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diff --git a/1751-h/1751-h.htm b/1751-h/1751-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..1dbef58 --- /dev/null +++ b/1751-h/1751-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,10006 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Twilight Land, by Howard Pyle + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Twilight Land, by Howard Pyle + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Twilight Land + +Author: Howard Pyle + +Release Date: November 20, 2008 [EBook #1751] +Last Updated: October 25, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWILIGHT LAND *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto" cellpadding="4" border="3"> +<tr> +<td> +THERE IS AN ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THIS TITLE WHICH MAY VIEWED AT EBOOK <big><b><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/47564"> +[# 47564 ]</a></b></big> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + TWILIGHT LAND + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By Howard Pyle + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_INTR"> Introduction </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> The Stool of Fortune </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> The Talisman of Solomon </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> Ill-Luck and the Fiddler </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> Empty Bottles </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> Good Gifts and a Fool’s Folly. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> The Good of a Few Words </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> Woman’s Wit. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> A Piece of Good Luck </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> The Fruit of Happiness </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> Not a Pin to Choose. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> Much shall have more and little shall have + less. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> Wisdom’s Wages and Folly’s Pay </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> The Enchanted Island. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> All Things are as Fate wills. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> Where to Lay the Blame. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> The Salt of Life. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_INTR" id="link2H_INTR"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + Introduction + </h2> + <p> + I found myself in Twilight Land. How I ever got there I cannot tell, but + there I was in Twilight Land. + </p> + <p> + What is Twilight Land? It is a wonderful, wonderful place where no sun + shines to scorch your back as you jog along the way, where no rain falls + to make the road muddy and hard to travel, where no wind blows the dust + into your eyes or the chill into your marrow. Where all is sweet and quiet + and ready to go to bed. + </p> + <p> + Where is Twilight Land? Ah! that I cannot tell you. You will either have + to ask your mother or find it for yourself. + </p> + <p> + There I was in Twilight Land. The birds were singing their good-night + song, and the little frogs were piping “peet, peet.” The sky overhead was + full of still brightness, and the moon in the east hung in the purple gray + like a great bubble as yellow as gold. All the air was full of the smell + of growing things. The high-road was gray, and the trees were dark. + </p> + <p> + I drifted along the road as a soap-bubble floats before the wind, or as a + body floats in a dream. I floated along and I floated along past the + trees, past the bushes, past the mill-pond, past the mill where the old + miller stood at the door looking at me. + </p> + <p> + I floated on, and there was the Inn, and it was the Sign of Mother Goose. + </p> + <p> + The sign hung on a pole, and on it was painted a picture of Mother Goose + with her gray gander. + </p> + <p> + It was to the Inn I wished to come. + </p> + <p> + I floated on, and I would have floated past the Inn, and perhaps have + gotten into the Land of Never-Come-Back-Again, only I caught at the branch + of an apple-tree, and so I stopped myself, though the apple-blossoms came + falling down like pink and white snowflakes. + </p> + <p> + The earth and the air and the sky were all still, just as it is at + twilight, and I heard them laughing and talking in the tap-room of the Inn + of the Sign of Mother Goose—the clinking of glasses, and the + rattling and clatter of knives and forks and plates and dishes. That was + where I wished to go. + </p> + <p> + So in I went. Mother Goose herself opened the door, and there I was. + </p> + <p> + The room was all full of twilight; but there they sat, every one of them. + I did not count them, but there were ever so many: Aladdin, and Ali Baba, + and Fortunatis, and Jack-the-Giant-Killer, and Doctor Faustus, and Bidpai, + and Cinderella, and Patient Grizzle, and the Soldier who cheated the + Devil, and St. George, and Hans in Luck, who traded and traded his lump of + gold until he had only an empty churn to show for it; and there was + Sindbad the Sailor, and the Tailor who killed seven flies at a blow, and + the Fisherman who fished up the Genie, and the Lad who fiddled for the Jew + in the bramble-bush, and the Blacksmith who made Death sit in his + apple-tree, and Boots, who always marries the Princess, whether he wants + to or not—a rag-tag lot as ever you saw in your life, gathered from + every place, and brought together in Twilight Land. + </p> + <p> + Each one of them was telling a story, and now it was the turn of the + Soldier who cheated the Devil. + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you,” said the Soldier who cheated the Devil, “a story of a + friend of mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Take a fresh pipe of tobacco,” said St. George. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, I will,” said the Soldier who cheated the Devil. + </p> + <p> + He filled his long pipe full of tobacco, and then he tilted it upside down + and sucked in the light of the candle. + </p> + <p> + Puff! puff! puff! and a cloud of smoke went up about his head, so that you + could just see his red nose shining through it, and his bright eyes + twinkling in the midst of the smoke-wreath, like two stars through a thin + cloud on a summer night. + </p> + <p> + “I’ll tell you,” said the Soldier who cheated the Devil, “the story of a + friend of mine. Tis every word of it just as true as that I myself cheated + the Devil.” + </p> + <p> + He took a drink from his mug of beer, and then he began. + </p> + <p> + “Tis called,” said he— + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Stool of Fortune + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there came a soldier marching along the road, kicking up + a little cloud of dust at each step—as strapping and merry and + bright-eyed a fellow as you would wish to see in a summer day. Tramp! + tramp! tramp! he marched, whistling as he jogged along, though he carried + a heavy musket over his shoulder and though the sun shone hot and strong + and there was never a tree in sight to give him a bit of shelter. + </p> + <p> + At last he came in sight of the King’s Town and to a great field of stocks + and stones, and there sat a little old man as withered and brown as a dead + leaf, and clad all in scarlet from head to foot. + </p> + <p> + “Ho! soldier,” said he, “are you a good shot?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said the soldier, “that is my trade.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you like to earn a dollar by shooting off your musket for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said the soldier, “that is my trade also.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then,” said the little man in red, “here is a silver button to + drop into your gun instead of a bullet. Wait you here, and about sunset + there will come a great black bird flying. In one claw it carries a + feather cap and in the other a round stone. Shoot me the silver button at + that bird, and if your aim is good it will drop the feather cap and the + pebble. Bring them to me to the great town-gate and I will pay you a + dollar for your trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the soldier, “shooting my gun is a job that fits me like + an old coat.” So, down he sat and the old man went his way. + </p> + <p> + Well, there he sat and sat and sat and sat until the sun touched the rim + of the ground, and then, just as the old man said, there came flying a + great black bird as silent as night. The soldier did not tarry to look or + to think. As the bird flew by up came the gun to his shoulder, squint went + his eye along the barrel—Puff! bang—! + </p> + <p> + I vow and declare that if the shot he fired had cracked the sky he could + not have been more frightened. The great black bird gave a yell so + terrible that it curdled the very blood in his veins and made his hair + stand upon end. Away it flew like a flash—a bird no longer, but a + great, black demon, smoking and smelling most horribly of brimstone, and + when the soldier gathered his wits, there lay the feather cap and a + little, round, black stone upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the soldier, “it is little wonder that the old man had no + liking to shoot at such game as that.” And thereupon he popped the feather + cap into one pocket and the round stone into another, and shouldering his + musket marched away until he reached the town-gate, and there was the old + man waiting for him. + </p> + <p> + “Did you shoot the bird?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I did,” said the soldier. + </p> + <p> + “And did you get the cap and the round stone?” + </p> + <p> + “I did.” + </p> + <p> + “Then here is your dollar.” + </p> + <p> + “Wait a bit,” said the soldier, “I shot greater game that time than I + bargained for, and so it’s ten dollars and not one you shall pay me before + you lay finger upon the feather cap and the little stone.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the old man, “here are ten dollars.” + </p> + <p> + “Ho! ho!” thought the soldier, “is that the way the wind blows?”—“Did + I say ten dollars?” said he; “twas a hundred dollars I meant.” + </p> + <p> + At that the old man frowned until his eyes shone green. “Very well,” said + he, “if it is a hundred dollars you want, you will have to come home with + me, for I have not so much with me.” Thereupon he entered the town with + the soldier at his heels. + </p> + <p> + Up one street he went and down another, until at last he came to a great, + black, ancient ramshackle house; and that was where he lived. In he walked + without so much as a rap at the door, and so led the way to a great room + with furnaces and books and bottles and jars and dust and cobwebs, and + three grinning skulls upon the mantelpiece, each with a candle stuck atop + of it, and there he left the soldier while he went to get the hundred + dollars. + </p> + <p> + The soldier sat him down upon a three-legged stool in the corner and began + staring about him; and he liked the looks of the place as little as any he + had seen in all of his life, for it smelled musty and dusty, it did: the + three skulls grinned at him, and he began to think that the little old man + was no better than he should be. “I wish,” says he, at last, “that instead + of being here I might be well out of my scrape and in a safe place.” + </p> + <p> + Now the little old man in scarlet was a great magician, and there was + little or nothing in that house that had not some magic about it, and of + all things the three-legged stool had been conjured the most. + </p> + <p> + “I wish that instead of being here I might be well out of my scrape, and + in a safe place.” That was what the soldier said; and hardly had the words + left his lips when—whisk! whir!—away flew the stool through + the window, so suddenly that the soldier had only just time enough to + gripe it tight by the legs to save himself from falling. Whir! whiz!—away + it flew like a bullet. Up and up it went—so high in the air that the + earth below looked like a black blanket spread out in the night; and then + down it came again, with the soldier still griping tight to the legs, + until at last it settled as light as a feather upon a balcony of the + king’s palace; and when the soldier caught his wind again he found himself + without a hat, and with hardly any wits in his head. + </p> + <p> + There he sat upon the stool for a long time without daring to move, for he + did not know what might happen to him next. There he sat and sat, and + by-and-by his ears got cold in the night air, and then he noticed for the + first time that he had lost his head gear, and bethought himself of the + feather cap in his pocket. So out he drew it and clapped it upon his head, + and then—lo and behold!—he found he had become as invisible as + thin air—not a shred or a hair of him could be seen. “Well!” said + he, “here is another wonder, but I am safe now at any rate.” And up he got + to find some place not so cool as where he sat. + </p> + <p> + He stepped in at an open window, and there he found himself in a beautiful + room, hung with cloth of silver and blue, and with chairs and tables of + white and gold; dozens and scores of waxlights shone like so many stars, + and lit every crack and cranny as bright as day, and there at one end of + the room upon a couch, with her eyelids closed and fast asleep, lay the + prettiest princess that ever the sun shone upon. The soldier stood and + looked and looked at her, and looked and looked at her, until his heart + melted within him like soft butter, and then he kissed her. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that?” said the princess, starting up, wide-awake, but not a soul + could she see, because the soldier had the feather cap upon his head. + </p> + <p> + “It is I,” said he, “and I am King of the Wind, and ten times greater than + the greatest of kings here below. One day I saw you walking in your garden + and fell in love with you, and now I have come to ask you if you will + marry me and be my wife?” + </p> + <p> + “But how can I marry you?” said the princess, “without seeing you?” + </p> + <p> + “You shall see me,” said the soldier, “all in good time. Three days from + now I will come again, and will show myself to you, but just now it cannot + be. But if I come, will you marry me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes I will,” said the princess, “for I like the way you talk—that I + do!” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the soldier kissed her and said good-bye, and then stepped out + of the window as he had stepped in. He sat him down upon his three-legged + stool. “I wish,” said he, “to be carried to such and such a tavern.” For + he had been in that town before, and knew the places where good living was + to be had. + </p> + <p> + Whir! whiz! away flew the stool as high and higher than it had flown + before, and then down it came again, and down and down until it lit as + light as a feather in the street before the tavern door. The soldier + tucked his feather cap in his pocket, and the three-legged stool under his + arm, and in he went and ordered a pot of beer and some white bread and + cheese. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, at the king’s palace was such a gossiping and such a hubbub as + had not been heard there for many a day; for the pretty princess was not + slow in telling how the invisible King of the Wind had come and asked her + to marry him; and some said it was true and some said it was not true, and + everybody wondered and talked, and told their own notions of the matter. + But all agreed that three days would show whether what had been told was + true or no. + </p> + <p> + As for the soldier, he knew no more how to do what he had promised to do + than my grandmother’s cat; for where was he to get clothes fine enough for + the King of the Wind to wear? So there he sat on his three-legged stool + thinking and thinking, and if he had known all that I know he would not + have given two turns of his wit upon it. “I wish,” says he, at last—“I + wish that this stool could help me now as well as it can carry me through + the sky. I wish,” says he, “that I had a suit of clothes such as the King + of the Wind might really wear.” + </p> + <p> + The wonders of the three-legged stool were wonders indeed! + </p> + <p> + Hardly had the words left the soldier’s lips when down came something + tumbling about his ears from up in the air; and what should it be but just + such a suit of clothes as he had in his mind—all crusted over with + gold and silver and jewels. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” says the soldier, as soon as he had got over his wonder again, “I + would rather sit upon this stool than any I ever saw.” And so would I, if + I had been in his place, and had a few minutes to think of all that I + wanted. + </p> + <p> + So he found out the trick of the stool, and after that wishing and having + were easy enough, and by the time the three days were ended the real King + of the Wind himself could not have cut a finer figure. Then down sat the + soldier upon his stool, and wished himself at the king’s palace. Away he + flew through the air, and by-and-by there he was, just where he had been + before. He put his feather cap upon his head, and stepped in through the + window, and there he found the princess with her father, the king, and her + mother, the queen, and all the great lords and nobles waiting for his + coming; but never a stitch nor a hair did they see of him until he stood + in the very midst of them all. Then he whipped the feather cap off of his + head, and there he was, shining with silver and gold and glistening with + jewels—such a sight as man’s eyes never saw before. + </p> + <p> + “Take her,” said the king, “she is yours.” And the soldier looked so + handsome in his fine clothes that the princess was as glad to hear those + words as any she had ever listened to in all of her life. + </p> + <p> + “You shall,” said the king, “be married to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the soldier. “Only give me a plot of ground to build a + palace upon that shall be fit for the wife of the King of the Wind to live + in.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall have it,” said the king, “and it shall be the great parade + ground back of the palace, which is so wide and long that all my army can + march round and round in it without getting into its own way; and that + ought to be big enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the soldier, “it is.” Thereupon he put on his feather cap and + disappeared from the sight of all as quickly as one might snuff out a + candle. + </p> + <p> + He mounted his three-legged stool and away he flew through the air until + he had come again to the tavern where he was lodging. There he sat him + down and began to churn his thoughts, and the butter he made was worth the + having, I can tell you. He wished for a grand palace of white marble, and + then he wished for all sorts of things to fill it—the finest that + could be had. Then he wished for servants in clothes of gold and silver, + and then he wished for fine horses and gilded coaches. Then he wished for + gardens and orchards and lawns and flower-plats and fountains, and all + kinds and sorts of things, until the sweat ran down his face from hard + thinking and wishing. And as he thought and wished, all the things he + thought and wished for grew up like soap-bubbles from nothing at all. + </p> + <p> + Then, when day began to break, he wished himself with his fine clothes to + be in the palace that his own wits had made, and away he flew through the + air until he had come there safe and sound. + </p> + <p> + But when the sun rose and shone down upon the beautiful palace and all the + gardens and orchards around it, the king and queen and all the court stood + dumb with wonder at the sight. Then, as they stood staring, the gates + opened and out came the soldier riding in his gilded coach with his + servants in silver and gold marching beside him, and such a sight the + daylight never looked upon before that day. + </p> + <p> + Well, the princess and the soldier were married, and if no couple had ever + been happy in the world before, they were then. Nothing was heard but + feasting and merrymaking, and at night all the sky was lit with fireworks. + Such a wedding had never been before, and all the world was glad that it + had happened. + </p> + <p> + That is, all the world but one; that one was the old man dressed in + scarlet that the soldier had met when he first came to town. While all the + rest were in the hubbub of rejoicing, he put on his thinking-cap, and + by-and-by began to see pretty well how things lay, and that, as they say + in our town, there was a fly in the milk-jug. “Ho, ho!” thought he, “so + the soldier has found out all about the three-legged stool, has he? Well, + I will just put a spoke into his wheel for him.” And so he began to watch + for his chance to do the soldier an ill turn. + </p> + <p> + Now, a week or two after the wedding, and after all the gay doings had + ended, a grand hunt was declared, and the king and his new son-in-law and + all the court went to it. That was just such a chance as the old magician + had been waiting for; so the night before the hunting-party returned he + climbed the walls of the garden, and so came to the wonderful palace that + the soldier had built out of nothing at all, and there stood three men + keeping guard so that no one might enter. + </p> + <p> + But little that troubled the magician. He began to mutter spells and + strange words, and all of a sudden he was gone, and in his place was a + great black ant, for he had changed himself into an ant. In he ran through + a crack of the door (and mischief has got into many a man’s house through + a smaller hole for the matter of that). In and out ran the ant through one + room and another, and up and down and here and there, until at last in a + far-away part of the magic palace he found the three-legged stool, and if + I had been in the soldier’s place I would have chopped it up into + kindling-wood after I had gotten all that I wanted. But there it was, and + in an instant the magician resumed his own shape. Down he sat him upon the + stool. “I wish,” said he, “that this palace and the princess and all who + are within it, together with its orchards and its lawns and its gardens + and everything, may be removed to such and such a country, upon the other + side of the earth.” + </p> + <p> + And as the stool had obeyed the soldier, so everything was done now just + as the magician said. + </p> + <p> + The next morning back came the hunting-party, and as they rode over the + hill—lo and behold!—there lay stretched out the great parade + ground in which the king’s armies used to march around and around, and the + land was as bare as the palm of my hand. Not a stick or a stone of the + palace was left; not a leaf or a blade of the orchards or gardens was to + be seen. + </p> + <p> + The soldier sat as dumb as a fish, and the king stared with eyes and mouth + wide open. “Where is the palace, and where is my daughter?” said he, at + last, finding words and wit. + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” said the soldier. + </p> + <p> + The king’s face grew as black as thunder. “You do not know?” he said, + “then you must find out. Seize the traitor!” he cried. + </p> + <p> + But that was easier said than done, for, quick as a wink, as they came to + lay hold of him, the soldier whisked the feather cap from his pocket and + clapped it upon his head, and then they might as well have hoped to find + the south wind in winter as to find him. + </p> + <p> + But though he got safe away from that trouble he was deep enough in the + dumps, you may be sure of that. Away he went, out into the wide world, + leaving that town behind him. Away he went, until by-and-by he came to a + great forest, and for three days he travelled on and on—he knew not + whither. On the third night, as he sat beside a fire which he had built to + keep him warm, he suddenly bethought himself of the little round stone + which had dropped from the bird’s claw, and which he still had in his + pocket. “Why should it not also help me,” said he, “for there must be some + wonder about it.” So he brought it out, and sat looking at it and looking + at it, but he could make nothing of it for the life of him. Nevertheless, + it might have some wishing power about it, like the magic stool. “I wish,” + said the soldier, “that I might get out of this scrape.” That is what we + have all wished many and many a time in a like case; but just now it did + the soldier no more good to wish than it does good for the rest of us. + “Bah!” said he, “it is nothing but a black stone after all.” And then he + threw it into the fire. + </p> + <p> + Puff! Bang! Away flew the embers upon every side, and back tumbled the + soldier, and there in the middle of the flame stood just such a grim, + black being as he had one time shot at with the silver button. + </p> + <p> + As for the poor soldier, he just lay flat on his back and stared with eyes + like saucers, for he thought that his end had come for sure. + </p> + <p> + “What are my lord’s commands?” said the being, in a voice that shook the + marrow of the soldier’s bones. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” said the soldier. + </p> + <p> + “I am the spirit of the stone,” said the being. “You have heated it in the + flame, and I am here. Whatever you command I must obey.” + </p> + <p> + “Say you so?” cried the soldier, scrambling to his feet. “Very well, then, + just carry me to where I may find my wife and my palace again.” + </p> + <p> + Without a word the spirit of the stone snatched the soldier up, and flew + away with him swifter than the wind. Over forest, over field, over + mountain and over valley he flew, until at last, just at the crack of day, + he set him down in front of his own palace gate in the far country where + the magician had transported it. + </p> + <p> + After that the soldier knew his way quickly enough. He clapped his feather + cap upon his head and into the palace he went, and from one room to + another, until at last he came to where the princess sat weeping and + wailing, with her pretty eyes red from long crying. + </p> + <p> + Then the soldier took off his cap again, and you may guess what sounds of + rejoicing followed. They sat down beside one another, and after the + soldier had eaten, the princess told him all that had happened to her; how + the magician had found the stool, and how he had transported the palace to + this far-away land; how he came every day and begged her to marry him—which + she would rather die than do. + </p> + <p> + To all this the soldier listened, and when she had ended her story he bade + her to dry her tears, for, after all, the jug was only cracked, and not + past mending. Then he told her that when the sorcerer came again that day + she should say so and so and so and so, and that he would be by to help + her with his feather cap upon his head. + </p> + <p> + After that they sat talking together as happy as two turtle-doves, until + the magician’s foot was heard on the stairs. And then the soldier clapped + his feather cap upon his head just as the door opened. + </p> + <p> + “Snuff, snuff!” said the magician, sniffing the air, “here is a smell of + Christian blood.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the princess, “that is so; there came a peddler to-day, but + after all he did not stay long.” + </p> + <p> + “He’d better not come again,” said the magician, “or it will be the worse + for him. But tell me, will you marry me?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the princess, “I shall not marry you until you can prove + yourself to be a greater man than my husband.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said the magician, “that will be easy enough to prove; tell me how + you would have me do so and I will do it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the princess, “then let me see you change yourself into + a lion. If you can do that I may perhaps believe you to be as great as my + husband.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall,” said the magician, “be as you say. He began to mutter spells + and strange words, and then all of a sudden he was gone, and in his place + there stood a lion with bristling mane and flaming eyes—a sight fit + of itself to kill a body with terror. + </p> + <p> + “That will do!” cried the princess, quaking and trembling at the sight, + and thereupon the magician took his own shape again. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said he, “do you believe that I am as great as the poor soldier?” + </p> + <p> + “Not yet,” said the princess; “I have seen how big you can make yourself, + now I wish to see how little you can become. Let me see you change + yourself into a mouse.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said the magician, and began again to mutter his spells. Then + all of a sudden he was gone just as he was gone before, and in his place + was a little mouse sitting up and looking at the princess with a pair of + eyes like glass beads. + </p> + <p> + But he did not sit there long. This was what the soldier had planned for, + and all the while he had been standing by with his feather hat upon his + head. Up he raised his foot, and down he set it upon the mouse. + </p> + <p> + Crunch!—that was an end of the magician. + </p> + <p> + After that all was clear sailing; the soldier hunted up the three-legged + stool and down he sat upon it, and by dint of no more than just a little + wishing, back flew palace and garden and all through the air again to the + place whence it came. + </p> + <p> + I do not know whether the old king ever believed again that his son-in-law + was the King of the Wind; anyhow, all was peace and friendliness + thereafter, for when a body can sit upon a three-legged stool and wish to + such good purpose as the soldier wished, a body is just as good as a king, + and a good deal better, to my mind. + </p> + <p> + The Soldier who cheated the Devil looked into his pipe; it was nearly out. + He puffed and puffed and the coal glowed brighter, and fresh clouds of + smoke rolled up into the air. Little Brown Betty came and refilled, from a + crock of brown foaming ale, the mug which he had emptied. The Soldier who + had cheated the Devil looked up at her and winked one eye. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said St. George, “it is the turn of yonder old man,” and he + pointed, as he spoke, with the stem of his pipe towards old Bidpai, who + sat with closed eyes meditating inside of himself. + </p> + <p> + The old man opened his eyes, the whites of which were as yellow as + saffron, and wrinkled his face into innumerable cracks and lines. Then he + closed his eyes again; then he opened them again; then he cleared his + throat and began: “There was once upon a time a man whom other men called + Aben Hassen the Wise—” + </p> + <p> + “One moment,” said Ali Baba; “will you not tell us what the story is + about?” + </p> + <p> + Old Bidpai looked at him and stroked his long white beard. “It is,” said + he, “about—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Talisman of Solomon + </h2> + <p> + There was once upon a time a man whom other men called Aben Hassen the + Wise. He had read a thousand books of magic, and knew all that the + ancients or moderns had to tell of the hidden arts. + </p> + <p> + The King of the Demons of the Earth, a great and hideous monster, named + Zadok, was his servant, and came and went as Aben Hassen the Wise ordered, + and did as he bade. After Aben Hassen learned all that it was possible for + man to know, he said to himself, “Now I will take my ease and enjoy my + life.” So he called the Demon Zadok to him, and said to the monster, “I + have read in my books that there is a treasure that was one time hidden by + the ancient kings of Egypt—a treasure such as the eyes of man never + saw before or since their day. Is that true?” + </p> + <p> + “It is true,” said the Demon. + </p> + <p> + “Then I command thee to take me to that treasure and to show it to me,” + said Aben Hassen the Wise. + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the Demon; and thereupon he caught up the Wise + Man and transported him across mountain and valley, across land and sea, + until he brought him to a country known as the “Land of the Black Isles,” + where the treasure of the ancient kings was hidden. The Demon showed the + Magician the treasure, and it was a sight such as man had never looked + upon before or since the days that the dark, ancient ones hid it. With his + treasure Aben Hassen built himself palaces and gardens and paradises such + as the world never saw before. He lived like an emperor, and the fame of + his doings rang through all the four corners of the earth. + </p> + <p> + Now the queen of the Black Isles was the most beautiful woman in the + world, but she was as cruel and wicked and cunning as she was beautiful. + No man that looked upon her could help loving her; for not only was she as + beautiful as a dream, but her beauty was of that sort that it bewitched a + man in spite of himself. + </p> + <p> + One day the queen sent for Aben Hassen the Wise. “Tell me,” said she, “is + it true that men say of you that you have discovered a hidden treasure + such as the world never saw before?” And she looked at Aben Hassen so that + his wisdom all crumbled away like sand, and he became just as foolish as + other men. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said he, “it is true.” + </p> + <p> + Aben Hassen the Wise spent all that day with the queen, and when he left + the palace he was like a man drunk and dizzy with love. Moreover, he had + promised to show the queen the hidden treasure the next day. + </p> + <p> + As Aben Hassen, like a man in a dream, walked towards his own house, he + met an old man standing at the corner of the street. The old man had a + talisman that hung dangling from a chain, and which he offered for sale. + When Aben Hassen saw the talisman he knew very well what it was—that + it was the famous talisman of King Solomon the Wise. If he who possessed + the talisman asked it to speak, it would tell that man both what to do and + what not to do. + </p> + <p> + The Wise Man bought the talisman for three pieces of silver (and wisdom + has been sold for less than that many a time), and as soon as he had the + talisman in his hands he hurried home with it and locked himself in a + room. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said the Wise Man to the Talisman, “shall I marry the beautiful + queen of the Black Isles?” + </p> + <p> + “Fly, while there is yet time to escape!” said the Talisman; “but go not + near the queen again, for she seeks to destroy thy life.” + </p> + <p> + “But tell me, O Talisman!” said the Wise Man, “what then shall I do with + all that vast treasure of the kings of Egypt?” + </p> + <p> + “Fly from it while there is yet chance to escape!” said the Talisman; “but + go not into the treasure-house again, for in the farther door, where thou + hast not yet looked, is that which will destroy him who possesses the + treasure.” + </p> + <p> + “But Zadok,” said Aben Hassen; “what of Zadok?” + </p> + <p> + “Fly from the monster while there is yet time to escape,” said the + Talisman, “and have no more to do with thy Demon slave, for already he is + weaving a net of death and destruction about thy feet.” + </p> + <p> + The Wise Man sat all that night pondering and thinking upon what the + Talisman had said. When morning came he washed and dressed himself, and + called the Demon Zadok to him. “Zadok,” said he, “carry me to the palace + of the queen.” In the twinkling of an eye the Demon transported him to the + steps of the palace. + </p> + <p> + “Zadok,” said the Wise Man, “give me the staff of life and death;” and the + Demon brought from under his clothes a wand, one-half of which was of + silver and one-half of which was of gold. The Wise Man touched the steps + of the palace with the silver end of the staff. Instantly all the sound + and hum of life was hushed. The thread of life was cut by the knife of + silence, and in a moment all was as still as death. + </p> + <p> + “Zadok,” said the Wise Man, “transport me to the treasure-house of the + king of Egypt.” And instantly the Demon had transported him thither. The + Wise Man drew a circle upon the earth. “No one,” said he, “shall have + power to enter here but the master of Zadok, the King of the Demons of the + Earth.” + </p> + <p> + “And now, Zadok,” said he, “I command thee to transport me to India, and + as far from here as thou canst.” Instantly the Demon did as he was + commanded; and of all the treasure that he had, the Wise Man took nothing + with him but a jar of golden money and a jar of silver money. As soon as + the Wise Man stood upon the ground of India, he drew from beneath his robe + a little jar of glass. + </p> + <p> + “Zadok,” said he, “I command thee to enter this jar.” + </p> + <p> + Then the Demon knew that now his turn had come. He besought and implored + the Wise Man to have mercy upon him; but it was all in vain. Then the + Demon roared and bellowed till the earth shook and the sky grew dark + overhead. But all was of no avail; into the jar he must go, and into the + jar he went. Then the Wise Man stoppered the jar and sealed it. He wrote + an inscription of warning upon it, and then he buried it in the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Aben Hassen the Wise to the Talisman of Solomon, “have I done + everything that I should?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the Talisman, “thou shouldst not have brought the jar of golden + money and the jar of silver money with thee; for that which is evil in the + greatest is evil in the least. Thou fool! The treasure is cursed! Cast it + all from thee while there is yet time.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will do that, too,” said the Wise Man. So he buried in the earth + the jar of gold and the jar of silver that he had brought with him, and + then he stamped the mould down upon it. After that the Wise Man began his + life all over again. He bought, and he sold, and he traded, and by-and-by + he became rich. Then he built himself a great house, and in the foundation + he laid the jar in which the Demon was bottled. + </p> + <p> + Then he married a young and handsome wife. By-and-by the wife bore him a + son, and then she died. + </p> + <p> + This son was the pride of his father’s heart; but he was as vain and + foolish as his father was wise, so that all men called him Aben Hassen the + Fool, as they called the father Aben Hassen the Wise. + </p> + <p> + Then one day death came and called the old man, and he left his son all + that belonged to him—even the Talisman of Solomon. + </p> + <p> + Young Aben Hassen the Fool had never seen so much money as now belonged to + him. It seemed to him that there was nothing in the world he could not + enjoy. He found friends by the dozens and scores, and everybody seemed to + be very fond of him. + </p> + <p> + He asked no questions of the Talisman of Solomon, for to his mind there + was no need of being both wise and rich. So he began enjoying himself with + his new friends. Day and night there was feasting and drinking and singing + and dancing and merrymaking and carousing; and the money that the old man + had made by trading and wise living poured out like water through a sieve. + </p> + <p> + Then, one day came an end to all this junketing, and nothing remained to + the young spend-thrift of all the wealth that his father had left him. + Then the officers of the law came down upon him and seized all that was + left of the fine things, and his fair-weather friends flew away from his + troubles like flies from vinegar. Then the young man began to think of the + Talisman of Wisdom. For it was with him as it is with so many of us: When + folly has emptied the platter, wisdom is called in to pick the bones. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said the young man to the Talisman of Solomon, “what shall I + do, now that everything is gone?” + </p> + <p> + “Go,” said the Talisman of Solomon, “and work as thy father has worked + before thee. Advise with me and become prosperous and contended, but do + not go dig under the cherry-tree in the garden.” + </p> + <p> + “Why should I not dig under the cherry-tree in the garden?” says the young + man; “I will see what is there, at any rate.” + </p> + <p> + So he straightway took a spade and went out into the garden, where the + Talisman had told him not to go. He dug and dug under the cherry-tree, and + by-and-by his spade struck something hard. It was a vessel of brass, and + it was full of silver money. Upon the lid of the vessel were these words, + engraved in the handwriting of the old man who had died: + </p> + <p> + “My son, this vessel full of silver has been brought from the + treasure-house of the ancient kings of Egypt. Take this, then, that thou + findest; advise with the talisman; be wise and prosper.” + </p> + <p> + “And they call that the Talisman of Wisdom,” said the young man. “If I had + listened to it I never would have found this treasure.” + </p> + <p> + The next day he began to spend the money he had found, and his friends + soon gathered around him again. + </p> + <p> + The vessel of silver money lasted a week, and then it was all gone; not a + single piece was left. + </p> + <p> + Then the young man bethought himself again of the Talisman of Solomon. + “What shall I do now,” said he, “to save myself from ruin?” + </p> + <p> + “Earn thy bread with honest labor,” said the Talisman, “and I will teach + thee how to prosper; but do not dig beneath the fig-tree that stands by + the fountain in the garden.” + </p> + <p> + The young man did not tarry long after he heard what the Talisman had + said. He seized a spade and hurried away to the fig-tree in the garden as + fast as he could run. He dug and dug, and by-and-by his spade struck + something hard. It was a copper vessel, and it was filled with gold money. + Upon the lid of the vessel was engraved these words in the handwriting of + the old man who had gone: “My son, my son,” they said, “thou hast been + warned once; be warned again. The gold money in this vessel has been + brought from the treasure-house of the ancient kings of Egypt. Take it; be + advised by the Talisman of Solomon; be wise and prosper.” + </p> + <p> + “And to think that if I had listened to the Talisman, I would never have + found this,” said the young man. + </p> + <p> + The gold in the vessel lasted maybe for a month of jollity and + merrymaking, but at the end of that time there was nothing left—not + a copper farthing. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said the young man to the Talisman, “what shall I do now?” + </p> + <p> + “Thou fool,” said the Talisman, “go sweat and toil, but do not go down + into the vault beneath this house. There in the vault is a red stone built + into the wall. The red stone turns upon a pivot. Behind the stone is a + hollow space. As thou wouldst save thy life from peril, go not near it!” + </p> + <p> + “Hear that now,” says the young man, “first, this Talisman told me not to + go, and I found silver. Then it told me not to go, and I found gold; now + it tells me not to go—perhaps I shall find precious stones enough + for a king’s ransom.” + </p> + <p> + He lit a lantern and went down into the vault beneath the house. There, as + the Talisman had said, was the red stone built into the wall. He pressed + the stone, and it turned upon its pivot as the Talisman had said it would + turn. Within was a hollow space, as the Talisman said there would be. In + the hollow space there was a casket of silver. The young man snatched it + up, and his hands trembled for joy. + </p> + <p> + Upon the lid of the box were these words in the father’s handwriting, + written in letters as red as blood: “Fool, fool! Thou hast been a fool + once, thou hast been a fool twice; be not a fool for a third time. Restore + this casket whence it was taken, and depart.” + </p> + <p> + “I will see what is in the box, at any rate,” said the young man. + </p> + <p> + He opened it. There was nothing in it but a hollow glass jar the size of + an egg. The young man took the jar from the box; it was as hot as fire. He + cried out and let it fall. The jar burst upon the floor with a crack of + thunder; the house shook and rocked, and the dust flew about in clouds. + Then all was still; and when Aben Hassen the Fool could see through the + cloud of terror that enveloped him he beheld a great, tall, hideous being + as black as ink, and with eyes that shone like coals of fire. + </p> + <p> + When the young man saw that terrible creature his tongue clave to the roof + of his mouth, and his knees smote together with fear, for he thought that + his end had now certainly come. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” he croaked, as soon as he could find his voice. + </p> + <p> + “I am the King of the Demons of the Earth, and my name is Zadok,” answered + the being. “I was once thy father’s slave, and now I am thine, thou being + his son. When thou speakest I must obey, and whatever thou commandest me + to do that I must do.” + </p> + <p> + “For instance, what can you do for me?” said the young man. + </p> + <p> + “I can do whatsoever you ask me; I can make you rich.” + </p> + <p> + “You can make me rich?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I can make you richer than a king.” + </p> + <p> + “Then make me rich as soon as you can,” said Aben Hassen the Fool, “and + that is all that I shall ask of you now.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the Demon; “spend all that thou canst spend, and + thou shalt always have more. Has my lord any further commands for his + slave?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the young man, “there is nothing more; you may go now.” + </p> + <p> + And thereupon the Demon vanished like a flash. + </p> + <p> + “And to think,” said the young man, as he came up out of the vault—“and + to think that all this I should never have found if I had obeyed the + Talisman.” + </p> + <p> + Such riches were never seen in that land as the young man now possessed. + There was no end to the treasure that poured in upon him. He lived like an + emperor. He built a palace more splendid than the palace of the king. He + laid out vast gardens of the most exquisite beauty, in which there were + fountains as white as snow, trees of rare fruit and flowers that filled + all the air with their perfume, summer-houses of alabaster and ebony. + </p> + <p> + Every one who visited him was received like a prince, entertained like a + king, given a present fit for an emperor, and sent away happy. The fame of + all these things went out through all the land, and every one talked of + him and the magnificence that surrounded him. + </p> + <p> + It came at last to the ears of the king himself, and one day he said to + his minister, “Let us go and see with our own eyes if all the things + reported of this merchant’s son are true.” + </p> + <p> + So the king and his minister disguised themselves as foreign merchants, + and went that evening to the palace where the young man lived. A servant + dressed in clothes of gold and silver cloth stood at the door, and called + to them to come in and be made welcome. He led them in, and to a chamber + lit with perfumed lamps of gold. Then six black slaves took them in charge + and led them to a bath of white marble. They were bathed in perfumed water + and dried with towels of fine linen. When they came forth they were clad + in clothes of cloth of silver, stiff with gold and jewels. Then twelve + handsome white slaves led them through a vast and splendid hall to a + banqueting-room. + </p> + <p> + When they entered they were deafened with the noise of carousing and + merrymaking. + </p> + <p> + Aben Hassen the Fool sat at the head of the table upon a throne of gold, + with a canopy of gold above his head. When he saw the king and the + minister enter, he beckoned to them to come and sit beside him. He showed + them special favor because they were strangers, and special servants + waited upon them. + </p> + <p> + The king and his minister had never seen anything like what they then saw. + They could hardly believe it was not all magic and enchantment. At the end + of the feast each of the guests was given a present of great value, and + was sent away rejoicing. The king received a pearl as big as a marble; the + minister a cup of wrought gold. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the king and the prime-minister were talking over what + they had seen. “Sire,” said the prime-minister, “I have no doubt but that + the young man has discovered some vast hidden treasure. Now, according to + the laws of this kingdom, the half of any treasure that is discovered + shall belong to the king’s treasury. If I were in your place I would send + for this young man and compel him to tell me whence comes all this vast + wealth.” + </p> + <p> + “That is true,” said the king; “I had not thought of that before. The + young man shall tell me all about it.” + </p> + <p> + So they sent a royal guard and brought the young man to the king’s palace. + When the young man saw in the king and the prime-minister his guests of + the night before, whom he had thought to be only foreign merchants, he + fell on his face and kissed the ground before the throne. But the king + spoke to him kindly, and raised him up and sat him on the seat beside him. + They talked for a while concerning different things, and then the king + said at last, “Tell me, my friend, whence comes all the inestimable wealth + that you must possess to allow you to live as you do?” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said the young man, “I cannot tell you whence it comes. I can only + tell you that it is given to me.” + </p> + <p> + The king frowned. “You cannot tell,” said he; “you must tell. It is for + that that I have sent for you, and you must tell me.” + </p> + <p> + Then the young man began to be frightened. “I beseech you,” said he, “do + not ask me whence it comes. I cannot tell you.” + </p> + <p> + Then the king’s brows grew as black as thunder. “What!” cried he, “do you + dare to bandy words with me? I know that you have discovered some + treasure. Tell me upon the instant where it is; for the half of it, by the + laws of the land, belongs to me, and I will have it.” + </p> + <p> + At the king’s words Aben Hassen the Fool fell on his knees. “Sire,” said + he, “I will tell you all the truth. There is a demon named Zadok—a + monster as black as a coal. He is my slave, and it is he that brings me + all the treasure that I enjoy.” The king thought nothing else than that + Aben Hassen the Fool was trying to deceive him. He laughed; he was very + angry. “What,” cried he, “do you amuse me by such an absurd and + unbelievable tale? Now I am more than ever sure that you have discovered a + treasure and that you wish to keep the knowledge of it from me, knowing, + as you do, that the one-half of it by law belongs to me. Take him away!” + cried he to his attendants. “Give him fifty lashes, and throw him into + prison. He shall stay there and have fifty lashes every day until he tells + me where his wealth is hidden.” + </p> + <p> + It was done as the king said, and by-and-by Aben Hassen the Fool lay in + the prison, smarting and sore with the whipping he had had. + </p> + <p> + Then he began again to think of the Talisman of Solomon. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said he to the Talisman, “What shall I do now to help myself in + this trouble?” + </p> + <p> + “Bear thy punishment, thou fool,” said the Talisman. “Know that the king + will by-and-by pardon thee and will let thee go. In the meantime bear thy + punishment; perhaps it will cure thee of thy folly. Only do not call upon + Zadok, the King of the Demons, in this thy trouble.” + </p> + <p> + The young man smote his hand upon his head. “What a fool I am,” said he, + “not to have thought to call upon Zadok before this!” Then he called + aloud, “Zadok, Zadok! If thou art indeed my slave, come hither at my + bidding.” + </p> + <p> + In an instant there sounded a rumble as of thunder. The floor swayed and + rocked beneath the young man’s feet. The dust flew in clouds, and there + stood Zadok as black as ink, and with eyes that shone like coals of fire. + </p> + <p> + “I have come,” said Zadok, “and first let me cure thy smarts, O master.” + </p> + <p> + He removed the cloths from the young man’s back, and rubbed the places + that smarted with a cooling unguent. Instantly the pain and smarting + ceased, and the merchant’s son had perfect ease. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said Zadok, “what is thy bidding?” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said Aben Hassen the Fool, “whence comes all the wealth that + you have brought me? The king has commanded me to tell him and I could + not, and so he has had me beaten with fifty lashes.” + </p> + <p> + “I bring the treasure,” said Zadok, “from the treasure-house of the + ancient kings of Egypt. That treasure I at one time discovered to your + father, and he, not desiring it himself, hid it in the earth so that no + one might find it.” + </p> + <p> + “And where is this treasure-house, O Zadok?” said the young man. + </p> + <p> + “It is in the city of the queen of the Black Isles,” said the King of the + Demons; “there thy father lived in a palace of such magnificence as thou + hast never dreamed of. It was I that brought him thence to this place with + one vessel of gold money and one vessel of silver money.” + </p> + <p> + “It was you who brought him here, did you say, Zadok? Then, tell me, can + you take me from here to the city of the queen of the Black Isles, whence + you brought him?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Zadok, “with ease.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said the young man, “I command you to take me thither instantly, + and to show me the treasure.” + </p> + <p> + “I obey,” said Zadok. + </p> + <p> + He stamped his foot upon the ground. In an instant the walls of the prison + split asunder, and the sky was above them. The Demon leaped from the + earth, carrying the young man by the girdle, and flew through the air so + swiftly that the stars appeared to slide away behind them. In a moment he + set the young man again upon the ground, and Aben Hassen the Fool found + himself at the end of what appeared to be a vast and splendid garden. + </p> + <p> + “We are now,” said Zadok, “above the treasure-house of which I spoke. It + was here that I saw thy father seal it so that no one but the master of + Zadok may enter. Thou mayst go in any time it may please thee, for it is + thine.” + </p> + <p> + “I would enter into it now,” said Aben Hassen the Fool. + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt enter,” said Zadok. He stooped, and with his finger-point he + drew a circle upon the ground where they stood; then he stamped with his + heel upon the circle. Instantly the earth opened, and there appeared a + flight of marble steps leading downward into the earth. Zadok led the way + down the steps and the young man followed. At the bottom of the steps + there was a door of adamant. Upon the door were these words in letters as + black as ink, in the handwriting of the old man who had gone: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, fool! Fool! Beware what thou doest. Within here shalt thou find + death!” + </p> + <p> + There was a key of brass in the door. The King of the Demons turned the + key and opened the door. The young man entered after him. + </p> + <p> + Aben Hassen the Fool found himself in a vast vaulted room, lit by the + light of a single carbuncle set in the centre of the dome above. In the + middle of the marble floor was a great basin twenty paces broad, and + filled to the brim with money such as he had found in the brazen vessel in + the garden. + </p> + <p> + The young man could not believe what he saw with his own eyes. “Oh, marvel + of marvels!” he cried; “little wonder you could give me boundless wealth + from such a storehouse as this.” + </p> + <p> + Zadok laughed. “This,” said he, “is nothing; come with me.” + </p> + <p> + He led him from this room to another—like it vaulted, and like it + lit by a carbuncle set in the dome of the roof above. In the middle of the + floor was a basin such as Aben Hassen the Fool had seen in the other room + beyond; only this was filled with gold as that had been filled with + silver, and the gold was like that he had found in the garden. When the + young man saw this vast and amazing wealth he stood speechless and + breathless with wonder. The Demon Zadok laughed. “This,” said he, “is + great, but it is little. Come and I will show thee a marvel indeed.” + </p> + <p> + He took the young man by the hand and led him into a third room—vaulted + as the other two had been, lit as they had been by a carbuncle in the roof + above. But when the young man’s eyes saw what was in this third room, he + was like a man turned drunk with wonder. He had to lean against the wall + behind him, for the sight made him dizzy. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the room was such as basin as he had seen in the two + other rooms, only it was filled with jewels—diamonds and rubies and + emeralds and sapphires and precious stones of all kinds—that + sparkled and blazed and flamed like a million stars. Around the wall, and + facing the basin from all sides, stood six golden statues. Three of them + were statues of the kings and three of them were statues of the queens who + had gathered together all this vast and measureless wealth of ancient + Egypt. + </p> + <p> + There was space for a seventh statue, but where it should have stood was a + great arched door of adamant. The door was tightly shut, and there was + neither lock nor key to it. Upon the door were written these words in + letters of flame: + </p> + <p> + “Behold! Beyond this door is that alone which shall satisfy all thy + desires.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, Zadok,” said the young man, after he had filled his soul with + all the other wonders that surrounded him—“tell me what is there + that lies beyond that door?” + </p> + <p> + “That I am forbidden to tell thee, O master!” said the King of the Demons + of the Earth. + </p> + <p> + “Then open the door for me,” said the young man; “for I cannot open it for + myself, as there is neither lock nor key to it.” + </p> + <p> + “That also I am forbidden to do,” said Zadok. + </p> + <p> + “I wish that I knew what was there,” said the young man. + </p> + <p> + The Demon laughed. “Some time,” said he, “thou mayest find for thyself. + Come, let us leave here and go to the palace which thy father built years + ago, and which he left behind him when he quitted this place for the place + in which thou knewest him.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way and the young man followed; they passed through the vaulted + rooms and out through the door of adamant, and Zadok locked it behind them + and gave the key to the young man. + </p> + <p> + “All this is thine now,” he said; “I give it to thee as I gave it to thy + father. I have shown thee how to enter, and thou mayst go in whenever it + pleases thee to do so.” + </p> + <p> + They ascended the steps, and so reached the garden above. Then Zadok + struck his heel upon the ground, and the earth closed as it had opened. He + led the young man from the spot until they had come to a wide avenue that + led to the palace beyond. “Here I leave thee,” said the Demon, “But if + ever thou hast need of me, call and I will come.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he vanished like a flash, leaving the young man standing like + one in a dream. + </p> + <p> + He saw before him a garden of such splendor and magnificence as he had + never dreamed of even in his wildest fancy. There were seven fountains as + clear as crystal that shot high into the air and fell back into basins of + alabaster. There was a broad avenue as white as snow, and thousands of + lights lit up everything as light as day. Upon either side of the avenue + stood a row of black slaves, clad in garments of white silk, and with + jewelled turbans upon their heads. Each held a flaming torch of + sandal-wood. Behind the slaves stood a double row of armed men, and behind + them a great crowd of other slaves and attendants, dressed each as + magnificently as a prince, blazing and flaming with innumerable jewels and + ornaments of gold. + </p> + <p> + But of all these things the young man thought nothing and saw nothing; for + at the end of the marble avenue there arose a palace, the like of which + was not in the four quarters of the earth—a palace of marble and + gold and carmine and ultramarine—rising into the purple starry sky, + and shining in the moonlight like a vision of Paradise. The palace was + illuminated from top to bottom and from end to end; the windows shone like + crystal, and from it came sounds of music and rejoicing. + </p> + <p> + When the crowd that stood waiting saw the young man appear, they shouted: + “Welcome! Welcome! To the master who has come again! To Aben Hassen the + Fool!” + </p> + <p> + The young man walked up the avenue of marble to the palace, surrounded by + the armed attendants in their dresses of jewels and gold, and preceded by + dancing-girls as beautiful as houris, who danced and sung before him. He + was dizzy with joy. “All—all this,” he exulted, “belongs to me. And + to think that if I had listened to the Talisman of Solomon I would have + had none of it.” + </p> + <p> + That was the way he came back to the treasure of the ancient kings of + Egypt, and to the palace of enchantment that his father had quitted. + </p> + <p> + For seven months he lived a life of joy and delight, surrounded by crowds + of courtiers as though they were a king, and going from pleasure to + pleasure without end. Nor had he any fear of an end coming to it, for he + knew that his treasure was inexhaustible. He made friends with the princes + and nobles of the land. From far and wide people came to visit him, and + the renown of his magnificence filled all the world. When men would praise + any one they would say, “He is as rich,” or as “magnificent,” or as + “generous, as Aben Hassen the Fool.” + </p> + <p> + So for seven months he lived a life of joy and delight; then one morning + he awakened and found everything changed to grief and mourning. Where the + day before had been laughter, to-day was crying. Where the day before had + been mirth, to-day was lamentation. All the city was shrouded in gloom, + and everywhere was weeping and crying. + </p> + <p> + Seven black slaves stood on guard near Aben Hassen the Fool as he lay upon + his couch. “What means all this sorrow?” said he to one of the slaves. + </p> + <p> + Instantly all the slaves began howling and beating their heads, and he to + whom the young man had spoken fell down with his face in the dust, and lay + there twisting and writhing like a worm. + </p> + <p> + “He has asked the question!” howled the slaves—“he has asked the + question!” + </p> + <p> + “Are you mad?” cried the young man. “What is the matter with you?” + </p> + <p> + At the doorway of the room stood a beautiful female slave, bearing in her + hands a jewelled basin of gold, filled with rose-water, and a fine linen + napkin for the young man to wash and dry his hands upon. “Tell me,” said + the young man, “what means all this sorrow and lamentation?” + </p> + <p> + Instantly the beautiful slave dropped the golden basin upon the stone + floor, and began shrieking and tearing her clothes. “He has asked the + question!” she screamed—“he has asked the question!” + </p> + <p> + The young man began to grow frightened; he arose from his couch, and with + uneven steps went out into the anteroom. There he found his chamberlain + waiting for him with a crowd of attendants and courtiers. “Tell me,” said + Aben Hassen the Fool, “why are you all so sorrowful?” + </p> + <p> + Instantly they who stood waiting began crying and tearing their clothes + and beating their hands. As for the chamberlain—he was a reverend + old man—his eyes sparkled with anger, and his fingers twitched as + though he would have struck if he had dared. “What,” he cried, “art thou + not contented with all thou hast and with all that we do for thee without + asking the forbidden question?” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he tore his cap from his head and flung it upon the ground, and + began beating himself violently upon the head with great outcrying. + </p> + <p> + Aben Hassen the Fool, not knowing what to think or what was to happen, ran + back into the bedroom again. “I think everybody in this place has gone + mad,” said he. “Nevertheless, if I do not find out what it all means, I + shall go mad myself.” + </p> + <p> + Then he bethought himself, for the first time since he came to that land, + of the Talisman of Solomon. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, O Talisman,” said he, “why all these people weep and wail so + continuously?” + </p> + <p> + “Rest content,” said the Talisman of Solomon, “with knowing that which + concerns thine own self, and seek not to find an answer that will be to + thine own undoing. Be thou also further advised: do not question the Demon + Zadok.” + </p> + <p> + “Fool that I am,” said the young man, stamping his foot; “here am I + wasting all this time when, if I had but thought of Zadok at first, he + would have told me all. Then he called aloud, Zadok! Zadok! Zadok!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly the ground shook beneath his feet, the dust rose in clouds, and + there stood Zadok as black as ink, and with eyes that shone like fire. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” said the young man; “I command thee to tell me, O Zadok! Why + are the people all gone mad this morning, and why do they weep and wail, + and why do they go crazy when I do but ask them why they are so + afflicted?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell thee,” said Zadok. “Seven-and-thirty years ago there was a + queen over this land—the most beautiful that ever was seen. Thy + father, who was the wisest and most cunning magician in the world, turned + her into stone, and with her all the attendants in her palace. No one + since that time has been permitted to enter the palace—it is + forbidden for any one even to ask a question concerning it; but every + year, on the day on which the queen was turned to stone, the whole land + mourns with weeping and wailing. And now thou knowest all!” + </p> + <p> + “What you tell me,” said the young man, “passes wonder. But tell me + further, O Zadok, is it possible for me to see this queen whom my father + turned to stone?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing is easier,” said Zadok. + </p> + <p> + “Then,” said the young man, “I command you to take me to where she is, so + that I may see her with mine own eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “I hear and obey,” said the Demon. + </p> + <p> + He seized the young man by the girdle, and in an instant flew away with + him to a hanging-garden that lay before the queen’s palace. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art the first man,” said Zadok, “who has seen what thou art about to + see for seven-and-thirty years. Come, I will show thee a queen, the most + beautiful that the eyes of man ever looked upon.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way, and the young man followed, filled with wonder and + astonishment. Not a sound was to be heard, not a thing moved, but silence + hung like a veil between the earth and the sky. + </p> + <p> + Following the Demon, the young man ascended a flight of steps, and so + entered the vestibule of the palace. There stood guards in armor of brass + and silver and gold. But they were without life—they were all of + stone as white as alabaster. Thence they passed through room after room + and apartment after apartment crowded with courtiers and nobles and lords + in their robes of office, magnificent beyond fancying, but each silent and + motionless—each a stone as white as alabaster. At last they entered + an apartment in the very centre of the palace. There sat seven-and-forty + female attendants around a couch of purple and gold. Each of the + seven-and-forty was beautiful beyond what the young man could have + believed possible, and each was clad in a garment of silk as white as + snow, embroidered with threads of silver and studded with glistening + diamonds. But each sat silent and motionless—each was a stone as + white as alabaster. + </p> + <p> + Upon the couch in the centre of the apartment reclined a queen with a + crown of gold upon her head. She lay there motionless, still. She was cold + and dead—of stone as white as marble. The young man approached and + looked into her face, and when he looked his breath became faint and his + heart grew soft within him like wax in a flame of fire. + </p> + <p> + He sighed; he melted; the tears burst from his eyes and ran down his + cheeks. “Zadok!” he cried—“Zadok! Zadok! What have you done to show + me this wonder of beauty and love! Alas! That I have seen her; for the + world is nothing to me now. O Zadok! That she were flesh and blood, + instead of cold stone! Tell me, Zadok, I command you to tell me, was she + once really alive as I am alive, and did my father truly turn her to stone + as she lies here?” + </p> + <p> + “She was really alive as thou art alive, and he did truly transform her to + this stone,” said Zadok. + </p> + <p> + “And tell me,” said the young man, “can she never become alive again?” + </p> + <p> + “She can become alive, and it lies with you to make her alive,” said the + Demon. “Listen, O master. Thy father possessed a wand, half of silver and + half of gold. Whatsoever he touched with silver became converted to stone, + such as thou seest all around thee here; but whatsoever, O master, he + touched with the gold, it became alive, even if it were a dead stone.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, Zadok,” cried the young man; “I command you to tell me, where is + that wand of silver and gold?” + </p> + <p> + “I have it with me,” said Zadok. + </p> + <p> + “Then give it to me; I command you to give it to me.” + </p> + <p> + “I hear and obey,” said Zadok. He drew from his girdle a wand, half of + gold and half of silver, as he spoke, and gave it to the young man. + </p> + <p> + “Thou mayst go now, Zadok,” said the young man, trembling with eagerness. + </p> + <p> + Zadok laughed and vanished. The young man stood for a while looking down + at the beautiful figure of alabaster. Then he touched the lips with the + golden tip of the wand. In an instant there came a marvellous change. He + saw the stone melt, and begin to grow flexible and soft. He saw it become + warm, and the cheeks and lips grow red with life. Meantime a murmur had + begun to rise all through the palace. It grew louder and louder—it + became a shout. The figure of the queen that had been stone opened its + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” it said. + </p> + <p> + Aben Hassen the Fool fell upon his knees. “I am he who was sent to bring + you to life.” he said. “My father turned you to cold stone, and I—I + have brought you back to warm life again.” + </p> + <p> + The queen smiled—her teeth sparkled like pearls. “If you have + brought me to life, then I am yours,” she said, and she kissed him upon + the lips. + </p> + <p> + He grew suddenly dizzy; the world swam before his eyes. + </p> + <p> + For seven days nothing was heard in the town but rejoicing and joy. The + young man lived in a golden cloud of delight. “And to think,” said he, “if + I had listened to that accursed Talisman of Solomon, called The Wise,’ all + this happiness, this ecstasy that is now mine, would have been lost to + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, beloved,” said the queen, upon the morning of the seventh day—“thy + father once possessed all the hidden treasure of the ancient kings of + Egypt—tell me, is it now thine as it was once his?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the young man, “it is now all mine as it was once all his.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you really love me as you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the young man, “and ten thousand times more than I say.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, as you love me, I beg one boon on you. It is that you show me this + treasure of which I have heard so much, and which we are to enjoy + together.” + </p> + <p> + The young man was drunk with happiness. “Thou shalt see it all,” said he. + </p> + <p> + Then, for the first time, the Talisman spoke without being questioned. + “Fool!” it cried; “wilt thou not be advised?” + </p> + <p> + “Be silent,” said the young man. “Six times, vile thing, you would have + betrayed me. Six times you would have deprived me of joys that should have + been mine, and each was greater than that which went before. Shall I now + listen the seventh time? Now,” said he to the queen, “I will show you our + treasure.” He called aloud, “Zadok, Zadok, Zadok!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly the ground shook beneath their feet, the dust rose in clouds, + and Zadok appeared, as black as ink, and with eyes that shone like coals + of fire. + </p> + <p> + “I command you,” said the young man, “to carry the queen and myself to the + garden where my treasure lies hidden.” + </p> + <p> + Zadok laughed aloud. “I hear thee and obey thee, master,” said he. + </p> + <p> + He seized the queen and the young man by the girdle, and in an instant + transported them to the garden and to the treasure-house. + </p> + <p> + “Thou art where thou commandest to be,” said the Demon. + </p> + <p> + The young man immediately drew a circle upon the ground with his + finger-tip. He struck his heel upon the circle. The ground opened, + disclosing the steps leading downward. The young man descended the steps + with the queen behind him, and behind them both came the Demon Zadok. + </p> + <p> + The young man opened the door of adamant and entered the first of the + vaulted rooms. + </p> + <p> + When the queen saw the huge basin full of silver treasure, her cheeks and + her forehead flushed as red as fire. + </p> + <p> + They went into the next room, and when the queen saw the basin of gold her + face turned as white as ashes. + </p> + <p> + They went into the third room, and when the queen saw the basin of jewels + and the six golden statues her face turned as blue as lead, and her eyes + shone green like a snake’s. + </p> + <p> + “Are you content?” asked the young man. + </p> + <p> + The queen looked about her. “No!” cried she, hoarsely, pointing to the + closed door that had never been opened, and whereon were engraved these + words: + </p> + <p> + “Behold! Beyond this door is that alone which shall satisfy all thy + desires.” + </p> + <p> + “No!” cried she. “What is it that lies behind yon door?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” said the young man. + </p> + <p> + “Then open the door, and let me see what lies within.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot open the door,” said he. “How can I open the door, seeing that + there is no lock nor key to it?” + </p> + <p> + “If thou dost not open the door,” said the queen, “all is over between + thee and me. So do as I bid thee, or leave me forever.” + </p> + <p> + They had both forgotten that the Demon Zadok was there. Then the young man + bethought himself of the Talisman of Solomon. “Tell me, O Talisman,” said + he, “how shall I open yonder door?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, wretched one!” cried the Talisman, “oh, wretched one! Fly while there + is yet time—fly, for thy doom is near! Do not push the door open, + for it is not locked!” + </p> + <p> + The young man struck his head with his clinched fist. “What a fool am I!” + he cried. “Will I never learn wisdom. Here have I been coming to this + place seven months, and have never yet thought to try whether yonder door + was locked or not!” + </p> + <p> + “Open the door!” cried the queen. + </p> + <p> + They went forward together. The young man pushed the door with his hand. + It opened swiftly and silently, and they entered. + </p> + <p> + Within was a narrow room as red as blood. A flaming lamp hung from the + ceiling above. The young man stood as though turned to stone, for there + stood a gigantic Black Demon with a napkin wrapped around his loins and a + scimitar in his right hand, the blade of which gleamed like lightning in + the flame of the lamp. Before him lay a basket filled with sawdust. + </p> + <p> + When the queen saw what she saw she screamed in a loud voice, “Thou hast + found it! Thou hast found it! Thou hast found what alone can satisfy all + thy desires! Strike, O slave!” + </p> + <p> + The young man heard the Demon Zadok give a yell of laughter. He saw a + whirl and a flash, and then he knew nothing. + </p> + <p> + The Black had struck—the blade had fallen, and the head of Aben + Hassen the Fool rolled into the basket of sawdust that stood waiting for + it. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye,” said St. George, “and so it should end. For what was your Aben + Hassen the Fool but a heathen Paniem? Thus should the heads of all the + like be chopped off from their shoulders. Is there not some one here to + tell us a fair story about a saint?” + </p> + <p> + “For the matter of that,” said the Lad who fiddled when the Jew was in the + bramble-bush—“for the matter of that I know a very good story that + begins about a saint and a hazel-nut. + </p> + <p> + “Say you so?” said St. George. “Well, let us have it. But stay, friend, + thou hast no ale in thy pot. Wilt thou not let me pay for having it + filled?” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the Lad who fiddled when the Jew was in the bramble-bush, + “may be as you please, Sir Knight; and, to tell the truth, I will be + mightily glad for a drop to moisten my throat withal.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” said Fortunatus, “you have not told us what the story is to be + about.” + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said the Lad who fiddled for the Jew in the bramble-bush, “about—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Ill-Luck and the Fiddler + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time St. Nicholas came down into the world to take a peep at + the old place and see how things looked in the spring-time. On he stepped + along the road to the town where he used to live, for he had a notion to + find out whether things were going on nowadays as they one time did. + By-and-by he came to a cross-road, and who should he see sitting there but + Ill-Luck himself. Ill-Luck’s face was as gray as ashes, and his hair as + white as snow—for he is as old as Grandfather Adam—and two + great wings grew out of his shoulders—for he flies fast and comes + quickly to those whom he visits, does Ill-Luck. + </p> + <p> + Now, St. Nicholas had a pocketful of hazel-nuts, which he kept cracking + and eating as he trudged along the road, and just then he came upon one + with a worm-hole in it. When he saw Ill-Luck it came into his head to do a + good turn to poor sorrowful man. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, Ill-Luck,” says he. + </p> + <p> + “Good-morning, St. Nicholas,” says Ill-Luck. + </p> + <p> + “You look as hale and strong as ever,” says St. Nicholas. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes,” says Ill-Luck, “I find plenty to do in this world of woe.” + </p> + <p> + “They tell me,” says St. Nicholas, “that you can go wherever you choose, + even if it be through a key-hole; now, is that so?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” says Ill-Luck, “it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, look now, friend,” says St. Nicholas, “could you go into this + hazel-nut if you chose to?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” says Ill-Luck, “I could indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to see you,” says St. Nicholas; “for then I should be of a + mind to believe what people say of you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” says Ill-Luck, “I have not much time to be pottering and playing + upon Jack’s fiddle; but to oblige an old friend”—thereupon he made + himself small and smaller, and—phst! he was in the nut before you + could wink. + </p> + <p> + Then what do you think St. Nicholas did? In his hand he held a little plug + of wood, and no sooner had Ill-Luck entered the nut than he stuck the plug + in the hole, and there was man’s enemy as tight as fly in a bottle. + </p> + <p> + “So!” says St. Nicholas, “that’s a piece of work well done.” Then he + tossed the hazel-nut under the roots of an oak-tree near by, and went his + way. + </p> + <p> + And that is how this story begins. + </p> + <p> + Well, the hazel-nut lay and lay and lay, and all the time that it lay + there nobody met with ill-luck; but, one day, who should come travelling + that way but a rogue of a Fiddler, with his fiddle under his arm. The day + was warm, and he was tired; so down he sat under the shade of the oak-tree + to rest his legs. By-and-by he heard a little shrill voice piping and + crying, “Let me out! let me out! let me out!” + </p> + <p> + The Fiddler looked up and down, but he could see nobody. “Who are you?” + says he. + </p> + <p> + “I am Ill-Luck! Let me out! let me out!” + </p> + <p> + “Let you out?” says the Fiddler. “Not I; if you are bottled up here it is + the better for all of us;” and, so saying, he tucked his fiddle under his + arm and off he marched. + </p> + <p> + But before he had gone six steps he stopped. He was one of your peering, + prying sort, and liked more than a little to know all that was to be known + about this or that or the other thing that he chanced to see or hear. “I + wonder where Ill-Luck can be, to be in such a tight place as he seems to + be caught in,” says he to himself; and back he came again. “Where are you, + Ill-Luck?” says he. + </p> + <p> + “Here I am,” says Ill-Luck—“here in this hazel-nut, under the roots + of the oak-tree.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon the Fiddler laid aside his fiddle and bow, and fell to poking + and prying under the roots until he found the nut. Then he began twisting + and turning it in his fingers, looking first on one side and then on the + other, and all the while Ill-Luck kept crying, “Let me out! let me out!” + </p> + <p> + It was not long before the Fiddler found the little wooden plug, and then + nothing would do but he must take a peep inside the nut to see if Ill-Luck + was really there. So he picked and pulled at the wooden plug, until at + last out it came; and—phst! pop! out came Ill-Luck along with it. + </p> + <p> + Plague take the Fiddler! say I. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” says Ill-Luck. “It has been many a long day that I have been in + that hazel-nut, and you are the man that has let me out; for once in a way + I will do a good turn to a poor human body.” Therewith, and without giving + the Fiddler time to speak a word, Ill-Luck caught him up by the belt, and—whiz! + away he flew like a bullet, over hill and over valley; over moor and over + mountain, so fast that not enough wind was left in the Fiddler’s stomach + to say “Bo!” + </p> + <p> + By-and-by he came to a garden, and there he let the Fiddler drop on the + soft grass below. Then away he flew to attend to other matters of greater + need. + </p> + <p> + When the Fiddler had gathered his wits together, and himself to his feet, + he saw that he lay in a beautiful garden of flowers and fruit-trees and + marble walks and what not, and that at the end of it stood a great, + splendid house, all built of white marble, with a fountain in front, and + peacocks strutting about on the lawn. + </p> + <p> + Well, the Fiddler smoothed down his hair and brushed his clothes a bit, + and off he went to see what was to be seen at the grand house at the end + of the garden. + </p> + <p> + He entered the door, and nobody said no to him. Then he passed through one + room after another, and each was finer than the one he left behind. Many + servants stood around; but they only bowed, and never asked whence he + came. At last he came to a room where a little old man sat at a table. The + table was spread with a feast that smelled so good that it brought tears + to the Fiddler’s eyes and water to his mouth, and all the plates were of + pure gold. The little old man sat alone, but another place was spread, as + though he were expecting some one. As the Fiddler came in the little old + man nodded and smiled. “Welcome!” he cried; “and have you come at last?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Fiddler, “I have. It was Ill-Luck that brought me.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the little old man, “do not say that. Sit down to the table + and eat; and when I have told you all, you will say it was not Ill-Luck, + but Good-Luck, that brought you.” + </p> + <p> + The Fiddler had his own mind about that; but, all the same, down he sat at + the table, and fell to with knife and fork at the good things, as though + he had not had a bite to eat for a week of Sundays. + </p> + <p> + “I am the richest man in the world,” says the little old man, after a + while. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to hear it,” says the Fiddler. + </p> + <p> + “You may well be,” said the old man, “for I am all alone in the world, and + without wife or child. And this morning I said to myself that the first + body that came to my house I would take for a son—or a daughter, as + the case might be. You are the first, and so you shall live with me as + long as I live, and after I am gone everything that I have shall be + yours.” + </p> + <p> + The Fiddler did nothing but stare with open eyes and mouth, as though he + would never shut either again. + </p> + <p> + Well, the Fiddler lived with the old man for maybe three or four days as + snug and happy a life as ever a mouse passed in a green cheese. As for the + gold and silver and jewels—why, they were as plentiful in that house + as dust in a mill! Everything the Fiddler wanted came to his hand. He + lived high, and slept soft and warm, and never knew what it was to want + either more or less, or great or small. In all of those three or four days + he did nothing but enjoy himself with might and main. + </p> + <p> + But by-and-by he began to wonder where all the good things came from. + Then, before long, he fell to pestering the old man with questions about + the matter. + </p> + <p> + At first the old man put him off with short answers, but the Fiddler was a + master-hand at finding out anything he wanted to know. He dinned and + drummed and worried until flesh and blood could stand it no longer. So at + last the old man said that he would show him the treasure-house where all + his wealth came from, and at that the Fiddler was tickled beyond measure. + </p> + <p> + The old man took a key from behind the door and led him out into the + garden. There in a corner by the wall was a great trap-door of iron. The + old man fitted the key to the lock and turned it. He lifted the door, and + then went down a steep flight of stone steps, and the Fiddler followed + close at his heels. Down below it was as light as day, for in the centre + of the room hung a great lamp that shone with a bright light and lit up + all the place as bright as day. In the floor were set three great basins + of marble: one was nearly full of silver, one of gold, and one of gems of + all sorts. + </p> + <p> + “All this is mine,” said the old man, “and after I am gone it shall be + yours. It was left to me as I will leave it to you, and in the meantime + you may come and go as you choose and fill your pockets whenever you wish + to. But there is one thing you must not do: you must never open that door + yonder at the back of the room. Should you do so, Ill-Luck will be sure to + overtake you.” + </p> + <p> + Oh no! The Fiddler would never think of doing such a thing as opening the + door. The silver and gold and jewels were enough for him. But since the + old man had given him leave, he would just help himself to a few of the + fine things. So he stuffed his pockets full, and then he followed the old + man up the steps and out into the sunlight again. + </p> + <p> + It took him maybe an hour to count all the money and jewels he had brought + up with him. After he had done that, he began to wonder what was inside of + the little door at the back of the room. First he wondered; then he began + to grow curious; then he began to itch and tingle and burn as though fifty + thousand I-want-to-know nettles were sticking into him from top to toe. At + last he could stand it no longer. “I’ll just go down yonder,” says he, + “and peep through the key-hole; perhaps I can see what is there without + opening the door.” + </p> + <p> + So down he took the key, and off he marched to the garden. He opened the + trap-door, and went down the steep steps to the room below. There was the + door at the end of the room, but when he came to look there was no + key-hole to it. “Pshaw!” said he, “here is a pretty state of affairs. Tut! + tut! tut! Well, since I have come so far, it would be a pity to turn back + without seeing more.” So he opened the door and peeped in. + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said the Fiddler, “There’s nothing there, after all,” and he + opened the door wide. + </p> + <p> + Before him was a great long passageway, and at the far end of it he could + see a spark of light as though the sun were shining there. He listened, + and after a while he heard a sound like the waves beating on the shore. + “Well,” says he, “this is the most curious thing I have seen for a long + time. Since I have come so far, I may as well see the end of it.” So he + entered the passageway, and closed the door behind him. He went on and on, + and the spark of light kept growing larger and larger, and by-and-by—pop! + out he came at the other end of the passage. + </p> + <p> + Sure enough, there he stood on the sea-shore, with the waves beating and + dashing on the rocks. He stood looking and wondering to find himself in + such a place, when all of a sudden something came with a whiz and a rush + and caught him by the belt, and away he flew like a bullet. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by he managed to screw his head around and look up, and there it + was Ill-Luck that had him. “I thought so,” said the Fiddler; and then he + gave over kicking. + </p> + <p> + Well; on and on they flew, over hill and valley, over moor and mountain, + until they came to another garden, and there Ill-Luck let the Fiddler + drop. + </p> + <p> + Swash! Down he fell into the top of an apple-tree, and there he hung in + the branches. + </p> + <p> + It was the garden of a royal castle, and all had been weeping and woe + (though they were beginning now to pick up their smiles again), and this + was the reason why: + </p> + <p> + The king of that country had died, and no one was left behind him but the + queen. But she was a prize, for not only was the kingdom hers, but she was + as young as a spring apple and as pretty as a picture; so that there was + no end of those who would have liked to have had her, each man for his + own. Even that day there were three princes at the castle, each one + wanting the queen to marry him; and the wrangling and bickering and + squabbling that was going on was enough to deafen a body. The poor young + queen was tired to death with it all, and so she had come out into the + garden for a bit of rest; and there she sat under the shade of an + apple-tree, fanning herself and crying, when— + </p> + <p> + Swash! Down fell the Fiddler into the apple-tree and down fell a dozen + apples, popping and tumbling about the queen’s ears. + </p> + <p> + The queen looked up and screamed, and the Fiddler climbed down. + </p> + <p> + “Where did you come from?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Ill-Luck brought me,” said the Fiddler. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the queen, “do not say so. You fell from heaven, for I saw it + with my eyes and heard it with my ears. I see how it is now. You were sent + hither from heaven to be my husband, and my husband you shall be. You + shall be king of this country, half-and-half with me as queen, and shall + sit on a throne beside me.” + </p> + <p> + You can guess whether or not that was music to the Fiddler’s ears. + </p> + <p> + So the princes were sent packing, and the Fiddler was married to the + queen, and reigned in that country. + </p> + <p> + Well, three or four days passed, and all was as sweet and happy as a + spring day. But at the end of that time the Fiddler began to wonder what + was to be seen in the castle. The queen was very fond of him, and was glad + enough to show him all the fine things that were to be seen; so hand in + hand they went everywhere, from garret to cellar. + </p> + <p> + But you should have seen how splendid it all was! The Fiddler felt more + certain than ever that it was better to be a king than to be the richest + man in the world, and he was as glad as glad could be that Ill-Luck had + brought him from the rich little old man over yonder to this. + </p> + <p> + So he saw everything in the castle but one thing. “What is behind that + door?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Ah! that,” said the queen, “you must not ask or wish to know. Should you + open that door Ill-Luck will be sure to overtake you.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said the Fiddler, “I don’t care to know, anyhow,” and off they + went, hand in hand. + </p> + <p> + Yes, that was a very fine thing to say; but before an hour had gone by the + Fiddler’s head began to hum and buzz like a beehive. “I don’t believe,” + said he, “there would be a grain of harm in my peeping inside that door; + all the same, I will not do it. I will just go down and peep through the + key-hole.” So off he went to do as he said; but there was no key-hole to + that door, either. “Why, look!” says he, “it is just like the door at the + rich man’s house over yonder; I wonder if it is the same inside as + outside,” and he opened the door and peeped in. Yes; there was the long + passage and the spark of light at the far end, as though the sun were + shining. He cocked his head to one side and listened. “Yes,” said he, “I + think I hear the water rushing, but I am not sure; I will just go a little + further in and listen,” and so he entered and closed the door behind him. + Well, he went on and on until—pop! there he was out at the farther + end, and before he knew what he was about he had stepped out upon the + sea-shore, just as he had done before. + </p> + <p> + Whiz! whirr! Away flew the Fiddler like a bullet, and there was Ill-Luck + carrying him by the belt again. Away they sped, over hill and valley, over + moor and mountain, until the Fiddler’s head grew so dizzy that he had to + shut his eyes. Suddenly Ill-Luck let him drop, and down he fell—thump! + bump!—on the hard ground. Then he opened his eyes and sat up, and, + lo and behold! there he was, under the oak-tree whence he had started in + the first place. There lay his fiddle, just as he had left it. He picked + it up and ran his fingers over the strings—trum, twang! Then he got + to his feet and brushed the dirt and grass from his knees. He tucked his + fiddle under his arm, and off he stepped upon the way he had been going at + first. + </p> + <p> + “Just to think!” said he, “I would either have been the richest man in the + world, or else I would have been a king, if it had not been for Ill-Luck.” + </p> + <p> + And that is the way we all of us talk. + </p> + <p> + Dr. Faustus had sat all the while neither drinking ale nor smoking + tobacco, but with his hands folded, and in silence. “I know not why it + is,” said he, “but that story of yours, my friend, brings to my mind a + story of a man whom I once knew—a great magician in his time, and a + necromancer and a chemist and an alchemist and mathematician and a + rhetorician, an astronomer, an astrologer, and a philosopher as well.” + </p> + <p> + “Tis a long list of excellency,” said old Bidpai. + </p> + <p> + “Tis not as long as was his head,” said Dr. Faustus. + </p> + <p> + “It would be good for us all to hear a story of such a man,” said old + Bidpai. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said Dr. Faustus, “the story is not altogether of the man himself, + but rather of a pupil who came to learn wisdom of him.” + </p> + <p> + “And the name of your story is what?” said Fortunatus. + </p> + <p> + “It hath no name,” said Dr. Faustus. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said St. George, “everything must have a name.” + </p> + <p> + “It hath no name,” said Dr. Faustus. “But I shall give it a name, and it + shall be—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Empty Bottles + </h2> + <p> + In the old, old days when men were wiser than they are in these times, + there lived a great philosopher and magician, by name Nicholas Flamel. Not + only did he know all the actual sciences, but the black arts as well, and + magic, and what not. He conjured demons so that when a body passed the + house of a moonlight night a body might see imps, great and small, little + and big, sitting on the chimney stacks and the ridge-pole, clattering + their heels on the tiles and chatting together. + </p> + <p> + He could change iron and lead into silver and gold; he discovered the + elixir of life, and might have been living even to this day had he thought + it worth while to do so. + </p> + <p> + There was a student at the university whose name was Gebhart, who was so + well acquainted with algebra and geometry that he could tell at a single + glance how many drops of water there were in a bottle of wine. As for + Latin and Greek—he could patter them off like his A B C’s. + Nevertheless, he was not satisfied with the things he knew, but was for + learning the things that no schools could teach him. So one day he came + knocking at Nicholas Flamel’s door. + </p> + <p> + “Come in,” said the wise man, and there Gebhart found him sitting in the + midst of his books and bottles and diagrams and dust and chemicals and + cobwebs, making strange figures upon the table with jackstraws and a piece + of chalk—for your true wise man can squeeze more learning out of + jackstraws and a piece of chalk than we common folk can get out of all the + books in the world. + </p> + <p> + No one else was in the room but the wise man’s servant, whose name was + Babette. + </p> + <p> + “What is it you want?” said the wise man, looking at Gebhart over the rim + of his spectacles. + </p> + <p> + “Master,” said Gebhart, “I have studied day after day at the university, + and from early in the morning until late at night, so that my head has + hummed and my eyes were sore, yet I have not learned those things that I + wish most of all to know—the arts that no one but you can teach. + Will you take me as your pupil?” + </p> + <p> + The wise man shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Many would like to be as wise as that,” said he, “and few there be who + can become so. Now tell me. Suppose all the riches of the world were + offered to you, would you rather be wise?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose you might have all the rank and power of a king or of an emperor, + would you rather be wise?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose I undertook to teach you, would you give up everything of joy and + of pleasure to follow me?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are hungry,” said the master. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the student, “I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, Babette, you may bring some bread and cheese.” + </p> + <p> + It seemed to Gebhart that he had learned all that Nicholas Flamel had to + teach him. + </p> + <p> + It was in the gray of the dawning, and the master took the pupil by the + hand and led him up the rickety stairs to the roof of the house, where + nothing was to be seen but gray sky, high roofs, and chimney stacks from + which the smoke rose straight into the still air. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the master, “I have taught you nearly all of the science that + I know, and the time has come to show you the wonderful thing that has + been waiting for us from the beginning when time was. You have given up + wealth and the world and pleasure and joy and love for the sake of wisdom. + Now, then, comes the last test—whether you can remain faithful to me + to the end; if you fail in it, all is lost that you have gained.” + </p> + <p> + After he said that he stripped his cloak away from his shoulders and laid + bare the skin. Then he took a bottle of red liquor and began bathing his + shoulder-blades with it; and as Gebhart, squatting upon the ridge-pole, + looked, he saw two little lumps bud out upon the smooth skin, and then + grow and grow and grow until they became two great wings as white as snow. + </p> + <p> + “Now then,” said the master, “take me by the belt and grip fast, for there + is a long, long journey before us, and if you should lose your head and + let go your hold you will fall and be dashed to pieces.” + </p> + <p> + Then he spread the two great wings, and away he flew as fast as the wind, + with Gebhart hanging to his belt. + </p> + <p> + Over hills, over dales, over mountains, over moors he flew, with the brown + earth lying so far below that horses and cows looked like pismires and men + like fleas. + </p> + <p> + Then, by-and-by, it was over the ocean they were crossing, with the great + ships that pitched and tossed below looking like chips in a puddle in + rainy weather. + </p> + <p> + At last they came to a strange land, far, far away, and there the master + lit upon a sea-shore where the sand was as white as silver. As soon as his + feet touched the hard ground the great wings were gone like a puff of + smoke, and the wise man walked like any other body. + </p> + <p> + At the edge of the sandy beach was a great, high, naked cliff; and the + only way of reaching the top was by a flight of stone steps, as slippery + as glass, cut in the solid rock. + </p> + <p> + The wise man led the way, and the student followed close at his heels, + every now and then slipping and stumbling so that, had it not been for the + help that the master gave him, he would have fallen more than once and + have been dashed to pieces upon the rocks below. + </p> + <p> + At last they reached the top, and there found themselves in a desert, + without stick of wood or blade of grass, but only gray stones and skulls + and bones bleaching in the sun. + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the plain was a castle such as the eyes of man never saw + before, for it was built all of crystal from roof to cellar. Around it was + a high wall of steel, and in the wall were seven gates of polished brass. + </p> + <p> + The wise man led the way straight to the middle gate of the seven, where + there hung a horn of pure silver, which he set to his lips. He blew a + blast so loud and shrill that it made Gebhart’s ears tingle. In an instant + there sounded a great rumble and grumble like the noise of loud thunder, + and the gates of brass swung slowly back, as though of themselves. + </p> + <p> + But when Gebhart saw what he saw within the gates his heart crumbled away + for fear, and his knees knocked together; for there, in the very middle of + the way, stood a monstrous, hideous dragon, that blew out flames and + clouds of smoke from his gaping mouth like a chimney a-fire. + </p> + <p> + But the wise master was as cool as smooth water; he thrust his hand into + the bosom of his jacket and drew forth a little black box, which he flung + straight into the gaping mouth. + </p> + <p> + Snap!—the dragon swallowed the box. + </p> + <p> + The next moment it gave a great, loud, terrible cry, and, clapping and + rattling its wings, leaped into the air and flew away, bellowing like a + bull. + </p> + <p> + If Gebhart had been wonder-struck at seeing the outside of the castle, he + was ten thousand times more amazed to see the inside thereof. For, as the + master led the way and he followed, he passed through four-and-twenty + rooms, each one more wonderful than the other. Everywhere was gold and + silver and dazzling jewels that glistened so brightly that one had to shut + one’s eyes to their sparkle. Beside all this, there were silks and satins + and velvets and laces and crystal and ebony and sandal-wood that smelled + sweeter than musk and rose leaves. All the wealth of the world brought + together into one place could not make such riches as Gebhart saw with his + two eyes in these four-and-twenty rooms. His heart beat fast within him. + </p> + <p> + At last they reached a little door of solid iron, beside which hung a + sword with a blade that shone like lightning. The master took the sword in + one hand and laid the other upon the latch of the door. Then he turned to + Gebhart and spoke for the first time since they had started upon their + long journey. + </p> + <p> + “In this room,” said he, “you will see a strange thing happen, and in a + little while I shall be as one dead. As soon as that comes to pass, go you + straightway through to the room beyond, where you will find upon a marble + table a goblet of water and a silver dagger. Touch nothing else, and look + at nothing else, for if you do all will be lost to both of us. Bring the + water straightway, and sprinkle my face with it, and when that is done you + and I will be the wisest and greatest men that ever lived, for I will make + you equal to myself in all that I know. So now swear to do what I have + just bid you, and not turn aside a hair’s breadth in the going and the + coming. + </p> + <p> + “I swear,” said Gebhart, and crossed his heart. + </p> + <p> + Then the master opened the door and entered, with Gebhart close at his + heels. + </p> + <p> + In the centre of the room was a great red cock, with eyes that shone like + sparks of fire. So soon as he saw the master he flew at him, screaming + fearfully, and spitting out darts of fire that blazed and sparkled like + lightning. + </p> + <p> + It was a dreadful battle between the master and the cock. Up and down they + fought, and here and there. Sometimes the student could see the wise man + whirling and striking with his sword; and then again he would be hidden in + a sheet of flame. But after a while he made a lucky stroke, and off flew + the cock’s head. Then, lo and behold! instead of a cock it was a great, + hairy, black demon that lay dead on the floor. + </p> + <p> + But, though the master had conquered, he looked like one sorely sick. He + was just able to stagger to a couch that stood by the wall, and there he + fell and lay, without breath or motion, like one dead, and as white as + wax. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Gebhart had gathered his wits together he remembered what the + master had said about the other room. + </p> + <p> + The door of it was also of iron. He opened it and passed within, and there + saw two great tables or blocks of polished marble. Upon one was the dagger + and a goblet of gold brimming with water. Upon the other lay the figure of + a woman, and as Gebhart looked at her he thought her more beautiful than + any thought or dream could picture. But her eyes were closed, and she lay + like a lifeless figure of wax. + </p> + <p> + After Gebhart had gazed at her a long, long time, he took up the goblet + and the dagger from the table and turned towards the door. + </p> + <p> + Then, before he left that place, he thought that he would have just one + more look at the beautiful figure. So he did, and gazed and gazed until + his heart melted away within him like a lump of butter; and, hardly + knowing what he did, he stooped and kissed the lips. + </p> + <p> + Instantly he did so a great humming sound filled the whole castle, so + sweet and musical that it made him tremble to listen. Then suddenly the + figure opened its eyes and looked straight at him. + </p> + <p> + “At last!” she said; “have you come at last?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Gebhart, “I have come.” + </p> + <p> + Then the beautiful woman arose and stepped down from the table to the + floor; and if Gebhart thought her beautiful before, he thought her a + thousand times more beautiful now that her eyes looked into his. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said she. “I have been asleep for hundreds upon hundreds of + years, for so it was fated to be until he should come who was to bring me + back to life again. You are he, and now you shall live with me forever. In + this castle is the wealth gathered by the king of the genii, and it is + greater than all the riches of the world. It and the castle likewise shall + be yours. I can transport everything into any part of the world you + choose, and can by my arts make you prince or king or emperor. Come.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop,” said Gebhart. “I must first do as my master bade me.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way into the other room, the lady following him, and so they + both stood together by the couch where the wise man lay. When the lady saw + his face she cried out in a loud voice: “It is the great master! What are + you going to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to sprinkle his face with this water,” said Gebhart. + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” said she. “Listen to what I have to say. In your hand you hold the + water of life and the dagger of death. The master is not dead, but + sleeping; if you sprinkle that water upon him he will awaken, young, + handsome and more powerful than the greatest magician that ever lived. I + myself, this castle, and everything that is in it will be his, and, + instead of your becoming a prince or a king or an emperor, he will be so + in your place. That, I say, will happen if he wakens. Now the dagger of + death is the only thing in the world that has power to kill him. You have + it in your hand. You have but to give him one stroke with it while he + sleeps, and he will never waken again, and then all will be yours—your + very own.” + </p> + <p> + Gebhart neither spoke nor moved, but stood looking down upon his master. + Then he set down the goblet very softly on the floor, and, shutting his + eyes that he might not see the blow, raised the dagger to strike. + </p> + <p> + “That is all your promises amount to,” said Nicholas Flamel the wise man. + “After all, Babette, you need not bring the bread and cheese, for he shall + be no pupil of mine.” + </p> + <p> + Then Gebhart opened his eyes. + </p> + <p> + There sat the wise man in the midst of his books and bottles and diagrams + and dust and chemicals and cobwebs, making strange figures upon the table + with jackstraws and a piece of chalk. + </p> + <p> + And Babette, who had just opened the cupboard door for the loaf of bread + and the cheese, shut it again with a bang, and went back to her spinning. + </p> + <p> + So Gebhart had to go back again to his Greek and Latin and algebra and + geometry; for, after all, one cannot pour a gallon of beer into a quart + pot, or the wisdom of a Nicholas Flamel into such an one as Gebhart. + </p> + <p> + As for the name of this story, why, if some promises are not bottles full + of nothing but wind, there is little need to have a name for anything. + </p> + <p> + “Since we are in the way of talking of fools,” said the Fisherman who drew + the Genie out of the sea—“since we are in the way of talking of + fools, I can tell you a story of the fool of all fools, and how, one after + the other, he wasted as good gifts as a man’s ears ever heard tell of.” + </p> + <p> + “What was his name?” said the Lad who fiddled for the Jew in the + bramble-bush. + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the Fisherman, “I do not know.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is this story about?” asked St. George. + </p> + <p> + “Tis,” said the Fisherman, “about a hole in the ground.” + </p> + <p> + “And is that all?” said the Soldier who cheated the Devil. + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the Fisherman, blowing a whiff from his pipe; “there were some + things in the hole—a bowl of treasure, an earthen-ware jar, and a + pair of candlesticks.” + </p> + <p> + “And what do you call your story,” said St. George. + </p> + <p> + “Why,” said the Fisherman, “for lack of a better name I will call it—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Good Gifts and a Fool’s Folly. + </h2> + <p> + Give a fool heaven and earth, and all the stars, and he will make ducks + and drakes of them. + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time there was an old man, who, by thrifty living and long + saving, had laid by a fortune great enough to buy ease and comfort and + pleasure for a lifetime. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by he died, and the money came to his son, who was of a different + sort from the father; for, what that one had gained by the labor of a + whole year, the other spent in riotous living in one week. + </p> + <p> + So it came about in a little while that the young man found himself + without so much as a single penny to bless himself withal. Then his + fair-weather friends left him, and the creditors came and seized upon his + house and his household goods, and turned him out into the cold wide world + to get along as best he might with the other fools who lived there. + </p> + <p> + Now the young spendthrift was a strong, stout fellow, and, seeing nothing + better to do, he sold his fine clothes and bought him a porter’s basket, + and went and sat in the corner of the market-place to hire himself out to + carry this or that for folk who were better off in the world, and less + foolish than he. + </p> + <p> + There he sat, all day long, from morning until evening, but nobody came to + hire him. But at last, as dusk was settling, there came along an old man + with beard as white as snow hanging down below his waist. He stopped in + front of the foolish spendthrift, and stood looking at him for a while; + then, at last, seeming to be satisfied, he beckoned with his finger to the + young man. “Come,” said he, “I have a task for you to do, and if you are + wise, and keep a still tongue in your head, I will pay you as never a + porter was paid before.” + </p> + <p> + You may depend upon it the young man needed no second bidding to such a + matter. Up he rose, and took his basket, and followed the old man, who led + the way up one street and down another, until at last they came to a + rickety, ramshackle house in a part of the town the young man had never + been before. Here the old man stopped and knocked at the door, which was + instantly opened, as though of itself, and then he entered with the young + spendthrift at his heels. The two passed through a dark passage-way, and + another door, and then, lo and behold! all was changed; for they had come + suddenly into such a place as the young man would not have believed could + be in such a house, had he not seen it with his own eyes. Thousands of + waxen tapers lit the place as bright as day—a great oval room, + floored with mosaic of a thousand bright colors and strange figures, and + hung with tapestries of silks and satins and gold and silver. The ceiling + was painted to represent the sky, through which flew beautiful birds and + winged figures so life-like that no one could tell that they were only + painted, and not real. At the farther side of the room were two richly + cushioned couches, and thither the old man led the way with the young + spendthrift following, wonder-struck, and there the two sat themselves + down. Then the old man smote his hands together, and, in answer, ten young + men and ten beautiful girls entered bearing a feast of rare fruits and + wines which they spread before them, and the young man, who had been + fasting since morning, fell to and ate as he had not eaten for many a day. + </p> + <p> + The old man, who himself ate but little, waited patiently for the other to + end. “Now,” said he, as soon as the young man could eat no more, “you have + feasted and you have drunk; it is time for us to work.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he rose from the couch and led the way, the young man following, + through an arch door-way into a garden, in the centre of which was an open + space paved with white marble, and in the centre of that again a carpet, + ragged and worn, spread out upon the smooth stones. Without saying a word, + the old man seated himself upon one end of this carpet, and motioned to + the spendthrift to seat himself with his basket at the other end; then— + </p> + <p> + “Are you ready?” said the old man. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the young man, “I am.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, by the horn of Jacob,” said the old man, “I command thee, O Carpet! + to bear us over hill and valley, over lake and river, to that spot whither + I wish to go.” Hardly had the words left his mouth when away flew the + carpet, swifter than the swiftest wind, carrying the old man and the young + spendthrift, until at last it brought them to a rocky desert without leaf + or blade of grass to be seen far or near. Then it descended to where there + was a circle of sand as smooth as a floor. + </p> + <p> + The old man rolled up the carpet, and then drew from a pouch that hung at + his side a box, and from the box some sticks of sandal and spice woods, + with which he built a little fire. Next he drew from the same pouch a + brazen jar, from which he poured a gray powder upon the blaze. Instantly + there leaped up a great flame of white light and a cloud of smoke, which + rose high in the air, and there spread out until it hid everything from + sight. Then the old man began to mutter spells, and in answer the earth + shook and quaked, and a rumbling as of thunder filled the air. At last he + gave a loud cry, and instantly the earth split open, and there the young + spendthrift saw a trap-door of iron, in which was an iron ring to lift it + by. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” said the old man. “Yonder is the task for which I have brought + you; lift for me that trap-door of iron, for it is too heavy for me to + raise, and I will pay you well.” + </p> + <p> + And it was no small task, either, for, stout and strong as the young man + was, it was all he could do to lift up the iron plate. But at last up it + swung, and down below he saw a flight of stone steps leading into the + earth. + </p> + <p> + The old man drew from his bosom a copper lamp, which he lit at the fire of + the sandal and spice wood sticks, which had now nearly died away. Then, + leading the way, with the young man following close at his heels, he + descended the stairway that led down below. At the bottom the two entered + a great vaulted room, carved out of the solid stone, upon the walls of + which were painted strange pictures in bright colors of kings and queens, + genii and dragons. Excepting for these painted figures, the vaulted room + was perfectly bare, only that in the centre of the floor there stood three + stone tables. Upon the first table stood an iron candlestick with three + branches; upon the second stood an earthen jar, empty of everything but + dust; upon the third stood a brass bowl, a yard wide and a yard deep, and + filled to the brim with shining, gleaming, dazzling jewels of all sorts. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the old man to the spendthrift, “I will do to you as I + promised: I will pay you as never man was paid before for such a task. + Yonder upon those three stone tables are three great treasures: choose + whichever one you will, and it is yours.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall not be long in choosing,” cried the young spendthrift. “I shall + choose the brass bowl of jewels.” + </p> + <p> + The old man laughed. “So be it,” said he. “Fill your basket from the bowl + with all you can carry, and that will be enough, provided you live wisely, + to make you rich for as long as you live.” + </p> + <p> + The young man needed no second bidding, but began filling his basket with + both hands, until he had in it as much as he could carry. + </p> + <p> + Then the old man, taking the iron candlestick and the earthen jar, led the + way up the stairway again. There the young man lowered the iron trap-door + to its place, and so soon as he had done so the other stamped his heel + upon the ground, and the earth closed of itself as smooth and level as it + had been before. + </p> + <p> + The two sat themselves upon the carpet, the one upon the one end, and the + other upon the other. “By the horn of Jacob,” said the old man, “I command + thee, O Carpet! to fly over hill and valley, over lake and river, until + thou hast brought us back whence we came.” + </p> + <p> + Away flew the carpet, and in a little time they were back in the garden + from which they had started upon their journey; and there they parted + company. “Go thy way, young man,” said the old graybeard, “and henceforth + try to live more wisely than thou hast done heretofore. I know well who + thou art, and how thou hast lived. Shun thy evil companions, live soberly, + and thou hast enough to make thee rich for as long as thou livest.” + </p> + <p> + “Have no fear,” cried the young man, joyfully. “I have learned a bitter + lesson, and henceforth I will live wisely and well.” + </p> + <p> + So, filled with good resolves, the young man went the next day to his + creditors and paid his debts; he bought back the house which his father + had left him, and there began to lead a new life as he had promised. + </p> + <p> + But a gray goose does not become white, nor a foolish man a wise one. + </p> + <p> + At first he led a life sober enough; but by little and little he began to + take up with his old-time friends again, and by-and-by the money went + flying as merrily as ever, only this time he was twenty times richer than + he had been before, and he spent his money twenty times as fast. Every day + there was feasting and drinking going on in his house, and roaring and + rioting and dancing and singing. The wealth of a king could not keep up + such a life forever, so by the end of a year and a half the last of the + treasure was gone, and the young spendthrift was just as poor as ever. + Then once again his friends left him as they had done before, and all that + he could do was to rap his head and curse his folly. + </p> + <p> + At last, one morning, he plucked up courage to go to the old man who had + helped him once before, to see whether he would not help him again. Rap! + tap! tap! he knocked at the door, and who should open it but the old man + himself. “Well,” said the graybeard, “what do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “I want some help,” said the spendthrift; and then he told him all, and + the old man listened and stroked his beard. + </p> + <p> + “By rights,” said he, when the young man had ended, “I should leave you + alone in your folly; for it is plain to see that nothing can cure you of + it. Nevertheless, as you helped me once, and as I have more than I shall + need, I will share what I have with you. Come in and shut the door.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way, the spendthrift following, to a little room all of bare + stone, and in which were only three things—the magic carpet, the + iron candlestick, and the earthen jar. This last the old man gave to the + foolish spendthrift. “My friend,” said he, “when you chose the money and + jewels that day in the cavern, you chose the less for the greater. Here is + a treasure that an emperor might well envy you. Whatever you wish for you + will find by dipping your hand into the jar. Now go your way, and let what + was happened cure you of your folly.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall,” cried the young man; “never again will I be so foolish as I + have been!” And thereupon he went his way with another pocketful of good + resolves. + </p> + <p> + The first thing he did when he reached home was to try the virtue of his + jar. “I should like,” said he, “to have a handful of just such treasure as + I brought from the cavern over yonder.” He dipped his hand into the jar, + and when he brought it out again it was brimful of shining, gleaming, + sparkling jewels. You can guess how he felt when he saw them. + </p> + <p> + Well, this time a whole year went by, during which the young man lived as + soberly as a judge. But at the end of the twelvemonth he was so sick of + wisdom that he loathed it as one loathes bitter drink. Then by little and + little he began to take up with his old ways again, and to call his old + cronies around, until at the end of another twelvemonth things were a + hundred times worse and wilder than ever; for now what he had he had + without end. + </p> + <p> + One day, when he and a great party of roisterers were shouting and making + merry, he brought out his earthen-ware pot to show them the wonders of it; + and to prove its virtue he gave to each guest whatever he wanted. “What + will you have?”—“A handful of gold.”—“Put your hand in and get + it!”—“What will you have?”—“A fistful of pearls.”—“Put + your fist in and get them!”—“What will you have?”—“A necklace + of diamonds.”—“Dip into the jar and get it.” And so he went from one + to another, and each and every one got what he asked for, and such a + shouting and hubbub those walls had never heard before. + </p> + <p> + Then the young man, holding the jar in his hands, began to dance and to + sing: “O wonderful jar! O beautiful jar! O beloved jar!” and so on, his + friends clapping their hands, and laughing and cheering him. At last, in + the height of his folly, he balanced the earthen jar on his head, and + began dancing around and around with it to show his dexterity. + </p> + <p> + Smash! crash! The precious jar lay in fifty pieces of the stone floor, and + the young man stood staring at the result of his folly with bulging eyes, + while his friends roared and laughed and shouted louder than ever over his + mishap. And again his treasure and his gay life were gone. + </p> + <p> + But what had been hard for him to do before was easier now. At the end of + a week he was back at the old man’s house, rapping on the door. This time + the old man asked him never a word, but frowned as black as thunder. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” said he, “what has happened to you. If I were wise I should let + you alone in your folly; but once more I will have pity on you and will + help you, only this time it shall be the last.” Once more he led the way + to the stone room, where were the iron candlestick and the magic carpet, + and with him he took a good stout cudgel. He stood the candlestick in the + middle of the room, and taking three candles from his pouch, thrust one + into each branch. Then he struck a light, and lit the first candle. + Instantly there appeared a little old man, clad in a long white robe, who + began dancing and spinning around and around like a top. He lit the second + candle, and a second old man appeared, and round and round he went, + spinning like his brother. He lit the third candle, and a third old man + appeared. Around and around and around they spun and whirled, until the + head spun and whirled to look at them. Then the old graybeard gripped the + cudgel in his hand. “Are you ready?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “We are ready, and waiting,” answered the three. Thereupon, without + another word, the graybeard fetched each of the dancers a blow upon the + head with might and main—One! two! three! crack! crash! jingle! + </p> + <p> + Lo and behold! Instead of the three dancing men, there lay three great + heaps of gold upon the floor, and the spendthrift stood staring like an + owl. “There,” said the old man, “take what you want, and then go your way, + and trouble me no more.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the spendthrift, “of all the wonders that ever I saw, this is + the most wonderful! But how am I to carry my gold away with me, seeing I + did not fetch my basket?” + </p> + <p> + “You shall have a basket,” said the old man, “if only you will trouble me + no more. Just wait here a moment until I bring it to you.” + </p> + <p> + The spendthrift was left all alone in the room; not a soul was there but + himself. He looked up, and he looked down, and scratched his head. “Why,” + he cried aloud, “should I be content to take a part when I can have the + whole?” + </p> + <p> + To do was as easy as to say. He snatched up the iron candlestick, caught + up the staff that the old man had left leaning against the wall, and + seated himself upon the magic carpet. “By the horn of Jacob,” he cried, “I + command thee, O Carpet! to carry me over hill and valley, over lake and + river, to a place where the old man can never find me.” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had the words left his mouth than away flew the carpet through the + air, carrying him along with it; away and away, higher than the clouds and + swifter than the wind. Then at last it descended to the earth again, and + when the young spendthrift looked about him, he found himself in just such + a desert place as he and the old man had come to when they had found the + treasure. But he gave no thought to that, and hardly looked around him to + see where he was. All that he thought of was to try his hand at the three + dancers that belonged to the candlestick. He struck a light, and lit the + three candles, and instantly the three little old men appeared for him + just as they had for the old graybeard. And around and around they spun + and whirled, until the sand and dust spun and whirled along with them. + Then the young man grasped his cudgel tightly. + </p> + <p> + Now, he had not noticed that when the old man struck the three dancers he + had held the cudgel in his left hand, for he was not wise enough to know + that great differences come from little matters. He griped the cudgel in + his right hand, and struck the dancers with might and main, just as the + old man had done. Crack! crack! crack! one; two; three. + </p> + <p> + Did they change into piles of gold? Not a bit of it! Each of the dancers + drew from under his robe a cudgel as stout and stouter than the one the + young man himself held, and, without a word, fell upon him and began to + beat and drub him until the dust flew. In vain he hopped and howled and + begged for mercy, in vain he tried to defend himself; the three never + stopped until he fell to the ground, and laid there panting and sighing + and groaning; and then they left and flew back with the iron candlestick + and the magic carpet to the old man again. At last, after a great while, + the young spendthrift sat up, rubbing the sore places; but when he looked + around not a sign was to be seen of anything but the stony desert, without + a house or a man in sight. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps, after a long time, he found his way home again, and perhaps the + drubbing he had had taught him wisdom; the first is a likely enough thing + to happen, but as for the second, it would need three strong men to tell + it to me a great many times before I would believe it. + </p> + <p> + You may smile at this story if you like, but, all the same, as certainly + as there is meat in an egg-shell, so is there truth in this nonsense. For, + “Give a fool heaven and earth,” say I, “and all the stars, and he will + make ducks and drakes of them.” + </p> + <p> + Fortunatus lifted his canican to his lips and took a long, hearty draught + of ale. “Methinks,” said he, “that all your stories have a twang of the + same sort about them. You all of you, except my friend the Soldier here, + play the same tune upon a different fiddle. Nobody comes to any good.” + </p> + <p> + St. George drew a long whiff of his pipe, and then puffed out a cloud of + smoke as big as his head. “Perhaps,” said he to Fortunatus, “you know of a + story which turns out differently. If you do, let us have it, for it is + your turn now.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Fortunatus, “I will tell you a story that turns out as + it should, where the lad marries a beautiful princess and becomes a king + into the bargain.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is your story about?” said the Lad who fiddled for Jew in the + bramble-bush. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said Fortunatus, “about—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Good of a Few Words + </h2> + <h3> + There was one Beppo the Wise and another Beppo the Foolish. + </h3> + <p> + The wise one was the father of the foolish one. + </p> + <p> + Beppo the Wise was called Beppo the Wise because he had laid up a great + treasure after a long life of hard work. + </p> + <p> + Beppo the Foolish was called Beppo the Foolish because he spent in five + years after his father was gone from this world of sorrow all that the old + man had laid together in his long life of toil. But during that time Beppo + lived as a prince, and the life was never seen in that town before or + since—feasting and drinking and junketing and merrymaking. He had + friends by the dozen and by the scores, and the fame of his doings went + throughout all the land. + </p> + <p> + While his money lasted he was called Beppo the Generous. It was only after + it was all gone that they called him Beppo the Foolish. + </p> + <p> + So by-and-by the money was spent, and there was an end of it. + </p> + <p> + Yes; there was an end of it; and where were all of Beppo’s fair-weather + friends? Gone like the wild-geese in frosty weather. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you remember how I gave you a bagful of gold?” says Beppo the + Foolish. “Won’t you remember me now in my time of need?” + </p> + <p> + But the fair-weather friend only laughed in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Don’t you remember how I gave you a fine gold chain with a diamond + pendant?” says Beppo to another. “And won’t you lend me a little money to + help me over to-day?” + </p> + <p> + But the summer-goose friend only grinned. + </p> + <p> + “But what shall I do to keep body and soul together?” says Beppo to a + third. + </p> + <p> + The man was a wit. “Go to a shoemaker,” said he, “and let him stitch the + soul fast;” and that was all the good Beppo had of him. + </p> + <p> + Then poor Beppo saw that there was not place for him in that town, and so + off he went to seek his fortune else whither, for he saw that there was + nothing to be gained in that place. + </p> + <p> + So he journeyed on for a week and a day, and then towards evening he came + to the king’s town. + </p> + <p> + There it stood on the hill beside the river—the grandest city in the + kingdom. There were orchards and plantations of trees along the banks of + the stream, and gardens and summer-houses and pavilions. There were white + houses and red roofs and blue skies. Up above on the hill were olive + orchards and fields, and then blue sky again. + </p> + <p> + Beppo went into the town, gazing about him with admiration. Houses, + palaces, gardens. He had never seen the like. Stores and shops full of + cloths of velvet and silk and satin; goldsmiths, silversmiths, jewellers—as + though all the riches of the world had been emptied into the city. Crowds + of people—lords, noblemen, courtiers, rich merchants, and tradesmen. + </p> + <p> + Beppo stared about at the fine sights and everybody stared at Beppo, for + his shoes were dusty, his clothes were travel-stained, and a razor had not + touched his face for a week. + </p> + <p> + The king of that country was walking in the garden under the shade of the + trees, and the sunlight slanted down upon him, and sparkled upon the + jewels around his neck and on his fingers. Two dogs walked alongside of + him, and a whole crowd of lords and nobles and courtiers came behind him; + first of all the prime-minister with his long staff. + </p> + <p> + But for all this fine show this king was not really the king. When the old + king died he left a daughter, and she should have been queen if she had + had her own rights. But this king, who was her uncle, had stepped in + before her, and so the poor princess was pushed aside and was nobody at + all but a princess, the king’s niece. + </p> + <p> + She stood on the terrace with her old nurse, while the king walked in the + garden below. + </p> + <p> + It had been seven years now since the old king had died, and in that time + she had grown up into a beautiful young woman, as wise as she was + beautiful, and as good as she was wise. Few people ever saw her, but + everybody talked about her in whispers and praised her beauty and + goodness, saying that, if the right were done, she would have her own and + be queen. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes the king heard of this (for a king hears everything), and he + grew to hate the princess as a man hates bitter drink. + </p> + <p> + The princess looked down from the terrace, and there she saw Beppo walking + along the street, and his shoes were dusty and his clothes were + travel-stained, and a razor had not touched his face for a week. + </p> + <p> + “Look at yonder poor man,” she said to her nurse; “yet if I were his wife + he would be greater really than my uncle, the king.” + </p> + <p> + The king, walking below in the garden, heard what she said. + </p> + <p> + “Say you so!” he called out. “Then we shall try if what you say is true;” + and he turned away, shaking with anger. + </p> + <p> + “Alas!” said the princess, “now, indeed, have I ruined myself for good and + all.” + </p> + <p> + Beppo was walking along the street looking about him hither and thither, + and thinking how fine it all was. He had no more thought that the king and + the princess were talking about him than the man in the moon. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly some one clapped him upon the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + Beppo turned around. + </p> + <p> + There stood a great tall man dressed all in black. + </p> + <p> + “You must come with me,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “What do you want with me?” said Beppo. + </p> + <p> + “That you shall see for yourself,” said the man. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Beppo; “I’d as lief go along with you as anywhere else.” + </p> + <p> + So he turned and followed the man whither he led. + </p> + <p> + They went along first one street and then another, and by-and-by they came + to the river, and there was a long wall with a gate in it. The tall man in + black knocked upon the gate, and some one opened it from within. The man + in black entered, and Beppo followed at his heels, wondering where he was + going. + </p> + <p> + He was in a garden. There were fruit trees and flowering shrubs and long + marble walks, and away in the distance a great grand palace of white + marble that shone red as fire in the light of the setting sun, but there + was not a soul to be seen anywhere. + </p> + <p> + The tall man in black led the way up the long marble walk, past the + fountains and fruit trees and beds of roses, until he had come to the + palace. + </p> + <p> + Beppo wondered whether he were dreaming. + </p> + <p> + The tall man in black led the way into the palace, but still there was not + a soul to be seen. + </p> + <p> + Beppo gazed about him in wonder. There were floors of colored marble, and + ceilings of blue and gold, and columns of carved marble, and hangings of + silk and velvet and silver. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the tall man opened a little door that led into a dark passage, + and Beppo followed him. They went along the passage, and then the man + opened another door. + </p> + <p> + Then Beppo found himself in a great vaulted room. There at one end of the + room were three souls. A man sat on the throne, and he was the king, for + he had a crown on his head and a long robe over his shoulders. Beside him + stood a priest, and in front of him stood a beautiful young woman as white + as wax and as still as death. + </p> + <p> + Beppo wondered whether he were awake. + </p> + <p> + “Come hither,” said the king, in a harsh voice, and Beppo came forward and + kneeled before him. “Take this young woman by the hand,” said the king. + </p> + <p> + Beppo did as he was bidden. + </p> + <p> + Her hand was as cold as ice. + </p> + <p> + Then, before Beppo knew what was happening, he found that he was being + married. + </p> + <p> + It was the princess. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the king to her when the priest had ended, and he frowned + until his brows were as black as thunder—“now you are married; tell + me, is your husband greater than I?” + </p> + <p> + But the princess said never a word, only the tears ran one after another + down her white face. The king sat staring at her and frowning. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly some one tapped Beppo upon the shoulder. It was the tall man in + black. + </p> + <p> + Beppo knew that he was to follow him again. This time the princess was to + go along. The tall man in black led the way, and Beppo and the princess + followed along the secret passage and up and down the stairs until at last + they came out into the garden again. + </p> + <p> + And now the evening was beginning to fall. + </p> + <p> + The man led the way down the garden to the river, and still Beppo and the + princess followed him. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by they came to the river-side and to a flight of steps, and there + was a little frail boat without sail or oars. + </p> + <p> + The tall man in black beckoned towards the boat, and Beppo knew that he + and princess were to enter it. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Beppo had helped the princess into the boat the tall man thrust + it out into the stream with his foot, and the boat drifted away from the + shore and out into the river, and then around and around. Then it floated + off down the stream. + </p> + <p> + It floated on and on, and the sun set and the moon rose. + </p> + <p> + Beppo looked at the princess, and he thought he had never seen any one so + beautiful in all his life. It was all like a dream, and he hoped he might + never waken. But the princess sat there weeping and weeping, and said + nothing. + </p> + <p> + The night fell darker and darker, but still Beppo sat looking at the + princess. Her face was as white as silver in the moonlight. The smell of + the flower-gardens came across the river. The boat floated on and on until + by-and-by it drifted to the shore again and among the river reeds, and + there it stopped, and Beppo carried the princess ashore. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said the princess. “Do you know who I am?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Beppo, “I do not.” + </p> + <p> + “I am the princess,” said she, “the king’s niece; and by rights I should + be queen of this land.” + </p> + <p> + Beppo could not believe his ears. + </p> + <p> + “It is true that I am married to you,” said she, “but never shall you be + my husband until you are king.” + </p> + <p> + “King!” said Beppo; “how can I be king?” + </p> + <p> + “You shall be king,” said the princess. + </p> + <p> + “But the king is everything,” said Beppo, “and I am nothing at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Great things come from small beginnings,” said the princess; “a big tree + from a little seed.” + </p> + <p> + Some little distance away from the river was the twinkle of a light, and + thither Beppo led the princess. When the two came to it, they found it was + a little hut, for there were fish-nets hanging outside in the moonlight. + </p> + <p> + Beppo knocked. + </p> + <p> + An old woman opened the door. She stared and stared, as well she might, to + see the fine lady in silks and satins with a gold ring upon her finger, + and nobody with her but one who looked like a poor beggar-man. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you and what do you want?” said the old woman. + </p> + <p> + “Who we are,” said the princess, “does not matter, except that we are + honest folk in trouble. What we want is shelter for the night and food to + eat, and that we will pay for.” + </p> + <p> + “Shelter I can give you,” said the old woman, “but little else but a crust + of bread and a cup of water. One time there was enough and plenty in the + house; but now, since my husband has gone and I am left all alone, it is + little I have to eat and drink. But such as I have to give you are welcome + to.” + </p> + <p> + Then Beppo and the princess went into the house. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the princess called Beppo to her. “Here,” said she, “is a + ring and a letter. Go you into the town and inquire for Sebastian the + Goldsmith. He will know what to do.” + </p> + <p> + Beppo took the ring and the letter and started off to town, and it was not + hard for him to find the man he sought, for every one knew of Sebastian + the Goldsmith. He was an old man, with a great white beard and a forehead + like the dome of a temple. He looked at Beppo from head to foot with eyes + as bright as those of a snake; then he took the ring and the letter. As + soon as he saw the ring he raised it to his lips and kissed it; then he + kissed the letter also; then he opened it and read it. + </p> + <p> + He turned to Beppo and bowed very low. “My lord,” said he, “I will do as I + am commanded. Will you be pleased to follow me?” + </p> + <p> + He led the way into an inner room. There were soft rugs upon the floor, + and around the walls were tapestries. There were couches and silken + cushions. Beppo wondered what it all meant. + </p> + <p> + Sebastian the Goldsmith clapped his hands together. A door opened, and + there came three black slaves into the room. The Goldsmith spoke to them + in a strange language, and the chief of the three black slaves bowed in + reply. Then he and the others led Beppo into another room where there was + a marble bath of tepid water. They bathed him and rubbed him with soft + linen towels; then they shaved the beard from his cheeks and chin and + trimmed his hair; then they clothed him in fine linen and a plain suit of + gray and Beppo looked like a new man. + </p> + <p> + Then when all this was done the chief of the blacks conducted Beppo back + to Sebastian the Goldsmith. There was a fine feast spread, with fruit and + wine. Beppo sat down to it, and Sebastian the Goldsmith stood and served + him with a napkin over his arm. + </p> + <p> + Then Beppo was to return to the princess again. + </p> + <p> + A milk-white horse was waiting for him at the Goldsmith’s door, a servant + holding the bridle, and Beppo mounted and rode away. + </p> + <p> + When he returned to the fisherman’s hut the princess was waiting for him. + She had prepared a tray spread with a napkin, a cup of milk, and some + sweet cakes. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said she; “to-day the king hunts in the forest over yonder. Go + you thither with this. The king will be hot and thirsty, and weary with + the chase. Offer him this refreshment. He will eat and drink, and in + gratitude he will offer you something in return. Take nothing of him, but + ask him this: that he allow you once every three days to come to the + palace, and that he whisper these words in your ear so that no one else + may hear them—‘A word, a word, only a few words; spoken ill, they + are ill; spoken well, they are more precious than gold and jewels.’” + </p> + <p> + “Why should I do that?” said Beppo. + </p> + <p> + “You will see,” said the princess. + </p> + <p> + Beppo did not understand it at all, but the princess is a princess and + must be obeyed, and so he rode away on his horse at her bidding. + </p> + <p> + It was as the princess had said: the king was hunting in the forest, and + when Beppo came there he could hear the shouts of the men and the winding + of horns and the baying of dogs. He waited there for maybe an hour or + more, and sometimes the sounds were nearer and sometimes the sounds were + farther away. Presently they came nearer and nearer, and then all of a + sudden the king came riding out of the forest, the hounds hunting hither + and thither, and the lords and nobles and courtiers following him. + </p> + <p> + The king’s face was flushed and heated with the chase, and his forehead + was bedewed with sweat. Beppo came forward and offered the tray. The king + wiped his face with the napkin, and then drank the milk and ate three of + the cakes. + </p> + <p> + “Who was it ordered you to bring this to me?” said he to Beppo. + </p> + <p> + “No one,” said Beppo; “I brought it myself.” + </p> + <p> + The king looked at Beppo and was grateful to him. + </p> + <p> + “Thou hast given me pleasure and comfort,” said he; “ask what thou wilt in + return and if it is in reason thou shalt have it.” + </p> + <p> + “I will have only this,” said Beppo: “that your majesty will allow me once + every three days to come to the palace, and that then you will take me + aside and will whisper these words into my ear so that no one else may + hear them—A word, a word, only a few words; spoken ill, they are + ill; spoken well, they are more precious than gold and jewels.’” + </p> + <p> + The king burst out laughing. “Why,” said he, “what is this foolish thing + you ask of me? If you had asked for a hundred pieces of gold you should + have had them. Think better, friend, and ask something of more worth than + this foolish thing.” + </p> + <p> + “Please your majesty,” said Beppo, “I ask nothing else.” + </p> + <p> + The king laughed again. “Then you shall have what you ask,” said he, and + he rode away. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the princess said to Beppo: “This day you shall go and + claim the king’s promise of him. Take this ring and this letter again to + Sebastian the Goldsmith. He will fit you with clothes in which to appear + before the king. Then go to the king’s palace that he may whisper those + words he has to say into your ear.” + </p> + <p> + Once more Beppo went to Sebastian the Goldsmith, and the Goldsmith kissed + the princess’s ring and letter, and read what she had written. + </p> + <p> + Again the black slaves took Beppo to the bath, only this time they clad + him in a fine suit of velvet and hung a gold chain around his neck. After + that Sebastian the Goldsmith again served a feast to Beppo, and waited + upon him while he ate and drank. + </p> + <p> + In front of the house a noble horse, as black as jet, was waiting to carry + Beppo to the palace, and two servants dressed in velvet livery were + waiting to attend him. + </p> + <p> + So Beppo rode away, and many people stopped to look at him. + </p> + <p> + He came to the palace, and the king was giving audience. Beppo went into + the great audience-chamber. It was full of people—lords and nobles + and rich merchants and lawyers. + </p> + <p> + Beppo did not know how to come to the king, so he stood there and waited + and waited. The people looked at him and whispered to one another: “Who is + that young man?” “Whence comes he?” Then one said: “Is not he the young + man who served the king with cakes and milk in the forest yesterday?” + </p> + <p> + Beppo stood there gazing at the king. By-and-by the king suddenly looked + up and caught sight of him. He gazed at Beppo for a moment or two and then + he knew him. Then he smiled and beckoned to him. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, my foolish benefactor,” said he, aloud, “is it thou, and art thou + come so soon to redeem thy promise? Very well; come hither, I have + something to say to thee.” + </p> + <p> + Beppo came forward, and everybody stared. He came close to the king, and + the king laid his hand upon his shoulder. Then he leaned over to Beppo and + whispered in his ear: “A word, a word, only a few words; if they be spoken + ill, they are ill; if they be spoken well, they are more precious than + gold and jewels.” Then he laughed. “Is that what you would have me say?” + said he. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, majesty,” said Beppo, and he bowed low and withdrew. + </p> + <p> + But, lo and behold, what a change! + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he was transformed in the eyes of the whole world. The crowd drew + back to allow him to pass, and everybody bowed low as he went along. + </p> + <p> + “Did you not see the king whisper to him,” said one. “What could it be + that the king said?” said another. “This must be a new favorite,” said a + third. + </p> + <p> + He had come into the palace Beppo the Foolish; he went forth Beppo the + Great Man, and all because of a few words the king had whispered in his + ear. + </p> + <p> + Three days passed, and then Beppo went again to the Goldsmith’s with the + ring and a letter from the princess. This time Sebastian the Goldsmith + fitted him with a suit of splendid plum-colored silk and gave him a + dappled horse, and again Beppo and his two attendants rode away to the + palace. And this time every one knew him, and as he went up the steps into + the palace all present bowed to him. The king saw him as soon as he + appeared, and when he caught sight of him he burst out laughing. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said he, “I was looking for thee today, and wondering how soon thou + wouldst come. Come hither till I whisper something in thine ear.” + </p> + <p> + Then all the lords and nobles and courtiers and ministers drew back, and + Beppo went up to the king. + </p> + <p> + The king laughed and laughed. He laid his arm over Beppo’s shoulder, and + again he whispered in his ear: “A word, a word, only a few words; if they + be spoken ill, they are ill; if they be spoken well, they are more + precious than gold and jewels.” + </p> + <p> + Then he released Beppo, and Beppo withdrew. + </p> + <p> + So it continued for three months. Every three days Beppo went to the + palace, and the king whispered the words in his ear. Beppo said nothing to + any one, and always went away as soon as the king had whispered to him. + </p> + <p> + Then at last the princess said to him: “Now the time is ripe for doing. + Listen! To-day when you go to the palace fix your eyes, when the king + speaks to you, upon the prime-minister, and shake your head. The + prime-minister will ask you what the king said. Say nothing to him but + this: Alas, my poor friend!’” + </p> + <p> + It was all just as the princess had said. + </p> + <p> + The king was walking in the garden, with his courtiers and ministers about + him. Beppo came to him, and the king, as he always did, laid his hand upon + Beppo’s shoulder and whispered in his ear: “A word, a word, only a few + words; if they be spoken ill, they are ill; if they be spoken well, they + are more precious than gold and jewels.” + </p> + <p> + While the king was saying these words to Beppo, Beppo was looking fixedly + at the prime-minister. While he did so he shook his head three times. Then + he bowed low and walked away. + </p> + <p> + He had not gone twenty paces before some one tapped him upon the arm; it + was the prime-minister. Beppo gazed fixedly at him. “Alas, my poor + friend!” said he. + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister turned pale. “It was, then, as I thought,” said he. + “The king spoke about me. Will you not tell me what he said?” + </p> + <p> + Beppo shook his head. “Alas, my poor friend!” said he, and then he walked + on. + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister still followed him. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said he, “I have been aware that his majesty has not been the + same to me for more than a week past. If it was about the princess, pray + tell his majesty that I meant nothing ill when I spoke of her to him.” + </p> + <p> + Beppo shook his head. “Alas, my poor friend!” he said. + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister’s lips trembled. “My lord,” said he, “I have always had + the kindest regard for you, and if there is anything in my power that I + can do for you I hope you will command me. I know how much you are in his + majesty’s confidence. Will you not speak a few words to set the matter + straight?” + </p> + <p> + Beppo again shook his head. “Alas, my poor friend!” said he, and then he + got upon his horse and rode away. + </p> + <p> + Three days passed. + </p> + <p> + “This morning,” said the princess, “when you go to the king, look at the + prime-minister when the king speaks to you, and smile. The prime-minister + will again speak to you, and this time say, It is well, and I wish you + joy.’ Take what he gives you, for it will be of use.” + </p> + <p> + Again all happened just as the princess said. + </p> + <p> + Beppo came to the palace, and again the king whispered in his ear. As he + did so Beppo looked at the prime-minister and smiled, and then he + withdrew. + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister followed him. He trembled. “It is well,” said Beppo, + “and I wish you joy.” + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister grasped his hand and wrung it. “My lord,” said he, “how + can I express my gratitude! The palace of my son that stands by the river—I + would that you would use it for your own, if I may be so bold as to offer + it to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said Beppo, “use it as my own.” + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister wrung his hand again, and then Beppo rode away. + </p> + <p> + The next time that Beppo spoke to the king, at the princess’s bidding, he + looked at the lord-treasurer, and said, as he had said to the + prime-minister, “Alas, my poor friend!” + </p> + <p> + When he rode away he left the lord-treasurer as white as ashes to the very + lips. + </p> + <p> + Three days passed, and then, while the king talked to Beppo, Beppo looked + at the lord-treasurer and smiled. + </p> + <p> + The lord-treasurer followed him to the door of the palace. + </p> + <p> + “It is well, and I wish you joy,” said Beppo. + </p> + <p> + The treasurer offered him a fortune. + </p> + <p> + The next time it was the same with the captain of the guards. First Beppo + pitied him, and then he wished him joy. + </p> + <p> + “My lord,” said the captain of the guards, “my services are yours at any + time.” + </p> + <p> + Then the same thing happened to the governor of the city, then to this + lord, and then to that lord. + </p> + <p> + Beppo grew rich and powerful beyond measure. + </p> + <p> + Then one day the princess said: “Now we will go into the town, and to the + palace of the prime-minister’s son, which the prime-minister gave you, for + the time is ripe for the end.” + </p> + <p> + In a few days all the court knew that Beppo was living like a prince in + the prime-minister’s palace. The king began to wonder what it all meant, + and how all such good-fortune had come to Beppo. He had grown very tired + of always speaking to Beppo the same words. + </p> + <p> + But Beppo was now great among the great; all the world paid court to him, + and bowed down to him, almost as they did before the king. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the princess, “the time has come to strike. Bid all the + councillors, and all the lords, and all the nobles to meet here three days + hence, for it is now or never that you shall win all and become king.” + </p> + <p> + Beppo did as she bade. He asked all of the great people of the kingdom to + come to him, and they came. When they were all gathered together at + Beppo’s house, they found two thrones set as though for a king and a + queen, but there was no sign of Beppo, and everybody wondered what it all + meant. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the door opened and Beppo came into the room, leading by the hand + a lady covered with a veil from head to foot. + </p> + <p> + Everybody stopped speaking and stood staring while Beppo led the veiled + lady up to one of the thrones. He seated himself upon the other. + </p> + <p> + The lady stood up and dropped her veil, and then every one knew her. + </p> + <p> + It was the princess. “Do you not know me?” said she; “I am the queen, and + this is my husband. He is your king.” + </p> + <p> + All stood silent for a moment, and then a great shout went up. “Long live + the queen! Long live the king!” + </p> + <p> + The princess turned to the captain of the guards. “You have offered your + services to my husband,” said she; “his commands and my commands are that + you march to the palace and cast out him who hath no right there.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the captain of the guards. + </p> + <p> + All the troops were up in arms, and the town was full of tumult and + confusion. About midnight they brought the false king before King Beppo + and the queen. The false king stood there trembling like a leaf. The queen + stood gazing at him steadily. “Behold, this is the husband that thou + gavest me,” said she. “It is as I said; he is greater than thou. For, lo, + he is king! What art thou?” + </p> + <p> + The false king was banished out of the country, and the poor fisherman’s + wife, who had entertained the princess for all this time, came to live at + the palace, where all was joy and happiness. + </p> + <p> + “Friend,” said St. George, “I like your story. Ne’th’less, tis like a + strolling peddler, in that it carries a great deal of ills to begin with, + to get rid of them all before it gets to the end of its journey. However, + tis as you say—it ends with everybody merry and feasting, and so I + like it. But now methinks our little friend yonder is big with a story of + his own;” and he pointed, as he spoke, with the stem of his pipe to a + little man whom I knew was the brave Tailor who had killed seven flies at + a blow, for he still had around his waist the belt with the legend that he + himself had worked upon it. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” piped the Tailor in a keen, high voice, “tis true I have a story + inside of me. Tis about another tailor who had a great, big, black, ugly + demon to wait upon him and to sew his clothes for him.” + </p> + <p> + “And the name of that story, my friend,” said the Soldier who had cheated + the Devil, “is what?” + </p> + <p> + “It hath no name,” piped the little Tailor, “but I will give it one, and + it shall be—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Woman’s Wit. + </h2> + <h3> + When man’s strength fails, woman’s wit prevails. + </h3> + <p> + In the days when the great and wise King Solomon lived and ruled, evil + spirits and demons were as plentiful in the world as wasps in summer. + </p> + <p> + So King Solomon, who was so wise and knew so many potent spells that he + had power over evil such as no man has had before or since, set himself to + work to put those enemies of mankind out of the way. Some he conjured into + bottles, and sank into the depths of the sea; some he buried in the earth; + some he destroyed altogether, as one burns hair in a candle-flame. + </p> + <p> + Now, one pleasant day when King Solomon was walking in his garden with his + hands behind his back, and his thoughts busy as bees with this or that, he + came face to face with a Demon, who was a prince of his kind. “Ho, little + man!” cried the evil spirit, in a loud voice, “art not thou the wise King + Solomon who conjures my brethren into brass chests and glass bottles? + Come, try a fall at wrestling with me, and whoever conquers shall be + master over the other for all time. What do you say to such an offer as + that?” + </p> + <p> + “I say aye!” said King Solomon, and, without another word, he stripped off + his royal robes and stood bare breasted, man to man with the other. + </p> + <p> + The world never saw the like of that wrestling match betwixt the king and + the Demon, for they struggled and strove together from the seventh hour in + the morning to the sunset in the evening, and during that time the sky was + clouded over as black as night, and the lightning forked and shot, and the + thunder roared and bellowed, and the earth shook and quaked. + </p> + <p> + But at last the king gave the enemy an under twist, and flung him down on + the earth so hard that the apples fell from the trees; and then, panting + and straining, he held the evil one down, knee on neck. Thereupon the sky + presently cleared again, and all was as pleasant as a spring day. + </p> + <p> + King Solomon bound the Demon with spells, and made him serve him for seven + years. First, he had him build a splendid palace, the like of which was + not to be seen within the bounds of the seven rivers; then he made him set + around the palace a garden, such as I for one wish I may see some time or + other. Then, when the Demon had done all that the king wished, the king + conjured him into a bottle, corked it tightly, and set the royal seal on + the stopper. Then he took the bottle a thousand miles away into the + wilderness, and, when no man was looking, buried it in the ground, and + this is the way the story begins. + </p> + <p> + Well, the years came and the years went, and the world grew older and + older, and kept changing (as all things do but two), so that by-and-by the + wilderness where King Solomon had hid the bottle became a great town, with + people coming and going, and all as busy as bees about their own business + and other folks’ affairs. + </p> + <p> + Among these towns-people was a little Tailor, who made clothes for many a + worse man to wear, and who lived all alone in a little house with no one + to darn his stockings for him, and no one to meddle with his coming and + going, for he was a bachelor. + </p> + <p> + The little Tailor was a thrifty soul, and by hook and crook had laid by + enough money to fill a small pot, and then he had to bethink himself of + some safe place to hide it. So one night he took a spade and a lamp and + went out in the garden to bury his money. He drove his spade into the + ground—and click! He struck something hard that rang under his foot + with a sound as of iron. “Hello!” said he, “what have we here?” and if he + had known as much as you and I do, he would have filled in the earth, and + tramped it down, and have left that plate of broth for somebody else to + burn his mouth with. + </p> + <p> + As it was, he scraped away the soil, and then he found a box of adamant, + with a ring in the lid to lift it by. The Tailor clutched the ring and + bent his back, and up came the box with the damp earth sticking to it. He + cleaned the mould away, and there he saw, written in red letters, these + words: + </p> + <p> + “Open not.” + </p> + <p> + You may be sure that after he had read these words he was not long in + breaking open the lid of the box with his spade. + </p> + <p> + Inside the first box he found a second, and upon it the same words: + </p> + <p> + “Open not.” + </p> + <p> + Within the second box was another, and within that still another, until + there were seven in all, and on each was written the same words: + </p> + <p> + “Open not.” + </p> + <p> + Inside the seventh box was a roll of linen, and inside that a bottle + filled with nothing but blue smoke; and I wish that bottle had burned the + Tailor’s fingers when he touched it. + </p> + <p> + “And is this all?” said the little Tailor, turning the bottle upside down + and shaking it, and peeping at it by the light of the lamp. “Well, since I + have gone so far I might as well open it, as I have already opened the + seven boxes.” Thereupon he broke the seal that stoppered it. + </p> + <p> + Pop! out flew the cork, and—puff! out came the smoke; not all at + once, but in a long thread that rose up as high as the stars, and then + spread until it hid their light. + </p> + <p> + The Tailor stared and goggled and gaped to see so much smoke come out of + such a little bottle, and, as he goggled and stared, the smoke began to + gather together again, thicker and thicker, and darker and darker, until + it was as black as ink. Then out from it there stepped one with eyes that + shone like sparks of fire, and who had a countenance so terrible that the + Tailor’s skin quivered and shrivelled, and his tongue clove to the roof of + his mouth at the sight of it. + </p> + <p> + “Who are thou?” said the terrible being, in a voice that made the very + marrow of the poor Tailor’s bones turn soft from terror. + </p> + <p> + “If you please, sir,” said he, “I am only a little tailor.” + </p> + <p> + The evil being lifted up both hands and eyes. “How wonderful,” he cried, + “that one little tailor can undo in a moment that which took the wise + Solomon a whole day to accomplish, and in the doing of which he wellnigh + broke the sinews of his heart!” Then, turning to the Tailor, who stood + trembling like a rabbit, “Hark thee!” said he. “For two thousand years I + lay there in that bottle, and no one came nigh to aid me. Thou hast + liberated me, and thou shalt not go unrewarded. Every morning at the + seventh hour I will come to thee, and I will perform for thee whatever + task thou mayst command me. But there is one condition attached to the + agreement, and woe be to thee if that condition is broken. If any morning + I should come to thee, and thou hast no task for me to do, I shall wring + thy neck as thou mightest wring the neck of a sparrow.” Thereupon he was + gone in an instant, leaving the little Tailor half dead with terror. + </p> + <p> + Now it happened that the prime-minister of that country had left an order + with the Tailor for a suit of clothes, so the next morning, when the Demon + came, the little man set him to work on the bench, with his legs tucked up + like a journey-man tailor. “I want,” said he, “such and such a suit of + clothes.” + </p> + <p> + “You shall have them,” said the Demon; and thereupon he began snipping in + the air, and cutting most wonderful patterns of silks and satins out of + nothing at all, and the little Tailor sat and gaped and stared. Then the + Demon began to drive the needle like a spark of fire—the like was + never seen in all the seven kingdoms, for the clothes seemed to make + themselves. + </p> + <p> + At last, at the end of a little while, the Demon stood up and brushed his + hands. “They are done,” said he, and thereupon he instantly vanished. But + the Tailor cared little for that, for upon the bench there lay such a suit + of clothes of silk and satin stuff, sewed with threads of gold and silver + and set with jewels, as the eyes of man never saw before; and the Tailor + packed them up and marched off with them himself to the prime-minister. + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister wore the clothes to court that very day, and before + evening they were the talk of the town. All the world ran to the Tailor + and ordered clothes of him, and his fortune was made. Every day the Demon + created new suits of clothes out of nothing at all, so that the Tailor + grew as rich as a Jew, and held his head up in the world. + </p> + <p> + As time went along he laid heavier and heavier tasks upon the Demon’s + back, and demanded of him more and more; but all the while the Demon kept + his own counsel, and said never a word. + </p> + <p> + One morning, as the Tailor sat in his shop window taking the world easy—for + he had little or nothing to do now—he heard a great hubbub in the + street below, and when he looked down he saw that it was the king’s + daughter passing by. It was the first time that the Tailor had seen her, + and when he saw her his heart stood still within him, and then began + fluttering like a little bird, for one so beautiful was not to be met with + in the four corners of the world. Then she was gone. + </p> + <p> + All that day the little Tailor could do nothing but sit and think of the + princess, and the next morning when the Demon came he was thinking of her + still. + </p> + <p> + “What hast thou for me to do to-day?” said the Demon, as he always said of + a morning. + </p> + <p> + The little Tailor was waiting for the question. + </p> + <p> + “I would like you,” said he, “to send to the king’s palace, and to ask him + to let me have his daughter for my wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt have thy desire,” said the Demon. Thereupon he smote his hands + together like a clap of thunder, and instantly the walls of the room clove + asunder, and there came out four-and-twenty handsome youths, clad in cloth + of gold and silver. After these four-and-twenty there came another one who + was the chief of them all, and before whom, splendid as they were, the + four-and-twenty paled like stars in daylight. “Go to the king’s palace,” + said the Demon to that one, “and deliver this message: The Tailor of + Tailors, the Master of Masters, and One Greater than a King asks for his + daughter to wife.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the other, and bowed his forehead to the earth. + </p> + <p> + Never was there such a hubbub in the town as when those five-and-twenty, + in their clothes of silver and gold, rode through the streets to the + king’s palace. As they came near, the gates of the palace flew open before + them, and the king himself came out to meet them. The leader of the + five-and-twenty leaped from his horse, and, kissing the ground before the + king, delivered his message: “The Tailor of Tailors, the Master of + Masters, and One Greater than a King asks for thy daughter to wife.” + </p> + <p> + When the king heard what the messenger said, he thought and pondered a + long time. At last he said, “If he who sent you is the Master of Masters, + and greater than a king, let him send me an asking gift such as no king + could send.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be as you desire,” said the messenger, and thereupon the + five-and-twenty rode away as they had come, followed by crowds of people. + </p> + <p> + The next morning when the Demon came the tailor was ready and waiting for + him. “What hast thou for me to do to-day?” said the Evil One. + </p> + <p> + “I want,” said the tailor, “a gift to send to the king such as no other + king could send him.” + </p> + <p> + “Thou shalt have thy desire,” said the Demon. Thereupon he smote his hands + together, and summoned, not five-and-twenty young men, but fifty youths, + all clad in clothes more splendid than the others. + </p> + <p> + All of the fifty sat upon coal-black horses, with saddles of silver and + housings of silk and velvet embroidered with gold. In the midst of all the + five-and-seventy there rode a youth in cloth of silver embroidered in + pearls. In his hand he bore something wrapped in a white napkin, and that + was the present for the king such as no other king could give. So said the + Demon: “Take it to the royal palace, and tell his majesty that it is from + the Tailor of Tailors, the Master of Masters, and One Greater than a + King.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the young man, and then they all rode away. + </p> + <p> + When they came to the palace the gates flew open before them, and the king + came out to meet them. The young man who bore the present dismounted and + prostrated himself in the dust, and, when the king bade him arise, he + unwrapped the napkin, and gave to the king a goblet made of one single + ruby, and filled to the brim with pieces of gold. Moreover, the cup was of + such a kind that whenever it was emptied of its money it instantly became + full again. “The Tailor of Tailors, the Master of Masters, and One Greater + than a King sends your majesty this goblet, and bids me, his ambassador, + to ask for your daughter,” said the young man. + </p> + <p> + When the king saw what had been sent him he was filled with amazement. + “Surely,” said he to himself, “there can be no end to the power of one who + can give such a gift as this.” Then to the messenger, “Tell your master + that he shall have my daughter for his wife if he will build over yonder a + palace such as no man ever saw or no king ever lived in before.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the young man, and then they all went away, as + the others had done the day before. + </p> + <p> + The next morning when the Demon appeared the Tailor was ready for him. + “Build me,” said he, “such and such a palace in such and such a place.” + </p> + <p> + And the Demon said, “It shall be done.” He smote his hands together, and + instantly there came a cloud of mist that covered and hid the spot where + the palace was to be built. Out from the cloud there came such a banging + and hammering and clapping and clattering as the people of that town never + heard before. Then when evening had come the cloud arose, and there, where + the king had pointed out, stood a splendid palace as white as snow, with + roofs and domes of gold and silver. As the king stood looking and + wondering at this sight, there came five hundred young men riding, and one + in the midst of all who wore a golden crown on his head, and upon his body + a long robe stiff with diamonds and pearls. “We come,” said he, “from the + Tailor of Tailors, and Master of Masters, and One Greater than a King, to + ask you to let him have your daughter for his wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell him to come!” cried the king, in admiration, “for the princess is + his.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning when the Demon came he found the Tailor dancing and + shouting for joy. “The princess is mine!” he cried, “so make me ready for + her.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the Demon, and thereupon he began to make the + Tailor ready for his wedding. He brought him to a marble bath of water, in + which he washed away all that was coarse and ugly, and from which the + little man came forth as beautiful as the sun. Then the Demon clad him in + the finest linen, and covered him with clothes such as even the emperor of + India never wore. Then he smote his hands together, and the wall of the + tailor-shop opened as it had done twice before, and there came forth forty + slaves clad in crimson, and bearing bowls full of money in their hands. + After them came two leading a horse as white as snow, with a saddle of + gold studded with diamonds and rubies and emeralds and sapphires. After + came a body-guard of twenty warriors clad in gold armor. Then the Tailor + mounted his horse and rode away to the king’s palace, and as he rode the + slaves scattered the money amongst the crowd, who scrambled for it and + cheered the Tailor to the skies. + </p> + <p> + That night the princess and the Tailor were married, and all the town was + lit with bonfires and fireworks. The two rode away in the midst of a great + crowd of nobles and courtiers to the palace which the Demon had built for + the Tailor; and, as the princess gazed upon him, she thought that she had + never beheld so noble and handsome a man as her husband. So she and the + Tailor were the happiest couple in the world. + </p> + <p> + But the next morning the Demon appeared as he had appeared ever since the + Tailor had let him out of the bottle, only now he grinned till his teeth + shone and his face turned black. “What hast thou for me to do?” said he, + and at the words the Tailor’s heart began to quake, for he remembered what + was to happen to him when he could find the Demon no more work to do—that + his neck was to be wrung—and now he began to see that he had all + that he could ask for in the world. Yes; what was there to ask for now? + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing more for you to do,” said he to the Demon; “you have done + all that man could ask—you may go now.” + </p> + <p> + “Go!” cried the Demon, “I shall not go until I have done all that I have + to do. Give me work, or I shall wring your neck.” And his fingers began to + twitch. + </p> + <p> + Then the Tailor began to see into what a net he had fallen. He began to + tremble like one in an ague. He turned his eyes up and down, for he did + not know where to look for aid. Suddenly, as he looked out of the window, + a thought struck him. “Maybe,” thought he, “I can give the Demon such a + task that even he cannot do it. Yes, yes!” he cried, “I have thought of + something for you to do. Make me out yonder in front of my palace a lake + of water a mile long and a mile wide, and let it be lined throughout with + white marble, and filled with water as clear as crystal.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the Demon. As he spoke he spat in the air, and + instantly a thick fog arose from the earth and hid everything from sight. + Then presently from the midst of the fog there came a great noise of + chipping and hammering, of digging and delving, of rushing and gurgling. + All day the noise and the fog continued, and then at sunset the one ceased + and the other cleared away. The poor Tailor looked out the window, and + when he saw what he saw his teeth chattered in his head, for there was a + lake a mile long and a mile broad, lined within with white marble, and + filled with water as clear as crystal, and he knew that the Demon would + come the next morning for another task to do. + </p> + <p> + That night he slept little or none, and when the seventh hour of the + morning came the castle began to rock and tremble, and there stood the + Demon, and his hair bristled and his eyes shone like sparks of fire. “What + hast thou for me to do?” said he, and the poor Tailor could do nothing but + look at him with a face as white as dough. + </p> + <p> + “What hast thou for me to do?” said the Demon again, and then at last the + Tailor found his wits and his tongue from sheer terror. “Look!” said he, + “at the great mountain over yonder; remove it, and make in its place a + level plain with fields and orchards and gardens.” And he thought to + himself when he had spoken, “Surely, even the Demon cannot do that.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the Demon, and, so saying, he stamped his heel + upon the ground. Instantly the earth began to tremble and quake, and there + came a great rumbling like the sound of thunder. A cloud of darkness + gathered in the sky, until at last all was as black as the blackest + midnight. Then came a roaring and a cracking and a crashing, such as man + never heard before. All day it continued, until the time of the setting of + the sun, when suddenly the uproar ceased, and the darkness cleared away; + and when the Tailor looked out of the window the mountain was gone, and in + its place were fields and orchards and gardens. + </p> + <p> + It was very beautiful to see, but when the Tailor beheld it his knees + began to smite together, and the sweat ran down his face in streams. All + that night he walked up and down and up and down, but he could not think + of one other task for the Demon to do. + </p> + <p> + When the next morning came the Demon appeared like a whirlwind. His face + was as black as ink and smoke, and sparks of fire flew from his nostrils. + </p> + <p> + “What have you for me to do?” cried he. + </p> + <p> + “I have nothing for you to do!” piped the poor Tailor. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing?” cried the Demon. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Then prepare to die.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop!” cried the Tailor, falling on his knees, “let me first see my + wife.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said the Demon, and if he had been wiser he would have said + “No.” + </p> + <p> + When the Tailor came to the princess, he flung himself on his face, and + began to weep and wail. The princess asked him what was the matter, and at + last, by dint of question, got the story from him, piece by piece. When + she had it all she began laughing. “Why did you not come to me before?” + said she, “instead of making all this trouble and uproar for nothing at + all? I will give the Monster a task to do.” She plucked a single curling + hair from her head. “Here,” said she, “let him take this hair and make it + straight.” + </p> + <p> + The Tailor was full of doubt; nevertheless, as there was nothing better to + do, he took it to the Demon. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou found me a task to do?” cried the Demon. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Tailor. “It is only a little thing. Here is a hair from my + wife’s head; take it and make it straight.” + </p> + <p> + When the Demon heard what was the task that the Tailor had set him to do + he laughed aloud; but that was because he did not know. He took the hair + and stroked it between his thumb and finger, and, when he done, it curled + more than ever. Then he looked serious, and slapped it between his palms, + and that did not better matters, for it curled as much as ever. Then he + frowned, and, began beating the hair with his palm upon his knees, and + that only made it worse. All that day he labored and strove at his task + trying to make that one little hair straight, and, when the sun set, there + was the hair just as crooked as ever. Then, as the great round sun sank + red behind the trees, the Demon knew that he was beaten. “I am conquered! + I am conquered!” he howled, and flew away, bellowing so dreadfully that + all the world trembled. + </p> + <p> + So ends the story, with only this to say: + </p> + <p> + Where man’s strength fails, woman’s wit prevails. + </p> + <p> + For, to my mind, the princess—not to speak of her husband the little + Tailor—did more with a single little hair and her mother wit than + King Solomon with all his wisdom. + </p> + <p> + “Whose turn is it next to tell us a story?” said Sindbad the Sailor. + </p> + <p> + “Twas my turn,” said St. George; “but here be two ladies present, and + neither hath so much as spoken a word of a story for all this time. If + you, madam,” said he to Cinderella, “will tell us a tale, I will gladly + give up my turn to you.” + </p> + <p> + The Soldier who cheated the Devil took the pipe out of his mouth and + puffed away a cloud of smoke. “Aye,” said he, “always remember the ladies, + say I. That is a soldier’s trade.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then; if it is your pleasure,” said Cinderella. “I will tell + you a story, and it shall be of a friend of mine and of how she looked + after her husband’s luck. She was,” said Cinderella, “a princess, and her + father was a king.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is your story about?” said Sindbad the Sailor. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said Cinderella, “about—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + A Piece of Good Luck + </h2> + <p> + There were three students who were learning all that they could. The first + was named Joseph, the second was named John, and the third was named Jacob + Stuck. They studied seven long years under a wise master, and in that time + they learned all that their master had to teach them of the wonderful + things he knew. They learned all about geometry, they learned all about + algebra, they learned all about astronomy, they learned all about the + hidden arts, they learned all about everything, except how to mend their + own hose and where to get cabbage to boil in the pot. + </p> + <p> + And now they were to go out into the world to practice what they knew. The + master called the three students to him—the one named Joseph, the + second named John, and the third named Jacob Stuck—and said he to + them, said he: “You have studied faithfully and have learned all that I + have been able to teach you, and now you shall not go out into the world + with nothing at all. See; here are three glass balls, and that is one for + each of you. Their like is not to be found in the four corners of the + world. Carry the balls wherever you go, and when one of them drops to the + ground, dig, and there you will certainly find a treasure.” + </p> + <p> + So the three students went out into the wide world. + </p> + <p> + Well, they travelled on and on for day after day, each carrying his glass + ball with him wherever he went. They travelled on and on for I cannot tell + how long, until one day the ball that Joseph carried slipped out of his + fingers and fell to the ground. “I’ve found a treasure!” cried Joseph, + “I’ve found a treasure!” + </p> + <p> + The three students fell to work scratching and digging where the ball had + fallen, and by-and-by they found something. It was a chest with an iron + ring in the lid. It took all three of them to haul it up out of the + ground, and when they did so they found it was full to the brim of silver + money. + </p> + <p> + Were they happy? Well, they were happy! They danced around and around the + chest, for they had never seen so much money in all their lives before. + “Brothers,” said Joseph, in exultation, “here is enough for all hands, and + it shall be share and share alike with us, for haven’t we studied seven + long years together?” And so for a while they were as happy as happy could + be. + </p> + <p> + But by-and-by a flock of second thoughts began to buzz in the heads of + John and Jacob Stuck. “Why,” said they, “as for that, to be sure, a chest + of silver money is a great thing for three students to find who had + nothing better than book-learning to help them along; but who knows but + that there is something better even than silver money out in the wide + world?” So, after all, and in spite of the chest of silver money they had + found, the two of them were for going on to try their fortunes a little + farther. And as for Joseph, why, after all, when he came to think of it, + he was not sorry to have his chest of silver money all to himself. + </p> + <p> + So the two travelled on and on for a while, here and there and everywhere, + until at last it was John’s ball that slipped out of his fingers and fell + to the ground. They digged where it fell, and this time it was a chest of + gold money they found. + </p> + <p> + Yes, a chest of gold money! A chest of real gold money! They just stood + and stared and stared, for if they had not seen it they would not have + believed that such a thing could have been in the world. “Well, Jacob + Stuck,” said John, “it was well to travel a bit farther than poor Joseph + did, was it not? What is a chest of silver money to such a treasure as + this? Come, brother, here is enough to make us both rich for all the rest + of our lives. We need look for nothing better than this.” + </p> + <p> + But no; by-and-by Jacob Stuck began to cool down again, and now that + second thoughts were coming to him he would not even be satisfied with a + half-share of a chest of gold money. No; maybe there might be something + better than even a chest full of gold money to be found in the world. As + for John, why, after all, he was just as well satisfied to keep his + treasure for himself. So the two shook hands, and then Jacob Stuck jogged + away alone, leaving John stuffing his pockets and his hat full of gold + money, and I should have liked to have been there, to have had my share. + </p> + <p> + Well, Jacob Stuck jogged on and on by himself, until after a while he came + to a great, wide desert, where there was not a blade or a stick to be seen + far or near. He jogged on and on, and he wished he had not come there. He + jogged on and on when all of a sudden the glass ball he carried slipped + out of his fingers and fell to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Aha!” said he to himself, “now maybe I shall find some great treasure + compared to which even silver and gold are as nothing at all.” + </p> + <p> + He digged down into the barren earth of the desert; and he digged and he + digged, but neither silver nor gold did he find. He digged and digged; and + by-and-by, at last, he did find something. And what was it? Why, nothing + but something that looked like a piece of blue glass not a big bigger than + my thumb. “Is that all?” said Jacob Stuck. “And have I travelled all this + weary way and into the blinding desert only for this? Have I passed by + silver and gold enough to make me rich for all my life, only to find a + little piece of blue glass?” + </p> + <p> + Jacob Stuck did not know what he had found. I shall tell you what it was. + It was a solid piece of good luck without flaw or blemish, and it was + almost the only piece I ever heard tell of. Yes; that was what it was—a + solid piece of good luck; and as for Jacob Stuck, why, he was not the + first in the world by many and one over who has failed to know a piece of + good luck when they have found it. Yes; it looked just like a piece of + blue glass no bigger than my thumb, and nothing else. + </p> + <p> + “Is that all?” said Jacob Stuck. “And have I travelled all this weary way + and into the blinding desert only for this? Have I passed by silver and + gold enough to make me rich for all my life, only to find a little piece + of blue glass?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at the bit of glass, and he turned it over and over in his hand. + It was covered with dirt. Jacob Stuck blew his breath upon it, and rubbed + it with his thumb. + </p> + <p> + Crack! dong! bang! smash! + </p> + <p> + Upon my word, had a bolt of lightning burst at Jacob Stuck’s feet he could + not have been more struck of a heap. For no sooner had he rubbed the glass + with his thumb than with a noise like a clap of thunder there instantly + stood before him a great, big man, dressed in clothes as red as a flame, + and with eyes that shone sparks of fire. It was the Genie of Good Luck. It + nearly knocked Jacob Stuck off his feet to see him there so suddenly. + </p> + <p> + “What will you have?” said the Genie. “I am the slave of good luck. + Whosoever holds that piece of crystal in his hand him must I obey in + whatsoever he may command.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that you are my servant and that I am your master?” said + Jacob Stuck. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; command and I obey.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, then,” said Jacob Stuck, “I would like you to help me out of this + desert place, if you can do so, for it is a poor spot for any Christian + soul to be.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie, and, before Jacob Stuck knew what + had happened to him, the Genie had seized him and was flying with him + through the air swifter than the wind. On and on he flew, and the earth + seemed to slide away beneath. On and on flew the flame-colored Genie until + at last he set Jacob down in a great meadow where there was a river. + Beyond the river were the white walls and grand houses of the king’s town. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou any further commands?” said the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what you can do for me?” said Jacob Stuck. + </p> + <p> + “I can do whatsoever thou mayest order me to do,” said the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said Jacob Stuck, “I think first of all I would like to have + plenty of money to spend.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie, and, as he spoke, he reached up into + the air and picked out a purse from nothing at all. “Here,” said he, “is + the purse of fortune; take from it all that thou needest and yet it will + always be full. As long as thou hast it thou shalt never be lacking + riches.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very much obliged to you,” said Jacob Stuck. “I’ve learned geometry + and algebra and astronomy and the hidden arts, but I never heard tell of + anything like this before.” + </p> + <p> + So Jacob Stuck went into the town with all the money he could spend, and + such a one is welcome anywhere. He lacked nothing that money could buy. He + bought himself a fine house; he made all the friends he wanted, and more; + he lived without a care, and with nothing to do but to enjoy himself. That + was what a bit of good luck did for him. + </p> + <p> + Now the princess, the daughter of the king of that town, was the most + beautiful in all the world, but so proud and haughty that her like was not + to be found within the bounds of all the seven rivers. So proud was she + and so haughty that she would neither look upon a young man nor allow any + young man to look upon her. She was so particular that whenever she went + out to take a ride a herald was sent through the town with a trumpet + ordering that every house should be closed and that everybody should stay + within doors, so that the princess should run no risk of seeing a young + man, or that no young man by chance should see her. + </p> + <p> + One day the herald went through the town blowing his trumpet and calling + in a great, loud voice: “Close your doors! Close your windows! Her + highness, the princess, comes to ride; let no man look upon her on pain of + death!” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon everybody began closing their doors and windows, and, as it was + with the others, so it was with Jacob Stuck’s house; it had, like all the + rest, to be shut up as tight as a jug. + </p> + <p> + But Jacob Stuck was not satisfied with that; not he. He was for seeing the + princess, and he was bound he would do so. So he bored a hole through the + door, and when the princess came riding by he peeped out at her. + </p> + <p> + Jacob Stuck thought he had never seen anyone so beautiful in all his life. + It was like the sunlight shining in his eyes, and he almost sneezed. Her + cheeks were like milk and rose-leaves, and her hair like fine threads of + gold. She sat in a golden coach with a golden crown upon her head, and + Jacob Stuck stood looking and looking until his heart melted within him + like wax in the oven. Then the princess was gone, and Jacob Stuck stood + there sighing and sighing. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, dear! Dear!” said he, “what shall I do? For, proud as she is, I must + see her again or else I will die of it.” + </p> + <p> + All that day he sat sighing and thinking about the beautiful princess, + until the evening had come. Then he suddenly thought of his piece of good + luck. He pulled his piece of blue glass out of his pocket and breathed + upon it and rubbed it with his thumb, and instantly the Genie was there. + </p> + <p> + This time Jacob Stuck was not frightened at all. + </p> + <p> + “What are thy commands, O master?” said the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “O Genie!” said Jacob Stuck, “I have seen the princess to-day, and it + seems to me that there is nobody like her in all the world. Tell me, could + you bring her here so that I might see her again?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the Genie, “I could.” + </p> + <p> + “Then do so,” said Jacob Stuck, “and I will have you prepare a grand + feast, and have musicians to play beautiful music, for I would have the + princess sup with me.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie. As he spoke he smote his hands + together, and instantly there appeared twenty musicians, dressed in cloth + of gold and silver. With them they brought hautboys and fiddles, big and + little, and flageolets and drums and horns, and this and that to make + music with. Again the Genie smote his hands together, and instantly there + appeared fifty servants dressed in silks and satins and spangled with + jewels, who began to spread a table with fine linen embroidered with gold, + and to set plates of gold and silver upon it. The Genie smote his hands + together a third time, and in answer there came six servants. They led + Jacob Stuck into another room, where there was a bath of musk and + rose-water. They bathed him in the bath and dressed him in clothes like an + emperor, and when he came out again his face shone, and he was as handsome + as a picture. + </p> + <p> + Then by-and-by he knew that the princess was coming, for suddenly there + was the sound of girls’ voices singing and the twanging of stringed + instruments. The door flew open, and in came a crowd of beautiful girls, + singing and playing music, and after them the princess herself, more + beautiful than ever. But the proud princess was frightened! Yes, she was. + And well she might be, for the Genie had flown with her through the air + from the palace, and that is enough to frighten anybody. Jacob Stuck came + to her all glittering and shining with jewels and gold, and took her by + the hand. He led her up the hall, and as he did so the musicians struck up + and began playing the most beautiful music in the world. Then Jacob Stuck + and the princess sat down to supper and began eating and drinking, and + Jacob Stuck talked of all the sweetest things he could think of. Thousands + of wax candles made the palace bright as day, and as the princess looked + about her she thought she had never seen anything so fine in all the + world. After they had eaten their supper and ended with a dessert of all + kinds of fruits and of sweetmeats, the door opened and there came a + beautiful young serving-lad, carrying a silver tray, upon which was + something wrapped in a napkin. He kneeled before Jacob Stuck and held the + tray, and from the napkin Jacob Stuck took a necklace of diamonds, each + stone as big as a pigeon’s egg. + </p> + <p> + “This is to remind you of me,” said Jacob Stuck, “when you have gone home + again.” And as he spoke he hung it around the princess’s neck. + </p> + <p> + Just then the clock struck twelve. + </p> + <p> + Hardly had the last stroke sounded when every light was snuffed out, and + all was instantly dark and still. Then, before she had time to think, the + Genie of Good Luck snatched the princess up once more and flew back to the + palace more swiftly than the wind. And, before the princess knew what had + happened to her, there she was. + </p> + <p> + It was all so strange that the princess might have thought it was a dream, + only for the necklace of diamonds, the like of which was not to be found + in all the world. + </p> + <p> + The next morning there was a great buzzing in the palace, you may be sure. + The princess told all about how she had been carried away during the + night, and had supped in such a splendid palace, and with such a handsome + man dressed like an emperor. She showed her necklace of diamonds, and the + king and his prime-minister could not look at it or wonder at it enough. + The prime-minister and the king talked and talked the matter over + together, and every now and then the proud princess put in a word of her + own. + </p> + <p> + “Anybody,” said the prime-minister, “can see with half an eye that it is + all magic, or else it is a wonderful piece of good luck. Now, I’ll tell + you what shall be done,” said he: “the princess shall keep a piece of + chalk by her; and, if she is carried away again in such a fashion, she + shall mark a cross with the piece of chalk on the door of the house to + which she is taken. Then we shall find the rogue that is playing such a + trick, and that quickly enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the king; “that is very good advice.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do it,” said the princess. + </p> + <p> + All that day Jacob Stuck sat thinking and thinking about the beautiful + princess. He could not eat a bite, and he could hardly wait for the night + to come. As soon as it had fallen, he breathed upon his piece of glass and + rubbed his thumb upon it, and there stood the Genie of Good Luck. + </p> + <p> + “I’d like the princess here again,” said he, “as she was last night, with + feasting and drinking, such as we had before.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie. + </p> + <p> + And as it had been the night before, so it was now. The Genie brought the + princess, and she and Jacob Stuck feasted together until nearly midnight. + Then, again, the door opened, and the beautiful servant-lad came with the + tray and something upon it covered with a napkin. Jacob Stuck unfolded the + napkin, and this time it was a cup made of a single ruby, and filled to + the brim with gold money. And the wonder of the cup was this: that no + matter how much money you took out of it, it was always full. “Take this,” + said Jacob Stuck, “to remind you of me.” Then the clock struck twelve, and + instantly all was darkness, and the Genie carried the princess home again. + </p> + <p> + But the princess had brought her piece of chalk with her, as the + prime-minister had advised; and in some way or other she contrived, either + in coming or going, to mark a cross upon the door of Jacob Stuck’s house. + </p> + <p> + But, clever as she was, the Genie of Good Luck was more clever still. He + saw what the princess did; and, as soon as he had carried her home, he + went all through the town and marked a cross upon every door, great and + small, little and big, just as the princess had done upon the door of + Jacob Stuck’s house, only upon the prime-minister’s door he put two + crosses. The next morning everybody was wondering what all the crosses on + the house-doors meant, and the king and the prime-minister were no wiser + than they had been before. + </p> + <p> + But the princess had brought the ruby cup with her, and she and the king + could not look at it and wonder at it enough. + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said the prime-minister; “I tell you it is nothing else in the + world but just a piece of good luck—that is all it is. As for the + rogue who is playing all these tricks, let the princess keep a pair of + scissors by her, and, if she is carried away again, let her contrive to + cut off a lock of his hair from over the young man’s right ear. Then + to-morrow we will find out who has been trimmed.” + </p> + <p> + Yes, the princess would do that; so, before evening was come, she tied a + pair of scissors to her belt. + </p> + <p> + Well, Jacob Stuck could hardly wait for the night to come to summon the + Genie of Good Luck. “I want to sup with the princess again,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie of Good Luck; and, as soon as he had + made everything ready, away he flew to fetch the princess again. + </p> + <p> + Well, they feasted and drank, and the music played, and the candles were + as bright as day, and beautiful girls sang and danced, and Jacob Stuck was + as happy as a king. But the princess kept her scissors by her, and, when + Jacob Stuck was not looking, she contrived to snip off a lock of his hair + from over his right ear, and nobody saw what was done but the Genie of + Good Luck. + </p> + <p> + And it came towards midnight. + </p> + <p> + Once more the door opened, and the beautiful serving-lad came into the + room, carrying the tray of silver with something upon it wrapped in a + napkin. This time Jacob Stuck gave the princess an emerald ring for a + keepsake, and the wonder of it was that every morning two other rings just + like it would drop from it. + </p> + <p> + Then twelve o’clock sounded, the lights went out, and the Genie took the + princess home again. + </p> + <p> + But the Genie had seen what the princess had done. As soon as he had taken + her safe home, he struck his palms together and summoned all his + companions. “Go,” said he, “throughout the town and trim a lock of hair + from over the right ear of every man in the whole place;” and so they did, + from the king himself to the beggar-man at the gates. As for the + prime-minister, the Genie himself trimmed two locks of hair from him, one + from over each of his ears, so that the next morning he looked as shorn as + an old sheep. In the morning all the town was in a hubbub, and everybody + was wondering how all the men came to have their hair clipped as it was. + But the princess had brought the lock of Jacob Stuck’s hair away with her + wrapped up in a piece of paper, and there it was. + </p> + <p> + As for the ring Jacob Stuck had given to her, why, the next morning there + were three of them, and the king thought he had never heard tell of such a + wonderful thing. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you,” said the prime-minister, “there is nothing in it but a piece + of good luck, and not a grain of virtue. It’s just a piece of good luck—that’s + all it is.” + </p> + <p> + “No matter,” said the king; “I never saw the like of it in all my life + before. And now, what are we going to do?” + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister could think of nothing. + </p> + <p> + Then the princess spoke up. “Your majesty,” she said, “I can find the + young man for you. Just let the herald go through the town and proclaim + that I will marry the young man to whom this lock of hair belongs, and + then we will find him quickly enough.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” cried the prime-minister; “will, then, the princess marry a man + who has nothing better than a little bit of good luck to help him along in + the world?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the princess, “I shall if I can find him.” + </p> + <p> + So the herald was sent out around the town proclaiming that the princess + would marry the man to whose head belonged the lock of hair that she had. + </p> + <p> + A lock of hair! Why, every man had lost a lock of hair! Maybe the princess + could fit it on again, and then the fortune of him to whom it belonged + would be made. All the men in the town crowded up to the king’s palace. + But all for no use, for never a one of them was fitted with his own hair. + </p> + <p> + As for Jacob Stuck, he too had heard what the herald had proclaimed. Yes; + he too had heard it, and his heart jumped and hopped within him like a + young lamb in the spring-time. He knew whose hair it was the princess had. + Away he went by himself, and rubbed up his piece of blue glass, and there + stood the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “What are thy commands?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I am,” said Jacob Stuck, “going up to the king’s palace to marry the + princess, and I would have a proper escort.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie. + </p> + <p> + He smote his hands together, and instantly there appeared a score of + attendants who took Jacob Stuck, and led him into another room, and began + clothing him in a suit so magnificent that it dazzled the eyes to look at + it. He smote his hands together again, and out in the court-yard there + appeared a troop of horsemen to escort Jacob Stuck to the palace, and they + were all clad in gold-and-silver armor. He smote his hands together again, + and there appeared twenty-and-one horses—twenty as black as night + and one as white as milk, and it twinkled and sparkled all over with gold + and jewels, and at the head of each horse of the one-and-twenty horses + stood a slave clad in crimson velvet to hold the bridle. Again he smote + his hands together, and there appeared in the ante-room twenty handsome + young men, each with a marble bowl filled with gold money, and when Jacob + Stuck came out dressed in his fine clothes there they all were. + </p> + <p> + Jacob Stuck mounted upon the horse as white as milk, the young men mounted + each upon one of the black horses, the troopers in the gold-and-silver + armor wheeled their horses, the trumpets blew, and away they rode—such + a sight as was never seen in that town before, when they had come out into + the streets. The young men with the basins scattered the gold money to the + people, and a great crowd ran scrambling after, and shouted and cheered. + </p> + <p> + So Jacob Stuck rode up to the king’s palace, and the king himself came out + to meet him with the princess hanging on his arm. + </p> + <p> + As for the princess, she knew him the moment she laid eyes on him. She + came down the steps, and set the lock of hair against his head, where she + had trimmed it off the night before, and it fitted and matched exactly. + “This is the young man,” said she, “and I will marry him, and none other.” + </p> + <p> + But the prime-minister whispered and whispered in the king’s ear: “I tell + you this young man is nobody at all,” said he, “but just some fellow who + has had a little bit of good luck.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said the king, “stuff and nonsense! Just look at all the gold and + jewels and horses and men. What will you do,” said he to Jacob Stuck, “if + I let you marry the princess?” + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said Jacob Stuck, “build for her the finest palace that ever was + seen in all this world.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the king, “yonder are those sand hills over there. You + shall remove them and build your palace there. When it is finished you + shall marry the princess.” For if he does that, thought the king to + himself, it is something better than mere good luck. + </p> + <p> + “It shall,” said Jacob Stuck, “be done by tomorrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + Well, all that day Jacob Stuck feasted and made merry at the king’s + palace, and the king wondered when he was going to begin to build his + palace. But Jacob Stuck said nothing at all; he just feasted and drank and + made merry. When night had come, however, it was all different. Away he + went by himself, and blew his breath upon his piece of blue glass, and + rubbed it with his thumb. Instantly there stood the Genie before him. + “What wouldst thou have?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I would like,” said Jacob Stuck, “to have the sand hills over yonder + carried away, and a palace built there of white marble and gold and + silver, such as the world never saw before. And let there be gardens + planted there with flowering plants and trees, and let there be fountains + and marble walks. And let there be servants and attendants in the palace + of all sorts and kinds—men and women. And let there be a splendid + feast spread for to-morrow morning, for then I am going to marry the + princess.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie, and instantly he was gone. + </p> + <p> + All night there was from the sand hills a ceaseless sound as of thunder—a + sound of banging and clapping and hammering and sawing and calling and + shouting. All that night the sounds continued unceasingly, but at daybreak + all was still, and when the sun arose there stood the most splendid palace + it ever looked down upon; shining as white as snow, and blazing with gold + and silver. All around it were gardens and fountains and orchards. A great + highway had been built between it and the king’s palace, and all along the + highway a carpet of cloth of gold had been spread for the princess to walk + upon. + </p> + <p> + Dear! Dear! How all the town stared with wonder when they saw such a + splendid palace standing where the day before had been nothing but naked + sand hills! The folk flocked in crowds to see it, and all the country + about was alive with people coming and going. As for the king, he could + not believe his eyes when he saw it. He stood with the princess and looked + and looked. Then came Jacob Stuck. “And now,” said he, “am I to marry the + princess?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” cried the king in admiration, “you are!” + </p> + <p> + So Jacob Stuck married the princess, and a splendid wedding it was. That + was what a little bit of good luck did for him. + </p> + <p> + After the wedding was over, it was time to go home to the grand new + palace. Then there came a great troop of horsemen with shining armor and + with music, sent by the Genie to escort Jacob Stuck and the princess and + the king and the prime-minister to Jacob Stuck’s new palace. They rode + along over the carpet of gold, and such a fine sight was never seen in + that land before. As they drew near to the palace a great crowd of + servants, clad in silks and satins and jewels, came out to meet them, + singing and dancing and playing on harps and lutes. The king and the + princess thought that they must be dreaming. + </p> + <p> + “All this is yours,” said Jacob Stuck to the princess; and he was that + fond of her, he would have given her still more if he could have thought + of anything else. + </p> + <p> + Jacob Stuck and the princess, and the king and the prime-minister, all + went into the palace, and there was a splendid feast spread in plates of + pure gold and silver, and they all four sat down together. + </p> + <p> + But the prime-minister was as sour about it all as a crab-apple. All the + time they were feasting he kept whispering and whispering in the king’s + ear. “It is all stuff and nonsense,” said he, “for such a man as Jacob + Stuck to do all this by himself. I tell you, it is all a piece of good + luck, and not a bit of merit in it.” + </p> + <p> + He whispered and whispered, until at last the king up and spoke. “Tell me, + Jacob Stuck,” he said, “where do you get all these fine things?” + </p> + <p> + “It all comes of a piece of good luck,” said Jacob Stuck. + </p> + <p> + “That is what I told you,” said the prime-minister. + </p> + <p> + “A piece of good luck!” said the king. “Where did you come across such a + piece of good luck?” + </p> + <p> + “I found it,” said Jacob Stuck. + </p> + <p> + “Found it!” said the king; “and have you got it with you now?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have,” said Jacob Stuck; “I always carry it about with me;” and he + thrust his hand into his pocket and brought out his piece of blue crystal. + </p> + <p> + “That!” said the king. “Why, that is nothing but a piece of blue glass!” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said Jacob Stuck, “is just what I thought till I found out better. + It is no common piece of glass, I can tell you. You just breathe upon it + so, and rub your thumb upon it thus, and instantly a Genie dressed in red + comes to do all that he is bidden. That is how it is.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like to see it,” said the king. + </p> + <p> + “So you shall,” said Jacob Stuck; “here it is,” said he; and he reached it + across the table to the prime-minister to give it to the king. + </p> + <p> + Yes, that was what he did; he gave it to the prime-minister to give it to + the king. The prime-minister had been listening to all that had been said, + and he knew what he was about. He took what Jacob Stuck gave him, and he + had never had such a piece of luck come to him before. + </p> + <p> + And did the prime-minister give it to the king, as Jacob Stuck had + intended? Not a bit of it. No sooner had he got it safe in his hand, than + he blew his breath upon it and rubbed it with his thumb. + </p> + <p> + Crack! dong! boom! crash! + </p> + <p> + There stood the Genie, like a flash and as red as fire. The princess + screamed out and nearly fainted at the sight, and the poor king sat + trembling like a rabbit. + </p> + <p> + “Whosoever possesses that piece of blue crystal,” said the Genie, in a + terrible voice, “him must I obey. What are thy commands?” + </p> + <p> + “Take this king,” cried the prime-minister, “and take Jacob Stuck, and + carry them both away into the farthest part of the desert whence the + fellow came.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie; and instantly he seized the king in + one hand and Jacob Stuck in the other, and flew away with them swifter + than the wind. On and on he flew, and the earth seemed to slide away + beneath them like a cloud. On and on he flew until he had come to the + farthest part of the desert. There he sat them both down, and it was as + pretty a pickle as ever the king or Jacob Stuck had been in, in all of + their lives. Then the Genie flew back again whence he had come. + </p> + <p> + There sat the poor princess crying and crying, and there sat the + prime-minister trying to comfort her. “Why do you cry?” said he; “why are + you afraid of me? I will do you no harm. Listen,” said he; “I will use + this piece of good luck in a way that Jacob Stuck would never have thought + of. I will make myself king. I will conquer the world, and make myself + emperor over all the earth. Then I will make you my queen.” + </p> + <p> + But the poor princess cried and cried. + </p> + <p> + “Hast thou any further commands?” said the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “Not now,” said the prime-minister; “you may go now;” and the Genie + vanished like a puff of smoke. + </p> + <p> + But the princess cried and cried. + </p> + <p> + The prime-minister sat down beside her. “Why do you cry?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Because I am afraid of you,” said she. + </p> + <p> + “And why are you afraid of me?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Because of that piece of blue glass. You will rub it again, and then that + great red monster will come again to frighten me.” + </p> + <p> + “I will rub it no more,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but you will,” said she; “I know you will.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “But I can’t trust you,” said she “as long as you hold it in your hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will lay it aside,” said he, and so he did. Yes, he did; and he is + not the first man who has thrown aside a piece of good luck for the sake + of a pretty face. “Now are you afraid of me?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “No, I am not,” said she; and she reached out her hand as though to give + it to him. But, instead of doing so, she snatched up the piece of blue + glass as quick as a flash. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said she, “it is my turn;” and then the prime-minister knew that + his end had come. + </p> + <p> + She blew her breath upon the piece of blue glass and rubbed her thumb upon + it. Instantly, as with a clap of thunder, the great red Genie stood before + her, and the poor prime-minister sat shaking and trembling. + </p> + <p> + “Whosoever hath that piece of blue crystal,” said the Genie, “that one + must I obey. What are your orders, O princess?” + </p> + <p> + “Take this man,” cried the princess, “and carry him away into the desert + where you took those other two, and bring my father and Jacob Stuck back + again.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie, and instantly he seized the + prime-minister, and, in spite of the poor man’s kicks and struggles, + snatched him up and flew away with him swifter than the wind. On and on he + flew until he had come to the farthest part of the desert, and there sat + the king and Jacob Stuck still thinking about things. Down he dropped the + prime-minister, up he picked the king and Jacob Stuck, and away he flew + swifter than the wind. On and on he flew until he had brought the two back + to the palace again; and there sat the princess waiting for them, with the + piece of blue crystal in her hand. + </p> + <p> + “You have saved us!” cried the king. + </p> + <p> + “You have saved us!” cried Jacob Stuck. “Yes, you have saved us, and you + have my piece of good luck into the bargain. Give it to me again.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do nothing of the sort,” said the princess. “If the men folk think + no more of a piece of good luck than to hand it round like a bit of broken + glass, it is better for the women folk to keep it for them.” + </p> + <p> + And there, to my mind, she brewed good common-sense, that needed no + skimming to make it fit for Jacob Stuck, or for any other man, for the + matter of that. + </p> + <p> + And now for the end of this story. Jacob Stuck lived with his princess in + his fine palace as grand as a king, and when the old king died he became + the king after him. + </p> + <p> + One day there came two men travelling along, and they were footsore and + weary. They stopped at Jacob Stuck’s palace and asked for something to + eat. Jacob Stuck did not know them at first, and then he did. One was + Joseph and the other was John. + </p> + <p> + This is what had happened to them: + </p> + <p> + Joseph had sat and sat where John and Jacob Stuck had left him on his box + of silver money, until a band of thieves had come along and robbed him of + it all. John had carried away his pockets and his hat full of gold, and + had lived like a prince as long as it had lasted. Then he had gone back + for more, but in the meantime some rogue had come along and had stolen it + all. Yes; that was what had happened, and now they were as poor as ever. + </p> + <p> + Jacob Stuck welcomed them and brought them in and made much of them. + </p> + <p> + Well, the truth is truth, and this is it: It is better to have a little + bit of good luck to help one in what one undertakes than to have a chest + of silver or a chest of gold. + </p> + <p> + “And now for your story, holy knight,” said Fortunatus to St. George “for + twas your turn, only for this fair lady who came in before you.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye,” said the saint; “I suppose it was, in sooth, my turn. + Ne’th’less, it gives me joy to follow so close so fair and lovely a lady.” + And as he spoke he winked one eye at Cinderella, beckoned towards her with + his cup of ale, and took a deep draught to her health. “I shall tell you,” + said he, as soon as he had caught his breath again, “a story about an + angel and a poor man who travelled with him, and all the wonderful things + the poor man saw the angel do.” + </p> + <p> + “That,” said the Blacksmith who made Death sit in his pear-tree until the + wind whistled through his ribs—“that, methinks, is a better thing to + tell for a sermon than a story.” + </p> + <p> + “Whether or no that shall be so,” said St. George, “you shall presently + hear for yourselves.” + </p> + <p> + He took another deep draught of ale, and then cleared his throat. + </p> + <p> + “Stop a bit, my friend,” said Ali Baba. “What is your story about?” + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said St. George, “about—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Fruit of Happiness + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a servant who served a wise man, and cooked for + him his cabbage and his onions and his pot-herbs and his broth, day after + day, time in and time out, for seven years. + </p> + <p> + In those years the servant was well enough contented, but no one likes to + abide in the same place forever, and so one day he took it into his head + that he would like to go out into the world to see what kind of a fortune + a man might make there for himself. “Very well,” says the wise man, the + servant’s master; “you have served me faithfully these seven years gone, + and now that you ask leave to go you shall go. But it is little or nothing + in the way of money that I can give you, and so you will have to be + content with what I can afford. See, here is a little pebble, and its like + is not to be found in the seven kingdoms, for whoever holds it in his + mouth can hear while he does so all that the birds and the beasts say to + one another. Take it—it is yours, and, if you use it wisely, it may + bring you a fortune.” + </p> + <p> + The servant would rather have had the money in hand than the magic pebble, + but, as nothing better was to be had, he took the little stone, and, + bidding his master good-bye, trudged out into the world, to seek his + fortune. Well, he jogged on and on, paying his way with the few pennies he + had saved in his seven years of service, but for all of his travelling + nothing of good happened to him until, one morning, he came to a lonely + place where there stood a gallows, and there he sat him down to rest, and + it is just in such an unlikely place as this that a man’s best chance of + fortune comes to him sometimes. + </p> + <p> + As the servant sat there, there came two ravens flying, and lit upon the + cross-beam overhead. There they began talking to one another, and the + servant popped the pebble into his mouth to hear what they might say. + </p> + <p> + “Yonder is a traveller in the world,” said the first raven. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the second, “and if he only knew how to set about it, his + fortune is as good as made.” + </p> + <p> + “How is that so?” said the first raven. + </p> + <p> + “Why, thus,” said the second. “If he only knew enough to follow yonder + road over the hill, he would come by-and-by to a stone cross where two + roads meet, and there he would find a man sitting. If he would ask it of + him, that man would lead him to the garden where the fruit of happiness + grows.” + </p> + <p> + “The fruit of happiness!” said the first raven, “and of what use would the + fruit of happiness be to him?” + </p> + <p> + “What use? I tell you, friend, there is no fruit in the world like that, + for one has only to hold it in one’s hand and wish, and whatever one asks + for one shall have.” + </p> + <p> + You may guess that when the servant understood the talk of the ravens he + was not slow in making use of what he heard. Up he scrambled, and away he + went as fast as his legs could carry him. On and on he travelled, until he + came to the cross-roads and the stone cross of which the raven spoke, and + there, sure enough, sat the traveller. He was clad in a weather-stained + coat, and he wore dusty boots, and the servant bade him good-morning. + </p> + <p> + How should the servant know that it was an angel whom he beheld, and not a + common wayfarer? + </p> + <p> + “Whither away, comrade,” asked the traveller. + </p> + <p> + “Out in the world,” said the servant, “to seek my fortune. And what I want + to know is this—will you guide me to where I can find the fruit of + happiness?” + </p> + <p> + “You ask a great thing of me,” said the other; “nevertheless, since you do + ask it, it is not for me to refuse, though I may tell you that many a man + has sought for that fruit, and few indeed have found it. But if I guide + you to the garden where the fruit grows, there is one condition you must + fulfil: many strange things will happen upon our journey between here and + there, but concerning all you see you must ask not a question and say not + a word. Do you agree to that?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the servant, “I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said his new comrade; “then let us be jogging, for I have + business in the town to-night, and the time is none too long to get + there.” + </p> + <p> + So all the rest of that day they journeyed onward together, until, towards + evening, they came to a town with high towers and steep roofs and tall + spires. The servant’s companion entered the gate as though he knew the + place right well, and led the way up one street and down another, until, + by-and-by, they came to a noble house that stood a little apart by itself, + with gardens of flowers and fruit-trees all around it. There the + travelling companion stopped, and, drawing out a little pipe from under + his jacket, began playing so sweetly upon it that he made one’s heart + stand still to listen to the music. + </p> + <p> + Well, he played and played until, by-and-by, the door opened, and out came + a serving-man. “Ho, piper!” said he, “would you like to earn good wages + for your playing?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the travelling companion, “I would, for that is why I came + hither.” + </p> + <p> + “Then follow me,” said the servant, and thereupon the travelling companion + tucked away his pipe and entered, with the other at his heels. + </p> + <p> + The house-servant led the way from one room to another, each grander than + the one they left behind, until at last he came to a great hall where + dozens of servants were serving a fine feast. But only one man sat at + table—a young man with a face so sorrowful that it made a body’s + heart ache to look upon him. “Can you play good music, piper?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the piper, “that I can, for I know a tune that can cure + sorrow. But before I blow my pipe I and my friend here must have something + to eat and drink, for one cannot play well with an empty stomach.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said the young man; “sit down with me and eat and drink.” + </p> + <p> + So the two did without second bidding, and such food and drink the + serving-man had never tasted in his life before. And while they were + feasting together the young man told them his story, and why it was he was + so sad. A year before he had married a young lady, the most beautiful in + all that kingdom, and had friends and comrades and all things that a man + could desire in the world. But suddenly everything went wrong; his wife + and he fell out and quarrelled until there was no living together, and she + had to go back to her old home. Then his companions deserted him, and now + he lived all alone. + </p> + <p> + “Yours is a hard case,” said the travelling companion, “but it is not past + curing.” Thereupon he drew out his pipes and began to play, and it was + such a tune as no man ever listened to before. He played and he played, + and, after a while, one after another of those who listened to him began + to get drowsy. First they winked, then they shut their eyes, and then they + nodded until all were as dumb as logs, and as sound asleep as though they + would never waken again. Only the servant and the piper stayed awake, for + the music did not make them drowsy as it did the rest. Then, when all but + they two were tight and fast asleep, the travelling companion arose, + tucked away his pipe, and, stepping up to the young man, took from off his + finger a splendid ruby ring, as red as blood and as bright as fire, and + popped the same into his pocket. And all the while the serving-man stood + gaping like a fish to see what his comrade was about. “Come,” said the + travelling companion, “it is time we were going,” and off they went, + shutting the door behind them. + </p> + <p> + As for the serving-man, though he remembered his promise and said nothing + concerning what he had beheld, his wits buzzed in his head like a hive of + bees, for he thought that of all the ugly tricks he had seen, none was + more ugly than this—to bewitch the poor sorrowful young man into a + sleep, and then to rob him of his ruby ring after he had fed them so well + and had treated them so kindly. + </p> + <p> + But the next day they jogged on together again until by-and-by they came + to a great forest. There they wandered up and down till night came upon + them and found them still stumbling onward through the darkness, while the + poor serving-man’s flesh quaked to hear the wild beasts and the wolves + growling and howling around them. + </p> + <p> + But all the while the angel—his travelling companion—said + never a word; he seemed to doubt nothing nor fear nothing, but trudged + straight ahead until, by-and-by, they saw a light twinkling far away, and, + when they came to it, they found a gloomy stone house, as ugly as eyes + ever looked upon. Up stepped the servant’s comrade and knocked upon the + door—rap! tap! tap! By-and-by it was opened a crack, and there stood + an ugly old woman, blear-eyed and crooked and gnarled as a winter twig. + But the heart within her was good for all that. “Alas, poor folk!” she + cried, “why do you come here? This is a den where lives a band of wicked + thieves. Every day they go out to rob and murder poor travellers like + yourselves. By-and-by they will come back, and when they find you here + they will certainly kill you.” + </p> + <p> + “No matter for that,” said the travelling companion; “we can go no farther + to-night, so you must let us in and hide us as best you may.” + </p> + <p> + And in he went, as he said, with the servant at his heels trembling like a + leaf at what he had heard. The old woman gave them some bread and meat to + eat, and then hid them away in the great empty meal-chest in the corner, + and there they lay as still as mice. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by in came the gang of thieves with a great noise and uproar, and + down they sat to their supper. The poor servant lay in the chest listening + to all they said of the dreadful things they had done that day—how + they had cruelly robbed and murdered poor people. Every word that they + said he heard, and he trembled until his teeth chattered in his head. But + all the same the robbers knew nothing of the two being there, and there + they lay until near the dawning of the day. Then the travelling companion + bade the servant be stirring, and up they got, and out of the chest they + came, and found all the robbers sound asleep and snoring so that the dust + flew. + </p> + <p> + “Stop a bit,” said the angel—the travelling companion—“we must + pay them for our lodging.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he drew from his pocket the ruby ring which he had stolen from + the sorrowful young man’s finger, and dropped it into the cup from which + the robber captain drank. Then he led the way out of the house, and, if + the serving-man had wondered the day before at that which the comrade did, + he wondered ten times more to see him give so beautiful a ring to such + wicked and bloody thieves. + </p> + <p> + The third evening of their journey the two travellers came to a little + hut, neat enough, but as poor as poverty, and there the comrade knocked + upon the door and asked for lodging. In the house lived a poor man and his + wife; and, though the two were as honest as the palm of your hand, and as + good and kind as rain in spring-time, they could hardly scrape enough of a + living to keep body and soul together. Nevertheless, they made the + travellers welcome, and set before them the very best that was to be had + in the house; and, after both had eaten and drunk, they showed them to bed + in a corner as clean as snow, and there they slept the night through. + </p> + <p> + But the next morning, before the dawning of the day, the travelling + companion was stirring again. “Come,” said he; “rouse yourself, for I have + a bit of work to do before I leave this place.” + </p> + <p> + And strange work it was! When they had come outside of the house, he + gathered together a great heap of straw and sticks of wood, and stuffed + all under the corner of the house. Then he struck a light and set fire to + it, and, as the two walked away through the gray dawn, all was a red blaze + behind them. + </p> + <p> + Still, the servant remembered his promise to his travelling comrade, and + said never a word or asked never a question, though all that day he walked + on the other side of the road, and would have nothing to say or to do with + the other. But never a whit did his comrade seem to think of or to care + for that. On they jogged, and, by the time evening was at hand, they had + come to a neat cottage with apple and pear trees around it, all as + pleasant as the eye could desire to see. In this cottage lived a widow and + her only son, and they also made the travellers welcome, and set before + them a good supper and showed them to a clean bed. + </p> + <p> + This time the travelling comrade did neither good nor ill to those of the + house, but in the morning he told the widow whither they were going, and + asked if she and her son knew the way to the garden where grew the fruit + of happiness. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said she, “that we do, for the garden is not a day’s journey from + here, and my son himself shall go with you to show you the way.” + </p> + <p> + “That is good,” said the servant’s comrade, “and if he will do so I will + pay him well for his trouble.” + </p> + <p> + So the young man put on his hat, and took up his stick, and off went the + three, up hill and down dale, until by-and-by they came over the top of + the last hill, and there below them lay the garden. + </p> + <p> + And what a sight it was, the leaves shining and glistening like so many + jewels in the sunlight! I only wish that I could tell you how beautiful + that garden was. And in the middle of it grew a golden tree, and on it + golden fruit. The servant, who had travelled so long and so far, could see + it plainly from where he stood, and he did not need to be told that it was + the fruit of happiness. But, after all, all he could do was to stand and + look, for in front of them was a great raging torrent, without a bridge + for a body to cross over. + </p> + <p> + “Yonder is what you seek,” said the young man, pointing with his finger, + “and there you can see for yourself the fruit of happiness.” + </p> + <p> + The travelling companion said never a word, good or bad, but, suddenly + catching the widow’s son by the collar, he lifted him and flung him into + the black, rushing water. Splash! went the young man, and then away he + went whirling over rocks and water-falls. “There!” cried the comrade, + “that is your reward for your service!” + </p> + <p> + When the servant saw this cruel, wicked deed, he found his tongue at last, + and all that he had bottled up for the seven days came frothing out of him + like hot beer. Such abuse as he showered upon his travelling companion no + man ever listened to before. But to all the servant said the other + answered never a word until he had stopped for sheer want of breath. Then— + </p> + <p> + “Poor fool,” said the travelling companion, “if you had only held your + tongue a minute longer, you, too, would have had the fruit of happiness in + your hand. Now it will be many a day before you have a sight of it again.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon, as he ended speaking, he struck his staff upon the ground. + Instantly the earth trembled, and the sky darkened overhead until it grew + as black as night. Then came a great flash of fire from up in the sky, + which wrapped the travelling companion about until he was hidden from + sight. Then the flaming fire flew away to heaven again, carrying him along + with it. After that the sky cleared once more, and, lo and behold! The + garden and the torrent and all were gone, and nothing was left but a naked + plain covered over with the bones of those who had come that way before, + seeking the fruit which the travelling servant had sought. + </p> + <p> + It was a long time before the servant found his way back into the world + again, and the first house he came to, weak and hungry, was the widow’s. + </p> + <p> + But what a change he beheld! It was a poor cottage no longer, but a + splendid palace, fit for a queen to dwell in. The widow herself met him at + the door, and she was dressed in clothes fit for a queen to wear, shining + with gold and silver and precious stones. + </p> + <p> + The servant stood and stared like one bereft of wits. “How comes all this + change?” said he, “and how did you get all these grand things?” + </p> + <p> + “My son,” said the widow woman, “has just been to the garden, and has + brought home from there the fruit of happiness. Many a day did we search, + but never could we find how to enter into the garden, until, the other + day, an angel came and showed the way to my son, and he was able not only + to gather of the fruit for himself, but to bring an apple for me also.” + </p> + <p> + Then the poor travelling servant began to thump his head. He saw well + enough through the millstone now, and that he, too, might have had one of + the fruit if he had but held his tongue a little longer. + </p> + <p> + Yes, he saw what a fool he had made of himself, when he learned that it + was an angel with whom he had been travelling the five days gone. + </p> + <p> + But, then, we are all of us like the servant for the matter of that; I, + too, have travelled with an angel many a day, I dare say, and never knew + it. + </p> + <p> + That night the servant lodged with the widow and her son, and the next day + he started back home again upon the way he had travelled before. By + evening he had reached the place where the house of the poor couple stood—the + house that he had seen the angel set fire to. There he beheld masons and + carpenters hard at work hacking and hewing, and building a fine new house. + And there he saw the poor man himself standing by giving them orders. “How + is this,” said the travelling servant; “I thought that your house was + burned down?” + </p> + <p> + “So it was, and that is how I came to be rich now,” said the one-time poor + man. “I and my wife had lived in our old house for many a long day, and + never knew that a great treasure of silver and gold was hidden beneath it, + until a few days ago there came an angel and burned it down over our + heads, and in the morning we found the treasure. So now we are rich for as + long as we may live.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning the poor servant jogged along on his homeward way more + sad and downcast than ever, and by evening he had come to the robbers’ den + in the thick woods, and there the old woman came running to the door to + meet him. “Come in!” cried she; “come in and welcome! The robbers are all + dead and gone now, and I use the treasure that they left behind to + entertain poor travellers like yourself. The other day there came an angel + hither, and with him he brought the ring of discord that breeds spite and + rage and quarrelling. He gave it to the captain of the band, and after he + had gone the robbers fought for it with one another until they were all + killed. So now the world is rid of them, and travellers can come and go as + they please.” + </p> + <p> + Back jogged the travelling servant, and the next day came to the town and + to the house of the sorrowful young man. There, lo and behold! Instead of + being dark and silent, as it was before, all was ablaze with light and + noisy with the sound of rejoicing and merriment. There happened to be one + of the household standing at the door, and he knew the servant as the + companion of that one who had stolen the ruby ring. Up he came and laid + hold of the servant by the collar, calling to his companions that he had + caught one of the thieves. Into the house they hauled the poor servant, + and into the same room where he had been before, and there sat the young + man at a grand feast, with his wife and all his friends around him. But + when the young man saw the poor serving-man he came to him and took him by + the hand, and set him beside himself at the table. “Nobody except your + comrade could be so welcome as you,” said he, “and this is why. An enemy + of mine one time gave me a ruby ring, and though I knew nothing of it, it + was the ring of discord that bred strife wherever it came. So, as soon as + it was brought into the house, my wife and all my friends fell out with + me, and we quarrelled so that they all left me. But, though I knew it not + at that time, your comrade was an angel, and took the ring away with him, + and now I am as happy as I was sorrowful before.” + </p> + <p> + By the next night the servant had come back to his home again. Rap! tap! + tap! He knocked at the door, and the wise man who had been his master + opened to him. “What do you want?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I want to take service with you again,” said the travelling servant. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the wise man; “come in and shut the door.” + </p> + <p> + And for all I know the travelling servant is there to this day. For he is + not the only one in the world who has come in sight of the fruit of + happiness, and then jogged all the way back home again to cook cabbage and + onions and pot-herbs, and to make broth for wiser men than himself to sup. + </p> + <p> + That is the end of this story. + </p> + <p> + “I like your story, holy sir,” said the Blacksmith who made Death sit in a + pear-tree. “Ne’th’less, it hath indeed somewhat the smack of a sermon, + after all. Methinks I am like my friend yonder,” and he pointed with his + thumb towards Fortunatus; “I like to hear a story about treasures of + silver and gold, and about kings and princes—a story that turneth + out well in the end, with everybody happy, and the man himself married in + luck, rather than one that turneth out awry, even if it hath an angel in + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” said St. George, testily, “one cannot please everybody. But + as for being a sermon, why, certes, my story was not that—and even + if it were, it would not have hurt thee, sirrah.” + </p> + <p> + “No offence,” said the Blacksmith; “I meant not to speak ill of your + story. Come, come, sir, will you not take a pot of ale with me?” + </p> + <p> + “Why,” said St. George, somewhat mollified, “for the matter of that, I + would as lief as not.” + </p> + <p> + “I liked the story well enough,” piped up the little Tailor who had killed + seven flies at a blow. “Twas a good enough story of its sort, but why does + nobody tell a tale of good big giants, and of wild boars, and of unicorns, + such as I killed in my adventures you wot of?” + </p> + <p> + Old Ali Baba had been sitting with his hands folded and his eyes closed. + Now he opened them and looked at the Little Tailor. “I know a story,” said + he, “about a Genie who was as big as a giant, and six times as powerful. + And besides that,” he added, “the story is all about treasures of gold, + and palaces, and kings, and emperors, and what not, and about a cave such + as that in which I myself found the treasure of the forty thieves.” + </p> + <p> + The Blacksmith who made Death sit in the pear-tree clattered the bottom of + his canican against the table. “Aye, aye,” said he, “that is the sort of + story for me. Come, friend, let us have it.” + </p> + <p> + “Stop a bit,” said Fortunatus; “what is this story mostly about?” + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said Ali Baba, “about two men betwixt whom there was—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Not a Pin to Choose. + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time, in a country in the far East, a merchant was travelling + towards the city with three horses loaded with rich goods, and a purse + containing a hundred pieces of gold money. The day was very hot, and the + road dusty and dry, so that, by-and-by, when he reached a spot where a + cool, clear spring of water came bubbling out from under a rock beneath + the shade of a wide-spreading wayside tree, he was glad enough to stop and + refresh himself with a draught of the clear coolness and rest awhile. But + while he stooped to drink at the fountain the purse of gold fell from his + girdle into the tall grass, and he, not seeing it, let it lie there, and + went his way. + </p> + <p> + Now it chanced that two fagot-makers—the elder by name Ali, the + younger Abdallah—who had been in the woods all day chopping fagots, + came also travelling the same way, and stopped at the same fountain to + drink. There the younger of the two spied the purse lying in the grass, + and picked it up. But when he opened it and found it full of gold money, + he was like one bereft of wits; he flung his arms, he danced, he shouted, + he laughed, he acted like a madman; for never had he seen so much wealth + in all of his life before—a hundred pieces of gold money! + </p> + <p> + Now the older of the two was by nature a merry wag, and though he had + never had the chance to taste of pleasure, he thought that nothing in the + world could be better worth spending money for than wine and music and + dancing. So, when the evening had come, he proposed that they two should + go and squander it all at the Inn. But the younger fellow—Abdallah—was + by nature just as thrifty as the other was spendthrift, and would not + consent to waste what he had found. Nevertheless, he was generous and + open-hearted, and grudged his friend nothing; so, though he did not care + for a wild life himself, he gave Ali a piece of gold to spend as he chose. + </p> + <p> + By morning every copper of what had been given to the elder fagot-maker + was gone, and he had never had such a good time in his life before. All + that day and for a week the head of Ali was so full of the memory of the + merry night that he had enjoyed that he could think of nothing else. At + last, one evening, he asked Abdallah for another piece of gold, and + Abdallah gave it to him, and by the next morning it had vanished in the + same way that the other had flown. By-and-by Ali borrowed a third piece of + money, and then a fourth and then a fifth, so that by the time that six + months had passed and gone he had spent thirty of the hundred pieces that + had been found, and in all that time Abdallah had used not so much as a + pistareen. + </p> + <p> + But when Ali came for the thirty-and-first loan, Abdallah refused to let + him have any more money. It was in vain that the elder begged and implored—the + younger abided by what he had said. + </p> + <p> + Then Ali began to put on a threatening front. “You will not let me have + the money?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “No, I will not.” + </p> + <p> + “You will not?” + </p> + <p> + “No!” + </p> + <p> + “Then you shall!” cried Ali; and, so saying, caught the younger + fagot-maker by the throat, and began shaking him and shouting, “Help! + Help! I am robbed! I am robbed!” He made such an uproar that half a + hundred men, women, and children were gathered around them in less than a + minute. “Here is ingratitude for you!” cried Ali. “Here is wickedness and + thievery! Look at this wretch, all good men, and then turn away your eyes! + For twelve years have I lived with this young man as a father might live + with a son, and now how does he repay me? He has stolen all that I have in + the world—a purse of seventy sequins of gold.” + </p> + <p> + All this while poor Abdallah had been so amazed that he could do nothing + but stand and stare like one stricken dumb; whereupon all the people, + thinking him guilty, dragged him off to the judge, reviling him and + heaping words of abuse upon him. + </p> + <p> + Now the judge of that town was known far and near as the “Wise Judge”; but + never had he had such a knotty question as this brought up before him, for + by this time Abdallah had found his speech, and swore with a great outcry + that the money belonged to him. + </p> + <p> + But at last a gleam of light came to the Wise Judge in his perplexity. + “Can any one tell me,” said he, “which of these fellows has had money of + late, and which has had none?” + </p> + <p> + His question was one easily enough answered; a score of people were there + to testify that the elder of the two had been living well and spending + money freely for six months and more, and a score were also there to swear + that Abdallah had lived all the while in penury. “Then that decides the + matter,” said the Wise Judge. “The money belongs to the elder + fagot-maker.” + </p> + <p> + “But listen, oh my lord judge!” cried Abdallah. “All that this man has + spent I have given to him—I, who found the money. Yes, my lord, I + have given it to him, and myself have spent not so much as single mite.” + </p> + <p> + All who were present shouted with laughter at Abdallah’s speech, for who + would believe that any one would be so generous as to spend all upon + another and none upon himself? + </p> + <p> + So poor Abdallah was beaten with rods until he confessed where he had + hidden his money; then the Wise Judge handed fifty sequins to Ali and kept + twenty himself for his decision, and all went their way praising his + justice and judgment. + </p> + <p> + That is to say, all but poor Abdallah; he went to his home weeping and + wailing, and with every one pointing the finger of scorn at him. He was + just as poor as ever, and his back was sore with the beating that he had + suffered. All that night he continued to weep and wail, and when the + morning had come he was weeping and wailing still. + </p> + <p> + Now it chanced that a wise man passed that way, and hearing his + lamentation, stopped to inquire the cause of his trouble. Abdallah told + the other of his sorrow, and the wise man listened, smiling, till he was + done, and then he laughed outright. “My son,” said he, “if every one in + your case should shed tears as abundantly as you have done, the world + would have been drowned in salt water by this time. As for your friend, + think not ill of him; no man loveth another who is always giving.” + </p> + <p> + “Nay,” said the young fagot-maker, “I believe not a word of what you say. + Had I been in his place I would have been grateful for the benefits, and + not have hated the giver.” + </p> + <p> + But the wise man only laughed louder than ever. “Maybe you will have the + chance to prove what you say some day,” said he, and went his way, still + shaking with his merriment. + </p> + <p> + “All this,” said Ali Baba, “is only the beginning of my story; and now if + the damsel will fill up my pot of ale, I will begin in earnest and tell + about the cave of the Genie.” + </p> + <p> + He watched Little Brown Betty until she had filled his mug, and the froth + ran over the top. Then he took a deep draught and began again. + </p> + <p> + Though Abdallah had affirmed that he did not believe what the wise man had + said, nevertheless the words of the other were a comfort, for it makes one + feel easier in trouble to be told that others have been in a like case + with one’s self. + </p> + <p> + So, by-and-by, Abdallah plucked up some spirit, and, saddling his ass and + shouldering his axe, started off to the woods for a bundle of fagots. + </p> + <p> + Misfortunes, they say, never come single, and so it seemed to be with the + fagot-maker that day; for that happened that had never happened to him + before—he lost his way in the woods. On he went, deeper and deeper + into the thickets, driving his ass before him, bewailing himself and + rapping his head with his knuckles. But all his sorrowing helped him + nothing, and by the time that night fell he found himself deep in the + midst of a great forest full of wild beasts, the very thought of which + curdled his blood. He had had nothing to eat all day long, and now the + only resting-place left him was the branches of some tree. So, unsaddling + his ass and leaving it to shift for itself, he climbed to and roosted + himself in the crotch of a great limb. + </p> + <p> + In spite of his hunger he presently fell asleep, for trouble breeds + weariness as it breeds grief. + </p> + <p> + About the dawning of the day he was awakened by the sound of voices and + the glaring of lights. He craned his neck and looked down, and there he + saw a sight that filled him with amazement: three old men riding each upon + a milk-white horse and each bearing a lighted torch in his hand, to light + the way through the dark forest. + </p> + <p> + When they had come just below where Abdallah sat, they dismounted and + fastened their several horses to as many trees. Then he who rode first of + the three, and who wore a red cap and who seemed to be the chief of them, + walked solemnly up to a great rock that stood in the hillside, and, + breaking a switch from a shrub that grew in a cleft, struck the face of + the stone, crying in a loud voice, “I command thee to open, in the name of + the red Aldebaran!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly, creaking and groaning, the face of the rock opened like a door, + gaping blackly. Then, one after another, the three old men entered, and + nothing was left but the dull light of their torches, shining on the walls + of the passage-way. + </p> + <p> + What happened inside the cavern the fagot-maker could neither see nor + hear, but minute after minute passed while he sat as in a maze at all that + had happened. Then presently he heard a deep thundering voice and a voice + as of one of the old men in answer. Then there came a sound swelling + louder and louder, as though a great crowd of people were gathering + together, and with the voices came the noise of the neighing of horses and + the trampling of hoofs. Then at last there came pouring from out the rock + a great crowd of horses laden with bales and bundles of rich stuffs and + chests and caskets of gold and silver and jewels, and each horse was led + by a slave clad in a dress of cloth-of-gold, sparkling and glistening with + precious gems. When all these had come out from the cavern, other horses + followed, upon each of which sat a beautiful damsel, more lovely than the + fancy of man could picture. Beside the damsels marched a guard, each man + clad in silver armor, and each bearing a drawn sword that flashed in the + brightening day more keenly than the lightning. So they all came pouring + forth from the cavern until it seemed as though the whole woods below were + filled with the wealth and the beauty of King Solomon’s day—and + then, last of all, came the three old men. + </p> + <p> + “In the name of the red Aldebaran,” said he who had bidden the rock to + open, “I command thee to become closed.” Again, creaking and groaning, the + rock shut as it had opened—like a door—and the three old men, + mounting their horses, led the way from the woods, the others following. + The noise and confusion of the many voices shouting and calling, the + trample and stamp of horses, grew fainter and fainter, until at last all + was once more hushed and still, and only the fagot-maker was left behind, + still staring like one dumb and bereft of wits. + </p> + <p> + But so soon as he was quite sure that all were really gone, he clambered + down as quickly as might be. He waited for a while to make doubly sure + that no one was left behind, and then he walked straight up to the rock, + just as he had seen the old man do. He plucked a switch from the bush, + just as he had seen the old man pluck one, and struck the stone, just as + the old man had struck it. “I command thee to open,” said he, “in the name + of the red Aldebaran!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly, as it had done in answer to the old man’s command, there came a + creaking and a groaning, and the rock slowly opened like a door, and there + was the passageway yawning before him. For a moment or two the fagot-maker + hesitated to enter; but all was as still as death, and finally he plucked + up courage and went within. + </p> + <p> + By this time the day was brightening and the sun rising, and by the gray + light the fagot-maker could see about him pretty clearly. Not a sign was + to be seen of horses or of treasure or of people—nothing but a + square block of marble, and upon it a black casket, and upon that again a + gold ring, in which was set a blood-red stone. Beyond these things there + was nothing; the walls were bare, the roof was bare, the floor was bare—all + was bare and naked stone. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the wood-chopper, “as the old men have taken everything else, + I might as well take these things. The ring is certainly worth something, + and maybe I shall be able to sell the casket for a trifle into the + bargain.” So he slipped the ring upon his finger, and, taking up the + casket, left the place. “I command thee to be closed,” said he, “in the + name of the red Aldebaran!” And thereupon the door closed, creaking and + groaning. + </p> + <p> + After a little while he found his ass, saddled it and bridled it, and + loaded it with the bundle of fagots that he had chopped the day before, + and then set off again to try to find his way out of the thick woods. But + still his luck was against him, and the farther he wandered the deeper he + found himself in the thickets. In the meantime he was like to die of + hunger, for he had not a bite to eat for more than a whole day. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” said he to himself, “there may be something in the casket to + stay my stomach;” and, so saying, he sat him down, unlocked the casket, + and raised the lid. + </p> + <p> + Such a yell as the poor wretch uttered ears never heard before. Over he + rolled upon his back and there lay staring with wide eyes, and away + scampered the jackass, kicking up his heels and braying so that the leaves + of the trees trembled and shook. For no sooner had he lifted the lid than + out leaped a great hideous Genie, as black as a coal, with one fiery-red + eye in the middle of his forehead that glared and rolled most horribly, + and with his hands and feet set with claws, sharp and hooked like the + talons of a hawk. Poor Abdallah the fagot-maker lay upon his back staring + at the monster with a face as white as wax. + </p> + <p> + “What are thy commands?” said the Genie in a terrible voice, that rumbled + like the sound of thunder. + </p> + <p> + “I—I do not know,” said Abdallah, trembling and shaking as with an + ague. “I—I have forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + “Ask what thou wilt,” said the Genie, “for I must ever obey whomsoever + hast the ring that thou wearest upon thy finger. Hath my lord nothing to + command wherein I may serve him?” + </p> + <p> + Abdallah shook his head. “No,” said he, “there is nothing—unless—unless + you will bring me something to eat.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie. “What will my lord be pleased to + have?” + </p> + <p> + “Just a little bread and cheese,” said Abdallah. + </p> + <p> + The Genie waved his hand, and in an instant a fine damask napkin lay + spread upon the ground, and upon it a loaf of bread as white as snow and a + piece of cheese such as the king would have been glad to taste. But + Abdallah could do nothing but sit staring at the Genie, for the sight of + the monster quite took away his appetite. + </p> + <p> + “What more can I do to serve thee?” asked the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “I think,” said Abdallah, “that I could eat more comfortably if you were + away.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie. “Whither shall I go? Shall I enter + the casket again?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” said the fagot-maker; “how did you come to be there?” + </p> + <p> + “I am a great Genie,” answered the monster, “and was conjured thither by + the great King Solomon, whose seal it is that thou wearest upon thy + finger. For a certain fault that I committed I was confined in the box and + hidden in the cavern where thou didst find me to-day. There I lay for + thousands of years until one day three old magicians discovered the secret + of where I lay hidden. It was they who only this morning compelled me to + give them that vast treasure which thou sawest them take away from the + cavern not long since.” + </p> + <p> + “But why did they not take you and the box and the ring away also?” asked + Abdallah. + </p> + <p> + “Because,” answered the Genie, “they are three brothers, and neither two + care to trust the other one with such power as the ring has to give, so + they made a solemn compact among themselves that I should remain in the + cavern, and that no one of the three should visit it without the other two + in his company. Now, my lord, if it is thy will that I shall enter the + casket again I must even obey thy command in that as in all things; but, + if it please thee, I would fain rejoin my own kind again—they from + whom I have been parted for so long. Shouldst thou permit me to do so I + will still be thy slave, for thou hast only to press the red stone in the + ring and repeat these words: By the red Aldebaran, I command thee to + come,’ and I will be with thee instantly. But if I have my freedom I shall + serve thee from gratitude and love, and not from compulsion and with + fear.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it!” said Abdallah. “I have no choice in the matter, and thou + mayest go whither it pleases thee.” + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the words left his lips than the Genie gave a great cry of + rejoicing, so piercing that it made Abdallah’s flesh creep, and then, + fetching the black casket a kick that sent it flying over the tree tops, + vanished instantly. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” quote Abdallah, when he had caught his breath from his amazement, + “these are the most wonderful things that have happened to me in all of my + life.” And thereupon he fell to at the bread and cheese, and ate as only a + hungry man can eat. When he had finished the last crumb he wiped his mouth + with the napkin, and, stretching his arms, felt within him that he was + like a new man. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, he was still lost in the woods, and now not even with his + ass for comradeship. + </p> + <p> + He had wandered for quite a little while before he bethought himself of + the Genie. “What a fool am I,” said he, “not to have asked him to help me + while he was here.” He pressed his finger upon the ring, and cried in a + loud voice, “By the red Aldebaran, I command thee to come!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly the Genie stood before him—big, black, ugly, and grim. + “What are my lord’s commands?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I command thee,” said Abdallah the fagot-maker, who was not half so + frightened at the sight of the monster this time as he had been before—“I + command thee to help me out of this woods.” + </p> + <p> + Hardly were the words out of his mouth when the Genie snatched Abdallah + up, and, flying swifter than the lightning, set him down in the middle of + the highway on the outskirts of the forest before he had fairly caught his + breath. + </p> + <p> + When he did gather his wits and looked about him, he knew very well where + he was, and that he was upon the road that led to the city. At the sight + his heart grew light within him, and off he stepped briskly for home + again. + </p> + <p> + But the sun shone hot and the way was warm and dusty, and before Abdallah + had gone very far the sweat was running down his face in streams. After a + while he met a rich husband-man riding easily along on an ambling nag, and + when Abdallah saw him he rapped his head with his knuckles. “Why did I not + think to ask the Genie for a horse?” said he. “I might just as well have + ridden as to have walked, and that upon a horse a hundred times more + beautiful than the one that that fellow rides.” + </p> + <p> + He stepped into the thicket beside the way, where he might be out of + sight, and there pressed the stone in his ring, and at his bidding the + Genie stood before him. + </p> + <p> + “What are my lord’s commands?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I would like to have a noble horse to ride upon,” said Abdallah—“a + horse such as a king might use.” + </p> + <p> + “To hear is to obey,” said the Genie; and, stretching out his hand, there + stood before Abdallah a magnificent Arab horse, with a saddle and bridle + studded with precious stones, and with housings of gold. “Can I do aught + to serve my lord further?” said the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “Not just now,” said Abdallah; “if I have further use for you I will call + you.” + </p> + <p> + The Genie bowed his head and was gone like a flash, and Abdallah mounted + his horse and rode off upon his way. But he had not gone far before he + drew rein suddenly. “How foolish must I look,” said he, “to be thus riding + along the high-road upon this noble steed, and I myself clad in + fagot-maker’s rags.” Thereupon he turned his horse into the thicket, and + again summoned the Genie. “I should like,” said he, “to have a suit of + clothes fit for a king to wear.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord shall have that which he desires,” said the Genie. He stretched + out his hand, and in an instant there lay across his arm raiment such as + the eyes of man never saw before—stiff with pearls, and blazing with + diamonds and rubies and emeralds and sapphires. The Genie himself aided + Abdallah to dress, and when he looked down he felt, for the time, quite + satisfied. + </p> + <p> + He rode a little farther. Then suddenly he bethought himself, “What a + silly spectacle shall I cut in the town with no money in my purse and with + such fine clothes upon my back.” Once more the Genie was summoned. “I + should like,” said the fagot-maker, “to have a box full of money.” + </p> + <p> + The Genie stretched out his hand, and in it was a casket of + mother-of-pearl inlaid with gold and full of money. “Has my lord any + further commands for his servant?” asked he. + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Abdallah. “Stop—I have, too,” he added. “Yes; I would + like to have a young man to carry my money for me.” + </p> + <p> + “He is here,” said the Genie. And there stood a beautiful youth clad in + clothes of silver tissue, and holding a milk-white horse by the bridle. + </p> + <p> + “Stay, Genie,” said Abdallah. “Whilst thou art here thou mayest as well + give me enough at once to last me a long time to come. Let me have eleven + more caskets of money like this one, and eleven more slaves to carry the + same.” + </p> + <p> + “They are here,” said the Genie; and as he spoke there stood eleven more + youths before Abdallah, as like the first as so many pictures of the same + person, and each youth bore in his hands a box like the one that the + monster had given Abdallah. “Will my lord have anything further?” asked + the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “Let me think,” said Abdallah. “Yes; I know the town well, and that should + one so rich as I ride into it without guards he would be certain to be + robbed before he had travelled a hundred paces. Let me have an escort of a + hundred armed men.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said the Genie, and, waving his hand, the road where + they stood was instantly filled with armed men, with swords and helmets + gleaming and flashing in the sun, and all seated upon magnificently + caparisoned horses. “Can I serve my lord further?” asked the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Abdallah the fagot-maker, in admiration, “I have nothing more + to wish for in this world. Thou mayest go, Genie, and it will be long ere + I will have to call thee again,” and thereupon the Genie was gone like a + flash. + </p> + <p> + The captain of Abdallah’s troop—a bearded warrior clad in a superb + suit of armor—rode up to the fagot-maker, and, leaping from his + horse and bowing before him so that his forehead touched the dust, said, + “Whither shall we ride, my lord?” + </p> + <p> + Abdallah smote his forehead with vexation. “If I live a thousand years,” + said he, “I will never learn wisdom.” Thereupon, dismounting again, he + pressed the ring and summoned the Genie. “I was mistaken,” said he, “as to + not wanting thee so soon. I would have thee build me in the city a + magnificent palace, such as man never looked upon before, and let it be + full from top to bottom with rich stuffs and treasures of all sorts. And + let it have gardens and fountains and terraces fitting for such a place, + and let it be meetly served with slaves, both men and women, the most + beautiful that are to be found in all the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there aught else that thou wouldst have?” asked the Genie. + </p> + <p> + The fagot-maker meditated a long time. “I can bethink myself of nothing + more just now,” said he. + </p> + <p> + The Genie turned to the captain of the troop and said some words to him in + a strange tongue, and then in a moment was gone. The captain gave the + order to march, and away they all rode with Abdallah in the midst. “Who + would have thought,” said he, looking around him, with the heart within + him swelling with pride as though it would burst—“who would have + thought that only this morning I was a poor fagot-maker, lost in the woods + and half starved to death? Surely there is nothing left for me to wish for + in this world!” + </p> + <p> + Abdallah was talking of something he knew nothing of. + </p> + <p> + Never before was such a sight seen in that country, as Abdallah and his + troop rode through the gates and into the streets of the city. But + dazzling and beautiful as were those who rode attendant upon him, Abdallah + the fagot-maker surpassed them all as the moon dims the lustre of the + stars. The people crowded around shouting with wonder, and Abdallah, in + the fulness of his delight, gave orders to the slaves who bore the caskets + of money to open them and to throw the gold to the people. So, with those + in the streets scrambling and fighting for the money and shouting and + cheering, and others gazing down at the spectacle from the windows and + house-tops, the fagot-maker and his troop rode slowly along through the + town. + </p> + <p> + Now it chanced that their way led along past the royal palace, and the + princess, hearing all the shouting and the hubbub, looked over the edge of + the balcony and down into the street. At the same moment Abdallah chanced + to look up, and their eyes met. Thereupon the fagot-maker’s heart crumbled + away within him, for she was the most beautiful princess in all the world. + Her eyes were as black as night, her hair like threads of fine silk, her + neck like alabaster, and her lips and her cheeks as soft and as red as + rose-leaves. When she saw that Abdallah was looking at her she dropped the + curtain of the balcony and was gone, and the fagot-maker rode away, + sighing like a furnace. + </p> + <p> + So, by-and-by, he came to his palace, which was built all of marble as + white as snow, and which was surrounded with gardens, shaded by flowering + trees, and cooled by the plashing of fountains. From the gateway to the + door of the palace a carpet of cloth-of-gold had been spread for him to + walk upon, and crowds of slaves stood waiting to receive him. But for all + these glories Abdallah cared nothing; he hardly looked about him, but, + going straight to his room, pressed his ring and summoned the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “What is it that my lord would have?” asked the monster. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Genie!” said poor Abdallah, “I would have the princess for my wife, + for without her I am like to die.” + </p> + <p> + “My lord’s commands,” said the Genie, “shall be executed if I have to tear + down the city to do so. But perhaps this behest is not so hard to fulfil. + First of all, my lord will have to have an ambassador to send to the + king.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Abdallah with a sigh; “let me have an ambassador or + whatever may be necessary. Only make haste, Genie, in thy doings.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall lose no time,” said the Genie; and in a moment was gone. + </p> + <p> + The king was sitting in council with all of the greatest lords of the land + gathered about him, for the Emperor of India had declared war against him, + and he and they were in debate, discussing how the country was to be + saved. Just then Abdallah’s ambassador arrived, and when he and his train + entered the council-chamber all stood up to receive him, for the least of + those attendant upon him was more magnificently attired than the king + himself, and was bedecked with such jewels as the royal treasury could not + match. + </p> + <p> + Kneeling before the king, the ambassador touched the ground with his + forehead. Then, still kneeling, he unrolled a scroll, written in letters + of gold, and from it read the message asking for the princess to wife for + the Lord Abdallah. + </p> + <p> + When he had ended, the king sat for a while stroking his beard and + meditating. But before he spoke the oldest lord of the council arose and + said: “O sire! If this Lord Abdallah who asks for the princess for his + wife can send such a magnificent company in the train of his ambassador, + may it not be that he may be able also to help you in your war against the + Emperor of India?” + </p> + <p> + “True!” said the king. Then turning to the ambassador: “Tell your master,” + said he, “that if he will furnish me with an army of one hundred thousand + men, to aid me in the war against the Emperor of India, he shall have my + daughter for his wife.” + </p> + <p> + “Sire,” said the ambassador, “I will answer now for my master, and the + answer shall be this: That he will help you with an army, not of one + hundred thousand, but of two hundred thousand men. And if to-morrow you + will be pleased to ride forth to the plain that lieth to the south of the + city, my Lord Abdallah will meet you there with his army.” Then, once more + bowing, he withdrew from the council-chamber, leaving all them that were + there amazed at what had happened. + </p> + <p> + So the next day the king and all his court rode out to the place + appointed. As they drew near they saw that the whole face of the plain was + covered with a mighty host, drawn up in troops and squadrons. As the king + rode towards this vast army, Abdallah met him, surrounded by his generals. + He dismounted and would have kneeled, but the king would not permit him, + but, raising him, kissed him upon the cheek, calling him son. Then the + king and Abdallah rode down before the ranks and the whole army waved + their swords, and the flashing of the sunlight on the blades was like + lightning, and they shouted, and the noise was like the pealing of + thunder. + </p> + <p> + Before Abdallah marched off to the wars he and the princess were married, + and for a whole fortnight nothing was heard but the sound of rejoicing. + The city was illuminated from end to end, and all of the fountains ran + with wine instead of water. And of all those who rejoiced, none was so + happy as the princess, for never had she seen one whom she thought so + grand and noble and handsome as her husband. After the fortnight had + passed and gone, the army marched away to the wars with Abdallah at its + head. + </p> + <p> + Victory after victory followed, for in every engagement the Emperor of + India’s troops were driven from the field. In two months’ time the war was + over and Abdallah marched back again—the greatest general in the + world. But it was no longer as Abdallah that he was known, but as the + Emperor of India, for the former emperor had been killed in the war, and + Abdallah had set the crown upon his own head. + </p> + <p> + The little taste that he had had of conquest had given him an appetite for + more, so that with the armies the Genie provided him he conquered all the + neighboring countries and brought them under his rule. So he became the + greatest emperor in all the world; kings and princes kneeled before him, + and he, Abdallah, the fagot-maker, looking about him, could say: “No one + in all the world is so great as I!” + </p> + <p> + Could he desire anything more? + </p> + <p> + Yes; he did! He desired to be rid of the Genie! + </p> + <p> + When he thought of how all that he was in power and might—he, the + Emperor of the World—how all his riches and all his glory had come + as gifts from a hideous black monster with only one eye, his heart was + filled with bitterness. “I cannot forget,” said he to himself, “that as he + has given me all these things, he may take them all away again. Suppose + that I should lose my ring and that some one else should find it; who + knows but that they might become as great as I, and strip me of + everything, as I have stripped others. Yes; I wish he was out of the way!” + </p> + <p> + Once, when such thoughts as these were passing through his mind, he was + paying a visit to his father-in-law, the king. He was walking up and down + the terrace of the garden meditating on these matters, when, leaning over + a wall and looking down into the street, he saw a fagot-maker—just + such a fagot-maker as he himself had one time been—driving an ass—just + such an ass as he had one time driven. The fagot-maker carried something + under his arm, and what should it be but the very casket in which the + Genie had once been imprisoned, and which he—the one-time + fagot-maker—had seen the Genie kick over the tree-tops. + </p> + <p> + The sight of the casket put a sudden thought into his mind. He shouted to + his attendants, and bade them haste and bring the fagot-maker to him. Off + they ran, and in a little while came dragging the poor wretch, trembling + and as white as death; for he thought nothing less than that his end had + certainly come. As soon as those who had seized him had loosened their + hold, he flung himself prostrate at the feet of the Emperor Abdallah, and + there lay like one dead. + </p> + <p> + “Where didst thou get yonder casket?” asked the emperor. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my lord!” croaked the poor fagot-maker, “I found it out yonder in the + woods.” + </p> + <p> + “Give it to me,” said the emperor, “and my treasurer shall count thee out + a thousand pieces of gold in exchange.” + </p> + <p> + So soon as he had the casket safe in his hands he hurried away to his + privy chamber, and there pressed the red stone in his ring. “In the name + of the red Aldebaran, I command thee to appear!” said he, and in a moment + the Genie stood before him. + </p> + <p> + “What are my lord’s commands?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “I would have thee enter this casket again,” said the Emperor Abdallah. + </p> + <p> + “Enter the casket!” cried the Genie, aghast. + </p> + <p> + “Enter the casket.” + </p> + <p> + “In what have I done anything to offend my lord?” said the Genie. + </p> + <p> + “In nothing,” said the emperor; “only I would have thee enter the casket + again as thou wert when I first found thee.” + </p> + <p> + It was in vain that the Genie begged and implored for mercy, it was in + vain that he reminded Abdallah of all that he had done to benefit him; the + great emperor stood as hard as a rock—into the casket the Genie must + and should go. So at last into the casket the monster went, bellowing most + lamentably. + </p> + <p> + The Emperor Abdallah shut the lid of the casket, and locked it and sealed + it with his seal. Then, hiding it under his cloak, he bore it out into the + garden and to a deep well, and, first making sure that nobody was by to + see, dropped casket and Genie and all into the water. + </p> + <p> + Now had that wise man been by—the wise man who had laughed so when + the poor young fagot-maker wept and wailed at the ingratitude of his + friend—the wise man who had laughed still louder when the young + fagot-maker vowed that in another case he would not have been so + ungrateful to one who had benefited him—how that wise man would have + roared when he heard the casket plump into the waters of the well! For, + upon my word of honor, betwixt Ali the fagot-maker and Abdallah the + Emperor of the World there was not a pin to choose, except in degree. + </p> + <p> + Old Ali Baba’s pipe had nearly gone out, and he fell a puffing at it until + the spark grew to life again, and until great clouds of smoke rolled out + around his head and up through the rafters above. + </p> + <p> + “I liked thy story, friend,” said old Bidpai—“I liked it mightily + much. I liked more especially the way in which thy emperor got rid of his + demon, or Genie.” + </p> + <p> + Fortunatus took a long pull at his mug of ale. “I know not,” said he, + “about the demon, but there was one part that I liked much, and that was + about the treasures of silver and gold and the palace that the Genie built + and all the fine things that the poor fagot-maker enjoyed.” Then he who + had once carried the magic purse in his pocket fell a clattering with the + bottom of his quart cup upon the table. “Hey! My pretty lass,” cried he, + “come hither and fetch me another stoup of ale.” + </p> + <p> + Little Brown Betty came at his call, stumbling and tumbling into the room, + just as she had stumbled and tumbled in the Mother Goose book, only this + time she did not crack her crown, but gathered herself up laughing. + </p> + <p> + “You may fill my canican while you are about it,” said St. George, “for, + by my faith, tis dry work telling a story.” + </p> + <p> + “And mine, too,” piped the little Tailor who killed seven flies at a blow. + </p> + <p> + “And whose turn is it now to tell a story?” said Doctor Faustus. + </p> + <p> + “Tis his,” said the Lad who fiddled for the Jew, and he pointed to Hans + who traded and traded until he had traded his lump of gold for an empty + churn. + </p> + <p> + Hans grinned sheepishly. “Well,” said he, “I never did have luck at + anything, and why, then, d’ye think I should have luck at telling a + story?” + </p> + <p> + “Nay, never mind that,” said Aladdin, “tell thy story, friend, as best + thou mayst.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Hans, “if ye will have it, I will tell it to you; but, + after all, it is not better than my own story, and the poor man in the end + gets no more than I did in my bargains.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is your story about, my friend?” said Cinderella. + </p> + <p> + “Tis,” said Hans, “about how—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Much shall have more and little shall have less. + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a king who did the best he could to rule wisely + and well, and to deal justly by those under him whom he had to take care + of; and as he could not trust hearsay, he used every now and then to slip + away out of his palace and go among his people to hear what they had to + say for themselves about him and the way he ruled the land. + </p> + <p> + Well, one such day as this, when he was taking a walk, he strolled out + past the walls of the town and into the green fields until he came at last + to a fine big house that stood by the banks of a river, wherein lived a + man and his wife who were very well to do in the world. There the king + stopped for a bite of bread and a drink of fresh milk. + </p> + <p> + “I would like to ask you a question,” said the king to the rich man; “and + the question is this: Why are some folk rich and some folk poor?” + </p> + <p> + “That I cannot tell you,” said the good man; “only I remember my father + used to say that much shall have more and little shall have less.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the king; “the saying has a good sound, but let us find + whether or not it is really true. See; here is a purse with three hundred + pieces of golden money in it. Take it and give it to the poorest man you + know; in a week’s time I will come again, and then you shall tell me + whether it has made you or him the richer.” + </p> + <p> + Now in the town there lived two beggars who were as poor as poverty + itself, and the poorer of the twain was one who used to sit in rags and + tatters on the church step to beg charity of the good folk who came and + went. To him went the rich man, and, without so much as a good-morning, + quoth he: “Here is something for you,” and so saying dropped the purse of + gold into the beggar’s hat. Then away he went without waiting for a word + of thanks. + </p> + <p> + As for the beggar, he just sat there for a while goggling and staring like + one moon-struck. But at last his wits came back to him, and then away he + scampered home as fast as his legs could carry him. Then he spread his + money out on the table and counted it—three hundred pieces of gold + money! He had never seen such great riches in his life before. There he + sat feasting his eyes upon the treasure as though they would never get + their fill. And now what was he to do with all of it? Should he share his + fortune with his brother? Not a bit of it. To be sure, until now they had + always shared and shared alike, but here was the first great lump of + good-luck that had ever fallen in his way, and he was not for spoiling it + by cutting it in two to give half to a poor beggar-man such as his + brother. Not he; he would hide it and keep it all for his very own. + </p> + <p> + Now, not far from where he lived, and beside the river, stood a + willow-tree, and thither the lucky beggar took his purse of money and + stuffed it into a knot-hole of a withered branch, then went his way, + certain that nobody would think of looking for money in such a + hiding-place. Then all the rest of the day he sat thinking and thinking of + the ways he would spend what had been given him, and what he would do to + get the most good out of it. At last came evening, and his brother, who + had been begging in another part of the town, came home again. + </p> + <p> + “I nearly lost my hat to-day,” said the second beggar so soon as he had + come into the house. + </p> + <p> + “Did you?” said the first beggar. “How was that?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh! The wind blew it off into the water, but I got it again.” + </p> + <p> + “How did you get it?” said the first beggar. + </p> + <p> + “I just broke a dead branch off of the willow-tree and drew my hat + ashore,” said the second beggar. + </p> + <p> + “A dead branch!!” + </p> + <p> + “A dead branch.” + </p> + <p> + “Off of the willow tree!!” + </p> + <p> + “Off of the willow tree.” + </p> + <p> + The first beggar could hardly breathe. + </p> + <p> + “And what did you do with the dead branch after that?” + </p> + <p> + “I threw it away into the water, and it floated down the river.” + </p> + <p> + The beggar to whom the money had been given ran out of the house howling, + and down to the river-side, thumping his head with his knuckles like one + possessed. For he knew that the branch his brother had broken off of the + tree and had thrown into the water, was the very one in which he had + hidden the bag of money. + </p> + <p> + Yes; and so it was. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, as the rich man took a walk down by the river, he saw a + dead branch that had been washed up by the tide. “Halloo!” says he, “this + will do to kindle the fire with.” + </p> + <p> + So he brought it to the house, and, taking down his axe, began to split it + up for kindling. The very first blow he gave, out tumbled the bag of + money. + </p> + <p> + But the beggar—well, by-and-by his grieving got better of its first + smart, and then he started off down the river to see if he could not find + his money again. He hunted up and he hunted down, but never a whit of it + did he see, and at last he stopped at the rich man’s house and begged for + a bite to eat and lodgings for the night. There he told all his story—how + he had hidden the money that had been given him from his brother, how his + brother had broken off the branch and had thrown it away, and how he had + spent the whole live-long day searching for it. And to all the rich man + listened and said never a word. But though he said nothing, he thought to + himself, “Maybe, after all, it is not the will of Heaven that this man + shall have the money. Nevertheless, I will give him another trial.” + </p> + <p> + So he told the poor beggar to come in and stay for the night; and, whilst + the beggar was snoring away in his bed in the garret, the rich man had his + wife make two great pies, each with a fine brown crust. In the first pie + he put the little bag of money; the second he filled full of rusty nails + and scraps of iron. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he called the beggar to him. “My friend,” said he, “I + grieve sadly for the story you told me last night. But maybe, after all, + your luck is not all gone. And now, if you will choose as you should + choose, you shall not go away from here comfortless. In the pantry yonder + are two great pies—one is for you and one for me. Go in and take + whichever one you please.” + </p> + <p> + “A pie!” thought the beggar to himself; “does the man think that a big pie + will comfort me for the loss of three hundred pieces of money?” + Nevertheless, as it was the best thing to be had, into the pantry the + beggar went and there began to feel and weigh the pies, and the one filled + with the rusty nails and scraps of iron was ever so much the fatter and + the heavier. + </p> + <p> + “This is the one that I shall take,” said he to the rich man, “and you may + have the other.” And, tucking it under his arm, off he tramped. + </p> + <p> + Well, before he got back to the town he grew hungry, and sat down by the + roadside to eat his pie; and if there was ever an angry man in the world + before, he was one that day—for there was his pie full of nothing + but rusty nails and bits of iron. “This is the way the rich always treat + the poor,” said he. + </p> + <p> + So back he went in a fume. “What did you give me a pie full of old nails + for?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “You took the pie of your own choice,” said the rich man; “nevertheless, I + meant you no harm. Lodge with me here one night, and in the morning I will + give you something better worth while, maybe.” + </p> + <p> + So that night the rich man had his wife bake two loaves of bread, in one + of which she hid the bag with the three hundred pieces of gold money. + </p> + <p> + “Go to the pantry,” said the rich man to the beggar in the morning, “and + there you will find two loaves of bread—one is for you and one for + me; take whichever one you choose.” + </p> + <p> + So in went the beggar, and the first loaf of bread he laid his hand upon + was the one in which the money was hidden, and off he marched with it + under his arm, without so much as saying thank you. + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” said he to himself, after he had jogged along awhile—“I + wonder whether the rich man is up to another trick such as he played upon + me yesterday?” He put the loaf of bread to his ear and shook it and shook + it, and what should he hear but the chink of the money within. “Ah ha!” + said he, “he has filled it with rusty nails and bits of iron again, but I + will get the better of him this time.” + </p> + <p> + By-and-by he met a poor woman coming home from market. “Would you like to + buy a fine fresh loaf of bread?” said the beggar. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I would,” said the woman. + </p> + <p> + “Well, here is one you may have for two pennies,” said the beggar. + </p> + <p> + That was cheap enough, so the woman paid him his price and off she went + with the loaf of bread under her arm, and never stopped until she had come + to her home. + </p> + <p> + Now it happened that the day before this very woman had borrowed just such + a loaf of bread from the rich man’s wife; and so, as there was plenty in + the house without it, she wrapped this loaf up in a napkin, and sent her + husband back with it to where it had started from first of all. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the rich man to his wife, “the way of Heaven is not to be + changed.” And so he laid the money on the shelf until he who had given it + to him should come again, and thought no more of giving it to the beggar. + </p> + <p> + At the end of seven days the king called upon the rich man again, and this + time he came in his own guise as a real king. “Well,” said he, “is the + poor man the richer for his money?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the rich man, “he is not;” and then he told the whole story + from beginning to end just as I have told it. + </p> + <p> + “Your father was right,” said the king; “and what he said was very true—Much + shall have more and little shall have less.’ Keep the bag of money for + yourself, for there Heaven means it to stay.” + </p> + <p> + And maybe there is as much truth as poetry in this story. + </p> + <p> + And now it was the turn of the Blacksmith who had made Death sit in his + pear-tree until the cold wind whistled through the ribs of man’s enemy. He + was a big, burly man, with a bullet head, and a great thick neck, and a + voice like a bull’s. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mind,” said he, “about how I clapped a man in the fire and cooked + him to a crisp that day that St. Peter came travelling my way?” + </p> + <p> + There was a little space of silence, and then the Soldier who had cheated + the Devil spoke up. “Why yes, friend,” said he, “I know your story very + well.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not so fortunate,” said old Bidpai. “I do not know your story. Tell + me, friend, did you really bake a man to a crisp? And how was it then?” + </p> + <p> + “Why,” said the Blacksmith, “I was trying to do what a better man than I + did, and where he hit the mark I missed it by an ell. Twas a pretty scrape + I was in that day.” + </p> + <p> + “But how did it happen?” said Bidpai. + </p> + <p> + “It happened,” said the Blacksmith, “just as it is going to happen in the + story I am about to tell.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is your story about?” said Fortunatus. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said the Blacksmith, “about—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Wisdom’s Wages and Folly’s Pay + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a wise man of wise men, and a great magician to + boot, and his name was Doctor Simon Agricola. + </p> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a simpleton of simpletons, and a great booby to + boot, and his name was Babo. + </p> + <p> + Simon Agricola had read all the books written by man, and could do more + magic than any conjurer that ever lived. But, nevertheless, he was none + too well off in the world; his clothes were patched, and his shoes gaped, + and that is the way with many another wise man of whom I have heard tell. + </p> + <p> + Babo gathered rushes for a chair-maker, and he also had too few of the + good things to make life easy. But it is nothing out of the way for a + simpleton to be in that case. + </p> + <p> + The two of them lived neighbor to neighbor, the one in the next house to + the other, and so far as the world could see there was not a pin to choose + between them—only that one was called a wise man and the other a + simpleton. + </p> + <p> + One day the weather was cold, and when Babo came home from gathering + rushes he found no fire in the house. So off he went to his neighbor the + wise man. “Will you give me a live coal to start my fire?” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will do that,” said Simon Agricola; “But how will you carry the + coal home?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh!” said Babo, “I will just take it in my hand.” + </p> + <p> + “In your hand?” + </p> + <p> + “In my hand.” + </p> + <p> + “Can you carry a live coal in your hand?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh yes!” said Babo; “I can do that easily enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I should like to see you do it,” said Simon Agricola. + </p> + <p> + “Then I will show you,” said Babo. He spread a bed of cold, dead ashes + upon his palm. “Now,” said he, “I will take the ember upon that.” + </p> + <p> + Agricola rolled up his eyes like a duck in a thunder-storm. “Well,” said + he, “I have lived more than seventy years, and have read all the books in + the world; I have practised magic and necromancy, and know all about + algebra and geometry, and yet, wise as I am, I never thought of this + little thing.” + </p> + <p> + That is the way with your wise man. + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said Babo; “that is nothing. I know how to do many more tricks + than that.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you?” said Simon Agricola; “then listen: to-morrow I am going out into + the world to make my fortune, for little or nothing is to be had in this + town. If you will go along with me I will make your fortune also.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Babo, and the bargain was struck. So the next morning + bright and early off they started upon their journey, cheek by jowl, the + wise man and the simpleton, to make their fortunes in the wide world, and + the two of them made a pair. On they jogged and on they jogged, and the + way was none too smooth. By-and-by they came to a great field covered all + over with round stones. + </p> + <p> + “Let us each take one of these,” said Simon Agricola; “they will be of use + by-and-by;” and, as he spoke, he picked up a great stone as big as his two + fists, and dropped it into the pouch that dangled at his side. + </p> + <p> + “Not I,” said Babo; “I will carry no stone with me. It is as much as my + two legs can do to carry my body, let along lugging a great stone into the + bargain.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Agricola; “born a fool, live a fool, die a fool.’” And + on he tramped, with Babo at his heels. + </p> + <p> + At last they came to a great wide plain, where, far or near, nothing was + to be seen but bare sand, without so much as a pebble or a single blade of + grass, and there night caught up with them. + </p> + <p> + “Dear, dear, but I am hungry!” said Babo. + </p> + <p> + “So am I,” said Simon Agricola. “Let’s sit down here and eat.” + </p> + <p> + So down they sat, and Simon Agricola opened his pouch and drew forth the + stone. + </p> + <p> + The stone? It was a stone no longer, but a fine loaf of white bread as big + as your two fists. You should have seen Babo goggle and stare! “Give me a + piece of your bread, master,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Not I,” said Agricola. “You might have had a dozen of the same kind, had + you chosen to do as I bade you and to fetch them along with you. Born a + fool, live a fool, die a fool,’” said he; and that was all that Babo got + for his supper. As for the wise man, he finished his loaf of bread to the + last crumb, and then went to sleep with a full stomach and a contented + mind. + </p> + <p> + The next morning off they started again bright and early, and before long + they came to just such another field of stones as they left behind them + the day before. + </p> + <p> + “Come, master,” said Babo, “let us each take a stone with us. We may need + something more to eat before the day is over.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Simon Agricola; “we will need no stones to-day.” + </p> + <p> + But Babo had no notion to go hungry the second time, so he hunted around + till he found a stone as big as his head. All day he carried it, first + under one arm, and then under the other. The wise man stepped along + briskly enough, but the sweat ran down Babo’s face like drops on the + window in an April shower. At last they came to a great wide plain, where + neither stock nor stone was to be seen, but only a gallows-tree, upon + which one poor wight hung dancing upon nothing at all, and there night + caught them again. + </p> + <p> + “Aha!” said Babo to himself. “This time I shall have bread and my master + none.” + </p> + <p> + But listen to what happened. Up stepped the wise man to the gallows, and + gave it a sharp rap with his staff. Then, lo and behold! The gallows was + gone, and in its place stood a fine inn, with lights in the windows, and a + landlord bowing and smiling in the doorway, and a fire roaring in the + kitchen, and the smell of good things cooking filling the air all around, + so that only to sniff did one’s heart good. + </p> + <p> + Poor Babo let fall the stone he had carried all day. A stone it was, and a + stone he let fall. + </p> + <p> + “Born a fool, live a fool, die a fool,’” said Agricola. “But come in, + Babo, come in; here is room enough for two.” So that night Babo had a good + supper and a sound sleep, and that is a cure for most of a body’s troubles + in this world. + </p> + <p> + The third day of their travelling they came to farms and villages, and + there Simon Agricola began to think of showing some of those tricks of + magic that were to make his fortune and Babo’s into the bargain. + </p> + <p> + At last they came to a blacksmith’s shop, and there was the smith hard at + work, dinging and donging, and making sweet music with hammer and anvil. + In walked Simon Agricola and gave him good-day. He put his fingers into + his purse, and brought out all the money he had in the world; it was one + golden angel. “Look, friend,” said he to the blacksmith; “if you will let + me have your forge for one hour, I will give you this money for the use of + it.” + </p> + <p> + The blacksmith liked the tune of that song very well. “You may have it,” + said he; and he took off his leathern apron without another word, and + Simon Agricola put it on in his stead. + </p> + <p> + Presently, who should come riding up to the blacksmith’s shop but a rich + old nobleman and three servants. The servants were hale, stout fellows, + but the nobleman was as withered as a winter leaf. “Can you shoe my + horse?” said he to Simon Agricola, for he took him to be the smith because + of his leathern apron. + </p> + <p> + “No,” says Simon Agricola; “that is not my trade: I only know how to make + old people young.” + </p> + <p> + “Old people young!” said the old nobleman; “can you make me young again?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Simon Agricola, “I can, but I must have a thousand golden + angels for doing it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the old nobleman; “make me young, and you shall have + them and welcome.” + </p> + <p> + So Simon Agricola gave the word, and Babo blew the bellows until the fire + blazed and roared. Then the doctor caught the old nobleman, and laid him + upon the forge. He heaped the coals over him, and turned him this way and + that, until he grew red-hot, like a piece of iron. Then he drew him forth + from the fire and dipped him in the water-tank. Phizz! The water hissed, + and the steam rose up in a cloud; and when Simon Agricola took the old + nobleman out, lo and behold! He was as fresh and blooming and lusty as a + lad of twenty. + </p> + <p> + But you should have seen how all the people stared and goggled!—Babo + and the blacksmith and the nobleman’s servants. The nobleman strutted up + and down for a while, admiring himself, and then he got upon his horse + again. “But wait,” said Simon Agricola; “you forgot to pay me my thousand + golden angels.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said the nobleman, and off he clattered, with his servants at his + heels; and that was all the good that Simon Agricola had of this trick. + But ill-luck was not done with him yet, for when the smith saw how matters + had turned out, he laid hold of the doctor and would not let him go until + he had paid him the golden angel he had promised for the use of the forge. + The doctor pulled a sour face, but all the same he had to pay the angel. + Then the smith let him go, and off he marched in a huff. + </p> + <p> + Outside of the forge was the smith’s mother—a poor old creature, + withered and twisted and bent as a winter twig. Babo had kept his eyes + open, and had not travelled with Simon Agricola for nothing. He plucked + the smith by the sleeve: “Look’ee, friend,” said he, “how would you like + me to make your mother, over yonder, young again?” + </p> + <p> + “I should like nothing better,” said the smith. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Babo; “give me the golden angel that the master gave + you, and I’ll do the job for you.” + </p> + <p> + Well, the smith paid the money, and Babo bade him blow the bellows. When + the fire roared up good and hot, he caught up the old mother, and, in + spite of her scratching and squalling, he laid her upon the embers. + By-and-by, when he thought the right time had come, he took her out and + dipped her in the tank of water; but instead of turning young, there she + lay, as dumb as a fish and as black as coal. + </p> + <p> + When the blacksmith saw what Babo had done to his mother, he caught him by + the collar, and fell to giving him such a dressing down as never man had + before. + </p> + <p> + “Help!” bawled Babo. “Help! Murder!” + </p> + <p> + Such a hubbub had not been heard in that town for many a day. Back came + Simon Agricola running, and there he saw, and took it all in in one look. + </p> + <p> + “Stop, friend,” said he to the smith, “let the simpleton go; this is not + past mending yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the smith; “but he must give me back my golden angel, + and you must cure my mother, or else I’ll have you both up before the + judge.” + </p> + <p> + “It shall be done,” said Simon Agricola; so Babo paid back the money, and + the doctor dipped the woman in the water. When he brought her out she was + as well and strong as ever—but just as old as she had been before. + </p> + <p> + “Now be off for a pair of scamps, both of you,” said the blacksmith; “and + if you ever come this way again, I’ll set all the dogs in the town upon + you.” + </p> + <p> + Simon Agricola said nothing until they had come out upon the highway + again, and left the town well behind them; then—“Born a fool, live a + fool, die a fool!” says he. + </p> + <p> + Babo said nothing, but he rubbed the places where the smith had dusted his + coat. + </p> + <p> + The fourth day of their journey they came to a town, and here Simon + Agricola was for trying his tricks of magic again. He and Babo took up + their stand in the corner of the market-place, and began bawling, “Doctor + Knowall! Doctor Knowall! Who has come from the other end of Nowhere! He + can cure any sickness or pain! He can bring you back from the gates of + death! Here is Doctor Knowall! Here is Doctor Knowall!” + </p> + <p> + Now there was a very, very rich man in that town, whose daughter lay sick + to death; and when the news of this great doctor was brought to his ears, + he was for having him try his hand at curing the girl. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Simon Agricola, “I will do that, but you must pay me two + thousand golden angels.” + </p> + <p> + “Two thousand golden angels!” said the rich man; “that is a great deal of + money, but you shall have it if only you will cure my daughter.” + </p> + <p> + Simon Agricola drew a little vial from his bosom. From it he poured just + six drops of yellow liquor upon the girl’s tongue. Then—lo and + behold!—up she sat in bed as well and strong as ever, and asked for + a boiled chicken and a dumpling, by way of something to eat. + </p> + <p> + “Bless you! Bless you!” said the rich man. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes; blessings are very good, but I would like to have my two + thousand golden angels,” said Simon Agricola. + </p> + <p> + “Two thousand golden angels! I said nothing about two thousand golden + angels,” said the rich man; “two thousand fiddlesticks!” said he. “Pooh! + Pooh! You must have been dreaming! See, here are two hundred silver + pennies, and that is enough and more than enough for six drops of + medicine.” + </p> + <p> + “I want my two thousand golden angels,” said Simon Agricola. + </p> + <p> + “You will get nothing but two hundred pennies,” said the rich man. + </p> + <p> + “I won’t touch one of them,” said Simon Agricola, and off he marched in a + huff. + </p> + <p> + But Babo had kept his eyes open. Simon Agricola had laid down the vial + upon the table, and while they were saying this and that back and forth, + thinking of nothing else, Babo quietly slipped it into his own pocket, + without any one but himself being the wiser. + </p> + <p> + Down the stairs stumped the doctor with Babo at his heels. There stood the + cook waiting for them. + </p> + <p> + “Look,” said he, “my wife is sick in there; won’t you cure her, too?” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh!” said Simon Agricola; and out he went, banging the door behind him. + </p> + <p> + “Look, friend,” said Babo to the cook, “here I have some of the same + medicine. Give me the two hundred pennies that the master would not take, + and I’ll cure her for you as sound as a bottle.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the cook, and he counted out the two hundred pennies, + and Babo slipped them into his pocket. He bade the woman open her mouth, + and when she had done so he poured all the stuff down her throat at once. + </p> + <p> + “Ugh!” said she, and therewith rolled up her eyes, and lay as stiff and + dumb as a herring in a box. + </p> + <p> + When the cook saw what Babo had done, he snatched up the rolling-pin and + made at him to pound his head to a jelly. But Babo did not wait for his + coming; he jumped out of the window, and away he scampered with the cook + at his heels. + </p> + <p> + Well, the upshot of the business was that Simon Agricola had to go back + and bring life to the woman again, or the cook would thump him and Babo + both with the rolling-pin. And, what was more, Babo had to pay back the + two hundred pennies that the cook had given him for curing his wife. + </p> + <p> + The wise man made a cross upon the woman’s forehead, and up she sat, as + well—but no better—as before. + </p> + <p> + “And now be off,” said the cook, “or I will call the servants and give you + both a drubbing for a pair of scamps.” + </p> + <p> + Simon Agricola said never a word until they had gotten out of the town. + There his anger boiled over, like water into the fire. “Look,” said he to + Babo: “Born a fool, live a fool, die a fool.’ I want no more of you. Here + are two roads; you take one, and I will take the other.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” said Babo, “am I to travel the rest of the way alone? And then, + besides, how about the fortune you promised me?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind that,” said Simon Agricola; “I have not made my own fortune + yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, at least pay me something for my wages,” said Babo. + </p> + <p> + “How shall I pay you?” said Simon Agricola. “I have not a single groat in + the world.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” said Babo, “have you nothing to give me?” + </p> + <p> + “I can give you a piece of advice.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Babo, “that is better than nothing, so let me have it.” + </p> + <p> + “Here it is,” said Simon Agricola: “Think well! Think well!—before + you do what you are about to do, think well!’” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you!” said Babo; and then the one went one way, and the other the + other. + </p> + <p> + (You may go with the wise man if you choose, but I shall jog along with + the simpleton.) + </p> + <p> + After Babo had travelled for a while, he knew not whither, night caught + him, and he lay down under a hedge to sleep. There he lay, and snored away + like a saw-mill, for he was wearied with his long journeying. + </p> + <p> + Now it chanced that that same night two thieves had broken into a miser’s + house, and had stolen an iron pot full of gold money. Day broke before + they reached home, so down they sat to consider the matter; and the place + where they seated themselves was on the other side of the hedge where Babo + lay. The older thief was for carrying the money home under his coat; the + younger was for burying it until night had come again. They squabbled and + bickered and argued till the noise they made wakened Babo, and he sat up. + The first thing he thought of was the advice that the doctor had given him + the evening before. + </p> + <p> + “Think well!’” he bawled out; “think well! before you do what you are + about to do, think well!’” + </p> + <p> + When the two thieves heard Babo’s piece of advice, they thought that the + judge’s officers were after them for sure and certain. Down they dropped + the pot of money, and away they scampered as fast as their legs could + carry them. + </p> + <p> + Babo heard them running, and poked his head through the hedge, and there + lay the pot of gold. “Look now,” said he: “this has come from the advice + that was given me; no one ever gave me advice that was worth so much + before.” So he picked up the pot of gold, and off he marched with it. + </p> + <p> + He had not gone far before he met two of the king’s officers, and you may + guess how they opened their eyes when they saw him travelling along the + highway with a pot full of gold money. + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going with that money?” said they. + </p> + <p> + “I don’t know,” said Babo. + </p> + <p> + “How did you get it?” said they. + </p> + <p> + “I got it for a piece of advice,” said Babo. + </p> + <p> + For a piece of advice! No, no—the king’s officers knew butter from + lard, and truth from t’other thing. It was just the same in that country + as it is in our town—there was nothing in the world so cheap as + advice. Whoever heard of anybody giving a pot of gold and silver money for + it? Without another word they marched Babo and his pot of money off to the + king. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” said the king, “tell me truly; where did you get the pot of + money?” + </p> + <p> + Poor Babo began to whimper. “I got it for a piece of advice,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “Really and truly?” said the king. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Babo; “really and truly.” + </p> + <p> + “Humph!” said the king. “I should like to have advice that is worth as + much as that. Now, how much will you sell your advice to me for?” + </p> + <p> + “How much will you give?” said Babo. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the king, “let me have it for a day on trial, and at the end + of that time I will pay you what it is worth.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Babo, “that is a bargain;” and so he lent the king his + piece of advice for one day on trial. + </p> + <p> + Now the chief councillor and some others had laid a plot against the + king’s life, and that morning it had been settled that when the barber + shaved him he was to cut his throat with a razor. So after the barber had + lathered his face he began to whet the razor, and to whet the razor. + </p> + <p> + Just at that moment the king remembered Babo’s piece of advice. “Think + well!” said he; “think well! Before you do what you are about to do, think + well!” + </p> + <p> + When the barber heard the words that the king said, he thought that all + had been discovered. Down he fell upon his knees, and confessed + everything. + </p> + <p> + That is how Babo’s advice saved the king’s life—you can guess + whether the king thought it was worth much or little. When Babo came the + next morning the king gave him ten chests full of money, and that made the + simpleton richer than anybody in all that land. + </p> + <p> + He built himself a fine house, and by-and-by married the daughter of the + new councillor that came after the other one’s head had been chopped off + for conspiring against the king’s life. Besides that, he came and went + about the king’s castle as he pleased, and the king made much of him. + Everybody bowed to him, and all were glad to stop and chat awhile with him + when they met him in the street. + </p> + <p> + One morning Babo looked out of the window, and who should he see come + travelling along the road but Simon Agricola himself, and he was just as + poor and dusty and travel-stained as ever. + </p> + <p> + “Come in, come in!” said Babo; and you can guess how the wise man stared + when he saw the simpleton living in such a fine way. But he opened his + eyes wider than ever when he heard that all these good things came from + the piece of advice he had given Babo that day they had parted at the + cross roads. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye!” said he, “the luck is with you for sure and certain. But if + you will pay me a thousand golden angels, I will give you something better + than a piece of advice. I will teach you all the magic that is to be + learned from the books.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Babo, “I am satisfied with the advice.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Simon Agricola, “Born a fool, live a fool, die a fool’;” + and off he went in a huff. + </p> + <p> + That is all of this tale except the tip end of it, and that I will give + you now. + </p> + <p> + I have heard tell that one day the king dropped in the street the piece of + advice that he had bought from Babo, and that before he found it again it + had been trampled into the mud and dirt. I cannot say for certain that + this is the truth, but it must have been spoiled in some way or other, for + I have never heard of anybody in these days who would give even so much as + a bad penny for it; and yet it is worth just as much now as it was when + Babo sold it to the king. + </p> + <p> + I had sat listening to these jolly folk for all this time, and I had not + heard old Sindbad say a word, and yet I knew very well he was full of a + story, for every now and then I could see his lips move, and he would + smile, and anon he would stroke his long white beard and smile again. + </p> + <p> + Everybody clapped their hands and rattled their canicans after the + Blacksmith had ended his story, and methought they liked it better than + almost anything that had been told. Then there was a pause, and everybody + was still, and as nobody else spoke I myself ventured to break the + silence. “I would like,” said I (and my voice sounded thin in my own ears, + as one’s voice always does sound in Twilight Land), “I would like to hear + our friend Sindbad the Sailor tell a story. Methinks one is fermenting in + his mind.” + </p> + <p> + Old Sindbad smiled until his cheeks crinkled into wrinkles. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said every one, “will you not tell a story?” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure I will,” said Sindbad. “I will tell you a good story,” said + he, “and it is about—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Enchanted Island. + </h2> + <p> + But it is not always the lucky one that carries away the plums; sometimes + he only shakes the tree, and the wise man pockets the fruit. + </p> + <p> + Once upon a long, long time ago, and in a country far, far away, there + lived two men in the same town and both were named Selim; one was Selim + the Baker and one was Selim the Fisherman. + </p> + <p> + Selim the Baker was well off in the world, but Selim the Fisherman was + only so-so. Selim the Baker always had plenty to eat and a warm corner in + cold weather, but many and many a time Selim the Fisherman’s stomach went + empty and his teeth went chattering. + </p> + <p> + Once it happened that for time after time Selim the Fisherman caught + nothing but bad luck in his nets, and not so much as a single sprat, and + he was very hungry. “Come,” said he to himself, “those who have some + should surely give to those who have none,” and so he went to Selim the + Baker. “Let me have a loaf of bread,” said he, “and I will pay you for it + tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Selim the Baker; “I will let you have a loaf of bread, + if you will give me all that you catch in your nets to-morrow.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said Selim the Fisherman, for need drives one to hard bargains + sometimes; and therewith he got his loaf of bread. + </p> + <p> + So the next day Selim the Fisherman fished and fished and fished and + fished, and still he caught no more than the day before; until just at + sunset he cast his net for the last time for the day, and, lo and behold! + There was something heavy in it. So he dragged it ashore, and what should + it be but a leaden box, sealed as tight as wax, and covered with all + manner of strange letters and figures. “Here,” said he, “is something to + pay for my bread of yesterday, at any rate;” and as he was an honest man, + off he marched with it to Selim the Baker. + </p> + <p> + They opened the box in the baker’s shop, and within they found two rolls + of yellow linen. In each of the rolls of linen was another little leaden + box: in one was a finger-ring of gold set with a red stone, in the other + was a finger-ring of iron set with nothing at all. + </p> + <p> + That was all the box held; nevertheless, that was the greatest catch that + ever any fisherman made in the world; for, though Selim the one or Selim + the other knew no more of the matter than the cat under the stove, the + gold ring was the Ring of Luck and the iron ring was the Ring of Wisdom. + </p> + <p> + Inside of the gold ring were carved these letters: “Whosoever wears me, + shall have that which all men seek—for so it is with good-luck in + this world.” + </p> + <p> + Inside of the iron ring were written these words: “Whosoever wears me, + shall have that which few men care for—and that is the way it is + with wisdom in our town.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Selim the Baker, and he slipped the gold ring of good-luck on + his finger, “I have driven a good bargain, and you have paid for your loaf + of bread.” + </p> + <p> + “But what will you do with the other ring?” said Selim the Fisherman. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you may have that,” said Selim the Baker. + </p> + <p> + Well, that evening, as Selim the Baker sat in front of his shop in the + twilight smoking a pipe of tobacco, the ring he wore began to work. Up + came a little old man with a white beard, and he was dressed all in gray + from top to toe, and he wore a black velvet cap, and he carried a long + staff in his hand. He stopped in front of Selim the Baker, and stood + looking at him a long, long time. At last—“Is your name Selim?” said + he. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Selim the Baker, “it is.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you wear a gold ring with a red stone on your finger?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Selim, “I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Then come with me,” said the little old man, “and I will show you the + wonder of the world.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said Selim the Baker, “that will be worth the seeing, at any + rate.” So he emptied out his pipe of tobacco, and put on his hat and + followed the way the old man led. + </p> + <p> + Up one street they went, and down another, and here and there through + alleys and byways where Selim had never been before. At last they came to + where a high wall ran along the narrow street, with a garden behind it, + and by-and-by to an iron gate. The old man rapped upon the gate three + times with his knuckles, and cried in a loud voice, “Open to Selim, who + wears the Ring of Luck!” + </p> + <p> + Then instantly the gate swung open, and Selim the Baker followed the old + man into the garden. + </p> + <p> + Bang! shut the gate behind him, and there he was. + </p> + <p> + There he was! And such a place he had never seen before. Such fruit! Such + flowers! Such fountains! Such summer-houses! + </p> + <p> + “This is nothing,” said the old man; “this is only the beginning of + wonder. Come with me.” + </p> + <p> + He led the way down a long pathway between the trees, and Selim followed. + By-and-by, far away, they saw the light of torches; and when they came to + what they saw, lo and behold! there was the sea-shore, and a boat with + four-and-twenty oarsmen, each dressed in cloth of gold and silver more + splendidly than a prince. And there were four-and-twenty black slaves, + carrying each a torch of spice-wood, so that all the air was filled with + sweet smells. The old man led the way, and Selim, following, entered the + boat; and there was a seat for him made soft with satin cushions + embroidered with gold and precious stones and stuffed with down, and Selim + wondered whether he was not dreaming. + </p> + <p> + The oarsmen pushed off from the shore and away they rowed. + </p> + <p> + On they rowed and on they rowed for all that livelong night. + </p> + <p> + At last morning broke, and then as the sun rose Selim saw such a sight as + never mortal eyes beheld before or since. It was the wonder of wonders—a + great city built on an island. The island was all one mountain; and on it, + one above another and another above that again, stood palaces that + glistened like snow, and orchards of fruit, and gardens of flowers and + green trees. + </p> + <p> + And as the boat came nearer and nearer to the city, Selim could see that + all around on the house-tops and down to the water’s edge were crowds and + crowds of people. All were looking out towards the sea, and when they saw + the boat and Selim in it, a great shout went up like the roaring of + rushing waters. + </p> + <p> + “It is the King!” they cried—“it is the King! It is Selim the King!” + </p> + <p> + Then the boat landed, and there stood dozens of scores of great princes + and nobles to welcome Selim when he came ashore. And there was a white + horse waiting for him to ride, and its saddle and bridle were studded with + diamonds and rubies and emeralds that sparkled and glistened like the + stars in heaven, and Selim thought for sure he must be dreaming with his + eyes open. + </p> + <p> + But he was not dreaming, for it was all as true as that eggs are eggs. So + up the hill he rode, and to the grandest and the most splendid of all the + splendid palaces, the princes and noblemen riding with him, and the crowd + shouting as though to split their throats. + </p> + <p> + And what a palace it was!—as white as snow and painted all inside + with gold and blue. All around it were gardens blooming with fruit and + flowers, and the like of it mortal man never saw in the world before. + </p> + <p> + There they made a king of Selim, and put a golden crown on his head; and + that is what the Ring of Good Luck can do for a baker. + </p> + <p> + But wait a bit! There was something queer about it all, and that is now to + be told. + </p> + <p> + All that day was feasting and drinking and merry-making, and the twinging + and twanging of music, and dancing of beautiful dancing-girls, and such + things as Selim had never heard tell of in all his life before. And when + night came they lit thousands and thousands of candles of perfumed wax; so + that it was a hard matter to say when night began and day ended, only that + the one smelled sweeter than the other. + </p> + <p> + But at last it came midnight, and then suddenly, in an instant, all the + lights went out and everything was as dark as pitch—not a spark, not + a glimmer anywhere. And, just as suddenly, all the sound of music and + dancing and merrymaking ceased, and everybody began to wail and cry until + it was enough to wring one’s heart to hear. Then, in the midst of all the + wailing and crying, a door was flung open, and in came six tall and + terrible black men, dressed all in black from top to toe, carrying each a + flaming torch; and by the light of the torches King Selim saw that all—the + princes, the noblemen, the dancing-girls—all lay on their faces on + the floor. + </p> + <p> + The six men took King Selim—who shuddered and shook with fear—by + the arms, and marched him through dark, gloomy entries and passage-ways, + until they came at last to the very heart of the palace. + </p> + <p> + There was a great high-vaulted room all of black marble, and in the middle + of it was a pedestal with seven steps, all of black marble; and on the + pedestal stood a stone statue of a woman looking as natural as life, only + that her eyes were shut. The statue was dressed like a queen: she wore a + golden crown on her head, and upon her body hung golden robes, set with + diamonds and emeralds and rubies and sapphires and pearls and all sorts of + precious stones. + </p> + <p> + As for the face of the statue, white paper and black ink could not tell + you how beautiful it was. When Selim looked at it, it made his heart stand + still in his breast, it was so beautiful. + </p> + <p> + The six men brought Selim up in front of the statue, and then a voice came + as though from the vaulted roof: “Selim! Selim! Selim!” it said, “what are + thou doing? To-day is feasting and drinking and merry-making, but beware + of tomorrow!” + </p> + <p> + As soon as these words were ended the six black men marched King Selim + back whence they had brought him; there they left him and passed out one + by one as they had first come in, and the door shut to behind them. + </p> + <p> + Then in an instant the lights flashed out again, the music began to play + and the people began to talk and laugh, and King Selim thought that maybe + all that had just passed was only a bit of an ugly dream after all. + </p> + <p> + So that is the way King Selim the Baker began to reign, and that is the + way he continued to reign. All day was feasting and drinking and making + merry and music and laughing and talking. But every night at midnight the + same thing happened: the lights went out, all the people began wailing and + crying, and the six tall, terrible black men came with flashing torches + and marched King Selim away to the beautiful statue. And every night the + same voice said—“Selim! Selim! Selim! What art thou doing! To-day is + feasting and drinking and merry-making; but beware of tomorrow!” + </p> + <p> + So things went on for a twelvemonth, and at last came the end of the year. + That day and night the merry-making was merrier and wilder and madder than + it had ever been before, but the great clock in the tower went on—tick, + tock! tick, tock!—and by and by it came midnight. Then, as it always + happened before, the lights went out, and all was as black as ink. But + this time there was no wailing and crying out, but everything was silent + as death; the door opened slowly, and in came, not six black men as + before, but nine men as silent as death, dressed all in flaming red, and + the torches they carried burned as red as blood. They took King Selim by + the arms, just as the six men had done, and marched him through the same + entries and passageways, and so came at last to the same vaulted room. + There stood the statue, but now it was turned to flesh and blood, and the + eyes were open and looking straight at Selim the Baker. + </p> + <p> + “Art thou Selim?” said she; and she pointed her finger straight at him. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am Selim,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “And dost thou wear the gold ring with the red stone?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said he; “I have it on my finger.” + </p> + <p> + “And dost thou wear the iron ring?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said he; “I gave that to Selim the Fisherman.” + </p> + <p> + The words had hardly left his lips when the statue gave a great cry and + clapped her hands together. In an instant an echoing cry sounded all over + the town—a shriek fit to split the ears. + </p> + <p> + The next moment there came another sound—a sound like thunder—above + and below and everywhere. The earth began to shake and to rock, and the + houses began to topple and fall, and the people began to scream and to + yell and to shout, and the waters of the sea began to lash and to roar, + and the wind began to bellow and howl. Then it was a good thing for King + Selim that he wore Luck’s Ring; for, though all the beautiful snow-white + palace about him and above him began to crumble to pieces like slaked + lime, the sticks and the stones and the beams to fall this side of him and + that, he crawled out from under it without a scratch or a bruise, like a + rat out of a cellar. + </p> + <p> + That is what Luck’s Ring did for him. + </p> + <p> + But his troubles were not over yet; for, just as he came out from under + all the ruin, the island began to sink down into the water, carrying + everything along with it—that is, everything but him and one thing + else. That one other thing was an empty boat, and King Selim climbed into + it, and nothing else saved him from drowning. It was Luck’s Ring that did + that for him also. + </p> + <p> + The boat floated on and on until it came to another island that was just + like the island he had left, only that there was neither tree nor blade of + grass nor hide nor hair nor living thing of any kind. Nevertheless, it was + an island just like the other: a high mountain and nothing else. There + Selim the Baker went ashore, and there he would have starved to death only + for Luck’s Ring; for one day a boat came sailing by, and when poor Selim + shouted, those aboard heard him and came and took him off. How they all + stared to see his golden crown—for he still wore it—and his + robes of silk and satin and the gold and jewels! + </p> + <p> + Before they would consent to carry him away, they made him give up all the + fine things he had. Then they took him home again to the town whence he + had first come, just as poor as when he had started. Back he went to his + bake-shop and his ovens, and the first thing he did was to take off his + gold ring and put it on the shelf. + </p> + <p> + “If that is the ring of good luck,” said he, “I do not want to wear the + like of it.” + </p> + <p> + That is the way with mortal man: for one has to have the Ring of Wisdom as + well, to turn the Ring of Luck to good account. + </p> + <p> + And now for Selim the Fisherman. + </p> + <p> + Well, thus it happened to him. For a while he carried the iron ring around + in his pocket—just as so many of us do—without thinking to put + it on. But one day he slipped it on his finger—and that is what we + do not all of us do. After that he never took it off again, and the world + went smoothly with him. He was not rich, but then he was not poor; he was + not merry, neither was he sad. He always had enough and was thankful for + it, for I never yet knew wisdom to go begging or crying. + </p> + <p> + So he went his way and he fished his fish, and twelve months and a week or + more passed by. Then one day he went past the baker shop and there sat + Selim the Baker smoking his pipe of tobacco. + </p> + <p> + “So, friend,” said Selim the Fisherman, “you are back again in the old + place, I see.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the other Selim; “awhile ago I was a king, and now I am + nothing but a baker again. As for that gold ring with the red stone—they + may say it is Luck’s Ring if they choose, but when next I wear it may I be + hanged.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he told Selim the Fisherman the story of what had happened to + him with all its ins and outs, just as I have told it to you. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” said Selim the Fisherman, “I should like to have a sight of that + island myself. If you want the ring no longer, just let me have it; for + maybe if I wear it something of the kind will happen to me.” + </p> + <p> + “You may have it,” said Selim the Baker. “Yonder it is, and you are + welcome to it.” + </p> + <p> + So Selim the Fisherman put on the ring, and then went his way about his + own business. + </p> + <p> + That night, as he came home carrying his nets over his shoulder, whom + should he meet but the little old man in gray, with the white beard and + the black cap on his head and the long staff in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Is your name Selim?” said the little man, just as he had done to Selim + the Baker. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Selim; “it is.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you wear a gold ring with a red stone?” said the little old man, + just as he had said before. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Selim; “I do.” + </p> + <p> + “Then come with me,” said the little old man, “and I will show you the + wonder of the world.” + </p> + <p> + Selim the Fisherman remembered all that Selim the Baker had told him, and + he took no two thoughts as to what to do. Down he tumbled his nets, and + away he went after the other as fast as his legs could carry him. Here + they went and there they went, up crooked streets and lanes and down + by-ways and alley-ways, until at last they came to the same garden to + which Selim the Baker had been brought. Then the old man knocked at the + gate three times and cried out in a loud voice, “Open! Open! Open to Selim + who wears the Ring of Luck!” + </p> + <p> + Then the gate opened, and in they went. Fine as it all was, Selim the + Fisherman cared to look neither to the right nor to the left, but straight + after the old man he went, until at last they came to the seaside and the + boat and the four-and-twenty oarsmen dressed like princes and the black + slaves with the perfumed torches. + </p> + <p> + Here the old man entered the boat and Selim after him, and away they + sailed. + </p> + <p> + To make a long story short, everything happened to Selim the Fisherman + just as it had happened to Selim the Baker. At dawn of day they came to + the island and the city built on the mountain. And the palaces were just + as white and beautiful, and the gardens and orchards just as fresh and + blooming as though they had not all tumbled down and sunk under the water + a week before, almost carrying poor Selim the Baker with them. There were + the people dressed in silks and satins and jewels, just as Selim the Baker + had found them, and they shouted and hurrahed for Selim the Fisherman just + as they had shouted and hurrahed for the other. There were the princes and + the nobles and the white horse, and Selim the Fisherman got on his back + and rode up to a dazzling snow-white palace, and they put a crown on his + head and made a king of him, just as they had made a king of Selim the + Baker. + </p> + <p> + That night, at midnight, it happened just as it had happened before. + Suddenly, as the hour struck, the lights all went out, and there was a + moaning and a crying enough to make the heart curdle. Then the door flew + open, and in came the six terrible black men with torches. They led Selim + the Fisherman through damp and dismal entries and passage-ways until they + came to the vaulted room of black marble, and there stood the beautiful + statue on its black pedestal. Then came the voice from above—“Selim! + Selim! Selim!” it cried, “what art thou doing? To-day is feasting and + drinking and merry-making, but beware of to-morrow!” + </p> + <p> + But Selim the Fisherman did not stand still and listen, as Selim the Baker + had done. He called out, “I hear the words! I am listening! I will beware + to-day for the sake of to-morrow!” + </p> + <p> + I do not know what I should have done had I been king of that island and + had I known that in a twelve-month it would all come tumbling down about + my ears and sink into the sea, maybe carry me along with it. This is what + Selim the Fisherman did [but then he wore the iron Ring of Wisdom on his + finger, and I never had that upon mine]: + </p> + <p> + First of all, he called the wisest men of the island to him, and found + from them just where the other desert island lay upon which the boat with + Selim the Baker in it had drifted. + </p> + <p> + Then, when he had learned where it was to be found, he sent armies and + armies of men and built on that island palaces and houses, and planted + there orchards and gardens, just like the palaces and the orchards and the + gardens about him—only a great deal finer. Then he sent fleets and + fleets of ships, and carried everything away from the island where he + lived to that other island—all the men and the women and the + children; all the flocks and herds and every living thing; all the fowls + and the birds and everything that wore feathers; all the gold and the + silver and the jewels and the silks and the satins, and whatever was of + any good or of any use; and when all these things were done, there were + still two days left till the end of the year. + </p> + <p> + Upon the first of these two days he sent over the beautiful statue and had + it set up in the very midst of the splendid new palace he had built. + </p> + <p> + Upon the second day he went over himself, leaving behind him nothing but + the dead mountain and the rocks and the empty houses. + </p> + <p> + So came the end of the twelve months. + </p> + <p> + So came midnight. + </p> + <p> + Out went all the lights in the new palace, and everything was as silent as + death and as black as ink. The door opened, and in came the nine men in + red, with torches burning as red as blood. They took Selim the Fisherman + by the arms and led him to the beautiful statue, and there she was with + her eyes open. + </p> + <p> + “Are you Selim?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am Selim,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “And do you wear the iron Ring of Wisdom?” said she. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do,” said he; and so he did. + </p> + <p> + There was no roaring and thundering, there was no shaking and quaking, + there was no toppling and tumbling, there was no splashing and dashing: + for this island was solid rock, and was not all enchantment and hollow + inside and underneath like the other which he had left behind. + </p> + <p> + The beautiful statue smiled until the place lit up as though the sun + shone. Down she came from the pedestal where she stood and kissed Selim + the Fisherman on the lips. + </p> + <p> + Then instantly the lights blazed everywhere, and the people shouted and + cheered, and the music played. But neither Selim the Fisherman nor the + beautiful statue saw or heard anything. + </p> + <p> + “I have done all this for you!” said Selim the Fisherman. + </p> + <p> + “And I have been waiting for you a thousand years!” said the beautiful + statue—only she was not a statue any longer. + </p> + <p> + After that they were married, and Selim the Fisherman and the enchanted + statue became king and queen in real earnest. + </p> + <p> + I think Selim the Fisherman sent for Selim the Baker and made him rich and + happy—I hope he did—I am sure he did. + </p> + <p> + So, after all, it is not always the lucky one who gathers the plums when + wisdom is by to pick up what the other shakes down. + </p> + <p> + I could say more; for, O little children! little children! there is more + than meat in many an egg-shell; and many a fool tells a story that joggles + a wise man’s wits, and many a man dances and junkets in his fool’s + paradise till it comes tumbling down about his ears some day; and there + are few men who are like Selim the Fisherman, who wear the Ring of Wisdom + on their finger, and, alack-a-day! I am not one of them, and that is the + end of this story. + </p> + <p> + Old Bidpai nodded his head. “Aye, aye,” said he, “there is a very good + moral in that story, my friend. It is, as a certain philosopher said, very + true, that there is more in an egg than the meat. And truly, methinks, + there is more in thy story than the story of itself.” He nodded his head + again and stroked his beard slowly, puffing out as he did so as a great + reflective cloud of smoke, through which his eyes shone and twinkled + mistily like stars through a cloud. + </p> + <p> + “And whose turn is it now?” said Doctor Faustus. + </p> + <p> + “Methinks tis mine,” said Boots—he who in fairy-tale always sat in + the ashes at home and yet married a princess after he had gone out into + the world awhile. “My story,” said he, “hath no moral, but, all the same, + it is as true as that eggs hatch chickens.” Then, without waiting for any + one to say another word, he began it in these words. “I am going to tell + you,” said he, how— + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + All Things are as Fate wills. + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time, in the old, old days, there lived a king who had a head + upon his shoulders wiser than other folk, and this was why: though he was + richer and wiser and greater than most kings, and had all that he wanted + and more into the bargain, he was so afraid of becoming proud of his own + prosperity that he had these words written in letters of gold upon the + walls of each and every room in his palace: + </p> + <p> + All Things are as Fate wills. + </p> + <p> + Now, by-and-by and after a while the king died; for when his time comes, + even the rich and the wise man must die, as well as the poor and the + simple man. So the king’s son came, in turn, to be king of that land; and, + though he was not so bad as the world of men goes, he was not the man that + his father was, as this story will show you. + </p> + <p> + One day, as he sat with his chief councillor, his eyes fell upon the words + written in letters of gold upon the wall—the words that his father + had written there in time gone by: + </p> + <p> + All Things are as Fate wills; and the young king did not like the taste of + them, for he was very proud of his own greatness. “That is not so,” said + he, pointing to the words on the wall. “Let them be painted out, and these + words written in their place: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + All Things are as Man does.” + </pre> + <p> + Now, the chief councillor was a grave old man, and had been councillor to + the young king’s father. “Do not be too hasty, my lord king,” said he. + “Try first the truth of your own words before you wipe out those that your + father has written.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the young king, “so be it. I will approve the truth of + my words. Bring me hither some beggar from the town whom Fate has made + poor, and I will make him rich. So I will show you that his life shall be + as I will, and not as Fate wills.” + </p> + <p> + Now, in that town there was a poor beggar-man who used to sit every day + beside the town gate, begging for something for charity’s sake. Sometimes + people gave him a penny or two, but it was little or nothing that he got, + for Fate was against him. + </p> + <p> + The same day that the king and the chief councillor had had their talk + together, as the beggar sat holding up his wooden bowl and asking charity + of those who passed by, there suddenly came three men who, without saying + a word, clapped hold of him and marched him off. + </p> + <p> + It was in vain that the beggar talked and questioned—in vain that he + begged and besought them to let him go. Not a word did they say to him, + either of good or bad. At last they came to a gate that led through a high + wall and into a garden, and there the three stopped, and one of them + knocked upon the gate. In answer to his knocking it flew open. He thrust + the beggar into the garden neck and crop, and then the gate was banged to + again. + </p> + <p> + But what a sight it was the beggar saw before his eyes!—flowers, and + fruit-trees, and marble walks, and a great fountain that shot up a jet of + water as white as snow. But he had not long to stand gaping and staring + around him, for in the garden were a great number of people, who came + hurrying to him, and who, without speaking a word to him or answering a + single question, or as much as giving him time to think, led him to a + marble bath of tepid water. There he was stripped of his tattered clothes + and washed as clean as snow. Then, as some of the attendants dried him + with fine linen towels, others came carrying clothes fit for a prince to + wear, and clad the beggar in them from head to foot. After that, still + without saying a word, they let him out from the bath again, and there he + found still other attendants waiting for him—two of them holding a + milk-white horse, saddled and bridled, and fit for an emperor to ride. + These helped him to mount, and then, leaping into their own saddles, rode + away with the beggar in their midst. + </p> + <p> + They rode of the garden and into the streets, and on and on they went + until they came to the king’s palace, and there they stopped. Courtiers + and noblemen and great lords were waiting for their coming, some of whom + helped him to dismount from the horse, for by this time the beggar was so + overcome with wonder that he stared like one moon-struck, and as though + his wits were addled. Then, leading the way up the palace steps, they + conducted him from room to room, until at last they came to one more grand + and splendid than all the rest, and there sat the king himself waiting for + the beggar’s coming. + </p> + <p> + The beggar would have flung himself at the king’s feet, but the king would + not let him; for he came down from the throne where he sat, and, taking + the beggar by the hand, led him up and sat him alongside of him. Then the + king gave orders to the attendants who stood about, and a feast was served + in plates of solid gold upon a table-cloth of silver—a feast such as + the beggar had never dreamed of, and the poor man ate as he had never + eaten in his life before. + </p> + <p> + All the while that the king and the beggar were eating, musicians played + sweet music and dancers danced and singers sang. + </p> + <p> + Then when the feast was over there came ten young men, bringing flasks and + flagons of all kinds, full of the best wine in the world; and the beggar + drank as he had never drank in his life before, and until his head spun + like a top. + </p> + <p> + So the king and the beggar feasted and made merry, until at last the clock + struck twelve and the king arose from his seat. “My friend,” said he to + the beggar, “all these things have been done to show you that Luck and + Fate, which have been against you for all these years, are now for you. + Hereafter, instead of being poor you shall be the richest of the rich, for + I will give you the greatest thing that I have in my treasury,” Then he + called the chief treasurer, who came forward with a golden tray in his + hand. Upon the tray was a purse of silk. “See,” said the king, “here is a + purse, and in the purse are one hundred pieces of gold money. But though + that much may seem great to you, it is but little of the true value of the + purse. Its virtue lies in this: that however much you may take from it, + there will always be one hundred pieces of gold money left in it. Now go; + and while you are enjoying the riches which I give you, I have only to ask + you to remember these are not the gifts of Fate, but of a mortal man.” + </p> + <p> + But all the while he was talking the beggar’s head was spinning and + spinning, and buzzing and buzzing, so that he hardly heard a word of what + the king said. + </p> + <p> + Then when the king had ended his speech, the lords and gentlemen who had + brought the beggar in led him forth again. Out they went through room + after room—out through the courtyard, out through the gate. + </p> + <p> + Bang!—it was shut to behind him, and he found himself standing in + the darkness of midnight, with the splendid clothes upon his back, and the + magic purse with its hundred pieces of gold money in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + He stood looking about himself for a while, and then off he started + homeward, staggering and stumbling and shuffling, for the wine that he had + drank made him so light-headed that all the world spun topsy-turvy around + him. + </p> + <p> + His way led along by the river, and on he went stumbling and staggering. + All of a sudden—plump! splash!—he was in the water over head + and ears. Up he came, spitting out the water and shouting for help, + splashing and sputtering, and kicking and swimming, knowing no more where + he was than the man in the moon. Sometimes his head was under water and + sometimes it was up again. + </p> + <p> + At last, just as his strength was failing him, his feet struck the bottom, + and he crawled up on the shore more dead than alive. Then, through fear + and cold and wet, he swooned away, and lay for a long time for all the + world as though he were dead. + </p> + <p> + Now, it chanced that two fisherman were out with their nets that night, + and Luck or Fate led them by the way where the beggar lay on the shore. + “Halloa!” said one of the fishermen, “here is a poor body drowned!” They + turned him over, and then they saw what rich clothes he wore, and felt + that he had a purse in his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” said the second fisherman, “he is dead, whoever he is. His fine + clothes and his purse of money can do him no good now, and we might as + well have them as anybody else.” So between them both they stripped the + beggar of all that the king had given him, and left him lying on the + beach. + </p> + <p> + At daybreak the beggar awoke from the swoon, and there he found himself + lying without a stitch to his back, and half dead with the cold and the + water he had swallowed. Then, fearing lest somebody might see him, he + crawled away into the rushes that grew beside the river, there to hide + himself until night should come again. + </p> + <p> + But as he went, crawling upon hands and knees, he suddenly came upon a + bundle that had been washed up by the water, and when he laid eyes upon it + his heart leaped within him, for what should that bundle be but the + patches and tatters which he had worn the day before, and which the + attendants had thrown over the garden wall and into the river when they + had dressed him in the fine clothes the king gave him. + </p> + <p> + He spread his clothes out in the sun until they were dry, and then he put + them on and went back into the town again. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the king, that morning, to his chief councillor, “what do you + think now? Am I not greater than Fate? Did I not make the beggar rich? And + shall I not paint my father’s words out from the wall, and put my own + there instead?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know,” said the councillor, shaking his head. “Let us first see + what has become of the beggar.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said the king; and he and the councillor set off to see + whether the beggar had done as he ought to do with the good things that + the king had given him. So they came to the towngate, and there, lo and + behold! the first thing that they saw was the beggar with his wooden bowl + in his hand asking those who passed by for a stray penny or two. + </p> + <p> + When the king saw him he turned without a word, and rode back home again. + “Very well,” said he to the chief councillor, “I have tried to make the + beggar rich and have failed; nevertheless, if I cannot make him I can ruin + him in spite of Fate, and that I will show you.” + </p> + <p> + So all that while the beggar sat at the towngate and begged until came + noontide, when who should he see coming but the same three men who had + come for him the day before. “Ah, ha!” said he to himself, “now the king + is going to give me some more good things.” And so when the three reached + him he was willing enough to go with them, rough as they were. + </p> + <p> + Off they marched; but this time they did not come to any garden with + fruits and flowers and fountains and marble baths. Off they marched, and + when they stopped it was in front of the king’s palace. This time no + nobles and great lords and courtiers were waiting for his coming; but + instead of that the town hangman—a great ugly fellow, clad in black + from head to foot. Up he came to the beggar, and, catching him by the + scruff of his neck, dragged him up the palace steps and from room to room + until at last he flung him down at the king’s feet. + </p> + <p> + When the poor beggar gathered wits enough to look about him he saw there a + great chest standing wide open, and with holes in the lid. He wondered + what it was for, but the king gave him no chance to ask; for, beckoning + with his hand, the hangman and the others caught the beggar by arms and + legs, thrust him into the chest, and banged down the lid upon him. + </p> + <p> + The king locked it and double-locked it, and set his seal upon it; and + there was the beggar as tight as a fly in a bottle. + </p> + <p> + They carried the chest out and thrust it into a cart and hauled it away, + until at last they came to the sea-shore. There they flung chest and all + into the water, and it floated away like a cork. And that is how the king + set about to ruin the poor beggar-man. + </p> + <p> + Well, the chest floated on and on for three days, and then at last it came + to the shore of a country far away. There the waves caught it up, and + flung it so hard upon the rocks of the sea-beach that the chest was burst + open by the blow, and the beggar crawled out with eyes as big as saucers + and face as white as dough. After he had sat for a while, and when his + wits came back to him and he had gathered strength enough, he stood up and + looked around to see where Fate had cast him; and far away on the + hill-sides he saw the walls and the roofs and the towers of the great + town, shining in the sunlight as white as snow. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said he, “here is something to be thankful for, at least,” and so + saying and shaking the stiffness out of his knees and elbows, he started + off for the white walls and the red roofs in the distance. + </p> + <p> + At last he reached the great gate, and through it he could see the stony + streets and multitudes of people coming and going. + </p> + <p> + But it was not for him to enter that gate. Out popped two soldiers with + great battle-axes in their hands and looking as fierce as dragons. “Are + you a stranger in this town?” said one in a great, gruff voice. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the beggar, “I am.” + </p> + <p> + “And where are you going?” + </p> + <p> + “I am going into the town.” + </p> + <p> + “No, you are not.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Because no stranger enters here. Yonder is the pathway. You must take + that if you would enter the town.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said the beggar, “I would just as lief go into the town that + way as another.” + </p> + <p> + So off he marched without another word. On and on he went along the narrow + pathway until at last he came to a little gate of polished brass. Over the + gate were written these words, in great letters as red as blood: + </p> + <p> + “Who Enters here Shall Surely Die.” + </p> + <p> + Many and many a man besides the beggar had travelled that path and looked + up at those letters, and when he had read them had turned and gone away + again. But the beggar neither turned nor went away; because why, he could + neither read nor write a word, and so the blood-red letters had no fear + for him. Up he marched to the brazen gate, as boldly as though it had been + a kitchen door, and rap! tap! tap! he knocked upon it. He waited awhile, + but nobody came. Rap! tap! tap! he knocked again; and then, after a little + while, for the third time—Rap! tap! tap! Then instantly the gate + swung open and he entered. So soon as he had crossed the threshold it was + banged to behind him again, just as the garden gate had been when the king + had first sent for him. He found himself in a long, dark entry, and at the + end of it another door, and over it the same words, written in blood-red + letters: + </p> + <p> + “Beware! Beware! Who Enters here Shall Surely Die!” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the beggar, “this is the hardest town for a body to come into + that I ever saw.” And then he opened the second door and passed through. + </p> + <p> + It was fit to deafen a body! Such a shout the beggar’s ears had never + heard before; such a sight the beggar’s eyes had never beheld, for there, + before him, was a great splendid hall of marble as white as snow. All + along the hall stood scores of lords and ladies in silks and satins, and + with jewels on their necks and arms fit to dazzle a body’s eyes. Right up + the middle of the hall stretched a carpet of blue velvet, and at the + farther end, on a throne of gold, sat a lady as beautiful as the sun and + moon and all the stars. + </p> + <p> + “Welcome! welcome!” they all shouted, until the beggar was nearly deafened + by the noise they all made, and the lady herself stood up and smiled upon + him. + </p> + <p> + Then there came three young men, and led the beggar up the carpet of + velvet to the throne of gold. + </p> + <p> + “Welcome, my hero!” said the beautiful lady; “and have you, then, come at + last?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the beggar, “I have.” + </p> + <p> + “Long have I waited for you,” said the lady; “long have I waited for the + hero who would dare without fear to come through the two gates of death to + marry me and to rule as king over this country, and now at last you are + here.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the beggar, “I am.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, while all these things were happening, the king of that other + country had painted out the words his father had written on the walls, and + had had these words painted in in their stead: + </p> + <p> + “All Things are as Man does.” + </p> + <p> + For a while he was very well satisfied with them, until, a week after, he + was bidden to the wedding of the Queen of the Golden Mountains; for when + he came there who should the bridegroom be but the beggar whom he had set + adrift in the wooden box a week or so before. + </p> + <p> + The bridegroom winked at him, but said never a word, good or ill, for he + was willing to let all that had happened be past and gone. But the king + saw how matters stood as clear as daylight, and when he got back home + again he had the new words that stood on the walls of the room painted + out, and had the old ones painted in in bigger letters than ever: + </p> + <p> + “All Things are as Fate wills.” + </p> + <p> + All the good people who were gathered around the table of the Sign of + Mother Goose sat thinking for a while over the story. As for Boots, he + buried his face in the quart pot and took a long, long pull at the ale. + </p> + <p> + “Methinks,” said the Soldier who cheated the Devil, presently breaking + silence—“methinks there be very few of the women folk who do their + share of this story-telling. So far we have had but one, and that is Lady + Cinderella. I see another one present, and I drink to her health.” + </p> + <p> + He winked his eye at Patient Grizzle, beckoning towards her with his quart + pot, and took a long and hearty pull. Then he banged his mug down upon the + table. “Fetch me another glass, lass,” said he to little Brown Betty. + “Meantime, fair lady”—this he said to Patient Grizzle—“will + you not entertain us with some story of your own?” + </p> + <p> + “I know not,” said Patient Grizzle, “that I can tell you any story worth + your hearing.” + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye, but you can,” said the Soldier who cheated the Devil; “and, + moreover, anything coming from betwixt such red lips and such white teeth + will be worth the listening to.” + </p> + <p> + Patient Grizzle smiled, and the brave little Tailor, and the Lad who + fiddled for the Jew, and Hans and Bidpai and Boots nodded approval. + </p> + <p> + “Aye,” said Ali Baba, “it is true enough that there have been but few of + the women folk who have had their say, and methinks that it is very + strange and unaccountable, for nearly always they have plenty to speak in + their own behalf.” + </p> + <p> + All who sat there in Twilight Land laughed, and even Patient Grizzle + smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Very well,” said Patient Grizzle, “if you will have it, I will tell you a + story. It is about a fisherman who was married and had a wife of his own, + and who made her carry all the load of everything that happened to him. + For he, like most men I wot of, had found out—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + Where to Lay the Blame. + </h2> + <p> + Many and many a man has come to trouble—so he will say—by + following his wife’s advice. This is how it was with a man of whom I shall + tell you. + </p> + <p> + There was once upon a time a fisherman who had fished all day long and had + caught not so much as a sprat. So at night there he sat by the fire, + rubbing his knees and warming his shins, and waiting for supper that his + wife was cooking for him, and his hunger was as sharp as vinegar, and his + temper hot enough to fry fat. + </p> + <p> + While he sat there grumbling and growling and trying to make himself + comfortable and warm, there suddenly came a knock at the door. The good + woman opened it, and there stood an old man, clad all in red from head to + foot, and with a snowy beard at his chin as white as winter snow. + </p> + <p> + The fisherman’s wife stood gaping and staring at the strange figure, but + the old man in red walked straight into the hut. “Bring your nets, + fisherman,” said he, “and come with me. There is something that I want you + to catch for me, and if I have luck I will pay you for your fishing as + never fisherman was paid before.” + </p> + <p> + “Not I,” said the fisherman, “I go out no more this night. I have been + fishing all day long until my back is nearly broken, and have caught + nothing, and now I am not such a fool as to go out and leave a warm fire + and a good supper at your bidding.” + </p> + <p> + But the fisherman’s wife had listened to what the old man had said about + paying for the job, and she was of a different mind from her husband. + “Come,” said she, “the old man promises to pay you well. This is not a + chance to be lost, I can tell you, and my advice to you is that you go.” + </p> + <p> + The fisherman shook his head. No, he would not go; he had said he would + not, and he would not. But the wife only smiled and said again, “My advice + to you is that you go.” + </p> + <p> + The fisherman grumbled and grumbled, and swore that he would not go. The + wife said nothing but one thing. She did not argue; she did not lose her + temper; she only said to everything that he said, “My advice to you is + that you go.” + </p> + <p> + At last the fisherman’s anger boiled over. “Very well,” said he, spitting + his words at her; “if you will drive me out into the night, I suppose I + will have to go.” And then he spoke the words that so many men say: “Many + a man has come to trouble by following his wife’s advice.” + </p> + <p> + Then down he took his fur cap and up he took his nets, and off he and the + old man marched through the moonlight, their shadows bobbing along like + black spiders behind them. + </p> + <p> + Well, on they went, out from the town and across the fields and through + the woods, until at last they came to a dreary, lonesome desert, where + nothing was to be seen but gray rocks and weeds and thistles. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” said the fisherman, “I have fished, man and boy, for forty-seven + years, but never did I see as unlikely a place to catch anything as this.” + </p> + <p> + But the old man said never a word. First of all he drew a great circle + with strange figures, marking it with his finger upon the ground. Then out + from under his red gown he brought a tinder-box and steel, and a little + silver casket covered all over with strange figures of serpents and + dragons and what not. He brought some sticks of spice-wood from his pouch, + and then he struck a light and made a fire. Out of the box he took a gray + powder, which he flung upon the little blaze. + </p> + <p> + Puff! flash! A vivid flame went up into the moonlight, and then a dense + smoke as black as ink, which spread out wider and wider, far and near, + till all below was darker than the darkest midnight. Then the old man + began to utter strange spells and words. Presently there began a rumbling + that sounded louder and louder and nearer and nearer, until it roared and + bellowed like thunder. The earth rocked and swayed, and the poor fisherman + shook and trembled with fear till his teeth clattered in his head. + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly the roaring and bellowing ceased, and all was as still as + death, though the darkness was as thick and black as ever. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the old magician—for such he was—“now we are about + to take a journey such as no one ever travelled before. Heed well what I + tell you. Speak not a single word, for if you do, misfortune will be sure + to happen.” + </p> + <p> + “Ain’t I to say anything?” said the fisherman. + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Not even boo’ to a goose?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is pretty hard upon a man who likes to say his say,” said the + fisherman. + </p> + <p> + “And moreover,” said the old man, “I must blindfold you as well.” + </p> + <p> + Thereupon he took from his pocket a handkerchief, and made ready to tie it + about the fisherman’s eyes. + </p> + <p> + “And ain’t I to see anything at all?” said the fisherman. + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Not even so much as a single feather?” + </p> + <p> + “No.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” said the fisherman, “I wish I’d not come.” + </p> + <p> + But the old man tied the handkerchief tightly around his eyes, and then he + was as blind as a bat. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” said the old man, “throw your leg over what you feel and hold + fast.” + </p> + <p> + The fisherman reached down his hand, and there felt the back of something + rough and hairy. He flung his leg over it, and whisk! whizz! off he shot + through the air like a sky-rocket. Nothing was left for him to do but grip + tightly with hands and feet and to hold fast. On they went, and on they + went, until, after a great while, whatever it was that was carrying him + lit upon the ground, and there the fisherman found himself standing, for + that which had brought him had gone. + </p> + <p> + The old man whipped the handkerchief off his eyes, and there the fisherman + found himself on the shores of the sea, where there was nothing to be seen + but water upon one side and rocks and naked sand upon the other. + </p> + <p> + “This is the place for you to cast your nets,” said the old magician; “for + if we catch nothing here we catch nothing at all.” + </p> + <p> + The fisherman unrolled his nets and cast them and dragged them, and then + cast them and dragged them again, but neither time caught so much as a + herring. But the third time that he cast he found that he had caught + something that weighed as heavy as lead. He pulled and pulled, until + by-and-by he dragged the load ashore, and what should it be but a great + chest of wood, blackened by the sea-water, and covered with shells and + green moss. + </p> + <p> + That was the very thing that the magician had come to fish for. + </p> + <p> + From his pouch the old man took a little golden key, which he fitted into + a key-hole in the side of the chest. He threw back the lid; the fisherman + looked within, and there was the prettiest little palace that man’s eye + ever beheld, all made of mother-of-pearl and silver-frosted as white as + snow. The old magician lifted the little palace out of the box and set it + upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + Then, lo and behold! a marvellous thing happened; for the palace instantly + began to grow for all the world like a soap-bubble, until it stood in the + moonlight gleaming and glistening like snow, the windows bright with the + lights of a thousand wax tapers, and the sound of music and voices and + laughter coming from within. + </p> + <p> + Hardly could the fisherman catch his breath from one strange thing when + another happened. The old magician took off his clothes and his face—yes, + his face—for all the world as though it had been a mask, and there + stood as handsome and noble a young man as ever the light looked on. Then, + beckoning to the fisherman, dumb with wonder, he led the way up the great + flight of marble steps to the palace door. As he came the door swung open + with a blaze of light, and there stood hundreds of noblemen, all clad in + silks and satins and velvets, who, when they saw the magician, bowed low + before him, as though he had been a king. Leading the way, they brought + the two through halls and chambers and room after room, each more + magnificent than the other, until they came to one that surpassed a + hundredfold any of the others. + </p> + <p> + At the farther end was a golden throne, and upon it sat a lady more lovely + and beautiful than a dream, her eyes as bright as diamonds, her cheeks + like rose leaves, and her hair like spun gold. She came half-way down the + steps of the throne to welcome the magician, and when the two met they + kissed one another before all those who were looking on. Then she brought + him to the throne and seated him beside her, and there they talked for a + long time very earnestly. + </p> + <p> + Nobody said a word to the fisherman, who stood staring about him like an + owl. “I wonder,” said he to himself at last, “if they will give a body a + bite to eat by-and-by?” for, to tell the truth, the good supper that he + had come away from at home had left a sharp hunger gnawing at his insides, + and he longed for something good and warm to fill the empty place. But + time passed, and not so much as a crust of bread was brought to stay his + stomach. + </p> + <p> + By-and-by the clock struck twelve, and then the two who sat upon the + throne arose. The beautiful lady took the magician by the hand, and, + turning to those who stood around, said, in a loud voice, “Behold him who + alone is worthy to possess the jewel of jewels! Unto him do I give it, and + with it all power of powers!” Thereon she opened a golden casket that + stood beside her, and brought thence a little crystal ball, about as big + as a pigeon’s egg, in which was something that glistened like a spark of + fire. The magician took the crystal ball and thrust it into his bosom; but + what it was the fisherman could not guess, and if you do not know I shall + not tell you. + </p> + <p> + Then for the first time the beautiful lady seemed to notice the fisherman. + She beckoned him, and when he stood beside her two men came carrying a + chest. The chief treasurer opened it, and it was full of bags of gold + money. “How will you have it?” said the beautiful lady. + </p> + <p> + “Have what?” said the fisherman. + </p> + <p> + “Have the pay for your labor?” said the beautiful lady. + </p> + <p> + “I will,” said the fisherman, promptly, “take it in my hat.” + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” said the beautiful lady. She waved her hand, and the chief + treasurer took a bag from the chest, untied it, and emptied a cataract of + gold into the fur cap. The fisherman had never seen so much wealth in all + his life before, and he stood like a man turned to stone. + </p> + <p> + “Is this all mine?” said the fisherman. + </p> + <p> + “It is,” said the beautiful lady. + </p> + <p> + “Then God bless your pretty eyes,” said the fisherman. + </p> + <p> + Then the magician kissed the beautiful lady, and, beckoning to the + fisherman, left the throne-room the same way that they had come. The + noblemen, in silks and satins and velvets, marched ahead, and back they + went through the other apartments, until at last they came to the door. + </p> + <p> + Out they stepped, and then what do you suppose happened? + </p> + <p> + If the wonderful palace had grown like a bubble, like a bubble it + vanished. There the two stood on the sea-shore, with nothing to be seen + but rocks and sand and water, and the starry sky overhead. + </p> + <p> + The fisherman shook his cap of gold, and it jingled and tinkled, and was + as heavy as lead. If it was not all a dream, he was rich for life. “But + anyhow,” said he, “they might have given a body a bite to eat.” + </p> + <p> + The magician put on his red clothes and his face again, making himself as + hoary and as old as before. He took out his flint and steel, and his + sticks of spice-wood and his gray powder, and made a great fire and smoke + just as he had done before. Then again he tied his handkerchief over the + fisherman’s eyes. “Remember,” said he, “what I told you when we started + upon our journey. Keep your mouth tight shut, for if you utter so much as + a single word you are a lost man. Now throw your leg over what you feel + and hold fast.” + </p> + <p> + The fisherman had his net over one arm and his cap of gold in the other + hand; nevertheless, there he felt the same hairy thing he had felt before. + He flung his leg over it, and away he was gone through the air like a + sky-rocket. + </p> + <p> + Now, he had grown somewhat used to strange things by this time, so he + began to think that he would like to see what sort of a creature it was + upon which he was riding thus through the sky. So he contrived, in spite + of his net and cap, to push up the handkerchief from over one eye. Out he + peeped, and then he saw as clear as day what the strange steed was. + </p> + <p> + He was riding upon a he-goat as black as night, and in front of him was + the magician riding upon just such another, his great red robe fluttering + out behind him in the moonlight like huge red wings. + </p> + <p> + “Great herring and little fishes!” roared the fisherman; “it is a + billy-goat!” + </p> + <p> + Instantly goats, old man, and all were gone like a flash. Down fell the + fisherman through the empty sky, whirling over and over and around and + around like a frog. He held tightly to his net, but away flew his fur cap, + the golden money falling in a shower like sparks of yellow light. Down he + fell and down he fell, until his head spun like a top. + </p> + <p> + By good-luck his house was just below, with its thatch of soft rushes. + Into the very middle of it he tumbled, and right through the thatch—bump!—into + the room below. + </p> + <p> + The good wife was in bed, snoring away for dear life; but such a noise as + the fisherman made coming into the house was enough to wake the dead. Up + she jumped, and there she sat, staring and winking with sleep, and with + her brains as addled as a duck’s egg in a thunder-storm. + </p> + <p> + “There!” said the fisherman, as he gathered himself up and rubbed his + shoulder, “that is what comes of following a woman’s advice!” + </p> + <p> + All the good folk clapped their hands, not so much because of the story + itself, but because it was a woman who told it. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye,” said the brave little Tailor, “there is truth in what you + tell, fair lady, and I like very well the way in which you have told it.” + </p> + <p> + “Whose turn is it next?” said Doctor Faustus, lighting a fresh pipe of + tobacco. + </p> + <p> + “Tis the turn of yonder old gentleman,” said the Soldier who cheated the + Devil, and he pointed with the stem of his pipe to the Fisherman who + unbottled the Genie that King Solomon had corked up and thrown into the + sea. “Every one else hath told a story, and now it is his turn.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not deny, my friend, that what you say is true, and that it is my + turn,” said the Fisherman. “Nor will I deny that I have already a story in + my mind. It is,” said he, “about a certain prince, and of how he went + through many and one adventures, and at last discovered that which is—” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + The Salt of Life. + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time there was a king who had three sons, and by the time that + the youngest prince had down upon his chin the king had grown so old that + the cares of the kingdom began to rest over-heavily upon his shoulders. So + he called his chief councillor and told him that he was of a mind to let + the princes reign in his stead. To the son who loved him the best he would + give the largest part of his kingdom, to the son who loved him the next + best the next part, and to the son who loved him the least the least part. + The old councillor was very wise and shook his head, but the king’s mind + had long been settled as to what he was about to do. So he called the + princes to him one by one and asked each as to how much he loved him. + </p> + <p> + “I love you as a mountain of gold,” said the oldest prince, and the king + was very pleased that his son should give him such love. + </p> + <p> + “I love you as a mountain of silver,” said the second prince, and the king + was pleased with that also. + </p> + <p> + But when the youngest prince was called, he did not answer at first, but + thought and thought. At last he looked up. “I love you,” said he, “as I + love salt.” + </p> + <p> + When the king heard what his youngest son said he was filled with anger. + “What!” he cried, “do you love me no better than salt—a stuff that + is the most bitter of all things to the taste, and the cheapest and the + commonest of all things in the world? Away with you, and never let me see + your face again! Henceforth you are no son of mine.” + </p> + <p> + The prince would have spoken, but the king would not allow him, and bade + his guards thrust the young man forth from the room. + </p> + <p> + Now the queen loved the youngest prince the best of all her sons, and when + she heard how the king was about to drive him forth into the wide world to + shift for himself, she wept and wept. “Ah, my son!” said she to him, “it + is little or nothing that I have to give you. Nevertheless, I have one + precious thing. Here is a ring; take it and wear it always, for so long as + you have it upon your finger no magic can have power over you.” + </p> + <p> + Thus it was that the youngest prince set forth into the wide world with + little or nothing but a ring upon his finger. + </p> + <p> + For seven days he travelled on, and knew not where he was going or whither + his footsteps led. At the end of that time he came to the gates of a town. + The prince entered the gates, and found himself in a city the like of + which he had never seen in his life before for grandeur and magnificence—beautiful + palaces and gardens, stores and bazaars crowded with rich stuffs of satin + and silk and wrought silver and gold of cunningest workmanship; for the + land to which he had come was the richest in all of the world. All that + day he wandered up and down, and thought nothing of weariness and hunger + for wonder of all that he saw. But at last evening drew down, and he began + to bethink himself of somewhere to lodge during the night. + </p> + <p> + Just then he came to a bridge, over the wall of which leaned an old man + with a long white beard, looking down into the water. He was dressed + richly but soberly, and every now and then he sighed and groaned, and as + the prince drew near he saw the tears falling—drip, drip—from + the old man’s eyes. + </p> + <p> + The prince had a kind heart, and could not bear to see one in distress; so + he spoke to the old man, and asked him his trouble. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, me!” said the other, “only yesterday I had a son, tall and handsome + like yourself. But the queen took him to sup with her, and I am left all + alone in my old age, like a tree stripped of leaves and fruit.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely,” said the prince, “it can be no such sad matter to sup with a + queen. That is an honor that most men covet.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said the old man, “you are a stranger in this place, or else you + would know that no youth so chosen to sup with the queen ever returns to + his home again.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the prince, “I am a stranger and have only come hither this + day, and so do not understand these things. Even when I found you I was + about to ask the way to some inn where folk of good condition lodge.” + </p> + <p> + “Then come home with me to-night,” said the old man. “I live all alone, + and I will tell you the trouble that lies upon this country.” Thereupon, + taking the prince by the arm, he led him across the bridge and to another + quarter of the town where he dwelt. He bade the servants prepare a fine + supper, and he and the prince sat down to the table together. After they + had made an end of eating and drinking, the old man told the prince all + concerning those things of which he had spoken, and thus it was: + </p> + <p> + “When the king of this land died he left behind him three daughters—the + most beautiful princesses in all of the world. + </p> + <p> + “Folk hardly dared speak of the eldest of them, but whisperings said that + she was a sorceress, and that strange and gruesome things were done by + her. The second princess was also a witch, though it was not said that she + was evil, like the other. As for the youngest of the three, she was as + beautiful as the morning and as gentle as a dove. When she was born a + golden thread was about her neck, and it was foretold of her that she was + to be the queen of that land. + </p> + <p> + “But not long after the old king died the youngest princess vanished—no + one could tell whither, and no one dared to ask—and the eldest + princess had herself crowned as queen, and no one dared gainsay her. For a + while everything went well enough, but by-and-by evil days came upon the + land. Once every seven days the queen would bid some youth, young and + strong, to sup with her, and from that time no one ever heard of him + again, and no one dared ask what had become of him. At first it was the + great folk at the queen’s palace—officers and courtiers—who + suffered; but by-and-by the sons of the merchants and the chief men of the + city began to be taken. One time,” said the old man, “I myself had three + sons—as noble young men as could be found in the wide world. One day + the chief of the queen’s officers came to my house and asked me concerning + how many sons I had. I was forced to tell him, and in a little while they + were taken one by one to the queen’s palace, and I never saw them again. + </p> + <p> + “But misfortune, like death, comes upon the young as well as the old. You + yourself have had trouble, or else I am mistaken. Tell me what lies upon + your heart, my son, for the talking of it makes the burthen lighter.” + </p> + <p> + The prince did as the old man bade him, and told all of his story; and so + they sat talking and talking until far into the night, and the old man + grew fonder and fonder of the prince the more he saw of him. So the end of + the matter was that he asked the prince to live with him as his son, + seeing that the young man had now no father and he no children, and the + prince consented gladly enough. + </p> + <p> + So the two lived together like father and son, and the good old man began + to take some joy in life once more. + </p> + <p> + But one day who should come riding up to the door but the chief of the + queen’s officers. + </p> + <p> + “How is this?” said he to the old man, when he saw the prince. “Did you + not tell me that you had but three sons, and is this not a fourth?” + </p> + <p> + It was of no use for the old man to tell the officer that the youth was + not his son, but was a prince who had come to visit that country. The + officer drew forth his tablets and wrote something upon them, and then + went his way, leaving the old man sighing and groaning. “Ah, me!” said he, + “my heart sadly forebodes trouble.” + </p> + <p> + Sure enough, before three days had passed a bidding came to the prince to + make ready to sup with the queen that night. + </p> + <p> + When evening drew near a troop of horsemen came, bringing a white horse + with a saddle and bridle of gold studded with precious stones, to take the + prince to the queen’s palace. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they had brought him thither they led the prince to a room + where was a golden table spread with a snow-white cloth and set with + dishes of gold. At the end of the table the queen sat waiting for him, and + her face was hidden by a veil of silver gauze. She raised the veil and + looked at the prince, and when he saw her face he stood as one + wonder-struck, for not only was she so beautiful, but she set a spell upon + him with the evil charm of her eyes. No one sat at the table but the queen + and the prince, and a score of young pages served them, and sweet music + sounded from a curtained gallery. + </p> + <p> + At last came midnight, and suddenly a great gong sounded from the + court-yard outside. Then in an instant the music was stopped, the pages + that served them hurried from the room, and presently all was as still as + death. + </p> + <p> + Then, when all were gone, the queen arose and beckoned the prince, and he + had no choice but to arise also and follow whither she led. She took him + through the palace, where all was as still as the grave, and so came out + by a postern door into a garden. Beside the postern a torch burned in a + bracket. The queen took it down, and then led the prince up a path and + under the silent trees until they came to a great wall of rough stone. She + pressed her hand upon one of the great stones, and it opened like a door, + and there was a flight of steps that led downward. The queen descended + these steps, and the prince followed closely behind her. At the bottom was + a long passage-way, and at the farther end the prince saw what looked like + a bright spark of light, as though the sun were shining. She thrust the + torch into another bracket in the wall of the passage, and then led the + way towards the light. It grew larger and larger as they went forward, + until at last they came out at the farther end, and there the prince found + himself standing in the sunlight and not far from the seashore. The queen + led the way towards the shore, when suddenly a great number of black dogs + came running towards them, barking and snapping, and showing their teeth + as though they would tear the two in pieces. But the queen drew from her + bosom a whip with a steel-pointed lash, and as the dogs came springing + towards them she laid about her right and left, till the skin flew and the + blood ran, and the dogs leaped away howling and yelping. + </p> + <p> + At the edge of the water was a great stone mill, and the queen pointed + towards it and bade the prince turn it. Strong as he was, it was as much + as he could do to work it; but grind it he did, though the sweat ran down + his face in streams. By-and-by a speck appeared far away upon the water; + and as the prince ground and ground at the mill the speck grew larger and + larger. It was something upon the water, and it came nearer and nearer as + swiftly as the wind. At last it came close enough for him to see that it + was a little boat all of brass. By-and-by the boat struck upon the beach, + and as soon as it did so the queen entered it, bidding the prince do the + same. + </p> + <p> + No sooner were they seated than away the boat went, still as swiftly as + the wind. On it flew and on it flew, until at last they came to another + shore, the like of which the prince had never seen in his life before. + Down to the edge of the water ran a garden—but such a garden! The + leaves of the trees were all of silver and the fruit of gold, and instead + of flowers were precious stones—white, red, yellow, blue, and green—that + flashed like sparks of sunlight as the breeze moved them this way and that + way. Beyond the silver trees, with their golden fruit, was a great palace + as white as snow, and so bright that one had to shut one’s eyes as one + looked upon it. + </p> + <p> + The boat ran up on the beach close to just such a stone mill as the prince + had seen upon the other side of the water, and then he and the queen + stepped ashore. As soon as they had done so the brazen boat floated + swiftly away, and in a little while was gone. + </p> + <p> + “Here our journey ends,” said the queen. “Is it not a wonderful land, and + well worth the seeing? Look at all these jewels and this gold, as plenty + as fruits and flowers at home. You may take what you please; but while you + are gathering them I have another matter after which I must look. Wait for + me here, and by-and-by I will be back again.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, she turned and left the prince, going towards the castle back + of the trees. + </p> + <p> + But the prince was a prince, and not a common man; he cared nothing for + gold and jewels. What he did care for was to see where the queen went, and + why she had brought him to this strange land. So, as soon as she had + fairly gone, he followed after. + </p> + <p> + He went along under the gold and silver trees, in the direction she had + taken, until at last he came to a tall flight of steps that led up to the + doorway of the snow-white palace. The door stood open, and into it the + prince went. He saw not a soul, but he heard a noise as of blows and the + sound as of some one weeping. He followed the sound, until by-and-by he + came to a great vaulted room in the very centre of the palace. A curtain + hung at the doorway. The prince lifted it and peeped within, and this was + what he saw: + </p> + <p> + In the middle of the room was a marble basin of water as clear as crystal, + and around the sides of the basin were these words, written in letters of + gold: + </p> + <p> + “Whatsoever is False, that I make True.” + </p> + <p> + Beside the fountain upon a marble stand stood a statue of a beautiful + woman made of alabaster, and around the neck of the statue was a thread of + gold. The queen stood beside the statue, and beat and beat it with her + steel-tipped whip. And all the while she lashed it the statue sighed and + groaned like a living being, and the tears ran down its stone cheeks as + though it were a suffering Christian. By-and-by the queen rested for a + moment, and said, panting, “Will you give me the thread of gold?” and the + statue answered “No.” Whereupon she fell to raining blows upon it as she + had done before. + </p> + <p> + So she continued, now beating the statue and now asking it whether it + would give her the thread of gold, to which the statue always answered + “No,” and all the while the prince stood gazing and wondering. By-and-by + the queen wearied of what she was doing, and thrust the steel-tipped lash + back into her bosom again, upon which the prince, seeing that she was + done, hurried back to the garden where she had left him and pretended to + be gathering the golden fruit and jewel flowers. + </p> + <p> + The queen said nothing to him good or bad, except to command him to grind + at the great stone mill as he had done on the other side of the water. + Thereupon the prince did as she bade, and presently the brazen boat came + skimming over the water more swiftly than the wind. Again the queen and + the prince entered it, and again it carried them to the other side whence + they had come. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had the queen set foot upon the shore than she stopped and + gathered up a handful of sand. Then, turning as quick as lightning, she + flung it into the prince’s face. “Be a black dog,” she cried in a loud + voice, “and join your comrades!” + </p> + <p> + And now it was that the ring that the prince’s mother had given him stood + him in good stead. But for it he would have become a black dog like those + others, for thus it had happened to all before him who had ferried the + witch queen over the water. So she expected to see him run away yelping, + as those others had done; but the prince remained a prince, and stood + looking her in the face. + </p> + <p> + When the queen saw that her magic had failed her she grew as pale as + death, and fell to trembling in every limb. She turned and hastened + quickly away, and the prince followed her wondering, for he neither knew + the mischief she had intended doing him, nor how his ring had saved him + from the fate of those others. + </p> + <p> + So they came back up the stairs and out through the stone wall into the + palace garden. The queen pressed her hand against the stone and it turned + back into its place again. Then, beckoning to the prince, she hurried away + down the garden. Before he followed he picked up a coal that lay near by, + and put a cross upon the stone; then he hurried after her, and so came to + the palace once more. + </p> + <p> + By this time the cocks were crowing, and the dawn of day was just + beginning to show over the roof-tops and the chimney-stacks of the town. + </p> + <p> + As for the queen, she had regained her composure, and, bidding the prince + wait for her a moment, she hastened to her chamber. There she opened her + book of magic, and in it she soon found who the prince was and how the + ring had saved him. + </p> + <p> + When she had learned all that she wanted to know she put on a smiling face + and came back to him. “Ah, prince,” said she, “I well know who you are, + for your coming to my country is not secret to me. I have shown you + strange things to-night. I will unfold all the wonder to you another time. + Will you not come back and sup with me again?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said the prince, “I will come whensoever you bid me;” for he was + curious to know the secret of the statue and the strange things he had + seen. + </p> + <p> + “And will you not give me a pledge of your coming?” said the queen, still + smiling. + </p> + <p> + “What pledge shall I give you,” said the prince. + </p> + <p> + “Give me the ring that is upon your finger,” said the queen; and she + smiled so bewitchingly that the prince could not have refused her had he + desired to do so. + </p> + <p> + Alas for him! He thought no evil, but, without a word, drew off the ring + and gave it to the queen, and she slipped it upon her finger. + </p> + <p> + “O fool!” she cried, laughing a wicked laugh, “O fool! to give away that + in which your safety lay!” As she spoke she dipped her fingers into a + basin of water that stood near by and dashed the drops into the prince’s + face. “Be a raven,” she cried, “and a raven remain!” + </p> + <p> + In an instant the prince was a prince no longer, but a coal-black raven. + The queen snatched up a sword that lay near by and struck at him to kill + him. But the raven-prince leaped aside and the blow missed its aim. + </p> + <p> + By good luck a window stood open, and before the queen could strike again + he spread his wings and flew out of the open casement and over the + house-tops and was gone. + </p> + <p> + On he flew and on he flew until he came to the old man’s house, and so to + the room where his foster-father himself was sitting. He lit upon the + ground at the old man’s feet and tried to tell him what had befallen, but + all that he could say was “Croak! croak!” + </p> + <p> + “What brings this bird of ill omen?” said the old man, and he drew his + sword to kill it. He raised his hand to strike, but the raven did not try + to fly away as he had expected, but bowed his neck to receive the stroke. + Then the old man saw that the tears were running down from the raven’s + eyes, and he held his hand. “What strange thing is this?” he said. “Surely + nothing but the living soul weeps; and how, then, can this bird shed + tears?” So he took the raven up and looked into his eyes, and in them he + saw the prince’s soul. “Alas!” he cried, “my heart misgives me that + something strange has happened. Tell me, is this not my foster-son, the + prince?” + </p> + <p> + The raven answered “Croak!” and nothing else; but the good old man + understood it all, and the tears ran down his cheeks and trickled over his + beard. “Whether man or raven, you shall still be my son,” said he, and he + held the raven close in his arms and caressed it. + </p> + <p> + He had a golden cage made for the bird, and every day he would walk with + it in the garden, talking to it as a father talks to his son. + </p> + <p> + One day when they were thus in the garden together a strange lady came + towards them down the pathway. Over her had and face was drawn a thick + veil, so that the two could not tell who she was. When she came close to + them she raised the veil, and the raven-prince saw that her face was the + living likeness of the queen’s; and yet there was something in it that was + different. It was the second sister of the queen, and the old man knew her + and bowed before her. + </p> + <p> + “Listen,” said she. “I know what the raven is, and that it is the prince, + whom the queen has bewitched. I also know nearly as much of magic as she, + and it is that alone that has saved me so long from ill. But danger hangs + close over me; the queen only waits for the chance to bewitch me; and some + day she will overpower me, for she is stronger than I. With the prince’s + aid I can overcome her and make myself forever safe, and it is this that + has brought me here to-day. My magic is powerful enough to change the + prince back into his true shape again, and I will do so if he will aid me + in what follows, and this is it: I will conjure the queen, and by-and-by a + great eagle will come flying, and its plumage will be as black as night. + Then I myself will become an eagle, with black-and-white plumage, and we + two will fight in the air. After a while we will both fall to the ground, + and then the prince must cut off the head of the black eagle with a knife + I shall give him. Will you do this?” said she, turning to the raven, “if I + transform you to your true shape?” + </p> + <p> + The raven bowed his head and said “Croak!” And the sister of the queen + knew that he meant yes. + </p> + <p> + Therewith she drew a great, long keen knife from her bosom, and thrust it + into the ground. “It is with this knife of magic,” said she, “that you + must cut off the black eagle’s head.” Then the witch-princess gathered up + some sand in her hand, and flung it into the raven’s face. “Resume,” cried + she, “your own shape!” And in an instant the prince was himself again. The + next thing the sister of the queen did was to draw a circle upon the + ground around the prince, the old man, and herself. On the circle she + marked strange figures here and there. Then, all three standing close + together, she began her conjurations, uttering strange words—now + under her breath, and now clear and loud. + </p> + <p> + Presently the sky darkened, and it began to thunder and rumble. Darker it + grew and darker, and the thunder crashed and roared. The earth trembled + under their feet, and the trees swayed hither and thither as though tossed + by a tempest. Then suddenly the uproar ceased and all grew as still as + death, the clouds rolled away, and in a moment the sun shone out once + more, and all was calm and serene as it had been before. But still the + princess muttered her conjurations, and as the prince and the old man + looked they beheld a speck that grew larger and larger, until they saw + that it was an eagle as black as night that was coming swiftly flying + through the sky. Then the queen’s sister also saw it and ceased from her + spells. She drew a little cap of feathers from her bosom with trembling + hands. “Remember,” said she to the prince; and, so saying, clapped the + feather cap upon her head. In an instant she herself became an eagle—pied, + black and white—and, spreading her wings, leaped into the air. + </p> + <p> + For a while the two eagles circled around and around; but at last they + dashed against one another, and, grappling with their talons, tumbled over + and over until they struck the ground close to the two who stood looking. + </p> + <p> + Then the prince snatched the knife from the ground and ran to where they + lay struggling. “Which was I to kill?” said he to the old man. + </p> + <p> + “Are they not birds of a feather?” cried the foster-father. “Kill them + both, for then only shall we all be safe.” + </p> + <p> + The prince needed no second telling to see the wisdom of what the old man + said. In an instant he struck off the heads of both the eagles, and thus + put an end to both sorceresses, the lesser as well as the greater. They + buried both of the eagles in the garden without telling any one of what + had happened. So soon as that was done the old man bade the prince tell + him all that had befallen him, and the prince did so. + </p> + <p> + “Aye! aye!” said the old man, “I see it all as clear as day. The black + dogs are the young men who have supped with the queen; the statue is the + good princess; and the basin of water is the water of life, which has the + power of taking away magic. Come; let us make haste to bring help to all + those unfortunates who have been lying under the queen’s spells.” + </p> + <p> + The prince needed no urging to do that. They hurried to the palace; they + crossed the garden to the stone wall. There they found the stone upon + which the prince had set the black cross. He pressed his hand upon it, and + it opened to him like a door. They descended the steps, and went through + the passageway, until they came out upon the sea-shore. The black dogs + came leaping towards them; but this time it was to fawn upon them, and to + lick their hands and faces. + </p> + <p> + The prince turned the great stone mill till the brazen boat came flying + towards the shore. They entered it, and so crossed the water and came to + the other side. They did not tarry in the garden, but went straight to the + snow-white palace and to the great vaulted chamber where was the statue. + “Yes,” said the old man, “it is the youngest princess, sure enough.” + </p> + <p> + The prince said nothing, but he dipped up some of the water in his palm + and dashed it upon the statue. “If you are the princess, take your true + shape again,” said he. Before the words had left his lips the statue + became flesh and blood, and the princess stepped down from where she + stood, and the prince thought that he had never seen any one so beautiful + as she. “You have brought me back to life,” said she, “and whatever I + shall have shall be yours as well as mine.” + </p> + <p> + Then they all set their faces homeward again, and the prince took with him + a cupful of the water of life. + </p> + <p> + When they reached the farther shore the black dogs came running to meet + them. The prince sprinkled the water he carried upon them, and as soon as + it touched them that instant they were black dogs no longer, but the tall, + noble young men that the sorceress queen had bewitched. There, as the old + man had hoped, he found his own three sons, and kissed them with the tears + running down his face. + </p> + <p> + But when the people of that land learned that their youngest princess, and + the one whom they loved, had come back again, and that the two sorceresses + would trouble them no longer, they shouted and shouted for joy. All the + town was hung with flags and illuminated, the fountains ran with wine, and + nothing was heard but sounds of rejoicing. In the midst of it all the + prince married the princess, and so became the king of that country. + </p> + <p> + And now to go back again to the beginning. + </p> + <p> + After the youngest prince had been driven away from home, and the old king + had divided the kingdom betwixt the other two, things went for a while + smoothly and joyfully. But by little and little the king was put to one + side until he became as nothing in his own land. At last hot words passed + between the father and the two sons, and the end of the matter was that + the king was driven from the land to shift for himself. + </p> + <p> + Now, after the youngest prince had married and had become king of that + other land, he bethought himself of his father and his mother, and longed + to see them again. So he set forth and travelled towards his old home. In + his journeying he came to a lonely house at the edge of a great forest, + and there night came upon him. He sent one of the many of those who rode + with him to ask whether he could not find lodging there for the time, and + who should answer the summons but the king, his father, dressed in the + coarse clothing of a forester. The old king did not know his own son in + the kingly young king who sat upon his snow-white horse. He bade the + visitor to enter, and he and the old queen served their son and bowed + before him. + </p> + <p> + The next morning the young king rode back to his own land, and then sent + attendants with horses and splendid clothes, and bade them bring his + father and mother to his own home. + </p> + <p> + He had a noble feast set for them, with everything befitting the + entertainment of a king, but he ordered that not a grain of salt should + season it. + </p> + <p> + So the father and the mother sat down to the feast with their son and his + queen, but all the time they did not know him. The old king tasted the + food and tasted the food, but he could not eat of it. + </p> + <p> + “Do you not feel hungry?” said the young king. + </p> + <p> + “Alas,” said his father, “I crave your majesty’s pardon, but there is no + salt in the food.” + </p> + <p> + “And so is life lacking of savor without love,” said the young king; “and + yet because I loved you as salt you disowned me and cast me out into the + world.” + </p> + <p> + Therewith he could contain himself no longer, but with the tears running + down his cheeks kissed his father and his mother; and they knew him, and + kissed him again. + </p> + <p> + Afterwards the young king went with a great army into the country of his + elder brothers, and, overcoming them, set his father upon his throne + again. If ever the two got back their crowns you may be sure that they + wore them more modestly than they did the first time. + </p> + <p> + So the Fisherman who had one time unbottled the Genie whom Solomon the + Wise had stoppered up concluded his story, and all of the good folk who + were there began clapping their shadowy hands. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, aye,” said old Bidpai, “there is much truth in what you say, for it + is verily so that that which men call—love—is—the—salt—of—“.... + </p> + <p> + His voice had been fading away thinner and thinner and smaller and smaller—now + it was like the shadow of a voice; now it trembled and quivered out into + silence and was gone. + </p> + <p> + And with the voice of old Bidpai the pleasant Land of Twilight was also + gone. As a breath fades away from a mirror, so had it faded and vanished + into nothingness. + </p> + <p> + I opened my eyes. + </p> + <p> + There was a yellow light—it came from the evening lamp. There were + people of flesh and blood around—my own dear people—and they + were talking together. There was the library with the rows of books + looking silently out from their shelves. There was the fire of hickory + logs crackling and snapping in the fireplace, and throwing a wavering, + yellow light on the wall. + </p> + <p> + Had I been asleep? No; I had been in Twilight Land. + </p> + <p> + And now the pleasant Twilight Land had gone. It had faded out, and I was + back again in the work-a-day world. + </p> + <p> + There I was sitting in my chair; and, what was more, it was time for the + children to go to bed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Twilight Land, by Howard Pyle + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TWILIGHT LAND *** + +***** This file should be named 1751-h.htm or 1751-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/7/5/1751/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Volunteer, and David Widger + +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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