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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of Edmund Dulac's Fairy-Book, by Edmund Dulac
+
+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: Edmund Dulac's Fairy-Book
+       Fairy Tales of the Allied Nations
+
+Author: Edmund Dulac
+
+Release Date: May 18, 2008 [EBook #25513]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK EDMUND DULAC'S FAIRY-BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Josephine Paolucci and the
+Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net.
+(This file was produced from images generously made
+available by The Internet Archive.)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+EDMUND DULAC'S
+
+FAIRY-BOOK
+
+
+[Illustration: SNEGOROTCHKA
+
+The daintiest, prettiest little maiden they had ever seen.
+
+_See page 2_]
+
+
+
+
+EDMUND DULAC'S
+FAIRY-BOOK
+
+FAIRY TALES
+OF THE
+ALLIED
+NATIONS
+
+NEW YORK
+GEORGE H. DORAN COMPANY
+
+EDMUND DULAC'S FAIRY-BOOK
+
+--HC--
+
+PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+                                                      PAGE
+
+SNEGOROTCHKA:
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE                                     1
+
+THE BURIED MOON:
+AN ENGLISH FAIRY TALE                                    7
+
+WHITE CAROLINE AND BLACK CAROLINE:
+A FLEMISH FAIRY TALE                                    15
+
+THE SEVEN CONQUERORS OF THE QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI:
+A BELGIAN FAIRY TALE                                    23
+
+THE SERPENT PRINCE:
+AN ITALIAN FAIRY TALE                                   31
+
+THE HIND OF THE WOOD:
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE                                     45
+
+IVAN AND THE CHESTNUT HORSE:
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE                                    63
+
+THE QUEEN OF THE MANY-COLOURED BEDCHAMBER:
+AN IRISH FAIRY TALE                                     73
+
+THE BLUE BIRD:
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE                                     81
+
+BASHTCHELIK (OR, REAL STEEL):
+A SERBIAN FAIRY TALE                                    95
+
+THE FRIAR AND THE BOY:
+AN ENGLISH FAIRY TALE                                  119
+
+THE GREEN SERPENT:
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE                                    129
+
+URASHIMA TARO:
+A JAPANESE FAIRY TALE                                  145
+
+THE FIRE BIRD:
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE                                   159
+
+THE STORY OF THE BIRD FENG:
+A CHINESE FAIRY TALE                                   171
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+SNEGOROTCHKA
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+The daintiest, prettiest little maiden they had ever seen  _Frontispiece_
+
+                                                                    PAGE
+
+THE BURIED MOON
+AN ENGLISH FAIRY TALE
+
+In her frantic struggles the hood of her cloak fell back from
+her dazzling golden hair, and immediately the whole place was
+flooded with light                                                     8
+
+
+WHITE CAROLINE AND BLACK CAROLINE
+A FLEMISH FAIRY TALE
+
+And, when he saw White Caroline, he started to play on his organ the
+most beautiful airs that it was possible to hear, and the three
+little dogs commenced to dance together                               16
+
+
+THE SEVEN CONQUERORS OF THE QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI
+A BELGIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+'Hi! friend! Take the whole castle, with the Queen and all that it
+contains, on your shoulders!'                                         24
+
+
+THE SERPENT PRINCE
+AN ITALIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+When Grannmia saw her strange lover, she alone remained calm and
+courageous                                                            32
+
+
+THE HIND OF THE WOOD
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE
+
+Giroflee thanked the fairy and went ... far into the wood; and there,
+sure enough, she saw a hut and an old woman sitting outside           56
+
+
+IVAN AND THE CHESTNUT HORSE
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+The chestnut horse seemed to linger in the air at the top of its leap
+while that kiss endured                                               64
+
+
+THE BLUE BIRD
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE
+
+The Prince took a carriage drawn by three great frogs with great big
+wings.... Truitonne came out mysteriously by a little door            88
+
+
+BASHTCHELIK (OR, REAL STEEL)
+A SERBIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+The Prince, looking out, saw him snatch up the Princess ... and
+soar rapidly away                                                    104
+
+The Palace of the Dragon King                                        112
+
+
+THE FRIAR AND THE BOY
+AN ENGLISH FAIRY TALE
+
+The Friar, bound fast to the post, squirmed and wriggled, showing
+plainly that he would foot it if he could                            128
+
+
+THE GREEN SERPENT
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE
+
+Laideronnette kissed and embraced the good Fairy Protectress         144
+
+
+URASHIMA TARO
+A JAPANESE FAIRY TALE
+
+Urashima was so enchanted that he could not speak a word             152
+
+
+THE FIRE BIRD
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+There he found the Princess asleep, and saw that her face was the face
+he had seen in the portrait                                          160
+
+With a scream the Princess rushed forward, and, before her wicked
+sister could prevent her, she had upset the cauldron with a crash    168
+
+
+THE STORY OF THE BIRD FENG
+A CHINESE FAIRY TALE
+
+The wonderful bird, like a fire of many colours come down from heaven,
+alighted before the Princess, dropping at her feet the portrait      172
+
+
+
+
+SNEGOROTCHKA
+
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+
+The old wife sang merrily as she sat in the inglenook stirring the soup,
+for she had never felt so sad. Many, many years had come and gone,
+leaving the weight of their winters on her shoulders and the touch of
+snow on her hair without ever bringing her a little child. This made her
+and her dear old husband very sad, for there were many children outside,
+playing in the snow. It seemed hard that not even one among them was
+their very own. But alas! there was no hope for such a blessing now.
+Never would they see a little fur cap hanging on the corner of the
+mantelpiece, nor two little shoes drying by the fire.
+
+The old husband brought in a bundle of wood and set it down. Then, as he
+heard the children laughing and clapping their hands outside, he looked
+out at the window. There they were, dancing with glee round a snow man
+they had made. He smiled as he saw that it was evidently meant to look
+like the Mayor of the village, it was so fat and pompous.
+
+'Look, Marusha!' he cried to the old wife. 'Come and see the snow man
+they've made.'
+
+As they stood together at the window, they laughed to see what fun the
+children got out of it. Suddenly the old man turned to her with a bright
+idea.
+
+'Let's go out and see if _we_ can't make a little snow man.'
+
+But Marusha laughed at him. 'What would the neighbours say? They would
+poke fun at us; it'd be the joke of the village. Besides, we're too old
+to play like children.'
+
+'But only a little one, Marusha; only a teeny-weeny little snow
+man,--and I'll manage it that nobody sees us.'
+
+'Well, well,' she said, laughing; 'have your own way, as you always did,
+Youshko.'
+
+With this she took the pot from the fire, put on her bonnet, and they
+went out together. As they passed the children, they stopped to play
+with them a while, for they now felt almost like children themselves.
+Then they trudged on through the snow till they came to a clump of
+trees, and, behind this, where the snow was nice and white, and nobody
+could see them, they set to work to make their little man.
+
+The old husband insisted that it must be very small, and the old wife
+agreed that it should be almost as small as a new-born babe. Kneeling
+down in the snow, they fashioned the little body in next to no time. Now
+there remained only the head to finish. Two fat handfuls of snow for the
+cheeks and face, and a big one on top for the head. Then they put on a
+wee dab for the nose and poked two holes, one on each side, for the
+eyes.
+
+It was soon done, and they were already standing back looking at it, and
+laughing and clapping their hands like children. Then suddenly they
+stopped. What had happened? A very strange thing indeed! Out of the two
+holes they saw looking at them two wistful blue eyes. Then the face of
+the little snow man was no longer white. The cheeks became rounded and
+smooth and radiant, and two rosy lips began to smile up at them. A
+breath of wind brushed the snow from the head, and it all fell down
+round the shoulders in flaxen ringlets escaping from a white fur cap. At
+the same time some snow, loosened from the little body, fell down and
+took the shape of a pretty white garment. Then, suddenly, before they
+could open and shut their mouths, their snow mannikin was gone, and in
+his place stood the daintiest, prettiest little maiden they had ever
+seen.
+
+They gave each other a look out of the corners of their eyes, and
+scratched their heads in wonderment. But it was as true as true. There
+stood the little girl, all pink and white before them. She was really
+alive, for she ran to them; and, when they stooped down to lift her up,
+she put one arm round the old wife's neck and the other round the old
+man's, and gave them each a hug and a kiss.
+
+They laughed and cried for joy; then, suddenly remembering how real some
+dreams can seem, they pinched each other in turn. Still they were not
+sure, for the pinches might have been a part of the dream. So, in fear
+lest they might wake and spoil the whole thing, they wrapped the little
+girl up quickly and hastened back home.
+
+On the way they met the children, still playing round their snow man;
+and the snowballs with which they pelted them in the back were very
+real; but there again, the snowballs might have belonged to the dream.
+But when they were inside the house, and saw the inglenook, with the
+soup in the pot by the fire and the bundle of wood near by, and
+everything just as they had left it, they looked at each other with
+tears in their eyes and no longer feared that it was all a dream. In
+another minute there was a little white fur cap hanging on the corner of
+the mantelpiece and two little shoes drying by the fire, while the old
+wife took the little girl on her lap and crooned a lullaby over her.
+
+The old man put his hand on his wife's shoulder and she looked up.
+
+'Marusha!'
+
+'Youshko!'
+
+'At last we have a little girl! We made her out of the snow, so we will
+call her Snegorotchka.'
+
+The old wife nodded her head, and then they kissed each other. When they
+had all had supper, they went to bed, the old husband and wife feeling
+sure that they would wake early in the morning to find the child still
+with them. And they were not disappointed. There she was, sitting up
+between them, prattling and laughing. But she had grown bigger, and her
+hair was now twice as long as at first. When she called them 'Little
+Father' and 'Little Mother' they were so delighted that they felt like
+dancing as nimbly as they had in their young days. But, instead of
+dancing, they just kissed each other, and wept for joy.
+
+That day they held a big feast. The old wife was busy all the morning
+cooking all kinds of dainties, while the old man went round the village
+and collected the fiddlers. All the boys and girls of the village were
+invited, and they ate and sang and danced and had a merry time till
+daybreak. As they went home, the girls all talked at once about how much
+they had enjoyed themselves, but the boys were very silent;--they were
+thinking of the beautiful Snegorotchka with the blue eyes and the golden
+hair.
+
+Every day after that Snegorotchka played with the other children, and
+taught them how to make castles and palaces of snow, with marble halls
+and thrones and beautiful fountains. The snow seemed to let her do
+whatever she liked with it, and to build itself up under her tiny
+fingers as if it knew exactly what shape it was to take. They were all
+greatly delighted with the wonderful things she made; but when she
+showed them how to dance as the snowflakes do, first in a brisk whirl,
+and then softly and lightly, they could think of nothing else but
+Snegorotchka. She was the little fairy queen of the children, the
+delight of the older people, and the very breath of life to old Marusha
+and Youshko.
+
+And now the winter months moved on. With slow and steady stride they
+went from mountain top to mountain top, around the circle of the
+sky-line. The earth began to clothe itself in green. The great trees,
+holding out their naked arms like huge babies waiting to be dressed,
+were getting greener and greener, and last year's birds sat in their
+branches singing this year's songs. The early flowers shed their perfume
+on the breeze, and now and then a waft of warm air, straying from its
+summer haunts, caressed the cheek and breathed a glowing promise in the
+ear. The forests and the fields were stirring. A beautiful spirit
+brooded over the face of nature;--spring was trembling on the leash and
+tugging to be free.
+
+One afternoon Marusha was sitting in the inglenook stirring the soup
+and singing a mournful song, because she had never felt so full of joy.
+The old man Youshko had just brought in a bundle of wood and laid it on
+the hearth. It seemed just the same as on that winter's afternoon when
+they saw the children dancing round their snow man; but what made all
+the difference was Snegorotchka, the apple of their eye, who now sat by
+the window, gazing out at the green grass and the budding trees.
+
+Youshko had been looking at her; he had noticed that her face was pale
+and her eyes a shade less blue than usual. He grew anxious about her.
+
+'Are you not feeling well, Snegorotchka?' he asked.
+
+'No, Little Father,' she replied sadly. 'I miss the white snow,--oh! so
+much; the green grass is not half as beautiful. I wish the snow would
+come again.'
+
+'Oh! yes; the snow will come again,' replied the old man. 'But don't you
+like the leaves on the trees and the blossoms and the flowers, my
+darling?'
+
+'They are not so beautiful as the pure, white snow.' And Snegorotchka
+shuddered.
+
+The next day she looked so pale and sad that they were alarmed, and
+glanced at one another anxiously.
+
+'What ails the child?' said Marusha.
+
+Youshko shook his head and looked from Snegorotchka to the fire, and
+then back again.
+
+'My child,' he said at last, 'why don't you go out and play with the
+others? They are all enjoying themselves among the flowers in the
+forest; but I've noticed you never play with them now. Why is it, my
+darling?'
+
+'I don't know, Little Father, but my heart seems to turn to water when
+the soft warm wind brings the scent of the blossoms.'
+
+'But we will come with you, my child,' said the old man. 'I will put my
+arm about you and shield you from the wind. Come, we will show you all
+the pretty flowers in the grass, and tell you their names, and you will
+just love them,--all of them.'
+
+So Marusha took the pot off the fire and then they all went out
+together, Youshko with his arm round Snegorotchka to shield her from the
+wind. But they had not gone far when the warm perfume of the flowers was
+wafted to them on the breeze, and the child trembled like a leaf. They
+both comforted her and kissed her, and then they went on towards the
+spot where the flowers grew thickly in the grass. But, as they passed a
+clump of big trees, a bright ray of sunlight struck through like a dart
+and Snegorotchka put her hand over her eyes and gave a cry of pain.
+
+They stood still and looked at her. For a moment, as she drooped upon
+the old man's arm, her eyes met theirs; and on her upturned face were
+swiftly running tears which sparkled in the sunlight as they fell. Then,
+as they watched her, she grew smaller and smaller, until, at last, all
+that was left of Snegorotchka was a little patch of dew shining on the
+grass. One tear-drop had fallen into the cup of a flower. Youshko
+gathered that flower--very gently--and handed it to Marusha without a
+word.
+
+They both understood now. Their darling was just a little girl made of
+snow, and she had melted away in the warmth of the sunlight.
+
+
+
+
+THE BURIED MOON
+
+AN ENGLISH FAIRY TALE
+
+
+In my old Granny's days, long, long--oh, so long ago, Carland was just a
+collection of bogs. Pools of black water lay in the hollows, and little
+green rivulets scurried away here and there like long lizards trying to
+escape from their tails, while every tuft that you trod upon would
+squirt up at you like anything. Oh! it _was_ a nice place to be in on a
+dark night, I give you my word.
+
+Now, I've heard my Granny say that a long time before her day the Moon
+got trapped and buried in the bog. I'll tell you the tale as she used to
+tell it to me.
+
+On some nights the beautiful Moon rose up in the sky and shone brighter
+and brighter, and the people blessed her because by her wonderful light
+they could find their way home at night through the treacherous bogs.
+But on other nights she did not come, and then it was so dark that the
+traveller could not find his way; and, besides, the Evil Things that
+feared the light--toads and creepy, crawly things, to say nothing of
+Bogles and Little Bad People--came out in the darkness to do all the
+harm they could, for they hated the people and were always trying to
+lead them astray. Many a poor man going home in the dark had been
+enticed by these malevolent things into quicksands and mud pools. When
+the Moon was away and the night was black, these vile creatures had
+their will.
+
+When the Moon learned about this, she was very grieved, for she is a
+sweet, kind body, who spends nights without sleep, so as to show a light
+for people going home. She was troubled about it all, and said to
+herself, 'I'll just go down and see how matters stand.'
+
+So, when the dark end of the month came round, she stepped down out of
+the sky, wrapped from head to foot in her black travelling cloak with
+the hood drawn over her bright golden hair. For a moment she stood at
+the edge of the marshes, looking this way and that. Everywhere, as far
+as she could see, was the dismal bog, with pools of black water, and
+gnarled, fantastic-looking snags sticking up here and there amid the
+dank growth of weeds and grasses. There was no light save the feeble
+glimmer of the stars reflected in the gloomy pools; but, upon the grass
+where she stood, a bright ring of moonlight shone from her feet beneath
+her cloak.
+
+She saw this and drew her garments closer about her. It was cold, and
+she was trembling. She feared that vast expanse of bog and its evil
+creatures, but she was determined to face the matter out and see exactly
+how the thing stood.
+
+Guided by the light that streamed from her feet, she advanced into the
+bog. As the summer wind stirs one tussock after another, so she stepped
+onward between the slimy ponds and deadly quagmires. Now she reached a
+jet-black pool, and all too late she saw the stars shining in its
+depths. Her foot tripped and all she could do was to snatch at an
+overhanging branch of a snag as she fell forward. To this she clung,
+but, fast as she gripped it, faster still some tendrils from the bough
+whipped round her wrists like manacles and held her there a prisoner.
+She struggled and wrenched and tugged with all her might and main, but
+the tendrils only tightened and cut into her wrists like steel bands.
+
+[Illustration: THE BURIED MOON
+
+In her frantic struggles the hood of her cloak fell back from her
+dazzling golden hair, and immediately the whole place was flooded with
+light.
+
+_See page 9_]
+
+As she stood there shivering in the dark and wondering how to free
+herself, she heard far away in the bog a voice calling through the
+night. It was a wailing cry, dying away in despair. She listened and
+listened, and the repeated cry came nearer; then she heard
+footsteps--halting, stumbling and slipping. At last, by the dim light of
+the stars, she saw a haggard, despairing face with fearful eyes; and
+then she knew it was a poor man who had lost his way and was floundering
+on to his death. Now he caught sight of a gleam of light from the
+captive Moon, and made his uncertain way towards it, thinking it meant
+help. As he came nearer and nearer the pool, the Moon saw that her light
+was luring him to his death, and she felt so very sorry for him, and so
+angry with herself that she struggled fiercely at the cords that held
+her. It was all in vain, but, in her frantic struggles, the hood of her
+cloak fell back from her dazzling golden hair, and immediately the whole
+place was flooded with light, which fell on muddy pools and quicks and
+quags, glinting on the twisted roots and making the whole place as clear
+as day.
+
+How glad the wayfarer was to see the light! How pleased he was to see
+all the Evil Things of the dark scurrying back into their holes! He
+could now find his way, and he made for the edge of the treacherous
+marsh with such haste that he had not time to wonder at the strange
+thing that had happened. He did not know that the blessed light that
+showed him his path to safety shone from the radiant hair of the Moon,
+bound fast to a snag and half buried in the bog. And the Moon herself
+was so glad he was safe, that she forgot her own danger and need. But,
+as she watched him making good his escape from the terrible dangers of
+the marshes, she was overcome by a great longing to follow him. This
+made her tug and strain again like a demented creature, until she sank
+exhausted, but not free, in the mud at the foot of the snag. As she did
+so, her head fell forward on her breast, and the hood of her cloak again
+covered her shining hair.
+
+At that moment, just as suddenly as the light had shone out before, the
+darkness came down with a swish, and all the vile things that loved it
+came out of their hiding-places with a kind of whispering screech which
+grew louder and louder as they swarmed abroad on the marshes. Now they
+gathered round the poor Moon, snarling and scratching at her and
+screaming hateful mockeries at her. At last they had her in their
+power--their old foe whose light they could not endure; the Bright One
+whose smile of light sent them scurrying away into their crevices and
+defeated their fell designs.
+
+'Hell roast thee!' cried an ugly old witch-thing; 'thou'rt the
+meddlesome body that spoils all our brews.'
+
+'Out on thee!' shrieked the bogle-bodies; 'if 'twere not for thee we'd
+have the marsh to ourselves.'
+
+And there was a great clamour--as out-of-tune as out-of-tune could be.
+All the things of darkness raised their harsh and cracked voices against
+the Bright One of the sky. 'Ha, ha!' and 'Ho, ho!' and 'He, he!' mingled
+with chuckles of fiendish glee, until it seemed as if the very trickles
+and gurgles of the bog were joining in the orgy of hate.
+
+'Burn her with corpse-lights!' yelled the witch.
+
+'Ha, ha! He, he!' came the chorus of evil creatures.
+
+'Truss her up and stifle her!' screamed the creeping things. 'Spin webs
+round her!' And the spiders of the night swarmed all over her.
+
+'Sting her to death!' said the Scorpion King at the head of his brood.
+
+'Ho, ho! He, he!' And, as each vile thing had something to say about it,
+a horrible, screeching dispute arose, while the captive Moon crouched
+shuddering at the foot of the snag and gave herself up as lost.
+
+The dim grey light of the early dawn found them still hissing and
+clawing and screeching at one another as to the best way to dispose of
+the captive. Then, when the first rosy ray shot up from the Sun, they
+grew afraid. Some scuttled away, but those who remained hastened to do
+something--anything that would smother the light of the Moon. The only
+thing they could think of now was to bury her in the mud,--bury her
+deep. They were all agreed on this as the quickest way.
+
+So they clutched her with skinny fingers and pushed her down into the
+black mud beneath the water at the foot of the snag. When they had all
+stamped upon her, the bogle-bodies ran quickly and fetched a big black
+stone which they hurled on top of her to keep her down. Then the old
+witch called two will-o'-the-wisps from the darkest part of the
+marshes, and, when they came dancing and glancing above the pools and
+quicks, she bade them keep watch by the grave of the Moon, and, if she
+tried to get out, to sound an alarm.
+
+Then the horrid things crept away from the morning light, chuckling to
+themselves over the funeral of the Moon, and only wishing they could
+bury the Sun in the same way; but that was a little too much to hope
+for, and besides, all respectable Horrors of the Bog ought to be asleep
+in bed during the Sun's journey across the sky.
+
+The poor Moon was now buried deep in the black mud, with a heavy stone
+on top of her. Surely she could never again thwart their plans of evil,
+hatched and nurtured in the foul darkness of the quags. She was buried
+deep; they had left no sign; who would know where to look for her?
+
+Day after day passed by until the time of the New Moon was eagerly
+looked for by the good folk who dwelt around the marshes, for they knew
+they had no friend like the Moon, whose light enabled them to find the
+pathways through the bog-land, and drove away all the vile things into
+their dark holes and corners. So they put lucky pennies in their pouches
+and straws in their hats, and searched for the crescent Moon in the sky.
+But evening twilight brought no Moon, which was not strange, for she was
+buried deep in the bog.
+
+The nights were pitch dark, and the Horrors held frolic in the marshes
+and swarmed abroad in ever-increasing numbers, so that no traveller was
+safe. The poor people were so frightened and dumbfounded at being
+forsaken by the friendly Moon, that some of them went to the old Wise
+Woman of the Mill and besought her to find out what was the matter.
+
+The Wise Woman gazed long into her magic mirror, and then made a brew of
+herbs, into which she looked just as long, muttering words that nobody
+but herself could understand.
+
+'It's very strange,' she said at last; 'but there's nought to say what
+has become of her. I'll look again later on; meantime if ye do learn
+anything, let me know.'
+
+So they went away more mystified than ever, and, as the following nights
+brought no Moon, they could do nothing but stand about in groups in the
+streets discussing the strange thing. The disappearance of the Moon was
+the one topic. By the fireside, at the work-bench, in the inn and all
+about, their tongues went nineteen to the dozen; and no wonder, for who
+had ever heard of the Moon being lost, stolen or strayed?
+
+But it chanced one day that a man from the other side of the marshes was
+sitting in the inn, smoking his pipe and listening to the talk of the
+other inmates, when all of a sudden he sat bolt upright, slapped his
+thigh and cried out, 'I' fegs! Now I mind where that there Moon be!'
+
+Then he told them how one night he had got lost in the marshes and was
+frightened to death; how he went blundering on in the dark with all the
+Evil Things after him, and, at last, how a great bright light burst out
+of a pool and showed him the way to go.
+
+When they heard this they all took the shortest cut to the Wise Woman,
+and told her the man's story. After a long look in the mirror and the
+pot, she wagged her head slowly and said, 'It's all dark, children. You
+see, being as there's no Moon to conjure by, I can't tell ye where she's
+gone or what's made off with her--which same I could tell ye fine if she
+was in her right place. But mebbe, if ye do what I'm going to tell ye,
+then ye may hap on her yourselves. Listen now! Just before the darklings
+come, each of ye take a stone in your mouth and a twig of the
+witch-hazel in your hands, and go into the marshes without fear. Speak
+no word, for fear of your lives, but keep straight on till ye come to a
+spot where ye'll see a coffin with a cross and a candle on it. That's
+where ye'll find your Moon, I'm thinking, if ye're lucky.
+
+So the next night as the dark began to fall they all trooped out into
+the marshes, each with a stone in his mouth and a twig of the
+witch-hazel in his hands. Never a word they spoke, but kept straight on;
+and, I'm telling you, there was not one among them but had the creeps
+and the starts. They could see nothing around them but bogs and pools
+and snags; but strange sighing whispers brushed past their ears, and
+cold wet hands sought theirs and tugged at the hazel twigs. But all at
+once, while looking everywhere for the coffin with the cross and the
+candle, they espied the big, strange stone, and it looked just like a
+coffin; while at the head of it was a black cross formed by the branches
+of the snag, and on this cross flickered a tiny light just like a
+candle.
+
+When they saw these things they all knew that what the Wise Woman had
+told them was true: they were not far from their beloved Moon. But,
+being mighty feared of Bogles and the other Evil Things, they all went
+down on their knees in the mud and said the Lord's Prayer, once
+forwards, in keeping with the cross, and once backwards to keep off the
+Horrors of the Darkness. All this they said in their minds, without
+saying a word aloud, for they well knew what would happen to them if
+they neglected the Wise Woman's advice.
+
+Then they rose up and laid hands on the great stone and heaved it up.
+And my Granny says, that as they did it, some of them saw, just for one
+tiddy-widdy little waste of a minute, the most beautiful face in the
+world gazing up at them with wistful eyes like--like--I really can't
+remember how my Granny described them, but it was either 'pools of
+gratitude' or 'lakes of love.' At all events, this is exactly what
+happened when the stone was rolled right over, and it was said so
+quickly that not one of them could describe it afterwards: 'Thanks,
+brave folk! I shall never forget your kindness,' as the Moon stepped up
+out of the black pool into her place in the sky.
+
+Then they were all astonished beyond words, for, suddenly, all around
+was the silver light, making the safe ways between the bogs as clear as
+day. There was a sudden rush of weird things to their lairs, and then
+all was still and bright. Looking up, they saw with delight the full
+Moon sailing in the sky and smiling down upon them. She was there to
+light them home again. She was there to stampede the Evil Things--the
+Bogles and the Bad Little People--back into their vile dens. And, as the
+people looked around and wondered, it almost seemed to them that this
+time she had killed the Horrors dead--never to come to life again.
+
+
+
+
+WHITE CAROLINE AND BLACK CAROLINE
+
+A FLEMISH FAIRY TALE
+
+    _Come, come, Caroline,
+    White, white, child o' mine!
+        I hate you, HATE you,
+        And, at any rate, you
+    Are no child o' mine!_
+
+    _Come, come, Caroline,
+    Black, black, child o' mine!
+        I bore you, adore you,
+        Will give whatever more you
+    Want, O child o' mine!_
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a mother who had two daughters, both named
+Caroline. People called one 'White Caroline,' because she was so
+beautiful. But her mother could not see it, because the child was not
+really her own. The other was called 'Black Caroline' by the people,
+because she was so ugly. Black Caroline was the favourite of her mother,
+and received everything she could desire.
+
+Now one day it so happened that an old shepherd was passing by, and with
+him he had three little lambs; and he smiled on seeing White Caroline,
+and he caressed her head, and the little lambs came close and rubbed
+themselves against her little white dress. White Caroline was
+exceedingly pleased with all this. Now Black Caroline, standing on the
+winding stairs, also wanted to see; and, coming to the door, she half
+opened it. But as soon as the old shepherd saw her face, he turned and
+started on his way, and the three little lambs bleated and beat their
+heads together, because Black Caroline was so ugly;--but she was good
+all the same!
+
+And their mother, in her heart, could not stand this, so she said:
+
+'_White Caroline must die, cost what it will!_'
+
+And so she thought and thought during seven days how she could get rid
+of White Caroline. Then, one day, she went behind a hedge and said:
+
+'Hedge, Thorn-hedge, give me a dozen deadly thorns, each one an inch
+long!'
+
+And the hedge gave her a dozen deadly thorns, each thorn an inch long.
+Then their mother returned home, and showed them to Black Caroline.
+
+'Pay attention, Black Caroline,' she said; 'this evening when you go to
+bed you must sleep at the edge, and the inside place must be for White
+Caroline; because I am going to conceal all the little thorns in her
+pillow; and she will die when she puts her head upon her pillow, and
+then you, alone, shall be more than ever the pet child of your mother!'
+
+_And Black Caroline said, 'Very well!'_
+
+But that evening, when White Caroline was about to get into bed, Black
+Caroline took her by the arm and said:
+
+'White Caroline, I love you very much; and you must not tell mother; but
+she is trying to kill you. There are a dozen deadly thorns in your
+pillow; go to sleep all the same, but we'll put our heads at the foot of
+the bed!'
+
+And White Caroline, full of joy, took Black Caroline in her little arms
+and they slept together!'
+
+The following morning they heard a rat-a-tat on the stairs.
+
+'Here! Black Caroline! Are you there?'
+
+It was their mother calling from the bottom of the stairs.
+
+'Yes, my dear little mother, I am here!' said White Caroline.
+
+Their mother was in a terrible rage because White Caroline was not dead.
+She at once mounted the stairs to see if Black Caroline was alive. But
+even then she could not understand how it was that White Caroline was
+not dead, and once again rage overcame her!
+
+[Illustration: WHITE CAROLINE AND BLACK CAROLINE
+
+And, when he saw White Caroline, he started to play on his organ the
+most beautiful airs that it was possible to hear, and the three little
+dogs commenced to dance together.
+
+_See page 17_]
+
+Now it happened that one day a musician was passing by their house: and
+he had with him three little dogs; and, when he saw White Caroline, he
+started to play on his organ the most beautiful airs that it was
+possible to hear, and the three little dogs commenced to dance together.
+White Caroline was exceedingly pleased! But Black Caroline, who was on
+the winding stairs, came down and half opened the door because she
+wanted to see also. But, as soon as the musician saw the face of Black
+Caroline, he ceased to play, and the three little dogs hid their heads
+under a sack because Black Caroline was so ugly--but she was also very
+good.
+
+And their mother, in her heart, could not stand that, so she said:
+
+'_White Caroline must die, cost what it will!_'
+
+She thought and thought during seven days how she could rid herself of
+White Caroline. At last she went to an old witch, and bought the most
+violent poison that could be got.
+
+On arriving home she called Black Caroline and said:
+
+'Pay attention, Black Caroline; when at dinner to-day, do not eat of the
+little meat-balls. Say you have a pain in your head; because I am going
+to put this poison in the meat, and then White Caroline will eat it, and
+she will die; and then you will be more than ever the pet of your
+mother!'
+
+_And Black Caroline said, 'Very well!'_
+
+But, at dinner time, when White Caroline was about to eat from her
+plate, she took her by the arm and said:
+
+'White Caroline, I love you very much, but you must not tell mother; she
+wishes your death, and she has put poison in your meat. Tell her that we
+will eat our dinner outside the house, so that the cat may not eat the
+birds and so that the crows may not eat the grain. Then you can throw
+your portion away.'
+
+Then White Caroline, full of joy, took Black Caroline in her little arms
+and they went out together.
+
+A little while after they heard a rat-a-tat at the garden door.
+
+'Here! Black Caroline! Are you there?'
+
+It was their mother calling from the inside of the house.
+
+'Yes, my dear little mother, I am here!' said White Caroline.
+
+And their mother was in a great rage because White Caroline was not
+dead. Then she went out to see if Black Caroline was still alive. And
+she had still her plate full of meat, and she was shedding tears of
+blood, because she had such a bad headache. And their mother could not
+understand how it was that White Caroline was not dead, and she boiled
+with rage.
+
+And one day it happened that a tradesman was passing the house with
+sweets and cakes in his van, and when he saw White Caroline, he showed
+her all the sweets and cakes and nuts. White Caroline was so happy,
+because the tradesman gave her nuts and sweets for nothing, just because
+she was so pretty. But Black Caroline, who was coming down the winding
+stairs, came out to see.
+
+As soon as the man saw Black Caroline, he mounted his van and drove away
+at full gallop, because she was so ugly--but she was good all the same.
+
+And her mother could not stand that, so she said:
+
+'_White Caroline must die, cost what it will!_'
+
+Then she went to an old miller and asked him if he could place the mill
+against four little sticks, so that whoever touched the mill it would
+fall on them and crush them. And the old miller said: 'Yes, it can be
+done very well, and the mill will be placed thus in fourteen days. I
+will see to it at once.'
+
+Their mother was very pleased, and she showed Black Caroline how the
+mill would be placed, and said to her:
+
+'Pay attention, Black Caroline: when you go with the sack of flour to
+the mill, you must let it drag and be overcome, before you arrive near
+the little sticks that support the mill. White Caroline must take it all
+alone. As soon as she touches the little sticks she will be crushed by
+the mill, and then you will be more than ever the pet of your mother!'
+
+_And Black Caroline said, 'Very well!'_
+
+But the next day, when White Caroline walked near the little sticks,
+Black Caroline stopped her and said:
+
+'White Caroline, I love you very much, and you must not tell mother;
+but she intends that you shall die, and she has caused these little
+sticks to be placed like that, so that the mill will fall on you and
+crush you. Throw the sack on the sticks--so!'
+
+And White Caroline, full of joy, took Black Caroline in her little arms,
+and so they went back. And it was well they did, for there were five
+little rats in that sack of flour, and all those five were killed when
+the mill fell down.
+
+Then they heard a rat-a-tat, and the voice of their mother calling:
+'Here! Black Caroline! Are you there?'
+
+'Yes, little mother, I am here,' answered White Caroline.
+
+And the mother was very cross to find that White Caroline was not dead.
+And she ran quickly to the mill to see if Black Caroline was alive. And,
+when she came back and found her, she was crying tears of blood because
+she ached in every limb and could not walk. And her mother could not
+understand how it was that White Caroline was not dead, and she boiled
+with rage.
+
+She took Black Caroline home and put her in her little bed. Then she set
+out to find White Caroline with intent to kill her; but White Caroline
+had gone far away where her mother could not get at her.
+
+On her journey she came to a great stretch of water and she could not
+cross over. But suddenly she saw many arms, as black as pitch, held out
+over the water so that they formed a bridge. White Caroline did not know
+whether to pass over this bridge or to go back. She began to cry
+bitterly; then, plucking up courage, she made the sign of the cross and
+ran upon them.
+
+When she came to the middle, the arms gave way, and White Caroline would
+have been drowned had she not been held by the heels of her little
+wooden shoes. And the water-nymphs and vampires were all around her.
+
+Then, suddenly, a beautiful woman all in white came running to her aid.
+And, though the claws of the Evil Things were now pulling her down by
+the heels of her little shoes, the White Woman was in time to save her
+just as she was on the point of being drowned.
+
+Then the White Woman turned to the water-nymphs and vampires:
+
+'Be still, all of you! Down to your dens, and say I sent ye!'
+
+Then she led White Caroline to the other side of the water. And there
+she looked at her, and kissed her, and loved her as her own, because she
+was so beautiful.
+
+This White Woman was the Queen of all the water and the woods, and was
+able, in her domain, to grant anything that any one desired. In her
+great love for White Caroline, she told her that she could have whatever
+she wished.
+
+'Would you like to eat some beautiful grapes, White Caroline?' said she.
+Then with her wand she tapped a vine, and behold, immediately there hung
+beautiful grapes upon it!
+
+'Would you like a beautiful dress of silk, White Caroline?' And she
+tapped again with her little wand, and, immediately, from a chrysalis
+hanging from the vine, a lovely dress of sky-blue silk was unfolded
+before her, all ready to put on.
+
+And the nymphs and the vampires were more than ever afraid to come near
+White Caroline, and she was very glad of that indeed.
+
+'Would you like a voyage?' said the White Woman. And, immediately, with
+a wave of her wand, she pointed it at a little nautilus sailing on the
+water, and there, in another moment, stood a beautiful barque with all
+sail set. And so White Caroline had everything she could desire, and was
+very happy.
+
+But one day a King came by, and the sound of his trumpet rang over the
+length of the water and through the woods. Quick--so quick--the White
+Woman ran to White Caroline and said to her:
+
+'White Caroline, the time has come, and we must part; and you will never
+see me again. But, before I go, you can wish for two things; and
+whatever you wish, it shall be granted you!'
+
+With that the White Woman vanished.
+
+Then White Caroline wished to have Black Caroline with her. And
+immediately there was a rustling among the trees, and Black Caroline
+stood beside her!
+
+The two Carolines were now reunited. But White Caroline was sad because
+Black Caroline was not as pretty as she herself, and, remembering the
+White Woman's promise, she resolved to wish that they might both be
+exactly the same.
+
+Then she wished that both of them should be changed into something
+exactly alike!
+
+Immediately they began to change. Little white feathers appeared on
+their shoulders and spread until they were entirely covered; and there
+they stood together, two beautiful white swans! And ever after they swam
+up and down on the peaceful water and no one could tell one from the
+other. And never again did the nymphs and the vampires come near to harm
+them.
+
+
+
+
+THE SEVEN CONQUERORS OF THE QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI
+
+A BELGIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a boy who was ambitious. One day he said to
+his mother: 'Give me a muffin and patch my trousers, for I am going to
+set out to win the Queen of the Mississippi.'
+
+So the mother gave him a muffin and patched his trousers, and the boy
+went off.
+
+He had not gone very far when he came to a mountain path, on which was a
+great cross, beneath which stood a man holding a bow with an arrow fixed
+on the string.
+
+This man looked down at the boy as if to say, 'What are you doing here?'
+
+The boy immediately answered his unspoken question by demanding, 'Hello,
+friend! What are you doing there?'
+
+'You see that fly on that cross?' said the man, pointing to a minute
+speck on one of its arms. 'Wait then, and watch me! I will put out one
+of its eyes.'
+
+With this, while the boy watched, he drew his bow to the full, and let
+the arrow fly.
+
+It was a wonderful shot, for one of the eyes of the fly fell on the
+ground at the foot of the cross.
+
+The boy was so taken with this, that he seemed to grow two whole years
+in half a minute. To look at him, you would have thought he was no
+longer a boy. He drew himself up proudly to his full height, and said in
+the voice of a young man:
+
+'Will you travel with me, my pippy?'
+
+'Pardon?'
+
+Then it was question and answer between them:
+
+    _'Come, travel with me, my pippy.'
+      'Oh! Whither away? To old Mandalay?'
+    'But no; to the far Mississippi,
+      Where a beautiful Queen holds sway:
+      And I'll marry that Queen some day.'
+    'I am yours! And the bounty?'
+      'Give it a name: I will pay.'_
+
+Then the young man took his muffin, and, breaking off a little bit of
+it, handed it to the man with the bow and arrow.
+
+'Keep it,' said he; 'it's a pledge of good faith.'
+
+So they journeyed on together. When they had gone some distance, they
+came to a high field, and in the middle of this stood a man stock still,
+gazing at the sun. As soon as the young man saw him, he shouted out at
+the top of his voice: 'Hi! What are you doing there, my good fellow?'
+
+'I am just waiting for it to get a little more dazzling,' replied the
+man, still keeping his eyes fixed on the midday sun.
+
+As soon as the young man heard this he seemed to grow still more in
+stature. Indeed, he seemed to be almost a man.
+
+'Will you travel with me?' he said.
+
+'Pardon?'
+
+Then it was question and answer between them:
+
+    _'Come, travel with me, my pippy.'
+       'Oh! Whither away? To the land of Cathay?'
+     'But no; to the far Mississippi,
+        Where a beautiful Queen hath sway,
+        Who has stolen my heart away.'
+      'I am yours! And the bounty?'
+        'What you will: it's a pleasure to pay.'_
+
+Then the young man took his muffin, and, breaking off a little bit of
+it, handed it to the man who gazed at the sun.
+
+'Keep it,' said he; 'it's a pledge of good faith.'
+
+[Illustration: THE SEVEN CONQUERORS OF THE QUEEN OF THE MISSISSIPPI
+
+"Hi! friend! Take the whole castle, with the Queen and all that it
+contains, on your shoulders!"
+
+_See page 29_]
+
+So they journeyed on together. When they had gone some distance further,
+they saw a man who had tied his legs together.
+
+'Hello! What are you doing there, my friend?'
+
+'I want to catch that hare over yonder; but unless I tied my legs
+together there would be no sport in it.'
+
+'Will you travel with me?'
+
+'Pardon?'
+
+    _'Will you travel with me, my pippy?'
+        'Oh! Whither away? To Botany Bay?'
+     'But no; to the far Mississippi,
+        Where a Queen--tooral-ooral-i-ay--
+        Is waiting for what I'm to say.
+     'I am yours! And the bounty?'
+        'Either here or in Botany Bay!'_
+
+Then the boy took his muffin, and, breaking off a little piece, handed
+it to him.
+
+'Keep it,' said he; 'it's a pledge of good faith.'
+
+So they journeyed on together. But they had travelled scarce a league
+when they met a man who was carrying ten great trees in his arms. And
+when the boy, who had grown into a young man, saw this, he was
+immediately full grown.
+
+'Hi! my friend! What are you doing there?'
+
+'My mother wants some wood,' replied the man, picking a few branches off
+the trees and flinging them idly on the roadside, 'so I am just taking
+her some.'
+
+'Will you travel with me?'
+
+'Pardon?'
+
+    _'Will you travel with me, my pippy?'
+        'Oh! Whither away? To Rome or Pompeii?'
+      'But no; to the far Mississippi:
+        There's a Queen of great beauty that way,
+        And there's no one but Cupid to pay.'
+     'I am yours! And the bounty?'
+        'Name your price: it shall be as you say.'_
+
+Then the young man took his muffin, and, breaking off a little bit of
+it, handed it to the man who carried the trees.
+
+'Keep it,' said he; 'it's a pledge of good faith.'
+
+So they journeyed on together. They were still a long way from the
+Mississippi when they came across a man with a mouth large enough to
+swallow a river. When the boy, who had become a young man and was now
+full grown, set his eyes on him, his beard and moustache began to
+sprout.
+
+'Will you travel with me?'
+
+'Pardon?'
+
+    _'Come, travel with me, my pippy.
+        (Sing merry-ton-ton-ta-lay.)
+     To the land of the far Mississippi
+         Where the crystalline fountains play;
+         There's a Queen who will not say me nay.'
+     'I am yours! But the bounty?'
+         'We're picking it up on the way.'_
+
+Then the young man took his muffin, and, breaking off a little bit of
+it, handed it to the man with the mouth as large as a river.
+
+'Keep it,' said he; 'it's a pledge of good faith.'
+
+So they journeyed on together. On and on they went until at last they
+came to a great hill-top, and there, standing on the crest of it, they
+looked down into an immense valley where they saw a man engaged in
+eating up the whole earth. As soon as he saw this gigantic meal going
+on, the boy, who had become a young man and was now full grown with
+moustache and beard, appeared like a knight errant. One could see that,
+from the spurs which had grown upon his heels.
+
+'Hi! What are you doing there?'
+
+'I am so terribly hungry that nothing less than the whole earth can
+appease my appetite.'
+
+'Will you travel with me?'
+
+'Pardon?'
+
+    _'Come, travel with me, my pippy.'
+        'Oh! Whither? Madras or Bombay?'
+    'But no; to that far Mississippi,
+        Which flows from the gates of the day;
+        Where a Queen all in purple array
+        Waits for me----'
+    'I am yours! And the bounty?'
+        'Wouldn't go in a twenty-ton dray!'_
+
+Then the young man took his muffin, and, breaking off a little bit,
+handed it to the man who was eating up the earth.
+
+'Keep it,' said he; 'it's a pledge of good faith.'
+
+They were still a long way from their destination when they came to a
+beautiful castle of burnished gold, surrounded by a very deep moat over
+which was a drawbridge; and on the bridge was a golden portcullis. As
+soon as they arrived, their leader rang the bell. When the door was
+opened, the travellers entered, and the hero asked to see the King.
+
+'What do you want with the King?' replied an attendant, richly attired.
+
+'I have come to ask for the hand of his daughter, the Queen of the
+Mississippi,' said the hero.
+
+'That is all very well; but consider well before you start on such an
+undertaking; for many have come as you have come and have lost their
+lives.'
+
+'That is nothing,' they all replied. 'We are not afraid!'
+
+Then they were led before the Queen, and all were completely dazzled by
+her beauty. It was a long time before they realised that she was
+speaking to them. At last they understood her to say:
+
+'Here is my servant. See if you can eat more than he does.'
+
+And the servant sat down in front of a table covered with dishes crowded
+with large joints of meat. And behold, he ate the whole lot up.
+
+'Oh! that is nothing at all,' said the young hero. And, turning to the
+man who ate up the earth, he said:
+
+'Sit down there, my friend.' Then turning again to the servant, he
+ordered him to bring in the biggest bull they could find.
+
+They obeyed, and set it down in front of the man who ate the earth. And,
+in presence of the Queen, he swallowed the bull whole, head and tail and
+everything; and it was alive!
+
+But the Queen said, 'You have not won me yet!'
+
+And then she called in a second servant and said:
+
+'Here is my servant. See if you can drink more than he can!'
+
+And immediately the servant took hold of a whole cask of wine, and in
+one mouthful drank the whole lot up.
+
+The young hero said, 'That is nothing at all!' Then, turning to the man
+with a mouth as big as a river, he added:
+
+'Come here, my friend. Place yourself on your stomach on the moat, and
+drink well!'
+
+And the man with the mouth as large as a river placed himself on his
+stomach, with his mouth to the water of the great moat outside, and in
+one second he had drunk up the whole moat, fishes and all, absolutely
+dry.
+
+But the Queen still said they had not won her!
+
+And she beckoned another servant. Then, turning to the young man, she
+said: 'See if you can run better than he can. There,' she said, 'at the
+top of that high mountain, just near the sun, lives a hermit. Go and ask
+him what it is he wishes to say to me. Then come back and tell me.'
+
+'Oh! that is nothing at all,' said the young hero. And, turning to the
+man who ran like a hare, he said: 'Go to the top of the mountain and
+come back with the message.'
+
+And the man who ran like a hare was out of sight in a second, and before
+they could count three he had returned to the Queen with the message
+that the hermit was dead, which the Queen had known all the time.
+
+And the young man said to the King:
+
+'You have submitted us to the test, and we have carried out all that you
+wished: we have now gained the Queen, and I am going to take her.'
+
+Then the King got very angry and called out all his soldiers.
+
+The young man, hearing this, said to the man with the strong arms:
+
+'Hi! friend! Take the whole castle, with the Queen and all that it
+contains, on your shoulders!'
+
+The man obeyed and they went on their way!
+
+They had not gone a great distance when the man who had gazed at the sun
+cried out:
+
+'In the distance I can see that we are being pursued by an army; they
+want to take the Queen!'
+
+The King and his army approached rapidly, and demanded the Queen.
+
+Then the man of the strong arm killed the King and every one of his army
+with a single blow.
+
+Then he departed with the Queen and the castle to the home of the young
+man; and as soon as they got there the hero married the Queen, and, with
+her and his mother, they lived very happily to a good old age.
+
+
+
+
+THE SERPENT PRINCE
+
+AN ITALIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+
+Once, a very long time ago, before aeroplanes emulated eagles and motor
+cars ran along swifter than the foxes, there lived on the outskirts of a
+great forest an old couple who were poor and childless and lonely.
+
+Matteo was the name of this worthy pair, and the old man was called Cola
+and his wife was known as Sapatella. Now Matteo was a forester, and,
+because his duties kept him roaming from early morn until late in the
+evening through the deep dark glades of the forest, his wife, who had to
+stay at home and mind the cottage and prepare the meals, and never go
+out, not even to see the pictures on Saturday evenings, was very lonely
+indeed and wished more than ever that she had a son, so that _he_ could
+go to the pictures and tell her all about them when he came home.
+
+But wishes do not make horses or sons, nor even daughters, and so this
+poor old woman had to live a very lonely life indeed, which gave her a
+great deal of time to think and to envy
+
+    _The old woman who lived in a shoe,
+    Who had so many children she didn't know what to do,_
+
+who lived about the same time in another part of the country.
+
+One evening, when the days were growing short and the nights were
+correspondingly long and chilly, Matteo was on his way back to the
+cottage, when he remembered that Sapatella had asked him to bring home
+some faggots with him to cook with and to keep them warm, because, of
+course, when you are a forester and live in a forest, you cannot expect
+to have coal to burn in your grates, like those who live in towns and
+villages.
+
+There was plenty of brushwood, and heaps of twigs and fallen boughs
+lying about, and, as he had his axe with him, which all good foresters
+carry to clear a path for themselves through the dense undergrowths, it
+was not long before Matteo had collected a great bundle of faggots which
+was just as much as he could carry on his back.
+
+But Matteo carried home with him on his back more than a mere bundle of
+dry boughs and twigs, although he did not know it. Neither did
+Sapatella, not until the next morning after Matteo had gone off to his
+work, when she went to the wood pile to get some sticks to put under her
+pot to boil the nice rabbit which Matteo had shot for her the day
+before. She picked up a bundle and was about to place it on the fire
+when a tiny serpent, oh, ever so tiny! slithered and wriggled its way
+out of the twigs and coiled itself up on the rug.
+
+Being a forester's wife, Sapatella was not the least bit frightened of
+serpents or mice or beetles or other dreadful beasts; besides, it was
+such a tiny serpent, all yellow as can be; and, when the firelight
+danced on it, it shone bright and gleaming like gold.
+
+'Ah me, said the good woman with a sigh, 'even the serpents have their
+young ones, but I have no one.'
+
+Then the serpent uncoiled and stretched itself out towards her and
+spoke. All kinds of animals spoke in those days, as you will notice if
+you read the story through, though not so frequently but that the good
+woman was surprised and startled to hear it.
+
+'You may have me for your child if you will,' it said.
+
+    _'Keep me warm and feed me well,
+    And fortune will upon you dwell.'_
+
+Sapatella was, as I have already said, considerably startled to hear a
+baby serpent talk like that; but she was a kind-hearted woman and very,
+very lonely, and she quickly made up her mind to adopt the little
+serpent and bring it up as her own.
+
+[Illustration: THE SERPENT PRINCE
+
+When Grannmia saw her strange lover, she alone remained calm and
+courageous.
+
+_See page 39_]
+
+The forester, her husband, who was also kind-hearted, agreed to let her
+have her own way in the matter, and so the little serpent found a home
+and care and affection.
+
+    _They kept him warm and fed him well,
+    And fortune did upon them dwell._
+
+From that time on, peace and contentment and prosperity brightened the
+little cottage. Everything went smoothly and comfortably, though whether
+the little serpent had really anything to do with it or not, I cannot
+say.
+
+Serpents grow up very quickly, and, what with the warmth and the good
+food and the affection, the little serpent soon grew to be a big one,
+oh, monstrous big! so that when he lay in front of the fire he took up
+the whole of the rug, and Sapatella had to scold him in order to make
+room so that she could attend to her cooking.
+
+One day when she had nearly tripped over his tail and fallen with a pot
+of boiling water in her hands, Sapatella said to it: 'You are grown too
+big to be lying about before the fire all day. You must get up and do
+something.'
+
+'Very well, mother,' said the serpent--it always called her mother, and
+Cola it called father, just as a son would. 'Find me a wife and I will
+get married and settle down.'
+
+Sapatella did not very well know how to set about finding a wife for a
+serpent, even an adopted one; but she agreed to speak to Matteo her
+husband about the matter when he came home that night.
+
+After supper, accordingly, she put the serpent's request to the
+forester.
+
+'Our serpent wants to get married, Cola,' she said; 'so you must find
+him a wife.'
+
+'Very well,' said Matteo. 'I will hunt through the forest when I am out,
+and try and find another serpent for him to mate with.'
+
+'Oh, that will not do at all,' said the serpent, who had been listening
+very intently to its adopted parents' conversation, though it seemed to
+be sleeping peacefully all over the floor in front of the fire. 'I do
+not mate with serpents. You must get the King's daughter for me.
+To-morrow you must set out to the palace, and tell the King that I
+require his daughter in marriage.'
+
+Naturally Matteo did not at all care about his errand; but his wife
+entreated him to go, and so on the morrow the good man set forth, the
+serpent watching him depart from the cottage door, chanting all the
+while:
+
+    _'To the King my message tell,
+    And fortune will upon you dwell.'_
+
+Well, Matteo walked along through the forest on his way to the King's
+palace, and the nearer he got to his journey's end the more difficult
+and dangerous his errand seemed to grow. He thought the King would be
+sure to be very angry, and he might even order him to be hanged for a
+knave, or beaten off the palace grounds for a fool.
+
+But he kept thinking of what the serpent had said, and, as good fortune
+dwelling upon us is something we all like to have, the forester kept on
+his way and resolved faithfully to carry out his errand.
+
+He came at last to the palace gates, and as, in those days, in that
+country, any one who wanted to could walk in and speak to the King, this
+simple old fellow passed in with the crowd who were going to seek help
+or justice, and in due time he came before the King.
+
+'O great King!' he said, 'a serpent who is my adopted son has sent me to
+ask your daughter's hand in marriage.'
+
+The King stared, and then he frowned, and then he stared again. Kings
+are accustomed to receiving strange requests; but never anything so
+strange as this.
+
+Fortunately for Cola, the King was a good-humoured, easy-going man, and,
+thinking that he had to do with some harmless old lunatic, he only
+laughed, as did all the courtiers and people who stood about him.
+
+'Very well,' he said. 'I will grant your request, only your adopted son
+must first of all turn all the fruit in my orchard into gold. Then will
+I give him my daughter in marriage.'
+
+Matteo thanked the King for his great clemency and kindness in not
+having him hanged or beaten out of the palace, and then started off home
+again.
+
+'I am well out of that,' he thought to himself; 'but my adopted son will
+have to be contented with a wife of less degree. Who ever heard of
+turning apples and flowers and cherries into gold? Why, they can only
+make copper and silver of them in Covent Garden.'
+
+But the serpent didn't seem in the least bit concerned when the forester
+told him the result of his errand.
+
+'That is a small matter,' it said. 'To-morrow morning you must go into
+the city with a basket, and gather up all the fruit-stones you can find,
+and take them and scatter them in the orchard.
+
+    _'Do this thing and do it well,
+      And fortune will upon you dwell.'_
+
+So Matteo went once more to the town and did exactly as the serpent had
+told him. Not knowing anything of magic, he did not in the least expect
+anything to happen; so you may imagine his surprise when not only the
+fruit, but every tree and leaf and bough in the whole orchard, turned
+into solid gold, and glittered so in the sunlight that one could
+scarcely bear to look at them.
+
+It chanced that the King was walking on the terrace with his courtiers
+when Matteo entered the orchard.
+
+'There is that silly old man come back again who wants me to wed my
+daughter to a serpent,' he said. 'Is he going to turn my fruit into gold
+by stealing it and selling it in the market-place?'
+
+The courtiers laughed at this excellent jest, as courtiers will; but the
+next moment they stopped laughing, and each one rubbed his eyes and
+ejaculated in astonishment and delight at the marvellous beauty and
+value of the King's orchards.
+
+The King himself could say nothing, and he said nothing, until Matteo
+came before him and humbly begged his Majesty to fulfil his promise now
+that the serpent, his adopted son, had done the task assigned to him.
+
+The King was in a quandary. He was not greedy or avaricious; but to have
+a serpent for a son-in-law was, for a king, clearly impossible.
+
+'Softly,' he said. 'You have fulfilled your task, it is true; but so
+fair an orchard requires a better setting. Golden trees should not grow
+out of common ground and be enclosed by common walls. Let your adopted
+son first turn all the ground and the walls into diamonds and rubies and
+precious stones, so that I may have orchards whereof the like is not
+known in all the world, and then will I give him my daughter to wife.'
+
+The forester again thanked his Majesty for his great condescension and
+retired, while the King and his courtiers went into the orchard and
+picked golden apples and plums and peaches from golden boughs, and
+marvelled at the wonderful thing that had been done before their eyes.
+
+It was in the King's mind that this could be no common or forest
+serpent, and he was troubled to think what his position would be if the
+second task was performed as readily and thoroughly as the first had
+been.
+
+When Matteo reached home and told the serpent what had befallen him, the
+serpent shook his tail and seemed about to fly into a passion.
+
+'You see how well kings keep their word,' it said angrily. 'But it is a
+small matter after all. Do you go again to the town on the morrow, and
+gather all the broken bits of china and glass you can find. These you
+must take in a basket, and lay a piece on each wall and between each
+tree and bush.
+
+    _'Do this thing and do it well,
+      And fortune will upon you dwell.'_
+
+So Matteo set out at daybreak, and did exactly as the serpent had told
+him. He had no difficulty in finding plenty of material for his purpose,
+and it was still early when he reached the orchard with a heavy load of
+broken tea-cups and plates and oddments of basins and teapots and
+water-jugs.
+
+Early as it was, it was not too early for the King to be present. The
+wonder of this new possession had kept his Majesty awake nearly all
+night, and he was impatient until he could get into the orchard and
+satisfy himself that it was all really and actually true.
+
+When he saw Matteo approach and lay down his fragments of china, he grew
+thoughtful, for he realised that it was all true enough, and that the
+second condition would be likely to be performed. But he said nothing,
+and Matteo walked from tree to tree, dropping here a piece of cup, there
+a fragment of plate; and, wherever the china fell, the ground between
+the trees turned to diamond or sapphire or ruby. With the walls it was
+just the same. Every kind of precious stone known and unknown was to be
+found in that wonderful orchard, even to a carbuncle which grew on a
+courtier's toe in consequence of his incautious action in putting his
+foot just where Matteo was dropping a tiny bit of china.
+
+The King was delighted and depressed at the same time. He had got
+orchards surpassing in beauty and value anything that was known to be in
+the whole world; also he had to give his daughter in marriage to a
+serpent, and the last seemed to the poor King of greater consideration
+than the former.
+
+'Tell the serpent, your adopted son, that, although he has accomplished
+the task I set him, yet will I not give him my daughter to wed unless he
+also turns my palace into gold,' he said to Matteo, and again the
+forester thanked the King for his great clemency and condescension, and
+returned to his home.
+
+Again the serpent grew angry and said shrewd things concerning the value
+of the word of kings, and the trust which is not to be found in
+princes--not even German princes.
+
+'But,' said he, 'it is a small matter. Do you go at daybreak and gather
+in the forest herbs of this kind and that, and make them into a broom,
+and sweep therewith the whole length of the palace walls, and so shall
+it be even as the King wishes.
+
+    _'Go do this thing and do it well,
+      And fortune shall upon you dwell.'_
+
+So Matteo went into the forest and gathered herbs of this kind and that,
+and swept the palace well round as the serpent had directed, and when
+the King and his courtiers and the servants--even down to the scullery
+wench--arose, the whole palace was golden from the front step of the
+main entrance to the topmost ridge of the chimney. And it was not gold
+plate either: it was all solid gold of the purest kind.
+
+This time the King saw that there was no way of escape when Matteo asked
+for the fulfilment of the royal promise, so he called his daughter to
+him and told her of the matter.
+
+'My dear Grannmia,' he said, for that was her name, 'for your sake I
+have twice broken my royal pledge, and now I greatly fear you must keep
+it. It is a small matter--just to marry a serpent, the adopted son of a
+poor forester.'
+
+The Princess, who was very young and very dutiful, and surpassingly fair
+to look upon, agreed cheerfully, as though marrying serpents was quite
+an ordinary everyday duty like laying foundation stones and receiving
+bouquets.
+
+So the King told Matteo to send the serpent along and marry his
+daughter, and for goodness' sake not to bother him any further with
+golden palaces, and jewelled orchards, and carbuncles on his favourite
+courtier's big toe.
+
+When the serpent heard this from Matteo, it seemed beside itself with
+joy, and there and then set off for the palace. But before it left the
+humble cottage in which it had received so much care and affection, it
+bade farewell to Sapatella and Matteo, and thanked them very heartily
+for all their goodness, finishing up with these words:
+
+    _'Now my task you have done full well,
+      Good fortune shall upon you dwell.'_
+
+And it did; for, from that time till the day they died, both Sapatella
+and Matteo were happy and contented and prosperous, and never ailed or
+suffered pain or disappointment.
+
+When Grannmia saw her strange lover, she alone remained calm and
+courageous--the only one in the palace who did. All the servants ran
+shrieking when they saw the great golden monster entering the doors,
+and, when it got to the presence-chamber, the King and Queen fled in one
+direction and the courtiers in another. Only the Princess remained,
+trembling with astonishment, and awaited the pleasure of the serpent.
+
+Slowly it came gliding towards her, and then, when it was almost near
+enough for her to touch it, it reared up--the golden skin fell apart,
+and a young and most handsome Prince stood bowing before her.
+
+Now, of course, everything would have been happy and joyous if it had
+not been for the silly old King, who, partly out of anxiety for his
+daughter, but chiefly from curiosity, stole back and peeped into the
+room just as the Prince emerged from the golden skin which had disguised
+him as a serpent.
+
+He did just what you should never do with disenchanted princes: rushed
+forward and threw the discarded skin into the fire, where it flashed and
+burned like a resinous torch.
+
+At the sound of the crackling the Prince turned, and, when he saw what
+had happened, he was furiously angry, more angry, in fact, than he had
+been when, as a serpent, he had reflected on the unreliability of the
+promises of kings. Then, with a sad look at the Princess, he turned to
+the King and said:
+
+    _'This act of yours renews the spell,
+      May fortune never with you dwell.'_
+
+And, turning himself into a dove, he circled three times round the
+Princess and then flew through the window. At least, he would have flown
+through the window, only it did not happen to be open. In consequence he
+broke the pane and very nearly his own head; but he got out, and flew
+straight away over the golden orchard, while the Princess, who had
+rushed to the window, stood gazing after him until he could no longer be
+seen. Then she turned and gave the unhappy King her views of his
+meddlesome prying. Then she burst into tears and cried until the sun
+went down, so that the tears formed a stream and ran down into the
+fountain-court, and all the poor little goldfish died because of too
+much salt in their fresh water.
+
+But crying does not help any one, so, after all the palace servants had
+gone to bed, she gathered up all her treasures and set out to find her
+elusive husband, who had come to her as a serpent with a wriggly tail,
+and flown away as a dove with a bit of a broken window-pane in his head.
+
+When she got out of the palace grounds into the woods behind, she met a
+fox who was also looking for a dove, or a fowl, or any other winged
+thing.
+
+The fox said, 'Good evening, pretty Princess. May I travel with you for
+company?'
+
+'Yes, do,' said the Princess. 'I am not used to the woods at night, and
+I may not be able to find my way.'
+
+So the fox led her through the wood and far away from the palace until
+they had gone miles and miles, and the Princess was so tired that she
+would not go another step, not even to find a dove with a bandaged head.
+So they both lay down and went to sleep.
+
+It was late in the morning when she awoke and heard the birds singing
+all around her.
+
+Their song pleased her very much, and the fox, noticing this, remarked:
+'Ah, if you could only understand what they are saying you would be much
+more pleased.'
+
+'Oh, do tell me, dear fox,' pleaded the Princess; and, after he had made
+her ask him a sufficient number of times, the fox replied:
+
+'Well, they are saying that the King's son, who was turned into a
+serpent by his godmother to spite his father, has met with an accident
+that now threatens his life. The spell lasted for seven years, and, on
+the very day it ended, he was about to marry the daughter of another
+king, when her father rashly burnt the skin and thus caused him to be
+turned into a dove. In flying from the palace he has cut his head
+against a window-pane, and is now at his father's palace lying so sadly
+hurt that none of the doctors can do anything for him.'
+
+The Princess was greatly concerned at hearing this story.
+
+'But listen, dear fox, and hear if the birds say whether there is any
+way of curing this poor Prince,' she said.
+
+So the fox listened intently, and by and by he said to the Princess:
+'The blackbirds are saying there is no way, but the wrens say there is
+one. Whoever would cure the Prince must obtain the blood from these very
+birds and pour it on the head of the Prince, when he will immediately
+recover and be as well as he ever was.'
+
+The Princess began to grow hopeful, and begged of the fox to catch the
+birds for her so that she might obtain the remedy and restore the Prince
+to health. She added a promise of reward for his assistance, and the fox
+agreed to help her.
+
+So they waited under the trees until the sun had gone in and the birds
+were all asleep in their nests, and then the fox climbed stealthily into
+the trees and gathered the birds one after the other, just like a
+naughty schoolboy stealing apples from a farmer's orchard.
+
+Having obtained what she required, the Princess set forth eagerly to
+carry the remedy to the Prince's palace.
+
+But the fox, who had taken care to keep well out of her reach, suddenly
+sat down and began to laugh.
+
+'Why do you laugh, dear fox?' asked the Princess. 'Is it that you are
+overjoyed to think that the Prince who is to be my husband will soon be
+restored to health? But let us hurry: we may be too late!'
+
+'No, it is not that,' said the fox, laughing again. 'It is to think that
+your remedy will be of no avail without the other ingredient, which is
+the blood of a fox, and as I am not minded to supply it, I will skip the
+reward you promised and be off.'
+
+Thereupon he started away, pelting as hard as he could go.
+
+The Princess saw that her only hope was to outwit the fox, and she
+immediately thought of a plan to gain her end.
+
+'Dear fox, do not run,' she said; 'that would be a pity now that the
+remedy is in our own hands. The King is certain to reward us lavishly,
+and surely there are plenty of other foxes among whom we can find one
+willing to spare his blood to save the King's son. Let us go on, then,
+and trust to our fortune.'
+
+The fox, proud of the fact of being the most artful animal alive, never
+thought for one moment that he could be exceeded in cunning by a simple
+maiden, so he came back to the Princess, and together they walked
+through the forest to the far end where the palace of the King showed in
+the near distance.
+
+'That is the place,' said the fox; 'but we haven't got the other
+ingredient!'
+
+'Oh yes, we have,' said the Princess, and, before the fox could be any
+more artful, she hit him on the head with a stout branch she had picked
+up, and with such force that he did not in the least object to the
+necessary addition to the Prince's medicine being drawn from his own
+veins.
+
+Of course the Princess was sorry to have to do this. The fox had helped
+her a great deal; and besides, she was a tender-hearted little thing,
+and she wept like anything all the while she was compounding the remedy;
+but princes are of more importance than foxes, particularly when they
+are handsome princes who have been serpents and are wanted to make
+handsome husbands.
+
+So the Princess took the phial containing the very strange cure for
+wounded heads, and proceeded straight to the King's palace.
+
+They were all so disturbed, with the servants running about
+distractedly, and the doctors quarrelling with each other, and the
+courtiers standing about trying not to look bored, that no one took the
+least notice of the Princess; but she was a pushing young lady, and
+seeing the palace doors all open, she made her way from room to room
+until at last she found the King himself.
+
+'And it please your Majesty,' she said, dropping him a curtsy, 'I have
+come to save the Prince.'
+
+'But how can you save the Prince when all the great doctors in my
+kingdom cannot?' demanded the King.
+
+    _'The birds told me,
+    The fox helped me,
+    And I can save your son.
+    But, if I do, I ask of you
+    To marry me to him when I've done,'_
+
+chanted the Princess.
+
+The King was so overcome with grief and anxiety that he was ready to
+promise anything to anybody who could help him, so he gave the Princess
+the required promise, and, without more ado, she caused herself to be
+led into the chamber of the Prince, and poured the contents of the phial
+over his wound.
+
+The Prince, who had been so nearly at the point of death that no one
+would have believed to see him that there was any life in him at all,
+immediately sat up, recovered and well.
+
+He did not recognise the Princess, and when the King, his father, told
+him the terms on which she had saved his life, and presented the maiden
+to him, he refused.
+
+'For the great service you have rendered me I am grateful indeed,' he
+said; 'but I cannot marry you. My heart is already given to another, and
+not even for my life will I be false to my word.'
+
+When she heard this the Princess was secretly overjoyed; but she
+pretended to be greatly displeased, and she disdainfully rejected all
+other offers of reward that were made to her by the King and the Prince.
+
+'Tell me who this other is, and I will go to her and get her to
+relinquish you in my favour,' she said at length. 'When she learns what
+I have done for you, I am sure she will agree that my claim is greater
+than hers.'
+
+'It is the Princess Grannmia; but that I am sure she will never do,'
+said the Prince proudly. 'Even if she would, I will not. What is life
+without love? and I would rather be a serpent again, and live in the
+cottage of a poor forester all my days, than rule this kingdom without
+my beloved Princess.'
+
+On hearing this the Princess could no longer keep her secret.
+
+'You must love me indeed, dear Prince,' she said, 'if you do not
+recognise me when I come pleading to you to carry out your promise after
+saving your life, and marry me as you would have done when the King, my
+father, drove you away from me.'
+
+Then the Prince recognised her, and he embraced her so heartily that the
+Princess wondered whether he was still a serpent or only just a strong
+young man who was very much in love with her, while the King went out
+and gave immediate orders to set the bells a-ringing, and have
+preparations made on the most lavish scale for the wedding feast.
+
+
+
+
+THE HIND OF THE WOOD
+
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived a King and a Queen whose marriage was as
+happy as happy could be; they loved each other tenderly, and, in turn,
+their subjects loved them; but one thing clouded their life: and that
+was that they had no children, no heir. The Queen thought that the King
+would love her much more if she had a child. So she made up her mind to
+drink of the water of a certain spring. People came there in thousands
+from afar to drink of this special kind of water; and one saw so many
+that it looked as though all the world and his wife were there.
+
+Now there were many, many lovely fountains in the wood where the Queen
+and other people went to drink at the spring; so the Queen asked her
+ladies to lead the others away to these fountains to amuse themselves,
+and leave her alone. Then, when they had all withdrawn, she bewailed in
+a plaintive voice.
+
+'Am I not unhappy,' she said, 'to have no children! The poor women, who
+can badly afford them, have plenty; but here it is now five years that I
+have begged heaven to give me one. Oh! am I to die without ever having a
+little child? Never! Never! Nev----'
+
+She broke off suddenly, for she saw that the water of the fountain was
+troubled. Then a big Crayfish came up and climbed on to the bank and
+spoke to her:
+
+'Great Queen, you shall have your desire. Near here is the grand palace
+which the fairies built, but it is impossible for you to find it,
+because it is surrounded by strong fairy barricades, through which no
+mortal eye could ever see, nor mortal footstep pass without a guide.
+But I am your humble servant, and, if you will trust yourself to me, I
+will take you there.'
+
+The Queen listened without interrupting, for hearing a big Crayfish
+talk--and talk so nicely too--was a great surprise to her. But there was
+a still greater surprise in store. The Crayfish waved its feelers in the
+air, and, before she could count three, it had taken the form of a
+beautiful little old woman, with pretty snow-white hair and a dainty
+shepherdess costume. She bowed low, and then spoke.
+
+'Well, madam,' said she, 'always look upon me as one of your friends,
+for I wish nothing but what would be for your good.'
+
+She was so sweet and charming that the Queen kissed her, and then by
+common consent they went off hand in hand through the wood by a way
+which surprised the Queen.
+
+It was the way by which the fairies came from the palace to the
+fountains. As they went the Queen paused to look at a strange thing
+which made her heart beat very fast. At a certain spot the bushes
+overhead were full of roses and orange blossoms, entwined and laced in
+such a way as to form a cradle covered with leaves. The earth beneath
+was a carpet of violets, and, in the giant cedars above, thousands of
+little birds, each one a different colour, sang their songs; and the
+meaning of their melody was this: that cradle, woven by fairy fingers,
+was not there for nothing.
+
+The Queen had not got over this surprise before she saw in the distance
+a castle that dazzled her vision, so splendid did it shine. To tell the
+truth, the walls and the ceilings were of nothing but diamonds, and all
+the benches--even the balcony and terraces--all were pure diamonds
+scintillating with flashes beyond the strength of human eyes to bear.
+The Queen gave a great cry of joy as she covered her eyes with her hand.
+Then, as they came to the gate of the castle, she asked the little old
+woman if what she saw were real, or if she were dreaming?
+
+'Nothing is more real, madam,' the fairy replied. And at that moment the
+door of the castle opened and six other fairies came out. But what
+fairies! They were the most beautiful ever seen. They all made a low
+bow to the Queen, and each one presented her with a branch flowering
+with petals of precious stones, to make herself a bouquet. One bore
+roses, another tulips, another rare wild-flowers, and the rest budded
+with carnations and pomegranates.
+
+'Madam,' they said, 'we could not give you a greater mark of our
+friendship for you, than to invite you here. We are pleased to be able
+to tell you that you shall have a lovely little Princess whom you shall
+call Desiree. Be sure not to forget that, when she is born, you summon
+us, because we wish to endow her with all the good qualities possible.
+All you will have to do is to take the branches of the bouquet, and, in
+naming each flower, think of the fairy of that name; rest assured that
+we shall be in your room immediately.'
+
+The Queen, full of joy, threw her arms around each one's neck in turn,
+and kissed them all, over and over again, for half an hour. After that
+they begged the Queen to go through their palace, and the diamonds were
+so bright that the Queen could not keep her eyes open. Then they took
+her through their garden. Never was there such lovely fruit; the
+apricots were larger than her head, and she could only eat a quarter of
+one, and the taste was so lovely that the Queen resolved never to eat
+anything else as long as she lived. She remained in the palace until the
+evening, and then, having thanked the fairies for all they had done for
+her, she returned with the Fairy of the Fountain.
+
+Now, when the Queen went home, she found that they were all very upset,
+and had been searching for her, and could not think where she had gone.
+Some had thought that, as she was so beautiful and young, some stranger
+had taken her away: which was reasonable, for she spoke so nicely to
+every one. But now at last they had found her, and the King was himself
+again.
+
+The Queen soon found that what the fairies had said was true. On a
+certain day she had a little daughter, and she called her Desiree. Then,
+remembering their words, she at once took the bouquet and named each
+flower and thought of the fairies one after the other, and lo!
+immediately they were all there. Their arms were crammed full of
+presents. And, after they had kissed the Queen and the little Princess,
+they began to distribute the presents. There was beautiful lace with the
+history of the world worked into it; then came a lovely cover all marked
+in gold representing all the toys that children play with. The cot was
+then shown, and the Queen went into raptures over it: it surely was the
+nicest ever made; it was of beautiful, rare wood, with a canopy of blue
+silk, inwrought with diamonds and rubies.
+
+Then the fairies took the little Princess on their knees, and kissed her
+and hugged her because she was so good and beautiful. Each fairy wished
+her a good quality. One wished her to be wise; another wished that she
+might be good; another wished her to be virtuous; another to be
+beautiful; another to possess a good fortune; and the fifth asked for
+her a long life and good health. Then came the last, and she wished that
+Desiree might obtain all that she herself could ever wish for.
+
+The Queen thanked them a hundred times for all the good things they had
+given her little daughter, and, while she was doing so, all gave a
+sudden start, for the door opened and a tremendous Crayfish--so large
+that it could hardly get through the door--came in, waving its feelers
+in the air.
+
+'O ungrateful Queen!' said the Crayfish, 'you did not trouble to ask me
+here. Is it possible that you have so soon forgotten the Fairy of the
+Fountain and the good services I did in taking you to my sisters. Why,
+you have invited all of them, and I am the only one forgotten.'
+
+The Queen was terribly upset at her error, and begged the Fairy to
+forgive her. She hastened to assure her that she had not for a moment
+forgotten her great obligation to her; and she begged her not to go back
+on her friendship, and particularly to be good to the little Princess.
+
+The others thought that the Fairy of the Fountain would wish evil to the
+baby Princess, so they said to her: 'Dear sister, do not be cross with
+the Queen; she is good and never would offend you.'
+
+Now, as the Fairy of the Fountain liked to be spoken to nicely, this
+softened her a little, and she said:
+
+'Very well, I will not wish her all the harm I was going to; I will
+lessen it a little. But take care that she never sees the light of day
+until she is fifteen, or she and you will have reason to regret it. That
+is all I have to say.' Then, suddenly changing into the little old woman
+with the white hair and shepherdess dress, she pirouetted through the
+wall, staff in hand. And the cries of the Queen and the prayers of the
+good fairies did not matter a bit.
+
+The Queen begged the other fairies to avert the terrible catastrophe,
+and besought them to tell her what to do. They consulted together, and
+at last told the Queen that they would build a palace without any
+windows or doors, and with an underground passage, so that the
+Princess's food could be brought to her. And she was to be kept there
+until she was fifteen.
+
+Then, with a wave of their wands, they made a lovely, pure-white marble
+castle spring up, and, inside of this, all the chairs were made of
+jewels, and even the floors were no different. And here the little
+Princess dwelt and grew up a good and beautiful child, possessing all
+the good qualities that her fairy godmothers had wished for her; and
+from time to time they came to see how she was getting on. But, of all
+the fairy godmothers, Tulip was the favourite. She reminded the Queen
+never to forget the warning not to allow the Princess to see the light
+of day, lest the terrible fate that the Fairy of the Fountain had laid
+upon her would surely come to pass. The Queen, of course, promised never
+to forget so important a matter.
+
+Now, just as her little daughter was nearing the age of fifteen, the
+Queen had her portrait taken and sent to all the great courts of the
+world. And so it happened that one Prince, when he saw it, took it and
+shut it up in his cabinet and talked to the portrait as though it was
+the Princess herself in the flesh.
+
+The courtiers heard him and went and told his father that his son had
+gone mad, and that he was shut up in his room, talking all day long to
+something or somebody who wasn't there.
+
+The King immediately sent for his son and told him what the courtiers
+had said about him; then he asked him if it was true, and what had come
+over him to act like this.
+
+The Prince thought this a favourable opportunity, so he threw himself at
+the feet of the King and said:
+
+'You have resolved, sire, to marry me to the Black Princess, but I love
+the Princess Desiree.'
+
+'You have not seen her,' said the King. 'How can you love her?'
+
+'Neither have I seen the Black Princess, but I have both their
+portraits,' replied the Warrior Prince (he was so named because he had
+won three great battles), 'but I assure you that I have such a love for
+the Princess Desiree, that if you do not withdraw your word to the Black
+Princess and allow me to have Desiree, I shall die, and I shall be very
+glad to do so if I am unable to have the Princess I love.'
+
+'It is to her portrait, then, that you have been speaking?' said the
+King. 'My son, you have made yourself the laughing-stock of the whole
+court. They think you are mad.'
+
+'You would be as much struck as I am if you saw her portrait,' replied
+the Prince firmly.
+
+'Fetch it and show it to me, then,' said the King, equally firmly.
+
+The Prince went, and returned with the Princess's portrait as requested;
+and the King was so struck with her beauty that he gave the Prince leave
+there and then to marry her, and promised to withdraw his word from the
+other Princess.
+
+'My dear Warrior,' said he, 'I should love to have so beautiful a
+Princess in my court.'
+
+The Prince kissed his father's hand and bowed his knee, for he could not
+conceal his joy. He begged the King to send a messenger not only to the
+Black Princess but also to Princess Desiree; and he hoped that in regard
+to his own Princess, he would choose a man who would prove the most
+capable; and he must be rich, because this was a special occasion and
+called for all the elaborate preparation it was possible to show in such
+a diplomatic mission.
+
+The King's choice fell on Prince Becafigue; he was a young Prince who
+spoke eloquently, and he possessed five millions of money. And, beside
+this, he loved the Warrior Prince very dearly.
+
+When the messenger was taking his leave the Prince said to him:
+
+'Do not forget, my dear Becafigue, that my life depends on my marrying
+Princess Desiree, whom you are going to see. Do your best for me and
+tell the Princess that I love her.' Then he handed Becafigue his
+photograph to give the Princess.
+
+The young Prince Becafigue's cortege was so grand, and consisted of so
+many carriages, that it took them twenty-three hours to pass; and the
+whole world turned out to see him enter the gates of the palace where
+the King and Queen and Princess Desiree lived. The King and Queen saw
+him coming and were very pleased with all his grandeur, and commanded
+that he should be received in a manner befitting so great a personage.
+
+Becafigue was taken before the King and Queen, and, after paying his
+respects to them, told them his message and asked to be introduced to
+the Princess Desiree. What was his surprise on being refused!
+
+'I am very sorry to have to say no to your request, Prince Becafigue,'
+said the King, 'but I will tell you why. On the day the Princess was
+born a fairy took an aversion to her, and said that a great misfortune
+should befall her if she saw the light of day before she was fifteen
+years of age.'
+
+'And am I to return without her?' said Becafigue. 'Here is a portrait of
+the Warrior Prince.' Then, as he was handing it to the King, and was
+about to say something further about it, a voice came from the
+photograph, speaking with loving tones:
+
+'Dear Desiree, you cannot imagine with what joy I wait for you: come
+soon to our court, where your beauty will grace it as no other court
+will ever be graced.'
+
+The portrait said nothing more, and the King and the Queen were so
+surprised that they asked Becafigue to allow them to show it to the
+Princess.
+
+Becafigue readily assented and the Queen took the portrait to the
+Princess and showed it to her; and the Princess was delighted. Although
+the Queen had told her nothing, the Princess knew that it meant a great
+marriage, and was not surprised when her mother asked: 'Would you be
+cross if you had to marry this man?'
+
+'Madam,' said the Princess, 'it is not for me to choose; I shall be
+pleased to obey whatever you wish.'
+
+'But,' said the Queen, 'if my choice should fall on this particular
+Prince, would you consider yourself happy?'
+
+The Princess blushed and turned her eyes away and said nothing; then the
+Queen took her in her arms and kissed her, for she loved the Princess
+very much and knew that she would soon lose her, for it wanted only
+three months to her fifteenth birthday.
+
+When the Prince knew that he could not have his dear Princess Desiree
+until three months had passed, he became very sad, and could not sleep
+at night, until at last his strength gave way and he was near to death.
+Doctors were called in, but they could do nothing at all, and the King
+was in a dreadful state, for he loved his son very much.
+
+Now the other messenger, who was sent to the Black Princess to tell her
+that the Prince had changed his mind and was going to marry another, was
+admitted to her presence and soon explained his errand.
+
+'Mr. Messenger,' she said when he had finished, 'is it possible that
+your master does not think I am beautiful or rich enough? Look out over
+my broad lands and you will find that they are so vast that you cannot
+see where they end; and, as for money, I have large coffers full to the
+brim, as any one will tell you.'
+
+'Madam,' replied the messenger, 'I blame my master as much as a humble
+subject may. Now if I were sitting on the greatest throne in the world,
+I would think it the highest favour from heaven if you would share it
+with me.'
+
+'That speech has saved your life,' said the Black Princess, 'you may
+go.'
+
+When the Fairy of the Fountain heard this she was extremely angry and
+she looked in her book to make sure that the Warrior Prince had really
+left the Black Princess in favour of the Princess Desiree. Yes, it was
+quite true.
+
+'What!' cried the Fairy of the Fountain, 'this ill-omened Desiree is
+always in some way upsetting my plans. No! I will not allow it to
+happen: why should I?'
+
+Now the messenger Becafigue hurried along to the court of Desiree's
+father and mother, and threw himself at their feet, and told them that
+his master was very ill and likely to die if he did not see the
+Princess.
+
+The King and Queen agreed that it would be best to go and tell the
+Princess about the Prince; so the Queen went and told her daughter all
+she knew, not forgetting to mention the evil wish that had been laid
+upon her at the time of her birth. But the Princess asked her mother if
+it were not possible to defeat this wish by taking steps to send her to
+the Prince in a carriage with all the light shut out.
+
+This was agreed upon and a carriage was made on a subtle plan, with a
+separate compartment for the Princess, and mouse-trap blinds through
+which food and drink could be inserted without admitting the light of
+day. In this she, with her two ladies-in-waiting, Long-Epine and
+Giroflee, set forth, and all the court wept together with the King and
+Queen at the going away of their little Princess.
+
+Now Long-Epine did not care for Desiree very much, and, what is more,
+she loved the Warrior Prince, having seen his photograph and heard him
+speak.
+
+The Queen's last words at parting were:
+
+'Take care of my little daughter, and do not on any account let her see
+the light of day. I have made all arrangements with the Prince that she
+is to be shut up in a room where she will not be able to see the light,
+and every care will be taken.' And, with these words in their ears, they
+set off, having promised the Queen that all would be done as she
+wished.
+
+Long-Epine told herself she would never let the Princess win the Warrior
+Prince, not if she could prevent it; so, at dinner time that day, when
+the sun was at its highest, she went as usual to the carriage with the
+Princess's food, and, with a big knife, slit the blind so that the light
+streamed in. No sooner had she done so than a strange thing happened.
+The Princess had been quite alone in the darkened compartment; then how
+was it that a white hind leapt out through the window and sped away into
+the forest? Long-Epine watched it, wondering. Then she looked in at the
+window, but the compartment was empty. The Princess had gone!
+
+Immediately the Princess, in the form of a white hind, had disappeared
+into the forest, her good friend Giroflee began to chase after her. As
+soon as she had gone, Long-Epine took the clothes of her mistress and
+dressed herself up in them, and resolved to impersonate the Princess
+before the young Prince. Then the carriage drove on, and in it sat
+Long-Epine disguised as the Princess.
+
+When they arrived she presented herself as Desiree; but the Prince
+looked at her with horror, for she was not at all like a real Princess.
+Desiree's dress, which she wore, came to her knees, and she had not
+noticed that her ugly legs showed below the dress.
+
+'This is not the Princess of the portrait,' said the Prince and his
+father together. 'You took us for fools, no doubt!'
+
+The false Princess said that it was a terrible thing to bring her away
+from her kingdom to be treated in this way, and to break the word that
+they had given. 'How can you do this?' she cried.
+
+At this the Prince and his father were so angry that they did not reply
+at all, but simply had the false Princess clapped in irons and put into
+prison.
+
+The Prince was so heart-broken at this new trouble that he resolved to
+go and shut himself up for the remainder of his life, alone. At once he
+summoned the faithful Becafigue, and told him all. Then he wrote a
+letter to his father and sent it by Becafigue.
+
+'If I never see my real Princess again,' he wrote, 'I beg of you that
+at least you will keep that sham one locked up, and guard her close.'
+
+Now all this time the Princess was in the wood, running hither and
+thither as hinds do. Once or twice she looked at herself in the water of
+the fountain, and saw herself so changed that she cried out: 'Is it I?
+Am I this hind?' Then at last she got very hungry, and began to eat
+berries and herbs, and finally sought a quiet spot and went to sleep.
+
+The Fairy Tulip had always loved the Princess, and said that if she left
+the castle before she was fifteen, she was sure that the Fairy of the
+Fountain would relent and do her no harm. But, as for Giroflee, she was
+all this time wandering round looking for the little Princess. She had
+walked so much and now felt so tired that she lay down and went to sleep
+in the forest. The next morning the Princess, seeking moss among the
+ferns, found her. When she saw that it was Giroflee, she went up to her
+and caressed her with her nozzle, as hinds do, and looked into her eyes
+until at last Giroflee knew full well that it was the Princess turned
+into a White Hind. She watched the Hind attentively and saw two large
+tears fall from her eyes, and then there was not a single doubt that it
+was her dear little Princess; so she put her arms around her neck, and
+they wept together.
+
+Then Giroflee told the Princess that she would never leave her, and that
+she would stay with her until the end.
+
+The Hind understood, and, to show her gratitude, took Giroflee into the
+very deepest part of the forest to find her some luscious fruit which
+she had seen there; but on the way Giroflee called out in alarm: she
+would die of fright if she had to spend the night in such a desolate
+spot; and then they both began to cry. Their cries were so pitiful that
+they touched the heart of the good Fairy Tulip, and she came to their
+aid.
+
+Giroflee begged her to have pity on her young mistress, and to give her
+back her natural form, but the Fairy Tulip said that it was impossible
+to do that. She said that she would do what she could. She told
+Giroflee that if she went into the forest, she would come to the hut of
+an old woman. She was to speak her fair and ask her to take charge of
+both of them. Then when night came, the Princess would change back into
+her natural form; but as this could only happen at night in the hut,
+they must be very careful.
+
+Now Giroflee thanked the fairy and went, as she had told her, far into
+the wood; and there, sure enough, she saw a hut and an old woman sitting
+outside on a bench. She went up to her at once.
+
+'My dear mother,' she said, 'will you allow me to have a little room in
+your house for myself and my little Hind?'
+
+'Yes, my dear daughter,' she replied, 'I will certainly give you a
+room.' And she immediately took them into the hut, and then into the
+dearest little room it was possible to find. It contained two little
+beds all draped in pure white and beautifully clean.
+
+As the night began to come in, Desiree changed her form and became the
+Princess again; and, seeing this, Giroflee kissed her and hugged her
+with delight. The old woman knocked at the door, and, without entering,
+she handed Giroflee some fresh fruit which they were very pleased to
+have to eat; and then they went to bed. But, as soon as day dawned,
+Desiree took again the shape and form of a White Hind.
+
+Now Becafigue was in the very same wood, and came to the hut where the
+old woman lived. He begged her to give him something for his master to
+eat; but the old woman told him that if his master spent the night in
+the forest, harm would surely happen to him, because it was full of wild
+animals. Why should he not come to her hut? Why should he not accept the
+little room she could offer him? He was welcome to it and a good meal
+besides.
+
+Then Becafigue went back and told the Prince all that the old woman had
+said and persuaded him to accept her offer. They put the Prince into the
+room next to the Princess, but neither of them knew anything of this
+arrangement.
+
+[Illustration: THE HIND OF THE WOOD
+
+Giroflee thanked the fairy and went ... far into the wood; and there,
+sure enough, she saw a hut and an old woman sitting outside.
+
+_See page 56_]
+
+The next morning the Prince called Becafigue, and told him that he was
+going into the forest and that he was not to follow him. The Prince had
+walked and walked for a long time in the forest, grieving over his loss,
+when suddenly in the distance he saw a lovely little White Hind, and
+gave chase and tried to catch it. The Hind, who was no other than the
+little Princess, ran and ran far away until the Prince, in utter
+fatigue, gave up the chase; but he resolved to look again the next day,
+and to be more careful this time, so as not to let the Hind get away.
+Then he went home and told the story to Becafigue, while the Princess on
+her side was telling her dear Giroflee that a young hunter had chased
+her and tried to kill her, but she was so fleet-footed that she got
+away.
+
+Giroflee told her not to go out any more, but to stay in and read some
+books that she would find for her; but, after a little thought, the
+Princess found it too awful to be shut up in one little room all day
+long, so the next morning she went out again into the forest, and
+wandered through the beautiful dells and glades. After going some
+distance she saw a young hunter lying down on the mossy bank asleep,
+and, approaching him cautiously, she found that she was now so very
+close to him that it would be impossible to get away before he awoke.
+Then again, he was so handsome, that, instead of running away, she
+rubbed her little nose against the young hunter. What was her surprise
+to see that it was her dear Prince! for he, at her caress, opened his
+eyes, and she at once recognised him. And when he jumped up and stroked
+and patted her, she trembled with delight and raised her beautiful eyes
+to his in the dumb eloquence of love.
+
+'Ah! little White Hind,' said he, 'if you only knew how miserable I am,
+and what the cause of it is, you would not envy me! I love you, little
+Hind, and I will take care of you and look after you.' And with this he
+went farther into the forest to find some green herbs for her.
+
+Now the Hind with a sudden fright found its heels again, and, just
+because she wanted so much to stay, she bounded off as fast as she could
+go, and never stopped till she reached home, where in great excitement
+she told Giroflee all that had happened.
+
+The Prince, when he returned and found that the Hind had disappeared,
+went back also to the hut, and told the old woman that the Hind had
+deserted him just when he had been so very kind to it and had gone in
+search of food for it. The Warrior Prince then explained to Becafigue
+that it was only to see the little Hind that he had remained so long,
+and that on the morrow he would depart and go away. But he did not.
+
+The Princess in the meantime resolved to go a long way into the forest
+on the morrow, so as to miss the Prince; but he guessed her little
+trick, and so the next day he did the same as she. Then, suddenly, in
+the distance he saw the Hind so plainly that he let fly an arrow to
+attract its attention. What was his dismay to see the arrow pierce the
+flank of the poor little Hind! She fell down immediately on a mossy
+bank, and swiftly the Prince ran up. He was so upset at what had
+happened, that he flew and got leaves and stopped the bleeding. Then he
+said:
+
+'Is it not your fault, little flier? You ran away and left me yesterday,
+and the same would have happened to-day if this had not occurred.'
+
+The Hind did not reply at all; what could she say? And besides, she was
+in too much pain to do anything but moan.
+
+The Prince caressed her again and again. 'What have I done to you?' he
+said. 'I love you, and I cannot bear to think I have wounded you.'
+
+But her moaning went on. At last the Prince resolved to go to the hut
+and get something to carry her on, but before he went he tied her up
+with little ribbons, and they were tied in such a manner that the
+Princess could not undo them. As she was trying to free herself she saw
+Giroflee coming towards her, and made a sign to her to hasten; and,
+strange to say, Giroflee reached her exactly at the same moment as the
+Prince with Becafigue.
+
+'I have wounded this little Hind, madam,' said the Prince, 'and she is
+mine.'
+
+'Sir,' replied Giroflee, 'this little Hind is well known to me--and, if
+you want to see how she recognises me, you will give her her liberty.'
+
+The Prince then cut the ribbons in compliance with her request.
+
+'Come along, my little Hind,' said Giroflee; 'kiss me!'
+
+At this the little Hind threw herself on Giroflee's neck. 'Nestle to my
+heart! Now give me a sigh!' The Hind obeyed, and the Prince could not
+doubt that what Giroflee said was true.
+
+'I give her to you,' said the Prince; 'for I see she loves you.'
+
+Now when Becafigue saw Giroflee, he told the Prince that he had seen her
+in the castle with the Princess Desiree, and that he knew that Giroflee
+was staying in a part of their own hut. Why could they not find out if
+the Princess was staying there also? So the following night, the Prince
+having agreed, Becafigue listened through a chink in the wall of the
+hut, and what was his surprise to hear two voices talking! One said:
+
+'Oh, that I might die at once! It would be better than to remain a Hind
+all the days of my life! What a fate! Only to be myself to you, and to
+all others a little White Hind! How terrible never to be able to talk to
+my Prince!'
+
+Becafigue put his eye to the chink and this is what he saw.
+
+There was the Princess in a beautiful dress all shining with gold. In
+her lovely hair were diamonds, but the tears in her eyes seemed to
+sparkle even more brightly. She was beautiful beyond words, and
+disconsolate beyond sorrow.
+
+Becafigue nearly cried out with joy at sight of her. He ran off at once
+and told the Prince.
+
+'Ah! seigneur,' said he, 'come with me at once and you will see in the
+flesh the maiden you love.'
+
+The Prince ran with him, and when they came on tip-toe to the chink in
+the wall, he looked and saw his dear Princess.
+
+Then so great was his joy that he could not be restrained. He went and
+knocked at the door, resolving to see his Princess at once.
+
+Giroflee, thinking it was the old woman, opened the door, and the Prince
+immediately dashed into the room and threw himself at the feet of the
+Princess, and kissed her hand and told her how much he loved her.
+
+'What! my dear little Princess, was it you that I wounded as a little
+Hind? What can I do to show my sorrow for so great a crime?'
+
+The way in which he spoke put all the doubts from the Princess's mind.
+The Prince, knowing all, loved her. She bade him rise, and then stood
+with downcast eyes, fearing the worst. Her fears were justified: in a
+moment his arms were around her, and she was sobbing for joy on his
+breast.
+
+They had stood a moment so, when suddenly the Prince started and
+listened. What sound was that? It was the tramp of armed men; nearer and
+nearer it came--the threatening sound of an advancing host. He opened
+the window, and, on looking out, saw a great army approaching. They were
+his own soldiers, going up against Desiree's father to avenge the insult
+offered to their Prince. And the King his father was at their head, in a
+litter of gold.
+
+When the Warrior Prince saw that his father was there he ran out to him
+and threw his arms round his neck and kissed him.
+
+'Where have you been, my son?' said the King. 'Your absence has caused
+me great sorrow!'
+
+Then the Prince told him all about Long-Epine, and how the Princess had
+been changed into a Hind through her disregard of the Fairy's warning.
+
+The King was terribly grieved at this news, and turned his eyes to
+heaven and clasped his hands. At this moment the Princess Desiree came
+out, mounted on a pure-white horse and looking more beautiful and lovely
+than she had ever been. Giroflee was also with her as her attendant. The
+spell had been removed for ever.
+
+At sight of them the old King blessed them, and said that he would give
+his kingdom to his son as soon as he was married to the Princess
+Desiree. The Princess thanked him a thousand times for his goodness, and
+then the King ordered the army to return to the city, for there would be
+no war, but only rejoicing.
+
+Back into the capital, a mighty procession--an army headed by its
+rulers, and victorious without striking a blow. Great was the joy of all
+the people to see the Prince and the Princess, and they showered upon
+them heaps of presents the like of which was never seen.
+
+The faithful Becafigue begged the Prince to allow him to marry Giroflee.
+She was delighted to have such a great offer, and more than delighted to
+remain in a land where she would always be with her dear Princess.
+
+Now the Fairy Tulip, when she heard all that had happened, resolved, out
+of the goodness of her heart, to give Giroflee a splendid present, so
+that her husband should not have the advantage of being the richer. It
+will astonish you to hear that she gave her four big gold mines in
+India; and you know what gold mines in India are worth.
+
+And the marriage feasts lasted several months. Each day was a greater
+day than the one before; and every day the adventures of the little
+White Hind were sung throughout the country, even as they are still
+sung, in boudoir, fireside, and camp, to this very day.
+
+
+
+
+IVAN AND THE CHESTNUT HORSE
+
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+
+In a far land where they pay people to keep its name a profound secret,
+there lived an old man who brought up his three sons just exactly in the
+way they should go. He taught them the three R's, and also showed them
+what books to read and how to read them. He was particularly careful
+about their education, for he had learned that to know things was to be
+able to do things.
+
+At last, when he came to die, he gathered his three sons round his
+deathbed and cautioned them.
+
+'Do not forget,' he said--'do not forget to come and read the prayers
+over my grave.'
+
+'We will not forget, father,' they replied.
+
+The two elder brothers were great big, strapping fellows, but the
+youngest one, Ivan, was a mere stripling. As they all stood around the
+bed of their dying father, he looked a mere reed compared to his proud,
+stout, elder brothers. But his eyes were full of fire and spirit, and
+the firm expression of his mouth showed great determination. And, when
+the father had breathed his last, and his two elder brothers wept
+without restraint, Ivan stood silent, his pale face set and his eyes
+full of the bright wonder of tears that would not melt.
+
+On the day that they buried their father, Ivan returned to the grave in
+the evening to read prayers over it. He had done so, and was making his
+way homeward, when there was a great clatter of hoofs behind him; then,
+as he reached the village square, the horseman pulled up and dismounted
+quite near to him. After blowing a loud blast on his silver
+trumpet--for he was the King's messenger--he cried in a loud voice:
+
+'All and every man, woman and child, take notice, in the name of the
+King. It is the King's will that this proclamation be cried abroad in
+every town and village where his subjects dwell. The King's daughter,
+Princess Helena the Fair, has caused to be built for herself a shrine
+having twelve pillars and twelve rows of beams. And she sits there upon
+a high throne till the time when the bridegroom of her choice rides by.
+And this is how she shall know him: with one leap of his steed he
+reaches the height of the tower, and, in passing, his lips press those
+of the Princess as she bends from her throne. Wherefore the King has
+ordered this to be proclaimed throughout the length and breadth of the
+land, for if any deems himself able so to reach the lips of the Princess
+and win her, let him try. In the name of the King I have said it!'
+
+The blood of the youth of the nation, wherever this proclamation was
+issued, took flame and leapt to touch the lips of Princess Helena the
+Fair. All wondered to whose lot this lucky fate would fall. Some said it
+would be to the most daring, others contended that it was a matter of
+the leaping powers of the steed, and yet others that it depended not
+only on the steed but on the daring skill of the rider also.
+
+When the three brothers had listened to the words of the King's
+messenger they looked at one another; at least the elder two did, for it
+was apparent to them that Ivan, the youngest, was quite out of the
+competition, whereas they, two splendid handsome fellows, were
+distinctly in it.
+
+'Brothers,' said Ivan at last, 'our first thought must be to fulfil our
+father's dying wish. But, if you prefer it, we could take it in turns to
+read the prayers over our father's grave. Let it be the duty of one of
+us each day to fulfil the duty, morning and evening.'
+
+The elder brothers agreed readily to this, but, when Ivan asked whose
+turn it should be on the morrow, they both began to make excuses.
+
+[Illustration: IVAN AND THE CHESTNUT HORSE
+
+The chestnut horse seemed to linger in the air at the top of its leap
+while that kiss endured.
+
+_See page 69_]
+
+'As for me,' said the eldest, 'I must go and order the work of the farm
+my father left me, and that will take seven days.'
+
+'And for me,' said the younger, 'I must see to the estate which is my
+part of the inheritance, and that also will take seven days.'
+
+'Then,' replied Ivan, 'if I perform the duty for seven days, you will
+each do your share afterwards?'
+
+His brothers agreed still more readily than before. Then they went their
+ways, Ivan full of thoughts of his father, and the other two to train
+their jumping horses, the one on his farm and the other on his estate.
+And both laughed to themselves, for neither knew the purpose of the
+other.
+
+How they curled their hair and cleaned their teeth, and practised
+'prunes and prisms' with their mouths close to the looking-glass!--so
+that when, at one bound of their magnificent steeds, they reached the
+level of the Princess's lips, to aim the kiss that was to win the prize,
+they would make a brave show, and a conquering one. As for their little
+brother, they each thought he could go on praying over their father's
+grave as long as he liked,--it would be the best thing he could do, and
+it would not interfere with their secret plans, so carefully concealed
+from each other and from him.
+
+So, for seven days, in their separate districts, they raced about on
+their horses by day and dreamed of the greatest leaping feats by night.
+And at the end of the seven days the youngest brother summoned them to
+keep their agreement, and asked which of them would read the prayers,
+morning and evening, for the second seven days.
+
+'I have done my part,' he said; 'now it is for you to arrange between
+you which one shall continue the sacred duty.'
+
+The two elder brothers looked at each other and then at Ivan.
+
+'As for me,' said one, 'I care little who does it, so long as I am free
+to get on with my business, which is more important.'
+
+'And as for me,' said the other, 'I am in no mind to watch each blade
+of grass growing on the grave. I cannot really afford the time, I am so
+busy. You, Ivan,--you are different: you are not a man of affairs; how
+could you spend your time better than reading prayers over our father's
+grave?'
+
+'So be it,' replied Ivan. 'You get back to your work and I will attend
+to the sacred duty for another seven days.'
+
+The two elder brothers went their separate ways, and for seven more days
+devoted their entire attention to training their horses for the flying
+leap at the Princess's lips. How they tore like mad about the fields!
+How they jumped the hedges and ditches! How they curled their hair and
+dyed their moustaches and practised their lips, not only to 'prunes and
+prisms,' but to 'peaches of passion' and 'pomegranates,' and
+'peripatetic perambulation' and everything they could think of! In fact,
+they paid so much attention to the lips which were to meet those of the
+Princess at the top of the flying leap, that they began to neglect their
+own and their horses' meals. In other words, they were beginning to show
+signs of over-training.
+
+At the end of the second seven days Ivan again summoned them to a family
+council, and asked them if either of them could now take up the sacred
+duty. But no; thinking heavily on horses and lips, and high jumps and
+kisses, they spoke lightly of fields to be tilled, seed to be sown, and
+all such things that must be done at once. Their view was--and they got
+quite friendly over it--that Ivan should be more than delighted to bear
+this pleasurable burden of reading prayers over his father's grave.
+Indeed, nothing but the stern call of immediate duty would prevail upon
+them to relinquish a task so pleasant.
+
+'So be it,' said Ivan; 'I will perform the sacred duty for another seven
+days.' But as he spoke, he noted his brothers' curled hair and dyed
+moustaches, and gleaned from this, and from the look of sudden suspicion
+and jealousy exchanged between them, that they were both in love with
+the same fair one. But he kept this to himself, and left them to their
+own concerns.
+
+Again, at the end of seven days, when Ivan had read the prayers
+devoutly, he summoned his brothers. But they did not come. Both sent
+messages saying that they were frightfully busy, and would he be so good
+as to go on with the sacred duty until they could be spared to do their
+share later on. Ivan accepted their messages, and went on reading the
+prayers over the father's grave.
+
+Meanwhile each of his brothers prepared for the great flying leap; and
+each said to himself: 'What about Ivan? He would like to see this great
+exploit. It might make a man of him. He is altogether lacking in
+ambition, and to see a great deed done might stir him to try to be a
+great hero himself. But yet--I fear it would never do. He is so weedy,
+so insignificant. I feel I should lose by having a brother like that
+anywhere about. No; he is far better reading prayers over our father's
+grave.'
+
+So each in his own way resolved to go in alone--apart from the other and
+apart from Ivan.
+
+The morning of the great day came. The eldest brother had chosen from
+his horses a magnificent black one with arched neck and flowing mane and
+tail. The second brother had selected a bay equally splendid. And now,
+at sunrise, they were, each unknown to the other, combing their
+well-curled hair, re-dyeing their moustaches, and booting and trapping
+themselves for the wonderful display of prowess the day was to bring
+forth. And they did not forget to make sure that their lips were as fit
+as they were anxious for the 'high kiss.'
+
+At the appointed time they rode into the lists and drew their lots, and
+neither was altogether surprised at seeing his brother among the host of
+competitors for the hand of Helena the Fair. Their surprise came later,
+when Ivan arrived on the scene.
+
+It so happened in this way: that, towards evening, when his two brothers
+had each had their last try to leap up to the Princess's lips and
+failed, like every one else, Ivan himself was reading the prayers over
+his father's grave. Suddenly a great emotion came over him, and he
+stopped in his reading. He was filled with a longing to look just for
+once upon the face of Helena the Fair, for whose favour he knew that
+the most splendid in the land were competing with their wonderful
+steeds. So strong was this longing that he broke down and, bending over
+his father's grave, wept bitterly.
+
+And then a strange thing happened. His father heard him in his coffin,
+and shook himself free from the damp earth, and came out and stood
+before him.
+
+'Do not weep, Ivan, my son,' he said. And Ivan looked up and was
+terrified at the sight of him.
+
+'Nay, my son, do not fear me,' his father went on. 'You have fulfilled
+my dying wish, and I will help you in your trouble. You wish to look
+upon the face of Helena the Fair, and so it shall be.'
+
+With this he drew himself up, and his aspect was commanding. Then he
+called in a loud voice, and, as the echoes of his tones began to die
+away, Ivan heard them change into the far-distant beat of a horse's
+hoofs. After listening for a while his father called again, and this
+time the echo was a horse's neigh and galloping hoofs. It seemed beyond
+the hillside, and Ivan looked up and wondered. A third time his father
+called, and nearer and nearer came the galloping sound, until at last,
+with a thundering snort and a ringing neigh, a beautiful chestnut horse
+appeared, circled round them thrice, and then came to a halt before
+them, its two forefeet close together and its eyes, ears, and nostrils
+shooting flames of fire.
+
+Then came a voice, and Ivan knew it was the voice of the chestnut horse
+with the proudly arched neck and flowing mane:
+
+'What is your will? Command me and I obey!'
+
+The father took Ivan by the hand and led him to the horse's head.
+
+'Enter here at the right ear,' he said, 'and pass through, and make your
+way out at the left ear. By so doing you will be able to command the
+horse, and he will do whatever you may wish that a horse should do.'
+
+So Ivan, nothing doubting, passed in at the right ear of the chestnut
+horse and came out at the left; and immediately there was a wonderful
+change in him. He was no longer a dreamy youth: he was at once a man of
+affairs, and the light of a high ambition shone in his eyes.
+
+'Mount! Go, win the Princess Helena the Fair!' said his father, and
+immediately vanished.
+
+With one spring Ivan was astride the chestnut horse, and, in another
+moment, they were speeding like lightning towards the shrine of Helena
+the Fair.
+
+The sun was setting, and the two elder brothers, disconsolate, were
+about to withdraw from the field, when, startled by the cries of the
+people, they saw a steed come galloping on, well ridden, and at a
+terrific pace. They turned to look and they marked how Helena the Fair,
+disappointed of all others, leaned out to watch the oncoming horseman.
+And the whole concourse turned and stood to await the possible event.
+
+On came the chestnut horse, his nostrils snorting fire, his hoofs
+shaking the earth. He neared the shrine, and, to a masterful rein, rose
+at a flying leap. The daring rider looked up and the Princess leaned
+down, but he could not reach her lips, ready as they were.
+
+The whole field now stood at gaze as the chestnut horse with its rider
+circled round and came up again. And this time, with a splendid leap,
+the brave steed bore its rider aloft so that the fragrant breath of the
+Princess seemed to meet his nostrils, and yet his lips did not meet
+hers.
+
+Again they circled round while all stood still and tense. Again the
+chestnut steed rose to the leap, and, this time, the lips of Ivan met
+those of the Princess in a long sweet kiss, for the chestnut horse
+seemed to linger in the air at the top of its leap while that kiss
+endured.
+
+Then, while the Princess looked after, horse and rider reached the
+ground and disappeared like lightning.
+
+Instantly the host of onlookers swarmed in.
+
+'Who is he? Where is he?' was the cry on every hand. 'He kissed her on
+the lips, and she kissed him. Look at her! Is it not true?'
+
+It was true, for Princess Helena the Fair, with a lovelight in her eyes,
+was leaning down and searching, with all her soul, even for the very
+dust spurned from the heels of her lover's horse. But she could see
+nothing, and sank back within her shrine, treasuring the kiss upon her
+lips; while the people, dissatisfied, but wondering greatly, melted
+away. Among them went the splendid brothers, seeking how they could sell
+their well-trained horses to advantage, for they had both been
+frantically near to the Princess's lips.
+
+Whither had Ivan flown on the chestnut horse? Loosing the reins--he
+cared for nothing but the kiss--he let his steed go, and presently it
+came to a standstill before his father's grave. There he dismounted and
+turned the horse adrift. As if its errand was completed, it galloped
+off; a rainbow came down to meet it, and, closing in, seemed to snatch
+it up in its folds. Ivan was alone before his father's grave.
+
+Once more he bowed himself in prayer. Once more his father appeared
+before him.
+
+'Thou hast done well, O my son,' he said. 'Thou hast fulfilled my dying
+wish, but my living wish is yet to be fulfilled. To-morrow Helena the
+Fair will summon the people and demand her bridegroom. Be thou there,
+but say nothing.'
+
+With this Ivan found himself alone.
+
+On the following day there was a great gathering at the palace, and, in
+the midst of it, sat Princess Helena the Fair demanding her
+bridegroom--the one who had leapt to her lips and won her from all
+others. Her heart and soul and body were his. The half of her kingdom to
+come was his. She, herself, was his;--where was he?
+
+Search was made among the highest in the land, but, fearing a demand for
+the repetition of the leap and the kiss, none came forward. Ivan sat at
+the back, a humble spectator.
+
+'She is thinking of that leap and that kiss,' said he to himself. 'When
+she sees me as I am, then let her judge.' But love, though blind, has
+eyes. The Princess rose from her seat and swept a glance over the
+people. She saw the two handsome elder brothers and passed them by as so
+much dirt. Then, by the light of love, she descried, sitting in a
+corner, where the lights were low, the hero of the chestnut horse,--the
+one who had leapt high and reached her lips in the first sweet kiss of
+love.
+
+She knew him at once, and, as all looked on in wonder, she made her way
+to that dim corner, took him by the hand without a word, and led him up,
+past the throne of honour, to an antechamber, where, with the joyous
+cries of the people ringing in their ears, their lips met a second
+time,--at the summit of a leap of joy.
+
+At that moment the King entered, knowing all.
+
+'What is this?' said he.
+
+Then he smiled, for he understood his daughter, and knew that she had
+not only chosen her lover, but had won her choice.
+
+'My son,' he added, without waiting for an answer, 'you and yours will
+reign after me. Look to it! Now let us go to supper.'
+
+
+
+
+THE QUEEN OF THE MANY-COLOURED BEDCHAMBER
+
+AN IRISH FAIRY TALE
+
+
+One day in the long ago, the sun shone down upon a green wood whose
+mightiest trees have since rotted at the bottom of the ocean, where the
+best masts find a grave. While the sunlight slept on the bosom of the
+foliage, a horseman galloped in the shade beneath. The great chief Fion,
+son of Cumhail, was looking for his knights, whom he had outstripped in
+the hunt.
+
+He reined in his steed in a broad glade, and blew his bugle loud and
+clear. Beside the echoes repeated among the hillsides, there was no
+answering call. He rode on, pausing now and again to blow another and
+another bugle-blast, but always with the same result.
+
+At length the wood grew more scattered, and presently he came out upon a
+stretch of plain where the grass was so green that it looked like
+emerald; and beyond it in the distance, at the end of the sloping plain,
+he could see the seashore, and the ocean rising like a wall of sapphire
+up to the farthest horizon.
+
+Down by the shore he could see figures moving, and, thinking that his
+knights had found their way thither, he rode like the wind down the
+long, gentle slope towards them. As he drew nearer and nearer, he saw
+that there were twelve of them, and they were playing at ball. By the
+mighty strokes they gave with the _coman_ he guessed that these were the
+twelve sons of Bawr Sculloge, for none but them could drive the ball so
+high and far. Tremendous were their strokes, and, when they ran after
+the ball, they outstripped the wind.
+
+As Fion drew rein and dismounted, they stopped their play; and, drawing
+near, welcomed him loudly as the helper of the weak, and the protector
+of the green island against the white-faced stranger.
+
+When he had returned their greeting, they invited him to join them in
+their game--if such an amusement was agreeable to him.
+
+'Fion, son of Cumhail,' said one, 'here, take my _coman_ and wipe away
+the vanity and conceit of all comers, for we are practising for a great
+contest.'
+
+Fion took the _coman_ and looked at it, holding it up between his finger
+and thumb.
+
+'I doubt if I could do much good with this plaything,' said Fion; 'it
+would break at first blow if I were to strike at all hard.'
+
+'Never let that stand in the way,' returned the other. 'Wait!'
+
+He then searched upon the ground among the blades of grass, and at
+length found a nettle, which he pulled up by the roots. Having breathed
+a charm over it, he passed it three times from one hand to the other,
+and lo, it was changed into a mighty _coman_, fit for the hand of Fion,
+son of Cumhail.
+
+Then they were amazed at his terrific blows. The ball, struck by Fion,
+soared almost out of sight in the sky, and fell to earth far off. But,
+each time, the fleet-footed sons of Bawr Sculloge retrieved it.
+
+At last Fion bared his arm to the shoulder, and, with a final blow, sent
+the ball out of sight. None saw it go; none saw it fall. They all stood
+and looked at each other.
+
+'My hand on it,' said the eldest son of Bawr, advancing to Fion. 'I live
+to admit that I never saw the game played till to-day.'
+
+As they were speaking, a voice hailed them; and, turning seawards, they
+saw a small boat approaching. As soon as it touched the beach, a man
+sprang ashore, and hastened towards them.
+
+'Hail! Fion, son of Cumhail!' he cried. 'You are known to me, though not
+I to you. My lady, the Queen of Sciana Breaca, lays a knight's task upon
+you. Hasten forthwith, and have speech with her on her island. The hand
+of Flat Ear the Witch is upon her, and her chiefs have advised her to
+summon you to her aid.'
+
+'I know it,' replied Fion. 'The Salmon of Wisdom, which comes up from
+the sea, breeds knowledge in my brain. I know what is passing in all the
+islands, but I fear that my efforts against witchcraft would be
+unavailing. Nevertheless, I will try. I will choose, from the twelve
+sons of Bawr Sculloge, three that I need, and together we will follow
+you to the island.'
+
+'But, noble chief, you have no boat here, and mine will hold only one
+other beside myself.'
+
+'Let not that trouble you,' replied Fion. 'I will provide a boat for us
+four, and we will follow you.'
+
+With this he selected from the twelve sons the three that he needed.
+They were Chluas, Grunne, and Bechunach. Then he plucked two twigs of a
+witch hazel that grew near by, and they all proceeded to the beach.
+There he held the two twigs out over the water, and, in a moment, the
+one became a boat and the other a mast with sail set. He sprang in and
+the three followed, and presently they were speeding over the sea,
+setting their course by that of the stranger in his boat.
+
+They sailed for many hours before they came to the island of the Queen
+of the Many-coloured Bedchamber. There they passed between high rocks,
+and entered a quiet harbour, where they moored their boat to a stout
+pillar and set a seal upon the fastening, forbidding any but themselves
+to loose it for the space of one year, for they knew not how long their
+quest would last. Then they went up into the palace of the Queen.
+
+They were gladly welcomed and treated with the most generous
+hospitality. When they had eaten and drank, the Queen led them into a
+vast bedchamber decorated in the form and manner of the rainbow. Over
+the ceiling were the seven colours in their natural order. Round the
+walls they ranged themselves in the same fashion, and even the carpet
+itself was formed of seven hues to correspond. If the rainbow itself had
+been caught and tied up in a room, the effect could not have been more
+remarkable. It was indeed a many-coloured bedchamber!
+
+Taking Fion by the hand, the Queen led them all into a corner of the
+bedchamber, where she pointed to a little cot in which a child lay
+sleeping.
+
+'I had three children,' she said as she stood at the head of the cot,
+while Fion and the others gathered round. 'When the eldest was a year
+old it was carried off by that wicked witch, Flat Ear. The next year,
+when the second one was twelve months old, it suffered the same fate.
+And now my youngest here, who is twelve months old to-day, has fallen
+sick, and I fear to lose him in the same manner. This very night the
+witch will surely come and snatch my child away unless you can prevent
+her.'
+
+'Take comfort, fair Queen,' said Fion. 'We will do our best. If you will
+leave this chamber to us we will watch over your child and see that it
+comes to no harm. And, if it be possible to capture the witch, depend
+upon it we shall do so. Too long she has worked her wickedness upon
+these lands.'
+
+The Queen thanked him and withdrew. Soon the sun was set, and, as the
+child slept on and the shadows gathered, Fion and the three brothers set
+their watch in the Many-coloured Bedchamber. Presently servants came in
+and set wine before them--honey-mead and Danish beer, and metheglin and
+sweet cakes. And, while they regaled themselves, the servants brought
+chessmen and a board, and Grunne and Bechunach played chess while Fion
+and Chluas watched by the bedside.
+
+Hours passed while the two chess-players were absorbed in their game and
+the other two kept watch and ward. Then, towards midnight, while Fion
+was alert and wakeful, he saw Chluas sink his chin on his breast,
+overcome by an unnatural sleep. Thrice Chluas strove to rouse himself,
+but thrice he sank into a deeper sleep.
+
+'Wake up, Chluas!' cried Grunne, as Bechunach was considering his next
+move. 'Wake up! We have a pledge to keep.'
+
+Chluas roused himself. 'Yes, yes,' he said; 'we have a pledge to keep.'
+And then his chin sank gradually on his breast again, and he was once
+more a victim to the same unnatural sleep.
+
+'Let him alone,' said Fion. 'I will watch.'
+
+And the two brothers went on with their game of chess.
+
+Suddenly a chill wind swept through the bedchamber. The fire in the
+grate flickered, and the candles burned low: the child in the cot
+stirred and moaned.
+
+'See that!' said Fion in a hoarse whisper, pointing to the fireplace.
+
+They turned and looked. It was a long, lean, bony hand reaching down the
+chimney and groping in the direction of the cot. The fingers were spread
+out and crooked, all ready to clutch. Slowly the long arm lengthened and
+drew near the cot. It was about to snatch the child, when Fion darted
+forward and seized it in an iron grip.
+
+There was a violent struggle, for Fion had the arm of the witch in his
+powerful grasp. He held on so masterfully that the witch, in her frantic
+efforts to draw it away, fell down the chimney, rolled across the fire,
+struck Fion a terrific blow on the temple with her other hand, and then,
+falling on top of his unconscious body, lay still, her shoulder torn and
+bleeding.
+
+Grunne and Bechunach quickly ran to Fion's aid, and, leaving the witch
+for dead, quickly withdrew his body and restored him to consciousness.
+Then, when they turned to see to the witch, they found that both she and
+the child had vanished.
+
+They sprang to their feet and roused Chluas roughly. But he sank to
+sleep again immediately.
+
+'What shall we do?' they all asked of Fion.
+
+'Follow!' said he; 'follow where I lead. Grunne, pick up your bow and
+arrows; Bechunach, knot your ladder of cords. Follow me, both of you.
+Leave Chluas sleeping: he is not in his body; his spirit goes with us,
+and we cannot do without it.'
+
+So Grunne gathered up his bow and arrows and Bechunach his rope, and the
+three, leaving the body of Chluas like dead wood, went forth to seek the
+witch.
+
+They came to the seashore, loosed their boat, sped across the harbour
+and out between the high rocks. Then, guided by the loosed spirit of the
+sleeping Chluas, they sped forward on the ocean, driven by a freshening
+breeze. All the while the spirit-light, floating above the waves, led
+them on.
+
+It was some two hours before dawn when they descried, in the distance,
+the lighted tower of the witch, upon an island. A dull, red flame shot
+out from it, and, as it turned for ever on itself, this flame lighted
+the sea around like a revolving wheel, clear and red against the
+surrounding blackness.
+
+Nearer and nearer they approached it. Then Fion stood up in the boat and
+chanted magic spells, raising his arms and sinking them again with
+fingers stretched and his palms downwards. Then with a loud cry he
+called for sleep to descend on the vile witch of the revolving tower.
+
+Ere yet his cry had died away on the surrounding sea the red light
+ceased to revolve. It was still, glaring dully. Then, as the boat
+touched the beach beneath the tower, Fion commanded Bechunach to throw
+his knotted cord and noose the topmost turret.
+
+It was soon done. The noose caught, and held. And, in another moment,
+Bechunach, like a wild cat of the mountain, was climbing up. Fion and
+Grunne followed, while the spirit of Chluas, who lay fast asleep in the
+Many-coloured Bedchamber, guided and directed their every movement.
+
+They gained a window of the tower and made their way in. Following the
+gleam of the dull, red light, they went from room to room, and at last
+came to one where it shone clearly through the cracks of the door. They
+burst in, and stood aghast on the threshold at the sight that met their
+gaze.
+
+There on the floor lay the witch, in a magic sleep, the blood flowing
+from her shoulder, torn by Fion in the struggle. And there, around her,
+crying bitterly, were the Queen's three children.
+
+Fion stooped down and swept his arm round them, and took them aside and
+comforted them. Then he gathered the youngest to his breast, and,
+directing Grunne and Bechunach to see to the other two, he led the way
+to the window.
+
+In a very short time they had all climbed down the rope ladder and were
+speeding away in the boat. But, as they left the island, the spell was
+released. The tower, with its wheel of red light, began again to revolve
+upon the waters, and they heard the witch's shriek of rage as she awoke
+to the pain of her wound, to find the children gone. It came again and
+again, that shriek of baffled hate and rage and pain. Then, as they
+looked back, they saw a dark form glide down the walls of the tower like
+a loathsome thing creeping head downwards. It reached the foot and sped
+to the seashore. Then it seemed to loose a boat, and, in another moment,
+it was speeding in pursuit of them. Faster and faster over the waves it
+came.
+
+'Quick!' cried Fion to Grunne. 'Draw your bowstring to your ear. You
+will not miss: the spirit of the sleeper will guide your shaft.'
+
+Grunne fitted an arrow to his bowstring, and drew it to his ear. Then,
+as Fion shot forward his outstretched hands, casting a vivid light from
+his finger-tips over the surface of the sea, the arrow sped with a twang
+and a whiz.
+
+A terrible cry came back across the water. The witch, struck to the
+heart, threw up her arms, and, falling from her boat, sank in the sea.
+
+Fion put down his hands, and then all was dark, save for a dull red
+light which flickered and played above the spot where the witch had
+sunk; and they sped on.
+
+Now they neared the harbour, and saw a multitude of people waiting, with
+torches waving. When they gained the foothold of the land, with the
+three children in their arms, the people raised a mighty cheer. The
+Queen heard it and hastened to meet them.
+
+Great was her joy on receiving her three children at the hands of Fion.
+And she showered upon him every blessing, entertaining him and his
+comrades--the three sons of Bawr Sculloge--for a whole year. And every
+year thereafter--lest the deed be forgotten--on the anniversary of the
+day she sent a boat laden with gold and silver and precious stones, and
+shields and helmets and chess-tables and rich cloaks; and the sons of
+Bawr Sculloge invited Fion to join them in high festival on that day,
+for they said, 'Such deeds should never be forgotten.'
+
+And, one morning in spring, Fion, son of Cumhail, went into the gardens
+and orchards about his palace and plucked many twigs from flowers and
+fruit trees, and with these he went down to the seashore. Holding them
+above the waves, he recited a spell, and immediately a boat was formed
+of the twigs--a trim little craft with sail set.
+
+He sprang in and steered his course for the isle of the Queen of the
+Many-coloured Bedchamber. And, as he sped over the waves, the boat began
+to bud; and green leaves appeared on the mast, and the spars and stays
+put out the growth of spring, till they shone like emerald in the sun.
+
+When he came in sight of the island, the sides of the boat were covered
+with blossoms, the mast had put out a wealth of petals, and the sail and
+rigging were covered with flowering vines. Then, as he passed between
+the high rocks and entered the harbour, the watchers on shore saw a boat
+approaching, splendid with summer flowers, and on its mast were
+spreading branches dropping down with luscious fruit. Nearer and nearer
+it came, and, when it touched the shore, Fion sprang out, and bade them
+gather the beautiful flowers and the ripe fruit and take them to their
+Queen.
+
+And Queen Breaca valued this present more than any other he could have
+offered, because the manner of it was beautiful, and a Queen is a woman,
+and a woman loves beautiful things above all else.
+
+And Chluas, the sleeper--what reward had he? He claimed none, and none
+knows what was his reward. Yet it is said that in the Land of Deep Sleep
+there are rewards undreamt of by those who wake.
+
+
+
+
+THE BLUE BIRD
+
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE
+
+
+There was once upon a time a King who was tremendously rich both in
+money and lands. His wife, the Queen, died, and left him inconsolable.
+He shut himself up for eight days in a little room, and banged his head
+against the wall so much that it was believed he would kill himself, so
+grieved was he at his loss.
+
+All his subjects resolved between themselves to go and see him, and they
+did. Some said that he could show his grief in a less painful manner.
+Others made speeches grave and serious, but not one of them made any
+impression on the widowed King. Eventually there was presented to him a
+woman dressed in the deepest mourning, and she cried and moaned so long
+and so loud that she caused no little surprise.
+
+She said to the King that she did not like the others coming to ask him
+to stay his crying, for nothing was more just than that he should cry
+over the loss of a good wife; and that as for her, who once had the very
+best of husbands, and had lost him, she would cry for him as long as she
+had eyes in her head to cry with; and immediately she let out and
+redoubled her sobs, and the King, following her example, did the same.
+
+Each one recounted to the other the good qualities of their dear dead
+ones; so much so that at last there was nothing more could be found to
+say about their losses and their great sorrow. In the end the widow
+lifted her deep veil, and the poor afflicted King gazed at the afflicted
+one, who kept turning and turning her great blue eyes with long black
+lashes. The King watched her with deep attention; and little by little
+he talked less of his lost Queen, until at last he forgot to talk of her
+at all.
+
+The widow then said that for ever she would cry and mourn for her
+husband, but the King begged her not to go to that limit and immortalise
+her sorrow. In the end he astonished her by saying that he would marry
+her, and that the black would be changed into green and pink, the colour
+of roses. It suffices to say that the King did as the stories tell: did
+all that was possible and all that she wished.
+
+Now the King had but one daughter of his first marriage, and she was
+considered one of the eight wonders of the world; her name was Florine,
+because she resembled a beautiful flower: she was fresh, young and
+lovely. She was always dressed in the most beautiful transparent
+clothes, and with garlands of flowers in her hair, which made a
+beautiful effect. She was only fifteen years old when the King married
+again.
+
+The new Queen also had, by her first husband, a daughter, who had been
+brought up by her godmother, the fairy Soussio; but she was neither
+beautiful nor gracious. The girl's name was Truitonne, because her face
+was so like the face of a trout, and her hair was so full of grease that
+it was impossible to touch it; and her skin simply ran with oil. But the
+Queen did not love her any the less. All she could do was to talk of the
+charming Truitonne, and how Florine had all sorts of advantages over
+her; and the Queen became desperate, and sought every possible way to
+make the King see faults in Florine.
+
+One day the King said to the Queen that Florine and Truitonne were big
+enough to marry now, and that the first Prince who came to the court
+should have one of the two Princesses in marriage.
+
+'I maintain,' said the Queen, 'that my daughter shall be the one to get
+the trousseau; she is the elder, and she is a million times more
+amiable, and those are the points that matter, after all.'
+
+The King, who hated disputes, said that it was well, and that she was
+her own mistress.
+
+Some time afterwards, news came that Prince Charming had arrived. Never
+did a Prince display such gallantry and magnificence; his manner and
+looks were in keeping with the name he bore. When the Queen heard of
+this handsome Prince she employed all the dressmakers and tailors to
+dress Truitonne, and make her presentable, and she begged the King that
+Florine should have nothing at all new. Her one thought was to have all
+the beautiful clothes ready before the arrival of Prince Charming at
+court.
+
+When he came the Queen received him in all pomp and splendour, and
+presented to him her daughter more brilliant than the sun, and more ugly
+than she was usually, because of all the jewels she had on.
+
+Prince Charming turned away his eyes; the Queen tried to persuade him
+that the Princess pleased him very much. But he demanded to know if
+there was not another Princess called Florine? 'Yes,' said Truitonne,
+pointing with her finger; 'see, there she is, hidden away, because she
+is not good.'
+
+Florine reddened, and looked so beautiful, so beautiful, that Prince
+Charming forgot himself. He bowed the knee and made a low curtsy to the
+Princess. 'Madam,' said he, 'your incomparable beauty is too much; but
+for you I should have sought help in a strange land.'
+
+'Seigneur,' replied the Princess, 'I am sorry that I am not dressed in a
+proper manner, but I have only my old clothes; yet I thank you for
+asking to see me.'
+
+'It would be impossible,' said Prince Charming, 'that any one once
+seeing you could have eyes for anything else than so beautiful a
+Princess.'
+
+'Ah!' said the Queen, irritated, 'I do well wasting my time listening to
+you. Believe me, seigneur, Florine is also a coquette; she does not
+deserve that you should be so gallant to her.'
+
+Prince Charming understood the motives of the Queen in speaking of
+Florine in this way. He was not in a position to prove the truth, but he
+let it be seen that all his admiration was for Florine.
+
+The Queen and Truitonne were very upset to see that he preferred
+Princess Florine. So, when Princess Florine left the company of Prince
+Charming, the Queen with impatience waited for her to return to her
+room. There were hidden four men with masks over their faces, and they
+had orders to take the Princess Florine away on a journey, to await the
+pleasure of Prince Charming, so that she would please him better and
+would make him a better spouse.
+
+The Queen then went to the Prince and told him that the Princess was a
+coquette, and had a bad temper; that she tormented the servants, and did
+not know how to behave herself; that she was avaricious, and preferred
+to be dressed like a little shepherdess rather than like a Princess.
+
+To all this Prince Charming listened. 'But,' said he, 'it would be
+impossible for so beautiful and amiable a girl to be all that you say.
+How could that be true of one with such modest grace and beauty? even
+though she be dressed in a humble little frock. That is not a thing that
+touches me very much. It pains me far more to know that the Queen hurts
+her feelings, and you are not a stepmother for nothing; and really,
+madam, the Princess Truitonne is so ugly that it would be hard to find
+anything uglier amongst God's creatures. The courtiers, too, do not look
+at all pleased to hear you speak badly of Florine.'
+
+The Queen spent half of the night questioning him, for she could not
+believe that he loved Florine. And the poor Princess Florine was
+terrified because the four men with masks had taken her far away.
+
+'I do not doubt that it is for the Queen's advantage that I am taken
+away,' said she. And she cried so much that even her enemies were
+touched.
+
+The Queen in the meantime gave Prince Charming all the jewels he could
+wish for, and lavished her attention on him. The King presented him with
+a little book with gold covers and studded with diamonds, and inside it,
+he told him, was a photograph of his future wife.
+
+'What!' said Prince Charming, 'the beautiful Princess Florine? Ah! she
+thinks of me, and in a most generous manner.'
+
+'Seigneur,' said the King, 'you mistake; we take the part of the amiable
+Truitonne. I am cross, seigneur, that you do not accept this great
+honour; but, at the same time, a King is merely a King: he is not master
+enough to make the engagements that he would like.'
+
+The Prince at last asked for Princess Florine.
+
+'Seigneur,' said the Queen, 'her father desired that she should go away
+until my daughter is married.'
+
+'And for what reason,' said the Prince, 'should this beautiful girl be
+made a prisoner?'
+
+'I ignore all that,' said the Queen.
+
+So the Prince left the Queen's company because it was not congenial to
+him. When he entered his own room, he said to a young Prince who had
+accompanied him, and whom he loved very much, that he would give all the
+world to be able to speak to one of the women of the beautiful Princess
+for a moment. His young friend found one at once whom it would be
+possible to question with confidence. She told him that the same evening
+Florine would be at a little window that looked out on to the garden and
+that he could then speak to her, but that he must take every precaution,
+lest the Queen and King should overhear.
+
+The Prince was delighted, and made ready to see the Princess. But the
+wicked maid went at once and told the Queen all that had passed. It was
+then arranged that Truitonne should take her place; and so, with great
+precautions, Truitonne placed herself at the little window.
+
+The night was very dark; so much so that it was impossible for Prince
+Charming to suspect the change passed upon him. He expressed himself
+exactly the same to Truitonne as he had to Florine and plainly showed
+his love for her. Truitonne, profiting by her mother's instructions,
+said that she was the most unhappy person in the world to have such a
+wicked and cruel stepmother, and that she would have to suffer until her
+stepsister was married. The Prince assured her that he would marry her
+if she would have him, and that he would give her his heart and his
+crown; and he removed a ring from his finger and put it on the finger
+of Truitonne, as a token of his faith, and told her that she would only
+have to wait an hour, when a carriage would come to take her away.
+Truitonne begged of him to go to the Queen and ask her to give her her
+liberty, and assured him that, if he would come back to-morrow at the
+same hour, she would be ready.
+
+The Queen was very happy at the success of her scheme. The Prince took a
+carriage drawn by three great frogs with great big wings, which made the
+carriage simply fly. Truitonne came out mysteriously by a little door,
+and the Prince, who was awaiting her appearance, at once put his arms
+around her and swore eternal faith, but, as he was not in any humour to
+take a long journey in the flying carriage without marrying the Princess
+whom he loved, he demanded of her where they could go. She told him that
+she had a fairy godmother named Soussio, who was a very celebrated
+person, and that they would have to go to her castle.
+
+Then the Prince, not knowing the road, begged of the frogs with the
+flying wings to put them on the right way; and they did so, for, mind
+you, frogs know all the routes of the universe. And so, in no time, they
+found themselves at the castle of the fairy Soussio.
+
+Then Truitonne told the godmother that she had trapped Prince Charming
+and that she wanted to marry him. The godmother was not so sure that it
+could be done, 'for,' said she, 'he loves Princess Florine.' At all
+events she went to the room where the Prince was, and said to him:
+'Prince Charming, here is the Princess Truitonne to whom you have given
+your faith; she is my godchild, and I wish that you marry her at once.'
+
+'Me!' cried he; 'you want me to marry that little monster? You must
+think I am very easily pleased when you put forward such a proposition
+to me. She knows full well that I have never promised her anything. And
+if she says otherwise, she is----'
+
+'Do not deny,' said the Fairy, 'and do not be bold and forget the
+respect that you owe me.'
+
+'I respect you,' replied the Prince, 'as much as it is possible to
+respect a fairy. Come, now. Will you deliver me my Princess?'
+
+'Is it that you do not know me?' said Truitonne; and she showed him his
+ring, adding, 'and to whom did you give this ring at the little window
+as a pledge of your faith, if it was not to me? Come, now, do not
+pretend that you have forgotten.'
+
+'No! no! I am not going to be duped and deceived,' said the Prince.
+'Come! come, my great frogs! I want to depart at once.'
+
+'You cannot depart without my consent, said the Fairy, and she
+immediately touched his feet and they became glued to the floor.
+
+'I will not,' said the Prince, 'have any other than my Princess Florine;
+on that I am resolved, and all you say and do will not change me one
+little bit.'
+
+Soussio became sweet and used every art in her power to induce the
+Prince to marry Truitonne. Truitonne cried, raved, and begged; but the
+Prince would not say one single word to her; he only looked at her with
+indignant eyes and replied not a word to all her overtures.
+
+He passed twenty days and twenty nights like this. At last the Fairy was
+so tired of it all that she said to the Prince, 'Very well; you are
+obstinate, and will not listen to reason, and will not keep your word
+and marry my godchild!'
+
+The Prince, who had not spoken a word, at last replied: 'Do to me what
+you will, but deliver me from the dullness of this place!'
+
+'Dullness!' cried Truitonne; 'bother you! You have done me a great
+injury in coming here to my country and giving me your word and then
+breaking it.'
+
+'Listen to the touching words,' said the Prince in sarcasm. 'See what I
+have lost in refusing to take so beautiful a woman for my wife.'
+
+'No! no!' replied Soussio, 'she shall never be that, and for your
+insult to her you shall fly through this window, and remain a Blue Bird
+for seven years. Do you hear me?--a Blue Bird for seven years.'
+
+Immediately the Prince began to change, and his arms became covered with
+feathers, and he became a Blue Bird; his eyes became bright, and on his
+head a great white plume arose like a crown--and he flew away through
+the window.
+
+In his sad mood he flew from branch to branch, warbling his song of
+sorrow and his love for Florine, and deploring the awful wickedness of
+their enemies. He thought that he was doomed for seven years, and that
+Florine would be married to another.
+
+When Truitonne returned to the Queen and told her all that had happened
+she flew into a terrible temper. She resolved to punish the poor Florine
+for having engaged the love of Prince Charming. So she dressed the
+Princess Truitonne in all her grandeur, and on her finger was the ring
+given her by the Prince; and, when Florine saw this, she knew that the
+ring belonged to her Prince. The Queen then announced to all that her
+daughter was engaged to Prince Charming, and that he loved her to
+distraction. Florine did not doubt the truth of it all. When she
+realised that she would never marry her Prince Charming, she cried all
+the night, and sat at the little window nursing her regrets. And, when
+the day arrived for the marriage, she shut the window and continued to
+cry.
+
+During this time the Blue Bird, or Prince Charming, did not cease to fly
+round the castle. The Princess sat at the window and every night
+entreated that she might be delivered. 'O wicked Queen!' she cried, 'to
+keep me shut up like this because of Prince Charming!'
+
+The Blue Bird heard this and did not lose a word, but waited to see who
+the lady was who had such a sorry plaint. But she shut the window and
+retired. The Blue Bird, curious to see and to hear some more, came again
+the following night, and again there was a maiden at the window who was
+full of regrets.
+
+[Illustration: THE BLUE BIRD
+
+The Prince took a carriage drawn by three great frogs with great big
+wings ... Truitonne came out mysteriously by a little door.
+
+_See page 86_]
+
+'Fortune!' said she, 'you have taken from me the love of my father. I
+have received a blow at a tender age; and it is so much pain that I am
+tired of living. I demand with all my heart that my fatal destiny may
+end.'
+
+The Blue Bird listened, and then he knew that it was his Princess, and
+he said: 'Florine, a King who loves you will never love any one but
+you.'
+
+'A King who loves me!' said she. 'Is this another snare of my enemies?'
+
+'No, my Princess.' And Florine was very much afraid of this bird who
+spoke with as much spirit as a man. But the beauty of his plumage
+reassured her.
+
+'Would it be possible to see you, my Princess?' said he. 'Could I taste
+a happiness so great without dying of joy? But, alas! this great joy
+would be troubled by your captivity, and the wicked fairy Soussio has
+done this for seven years.'
+
+'And who are you, charming bird?' said the Princess caressingly.
+
+'You have said my name rightly, and yet you fail to recognise me,'
+replied the Prince.
+
+'What! The greatest King in the world! The Prince Charming!' cried the
+Princess. 'Is he the little bird I see?'
+
+'Alas! dear Florine, it is too true! And, if one thing consoles me, it
+is that I prefer this sorrow rather than renounce the love I have for
+you.'
+
+'For me!'
+
+And so this went on. The Blue Bird paid visits to Florine every night,
+and they were as happy as it was possible to be. One evening Prince
+Charming flew away to his palace, and brought back lovely diamond
+bracelets, beautiful pearl necklaces and a sweet little pearl watch, and
+gave them all to Florine.
+
+The Queen could not understand how it was that Florine had such lovely
+jewels and why she looked so happy, so she questioned her about it.
+Florine, who knew that if she said the Blue Bird had given them to her,
+they would not believe her, and would try to drive him away, said she
+did not know. The Queen said the Evil One must have bought her soul, and
+decided to watch.
+
+She did so, and discovered that the Blue Bird came every night. Then
+Truitonne and her mother sought the help of the wicked fairy Soussio;
+and she, to please her godchild, worked another spell on the poor Blue
+Bird, so that he could not come any more to see his Florine.
+
+One day his friend the Good Fairy was passing by a certain spot where he
+was a prisoner in a tree, and she saw a trail of blood and heard a very
+weak voice calling her, but nowhere could she find the Blue Bird. But
+she knew it was his blood. Then, after a long time, she found him in his
+tiny nest, dying.
+
+This was the Good Fairy who had given him the flying-frog carriage, so
+again she resolved to help him if she could. Away she went to the fairy
+Soussio and asked her to release the spell on Prince Charming. Soussio
+agreed to do so if he would marry Truitonne. Then the Good Fairy
+conducted Prince Charming back to his castle, where, on his arrival, the
+ugly Truitonne was awaiting his return, dressed in lovely clothes, and
+more ugly than ever.
+
+Now the old King died, and the people, who hated the Queen and her ugly
+daughter, said that they would have no other Queen but Florine, and they
+went to her in her little room and begged her for their sake to be their
+Queen. But she said she had not the heart for anything because she had
+lost her lover, Prince Charming. They asked her again to become their
+Queen and then to go out and look for him, and they were sure she would
+find him.
+
+So she became their Queen, and then dressed herself as a poor peasant,
+and went out into strange lands and travelled in many strange places,
+thinking to find her beloved Prince. But it was all of no avail. One day
+she stopped, out of sheer fatigue, to rest by a fountain, and, while she
+was there, the Good Fairy, disguised, came by and asked her what she was
+crying for. Florine told her all about the Prince whom she loved and was
+seeking. Then the Good Fairy told her that Prince Charming was at his
+own castle and that the spell had been removed, and she gave Florine
+four little eggs, and said that whenever she was in trouble she was to
+throw one of them down, and at the same time ask what she wanted, and it
+would be granted. With these words she disappeared.
+
+Florine turned her face towards the castle of the Prince, and, after
+many trials and sufferings, she found herself at the feet of her ugly
+sister Truitonne. Florine, disguised as a poor peasant, was not
+recognised, so she offered her lovely jewels for sale, and Truitonne,
+who loved jewellery, resolved to buy them. But Florine would not sell
+for money: all she asked was to spend a night in the castle. Truitonne
+was only too glad to get them at such a price, and agreed.
+
+Feeling that the poor peasant girl was giving her something for nothing,
+and imagining that she did not really know the value of the jewels,
+Truitonne allowed her sister every liberty in the palace. She could go
+where she would, unquestioned, and do what she pleased.
+
+Florine took every advantage of this, and, mixing freely among the
+attendants, she soon learned many things about Prince Charming. Among
+other pieces of news was this important item: the Prince, being unable
+to sleep, was in the habit of taking a sleeping-draught every night.
+
+On hearing this she sought the Prince's head valet, and made herself so
+charming to him that he lost his head altogether, and was more than
+willing to fulfil her lightest wish.
+
+'Tell me,' said she at last, 'why does the Prince take
+sleeping-draughts?'
+
+'Ah!' replied he, looking very wise, 'it is because the Princess is so
+ugly.'
+
+'Because she is so ugly? I--I don't understand.'
+
+'What! From the very first the Prince's waking hours have been one long,
+frightful dream; and he can only banish it by night by taking the
+sleeping-draught. The Prince is deeply in love with the Princess's
+sister, but no one but myself knows that. Every night, when he sinks to
+sleep under the draught, he smiles, and his face looks so very happy,
+and he whispers one name again and again: "Florine! Florine!"'
+
+The peasant girl's heart beat hard, and a plan shot like lightning
+through her mind. She would tell this man everything and he would help
+her. She knew he would, and she knew also that he would not be blind to
+his own advantage. Her mind was quickly made up. The four little eggs
+the Good Fairy had given her were packed in a little box. Taking this
+from the folds of her dress she took one of them and threw it on the
+floor.
+
+'I _am_ Florine!' she said. 'And I want your willing help.'
+
+The head valet stared at her in dismay. Then his face changed. He bowed
+to her with the utmost respect, and said: 'Princess, I am your faithful
+slave; command me and I will obey.'
+
+'First, then,' said Florine, 'do not give the Prince the draught
+to-night; and find me an apartment next to his.'
+
+'It shall be done,' replied the valet, and with a low bow he withdrew to
+make the arrangement.
+
+'Stay!' cried Florine as he was going. 'I forbid you to tell the Prince
+a word of this. You understand?'
+
+'And obey,' he replied, bowing again and again as he left her presence,
+walking backwards in respect to high royalty.
+
+That night the Prince, impatient to forget the face of Truitonne, called
+for his sleeping-draught. The head valet appeared, bearing a flavoured
+mixture in a crystal goblet on a golden tray. The Prince drank it. By
+its taste it was the draught, but, by its effect, it was not. No sleep
+came to him, and the face of Truitonne grew uglier and uglier in his
+mind. Presently he started up.
+
+'What sound was that?'
+
+It came from the next apartment--the sound of a woman weeping. He
+listened, and in the stillness of the palace the sound came clearly. He
+knew that voice: it was the voice of his dear Princess Florine, just as
+he used to hear it when, as a Blue Bird, he spoke with her at her
+window.
+
+In a moment he arose and dressed himself in his royal robes. While he
+was doing this, Florine in the next room took another egg from the box,
+and, throwing it upon the floor, cried: 'I wish that, by storm and
+lightning, all that is evil and ugly in this palace shall be destroyed,
+and all that is good and beautiful left.'
+
+As she spoke the rising wind wailed about the palace and died away; dull
+thunder reverberated in the distance. The air grew stifling, and the
+night flowers paid their perfumes out like threatened debtors. Another
+rush of wind, then silence broken only by a peal of thunder nearer than
+before. The splash of heavy drops was heard on the flagstones of the
+courtyard below. The lightning was seen to flash through the windows,
+and the thunder shook the castle to its foundations.
+
+Nearer and nearer loomed the storm, growing more terrific every moment.
+Every one was up and running about in panic. Those with ugly souls and
+bodies, if their consciences were also wicked, went mad in the panic,
+and fled in a body from the palace, thinking the end of the world had
+come. But those whose consciences were clear, whose hearts were
+true--those who could never be called ugly, no matter what they looked
+like--they sought the Prince and gathered round him, while the palace
+shuddered as all the storm gods poured out their wrath.
+
+As the panic-stricken ones fled towards the hills, Florine looked out at
+the window and saw them, a rushing group with terror in their heels.
+There came a vivid flash of lightning, and the thunder split and rolled
+and crashed. When Florine looked again she saw no fugitives: they had
+disappeared for ever. Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the storm
+abated. The thunder rolled away into the distance, and the moon came out
+and rode from cloud to cloud triumphant.
+
+There was a knock upon the door. It was the Prince, and behind him were
+gathered his own, the good and true, according to her wish. How could
+she meet him in her peasant's garb? A quick thought came to her. She
+took the third egg and smashed it on the floor, saying: 'I wish that I
+may come face to face with my Prince in all the dazzling splendour that
+befits a princess.'
+
+Instantly there was a flash as if a fairy wand had cleft the air. And
+there stood Florine, the most splendidly royal figure you could imagine.
+She was beautiful beyond words--so beautiful that the wonderful jewels
+in her hair and on her lovely dress, on her neck and arms and tiny
+shoes, could never have got their beauty from any one but her.
+
+She opened the door, and stepped back with a cry of delight. As she did
+so, she placed her hand to her breast where she felt the frail little
+box that contained the fourth and last egg.
+
+In another moment she was in the Prince's arms, and the pressure of that
+embrace crushed the box and broke the egg.
+
+'I wish,' she cried on the instant, raising her lips to his, 'I wish
+that you will love me for ever!'
+
+
+
+
+BASHTCHELIK (OR, REAL STEEL)
+
+A SERBIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+
+The aged Tsar was dying, and his three sons and three daughters were
+standing round his bed. He had yet strength to give his last commands,
+which were extraordinary.
+
+'It is my will, O my sons,' he said, 'that you give my daughters in
+marriage to the first suitors that come to demand them. Question me not,
+but fulfil to the letter this, my last injunction. If you fail, my curse
+will fall upon you.'
+
+These were the Tsar's last words before he died. It was approaching the
+hour of midnight when he passed away; and, when the dawn found his sons
+and daughters weeping for grief, they were startled by a dreadful noise.
+Came a loud beating against the palace gates, and instantly an awful
+tempest sprang up around the palace. Peal on peal of thunder roared, and
+vivid lightning flashed. The whole place rocked and swayed and trembled
+to its foundations. Then above the fearful din came a loud voice: 'In
+the name of a King, open the gates!'
+
+'Do not open!' cried the eldest brother.
+
+'See to it that you do not open!' insisted the younger one. But the
+youngest disregarded them both, and rushed to the gates.
+
+''Tis I will open!' he flung back to them as they followed at his heels.
+'Though the earth dissolve, what have we to fear? We have done no
+wrong!'
+
+With this he flung the gates wide. There was no one there, but a
+sizzling light moved in towards them, and, out of the heart of it came a
+clear, cold voice:
+
+'I have come to demand the hand of your eldest sister in marriage.
+Forbid me not. I await your consent, but, if you refuse, it will be at
+your peril.'
+
+The eldest brother answered at once, without a glance at the other two:
+'It is unheard of! I cannot see you; I do not know you; who is to know
+where or how you will bestow my sister? I might never see her again.' He
+turned to the younger one and added, 'What say you, brother?'
+
+'For my part, I will not consent,' replied he readily. 'I like not these
+signs of ill omen.'
+
+Then they both turned to the youngest.
+
+'What say you, little brother?'
+
+He was quick to answer:
+
+'I obey my father, and counsel you to do the same. It is not that I fear
+his curse, but I love him, and will obey his wish.'
+
+Without waiting for any reply he ran within, and soon returned, leading
+his eldest sister by the hand.
+
+'Here,' said he, offering her to the unseen visitant, 'in accordance
+with the custom of my country and the dying wish of my father, I give
+you my sister for your wedded wife. May she be faithful to you.'
+
+The Princess was then taken by an invisible hand and led away; and, as
+she stepped across the threshold of the palace gates, a tremendous clap
+of thunder burst overhead; the lightning flashed again, and the whole
+earth rocked at the sound and sight of it; and, at terror of it, the
+courtiers who had gathered round fell on their faces and prayed for
+deliverance with all their might.
+
+When the sun rose, the palace was still astir. None had slept, so none
+had dreamed; therefore, when eyes met eyes, the truth was known: a
+terrible thing had happened, but none knew how it had happened. All
+sought to find some clue to explain the disappearance of the eldest
+Princess, but there was no clue to the midnight mystery of the thing.
+
+And on the second night the same terrible thing occurred again. The
+palace was stormed by thunder and lightning till its foundations
+quaked. Then, above all, came another commanding voice: 'Open the gates
+immediately--in the name of a King!'
+
+Again the elder brother demurred, and again the youngest admitted the
+invisible but powerful applicant, and bestowed upon him the second
+sister.
+
+'I trust she will be loyal and faithful to you,' he said; and, as she
+stepped over the threshold, the elements roared like a great lion
+glutting on his prey. And still, to the courtiers who stood by, the
+mystery of the thing was greater than their fear of the quakings of the
+earth and the sudden gasps of icy air that smote them.
+
+Again, on the third night, while the youngest sister, who was very
+proud, was preparing to reject a suitor promised by her brothers, a
+greater storm than ever swept up about the palace, and, to hear it, one
+would have thought that half the world were rolling down a hill. It was
+terrific, and still more terrific was a voice that cried: 'Open these
+gates, in the name of a King who comes on his own business!'
+
+As before, the two elder brothers demurred, but the youngest was more
+obedient to his father's dying wish. He bestowed the youngest sister
+upon the first to seek her hand. And, as she stepped over the threshold,
+the whole palace trembled and fluttered as if disturbed by the wings of
+a thousand giant eagles.
+
+The two elder brothers mourned and grieved for their sisters, saying
+they were lost for ever. How could they see them again? How could they
+visit them? They were gone--swallowed up in the invisible.
+
+'It is not so,' said the youngest. 'We have fulfilled our father's
+command. We have done no wrong; though the skies fall down, what have we
+to fear? Follow me forth: we will go and search for them!'
+
+And so, not knowing what had befallen their sisters, nor whom they had
+married, they set out to search far and wide for them.
+
+After journeying for some days, they reached a wild, inhospitable
+country, where, in a mighty forest so dense they could see neither the
+sun by day nor the stars by night, they lost their way. But still they
+pushed on, hoping to find an outlet. At last, after wandering for days,
+they came at sunset to a small lake, where they prepared to pass the
+night.
+
+The eldest watched while the two younger brothers slept.
+
+In the middle of the night, while his brothers slept soundly, he was
+gazing upon the waters of the lake, watching the moonbeams play with the
+ripples stirred by the soft night wind, when he saw a great black head
+appear on the surface and rapidly approach the shore where he was
+standing. Presently, as the monster emerged from the water, he found
+himself face to face with a great alligator rushing upon him to devour
+him.
+
+Like lightning he drew his sword and smote the alligator between the
+eyes, cleaving its head in one mighty stroke. Then, when it had ceased
+its death struggles, he cut off both its ears and placed them in his
+haversack.
+
+As his brothers still slept he resolved to say nothing about the matter,
+and, to this end, he rolled the carcase of the alligator down the
+shelving shore into the water, where it sank like lead. At sunrise he
+roused his brothers, and, with few words, they resumed their wandering.
+
+After three days struggling through the forest, they came to another
+lake, where they camped for the night. This time the second brother
+watched, while the eldest and the youngest slept.
+
+And he, too, had a strange adventure, but more terrible than that the
+eldest brother had encountered. At midnight the waters of the lake began
+to move, and a great alligator with two heads emerged and came up on the
+shore. Then, with both mouths wide open and his long sharp teeth
+gleaming in the moonlight, the monster rushed at the watcher and the
+sleepers. But the watcher sprang forward, sword in hand, and dealt two
+terrific blows, one on each head, killing the alligator instantly. Then
+he cut off the four ears and placed them in his haversack, and rolled
+the huge carcase back into the lake. As the eldest brother had done, he
+kept the matter to himself, and let his brothers sleep on.
+
+In the morning he aroused them, and they all set out again on their
+wandering.
+
+During that day they came to the edge of the forest, but only to find a
+vast desert before them. Their hearts sank within them, but, nothing
+daunted, they set forth, saying one to the other, 'There is no desert
+that has no boundaries. We shall come to the other side.'
+
+But for three whole days they journeyed on, and all was still desert as
+far as the eye could see; and their food and water were exhausted, and
+they were sore distressed. Then, as they saw that the desert had no end,
+they cried to God to deliver them. And it seemed that the haze of the
+desert lifted, and they saw before them a lake, calm and peaceful. On
+its shore they would spend the night.
+
+Having refreshed themselves from its waters, and eaten of some luscious
+fruits that grew upon its margin, they made their camp; and this time
+the youngest brother watched while the other two slept.
+
+And he, also, had an adventure, but far more terrible than either of his
+brothers had encountered. As they were sleeping soundly, and he was
+looking at the still surface of the lake, something heaved up out of the
+depths and swam rapidly towards him. When it came up out of the water he
+saw that it was a monstrous alligator, with three heads. As it advanced
+upon him, with all three mouths wide open, ready to devour him and his
+sleeping brothers, he sprang to meet it, and, with three mighty strokes
+like flashes of lightning, severed the three heads from the body. Then
+he cut off the six ears and placed them in his haversack. As the other
+two brothers had done, he, also, kept the matter to himself.
+
+It was not yet dawn, and the fire was burning low. In order to replenish
+it the young Prince went into the surrounding desert to look for fuel.
+After searching for some time in vain, he mounted a rock and looked
+around; and there, not very far away, he saw the gleam of a fire. He ran
+towards it, knowing he should find some fuel. But, when he arrived at
+the place where the fire was burning, he found the glare of it came from
+within a large cave. Creeping forward cautiously, he peered in, and saw
+a strange sight. The fire was blazing in the middle of the floor, and
+round it sat nine giants, eating the flesh of human beings, whose limbs
+they drew from a huge cauldron over the fire.
+
+Horrifying was this sight to the Prince. He made up his mind to trick
+the giants. He advanced boldly into the cave and gave them greeting.
+
+'Good-morrow, my friends,' he cried jauntily; 'I've been searching for
+you everywhere.'
+
+'Good-morrow, friend!' replied the biggest of the giants. 'And, if
+you're indeed one of us, you will, of course, join us in our feast, and
+then help us in our search for more.'
+
+'With every pleasure!' cried the Prince; 'indeed, I need hardly thank
+you for the kind invitation, since I am at all times ready to assist you
+in your hunting expeditions. I have a rare tooth for the flesh of
+mortals, and the bigger they are the better I like them.'
+
+The giants looked at one another and grunted approvingly. Then said the
+chief: 'Since you are with us, what is your name?'
+
+'I am Nine Man Mord,' replied the Prince, taking the name of that hero
+of a far land who had slain nine men in so many strokes of his sword. 'I
+have journeyed from the North and have come to dwell among you, and be
+one of you.'
+
+They were all astonished, for they had heard wonderful stories of Nine
+Man Mord; and they seemed to forget that they themselves were nine.
+
+'Come, Nine Man Mord!' they cried; 'come, sit and eat with us.'
+
+Readily the Prince took his place among them; but, though it seemed to
+them that he ate of the human flesh, he did not really do so. While
+pretending to eat, he told them such tales of his adventures in the far
+country that none of them noticed he was not eating, but disposing of
+the flesh cunningly, sometimes by throwing it behind him, and again by
+offering a tit-bit to one or another in token of friendship.
+
+When the feast was over, the giants rose and stretched themselves.
+
+'Now,' said the biggest one, 'we'll go a-hunting. There's always
+to-morrow's feast to be thought of. We go, O Nine Man Mord, to the
+Tsar's city. There is still good flesh to be got there, though we have
+been feeding on it for many, many years. And, I may tell you, as the
+prey is not so plentiful as it used to be, it affords all the better
+sport in the taking.'
+
+'I'm with you,' replied the Prince, 'and, maybe, I can show you a trick
+or two.'
+
+So they set out and journeyed together--the nine giants and the
+Prince--till they came to the outskirts of a large and beautiful city.
+Here, in the surrounding forest, the giants plucked up two great trees
+by the roots, and took them to the city walls, where they placed one
+tree as a ladder.
+
+Then the chief giant said to the Prince: 'O Nine Man Mord, climb by this
+to the top of the wall, and then we will pass the other tree up to you
+so that you can fix it as a ladder on the other side for all of us to
+descend by.'
+
+The Prince climbed the tree-ladder; and, when he had reached the top of
+the wall they pushed the other tree up to him.
+
+'Now,' he called down, 'I don't quite know how you want it placed. Will
+one of you come up and show me?'
+
+In answer to this the chief himself climbed up and swung the tree over
+roots first, while he held and steadied it by its topmost branches. At
+this moment the Prince, unseen by the others, drew his sword, and, with
+one stroke, hewed off the giant's head. It fell within the city walls,
+and, in another second, the headless body went tumbling after it.
+
+'Now,' he cried down to the others, 'it's all fixed, and your chief has
+gone down. Come up one by one, and I will hold the tree for you, and
+steady it, so that you can reach the ground quickly.'
+
+And they came up one by one; and, one by one, off went their heads; and
+they, and their bodies after them, reached the ground very quickly. Then
+he climbed down the tree, and over the piled carcases of the nine
+giants, and made his way into the city.
+
+It was true what the giants had said; for, although the sun had not yet
+risen, signs were not wanting that the city, if not deserted, was very
+thinly inhabited. The streets were neglected; the houses for the most
+part were falling to decay; and though, no doubt, those who remained--if
+any--feared a visit from the man-eating giants, still no watch was set,
+and the Prince, as he made his way through the streets, saw no one.
+
+At last, as he went on, he espied a high tower, and, at one of its
+windows, there was a light. He made his way to this tower, and quickly
+ran up the stairs leading to the room that contained the light. At last,
+seeing its rays through the crack of the door, he turned the handle and
+entered.
+
+A strange sight met his gaze as he stood a moment on the threshold. It
+was a splendid apartment of velvet and gold, magnificently decorated;
+but what immediately riveted his eyes was the figure of a beautiful
+princess sleeping upon a richly furnished couch. She was lovely to look
+upon; and, as he advanced into the room, he could see nothing but her.
+Presently, however, a hiss greeted his ears; and, looking up, he was
+startled to see a huge snake lying on the ledge above the couch, with
+its arched neck bent down ready to strike the sleeping girl.
+
+With a loud cry the Prince tried to attract its attention; then, as it
+raised its head, he snatched his dagger from his belt, and, with one
+blow, pinned its head to the wall.
+
+'Hold wood! Hold dagger!' he cried, releasing the hilt. 'None can draw
+that blade from the wall but him who planted it there!'
+
+Then, without waking the beautiful maiden, he stole from the room and
+went back over the city wall, and beyond, till he came again to the
+giants' cave, where he quickly gathered some fuel and hurried back to
+his brothers, whom he found still sleeping. When he had set the fire in
+a blaze, he watched till the hour of sunrise, and then woke them with a
+loud cry:
+
+'Arouse ye, my brothers; the day is here!'
+
+But he told them nothing of his adventures of the night.
+
+When they set out they came very soon to a high-road that led to the
+gates of the Tsar's city. Now it was the daily practice of the Tsar to
+walk in the ways of the city for an hour after sunrise, and bewail the
+death of those of his people who had perished by the hands of the
+giants, and also to pray fervently that his own daughter would never so
+perish. So it was that on this same morning he came, by his wanderings
+through empty streets, to the part of the wall where the tall
+tree-ladder was standing; and, as he drew near, he saw with amazement
+the great bodies of the giants lying on the ground, each with his head
+severed from his body.
+
+When the Tsar saw this he raised his hands to high heaven and cried,
+'This is a great day, for the giants are all slain!' And the people, who
+still remained to him, hearing his cry of joy, came running, and
+gathered about him, praying that God would preserve the mighty one who
+had done this astonishing deed. They were still praising the unknown
+hero, when some attendants came running swiftly from the palace, to tell
+the Tsar that a great snake had almost succeeded in killing the
+Princess.
+
+At this he hastened back and made his way to the room in the tower where
+the Princess was lying asleep; and there he found the snake pinned to
+the wall by a dagger. At once he took the hilt in his hand and tried to
+drag it from the wall, but, to his great wonder, it resisted all his
+efforts.
+
+On this, seeing the great strength of the hero who had planted the
+dagger there, and knowing that none but he could have the strength to
+remove it, he ordered a proclamation to be issued throughout the whole
+kingdom: that, if the man who had killed the nine giants and pinned the
+head of the snake to the wall with his dagger, would come and draw his
+dagger forth again, he would be rewarded with splendid gifts and receive
+the Princess in marriage.
+
+Far and wide went this proclamation, but the Tsar, to make doubly sure,
+posted a thousand officials at as many inns on the great high-roads that
+connected the city with the outlying parts of the kingdom. And these
+officials' duty was to question travellers, and learn whether they had
+met, or heard of, any such hero as he who had killed the giants and
+transfixed the snake. Rewards were offered to any who could supply
+information, and punishments were held out to those who concealed it.
+
+Now it so happened that the three Princes, in their search for their
+sisters, chanced to rest at an inn on one of the high-roads; and, when
+they had finished supper, they fell into conversation with an
+interesting stranger--a courtly man of cities, with manners that are
+only learnt in kings' palaces. He begged to be allowed to call for
+wine,--which in those days was no offence,--and, as they drank their
+toasts, he fell to narrating his wonderful exploits in a far-off
+kingdom--so far-off, indeed, that imagination alone could reach it, and
+no other traveller could ever return to tell a different tale.
+
+After describing some heroic combats the stranger at last remarked, 'And
+what may be the doughty deeds that you young heroes have set to your
+credit?'
+
+At this the eldest brother told how he had slain the alligator; and, to
+vouch for the truth of his story, showed the two ears he had preserved,
+placing them before the stranger.
+
+When the unknown had applauded his story the younger brother told how he
+had slain the alligator with _two_ heads, and threw down on the table
+the four ears as evidence.
+
+The stranger applauded more loudly than before, and then turned to the
+youngest brother; but he remained silent.
+
+'Come,' said the stranger, coaxing him; 'your brothers have performed
+great exploits: have you not followed their example?'
+
+Then the young Prince replied: 'I am only young; but, now I think of it,
+I _did_ kill an alligator once, myself. It was a rather ferocious beast
+in its way, and had _three_ heads; but I managed to--well, here are its
+ears.' And he threw the six ears on the table.
+
+At this his two brothers were as much astonished as the stranger; for,
+though he was the youngest, he had done the bravest deed. The
+official--for such was the stranger--then begged the young Prince to
+tell of his other exploits. So the hero told how he had slain the
+giants. This was enough for the official: he sprang up and hastened away
+to the palace, where he informed the Tsar that he had found the mighty
+hero for whom every one was searching.
+
+[Illustration: THE STORY OF BASHTCHELIK
+
+The Prince, looking out, saw him snatch up the Princess ... and soar
+rapidly away.
+
+_See page 108_]
+
+The Tsar was delighted; and having rewarded the official, sent for the
+Princes in all haste. When they arrived, he bade them tell all they had
+been through, and listened to their adventures with all attention. And,
+when they had finished, he turned to the youngest brother and said:
+'Your exploits, young sir, are the most extraordinary of all I have
+heard. But all of you follow me to the tower; I would make
+certain--_quite_ certain!'
+
+Beckoning the three brothers to follow him, he led the way; and,
+finally, they reached the room where the youngest had pinned the snake's
+head to the wall.
+
+The couch was empty, but the snake and the dagger were still there, just
+as the young Prince had left them.
+
+Then said the Tsar, addressing the eldest: 'Draw forth the dagger!'
+
+The eldest brother seized the hilt, and put forth all his strength; but
+the dagger did not move.
+
+Then said the Tsar: 'It is so. Let your younger brother try.'
+
+His words were obeyed; but the dagger was immovable.
+
+Then said the Tsar: 'It is so. Let the youngest try.'
+
+His words were obeyed. The youngest Prince took the hilt, and, with a
+mighty wrench, tore it from the wall; then, as he restored it to its
+sheath at his side, the snake fell at his feet.
+
+'It is so!' said the Tsar. 'It was your hand saved my daughter's life. I
+will give her to you in marriage, and you shall be my Prime Minister.'
+Then, to the two elder Princes, he said: 'If you would prefer to remain
+with your brother in my country I will bestow two ladies of the land
+upon you for wives, and give you suitable castles to live in.'
+
+But, though the youngest accepted the Tsar's offer with a proud
+pleasure, the other two excused themselves with thanks, saying that it
+was only right for their brother to remain, but, for themselves, their
+duty was to carry out the quest for their lost sisters.
+
+The Tsar honoured their refusal, and, having given orders that they
+should be escorted from the city with every mark of royal favour, bade
+them farewell; and they departed the richer by two asses laden with
+gifts of gold and silver and precious stones. Shortly afterwards, the
+youngest Prince and the Princess were married; and the whole city
+rejoiced for three days with great celebrations.
+
+But the Prince, much as he loved his wife, soon began to blame himself
+for accepting this great happiness so easily when the quest of his lost
+sisters was his first duty. On this account he began to pine, and the
+Princess could not comfort him.
+
+One day, when his grief threatened to sink him in remorse, the Tsar came
+to him with a bunch of nine keys in his hand, and said: 'My son; I am
+going forth to the hunt; but you remain, and, with these keys, you may
+open some delights while I am absent.'
+
+Then he took him and showed him the doors of nine rooms of the palace,
+assuring him he would find great joy in the first four, a more hidden
+joy in the next three, and, in the eighth, a summing up of all the joys
+in the four and the three; but--the ninth he must not enter; for, what
+was there, no man could endure.
+
+When the Tsar had gone to the hunt, the young Prince opened the doors
+one by one, and he was truly amazed at what was revealed to him. The
+first four led him to all the delights of earth; the next three to all
+the delights of heaven; and the eighth to the Great Joy of Earth and
+Heaven in one.
+
+And now he stood at the door of the ninth.
+
+'What is here?' said he. 'What is here that is denied me? I have slain
+the three-headed alligator; I have hewed off the heads of nine giants; I
+have vanquished the serpent that encircles the world, and rescued the
+Princess from his lowering fangs. Surely the Tsar is testing me! Come
+what may, I will enter at this door; for he who does not go on, slides
+back.'
+
+With this he selected the key; and, inserting it in the lock, opened the
+ninth door, and entered. What an unexpected sight was there! The joys of
+the four, the three, and the eighth--were they at last bound up in
+this?--this man with the strength of the under-world in his limbs, the
+strength of the mid-world in his set face, and the strength of the skies
+in his calm gaze beneath tortured brows?
+
+There, before him, was a man, bound, it seemed, by all the bonds of the
+universe. His legs were encircled with bands of iron, which, at their
+fastenings into the floor, were rusted. His hips and loins were bound
+with lead. A copper girdle held his breast. A silver band enthralled his
+tongue and hands, and what seemed like a spider's web of thin,
+light-blue wire encircled his body and gathered itself in a circlet of
+the same woven material upon his brows. Truly, if ever a man was fast
+bound, this man was; for, in addition to all these things, there was a
+ring of gold round his neck, and from it extended thick cables of
+platinum, which were firmly riveted into four strong beams, one in each
+corner of the room. Around him, on the eight sides of the room, were
+open windows revealing all the joys of the eight chambers; but the man
+was bound in the centre.
+
+And, as the Prince looked upon him, the captive gasped, 'O young man,
+for the love of God, bring me a cup of water from yonder fountain; and
+I, in return, will give thee another life.'
+
+The Prince at once drew him the draught from the nearest fountain,
+thinking the while that it would be good to have a life to spare. Then,
+when the chained captive had drunk the water eagerly, the two looked at
+one another.
+
+'What is your name?' asked the Prince.
+
+'My name is Bashtchelik, which, as you know, means "real steel."'
+
+'Farewell, then, Bashtchelik; I hear the hoof-beats of the Tsar's horses
+in the distance.' And he turned towards the door.
+
+'Nay, leave me not!' cried Bashtchelik, and then he implored him: 'Give
+me a second cup of water, and I will give you a second life.'
+
+The Prince drew him another cup of water and handed it to him with a
+good heart, thinking, as it was returned to him empty, that a second
+life was well worth having. Then, hearing the approach of the Tsar more
+distinctly, he bade farewell a second time and turned away; but the
+captive again besought him.
+
+'O mighty one!' he cried; 'do not leave me. I know thee, I know thy
+name; I know thy noble deeds. Twice hast thou given me to drink; I pray
+thee, do it yet a third time and I will give thee a third life.'
+
+Hastily the Prince filled the cup and gave him to drink, for the Tsar
+and his company were now at the gates, and he knew not how to face him.
+But, before he could gain the door, he heard a crash behind him; and,
+looking back, he saw that the captive had broken his bonds and stood
+free. Then, before one could say it had happened, he had loosed a great
+pair of wings from his sides, and rushed through the doorway. The
+Prince, looking out, saw him snatch up the Princess, his wife, from the
+terrace of the Palace, and soar rapidly away.
+
+Ere the beating of wings was lost in the distance, the Tsar came in and
+demanded to know why the ninth room was open and the captive gone. The
+Prince then explained everything, and begged the Tsar not to be angry.
+
+'He broke his bonds,' he said, 'and has gone, taking my wife--the
+daughter that you gave me--away with him. But give me leave, and I will
+find her and kill Bashtchelik.'
+
+'Alas!' replied the Tsar, 'you have done a rash thing. You know not this
+man. I lost the best part of a whole army in capturing him. What can you
+do, my son?'
+
+'I will go forth and seek him,' replied the Prince without wavering. 'If
+he is stronger than I, then you will see neither me nor my wife again;
+but, if I prevail, we will return to you.'
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+So the Prince set forth on his quest; and after three days' journey, he
+came to a beautiful city. And, as he rode beneath the walls of a
+castle, he heard a voice from a window high in the tower, calling to
+him. He drew rein and dismounted; then, as he advanced into the
+courtyard, a girl came running towards him.
+
+'O my brother!' she cried; 'you have come at last!'
+
+It was his eldest sister whom he had found so easily. They embraced and
+kissed, and then she led him into the castle.
+
+'And your husband?' he asked as they stepped aside into a dimly-lighted
+antechamber; 'who and what is he?'
+
+'He is the Dragon King,' she replied in a whisper; 'and he is no friend
+of my brothers. Yet I will hide you, and then ask him what he would do
+if you sought me out.'
+
+That evening, when the Dragon King came home on whirring wings, there
+was no sign of either the Prince or his charger. Yet he raised his
+nostrils in the air and sniffed.
+
+'I smell a human being,' he said. 'Confess, woman; who is it?'
+
+'No one,' replied she. But he was certain about the matter, saying that
+his senses had never yet deceived him, though a woman might.
+
+'That is nought,' said she. 'But, tell me; if my brothers came to look
+for me, how would you take it?'
+
+'If your eldest brother came here,' replied the Dragon King, 'I would
+eat him raw. Your second brother I would stew gently over a slow fire,
+or, if he were nice and fat, I should roast him to a turn; but your
+youngest brother--him I would spare.'
+
+Then said she, 'O King, my youngest brother, who is your brother-in-law,
+is here in your castle. I will summon him.'
+
+It was a great meeting between the young Prince and the Dragon King. One
+would have thought that they had known each other for years. They
+embraced and wished each other health and long life; and then they sat
+down to a sumptuous banquet quickly brought in by winged attendants, who
+were evidently of the uneducated dragon classes;--indeed, though richly
+attired, they looked like slaves.
+
+In the course of conversation the Prince happened to mention that he was
+on the track of one Bashtchelik, who had run off with his wife against
+her will.
+
+'Bashtchelik!' exclaimed the Dragon King. 'My dear brother, I beseech
+you, seek him not. This kingdom itself put out five thousand strong, and
+took him unawares. But he escaped by a trick, gave battle to ten
+thousand of my picked dragons, fought his retreat to the mountains, and
+so escaped triumphant. Man to man--you against Bashtchelik--you cannot
+hope to win. If you will go back to your home, I will give you an escort
+and three asses laden with gold.'
+
+'Three asses laden with gold!' said the Prince. 'I thank you much, but I
+have better than that: I have three lives, which I won from Bashtchelik
+himself. I will seek him and reclaim my wife.'
+
+The Dragon King wondered at his words; then, plucking a feather from his
+wing, he said, 'You are determined, and I wish you well. Take this
+feather, and, if at any time you want my aid, burn it and I will come to
+you instantly with ten thousand chosen dragons.'
+
+The Prince thanked him, and placed the feather in his girdle. The next
+morning he took leave of his sister and the Dragon King, and set out in
+search of Bashtchelik.
+
+He left the city and crossed a desert, where he endured fatigues and
+encountered perils; but still, by his strong right arm, he preserved his
+three lives. Then, at last, he came to a city; and, as he took the
+mainway of it, the same thing happened as before. It was a woman's voice
+calling from a castle tower: 'O Prince! Dismount and come in hither!'
+
+Again he made his way into a courtyard, and again he was met by a
+woman--his second sister--who greeted him with joy. Soon she led him
+into her boudoir, and immediately he asked: 'My sister, who is your
+husband?'
+
+'He is the Eagle King,' said she.
+
+Then, as it had happened with the Dragon King, so it happened with the
+Eagle King. He came whirring home from a great height, and, by the
+artfulness of his wife, he met and embraced the young Prince; for,
+though the Eagle King would have pecked out the livers of the elder
+brothers, he was glad to meet the youngest. A feast was spread, and,
+afterwards, the talk led on to Bashtchelik.
+
+'Bashtchelik!' cried the Eagle King. 'Young man, will you listen to me?
+Once we battered him with ten thousand pairs of wings and assailed him
+with ten thousand beaks, but he triumphed. For one man to go up against
+him is as a thistledown attacking a whirlwind. Do nought. Stay with me:
+I will give you all you desire.'
+
+But, as the Prince held fast to his purpose, the Eagle King plucked a
+feather from his wing and gave it him.
+
+'If you are in sore straits,' he said, 'burn this feather, and, on the
+instant, I will come to your aid with ten thousand eagles.'
+
+Then the Prince, thanking the Eagle King, set forth once more. And, in
+his further journeying, he again came to a city, and heard, beneath a
+castle wall, a woman's voice calling to him.
+
+It was his youngest sister. She also contrived to bring him face to face
+with her husband, the Falcon King, who warned him strongly against
+Bashtchelik, and gave him a feather from his wing in case of need.
+
+After a long search and many adventures, the Prince at last found his
+wife, standing at the mouth of a large cave. She was much surprised to
+see him, and ran forward to embrace him. He then told her all he had
+done since their parting, and she clung to him in great joy.
+
+'Now, dear wife,' he said at last; 'now that I have found you, we will
+go together to your father's palace.'
+
+'But Bashtchelik!' she exclaimed.
+
+'Bashtchelik is not your husband,' he replied; 'I am your husband.'
+
+'Yes, yes; but if we flee, beloved, Bashtchelik will surely follow us.
+His rage would be terrible, and I should lose you for ever, and find a
+frightful punishment.'
+
+'Nay, nay; I am your husband, and I will protect you; come!' Then he
+added to himself, 'She does not know I have three lives now, and I doubt
+whether Bashtchelik could kill me three times.'
+
+So they fled together. But, some hours later, Bashtchelik returned from
+hunting and found the Princess had gone. From some footprints outside
+the cave he gleaned that she had not gone alone, and instantly guessed
+that her husband had carried her off. With a cry of rage he sprang into
+the air, and began to fly round the cave at terrific speed, and in
+ever-widening circles.
+
+The sun was low down on the Western horizon when the Prince, riding hard
+with his wife on the saddle-bow, heard a whirring sound in the sky and
+looked up.
+
+'Hasten!' cried the Princess in alarm; 'it is Bashtchelik. If we can
+reach the shelter of yonder forest he may not see us.'
+
+But hardly had she spoken when an angry cry from afar fell on their
+ears. Bashtchelik had seen them--seen her long, yellow hair floating on
+the breeze and gleaming like gold in the rays of the setting sun. He
+swerved and swooped downwards, and, madly as they rode for the edge of
+the forest, he was upon them by the time they reached the outskirts.
+
+Alighting on the ground, he tore the Princess from the Prince's arms,
+and cried out in sorrowful anger, 'O Prince, I gave you three lives out
+of gratitude to you, but, if you attempt to steal your wife again, I
+will kill you.' And with this he mounted in the air with the Princess,
+and soon disappeared in the distance, leaving the Prince lost in wonder
+at the suddenness of it all.
+
+Nevertheless he was not to be beaten. He returned to the cave under
+cover of night, and, having concealed his steed, crept forward and hid
+himself near the cave, to wait until Bashtchelik should go forth to the
+hunt.
+
+And he was not disappointed. Soon after the sun rose, Bashtchelik came
+out from the cave, bearing his bow and arrows, and went in search of
+prey. Then, when he was out of sight, the Prince dashed into the cave,
+took his wife and rode away with her. But again ere sunset they heard
+the whir of wings; and again Bashtchelik snatched the Princess from the
+Prince's arms. And this time he placed an arrow on his bowstring and
+drew it to the full.
+
+[Illustration: THE STORY OF BASHTCHELIK
+
+The Palace of the Dragon King.
+
+_See Page 109_]
+
+'O Prince,' he said, 'I give you your choice: will you die by arrow or
+sabre?'
+
+'By sabre,' said the Prince, feeling for his own.
+
+'Nay, nay!' returned Bashtchelik, relenting. 'Because I gave you three
+lives, I pardon you a second time; but, if you attempt to steal your
+wife again, I shall slay you without a thought.'
+
+But the Prince, as he watched Bashtchelik fly away with his wife, was
+not daunted. 'I wish he would stay to fight, said he; 'but maybe he will
+next time, for I shall certainly take her again.'
+
+And he did. And again they were overtaken. On this occasion it was
+nowise different, save that when Bashtchelik forgave the Prince it was
+in angry and threatening tones, before bearing the Princess away.
+
+Having failed three times, the Prince rode sadly homewards. But he had
+not gone far when he bethought him of the three feathers given him by
+his brothers-in-law, and of their promises of help. He reined in his
+steed, and turned and galloped back. He would beard Bashtchelik in his
+cave, and then give battle, with three armies at his call, if,
+perchance, this powerful foe should seem to prevail.
+
+When he reached the cave it was an hour after sunrise. He leapt from his
+steed and entered without knocking. There was a fire burning within, and
+his wife sat by it with her head on her hand, thinking. She sprang up at
+the sound of his footstep.
+
+'You!' she cried. 'Ah! my beloved, you are in unseemly haste to quit
+this life, since you come for me a fourth time.'
+
+'Listen to me,' he said; 'for you are my wife, and none shall keep you
+from me.' Then he showed her the three feathers, and explained to her
+that they were pledges of help in time of need. He placed them in her
+hand, and gave her also the burning-glass he used for kindling a fire,
+and said: 'Do not burn them until you see the combat is going against
+me. He will certainly follow us, but, this time, I think he will fight.'
+
+The Princess seemed to agree to his wish, and, soon afterwards, they set
+out and rode rapidly away.
+
+It was high noon when they heard the whir of wings and knew they were
+followed. Bashtchelik approached at a great speed, and they saw his
+sabre flashing in the sun. The Prince drew rein and dismounted; then,
+drawing his weapon, he advanced to meet his foe. But, ere their sabres
+clashed, the Princess, fearful for her husband's life, had taken the
+burning-glass and pinned the sun's rays to the feathers. A tiny curl of
+blue smoke arose, and then they burst into flame.
+
+Instantly--ere yet the heart could beat twice--there was a shrill chord
+of three sounds, and as many colours shimmered like lightning in the
+air. Then as the feathers blazed, came dragon hosts upon the plain;
+flaming eagles flocked in; and the Falcon King with his myriads swooped
+down. Bashtchelik was surrounded on three sides, but he dealt a mighty
+stroke at the Prince's heart; and then, seeming invincible, fought his
+way through with much slaughter and gained the side of the Princess.
+Before she knew it she was caught up, and Bashtchelik was bearing her on
+rapid wings away.
+
+But the Prince? Among the thick of the slain the three kings--his
+brothers-in-law--found him dead! But they took thought together as to
+how they might recall him to life, and at last decided to send for some
+water from the Jordan. They summoned three of the swiftest dragons and
+asked how long it would take to fetch it. 'Half an hour!' said the
+first. 'Ten minutes!' said the second; but the third said at once, 'Nine
+seconds!'
+
+So they dispatched him; and, like a flash, he winged his fiery flight,
+returning in nine seconds with the water from the Jordan. With this they
+bathed the Prince's wounds, and they healed up at once; and lo, he rose
+up alive and well, but with only two lives left to him.
+
+'Venture not again,' was the counsel of the three kings. 'Go not forth
+against Bashtchelik, for he is perfect steel, the mightiest of all; and
+none can conquer him: he has all Force behind him.'
+
+But the Prince would not accept their words of warning. 'Force is not
+the strongest thing,' he said. 'Force is hard as steel, yet it can be
+overcome by the will of Love, which is so soft that it melts at a touch.
+In that I go forth again to conquer Bashtchelik, and regain my wife.'
+
+They could not restrain him, but, ere he went, they counselled him
+again: 'Since you are willing to risk all, you must go; but think not
+that by mighty blows you can conquer Bashtchelik. Get speech with your
+wife, and bid her learn from him, by a woman's wit, wherein the secret
+of his strength lies. Then come and tell us; and, with that knowledge,
+we can help you to slay him.'
+
+The Prince agreed, and parted from them. Making his way very cautiously
+to the cave, he waited till Bashtchelik had gone forth to the hunt, and
+then entered and found his wife, and bade her glean from Bashtchelik the
+secret of his strength. Then he returned to his place of concealment.
+
+That evening, when Bashtchelik returned to the cave, the Princess
+praised his great strength and flattered him mightily upon it.
+
+'Tell me, I pray thee,' she said at last, 'wherein thy great strength
+lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound; for'--with a laugh--'I
+would fain bind thee with my hair.'
+
+Bashtchelik laughed, well pleased at her words. 'Wouldst thou know it?'
+said he. 'My strength is in my sword; were that taken from me I should
+then be weak, and be as another man.'
+
+The Princess then bowed down before his sword and did homage to it, and
+sang a great song of joy that all power on earth was in the sword. But,
+on hearing this, Bashtchelik laughed, and laughed again, saying,
+'Foolish one! my real strength lies no more in my sword than in its
+scabbard.'
+
+'Then,' said she, 'thou hast mocked me. Tell me, I pray thee, wherein
+thy strength lieth.'
+
+'In my bow and arrows,' replied he. And at once the Princess bowed down
+and did homage to his bow and arrows, singing their praise: how swift
+their flight through the air, how true their aim, how deadly their
+piercing points.
+
+But Bashtchelik laughed again, and again, and again.
+
+'Foolish one!' said he. 'My real strength lies not in my bow, nor in my
+arrows. But, tell me, why do you seek to know the secret of my
+strength?'
+
+'Because I am a woman; and was there ever a woman who loved a man and
+did not want to know his secret?'
+
+'Ay--to know it, and to impart it to others.'
+
+'Nay, nay; to know it is enough. Tell me, I pray thee, and tell me
+truly, wherein the secret of thy great strength lieth.'
+
+At this he was much distressed, and, thinking that the Princess believed
+her husband dead, he hoped at last to win her love; and so he told her.
+
+'Listen to me,' said he. 'Far away in a high tableland in the interior
+of this country there is a mountain reaching up to the sky, and rooted
+far down into the earth. In a spot of that mountain--in a den where a
+serpent lies asleep--there is a fox, and in its heart there hides a
+bird. That bird is the storehouse of my strength. One flutter of its
+wings would scatter a whole army; one beat of its heart would shake the
+whole world--if the fox so willed it. But the will of the fox is over
+mine, and what strength I have comes from the bird through the will of
+the fox. And that fox is the hardest thing in the world to catch: it can
+take any shape it likes. So, now, you know all.'
+
+'You have told me truly?'
+
+'I do not laugh: I have told you truly.'
+
+Then the Princess dallied with him, giving ear to his tales of terror
+and triumph. But, when he had supped and fallen asleep, she stole out
+and told the Prince all about it. And he, bidding his wife farewell,
+rode off in haste to tell his brothers-in-law. When they heard his news
+they called up their forces--the dragons, the eagles, the falcons--and
+proceeded forthwith against the mountain on the high tableland.
+
+By certain signs the Prince discovered the den of the sleeping serpent,
+and there they surprised the fox, who, seeing the vast array on the
+sides of the mountain and on the plain, quickly took refuge in flight.
+But a host of eagles and falcons tore after him and overtook him near a
+great lake. Here he changed himself into a duck with six wings, and
+dived and disappeared. Presently, far away on the lake, they saw him
+reappear on the surface, and rise from the water, and wing his way up
+into the clouds. Immediately the dragons gave chase, and the eagles and
+falcons strove to encircle the swift-winged bird. Finally, seeing no way
+of escape, the duck swooped to earth, and changed again into a fox. Then
+the pursuers pounced and caught him.
+
+The three kings then consulted together and decided to cut open the fox
+and take its heart out. This was soon done; then they built a great fire
+and threw the heart into it. And, as it burned, they saw a bird fly from
+it through the flames and fall scorched at their feet. Now, as they
+gazed upon it, it changed rapidly, growing in size and altering in
+shape, until at last there lay before them the body of Bashtchelik, his
+wings all burnt and his body charred.
+
+So this monster perished, and the Prince regained his long-lost bride.
+
+
+
+
+THE FRIAR AND THE BOY
+
+AN ENGLISH FAIRY TALE
+
+
+'You good-for-nothing boy, you! It's always meal-times when you come
+home: that's all you care about here. Look at the knees of your
+trousers; why, playing marbles in the street with all the other filthy
+little brats is about all you're fit for. How d'you think I'm going to
+spend all my time patching up your holes and tatters? Drat you! Get out
+of it and wipe your boots before you come into a clean kitchen. I've
+been all the afternoon tidying up for the good Friar's visit this
+evening, and now you----'
+
+'Hang the good Friar!' said Jack under his breath, for he was sick and
+tired of his stepmother's sour tongue, and more than sick and tired of
+the good Friar, who, he knew, was only 'good' when he was not feeling
+well. Taking a fairy-tale book from the shelf he went and sat in the
+inglenook, thus sheltering himself from a further storm of abuse from
+his stepmother.
+
+The fact of the matter was, that thrice upon a time his father had
+married. Jack, a merry-hearted boy, and lovable for all his mischief,
+was his son by his first wife. The other two had no children, and the
+stepmother now living seemed to resent the fact of Jack's existence. His
+father loved him dearly, but, when the father was away, Jack had a sore
+time with his sour-tempered stepmother. No wonder he only came home to
+meals; no wonder he preferred his fairy-tale book to her venomous
+tongue.
+
+When supper-time came, Jack was always summoned to his food well in time
+for it to be cleared away before his father came in; and the reason for
+this was that his father should not see how he was stinted.
+
+But one day the father got to know about these things, and taxed his
+wife on her treatment of the boy.
+
+'Look here, sir,' said she, 'I wish to goodness you would take your
+wretched son away and put him in a school for saints, since you think he
+is so good. As for me, he plagues my life out, and, if you keep him here
+with his ne'er-do-well ways, you'll come home some evening to find me
+gone.'
+
+Instead of beating his wife for these words--as some men do when their
+wives so beseech them--the goodman put his hand on her shoulder and
+said, 'Nay, nay, my dear; the boy is only a boy; let him stay with us
+another year until he can fend for himself. Now, I'll tell you what: let
+the man who looks after the sheep come in here and do the work about the
+house, and Jack will take his place in the field. The man can have
+Jack's bed, and Jack will be delighted to sleep in the outhouse. What
+say you?'
+
+The wife could not object to this, for, at least, the man would be more
+useful and less troublesome about the house than Jack could ever be. So
+she agreed to her husband's proposal.
+
+The next day the plan was put into operation.
+
+The man was set to work about the house, and Jack was sent out into the
+fields to mind the sheep. As he went he sang merrily, for he loved the
+green fields and the animals. He doubted the dinner his stepmother had
+put up for him, wrapped in a kitchen clout; yet he sang merrily as he
+went in search of the sheep:
+
+    _'Green gravel! Green gravel!
+      Thy grass is so green.
+    'Tis the fairies' green gravel
+      With the daisies between.'_
+
+Then, when he had found them:
+
+    _'Snowy sheepie-woolsides,
+      Save your wool for me;
+    Then in snowy yuletides
+      Snug and warm I'll be.'_
+
+Then, later, when he began to get hungry, it was:
+
+    _'Sheepie, wander, wander
+      All the fields about;
+    Grass is growing under,
+      Clover budding out.
+    My mother does not squander
+      Cakes on me, I doubt;
+    What is here, I wonder,
+      In this kitchen clout?'_
+
+And, sitting down on a mossy bank, he opened the clout in which his
+stepmother had wrapped his dinner. Lo and behold, it was dry bread, with
+a very thick layer of dripping scraped off from it back into the pot. He
+ate very little, thinking that surely his father would give him
+something nicer to eat when he got home.
+
+In the afternoon he sat on the hillside watching the sheep and singing
+merrily, when he saw an aged man with a staff making his way towards
+him.
+
+'God bless you, son,' said the aged one.
+
+'Good-morrow, father,' replied the boy. 'You are weary. Rest a while on
+this mossy bank.'
+
+'Ay, I will,' said the old man, sitting down beside the boy. 'You speak
+truly: I am weary, and hungry, and thirsty too. Have you any food? And
+would your young legs take you to the stream to bring me back a draught
+of water?'
+
+'I have food, such as it is,' replied Jack readily; and he offered him
+the dry bread and scrape that his stepmother had given him. 'As for
+water, I have a pannikin, and I'll soon fill it at the stream.' And with
+that he hurried off to fetch the water.
+
+When he returned, and the old man had eaten and drank, he thanked the
+boy. 'God love you, child,' he said; 'you have been kind to me. And now,
+in return, I am minded to grant you three wishes of your heart. Think
+well, and then name them; and it shall be as I say.'
+
+Jack thought and thought; but all he could decide on to begin with was a
+bow and arrow. So he asked for that.
+
+'Certainly!' said the old man; and, rising, he went behind the bank, and
+presently returned with the bow and arrow, which he gave to the boy.
+
+'This will last you all your life,' he said; 'and it will never break.
+All you have to do is to draw it with the arrow on the string, and
+whatever you aim at will fall, pierced by the arrow.'
+
+Jack was delighted, and, in order to test it, he fixed an arrow and let
+it fly at a hawk passing overhead. The arrow sped and pierced the body
+of the hawk, which came down plump at their feet.
+
+At this Jack considered his second wish, for he said to himself, 'An old
+man who can give me a bow and arrow that can never miss, can give me
+almost anything.' Then he made up his mind and asked for a pipe on which
+to play tunes.
+
+'I have always wanted a pipe,' he said; 'I would like one so much, no
+matter how small it is.'
+
+Then the old man got up and went behind the bank, and came back
+presently with a beautiful pipe, which he gave to the boy.
+
+'It is a strange pipe,' he said. 'When you play upon it any one besides
+yourself who hears the music must dance, and keep on dancing till the
+music stops.'
+
+Jack thought this was fine, and would have played a tune there and then,
+but he looked at the aged man and saw that it would hurt him to dance;
+so he waited: there was always the 'good Friar' to pipe to.
+
+'Now, child,' said the old man at last, 'what is your third and last
+wish?'
+
+Jack pondered a long time, and at last he chuckled and clapped his hands
+with glee. When the old man asked him what tickled him so, he could not
+reply at once, as he was so busy enjoying some joke beforehand. At last,
+when he was able to speak, he said, 'Father, it has just crossed my mind
+that my stepmother is always looking at me sourly and always scolding
+me. I wish that when she does this she will laugh, and go on laughing
+till I give her the word to stop. Can you grant that wish, father?'
+
+'I can,' said the old man; 'and it will be so. When she looks at you
+sourly or speaks to you crossly, she will laugh until she falls to the
+ground, and then go on laughing until you tell her to stop.'
+
+When Jack had thanked him, the old man said good-bye and tottered away,
+leaning heavily on his staff. Meanwhile Jack sat and nursed his three
+wishes, feeling as gay-hearted about his good luck as a lambkin with
+three tails.
+
+When the sun set at last and his day's work was done, he rose and
+trudged homewards in great glee. As he went he played his pipe, and all
+the sheep and cattle and horses and dogs danced, till he left off for
+laughing at the sight of them kicking up their heels. Even the birds and
+the bees waltzed in the air, and, as he crossed a bridge, he saw the
+little fishes pirouetting in the stream below.
+
+As soon as he reached home he put the pipe away, and, going into the
+house, found his father at supper.
+
+'Father,' said he, 'I am terribly hungry after looking to the sheep all
+day; and, besides, my dinner was very dry.'
+
+'Here you are, my son,' replied his father; and, cutting a wing from the
+roast capon on the table before him, he set it on a plate and pushed it
+over to the boy.
+
+At this the stepmother, grudging to see such a nice portion given to the
+boy, turned upon him with a look that would have made a cow give sour
+milk. Then, on the instant, she burst out laughing. Her husband stared
+at her in amazement, but still she laughed, her sides shaking with her
+shrill peals; and louder and louder she laughed, until the rafters shook
+and she fell to the ground, still laughing as if she would die of it.
+
+At last Jack, with his capon's wing in both hands before him, stopped
+eating to cry, 'Enough, I say!' And immediately the stepmother ceased
+her laughter and struggled to her feet, looking more dead than alive.
+
+Now, the next day, when Jack was minding the sheep, the good Friar
+called at the house, and the stepmother told him what a naughty boy Jack
+was, and how he had made her laugh till she had nearly died, and then
+mocked her.
+
+'Go you, now,' she said; 'go and find him in the fields and give him a
+sound beating for my sake. It will do him good--and me too.'
+
+So the Friar went out into the fields and at last found the boy, with
+his bow and arrow in his hands.
+
+'Young man,' said the Friar, 'tell me at once what you have done to your
+stepmother that she is so angered with you. Tell me at once, I say, or I
+will give you a sound beating.'
+
+'What's the matter with you?' replied Jack. 'If my stepmother wants me
+beaten, let her do it herself. See that bird?' He pointed to a very
+plump bird flying overhead. 'If you fetch it when it drops, you can have
+it.'
+
+With this he let fly an arrow and pierced the bird, which fell to earth
+a little way off in a bramble patch. As the Friar darted forward to get
+it--for it was indeed a plump bird--Jack drew forth his pipe and began
+to play.
+
+It is said that he who hops among thorns is either chasing a snake or
+being chased by one; and it looked as if either the one or the other was
+the Friar's case, for he hopped high in the bramble bushes and danced as
+if he had gone mad in both heels at once.
+
+To see the good Friar dancing willy-nilly among the bramble bushes,
+kicking up his heels to the tune of the pipe, higher still and
+higher--oh, it was a sight for Jack's eyes, for he loved the Friar to
+distraction in less ways than one. So long as Jack piped, the Friar
+danced. His dress was torn to shreds, but that seemed a small matter.
+The thorns did admirable work, but the Friar did not care. On with the
+dance! _Tara-tara-tara-ra-ra_--the Friar seemed to be enjoying himself,
+though more for Jack's benefit than his own. Faster and faster shrilled
+the pipe, and faster danced the Friar, until at last he fell down among
+the brambles, a sorry spectacle, still kicking his feet in the air to
+the merry rhythm. Then Jack ceased piping, but only to laugh; for he
+had small pity for the Friar.
+
+'Friend Jack!' cried the Friar, gathering himself up, 'forbear, I pray
+you. I am nigh to death. Permit me to depart and I will be your friend
+for ever.'
+
+'Get up and go, then,' cried Jack, 'before I begin to play again.'
+
+The good Friar needed no further permission. What remnant of a robe was
+left him he gathered up, and fled to his own home. There he clothed
+himself decently and made all haste to Jack's parents.
+
+When they saw his woebegone countenance they questioned him closely.
+
+'I have been with your son,' he replied. 'Grammercy! By these scratches
+on my face, and by others you cannot see, he is in league with the Evil
+One, or I am no holy Friar. He played a tune on his pipe and I
+danced--danced!--think of it! And all in the bramble bushes! Your son is
+plainly lost; I hesitate to think what it will cost you to save his soul
+from the devil's clutch.'
+
+'Here is a fine thing,' exclaimed the wife, turning to her husband.
+'This your son has nearly killed the holy Father!'
+
+'Benedicite!' said the good man fervently, and the Friar wondered for a
+moment what he meant exactly.
+
+When Jack returned home his father at once asked him what he had been
+doing. He replied that he had been having a merry time with the good
+Friar, who was so fond of music that he could dance to it
+anywhere--among bramble bushes for preference. These saints, of
+course----
+
+'But what music is this you play?' broke in his father, who was growing
+vastly interested. 'I should like to hear it.'
+
+'Heaven forfend!' cried the Friar, getting uneasy.
+
+'Yes, yes; I should like to hear it,' persisted his father.
+
+'Then, if that is so, and you must hear his accursed tune, I beg that
+you will bind me to the door-post so that I cannot move. I have had more
+than enough of it.'
+
+They took him at his word and bound him securely to the door-post; so
+that he was, so to speak, out of the dance when Jack took his pipe and
+began to play.
+
+Then had you seen a merry spectacle! At the first notes the good man and
+his wife began to tread a sprightly measure, while the Friar, bound fast
+to the post, squirmed and wriggled, showing plainly that he would foot
+it if he could, and dispense with the brambles for once.
+
+As the piping went on, the merry measure became a tarantelle. The staid
+old folks threw off their age, and kicked their heels high in the air.
+Faster and faster went the music; wilder and wilder grew the dance. The
+Friar burst his bonds and joined in. Nothing was safe: chairs were
+hustled into the fire; the table was pushed this way and that, and the
+lighted lamp upon it was rocking.
+
+Seeing the fury of the thing, Jack got up and led the way out into the
+street, still piping. They followed; the neighbours flocked out and
+joined in the dance; even those who had gone to bed rushed down, and all
+followed at Jack's heels down the village street, dancing madly to his
+wild piping. People jostled and fell and went on dancing on all fours,
+but the Friar kept his feet, if not his head, and whirled many a maid
+into the thick of it.
+
+At length, when they had reached the village green, and the scene had
+become one of indescribable confusion and abandon, Jack's father drew
+near him and said, as he whirled by: 'Jack! if you have any
+consideration for your poor old father, for heaven's sake, stop!'
+
+Now the boy loved his father; so, on hearing these words, he ceased his
+piping. Suddenly all came to a standstill. There was a rapid melting
+away as if people had awakened from a dream in which they had been
+making themselves ridiculous. And, in the midst of this, came forward
+the Friar with Jack's stepmother in close attendance.
+
+'That cursed boy!' cried he, shaking his fist at Jack. 'See here, my
+fine fellow, you cannot do this kind of thing with impunity. I hereby
+summon you before the Judge next Friday, and see to it that you appear
+in person to answer the charges I shall bring against you.'
+
+At this the boy raised his pipe again to his lips; but, before he could
+blow a single note, they had all taken to their heels in dismay, leaving
+him standing there alone in the empty square.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was Friday, and the Judge, be-wigged and severe, sat on the bench,
+with all the appearance of a great case before him. The Friar was there
+as prosecutor; the King's Proctor was watching the case--in case; the
+Public Persuader was there with his suave and well-paid manner,
+admonishing all sides; Jack's parents and all his relations and friends
+were there, wondering greatly whether Jack, who stood in the dock, would
+live to tell the tale of what death was meted out to him.
+
+'M'lud!' said the Friar when there was silence in court; 'I have brought
+before you a wicked boy who, by associating with the Evil One, has
+corrupted the manners of this community, and brought sorrow and trouble
+to all. Though young he is none the less a wizard, having infernal
+skill.'
+
+'Ay, that he is,' put in the stepmother. 'He is in league--in
+league----' But she got no further, for, in a trice, she was laughing as
+none had ever been known to laugh.
+
+The Judge was scandalised.
+
+'Woman!' he said. 'This Court itself has been known to laugh, but this
+behaviour on your part is unseemly.'
+
+'Stop it!' said Jack from the dock, and he spoke short and sharp.
+
+She ceased immediately, and then the Judge requested her to tell her
+tale; but she was so exhausted that the Friar had to tell it for her.
+
+'M'lud,' he said, 'it is simply this: the prisoner here has a pipe, and,
+when he plays upon it, all who hear must dance themselves to death,
+whether they like it or not.'
+
+'Ah!' said the Judge, 'I should like to hear this Dance of Death. You
+have heard it, good father, and you still live. Maybe, when I have heard
+it, I shall be charmed, like the serpent, and come out to be killed at
+once. Let him play his music.'
+
+And, with this remark, the Judge sat back, while Jack took up his pipe
+to play.
+
+'Stop! stop!' cried the Friar in dismay. But Jack heeded not. At the nod
+of the Judge he started up a merry tune, and immediately the whole Court
+began to imagine itself a ballroom. Set to partners--cross--ladies'
+chain--chasse! It was a regular whirl as the boy piped faster and
+faster. The Judge himself leapt down from the bench and joined in,
+holding up his robes and footing it merrily. But, when he bruised his
+shins severely against the clerk's desk, he yelled for the boy to cease
+piping.
+
+'Yes, I will,' cried Jack, and as he paused with his pipe raised to his
+lips they all waited on his words: 'I will, if they will all promise to
+treat me properly from this time forward.'
+
+'I think,' said the Judge, 'if you will put your pipe away, they will
+consent to an amicable arrangement.'
+
+Then he climbed back to the bench and sat himself down, and put on his
+considering cap to pass sentence.
+
+There was silence in court for some minutes. Then came in solemn tones:
+
+'Judgment for the defendant--with costs!'
+
+And so, all parties being satisfied, the Court adjourned, and every one
+went home to supper quite happy.
+
+[Illustration: THE FRIAR AND THE BOY
+
+The Friar, bound fast to the post, squirmed and wriggled, showing
+plainly that he would foot it if he could.
+
+_See page 126_]
+
+
+
+
+THE GREEN SERPENT
+
+A FRENCH FAIRY TALE
+
+
+There was once upon a time a very great Queen who gave birth to little
+twin girls. She immediately sent out invitations to twelve fairies in
+the neighbouring countries to come to the feast according to the custom
+of the country--a custom that was never by any means overlooked, because
+it was such a great advantage to have the fairies as guests.
+
+When the twelve fairies were all assembled in the great hall where the
+feast was to be held, they took their seats at the table--a very big
+table laden with such good things to eat, and so rich, that it was past
+all comprehension. No sooner had all the guests seated themselves, than
+who should enter but the wicked fairy Magotine!
+
+Now the Queen, when she saw her, felt that some disaster would follow
+because she had omitted to send this fairy an invitation; but she hid
+the thought deep in her mind, and off she went and found a beautiful
+soft seat all embroidered in gold and inlaid with sapphires; then all
+the other fairies moved up and made room for Magotine to seat herself,
+saying at the same time, 'Hurry up, sister, and make your wish for the
+little Princesses, and then come and sit down.'
+
+But, before Magotine came to table, she said rudely that she was quite
+big enough to eat standing. There she made a great mistake, because the
+table was very high and Magotine was very small, and, in reaching up,
+she fell. This misfortune only increased her bad temper.
+
+'Madam,' said the Queen, 'I beg you to be seated at table.'
+
+'If you had so much wished to see me here,' replied the fairy, 'you
+would have sent me an invitation the same as the others. You have only
+invited to your court the most beautiful, well-dressed and
+good-tempered fairies, like my sisters here. With them I have no fault
+to find; I, however, have one advantage over them, as you will see!'
+
+Then all the fairies begged her to seat herself with them, and she did
+so. In front of each fairy was placed a beautiful bouquet made of all
+kinds of precious stones. Each took the bouquet immediately in front of
+her, and there remained none at all for Magotine; and she growled
+furiously between her teeth.
+
+The Queen, quickly noticing the awful error, ran to her cabinet and came
+back with a large cup all perfumed and studded outside with rubies, and
+inside full of diamonds that gave forth a thousand different colours.
+Going up to Magotine, she begged her to receive the present. But
+Magotine only shook her head and replied: 'Keep your jewels, madam, I do
+not want them. I came simply to see if you had thought of me, and I find
+that you have forgotten me altogether.' And with this she gave a tap
+with her wand on the table and at once all the good things were turned
+into serpents, which wriggled about and hissed viciously. The other
+fairies, seeing this, were filled with horror; they threw down their
+serviettes and quitted the table.
+
+While they were leaving the table the wicked little fairy Magotine, who
+had come to disturb the peace, made her way to the room where the little
+Princesses were asleep in a golden cot covered with a canopy studded
+with diamonds, the most beautiful ever seen in the world. The other
+fairies followed her to watch. Magotine stopped beside the cot, and,
+taking out her wand quickly, she touched one of the little Princesses,
+saying at the same time: 'I wish that you become the most ugly person
+that it would be possible to find.' Then she turned to the other little
+Princess; but, before she could do anything further, the other fairies
+interfered, and taking a great pan full of vitriol, threw it over the
+wicked Magotine. But not a drop touched her, for, before it splashed
+upon the floor, she had disappeared before their very eyes.
+
+The Queen then made her way to the cot and took out the little Princess
+that Magotine had wished to be so ugly; and the Queen cried with sorrow
+because, every minute as she looked at it, the child was becoming uglier
+and uglier, until at last any one could see she was the ugliest baby in
+the world.
+
+Now the other good fairies consulted amongst themselves how they could
+lighten this great sorrow, so they turned to the Queen and said: 'Madam,
+it is not possible to undo the evil that the fairy Magotine has put upon
+your child, but we will wish for her something that will help to balance
+that evil.' And then they told the Queen that one day her daughter would
+be extremely happy. With this the fairies took their departure, but not
+before the Queen had given them all some beautiful presents; for this
+custom goes on amongst all the peoples of the earth, and will continue
+when other customs are forgotten.
+
+The Queen called her ugly daughter Laideronnette, and the beautiful
+daughter Bellote; and these names suited them perfectly, because
+Laideronnette was frightfully ugly, and her sister was equally charming
+and beautiful.
+
+When Laideronnette was twelve years old, she went and threw herself at
+the feet of the King and Queen, and begged them to allow her to go and
+shut herself up in a castle far away near the Light of Dawn, and to let
+her take the necessary servants and food to live there. She reminded
+them that they still had Bellote, and that she was enough to console
+them.
+
+After a long while they agreed, and Laideronnette went away to her
+castle near the Light of Dawn. On one side of the castle the sea came
+right up to the window, and on another there was a great canal; from
+still another view was a vast forest as far as the eye could see, and
+beyond again a great desert.
+
+The little Princess played musical instruments beautifully, and also had
+a sweet voice just like a bird, and sang divinely; and so, with these
+delights, she lived for two whole years in perfect solitude. Then, at
+the end of the two years, she began to feel homesick and wished to see
+her father and mother, the King and Queen; so she started on the
+journey home at once, and arrived just as her sister the Princess
+Bellote was going to be married.
+
+Now as soon as they saw Laideronnette, they did not offer to kiss her or
+say they were pleased to see her; and they told her she was not to come
+to the marriage feast, nor to the ball afterwards. Poor little
+Laideronnette said she had not come to dance and be merry; neither had
+she come to the marriage feast; she had come because she felt homesick
+and wanted to see her father and mother. However, she would go away back
+to her castle near the Light of Dawn, for there the desert, the trees,
+and the fountains never reproached her with her ugliness when she came
+near them.
+
+The King and Queen were sorry that they had been so unkind, and asked
+Laideronnette to remain two or three days; but Laideronnette was so
+upset that she refused. Then her sister Bellote gave her some silk, and
+Bellote's betrothed gave her some ribbons. Now, if Laideronnette had
+been like some people she would have thrown the silk and the ribbons at
+the Princess and her future husband. But Laideronnette was not like
+that, and she only felt a great sorrow in her little heart, and turned
+away and took her faithful nurse with her; and all the way home towards
+the Light of Dawn, Laideronnette never spoke a single word.
+
+One day, when Laideronnette was walking in a very shaded valley in the
+forest, she saw on a tree a big green serpent, who lifted his head and
+said to her, 'Laideronnette, you are not the only unhappy person; look
+at my horrible form, and I was born more beautiful than you.' The
+Princess was so terrified to hear a serpent talk that she fled away and
+remained in her room for days, in case she should see or meet the green
+serpent again.
+
+Eventually Laideronnette got tired of being shut up in her room all day
+alone, so one evening she came down and went to the edge of the sea,
+bewailing all the time her awful loneliness and her sad destiny, when
+suddenly she saw coming towards her over the waves a little barque of a
+thousand different colours and designs on its sides. The sail was
+beautifully embroidered in gold, and the Princess became very curious
+to see all the beauties that the barque must contain inside.
+
+She made her way aboard. Inside she found it lined with lovely velvet,
+the seats of pure gold and the walls studded with diamonds; then, all of
+a sudden, the barque turned and went out to sea. The Princess ran up and
+caught hold of the oars, thinking to get back to her castle; but it was
+no use: she could do nothing at all. On and on went the barque and the
+poor little Princess wept bitterly at this new sorrow that had come to
+her.
+
+'Magotine is doing me a bad turn again,' she thought, so she abandoned
+herself to her fate, hoping that she would die. 'Just after I was
+looking forward to a little pleasure in seeing my parents yesterday,
+comes one catastrophe on another; and now my sister is going to be
+married to a great Prince. What have I done that I should have to live
+alone in a desert spot because of my ugliness? Alas! for my company I
+have only a serpent--who speaks!'
+
+These reflections brought tears from the Princess, and she gazed on
+every side to see which way death was coming for her. While looking and
+gazing she saw, approaching on the waves, a serpent, flashing green in
+the sunlight. He came up to the side of the barque and said: 'If you are
+good enough to receive help from a poor Green Serpent, tell me, for I am
+in a position to save your life.'
+
+'Death is nothing to me compared to the sight of you,' cried the
+Princess; 'and, if you really want to do me a favour, never show
+yourself before my eyes again.'
+
+The Green Serpent gave a big sigh (for that is the way of serpents in
+love), and, without replying at all, he dived to the bottom of the sea.
+
+'What a horrible monster!' said the Princess to herself. 'His body is of
+a thousand green colours, and he has eyes like fire. I would rather die
+than that _he_ should save my life. What love can he have for me, and by
+what right does he speak like a human being?'
+
+Suddenly a voice replied to her thoughts, and it said, 'Listen,
+Laideronnette, it is not my fault that I am a Green Serpent; and it will
+not be for ever; but, I assure you, I am less ugly in my special way
+than you are in yours. All the same, it is not my wish to pain you; I
+would comfort you if you would only let me!'
+
+The voice surprised the Princess very much, so sweet was it that she
+could not hold back her tears. 'I am not crying because I am afraid to
+die,' she answered, 'but I am hurt enough to weep over my ugliness. I
+have nothing to live for, why should I cry for fear of dying?'
+
+While she was thus moralising, the little barque that floated with the
+wind ran into a rock and broke up into pieces, and, when all else had
+sunk, there remained of the wreck only two little pieces of wood. The
+poor Princess caught hold of these two little pieces and kept herself
+afloat; then, happily, her feet touched a rock and she scrambled up on
+to it.
+
+Alas! what was that coming towards her now but the Green Serpent! As if
+he knew that she was afraid, he moved away a little, and said: 'You
+would be less afraid of me, Laideronnette, if you knew what advantages
+can be had through me; it is one of the punishments of my destiny,
+however, that I should frighten every one in the world.'
+
+And with this he threw himself back into the sea, and Laideronnette
+remained alone on the rock in the middle of the ocean. On whichever side
+she looked she saw nothing but what would cause her despair; and
+darkness began to fall, and she had no food to eat, and Laideronnette
+did not know where to sleep.
+
+'I thought,' said she sadly, 'that I should end my days at the bottom of
+the sea; but without a doubt this is to be the end; what sea-monster
+will come to eat me up?'
+
+She crept higher and higher up the rock, and looked out over the sea.
+Darkness was falling fast, so she took off her dress and covered her
+head and face in it, so that she could not see the awful things that
+would pass in the night.
+
+After a long time she fell asleep, and dreamt that she heard the most
+melodious music, and she tried to persuade herself that she was awake,
+but in a second she heard a voice singing, as if to her alone:--
+
+    _'Suffer the love that wounds you:
+      It is a tender fire.
+    The love that follows and surrounds you
+      To your love would aspire.
+    Banish fear, forgo all grieving:
+    Love hath joys past all believing.
+          Suffer the love that wounds you:
+            It is a tender fire.'_
+
+At the end of this song she woke up at once. 'What happiness or what
+misfortune threatens me?' said she. She opened her eyes very carefully,
+for she was full of fear, expecting to find herself surrounded by
+monsters from the sea; but, imagine her surprise to find herself in a
+chamber all glittering with gold! The bed on which she lay was perfect,
+and the most beautiful to be seen anywhere in the wide world.
+Laideronnette got up and went out on to a wide balcony, where she saw
+all the beauties of nature before her. The gardens were full of
+flowers--flowers that gave out the rarest perfume; fountains splashed
+everywhere, and were surmounted by lovely figures; and outside the
+gardens was a wonderful forest green with verdure. The palace and the
+walls were encrusted with precious stones, the roofs and ceilings were
+made of pearls, so beautifully done that it was a perfect work of art.
+From the tower of the palace could be seen beyond the forest a sea calm
+and placid, just like a sheet of glass, and on the sea floated thousands
+of little boats with all kinds of different sails, which, when caught by
+the wind, had the most lovely effect imaginable.
+
+'Gods, sweet gods!' cried Laideronnette, 'what do I see? Where am I? Is
+it possible that I am in heaven--I who yesterday was in peril in a
+barque?' She walked as she spoke, then she stopped; what noise was that
+she heard in her apartment? She turned and entered her room, and, coming
+towards her, she saw a hundred little animated pagodas, all of
+different designs. Some were very beautiful, while others were extremely
+ugly. In fact there was hardly any difference between the little pagodas
+and the people who inhabit the world.
+
+The pagoda which now presented itself before Laideronnette was the
+deputy of the King. It said that sometimes it went travelling all over
+the world, but was allowed to do so only on one condition: namely, that
+it did not talk to any one; otherwise the King would not give the
+necessary permission. On its return it entertained the King by
+recounting all that it had heard and seen; moreover, it held the most
+precious secrets of the court. 'It will be a pleasure to serve you,
+madam,' it went on, 'and everything you want we shall be delighted to
+get for you; in the meantime we will play for you and dance so that you
+will have plenty to make you happy.' And they all began to dance and
+sing, and play on castanets and tambourines.
+
+When they had finished, the principal pagoda said to the Princess:
+'Listen, madam, these hundred pagodas are here expressly to serve you,
+and any mortal thing you want in the world you have only to ask for it
+and it shall be yours at once.' The little pagodas paused in their
+movements and came near to Laideronnette, and she saw at a glance that
+they were simply lovely. Looking inside, she saw that they contained
+presents for her, some useful and others so beautiful that she could
+only cry out with joy.
+
+The biggest pagoda, which was a little figure of pure diamonds, then
+came up to Laideronnette and asked her if she would now like her bath in
+the little grotto. The Princess walked, between a guard of honour, to
+the place it pointed to, and there she saw two beautiful baths of
+crystal, and from them came such a lovely fragrance that Laideronnette
+could not help remarking about it. Then she asked why there were two
+bathing places, and they told her that one was for her and the other for
+the King of the Pagodas.
+
+'But where is he, then?' cried Laideronnette. 'Madam,' said they, 'at
+present he is at the war; but you shall see him on his return.'
+
+The Princess asked them if he was married, and they shook their little
+top turrets, meaning that he was not. Then they told her that he was so
+good and kind that he had never found any one good enough to marry.
+
+Laideronnette then undressed herself and got into the bath, and at once
+the pagodas began to sing and play. Then, when the Princess was ready to
+come out of her bath, she was given a dress of shining colours, and they
+all walked before her to her room, where her toilet was made by maids,
+all of them quaint little pagodas.
+
+The Princess was astounded, and expressed her delight at her great good
+fortune.
+
+There was not a day that the pagodas did not come and tell her all the
+news of the courts where they had been in different parts of the world.
+People plotting for war, others seeking for peace; wives who were
+unfaithful, old widowers who married wives a thousand times more
+unsuitable than those they had lost; discovered treasures; favourites at
+court, and out of it, who had fallen from the coveted seat they
+occupied; jealous wives, to say nothing at all about husbands; women who
+flirted, and naughty children;--in fact they told her everything that
+was going on, to make her happy and to help to pass the time away.
+
+Now one night it happened that the Princess could not sleep, and she lay
+awake, thinking. At last she said: 'What is going to happen to me? Shall
+I always be here? My life is passed more happily than I ever could wish;
+but, all the same, there is a feeling in my heart that there is
+something missing.'
+
+'Ah! Princess,' said a voice, 'is it not your own fault? If you would
+only love me, you would recognise at once that it would be possible to
+remain in this palace for ever, alone with the one you loved, without
+ever wishing to leave it.'
+
+'Which little pagoda is speaking to me now?' she asked. 'What dreadful
+counsel to give me, contrary to all I have been taught in my life!'
+
+'It is not a pagoda who is talking to you; it is the unhappy King who
+loves you, madam.'
+
+'A King who loves me!' replied the Princess. 'Has this King eyes, or
+does he need glasses? Has he not seen that I am the ugliest person in
+the world?'
+
+'Yes, I have seen you, madam. All that you are, and all that you may
+have been, make not the least difference to me. I repeat, I love you.'
+
+The Princess did not speak again, but she spent the rest of the night
+thinking over this adventure.
+
+Every day on getting up she found new clothes and fresh jewels; it was
+too much homage, considering she was so ugly.
+
+One night--it must have been the darkest night of the whole
+year--Laideronnette was asleep, and, on awakening, she felt that some
+one sat near her bed. The Princess put out her hand to feel, but
+somebody took her hand and kissed it, and in so doing let teardrops fall
+upon it. She knew full well that it must be the invisible King.
+
+'What do you want with me?' she said. 'Can I love somebody I have never
+seen and do not know?'
+
+'Ah! madam,' replied he, 'what pleasure it would give me to be able to
+fulfil your wish! But the wicked Magotine, who played you such a cruel
+trick, has done the same to me, for I am condemned to remain thus for
+seven years; five have already gone by and there remain another two
+years. You could, if you would, lessen the time and make it pass quickly
+for me if you would marry me; you will think that what I ask is
+impossible; but, madam, if you only knew how deep my love is for you,
+you would never refuse me the favour I ask of you.'
+
+Laideronnette, as I have already said, thought that this invisible King
+was very sweet, and the love he offered was without a doubt genuine.
+And, in a moment of pity, she replied that she would like a few days to
+think over his proposal. So the days passed, and all the time the music
+went on and the pagodas danced and new presents arrived for her, better
+than those she had received before. And in the end the Princess made up
+her mind to marry the invisible King, and she promised to wait to see
+him until his time of punishment was over and he could take visible
+shape again.
+
+Then the voice said: 'The consequences will be terrible for you and for
+me if your curiosity should overcome you, and I shall have to commence
+my punishment all over again; but, should you, on the other hand, stay
+your desire to see me, you will receive that beauty that the wicked
+Magotine took away from you.'
+
+The Princess, full of this new hope, promised to keep her word to him.
+But after a while she had a deep desire to see her father and mother
+again; also her sister and her husband. The pagodas, who knew the road
+well, conducted the royal family to the castle of Laideronnette's father
+and mother; and when she saw them she nearly died of joy.
+
+Her mother and her sister questioned Laideronnette about her husband,
+and Laideronnette remembered what her husband had told her; she did not
+like to tell her people the truth, so she told them that he was at the
+war fighting, and that he did not like seeing people. But her mother and
+sister chaffed her about him, and at last Laideronnette said that the
+wicked Magotine had punished him for seven years, that two remained to
+be finished, and that she had married him without ever having seen him;
+but that he was a charming person and his conversation proved the fact,
+and that if she held her curiosity until the two years were up, she
+would regain all the beauty that the fairy Magotine had taken from her.
+
+'Ah!' replied her mother, 'is it possible that you are such a simpleton
+as to believe all those tales? Your husband is a huge monster; he is the
+King of monkeys truly.'
+
+'I know full well,' replied Laideronnette, 'that he is the god of Love
+himself.'
+
+'What a terrible mistake!' screamed the Queen Bellote.
+
+The poor Princess was so confused and upset that, after giving them the
+presents, she resolved to go and see her husband. Ah, fatal curiosity!
+She took a little lamp with her that she might be able to see him the
+better. What was her surprise when, instead of Love, she saw the Green
+Serpent! He drew himself up in rage and sorrow:
+
+'O wicked one!' cried he; 'is this the return for all my love for you?'
+
+Now Magotine, knowing that Laideronnette and the Green Serpent were in
+trouble, came to add to their sorrow and taunt them. She took away, with
+one wave of her wand, all the lovely castles and fountains and gardens.
+And Laideronnette, seeing all that she had done, was very troubled. So,
+during the night, Laideronnette deplored her sad fate. Then, high up
+near the stars, she saw coming towards her the Green Serpent.
+
+'I always make you afraid,' he cried; 'but you are infinitely dear to
+me.'
+
+'Is it you, Serpent, dear lover; is it you?' cried Laideronnette. 'Can
+you forgive me for my fatal curiosity?'
+
+'Ah! how the sorrow of absence troubles this loving heart!' replied the
+Serpent, with never a word of reproach to Laideronnette for her broken
+promise.
+
+Magotine, now, was one of those fairies who never slept at all: the wish
+to do harm and never to miss the chance kept her awake; and she did not
+fail to hear the conversation between the King Serpent and his spouse;
+and she came down upon them in a fury.
+
+'Now then, Green Serpent,' said she, 'I order you for your punishment to
+go right to the good Proserpine, and give her my compliments.'
+
+The poor Green Serpent went at once with great sighs, leaving the Queen
+in sorrow. And Laideronnette cried out:
+
+'What crime have we committed now, you wicked Magotine? I am certain
+that the poor King, whom you have sent to the bottomless pit of hell,
+was as innocent as I myself am; but let me die: it is the least you can
+do.'
+
+'You would be too happy,' said Magotine, 'were I to listen and grant you
+your wish. I will send you to the bottom of the sea.' So saying, she
+took the poor Princess to the top of the highest mountain and tied a
+mill-stone about her neck, telling her that she was to go down and bring
+enough Water of Discretion to fill up her great big glass. The Princess
+said that it was absolutely impossible to carry all that water.
+
+'If you do not,' said Magotine, 'you may rest assured that your Green
+Serpent will suffer more.'
+
+This threat caused the Queen to think of her utter feebleness. She began
+to walk, but, alas! it was useless. Oh! if the Fairy Protectress would
+only help her! Loudly she called, and lo! there stood the good fairy by
+her side.
+
+'See,' said she, 'to what a pass your fatal curiosity has brought you!'
+So saying, she took her to the top of the mountain; she gave her a
+little carriage drawn by two white mice and told them to descend the
+mountain. Then she gave the little mice a vessel to fill up with the
+Water of Discretion for Magotine, and produced a little pair of iron
+shoes for Laideronnette to put on. She counselled her not to remain on
+the mountain and not to stay by the fountain, but to go into a little
+wood and to remain there three years, for then Magotine would think that
+she was getting the water or that she had perished in the awful perils
+of the voyage.
+
+Laideronnette kissed and embraced the good Fairy Protectress, and
+thanked her a thousand times for her great favours. 'But, madam,' said
+Laideronnette, 'all the joys that you have given me will not lessen the
+sorrow of not having my Green Serpent.'
+
+'He will come to you after you have been three years in the wood in the
+mountain,' said the fairy; 'and on your return you can give the water to
+Magotine.'
+
+Laideronnette promised the fairy not to forget anything she had told
+her. So, when she got into her carriage, the mice took her to get the
+water, and afterwards they went to the wood that the fairy had told them
+about. There never was a more lovely place. Fruit hung on all the
+branches; and there were long avenues where the sun could not pierce;
+thousands of little fountains splashed, but the most wonderful thing of
+all was, that all the animals could speak.
+
+Three years passed, and the time had now arrived for her departure with
+the water for Magotine. So Laideronnette told all the animals that she
+was sorry to leave them, and tears fell from her eyes, because she was
+so touched with the kindness they all had shown her.
+
+She did not forget the vessel full of the Water of Discretion, nor the
+little shoes of iron that the good fairy had given her; and, just when
+Magotine thought her dead, she presented herself all of a sudden before
+her, the stones around her neck, the shoes of iron on her feet, and the
+vessel full of water in her hand.
+
+Magotine on seeing her cried out in surprise. Where had she come from?
+
+'Madam,' said Laideronnette, 'I passed three years in trying to get this
+water for you.'
+
+Magotine roared with laughter when she thought of the awful job this
+poor Queen must have had to get it; but she regarded her attentively.
+
+'What is it that I see?' she cried to Laideronnette, who had changed
+greatly. 'How did you become so beautiful?'
+
+Laideronnette told her that she had washed in the Water of Discretion,
+and that was how she had become beautiful.
+
+Magotine, on hearing this, threw the water on the ground. 'I will be
+avenged,' said she. 'Go down to the bottomless pit and ask Proserpine to
+give you the Essence of Long Life for me; I am always afraid of falling
+ill and dying. When you have done this you will be free. But mind you do
+not upset any; neither may you drink the tiniest drop.
+
+The poor Queen, on hearing this new order, was terribly cut up. She
+began to cry; and Magotine, seeing this, was delighted. 'Go on, get
+away!' said she. 'Do not lose one moment.'
+
+Laideronnette walked for a long time without finding the right path,
+turning first one way and then the other; then suddenly she saw the
+Fairy Protectress, who said to her:
+
+'Do you know, beautiful Queen, that by the orders of Magotine your
+husband is to remain as he is until you take the Essence of Life to that
+wicked fairy?'
+
+'I am yet a long way away,' said Laideronnette.
+
+'Here,' said the Fairy Protectress, 'see, here is a branch of a tree:
+touch the earth and repeat this verse distinctly.'
+
+The Queen once again kissed the knees of this really good and generous
+fairy, and at the same time repeated after her:
+
+    _'Thou who all malice canst disarm,
+      Protect me as I rove!
+    Deliver me from all who harm,
+      But not from him I love.
+    For, if devoured I am to be,
+      He is my monster--none but he!'_
+
+And immediately, in answer to her prayer, a little boy more beautiful
+than any in heaven or earth came up to her. On his head was a garland of
+flowers, and in his hand a bow and arrow. The Queen knew at once that it
+was Love. He said to her:
+
+'You appeal to me so tenderly that I deserted the heavens.'
+
+Love, who sang beautifully in verse, gave three knocks while singing
+this song:
+
+    _'Earth, listen and my voice obey.
+    It is Love who speaks: reveal the way!'_
+
+The earth obeyed: a path opened up, and Love took Laideronnette under
+his protection; and so they arrived at the mouth of hell. She expected
+to see her husband in the form of a serpent, but he had just finished
+his terrible punishment. The first thing that Laideronnette saw was
+indeed her husband; but she had never seen such a charming figure, nor
+any one so handsome; and neither had he seen any one so beautiful as
+she had become. Then the Queen said with extreme tenderness:
+
+    _'Destiny! I bend the knee
+      To thee and thy decree:
+    If he must dwell in deepest hell
+      He dwelleth there with me,
+    For e'en in hell I'll love him well
+      For all eternity.'_
+
+The King was full of joy and love, and showed it by the way he kissed
+her. Love, however, never did believe in wasting time, so he took the
+Queen to Proserpine. The Queen gave the compliments of the fairy
+Magotine, and begged her to give her the Essence of Long Life. Love took
+it and handed it to her, telling her not to forget the penalty that she
+had paid for her curiosity, and to take every care this time. He would
+never leave them again. He conducted them to the fairy Magotine, and
+then, so that Magotine should not see him, he hid in their hearts.
+
+During this time the fairy Magotine was so impressed with the beauty of
+human feelings, that she received the poor unfortunate King and Queen
+with some feeling of generosity. She gave them back the lovely palace
+with all the good things that they had before, and made the King head of
+the pagodas again. So they went home, and all the great sorrows that
+they had passed through they soon forgot in the greater joy of each
+other.
+
+[Illustration: THE GREEN SERPENT
+
+Laideronnette kissed and embraced the good Fairy Protectress.
+
+_See page 141_]
+
+
+
+
+URASHIMA TARO
+
+A JAPANESE FAIRY TALE
+
+
+A very long time ago there lived in Japan a young fisherman named
+Urashima Taro. His father before him had been a very expert fisherman,
+but Urashima's skill in the art so far exceeded that of his father, that
+his name as a fisher was known far and wide beyond his own little
+village. It was a common saying that he could catch more fish in a day
+than a dozen others could in a whole week.
+
+But it was not only as a fisher that Urashima excelled. Wherever he was
+known, he was loved for his kindly heart. Never had he hurt even the
+meanest creature. Indeed, had it not been necessary to catch fish for
+his living, he would always have fished with a straight hook, so as to
+catch only such fish as wished to be caught. And as for teasing and
+tormenting animals, when he was a boy, his tenderness towards all the
+dumb creation was a matter for laughter with his companions; but nothing
+would ever induce him to join in the cruel sport in which some boys
+delight.
+
+One evening, as Urashima was returning from a hard day's fishing, he met
+a number of boys all shouting and laughing over something they were
+worrying in the middle of the road. It was a tortoise they had caught
+and were ill-treating. Between them all, what with sticks and stones and
+other kinds of torture, the poor creature was hard beset and seemed
+almost frightened to death.
+
+Urashima could not bear to see a helpless thing treated in that way, so
+he interfered.
+
+'Boys!' he said, 'that's no way to treat a harmless dumb creature.
+You'll kill the poor thing!'
+
+But the boys merely laughed, and, taking no further notice, continued
+their cruel sport.
+
+'What's a tortoise?' cried one. 'Besides, it's great fun. Come on,
+lads!' And they went on with their heartless game.
+
+Urashima thought the matter over for a little, wondering how he could
+persuade the boys to give the tortoise up to him. At last he said with a
+smile, 'Come, boys! I know you're good-hearted young fellows: I'll make
+a bargain with you. What I really wanted was to buy the tortoise,--that
+is, if it is your own.'
+
+'Of course it's our own. We caught it.' They had begun to gather round
+him at the prospect of a sale, for they relished the money to buy
+sweetmeats even more than the cruel sport of tormenting an innocent
+creature.
+
+'Very well,' replied Urashima, bringing a string of coins out of his
+pocket and holding them up. 'See! you can buy a lot of nice things with
+this. What do you say?'
+
+He smiled at them so sweetly and spoke so gently that, with the cash
+dangling before their eyes, they were soon won over. The biggest boy
+then grabbed the tortoise, and held it out to him with one hand, while
+he reached for the string of coins with the other. 'All right, uncle,'
+he said, 'you can have the tortoise.'
+
+Urashima handed over the money in exchange for the poor, frightened
+creature, and the boys were soon making their way to the nearest
+sweetmeat shop.
+
+Meanwhile Urashima looked at the tortoise, which looked back at him with
+wistful eyes full of meaning; and, though it could not speak, the young
+fisherman understood it perfectly, and his tender heart went out to it.
+
+'Poor little tortoise!' he said, holding it up and stroking it gently to
+soothe its fears, 'you are all right with me. But remember, sweet little
+one, you've had a narrow squeak of losing a very long life. How long is
+it? Ten thousand years, they say;--that's ten times as long as a stork
+can boast of. Now I'm going to take you right back to the sea, so that
+you can swim away to your home and to your own people. But promise me
+you will never let yourself be caught again.'
+
+The tortoise promised with its eyes. So wistful and grateful were they,
+that Urashima felt he could never forget them.
+
+By this time he was down on the seashore, and there he placed the
+tortoise in the sea and watched it swim away. Then he went home feeling
+very happy about the whole thing.
+
+Morning was breaking when Urashima pushed off his boat for his day's
+fishing. The sea was calm, and the air was full of the soft, sweet
+warmth of summer. Soon he was out skimming over the blue depths, and
+when the tide began to ebb, he drifted far beyond the other fishermen's
+boats, until his own was lost to their sight.
+
+It was such a lovely morning when the sun rose and slanted across the
+waters, that, when he thought of the short span of human life, he wished
+that he had thousands of years to live, like the tortoise he had rescued
+from the boys the day before.
+
+As he was dreaming these thoughts, he was suddenly startled by a sweet
+voice calling his name. It fell on his ears like the note of a silver
+bell dropping from the skies. Again it came, nearer than before:
+
+'Urashima! Urashima!'
+
+He looked all around on the surface of the sea, thinking that some one
+had hailed him from a boat, but there was no one there, as far as the
+eye could reach.
+
+And now he heard the voice again close at hand, and, looking over the
+side of the boat, he saw a tortoise looking up at him, and he knew by
+its eyes that it was the same tortoise he had restored to the sea the
+previous day.
+
+'So we meet again,' he said pleasantly. 'Fancy you finding me in the
+middle of the ocean! What is it, you funny little tortoise? Do you want
+to be caught again, eh?'
+
+'I have looked for you,' replied the tortoise, 'ever since dawn, and
+when I saw you in the boat I swam after you to thank you for saving my
+life.'
+
+'Well, that's very nice of you to say that. I haven't much to offer you,
+but if you would like to come up into the boat and dry your back in the
+sun we can have a chat.'
+
+The tortoise was pleased to accept the invitation, and Urashima helped
+it up over the side. Then, after talking of many things, the tortoise
+remarked, 'I suppose you have never seen Rin Gin, the Dragon Sea-King's
+palace, have you?'
+
+Urashima shook his head.
+
+'No,' he replied. 'They tell me it is a beautiful sight, but in all the
+years that I have spent upon the sea I have never been invited to the
+Dragon King's palace. It's some distance from here, isn't it?'
+
+'I do not think you believe there is such a place,' replied the
+tortoise, who had seen a twinkle in Urashima's eye. 'Yet I assure you it
+exists, but a long way off--right down at the bottom of the sea. If you
+would really like to see Rin Gin, I will take you there.'
+
+'That is very kind of you,' said Urashima with a polite bow, which
+pleased the tortoise greatly; 'but I am only a man, you know, and cannot
+swim a long way under the sea like a tortoise.'
+
+But the little creature hastened to reassure him.
+
+'That's not at all necessary,' it said. 'I'll do the swimming and you
+can ride on my back.'
+
+Urashima laughed. The idea of his riding on the back of a tortoise that
+he could hold in his hand was funny, and he said so.
+
+'Never mind how funny it is,' said the tortoise; 'just get on and see.'
+And then, as Urashima looked at it, the tortoise grew and grew and grew
+until its back was big enough for two men to ride upon.
+
+'What an extraordinary thing!' exclaimed Urashima. 'Right you are,
+friend tortoise, I'll come with you.' And with that he jumped on.
+
+'That's better,' said the tortoise; 'now we'll be off. Hold tight!'
+
+The next moment the tortoise plunged into the sea, and dived down and
+down until Urashima thought they would never be able to reach the
+surface again in a thousand years. At last he caught sight of a land
+below them, shining all green with the filtered sunlight; and now, as
+they took a level course, he could make out the towns and villages
+below, with beautiful gardens full of bright flowers and waving dreamy
+trees. Then they passed over a vast green plain, at the further side of
+which, in a village at the foot of high mountains, shone the splendid
+portals of a magnificent palace.
+
+'See!' said the tortoise, 'that is the entrance to Rin Gin. We shall
+soon be there now. How do you feel?'
+
+'Quite well, thank you!' And indeed, when Urashima felt his clothes he
+found they were quite dry, which was really not so surprising because,
+as he was borne swiftly through the water, there was all the time a
+space of air around him, so that not only was he kept quite dry, but he
+could breathe quite easily.
+
+When they drew nearer to the great gate, Urashima could see beyond it,
+half hidden by the trees, the shining domes of the palace. It was indeed
+a magnificent place, unlike anything ever seen in the lands above the
+sea.
+
+Now they were at the great gate, and the tortoise stopped at the foot of
+a flight of coral steps and asked him to dismount.
+
+'You can walk now, Urashima'; and it led the way. Then the gatekeeper--a
+royal sturgeon--challenged them, but the tortoise explained that
+Urashima was a mortal from the great kingdom of Japan, who had come to
+visit the Sea King, and the gatekeeper immediately showed them in.
+
+As they advanced, they were met by the courtiers and officials. The
+dolphin, the bonito, the great cuttle-fish, the bright-red bream; and
+the mullet, the sole, the flounder, and a host of other fishes came
+forward and bowed gracefully before the tortoise; indeed, such homage
+did they pay that Urashima wondered what sway the tortoise held in this
+kingdom beneath the sea. Then, when the visitor was introduced, they all
+cried out a welcome. And the dolphin, who was a high official, remarked,
+'We are delighted to see so distinguished a stranger from the great
+kingdom of Japan. Welcome to the palace of the Dragon King of the Sea!'
+
+Then all the fishes went in a procession before them to the interior of
+the palace.
+
+Now the humble fisherman had never been in such a magnificent place
+before. He had never read _How to behave in a Palace_, but, though much
+amazed, he did not feel at all shy. As he followed his guides, he
+suddenly noticed that the tortoise had disappeared, but he soon forgot
+this when he saw a lovely Princess, surrounded by her maidens, come
+forward to greet him.
+
+She was more beautiful than anything on earth, and her robes of pink and
+green changed colour like the surface of the sea at sunset in some
+sheltered cove. There were threads of pure gold in her long hair, and,
+as she smiled, her teeth looked like little white pearls. She spoke soft
+words to him, and her voice was as the murmur of the sea.
+
+Urashima was so enchanted that he could not speak a word; but he had
+heard that one must always bow low to a Princess, and he was about to do
+so when the Princess tripped to his side, and, taking his hand in hers,
+led him off into a splendid apartment, where she conducted him to the
+place of honour and asked him to be seated.
+
+'Listen to me, Urashima,' she said in a low, sweet voice. 'I am filled
+with joy at welcoming you to my father's palace, and I will tell you
+why. Yesterday you saved the precious life of a tortoise. Urashima, I
+was that tortoise! It was my life that you saved!'
+
+Urashima could not believe this at first, but, when he gazed into her
+beautiful eyes, he remembered their wistful look, and her sweet words
+were spoken in the same voice as that which had called his name upon the
+sea. And he was so astonished that he could not speak.
+
+'Would you like to live here always, Urashima,--to live in everlasting
+youth, never growing tired or weary? This is the land of eternal summer,
+where all is joy, and neither death nor sorrow may come. Stay, Urashima,
+and I, the Princess of my father's kingdom, will be your bride!'
+
+Urashima felt it was all a dream; yet, if it were, then from the very
+heart of that dream he replied in words that came of their own accord.
+
+'Sweet Princess, if I could thank you ten thousand times I should still
+want to thank you all over again. I will stay here; nay--more: I simply
+cannot go, for this is the most wonderful place I have ever dreamed of,
+and you are the most wonderful thing in it.'
+
+A smile spread over her lovely face. She bent towards him, and their
+lips met in the first sweet kiss of love.
+
+Then, as if by this a magic button had been pressed, a loud gong
+sounded, and immediately the whole palace was in a bustle of excitement.
+Presently a procession of all kinds of fishes came in, all richly
+attired in flowing robes of various colours. Each one advanced with slow
+and stately pace, some bearing beautiful flowers, others great
+mother-of-pearl dishes laden with all the delicacies that go to make a
+feast; others bore trays of coral, red and white, with fragrant wines
+and rare fruits such as only grow at the bottom of the sea. It was the
+wedding feast, and with all decorum they set everything before the bride
+and bridegroom.
+
+It was a day of great joy, a day of song and revelry. Throughout the
+whole kingdom the choice wine flowed and the sweet music resounded. In
+the palace the happy pair pledged themselves in a wedding cup, while the
+music played and glad songs were sung. Later on, the great hall of the
+palace was cleared for a grand ball, and all the fishes of the sea came
+dressed in their best gold and silver scales, and danced till the small
+hours. Never had Urashima known happiness so great; never had he moved
+amid so much splendour.
+
+In the morning the Princess showed Urashima over the palace, and pointed
+out all the wonders it contained. The whole place was fashioned out of
+pink and white coral, beautifully carved and inlaid everywhere with
+priceless pearls. But, wonderful as was the palace itself, the wide
+gardens that encircled it appealed to Urashima even more.
+
+These gardens were designed so as to represent the four seasons. Turning
+to the east, Urashima beheld all the wealth of Spring. Butterflies
+flitted from flower to flower, and bees were busy among the cherry
+blossoms. The song of the nightingale could be heard among the trees,
+and the sweetest fragrance was wafted on the breeze.
+
+Facing round to the south, he saw everything at the height of Summer.
+The trees were fully green, and luscious fruits weighed down their
+branches, while over all was the drowsy hum of the cicada.
+
+To the west the whole landscape was ablaze with the scarlet foliage of
+Autumn; while, in the north, the whole outlook was beautiful with snow
+as far as the eye could reach.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+It was a wonderful country to live in and never grow old. No wonder that
+Urashima forgot his home in Japan, forgot his old parents, forgot even
+his own name. But, after three days of indescribable happiness, he
+seemed to wake up to a memory of who he was and what he had been. The
+thought of his poor old father and mother searching everywhere for him,
+perhaps mourning him as dead; the surroundings of his simple home, his
+friends in the little village,--all these things rushed in on his mind
+and turned all his joy to sadness.
+
+'Alas!' he cried, 'how can I stay here any longer? My mother will be
+weeping and wringing her hands, and my father bowing his old head in
+grief. I must go back this very day.'
+
+So, towards evening, he sought the Princess, his bride, and said sadly:
+
+'Alas! alas! you have been so kind to me and I have been so very, very
+happy, that I have forgotten and neglected my parents for three whole
+days. They will think I am dead and will weep for me. I must say
+farewell and leave you.'
+
+Then the Princess wept and besought him to remain with her.
+
+[Illustration: THE STORY OF URASHIMA TARO
+
+Urashima was so enchanted that he could not speak a word.
+
+_See page 150_]
+
+'Beloved!' he protested, 'in our land of Japan there is no crime so
+terrible as the crime of faithlessness to one's parents. I cannot face
+that, and you would not have me do it. Yet it will break my heart to
+leave you--break my heart--break my heart! I must go, beloved, but only
+for one day; then I will return to you.'
+
+'Alas!' cried the Princess, 'what can we do? You must act as your heart
+guides you. I would give the whole world to keep you with me just one
+more day. But I know it cannot be. I know something of your land and
+your love of your parents. I will await your return: you will be gone
+only one day. It will be a long day for me, but, when it is over, and
+you have told your parents all, you will find a tortoise waiting for you
+by the seashore, and you will know that tortoise: it is the same that
+will take you back to your parents--for one day!'
+
+'Oh, my beloved! How can I leave you? But----'
+
+'But you must. Wait! I have something to give you before you go.'
+
+The Princess left him hastily and soon returned with a golden casket,
+set with pearls and tied about with a green ribbon made from the
+floating seaweed.
+
+'Take it,' said she.
+
+'After all your other gifts?' said he, feeling rather ashamed.
+
+'You saved my life,' said she. 'You _are_ my life, and all I have is
+yours. That casket contains all. When you go up to the dry land you must
+always have this box with you, but you must never open it till you
+return to me. If you do--alas! alas, for you and me!'
+
+'I promise, I promise. I will never open it till I return to you.'
+Urashima went on his bended knee as he said these words.
+
+'Farewell!'
+
+'Farewell!'
+
+Urashima was then conducted to the gate by the court officials, led by
+the dolphin. There the royal sturgeon blew a loud whistle, and presently
+a large tortoise came up. As Urashima mounted on its back, it averted
+its head as if to conceal its eyes. Perhaps it had a reason. And for
+that same identical reason Urashima sat on its back stolidly, and never
+a word spoken.
+
+Down they went into the deep, green sea, and then up into the blue. For
+miles and miles and miles they sped along, until they came to the coast
+of Japan. There Urashima stepped ashore, answered the wistful eyes of
+the tortoise with a long, lingering gaze of love, and hastened inland.
+
+The tortoise plunged back into the sea, and Urashima was left on the
+land with a sense of sadness.
+
+He looked about him, recognising the old landmarks. Then he went up into
+the village; but, as he went, he noticed with some surprise that
+everything seemed wonderfully changed. The hills were the same, and, in
+a way, the village was familiar, but the people who passed him on the
+road were not those he had known three days ago. Surely three short days
+would leave him exactly where he stood before he went. Three days could
+never produce this change. He was at a loss to understand it. People he
+did not know--strangers in the village, he supposed--passed him by as if
+he were a complete stranger. Some of them turned and looked at him as
+one would look at a newcomer. Furthermore, he noticed that the slender
+trees of three days since were now giant monarchs of the wayside.
+
+At last, wondering greatly, he came to his old home. How changed it was!
+And, when he turned the handle of the door and walked in, crying out,
+'Ho, mother! ho, father! I have come back at last!' he was met by a
+strange man barring the doorway.
+
+'What do you want?'
+
+'What do you mean? I live here. Where are my father and mother? They are
+expecting me.'
+
+'I do not understand. What is your name?'
+
+'Urashima Taro.'
+
+'Urashima Taro!' cried the man in surprise.
+
+'Yes, that is my name: Urashima Taro!'
+
+The man laughed, as if he saw the joke.
+
+'You don't mean the original Urashima Taro?' he said. 'But still, you
+may be some descendant of his--what?'
+
+'I do not understand you. My name is Urashima Taro. There is no other
+bears that name. I am the fisherman: surely you know me.'
+
+The man looked at Urashima very closely to see if he were joking or not.
+
+'There _was_ a Urashima Taro, a famous fisherman of three hundred years
+ago, but you--you are joking.'
+
+'Nay, nay, I am not joking. It is you that are joking with your three
+hundred years. I left here three or four days ago, and now I have
+returned. Where have my father and mother gone?'
+
+The man stared at him aghast.
+
+'Are you mad?' he cried. '_I_ have lived in this house for thirty years
+at least, and, as for your father and mother--why, if you are really
+Urashima Taro, they have been dead three hundred years; and that is
+absurd. Do you want me to believe you are a ghost?'
+
+'Not so; look at my feet.' And Urashima put out one foot and then the
+other, in full accordance with the Japanese belief that ghosts have no
+feet.
+
+'Well, well,' said the man, 'you can't be Urashima Taro, whatever you
+say, for he lived three hundred years ago, and you are not yet thirty.'
+
+With this the man banged the door in Urashima's face.
+
+What could it all mean? Urashima Taro dead. Lived three hundred years
+ago. What nonsense! He must be dreaming. He pinched his ear and assured
+himself that he was not only alive, but wide awake. And yet--and
+yet--everything about him seemed very much changed since he saw it last.
+He stood stock still on his way to the gate, and looked this way and
+that, trying to find something that had suffered only three days'
+change. But everything was unfamiliar.
+
+Then an idea struck him. On the morning of the day that he had rescued
+the tortoise from the boys, he had planted a little willow slip down by
+the pond in the field. He would go and look at it, and that would settle
+the matter.
+
+So he took his way to the pond. Half-way he was baulked by a hedge, high
+and thick, which was new to him, but he found a way through a gap. Well
+he remembered the exact spot where he had planted the willow slip on the
+edge of the pond, but, when he arrived there, he could see no sign of
+it. In its place was a gigantic trunk bearing vast branches which
+towered overhead. And there the birds were singing the same songs as
+they sang--three days ago! Alas! could it indeed be three _centuries_
+ago?
+
+Perplexed beyond measure, Urashima resolved to go to the fountain-head
+and settle the matter once and for all. Turning away, he made all haste
+to the village--was this the village he had known?--and inquired of a
+countryman he had never seen before, where the village chronicles were
+kept.
+
+'Yonder,' said the man, pointing to a building which had certainly taken
+more than three days to erect.
+
+Urashima thanked him and then hastened to the building and went in. He
+was not long in finding what he wanted. It was an ancient entry, and it
+ran:
+
+'Urashima Taro--a famous fisherman who lived in the early part of the
+fourteenth century--the traditional patron demi-god of fishermen. There
+are many stories concerning this half-mythical character, chief of which
+is that he hooked a whale far from shore, and, as he would not
+relinquish the prize, his boat was dragged for ever and ever over the
+surface of the sea. Mariners of the present day solemnly aver that they
+have seen Urashima Taro sitting in his boat skimming the waves as he
+held the line by which he had caught the whale. Whatever the real
+history of Urashima Taro, it is certain that he lived in the village,
+and the legend concerning him is the subject of great interest to
+visitors from the great land of America.'
+
+Urashima shut the book with a slam and went away, down to the seashore.
+As he went, he realised that those three days he had spent in perfect
+happiness with the Princess were not three days at all, but three
+hundred years. His parents were long since dead, and all was changed.
+What else could he do but go back to the Dragon kingdom under the sea?
+
+But when he reached the shore, he found no tortoise ready to take him
+back, and, after waiting a long time, he began to think his case was
+hopeless. Then, suddenly, he bethought himself of the little box which
+the Princess had given him. He drew it forth and looked at it. He had
+promised her not to open it, but what did it matter now? As he did not
+care what happened to him, the deadly secret of the box was just as well
+out as in. Besides, he might learn something from it, some secret way of
+finding his beloved Princess--and that would be happiness; but if, on
+the other hand, some terrible thing happened to him, what did it
+signify?
+
+So he sat down on the seashore, untied the fastenings of the little box
+and then lifted the lid. He was surprised to find that the box was
+empty; but, slowly, out of the emptiness came a little thin, purple
+cloud which curled up and circled about his head. It was fragrant, and
+reminded him of the sweet perfume of the Princess's robes. Now it
+floated away towards the open sea and Urashima's soul seemed to go with
+it.
+
+Suddenly he stood up, thinking he heard her sweet voice calling him. For
+a moment he stood there, a splendid figure of early youth. Then a change
+came over him. His eyes grew dim, his hair turned silvery white, lines
+came upon his face, and his form seemed to shrivel with extreme old age.
+
+Then Urashima Taro reeled and staggered to and fro. The burden of three
+hundred years was too heavy for him. He threw up his arms and fell dead
+upon the sand.
+
+
+
+
+THE FIRE BIRD
+
+A RUSSIAN FAIRY TALE
+
+
+It was a great day when the Prince was born. The King was delighted, and
+the Queen nearly went mad with joy. The courtiers, though they hardly
+dared dance a Trepak in the palace, could not keep their heels still;
+while the guards, the attendants, the little pages and pretty kitchen
+maids, drank tea and coffee, glass after glass, till the following
+morning, when they all had supper, and then crept off on tip-toe to bed.
+The people clapped their hands and sang and danced in the squares and
+streets, till those who danced the longest got sore throats, and those
+who sang the loudest got footsore. The whole city could not sleep for
+joy. The young Prince was the first-born, and would one day sit upon the
+throne: was this a thing to put under the pillow? On with the dance!
+Another song! Drink deep to the young Prince!
+
+The doctors smiled, and stroked the smile down to the tips of their grey
+beards as they nodded to one another amiably. The child was strong and
+healthy, and would live; and besides, they all agreed upon the point
+that he was a Prince, and had his father's nose. But alas! doctors are
+not everybody. After the revel a wise man from Persia, who was staying
+in the city at the time, awoke from his slumbers and dressed himself,
+and went to see the King. Sunk in a deep sleep, he had missed the
+celebrations, but he had found a vision of the future; and he was now
+hastening to see the King about it, for, as you must understand, when a
+wise man knows the worst he can never keep it to himself.
+
+When he came before the King, he had scarcely the heart to tell him
+what would befall his first-born; but the King bade him speak out, and
+he obeyed.
+
+'Sire,' he said humbly, 'I come not to tell thee bad news, but rather to
+warn thee in time, lest a vision that came to me in the night should
+perchance come true.'
+
+The King looked a little anxious, for he had heard tales, strange but
+true, about this wise man from Persia and his wonderful powers.
+
+'Speak on, Ferdasan,' he said.
+
+'Sire,' replied the seer, 'the dream that came to me was a deep-sleep
+vision. Doubt not that it is a warning entrusted to me to lay before
+you. O King, this is the substance of it. Fifteen years came and went
+before my inner eyes, and the son that has been born to you from heaven
+grew more beautiful year by year. But at the close of the fifteenth year
+he--flew away!'
+
+'Flew away!' cried the King, startled. 'And what was the manner of his
+flight, O Ferdasan?'
+
+'Sire, in the midst of the palace gardens, Hausa, the Bird of the Sun,
+came to seek him or to be sought by him. He mounted on the back of this
+bird; and then, as the twilight fell, it carried him away westward.'
+
+'With what purpose, Ferdasan?'
+
+'That, sire, I can reveal to you only in words that hide my thoughts,
+and----'
+
+'Nay, nay; tell me all, I command you.'
+
+'His fate stands thus. He is destined to marry the Maiden of the Dawn,
+and, in quest of her, he will fly westward in his fifteenth year,
+unless----'
+
+'Yes, unless what, man?'
+
+'Unless you yourself, sire, keep watch and ward and so prevent him.'
+
+The King stared at the seer. How could he believe this thing?
+
+'It seems that you have come to disturb my peace,' he said angrily.
+'What proof have I that you speak truly? If your wisdom has brought me
+this warning, then your wisdom can avert the evil fate. You will remain
+in this palace until the die is cast. That is my command.'
+
+[Illustration: THE FIRE BIRD
+
+There he found the Princess asleep and saw that her face was the face he
+had seen in the portrait.
+
+_See page 165_]
+
+'Sire,' replied Ferdasan humbly, 'my work is done, and I must return to
+my cave in the mountains.'
+
+'What!' cried the King in a rage, 'you defy me? I will compel you.'
+
+'You cannot,' replied Ferdasan. 'Seers stand before kings--and that is
+true in two ways.
+
+'We shall see.' The King clapped his hands fiercely. Then, as two guards
+came running in answer to the summons, he cried, 'Take that man and
+place him in a dungeon!'
+
+The guards turned upon Ferdasan, who stood calm and unmoved, looking at
+the King. Then, as they were about to seize him, a strange thing
+happened. They clutched at the empty air and staggered against one
+another, amazed. For a moment the Throne-room seemed to echo a sweet
+music from far away; for a moment it was filled with the faint fragrance
+of mountain lilies; then the King saw a thin grey mist slowly issuing
+through one of the windows, to dissolve in the sunlight.
+
+And then he knew.
+
+From that time forward, the King regarded the seer's prediction with
+great anxiety. He watched the young Prince continually in his first
+years, and, when, as was often the case, he saw him gazing wistfully
+towards the west when the sun had set, he felt sure that the coming
+event had cast its shadow before.
+
+Accordingly, as soon as the young Prince entered his fifteenth year, the
+King had him imprisoned in a lofty tower situated in the palace gardens,
+and placed a guard about it, for he was determined to take no risk
+whatever.
+
+But, while he kept the Prince a close prisoner, he surrounded him with
+every luxury, for he loved him dearly. He even promised him that, on his
+fifteenth birthday, a great festival would be held in his honour, though
+he himself would only be allowed to watch the festivities from the high
+window of the tower.
+
+The Prince implored his father to let him wander in the gardens on his
+birthday; but the King was so afraid that, by some means or other, he
+would be spirited away, that he refused. In addition to this, he
+double-locked and barred the topmost room of the tower in which the
+Prince was imprisoned.
+
+On the day of the festival, the sun rose bright. As the Prince watched
+it from his high window, his heart rose with it. At noon he had fully
+decided to disobey his father and escape from his prison. He brooded
+till sunset; then, as the twilight gathered, he went to the window again
+and listened to the sounds of festivity in the city all around.
+Presently, he leaned out over the window-sill and looked down. It was a
+long way to the ground, but the gardens were beautiful, and he was
+determined to reach them and roam free among the trees and flowers. Was
+not this his birthday, and was not the city holding high festival in his
+honour? It seemed hard that he should be a prisoner, when even the
+guards of his prison had stolen away to join the merry throng. The city
+without was a blaze of light and a chorus of revel, but the gardens
+below seemed to be deserted: now was his opportunity.
+
+Turning back into the apartment, he swept his eyes round for anything
+that would serve as a rope. There were heavy hangings falling from the
+high ceiling: he could not pull these down. There was the carpet; yes,
+he could make a rope of that.
+
+He quickly secured a knife, and ripped from the edge of the carpet many
+long threads. When he had a sufficient number, he set to work to plait a
+rope, splicing fresh threads in at intervals until it was nearly a
+hundred feet long. Then he tied one end of it securely to one of the
+pillars supporting the roof, and let the free length of it down from the
+window. By the light of the full moon sailing overhead, he could see
+that the end of the rope reached as far as the branches of a tree
+growing at the foot of the tower.
+
+It was now past midnight, and the garden below was just as silent as the
+city outside was loud with merriment. As the Prince climbed over the
+window-sill and let himself down the rope, he took no thought as to how
+he might get back again; it was quite enough to get away from the
+lonely, stifling place of his imprisonment.
+
+At last his feet touched the topmost bough of the tree, but there was
+rope to spare; and he went on until, at the end of it, he was able to
+grasp a bough thick enough to bear his weight; and by this means he
+climbed along to the trunk, and so to the ground.
+
+There was no one about. The guards were all away merrymaking in the
+Prince's honour. Although he was still a prisoner within the garden
+walls, he was enjoying his adventure and the sense of freedom to wander,
+even in the gardens.
+
+He took his way along pathways where the moonbeams strayed. He drank in
+the cool night air, and paused ever and again to pluck a sweet-smelling
+night-flower. Wandering on, he came at length to a bank at the end of
+the garden, beyond which he knew was a steep cliff overlooking a valley.
+Before his father had shut him up in the tower, he had always been
+forbidden to approach that end of the garden, and he had never done so;
+but now his curiosity led him on, and he advanced cautiously along an
+avenue of overarching trees. But it soon grew so dense and dark, that he
+was about to turn back, when suddenly he espied a misty light beginning
+to grow brighter and brighter at the far end of the avenue.
+
+Eager to find out where this light came from, and seeing his way more
+clearly now, he hastened on, and soon arrived at the mouth of a large
+cave, which, inside, was as bright as day. He ventured farther forward
+and peered round a buttress of rock; and there, in the centre of the
+cave, a strange sight met his eyes. A gigantic bird was standing there,
+getting ready to fly through the farther opening overlooking the valley.
+It was stretching its neck and flapping its wings; and, from every
+feather of these, flashed rays and sparkles of light, illuminating the
+whole place.
+
+In the centre of the cavern floor was a crystal pool into which, from a
+ledge high up on the wall, fell a broad cascade almost like a flowing
+veil, and the strong light shed by the giant bird shone through this on
+to the rock behind it. And there the Prince saw the most beautiful thing
+he had ever set eyes on.
+
+It was an oval picture, framed in crystal, and hanging behind the
+transparent cascade--a picture of a beautiful Princess. And, as he
+looked, her eyes met his.
+
+Immediately the young Prince was filled with a great longing to find the
+original of this portrait, but it seemed that his only way of doing so
+was through the help of the great bird, which was now attracting his
+attention by strange signs. First it looked at him with a kindly eye;
+then it craned its neck towards the farther opening of the cave, and,
+flapping its wings as if about to fly, ran a step or two and then
+stopped and looked back at him. After doing this two or three times it
+crouched down and turned its head sideways, looking straight at him, as
+much as to say, 'Don't you want to ride in the air?'
+
+The Prince saw the bird's meaning, but, to signify that he wanted to
+find the Princess, he pointed to the picture. At this the bird spread
+its wings right out until the tips brushed against each side of the
+cave, the feathers quivering intensely and throwing out a bright light
+which almost blinded the Prince.
+
+Then the bird drew in its wings and made a sign to him to mount between
+them. At this the Prince, feeling sure that the giant bird meant to take
+him to the Princess, climbed up and seated himself between the great
+wings.
+
+In another moment the bird had launched itself from the farther opening
+of the cave, and they were soon sailing high over the valley. Some
+revellers in the city looked up and saw what they took to be a meteor
+flashing across the sky; but it was really the Fire Bird bearing the
+Prince swiftly to the far-off palace of the Princess.
+
+How many thousands of miles they flew between the darkest hour and dawn,
+the Prince could not tell. Nestling warm and comfortable among the soft
+feathers, he heard the roar of the great creature's wings, and knew they
+were travelling at a tremendous pace. And at last the Fire Bird craned
+its neck downwards, and, as they began to descend in a slanting
+direction, the Prince could see something sparkling on the horizon in
+the first rosy light of dawn.
+
+Nearer and nearer they came, and now he could distinguish the great
+gates and towers of what seemed to be a palace of pure crystal,
+surrounded by beautiful gardens.
+
+Swiftly they swooped downwards, and the Fire Bird alighted on the edge
+of a broad balcony, and crouched down for the Prince to dismount.
+
+The journey had not been in vain. There, on a mossy bank among the
+beautiful flowers in the garden, he found the Princess asleep; and, as
+he looked down at her, he saw that her face was the face he had seen in
+the portrait.
+
+He tried to wake her, but her sleep was sound: she did not stir. He
+breathed on her eyelids and whispered in her ear, but still she slept
+on.
+
+Seeing this, the Bird grew restless, and craning its neck forward,
+seized the Prince with its beak and placed him again between its wings.
+Then it sprang upwards and soared swiftly into the sky.
+
+Soon they were back in the cave, and the Prince, dreading to return to
+the prison tower, spent the hours of daylight in his warm nest between
+the Fire Bird's wings.
+
+The following night, as the hours were drawing on towards dawn, the Bird
+set forth again. But again the Prince was unable to wake the sleeping
+Princess, so they returned once more. But, on the third night, when they
+reached the Princess, the light of dawn was in the sky, and, as it grew
+every moment rosier and rosier, the Princess awoke of her own accord to
+find the young Prince sitting among the flowers by her side. She had
+only just time to see the Fire Bird pluck a feather from its wing with
+its beak, and let it fall at her feet, before it soared away. She picked
+up the feather and placed it in her bosom. Then she looked at the
+Prince.
+
+There is love, and there is love; but such love as sprang up at the same
+moment in two hearts can never be described. It was as if she had been
+dreaming about him all her life, and now she had awakened to find him.
+It was as if his journey had been to Paradise. She raised her arms to
+him, and he enfolded her and kissed her. Then they wandered among the
+flowers and trees, and all the birds understood: they sang so divinely.
+
+Towards evening, as the shadows began to fall, the Princess's sister,
+who was a wicked Sorceress, came into the garden and stood behind a tree
+watching the lovers.
+
+'I'll soon put an end to this,' she said, clenching her hands in jealous
+rage. She went away and performed spells, and, by her wicked arts, she
+summoned the image of the Prince before her, so that his life went out
+of his body, and he remained in the Princess's arms like one dead.
+
+Terrified and distracted with grief, the Princess carried the lifeless
+body of her lover into the palace and laid it on a couch in her own
+apartment. There, exhausted with the effort, she fell upon it, weeping
+bitterly. She called his name, but he did not answer. His ears were
+deaf, his eyes were closed, his pale lips did not respond to her kisses.
+
+But the Prince was not dead: he was bewitched. The Sorceress, by means
+of his image, had torn his heart from his breast and had taken it far
+away. Yet, all the time, that heart was still beating with life, and
+with love for the Princess.
+
+Forlorn and sorrowful the Princess sat by the couch, when suddenly she
+started up with clenched hands.
+
+'I know! I know!' she cried. Then she bent down and kissed the Prince's
+lips. She felt them tremble against hers, and, though she could not call
+him back, she knew that he was not dead. 'Oh! my wicked sister! This is
+your work. You have bewitched my love! Never again! This is the end!'
+
+She ran everywhere, in and about the palace, in search of her sister,
+her hands clenched, her eyes blazing, her teeth set. But she could not
+find her. At last a page, terrified to death at her aspect, confessed
+that her sister had fled from the palace alone, mounted on the fleetest
+steed of the stables.
+
+The Princess at once resolved to follow her and force her to restore
+the Prince to life and health. But, at the very outset, there was a
+terrible difficulty to be surmounted. The Princess herself had never
+been beyond the walls that encircled the vast grounds of the palace. She
+knew that there were twelve gates, and that only one of these was left
+unlocked from sunset till sunrise, and that none could tell which one it
+might be. Now the law of the palace permitted her to try one gate each
+night, and one gate only.
+
+She sat down and thought, and then decided to try the same gate each
+night until it happened to be the right one. For twelve nights she
+tried, but each time she found the gate locked and barred.
+
+Then she suddenly remembered that, when the Fire Bird had brought the
+Prince to her, it had plucked a bright feather from its wing and let it
+fall at her feet. She had preserved it in a golden casket. Could it be
+that this feather had magic powers? She ran with all haste to her
+apartment, and took it from the casket. As she did so, it sparkled and
+quivered. As she held it up she was more than ever convinced that it
+held magic powers.
+
+She looked at the feather, and she thought of the Fire Bird itself, and
+wished that it could only come and advise her what to do.
+
+Scarcely had she conceived the wish, when a faint sound from far away
+struck upon her ears. As she listened, it grew louder and louder, and
+nearer and nearer, until at last she knew it was the roar of the Fire
+Bird's wings. She ran out onto the balcony, and there she saw it, like a
+meteor in the sky, every moment growing bigger.
+
+At last, with a glad, shrill cry, it swooped down, and its giant wings
+fluttered and vibrated a moment before it alighted on the edge of the
+balcony, its fiery golden light sparkling on the crystal pillars and
+shimmering in the air all around.
+
+The Princess held up the feather, and the Fire Bird bowed its head
+slowly three times. Then it suddenly turned round as if to fly away, but
+looked back at her, and raised its wings, and fluffed out the soft,
+glistening feathers in the hollow of its back. Arching its head round,
+it began to act as if it were preparing a nest for her between its
+wings, and the Princess saw plainly that it was only waiting for her to
+seat herself there before flying away. The Bird knew what she wanted;
+she was sure of that. So she mounted between the wings, and nestled down
+on a soft feather bed of dazzling golden light, warm and comfortable.
+Then, with a long, jubilant cry the Bird rose in the air, and, craning
+its neck westward, flashed through space at a terrific rate.
+
+Very soon they overtook the setting sun, passed it, and left it sinking
+on the horizon as they went on into the purlieus of the Land of Night
+and Silence, which lies beyond the great round shoulder of the world.
+And here the Fire Bird blazed along, leaving a trail of light in its
+wake and throwing a radiance on the hills and forests over which it
+passed; until it came, by way of the Valley-which-has-no-Borders, to the
+Forest-without-an-End.
+
+Here the Bird swooped downwards and alighted before a black-mouthed
+cave. He crouched while the Princess dismounted. As she did so, the Bird
+plucked two fresh feathers from its wing with its beak and held them out
+to her. They shed a brilliant light, and she, seeing at once that they
+would serve as lamps, took them, one in each hand, and advanced into the
+gloomy cave.
+
+She had not gone far when she heard a voice crooning a witch song, and,
+peering round the edge of a rock, she espied her sister seated beside a
+cauldron, beneath which was a freezing fire fed with blocks of frozen
+brine.
+
+From the witch song her sister was singing, the Princess learned that
+her lover's heart was in the cauldron. She listened while the Sorceress
+sang:
+
+    _'Seethe! Seethe! Heart of her lover,
+      Beating in tune with mine.
+    Never the two their love can recover,
+      Never their arms entwine.
+    Freeze! Freeze! Heart in this cauldron,
+      Seared by the frozen brine!'_
+
+[Illustration: THE FIRE BIRD
+
+With a scream the Princess rushed forward, and before her wicked sister
+could prevent her, she had upset her cauldron with a crash.
+
+_See page 168_]
+
+With a scream the Princess rushed forward, and, before her wicked sister
+could prevent her, she had upset the cauldron with a crash. Some of the
+icy fire of brine splashed up in the face of the Sorceress, and with a
+loud, grating shriek, she fell to the ground senseless--dead!
+
+The Princess snatched up her lover's heart, and placed it in her bosom
+against her own, where she could feel it still beating. Then, without
+waiting another moment, she ran back to the Fire Bird, and sprang upon
+its back with a cry of joy, patting its neck and stroking its feathers.
+
+Up in the sky they soared again, and away over the world towards the
+palace in the Home of the Dawn. And, as they neared their destination,
+the Princess suddenly missed something. Quickly she felt in her bosom to
+see if the heart of her lover was safe; but lo, it was gone! It seemed
+to have grown warm and melted right away.
+
+Distressed at this, she urged the Fire Bird to still greater speed,
+until his track through the sky was like that of a shooting star. At
+length they swooped down and alighted on the balcony of the palace. The
+roaring of the Fire Bird's wings was stilled, but the hum of its
+feathers continued--a throbbing pulsation of musical sound.
+
+As the Princess alighted, the Prince himself came running to her. Then,
+with a mingled cry of delight, the lovers leapt to greet each other,
+and, when they were enfolded in each other's arms, the Fire Bird
+discreetly turned his head away and preened his tail feathers.
+
+The Princess did not trouble about her lover's heart which she had taken
+from the Sorceress and missed on the way. She now felt it beating
+against her own, and knew that it was in its right place. The Prince was
+free from the wicked spell at last.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The Fire Bird's work was done. Without a word he sprang into the air,
+and was soon lost to sight. And the lovers did not hear him go, for, by
+some mysterious power, he hushed his wings and went secretly, for, as
+you must have seen, he was really a very old bird.
+
+The Prince and the Princess were married very soon, and, during the
+celebrations, the Fire Bird was seen to circle thrice every night round
+the palace, but he never settled.
+
+As King and Queen of the People of the Dawn, they reigned for long
+years, and the Fire Bird was always their friend. On every anniversary
+of their wedding day, they awoke to the sound of his roaring wings. He
+always brought a present; and do you know what it was? Just a single
+feather of his shining wing, so that they might obtain whatever joy they
+wished for.
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF THE BIRD FENG
+
+A CHINESE FAIRY TALE
+
+
+In the Book of the Ten Thousand Wonders there are three hundred and
+thirty-three stories about the bird called _Feng_, and this is one of
+them.
+
+Ta-Khai, Prince of Tartary, dreamt one night that he saw in a place
+where he had never been before an enchantingly beautiful young maiden
+who could only be a princess. He fell desperately in love with her, but
+before he could either move or speak, she had vanished. When he awoke he
+called for his ink and brushes, and, in the most accomplished
+willow-leaf style, he drew her image on a piece of precious silk, and in
+one corner he wrote these lines:
+
+    The flowers of the paeony
+      Will they ever bloom?
+    A day without her
+      Is like a hundred years.
+
+He then summoned his ministers, and, showing them the portrait, asked if
+any one could tell him the name of the beautiful maiden; but they all
+shook their heads and stroked their beards They knew not who she was.
+
+So displeased was the prince that he sent them away in disgrace to the
+most remote provinces of his kingdom. All the courtiers, the generals,
+the officers, and every man and woman, high and low, who lived in the
+palace came in turn to look at the picture. But they all had to confess
+their ignorance. Ta-Khai then called upon the magicians of the kingdom
+to find out by their art the name of the princess of his dreams, but
+their answers were so widely different that the prince, suspecting their
+ability, condemned them all to have their noses cut off. The portrait
+was shown in the outer court of the palace from sunrise till sunset, and
+exalted travellers came in every day, gazed upon the beautiful face, and
+came out again. None could tell who she was.
+
+Meanwhile the days were weighing heavily upon the shoulders of Ta-Khai,
+and his sufferings cannot be described; he ate no more, he drank no
+more, and ended by forgetting which was day and which was night, what
+was in and what was out, what was left and what was right. He spent his
+time roaming over the mountains and through the woods crying aloud to
+the gods to end his life and his sorrow.
+
+It was thus, one day, that he came to the edge of a precipice. The
+valley below was strewn with rocks, and the thought came to his mind
+that he had been led to this place to put a term to his misery. He was
+about to throw himself into the depths below when suddenly the bird
+_Feng_ flew across the valley and appeared before him, saying:
+
+'Why is Ta-Khai, the mighty Prince of Tartary, standing in this place of
+desolation with a shadow on his brow?'
+
+Ta-Khai replied: 'The pine tree finds its nourishment where it stands,
+the tiger can run after the deer in the forests, the eagle can fly over
+the mountains and the plains, but how can I find the one for whom my
+heart is thirsting?'
+
+And he told the bird his story.
+
+The _Feng_, which in reality was a _Feng-Hwang_, that is, a female
+_Feng_, rejoined:
+
+'Without the help of Supreme Heaven it is not easy to acquire wisdom,
+but it is a sign of the benevolence of the spiritual beings that I
+should have come between you and destruction. I can make myself large
+enough to carry the largest town upon my back, or small enough to pass
+through the smallest keyhole, and I know all the princesses in all the
+palaces of the earth. I have taught them the six intonations of my
+voice, and I am their friend. Therefore show me the picture, O Ta-Khai,
+and I will tell you the name of her whom you saw in your dream.'
+
+[Illustration: THE STORY OF THE BIRD FENG
+
+The wonderful bird, like a fire of many colours came down from heaven,
+alighted before the Princess, dropping at her feet the portrait.
+
+_See page 173_]
+
+They went to the palace, and, when the portrait was shown, the bird
+became as large as an elephant, and exclaimed, 'Sit on my back, O
+Ta-Khai, and I will carry you to the place of your dream. There you will
+find her of the transparent face with the drooping eyelids under the
+crown of dark hair such as you have depicted, for these are the features
+of Sai-Jen, the daughter of the King of China, and alone can be likened
+to the full moon rising under a black cloud.'
+
+At nightfall they were flying over the palace of the king just above a
+magnificent garden. And in the garden sat Sai-Jen, singing and playing
+upon the lute. The _Feng-Hwang_ deposited the prince outside the wall
+near a place where bamboos were growing and showed him how to cut twelve
+bamboos between the knots to make the flute which is called Pai-Siao and
+has a sound sweeter than the evening breeze on the forest stream.
+
+And as he blew gently across the pipes, they echoed the sound of the
+princess's voice so harmoniously that she cried:
+
+'I hear the distant notes of the song that comes from my own lips, and I
+can see nothing but the flowers and the trees; it is the melody the
+heart alone can sing that has suffered sorrow on sorrow, and to which
+alone the heart can listen that is full of longing.'
+
+At that moment the wonderful bird, like a fire of many colours come down
+from heaven, alighted before the princess, dropping at her feet the
+portrait. She opened her eyes in utter astonishment at the sight of her
+own image. And when she had read the lines inscribed in the corner, she
+asked, trembling:
+
+'Tell me, O _Feng-Hwang_, who is he, so near, but whom I cannot see,
+that knows the sound of my voice and has never heard me, and can
+remember my face and has never seen me?'
+
+Then the bird spoke and told her the story of Ta-Khai's dream, adding:
+
+'I come from him with this message; I brought him here on my wings. For
+many days he has longed for this hour, let him now behold the image of
+his dream and heal the wound in his heart.'
+
+Swift and overpowering is the rush of the waves on the pebbles of the
+shore, and like a little pebble felt Sai-Jen when Ta-Khai stood before
+her....
+
+The _Feng-Hwang_ illuminated the garden sumptuously, and a breath of
+love was stirring the flowers under the stars.
+
+It was in the palace of the King of China that were celebrated in the
+most ancient and magnificent style the nuptials of Sai-Jen and Ta-Khai,
+Prince of Tartary.
+
+And this is one of the three hundred and thirty-three stories about the
+bird _Feng_ as it is told in the Book of the Ten Thousand Wonders.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Edmund Dulac's Fairy-Book, by Edmund Dulac
+
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