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diff --git a/503.txt b/503.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3f2db43..0000000 --- a/503.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,13933 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blue Fairy Book, by Various - -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: The Blue Fairy Book - -Author: Various - -Editor: Andrew Lang - -Release Date: Release Date: April, 1996 [EBook #503] -Posting Date: November 30, 2009 -[Last updated: March 2, 2011] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Keller for Tina - - - - - -THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK - -By Various - -Edited by Andrew Lang - - - -CONTENTS - - - THE BRONZE RING - PRINCE HYACINTH AND THE DEAR LITTLE PRINCESS - EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON - THE YELLOW DWARF - LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD - THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD - CINDERELLA; OR, THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER - ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP - THE TALE OF A YOUTH WHO SET OUT TO LEARN WHAT FEAR WAS - RUMPELSTILTZKIN - BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - THE MASTER-MAID - WHY THE SEA IS SALT - THE MASTER CAT; OR, PUSS IN BOOTS - FELICIA AND THE POT OF PINKS - THE WHITE CAT - THE WATER-LILY. THE GOLD-SPINNERS - THE TERRIBLE HEAD - THE STORY OF PRETTY GOLDILOCKS - THE HISTORY OF WHITTINGTON - THE WONDERFUL SHEEP - LITTLE THUMB - THE FORTY THIEVES - HANSEL AND GRETTEL - SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED - THE GOOSE-GIRL - TOADS AND DIAMONDS - PRINCE DARLING - BLUE BEARD - TRUSTY JOHN - THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR - A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT - THE PRINCESS ON THE GLASS HILL - THE STORY OF PRINCE AHMED AND THE FAIRY PARIBANOU - THE HISTORY OF JACK THE GIANT-KILLER - THE BLACK BULL OF NORROWAY - THE RED ETIN - - - - -THE BRONZE RING - - -Once upon a time in a certain country there lived a king whose palace -was surrounded by a spacious garden. But, though the gardeners were many -and the soil was good, this garden yielded neither flowers nor fruits, -not even grass or shady trees. - -The King was in despair about it, when a wise old man said to him: - -"Your gardeners do not understand their business: but what can you -expect of men whose fathers were cobblers and carpenters? How should -they have learned to cultivate your garden?" - -"You are quite right," cried the King. - -"Therefore," continued the old man, "you should send for a gardener -whose father and grandfather have been gardeners before him, and very -soon your garden will be full of green grass and gay flowers, and you -will enjoy its delicious fruit." - -So the King sent messengers to every town, village, and hamlet in his -dominions, to look for a gardener whose forefathers had been gardeners -also, and after forty days one was found. - -"Come with us and be gardener to the King," they said to him. - -"How can I go to the King," said the gardener, "a poor wretch like me?" - -"That is of no consequence," they answered. "Here are new clothes for -you and your family." - -"But I owe money to several people." - -"We will pay your debts," they said. - -So the gardener allowed himself to be persuaded, and went away with -the messengers, taking his wife and his son with him; and the King, -delighted to have found a real gardener, entrusted him with the care -of his garden. The man found no difficulty in making the royal garden -produce flowers and fruit, and at the end of a year the park was not -like the same place, and the King showered gifts upon his new servant. - -The gardener, as you have heard already, had a son, who was a very -handsome young man, with most agreeable manners, and every day he -carried the best fruit of the garden to the King, and all the prettiest -flowers to his daughter. Now this princess was wonderfully pretty and -was just sixteen years old, and the King was beginning to think it was -time that she should be married. - -"My dear child," said he, "you are of an age to take a husband, -therefore I am thinking of marrying you to the son of my prime minister. - -"Father," replied the Princess, "I will never marry the son of the -minister." - -"Why not?" asked the King. - -"Because I love the gardener's son," answered the Princess. - -On hearing this the King was at first very angry, and then he wept and -sighed, and declared that such a husband was not worthy of his daughter; -but the young Princess was not to be turned from her resolution to marry -the gardener's son. - -Then the King consulted his ministers. "This is what you must do," they -said. "To get rid of the gardener you must send both suitors to a -very distant country, and the one who returns first shall marry your -daughter." - -The King followed this advice, and the minister's son was presented with -a splendid horse and a purse full of gold pieces, while the gardener's -son had only an old lame horse and a purse full of copper money, and -every one thought he would never come back from his journey. - -The day before they started the Princess met her lover and said to him: - -"Be brave, and remember always that I love you. Take this purse full of -jewels and make the best use you can of them for love of me, and come -back quickly and demand my hand." - -The two suitors left the town together, but the minister's son went off -at a gallop on his good horse, and very soon was lost to sight behind -the most distant hills. He traveled on for some days, and presently -reached a fountain beside which an old woman all in rags sat upon a -stone. - -"Good-day to you, young traveler," said she. - -But the minister's son made no reply. - -"Have pity upon me, traveler," she said again. "I am dying of hunger, -as you see, and three days have I been here and no one has given me -anything." - -"Let me alone, old witch," cried the young man; "I can do nothing for -you," and so saying he went on his way. - -That same evening the gardener's son rode up to the fountain upon his -lame gray horse. - -"Good-day to you, young traveler," said the beggar-woman. - -"Good-day, good woman," answered he. - -"Young traveler, have pity upon me." - -"Take my purse, good woman," said he, "and mount behind me, for your -legs can't be very strong." - -The old woman didn't wait to be asked twice, but mounted behind him, -and in this style they reached the chief city of a powerful kingdom. The -minister's son was lodged in a grand inn, the gardener's son and the old -woman dismounted at the inn for beggars. - -The next day the gardener's son heard a great noise in the street, and -the King's heralds passed, blowing all kinds of instruments, and crying: - -"The King, our master, is old and infirm. He will give a great reward to -whoever will cure him and give him back the strength of his youth." - -Then the old beggar-woman said to her benefactor: - -"This is what you must do to obtain the reward which the King promises. -Go out of the town by the south gate, and there you will find three -little dogs of different colors; the first will be white, the second -black, the third red. You must kill them and then burn them separately, -and gather up the ashes. Put the ashes of each dog into a bag of its own -color, then go before the door of the palace and cry out, 'A celebrated -physician has come from Janina in Albania. He alone can cure the King -and give him back the strength of his youth.' The King's physicians will -say, This is an impostor, and not a learned man,' and they will make all -sorts of difficulties, but you will overcome them all at last, and will -present yourself before the sick King. You must then demand as much wood -as three mules can carry, and a great cauldron, and must shut yourself -up in a room with the Sultan, and when the cauldron boils you must throw -him into it, and there leave him until his flesh is completely separated -from his bones. Then arrange the bones in their proper places, and throw -over them the ashes out of the three bags. The King will come back to -life, and will be just as he was when he was twenty years old. For your -reward you must demand the bronze ring which has the power to grant -you everything you desire. Go, my son, and do not forget any of my -instructions." - -The young man followed the old beggar-woman's directions. On going out -of the town he found the white, red, and black dogs, and killed and -burnt them, gathering the ashes in three bags. Then he ran to the palace -and cried: - -"A celebrated physician has just come from Janina in Albania. He alone -can cure the King and give him back the strength of his youth." - -The King's physicians at first laughed at the unknown wayfarer, but the -Sultan ordered that the stranger should be admitted. They brought the -cauldron and the loads of wood, and very soon the King was boiling away. -Toward mid-day the gardener's son arranged the bones in their places, -and he had hardly scattered the ashes over them before the old King -revived, to find himself once more young and hearty. - -"How can I reward you, my benefactor?" he cried. "Will you take half my -treasures?" - -"No," said the gardener's son. - -"My daughter's hand?" - -"_No_." - -"Take half my kingdom." - -"No. Give me only the bronze ring which can instantly grant me anything -I wish for." - -"Alas!" said the King, "I set great store by that marvelous ring; -nevertheless, you shall have it." And he gave it to him. - -The gardener's son went back to say good-by to the old beggar-woman; -then he said to the bronze ring: - -"Prepare a splendid ship in which I may continue my journey. Let the -hull be of fine gold, the masts of silver, the sails of brocade; let -the crew consist of twelve young men of noble appearance, dressed like -kings. St. Nicholas will be at the helm. As to the cargo, let it be -diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and carbuncles." - -And immediately a ship appeared upon the sea which resembled in every -particular the description given by the gardener's son, and, stepping -on board, he continued his journey. Presently he arrived at a great town -and established himself in a wonderful palace. After several days he -met his rival, the minister's son, who had spent all his money and was -reduced to the disagreeable employment of a carrier of dust and rubbish. -The gardener's son said to him: - -"What is your name, what is your family, and from what country do you -come?" - -"I am the son of the prime minister of a great nation, and yet see what -a degrading occupation I am reduced to." - -"Listen to me; though I don't know anything more about you, I am willing -to help you. I will give you a ship to take you back to your own country -upon one condition." - -"Whatever it may be, I accept it willingly." - -"Follow me to my palace." - -The minister's son followed the rich stranger, whom he had not -recognized. When they reached the palace the gardener's son made a sign -to his slaves, who completely undressed the new-comer. - -"Make this ring red-hot," commanded the master, "and mark the man with -it upon his back." - -The slaves obeyed him. - -"Now, young man," said the rich stranger, "I am going to give you a -vessel which will take you back to your own country." - -And, going out, he took the bronze ring and said: - -"Bronze ring, obey thy master. Prepare me a ship of which the -half-rotten timbers shall be painted black, let the sails be in rags, -and the sailors infirm and sickly. One shall have lost a leg, another -an arm, the third shall be a hunchback, another lame or club-footed or -blind, and most of them shall be ugly and covered with scars. Go, and -let my orders be executed." - -The minister's son embarked in this old vessel, and thanks to favorable -winds, at length reached his own country. In spite of the pitiable -condition in which he returned they received him joyfully. - -"I am the first to come back," said he to the King; now fulfil your -promise, and give me the princess in marriage. - -So they at once began to prepare for the wedding festivities. As to the -poor princess, she was sorrowful and angry enough about it. - -The next morning, at daybreak, a wonderful ship with every sail set came -to anchor before the town. The King happened at that moment to be at the -palace window. - -"What strange ship is this," he cried, "that has a golden hull, silver -masts, and silken sails, and who are the young men like princes who man -it? And do I not see St. Nicholas at the helm? Go at once and invite the -captain of the ship to come to the palace." - -His servants obeyed him, and very soon in came an enchantingly handsome -young prince, dressed in rich silk, ornamented with pearls and diamonds. - -"Young man," said the King, "you are welcome, whoever you may be. Do me -the favor to be my guest as long as you remain in my capital." - -"Many thanks, sire," replied the captain, "I accept your offer." - -"My daughter is about to be married," said the King; "will you give her -away?" - -"I shall be charmed, sire." - -Soon after came the Princess and her betrothed. - -"Why, how is this?" cried the young captain; "would you marry this -charming princess to such a man as that?" - -"But he is my prime minister's son!" - -"What does that matter? I cannot give your daughter away. The man she is -betrothed to is one of my servants." - -"Your servant?" - -"Without doubt. I met him in a distant town reduced to carrying away -dust and rubbish from the houses. I had pity on him and engaged him as -one of my servants." - -"It is impossible!" cried the King. - -"Do you wish me to prove what I say? This young man returned in a vessel -which I fitted out for him, an unseaworthy ship with a black battered -hull, and the sailors were infirm and crippled." - -"It is quite true," said the King. - -"It is false," cried the minister's son. "I do not know this man!" - -"Sire," said the young captain, "order your daughter's betrothed to be -stripped, and see if the mark of my ring is not branded upon his back." - -The King was about to give this order, when the minister's son, to save -himself from such an indignity, admitted that the story was true. - -"And now, sire," said the young captain, "do you not recognize me?" - -"I recognize you," said the Princess; "you are the gardener's son whom I -have always loved, and it is you I wish to marry." - -"Young man, you shall be my son-in-law," cried the King. "The marriage -festivities are already begun, so you shall marry my daughter this very -day." - -And so that very day the gardener's son married the beautiful Princess. - -Several months passed. The young couple were as happy as the day was -long, and the King was more and more pleased with himself for having -secured such a son-in-law. - -But, presently, the captain of the golden ship found it necessary to -take a long voyage, and after embracing his wife tenderly he embarked. - -Now in the outskirts of the capital there lived an old man, who had -spent his life in studying black arts--alchemy, astrology, magic, -and enchantment. This man found out that the gardener's son had only -succeeded in marrying the Princess by the help of the genii who obeyed -the bronze ring. - -"I will have that ring," said he to himself. So he went down to the -sea-shore and caught some little red fishes. Really, they were -quite wonderfully pretty. Then he came back, and, passing before the -Princess's window, he began to cry out: - -"Who wants some pretty little red fishes?" - -The Princess heard him, and sent out one of her slaves, who said to the -old peddler: - -"What will you take for your fish?" - -"A bronze ring." - -"A bronze ring, old simpleton! And where shall I find one?" - -"Under the cushion in the Princess's room." - -The slave went back to her mistress. - -"The old madman will take neither gold nor silver," said she. - -"What does he want then?" - -"A bronze ring that is hidden under a cushion." - -"Find the ring and give it to him," said the Princess. - -And at last the slave found the bronze ring, which the captain of the -golden ship had accidentally left behind and carried it to the man, who -made off with it instantly. - -Hardly had he reached his own house when, taking the ring, he said, -"Bronze ring, obey thy master. I desire that the golden ship shall turn -to black wood, and the crew to hideous negroes; that St. Nicholas shall -leave the helm and that the only cargo shall be black cats." - -And the genii of the bronze ring obeyed him. - -Finding himself upon the sea in this miserable condition, the young -captain understood that some one must have stolen the bronze ring from -him, and he lamented his misfortune loudly; but that did him no good. - -"Alas!" he said to himself, "whoever has taken my ring has probably -taken my dear wife also. What good will it do me to go back to my own -country?" And he sailed about from island to island, and from shore to -shore, believing that wherever he went everybody was laughing at him, -and very soon his poverty was so great that he and his crew and the poor -black cats had nothing to eat but herbs and roots. After wandering about -a long time he reached an island inhabited by mice. The captain landed -upon the shore and began to explore the country. There were mice -everywhere, and nothing but mice. Some of the black cats had followed -him, and, not having been fed for several days, they were fearfully -hungry, and made terrible havoc among the mice. - -Then the queen of the mice held a council. - -"These cats will eat every one of us," she said, "if the captain of the -ship does not shut the ferocious animals up. Let us send a deputation to -him of the bravest among us." - -Several mice offered themselves for this mission and set out to find the -young captain. - -"Captain," said they, "go away quickly from our island, or we shall -perish, every mouse of us." - -"Willingly," replied the young captain, "upon one condition. That is -that you shall first bring me back a bronze ring which some clever -magician has stolen from me. If you do not do this I will land all my -cats upon your island, and you shall be exterminated." - -The mice withdrew in great dismay. "What is to be done?" said the Queen. -"How can we find this bronze ring?" She held a new council, calling in -mice from every quarter of the globe, but nobody knew where the bronze -ring was. Suddenly three mice arrived from a very distant country. One -was blind, the second lame, and the third had her ears cropped. - -"Ho, ho, ho!" said the new-comers. "We come from a far distant country." - -"Do you know where the bronze ring is which the genii obey?" - -"Ho, ho, ho! we know; an old sorcerer has taken possession of it, and -now he keeps it in his pocket by day and in his mouth by night." - -"Go and take it from him, and come back as soon as possible." - -So the three mice made themselves a boat and set sail for the magician's -country. When they reached the capital they landed and ran to the -palace, leaving only the blind mouse on the shore to take care of the -boat. Then they waited till it was night. The wicked old man lay down in -bed and put the bronze ring into his mouth, and very soon he was asleep. - -"Now, what shall we do?" said the two little animals to each other. - -The mouse with the cropped ears found a lamp full of oil and a bottle -full of pepper. So she dipped her tail first in the oil and then in the -pepper, and held it to the sorcerer's nose. - -"Atisha! atisha!" sneezed the old man, but he did not wake, and the -shock made the bronze ring jump out of his mouth. Quick as thought the -lame mouse snatched up the precious talisman and carried it off to the -boat. - -Imagine the despair of the magician when he awoke and the bronze ring -was nowhere to be found! - -But by that time our three mice had set sail with their prize. A -favoring breeze was carrying them toward the island where the queen -of the mice was awaiting them. Naturally they began to talk about the -bronze ring. - -"Which of us deserves the most credit?" they cried all at once. - -"I do," said the blind mouse, "for without my watchfulness our boat -would have drifted away to the open sea." - -"No, indeed," cried the mouse with the cropped ears; "the credit is -mine. Did I not cause the ring to jump out of the man's mouth?" - -"No, it is mine," cried the lame one, "for I ran off with the ring." - -And from high words they soon came to blows, and, alas! when the quarrel -was fiercest the bronze ring fell into the sea. - -"How are we to face our queen," said the three mice "when by our -folly we have lost the talisman and condemned our people to be utterly -exterminated? We cannot go back to our country; let us land on this -desert island and there end our miserable lives." No sooner said than -done. The boat reached the island, and the mice landed. - -The blind mouse was speedily deserted by her two sisters, who went off -to hunt flies, but as she wandered sadly along the shore she found a -dead fish, and was eating it, when she felt something very hard. At her -cries the other two mice ran up. - -"It is the bronze ring! It is the talisman!" they cried joyfully, and, -getting into their boat again, they soon reached the mouse island. It -was time they did, for the captain was just going to land his cargo of -cats, when a deputation of mice brought him the precious bronze ring. - -"Bronze ring," commanded the young man, "obey thy master. Let my ship -appear as it was before." - -Immediately the genii of the ring set to work, and the old black vessel -became once more the wonderful golden ship with sails of brocade; the -handsome sailors ran to the silver masts and the silken ropes, and very -soon they set sail for the capital. - -Ah! how merrily the sailors sang as they flew over the glassy sea! - -At last the port was reached. - -The captain landed and ran to the palace, where he found the wicked -old man asleep. The Princess clasped her husband in a long embrace. The -magician tried to escape, but he was seized and bound with strong cords. - -The next day the sorcerer, tied to the tail of a savage mule loaded with -nuts, was broken into as many pieces as there were nuts upon the mule's -back.(1) - - -(1) Traditions Populaires de l'Asie Mineure. Carnoy et Nicolaides. -Paris: Maisonneuve, 1889. - - - - -PRINCE HYACINTH AND THE DEAR LITTLE PRINCESS - - -Once upon a time there lived a king who was deeply in love with a -princess, but she could not marry anyone, because she was under an -enchantment. So the King set out to seek a fairy, and asked what he -could do to win the Princess's love. The Fairy said to him: - -"You know that the Princess has a great cat which she is very fond of. -Whoever is clever enough to tread on that cat's tail is the man she is -destined to marry." - -The King said to himself that this would not be very difficult, and he -left the Fairy, determined to grind the cat's tail to powder rather than -not tread on it at all. - -You may imagine that it was not long before he went to see the Princess, -and puss, as usual, marched in before him, arching his back. The King -took a long step, and quite thought he had the tail under his foot, but -the cat turned round so sharply that he only trod on air. And so it went -on for eight days, till the King began to think that this fatal tail -must be full of quicksilver--it was never still for a moment. - -At last, however, he was lucky enough to come upon puss fast asleep and -with his tail conveniently spread out. So the King, without losing a -moment, set his foot upon it heavily. - -With one terrific yell the cat sprang up and instantly changed into a -tall man, who, fixing his angry eyes upon the King, said: - -"You shall marry the Princess because you have been able to break the -enchantment, but I will have my revenge. You shall have a son, who will -never be happy until he finds out that his nose is too long, and if you -ever tell anyone what I have just said to you, you shall vanish away -instantly, and no one shall ever see you or hear of you again." - -Though the King was horribly afraid of the enchanter, he could not help -laughing at this threat. - -"If my son has such a long nose as that," he said to himself, "he -must always see it or feel it; at least, if he is not blind or without -hands." - -But, as the enchanter had vanished, he did not waste any more time in -thinking, but went to seek the Princess, who very soon consented to -marry him. But after all, they had not been married very long when the -King died, and the Queen had nothing left to care for but her little -son, who was called Hyacinth. The little Prince had large blue eyes, the -prettiest eyes in the world, and a sweet little mouth, but, alas! -his nose was so enormous that it covered half his face. The Queen was -inconsolable when she saw this great nose, but her ladies assured her -that it was not really as large as it looked; that it was a Roman nose, -and you had only to open any history to see that every hero has a large -nose. The Queen, who was devoted to her baby, was pleased with what they -told her, and when she looked at Hyacinth again, his nose certainly did -not seem to her _quite_ so large. - -The Prince was brought up with great care; and, as soon as he could -speak, they told him all sorts of dreadful stories about people who had -short noses. No one was allowed to come near him whose nose did not more -or less resemble his own, and the courtiers, to get into favor with the -Queen, took to pulling their babies' noses several times every day -to make them grow long. But, do what they would, they were nothing by -comparison with the Prince's. - -When he grew sensible he learned history; and whenever any great prince -or beautiful princess was spoken of, his teachers took care to tell him -that they had long noses. - -His room was hung with pictures, all of people with very large noses; -and the Prince grew up so convinced that a long nose was a great beauty, -that he would not on any account have had his own a single inch shorter! - -When his twentieth birthday was passed the Queen thought it was time -that he should be married, so she commanded that the portraits of -several princesses should be brought for him to see, and among the -others was a picture of the Dear Little Princess! - -Now, she was the daughter of a great king, and would some day possess -several kingdoms herself; but Prince Hyacinth had not a thought to spare -for anything of that sort, he was so much struck with her beauty. The -Princess, whom he thought quite charming, had, however, a little saucy -nose, which, in her face, was the prettiest thing possible, but it was -a cause of great embarrassment to the courtiers, who had got into such -a habit of laughing at little noses that they sometimes found themselves -laughing at hers before they had time to think; but this did not do at -all before the Prince, who quite failed to see the joke, and actually -banished two of his courtiers who had dared to mention disrespectfully -the Dear Little Princess's tiny nose! - -The others, taking warning from this, learned to think twice before they -spoke, and one even went so far as to tell the Prince that, though it -was quite true that no man could be worth anything unless he had a -long nose, still, a woman's beauty was a different thing; and he knew -a learned man who understood Greek and had read in some old manuscripts -that the beautiful Cleopatra herself had a "tip-tilted" nose! - -The Prince made him a splendid present as a reward for this good -news, and at once sent ambassadors to ask the Dear Little Princess in -marriage. The King, her father, gave his consent; and Prince Hyacinth, -who, in his anxiety to see the Princess, had gone three leagues to meet -her was just advancing to kiss her hand when, to the horror of all who -stood by, the enchanter appeared as suddenly as a flash of lightning, -and, snatching up the Dear Little Princess, whirled her away out of -their sight! - -The Prince was left quite unconsolable, and declared that nothing should -induce him to go back to his kingdom until he had found her again, and -refusing to allow any of his courtiers to follow him, he mounted his -horse and rode sadly away, letting the animal choose his own path. - -So it happened that he came presently to a great plain, across which -he rode all day long without seeing a single house, and horse and rider -were terribly hungry, when, as the night fell, the Prince caught sight -of a light, which seemed to shine from a cavern. - -He rode up to it, and saw a little old woman, who appeared to be at -least a hundred years old. - -She put on her spectacles to look at Prince Hyacinth, but it was quite -a long time before she could fix them securely because her nose was so -very short. - -The Prince and the Fairy (for that was who she was) had no sooner looked -at one another than they went into fits of laughter, and cried at the -same moment, "Oh, what a funny nose!" - -"Not so funny as your own," said Prince Hyacinth to the Fairy; "but, -madam, I beg you to leave the consideration of our noses--such as -they are--and to be good enough to give me something to eat, for I am -starving, and so is my poor horse." - -"With all my heart," said the Fairy. "Though your nose is so ridiculous -you are, nevertheless, the son of my best friend. I loved your father as -if he had been my brother. Now _he_ had a very handsome nose!" - -"And pray what does mine lack?" said the Prince. - -"Oh! it doesn't _lack_ anything," replied the Fairy. "On the contrary -quite, there is only too much of it. But never mind, one may be a very -worthy man though his nose is too long. I was telling you that I was -your father's friend; he often came to see me in the old times, and you -must know that I was very pretty in those days; at least, he used to say -so. I should like to tell you of a conversation we had the last time I -ever saw him." - -"Indeed," said the Prince, "when I have supped it will give me the -greatest pleasure to hear it; but consider, madam, I beg of you, that I -have had nothing to eat to-day." - -"The poor boy is right," said the Fairy; "I was forgetting. Come in, -then, and I will give you some supper, and while you are eating I can -tell you my story in a very few words--for I don't like endless tales -myself. Too long a tongue is worse than too long a nose, and I remember -when I was young that I was so much admired for not being a great -chatterer. They used to tell the Queen, my mother, that it was so. For -though you see what I am now, I was the daughter of a great king. My -father----" - -"Your father, I dare say, got something to eat when he was hungry!" -interrupted the Prince. - -"Oh! certainly," answered the Fairy, "and you also shall have supper -directly. I only just wanted to tell you----" - -"But I really cannot listen to anything until I have had something -to eat," cried the Prince, who was getting quite angry; but then, -remembering that he had better be polite as he much needed the Fairy's -help, he added: - -"I know that in the pleasure of listening to you I should quite forget -my own hunger; but my horse, who cannot hear you, must really be fed!" - -The Fairy was very much flattered by this compliment, and said, calling -to her servants: - -"You shall not wait another minute, you are so polite, and in spite of -the enormous size of your nose you are really very agreeable." - -"Plague take the old lady! How she does go on about my nose!" said the -Prince to himself. "One would almost think that mine had taken all the -extra length that hers lacks! If I were not so hungry I would soon have -done with this chatterpie who thinks she talks very little! How stupid -people are not to see their own faults! That comes of being a princess: -she has been spoiled by flatterers, who have made her believe that she -is quite a moderate talker!" - -Meanwhile the servants were putting the supper on the table, and the -prince was much amused to hear the Fairy who asked them a thousand -questions simply for the pleasure of hearing herself speak; especially -he noticed one maid who, no matter what was being said, always contrived -to praise her mistress's wisdom. - -"Well!" he thought, as he ate his supper, "I'm very glad I came here. -This just shows me how sensible I have been in never listening to -flatterers. People of that sort praise us to our faces without shame, -and hide our faults or change them into virtues. For my part I never -will be taken in by them. I know my own defects, I hope." - -Poor Prince Hyacinth! He really believed what he said, and hadn't an -idea that the people who had praised his nose were laughing at him, just -as the Fairy's maid was laughing at her; for the Prince had seen her -laugh slyly when she could do so without the Fairy's noticing her. - -However, he said nothing, and presently, when his hunger began to be -appeased, the Fairy said: - -"My dear Prince, might I beg you to move a little more that way, for -your nose casts such a shadow that I really cannot see what I have on my -plate. Ah! thanks. Now let us speak of your father. When I went to his -Court he was only a little boy, but that is forty years ago, and I have -been in this desolate place ever since. Tell me what goes on nowadays; -are the ladies as fond of amusement as ever? In my time one saw them at -parties, theatres, balls, and promenades every day. Dear me! _what_ a -long nose you have! I cannot get used to it!" - -"Really, madam," said the Prince, "I wish you would leave off mentioning -my nose. It cannot matter to you what it is like. I am quite satisfied -with it, and have no wish to have it shorter. One must take what is -given one." - -"Now you are angry with me, my poor Hyacinth," said the Fairy, "and I -assure you that I didn't mean to vex you; on the contrary, I wished to -do you a service. However, though I really cannot help your nose being a -shock to me, I will try not to say anything about it. I will even try to -think that you have an ordinary nose. To tell the truth, it would make -three reasonable ones." - -The Prince, who was no longer hungry, grew so impatient at the Fairy's -continual remarks about his nose that at last he threw himself upon his -horse and rode hastily away. But wherever he came in his journeyings he -thought the people were mad, for they all talked of his nose, and yet -he could not bring himself to admit that it was too long, he had been so -used all his life to hear it called handsome. - -The old Fairy, who wished to make him happy, at last hit upon a plan. -She shut the Dear Little Princess up in a palace of crystal, and put -this palace down where the Prince would not fail to find it. His joy at -seeing the Princess again was extreme, and he set to work with all his -might to try to break her prison; but in spite of all his efforts he -failed utterly. In despair he thought at least that he would try to -get near enough to speak to the Dear Little Princess, who, on her part, -stretched out her hand that he might kiss it; but turn which way he -might, he never could raise it to his lips, for his long nose always -prevented it. For the first time he realized how long it really was, and -exclaimed: - -"Well, it must be admitted that my nose _is_ too long!" - -In an instant the crystal prison flew into a thousand splinters, and -the old Fairy, taking the Dear Little Princess by the hand, said to the -Prince: - -"Now, say if you are not very much obliged to me. Much good it was for -me to talk to you about your nose! You would never have found out how -extraordinary it was if it hadn't hindered you from doing what you -wanted to. You see how self-love keeps us from knowing our own defects -of mind and body. Our reason tries in vain to show them to us; we refuse -to see them till we find them in the way of our interests." - -Prince Hyacinth, whose nose was now just like anyone's else, did not -fail to profit by the lesson he had received. He married the Dear Little -Princess, and they lived happily ever after.(1) - - -(1) Le Prince Desir et la Princesse Mignonne. Par Madame Leprince de -Beaumont. - - - - -EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON - - -Once upon a time there was a poor husbandman who had many children and -little to give them in the way either of food or clothing. They were all -pretty, but the prettiest of all was the youngest daughter, who was so -beautiful that there were no bounds to her beauty. - -So once--it was late on a Thursday evening in autumn, and wild weather -outside, terribly dark, and raining so heavily and blowing so hard that -the walls of the cottage shook again--they were all sitting together by -the fireside, each of them busy with something or other, when suddenly -some one rapped three times against the window-pane. The man went out -to see what could be the matter, and when he got out there stood a great -big white bear. - -"Good-evening to you," said the White Bear. - -"Good-evening," said the man. - -"Will you give me your youngest daughter?" said the White Bear; "if you -will, you shall be as rich as you are now poor." - -Truly the man would have had no objection to be rich, but he thought to -himself: "I must first ask my daughter about this," so he went in and -told them that there was a great white bear outside who had faithfully -promised to make them all rich if he might but have the youngest -daughter. - -She said no, and would not hear of it; so the man went out again, and -settled with the White Bear that he should come again next Thursday -evening, and get her answer. Then the man persuaded her, and talked so -much to her about the wealth that they would have, and what a good thing -it would be for herself, that at last she made up her mind to go, and -washed and mended all her rags, made herself as smart as she could, and -held herself in readiness to set out. Little enough had she to take away -with her. - -Next Thursday evening the White Bear came to fetch her. She seated -herself on his back with her bundle, and thus they departed. When they -had gone a great part of the way, the White Bear said: "Are you afraid?" - -"No, that I am not," said she. - -"Keep tight hold of my fur, and then there is no danger," said he. - -And thus she rode far, far away, until they came to a great mountain. -Then the White Bear knocked on it, and a door opened, and they went into -a castle where there were many brilliantly lighted rooms which shone -with gold and silver, likewise a large hall in which there was a -well-spread table, and it was so magnificent that it would be hard to -make anyone understand how splendid it was. The White Bear gave her a -silver bell, and told her that when she needed anything she had but -to ring this bell, and what she wanted would appear. So after she had -eaten, and night was drawing near, she grew sleepy after her journey, -and thought she would like to go to bed. She rang the bell, and scarcely -had she touched it before she found herself in a chamber where a bed -stood ready made for her, which was as pretty as anyone could wish to -sleep in. It had pillows of silk, and curtains of silk fringed with -gold, and everything that was in the room was of gold or silver, but -when she had lain down and put out the light a man came and lay down -beside her, and behold it was the White Bear, who cast off the form of -a beast during the night. She never saw him, however, for he always came -after she had put out her light, and went away before daylight appeared. - -So all went well and happily for a time, but then she began to be very -sad and sorrowful, for all day long she had to go about alone; and -she did so wish to go home to her father and mother and brothers and -sisters. Then the White Bear asked what it was that she wanted, and she -told him that it was so dull there in the mountain, and that she had to -go about all alone, and that in her parents' house at home there were -all her brothers and sisters, and it was because she could not go to -them that she was so sorrowful. - -"There might be a cure for that," said the White Bear, "if you would -but promise me never to talk with your mother alone, but only when the -others are there too; for she will take hold of your hand," he said, -"and will want to lead you into a room to talk with you alone; but that -you must by no means do, or you will bring great misery on both of us." - -So one Sunday the White Bear came and said that they could now set out -to see her father and mother, and they journeyed thither, she sitting on -his back, and they went a long, long way, and it took a long, long time; -but at last they came to a large white farmhouse, and her brothers and -sisters were running about outside it, playing, and it was so pretty -that it was a pleasure to look at it. - -"Your parents dwell here now," said the White Bear; "but do not forget -what I said to you, or you will do much harm both to yourself and me." - -"No, indeed," said she, "I shall never forget;" and as soon as she was -at home the White Bear turned round and went back again. - -There were such rejoicings when she went in to her parents that it -seemed as if they would never come to an end. Everyone thought that he -could never be sufficiently grateful to her for all she had done for -them all. Now they had everything that they wanted, and everything was -as good as it could be. They all asked her how she was getting on where -she was. All was well with her too, she said; and she had everything -that she could want. What other answers she gave I cannot say, but I am -pretty sure that they did not learn much from her. But in the afternoon, -after they had dined at midday, all happened just as the White Bear had -said. Her mother wanted to talk with her alone in her own chamber. But -she remembered what the White Bear had said, and would on no account go. -"What we have to say can be said at any time," she answered. But somehow -or other her mother at last persuaded her, and she was forced to tell -the whole story. So she told how every night a man came and lay down -beside her when the lights were all put out, and how she never saw him, -because he always went away before it grew light in the morning, and how -she continually went about in sadness, thinking how happy she would -be if she could but see him, and how all day long she had to go about -alone, and it was so dull and solitary. "Oh!" cried the mother, in -horror, "you are very likely sleeping with a troll! But I will teach you -a way to see him. You shall have a bit of one of my candles, which you -can take away with you hidden in your breast. Look at him with that when -he is asleep, but take care not to let any tallow drop upon him." - -So she took the candle, and hid it in her breast, and when evening drew -near the White Bear came to fetch her away. When they had gone some -distance on their way, the White Bear asked her if everything had not -happened just as he had foretold, and she could not but own that it had. -"Then, if you have done what your mother wished," said he, "you have -brought great misery on both of us." "No," she said, "I have not done -anything at all." So when she had reached home and had gone to bed it -was just the same as it had been before, and a man came and lay down -beside her, and late at night, when she could hear that he was sleeping, -she got up and kindled a light, lit her candle, let her light shine on -him, and saw him, and he was the handsomest prince that eyes had ever -beheld, and she loved him so much that it seemed to her that she must -die if she did not kiss him that very moment. So she did kiss him; but -while she was doing it she let three drops of hot tallow fall upon -his shirt, and he awoke. "What have you done now?" said he; "you have -brought misery on both of us. If you had but held out for the space of -one year I should have been free. I have a step-mother who has bewitched -me so that I am a white bear by day and a man by night; but now all is -at an end between you and me, and I must leave you, and go to her. She -lives in a castle which lies east of the sun and west of the moon, and -there too is a princess with a nose which is three ells long, and she -now is the one whom I must marry." - -She wept and lamented, but all in vain, for go he must. Then she asked -him if she could not go with him. But no, that could not be. "Can you -tell me the way then, and I will seek you--that I may surely be allowed -to do!" - -"Yes, you may do that," said he; "but there is no way thither. It lies -east of the sun and west of the moon, and never would you find your way -there." - -When she awoke in the morning both the Prince and the castle were gone, -and she was lying on a small green patch in the midst of a dark, thick -wood. By her side lay the self-same bundle of rags which she had brought -with her from her own home. So when she had rubbed the sleep out of her -eyes, and wept till she was weary, she set out on her way, and thus she -walked for many and many a long day, until at last she came to a great -mountain. Outside it an aged woman was sitting, playing with a golden -apple. The girl asked her if she knew the way to the Prince who lived -with his stepmother in the castle which lay east of the sun and west of -the moon, and who was to marry a princess with a nose which was three -ells long. "How do you happen to know about him?" inquired the old -woman; "maybe you are she who ought to have had him." "Yes, indeed, I -am," she said. "So it is you, then?" said the old woman; "I know nothing -about him but that he dwells in a castle which is east of the sun and -west of the moon. You will be a long time in getting to it, if ever you -get to it at all; but you shall have the loan of my horse, and then you -can ride on it to an old woman who is a neighbor of mine: perhaps she -can tell you about him. When you have got there you must just strike the -horse beneath the left ear and bid it go home again; but you may take -the golden apple with you." - -So the girl seated herself on the horse, and rode for a long, long way, -and at last she came to the mountain, where an aged woman was sitting -outside with a gold carding-comb. The girl asked her if she knew the way -to the castle which lay east of the sun and west of the moon; but she -said what the first old woman had said: "I know nothing about it, but -that it is east of the sun and west of the moon, and that you will be a -long time in getting to it, if ever you get there at all; but you shall -have the loan of my horse to an old woman who lives the nearest to me: -perhaps she may know where the castle is, and when you have got to her -you may just strike the horse beneath the left ear and bid it go home -again." Then she gave her the gold carding-comb, for it might, perhaps, -be of use to her, she said. - -So the girl seated herself on the horse, and rode a wearisome long way -onward again, and after a very long time she came to a great mountain, -where an aged woman was sitting, spinning at a golden spinning-wheel. -Of this woman, too, she inquired if she knew the way to the Prince, and -where to find the castle which lay east of the sun and west of the moon. -But it was only the same thing once again. "Maybe it was you who should -have had the Prince," said the old woman. "Yes, indeed, I should have -been the one," said the girl. But this old crone knew the way no better -than the others--it was east of the sun and west of the moon, she knew -that, "and you will be a long time in getting to it, if ever you get -to it at all," she said; "but you may have the loan of my horse, and I -think you had better ride to the East Wind, and ask him: perhaps he may -know where the castle is, and will blow you thither. But when you have -got to him you must just strike the horse beneath the left ear, and he -will come home again." And then she gave her the golden spinning-wheel, -saying: "Perhaps you may find that you have a use for it." - -The girl had to ride for a great many days, and for a long and wearisome -time, before she got there; but at last she did arrive, and then she -asked the East Wind if he could tell her the way to the Prince who dwelt -east of the sun and west of the moon. "Well," said the East Wind, "I -have heard tell of the Prince, and of his castle, but I do not know the -way to it, for I have never blown so far; but, if you like, I will go -with you to my brother the West Wind: he may know that, for he is much -stronger than I am. You may sit on my back, and then I can carry you -there." So she seated herself on his back, and they did go so swiftly! -When they got there, the East Wind went in and said that the girl whom -he had brought was the one who ought to have had the Prince up at the -castle which lay east of the sun and west of the moon, and that now she -was traveling about to find him again, so he had come there with her, -and would like to hear if the West Wind knew whereabout the castle was. -"No," said the West Wind; "so far as that have I never blown; but if you -like I will go with you to the South Wind, for he is much stronger than -either of us, and he has roamed far and wide, and perhaps he can tell -you what you want to know. You may seat yourself on my back, and then I -will carry you to him.". - -So she did this, and journeyed to the South Wind, neither was she very -long on the way. When they had got there, the West Wind asked him if he -could tell her the way to the castle that lay east of the sun and west -of the moon, for she was the girl who ought to marry the Prince who -lived there. "Oh, indeed!" said the South Wind, "is that she? Well," -said he, "I have wandered about a great deal in my time, and in all -kinds of places, but I have never blown so far as that. If you like, -however, I will go with you to my brother, the North Wind; he is the -oldest and strongest of all of us, and if he does not know where it is -no one in the whole world will be able to tell you. You may sit upon -my back, and then I will carry you there." So she seated herself on his -back, and off he went from his house in great haste, and they were not -long on the way. When they came near the North Wind's dwelling, he was -so wild and frantic that they felt cold gusts a long while before they -got there. "What do you want?" he roared out from afar, and they froze -as they heard. Said the South Wind: "It is I, and this is she who should -have had the Prince who lives in the castle which lies east of the sun -and west of the moon. And now she wishes to ask you if you have ever -been there, and can tell her the way, for she would gladly find him -again." - -"Yes," said the North Wind, "I know where it is. I once blew an aspen -leaf there, but I was so tired that for many days afterward I was not -able to blow at all. However, if you really are anxious to go there, and -are not afraid to go with me, I will take you on my back, and try if I -can blow you there." - -"Get there I must," said she; "and if there is any way of going I will; -and I have no fear, no matter how fast you go." - -"Very well then," said the North Wind; "but you must sleep here -to-night, for if we are ever to get there we must have the day before -us." - -The North Wind woke her betimes next morning, and puffed himself up, and -made himself so big and so strong that it was frightful to see him, and -away they went, high up through the air, as if they would not stop until -they had reached the very end of the world. Down below there was such a -storm! It blew down woods and houses, and when they were above the sea -the ships were wrecked by hundreds. And thus they tore on and on, and -a long time went by, and then yet more time passed, and still they were -above the sea, and the North Wind grew tired, and more tired, and at -last so utterly weary that he was scarcely able to blow any longer, and -he sank and sank, lower and lower, until at last he went so low that the -waves dashed against the heels of the poor girl he was carrying. "Art -thou afraid?" said the North Wind. "I have no fear," said she; and it -was true. But they were not very, very far from land, and there was just -enough strength left in the North Wind to enable him to throw her on to -the shore, immediately under the windows of a castle which lay east of -the sun and west of the moon; but then he was so weary and worn out that -he was forced to rest for several days before he could go to his own -home again. - -Next morning she sat down beneath the walls of the castle to play with -the golden apple, and the first person she saw was the maiden with the -long nose, who was to have the Prince. "How much do you want for that -gold apple of yours, girl?" said she, opening the window. "It can't be -bought either for gold or money," answered the girl. "If it cannot be -bought either for gold or money, what will buy it? You may say what you -please," said the Princess. - -"Well, if I may go to the Prince who is here, and be with him to-night, -you shall have it," said the girl who had come with the North Wind. "You -may do that," said the Princess, for she had made up her mind what she -would do. So the Princess got the golden apple, but when the girl went -up to the Prince's apartment that night he was asleep, for the Princess -had so contrived it. The poor girl called to him, and shook him, and -between whiles she wept; but she could not wake him. In the morning, as -soon as day dawned, in came the Princess with the long nose, and drove -her out again. In the daytime she sat down once more beneath the windows -of the castle, and began to card with her golden carding-comb; and then -all happened as it had happened before. The Princess asked her what she -wanted for it, and she replied that it was not for sale, either for gold -or money, but that if she could get leave to go to the Prince, and be -with him during the night, she should have it. But when she went up to -the Prince's room he was again asleep, and, let her call him, or shake -him, or weep as she would, he still slept on, and she could not put any -life in him. When daylight came in the morning, the Princess with the -long nose came too, and once more drove her away. When day had quite -come, the girl seated herself under the castle windows, to spin with -her golden spinning-wheel, and the Princess with the long nose wanted to -have that also. So she opened the window, and asked what she would -take for it. The girl said what she had said on each of the former -occasions--that it was not for sale either for gold or for money, but if -she could get leave to go to the Prince who lived there, and be with him -during the night, she should have it. - -"Yes," said the Princess, "I will gladly consent to that." - -But in that place there were some Christian folk who had been carried -off, and they had been sitting in the chamber which was next to that of -the Prince, and had heard how a woman had been in there who had wept and -called on him two nights running, and they told the Prince of this. So -that evening, when the Princess came once more with her sleeping-drink, -he pretended to drink, but threw it away behind him, for he suspected -that it was a sleeping-drink. So, when the girl went into the Prince's -room this time he was awake, and she had to tell him how she had come -there. "You have come just in time," said the Prince, "for I should have -been married to-morrow; but I will not have the long-nosed Princess, and -you alone can save me. I will say that I want to see what my bride can -do, and bid her wash the shirt which has the three drops of tallow on -it. This she will consent to do, for she does not know that it is you -who let them fall on it; but no one can wash them out but one born of -Christian folk: it cannot be done by one of a pack of trolls; and then -I will say that no one shall ever be my bride but the woman who can do -this, and I know that you can." There was great joy and gladness between -them all that night, but the next day, when the wedding was to take -place, the Prince said, "I must see what my bride can do." "That you may -do," said the stepmother. - -"I have a fine shirt which I want to wear as my wedding shirt, but three -drops of tallow have got upon it which I want to have washed off, and -I have vowed to marry no one but the woman who is able to do it. If she -cannot do that, she is not worth having." - -Well, that was a very small matter, they thought, and agreed to do it. -The Princess with the long nose began to wash as well as she could, -but, the more she washed and rubbed, the larger the spots grew. "Ah! you -can't wash at all," said the old troll-hag, who was her mother. "Give it -to me." But she too had not had the shirt very long in her hands before -it looked worse still, and, the more she washed it and rubbed it, the -larger and blacker grew the spots. - -So the other trolls had to come and wash, but, the more they did, the -blacker and uglier grew the shirt, until at length it was as black as if -it had been up the chimney. "Oh," cried the Prince, "not one of you is -good for anything at all! There is a beggar-girl sitting outside the -window, and I'll be bound that she can wash better than any of you! Come -in, you girl there!" he cried. So she came in. "Can you wash this shirt -clean?" he cried. "Oh! I don't know," she said; "but I will try." And -no sooner had she taken the shirt and dipped it in the water than it -was white as driven snow, and even whiter than that. "I will marry you," -said the Prince. - -Then the old troll-hag flew into such a rage that she burst, and the -Princess with the long nose and all the little trolls must have burst -too, for they have never been heard of since. The Prince and his bride -set free all the Christian folk who were imprisoned there, and took away -with them all the gold and silver that they could carry, and moved far -away from the castle which lay east of the sun and west of the moon.(1) - - -(1) Asbjornsen and Moe. - - - - -THE YELLOW DWARF - - -Once upon a time there lived a queen who had been the mother of a great -many children, and of them all only one daughter was left. But then -_she_ was worth at least a thousand. - -Her mother, who, since the death of the King, her father, had nothing in -the world she cared for so much as this little Princess, was so terribly -afraid of losing her that she quite spoiled her, and never tried to -correct any of her faults. The consequence was that this little person, -who was as pretty as possible, and was one day to wear a crown, grew -up so proud and so much in love with her own beauty that she despised -everyone else in the world. - -The Queen, her mother, by her caresses and flatteries, helped to make -her believe that there was nothing too good for her. She was dressed -almost always in the prettiest frocks, as a fairy, or as a queen going -out to hunt, and the ladies of the Court followed her dressed as forest -fairies. - -And to make her more vain than ever the Queen caused her portrait to be -taken by the cleverest painters and sent it to several neighboring kings -with whom she was very friendly. - -When they saw this portrait they fell in love with the Princess--every -one of them, but upon each it had a different effect. One fell ill, one -went quite crazy, and a few of the luckiest set off to see her as soon -as possible, but these poor princes became her slaves the moment they -set eyes on her. - -Never has there been a gayer Court. Twenty delightful kings did -everything they could think of to make themselves agreeable, and after -having spent ever so much money in giving a single entertainment thought -themselves very lucky if the Princess said "That's pretty." - -All this admiration vastly pleased the Queen. Not a day passed but -she received seven or eight thousand sonnets, and as many elegies, -madrigals, and songs, which were sent her by all the poets in the -world. All the prose and the poetry that was written just then was about -Bellissima--for that was the Princess's name--and all the bonfires that -they had were made of these verses, which crackled and sparkled better -than any other sort of wood. - -Bellissima was already fifteen years old, and every one of the Princes -wished to marry her, but not one dared to say so. How could they when -they knew that any of them might have cut off his head five or six times -a day just to please her, and she would have thought it a mere trifle, -so little did she care? You may imagine how hard-hearted her lovers -thought her; and the Queen, who wished to see her married, did not know -how to persuade her to think of it seriously. - -"Bellissima," she said, "I do wish you would not be so proud. What makes -you despise all these nice kings? I wish you to marry one of them, and -you do not try to please me." - -"I am so happy," Bellissima answered: "do leave me in peace, madam. I -don't want to care for anyone." - -"But you would be very happy with any of these Princes," said the Queen, -"and I shall be very angry if you fall in love with anyone who is not -worthy of you." - -But the Princess thought so much of herself that she did not consider -any one of her lovers clever or handsome enough for her; and her mother, -who was getting really angry at her determination not to be married, -began to wish that she had not allowed her to have her own way so much. - -At last, not knowing what else to do, she resolved to consult a certain -witch who was called "The Fairy of the Desert." Now this was very -difficult to do, as she was guarded by some terrible lions; but happily -the Queen had heard a long time before that whoever wanted to pass -these lions safely must throw to them a cake made of millet flour, -sugar-candy, and crocodile's eggs. This cake she prepared with her own -hands, and putting it in a little basket, she set out to seek the Fairy. -But as she was not used to walking far, she soon felt very tired and sat -down at the foot of a tree to rest, and presently fell fast asleep. When -she awoke she was dismayed to find her basket empty. The cake was all -gone! and, to make matters worse, at that moment she heard the roaring -of the great lions, who had found out that she was near and were coming -to look for her. - -"What shall I do?" she cried; "I shall be eaten up," and being too -frightened to run a single step, she began to cry, and leaned against -the tree under which she had been asleep. - -Just then she heard some one say: "H'm, h'm!" - -She looked all round her, and then up the tree, and there she saw a -little tiny man, who was eating oranges. - -"Oh! Queen," said he, "I know you very well, and I know how much afraid -you are of the lions; and you are quite right too, for they have eaten -many other people: and what can you expect, as you have not any cake to -give them?" - -"I must make up my mind to die," said the poor Queen. "Alas! I should -not care so much if only my dear daughter were married." - -"Oh! you have a daughter," cried the Yellow Dwarf (who was so called -because he _was_ a dwarf and had such a yellow face, and lived in the -orange tree). "I'm really glad to hear that, for I've been looking for -a wife all over the world. Now, if you will promise that she shall marry -me, not one of the lions, tigers, or bears shall touch you." - -The Queen looked at him and was almost as much afraid of his ugly little -face as she had been of the lions before, so that she could not speak a -word. - -"What! you hesitate, madam," cried the Dwarf. "You must be very fond of -being eaten up alive." - -And, as he spoke, the Queen saw the lions, which were running down a -hill toward them. - -Each one had two heads, eight feet, and four rows of teeth, and their -skins were as hard as turtle shells, and were bright red. - -At this dreadful sight, the poor Queen, who was trembling like a dove -when it sees a hawk, cried out as loud as she could, "Oh! dear Mr. -Dwarf, Bellissima shall marry you." - -"Oh, indeed!" said he disdainfully. "Bellissima is pretty enough, but I -don't particularly want to marry her--you can keep her." - -"Oh! noble sir," said the Queen in great distress, "do not refuse her. -She is the most charming Princess in the world." - -"Oh! well," he replied, "out of charity I will take her; but be sure and -don't forget that she is mine." - -As he spoke a little door opened in the trunk of the orange tree, in -rushed the Queen, only just in time, and the door shut with a bang in -the faces of the lions. - -The Queen was so confused that at first she did not notice another -little door in the orange tree, but presently it opened and she found -herself in a field of thistles and nettles. It was encircled by a muddy -ditch, and a little further on was a tiny thatched cottage, out of which -came the Yellow Dwarf with a very jaunty air. He wore wooden shoes and -a little yellow coat, and as he had no hair and very long ears he looked -altogether a shocking little object. - -"I am delighted," said he to the Queen, "that, as you are to be my -mother-in-law, you should see the little house in which your Bellissima -will live with me. With these thistles and nettles she can feed a donkey -which she can ride whenever she likes; under this humble roof no -weather can hurt her; she will drink the water of this brook and eat -frogs--which grow very fat about here; and then she will have me always -with her, handsome, agreeable, and gay as you see me now. For if her -shadow stays by her more closely than I do I shall be surprised." - -The unhappy Queen, seeing all at once what a miserable life her daughter -would have with this Dwarf could not bear the idea, and fell down -insensible without saying a word. - -When she revived she found to her great surprise that she was lying in -her own bed at home, and, what was more, that she had on the loveliest -lace night cap that she had ever seen in her life. At first she thought -that all her adventures, the terrible lions, and her promise to the -Yellow Dwarf that he should marry Bellissima, must have been a dream, -but there was the new cap with its beautiful ribbon and lace to remind -her that it was all true, which made her so unhappy that she could -neither eat, drink, nor sleep for thinking of it. - -The Princess, who, in spite of her wilfulness, really loved her mother -with all her heart, was much grieved when she saw her looking so sad, -and often asked her what was the matter; but the Queen, who didn't want -her to find out the truth, only said that she was ill, or that one of -her neighbors was threatening to make war against her. Bellissima knew -quite well that something was being hidden from her--and that neither of -these was the real reason of the Queen's uneasiness. So she made up her -mind that she would go and consult the Fairy of the Desert about it, -especially as she had often heard how wise she was, and she thought that -at the same time she might ask her advice as to whether it would be as -well to be married, or not. - -So, with great care, she made some of the proper cake to pacify the -lions, and one night went up to her room very early, pretending that -she was going to bed; but instead of that, she wrapped herself in a long -white veil, and went down a secret staircase, and set off all by herself -to find the Witch. - -But when she got as far as the same fatal orange tree, and saw it -covered with flowers and fruit, she stopped and began to gather some -of the oranges--and then, putting down her basket, she sat down to eat -them. But when it was time to go on again the basket had disappeared -and, though she looked everywhere, not a trace of it could she find. -The more she hunted for it, the more frightened she got, and at last she -began to cry. Then all at once she saw before her the Yellow Dwarf. - -"What's the matter with you, my pretty one?" said he. "What are you -crying about?" - -"Alas!" she answered; "no wonder that I am crying, seeing that I have -lost the basket of cake that was to help me to get safely to the cave of -the Fairy of the Desert." - -"And what do you want with her, pretty one?" said the little monster, -"for I am a friend of hers, and, for the matter of that, I am quite as -clever as she is." - -"The Queen, my mother," replied the Princess, "has lately fallen into -such deep sadness that I fear that she will die; and I am afraid that -perhaps I am the cause of it, for she very much wishes me to be married, -and I must tell you truly that as yet I have not found anyone I consider -worthy to be my husband. So for all these reasons I wished to talk to -the Fairy." - -"Do not give yourself any further trouble, Princess," answered the -Dwarf. "I can tell you all you want to know better than she could. The -Queen, your mother, has promised you in marriage----" - -"Has promised _me!_" interrupted the Princess. "Oh! no. I'm sure she has -not. She would have told me if she had. I am too much interested in -the matter for her to promise anything without my consent--you must be -mistaken." - -"Beautiful Princess," cried the Dwarf suddenly, throwing himself on his -knees before her, "I flatter myself that you will not be displeased -at her choice when I tell you that it is to _me_ she has promised the -happiness of marrying you." - -"You!" cried Bellissima, starting back. "My mother wishes me to marry -you! How can you be so silly as to think of such a thing?" - -"Oh! it isn't that I care much to have that honor," cried the Dwarf -angrily; "but here are the lions coming; they'll eat you up in three -mouthfuls, and there will be an end of you and your pride." - -And, indeed, at that moment the poor Princess heard their dreadful howls -coming nearer and nearer. - -"What shall I do?" she cried. "Must all my happy days come to an end -like this?" - -The malicious Dwarf looked at her and began to laugh spitefully. "At -least," said he, "you have the satisfaction of dying unmarried. A lovely -Princess like you must surely prefer to die rather than be the wife of a -poor little dwarf like myself." - -"Oh, don't be angry with me," cried the Princess, clasping her hands. -"I'd rather marry all the dwarfs in the world than die in this horrible -way." - -"Look at me well, Princess, before you give me your word," said he. "I -don't want you to promise me in a hurry." - -"Oh!" cried she, "the lions are coming. I have looked at you enough. I -am so frightened. Save me this minute, or I shall die of terror." - -Indeed, as she spoke she fell down insensible, and when she recovered -she found herself in her own little bed at home; how she got there -she could not tell, but she was dressed in the most beautiful lace and -ribbons, and on her finger was a little ring, made of a single red hair, -which fitted so tightly that, try as she might, she could not get it -off. - -When the Princess saw all these things, and remembered what had -happened, she, too, fell into the deepest sadness, which surprised and -alarmed the whole Court, and the Queen more than anyone else. A hundred -times she asked Bellissima if anything was the matter with her; but she -always said that there was nothing. - -At last the chief men of the kingdom, anxious to see their Princess -married, sent to the Queen to beg her to choose a husband for her as -soon as possible. She replied that nothing would please her better, but -that her daughter seemed so unwilling to marry, and she recommended them -to go and talk to the Princess about it themselves so this they at once -did. Now Bellissima was much less proud since her adventure with the -Yellow Dwarf, and she could not think of a better way of getting rid -of the little monster than to marry some powerful king, therefore she -replied to their request much more favorably than they had hoped, saying -that, though she was very happy as she was, still, to please them, she -would consent to marry the King of the Gold Mines. Now he was a very -handsome and powerful Prince, who had been in love with the Princess for -years, but had not thought that she would ever care about him at all. -You can easily imagine how delighted he was when he heard the news, -and how angry it made all the other kings to lose for ever the hope of -marrying the Princess; but, after all, Bellissima could not have married -twenty kings--indeed, she had found it quite difficult enough to choose -one, for her vanity made her believe that there was nobody in the world -who was worthy of her. - -Preparations were begun at once for the grandest wedding that had ever -been held at the palace. The King of the Gold Mines sent such immense -sums of money that the whole sea was covered with the ships that brought -it. Messengers were sent to all the gayest and most refined Courts, -particularly to the Court of France, to seek out everything rare and -precious to adorn the Princess, although her beauty was so perfect that -nothing she wore could make her look prettier. At least that is what -the King of the Gold Mines thought, and he was never happy unless he was -with her. - -As for the Princess, the more she saw of the King the more she liked -him; he was so generous, so handsome and clever, that at last she was -almost as much in love with him as he was with her. How happy they were -as they wandered about in the beautiful gardens together, sometimes -listening to sweet music! And the King used to write songs for -Bellissima. This is one that she liked very much: - - In the forest all is gay - When my Princess walks that way. - All the blossoms then are found - Downward fluttering to the ground, - Hoping she may tread on them. - And bright flowers on slender stem - Gaze up at her as she passes - Brushing lightly through the grasses. - Oh! my Princess, birds above - Echo back our songs of love, - As through this enchanted land - Blithe we wander, hand in hand. - - -They really were as happy as the day was long. All the King's -unsuccessful rivals had gone home in despair. They said good-by to the -Princess so sadly that she could not help being sorry for them. - -"Ah! madam," the King of the Gold Mines said to her "how is this? Why -do you waste your pity on these princes, who love you so much that all -their trouble would be well repaid by a single smile from you?" - -"I should be sorry," answered Bellissima, "if you had not noticed how -much I pitied these princes who were leaving me for ever; but for you, -sire, it is very different: you have every reason to be pleased with -me, but they are going sorrowfully away, so you must not grudge them my -compassion." - -The King of the Gold Mines was quite overcome by the Princess's -good-natured way of taking his interference, and, throwing himself at -her feet, he kissed her hand a thousand times and begged her to forgive -him. - -At last the happy day came. Everything was ready for Bellissima's -wedding. The trumpets sounded, all the streets of the town were hung -with flags and strewn with flowers, and the people ran in crowds to the -great square before the palace. The Queen was so overjoyed that she had -hardly been able to sleep at all, and she got up before it was light to -give the necessary orders and to choose the jewels that the Princess was -to wear. These were nothing less than diamonds, even to her shoes, which -were covered with them, and her dress of silver brocade was embroidered -with a dozen of the sun's rays. You may imagine how much these had cost; -but then nothing could have been more brilliant, except the beauty of -the Princess! Upon her head she wore a splendid crown, her lovely -hair waved nearly to her feet, and her stately figure could easily be -distinguished among all the ladies who attended her. - -The King of the Gold Mines was not less noble and splendid; it was easy -to see by his face how happy he was, and everyone who went near him -returned loaded with presents, for all round the great banqueting hall -had been arranged a thousand barrels full of gold, and numberless bags -made of velvet embroidered with pearls and filled with money, each one -containing at least a hundred thousand gold pieces, which were given -away to everyone who liked to hold out his hand, which numbers of people -hastened to do, you may be sure--indeed, some found this by far the most -amusing part of the wedding festivities. - -The Queen and the Princess were just ready to set out with the King when -they saw, advancing toward them from the end of the long gallery, two -great basilisks, dragging after them a very badly made box; behind them -came a tall old woman, whose ugliness was even more surprising than her -extreme old age. She wore a ruff of black taffeta, a red velvet hood, -and a farthingale all in rags, and she leaned heavily upon a crutch. -This strange old woman, without saying a single word, hobbled three -times round the gallery, followed by the basilisks, then stopping in the -middle, and brandishing her crutch threateningly, she cried: - -"Ho, ho, Queen! Ho, ho, Princess! Do you think you are going to break -with impunity the promise that you made to my friend the Yellow Dwarf? I -am the Fairy of the Desert; without the Yellow Dwarf and his orange -tree my great lions would soon have eaten you up, I can tell you, and in -Fairyland we do not suffer ourselves to be insulted like this. Make up -your minds at once what you will do, for I vow that you shall marry the -Yellow Dwarf. If you don't, may I burn my crutch!" - -"Ah! Princess," said the Queen, weeping, "what is this that I hear? What -have you promised?" - -"Ah! my mother," replied Bellissima sadly, "what did _you_ promise, -yourself?" - -The King of the Gold Mines, indignant at being kept from his happiness -by this wicked old woman, went up to her, and threatening her with his -sword, said: - -"Get away out of my country at once, and for ever, miserable creature, -lest I take your life, and so rid myself of your malice." - -He had hardly spoken these words when the lid of the box fell back on -the floor with a terrible noise, and to their horror out sprang the -Yellow Dwarf, mounted upon a great Spanish cat. "Rash youth!" he cried, -rushing between the Fairy of the Desert and the King. "Dare to lay a -finger upon this illustrious Fairy! Your quarrel is with me only. I -am your enemy and your rival. That faithless Princess who would have -married you is promised to me. See if she has not upon her finger a ring -made of one of my hairs. Just try to take it off, and you will soon find -out that I am more powerful than you are!" - -"Wretched little monster!" said the King; "do you dare to call yourself -the Princess's lover, and to lay claim to such a treasure? Do you know -that you are a dwarf--that you are so ugly that one cannot bear to look -at you--and that I should have killed you myself long before this if you -had been worthy of such a glorious death?" - -The Yellow Dwarf, deeply enraged at these words, set spurs to his -cat, which yelled horribly, and leaped hither and thither--terrifying -everybody except the brave King, who pursued the Dwarf closely, till he, -drawing a great knife with which he was armed, challenged the King to -meet him in single combat, and rushed down into the courtyard of the -palace with a terrible clatter. The King, quite provoked, followed him -hastily, but they had hardly taken their places facing one another, and -the whole Court had only just had time to rush out upon the balconies to -watch what was going on, when suddenly the sun became as red as blood, -and it was so dark that they could scarcely see at all. The thunder -crashed, and the lightning seemed as if it must burn up everything; the -two basilisks appeared, one on each side of the bad Dwarf, like giants, -mountains high, and fire flew from their mouths and ears, until they -looked like flaming furnaces. None of these things could terrify the -noble young King, and the boldness of his looks and actions reassured -those who were looking on, and perhaps even embarrassed the Yellow Dwarf -himself; but even _his_ courage gave way when he saw what was happening -to his beloved Princess. For the Fairy of the Desert, looking more -terrible than before, mounted upon a winged griffin, and with long -snakes coiled round her neck, had given her such a blow with the lance -she carried that Bellissima fell into the Queen's arms bleeding and -senseless. Her fond mother, feeling as much hurt by the blow as the -Princess herself, uttered such piercing cries and lamentations that -the King, hearing them, entirely lost his courage and presence of mind. -Giving up the combat, he flew toward the Princess, to rescue or to die -with her; but the Yellow Dwarf was too quick for him. Leaping with his -Spanish cat upon the balcony, he snatched Bellissima from the Queen's -arms, and before any of the ladies of the Court could stop him he had -sprung upon the roof of the palace and disappeared with his prize. - -The King, motionless with horror, looked on despairingly at this -dreadful occurrence, which he was quite powerless to prevent, and to -make matters worse his sight failed him, everything became dark, and he -felt himself carried along through the air by a strong hand. - -This new misfortune was the work of the wicked Fairy of the Desert, who -had come with the Yellow Dwarf to help him carry off the Princess, -and had fallen in love with the handsome young King of the Gold Mines -directly she saw him. She thought that if she carried him off to some -frightful cavern and chained him to a rock, then the fear of death would -make him forget Bellissima and become her slave. So, as soon as they -reached the place, she gave him back his sight, but without releasing -him from his chains, and by her magic power she appeared before him as -a young and beautiful fairy, and pretended to have come there quite by -chance. - -"What do I see?" she cried. "Is it _you_, dear Prince? What misfortune -has brought you to this dismal place?" - -The King, who was quite deceived by her altered appearance, replied: - -"Alas! beautiful Fairy, the fairy who brought me here first took away -my sight, but by her voice I recognized her as the Fairy of the Desert, -though what she should have carried me off for I cannot tell you." - -"Ah!" cried the pretended Fairy, "if you have fallen into _her_ hands, -you won't get away until you have married her. She has carried off more -than one Prince like this, and she will certainly have anything she -takes a fancy to." While she was thus pretending to be sorry for the -King, he suddenly noticed her feet, which were like those of a griffin, -and knew in a moment that this must be the Fairy of the Desert, for her -feet were the one thing she could not change, however pretty she might -make her face. - -Without seeming to have noticed anything, he said, in a confidential -way: - -"Not that I have any dislike to the Fairy of the Desert, but I really -cannot endure the way in which she protects the Yellow Dwarf and keeps -me chained here like a criminal. It is true that I love a charming -princess, but if the Fairy should set me free my gratitude would oblige -me to love her only." - -"Do you really mean what you say, Prince?" said the Fairy, quite -deceived. - -"Surely," replied the Prince; "how could I deceive you? You see it is -so much more flattering to my vanity to be loved by a fairy than by -a simple princess. But, even if I am dying of love for her, I shall -pretend to hate her until I am set free." - -The Fairy of the Desert, quite taken in by these words, resolved at once -to transport the Prince to a pleasanter place. So, making him mount -her chariot, to which she had harnessed swans instead of the bats which -generally drew it, away she flew with him. But imagine the distress -of the Prince when, from the giddy height at which they were rushing -through the air, he saw his beloved Princess in a castle built of -polished steel, the walls of which reflected the sun's rays so -hotly that no one could approach it without being burnt to a cinder! -Bellissima was sitting in a little thicket by a brook, leaning her head -upon her hand and weeping bitterly, but just as they passed she looked -up and saw the King and the Fairy of the Desert. Now, the Fairy was so -clever that she could not only seem beautiful to the King, but even the -poor Princess thought her the most lovely being she had ever seen. - -"What!" she cried; "was I not unhappy enough in this lonely castle to -which that frightful Yellow Dwarf brought me? Must I also be made to -know that the King of the Gold Mines ceased to love me as soon as he -lost sight of me? But who can my rival be, whose fatal beauty is greater -than mine?" - -While she was saying this, the King, who really loved her as much as -ever, was feeling terribly sad at being so rapidly torn away from his -beloved Princess, but he knew too well how powerful the Fairy was to -have any hope of escaping from her except by great patience and cunning. - -The Fairy of the Desert had also seen Bellissima, and she tried to read -in the King's eyes the effect that this unexpected sight had had upon -him. - -"No one can tell you what you wish to know better than I can," said -he. "This chance meeting with an unhappy princess for whom I once had a -passing fancy, before I was lucky enough to meet you, has affected me a -little, I admit, but you are so much more to me than she is that I would -rather die than leave you." - -"Ah, Prince," she said, "can I believe that you really love me so much?" - -"Time will show, madam," replied the King; "but if you wish to convince -me that you have some regard for me, do not, I beg of you, refuse to aid -Bellissima." - -"Do you know what you are asking?" said the Fairy of the Desert, -frowning, and looking at him suspiciously. "Do you want me to employ my -art against the Yellow Dwarf, who is my best friend, and take away from -him a proud princess whom I can but look upon as my rival?" - -The King sighed, but made no answer--indeed, what was there to be said -to such a clear-sighted person? At last they reached a vast meadow, gay -with all sorts of flowers; a deep river surrounded it, and many little -brooks murmured softly under the shady trees, where it was always cool -and fresh. A little way off stood a splendid palace, the walls of -which were of transparent emeralds. As soon as the swans which drew -the Fairy's chariot had alighted under a porch, which was paved with -diamonds and had arches of rubies, they were greeted on all sides by -thousands of beautiful beings, who came to meet them joyfully, singing -these words: - - "When Love within a heart would reign, - Useless to strive against him 'tis. - The proud but feel a sharper pain, - And make a greater triumph his." - - -The Fairy of the Desert was delighted to hear them sing of her triumphs; -she led the King into the most splendid room that can be imagined, and -left him alone for a little while, just that he might not feel that -he was a prisoner; but he felt sure that she had not really gone quite -away, but was watching him from some hiding-place. So walking up to a -great mirror, he said to it, "Trusty counsellor, let me see what I can -do to make myself agreeable to the charming Fairy of the Desert; for I -can think of nothing but how to please her." - -And he at once set to work to curl his hair, and, seeing upon a table a -grander coat than his own, he put it on carefully. The Fairy came back -so delighted that she could not conceal her joy. - -"I am quite aware of the trouble you have taken to please me," said she, -"and I must tell you that you have succeeded perfectly already. You see -it is not difficult to do if you really care for me." - -The King, who had his own reasons for wishing to keep the old Fairy in -a good humor, did not spare pretty speeches, and after a time he was -allowed to walk by himself upon the sea-shore. The Fairy of the Desert -had by her enchantments raised such a terrible storm that the boldest -pilot would not venture out in it, so she was not afraid of her -prisoner's being able to escape; and he found it some relief to think -sadly over his terrible situation without being interrupted by his cruel -captor. - -Presently, after walking wildly up and down, he wrote these verses upon -the sand with his stick: - - "At last may I upon this shore - Lighten my sorrow with soft tears. - Alas! alas! I see no more - My Love, who yet my sadness cheers. - - "And thou, O raging, stormy Sea, - Stirred by wild winds, from depth to height, - Thou hold'st my loved one far from me, - And I am captive to thy might. - - "My heart is still more wild than thine, - For Fate is cruel unto me. - Why must I thus in exile pine? - Why is my Princess snatched from me? - - "O! lovely Nymphs, from ocean caves, - Who know how sweet true love may be, - Come up and calm the furious waves - And set a desperate lover free!" - - -While he was still writing he heard a voice which attracted his -attention in spite of himself. Seeing that the waves were rolling in -higher than ever, he looked all round, and presently saw a lovely lady -floating gently toward him upon the crest of a huge billow, her long -hair spread all about her; in one hand she held a mirror, and in the -other a comb, and instead of feet she had a beautiful tail like a fish, -with which she swam. - -The King was struck dumb with astonishment at this unexpected sight; but -as soon as she came within speaking distance, she said to him, "I know -how sad you are at losing your Princess and being kept a prisoner by -the Fairy of the Desert; if you like I will help you to escape from this -fatal place, where you may otherwise have to drag on a weary existence -for thirty years or more." - -The King of the Gold Mines hardly knew what answer to make to this -proposal. Not because he did not wish very much to escape, but he was -afraid that this might be only another device by which the Fairy of -the Desert was trying to deceive him. As he hesitated the Mermaid, who -guessed his thoughts, said to him: - -"You may trust me: I am not trying to entrap you. I am so angry with the -Yellow Dwarf and the Fairy of the Desert that I am not likely to wish to -help them, especially since I constantly see your poor Princess, whose -beauty and goodness make me pity her so much; and I tell you that if you -will have confidence in me I will help you to escape." - -"I trust you absolutely," cried the King, "and I will do whatever you -tell me; but if you have seen my Princess I beg of you to tell me how -she is and what is happening to her. - -"We must not waste time in talking," said she. "Come with me and I will -carry you to the Castle of Steel, and we will leave upon this shore a -figure so like you that even the Fairy herself will be deceived by it." - -So saying, she quickly collected a bundle of sea-weed, and, blowing it -three times, she said: - -"My friendly sea-weeds, I order you to stay here stretched upon the sand -until the Fairy of the Desert comes to take you away." And at once -the sea-weeds became like the King, who stood looking at them in great -astonishment, for they were even dressed in a coat like his, but they -lay there pale and still as the King himself might have lain if one -of the great waves had overtaken him and thrown him senseless upon -the shore. And then the Mermaid caught up the King, and away they swam -joyfully together. - -"Now," said she, "I have time to tell you about the Princess. In spite -of the blow which the Fairy of the Desert gave her, the Yellow Dwarf -compelled her to mount behind him upon his terrible Spanish cat; but she -soon fainted away with pain and terror, and did not recover till they -were within the walls of his frightful Castle of Steel. Here she was -received by the prettiest girls it was possible to find, who had been -carried there by the Yellow Dwarf, who hastened to wait upon her and -showed her every possible attention. She was laid upon a couch covered -with cloth of gold, embroidered with pearls as big as nuts." - -"Ah!" interrupted the King of the Gold Mines, "if Bellissima forgets me, -and consents to marry him, I shall break my heart." - -"You need not be afraid of that," answered the Mermaid, "the Princess -thinks of no one but you, and the frightful Dwarf cannot persuade her to -look at him." - -"Pray go on with your story," said the King. - -"What more is there to tell you?" replied the Mermaid. "Bellissima was -sitting in the wood when you passed, and saw you with the Fairy of the -Desert, who was so cleverly disguised that the Princess took her to be -prettier than herself; you may imagine her despair, for she thought that -you had fallen in love with her." - -"She believes that I love her!" cried the King. "What a fatal mistake! -What is to be done to undeceive her?" - -"You know best," answered the Mermaid, smiling kindly at him. "When -people are as much in love with one another as you two are, they don't -need advice from anyone else." - -As she spoke they reached the Castle of Steel, the side next the sea -being the only one which the Yellow Dwarf had left unprotected by the -dreadful burning walls. - -"I know quite well," said the Mermaid, "that the Princess is sitting by -the brook-side, just where you saw her as you passed, but as you will -have many enemies to fight with before you can reach her, take this -sword; armed with it you may dare any danger, and overcome the greatest -difficulties, only beware of one thing--that is, never to let it fall -from your hand. Farewell; now I will wait by that rock, and if you need -my help in carrying off your beloved Princess I will not fail you, for -the Queen, her mother, is my best friend, and it was for her sake that I -went to rescue you." - -So saying, she gave to the King a sword made from a single diamond, -which was more brilliant than the sun. He could not find words to -express his gratitude, but he begged her to believe that he fully -appreciated the importance of her gift, and would never forget her help -and kindness. - -We must now go back to the Fairy of the Desert. When she found that the -King did not return, she hastened out to look for him, and reached the -shore, with a hundred of the ladies of her train, loaded with splendid -presents for him. Some carried baskets full of diamonds, others golden -cups of wonderful workmanship, and amber, coral, and pearls, others, -again, balanced upon their heads bales of the richest and most beautiful -stuffs, while the rest brought fruit and flowers, and even birds. But -what was the horror of the Fairy, who followed this gay troop, when she -saw, stretched upon the sands, the image of the King which the Mermaid -had made with the sea-weeds. Struck with astonishment and sorrow, she -uttered a terrible cry, and threw herself down beside the pretended -King, weeping, and howling, and calling upon her eleven sisters, who -were also fairies, and who came to her assistance. But they were all -taken in by the image of the King, for, clever as they were, the Mermaid -was still cleverer, and all they could do was to help the Fairy of the -Desert to make a wonderful monument over what they thought was the grave -of the King of the Gold Mines. But while they were collecting jasper -and porphyry, agate and marble, gold and bronze, statues and devices, -to immortalize the King's memory, he was thanking the good Mermaid and -begging her still to help him, which she graciously promised to do as -she disappeared; and then he set out for the Castle of Steel. He walked -fast, looking anxiously round him, and longing once more to see his -darling Bellissima, but he had not gone far before he was surrounded by -four terrible sphinxes who would very soon have torn him to pieces with -their sharp talons if it had not been for the Mermaid's diamond sword. -For, no sooner had he flashed it before their eyes than down they fell -at his feet quite helpless, and he killed them with one blow. But he -had hardly turned to continue his search when he met six dragons covered -with scales that were harder than iron. Frightful as this encounter was -the King's courage was unshaken, and by the aid of his wonderful sword -he cut them in pieces one after the other. Now he hoped his difficulties -were over, but at the next turning he was met by one which he did -not know how to overcome. Four-and-twenty pretty and graceful nymphs -advanced toward him, holding garlands of flowers, with which they barred -the way. - -"Where are you going, Prince?" they said; "it is our duty to guard this -place, and if we let you pass great misfortunes will happen to you -and to us. We beg you not to insist upon going on. Do you want to kill -four-and-twenty girls who have never displeased you in any way?" - -The King did not know what to do or to say. It went against all his -ideas as a knight to do anything a lady begged him not to do; but, as he -hesitated, a voice in his ear said: - -"Strike! strike! and do not spare, or your Princess is lost for ever!" - -So, without reply to the nymphs, he rushed forward instantly, breaking -their garlands, and scattering them in all directions; and then went -on without further hindrance to the little wood where he had seen -Bellissima. She was seated by the brook looking pale and weary when he -reached her, and he would have thrown himself down at her feet, but she -drew herself away from him with as much indignation as if he had been -the Yellow Dwarf. - -"Ah! Princess," he cried, "do not be angry with me. Let me explain -everything. I am not faithless or to blame for what has happened. I am -a miserable wretch who has displeased you without being able to help -himself." - -"Ah!" cried Bellissima, "did I not see you flying through the air with -the loveliest being imaginable? Was that against your will?" - -"Indeed it was, Princess," he answered; "the wicked Fairy of the Desert, -not content with chaining me to a rock, carried me off in her chariot to -the other end of the earth, where I should even now be a captive but for -the unexpected help of a friendly mermaid, who brought me here to rescue -you, my Princess, from the unworthy hands that hold you. Do not refuse -the aid of your most faithful lover." So saying, he threw himself at her -feet and held her by her robe. But, alas! in so doing he let fall the -magic sword, and the Yellow Dwarf, who was crouching behind a lettuce, -no sooner saw it than he sprang out and seized it, well knowing its -wonderful power. - -The Princess gave a cry of terror on seeing the Dwarf, but this only -irritated the little monster; muttering a few magical words he summoned -two giants, who bound the King with great chains of iron. - -"Now," said the Dwarf, "I am master of my rival's fate, but I will give -him his life and permission to depart unharmed if you, Princess, will -consent to marry me." - -"Let me die a thousand times rather," cried the unhappy King. - -"Alas!" cried the Princess, "must you die? Could anything be more -terrible?" - -"That you should marry that little wretch would be far more terrible," -answered the King. - -"At least," continued she, "let us die together." - -"Let me have the satisfaction of dying for you, my Princess," said he. - -"Oh, no, no!" she cried, turning to the Dwarf; "rather than that I will -do as you wish." - -"Cruel Princess!" said the King, "would you make my life horrible to me -by marrying another before my eyes?" - -"Not so," replied the Yellow Dwarf; "you are a rival of whom I am too -much afraid; you shall not see our marriage." So saying, in spite of -Bellissima's tears and cries, he stabbed the King to the heart with the -diamond sword. - -The poor Princess, seeing her lover lying dead at her feet, could no -longer live without him; she sank down by him and died of a broken -heart. - -So ended these unfortunate lovers, whom not even the Mermaid could help, -because all the magic power had been lost with the diamond sword. - -As to the wicked Dwarf, he preferred to see the Princess dead rather -than married to the King of the Gold Mines; and the Fairy of the Desert, -when she heard of the King's adventures, pulled down the grand monument -which she had built, and was so angry at the trick that had been played -her that she hated him as much as she had loved him before. - -The kind Mermaid, grieved at the sad fate of the lovers, caused them to -be changed into two tall palm trees, which stand always side by side, -whispering together of their faithful love and caressing one another -with their interlacing branches.(1) - - -(1) Madame d'Aulnoy. - - - - -LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD - - -Once upon a time there lived in a certain village a little country girl, -the prettiest creature was ever seen. Her mother was excessively fond -of her; and her grandmother doted on her still more. This good woman -had made for her a little red riding-hood; which became the girl so -extremely well that everybody called her Little Red Riding-Hood. - -One day her mother, having made some custards, said to her: - -"Go, my dear, and see how thy grandmamma does, for I hear she has been -very ill; carry her a custard, and this little pot of butter." - -Little Red Riding-Hood set out immediately to go to her grandmother, who -lived in another village. - -As she was going through the wood, she met with Gaffer Wolf, who had -a very great mind to eat her up, but he dared not, because of some -faggot-makers hard by in the forest. He asked her whither she was going. -The poor child, who did not know that it was dangerous to stay and hear -a wolf talk, said to him: - -"I am going to see my grandmamma and carry her a custard and a little -pot of butter from my mamma." - -"Does she live far off?" said the Wolf. - -"Oh! ay," answered Little Red Riding-Hood; "it is beyond that mill you -see there, at the first house in the village." - -"Well," said the Wolf, "and I'll go and see her too. I'll go this way -and you go that, and we shall see who will be there soonest." - -The Wolf began to run as fast as he could, taking the nearest way, -and the little girl went by that farthest about, diverting herself in -gathering nuts, running after butterflies, and making nosegays of such -little flowers as she met with. The Wolf was not long before he got to -the old woman's house. He knocked at the door--tap, tap. - -"Who's there?" - -"Your grandchild, Little Red Riding-Hood," replied the Wolf, -counterfeiting her voice; "who has brought you a custard and a little -pot of butter sent you by mamma." - -The good grandmother, who was in bed, because she was somewhat ill, -cried out: - -"Pull the bobbin, and the latch will go up." - -The Wolf pulled the bobbin, and the door opened, and then presently he -fell upon the good woman and ate her up in a moment, for it was above -three days that he had not touched a bit. He then shut the door and went -into the grandmother's bed, expecting Little Red Riding-Hood, who came -some time afterward and knocked at the door--tap, tap. - -"Who's there?" - -Little Red Riding-Hood, hearing the big voice of the Wolf, was at first -afraid; but believing her grandmother had got a cold and was hoarse, -answered: - -"'Tis your grandchild, Little Red Riding-Hood, who has brought you a -custard and a little pot of butter mamma sends you." - -The Wolf cried out to her, softening his voice as much as he could: - -"Pull the bobbin, and the latch will go up." - -Little Red Riding-Hood pulled the bobbin, and the door opened. - -The Wolf, seeing her come in, said to her, hiding himself under the -bed-clothes: - -"Put the custard and the little pot of butter upon the stool, and come -and lie down with me." - -Little Red Riding-Hood undressed herself and went into bed, where, being -greatly amazed to see how her grandmother looked in her night-clothes, -she said to her: - -"Grandmamma, what great arms you have got!" - -"That is the better to hug thee, my dear." - -"Grandmamma, what great legs you have got!" - -"That is to run the better, my child." - -"Grandmamma, what great ears you have got!" - -"That is to hear the better, my child." - -"Grandmamma, what great eyes you have got!" - -"It is to see the better, my child." - -"Grandmamma, what great teeth you have got!" - -"That is to eat thee up." - -And, saying these words, this wicked wolf fell upon Little Red -Riding-Hood, and ate her all up. - - - - -THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD - - -There were formerly a king and a queen, who were so sorry that they had -no children; so sorry that it cannot be expressed. They went to all the -waters in the world; vows, pilgrimages, all ways were tried, and all to -no purpose. - -At last, however, the Queen had a daughter. There was a very fine -christening; and the Princess had for her god-mothers all the fairies -they could find in the whole kingdom (they found seven), that every one -of them might give her a gift, as was the custom of fairies in those -days. By this means the Princess had all the perfections imaginable. - -After the ceremonies of the christening were over, all the company -returned to the King's palace, where was prepared a great feast for the -fairies. There was placed before every one of them a magnificent cover -with a case of massive gold, wherein were a spoon, knife, and fork, all -of pure gold set with diamonds and rubies. But as they were all sitting -down at table they saw come into the hall a very old fairy, whom they -had not invited, because it was above fifty years since she had been out -of a certain tower, and she was believed to be either dead or enchanted. - -The King ordered her a cover, but could not furnish her with a case -of gold as the others, because they had only seven made for the seven -fairies. The old Fairy fancied she was slighted, and muttered some -threats between her teeth. One of the young fairies who sat by her -overheard how she grumbled; and, judging that she might give the little -Princess some unlucky gift, went, as soon as they rose from table, and -hid herself behind the hangings, that she might speak last, and repair, -as much as she could, the evil which the old Fairy might intend. - -In the meanwhile all the fairies began to give their gifts to the -Princess. The youngest gave her for gift that she should be the most -beautiful person in the world; the next, that she should have the wit -of an angel; the third, that she should have a wonderful grace in -everything she did; the fourth, that she should dance perfectly well; -the fifth, that she should sing like a nightingale; and the sixth, that -she should play all kinds of music to the utmost perfection. - -The old Fairy's turn coming next, with a head shaking more with spite -than age, she said that the Princess should have her hand pierced with a -spindle and die of the wound. This terrible gift made the whole company -tremble, and everybody fell a-crying. - -At this very instant the young Fairy came out from behind the hangings, -and spake these words aloud: - -"Assure yourselves, O King and Queen, that your daughter shall not die -of this disaster. It is true, I have no power to undo entirely what -my elder has done. The Princess shall indeed pierce her hand with a -spindle; but, instead of dying, she shall only fall into a profound -sleep, which shall last a hundred years, at the expiration of which a -king's son shall come and awake her." - -The King, to avoid the misfortune foretold by the old Fairy, caused -immediately proclamation to be made, whereby everybody was forbidden, on -pain of death, to spin with a distaff and spindle, or to have so much as -any spindle in their houses. About fifteen or sixteen years after, the -King and Queen being gone to one of their houses of pleasure, the young -Princess happened one day to divert herself in running up and down the -palace; when going up from one apartment to another, she came into a -little room on the top of the tower, where a good old woman, alone, was -spinning with her spindle. This good woman had never heard of the King's -proclamation against spindles. - -"What are you doing there, goody?" said the Princess. - -"I am spinning, my pretty child," said the old woman, who did not know -who she was. - -"Ha!" said the Princess, "this is very pretty; how do you do it? Give it -to me, that I may see if I can do so." - -She had no sooner taken it into her hand than, whether being very hasty -at it, somewhat unhandy, or that the decree of the Fairy had so ordained -it, it ran into her hand, and she fell down in a swoon. - -The good old woman, not knowing very well what to do in this affair, -cried out for help. People came in from every quarter in great numbers; -they threw water upon the Princess's face, unlaced her, struck her on -the palms of her hands, and rubbed her temples with Hungary-water; but -nothing would bring her to herself. - -And now the King, who came up at the noise, bethought himself of -the prediction of the fairies, and, judging very well that this must -necessarily come to pass, since the fairies had said it, caused the -Princess to be carried into the finest apartment in his palace, and to -be laid upon a bed all embroidered with gold and silver. - -One would have taken her for a little angel, she was so very beautiful; -for her swooning away had not diminished one bit of her complexion; her -cheeks were carnation, and her lips were coral; indeed, her eyes were -shut, but she was heard to breathe softly, which satisfied those about -her that she was not dead. The King commanded that they should not -disturb her, but let her sleep quietly till her hour of awaking was -come. - -The good Fairy who had saved her life by condemning her to sleep a -hundred years was in the kingdom of Matakin, twelve thousand leagues -off, when this accident befell the Princess; but she was instantly -informed of it by a little dwarf, who had boots of seven leagues, that -is, boots with which he could tread over seven leagues of ground in one -stride. The Fairy came away immediately, and she arrived, about an hour -after, in a fiery chariot drawn by dragons. - -The King handed her out of the chariot, and she approved everything -he had done, but as she had very great foresight, she thought when the -Princess should awake she might not know what to do with herself, being -all alone in this old palace; and this was what she did: she -touched with her wand everything in the palace (except the King -and Queen)--governesses, maids of honor, ladies of the bedchamber, -gentlemen, officers, stewards, cooks, undercooks, scullions, guards, -with their beefeaters, pages, footmen; she likewise touched all the -horses which were in the stables, pads as well as others, the great dogs -in the outward court and pretty little Mopsey too, the Princess's little -spaniel, which lay by her on the bed. - -Immediately upon her touching them they all fell asleep, that they might -not awake before their mistress and that they might be ready to wait -upon her when she wanted them. The very spits at the fire, as full as -they could hold of partridges and pheasants, did fall asleep also. All -this was done in a moment. Fairies are not long in doing their business. - -And now the King and the Queen, having kissed their dear child without -waking her, went out of the palace and put forth a proclamation that -nobody should dare to come near it. - -This, however, was not necessary, for in a quarter of an hour's time -there grew up all round about the park such a vast number of trees, -great and small, bushes and brambles, twining one within another, that -neither man nor beast could pass through; so that nothing could be seen -but the very top of the towers of the palace; and that, too, not unless -it was a good way off. Nobody; doubted but the Fairy gave herein a very -extraordinary sample of her art, that the Princess, while she continued -sleeping, might have nothing to fear from any curious people. - -When a hundred years were gone and passed the son of the King then -reigning, and who was of another family from that of the sleeping -Princess, being gone a-hunting on that side of the country, asked: - -What those towers were which he saw in the middle of a great thick wood? - -Everyone answered according as they had heard. Some said: - -That it was a ruinous old castle, haunted by spirits. - -Others, That all the sorcerers and witches of the country kept there -their sabbath or night's meeting. - -The common opinion was: That an ogre lived there, and that he carried -thither all the little children he could catch, that he might eat them -up at his leisure, without anybody being able to follow him, as having -himself only the power to pass through the wood. - -The Prince was at a stand, not knowing what to believe, when a very good -countryman spake to him thus: - -"May it please your royal highness, it is now about fifty years since I -heard from my father, who heard my grandfather say, that there was then -in this castle a princess, the most beautiful was ever seen; that she -must sleep there a hundred years, and should be waked by a king's son, -for whom she was reserved." - -The young Prince was all on fire at these words, believing, without -weighing the matter, that he could put an end to this rare adventure; -and, pushed on by love and honor, resolved that moment to look into it. - -Scarce had he advanced toward the wood when all the great trees, the -bushes, and brambles gave way of themselves to let him pass through; he -walked up to the castle which he saw at the end of a large avenue which -he went into; and what a little surprised him was that he saw none of -his people could follow him, because the trees closed again as soon as -he had passed through them. However, he did not cease from continuing -his way; a young and amorous prince is always valiant. - -He came into a spacious outward court, where everything he saw might -have frozen the most fearless person with horror. There reigned all over -a most frightful silence; the image of death everywhere showed itself, -and there was nothing to be seen but stretched-out bodies of men and -animals, all seeming to be dead. He, however, very well knew, by the -ruby faces and pimpled noses of the beefeaters, that they were only -asleep; and their goblets, wherein still remained some drops of wine, -showed plainly that they fell asleep in their cups. - -He then crossed a court paved with marble, went up the stairs and came -into the guard chamber, where guards were standing in their ranks, with -their muskets upon their shoulders, and snoring as loud as they could. -After that he went through several rooms full of gentlemen and ladies, -all asleep, some standing, others sitting. At last he came into a -chamber all gilded with gold, where he saw upon a bed, the curtains of -which were all open, the finest sight was ever beheld--a princess, who -appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years of age, and whose bright -and, in a manner, resplendent beauty, had somewhat in it divine. He -approached with trembling and admiration, and fell down before her upon -his knees. - -And now, as the enchantment was at an end, the Princess awaked, and -looking on him with eyes more tender than the first view might seem to -admit of: - -"Is it you, my Prince?" said she to him. "You have waited a long while." - -The Prince, charmed with these words, and much more with the manner in -which they were spoken, knew not how to show his joy and gratitude; -he assured her that he loved her better than he did himself; their -discourse was not well connected, they did weep more than talk--little -eloquence, a great deal of love. He was more at a loss than she, and we -need not wonder at it; she had time to think on what to say to him; for -it is very probable (though history mentions nothing of it) that the -good Fairy, during so long a sleep, had given her very agreeable dreams. -In short, they talked four hours together, and yet they said not half -what they had to say. - -In the meanwhile all the palace awaked; everyone thought upon their -particular business, and as all of them were not in love they were ready -to die for hunger. The chief lady of honor, being as sharp set as other -folks, grew very impatient, and told the Princess aloud that supper -was served up. The Prince helped the Princess to rise; she was entirely -dressed, and very magnificently, but his royal highness took care not -to tell her that she was dressed like his great-grandmother, and had -a point band peeping over a high collar; she looked not a bit less -charming and beautiful for all that. - -They went into the great hall of looking-glasses, where they supped, and -were served by the Princess's officers, the violins and hautboys played -old tunes, but very excellent, though it was now above a hundred years -since they had played; and after supper, without losing any time, the -lord almoner married them in the chapel of the castle, and the chief -lady of honor drew the curtains. They had but very little sleep--the -Princess had no occasion; and the Prince left her next morning to return -to the city, where his father must needs have been in pain for him. The -Prince told him: - -That he lost his way in the forest as he was hunting, and that he had -lain in the cottage of a charcoal-burner, who gave him cheese and brown -bread. - -The King, his father, who was a good man, believed him; but his mother -could not be persuaded it was true; and seeing that he went almost every -day a-hunting, and that he always had some excuse ready for so doing, -though he had lain out three or four nights together, she began to -suspect that he was married, for he lived with the Princess above two -whole years, and had by her two children, the eldest of which, who was -a daughter, was named Morning, and the youngest, who was a son, they -called Day, because he was a great deal handsomer and more beautiful -than his sister. - -The Queen spoke several times to her son, to inform herself after -what manner he did pass his time, and that in this he ought in duty to -satisfy her. But he never dared to trust her with his secret; he feared -her, though he loved her, for she was of the race of the Ogres, and the -King would never have married her had it not been for her vast riches; -it was even whispered about the Court that she had Ogreish inclinations, -and that, whenever she saw little children passing by, she had all the -difficulty in the world to avoid falling upon them. And so the Prince -would never tell her one word. - -But when the King was dead, which happened about two years afterward, -and he saw himself lord and master, he openly declared his marriage; and -he went in great ceremony to conduct his Queen to the palace. They made -a magnificent entry into the capital city, she riding between her two -children. - -Soon after the King went to make war with the Emperor Contalabutte, his -neighbor. He left the government of the kingdom to the Queen his mother, -and earnestly recommended to her care his wife and children. He was -obliged to continue his expedition all the summer, and as soon as he -departed the Queen-mother sent her daughter-in-law to a country house -among the woods, that she might with the more ease gratify her horrible -longing. - -Some few days afterward she went thither herself, and said to her clerk -of the kitchen: - -"I have a mind to eat little Morning for my dinner to-morrow." - -"Ah! madam," cried the clerk of the kitchen. - -"I will have it so," replied the Queen (and this she spoke in the tone -of an Ogress who had a strong desire to eat fresh meat), "and will eat -her with a sauce Robert." - -The poor man, knowing very well that he must not play tricks with -Ogresses, took his great knife and went up into little Morning's -chamber. She was then four years old, and came up to him jumping and -laughing, to take him about the neck, and ask him for some sugar-candy. -Upon which he began to weep, the great knife fell out of his hand, and -he went into the back yard, and killed a little lamb, and dressed it -with such good sauce that his mistress assured him that she had never -eaten anything so good in her life. He had at the same time taken up -little Morning, and carried her to his wife, to conceal her in the -lodging he had at the bottom of the courtyard. - -About eight days afterward the wicked Queen said to the clerk of the -kitchen, "I will sup on little Day." - -He answered not a word, being resolved to cheat her as he had done -before. He went to find out little Day, and saw him with a little foil -in his hand, with which he was fencing with a great monkey, the child -being then only three years of age. He took him up in his arms and -carried him to his wife, that she might conceal him in her chamber along -with his sister, and in the room of little Day cooked up a young kid, -very tender, which the Ogress found to be wonderfully good. - -This was hitherto all mighty well; but one evening this wicked Queen -said to her clerk of the kitchen: - -"I will eat the Queen with the same sauce I had with her children." - -It was now that the poor clerk of the kitchen despaired of being able -to deceive her. The young Queen was turned of twenty, not reckoning the -hundred years she had been asleep; and how to find in the yard a beast -so firm was what puzzled him. He took then a resolution, that he might -save his own life, to cut the Queen's throat; and going up into her -chamber, with intent to do it at once, he put himself into as great -fury as he could possibly, and came into the young Queen's room with his -dagger in his hand. He would not, however, surprise her, but told -her, with a great deal of respect, the orders he had received from the -Queen-mother. - -"Do it; do it" (said she, stretching out her neck). "Execute your -orders, and then I shall go and see my children, my poor children, whom -I so much and so tenderly loved." - -For she thought them dead ever since they had been taken away without -her knowledge. - -"No, no, madam" (cried the poor clerk of the kitchen, all in tears); -"you shall not die, and yet you shall see your children again; but then -you must go home with me to my lodgings, where I have concealed them, -and I shall deceive the Queen once more, by giving her in your stead a -young hind." - -Upon this he forthwith conducted her to his chamber, where, leaving her -to embrace her children, and cry along with them, he went and dressed a -young hind, which the Queen had for her supper, and devoured it with -the same appetite as if it had been the young Queen. Exceedingly was -she delighted with her cruelty, and she had invented a story to tell the -King, at his return, how the mad wolves had eaten up the Queen his wife -and her two children. - -One evening, as she was, according to her custom, rambling round about -the courts and yards of the palace to see if she could smell any fresh -meat, she heard, in a ground room, little Day crying, for his mamma was -going to whip him, because he had been naughty; and she heard, at the -same time, little Morning begging pardon for her brother. - -The Ogress presently knew the voice of the Queen and her children, and -being quite mad that she had been thus deceived, she commanded next -morning, by break of day (with a most horrible voice, which made -everybody tremble), that they should bring into the middle of the great -court a large tub, which she caused to be filled with toads, vipers, -snakes, and all sorts of serpents, in order to have thrown into it the -Queen and her children, the clerk of the kitchen, his wife and maid; -all whom she had given orders should be brought thither with their hands -tied behind them. - -They were brought out accordingly, and the executioners were just going -to throw them into the tub, when the King (who was not so soon expected) -entered the court on horseback (for he came post) and asked, with the -utmost astonishment, what was the meaning of that horrible spectacle. - -No one dared to tell him, when the Ogress, all enraged to see what had -happened, threw herself head foremost into the tub, and was instantly -devoured by the ugly creatures she had ordered to be thrown into it for -others. The King could not but be very sorry, for she was his mother; -but he soon comforted himself with his beautiful wife and his pretty -children. - - - - -CINDERELLA, OR THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER - - -Once there was a gentleman who married, for his second wife, the -proudest and most haughty woman that was ever seen. She had, by a former -husband, two daughters of her own humor, who were, indeed, exactly like -her in all things. He had likewise, by another wife, a young daughter, -but of unparalleled goodness and sweetness of temper, which she took -from her mother, who was the best creature in the world. - -No sooner were the ceremonies of the wedding over but the mother-in-law -began to show herself in her true colors. She could not bear the good -qualities of this pretty girl, and the less because they made her own -daughters appear the more odious. She employed her in the meanest work -of the house: she scoured the dishes, tables, etc., and scrubbed madam's -chamber, and those of misses, her daughters; she lay up in a sorry -garret, upon a wretched straw bed, while her sisters lay in fine rooms, -with floors all inlaid, upon beds of the very newest fashion, and where -they had looking-glasses so large that they might see themselves at -their full length from head to foot. - -The poor girl bore all patiently, and dared not tell her father, who -would have rattled her off; for his wife governed him entirely. When she -had done her work, she used to go into the chimney-corner, and sit down -among cinders and ashes, which made her commonly be called Cinderwench; -but the youngest, who was not so rude and uncivil as the eldest, called -her Cinderella. However, Cinderella, notwithstanding her mean apparel, -was a hundred times handsomer than her sisters, though they were always -dressed very richly. - -It happened that the King's son gave a ball, and invited all persons of -fashion to it. Our young misses were also invited, for they cut a very -grand figure among the quality. They were mightily delighted at this -invitation, and wonderfully busy in choosing out such gowns, petticoats, -and head-clothes as might become them. This was a new trouble to -Cinderella; for it was she who ironed her sisters' linen, and plaited -their ruffles; they talked all day long of nothing but how they should -be dressed. - -"For my part," said the eldest, "I will wear my red velvet suit with -French trimming." - -"And I," said the youngest, "shall have my usual petticoat; but then, -to make amends for that, I will put on my gold-flowered manteau, and my -diamond stomacher, which is far from being the most ordinary one in the -world." - -They sent for the best tire-woman they could get to make up their -head-dresses and adjust their double pinners, and they had their red -brushes and patches from Mademoiselle de la Poche. - -Cinderella was likewise called up to them to be consulted in all these -matters, for she had excellent notions, and advised them always for the -best, nay, and offered her services to dress their heads, which they -were very willing she should do. As she was doing this, they said to -her: - -"Cinderella, would you not be glad to go to the ball?" - -"Alas!" said she, "you only jeer me; it is not for such as I am to go -thither." - -"Thou art in the right of it," replied they; "it would make the people -laugh to see a Cinderwench at a ball." - -Anyone but Cinderella would have dressed their heads awry, but she was -very good, and dressed them perfectly well They were almost two days -without eating, so much were they transported with joy. They broke above -a dozen laces in trying to be laced up close, that they might have a -fine slender shape, and they were continually at their looking-glass. -At last the happy day came; they went to Court, and Cinderella followed -them with her eyes as long as she could, and when she had lost sight of -them, she fell a-crying. - -Her godmother, who saw her all in tears, asked her what was the matter. - -"I wish I could--I wish I could--"; she was not able to speak the rest, -being interrupted by her tears and sobbing. - -This godmother of hers, who was a fairy, said to her, "Thou wishest thou -couldst go to the ball; is it not so?" - -"Y--es," cried Cinderella, with a great sigh. - -"Well," said her godmother, "be but a good girl, and I will contrive -that thou shalt go." Then she took her into her chamber, and said to -her, "Run into the garden, and bring me a pumpkin." - -Cinderella went immediately to gather the finest she could get, and -brought it to her godmother, not being able to imagine how this pumpkin -could make her go to the ball. Her godmother scooped out all the inside -of it, having left nothing but the rind; which done, she struck it with -her wand, and the pumpkin was instantly turned into a fine coach, gilded -all over with gold. - -She then went to look into her mouse-trap, where she found six mice, all -alive, and ordered Cinderella to lift up a little the trapdoor, when, -giving each mouse, as it went out, a little tap with her wand, the mouse -was that moment turned into a fine horse, which altogether made a very -fine set of six horses of a beautiful mouse-colored dapple-gray. Being -at a loss for a coachman, - -"I will go and see," says Cinderella, "if there is never a rat in the -rat-trap--we may make a coachman of him." - -"Thou art in the right," replied her godmother; "go and look." - -Cinderella brought the trap to her, and in it there were three huge -rats. The fairy made choice of one of the three which had the largest -beard, and, having touched him with her wand, he was turned into a fat, -jolly coachman, who had the smartest whiskers eyes ever beheld. After -that, she said to her: - -"Go again into the garden, and you will find six lizards behind the -watering-pot, bring them to me." - -She had no sooner done so but her godmother turned them into six -footmen, who skipped up immediately behind the coach, with their -liveries all bedaubed with gold and silver, and clung as close behind -each other as if they had done nothing else their whole lives. The Fairy -then said to Cinderella: - -"Well, you see here an equipage fit to go to the ball with; are you not -pleased with it?" - -"Oh! yes," cried she; "but must I go thither as I am, in these nasty -rags?" - -Her godmother only just touched her with her wand, and, at the same -instant, her clothes were turned into cloth of gold and silver, all -beset with jewels. This done, she gave her a pair of glass slippers, the -prettiest in the whole world. Being thus decked out, she got up into her -coach; but her godmother, above all things, commanded her not to stay -till after midnight, telling her, at the same time, that if she stayed -one moment longer, the coach would be a pumpkin again, her horses mice, -her coachman a rat, her footmen lizards, and her clothes become just as -they were before. - -She promised her godmother she would not fail of leaving the ball before -midnight; and then away she drives, scarce able to contain herself for -joy. The King's son who was told that a great princess, whom nobody -knew, was come, ran out to receive her; he gave her his hand as she -alighted out of the coach, and led her into the ball, among all the -company. There was immediately a profound silence, they left off -dancing, and the violins ceased to play, so attentive was everyone to -contemplate the singular beauties of the unknown new-comer. Nothing was -then heard but a confused noise of: - -"Ha! how handsome she is! Ha! how handsome she is!" - -The King himself, old as he was, could not help watching her, and -telling the Queen softly that it was a long time since he had seen so -beautiful and lovely a creature. - -All the ladies were busied in considering her clothes and headdress, -that they might have some made next day after the same pattern, provided -they could meet with such fine material and as able hands to make them. - -The King's son conducted her to the most honorable seat, and afterward -took her out to dance with him; she danced so very gracefully that they -all more and more admired her. A fine collation was served up, whereof -the young prince ate not a morsel, so intently was he busied in gazing -on her. - -She went and sat down by her sisters, showing them a thousand -civilities, giving them part of the oranges and citrons which the Prince -had presented her with, which very much surprised them, for they did not -know her. While Cinderella was thus amusing her sisters, she heard the -clock strike eleven and three-quarters, whereupon she immediately made a -courtesy to the company and hasted away as fast as she could. - -When she got home she ran to seek out her godmother, and, after having -thanked her, she said she could not but heartily wish she might go next -day to the ball, because the King's son had desired her. - -As she was eagerly telling her godmother whatever had passed at the -ball, her two sisters knocked at the door, which Cinderella ran and -opened. - -"How long you have stayed!" cried she, gaping, rubbing her eyes and -stretching herself as if she had been just waked out of her sleep; she -had not, however, any manner of inclination to sleep since they went -from home. - -"If thou hadst been at the ball," said one of her sisters, "thou wouldst -not have been tired with it. There came thither the finest princess, the -most beautiful ever was seen with mortal eyes; she showed us a thousand -civilities, and gave us oranges and citrons." - -Cinderella seemed very indifferent in the matter; indeed, she asked them -the name of that princess; but they told her they did not know it, and -that the King's son was very uneasy on her account and would give all -the world to know who she was. At this Cinderella, smiling, replied: - -"She must, then, be very beautiful indeed; how happy you have been! -Could not I see her? Ah! dear Miss Charlotte, do lend me your yellow -suit of clothes which you wear every day." - -"Ay, to be sure!" cried Miss Charlotte; "lend my clothes to such a dirty -Cinderwench as thou art! I should be a fool." - -Cinderella, indeed, expected well such answer, and was very glad of the -refusal; for she would have been sadly put to it if her sister had lent -her what she asked for jestingly. - -The next day the two sisters were at the ball, and so was Cinderella, -but dressed more magnificently than before. The King's son was always by -her, and never ceased his compliments and kind speeches to her; to whom -all this was so far from being tiresome that she quite forgot what her -godmother had recommended to her; so that she, at last, counted the -clock striking twelve when she took it to be no more than eleven; she -then rose up and fled, as nimble as a deer. The Prince followed, but -could not overtake her. She left behind one of her glass slippers, which -the Prince took up most carefully. She got home but quite out of breath, -and in her nasty old clothes, having nothing left her of all her finery -but one of the little slippers, fellow to that she dropped. The guards -at the palace gate were asked: - -If they had not seen a princess go out. - -Who said: They had seen nobody go out but a young girl, very meanly -dressed, and who had more the air of a poor country wench than a -gentlewoman. - -When the two sisters returned from the ball Cinderella asked them: If -they had been well diverted, and if the fine lady had been there. - -They told her: Yes, but that she hurried away immediately when it struck -twelve, and with so much haste that she dropped one of her little glass -slippers, the prettiest in the world, which the King's son had taken up; -that he had done nothing but look at her all the time at the ball, and -that most certainly he was very much in love with the beautiful person -who owned the glass slipper. - -What they said was very true; for a few days after the King's son caused -it to be proclaimed, by sound of trumpet, that he would marry her whose -foot the slipper would just fit. They whom he employed began to try it -upon the princesses, then the duchesses and all the Court, but in vain; -it was brought to the two sisters, who did all they possibly could -to thrust their foot into the slipper, but they could not effect it. -Cinderella, who saw all this, and knew her slipper, said to them, -laughing: - -"Let me see if it will not fit me." - -Her sisters burst out a-laughing, and began to banter her. The gentleman -who was sent to try the slipper looked earnestly at Cinderella, and, -finding her very handsome, said: - -It was but just that she should try, and that he had orders to let -everyone make trial. - -He obliged Cinderella to sit down, and, putting the slipper to her foot, -he found it went on very easily, and fitted her as if it had been made -of wax. The astonishment her two sisters were in was excessively great, -but still abundantly greater when Cinderella pulled out of her pocket -the other slipper, and put it on her foot. Thereupon, in came her -godmother, who, having touched with her wand Cinderella's clothes, made -them richer and more magnificent than any of those she had before. - -And now her two sisters found her to be that fine, beautiful lady whom -they had seen at the ball. They threw themselves at her feet to beg -pardon for all the ill-treatment they had made her undergo. Cinderella -took them up, and, as she embraced them, cried: - -That she forgave them with all her heart, and desired them always to -love her. - -She was conducted to the young prince, dressed as she was; he thought -her more charming than ever, and, a few days after, married her. -Cinderella, who was no less good than beautiful, gave her two sisters -lodgings in the palace, and that very same day matched them with two -great lords of the Court.(1) - - -(1) Charles Perrault. - - - - -ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP - - -There once lived a poor tailor, who had a son called Aladdin, a -careless, idle boy who would do nothing but play ball all day long in -the streets with little idle boys like himself. This so grieved the -father that he died; yet, in spite of his mother's tears and prayers, -Aladdin did not mend his ways. One day, when he was playing in the -streets as usual, a stranger asked him his age, and if he was not the -son of Mustapha the tailor. "I am, sir," replied Aladdin; "but he died -a long while ago." On this the stranger, who was a famous African -magician, fell on his neck and kissed him, saying, "I am your uncle, and -knew you from your likeness to my brother. Go to your mother and tell -her I am coming." Aladdin ran home and told his mother of his newly -found uncle. "Indeed, child," she said, "your father had a brother, but -I always thought he was dead." However, she prepared supper, and bade -Aladdin seek his uncle, who came laden with wine and fruit. He presently -fell down and kissed the place where Mustapha used to sit, bidding -Aladdin's mother not to be surprised at not having seen him before, as -he had been forty years out of the country. He then turned to Aladdin, -and asked him his trade, at which the boy hung his head, while his -mother burst into tears. On learning that Aladdin was idle and would -learn no trade, he offered to take a shop for him and stock it with -merchandise. Next day he bought Aladdin a fine suit of clothes and took -him all over the city, showing him the sights, and brought him home at -nightfall to his mother, who was overjoyed to see her son so fine. - -The next day the magician led Aladdin into some beautiful gardens a long -way outside the city gates. They sat down by a fountain and the magician -pulled a cake from his girdle, which he divided between them. They then -journeyed onward till they almost reached the mountains. Aladdin was -so tired that he begged to go back, but the magician beguiled him with -pleasant stories, and led him on in spite of himself. At last they came -to two mountains divided by a narrow valley. "We will go no farther," -said the false uncle. "I will show you something wonderful; only do you -gather up sticks while I kindle a fire." When it was lit the magician -threw on it a powder he had about him, at the same time saying some -magical words. The earth trembled a little and opened in front of them, -disclosing a square flat stone with a brass ring in the middle to raise -it by. Aladdin tried to run away, but the magician caught him and gave -him a blow that knocked him down. "What have I done, uncle?" he said -piteously; whereupon the magician said more kindly: "Fear nothing, but -obey me. Beneath this stone lies a treasure which is to be yours, and -no one else may touch it, so you must do exactly as I tell you." At the -word treasure Aladdin forgot his fears, and grasped the ring as he was -told, saying the names of his father and grandfather. The stone came up -quite easily, and some steps appeared. "Go down," said the magician; "at -the foot of those steps you will find an open door leading into three -large halls. Tuck up your gown and go through them without touching -anything, or you will die instantly. These halls lead into a garden of -fine fruit trees. Walk on until you come to a niche in a terrace where -stands a lighted lamp. Pour out the oil it contains, and bring it to -me." He drew a ring from his finger and gave it to Aladdin, bidding him -prosper. - -Aladdin found everything as the magician had said, gathered some fruit -off the trees, and, having got the lamp, arrived at the mouth of the -cave. The magician cried out in a great hurry: "Make haste and give me -the lamp." This Aladdin refused to do until he was out of the cave. The -magician flew into a terrible passion, and throwing some more powder -on to the fire, he said something, and the stone rolled back into its -place. - -The magician left Persia for ever, which plainly showed that he was no -uncle of Aladdin's, but a cunning magician, who had read in his magic -books of a wonderful lamp, which would make him the most powerful man in -the world. Though he alone knew where to find it, he could only receive -it from the hand of another. He had picked out the foolish Aladdin for -this purpose, intending to get the lamp and kill him afterward. - -For two days Aladdin remained in the dark, crying and lamenting. At last -he clasped his hands in prayer, and in so doing rubbed the ring, which -the magician had forgotten to take from him. Immediately an enormous and -frightful genie rose out of the earth, saying: "What wouldst thou with -me? I am the Slave of the Ring, and will obey thee in all things." -Aladdin fearlessly replied: "Deliver me from this place!" whereupon the -earth opened, and he found himself outside. As soon as his eyes could -bear the light he went home, but fainted on the threshold. When he came -to himself he told his mother what had passed, and showed her the lamp -and the fruits he had gathered in the garden, which were, in reality, -precious stones. He then asked for some food. "Alas! child," she said, -"I have nothing in the house, but I have spun a little cotton and will -go and sell it." Aladdin bade her keep her cotton, for he would sell the -lamp instead. As it was very dirty she began to rub it, that it might -fetch a higher price. Instantly a hideous genie appeared, and asked what -she would have. She fainted away, but Aladdin, snatching the lamp, said -boldly: "Fetch me something to eat!" The genie returned with a silver -bowl, twelve silver plates containing rich meats, two silver cups, and -two bottles of wine. Aladdin's mother, when she came to herself, said: -"Whence comes this splendid feast?" "Ask not, but eat," replied Aladdin. -So they sat at breakfast till it was dinner-time, and Aladdin told his -mother about the lamp. She begged him to sell it, and have nothing to do -with devils. "No," said Aladdin, "since chance hath made us aware of -its virtues, we will use it, and the ring likewise, which I shall always -wear on my finger." When they had eaten all the genie had brought, -Aladdin sold one of the silver plates, and so on until none were left. -He then had recourse to the genie, who gave him another set of plates, -and thus they lived for many years. - -One day Aladdin heard an order from the Sultan proclaimed that everyone -was to stay at home and close his shutters while the Princess, his -daughter, went to and from the bath. Aladdin was seized by a desire to -see her face, which was very difficult, as she always went veiled. He -hid himself behind the door of the bath, and peeped through a chink. The -Princess lifted her veil as she went in, and looked so beautiful that -Aladdin fell in love with her at first sight. He went home so changed -that his mother was frightened. He told her he loved the Princess so -deeply that he could not live without her, and meant to ask her in -marriage of her father. His mother, on hearing this, burst out laughing, -but Aladdin at last prevailed upon her to go before the Sultan and carry -his request. She fetched a napkin and laid in it the magic fruits from -the enchanted garden, which sparkled and shone like the most beautiful -jewels. She took these with her to please the Sultan, and set out, -trusting in the lamp. The Grand Vizier and the lords of council had -just gone in as she entered the hall and placed herself in front of the -Sultan. He, however, took no notice of her. She went every day for a -week, and stood in the same place. When the council broke up on the -sixth day the Sultan said to his Vizier: "I see a certain woman in the -audience-chamber every day carrying something in a napkin. Call her next -time, that I may find out what she wants." Next day, at a sign from the -Vizier, she went up to the foot of the throne and remained kneeling till -the Sultan said to her: "Rise, good woman, and tell me what you want." -She hesitated, so the Sultan sent away all but the Vizier, and bade -her speak frankly, promising to forgive her beforehand for anything she -might say. She then told him of her son's violent love for the Princess. -"I prayed him to forget her," she said, "but in vain; he threatened to -do some desperate deed if I refused to go and ask your Majesty for the -hand of the Princess. Now I pray you to forgive not me alone, but my -son Aladdin." The Sultan asked her kindly what she had in the -napkin, whereupon she unfolded the jewels and presented them. He was -thunderstruck, and turning to the Vizier said: "What sayest thou? Ought -I not to bestow the Princess on one who values her at such a price?" The -Vizier, who wanted her for his own son, begged the Sultan to withhold -her for three months, in the course of which he hoped his son would -contrive to make him a richer present. The Sultan granted this, and told -Aladdin's mother that, though he consented to the marriage, she must not -appear before him again for three months. - -Aladdin waited patiently for nearly three months, but after two had -elapsed his mother, going into the city to buy oil, found every one -rejoicing, and asked what was going on. "Do you not know," was the -answer, "that the son of the Grand Vizier is to marry the Sultan's -daughter to-night?" Breathless, she ran and told Aladdin, who was -overwhelmed at first, but presently bethought him of the lamp. He rubbed -it, and the genie appeared, saying, "What is thy will?" Aladdin replied: -"The Sultan, as thou knowest, has broken his promise to me, and the -Vizier's son is to have the Princess. My command is that to-night you -bring hither the bride and bridegroom." "Master, I obey," said the -genie. Aladdin then went to his chamber, where, sure enough, at midnight -the genie transported the bed containing the Vizier's son and the -Princess. "Take this new-married man," he said, "and put him outside in -the cold, and return at daybreak." Whereupon the genie took the Vizier's -son out of bed, leaving Aladdin with the Princess. "Fear nothing," -Aladdin said to her; "you are my wife, promised to me by your unjust -father, and no harm shall come to you." The Princess was too frightened -to speak, and passed the most miserable night of her life, while Aladdin -lay down beside her and slept soundly. At the appointed hour the -genie fetched in the shivering bridegroom, laid him in his place, and -transported the bed back to the palace. - -Presently the Sultan came to wish his daughter good-morning. The unhappy -Vizier's son jumped up and hid himself, while the Princess would not say -a word, and was very sorrowful. The Sultan sent her mother to her, who -said: "How comes it, child, that you will not speak to your father? What -has happened?" The Princess sighed deeply, and at last told her mother -how, during the night, the bed had been carried into some strange house, -and what had passed there. Her mother did not believe her in the least, -but bade her rise and consider it an idle dream. - -The following night exactly the same thing happened, and next morning, -on the Princess's refusal to speak, the Sultan threatened to cut off her -head. She then confessed all, bidding him to ask the Vizier's son if it -were not so. The Sultan told the Vizier to ask his son, who owned the -truth, adding that, dearly as he loved the Princess, he had rather die -than go through another such fearful night, and wished to be separated -from her. His wish was granted, and there was an end to feasting and -rejoicing. - -When the three months were over, Aladdin sent his mother to remind the -Sultan of his promise. She stood in the same place as before, and the -Sultan, who had forgotten Aladdin, at once remembered him, and sent for -her. On seeing her poverty the Sultan felt less inclined than ever to -keep his word, and asked his Vizier's advice, who counselled him to set -so high a value on the Princess that no man living could come up to -it. The Sultan then turned to Aladdin's mother, saying: "Good woman, a -Sultan must remember his promises, and I will remember mine, but your -son must first send me forty basins of gold brimful of jewels, carried -by forty black slaves, led by as many white ones, splendidly dressed. -Tell him that I await his answer." The mother of Aladdin bowed low and -went home, thinking all was lost. She gave Aladdin the message, adding: -"He may wait long enough for your answer!" "Not so long, mother, as you -think," her son replied. "I would do a great deal more than that for the -Princess." He summoned the genie, and in a few moments the eighty slaves -arrived, and filled up the small house and garden. Aladdin made them -set out to the palace, two and two, followed by his mother. They were -so richly dressed, with such splendid jewels in their girdles, that -everyone crowded to see them and the basins of gold they carried on -their heads. They entered the palace, and, after kneeling before the -Sultan, stood in a half-circle round the throne with their arms crossed, -while Aladdin's mother presented them to the Sultan. He hesitated no -longer, but said: "Good woman, return and tell your son that I wait for -him with open arms." She lost no time in telling Aladdin, bidding him -make haste. But Aladdin first called the genie. "I want a scented bath," -he said, "a richly embroidered habit, a horse surpassing the Sultan's, -and twenty slaves to attend me. Besides this, six slaves, beautifully -dressed, to wait on my mother; and lastly, ten thousand pieces of gold -in ten purses." No sooner said than done. Aladdin mounted his horse and -passed through the streets, the slaves strewing gold as they went. Those -who had played with him in his childhood knew him not, he had grown so -handsome. When the Sultan saw him he came down from his throne, embraced -him, and led him into a hall where a feast was spread, intending to -marry him to the Princess that very day. But Aladdin refused, saying, "I -must build a palace fit for her," and took his leave. Once home, he said -to the genie: "Build me a palace of the finest marble, set with jasper, -agate, and other precious stones. In the middle you shall build me a -large hall with a dome, its four walls of massy gold and silver, each -having six windows, whose lattices, all except one which is to be left -unfinished, must be set with diamonds and rubies. There must be stables -and horses and grooms and slaves; go and see about it!" - -The palace was finished by the next day, and the genie carried him there -and showed him all his orders faithfully carried out, even to the laying -of a velvet carpet from Aladdin's palace to the Sultan's. Aladdin's -mother then dressed herself carefully, and walked to the palace with her -slaves, while he followed her on horseback. The Sultan sent musicians -with trumpets and cymbals to meet them, so that the air resounded with -music and cheers. She was taken to the Princess, who saluted her and -treated her with great honor. At night the Princess said good-by to her -father, and set out on the carpet for Aladdin's palace, with his mother -at her side, and followed by the hundred slaves. She was charmed at the -sight of Aladdin, who ran to receive her. "Princess," he said, "blame -your beauty for my boldness if I have displeased you." She told him -that, having seen him, she willingly obeyed her father in this matter. -After the wedding had taken place Aladdin led her into the hall, where a -feast was spread, and she supped with him, after which they danced till -midnight. Next day Aladdin invited the Sultan to see the palace. On -entering the hall with the four-and-twenty windows, with their rubies, -diamonds, and emeralds, he cried: "It is a world's wonder! There is only -one thing that surprises me. Was it by accident that one window was -left unfinished?" "No, sir, by design," returned Aladdin. "I wished -your Majesty to have the glory of finishing this palace." The Sultan was -pleased, and sent for the best jewelers in the city. He showed them -the unfinished window, and bade them fit it up like the others. "Sir," -replied their spokesman, "we cannot find jewels enough." The Sultan -had his own fetched, which they soon used, but to no purpose, for in -a month's time the work was not half done. Aladdin, knowing that their -task was vain, bade them undo their work and carry the jewels back, and -the genie finished the window at his command. The Sultan was surprised -to receive his jewels again, and visited Aladdin, who showed him the -window finished. The Sultan embraced him, the envious Vizier meanwhile -hinting that it was the work of enchantment. - -Aladdin had won the hearts of the people by his gentle bearing. He was -made captain of the Sultan's armies, and won several battles for him, -but remained modest and courteous as before, and lived thus in peace and -content for several years. - -But far away in Africa the magician remembered Aladdin, and by his magic -arts discovered that Aladdin, instead of perishing miserably in the -cave, had escaped, and had married a princess, with whom he was living -in great honor and wealth. He knew that the poor tailor's son could only -have accomplished this by means of the lamp, and traveled night and day -until he reached the capital of China, bent on Aladdin's ruin. As he -passed through the town he heard people talking everywhere about a -marvellous palace. "Forgive my ignorance," he asked, "what is this -palace you speak Of?" "Have you not heard of Prince Aladdin's palace," -was the reply, "the greatest wonder of the world? I will direct you -if you have a mind to see it." The magician thanked him who spoke, and -having seen the palace, knew that it had been raised by the Genie of the -Lamp, and became half mad with rage. He determined to get hold of the -lamp, and again plunge Aladdin into the deepest poverty. - -Unluckily, Aladdin had gone a-hunting for eight days, which gave the -magician plenty of time. He bought a dozen copper lamps, put them into a -basket, and went to the palace, crying: "New lamps for old!" followed -by a jeering crowd. The Princess, sitting in the hall of four-and-twenty -windows, sent a slave to find out what the noise was about, who came -back laughing, so that the Princess scolded her. "Madam," replied the -slave, "who can help laughing to see an old fool offering to exchange -fine new lamps for old ones?" Another slave, hearing this, said: "There -is an old one on the cornice there which he can have." Now this was the -magic lamp, which Aladdin had left there, as he could not take it out -hunting with him. The Princess, not knowing its value, laughingly -bade the slave take it and make the exchange. She went and said to the -magician: "Give me a new lamp for this." He snatched it and bade the -slave take her choice, amid the jeers of the crowd. Little he cared, but -left off crying his lamps, and went out of the city gates to a lonely -place, where he remained till nightfall, when he pulled out the lamp -and rubbed it. The genie appeared, and at the magician's command carried -him, together with the palace and the Princess in it, to a lonely place -in Africa. - -Next morning the Sultan looked out of the window toward Aladdin's palace -and rubbed his eyes, for it was gone. He sent for the Vizier and asked -what had become of the palace. The Vizier looked out too, and was lost -in astonishment. He again put it down to enchantment, and this time the -Sultan believed him, and sent thirty men on horseback to fetch Aladdin -in chains. They met him riding home, bound him, and forced him to go -with them on foot. The people, however, who loved him, followed, armed, -to see that he came to no harm. He was carried before the Sultan, -who ordered the executioner to cut off his head. The executioner made -Aladdin kneel down, bandaged his eyes, and raised his scimitar to -strike. At that instant the Vizier, who saw that the crowd had forced -their way into the courtyard and were scaling the walls to rescue -Aladdin, called to the executioner to stay his hand. The people, indeed, -looked so threatening that the Sultan gave way and ordered Aladdin to be -unbound, and pardoned him in the sight of the crowd. Aladdin now -begged to know what he had done. "False wretch!" said the Sultan, "come -thither," and showed him from the window the place where his palace had -stood. Aladdin was so amazed that he could not say a word. "Where is my -palace and my daughter?" demanded the Sultan. "For the first I am not so -deeply concerned, but my daughter I must have, and you must find her -or lose your head." Aladdin begged for forty days in which to find her, -promising, if he failed, to return and suffer death at the Sultan's -pleasure. His prayer was granted, and he went forth sadly from the -Sultan's presence. For three days he wandered about like a madman, -asking everyone what had become of his palace, but they only laughed and -pitied him. He came to the banks of a river, and knelt down to say his -prayers before throwing himself in. In so doing he rubbed the magic ring -he still wore. The genie he had seen in the cave appeared, and asked his -will. "Save my life, genie," said Aladdin, "bring my palace back." "That -is not in my power," said the genie; "I am only the Slave of the Ring; -you must ask him of the lamp." "Even so," said Aladdin, "but thou canst -take me to the palace, and set me down under my dear wife's window." He -at once found himself in Africa, under the window of the Princess, and -fell asleep out of sheer weariness. - -He was awakened by the singing of the birds, and his heart was lighter. -He saw plainly that all his misfortunes were owing to the loss of the -lamp, and vainly wondered who had robbed him of it. - -That morning the Princess rose earlier than she had done since she had -been carried into Africa by the magician, whose company she was forced -to endure once a day. She, however, treated him so harshly that he dared -not live there altogether. As she was dressing, one of her women looked -out and saw Aladdin. The Princess ran and opened the window, and at the -noise she made Aladdin looked up. She called to him to come to her, and -great was the joy of these lovers at seeing each other again. After he -had kissed her Aladdin said: "I beg of you, Princess, in God's name, -before we speak of anything else, for your own sake and mine, tell me -that has become of an old lamp I left on the cornice in the hall of -four-and-twenty windows, when I went a-hunting." "Alas!" she said, "I am -the innocent cause of our sorrows," and told him of the exchange of the -lamp. "Now I know," cried Aladdin, "that we have to thank the African -magician for this! Where is the lamp?" "He carries it about with him," -said the Princess. "I know, for he pulled it out of his breast to show -me. He wishes me to break my faith with you and marry him, saying that -you were beheaded by my father's command. He is for ever speaking ill of -you but I only reply by my tears. If I persist, I doubt not but he -will use violence." Aladdin comforted her, and left her for a while. -He changed clothes with the first person he met in the town, and having -bought a certain powder, returned to the Princess, who let him in by -a little side door. "Put on your most beautiful dress," he said to her -"and receive the magician with smiles, leading him to believe that you -have forgotten me. Invite him to sup with you, and say you wish to taste -the wine of his country. He will go for some and while he is gone I will -tell you what to do." She listened carefully to Aladdin and when he left -she arrayed herself gaily for the first time since she left China. She -put on a girdle and head-dress of diamonds, and, seeing in a glass that -she was more beautiful than ever, received the magician, saying, to his -great amazement: "I have made up my mind that Aladdin is dead, and that -all my tears will not bring him back to me, so I am resolved to mourn no -more, and have therefore invited you to sup with me; but I am tired of -the wines of China, and would fain taste those of Africa." The magician -flew to his cellar, and the Princess put the powder Aladdin had given -her in her cup. When he returned she asked him to drink her health in -the wine of Africa, handing him her cup in exchange for his, as a sign -she was reconciled to him. Before drinking the magician made her a -speech in praise of her beauty, but the Princess cut him short, saying: -"Let us drink first, and you shall say what you will afterward." She set -her cup to her lips and kept it there, while the magician drained his to -the dregs and fell back lifeless. The Princess then opened the door to -Aladdin, and flung her arms round his neck; but Aladdin put her away, -bidding her leave him, as he had more to do. He then went to the dead -magician, took the lamp out of his vest, and bade the genie carry the -palace and all in it back to China. This was done, and the Princess in -her chamber only felt two little shocks, and little thought she was at -home again. - -The Sultan, who was sitting in his closet, mourning for his lost -daughter, happened to look up, and rubbed his eyes, for there stood the -palace as before! He hastened thither, and Aladdin received him in the -hall of the four-and-twenty windows, with the Princess at his side. -Aladdin told him what had happened, and showed him the dead body of the -magician, that he might believe. A ten days' feast was proclaimed, and -it seemed as if Aladdin might now live the rest of his life in peace; -but it was not to be. - -The African magician had a younger brother, who was, if possible, more -wicked and more cunning than himself. He traveled to China to avenge his -brother's death, and went to visit a pious woman called Fatima, thinking -she might be of use to him. He entered her cell and clapped a dagger to -her breast, telling her to rise and do his bidding on pain of death. He -changed clothes with her, colored his face like hers, put on her veil, -and murdered her, that she might tell no tales. Then he went toward the -palace of Aladdin, and all the people, thinking he was the holy woman, -gathered round him, kissing his hands and begging his blessing. When -he got to the palace there was such a noise going on round him that -the Princess bade her slave look out of the window and ask what was the -matter. The slave said it was the holy woman, curing people by her touch -of their ailments, whereupon the Princess, who had long desired to see -Fatima, sent for her. On coming to the Princess the magician offered up -a prayer for her health and prosperity. When he had done the Princess -made him sit by her, and begged him to stay with her always. The false -Fatima, who wished for nothing better, consented, but kept his veil down -for fear of discovery. The Princess showed him the hall, and asked him -what he thought of it. "It is truly beautiful," said the false Fatima. -"In my mind it wants but one thing." "And what is that?" said the -Princess. "If only a roc's egg," replied he, "were hung up from the -middle of this dome, it would be the wonder of the world." - -After this the Princess could think of nothing but the roc's egg, and -when Aladdin returned from hunting he found her in a very ill humor. He -begged to know what was amiss, and she told him that all her pleasure in -the hall was spoiled for the want of a roc's egg hanging from the dome. -"If that is all," replied Aladdin, "you shall soon be happy." He left -her and rubbed the lamp, and when the genie appeared commanded him to -bring a roc's egg. The genie gave such a loud and terrible shriek that -the hall shook. "Wretch!" he cried, "is it not enough that I have done -everything for you, but you must command me to bring my master and hang -him up in the midst of this dome? You and your wife and your palace -deserve to be burnt to ashes, but that this request does not come from -you, but from the brother of the African magician, whom you destroyed. -He is now in your palace disguised as the holy woman--whom he murdered. -He it was who put that wish into your wife's head. Take care of -yourself, for he means to kill you." So saying, the genie disappeared. - -Aladdin went back to the Princess, saying his head ached, and requesting -that the holy Fatima should be fetched to lay her hands on it. But when -the magician came near, Aladdin, seizing his dagger, pierced him to the -heart. "What have you done?" cried the Princess. "You have killed the -holy woman!" "Not so," replied Aladdin, "but a wicked magician," and -told her of how she had been deceived. - -After this Aladdin and his wife lived in peace. He succeeded the Sultan -when he died, and reigned for many years, leaving behind him a long line -of kings.(1) - - -(1) Arabian Nights. - - - - -THE TALE OF A YOUTH WHO SET OUT TO LEARN WHAT FEAR WAS - - -A father had two sons, of whom the eldest was clever and bright, and -always knew what he was about; but the youngest was stupid, and -couldn't learn or understand anything. So much so that those who saw him -exclaimed: "What a burden he'll be to his father!" Now when there was -anything to be done, the eldest had always to do it; but if something -was required later or in the night-time, and the way led through the -churchyard or some such ghostly place, he always replied: "Oh! no, -father: nothing will induce me to go there, it makes me shudder!" for -he was afraid. Or, when they sat of an evening around the fire telling -stories which made one's flesh creep, the listeners sometimes said: -"Oh! it makes one shudder," the youngest sat in a corner, heard the -exclamation, and could not understand what it meant. "They are always -saying it makes one shudder! it makes one shudder! Nothing makes me -shudder. It's probably an art quite beyond me." - -Now it happened that his father said to him one day: "Hearken, you there -in the corner; you are growing big and strong, and you must learn to -earn your own bread. Look at your brother, what pains he takes; but -all the money I've spent on your education is thrown away." "My dear -father," he replied, "I will gladly learn--in fact, if it were possible -I should like to learn to shudder; I don't understand that a bit yet." -The eldest laughed when he heard this, and thought to himself: "Good -heavens! what a ninny my brother is! he'll never come to any good; -as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined." The father sighed, and -answered him: "You'll soon learn to shudder; but that won't help you to -make a living." - -Shortly after this, when the sexton came to pay them a visit, the father -broke out to him, and told him what a bad hand his youngest son was at -everything: he knew nothing and learned nothing. "Only think! when I -asked him how he purposed gaining a livelihood, he actually asked to be -taught to shudder." "If that's all he wants," said the sexton, "I can -teach him that; just you send him to me, I'll soon polish him up." The -father was quite pleased with the proposal, because he thought: "It will -be a good discipline for the youth." And so the sexton took him into his -house, and his duty was to toll the bell. After a few days he woke him -at midnight, and bade him rise and climb into the tower and toll. -"Now, my friend, I'll teach you to shudder," thought he. He stole forth -secretly in front, and when the youth was up above, and had turned -round to grasp the bell-rope, he saw, standing opposite the hole of the -belfry, a white figure. "Who's there?" he called out, but the figure -gave no answer, and neither stirred nor moved. "Answer," cried the -youth, "or begone; you have no business here at this hour of the night." -But the sexton remained motionless, so that the youth might think that -it was a ghost. The youth called out the second time: "What do you want -here? Speak if you are an honest fellow, or I'll knock you down the -stairs." The sexton thought: "He can't mean that in earnest," so gave -forth no sound, and stood as though he were made of stone. Then the -youth shouted out to him the third time, and as that too had no effect, -he made a dash at the spectre and knocked it down the stairs, so that it -fell about ten steps and remained lying in a corner. Thereupon he tolled -the bell, went home to bed without saying a word, and fell asleep. The -sexton's wife waited a long time for her husband, but he never appeared. -At last she became anxious, and woke the youth, and asked: "Don't you -know where my husband is? He went up to the tower in front of you." -"No," answered the youth; "but someone stood on the stairs up there just -opposite the trap-door in the belfry, and because he wouldn't answer me, -or go away, I took him for a rogue and knocked him down. You'd better go -and see if it was he; I should be much distressed if it were." The wife -ran and found her husband who was lying groaning in a corner, with his -leg broken. - -She carried him down, and then hurried with loud protestations to the -youth's father. "Your son has been the cause of a pretty misfortune," -she cried; "he threw my husband downstairs so that he broke his leg. -Take the good-for-nothing wretch out of our house." The father was -horrified, hurried to the youth, and gave him a scolding. - -"What unholy pranks are these? The evil one must have put them into your -head." "Father," he replied, "only listen to me; I am quite guiltless. -He stood there in the night, like one who meant harm. I didn't know who -it was, and warned him three times to speak or begone." "Oh!" groaned -the father, "you'll bring me nothing but misfortune; get out of my -sight, I won't have anything more to do with you." "Yes, father, -willingly; only wait till daylight, then I'll set out and learn to -shudder, and in that way I shall be master of an art which will gain me -a living." "Learn what you will," said the father, "it's all one to me. -Here are fifty dollars for you, set forth into the wide world with them; -but see you tell no one where you come from or who your father is, for -I am ashamed of you." "Yes, father, whatever you wish; and if that's all -you ask, I can easily keep it in mind." - -When day broke the youth put the fifty dollars into his pocket, set out -on the hard high road, and kept muttering to himself: "If I could only -shudder! if I could only shudder!" Just at this moment a man came by who -heard the youth speaking to himself, and when they had gone on a bit and -were in sight of the gallows the man said to him: "Look! there is the -tree where seven people have been hanged, and are now learning to fly; -sit down under it and wait till nightfall, and then you'll pretty soon -learn to shudder." "If that's all I have to do," answered the youth, -"it's easily done; but if I learn to shudder so quickly, then you shall -have my fifty dollars. Just come back to me to-morrow morning early." -Then the youth went to the gallows-tree and sat down underneath it, and -waited for the evening; and because he felt cold he lit himself a fire. -But at midnight it got so chill that in spite of the fire he couldn't -keep warm. And as the wind blew the corpses one against the other, -tossing them to and fro, he thought to himself: "If you are perishing -down here by the fire, how those poor things up there must be shaking -and shivering!" And because he had a tender heart, he put up a ladder, -which he climbed unhooked one body after the other, and took down all -the seven. Then he stirred the fire, blew it up, and placed them all -round in a circle, that they might warm themselves. But they sat there -and did not move, and the fire caught their clothes. Then he spoke: -"Take care, or I'll hang you up again." But the dead men did not hear -and let their rags go on burning. Then he got angry, and said: "If you -aren't careful yourselves, then I can't help you, and I don't mean to -burn with you"; and he hung them up again in a row. Then he sat down at -his fire and fell asleep. On the following morning the man came to him, -and, wishing to get his fifty dollars, said: "Now you know what it is to -shudder." "No," he answered, "how should I? Those fellows up there never -opened their mouths, and were so stupid that they let those few old -tatters they have on their bodies burn." Then the man saw he wouldn't -get his fifty dollars that day, and went off, saying: "Well, I'm blessed -if I ever met such a person in my life before." - -The youth went too on his way, and began to murmur to himself: "Oh! if I -could only shudder! if I could only shudder!" A carrier who was walking -behind him heard these words, and asked him: "Who are you" "I don't -know," said the youth. "Where do you hail from?" "I don't know." "Who's -your father?" "I mayn't say." "What are you constantly muttering to -yourself?" "Oh!" said the youth, "I would give worlds to shudder, but no -one can teach me." "Stuff and nonsense!" spoke the carrier; "come along -with me, and I'll soon put that right." The youth went with the carrier, -and in the evening they reached an inn, where they were to spend the -night. Then, just as he was entering the room, he said again, quite -aloud: "Oh! if I could only shudder! if I could only shudder!" The -landlord, who heard this, laughed and said: "If that's what you're -sighing for, you shall be given every opportunity here." "Oh! hold your -tongue!" said the landlord's wife; "so many people have paid for their -curiosity with their lives, it were a thousand pities if those beautiful -eyes were never again to behold daylight." But the youth said: "No -matter how difficult, I insist on learning it; why, that's what I've set -out to do." He left the landlord no peace till he told him that in the -neighborhood stood a haunted castle, where one could easily learn to -shudder if one only kept watch in it for three nights. The King had -promised the man who dared to do this thing his daughter as wife, and -she was the most beautiful maiden under the sun. There was also much -treasure hid in the castle, guarded by evil spirits, which would then -be free, and was sufficient to make a poor man more than rich. Many had -already gone in, but so far none had ever come out again. So the youth -went to the King and spoke: "If I were allowed, I should much like -to watch for three nights in the castle." The King looked at him, and -because he pleased him, he said: "You can ask for three things, none of -them living, and those you may take with you into the castle." Then he -answered: "Well, I shall beg for a fire, a turning lathe, and a carving -bench with the knife attached." - -On the following day the King had everything put into the castle; and -when night drew on the youth took up his position there, lit a bright -fire in one of the rooms, placed the carving bench with the knife close -to it, and sat himself down on the turning lathe. "Oh! if I could only -shudder!" he said: "but I sha'n't learn it here either." Toward midnight -he wanted to make up the fire, and as he was blowing up a blaze he heard -a shriek from a corner. "Ou, miou! how cold we are!" "You fools!" he -cried; "why do you scream? If you are cold, come and sit at the fire and -warm yourselves." And as he spoke two huge black cats sprang fiercely -forward and sat down, one on each side of him, and gazed wildly at him -with their fiery eyes. After a time, when they had warmed themselves, -they said: "Friend, shall we play a little game of cards?" "Why not?" he -replied; "but first let me see your paws." Then they stretched out their -claws. "Ha!" said he; "what long nails you've got! Wait a minute: I must -first cut them off." Thereupon he seized them by the scruff of their -necks, lifted them on to the carving bench, and screwed down their paws -firmly. "After watching you narrowly," said he, "I no longer feel any -desire to play cards with you"; and with these words he struck them dead -and threw them out into the water. But when he had thus sent the two of -them to their final rest, and was again about to sit down at the fire, -out of every nook and corner came forth black cats and black dogs with -fiery chains in such swarms that he couldn't possibly get away from -them. They yelled in the most ghastly manner, jumped upon his fire, -scattered it all, and tried to put it out. He looked on quietly for -a time, but when it got beyond a joke he seized his carving-knife and -called out: "Be off, you rabble rout!" and let fly at them. Some of them -fled away, and the others he struck dead and threw them out into the -pond below. When he returned he blew up the sparks of the fire once -more, and warmed himself. And as he sat thus his eyes refused to keep -open any longer, and a desire to sleep stole over him. Then he looked -around him and beheld in the corner a large bed. "The very thing," he -said, and laid himself down in it. But when he wished to close his -eyes the bed began to move by itself, and ran all round the castle. -"Capital," he said, "only a little quicker." Then the bed sped on as if -drawn by six horses, over thresholds and stairs, up this way and down -that. All of a sudden--crash, crash! with a bound it turned over, upside -down, and lay like a mountain on the top of him. But he tossed the -blankets and pillows in the air, emerged from underneath, and said: "Now -anyone who has the fancy for it may go a drive," lay down at his fire, -and slept till daylight. In the morning the King came, and when he -beheld him lying on the ground he imagined the ghosts had been too much -for him, and that he was dead. Then he said: "What a pity! and such a -fine fellow he was." The youth heard this, got up, and said: "It's not -come to that yet." Then the King was astonished, but very glad, and -asked how it had fared with him. "First-rate," he answered; "and now -I've survived the one night, I shall get through the other two also." -The landlord, when he went to him, opened his eyes wide, and said: -"Well, I never thought to see you alive again. Have you learned now what -shuddering is?" "No," he replied, "it's quite hopeless; if someone could -only tell me how to!" - -The second night he went up again to the old castle, sat down at the -fire, and began his old refrain: "If I could only shudder!" As midnight -approached, a noise and din broke out, at first gentle, but gradually -increasing; then all was quiet for a minute, and at length, with a loud -scream, half of a man dropped down the chimney and fell before him. "Hi, -up there!" shouted he; "there's another half wanted down here, that's -not enough"; then the din commenced once more, there was a shrieking -and a yelling, and then the other half fell down. "Wait a bit," he said; -"I'll stir up the fire for you." When he had done this and again looked -around, the two pieces had united, and a horrible-looking man sat on his -seat. "Come," said the youth, "I didn't bargain for that, the seat is -mine." The man tried to shove him away, but the youth wouldn't allow -it for a moment, and, pushing him off by force, sat down in his place -again. Then more men dropped down, one after the other, who fetching -nine skeleton legs and two skulls, put them up and played ninepins with -them. The youth thought he would like to play too, and said: "Look here; -do you mind my joining the game?" "No, not if you have money." "I've -money enough," he replied, "but your balls aren't round enough." Then -he took the skulls, placed them on his lathe, and turned them till they -were round. "Now they'll roll along better," said he, "and houp-la! now -the fun begins." He played with them and lost some of his money, but -when twelve struck everything vanished before his eyes. He lay down and -slept peacefully. The next morning the King came, anxious for news. "How -have you got on this time?" he asked. "I played ninepins," he answered, -"and lost a few pence." "Didn't you shudder then?" "No such luck," said -he; "I made myself merry. Oh! if I only knew what it was to shudder!" - -On the third night he sat down again on his bench, and said, in the most -desponding way: "If I could only shudder!" When it got late, six big men -came in carrying a coffin. Then he cried: "Ha! ha! that's most likely -my little cousin who only died a few days ago"; and beckoning with his -finger he called out: "Come, my small cousin, come." They placed the -coffin on the ground, and he approached it and took off the cover. In -it lay a dead man. He felt his face, and it was cold as ice. "Wait," he -said "I'll heat you up a bit," went to the fire, warmed his hand, and -laid it on the man's face, but the dead remained cold. Then he lifted -him out, sat down at the fire, laid him on his knee, and rubbed his arms -that the blood should circulate again. When that too had no effect it -occurred to him that if two people lay together in bed they warmed each -other; so he put him into the bed, covered him up, and lay down beside -him; after a time the corpse became warm and began to move. Then the -youth said: "Now, my little cousin, what would have happened if I -hadn't warmed you?" But the dead man rose up and cried out: "Now I -will strangle you." "What!" said he, "is that all the thanks I get? You -should be put straight back into your coffin," lifted him up, threw him -in, and closed the lid. Then the six men came and carried him out again. -"I simply can't shudder," he said, "and it's clear I sha'n't learn it in -a lifetime here." - -Then a man entered, of more than ordinary size and of a very fearful -appearance; but he was old and had a white beard. "Oh! you miserable -creature, now you will soon know what it is to shudder," he cried, "for -you must die." "Not so quickly," answered the youth. "If I am to die, -you must catch me first." "I shall soon lay hold of you," spoke the -monster. "Gently, gently, don't boast too much, I'm as strong as you, -and stronger too." "We'll soon see," said the old man; "if you are -stronger than I then I'll let you off; come, let's have a try." Then he -led him through some dark passages to a forge, and grasping an axe he -drove one of the anvils with a blow into the earth. "I can do better -than that," cried the youth, and went to the other anvil. The old man -drew near him in order to watch closely, and his white beard hung right -down. The youth seized the axe, cleft the anvil open, and jammed in the -old man's beard. "Now I have you," said the youth; "this time it's your -turn to die." Then he seized an iron rod and belabored the old man till -he, whimpering, begged him to leave off, and he would give him great -riches. The youth drew out the axe and let him go. The old man led him -back to the castle and showed him in a cellar three chests of gold. "One -of these," said he, "belongs to the poor, one to the King, and the -third is yours." At that moment twelve struck, and the spirit vanished, -leaving the youth alone in the dark. "I'll surely be able to find a way -out," said he, and groping about he at length found his way back to the -room, and fell asleep at his fire. The next morning the King came, and -said: "Well, now you've surely learned to shudder?" "No," he answered; -"what can it be? My dead cousin was here, and an old bearded man came, -who showed me heaps of money down below there, but what shuddering is no -one has told me." Then the King spoke: "You have freed the castle from -its curse, and you shall marry my daughter." "That's all charming," he -said; "but I still don't know what it is to shudder." - -Then the gold was brought up, and the wedding was celebrated, but the -young King, though he loved his wife dearly, and though he was very -happy, still kept on saying: "If I could only shudder! if I could only -shudder!" At last he reduced her to despair. Then her maid said: "I'll -help you; we'll soon make him shudder." So she went out to the stream -that flowed through the garden, and had a pail full of little gudgeons -brought to her. At night, when the young King was asleep, his wife had -to pull the clothes off him, and pour the pail full of little gudgeons -over him, so that the little fish swam all about him. Then he awoke and -cried out: "Oh! how I shudder, how I shudder, dear wife! Yes, now I know -what shuddering is."(1) - - -(1) Grimm. - - - - -RUMPELSTILTZKIN - - -There was once upon a time a poor miller who had a very beautiful -daughter. Now it happened one day that he had an audience with the King, -and in order to appear a person of some importance he told him that -he had a daughter who could spin straw into gold. "Now that's a talent -worth having," said the King to the miller; "if your daughter is as -clever as you say, bring her to my palace to-morrow, and I'll put her to -the test." When the girl was brought to him he led her into a room full -of straw, gave her a spinning-wheel and spindle, and said: "Now set to -work and spin all night till early dawn, and if by that time you haven't -spun the straw into gold you shall die." Then he closed the door behind -him and left her alone inside. - -So the poor miller's daughter sat down, and didn't know what in the -world she was to do. She hadn't the least idea of how to spin straw into -gold, and became at last so miserable that she began to cry. -Suddenly the door opened, and in stepped a tiny little man and said: -"Good-evening, Miss Miller-maid; why are you crying so bitterly?" "Oh!" -answered the girl, "I have to spin straw into gold, and haven't a notion -how it's done." "What will you give me if I spin it for you?" asked -the manikin. "My necklace," replied the girl. The little man took the -necklace, sat himself down at the wheel, and whir, whir, whir, the wheel -went round three times, and the bobbin was full. Then he put on another, -and whir, whir, whir, the wheel went round three times, and the second -too was full; and so it went on till the morning, when all the straw -was spun away, and all the bobbins were full of gold. As soon as the sun -rose the King came, and when he perceived the gold he was astonished and -delighted, but his heart only lusted more than ever after the precious -metal. He had the miller's daughter put into another room full of straw, -much bigger than the first, and bade her, if she valued her life, spin -it all into gold before the following morning. The girl didn't know what -to do, and began to cry; then the door opened as before, and the tiny -little man appeared and said: "What'll you give me if I spin the straw -into gold for you?" "The ring from my finger," answered the girl. The -manikin took the ring, and whir! round went the spinning-wheel again, -and when morning broke he had spun all the straw into glittering gold. -The King was pleased beyond measure at the sights but his greed for gold -was still not satisfied, and he had the miller's daughter brought into a -yet bigger room full of straw, and said: "You must spin all this away -in the night; but if you succeed this time you shall become my wife." -"She's only a miller's daughter, it's true," he thought; "but I couldn't -find a richer wife if I were to search the whole world over." When the -girl was alone the little man appeared for the third time, and said: -"What'll you give me if I spin the straw for you once again?" "I've -nothing more to give," answered the girl. "Then promise me when you -are Queen to give me your first child." "Who knows what may not happen -before that?" thought the miller's daughter; and besides, she saw no -other way out of it, so she promised the manikin what he demanded, and -he set to work once more and spun the straw into gold. When the -King came in the morning, and found everything as he had desired, he -straightway made her his wife, and the miller's daughter became a queen. - -When a year had passed a beautiful son was born to her, and she thought -no more of the little man, till all of a sudden one day he stepped into -her room and said: "Now give me what you promised." The Queen was in a -great state, and offered the little man all the riches in her kingdom if -he would only leave her the child. But the manikin said: "No, a living -creature is dearer to me than all the treasures in the world." Then the -Queen began to cry and sob so bitterly that the little man was sorry for -her, and said: "I'll give you three days to guess my name, and if you -find it out in that time you may keep your child." - -Then the Queen pondered the whole night over all the names she had ever -heard, and sent a messenger to scour the land, and to pick up far and -near any names he could come across. When the little man arrived on the -following day she began with Kasper, Melchior, Belshazzar, and all the -other names she knew, in a string, but at each one the manikin called -out: "That's not my name." The next day she sent to inquire the names -of all the people in the neighborhood, and had a long list of the -most uncommon and extraordinary for the little man when he made -his appearance. "Is your name, perhaps, Sheepshanks Cruickshanks, -Spindleshanks?" but he always replied: "That's not my name." On the -third day the messenger returned and announced: "I have not been able to -find any new names, but as I came upon a high hill round the corner of -the wood, where the foxes and hares bid each other good-night, I saw -a little house, and in front of the house burned a fire, and round -the fire sprang the most grotesque little man, hopping on one leg and -crying: - - "To-morrow I brew, to-day I bake, - And then the child away I'll take; - For little deems my royal dame - That Rumpelstiltzkin is my name!" - - -You can imagine the Queen's delight at hearing the name, and when the -little man stepped in shortly afterward and asked: "Now, my lady Queen, -what's my name?" she asked first: "Is your name Conrad?" "No." "Is your -name Harry?" "No." "Is your name perhaps, Rumpelstiltzkin?" "Some demon -has told you that! some demon has told you that!" screamed the little -man, and in his rage drove his right foot so far into the ground that it -sank in up to his waist; then in a passion he seized the left foot with -both hands and tore himself in two.(1) - - -(1) Grimm. - - - - -BEAUTY AND THE BEAST - - -Once upon a time, in a very far-off country, there lived a merchant who -had been so fortunate in all his undertakings that he was enormously -rich. As he had, however, six sons and six daughters, he found that his -money was not too much to let them all have everything they fancied, as -they were accustomed to do. - -But one day a most unexpected misfortune befell them. Their house -caught fire and was speedily burnt to the ground, with all the splendid -furniture, the books, pictures, gold, silver, and precious goods it -contained; and this was only the beginning of their troubles. Their -father, who had until this moment prospered in all ways, suddenly lost -every ship he had upon the sea, either by dint of pirates, shipwreck, -or fire. Then he heard that his clerks in distant countries, whom he -trusted entirely, had proved unfaithful; and at last from great wealth -he fell into the direst poverty. - -All that he had left was a little house in a desolate place at least a -hundred leagues from the town in which he had lived, and to this he was -forced to retreat with his children, who were in despair at the idea of -leading such a different life. Indeed, the daughters at first hoped -that their friends, who had been so numerous while they were rich, would -insist on their staying in their houses now they no longer possessed -one. But they soon found that they were left alone, and that their -former friends even attributed their misfortunes to their own -extravagance, and showed no intention of offering them any help. So -nothing was left for them but to take their departure to the cottage, -which stood in the midst of a dark forest, and seemed to be the most -dismal place upon the face of the earth. As they were too poor to have -any servants, the girls had to work hard, like peasants, and the sons, -for their part, cultivated the fields to earn their living. Roughly -clothed, and living in the simplest way, the girls regretted unceasingly -the luxuries and amusements of their former life; only the youngest -tried to be brave and cheerful. She had been as sad as anyone when -misfortune overtook her father, but, soon recovering her natural gaiety, -she set to work to make the best of things, to amuse her father and -brothers as well as she could, and to try to persuade her sisters to -join her in dancing and singing. But they would do nothing of the sort, -and, because she was not as doleful as themselves, they declared that -this miserable life was all she was fit for. But she was really far -prettier and cleverer than they were; indeed, she was so lovely that she -was always called Beauty. After two years, when they were all beginning -to get used to their new life, something happened to disturb their -tranquillity. Their father received the news that one of his ships, -which he had believed to be lost, had come safely into port with a rich -cargo. All the sons and daughters at once thought that their poverty -was at an end, and wanted to set out directly for the town; but their -father, who was more prudent, begged them to wait a little, and, though -it was harvest time, and he could ill be spared, determined to go -himself first, to make inquiries. Only the youngest daughter had any -doubt but that they would soon again be as rich as they were before, or -at least rich enough to live comfortably in some town where they would -find amusement and gay companions once more. So they all loaded their -father with commissions for jewels and dresses which it would have taken -a fortune to buy; only Beauty, feeling sure that it was of no use, did -not ask for anything. Her father, noticing her silence, said: "And what -shall I bring for you, Beauty?" - -"The only thing I wish for is to see you come home safely," she -answered. - -But this only vexed her sisters, who fancied she was blaming them for -having asked for such costly things. Her father, however, was pleased, -but as he thought that at her age she certainly ought to like pretty -presents, he told her to choose something. - -"Well, dear father," she said, "as you insist upon it, I beg that you -will bring me a rose. I have not seen one since we came here, and I love -them so much." - -So the merchant set out and reached the town as quickly as possible, but -only to find that his former companions, believing him to be dead, had -divided between them the goods which the ship had brought; and after -six months of trouble and expense he found himself as poor as when he -started, having been able to recover only just enough to pay the cost of -his journey. To make matters worse, he was obliged to leave the town -in the most terrible weather, so that by the time he was within a few -leagues of his home he was almost exhausted with cold and fatigue. -Though he knew it would take some hours to get through the forest, he -was so anxious to be at his journey's end that he resolved to go on; -but night overtook him, and the deep snow and bitter frost made it -impossible for his horse to carry him any further. Not a house was to -be seen; the only shelter he could get was the hollow trunk of a great -tree, and there he crouched all the night which seemed to him the -longest he had ever known. In spite of his weariness the howling of the -wolves kept him awake, and even when at last the day broke he was not -much better off, for the falling snow had covered up every path, and he -did not know which way to turn. - -At length he made out some sort of track, and though at the beginning it -was so rough and slippery that he fell down more than once, it presently -became easier, and led him into an avenue of trees which ended in a -splendid castle. It seemed to the merchant very strange that no snow -had fallen in the avenue, which was entirely composed of orange trees, -covered with flowers and fruit. When he reached the first court of the -castle he saw before him a flight of agate steps, and went up them, and -passed through several splendidly furnished rooms. The pleasant warmth -of the air revived him, and he felt very hungry; but there seemed to be -nobody in all this vast and splendid palace whom he could ask to give -him something to eat. Deep silence reigned everywhere, and at last, -tired of roaming through empty rooms and galleries, he stopped in a room -smaller than the rest, where a clear fire was burning and a couch was -drawn up closely to it. Thinking that this must be prepared for someone -who was expected, he sat down to wait till he should come, and very soon -fell into a sweet sleep. - -When his extreme hunger wakened him after several hours, he was still -alone; but a little table, upon which was a good dinner, had been drawn -up close to him, and, as he had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours, he -lost no time in beginning his meal, hoping that he might soon have an -opportunity of thanking his considerate entertainer, whoever it might -be. But no one appeared, and even after another long sleep, from which -he awoke completely refreshed, there was no sign of anybody, though a -fresh meal of dainty cakes and fruit was prepared upon the little table -at his elbow. Being naturally timid, the silence began to terrify him, -and he resolved to search once more through all the rooms; but it was of -no use. Not even a servant was to be seen; there was no sign of life in -the palace! He began to wonder what he should do, and to amuse -himself by pretending that all the treasures he saw were his own, and -considering how he would divide them among his children. Then he went -down into the garden, and though it was winter everywhere else, here the -sun shone, and the birds sang, and the flowers bloomed, and the air was -soft and sweet. The merchant, in ecstacies with all he saw and heard, -said to himself: - -"All this must be meant for me. I will go this minute and bring my -children to share all these delights." - -In spite of being so cold and weary when he reached the castle, he had -taken his horse to the stable and fed it. Now he thought he would saddle -it for his homeward journey, and he turned down the path which led to -the stable. This path had a hedge of roses on each side of it, and the -merchant thought he had never seen or smelt such exquisite flowers. -They reminded him of his promise to Beauty, and he stopped and had just -gathered one to take to her when he was startled by a strange noise -behind him. Turning round, he saw a frightful Beast, which seemed to be -very angry and said, in a terrible voice: - -"Who told you that you might gather my roses? Was it not enough that I -allowed you to be in my palace and was kind to you? This is the way you -show your gratitude, by stealing my flowers! But your insolence shall -not go unpunished." The merchant, terrified by these furious words, -dropped the fatal rose, and, throwing himself on his knees, cried: -"Pardon me, noble sir. I am truly grateful to you for your hospitality, -which was so magnificent that I could not imagine that you would be -offended by my taking such a little thing as a rose." But the Beast's -anger was not lessened by this speech. - -"You are very ready with excuses and flattery," he cried; "but that will -not save you from the death you deserve." - -"Alas!" thought the merchant, "if my daughter could only know what -danger her rose has brought me into!" - -And in despair he began to tell the Beast all his misfortunes, and the -reason of his journey, not forgetting to mention Beauty's request. - -"A king's ransom would hardly have procured all that my other daughters -asked." he said: "but I thought that I might at least take Beauty her -rose. I beg you to forgive me, for you see I meant no harm." - -The Beast considered for a moment, and then he said, in a less furious -tone: - -"I will forgive you on one condition--that is, that you will give me one -of your daughters." - -"Ah!" cried the merchant, "if I were cruel enough to buy my own life at -the expense of one of my children's, what excuse could I invent to bring -her here?" - -"No excuse would be necessary," answered the Beast. "If she comes at all -she must come willingly. On no other condition will I have her. See if -any one of them is courageous enough, and loves you well enough to come -and save your life. You seem to be an honest man, so I will trust you to -go home. I give you a month to see if either of your daughters will come -back with you and stay here, to let you go free. If neither of them is -willing, you must come alone, after bidding them good-by for ever, for -then you will belong to me. And do not imagine that you can hide from -me, for if you fail to keep your word I will come and fetch you!" added -the Beast grimly. - -The merchant accepted this proposal, though he did not really think any -of his daughters could be persuaded to come. He promised to return at -the time appointed, and then, anxious to escape from the presence of the -Beast, he asked permission to set off at once. But the Beast answered -that he could not go until next day. - -"Then you will find a horse ready for you," he said. "Now go and eat -your supper, and await my orders." - -The poor merchant, more dead than alive, went back to his room, where -the most delicious supper was already served on the little table which -was drawn up before a blazing fire. But he was too terrified to eat, and -only tasted a few of the dishes, for fear the Beast should be angry if -he did not obey his orders. When he had finished he heard a great noise -in the next room, which he knew meant that the Beast was coming. As he -could do nothing to escape his visit, the only thing that remained was -to seem as little afraid as possible; so when the Beast appeared and -asked roughly if he had supped well, the merchant answered humbly that -he had, thanks to his host's kindness. Then the Beast warned him to -remember their agreement, and to prepare his daughter exactly for what -she had to expect. - -"Do not get up to-morrow," he added, "until you see the sun and hear -a golden bell ring. Then you will find your breakfast waiting for you -here, and the horse you are to ride will be ready in the courtyard. He -will also bring you back again when you come with your daughter a month -hence. Farewell. Take a rose to Beauty, and remember your promise!" - -The merchant was only too glad when the Beast went away, and though he -could not sleep for sadness, he lay down until the sun rose. Then, after -a hasty breakfast, he went to gather Beauty's rose, and mounted his -horse, which carried him off so swiftly that in an instant he had lost -sight of the palace, and he was still wrapped in gloomy thoughts when it -stopped before the door of the cottage. - -His sons and daughters, who had been very uneasy at his long absence, -rushed to meet him, eager to know the result of his journey, which, -seeing him mounted upon a splendid horse and wrapped in a rich mantle, -they supposed to be favorable. He hid the truth from them at first, only -saying sadly to Beauty as he gave her the rose: - -"Here is what you asked me to bring you; you little know what it has -cost." - -But this excited their curiosity so greatly that presently he told -them his adventures from beginning to end, and then they were all very -unhappy. The girls lamented loudly over their lost hopes, and the sons -declared that their father should not return to this terrible castle, -and began to make plans for killing the Beast if it should come to fetch -him. But he reminded them that he had promised to go back. Then the -girls were very angry with Beauty, and said it was all her fault, and -that if she had asked for something sensible this would never have -happened, and complained bitterly that they should have to suffer for -her folly. - -Poor Beauty, much distressed, said to them: - -"I have, indeed, caused this misfortune, but I assure you I did it -innocently. Who could have guessed that to ask for a rose in the middle -of summer would cause so much misery? But as I did the mischief it is -only just that I should suffer for it. I will therefore go back with my -father to keep his promise." - -At first nobody would hear of this arrangement, and her father and -brothers, who loved her dearly, declared that nothing should make them -let her go; but Beauty was firm. As the time drew near she divided -all her little possessions between her sisters, and said good-by to -everything she loved, and when the fatal day came she encouraged and -cheered her father as they mounted together the horse which had brought -him back. It seemed to fly rather than gallop, but so smoothly that -Beauty was not frightened; indeed, she would have enjoyed the journey if -she had not feared what might happen to her at the end of it. Her father -still tried to persuade her to go back, but in vain. While they were -talking the night fell, and then, to their great surprise, wonderful -colored lights began to shine in all directions, and splendid fireworks -blazed out before them; all the forest was illuminated by them, and -even felt pleasantly warm, though it had been bitterly cold before. This -lasted until they reached the avenue of orange trees, where were statues -holding flaming torches, and when they got nearer to the palace they saw -that it was illuminated from the roof to the ground, and music sounded -softly from the courtyard. "The Beast must be very hungry," said Beauty, -trying to laugh, "if he makes all this rejoicing over the arrival of his -prey." - -But, in spite of her anxiety, she could not help admiring all the -wonderful things she saw. - -The horse stopped at the foot of the flight of steps leading to the -terrace, and when they had dismounted her father led her to the little -room he had been in before, where they found a splendid fire burning, -and the table daintily spread with a delicious supper. - -The merchant knew that this was meant for them, and Beauty, who was -rather less frightened now that she had passed through so many rooms and -seen nothing of the Beast, was quite willing to begin, for her long ride -had made her very hungry. But they had hardly finished their meal when -the noise of the Beast's footsteps was heard approaching, and Beauty -clung to her father in terror, which became all the greater when she saw -how frightened he was. But when the Beast really appeared, though -she trembled at the sight of him, she made a great effort to hide her -terror, and saluted him respectfully. - -This evidently pleased the Beast. After looking at her he said, in a -tone that might have struck terror into the boldest heart, though he did -not seem to be angry: - -"Good-evening, old man. Good-evening, Beauty." - -The merchant was too terrified to reply, but Beauty answered sweetly: -"Good-evening, Beast." - -"Have you come willingly?" asked the Beast. "Will you be content to stay -here when your father goes away?" - -Beauty answered bravely that she was quite prepared to stay. - -"I am pleased with you," said the Beast. "As you have come of your own -accord, you may stay. As for you, old man," he added, turning to the -merchant, "at sunrise to-morrow you will take your departure. When the -bell rings get up quickly and eat your breakfast, and you will find the -same horse waiting to take you home; but remember that you must never -expect to see my palace again." - -Then turning to Beauty, he said: - -"Take your father into the next room, and help him to choose everything -you think your brothers and sisters would like to have. You will find -two traveling-trunks there; fill them as full as you can. It is only -just that you should send them something very precious as a remembrance -of yourself." - -Then he went away, after saying, "Good-by, Beauty; good-by, old man"; -and though Beauty was beginning to think with great dismay of her -father's departure, she was afraid to disobey the Beast's orders; and -they went into the next room, which had shelves and cupboards all round -it. They were greatly surprised at the riches it contained. There were -splendid dresses fit for a queen, with all the ornaments that were to -be worn with them; and when Beauty opened the cupboards she was quite -dazzled by the gorgeous jewels that lay in heaps upon every shelf. After -choosing a vast quantity, which she divided between her sisters--for she -had made a heap of the wonderful dresses for each of them--she opened -the last chest, which was full of gold. - -"I think, father," she said, "that, as the gold will be more useful to -you, we had better take out the other things again, and fill the trunks -with it." So they did this; but the more they put in the more room there -seemed to be, and at last they put back all the jewels and dresses they -had taken out, and Beauty even added as many more of the jewels as she -could carry at once; and then the trunks were not too full, but they -were so heavy that an elephant could not have carried them! - -"The Beast was mocking us," cried the merchant; "he must have pretended -to give us all these things, knowing that I could not carry them away." - -"Let us wait and see," answered Beauty. "I cannot believe that he meant -to deceive us. All we can do is to fasten them up and leave them ready." - -So they did this and returned to the little room, where, to their -astonishment, they found breakfast ready. The merchant ate his with a -good appetite, as the Beast's generosity made him believe that he might -perhaps venture to come back soon and see Beauty. But she felt sure that -her father was leaving her for ever, so she was very sad when the bell -rang sharply for the second time, and warned them that the time had come -for them to part. They went down into the courtyard, where two horses -were waiting, one loaded with the two trunks, the other for him to -ride. They were pawing the ground in their impatience to start, and the -merchant was forced to bid Beauty a hasty farewell; and as soon as he -was mounted he went off at such a pace that she lost sight of him in an -instant. Then Beauty began to cry, and wandered sadly back to her -own room. But she soon found that she was very sleepy, and as she had -nothing better to do she lay down and instantly fell asleep. And then -she dreamed that she was walking by a brook bordered with trees, and -lamenting her sad fate, when a young prince, handsomer than anyone she -had ever seen, and with a voice that went straight to her heart, came -and said to her, "Ah, Beauty! you are not so unfortunate as you suppose. -Here you will be rewarded for all you have suffered elsewhere. Your -every wish shall be gratified. Only try to find me out, no matter how I -may be disguised, as I love you dearly, and in making me happy you will -find your own happiness. Be as true-hearted as you are beautiful, and we -shall have nothing left to wish for." - -"What can I do, Prince, to make you happy?" said Beauty. - -"Only be grateful," he answered, "and do not trust too much to your -eyes. And, above all, do not desert me until you have saved me from my -cruel misery." - -After this she thought she found herself in a room with a stately and -beautiful lady, who said to her: - -"Dear Beauty, try not to regret all you have left behind you, for you -are destined to a better fate. Only do not let yourself be deceived by -appearances." - -Beauty found her dreams so interesting that she was in no hurry to -awake, but presently the clock roused her by calling her name softly -twelve times, and then she got up and found her dressing-table set -out with everything she could possibly want; and when her toilet was -finished she found dinner was waiting in the room next to hers. But -dinner does not take very long when you are all by yourself, and very -soon she sat down cosily in the corner of a sofa, and began to think -about the charming Prince she had seen in her dream. - -"He said I could make him happy," said Beauty to herself. - -"It seems, then, that this horrible Beast keeps him a prisoner. How -can I set him free? I wonder why they both told me not to trust to -appearances? I don't understand it. But, after all, it was only a -dream, so why should I trouble myself about it? I had better go and find -something to do to amuse myself." - -So she got up and began to explore some of the many rooms of the palace. - -The first she entered was lined with mirrors, and Beauty saw herself -reflected on every side, and thought she had never seen such a charming -room. Then a bracelet which was hanging from a chandelier caught her -eye, and on taking it down she was greatly surprised to find that it -held a portrait of her unknown admirer, just as she had seen him in her -dream. With great delight she slipped the bracelet on her arm, and went -on into a gallery of pictures, where she soon found a portrait of the -same handsome Prince, as large as life, and so well painted that as she -studied it he seemed to smile kindly at her. Tearing herself away from -the portrait at last, she passed through into a room which contained -every musical instrument under the sun, and here she amused herself for -a long while in trying some of them, and singing until she was tired. -The next room was a library, and she saw everything she had ever wanted -to read, as well as everything she had read, and it seemed to her that a -whole lifetime would not be enough to even read the names of the books, -there were so many. By this time it was growing dusk, and wax candles -in diamond and ruby candlesticks were beginning to light themselves in -every room. - -Beauty found her supper served just at the time she preferred to have -it, but she did not see anyone or hear a sound, and, though her father -had warned her that she would be alone, she began to find it rather -dull. - -But presently she heard the Beast coming, and wondered tremblingly if he -meant to eat her up now. - -However, as he did not seem at all ferocious, and only said gruffly: - -"Good-evening, Beauty," she answered cheerfully and managed to conceal -her terror. Then the Beast asked her how she had been amusing herself, -and she told him all the rooms she had seen. - -Then he asked if she thought she could be happy in his palace; and -Beauty answered that everything was so beautiful that she would be very -hard to please if she could not be happy. And after about an hour's talk -Beauty began to think that the Beast was not nearly so terrible as she -had supposed at first. Then he got up to leave her, and said in his -gruff voice: - -"Do you love me, Beauty? Will you marry me?" - -"Oh! what shall I say?" cried Beauty, for she was afraid to make the -Beast angry by refusing. - -"Say 'yes' or 'no' without fear," he replied. - -"Oh! no, Beast," said Beauty hastily. - -"Since you will not, good-night, Beauty," he said. - -And she answered, "Good-night, Beast," very glad to find that her -refusal had not provoked him. And after he was gone she was very soon in -bed and asleep, and dreaming of her unknown Prince. She thought he came -and said to her: - -"Ah, Beauty! why are you so unkind to me? I fear I am fated to be -unhappy for many a long day still." - -And then her dreams changed, but the charming Prince figured in -them all; and when morning came her first thought was to look at the -portrait, and see if it was really like him, and she found that it -certainly was. - -This morning she decided to amuse herself in the garden, for the sun -shone, and all the fountains were playing; but she was astonished to -find that every place was familiar to her, and presently she came to the -brook where the myrtle trees were growing where she had first met the -Prince in her dream, and that made her think more than ever that he must -be kept a prisoner by the Beast. When she was tired she went back to -the palace, and found a new room full of materials for every kind of -work--ribbons to make into bows, and silks to work into flowers. Then -there was an aviary full of rare birds, which were so tame that they -flew to Beauty as soon as they saw her, and perched upon her shoulders -and her head. - -"Pretty little creatures," she said, "how I wish that your cage was -nearer to my room, that I might often hear you sing!" - -So saying she opened a door, and found, to her delight, that it led into -her own room, though she had thought it was quite the other side of the -palace. - -There were more birds in a room farther on, parrots and cockatoos that -could talk, and they greeted Beauty by name; indeed, she found them so -entertaining that she took one or two back to her room, and they talked -to her while she was at supper; after which the Beast paid her his usual -visit, and asked her the same questions as before, and then with a gruff -"good-night" he took his departure, and Beauty went to bed to dream of -her mysterious Prince. The days passed swiftly in different amusements, -and after a while Beauty found out another strange thing in the palace, -which often pleased her when she was tired of being alone. There was one -room which she had not noticed particularly; it was empty, except that -under each of the windows stood a very comfortable chair; and the first -time she had looked out of the window it had seemed to her that a black -curtain prevented her from seeing anything outside. But the second time -she went into the room, happening to be tired, she sat down in one of -the chairs, when instantly the curtain was rolled aside, and a most -amusing pantomime was acted before her; there were dances, and colored -lights, and music, and pretty dresses, and it was all so gay that Beauty -was in ecstacies. After that she tried the other seven windows in turn, -and there was some new and surprising entertainment to be seen from each -of them, so that Beauty never could feel lonely any more. Every evening -after supper the Beast came to see her, and always before saying -good-night asked her in his terrible voice: - -"Beauty, will you marry me?" - -And it seemed to Beauty, now she understood him better, that when she -said, "No, Beast," he went away quite sad. But her happy dreams of the -handsome young Prince soon made her forget the poor Beast, and the only -thing that at all disturbed her was to be constantly told to distrust -appearances, to let her heart guide her, and not her eyes, and many -other equally perplexing things, which, consider as she would, she could -not understand. - -So everything went on for a long time, until at last, happy as she was, -Beauty began to long for the sight of her father and her brothers and -sisters; and one night, seeing her look very sad, the Beast asked her -what was the matter. Beauty had quite ceased to be afraid of him. Now -she knew that he was really gentle in spite of his ferocious looks and -his dreadful voice. So she answered that she was longing to see her -home once more. Upon hearing this the Beast seemed sadly distressed, and -cried miserably. - -"Ah! Beauty, have you the heart to desert an unhappy Beast like this? -What more do you want to make you happy? Is it because you hate me that -you want to escape?" - -"No, dear Beast," answered Beauty softly, "I do not hate you, and I -should be very sorry never to see you any more, but I long to see my -father again. Only let me go for two months, and I promise to come back -to you and stay for the rest of my life." - -The Beast, who had been sighing dolefully while she spoke, now replied: - -"I cannot refuse you anything you ask, even though it should cost me my -life. Take the four boxes you will find in the room next to your own, -and fill them with everything you wish to take with you. But remember -your promise and come back when the two months are over, or you may have -cause to repent it, for if you do not come in good time you will find -your faithful Beast dead. You will not need any chariot to bring you -back. Only say good-by to all your brothers and sisters the night before -you come away, and when you have gone to bed turn this ring round upon -your finger and say firmly: 'I wish to go back to my palace and see my -Beast again.' Good-night, Beauty. Fear nothing, sleep peacefully, and -before long you shall see your father once more." - -As soon as Beauty was alone she hastened to fill the boxes with all the -rare and precious things she saw about her, and only when she was tired -of heaping things into them did they seem to be full. - -Then she went to bed, but could hardly sleep for joy. And when at last -she did begin to dream of her beloved Prince she was grieved to see him -stretched upon a grassy bank, sad and weary, and hardly like himself. - -"What is the matter?" she cried. - -He looked at her reproachfully, and said: - -"How can you ask me, cruel one? Are you not leaving me to my death -perhaps?" - -"Ah! don't be so sorrowful," cried Beauty; "I am only going to assure -my father that I am safe and happy. I have promised the Beast faithfully -that I will come back, and he would die of grief if I did not keep my -word!" - -"What would that matter to you?" said the Prince "Surely you would not -care?" - -"Indeed, I should be ungrateful if I did not care for such a kind -Beast," cried Beauty indignantly. "I would die to save him from pain. I -assure you it is not his fault that he is so ugly." - -Just then a strange sound woke her--someone was speaking not very far -away; and opening her eyes she found herself in a room she had never -seen before, which was certainly not nearly so splendid as those she -was used to in the Beast's palace. Where could she be? She got up and -dressed hastily, and then saw that the boxes she had packed the night -before were all in the room. While she was wondering by what magic -the Beast had transported them and herself to this strange place she -suddenly heard her father's voice, and rushed out and greeted -him joyfully. Her brothers and sisters were all astonished at her -appearance, as they had never expected to see her again, and there was -no end to the questions they asked her. She had also much to hear -about what had happened to them while she was away, and of her father's -journey home. But when they heard that she had only come to be with them -for a short time, and then must go back to the Beast's palace for ever, -they lamented loudly. Then Beauty asked her father what he thought could -be the meaning of her strange dreams, and why the Prince constantly -begged her not to trust to appearances. After much consideration, he -answered: "You tell me yourself that the Beast, frightful as he -is, loves you dearly, and deserves your love and gratitude for his -gentleness and kindness; I think the Prince must mean you to understand -that you ought to reward him by doing as he wishes you to, in spite of -his ugliness." - -Beauty could not help seeing that this seemed very probable; still, when -she thought of her dear Prince who was so handsome, she did not feel at -all inclined to marry the Beast. At any rate, for two months she need -not decide, but could enjoy herself with her sisters. But though they -were rich now, and lived in town again, and had plenty of acquaintances, -Beauty found that nothing amused her very much; and she often thought of -the palace, where she was so happy, especially as at home she never once -dreamed of her dear Prince, and she felt quite sad without him. - -Then her sisters seemed to have got quite used to being without her, and -even found her rather in the way, so she would not have been sorry when -the two months were over but for her father and brothers, who begged her -to stay, and seemed so grieved at the thought of her departure that she -had not the courage to say good-by to them. Every day when she got up -she meant to say it at night, and when night came she put it off again, -until at last she had a dismal dream which helped her to make up her -mind. She thought she was wandering in a lonely path in the palace -gardens, when she heard groans which seemed to come from some bushes -hiding the entrance of a cave, and running quickly to see what could be -the matter, she found the Beast stretched out upon his side, apparently -dying. He reproached her faintly with being the cause of his distress, -and at the same moment a stately lady appeared, and said very gravely: - -"Ah! Beauty, you are only just in time to save his life. See what -happens when people do not keep their promises! If you had delayed one -day more, you would have found him dead." - -Beauty was so terrified by this dream that the next morning she -announced her intention of going back at once, and that very night she -said good-by to her father and all her brothers and sisters, and as soon -as she was in bed she turned her ring round upon her finger, and said -firmly, "I wish to go back to my palace and see my Beast again," as she -had been told to do. - -Then she fell asleep instantly, and only woke up to hear the clock -saying "Beauty, Beauty" twelve times in its musical voice, which told -her at once that she was really in the palace once more. Everything -was just as before, and her birds were so glad to see her! But Beauty -thought she had never known such a long day, for she was so anxious to -see the Beast again that she felt as if suppertime would never come. - -But when it did come and no Beast appeared she was really frightened; -so, after listening and waiting for a long time, she ran down into the -garden to search for him. Up and down the paths and avenues ran poor -Beauty, calling him in vain, for no one answered, and not a trace of him -could she find; until at last, quite tired, she stopped for a minute's -rest, and saw that she was standing opposite the shady path she had seen -in her dream. She rushed down it, and, sure enough, there was the cave, -and in it lay the Beast--asleep, as Beauty thought. Quite glad to have -found him, she ran up and stroked his head, but, to her horror, he did -not move or open his eyes. - -"Oh! he is dead; and it is all my fault," said Beauty, crying bitterly. - -But then, looking at him again, she fancied he still breathed, and, -hastily fetching some water from the nearest fountain, she sprinkled it -over his face, and, to her great delight, he began to revive. - -"Oh! Beast, how you frightened me!" she cried. "I never knew how much -I loved you until just now, when I feared I was too late to save your -life." - -"Can you really love such an ugly creature as I am?" said the Beast -faintly. "Ah! Beauty, you only came just in time. I was dying because -I thought you had forgotten your promise. But go back now and rest, I -shall see you again by and by." - -Beauty, who had half expected that he would be angry with her, was -reassured by his gentle voice, and went back to the palace, where supper -was awaiting her; and afterward the Beast came in as usual, and talked -about the time she had spent with her father, asking if she had enjoyed -herself, and if they had all been very glad to see her. - -Beauty answered politely, and quite enjoyed telling him all that had -happened to her. And when at last the time came for him to go, and he -asked, as he had so often asked before, "Beauty, will you marry me?" - -She answered softly, "Yes, dear Beast." - -As she spoke a blaze of light sprang up before the windows of the -palace; fireworks crackled and guns banged, and across the avenue of -orange trees, in letters all made of fire-flies, was written: "Long live -the Prince and his Bride." - -Turning to ask the Beast what it could all mean, Beauty found that he -had disappeared, and in his place stood her long-loved Prince! At the -same moment the wheels of a chariot were heard upon the terrace, and two -ladies entered the room. One of them Beauty recognized as the stately -lady she had seen in her dreams; the other was also so grand and queenly -that Beauty hardly knew which to greet first. - -But the one she already knew said to her companion: - -"Well, Queen, this is Beauty, who has had the courage to rescue your -son from the terrible enchantment. They love one another, and only your -consent to their marriage is wanting to make them perfectly happy." - -"I consent with all my heart," cried the Queen. "How can I ever thank -you enough, charming girl, for having restored my dear son to his -natural form?" - -And then she tenderly embraced Beauty and the Prince, who had meanwhile -been greeting the Fairy and receiving her congratulations. - -"Now," said the Fairy to Beauty, "I suppose you would like me to send -for all your brothers and sisters to dance at your wedding?" - -And so she did, and the marriage was celebrated the very next day -with the utmost splendor, and Beauty and the Prince lived happily ever -after.(1) - - -(1) La Belle et la Bete. Par Madame de Villeneuve. - - - - -THE MASTER-MAID - - -Once upon a time there was a king who had many sons. I do not exactly -know how many there were, but the youngest of them could not stay -quietly at home, and was determined to go out into the world and try his -luck, and after a long time the King was forced to give him leave to go. -When he had traveled about for several days, he came to a giant's house, -and hired himself to the giant as a servant. In the morning the giant -had to go out to pasture his goats, and as he was leaving the house he -told the King's son that he must clean out the stable. "And after you -have done that," he said, "you need not do any more work to-day, for you -have come to a kind master, and that you shall find. But what I set you -to do must be done both well and thoroughly, and you must on no account -go into any of the rooms which lead out of the room in which you slept -last night. If you do, I will take your life." - -"Well to be sure, he is an easy master!" said the Prince to himself as -he walked up and down the room humming and singing, for he thought there -would be plenty of time left to clean out the stable; "but it would be -amusing to steal a glance into his other rooms as well," thought the -Prince, "for there must be something that he is afraid of my seeing, -as I am not allowed to enter them." So he went into the first room. -A cauldron was hanging from the walls; it was boiling, but the Prince -could see no fire under it. "I wonder what is inside it," he thought, -and dipped a lock of his hair in, and the hair became just as if it were -all made of copper. "That's a nice kind of soup. If anyone were to taste -that his throat would be gilded," said the youth, and then he went into -the next chamber. There, too, a cauldron was hanging from the wall, -bubbling and boiling, but there was no fire under this either. "I will -just try what this is like too," said the Prince, thrusting another lock -of his hair into it, and it came out silvered over. "Such costly soup is -not to be had in my father's palace," said the Prince; "but everything -depends on how it tastes," and then he went into the third room. There, -too, a cauldron was hanging from the wall, boiling, exactly the same -as in the two other rooms, and the Prince took pleasure in trying this -also, so he dipped a lock of hair in, and it came out so brightly gilded -that it shone again. "Some talk about going from bad to worse," said the -Prince; "but this is better and better. If he boils gold here, what can -he boil in there?" He was determined to see, and went through the door -into the fourth room. No cauldron was to be seen there, but on a bench -someone was seated who was like a king's daughter, but, whosoever she -was, she was so beautiful that never in the Prince's life had he seen -her equal. - -"Oh! in heaven's name what are you doing here?" said she who sat upon -the bench. - -"I took the place of servant here yesterday," said the Prince. - -"May you soon have a better place, if you have come to serve here!" said -she. - -"Oh, but I think I have got a kind master," said the Prince. "He has not -given me hard work to do to-day. When I have cleaned out the stable I -shall be done." - -"Yes, but how will you be able to do that?" she asked again. "If you -clean it out as other people do, ten pitchforksful will come in for -every one you throw out. But I will teach you how to do it; you must -turn your pitchfork upside down, and work with the handle, and then all -will fly out of its own accord." - -"Yes, I will attend to that," said the Prince, and stayed sitting where -he was the whole day, for it was soon settled between them that they -would marry each other, he and the King's daughter; so the first day of -his service with the giant did not seem long to him. But when evening -was drawing near she said that it would now be better for him to clean -out the stable before the giant came home. When he got there he had a -fancy to try if what she had said were true, so he began to work in the -same way that he had seen the stable-boys doing in his father's stables, -but he soon saw that he must give up that, for when he had worked a very -short time he had scarcely any room left to stand. So he did what the -Princess had taught him, turned the pitchfork round, and worked with the -handle, and in the twinkling of an eye the stable was as clean as if -it had been scoured. When he had done that, he went back again into the -room in which the giant had given him leave to stay, and there he walked -backward and forward on the floor, and began to hum and sing. - -Then came the giant home with the goats. "Have you cleaned the stable?" -asked the giant. - -"Yes, now it is clean and sweet, master," said the King's son. - -"I shall see about that," said the giant, and went round to the stable, -but it was just as the Prince had said. - -"You have certainly been talking to my Master-maid, for you never got -that out of your own head," said the giant. - -"Master-maid! What kind of a thing is that, master?" said the Prince, -making himself look as stupid as an ass; "I should like to see that." - -"Well, you will see her quite soon enough," said the giant. - -On the second morning the giant had again to go out with his goats, -so he told the Prince that on that day he was to fetch home his horse, -which was out on the mountain-side, and when he had done that he might -rest himself for the remainder of the day, "for you have come to a kind -master, and that you shall find," said the giant once more. "But do not -go into any of the rooms that I spoke of yesterday, or I will wring your -head off," said he, and then went away with his flock of goats. - -"Yes, indeed, you are a kind master," said the Prince; "but I will go -in and talk to the Master-maid again; perhaps before long she may like -better to be mine than yours." - -So he went to her. Then she asked him what he had to do that day. - -"Oh! not very dangerous work, I fancy," said the King's son. "I have -only to go up the mountain-side after his horse." - -"Well, how do you mean to set about it?" asked the Master-maid. - -"Oh! there is no great art in riding a horse home," said the King's son. -"I think I must have ridden friskier horses before now." - -"Yes, but it is not so easy a thing as you think to ride the horse -home," said the Master-maid; "but I will teach you what to do. When you -go near it, fire will burst out of its nostrils like flames from a pine -torch; but be very careful, and take the bridle which is hanging by the -door there, and fling the bit straight into his jaws, and then it will -become so tame that you will be able to do what you like with it." He -said he would bear this in mind, and then he again sat in there the -whole day by the Master-maid, and they chatted and talked of one thing -and another, but the first thing and the last now was, how happy and -delightful it would be if they could but marry each other, and get -safely away from the giant; and the Prince would have forgotten both the -mountain-side and the horse if the Master-maid had not reminded him of -them as evening drew near, and said that now it would be better if he -went to fetch the horse before the giant came. So he did this, and -took the bridle which was hanging on a crook, and strode up the -mountain-side, and it was not long before he met with the horse, and -fire and red flames streamed forth out of its nostrils. But the youth -carefully watched his opportunity, and just as it was rushing at him -with open jaws he threw the bit straight into its mouth, and the horse -stood as quiet as a young lamb, and there was no difficulty at all in -getting it home to the stable. Then the Prince went back into his room -again, and began to hum and to sing. - -Toward evening the giant came home. "Have you fetched the horse back -from the mountain-side?" he asked. - -"That I have, master; it was an amusing horse to ride, but I rode him -straight home, and put him in the stable too," said the Prince. - -"I will see about that," said the giant, and went out to the stable, -but the horse was standing there just as the Prince had said. "You have -certainly been talking with my Master-maid, for you never got that out -of your own head," said the giant again. - -"Yesterday, master, you talked about this Master-maid, and to-day you -are talking about her; ah, heaven bless you, master, why will you not -show me the thing? for it would be a real pleasure to me to see it," -said the Prince, who again pretended to be silly and stupid. - -"Oh! you will see her quite soon enough," said the giant. - -On the morning of the third day the giant again had to go into the wood -with the goats. "To-day you must go underground and fetch my taxes," -he said to the Prince. "When you have done this, you may rest for the -remainder of the day, for you shall see what an easy master you have -come to," and then he went away. - -"Well, however easy a master you may be, you set me very hard work -to do," thought the Prince; "but I will see if I cannot find your -Master-maid; you say she is yours, but for all that she may be able -to tell me what to do now," and he went back to her. So, when the -Master-maid asked him what the giant had set him to do that day, he told -her that he was to go underground and get the taxes. - -"And how will you set about that?" said the Master-maid. - -"Oh! you must tell me how to do it," said the Prince, "for I have never -yet been underground, and even if I knew the way I do not know how much -I am to demand." - -"Oh! yes, I will soon tell you that; you must go to the rock there under -the mountain-ridge, and take the club that is there, and knock on the -rocky wall," said the Master-maid. "Then someone will come out who will -sparkle with fire; you shall tell him your errand, and when he asks you -how much you want to have you are to say: 'As much as I can carry.'" - -"Yes, I will keep that in mind," said he, and then he sat there with the -Master-maid the whole day, until night drew near, and he would gladly -have stayed there till now if the Master-maid had not reminded him that -it was time to be off to fetch the taxes before the giant came. - -So he set out on his way, and did exactly what the Master-maid had told -him. He went to the rocky wall, and took the club, and knocked on it. -Then came one so full of sparks that they flew both out of his eyes and -his nose. "What do you want?" said he. - -"I was to come here for the giant, and demand the tax for him," said the -King's son. - -"How much are you to have then?" said the other. - -"I ask for no more than I am able to carry with me," said the Prince. - -"It is well for you that you have not asked for a horse-load," said he -who had come out of the rock. "But now come in with me." - -This the Prince did, and what a quantity of gold and silver he saw! It -was lying inside the mountain like heaps of stones in a waste place, and -he got a load that was as large as he was able to carry, and with that -he went his way. So in the evening, when the giant came home with the -goats, the Prince went into the chamber and hummed and sang again as he -had done on the other two evenings. - -"Have you been for the tax?" said the giant. - -"Yes, that I have, master," said the Prince. - -"Where have you put it then?" said the giant again. - -"The bag of gold is standing there on the bench," said the Prince. - -"I will see about that," said the giant, and went away to the bench, -but the bag was standing there, and it was so full that gold and silver -dropped out when the giant untied the string. - -"You have certainly been talking with my Master-maid!" said the giant, -"and if you have I will wring your neck." - -"Master-maid?" said the Prince; "yesterday my master talked about this -Master-maid, and to-day he is talking about her again, and the first -day of all it was talk of the same kind. I do wish I could see the thing -myself," said he. - -"Yes, yes, wait till to-morrow," said the giant, "and then I myself will -take you to her." - -"Ah! master, I thank you--but you are only mocking me," said the King's -son. - -Next day the giant took him to the Master-maid. "Now you shall kill him, -and boil him in the great big cauldron you know of, and when you have -got the broth ready give me a call," said the giant; then he lay down -on the bench to sleep, and almost immediately began to snore so that it -sounded like thunder among the hills. - -So the Master-maid took a knife, and cut the Prince's little finger, and -dropped three drops of blood upon a wooden stool; then she took all the -old rags, and shoe-soles, and all the rubbish she could lay hands on, -and put them in the cauldron; and then she filled a chest with gold -dust, and a lump of salt, and a water-flask which was hanging by the -door, and she also took with her a golden apple, and two gold chickens; -and then she and the Prince went away with all the speed they could, -and when they had gone a little way they came to the sea, and then -they sailed, but where they got the ship from I have never been able to -learn. - -Now, when the giant had slept a good long time, he began to stretch -himself on the bench on which he was lying. "Will it soon boil?" said -he. - -"It is just beginning," said the first drop of blood on the stool. - -So the giant lay down to sleep again, and slept for a long, long time. -Then he began to move about a little again. "Will it soon be ready now?" -said he, but he did not look up this time any more than he had done the -first time, for he was still half asleep. - -"Half done!" said the second drop of blood, and the giant believed it -was the Master-maid again, and turned himself on the bench, and lay down -to sleep once more. When he had slept again for many hours, he began to -move and stretch himself. "Is it not done yet?" said he. - -"It is quite ready," said the third drop of blood. Then the giant began -to sit up and rub his eyes, but he could not see who it was who had -spoken to him, so he asked for the Master-maid, and called her. But -there was no one to give him an answer. - -"Ah! well, she has just stolen out for a little," thought the giant, and -he took a spoon, and went off to the cauldron to have a taste; but there -was nothing in it but shoe-soles, and rags, and such trumpery as that, -and all was boiled up together, so that he could not tell whether it -was porridge or milk pottage. When he saw this, he understood what had -happened, and fell into such a rage that he hardly knew what he was -doing. Away he went after the Prince and the Master-maid so fast that -the wind whistled behind him, and it was not long before he came to the -water, but he could not get over it. "Well, well, I will soon find a -cure for that; I have only to call my river-sucker," said the giant, and -he did call him. So his river-sucker came and lay down, and drank one, -two, three draughts, and with that the water in the sea fell so low that -the giant saw the Master-maid and the Prince out on the sea in their -ship. "Now you must throw out the lump of salt," said the Master-maid, -and the Prince did so, and it grew up into such a great high mountain -right across the sea that the giant could not come over it, and the -river-sucker could not drink any more water. "Well, well, I will soon -find a cure for that," said the giant, so he called to his hill-borer -to come and bore through the mountain so that the river-sucker might be -able to drink up the water again. But just as the hole was made, and the -river-sucker was beginning to drink, the Master-maid told the Prince to -throw one or two drops out of the flask, and when he did this the sea -instantly became full of water again, and before the river-sucker -could take one drink they reached the land and were in safety. So they -determined to go home to the Prince's father, but the Prince would on no -account permit the Master-maid to walk there, for he thought that it was -unbecoming either for her or for him to go on foot. - -"Wait here the least little bit of time, while I go home for the seven -horses which stand in my father's stable," said he; "it is not far off, -and I shall not be long away, but I will not let my betrothed bride go -on foot to the palace." - -"Oh! no, do not go, for if you go home to the King's palace you will -forget me, I foresee that." - -"How could I forget you? We have suffered so much evil together, and -love each other so much," said the Prince; and he insisted on going home -for the coach with the seven horses, and she was to wait for him there, -by the sea-shore. So at last the Master-maid had to yield, for he was -so absolutely determined to do it. "But when you get there you must -not even give yourself time to greet anyone, but go straight into the -stable, and take the horses, and put them in the coach, and drive back -as quickly as you can. For they will all come round about you; but you -must behave just as if you did not see them, and on no account must you -taste anything, for if you do it will cause great misery both to you and -to me," said she; and this he promised. - -But when he got home to the King's palace one of his brothers was just -going to be married, and the bride and all her kith and kin had come -to the palace; so they all thronged round him, and questioned him about -this and that, and wanted him to go in with them; but he behaved as if -he did not see them, and went straight to the stable, and got out the -horses and began to harness them. When they saw that they could not by -any means prevail on him to go in with them, they came out to him with -meat and drink, and the best of everything that they had prepared for -the wedding; but the Prince refused to touch anything, and would do -nothing but put the horses in as quickly as he could. At last, however, -the bride's sister rolled an apple across the yard to him, and said: "As -you won't eat anything else, you may like to take a bite of that, for -you must be both hungry and thirsty after your long journey." And he -took up the apple and bit a piece out of it. But no sooner had he got -the piece of apple in his mouth than he forgot the Master-maid and that -he was to go back in the coach to fetch her. - -"I think I must be mad! what do I want with this coach and horses?" said -he; and then he put the horses back into the stable, and went into the -King's palace, and there it was settled that he should marry the bride's -sister, who had rolled the apple to him. - -The Master-maid sat by the sea-shore for a long, long time, waiting -for the Prince, but no Prince came. So she went away, and when she had -walked a short distance she came to a little hut which stood all alone -in a small wood, hard by the King's palace. She entered it and asked if -she might be allowed to stay there. The hut belonged to an old crone, -who was also an ill-tempered and malicious troll. At first she would not -let the Master-maid remain with her; but at last, after a long time, by -means of good words and good payment, she obtained leave. But the hut -was as dirty and black inside as a pigsty, so the Master-maid said that -she would smarten it up a little, that it might look a little more like -what other people's houses looked inside. The old crone did not like -this either. She scowled, and was very cross, but the Master-maid did -not trouble herself about that. She took out her chest of gold, and -flung a handful of it or so into the fire, and the gold boiled up and -poured out over the whole of the hut, until every part of it both inside -and out was gilded. But when the gold began to bubble up the old hag -grew so terrified that she fled as if the Evil One himself were pursuing -her, and she did not remember to stoop down as she went through the -doorway, and so she split her head and died. Next morning the sheriff -came traveling by there. He was greatly astonished when he saw the gold -hut shining and glittering there in the copse, and he was still more -astonished when he went in and caught sight of the beautiful young -maiden who was sitting there; he fell in love with her at once, and -straightway on the spot he begged her, both prettily and kindly, to -marry him. - -"Well, but have you a great deal of money?" said the Master-maid. - -"Oh! yes; so far as that is concerned, I am not ill off," said the -sheriff. So now he had to go home to get the money, and in the evening -he came back, bringing with him a bag with two bushels in it, which he -set down on the bench. Well, as he had such a fine lot of money, the -Master-maid said she would have him, so they sat down to talk. - -But scarcely had they sat down together before the Master-maid wanted to -jump up again. "I have forgotten to see to the fire," she said. - -"Why should you jump up to do that?" said the sheriff; "I will do that!" -So he jumped up, and went to the chimney in one bound. - -"Just tell me when you have got hold of the shovel," said the -Master-maid. - -"Well, I have hold of it now," said the sheriff. - -"Then you may hold the shovel, and the shovel you, and pour red-hot -coals over you, till day dawns," said the Master-maid. So the sheriff -had to stand there the whole night and pour red-hot coals over himself, -and, no matter how much he cried and begged and entreated, the red-hot -coals did not grow the colder for that. When the day began to dawn, and -he had power to throw down the shovel, he did not stay long where he -was, but ran away as fast as he possibly could; and everyone who met him -stared and looked after him, for he was flying as if he were mad, and he -could not have looked worse if he had been both flayed and tanned, and -everyone wondered where he had been, but for very shame he would tell -nothing. - -The next day the attorney came riding by the place where the Master-maid -dwelt. He saw how brightly the hut shone and gleamed through the wood, -and he too went into it to see who lived there, and when he entered and -saw the beautiful young maiden he fell even more in love with her than -the sheriff had done, and began to woo her at once. So the Master-maid -asked him, as she had asked the sheriff, if he had a great deal of -money, and the attorney said he was not ill off for that, and would at -once go home to get it; and at night he came with a great big sack of -money--this time it was a four-bushel sack--and set it on the bench by -the Master-maid. So she promised to have him, and he sat down on the -bench by her to arrange about it, but suddenly she said that she had -forgotten to lock the door of the porch that night, and must do it. - -"Why should you do that?" said the attorney; "sit still, I will do it." - -So he was on his feet in a moment, and out in the porch. - -"Tell me when you have got hold of the door-latch," said the -Master-maid. - -"I have hold of it now," cried the attorney. - -"Then you may hold the door, and the door you, and may you go between -wall and wall till day dawns." - -What a dance the attorney had that night! He had never had such a waltz -before, and he never wished to have such a dance again. Sometimes he was -in front of the door, and sometimes the door was in front of him, and -it went from one side of the porch to the other, till the attorney was -well-nigh beaten to death. At first he began to abuse the Master-maid, -and then to beg and pray, but the door did not care for anything but -keeping him where he was till break of day. - -As soon as the door let go its hold of him, off went the attorney. He -forgot who ought to be paid off for what he had suffered, he forgot -both his sack of money and his wooing, for he was so afraid lest the -house-door should come dancing after him. Everyone who met him stared -and looked after him, for he was flying like a madman, and he could not -have looked worse if a herd of rams had been butting at him all night -long. - -On the third day the bailiff came by, and he too saw the gold house -in the little wood, and he too felt that he must go and see who lived -there; and when he caught sight of the Master-maid he became so much in -love with her that he wooed her almost before he greeted her. - -The Master-maid answered him as she had answered the other two, that -if he had a great deal of money, she would have him. "So far as that is -concerned, I am not ill off," said the bailiff; so he was at once told -to go home and fetch it, and this he did. At night he came back, and he -had a still larger sack of money with him than the attorney had brought; -it must have been at least six bushels, and he set it down on the bench. -So it was settled that he was to have the Master-maid. But hardly had -they sat down together before she said that she had forgotten to bring -in the calf, and must go out to put it in the byre. - -"No, indeed, you shall not do that," said the bailiff; "I am the one to -do that." And, big and fat as he was, he went out as briskly as a boy. - -"Tell me when you have got hold of the calf's tail," said the -Master-maid. - -"I have hold of it now," cried the bailiff. - -"Then may you hold the calf's tail, and the calf's tail hold you, -and may you go round the world together till day dawns!" said the -Master-maid. So the bailiff had to bestir himself, for the calf went -over rough and smooth, over hill and dale, and, the more the bailiff -cried and screamed, the faster the calf went. When daylight began to -appear, the bailiff was half dead; and so glad was he to leave loose -of the calf's tail, that he forgot the sack of money and all else. He -walked now slowly--more slowly than the sheriff and the attorney had -done, but, the slower he went, the more time had everyone to stare and -look at him; and they used it too, and no one can imagine how tired out -and ragged he looked after his dance with the calf. - -On the following day the wedding was to take place in the King's palace, -and the elder brother was to drive to church with his bride, and the -brother who had been with the giant with her sister. But when they had -seated themselves in the coach and were about to drive off from the -palace one of the trace-pins broke, and, though they made one, two, and -three to put in its place, that did not help them, for each broke in -turn, no matter what kind of wood they used to make them of. This went -on for a long time, and they could not get away from the palace, so they -were all in great trouble. Then the sheriff said (for he too had been -bidden to the wedding at Court): "Yonder away in the thicket dwells a -maiden, and if you can get her to lend you the handle of the shovel that -she uses to make up her fire I know very well that it will hold fast." -So they sent off a messenger to the thicket, and begged so prettily that -they might have the loan of her shovel-handle of which the sheriff had -spoken that they were not refused; so now they had a trace-pin which -would not snap in two. - -But all at once, just as they were starting, the bottom of the coach -fell in pieces. They made a new bottom as fast as they could, but, no -matter how they nailed it together, or what kind of wood they used, -no sooner had they got the new bottom into the coach and were about to -drive off than it broke again, so that they were still worse off than -when they had broken the trace-pin. Then the attorney said, for he too -was at the wedding in the palace: "Away there in the thicket dwells -a maiden, and if you could but get her to lend you one-half of her -porch-door I am certain that it will hold together." So they again sent -a messenger to the thicket, and begged so prettily for the loan of the -gilded porch-door of which the attorney had told them that they got it -at once. They were just setting out again, but now the horses were not -able to draw the coach. They had six horses already, and now they put in -eight, and then ten, and then twelve, but the more they put in, and -the more the coachman whipped them, the less good it did; and the coach -never stirred from the spot. It was already beginning to be late in the -day, and to church they must and would go, so everyone who was in the -palace was in a state of distress. Then the bailiff spoke up and said: -"Out there in the gilded cottage in the thicket dwells a girl, and if -you could but get her to lend you her calf I know it could draw the -coach, even if it were as heavy as a mountain." They all thought that -it was ridiculous to be drawn to church by a calf, but there was nothing -else for it but to send a messenger once more, and beg as prettily as -they could, on behalf of the King, that she would let them have the loan -of the calf that the bailiff had told them about. The Master-maid let -them have it immediately--this time also she would not say "no." - -Then they harnessed the calf to see if the coach would move; and away -it went, over rough and smooth, over stock and stone, so that they could -scarcely breathe, and sometimes they were on the ground, and sometimes -up in the air; and when they came to the church the coach began to -go round and round like a spinning-wheel, and it was with the utmost -difficulty and danger that they were able to get out of the coach and -into the church. And when they went back again the coach went quicker -still, so that most of them did not know how they got back to the palace -at all. - -When they had seated themselves at the table the Prince who had been in -service with the giant said that he thought they ought to have invited -the maiden who had lent them the shovel-handle, and the porch-door, -and the calf up to the palace, "for," said he, "if we had not got these -three things, we should never have got away from the palace." - -The King also thought that this was both just and proper, so he sent -five of his best men down to the gilded hut, to greet the maiden -courteously from the King, and to beg her to be so good as to come up to -the palace to dinner at mid-day. - -"Greet the King, and tell him that, if he is too good to come to me, I -am too good to come to him," replied the Master-maid. - -So the King had to go himself, and the Master-maid went with him -immediately, and, as the King believed that she was more than she -appeared to be, he seated her in the place of honor by the youngest -bridegroom. When they had sat at the table for a short time, the -Master-maid took out the cock, and the hen, and the golden apple which -she had brought away with her from the giant's house, and set them on -the table in front of her, and instantly the cock and the hen began to -fight with each other for the golden apple. - -"Oh! look how those two there are fighting for the golden apple," said -the King's son. - -"Yes, and so did we two fight to get out that time when we were in the -mountain," said the Master-maid. - -So the Prince knew her again, and you may imagine how delighted he was. -He ordered the troll-witch who had rolled the apple to him to be torn -in pieces between four-and-twenty horses, so that not a bit of her was -left, and then for the first time they began really to keep the wedding, -and, weary as they were, the sheriff, the attorney, and the bailiff kept -it up too.(1) - - -(1) Asbjornsen and Moe. - - - - -WHY THE SEA IS SALT - - -Once upon a time, long, long ago, there were two brothers, the one rich -and the other poor. When Christmas Eve came, the poor one had not a bite -in the house, either of meat or bread; so he went to his brother, and -begged him, in God's name, to give him something for Christmas Day. It -was by no means the first time that the brother had been forced to give -something to him, and he was not better pleased at being asked now than -he generally was. - -"If you will do what I ask you, you shall have a whole ham," said he. -The poor one immediately thanked him, and promised this. - -"Well, here is the ham, and now you must go straight to Dead Man's -Hall," said the rich brother, throwing the ham to him. - -"Well, I will do what I have promised," said the other, and he took -the ham and set off. He went on and on for the livelong day, and at -nightfall he came to a place where there was a bright light. - -"I have no doubt this is the place," thought the man with the ham. - -An old man with a long white beard was standing in the outhouse, -chopping Yule logs. - -"Good-evening," said the man with the ham. - -"Good-evening to you. Where are you going at this late hour?" said the -man. - -"I am going to Dead Man's Hall, if only I am on the right track," -answered the poor man. - -"Oh! yes, you are right enough, for it is here," said the old man. "When -you get inside they will all want to buy your ham, for they don't get -much meat to eat there; but you must not sell it unless you can get the -hand-mill which stands behind the door for it. When you come out again -I will teach you how to stop the hand-mill, which is useful for almost -everything." - -So the man with the ham thanked the other for his good advice, and -rapped at the door. - -When he got in, everything happened just as the old man had said it -would: all the people, great and small, came round him like ants on an -ant-hill, and each tried to outbid the other for the ham. - -"By rights my old woman and I ought to have it for our Christmas dinner, -but, since you have set your hearts upon it, I must just give it up to -you," said the man. "But, if I sell it, I will have the hand-mill which -is standing there behind the door." - -At first they would not hear of this, and haggled and bargained with -the man, but he stuck to what he had said, and the people were forced -to give him the hand-mill. When the man came out again into the yard, he -asked the old wood-cutter how he was to stop the hand-mill, and when he -had learned that, he thanked him and set off home with all the speed he -could, but did not get there until after the clock had struck twelve on -Christmas Eve. - -"Where in the world have you been?" said the old woman. "Here I have sat -waiting hour after hour, and have not even two sticks to lay across each -other under the Christmas porridge-pot." - -"Oh! I could not come before; I had something of importance to see -about, and a long way to go, too; but now you shall just see!" said the -man, and then he set the hand-mill on the table, and bade it first grind -light, then a table-cloth, and then meat, and beer, and everything else -that was good for a Christmas Eve's supper; and the mill ground all that -he ordered. "Bless me!" said the old woman as one thing after another -appeared; and she wanted to know where her husband had got the mill -from, but he would not tell her that. - -"Never mind where I got it; you can see that it is a good one, and the -water that turns it will never freeze," said the man. So he ground meat -and drink, and all kinds of good things, to last all Christmas-tide, and -on the third day he invited all his friends to come to a feast. - -Now when the rich brother saw all that there was at the banquet and in -the house, he was both vexed and angry, for he grudged everything his -brother had. "On Christmas Eve he was so poor that he came to me and -begged for a trifle, for God's sake, and now he gives a feast as if he -were both a count and a king!" thought he. "But, for heaven's sake, tell -me where you got your riches from," said he to his brother. - -"From behind the door," said he who owned the mill, for he did not -choose to satisfy his brother on that point; but later in the evening, -when he had taken a drop too much, he could not refrain from telling how -he had come by the hand-mill. "There you see what has brought me all my -wealth!" said he, and brought out the mill, and made it grind first one -thing and then another. When the brother saw that, he insisted on having -the mill, and after a great deal of persuasion got it; but he had to -give three hundred dollars for it, and the poor brother was to keep it -till the haymaking was over, for he thought: "If I keep it as long as -that, I can make it grind meat and drink that will last many a long -year." During that time you may imagine that the mill did not grow -rusty, and when hay-harvest came the rich brother got it, but the other -had taken good care not to teach him how to stop it. It was evening when -the rich man got the mill home, and in the morning he bade the old woman -go out and spread the hay after the mowers, and he would attend to the -house himself that day, he said. - -So, when dinner-time drew near, he set the mill on the kitchen-table, -and said: "Grind herrings and milk pottage, and do it both quickly and -well." - -So the mill began to grind herrings and milk pottage, and first all -the dishes and tubs were filled, and then it came out all over the -kitchen-floor. The man twisted and turned it, and did all he could to -make the mill stop, but, howsoever he turned it and screwed it, the mill -went on grinding, and in a short time the pottage rose so high that the -man was like to be drowned. So he threw open the parlor door, but it was -not long before the mill had ground the parlor full too, and it was -with difficulty and danger that the man could go through the stream of -pottage and get hold of the door-latch. When he got the door open, he -did not stay long in the room, but ran out, and the herrings and pottage -came after him, and it streamed out over both farm and field. Now the -old woman, who was out spreading the hay, began to think dinner was long -in coming, and said to the women and the mowers: "Though the master does -not call us home, we may as well go. It may be that he finds he is not -good at making pottage and I should do well to help him." So they began -to straggle homeward, but when they had got a little way up the hill -they met the herrings and pottage and bread, all pouring forth and -winding about one over the other, and the man himself in front of the -flood. "Would to heaven that each of you had a hundred stomachs! Take -care that you are not drowned in the pottage!" he cried as he went by -them as if Mischief were at his heels, down to where his brother dwelt. -Then he begged him, for God's sake, to take the mill back again, and -that in an instant, for, said he: "If it grind one hour more the whole -district will be destroyed by herrings and pottage." But the brother -would not take it until the other paid him three hundred dollars, and -that he was obliged to do. Now the poor brother had both the money and -the mill again. So it was not long before he had a farmhouse much finer -than that in which his brother lived, but the mill ground him so much -money that he covered it with plates of gold; and the farmhouse lay -close by the sea-shore, so it shone and glittered far out to sea. -Everyone who sailed by there now had to be put in to visit the rich man -in the gold farmhouse, and everyone wanted to see the wonderful mill, -for the report of it spread far and wide, and there was no one who had -not heard tell of it. - -After a long, long time came also a skipper who wished to see the mill. -He asked if it could make salt. "Yes, it could make salt," said he who -owned it, and when the skipper heard that, he wished with all his might -and main to have the mill, let it cost what it might, for, he thought, -if he had it, he would get off having to sail far away over the perilous -sea for freights of salt. At first the man would not hear of parting -with it, but the skipper begged and prayed, and at last the man sold it -to him, and got many, many thousand dollars for it. When the skipper -had got the mill on his back he did not stay there long, for he was so -afraid that the man would change his mind, and he had no time to ask -how he was to stop it grinding, but got on board his ship as fast as he -could. - -When he had gone a little way out to sea he took the mill on deck. -"Grind salt, and grind both quickly and well," said the skipper. So the -mill began to grind salt, till it spouted out like water, and when -the skipper had got the ship filled he wanted to stop the mill, but -whichsoever way he turned it, and how much soever he tried, it went on -grinding, and the heap of salt grew higher and higher, until at last the -ship sank. There lies the mill at the bottom of the sea, and still, day -by day, it grinds on; and that is why the sea is salt.(1) - - -(1) Asbjornsen and Moe. - - - - -THE MASTER CAT; OR, PUSS IN BOOTS - - -There was a miller who left no more estate to the three sons he had than -his mill, his ass, and his cat. The partition was soon made. Neither -scrivener nor attorney was sent for. They would soon have eaten up all -the poor patrimony. The eldest had the mill, the second the ass, and -the youngest nothing but the cat. The poor young fellow was quite -comfortless at having so poor a lot. - -"My brothers," said he, "may get their living handsomely enough by -joining their stocks together; but for my part, when I have eaten up my -cat, and made me a muff of his skin, I must die of hunger." - -The Cat, who heard all this, but made as if he did not, said to him with -a grave and serious air: - -"Do not thus afflict yourself, my good master. You have nothing else to -do but to give me a bag and get a pair of boots made for me that I may -scamper through the dirt and the brambles, and you shall see that you -have not so bad a portion in me as you imagine." - -The Cat's master did not build very much upon what he said. He had often -seen him play a great many cunning tricks to catch rats and mice, as -when he used to hang by the heels, or hide himself in the meal, and -make as if he were dead; so that he did not altogether despair of his -affording him some help in his miserable condition. When the Cat had -what he asked for he booted himself very gallantly, and putting his bag -about his neck, he held the strings of it in his two forepaws and went -into a warren where was great abundance of rabbits. He put bran and -sow-thistle into his bag, and stretching out at length, as if he had -been dead, he waited for some young rabbits, not yet acquainted with the -deceits of the world, to come and rummage his bag for what he had put -into it. - -Scarce was he lain down but he had what he wanted. A rash and foolish -young rabbit jumped into his bag, and Monsieur Puss, immediately drawing -close the strings, took and killed him without pity. Proud of his prey, -he went with it to the palace and asked to speak with his majesty. -He was shown upstairs into the King's apartment, and, making a low -reverence, said to him: - -"I have brought you, sir, a rabbit of the warren, which my noble lord -the Marquis of Carabas" (for that was the title which puss was pleased -to give his master) "has commanded me to present to your majesty from -him." - -"Tell thy master," said the king, "that I thank him and that he does me -a great deal of pleasure." - -Another time he went and hid himself among some standing corn, holding -still his bag open, and when a brace of partridges ran into it he drew -the strings and so caught them both. He went and made a present of these -to the king, as he had done before of the rabbit which he took in the -warren. The king, in like manner, received the partridges with great -pleasure, and ordered him some money for drink. - -The Cat continued for two or three months thus to carry his Majesty, -from time to time, game of his master's taking. One day in particular, -when he knew for certain that he was to take the air along the -river-side, with his daughter, the most beautiful princess in the world, -he said to his master: - -"If you will follow my advice your fortune is made. You have nothing -else to do but go and wash yourself in the river, in that part I shall -show you, and leave the rest to me." - -The Marquis of Carabas did what the Cat advised him to, without knowing -why or wherefore. While he was washing the King passed by, and the Cat -began to cry out: - -"Help! help! My Lord Marquis of Carabas is going to be drowned." - -At this noise the King put his head out of the coach-window, and, -finding it was the Cat who had so often brought him such good game, -he commanded his guards to run immediately to the assistance of his -Lordship the Marquis of Carabas. While they were drawing the poor -Marquis out of the river, the Cat came up to the coach and told the King -that, while his master was washing, there came by some rogues, who -went off with his clothes, though he had cried out: "Thieves! thieves!" -several times, as loud as he could. - -This cunning Cat had hidden them under a great stone. The King -immediately commanded the officers of his wardrobe to run and fetch one -of his best suits for the Lord Marquis of Carabas. - -The King caressed him after a very extraordinary manner, and as the fine -clothes he had given him extremely set off his good mien (for he was -well made and very handsome in his person), the King's daughter took a -secret inclination to him, and the Marquis of Carabas had no sooner cast -two or three respectful and somewhat tender glances but she fell in love -with him to distraction. The King would needs have him come into the -coach and take part of the airing. The Cat, quite overjoyed to see his -project begin to succeed, marched on before, and, meeting with some -countrymen, who were mowing a meadow, he said to them: - -"Good people, you who are mowing, if you do not tell the King that -the meadow you mow belongs to my Lord Marquis of Carabas, you shall be -chopped as small as herbs for the pot." - -The King did not fail asking of the mowers to whom the meadow they were -mowing belonged. - -"To my Lord Marquis of Carabas," answered they altogether, for the Cat's -threats had made them terribly afraid. - -"You see, sir," said the Marquis, "this is a meadow which never fails to -yield a plentiful harvest every year." - -The Master Cat, who went still on before, met with some reapers, and -said to them: - -"Good people, you who are reaping, if you do not tell the King that all -this corn belongs to the Marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped as -small as herbs for the pot." - -The King, who passed by a moment after, would needs know to whom all -that corn, which he then saw, did belong. - -"To my Lord Marquis of Carabas," replied the reapers, and the King was -very well pleased with it, as well as the Marquis, whom he congratulated -thereupon. The Master Cat, who went always before, said the same words -to all he met, and the King was astonished at the vast estates of my -Lord Marquis of Carabas. - -Monsieur Puss came at last to a stately castle, the master of which was -an ogre, the richest had ever been known; for all the lands which the -King had then gone over belonged to this castle. The Cat, who had taken -care to inform himself who this ogre was and what he could do, asked -to speak with him, saying he could not pass so near his castle without -having the honor of paying his respects to him. - -The ogre received him as civilly as an ogre could do, and made him sit -down. - -"I have been assured," said the Cat, "that you have the gift of being -able to change yourself into all sorts of creatures you have a mind to; -you can, for example, transform yourself into a lion, or elephant, and -the like." - -"That is true," answered the ogre very briskly; "and to convince you, -you shall see me now become a lion." - -Puss was so sadly terrified at the sight of a lion so near him that he -immediately got into the gutter, not without abundance of trouble and -danger, because of his boots, which were of no use at all to him in -walking upon the tiles. A little while after, when Puss saw that the -ogre had resumed his natural form, he came down, and owned he had been -very much frightened. - -"I have been, moreover, informed," said the Cat, "but I know not how to -believe it, that you have also the power to take on you the shape of the -smallest animals; for example, to change yourself into a rat or a mouse; -but I must own to you I take this to be impossible." - -"Impossible!" cried the ogre; "you shall see that presently." - -And at the same time he changed himself into a mouse, and began to run -about the floor. Puss no sooner perceived this but he fell upon him and -ate him up. - -Meanwhile the King, who saw, as he passed, this fine castle of the -ogre's, had a mind to go into it. Puss, who heard the noise of his -Majesty's coach running over the draw-bridge, ran out, and said to the -King: - -"Your Majesty is welcome to this castle of my Lord Marquis of Carabas." - -"What! my Lord Marquis," cried the King, "and does this castle also -belong to you? There can be nothing finer than this court and all the -stately buildings which surround it; let us go into it, if you please." - -The Marquis gave his hand to the Princess, and followed the King, -who went first. They passed into a spacious hall, where they found a -magnificent collation, which the ogre had prepared for his friends, who -were that very day to visit him, but dared not to enter, knowing -the King was there. His Majesty was perfectly charmed with the good -qualities of my Lord Marquis of Carabas, as was his daughter, who -had fallen violently in love with him, and, seeing the vast estate he -possessed, said to him, after having drunk five or six glasses: - -"It will be owing to yourself only, my Lord Marquis, if you are not my -son-in-law." - -The Marquis, making several low bows, accepted the honor which his -Majesty conferred upon him, and forthwith, that very same day, married -the Princess. - -Puss became a great lord, and never ran after mice any more but only for -his diversion.(1) - - -(1) Charles Perrault. - - - - -FELICIA AND THE POT OF PINKS - - -Once upon a time there was a poor laborer who, feeling that he had not -much longer to live, wished to divide his possessions between his son -and daughter, whom he loved dearly. - -So he called them to him, and said: "Your mother brought me as her dowry -two stools and a straw bed; I have, besides, a hen, a pot of pinks, and -a silver ring, which were given me by a noble lady who once lodged in my -poor cottage. When she went away she said to me: - -"'Be careful of my gifts, good man; see that you do not lose the ring or -forget to water the pinks. As for your daughter, I promise you that she -shall be more beautiful than anyone you ever saw in your life; call her -Felicia, and when she grows up give her the ring and the pot of pinks to -console her for her poverty.' Take them both, then, my dear child," he -added, "and your brother shall have everything else." - -The two children seemed quite contented, and when their father died they -wept for him, and divided his possessions as he had told them. Felicia -believed that her brother loved her, but when she sat down upon one of -the stools he said angrily: - -"Keep your pot of pinks and your ring, but let my things alone. I like -order in my house." - -Felicia, who was very gentle, said nothing, but stood up crying quietly; -while Bruno, for that was her brother's name, sat comfortably by the -fire. Presently, when supper-time came, Bruno had a delicious egg, and -he threw the shell to Felicia, saying: - -"There, that is all I can give you; if you don't like it, go out and -catch frogs; there are plenty of them in the marsh close by." Felicia -did not answer, but she cried more bitterly than ever, and went away -to her own little room. She found it filled with the sweet scent of the -pinks, and, going up to them, she said sadly: - -"Beautiful pinks, you are so sweet and so pretty, you are the only -comfort I have left. Be very sure that I will take care of you, and -water you well, and never allow any cruel hand to tear you from your -stems." - -As she leaned over them she noticed that they were very dry. So taking -her pitcher, she ran off in the clear moonlight to the fountain, which -was at some distance. When she reached it she sat down upon the brink -to rest, but she had hardly done so when she saw a stately lady coming -toward her, surrounded by numbers of attendants. Six maids of honor -carried her train, and she leaned upon the arm of another. - -When they came near the fountain a canopy was spread for her, under -which was placed a sofa of cloth-of-gold, and presently a dainty supper -was served, upon a table covered with dishes of gold and crystal, while -the wind in the trees and the falling water of the fountain murmured the -softest music. - -Felicia was hidden in the shade, too much astonished by all she saw to -venture to move; but in a few moments the Queen said: - -"I fancy I see a shepherdess near that tree; bid her come hither." - -So Felicia came forward and saluted the Queen timidly, but with so much -grace that all were surprised. - -"What are you doing here, my pretty child?" asked the Queen. "Are you -not afraid of robbers?" - -"Ah! madam," said Felicia, "a poor shepherdess who has nothing to lose -does not fear robbers." - -"You are not very rich, then?" said the Queen, smiling. - -"I am so poor," answered Felicia, "that a pot of pinks and a silver ring -are my only possessions in the world." - -"But you have a heart," said the Queen. "What should you say if anybody -wanted to steal that?" - -"I do not know what it is like to lose one's heart, madam," she replied; -"but I have always heard that without a heart one cannot live, and if it -is broken one must die; and in spite of my poverty I should be sorry not -to live." - -"You are quite right to take care of your heart, pretty one," said the -Queen. "But tell me, have you supped?" - -"No, madam," answered Felicia; "my brother ate all the supper there -was." - -Then the Queen ordered that a place should be made for her at the table, -and herself loaded Felicia's plate with good things; but she was too -much astonished to be hungry. - -"I want to know what you were doing at the fountain so late?" said the -Queen presently. - -"I came to fetch a pitcher of water for my pinks, madam," she answered, -stooping to pick up the pitcher which stood beside her; but when she -showed it to the Queen she was amazed to see that it had turned to gold, -all sparkling with great diamonds, and the water, of which it was full, -was more fragrant than the sweetest roses. She was afraid to take it -until the Queen said: - -"It is yours, Felicia; go and water your pinks with it, and let it -remind you that the Queen of the Woods is your friend." - -The shepherdess threw herself at the Queen's feet, and thanked her -humbly for her gracious words. - -"Ah! madam," she cried, "if I might beg you to stay here a moment I -would run and fetch my pot of pinks for you--they could not fall into -better hands." - -"Go, Felicia," said the Queen, stroking her cheek softly; "I will wait -here until you come back." - -So Felicia took up her pitcher and ran to her little room, but while she -had been away Bruno had gone in and taken the pot of pinks, leaving a -great cabbage in its place. When she saw the unlucky cabbage Felicia was -much distressed, and did not know what to do; but at last she ran back -to the fountain, and, kneeling before the Queen, said: - -"Madam, Bruno has stolen my pot of pinks, so I have nothing but my -silver ring; but I beg you to accept it as a proof of my gratitude." - -"But if I take your ring, my pretty shepherdess," said the Queen, "you -will have nothing left; and what will you do then?" - -"Ah! madam," she answered simply, "if I have your friendship I shall do -very well." - -So the Queen took the ring and put it on her finger, and mounted her -chariot, which was made of coral studded with emeralds, and drawn by six -milk-white horses. And Felicia looked after her until the winding of -the forest path hid her from her sight, and then she went back to the -cottage, thinking over all the wonderful things that had happened. - -The first thing she did when she reached her room was to throw the -cabbage out of the window. - -But she was very much surprised to hear an odd little voice cry out: -"Oh! I am half killed!" and could not tell where it came from, because -cabbages do not generally speak. - -As soon as it was light, Felicia, who was very unhappy about her pot of -pinks, went out to look for it, and the first thing she found was the -unfortunate cabbage. She gave it a push with her foot, saying: "What are -you doing here, and how dared you put yourself in the place of my pot of -pinks?" - -"If I hadn't been carried," replied the cabbage, "you may be very sure -that I shouldn't have thought of going there." - -It made her shiver with fright to hear the cabbage talk, but he went on: - -"If you will be good enough to plant me by my comrades again, I can tell -you where your pinks are at this moment--hidden in Bruno's bed!" - -Felicia was in despair when she heard this, not knowing how she was -to get them back. But she replanted the cabbage very kindly in his old -place, and, as she finished doing it, she saw Bruno's hen, and said, -catching hold of it: - -"Come here, horrid little creature! you shall suffer for all the unkind -things my brother has done to me." - -"Ah! shepherdess," said the hen, "don't kill me; I am rather a gossip, -and I can tell you some surprising things that you will like to hear. -Don't imagine that you are the daughter of the poor laborer who brought -you up; your mother was a queen who had six girls already, and the King -threatened that unless she had a son who could inherit his kingdom she -should have her head cut off. - -"So when the Queen had another little daughter she was quite frightened, -and agreed with her sister (who was a fairy) to exchange her for the -fairy's little son. Now the Queen had been shut up in a great tower -by the King's orders, and when a great many days went by and still she -heard nothing from the Fairy she made her escape from the window by -means of a rope ladder, taking her little baby with her. After wandering -about until she was half dead with cold and fatigue she reached this -cottage. I was the laborer's wife, and was a good nurse, and the Queen -gave you into my charge, and told me all her misfortunes, and then died -before she had time to say what was to become of you. - -"As I never in all my life could keep a secret, I could not help telling -this strange tale to my neighbors, and one day a beautiful lady came -here, and I told it to her also. When I had finished she touched me with -a wand she held in her hand, and instantly I became a hen, and there was -an end of my talking! I was very sad, and my husband, who was out -when it happened, never knew what had become of me. After seeking me -everywhere he believed that I must have been drowned, or eaten up by -wild beasts in the forest. That same lady came here once more, and -commanded that you should be called Felicia, and left the ring and -the pot of pinks to be given to you; and while she was in the house -twenty-five of the King's guards came to search for you, doubtless -meaning to kill you; but she muttered a few words, and immediately they -all turned into cabbages. It was one of them whom you threw out of your -window yesterday. - -"I don't know how it was that he could speak--I have never heard either -of them say a word before, nor have I been able to do it myself until -now." - -The Princess was greatly astonished at the hen's story, and said kindly: -"I am truly sorry for you, my poor nurse, and wish it was in my power to -restore you to your real form. But we must not despair; it seems to -me, after what you have told me, that something must be going to happen -soon. Just now, however, I must go and look for my pinks, which I love -better than anything in the world." - -Bruno had gone out into the forest, never thinking that Felicia -would search in his room for the pinks, and she was delighted by -his unexpected absence, and thought to get them back without further -trouble. But as soon as she entered the room she saw a terrible army -of rats, who were guarding the straw bed; and when she attempted to -approach it they sprang at her, biting and scratching furiously. Quite -terrified, she drew back, crying out: "Oh! my dear pinks, how can you -stay here in such bad company?" - -Then she suddenly bethought herself of the pitcher of water, and, hoping -that it might have some magic power, she ran to fetch it, and sprinkled -a few drops over the fierce-looking swarm of rats. In a moment not a -tail or a whisker was to be seen. Each one had made for his hole as fast -as his legs could carry him, so that the Princess could safely take her -pot of pinks. She found them nearly dying for want of water, and hastily -poured all that was left in the pitcher upon them. As she bent over -them, enjoying their delicious scent, a soft voice, that seemed to -rustle among the leaves, said: - -"Lovely Felicia, the day has come at last when I may have the happiness -of telling you how even the flowers love you and rejoice in your -beauty." - -The Princess, quite overcome by the strangeness of hearing a cabbage, -a hen, and a pink speak, and by the terrible sight of an army of rats, -suddenly became very pale, and fainted away. - -At this moment in came Bruno. Working hard in the heat had not improved -his temper, and when he saw that Felicia had succeeded in finding her -pinks he was so angry that he dragged her out into the garden and shut -the door upon her. The fresh air soon made her open her pretty eyes, and -there before her stood the Queen of the Woods, looking as charming as -ever. - -"You have a bad brother," she said; "I saw he turned you out. Shall I -punish him for it?" - -"Ah! no, madam," she said; "I am not angry with him. - -"But supposing he was not your brother, after all, what would you say -then?" asked the Queen. - -"Oh! but I think he must be," said Felicia. - -"What!" said the Queen, "have you not heard that you are a Princess?" - -"I was told so a little while ago, madam, but how could I believe it -without a single proof?" - -"Ah! dear child," said the Queen, "the way you speak assures me that, in -spite of your humble upbringing, you are indeed a real princess, and I -can save you from being treated in such a way again." - -She was interrupted at this moment by the arrival of a very handsome -young man. He wore a coat of green velvet fastened with emerald clasps, -and had a crown of pinks on his head. He knelt upon one knee and kissed -the Queen's hand. - -"Ah!" she cried, "my pink, my dear son, what a happiness to see you -restored to your natural shape by Felicia's aid!" And she embraced him -joyfully. Then, turning to Felicia, she said: - -"Charming Princess, I know all the hen told you, but you cannot have -heard that the zephyrs, to whom was entrusted the task of carrying my -son to the tower where the Queen, your mother, so anxiously waited for -him, left him instead in a garden of flowers, while they flew off to -tell your mother. Whereupon a fairy with whom I had quarrelled changed -him into a pink, and I could do nothing to prevent it. - -"You can imagine how angry I was, and how I tried to find some means of -undoing the mischief she had done; but there was no help for it. I could -only bring Prince Pink to the place where you were being brought up, -hoping that when you grew up he might love you, and by your care be -restored to his natural form. And you see everything has come right, as -I hoped it would. Your giving me the silver ring was the sign that the -power of the charm was nearly over, and my enemy's last chance was to -frighten you with her army of rats. That she did not succeed in doing; -so now, my dear Felicia, if you will be married to my son with this -silver ring your future happiness is certain. Do you think him handsome -and amiable enough to be willing to marry him?" - -"Madam," replied Felicia, blushing, "you overwhelm me with your -kindness. I know that you are my mother's sister, and that by your art -you turned the soldiers who were sent to kill me into cabbages, and my -nurse into a hen, and that you do me only too much honor in proposing -that I shall marry your son. How can I explain to you the cause of my -hesitation? I feel, for the first time in my life, how happy it would -make me to be beloved. Can you indeed give me the Prince's heart?" - -"It is yours already, lovely Princess!" he cried, taking her hand in -his; "but for the horrible enchantment which kept me silent I should -have told you long ago how dearly I love you." - -This made the Princess very happy, and the Queen, who could not bear -to see her dressed like a poor shepherdess, touched her with her wand, -saying: - -"I wish you to be attired as befits your rank and beauty." And -immediately the Princess's cotton dress became a magnificent robe of -silver brocade embroidered with carbuncles, and her soft dark hair was -encircled by a crown of diamonds, from which floated a clear white veil. -With her bright eyes, and the charming color in her cheeks, she was -altogether such a dazzling sight that the Prince could hardly bear it. - -"How pretty you are, Felicia!" he cried. "Don't keep me in suspense, I -entreat you; say that you will marry me." - -"Ah!" said the Queen, smiling, "I think she will not refuse now." - -Just then Bruno, who was going back to his work, came out of the -cottage, and thought he must be dreaming when he saw Felicia; but she -called him very kindly, and begged the Queen to take pity on him. - -"What!" she said, "when he was so unkind to you?" - -"Ah! madam," said the Princess, "I am so happy that I should like -everybody else to be happy too." - -The Queen kissed her, and said: "Well, to please you, let me see what I -can do for this cross Bruno." And with a wave of her wand she turned the -poor little cottage into a splendid palace, full of treasures; only the -two stools and the straw bed remained just as they were, to remind him -of his former poverty. Then the Queen touched Bruno himself, and made -him gentle and polite and grateful, and he thanked her and the Princess -a thousand times. Lastly, the Queen restored the hen and the cabbages -to their natural forms, and left them all very contented. The Prince and -Princess were married as soon as possible with great splendor, and lived -happily ever after.(1) - - -(1) Fortunee. Par Madame la Comtesse d'Aulnoy. - - - - -THE WHITE CAT - - -Once upon a time there was a king who had three sons, who were all so -clever and brave that he began to be afraid that they would want to -reign over the kingdom before he was dead. Now the King, though he felt -that he was growing old, did not at all wish to give up the government -of his kingdom while he could still manage it very well, so he thought -the best way to live in peace would be to divert the minds of his sons -by promises which he could always get out of when the time came for -keeping them. - -So he sent for them all, and, after speaking to them kindly, he added: - -"You will quite agree with me, my dear children, that my great age makes -it impossible for me to look after my affairs of state as carefully as -I once did. I begin to fear that this may affect the welfare of my -subjects, therefore I wish that one of you should succeed to my crown; -but in return for such a gift as this it is only right that you should -do something for me. Now, as I think of retiring into the country, it -seems to me that a pretty, lively, faithful little dog would be very -good company for me; so, without any regard for your ages, I promise -that the one who brings me the most beautiful little dog shall succeed -me at once." - -The three Princes were greatly surprised by their father's sudden fancy -for a little dog, but as it gave the two younger ones a chance they -would not otherwise have had of being king, and as the eldest was -too polite to make any objection, they accepted the commission with -pleasure. They bade farewell to the King, who gave them presents of -silver and precious stones, and appointed to meet them at the same hour, -in the same place, after a year had passed, to see the little dogs they -had brought for him. - -Then they went together to a castle which was about a league from the -city, accompanied by all their particular friends, to whom they gave a -grand banquet, and the three brothers promised to be friends always, -to share whatever good fortune befell them, and not to be parted by -any envy or jealousy; and so they set out, agreeing to meet at the same -castle at the appointed time, to present themselves before the King -together. Each one took a different road, and the two eldest met with -many adventures; but it is about the youngest that you are going to -hear. He was young, and gay, and handsome, and knew everything that a -prince ought to know; and as for his courage, there was simply no end to -it. - -Hardly a day passed without his buying several dogs--big and little, -greyhounds, mastiffs, spaniels, and lapdogs. As soon as he had bought a -pretty one he was sure to see a still prettier, and then he had to get -rid of all the others and buy that one, as, being alone, he found it -impossible to take thirty or forty thousand dogs about with him. He -journeyed from day to day, not knowing where he was going, until at -last, just at nightfall, he reached a great, gloomy forest. He did not -know his way, and, to make matters worse, it began to thunder, and -the rain poured down. He took the first path he could find, and after -walking for a long time he fancied he saw a faint light, and began to -hope that he was coming to some cottage where he might find shelter for -the night. At length, guided by the light, he reached the door of the -most splendid castle he could have imagined. This door was of gold -covered with carbuncles, and it was the pure red light which shone from -them that had shown him the way through the forest. The walls were of -the finest porcelain in all the most delicate colors, and the Prince saw -that all the stories he had ever read were pictured upon them; but as he -was terribly wet, and the rain still fell in torrents, he could not stay -to look about any more, but came back to the golden door. There he saw -a deer's foot hanging by a chain of diamonds, and he began to wonder who -could live in this magnificent castle. - -"They must feel very secure against robbers," he said to himself. "What -is to hinder anyone from cutting off that chain and digging out those -carbuncles, and making himself rich for life?" - -He pulled the deer's foot, and immediately a silver bell sounded and the -door flew open, but the Prince could see nothing but numbers of hands -in the air, each holding a torch. He was so much surprised that he stood -quite still, until he felt himself pushed forward by other hands, so -that, though he was somewhat uneasy, he could not help going on. With -his hand on his sword, to be prepared for whatever might happen, he -entered a hall paved with lapis-lazuli, while two lovely voices sang: - - - "The hands you see floating above - Will swiftly your bidding obey; - If your heart dreads not conquering Love, - In this place you may fearlessly stay." - - -The Prince could not believe that any danger threatened him when he was -welcomed in this way, so, guided by the mysterious hands, he went toward -a door of coral, which opened of its own accord, and he found himself -in a vast hall of mother-of-pearl, out of which opened a number of other -rooms, glittering with thousands of lights, and full of such beautiful -pictures and precious things that the Prince felt quite bewildered. -After passing through sixty rooms the hands that conducted him stopped, -and the Prince saw a most comfortable-looking arm-chair drawn up close -to the chimney-corner; at the same moment the fire lighted itself, and -the pretty, soft, clever hands took off the Prince's wet, muddy clothes, -and presented him with fresh ones made of the richest stuffs, all -embroidered with gold and emeralds. He could not help admiring -everything he saw, and the deft way in which the hands waited on him, -though they sometimes appeared so suddenly that they made him jump. - -When he was quite ready--and I can assure you that he looked very -different from the wet and weary Prince who had stood outside in the -rain, and pulled the deer's foot--the hands led him to a splendid room, -upon the walls of which were painted the histories of Puss in Boots and -a number of other famous cats. The table was laid for supper with -two golden plates, and golden spoons and forks, and the sideboard was -covered with dishes and glasses of crystal set with precious stones. The -Prince was wondering who the second place could be for, when suddenly -in came about a dozen cats carrying guitars and rolls of music, who took -their places at one end of the room, and under the direction of a cat -who beat time with a roll of paper began to mew in every imaginable key, -and to draw their claws across the strings of the guitars, making the -strangest kind of music that could be heard. The Prince hastily stopped -up his ears, but even then the sight of these comical musicians sent him -into fits of laughter. - -"What funny thing shall I see next?" he said to himself, and instantly -the door opened, and in came a tiny figure covered by a long black veil. -It was conducted by two cats wearing black mantles and carrying swords, -and a large party of cats followed, who brought in cages full of rats -and mice. - -The Prince was so much astonished that he thought he must be dreaming, -but the little figure came up to him and threw back its veil, and he saw -that it was the loveliest little white cat it is possible to imagine. -She looked very young and very sad, and in a sweet little voice that -went straight to his heart she said to the Prince: - -"King's son, you are welcome; the Queen of the Cats is glad to see you." - -"Lady Cat," replied the Prince, "I thank you for receiving me so kindly, -but surely you are no ordinary pussy-cat? Indeed, the way you speak and -the magnificence of your castle prove it plainly." - -"King's son," said the White Cat, "I beg you to spare me these -compliments, for I am not used to them. But now," she added, "let supper -be served, and let the musicians be silent, as the Prince does not -understand what they are saying." - -So the mysterious hands began to bring in the supper, and first they put -on the table two dishes, one containing stewed pigeons and the other a -fricassee of fat mice. The sight of the latter made the Prince feel as -if he could not enjoy his supper at all; but the White Cat, seeing this, -assured him that the dishes intended for him were prepared in a separate -kitchen, and he might be quite certain that they contained neither rats -nor mice; and the Prince felt so sure that she would not deceive him -that he had no more hesitation in beginning. Presently he noticed -that on the little paw that was next him the White Cat wore a bracelet -containing a portrait, and he begged to be allowed to look at it. To his -great surprise he found it represented an extremely handsome young man, -who was so like himself that it might have been his own portrait! The -White Cat sighed as he looked at it, and seemed sadder than ever, and -the Prince dared not ask any questions for fear of displeasing her; so -he began to talk about other things, and found that she was interested -in all the subjects he cared for himself, and seemed to know quite well -what was going on in the world. After supper they went into another -room, which was fitted up as a theatre, and the cats acted and danced -for their amusement, and then the White Cat said good-night to him, and -the hands conducted him into a room he had not seen before, hung with -tapestry worked with butterflies' wings of every color; there were -mirrors that reached from the ceiling to the floor, and a little white -bed with curtains of gauze tied up with ribbons. The Prince went to bed -in silence, as he did not quite know how to begin a conversation with -the hands that waited on him, and in the morning he was awakened by -a noise and confusion outside of his window, and the hands came and -quickly dressed him in hunting costume. When he looked out all the cats -were assembled in the courtyard, some leading greyhounds, some blowing -horns, for the White Cat was going out hunting. The hands led a wooden -horse up to the Prince, and seemed to expect him to mount it, at which -he was very indignant; but it was no use for him to object, for he -speedily found himself upon its back, and it pranced gaily off with him. - -The White Cat herself was riding a monkey, which climbed even up to -the eagles' nests when she had a fancy for the young eaglets. Never was -there a pleasanter hunting party, and when they returned to the castle -the Prince and the White Cat supped together as before, but when they -had finished she offered him a crystal goblet, which must have contained -a magic draught, for, as soon as he had swallowed its contents, he -forgot everything, even the little dog that he was seeking for the King, -and only thought how happy he was to be with the White Cat! And so the -days passed, in every kind of amusement, until the year was nearly gone. -The Prince had forgotten all about meeting his brothers: he did not even -know what country he belonged to; but the White Cat knew when he ought -to go back, and one day she said to him: - -"Do you know that you have only three days left to look for the little -dog for your father, and your brothers have found lovely ones?" - -Then the Prince suddenly recovered his memory, and cried: - -"What can have made me forget such an important thing? My whole fortune -depends upon it; and even if I could in such a short time find a dog -pretty enough to gain me a kingdom, where should I find a horse who -would carry me all that way in three days?" And he began to be very -vexed. But the White Cat said to him: "King's son, do not trouble -yourself; I am your friend, and will make everything easy for you. You -can still stay here for a day, as the good wooden horse can take you to -your country in twelve hours." - -"I thank you, beautiful Cat," said the Prince; "but what good will it do -me to get back if I have not a dog to take to my father?" - -"See here," answered the White Cat, holding up an acorn; "there is a -prettier one in this than in the Dogstar!" - -"Oh! White Cat dear," said the Prince, "how unkind you are to laugh at -me now!" - -"Only listen," she said, holding the acorn to his ear. - -And inside it he distinctly heard a tiny voice say: "Bow-wow!" - -The Prince was delighted, for a dog that can be shut up in an acorn must -be very small indeed. He wanted to take it out and look at it, but the -White Cat said it would be better not to open the acorn till he was -before the King, in case the tiny dog should be cold on the journey. He -thanked her a thousand times, and said good-by quite sadly when the time -came for him to set out. - -"The days have passed so quickly with you," he said, "I only wish I -could take you with me now." - -But the White Cat shook her head and sighed deeply in answer. - -After all the Prince was the first to arrive at the castle where he had -agreed to meet his brothers, but they came soon after, and stared in -amazement when they saw the wooden horse in the courtyard jumping like a -hunter. - -The Prince met them joyfully, and they began to tell him all their -adventures; but he managed to hide from them what he had been doing, and -even led them to think that a turnspit dog which he had with him was the -one he was bringing for the King. Fond as they all were of one another, -the two eldest could not help being glad to think that their dogs -certainly had a better chance. The next morning they started in the same -chariot. The elder brothers carried in baskets two such tiny, fragile -dogs that they hardly dared to touch them. As for the turnspit, he ran -after the chariot, and got so covered with mud that one could hardly see -what he was like at all. When they reached the palace everyone crowded -round to welcome them as they went into the King's great hall; and when -the two brothers presented their little dogs nobody could decide which -was the prettier. They were already arranging between themselves to -share the kingdom equally, when the youngest stepped forward, drawing -from his pocket the acorn the White Cat had given him. He opened it -quickly, and there upon a white cushion they saw a dog so small that it -could easily have been put through a ring. The Prince laid it upon the -ground, and it got up at once and began to dance. The King did not know -what to say, for it was impossible that anything could be prettier than -this little creature. Nevertheless, as he was in no hurry to part with -his crown, he told his sons that, as they had been so successful the -first time, he would ask them to go once again, and seek by land and sea -for a piece of muslin so fine that it could be drawn through the eye of -a needle. The brothers were not very willing to set out again, but -the two eldest consented because it gave them another chance, and they -started as before. The youngest again mounted the wooden horse, and rode -back at full speed to his beloved White Cat. Every door of the castle -stood wide open, and every window and turret was illuminated, so it -looked more wonderful than before. The hands hastened to meet him, and -led the wooden horse off to the stable, while he hurried in to find the -White Cat. She was asleep in a little basket on a white satin cushion, -but she very soon started up when she heard the Prince, and was -overjoyed at seeing him once more. - -"How could I hope that you would come back to me King's son?" she said. -And then he stroked and petted her, and told her of his successful -journey, and how he had come back to ask her help, as he believed that -it was impossible to find what the King demanded. The White Cat looked -serious, and said she must think what was to be done, but that, luckily, -there were some cats in the castle who could spin very well, and if -anybody could manage it they could, and she would set them the task -herself. - -And then the hands appeared carrying torches, and conducted the Prince -and the White Cat to a long gallery which overlooked the river, from -the windows of which they saw a magnificent display of fireworks of all -sorts; after which they had supper, which the Prince liked even better -than the fireworks, for it was very late, and he was hungry after his -long ride. And so the days passed quickly as before; it was impossible -to feel dull with the White Cat, and she had quite a talent for -inventing new amusements--indeed, she was cleverer than a cat has any -right to be. But when the Prince asked her how it was that she was so -wise, she only said: - -"King's son, do not ask me; guess what you please. I may not tell you -anything." - -The Prince was so happy that he did not trouble himself at all about the -time, but presently the White Cat told him that the year was gone, and -that he need not be at all anxious about the piece of muslin, as they -had made it very well. - -"This time," she added, "I can give you a suitable escort"; and on -looking out into the courtyard the Prince saw a superb chariot of -burnished gold, enameled in flame color with a thousand different -devices. It was drawn by twelve snow-white horses, harnessed four -abreast; their trappings were flame-colored velvet, embroidered with -diamonds. A hundred chariots followed, each drawn by eight horses, -and filled with officers in splendid uniforms, and a thousand guards -surrounded the procession. "Go!" said the White Cat, "and when you -appear before the King in such state he surely will not refuse you the -crown which you deserve. Take this walnut, but do not open it until you -are before him, then you will find in it the piece of stuff you asked me -for." - -"Lovely Blanchette," said the Prince, "how can I thank you properly for -all your kindness to me? Only tell me that you wish it, and I will -give up for ever all thought of being king, and will stay here with you -always." - -"King's son," she replied, "it shows the goodness of your heart that you -should care so much for a little white cat, who is good for nothing but -to catch mice; but you must not stay." - -So the Prince kissed her little paw and set out. You can imagine how -fast he traveled when I tell you that they reached the King's palace in -just half the time it had taken the wooden horse to get there. This time -the Prince was so late that he did not try to meet his brothers at their -castle, so they thought he could not be coming, and were rather glad of -it, and displayed their pieces of muslin to the King proudly, feeling -sure of success. And indeed the stuff was very fine, and would go -through the eye of a very large needle; but the King, who was only too -glad to make a difficulty, sent for a particular needle, which was kept -among the Crown jewels, and had such a small eye that everybody saw at -once that it was impossible that the muslin should pass through it. The -Princes were angry, and were beginning to complain that it was a trick, -when suddenly the trumpets sounded and the youngest Prince came in. His -father and brothers were quite astonished at his magnificence, and after -he had greeted them he took the walnut from his pocket and opened it, -fully expecting to find the piece of muslin, but instead there was only -a hazel-nut. He cracked it, and there lay a cherry-stone. Everybody was -looking on, and the King was chuckling to himself at the idea of finding -the piece of muslin in a nutshell. - -However, the Prince cracked the cherry-stone, but everyone laughed when -he saw it contained only its own kernel. He opened that and found a -grain of wheat, and in that was a millet seed. Then he himself began to -wonder, and muttered softly: - -"White Cat, White Cat, are you making fun of me?" - -In an instant he felt a cat's claw give his hand quite a sharp scratch, -and hoping that it was meant as an encouragement he opened the millet -seed, and drew out of it a piece of muslin four hundred ells long, woven -with the loveliest colors and most wonderful patterns; and when the -needle was brought it went through the eye six times with the greatest -ease! The King turned pale, and the other Princes stood silent and -sorrowful, for nobody could deny that this was the most marvelous piece -of muslin that was to be found in the world. - -Presently the King turned to his sons, and said, with a deep sigh: - -"Nothing could console me more in my old age than to realize your -willingness to gratify my wishes. Go then once more, and whoever at the -end of a year can bring back the loveliest princess shall be married -to her, and shall, without further delay, receive the crown, for my -successor must certainly be married." The Prince considered that he had -earned the kingdom fairly twice over but still he was too well bred -to argue about it, so he just went back to his gorgeous chariot, and, -surrounded by his escort, returned to the White Cat faster than he had -come. This time she was expecting him, the path was strewn with flowers, -and a thousand braziers were burning scented woods which perfumed the -air. Seated in a gallery from which she could see his arrival, the White -Cat waited for him. "Well, King's son," she said, "here you are once -more, without a crown." "Madam," said he, "thanks to your generosity I -have earned one twice over; but the fact is that my father is so loth to -part with it that it would be no pleasure to me to take it." - -"Never mind," she answered, "it's just as well to try and deserve it. As -you must take back a lovely princess with you next time I will be on -the look-out for one for you. In the meantime let us enjoy ourselves; -to-night I have ordered a battle between my cats and the river rats on -purpose to amuse you." So this year slipped away even more pleasantly -than the preceding ones. Sometimes the Prince could not help asking the -White Cat how it was she could talk. - -"Perhaps you are a fairy," he said. "Or has some enchanter changed you -into a cat?" - -But she only gave him answers that told him nothing. Days go by so -quickly when one is very happy that it is certain the Prince would never -have thought of its being time to go back, when one evening as they sat -together the White Cat said to him that if he wanted to take a lovely -princess home with him the next day he must be prepared to do what she -told him. - -"Take this sword," she said, "and cut off my head!" - -"I!" cried the Prince, "I cut off your head! Blanchette darling, how -could I do it?" - -"I entreat you to do as I tell you, King's son," she replied. - -The tears came into the Prince's eyes as he begged her to ask him -anything but that--to set him any task she pleased as a proof of his -devotion, but to spare him the grief of killing his dear Pussy. But -nothing he could say altered her determination, and at last he drew his -sword, and desperately, with a trembling hand, cut off the little white -head. But imagine his astonishment and delight when suddenly a lovely -princess stood before him, and, while he was still speechless with -amazement, the door opened and a goodly company of knights and ladies -entered, each carrying a cat's skin! They hastened with every sign of -joy to the Princess, kissing her hand and congratulating her on being -once more restored to her natural shape. She received them graciously, -but after a few minutes begged that they would leave her alone with the -Prince, to whom she said: - -"You see, Prince, that you were right in supposing me to be no ordinary -cat. My father reigned over six kingdoms. The Queen, my mother, whom he -loved dearly, had a passion for traveling and exploring, and when I -was only a few weeks old she obtained his permission to visit a certain -mountain of which she had heard many marvelous tales, and set out, -taking with her a number of her attendants. On the way they had to pass -near an old castle belonging to the fairies. Nobody had ever been into -it, but it was reported to be full of the most wonderful things, and -my mother remembered to have heard that the fairies had in their garden -such fruits as were to be seen and tasted nowhere else. She began to -wish to try them for herself, and turned her steps in the direction of -the garden. On arriving at the door, which blazed with gold and jewels, -she ordered her servants to knock loudly, but it was useless; it seemed -as if all the inhabitants of the castle must be asleep or dead. Now the -more difficult it became to obtain the fruit, the more the Queen was -determined that have it she would. So she ordered that they should bring -ladders, and get over the wall into the garden; but though the wall did -not look very high, and they tied the ladders together to make them very -long, it was quite impossible to get to the top. - -"The Queen was in despair, but as night was coming on she ordered -that they should encamp just where they were, and went to bed herself, -feeling quite ill, she was so disappointed. In the middle of the night -she was suddenly awakened, and saw to her surprise a tiny, ugly old -woman seated by her bedside, who said to her: - -"'I must say that we consider it somewhat troublesome of your Majesty to -insist upon tasting our fruit; but to save you annoyance, my sisters -and I will consent to give you as much as you can carry away, on one -condition--that is, that you shall give us your little daughter to bring -up as our own.' - -"'Ah! my dear madam,' cried the Queen, 'is there nothing else that you -will take for the fruit? I will give you my kingdoms willingly.' - -"'No,' replied the old fairy, 'we will have nothing but your little -daughter. She shall be as happy as the day is long, and we will give her -everything that is worth having in fairy-land, but you must not see her -again until she is married.' - -"'Though it is a hard condition,' said the Queen, 'I consent, for I -shall certainly die if I do not taste the fruit, and so I should lose my -little daughter either way.' - -"So the old fairy led her into the castle, and, though it was still the -middle of the night, the Queen could see plainly that it was far more -beautiful than she had been told, which you can easily believe, Prince," -said the White Cat, "when I tell you that it was this castle that we are -now in. 'Will you gather the fruit yourself, Queen?' said the old fairy, -'or shall I call it to come to you?' - -"'I beg you to let me see it come when it is called,' cried the Queen; -'that will be something quite new.' The old fairy whistled twice, then -she cried: - -"'Apricots, peaches, nectarines, cherries, plums, pears, melons, grapes, -apples, oranges, lemons, gooseberries, strawberries, raspberries, come!' - -"And in an instant they came tumbling in one over another, and yet they -were neither dusty nor spoilt, and the Queen found them quite as good as -she had fancied them. You see they grew upon fairy trees. - -"The old fairy gave her golden baskets in which to take the fruit away, -and it was as much as four hundred mules could carry. Then she reminded -the Queen of her agreement, and led her back to the camp, and next -morning she went back to her kingdom, but before she had gone very far -she began to repent of her bargain, and when the King came out to meet -her she looked so sad that he guessed that something had happened, and -asked what was the matter. At first the Queen was afraid to tell him, -but when, as soon as they reached the palace, five frightful little -dwarfs were sent by the fairies to fetch me, she was obliged to confess -what she had promised. The King was very angry, and had the Queen and -myself shut up in a great tower and safely guarded, and drove the little -dwarfs out of his kingdom; but the fairies sent a great dragon who ate -up all the people he met, and whose breath burnt up everything as he -passed through the country; and at last, after trying in vain to rid -himself of this monster, the King, to save his subjects, was obliged to -consent that I should be given up to the fairies. This time they came -themselves to fetch me, in a chariot of pearl drawn by sea-horses, -followed by the dragon, who was led with chains of diamonds. My cradle -was placed between the old fairies, who loaded me with caresses, and -away we whirled through the air to a tower which they had built on -purpose for me. There I grew up surrounded with everything that was -beautiful and rare, and learning everything that is ever taught to a -princess, but without any companions but a parrot and a little dog, who -could both talk; and receiving every day a visit from one of the old -fairies, who came mounted upon the dragon. One day, however, as I sat at -my window I saw a handsome young prince, who seemed to have been hunting -in the forest which surrounded my prison, and who was standing and -looking up at me. When he saw that I observed him he saluted me with -great deference. You can imagine that I was delighted to have some one -new to talk to, and in spite of the height of my window our conversation -was prolonged till night fell, then my prince reluctantly bade me -farewell. But after that he came again many times and at last I -consented to marry him, but the question was how was I to escape from my -tower. The fairies always supplied me with flax for my spinning, and by -great diligence I made enough cord for a ladder that would reach to -the foot of the tower; but, alas! just as my prince was helping me to -descend it, the crossest and ugliest of the old fairies flew in. Before -he had time to defend himself my unhappy lover was swallowed up by the -dragon. As for me, the fairies, furious at having their plans defeated, -for they intended me to marry the king of the dwarfs, and I utterly -refused, changed me into a white cat. When they brought me here I found -all the lords and ladies of my father's court awaiting me under the same -enchantment, while the people of lesser rank had been made invisible, -all but their hands. - -"As they laid me under the enchantment the fairies told me all my -history, for until then I had quite believed that I was their child, and -warned me that my only chance of regaining my natural form was to win -the love of a prince who resembled in every way my unfortunate lover. - -"And you have won it, lovely Princess," interrupted the Prince. - -"You are indeed wonderfully like him," resumed the Princess--"in voice, -in features, and everything; and if you really love me all my troubles -will be at an end." - -"And mine too," cried the Prince, throwing himself at her feet, "if you -will consent to marry me." - -"I love you already better than anyone in the world," she said; "but -now it is time to go back to your father, and we shall hear what he says -about it." - -So the Prince gave her his hand and led her out, and they mounted the -chariot together; it was even more splendid than before, and so was the -whole company. Even the horses' shoes were of rubies with diamond nails, -and I suppose that is the first time such a thing was ever seen. - -As the Princess was as kind and clever as she was beautiful, you may -imagine what a delightful journey the Prince found it, for everything -the Princess said seemed to him quite charming. - -When they came near the castle where the brothers were to meet, the -Princess got into a chair carried by four of the guards; it was hewn out -of one splendid crystal, and had silken curtains, which she drew round -her that she might not be seen. - -The Prince saw his brothers walking upon the terrace, each with a lovely -princess, and they came to meet him, asking if he had also found a wife. -He said that he had found something much rarer--a white cat! At which -they laughed very much, and asked him if he was afraid of being eaten up -by mice in the palace. And then they set out together for the town. Each -prince and princess rode in a splendid carriage; the horses were decked -with plumes of feathers, and glittered with gold. After them came the -youngest prince, and last of all the crystal chair, at which everybody -looked with admiration and curiosity. When the courtiers saw them coming -they hastened to tell the King. - -"Are the ladies beautiful?" he asked anxiously. - -And when they answered that nobody had ever before seen such lovely -princesses he seemed quite annoyed. - -However, he received them graciously, but found it impossible to choose -between them. - -Then turning to his youngest son he said: - -"Have you come back alone, after all?" - -"Your Majesty," replied the Prince, "will find in that crystal chair a -little white cat, which has such soft paws, and mews so prettily, that I -am sure you will be charmed with it." - -The King smiled, and went to draw back the curtains himself, but at a -touch from the Princess the crystal shivered into a thousand splinters, -and there she stood in all her beauty; her fair hair floated over her -shoulders and was crowned with flowers, and her softly falling robe was -of the purest white. She saluted the King gracefully, while a murmur of -admiration rose from all around. - -"Sire," she said, "I am not come to deprive you of the throne you fill -so worthily. I have already six kingdoms, permit me to bestow one upon -you, and upon each of your sons. I ask nothing but your friendship, and -your consent to my marriage with your youngest son; we shall still have -three kingdoms left for ourselves." - -The King and all the courtiers could not conceal their joy and -astonishment, and the marriage of the three Princes was celebrated at -once. The festivities lasted several months, and then each king and -queen departed to their own kingdom and lived happily ever after.(1) - - -(1) La Chatte blanche. Par Madame la Comtesse d'Aulnoy. - - - - -THE WATER-LILY. THE GOLD-SPINNERS - - -Once upon a time, in a large forest, there lived an old woman and -three maidens. They were all three beautiful, but the youngest was the -fairest. Their hut was quite hidden by trees, and none saw their beauty -but the sun by day, and the moon by night, and the eyes of the stars. -The old woman kept the girls hard at work, from morning till night, -spinning gold flax into yarn, and when one distaff was empty another was -given them, so they had no rest. The thread had to be fine and even, and -when done was locked up in a secret chamber by the old woman, who twice -or thrice every summer went a journey. Before she went she gave out work -for each day of her absence, and always returned in the night, so that -the girls never saw what she brought back with her, neither would she -tell them whence the gold flax came, nor what it was to be used for. - -Now, when the time came round for the old woman to set out on one of -these journeys, she gave each maiden work for six days, with the usual -warning: "Children, don't let your eyes wander, and on no account speak -to a man, for, if you do, your thread will lose its brightness, and -misfortunes of all kinds will follow." They laughed at this oft-repeated -caution, saying to each other: "How can our gold thread lose its -brightness, and have we any chance of speaking to a man?" - -On the third day after the old woman's departure a young prince, hunting -in the forest, got separated from his companions, and completely lost. -Weary of seeking his way, he flung himself down under a tree, leaving -his horse to browse at will, and fell asleep. - -The sun had set when he awoke and began once more to try and find his -way out of the forest. At last he perceived a narrow foot-path, which he -eagerly followed and found that it led him to a small hut. The maidens, -who were sitting at the door of their hut for coolness, saw him -approaching, and the two elder were much alarmed, for they remembered -the old woman's warning; but the youngest said: "Never before have I -seen anyone like him; let me have one look." They entreated her to come -in, but, seeing that she would not, left her, and the Prince, coming up, -courteously greeted the maiden, and told her he had lost his way in the -forest and was both hungry and weary. She set food before him, and -was so delighted with his conversation that she forgot the old woman's -caution, and lingered for hours. In the meantime the Prince's companions -sought him far and wide, but to no purpose, so they sent two messengers -to tell the sad news to the King, who immediately ordered a regiment of -cavalry and one of infantry to go and look for him. - -After three days' search, they found the hut. The Prince was still -sitting by the door and had been so happy in the maiden's company that -the time had seemed like a single hour. Before leaving he promised to -return and fetch her to his father's court, where he would make her his -bride. When he had gone, she sat down to her wheel to make up for -lost time, but was dismayed to find that her thread had lost all -its brightness. Her heart beat fast and she wept bitterly, for she -remembered the old woman's warning and knew not what misfortune might -now befall her. - -The old woman returned in the night and knew by the tarnished thread -what had happened in her absence. She was furiously angry and told -the maiden that she had brought down misery both on herself and on the -Prince. The maiden could not rest for thinking of this. At last she -could bear it no longer, and resolved to seek help from the Prince. - -As a child she had learned to understand the speech of birds, and this -was now of great use to her, for, seeing a raven pluming itself on a -pine bough, she cried softly to it: "Dear bird, cleverest of all birds, -as well as swiftest on wing, wilt thou help me?" "How can I help -thee?" asked the raven. She answered: "Fly away, until thou comest to a -splendid town, where stands a king's palace; seek out the king's son -and tell him that a great misfortune has befallen me." Then she told the -raven how her thread had lost its brightness, how terribly angry the old -woman was, and how she feared some great disaster. The raven promised -faithfully to do her bidding, and, spreading its wings, flew away. The -maiden now went home and worked hard all day at winding up the yarn her -elder sisters had spun, for the old woman would let her spin no longer. -Toward evening she heard the raven's "craa, craa," from the pine tree -and eagerly hastened thither to hear the answer. - -By great good fortune the raven had found a wind wizard's son in the -palace garden, who understood the speech of birds, and to him he had -entrusted the message. When the Prince heard it, he was very sorrowful, -and took counsel with his friends how to free the maiden. Then he said -to the wind wizard's son: "Beg the raven to fly quickly back to the -maiden and tell her to be ready on the ninth night, for then will I come -and fetch her away." The wind wizard's son did this, and the raven flew -so swiftly that it reached the hut that same evening. The maiden thanked -the bird heartily and went home, telling no one what she had heard. - -As the ninth night drew near she became very unhappy, for she feared -lest some terrible mischance should arise and ruin all. On this night -she crept quietly out of the house and waited trembling at some little -distance from the hut. Presently she heard the muffled tramp of horses, -and soon the armed troop appeared, led by the Prince, who had prudently -marked all the trees beforehand, in order to know the way. When he saw -the maiden he sprang from his horse, lifted her into the saddle, and -then, mounting behind, rode homeward. The moon shone so brightly that -they had no difficulty in seeing the marked trees. - -By and by the coming of dawn loosened the tongues of all the birds, -and, had the Prince only known what they were saying, or the maiden -been listening, they might have been spared much sorrow, but they were -thinking only of each other, and when they came out of the forest the -sun was high in the heavens. - -Next morning, when the youngest girl did not come to her work, the old -woman asked where she was. The sisters pretended not to know, but the -old woman easily guessed what had happened, and, as she was in reality -a wicked witch, determined to punish the fugitives. Accordingly, she -collected nine different kinds of enchanters' nightshade, added some -salt, which she first bewitched, and, doing all up in a cloth into the -shape of a fluffy ball, sent it after them on the wings of the wind, -saying: - - "Whirlwind!--mother of the wind! - Lend thy aid 'gainst her who sinned! - Carry with thee this magic ball. - Cast her from his arms for ever, - Bury her in the rippling river." - - -At midday the Prince and his men came to a deep river, spanned by so -narrow a bridge that only one rider could cross at a time. The horse on -which the Prince and the maiden were riding had just reached the middle -when the magic ball flew by. The horse in its fright suddenly reared, -and before anyone could stop it flung the maiden into the swift current -below. The Prince tried to jump in after her, but his men held him back, -and in spite of his struggles led him home, where for six weeks he shut -himself up in a secret chamber, and would neither eat nor drink, so -great was his grief. At last he became so ill his life was despaired of, -and in great alarm the King caused all the wizards of his country to be -summoned. But none could cure him. At last the wind wizard's son said to -the King: "Send for the old wizard from Finland he knows more than all -the wizards of your kingdom put together." A messenger was at once sent -to Finland, and a week later the old wizard himself arrived on the wings -of the wind. "Honored King," said the wizard, "the wind has blown this -illness upon your son, and a magic ball has snatched away his beloved. -This it is which makes him grieve so constantly. Let the wind blow upon -him that it may blow away his sorrow." Then the King made his son go -out into the wind, and he gradually recovered and told his father all. -"Forget the maiden," said the King, "and take another bride"; but the -Prince said he could never love another. - -A year afterward he came suddenly upon the bridge where his beloved met -her death. As he recalled the misfortune he wept bitterly, and would -have given all he possessed to have her once more alive. In the midst -of his grief he thought he heard a voice singing, and looked round, but -could see no one. Then he heard the voice again, and it said: - -"Alas! bewitched and all forsaken, 'Tis I must lie for ever here! -My beloved no thought has taken To free his bride, that was so dear." - -He was greatly astonished, sprang from his horse, and looked everywhere -to see if no one were hidden under the bridge; but no one was there. -Then he noticed a yellow water-lily floating on the surface of the -water, half hidden by its broad leaves; but flowers do not sing, and -in great surprise he waited, hoping to hear more. Then again the voice -sang: - - "Alas! bewitched and all forsaken, - 'Tis I must lie for ever here! - My beloved no thought has taken - To free his bride, that was so dear." - -The Prince suddenly remembered the gold-spinners, and said to himself: -"If I ride thither, who knows but that they could explain this to me?" -He at once rode to the hut, and found the two maidens at the fountain. -He told them what had befallen their sister the year before, and how he -had twice heard a strange song, but yet could see no singer. They said -that the yellow water-lily could be none other than their sister, who -was not dead, but transformed by the magic ball. Before he went to bed, -the eldest made a cake of magic herbs, which she gave him to eat. In the -night he dreamed that he was living in the forest and could understand -all that the birds said to each other. Next morning he told this to the -maidens, and they said that the charmed cake had caused it, and advised -him to listen well to the birds, and see what they could tell him, and -when he had recovered his bride they begged him to return and deliver -them from their wretched bondage. - -Having promised this, he joyfully returned home, and as he was riding -through the forest he could perfectly understand all that the birds -said. He heard a thrush say to a magpie: "How stupid men are! they -cannot understand the simplest thing. It is now quite a year since the -maiden was transformed into a water-lily, and, though she sings so sadly -that anyone going over the bridge must hear her, yet no one comes to -her aid. Her former bridegroom rode over it a few days ago and heard her -singing, but was no wiser than the rest." - -"And he is to blame for all her misfortunes," added the magpie. "If he -heeds only the words of men she will remain a flower for ever. She -were soon delivered were the matter only laid before the old wizard of -Finland." - -After hearing this, the Prince wondered how he could get a message -conveyed to Finland. He heard one swallow say to another: "Come, let us -fly to Finland; we can build better nests there." - -"Stop, kind friends!" cried the Prince. "Will you do something for me?" -The birds consented, and he said: "Take a thousand greetings from me -to the wizard of Finland, and ask him how I may restore a maiden -transformed into a flower to her own form." - -The swallows flew away, and the Prince rode on to the bridge. There he -waited, hoping to hear the song. But he heard nothing but the rushing of -the water and the moaning of the wind, and, disappointed, rode home. - -Shortly after, he was sitting in the garden, thinking that the swallows -must have forgotten his message, when he saw an eagle flying above him. -The bird gradually descended until it perched on a tree close to the -Prince and said: "The wizard of Finland greets thee and bids me say that -thou mayest free the maiden thus: Go to the river and smear thyself all -over with mud; then say: 'From a man into a crab,' and thou wilt become -a crab. Plunge boldly into the water, swim as close as thou canst to the -water-lily's roots, and loosen them from the mud and reeds. This done, -fasten thy claws into the roots and rise with them to the surface. Let -the water flow all over the flower, and drift with the current until -thou comest to a mountain ash tree on the left bank. There is near it -a large stone. Stop there and say: 'From a crab into a man, from a -water-lily into a maiden,' and ye both will be restored to your own -forms." - -Full of doubt and fear, the Prince let some time pass before he was bold -enough to attempt to rescue the maiden. Then a crow said to him: "Why -dost thou hesitate? The old wizard has not told thee wrong, neither have -the birds deceived thee; hasten and dry the maiden's tears." - -"Nothing worse than death can befall me," thought the Prince, "and death -is better than endless sorrow." So he mounted his horse and went to -the bridge. Again he heard the water-lily's lament, and, hesitating no -longer, smeared himself all over with mud, and, saying: "From a man into -a crab," plunged into the river. For one moment the water hissed in -his ears, and then all was silent. He swam up to the plant and began -to loosen its roots, but so firmly were they fixed in the mud and reeds -that this took him a long time. He then grasped them and rose to the -surface, letting the water flow over the flower. The current carried -them down the stream, but nowhere could he see the mountain ash. At last -he saw it, and close by the large stone. Here he stopped and said: "From -a crab into a man, from a water-lily into a maiden," and to his delight -found himself once more a prince, and the maiden was by his side. She -was ten times more beautiful than before, and wore a magnificent pale -yellow robe, sparkling with jewels. She thanked him for having freed her -from the cruel witch's power, and willingly consented to marry him. - -But when they came to the bridge where he had left his horse it was -nowhere to be seen, for, though the Prince thought he had been a crab -only a few hours, he had in reality been under the water for more than -ten days. While they were wondering how they should reach his father's -court, they saw a splendid coach driven by six gaily caparisoned horses -coming along the bank. In this they drove to the palace. The King and -Queen were at church, weeping for their son, whom they had long mourned -for dead. Great was their delight and astonishment when the Prince -entered, leading the beautiful maiden by the hand. The wedding was at -once celebrated and there was feasting and merry-making throughout the -kingdom for six weeks. - -Some time afterward the Prince and his bride were sitting in the garden, -when a crow said to them: "Ungrateful creatures! Have you forgotten the -two poor maidens who helped you in your distress? Must they spin gold -flax for ever? Have no pity on the old witch. The three maidens are -princesses, whom she stole away when they were children together, with -all the silver utensils, which she turned into gold flax. Poison were -her fittest punishment." - -The Prince was ashamed of having forgotten his promise and set out at -once, and by great good fortune reached the hut when the old woman was -away. The maidens had dreamed that he was coming, and were ready to go -with him, but first they made a cake in which they put poison, and -left it on a table where the old woman was likely to see it when she -returned. She _did_ see it, and thought it looked so tempting that she -greedily ate it up and at once died. - -In the secret chamber were found fifty wagon-loads of gold flax, and as -much more was discovered buried. The hut was razed to the ground, and -the Prince and his bride and her two sisters lived happily ever after. - - - - -THE TERRIBLE HEAD - - -Once upon a time there was a king whose only child was a girl. Now the -King had been very anxious to have a son, or at least a grandson, to -come after him, but he was told by a prophet whom he consulted that his -own daughter's son should kill him. This news terrified him so much that -he determined never to let his daughter be married, for he thought it -was better to have no grandson at all than to be killed by his grandson. -He therefore called his workmen together, and bade them dig a deep round -hole in the earth, and then he had a prison of brass built in the hole, -and then, when it was finished, he locked up his daughter. No man ever -saw her, and she never saw even the fields and the sea, but only the sky -and the sun, for there was a wide open window in the roof of the house -of brass. So the Princess would sit looking up at the sky, and watching -the clouds float across, and wondering whether she should ever get out -of her prison. Now one day it seemed to her that the sky opened above -her, and a great shower of shining gold fell through the window in the -roof, and lay glittering in her room. Not very long after, the Princess -had a baby, a little boy, but when the King her father heard of it he -was very angry and afraid, for now the child was born that should be his -death. Yet, cowardly as he was, he had not quite the heart to kill -the Princess and her baby outright, but he had them put in a huge -brass-bound chest and thrust out to sea, that they might either be -drowned or starved, or perhaps come to a country where they would be out -of his way. - -So the Princess and the baby floated and drifted in the chest on the sea -all day and night, but the baby was not afraid of the waves nor of the -wind, for he did not know that they could hurt him, and he slept quite -soundly. And the Princess sang a song over him, and this was her song: - - "Child, my child, how sound you sleep! - Though your mother's care is deep, - You can lie with heart at rest - In the narrow brass-bound chest; - In the starless night and drear - You can sleep, and never hear - Billows breaking, and the cry - Of the night-wind wandering by; - In soft purple mantle sleeping - With your little face on mine, - Hearing not your mother weeping - And the breaking of the brine." - - -Well, the daylight came at last, and the great chest was driven by the -waves against the shore of an island. There the brass-bound chest lay, -with the Princess and her baby in it, till a man of that country came -past, and saw it, and dragged it on to the beach, and when he had broken -it open, behold! there was a beautiful lady and a little boy. So he took -them home, and was very kind to them, and brought up the boy till he was -a young man. Now when the boy had come to his full strength the King of -that country fell in love with his mother, and wanted to marry her, but -he knew that she would never part from her boy. So he thought of a plan -to get rid of the boy, and this was his plan: A great Queen of a country -not far off was going to be married, and this king said that all his -subjects must bring him wedding presents to give her. And he made a -feast to which he invited them all, and they all brought their presents; -some brought gold cups, and some brought necklaces of gold and amber, -and some brought beautiful horses; but the boy had nothing, though he -was the son of a princess, for his mother had nothing to give him. Then -the rest of the company began to laugh at him, and the King said: "If -you have nothing else to give, at least you might go and fetch the -Terrible Head." - -The boy was proud, and spoke without thinking: - -"Then I swear that I _will_ bring the Terrible Head, if it may be -brought by a living man. But of what head you speak I know not." - -Then they told him that somewhere, a long way off, there dwelt three -dreadful sisters, monstrous ogrish women, with golden wings and claws -of brass, and with serpents growing on their heads instead of hair. Now -these women were so awful to look on that whoever saw them was turned -at once into stone. And two of them could not be put to death, but the -youngest, whose face was very beautiful, could be killed, and it was -_her_ head that the boy had promised to bring. You may imagine it was no -easy adventure. - -When he heard all this he was perhaps sorry that he had sworn to bring -the Terrible Head, but he was determined to keep his oath. So he went -out from the feast, where they all sat drinking and making merry, and -he walked alone beside the sea in the dusk of the evening, at the place -where the great chest, with himself and his mother in it, had been cast -ashore. - -There he went and sat down on a rock, looking toward the sea, and -wondering how he should begin to fulfill his vow. Then he felt some one -touch him on the shoulder; and he turned, and saw a young man like a -king's son, having with him a tall and beautiful lady, whose blue eyes -shone like stars. They were taller than mortal men, and the young man -had a staff in his hand with golden wings on it, and two golden serpents -twisted round it, and he had wings on his cap and on his shoes. He spoke -to the boy, and asked him why he was so unhappy; and the boy told him -how he had sworn to bring the Terrible Head, and knew not how to begin -to set about the adventure. - -Then the beautiful lady also spoke, and said that "it was a foolish oath -and a hasty, but it might be kept if a brave man had sworn it." Then the -boy answered that he was not afraid, if only he knew the way. - -Then the lady said that to kill the dreadful woman with the golden wings -and the brass claws, and to cut off her head, he needed three things: -first, a Cap of Darkness, which would make him invisible when he wore -it; next, a Sword of Sharpness, which would cleave iron at one blow; and -last, the Shoes of Swiftness, with which he might fly in the air. - -The boy answered that he knew not where such things were to be procured, -and that, wanting them, he could only try and fail. Then the young man, -taking off his own shoes, said: "First, you shall use these shoes till -you have taken the Terrible Head, and then you must give them back to -me. And with these shoes you will fly as fleet as a bird, or a thought, -over the land or over the waves of the sea, wherever the shoes know the -way. But there are ways which they do not know, roads beyond the borders -of the world. And these roads have you to travel. Now first you must -go to the Three Gray Sisters, who live far off in the north, and are so -very cold that they have only one eye and one tooth among the three. You -must creep up close to them, and as one of them passes the eye to the -other you must seize it, and refuse to give it up till they have told -you the way to the Three Fairies of the Garden, and _they_ will give you -the Cap of Darkness and the Sword of Sharpness, and show you how to wing -beyond this world to the land of the Terrible Head." - -Then the beautiful lady said: "Go forth at once, and do not return to -say good-by to your mother, for these things must be done quickly, and -the Shoes of Swiftness themselves will carry you to the land of the -Three Gray Sisters--for they know the measure of that way." - -So the boy thanked her, and he fastened on the Shoes of Swiftness, and -turned to say good-by to the young man and the lady. But, behold! they -had vanished, he knew not how or where! Then he leaped in the air to try -the Shoes of Swiftness, and they carried him more swiftly than the wind, -over the warm blue sea, over the happy lands of the south, over the -northern peoples who drank mare's milk and lived in great wagons, -wandering after their flocks. Across the wide rivers, where the wild -fowl rose and fled before him, and over the plains and the cold North -Sea he went, over the fields of snow and the hills of ice, to a place -where the world ends, and all water is frozen, and there are no men, nor -beasts, nor any green grass. There in a blue cave of the ice he found -the Three Gray Sisters, the oldest of living things. Their hair was as -white as the snow, and their flesh of an icy blue, and they mumbled and -nodded in a kind of dream, and their frozen breath hung round them like -a cloud. Now the opening of the cave in the ice was narrow, and it -was not easy to pass in without touching one of the Gray Sisters. But, -floating on the Shoes of Swiftness, the boy just managed to steal in, -and waited till one of the sisters said to another, who had their one -eye: - -"Sister, what do you see? do you see old times coming back?" - -"No, sister." - -"Then give _me_ the eye, for perhaps I can see farther than you." - -Then the first sister passed the eye to the second, but as the second -groped for it the boy caught it cleverly out of her hand. - -"Where is the eye, sister?" said the second gray woman. - -"You have taken it yourself, sister," said the first gray woman. - -"Have you lost the eye, sister? have you lost the eye?" said the third -gray woman; "shall we _never_ find it again, and see old times coming -back?" - -Then the boy slipped from behind them out of the cold cave into the air, -and he laughed aloud. - -When the gray women heard that laugh they began to weep, for now they -knew that a stranger had robbed them, and that they could not help -themselves, and their tears froze as they fell from the hollows where no -eyes were, and rattled on the icy ground of the cave. Then they began to -implore the boy to give them their eye back again, and he could not help -being sorry for them, they were so pitiful. But he said he would never -give them the eye till they told him the way to the Fairies of the -Garden. - -Then they wrung their hands miserably, for they guessed why he had come, -and how he was going to try to win the Terrible Head. Now the Dreadful -Women were akin to the Three Gray Sisters, and it was hard for them to -tell the boy the way. But at last they told him to keep always south, -and with the land on his left and the sea on his right, till he reached -the Island of the Fairies of the Garden. Then he gave them back the -eye, and they began to look out once more for the old times coming back -again. But the boy flew south between sea and land, keeping the land -always on his left hand, till he saw a beautiful island crowned with -flowering trees. There he alighted, and there he found the Three Fairies -of the Garden. They were like three very beautiful young women, dressed -one in green, one in white, and one in red, and they were dancing and -singing round an apple tree with apples of gold, and this was their -song: - - THE SONG OF THE WESTERN FAIRIES - - Round and round the apples of gold, - Round and round dance we; - Thus do we dance from the days of old - About the enchanted tree; - Round, and round, and round we go, - While the spring is green, or the stream shall flow, - Or the wind shall stir the sea! - - There is none may taste of the golden fruit - Till the golden new time come - Many a tree shall spring from shoot, - Many a blossom be withered at root, - Many a song be dumb; - Broken and still shall be many a lute - Or ever the new times come! - - Round and round the tree of gold, - Round and round dance we, - So doth the great world spin from of old, - Summer and winter, and fire and cold, - Song that is sung, and tale that is told, - Even as we dance, that fold and unfold - Round the stem of the fairy tree! - - -These grave dancing fairies were very unlike the Grey Women, and they -were glad to see the boy, and treated him kindly. Then they asked him -why he had come; and he told them how he was sent to find the Sword of -Sharpness and the Cap of Darkness. And the fairies gave him these, and -a wallet, and a shield, and belted the sword, which had a diamond blade, -round his waist, and the cap they set on his head, and told him that now -even they could not see him though they were fairies. Then he took it -off, and they each kissed him and wished him good fortune, and then they -began again their eternal dance round the golden tree, for it is their -business to guard it till the new times come, or till the world's -ending. So the boy put the cap on his head, and hung the wallet round -his waist, and the shining shield on his shoulders, and flew beyond the -great river that lies coiled like a serpent round the whole world. And -by the banks of that river, there he found the three Terrible Women all -asleep beneath a poplar tree, and the dead poplar leaves lay all about -them. Their golden wings were folded and their brass claws were crossed, -and two of them slept with their hideous heads beneath their wings -like birds, and the serpents in their hair writhed out from under the -feathers of gold. But the youngest slept between her two sisters, and -she lay on her back, with her beautiful sad face turned to the sky; and -though she slept her eyes were wide open. If the boy had seen her he -would have been changed into stone by the terror and the pity of it, -she was so awful; but he had thought of a plan for killing her without -looking on her face. As soon as he caught sight of the three from far -off he took his shining shield from his shoulders, and held it up like -a mirror, so that he saw the Dreadful Women reflected in it, and did not -see the Terrible Head itself. Then he came nearer and nearer, till he -reckoned that he was within a sword's stroke of the youngest, and he -guessed where he should strike a back blow behind him. Then he drew the -Sword of Sharpness and struck once, and the Terrible Head was cut from -the shoulders of the creature, and the blood leaped out and struck him -like a blow. But he thrust the Terrible Head into his wallet, and flew -away without looking behind. Then the two Dreadful Sisters who were left -wakened, and rose in the air like great birds; and though they could not -see him because of his Cap of Darkness, they flew after him up the wind, -following by the scent through the clouds, like hounds hunting in a -wood. They came so close that he could hear the clatter of their golden -wings, and their shrieks to each other: "_here, here,_" "_no, there; -this way he went,_" as they chased him. But the Shoes of Swiftness flew -too fast for them, and at last their cries and the rattle of their wings -died away as he crossed the great river that runs round the world. - -Now when the horrible creatures were far in the distance, and the boy -found himself on the right side of the river, he flew straight eastward, -trying to seek his own country. But as he looked down from the air he -saw a very strange sight--a beautiful girl chained to a stake at the -high-water mark of the sea. The girl was so frightened or so tired that -she was only prevented from falling by the iron chain about her waist, -and there she hung, as if she were dead. The boy was very sorry for her -and flew down and stood beside her. When he spoke she raised her head -and looked round, but his voice only seemed to frighten her. Then he -remembered that he was wearing the Cap of Darkness, and that she could -only hear him, not see him. So he took it off, and there he stood before -her, the handsomest young man she had ever seen in all her life, with -short curly yellow hair, and blue eyes, and a laughing face. And he -thought her the most beautiful girl in the world. So first with one blow -of the Sword of Sharpness he cut the iron chain that bound her, and then -he asked her what she did there, and why men treated her so cruelly. And -she told him that she was the daughter of the King of that country, and -that she was tied there to be eaten by a monstrous beast out of the sea; -for the beast came and devoured a girl every day. Now the lot had fallen -on her; and as she was just saying this a long fierce head of a cruel -sea creature rose out of the waves and snapped at the girl. But the -beast had been too greedy and too hurried, so he missed his aim the -first time. Before he could rise and bite again the boy had whipped the -Terrible Head out of his wallet and held it up. And when the sea beast -leaped out once more its eyes fell on the head, and instantly it was -turned into a stone. And the stone beast is there on the sea-coast to -this day. - -Then the boy and the girl went to the palace of the King, her father, -where everyone was weeping for her death, and they could hardly believe -their eyes when they saw her come back well. And the King and Queen made -much of the boy, and could not contain themselves for delight when they -found he wanted to marry their daughter. So the two were married with -the most splendid rejoicings, and when they had passed some time at -court they went home in a ship to the boy's own country. For he could -not carry his bride through the air, so he took the Shoes of Swiftness, -and the Cap of Darkness, and the Sword of Sharpness up to a lonely place -in the hills. There he left them, and there they were found by the man -and woman who had met him at home beside the sea, and had helped him to -start on his journey. - -When this had been done the boy and his bride set forth for home, and -landed at the harbor of his native land. But whom should he meet in the -very street of the town but his own mother, flying for her life from the -wicked King, who now wished to kill her because he found that she would -never marry him! For if she had liked the King ill before, she liked him -far worse now that he had caused her son to disappear so suddenly. She -did not know, of course, where the boy had gone, but thought the King -had slain him secretly. So now she was running for her very life, -and the wicked King was following her with a sword in his hand. Then, -behold! she ran into her son's very arms, but he had only time to kiss -her and step in front of her, when the King struck at him with his -sword. The boy caught the blow on his shield, and cried to the King: - -"I swore to bring you the Terrible Head, and see how I keep my oath!" - -Then he drew forth the head from his wallet, and when the King's eyes -fell on it, instantly he was turned into stone, just as he stood there -with his sword lifted! - -Now all the people rejoiced, because the wicked King should rule them no -longer. And they asked the boy to be their king, but he said no, he must -take his mother home to her father's house. So the people chose for king -the man who had been kind to his mother when first she was cast on the -island in the great chest. - -Presently the boy and his mother and his wife set sail for his mother's -own country, from which she had been driven so unkindly. But on the way -they stayed at the court of a king, and it happened that he was -holding games, and giving prizes to the best runners, boxers, and -quoit-throwers. Then the boy would try his strength with the rest, but -he threw the quoit so far that it went beyond what had ever been thrown -before, and fell in the crowd, striking a man so that he died. Now this -man was no other than the father of the boy's mother, who had fled away -from his own kingdom for fear his grandson should find him and kill him -after all. Thus he was destroyed by his own cowardice and by chance, and -thus the prophecy was fulfilled. But the boy and his wife and his mother -went back to the kingdom that was theirs, and lived long and happily -after all their troubles. - - - - -THE STORY OF PRETTY GOLDILOCKS - - -Once upon a time there was a princess who was the prettiest creature in -the world. And because she was so beautiful, and because her hair was -like the finest gold, and waved and rippled nearly to the ground, she -was called Pretty Goldilocks. She always wore a crown of flowers, and -her dresses were embroidered with diamonds and pearls, and everybody who -saw her fell in love with her. - -Now one of her neighbors was a young king who was not married. He was -very rich and handsome, and when he heard all that was said about Pretty -Goldilocks, though he had never seen her, he fell so deeply in love -with her that he could neither eat nor drink. So he resolved to send an -ambassador to ask her in marriage. He had a splendid carriage made for -his ambassador, and gave him more than a hundred horses and a hundred -servants, and told him to be sure and bring the Princess back with him. -After he had started nothing else was talked of at Court, and the King -felt so sure that the Princess would consent that he set his people to -work at pretty dresses and splendid furniture, that they might be -ready by the time she came. Meanwhile, the ambassador arrived at the -Princess's palace and delivered his little message, but whether she -happened to be cross that day, or whether the compliment did not please -her, is not known. She only answered that she was very much obliged -to the King, but she had no wish to be married. The ambassador set off -sadly on his homeward way, bringing all the King's presents back with -him, for the Princess was too well brought up to accept the pearls -and diamonds when she would not accept the King, so she had only kept -twenty-five English pins that he might not be vexed. - -When the ambassador reached the city, where the King was waiting -impatiently, everybody was very much annoyed with him for not bringing -the Princess, and the King cried like a baby, and nobody could console -him. Now there was at the Court a young man, who was more clever and -handsome than anyone else. He was called Charming, and everyone loved -him, excepting a few envious people who were angry at his being the -King's favorite and knowing all the State secrets. He happened to one -day be with some people who were speaking of the ambassador's return -and saying that his going to the Princess had not done much good, when -Charming said rashly: - -"If the King had sent me to the Princess Goldilocks I am sure she would -have come back with me." - -His enemies at once went to the King and said: - -"You will hardly believe, sire, what Charming has the audacity to -say--that if _he_ had been sent to the Princess Goldilocks she would -certainly have come back with him. He seems to think that he is so much -handsomer than you that the Princess would have fallen in love with him -and followed him willingly." The King was very angry when he heard this. - -"Ha, ha!" said he; "does he laugh at my unhappiness, and think himself -more fascinating than I am? Go, and let him be shut up in my great tower -to die of hunger." - -So the King's guards went to fetch Charming, who had thought no more of -his rash speech, and carried him off to prison with great cruelty. The -poor prisoner had only a little straw for his bed, and but for a little -stream of water which flowed through the tower he would have died of -thirst. - -One day when he was in despair he said to himself: - -"How can I have offended the King? I am his most faithful subject, and -have done nothing against him." - -The King chanced to be passing the tower and recognized the voice of his -former favorite. He stopped to listen in spite of Charming's enemies, -who tried to persuade him to have nothing more to do with the traitor. -But the King said: - -"Be quiet, I wish to hear what he says." - -And then he opened the tower door and called to Charming, who came very -sadly and kissed the King's hand, saying: - -"What have I done, sire, to deserve this cruel treatment?" - -"You mocked me and my ambassador," said the King, "and you said that -if I had sent you for the Princess Goldilocks you would certainly have -brought her back." - -"It is quite true, sire," replied Charming; "I should have drawn such a -picture of you, and represented your good qualities in such a way, -that I am certain the Princess would have found you irresistible. But I -cannot see what there is in that to make you angry." - -The King could not see any cause for anger either when the matter was -presented to him in this light, and he began to frown very fiercely at -the courtiers who had so misrepresented his favorite. - -So he took Charming back to the palace with him, and after seeing that -he had a very good supper he said to him: - -"You know that I love Pretty Goldilocks as much as ever, her refusal has -not made any difference to me; but I don't know how to make her change -her mind; I really should like to send you, to see if you can persuade -her to marry me." - -Charming replied that he was perfectly willing to go, and would set out -the very next day. - -"But you must wait till I can get a grand escort for you," said the -King. But Charming said that he only wanted a good horse to ride, and -the King, who was delighted at his being ready to start so promptly, -gave him letters to the Princess, and bade him good speed. It was on a -Monday morning that he set out all alone upon his errand, thinking of -nothing but how he could persuade the Princess Goldilocks to marry -the King. He had a writing-book in his pocket, and whenever any happy -thought struck him he dismounted from his horse and sat down under -the trees to put it into the harangue which he was preparing for the -Princess, before he forgot it. - -One day when he had started at the very earliest dawn, and was riding -over a great meadow, he suddenly had a capital idea, and, springing from -his horse, he sat down under a willow tree which grew by a little river. -When he had written it down he was looking round him, pleased to find -himself in such a pretty place, when all at once he saw a great golden -carp lying gasping and exhausted upon the grass. In leaping after little -flies she had thrown herself high upon the bank, where she had lain till -she was nearly dead. Charming had pity upon her, and, though he couldn't -help thinking that she would have been very nice for dinner, he picked -her up gently and put her back into the water. As soon as Dame Carp -felt the refreshing coolness of the water she sank down joyfully to the -bottom of the river, then, swimming up to the bank quite boldly, she -said: - -"I thank you, Charming, for the kindness you have done me. You have -saved my life; one day I will repay you." So saying, she sank down into -the water again, leaving Charming greatly astonished at her politeness. - -Another day, as he journeyed on, he saw a raven in great distress. The -poor bird was closely pursued by an eagle, which would soon have eaten -it up, had not Charming quickly fitted an arrow to his bow and shot the -eagle dead. The raven perched upon a tree very joyfully. - -"Charming," said he, "it was very generous of you to rescue a poor -raven; I am not ungrateful, some day I will repay you." - -Charming thought it was very nice of the raven to say so, and went on -his way. - -Before the sun rose he found himself in a thick wood where it was too -dark for him to see his path, and here he heard an owl crying as if it -were in despair. - -"Hark!" said he, "that must be an owl in great trouble, I am sure it has -gone into a snare"; and he began to hunt about, and presently found a -great net which some bird-catchers had spread the night before. - -"What a pity it is that men do nothing but torment and persecute poor -creatures which never do them any harm!" said he, and he took out his -knife and cut the cords of the net, and the owl flitted away into the -darkness, but then turning, with one flicker of her wings, she came back -to Charming and said: - -"It does not need many words to tell you how great a service you have -done me. I was caught; in a few minutes the fowlers would have been -here--without your help I should have been killed. I am grateful, and -one day I will repay you." - -These three adventures were the only ones of any consequence that befell -Charming upon his journey, and he made all the haste he could to reach -the palace of the Princess Goldilocks. - -When he arrived he thought everything he saw delightful and magnificent. -Diamonds were as plentiful as pebbles, and the gold and silver, the -beautiful dresses, the sweetmeats and pretty things that were everywhere -quite amazed him; he thought to himself: "If the Princess consents to -leave all this, and come with me to marry the King, he may think himself -lucky!" - -Then he dressed himself carefully in rich brocade, with scarlet and -white plumes, and threw a splendid embroidered scarf over his shoulder, -and, looking as gay and as graceful as possible, he presented himself at -the door of the palace, carrying in his arm a tiny pretty dog which -he had bought on the way. The guards saluted him respectfully, and a -messenger was sent to the Princess to announce the arrival of Charming -as ambassador of her neighbor the King. - -"Charming," said the Princess, "the name promises well; I have no doubt -that he is good looking and fascinates everybody." - -"Indeed he does, madam," said all her maids of honor in one breath. "We -saw him from the window of the garret where we were spinning flax, and -we could do nothing but look at him as long as he was in sight." - -"Well to be sure," said the Princess, "that's how you amuse yourselves, -is it? Looking at strangers out of the window! Be quick and give me my -blue satin embroidered dress, and comb out my golden hair. Let somebody -make me fresh garlands of flowers, and give me my high-heeled shoes and -my fan, and tell them to sweep my great hall and my throne, for I want -everyone to say I am really 'Pretty Goldilocks.'" - -You can imagine how all her maids scurried this way and that to make the -Princess ready, and how in their haste they knocked their heads together -and hindered each other, till she thought they would never have done. -However, at last they led her into the gallery of mirrors that she might -assure herself that nothing was lacking in her appearance, and then -she mounted her throne of gold, ebony, and ivory, while her ladies took -their guitars and began to sing softly. Then Charming was led in, and -was so struck with astonishment and admiration that at first not a word -could he say. But presently he took courage and delivered his harangue, -bravely ending by begging the Princess to spare him the disappointment -of going back without her. - -"Sir Charming," answered she, "all the reasons you have given me are -very good ones, and I assure you that I should have more pleasure in -obliging you than anyone else, but you must know that a month ago as I -was walking by the river with my ladies I took off my glove, and as I -did so a ring that I was wearing slipped off my finger and rolled into -the water. As I valued it more than my kingdom, you may imagine how -vexed I was at losing it, and I vowed to never listen to any proposal of -marriage unless the ambassador first brought me back my ring. So now -you know what is expected of you, for if you talked for fifteen days and -fifteen nights you could not make me change my mind." - -Charming was very much surprised by this answer, but he bowed low to the -Princess, and begged her to accept the embroidered scarf and the tiny -dog he had brought with him. But she answered that she did not want any -presents, and that he was to remember what she had just told him. When -he got back to his lodging he went to bed without eating any supper, and -his little dog, who was called Frisk, couldn't eat any either, but came -and lay down close to him. All night Charming sighed and lamented. - -"How am I to find a ring that fell into the river a month ago?" said -he. "It is useless to try; the Princess must have told me to do it on -purpose, knowing it was impossible." And then he sighed again. - -Frisk heard him and said: - -"My dear master, don't despair; the luck may change, you are too good -not to be happy. Let us go down to the river as soon as it is light." - -But Charming only gave him two little pats and said nothing, and very -soon he fell asleep. - -At the first glimmer of dawn Frisk began to jump about, and when he had -waked Charming they went out together, first into the garden, and then -down to the river's brink, where they wandered up and down. Charming was -thinking sadly of having to go back unsuccessful when he heard someone -calling: "Charming, Charming!" He looked all about him and thought he -must be dreaming, as he could not see anybody. Then he walked on and the -voice called again: "Charming, Charming!" - -"Who calls me?" said he. Frisk, who was very small and could look -closely into the water, cried out: "I see a golden carp coming." And -sure enough there was the great carp, who said to Charming: - -"You saved my life in the meadow by the willow tree, and I promised that -I would repay you. Take this, it is Princess Goldilock's ring." Charming -took the ring out of Dame Carp's mouth, thanking her a thousand times, -and he and tiny Frisk went straight to the palace, where someone told -the Princess that he was asking to see her. - -"Ah! poor fellow," said she, "he must have come to say good-by, finding -it impossible to do as I asked." - -So in came Charming, who presented her with the ring and said: - -"Madam, I have done your bidding. Will it please you to marry my -master?" When the Princess saw her ring brought back to her unhurt she -was so astonished that she thought she must be dreaming. - -"Truly, Charming," said she, "you must be the favorite of some fairy, or -you could never have found it." - -"Madam," answered he, "I was helped by nothing but my desire to obey -your wishes." - -"Since you are so kind," said she, "perhaps you will do me another -service, for till it is done I will never be married. There is a prince -not far from here whose name is Galifron, who once wanted to marry me, -but when I refused he uttered the most terrible threats against me, and -vowed that he would lay waste my country. But what could I do? I could -not marry a frightful giant as tall as a tower, who eats up people as -a monkey eats chestnuts, and who talks so loud that anybody who has to -listen to him becomes quite deaf. Nevertheless, he does not cease to -persecute me and to kill my subjects. So before I can listen to your -proposal you must kill him and bring me his head." - -Charming was rather dismayed at this command, but he answered: - -"Very well, Princess, I will fight this Galifron; I believe that he will -kill me, but at any rate I shall die in your defense." - -Then the Princess was frightened and said everything she could think of -to prevent Charming from fighting the giant, but it was of no use, and -he went out to arm himself suitably, and then, taking little Frisk with -him, he mounted his horse and set out for Galifron's country. Everyone -he met told him what a terrible giant Galifron was, and that nobody -dared go near him; and the more he heard, the more frightened he grew. -Frisk tried to encourage him by saying: "While you are fighting the -giant, dear master, I will go and bite his heels, and when he stoops -down to look at me you can kill him." - -Charming praised his little dog's plan, but knew that this help would -not do much good. - -At last he drew near the giant's castle, and saw to his horror that -every path that led to it was strewn with bones. Before long he saw -Galifron coming. His head was higher than the tallest trees, and he sang -in a terrible voice: - - "Bring out your little boys and girls, - Pray do not stay to do their curls, - For I shall eat so very many, - I shall not know if they have any." - - -Thereupon Charming sang out as loud as he could to the same tune: - - "Come out and meet the valiant Charming - Who finds you not at all alarming; - Although he is not very tall, - He's big enough to make you fall." - - -The rhymes were not very correct, but you see he had made them up so -quickly that it is a miracle that they were not worse; especially as he -was horribly frightened all the time. When Galifron heard these words he -looked all about him, and saw Charming standing, sword in hand this put -the giant into a terrible rage, and he aimed a blow at Charming with his -huge iron club, which would certainly have killed him if it had reached -him, but at that instant a raven perched upon the giant's head, and, -pecking with its strong beak and beating with its great wings so -confused and blinded him that all his blows fell harmlessly upon the -air, and Charming, rushing in, gave him several strokes with his sharp -sword so that he fell to the ground. Whereupon Charming cut off his head -before he knew anything about it, and the raven from a tree close by -croaked out: - -"You see I have not forgotten the good turn you did me in killing the -eagle. To-day I think I have fulfilled my promise of repaying you." - -"Indeed, I owe you more gratitude than you ever owed me," replied -Charming. - -And then he mounted his horse and rode off with Galifron's head. - -When he reached the city the people ran after him in crowds, crying: - -"Behold the brave Charming, who has killed the giant!" And their shouts -reached the Princess's ear, but she dared not ask what was happening, -for fear she should hear that Charming had been killed. But very soon -he arrived at the palace with the giant's head, of which she was still -terrified, though it could no longer do her any harm. - -"Princess," said Charming, "I have killed your enemy; I hope you will -now consent to marry the King my master." - -"Oh dear! no," said the Princess, "not until you have brought me some -water from the Gloomy Cavern. - -"Not far from here there is a deep cave, the entrance to which is -guarded by two dragons with fiery eyes, who will not allow anyone to -pass them. When you get into the cavern you will find an immense hole, -which you must go down, and it is full of toads and snakes; at the -bottom of this hole there is another little cave, in which rises the -Fountain of Health and Beauty. It is some of this water that I really -must have: everything it touches becomes wonderful. The beautiful things -will always remain beautiful, and the ugly things become lovely. If one -is young one never grows old, and if one is old one becomes young. You -see, Charming, I could not leave my kingdom without taking some of it -with me." - -"Princess," said he, "you at least can never need this water, but I am -an unhappy ambassador, whose death you desire. Where you send me I will -go, though I know I shall never return." - -And, as the Princess Goldilocks showed no sign of relenting, he started -with his little dog for the Gloomy Cavern. Everyone he met on the way -said: - -"What a pity that a handsome young man should throw away his life so -carelessly! He is going to the cavern alone, though if he had a -hundred men with him he could not succeed. Why does the Princess ask -impossibilities?" Charming said nothing, but he was very sad. When he -was near the top of a hill he dismounted to let his horse graze, while -Frisk amused himself by chasing flies. Charming knew he could not be far -from the Gloomy Cavern, and on looking about him he saw a black hideous -rock from which came a thick smoke, followed in a moment by one of the -dragons with fire blazing from his mouth and eyes. His body was yellow -and green, and his claws scarlet, and his tail was so long that it lay -in a hundred coils. Frisk was so terrified at the sight of it that he -did not know where to hide. Charming, quite determined to get the water -or die, now drew his sword, and, taking the crystal flask which Pretty -Goldilocks had given him to fill, said to Frisk: - -"I feel sure that I shall never come back from this expedition; when I -am dead, go to the Princess and tell her that her errand has cost me -my life. Then find the King my master, and relate all my adventures to -him." - -As he spoke he heard a voice calling: "Charming, Charming!" - -"Who calls me?" said he; then he saw an owl sitting in a hollow tree, -who said to him: - -"You saved my life when I was caught in the net, now I can repay you. -Trust me with the flask, for I know all the ways of the Gloomy Cavern, -and can fill it from the Fountain of Beauty." Charming was only too glad -to give her the flask, and she flitted into the cavern quite unnoticed -by the dragon, and after some time returned with the flask, filled to -the very brim with sparkling water. Charming thanked her with all his -heart, and joyfully hastened back to the town. - -He went straight to the palace and gave the flask to the Princess, who -had no further objection to make. So she thanked Charming, and ordered -that preparations should be made for her departure, and they soon set -out together. The Princess found Charming such an agreeable companion -that she sometimes said to him: "Why didn't we stay where we were? I -could have made you king, and we should have been so happy!" - -But Charming only answered: - -"I could not have done anything that would have vexed my master so -much, even for a kingdom, or to please you, though I think you are as -beautiful as the sun." - -At last they reached the King's great city, and he came out to meet the -Princess, bringing magnificent presents, and the marriage was celebrated -with great rejoicings. But Goldilocks was so fond of Charming that she -could not be happy unless he was near her, and she was always singing -his praises. - -"If it hadn't been for Charming," she said to the King, "I should never -have come here; you ought to be very much obliged to him, for he did the -most impossible things and got me water from the Fountain of Beauty, so -I can never grow old, and shall get prettier every year." - -Then Charming's enemies said to the King: - -"It is a wonder that you are not jealous, the Queen thinks there is -nobody in the world like Charming. As if anybody you had sent could not -have done just as much!" - -"It is quite true, now I come to think of it," said the King. "Let him -be chained hand and foot, and thrown into the tower." - -So they took Charming, and as a reward for having served the King so -faithfully he was shut up in the tower, where he only saw the jailer, -who brought him a piece of black bread and a pitcher of water every day. - -However, little Frisk came to console him, and told him all the news. - -When Pretty Goldilocks heard what had happened she threw herself at the -King's feet and begged him to set Charming free, but the more she cried, -the more angry he was, and at last she saw that it was useless to say -any more; but it made her very sad. Then the King took it into his -head that perhaps he was not handsome enough to please the Princess -Goldilocks, and he thought he would bathe his face with the water -from the Fountain of Beauty, which was in the flask on a shelf in the -Princess's room, where she had placed it that she might see it often. -Now it happened that one of the Princess's ladies in chasing a spider -had knocked the flask off the shelf and broken it, and every drop of the -water had been spilt. Not knowing what to do, she had hastily swept away -the pieces of crystal, and then remembered that in the King's room she -had seen a flask of exactly the same shape, also filled with sparkling -water. So, without saying a word, she fetched it and stood it upon the -Queen's shelf. - -Now the water in this flask was what was used in the kingdom for getting -rid of troublesome people. Instead of having their heads cut off in the -usual way, their faces were bathed with the water, and they instantly -fell asleep and never woke up any more. So, when the King, thinking -to improve his beauty, took the flask and sprinkled the water upon his -face, _he_ fell asleep, and nobody could wake him. - -Little Frisk was the first to hear the news, and he ran to tell -Charming, who sent him to beg the Princess not to forget the poor -prisoner. All the palace was in confusion on account of the King's -death, but tiny Frisk made his way through the crowd to the Princess's -side, and said: - -"Madam, do not forget poor Charming." - -Then she remembered all he had done for her, and without saying a word -to anyone went straight to the tower, and with her own hands took off -Charming's chains. Then, putting a golden crown upon his head, and the -royal mantle upon his shoulders, she said: - -"Come, faithful Charming, I make you king, and will take you for my -husband." - -Charming, once more free and happy, fell at her feet and thanked her for -her gracious words. - -Everybody was delighted that he should be king, and the wedding, which -took place at once, was the prettiest that can be imagined, and Prince -Charming and Princess Goldilocks lived happily ever after.(1) - - -(1) Madame d'Aulnoy. - - - - -THE HISTORY OF WHITTINGTON - - -Dick Whittington was a very little boy when his father and mother died; -so little, indeed, that he never knew them, nor the place where he was -born. He strolled about the country as ragged as a colt, till he met -with a wagoner who was going to London, and who gave him leave to walk -all the way by the side of his wagon without paying anything for his -passage. This pleased little Whittington very much, as he wanted to see -London sadly, for he had heard that the streets were paved with -gold, and he was willing to get a bushel of it; but how great was his -disappointment, poor boy! when he saw the streets covered with dirt -instead of gold, and found himself in a strange place, without a friend, -without food, and without money. - -Though the wagoner was so charitable as to let him walk up by the side -of the wagon for nothing, he took care not to know him when he came to -town, and the poor boy was, in a little time, so cold and hungry that he -wished himself in a good kitchen and by a warm fire in the country. - -In his distress he asked charity of several people, and one of them bid -him "Go to work for an idle rogue." "That I will," said Whittington, -"with all my heart; I will work for you if you will let me." - -The man, who thought this savored of wit and impertinence (though the -poor lad intended only to show his readiness to work), gave him a blow -with a stick which broke his head so that the blood ran down. In this -situation, and fainting for want of food, he laid himself down at the -door of one Mr. Fitzwarren, a merchant, where the cook saw him, and, -being an ill-natured hussy, ordered him to go about his business or she -would scald him. At this time Mr. Fitzwarren came from the Exchange, and -began also to scold at the poor boy, bidding him to go to work. - -Whittington answered that he should be glad to work if anybody would -employ him, and that he should be able if he could get some victuals to -eat, for he had had nothing for three days, and he was a poor country -boy, and knew nobody, and nobody would employ him. - -He then endeavored to get up, but he was so very weak that he fell down -again, which excited so much compassion in the merchant that he ordered -the servants to take him in and give him some meat and drink, and let -him help the cook to do any dirty work that she had to set him about. -People are too apt to reproach those who beg with being idle, but give -themselves no concern to put them in the way of getting business to do, -or considering whether they are able to do it, which is not charity. - -But we return to Whittington, who could have lived happy in this worthy -family had he not been bumped about by the cross cook, who must be -always roasting and basting, or when the spit was idle employed her -hands upon poor Whittington! At last Miss Alice, his master's daughter, -was informed of it, and then she took compassion on the poor boy, and -made the servants treat him kindly. - -Besides the crossness of the cook, Whittington had another difficulty -to get over before he could be happy. He had, by order of his master, a -flock-bed placed for him in a garret, where there was a number of rats -and mice that often ran over the poor boy's nose and disturbed him -in his sleep. After some time, however, a gentleman who came to his -master's house gave Whittington a penny for brushing his shoes. This -he put into his pocket, being determined to lay it out to the best -advantage; and the next day, seeing a woman in the street with a cat -under her arm, he ran up to know the price of it. The woman (as the cat -was a good mouser) asked a deal of money for it, but on Whittington's -telling her he had but a penny in the world, and that he wanted a cat -sadly, she let him have it. - -This cat Whittington concealed in the garret, for fear she should be -beat about by his mortal enemy the cook, and here she soon killed or -frightened away the rats and mice, so that the poor boy could now sleep -as sound as a top. - -Soon after this the merchant, who had a ship ready to sail, called -for his servants, as his custom was, in order that each of them might -venture something to try their luck; and whatever they sent was to pay -neither freight nor custom, for he thought justly that God Almighty -would bless him the more for his readiness to let the poor partake of -his fortune. - -All the servants appeared but poor Whittington, who, having neither -money nor goods, could not think of sending anything to try his luck; -but his good friend Miss Alice, thinking his poverty kept him away, -ordered him to be called. - -She then offered to lay down something for him, but the merchant told -his daughter that would not do, it must be something of his own. Upon -which poor Whittington said he had nothing but a cat which he bought -for a penny that was given him. "Fetch thy cat, boy," said the merchant, -"and send her." Whittington brought poor puss and delivered her to the -captain, with tears in his eyes, for he said he should now be disturbed -by the rats and mice as much as ever. All the company laughed at -the adventure but Miss Alice, who pitied the poor boy, and gave him -something to buy another cat. - -While puss was beating the billows at sea, poor Whittington was severely -beaten at home by his tyrannical mistress the cook, who used him so -cruelly, and made such game of him for sending his cat to sea, that -at last the poor boy determined to run away from his place, and having -packed up the few things he had, he set out very early in the morning on -All-Hallows day. He traveled as far as Holloway, and there sat down on -a stone to consider what course he should take; but while he was thus -ruminating, Bow bells, of which there were only six, began to ring; and -he thought their sounds addressed him in this manner: - - "Turn again, Whittington, - Thrice Lord Mayor of London." - - -"Lord Mayor of London!" said he to himself, "what would not one endure -to be Lord Mayor of London, and ride in such a fine coach? Well, I'll go -back again, and bear all the pummelling and ill-usage of Cicely rather -than miss the opportunity of being Lord Mayor!" So home he went, and -happily got into the house and about his business before Mrs. Cicely -made her appearance. - -We must now follow Miss Puss to the coast of Africa. How perilous are -voyages at sea, how uncertain the winds and the waves, and how many -accidents attend a naval life! - -The ship that had the cat on board was long beaten at sea, and at last, -by contrary winds, driven on a part of the coast of Barbary which was -inhabited by Moors unknown to the English. These people received our -countrymen with civility, and therefore the captain, in order to trade -with them, showed them the patterns of the goods he had on board, and -sent some of them to the King of the country, who was so well pleased -that he sent for the captain and the factor to come to his palace, which -was about a mile from the sea. Here they were placed, according to the -custom of the country, on rich carpets, flowered with gold and silver; -and the King and Queen being seated at the upper end of the room, dinner -was brought in, which consisted of many dishes; but no sooner were the -dishes put down but an amazing number of rats and mice came from all -quarters and devoured all the meat in an instant. - -The factor, in surprise, turned round to the nobles and asked if these -vermin were not offensive. "Oh! yes," said they, "very offensive; and -the King would give half his treasure to be freed of them, for they -not only destroy his dinner, as you see, but they assault him in his -chamber, and even in bed, so that he is obliged to be watched while he -is sleeping, for fear of them." - -The factor jumped for joy; he remembered poor Whittington and his -cat, and told the King he had a creature on board the ship that would -despatch all these vermin immediately. The King's heart heaved so high -at the joy which this news gave him that his turban dropped off his -head. "Bring this creature to me," said he; "vermin are dreadful in a -court, and if she will perform what you say I will load your ship with -gold and jewels in exchange for her." The factor, who knew his business, -took this opportunity to set forth the merits of Miss Puss. He told his -Majesty that it would be inconvenient to part with her, as, when she -was gone, the rats and mice might destroy the goods in the ship--but to -oblige his Majesty he would fetch her. "Run, run," said the Queen; "I am -impatient to see the dear creature." - -Away flew the factor, while another dinner was providing, and returned -with the cat just as the rats and mice were devouring that also. He -immediately put down Miss Puss, who killed a great number of them. - -The King rejoiced greatly to see his old enemies destroyed by so small a -creature, and the Queen was highly pleased, and desired the cat might -be brought near that she might look at her. Upon which the factor called -"Pussy, pussy, pussy!" and she came to him. He then presented her to the -Queen, who started back, and was afraid to touch a creature who had made -such havoc among the rats and mice; however, when the factor stroked -the cat and called "Pussy, pussy!" the Queen also touched her and cried -"Putty, putty!" for she had not learned English. - -He then put her down on the Queen's lap, where she, purring, played with -her Majesty's hand, and then sang herself to sleep. - -The King, having seen the exploits of Miss Puss, and being informed that -her kittens would stock the whole country, bargained with the captain -and factor for the whole ship's cargo, and then gave them ten times as -much for the cat as all the rest amounted to. On which, taking leave of -their Majesties and other great personages at court, they sailed with a -fair wind for England, whither we must now attend them. - -The morn had scarcely dawned when Mr. Fitzwarren arose to count over -the cash and settle the business for that day. He had just entered the -counting-house, and seated himself at the desk, when somebody came, -tap, tap, at the door. "Who's there?" said Mr. Fitzwarren. "A friend," -answered the other. "What friend can come at this unseasonable time?" "A -real friend is never unseasonable," answered the other. "I come to bring -you good news of your ship Unicorn." The merchant bustled up in such a -hurry that he forgot his gout; instantly opened the door, and who should -be seen waiting but the captain and factor, with a cabinet of jewels, -and a bill of lading, for which the merchant lifted up his eyes and -thanked heaven for sending him such a prosperous voyage. Then they told -him the adventures of the cat, and showed him the cabinet of jewels -which they had brought for Mr. Whittington. Upon which he cried out with -great earnestness, but not in the most poetical manner: - - "Go, send him in, and tell him of his fame, - And call him Mr. Whittington by name." - - -It is not our business to animadvert upon these lines; we are not -critics, but historians. It is sufficient for us that they are the words -of Mr. Fitzwarren; and though it is beside our purpose, and perhaps not -in our power to prove him a good poet, we shall soon convince the reader -that he was a good man, which was a much better character; for when some -who were present told him that this treasure was too much for such a -poor boy as Whittington, he said: "God forbid that I should deprive him -of a penny; it is his own, and he shall have it to a farthing." He then -ordered Mr. Whittington in, who was at this time cleaning the kitchen -and would have excused himself from going into the counting-house, -saying the room was swept and his shoes were dirty and full of -hob-nails. The merchant, however, made him come in, and ordered a chair -to be set for him. Upon which, thinking they intended to make sport -of him, as had been too often the case in the kitchen, he besought his -master not to mock a poor simple fellow, who intended them no harm, but -let him go about his business. The merchant, taking him by the hand, -said: "Indeed, Mr. Whittington, I am in earnest with you, and sent for -you to congratulate you on your great success. Your cat has procured you -more money than I am worth in the world, and may you long enjoy it and -be happy!" - -At length, being shown the treasure, and convinced by them that all of -it belonged to him, he fell upon his knees and thanked the Almighty for -his providential care of such a poor and miserable creature. He then -laid all the treasure at his master's feet, who refused to take any part -of it, but told him he heartily rejoiced at his prosperity, and hoped -the wealth he had acquired would be a comfort to him, and would make -him happy. He then applied to his mistress, and to his good friend -Miss Alice, who refused to take any part of the money, but told him she -heartily rejoiced at his good success, and wished him all imaginable -felicity. He then gratified the captain, factor, and the ship's crew for -the care they had taken of his cargo. He likewise distributed presents -to all the servants in the house, not forgetting even his old enemy the -cook, though she little deserved it. - -After this Mr. Fitzwarren advised Mr. Whittington to send for the -necessary people and dress himself like a gentleman, and made him the -offer of his house to live in till he could provide himself with a -better. - -Now it came to pass when Mr. Whittington's face was washed, his hair -curled, and he dressed in a rich suit of clothes, that he turned out -a genteel young fellow; and, as wealth contributes much to give a man -confidence, he in a little time dropped that sheepish behavior which -was principally occasioned by a depression of spirits, and soon grew a -sprightly and good companion, insomuch that Miss Alice, who had formerly -pitied him, now fell in love with him. - -When her father perceived they had this good liking for each other -he proposed a match between them, to which both parties cheerfully -consented, and the Lord Mayor, Court of Aldermen, Sheriffs, the Company -of Stationers, the Royal Academy of Arts, and a number of eminent -merchants attended the ceremony, and were elegantly treated at an -entertainment made for that purpose. - -History further relates that they lived very happy, had several -children, and died at a good old age. Mr. Whittington served as Sheriff -of London and was three times Lord Mayor. In the last year of his -mayoralty he entertained King Henry V and his Queen, after his -conquest of France, upon which occasion the King, in consideration of -Whittington's merit, said: "Never had prince such a subject"; which -being told to Whittington at the table, he replied: "Never had subject -such a king." His Majesty, out of respect to his good character, -conferred the honor of knighthood on him soon after. - -Sir Richard many years before his death constantly fed a great number -of poor citizens, built a church and a college to it, with a yearly -allowance for poor scholars, and near it erected a hospital. - -He also built Newgate for criminals, and gave liberally to St. -Bartholomew's Hospital and other public charities. - - - - -THE WONDERFUL SHEEP - - -Once upon a time--in the days when the fairies lived--there was a king -who had three daughters, who were all young, and clever, and beautiful; -but the youngest of the three, who was called Miranda, was the prettiest -and the most beloved. - -The King, her father, gave her more dresses and jewels in a month than -he gave the others in a year; but she was so generous that she shared -everything with her sisters, and they were all as happy and as fond of -one another as they could be. - -Now, the King had some quarrelsome neighbors, who, tired of leaving him -in peace, began to make war upon him so fiercely that he feared he would -be altogether beaten if he did not make an effort to defend himself. -So he collected a great army and set off to fight them, leaving the -Princesses with their governess in a castle where news of the war was -brought every day--sometimes that the King had taken a town, or won a -battle, and, at last, that he had altogether overcome his enemies and -chased them out of his kingdom, and was coming back to the castle as -quickly as possible, to see his dear little Miranda whom he loved so -much. - -The three Princesses put on dresses of satin, which they had had made -on purpose for this great occasion, one green, one blue, and the third -white; their jewels were the same colors. The eldest wore emeralds, the -second turquoises, and the youngest diamonds, and thus adorned they -went to meet the King, singing verses which they had composed about his -victories. - -When he saw them all so beautiful and so gay he embraced them tenderly, -but gave Miranda more kisses than either of the others. - -Presently a splendid banquet was served, and the King and his daughters -sat down to it, and as he always thought that there was some special -meaning in everything, he said to the eldest: - -"Tell me why you have chosen a green dress." - -"Sire," she answered, "having heard of your victories I thought that -green would signify my joy and the hope of your speedy return." - -"That is a very good answer," said the King; "and you, my daughter," he -continued, "why did you take a blue dress?" - -"Sire," said the Princess, "to show that we constantly hoped for your -success, and that the sight of you is as welcome to me as the sky with -its most beautiful stars." - -"Why," said the King, "your wise answers astonish me, and you, Miranda. -What made you dress yourself all in white? - -"Because, sire," she answered, "white suits me better than anything -else." - -"What!" said the King angrily, "was that all you thought of, vain -child?" - -"I thought you would be pleased with me," said the Princess; "that was -all." - -The King, who loved her, was satisfied with this, and even pretended to -be pleased that she had not told him all her reasons at first. - -"And now," said he, "as I have supped well, and it is not time yet to go -to bed, tell me what you dreamed last night." - -The eldest said she had dreamed that he brought her a dress, and the -precious stones and gold embroidery on it were brighter than the sun. - -The dream of the second was that the King had brought her a spinning -wheel and a distaff, that she might spin him some shirts. - -But the youngest said: "I dreamed that my second sister was to be -married, and on her wedding-day, you, father, held a golden ewer and -said: 'Come, Miranda, and I will hold the water that you may dip your -hands in it.'" - -The King was very angry indeed when he heard this dream, and frowned -horribly; indeed, he made such an ugly face that everyone knew how angry -he was, and he got up and went off to bed in a great hurry; but he could -not forget his daughter's dream. - -"Does the proud girl wish to make me her slave?" he said to himself. "I -am not surprised at her choosing to dress herself in white satin without -a thought of me. She does not think me worthy of her consideration! But -I will soon put an end to her pretensions!" - -He rose in a fury, and although it was not yet daylight, he sent for the -Captain of his Bodyguard, and said to him: - -"You have heard the Princess Miranda's dream? I consider that it means -strange things against me, therefore I order you to take her away into -the forest and kill her, and, that I may be sure it is done, you must -bring me her heart and her tongue. If you attempt to deceive me you -shall be put to death!" - -The Captain of the Guard was very much astonished when he heard this -barbarous order, but he did not dare to contradict the King for fear of -making him still more angry, or causing him to send someone else, so he -answered that he would fetch the Princess and do as the King had said. -When he went to her room they would hardly let him in, it was so early, -but he said that the King had sent for Miranda, and she got up quickly -and came out; a little black girl called Patypata held up her train, and -her pet monkey and her little dog ran after her. The monkey was called -Grabugeon, and the little dog Tintin. - -The Captain of the Guard begged Miranda to come down into the garden -where the King was enjoying the fresh air, and when they got there, he -pretended to search for him, but as he was not to be found, he said: - -"No doubt his Majesty has strolled into the forest," and he opened the -little door that led to it and they went through. - -By this time the daylight had begun to appear, and the Princess, looking -at her conductor, saw that he had tears in his eyes and seemed too sad -to speak. - -"What is the matter?" she said in the kindest way. "You seem very -sorrowful." - -"Alas! Princess," he answered, "who would not be sorrowful who was -ordered to do such a terrible thing as I am? The King has commanded me -to kill you here, and carry your heart and your tongue to him, and if I -disobey I shall lose my life." - -The poor Princess was terrified, she grew very pale and began to cry -softly. - -Looking up at the Captain of the Guard with her beautiful eyes, she said -gently: - -"Will you really have the heart to kill me? I have never done you any -harm, and have always spoken well of you to the King. If I had deserved -my father's anger I would suffer without a murmur, but, alas! he is -unjust to complain of me, when I have always treated him with love and -respect." - -"Fear nothing, Princess," said the Captain of the Guard. "I would far -rather die myself than hurt you; but even if I am killed you will not -be safe: we must find some way of making the King believe that you are -dead." - -"What can we do?" said Miranda; "unless you take him my heart and my -tongue he will never believe you." - -The Princess and the Captain of the Guard were talking so earnestly that -they did not think of Patypata, but she had overheard all they said, and -now came and threw herself at Miranda's feet. - -"Madam," she said, "I offer you my life; let me be killed, I shall be -only too happy to die for such a kind mistress." - -"Why, Patypata," cried the Princess, kissing her, "that would never do; -your life is as precious to me as my own, especially after such a proof -of your affection as you have just given me." - -"You are right, Princess," said Grabugeon, coming forward, "to love such -a faithful slave as Patypata; she is of more use to you than I am, I -offer you my tongue and my heart most willingly, especially as I wish to -make a great name for myself in Goblin Land." - -"No, no, my little Grabugeon," replied Miranda, "I cannot bear the -thought of taking your life." - -"Such a good little dog as I am," cried Tintin, "could not think of -letting either of you die for his mistress. If anyone is to die for her -it must be me." - -And then began a great dispute between Patypata, Grabugeon, and Tintin, -and they came to high words, until at last Grabugeon, who was quicker -than the others, ran up to the very top of the nearest tree, and let -herself fall, head first, to the ground, and there she lay--quite dead! - -The Princess was very sorry, but as Grabugeon was really dead, she -allowed the Captain of the Guard to take her tongue; but, alas! it -was such a little one--not bigger than the Princess's thumb--that they -decided sorrowfully that it was of no use at all: the King would not -have been taken in by it for a moment! - -"Alas! my little monkey," cried the Princess, "I have lost you, and yet -I am no better off than I was before." - -"The honor of saving your life is to be mine," interrupted Patypata, -and, before they could prevent her, she had picked up a knife and cut -her head off in an instant. - -But when the Captain of the Guard would have taken her tongue it turned -out to be quite black, so that would not have deceived the King either. - -"Am I not unlucky?" cried the poor Princess; "I lose everything I love, -and am none the better for it." - -"If you had accepted my offer," said Tintin, "you would only have had me -to regret, and I should have had all your gratitude." - -Miranda kissed her little dog, crying so bitterly, that at last she -could bear it no longer, and turned away into the forest. When she -looked back the Captain of the Guard was gone, and she was alone, except -for Patypata, Grabugeon, and Tintin, who lay upon the ground. She could -not leave the place until she had buried them in a pretty little mossy -grave at the foot of a tree, and she wrote their names upon the bark of -the tree, and how they had all died to save her life. And then she began -to think where she could go for safety--for this forest was so close to -her father's castle that she might be seen and recognized by the first -passer-by, and, besides that, it was full of lions and wolves, who would -have snapped up a princess just as soon as a stray chicken. So she began -to walk as fast as she could, but the forest was so large and the sun -was so hot that she nearly died of heat and terror and fatigue; look -which way she would there seemed to be no end to the forest, and she -was so frightened that she fancied every minute that she heard the King -running after her to kill her. You may imagine how miserable she was, -and how she cried as she went on, not knowing which path to follow, and -with the thorny bushes scratching her dreadfully and tearing her pretty -frock to pieces. - -At last she heard the bleating of a sheep, and said to herself: - -"No doubt there are shepherds here with their flocks; they will show me -the way to some village where I can live disguised as a peasant girl. -Alas! it is not always kings and princes who are the happiest people in -the world. Who could have believed that I should ever be obliged to run -away and hide because the King, for no reason at all, wishes to kill -me?" - -So saying she advanced toward the place where she heard the bleating, -but what was her surprise when, in a lovely little glade quite -surrounded by trees, she saw a large sheep; its wool was as white as -snow, and its horns shone like gold; it had a garland of flowers round -its neck, and strings of great pearls about its legs, and a collar of -diamonds; it lay upon a bank of orange-flowers, under a canopy of cloth -of gold which protected it from the heat of the sun. Nearly a hundred -other sheep were scattered about, not eating the grass, but some -drinking coffee, lemonade, or sherbet, others eating ices, strawberries -and cream, or sweetmeats, while others, again, were playing games. Many -of them wore golden collars with jewels, flowers, and ribbons. - -Miranda stopped short in amazement at this unexpected sight, and was -looking in all directions for the shepherd of this surprising flock, -when the beautiful sheep came bounding toward her. - -"Approach, lovely Princess," he cried; "have no fear of such gentle and -peaceable animals as we are." - -"What a marvel!" cried the Princess, starting back a little. "Here is a -sheep that can talk." - -"Your monkey and your dog could talk, madam," said he; "are you more -astonished at us than at them?" - -"A fairy gave them the power to speak," replied Miranda. "So I was used -to them." - -"Perhaps the same thing has happened to us," he said, smiling -sheepishly. "But, Princess, what can have led you here?" - -"A thousand misfortunes, Sir Sheep," she answered. - -"I am the unhappiest princess in the world, and I am seeking a shelter -against my father's anger." - -"Come with me, madam," said the Sheep; "I offer you a hiding-place which -you only will know of, and where you will be mistress of everything you -see." - -"I really cannot follow you," said Miranda, "for I am too tired to walk -another step." - -The Sheep with the golden horns ordered that his chariot should be -fetched, and a moment after appeared six goats, harnessed to a pumpkin, -which was so big that two people could quite well sit in it, and was all -lined with cushions of velvet and down. The Princess stepped into it, -much amused at such a new kind of carriage, the King of the Sheep took -his place beside her, and the goats ran away with them at full speed, -and only stopped when they reached a cavern, the entrance to which -was blocked by a great stone. This the King touched with his foot, and -immediately it fell down, and he invited the Princess to enter without -fear. Now, if she had not been so alarmed by everything that had -happened, nothing could have induced her to go into this frightful cave, -but she was so afraid of what might be behind her that she would have -thrown herself even down a well at this moment. So, without hesitation, -she followed the Sheep, who went before her, down, down, down, until she -thought they must come out at the other side of the world--indeed, she -was not sure that he wasn't leading her into Fairyland. At last she saw -before her a great plain, quite covered with all sorts of flowers, the -scent of which seemed to her nicer than anything she had ever smelled -before; a broad river of orange-flower water flowed round it and -fountains of wine of every kind ran in all directions and made the -prettiest little cascades and brooks. The plain was covered with the -strangest trees, there were whole avenues where partridges, ready -roasted, hung from every branch, or, if you preferred pheasants, quails, -turkeys, or rabbits, you had only to turn to the right hand or to the -left and you were sure to find them. In places the air was darkened by -showers of lobster-patties, white puddings, sausages, tarts, and all -sorts of sweetmeats, or with pieces of gold and silver, diamonds and -pearls. This unusual kind of rain, and the pleasantness of the whole -place, would, no doubt, have attracted numbers of people to it, if the -King of the Sheep had been of a more sociable disposition, but from all -accounts it is evident that he was as grave as a judge. - -As it was quite the nicest time of the year when Miranda arrived in this -delightful land the only palace she saw was a long row of orange trees, -jasmines, honeysuckles, and musk-roses, and their interlacing branches -made the prettiest rooms possible, which were hung with gold and silver -gauze, and had great mirrors and candlesticks, and most beautiful -pictures. The Wonderful Sheep begged that the Princess would consider -herself queen over all that she saw, and assured her that, though for -some years he had been very sad and in great trouble, she had it in her -power to make him forget all his grief. - -"You are so kind and generous, noble Sheep," said the Princess, "that I -cannot thank you enough, but I must confess that all I see here seems to -me so extraordinary that I don't know what to think of it." - -As she spoke a band of lovely fairies came up and offered her amber -baskets full of fruit, but when she held out her hands to them they -glided away, and she could feel nothing when she tried to touch them. - -"Oh!" she cried, "what can they be? Whom am I with?" and she began to -cry. - -At this instant the King of the Sheep came back to her, and was so -distracted to find her in tears that he could have torn his wool. - -"What is the matter, lovely Princess?" he cried. "Has anyone failed to -treat you with due respect?" - -"Oh! no," said Miranda; "only I am not used to living with sprites and -with sheep that talk, and everything here frightens me. It was very kind -of you to bring me to this place, but I shall be even more grateful to -you if you will take me up into the world again." - -"Do not be afraid," said the Wonderful Sheep; "I entreat you to have -patience, and listen to the story of my misfortunes. I was once a king, -and my kingdom was the most splendid in the world. My subjects loved me, -my neighbors envied and feared me. I was respected by everyone, and it -was said that no king ever deserved it more. - -"I was very fond of hunting, and one day, while chasing a stag, I left -my attendants far behind; suddenly I saw the animal leap into a pool of -water, and I rashly urged my horse to follow it, but before we had gone -many steps I felt an extraordinary heat, instead of the coolness of the -water; the pond dried up, a great gulf opened before me, out of which -flames of fire shot up, and I fell helplessly to the bottom of a -precipice. - -"I gave myself up for lost, but presently a voice said: 'Ungrateful -Prince, even this fire is hardly enough to warm your cold heart!' - -"'Who complains of my coldness in this dismal place?' I cried. - -"'An unhappy being who loves you hopelessly,' replied the voice, and at -the same moment the flames began to flicker and cease to burn, and I -saw a fairy, whom I had known as long as I could remember, and whose -ugliness had always horrified me. She was leaning upon the arm of a -most beautiful young girl, who wore chains of gold on her wrists and was -evidently her slave. - -"'Why, Ragotte,' I said, for that was the fairy's name, 'what is the -meaning of all this? Is it by your orders that I am here?' - -"'And whose fault is it,' she answered, 'that you have never understood -me until now? Must a powerful fairy like myself condescend to explain -her doings to you who are no better than an ant by comparison, though -you think yourself a great king?' - -"'Call me what you like,' I said impatiently; 'but what is it that you -want--my crown, or my cities, or my treasures?' - -"'Treasures!' said the fairy, disdainfully. 'If I chose I could make -any one of my scullions richer and more powerful than you. I do not -want your treasures, but,' she added softly, 'if you will give me your -heart--if you will marry me--I will add twenty kingdoms to the one you -have already; you shall have a hundred castles full of gold and five -hundred full of silver, and, in short, anything you like to ask me for.' - -"'Madam Ragotte,' said I, 'when one is at the bottom of a pit where one -has fully expected to be roasted alive, it is impossible to think of -asking such a charming person as you are to marry one! I beg that you -will set me at liberty, and then I shall hope to answer you fittingly.' - -"'Ah!' said she, 'if you really loved me you would not care where you -were--a cave, a wood, a fox-hole, a desert, would please you equally -well. Do not think that you can deceive me; you fancy you are going to -escape, but I assure you that you are going to stay here and the first -thing I shall give you to do will be to keep my sheep--they are very -good company and speak quite as well as you do. - -"As she spoke she advanced, and led me to this plain where we now stand, -and showed me her flock, but I paid little attention to it or to her. - -"To tell the truth, I was so lost in admiration of her beautiful slave -that I forgot everything else, and the cruel Ragotte, perceiving this, -turned upon her so furious and terrible a look that she fell lifeless to -the ground. - -"At this dreadful sight I drew my sword and rushed at Ragotte, and -should certainly have cut off her head had she not by her magic arts -chained me to the spot on which I stood; all my efforts to move were -useless, and at last, when I threw myself down on the ground in despair, -she said to me, with a scornful smile: - -"'I intend to make you feel my power. It seems that you are a lion at -present, I mean you to be a sheep.' - -"So saying, she touched me with her wand, and I became what you see. I -did not lose the power of speech, or of feeling the misery of my present -state. - -"'For five years,' she said, 'you shall be a sheep, and lord of this -pleasant land, while I, no longer able to see your face, which I loved -so much, shall be better able to hate you as you deserve to be hated.' - -"She disappeared as she finished speaking, and if I had not been too -unhappy to care about anything I should have been glad that she was -gone. - -"The talking sheep received me as their king, and told me that they, -too, were unfortunate princes who had, in different ways, offended the -revengeful fairy, and had been added to her flock for a certain number -of years; some more, some less. From time to time, indeed, one regains -his own proper form and goes back again to his place in the upper world; -but the other beings whom you saw are the rivals or the enemies of -Ragotte, whom she has imprisoned for a hundred years or so; though even -they will go back at last. The young slave of whom I told you about is -one of these; I have seen her often, and it has been a great pleasure to -me. She never speaks to me, and if I were nearer to her I know I should -find her only a shadow, which would be very annoying. However, I noticed -that one of my companions in misfortune was also very attentive to this -little sprite, and I found out that he had been her lover, whom the -cruel Ragotte had taken away from her long before; since then I have -cared for, and thought of, nothing but how I might regain my freedom. -I have often been in the forest; that is where I have seen you, lovely -Princess, sometimes driving your chariot, which you did with all the -grace and skill in the world; sometimes riding to the chase on so -spirited a horse that it seemed as if no one but yourself could have -managed it, and sometimes running races on the plain with the Princesses -of your Court--running so lightly that it was you always who won the -prize. Oh! Princess, I have loved you so long, and yet how dare I -tell you of my love! what hope can there be for an unhappy sheep like -myself?" - -Miranda was so surprised and confused by all that she had heard that -she hardly knew what answer to give to the King of the Sheep, but she -managed to make some kind of little speech, which certainly did not -forbid him to hope, and said that she should not be afraid of the -shadows now she knew that they would some day come to life again. -"Alas!" she continued, "if my poor Patypata, my dear Grabugeon, and -pretty little Tintin, who all died for my sake, were equally well off, I -should have nothing left to wish for here!" - -Prisoner though he was, the King of the Sheep had still some powers and -privileges. - -"Go," said he to his Master of the Horse, "go and seek the shadows of -the little black girl, the monkey, and the dog: they will amuse our -Princess." - -And an instant afterward Miranda saw them coming toward her, and their -presence gave her the greatest pleasure, though they did not come near -enough for her to touch them. - -The King of the Sheep was so kind and amusing, and loved Miranda so -dearly, that at last she began to love him too. Such a handsome -sheep, who was so polite and considerate, could hardly fail to please, -especially if one knew that he was really a king, and that his strange -imprisonment would soon come to an end. So the Princess's days passed -very gaily while she waited for the happy time to come. The King of -the Sheep, with the help of all the flock, got up balls, concerts, and -hunting parties, and even the shadows joined in all the fun, and came, -making believe to be their own real selves. - -One evening, when the couriers arrived (for the King sent most carefully -for news--and they always brought the very best kinds), it was announced -that the sister of the Princess Miranda was going to be married to -a great Prince, and that nothing could be more splendid than all the -preparations for the wedding. - -"Ah!" cried the young Princess, "how unlucky I am to miss the sight of -so many pretty things! Here am I imprisoned under the earth, with no -company but sheep and shadows, while my sister is to be adorned like a -queen and surrounded by all who love and admire her, and everyone but -myself can go to wish her joy!" - -"Why do you complain, Princess?" said the King of the Sheep. "Did I say -that you were not to go to the wedding? Set out as soon as you please; -only promise me that you will come back, for I love you too much to be -able to live without you." - -Miranda was very grateful to him, and promised faithfully that nothing -in the world should keep her from coming back. The King caused an escort -suitable to her rank to be got ready for her, and she dressed herself -splendidly, not forgetting anything that could make her more beautiful. -Her chariot was of mother-of-pearl, drawn by six dun-colored griffins -just brought from the other side of the world, and she was attended by a -number of guards in splendid uniforms, who were all at least eight feet -high and had come from far and near to ride in the Princess's train. - -Miranda reached her father's palace just as the wedding ceremony began, -and everyone, as soon as she came in, was struck with surprise at -her beauty and the splendor of her jewels. She heard exclamations -of admiration on all sides; and the King her father looked at her so -attentively that she was afraid he must recognize her; but he was so -sure that she was dead that the idea never occurred to him. - -However, the fear of not getting away made her leave before the marriage -was over. She went out hastily, leaving behind her a little coral casket -set with emeralds. On it was written in diamond letters: "Jewels for the -Bride," and when they opened it, which they did as soon as it was found, -there seemed to be no end to the pretty things it contained. The King, -who had hoped to join the unknown Princess and find out who she was, -was dreadfully disappointed when she disappeared so suddenly, and gave -orders that if she ever came again the doors were to be shut that she -might not get away so easily. Short as Miranda's absence had been, it -had seemed like a hundred years to the King of the Sheep. He was waiting -for her by a fountain in the thickest part of the forest, and the ground -was strewn with splendid presents which he had prepared for her to show -his joy and gratitude at her coming back. - -As soon as she was in sight he rushed to meet her, leaping and bounding -like a real sheep. He caressed her tenderly, throwing himself at her -feet and kissing her hands, and told her how uneasy he had been in -her absence, and how impatient for her return, with an eloquence which -charmed her. - -After some time came the news that the King's second daughter was going -to be married. When Miranda heard it she begged the King of the Sheep -to allow her to go and see the wedding as before. This request made him -feel very sad, as if some misfortune must surely come of it, but his -love for the Princess being stronger than anything else he did not like -to refuse her. - -"You wish to leave me, Princess," said he; "it is my unhappy fate--you -are not to blame. I consent to your going, but, believe me, I can give -you no stronger proof of my love than by so doing." - -The Princess assured him that she would only stay a very short time, as -she had done before, and begged him not to be uneasy, as she would be -quite as much grieved if anything detained her as he could possibly be. - -So, with the same escort, she set out, and reached the palace as the -marriage ceremony began. Everybody was delighted to see her; she was -so pretty that they thought she must be some fairy princess, and the -Princes who were there could not take their eyes off her. - -The King was more glad than anyone else that she had come again, and -gave orders that the doors should all be shut and bolted that very -minute. When the wedding was all but over the Princess got up quickly, -hoping to slip away unnoticed among the crowd, but, to her great dismay, -she found every door fastened. - -She felt more at ease when the King came up to her, and with the -greatest respect begged her not to run away so soon, but at least to -honor him by staying for the splendid feast which was prepared for the -Princes and Princesses. He led her into a magnificent hall, where all -the Court was assembled, and himself taking up the golden bowl full of -water, he offered it to her that she might dip her pretty fingers into -it. - -At this the Princess could no longer contain herself; throwing herself -at the King's feet, she cried out: - -"My dream has come true after all--you have offered me water to wash my -hands on my sister's wedding day, and it has not vexed you to do it." - -The King recognized her at once--indeed, he had already thought several -times how much like his poor little Miranda she was. - -"Oh! my dear daughter," he cried, kissing her, "can you ever forget my -cruelty? I ordered you to be put to death because I thought your dream -portended the loss of my crown. And so it did," he added, "for now your -sisters are both married and have kingdoms of their own--and mine shall -be for you." So saying he put his crown on the Princess's head and -cried: - -"Long live Queen Miranda!" - -All the Court cried: "Long live Queen Miranda!" after him, and the young -Queen's two sisters came running up, and threw their arms round her -neck, and kissed her a thousand times, and then there was such a -laughing and crying, talking and kissing, all at once, and Miranda -thanked her father, and began to ask after everyone--particularly -the Captain of the Guard, to whom she owed so much; but, to her great -sorrow, she heard that he was dead. Presently they sat down to the -banquet, and the King asked Miranda to tell them all that had happened -to her since the terrible morning when he had sent the Captain of the -Guard to fetch her. This she did with so much spirit that all the guests -listened with breathless interest. But while she was thus enjoying -herself with the King and her sisters, the King of the Sheep was waiting -impatiently for the time of her return, and when it came and went, and -no Princess appeared, his anxiety became so great that he could bear it -no longer. - -"She is not coming back any more," he cried. "My miserable sheep's -face displeases her, and without Miranda what is left to me, wretched -creature that I am! Oh! cruel Ragotte; my punishment is complete." - -For a long time he bewailed his sad fate like this, and then, seeing -that it was growing dark, and that still there was no sign of the -Princess, he set out as fast as he could in the direction of the town. -When he reached the palace he asked for Miranda, but by this time -everyone had heard the story of her adventures, and did not want her to -go back again to the King of the Sheep, so they refused sternly to let -him see her. In vain he begged and prayed them to let him in; though -his entreaties might have melted hearts of stone they did not move the -guards of the palace, and at last, quite broken-hearted, he fell dead at -their feet. - -In the meantime the King, who had not the least idea of the sad thing -that was happening outside the gate of his palace, proposed to Miranda -that she should be driven in her chariot all round the town, which was -to be illuminated with thousands and thousands of torches, placed in -windows and balconies, and in all the grand squares. But what a sight -met her eyes at the very entrance of the palace! There lay her dear, -kind sheep, silent and motionless, upon the pavement! - -She threw herself out of the chariot and ran to him, crying bitterly, -for she realized that her broken promise had cost him his life, and for -a long, long time she was so unhappy that they thought she would have -died too. - -So you see that even a princess is not always happy--especially if she -forgets to keep her word; and the greatest misfortunes often happen to -people just as they think they have obtained their heart's desires!(1) - - -(1) Madame d'Aulnoy. - - - - -LITTLE THUMB - - -There was, once upon a time, a man and his wife fagot-makers by trade, -who had several children, all boys. The eldest was but ten years old, -and the youngest only seven. - -They were very poor, and their seven children incommoded them greatly, -because not one of them was able to earn his bread. That which gave -them yet more uneasiness was that the youngest was of a very puny -constitution, and scarce ever spoke a word, which made them take that -for stupidity which was a sign of good sense. He was very little, and -when born no bigger than one's thumb, which made him be called Little -Thumb. - -The poor child bore the blame of whatsoever was done amiss in the house, -and, guilty or not, was always in the wrong; he was, notwithstanding, -more cunning and had a far greater share of wisdom than all his brothers -put together; and, if he spake little, he heard and thought the more. - -There happened now to come a very bad year, and the famine was so great -that these poor people resolved to rid themselves of their children. One -evening, when they were all in bed and the fagot-maker was sitting with -his wife at the fire, he said to her, with his heart ready to burst with -grief: - -"Thou seest plainly that we are not able to keep our children, and I -cannot see them starve to death before my face; I am resolved to lose -them in the wood to-morrow, which may very easily be done; for, while -they are busy in tying up fagots, we may run away, and leave them, -without their taking any notice." - -"Ah!" cried his wife; "and canst thou thyself have the heart to take thy -children out along with thee on purpose to lose them?" - -In vain did her husband represent to her their extreme poverty: she -would not consent to it; she was indeed poor, but she was their mother. -However, having considered what a grief it would be to her to see them -perish with hunger, she at last consented, and went to bed all in tears. - -Little Thumb heard every word that had been spoken; for observing, as -he lay in his bed, that they were talking very busily, he got up softly, -and hid himself under his father's stool, that he might hear what they -said without being seen. He went to bed again, but did not sleep a wink -all the rest of the night, thinking on what he had to do. He got up -early in the morning, and went to the river-side, where he filled his -pockets full of small white pebbles, and then returned home. - -They all went abroad, but Little Thumb never told his brothers one -syllable of what he knew. They went into a very thick forest, where they -could not see one another at ten paces distance. The fagot-maker began -to cut wood, and the children to gather up the sticks to make fagots. -Their father and mother, seeing them busy at their work, got away from -them insensibly, and ran away from them all at once, along a by-way -through the winding bushes. - -When the children saw they were left alone, they began to cry as loud as -they could. Little Thumb let them cry on, knowing very well how to get -home again, for, as he came, he took care to drop all along the way the -little white pebbles he had in his pockets. Then he said to them: - -"Be not afraid, brothers; father and mother have left us here, but I -will lead you home again, only follow me." - -They did so, and he brought them home by the very same way they came -into the forest. They dared not go in, but sat themselves down at the -door, listening to what their father and mother were saying. - -The very moment the fagot-maker and his wife reached home the lord of -the manor sent them ten crowns, which he had owed them a long while, and -which they never expected. This gave them new life, for the poor people -were almost famished. The fagot-maker sent his wife immediately to the -butcher's. As it was a long while since they had eaten a bit, she bought -thrice as much meat as would sup two people. When they had eaten, the -woman said: - -"Alas! where are now our poor children? they would make a good feast of -what we have left here; but it was you, William, who had a mind to lose -them: I told you we should repent of it. What are they now doing in the -forest? Alas! dear God, the wolves have perhaps already eaten them up; -thou art very inhuman thus to have lost thy children." - -The fagot-maker grew at last quite out of patience, for she repeated it -above twenty times, that they should repent of it, and that she was in -the right of it for so saying. He threatened to beat her if she did not -hold her tongue. It was not that the fagot-maker was not, perhaps, more -vexed than his wife, but that she teased him, and that he was of the -humor of a great many others, who love wives to speak well, but -think those very importunate who are continually doing so. She was -half-drowned in tears, crying out: - -"Alas! where are now my children, my poor children?" - -She spoke this so very loud that the children, who were at the gate, -began to cry out all together: - -"Here we are! Here we are!" - -She ran immediately to open the door, and said, hugging them: - -"I am glad to see you, my dear children; you are very hungry and weary; -and my poor Peter, thou art horribly bemired; come in and let me clean -thee." - -Now, you must know that Peter was her eldest son, whom she loved above -all the rest, because he was somewhat carroty, as she herself was. They -sat down to supper, and ate with such a good appetite as pleased both -father and mother, whom they acquainted how frightened they were in -the forest, speaking almost always all together. The good folks were -extremely glad to see their children once more at home, and this joy -continued while the ten crowns lasted; but, when the money was all gone, -they fell again into their former uneasiness, and resolved to lose them -again; and, that they might be the surer of doing it, to carry them to a -much greater distance than before. - -They could not talk of this so secretly but they were overheard by -Little Thumb, who made account to get out of this difficulty as well as -the former; but, though he got up very early in the morning to go and -pick up some little pebbles, he was disappointed, for he found the -house-door double-locked, and was at a stand what to do. When their -father had given each of them a piece of bread for their breakfast, -Little Thumb fancied he might make use of this instead of the pebbles by -throwing it in little bits all along the way they should pass; and so he -put the bread in his pocket. - -Their father and mother brought them into the thickest and most obscure -part of the forest, when, stealing away into a by-path, they there left -them. Little Thumb was not very uneasy at it, for he thought he could -easily find the way again by means of his bread, which he had scattered -all along as he came; but he was very much surprised when he could not -find so much as one crumb; the birds had come and had eaten it up, every -bit. They were now in great affliction, for the farther they went the -more they were out of their way, and were more and more bewildered in -the forest. - -Night now came on, and there arose a terribly high wind, which made them -dreadfully afraid. They fancied they heard on every side of them the -howling of wolves coming to eat them up. They scarce dared to speak or -turn their heads. After this, it rained very hard, which wetted them to -the skin; their feet slipped at every step they took, and they fell into -the mire, whence they got up in a very dirty pickle; their hands were -quite benumbed. - -Little Thumb climbed up to the top of a tree, to see if he could -discover anything; and having turned his head about on every side, he -saw at last a glimmering light, like that of a candle, but a long way -from the forest. He came down, and, when upon the ground, he could see -it no more, which grieved him sadly. However, having walked for some -time with his brothers toward that side on which he had seen the light, -he perceived it again as he came out of the wood. - -They came at last to the house where this candle was, not without an -abundance of fear: for very often they lost sight of it, which happened -every time they came into a bottom. They knocked at the door, and a good -woman came and opened it; she asked them what they would have. - -Little Thumb told her they were poor children who had been lost in the -forest, and desired to lodge there for God's sake. - -The woman, seeing them so very pretty, began to weep, and said to them: - -"Alas! poor babies; whither are ye come? Do ye know that this house -belongs to a cruel ogre who eats up little children?" - -"Ah! dear madam," answered Little Thumb (who trembled every joint of -him, as well as his brothers), "what shall we do? To be sure the wolves -of the forest will devour us to-night if you refuse us to lie here; and -so we would rather the gentleman should eat us; and perhaps he may take -pity upon us, especially if you please to beg it of him." - -The Ogre's wife, who believed she could conceal them from her husband -till morning, let them come in, and brought them to warm themselves at a -very good fire; for there was a whole sheep upon the spit, roasting for -the Ogre's supper. - -As they began to be a little warm they heard three or four great raps at -the door; this was the Ogre, who had come home. Upon this she hid them -under the bed and went to open the door. The Ogre presently asked if -supper was ready and the wine drawn, and then sat himself down to table. -The sheep was as yet all raw and bloody; but he liked it the better for -that. He sniffed about to the right and left, saying: - -"I smell fresh meat." - -"What you smell so," said his wife, "must be the calf which I have just -now killed and flayed." - -"I smell fresh meat, I tell thee once more," replied the Ogre, looking -crossly at his wife; "and there is something here which I do not -understand." - -As he spoke these words he got up from the table and went directly to -the bed. - -"Ah, ah!" said he; "I see then how thou wouldst cheat me, thou cursed -woman; I know not why I do not eat thee up too, but it is well for thee -that thou art a tough old carrion. Here is good game, which comes very -quickly to entertain three ogres of my acquaintance who are to pay me a -visit in a day or two." - -With that he dragged them out from under the bed one by one. The poor -children fell upon their knees, and begged his pardon; but they had to -do with one of the most cruel ogres in the world, who, far from having -any pity on them, had already devoured them with his eyes, and told -his wife they would be delicate eating when tossed up with good -savory sauce. He then took a great knife, and, coming up to these poor -children, whetted it upon a great whet-stone which he held in his left -hand. He had already taken hold of one of them when his wife said to -him: - -"Why need you do it now? Is it not time enough to-morrow?" - -"Hold your prating," said the Ogre; "they will eat the tenderer. - -"But you have so much meat already," replied his wife, "you have no -occasion; here are a calf, two sheep, and half a hog." - -"That is true," said the Ogre; "give them their belly full that they may -not fall away, and put them to bed." - -The good woman was overjoyed at this, and gave them a good supper; but -they were so much afraid they could not eat a bit. As for the Ogre, -he sat down again to drink, being highly pleased that he had got -wherewithal to treat his friends. He drank a dozen glasses more than -ordinary, which got up into his head and obliged him to go to bed. - -The Ogre had seven daughters, all little children, and these young -ogresses had all of them very fine complexions, because they used to -eat fresh meat like their father; but they had little gray eyes, quite -round, hooked noses, and very long sharp teeth, standing at a -good distance from each other. They were not as yet over and above -mischievous, but they promised very fair for it, for they had already -bitten little children, that they might suck their blood. - -They had been put to bed early, with every one a crown of gold upon her -head. There was in the same chamber a bed of the like bigness, and it -was into this bed the Ogre's wife put the seven little boys, after which -she went to bed to her husband. - -Little Thumb, who had observed that the Ogre's daughters had crowns of -gold upon their heads, and was afraid lest the Ogre should repent his -not killing them, got up about midnight, and, taking his brothers' -bonnets and his own, went very softly and put them upon the heads of -the seven little ogresses, after having taken off their crowns of gold, -which he put upon his own head and his brothers', that the Ogre might -take them for his daughters, and his daughters for the little boys whom -he wanted to kill. - -All this succeeded according to his desire; for, the Ogre waking about -midnight, and sorry that he deferred to do that till morning which -he might have done over-night, threw himself hastily out of bed, and, -taking his great knife, - -"Let us see," said he, "how our little rogues do, and not make two jobs -of the matter." - -He then went up, groping all the way, into his daughters' chamber, and, -coming to the bed where the little boys lay, and who were every soul of -them fast asleep, except Little Thumb, who was terribly afraid when -he found the Ogre fumbling about his head, as he had done about his -brothers', the Ogre, feeling the golden crowns, said: - -"I should have made a fine piece of work of it, truly; I find I drank -too much last night." - -Then he went to the bed where the girls lay; and, having found the boys' -little bonnets, - -"Ah!" said he, "my merry lads, are you there? Let us work as we ought." - -And saying these words, without more ado, he cut the throats of all his -seven daughters. - -Well pleased with what he had done, he went to bed again to his wife. -So soon as Little Thumb heard the Ogre snore, he waked his brothers, and -bade them all put on their clothes presently and follow him. They stole -down softly into the garden, and got over the wall. They kept running -about all night, and trembled all the while, without knowing which way -they went. - -The Ogre, when he awoke, said to his wife: "Go upstairs and dress those -young rascals who came here last night." - -The wife was very much surprised at this goodness of her husband, not -dreaming after what manner she should dress them; but, thinking that -he had ordered her to go and put on their clothes, she went up, and was -strangely astonished when she perceived her seven daughters killed, and -weltering in their blood. - -She fainted away, for this is the first expedient almost all women find -in such cases. The Ogre, fearing his wife would be too long in doing -what he had ordered, went up himself to help her. He was no less amazed -than his wife at this frightful spectacle. - -"Ah! what have I done?" cried he. "The wretches shall pay for it, and -that instantly." - -He threw a pitcher of water upon his wife's face, and, having brought -her to herself, said: - -"Give me quickly my boots of seven leagues, that I may go and catch -them." - -He went out, and, having run over a vast deal of ground, both on -this side and that, he came at last into the very road where the poor -children were, and not above a hundred paces from their father's house. -They espied the Ogre, who went at one step from mountain to mountain, -and over rivers as easily as the narrowest kennels. Little Thumb, seeing -a hollow rock near the place where they were, made his brothers hide -themselves in it, and crowded into it himself, minding always what would -become of the Ogre. - -The Ogre, who found himself much tired with his long and fruitless -journey (for these boots of seven leagues greatly fatigued the wearer), -had a great mind to rest himself, and, by chance, went to sit down upon -the rock where the little boys had hid themselves. As it was impossible -he could be more weary than he was, he fell asleep, and, after reposing -himself some time, began to snore so frightfully that the poor children -were no less afraid of him than when he held up his great knife and was -going to cut their throats. Little Thumb was not so much frightened as -his brothers, and told them that they should run away immediately toward -home while the Ogre was asleep so soundly, and that they should not be -in any pain about him. They took his advice, and got home presently. -Little Thumb came up to the Ogre, pulled off his boots gently and put -them on his own legs. The boots were very long and large, but, as they -were fairies, they had the gift of becoming big and little, according to -the legs of those who wore them; so that they fitted his feet and legs -as well as if they had been made on purpose for him. He went immediately -to the Ogre's house, where he saw his wife crying bitterly for the loss -of the Ogre's murdered daughters. - -"Your husband," said Little Thumb, "is in very great danger, being taken -by a gang of thieves, who have sworn to kill him if he does not give -them all his gold and silver. The very moment they held their daggers -at his throat he perceived me, and desired me to come and tell you the -condition he is in, and that you should give me whatsoever he has of -value, without retaining any one thing; for otherwise they will kill him -without mercy; and, as his case is very pressing, he desired me to make -use (you see I have them on) of his boots, that I might make the more -haste and to show you that I do not impose upon you." - -The good woman, being sadly frightened, gave him all she had: for this -Ogre was a very good husband, though he used to eat up little children. -Little Thumb, having thus got all the Ogre's money, came home to his -father's house, where he was received with abundance of joy. - -There are many people who do not agree in this circumstance, and pretend -that Little Thumb never robbed the Ogre at all, and that he only thought -he might very justly, and with a safe conscience, take off his boots -of seven leagues, because he made no other use of them but to run after -little children. These folks affirm that they are very well assured of -this, and the more as having drunk and eaten often at the fagot-maker's -house. They aver that when Little Thumb had taken off the Ogre's boots -he went to Court, where he was informed that they were very much in pain -about a certain army, which was two hundred leagues off, and the success -of a battle. He went, say they, to the King, and told him that, if he -desired it, he would bring him news from the army before night. - -The King promised him a great sum of money upon that condition. Little -Thumb was as good as his word, and returned that very same night with -the news; and, this first expedition causing him to be known, he got -whatever he pleased, for the King paid him very well for carrying his -orders to the army. After having for some time carried on the business -of a messenger, and gained thereby great wealth, he went home to his -father, where it was impossible to express the joy they were all in at -his return. He made the whole family very easy, bought places for his -father and brothers, and, by that means, settled them very handsomely in -the world, and, in the meantime, made his court to perfection.(1) - - -(1) Charles Perrault. - - - - -THE FORTY THIEVES - - -In a town in Persia there dwelt two brothers, one named Cassim, the -other Ali Baba. Cassim was married to a rich wife and lived in plenty, -while Ali Baba had to maintain his wife and children by cutting wood in -a neighboring forest and selling it in the town. One day, when Ali Baba -was in the forest, he saw a troop of men on horseback, coming toward him -in a cloud of dust. He was afraid they were robbers, and climbed into -a tree for safety. When they came up to him and dismounted, he counted -forty of them. They unbridled their horses and tied them to trees. The -finest man among them, whom Ali Baba took to be their captain, went a -little way among some bushes, and said: "Open, Sesame!"(1) so plainly -that Ali Baba heard him. A door opened in the rocks, and having made the -troop go in, he followed them, and the door shut again of itself. They -stayed some time inside, and Ali Baba, fearing they might come out and -catch him, was forced to sit patiently in the tree. At last the door -opened again, and the Forty Thieves came out. As the Captain went in -last he came out first, and made them all pass by him; he then closed -the door, saying: "Shut, Sesame!" Every man bridled his horse and -mounted, the Captain put himself at their head, and they returned as -they came. - - -(1) Sesame is a kind of grain. - - -Then Ali Baba climbed down and went to the door concealed among the -bushes, and said: "Open, Sesame!" and it flew open. Ali Baba, who -expected a dull, dismal place, was greatly surprised to find it large -and well lighted, hollowed by the hand of man in the form of a vault, -which received the light from an opening in the ceiling. He saw rich -bales of merchandise--silk, stuff-brocades, all piled together, and gold -and silver in heaps, and money in leather purses. He went in and the -door shut behind him. He did not look at the silver, but brought out as -many bags of gold as he thought his asses, which were browsing outside, -could carry, loaded them with the bags, and hid it all with fagots. -Using the words: "Shut, Sesame!" he closed the door and went home. - -Then he drove his asses into the yard, shut the gates, carried the -money-bags to his wife, and emptied them out before her. He bade her -keep the secret, and he would go and bury the gold. "Let me first -measure it," said his wife. "I will go borrow a measure of someone, -while you dig the hole." So she ran to the wife of Cassim and borrowed a -measure. Knowing Ali Baba's poverty, the sister was curious to find out -what sort of grain his wife wished to measure, and artfully put some -suet at the bottom of the measure. Ali Baba's wife went home and set the -measure on the heap of gold, and filled it and emptied it often, to her -great content. She then carried it back to her sister, without noticing -that a piece of gold was sticking to it, which Cassim's wife perceived -directly her back was turned. She grew very curious, and said to Cassim -when he came home: "Cassim, your brother is richer than you. He does not -count his money, he measures it." He begged her to explain this riddle, -which she did by showing him the piece of money and telling him where -she found it. Then Cassim grew so envious that he could not sleep, and -went to his brother in the morning before sunrise. "Ali Baba," he said, -showing him the gold piece, "you pretend to be poor and yet you measure -gold." By this Ali Baba perceived that through his wife's folly Cassim -and his wife knew their secret, so he confessed all and offered Cassim a -share. "That I expect," said Cassim; "but I must know where to find the -treasure, otherwise I will discover all, and you will lose all." Ali -Baba, more out of kindness than fear, told him of the cave, and the very -words to use. Cassim left Ali Baba, meaning to be beforehand with him -and get the treasure for himself. He rose early next morning, and set -out with ten mules loaded with great chests. He soon found the place, -and the door in the rock. He said: "Open, Sesame!" and the door opened -and shut behind him. He could have feasted his eyes all day on the -treasures, but he now hastened to gather together as much of it as -possible; but when he was ready to go he could not remember what to say -for thinking of his great riches. Instead of "Sesame," he said: "Open, -Barley!" and the door remained fast. He named several different sorts of -grain, all but the right one, and the door still stuck fast. He was so -frightened at the danger he was in that he had as much forgotten the -word as if he had never heard it. - -About noon the robbers returned to their cave, and saw Cassim's mules -roving about with great chests on their backs. This gave them the alarm; -they drew their sabres, and went to the door, which opened on their -Captain's saying: "Open, Sesame!" Cassim, who had heard the trampling of -their horses' feet, resolved to sell his life dearly, so when the door -opened he leaped out and threw the Captain down. In vain, however, for -the robbers with their sabres soon killed him. On entering the cave they -saw all the bags laid ready, and could not imagine how anyone had got in -without knowing their secret. They cut Cassim's body into four quarters, -and nailed them up inside the cave, in order to frighten anyone who -should venture in, and went away in search of more treasure. - -As night drew on Cassim's wife grew very uneasy, and ran to her -brother-in-law, and told him where her husband had gone. Ali Baba did -his best to comfort her, and set out to the forest in search of Cassim. -The first thing he saw on entering the cave was his dead brother. Full -of horror, he put the body on one of his asses, and bags of gold on the -other two, and, covering all with some fagots, returned home. He drove -the two asses laden with gold into his own yard, and led the other to -Cassim's house. The door was opened by the slave Morgiana, whom he knew -to be both brave and cunning. Unloading the ass, he said to her: "This -is the body of your master, who has been murdered, but whom we must bury -as though he had died in his bed. I will speak with you again, but now -tell your mistress I am come." The wife of Cassim, on learning the fate -of her husband, broke out into cries and tears, but Ali Baba offered to -take her to live with him and his wife if she would promise to keep -his counsel and leave everything to Morgiana; whereupon she agreed, and -dried her eyes. - -Morgiana, meanwhile, sought an apothecary and asked him for some -lozenges. "My poor master," she said, "can neither eat nor speak, and -no one knows what his distemper is." She carried home the lozenges and -returned next day weeping, and asked for an essence only given to those -just about to die. Thus, in the evening, no one was surprised to hear -the wretched shrieks and cries of Cassim's wife and Morgiana, telling -everyone that Cassim was dead. The day after Morgiana went to an old -cobbler near the gates of the town who opened his stall early, put a -piece of gold in his hand, and bade him follow her with his needle and -thread. Having bound his eyes with a handkerchief, she took him to the -room where the body lay, pulled off the bandage, and bade him sew the -quarters together, after which she covered his eyes again and led him -home. Then they buried Cassim, and Morgiana his slave followed him to -the grave, weeping and tearing her hair, while Cassim's wife stayed at -home uttering lamentable cries. Next day she went to live with Ali Baba, -who gave Cassim's shop to his eldest son. - -The Forty Thieves, on their return to the cave, were much astonished to -find Cassim's body gone and some of their money-bags. "We are certainly -discovered," said the Captain, "and shall be undone if we cannot find -out who it is that knows our secret. Two men must have known it; we have -killed one, we must now find the other. To this end one of you who -is bold and artful must go into the city dressed as a traveler, and -discover whom we have killed, and whether men talk of the strange manner -of his death. If the messenger fails he must lose his life, lest we be -betrayed." One of the thieves started up and offered to do this, and -after the rest had highly commended him for his bravery he disguised -himself, and happened to enter the town at daybreak, just by Baba -Mustapha's stall. The thief bade him good-day, saying: "Honest man, how -can you possibly see to stitch at your age?" "Old as I am," replied the -cobbler, "I have very good eyes, and will you believe me when I tell you -that I sewed a dead body together in a place where I had less light than -I have now." The robber was overjoyed at his good fortune, and, giving -him a piece of gold, desired to be shown the house where he stitched -up the dead body. At first Mustapha refused, saying that he had been -blindfolded; but when the robber gave him another piece of gold he began -to think he might remember the turnings if blindfolded as before. This -means succeeded; the robber partly led him, and was partly guided by -him, right in front of Cassim's house, the door of which the robber -marked with a piece of chalk. Then, well pleased, he bade farewell to -Baba Mustapha and returned to the forest. By and by Morgiana, going out, -saw the mark the robber had made, quickly guessed that some mischief was -brewing, and fetching a piece of chalk marked two or three doors on each -side, without saying anything to her master or mistress. - -The thief, meantime, told his comrades of his discovery. The Captain -thanked him, and bade him show him the house he had marked. But when -they came to it they saw that five or six of the houses were chalked -in the same manner. The guide was so confounded that he knew not what -answer to make, and when they returned he was at once beheaded for -having failed. Another robber was dispatched, and, having won over Baba -Mustapha, marked the house in red chalk; but Morgiana being again too -clever for them, the second messenger was put to death also. The Captain -now resolved to go himself, but, wiser than the others, he did not -mark the house, but looked at it so closely that he could not fail to -remember it. He returned, and ordered his men to go into the neighboring -villages and buy nineteen mules, and thirty-eight leather jars, all -empty except one, which was full of oil. The Captain put one of his men, -fully armed, into each, rubbing the outside of the jars with oil from -the full vessel. Then the nineteen mules were loaded with thirty-seven -robbers in jars, and the jar of oil, and reached the town by dusk. The -Captain stopped his mules in front of Ali Baba's house, and said to Ali -Baba, who was sitting outside for coolness: "I have brought some oil -from a distance to sell at to-morrow's market, but it is now so late -that I know not where to pass the night, unless you will do me the favor -to take me in." Though Ali Baba had seen the Captain of the robbers in -the forest, he did not recognize him in the disguise of an oil merchant. -He bade him welcome, opened his gates for the mules to enter, and -went to Morgiana to bid her prepare a bed and supper for his guest. He -brought the stranger into his hall, and after they had supped went again -to speak to Morgiana in the kitchen, while the Captain went into the -yard under pretense of seeing after his mules, but really to tell his -men what to do. Beginning at the first jar and ending at the last, he -said to each man: "As soon as I throw some stones from the window of the -chamber where I lie, cut the jars open with your knives and come out, -and I will be with you in a trice." He returned to the house, -and Morgiana led him to his chamber. She then told Abdallah, her -fellow-slave, to set on the pot to make some broth for her master, who -had gone to bed. Meanwhile her lamp went out, and she had no more oil in -the house. "Do not be uneasy," said Abdallah; "go into the yard and take -some out of one of those jars." Morgiana thanked him for his advice, -took the oil pot, and went into the yard. When she came to the first jar -the robber inside said softly: "Is it time?" - -Any other slave but Morgiana, on finding a man in the jar instead of the -oil she wanted, would have screamed and made a noise; but she, knowing -the danger her master was in, bethought herself of a plan, and answered -quietly: "Not yet, but presently." She went to all the jars, giving -the same answer, till she came to the jar of oil. She now saw that her -master, thinking to entertain an oil merchant, had let thirty-eight -robbers into his house. She filled her oil pot, went back to the -kitchen, and, having lit her lamp, went again to the oil jar and filled -a large kettle full of oil. When it boiled she went and poured enough -oil into every jar to stifle and kill the robber inside. When this brave -deed was done she went back to the kitchen, put out the fire and the -lamp, and waited to see what would happen. - -In a quarter of an hour the Captain of the robbers awoke, got up, -and opened the window. As all seemed quiet, he threw down some little -pebbles which hit the jars. He listened, and as none of his men seemed -to stir he grew uneasy, and went down into the yard. On going to the -first jar and saying, "Are you asleep?" he smelt the hot boiled oil, and -knew at once that his plot to murder Ali Baba and his household had been -discovered. He found all the gang was dead, and, missing the oil out of -the last jar, became aware of the manner of their death. He then forced -the lock of a door leading into a garden, and climbing over several -walls made his escape. Morgiana heard and saw all this, and, rejoicing -at her success, went to bed and fell asleep. - -At daybreak Ali Baba arose, and, seeing the oil jars still there, asked -why the merchant had not gone with his mules. Morgiana bade him look -in the first jar and see if there was any oil. Seeing a man, he started -back in terror. "Have no fear," said Morgiana; "the man cannot harm -you: he is dead." Ali Baba, when he had recovered somewhat from his -astonishment, asked what had become of the merchant. "Merchant!" said -she, "he is no more a merchant than I am!" and she told him the whole -story, assuring him that it was a plot of the robbers of the forest, of -whom only three were left, and that the white and red chalk marks had -something to do with it. Ali Baba at once gave Morgiana her freedom, -saying that he owed her his life. They then buried the bodies in Ali -Baba's garden, while the mules were sold in the market by his slaves. - -The Captain returned to his lonely cave, which seemed frightful to -him without his lost companions, and firmly resolved to avenge them by -killing Ali Baba. He dressed himself carefully, and went into the town, -where he took lodgings in an inn. In the course of a great many journeys -to the forest he carried away many rich stuffs and much fine linen, and -set up a shop opposite that of Ali Baba's son. He called himself Cogia -Hassan, and as he was both civil and well dressed he soon made friends -with Ali Baba's son, and through him with Ali Baba, whom he was -continually asking to sup with him. Ali Baba, wishing to return his -kindness, invited him into his house and received him smiling, thanking -him for his kindness to his son. When the merchant was about to take his -leave Ali Baba stopped him, saying: "Where are you going, sir, in such -haste? Will you not stay and sup with me?" The merchant refused, saying -that he had a reason; and, on Ali Baba's asking him what that was, he -replied: "It is, sir, that I can eat no victuals that have any salt -in them." "If that is all," said Ali Baba, "let me tell you that there -shall be no salt in either the meat or the bread that we eat to-night." -He went to give this order to Morgiana, who was much surprised. "Who is -this man," she said, "who eats no salt with his meat?" "He is an honest -man, Morgiana," returned her master; "therefore do as I bid you." But -she could not withstand a desire to see this strange man, so she helped -Abdallah to carry up the dishes, and saw in a moment that Cogia Hassan -was the robber Captain, and carried a dagger under his garment. "I am -not surprised," she said to herself, "that this wicked man, who intends -to kill my master, will eat no salt with him; but I will hinder his -plans." - -She sent up the supper by Abdallah, while she made ready for one of the -boldest acts that could be thought on. When the dessert had been served, -Cogia Hassan was left alone with Ali Baba and his son, whom he thought -to make drunk and then to murder them. Morgiana, meanwhile, put on a -head-dress like a dancing-girl's, and clasped a girdle round her waist, -from which hung a dagger with a silver hilt, and said to Abdallah: "Take -your tabor, and let us go and divert our master and his guest." Abdallah -took his tabor and played before Morgiana until they came to the door, -where Abdallah stopped playing and Morgiana made a low courtesy. "Come -in, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, "and let Cogia Hassan see what you can -do"; and, turning to Cogia Hassan, he said: "She's my slave and my -housekeeper." Cogia Hassan was by no means pleased, for he feared -that his chance of killing Ali Baba was gone for the present; but he -pretended great eagerness to see Morgiana, and Abdallah began to play -and Morgiana to dance. After she had performed several dances she drew -her dagger and made passes with it, sometimes pointing it at her own -breast, sometimes at her master's, as if it were part of the dance. -Suddenly, out of breath, she snatched the tabor from Abdallah with her -left hand, and, holding the dagger in her right hand, held out the tabor -to her master. Ali Baba and his son put a piece of gold into it, and -Cogia Hassan, seeing that she was coming to him, pulled out his purse to -make her a present, but while he was putting his hand into it Morgiana -plunged the dagger into his heart. - -"Unhappy girl!" cried Ali Baba and his son, "what have you done to ruin -us?" - -"It was to preserve you, master, not to ruin you," answered Morgiana. -"See here," opening the false merchant's garment and showing the dagger; -"see what an enemy you have entertained! Remember, he would eat no salt -with you, and what more would you have? Look at him! he is both the -false oil merchant and the Captain of the Forty Thieves." - -Ali Baba was so grateful to Morgiana for thus saving his life that he -offered her to his son in marriage, who readily consented, and a few -days after the wedding was celebrated with greatest splendor. - -At the end of a year Ali Baba, hearing nothing of the two remaining -robbers, judged they were dead, and set out to the cave. The door opened -on his saying: "Open Sesame!" He went in, and saw that nobody had been -there since the Captain left it. He brought away as much gold as he -could carry, and returned to town. He told his son the secret of -the cave, which his son handed down in his turn, so the children and -grandchildren of Ali Baba were rich to the end of their lives.(1) - - -(1) Arabian Nights. - - - - -HANSEL AND GRETTEL - - -Once upon a time there dwelt on the outskirts of a large forest a poor -woodcutter with his wife and two children; the boy was called Hansel and -the girl Grettel. He had always little enough to live on, and once, when -there was a great famine in the land, he couldn't even provide them with -daily bread. One night, as he was tossing about in bed, full of cares -and worry, he sighed and said to his wife: "What's to become of us? how -are we to support our poor children, now that we have nothing more for -ourselves?" "I'll tell you what, husband," answered the woman; "early -to-morrow morning we'll take the children out into the thickest part -of the wood; there we shall light a fire for them and give them each a -piece of bread; then we'll go on to our work and leave them alone. They -won't be able to find their way home, and we shall thus be rid of them." -"No, wife," said her husband, "that I won't do; how could I find it in -my heart to leave my children alone in the wood? The wild beasts would -soon come and tear them to pieces." "Oh! you fool," said she, "then we -must all four die of hunger, and you may just as well go and plane the -boards for our coffins"; and she left him no peace till he consented. -"But I can't help feeling sorry for the poor children," added the -husband. - -The children, too, had not been able to sleep for hunger, and had heard -what their step-mother had said to their father. Grettel wept bitterly -and spoke to Hansel: "Now it's all up with us." "No, no, Grettel," said -Hansel, "don't fret yourself; I'll be able to find a way to escape, no -fear." And when the old people had fallen asleep he got up, slipped -on his little coat, opened the back door and stole out. The moon was -shining clearly, and the white pebbles which lay in front of the house -glittered like bits of silver. Hansel bent down and filled his pocket -with as many of them as he could cram in. Then he went back and said to -Grettel: "Be comforted, my dear little sister, and go to sleep: God will -not desert us"; and he lay down in bed again. - -At daybreak, even before the sun was up, the woman came and woke the two -children: "Get up, you lie-abeds, we're all going to the forest to fetch -wood." She gave them each a bit of bread and said: "There's something -for your luncheon, but don't you eat it up before, for it's all you'll -get." Grettel took the bread under her apron, as Hansel had the stones -in his pocket. Then they all set out together on the way to the forest. -After they had walked for a little, Hansel stood still and looked back -at the house, and this maneuver he repeated again and again. His father -observed him, and said: "Hansel, what are you gazing at there, and why -do you always remain behind? Take care, and don't lose your footing." -"Oh! father," said Hansel, "I am looking back at my white kitten, which -is sitting on the roof, waving me a farewell." The woman exclaimed: -"What a donkey you are! that isn't your kitten, that's the morning sun -shining on the chimney." But Hansel had not looked back at his kitten, -but had always dropped one of the white pebbles out of his pocket on to -the path. - -When they had reached the middle of the forest the father said: "Now, -children, go and fetch a lot of wood, and I'll light a fire that you -may not feel cold." Hansel and Grettel heaped up brushwood till they had -made a pile nearly the size of a small hill. The brushwood was set fire -to, and when the flames leaped high the woman said: "Now lie down at the -fire, children, and rest yourselves: we are going into the forest to cut -down wood; when we've finished we'll come back and fetch you." Hansel -and Grettel sat down beside the fire, and at midday ate their little -bits of bread. They heard the strokes of the axe, so they thought their -father was quite near. But it was no axe they heard, but a bough he had -tied on a dead tree, and that was blown about by the wind. And when they -had sat for a long time their eyes closed with fatigue, and they fell -fast asleep. When they awoke at last it was pitch dark. Grettel began -to cry, and said: "How are we ever to get out of the wood?" But Hansel -comforted her. "Wait a bit," he said, "till the moon is up, and then -we'll find our way sure enough." And when the full moon had risen he -took his sister by the hand and followed the pebbles, which shone like -new threepenny bits, and showed them the path. They walked on through -the night, and at daybreak reached their father's house again. They -knocked at the door, and when the woman opened it she exclaimed: "You -naughty children, what a time you've slept in the wood! we thought -you were never going to come back." But the father rejoiced, for -his conscience had reproached him for leaving his children behind by -themselves. - -Not long afterward there was again great dearth in the land, and the -children heard their mother address their father thus in bed one night: -"Everything is eaten up once more; we have only half a loaf in the -house, and when that's done it's all up with us. The children must be -got rid of; we'll lead them deeper into the wood this time, so that -they won't be able to find their way out again. There is no other way -of saving ourselves." The man's heart smote him heavily, and he thought: -"Surely it would be better to share the last bite with one's children!" -But his wife wouldn't listen to his arguments, and did nothing but scold -and reproach him. If a man yields once he's done for, and so, because he -had given in the first time, he was forced to do so the second. - -But the children were awake, and had heard the conversation. When the -old people were asleep Hansel got up, and wanted to go out and pick up -pebbles again, as he had done the first time; but the woman had barred -the door, and Hansel couldn't get out. But he consoled his little -sister, and said: "Don't cry, Grettel, and sleep peacefully, for God is -sure to help us." - -At early dawn the woman came and made the children get up. They received -their bit of bread, but it was even smaller than the time before. On the -way to the wood Hansel crumbled it in his pocket, and every few minutes -he stood still and dropped a crumb on the ground. "Hansel, what are you -stopping and looking about you for?" said the father. "I'm looking back -at my little pigeon, which is sitting on the roof waving me a farewell," -answered Hansel. "Fool!" said the wife; "that isn't your pigeon, it's -the morning sun glittering on the chimney." But Hansel gradually threw -all his crumbs on the path. The woman led the children still deeper into -the forest farther than they had ever been in their lives before. Then -a big fire was lit again, and the mother said: "Just sit down there, -children, and if you're tired you can sleep a bit; we're going into the -forest to cut down wood, and in the evening when we're finished we'll -come back to fetch you." At midday Grettel divided her bread with -Hansel, for he had strewn his all along their path. Then they fell -asleep, and evening passed away, but nobody came to the poor children. -They didn't awake till it was pitch dark, and Hansel comforted his -sister, saying: "Only wait, Grettel, till the moon rises, then we shall -see the bread-crumbs I scattered along the path; they will show us the -way back to the house." When the moon appeared they got up, but they -found no crumbs, for the thousands of birds that fly about the woods -and fields had picked them all up. "Never mind," said Hansel to Grettel; -"you'll see we'll find a way out"; but all the same they did not. They -wandered about the whole night, and the next day, from morning till -evening, but they could not find a path out of the wood. They were very -hungry, too, for they had nothing to eat but a few berries they found -growing on the ground. And at last they were so tired that their legs -refused to carry them any longer, so they lay down under a tree and fell -fast asleep. - -On the third morning after they had left their father's house they set -about their wandering again, but only got deeper and deeper into the -wood, and now they felt that if help did not come to them soon they must -perish. At midday they saw a beautiful little snow-white bird sitting on -a branch, which sang so sweetly that they stopped still and listened to -it. And when its song was finished it flapped its wings and flew on in -front of them. They followed it and came to a little house, on the roof -of which it perched; and when they came quite near they saw that the -cottage was made of bread and roofed with cakes, while the window was -made of transparent sugar. "Now we'll set to," said Hansel, "and have a -regular blow-out.(1) I'll eat a bit of the roof, and you, Grettel, -can eat some of the window, which you'll find a sweet morsel." Hansel -stretched up his hand and broke off a little bit of the roof to see what -it was like, and Grettel went to the casement and began to nibble at it. -Thereupon a shrill voice called out from the room inside: - - "Nibble, nibble, little mouse, - Who's nibbling my house?" - -The children answered: - - "Tis Heaven's own child, - The tempest wild," - -and went on eating, without putting themselves about. Hansel, who -thoroughly appreciated the roof, tore down a big bit of it, while -Grettel pushed out a whole round window-pane, and sat down the better -to enjoy it. Suddenly the door opened, and an ancient dame leaning on -a staff hobbled out. Hansel and Grettel were so terrified that they let -what they had in their hands fall. But the old woman shook her head and -said: "Oh, ho! you dear children, who led you here? Just come in and -stay with me, no ill shall befall you." She took them both by the hand -and let them into the house, and laid a most sumptuous dinner before -them--milk and sugared pancakes, with apples and nuts. After they had -finished, two beautiful little white beds were prepared for them, and -when Hansel and Grettel lay down in them they felt as if they had got -into heaven. - - -(1) He was a vulgar boy! - - -The old woman had appeared to be most friendly, but she was really an -old witch who had waylaid the children, and had only built the little -bread house in order to lure them in. When anyone came into her power -she killed, cooked, and ate him, and held a regular feast-day for the -occasion. Now witches have red eyes, and cannot see far, but, like -beasts, they have a keen sense of smell, and know when human beings pass -by. When Hansel and Grettel fell into her hands she laughed maliciously, -and said jeeringly: "I've got them now; they sha'n't escape me." Early -in the morning, before the children were awake, she rose up, and when -she saw them both sleeping so peacefully, with their round rosy cheeks, -she muttered to herself: "That'll be a dainty bite." Then she seized -Hansel with her bony hand and carried him into a little stable, and -barred the door on him; he might scream as much as he liked, it did him -no good. Then she went to Grettel, shook her till she awoke, and -cried: "Get up, you lazy-bones, fetch water and cook something for your -brother. When he's fat I'll eat him up." Grettel began to cry bitterly, -but it was of no use; she had to do what the wicked witch bade her. - -So the best food was cooked for poor Hansel, but Grettel got nothing but -crab-shells. Every morning the old woman hobbled out to the stable and -cried: "Hansel, put out your finger, that I may feel if you are getting -fat." But Hansel always stretched out a bone, and the old dame, whose -eyes were dim, couldn't see it, and thinking always it was Hansel's -finger, wondered why he fattened so slowly. When four weeks had passed -and Hansel still remained thin, she lost patience and determined to wait -no longer. "Hi, Grettel," she called to the girl, "be quick and get some -water. Hansel may be fat or thin, I'm going to kill him to-morrow and -cook him." Oh! how the poor little sister sobbed as she carried the -water, and how the tears rolled down her cheeks! "Kind heaven help us -now!" she cried; "if only the wild beasts in the wood had eaten us, then -at least we should have died together." "Just hold your peace," said the -old hag; "it won't help you." - -Early in the morning Grettel had to go out and hang up the kettle full -of water, and light the fire. "First we'll bake," said the old dame; -"I've heated the oven already and kneaded the dough." She pushed Grettel -out to the oven, from which fiery flames were already issuing. "Creep -in," said the witch, "and see if it's properly heated, so that we can -shove in the bread." For when she had got Grettel in she meant to close -the oven and let the girl bake, that she might eat her up too. But -Grettel perceived her intention, and said: "I don't know how I'm to do -it; how do I get in?" "You silly goose!" said the hag, "the opening is -big enough; see, I could get in myself," and she crawled toward it, and -poked her head into the oven. Then Grettel gave her a shove that sent -her right in, shut the iron door, and drew the bolt. Gracious! how she -yelled, it was quite horrible; but Grettel fled, and the wretched old -woman was left to perish miserably. - -Grettel flew straight to Hansel, opened the little stable-door, and -cried: "Hansel, we are free; the old witch is dead." Then Hansel sprang -like a bird out of a cage when the door is opened. How they rejoiced, -and fell on each other's necks, and jumped for joy, and kissed one -another! And as they had no longer any cause for fear, they went in the -old hag's house, and here they found, in every corner of the room, boxes -with pearls and precious stones. "These are even better than pebbles," -said Hansel, and crammed his pockets full of them; and Grettel said: -"I too will bring something home," and she filled her apron full. "But -now," said Hansel, "let's go and get well away from the witch's wood." -When they had wandered about for some hours they came to a big lake. -"We can't get over," said Hansel; "I see no bridge of any sort or kind." -"Yes, and there's no ferry-boat either," answered Grettel; "but look, -there swims a white duck; if I ask her she'll help us over," and she -called out: - - "Here are two children, mournful very, - Seeing neither bridge nor ferry; - Take us upon your white back, - And row us over, quack, quack!" - - -The duck swam toward them, and Hansel got on her back and bade his -little sister sit beside him. "No," answered Grettel, "we should be too -heavy a load for the duck: she shall carry us across separately." The -good bird did this, and when they were landed safely on the other side, -and had gone for a while, the wood became more and more familiar to -them, and at length they saw their father's house in the distance. Then -they set off to run, and bounding into the room fell on their father's -neck. The man had not passed a happy hour since he left them in the -wood, but the woman had died. Grettel shook out her apron so that the -pearls and precious stones rolled about the room, and Hansel threw down -one handful after the other out of his pocket. Thus all their troubles -were ended, and they lived happily ever afterward. - -My story is done. See! there runs a little mouse; anyone who catches it -may make himself a large fur cap out of it.(1) - - -(1) Grimm. - - - - -SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED - - -A poor widow once lived in a little cottage with a garden in front of -it, in which grew two rose trees, one bearing white roses and the other -red. She had two children, who were just like the two rose trees; one -was called Snow-white and the other Rose-red, and they were the sweetest -and best children in the world, always diligent and always cheerful; but -Snow-white was quieter and more gentle than Rose-red. Rose-red loved -to run about the fields and meadows, and to pick flowers and catch -butterflies; but Snow-white sat at home with her mother and helped her -in the household, or read aloud to her when there was no work to do. The -two children loved each other so dearly that they always walked about -hand in hand whenever they went out together, and when Snow-white said, -"We will never desert each other," Rose-red answered: "No, not as long -as we live"; and the mother added: "Whatever one gets she shall share -with the other." They often roamed about in the woods gathering berries -and no beast offered to hurt them; on the contrary, they came up to them -in the most confiding manner; the little hare would eat a cabbage leaf -from their hands, the deer grazed beside them, the stag would bound past -them merrily, and the birds remained on the branches and sang to them -with all their might. - -No evil ever befell them; if they tarried late in the wood and night -overtook them, they lay down together on the moss and slept till -morning, and their mother knew they were quite safe, and never felt -anxious about them. Once, when they had slept all night in the wood and -had been wakened by the morning sun, they perceived a beautiful child -in a shining white robe sitting close to their resting-place. The figure -got up, looked at them kindly, but said nothing, and vanished into the -wood. And when they looked round about them they became aware that they -had slept quite close to a precipice, over which they would certainly -have fallen had they gone on a few steps further in the darkness. And -when they told their mother of their adventure, she said what they had -seen must have been the angel that guards good children. - -Snow-white and Rose-red kept their mother's cottage so beautifully clean -and neat that it was a pleasure to go into it. In summer Rose-red looked -after the house, and every morning before her mother awoke she placed -a bunch of flowers before the bed, from each tree a rose. In winter -Snow-white lit the fire and put on the kettle, which was made of brass, -but so beautifully polished that it shone like gold. In the evening when -the snowflakes fell their mother said: "Snow-white, go and close the -shutters," and they drew round the fire, while the mother put on her -spectacles and read aloud from a big book and the two girls listened and -sat and span. Beside them on the ground lay a little lamb, and behind -them perched a little white dove with its head tucked under its wings. - -One evening as they sat thus cosily together someone knocked at the door -as though he desired admittance. The mother said: "Rose-red, open -the door quickly; it must be some traveler seeking shelter." Rose-red -hastened to unbar the door, and thought she saw a poor man standing in -the darkness outside; but it was no such thing, only a bear, who poked -his thick black head through the door. Rose-red screamed aloud and -sprang back in terror, the lamb began to bleat, the dove flapped its -wings, and Snow-white ran and hid behind her mother's bed. But the bear -began to speak, and said: "Don't be afraid: I won't hurt you. I am half -frozen, and only wish to warm myself a little." "My poor bear," said the -mother, "lie down by the fire, only take care you don't burn your fur." -Then she called out: "Snow-white and Rose-red, come out; the bear will -do you no harm; he is a good, honest creature." So they both came out of -their hiding-places, and gradually the lamb and dove drew near too, and -they all forgot their fear. The bear asked the children to beat the snow -a little out of his fur, and they fetched a brush and scrubbed him till -he was dry. Then the beast stretched himself in front of the fire, and -growled quite happily and comfortably. The children soon grew quite at -their ease with him, and led their helpless guest a fearful life. They -tugged his fur with their hands, put their small feet on his back, and -rolled him about here and there, or took a hazel wand and beat him -with it; and if he growled they only laughed. The bear submitted to -everything with the best possible good-nature, only when they went too -far he cried: "Oh! children, spare my life! - - "Snow-white and Rose-red, - Don't beat your lover dead." - -When it was time to retire for the night, and the others went to bed, -the mother said to the bear: "You can lie there on the hearth, in -heaven's name; it will be shelter for you from the cold and wet." As -soon as day dawned the children led him out, and he trotted over the -snow into the wood. From this time on the bear came every evening at -the same hour, and lay down by the hearth and let the children play what -pranks they liked with him; and they got so accustomed to him that the -door was never shut till their black friend had made his appearance. - -When spring came, and all outside was green, the bear said one morning -to Snow-white: "Now I must go away, and not return again the whole -summer." "Where are you going to, dear bear?" asked Snow-white. "I -must go to the wood and protect my treasure from the wicked dwarfs. -In winter, when the earth is frozen hard, they are obliged to remain -underground, for they can't work their way through; but now, when the -sun has thawed and warmed the ground, they break through and come up -above to spy the land and steal what they can; what once falls into -their hands and into their caves is not easily brought back to light." -Snow-white was quite sad over their friend's departure, and when she -unbarred the door for him, the bear, stepping out, caught a piece of -his fur in the door-knocker, and Snow-white thought she caught sight of -glittering gold beneath it, but she couldn't be certain of it; and the -bear ran hastily away, and soon disappeared behind the trees. - -A short time after this the mother sent the children into the wood to -collect fagots. They came in their wanderings upon a big tree which lay -felled on the ground, and on the trunk among the long grass they -noticed something jumping up and down, but what it was they couldn't -distinguish. When they approached nearer they perceived a dwarf with a -wizened face and a beard a yard long. The end of the beard was jammed -into a cleft of the tree, and the little man sprang about like a dog -on a chain, and didn't seem to know what he was to do. He glared at the -girls with his fiery red eyes, and screamed out: "What are you standing -there for? Can't you come and help me?" "What were you doing, little -man?" asked Rose-red. "You stupid, inquisitive goose!" replied the -dwarf; "I wanted to split the tree, in order to get little chips of -wood for our kitchen fire; those thick logs that serve to make fires for -coarse, greedy people like yourselves quite burn up all the little food -we need. I had successfully driven in the wedge, and all was going well, -but the cursed wood was so slippery that it suddenly sprang out, and the -tree closed up so rapidly that I had no time to take my beautiful white -beard out, so here I am stuck fast, and I can't get away; and you silly, -smooth-faced, milk-and-water girls just stand and laugh! Ugh! what -wretches you are!" - -The children did all in their power, but they couldn't get the beard -out; it was wedged in far too firmly. "I will run and fetch somebody," -said Rose-red. "Crazy blockheads!" snapped the dwarf; "what's the good -of calling anyone else? You're already two too many for me. Does -nothing better occur to you than that?" "Don't be so impatient," said -Snow-white, "I'll see you get help," and taking her scissors out of -her pocket she cut off the end of his beard. As soon as the dwarf felt -himself free he seized a bag full of gold which was hidden among the -roots of the tree, lifted it up, and muttered aloud: "Curse these rude -wretches, cutting off a piece of my splendid beard!" With these words he -swung the bag over his back, and disappeared without as much as looking -at the children again. - -Shortly after this Snow-white and Rose-red went out to get a dish of -fish. As they approached the stream they saw something which looked like -an enormous grasshopper springing toward the water as if it were going -to jump in. They ran forward and recognized their old friend the dwarf. -"Where are you going to?" asked Rose-red; "you're surely not going to -jump into the water?" "I'm not such a fool," screamed the dwarf. "Don't -you see that cursed fish is trying to drag me in?" The little man -had been sitting on the bank fishing, when unfortunately the wind had -entangled his beard in the line; and when immediately afterward a big -fish bit, the feeble little creature had no strength to pull it out; the -fish had the upper fin, and dragged the dwarf toward him. He clung on -with all his might to every rush and blade of grass, but it didn't help -him much; he had to follow every movement of the fish, and was in great -danger of being drawn into the water. The girls came up just at the -right moment, held him firm, and did all they could to disentangle his -beard from the line; but in vain, beard and line were in a hopeless -muddle. Nothing remained but to produce the scissors and cut the beard, -by which a small part of it was sacrificed. - -When the dwarf perceived what they were about he yelled to them: "Do -you call that manners, you toad-stools! to disfigure a fellow's face? It -wasn't enough that you shortened my beard before, but you must now -needs cut off the best bit of it. I can't appear like this before my own -people. I wish you'd been in Jericho first." Then he fetched a sack of -pearls that lay among the rushes, and without saying another word he -dragged it away and disappeared behind a stone. - -It happened that soon after this the mother sent the two girls to the -town to buy needles, thread, laces, and ribbons. Their road led over a -heath where huge boulders of rock lay scattered here and there. While -trudging along they saw a big bird hovering in the air, circling slowly -above them, but always descending lower, till at last it settled on -a rock not far from them. Immediately afterward they heard a sharp, -piercing cry. They ran forward, and saw with horror that the eagle had -pounced on their old friend the dwarf, and was about to carry him off. -The tender-hearted children seized hold of the little man, and struggled -so long with the bird that at last he let go his prey. When the dwarf -had recovered from the first shock he screamed in his screeching voice: -"Couldn't you have treated me more carefully? You have torn my thin -little coat all to shreds, useless, awkward hussies that you are!" Then -he took a bag of precious stones and vanished under the rocks into his -cave. The girls were accustomed to his ingratitude, and went on their -way and did their business in town. On their way home, as they were -again passing the heath, they surprised the dwarf pouring out his -precious stones on an open space, for he had thought no one would pass -by at so late an hour. The evening sun shone on the glittering stones, -and they glanced and gleamed so beautifully that the children stood -still and gazed on them. "What are you standing there gaping for?" -screamed the dwarf, and his ashen-gray face became scarlet with rage. -He was about to go off with these angry words when a sudden growl was -heard, and a black bear trotted out of the wood. The dwarf jumped up in -great fright, but he hadn't time to reach his place of retreat, for the -bear was already close to him. Then he cried in terror: "Dear Mr. -Bear, spare me! I'll give you all my treasure. Look at those beautiful -precious stones lying there. Spare my life! what pleasure would you get -from a poor feeble little fellow like me? You won't feel me between your -teeth. There, lay hold of these two wicked girls, they will be a tender -morsel for you, as fat as young quails; eat them up, for heaven's sake." -But the bear, paying no attention to his words, gave the evil little -creature one blow with his paw, and he never moved again. - -The girls had run away, but the bear called after them: "Snow-white -and Rose-red, don't be afraid; wait, and I'll come with you." Then they -recognized his voice and stood still, and when the bear was quite close -to them his skin suddenly fell off, and a beautiful man stood beside -them, all dressed in gold. "I am a king's son," he said, "and have been -doomed by that unholy little dwarf, who had stolen my treasure, to roam -about the woods as a wild bear till his death should set me free. Now he -has got his well-merited punishment." - -Snow-white married him, and Rose-red his brother, and they divided the -great treasure the dwarf had collected in his cave between them. The -old mother lived for many years peacefully with her children; and she -carried the two rose trees with her, and they stood in front of her -window, and every year they bore the finest red and white roses.(1) - - -(1) Grimm. - - - - -THE GOOSE-GIRL - - -Once upon a time an old queen, whose husband had been dead for many -years, had a beautiful daughter. When she grew up she was betrothed to -a prince who lived a great way off. Now, when the time drew near for her -to be married and to depart into a foreign kingdom, her old mother gave -her much costly baggage, and many ornaments, gold and silver, trinkets -and knicknacks, and, in fact, everything that belonged to a royal -trousseau, for she loved her daughter very dearly. She gave her a -waiting-maid also, who was to ride with her and hand her over to the -bridegroom, and she provided each of them with a horse for the journey. -Now the Princess's horse was called Falada, and could speak. - -When the hour for departure drew near the old mother went to her -bedroom, and taking a small knife she cut her fingers till they bled; -then she held a white rag under them, and letting three drops of blood -fall into it, she gave it to her daughter, and said: "Dear child, take -great care of this rag: it may be of use to you on the journey." - -So they took a sad farewell of each other, and the Princess stuck the -rag in front of her dress, mounted her horse, and set forth on the -journey to her bridegroom's kingdom. After they had ridden for about -an hour the Princess began to feel very thirsty, and said to her -waiting-maid: "Pray get down and fetch me some water in my golden cup -out of yonder stream: I would like a drink." "If you're thirsty," said -the maid, "dismount yourself, and lie down by the water and drink; I -don't mean to be your servant any longer." The Princess was so thirsty -that she got down, bent over the stream, and drank, for she wasn't -allowed to drink out of the golden goblet. As she drank she murmured: -"Oh! heaven, what am I to do?" and the three drops of blood replied: - - "If your mother only knew, - Her heart would surely break in two." - -But the Princess was meek, and said nothing about her maid's rude -behavior, and quietly mounted her horse again. They rode on their -way for several miles, but the day was hot, and the sun's rays smote -fiercely on them, so that the Princess was soon overcome by thirst -again. And as they passed a brook she called once more to her -waiting-maid: "Pray get down and give me a drink from my golden -cup," for she had long ago forgotten her maid's rude words. But the -waiting-maid replied, more haughtily even than before: "If you want a -drink, you can dismount and get it; I don't mean to be your servant." -Then the Princess was compelled by her thirst to get down, and bending -over the flowing water she cried and said: "Oh! heaven, what am I to -do?" and the three drops of blood replied: - - "If your mother only knew, - Her heart would surely break in two." - -And as she drank thus, and leaned right over the water, the rag -containing the three drops of blood fell from her bosom and floated down -the stream, and she in her anxiety never even noticed her loss. But the -waiting-maid had observed it with delight, as she knew it gave her power -over the bride, for in losing the drops of blood the Princess had become -weak and powerless. When she wished to get on her horse Falada again, -the waiting-maid called out: "I mean to ride Falada: you must mount -my beast"; and this too she had to submit to. Then the waiting-maid -commanded her harshly to take off her royal robes, and to put on her -common ones, and finally she made her swear by heaven not to say a word -about the matter when they reached the palace; and if she hadn't taken -this oath she would have been killed on the spot. But Falada observed -everything, and laid it all to heart. - -The waiting-maid now mounted Falada, and the real bride the worse horse, -and so they continued their journey till at length they arrived at the -palace yard. There was great rejoicing over the arrival, and the Prince -sprang forward to meet them, and taking the waiting-maid for his bride, -he lifted her down from her horse and led her upstairs to the royal -chamber. In the meantime the real Princess was left standing below in -the courtyard. The old King, who was looking out of his window, beheld -her in this plight, and it struck him how sweet and gentle, even -beautiful, she looked. He went at once to the royal chamber, and asked -the bride who it was she had brought with her and had left thus standing -in the court below. "Oh!" replied the bride, "I brought her with me to -keep me company on the journey; give the girl something to do, that she -may not be idle." But the old King had no work for her, and couldn't -think of anything; so he said, "I've a small boy who looks after the -geese, she'd better help him." The youth's name was Curdken, and the -real bride was made to assist him in herding geese. - -Soon after this the false bride said to the Prince: "Dearest husband, -I pray you grant me a favor." He answered: "That I will." "Then let the -slaughterer cut off the head of the horse I rode here upon, because it -behaved very badly on the journey." But the truth was she was afraid -lest the horse should speak and tell how she had treated the Princess. -She carried her point, and the faithful Falada was doomed to die. -When the news came to the ears of the real Princess she went to the -slaughterer, and secretly promised him a piece of gold if he would do -something for her. There was in the town a large dark gate, through -which she had to pass night and morning with the geese; would he "kindly -hang up Falada's head there, that she might see it once again?" The -slaughterer said he would do as she desired, chopped off the head, and -nailed it firmly over the gateway. - -Early next morning, as she and Curdken were driving their flock through -the gate, she said as she passed under: - - - "Oh! Falada, 'tis you hang there"; - -and the head replied: - - "'Tis you; pass under, Princess fair: - If your mother only knew, - Her heart would surely break in two." - -Then she left the tower and drove the geese into a field. And when they -had reached the common where the geese fed she sat down and unloosed -her hair, which was of pure gold. Curdken loved to see it glitter in the -sun, and wanted much to pull some hair out. Then she spoke: - - "Wind, wind, gently sway, - Blow Curdken's hat away; - Let him chase o'er field and wold - Till my locks of ruddy gold, - Now astray and hanging down, - Be combed and plaited in a crown." - - -Then a gust of wind blew Curdken's hat away, and he had to chase it over -hill and dale. When he returned from the pursuit she had finished -her combing and curling, and his chance of getting any hair was gone. -Curdken was very angry, and wouldn't speak to her. So they herded the -geese till evening and then went home. - -The next morning, as they passed under the gate, the girl said: - - "Oh! Falada, 'tis you hang there;" - -and the head replied: - - "'Tis you; pass under, Princess fair: - If your mother only knew, - Her heart would surely break in two." - -Then she went on her way till she came to the common, where she sat down -and began to comb out her hair; then Curdken ran up to her and wanted to -grasp some of the hair from her head, but she called out hastily: - - "Wind, wind, gently sway, - Blow Curdken's hat away; - Let him chase o'er field and wold - Till my locks of ruddy gold, - Now astray and hanging down, - Be combed and plaited in a crown." - - -Then a puff of wind came and blew Curdken's hat far away, so that he had -to run after it; and when he returned she had long finished putting -up her golden locks, and he couldn't get any hair; so they watched the -geese till it was dark. - -But that evening when they got home Curdken went to the old King, and -said: "I refuse to herd geese any longer with that girl." "For what -reason?" asked the old King. "Because she does nothing but annoy me -all day long," replied Curdken; and he proceeded to relate all her -iniquities, and said: "Every morning as we drive the flock through the -dark gate she says to a horse's head that hangs on the wall: - - "'Oh! Falada, 'tis you hang there'; - -and the head replies: - - "''Tis you; pass under, Princess fair: - If your mother only knew, - Her heart would surely break in two.'" - - -And Curdken went on to tell what passed on the common where the geese -fed, and how he had always to chase his hat. - -The old King bade him go and drive forth his flock as usual next day; -and when morning came he himself took up his position behind the dark -gate, and heard how the goose-girl greeted Falada. Then he followed her -through the field, and hid himself behind a bush on the common. He soon -saw with his own eyes how the goose-boy and the goose-girl looked after -the geese, and how after a time the maiden sat down and loosed her hair, -that glittered like gold, and repeated: - - "Wind, wind, gently sway, - Blow Curdken's hat away; - Let him chase o'er field and wold - Till my locks of ruddy gold - Now astray and hanging down, - Be combed and plaited in a crown." - -Then a gust of wind came and blew Curdken's hat away, so that he had to -fly over hill and dale after it, and the girl in the meantime quietly -combed and plaited her hair: all this the old King observed, and -returned to the palace without anyone having noticed him. In the evening -when the goose-girl came home he called her aside, and asked her why she -behaved as she did. "I may not tell you why; how dare I confide my woes -to anyone? for I swore not to by heaven, otherwise I should have lost my -life." The old King begged her to tell him all, and left her no peace, -but he could get nothing out of her. At last he said: "Well, if you -won't tell me, confide your trouble to the iron stove there," and he -went away. Then she crept to the stove, and began to sob and cry and to -pour out her poor little heart, and said: "Here I sit, deserted by all -the world, I who am a king's daughter, and a false waiting-maid has -forced me to take off my own clothes, and has taken my place with my -bridegroom, while I have to fulfill the lowly office of goose-girl. - - "If my mother only knew - Her heart would surely break in two." - - -But the old King stood outside at the stove chimney, and listened to her -words. Then he entered the room again, and bidding her leave the stove, -he ordered royal apparel to be put on her, in which she looked amazingly -lovely. Then he summoned his son, and revealed to him that he had got -the false bride, who was nothing but a waiting-maid, while the real one, -in the guise of the ex-goose-girl, was standing at his side. The young -King rejoiced from his heart when he saw her beauty and learned how good -she was, and a great banquet was prepared, to which everyone was bidden. -The bridegroom sat at the head of the table, the Princess on one side of -him and the waiting-maid on the other; but she was so dazzled that she -did not recognize the Princess in her glittering garments. Now when they -had eaten and drunk, and were merry, the old King asked the waiting-maid -to solve a knotty point for him. "What," said he, "should be done to a -certain person who has deceived everyone?" and he proceeded to relate -the whole story, ending up with, "Now what sentence should be passed?" -Then the false bride answered: "She deserves to be put stark naked into -a barrel lined with sharp nails, which should be dragged by two white -horses up and down the street till she is dead." - -"You are the person," said the King, "and you have passed sentence on -yourself; and even so it shall be done to you." And when the sentence -had been carried out the young King was married to his real bride, and -both reigned over the kingdom in peace and happiness.(1) - - -(1) Grimm. - - - - -TOADS AND DIAMONDS - - -THERE was once upon a time a widow who had two daughters. The eldest -was so much like her in the face and humor that whoever looked upon the -daughter saw the mother. They were both so disagreeable and so proud -that there was no living with them. - -The youngest, who was the very picture of her father for courtesy and -sweetness of temper, was withal one of the most beautiful girls ever -seen. As people naturally love their own likeness, this mother even -doted on her eldest daughter and at the same time had a horrible -aversion for the youngest--she made her eat in the kitchen and work -continually. - -Among other things, this poor child was forced twice a day to draw water -above a mile and a-half off the house, and bring home a pitcher full -of it. One day, as she was at this fountain, there came to her a poor -woman, who begged of her to let her drink. - -"Oh! ay, with all my heart, Goody," said this pretty little girl; -and rinsing immediately the pitcher, she took up some water from the -clearest place of the fountain, and gave it to her, holding up the -pitcher all the while, that she might drink the easier. - -The good woman, having drunk, said to her: - -"You are so very pretty, my dear, so good and so mannerly, that I cannot -help giving you a gift." For this was a fairy, who had taken the form -of a poor country woman, to see how far the civility and good manners of -this pretty girl would go. "I will give you for a gift," continued the -Fairy, "that, at every word you speak, there shall come out of your -mouth either a flower or a jewel." - -When this pretty girl came home her mother scolded her for staying so -long at the fountain. - -"I beg your pardon, mamma," said the poor girl, "for not making more -haste." - -And in speaking these words there came out of her mouth two roses, two -pearls, and two diamonds. - -"What is it I see there?" said the mother, quite astonished. "I think I -see pearls and diamonds come out of the girl's mouth! How happens this, -child?" - -This was the first time she had ever called her child. - -The poor creature told her frankly all the matter, not without dropping -out infinite numbers of diamonds. - -"In good faith," cried the mother, "I must send my child thither. -Come hither, Fanny; look what comes out of thy sister's mouth when she -speaks. Wouldst not thou be glad, my dear, to have the same gift given -thee? Thou hast nothing else to do but go and draw water out of the -fountain, and when a certain poor woman asks you to let her drink, to -give it to her very civilly." - -"It would be a very fine sight indeed," said this ill-bred minx, "to see -me go draw water." - -"You shall go, hussy!" said the mother; "and this minute." - -So away she went, but grumbling all the way, taking with her the best -silver tankard in the house. - -She was no sooner at the fountain than she saw coming out of the wood -a lady most gloriously dressed, who came up to her, and asked to drink. -This was, you must know, the very fairy who appeared to her sister, -but now had taken the air and dress of a princess, to see how far this -girl's rudeness would go. - -"Am I come hither," said the proud, saucy one, "to serve you with water, -pray? I suppose the silver tankard was brought purely for your ladyship, -was it? However, you may drink out of it, if you have a fancy." - -"You are not over and above mannerly," answered the Fairy, without -putting herself in a passion. "Well, then, since you have so little -breeding, and are so disobliging, I give you for a gift that at every -word you speak there shall come out of your mouth a snake or a toad." - -So soon as her mother saw her coming she cried out: - -"Well, daughter?" - -"Well, mother?" answered the pert hussy, throwing out of her mouth two -vipers and two toads. - -"Oh! mercy," cried the mother; "what is it I see? Oh! it is that wretch -her sister who has occasioned all this; but she shall pay for it"; and -immediately she ran to beat her. The poor child fled away from her, and -went to hide herself in the forest, not far from thence. - -The King's son, then on his return from hunting, met her, and seeing her -so very pretty, asked her what she did there alone and why she cried. - -"Alas! sir, my mamma has turned me out of doors." - -The King's son, who saw five or six pearls and as many diamonds come out -of her mouth, desired her to tell him how that happened. She thereupon -told him the whole story; and so the King's son fell in love with -her, and, considering himself that such a gift was worth more than any -marriage portion, conducted her to the palace of the King his father, -and there married her. - -As for the sister, she made herself so much hated that her own mother -turned her off; and the miserable wretch, having wandered about a good -while without finding anybody to take her in, went to a corner of the -wood, and there died.(1) - - -(1) Charles Perrault. - - - - -PRINCE DARLING - - -ONCE upon a time there lived a king who was so just and kind that his -subjects called him "the Good King." It happened one day, when he was -out hunting, that a little white rabbit, which his dogs were chasing, -sprang into his arms for shelter. The King stroked it gently, and said -to it: - -"Well, bunny, as you have come to me for protection I will see that -nobody hurts you." - -And he took it home to his palace and had it put in a pretty little -house, with all sorts of nice things to eat. - -That night, when he was alone in his room, a beautiful lady suddenly -appeared before him; her long dress was as white as snow, and she had -a crown of white roses upon her head. The good King was very much -surprised to see her, for he knew his door had been tightly shut, and he -could not think how she had got in. But she said to him: - -"I am the Fairy Truth. I was passing through the wood when you were out -hunting, and I wished to find out if you were really good, as everybody -said you were, so I took the shape of a little rabbit and came to your -arms for shelter, for I know that those who are merciful to animals will -be still kinder to their fellow-men. If you had refused to help me -I should have been certain that you were wicked. I thank you for the -kindness you have shown me, which has made me your friend for ever. You -have only to ask me for anything you want and I promise that I will give -it to you." - -"Madam," said the good King, "since you are a fairy you no doubt know -all my wishes. I have but one son whom I love very dearly, that is why -he is called Prince Darling. If you are really good enough to wish to do -me a favor, I beg that you will become his friend." - -"With all my heart," answered the Fairy. "I can make your son the -handsomest prince in the world, or the richest, or the most powerful; -choose whichever you like for him." - -"I do not ask either of these things for my son," replied the good -King; "but if you will make him the best of princes, I shall indeed be -grateful to you. What good would it do him to be rich, or handsome, or -to possess all the kingdoms of the world if he were wicked? You -know well he would still be unhappy. Only a good man can be really -contented." - -"You are quite right," answered the Fairy; "but it is not in my power to -make Prince Darling a good man unless he will help me; he must himself -try hard to become good, I can only promise to give him good advice, to -scold him for his faults, and to punish him if he will not correct and -punish himself." - -The good King was quite satisfied with this promise; and very soon -afterward he died. - -Prince Darling was very sorry, for he loved his father with all his -heart, and he would willingly have given all his kingdoms and all his -treasures of gold and silver if they could have kept the good King with -him. - -Two days afterward, when the Prince had gone to bed, the Fairy suddenly -appeared to him and said: - -"I promised your father that I would be your friend, and to keep my word -I have come to bring you a present." At the same time she put a little -gold ring upon his finger. - -"Take great care of this ring," she said: "it is more precious than -diamonds; every time you do a bad deed it will prick your finger, but -if, in spite of its pricking, you go on in your own evil way, you will -lose my friendship, and I shall become your enemy." - -So saying, the Fairy disappeared, leaving Prince Darling very much -astonished. - -For some time he behaved so well that the ring never pricked him, and -that made him so contented that his subjects called him Prince Darling -the Happy. - -One day, however, he went out hunting, but could get no sport, which -put him in a very bad temper; it seemed to him as he rode along that his -ring was pressing into his finger, but as it did not prick him he did -not heed it. When he got home and went to his own room, his little dog -Bibi ran to meet him, jumping round him with pleasure. "Get away!" said -the Prince, quite gruffly. "I don't want you, you are in the way." - -The poor little dog, who didn't understand this at all, pulled at his -coat to make him at least look at her, and this made Prince Darling so -cross that he gave her quite a hard kick. - -Instantly his ring pricked him sharply, as if it had been a pin. He was -very much surprised, and sat down in a corner of his room feeling quite -ashamed of himself. - -"I believe the Fairy is laughing at me," he thought. "Surely I can have -done no great wrong in just kicking a tiresome animal! What is the good -of my being ruler of a great kingdom if I am not even allowed to beat my -own dog?" - -"I am not making fun of you," said a voice, answering Prince Darling's -thoughts. "You have committed three faults. First of all, you were out -of temper because you could not have what you wanted, and you thought -all men and animals were only made to do your pleasure; then you were -really angry, which is very naughty indeed; and lastly, you were -cruel to a poor little animal who did not in the least deserve to be -ill-treated. - -"I know you are far above a little dog, but if it were right and -allowable that great people should ill-treat all who are beneath them, I -might at this moment beat you, or kill you, for a fairy is greater than -a man. The advantage of possessing a great empire is not to be able to -do the evil that one desires, but to do all the good that one possibly -can." - -The Prince saw how naughty he had been, and promised to try and do -better in future, but he did not keep his word. The fact was he had been -brought up by a foolish nurse, who had spoiled him when he was little. -If he wanted anything he only had to cry and fret and stamp his feet -and she would give him whatever he asked for, which had made him -self-willed; also she had told him from morning to night that he would -one day be a king, and that kings were very happy, because everyone was -bound to obey and respect them, and no one could prevent them from doing -just as they liked. - -When the Prince grew old enough to understand, he soon learned that -there could be nothing worse than to be proud, obstinate, and conceited, -and he had really tried to cure himself of these defects, but by that -time all his faults had become habits; and a bad habit is very hard to -get rid of. Not that he was naturally of a bad disposition; he was truly -sorry when he had been naughty, and said: - -"I am very unhappy to have to struggle against my anger and pride every -day; if I had been punished for them when I was little they would not be -such a trouble to me now." - -His ring pricked him very often, and sometimes he left off what he was -doing at once; but at other times he would not attend to it. Strangely -enough, it gave him only a slight prick for a trifling fault, but when -he was really naughty it made his finger actually bleed. At last he got -tired of being constantly reminded, and wanted to be able to do as he -liked, so he threw his ring aside, and thought himself the happiest of -men to have got rid of its teasing pricks. He gave himself up to doing -every foolish thing that occurred to him, until he became quite wicked -and nobody could like him any longer. - -One day, when the Prince was walking about, he saw a young girl who was -so very pretty that he made up his mind at once that he would marry her. -Her name was Celia, and she was as good as she was beautiful. - -Prince Darling fancied that Celia would think herself only too happy if -he offered to make her a great queen, but she said fearlessly: - -"Sire, I am only a shepherdess, and a poor girl, but, nevertheless, I -will not marry you." - -"Do you dislike me?" asked the Prince, who was very much vexed at this -answer. - -"No, my Prince," replied Celia; "I cannot help thinking you very -handsome; but what good would riches be to me, and all the grand dresses -and splendid carriages that you would give me, if the bad deeds which I -should see you do every day made me hate and despise you?" - -The Prince was very angry at this speech, and commanded his officers to -make Celia a prisoner and carry her off to his palace. All day long the -remembrance of what she had said annoyed him, but as he loved her he -could not make up his mind to have her punished. - -One of the Prince's favorite companions was his foster-brother, whom -he trusted entirely; but he was not at all a good man, and gave Prince -Darling very bad advice, and encouraged him in all his evil ways. When -he saw the Prince so downcast he asked what was the matter, and when -he explained that he could not bear Celia's bad opinion of him, and was -resolved to be a better man in order to please her, this evil adviser -said to him: - -"You are very kind to trouble yourself about this little girl; if I were -you I would soon make her obey me. Remember that you are a king, and -that it would be laughable to see you trying to please a shepherdess, -who ought to be only too glad to be one of your slaves. Keep her in -prison, and feed her on bread and water for a little while, and then, if -she still says she will not marry you, have her head cut off, to teach -other people that you mean to be obeyed. Why, if you cannot make a girl -like that do as you wish, your subjects will soon forget that they are -only put into this world for our pleasure." - -"But," said Prince Darling, "would it not be a shame if I had an -innocent girl put to death? For Celia has done nothing to deserve -punishment." - -"If people will not do as you tell them they ought to suffer for it," -answered his foster-brother; "but even if it were unjust, you had better -be accused of that by your subjects than that they should find out that -they may insult and thwart you as often as they please." - -In saying this he was touching a weak point in his brother's character; -for the Prince's fear of losing any of his power made him at once -abandon his first idea of trying to be good, and resolve to try and -frighten the shepherdess into consenting to marry him. - -His foster-brother, who wanted him to keep this resolution, invited -three young courtiers, as wicked as himself to sup with the Prince, -and they persuaded him to drink a great deal of wine, and continued to -excite his anger against Celia by telling him that she had laughed at -his love for her; until at last, in quite a furious rage, he rushed off -to find her, declaring that if she still refused to marry him she should -be sold as a slave the very next day. - -But when he reached the room in which Celia had been locked up, he was -greatly surprised to find that she was not in it, though he had the key -in his own pocket all the time. His anger was terrible, and he vowed -vengeance against whoever had helped her to escape. His bad friends, -when they heard him, resolved to turn his wrath upon an old nobleman who -had formerly been his tutor; and who still dared sometimes to tell the -Prince of his faults, for he loved him as if he had been his own son. At -first Prince Darling had thanked him, but after a time he grew impatient -and thought it must be just mere love of fault-finding that made his old -tutor blame him when everyone else was praising and flattering him. So -he ordered him to retire from his Court, though he still, from time -to time, spoke of him as a worthy man whom he respected, even if he no -longer loved him. His unworthy friends feared that he might some day -take it into his head to recall his old tutor, so they thought they now -had a good opportunity of getting him banished for ever. - -They reported to the Prince that Suliman, for that was the tutor's name, -had boasted of having helped Celia to escape, and they bribed three men -to say that Suliman himself had told them about it. The Prince, in great -anger, sent his foster-brother with a number of soldiers to bring his -tutor before him, in chains, like a criminal. After giving this order he -went to his own room, but he had scarcely got into it when there was -a clap of thunder which made the ground shake, and the Fairy Truth -appeared suddenly before him. - -"I promised your father," said she sternly, "to give you good advice, -and to punish you if you refused to follow it. You have despised my -counsel, and have gone your own evil way until you are only outwardly a -man; really you are a monster--the horror of everyone who knows you. It -is time that I should fulfil my promise, and begin your punishment. I -condemn you to resemble the animals whose ways you have imitated. You -have made yourself like the lion by your anger, and like the wolf by -your greediness. Like a snake, you have ungratefully turned upon one who -was a second father to you; your churlishness has made you like a bull. -Therefore, in your new form, take the appearance of all these animals." - -The Fairy had scarcely finished speaking when Prince Darling saw to his -horror that her words were fulfilled. He had a lion's head, a bull's -horns, a wolf's feet, and a snake's body. At the same instant he found -himself in a great forest, beside a clear lake, in which he could see -plainly the horrible creature he had become, and a voice said to him: - -"Look carefully at the state to which your wickedness has brought you; -believe me, your soul is a thousand times more hideous than your body." - -Prince Darling recognized the voice of the Fairy Truth and turned in -a fury to catch her and eat her up if he possibly could; but he saw no -one, and the same voice went on: - -"I laugh at your powerlessness and anger, and I intend to punish your -pride by letting you fall into the hands of your own subjects." - -The Prince began to think that the best thing he could do would be to -get as far away from the lake as he could, then at least he would not -be continually reminded of his terrible ugliness. So he ran toward the -wood, but before he had gone many yards he fell into a deep pit which -had been made to trap bears, and the hunters, who were hiding in a tree, -leaped down, and secured him with several chains, and led him into the -chief city of his own kingdom. - -On the way, instead of recognizing that his own faults had brought this -punishment upon him, he accused the Fairy of being the cause of all his -misfortunes, and bit and tore at his chains furiously. - -As they approached the town he saw that some great rejoicing was being -held, and when the hunters asked what had happened they were told that -the Prince, whose only pleasure it was to torment his people, had been -found in his room, killed by a thunder-bolt (for that was what was -supposed to have become of him). Four of his courtiers, those who had -encouraged him in his wicked doings, had tried to seize the kingdom -and divide it between them, but the people, who knew it was their bad -counsels which had so changed the Prince, had cut off their heads, and -had offered the crown to Suliman, whom the Prince had left in prison. -This noble lord had just been crowned, and the deliverance of the -kingdom was the cause of the rejoicing "For," they said, "he is a good -and just man, and we shall once more enjoy peace and prosperity." - -Prince Darling roared with anger when he heard this; but it was still -worse for him when he reached the great square before his own palace. He -saw Suliman seated upon a magnificent throne, and all the people crowded -round, wishing him a long life that he might undo all the mischief done -by his predecessor. - -Presently Suliman made a sign with his hand that the people should be -silent, and said: "I have accepted the crown you have offered me, but -only that I may keep it for Prince Darling, who is not dead as you -suppose; the Fairy has assured me that there is still hope that you may -some day see him again, good and virtuous as he was when he first came -to the throne. Alas!" he continued, "he was led away by flatterers. -I knew his heart, and am certain that if it had not been for the bad -influence of those who surrounded him he would have been a good king and -a father to his people. We may hate his faults, but let us pity him and -hope for his restoration. As for me, I would die gladly if that could -bring back our Prince to reign justly and worthily once more." - -These words went to Prince Darling's heart; he realized the true -affection and faithfulness of his old tutor, and for the first time -reproached himself for all his evil deeds; at the same instant he felt -all his anger melting away, and he began quickly to think over his -past life, and to admit that his punishment was not more than he had -deserved. He left off tearing at the iron bars of the cage in which he -was shut up, and became as gentle as a lamb. - -The hunters who had caught him took him to a great menagerie, where he -was chained up among all the other wild beasts, and he determined to -show his sorrow for his past bad behavior by being gentle and obedient -to the man who had to take care of him. Unfortunately, this man was very -rough and unkind, and though the poor monster was quite quiet, he often -beat him without rhyme or reason when he happened to be in a bad temper. -One day when this keeper was asleep a tiger broke its chain, and flew at -him to eat him up. Prince Darling, who saw what was going on, at -first felt quite pleased to think that he should be delivered from his -persecutor, but soon thought better of it and wished that he were free. - -"I would return good for evil," he said to himself, "and save the -unhappy man's life." He had hardly wished this when his iron cage flew -open, and he rushed to the side of the keeper, who was awake and was -defending himself against the tiger. When he saw the monster had got out -he gave himself up for lost, but his fear was soon changed into joy, for -the kind monster threw itself upon the tiger and very soon killed it, -and then came and crouched at the feet of the man it had saved. - -Overcome with gratitude, the keeper stooped to caress the strange -creature which had done him such a great service; but suddenly a voice -said in his ear: - -"A good action should never go unrewarded," and at the same instant the -monster disappeared, and he saw at his feet only a pretty little dog! - -Prince Darling, delighted by the change, frisked about the keeper, -showing his joy in every way he could, and the man, taking him up in his -arms, carried him to the King, to whom he told the whole story. - -The Queen said she would like to have this wonderful little dog, and -the Prince would have been very happy in his new home if he could have -forgotten that he was a man and a king. The Queen petted and took -care of him, but she was so afraid that he would get too fat that she -consulted the court physician, who said that he was to be fed only upon -bread, and was not to have much even of that. So poor Prince Darling was -terribly hungry all day long, but he was very patient about it. - -One day, when they gave him his little loaf for breakfast, he thought -he would like to eat it out in the garden; so he took it up in his mouth -and trotted away toward a brook that he knew of a long way from the -palace. But he was surprised to find that the brook was gone, and where -it had been stood a great house that seemed to be built of gold and -precious stones. Numbers of people splendidly dressed were going into -it, and sounds of music and dancing and feasting could be heard from the -windows. - -But what seemed very strange was that those people who came out of the -house were pale and thin, and their clothes were torn, and hanging in -rags about them. Some fell down dead as they came out before they had -time to get away; others crawled farther with great difficulty; while -others again lay on the ground, fainting with hunger, and begged a -morsel of bread from those who were going into the house, but they would -not so much as look at the poor creatures. - -Prince Darling went up to a young girl who was trying to eat a few -blades of grass, she was so hungry. Touched with compassion, he said to -himself: - -"I am very hungry, but I shall not die of starvation before I get my -dinner; if I give my breakfast to this poor creature perhaps I may save -her life." - -So he laid his piece of bread in the girl's hand, and saw her eat it up -eagerly. - -She soon seemed to be quite well again, and the Prince, delighted to -have been able to help her, was thinking of going home to the palace, -when he heard a great outcry, and, turning round, saw Celia, who was -being carried against her will into the great house. - -For the first time the Prince regretted that he was no longer the -monster, then he would have been able to rescue Celia; now he could only -bark feebly at the people who were carrying her off, and try to follow -them, but they chased and kicked him away. - -He determined not to quit the place till he knew what had become of -Celia, and blamed himself for what had befallen her. - -"Alas!" he said to himself, "I am furious with the people who are -carrying Celia off, but isn't that exactly what I did myself, and if I -had not been prevented did I not intend to be still more cruel to her?" - -Here he was interrupted by a noise above his head--someone was opening -a window, and he saw with delight that it was Celia herself, who came -forward and threw out a plate of most delicious-looking food, then the -window was shut again, and Prince Darling, who had not had anything to -eat all day, thought he might as well take the opportunity of getting -something. He ran forward to begin, but the young girl to whom he -had given his bread gave a cry of terror and took him up in her arms, -saying: - -"Don't touch it, my poor little dog--that house is the palace of -pleasure, and everything that comes out of it is poisoned!" - -At the same moment a voice said: - -"You see a good action always brings its reward," and the Prince found -himself changed into a beautiful white dove. He remembered that white -was the favorite color of the Fairy Truth, and began to hope that he -might at last win back her favor. But just now his first care was for -Celia, and rising into the air he flew round and round the house, until -he saw an open window; but he searched through every room in vain. No -trace of Celia was to be seen, and the Prince, in despair, determined -to search through the world till he found her. He flew on and on for -several days, till he came to a great desert, where he saw a cavern, -and, to his delight, there sat Celia, sharing the simple breakfast of an -old hermit. - -Overjoyed to have found her, Prince Darling perched upon her shoulder, -trying to express by his caresses how glad he was to see her again, -and Celia, surprised and delighted by the tameness of this pretty white -dove, stroked it softly, and said, though she never thought of its -understanding her: - -"I accept the gift that you make me of yourself, and I will love you -always." - -"Take care what you are saying, Celia," said the old hermit; "are you -prepared to keep that promise?" - -"Indeed, I hope so, my sweet shepherdess," cried the Prince, who was -at that moment restored to his natural shape. "You promised to love me -always; tell me that you really mean what you said, or I shall have to -ask the Fairy to give me back the form of the dove which pleased you so -much." - -"You need not be afraid that she will change her mind," said the Fairy, -throwing off the hermit's robe in which she had been disguised and -appearing before them. - -"Celia has loved you ever since she first saw you, only she would not -tell you while you were so obstinate and naughty. Now you have repented -and mean to be good you deserve to be happy, and so she may love you as -much as she likes." - -Celia and Prince Darling threw themselves at the Fairy's feet, and -the Prince was never tired of thanking her for her kindness. Celia -was delighted to hear how sorry he was for all his past follies and -misdeeds, and promised to love him as long as she lived. - -"Rise, my children," said the Fairy, "and I will transport you to the -palace, and Prince Darling shall have back again the crown he forfeited -by his bad behavior." - -While she was speaking, they found themselves in Suliman's hall, and his -delight was great at seeing his dear master once more. He gave up the -throne joyfully to the Prince, and remained always the most faithful of -his subjects. - -Celia and Prince Darling reigned for many years, but he was so -determined to govern worthily and to do his duty that his ring, which he -took to wearing again, never once pricked him severely.(1) - - -(1) Cabinet des Fees. - - - - -BLUE BEARD - - -There was a man who had fine houses, both in town and country, a deal -of silver and gold plate, embroidered furniture, and coaches gilded all -over with gold. But this man was so unlucky as to have a blue beard, -which made him so frightfully ugly that all the women and girls ran away -from him. - -One of his neighbors, a lady of quality, had two daughters who were -perfect beauties. He desired of her one of them in marriage, leaving to -her choice which of the two she would bestow on him. They would neither -of them have him, and sent him backward and forward from one another, -not being able to bear the thoughts of marrying a man who had a blue -beard, and what besides gave them disgust and aversion was his having -already been married to several wives, and nobody ever knew what became -of them. - -Blue Beard, to engage their affection, took them, with the lady their -mother and three or four ladies of their acquaintance, with other young -people of the neighborhood, to one of his country seats, where they -stayed a whole week. - -There was nothing then to be seen but parties of pleasure, hunting, -fishing, dancing, mirth, and feasting. Nobody went to bed, but all -passed the night in rallying and joking with each other. In short, -everything succeeded so well that the youngest daughter began to think -the master of the house not to have a beard so very blue, and that he -was a mighty civil gentleman. - -As soon as they returned home, the marriage was concluded. About a -month afterward, Blue Beard told his wife that he was obliged to take -a country journey for six weeks at least, about affairs of very great -consequence, desiring her to divert herself in his absence, to send for -her friends and acquaintances, to carry them into the country, if she -pleased, and to make good cheer wherever she was. - -"Here," said he, "are the keys of the two great wardrobes, wherein I -have my best furniture; these are of my silver and gold plate, which is -not every day in use; these open my strong boxes, which hold my money, -both gold and silver; these my caskets of jewels; and this is the -master-key to all my apartments. But for this little one here, it is the -key of the closet at the end of the great gallery on the ground floor. -Open them all; go into all and every one of them, except that little -closet, which I forbid you, and forbid it in such a manner that, if you -happen to open it, there's nothing but what you may expect from my just -anger and resentment." - -She promised to observe, very exactly, whatever he had ordered; when -he, after having embraced her, got into his coach and proceeded on his -journey. - -Her neighbors and good friends did not stay to be sent for by the -new married lady, so great was their impatience to see all the rich -furniture of her house, not daring to come while her husband was there, -because of his blue beard, which frightened them. They ran through all -the rooms, closets, and wardrobes, which were all so fine and rich that -they seemed to surpass one another. - -After that they went up into the two great rooms, where was the best -and richest furniture; they could not sufficiently admire the number -and beauty of the tapestry, beds, couches, cabinets, stands, tables, and -looking-glasses, in which you might see yourself from head to foot; some -of them were framed with glass, others with silver, plain and gilded, -the finest and most magnificent ever were seen. - -They ceased not to extol and envy the happiness of their friend, who in -the meantime in no way diverted herself in looking upon all these rich -things, because of the impatience she had to go and open the closet on -the ground floor. She was so much pressed by her curiosity that, without -considering that it was very uncivil to leave her company, she went -down a little back staircase, and with such excessive haste that she had -twice or thrice like to have broken her neck. - -Coming to the closet-door, she made a stop for some time, thinking upon -her husband's orders, and considering what unhappiness might attend her -if she was disobedient; but the temptation was so strong she could not -overcome it. She then took the little key, and opened it, trembling, but -could not at first see anything plainly, because the windows were shut. -After some moments she began to perceive that the floor was all covered -over with clotted blood, on which lay the bodies of several dead women, -ranged against the walls. (These were all the wives whom Blue Beard had -married and murdered, one after another.) She thought she should have -died for fear, and the key, which she pulled out of the lock, fell out -of her hand. - -After having somewhat recovered her surprise, she took up the key, -locked the door, and went upstairs into her chamber to recover herself; -but she could not, she was so much frightened. Having observed that the -key of the closet was stained with blood, she tried two or three times -to wipe it off, but the blood would not come out; in vain did she wash -it, and even rub it with soap and sand; the blood still remained, for -the key was magical and she could never make it quite clean; when the -blood was gone off from one side, it came again on the other. - -Blue Beard returned from his journey the same evening, and said he had -received letters upon the road, informing him that the affair he went -about was ended to his advantage. His wife did all she could to convince -him she was extremely glad of his speedy return. - -Next morning he asked her for the keys, which she gave him, but with -such a trembling hand that he easily guessed what had happened. - -"What!" said he, "is not the key of my closet among the rest?" - -"I must certainly have left it above upon the table," said she. - -"Fail not to bring it to me presently," said Blue Beard. - -After several goings backward and forward she was forced to bring him -the key. Blue Beard, having very attentively considered it, said to his -wife, - -"How comes this blood upon the key?" - -"I do not know," cried the poor woman, paler than death. - -"You do not know!" replied Blue Beard. "I very well know. You were -resolved to go into the closet, were you not? Mighty well, madam; you -shall go in, and take your place among the ladies you saw there." - -Upon this she threw herself at her husband's feet, and begged his pardon -with all the signs of true repentance, vowing that she would never more -be disobedient. She would have melted a rock, so beautiful and sorrowful -was she; but Blue Beard had a heart harder than any rock! - -"You must die, madam," said he, "and that presently." - -"Since I must die," answered she (looking upon him with her eyes all -bathed in tears), "give me some little time to say my prayers." - -"I give you," replied Blue Beard, "half a quarter of an hour, but not -one moment more." - -When she was alone she called out to her sister, and said to her: - -"Sister Anne" (for that was her name), "go up, I beg you, upon the top -of the tower, and look if my brothers are not coming over; they promised -me that they would come to-day, and if you see them, give them a sign to -make haste." - -Her sister Anne went up upon the top of the tower, and the poor -afflicted wife cried out from time to time: - -"Anne, sister Anne, do you see anyone coming?" - -And sister Anne said: - -"I see nothing but the sun, which makes a dust, and the grass, which -looks green." - -In the meanwhile Blue Beard, holding a great sabre in his hand, cried -out as loud as he could bawl to his wife: - -"Come down instantly, or I shall come up to you." - -"One moment longer, if you please," said his wife, and then she cried -out very softly, "Anne, sister Anne, dost thou see anybody coming?" - -And sister Anne answered: - -"I see nothing but the sun, which makes a dust, and the grass, which is -green." - -"Come down quickly," cried Blue Beard, "or I will come up to you." - -"I am coming," answered his wife; and then she cried, "Anne, sister -Anne, dost thou not see anyone coming?" - -"I see," replied sister Anne, "a great dust, which comes on this side -here." - -"Are they my brothers?" - -"Alas! no, my dear sister, I see a flock of sheep." - -"Will you not come down?" cried Blue Beard - -"One moment longer," said his wife, and then she cried out: "Anne, -sister Anne, dost thou see nobody coming?" - -"I see," said she, "two horsemen, but they are yet a great way off." - -"God be praised," replied the poor wife joyfully; "they are my brothers; -I will make them a sign, as well as I can, for them to make haste." - -Then Blue Beard bawled out so loud that he made the whole house tremble. -The distressed wife came down, and threw herself at his feet, all in -tears, with her hair about her shoulders. - -"This signifies nothing," says Blue Beard; "you must die"; then, taking -hold of her hair with one hand, and lifting up the sword with the other, -he was going to take off her head. The poor lady, turning about to him, -and looking at him with dying eyes, desired him to afford her one little -moment to recollect herself. - -"No, no," said he, "recommend thyself to God," and was just ready to -strike... - -At this very instant there was such a loud knocking at the gate that -Blue Beard made a sudden stop. The gate was opened, and presently -entered two horsemen, who, drawing their swords, ran directly to Blue -Beard. He knew them to be his wife's brothers, one a dragoon, the other -a musketeer, so that he ran away immediately to save himself; but the -two brothers pursued so close that they overtook him before he could get -to the steps of the porch, when they ran their swords through his body -and left him dead. The poor wife was almost as dead as her husband, and -had not strength enough to rise and welcome her brothers. - -Blue Beard had no heirs, and so his wife became mistress of all his -estate. She made use of one part of it to marry her sister Anne to a -young gentleman who had loved her a long while; another part to buy -captains commissions for her brothers, and the rest to marry herself to -a very worthy gentleman, who made her forget the ill time she had passed -with Blue Beard.(1) - - -(1) Charles Perrault. - - - - -TRUSTY JOHN - - -Once upon a time there was an old king who was so ill that he thought to -himself, "I am most likely on my death-bed." Then he said, "Send Trusty -John to me." Now Trusty John was his favorite servant, and was so called -because all his life he had served him so faithfully. When he approached -the bed the King spake to him: "Most trusty John, I feel my end is -drawing near, and I could face it without a care were it not for my son. -He is still too young to decide everything for himself, and unless you -promise me to instruct him in all he should know, and to be to him as a -father, I shall not close my eyes in peace." Then Trusty John answered: -"I will never desert him, and will serve him faithfully, even though it -should cost me my life." Then the old King said: "Now I die comforted -and in peace"; and then he went on: "After my death you must show him -the whole castle, all the rooms and apartments and vaults, and all the -treasures that lie in them; but you must not show him the last room in -the long passage, where the picture of the Princess of the Golden Roof -is hidden. When he beholds that picture he will fall violently in love -with it and go off into a dead faint, and for her sake he will encounter -many dangers; you must guard him from this." And when Trusty John had -again given the King his hand upon it the old man became silent, laid -his head on the pillow, and died. - -When the old King had been carried to his grave Trusty John told the -young King what he had promised his father on his death-bed, and added: -"And I shall assuredly keep my word, and shall be faithful to you as I -have been to him, even though it should cost me my life." - -Now when the time of mourning was over, Trusty John said to him: "It -is time you should see your inheritance. I will show you your ancestral -castle." So he took him over everything, and let him see all the riches -and splendid apartments, only the one room where the picture was he -did not open. But the picture was placed so that if the door opened -you gazed straight upon it, and it was so beautifully painted that -you imagined it lived and moved, and that it was the most lovable and -beautiful thing in the whole world. But the young King noticed that -Trusty John always missed one door, and said: "Why do you never open -this one for me?" "There is something inside that would appall you," he -answered. But the King replied: "I have seen the whole castle, and shall -find out what is in there"; and with these words he approached the door -and wanted to force it open. But Trusty John held him back, and said: "I -promised your father before his death that you shouldn't see what that -room contains. It might bring both you and me to great grief." "Ah! -no," answered the young King; "if I don't get in, it will be my certain -destruction; I should have no peace night or day till I had seen what -was in the room with my own eyes. Now I don't budge from the spot till -you have opened the door." - -Then Trusty John saw there was no way out of it, so with a heavy heart -and many sighs he took the key from the big bunch. When he had opened -the door he stepped in first, and thought to cover the likeness so that -the King might not perceive it; but it was hopeless: the King stood on -tiptoe and looked over his shoulder. And when he saw the picture of the -maid, so beautiful and glittering with gold and precious stones, he fell -swooning to the ground. Trusty John lifted him up, carried him to bed, -and thought sorrowfully: "The curse has come upon us; gracious heaven! -what will be the end of it all?" Then he poured wine down his throat -till he came to himself again. The first words he spoke were: "Oh! who -is the original of the beautiful picture?" "She is the Princess of the -Golden Roof," answered Trusty John. Then the King continued: "My love -for her is so great that if all the leaves on the trees had tongues they -could not express it; my very life depends on my winning her. You are my -most trusty John: you must stand by me." - -The faithful servant pondered long how they were to set about the -matter, for it was said to be difficult even to get into the presence of -the Princess. At length he hit upon a plan, and spoke to the King: "All -the things she has about her--tables, chairs, dishes, goblets, bowls, -and all her household furniture--are made of gold. You have in -your treasure five tons of gold; let the goldsmiths of your kingdom -manufacture them into all manner of vases and vessels, into all sorts of -birds and game and wonderful beasts; that will please her. We shall -go to her with them and try our luck." The King summoned all his -goldsmiths, and they had to work hard day and night, till at length the -most magnificent things were completed. When a ship had been laden with -them the faithful John disguised himself as a merchant, and the King had -to do the same, so that they should be quite unrecognizable. And so -they crossed the seas and journeyed till they reached the town where the -Princess of the Golden Roof dwelt. - -Trusty John made the King remain behind on the ship and await his -return. "Perhaps," he said, "I may bring the Princess back with me, so -see that everything is in order; let the gold ornaments be arranged and -the whole ship decorated." Then he took a few of the gold things in his -apron, went ashore, and proceeded straight to the palace. When he came -to the courtyard he found a beautiful maiden standing at the well, -drawing water with two golden pails. And as she was about to carry away -the glittering water she turned round and saw the stranger, and asked -him who he was. Then he replied: "I am a merchant," and opening his -apron, he let her peep in. "Oh! my," she cried; "what beautiful gold -wares!" she set down her pails, and examined one thing after the other. -Then she said: "The Princess must see this, she has such a fancy for -gold things that she will buy up all you have." She took him by the hand -and let him into the palace, for she was the lady's maid. - -When the Princess had seen the wares she was quite enchanted, and said: -"They are all so beautifully made that I shall buy everything you have." -But Trusty John said: "I am only the servant of a rich merchant, what -I have here is nothing compared to what my master has on his ship; his -merchandise is more artistic and costly than anything that has ever been -made in gold before." She desired to have everything brought up to her, -but he said: "There is such a quantity of things that it would take many -days to bring them up, and they would take up so many rooms that -you would have no space for them in your house." Thus her desire and -curiosity were excited to such an extent that at last she said: "Take me -to your ship; I shall go there myself and view your master's treasures." - -Then Trusty John was quite delighted, and brought her to the ship; and -the King, when he beheld her, saw that she was even more beautiful than -her picture, and thought every moment that his heart would burst. She -stepped on to the ship, and the King led her inside. But Trusty John -remained behind with the steersman, and ordered the ship to push off. -"Spread all sail, that we may fly on the ocean like a bird in the air." -Meanwhile the King showed the Princess inside all his gold wares, every -single bit of it--dishes, goblets, bowls, the birds and game, and all -the wonderful beasts. Many hours passed thus, and she was so happy that -she did not notice that the ship was sailing away. After she had seen -the last thing she thanked the merchant and prepared to go home; but -when she came to the ship's side she saw that they were on the high -seas, far from land, and that the ship was speeding on its way under -full canvas. "Oh!" she cried in terror, "I am deceived, carried away and -betrayed into the power of a merchant; I would rather have died!" But -the King seized her hand and spake: "I am no merchant, but a king of as -high birth as yourself; and it was my great love for you that made me -carry you off by stratagem. The first time I saw your likeness I fell to -the ground in a swoon." When the Princess of the Golden Roof heard this -she was comforted, and her heart went out to him, so that she willingly -consented to become his wife. - -Now it happened one day, while they were sailing on the high seas, -that Trusty John, sitting on the forepart of the ship, fiddling away to -himself, observed three ravens in the air flying toward him. He ceased -playing, and listened to what they were saying, for he understood their -language. The one croaked: "Ah, ha! so he's bringing the Princess of -the Golden Roof home." "Yes," answered the second, "but he's not got her -yet." "Yes, he has," spake the third, "for she's sitting beside him on -the ship." Then number one began again and cried: "That'll not help him! -When they reach the land a chestnut horse will dash forward to greet -them: the King will wish to mount it, and if he does it will gallop away -with him, and disappear into the air, and he will never see his bride -again." "Is there no escape for him?" asked number two. "Oh! yes, if -someone else mounts quickly and shoots the horse dead with the pistol -that is sticking in the holster, then the young King is saved. But who's -to do that? And anyone who knows it and tells him will be turned into -stone from his feet to his knees." Then spake number two: "I know more -than that: even if the horse is slain, the young King will still not -keep his bride: when they enter the palace together they will find a -ready-made wedding shirt in a cupboard, which looks as though it were -woven of gold and silver, but is really made of nothing but sulphur and -tar: when the King puts it on it will burn him to his marrow and bones." -Number three asked: "Is there no way of escape, then?" "Oh! yes," -answered number two: "If someone seizes the shirt with gloved hands and -throws it into the fire, and lets it burn, then the young King is saved. -But what's the good? Anyone knowing this and telling it will have half -his body turned into stone, from his knees to his heart." Then number -three spake: "I know yet more: though the bridal shirt too be burnt, the -King hasn't even then secured his bride: when the dance is held after -the wedding, and the young Queen is dancing, she will suddenly grow -deadly white, and drop down like one dead, and unless some one lifts her -up and draws three drops of blood from her right side, and spits them -out again, she will die. But if anyone who knows this betrays it, he -will be turned into stone from the crown of his head to the soles of his -feet." When the ravens had thus conversed they fled onward, but Trusty -John had taken it all in, and was sad and depressed from that time -forward; for if he were silent to his master concerning what he had -heard, he would involve him in misfortune; but if he took him into his -confidence, then he himself would forfeit his life. At last he said: "I -will stand by my master, though it should be my ruin." - -Now when they drew near the land it came to pass just as the ravens had -predicted, and a splendid chestnut horse bounded forward. "Capital!" -said the King; "this animal shall carry me to my palace," and was about -to mount, but Trusty John was too sharp for him, and, springing up -quickly, seized the pistol out of the holster and shot the horse dead. -Then the other servants of the King, who at no time looked favorably on -Trusty John, cried out: "What a sin to kill the beautiful beast that was -to bear the King to his palace!" But the King spake: "Silence! let him -alone; he is ever my most trusty John. Who knows for what good end he -may have done this thing?" So they went on their way and entered -the palace, and there in the hall stood a cupboard in which lay the -ready-made bridal shirt, looking for all the world as though it were -made of gold and silver. The young King went toward it and was about to -take hold of it, but Trusty John, pushing him aside, seized it with his -gloved hands, threw it hastily into the fire, and let it burn The -other servants commenced grumbling again, and said: "See, he's actually -burning the King's bridal shirt." But the young King spoke: "Who knows -for what good purpose he does it? Let him alone, he is my most trusty -John." Then the wedding was celebrated, the dance began, and the bride -joined in, but Trusty John watched her countenance carefully. Of a -sudden she grew deadly white, and fell to the ground as if she were -dead. He at once sprang hastily toward her, lifted her up, and bore her -to a room, where he laid her down, and kneeling beside her he drew three -drops of blood from her right side, and spat them out. She soon -breathed again and came to herself; but the young King had watched the -proceeding, and not knowing why Trusty John had acted as he did, he flew -into a passion, and cried: "Throw him into prison." On the following -morning sentence was passed on Trusty John, and he was condemned to be -hanged. As he stood on the gallows he said: "Every one doomed to -death has the right to speak once before he dies; and I too have that -privilege?" "Yes," said the King, "it shall be granted to you." So -Trusty John spoke: "I am unjustly condemned, for I have always been -faithful to you"; and he proceeded to relate how he had heard the -ravens' conversation on the sea, and how he had to do all he did in -order to save his master. Then the King cried: "Oh! my most trusty John, -pardon! pardon! Take him down." But as he uttered the last word Trusty -John had fallen lifeless to the ground, and was a stone. - -The King and Queen were in despair, and the King spake: "Ah! how ill -have I rewarded such great fidelity!" and made them lift up the stone -image and place it in his bedroom near his bed. As often as he looked at -it he wept and said: "Oh! if I could only restore you to life, my most -trusty John!" After a time the Queen gave birth to twins, two small -sons, who throve and grew, and were a constant joy to her. One day when -the Queen was at church, and the two children sat and played with their -father, he gazed again full of grief on the stone statue, and sighing, -wailed: "Oh, if I could only restore you to life, my most trusty John!" -Suddenly the stone began to speak, and said: "Yes, you can restore me -to life again if you are prepared to sacrifice what you hold most dear." -And the King cried out: "All I have in the world will I give up for your -sake." The stone continued: "If you cut off with your own hand the heads -of your two children, and smear me with their blood, I shall come back -to life." The King was aghast when he heard that he had himself to put -his children to death; but when he thought of Trusty John's fidelity, -and how he had even died for him, he drew his sword, and with his own -hand cut the heads off his children. And when he had smeared the stone -with their blood, life came back, and Trusty John stood once more safe -and sound before him. He spake to the King: "Your loyalty shall be -rewarded," and taking up the heads of the children, he placed them on -their bodies, smeared the wounds with their blood, and in a minute they -were all right again and jumping about as if nothing had happened. -Then the King was full of joy, and when he saw the Queen coming, he hid -Trusty John and the two children in a big cupboard. As she entered he -said to her: "Did you pray in church?" "Yes," she answered, "but my -thoughts dwelt constantly on Trusty John, and of what he has suffered -for us." Then he spake: "Dear wife, we can restore him to life, but the -price asked is our two little sons; we must sacrifice them." The Queen -grew white and her heart sank, but she replied: "We owe it to him on -account of his great fidelity." Then he rejoiced that she was of the -same mind as he had been, and going forward he opened the cupboard, and -fetched the two children and Trusty John out, saying: "God be praised! -Trusty John is free once more, and we have our two small sons again." -Then he related to her all that had passed, and they lived together -happily ever afterward.(1) - - -(1) Grimm. - - - - -THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR - - -One summer's day a little tailor sat on his table by the window in -the best of spirits, and sewed for dear life. As he was sitting thus a -peasant woman came down the street, calling out: "Good jam to sell, -good jam to sell." This sounded sweetly in the tailor's ears; he put -his frail little head out of the window, and shouted: "up here, my good -woman, and you'll find a willing customer." The woman climbed up the -three flights of stairs with her heavy basket to the tailor's room, and -he made her spread out all the pots in a row before him. He examined -them all, lifted them up and smelled them, and said at last: "This jam -seems good, weigh me four ounces of it, my good woman; and even if it's -a quarter of a pound I won't stick at it." The woman, who had hoped to -find a good market, gave him what he wanted, but went away grumbling -wrathfully. "Now heaven shall bless this jam for my use," cried the -little tailor, "and it shall sustain and strengthen me." He fetched some -bread out of a cupboard, cut a round off the loaf, and spread the jam on -it. "That won't taste amiss," he said; "but I'll finish that waistcoat -first before I take a bite." He placed the bread beside him, went -on sewing, and out of the lightness of his heart kept on making his -stitches bigger and bigger. In the meantime the smell of the sweet jam -rose to the ceiling, where heaps of flies were sitting, and attracted -them to such an extent that they swarmed on to it in masses. "Ha! who -invited you?" said the tailor, and chased the unwelcome guests away. But -the flies, who didn't understand English, refused to let themselves -be warned off, and returned again in even greater numbers. At last the -little tailor, losing all patience, reached out of his chimney corner -for a duster, and exclaiming: "Wait, and I'll give it to you," he beat -them mercilessly with it. When he left off he counted the slain, and -no fewer than seven lay dead before him with outstretched legs. "What a -desperate fellow I am!" said he, and was filled with admiration at his -own courage. "The whole town must know about this"; and in great haste -the little tailor cut out a girdle, hemmed it, and embroidered on it in -big letters, "Seven at a blow." "What did I say, the town? no, the whole -world shall hear of it," he said; and his heart beat for joy as a lamb -wags his tail. - -The tailor strapped the girdle round his waist and set out into the wide -world, for he considered his workroom too small a field for his prowess. -Before he set forth he looked round about him, to see if there was -anything in the house he could take with him on his journey; but he -found nothing except an old cheese, which he took possession of. In -front of the house he observed a bird that had been caught in some -bushes, and this he put into his wallet beside the cheese. Then he went -on his way merrily, and being light and agile he never felt tired. His -way led up a hill, on the top of which sat a powerful giant, who was -calmly surveying the landscape. The little tailor went up to him, and -greeting him cheerfully said: "Good-day, friend; there you sit at your -ease viewing the whole wide world. I'm just on my way there. What do you -say to accompanying me?" The giant looked contemptuously at the tailor, -and said: "What a poor wretched little creature you are!" "That's a good -joke," answered the little tailor, and unbuttoning his coat he showed -the giant the girdle. "There now, you can read what sort of a fellow -I am." The giant read: "Seven at a blow"; and thinking they were human -beings the tailor had slain, he conceived a certain respect for the -little man. But first he thought he'd test him, so taking up a stone in -his hand, he squeezed it till some drops of water ran out. "Now you do -the same," said the giant, "if you really wish to be thought strong." -"Is that all?" said the little tailor; "that's child's play to me," so -he dived into his wallet, brought out the cheese, and pressed it till -the whey ran out. "My squeeze was in sooth better than yours," said he. -The giant didn't know what to say, for he couldn't have believed it -of the little fellow. To prove him again, the giant lifted a stone and -threw it so high that the eye could hardly follow it. "Now, my little -pigmy, let me see you do that." "Well thrown," said the tailor; "but, -after all, your stone fell to the ground; I'll throw one that won't come -down at all." He dived into his wallet again, and grasping the bird in -his hand, he threw it up into the air. The bird, enchanted to be free, -soared up into the sky, and flew away never to return. "Well, what do -you think of that little piece of business, friend?" asked the tailor. -"You can certainly throw," said the giant; "but now let's see if you can -carry a proper weight." With these words he led the tailor to a huge oak -tree which had been felled to the ground, and said: "If you are strong -enough, help me to carry the tree out of the wood." "Most certainly," -said the little tailor: "just you take the trunk on your shoulder; I'll -bear the top and branches, which is certainly the heaviest part." The -giant laid the trunk on his shoulder, but the tailor sat at his ease -among the branches; and the giant, who couldn't see what was going on -behind him, had to carry the whole tree, and the little tailor into the -bargain. There he sat behind in the best of spirits, lustily whistling a -tune, as if carrying the tree were mere sport. The giant, after dragging -the heavy weight for some time, could get on no further, and shouted -out: "Hi! I must let the tree fall." The tailor sprang nimbly down, -seized the tree with both hands as if he had carried it the whole way -and said to the giant: "Fancy a big lout like you not being able to -carry a tree!" - -They continued to go on their way together, and as they passed by a -cherry tree the giant grasped the top of it, where the ripest fruit -hung, gave the branches into the tailor's hand, and bade him eat. But -the little tailor was far too weak to hold the tree down, and when the -giant let go the tree swung back into the air, bearing the little tailor -with it. When he had fallen to the ground again without hurting himself, -the giant said: "What! do you mean to tell me you haven't the strength -to hold down a feeble twig?" "It wasn't strength that was wanting," -replied the tailor; "do you think that would have been anything for a -man who has killed seven at a blow? I jumped over the tree because the -huntsmen are shooting among the branches near us. Do you do the like if -you dare." The giant made an attempt, but couldn't get over the tree, -and stuck fast in the branches, so that here too the little tailor had -the better of him. - -"Well, you're a fine fellow, after all," said the giant; "come and spend -the night with us in our cave." The little tailor willingly consented to -do this, and following his friend they went on till they reached a cave -where several other giants were sitting round a fire, each holding -a roast sheep in his hand, of which he was eating. The little tailor -looked about him, and thought: "Yes, there's certainly more room to turn -round in here than in my workshop." The giant showed him a bed and bade -him lie down and have a good sleep. But the bed was too big for the -little tailor, so he didn't get into it, but crept away into the corner. -At midnight, when the giant thought the little tailor was fast asleep, -he rose up, and taking his big iron walking-stick, he broke the bed -in two with a blow, and thought he had made an end of the little -grasshopper. At early dawn the giants went off to the wood, and quite -forgot about the little tailor, till all of a sudden they met him -trudging along in the most cheerful manner. The giants were terrified at -the apparition, and, fearful lest he should slay them, they all took to -their heels as fast as they could. - -The little tailor continued to follow his nose, and after he had -wandered about for a long time he came to the courtyard of a royal -palace, and feeling tired he lay down on the grass and fell asleep. -While he lay there the people came, and looking him all over read on his -girdle: "Seven at a blow." "Oh!" they said, "what can this great hero of -a hundred fights want in our peaceful land? He must indeed be a mighty -man of valor." They went and told the King about him, and said what a -weighty and useful man he'd be in time of war, and that it would be well -to secure him at any price. This counsel pleased the King, and he sent -one of his courtiers down to the little tailor, to offer him, when he -awoke, a commission in their army. The messenger remained standing by -the sleeper, and waited till he stretched his limbs and opened his eyes, -when he tendered his proposal. "That's the very thing I came here for," -he answered; "I am quite ready to enter the King's service." So he was -received with all honor, and given a special house of his own to live -in. - -But the other officers resented the success of the little tailor, and -wished him a thousand miles away. "What's to come of it all?" they asked -each other; "if we quarrel with him, he'll let out at us, and at every -blow seven will fall. There'll soon be an end of us." So they resolved -to go in a body to the King, and all to send in their papers. "We are -not made," they said, "to hold out against a man who kills seven at a -blow." The King was grieved at the thought of losing all his faithful -servants for the sake of one man, and he wished heartily that he had -never set eyes on him, or that he could get rid of him. But he didn't -dare to send him away, for he feared he might kill him along with his -people, and place himself on the throne. He pondered long and deeply -over the matter, and finally came to a conclusion. He sent to the tailor -and told him that, seeing what a great and warlike hero he was, he -was about to make him an offer. In a certain wood of his kingdom there -dwelled two giants who did much harm; by the way they robbed, murdered, -burned, and plundered everything about them; "no one could approach them -without endangering his life. But if he could overcome and kill these -two giants he should have his only daughter for a wife, and half his -kingdom into the bargain; he might have a hundred horsemen, too, to back -him up." "That's the very thing for a man like me," thought the little -tailor; "one doesn't get the offer of a beautiful princess and half a -kingdom every day." "Done with you," he answered; "I'll soon put an end -to the giants. But I haven't the smallest need of your hundred horsemen; -a fellow who can slay seven men at a blow need not be afraid of two." - -The little tailor set out, and the hundred horsemen followed him. When -he came to the outskirts of the wood he said to his followers: "You wait -here, I'll manage the giants by myself"; and he went on into the wood, -casting his sharp little eyes right and left about him. After a while -he spied the two giants lying asleep under a tree, and snoring till -the very boughs bent with the breeze. The little tailor lost no time in -filling his wallet with stones, and then climbed up the tree under -which they lay. When he got to about the middle of it he slipped along a -branch till he sat just above the sleepers, when he threw down one stone -after the other on the nearest giant. The giant felt nothing for a long -time, but at last he woke up, and pinching his companion said: "What did -you strike me for?" "I didn't strike you," said the other, "you must be -dreaming." They both lay down to sleep again, and the tailor threw down -a stone on the second giant, who sprang up and cried: "What's that for? -Why did you throw something at me?" "I didn't throw anything," growled -the first one. They wrangled on for a time, till, as both were tired, -they made up the matter and fell asleep again. The little tailor began -his game once more, and flung the largest stone he could find in his -wallet with all his force, and hit the first giant on the chest. "This -is too much of a good thing!" he yelled, and springing up like a madman, -he knocked his companion against the tree till he trembled. He gave, -however, as good as he got, and they became so enraged that they tore up -trees and beat each other with them, till they both fell dead at once on -the ground. Then the little tailor jumped down. "It's a mercy," he said, -"that they didn't root up the tree on which I was perched, or I should -have had to jump like a squirrel on to another, which, nimble though I -am, would have been no easy job." He drew his sword and gave each of -the giants a very fine thrust or two on the breast, and then went to -the horsemen and said: "The deed is done, I've put an end to the two of -them; but I assure you it has been no easy matter, for they even tore up -trees in their struggle to defend themselves; but all that's of no use -against one who slays seven men at a blow." "Weren't you wounded?" asked -the horsemen. - -"No fear," answered the tailor; "they haven't touched a hair of my -head." But the horsemen wouldn't believe him till they rode into the -wood and found the giants weltering in their blood, and the trees lying -around, torn up by the roots. - -The little tailor now demanded the promised reward from the King, but he -repented his promise, and pondered once more how he could rid himself -of the hero. "Before you obtain the hand of my daughter and half my -kingdom," he said to him, "you must do another deed of valor. A unicorn -is running about loose in the wood, and doing much mischief; you must -first catch it." "I'm even less afraid of one unicorn than of two -giants; seven at a blow, that's my motto." He took a piece of cord and -an axe with him, went out to the wood, and again told the men who had -been sent with him to remain outside. He hadn't to search long, for the -unicorn soon passed by, and, on perceiving the tailor, dashed straight -at him as though it were going to spike him on the spot. "Gently, -gently," said he, "not so fast, my friend"; and standing still he waited -till the beast was quite near, when he sprang lightly behind a tree; the -unicorn ran with all its force against the tree, and rammed its horn so -firmly into the trunk that it had no strength left to pull it out again, -and was thus successfully captured. "Now I've caught my bird," said the -tailor, and he came out from behind the tree, placed the cord round its -neck first, then struck the horn out of the tree with his axe, and when -everything was in order led the beast before the King. - -Still the King didn't want to give him the promised reward and made a -third demand. The tailor was to catch a wild boar for him that did a -great deal of harm in the wood; and he might have the huntsmen to help -him. "Willingly," said the tailor; "that's mere child's play." But he -didn't take the huntsmen into the wood with him, and they were well -enough pleased to remain behind, for the wild boar had often -received them in a manner which did not make them desire its further -acquaintance. As soon as the boar perceived the tailor it ran at him -with foaming mouth and gleaming teeth, and tried to knock him down; but -our alert little friend ran into a chapel that stood near, and got out -of the window again with a jump. The boar pursued him into the church, -but the tailor skipped round to the door, and closed it securely. So the -raging beast was caught, for it was far too heavy and unwieldy to spring -out of the window. The little tailor summoned the huntsmen together, -that they might see the prisoner with their own eyes. Then the hero -betook himself to the King, who was obliged now, whether he liked it or -not, to keep his promise, and hand him over his daughter and half his -kingdom. Had he known that no hero-warrior, but only a little tailor -stood before him, it would have gone even more to his heart. So the -wedding was celebrated with much splendor and little joy, and the tailor -became a king. - -After a time the Queen heard her husband saying one night in his sleep: -"My lad, make that waistcoat and patch these trousers, or I'll box your -ears." Thus she learned in what rank the young gentleman had been born, -and next day she poured forth her woes to her father, and begged him to -help her to get rid of a husband who was nothing more nor less than a -tailor. The King comforted her, and said: "Leave your bedroom door open -to-night, my servants shall stand outside, and when your husband is -fast asleep they shall enter, bind him fast, and carry him on to a -ship, which shall sail away out into the wide ocean." The Queen was -well satisfied with the idea, but the armor-bearer, who had overheard -everything, being much attached to his young master, went straight to -him and revealed the whole plot. "I'll soon put a stop to the business," -said the tailor. That night he and his wife went to bed at the usual -time; and when she thought he had fallen asleep she got up, opened the -door, and then lay down again. The little tailor, who had only pretended -to be asleep, began to call out in a clear voice: "My lad, make that -waistcoat and patch those trousers, or I'll box your ears. I have killed -seven at a blow, slain two giants, led a unicorn captive, and caught a -wild boar, then why should I be afraid of those men standing outside my -door?" The men, when they heard the tailor saying these words, were so -terrified that they fled as if pursued by a wild army, and didn't dare -go near him again. So the little tailor was and remained a king all the -days of his life. - - - - -A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT - - -CHAPTER I - - -My father had a small estate in Nottinghamshire, and I was the third -of four sons. He sent me to Cambridge at fourteen years old, and after -studying there three years I was bound apprentice to Mr. Bates, a famous -surgeon in London. There, as my father now and then sent me small sums -of money, I spent them in learning navigation, and other arts useful to -those who travel, as I always believed it would be some time or other my -fortune to do. - -Three years after my leaving him my good master, Mr. Bates, recommended -me as ship's surgeon to the "Swallow," on which I voyaged three years. -When I came back I settled in London, and, having taken part of a -small house, I married Miss Mary Burton, daughter of Mr. Edmund Burton, -hosier. - -But my good master Bates died two years after; and as I had few friends -my business began to fail, and I determined to go again to sea. After -several voyages, I accepted an offer from Captain W. Pritchard, master -of the "Antelope," who was making a voyage to the South Sea. We set sail -from Bristol, May 4, 1699; and our voyage at first was very prosperous. - -But in our passage to the East Indies we were driven by a violent storm -to the north-west of Van Diemen's Land. Twelve of our crew died from -hard labor and bad food, and the rest were in a very weak condition. -On the 5th of November, the weather being very hazy, the seamen spied -a rock within 120 yards of the ship; but the wind was so strong that we -were driven straight upon it, and immediately split. Six of the crew, -of whom I was one, letting down the boat, got clear of the ship, and we -rowed about three leagues, till we could work no longer. We therefore -trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves; and in about half an hour -the boat was upset by a sudden squall. What became of my companions in -the boat, or those who escaped on the rock or were left in the vessel, -I cannot tell; but I conclude they were all lost. For my part, I swam as -fortune directed me, and was pushed forward by wind and tide; but when -I was able to struggle no longer I found myself within my depth. By this -time the storm was much abated. I reached the shore at last, about eight -o'clock in the evening, and advanced nearly half a mile inland, but -could not discover any sign of inhabitants. I was extremely tired, and -with the heat of the weather I found myself much inclined to sleep. I -lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft, and slept sounder -than ever I did in my life for about nine hours. When I woke, it was -just daylight. I attempted to rise, but could not; for as I happened to -be lying on my back, I found my arms and legs were fastened on each side -to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the -same manner. I could only look upward. The sun began to grow hot, and -the light hurt my eyes. I heard a confused noise about me, but could -see nothing except the sky. In a little time I felt something alive -and moving on my left leg, which, advancing gently over my breast, came -almost up to my chin, when, bending my eyes downward, I perceived it to -be a human creature, not six inches high, with a bow and arrow in his -hands, and a quiver at his back. In the meantime I felt at least forty -more following the first. I was in the utmost astonishment, and roared -so loud that they all ran back in a fright; and some of them were -hurt with the falls they got by leaping from my sides upon the ground. -However, they soon returned, and one of them, who ventured so far as to -get a full sight of my face, lifted up his hands in admiration. I lay -all this while in great uneasiness; but at length, struggling to get -loose, I succeeded in breaking the strings that fastened my left arm -to the ground; and at the same time, with a violent pull that gave me -extreme pain, I a little loosened the strings that tied down my hair, so -that I was just able to turn my head about two inches. But the creatures -ran off a second time before I could seize them, whereupon there was a -great shout, and in an instant I felt above a hundred arrows discharged -on my left hand, which pricked me like so many needles. Moreover, they -shot another flight into the air, of which some fell on my face, which -I immediately covered with my left hand. When this shower of arrows -was over I groaned with grief and pain, and then, striving again to get -loose, they discharged another flight of arrows larger than the first, -and some of them tried to stab me with their spears; but by good luck -I had on a leather jacket, which they could not pierce. By this time -I thought it most prudent to lie still till night, when, my left -hand being already loose, I could easily free myself; and as for the -inhabitants, I thought I might be a match for the greatest army they -could bring against me if they were all of the same size as him I -saw. When the people observed that I was quiet they discharged no more -arrows, but by the noise I heard I knew that their number was increased; -and about four yards from me, for more than an hour, there was a -knocking, like people at work. Then, turning my head that way as well -as the pegs and strings would let me, I saw a stage set up, about a foot -and a half from the ground, with two or three ladders to mount it. From -this, one of them, who seemed to be a person of quality, made me a long -speech, of which I could not understand a word, though I could tell from -his manner that he sometimes threatened me, and sometimes spoke with -pity and kindness. I answered in few words, but in the most submissive -manner; and, being almost famished with hunger, I could not help showing -my impatience by putting my finger frequently to my mouth, to signify -that I wanted food. He understood me very well, and, descending from the -stage, commanded that several ladders should be set against my sides, on -which more than a hundred of the inhabitants mounted, and walked toward -my mouth with baskets full of food, which had been sent by the King's -orders when he first received tidings of me. There were legs and -shoulders like mutton but smaller than the wings of a lark. I ate -them two or three at a mouthful, and took three loaves at a time. They -supplied me as fast as they could, with a thousand marks of wonder at -my appetite. I then made a sign that I wanted something to drink. They -guessed that a small quantity would not suffice me, and, being a most -ingenious people, they slung up one of their largest hogsheads, then -rolled it toward my hand, and beat out the top. I drank it off at a -draught, which I might well do, for it did not hold half a pint. They -brought me a second hogshead, which I drank, and made signs for more; -but they had none to give me. However, I could not wonder enough at the -daring of these tiny mortals, who ventured to mount and walk upon my -body, while one of my hands was free, without trembling at the very -sight of so huge a creature as I must have seemed to them. After some -time there appeared before me a person of high rank from his Imperial -Majesty. His Excellency, having mounted my right leg, advanced to my -face, with about a dozen of his retinue, and spoke about ten minutes, -often pointing forward, which, as I afterward found, was toward the -capital city, about half a mile distant, whither it was commanded by his -Majesty that I should be conveyed. I made a sign with my hand that was -loose, putting it to the other (but over his Excellency's head, for -fear of hurting him or his train), to show that I desired my liberty. -He seemed to understand me well enough, for he shook his head, though -he made other signs to let me know that I should have meat and drink -enough, and very good treatment. Then I once more thought of attempting -to escape; but when I felt the smart of their arrows on my face and -hands, which were all in blisters and observed likewise that the number -of my enemies increased, I gave tokens to let them know that they might -do with me what they pleased. Then they daubed my face and hands with a -sweet-smelling ointment, which in a few minutes removed all the smarts -of the arrows. The relief from pain and hunger made me drowsy, and -presently I fell asleep. I slept about eight hours, as I was told -afterward; and it was no wonder, for the physicians, by the Emperor's -orders, had mingled a sleeping draught in the hogsheads of wine. - -It seems that, when I was discovered sleeping on the ground after my -landing, the Emperor had early notice of it, and determined that I -should be tied in the manner I have related (which was done in the -night, while I slept), that plenty of meat and drink should be sent me, -and a machine prepared to carry me to the capital city. Five hundred -carpenters and engineers were immediately set to work to prepare the -engine. It was a frame of wood, raised three inches from the ground, -about seven feet long and four wide, moving upon twenty-two wheels. But -the difficulty was to place me on it. Eighty poles were erected for this -purpose, and very strong cords fastened to bandages which the workmen -had tied round my neck, hands, body, and legs. Nine hundred of the -strongest men were employed to draw up these cords by pulleys fastened -on the poles, and in less than three hours I was raised and slung -into the engine, and there tied fast. Fifteen hundred of the Emperor's -largest horses, each about four inches and a half high, were then -employed to draw me toward the capital. But while all this was done I -still lay in a deep sleep, and I did not wake till four hours after we -began our journey. - -The Emperor and all his Court came out to meet us when we reached the -capital; but his great officials would not suffer his Majesty to risk -his person by mounting on my body. Where the carriage stopped there -stood an ancient temple, supposed to be the largest in the whole -kingdom, and here it was determined that I should lodge. Near the great -gate, through which I could easily creep, they fixed ninety-one chains, -like those which hang to a lady's watch, which were locked to my -left leg with thirty-six padlocks; and when the workmen found it was -impossible for me to break loose, they cut all the strings that bound -me. Then I rose up, feeling as melancholy as ever I did in my life. But -the noise and astonishment of the people on seeing me rise and walk were -inexpressible. The chains that held my left leg were about two yards -long, and gave me not only freedom to walk backward and forward in a -semicircle, but to creep in and lie at full length inside the temple. -The Emperor, advancing toward me from among his courtiers, all most -magnificently clad, surveyed me with great admiration, but kept beyond -the length of my chain. He was taller by about the breadth of my nail -than any of his Court, which alone was enough to strike awe into the -beholders, and graceful and majestic. The better to behold him, I lay -down on my side, so that my face was level with his, and he stood three -yards off. However, I have had him since many times in my hand, and -therefore cannot be deceived. His dress was very simple; but he wore a -light helmet of gold, adorned with jewels and a plume. He held his sword -drawn in his hand, to defend himself if I should break loose; it was -almost three inches long, and the hilt was of gold, enriched with -diamonds. His voice was shrill, but very clear. His Imperial Majesty -spoke often to me, and I answered; but neither of us could understand a -word. - - -CHAPTER II - - -After about two hours the Court retired, and I was left with a strong -guard to keep away the crowd, some of whom had had the impudence to -shoot their arrows at me as I sat by the door of my house. But the -colonel ordered six of them to be seized and delivered bound into my -hands. I put five of them into my coat pocket; and as to the sixth, I -made a face as if I would eat him alive. The poor man screamed terribly, -and the colonel and his officers were much distressed, especially when -they saw me take out my penknife. But I soon set them at ease, for, -cutting the strings he was bound with, I put him gently on the ground, -and away he ran. I treated the rest in the same manner, taking them one -by one out of my pocket; and I saw that both the soldiers and people -were delighted at this mark of my kindness. - -Toward night I got with some difficulty into my house, where I lay on -the ground, as I had to do for a fortnight, till a bed was prepared for -me out of six hundred beds of the ordinary measure. - -Six hundred servants were appointed me, and three hundred tailors made -me a suit of clothes. Moreover, six of his Majesty's greatest scholars -were employed to teach me their language, so that soon I was able to -converse after a fashion with the Emperor, who often honored me with his -visits. The first words I learned were to desire that he would please -to give me my liberty, which I every day repeated on my knees; but he -answered that this must be a work of time, and that first I must swear a -peace with him and his kingdom. He told me also that by the laws of the -nation I must be searched by two of his officers, and that as this could -not be done without my help, he trusted them in my hands, and whatever -they took from me should be returned when I left the country. I took up -the two officers, and put them into my coat pockets. These gentlemen, -having pen, ink, and paper about them, made an exact list of everything -they saw, which I afterward translated into English, and which ran as -follows: - -"In the right coat pocket of the great Man-Mountain we found only one -great piece of coarse cloth, large enough to cover the carpet of your -Majesty's chief room of state. In the left pocket we saw a huge silver -chest, with a silver cover, which we could not lift. We desired that it -should be opened, and one of us stepping into it found himself up to the -mid-leg in a sort of dust, some of which flying into our faces sent us -both into a fit of sneezing. In his right waistcoat pocket we found a -number of white thin substances, folded one over another, about the size -of three men, tied with a strong cable, and marked with black figures, -which we humbly conceive to be writings. In the left there was a sort of -engine, from the back of which extended twenty long poles, with which, -we conjecture, the Man-Mountain combs his head. In the smaller pocket on -the right side were several round flat pieces of white and red metal, of -different sizes. Some of the white, which appeared to be silver, were -so large and heavy that my comrade and I could hardly lift them. From -another pocket hung a huge silver chain, with a wonderful kind of engine -fastened to it, a globe half silver and half of some transparent metal; -for on the transparent side we saw certain strange figures, and thought -we could touch them till we found our fingers stopped by the shining -substance. This engine made an incessant noise, like a water-mill, and -we conjecture it is either some unknown animal, or the god he worships, -but probably the latter, for he told us that he seldom did anything -without consulting it. - -"This is a list of what we found about the body of the Man-Mountain, who -treated us with great civility." - -I had one private pocket which escaped their search, containing a pair -of spectacles and a small spy-glass, which, being of no consequence to -the Emperor, I did not think myself bound in honor to discover. - - -CHAPTER III - - -My gentleness and good behavior gained so far on the Emperor and his -Court, and, indeed, on the people in general, that I began to have hopes -of getting my liberty in a short time. The natives came by degrees to be -less fearful of danger from me. I would sometimes lie down and let five -or six of them dance on my hand; and at last the boys and girls ventured -to come and play at hide-and-seek in my hair. - -The horses of the army and of the royal stables were no longer shy, -having been daily led before me; and one of the Emperor's huntsmen, on a -large courser, took my foot, shoe and all, which was indeed a prodigious -leap. I amused the Emperor one day in a very extraordinary manner. I -took nine sticks, and fixed them firmly in the ground in a square. Then -I took four other sticks, and tied them parallel at each corner, about -two feet from the ground. I fastened my handkerchief to the nine sticks -that stood erect, and extended it on all sides till it was as tight as -the top of a drum; and I desired the Emperor to let a troop of his best -horse, twenty-four in number, come and exercise upon this plain. His -majesty approved of the proposal, and I took them up one by one, with -the proper officers to exercise them. As soon as they got into order -they divided into two parties, discharged blunt arrows, drew their -swords, fled and pursued, and, in short, showed the best military -discipline I ever beheld. The parallel sticks secured them and their -horses from falling off the stage, and the Emperor was so much delighted -that he ordered this entertainment to be repeated several days, and -persuaded the Empress herself to let me hold her in her chair within -two yards of the stage, whence she could view the whole performance. -Fortunately no accident happened, only once a fiery horse, pawing with -his hoof, struck a hole in my handkerchief, and overthrew his rider and -himself. But I immediately relieved them both, and covering the hole -with one hand, I set down the troop with the other as I had taken them -up. The horse that fell was strained in the shoulder; but the rider was -not hurt, and I repaired my handkerchief as well as I could. However, -I would not trust to the strength of it any more in such dangerous -enterprises. - -I had sent so many petitions for my liberty that his Majesty at length -mentioned the matter in a full council, where it was opposed by none -except Skyresh Bolgolam, admiral of the realm, who was pleased without -any provocation to be my mortal enemy. However, he agreed at length, -though he succeeded in himself drawing up the conditions on which I -should be set free. After they were read I was requested to swear to -perform them in the method prescribed by their laws, which was to hold -my right foot in my left hand, and to place the middle finger of my -right hand on the crown of my head, and my thumb on the top of my right -ear. But I have made a translation of the conditions, which I here offer -to the public: - -"Golbaste Mamarem Evlame Gurdile Shefin Mully Ully Gue, Most Mighty -Emperor of Lilliput, delight and terror of the universe, whose dominions -extend to the ends of the globe, monarch of all monarchs, taller than -the sons of men, whose feet press down to the center, and whose head -strikes against the sun, at whose nod the princes of the earth shake -their knees, pleasant as the spring, comfortable as the summer, fruitful -as autumn, dreadful as winter: His Most Sublime Majesty proposeth to the -Man-Mountain, lately arrived at our celestial dominions, the following -articles, which by a solemn oath he shall be obliged to perform: - -"First. The Man-Mountain shall not depart from our dominions without our -license under the great seal. - -"Second. He shall not presume to come into our metropolis without our -express order, at which time the inhabitants shall have two hours' -warning to keep within doors. - -"Third. The said Man-Mountain shall confine his walks to our principal -high roads, and not offer to walk or lie down in a meadow or field of -corn. - -"Fourth. As he walks the said roads he shall take the utmost care not to -trample upon the bodies of any of our loving subjects, their horses or -carriages, nor take any of our subjects into his hands without their own -consent. - -"Fifth. If an express requires extraordinary speed the Man-Mountain -shall be obliged to carry in his pocket the messenger and horse a six -days' journey, and return the said messenger (if so required) safe to -our imperial presence. - -"Sixth. He shall be our ally against our enemies in the island of -Blefuscu, and do his utmost to destroy their fleet, which is now -preparing to invade us. - -"Lastly. Upon his solemn oath to observe all the above articles, -the said Man-Mountain shall have a daily allowance of meat and drink -sufficient for the support of 1,724 of our subjects, with free access to -our royal person, and other marks of our favor. Given at our palace at -Belfaburac, the twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign." - -I swore to these articles with great cheerfulness, whereupon my chains -were immediately unlocked, and I was at full liberty. - -One morning, about a fortnight after I had obtained my freedom, -Reldresal, the Emperor's secretary for private affairs, came to my -house, attended only by one servant. He ordered his coach to wait at -a distance, and desired that I would give him an hour's audience. I -offered to lie down that he might the more conveniently reach my -ear; but he chose rather to let me hold him in my hand during our -conversation. He began with compliments on my liberty, but he added -that, save for the present state of things at Court, perhaps I might not -have obtained it so soon. "For," he said, "however flourishing we may -seem to foreigners, we are in danger of an invasion from the island of -Blefuscu, which is the other great empire of the universe, almost as -large and as powerful as this of his Majesty. For as to what we have -heard you say, that there are other kingdoms in the world, inhabited -by human creatures as large as yourself, our philosophers are very -doubtful, and rather conjecture that you dropped from the moon, or one -of the stars, because a hundred mortals of your size would soon destroy -all the fruit and cattle of his Majesty's dominions. Besides, our -histories of six thousand moons make no mention of any other regions -than the two mighty empires of Lilliput and Blefuscu, which, as I was -going to tell you, are engaged in a most obstinate war, which began in -the following manner: It is allowed on all hands that the primitive -way of breaking eggs was upon the larger end; but his present Majesty's -grandfather, while he was a boy, going to eat an egg, and breaking it -according to the ancient practice, happened to cut one of his fingers. -Whereupon the Emperor, his father, made a law commanding all his -subjects to break the smaller end of their eggs. The people so highly -resented this law that there have been six rebellions raised on that -account, wherein one emperor lost his life, and another his crown. It is -calculated that eleven hundred persons have at different times suffered -rather than break their eggs at the smaller end. But these rebels, -the Bigendians, have found so much encouragement at the Emperor of -Blefuscu's Court, to which they always fled for refuge, that a bloody -war, as I said, has been carried on between the two empires for -six-and-thirty moons; and now the Blefuscudians have equipped a large -fleet, and are preparing to descend upon us. Therefore his Imperial -Majesty, placing great confidence in your valor and strength, has -commanded me to set the case before you." - -I desired the secretary to present my humble duty to the Emperor, and -to let him know that I was ready, at the risk of my life, to defend him -against all invaders. - - -CHAPTER IV - - -It was not long before I communicated to his Majesty the plan I formed -for seizing the enemy's whole fleet. The Empire of Blefuscu is an island -parted from Lilliput only by a channel eight hundred yards wide. I -consulted the most experienced seamen on the depth of the channel, and -they told me that in the middle, at high water, it was seventy glumguffs -(about six feet of European measure). I walked toward the coast, where, -lying down behind a hillock, I took out my spy-glass, and viewed the -enemy's fleet at anchor--about fifty men-of-war, and other vessels. I -then came back to my house and gave orders for a great quantity of -the strongest cables and bars of iron. The cable was about as thick as -packthread, and the bars of the length and size of a knitting-needle. I -trebled the cable to make it stronger, and for the same reason twisted -three of the iron bars together, bending the ends into a hook. Having -thus fixed fifty hooks to as many cables, I went back to the coast, -and taking off my coat, shoes, and stockings, walked into the sea in my -leather jacket about half an hour before high water. I waded with what -haste I could, swimming in the middle about thirty yards, till I felt -ground, and thus arrived at the fleet in less than half an hour. The -enemy was so frightened when they saw me that they leaped out of their -ships and swam ashore, where there could not be fewer than thirty -thousand. Then, fastening a hook to the hole at the prow of each ship, -I tied all the cords together at the end. Meanwhile the enemy discharged -several thousand arrows, many of which stuck in my hands and face. My -greatest fear was for my eyes, which I should have lost if I had -not suddenly thought of the pair of spectacles which had escaped the -Emperor's searchers. These I took out and fastened upon my nose, and -thus armed went on with my work in spite of the arrows, many of which -struck against the glasses of my spectacles, but without any other -effect than slightly disturbing them. Then, taking the knot in my hand, -I began to pull; but not a ship would stir, for they were too fast -held by their anchors. Thus the boldest part of my enterprise remained. -Letting go the cord, I resolutely cut with my knife the cables that -fastened the anchors, receiving more than two hundred shots in my face -and hands. Then I took up again the knotted end of the cables to which -my hooks were tied, and with great ease drew fifty of the enemy's -largest men-of-war after me. - -When the Blefuscudians saw the fleet moving in order, and me pulling at -the end, they set up a scream of grief and despair that it is impossible -to describe. When I had got out of danger I stopped awhile to pick out -the arrows that stuck in my hands and face, and rubbed on some of -the same ointment that was given me at my arrival. I then took off my -spectacles, and after waiting about an hour, till the tide was a little -fallen, I waded on to the royal port of Lilliput. - -The Emperor and his whole Court stood on the shore awaiting me. They saw -the ships move forward in a large half-moon, but could not discern me, -who, in the middle of the channel, was under water up to my neck. The -Emperor concluded that I was drowned, and that the enemy's fleet was -approaching in a hostile manner. But he was soon set at ease, for, the -channel growing shallower every step I made, I came in a short time -within hearing, and holding up the end of the cable by which the fleet -was fastened, I cried in a loud voice: "Long live the most puissant -Emperor of Lilliput!" The Prince received me at my landing with all -possible joy, and made me a Nardal on the spot, which is the highest -title of honor among them. - -His Majesty desired that I would take some opportunity to bring all the -rest of his enemy's ships into his ports, and seemed to think of nothing -less than conquering the whole Empire of Blefuscu, and becoming the sole -monarch of the world. But I plainly protested that I would never be the -means of bringing a free and brave people into slavery; and though -the wisest of the Ministers were of my opinion, my open refusal was so -opposed to his Majesty's ambition that he could never forgive me. And -from this time a plot began between himself and those of his Ministers -who were my enemies, that nearly ended in my utter destruction. - -About three weeks after this exploit there arrived an embassy from -Blefuscu, with humble offers of peace, which was soon concluded, on -terms very advantageous to our Emperor. There were six ambassadors, with -a train of about five hundred persons, all very magnificent. Having been -privately told that I had befriended them, they made me a visit, and -paying me many compliments on my valor and generosity, invited me -to their kingdom in the Emperor their master's name. I asked them to -present my most humble respects to the Emperor their master, whose -royal person I resolved to attend before I returned to my own country. -Accordingly, the next time I had the honor to see our Emperor I desired -his general permission to visit the Blefuscudian monarch. This he -granted me, but in a very cold manner, of which I afterward learned the -reason. - -When I was just preparing to pay my respects to the Emperor of Blefuscu, -a distinguished person at Court, to whom I had once done a great -service, came to my house very privately at night, and without sending -his name desired admission. I put his lordship into my coat pocket, and, -giving orders to a trusty servant to admit no one, I fastened the door, -placed my visitor on the table, and sat down by it. His lordship's face -was full of trouble; and he asked me to hear him with patience, in a -matter that highly concerned my honor and my life. - -"You are aware," he said, "that Skyresh Bolgolam has been your mortal -enemy ever since your arrival, and his hatred is increased since -your great success against Blefuscu, by which his glory as admiral is -obscured. This lord and others have accused you of treason, and several -councils have been called in the most private manner on your account. -Out of gratitude for your favors I procured information of the whole -proceedings, venturing my head for your service, and this was the charge -against you: - -"First, that you, having brought the imperial fleet of Blefuscu into the -royal port, were commanded by his Majesty to seize all the other ships, -and put to death all the Bigendian exiles, and also all the people of -the empire who would not immediately consent to break their eggs at the -smaller end. And that, like a false traitor to his Most Serene Majesty, -you excused yourself from the service on pretence of unwillingness to -force the consciences and destroy the liberties and lives of an innocent -people. - -"Again, when ambassadors arrived from the Court of Blefuscu, like a -false traitor, you aided and entertained them, though you knew them to -be servants of a prince lately in open war against his Imperial Majesty. - -"Moreover, you are now preparing, contrary to the duty of a faithful -subject, to voyage to the Court of Blefuscu. - -"In the debate on this charge," my friend continued, "his Majesty often -urged the services you had done him, while the admiral and treasurer -insisted that you should be put to a shameful death. But Reldresal, -secretary for private affairs, who has always proved himself your friend -suggested that if his Majesty would please to spare your life and only -give orders to put out both your eyes, justice might in some measure be -satisfied. At this Bolgolam rose up in fury, wondering how the secretary -dared desire to preserve the life of a traitor; and the treasurer, -pointing out the expense of keeping you, also urged your death. But his -Majesty was graciously pleased to say that since the council thought the -loss of your eyes too easy a punishment, some other might afterward be -inflicted. And the secretary, humbly desiring to be heard again, said -that as to expense your allowance might be gradually lessened, so that, -for want of sufficient food you should grow weak and faint, and die in -a few months, when his Majesty's subjects might cut your flesh from your -bones and bury it, leaving the skeleton for the admiration of posterity. - -"Thus, through the great friendship of the secretary the affair was -arranged. It was commanded that the plan of starving you by degrees -should be kept a secret; but the sentence of putting out your eyes was -entered on the books. In three days your friend the secretary will come -to your house and read the accusation before you, and point out the -great mercy of his Majesty, that only condemns you to the loss of -your eyes--which, he does not doubt, you will submit to humbly and -gratefully. Twenty of his Majesty's surgeons will attend, to see the -operation well performed, by discharging very sharp-pointed arrows into -the balls of your eyes as you lie on the ground. - -"I leave you," said my friend, "to consider what measures you will take; -and, to escape suspicion, I must immediately return, as secretly as I -came." - -His lordship did so; and I remained alone, in great perplexity. At first -I was bent on resistance; for while I had liberty I could easily with -stones pelt the metropolis to pieces; but I soon rejected that idea with -horror, remembering the oath I had made to the Emperor, and the favors -I had received from him. At last, having his Majesty's leave to pay -my respects to the Emperor of Blefuscu, I resolved to take this -opportunity. Before the three days had passed I wrote a letter to my -friend the secretary telling him of my resolution; and, without waiting -for an answer, went to the coast, and entering the channel, between -wading and swimming reached the port of Blefuscu, where the people, who -had long expected me, led me to the capital. - -His Majesty, with the royal family and great officers of the Court, came -out to receive me, and they entertained me in a manner suited to the -generosity of so great a prince. I did not, however, mention my disgrace -with the Emperor of Lilliput, since I did not suppose that prince would -disclose the secret while I was out of his power. But in this, it soon -appeared, I was deceived. - - -CHAPTER V - - -Three days after my arrival, walking out of curiosity to the northeast -coast of the island, I observed at some distance in the sea something -that looked like a boat overturned. I pulled off my shoes and stockings, -and wading two or three hundred yards, I plainly saw it to be a real -boat, which I supposed might by some tempest have been driven from a -ship. I returned immediately to the city for help, and after a huge -amount of labor I managed to get my boat to the royal port of Blefuscu, -where a great crowd of people appeared, full of wonder at sight of so -prodigious a vessel. I told the Emperor that my good fortune had thrown -this boat in my way to carry me to some place whence I might return to -my native country, and begged his orders for materials to fit it up, and -leave to depart--which, after many kindly speeches, he was pleased to -grant. - -Meanwhile the Emperor of Lilliput, uneasy at my long absence (but never -imagining that I had the least notice of his designs), sent a person of -rank to inform the Emperor of Blefuscu of my disgrace; this messenger -had orders to represent the great mercy of his master, who was content -to punish me with the loss of my eyes, and who expected that his brother -of Blefuscu would have me sent back to Lilliput, bound hand and foot, -to be punished as a traitor. The Emperor of Blefuscu answered with many -civil excuses. He said that as for sending me bound, his brother knew -it was impossible. Moreover, though I had taken away his fleet he was -grateful to me for many good offices I had done him in making the peace. -But that both their Majesties would soon be made easy; for I had found -a prodigious vessel on the shore, able to carry me on the sea, which -he had given orders to fit up; and he hoped in a few weeks both empires -would be free from me. - -With this answer the messenger returned to Lilliput; and I (though the -monarch of Blefuscu secretly offered me his gracious protection if I -would continue in his service) hastened my departure, resolving never -more to put confidence in princes. - -In about a month I was ready to take leave. The Emperor of Blefuscu, -with the Empress and the royal family, came out of the palace; and I lay -down on my face to kiss their hands, which they graciously gave me. His -Majesty presented me with fifty purses of sprugs (their greatest gold -coin) and his picture at full length, which I put immediately into one -of my gloves, to keep it from being hurt. Many other ceremonies took -place at my departure. - -I stored the boat with meat and drink, and took six cows and two bulls -alive, with as many ewes and rams, intending to carry them into my own -country; and to feed them on board, I had a good bundle of hay and a bag -of corn. I would gladly have taken a dozen of the natives; but this was -a thing the Emperor would by no means permit, and besides a diligent -search into my pockets, his Majesty pledged my honor not to carry away -any of his subjects, though with their own consent and desire. - -Having thus prepared all things as well as I was able, I set sail. When -I had made twenty-four leagues, by my reckoning, from the island of -Blefuscu, I saw a sail steering to the northeast. I hailed her, but -could get no answer; yet I found I gained upon her, for the wind -slackened; and in half an hour she spied me, and discharged a gun. I -came up with her between five and six in the evening, Sept. 26, 1701; -but my heart leaped within me to see her English colors. I put my cows -and sheep into my coat pockets, and got on board with all my little -cargo. The captain received me with kindness, and asked me to tell him -what place I came from last; but at my answer he thought I was raving. -However, I took my black cattle and sheep out of my pocket, which, after -great astonishment, clearly convinced him. - -We arrived in England on the 13th of April, 1702. I stayed two months -with my wife and family; but my eager desire to see foreign countries -would suffer me to remain no longer. However, while in England I made -great profit by showing my cattle to persons of quality and others; and -before I began my second voyage I sold them for 600_l_. I left 1500_l_. -with my wife, and fixed her in a good house; then taking leave of her -and my boy and girl, with tears on both sides, I sailed on board the -"Adventure."(1) - - -(1) Swift. - - - - -THE PRINCESS ON THE GLASS HILL - - -Once upon a time there was a man who had a meadow which lay on the side -of a mountain, and in the meadow there was a barn in which he stored -hay. But there had not been much hay in the barn for the last two years, -for every St. John's eve, when the grass was in the height of its vigor, -it was all eaten clean up, just as if a whole flock of sheep had gnawed -it down to the ground during the night. This happened once, and it -happened twice, but then the man got tired of losing his crop, and -said to his sons--he had three of them, and the third was called -Cinderlad--that one of them must go and sleep in the barn on St. John's -night, for it was absurd to let the grass be eaten up again, blade and -stalk, as it had been the last two years, and the one who went to watch -must keep a sharp look-out, the man said. - -The eldest was quite willing to go to the meadow; he would watch the -grass, he said, and he would do it so well that neither man, nor beast, -nor even the devil himself should have any of it. So when evening came -he went to the barn, and lay down to sleep, but when night was drawing -near there was such a rumbling and such an earthquake that the walls and -roof shook again, and the lad jumped up and took to his heels as fast as -he could, and never even looked back, and the barn remained empty that -year just as it had been for the last two. - -Next St. John's eve the man again said that he could not go on in this -way, losing all the grass in the outlying field year after year, and -that one of his sons must just go there and watch it, and watch well -too. So the next oldest son was willing to show what he could do. He -went to the barn and lay down to sleep, as his brother had done; but -when night was drawing near there was a great rumbling, and then an -earthquake, which was even worse than that on the former St. John's -night, and when the youth heard it he was terrified, and went off, -running as if for a wager. - -The year after, it was Cinderlad's turn, but when he made ready to go -the others laughed at him, and mocked him. "Well, you are just the right -one to watch the hay, you who have never learned anything but how to sit -among the ashes and bake yourself!" said they. Cinderlad, however, did -not trouble himself about what they said, but when evening drew near -rambled away to the outlying field. When he got there he went into the -barn and lay down, but in about an hour's time the rumbling and creaking -began, and it was frightful to hear it. "Well, if it gets no worse than -that, I can manage to stand it," thought Cinderlad. In a little time -the creaking began again, and the earth quaked so that all the hay flew -about the boy. "Oh! if it gets no worse than that I can manage to stand -it," thought Cinderlad. But then came a third rumbling, and a third -earthquake, so violent that the boy thought the walls and roof had -fallen down, but when that was over everything suddenly grew as still -as death around him. "I am pretty sure that it will come again," thought -Cinderlad; but no, it did not. Everything was quiet, and everything -stayed quiet, and when he had lain still a short time he heard something -that sounded as if a horse were standing chewing just outside the barn -door. He stole away to the door, which was ajar, to see what was there, -and a horse was standing eating. It was so big, and fat, and fine a -horse that Cinderlad had never seen one like it before, and a saddle -and bridle lay upon it, and a complete suit of armor for a knight, and -everything was of copper, and so bright that it shone again. "Ha, ha! it -is thou who eatest up our hay then," thought the boy; "but I will stop -that." So he made haste, and took out his steel for striking fire, and -threw it over the horse, and then it had no power to stir from the spot, -and became so tame that the boy could do what he liked with it. So he -mounted it and rode away to a place which no one knew of but himself, -and there he tied it up. When he went home again his brothers laughed -and asked how he had got on. - -"You didn't lie long in the barn, if even you have been so far as the -field!" said they. - -"I lay in the barn till the sun rose, but I saw nothing and heard -nothing, not I," said the boy. "God knows what there was to make you two -so frightened." - -"Well, we shall soon see whether you have watched the meadow or not," -answered the brothers, but when they got there the grass was all -standing just as long and as thick as it had been the night before. - -The next St. John's eve it was the same thing, once again: neither of -the two brothers dared to go to the outlying field to watch the crop, -but Cinderlad went, and everything happened exactly the same as on the -previous St. John's eve: first there was a rumbling and an earthquake, -and then there was another, and then a third: but all three earthquakes -were much, very much more violent than they had been the year before. -Then everything became still as death again, and the boy heard something -chewing outside the barn door, so he stole as softly as he could to -the door, which was slightly ajar, and again there was a horse standing -close by the wall of the house, eating and chewing, and it was far -larger and fatter than the first horse, and it had a saddle on its back, -and a bridle was on it too, and a full suit of armor for a knight, all -of bright silver, and as beautiful as anyone could wish to see. "Ho, -ho!" thought the boy, "is it thou who eatest up our hay in the night? -but I will put a stop to that." So he took out his steel for striking -fire, and threw it over the horse's mane, and the beast stood there as -quiet as a lamb. Then the boy rode this horse, too, away to the place -where he kept the other, and then went home again. - -"I suppose you will tell us that you have watched well again this time," -said the brothers. - -"Well, so I have," said Cinderlad. So they went there again, and there -the grass was, standing as high and as thick as it had been before, but -that did not make them any kinder to Cinderlad. - -When the third St. John's night came neither of the two elder brothers -dared to lie in the outlying barn to watch the grass, for they had been -so heartily frightened the night that they had slept there that they -could not get over it, but Cinderlad dared to go, and everything -happened just the same as on the two former nights. There were three -earthquakes, each worse than the other, and the last flung the boy from -one wall of the barn to the other, but then everything suddenly -became still as death. When he had lain quietly a short time, he heard -something chewing outside the barn door; then he once more stole to the -door, which was slightly ajar, and behold, a horse was standing just -outside it, which was much larger and fatter than the two others he had -caught. "Ho, ho! it is thou, then, who art eating up our hay this time," -thought the boy; "but I will put a stop to that." So he pulled out his -steel for striking fire, and threw it over the horse, and it stood as -still as if it had been nailed to the field, and the boy could do just -what he liked with it. Then he mounted it and rode away to the place -where he had the two others, and then he went home again. Then the two -brothers mocked him just as they had done before, and told him that they -could see that he must have watched the grass very carefully that night, -for he looked just as if he were walking in his sleep; but Cinderlad did -not trouble himself about that, but just bade them go to the field and -see. They did go, and this time too the grass was standing, looking as -fine and as thick as ever. - -The King of the country in which Cinderlad's father dwelt had a daughter -whom he would give to no one who could not ride up to the top of the -glass hill, for there was a high, high hill of glass, slippery as ice, -and it was close to the King's palace. Upon the very top of this the -King's daughter was to sit with three gold apples in her lap, and the -man who could ride up and take the three golden apples should marry her, -and have half the kingdom. The King had this proclaimed in every church -in the whole kingdom, and in many other kingdoms too. The Princess was -very beautiful, and all who saw her fell violently in love with her, -even in spite of themselves. So it is needless to say that all the -princes and knights were eager to win her, and half the kingdom besides, -and that for this cause they came riding thither from the very end of -the world, dressed so splendidly that their raiments gleamed in the -sunshine, and riding on horses which seemed to dance as they went, and -there was not one of these princes who did not think that he was sure to -win the Princess. - -When the day appointed by the King had come, there was such a host of -knights and princes under the glass hill that they seemed to swarm, and -everyone who could walk or even creep was there too, to see who won the -King's daughter. Cinderlad's two brothers were there too, but they would -not hear of letting him go with them, for he was so dirty and black -with sleeping and grubbing among the ashes that they said everyone would -laugh at them if they were seen in the company of such an oaf. - -"Well, then, I will go all alone by myself," said Cinderlad. - -When the two brothers got to the glass hill, all the princes and knights -were trying to ride up it, and their horses were in a foam; but it was -all in vain, for no sooner did the horses set foot upon the hill than -down they slipped, and there was not one which could get even so much as -a couple of yards up. Nor was that strange, for the hill was as smooth -as a glass window-pane, and as steep as the side of a house. But they -were all eager to win the King's daughter and half the kingdom, so they -rode and they slipped, and thus it went on. At length all the horses -were so tired that they could do no more, and so hot that the foam -dropped from them and the riders were forced to give up the attempt. The -King was just thinking that he would cause it to be proclaimed that the -riding should begin afresh on the following day, when perhaps it might -go better, when suddenly a knight came riding up on so fine a horse that -no one had ever seen the like of it before, and the knight had armor of -copper, and his bridle was of copper too, and all his accoutrements were -so bright that they shone again. The other knights all called out to him -that he might just as well spare himself the trouble of trying to ride -up the glass hill, for it was of no use to try; but he did not heed -them, and rode straight off to it, and went up as if it were nothing at -all. Thus he rode for a long way--it may have been a third part of the -way up--but when he had got so far he turned his horse round and rode -down again. But the Princess thought that she had never yet seen so -handsome a knight, and while he was riding up she was sitting thinking, -"Oh! how I hope he may be able to come up to the top!" And when she saw -that he was turning his horse back she threw one of the golden apples -down after him, and it rolled into his shoe. But when he had come down -from off the hill he rode away, and that so fast that no one knew what -had become of him. - -So all the princes and knights were bidden to present themselves before -the King that night, so that he who had ridden so far up the glass hill -might show the golden apple which the King's daughter had thrown down. -But no one had anything to show. One knight presented himself after the -other, and none could show the apple. - -At night, too, Cinderlad's brothers came home again and had a long story -to tell about riding up the glass hill. At first, they said, there was -not one who was able to get even so much as one step up, but then came -a knight who had armor of copper, and a bridle of copper, and his armor -and trappings were so bright that they shone to a great distance, and it -was something like a sight to see him riding. He rode one-third of the -way up the glass hill, and he could easily have ridden the whole of it -if he had liked; but he had turned back, for he had made up his mind -that that was enough for once. "Oh! I should have liked to see him too, -that I should," said Cinderlad, who was as usual sitting by the chimney -among the cinders. "You, indeed!" said the brothers, "you look as if you -were fit to be among such great lords, nasty beast that you are to sit -there!" - -Next day the brothers were for setting out again, and this time too -Cinderlad begged them to let him go with them and see who rode; but no, -they said he was not fit to do that, for he was much too ugly and dirty. -"Well, well, then I will go all alone by myself," said Cinderlad. So the -brothers went to the glass hill, and all the princes and knights began -to ride again, and this time they had taken care to roughen the shoes of -their horses; but that did not help them: they rode and they slipped as -they had done the day before, and not one of them could get even so far -as a yard up the hill. When they had tired out their horses, so that -they could do no more, they again had to stop altogether. But just as -the King was thinking that it would be well to proclaim that the riding -should take place next day for the last time, so that they might have -one more chance, he suddenly bethought himself that it would be well to -wait a little longer to see if the knight in copper armor would come on -this day too. But nothing was to be seen of him. Just as they were still -looking for him, however, came a knight riding on a steed that was much, -much finer than that which the knight in copper armor had ridden, and -this knight had silver armor and a silver saddle and bridle, and all -were so bright that they shone and glistened when he was a long way off. -Again the other knights called to him, and said that he might just as -well give up the attempt to ride up the glass hill, for it was useless -to try; but the knight paid no heed to that, but rode straight away -to the glass hill, and went still farther up than the knight in copper -armor had gone; but when he had ridden two-thirds of the way up he -turned his horse around, and rode down again. The Princess liked this -knight still better than she had liked the other, and sat longing that -he might be able to get up above, and when she saw him turning back she -threw the second apple after him, and it rolled into his shoe, and as -soon as he had got down the glass hill he rode away so fast that no one -could see what had become of him. - -In the evening, when everyone was to appear before the King and -Princess, in order that he who had the golden apple might show it, one -knight went in after the other, but none of them had a golden apple to -show. - -At night the two brothers went home as they had done the night before, -and told how things had gone, and how everyone had ridden, but no one -had been able to get up the hill. "But last of all," they said, "came -one in silver armor, and he had a silver bridle on his horse, and a -silver saddle, and oh, but he could ride! He took his horse two-thirds -of the way up the hill, but then he turned back. He was a fine fellow," -said the brothers, "and the Princess threw the second golden apple to -him!" - -"Oh, how I should have liked to see him too!" said Cinderlad. - -"Oh, indeed! He was a little brighter than the ashes that you sit -grubbing among, you dirty black creature!" said the brothers. - -On the third day everything went just as on the former days. Cinderlad -wanted to go with them to look at the riding, but the two brothers would -not have him in their company, and when they got to the glass hill there -was no one who could ride even so far as a yard up it, and everyone -waited for the knight in silver armor, but he was neither to be seen nor -heard of. At last, after a long time, came a knight riding upon a horse -that was such a fine one, its equal had never yet been seen. The knight -had golden armor, and the horse a golden saddle and bridle, and these -were all so bright that they shone and dazzled everyone, even while the -knight was still at a great distance. The other princes and knights were -not able even to call to tell him how useless it was to try to ascend -the hill, so amazed were they at sight of his magnificence. He rode -straight away to the glass hill, and galloped up it as if it were no -hill at all, so that the Princess had not even time to wish that he -might get up the whole way. As soon as he had ridden to the top, he took -the third golden apple from the lap of the Princess and then turned his -horse about and rode down again, and vanished from their sight before -anyone was able to say a word to him. - -When the two brothers came home again at night they had much to tell of -how the riding had gone off that day, and at last they told about the -knight in the golden armor too. "He was a fine fellow, that was! Such -another splendid knight is not to be found on earth!" said the brothers. - -"Oh, how I should have liked to see him too!" said Cinderlad. - -"Well, he shone nearly as brightly as the coal-heaps that thou art -always lying raking among, dirty black creature that thou art!" said the -brothers. - -Next day all the knights and princes were to appear before the King and -Princess--it had been too late for them to do it the night before--in -order that he who had the golden apple might produce it. They all went -in turn, first princes, and then knights, but none of them had a golden -apple. - -"But somebody must have it," said the King, "for with our own eyes we -all saw a man ride up and take it." So he commanded that everyone in the -kingdom should come to the palace, and see if he could show the apple. -And one after the other they all came, but no one had the golden apple, -and after a long, long time Cinderlad's two brothers came likewise. They -were the last of all, so the King inquired of them if there was no one -else in the kingdom left to come. - -"Oh! yes, we have a brother," said the two, "but he never got the golden -apple! He never left the cinder-heap on any of the three days." - -"Never mind that," said the King; "as everyone else has come to the -palace, let him come too." - -So Cinderlad was forced to go to the King's palace. - -"Hast thou the golden apple?" asked the King. - -"Yes, here is the first, and here is the second, and here is the third, -too," said Cinderlad, and he took all three apples out of his pocket, -and with that drew off his sooty rags, and appeared there before them in -his bright golden armor, which gleamed as he stood. - -"Thou shalt have my daughter, and the half of my kingdom, and thou hast -well earned both!" said the King. So there was a wedding, and Cinderlad -got the King's daughter, and everyone made merry at the wedding, for all -of them could make merry, though they could not ride up the glass hill, -and if they have not left off their merry-making they must be at it -still.(1) - - -(1) Asbjornsen and Moe. - - - - -THE STORY OF PRINCE AHMED AND THE FAIRY PARIBANOU - - -There was a sultan, who had three sons and a niece. The eldest of the -Princes was called Houssain, the second Ali, the youngest Ahmed, and the -Princess, his niece, Nouronnihar. - -The Princess Nouronnihar was the daughter of the younger brother of the -Sultan, who died, and left the Princess very young. The Sultan took upon -himself the care of his daughter's education, and brought her up in his -palace with the three Princes, proposing to marry her when she arrived -at a proper age, and to contract an alliance with some neighboring -prince by that means. But when he perceived that the three Princes, his -sons, loved her passionately, he thought more seriously on that affair. -He was very much concerned; the difficulty he foresaw was to make them -agree, and that the two youngest should consent to yield her up to their -elder brother. As he found them positively obstinate, he sent for them -all together, and said to them: "Children, since for your good and -quiet I have not been able to persuade you no longer to aspire to -the Princess, your cousin, I think it would not be amiss if every one -traveled separately into different countries, so that you might not -meet each other. And, as you know I am very curious, and delight in -everything that's singular, I promise my niece in marriage to him that -shall bring me the most extraordinary rarity; and for the purchase of -the rarity you shall go in search after, and the expense of traveling, I -will give you every one a sum of money." - -As the three Princes were always submissive and obedient to the Sultan's -will, and each flattered himself fortune might prove favorable to him, -they all consented to it. The Sultan paid them the money he promised -them; and that very day they gave orders for the preparations for their -travels, and took their leave of the Sultan, that they might be the more -ready to go the next morning. Accordingly they all set out at the same -gate of the city, each dressed like a merchant, attended by an officer -of confidence dressed like a slave, and all well mounted and equipped. -They went the first day's journey together, and lay all at an inn, where -the road was divided into three different tracts. At night, when they -were at supper together, they all agreed to travel for a year, and to -meet at that inn; and that the first that came should wait for the rest; -that, as they had all three taken their leave together of the Sultan, -they might all return together. The next morning by break of day, after -they had embraced and wished each other good success, they mounted their -horses and took each a different road. - -Prince Houssain, the eldest brother, arrived at Bisnagar, the capital -of the kingdom of that name, and the residence of its king. He went and -lodged at a khan appointed for foreign merchants; and, having learned -that there were four principal divisions where merchants of all sorts -sold their commodities, and kept shops, and in the midst of which -stood the castle, or rather the King's palace, he went to one of these -divisions the next day. - -Prince Houssain could not view this division without admiration. It was -large, and divided into several streets, all vaulted and shaded from the -sun, and yet very light too. The shops were all of a size, and all -that dealt in the same sort of goods lived in one street; as also the -handicrafts-men, who kept their shops in the smaller streets. - -The multitude of shops, stocked with all sorts of merchandise, as the -finest linens from several parts of India, some painted in the most -lively colors, and representing beasts, trees, and flowers; silks and -brocades from Persia, China, and other places, porcelain both from Japan -and China, and tapestries, surprised him so much that he knew not how to -believe his own eyes; but when he came to the goldsmiths and jewelers he -was in a kind of ecstacy to behold such prodigious quantities of wrought -gold and silver, and was dazzled by the lustre of the pearls, diamonds, -rubies, emeralds, and other jewels exposed to sale. - -Another thing Prince Houssain particularly admired was the great number -of rose-sellers who crowded the streets; for the Indians are so great -lovers of that flower that no one will stir without a nosegay in his -hand or a garland on his head; and the merchants keep them in pots in -their shops, that the air is perfectly perfumed. - -After Prince Houssain had run through that division, street by street, -his thoughts fully employed on the riches he had seen, he was very much -tired, which a merchant perceiving, civilly invited him to sit down in -his shop, and he accepted; but had not been sat down long before he -saw a crier pass by with a piece of tapestry on his arm, about six feet -square, and cried at thirty purses. The Prince called to the crier, -and asked to see the tapestry, which seemed to him to be valued at an -exorbitant price, not only for the size of it, but the meanness of the -stuff; when he had examined it well, he told the crier that he could -not comprehend how so small a piece of tapestry, and of so indifferent -appearance, could be set at so high a price. - -The crier, who took him for a merchant, replied: "If this price seems -so extravagant to you, your amazement will be greater when I tell you I -have orders to raise it to forty purses, and not to part with it under." -"Certainly," answered Prince Houssain, "it must have something very -extraordinary in it, which I know nothing of." "You have guessed it, -sir," replied the crier, "and will own it when you come to know that -whoever sits on this piece of tapestry may be transported in an instant -wherever he desires to be, without being stopped by any obstacle." - -At this discourse of the crier the Prince of the Indies, considering -that the principal motive of his travel was to carry the Sultan, his -father, home some singular rarity, thought that he could not meet with -any which could give him more satisfaction. "If the tapestry," said he -to the crier, "has the virtue you assign it, I shall not think forty -purses too much, but shall make you a present besides." "Sir," replied -the crier, "I have told you the truth; and it is an easy matter to -convince you of it, as soon as you have made the bargain for forty -purses, on condition I show you the experiment. But, as I suppose you -have not so much about you, and to receive them I must go with you to -your khan, where you lodge, with the leave of the master of the shop, we -will go into the back shop, and I will spread the tapestry; and when we -have both sat down, and you have formed the wish to be transported into -your apartment of the khan, if we are not transported thither it shall -be no bargain, and you shall be at your liberty. As to your present, -though I am paid for my trouble by the seller, I shall receive it as a -favor, and be very much obliged to you, and thankful." - -On the credit of the crier, the Prince accepted the conditions, and -concluded the bargain; and, having got the master's leave, they went -into his back shop; they both sat down on it, and as soon as the Prince -formed his wish to be transported into his apartment at the khan he -presently found himself and the crier there; and, as he wanted not a -more sufficient proof of the virtue of the tapestry, he counted the -crier out forty pieces of gold, and gave him twenty pieces for himself. - -In this manner Prince Houssain became the possessor of the tapestry, -and was overjoyed that at his arrival at Bisnagar he had found so rare -a piece, which he never disputed would gain him the hand of Nouronnihar. -In short, he looked upon it as an impossible thing for the Princes his -younger brothers to meet with anything to be compared with it. It was -in his power, by sitting on his tapestry, to be at the place of meeting -that very day; but, as he was obliged to stay there for his brothers, as -they had agreed, and as he was curious to see the King of Bisnagar and -his Court, and to inform himself of the strength, laws, customs, and -religion of the kingdom, he chose to make a longer abode there, and to -spend some months in satisfying his curiosity. - -Prince Houssain might have made a longer abode in the kingdom and -Court of Bisnagar, but he was so eager to be nearer the Princess that, -spreading the tapestry, he and the officer he had brought with him sat -down, and as soon as he had formed his wish were transported to the inn -at which he and his brothers were to meet, and where he passed for a -merchant till they came. - -Prince Ali, Prince Houssain's second brother, who designed to travel -into Persia, took the road, having three days after he parted with -his brothers joined a caravan, and after four days' travel arrived at -Schiraz, which was the capital of the kingdom of Persia. Here he passed -for a jeweler. - -The next morning Prince Ali, who traveled only for his pleasure, and -had brought nothing but just necessaries along with him, after he had -dressed himself, took a walk into that part of the town which they at -Schiraz called the bezestein. - -Among all the criers who passed backward and forward with several sorts -of goods, offering to sell them, he was not a little surprised to see -one who held an ivory telescope in his hand of about a foot in length -and the thickness of a man's thumb, and cried it at thirty purses. At -first he thought the crier mad, and to inform himself went to a shop, -and said to the merchant, who stood at the door: "Pray, sir, is not that -man" (pointing to the crier who cried the ivory perspective glass at -thirty purses) "mad? If he is not, I am very much deceived." - -"Indeed, sir," answered the merchant, "he was in his right senses -yesterday; I can assure you he is one of the ablest criers we have, and -the most employed of any when anything valuable is to be sold. And if he -cries the ivory perspective glass at thirty purses it must be worth as -much or more, on some account or other. He will come by presently, and -we will call him, and you shall be satisfied; in the meantime sit down -on my sofa, and rest yourself." - -Prince Ali accepted the merchant's obliging offer, and presently -afterward the crier passed by. The merchant called him by his name, and, -pointing to the Prince, said to him: "Tell that gentleman, who asked -me if you were in your right senses, what you mean by crying that ivory -perspective glass, which seems not to be worth much, at thirty purses. -I should be very much amazed myself if I did not know you." The crier, -addressing himself to Prince Ali, said: "Sir, you are not the only -person that takes me for a madman on account of this perspective glass. -You shall judge yourself whether I am or no, when I have told you its -property and I hope you will value it at as high a price as those I have -showed it to already, who had as bad an opinion of me as you. - -"First, sir," pursued the crier, presenting the ivory pipe to the -Prince, "observe that this pipe is furnished with a glass at both ends; -and consider that by looking through one of them you see whatever object -you wish to behold." "I am," said the Prince, "ready to make you all -imaginable reparation for the scandal I have thrown on you if you will -make the truth of what you advance appear," and as he had the ivory pipe -in his hand, after he had looked at the two glasses he said: "Show me -at which of these ends I must look that I may be satisfied." The crier -presently showed him, and he looked through, wishing at the same time to -see the Sultan his father, whom he immediately beheld in perfect health, -set on his throne, in the midst of his council. Afterward, as there was -nothing in the world so dear to him, after the Sultan, as the Princess -Nouronnihar, he wished to see her; and saw her at her toilet laughing, -and in a pleasant humor, with her women about her. - -Prince Ali wanted no other proof to be persuaded that this perspective -glass was the most valuable thing in the world, and believed that if -he should neglect to purchase it he should never meet again with such -another rarity. He therefore took the crier with him to the khan where -he lodged, and counted him out the money, and received the perspective -glass. - -Prince Ali was overjoyed at his bargain, and persuaded himself that, -as his brothers would not be able to meet with anything so rare and -admirable, the Princess Nouronnihar would be the recompense of his -fatigue and trouble; that he thought of nothing but visiting the Court -of Persia incognito, and seeing whatever was curious in Schiraz and -thereabouts, till the caravan with which he came returned back to the -Indies. As soon as the caravan was ready to set out, the Prince joined -them, and arrived happily without any accident or trouble, otherwise -than the length of the journey and fatigue of traveling, at the place of -rendezvous, where he found Prince Houssain, and both waited for Prince -Ahmed. - -Prince Ahmed, who took the road of Samarcand, the next day after his -arrival there went, as his brothers had done, into the bezestein, where -he had not walked long but heard a crier, who had an artificial apple -in his hand, cry it at five and thirty purses; upon which he stopped the -crier, and said to him: "Let me see that apple, and tell me what virtue -and extraordinary properties it has, to be valued at so high a rate." -"Sir," said the crier, giving it into his hand, "if you look at the -outside of this apple, it is very worthless, but if you consider its -properties, virtues, and the great use and benefit it is to mankind, you -will say it is no price for it, and that he who possesses it is master -of a great treasure. In short, it cures all sick persons of the most -mortal diseases; and if the patient is dying it will recover him -immediately and restore him to perfect health; and this is done after -the easiest manner in the world, which is by the patient's smelling the -apple." - -"If I may believe you," replied Prince Ahmed, "the virtues of this apple -are wonderful, and it is invaluable; but what ground have I, for all you -tell me, to be persuaded of the truth of this matter?" "Sir," replied -the crier, "the thing is known and averred by the whole city of -Samarcand; but, without going any further, ask all these merchants you -see here, and hear what they say. You will find several of them will -tell you they had not been alive this day if they had not made use of -this excellent remedy. And, that you may better comprehend what it is, -I must tell you it is the fruit of the study and experiments of a -celebrated philosopher of this city, who applied himself all his -lifetime to the study and knowledge of the virtues of plants and -minerals, and at last attained to this composition, by which he -performed such surprising cures in this town as will never be forgot, -but died suddenly himself, before he could apply his sovereign remedy, -and left his wife and a great many young children behind him, in very -indifferent circumstances, who, to support her family and provide for -her children, is resolved to sell it." - -While the crier informed Prince Ahmed of the virtues of the artificial -apple, a great many persons came about them and confirmed what he said; -and one among the rest said he had a friend dangerously ill, whose life -was despaired of; and that was a favorable opportunity to show Prince -Ahmed the experiment. Upon which Prince Ahmed told the crier he would -give him forty purses if he cured the sick person. - -The crier, who had orders to sell it at that price, said to Prince -Ahmed: "Come, sir, let us go and make the experiment, and the apple -shall be yours; and I can assure you that it will always have the -desired effect." In short, the experiment succeeded, and the Prince, -after he had counted out to the crier forty purses, and he had delivered -the apple to him, waited patiently for the first caravan that should -return to the Indies, and arrived in perfect health at the inn where the -Princes Houssain and Ali waited for him. - -When the Princes met they showed each other their treasures, and -immediately saw through the glass that the Princess was dying. They then -sat down on the carpet, wished themselves with her, and were there in a -moment. - -Prince Ahmed no sooner perceived himself in Nouronnihar's chamber than -he rose off the tapestry, as did also the other two Princes, and went -to the bedside, and put the apple under her nose; some moments after the -Princess opened her eyes, and turned her head from one side to another, -looking at the persons who stood about her; and then rose up in the bed, -and asked to be dressed, just as if she had waked out of a sound sleep. -Her women having presently informed her, in a manner that showed their -joy, that she was obliged to the three Princes for the sudden recovery -of her health, and particularly to Prince Ahmed, she immediately -expressed her joy to see them, and thanked them all together, and -afterward Prince Ahmed in particular. - -While the Princess was dressing the Princes went to throw themselves at -the Sultan their father's feet, and pay their respects to him. But when -they came before him they found he had been informed of their arrival by -the chief of the Princess's eunuchs, and by what means the Princess had -been perfectly cured. The Sultan received and embraced them with the -greatest joy, both for their return and the recovery of the Princess his -niece, whom he loved as well as if she had been his own daughter, and -who had been given over by the physicians. After the usual ceremonies -and compliments the Princes presented each his rarity: Prince Houssain -his tapestry, which he had taken care not to leave behind him in the -Princess's chamber; Prince Ali his ivory perspective glass, and Prince -Ahmed his artificial apple; and after each had commended their present, -when they put it into the Sultan's hands, they begged of him to -pronounce their fate, and declare to which of them he would give the -Princess Nouronnihar for a wife, according to his promise. - -The Sultan of the Indies, having heard, without interrupting them, all -that the Princes could represent further about their rarities, and -being well informed of what had happened in relation to the Princess -Nouronnihar's cure, remained some time silent, as if he were thinking -on what answer he should make. At last he broke the silence, and said -to them: "I would declare for one of you children with a great deal of -pleasure if I could do it with justice; but consider whether I can do it -or no. 'Tis true, Prince Ahmed, the Princess my niece is obliged to -your artificial apple for her cure; but I must ask you whether or no -you could have been so serviceable to her if you had not known by Prince -Ali's perspective glass the danger she was in, and if Prince Houssain's -tapestry had not brought you so soon. Your perspective glass, Prince -Ali, informed you and your brothers that you were like to lose the -Princess your cousin, and there you must own a great obligation. - -"You must also grant that that knowledge would have been of no service -without the artificial apple and the tapestry. And lastly, Prince -Houssain, the Princess would be very ungrateful if she should not -show her acknowledgment of the service of your tapestry, which was so -necessary a means toward her cure. But consider, it would have been of -little use if you had not been acquainted with the Princess's illness -by Prince Ali's glass, and Prince Ahmed had not applied his artificial -apple. Therefore, as neither tapestry, ivory perspective glass, nor -artificial apple have the least preference one before the other, but, on -the contrary, there's a perfect equality, I cannot grant the Princess to -any one of you; and the only fruit you have reaped from your travels is -the glory of having equally contributed to restore her health. - -"If all this be true," added the Sultan, "you see that I must have -recourse to other means to determine certainly in the choice I ought -to make among you; and that, as there is time enough between this and -night, I'll do it to-day. Go and get each of you a bow and arrow, and -repair to the great plain, where they exercise horses. I'll soon come to -you, and declare I will give the Princess Nouronnihar to him that shoots -the farthest." - -The three Princes had nothing to say against the decision of the Sultan. -When they were out of his presence they each provided themselves with a -bow and arrow, which they delivered to one of their officers, and went -to the plain appointed, followed by a great concourse of people. - -The Sultan did not make them wait long for him, and as soon as he -arrived Prince Houssain, as the eldest, took his bow and arrow and shot -first; Prince Ali shot next, and much beyond him; and Prince Ahmed last -of all, but it so happened that nobody could see where his arrow fell; -and, notwithstanding all the diligence that was used by himself and -everybody else, it was not to be found far or near. And though it was -believed that he shot the farthest, and that he therefore deserved the -Princess Nouronnihar, it was, however, necessary that his arrow -should be found to make the matter more evident and certain; and, -notwithstanding his remonstrance, the Sultan judged in favor of Prince -Ali, and gave orders for preparations to be made for the wedding, which -was celebrated a few days after with great magnificence. - -Prince Houssain would not honor the feast with his presence. In short, -his grief was so violent and insupportable that he left the Court, and -renounced all right of succession to the crown, to turn hermit. - -Prince Ahmed, too, did not come to Prince Ali's and the Princess -Nouronnihar's wedding any more than his brother Houssain, but did not -renounce the world as he had done. But, as he could not imagine what had -become of his arrow, he stole away from his attendants and resolved to -search after it, that he might not have anything to reproach himself -with. With this intent he went to the place where the Princes Houssain's -and Ali's were gathered up, and, going straight forward from there, -looking carefully on both sides of him, he went so far that at last -he began to think his labor was all in vain; but yet he could not help -going forward till he came to some steep craggy rocks, which were -bounds to his journey, and were situated in a barren country, about four -leagues distant from where he set out. - - -II - - -When Prince Ahmed came pretty nigh to these rocks he perceived an arrow, -which he gathered up, looked earnestly at it, and was in the greatest -astonishment to find it was the same he shot away. "Certainly," said he -to himself, "neither I nor any man living could shoot an arrow so far," -and, finding it laid flat, not sticking into the ground, he judged that -it rebounded against the rock. "There must be some mystery in this," -said he to himself again, "and it may be advantageous to me. Perhaps -fortune, to make me amends for depriving me of what I thought the -greatest happiness, may have reserved a greater blessing for my -comfort." - -As these rocks were full of caves and some of those caves were deep, the -Prince entered into one, and, looking about, cast his eyes on an iron -door, which seemed to have no lock, but he feared it was fastened. -However, thrusting against it, it opened, and discovered an easy -descent, but no steps, which he walked down with his arrow in his -hand. At first he thought he was going into a dark, obscure place, but -presently a quite different light succeeded that which he came out of, -and, entering into a large, spacious place, at about fifty or sixty -paces distant, he perceived a magnificent palace, which he had not then -time enough to look at. At the same time a lady of majestic port and air -advanced as far as the porch, attended by a large troop of ladies, so -finely dressed and beautiful that it was difficult to distinguish which -was the mistress. - -As soon as Prince Ahmed perceived the lady, he made all imaginable -haste to go and pay his respects; and the lady, on her part, seeing him -coming, prevented him from addressing his discourse to her first, but -said to him: "Come nearer, Prince Ahmed, you are welcome." - -It was no small surprise to the Prince to hear himself named in a place -he had never heard of, though so nigh to his father's capital, and he -could not comprehend how he should be known to a lady who was a stranger -to him. At last he returned the lady's compliment by throwing himself at -her feet, and, rising up again, said to her: - -"Madam, I return you a thousand thanks for the assurance you give me of -a welcome to a place where I believed my imprudent curiosity had made -me penetrate too far. But, madam, may I, without being guilty of ill -manners, dare to ask you by what adventure you know me? and how you, who -live in the same neighborhood with me, should be so great a stranger to -me?" - -"Prince," said the lady, "let us go into the hall, there I will gratify -you in your request." - -After these words the lady led Prince Ahmed into the hall. Then she sat -down on a sofa, and when the Prince by her entreaty had done the same -she said: "You are surprised, you say, that I should know you and not be -known by you, but you will be no longer surprised when I inform you who -I am. You are undoubtedly sensible that your religion teaches you to -believe that the world is inhabited by genies as well as men. I am the -daughter of one of the most powerful and distinguished genies, and my -name is Paribanou. The only thing that I have to add is, that you seemed -to me worthy of a more happy fate than that of possessing the Princess -Nouronnihar; and, that you might attain to it, I was present when you -drew your arrow, and foresaw it would not go beyond Prince Houssain's. -I took it in the air, and gave it the necessary motion to strike against -the rocks near which you found it, and I tell you that it lies in your -power to make use of the favorable opportunity which presents itself to -make you happy." - -As the Fairy Paribanou pronounced these last words with a different -tone, and looked, at the same time, tenderly upon Prince Ahmed, with -a modest blush on her cheeks, it was no hard matter for the Prince to -comprehend what happiness she meant. He presently considered that the -Princess Nouronnihar could never be his and that the Fairy Paribanou -excelled her infinitely in beauty, agreeableness, wit, and, as much -as he could conjecture by the magnificence of the palace, in immense -riches. He blessed the moment that he thought of seeking after his arrow -a second time, and, yielding to his love, "Madam," replied he, "should -I all my life have the happiness of being your slave, and the admirer -of the many charms which ravish my soul, I should think myself the most -blessed of men. Pardon in me the boldness which inspires me to ask this -favor, and don't refuse to admit me into your Court, a prince who is -entirely devoted to you." - -"Prince," answered the Fairy, "will you not pledge your faith to me, -as well as I give mine to you?" "Yes, madam," replied the Prince, in an -ecstacy of joy; "what can I do better, and with greater pleasure? -Yes, my sultaness, my queen, I'll give you my heart without the least -reserve." "Then," answered the Fairy, "you are my husband, and I am -your wife. But, as I suppose," pursued she, "that you have eaten nothing -to-day, a slight repast shall be served up for you, while preparations -are making for our wedding feast at night, and then I will show you the -apartments of my palace, and you shall judge if this hall is not the -meanest part of it." - -Some of the Fairy's women, who came into the hall with them, and guessed -her intentions, went immediately out, and returned presently with some -excellent meats and wines. - -When Prince Ahmed had ate and drunk as much as he cared for, the Fairy -Paribanou carried him through all the apartments, where he saw diamonds, -rubies, emeralds and all sorts of fine jewels, intermixed with pearls, -agate, jasper, porphyry, and all sorts of the most precious marbles. -But, not to mention the richness of the furniture, which was -inestimable, there was such a profuseness throughout that the Prince, -instead of ever having seen anything like it, owned that he could not -have imagined that there was anything in the world that could come up to -it. "Prince," said the Fairy, "if you admire my palace so much, which, -indeed, is very beautiful, what would you say to the palaces of the -chief of our genies, which are much more beautiful, spacious, and -magnificent? I could also charm you with my gardens, but we will let -that alone till another time. Night draws near, and it will be time to -go to supper." - -The next hall which the Fairy led the Prince into, and where the cloth -was laid for the feast, was the last apartment the Prince had not seen, -and not in the least inferior to the others. At his entrance into it -he admired the infinite number of sconces of wax candles perfumed with -amber, the multitude of which, instead of being confused, were placed -with so just a symmetry as formed an agreeable and pleasant sight. A -large side table was set out with all sorts of gold plate, so finely -wrought that the workmanship was much more valuable than the weight of -the gold. Several choruses of beautiful women richly dressed, and whose -voices were ravishing, began a concert, accompanied with all sorts of -the most harmonious instruments; and when they were set down at table -the Fairy Paribanou took care to help Prince Ahmed to the most delicate -meats, which she named as she invited him to eat of them, and which -the Prince found to be so exquisitely nice that he commended them with -exaggeration, and said that the entertainment far surpassed those of -man. He found also the same excellence in the wines, which neither he -nor the Fairy tasted of till the dessert was served up, which consisted -of the choicest sweetmeats and fruits. - -The wedding feast was continued the next day, or, rather, the days -following the celebration were a continual feast. - -At the end of six months Prince Ahmed, who always loved and honored the -Sultan his father, conceived a great desire to know how he was, and -that desire could not be satisfied without his going to see; he told the -Fairy of it, and desired she would give him leave. - -"Prince," said she, "go when you please. But first, don't take it amiss -that I give you some advice how you shall behave yourself where you are -going. First, I don't think it proper for you to tell the Sultan your -father of our marriage, nor of my quality, nor the place where you have -been. Beg of him to be satisfied in knowing you are happy, and desire -no more; and let him know that the sole end of your visit is to make him -easy, and inform him of your fate." - -She appointed twenty gentlemen, well mounted and equipped, to attend -him. When all was ready Prince Ahmed took his leave of the Fairy, -embraced her, and renewed his promise to return soon. Then his horse, -which was most finely caparisoned, and was as beautiful a creature as -any in the Sultan of Indies' stables, was led to him, and he mounted him -with an extraordinary grace; and, after he had bid her a last adieu, set -forward on his journey. - -As it was not a great way to his father's capital, Prince Ahmed soon -arrived there. The people, glad to see him again, received him with -acclamations of joy, and followed him in crowds to the Sultan's -apartment. The Sultan received and embraced him with great joy, -complaining at the same time, with a fatherly tenderness, of the -affliction his long absence had been to him, which he said was the more -grievous for that, fortune having decided in favor of Prince Ali his -brother, he was afraid he might have committed some rash action. - -The Prince told a story of his adventures without speaking of the Fairy, -whom he said that he must not mention, and ended: "The only favor I -ask of your Majesty is to give me leave to come often and pay you my -respects, and to know how you do." - -"Son," answered the Sultan of the Indies, "I cannot refuse you the leave -you ask me; but I should much rather you would resolve to stay with me; -at least tell me where I may send to you if you should fail to come, or -when I may think your presence necessary." "Sir," replied Prince Ahmed, -"what your Majesty asks of me is part of the mystery I spoke to your -Majesty of. I beg of you to give me leave to remain silent on this head, -for I shall come so frequently that I am afraid that I shall sooner be -thought troublesome than be accused of negligence in my duty." - -The Sultan of the Indies pressed Prince Ahmed no more, but said to him: -"Son, I penetrate no farther into your secrets, but leave you at your -liberty; but can tell you that you could not do me a greater pleasure -than to come, and by your presence restore to me the joy I have not -felt this long time, and that you shall always be welcome when you come, -without interrupting your business or pleasure." - -Prince Ahmed stayed but three days at the Sultan his father's Court, and -the fourth returned to the Fairy Paribanou, who did not expect him so -soon. - -A month after Prince Ahmed's return from paying a visit to his father, -as the Fairy Paribanou had observed that the Prince, since the time that -he gave her an account of his journey, his discourse with his father, -and the leave he asked to go and see him often, had never talked of the -Sultan, as if there had been no such person in the world, whereas before -he was always speaking of him, she thought he forebore on her account; -therefore she took an opportunity to say to him one day: "Prince, tell -me, have you forgot the Sultan your father? Don't you remember the -promise you made to go and see him often? For my part I have not forgot -what you told me at your return, and so put you in mind of it, that you -may not be long before you acquit yourself of your promise." - -So Prince Ahmed went the next morning with the same attendance as -before, but much finer, and himself more magnificently mounted, -equipped, and dressed, and was received by the Sultan with the same -joy and satisfaction. For several months he constantly paid his visits, -always in a richer and finer equipage. - -At last some viziers, the Sultan's favorites, who judged of Prince -Ahmed's grandeur and power by the figure he cut, made the Sultan jealous -of his son, saying it was to be feared he might inveigle himself into -the people's favor and dethrone him. - -The Sultan of the Indies was so far from thinking that Prince Ahmed -could be capable of so pernicious a design as his favorites would make -him believe that he said to them: "You are mistaken; my son loves me, -and I am certain of his tenderness and fidelity, as I have given him no -reason to be disgusted." - -But the favorites went on abusing Prince Ahmed till the Sultan said: "Be -it as it will, I don't believe my son Ahmed is so wicked as you would -persuade me he is; how ever, I am obliged to you for your good advice, -and don't dispute but that it proceeds from your good intentions." - -The Sultan of the Indies said this that his favorites might not know the -impressions their discourse had made on his mind; which had so alarmed -him that he resolved to have Prince Ahmed watched unknown to his grand -vizier. So he sent for a female magician, who was introduced by a back -door into his apartment. "Go immediately," he said, "and follow my son, -and watch him so well as to find out where he retires, and bring me -word." - -The magician left the Sultan, and, knowing the place where Prince Ahmed -found his arrow, went immediately thither, and hid herself near the -rocks, so that nobody could see her. - -The next morning Prince Ahmed set out by daybreak, without taking leave -either of the Sultan or any of his Court, according to custom. The -magician, seeing him coming, followed him with her eyes, till on a -sudden she lost sight of him and his attendants. - -As the rocks were very steep and craggy, they were an insurmountable -barrier, so that the magician judged that there were but two things -for it: either that the Prince retired into some cavern, or an abode of -genies or fairies. Thereupon she came out of the place where she was hid -and went directly to the hollow way, which she traced till she came -to the farther end, looking carefully about on all sides; but, -notwithstanding all her diligence, could perceive no opening, not so -much as the iron gate which Prince Ahmed discovered, which was to be -seen and opened to none but men, and only to such whose presence was -agreeable to the Fairy Paribanou. - -The magician, who saw it was in vain for her to search any farther, was -obliged to be satisfied with the discovery she had made, and returned to -give the Sultan an account. - -The Sultan was very well pleased with the magician's conduct, and said -to her: "Do you as you think fit; I'll wait patiently the event of your -promises," and to encourage her made her a present of a diamond of great -value. - -As Prince Ahmed had obtained the Fairy Paribanou's leave to go to the -Sultan of the Indies' Court once a month, he never failed, and the -magician, knowing the time, went a day or two before to the foot of the -rock where she lost sight of the Prince and his attendants, and waited -there. - -The next morning Prince Ahmed went out, as usual, at the iron gate, with -the same attendants as before, and passed by the magician, whom he knew -not to be such, and, seeing her lie with her head against the rock, -and complaining as if she were in great pain, he pitied her, turned his -horse about, went to her, and asked her what was the matter with her, -and what he could do to ease her. - -The artful sorceress looked at the Prince in a pitiful manner, without -ever lifting up her head, and answered in broken words and sighs, as -if she could hardly fetch her breath, that she was going to the capital -city, but on the way thither she was taken with so violent a fever that -her strength failed her, and she was forced to lie down where he saw -her, far from any habitation, and without any hopes of assistance. - -"Good woman," replied Prince Ahmed, "you are not so far from help as you -imagine. I am ready to assist you, and convey you where you will meet -with a speedy cure; only get up, and let one of my people take you -behind him." - -At these words the magician, who pretended sickness only to know where -the Prince lived and what he did, refused not the charitable offer he -made her, and that her actions might correspond with her words she made -many pretended vain endeavors to get up. At the same time two of the -Prince's attendants, alighting off their horses, helped her up, and set -her behind another, and mounted their horses again, and followed the -Prince, who turned back to the iron gate, which was opened by one of his -retinue who rode before. And when he came into the outward court of the -Fairy, without dismounting himself, he sent to tell her he wanted to -speak with her. - -The Fairy Paribanou came with all imaginable haste, not knowing what -made Prince Ahmed return so soon, who, not giving her time to ask him -the reason, said: "Princess, I desire you would have compassion on this -good woman," pointing to the magician, who was held up by two of his -retinue. "I found her in the condition you see her in, and promised her -the assistance she stands in need of, and am persuaded that you, out of -your own goodness, as well as upon my entreaty, will not abandon her." - -The Fairy Paribanou, who had her eyes fixed upon the pretended sick -woman all the time that the Prince was talking to her, ordered two of -her women who followed her to take her from the two men that held her, -and carry her into an apartment of the palace, and take as much care of -her as she would herself. - -While the two women executed the Fairy's commands, she went up to Prince -Ahmed, and, whispering in his ear, said: "Prince, this woman is not so -sick as she pretends to be; and I am very much mistaken if she is not an -impostor, who will be the cause of a great trouble to you. But don't -be concerned, let what will be devised against you; be persuaded that -I will deliver you out of all the snares that shall be laid for you. Go -and pursue your journey." - -This discourse of the Fairy's did not in the least frighten Prince -Ahmed. "My Princess," said he, "as I do not remember I ever did or -designed anybody an injury, I cannot believe anybody can have a thought -of doing me one, but if they have I shall not, nevertheless, forbear -doing good whenever I have an opportunity." Then he went back to his -father's palace. - -In the meantime the two women carried the magician into a very fine -apartment, richly furnished. First they sat her down upon a sofa, with -her back supported with a cushion of gold brocade, while they made a bed -on the same sofa before her, the quilt of which was finely embroidered -with silk, the sheets of the finest linen, and the coverlet -cloth-of-gold. When they had put her into bed (for the old sorceress -pretended that her fever was so violent she could not help herself in -the least) one of the women went out, and returned soon again with a -china dish in her hand, full of a certain liquor, which she presented to -the magician, while the other helped her to sit up. "Drink this liquor," -said she; "it is the Water of the Fountain of Lions, and a sovereign -remedy against all fevers whatsoever. You will find the effect of it in -less than an hour's time." - -The magician, to dissemble the better, took it after a great deal of -entreaty; but at last she took the china dish, and, holding back her -head, swallowed down the liquor. When she was laid down again the two -women covered her up. "Lie quiet," said she who brought her the china -cup, "and get a little sleep if you can. We'll leave you, and hope to -find you perfectly cured when we come again an hour hence." - -The two women came again at the time they said they should, and found -the magician up and dressed, and sitting upon the sofa. "Oh, admirable -potion!" she said: "it has wrought its cure much sooner than you told me -it would, and I shall be able to prosecute my journey." - -The two women, who were fairies as well as their mistress, after they -had told the magician how glad they were that she was cured so soon, -walked before her, and conducted her through several apartments, all -more noble than that wherein she lay, into a large hall, the most richly -and magnificently furnished of all the palace. - -Fairy Paribanou sat in this hall on a throne of massive gold, enriched -with diamonds, rubies, and pearls of an extraordinary size, and attended -on each hand by a great number of beautiful fairies, all richly clothed. -At the sight of so much majesty, the magician was not only dazzled, but -was so amazed that, after she had prostrated herself before the throne, -she could not open her lips to thank the Fairy as she proposed. However, -Paribanou saved her the trouble, and said to her: "Good woman, I am glad -I had an opportunity to oblige you, and to see you are able to pursue -your journey. I won't detain you, but perhaps you may not be displeased -to see my palace; follow my women, and they will show it you." - -Then the magician went back and related to the Sultan of the Indies all -that had happened, and how very rich Prince Ahmed was since his marriage -with the Fairy, richer than all the kings in the world, and how there -was danger that he should come and take the throne from his father. - -Though the Sultan of the Indies was very well persuaded that Prince -Ahmed's natural disposition was good, yet he could not help being -concerned at the discourse of the old sorceress, to whom, when she was -taking her leave, he said: "I thank thee for the pains thou hast taken, -and thy wholesome advice. I am so sensible of the great importance it is -to me that I shall deliberate upon it in council." - -Now the favorites advised that the Prince should be killed, but the -magician advised differently: "Make him give you all kinds of wonderful -things, by the Fairy's help, till she tires of him and sends him away. -As, for example, every time your Majesty goes into the field, you are -obliged to be at a great expense, not only in pavilions and tents for -your army, but likewise in mules and camels to carry their baggage. Now, -might not you engage him to use his interest with the Fairy to procure -you a tent which might be carried in a man's hand, and which should be -so large as to shelter your whole army against bad weather?" - -When the magician had finished her speech, the Sultan asked his -favorites if they had anything better to propose; and, finding them -all silent, determined to follow the magician's advice, as the most -reasonable and most agreeable to his mild government. - -Next day the Sultan did as the magician had advised him, and asked for -the pavilion. - -Prince Ahmed never expected that the Sultan his father would have -asked such a thing, which at first appeared so difficult, not to say -impossible. Though he knew not absolutely how great the power of genies -and fairies was, he doubted whether it extended so far as to compass -such a tent as his father desired. At last he replied: "Though it is -with the greatest reluctance imaginable, I will not fail to ask the -favor of my wife your Majesty desires, but will not promise you to -obtain it; and if I should not have the honor to come again to pay you -my respects that shall be the sign that I have not had success. But -beforehand, I desire you to forgive me, and consider that you yourself -have reduced me to this extremity." - -"Son," replied the Sultan of the Indies, "I should be very sorry if what -I ask of you should cause me the displeasure of never seeing you more. I -find you don't know the power a husband has over a wife; and yours would -show that her love to you was very indifferent if she, with the power -she has of a fairy, should refuse you so trifling a request as this I -desire you to ask of her for my sake." The Prince went back, and was -very sad for fear of offending the Fairy. She kept pressing him to -tell her what was the matter, and at last he said: "Madam, you may have -observed that hitherto I have been content with your love, and have -never asked you any other favor. Consider then, I conjure you, that -it is not I, but the Sultan my father, who indiscreetly, or at least I -think so, begs of you a pavilion large enough to shelter him, his Court, -and army from the violence of the weather, and which a man may carry in -his hand. But remember it is the Sultan my father asks this favor." - -"Prince," replied the Fairy, smiling, "I am sorry that so small a matter -should disturb you, and make you so uneasy as you appeared to me." - -Then the Fairy sent for her treasurer, to whom, when she came, she said: -"Nourgihan"--which was her name--"bring me the largest pavilion in my -treasury." Nourgiham returned presently with the pavilion, which she -could not only hold in her hand, but in the palm of her hand when she -shut her fingers, and presented it to her mistress, who gave it to -Prince Ahmed to look at. - -When Prince Ahmed saw the pavilion which the Fairy called the largest in -her treasury, he fancied she had a mind to jest with him, and thereupon -the marks of his surprise appeared presently in his countenance; which -Paribanou perceiving burst out laughing. "What! Prince," cried she, "do -you think I jest with you? You'll see presently that I am in earnest. -Nourgihan," said she to her treasurer, taking the tent out of Prince -Ahmed's hands, "go and set it up, that the Prince may judge whether it -may be large enough for the Sultan his father." - -The treasurer went immediately with it out of the palace, and carried it -a great way off; and when she had set it up one end reached to the very -palace; at which time the Prince, thinking it small, found it large -enough to shelter two greater armies than that of the Sultan his -father's, and then said to Paribanou: "I ask my Princess a thousand -pardons for my incredulity; after what I have seen I believe there -is nothing impossible to you." "You see," said the Fairy, "that the -pavilion is larger than what your father may have occasion for; for -you must know that it has one property--that it is larger or smaller -according to the army it is to cover." - -The treasurer took down the tent again, and brought it to the Prince, -who took it, and, without staying any longer than till the next day, -mounted his horse, and went with the same attendants to the Sultan his -father. - -The Sultan, who was persuaded that there could not be any such thing -as such a tent as he asked for, was in a great surprise at the Prince's -diligence. He took the tent and after he had admired its smallness his -amazement was so great that he could not recover himself. When the tent -was set up in the great plain, which we have before mentioned, he found -it large enough to shelter an army twice as large as he could bring into -the field. - -But the Sultan was not yet satisfied. "Son," said he, "I have already -expressed to you how much I am obliged to you for the present of the -tent you have procured me; that I look upon it as the most valuable -thing in all my treasury. But you must do one thing more for me, which -will be every whit as agreeable to me. I am informed that the Fairy, -your spouse, makes use of a certain water, called the Water of the -Fountain of Lions, which cures all sorts of fevers, even the most -dangerous, and, as I am perfectly well persuaded my health is dear to -you, I don't doubt but you will ask her for a bottle of that water for -me, and bring it me as a sovereign medicine, which I may make use of -when I have occasion. Do me this other important piece of service, and -thereby complete the duty of a good son toward a tender father." - -The Prince returned and told the Fairy what his father had said; -"There's a great deal of wickedness in this demand?" she answered, "as -you will understand by what I am going to tell you. The Fountain of -Lions is situated in the middle of a court of a great castle, the -entrance into which is guarded by four fierce lions, two of which sleep -alternately, while the other two are awake. But don't let that frighten -you: I'll give you means to pass by them without any danger." - -The Fairy Paribanou was at that time very hard at work, and, as she had -several clews of thread by her, she took up one, and, presenting it -to Prince Ahmed, said: "First take this clew of thread. I'll tell you -presently the use of it. In the second place, you must have two horses; -one you must ride yourself, and the other you must lead, which must be -loaded with a sheep cut into four quarters, that must be killed to-day. -In the third place, you must be provided with a bottle, which I will -give you, to bring the water in. Set out early to-morrow morning, and -when you have passed the iron gate throw the clew of thread before you, -which will roll till it comes to the gates of the castle. Follow it, and -when it stops, as the gates will be open, you will see the four lions: -the two that are awake will, by their roaring, wake the other two, but -don't be frightened, but throw each of them a quarter of mutton, and -then clap spurs to your horse and ride to the fountain; fill your bottle -without alighting, and then return with the same expedition. The lions -will be so busy eating they will let you pass by them." - -Prince Ahmed set out the next morning at the time appointed by the -Fairy, and followed her directions exactly. When he arrived at the -gates of the castle he distributed the quarters of mutton among the -four lions, and, passing through the midst of them bravely, got to the -fountain, filled his bottle, and returned back as safe and sound as he -went. When he had gone a little distance from the castle gates he turned -him about, and, perceiving two of the lions coming after him, he drew -his sabre and prepared himself for defense. But as he went forward he -saw one of them turned out of the road at some distance, and showed by -his head and tail that he did not come to do him any harm, but only to -go before him, and that the other stayed behind to follow, he put his -sword up again in its scabbard. Guarded in this manner, he arrived at -the capital of the Indies, but the lions never left him till they had -conducted him to the gates of the Sultan's palace; after which they -returned the same way they came, though not without frightening all -that saw them, for all they went in a very gentle manner and showed no -fierceness. - -A great many officers came to attend the Prince while he dismounted his -horse, and afterward conducted him into the Sultan's apartment, who was -at that time surrounded with his favorites. He approached toward the -throne, laid the bottle at the Sultan's feet, and kissed the rich -tapestry which covered his footstool, and then said: - -"I have brought you, sir, the healthful water which your Majesty desired -so much to keep among your other rarities in your treasury, but at the -same time wish you such extraordinary health as never to have occasion -to make use of it." - -After the Prince had made an end of his compliment the Sultan placed him -on his right hand, and then said to him: "Son, I am very much obliged -to you for this valuable present, as also for the great danger you have -exposed yourself to upon my account (which I have been informed of by -a magician who knows the Fountain of Lions); but do me the pleasure," -continued he, "to inform me by what address, or, rather, by what -incredible power, you have been secured." - -"Sir," replied Prince Ahmed, "I have no share in the compliment your -Majesty is pleased to make me; all the honor is due to the Fairy my -spouse, whose good advice I followed." Then he informed the Sultan what -those directions were, and by the relation of this his expedition let -him know how well he had behaved himself. When he had done the Sultan, -who showed outwardly all the demonstrations of great joy, but secretly -became more jealous, retired into an inward apartment, where he sent for -the magician. - -The magician, at her arrival, saved the Sultan the trouble to tell her -of the success of Prince Ahmed's journey, which she had heard of before -she came, and therefore was prepared with an infallible means, as she -pretended. This means she communicated to the Sultan who declared it -the next day to the Prince, in the midst of all his courtiers, in these -words: "Son," said he, "I have one thing more to ask of you, after which -I shall expect nothing more from your obedience, nor your interest with -your wife. This request is, to bring me a man not above a foot and a -half high, and whose beard is thirty feet long who carries a bar of -iron upon his shoulders of five hundredweight, which he uses as a -quarterstaff." - -Prince Ahmed, who did not believe that there was such a man in the world -as his father described, would gladly have excused himself; but the -Sultan persisted in his demand, and told him the Fairy could do more -incredible things. - -The next day the Prince returned to his dear Paribanou, to whom he told -his father's new demand, which, he said, he looked upon to be a thing -more impossible than the two first; "for," added he, "I cannot imagine -there can be such a man in the world; without doubt, he has a mind to -try whether or no I am so silly as to go about it, or he has a design on -my ruin. In short, how can he suppose that I should lay hold of a man -so well armed, though he is but little? What arms can I make use of to -reduce him to my will? If there are any means, I beg you will tell them, -and let me come off with honor this time." - -"Don't affright yourself, Prince," replied the Fairy; "you ran a risk in -fetching the Water of the Fountain of Lions for your father, but there's -no danger in finding out this man, who is my brother Schaibar, but is so -far from being like me, though we both had the same father, that he is -of so violent a nature that nothing can prevent his giving cruel marks -of his resentment for a slight offense; yet, on the other hand, is so -good as to oblige anyone in whatever they desire. He is made exactly as -the Sultan your father has described him, and has no other arms than a -bar of iron of five hundred pounds weight, without which he never stirs, -and which makes him respected. I'll send for him, and you shall judge -of the truth of what I tell you; but be sure to prepare yourself against -being frightened at his extraordinary figure when you see him." "What! -my Queen," replied Prince Ahmed, "do you say Schaibar is your brother? -Let him be never so ugly or deformed I shall be so far from being -frightened at the sight of him that, as our brother, I shall honor and -love him." - -The Fairy ordered a gold chafing-dish to be set with a fire in it under -the porch of her palace, with a box of the same metal, which was a -present to her, out of which taking a perfume, and throwing it into the -fire, there arose a thick cloud of smoke. - -Some moments after the Fairy said to Prince Ahmed: "See, there comes my -brother." The Prince immediately perceived Schaibar coming gravely with -his heavy bar on his shoulder, his long beard, which he held up before -him, and a pair of thick mustachios, which he tucked behind his ears and -almost covered his face; his eyes were very small and deep-set in his -head, which was far from being of the smallest size, and on his head he -wore a grenadier's cap; besides all this, he was very much hump-backed. - -If Prince Ahmed had not known that Schaibar was Paribanou's brother, -he would not have been able to have looked at him without fear, but, -knowing first who he was, he stood by the Fairy without the least -concern. - -Schaibar, as he came forward, looked at the Prince earnestly enough to -have chilled his blood in his veins, and asked Paribanou, when he first -accosted her, who that man was. To which she replied: "He is my husband, -brother. His name is Ahmed; he is son to the Sultan of the Indies. The -reason why I did not invite you to my wedding was I was unwilling to -divert you from an expedition you were engaged in, and from which I -heard with pleasure you returned victorious, and so took the liberty now -to call for you." - -At these words, Schaibar, looking on Prince Ahmed favorably, said: "Is -there anything else, sister, wherein I can serve him? It is enough -for me that he is your husband to engage me to do for him whatever he -desires." "The Sultan, his father," replied Paribanou, "has a curiosity -to see you, and I desire he may be your guide to the Sultan's Court." -"He needs but lead me the way I'll follow him." "Brother," replied -Paribanou, "it is too late to go to-day, therefore stay till to-morrow -morning; and in the meantime I'll inform you of all that has passed -between the Sultan of the Indies and Prince Ahmed since our marriage." - -The next morning, after Schaibar had been informed of the affair, he and -Prince Ahmed set out for the Sultan's Court. When they arrived at the -gates of the capital the people no sooner saw Schaibar but they ran and -hid themselves; and some shut up their shops and locked themselves up in -their houses, while others, flying, communicated their fear to all they -met, who stayed not to look behind them, but ran too; insomuch that -Schaibar and Prince Ahmed, as they went along, found the streets all -desolate till they came to the palaces where the porters, instead -of keeping the gates, ran away too, so that the Prince and Schaibar -advanced without any obstacle to the council-hall, where the Sultan was -seated on his throne, and giving audience. Here likewise the ushers, -at the approach of Schaibar, abandoned their posts, and gave them free -admittance. - -Schaibar went boldly and fiercely up to the throne, without waiting to -be presented by Prince Ahmed, and accosted the Sultan of the Indies in -these words: "Thou hast asked for me," said he; "see, here I am; what -wouldst thou have with me?" - -The Sultan, instead of answering him, clapped his hands before his eyes -to avoid the sight of so terrible an object; at which uncivil and rude -reception Schaibar was so much provoked, after he had given him the -trouble to come so far, that he instantly lifted up his iron bar and -killed him before Prince Ahmed could intercede in his behalf. All that -he could do was to prevent his killing the grand vizier, who sat not far -from him, representing to him that he had always given the Sultan his -father good advice. "These are they, then," said Schaibar, "who gave him -bad," and as he pronounced these words he killed all the other viziers -and flattering favorites of the Sultan who were Prince Ahmed's enemies. -Every time he struck he killed some one or other, and none escaped but -they who were not so frightened as to stand staring and gaping, and who -saved themselves by flight. - -When this terrible execution was over Schaibar came out of the -council-hall into the midst of the courtyard with the iron bar upon his -shoulder, and, looking hard at the grand vizier, who owed his life to -Prince Ahmed, he said: "I know here is a certain magician, who is a -greater enemy of my brother-in-law than all these base favorites I -have chastised. Let the magician be brought to me presently." The grand -vizier immediately sent for her, and as soon as she was brought Schaibar -said, at the time he fetched a stroke at her with his iron bar: "Take -the reward of thy pernicious counsel, and learn to feign sickness -again." - -After this he said: "This is not yet enough; I will use the whole town -after the same manner if they do not immediately acknowledge Prince -Ahmed, my brother-in-law, for their Sultan and the Sultan of the -Indies." Then all that were there present made the air echo again -with the repeated acclamations of: "Long life to Sultan Ahmed"; and -immediately after he was proclaimed through the whole town. Schaibar -made him be clothed in the royal vestments, installed him on the throne, -and after he had caused all to swear homage and fidelity to him went -and fetched his sister Paribanou, whom he brought with all the pomp and -grandeur imaginable, and made her to be owned Sultaness of the Indies. - -As for Prince Ali and Princess Nouronnihar, as they had no hand in the -conspiracy against Prince Ahmed and knew nothing of any, Prince Ahmed -assigned them a considerable province, with its capital, where they -spent the rest of their lives. Afterwards he sent an officer to Prince -Houssain to acquaint him with the change and make him an offer of which -province he liked best; but that Prince thought himself so happy in his -solitude that he bade the officer return the Sultan his brother thanks -for the kindness he designed him, assuring him of his submission; and -that the only favor he desired of him was to give him leave to live -retired in the place he had made choice of for his retreat.(1) - - -(1) Arabian Nights. - - - - -THE HISTORY OF JACK THE GIANT-KILLER - - -In the reign of the famous King Arthur there lived in Cornwall a lad -named Jack, who was a boy of a bold temper, and took delight in hearing -or reading of conjurers, giants, and fairies; and used to listen eagerly -to the deeds of the knights of King Arthur's Round Table. - -In those days there lived on St. Michael's Mount, off Cornwall, a huge -giant, eighteen feet high and nine feet round; his fierce and savage -looks were the terror of all who beheld him. - -He dwelt in a gloomy cavern on the top of the mountain, and used to wade -over to the mainland in search of prey; when he would throw half a dozen -oxen upon his back, and tie three times as many sheep and hogs round his -waist, and march back to his own abode. - -The giant had done this for many years when Jack resolved to destroy -him. - -Jack took a horn, a shovel, a pickaxe, his armor, and a dark lantern, -and one winter's evening he went to the mount. There he dug a pit -twenty-two feet deep and twenty broad. He covered the top over so as to -make it look like solid ground. He then blew his horn so loudly that the -giant awoke and came out of his den crying out: "You saucy villain! you -shall pay for this I'll broil you for my breakfast!" - -He had just finished, when, taking one step further, he tumbled headlong -into the pit, and Jack struck him a blow on the head with his pickaxe -which killed him. Jack then returned home to cheer his friends with the -news. - -Another giant, called Blunderbore, vowed to be revenged on Jack if ever -he should have him in his power. This giant kept an enchanted castle in -the midst of a lonely wood; and some time after the death of Cormoran -Jack was passing through a wood, and being weary, sat down and went to -sleep. - -The giant, passing by and seeing Jack, carried him to his castle, where -he locked him up in a large room, the floor of which was covered with -the bodies, skulls and bones of men and women. - -Soon after the giant went to fetch his brother who was likewise a giant, -to take a meal off his flesh; and Jack saw with terror through the bars -of his prison the two giants approaching. - -Jack, perceiving in one corner of the room a strong cord, took courage, -and making a slip-knot at each end, he threw them over their heads, and -tied it to the window-bars; he then pulled till he had choked them. When -they were black in the face he slid down the rope and stabbed them to -the heart. - -Jack next took a great bunch of keys from the pocket of Blunderbore, -and went into the castle again. He made a strict search through all -the rooms, and in one of them found three ladies tied up by the hair -of their heads, and almost starved to death. They told him that their -husbands had been killed by the giants, who had then condemned them to -be starved to death because they would not eat the flesh of their own -dead husbands. - -"Ladies," said Jack, "I have put an end to the monster and his wicked -brother; and I give you this castle and all the riches it contains, to -make some amends for the dreadful pains you have felt." He then very -politely gave them the keys of the castle, and went further on his -journey to Wales. - -As Jack had but little money, he went on as fast as possible. At length -he came to a handsome house. Jack knocked at the door, when there came -forth a Welsh giant. Jack said he was a traveler who had lost his way, -on which the giant made him welcome, and let him into a room where there -was a good bed to sleep in. - -Jack took off his clothes quickly, but though he was weary he could not -go to sleep. Soon after this he heard the giant walking backward and -forward in the next room, and saying to himself: - - "Though here you lodge with me this night, - You shall not see the morning light; - My club shall dash your brains out quite." - - -"Say you so?" thought Jack. "Are these your tricks upon travelers? But -I hope to prove as cunning as you are." Then, getting out of bed, he -groped about the room, and at last found a large thick billet of wood. -He laid it in his own place in the bed, and then hid himself in a dark -corner of the room. - -The giant, about midnight, entered the apartment, and with his bludgeon -struck many blows on the bed, in the very place where Jack had laid the -log; and then he went back to his own room, thinking he had broken all -Jack's bones. - -Early in the morning Jack put a bold face upon the matter, and walked -into the giant's room to thank him for his lodging. The giant started -when he saw him, and began to stammer out: "Oh! dear me; is it you? Pray -how did you sleep last night? Did you hear or see anything in the dead -of the night?" - -"Nothing to speak of," said Jack, carelessly; "a rat, I believe, gave me -three or four slaps with its tail, and disturbed me a little; but I soon -went to sleep again." - -The giant wondered more and more at this; yet he did not answer a word, -but went to bring two great bowls of hasty-pudding for their breakfast. -Jack wanted to make the giant believe that he could eat as much as -himself, so he contrived to button a leathern bag inside his coat, and -slip the hasty-pudding into this bag, while he seemed to put it into his -mouth. - -When breakfast was over he said to the giant: "Now I will show you a -fine trick. I can cure all wounds with a touch; I could cut off my head -in one minute, and the next put it sound again on my shoulders. You -shall see an example." He then took hold of the knife, ripped up the -leathern bag, and all the hasty-pudding tumbled out upon the floor. - -"Ods splutter hur nails!" cried the Welsh giant, who was ashamed to be -outdone by such a little fellow as Jack, "hur can do that hurself"; -so he snatched up the knife, plunged it into his own stomach, and in a -moment dropped down dead. - -Jack, having hitherto been successful in all his undertakings, resolved -not to be idle in future; he therefore furnished himself with a horse, -a cap of knowledge, a sword of sharpness, shoes of swiftness, and an -invisible coat, the better to perform the wonderful enterprises that lay -before him. - -He traveled over high hills, and on the third day he came to a large and -spacious forest through which his road lay. Scarcely had he entered the -forest when he beheld a monstrous giant dragging along by the hair -of their heads a handsome knight and his lady. Jack alighted from his -horse, and tying him to an oak tree, put on his invisible coat, under -which he carried his sword of sharpness. - -When he came up to the giant he made several strokes at him, but could -not reach his body, but wounded his thighs in several places; and at -length, putting both hands to his sword and aiming with all his might, -he cut off both his legs. Then Jack, setting his foot upon his neck, -plunged his sword into the giant's body, when the monster gave a groan -and expired. - -The knight and his lady thanked Jack for their deliverance, and invited -him to their house, to receive a proper reward for his services. "No," -said Jack, "I cannot be easy till I find out this monster's habitation." -So, taking the knight's directions, he mounted his horse and soon after -came in sight of another giant, who was sitting on a block of timber -waiting for his brother's return. - -Jack alighted from his horse, and, putting on his invisible coat, -approached and aimed a blow at the giant's head, but, missing his aim, -he only cut off his nose. On this the giant seized his club and laid -about him most unmercifully. - -"Nay," said Jack, "if this be the case I'd better dispatch you!" so, -jumping upon the block, he stabbed him in the back, when he dropped down -dead. - -Jack then proceeded on his journey, and traveled over hills and dales, -till arriving at the foot of a high mountain he knocked at the door of a -lonely house, when an old man let him in. - -When Jack was seated the hermit thus addressed him: "My son, on the top -of this mountain is an enchanted castle, kept by the giant Galligantus -and a vile magician. I lament the fate of a duke's daughter, whom they -seized as she was walking in her father's garden, and brought hither -transformed into a deer." - -Jack promised that in the morning, at the risk of his life, he would -break the enchantment; and after a sound sleep he rose early, put on his -invisible coat, and got ready for the attempt. - -When he had climbed to the top of the mountain he saw two fiery -griffins, but he passed between them without the least fear of danger, -for they could not see him because of his invisible coat. On the castle -gate he found a golden trumpet, under which were written these lines: - - "Whoever can this trumpet blow - Shall cause the giant's overthrow." - - -As soon as Jack had read this he seized the trumpet and blew a shrill -blast, which made the gates fly open and the very castle itself tremble. - -The giant and the conjurer now knew that their wicked course was at an -end, and they stood biting their thumbs and shaking with fear. Jack, -with his sword of sharpness, soon killed the giant, and the magician was -then carried away by a whirlwind; and every knight and beautiful lady -who had been changed into birds and beasts returned to their proper -shapes. The castle vanished away like smoke, and the head of the giant -Galligantus was then sent to King Arthur. - -The knights and ladies rested that night at the old man's hermitage, and -next day they set out for the Court. Jack then went up to the King, and -gave his Majesty an account of all his fierce battles. - -Jack's fame had now spread through the whole country, and at the King's -desire the duke gave him his daughter in marriage, to the joy of all his -kingdom. After this the King gave him a large estate, on which he and -his lady lived the rest of their days in joy and contentment.(1) - - -(1) Old Chapbook. - - - - -THE BLACK BULL OF NORROWAY - - - And many a hunting song they sung, - And song of game and glee; - Then tuned to plaintive strains their tongue, - "Of Scotland's luve and lee." - To wilder measures next they turn - "The Black, Black Bull of Norroway!" - Sudden the tapers cease to burn, - The minstrels cease to play. - - "The Cout of Keeldar," by J. Leyden. - - -In Norroway, langsyne, there lived a certain lady, and she had three -dochters. The auldest o' them said to her mither: "Mither, bake me a -bannock, and roast me a collop, for I'm gaun awa' to seek my fortune." -Her mither did sae; and the dochter gaed awa' to an auld witch -washerwife and telled her purpose. The auld wife bade her stay that day, -and gang and look out o' her back door, and see what she could see. She -saw nocht the first day. The second day she did the same, and saw nocht. -On the third day she looked again, and saw a coach-and-six coming along -the road. She ran in and telled the auld wife what she saw. "Aweel," -quo' the auld wife, "yon's for you." Sae they took her into the coach, -and galloped aff. - -The second dochter next says to her mither: "Mither, bake me a bannock, -and roast me a collop, fur I'm gaun awa' to seek my fortune." Her mither -did sae; and awa' she gaed to the auld wife, as her sister had dune. On -the third day she looked out o' the back door, and saw a coach-and-four -coming along the road. "Aweel," quo' the auld wife, "yon's for you." Sae -they took her in, and aff they set. - -The third dochter says to her mither: "Mither, bake me a bannock, and -roast me a collop, for I'm gaun awa' to seek my fortune." Her mither did -sae; and awa' she gaed to the auld witch-wife. She bade her look out -o' her back door, and see what she could see. She did sae; and when she -came back said she saw nocht. The second day she did the same, and saw -nocht. The third day she looked again, and on coming back said to the -auld wife she saw nocht but a muckle Black Bull coming roaring alang the -road. "Aweel," quo' the auld wife, "yon's for you." On hearing this she -was next to distracted wi' grief and terror; but she was lifted up and -set on his back, and awa' they went. - -Aye they traveled, and on they traveled, till the lady grew faint wi' -hunger. "Eat out o' my right lug," says the Black Bull, "and drink out -o' my left lug, and set by your leavings." Sae she did as he said, and -was wonderfully refreshed. And lang they gaed, and sair they rade, till -they came in sight o' a very big and bonny castle. "Yonder we maun be -this night," quo' the bull; "for my auld brither lives yonder"; and -presently they were at the place. They lifted her aff his back, and took -her in, and sent him away to a park for the night. In the morning, -when they brought the bull hame, they took the lady into a fine shining -parlor, and gave her a beautiful apple, telling her no to break it till -she was in the greatest strait ever mortal was in in the world, and that -wad bring her o't. Again she was lifted on the bull's back, and after -she had ridden far, and farer than I can tell, they came in sight o' a -far bonnier castle, and far farther awa' than the last. Says the bull -till her: "Yonder we maun be the night, for my second brither lives -yonder"; and they were at the place directly. They lifted her down -and took her in, and sent the bull to the field for the night. In the -morning they took the lady into a fine and rich room, and gave her the -finest pear she had ever seen, bidding her no to break it till she was -in the greatest strait ever mortal could be in, and that wad get her out -o't. Again she was lifted and set on his back, and awa' they went. And -lang they gaed, and sair they rade, till they came in sight o' the far -biggest castle, and far farthest aff, they had yet seen. "We maun be -yonder the night," says the bull, "for my young brither lives yonder"; -and they were there directly. They lifted her down, took her in, and -sent the bull to the field for the night. In the morning they took her -into a room, the finest of a', and gied her a plum, telling her no to -break it till she was in the greatest strait mortal could be in, and -that wad get her out o't. Presently they brought hame the bull, set the -lady on his back, and awa' they went. - -And aye they gaed, and on they rade, till they came to a dark and ugsome -glen, where they stopped, and the lady lighted down. Says the bull to -her: "Here ye maun stay till I gang and fight the deil. Ye maun seat -yoursel' on that stane, and move neither hand nor fit till I come back, -else I'll never find ye again. And if everything round about ye turns -blue I hae beated the deil; but should a' things turn red he'll hae -conquered me." She set hersel' down on the stane, and by-and-by a' round -her turned blue. O'ercome wi' joy, she lifted the ae fit and crossed it -owre the ither, sae glad was she that her companion was victorious. The -bull returned and sought for but never could find her. - -Lang she sat, and aye she grat, till she wearied. At last she rase and -gaed awa', she kedna whaur till. On she wandered till she came to a -great hill o' glass, that she tried a' she could to climb, bat wasna -able. Round the bottom o' the hill she gaed, sabbing and seeking a -passage owre, till at last she came to a smith's house; and the smith -promised, if she wad serve him seven years, he wad make her iron shoon, -wherewi' she could climb owre the glassy hill. At seven years' end she -got her iron shoon, clamb the glassy hill, and chanced to come to the -auld washerwife's habitation. There she was telled of a gallant young -knight that had given in some bluidy sarks to wash, and whaever washed -thae sarks was to be his wife. The auld wife had washed till she was -tired, and then she set to her dochter, and baith washed, and they -washed, and they better washed, in hopes of getting the young knight; -but a' they could do they couldna bring out a stain. At length they set -the stranger damosel to wark; and whenever she began the stains came -out pure and clean, but the auld wife made the knight believe it was her -dochter had washed the sarks. So the knight and the eldest dochter were -to be married, and the stranger damosel was distracted at the thought -of it, for she was deeply in love wi' him. So she bethought her of her -apple, and breaking it, found it filled with gold and precious jewelry, -the richest she had ever seen. "All these," she said to the eldest -dochter, "I will give you, on condition that you put off your marriage -for ae day, and allow me to go into his room alone at night." So -the lady consented; but meanwhile the auld wife had prepared a -sleeping-drink, and given it to the knight, wha drank it, and never -wakened till next morning. The lee-lang night ther damosel sabbed and -sang: - - "Seven lang years I served for thee, - The glassy hill I clamb for thee, - The bluidy shirt I wrang for thee; - And wilt thou no wauken and turn to me?" - - -Next day she kentna what to do for grief. She then brak the pear, and -found it filled wi' jewelry far richer than the contents o' the apple. -Wi' thae jewels she bargained for permission to be a second night in -the young knight's chamber; but the auld wife gied him anither -sleeping-drink, and he again sleepit till morning. A' night she kept -sighing and singing as before: - -"Seven lang years I served for thee," &c. Still he sleepit, and she -nearly lost hope a'thegither. But that day when he was out at the -hunting, somebody asked him what noise and moaning was yon they heard -all last night in his bedchamber. He said he heardna ony noise. But they -assured him there was sae; and he resolved to keep waking that night -to try what he could hear. That being the third night, and the damosel -being between hope and despair, she brak her plum, and it held far the -richest jewelry of the three. She bargained as before; and the auld -wife, as before, took in the sleeping-drink to the young knight's -chamber; but he telled her he couldna drink it that night without -sweetening. And when she gaed awa' for some honey to sweeten it wi', he -poured out the drink, and sae made the auld wife think he had drunk it. -They a' went to bed again, and the damosel began, as before, singing: - - "Seven lang years I served for thee, - The glassy hill I clamb for thee, - The bluidy shirt I wrang for thee; - And wilt thou no wauken and turn to me?" - -He heard, and turned to her. And she telled him a' that had befa'en her, -and he telled her a' that had happened to him. And he caused the auld -washerwife and her dochter to be burned. And they were married, and he -and she are living happy till this day, for aught I ken.(1) - - -(1) Chambers, Popular Traditions of Scotland. - - - - -THE RED ETIN - - -There were ance twa widows that lived on a small bit o' ground, which -they rented from a farmer. Ane of them had twa sons, and the other had -ane; and by-and-by it was time for the wife that had twa sons to send -them away to seeke their fortune. So she told her eldest son ae day to -take a can and bring her water from the well, that she might bake a cake -for him; and however much or however little water he might bring, the -cake would be great or sma' accordingly; and that cake was to be a' that -she could gie him when he went on his travels. - -The lad gaed away wi' the can to the well, and filled it wi' water, and -then came away hame again; but the can being broken the maist part of -the water had run out before he got back. So his cake was very sma'; yet -sma' as it was, his mother asked if he was willing to take the half of -it with her blessing, telling him that, if he chose rather to have the -hale, he would only get it wi' her curse. The young man, thinking he -might hae to travel a far way, and not knowing when or how he might get -other provisions, said he would like to hae the hale cake, com of his -mother's malison what like; so she gave him the hale cake, and her -malison alang wi't. Then he took his brither aside, and gave him a -knife to keep till he should come back, desiring him to look at it every -morning, and as lang as it continued to be clear, then he might be sure -that the owner of it was well; but if it grew dim and rusty, then for -certain some ill had befallen him. - -So the young man set out to seek his fortune. And he gaed a' that day, -and a' the next day; and on the third day, in the afternoon, he came up -to where a shepherd was sitting with a flock o' sheep. And he gaed up -to the shepherd and asked him wha the sheep belanged to; and the man -answered: - - - "The Red Etin of Ireland - Ance lived in Bellygan, - And stole King Malcolm's daughter, - The King of fair Scotland. - He beats her, he binds her, - He lays her on a band; - And every day he dings her - With a bright silver wand - Like Julian the Roman - He's one that fears no man. - It's said there's ane predestinate - To be his mortal foe; - But that man is yet unborn - And lang may it be so." - -The young man then went on his journey; and he had not gone far when he -espied an old man with white locks herding a flock of swine; and he gaed -up to him and asked whose swine these were, when the man answered: - - "The Red Etin of Ireland"-- - (Repeat the verses above.) - -Then the young man gaed on a bit farther, and came to another very old -man herding goats; and when he asked whose goats they were, the answer -was: - - "The Red Etin of Ireland"-- - (Repeat the verses again.) - -This old man also told him to beware of the next beasts that he should -meet, for they were of a very different kind from any he had yet seen. - -So the young man went on, and by-and-by he saw a multitude of very -dreadfu' beasts, ilk ane o' them wi' twa heads, and on every head four -horns. And he was sore frightened, and ran away from them as fast as he -could; and glad was he when he came to a castle that stood on a hillock, -wi' the door standing wide to the wa'. And he gaed into the castle for -shelter, and there he saw an auld wife sitting beside the kitchen fire. -He asked the wife if he might stay there for the night, as he was tired -wi' a lang journey; and the wife said he might, but it was not a good -place for him to be in, as it belanged to the Red Etin, who was a very -terrible beast, wi' three heads, that spared no living man he could get -hold of. The young man would have gone away, but he was afraid of the -beasts on the outside of the castle; so he beseeched the old woman to -conceal him as well as she could, and not to tell the Etin that he was -there. He thought, if he could put over the night, he might get away in -the morning without meeting wi' the beasts, and so escape. But he had -not been long in his hidy-hole before the awful Etin came in; and nae -sooner was he in than he was heard crying: - - "Snouk but and snouk ben, - I find the smell of an earthly man; - Be he living, or be he dead, - His heart this night shall kitchen(1) my bread." - - -(1) "Kitchen," that is, "season." - - -The monster soon found the poor young man, and pulled him from his hole. -And when he had got him out he told him that if he could answer him -three questions his life should be spared. The first was: Whether -Ireland or Scotland was first inhabited? The second was: Whether man was -made for woman, or woman for man? The third was: Whether men or -brutes were made first? The lad not being able to answer one of these -questions, the Red Etin took a mace and knocked him on the head, and -turned him into a pillar of stone. - -On the morning after this happened the younger brither took out the -knife to look at it, and he was grieved to find it a' brown wi' rust. He -told his mother that the time was now come for him to go away upon -his travels also; so she requested him to take the can to the well for -water, that she might bake a cake for him. The can being broken, he -brought hame as little water as the other had done, and the cake was as -little. She asked whether he would have the hale cake wi' her malison, -or the half wi' her blessing; and, like his brither, he thought it best -to have the hale cake, come o' the malison what might. So he gaed away; -and everything happened to him that had happened to his brother! - -The other widow and her son heard of a' that had happened frae a fairy, -and the young man determined that he would also go upon his travels, and -see if he could do anything to relieve his twa friends. So his mother -gave him a can to go to the well and bring home water, that she might -bake him a cake for his journey. And he gaed, and as he was bringing -hame the water, a raven owre abune his head cried to him to look, and -he would see that the water was running out. And he was a young man of -sense, and seeing the water running out, he took some clay and patched -up the holes, so that he brought home enough water to bake a large cake. -When his mother put it to him to take the half-cake wi' her blessing, -he took it in preference to having the hale wi' her malison; and yet the -half was bigger than what the other lads had got a'thegither. - -So he gaed away on his journey; and after he had traveled a far way he -met wi' an auld woman, that asked him if he would give her a bit of his -bannock. And he said he would gladly do that, and so he gave her a piece -of the bannock; and for that she gied him a magical wand, that she said -might yet be of service to him if he took care to use it rightly. Then -the auld woman, who was a fairy, told him a great deal that whould -happen to him, and what he ought to do in a' circumstances; and after -that she vanished in an instant out o' his sight. He gaed on a great way -farther, and then he came up to the old man herding the sheep; and when -he asked whose sheep these were, the answer was: - - "The Red Etin of Ireland - Ance lived in Bellygan, - And stole King Malcolm's daughter, - The King of fair Scotland. - He beats her, he binds her, - He lays her on a band; - And every day he dings her - With a bright silver wand. - Like Julian the Roman, - He's one that fears no man, - But now I fear his end is near, - And destiny at hand; - And you're to be, I plainly see, - The heir of all his land." - -(Repeat the same inquiries to the man attending the swine and the man -attending the goats, with the same answer in each case.) - - -When he came to the place where the monstrous beasts were standing, he -did not stop nor run away, but went boldly through among them. One came -up roaring with open mouth to devour him, when he struck it with his -wand, and laid it in an instant dead at his feet. He soon came to the -Etin's castle, where he knocked, and was admitted. The auld woman that -sat by the fire warned him of the terrible Etin, and what had been the -fate of the twa brithers; but he was not to be daunted. The monster soon -came in, saying: - - "Snouk but and snouk ben, - I find the smell of an earthly man; - Be he living, or be he dead, - His heart shall be kitchen to my bread." - -He quickly espied the young man, and bade him come forth on the floor. -And then he put the three questions to him, but the young man had been -told everything by the good fairy, so he was able to answer all the -questions. When the Etin found this he knew that his power was gone. The -young man then took up the axe and hewed off the monster's three heads. -He next asked the old woman to show him where the King's daughters lay; -and the old woman took him upstairs and opened a great many doors, and -out of every door came a beautiful lady who had been imprisoned there by -the Etin; and ane o' the ladies was the King's daughter. She also took -him down into a low room, and there stood two stone pillars that he had -only to touch wi' his wand, when his two friends and neighbors started -into life. And the hale o' the prisoners were overjoyed at their -deliverance, which they all acknowledged to be owing to the prudent -young man. Next day they a' set out for the King's Court, and a gallant -company they made. And the King married his daughter to the young man -that had delivered her, and gave a noble's daughter to ilk ane o' the -other young men; and so they a' lived happily a' the rest o' their -days.(1) - - -(1) Chambers, Popular Traditions of Scotland. - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blue Fairy Book, by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK *** - -***** This file should be named 503.txt or 503.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/0/503/ - -Produced by Charles Keller for Tina - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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