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diff --git a/old/20051019-503.txt b/old/20051019-503.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f217e6b..0000000 --- a/old/20051019-503.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,16633 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Blue Fairy Book, by Andrew Lang - -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.net - - -Title: The Blue Fairy Book - -Author: Andrew Lang - -Release Date: April, 1996 [EBook #503] -[Most recently updated October 19, 2005] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK *** - - - - -Scanned by Charles Keller for Tina with -OmniPage Professional OCR software -donated by Caere Corporation, 1-800-535-7226. -Contact Mike Lough <Mikel@caere.com> - - - - - - - - -THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK - - - -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, ado -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 to 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 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 Suilman, for that -was the tutor's name, had boasted of having helped Celia -to escape, and they bribed three men to say that Suilman -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 -Suilman, 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 Suilman 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 Suilman 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 -Suilman'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 600l. I left 1500l. 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 50 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 ally 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 Andrew Lang - -*** 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.net/5/0/503/ - -Scanned by Charles Keller for Tina with -OmniPage Professional OCR software -donated by Caere Corporation, 1-800-535-7226. -Contact Mike Lough <Mikel@caere.com> - -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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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* - - - - - -Scanned by Charles Keller for Tina with -OmniPage Professional OCR software -donated by Caere Corporation, 1-800-535-7226. -Contact Mike Lough <Mikel@caere.com> - - - - - -THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK - - - -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 agree- -able 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 unsea- -worthy 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 -today." - -"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, ado -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 mis- -erable 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 coach- -man, 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 ho 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 Sul- -tan 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 tomorrow 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; abut 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, pic- -tures, 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 near- -est 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 today, 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 today. -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 pitch- -forksful will come in for every one you throw out. But -I will teach you how to do it; you must turn your pitch- -fork 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; per- -haps 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 Mastermaid, -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 today 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. "Today 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 Mastermaid -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 Mastermaid . - -"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 today 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 to 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 sup- -per-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 be- -gan 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. Today 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 con- -sidering 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, acould -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 per- -son 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 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 Gret- -tel; "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, abe 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 re- -joiced 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 Suilman, for that -was the tutor's name, had boasted of having helped Celia -to escape, and they bribed three men to say that Suilman -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 -Suilman, 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 Suilman 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 Suilman 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 -Suilman'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 neighbor- -hood, 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, in- -forming 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 today, 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 shin- -ing 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 Ble- -fuscu, 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 600l. I left 1500l. 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 need- -less 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 50 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 compli- -ments 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 ally 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 today. 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 today, 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 sweet- -meats 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 today. 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 today, 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 under- -takings, 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 Etext of The Blue Fairy Book - diff --git a/old/blfry10.zip b/old/blfry10.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 95b830a..0000000 --- a/old/blfry10.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/blfry10h.htm b/old/blfry10h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 0831f62..0000000 --- a/old/blfry10h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2365 +0,0 @@ -<html>
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-<title>Blue Fairy Book</title>
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-
-<a name="NAME"></a>
-<a href="#NAME"></a>
-
-
-
-<font size=2>
-
-<p><a href="#THE BRONZE RING">THE BRONZE RING</a>
-<p><a href="#PRINCE HYACINTH AND THE DEAR LITTLE PRINCESS">PRINCE HYACINTH AND THE DEAR LITTLE PRINCESS</a>
-<p><a href="#EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON">EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON</a>
-<p><a href="#THE YELLOW DWARF">THE YELLOW DWARF</a>
-<p><a href="#LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD">LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD</a>
-
-<p><a href="#THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD">THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD</a>
-<p><a href="#CINDERELLA; OR, THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER">CINDERELLA; OR, THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER</a>
-<p><a href="#ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP">ALADDIN AND THE WONDERFUL LAMP</a>
-<p><a href="#THE TALE OF A YOUTH WHO SET OUT TO LEARN WHAT FEAR WAS">THE TALE OF A YOUTH WHO SET OUT TO LEARN WHAT FEAR WAS</a>
-<p><a href="#RUMPELSTILTZKIN">RUMPELSTILTZKIN</a>
-
-<p><a href="#BEAUTY AND THE BEAST">BEAUTY AND THE BEAST</a>
-<p><a href="#THE MASTER-MAID">THE MASTER-MAID</a>
-<p><a href="#WHY THE SEA IS SALT">WHY THE SEA IS SALT</a>
-<p><a href="#THE MASTER CAT; OR, PUSS IN BOOTS">THE MASTER CAT; OR, PUSS IN BOOTS</a>
-<p><a href="#FELICIA AND THE POT OF PINKS">FELICIA AND THE POT OF PINKS</a>
-
-<p><a href="#THE WHITE CAT">THE WHITE CAT</a>
-<p><a href="#THE WATER-LILY. THE GOLD-SPINNERS">THE WATER-LILY. THE GOLD-SPINNERS</a>
-<p><a href="#THE TERRIBLE HEAD">THE TERRIBLE HEAD</a>
-<p><a href="#THE STORY OF PRETTY GOLDILOCKS">THE STORY OF PRETTY GOLDILOCKS</a>
-<p><a href="#THE HISTORY OF WHITTINGTON">THE HISTORY OF WHITTINGTON</a>
-
-<p><a href="#THE WONDERFUL SHEEP">THE WONDERFUL SHEEP</a>
-<p><a href="#LITTLE THUMB">LITTLE THUMB</a>
-<p><a href="#THE FORTY THIEVES">THE FORTY THIEVES</a>
-<p><a href="#HANSEL AND GRETTEL">HANSEL AND GRETTEL</a>
-<p><a href="#SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED">SNOW-WHITE AND ROSE-RED</a>
-
-<p><a href="#THE GOOSE-GIRL">THE GOOSE-GIRL</a>
-<p><a href="#TOADS AND DIAMONDS">TOADS AND DIAMONDS</a>
-<p><a href="#PRINCE DARLING">PRINCE DARLING</a>
-<p><a href="#BLUE BEARD">BLUE BEARD</a>
-<p><a href="#TRUSTY JOHN">TRUSTY JOHN</a>
-
-<p><a href="#THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR">THE BRAVE LITTLE TAILOR</a>
-<p><a href="#A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT">A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT</a>
-<p><a href="#THE PRINCESS ON THE GLASS HILL">THE PRINCESS ON THE GLASS HILL</a>
-<p><a href="#THE STORY OF PRINCE AHMED AND THE FAIRY PARIBANOU">THE STORY OF PRINCE AHMED AND THE FAIRY PARIBANOU</a>
-<p><a href="#THE HISTORY OF JACK THE GIANT-KILLER">THE HISTORY OF JACK THE GIANT-KILLER</a>
-<p><a href="#THE BLACK BULL OF NORROWAY">THE BLACK BULL OF NORROWAY</a>
-<p><a href="#THE RED ETIN">THE RED ETIN</a>
-</font>
-
- </td>
-
- <td valign=top>
-
-
-<p>*******The Project Gutenberg Etext of The Blue Fairy Book*******
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-<p>A LARGE Collection of Fairy Tales!
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-
-<br><br><br><br><br><br><hr>
-
-
-
-
-<h2><font color="#B8860B"><center><b>THE BLUE FAIRY BOOK</b></center></font></h2>
-<br>
-<p><font size=2 color="000000"><center>Based on the Blue Fairy Book, edited by Andrew Lang.</center></font></p>
-<br><br><br>
-
-<br><br><br>
-<hr>
-<br><br>
-
-
-<p><font color="#8B5A00"><center><b><a name="THE BRONZE RING">THE BRONZE RING</a></b></center></font></p>
-
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>The King was in despair about it, when a wise old man
-
-said to him:
-
-
-
-<p>"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?"
-
-
-
-<p>"You are quite right," cried the King.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Come with us and be gardener to the King," they said
-
-to him.
-
-
-
-<p>"How can I go to the King," said the gardener, "a poor
-
-wretch like me?"
-
-
-
-<p>"That is of no consequence," they answered. "Here are
-
-new clothes for you and your family."
-
-
-
-<p>"But I owe money to several people."
-
-
-
-<p>"We will pay your debts," they said.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>The gardener, as you have heard already, had a son,
-
-who was a very handsome young man, with most agree-
-
-able 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.
-
-
-
-<p>"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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Father," replied the Princess, "I will never marry the
-
-son of the minister."
-
-
-
-<p>"Why not?" asked the King.
-
-
-
-<p>"Because I love the gardener's son," answered the
-
-Princess.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>The day before they started the Princess met her lover
-
-and said to him:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Good-day to you, young traveler," said she.
-
-
-
-<p>But the minister's son made no reply.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"Let me alone, old witch," cried the young man; "I can
-
-do nothing for you," and so saying he went on his way.
-
-
-
-<p>That same evening the gardener's son rode up to the
-
-fountain upon his lame gray horse.
-
-
-
-<p>"Good-day to you, young traveler," said the beggar-
-
-woman.
-
-
-
-<p>"Good-day, good woman," answered he.
-
-
-
-<p>"Young traveler, have pity upon me."
-
-
-
-<p>Take my purse, good woman," said he, "and mount
-
-behind me, for your legs can't be very strong."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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:
-
-
-
-<p>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."
-
-
-
-<p>Then the old beggar-woman said to her benefactor:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"How can I reward you, my benefactor?" he cried.
-
-"Will you take half my treasures?"
-
-
-
-<p>"No," said the gardener's son.
-
-
-
-<p>"My daughter's hand?"
-
-
-
-<p>"NO."
-
-
-
-<p>"Take half my kingdom."
-
-
-
-<p>"No. Give me only the bronze ring which can instantly
-
-grant me anything I wish for."
-
-
-
-<p>"Alas!" said the King, "I set great store by that
-
-marvelous ring; nevertheless, you shall have it." And he gave
-
-it to him.
-
-
-
-<p>The gardener's son went back to say good-by to the old
-
-beggar-woman; then he said to the bronze ring:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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:
-
-
-
-<p>"What is your name, what is your family, and from
-
-what country do you come?"
-
-
-
-<p>"I am the son of the prime minister of a great nation,
-
-and yet see what a degrading occupation I am reduced
-
-to."
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"Whatever it may be, I accept it willingly."
-
-
-
-<p>"Follow me to my palace."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Make this ring red-hot," commanded the master, "and
-
-mark the man with it upon his back."
-
-
-
-<p>The slaves obeyed him.
-
-
-
-<p>"Now, young man," said the rich stranger, "I am going
-
-to give you a vessel which will take you back to your own
-
-country."
-
-
-
-<p>And, going out, he took the bronze ring and said:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"I am the first to come back," said he to the King;
-
-now fulfil your promise, and give me the princess in
-
-marriage.
-
-
-
-<p>So they at once began to prepare for the wedding
-
-festivities. As to the poor princess, she was sorrowful and
-
-angry enough about it.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>His servants obeyed him, and very soon in came an
-
-enchantingly handsome young prince, dressed in rich
-
-silk, ornamented with pearls and diamonds.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"Many thanks, sire," replied the captain, "I accept
-
-your offer."
-
-
-
-<p>"My daughter is about to be married," said the King;
-
-"will you give her away?"
-
-
-
-<p>"I shall be charmed, sire."
-
-
-
-<p>Soon after came the Princess and her betrothed.
-
-
-
-<p>"Why, how is this?" cried the young captain; "would
-
-you marry this charming princess to such a man as that?"
-
-
-
-<p>"But he is my prime minister's son!"
-
-
-
-<p>"What does that matter? I cannot give your daughter
-
-away. The man she is betrothed to is one of my servants."
-
-
-
-<p>"Your servant?"
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"It is impossible!" cried the King.
-
-
-
-<p>"Do you wish me to prove what I say? This young man
-
-returned in a vessel which I fitted out for him, an unsea-
-
-worthy ship with a black battered hull, and the sailors
-
-were infirm and crippled."
-
-
-
-<p>"It is quite true," said the King.
-
-
-
-<p>"It is false," cried the minister's son. "I do not know
-
-this man!"
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"And now, sire," said the young captain, "do you not
-
-recognize me?"
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>And so that very day the gardener's son married the
-
-beautiful Princess.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>But, presently, the captain of the golden ship found it
-
-necessary to take a long voyage, and after embracing his
-
-wife tenderly he embarked.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"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:
-
-
-
-<p>"Who wants some pretty little red fishes?"
-
-
-
-<p>The Princess heard him, and sent out one of her slaves,
-
-who said to the old peddler:
-
-
-
-<p>"What will you take for your fish?"
-
-
-
-<p>"A bronze ring."
-
-
-
-<p>"A bronze ring, old simpleton! And where shall I find
-
-one?"
-
-
-
-<p>"Under the cushion in the Princess's room."
-
-
-
-<p>The slave went back to her mistress.
-
-
-
-<p>The old madman will take neither gold nor silver,"
-
-said she.
-
-
-
-<p>"What does he want then?"
-
-
-
-<p>"A bronze ring that is hidden under a cushion."
-
-
-
-<p>Find the ring and give it to him," said the Princess.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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."
-
-
-
-<p>And the genii of the bronze ring obeyed him.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"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.
-
-
-
-<p>Then the queen of the mice held a council.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>Several mice offered themselves for this mission and set
-
-out to find the young captain.
-
-
-
-<p>"Captain," said they, "go away quickly from our island,
-
-or we shall perish, every mouse of us."
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Ho, ho, ho!" said the new-comers. "We come from a
-
-far distant country."
-
-
-
-<p>"Do you know where the bronze ring is which the genii
-
-obey?"
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"Go and take it from him, and come back as soon as
-
-possible."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Now, what shall we do?" said the two little animals to
-
-each other.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"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.
-
-
-
-<p>Imagine the despair of the magician when he awoke and
-
-the bronze ring was nowhere to be found!
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Which of us deserves the most credit?" they cried all
-
-at once.
-
-
-
-<p>"I do," said the blind mouse, "for without my
-
-watchfulness our boat would have drifted away to the open sea."
-
-
-
-<p>"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?"
-
-
-
-<p>"No, it is mine," cried the lame one, "for I ran off with
-
-the ring."
-
-
-
-<p>And from high words they soon came to blows, and,
-
-alas! when the quarrel was fiercest the bronze ring fell into
-
-the sea.
-
-
-
-<p>"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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Bronze ring," commanded the young man, "obey thy
-
-master. Let my ship appear as it was before."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>Ah! how merrily the sailors sang as they flew over the
-
-glassy sea!
-
-
-
-<p>At last the port was reached.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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]
-
-
-
-
-
-<p>[1] Traditions Populaires de l'Asie Mineure. Carnoy et
-
-Nicolaides. Paris: Maisonneuve, 1889.
-
-
-
-<br><br>
-<hr>
-<br><br>
-
-
-
-<p><font color="#8B5A00"><center><b><a name="PRINCE HYACINTH AND THE DEAR LITTLE PRINCESS">PRINCE HYACINTH AND THE DEAR LITTLE PRINCESS</a></b></center></font></p>
-
-
-
-
-
-
-<p>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:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>With one terrific yell the cat sprang up and instantly
-
-changed into a tall man, who, fixing his angry eyes upon
-
-the King, said:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>Though the King was horribly afraid of the enchanter,
-
-he could not help laughing at this threat.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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!
-
-
-
-<p>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!
-
-
-
-<p>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!
-
-
-
-<p>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!
-
-
-
-<p>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!
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>He rode up to it, and saw a little old woman, who
-
-appeared to be at least a hundred years old.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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!"
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"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!"
-
-
-
-<p>"And pray what does mine lack?" said the Prince.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"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
-
-today."
-
-
-
-<p>"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----"
-
-
-
-<p>"Your father, I dare say, got something to eat when he
-
-was hungry!" interrupted the Prince.
-
-
-
-<p>"Oh! certainly," answered the Fairy, "and you also
-
-shall have supper directly. I only just wanted to tell
-
-you----"
-
-
-
-<p>"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:
-
-
-
-<p>"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!"
-
-
-
-<p>The Fairy was very much flattered by this compliment,
-
-and said, calling to her servants:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"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!"
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>However, he said nothing, and presently, when his
-
-hunger began to be appeased, the Fairy said:
-
-
-
-<p>"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!"
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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:
-
-
-
-<p>"Well, it must be admitted that my nose IS too long!"
-
-
-
-<p>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:
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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]
-
-
-
-
-
-<p>[1] Le Prince Desir et la Princesse Mignonne. Par Madame
-
-Leprince de Beaumont.
-
-
-
-<br><br>
-<hr>
-<br><br>
-
-
-
-
-<p><font color="#8B5A00"><center><b><a name="EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON">EAST OF THE SUN AND WEST OF THE MOON</a></b></center></font></p>
-
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"Good-evening to you," said the White Bear.
-
-
-
-<p>"Good-evening," said the man.
-
-
-
-<p>"Will you give me your youngest daughter?" said the
-
-White Bear; "if you will, you shall be as rich as you are
-
-now poor.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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?"
-
-
-
-<p>"No, that I am not," said she.
-
-
-
-<p>" Keep tight hold of my fur, and then there is no
-
-danger," said he.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>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.
-
-
-
-<p>"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."
-
-
-
-<p>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
-
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