those and then murdered them, and
+buried their bodies in some secret place: this so grieved him that he
+shortly after died. On his death-bed, as he had no children, he
+bestowed his kingdom on his wife, and besought his subjects to be true
+and obedient to her as they had been to him. They gave their promise,
+and acknowledged her as queen, more out of love for him than for her.
+
+Thus four years passed away, when, in the second year after the king's
+death, the queen began to govern with great rigour; and with the
+treasures the king had left behind him, she hired foreign soldiers
+whom she brought over the sea to guard her and to keep watch over the
+palace; for she knew that she was not beloved by her subjects, and she
+said, "That they should now do out of fear what they would not do for
+love."
+
+And so it came to pass, that from day to day she became more hated by
+every one, but nobody durst show his hate, for the slightest whisper
+against her was punished with death. Nevertheless, the murmurs and
+whispers still went on; and it was commonly said among the people,
+that the queen had a hand in the children's disappearance; for, in
+truth, there were plenty of persons who, on account of her sharp eyes
+and her affected love for the children, suspected her of evil
+practices against them. These murmurs, so far from dying away, went on
+increasing; but the queen cared not for them, and thought "they will
+remain the brutes into which I have transformed them, and no one will
+deprive me of the crown." However, things turned out otherwise than
+she expected.
+
+Meanwhile the poor royal children led a sorry life. The prince had
+fled to the forest as a grey wolf, and was obliged to conduct himself
+like a wolf, and howl like one too, and by day to wander about in
+desolate places, and to prowl about at night like a thief; for wolfish
+fear had also sprung up in his heart. And also, he was obliged to live
+like other wolves, on all sorts of prey--on wild animals and birds,
+and in the dreary winter-time he was often obliged to content himself
+with a mouse, and live on very short commons, and with chattering
+teeth, to make his bed amongst the hard cold stones. And this
+certainly was very different from the princely mode of life to which
+he had been accustomed previous to his being driven into this wild
+savage misery.
+
+He had, however, one peculiarity, which was, that he only destroyed
+and devoured animals, and never desired to take human blood. Yet there
+was one after whose blood he did thirst, and that was the wicked woman
+who had transformed him; but she took very good care never to go where
+she might be within reach of that wolf's teeth. It must not, however,
+be supposed that the prince, who was now a wolf, still preserved human
+reason. No; all had grown dark within him, and under the form of the
+beast as which he was condemned to scour the forest, he had also very
+little more than brute understanding. It is true, a dim instinct often
+drew him towards the royal residence and its gardens, as though he had
+cause to expect that he should find prey there; but he had no clear
+remembrance of the past: how indeed should it have lasted under a
+wolf's skin? At those moments when he felt the impulse, he was always
+also seized with unusual fierceness; but as soon as he came within a
+thousand paces of the spot, a cold shudder passed through him and
+compelled him to retire. This was the effect of the queen's magic art,
+which enabled her to keep him banished from her to just that distance,
+and no further.
+
+She, however, did all in her power to destroy him, and caused her
+attendants to hunt very frequently in the forest which surrounded the
+castle, thinking that it was most probable that he was still there. On
+this account, twice in almost every week, she caused noisy hunts and
+battues after wolves and foxes to be held there; and, as a pretext for
+these, she kept a great many pretty deer there, of which our royal
+wolf did not fail to devour as many as he could catch. He, however,
+always contrived to escape the danger, although the dogs often had
+their claws in the hair of his back, and the hunters aimed many a shot
+at him. He concealed himself for the moment, and when the noise ceased
+and the bugles no longer resounded, he returned to the thicket, which
+was close to the castle, and lay in the sunny spots where, as a boy
+and youth, he had often played. Still he knew nothing of the past, but
+it was a mysterious love that drew him thither.
+
+The Princess Aurora as we have said had flown up into a tree, being
+transformed into a nightingale. But her soul had not become dark
+beneath its light feathery garb, like the prince's within the wolf's
+hide; and she knew much more than he, both of her own self and of men,
+only she was deprived of the power of speech. But she sang all the
+more sweetly in her solitude, and often so beautifully, that the
+beasts skipped and leaped with delight, and the birds gathered round
+her, and the trees and flowers rustled and bent their heads. I think
+the very stones might have danced had they but had the power to love,
+but their hearts were too cold. Men would soon have remarked the
+little bird, and much talk would have arisen about her, but some
+secret power withheld them from entering the wood, so that they never
+heard the nightingale sing.
+
+I have already related how the queen persecuted the poor royal wolf
+with hunts and battues, so that he was the innocent cause of great
+trouble and inconvenience to the whole wolvine family. As great evil
+too befel the little birds, and in those days of tyranny, it was a
+great misfortune to be born either a thrush, a linnet, or a
+nightingale, in the neighbourhood of the castle. For the queen, after
+the death of the king had thrown all the power into her own hands,
+suddenly pretended to have an illness of so peculiar a kind, that not
+only were the cries, cawing, and chattering of birds of prey
+insupportable to her, but even the sweetest twittering and warbling of
+the merry little birds affected her unpleasantly; and in order to make
+people believe this, she fainted on two occasions when she heard them
+sing.
+
+This, however, was only a deception; her wicked aim was to kill the
+little nightingale, if by chance it should still frequent those groves
+and gardens. She knew full well that the little bird could not
+approach within a hundred paces of the castle, for she had cast her
+witch-spell upon her, as well as upon her brother. Under the pretext
+of this nervous sensibility to tender and delicate sounds, war was
+waged, not only against the pretty little royal nightingale, but
+against all the warblers in the vicinity. They were all proscribed and
+outlawed, and the queen's foresters and gamekeepers received the
+strictest orders to wage war against every feathered creature, and not
+to spare even the robin: no, nor the wren, at whom no sportsman ever
+before fired shot.
+
+This terrible hatred of the queen's was a misfortune for the whole
+feathered race, not only for those which lived at large in the woods
+and groves, but even for those which were kept in the court-yards and
+houses. No feathered creature was to be found in the capital city,
+nor in the vicinity of the royal residence; for the people thought to
+pay court to the queen, and to win her favour, by imitating her
+caprices. There was a destruction of the feathered tribe, like another
+slaughter of the innocents. How many thousand canaries, goldfinches,
+linnets, and nightingales; nay, even how many parrots and cockatoos,
+from the East and West Indies, had their necks wrung! Discordant, or
+melodious throats, the chattering, and the silent, were all menaced
+with one fate; it became a crime to be born either a goose, or a
+turkey, or a hen; and the common domestic fowls grew as scarce as
+Chinese golden pheasants. If the queen had waged such war against the
+feathered race for another ten years, they would have quite died out
+of the country. Indeed, not only were all the birds murdered, but
+scarcely did a human being now take a walk in the wood, for fear of
+being suspected of going thither in hopes to hear the song of a bird.
+
+And thus it was, that no one ever heard the wondrous song of the
+little nightingale, except here and there a solitary sportsman, and
+these never spoke of it, lest they should be punished by the queen for
+not having shot it. And indeed, to the honour of the foresters it must
+be said, that most of them followed their own good disposition, and
+seldom shot any little bird, but they were obliged to fire through the
+forest till it rang again. And this prevented any singing, and indeed
+many birds withdrew from it altogether, on account of the incessant
+noise, and never returned. The little nightingale, however, whom
+heaven especially protected, so that she escaped all the plots against
+her life, could not forsake the green forest behind the castle, where,
+in her childhood, she had played, and skipped about, so that although
+she flew away as soon as the bugles sounded, and the halloos and
+hurrahs echoed through the wood, she always returned again. And
+although her little songs, as coming from a sad heart, were, for the
+most part, melancholy and plaintive, still it was pleasing to her to
+live so amongst the green trees, and gay flowers, and to sing
+something sweet to the moon and stars; and she was unhappy only during
+a few months in the year. This was the season when autumn approached,
+and she was obliged to go with the other nightingales into foreign
+climes until the return of spring.
+
+The little feathered princess confined herself then mostly to the
+trees and meadows where she had sported as a child; or in later years,
+with companions of her own age, had twined wreaths and garlands; or
+in the happiest days of her life, had wandered in those solitudes with
+her beloved. Her favourite haunt was a spot where grew a thick green
+oak, which spread over a murmuring rivulet, and which served as a
+covert for the soft whispers of their love. In this place she often
+saw the wolf, who was also led thither by a dim feeling of the past,
+but she knew not that it was her unfortunate brother. Yet she grew
+attached to him, because he so often lay down and listened to her song
+as though he understood it; and she often pitied him for being a harsh
+and wild wolf, that could not flutter from bough to bough, like
+herself and other little birds. But now I must also tell of a man,
+who, in that solitary forest, was often a listener to the little
+nightingale. This man was the eastern prince, her destined bridegroom
+when she was yet a princess.
+
+Whilst the old king yet lived, he loved this prince beyond all other
+men, because of his virtues and valour, and on his death-bed had
+recommended him to the queen as her counsellor and helper in all
+difficulties and dangers, and especially as a brave and experienced
+warrior. On this account, after the king's death, he had remained
+about the queen, solely for love of the departed. But he soon
+perceived that the queen hated him, and was even plotting against his
+life, so he suddenly withdrew from her court, and left the country.
+She, however, caused him to be pursued as a traitor and a fugitive,
+and sent forth a decree, proclaiming him an outlaw, by which every one
+was empowered to slay him, and bring his head, on which a high price
+was set, to the royal castle. But he escaped to his father's land,
+which lay many hundred miles to the east of the queen's palace, and
+there dwelt with him. Still in his heart, he found no rest, and his
+grief for his vanished princess never subsided. A wonderful thing also
+came upon him, for once every year he disappeared, without any one
+being able to discover whither he went. He then saddled his horse,
+clad himself in obscure-looking armour, and rode off so that no one
+could trace his path. He felt himself impelled to enter the country of
+the queen who had outlawed him, and to visit that forest wherein the
+princess had disappeared. This powerful impulse seized him annually,
+just before the time when the princess had vanished, and he rode
+through wild, desolate, and remote places, until he reached the
+well-known spots, where he had once wandered with his betrothed. The
+green oak by the rivulet, was also his favourite place. There he
+passed fourteen nights in tears, and prayers, and lamentations for
+his beloved; by day, however, he concealed himself in the neighbouring
+thicket. There he had often seen and heard the little nightingale, and
+taken delight in her wonderful, and almost bird-surpassing song.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+Yet they knew nought of each other; and although the little bird
+always felt sadness, and longing in her heart, when the knight had
+ridden away, still she knew not wherefore, and her deep and
+languishing Tin! Tin! still resounded in his heart when he had
+returned to his father-land. It was, however, with him, as with most
+other men who love, or do something mysterious, which puzzles all
+around them, he was not conscious of his own secret. That he was
+impelled each year to ride stealthily away he knew full well--but
+wherefore he was so impelled, he knew not at all.
+
+Now a long time had passed since the death of the king, and it was
+already the sixth year since the royal children had disappeared, and
+the queen lived in splendour and enjoyments, and caused the beasts to
+be hunted, and the birds to be shot, and was no less harsh and cruel
+to her subjects than to the wild inhabitants of the woods. She fancied
+herself almost omnipotent, and thought her good fortune and power
+would have no end. Still, ever since that day, she had never entered
+the forest, a secret terror had always withheld her. She, however, did
+not allow herself to dwell upon it, nor did she perceive that a magic
+spell was the real cause.
+
+Now it came to pass that she had appointed a grand festival and
+banquet, to which were invited all the princes and princesses of the
+kingdom, and all the nobles and all the principal officials. In the
+afternoon a grand wolf hunt was to take place in the forest, at which
+the princes intreated her to be present. She hesitated a long while
+under all kinds of pretences, but at last she allowed herself to be
+persuaded. She, however, placed herself in a very high chariot, and
+bade three of her bravest warriors, completely armed, to seat
+themselves beside her. She also commanded several hundred armed
+outriders to keep before and behind and by the side of the chariot,
+and a long train of carriages, full of lords and ladies, followed. The
+wolf was never out of her thoughts, but she said to herself: "Let the
+wolf come; nay, let a hundred wolves even come, this brave company
+will soon make an end of them." Thus does providence blind even the
+most far-seeing and cunning when they are ripe for punishment; for it
+had been foretold to her by other masters of her godless art, that she
+must beware of the sixth year. But of that she thought not then.
+
+And it was a fair and cheerful spring day, and they went out into the
+forests with trumpets and horns, and the steeds neighed and the arms
+clashed, and the naked swords and spears glittered in the sun; but the
+queen outshone them all in her most splendid attire and all her
+jewels, as she sat enthroned in her high chariot. Already the chase
+had commenced with loud huzzas and hurrahs, and the clanging horns of
+the hunters and the baying of the dogs. Then a lion rushed before
+them followed by a boar; but they did not fear, and every man stood
+firm at his post, and they struck down the monsters. But ere long came
+a still more dreadful beast, which filled them all with alarm. A
+tremendous wolf rushed from the thicket upon the green plain, and
+howled so awfully, that hunters, dogs, and riders, all took flight.
+The wolf ran like an arrow from a bow; nay, he did not run, but flew
+between the men and horses, and not one of these remembered that he
+was armed with a bow, and a spear, and a sword, so dreadful was the
+aspect of the monster, and so terrifically did he open his foaming
+jaws. The queen, who saw him making towards her chariot, shrieked
+"Help! help!" The women screamed and fainted, many a man cowardly did
+the same. No one thought of obstructing the wolf's course, and with
+one spring, he threw himself on the chariot, tore from it the proud
+woman, and dyed his teeth and jaws in her blood. All the rest had
+fled, or stood at bay.
+
+And oh, wonder! when they endeavoured to rally their courage in order
+to attack, the wolf was no more to be seen, but where he had just
+stood appeared the form of a handsome and armed young man! The men
+were astonished at the magic change, but some brandished their weapons
+as though they would attack him as a second monster. Then suddenly an
+ancient lord came forward from among them, the chancellor of the
+kingdom, and forbade them, crying aloud, "By my grey hairs I charge
+you, men, hold off! You know not whom you would strike;" and before
+they could collect their thoughts he lay prostrate on the ground
+before the young man and kissed his knees and hands, saying, "Welcome,
+thou noble blossom of a noble sire, who again art risen in thy beauty!
+And rejoice, oh nation; the son of thy lawful king is returned, and he
+is now your king!"
+
+At these words many hastened round and recognised the prince, and
+hailed him as their lord, and then the rest followed their example.
+They were full of terror, and astonishment, and joy, all at once, and
+thought no more of the demolished queen nor of the wolf; for that the
+prince had been the wolf they had no idea.
+
+The young king desired them all to follow him to his father's castle;
+he also stopped the chase, and the horns and trumpets which just
+before had disturbed the woods, now resounded before him to celebrate
+his happy return. And when again he was within, and looked down from
+his father's turrets, tears filled his eyes, and he wept both in joy
+and sorrow; for he remembered now all his trouble and thought of the
+bitter past, which lay upon him like a heavy dream. Then suddenly all
+grew clear in his mind, and he was able to relate to the chancellor
+and the nobles of the kingdom what had befallen him, and that only by
+the heart's blood of the old wicked witch, who was called his
+step-mother and their queen, could he be restored to his own form. The
+report of this astonishing wonder immediately circulated through the
+city and amongst the whole nation; and they all rejoiced that their
+beloved king's son was restored to them, and that the queen, whom they
+hated, had been torn in pieces by the fangs of the wolf which she
+herself had created.
+
+But as the prince gradually came to himself, and bethought himself of
+all that had occurred, it lay heavy on his heart where his beloved
+sister, the Princess Aurora, might be, and whether she also were
+concealed within the skin of some animal, or feathery covering. Then
+he remembered her melancholy bridal day. And he enquired of every one
+about her; but all were silent, for none could give him any
+information. Then he again became sad and full of care, but this care
+and sadness were soon changed into joy.
+
+For when all the noise of the wolf-chase took place, the poor prince
+from the East was just then lying concealed in his thicket, and the
+charming little nightingale was silent, and hidden amongst the green
+leaves of her oak. But a mysterious sensation shot through her little
+heart as soon as the thirsty fangs of the wolf, her brother, were
+bathed in the queen's blood.
+
+Now when the chase was over, and the forest again was still, and the
+sun had set, the prince came out of his dark recess, and leant sadly
+against the stem of the green oak, wetting the grass with his tears,
+as was his nightly custom; and his heart seemed more than usually
+oppressed with sorrow. The little bird in the branches, however, began
+to sing to him, as was her wont, and he fancied that she sang
+differently from before, and with more enigmatical significance, and
+almost in a human voice. And a shudder came over him, and in great
+agitation he exclaimed, looking up amongst the branches:--"Little
+bird, little bird, tell me, canst thou speak?"
+
+And the little nightingale answered yes, just as human beings are wont
+to answer, and wondered at herself that she was able to speak, and
+for joy she began to weep, and for a long time was silent. Then again
+she opened her little beak, and related to the man, in an audible
+human voice, the whole history of her transformation, and that of her
+brother, and by what a miracle he had again become a man. For in a
+moment all had become clear in her mind, as if a spirit had whispered
+it all to her.
+
+The man exulted in his heart when he heard her tale, and he reflected
+much within him, and revolved many a plan; and the little bird
+frolicked and flew confidingly around him; yet although she now knew
+her own history, and what had occurred so well, she knew not in the
+least who he was. And he enticed the little bird, and caressed it, and
+fondled it, and intreated it to come with him, and he would place it
+in a garden where bloomed eternal spring, and where no falcon ever
+entered, and no one ever fired a shot. That would be far pleasanter
+than to flutter about in wild thickets, and have to tremble at the
+thought of winter, and of hunters and birds of prey. But the little
+bird would hear nothing of it, and praised freedom and her green oak,
+and twittered, and sang, and fluttered round the man, who took no
+heed, for he seemed plunged in other thoughts.
+
+But see what were his thoughts! For before the little bird was aware,
+the man had caught her by her little feet, and hastily made off, threw
+himself on his horse, and flew full gallop as if pursued by a tempest
+to an inn which he knew in the city, not far from the castle, took
+there a solitary chamber, and shut himself up in it with his little
+bird. When the little bird saw him take out the key, and give other
+signs of its being her prison, she began to weep bitterly, and to
+implore him to let her fly; for she felt quite oppressed and wretched
+in the closed room, and could not but think of her green trees, and
+her cherished liberty. But the man took no notice of her tears and
+supplications, and would not let her fly.
+
+Then the little bird grew angry, and began to transform herself into
+various shapes, in order to terrify the man, that he might open the
+doors and windows, and be glad that she should fly away. So she became
+in succession a tiger and lion, an otter, a snake, a scorpion, a
+tarantula, and at last a frightful dragon, which flew upon the man
+with poisonous tongue. But none of these frightened him in the least,
+but he kept his determination, and the little bird had all her trouble
+for nothing, and was obliged to become a bird again.
+
+And the man stood in deep thought, for something he had read in
+ancient tales came into his mind. So he drew a knife from his pocket,
+and cut a gash in the little finger of his left hand, where the
+heart's blood flows most vigorously. And he smeared the blood on the
+little head and body of the bird, which he had no sooner done than the
+miracle was completed.
+
+That very moment the little bird became a most lovely maiden, and the
+prince lay at her feet and kissed her hand, respectfully and
+submissively. The nightingale had now become the Princess Aurora, and
+recognised in the man her bridegroom, the prince from the land of the
+East. She was quite as young and beautiful as she was six years
+before, at the time of her transformation. For it is a peculiarity of
+transformations that the years during which persons are transformed do
+not add to their age, but a thousand years do not count for more than
+a second.
+
+It is easy to imagine the joy of the pair; for when two loving hearts
+which have remained faithful to each other, meet again, after a long
+time, that is truly the greatest joy on earth. But they did not linger
+long together, but caused the king to be informed that two foreign
+princes from a distant land had arrived at his court, and requested
+his royal hospitality. Then the king went out to welcome them, and
+recognised his beloved sister Aurora, and his dear friend the prince
+from the land of the East, and was overjoyed; and the nation rejoiced
+with him, that all was restored as before, and that the kingdom no
+longer belonged to strangers.
+
+After a few days he set the royal crown upon his head, and began to
+govern in his father's stead. He celebrated his sister's nuptials with
+the greatest magnificence, and there was dancing and feasting and
+knightly games. She and the prince also received from him a noble
+establishment both of land and attendants, so that they were able to
+live almost like kings. Aurora had, however, begged her brother to
+give her the wood, wherein as a bird she had fluttered through so many
+cheerful, and also sorrowful days, and this he willingly granted her.
+She built there a stately royal castle by the stream where she had so
+often sat and sung, and the thick green oak came into the centre of
+the palace-garden, and flourished yet many a year after her, so that
+her posterity still played beneath its shadow. She, however, caused a
+command to be issued that the wood should to all times be left in its
+natural majesty; she also gave peace to all little singing-birds, and
+forbade, in the strongest manner, traps or snares to be set within
+those sacred precincts, or that the little creatures should be
+molested in any way. And her brother reigned as a great and pious
+king, and she and her brave husband lived in happy love till they
+arrived at a snow-white age, and saw their children's children around
+them, till at length, accompanied by the blessing of God and men, they
+sank softly to sleep. It has been a custom ever since, amongst their
+children and descendants, that the eldest prince of their house should
+be christened Rossignol, and the eldest princess Philomela; for she
+desired to establish a pious recollection through all times of the
+marvellous misfortune that befel her when she was transformed into a
+nightingale. For Rossignol means, in fact, Rose-bird--the nightingales
+sing chiefly in the rose season--and Philomela, friend of song. The
+word nightingale means, however, songstress of the night, and this is
+the best of all.
+
+
+
+
+THE ENCHANTED CROW.
+
+[Polish.]
+
+
+In a royal palace dwelt, once upon a time, three fair sisters, all
+equally young and pretty; the youngest, however, although not at all
+more beautiful than the two elder, was the best and most amiable of
+them all.
+
+About half a mile distant from the palace, stood another lordly
+dwelling, but which had then fallen into decay, although it still
+could boast of a beautiful garden. In this garden the youngest
+princess took great pleasure to wander.
+
+Once as she was walking up and down between the lime trees, a black
+crow hopped from under a rose-bush. The poor bird was all mutilated
+and bloody, and the princess was moved with compassion for him. The
+crow no sooner perceived this than he broke out into the following
+discourse:--
+
+"No black crow am I by birth, but an unhappy prince, suffering under a
+malediction, and doomed to pass my years in this miserable condition.
+If thou wilt, oh youthful princess, thou canst rescue me. But to do
+so, thou must resolve to be ever my companion, to forsake thy sisters,
+and to live in this castle. There is a habitable chamber in it,
+wherein stands a golden bed; in that chamber thou must live in
+solitude. But forget not, that whatsoever thou mayest see and hear by
+night, thou must let no cry of fear escape thee; for if thou shouldst
+utter but one single moan my tortures will be doubled."
+
+The kind-hearted princess did forsake her father and sisters, and
+hastened to the castle; and there dwelt in the chamber which contained
+the golden bed. She was so full of anxious thought that she could not
+sleep. As midnight drew near she heard, to her no small terror, some
+one creeping in. The door opened wide, and a whole band of evil
+spirits entered the chamber. They kindled a great fire on the hearth,
+and placed over it a large cauldron, full of boiling water. With great
+noise and loud cries they approached the bed, tore from it the
+trembling maiden, and dragged her to the cauldron.
+
+She was almost dead from fear, but she uttered no sound. Then suddenly
+the cock crew, and all vanished. The crow immediately appeared, and
+hopped joyfully about the room, and thanked the princess for her
+courageous behaviour, for the sufferings of the unhappy bird were
+already lessened.
+
+One of her elder sisters, who had much curiosity in her disposition,
+having heard of this, came to visit the princess in her ruined castle.
+She besought her so earnestly, that the kind-hearted maiden at length
+permitted her to pass one night beside her, in the golden bed. When
+the evil spirits appeared as usual about midnight, the elder sister
+shrieked aloud from fear, and immediately the cry of a bird in pain
+was heard.
+
+The young sister from that time never received the visits of either of
+her sisters. Thus did she live; solitary by day, and suffering by
+night the most terrible alarm from the evil spirits; but the crow came
+daily to her, and thanked her for her endurance, assuring her that his
+dreadful sufferings were greatly mitigated.
+
+Thus had passed two years, when the crow came to her, and thus
+addressed her:--
+
+"In one year more I shall be delivered from the punishment to which I
+am condemned; for then seven years will have passed over my head. But
+before I can re-assume my real form, and gain possession of my
+treasures, thou must go out into the wide world, and become a
+servant."
+
+Obedient to the will of her betrothed, the young princess served for a
+whole year as a maid, and notwithstanding her youth and beauty, she
+escaped all the snares laid for her by the ill-disposed.
+
+One evening while she was spinning flax, and her white hands were
+wearied with work, she heard a rustling, and an exclamation of joy. A
+handsome young man entered her presence, knelt before her, and kissed
+the little weary white hands.
+
+"It is I," cried he, "I am the prince, whom thou, by thy goodness,
+whilst I wandered in the form of a black crow, didst deliver from the
+most dreadful tortures. Return with me now to my castle, there will we
+live together in happiness."
+
+They went together to the castle where she had undergone so much
+terror. The palace was, however, no longer recognisable, it was so
+improved and adorned, and in it did they dwell together for a hundred
+happy and joyous years.
+
+
+
+
+THE DRAGON-GIANT AND HIS STONE-STEED.
+
+[Russian.]
+
+
+Not one amongst the numerous wives of Vladimir the Great was
+comparable in beauty to the Bulgarian Princess Milolika. Her eyes
+resembled those of the falcon; the fur of the sable was not more
+glossy than her eyebrows, and her breast was whiter than snow.
+
+She had been carried off by robbers of the Volga, from the vicinity of
+Boogord, the capital of her native country, and on account of her rare
+beauty they deemed her worthy to be a wife of the great monarch. They
+therefore conducted her to Kiev, the residence of the mighty Vladimir,
+and presented her to him. Vladimir, a good judge of female charms, the
+moment he beheld her, was enchanted by the surpassing beauty of the
+Bulgarian princess, and in a short time his love for her became so
+great that he made her his consort, and dismissed all his other
+wives. The proud heart of the king's daughter was touched by this
+proof of his affection, and she rewarded his tenderness with
+reciprocal and true love.
+
+The life of Vladimir was now one of great happiness. His conquests had
+procured him riches in superfluity; a long period of peace had
+augmented the prosperity of his country; his subjects loved him as
+their father; and the tenderness of Milolika made earth seem to him as
+heaven.
+
+One day as in company with his consort and his Bojars, he sat in the
+golden chamber by his oaken table, holding a festival in memory of a
+victory over the Greeks, the sound of a warrior's horn was heard at a
+distance. The rejoicings in the lofty hall suddenly ceased. The
+monarch and the Bojars cast their eyes to the ground, full of thought
+and heaviness. Swatorad alone, the spirited Voivode of Kiev, started
+up from the table, and leaving his goblet undrained, approached the
+great monarch. "Thou art," spake he, as he bent low before him, "thou
+art our father and our lord, thou art the child of renown: wherefore
+sinks thy head? Why does the sound of the warrior's horn make thy
+heart heavy? Even if it be a hostile knight who now appears before
+the capital, hast thou not enough brave heroes to confront any foe?
+Away then! Send forth thy heralds to demand who dares to defy the
+country of the Russians?"
+
+Vladimir looked friendly upon the gallant Swatorad, and thus replied
+to his address: "I thank thee for thy zeal, good Swatorad; but my
+anxiety does not arise from fear. I have defeated hosts, made myself
+master of fortified cities, and overthrown kings: how should I know
+fear? But it was my desire henceforth to preserve to my subjects the
+blessing of peace, and that alone is the cause that this challenge to
+combat makes me sorrowful. If however it must be so, I will defend my
+country and myself. Go and send heralds to demand who dares to come
+forth against Kiev, to challenge Vladimir to battle?"
+
+The brave Swatorad immediately sent forth two heralds, who sprang upon
+their horses and rushed to the open plain, where they at once beheld a
+monstrous tent, before which a horse of unusual size was grazing. As
+soon as the horse perceived them, he stamped upon the ground, and
+cried aloud in a human voice: "Awake powerful son of the dragon,
+Tugarin awake! Kiev sends heralds to thee."
+
+This marvel considerably astounded the heralds, and their amazement
+was increased when they beheld issuing from the tent a giant of the
+most monstrous kind, beneath whose footsteps the earth resounded. Yet
+they did not lose their composure, but discharged their commission as
+beseemed them well. "Who art thou?" cried they, after they had
+courteously bent before him. "Who art thou, bold youth from a foreign
+land? What is thy name, and how stands thy report in thy father-land?
+Art thou a Czar, or a Czarewitsch? A king or a king's son? We are sent
+by the invincible prince of Kiev, the son of renown, by Vladimir, to
+ask thee why thou darest to advance against Kiev?--how thou darest to
+challenge him to combat?"
+
+The questions displeased the giant, and he fell into fierce wrath.
+Lightning flashed from his eyes, his nose sent forth sparks, and he
+addressed the heralds in a voice of thunder: "Contemptible wights, how
+dare ye to put such questions to me? The herald's staff alone protects
+you from my fury. Return, and tell your prince that I am come to fetch
+his head, in order to carry it to the great king, Trewul, of Bulgaria,
+who is wrath with him, for the abduction of his sister Milolika. Tell
+him, that nought can save him; neither the summit of the mountain,
+nor the darkness of the forest, and that he cannot redeem his head by
+gold, nor by silver, by jewels, nor by pearls. What I am called, and
+what my report is in my country, it needs not that you should know;
+sufficient, that I show you what I can perform." At these words, he
+grasped an enormous stone, which lay near the tent, and flung it with
+such force into the air, that it resembled a little speck.
+
+Full of terror, the heralds returned to Kiev, and presenting
+themselves before the monarch, related what they had seen and heard.
+When Milolika heard that the horse had called the stranger knight
+Tugarin, Son of the Dragon, she grew pale, and a stream of tears
+bedewed her cheeks. "Ah," cried she, "beloved husband, we are lost!
+Nought can save us, but our flight to the sacred Bug. Tugarin is an
+invincible enchanter. His magic power ceases only on the shores of the
+Bug. Thither let us fly."[1]
+
+[Footnote 1: The river Bug was especially held sacred by the
+Slavonians, and its waters possessed the power to destroy all kinds of
+magic.]
+
+Vladimir endeavoured to re-assure his consort. He represented to her
+that the brave warriors, and the walls of the impregnable Kiev, would
+afford them sufficient protection; but Milolika was not to be
+comforted. "Thou knowest not, beloved husband," said she, sobbing and
+crying, "how dangerous is this giant, Tugarin, to me and my family,
+and how bitterly he must hate thee, since he was my betrothed, and
+awaited my hand." Vladimir besought Milolika to explain to him this
+enigma, and she related the following:--
+
+"I am the daughter of the Bulgarian king, Bogoris, and of the princess
+Kuridana. My birth-place is the city Shikotin, where my parents were
+wont to pass the summer months. As this city lies on the banks of the
+Volga, it offers great facilities for fishing, a diversion to which my
+mother was extremely partial.
+
+"Once, when my father was fighting against a neighbouring nation, my
+mother endeavoured to while away her grief at his absence by her
+accustomed diversion, and caused the nets to be spread in the Volga.
+The fish were very plentiful, and a great number of barks and boats
+covered the river, amongst which, the vessel in which my mother was
+embarked, was distinguishable by its magnificence and elegance.
+Surrounded by her ladies, and her body-guard, Kuridana stood in the
+centre of the vessel, and beheld with pleasure the spectacle of the
+fishery, when suddenly a mountain, that was situated on the other side
+of the river, burst with a tremendous crash. Every eye was directed
+to the spot, and they saw issue from the aperture, a man of rude, and
+terrific aspect, seated on a car of shining steel drawn by two winged
+horses. He directed his course towards the river, and when he reached
+the water, the steel car rolled over the waves, as if they had been
+firm land. When it was perceived that he was bending his way to my
+mother's bark, heralds were dispatched in a boat, to inquire why he
+presumed to approach the princess without permission. But the fierce
+being, who was a powerful and malignant enchanter, did not permit the
+unfortunate heralds to discharge their commission. As they began to
+speak, he blew upon their boat, overset it, and all who were in it
+were buried beneath the waves. At this melancholy sight, my mother's
+attendants seized their bows, and discharged a shower of arrows
+against the intruder; but in vain, for the arrows rebounded from him,
+and fell shivered into the water.
+
+"The greatest amazement now seized all present, for they became
+petrified when the magician with a single word, bound every boat, with
+its crew, so that they stood motionless, whilst he, with outstretched
+arms, hastened towards my mother, and endeavoured to remove her into
+his car. But some unseen power crippled all his efforts. Each time he
+endeavoured to seize Kuridana, his arms sank powerless, and he was, at
+length, obliged to desist from the vain enterprise. He then sprang
+into the bark, cast himself on his knees before her, and in the most
+moving, and earnest expressions, besought her love. He promised her
+all the treasures of the world, and the highest earthly happiness, if
+she would reward his vehement love with reciprocal affection, or only
+lay aside the talisman which she wore upon her breast. This talisman,
+which now preserved her, she had received at her birth from a
+beneficent enchantress, and as she well knew its force, she had drawn
+it out of the case where she usually concealed it, and held it before
+his eyes.
+
+"Then the evil one trembled so violently, that at last, as if stricken
+by lightning, he fell to the ground, and not until Kuridana had again
+enclosed the talisman, did he recover from his insensibility. He then
+sprang up, and mounted his steel car, uttering the most fearful
+threats, 'Think not,' cried he, foaming with shame and rage, 'think
+not to escape my hands; I will possess thee, and will force Bogoris
+himself, by the most dreadful devastation of his country, to yield
+thee to me. Behold, I swear by Tschernobog,[2] that I will either,
+slay, or gain possession of thee. Thou shalt see me soon again,' With
+these words he disappeared.
+
+[Footnote 2: Tschernobog was the evil spirit of the Slavonians, and no
+one could swear more solemnly, than by Tschernobog.]
+
+"Kuridana then left the spot, and not believing herself secure in
+Shikotin, retired to the strong city of Boogord, where she awaited, in
+great anxiety, the result of this alarming adventure.
+
+"The very next morning, appeared on the plain before the capital city,
+a dreadful two-headed monster, of that dragon species which, in the
+language of my country, is called Sylant. It devoured herbs, and
+flocks, and men, and devastated the surrounding country with its
+poisonous breath. In a short time, the region round Boogord became a
+desert, and many brave warriors, who sought to free their country of
+this demon, fell victims to their patriotism and valour. The Sylant
+appeared each morning before the walls, and bellowed out with a
+fearful voice,: 'Bogoris, give me Kuridana, or I will make thy country
+a desert!'
+
+"No sooner did my father hear of the misfortune which menaced his
+people, and his beloved Kuridana, than he left his career of victory,
+and hastened to the capital. What were his feelings when he beheld
+the misery which the monster had spread over his land! But greater
+bitterness still awaited him, for when the first tempest of joy and
+grief, which his return had excited in the hearts of all, and
+especially in that of Kuridana, had subsided, this noble-minded
+princess proposed herself as a willing sacrifice for the king, and the
+good Bulgarians. 'No!' cried Bogoris, 'sooner will I perish, than lose
+thee. I will combat the Dragon. Perhaps the Gods will grant me
+victory, and if I am vanquished in the fight, at least I shall die for
+thee, and for my country,' The most generous dispute now arose between
+the magnanimous pair, and finally they agreed to appeal to the
+decision of the magnates of the empire, who should decide the dispute.
+
+"The king assembled them, and when they had heard Kuridana's
+resolution, they loaded her with panegyrics, and expressions of
+gratitude. 'Thy magnanimous sacrifice alone, Kuridana,' said the
+eldest of the assembly, an aged man, of a hundred years, 'can rescue
+us and Bulgaria. For, supposing that Bogoris were to fight with the
+Sylant, and fall, would not our misfortune be greater still? No,
+Prince! thou must preserve thyself for thy people, in order to heal
+the wounds which the Dragon has inflicted. Kuridana alone can save
+us.' All the magnates coincided with the old man, and Bogoris was in
+despair.
+
+"It was morning, and the dreadful words: 'Bogoris, give me thy wife!'
+at that moment resounded round the palace. Kuridana courageously
+arose, embraced her speechless husband, and bade him an eternal
+farewell.
+
+"At the words '_for ever_,' Bogoris sank senseless on the ground.
+Manly as his heart had been up to that hour, it could not endure
+separation from the beloved Kuridana. The high-minded wife bedewed him
+with her tears, but at length, turning to the nobles, who stood round
+her weeping, she said: 'Lead me where you will. I am prepared to
+endure everything for my husband and my country,' They now
+reverentially supported her trembling steps, and conducted her as
+rapidly as her weak state permitted, to the front of the city.
+
+"Meanwhile the altars smoked with incense, and both priests and people
+supplicated for the deliverance of their noble princess.
+
+"Shortly after the magnates had left the palace with Kuridana, Bogoris
+came to himself, and when he perceived that he was alone, he guessed
+his misfortune, and his despair knew no bounds. He drew his sword,
+and was in the act of piercing his breast with it, in order not to
+survive Kuridana, when a matron of beautiful and majestic aspect stood
+before him, staid his hand, and thus addressed him:
+
+"'What, Bogoris! Dost thou despair?--Be tranquil; the Sylant has no
+power to harm Kuridana. The talisman which she wears on her breast,
+will, at all times, and under all circumstances, mock his power. I am
+the enchantress Dobrada, the protectress of thy wife, she who, as thou
+knewest, hung the talisman around her immediately on her birth. But it
+is not now requisite that I should reveal to thee the causes which
+induced me to provide her with that shield against danger. Enough,
+that I foresaw at her birth that she would have much to fear from the
+love of a powerful sorcerer, called Sarragur. And because I am ever
+willing to do all the good I can, I hung around her this talisman,
+which protects her from his utmost power, and will now defend her from
+the Sylant, who is no other than Sarragur himself. For, when he
+perceived that I was opposed to his passion, and had taken Kuridana
+under my protection, he sought to avenge himself on me, by every kind
+of secret mischief, so that I was at length obliged to chastise him.
+By my superior power, I enclosed him within a mountain by the Volga,
+and bound his fate by the most awful spell, which even Tschernobog
+respects, to a golden fish, which I sank in the depths of the Volga.
+By this spell, Sarragur was to remain in his subterranean prison until
+some mortal should draw up the golden fish; and should he ever thus
+obtain his freedom, he could then never transform himself into an evil
+and noxious animal, except on the condition that he should never again
+resume his own form, and should perish shortly after the
+transformation. It chanced that a sturgeon swallowed the golden fish,
+and this sturgeon was caught on the very day when Kuridana was
+diverting herself with the fishery. Sarragur thus became free, and the
+first use he made of his freedom was to endeavour to carry off
+Kuridana, whom he still loved with unabated passion.
+
+"'When this attempt was baffled by the power of the talisman, and
+still more, when he perceived Kuridana's aversion for him, he became
+furious, and transformed himself into the Sylant, although he knew
+what must be the consequences. Madman, his hour is come, and thou,
+Bogoris, art destined to destroy him. Receive from my hands the sword
+of the renowned Egyptian king, Sesostris. It possesses the wonderful
+power of destroying every spell, and with it thou wilt overpower the
+sorcerer, though he should summon all the powers of hell to succour
+him. Only, mark what I am now about to say. In order to extirpate
+Sarragur, and every remembrance of him from the earth, thou must cut
+off both the heads of the Sylant by one stroke. If thou succeed not in
+doing this, and hewest off but one head, the sorcerer, it is true,
+will lose his life, but he will escape to his cavern, where, before he
+expires, he will lay an egg, in which will be enclosed all his magic
+power, and from the head hewn off, will arise a horse of stone, which
+shall receive life at the moment the bad spirits shall have hatched
+the egg, and from this egg will issue the giant Tugarin, who, one day,
+will be formidable to thy children. For, not only will he inherit from
+his father the entire power to work evil, whereby so much misery has
+befallen thee and thy land, but he will also love thy daughter as
+fiercely as Sarragur loves thy wife. Thy son Trewul will refuse him
+his sister's hand, and then he will desolate the country, until
+Milolika's hand is promised to him. He also is to be conquered by no
+other weapon than the sword of the wise Sesostris, and a knight who
+shall live without having been born, is destined to slay him. After
+thy victory over the Sylant, hang up the sword in thy armoury amongst
+the other swords there, and at the appointed time fate will give it
+into the hands destined wield it. Of that which I have now told thee,
+reveal not a word, except to thy wife, and she may hereafter repeat it
+to her daughter.'
+
+"Having uttered these words, Dobrada shrouded herself in a
+rose-coloured cloud, and disappeared. Heavenly perfumes filled the
+chamber, and Bogoris felt that all sorrow had vanished from his soul.
+Hastily he vaulted on his horse, and rushed to deliver his wife and
+his country from the fell sorcerer.
+
+"When he reached the plain, he beheld the efforts of the Sylant to
+grasp Kuridana, and how he was impeded by the talisman, from coming
+close to her. Bogoris immediately unsheathed his sword, and flew upon
+the monster. When the Sylant perceived his antagonist, he sent forth
+fire streams from both his jaws, which, however, were rendered
+innocuous by the sword of Sesostris. In order to bring the combat to a
+speedy conclusion, Bogoris aimed a powerful stroke at the heads of the
+monster, which would assuredly have separated both from the trunk, and
+so have extirpated the sorcerer and all remembrance of him from the
+earth, if the Sylant, at the very moment the stroke fell, had not
+soared into the air. By this movement, he saved one head. The other
+rolled on the ground, and immediately became stone. Awfully bellowing,
+the impure being flew to his cavern. Bogoris pursued, but in vain; the
+Sylant disappeared in the mountain by the Volga, which immediately
+closed on him.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"My father regretted that he had not succeeded in entirely
+annihilating the sorcerer and all his brood; but joy at having
+delivered his beloved wife and his country, soon prevailed over
+sorrow. He committed the future to the Gods, and after he had revealed
+to my mother the predictions of the good enchantress, he hung up the
+sword of Sesostris in his armoury.
+
+"My parents passed the remainder of their lives in uninterrupted peace
+and content. When I was grown up, my mother related to me her history,
+and at the same time revealed to me what awaited me through the giant
+Tugarin. She then hung round me the talisman which she had received
+from Dobrada. Shortly after this both my parents died. After their
+death I lived several years with my brother in undisturbed
+tranquillity, till one day the report arose of a wonderful phenomenon
+of nature, which was to be seen in the vicinity of the capital. The
+king, my brother, went thither, and I accompanied him. They showed us
+a stone which daily increased in size, and was assuming the form of an
+enormous horse. Everybody marvelled at this sport of Nature, as they
+called it; but I remembered Dobrada's predictions, and doubted not
+that the hour of Tugarin's birth, and of my misfortunes, was arrived.
+Whilst I was still thinking on it, we were alarmed by an earthquake.
+The neighbouring Sylant Mount,--for from the time the Sylant had
+escaped thither, it had borne that name,--opened, and a giant of
+monstrous size stepped forth. He strode across the Volga, and went
+straight to the stone horse. The moment he laid his hand on it, it
+became animated. The giant sprang upon it, and dashed towards me. He
+tried to seize me, but quickly drew back his robber hands, as if they
+had been burnt. The power of the talisman withstood him. He then
+turned towards my brother, and cried out in dreadful tones:--'Hear,
+Trewul! I see that thy sister cannot be carried off by force, and
+therefore I require of thee to persuade her to give me her hand
+voluntarily. I give thee three days for consideration, and when they
+are expired, I either receive Milolika from thy hands, or I make thy
+country desolate.' After these terrible words he departed on his
+colossal steed, with the rapidity of lightning.
+
+"We returned heavy-hearted to the city, where my brother immediately
+assembled the council, and laid before it the giant's demand, and his
+threats. The counsellors were unanimously of opinion, that, as the
+princess was averse to giving her hand to the giant, an army must be
+sent against him, of sufficient force to set his menaces at nought.
+Ten thousand archers, and two thousand horsemen, in armour, were
+hastily collected, and on the dawn of the third day, were drawn out
+on the plain before the city, to await the giant. Tugarin soon
+appeared, and the Bulgarians at once discharged their arrows and darts
+at him, but they proved as powerless against him as formerly against
+his father. They rebounded from him as from a rock. At this attack,
+the giant broke forth with mingled rage and scorn:--'What,' bellowed
+he, 'does Trewul send troops against me? Must I then become his enemy?
+Woe to the helpless being!' And without further delay, he seized the
+horsemen and archers by the dozen, and swallowed them a dozen at a
+time, till not a man was left.
+
+"He then began to lay waste and destroy everything round the city. Men
+and cattle were all engulfed in the monster's insatiable maw. He
+shattered the dwellings of the inhabitants with his gigantic fists.
+Whole forests were uprooted by him, and the hoofs of his enormous
+horse trod down fields and meadows. At length my brother, in order to
+put a stop to the universal misery, resolved to sacrifice me. With
+bitter tears he announced to me that he knew no other means of saving
+himself and his country from destruction, than to promise my hand to
+the giant. I replied to him only by my tears, and he reluctantly sent
+an embassy to invite Tugarin to Boogord. He came. Proudly he advanced
+to the gate where Trewul and the nobles of the land awaited him. I was
+in despair. At length I bethought me of a means of escape. I agreed to
+bestow my hand on the giant, on condition that, through some
+beneficent power, he should first obtain the form and stature of an
+ordinary man. I trusted that this would not easily be done, and in the
+mean time I might be able to effect my escape. Tugarin, blinded by his
+love for me, did not hesitate to accept the condition, and swore by
+Tschernobog, that he would not require me to be delivered to him until
+my requisition was satisfied. He established himself in Boogord, and
+served my brother with great zeal. I soon found an opportunity of
+making my escape, and wandering a whole day without food, was at last
+taken by the robbers of the Volga, and brought to thy court.
+
+"You will now, my beloved husband," said Milolika, as she concluded
+her narration, "easily comprehend the danger which threatens you.
+Tugarin must hate thee, since thou art my husband. His power is great,
+and no one can vanquish him, except the knight who came unborn into
+the world, and no weapon can slay him, but the sword of the wise
+Sesostris. Thou and all thy brave heroes are powerless against him.
+Therefore, dear husband, let us flee. On the banks of the sacred Bug
+we shall be safe; no magic can operate there."
+
+This narration made the deepest impression on the heart of the prince;
+he could not, however, resolve to abandon his country in the hour of
+need, and besides, to fly before a single warrior, great as he might
+be, seemed still not a very honourable proceeding. "What!" exclaimed
+he, "shall the monarch before whom the East trembles, whose courage
+the whole world admires, shall he shrink in the moment of
+danger,--shall he, with all his might, flee before a single foe? No:
+sooner a hundred times will I die the most cruel death!" But with all
+this how was he to comfort Milolika? How was he to withstand the
+dreadful giant, seeing that he had not, unborn, beheld the light,
+neither did he possess the sword of the Egyptian king Sesostris? These
+difficulties weighed upon his soul. The first, however, he soon
+disposed of. He bethought himself that the lime with which the walls
+of Kiev were constructed, had been tempered with water from the sacred
+Bug, and consequently would prevent the giant from entering the city.
+This sufficed to tranquillise Milolika, who no longer insisted on
+flight, as she perceived that her beloved Vladimir was just as secure
+in Kiev, as he would be on the shores of the Bug. As far as she
+herself was concerned, the giant could avail nothing, since the power
+of the talisman would shield her from every danger. But still the
+thought of the combat with this giant, greatly disturbed the prince.
+"Where," said he, "is the unborn mortal who is destined, with the
+sword of Sesostris, to destroy the fell Tugarin?"
+
+Lo! suddenly a knight of bold and noble aspect, armed with a costly
+sword, and cased in shining armour, but without shield or lance, rode
+at full speed into the court of the palace. He sprang from his
+spirited steed, and gave him to his lusty squire. Then he proudly
+advanced up the steps, to the golden chamber of the great monarch, and
+addressed Vladimir as follows:--"My name is Dobruna Mikilitsch, and I
+come to serve thee."
+
+"Thou art welcome," replied Vladimir, "but how is it possible that
+thou hast escaped the giant Tugarin, who holds the road to Kiev in
+blockade?"
+
+"Tugarin!" rejoined the knight, "_I_ fear him!--already would I have
+laid his great head at thy feet, but that I desired to achieve that
+deed in thy presence."
+
+The monarch marvelled at the boldness of the stranger-youth, and
+inquired if he seriously intended to combat the giant.
+
+"Assuredly," said Dobruna, "and with that object am I come to Kiev."
+
+"But knowest thou not, that none can vanquish the giant, except only a
+knight who came into the world unborn?"
+
+"I know it," replied Dobruna, "and that knight am I!"
+
+"Hast thou, then, the sword of Sesostris?"
+
+"Behold it," said Dobruna, as he drew the sword from its scabbard,
+"and if thou wilt permit me, mighty prince, to relate to thee my
+history, thou wilt know that it is I who am appointed by destiny to
+rid the earth of the monster Tugarin."
+
+The monarch joyfully granted him permission, and Dobruna thus
+commenced:--
+
+"It is true that I had both a father and a mother, but not the less
+did I behold the light of the world without going through the process
+of being born. Shortly before my mother would have brought me forth,
+she was slain by robbers, during a journey she was making with my
+father, to visit a relation. My father being also killed, I must
+doubtless have perished, if the beneficent enchantress Dobrada, who
+was just then passing by, had not rescued me, and taken me under her
+protection. She carried me to the beautiful island, in the ocean,
+where she usually dwells, and brought me up with the greatest care.
+She nourished me with the milk of a lioness, bathed me several times a
+day in the waves of the ocean, and inured me by day and night to
+labour and privation. This mode of education rendered my body so
+strong, that in my tenth year, I was already able to tear up the
+strongest trees by the root. Six ancient men instructed me in all the
+six-and-twenty known languages, and in arms, wherein I made such
+progress, that in my fifteenth year I was able to parry at once all
+the six swords of my teachers. Dobrada recompensed me for my diligence
+with the shining armour I now wear, which possesses the virtue of
+protecting my body from every danger.
+
+"Shortly after that time, the enchantress whom I loved and honoured as
+a mother, thus addressed me:--'Dobruna Mikilitsch, thy education is
+completed, and it is time that in foreign lands thou shouldst by
+knightly deeds acquire renown and honour. Go forth: thou art destined
+for great things. It is not permitted to me to reveal all the future
+to thee; but thus much thou mayst know: thou wilt obtain possession of
+the wondrous sword of the wise Sesostris of Egypt. As soon as thou
+approachest it, the sword thou now wearest will fall of itself to the
+earth, and that of Sesostris will become agitated. Take possession of
+it in peace, for thou wilt require it, for a great service thou must
+render to him in whose armoury thou wilt find it; for with it thou
+wilt destroy a mighty sorcerer and giant, who has worked him much woe.
+Whatever else thou mayst require during thy travels,' continued she,
+'this ring will supply. Thou hast but to turn it three times on thy
+finger, in order to see every reasonable wish fulfilled.'
+
+"She then bade me enter a boat into which she followed me. The boat
+shot through the waves like an arrow, and I presently sank into a
+profound sleep. How long our journey was I know not; for when I awoke
+I found myself alone on a vast plain, not far from a large city. But
+Dobrada could not have long quitted me, for the heavenly perfumes
+which ordinarily surrounded her, yet floated round me, and far in the
+eastern horizon I saw the rose-coloured cloud which always shrouded
+her. My soul was now filled with sadness at the thought that I was
+now separated from the wise and kind Dobrada, whom I loved as my
+mother.
+
+"At length I regained my composure. I wished that I had a horse and
+squire that I might ride into the city that lay near me, and as at the
+same time I accidentally turned on my finger three times the ring,
+whose virtue I scarcely recollected, I saw at once before me a squire
+with two horses, of which I selected the finest and the most richly
+adorned for myself, and left the other for my squire; and thus I rode
+into the city.
+
+"At the gate I was informed that the city was called Boogord, and was
+the capital of the Bulgarian empire. Trewul reigned in Boogord, and
+the giant Tugarin was at his court. The king had been obliged to
+promise him the hand of his sister, in order to avert the total ruin
+of his country, which the giant had devastated until Trewul had
+acceded to his desire. When I appeared in the king's presence, I made
+a very favourable impression on him, and he not only received me into
+his service, but made me keeper of the armoury, the first dignity at
+the Bulgarian court.
+
+"From the first moment that Tugarin beheld me, he manifested the
+bitterest hate towards me; and when I heard what evil he had brought
+on Trewul and his land, I doubted not that he was the sorcerer and
+giant I was destined to overthrow. But the sword of Sesostris was
+still wanting to me. It was however not long before this invaluable
+weapon came into my possession.
+
+"I entered the royal armoury in order to inspect the weapons entrusted
+to my care, and I had scarcely crossed the threshold when the sword I
+wore fell to the ground, and amongst the numerous others that hung
+there, I observed one moving to and fro. I could not doubt that this
+was the wonderful sword of the Egyptian king with which I was to slay
+the giant. I took possession of it with the greater confidence, from
+the knowledge that by its aid I should rid Trewul of so dangerous an
+enemy to himself and his family. I girded it upon me, and hung mine in
+its place.
+
+"From that moment the giant avoided me, knowing most likely by his
+magic art that I was in possession of the sword that was to be fatal
+to him, and ere long he disappeared from Boogord, telling the king he
+was going in search of Milolika.
+
+"I immediately took leave of the king, and set out in pursuit of the
+giant. I gained information on my way that he had gone to Kiev, where
+Milolika resided as thy wife. I hastened after him, and am come, as I
+see, at the right moment to prevent misfortune. I now await thy
+permission, mighty prince, to engage in combat thy enemy and mine."
+
+As he concluded Dobruna bent one knee before the monarch, who rose
+from his seat, and taking the golden chain from his own neck, threw it
+round the knight's with the following words: "Let this mark of my
+favour prove to thee, Dobruna Mikilitsch, how greatly I rejoice to
+have so brave a knight in my service. To-morrow thou shalt engage the
+giant, and I doubt not that thou wilt conquer." He then commanded that
+an apartment should be prepared for him in the palace, and all due
+honour be paid to him. Dobruna returned thanks to the monarch for the
+favours shown him, and took leave in order to repose after his
+journey, and to gather strength for the approaching fight.
+
+In the mean time the heralds by Vladimir's command went round the
+city, and summoned the people to assemble on the walls the following
+morning, to witness the combat between the knight and the sorcerer,
+and the priests offered up solemn sacrifices to implore blessings on
+Kiev and the knight against the malignant sorcerer and the powers
+which aided him.
+
+Scarcely had the purple-tinted Simzerla[3] spread her glowing mantle
+over the sky, and decked the path of the great light of the world with
+her thousand coloured rays, before the vast population of Kiev
+impatiently thronged to the walls in order not to delay the grand
+spectacle. The monarch attended by his consort and all the magnates of
+the empire, ascended a tribunal which had been hastily erected over
+the principal gate of the city for this great event.
+
+[Footnote 3: Simzerla was the Aurora of the Slavonians.]
+
+The clangor of trumpets and horns at length announced the arrival of
+the knight. Ten thousand corsletted warriors rode with uplifted lances
+before him, and drew up in two lines before the gate. After them, on a
+richly caparisoned charger, rode the knight in his shining armour,
+bearing in his hand the precious sword of Sesostris. The people
+welcomed him with a cry of joy, and the warriors clashed their arms as
+he appeared before the gate. With noble bearing and knightly aspect he
+turned his horse and saluted the monarch by thrice lowering his sword.
+"Great ruler of Russia," he began, "at thy command I go forth to fight
+the sorcerer and giant Tugarin, who has presumed to challenge thee to
+combat." "Go forth," replied Vladimir, "go forth, valiant youth, and
+fight in my name the vile sorcerer: may the Gods give thee victory!"
+Dobruna then dashed at full speed through the lines of warriors to the
+white tent, followed by the acclamations and the blessings of the
+spectators.
+
+The giant, who had been awakened by the unusual noise of the trumpets
+and horns, and the joyful cries of the people, had already mounted his
+horse, and was in the act of riding towards the city to ascertain the
+cause, when he beheld the knight approaching. When he recognised in
+him the dreaded keeper of the Bulgarian monarch's armoury, who was in
+possession of the wonderful sword, he set up a fearful yell. Foaming
+with rage he rushed with out-spread arms against the knight to grasp
+him; but Dobruna laughed at his impotent fury, and in order better to
+overcome him, he first touched with his sword the enchanted horse,
+which immediately crumbled into dust. He then caused the
+magic-destroying weapon of the wise Sesostris to gleam over the head
+of the sorcerer, who, by the sudden crumbling of his horse, had fallen
+to the earth. Tugarin's destruction seemed inevitable, and the
+beholders from the walls already shouted forth their plaudits to the
+victor, when at once all the powers of hell broke forth to aid
+their beloved son. A stream of fire crackled between the combatants,
+fiery serpents hissed around the knight, and a thick cloud of smoke
+enveloped the giant. But short was this infernal display. Dobruna
+touched the stream with his sword, made a few strokes with it in the
+air, and the fiery flood and the hissing serpents vanished. He then
+approached the smoke which concealed the giant, but scarcely had he
+thrust his sword into it, when like the enchantments that also
+disappeared. The giant was seen outstretched on the ground, and heard
+to roar with terror. No sooner did he perceive that the smoke which
+concealed him had vanished, than he sprang up and rushed, as if in
+madness, on the knight. Dobruna awaited him unmoved, and as the giant
+stretched forth his monstrous hands for the second time to seize him,
+he cut them both off with a single stroke. The second stroke of that
+wondrous sword, wielded by the strong hand of the knight, severed the
+vile head from the shoulders. The colossus fell, and the earth shook
+beneath his weight.
+
+[Illustration: THE DRAGON GIANT. P. 183.]
+
+Then the people lifted up a cry of joy. A hundred thousand voices
+shouted, "Long live our monarch, and the conqueror of the giant,
+Dobruna Mikilitsch!"
+
+The knight, who had dismounted to raise the fallen enemy's head on
+the point of his sword in sign of victory, was about to remount in
+order to give the monarch an account of his combat, when he beheld him
+coming towards him, accompanied by his consort and the magnates of the
+empire. The courteous knight hastened forward and laid the giant's
+head at his feet. The great prince embraced him in presence of the
+assembled people, and placed on his finger a gold ring, whilst
+Milolika hung around him a gold-embroidered scarf. Dobruna bent his
+knee and thanked the royal pair in graceful and courteous words for
+these marks of favour. They then all returned full of joy to the city,
+where the festivities and rejoicings in honour of the knight lasted
+many weeks.
+
+Vladimir also despatched messengers to his brother-in-law, Trewul, to
+inform him of his marriage with the beautiful Milolika, and the
+overthrow of their common enemy, the giant Tugarin. Dobruna however
+remained at the court of Vladimir, and performed many more great and
+valiant deeds, which procured him great fame and honour, and rendered
+great service to the monarch, and he became the most beloved and most
+esteemed, both by prince and people, of all the knights in Vladimir's
+court.
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF SIVA AND MADHAVA.
+
+[Sanskrit.]
+
+
+There still exists a town famed for its splendour and richness, called
+Ratnapura. In it there once dwelt two rogues, Siva and Madhava, who,
+with the help of their confederates, contrived to make both rich and
+poor of that place victims to their cunning and rapacity.
+
+Once these two individuals met together to consult. "This town," they
+said, "has so entirely been laid under contribution by us, that we can
+have no reasonable hopes of any further success; let us, therefore, go
+to Ujjayini, and settle ourselves down there. The house-priest of the
+king, Sankar'aswarni by name, is considered a very rich man, and if,
+by some contrivance, we could possess ourselves of his treasures, it
+would be easy to curry favour with the charming and lovely women of
+the Malavese. The Brahmins, without exception, call him avaricious and
+miserly, for, though so rich that he measures his treasures by the
+bushel, he begrudges every offering to their altars, and it is only on
+compulsion he gives a portion of the dues. It is also well known that
+he has a remarkably beautiful daughter, whom, if we once are able to
+gain his confidence, one of us must receive as a wife from his own
+hands."
+
+After this, these two rogues, Siva and Madhava, having first matured
+their plans and resolved upon the parts each individually was to play,
+took their departure from the city of Ratnapura and soon arrived at
+Ujjayini.
+
+Madhava, disguised as a Rajput, remained with his followers in a small
+village outside the city; but Siva, more versed in all the arts of
+deceit, entered the town alone, garbed in the habit of a devout
+penitent. He built a cell on an elevated place on the banks of the
+Sipra, from whence he could be well observed, and here he laid on the
+ground a deer-skin, a pot wherein to collect alms, some darbha-grass,
+and some clay.
+
+At the first dawn of morning he rubbed his whole body over with clay;
+he then entered the river, and remained with his head for a
+considerable time under the water; leaving the bath, he steadfastly
+fixed his gaze on the sun, then, holding in his hand some kusa-grass,
+he knelt before the image of a god, murmuring his prayers; he then
+plucked holy flowers, which he sacrificed to Siva, and when his
+offering was concluded he again began to pray, and remained long lost
+in deepest devotion.
+
+On the following day, in order to gather alms, he wandered through the
+town, mute, as if dumb, leaning on a staff, and his only raiment
+consisting of the small skin of a black gazelle. After having made his
+collections at the houses of the Brahmins, he divided the gifts
+received into three parts; the first he gave to the crows, the second
+to the first person he met, and with the third he fed himself; then
+slowly counting the beads of his rosary, with constant and fervent
+prayers, he returned to his cell. The nights he devoted, apparently,
+to deepest meditation, and to the solution of great religious and
+philosophical questions.
+
+Thus, by daily repeating these deceptions, he impressed on the
+inhabitants so great an idea of his sanctity that he was universally
+revered; and, when he passed, the people of Ujjayini reverentially
+bowed and knelt before him, exclaiming, "This is, indeed, a holy
+man!"
+
+Meanwhile, his friend Madhava had, through his spies, received
+intelligence of all these doings, and now, magnificently dressed like
+a Rajput he also entered the city. He took up his abode in an adjacent
+temple, and went to the banks of the Sipra to bathe in the river.
+After having performed his ablutions, Madhava saw Siva, who, lost in
+prayer, knelt before the image of the god. The former then, along with
+his retinue, prostrated himself in reverence before the holy man; and
+addressing the people around him, said, "There lives not on earth a
+more devout penitent; more than once in my travels have I seen him,
+when, as here, he has been visiting the sacred rivers and the holy
+places of pilgrimage."
+
+Though Siva had well observed and heard his companion, no feature
+betrayed the fact; immoveably as before, he continued in his devotion.
+Madhava soon after returned to his dwelling.
+
+In the depth of night in a lonely place they again met, where, after
+having well feasted, they consulted together upon their next
+proceedings. At the dawn of morning Siva returned to his cell, and
+Madhava commanded one of his companions at an early hour of the day as
+follows: "Take these two robes of honour and present them to
+Sankar'aswarni, the house-priest of the king, and address him
+thus:--'A Rajput named Madhava, treacherously assaulted, and by his
+nearest relations driven from his empire, has, with the vast treasures
+of his father, taken refuge in these realms, and is anxious to present
+himself before the king and offer him the faithful and gratuitous
+services of himself and his brave followers. He has therefore sent me
+to thee, thou ocean of fame, to beg thy permission to visit him.'" As
+Madhava had commanded him, the follower, holding the robes of honour
+in his hands, waited at the house of the priest. Watching a favourable
+opportunity when the priest was alone, he presented himself before
+him, laid the presents at his feet, and delivered Madhava's message.
+The priest, full of dignity, received them condescendingly, and
+longing for some of the treasures to which the messenger had made no
+slight allusions, he graciously acquiesced in the demand.
+
+Madhava consequently went the following day at a proper hour to visit
+the priest, accompanied by his followers, dressed like courtiers, in
+magnificent robes, and with silver spears in their hands. A messenger
+was sent in advance to announce them, and the priest receiving them
+at the entrance of his house, most reverentially saluted them, and
+gave them the very best welcome. Madhava after having passed a short
+time in pleasant conversation, and made a favourable impression on the
+priest, returned to his own dwelling.
+
+The following day he again sent two robes of honour, and then
+presented himself to the priest, saying: "We are anxious as early as
+possible to enter the service of the king, for time hangs heavily on
+our hands; let our sole recompense be the honour of attending him, for
+we have sufficient treasures for all our wants."
+
+When the priest had heard this, hoping to extract large sums from him,
+he granted his request, and immediately went to the king, who, out of
+esteem and love for his religious adviser, at once permitted the
+introduction of the Rajput at court.
+
+On the following day the priest formally introduced Madhava and his
+followers to the king, who graciously, and with honours received them,
+and at once appointed the former to fill a high station in the
+household, for he was greatly pleased with his appearance, which in
+everything resembled that of a high-born Rajput. Thus was Madhava
+fairly installed at court, but every night he went secretly to Siva,
+to consult with him about their plans. Once the avaricious priest
+said to Madhava, who with his rich presents had shown him marked
+attention: "Come and live in my house," and as he pressed him very
+much, Madhava and his followers removed to the spacious dwelling of
+the priest.
+
+Madhava had procured a great quantity of ornaments and trinkets set
+with false stones, wondrously well imitated; these he had inclosed in
+a jewel-box, which, slightly opening it that the priest might learn
+its contents, he begged him to deposit in his treasury. By this
+artifice he entirely won his confidence, and being thus secure, he
+feigned illness, and by abstaining for several days from taking any
+food, at last grew so thin and emaciated, that he had every appearance
+of being in a very alarming state of health. A few more days thus
+passed away, and the illness seemed to make rapid progress, when in a
+faint voice he thus addressed the priest, who was sitting at the side
+of his bed: "The malady which is devouring my strength and energies
+seems a retribution from the Gods for some of the sins my flesh has
+committed; bring therefore to me, O wise and pious man, some
+distinguished Brahmin to whom I may bequeath my treasures to insure my
+salvation here and there; for what man, even of ordinary wisdom
+would, when life is ebbing, set value on gold or jewels!"
+
+Whereupon the priest answered: "I will do as thou wishest."
+
+Out of gratitude, Madhava knelt down and kissed his feet. But whatever
+Brahmin the priest brought to the sick man, not one pleased him; he
+said an inward voice told him that their life was not pure enough,
+their favour with Brahma not sufficient. When this had been several
+times repeated, with the same result, one of the rogues, who was
+standing by, suggested in a low tone of voice, "As not one of all
+these Brahmins seems worthy of the benefits intended to be conferred;
+the holy priest, Siva, so celebrated for his sanctity, who dwells on
+the shores of the Sipra, might be sent for: perhaps he might find
+favour with our master."
+
+Madhava when appealed to, sighed heavily, and as if unable in his
+agony to articulate, bowed his head by way of consent. The priest
+forthwith rose and went to Siva, whom he found absorbed in deepest
+meditation. After having walked round him without being observed, he
+at last placed himself on the ground facing him. The impostor having
+finished his long-protracted prayers, raised his eyes, when the
+priest reverentially saluted him, and said: "Most holy man, if thou
+wouldst permit me, I have a petition to make to thee; there lives at
+my house a very rich Rajput, by name, Madhava, born in the south, and
+lately arrived from thence. He is dying, and wishes for some holy
+individual to whom he may give his riches; if it should please thee, I
+think it is for thee he intends all his treasures, which consist in
+ornaments and jewels of inestimable value."
+
+Siva having attentively listened to this, thoughtfully and slowly
+answered: "Brahmin, how should I, whose whole earthly striving and
+longing is after immortal reward; whose only aspiration is heaven,
+there to have my prayers and my privations recognised and approved;
+whose meagre maintenance is derived from alms of the charitable; how
+should I feel any wish or desire for earthly possessions?"
+
+Whereupon the king's priest answered: "Say not so, noble and pious
+man! Well you know the pleasure of the God towards the Brahmin-priest,
+who in his own person is able to offer hospitality to the Gods and to
+man; who within his own house can welcome and relieve the devout
+pilgrim; who with rich contributions can assist in the embellishments
+of their temples and the splendour of their service, and who by
+taking a wife can extend his sphere of utility and philanthropy. Only
+by the possession of treasures these things are achievable, therefore
+it is laudable in man to strive after wealth. The father of a family
+is the best of Brahmins."
+
+To which Siva answered: "Whence should I take a wife? My poverty
+prevents my alliance with any great family."
+
+When the priest heard this he thought the treasures already his own,
+and having found a favourable opportunity, he said to him: "I have an
+unmarried daughter, her name is Vinyasvamini; she is most beautiful;
+her I will give thee to wife. The treasure that will be thine through
+the generosity of Madhava, I will guard and preserve for thee; choose,
+therefore, the pleasures and the bliss of the married state."
+
+Siva attentively and with inward pleasure listened to the words of the
+priest, in which he saw their deep-laid scheme and their anxious
+wishes brought into fulfilment, and with diffidence he answered:
+"Brahmin, if by so doing I shall be able to please you and gain your
+favour, I consent to it; and as regards the treasure, to you I leave
+the whole and sole control and management thereof, as neither my
+understanding nor inclination lies in that direction."
+
+Rejoiced at this answer of Siva, the priest forthwith took him into
+his house, assigned him a suite of apartments there, and announced to
+Madhava his arrival and what he had done, for which the latter warmly
+thanked him. Next the priest gave his unhappy daughter in marriage to
+Siva, thus sacrificing her to his avarice; and on the third day after
+the nuptials he led the bridegroom to Madhava, who now assumed a
+faintness as if in the last gasp of dissolution. After a pause,
+apparently rallying all his strength, he said: "In deepest humiliation
+I salute thee, most holy man, and beg of thee to accept, as I am dying
+and shall have no use for it, all that I possess of earthly wealth."
+He then had the artfully imitated jewels brought from the priest's
+treasury, and according to the sacred rites and customs on such
+occasions, had them presented to Siva. The latter, in accepting them,
+handed them over to the priest without even looking at them, saying,
+"Of such things I understand nothing, but you know their value."
+
+"I will take care of them, as agreed between us," answered the priest;
+and again deposited the supposed treasure in its former place of
+security. Siva, after having in solemn words pronounced his blessing
+over Madhava, returned to the apartments of his wife.
+
+The following day Madhava seemed already greatly recovered, and
+ascribed this wonderful change to the influence of his gift and the
+holiness of the man on whom he had bestowed it. In warmest terms, he
+thanked the priest for his kind interference, and assured him of his
+everlasting gratitude. With Siva he now openly allied himself,
+praising him every where, and declaring that through his great powers
+alone his life had been preserved.
+
+After the lapse of a few days Siva said to the priest, "It is not
+right that I thus should continue to live in thy house where I must be
+of vast expense to thee; thou hadst better give me a sum, if only
+corresponding with half the value of the gems, which you consider so
+precious."
+
+The priest, who in reality priced these jewels and ornaments at an
+inestimable sum, a sum capable of purchasing an empire, was very glad
+to assent to such a proposition; and with the idea of giving something
+like the twentieth part of their value, he gave him all the money he
+possessed. He then had documents drawn out, in which on both sides the
+exchange of the properties was legally secured, for fear that Siva in
+the course of time might repent of his bargain. They then separated,
+Siva and his wife living in greatest joy and happiness, and soon they
+were joined by Madhava, with whom the former now divided the treasures
+of the priest.
+
+After some years the priest wanted money to make some purchase, and
+taking a part of the ornaments, he went to a goldsmith who had a stand
+in the market to offer them for sale. This man, who was a great judge,
+after narrowly examining them, cried out, full of astonishment--"The
+man who has manufactured these must indeed be a great artisan; for
+though of no intrinsic value, they are the finest and most wonderful
+imitations that ever were worked out of such materials; for these
+stones are nothing but glass, and the setting nothing but gilt metal."
+
+Having heard this, the priest, breathless though full of despair, ran
+back to his house, fetched the contents of the whole casket, and,
+unwilling to believe, went from one merchant to the other to have his
+treasure examined; but in every instance the answer was the
+same--"Only glass and brass!" The priest, as if he had been struck by
+lightning, fell senseless on the ground, and had to be carried home;
+but early the following morning having recovered, he ran to Siva and
+said to him, "Take back thy jewels, and return me my money."
+
+This the other refused, alleging that the greater part of it had
+already been expended, and the rest he had so invested as to be most
+useful for his wife and children.
+
+Thus disputing they both went before the king, on whom Madhava at the
+time was in attendance. The priest in the following words made the
+king acquainted with his case: "Behold, my gracious king, these
+ornaments; they are all artfully manufactured out of valueless metal,
+coloured pieces of glass and crystal. Without knowing this, and
+believing them real, I have given Siva my whole fortune in exchange
+for them, and he already has spent it."
+
+To which Siva answered: "From my very childhood, mighty king, have I
+lived in holy seclusion and devotion; from this seclusion the father
+of my wife drew me forth, pressed and entreated me to accept the gift
+of honour, with the value of which I was wholly ignorant; but he
+assured me he was aware of its great pecuniary worth, and he would
+guarantee it to me. On my accepting it, without even giving it a look,
+I handed it over to him: he afterwards voluntarily purchased it from
+me, giving me his own price, and in proof of this I adduce this
+contract in his own handwriting: now, mighty ruler, judge between us;
+I have in truth laid the case fairly before you."
+
+Siva having thus concluded his defence, Madhava addressed himself to
+the priest, saying: "Speak not derogatorily of this holy man, now your
+son. Whatever the cause of your grievance, he is innocent, as you
+yourself are good and upright; but I also owe an explanation to my
+liege and master. In what way can I have committed myself?--neither
+from you nor him have I taken or accepted the least benefit. The
+fortune my father left me I had for years given into the custody of an
+old and tried friend of our house; removing it from thence I presented
+it, under the circumstances your majesty is aware of, to this Brahmin.
+But if they had not been real gems, but only worthless metal and glass
+as this worthy priest intimates, by what means was my restoration to
+health so wonderfully wrought? That I gave it with pure and honest
+intention, witness for me the all but miracle by which I was saved!"
+
+Thus spoke Madhava without changing a feature; but the king and his
+ministers laughed, and testified the good opinion they entertained for
+him. They then pronounced the following judgment:--"Neither Siva nor
+Madhava are in the least to blame, they are wholly innocent."
+
+In sorrow and shame the priest went his way, robbed of his whole
+fortune, and punished for his avarice and the heartless manner in
+which he had sacrificed his daughter; though fortunately for her and
+no thanks to her father, she found in Siva a good and affectionate
+husband.
+
+The two rogues altered their mode of life: thenceforward they walked
+in the path of virtue and well-doing; and favoured by the king, whom
+they faithfully served, they lived many years honoured, respected, and
+happy in Ujjayini.
+
+
+
+
+THE GOBLIN BIRD.
+
+[Betschuanian, South Africa.]
+
+
+Two brothers one day set out from their father's hut, to seek their
+fortune. The name of the elder one was Maszilo, the younger one was
+called Mazziloniane. After a few days' journeying they reached a
+plain, from which branched two roads; the one led eastwards, the other
+westwards. The first road was covered with the footmarks of cattle,
+the other with the footmarks of dogs. Maszilo followed the latter
+road, his brother went in the opposite direction.
+
+After some days travelling Mazziloniane passed a hill which formerly
+had been inhabited, and felt not a little astonished at beholding a
+great quantity of earthen vessels, all of which were placed upside
+down. In the hope of finding some treasure concealed under them, he
+removed several, until he came to one of immense size. Mazziloniane,
+gathering all his strength, gave it a violent push, but the vessel
+remained immoveable. The young traveller now doubled his exertions,
+but in vain. Twice he was obliged to fasten the girdle round his
+loins, which through his exertions had burst; the vessel seemed as if
+rooted to the ground. But all at once, as if by magic, it was upset by
+a slight touch, and revealed to the youthful and trembling
+Mazziloniane, a hideous and deformed giant.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+"Why dost thou disturb me?" demanded the monster, in a voice of
+thunder.
+
+Mazziloniane, having recovered from his first fright, observed with
+horror that one of the legs of the giant was as thick as the stem of a
+large tree, whilst the other was of an ordinary size.
+
+"As a well-merited punishment for thy temerity in disturbing me, thou
+shalt henceforth carry me about;" and so saying the monster jumped on
+the shoulders of the unfortunate youth, who, unable to support such a
+weight, fell prostrate on the ground. Recovering himself with
+difficulty, he endeavoured to advance a few steps, and again he fell
+to the earth, his strength now wholly failing him. But the sight of an
+eland, which was swiftly passing by, presented to his mind the means
+of delivery.
+
+"Dear father," said he, with trembling voice, to the abortion,
+"release me for a moment; the reason why I cannot carry you is that I
+have nothing wherewith to fasten you to my back; give me a few moments
+to kill the eland which has just passed by, and out of its hide I will
+cut some thongs for that purpose."
+
+His demand was granted, and with the dogs that had accompanied him he
+disappeared from the plain. After he had run a considerable distance
+he took refuge in a cavern. But the thick-legged monster, tired of
+waiting, soon followed, and wherever he discovered a footmark of the
+youth, he in a mocking voice cried out:--
+
+"The pretty little footmark of my dear child, the pretty little
+footmark of Mazziloniane."
+
+The youth heard him approaching, and felt the ground tremble under his
+steps. Seized with despair he left the cavern, and calling his dogs,
+he set them on the enemy; stroking and encouraging them, he said--
+
+"On! my brave dogs, kill him, devour him, but leave his thick leg for
+me."
+
+The dogs obeyed the command of their master, and soon there was
+nothing left but the deformed and shapeless leg, which now he
+fearlessly approached, and with his axe cut into pieces, and, O
+wonder! out of it came a herd of most beautiful cows, one of them
+being as white as the driven snow; overjoyed he drove the cattle
+before him, taking the road leading to his father's hut.
+
+Meanwhile the other brother having got possession of a great number of
+dogs, he also returned towards his home, and they both now met on the
+same place where they so shortly before had separated. The younger
+embracing the elder brother, offered him part of his herd, saying to
+him: "As fortune has favoured me most, take what you like, but you
+must leave me the white cow, for to no one else can she ever belong."
+
+But Maszilo seemed to have placed his every desire upon this very
+animal; regardless of all the rest, he begged and intreated his
+brother to give up to him the possession thereof; but in vain were his
+prayers. Having journeyed together for two days, on the third day they
+came to a spring--"Let us tarry here," said Maszilo, "I am faint and
+exhausted with thirst; let us dig a deep hole, and convey the water
+into it, that it may get cool and fresh."
+
+When they had dug the well, Maszilo went in search of a great flat
+stone, and with it covered the hole to protect the water from being
+heated by the rays of the sun; after the water had been sufficiently
+cooled, Maszilo drank first. His brother was now going to do the same,
+but the moment he bent himself over the well, Maszilo suddenly taking
+him by the hair, forced his head under the water, and held it there
+until he was suffocated; he then pushed the corpse into the hole, and
+covered it over with the stone.
+
+With drooping head, though now sole master of the herd, the murderer
+proceeded on his journey, but hardly had he advanced a few steps, when
+a little bird perched on the horn of the white cow, and in a mournful
+tune sang: "Tsiri! tsiri! Maszilo killed Mazziloniane to get
+possession of the white cow which the murdered brother so much loved."
+
+Enraged, he killed the bird with a stone, but hardly had he
+sufficiently recovered himself to proceed on his journey, when the
+bird again came flying, placed itself on the same spot, and repeated
+the same words; Maszilo again killed him with a stone, and then
+crushed him with his heavy staff; but within a few minutes the bird
+reappeared for the third time, again perching on the horn of the cow,
+and repeating the same words.
+
+"Ah, Demon!" cried Maszilo, choking with rage, "I will try a more
+effectual way to silence thee;" whereupon he threw his staff at the
+hated little bird, who in such doleful tunes had stirred up and
+upbraided his conscience-stricken soul: he again killed it, and then
+lighting a fire, in it he burnt the bird to ashes, which he scattered
+in the winds.
+
+[Illustration: THE GOBLIN BIRD. P. 207.]
+
+Now convinced that the goblin-bird would return no more, Maszilo, full
+of pride and hardiness, returned to his father's dwelling. On his
+arrival there, he was surrounded by all the villagers, who, full of
+curiosity, gathered around him, in admiration of the rich flock, and
+praised his good fortune, but the first impulse of their curiosity
+satiated, they almost with one voice inquired "Where is Mazziloniane?"
+
+"I know not; we went different ways," answered he.
+
+Many of his relations now surrounded the white cow, and exclaimed: "Oh
+how beautiful she is! what fine hair! what a pure colour! happy the
+man that owns such a treasure!"
+
+Suddenly, their exclamations were changed into deep silence, for upon
+one of the horns of the much-admired animal appeared a little bird,
+singing in most melancholy strains, "Tsiri! tsiri! Maszilo killed
+Mazziloniane, to get possession of the white cow which the murdered
+brother so much loved."
+
+"What! has Maszilo killed his brother?" all exclaimed, and, full of
+horror, turned away from the murderer, unable to account to themselves
+for the emotion he inspired, and the strangeness of the disclosure.
+Infuriated, they drove Maszilo from their home, into the desert: in
+the confusion this occasioned, the little bird flew to the murdered
+man's sister, and whispered in her ear, "I am the soul of
+Mazziloniane; Maszilo has killed me; my body lies in a well near the
+desert, go bury it--" and then the bird flew back into the desert,
+evermore to be the companion of the murderer.
+
+
+
+
+THE SHEPHERD AND THE SERPENT.
+
+[German, Traditional.]
+
+
+In a peaceful, pleasantly situated little village, there once lived a
+poor shepherd youth. Near the village was a valley, a lonely retired
+spot, whither the youth always guided his flock; and it seemed as
+though he had selected that quiet valley for his favourite retreat. He
+never took his noon-day meal, nor lay down to repose in the cool
+shade, except in that beloved place. Thither was he ever drawn by an
+irresistible longing.
+
+The place itself was simple enough--a rugged block of stone, beneath
+which murmured a little rivulet, and a wild cherry-tree which
+overshadowed the stone with its leafy branches, were all that was to
+be seen there; but the youth felt happy when he spread his meal upon
+that stone, and drank from that streamlet. When, after having partaken
+of his meal, he stretched himself to rest upon the stone, he would
+fancy he heard a mysterious singing, and sometimes a sighing too,
+beneath it; he would then listen and watch, but would finally slumber
+and dream. His spirit seemed to be ever wrapped in mysterious
+unearthly happiness. On going forth with his flocks in the morning,
+and returning home with them in the evening, this unaccountable
+longing seemed always to take possession of him. He liked not to
+accompany the throng of merry village youths and maidens who went
+about singing and frolicking on festive evenings, but preferred to
+walk alone, silent and even melancholy. But when the fair morning
+dawned again, and he went forth with his lambs over heath and meadow,
+his spirit grew ever more serene as he drew nearer to the beloved
+stone and to the shade of the dear cherry-tree. It often happened,
+too, that whilst he rested there and played upon his flute, a
+silver-white serpent came out from under the stone, and after
+wreathing herself caressingly at his feet, would then erect herself
+and gaze upon the shepherd, until two big tears would roll from her
+eyes, and then she softly slid back again: on these occasions a still
+more peculiar and strange feeling filled the shepherd's heart.
+
+At length he altogether ceased to associate with the merry band of
+youths and maidens; their mirthsome noise was unpleasant to him;
+whilst, on the contrary, the still solitude became more and more dear
+to him.
+
+One lovely Sunday in the spring time--it was Trinity Sunday, which the
+peasants call "Golden Sunday," and which they always keep with
+especial festivity--when the youth of the village were to have a merry
+dance beneath the linden-trees, the pensive shepherd boy, drawn by
+that inexpressible longing, directed his steps at mid-day to the
+lonely valley of the stone and cherry-tree. He gazed serenely upon the
+dear spot, and then sat down and listened musingly to the rustling of
+the leaves and the mysterious sounds under the stone, when suddenly a
+bright light shone before his eyes, a pang of terror shot through his
+heart, and looking up he saw a beauteous form arrayed in white like an
+angel, standing before him with a soft expression and folded hands,
+whilst with transported senses he heard a sweet voice thus address
+him: "O youth, fear not, but hear the supplication of an unhappy
+maiden, and do not drive me from thee, nor flee from my misfortune. I
+am a noble princess, and have immense treasures of pearls and gold;
+but for many hundred years I have languished under enchantment, have
+been banished beneath this stone, and am doomed to glide about in the
+form of a serpent. In that shape I have often gazed on thee and
+conceived the hope that thou mayest release me. Thou art still pure in
+heart as a child. Only once throughout the whole year, this very hour
+on Golden Sunday, am I permitted to wander on the earth in my own
+form; and if I then find a youth with a pure heart, I may implore him
+for my deliverance. Release me then, thou beloved one! release me, I
+implore thee by all that is holy!"--The maiden sank at the shepherd's
+feet, which she clasped as she looked up to him weeping. The heart of
+the youth heaved with transport; he raised the angelic maiden and
+faltered out: "Oh say only what I must do to free thee, thou fair
+beloved one!"
+
+"Return hither to-morrow at the same hour," replied she, "and when I
+appear before thee in my serpent form, and wind myself around thee,
+and thrice kiss thee, do not, oh! do not shudder, else must I again
+languish enchanted here for another century!" She vanished, and again
+a soft sighing and singing issued from beneath the stone.
+
+On the following day, at the hour of noon, the shepherd, not without
+fear in his heart, waited at the appointed place, and supplicated
+Heaven for strength and constancy at the trying moment of the
+serpent's kiss. Already the silver-white serpent glided from beneath
+the stone, approached the youth, twined herself round his body, and
+raised her serpent head, with its bright eyes, to kiss him. He
+remained steady, and endured the three kisses. A mighty crash was then
+heard, and dreadful thunders rolled around the youth, who had fallen
+senseless on the ground. A magic change passed over him, and when he
+was restored to his senses, he found himself lying on white cushions
+of silk, in a richly-adorned chamber, with the beautiful maiden
+kneeling by his couch, holding his hand to her heart. "Oh, thanks be
+to Heaven!" exclaimed she, when he opened his eyes; "receive my
+thanks, beloved youth, for my deliverance, and take as thy reward my
+fair lands, and this palace with all its rich treasures, and take me
+too as thy faithful wife: thou shalt henceforth be happy, and have
+plenitude of joy!"
+
+And the shepherd was happy and joyful; that longing of his heart which
+had so often drawn him towards the stone, was gloriously satisfied. He
+dwelt, remote from the world, in the bosom of happiness, with his
+fair spouse; and he never wished himself back on earth, nor amongst
+his lambs again. But in the village there was great lamentation for
+the shepherd who had so suddenly vanished: they sought him in the
+valley, and by the stone under the cherry-tree, whither he had last
+gone, but neither the shepherd, nor the stone, nor the cherry-tree
+were to be found any longer; and no human eye ever again beheld any
+trace of either.
+
+
+
+
+THE EXPEDITIOUS FROG.
+
+[Wendian.]
+
+
+A fox came one day at full speed to a pond to drink. A frog who was
+sitting there, began to croak at him. Then, said the fox, "Be off with
+you, or I'll swallow you."
+
+The frog, however, replied: "Don't give yourself such airs; I am
+swifter than you!"
+
+At this the fox laughed; but as the frog persisted in boasting of his
+swiftness, the fox said at length: "Now, then, we will both run to the
+next town, and we shall see which can go the faster."
+
+Then the fox turned round, and as he did so, the frog leapt up into
+his bushy tail. Off went the fox, and when he reached the gate of the
+city, he turned round again to see if he could spy the frog coming
+after him. As he did so, the frog hopped out of his tail on the
+ground. The fox, after looking all about without being able to see the
+frog, turned round once more in order to enter the city.
+
+Then the frog called out to him: "So! you are come at last? I am just
+going back again, for I really thought you meant not to come at all."
+
+
+
+
+EASTWARD OF THE SUN, AND WESTWARD OF THE MOON.
+
+[Norwegian.]
+
+
+In days of yore there lived a poor charcoal-burner who had many
+children. His poverty was so great, that he knew not how to feed them
+from day to day, and they had scarcely any clothes to cover them.
+Nevertheless all the children were very beautiful, but the youngest
+daughter was the most beautiful of them all.
+
+Now it happened on a Thursday evening, late in the autumn, that a
+terrible storm came on. It was dark as pitch, the rain came down in
+torrents, and the wind blew till the windows cracked again. The whole
+family sat round the hearth, busy with their different occupations;
+suddenly some one gave three loud knocks at the window; the man went
+out to see whom it could be, and when he got outside the door, he saw
+standing by it, a great white bear.
+
+"Good evening to you!" said the bear.
+
+"Good evening!" said the man.
+
+"I have called," said the bear, "to say that if you will give me your
+youngest daughter in marriage, I will make you as rich as you now are
+poor."
+
+The man thought that would not be amiss, but he considered that he
+must first consult his daughter on the subject; so he stepped in, and
+told her that a great white bear was outside the door, who had
+promised to make him as rich as he was now poor, provided he would
+give him his youngest daughter in marriage. The maiden, however, said
+"No," and would hear nothing at all about the matter; so the man went
+out again, spoke very civilly to the bear, and told him to call again
+next Thursday evening, and in the mean time he would try what could be
+done. During the week they tried to persuade the maiden, and told her
+all kinds of fine things as to the riches they were to have, and how
+well she herself would be provided for, till at last she consented. So
+she washed the two or three things she had, dressed herself as well as
+she could, and made herself ready for the journey.
+
+[Illustration: EASTWARD OF THE SUN AND WESTWARD OF THE MOON. P. 219.]
+
+When the bear returned the following Thursday evening, all was ready:
+the maiden took her bundle in her hand, seated herself on his back,
+and off they went. When they had gone a good way, the bear asked her:
+"Do you feel sad?"
+
+No, that she did not in the least.
+
+"Mind you hold fast by my shaggy coat," said the bear, "and then there
+will be nothing to fear."
+
+Thus she rode on the bear's back far far away--indeed nobody can say
+precisely how far it was--and at last they arrived at a great rock.
+The bear knocked, and a door opened, through which they entered a
+large castle, in which were a great many rooms, all lighted with
+lamps, and glittering with gold and silver: there was also a grand
+saloon, and in the saloon stood a table covered with the most costly
+viands. The bear then gave her a silver bell, which he told her to
+ring when she wanted anything, and it would immediately be brought to
+her. Now after she had eaten and drunk, and towards evening grew
+tired, and wished to go to bed, she rang her bell, and immediately a
+door opened into a chamber, where there was as beautiful a bed as she
+could wish for, ready prepared for her; the pillows were covered with
+silk, and the curtains fringed with gold, and all her toilette
+utensils were of silver and gold. As soon, however, as she had
+extinguished the light, and lay down in her bed, some one came and
+lay down by her side, and this happened every night; but she could
+never see who it was, as the person never came till after the light
+was put out, and always went away before day-break.
+
+Thus she lived for some time, contented and happy, till at length she
+felt so great a desire to see her parents, and brothers and sisters,
+that she grew quite dull and melancholy. Then the bear asked her one
+day why she was always so still and thoughtful.
+
+"Ah!" replied she, "I feel so lonely here in the castle, for I so much
+wish to see my parents, and brothers and sisters, once more."
+
+"That you can easily do," said the bear, "but you must promise me that
+you will never converse with your mother alone, but only when all the
+others are present; for she will try to take you by the hand and lead
+you into another room, in order to speak to you alone, but do not
+consent to it, for if you do, she will make both you and me unhappy."
+
+The maiden said she would be very careful to do as he desired her.
+
+The following Sunday the bear came to her, and said she might now
+begin her journey to her parents. She seated herself on his back, and
+they commenced their journey. After they had travelled a very long
+time, they came to a great white castle, and she saw her sisters going
+in and out, and all was so beautiful and grand, it was quite a
+pleasure to behold it.
+
+"That is where your parents dwell," said the bear, "now do not forget
+what I have said to you, or you will make yourself and me very
+miserable."
+
+She would not forget, repeated the maiden, and she entered the castle;
+the bear, however, went back again. When her parents saw their
+daughter, they were more delighted than it is possible to express.
+They could not thank her enough for what she had done for them, and
+they told how wonderfully comfortable they were now, and inquired how
+matters went with her. Oh, she also was very happy, returned the
+maiden, she had everything she could desire. What else she told them,
+I do not exactly know, but I believe it was no every-day tale that she
+told them. In the afternoon, when they had dined, it happened exactly
+as the bear had foretold; the mother wanted to talk with her daughter
+in private, but the maiden remembered what the bear had said, and
+would not go with her, but said: "Oh, we can say what we have got to
+say, quite as well here."
+
+Now, how it happened, I cannot tell, but all I know is, that her
+mother persuaded her at last, and then she got the whole history from
+her. The maiden related how some one came into her bed every night,
+but that she had never seen who it was, and that made her so uneasy,
+and the day seemed very long to her, because she was always alone.
+
+"Who knows!" said the mother, "surely it must be some wizard who
+sleeps by you; but if you will take my advice, when he is fast asleep,
+get up and strike a light, and see who it is; but be careful not to
+let any grease drop upon him."
+
+In the evening the bear came to fetch the maiden home. When they had
+gone a good way he asked her if it had not happened as he had told
+her.
+
+"Yes," she could not deny that it had.
+
+"Have you listened to your mother's counsel?" said the bear; "if you
+have, you have ruined yourself and me, and our friendship is at an
+end."
+
+"No," she had not done so, replied she.
+
+Now when they had got home, and the maiden had gone to bed, the same
+happened as usual, some one came and lay down by her. During the
+night, however, when she heard that he was asleep, she rose and
+kindled a light, and then she saw lying in her bed the handsomest
+prince that can be imagined, and she immediately loved him so well,
+that she could not refrain from kissing him that very moment. But as
+she did this, she accidentally let three drops of oil fall from her
+lamp, upon his shirt, and thereupon he awoke.
+
+"What have you done?" cried he, as he opened his eyes; "now you have
+made yourself and me unhappy for ever. If you had but held out for a
+year, I should have been delivered; for I have a step-mother who has
+enchanted me, so that by day I am a bear, but at night I become a man
+again. But all is over for us both, for I must now leave you, and
+return to her. She dwells in a castle which lies _eastward of the
+Sun_, and _westward of the Moon_, and there I shall be obliged to
+marry a princess who has a nose three ells long."
+
+The maiden then began to weep and bemoan herself; but it was too late,
+the prince was obliged to go. She asked him if she might not accompany
+him.
+
+"No," said he, "that must not be."
+
+"Can you not then tell me the road that I may find you?" inquired
+she; "for I suppose I may be allowed that."
+
+"Yes, that you are right welcome to do," said he; "but there is no
+road that leads to it; for the castle lies eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon, and you will never get there."
+
+In the morning when she awoke, the prince and the castle had both
+vanished, and she found herself lying on the bare earth, in a thick
+dark forest, and she was dressed in her old clothes, and near her lay
+the same bundle that she had brought with her from her former home.
+When she had rubbed her eyes till she was quite awake, and had cried
+till she could cry no longer, she began her journey, and wandered for
+many a long day, till at last she came to a great mountain. At the
+foot of the mountain sat an old woman, playing with a golden apple;
+the maiden asked her if she could tell her the way to where the prince
+lived with his step-mother, in a castle which was situated eastward of
+the Sun, and westward of the Moon, and who was to marry a princess who
+had a nose three ells long.
+
+"How come you to know him?" asked the woman. "Can you be the maiden
+whom he wished to marry?"
+
+"Yes," she replied, "she was that maiden."
+
+"So! then you are the chosen one!" resumed the woman; "ah! my child,"
+continued she, "I would willingly help you, but I myself know nothing
+more of the castle than that it lies eastward of the Sun, and westward
+of the Moon, and that you are almost certain never to get there; I
+will, however, lend you my horse, and you may ride on him to my next
+neighbour; perhaps she may be able to tell you the way thither, but
+when you have reached her, just give the horse a pat under the left
+ear, and bid him go home again; and now take this golden apple, for
+perhaps you may find a use for it."
+
+The maiden mounted the horse, and rode for a long, long, time; and at
+last arrived at another mountain, where sat an old woman with a golden
+reel. The maiden asked her if she could tell her the way to the
+castle, which lay eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon. This
+old woman, however, said just like the other, that she knew nothing
+more about the castle than that it lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon, "and you are almost sure never to find it,"
+added she, "but I will lend you my horse to ride upon to my next
+neighbour, and perhaps she may tell you the way; when you get there,
+however, just give the horse a pat under his left ear, and tell him
+to go home; now take this reel, for perhaps you may find some use for
+it."
+
+The maiden seated herself on the horse, and rode for many days and
+weeks; at last she again arrived at a mountain where an old woman sat
+spinning with a golden distaff. The maiden now again inquired about
+the prince, and the castle which was situated eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon.
+
+"Are you she whom the prince wished to marry?" asked the woman.
+
+"Yes," replied the maiden.
+
+But this old woman knew no more about the castle than the two others.
+
+"Eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon, lies the castle, and
+you are almost certain never to get there. But I will lend you my
+horse, and you may ride upon him to the East Wind; perhaps he may be
+able to tell you the way, but when you get to him, give the horse a
+pat under the left ear, and bid him go home, and now take this golden
+distaff, you will probably have occasion for it."
+
+She rode now a very long time, and at last arrived where the East Wind
+dwelt, and asked him if he could not tell her how to get to the
+prince who lived in the castle which lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon.
+
+"Truly, I have often heard tell of the prince, and of the castle too,"
+said the East Wind, "but I cannot tell you the way, for I have never
+blown so far; but I will carry you to my brother, the West Wind;
+perhaps he may know, for he is much stronger than I am. You have only
+to seat yourself on my back, and I will bear you thither."
+
+The maiden seated herself on his back, and off they went. When they
+reached the West Wind, the East Wind told him that he had brought a
+maiden who was to marry the prince who dwelt in the castle that lay
+eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon, and asked if he could
+tell the way thither.
+
+"No," answered the West Wind. "I have never blown so far. But," said
+he, addressing the maiden, "you may seat yourself on my back, and I
+will carry you to the South Wind; he may be able to tell you, for he
+is much stronger than I, and blows and blusters every where."
+
+So the maiden seated herself on his back, and when they had reached
+the South Wind, the West Wind asked him if he did not know the way to
+the castle which lay eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon,
+for the maiden whom he had brought with him, said he, was to marry the
+prince who dwelt there.
+
+"I have blown pretty far, and pretty strong in my time," said the
+South Wind, "but I never went so far as that. If, however, you desire
+it," said he to the maiden, "I will carry you to my brother, the North
+Wind, who is the eldest and strongest of us all, and if he cannot tell
+you the way, you may rest assured you will never find it."
+
+The maiden seated herself on his back, and off they went at such a
+rate that the plain heaved again.
+
+In a very short time they reached the North Wind; but he was so wild
+and turbulent that long before they got up to him, he blew, I know not
+how much snow and ice, in their faces.
+
+"What do you want?" cried he, in a voice that made their skin creep.
+
+"Oh, you must not be so rough with us," said the South Wind; "for here
+am I, your own brother, and this is the maiden who is to marry the
+prince who dwells in the castle which lies eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon, and she is very desirous to ask you if you
+cannot give her some information about it."
+
+"Yes, I know full well where it lies," said the North Wind; "I wafted
+an aspen leaf thither, once; but I was so fatigued that I could not
+blow for many a long day afterwards. If, however, you are resolved to
+go," said he to the maiden, "and are not afraid, I will take you on my
+back and try whether I can waft you so far."
+
+"Yes," said the maiden, "there I must and will go, by all possible
+means, and I will not be frightened either, let it be as bad as it
+may."
+
+"In that case you must pass the night here," said the North Wind; "for
+we must have the whole day before us, if we are to go there."
+
+Early the next morning the North Wind awakened her, got himself into
+breath, and grew so large and strong, that it was terrible to behold;
+and off they dashed through the air, as if the world were coming to an
+end. Then arose such an awful storm, that whole villages and forests
+were overturned, and as they passed over the ocean, the ships sank by
+hundreds. On they went still over the water, so far as no one would
+believe, but the North Wind became weaker and weaker, and so weak did
+he become, that he could scarcely blow any more, and he sank lower and
+lower, and at last got so low, that the waves flowed over his heels.
+
+"Are you frightened?" inquired he of the maiden.
+
+"No, not in the least," said she.
+
+Now they were only a very little way from land, and the North Wind had
+scarcely any strength remaining, to enable him to reach the shore
+under the windows of the castle that lay eastward of the Sun, and
+westward of the Moon. When he did get there, however, he was so weary
+and faint, that he was obliged to rest many days before he could
+return home.
+
+In the morning the maiden seated herself under the windows of the
+castle, and played with her golden apple, and the first person who saw
+her, was the long-nosed princess whom the prince was to marry.
+
+"What do you ask for your golden apple?" inquired the princess, as she
+opened her window.
+
+"It is not to be had for gold nor for gain;" said the maiden.
+
+"If you will not part with it for gold nor for gain, what will you
+take for it?" demanded the princess: "I will give whatever you ask."
+
+"Well, then, if you will let me pass a night by the prince's side, you
+shall have it," said the maiden.
+
+"Oh! that you are quite welcome to do," said the princess, and took
+the golden apple.
+
+But when at night the maiden came into the prince's chamber, he was
+fast asleep; she called to him and shook him, and cried and moaned,
+but she could not awaken him, and as soon as the morning dawned, the
+princess with the long nose came and drove her out of the room.
+
+That day the maiden again placed herself under the castle windows, and
+unwound the yarn from the golden reel, and the long-nosed princess
+spoke to her as on the day before. She asked her what she would take
+for the reel, but the maiden said it was not to be had for gold nor
+gain, but that if she might pass another night beside the prince, the
+princess should have it. She agreed, and took the golden reel. But
+when the maiden entered the chamber the prince was fast asleep; and,
+let her call and shake him, and weep and wail as she might, she could
+not rouse him; and when the morning dawned, the princess with the long
+nose again came and drove her away.
+
+This day the maiden seated herself as before with her golden distaff
+and span. When the princess saw the distaff, she wanted that also, and
+opened the window, and asked what she would sell it for. The maiden
+replied as before, neither for gold nor gain; but if the princess
+would let her pass another night with the prince, she should have it.
+Yes, she was very welcome, said the princess, and took the distaff.
+Now it happened that some persons who slept close to the prince's
+apartment, had heard the lamentations and melancholy cries of the
+maiden during the two nights, and that morning they told the prince of
+it. So in the evening when the princess brought the drink which the
+prince was accustomed to take before he went to bed, he pretended to
+drink it, but in reality he poured it on the ground behind him, for he
+suspected strongly that the princess had mixed a sleeping potion with
+it. Now when the maiden went into his room that night, he was wide
+awake, and was overjoyed at seeing her, and he made her tell him all
+that had happened to her, and how she had contrived to get to the
+castle. When she had related all he said:--
+
+"You are come just at the right moment; for to-morrow is to be my
+wedding with the princess; but I want nothing of her and her long
+nose, for you are the only one I will wed. I shall therefore say,
+that I want to know what my bride is fit for, and I shall require her
+to wash the three spots of oil out of my shirt. This she will
+willingly undertake to do, but I know that she will not succeed; for
+the spots were made by your hand, and can only be washed out again by
+Christian hands, and not by the hands of such a pack of sorcerers as
+she belongs to. I shall, however, say, that I will have no other bride
+than she who can succeed, and when they have all tried and failed, I
+shall call you, and desire you to try." So the night passed happily
+away, and on the bridal day the prince said:--
+
+"I should like vastly to see what my bride is fit for."
+
+"That is no more than fair," said the step-mother.
+
+"I have such a beautiful shirt," said the prince, "that I should like
+to wear it on my bridal day, but there are spots of grease on it, and
+I would willingly have them washed out; I have in consequence resolved
+to wed none but her who is able to wash them out."
+
+Truly, that was no such mighty matter, thought the women, and
+immediately set to work; and the princess with the long nose began to
+wash away as fast as she could. But the longer she washed, the larger
+and darker grew the spots.
+
+"Oh! you do not know much about the matter," said the old sorceress,
+her mother: "give it to me."
+
+But when she got hold of the shirt, it grew darker still, and the more
+she washed and rubbed, the larger grew the spots. Now the other
+witches of the establishment all tried their hands on the shirt, and
+the longer they washed the worse it grew, and at last the whole shirt
+looked as if it had been put up the chimney.
+
+"Ah! you are all good for nothing," cried the prince; "there sits a
+poor beggar wrench under the windows; I'll lay any wager she knows
+more about washing than all of you put together. Come hither, wench!"
+cried he; and when she came, he asked her:--
+
+"Can you wash that shirt clean?"
+
+"I don't know," said the maiden; "but I think I can."
+
+So the maiden took the shirt, and under her hands it soon became as
+white as the falling snow.
+
+"Ah, I will have thee for my bride!" cried the prince, and when the
+old sorceress heard that, she fell into such a tremendous rage, that
+it killed her; and I think that the princess with the long nose, and
+the whole pack of witches, must have expired also, for I have never
+heard of them since. Then the prince and his bride set free all the
+Christians who were confined in the castle; and they took as much gold
+and silver as they could carry away, and went far away from the castle
+that lies eastward of the Sun, and westward of the Moon. But how they
+contrived to get away, and whither they went, I do not know; if,
+however, they are what I take them for, they are at no very great
+distance from here.
+
+
+
+
+THE LITTLE MAN IN GREY.
+
+[Upper Lusatia.]
+
+
+A miner, a blacksmith, and a nun were travelling together through the
+wide world. One day they were bewildered in a dark forest, and were so
+wearied with wandering that they thought themselves right fortunate
+when they saw, at a distance, a building wherein they hoped to find
+shelter. They went up to it, and found that it was an ancient castle,
+which, although half in ruins, still was in condition to afford a
+habitation for such distressed pilgrims as they. They resolved
+therefore to enter, and held a council how they might best establish
+themselves in it, and they very soon agreed that it would be best that
+one of them should always remain at home whilst the other two went out
+in search of provisions. They then cast lots who should first stay
+behind, and the lot fell on the nun.
+
+So when the miner and the blacksmith were gone out into the forest,
+she prepared the food, and when noon arrived, and her companions did
+not return, she ate her share of the provisions. As soon as she had
+finished her meal a little man, clad in grey, came to the door, and
+shivering, said: "Oh, I am so cold!"
+
+Then the nun said to him: "Come to the fire and warm thyself."
+
+The little man did as the nun desired him, but presently after he
+exclaimed: "Oh, how hungry I am!"
+
+Then the nun said to him: "There is food by the fire; eat some of it."
+
+The little man fell upon the food, and in a very short time devoured
+it all. When the nun saw what he had done she was very angry, and
+scolded him for not having left any food for her companions. Upon this
+the little man flew into a great passion, seized the nun, beat her,
+and threw her from one wall to the other. He then quitted the castle
+and went his way, leaving the nun on the floor. Towards evening the
+two companions returned home very hungry, and when they found no food
+they reproached the nun bitterly, and would not believe her when she
+told them what had happened.
+
+The following day the miner proposed to keep watch in the castle, and
+said he would take good care that no one should have to go to bed
+fasting. So the two others went into the forest, and the miner looked
+after the cooking, ate his share, and put the rest by on the oven. The
+little grey clad man came as before, but how terrified was the miner
+when he perceived that this time the little man had two heads. He
+shivered as on the preceding day, saying: "Oh, how cold I am!"
+
+Much frightened, the miner pointed to the hearth. Then the little man
+said: "Oh, how hungry I am!"
+
+"There is food on the oven," said the miner; "eat some."
+
+Then the little man fell to with both his heads, and soon ate it all
+up, and licked the plates clean. When the miner reproached him for
+eating all up, he got for his pains just the same treatment as the
+nun. The little man beat him black and blue, and flung him against the
+walls till they cracked; the poor miner lost both sight and hearing,
+and at last the little man left him lying there, and went his way.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When the blacksmith and the nun returned hungry in the evening, and
+found no supper, the blacksmith fell into a great rage with the miner,
+and declared that when his turn should come next day to watch, the
+castle, no one should want a supper. The next day, at meal time, the
+little man appeared again but this time he had three heads. He
+complained of cold, and was bidden by the blacksmith to sit by the
+hearth. When he said he was hungry, the blacksmith gave him a portion
+of the food. The little man soon dispatched that, and looked greedily
+round with his six eyes, asking for more food, and when the blacksmith
+hesitated to give it him, he tried to treat him as he had done the
+nun and the miner; the blacksmith, however, was no coward, and seizing
+a great smith's hammer, he rushed on the little man, and struck off
+two of his heads, so that he made off as fast as he could with his
+remaining head. But the blacksmith chased him through the forest along
+many a pathway, till at last he suddenly disappeared through an iron
+door. The blacksmith was thus obliged to give up the pursuit, but
+promised himself not to rest until, with the aid of his two
+companions, he should have brought the matter to a satisfactory
+conclusion.
+
+Meantime the nun and the miner had returned home. The smith set their
+supper before them as he had undertaken to do, and then related his
+adventure, showing them the two heads he had cut off, with their
+staring glazed eyes. They then all three resolved to free themselves
+altogether, if possible, from the little grey man, and the very next
+day they set to work. They searched a long time before they could find
+the iron door through which he had disappeared the preceding day, and
+great toil did it cost them before they were able to break it open.
+They then found themselves in a great vaulted chamber wherein sat a
+beautiful maiden at a table, working. She started up, and threw
+herself at their feet, thanking them as her deliverers, and told them
+that she was the daughter of a king, and had been confined there by a
+powerful sorcerer. Yesterday afternoon she had suddenly felt that the
+spell was loosened, and from that moment she had hourly expected her
+freedom, but that besides herself there was the daughter of another
+king confined in the same place. They then went in search of the other
+king's daughter and set her at liberty also. She thanked them joyfully
+in like manner, and said that she also had felt since yesterday
+afternoon that the spell was unbound. The two royal maidens now
+informed their liberators that in concealed caves of the castle great
+treasures were hoarded, which were guarded by a terrible dog. They
+went in search of them and at length came upon the dog, whom the
+blacksmith slew with his hammer, although he endeavoured to defend
+himself.
+
+The treasure consisted of whole tons of gold and silver, and a
+handsome young man sat beside them as if to guard them. He came to
+meet them and thanked them for setting him free. He was the son of a
+king, but had been transformed by a sorcerer into the three-headed
+little man and banished to that castle. By the loss of two of his
+heads the spell was taken off the two royal maidens, and when the
+blacksmith slew the terrible dog he himself was delivered from it. For
+that service the whole of the treasure should be theirs.
+
+The treasure was then divided, and it was a long time before they
+could complete the distribution. The two princesses, however, out of
+gratitude to their deliverers, married the miner and the blacksmith,
+and the handsome prince married the nun; and so they passed the rest
+of their lives in peace and joy.
+
+
+
+
+RED, WHITE, AND BLACK.
+
+[Normandy.]
+
+
+The eldest son of a mighty monarch was once walking alone in a field,
+which, as it was the depth of winter, happened to be covered with
+snow. He perceived a raven flying by, and shot him. The bird fell dead
+on the ground and the snow was sprinkled with his blood. The glossy
+black of his plumage, the dazzling white of the snow, and the red
+blood, formed a combination of colours which delighted the eyes of the
+prince. The impression did not pass away from his memory; the colours
+seemed perpetually to float before his eyes, and at length he
+conceived in his heart an intense desire to possess a wife who should
+be as rosy as that blood, as white as that snow, and have hair as
+black as the plumage of that raven.
+
+One day as he sat profoundly musing on the object of his desires, a
+voice said to him:--"My prince, go travel into Marvel-land, and there
+in the centre of an immense forest you will find an apple-tree,
+bearing larger and fairer fruit than you have ever yet beheld; pluck
+three of the apples, but forbear to open them until you shall be again
+at home; they will present you with a bride exactly such as you
+covet."
+
+Marvel-land was very remote from the prince's home, and very difficult
+of access, but nothing could deter him from undertaking the journey.
+He started forthwith, travelled over land and sea, and searched the
+forest with the utmost diligence, till at length he found the tree. He
+broke off three fine apples, and as, in the first transports of his
+joy, he could not resist the curiosity which urged him, he opened one
+of them on the spot. A lovely maiden came out of it so enchantingly
+fair, and so exactly corresponding to the image he had formed, that he
+was lost in admiration. But the maiden, so far from being well
+disposed towards him, gazed on him with looks of scorn, and bitterly
+reproaching him for having carried her off, vanished from his sight.
+
+This great disappointment might naturally have reduced him to despair;
+but as he was of a disposition to be easily consoled, he soon
+comforted himself with the trust that the two remaining apples would
+give him compensation for his loss. Full of this sweet hope, he
+resolved not to open them until he should reach his own country. But
+even the saddest experience does not always suffice to enable us to
+resist temptation. The prince's impatience was stronger than his
+reason, and a second time he yielded to his desire of opening one of
+the remaining apples.
+
+He was at that time on the sea, and as there is very little amusement
+to be had during a voyage on that element, perhaps very few persons
+would have acted otherwise than he did. He persuaded himself that if
+he caused the whole of the deck to be covered with an awning, the fair
+one could not escape him. He therefore opened the second apple, and as
+before, a maiden of unequalled beauty stood before him; she manifested
+the same displeasure as the former one, and notwithstanding the
+precautions he had taken, disappeared in like manner. But even these
+two experiences barely sufficed to render the prince prudent.
+
+At length however he reached his native country, and on opening the
+remaining apple, a third maiden as lovely as the others, but far more
+gentle, appeared. He immediately married her, and they were the
+happiest couple in the world.
+
+After a time he was obliged to go out to war against a neighbouring
+potentate, and thus to quit his beloved. The queen-mother, in whose
+power the young bride now found herself, had never approved the
+marriage. She caused her daughter-in-law to be murdered in a barbarous
+manner, flung the corpse into the moat that surrounded the castle, and
+to complete her guilty deed, she substituted for the unhappy queen a
+person who was entirely devoted to herself.
+
+When the prince returned he was greatly astonished to find a wife so
+different from the one he had left. But the queen his mother assured
+him confidently that the person she presented to him was his wife. She
+did not attempt to deny the great alteration in her appearance, but
+she ascribed the transformation to the effect of magic.
+
+In truth, the mode by which the prince had obtained his wife did give
+some appearance of probability to the queen's assertion, and at all
+events, whether from softness of disposition, or absence of distrust,
+the prince believed what he was told. But all was unavailing to make
+him forget his first passion. Night and day he mused upon the past,
+and would pass whole hours leaning against the window of his palace.
+
+One day as he was thus musing in deep melancholy, he perceived in the
+castle moat a fish whose shining scales were red, white, and black. He
+was so struck by the sight that he never withdrew his eyes from the
+fish. The old queen, who considered this extraordinary attention to
+the fish as a consequence of his early passion, resolved to destroy
+every object that might tend to recall it to his memory. She therefore
+commanded the false princess to feign the most vehement longing to eat
+the very fish which had so attracted her husband's attention. He could
+not deny a request which in the opinion of all others was so innocent.
+The fish was caught, served at the table of the supposed princess, and
+the prince relapsed into his usual melancholy.
+
+Not very long after he was comforted by the appearance of a tree which
+was red, white, and black. The tree was of an unknown genus, no one
+had planted it, nor sown any seed; it had suddenly grown up on the
+spot where the scales of the fish had been thrown away.
+
+This fair tree gave the prince great pleasure and the queen equal
+displeasure; she at once resolved on its destruction in spite of the
+sad prince's remonstrances. It was uprooted and burnt; but from its
+ashes suddenly arose a magnificent palace constructed of red rubies,
+white pearls, and black ebony. The three colours which the prince so
+loved, produced now an enchanting effect. Long did he endeavour in
+vain to enter that fair palace; the gates remained fast closed, and at
+last he contented himself with incessantly contemplating it, and
+passed day after day in this occupation which recalled to him the
+object of his wishes.
+
+His constancy was at last rewarded; the gates flew open; he entered
+the palace, and after traversing numerous apartments, he found in a
+small chamber his first wife whom he had so tenderly loved, and whose
+memory was so dear to him. She reproached him for having by his
+yielding disposition caused her so much suffering, but at the same
+time testified the vivid joy which she felt as she perceived that he
+was so deserving of the forgiveness she bestowed on him.
+
+The happiness of the re-united pair was not again disturbed, and they
+lived together perfectly satisfied with their destiny.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES AND THE WIZARD KING.
+
+[African.]
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived a king who had twelve daughters, whom he
+loved so tenderly that he could not bear that they should be out of
+his presence, except when he was sleeping in the afternoon, and then
+they always took a walk. On one occasion, it happened that whilst the
+king was enjoying his afternoon's nap, the princesses went out as
+usual, but they did not return home. This threw all the inhabitants of
+the country into the greatest trouble and affliction, but the king was
+still more grieved than any of his subjects. He sent messengers to
+every corner of his kingdom, and into all the foreign lands he had
+ever heard mentioned, causing search to be made for his daughters; but
+no tidings could he get of them.
+
+So, after a time, it became quite clear to everybody that they had
+been carried off by some wizard. The report of this soon spread from
+city to city, and from country to country, till at last it reached the
+ears of another king, who lived far, far away, and this king happened
+to have twelve sons. When the twelve princes heard the marvellous tale
+about the twelve princesses, they begged their father to permit them
+to travel in search of the missing royal maidens. The old king,
+however, for a long time would not hear of any such thing, for he
+feared that he might never see his sons again; but they threw
+themselves at his feet, and besought him so long and earnestly that at
+last he yielded, and gave them leave to set out on their travels. He
+caused a vessel to be equipped for them, and gave the charge of it to
+one of his courtiers, called Commander Rod. Long, long did they sail,
+and whenever they touched on the coast of any country, they made every
+inquiry about the princesses, but could not discover the least trace
+of them.
+
+They had nearly completed the seventh year since they first set sail,
+when a violent storm arose. It blew such a gale that they thought they
+never should reach the shore; but on the third day the tempest
+subsided, and suddenly it became quite calm. All on board were now so
+fatigued by the hard work they had done during the tempest that they
+all went to sleep at once, excepting only the youngest prince, who
+became very restless, and could not sleep at all. Now whilst he was
+pacing the deck, the vessel neared an island, and on the shore was a
+little dog running backwards and forwards, and howling and barking
+towards the ship as if it wanted to be taken on board. The king's son
+whistled to it, and tried to entice it to him, but it seemed afraid to
+leave the shore, and only barked and howled louder still. The prince
+thought it would be a sin to leave the poor dog to perish, for he
+supposed it had escaped there from some ship that had foundered during
+the storm. He therefore set to work to lower the boat, and after
+having rowed to the shore, he went towards the little dog, but
+whenever he was about to lay hold of it, it sprang from him, and so
+lured him onward, till at last he found himself unexpectedly in the
+court of a great and magnificent castle, when the little dog suddenly
+changed into a beautiful princess.
+
+The prince then noticed, sitting on the beach, a man so gigantic and
+frightful that he was quite alarmed. "You have no cause for
+uneasiness," said the man; but when the prince heard his voice he was
+more frightened still.
+
+"I know very well what you want; you are one of the twelve princes who
+are in search of the twelve lost princesses. I know also where they
+are. They are beside my master, each sitting on her own chair, and
+combing the hair of one of his heads, for he has twelve. You have now
+been sailing about for seven years, and you have to sail for seven
+years more before you will find them. As to what concerns yourself,
+individually, you should be welcome to remain here and marry my
+daughter, but you must first kill my master, for he is very harsh to
+us, and we have long been quite tired of him: and when he is dead I
+shall be king in his place. Try now if you can wield this sword," said
+the wizard, for such he was.
+
+The prince tried to grasp a rusty sword which hung against the wall,
+but could not stir it from the spot.
+
+"Well, then you must take a draught out of this flask," said the
+wizard.
+
+The prince did so, and was then able to unhang the sword from the
+wall; after a second draught he could raise it, and the third enabled
+him to wield it with as much ease as his own.
+
+"When you return on board the vessel," said the wizard prince, "you
+must conceal the sword in your hammock, so that Commander Rod may not
+see it. He cannot wield it, I know, but he will hate you on that
+account, and try to kill you. When seven more years all but three days
+shall have passed away," he continued, "the same that has befallen you
+now will again occur: a violent gale will arise, with storm and hail,
+and when it is over, all will be again fatigued, and lie down in their
+hammocks. You must then take the sword, and row to land. You will
+arrive at a castle guarded by wolves, bears, and lions, but you need
+not fear them; they will crawl at your feet. As soon as you enter the
+castle, you will see the giant sitting in a splendidly adorned
+chamber, and a princess will be seated on her own chair, beside one of
+his twelve heads. As soon as you see him you must with all speed cut
+off one head after the other, before he awakes, for should he do that,
+he will eat you alive."
+
+The prince returned to the ship with the sword, and did not forget
+what the wizard had told him. The others were still lying sound
+asleep, so he concealed the sword in his hammock without Commander Rod
+or any of the others perceiving it. A breeze now sprang up, and the
+prince awakened the crew, and told them that with such a fair wind
+they must no longer lie sleeping there. Time wore on, and the prince
+was for ever thinking of the adventure that awaited him, and much
+doubted that it would have a fortunate issue.
+
+At last, when seven years all but three days were over, everything
+happened just as the wizard had foretold. A fierce tempest arose, and
+lasted three days, and when it was over the whole crew were fatigued,
+and lay down to sleep in their hammocks. The youngest prince, however,
+then rowed to the shore, and there he found the castle, guarded by
+wolves, bears, and lions, who all crawled at his feet, so that he
+entered without opposition. In one of the apartments sat the king,
+asleep, and the twelve princesses sat each on her chair, employed as
+the wizard had said. The prince made signs to them that they should
+retire; they however pointed to the wizard, and signed to him in
+return that he had better quickly withdraw. But he tried to make them
+understand, by looks and gestures, that he was come to deliver them,
+and when, at length, they understood his design, they stole softly
+away one after the other. Then the prince rushed on the wizard king,
+and cut off his heads, so that the blood flowed like a great river,
+and when he had convinced himself that the wizard was dead, he rowed
+back to the vessel, and again concealed the sword. He thought he had
+now done enough unaided, and as he could not carry the giant's corpse
+out of the castle without assistance, he resolved that the others
+should help him. He therefore awakened them, and told them it was a
+shame that they should lie sleeping there, whilst he had found the
+princesses, and delivered them out of the wizard's power. They all
+laughed at him, and said he must have been asleep too, and had only
+dreamt that he had become such a hero; for it was far more likely that
+one of themselves should deliver the princesses than such a youth as
+he.
+
+Then the prince told them all that had happened, so they consented to
+row to the land, and when they beheld the river of blood, and the
+wizard's castle, and his twelve heads lying there, and saw also the
+twelve princesses, they were convinced that he had spoken the truth,
+and so assisted him in throwing the heads and the corpse of the wizard
+into the sea. They were now all right merry and pleased, but none were
+better pleased than the princesses to be delivered from the task of
+sitting all day beside the giant, combing his twelve heads.
+
+The princes and princesses, after they had collected as much of the
+gold and silver, and as many of the costly articles in the castle as
+they could carry, returned to the vessel, and again set sail. They had
+not gone far, however, when the princesses recollected that, in their
+joy, they had omitted to bring away with them their golden crowns,
+which were in a great chest, and these they very much desired to have
+with them. As no one else seemed inclined to go back for them, the
+youngest of the king's sons said: "Since I have already dared to do so
+much, I may as well also fetch the golden crowns, if you will take in
+the sails and wait my return."
+
+Yes, they were willing to do that; they would lower the sails and wait
+till he returned. But the prince was no sooner out of sight of the
+vessel than Commander Rod, who wished to play the principal part, and
+to marry the youngest princess, said: "It was no use for us to stay
+here waiting for the prince, who, we may be sure, will not come back;
+besides," added he, "you know full well that the king has given to me
+full power to sail when and where I think proper;" then he insisted
+further that they should all say that it was he who had set the
+princesses free: and if any one of them should dare to say otherwise
+it should cost him his life. The princes were afraid to contradict
+him, so they sailed away. Meanwhile the younger prince had rowed to
+the shore, and soon found in the castle the chest containing the
+golden crowns, and after a great deal of trouble and fatigue, for it
+was very heavy, he succeeded in heaving it into the boat. But when he
+got out into the open sea, the ship was no longer in sight. He looked
+north, south, east, and west, but no trace could he discover of it,
+and he quickly guessed what had occurred. He knew that to row after it
+would be quite useless, so he had only to turn back and row again to
+the shore. It is true that he was rather alarmed at the idea of
+passing the night all alone in the castle, but there was no avoiding
+it; so he screwed up his courage as well as he could, locked all the
+gates and doors, and lay down to sleep in a bed which he found ready
+prepared in one of the apartments. But he felt very uneasy, and became
+much more terrified, on presently hearing in the roof over his head,
+and along the walls, a creaking and cracking, as if the castle were
+about to split asunder; and then came a great rustling close to his
+bed, like a whole haystack falling down. However, he was in some
+degree comforted when he immediately after the noise heard a voice
+bidding him not to be alarmed.
+
+    "Fear not, fear not, thy friend I am;
+    I am the wondrous bird called Dam.
+    When thou'rt in trouble call on me:
+    I shall be near to succour thee,"
+
+said the voice, and then added: "As soon as you wake to-morrow
+morning, you must go directly to the Stabur[4], and fetch me four
+bushels of rye for my breakfast; I must have a good meal, otherwise I
+can do nothing for you."
+
+[Footnote 4: A building used as a kind of store-room or larder, and
+supported on short pillars or posts, so as not to allow it to touch
+the ground.]
+
+When the prince awoke in the morning, he saw by his bed-side a
+terribly large bird, who had a feather at the back of his head as long
+as a half-grown fir tree. The prince immediately went to the Stabur
+and brought thence four bushels of rye, as the wondrous bird Dam had
+commanded, who, as soon as he had taken his breakfast, desired the
+prince to hang the chest containing the golden crowns on one side of
+his neck, and as much gold and silver as would balance it on the
+other, and then to get upon his back and hold fast by the long
+feather. The prince obeyed and off they went, whizzing through the air
+at such a rate, that in a very short time they found themselves
+exactly above the ship. The prince then wished to go on board, that he
+might get the sword which the wizard had given him.
+
+[Illustration: THE TWELVE LOST PRINCESSES AND THE WIZARD KING. P.
+259.]
+
+But the wondrous bird Dam told him that he must not do so: "Commander
+Rod," added he, "will not discover it; but if you go on board he will
+try to kill you, for he very much wishes to marry the youngest
+princess; but make yourself easy about her, for every night she places
+a drawn sword on the bed by her side."
+
+At last they reached the castle of the wizard prince, who gave the
+young prince a hearty welcome. He seemed as if he could not make
+enough of him, for having killed his sovereign, in whose stead he was
+now king. He would willingly have given his daughter and half his
+kingdom to the young prince, but that the latter was so much in love
+with the youngest of the twelve princesses, that he could think of no
+one but her, and he was all impatience to be off again.
+
+The wizard, however, besought him to have a little patience, and told
+him that the princesses were doomed to sail about still for twice
+seven years before they could return home. As to the youngest
+princess, the wizard said exactly the same as the wondrous bird Dam:
+"You may be quite at ease concerning her," said he, "for she always
+carries a drawn sword to bed with her. And if you do not believe me,
+you may go on board when they next sail past this place, to convince
+yourself; and, at the same time, bring me the sword I lent you, for I
+must positively have it back."
+
+Now after seven years' more wandering, the princes and princesses were
+again sailing past the island; a terrible storm came on as before, and
+after it was over the king's son went on board and found them all fast
+asleep as on the former occasions; but by each of the princes a
+princess also lay asleep. Only the youngest princess slept alone, with
+a naked sword beside her; and on the floor, in front of the bed, lay
+Commander Rod, also sound asleep. The king's son took the sword from
+his hammock, and rowed to the island, without any one having perceived
+that he had been on board.
+
+The prince, however, grew more and more impatient, always wishing to
+set out again.
+
+At length, when the second seven years were completed all but three
+weeks, the wizard said to him: "Now you may prepare for your voyage,
+since you are determined not to remain with us. I will lend you an
+iron boat that will go of itself on the water, by your merely saying
+to it: 'Boat, go forwards.' In the boat you will find a boat-hook,
+which you must lift up a little when you see the ship right before
+you. Such a fresh breeze will then spring up, that the ship's crew
+will forget to look after you. As soon as you get near the ship, raise
+the boat-hook a little higher, and then a storm will arise that will
+give them other work to do than spying after you. When you shall have
+passed the ship, raise the boat-hook for the third time, but you must
+be careful each time to lay it down again, else there will be such a
+tempest, that you, as well as the others, will perish. On reaching the
+shore, you need take no further trouble about the boat than to turn it
+upside down, shove it into the sea, and say: 'Boat, go home again.'"
+
+When the prince was departing, he received from the wizard so much
+gold and silver, together with other treasures, and clothes and linen
+which the princess had made for him during his long stay in the
+island, that he was a great deal richer than any of his brothers.
+
+He had no sooner seated himself in the boat and said, "Boat, go
+forwards," than on it went, and when he came in sight of the ship, he
+raised the boat-hook, and a breeze sprang up, so that the crew forgot
+to look after him; and on nearing the vessel he did the same, when
+such a storm and gale arose, that the ship was covered with the white
+spray, and the waves broke over the deck, so that the crew had no
+leisure to remark him. At last when he had passed the ship, he raised
+the boat-hook the third time, and the crew found enough to do to make
+them quite forget him. He reached the land long before the ship, and,
+after taking his property out of the boat, he turned it over, shoved
+it into the sea, saying, "Boat, go home," and away it went.
+
+He now disguised himself as a sailor, and went to the wretched hovel
+of an old woman, to whom he said he was a poor shipwrecked sailor, the
+only one of the crew who had escaped drowning; and he begged shelter
+in her hut for himself and the things he had saved from the wreck.
+
+"Ah, heaven help me," replied the woman, "I can give no one shelter. I
+have not even a bed for myself, let alone any one else."
+
+Oh! that did not signify, said the sailor, so that he had but a roof
+over his head, it was all one to him what he lay upon; therefore she
+would not surely refuse him the shelter of her roof, since he was
+content to take things as he found them.
+
+In the evening, he brought his things to the cottage, and the old
+woman, who did not at all dislike to have something new to talk about,
+began inquiring who he was, where he had been, and whither he was
+going; what were the things he had brought with him; on what business
+he was travelling, and whether he had heard anything of the twelve
+princesses who had disappeared so many years ago, with so many other
+questions, that it would be tiresome to repeat them.
+
+But the sailor replied that he felt so ill, and had such a terrible
+headache from the fatigues he had undergone during the storm, that he
+could not accurately recollect anything that had passed; but that
+after he should have had a few days repose, and recovered from his
+labours, she should hear all.
+
+The next day, however, the old woman renewed her questions, but the
+sailor pretended still to have such a terrible headache, that he could
+not rightly remember anything; though he did let a word or two drop,
+as by accident, which showed that he did know something about the
+princesses.
+
+Off ran the old woman to tell this news to all the gossips in the
+neighbourhood, who hurried one after the other to the hut, to hear all
+about the princesses; and to ask whether the sailor had seen them, if
+they were soon coming, and a hundred other questions.
+
+Still the sailor had such a terrible headache, that he could not
+answer their questions. Thus much, however, he did say: that if the
+princesses were not wrecked during that fierce storm, they would
+certainly arrive in fourteen days, or even sooner. He had certainly
+seen them alive, but they might have since perished.
+
+One of the gossips went forthwith to the royal residence, and related
+all that she had heard; and when the king heard it, he desired that
+the sailor should be brought to him.
+
+The sailor replied, "I have no clothes in which I can appear before
+the king."
+
+But he was told that he must go, for the king must and would see him,
+whatever appearance he might make, for he was the first person who had
+ever brought any news of the princesses. So he entered the king's
+presence, when he was asked if he had really seen the princesses.
+
+"Yes," said the sailor, "but I know not if they still live, for when
+I saw them, it was during such a fierce storm, that we were wrecked.
+But if they did not then go to the bottom, they may be here in about
+fourteen days, or perhaps sooner."
+
+When the king heard this, he was almost frantic with joy, and at the
+appointed time for the arrival of the princesses, he went down to the
+shore in state to meet them; and great was the rejoicing through the
+land, when at last the ship sailed into port, with the princes, and
+princesses, and Commander Rod. The eleven elder princesses were in
+high spirits and good humour; but the youngest, whom Commander Rod was
+anxious to marry, was very sad and wept incessantly, for which the
+king chid her, and asked her why she was not happy and cheerful, like
+her sisters. She had no cause, thought he, to be sad, now she was
+delivered from the wizard, and had such a fine man as Commander Rod
+for her lover. The Princess however durst not tell the truth, for
+Commander Rod had told the king that it was himself who had liberated
+the princesses, and had threatened to kill any one who should say
+otherwise.
+
+Now, one day while the princesses were making their wedding clothes, a
+man in a coarse sailor's jacket, with a pedlar's pack on his back,
+came and asked them if they would not like to buy some fine things for
+their wedding, for he had some costly articles of gold and silver.
+
+"Yes," said they, "very possibly they might," and they looked very
+attentively at the ornaments, and still more so at him, for they could
+not help fancying that they had seen both him and the goods before.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+At last the youngest princess said, that he who had such costly
+articles, might perhaps have others still more suitable to them.
+
+"Very possibly," returned the pedlar.
+
+But her sisters bade her be quiet, and remember Commander Rod's
+threat.
+
+Shortly after, when the princesses were sitting at the window, the
+king's son came again in his coarse sailor jacket, carrying the chest
+with the golden crowns.
+
+On entering the hall, he opened the chest, and now when the princesses
+recognised each her own golden crown, the youngest princess said:--"To
+me it seems only fair and just, that he who suffers for us, should
+receive the reward to which he is entitled; our deliverer is not
+Commander Rod, but he who has now brought us our golden crowns, is
+also he who destroyed the wizard."
+
+Then the king's son threw off his jacket, and stood there far more
+splendidly attired than any of the rest.
+
+The king now caused Commander Rod to be put to death for his perfidy,
+and gave his daughter in marriage to the young prince.
+
+The rejoicings in the royal residence were very great, and each prince
+took his princess away to a different realm, so that the tale was told
+and talked about in no less than twelve distinct kingdoms.
+
+
+
+
+THE STUDY OF MAGIC UNDER DIFFICULTIES.
+
+[Italian.]
+
+
+In the island of Sicily, and in the fair and famous city of Messina,
+dwelt a man, Lactantius by name, who was a great proficient in two
+different arts. By day, and ostensibly to his fellow-citizens, he
+carried on the trade of a tailor; but by night, and secretly, he
+studied the art of necromancy. One evening, when he had locked himself
+in his room, and was occupied with all kinds of magic works, as ill
+luck would have it, a young man, one of his apprentices, came to the
+door. Dionysius, such was his name, had returned to fetch from the
+chamber of Lactantius something which he had forgotten. When he
+perceived that the door was closed, but at the same time heard a noise
+within, he crept gently up, peeped through the keyhole, and witnessed
+his master's magic doings. Such delight did this give the young man,
+that from that moment he thought of nothing but how he might secretly
+learn his master's art. Needle, thimble, and shears thenceforth were
+little troubled by him; he cared alone to learn that which no one
+cared to teach him, and so from having been an industrious, attentive,
+useful workman, he became careless, idle, and inattentive. Lactantius
+perceiving this change in his apprentice, discharged him from his
+service, and sent him back to his father, who was much grieved in
+consequence.
+
+The father having repeatedly lectured his son, with tears besought him
+to attend to his duty, and taking him back to the tailor, earnestly
+begged him to receive his son once again, desiring him, should he
+again neglect his business, to punish him severely.
+
+Lactantius, out of kindness to the poor man, was soon persuaded; he
+again received his pupil, and instructed him carefully every day in
+cutting out and sewing. As, however, Dionysius would absolutely learn
+nothing, his master gave him many a sound caning, so that the poor
+apprentice, who received more blows than bread, was always black and
+blue, all of which he bore with the greatest patience, so insensible
+had he become to everything through the engrossing desire to learn
+that secret art which he night after night watched his master carry
+on, as he stood peeping through the keyhole.
+
+Lactantius, who took him for the stupid lout he appeared to be, at
+last gave himself no further trouble to conceal his witchcraft from
+him, thinking that as he could not even learn the business of
+tailoring, which is so easy, he would far less comprehend witchcraft,
+which is really a puzzling art. He therefore no longer made a secret
+of his practices to Dionysius, who now thought himself the most
+fortunate of men, and who although others considered him such a
+blockhead, in a very short time became such a proficient in the magic
+art, that he understood more of it than his master.
+
+One day, as the father was passing by Lactantius' house, not seeing
+his son in the shop, he entered, and found that, instead of working
+with the other apprentices, he was cleaning the house, and in short,
+performing all the offices of a housemaid.
+
+This so disturbed the good man, that he took his son home with him,
+and thus lectured him: "Thou knowest, Dionysius, how much I have
+expended on thee, in the hope that thou wouldst learn a useful
+business, whereby one day to support thyself and me; but, alas! I have
+sown my seed on the waters, for thou refusest to learn anything. Truly
+this will be my death, for I am so poor I know not how to support
+myself, nor have I any means of providing for thee. Therefore, I
+beseech thee, my son, learn to support thyself in any respectable way
+thou canst."
+
+Having said this, the old man began to weep, when Dionysius, moved by
+his distress, replied: "Dear father, I thank you a thousand times, and
+from my heart, for all the trouble and anxiety you have had on my
+account: but I beg you will not think, because I did not learn
+tailoring, as you wished me, that I have therefore passed the time in
+idleness. On the contrary, by night-watching and unwearied efforts, I
+have learned an art which I hope hereafter to exercise so
+efficaciously that you and I shall live all our days in peace and joy.
+That you may not imagine that I say this merely to satisfy you for the
+moment, I will at once give you a proof of what I affirm.
+
+"To-morrow, by means of my secret art, I will transform myself into a
+fine horse; saddle and bridle me, and lead me to the market, and sell
+me. When you shall have made your bargain, go quietly home, your
+pocket full of money, and you shall find me here again in the same
+form which I now bear. Judge therefore whether or not I have learned
+something useful, since in so short a time I can earn for you the
+necessaries of life. Take especial heed, however, when you sell me,
+not to part with my bridle; this, come what will, you must carefully
+retain, else I shall not be able to return, and perhaps you may never
+see me again."
+
+The next morning Dionysius stripped himself in presence of his father,
+and after anointing himself with a certain ointment, he murmured some
+words, whereupon, to the inexpressible astonishment of the good old
+man, in the place of his son, a fine powerful horse suddenly appeared,
+which he immediately harnessed as his son had instructed him, and led
+him to the market. As soon as the merchants and horse-dealers saw him,
+they gathered round him, quite delighted with the beauty of the horse,
+the action of whose limbs and whole body was so perfect, and who
+showed such a fleetness and fire, that it was quite surprising. All
+inquired if the horse were for sale, to which the old man replied in
+the affirmative.
+
+By accident, Lactantius was in the market, and as soon as he saw the
+horse, and had narrowly examined him, he at once discovered that it
+was a magic horse. He therefore withdrew unperceived from the crowd,
+and hastened home, disguised himself as a merchant, and provided with
+an ample sum of money, returned to the market, where he found the man
+still with his horse. He approached the animal, and after attentively
+observing him, recognised in him his apprentice, Dionysius. He then
+asked the old man if he would sell him, and they soon concluded a
+bargain. Lactantius paid him two hundred gold pieces; but as he took
+him by the bridle to lead him away, the old man objected, saying that
+he had sold the horse but not the bridle, which he must have back
+again. Lactantius however contrived to talk him over, so that he
+obtained the bridle as well as the horse, which he led home, and
+fastening him to the stall, gave him for breakfast and supper so many
+hundred blows, that the poor beast became nothing but skin and bones,
+and excited the compassion of all who beheld him.
+
+Lactantius had two daughters, who, when they saw their father's
+barbarity, went daily into the stable to do what they could for the
+poor horse. They caressed him, patted him, and treated him with all
+possible kindness, and one day went so far as to lead him by the
+halter to drink at the stream. The moment, however, the horse found
+himself by the water, he threw himself into it, and transforming
+himself into a little fish, he disappeared in the waves.
+
+At this extraordinary occurrence the maidens stood speechless with
+astonishment, and returning home, gave way to the deepest sorrow. Some
+time after Lactantius returned, and went into the stable to administer
+a little further chastisement to his horse, when to his great
+astonishment he found him gone. Very indignant thereat, he went to his
+daughters, and beheld them in tears. Without inquiring the cause, for
+he knew full well the cause of their trouble, he said to them: "My
+children, fear nothing, only tell me what has become of the horse, in
+order that I may at once take measures concerning him."
+
+The poor maidens composed themselves on hearing these words, and
+related to him what had happened. When the father had heard the story,
+he hastened to the river, transformed himself into a large fish,
+dashed into the water, and as fast as his fins could carry him pursued
+the little fish, intending to swallow him.
+
+When the latter beheld the voracious fish, with its terrible teeth, he
+was dreadfully alarmed at the thought of being swallowed by him, and
+approaching the bank of the river, he left the water, and in the form
+of a beautiful ruby, set in gold, he threw himself unseen into the
+little basket which the king's daughter, who happened just then to be
+amusing herself with picking up little pebbles on the sand, carried on
+her arm.
+
+As soon as the princess, who was called Violante, returned home, she
+took her treasures out of the little basket, and perceived the ring
+shining amongst the pebbles. Quite delighted, she placed it on her
+finger, and could not desist from contemplating it.
+
+At night, when the princess had retired to her sleeping apartment, the
+ring suddenly changed into a handsome young man. He laid his hand on
+the princess's mouth, who was about to scream aloud, then threw
+himself at her feet and besought her forgiveness. He assured her he
+was not there with any disrespectful purpose, but only to implore her
+assistance, and then told her his misfortune, and the persecutions he
+had to endure.
+
+Violante, somewhat re-assured by the bright light of the lamp which
+burned in her chamber, as also by the words of the young man, whom she
+found very handsome and attractive, felt compassion for him, and
+said: "Young man, thou art very bold in entering a place where thy
+presence was not desired. But in consideration of thy misfortune, I
+will forgive thee. Thy narration has awakened all my compassion, and I
+will show thee that I am not made of marble, nor have a heart of
+adamant. I am even resolved, so far as my honour will permit, to give
+thee my entire protection."
+
+The young man humbly returned thanks, and, when day dawned, again
+transformed himself into the ring, which the princess placed amongst
+her most costly jewels.
+
+It happened just about that time, that the king fell dangerously ill,
+and all his physicians declared his disease was incurable.
+
+This came to the ears of Lactantius, who thereupon disguised himself
+as a physician, went to the royal palace, and being introduced to the
+king, inquired carefully respecting his symptoms, felt his pulse,
+examined his countenance, and said: "Your majesty's disease is no
+doubt an obstinate one, and very dangerous; but take courage: in a
+short time I will restore you to health, for I possess a remedy by
+which I can in a few days cure the severest and most dangerous illness
+that exists."
+
+"Master physician," replied the king, "if you restore me to health, I
+promise to reward you so richly that you shall be content for the rest
+of your life."
+
+"My sovereign," rejoined the physician, "I desire neither rank,
+honours, nor riches, but only request your majesty will grant me one
+favour."
+
+The king readily promised this, on condition that he should require
+nothing that was impossible.
+
+"I ask nothing more of your majesty than a ruby set in gold, which is
+now in the possession of the princess your daughter."
+
+When the king heard this modest request, he sent for his daughter, and
+in presence of the physician, desired her to fetch her whole stock of
+jewels. The princess obeyed, leaving out, however, the precious ring.
+But when the physician had thoroughly examined them, he said the ruby
+he wished for was not amongst them.
+
+Violante, who valued her ruby above all the rest, affirmed that she
+had no other jewels than those now before them; whereupon the king
+said to the physician: "Retire now, and return to-morrow; I will
+undertake that my daughter shall give me the ring."
+
+When the physician was gone, the king called Violante, and inquired in
+the gentlest manner, where was the beautiful ruby which the physician
+wished for; saying that if she would give it to him, she should have
+in its place a still more beautiful and precious one. But she
+positively denied having it in her possession.
+
+She no sooner returned to her apartment, than she locked herself in,
+and began to weep bitterly at the thought of losing her poor ruby,
+which she bathed with her tears, and kissed with the utmost
+tenderness.
+
+When the ruby felt the hot tears that fell from the princess's eyes,
+and heard her deep sighs, it assumed the human form, and said to her:
+"Princess, on whom my life hangs, I beseech you, do not thus
+immoderately grieve at my misfortune. Let us rather devise some means
+of rescue; for that physician who so zealously covets the possession
+of me, is no other than my greatest foe Lactantius, who desires to
+kill me. Therefore I implore you, do not give me into his hand, but
+feign to be indignant, and dash me against the wall: leave the rest to
+my care."
+
+The following morning the physician again visited the king, who
+informed him that his daughter still persisted that she did not
+possess the ring. Lactantius much displeased, on hearing this,
+however, positively asserted that the ruby was in the princess's
+collection.
+
+Thereupon the king again sent for the princess, and in the physician's
+presence said to her: "Violante, thou knowest that I owe the
+restoration of my health to this man's skill and care. He requires no
+other recompense of me than that ring which he declares to be in thy
+possession, and which thou dost assert thou hast not. I should have
+thought thy love for me would have led thee not to give thy ruby
+alone, but thy very life. I beseech thee, by the obedience thou owest
+to me, by the affection I have borne thee, to withhold it from me no
+longer."
+
+The princess, on hearing her father's will so decidedly expressed,
+returned to her room, collected all her jewels, amongst which she laid
+the ruby, and taking them one by one in her hand, in the presence of
+her father, showed them each in succession to the physician, who, the
+moment he saw the ruby, would have laid his hand on it, saying:
+"Princess, this is the ring I wish for, and which the king has
+promised me."
+
+But the princess, repelling him, said: "Stay, master, you shall have
+it!" and holding the ring in her hand, exclaimed: "Then it is this
+precious jewel, so infinitely dear to me, that you covet: I must
+renounce this, for the loss of which I shall be inconsolable for life.
+But I do not yield it willingly, but only because the king, my
+father, requires it of me."
+
+With these words she flung the ruby against the wall. As it fell to
+the ground it instantly changed into a beautiful pomegranate, which
+burst as it fell, and its seeds were scattered all over the room.
+
+The physician as quickly became a cock, in order to swallow all the
+seeds, and thus to destroy the unlucky Dionysius; but he had
+miscalculated: one of the seeds had so concealed itself that the cock
+could not discover it. The seed watched its opportunity, transformed
+itself into a fox, who throwing himself on master cock, seized him by
+the throat, and strangled and devoured him in the presence of the
+astonished monarch and his daughter Violante. Dionysius then resumed
+his human form, and related all to the king, who thought he could not
+do better than immediately give him his daughter in marriage. They
+lived long together in peace and happiness, and the good old father of
+Dionysius became, instead of an indigent man, a rich and powerful one;
+whilst, on the other hand, the cruelty of Lactantius had cost him his
+life.
+
+
+
+
+FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE;
+
+OR, THE VERY WONDERFUL ADVENTURES OF PISTA, THE SWINEHERD.
+
+[Hungarian.]
+
+
+Near the centre of a thick forest once dwelt a forester with his
+beloved wife. The chase was his occupation, and he lived contentedly
+on the provision which his ever-active bow procured him from day to
+day. In this manner he passed two years very happily; although the
+blessing of children, which he earnestly desired, had been hitherto
+denied him. But the saying, "Patience brings roses," consoled him, and
+indeed the saying did at last prove true, and in so striking a manner,
+that it seemed as if destiny had exerted its utmost power to fulfil
+it, in his case, even to excess. In the third year, whilst the
+forester was away hunting in the wood, his family was increased by the
+addition of twelve fine, healthy sons, upon whom the attendant
+midwife bestowed every necessary care, and then placed them in a
+circle on the floor in the centre of the room, where the sturdy
+infants stretched their limbs and raised their voices for the first
+time in a tremendously loud Tutti.
+
+Whilst these events were taking place, the day declined, and evening
+gradually threw its shade over field and mountain. The light-hearted
+hunter bethought him of his supper, and returned, laden with two or
+three hares, to his cottage.
+
+But how thunderstruck was he when he heard that Heaven had showered
+down upon him such an abundant blessing. He entered, gazed, and at the
+sight of the liberal gift, at once lost his reason, and rushed raving
+out of doors back into the depths of the dark forest, never to return
+again.
+
+The poor forsaken wife now remained in her hut with her twelve little
+sons, desiring nothing more ardently than to be able to leave her bed,
+in order to provide food for her children.
+
+The midwife afforded her all the assistance in her power, and when at
+length she recovered, she prepared a bow and arrows, scoured the woods
+and hills, and daily brought home as much game as was requisite for
+the support of herself and her children. Thus she lived fifteen years;
+during which period the little ones grew strong and healthy, and
+learned from her to provide, by hunting, for their own necessities.
+
+But before they reached their sixteenth year, it pleased Heaven to
+call their mother to itself, and now the youths, deprived of parental
+care, were abandoned to their fate. They continued to live as before,
+on the products of the chase, which they fraternally divided amongst
+them, and remained together in harmony and peace.
+
+The distracted father meanwhile continued to wander incessantly
+through the forest. His habiliments had long been torn to rags, and
+his appearance terrified every one who beheld him. Although other
+foresters occasionally met him, and brought tidings of him to his
+sons, yet no one could ever lay hold of him, as he shunned the
+approach of everybody, and at the aspect of a human being he hastened
+like a frightened beast to hide himself in the thicket. But his
+unhappy fate was a daily increasing source of sorrow to his sons, who
+at length consulted seriously together, how they might get him into
+their hands, so as to be able to take care of him, and, if possible,
+restore him to reason.
+
+They at length agreed to betake themselves, provided with a roasted
+goose, a pitcher of brandy, and one large boot, to a certain spring in
+the forest, near which the foresters frequently saw him. With these
+things they went to the appointed spot, placed them close to the
+spring, and then concealed themselves in the bushes to watch for his
+arrival.
+
+They had waited a considerable time when they heard the sound of
+footsteps, and beheld a dark figure approaching the spring. With
+ardent curiosity they peeped from their concealment, and at length
+saw, with surprise and horror, a being more like a ghost than a man,
+but who, however, perfectly corresponded to the description which the
+foresters had given them of their unfortunate father.
+
+When he approached the spring to slake his thirst he started on
+perceiving the unaccustomed objects which were beside it, and prepared
+to start off at the moment, should he perceive a human form. But as
+the youths kept themselves entirely concealed, and made not the least
+noise, his alarm subsided, and he ventured to drink from the spring.
+
+After he had refreshed himself, the roasted goose, the little pitcher,
+and the large boot seemed again to attract his attention, and he could
+not resist the desire to make himself master of them. He laid himself
+down quite leisurely by the boot, devoured the goose with the greatest
+avidity, and emptied the pitcher with a satyr-like expression of
+countenance.
+
+The liquor seemed quickly to affect him; for almost as soon as he had
+swallowed it he manifested his satisfaction by fantastic leaps, and
+all kinds of ridiculous antics. He soon laid hold of the boot,
+examined it attentively on all sides, and nodded his head knowingly,
+as if in self-approval for having devised its purpose.
+
+Thus satisfied with himself, he again seated himself on the ground,
+and endeavoured to draw the boot over both feet at once; and although
+it was large enough to admit the foot of a demi-giant, it cost the
+lunatic extraordinary efforts to effect his object. Overpowered by
+fatigue, and the strength of the liquor he had drunk, he gradually
+sank down by the stream, and fell asleep.
+
+His sons, when they perceived this, hastened with the greatest caution
+from the bushes, raised the intoxicated sleeper from the ground, and
+carried him home. But before they had half reached the hut, they
+discovered with horror that the burthen, which at every step had
+appeared to grow heavier, was a corpse. Whether it was the effect of
+the too hastily swallowed drink, or the too rapid satisfaction of his
+appetite after long fasting, in either case, the father lay dead in
+the arms of his sons. With tears of regret, and self-reproaches for
+their ill-advised attempt, the afflicted sons buried the beloved
+corpse, under an oak not far from the cottage.
+
+They lived together for some time after this event, but at length,
+being imbued with the desire of seeing foreign countries, they
+resolved to renounce their hitherto rude mode of life, and each to set
+out in a different direction to seek his fortune.
+
+When they had fixed the day for their separation they once more went
+hunting together, in order to provide so much food as they might
+require for at least the first day of their wandering. On the day
+appointed for their departure they went to the oak which shaded their
+father's grave, swore eternal brotherly love to each other, and after
+mutually taking an affectionate leave, each pursued his separate way.
+
+To relate what occurred to each of these twelve brethren, and how each
+fulfilled his appointed destiny, would be a very tedious task, and the
+more so as the fate of the younger brother was alone sufficiently
+remarkable to deserve attention.
+
+This youth had from his earliest years an aversion to all kind of
+labour and trouble; hence, in all his necessities he always relied on
+the favour of Fortune, and the more so as he had more than once had
+reason to surmise that she was favourably inclined towards him. Whilst
+his brothers laboriously pursued their game under every disadvantage
+of time, place, and weather, he would lie at his ease, with his
+weapons beside him, on a grassy hill, beneath the shade of the trees;
+and it generally came to pass that whilst his brothers pursued some
+poor hare, in the sweat of their brow, a roebuck would come, as if at
+his call, so near to him that he could shoot it without the least
+exertion. Owing to this, he had to endure many a jeer from his
+brethren, whose jealousy was excited by his good luck, and they called
+him in derision Lazy Bones.
+
+His confidence in the favour of the blind goddess guided him
+prosperously on his way. By day he shot all kinds of game, which came
+in abundance towards him, kindled a fire, roasted and eat it; at
+night, he stretched himself on the soft grass, and slept refreshingly
+till the next morning. After he had pursued his way in this manner for
+six days, he arrived at a royal city altogether unknown to him. He
+entered one of the best inns, and offered the host a hare in exchange
+for a draught of wine, to refresh himself with after the fatigue of
+his journey. The host gave him credit for more than he was able both
+to eat and drink, offered him a bed, and charged him the most moderate
+price.
+
+Just as he sat down to table, a multitude of persons assembled in the
+room of the inn, and conversed with each other about a most remarkable
+occurrence which had just taken place. The affair was indeed one of no
+trifling importance, for it concerned the royal establishment. The
+king had had ninety-nine swineherds, who one and all had disappeared,
+and in all probability would never again be heard of. The
+nine-and-ninetieth of these had been missed only the night before, and
+it was much doubted whether the king would be able to find any one
+again who would be willing to undertake so perilous a charge. For
+although the highest wages were offered to any one who would undertake
+to tend the royal swine but for a single day, yet no one throughout
+the whole kingdom had yet offered himself, and the illustrious owner
+of the swine was in great risk of losing them all.
+
+The young stranger listened to this narration with surprise, but could
+not conjecture what could be the difficulty attached to the service.
+As the host had for some time been employed in looking out for
+swineherds for the king, he asked his young guest whether he would
+undertake the office, adding at the same time, that the king would
+give a year's wages for a single day's service.
+
+"Why not?" replied Pista, (that was the young adventurer's name) and
+he declared himself quite willing to undertake the charge, as he
+thought the business of a swineherd did not demand more skill and
+trouble than he was accustomed to exert. His consent thus given, the
+host joyfully conducted him to the king and praised throughout the
+whole city the courageous resolution of his guest.
+
+The monarch received them both graciously, and not only confirmed the
+offer made by the host to the youth, but promised him a gratuity into
+the bargain, in case of his discharging his duty with zeal and
+perseverance.
+
+He commanded a capital supper to be placed before him, and appointing
+him to drive the swine in the morning to the heath, he dismissed him
+with the most gracious wishes for his welfare.
+
+Before the dawn of day, Pista was already at his post. The heath lay
+in a pleasant district, inclosed on the one side by mountains, and on
+the other by a thick forest. On his arrival there he found all
+tranquil, and could not imagine what danger was to be apprehended.
+
+He passed the day in expectation, and the evening approached as
+peacefully as the day had departed. The moon and stars shed their
+light over the district, and the refreshing coolness of the air
+invited the carefree herdsman to repose. He lay calmly down near his
+herd, commended them and himself to fortune, and slept in peace.
+
+He had not slept an hour, when the most extraordinary of all night
+visions awakened him. The oldest patriarch of the herd stood before
+him, and thus addressed him: "Fear not, for I am thy friend, and come
+to thee as a well-intentioned counsellor, to warn thee of the danger
+that awaits thee. As I have selected thee for my protege, I will
+assist thee to the best of my power. When thou drivest us home
+to-morrow, mind to request the king to give thee a loaf of bread and a
+flask of wine, for the following day. These shall preserve thee from
+all misfortune. A great dragon who rules this forest, will endeavour
+to overthrow and swallow thee. But if thou givest him these gifts,
+thou wilt not only be able to resist him, but after he shall have
+drunk the wine thou mayest destroy him."
+
+Pista was not a little astonished at this apparition; he rubbed his
+eyes, pricked up his ears, and collected all his senses, to convince
+himself that he was really awake and not dreaming. But when he saw the
+boar standing bodily before him, and distinctly heard every word, he
+at last returned him grateful thanks for his friendly admonition, and
+promised punctually to observe his instructions.
+
+The following evening he drove the herd home. The king met him, not
+without astonishment, caused the year's wages to be paid to him
+immediately, and gave him permission further to ask some favour.
+Pista, well pleased, put the money in his pocket, and for the present
+asked for nothing more than bread and wine for the following evening.
+
+The cock had scarcely crowed to welcome the first hour of the morning,
+when our herdsman again passed out at the city gate with his herd. He
+betook himself to the same heath where he had passed the foregoing
+night, and had had the strange _tete-a-tete_ with the boar.
+
+As soon as he reached the spot, his bristly Mentor again approached
+him and said:--
+
+    "Up and mount me without fear,
+    Swift on my back I thee will bear;
+    So that, ere many minutes' space,
+    Thou shalt reach the appointed place."
+
+The youth bestrode the boar, and in a trice found himself in the
+neighbouring wood, and deposited under an enormous oak. The boar then
+repeated what he had said to his protege the preceding day, and
+hastened back to the herd.
+
+Pista prepared himself for his adventure, and before he could
+accurately reconnoitre the field of battle, so dreadful a noise
+proceeding from the interior of the forest pierced his ears, that all
+the trees round him creaked and rustled as in a storm. It came nearer
+and nearer, and he soon perceived a monstrous dragon, rapidly making
+towards him, tearing the bushes and trees as he passed, and even
+throwing them to the ground. Mindful of his Mentor's words, Pista took
+courage, offered the bread and wine to the dragon, and besought him to
+spare his life.
+
+This liberal offer astonished the dragon more than the resistance of a
+whole band of herdsmen would have done. He quietly received the gifts,
+devoured the bread with much satisfaction, and as the wine speedily
+took effect, he drowsily tumbled on the earth. Pista did not delay to
+avail himself of the opportunity. When he perceived that the dragon
+slept, he drew out his knife and cut the throat of the drunken
+monster; before, however, he had completed the operation, he saw a
+copper key fall out of his jaws, which he picked up and put in his
+pocket.
+
+[Illustration: FORTUNE'S FAVOURITE. P. 292.]
+
+In the meantime, the herd had gradually moved towards the interior of
+the forest, to a considerable distance from the spot where the dragon
+had met his death. Pista, fearing he might lose the objects of his
+charge, resolved to cut across the bend of the forest, and to go in a
+straight line, the same by which the dragon had come, to look after
+them.
+
+He had not gone far, when a new overwhelming surprise banished them
+from his thoughts. An immense castle, entirely built of copper, stood
+before him, far surpassing in splendour the residence of his king, and
+which seemed the more to invite him to enter, inasmuch as he could
+nowhere descry a single guard to forbid his approach.
+
+Solitary and silent was all around him: not even the song of a bird
+broke the stillness. Hastening up to the castle, he found all the
+gates locked; but suddenly remembering the key in his pocket, he drew
+it out and tried it in the nearest gate, and discovered to his joyful
+surprise that it opened every lock. He soon found himself in the
+interior of a most magnificent palace, with such a number of state
+rooms opening round him, that he could hardly tell which he should
+first enter. He passed through the grand hall and went from room to
+room, until he at last reached a great saloon, the walls of which were
+mirrors, whilst all manner of gold and silver articles of furniture
+glittered round him. In the centre of the room stood a table of
+silver, whereon lay a golden rod. Without precisely knowing wherefore,
+he took up the rod and struck the table with it, upon which a young
+dragon immediately appeared, and with indescribable courtesy begged
+that he would honour him with his commands.
+
+Recovering from his surprise, Pista expressed a wish to be shown the
+whole interior of the palace, with the gardens belonging to it. The
+obliging dragon immediately complied with, and requested his guest to
+follow him. He led him through all the chambers and halls of the
+palace, each of which seemed to contain the treasure of a whole
+kingdom; thence into the stables, where splendid coursers fed from
+silver mangers on golden oats, and who neighed loudly at the entrance
+of their visitors.
+
+At last Pista and his attendant came into a garden full of
+marvellously beautiful flowers and delicious fruits, which seemed to
+the stranger like a second paradise. He could not refrain from
+plucking a rose, which he stuck in his cap.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+When he had seen all, he inquired of the dragon for the lord of the
+palace. The dragon bowed before him with the greatest reverence, and
+begged him, as the owner from thenceforth of the palace and its
+treasures, graciously to accept his homage, promising at the same time
+that he would guard all with the utmost vigilance, and endeavour to
+deserve his approbation.
+
+Pista was not a little astonished at this address, but as all the
+events which had befallen him within the last few days, appeared to
+him to be nothing less than natural, he accepted the dragon's homage,
+and played the part of master as well as he could. Having nodded
+approbation to his new servitor, he left the castle with proud
+gravity. The portals closed of themselves after him with thundering
+noise; he then carefully locked all the gates with his key, and
+returned to seek his swine.
+
+It was not long before he met the whole herd in the best order. The
+sun was already glowing in the west, and the shadows of the mountains
+stretched across the plains. It seemed time to turn homewards; he
+whistled; the herd put itself in motion; and before the evening star
+shone in the heavens, they were all at home again in their sheds.
+
+Pista had no sooner housed his charge, than the king's daughters came
+running towards him with the most unusual friendliness. The youngest
+had seen from afar the rose in his cap, and as she could not resist
+the desire to possess it, she begged from him the lovely flower. The
+swineherd instantly presented it to the princess, and thought himself
+highly honoured when he saw his gift placed in the bosom of the most
+charming of the royal maidens.
+
+The king, meanwhile, deeply amazed at the no less punctual than safe
+return of his herdsman, sent for him into his presence, and inquired
+particularly about all that had occurred to him on the heath. But
+Pista carefully avoided satisfying his curiosity; gave very brief
+answers to his questions; and said nothing that could betray his
+fortunate adventure.
+
+"This rose," said he, "which I found already plucked, and lying on the
+stem of a tree, is all that I saw on my way. I stuck it in my hat that
+it might not fade quite unenjoyed."
+
+The king again expressed his entire satisfaction and favour; and
+promised for the future days the same rich reward he had already
+enjoyed.
+
+The herdsman thanked his patron and returned to his swine, in order to
+pass the night near them on his bed of straw.
+
+Just about midnight the friendly boar awakened him as on the
+preceding night, and said, "Pista must provide himself with bread and
+wine for the coming day also, as he would have to do with a still
+larger dragon than the former."
+
+He advised him to double the measure of provisions, and told him he
+would have nothing to fear if he encountered the monster as
+courageously as he did that of the day before.
+
+Before day-break Pista supplied himself with two loaves and two flasks
+of wine, and went as usual with the swine to the heath. Arrived there,
+the boar again approached him and said:--
+
+    "Up and mount me without fear,
+    Swift on my back I will thee bear;
+    This day thou must higher go,
+    And still higher fortune know."
+
+The youth obeyed the boar, and sooner than if on a racer's back he
+found himself by an inclosure, considerably beyond the place where he
+stopped the day before. The boar again deposited him under an oak,
+repeated several times what he had before enforced, and left him to
+his destiny.
+
+Pista had not long to wait; he soon heard a terrible rustling
+descending from the tops of the trees. By degrees it grew darker
+around him, and at once a monstrous dragon, much larger than the
+first, came sailing through the air, whose out-spread wings shaded,
+like a thunder-cloud, the district beneath, as with furious haste he
+seemed descending on the herdsman. But Pista lost no time in offering
+him the two loaves and the two flasks, which so fortunately appeased
+the monster that he immediately stretched himself on the grass, and,
+much at his ease, swallowed the provisions, and then fell asleep and
+snored like thunder. Pista again seized the favourable moment and cut
+the dragon's throat, from whose jaws fell a silver key, which he put
+at once into his pocket.
+
+Then he went, as on the preceding day, into the interior of the
+forest, and soon saw a palace built entirely of silver, which dazzled
+his eyes from afar by its brilliancy. All that he saw and did in the
+Copper Palace, he saw and did here; only the magnificence of the one
+far exceeded that of the other, and caused him to linger here much
+longer. After a very obsequious dragon had shown him all the
+treasures, and at last led him into the garden, he plucked there a
+silver rose, of which there were great numbers, and stuck it in his
+cap. He then locked the gates of his beautiful palace with the silver
+key, returned to his herd, and as the day was declining, drove them
+quietly home.
+
+As before, the king's daughters came familiarly to meet him, and the
+youngest snatched the silver rose from him, and ran playfully with it
+to her father. The king sent for him as before, questioned him of all
+that had occurred, and having received satisfactory answers, expressed
+his entire approbation.
+
+The same adventure occurred on the third day, with the sole difference
+that the herdsman this time entered a Golden Palace, and brought from
+the garden a golden rose, which the fair princess appropriated as
+before.
+
+It happened that a festival which the king had long resolved to give
+to the suitors of his daughters, was just about to be held. He caused
+three golden apples of the same size to be made, on each of which he
+had inscribed the name of one of the princesses. These he ordered to
+be suspended by golden threads in the front court of his castle, as
+the prize of a trial of skill, for which the victor was to receive the
+hand of one of the princesses. Whoever, at full gallop, should succeed
+in striking down with his lance one of these apples, was to receive
+the golden fruit and the princess whose name it bore. As the three
+sisters were no less extraordinarily beautiful than rich, it may
+easily be guessed that the number of their suitors was not small. A
+countless number of princes from far and near were assembled in the
+royal city, and the king's brother was also present with his nine
+daughters. The whole kingdom took a lively interest in this festival,
+and young and old rejoiced at its commencement. Whatever the royal
+treasures could produce was exhibited there, and all the rich and
+noble flocked thither to contribute their share towards enhancing the
+pomp of the long looked for feast.
+
+As it was to be supposed that Pista would not willingly be absent from
+such a grand sight, the youngest princess, out of gratitude for her
+three roses, invited him to witness it; advising him not to stay away
+if he had any curiosity to see all the most precious of her father's
+possessions, in horses, clothes, and jewels. But to the no small
+surprise of the princess, the herdsman thanked her for her invitation,
+but said he preferred remaining with his equals, and would tend the
+swine as usual.
+
+The morning arrived, and all within and around the city was in motion.
+The streets swarmed with countless people: even the most helpless
+cripples dragged themselves along, anxious to see the show. Pista
+alone drove forth his swine with the utmost indifference, and did not
+evince the slightest curiosity.
+
+Who could have guessed, however, what the homely youth had secretly
+determined, and what a trick he had resolved to play on all the
+princely suitors? He no sooner reached the heath than he hastened to
+the forest where his late adventures had occurred. He went to the
+Copper Palace, entered the hall, and with a stroke of the golden wand
+commanded the serviceable dragon to provide for him the most
+magnificent attire and the finest courser. The dragon rapidly obeyed
+his master's order, dressed him as expeditiously and handily as the
+most experienced valet could have done, and then as quickly cantered
+up a splendidly caparisoned steed, who seemed to breathe fire as he
+neighed with desire for the combat.
+
+Pista mounted his horse, and the courts of the castle thundered
+beneath his tramp. He flew, as if borne on the lightning's wing, over
+the heath and road, and suddenly appeared in the lists of the royal
+disputants. The brilliancy of his attire, the swiftness and strength
+of his horse, and the costly jewels that adorned him, dazzled all
+eyes, and it could not have occurred to any one that in him they
+beheld the swineherd. The king himself thought he must be his equal
+in dignity, and offered him the honour of precedence. But Pista
+declined this distinction, and requested, on the contrary, to be
+allowed to be the last on the list of suitors.
+
+At last the signal was given. All pressed to the lists, and the race
+began. Riders and horses flew emulously towards the prize, but not one
+succeeded in even touching either of the apples with his lance.
+
+Suddenly the unknown guest darted over the course like an arrow, and
+hit the first of the three apples so dexterously, that it, together
+with the golden thread to which it was fastened, remained hanging on
+his lance. The gaze of all was fixed upon him; but without vouchsafing
+a look on any, he flew with his prize straight across the lists and
+disappeared.
+
+This unexpected circumstance created universal embarrassment amongst
+the disconcerted suitors, and determined the king to postpone the
+remainder of the festival until the following day. Meanwhile he sent
+some of his swiftest riders in search of the strange fugitive, in
+order to discover, if possible, whence he came. But before these were
+ready to start, our knight had already become invisible, and, in his
+herdsman's dress, had again rejoined his swine.
+
+In the evening, as usual, he brought them home, and attended to them
+in the customary manner. But before he retired to rest, the youngest
+of the princesses descried him, and hastening to him, related in great
+agitation the untoward event which had that day deprived her of the
+apple destined to her, and at the same time of him who should have
+been her bridegroom. The herdsman expressed his great sympathy, and
+tried to console her, by saying that no one could tell whether the
+misfortune that had happened might not in the end turn out to her
+advantage.
+
+The next day, before the ceremonies recommenced, Pista was again on
+the heath with his herd. This day he went to the Silver Palace,
+attired himself still more splendidly, and mounted a yet finer horse.
+Swift as the wind, and resplendent in gold and jewels, he again sprang
+to the lists. All were astonished at this second apparition. All
+inclined themselves before him, and no one recognised in him the same
+guest who had so distinguished himself on the preceding day.
+
+But, as yesterday, all eyes were riveted on him; he set spurs to his
+horse, and sprang with hanging bridle to the prize, then flew like an
+arrow, bearing the second apple across the lists, and disappeared
+from the sight of the astonished multitude.
+
+The king and his illustrious guests now began to apprehend that some
+supernatural power influenced these events, and they had nearly
+determined not to renew the trial of skill till the following year.
+But as already two of the golden apples were lost, they could not
+resist their curiosity respecting the third and last. The king
+therefore appointed the conclusion of the festival for the next
+morning, and in the meantime endeavoured to tranquillise himself as
+well as he could.
+
+As before, so was it on this third occasion. The herdsman had gone
+early to the heath, and now appeared in an attire, and mounted on a
+horse, this time procured from the Golden Palace, both of which
+infinitely surpassed the two former. He carried off the third apple,
+and fled, to the wonder of all, swift as the wind, far out of sight.
+
+The festival was now over; the assembly separated; the suitors
+returned to their homes, and the king lamented the fate of his beloved
+daughters. The daughters shed many tears, and mourned over their fate
+as an appointment of Heaven, forbidding them ever to have a
+bridegroom.
+
+As the very first of these occurrences had caused the king entirely
+to forget to pay the herdsman his daily wages, the latter had now
+three days' hire due to him. Pista therefore availed himself of the
+pretext of demanding his wages as a good opportunity to learn what
+impression his three adventures had made at court. That same evening,
+when he brought home his herd, he presented himself before the king,
+but apprehending that, if he left his three apples in the stall, they
+might be purloined, he concealed them in his hat, which he retained on
+his head, although in presence of his monarch.
+
+The king perceived this disrespectful conduct of his herdsman not
+without surprise; but, as he was exceedingly well disposed towards
+him, on account of his great services, he indulgently asked him what
+he required. Pista had scarcely prepared himself to make his request,
+when the youngest, and now exceedingly discontented princess entered,
+and with an air of highly offended pride, snatched his hat off his
+head.
+
+The golden apples fell out of it, and rolled to the monarch's feet.
+
+What was the astonishment of the whole court! The princesses
+recognised their names, and could not express their delight at finding
+their apples. The king pressed the youth in the most gracious terms
+to explain how he had come by them.
+
+Pista replied, with the utmost frankness, that he was the winner of
+the three apples, and therefore thought he had a full right to one of
+the princesses for his bride.
+
+Now, as the king, mindful of the unexampled splendour, as also the
+extraordinary good fortune by which the stranger had distinguished
+himself in the lists, anticipated some still greater advantage behind
+the darkness of this mysterious occurrence, he admitted the herdsman's
+claim with very little hesitation.
+
+The youngest of the princesses felt herself suddenly cheered, and so
+powerfully attracted to the metamorphosed swineherd, that in spite of
+his peasant's dress she threw her arms around his neck. The king
+immediately decided that he should become her husband, and the
+following morning the wedding was celebrated with the utmost
+magnificence, in presence of the whole court, at the Golden Palace in
+the forest, which Pista immediately selected for his residence.
+
+When the banquet was over, the bridegroom commanded his faithful
+dragon, who had already the day before provided a numerous
+establishment of domestics of his own winged race, immediately to
+bring hither his eleven brothers, whose respective names he had
+furnished him with, and had described their persons as accurately as
+he could.
+
+Before the sun went down the eleven brothers were seen coming at full
+gallop to the Golden Palace. By the care of the ever active dragon
+they were all splendidly dressed, and they rejoiced and wondered not a
+little at the unexpected change in their destiny.
+
+Two of them married the sisters of their royal sister-in-law, and the
+rest married the nine daughters of the other king. They soon conquered
+for themselves as many kingdoms, and lived happily together till their
+dying day.
+
+
+
+
+THE LUCKY DAYS.
+
+[Italian.]
+
+
+At Casena, in Romagna, lived a poor widow, a very worthy, industrious
+woman, by name Lucietta. She unfortunately had an only son, who, for
+stupidity and laziness, had yet to find his equal. He would lie in bed
+till noon, and when he did resolve to rise, he took a full hour to rub
+his eyes, and then he would be nearly as long stretching his arms and
+legs; in short, he behaved like the veriest sluggard upon earth.
+
+This grieved his mother very much, for she had once hoped that he
+would some day become the support of her old age; and she never ceased
+to urge and advise him, in order to make him a little more active and
+industrious.
+
+"My son," she often said to him, "he who would see good days in this
+world must exert himself, be industrious, and rise at break of day;
+for good fortune favours the industrious and the vigilant, but never
+comes to the lazy and sluggardly. Therefore, my son, if you will
+believe my counsel, and follow it, then you shall see good days, and
+all will fall out to your heart's content."
+
+Lucilio--that was the young man's name--the silliest of the silly,
+unquestionably heard what his mother said, but he did not understand
+the meaning of her words. He got up as if he were waking out of a deep
+and heavy sleep, and sauntered along the road before the city gate,
+where he stretched himself, in order to finish his nap, right across
+the pathway, so that all entering or leaving the city could not avoid
+stumbling over him.
+
+It so happened that the very night before, three inhabitants of the
+city had gone out to bury a treasure which they had accidentally
+discovered. They had succeeded in finding it again, and were in the
+act of carrying it home, when they came upon Lucilio, who still lay
+across the road, but no longer sleeping. He had just waked up, and was
+looking round him for one of the good days his mother had prophesied
+to him.
+
+"Heaven send you a good day, friend," said the first of the three men,
+as he walked over him.
+
+"Heaven be praised!" said Lucilio, when he heard the words. "Now I
+shall have a good day!"
+
+The man who had buried the treasure, conscious of his fault, fancied
+directly that these words bore reference to him, and that the secret
+had been betrayed. This was quite natural; for whoever has a bad
+conscience, always interprets the most indifferent words as an
+allusion to himself.
+
+The second man then stumbled over Lucilio, likewise wishing him, as
+his predecessor had done, a good day. Whereupon Lucilio, still
+dwelling on the good days, said to himself, but half loud, "Now I have
+two of them!"
+
+The third followed and saluted him as the two others had done, also
+wishing that Heaven might send him a good day. Up started Lucilio,
+overjoyed, and exclaiming, "Oh! delightful! Now I have got all three
+of them! I am fortunate!"
+
+He alluded only to three lucky days; but the buriers of the treasure
+thought he meant them; and as they feared he might go and give
+information of them to the magistrate, they took him aside, told him
+the whole affair, and, to bribe him into silence, gave him the fourth
+part of the treasure.
+
+Well pleased, Lucilio took his portion, carried it home to his mother,
+and said, "Dear mother, Heaven's blessing has been with me; for, as I
+did as you desired, so I have found the good days. Take this money,
+and buy with it all we require."
+
+The mother was not a little pleased at the fortunate occurrence, and
+urged her son to go on exerting himself that he might find more such
+good days.
+
+
+
+
+THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS.
+
+[Icelandish.]
+
+
+Not very far from Drontheim, in Norway, dwelt a powerful man, blessed
+with all the gifts of fortune. A considerable portion of the land
+around belonged to him; numerous herds grazed in his pastures, and a
+numerous establishment of domestics contributed to the grandeur of his
+dwelling. He had an only daughter called Aslog, whose beauty was
+celebrated far and near. The most illustrious of her countrymen sought
+to obtain her hand, but without success; and those who arrived gay and
+full of hope, rode away in silence and with heavy hearts. Her father,
+who thought that his daughter's rejection of so many suitors proceeded
+from her anxiety to make a prudent choice, did not interfere, and
+rejoiced to think that she was so discreet. At length, however, when
+he perceived that the noblest and the most wealthy of the land were
+rejected equally with all others, he grew angry, and thus addressed
+her:--
+
+"Hitherto I have left you at full liberty to make your own selection;
+but, as I observe that you reject all indiscriminately, and that the
+most eligible suitors are yet in your opinion not good enough for you,
+I shall no longer permit such conduct. Is my race, then, to be
+extinguished, and are my possessions to fall into the hands of
+strangers? I am resolved to bend your stubborn will. I give you time
+for consideration until the great winter nights' festival; if you
+shall not then have made your election, be prepared to accept him whom
+I determine upon for you."
+
+Aslog loved a handsome, brave, and noble youth, whose name was Orm.
+She loved him with her whole soul, and would have preferred death to
+giving her hand to any one but him. But Orm was poor, and his poverty
+compelled him to take service in her father's house. Aslog's love for
+him was therefore kept secret, for her haughty father would never have
+consented to an alliance with a man in so subordinate a position. When
+Aslog beheld his stern aspect and heard his angry words, she became
+deathly pale, for she knew his disposition, and was well aware that he
+would put his threat in execution. Without offering a word in reply,
+she withdrew to her chamber, there to consider how to escape the storm
+that menaced her.
+
+The great festival drew near, and her anxiety increased daily.
+
+At length the lovers resolved to fly. "I know a hiding place," said
+Orm, "where we can remain undiscovered till we find an opportunity of
+quitting the country."
+
+During the night, whilst all were asleep, Orm conducted the trembling
+Aslog across the snow and fields of ice to the mountains. The moon and
+stars, which always seem brightest in the cold winter's night, lighted
+them on their way. They had brought with them some clothes and furs,
+but that was all they could carry.
+
+They climbed the mountains the whole night long, till they arrived at
+a solitary spot completely encircled by rock. Here Orm led the weary
+Aslog into a cave, the dark and narrow entrance to which was scarcely
+perceptible; it soon widened, however, into a spacious chamber that
+penetrated far into the mountain. Orm kindled a fire, and they sat
+beside it, leaning against the rock, shut out from the rest of the
+world.
+
+Orm was the first who had discovered this cavern, which is now shown
+as a curiosity; and, as at that time no one knew of its existence,
+they were secure from the pursuit of Aslog's father. Here they passed
+the winter. Orm went out to chase the wild animals of the lonely
+region, and Aslog remained in the cave, attended to the fire, and
+prepared their necessary food. She frequently climbed to the summit of
+the rock, but, far as her eye could reach, it beheld only the
+sparkling snow-fields.
+
+Spring arrived, the woods became green, the fields arrayed themselves
+in bright colours, and Aslog dared now only seldom, and with great
+precaution, to emerge from her cavern.
+
+One evening Orm returned home bringing news that he had recognised, at
+a distance, her father's people, and that they had no doubt also
+descried him, as they could see as clearly as himself. "They will
+surround this place," continued he, "and not rest till they have found
+us; we must therefore instantly be off."
+
+They immediately descended the mountain on the other side, and reached
+the sea-shore, where they fortunately found a boat. Orm pushed off,
+and the boat was driven into the open sea. They had, it is true,
+escaped their pursuers, but they were now exposed to perils of another
+kind. Whither should they turn? They dared not land, for Aslog's
+father was lord of the whole coast, and they would so fall into his
+hands. Nothing remained, therefore, for them, but to commit the boat
+to the winds and waves, which pursued its way all night, so that at
+day-break the coast had disappeared, and they saw only sky and water;
+they had not brought any provisions with them, and hunger and thirst
+began to torture them. Thus they drove on for three days, and Aslog,
+weak and exhausted, foresaw their certain destruction.
+
+At length, on the evening of the third day, they beheld an island of
+considerable size, surrounded by a multitude of lesser islets. Orm
+immediately steered towards it, but, as they approached it, a gale
+arose and the waves swelled higher and higher; he turned the boat in
+hopes to be able to land on some other side, but equally without
+success. Whenever the bark approached the island, it was driven back
+as if by some invisible force.
+
+Orm, gazing on the unhappy Aslog, who seemed dying from exhaustion,
+crossed himself, and uttered an exclamation, which had scarcely passed
+his lips, when the storm ceased, the waves sank, and the little bark
+landed without further obstruction. He then sprang on shore, and a few
+mussels which he collected, so revived and strengthened the exhausted
+Aslog, that in a short time she also was able to quit the boat.
+
+The island was entirely covered with dwarf mushrooms, and appeared to
+be uninhabited; but when they had penetrated nearly to the centre of
+it they perceived a house, half of which only was above the ground,
+and the other half under it. In the hope that they might find human
+help they joyfully approached it; they listened for some sound, but
+the deepest silence prevailed all around. At length Orm opened the
+door and entered with his companion; great was their astonishment,
+however, when they perceived everything prepared as if for
+inhabitants, but no living being visible. The fire burnt on the hearth
+in the middle of the room, and a kettle with fish hung over it,
+waiting, probably, for some one to make a meal of its contents; beds
+were ready prepared for the reception of sleepers. Orm and Aslog stood
+for a time doubtful, and looked fearfully about; at length, impelled
+by hunger, they took the food and eat it. When they had satisfied
+their hunger, and, by the last rays of the sun, could not discover any
+one far and wide, they yielded to fatigue and lay down on the beds, a
+luxury which they had so long been deprived of.
+
+They had fully expected to be awakened in the night by the return of
+the owners of the house, but they were deceived in their expectation;
+throughout the following day, also, no one appeared, and it seemed as
+if some invisible power had prepared the house for their reception.
+Thus did they pass the whole summer most happily; it is true they were
+alone, but the absence of mankind was not felt by them. The eggs of
+wild-fowl and the fish which they caught afforded them sufficient
+provision.
+
+When autumn approached, Aslog bore a son, and in the midst of their
+rejoicing at his arrival they were surprised by a wonderful
+apparition.--The door opened suddenly, and an old woman entered; she
+wore a beautiful blue garment, and in her form and manner was
+something dignified, and at the same time unusual and strange.
+
+"Let not my sudden appearance alarm you," said she. "I am the owner of
+this house, and I thank you for having kept it so clean and well, and
+that I now find everything in such good order. I would willingly have
+come sooner, but I could not until the little heathen there--pointing
+to the infant--had established himself here. Now I have free access;
+but do not, I pray you, fetch a priest here from the main-land to
+baptise him, for then I shall be obliged to go away again. If you
+fulfil my wish, not only may you remain here, but every good you can
+desire I will bestow on you; whatever you undertake shall succeed;
+good fortune shall attend you wherever you go. But if you break this
+condition, you may assure yourselves that misfortune on misfortune
+shall visit you, and I will even avenge myself on the child. If you
+stand in need of anything, or are in danger, you have only to
+pronounce my name thrice: I will appear and aid you. I am of the race
+of the ancient giants, and my name is Guru. Beware, however, of
+pronouncing, in my presence, the name that no giant likes to hear, and
+never make the sign of the cross, nor cut it in any of the boards in
+the house. You may live here the year round; only on Yule evening be
+so kind as to leave the house to me as soon as the sun goes down. Then
+we celebrate our great festival, the only occasion on which we are
+permitted to be merry. If, however, you do not like to quit the house,
+remain as quietly as possible under ground, and, as you value your
+lives, do not look into the room before midnight; after that hour you
+may again take possession of all."
+
+When the old woman had thus spoken, she disappeared, and Aslog and
+Orm, thus rendered easy as to their position, lived on without
+disturbance contented and happy. Orm never cast his net without a good
+draught--never shot an arrow that did not hit--in short, whatever he
+undertook, however trifling it might be, prospered visibly.
+
+When Christmas came they made the house as clean as possible, set
+everything in order, kindled a fire on the hearth, and on the approach
+of twilight descended to the under part of the house, where they
+remained quiet and silent. At length it grew dark, and they fancied
+they heard a rustling and snorting in the air, like that which the
+swans make in the winter season. In the wall over the hearth was an
+aperture that could be opened and shut to admit light, or to let out
+smoke. Orm raised the lid, which was covered with a skin, and put out
+his head, when a wonderful spectacle presented itself. The little
+surrounding islets were illuminated by countless little blue lights,
+which moved incessantly, danced up and down, then slid along the
+shore, collected together, and approached nearer and nearer to the
+island in which Orm and Aslog dwelt. When they reached it they
+arranged themselves in a circle round a great stone, which stood not
+very far from the shore, and which was well known to Orm. But how
+great was his astonishment, when he saw that the stone had assumed a
+perfectly human form, although of gigantic stature. He could now
+clearly distinguish that the lights were carried by dwarfs, whose pale
+earth-coloured faces, with large noses and red eyes, in the form of
+birds' beaks and owls' eyes, surmounted mis-shapen bodies. They
+waddled and shuffled here and there, and seemed to be sad and gay at
+the same time. Suddenly the circle opened, the little people drew back
+on either side, and Guru, who now appeared as large as the stone,
+approached with giant steps. She threw her arms around the stony
+figure, which at that moment received life and movement. At the first
+indication of this, the little people set up, accompanied by
+extraordinary grimaces and gestures, such a song, or rather howl, that
+the whole island resounded and shook with the noise. Orm, quite
+terrified, drew in his head, and he and Aslog now remained in the dark
+so quiet, that they scarcely dared to breathe.
+
+[Illustration: THE FEAST OF THE DWARFS. P. 322.]
+
+The procession arrived at the house, as was clearly perceived by the
+nearer approach of the howl. They now all entered. Light and
+active, the dwarfs skipped over the benches; heavy and dull sounded
+the steps of the giants among them. Orm and his wife heard them lay
+out the table and celebrate their feast with the clattering of plates
+and cries of joy. When the feast was over and midnight was
+approaching, they began to dance to that magic melody which wraps the
+soul in sweet bewilderment, and which has been heard by some persons
+in the valleys and amid the rocks, who have thus learnt the air from
+subterranean musicians.
+
+No sooner did Aslog hear the melody than she was seized with an
+indescribable longing to witness the dance. Orm was unable to restrain
+her. "Let me look," said she, "or my heart will break." She took her
+infant and placed herself at the furthest extremity of the chamber,
+where she could see everything without being herself seen. Long did
+she watch, without turning away her eyes, the dance, and the agile and
+wonderful steps and leaps of the little beings, who seemed to float in
+the air and scarcely to touch the ground, whilst the enchanting music
+of the elfs filled her soul.
+
+In the mean time the infant on her arm grew sleepy and breathed
+heavily, and, without remembering the promise she had made to the old
+woman, she made the sign of the cross (as is the custom) over the
+child's mouth, and said, "Christ bless thee, my child!" She had
+scarcely uttered the words when a fearful piercing cry arose. The
+sprites rushed headlong out of the house, their lights were
+extinguished, and in a few minutes they had all left the house. Orm
+and Aslog, terrified almost to death, hid themselves in the remotest
+corner of the house. They ventured not to move until day-break, and,
+not until the sun shone through the hole over the hearth, did they
+find courage to come out of their hiding-place.
+
+The table was still covered as the sprites had left it, with all their
+precious and wonderfully wrought silver vessels. In the middle of the
+room stood, on the ground, a high copper vessel half filled with sweet
+metheglin, and by its side a drinking-horn of pure gold. In the corner
+lay a stringed instrument, resembling a dulcimer, on which, as it is
+believed, the female giants play. They gazed with admiration on all,
+but did not venture to touch anything. Greatly were they startled,
+however, when, on turning round, they beheld, seated at the table, a
+monstrous form, which Orm immediately recognised as the giant whom
+Guru had embraced. It was now a cold hard stone. Whilst they stood
+looking at it, Guru herself, in her giant form, entered the room. She
+wept so bitterly that her tears fell on the ground, and it was long
+before her sobs would allow her utterance; at length she said:--
+
+"Great sorrow have you brought upon me; I must now weep for the
+remainder of my days. As, however, I know that you did it not from any
+evil intention, I forgive you, although it would be easy for me to
+crumble this house over your heads like an egg-shell.
+
+"Ah!" exclaimed she, "there sits my husband, whom I loved better than
+myself, turned for ever into stone, never again to open his eyes. For
+three hundred years I lived with my father in the island of Kuman,
+happy in youthful innocence, the fairest amongst the virgins of the
+giant race. Mighty heroes were rivals for my hand; the sea that
+surrounds that island is full of fragments of rock which they hurled
+at each other in fight. Andfind won the victory, and I was betrothed
+to him. But before our marriage came the abhorred Odin into the
+country, conquered my father, and drove us out of the island. My
+father and sister fled to the mountains, and my eyes have never since
+beheld them. Andfind and I escaped to this island, where we lived for
+a long time in peace, and began to hope that we should never be
+disturbed. But Destiny, which no one can escape, had decreed
+otherwise; Oluff came from Britain. They called him the Holy, and
+Andfind at once discovered that his journey would be fatal to the
+giant race. When he heard Oluf's ship dashing through the waves, he
+went to the shore and blew against it with all his strength. The waves
+rose into mountains. But Oluf was mightier than he; his vessel flew
+unharmed through the waves, like an arrow from the bow. He steered
+straight to our island. When the ship was near enough for Andfind to
+reach it, he grasped the prow with his right hand, and was in the act
+of sending it to the bottom, as he had often done with other ships.
+But Oluf, the dreadful Oluf, stepped forwards, and crossing his hands,
+cried out with a loud voice:--'Stand there, a stone, until the last
+day!' and in that moment my unhappy husband became a mass of stone.
+The ship sailed on unhindered towards the mountain, which it severed,
+and separated from it the little islands that lie around it.
+
+"From that day all my happiness was annihilated, and I have passed my
+life in loneliness and sorrow. Only on Yule evening can a petrified
+giant recover life for seven hours, if one of the race embraces him,
+and is willing to renounce a hundred years of life for this purpose.
+It is seldom that a giant does this. I loved my husband too tenderly
+not to recall him to life as often as I could, at whatever cost to
+myself. I never counted how often I had done it, in order that I might
+not know when the time would come when I should share his fate, and in
+the act of embracing him become one with him. But ah! even this
+consolation is denied me. I can never again awaken him with an
+embrace, since he has heard the name which I may not utter, and never
+will he again see the light until the dawn of the last day.
+
+"I am about to quit this place. You will never again behold me. All
+that is in the house I bestow on you. I reserve only my dulcimer. Let
+no one presume to set foot on the little surrounding islands. There
+dwells the little subterranean race, whom I will protect as long as I
+live."
+
+With these words she vanished. The following spring, Orm carried the
+golden horn and the silver vessels to Drontheim, where no one knew
+him. The value of these costly utensils was so great, that he was
+enabled to purchase all that a rich man requires. He loaded his vessel
+with his purchases, and returned to the island, where he lived for
+many years in uninterrupted happiness. Aslog's father soon became
+reconciled to his wealthy son-in-law.
+
+The stone figure remained seated in the house. No one was able to
+remove it thence. The stone was so hard that axe and hammer were
+shivered against it, without making the slightest impression on it.
+There the giant remained till a holy man came to the island, and with
+one word restored it to its former place, where it still is to be
+seen.
+
+The copper vessel which the subterranean people left behind them, is
+preserved as a memorial in the island, which is still called the
+Island of the Hut.
+
+
+
+
+THE THREE DOGS.
+
+[Frieslandish.]
+
+
+A shepherd who had two children, a son and a daughter, had, at his
+death, nothing to leave them but three sheep, and the little cottage
+they inhabited. On his death-bed he blessed them, and with his last
+breath admonished them to divide the legacy, and share it
+affectionately. When the children had buried their beloved father, the
+brother asked the sister which part of the inheritance she would
+prefer,--the sheep or the cottage? and as she chose the cottage, he
+said, "Then I will take the sheep, and wander out in the wide world;
+many a one has there found his fortune, and I am a Sunday child." With
+these words he embraced his sister, and with his inheritance left his
+native place.
+
+Far and wide did he wander, and much did he suffer--fortune never once
+recognising him as her son. Once, full of sorrow, uncertain whither
+to bend his steps, he sat down by a cross road, when all at once there
+stood before him a man accompanied by three large dogs, the one
+greater than the other, strongly built, and jet black.
+
+"Well, my brave youth," said the man, "you have there three fine
+sheep, and if you choose we will exchange property; let me have your
+sheep, and you shall have my dogs."
+
+In spite of his mournful disposition, the youth could not help
+laughing at the proposal. "What am I to do with your dogs?" demanded
+he; "my sheep feed themselves, but your dogs will want to be fed."
+
+"My dogs are of a peculiar kind," answered the stranger; "they will
+provide for you, instead of your providing for them, and besides they
+will bring you great fortune. The smallest of them is called
+Bring-food; the second, Tear-to-pieces; and the great and strong one
+is named Break-steel-and-iron."
+
+The shepherd, persuaded by the stranger, gave up his sheep; and now,
+to try their quality, he called out "Bring-food!" and forthwith one of
+the dogs ran away, and soon returned with a great basket full of the
+costliest and daintiest victuals. The shepherd was now much pleased
+at his exchange, and travelled far and wide over the land.
+
+Once on his road he met a carriage hung all over with black crape
+drawn by two horses, which were covered with cloth of the same colour,
+and the coachman, too, was in deep mourning. In the carriage was
+seated a wondrously beautiful lady, also enveloped in the mournful
+colour of sorrow, and bitterly weeping; the horses, with drooping
+heads, paced slowly along. "What means this?" said he to the coachman;
+but the coachman gave an evasive answer; at last, however, after much
+pressing, he related as follows: "There dwells in this neighbourhood a
+ferocious dragon who caused great havoc and destruction; to appease
+him, and to secure the land against his devastation, a compact has
+been entered into with him, and he each year receives as tribute a
+fair maiden, whom he at one morsel devours and swallows. All the
+maidens in the kingdom at the age of fourteen draw lots between them,
+and this year the lot has fallen upon the daughter of the king: on
+this account the king and the whole state were plunged into the
+deepest grief; but such terror did the dragon inspire, that they dared
+not refuse him the sacrifice."
+
+The shepherd felt pity for the beautiful young princess, and followed
+the carriage, which at last stopped at a high mountain. The princess
+descended, and, full of despair and anguish, went slowly onwards to
+meet her awful destiny. The driver, on observing that the youth
+followed her, warned him; the shepherd, however, was not to be
+persuaded, but followed her steps.
+
+When they had thus advanced half-way up the mountain, the terrible
+monster approached from the summit, with an awful noise, to devour the
+victim. From its widely-extended jaws issued streams of burning
+sulphur, its body was encircled with thick horny scales, on its feet
+it had immense claws, and wings were attached to its long serpentine
+neck: already was it near enough to pounce upon its prey, when the
+shepherd cried out, "Tear-to-pieces!" and his second dog threw himself
+upon the dragon, and attacked him with such strength and ferocity,
+that, after a short combat, the monster fell exhausted and dead at the
+feet of his antagonist, who, to finish his victory, wholly devoured
+him, leaving only two teeth; these the shepherd put in his pocket.
+
+The princess, overcome with the extreme emotions of fear and joy, had
+fainted away; the shepherd by every means in his power tried to
+restore her back to life, in which he at last succeeded. When fully
+recovered, the princess threw herself at the feet of her deliverer,
+thanking, and imploring him to return with her to her father, who
+would richly reward him for having returned him his daughter, and
+saved the country from the scourge of the dragon.
+
+The youth answered, he would first like to see and know a little more
+of the world; but in three years he would return, and by this
+resolution he remained. The maiden then returned to her carriage, and
+the shepherd continued his wanderings in an opposite direction.
+
+Meanwhile the coachman, who had been a spectator of the whole, now
+meditated in his own black mind how to turn this fortunate conclusion
+of the tragedy to his own profit and aggrandizement. As they were
+passing over a bridge, under which flowed a great stream, he turned
+himself to the princess and said, "Your deliverer is gone, and was not
+even anxious for your thanks. It would be a noble action of yours to
+make the fortune of a poor man. If you, therefore, were to tell your
+father that it was by my hand that the dragon perished, this would be
+accomplished. But should you refuse to do so, I will throw you into
+this deep river, and no one will ever ask after you, being all
+convinced that the dragon has devoured you." The maiden cried and
+prayed, but in vain; she was forced to swear that she would proclaim
+the coachman as her deliverer, and never divulge the secret to any
+mortal.
+
+They then returned to the capital, where all was rejoicing and
+gladness at their return. The black banners were removed from the
+steeples of the church, and gay coloured ones were hoisted to replace
+them. The king with tears of joy embraced his daughter and her
+supposed deliverer: "Thou hast not only saved my child," said he, "but
+thou hast also delivered my land from the greatest pestilence by which
+it ever has been scourged: to reward you royally for your undaunted
+courage, and in a manner commensurate with your great service, I
+intend to bestow my daughter in marriage upon you; but as she is yet
+too young, we will defer the ceremony for one year."
+
+The coachman thanked the king, was forthwith richly apparelled,
+elevated to the rank of a duke, with the possession of a dukedom, and
+instructed in those polite manners requisite in his new and elevated
+station. The princess was much afflicted, and bewailed her mournful
+destiny most bitterly, when she was informed of the promise her father
+had made; but withal she feared to break her oath. When the year was
+at an end, in spite of all her entreaties she could not obtain from
+her father anything beyond the promise that the wedding should be
+delayed for another year. This also expired.
+
+She again threw herself at her father's feet imploring for yet another
+year, for she well remembered the promise of her young and handsome
+deliverer, that in three years he would return. The king could not
+resist her entreaties, and acquiesced in her prayer on the condition
+that at the termination of that time she would wed the man he had
+chosen for her. The time again quickly elapsed. The auspicious day was
+already fixed, on the towers gay banners waved in the breeze, and the
+joyful shouting of the people mounted to the sky.
+
+On the same day a stranger, with three dogs, entered the town. On
+demanding the reason of the public rejoicing, he was informed that the
+king's daughter, that very day, was to be united to the man that had
+delivered her and the country from the terrible dragon, which he had
+slain.
+
+The stranger, in no very measured terms, pronounced this man an
+impostor, who had decked himself with other's feathers: the watch who,
+passing by, had overheard him, at once apprehended him and threw him
+into a strong prison guarded with doors and bars of iron. As he lay on
+his bundle of straw and sorrowfully contemplated his destiny, he
+thought he heard the whining of his dogs,--a gleam of hope suddenly
+burst upon him--"Break-steel-and-iron!" cried he as loud as he could,
+and hardly had he uttered the words when he saw the paws of his
+biggest dog hard at work on the bars of his window, tearing and
+breaking them down as if they had been reeds; the dog then jumped down
+into the cell and bit the chains with which his master was fettered,
+to pieces; whereupon both left the prison by the window as hastily as
+possible. He was now again at liberty, but the thought painfully
+oppressed him that another should have reaped the benefit of the deed
+of which he deserved the merit and reward. He felt also very hungry,
+and he called to one of his dogs, "Bring-food," which dog soon
+returned with a napkin full of costly food; the napkin was marked
+with a royal crown.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+The king was seated at table, with all the great men of his land
+around him, when the dog made its appearance, and, as if in
+supplication, licked the hand of the princely maiden. She at once
+recognised the dog, and tied her own napkin round his neck, looking
+upon his appearance as foreboding her deliverance. She then prayed her
+father for a few words in private, when she disclosed to him the whole
+of the secret: the king sent a messenger to see whither the dog went,
+and the stranger was soon after brought into the royal presence. The
+former coachman, pale and trembling at his appearance, fell upon his
+knees imploring mercy; the princess at once recognised the stranger as
+her saviour, who moreover proved his identity by the two dragon teeth
+that he yet carried about with him. The coachman was thrown into a
+deep dungeon and his dignities were conferred on the shepherd, who was
+the same day wedded to the princess.
+
+The youthful pair lived a long time in the greatest happiness. The
+former shepherd often thought of his sister; and, that she might
+participate in his felicity, a carriage and servants were sent to
+fetch her, and before long she was pressed to the breast of her
+affectionate brother; then one of the dogs said to his master, "Our
+time is now expired; you need us no longer; we remained thus long with
+you to see whether in fortune also you would remember your sister, or
+whether the sudden acquisition of wealth and power would make you
+proud, forgetful, and austere. You have not proved guilty of such
+wickedness, but have shown yourself virtuous and affectionate." The
+dogs then changed into birds and vanished in the air.
+
+
+
+
+THE COURAGEOUS FLUTE-PLAYER.
+
+[A traditional tale in Franconia.]
+
+
+There lived once a gay-hearted musician, who played the flute in a
+masterly style, and earned his living by wandering about, and playing
+on his instrument in all the towns and villages he came to. One
+evening he arrived at a farm-house, and resolved to stay there, as he
+could not reach the next village before night-fall. The farmer gave
+him a very friendly reception, made him sit down at his own table, and
+after supper requested him to play him an air on his flute. When the
+musician had finished, he looked out of the window, and saw by the
+light of the moon, at no great distance from the farm, an ancient
+castle, which was partly in ruins.
+
+"What old castle is that?" said the musician; "and to whom did it
+belong?"
+
+The farmer then related to him, that many, many years ago, a count
+had dwelt there, who was very rich, but also very avaricious. He had
+been very harsh to his vassals, had never given any alms to the poor,
+and had finally died without heirs, as his avarice had deterred him
+from marrying. His nearest relations had then taken possession of the
+castle, but had not been able to discover any money whatever in it. It
+was, therefore, supposed that he must have buried the treasure, and
+that it must still be lying concealed in some part of the old castle.
+Many persons had gone into the castle in hopes of finding the
+treasure, but no one had ever appeared again; and on this account the
+authorities of the village had forbidden any access to it, and had
+seriously warned all people throughout the country against going
+there.
+
+The musician listened attentively, and when the farmer had finished
+his narration, he expressed the most ardent desire to go into the
+castle, for he had a brave heart, and knew not fear. The farmer,
+however, entreated him earnestly, even on his knees, to have regard
+for his young life, and not to enter the castle. But prayers and
+entreaties were vain: the musician was not to be shaken in his
+resolution. Two of the farmer's men were obliged to light a couple of
+lanterns and accompany the courageous musician to the old and dreaded
+castle. When he reached it, he sent them home again with one of the
+lanterns, and taking the other in his hand, he boldly ascended a long
+flight of steps. Arrived at the top, he found himself in a spacious
+hall, which had doors on all sides. He opened the first he came to,
+entered a chamber, and seating himself at an old-fashioned table,
+placed his light thereon, and began playing on his flute. Meanwhile,
+the farmer could not close his eyes all night, through anxiety for his
+fate, and often looked out of the window towards the tower, and
+rejoiced exceedingly when he heard each time his guest still making
+sweet music. But when, at length, the clock against the wall struck
+eleven, and the flute-playing ceased, he became dreadfully alarmed,
+believing no otherwise than that the ghost, or devil, or whoever it
+might be that inhabited the castle, had, doubtless, twisted the poor
+youth's neck. The musician, however, had continued playing without
+fear until he was tired, and at length finding himself hungry, as he
+had not eaten much at the farmer's, he walked up and down the room,
+and looked about him. At last he spied a pot full of uncooked lentils,
+and on another table stood a vessel full of water, another full of
+salt, and a flask of wine. He quickly poured the water over the
+lentils, added the salt, made a fire in the stove, as there was plenty
+of wood by the side of it, and began to cook soup. Whilst the lentils
+were stewing, he emptied the flask of wine, and began playing again on
+his flute. As soon as the lentils were ready, he took them off the
+fire, shook them into the plate that stood ready on the table, and eat
+heartily of them. He then looked at his watch, and saw it was about
+eleven o'clock. At that moment the door suddenly flew open, and two
+tall black men entered, carrying on their shoulders a bier, on which
+lay a coffin. Without uttering a word, they placed the bier before the
+musician, who did not interrupt himself in his meal on account of
+them, and then they went out again at the same door, as silently as
+they had come in. As soon as they were gone the musician hastily rose
+from his seat, and uncovered the coffin. A little old and shrivelled
+man, with grey hair and a grey beard, lay therein; but the young man
+felt no fear, and lifting him out of the coffin, placed him by the
+stove, and no sooner did the body become warm, than life returned to
+it. Then the musician became quite busy with the old man, gave him
+some of the lentils to eat, and even fed him as a mother does her
+child. At last the old man became quite animated, and said to him,
+"Follow me!"
+
+The little old man led the way, and the young flutist, taking his
+lantern, followed without trepidation. They descended a long and
+dilapidated flight of steps, and at last arrived in a deep gloomy
+vault.
+
+On the ground lay a great heap of money. Then the little man said to
+the youth, "Divide this heap for me into two equal portions; but mind
+that thou leave not anything over, for if thou dost I will deprive
+thee of life!"
+
+The youth merely smiled in reply, and immediately began to count out
+the money upon two great tables, laying a piece alternately on each,
+and so in no long time he had separated the heap into two equal
+portions; but just at the last he found there was one kreutzer over.
+After a moment's thought he drew out his pocket-knife, set the blade
+upon the kreutzer, and striking it with a hammer that was lying there,
+cut the coin in half. When he had thrown one half on each of the
+heaps, the little man became right joyous, and said: "Thou courageous
+man, thou hast released me! It is now already a hundred years that I
+have been doomed to watch my treasure, which I collected out of
+avarice, until some one should succeed in dividing the money into two
+equal portions. Not one of the many who have tried could do it; and I
+was obliged to strangle them all. One of the heaps of gold is thine;
+distribute the other among the poor. Thou happy man, thou hast
+released me!"
+
+When he had uttered these words, the little old man vanished. The
+youth, however, re-ascended the steps, and began again to play in the
+same chamber as before, merry tunes on his flute.
+
+Rejoiced was the farmer when he again heard the notes; and with the
+earliest dawn he went to the castle and joyfully met the youth. The
+latter related to him the events of the night, and then descended to
+his treasure, with which he did as the little old man had commanded
+him. He caused, however, the old castle to be pulled down, and there
+soon stood a new one in its place, where the musician, now become a
+rich man, took up his abode.
+
+
+
+
+THE GLASS HATCHET.
+
+[Hungarian.]
+
+
+In a remote land there dwelt, in former days, a wealthy count. He and
+his consort most ardently wished for a child, to whom they might
+bequeath their riches; but a long time passed ere their wish was
+gratified. At length, after twelve weary years, the countess bore a
+son; but short was the time granted her to rejoice at the
+accomplishment of her desire, for she died the day after the child's
+birth. Before she expired, she warned her husband never to allow the
+child to touch the earth with his feet, for, from the moment he should
+do so he would fall into the power of a bad fairy who was on the watch
+for him. The countess then breathed her last.
+
+The boy throve well, and when he had outgrown the age for being in the
+nurse's arms, a peculiarly-formed chair was constructed for him, in
+which he could, unassisted, convey himself about the garden of his
+father's castle. At other times he was carried in a litter, and most
+carefully attended to and watched, in order that he might never touch
+the earth with his feet.
+
+As, however, the physicians, in order to supply the absence of other
+exercise, prescribed riding on horseback, he was instructed in that
+art as soon as he was ten years of age, and soon became proficient
+enough in it to be allowed to ride out daily, without any apprehension
+of danger to him being felt by his father. On these occasions he was
+always attended by a numerous suite.
+
+He rode almost every day in the forest and on the plain, and returned
+safely home. In this manner many years glided away; and the warning
+given by the late countess almost ceased to be dwelt upon, and the
+enjoined precautions were observed rather from old habit than from any
+immediate sense of their importance.
+
+One day the youth, with his attendants, rode across the fields to a
+wood, where his father frequently took the diversion of hunting. The
+path led to a rivulet, the borders of which were overgrown with
+bushes. The riders crossed it; when suddenly a hare, startled by the
+tramp of the horses, sprang from the bush and fled through the wood.
+The young count pursued, and had almost overtaken it, when the
+saddle-girth of his horse broke; saddle and rider rolled together on
+the ground, and at the same moment he vanished from the sight of his
+terrified attendants, leaving no trace behind.
+
+All search or enquiry was vain; and they recognised in the misfortune
+the power of the evil fairy, against whom the countess had uttered her
+dying warning. The old count was deeply afflicted; but as he could do
+nothing to effect the deliverance of his son, he resigned himself to
+fate, and lived patiently and solitary, in the hope that a more
+favourable destiny might yet one day rescue the youth from the hands
+of his enemy.
+
+The young count had scarcely touched the earth before he was seized by
+the invisible fairy, and carried off by her. He seemed now transported
+to quite a new world, and without a hope of ever being released from
+it. A strangely-built castle, surrounded by a spacious lake, was the
+fairy's residence. A floating bridge, which rested only on clouds,
+afforded a passage across it. On the other side were only forests and
+mountains, which were constantly wrapped in a dense fog, and in which
+no human voice, nor even that of any other living creature was ever
+heard. All around him was awful, mysterious, and gloomy; and only on
+the eastern side of the castle, where a little promontory stretched
+out into the lake, a narrow path wound through a valley in the rocks,
+behind which a river glistened.
+
+As soon as the fairy with her captive arrived on her territory, she
+commanded him fiercely to execute all her behests with the extremest
+precision, at the risk of being punished severely for disobedience and
+delay.
+
+She then gave him a glass hatchet, bidding him cross the bridge of
+clouds and go into the forest, where she expected him to cut down all
+the timber before sun-set. At the same time she warned him, on pain of
+her severest displeasure, not to speak to the dark maiden whom in all
+probability he would meet in the forest.
+
+The young count listened respectfully to her orders, and betook
+himself with his glass hatchet to the appointed place. The bridge of
+clouds seemed at each step he took to sink beneath him; but fear would
+not admit of his delaying; and so he soon arrived, although much
+fatigued by his mode of passage, at the wood, where he immediately
+began his work.
+
+But he had no sooner made his first stroke at a tree, than the glass
+hatchet flew into a thousand splinters. The youth was so distressed he
+knew not what to do, so much did he fear the chastisement that the
+cruel fairy would inflict on him. He wandered hither and thither, and
+at length, quite exhausted by anxiety and fatigue, he sank on the
+ground and slept.
+
+After a time something roused him; when upon opening his eyes, he
+beheld the black maiden standing before him. Remembering the
+prohibition he did not venture to address her. But she greeted him
+kindly, and inquired if he did not belong to the owner of the domain.
+The young count made a sign in the affirmative. The maiden then
+related that she was in like manner bound to obey the fairy who had by
+magic transformed her and forced her to wander in that ugly form,
+until some youth should take pity on her and conduct her over that
+river beyond which the domain of the fairy and her power did not
+extend. On the further side of the river she was powerless to harm any
+one who, by swimming through the waves, should reach the other shore.
+
+These words inspired the young count with so much courage, that he
+revealed to the black maiden the whole of his destiny, and asked her
+counsel how he might escape punishment, since the wood was not cut
+down, and the hatchet was broken.
+
+"I know," resumed the maiden, "that the fairy, in whose power we both
+are, is my own mother; but thou must not betray that I have told thee
+this, for it would cost me my life. If thou wilt promise to deliver
+me, I will assist thee, and will perform for thee all that my mother
+commands thee to do."
+
+The youth promised joyfully; she again warned him several times not to
+say a word to the fairy that should betray her, and then gave him a
+beverage, which he had no sooner drunk than he fell into a soft
+slumber.
+
+How great was his astonishment on waking to find the glass hatchet
+unbroken at his feet, all the trees of the forest cut down and lying
+round him!
+
+He instantly hastened back across the cloud bridge, and informed the
+fairy that her behest was obeyed. She heard with much surprise that
+the forest was cut down, and that the glass hatchet was still
+uninjured, and being unable to believe that he had performed all that
+unassisted, she closely questioned him whether he had seen and spoken
+to the black maiden. But the count strongly denied that he had, and
+affirmed that he had not once looked up from his work. When she found
+that she could learn nothing further from him, she gave him some bread
+and water, and showed him a little dark closet where she bade him pass
+the night.
+
+Almost before day-break the fairy again wakened him, assigned him for
+that day's task to cleave, with the same glass hatchet, all the wood
+he had felled into billets, and then to arrange them in heaps; at the
+same time she again warned him, with redoubled threats, not to go near
+the black maiden, or dare converse with her.
+
+Although his present work was in no respect easier than that of the
+preceding day, the youth set off in much better spirits, for he hoped
+for the assistance of the black maiden. He crossed the bridge quicker
+and more lightly than the day before, and had scarcely passed it when
+he beheld her. She received him with a friendly salutation; and when
+she heard what the fairy had now required of him, she said, smiling,
+"Do not be uneasy," and handed to him a similar beverage to that of
+yesterday. The count again fell into a deep sleep. When he awoke his
+work was done; for all the trees of the forest were cut up into blocks
+and arranged in heaps.
+
+He returned home quickly. When the fairy heard that he had performed
+this task also, she was still more surprised than before. She again
+inquired if he had seen or spoken to the black maiden; but the count
+had the prudence to preserve his secret, and she was again obliged to
+content herself with his denial.
+
+On the third day she set him a new task, and this was the most
+difficult of all. She commanded him to build, on the further side of
+the lake, a magnificent castle, which should consist of nothing but
+gold, silver, and precious stones; and if he did not build the said
+castle in less than one hour's time, he might expect the most dreadful
+fate.
+
+The count listened to her commands without alarm, such was the
+confidence he reposed in the black maiden. Cheerily he hastened across
+the bridge, and immediately recognised the spot where the palace was
+to be erected. Pickaxes, hammers, spades, and all manner of tools
+requisite for building, lay scattered around; but neither gold, nor
+silver, nor jewels could he spy. He had, however, scarcely begun to
+feel uneasy at this circumstance, when the black maiden beckoned to
+him from a rock at some distance, behind which she had concealed
+herself from her mother's searching looks. The youth hastened to her
+well pleased, and besought her to assist him in the execution of her
+mother's orders.
+
+This time, however, the fairy had watched the count from a window of
+her castle, and descried him and her daughter just as they were about
+to conceal themselves behind the rock. She set up such a frightful
+scream, that the mountains and the lake re-echoed with it, and the
+terrified pair scarcely dared to look out from their hiding-place,
+whilst the infuriated fairy, with violent gestures and hasty strides,
+her hair and garments streaming in the wind, hastened across the
+bridge of clouds. The youth gave himself up for lost; each step of the
+fairy seemed to bring him nearer to destruction. The maiden, however,
+took courage, and bade him follow her as quickly as possible. Before
+they hastened from the spot she broke a stone from the rock, uttered a
+spell over it, and threw it towards the place from which her mother
+was advancing. At once a glittering palace arose before the eyes of
+the fairy, which dazzled her with its lustre, and delayed her by the
+numerous windings of its avenue, through which she was obliged to
+thread her way.
+
+Meanwhile the black maiden hurried the count along, in order to reach
+the river, the opposite bank of which alone could protect her for ever
+from the persecutions of the raging fairy. But before they had got
+half way, she was again so near them that her imprecations, and even
+the rustling of her garments reached their ears.
+
+The terror of the youth was extreme; he dared not to look behind him,
+and had scarcely power left to advance. At every breath he fancied
+that he felt the hand of the terrible fairy on his neck. Then the
+maiden stopped, again uttered a spell, and was at once transformed
+into a pond, whilst the count swam upon its waters under the figure of
+a drake.
+
+The fairy, incensed to the utmost at this new transformation, called
+down thunder and hail on the two fugitives; but the water refused to
+be disturbed, and whilst it remained calm no thunder-cloud would
+approach it. She now employed her power to cause the pond to vanish
+from the spot: she pronounced a magic spell, and called up a hill of
+sand at her feet, which she intended should choke up the pond. But the
+sand-hill drove the water still further on, and seemed rather to
+augment than diminish it. When the fairy found this would not answer,
+and that her art failed so entirely, she had recourse to cunning. She
+threw a heap of golden nuts into the pond, hoping thereby to entice
+the drake, and catch him; but he snapped at the nuts with his bill,
+pushed them all back to the margin, dived here and there, and made
+game of the fairy in various ways.
+
+Finding herself again cheated, and unwilling to see the reflection of
+her face in the pond, glowing, as it was, with rage and mortification,
+she turned back full of fury to devise some other stratagem by which
+to catch the fugitives.
+
+She concealed herself behind the very same rock which had served them
+for a place of refuge, and watched for the moment when they should
+both resume their natural form in order to pursue their way.
+
+It was not long before the maiden disenchanted herself, as well as the
+count, and as they could nowhere perceive their persecutor, they both
+hastened in good spirits to the river.
+
+But scarcely had they proceeded a hundred paces, when the fairy burst
+out again after them with redoubled speed, shaking at them the dagger
+with which she meant to pierce them both. But she was doomed to see
+her intentions again frustrated and derided; for just as she thought
+she had reached the flying pair, a marble chapel rose before her, in
+the narrow portal of which stood a colossal monk, to prevent her
+entrance.
+
+Foaming with passion she struck at the monk's face with her dagger,
+but behold, it fell into shivers at her feet. She was beside herself
+with desperation, and raved at the chapel till the columns and dome
+resounded. Then she determined to annihilate the whole building and
+the fugitives with it at once. She stamped thrice, and the earth began
+to quake. A hollow murmur like that of a rising tempest was heard from
+below, and the monk and chapel began to totter.
+
+As soon as she perceived this, she retired to some distance behind the
+edifice, that she might not be buried under its ruins. But she was
+again deceived in her expectation; for she had no sooner retired from
+the steps, than the monk and chapel disappeared, and an awful forest
+surrounded her with its black shade, whence issued a terrible sound of
+the mingled bellowing, roaring, howling and baying of wild bulls,
+bears, and wolves.
+
+Her rage gave way to terror at this new apparition, for she dreaded
+every moment to be destroyed by these creatures, who all seemed to
+set her power at defiance. She therefore deemed it most prudent to
+work her way back through bush and briar towards the lighter side of
+the forest, in order from thence again to try her might and cunning
+against the hated pair.
+
+Meantime, both had pursued their way to the river with their utmost
+speed. As this river resisted all kind of enchantment, consequently it
+was hostile to the black maiden whose hour of deliverance had not yet
+struck, and it might have proved fatal to her; she therefore did not
+let the moment for her complete disenchantment escape, but reminded
+the youth of his promise. She gave him a bow and arrows and a dagger,
+and instructed him in the use he was to make of these weapons.
+
+She then vanished from his sight, and at the moment of her
+disappearance, a raging boar rushed upon him, menacing to rip him up.
+But the youth took courage and shot an arrow at him with such good
+aim, that it pierced the animal's skull. It fell to the ground, and
+from its jaws sprang a hare, which fled as on the wings of the wind
+along the bank of the river. The youth again bent his bow, and
+stretched the hare on the earth, when a snow-white dove rose into the
+air, and circled round him with friendly cooings. As by the
+directions he had received from the black maiden he was equally
+forbidden to spare the dove, he sent another arrow from his bow, and
+brought it down. Approaching to examine it more closely, he found in
+its place an egg, which spontaneously rolled to his feet.
+
+The final transformation now drew near. A powerful vulture sailed down
+upon him with wide stretched beak threatening him with destruction.
+But the youth seized the egg, waited till the bird approached him, and
+cast it into its throat. The monster at once disappeared, and the
+loveliest maiden the count had ever beheld stood before his delighted
+eyes.
+
+Whilst these events were occurring, the fairy had worked her way out
+of the forest, and now adopted her last means of reaching the
+fugitives in case they should not already have passed the river. As
+soon as she emerged from the forest, she called up her dragon-drawn
+car and mounted high in the air. She soon descried the lovers, with
+interlaced arms, swimming easily as a couple of fish towards the
+opposite bank.
+
+[Illustration: THE GLASS HATCHET. P. 358.]
+
+Swift as lightning she bore down with her dragon-car, and regardless
+of all peril, she endeavoured to reach them, even though they were in
+the river. But the hostile stream drew down the car into its
+depths, and dashed her about with its waves until she hung upon the
+bushes a prey to its finny inhabitants. Thus the lovers were finally
+rescued. They hastened to the paternal castle, where the count
+received them with transport. The following day their nuptials were
+celebrated with great magnificence, and all the inhabitants far and
+near rejoiced at the happy event.
+
+
+
+
+THE GOLDEN DUCK.
+
+[Bohemian.]
+
+
+Deep in the bosom of a wood once stood a little cottage, inhabited by
+a poor widow. Her name was Jutta, and she had formerly lived in easy
+circumstances, but through various misfortunes, without any fault of
+her own, she had fallen into poverty.
+
+By the labour of her hands she with difficulty contrived to support
+herself, her daughter Adelheid, and the two children of her departed
+brother, Henry and Emma. The children, who were good and pious,
+especially Henry and Emma, did their utmost to assist her by their
+diligence: the girls spun, and the boy helped the old woman to
+cultivate the garden, and tended the sheep, whose milk formed the
+principal part of their daily sustenance.
+
+One evening they were all sitting together in the little cottage,
+whilst a tremendous storm raged without. The rain poured down in
+torrents, and flash after flash of lightning followed the thunder,
+which broke over the mountains, and seemed as if it would never cease.
+
+The old woman had just sung to the children the song of the
+water-sprite who danced with a young maiden till he drew her down into
+the abyss, when suddenly they heard a tap at the door. The startled
+children huddled close together, but the mother took courage and
+opened it, when a soft female voice begged her to give shelter to a
+traveller who had been overtaken in the forest by the storm.
+
+The stranger was an elderly woman of a noble and dignified appearance,
+but so kind and friendly in her manner that all were anxious to show
+her some attention. Whilst the widow was regretting that her poverty
+did not allow her to receive such a guest in a more worthy manner,
+Henry lighted the fire, and Emma was anxious to kill her favourite
+pigeons for her supper, but the lady would not permit this, and took
+only a little milk.
+
+The following morning, when Jutta and the children awoke, they were
+not a little astonished at beholding, instead of the aged woman who
+had entered the hut the night before, a youthful one of superhuman
+beauty, arrayed in a magnificent dress which sparkled with diamonds.
+
+"Know," said the stranger to the widow, "that you yesterday received
+into your dwelling no mortal, but a fairy; I always try those mortals
+whom I desire to benefit, and you have stood the trial. To little Emma
+I am especially beholden, because she would yesterday have killed for
+my supper what she most values, her pigeons. For this she shall be
+gifted. Whenever she weeps, either for joy or sorrow, pearls instead
+of tears shall drop from her eyes, and the hairs she combs from her
+head shall turn into threads of pure gold. But beware that no ray of
+sun ever shine upon her uncovered countenance, for then a great
+misfortune will befall her; from henceforth never let her go into the
+open air without being covered with a veil."
+
+The beneficent fairy having thus spoken, vanished; but Jutta, who was
+desirous to prove the truth of her words, hastily spread a large cloth
+on the ground, placed the little maiden on it, and commenced combing
+her long fair locks. Immediately the hairs that fell on the cloth
+became threads of gold, and when the old woman told the child how rich
+and grand she might now become, and what pretty toys she might buy,
+she wept for joy, and the most beautiful pearls rolled from her eyes
+upon the linen cloth.
+
+The next day the old woman betook herself to the nearest town, sold
+the pearls and the threads of gold, and bought a fine veil, without
+which Emma was never suffered to leave the house. She often combed the
+child's hair several times in the day, telling her all the time the
+prettiest tales, which drew from her eyes abundance of tears, either
+of pleasure or compassion, so that in a short time Jutta possessed a
+considerable treasure in gold and pearls.
+
+At first she sold her treasures to Jews, and received but little for
+them, as they believed the goods were stolen. By and by, however, when
+she had become possessed of a small landed estate in the district, she
+traded with jewellers and goldsmiths, who paid her according to the
+value of her goods, and so at length she collected a very considerable
+treasure.
+
+Meanwhile Adelheid and Emma grew into young women. But the increasing
+wealth of the old woman, whom her neighbours had formerly known to be
+in such straitened circumstances, and who knew not how she had
+acquired her riches, gave occasion for envious tongues to utter many
+an evil speech against her. Still further were their curiosity and
+ill-nature excited by the singular circumstance that Emma always went
+about veiled, and under these circumstances, what could be more
+natural than that the greater part of them were ready to swear without
+hesitation that old Jutta was a vile witch, and ought to be burned?
+
+Now although these evil speeches were unable to do the widow any real
+injury, still she was not a little vexed and annoyed when they reached
+her ears, or when she perceived that she was looked upon with
+suspicious and wondering looks; and finding it impossible by obliging
+and friendly conduct, or even by conferring benefits, to win the
+hearts of her neighbours, or to stop their calumnies, she preferred to
+abandon altogether the place where she had been known in indifferent
+circumstances, and to go far away, where her riches would not excite
+suspicions against her. She therefore resolved to sell her estate, and
+to take up her residence in the city of Prague. In order, however, not
+to be too precipitate, she first sent thither her nephew, Henry, that
+she might become a little acquainted with their future residence,
+before removing from the former one.
+
+So Henry went to the Bohemian capital, and, as he was a personable
+youth, had good manners, and was richly provided with money by his
+aunt, so that he could live in as good style as any of the nobles of
+the land, he soon became on friendly terms with numerous counts and
+other illustrious persons. Judging by his personal appearance and
+expenditure they took him for one of their own station; nay, one of
+them, a young count, became his confidential friend, and, as wine
+often unlocks the secrets of the heart, it happened one day that Henry
+let out the whole secret concerning his sister, quite forgetting at
+the moment his aunt's strict prohibition ever to reveal it.
+
+When the count heard so much of the extraordinary understanding, good
+heart, sweetness, and beauty of the young maiden who was possessed of
+such wonderful gifts, his heart at once glowed with love for her, and
+he said with great warmth:--
+
+"I myself possess a domain of such great value, that I am in no need
+of the riches of another; but I have ever desired to have a wife
+distinguished above all others for her beauty, virtue, and other rare
+gifts; therefore I offer my hand to your sister, and I swear to you
+that I will do all in my power that I may call so wonderful a maiden
+my own."
+
+Henry perceived his indiscretion now that it was too late, and he
+could not withstand the earnest entreaties of his friend to obtain for
+him the hand of his sister. In order, indeed, to lose no time, the
+count immediately caused to be constructed an entirely closed and
+well-covered carriage in which to transport Emma to him, without her
+being exposed to a breath of air.
+
+Surprising as was his proposal, it was so honourable a one, that,
+after a few minutes' reflection, Emma could not think of refusing such
+an illustrious and amiable young man as Henry described the count to
+be. The brother, therefore, hastened back with the news of her
+consent, and the count immediately went to his residence, in order to
+make preparations for the reception of his bride, and for a
+magnificent bridal entertainment.
+
+During the interval, Emma, accompanied by her mother and Adelheid,
+began her journey, and when they had proceeded about half-way, they
+came to a great forest. The heat was oppressive, and Emma happened to
+draw aside her veil, just as Jutta, in order to look after the
+attendants whom the count had sent to escort his bride on the journey,
+thoughtlessly opened the door of the carriage. No sooner did a sunbeam
+shine on the maiden, than she was suddenly transformed into a golden
+duck, flew out of the carriage, and vanished from the sight of her
+terrified aunt.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+As soon as the old woman had recovered from her first alarm, she was
+greatly troubled how to escape the wrath of the count. They had still
+to traverse a considerable portion of the forest. So she sent the
+servants who had not perceived the occurrence, under some pretext, to
+a village at some distance, and during their absence she covered her
+own daughter with Emma's veil. On their return they found the old
+woman in the greatest distress; she wrung her hands, and related with
+well simulated despair, that having gone with her daughter only a few
+steps from the carriage, armed men had surprised them, and carried off
+her Adelheid.
+
+The count's servants, deceived by the despairing words and gestures of
+the old woman, searched the forest, in hopes of tracing the robbers,
+but as was to be expected, without success. Meanwhile Jutta instructed
+her daughter in the part she was to play, in order that she in Emma's
+place might become the count's wife. And as she feared she might not
+be able to conceal the cheat from Henry, she desired the servants not
+to go through Prague, but to take the direct road to the count's
+castle.
+
+When they arrived, Jutta descended alone from the carriage, carefully
+closed it again, and besought the count, that until her niece had
+entirely recovered from the fatigue of the journey, he would permit
+them both to occupy a chamber from which all daylight could be
+excluded, and she forbade at first any visit from the bridegroom.
+Impatient as the latter was to see his bride, he yet submitted to this
+delay which the old woman so earnestly requested of him. The most
+splendid apartments were now thrown open to the mother and daughter,
+and the most inner chamber of the suite was so hung with curtains that
+no daylight could penetrate. In this room dwelt Jutta with her
+daughter, and even Henry, who came to visit his supposed sister, was,
+under pretext of her being indisposed, not allowed to enter. As his
+aunt, however, provided him with plenty of money, and the merry life
+in Prague pleased him better than the retirement of the country, he
+soon returned thither.
+
+The count, whom Jutta put off from day to day under various pretexts
+from visiting his bride, at length lost patience, and would not be
+longer withheld by the gold and pearls which Jutta continually brought
+him; he forced his way into the chamber, and clasped Adelheid in his
+arms.
+
+Although the count could not but remark that Adelheid in no degree
+corresponded to the description her brother had given of her, he was
+still prepared to fulfil his word, and was therefore married, though
+with the greatest privacy, to the false bride. Very shortly, he became
+aware that neither her heart nor mind possessed the excellence that
+had been represented to him; and in consequence of this discovery,
+when he next met his brother-in-law, he overwhelmed him with
+reproaches. The contemptuous expressions which the count used
+respecting his bride, whom Henry had only known as the loveliest and
+most amiable maiden in all Bohemia, so incensed Henry, that he forgot
+all the consideration due to the rich and powerful man, and the count,
+who, besides this, believed himself to have been deceived by Henry,
+caused him to be seized, brought to his castle, and thrown into a deep
+dungeon.
+
+The wife of the count, who was also most severely punished for the
+crime in which she had taken part, overwhelmed her mother with the
+bitterest reproaches. More than once she was on the point of
+confessing the fraud to her husband, but he drove her from him, and
+would not listen to her.
+
+Whilst these women were thus suffering for their crime, Henry sat in
+his dungeon, hopeless of ever recovering his freedom, or of being able
+to take vengeance on him who had so unjustly treated him; when one
+day, as he lay in despair, a sweet voice reached him, which sang a
+song he had often listened to when his sister Emma used to sing it in
+former days.
+
+The youth, who distinctly recognised his sister's voice, uttered her
+name, and on looking upwards, he saw, by the light of the moon, a duck
+fluttering before him, whose feathers were of gold, and whose neck was
+adorned by a costly row of pearls.
+
+Then said the golden duck to the astonished youth, "I am thy sister
+Emma, who, transformed into a golden duck, fly about without a home."
+
+She then related to her brother what had occurred during the journey,
+and the deception her aunt had been guilty of. As she thus recounted
+her unhappy fate, which constrained her to fly about unprotected, her
+life exposed to the snares of the hunters, whilst her beloved brother
+was languishing in prison, she wept abundantly; and the tears rolled
+about the tower as costly pearls, and golden feathers fell from her,
+and glittered on the dark ground.
+
+The brother and sister pitied and tried to console each other. Henry
+especially lamented his talkativeness, which had brought all this
+misfortune upon them. At day-break the duck flew away, after promising
+to visit her brother every night.
+
+After this intercourse had lasted some time, one night she did not
+make her appearance, which threw poor Henry into the greatest anxiety,
+for he feared she might, for the sake of her precious feathers, have
+been caught, or perhaps even killed. Then, for the first time, the
+door of his prison was opened; the count's superintendent entered,
+announced that he was free, and conducted him to the very same
+apartments which he had occupied in happier days.
+
+Before Henry could recover from his surprise, the count himself
+entered, tenderly embraced him, and besought his forgiveness for all
+the suffering that had been inflicted on him.
+
+The warder of the tower, it appeared, had remarked the golden duck,
+and heard with astonishment how she spoke with a human voice, and
+conversed with the prisoner; all of which he had disclosed to the
+count. The count thus discovered, by listening in secret to their
+conversation, the fraud which had imposed the false bride upon him
+instead of the true and beautiful one. Vain, however, were his efforts
+the following night to get the golden duck into his power; she escaped
+from all the attendants who endeavoured to catch her; and snares and
+nets and all the artifices they practised, and all the pains they
+took, were of no avail.
+
+Then the count entreated the intercession of the brother. Since his
+hard fate had robbed him of such an amiable wife, he besought her at
+least in her present form to inhabit his castle. It was possible that
+his grief, his love, might move the offended fairy to restore her to
+her former shape.
+
+Henry freely forgave the count, and promised to make his request known
+to his sister the next time she should visit him. Before, however, the
+duck's next visit, Adelheid expired, for the reproaches of her
+husband, and her own grief and remorse, had brought her to the grave.
+As soon as she was dead, the count banished Jutta to a remote place
+and forbade her ever to appear in his presence again. With Henry he
+lived on his former friendly terms.
+
+Both lived in hopes of the reappearance of the golden duck. Long did
+they wait in vain, and they began to fear that the endeavours of the
+count to catch her had scared her from the place for ever, when one
+afternoon, as Henry was sitting alone in the dining-hall, she flew in
+at the window, and began gathering up the scattered crumbs on the
+table. How great was the brother's joy! He addressed her by the
+tenderest names, stroked her golden feathers, and inquired why she had
+remained so long absent.
+
+Then Emma complained of the efforts to catch her, which the count's
+servants had made, and threatened never to return should such he
+repeated. The entreaty which Henry made in the count's name that she
+would dwell in the castle she decidedly rejected; and as she heard a
+noise in the adjoining chamber, she hastily flew away.
+
+For a long time the youth hesitated whether he should tell the count
+of his sister's visit; as, however, he knew the strong affection of
+his friend, and feared he might not refrain from fresh attempts
+against the liberty of the golden duck, he resolved to say nothing
+about it. But the count had seen the duck fly past, and when Henry
+said nothing about it, he conceived mistrust of him, and laid a new
+plan to get possession of her.
+
+The following morning, when Emma flew into her brother's chamber, the
+window was suddenly closed, the count having fastened a cord to it
+from above, and in a few moments he entered the room thinking he had
+now made sure of the much-desired prize. But the duck fluttered about,
+and made her exit through the keyhole.
+
+Henry was much distressed, for he feared that he should now see his
+beloved sister no more, and heaped reproaches on the astonished count,
+who returned them to him so liberally, that they separated in mutual
+disgust, and Henry resolved to quit the city and wander through the
+wide world.
+
+One day after he had long travelled he found himself in a thick fir
+wood, when suddenly a female form of great dignity stood before him,
+in whom Henry at once recognised the fairy who had so richly gifted
+his sister.
+
+"Wherefore," said she, with a reproachful look, "didst thou leave the
+castle at the time when thy sister's ill fortune, of which thou wert
+the cause, was beginning to turn to good? Hasten back immediately,
+confirm the count in the remorse for his profligate life which is now
+awakening in him, and the golden duck will then be released from her
+enchantment. And not only shall she retain the wonderful gifts she has
+hitherto possessed, but thenceforth she shall no longer have to fear
+air and sun-light."
+
+The fairy disappeared, and Henry returned full of hope to the castle.
+On his way thither he met several of the count's servants, who told
+him their lord had sent them out with commands not to return until
+they found him. For they added, since Henry's departure had left the
+count so lonely and forsaken, he had fallen sick through sorrow and
+longing after his friend.
+
+When Henry entered the count's chamber, he found him lying on his bed
+really ill and unhappy. He comforted him with the fairy's promise, and
+the count solemnly vowed that he would never more return to his wild
+and sinful mode of life.
+
+Scarcely had he uttered this solemn vow, when the window flew open of
+itself, the golden duck flew into the chamber, and, perching on the
+bed-post, said, "The period of my trials is completed. I may now
+return to my former figure and remain with you for ever."
+
+Then the golden feathers dropped from her body; the long beak rounded
+into mouth and chin, above which gazed a pair of lovely eyes; before
+they could look round, a wondrously beautiful maiden stood before
+them, magnificently habited, and her joy at being re-united to her
+brother and her bridegroom drew the purest pearls from her eyes.
+
+At the sight of her the count felt himself at once cured of his
+illness, and, a few days after, the nuptial feast was celebrated with
+all the pomp and magnificence befitting the high station and great
+wealth of the count.
+
+
+
+
+GOLDY.
+
+[From Justinus Kerner.]
+
+
+Many a long year ago there lived in a great forest a poor herdsman,
+who had built himself a log cabin in the midst of it, where he dwelt
+with his wife and his six children, all of whom were boys. There was a
+draw-well by the house, and a little garden, and when their father was
+looking after the cattle the children carried out to him a cool
+draught from the well, or a dish of vegetables from the garden.
+
+The youngest of the boys was called by his parents Goldy, for his
+locks were like gold, and although the youngest he was stronger and
+taller than all his brothers. When the children went out into the
+fields, Goldy always went first with a branch of a tree in his hand,
+and no otherwise would the other children go, for each feared lest
+some adventure should befall him; but when Goldy led them they
+followed cheerfully, one behind the other, through even the darkest
+thicket, although the moon might have already risen over the
+mountains.
+
+One evening, on their return from their father, the children had
+amused themselves by playing in the wood, and Goldy especially had so
+heated himself in their games, that he was as rosy as the sky at
+sun-set.
+
+"Let us return," said the eldest, "it seems growing dark."
+
+"See," said the second, "there is the moon!"
+
+At that moment a light appeared through the dark fir-trees, and a
+female form, shining like the moon, seated herself on the mossy stone,
+and span, with a crystal distaff, a fine thread, nodding her head
+towards Goldy, singing:--
+
+    "The snow-white finch, the gold rose, for thee;
+    The king's crown lies in the lap of the sea!"
+
+She was about to continue her song when the thread broke, and she was
+instantly extinguished like the flame of a candle. It being now quite
+dark, terror seized the children, and they ran about crying piteously,
+one here, and another there, over rock and pit, till they lost each
+other.
+
+Many a day and night did Goldy wander in the thick forest, but could
+find neither his brothers nor his father's hut, nor yet the trace of a
+human foot, for the forest had become more dense; one hill seemed to
+rise above another, and pit after pit intercepted his path.
+
+The blackberries, that grew in profusion, satisfied his hunger and
+slaked his thirst, otherwise he must have perished miserably. At last,
+on the third day--some say it was not until the sixth or seventh--the
+forest became less and less dense, and at last he got out of it, and
+found himself in a lovely green meadow.
+
+Then his heart grew light, and he inhaled the pure fresh air.
+
+Nets were spread over the meadow, for a bird-catcher lived there, who
+caught the birds which flew out of the wood, and carried them into the
+city for sale.
+
+"That is just such a boy as I want," thought the bird-catcher, when he
+saw Goldy, who stood in the meadow close to the net, gazing with
+longing eyes into the blue sky; and then in jest he drew his net, and
+imprisoned within it the astonished boy, who could not comprehend what
+had befallen him. "That's the way we catch the birds that come out of
+the wood," said the bird-catcher, laughing heartily. "Your red
+feathers please me right well. So I have caught you, have I, my little
+fox? You had better stay with me, and I will teach you how to catch
+birds!"
+
+Goldy was well content; he thought he should lead a merry life amongst
+the birds, especially as he abandoned all hope of again finding his
+father's hut.
+
+"Let us see how much you have learnt," said the bird-catcher to him,
+some days after. Goldy drew the net, and caught a snow-white
+chaffinch.
+
+"Confound you and this white chaffinch!" screamed the bird-catcher;
+"you are in league with the evil one!" and he drove him roughly from
+the meadow, at the same time treading under his feet, the white
+chaffinch which Goldy had handed over to him.
+
+Goldy could not conceive what the bird-catcher meant; he returned
+sadly, but yet not despairingly, to the forest, with the intention of
+renewing his endeavours to find his father's hut. Day and night he
+wandered about, climbing over fragments of rock and old fallen trees,
+and often stumbled and fell over the old black roots which protruded
+in all directions from out of the ground.
+
+On the third day, however, the forest once more became somewhat
+clearer, and he issued from it into a beautiful bright garden, full of
+the most delightful flowers, and as he had never before seen such he
+stood gazing full of admiration. The gardener no sooner perceived
+him--for Goldy stood beneath the sunflowers, and his locks glistened
+in the sunshine just like one of them--than he exclaimed: "Ha! he is
+just such a boy as I want!" and the garden-gate closed directly. Goldy
+was very well satisfied, for he thought he should lead a gay life
+amongst the flowers, and he had again lost the hope of getting back to
+his father's cottage.
+
+"Off with you to the forest!" said the gardener to him one morning,
+"and fetch me the stem of a wild rose, that I may engraft cultivated
+roses on it."
+
+Goldy went and returned with a rose-bush bearing the most beautiful
+golden-coloured roses imaginable, which looked exactly as if they were
+the work of the most skilful of goldsmiths, and prepared to adorn a
+monarch's table.
+
+"Confound you, with these golden roses!" screamed the gardener; "you
+are in league with the evil one!" and he drove Goldy roughly out of
+the garden, as with plenty of abuse he trampled the golden roses on
+the ground.
+
+Goldy knew not what the gardener could mean; but he went calmly back
+into the forest, and again set himself to seek after his father's
+cabin.
+
+He walked on day and night, from tree to tree, from rock to rock. On
+the third day, the forest again became clearer and clearer, and he
+came to the shore of the blue sea. It lay before him without a
+boundary; the sun mirrored itself in the crystal surface, which
+glistened like liquid gold, and gay vessels with far-floating
+streamers floated on the waves. Some fishermen sat in a pretty bark on
+the shore, into which Goldy entered, and gazed with wonder out into
+the bright distance.
+
+"We stand in need of just such a boy," said the fisherman, and off
+they pushed into the sea. Goldy was well pleased to go with them, for
+he thought it must be a golden life there amongst the bright waves,
+and he had quite lost all hope of again finding his father's hut.
+
+The fishermen cast their nets, but took nothing.
+
+"Let us see if you will have better luck," said an old fisherman with
+silver hair, addressing Goldy. With unskilful hands he let down the
+net into the deep, drew it up, and lo! he brought up in it--a crown of
+pure gold.
+
+"Triumph!" cried the ancient fisherman, at the same time throwing
+himself at Goldy's feet. "I hail thee as our king! A hundred years
+ago, the last of our kings, having no heir, when he was about to die,
+cast his crown into the sea, and until the fortunate being destined by
+fate, should again draw up the crown from the deep, the throne,
+without an occupant, was to remain wrapt in gloom."
+
+"Hail to our king!" cried all the fishermen, and they placed the crown
+on the boy's head. The tidings of Goldy and of the regained crown,
+resounded from vessel to vessel, and across the sea far into the land.
+The golden surface was soon crowded with gay barks and ships, adorned
+with festoons of flowers and branches; they all saluted with loud
+acclamations of joy the vessel in which was the Boy-king. He stood
+with the bright crown upon his head, at the prow of the vessel, and
+gazed calmly on the sun as it sank into the sea, whilst his golden
+locks waved in the refreshing evening breeze.
+
+
+
+
+THE SERPENT PRINCE.
+
+[Italian.]
+
+
+There lived once a peasant's wife who would have given all she
+possessed to have a child, but yet she never had one.
+
+One day her husband brought home a bundle of twigs from the wood, out
+of which crept a pretty little young serpent. When Sabatella, that was
+the peasant woman's name, saw the little serpent, she sighed deeply
+and said: "Even serpents have their offspring; I alone am so
+unfortunate as to remain childless!"
+
+"Since you are childless," replied the little serpent, "take me in
+lieu of a child; you shall have no cause to repent, and I will love
+you more than a son."
+
+When Sabatella heard the serpent speak, she was at first ready to go
+out of her wits from fright; but at length taking courage said: "If it
+be only for your kind words, I will love you as well as if you were my
+own child."
+
+So saying, she showed the serpent a cupboard in the house for his bed,
+and she gave him a share, daily, of all she had to eat, and so the
+serpent grew; and when he was quite grown up, he said to the peasant,
+Cola Mattheo by name, whom he considered in the light of a father:
+"Dear Papa, I wish to marry."
+
+"I am willing," said Mattheo; "we will look about for a serpent like
+yourself, and conclude the alliance at once."
+
+"Why so," replied the serpent; "we shall then only become connected
+with vipers, and similar vermin. I greatly prefer to marry the king's
+daughter; so pray go forthwith, solicit the king for her, and say that
+a serpent wishes to have her for his wife."
+
+Cola Mattheo, who was a simple-minded man, went without further delay
+to the king, and said: "The persons of messengers are always held
+sacred. Know, therefore, that a serpent desires to have your daughter
+for his wife; and I am come hither in my capacity of gardener to see
+whether I can graft a dove upon a serpent."
+
+The king, perceiving that he was somewhat of a booby, in order to get
+rid of him, said: "Go home, and tell this serpent that if he can turn
+all the fruit in this garden into gold, I will give him my daughter in
+marriage," and laughing heartily, he dismissed the peasant.
+
+When Cola Mattheo reported the king's answer, the serpent replied: "Go
+early in the morning and collect all the fruit kernels you can find
+throughout the city, and sow them in the royal garden; then you shall
+behold a wonder."
+
+Cola Mattheo, who was a great simpleton, said nothing, but as soon as
+the sun with his golden besom had swept away the shades of night, he
+took his basket under his arm, went from street to street, carefully
+picking up every seed and kernel of peach, pomegranate, apricot,
+cherry, and all other fruits he could find. Then he sowed them in the
+royal garden as the serpent had desired him,--which he had no sooner
+done than he perceived the stems of the trees, together with their
+leaves, flowers, and fruit, all turn into shining gold; and the king,
+when he saw it, went almost out of his senses, and could not tell what
+to make of the affair.
+
+But when Cola Mattheo was sent by the serpent to request the king to
+perform his promise, the king replied: "Not so fast! For if the
+serpent really desires to have my daughter in marriage, he must do
+something more; and, in fact, I should like him to change the walls
+and the paths in my garden into precious stones."
+
+On this new demand being reported to the serpent, he said: "Go early
+in the morning and collect all the potsherds you can find on the
+ground; strew them in the paths and on the walls of the garden; then
+we shall soon make the king perform his promise."
+
+And when the night had passed away, Cola Mattheo took a great basket
+and collected all the bits of broken pots, pans, jugs, cups and
+saucers, and all similar rubbish; and when he had done with them as
+the serpent desired him, the garden was suddenly covered with
+emeralds, rubies, chalcedonies, and carbuncles, so that its brilliancy
+dazzled all eyes, and astonished all hearts. The king was almost
+petrified at this spectacle, and knew not what had befallen him.
+
+When, however, the serpent caused him to be again reminded of his
+promise, he answered: "All this is nothing yet. I must have this
+palace quite filled with gold."
+
+When Cola brought this further put-off from the king, the serpent only
+said: "Go and take a bunch of green herbs, and sweep the floors of the
+palace with it; then we shall see what will happen."
+
+Mattheo directly made a great bunch of purslain, marjoram, rue, and
+chervil, with which he swept the floors of the palace, and immediately
+the rooms were filled with gold in such quantities, that poverty must
+have fled at least a hundred houses off.
+
+Now when the peasant went once more in the name of the serpent to
+demand the princess, the king found himself constrained at last to
+keep his promise. He called his daughter, and said: "My beloved
+Grannonia, in order to make sport of an individual who requested you
+in marriage, I required things of him which seemed impossible. As,
+however, I now find myself obliged to fulfil my promise--I entreat
+you, my dutiful daughter, not to bring my word to disgrace, but that
+you will resign yourself to what Heaven wills, and I am constrained to
+do."
+
+"Do as you please, my lord and father," answered Grannonia, "for I
+will not depart one hair's breadth from what you desire."
+
+On hearing this the king desired Cola Mattheo to conduct the serpent
+to his presence; who accordingly repaired to court in a carriage made
+entirely of gold, drawn by four elephants, also of gold. As they
+passed along, however, everybody fled before them, from terror at
+seeing such a dreadfully large serpent.
+
+When the serpent reached the palace, the courtiers shuddered and
+trembled; even the very scullions ran away, and the king and queen
+shut themselves up in a remote chamber. Grannonia alone retained her
+self-possession; and although her royal parents called to her, saying:
+"Fly, fly, Grannonia!" she stirred not from the spot, and merely said:
+"I will not flee from the husband whom you have given me."
+
+[Illustration]
+
+No sooner had the serpent entered the apartment, than he encircled
+Grannonia with his tail, kissed her, then drew her into another
+chamber, locked the door, and stripping off his skin, was transformed
+into a remarkably handsome young man, with golden locks and bright
+eyes, who immediately embraced Grannonia with the utmost tenderness,
+and paid her the most flattering attentions.
+
+The king, on seeing the serpent lock himself into another room with
+the princess, said to his wife: "Heaven have pity on our poor
+daughter; for, unquestionably, all is over with her. This confounded
+serpent has, no doubt, by this time swallowed her up like the yolk of
+an egg." And they peeped through the keyhole to see what had happened.
+
+But when they beheld the surprising elegance and beauty of the young
+man, and perceived the serpent skin, which had been thrown down on the
+ground, they burst open the door, rushed in, and seizing the skin,
+threw it into the fire, where it was instantly consumed. Whereupon the
+young man exclaimed: "Ah! you wretched people, what have you done to
+me!" and changing himself into a pigeon, he flew with such force
+against the window glass, that it broke, and he flew through, although
+very much injured.
+
+Grannonia, who in one and the same moment beheld herself thus
+rejoicing and grieving, happy and unhappy, rich and poor, complained
+bitterly at this destruction of her happiness, this poisoning of her
+joy, this sad change of her fortune, all of which she laid to the
+charge of her parents, although these assured her they had not
+intended to do wrong. She, however, ceased not to bemoan herself until
+night drew in, and as soon as all the inmates of the palace were in
+their beds, she collected all her jewels, and went out at a back door,
+determined to search till she should again find her lost treasure.
+When she got beyond the city, guided by the moonshine, she met a fox,
+who offered to be her companion; to which Grannonia replied: "You are
+heartily welcome to me, neighbour, for I do not know the district very
+well."
+
+They went on together a considerable way, and reached a forest, where
+the tops of the lofty trees met on high, and formed an agreeable
+canopy over their heads. As they were weary with walking, and wished
+to repose, they went under the thick leafy roof, where a rivulet
+sported with the fresh grass, sprinkling it with its clear drops.
+
+They lay down on the mossy carpet, paid the debt of sleep to nature
+for the wear and tear of life, and did not wake until the sun with his
+wonted fire gave notice that men might resume their avocations; but
+after they had risen, they stood awhile listening to the song of the
+little birds, as Grannonia took infinite pleasure in hearing their
+twittering.
+
+When the fox perceived this, he said: "If you understood, as I do,
+what they say, your pleasure would be infinitely greater."
+
+Excited by his words--for curiosity as well as love of gossip is a
+natural gift in all women--Grannonia begged the fox to tell her what
+he had learned from the birds.
+
+The fox allowed her to urge him for a considerable time, in order to
+awaken still greater curiosity for what he was going to relate; but at
+length he told her that the birds were conversing about a misfortune
+which had befallen the son of a king, who, having given offence to a
+wicked enchantress, had been doomed by her to remain for seven long
+years in the form of a serpent. The period of his enchantment arriving
+at its close, he had fallen in love with the daughter of a king, and
+having, on finding himself in a room alone with her, stripped off his
+serpent's skin, her parents had broken in upon them and had burnt the
+skin; whereupon the prince, by flying through a window in the form of
+a pigeon, had so severely injured himself, that the surgeons had no
+hope of his recovery.
+
+Grannonia, on hearing the history of her beloved prince, immediately
+inquired whose son the prince might be, and if there were any means by
+which his cure could be effected. The fox replied, that those birds
+had said that he was the son of the King of Ballone-Grosso, and that
+no other means existed of stopping up the holes in his head, so that
+his reason should not evaporate through them, but to anoint the wounds
+with the blood of those very birds who had narrated the circumstance.
+
+On hearing these words, Grannonia besought the fox to be so very kind
+as to catch the birds for her, that she might get their blood, and
+promised to share with him the profit she would make by curing the
+prince.
+
+"Softly to work," said the fox; "let us wait till night, and when the
+birds are gone to roost, I will climb the tree and strangle them one
+after the other."
+
+So he passed the day talking alternately of the beauty of the king's
+son, of the father of the princess, and of the misfortune that had
+befallen her, till at length night came on. When the fox saw all the
+little birds asleep on the branches, he climbed very quietly and
+cautiously up, and caught all the chaffinches, goldfinches, and
+fly-catchers that were on the tree, killed them, and put their blood
+in a little flask he carried with him, in order to refresh himself on
+the road.
+
+Grannonia was expressing her delight at this success, when the fox
+said to her: "My dear daughter, your joy is all in vain; for you have
+gained nothing at all, unless besides the blood of the birds you also
+possess mine, which I certainly do not mean to give you;" and so
+saying, off he ran.
+
+Grannonia, who saw that all her hopes were about to be annihilated, in
+order to obtain her desires, had recourse to cunning and flattery; so
+she cried out to him: "Dear daddy fox, you would be quite in the right
+to take care of your skin, if I were not so much indebted to you, and
+if there were no more foxes in the world. But since you know how much
+I have to thank you for, and that in these fields there is no lack of
+creatures of your kind, you may rely without uneasiness on me, and
+therefore do not act like the cow who kicks down the pail after she
+has filled it with her milk. Stand still, do not leave me, but
+accompany me to this king's city, in order that he may hire me of you
+for a servant."
+
+The fox into whose head it never entered that a fox could ever be
+duped, found himself, however, deceived by a woman; for he had
+scarcely given his assent to accompanying Grannonia, and had not gone
+fifty paces with her, before she ungratefully knocked him down with
+the stick she carried, killed him, and poured his blood into the
+flask.
+
+She then ran off as fast as she could, until she reached
+Ballone-Grosso. There she went straight to the royal palace, and
+caused the king to be informed she was come to cure the prince's
+wounds.
+
+The king had her immediately brought into his presence, greatly
+surprised that a young maiden should promise to do that which the most
+skilful surgeons in his kingdom acknowledged themselves incompetent to
+effect. But as there would be no harm in trying, he gave her
+permission to make the experiment.
+
+Grannonia, however, said: "If I fulfil your wishes, you must promise
+to give me your son for my husband." The king, who had lost all hope
+of seeing his son restored, replied: "Only restore him to health and
+spirits, and you shall have him just as you make him. For it is not
+too much for me to give a husband to one who gives me a son."
+
+So they went into the prince's room, and no sooner had Grannonia
+anointed him with the blood than he was entirely cured. Now when
+Grannonia saw him well and cheerful, she said to the king that he must
+keep his word; whereupon the latter turned to his son, and spoke thus:
+"My dear son, but lately I looked upon you as dead, and now, when I
+least expected, I see you again living and well; and since I promised
+this young maiden in case she restored you, that you should become her
+husband, and as heaven has been so gracious to me, enable me, if you
+have any regard for me, to fulfil my promise, for gratitude constrains
+me to recompense this service."
+
+The prince replied: "My lord and father, I wish my will were as free
+as my love for you is great. But since I have already given my word to
+another woman, you would not wish that I should break my promise; and
+this young maiden herself will not counsel me to act so faithlessly to
+her whom I love, therefore I must remain true to my choice."
+
+When Grannonia heard these words, and perceived that the prince
+retained the memory of her so vividly in his heart, she felt
+unspeakable joy, and said, whilst she blushed to crimson: "But if I
+persuade the maiden whom you love, to renounce her claim on you,
+would you then comply with my wish?"
+
+"Far be it from me," replied the prince, "that I should ever efface
+the fair image of my beloved from my breast. Whatever she may do, my
+desire and my sentiments will remain unaltered; and were I to risk my
+life for it, still I never would consent to the change."
+
+Grannonia, who could no longer conceal her feelings, now made herself
+known; for the darkness of the chamber, where all the curtains were
+drawn on account of the prince's illness, and her own disguise, had
+entirely prevented him from recognising her. The moment he perceived
+who she was, he embraced her with indescribable joy, and then related
+to his father who she was, and what she had done for him.
+
+Then they sent for the parents of the princess, and the marriage
+festival was celebrated with great rejoicings, so that it was again
+made manifest that for the joys of love, sorrow is ever the best
+seasoning.
+
+
+
+
+THE PROPHETIC DREAM.
+
+[Oral]
+
+
+In a little obscure village, there once dwelt a poor shepherd, who,
+for many years, supported himself and his family upon the very
+trifling wages he earned by his labour. Besides his wife he had one
+only child, a boy. He had accustomed this boy, from a very early age,
+to go out with him to the pastures, and had instructed him in the
+duties of a faithful shepherd, so that as the child grew up he could
+entrust the flocks to his care, whilst he himself could earn a few
+pence by basket weaving. The young shepherd gaily led his flocks over
+the fields and pastures, whistling or singing some cheerful song, or
+cracking his whip, that the time should not pass heavily with him. At
+noon he lay down at his ease by his flock, ate his bread, and quenched
+his thirst at the rivulet, and then slept for a short time before he
+drove it further.
+
+One day when he had lain down under a shady tree for his noontide
+rest, the young shepherd slept and had a remarkable dream. He was
+journeying on, far, far on--he heard a loud clinking sound, like to a
+heap of coins incessantly falling on the ground--a thundering noise
+like the report of incessant firing--he saw a countless band of
+soldiers, with glittering armour and weapons--all these sights and
+sounds encircled him and resounded about him. Then he seemed to wander
+on, constantly ascending a mountain until he arrived at the summit,
+where a throne was erected on which he seated himself, leaving beside
+him a vacant place, which a beautiful woman who suddenly appeared,
+immediately occupied. The young shepherd still dreaming, rose up,
+saying in a solemn and earnest voice: "I am King of Spain;" and at
+that moment he awoke.
+
+Pondering on his strange dream, the youth led on his flock, and in the
+evening, whilst he assisted his parents in their work as they sat
+before their cottage door cutting fodder, he related it to them, and
+concluded by saying: "Verily, if I dream that again, I will be off to
+Spain to see whether I shall be made king."
+
+"Foolish boy," murmured the old father; "thou be made king? Don't go
+and make yourself a laughingstock."
+
+His mother laughed outright, rubbing her hands, and repeating in
+amaze, "King of Spain! king of Spain!"
+
+The next day at noon he lay down again under the same tree, and oh,
+wonder! the same dream took possession of his senses. He hardly had
+patience to watch his flock till evening; gladly would he have run
+home, and at once set out on his journey to Spain. When at length his
+work was done, he again related his romantic dream, saying: "If I do
+but dream this once again, I will go off directly, on the very same
+day."
+
+The third day he lay down again under the same tree, and the same
+dream again visited him for the third time. The youth raised himself
+up in his sleep, exclaiming: "I am King of Spain," and thereupon he
+awoke. He gathered up his hat, his whip, and his provision bag,
+collected his sheep, and went back straight to the village. When he
+got there the people began to chide him for returning so long before
+vespers; but the youth was so excited that he paid no heed to the
+reproofs either of the neighbours or of his parents, but packed up his
+Sunday clothes, hung the bundle on a hazel stick, and throwing it
+over his shoulder started off without another word. He put his best
+foot foremost, and ran so fast that one would have thought he hoped to
+reach Spain that same night.
+
+He got no further however that day than to the borders of a forest,
+and not a village nor even a solitary cottage could he descry; so he
+resolved to take his night's rest in a thick bush. He had scarcely
+fallen asleep when he was disturbed by a great noise. A company of
+men, conversing loudly, passed before the bush which he had made his
+bed. The youth crept softly forward, and followed the men at a little
+distance, saying to himself: "Perhaps thou mayest still find a
+lodging; where these men pass the night, thou surely mayest also
+sleep." They had not gone much further before they came to a house of
+considerable dimensions, which, however, was situated in the centre of
+the dark forest. The men knocked, and were admitted, and the young
+shepherd unperceived slipped in with them into the house. Another door
+was then thrown open, and they all entered a large and very
+imperfectly lighted room, on the floor of which lay numerous trusses
+of straw, beds and coverlids, which seemed ready prepared for the
+men's night repose. The shepherd boy crept quickly under a heap of
+straw, which was scattered near the door, and lay in his concealment
+on the look-out for all he might see and hear. As he was a very sharp
+boy, with all his senses about him, it was not long before he made out
+that he was amongst a band of robbers, whose captain was the owner of
+the house. This latter, as soon as the newly arrived members of the
+band had stretched themselves on their couches, ascended an elevated
+seat, and said in a deep bass voice: "My brave comrades, give me an
+account of your day's work; where you have been, and what booty you
+have got!"
+
+A tall man, with a coal black beard, was the first to raise himself
+from his bed, and answered: "My good captain, early this morning I
+robbed a rich nobleman of his leathern breeches; these have two
+pockets, and as often as they are turned inside out, and well shaken,
+a heap of ducats falls on the ground."
+
+"That sounds well, indeed!" said the captain.
+
+Then uprose another, and said: "I stole from a great general his
+three-cornered hat; and this hat has the property, that so long as it
+is turned round upon the head shots are fired off incessantly from its
+three corners."
+
+"That's worth hearing," replied the captain; upon which a third man
+sat up, saying: "I have deprived a knight of his sword, and when you
+stick the point of this sword into the earth, up starts at that very
+moment a regiment of soldiers."
+
+"A brave deed," exclaimed the captain; as the fourth robber then
+began: "I drew off the boots of a traveller whilst he slept, and
+whoever puts on those boots goes seven miles at every step."
+
+"I commend a bold deed," said the captain, highly pleased; "hang up
+your prizes against the wall, and now eat and drink heartily, and
+sleep well." So saying, he left the sleeping apartment of the robbers,
+who caroused lustily, and then slept soundly. When all was still and
+the men in deep sleep, the young shepherd stole from his hiding-place,
+put on the leathern breeches, set the hat upon his head, girded on the
+sword, drew on the boots, and slipped softly out of the house. As soon
+as he was outside the door, the boots, to his infinite delight, at
+once manifested their magic virtue, and it was not long before the
+youth entered the great capital of Spain; it is called Madrid.
+
+He asked the very first person he met to direct him to the most
+considerable hotel in the city; but received for answer, "You little
+urchin, get off with you to some place where such as yourself lodge,
+and not to where great lords dine." A shining gold piece, however,
+soon made his adviser a little more courteous, so that now he
+willingly conducted the youth to the best hotel. Arrived there, he at
+once engaged the best apartments, and said to his host: "Well, how
+goes it in your city? What is the latest news here?"
+
+The host made a long face, and replied: "My little gentleman, you must
+be indeed quite a stranger here. It seems that you have not yet heard
+that his majesty, our king, is on the eve of departing for the wars
+with an army of twenty thousand men. You must know we have enemies,
+powerful enemies. Oh, these are, indeed, dreadful times! Is your
+little worship disposed to join the army?"
+
+"No doubt!" said the stripling, whose countenance beamed with joy.
+
+No sooner had the host left him, than he quickly drew off his leather
+breeches, shook out a heap of gold pieces, and purchased for himself
+costly garments with arms and accoutrements, dressed himself in them,
+and then craved an audience of the king. As he entered the palace,
+and was being conducted by two chamberlains through a spacious and
+magnificent hall, he was met by a young and wondrously beautiful lady,
+who graciously saluted him, and whom he beheld surrounded by
+courtiers, who bowed to her as he passed, whilst they whispered to
+him, "That is the princess--the king's daughter."
+
+The young shepherd was not a little enraptured by the beauty of the
+princess; and he was so inspired by his admiration and delight, that
+he was able to speak boldly and confidently to the monarch.
+
+"I come," said he, "most humbly to offer to your majesty my services
+as a warrior. The army I bring to you shall gain the victory for you;
+and it shall win for your majesty whatever you may be pleased to
+desire. But I ask of you one recompense, namely, that if I gain the
+victory for you, I may receive your lovely daughter in marriage. Will
+you grant me this, my most gracious king?"
+
+The king was astonished at the youth's bold address, and answered: "Be
+it so--I agree to your request. If you return home a conqueror, you
+shall be my successor, and I will give you my daughter in marriage."
+
+The _ci-devant_ shepherd now betook himself all alone to the open
+plain, and began to strike his sword here and there in the ground, and
+in a few minutes there stood on the plain many thousand well-armed
+combatants, and the youth himself, richly armed and adorned, sat as
+their leader on a noble horse decked with gold embroidered housings
+and a lustrous bridle. The young general led his troops against the
+foe, and a bloody battle was fought. Unceasing death-shots thundered
+from the commander's hat, and his sword called up one regiment after
+another from the ground, so that in a few hours the enemy was
+vanquished and scattered, and the flag of victory waved above the
+conquered camp. The victor pursued and conquered from his foe a
+considerable portion of his country. Victorious, and crowned with
+glory, he returned to Spain, where his greatest good fortune still
+awaited him. The fair daughter of the king had been no less struck by
+the handsome youth whom she met in the hall, than he had been by her;
+and the most gracious monarch knew how to value duly the great service
+rendered to him by the brave young man. He kept his word--gave him his
+daughter in marriage, and made him heir to his throne.
+
+[Illustration: THE PROPHETIC DREAM. P. 406.]
+
+The nuptials were celebrated with the greatest magnificence, and he
+who had so shortly before been only a shepherd youth sat now in high
+estate. Soon after the wedding the old king resigned his crown and
+sceptre into the hands of his son-in-law, who, seated proudly on the
+throne, with his beautiful consort beside him, received the oath of
+allegiance from his people.
+
+Then he thought of his so quickly-fulfilled dream and of his poor
+parents, and when he was alone with his wife, he thus addressed her:
+"My beloved, know that I have parents living still, but they are very
+poor; my father is a village herdsman, dwelling far away in Germany,
+where I myself, as a boy, looked after cattle, until a marvellous
+dream revealed to me that I should become king of Spain. Fortune has
+been favourable to me; I am now a king, but I would willingly see my
+parents also prosperous, therefore with your kind consent I will
+return to my former home, and bring my parents hither."
+
+The young queen was well content that her husband should do as he
+proposed, so he set off and travelled of course very fast, being
+possessed of the seven-mile boots. On his way the young monarch
+restored the magical articles which he had taken from the robbers to
+their rightful owners, retaining only the boots; he carried back with
+him his parents, who were almost beside themselves for joy, and to the
+former owner of the boots he gave a dukedom in exchange for them.
+After that he lived happily and worthily all the rest of his days.
+
+THE END.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Fairy Tales From all Nations, by 
+Anthony R. Montalba
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author	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 20:02:46 -0700
committer	Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org>	2025-10-14 20:02:46 -0700
commit	033d635d7b205504ed3d805346866da637f2a0f6 (patch)
tree	e6ec7a6fd655418173e9997d6f60b2701755a7a2