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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Swedish Fairy Book, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Swedish Fairy Book
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Clara Stroebe
+
+Illustrator: George W. Hood
+
+Translator: Frederick H. Martens
+
+Release Date: August 24, 2011 [EBook #37193]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Matthew Wheaton and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK
+
+
+    [Illustration: "NO SOONER HAD HE SPOKEN THE WORDS THAN HE WAS
+    LYING IN THE MOST MAGNIFICENT ROOM HE HAD EVER SEEN."]
+
+
+
+
+    THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK
+
+    EDITED BY
+    CLARA STROEBE
+
+    TRANSLATED BY
+    FREDERICK H. MARTENS
+
+    WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR BY
+    GEORGE W. HOOD
+
+    NEW YORK
+    FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
+    PUBLISHERS
+
+
+    _Copyright, 1921, by_
+
+    FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
+
+    _All Rights Reserved_
+
+    _Printed in the United States of America_
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+The following volume of Swedish fairy-tales represents a careful
+choice, after the best original sources, of those examples of their
+kind which not only appeared most colorful and entertaining, but also
+most racially Swedish in their flavor. For the fairy-tales of each of
+the three Scandinavian countries, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, have a
+distinct local color of their own. The wealth of material available
+has made it possible to give due representation to most types of
+fairy-tales, from the stories of older origin, the tales of giant,
+troll, and werewolf, to such delightful tales as "Lasse, My Thrall",
+and "The Princess and the Glass Mountain," colored with the rich and
+ornate stylistic garb of medieval chivalric poesy. There has been no
+attempt to "rewrite" these charming folk-and fairy-tales in the
+translation. They have been faithfully narrated in the simple, naive
+manner which their traditional rendering demands. And this is one
+reason, perhaps, why they should appeal to young American readers--for
+young America by instinct takes kindly to that which is straightforward
+and sincere, in the realm of fairy-tale as in life itself.
+
+                                                 FREDERICK H. MARTENS
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+           CHAPTER
+
+         I KNÖS
+        II LASSE, MY THRALL!
+       III FINN, THE GIANT, AND THE MINSTER OF LUND
+        IV THE SKALUNDA GIANT
+         V YULETIDE SPECTERS
+        VI SILVERWHITE AND LILLWACKER
+       VII STOMPE PILT
+      VIII THE GIRL AND THE SNAKE
+        IX FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL
+         X STARKAD AND BALE
+        XI THE WEREWOLF
+       XII FIRST BORN, FIRST WED
+      XIII THE LAME DOG
+       XIV THE MOUNT OF THE GOLDEN QUEEN
+        XV OLD HOPGIANT
+       XVI THE PRINCESS AND THE GLASS MOUNTAIN
+      XVII QUEEN CRANE
+     XVIII TALES OF THE TROLLS
+       XIX CHARCOAL NILS AND THE TROLL-WOMAN
+        XX THE THREE DOGS
+       XXI THE POOR DEVIL
+      XXII HOW SMALAND AND SCHONEN CAME TO BE
+     XXIII THE EVIL ONE AND KITTA GRAU
+      XXIV THE LADY OF PINTORP
+       XXV THE SPECTER IN FJELKINGE
+      XXVI THE ROOSTER, THE HAND-MILL AND THE SWARM OF HORNETS
+     XXVII TORRE JEPPE
+    XXVIII THE MAN WHO DIED ON HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+    "No sooner had he spoken the words than he was lying in the most
+    magnificent room he had ever seen"
+
+    "Then Silverwhite drew his sword with a great sweep, and rushed
+    upon the sea-troll"
+
+    "The pike rose to the surface with the golden keys in his mouth"
+
+    "So heartfelt was her happiness that she forgot everything else
+    in the world"
+
+    "A shrine adorned with gold and precious stones appeared"
+
+    "The lion turned into a handsome young prince"
+
+    "The rich man had to go along hanging to him like a hawser"
+
+    "He saw a girl sitting in the mountain hall, weaving a web of
+    gold"
+
+
+
+
+THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK
+
+
+
+
+Swedish Fairy Book
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+KNÖS
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a poor widow, who found an egg under a pile
+of brush as she was gathering kindlings in the forest. She took it and
+placed it under a goose, and when the goose had hatched it, a little
+boy slipped out of the shell. The widow had him baptized Knös, and
+such a lad was a rarity; for when no more than five years old he was
+grown, and taller than the tallest man. And he ate in proportion, for
+he would swallow a whole batch of bread at a single sitting, and at
+last the poor widow had to go to the commissioners for the relief of
+the poor in order to get food for him. But the town authorities said
+she must apprentice the boy at a trade, for he was big enough and
+strong enough to earn his own keep.
+
+So Knös was apprenticed to a smith for three years. For his pay he
+asked a suit of clothes and a sword each year: a sword of five
+hundredweights the first year, one of ten hundredweights the second
+year, and one of fifteen hundredweights the third year. But after he
+had been in the smithy only a few days, the smith was glad to give him
+all three suits and all three swords at once; for he smashed all his
+iron and steel to bits.
+
+Knös received his suits and swords, went to a knight's estate, and
+hired himself out as a serving-man. Once he was told to go to the
+forest to gather firewood with the rest of the men, but sat at the
+table eating long after the others had driven off and when he had at
+last satisfied his hunger and was ready to start, he saw the two young
+oxen he was to drive waiting for him. But he let them stand and went
+into the forest, seized the two largest trees growing there, tore them
+out by the roots, took one tree under each arm, and carried them back
+to the estate. And he got there long before the rest, for they had to
+chop down the trees, saw them up and load them on the carts.
+
+On the following day Knös had to thresh. First he hunted up the
+largest stone he could find, and rolled it around on the grain, so
+that all the corn was loosened from the ears. Then he had to separate
+the grain from the chaff. So he made a hole in each side of the roof
+of the barn, and stood outside the barn and blew, and the chaff and
+straw flew out into the yard, and the corn remained lying in a heap on
+the floor. His master happened to come along, laid a ladder against
+the barn, climbed up and looked down into one of the holes. But Knös
+was still blowing, and the wind caught his master, and he fell down
+and was nearly killed on the stone pavement of the court.
+
+"He's a dangerous fellow," thought his master. It would be a good
+thing to be rid of him, otherwise he might do away with all of them;
+and besides, he ate so that it was all one could do to keep him fed.
+So he called Knös in, and paid him his wages for the full year, on
+condition that he leave. Knös agreed, but said he must first be
+decently provisioned for his journey.
+
+So he was allowed to go into the store-house himself, and there he
+hoisted a flitch of bacon on each shoulder, slid a batch of bread
+under each arm, and took leave. But his master loosed the vicious bull
+on him. Knös, however, grasped him by the horns, and flung him over
+his shoulder, and thus he went off. Then he came to a thicket where he
+slaughtered the bull, roasted him and ate him together with a batch of
+bread. And when he had done this he had about taken the edge off his
+hunger.
+
+Then he came to the king's court, where great sorrow reigned because,
+once upon a time, when the king was sailing out at sea, a sea troll
+had called up a terrible tempest, so that the ship was about to sink.
+In order to escape with his life, the king had to promise the sea
+troll to give him whatever first came his way when he reached shore.
+The king thought his hunting dog would be the first to come running
+to meet him, as usual; but instead his three young daughters came
+rowing out to meet him in a boat. This filled the king with grief, and
+he vowed that whoever delivered his daughters should have one of them
+for a bride, whichever one he might choose. But the only man who
+seemed to want to earn the reward was a tailor, named Red Peter.
+
+Knös was given a place at the king's court, and his duty was to help
+the cook. But he asked to be let off on the day the troll was to come
+and carry away the oldest princess, and they were glad to let him go;
+for when he had to rinse the dishes he broke the king's vessels of
+gold and silver; and when he was told to bring firewood, he brought in
+a whole wagon-load at once, so that the doors flew from their hinges.
+
+The princess stood on the sea-shore and wept and wrung her hands; for
+she could see what she had to expect. Nor did she have much confidence
+in Red Peter, who sat on a willow-stump, with a rusty old sabre in his
+hand. Then Knös came and tried to comfort the princess as well as he
+knew how, and asked her whether she would comb his hair. Yes, he might
+lay his head in her lap, and she combed his hair. Suddenly there was a
+dreadful roaring out at sea. It was the troll who was coming along,
+and he had five heads. Red Peter was so frightened that he rolled off
+his willow-stump. "Knös, is that you?" cried the troll. "Yes," said
+Knös. "Haul me up on the shore!" said the troll. "Pay out the cable!"
+said Knös. Then he hauled the troll ashore; but he had his sword of
+five hundredweights at his side, and with it he chopped off all five
+of the troll's heads, and the princess was free. But when Knös had
+gone off, Red Peter put his sabre to the breast of the princess, and
+told her he would kill her unless she said he was her deliverer.
+
+Then came the turn of the second princess. Once more Red Peter sat on
+the willow-stump with his rusty sabre, and Knös asking to be let off
+for the day, went to the sea-shore and begged the princess to comb his
+hair, which she did. Then along came the troll, and this time he had
+ten heads. "Knös, is that you?" asked the troll. "Yes," said Knös.
+"Haul me ashore!" said the troll. "Pay out the cable!" said Knös. And
+this time Knös had his sword of ten hundredweights at his side, and he
+cut off all ten of the troll's heads. And so the second princess was
+freed. But Red Peter held his sabre at the princess' breast, and
+forced her to say that he had delivered her.
+
+Now it was the turn of the youngest princess. When it was time for the
+troll to come, Red Peter was sitting on his willow-stump, and Knös
+came and begged the princess to comb his hair, and she did so. This
+time the troll had fifteen heads.
+
+"Knös, is that you?" asked the troll. "Yes," said Knös. "Haul me
+ashore!" said the troll. "Pay out the cable," said Knös. Knös had his
+sword of fifteen hundredweights at his side, and with it he cut off
+all the troll's heads. But the fifteen hundredweights were
+half-an-ounce short, and the heads grew on again, and the troll took
+the princess, and carried her off with him.
+
+One day as Knös was going along, he met a man carrying a church on his
+back. "You are a strong man, you are!" said Knös. "No, I am not
+strong," said he, "but Knös at the king's court, he is strong; for he
+can take steel and iron, and weld them together with his hands as
+though they were clay." "Well, I'm the man of whom you are speaking,"
+said Knös, "come, let us travel together." And so they wandered on.
+
+Then they met a man who carried a mountain of stone on his back. "You
+are strong, you are!" said Knös. "No, I'm not strong," said the man
+with the mountain of stone, "but Knös at the king's court, he is
+strong; for he can weld together steel and iron with his hands as
+though they were clay."
+
+"Well, I am that Knös, come let us travel together," said Knös. So all
+three of them traveled along together. Knös took them for a sea-trip;
+but I think they had to leave the church and the hill of stone ashore.
+While they were sailing they grew thirsty, and lay alongside an
+island, and there on the island stood a castle, to which they decided
+to go and ask for a drink. Now this was the very castle in which the
+troll lived.
+
+First the man with the church went, and when he entered the castle,
+there sat the troll with the princess on his lap, and she was very
+sad. He asked for something to drink. "Help yourself, the goblet is on
+the table!" said the troll. But he got nothing to drink, for though he
+could move the goblet from its place, he could not raise it.
+
+Then the man with the hill of stone went into the castle and asked for
+a drink. "Help yourself, the goblet is on the table!" said the troll.
+And he got nothing to drink either, for though he could move the
+goblet from its place, he could not raise it.
+
+Then Knös himself went into the castle, and the princess was full of
+joy and leaped down from the troll's lap when she saw it was he. Knös
+asked for a drink. "Help yourself," said the troll, "the goblet is on
+the table!" And Knös took the goblet and emptied it at a single
+draught. Then he hit the troll across the head with the goblet, so
+that he rolled from the chair and died.
+
+Knös took the princess back to the royal palace, and O, how happy
+every one was! The other princesses recognized Knös again, for they
+had woven silk ribbons into his hair when they had combed it; but he
+could only marry one of the princesses, whichever one he preferred, so
+he chose the youngest. And when the king died, Knös inherited the
+kingdom.
+
+As for Red Peter, he had to go into the nail-barrel.
+
+And now you know all that I know.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The leading personage of our first story, Knös (_Tecknigar og
+     Toner ur skanska allmogenslif_, Lund, 1889, p. 14. From
+     Gudmundstorp, Froste Harad) is one of those heroes of gigantic
+     build, beloved of the North, who even when he eats,
+     accomplishes deeds such as the old Norsemen told of their god
+     Thor: the motive of the goblet with which the hero slays the
+     giant, has been used in the _Hymiskvida_. (Comp. with v. d.
+     Leyen, _Märchen in den Göttsagen der Edda_, p. 40.)
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+LASSE, MY THRALL!
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a prince or a duke or whatever you choose
+to call him, but at any rate a noble tremendously high-born, who did
+not want to stay at home. And so he traveled about the world, and
+wherever he went he was well received, and hobnobbed with the very
+finest people; for he had an unheard of amount of money. He at once
+found friends and acquaintances, no matter where he came; for whoever
+has a full trough can always find pigs to thrust their snouts into it.
+But since he handled his money as he did, it grew less and less, and
+at last he was left high and dry, without a red cent. And there was an
+end to all his many friends; for they did just as the pigs do. When he
+had been well fleeced, they began to snivel and grunt, and soon
+scattered, each about his own business. And there he stood, after
+having been led about by the nose, abandoned by all. All had been glad
+to help him get rid of his money; but none were willing to help him
+regain it, so there was nothing left for him to do but to wander back
+home again like a journeyman apprentice, and beg his way as he went.
+
+Late one evening he found himself in a big forest, without any idea as
+to where he might spend the night. And as he was looking around, his
+glance happened to fall on an old hut, peeping out from among the
+bushes. Of course an old hut was no lodging for such a fine gentleman;
+but when we cannot have what we want, we must take what we can get,
+and since there was no help for it, he went into the hut. There was
+not even a cat in it, not even a stool to sit on. But against one wall
+there was a great chest. What might there be in the chest? Suppose
+there were a few moldy crusts of bread in it? They would taste good to
+him, for he had not been given a single thing all day long, and he was
+so hungry that his inwards stuck to his ribs. He opened the chest. But
+within the chest was another chest, and in that chest still another
+chest, and so it went, one always smaller than the other, until they
+were nothing but little boxes. And the more there were of them the
+more trouble he took to open them; for whatever was hidden away so
+carefully must be something exceptionally beautiful, thought he.
+
+At last he came to a tiny box, and in the tiny box was a slip of
+paper--and that was all he had for his pains! At first he was much
+depressed. But all at once, he saw that something was written on the
+piece of paper, and on closer examination he was even able to spell
+out the words, though they had a strange appearance. And he read:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+No sooner had he spoken these words than something answered, close to
+his ear:
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+He looked around, but saw no one. That's strange, thought he, and once
+more read aloud:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+And just as before came the answer:
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"If there be some one about who hears what I say, he might be kind
+enough to get me a little something to eat," said he; and at that very
+moment a table, covered with all the good things to eat that one could
+imagine, was standing in the hut. He at once began to eat and drink
+and did well by himself. I have never had a better meal in my life,
+thought he. And when his hunger was completely satisfied, he grew
+sleepy and took up his scrap of paper again.
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Now that you have brought me food and drink, you must also bring me a
+bed in which to sleep. But it must be a very fine bed," said he; for
+as you may well imagine, his ideas were more top-lofty now that he had
+eaten well. His command was at once obeyed; and a bed so fine and
+handsome stood in the hut, that a king might have been glad to have
+found such sleeping accommodations. Now this was all very well and
+good; but the good can always be bettered, and when he had lain down,
+he decided that, after all, the hut was far too wretched for such a
+fine bed. He took up the scrap of paper:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"If you can produce such a meal, and such a bed here in the wild wood,
+you must surely be able to give me a better room; for you know I am
+one of those who are used to sleeping in a castle, with golden mirrors
+and rugs of gold brocade and luxuries and conveniences of every kind,"
+said he. And no sooner had he spoken the words, than he was lying in
+the most magnificent room he had ever seen.
+
+Now matters were arranged to suit him, and he was quite content as he
+turned his face to the wall and closed his eyes.
+
+But the room he had slept in was not the end of his magnificence. When
+he woke the following morning and looked around, he saw that he had
+been sleeping in a great castle. There was one room after another, and
+wherever he went walls and ceilings were covered with ornaments and
+decorations of every kind, all glittering so splendidly when the rays
+of the sun fell on them that he had to put his hand to his eyes; for
+wherever he looked everything sparkled with gold and silver. Then he
+glanced out of the window and first began to realize how really
+beautiful everything was. Gone were the fir-trees and juniper bushes,
+and in their place showed the loveliest garden one might wish to see,
+filled with beautiful trees and roses of every variety, in bush and
+tree form. But there was not a human being in sight, not even a cat.
+Yet he found it quite natural that everything should be so fine, and
+that he should once more have become a great lord.
+
+He took up the scrap of paper:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Now that you have provided me with food and a castle in which to
+dwell, I am going to stay here, because it suits me," said he, "but I
+cannot live here all alone in this fashion. I must have serving-men
+and serving-maids, at my command." And so it was. Servants and lackeys
+and maids and serving-women of every description arrived, and some of
+them bowed and others courtseyed, and now the duke really began to
+feel content.
+
+Now it happened that another great castle lay on the opposite side of
+the forest, in which dwelt a king who owned the forest, and many broad
+acres of field and meadow round about. And when the king came and
+happened to look out of his window, he saw the new castle, on whose
+roof the golden weathercocks were swinging to and fro, from time to
+time, shining in his eyes.
+
+"This is very strange," thought he, and sent for his courtiers. They
+came without delay, bowing and scraping.
+
+"Do you see the castle yonder?" said the king.
+
+Their eyes grew as large as saucers and they looked.
+
+Yes, indeed, they saw the castle.
+
+"Who has dared to build such a castle on my ground?"
+
+The courtiers bowed and scraped, but did not know. So the king sent
+for his soldiers. They came tramping in and presented arms.
+
+"Send out all my soldiers and horsemen," said the king, "tear down the
+castle instantly, hang whoever built it, and see to this at once."
+
+The soldiers assembled in the greatest haste and set forth. The
+drummers beat their drums and the trumpeters blew their trumpets, and
+the other musicians practiced their art, each in his own way; so that
+the duke heard them long before they came in sight. But this was not
+the first time he had heard music of this sort, and he knew what it
+meant, so once more he took up the scrap of paper:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"There are soldiers coming," said he, "and now you must provide me
+with soldiers and horsemen until I have twice as many as the folk on
+the other side of the forest. And sabers and pistols and muskets and
+cannon, and all that goes with them--but you must be quick about it!"
+
+Quick it was, and when the duke looked out there was a countless host
+of soldiers drawn up around the castle.
+
+When the king's people arrived, they stopped and did not dare advance.
+But the duke was by no means shy. He went at once to the king's
+captain and asked him what he wanted.
+
+The captain repeated his instructions.
+
+"They will not gain you anything," said the duke. "You can see how
+many soldiers I have, and if the king chooses to listen to me, we can
+agree to become friends, I will aid him against all his enemies, and
+what we undertake will succeed." The captain was pleased with this
+proposal, so the duke invited him to the castle, together with all his
+officers, and his soldiers were given a swallow or two of something
+wet and plenty to eat along with it. But while the duke and the
+officers were eating and drinking, there was more or less talk, and
+the duke learned that the king had a daughter, as yet unmarried and so
+lovely that her like had never been seen. And the more they brought
+the king's officers to eat, the stronger they inclined to the opinion
+that the king's daughter would make a good wife for the duke. And as
+they talked about it, the duke himself began to think it over. The
+worst of it was, said the officers, that she was very haughty, and
+never even deigned to look at a man. But the duke only laughed. "If it
+be no worse than that," he said, "it is a trouble that may be cured."
+
+When at last the soldiers had stowed away as much as they could hold,
+they shouted hurrah until they woke the echoes in the hills, and
+marched away. One may imagine what a fine parade march it was, for
+some of them had grown a little loose-jointed in the knees. The duke
+charged them to carry his greetings to the king, and say that he would
+soon pay him a visit.
+
+When the duke was alone once more, he began to think of the princess
+again, and whether she were really as beautiful as the soldiers had
+said. He decided he would like to find out for himself. Since so many
+strange things had happened that day, it was quite possible, thought
+he.
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Only that you bring the king's daughter here, as soon as she has
+fallen asleep," said he. "But mind that she does not wake up, either
+on her way here, or on her way back." And before long there lay the
+princess on the bed. She was sleeping soundly, and looked charming as
+she lay there asleep. One had to admit that she was as sweet as sugar.
+The duke walked all around her; but she appeared just as beautiful
+from one side as from the other, and the more the duke looked at her,
+the better she pleased him.
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Now you must take the princess home again," said he, "because now I
+know what she looks like and to-morrow I shall sue for her hand."
+
+The following morning the king stepped to the window. "Now I shall not
+have to see that castle across the way," he thought to himself. But
+the evil one must have had a hand in the matter--there stood the
+castle just as before, and the sun was shining brightly on its roof,
+and the weather-vanes were sending beams into his eyes.
+
+The king once more fell into a rage, and shouted for all his people,
+who hurried to him with more than usual rapidity. The courtiers bowed
+and scraped and the soldiers marched in parade step and presented
+arms.
+
+"Do you see that castle there?" roared the king.
+
+They stretched their necks, their eyes grew large as saucers and they
+looked.
+
+Yes, indeed, they saw it.
+
+"Did I not order you to tear down that castle and hang its builder?"
+he said.
+
+This they could not deny; but now the captain himself stepped forward
+and told what had occurred, and what an alarming number of soldiers
+the duke had, and how magnificent his castle was.
+
+Then he also repeated what the duke had said, and that he had sent his
+greetings to the king.
+
+All this made the king somewhat dizzy, and he had to set his crown on
+the table and scratch his head. It was beyond his comprehension--for
+all that he was a king; since he could have sworn that it had all come
+to pass in the course of a single night, and if the duke were not the
+devil himself, he was at least a magician.
+
+And as he sat there and thought, the princess came in.
+
+"God greet you, father," she said, "I had a most strange and lovely
+dream last night."
+
+"And what did you dream, my girl?" said the king.
+
+"O, I dreamt that I was in the new castle over yonder, and there was a
+duke, handsome and so splendid beyond anything I could have imagined,
+and now I want a husband."
+
+"What, you want a husband, and you have never even deigned to look at
+a man; that is very strange!" said the king.
+
+"Be that as it may," said the princess, "but that is how I feel now;
+and I want a husband, and the duke is the husband I want," she
+concluded.
+
+The king simply could not get over the astonishment the duke had
+caused him.
+
+Suddenly he heard an extraordinary beating of drums, and sounding of
+trumpets and other instruments of every kind. And a message came that
+the duke had arrived with a great retinue, all so magnificently
+attired that every seam of their dresses was sparkling with gold and
+silver. The king, in his crown and finest robe of state, stood looking
+down the stairway, and the princess was all the more in favor of
+carrying out her idea as quickly as possible.
+
+The duke greeted the king pleasantly, and the king returned his
+greeting in the same way, and discussing their affairs together they
+became good friends. There was a great banquet, and the duke sat
+beside the princess at the table. What they said to each other I do
+not know, but the duke knew so well how to talk that, no matter what
+he said, the princess could not say no, and so he went to the king and
+begged for her hand. The king could not exactly refuse it, for the
+duke was the kind of a man whom it was better to have for a friend
+than for an enemy; but he could not give his answer out of hand,
+either. First he wished to see the duke's castle, and know how matters
+stood with regard to this, that and the other--which was natural.
+
+So it was agreed that they should pay the duke a visit and bring the
+princess with them, in order that she might examine his possessions,
+and with that they parted.
+
+When the duke reached home, Lasse had a lively time of it, for he was
+given any number of commissions. But he rushed about, carrying them
+out, and everything was arranged so satisfactorily that when the king
+arrived with his daughter, a thousand pens could not have described
+it. They went through all the rooms and looked around, and everything
+was as it should be, and even better thought the king, who was very
+happy. Then the wedding was celebrated and when it was over, and the
+duke returned home with his young wife, he, too, gave a splendid
+banquet, and that is how it went.
+
+After some time had passed, the duke one evening heard the words:
+
+"Is my master content now?" It was Lasse, though the duke could not
+see him.
+
+"I am well content," answered the duke, "for you have brought me all
+that I have."
+
+"But what did I get for it?" said Lasse.
+
+"Nothing," replied the duke, "but, heaven above, what was I to give
+you, who are not flesh and blood, and whom I cannot even see," said
+he. "Yet if there be anything I can do for you, why let me know what
+it is, and I will do it."
+
+"I would very much like to have the little scrap of paper that you
+keep in the box," said Lasse.
+
+"If that is all you want, and if such a trifle is of any service to
+you, your wish shall be granted, for I believe I know the words by
+heart now," said the duke.
+
+Lasse thanked him, and said all the duke need do, would be to lay the
+paper on the chair beside his bed, when he went to sleep, and that he
+would fetch it during the night.
+
+This the duke did, and then he went to bed and fell asleep.
+
+But toward morning the duke woke up, freezing so that his teeth
+chattered, and when he had fully opened his eyes, he saw that he had
+been stripped of everything, and had scarcely a shirt to his name. And
+instead of lying in the handsome bed in the handsome bed-room in the
+magnificent castle, he lay on the big chest in the old hut. He at once
+called out:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!" But there was no answer.
+
+Then he cried again:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!" Again there was no answer. So he called out as
+loudly as he could:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!" But this third call was also in vain.
+
+Now he began to realize what had happened, and that Lasse, when he
+obtained the scrap of paper, no longer had to serve him, and that he
+himself had made this possible. But now things were as they were, and
+there stood the duke in the old hut, with scarcely a shirt to his
+name. The princess herself was not much better off, though she had
+kept her clothes; for they had been given her by her father, and Lasse
+had no power over them.
+
+Now the duke had to explain everything to the princess, and beg her to
+leave him, since it would be best if he tried to get along as well as
+he could himself, said he. But this the princess would not do. She had
+a better memory for what the pastor had said when he married them, she
+told him, and that she was never, never to leave him.
+
+At length the king awoke in his castle, and when he looked out of the
+window, he saw not a single stone of the other castle in which his
+son-in-law and his daughter lived. He grew uneasy and sent for his
+courtiers.
+
+They came in, bowing and scraping.
+
+"Do you see the castle there, on the other side of the forest?" he
+asked. They stretched their necks and opened their eyes. But they
+could see nothing.
+
+"What has become of it?" said the king. But this question they were
+unable to answer.
+
+In a short time the king and his entire court set out, passed through
+the forest, and when they came to the place where the castle, with its
+great gardens, should have been standing, they saw nothing but
+juniper-bushes and scrub-pines. And then they happened to see the
+little hut amid the brush. He went in and--O the poor king!--what did
+he see?
+
+There stood his son-in-law, with scarcely a shirt to his name, and his
+daughter, and she had none too much to wear, and was crying and
+sniveling at a fearful rate. "For heaven's sake, what is the trouble
+here?" said the king. But he received no answer; for the duke would
+rather have died than have told him the whole story.
+
+The king urged and pressed him, first amiably, then in anger; but the
+duke remained obstinate and would have nothing to say. Then the king
+fell into a rage, which is not very surprising, for now he realized
+that this fine duke was not what he purported to be, and he therefore
+ordered him to be hung, and hung on the spot. It is true that the
+princess pleaded earnestly for him, but tears and prayers were useless
+now, for he was a rascal and should die a rascal's death--thus spake
+the king.
+
+And so it was. The king's people set up a gallows and put a rope
+around the duke's neck. But as they were leading him to the gallows,
+the princess got hold of the hangman and gave him a gratuity, for
+which they were to arrange matters in such wise that the duke need not
+die. And toward evening they were to cut him down, and he and the
+princess would disappear. So the bargain was made. In the meantime
+they strung him up and then the king, together with his court and all
+the people, went away.
+
+Now the duke was at the end of his rope. Yet he had time enough to
+reflect about his mistake in not contenting himself with an inch
+instead of reaching out at once for an ell; and that he had so
+foolishly given back the scrap of paper to Lasse annoyed him most of
+all. If I only had it again, I would show every one that adversity has
+made me wise, he thought to himself. But when the horse is stolen we
+close the stable door. And that is the way of the world.
+
+And then he dangled his legs, since for the time being there was
+nothing else for him to do.
+
+It had been a long, hard day for him, and he was not sorry when he saw
+the sun sinking behind the forest. But just as the sun was setting he
+suddenly heard a most tremendous Yo ho! and when he looked down there
+were seven carts of worn-out shoes coming along the road, and a-top
+the last cart was a little old man in gray, with a night-cap on his
+head. He had the face of some horrible specter, and was not much
+better to look at in other respects.
+
+He drove straight up to the gallows, and stopped when he was directly
+beneath them, looked up at the duke and laughed--the horrible old
+creature!
+
+"And is this the measure of your stupidity?" he said, "but then what
+is a fellow of your sort to do with his stupidity, if he does not put
+it to some use?"--and then he laughed again. "Yes, there you hang, and
+here I am carting off all the shoes I wore out going about on your
+silly errands. I wonder, sometimes, whether you can actually read what
+is written on that scrap of paper, and whether you recognize it," said
+he, laughing again, indulging in all sorts of horse-play, and waving
+the scrap of paper under the duke's nose.
+
+But all who are hanging on the gallows are not dead, and this time
+Lasse was the greater fool of the two.
+
+The duke snatched--and tore the scrap of paper from his hand!
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Cut me down from the gallows at once, and restore the castle and
+everything else just as it was before, then when it is dark, bring the
+princess back to it."
+
+Everything was attended to with alarming rapidity, and soon all was
+exactly as it had been before Lasse had decamped.
+
+When the king awoke the following morning, he looked out of the window
+as usual, and there the castle was standing as before, with its
+weathercocks gleaming handsomely in the sunlight. He sent for his
+courtiers, and they came in bowing and scraping.
+
+"Do you see the castle over yonder?" asked the king.
+
+They stretched their necks, and gazed and stared. Yes, indeed, they
+could see the castle.
+
+Then the king sent for the princess; but she was not there. Thereupon
+the king set off to see whether his son-in-law was hanging in the
+appointed spot; but no, there was not a sign of either son-in-law or
+gallows.
+
+Then he had to take off his crown and scratch his head. Yet that did
+not change matters, and he could not for the life of him understand
+why things should be as they were. Finally he set out with his entire
+court, and when they reached the spot where the castle should have
+been standing, there it stood.
+
+The gardens and the roses were just as they had been, and the duke's
+servitors were to be seen in swarms beneath the trees. His son-in-law
+in person, together with his daughter, dressed in the finest clothes,
+came down the stairs to meet him.
+
+The devil has a hand in it, thought the king; and so strange did all
+seem to him that he did not trust the evidence of his own eyes.
+
+"God greet you and welcome, father!" said the duke. The king could
+only stare at him. "Are you, are you my son-in-law?" he asked.
+
+"Why, of course," said the duke, "who else am I supposed to be?"
+
+"Did I not have you strung up yesterday as a thief and a vagabond?"
+inquired the king.
+
+"I really believe father has gone out of his mind on the way over to
+us," said the duke and laughed.
+
+"Does father think that I would allow myself to be hanged so easily?
+Or is there any one present who dare suppose such a thing?" he said,
+and looked them straight in the eye, so that they knew he was looking
+at them. They bent their backs and bowed and scraped.
+
+"And who can imagine any such thing? How could it be possible? Or
+should there be any one present who dare say that the king wishes me
+ill, let him speak out," said the duke, and gazed at them with even
+greater keenness than before. All bent their backs and bowed and
+scraped.
+
+How should any of them come to any such conclusion? No, none of them
+were foolish to such a degree, they said.
+
+Now the king was really at a loss to know what to think. When he
+looked at the duke he felt sure that he could never have wished to
+harm him, and yet--he was not quite sure.
+
+"Was I not here yesterday, and was not the whole castle gone, and had
+not an old hut taken its place, and did I not enter the hut and see
+you standing there with scarcely a shirt to your name?" he asked.
+
+"How father talks," said the duke. "I am afraid, very much afraid,
+that trolls have blinded you, and led you astray in the forest. What
+do you think?" he said and turned to the courtiers.
+
+They at once bowed and cringed fifty times in succession, and took the
+duke's side, as stands to reason.
+
+The king rubbed his eyes and looked around.
+
+"It must be as you say," he told the duke, "and I believe that I have
+recovered my reason, and have found my eyes again. And it would have
+been a sin and shame had I had you hung," said he. Then he grew joyful
+and no one gave the matter further thought.
+
+But adversity teaches one to be wise, so people say, and the duke now
+began to attend to most things himself, and to see to it that Lasse
+did not have to wear out so many pairs of shoes. The king at once
+bestowed half the kingdom upon him, which gave him plenty to do, and
+people said that one would have to look far in order to find a better
+ruler.
+
+Then Lasse came to the duke one day, and though he did not look much
+better than before, he was more civil and did not venture to grin and
+carry on.
+
+"You no longer need my help," said he, "for though formerly I used to
+wear out all my shoes, I now cannot even wear out a single pair, and I
+almost believe my legs are moss-grown. Will you not discharge me?"
+
+The duke thought he could. "I have taken great pains to spare you, and
+I really believe that I can get along without you," he replied. "But
+the castle here and all the other things I could not well dispense
+with, since I never again could find an architect like yourself, and
+you may take for granted that I have no wish to ornament the
+gallows-tree a second time. Therefore I will not, of my own free will,
+give you back the scrap of paper," said he.
+
+"While it is in your possession I have nothing to fear," answered
+Lasse.
+
+"But should the paper fall into other hands, then I should have to
+begin to run and work all over again and that, just that, is what I
+would like to prevent. When a fellow has been working a thousand
+years, as I have, he is bound to grow weary at last."
+
+So they came to the conclusion that the duke should put the scrap of
+paper in its little box and bury it seven ells underground, beneath a
+stone that had grown there and would remain there as well. Then they
+thanked each other for pleasant comradeship and separated. The duke
+did as he had agreed to do, and no one saw him hide the box. He lived
+happily with his princess, and was blessed with sons and daughters.
+When the king died, he inherited the whole kingdom and, as you may
+imagine, he was none the worse off thereby, and no doubt he is still
+living and ruling there, unless he has died.
+
+As to the little box containing the scrap of paper, many are still
+digging and searching for it.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     Extremely popular in Sweden, and delightfully told is "Lasse,
+     my thrall." (Djurklau, _Sagor och Aefventyr pa Svenska
+     Landsmal_. Stockholm, 1883. Set down in the dialect of Nerike).
+     It is the old story of Aladdin and the wonderful lamp, but
+     recounted in quite an original form.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+FINN, THE GIANT, AND THE MINSTER OF LUND
+
+
+There stands in the university town of Schonen, the town of Lund, the
+seat of the first archbishopric in all Scandinavia, a stately Romanic
+minster, with a large, handsome crypt beneath the choir. The opinion
+is universal that the minster will never be altogether finished, but
+that something will always be lacking about the structure. The reason
+is said to be as follows:
+
+When St. Lawrence came to Lund to preach the Gospel, he wanted to
+build a church; but did not know how he was to obtain the means to do
+so.
+
+While he was cudgelling his brains about it, a giant came to him and
+offered to build the church on condition that St. Lawrence tell him
+his name before the church was completed. But should St. Lawrence be
+unable to do so, the giant was to receive either the sun, the moon or
+St. Lawrence's eyes. The saint agreed to his proposal.
+
+The building of the church made rapid progress, and ere long it was
+nearly finished. St. Lawrence thought ruefully about his prospects,
+for he did not know the giant's name; yet at the same time he did not
+relish losing his eyes. And it happened that while he was walking
+without the town, much concerned about the outcome of the affair, he
+grew weary, and sat down on a hill to rest. As he sat there he heard a
+child crying within the hill, and a woman's voice began to sing:
+
+    "Sleep, sleep, my baby dear,
+    To-morrow your father, Finn, will be here;
+    Then sun and moon you shall have from the skies
+    To play with, or else St. Lawrence's eyes."
+
+When St. Lawrence heard that he was happy; for now he knew the giant's
+name. He ran back quickly to town, and went to the church. There sat
+the giant on the roof, just about to set the last stone in place, when
+at that very moment the saint called out:
+
+    "Finn, Finn,
+    Take care how you put the stone in!"
+
+Then the giant flung the stone from him, full of rage, said that the
+church should never be finished, and with that he disappeared. Since
+then something has always been missing from the church.
+
+Others say that the giant and his wife rushed down into the crypt in
+their rage, and each seizing a column were about to tear down the
+church, when they were turned into stone, and may be seen to this day
+standing beside the columns they had grasped.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Finn, the Giant, and the Minster of Lund" (retold by Dr. v.
+     Sydow-Lund, after variants in his collection), is the
+     world-famous tale of the giant master-builder, which appears
+     here as a legend, and is connected with various celebrated
+     churches, as for instance the Minster of Drontheim. Its close
+     is an inversion of the motive of guessing a name, which we have
+     already encountered in the Danish fairy-tale "Trillevip."
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+THE SKALUNDA GIANT
+
+
+In the Skalunda mountain, near the church, there once lived a giant in
+the early days, who no longer felt comfortable after the church had
+been built there. At length he decided that he could no longer stand
+the ringing of the church bells; so he emigrated and settled down on
+an island far out in the North Sea. Once upon a time a ship was
+wrecked on this island, and among those saved were several people from
+Skalunda.
+
+"Whence do you hail?" asked the giant, who by now had grown old and
+blind, and sat warming himself before a log fire.
+
+"We are from Skalunda, if you wish to know," said one of the men
+saved.
+
+"Give me your hand, so that I may feel whether there is still warm
+blood to be found in the Swedish land," said the giant.
+
+The man, who feared to shake hands with the giant, drew a red-hot bar
+of iron from the fire and handed it to him. He seized it firmly, and
+pressed it so hard that the molten iron ran down between his fingers.
+
+"Yes, there is still warm blood to be found in Sweden," said he. "And
+tell me," he continued, "is Skalunda mountain still standing?"
+
+"No, the hens have scratched it away," the man answered.
+
+"How could it last?" said the giant. "My wife and daughter piled it up
+in the course of a single Sunday morning. But surely the Hallenberg
+and the Hunneberg are still standing, for those I built myself."
+
+When the man had confirmed this, the giant wanted to know whether
+Karin was still living in Stommen. And when they told him that she
+was, he gave them a girdle, and with it the message that Karin was to
+wear it in remembrance of him.
+
+The men took the girdle and gave it to Karin upon their return home;
+but before Karin put it on, she clasped it around the oak-tree that
+grew in the court. No sooner had she done so than the oak tore itself
+out of the ground, and flew to the North, borne away by the
+storm-wind. In the place where it had stood was a deep pit, and the
+roots of the tree were so enormous that one of the best springs in
+Stommen flows from one of the root-holes to this very day.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "The Skalunda Giant" (Hofberg, _Svenska Folksagner_, Stockholm,
+     1882, p. 98) has a near relative in the Norwegian mountain
+     giant of Mesingeberg, of whom Asbjörnsen tells.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+YULETIDE SPECTERS
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived two peasants on a homestead called
+Vaderas, just as there are two peasants living on it now. In those
+days the roads were good, and the women were in the habit of riding
+when they wanted to go to church.
+
+One Christmas the two women agreed that they would ride to Christmas
+night mass, and whichever one of them woke up at the right time was to
+call the other, for in those days there was no such thing as a watch.
+It was about midnight when one of the women thought she heard a voice
+from the window, calling: "I am going to set out now." She got up
+hurriedly and dressed herself, so that she might be able to ride with
+the other woman; but since there was no time to eat, she took a piece
+of bread from the table along with her. In those times it was
+customary to bake the bread in the shape of a cross. It was a piece of
+this kind that the woman took and put in her pocket, in order to eat
+it underway. She rode as fast as she could, to catch up with her
+friend, but could not overtake her. The way led over a little stream
+which flows into Vidostern Lake, and across the stream was a bridge,
+known as the Earth Bridge, and on the bridge stood two witch trolls,
+busy washing. As the woman came riding across the bridge, one of the
+witch trolls called out to the other, "Hurry, and tear her head from
+her shoulders!"
+
+"That I cannot do" returned the other, "because she has a bit of bread
+in the form of a cross in her pocket."
+
+The woman, who had been unable to catch up with her neighbor, reached
+the church at Hanger alone.
+
+The church was full of lights, as was always the case when the
+Christmas mass was said. As quickly as ever she could the woman tied
+up her horse, and hurriedly entered the church. It seemed to her that
+the church was crowded with people; but all of them were headless, and
+at the altar stood the priest, in full canonicals but without a head.
+In her haste she did not at once see how things were; but sat down in
+her accustomed place. As she sat down it seemed to her that some one
+said: "If I had not stood godfather to you when you were christened, I
+would do away with you as you sit there, and now hurry and make
+yourself scarce, or it will be the worse for you!" Then she realized
+that things were not as they should be, and ran out hastily.
+
+When she came into the church-yard, it seemed to her as though she
+were surrounded by a great crowd of people. In those days people wore
+broad mantles of unbleached wool, woven at home, and white in color.
+She was wearing one of these mantles and the specters seized it. But
+she flung it away from her and managed to escape from the church-yard,
+and run to the poor-house and wake the people there. It is said it was
+then one o'clock at night.
+
+So she sat and waited for the early mass at four o'clock in the
+morning. And when day finally dawned, they found a little piece of her
+mantle on every grave in the church-yard.
+
+A similar experience befell a man and his wife who lived in a hut
+known as Ingas, below Mosled.
+
+They were no more than an hour ahead of time; but when they reached
+the church at Hanger, they thought the service had already begun, and
+wanted to enter at once; but the church was barred and bolted, and the
+phantom service of the dead was nearing its end. And when the actual
+mass began, there was found lying at every place some of the earth
+from the graves of those who shortly before had been worshiping. The
+man and his wife thereupon fell grievously ill, because they had
+disturbed the dead.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Yuletide Spectres." The tale of the weird service of the dead
+     on Christmas night is common throughout Scandinavia. (From an
+     mss. communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund).
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+SILVERWHITE AND LILLWACKER
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king, who had a queen whom he loved with
+a great love. But after a time the queen died, and all he had left was
+an only daughter. And now that the king was a widower, his whole heart
+went out to the little princess, whom he cherished as the apple of his
+eye. And the king's young daughter grew up into the most lovely maiden
+ever known.
+
+When the princess had seen the snows of fifteen winters, it happened
+that a great war broke out, and that her father had to march against
+the foe.
+
+But there was no one to whom the king could entrust his daughter while
+he was away at war; so he had a great tower built out in the forest,
+provided it with a plenteous store of supplies, and in it shut up his
+daughter and a maid. And he had it proclaimed that every man, no
+matter who he might be, was forbidden to approach the tower in which
+he had placed his daughter and the maid, under pain of death.
+
+Now the king thought he had taken every precaution to protect his
+daughter, and went off to war. In the meantime the princess and her
+maid sat in the tower. But in the city there were a number of brave
+young sons of kings, as well as other young men, who would have liked
+to have talked to the beautiful maiden. And when they found that this
+was forbidden them, they conceived a great hatred for the king. At
+length they took counsel with an old woman who was wiser than most
+folk, and told her to arrange matters in such wise that the king's
+daughter and her maid might come into disrepute, without their having
+anything to do with it. The old hag promised to help them, enchanted
+some apples, laid them in a basket, and went to the lonely tower in
+which the maidens lived.
+
+When the king's daughter and her maid saw the old woman, who was
+sitting beneath the window, they felt a great longing to try the
+beautiful apples.
+
+So they called out and asked how much she wanted for her precious
+apples; but the old woman said they were not for sale. Yet as the
+girls kept on pleading with her, the old woman said she would make
+each of them a present of an apple; they only need let down a little
+basket from the tower. The princess and her maid, in all innocence,
+did as the troll-woman told them, and each received an apple. But the
+enchanted fruit had a strange effect, for in due course of time heaven
+sent them each a child. The king's daughter called her son
+Silverwhite, and the son of her maid received the name of Lillwacker.
+
+The two boys grew up larger and stronger than other children, and were
+very handsome as well. They looked as much alike as one cherry-pit
+does to another, and one could easily see that they were related.
+
+Seven years had passed, and the king was expected home from the war.
+Then both girls were terrified, and they took counsel together as to
+how they might hide their children. When at length they could find no
+other way out of the difficulty, they very sorrowfully bade their
+children farewell, and let them down from the tower at night, to seek
+their fortune in the wide, wide world. At parting the king's daughter
+gave Silverwhite a costly knife; but the maid had nothing to give her
+son.
+
+The two foster-brethren now wandered out into the world. After they
+had gone a while, they came to a dark forest. And in this forest they
+met a man, strange-looking and very tall. He wore two swords at his
+side, and was accompanied by six great dogs. He gave them a friendly
+greeting:
+
+"Good-day, little fellows, whence do you come and whither do you go?"
+The boys told him they came from a high tower, and were going out into
+the world to seek their fortune. The man replied:
+
+"If such be the case, I know more about your origin than any one else.
+And that you may have something by which to remember your father, I
+will give each of you a sword and three dogs. But you must promise me
+one thing, that you will never part from your dogs; but take them with
+you wherever you go." The boys thanked the man for his kind gifts, and
+promised to do as he had told them. Then they bade him farewell and
+went their way.
+
+When they had traveled for some time they reached a cross-road. Then
+Silverwhite said:
+
+"It seems to me that it would be the best for us to try our luck
+singly, so let us part." Lillwacker answered: "Your advice is good;
+but how am I to know whether or not you are doing well out in the
+world?"
+
+"I will give you a token by which you may tell," said Silverwhite, "so
+long as the water runs clear in this spring you will know that I am
+alive; but if it turns red and roiled, it will mean that I am dead."
+Silverwhite then drew runes in the water of the spring, said farewell
+to his brother, and each of them went on alone. Lillwacker soon came
+to a king's court, and took service there; but every morning he would
+go to the spring to see how his brother fared.
+
+Silverwhite continued to wander over hill and dale, until he reached a
+great city. But the whole city was in mourning, the houses were hung
+in black, and all the inhabitants went about full of grief and care,
+as though some great misfortune had occurred.
+
+Silverwhite went though the city and inquired as to the cause of all
+the unhappiness he saw. They answered: "You must have come from far
+away, since you do not know that the king and queen were in danger of
+being drowned at sea, and he had to promise to give up their three
+daughters in order to escape. To-morrow morning the sea-troll is
+coming to carry off the oldest princess." This news pleased
+Silverwhite; for he saw a fine opportunity to wealth and fame, should
+fortune favor him.
+
+The next morning Silverwhite hung his sword at his side, called his
+dogs to him, and wandered down to the sea-shore alone. And as he sat
+on the strand he saw the king's daughter led out of the city, and with
+her went a courtier, who had promised to rescue her. But the princess
+was very sad and cried bitterly. Then Silverwhite stepped up to her
+with a polite greeting. When the king's daughter and her escort saw
+the fearless youth, they were much frightened, because they thought he
+was the sea-troll. The courtier was so alarmed that he ran away and
+took refuge in a tree. When Silverwhite saw how frightened the
+princess was, he said: "Lovely maiden, do not fear me, for I will do
+you no harm." The king's daughter answered:
+
+"Are you the troll who is coming to carry me away?" "No," said
+Silverwhite, "I have come to rescue you." Then the princess was glad
+to think that such a brave hero was going to defend her, and they
+had a long, friendly talk. At the same time Silverwhite begged the
+king's daughter to comb his hair. She complied with his request, and
+Silverwhite laid his head in her lap; but when he did so the princess
+drew a golden ring from her finger and, unbeknown to him, wound it
+into his locks.
+
+[Illustration: "THEN SILVERWHITE DREW HIS SWORD WITH A GREAT SWEEP
+AND RUSHED UPON THE SEA-TROLL."]
+
+Suddenly the sea-troll rose from the deeps, setting the waves whirling
+and foaming far and near. When the troll saw Silverwhite, he grew
+angry and said: "Why do you sit there beside my princess?" The youth
+replied: "It seems to me that she is my princess, not yours." The
+sea-troll answered: "Time enough to see which of us is right; but
+first our dogs shall fight." Silverwhite was nothing loath, and set
+his dogs at the dogs of the troll, and there was a fierce struggle.
+But at last the youth's dogs got the upper hand and bit the dogs of
+the sea-troll to death. Then Silverwhite drew his sword with a great
+sweep, rushed upon the sea-troll, and gave him such a tremendous blow
+that the monster's head rolled on the sand. The troll gave a fearsome
+cry, and flung himself back into the sea, so that the water spurted to
+the very skies. Thereupon the youth drew out his silver-mounted knife,
+cut out the troll's eyes and put them in his pocket. Then he saluted
+the lovely princess and went away.
+
+Now when the battle was over and the youth had disappeared, the
+courtier crawled down from his tree, and threatened to kill the
+princess if she did not say before all the people that he, and none
+other, had rescued her. The king's daughter did not dare refuse, since
+she feared for her life. So she returned to her father's castle with
+the courtier, where they were received with great distinction.
+
+And joy reigned throughout the land when the news spread that the
+oldest princess had been rescued from the troll.
+
+On the following day everything repeated itself. Silverwhite went down
+to the strand and met the second princess, just as she was to be
+delivered to the troll.
+
+And when the king's daughter and her escort saw him, they were very
+much frightened, thinking he was the sea-troll. And the courtier
+climbed a tree, just as he had before; but the princess granted the
+youth's petition, combed his hair as her sister had done, and also
+wound her gold ring into his long curls.
+
+After a time there was a great tumult out at sea, and a sea-troll rose
+from the waves. He had three heads and three dogs. But Silverwhite's
+dogs overcame those of the troll, and the youth killed the troll
+himself with his sword. Thereupon he took out his silver-mounted
+knife, cut out the troll's eyes, and went his way. But the courtier
+lost no time. He climbed down from his tree and forced the princess
+to promise to say that he, and none other, had rescued her. Then they
+returned to the castle, where the courtier was acclaimed as the
+greatest of heroes.
+
+On the third day Silverwhite hung his sword at his side, called his
+three dogs to him, and again wandered down to the sea-shore. As he was
+sitting by the strand, he saw the youngest princess led out of the
+city, and with her the daring courtier who claimed to have rescued her
+sisters. But the princess was very sad and cried bitterly. Then
+Silverwhite stepped up and greeted the lovely maiden politely. Now
+when the king's daughter and her escort saw the handsome youth, they
+were very much frightened, for they believed him to be the sea-troll,
+and the courtier ran away and hid in a high tree that grew near the
+strand. When Silverwhite noticed the maiden's terror, he said:
+
+"Lovely maiden, do not fear me, for I will do you no harm." The king's
+daughter answered: "Are you the troll who is coming to carry me away?"
+"No," said Silverwhite, "I have come to rescue you." Then the princess
+was very glad to have such a brave hero fight for her, and they had a
+long, friendly talk with each other. At the same time Silverwhite
+begged the lovely maiden to do him a favor and comb his hair. This the
+king's daughter was most willing to do, and Silverwhite laid his head
+in her lap. But when the princess saw the gold rings her sisters had
+wound in his locks, she was much surprised, and added her own to the
+others.
+
+Suddenly the sea-troll came shooting up out of the deep with a
+terrific noise, so that waves and foam spurted to the very skies. This
+time the monster had six heads and nine dogs. When the troll saw
+Silverwhite sitting with the king's daughter, he fell into a rage and
+cried: "What are you doing with my princess?" The youth answered: "It
+seems to me that she is my princess rather than yours." Thereupon the
+troll said: "Time enough to see which of us is right; but first our
+dogs shall fight each other." Silverwhite did not delay, but set his
+dogs at the sea-dogs, and they had a battle royal. But in the end the
+youth's dogs got the upper hand and bit all nine of the sea-dogs to
+death. Finally Silverwhite drew out his bare sword, flung himself upon
+the sea-troll, and stretched all six of his heads on the sand with a
+single blow. The monster uttered a terrible cry, and rushed back into
+the sea so that the water spurted to the heavens. Then the youth drew
+his silver-mounted knife, cut out all twelve of the troll's eyes,
+saluted the king's young daughter, and hastily went away.
+
+Now that the battle was over, and the youth had disappeared, the
+courtier climbed down from his tree, drew his sword and threatened to
+kill the princess unless she promised to say that he had rescued her
+from the troll, as he had her sisters.
+
+The king's daughter did not dare refuse, since she feared for her
+life. So they went back to the castle together, and when the king saw
+that they had returned in safety, without so much as a scratch, he and
+the whole court were full of joy, and they were accorded great honors.
+And at court the courtier was quite another fellow from the one who
+had hid away in the tree. The king had a splendid banquet prepared,
+with amusements and games, and the sound of string music and dancing,
+and bestowed the hand of his youngest daughter on the courtier in
+reward for his bravey.
+
+In the midst of the wedding festivities, when the king and his whole
+court were seated at table, the door opened, and in came Silverwhite
+with his dogs.
+
+The youth stepped boldly into the hall of state and greeted the king.
+And when the three princesses saw who it was, they were full of joy,
+leaped up from their places, and ran over to him, much to the king's
+surprise, who asked what it all meant. Then the youngest princess told
+him all that had happened, from beginning to end, and that Silverwhite
+had rescued them, while the courtier sat in a tree. To prove it beyond
+any chance of doubt, each of the king's daughters showed her father
+the ring she had wound in Silverwhite's locks. But the king still did
+not know quite what to think of it all, until Silverwhite said: "My
+lord king! In order that you need not doubt what your daughters have
+told you, I will show you the eyes of the sea-trolls whom I slew."
+Then the king and all the rest saw that the princesses had told the
+truth. The traitorous courtier received his just punishment; but
+Silverwhite was paid every honor, and was given the youngest daughter
+and half of the kingdom with her.
+
+After the wedding Silverwhite established himself with his young bride
+in a large castle belonging to the king, and there they lived quietly
+and happily.
+
+One night, when all were sleeping, it chanced that he heard a knocking
+at the window, and a voice which said: "Come, Silverwhite, I have to
+talk to you!" The king, who did not want to wake his young wife, rose
+hastily, girded on his sword, called his dogs and went out. When he
+reached the open air, there stood a huge and savage-looking troll. The
+troll said: "Silverwhite, you have slain my three brothers, and I have
+come to bid you go down to the sea-shore with me, that we may fight
+with one another." This proposal suited the youth, and he followed the
+troll without protest. When they reached the sea-shore, there lay
+three great dogs belonging to the troll. Silverwhite at once set his
+dogs at the troll-dogs, and after a hard struggle the latter had to
+give in. The young king drew his sword, bravely attacked the troll and
+dealt him many a mighty blow. It was a tremendous battle. But when
+the troll noticed he was getting the worst of it, he grew frightened,
+quickly ran to a high tree, and clambered into it. Silverwhite and the
+dogs ran after him, the dogs barking as loudly as they could. Then the
+troll begged for his life and said: "Dear Silverwhite, I will take
+wergild for my brothers, only bid your dogs be still, so that we may
+talk." The king bade his dogs be still, but in vain, they only barked
+the more loudly. Then the troll tore three hairs from his head, handed
+them to Silverwhite and said: "Lay a hair on each of the dogs, and
+then they will be as quiet as can be." The king did so and at once the
+dogs fell silent, and lay motionless as though they had grown fast to
+the ground. Now Silverwhite realized that he had been deceived; but it
+was too late. The troll was already descending from the tree, and he
+drew his sword and again began to fight. But they had exchanged no
+more than a few blows, before Silverwhite received a mortal wound, and
+lay on the earth in a pool of blood.
+
+But now we must tell about Lillwacker. The next morning he went to the
+spring by the cross-road and found it red with blood. Then he knew
+that Silverwhite was dead. He called his dogs, hung his sword at his
+side, and went on until he came to a great city. And the city was in
+festal array, the streets were crowded with people, and the houses
+were hung with scarlet cloths and splendid rugs. Lillwacker asked why
+everybody was so happy, and they said: "You must hail from distant
+parts, since you do not know that a famous hero has come here by the
+name of Silverwhite, who has rescued our three princesses, and is now
+the king's son-in-law." Lillwacker then inquired how it had all come
+about, and then went his way, reaching the royal castle in which
+Silverwhite dwelt with his beautiful queen in the evening.
+
+When Lillwacker entered the castle gate, all greeted him as though he
+had been the king. For he resembled his foster-brother so closely that
+none could tell one from the other. When the youth came to the queen's
+room, she also took him for Silverwhite. She went up to him and said:
+"My lord king, where have you been so long? I have been awaiting you
+with great anxiety." Lillwacker said little, and was very taciturn.
+Then he lay down on a couch in a corner of the queen's room.
+
+The young woman did not know what to think of his actions; for her
+husband did not act queerly at other times. But she thought: "One
+should not try to discover the secrets of others," and said nothing.
+
+In the night, when all were sleeping, there was a knocking at the
+window, and a voice cried: "Come, Lillwacker, I have to talk to you!"
+The youth rose hastily, took his good sword, called his dogs and
+went. When he reached the open air, there stood the same troll who had
+slain Silverwhite. He said: "Come with me, Lillwacker, and then you
+shall see your foster-brother!" To this Lillwacker at once agreed, and
+the troll led the way. When they came to the sea-shore, there lay the
+three great dogs whom the troll had brought with him. Somewhat further
+away, where they had fought, lay Silverwhite in a pool of blood, and
+beside him his dogs were stretched out on the ground as though they
+had taken root in it. Then Lillwacker saw how everything had happened,
+and thought that he would gladly venture his life, if he might in some
+way call his brother back from the dead. He at once set his dogs at
+the troll-dogs, and they had a hard struggle, in which Lillwacker's
+dogs won the victory. Then the youth drew his sword, and attacked the
+troll with mighty blows. But when the troll saw that he was getting
+the worst of it, he took refuge in a lofty tree. Lillwacker and his
+dogs ran after him and the dogs barked loudly.
+
+Then the troll humbly begged for his life, and said: "Dear Lillwacker,
+I will give you wergild for your brother, only bid your dogs be still,
+so that we may talk." At the same time the troll handed him three
+hairs from his head and added: "Lay one of these hairs on each of your
+dogs, and then they will soon be quiet." But Lillwacker saw through
+his cunning scheme, took the three hairs and laid them on the
+troll-dogs, which at once fell on the ground and lay like dead.
+
+When the troll saw that his attempt had failed, he was much alarmed
+and said: "Dearest Lillwacker, I will give you wergild for your
+brother, if you will only leave me alone." But the youth answered:
+
+"What is there you can give me that will compensate for my brother's
+life?" The troll replied: "Here are two flasks. In one is a liquid
+which, if you anoint a dead man with it, it will restore him to life;
+but as to the liquid in the other flask, if you moisten anything with
+it, and some one touches the place you have moistened, he will be
+unable to move from the spot. I think it would be hard to find
+anything more precious than the liquid in these flasks." Lillwacker
+said: "Your proposal suits me, and I will accept it. But there is
+something else you must promise to do: that you will release my
+brother's dogs." The troll agreed, climbed down from the tree,
+breathed on the dogs and thus freed them. Then Lillwacker took the two
+flasks and went away from the sea-shore with the troll. After they had
+gone a while they came to a great flat stone, lying near the highway.
+Lillwacker hastened on in advance and moistened it with liquid from
+the second flask. Then, as he was going by, Lillwacker suddenly set
+all six of his dogs at the troll, who stepped back and touched the
+stone. There he stuck, and could move neither forward nor backward.
+After a time the sun rose and shone on the stone. And when the troll
+saw the sun he burst--and was as dead as a doornail!
+
+Lillwacker now ran back to his brother and sprinkled him with the
+liquid in the other flask, so that he came to life again, and they
+were both very happy, as may well be imagined. The two foster-brothers
+then returned to the castle, recounting the story of their experiences
+and adventures on the way. Lillwacker told how he had been taken for
+his brother. He even mentioned that he had lain down on a couch in a
+corner of the queen's room, and that she had never suspected that he
+was not her rightful husband. But when Silverwhite heard that, he
+thought that Lillwacker had offended against the queen's dignity, and
+he grew angry and fell into such a rage that he drew his sword, and
+thrust it into his brother's breast. Lillwacker fell to earth dead,
+and Silverwhite went home to the castle alone. But Lillwacker's dogs
+would not leave their master, and lay around him, whining and licking
+his wound.
+
+In the evening, when the young king and his wife retired, the queen
+asked him why he had been so taciturn and serious the evening before.
+Then the queen said: "I am very curious to know what has befallen you
+during the last few days, but what I would like to know most of all,
+is why you lay down on a couch in a corner of my room the other
+night?" Now it was clear to Silverwhite that the brother he had slain
+was innocent of all offense, and he felt bitter regret at having
+repaid his faithfulness so badly. So King Silverwhite at once rose and
+went to the place where his brother was lying. He poured the water of
+life from his flask and anointed his brother's wound, and in a moment
+Lillwacker was alive again, and the two brother's went joyfully back
+to the castle.
+
+When they got there, Silverwhite told his queen how Lillwacker had
+rescued him from death, and all the rest of their adventures, and all
+were happy at the royal court, and they paid the youth the greatest
+honors and compliments. After he had stayed there a time he sued for
+the hand of the second princess and obtained it. Thereupon the wedding
+was celebrated with great pomp, and Silverwhite divided his half of
+the kingdom with his foster-brother. The two brothers continued to
+live together in peace and unity, and if they have not died, they are
+living still.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     From a venerable Indo-Germanic source comes the widely
+     circulated story of "Silverwhite and Lillwacker," the faithful
+     brothers (Hyltén-Cavallius and Stephens, _Svenska Folkasagor
+     och Aefventyr_, Stockholm, 1848, p. 58. From Vermland).
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+STOMPE PILT
+
+
+Not far from Baalsberg, near Filkestad in the Willandsharad, there is
+a hill in which a giant named Stompe Pilt once used to live.
+
+It happened one day that a goat-herd was driving his flock up the hill
+in which Stompe Pilt dwelt.
+
+"Who is there?" cried the giant, and rushed out of his hill with a
+hunk of flint-rock in his fist.
+
+"I am, if that's what you want to know!" shouted the shepherd-lad and
+continued driving his goats up the hill.
+
+"If you come here, I will squash you as I squash this stone!" cried
+the giant and he crushed it into fine sand between his fingers.
+
+"And I will squash you till the water runs out, just as I squash this
+stone!" answered the shepherd-lad, drawing a fresh cheese from his
+pocket, and pressing it hard, so that the water ran from his fingers.
+
+"Are you not frightened?" asked the giant.
+
+"Of you? Certainly not!" was the youth's reply.
+
+"Then we will fight with one another!" proposed the giant.
+
+"As you choose," replied the shepherd, "but first we must abuse each
+other so that we can get into a proper rage, because as we abuse each
+other we will grow angry, and when we are angry we will fight!"
+
+"But I shall begin by abusing you," said the giant.
+
+"As you choose," said the youth, "but then it will be my turn."
+
+"May a troll with a crooked nose take you!" yelled the giant.
+
+"May a flying devil carry you off!" answered the shepherd and he shot
+a sharp arrow against the giant's body with his bow.
+
+"What was that?" asked the giant, and tried to pull the arrow out of
+his body.
+
+"That was a word of abuse," said the shepherd.
+
+"How does it come to have feathers?" asked the giant.
+
+"The better to fly with," answered the shepherd.
+
+"Why does it stick so tight?" the giant continued.
+
+"Because it has taken root in your body," was the shepherd's answer.
+
+"Have you any other abusive words of the same sort?" asked the giant.
+"Here is another one," replied the youth, and shot another arrow into
+the giant.
+
+"Ouch, ouch!" cried Stompe Pilt, "are you still not angry enough for
+us to come to blows?"
+
+"No, I have not abused you enough as yet," said the shepherd and aimed
+another arrow.
+
+"Lead your goats wherever you choose! If I cannot stand your abusive
+words, I surely will not be able to bear up against your blows," cried
+Stompe Pilt, and jumped back into his hill.
+
+And that is how the shepherd gained the victory, because he was brave
+and did not let the stupid giant frighten him.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     An entertaining parody of the serious tale of David and Goliath
+     is the story of the little shepherd boy's fight with the giant
+     Stompe Pilt. (Hofberg, p. 10).
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+THE GIRL AND THE SNAKE
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a girl who was to go to the wood and drive
+the cattle home; but she did not find the herd, and losing her way
+instead, came to a great hill. It had gates and doors and she went in.
+There stood a table covered with all sorts of good things to eat. And
+there stood a bed as well, and in the bed lay a great snake. The snake
+said to the girl: "Sit down, if you choose! Eat, if you choose! Come
+and lie down in the bed, if you choose! But if you do not choose, then
+do not do so." So the girl did nothing at all. At last the snake said:
+"Some people are coming now who want you to dance with them. But do
+not go along with them." Straightway people arrived who wanted to
+dance with the girl; but she would hear nothing of it. Then they began
+to eat and drink; but the girl left the hill and went home. The
+following day she again went to the wood to look for the cattle, did
+not find them, lost her way again, and came to the same hill. This
+time she also entered, and found everything as it had been the first
+time, the well-spread table and the bed with the snake in it. And the
+snake said to her, as before: "Sit down, if you choose! Eat, if you
+choose! Come, and lie down in the bed if you choose! But if you do not
+choose, then do not do so! Now a great many more people are coming who
+will want to dance with you, but do not go with them." The snake had
+scarcely concluded before a great many people arrived, who began to
+dance, eat and drink; but the girl did not keep them company, instead
+she left the hill and went home.
+
+On the third day when she once more went to the wood, everything
+happened exactly as on the first and second day. The snake invited her
+to eat and drink, and this time she did so, with a hearty appetite.
+Then the snake told her to lie down beside him and the girl obeyed.
+Then the snake said: "Put your arm about me!" She did so. "And now
+kiss me," said the snake, "but if you are afraid, put your apron
+between us." The girl did so, and in a moment the snake was turned
+into a marvellously handsome youth, who was really a prince, bewitched
+in the form of a snake by magic spells, and now delivered by the
+girl's courage. Then both of them went away and there was nothing
+further heard of them.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "The Girl and the Snake" (From Södermanland. From the mss.
+     collection of the metallurgist Gustav Erikson, communicated to
+     Dr. v. Sydow-Lund) shows distinctive Scandinavian features;
+     though it falls short of the richness and depth of the
+     celebrated Danish fairy-tale "King Dragon," whose germ idea is
+     the same.
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a couple of humble cottagers who had no
+children until, at last, the man's wife was blessed with a boy, which
+made both of them very happy. They named him Faithful and when he was
+christened a _huldra_ came to the hut, seated herself beside the
+child's cradle, and foretold that he would meet with good fortune.
+"What is more," she said, "when he is fifteen years of age, I will
+make him a present of a horse with many rare qualities, a horse that
+has the gift of speech!" And with that the _huldra_ turned and went
+away.
+
+The boy grew up and became strong and powerful. And when he had passed
+his fifteenth year, a strange old man came up to their hut one day,
+knocked, and said that the horse he was leading had been sent by his
+queen, and that henceforward it was to belong to Faithful, as she had
+promised. Then the ancient man departed; but the beautiful horse was
+admired by all, and Faithful learned to love it more with every
+passing day.
+
+At length he grew weary of home. "I must away and try my fortune in
+the world," said he, and his parents did not like to object; for there
+was not much to wish for at home. So he led his dear horse from the
+stable, swung himself into the saddle, and rode hurriedly into the
+wood. He rode on and on, and had already covered a good bit of ground,
+when he saw two lions engaged in a struggle with a tiger, and they
+were well-nigh overcome. "Make haste to take your bow," said the
+horse, "shoot the tiger and deliver the two lions!" "Yes, that's what
+I will do," said the youth, fitted an arrow to the bow-string, and in
+a moment the tiger lay prone on the ground. The two lions drew nearer,
+nuzzled their preserver in a friendly and grateful manner, and then
+hastened back to their cave.
+
+Faithful now rode along for a long time among the great trees until he
+suddenly spied two terrified white doves fleeing from a hawk who was
+on the point of catching them. "Make haste to take your bow," said the
+horse, "shoot the hawk and save the two doves!" "Yes, that's what I'll
+do," said the youth. He fitted an arrow to the bow-string, and in a
+moment the hawk lay prone on the ground. But the two doves flew
+nearer, fluttered about their deliverer in a tame and grateful manner,
+and then hurried back to their nest.
+
+The youth pressed on through the wood and by now was far, far from
+home. But his horse did not tire easily, and ran on with him until
+they came to a great lake. There he saw a gull rise up from the water,
+holding a pike in its claws. "Make haste to take your bow," said the
+horse, "shoot the gull and save the pike!" "Yes, that's what I'll do,"
+answered the youth, fitted an arrow to his bow-string, and in a moment
+the gull was threshing the ground with its wings, mortally wounded.
+But the pike who had been saved swam nearer, gave his deliverer a
+friendly, grateful glance, and then dove down to join his fellows
+beneath the waves.
+
+Faithful rode on again, and before evening came to a great castle. He
+at once had himself announced to the king, and begged that the latter
+would take him into his service. "What kind of a place do you want?"
+asked the king, who was inclined to look with favor on the bold
+horseman.
+
+"I should like to be a groom," was Faithful's answer, "but first of
+all I must have stable-room and fodder for my horse." "That you shall
+have," said the king, and the youth was taken on as a groom, and
+served so long and so well, that every one in the castle liked him,
+and the king in particular praised him highly.
+
+But among the other servitors was one named Unfaithful who was jealous
+of Faithful, and did what he could to harm him; for he thought to
+himself:
+
+"Then I would be rid of him, and need not see him continue to rise in
+my lord's favor." Now it happened that the king was very sad, for he
+had lost his queen, whom a troll had stolen from the castle. It is
+true that the queen had not taken pleasure in the king's society, and
+that she did not love him. Still the king longed for her greatly, and
+often spoke of it to Unfaithful his servant. So one day Unfaithful
+said: "My lord need distress himself no longer, for Faithful has been
+boasting to me that he could rescue your beautiful queen from the
+hands of the troll." "If he has done so," replied the king, "then he
+must keep his word."
+
+He straightway ordered Faithful to be brought before him, and
+threatened him with death if he did not at once hurry into the hill
+and bring back the wife of whom he had been robbed. If he were
+successful great honor should be his reward. In vain Faithful denied
+what Unfaithful had said of him, the king stuck to his demand, and the
+youth withdrew, convinced that he had not long to live. Then he went
+to the stable to bid farewell to his beautiful horse, and stood beside
+him and wept. "What grieves you so?" asked the horse. Then the youth
+told him of all that had happened, and said that this was probably the
+last time he would be able to visit him. "If it be no more than that,"
+said the horse, "there is a way to help you. Up in the garret of the
+castle there is an old fiddle, take it with you and play it when you
+come to the place where the queen is kept. And fashion for yourself
+armor of steel wire, and set knives into it everywhere, and then, when
+you see the troll open his jaws, descend into his maw, and thus slay
+him. But you must have no fear, and must trust me to show you the
+way." These words filled the youth with fresh courage, he went to the
+king and received permission to leave, secretly fashioned his steel
+armor, took the old fiddle from the garret of the castle, led his dear
+horse out of the stable, and without delay set forth for the troll's
+hill.
+
+Before long he saw it, and rode directly to the troll's abode. When he
+came near, he saw the troll, who had crept out of his castle, lying
+stretched out at the entrance to his cave, fast asleep, and snoring so
+powerfully that the whole hill shook. But his mouth was wide open, and
+his maw was so tremendous that it was easy for the youth to crawl into
+it. He did so, for he was not afraid, and made his way into the
+troll's inwards where he was so active that the troll was soon killed.
+Then Faithful crept out again, laid aside his armor, and entered the
+troll's castle. Within the great golden hall sat the captive queen,
+fettered with seven strong chains of gold. Faithful could not break
+the strong chains; but he took up his fiddle and played such tender
+music on it, that the golden chains were moved, and one after
+another, fell from the queen, until she was able to rise and was free
+once more. She looked at the courageous youth with joy and gratitude,
+and felt very kindly toward him, because he was so handsome and
+courteous. And the queen was perfectly willing to return with him to
+the king's castle.
+
+The return of the queen gave rise to great joy, and Faithful received
+the promised reward from the king. But now the queen treated her
+husband with even less consideration than before. She would not
+exchange a word with him, she did not laugh, and locked herself up in
+her room with her gloomy thoughts. This greatly vexed the king, and
+one day he asked the queen why she was so sad: "Well," said she, "I
+cannot be happy unless I have the beautiful golden hall which I had in
+the hill at the troll's; for a hall like that is to be found nowhere
+else."
+
+"It will be no easy matter to obtain it for you," said the king, "and
+I cannot promise you that anyone will be able to do it." But when he
+complained of his difficulty to his servant Unfaithful, the latter
+answered: "The chances of success are not so bad, for Faithful said he
+could easily bring the troll's golden hall to the castle." Faithful
+was at once sent for, and the king commanded him, as he loved his
+life, to make good his word and bring the golden hall from the troll's
+hill. It was in vain that Faithful denied Unfaithful's assertions: go
+he must, and bring back the golden hall.
+
+Inconsolable, he went to his beautiful horse, wept and wanted to say
+farewell to him forever. "What troubles you?" asked the horse. And the
+youth replied: "Unfaithful has again been telling lies about me, and
+if I do not bring the troll's golden hall to the queen, my life will
+be forfeited." "Is it nothing more serious than that?" said the horse.
+"See that you obtain a great ship, take your fiddle with you and play
+the golden hall out of the hill, then hitch the troll's horses before
+it, and you will be able to bring the glistening hall here without
+trouble."
+
+Then Faithful felt somewhat better, did as the horse had told him, and
+was successful in reaching the great hill. And as he stood there
+playing the fiddle, the golden hall heard him, and was drawn to the
+sounding music, and it moved slowly, slowly, until it stood outside
+the hill. It was built of virgin gold, like a house by itself, and
+under it were many wheels. Then the youth took the troll's horses, put
+them to the golden hall, and thus brought it aboard his ship. Soon he
+had crossed the lake, and brought it along safely so that it reached
+the castle without damage, to the great joy of the queen. Yet despite
+the fact, she was as weary of everything as she had been before, never
+spoke to her husband, the king, and no one ever saw her laugh.
+
+Now the king grew even more vexed than he had been, and again asked
+her why she seemed so sad. "Ah, how can I be happy unless I have the
+two colts that used to belong to me, when I stayed at the troll's!
+Such handsome steeds are to be seen nowhere else!" "It will be
+anything but easy to obtain for you what you want," declared the king,
+"for they were untamed, and long ago must have run far away into the
+wild-wood." Then he left her, sadly, and did not know what to do. But
+Unfaithful said: "Let my lord give himself no concern, for Faithful
+has declared he could easily secure both of the troll's colts."
+Faithful was at once sent for, and the king threatened him with death,
+if he did not show his powers in the matter of the colts. But should
+he succeed in catching them, then he would be rewarded.
+
+Now Faithful knew quite well that he could not hope to catch the
+troll's wild colts, and he once more turned to the stable in order to
+bid farewell to the _huldra's_ gift. "Why do you weep over such a
+trifle?" said the horse. "Hurry to the wood, play your fiddle, and all
+will be well!" Faithful did as he was told, and after a while the two
+lions whom he had rescued came leaping toward him, listened to his
+playing and asked him whether he was in distress. "Yes, indeed," said
+Faithful, and told them what he had to do. They at once ran back into
+the wood, one to one side and the other to the other, and returned
+quickly, driving the two colts before them. Then Faithful played his
+fiddle and the colts followed him, so that he soon reached the king's
+castle in safety, and could deliver the steeds to the queen.
+
+The king now expected that his wife would be gay and happy. But she
+did not change, never addressed a word to him, and only seemed a
+little less sad when she happened to speak to the daring youth.
+
+Then the king asked her to tell him what she lacked, and why she was
+so discontented. She answered: "I have secured the colts of the troll,
+and I often sit in the glittering hall of gold; but I can open none of
+the handsome chests that are filled to the brim with my valuables,
+because I have no keys. And if I do not get the keys again, how can I
+be happy?" "And where may the keys be?" asked the king. "In the lake
+by the troll's hill," said the queen, "for that is where I threw them
+when Faithful brought me here." "This is a ticklish affair, this
+business of those keys you want!" said the king. "And I can scarcely
+promise that you will ever see them again." In spite of this, however,
+he was willing to make an attempt, and talked it over with his
+servant Unfaithful. "Why, that is easily done," said the latter, "for
+Faithful boasted to me that he could get the queen's keys without any
+difficulty if he wished." "Then I shall compel him to keep his word,"
+said the king. And he at once ordered Faithful, on pain of death, to
+get the queen's keys out of the lake by the troll's hill without
+delay.
+
+[Illustration: "THE PIKE ROSE TO THE SURFACE WITH THE GOLDEN KEYS IN
+HIS MOUTH."]
+
+This time the youth was not so depressed, for he thought to himself:
+"My wise horse will be able to help me." And so he was, for he advised
+him to go along playing his fiddle, and to wait for what might happen.
+After the youth had played for a while, the pike he had saved thrust
+his head out of the water, recognized him, and asked whether he could
+be of any service to him. "Yes, indeed!" said the youth, and told him
+what it was he wanted. The pike at once dived, quickly rose to the
+surface of the water with the golden keys in his mouth, and gave them
+to his deliverer. The latter hastened back with them, and now the
+queen could open the great chests in the golden hall to her heart's
+content.
+
+Notwithstanding, the king's wife was as sorrowful as ever, and when
+the king complained about it to Unfaithful, the latter said: "No doubt
+it is because she loves Faithful. I would therefore advise that my
+lord have him beheaded. Then there will be a change." This advice
+suited the king well, and he determined to carry it out shortly. But
+one day Faithful's horse said to him: "The king is going to have your
+head chopped off. So hurry to the wood, play your fiddle, and beg the
+two doves to bring you a bottle of the water of life. Then go to the
+queen and ask her to set your head on your body and to sprinkle you
+with the water when you have been beheaded." Faithful did so. He went
+to the wood that very day with his fiddle, and before long the two
+doves were fluttering around him, and shortly after brought back the
+bottle filled with the water of life. He took it back home with him
+and gave it to the queen, so that she might sprinkle him with it after
+he had been beheaded. She did so, and at once Faithful rose again, as
+full of life as ever; but far better looking. The king was astonished
+at what he had seen, and told the queen to cut off his own head and
+then sprinkle him with the water. She at once seized the sword, and in
+a moment the king's head rolled to the ground. But she sprinkled none
+of the water of life upon it, and the king's body was quickly carried
+out and buried. Then the queen and Faithful celebrated their wedding
+with great pomp; but Unfaithful was banished from the land and went
+away in disgrace. The wise horse dwelt contentedly in a wonderful
+chamber, and the king and queen kept the magic fiddle, the golden
+hall, and the troll's other valuables, and lived in peace and
+happiness day after day.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Faithful and Unfaithful" (From the Hyltén-Cavallius mss.
+     collection), is a distant offshoot, and one complicated with
+     other motives, of a cycle in which even the Tristan legend is
+     represented, the fairy-tale of the golden-haired maiden and the
+     water of life and death. (Reinhold Köhler, _Kleinere
+     Schriften_, II, p. 328).
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+STARKAD AND BALE
+
+
+Starkad, the hero of the legends, the bravest warrior in the army of
+the North, had fallen into disgrace with the king because of a certain
+princess, so he wandered up into Norland, and settled down at Rude in
+Tuna, where he was known as the Thrall of the Alders or the Red
+Fellow.
+
+In Balbo, nine miles from Rude, dwelt another hero, Bale, a good
+friend and companion-at-arms of Starkad.
+
+One morning Starkad climbed the Klefberg in Tuna, and called over to
+Bale: "Bale in Balbo, are you awake?"
+
+"Red Fellow!" answered Bale, nine miles away, "the sun and I wake
+together! But how goes it with you?"
+
+"None too well. I eat salmon morning, noon and night. Come over with a
+bit of meat!"
+
+"I'll come!" Bale called back, and in a few hours time he was down in
+Tuna with an elk under each arm.
+
+The following morning Bale in Balbo stood on a hill in Borgsjo and
+called: "Red Fellow! Are you awake?"
+
+"The sun and I wake together!" answered Starkad. "And how goes it with
+you?"
+
+"Alas, I have nothing to eat but meat! Elk in the morning, elk at noon
+and elk at night. Come over and bring a fish-tail along with you!"
+
+"I'm coming!" called out Starkad, and in a short time he had joined
+his friend with a barrel of salmon under each arm.
+
+In this fashion the two friends provided themselves with all the game
+to be found in the woods and in the water, and spread terror and
+destruction throughout the countryside. But one evening, when they
+were just returning to the sea from an excursion, a black cloud came
+up, and a tempest broke. They hurried along as fast as they could; but
+got no further than Vattjom, where a flash of lightning struck Starkad
+and flung him to the ground. His friend and companion-at-arms buried
+him beneath a stone cairn, about which he set five rocks: two at his
+feet, two at his shoulders, and one at his head; and that grave,
+measuring twenty ells in length, may still be seen near the river.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "Starkad and Bale" (Hofberg, p. 181. From Medelpad, after
+     ancient traditional sources) humorous feats of gigantic
+     strength are ascribed to the most famous hero of Northern
+     legend, Starkad, who was brought up by Odin himself.
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+THE WEREWOLF
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king, who reigned over a great kingdom.
+He had a queen, but only a single daughter, a girl. In consequence the
+little girl was the apple of her parents' eyes; they loved her above
+everything else in the world, and their dearest thought was the
+pleasure they would take in her when she was older. But the unexpected
+often happens; for before the king's daughter began to grow up, the
+queen her mother fell ill and died. It is not hard to imagine the
+grief that reigned, not alone in the royal castle, but throughout the
+land; for the queen had been beloved of all. The king grieved so that
+he would not marry again, and his one joy was the little princess.
+
+A long time passed, and with each succeeding day the king's daughter
+grew taller and more beautiful, and her father granted her every wish.
+Now there were a number of women who had nothing to do but wait on the
+princess and carry out her commands. Among them was a woman who had
+formerly married and had two daughters. She had an engaging
+appearance, a smooth tongue and a winning way of talking, and she was
+as soft and pliable as silk; but at heart she was full of machinations
+and falseness. Now when the queen died, she at once began to plan how
+she might marry the king, so that her daughters might be kept like
+royal princesses. With this end in view, she drew the young princess
+to her, paid her the most fulsome compliments on everything she said
+and did, and was forever bringing the conversation around to how happy
+she would be were the king to take another wife. There was much said
+on this head, early and late, and before very long the princess came
+to believe that the woman knew all there was to know about everything.
+So she asked her what sort of a woman the king ought to choose for a
+wife. The woman answered as sweet as honey: "It is not my affair to
+give advice in this matter; yet he should choose for queen some one
+who is kind to the little princess. For one thing I know, and that is,
+were I fortunate enough to be chosen, my one thought would be to do
+all I could for the little princess, and if she wished to wash her
+hands, one of my daughters would have to hold the wash-bowl and the
+other hand her the towel." This and much more she told the king's
+daughter, and the princess believed it, as children will.
+
+From that day forward the princess gave her father no peace, and
+begged him again and again to marry the good court lady. Yet he did
+not want to marry her. But the king's daughter gave him no rest; but
+urged him again and again, as the false court lady had persuaded her
+to do. Finally, one day, when she again brought up the matter, the
+king cried: "I can see you will end by having your own way about this,
+even though it be entirely against my will. But I will do so only on
+one condition." "What is the condition?" asked the princess. "If I
+marry again," said the king, "it is only because of your ceaseless
+pleading. Therefore you must promise that, if in the future you are
+not satisfied with your step-mother or your step-sisters, not a single
+lament or complaint on your part reaches my ears." This she promised
+the king, and it was agreed that he should marry the court lady and
+make her queen of the whole country.
+
+As time passed on, the king's daughter had grown to be the most
+beautiful maiden to be found far and wide; the queen's daughters, on
+the other hand, were homely, evil of disposition, and no one knew any
+good of them. Hence it was not surprising that many youths came from
+East and West to sue for the princess's hand; but that none of them
+took any interest in the queen's daughters. This made the step-mother
+very angry; but she concealed her rage, and was as sweet and friendly
+as ever. Among the wooers was a king's son from another country. He
+was young and brave, and since he loved the princess dearly, she
+accepted his proposal and they plighted their troth. The queen
+observed this with an angry eye, for it would have pleased her had the
+prince chosen one of her own daughters. She therefor made up her mind
+that the young pair should never be happy together, and from that time
+on thought only of how she might part them from each other.
+
+An opportunity soon offered itself. News came that the enemy had
+entered the land, and the king was compelled to go to war. Now the
+princess began to find out the kind of step-mother she had. For no
+sooner had the king departed than the queen showed her true nature,
+and was just as harsh and unkind as she formerly had pretended to be
+friendly and obliging. Not a day went by without her scolding and
+threatening the princess; and the queen's daughters were every bit as
+malicious as their mother. But the king's son, the lover of the
+princess, found himself in even worse position. He had gone hunting
+one day, had lost his way, and could not find his people. Then the
+queen used her black arts and turned him into a werewolf, to wander
+through the forest for the remainder of his life in that shape. When
+evening came and there was no sign of the prince, his people returned
+home, and one can imagine what sorrow they caused when the princess
+learned how the hunt had ended. She grieved, wept day and night, and
+was not to be consoled. But the queen laughed at her grief, and her
+heart was filled with joy to think that all had turned out exactly as
+she wished.
+
+Now it chanced one day, as the king's daughter was sitting alone in
+her room, that she thought she would go herself into the forest where
+the prince had disappeared. She went to her step-mother and begged
+permission to go out into the forest, in order to forget her
+surpassing grief. The queen did not want to grant her request, for she
+always preferred saying no to yes. But the princess begged her so
+winningly that at last she was unable to say no, and she ordered one
+of her daughters to go along with her and watch her. That caused a
+great deal of discussion, for neither of the step-daughters wanted to
+go with her; each made all sorts of excuses, and asked what pleasures
+were there in going with the king's daughter, who did nothing but cry.
+But the queen had the last word in the end, and ordered that one of
+her daughters must accompany the princess, even though it be against
+her will. So the girls wandered out of the castle into the forest. The
+king's daughter walked among the trees, and listened to the song of
+the birds, and thought of her lover, for whom she longed, and who was
+now no longer there. And the queen's daughter followed her, vexed, in
+her malice, with the king's daughter and her sorrow.
+
+After they had walked a while, they came to a little hut, lying deep
+in the dark forest. By then the king's daughter was very thirsty, and
+wanted to go into the little hut with her step-sister, in order to get
+a drink of water. But the queen's daughter was much annoyed and said:
+"Is it not enough for me to be running around here in the wilderness
+with you? Now you even want me, who am a princess, to enter that
+wretched little hut. No, I will not step a foot over the threshold! If
+you want to go in, why go in alone!" The king's daughter lost no time;
+but did as her step-sister advised, and stepped into the little hut.
+When she entered she saw an old woman sitting there on a bench, so
+enfeebled by age that her head shook. The princess spoke to her in her
+usual friendly way: "Good evening, motherkin. May I ask you for a
+drink of water?" "You are heartily welcome to it," said the old woman.
+"Who may you be, that step beneath my lowly roof and greet me in so
+winning a way?" The king's daughter told her who she was, and that she
+had gone out to relieve her heart, in order to forget her great grief.
+"And what may your great grief be?" asked the old woman. "No doubt it
+is my fate to grieve," said the princess, "and I can never be happy
+again. I have lost my only love, and God alone knows whether I shall
+ever see him again." And she also told her why it was, and the tears
+ran down her cheeks in streams, so that any one would have felt sorry
+for her. When she had ended the old woman said: "You did well in
+confiding your sorrow to me. I have lived long and may be able to give
+you a bit of good advice. When you leave here you will see a lily
+growing from the ground. This lily is not like other lilies, however,
+but has many strange virtues. Run quickly over to it, and pick it. If
+you can do that then you need not worry, for then one will appear who
+will tell you what to do." Then they parted and the king's daughter
+thanked her and went her way; while the old woman sat on the bench and
+wagged her head. But the queen's daughter had been standing without
+the hut the entire time, vexing herself, and grumbling because the
+king's daughter had taken so long.
+
+So when the latter stepped out, she had to listen to all sorts of
+abuse from her step-sister, as was to be expected. Yet she paid no
+attention to her, and thought only of how she might find the flower of
+which the old woman had spoken. They went through the forest, and
+suddenly she saw a beautiful white lily growing in their very path.
+She was much pleased and ran up at once to pick it; but that very
+moment it disappeared and reappeared somewhat further away.
+
+The king's daughter was now filled with eagerness, no longer listened
+to her step-sister's calls, and kept right on running; yet each time
+when she stooped to pick the lily, it suddenly disappeared and
+reappeared somewhat further away. Thus it went for some time, and the
+princess was drawn further and further into the deep forest. But the
+lily continued to stand, and disappear and move further away, and each
+time the flower seemed larger and more beautiful than before. At
+length the princess came to a high hill, and as she looked toward its
+summit, there stood the lily high on the naked rock, glittering as
+white and radiant as the brightest star. The king's daughter now began
+to climb the hill, and in her eagerness she paid no attention to
+stones nor steepness. And when at last she reached the summit of the
+hill, lo and behold! the lily no longer evaded her grasp; but remained
+where it was, and the princess stooped and picked it and hid it in her
+bosom, and so heartfelt was her happiness that she forgot her
+step-sisters and everything else in the world.
+
+For a long time she did not tire of looking at the beautiful flower.
+Then she suddenly began to wonder what her step-mother would say when
+she came home after having remained out so long. And she looked
+around, in order to find the way back to the castle. But as she looked
+around, behold, the sun had set and no more than a little strip of
+daylight rested on the summit of the hill. Below her lay the forest,
+so dark and shadowed that she had no faith in her ability to find the
+homeward path. And now she grew very sad, for she could think of
+nothing better to do than to spend the night on the hill-top. She
+seated herself on the rock, put her hand to her cheek, cried, and
+thought of her unkind step-mother and step-sisters, and of all the
+harsh words she would have to endure when she returned. And she
+thought of her father, the king, who was away at war, and of the love
+of her heart, whom she would never see again; and she grieved so
+bitterly that she did not even know she wept. Night came and darkness,
+and the stars rose, and still the princess sat in the same spot and
+wept. And while she sat there, lost in her thoughts, she heard a voice
+say: "Good evening, lovely maiden! Why do you sit here so sad and
+lonely?" She stood up hastily, and felt much embarrassed, which was
+not surprising. When she looked around there was nothing to be seen
+but a tiny old man, who nodded to her and seemed to be very humble.
+She answered: "Yes, it is no doubt my fate to grieve, and never be
+happy again. I have lost my dearest love, and now I have lost my way
+in the forest, and am afraid of being devoured by wild beasts." "As to
+that," said the old man, "you need have no fear. If you will do
+exactly as I say, I will help you." This made the princess happy;
+for she felt that all the rest of the world had abandoned her. Then
+the old man drew out flint and steel and said: "Lovely maiden, you
+must first build a fire." She did as he told her, gathered moss, brush
+and dry sticks, struck sparks and lit such a fire on the hill-top that
+the flame blazed up to the skies. That done the old man said: "Go on a
+bit and you will find a kettle of tar, and bring the kettle to me."
+This the king's daughter did. The old man continued: "Now put the
+kettle on the fire." And the princess did that as well. When the tar
+began to boil, the old man said: "Now throw your white lily into the
+kettle." The princess thought this a harsh command, and earnestly
+begged to be allowed to keep the lily. But the old man said: "Did you
+not promise to obey my every command? Do as I tell you or you will
+regret it." The king's daughter turned away her eyes, and threw the
+lily into the boiling tar; but it was altogether against her will, so
+fond had she grown of the beautiful flower.
+
+[Illustration: "SO HEARTFELT WAS HER HAPPINESS THAT SHE FORGOT
+EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD."]
+
+The moment she did so a hollow roar, like that of some wild beast,
+sounded from the forest. It came nearer, and turned into such a
+terrible howling that all the surrounding hills reëchoed it. Finally
+there was a cracking and breaking among the trees, the bushes were
+thrust aside, and the princess saw a great grey wolf come running out
+of the forest and straight up the hill. She was much frightened and
+would gladly have run away, had she been able. But the old man said:
+"Make haste, run to the edge of the hill and the moment the wolf comes
+along, upset the kettle on him!" The princess was terrified, and
+hardly knew what she was about; yet she did as the old man said, took
+the kettle, ran to the edge of the hill, and poured its contents over
+the wolf just as he was about to run up. And then a strange thing
+happened: no sooner had she done so, than the wolf was transformed,
+cast off his thick grey pelt, and in place of the horrible wild beast,
+there stood a handsome young man, looking up to the hill. And when the
+king's daughter collected herself and looked at him, she saw that it
+was really and truly her lover, who had been turned into a werewolf.
+
+It is easy to imagine how the princess felt. She opened her arms, and
+could neither ask questions nor reply to them, so moved and delighted
+was she. But the prince ran hastily up the hill, embraced her
+tenderly, and thanked her for delivering him. Nor did he forget the
+little old man, but thanked him with many civil expressions for his
+powerful aid. Then they sat down together on the hill-top, and had a
+pleasant talk. The prince told how he had been turned into a wolf, and
+of all he had suffered while running about in the forest; and the
+princess told of her grief, and the many tears she had shed while he
+had been gone. So they sat the whole night through, and never noticed
+it until the stars grew pale and it was light enough to see. When the
+sun rose, they saw that a broad path led from the hill-top straight to
+the royal castle; for they had a view of the whole surrounding country
+from the hill-top. Then the old man said: "Lovely maiden, turn around!
+Do you see anything out yonder?" "Yes," said the princess, "I see a
+horseman on a foaming horse, riding as fast as he can." Then the old
+man said: "He is a messenger sent on ahead by the king your father.
+And your father with all his army is following him." That pleased the
+princess above all things, and she wanted to descend the hill at once
+to meet her father. But the old man detained her and said: "Wait a
+while, it is too early yet. Let us wait and see how everything turns
+out."
+
+Time passed and the sun was shining brightly, and its rays fell
+straight on the royal castle down below. Then the old man said:
+"Lovely maiden, turn around! Do you see anything down below?" "Yes,"
+replied the princess, "I see a number of people coming out of my
+father's castle, and some are going along the road, and others into
+the forest." The old man said: "Those are your step-mother's servants.
+She has sent some to meet the king and welcome him; but she has sent
+others to the forest to look for you." At these words the princess
+grew uneasy, and wished to go down to the queen's servants. But the
+old man withheld her and said: "Wait a while, and let us first see how
+everything turns out."
+
+More time passed, and the king's daughter was still looking down the
+road from which the king would appear, when the old man said: "Lovely
+maiden, turn around! Do you see anything down below?" "Yes," answered
+the princess, "there is a great commotion in my father's castle, and
+they are hanging it with black." The old man said: "That is your
+step-mother and her people. They will assure your father that you are
+dead." Then the king's daughter felt bitter anguish, and she implored
+from the depths of her heart: "Let me go, let me go, so that I may
+spare my father this anguish!" But the old man detained her and said:
+"No, wait, it is still too early. Let us first see how everything
+turns out."
+
+Again time passed, the sun lay high above the fields, and the warm air
+blew over meadow and forest. The royal maid and youth still sat on the
+hill-top with the old man, where we had left them. Then they saw a
+little cloud rise against the horizon, far away in the distance, and
+the little cloud grew larger and larger, and came nearer and nearer
+along the road, and as it moved one could see it was agleam with
+weapons, and nodding helmets, and waving flags, one could hear the
+rattle of swords, and the neighing of horses, and finally recognize
+the banner of the king. It is not hard to imagine how pleased the
+king's daughter was, and how she insisted on going down and greeting
+her father. But the old man held her back and said: "Lovely maiden,
+turn around! Do you see anything happening at the castle?" "Yes,"
+answered the princess, "I can see my step-mother and step-sisters
+coming out, dressed in mourning, holding white kerchiefs to their
+faces, and weeping bitterly." The old man answered: "Now they are
+pretending to weep because of your death. Wait just a little while
+longer. We have not yet seen how everything will turn out."
+
+After a time the old man said again: "Lovely maiden, turn around! Do
+you see anything down below?" "Yes," said the princess, "I see people
+bringing a black coffin--now my father is having it opened. Look, the
+queen and her daughters are down on their knees, and my father is
+threatening them with his sword!" Then the old man said: "Your father
+wished to see your body, and so your evil step-mother had to confess
+the truth." When the princess heard that she said earnestly: "Let me
+go, let me go, so that I may comfort my father in his great sorrow!"
+But the old man held her back and said: "Take my advice and stay here
+a little while longer. We have not yet seen how everything will turn
+out."
+
+Again time went by, and the king's daughter and the prince and the old
+man were still sitting on the hill-top. Then the old man said: "Lovely
+maiden, turn around! Do you see anything down below?" "Yes," answered
+the princess, "I see my father and my step-sisters and my step-mother
+with all their following moving this way." The old man said: "Now they
+have started out to look for you. Go down and bring up the wolf's pelt
+in the gorge." The king's daughter did as he told her. The old man
+continued: "Now stand at the edge of the hill." And the princess did
+that, too. Now one could see the queen and her daughters coming along
+the way, and stopping just below the hill. Then the old man said: "Now
+throw down the wolf's pelt!" The princess obeyed him, and threw down
+the wolf's pelt according to his command. It fell directly on the evil
+queen and her daughters. And then a most wonderful thing happened: no
+sooner had the pelt touched the three evil women than they immediately
+changed shape, and turning into three horrible werewolves, they ran
+away as fast as they could into the forest, howling dreadfully.
+
+No more had this happened than the king himself arrived at the foot
+of the hill with his whole retinue. When he looked up and recognized
+the princess, he could not at first believe his eyes; but stood
+motionless, thinking her a vision. Then the old man cried: "Lovely
+maiden, now hasten, run down and make your father happy!" There was no
+need to tell the princess twice. She took her lover by the hand and
+they ran down the hill. When they came to the king, the princess ran
+on ahead, fell on her father's neck, and wept with joy. And the young
+prince wept as well, and the king himself wept; and their meeting was
+a pleasant sight for every one. There was great joy and many embraces,
+and the princess told of her evil step-mother and step-sisters and of
+her lover, and all that she had suffered, and of the old man who had
+helped them in such a wonderful way. But when the king turned around
+to thank the old man he had completely vanished, and from that day on
+no one could say who he had been or what had become of him.
+
+The king and his whole retinue now returned to the castle, where the
+king had a splendid banquet prepared, to which he invited all the able
+and distinguished people throughout the kingdom, and bestowed his
+daughter on the young prince. And the wedding was celebrated with
+gladness and music and amusements of every kind for many days. I was
+there, too, and when I rode through the forest I met a wolf with two
+young wolves, and they showed me their teeth and seemed very angry.
+And I was told they were none other than the evil step-mother and her
+two daughters.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "The Werewolf," the basic idea is the deliverance from
+     animal form through a maiden's self-sacrificing love
+     (Hyltén-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 312. From Upland), and the
+     Teutonic belief in human beings who could change themselves
+     into wolves is clearly marked.
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+FIRST BORN, FIRST WED
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king who had a three-year old son, and
+was obliged to go to war against another king. Then, when his ships
+sailed home again after he had gained a splendid victory, a storm
+broke out and his whole fleet was near sinking. But the king vowed he
+would sacrifice to the sea-queen the first male creature that came to
+meet him when he reached land and entered his capital. Thereby the
+whole fleet reached the harbor in safety. But the five-year old
+prince, who had not seen his father for the past two years, and who
+was delighted with the thunder of the cannon as the ships came in,
+secretly slipped away from his attendants, and ran to the landing; and
+when the king came ashore he was the first to cast himself into his
+arms, weeping with joy. The king was frightened when he thought of the
+sea-queen; but he thought that, after all, the prince was only a
+child, and at any rate he could sacrifice the next person to step up
+to him after the prince. But from that time on no one could make a
+successful sea-trip, and the people began to murmur because the king
+had not kept the promise he had made the sea-queen. But the king and
+queen never allowed the prince out without a great escort, and he was
+never permitted to enter a ship, for all his desire to do so. After a
+few years they gradually forgot the sea-queen, and when the prince was
+ten years old, a little brother came to join him. Not long after the
+older of the princes was out walking with his tutor and several other
+gentlemen. And when they reached the end of the royal gardens by the
+sea-shore--it was a summer's day, unusually clear--they were suddenly
+enveloped by a thick cloud, which disappeared as swiftly as it had
+come. And when it vanished, the prince was no longer there; nor did he
+return, to the great sorrow of the king, the queen and the whole
+country. In the meantime the young prince who was now the sole heir to
+the crown and kingdom grew up; and when he was sixteen, they began to
+think of finding a wife for him. For the old king and queen wished to
+see him marry the daughter of some powerful monarch to whom they were
+allied, before they died. With this in view, letters were written and
+embassies sent out to the most distant countries.
+
+While these negotiations were being conducted, it began to be said
+that the sea-shore was haunted; various people had heard cries, and
+several who had walked by the sea-shore late in the evening had fallen
+ill. At length no one ventured to go there after eleven at night,
+because a voice kept crying from out at sea: "First born, first wed!"
+And when some one did venture nearer he did so at the risk of his
+life. At last these complaints came to the king's ear; he called
+together his council, and it was decided to question a wise woman, who
+had already foretold many mysterious happenings, which had all taken
+place exactly as she had said they would. When the wise woman was
+brought before the king she said it was the prince who had been taken
+into the sea who was calling, and that they would have to find him a
+bride, young, beautiful, and belonging to one of the noblest families
+of the land, and she must be no less than fifteen and no more than
+seventeen years old. That seemed a serious difficulty; for no one
+wished to give their daughter to a sea-king.
+
+Yet, when there was no end to the cries and the commotion, the wise
+woman said, that first it might be well to build a little house by the
+sea, perhaps then the turmoil might die away. At any rate, she said,
+no phantoms would haunt the place while the building was in progress.
+Hence no more than four workmen need be employed, and they might first
+prepare a site, then lay the stone foundation, and finally erect the
+small house, comprising no more than two pleasant, handsome rooms, one
+behind the other, and a good floor. The house was carefully erected,
+and the royal architect himself had to superintend the work, so that
+everything might be done as well as possible. And while the building
+was going on, there were no mysterious noises, and every one could
+travel peacefully along the sea-shore. For that reason the four
+workmen did not hurry with their work; yet not one of them could stay
+away for a day, because when they did the tumult along the shore would
+begin again, and one could hear the cries: "First born, first wed!"
+When the little house was finally completed, the best carpenters came
+and worked in it, then painters and other craftsmen, and at last it
+was furnished, because when the work stopped for no more than a single
+day the cries were heard again by night. The rooms were fitted out as
+sumptuously as possible, and a great mirror was hung in the
+drawing-room. According to the instructions of the wise woman, it was
+hung in such wise that from the bed in the bed-room, even though one's
+face were turned to the wall, one could still see who stepped over the
+threshold into the drawing-room; for the door between each room was
+always to stand open.
+
+When all was finished, and the little house had been arranged with
+regal splendor, the cries of "First born, first wed!" again began to
+sound from the shore. And it was found necessary, though all were
+unwilling, to follow the wise woman's counsel, and choose three of
+the loveliest maidens between the ages of fifteen and seventeen,
+belonging to the first families of the land. They were to be taken to
+the castle, said the wise woman, and to be treated like ladies of the
+blood royal, and one after another they were to be sent to the little
+house by the sea-shore; for should one of them find favor in the eyes
+of the sea-prince, then the commotion and turmoil would surely cease.
+In the meantime the negotiations for the marriage of the younger
+prince were continued, and the bride selected for him was soon
+expected to arrive. So the girls were also chosen for the sea-prince.
+The three chosen, as well as their parents, were quite inconsolable
+over their fate; even the fact that they were to be treated like
+princesses did not console them; yet had they not yielded it would
+have been all the worse for them and for the whole land. The first
+girl destined to sleep in the sea-palace was the oldest, and when she
+sought out the wise woman, and asked her advice, the latter said she
+should lie down in the handsome bed; but should turn her face to the
+wall, and under no circumstances turn around curiously, and try and
+see what was going on. She had only the right to behold what she saw
+reflected in the mirror in the drawing-room as she lay with her face
+to the wall. At ten o'clock that night the royal sea-bride was led
+with great pomp to the little house.
+
+Her relatives and the court said farewell to her with many tears, left
+her before eleven, locked the door on the outside, and took the keys
+with them to the castle. The wise woman was also there, consoled the
+people, and assured them that if the maiden only forbore to speak, and
+did not turn around, she would come out in the morning fresh and
+blooming. The poor girl prayed and wept until she grew sleepy; but
+toward twelve o'clock the outer door suddenly opened, and then the
+door of the drawing-room. She was startled and filled with fear when,
+her face turned toward the wall, she saw in the great mirror, how a
+tall, well-built youth entered, from whose garments the water ran in
+streams to the floor. He shook himself as though freezing, and said
+"Uh hu!" Then he went to the window, and there laid down an unusually
+large and handsome apple, and hung a bottle in the casement. Next he
+stepped to the bed, bent over the sleeping girl and looked at her,
+strode up and down a few times, shaking the water from his clothes and
+saying "Uh hu!" Then he went back to the bed, undressed hurriedly, lay
+down and fell asleep. The poor girl, had not been sleeping; but had
+only closed her eyes when the prince bent over her. Now she was glad
+to think he was fast asleep, and forgot the wise woman's warning not
+to turn around. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she wanted
+to find out if this were a real human being. She turned around
+softly, lest she wake him; but just as she sat up quietly in bed, in
+order to take a good look at her neighbor, he swiftly seized her right
+hand, hewed it off, and flung it under the bed. Then he at once lay
+down and fell asleep again. As soon as it was day, he rose, dressed
+without casting even a glance at the bed, took the bottle and the
+apple from the window, went hastily out and locked the door after him.
+One can imagine how the poor girl suffered in the meantime, and when
+her friends and relatives came to fetch her they found her weeping and
+robbed of her hand. She was brought to the castle and the wise woman
+sent for, and overwhelmed with bitter reproaches. But she said that if
+the maiden had not turned around, and had overcome her curiosity, she
+would not have lost her hand. They were to treat her as though she
+were really and truly a princess; but that it would be as much as her
+life were worth to allow her to return to the neighborhood of the
+little house.
+
+The two girls were all the more discouraged by this mishap, and
+thought themselves condemned to death, though the wise woman consoled
+them as well as she knew how. The second promised her faithfully not
+to turn around; yet it happened with her as it had with the first. The
+prince came in at twelve o'clock dripping, shook himself so that the
+water flew about, said "Uh hu!" went to the window, laid down the
+beautiful apple, hung up the bottle, came into the bed-room, bent over
+the bed, strode up and down a few times, said "Uh hu!" hastily
+undressed, and at once fell asleep. Her curiosity gained the upper
+hand, and when she made sure that he was sleeping soundly, she
+carefully turned around in order to look at him. But he seized her
+right hand, hewed it off and cast it under the bed, and then laid down
+again and slept on. At dawn he rose, dressed without casting a glance
+at the bed, took the apple and the bottle, went out and locked the
+door after him. When her friends and relatives came to fetch the girl
+in the morning, they found her weeping and without a right hand. She
+was taken to the castle, where she found herself just as little
+welcome as her predecessor, and the wise woman insisted that the girl
+must have turned around, though at first she denied it absolutely.
+
+Then the youngest, sweetest and loveliest of the three maidens had to
+go to the sea-castle amid the mourning of the entire court. The wise
+woman accompanied her, and implored her not to turn around; since
+there was no other means of protection against the spell.
+
+The maiden promised to heed her warning, and said that she would pray
+God to help her if she were plagued with curiosity. All happened as
+before: the prince came on the stroke of twelve, dripping wet, said
+"Uh hu!" shook himself, laid the apple on the window, hung up the
+bottle, went into the bed-room, bent over the bed, strode up and down
+for a few times, said "Uh hu!" undressed, and at once fell asleep. The
+poor girl was half-dead with fear and terror, and prayed and struggled
+against her curiosity till at length she fell asleep, and did not
+awake until the prince rose and dressed. He stepped up to the bed,
+bent over it for a moment, went out, turned at the door and took the
+bottle and the apple, and then locked the door after him. In the
+morning the entire court, the girl's parents and the wise woman came
+to fetch her. She came to meet them weeping with joy, and was
+conducted to the castle in triumph and with joy indescribable. The
+king and queen embraced her, and she was paid the same honors destined
+for the princess who was to arrive in the course of the next few days
+to marry the heir to the throne. Now the maiden had to sleep every
+night in the little house by the strand, and every evening the prince
+came in with his apple and his bottle, and every morning went away at
+dawn. But it seemed to her that each succeeding evening and morning he
+looked at her a little longer; though she, always silent, timid, and
+turned toward the wall, did not dare see more than her mirror showed
+her of his coming and going. But the two other girls, who had lost
+their hands, and who now no longer lived in the castle, were jealous
+of the honor shown the youngest, and threatened to have her done away
+with if she did not restore their hands. The maiden went weeping to
+the wise woman; and the latter said that when the prince had lain down
+as usual she should say--keeping her face turned toward the wall:
+
+    "The maidens twain will see me slain,
+    Or else have back their hands again!"
+
+But she was to offer no further information nor say another word. With
+a beating heart the poor girl waited until the prince came, and when
+he had bent over the bed longer than usual, sighed, then hastily
+undressed and lain down, the maiden said, quivering and trembling:
+
+    "The maidens twain will see me slain,
+    Or else have back their hands again!"
+
+The prince at once replied: "Take the hands--they are lying under the
+bed--and the bottle hanging in the window, and pour some of the
+contents of the bottle on their arms and hands, join them together,
+bind them up, take away the bandages in three days' time and the hands
+will have been healed!" The maiden made no reply and fell asleep. In
+the morning the prince rose as usual, stepped over to the bed several
+times and looked at her from its foot; but she did not dare look up,
+and closed her eyes. He sighed, took his apple; but left the bottle,
+and went. When the maiden rose she did as he had told her, and in
+three days' time removed the bandages, and the girls' hands were well
+and whole.
+
+Now the foreign princess arrived and the wedding was to be celebrated
+as soon as possible. Yet she was not fitted out with any more
+magnificence than the bride of the sea-prince, and both were equally
+honored by the king and court. This annoyed the two other girls, and
+they again threatened to have the youngest done away with if she did
+not let them taste the apple which the prince always brought with him.
+Again the maiden sought the advice of the wise woman, in whom she had
+confidence. And that night, when the prince had lain down, she said:
+
+    "The maidens twain will see me slain,
+    Or else your apple they would gain!"
+
+Then the prince said: "Take the apple lying in the window, and when
+you go out, lay it on the ground and follow wherever it may roll. And
+when it stops, pick as many apples as you wish, and return the same
+way you came." The maiden made no reply, and fell asleep. On the
+following morning it seemed harder than ever for the prince to resolve
+to go away. He appeared excited and restless, sighed often, bent over
+the maiden several times, went into the living room, then turned
+around and looked at her once more. Finally, when the sun rose, he
+hurried out and locked the door after him. When the maiden rose, she
+could not help weeping, for she had really begun to love the prince.
+
+Then she took the apple, and when she was outside the door, laid it on
+the ground, and it rolled and rolled, and she followed it, a long,
+long way, to a region unknown to her. There she came to a high garden
+wall, over which hung the branches of trees, loaded with beautiful
+fruit. Finally she reached a great portal, adorned with gold and
+splendid ornaments, which opened of its own accord as the apple rolled
+up to it. And the apple rolled through the portal and the maiden
+followed it into the garden, which was the most beautiful she ever had
+seen. The apple rolled over to a low-growing tree weighed with the
+most magnificent apples, and there it stopped. The maiden picked all
+that her silken apron would hold, and turned to see from which
+direction she had come, and where the portal stood through which she
+would have to pass on her way back. But the garden was so lovely that
+she felt like enjoying its charms a while longer, and without
+thinking of the prince's words, she touched the apple with her foot,
+and it began to roll again. Suddenly the portal closed with a great
+crash. Then the maiden was much frightened, and regretted having done
+what had been forbidden her; yet now she could not get out, and was
+compelled to follow the apple once more. It rolled far into the
+beautiful garden and stopped at a little fire-place, where stood two
+kettles of water, one small, the other large. There was a great fire
+burning under the large kettle; but only a weak fire beneath the
+smaller one. Now when the apple stopped there the maiden did not know
+what to do. Then it occurred to her to scrape away the fire beneath
+the large kettle and thrust it under the little one; and soon the
+kettle over the small fire began to boil and the kettle over the large
+one simmered down. But she could not stay there. And since she had
+already disobeyed the order given her, she expected to die, nothing
+less, and was quite resigned to do so, because she had lost all hope
+of winning the prince.
+
+So she gave the apple another push, and it rolled into a meadow in the
+middle of the garden, and there lay two little children, asleep, with
+the hot sun beating straight down upon them. The maiden felt sorry for
+the children, and she took her apron and laid it over them to protect
+them from the sun, and only kept the apples she could put in her
+little basket. But she could not stay here either, so again she
+touched the apple, and it rolled on and before she knew it the girl
+found herself by the sea-shore. There, under a shady tree lay the
+prince asleep; while beside him sat the sea-queen. Both rose when the
+maiden drew near, and the prince looked at her with alarm and
+tenderness in his flashing eyes. Then he leaped into the sea, and the
+white foam closed over him. But the sea-queen was enraged and seized
+the girl, who thought that her last moment had struck, and begged for
+a merciful death. The sea-queen looked at her, and asked her who had
+given her permission to pass beyond the apple-tree. The maiden
+confessed her disobedience, and said that she had done so without
+meaning any harm, whereupon the sea-queen said she would see how she
+had conducted herself and punish her accordingly. Thereupon the
+sea-queen gave the apple a push, and it rolled back through the portal
+to the apple-tree. The sea-queen saw that the apple-tree was
+uninjured, again pushed the apple and it rolled on to the little
+fire-place. But when the sea-queen saw the small kettle boiling
+furiously, while the large one was growing cold, she became very
+angry, seized the girl's arm savagely and rising to her full height,
+asked: "What have you dared do here? How dared you take the fire from
+under my kettle and put it under your own?" The maiden did not know
+that she had done anything wrong, and said that she did not know why.
+Then the sea-queen replied: "The large kettle signified the love
+between the prince and myself; the small one the love between the
+prince and you. Since you have taken the fire from under my kettle and
+laid it under your own, the prince is now violently in love with you,
+while his love for me is well-nigh extinguished. Look," she cried,
+angrily, "now my kettle has stopped boiling altogether, and yours is
+boiling over! But I will see what other harm you have done and punish
+you accordingly." And the sea-queen again pushed the apple with her
+foot, and it rolled to the sleeping children, who had been covered
+with the apron. Then the sea-queen said: "Did you do that?" "Yes,"
+replied the maiden, weeping, "but I meant no harm. I covered the
+little ones with my apron so that the sun might not burn down on them
+so fiercely, and I left with them the apples I could not put in my
+basket." The sea-queen said: "This deed and your truthfulness are your
+salvation. I see that you have a kind heart. These children belong to
+me and to the prince; but since he now loves you more than he does me,
+I will resign him to you. Go back to the castle and there say what I
+tell you: that your wedding with my prince is to be celebrated at the
+same time as that of his younger brother. And all your jewels, your
+ornaments, your wedding-dress and your bridal chair, are to be exactly
+like those of the other princess. From the moment on that the priest
+blesses the prince and yourself I have no further power over him. But
+since I have seen to it that he has all the qualities which adorn a
+ruler, I demand that he be made the heir to his father's kingdom; for
+he is the oldest son. The younger prince may rule over the kingdom
+which his bride brings him. All this you must tell them, for only
+under these conditions will I release the prince. And when you are
+arrayed in your bridal finery, come to me here, without anyone's
+knowledge, so that I may see how they have adorned you. Here is the
+apple which will show you the way without any one being able to tell
+where you go." With that the sea-queen parted from her, and gave the
+apple a push. It rolled out of the garden and to the castle, where the
+maiden, with mingled joy and terror, delivered the sea-queen's message
+to the king, and told him what she demanded for the prince. The king
+gladly promised all that was desired, and great preparations were at
+once made for the double wedding. Two bridal chairs were set up side
+by side, two wedding gowns, and two sets of jewels exactly similar
+were made ready. When the maiden had been dressed in her bridal
+finery she pretended to have forgotten something, which she had to
+fetch from a lower floor, went downstairs with her apple, and laid it
+on the ground. It at once rolled to the spot by the sea-shore where
+she had found the sea-queen and the prince, and where the sea-queen
+was now awaiting her. "It is well that you have come," said the
+sea-queen, "for the slightest disobedience would have meant misfortune
+for you! But how do you look? Are you dressed just as the princess is?
+And has the princess no better clothes or jewels?" The maiden answered
+timidly, that they were dressed exactly alike. Then the sea-queen tore
+her gown from her body, unclasped the jewels from her hair and
+flinging them on the ground cried: "Is that the way the bride of my
+prince should look! Since I have given him to you I will give you my
+bridal outfit as well." And with that she raised up a sod beneath the
+great tree, and a shrine adorned with gold and precious stones
+appeared, from which she drew out her bridal outfit, which fitted the
+maiden as though made for her. And it was so costly and so covered
+with gems that the maiden was almost blinded by its radiance. The
+crown, too, glowed with light, and was set with the most wonderful
+emeralds, and all was magnificent beyond what any princess had ever
+worn. "Now," said the sea-queen, when she had finished adorning the
+maiden, "now go back to the castle, and show them how I was dressed
+when I wedded the prince. All this I give as a free gift to you and
+your descendants; but you must always conduct yourself so that the
+prince will be content with you, and you must make his happiness your
+first thought all your life long."
+
+[Illustration: "A SHRINE ADORNED WITH GOLD AND PRECIOUS STONES
+APPEARED."]
+
+This the maiden promised, with honest tears, and the sea-queen bade
+her go. When she was again in the castle, all were astonished at the
+beauty and costliness of her dress and jewels, in comparison to which
+those of the other princess were as nothing. The treasures of the
+whole kingdom would not have sufficed to pay for such a bridal outfit.
+And none any longer dared envy the lovely maiden, for never had a
+princess brought a richer bridal dower into the country. Now all went
+in solemn procession to the church, and the priests stood before the
+bridal chairs with their books open, and waited for the prince who,
+according to the sea-queen's word, would not come until the blessing
+was to be spoken. They waited impatiently, and the king finally told
+one of the greatest nobles to seat himself in the bridal chair in the
+prince's place, which he did. But the very moment the priest began to
+pray, the two wings of the church portal quickly flew open, and a
+tall, strong, handsome man with flashing eyes, royally clad, came in,
+stepped up to the bridal chair, thrust his proxy out so hastily that
+he nearly fell, and cried: "This is my place! Now, priest, speak the
+blessing!" While the blessing was spoken the prince became quiet
+again, and then greeted his parents and the whole court with joy, and
+before all embraced his wife, who now for the first time ventured to
+take a good look at him. Thenceforward the prince was like any other
+human being, and in the end he inherited his father's kingdom, and
+became a great and world-renowned ruler, beloved by his subjects, and
+adored by his wife. They lived long and happily, and their descendants
+are still the rulers of the land over which he reigned.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "First Born, First Wed" is a purely Swedish, and decidedly
+     characteristic treatment of a similar motive of redemption.
+     (From the mss. collection of Hyltén-Cavallius and Stephens,
+     communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund).
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+THE LAME DOG
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived a king, like many others. He had three
+daughters, who were young and beautiful to such a degree that it would
+have been difficult to have found handsomer maidens. Yet there was a
+great difference among them; for the two older sisters were haughty in
+their thoughts and manners; while the youngest was sweet and friendly,
+and everyone liked her. Besides, she was fair as the day and delicate
+as the snow, and far more beautiful than either of her sisters.
+
+One day the king's daughters were sitting together in their room, and
+their talk happened to turn on their husbands-to-be. The oldest said:
+"If I ever marry, my husband must have golden hair and a golden
+beard!" And the second exclaimed: "And mine must have silver hair and
+a silver beard!" But the youngest princess held her tongue and said
+nothing. Then her sisters asked her whether she did not want to wish
+for a husband. "No," she answered, "but if fate should give me a
+husband, I will be content to take him as he is, and were he no more
+than a lame dog." Then the two other princesses laughed and joked
+about it, and told her the day might easily come when she would change
+her mind.
+
+But many speak truth and do not know it! Thus it chanced with the
+king's daughters; since before the year had come to an end, each had
+the suitor for whom she had wished. A man with golden hair and golden
+beard sued for the oldest princess and won her consent to his suit.
+And a man with silver hair and a silver beard sued for the second and
+she became his bride; but the youngest princess had no other suitor
+than a lame dog. Then she recalled her talk with her sisters in their
+room, and thought to herself: "May God aid me in the marriage into
+which I must enter!" Yet she would not break the word she had once
+passed; but followed her sisters' example and accepted the dog. The
+wedding lasted a number of days and was celebrated with great pomp and
+splendor. But while the guests danced and amused themselves, the
+youngest princess sat apart and wept, and when the others were
+laughing, her tears flowed till it made one sad to see them.
+
+After the wedding the newly married pairs were each to drive off to
+their castle. And the two older princesses each drove off in a
+splendidly decorated coach, with a large retinue, and all sorts of
+honors. But the youngest had to go afoot, since her husband, the dog,
+had neither coach nor driver. When they had wandered long and far,
+they came to a great forest, so great that it seemed endless; but the
+dog limped along in advance, and the king's daughter followed after,
+weeping. And as they went along she suddenly saw a magnificent castle
+lying before them, and round about it were beautiful meadows and green
+woods, all of them most enjoyable to see. The princess stopped and
+asked to whom the great mansion might belong. "That," said the dog,
+"is our home. We will live here, and you shall rule it as you see
+fit." Then the maiden laughed amid her tears, and could not overcome
+her surprise at all she saw. The dog added: "I have but a single
+request to make to you, and that you must not refuse to grant." "What
+is your request?" asked the princess. "You must promise me," said the
+dog, "that you will never look at me while I am asleep: otherwise you
+are free to do whatever you wish." The princess gladly promised to
+grant his request, and so they went to the great castle. And if the
+castle was magnificent from without, it was still more magnificent
+within. It was so full of gold and silver that the precious metals
+gleamed from every corner; and there was such abundance of supplies of
+every kind, and of so many other things, that everything in the world
+one might have wished to have was already there. The princess spent
+the live-long day running from one room to another, and each was
+handsomer than the one she had just entered. But when evening came and
+she went to bed, the dog crept into his own, and then she noticed that
+he was not a dog; but a human being. Yet she said not a word, because
+she remembered her promise, and did not wish to cross her husband's
+will.
+
+Thus some time passed. The princess dwelt in the beautiful castle, and
+had everything her heart might desire. But every day the dog ran off,
+and did not reappear until it was evening and the sun had set. Then he
+returned home, and was always so kind and friendly that it would have
+been a fine thing had other men done half as well. The princess now
+began to feel a great affection for him, and quite forgot he was only
+a lame dog; for the proverb says: "Love is blind." Yet time passed
+slowly because she was so much alone, and she often thought of
+visiting her sisters and seeing how they were. She spoke of it to her
+husband, and begged his permission to make the journey. No sooner had
+the dog heard her wish than he at once granted it, and even
+accompanied her some distance, in order to show her the way out of the
+wood.
+
+When the king's daughters were once reunited, they were naturally very
+happy, and there were a great many questions asked about matters old
+and new. And marriage was also discussed. The oldest princess said:
+"It was silly of me to wish for a husband with golden hair and golden
+beard; for mine is worse than the veriest troll, and I have not known
+a happy day since we married." And the second went on: "Yes, and I am
+no better off; for although I have a husband with silver hair and a
+silver beard, he dislikes me so heartily that he begrudges me a single
+hour of happiness." Then her sisters turned to the youngest princess
+and asked how she fared. "Well," was her answer, "I really cannot
+complain; for though I only got a lame dog, he is such a dear good
+fellow and so kind to me that it would be hard to find a better
+husband." The other princesses were much surprised to hear this, and
+did not stop prying and questioning, and their sister answered all
+their questions faithfully. When they heard how splendidly she lived
+in the great castle, they grew jealous because she was so much better
+off than they were. And they insisted on knowing whether there was not
+some one little thing of which she could complain. "No," said the
+king's daughter, "I can only praise my husband for his kindness and
+amiability, and there is but one thing lacking to make me perfectly
+happy." "What is it?" "What is it?" cried both sisters with a single
+voice. "Every night, when he comes home," said the princess, "he turns
+into a human being, and I am sorry that I can never see what he really
+looks like." Then both sisters again with one voice, began to scold
+the dog loudly; because he had a secret which he kept from his wife.
+And since her sisters now continually spoke about it, her own
+curiosity awoke once more, she forgot her husband's command, and asked
+how she might manage to see him without his knowing it. "O," said the
+oldest princess, "nothing easier! Here is a little lamp, which you
+must hide carefully. Then you need only get up at night when he is
+asleep, and light the lamp in order to see him in his true shape."
+This advice seemed good to the king's daughter; she took the lamp, hid
+it in her breast, and promised to do all that her sisters had
+counseled.
+
+When the time came for them to part, the youngest princess went back
+to her beautiful castle. The day passed like every other day. When
+evening came at last and the dog had gone to bed, the princess was so
+driven by curiosity that she could hardly wait until he had fallen
+asleep. Then she rose, softly, lit her lamp, and drew near the bed to
+look at him while he slept. But no one can describe her astonishment
+when throwing the light on the bed, she saw no lame dog lying there;
+but the handsomest youth her eyes had ever beheld. She could not stop
+looking at him; but sat up all night bending over his pillow, and the
+more she looked at him the handsomer he seemed to grow, until she
+forgot everything else in the world. At last the morning came. And as
+the first star began to pale in the dawn, the youth began to grow
+restless and awaken. The princess much frightened, blew out her lamp
+and lay down in her bed. The youth thought she was sleeping and did
+not wish to wake her, so he rose quietly, assumed his other shape,
+went away and did not appear again all day long.
+
+And when evening came and it grew late, everything happened as before.
+The dog came home from the forest and was very tired. But no sooner
+had he fallen asleep than the princess rose carefully, lit her lamp
+and came over to look at him. And when she cast the light on his bed
+it seemed to her as though the youth had grown even handsomer than the
+day before, and the longer she looked the more handsome he became;
+until she had to laugh and weep from sheer love and longing. She could
+not take her eyes from him, and sat all night long bent over his
+pillow, forgetful of her promise and all else, only to be able to look
+at him. With the first ray of dawn the youth began to stir and awake.
+Then the princess was again frightened, quickly blew out her lamp and
+lay down in her bed. The youth thought she was sleeping, and not
+wishing to waken her, rose softly, assumed his other shape, went away
+and was gone for the entire day.
+
+At length it grew late again, evening came and the dog returned home
+from the forest as usual. But again the princess could not control her
+curiosity; no sooner was her husband sleeping than she rose quietly,
+lit her lamp, and drew near carefully in order to look at him while he
+slept. And when the light fell on the youth, he appeared to be
+handsomer than ever before, and the longer she looked the more
+handsome he grew, until her heart burned in her breast, and she forgot
+all else in the world looking at him. She could not take her eyes from
+him, and sat up all night bending over his pillow. And when morning
+came and the sun rose, the youth began to move and awaken. Then the
+princess was much frightened, because she had paid no heed to the
+passing of time, and she tried to put out her lamp quickly. But her
+hand trembled, and a warm drop of oil fell on the youth and he awoke.
+When he saw what she had done, he leaped up, terrified, instantly
+turned into a lame dog, and limped out into the forest. But the
+princess felt so remorseful that she nearly lost her senses, and she
+ran after him, wringing her hands and weeping bitterly, and begging
+him to return. But he did not come back.
+
+The king's daughter now wandered over hill and dale, along many a road
+new to her, in order to find her husband, and her tears flowed the
+while till it would have moved a stone. But the dog was gone and
+stayed gone, though she looked for him North and South. When she saw
+that she could not find him, she thought she would return to her
+handsome castle. But there she was just as unfortunate. The castle
+was nowhere to be seen, and wherever she went she was surrounded by a
+forest black as coal. Then she came to the conclusion that the whole
+world had abandoned her, sat down on a stone, wept bitterly, and
+thought how much rather she would die than live without her husband.
+At that a little toad hopped out from under the stone, and said:
+"Lovely maiden, why do you sit here and weep?" And the princess
+answered: "It is my hard fate to weep and never be happy again. First
+of all I have lost the love of my heart, and now I can no longer find
+my way back to the castle. So I must perish of hunger here, or else be
+devoured by wild beasts." "O," said the toad, "if that is all that
+troubles you, I can help you! If you will promise to be my dearest
+friend, I will show you the way." But that the princess did not want
+to do. She replied: "Ask of me what you will, save that alone. I have
+never loved any one more than my lame dog, and so long as I live will
+never love any one else better." With that she rose, wept bitterly,
+and continued her way. But the toad looked after her in a friendly
+manner, laughed to himself, and once more crept under his stone.
+
+After the king's daughter had wandered on for a long, long way, and
+still saw nothing but forest and wilderness, she grew very tired. She
+once more sat down on a stone, rested her chin on her hand, and
+prayed for death, since it was no longer possible for her to live with
+her husband. Suddenly there was a rustling in the bushes, and she saw
+a big gray wolf coming directly toward her. She was much frightened,
+since her one thought was that the wolf intended to devour her. But
+the wolf stopped, wagged his tail, and said: "Proud maiden, why do you
+sit here and weep so bitterly?" The princess answered: "It is my hard
+fate to weep and never be happy again. First of all I have lost my
+heart's dearest, and now I cannot find my way back to the castle and
+must perish of hunger, or be devoured by wild beasts." "O," said the
+wolf, "if that is all that troubles you, I can help you! Let me be
+your best friend and I will show you the way." But that did not suit
+the princess, and she replied: "Ask of me what you will, save that
+alone. I have never loved any one more than my lame dog, and so long
+as I live I will never love any one else better." With that she rose,
+weeping bitterly, and continued on her way. But the wolf looked after
+her in a friendly manner, laughed to himself and ran off hastily.
+
+After the princess had once more wandered for a long time in the
+wilderness, she was again so wearied and exhausted that she could not
+go on. She sat down on a stone, wrung her hands, and wished for death,
+since she could no longer live with her husband. At that moment she
+heard a hollow roaring that made the earth tremble, and a monstrous
+big lion appeared and came directly toward her. Now she was much
+frightened; for what else could she think but that the lion would tear
+her to pieces? But the beast was so weighed down with heavy iron
+chains that he could scarcely drag himself along, and the chains
+clashed at either side when he moved. When the lion finally reached
+the princess he stopped, wagged his tail, and asked: "Beautiful
+maiden, why do you sit here and weep so bitterly?" The princess
+answered: "It is my hard fate to weep and never be happy again. First
+of all I have lost my heart's dearest, and now I cannot find my way to
+the castle, and must perish of hunger, or be devoured by wild beasts."
+"O," said the lion, "if that is all that troubles you, I can help you!
+If you will loose my chains and make me your best friend, I will show
+you the way." But the princess was so terrified that she could not
+answer the lion, far less venture to draw near him. Then she heard a
+clear voice sounding from the forest: it was a little nightingale, who
+sat among the branches and sang:
+
+    "Maiden, maiden, loose his chains!"
+
+Then she felt sorry for the lion, grew braver, went up to him,
+unloosed his chains and said: "Your chains I can loose for you; but I
+can never be your best friend. For I have never loved any one more
+than my lame dog and will never love any one else better." And then a
+wondrous thing took place: at the very moment the last chain fell from
+him, the lion turned into a handsome young prince, and when the
+princess looked at him more closely, it was none other than her
+heart's dearest, who before had been a dog. She sank to the ground,
+clasped his knees, and begged him not to leave her again. But the
+prince raised her with deep affection, took her in his arms and said:
+"No, now we shall never more be parted, for I am released from my
+enchantment, and have proved your faith toward me in every way."
+
+[Illustration: "THE LION TURNED INTO A HANDSOME YOUNG PRINCE."]
+
+Then there was joy indescribable. And the prince took his young wife
+home to the beautiful castle, and there he became king and she was his
+queen. And if they have not died they are living there to this very
+day.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The story of "The Lame Dog," the bride of the dog, has long
+     been popular in Scandinavia (Hyltén-Cavallius and Stephens, p.
+     381. From South Smaland). Saxo, to whom it was familiar, calls
+     its heroes Otherus and Syritha, and even in the _Edda_ there is
+     an echo of it in the tale of Freya and Odr. In Denmark the same
+     story is told under the title of "The Dearest Friend."
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+THE MOUNT OF THE GOLDEN QUEEN
+
+
+Once upon a time a lad who tended the cattle in the wood was eating
+his noon-tide meal in a clearing in the forest. As he was sitting
+there he saw a rat run into a juniper-bush. His curiosity led him to
+look for it; but as he bent over, down he went, head over heels, and
+fell asleep. And he dreamed that he was going to find the princess on
+the Mount of the Golden Queen; but that he did not know the way.
+
+The following day he once more pastured his cattle in the wood, when
+he came to the same clearing, and again ate his dinner there. And
+again he saw the rat and went to look for it, and again when he bent
+down he went head over heels, and fell fast asleep. And again he
+dreamed of the princess on the Mount of the Golden Queen, and that in
+order to get her he would need seventy pounds of iron and a pair of
+iron shoes. He awoke and it was all a dream; but by now he had made up
+his mind to find the Mount of the Golden Queen, and he went home with
+his herd. On the third day, when he led out his cattle, he could not
+reach the clearing of his happy dream too soon. Again the rat showed
+itself and when he went to look for it, he fell asleep as he had done
+each preceding day. And again he dreamed of the princess on the Mount
+of the Golden Queen, and that she came to him, and laid a letter and a
+band of gold in his pocket. Then he awoke and to his indescribable
+surprise, he found in his pocket both of the things of which he had
+dreamed, the letter and the band. Now he had no time to attend to the
+cattle any longer, but drove them straight home. Then he went into the
+stable, led out a horse, sold it, and bought seventy pounds of iron
+and a pair of iron shoes with the money. He made the thole-pins out of
+the iron, put on his iron shoes, and set forth. For a time he traveled
+by land; but at last he came to the lake which he had to cross. He saw
+naught but water before and behind him, and rowing so long and
+steadily that he wore out one thole-pin after another, he at length
+reached land, and a green meadow, where no trees grew. He walked all
+around the meadow, and at last found a mound of earth from which smoke
+was rising. When he looked more closely, out came a woman who was nine
+yards long. He asked her to tell him the way to the Mount of the
+Golden Queen. But she replied: "That I do not know. Go ask my sister,
+who is nine yards taller than I am, and who lives in an earth-mound
+which you can find without any trouble." So he left her and came to a
+mound of earth that looked just like the first, and from which smoke
+was also rising. A woman at once came out who was tremendously tall,
+and of her he asked the way to the Mount of the Golden Queen. "That I
+do not know," said she. "Go ask my brother, who is nine yards taller
+than I am, and who lives in a hill a little further away." So he came
+to the hill, from which smoke was also rising, and knocked. A man at
+once came out who was a veritable giant, for he was twenty-seven yards
+in length, and of him he asked the way to the Mount of the Golden
+Queen. Then the giant took a whistle and whistled in every direction,
+to call together all the animals to be found on the earth. And all the
+animals came from the woods, foremost among them a bear. The giant
+asked him about the Mount of the Golden Queen, but he knew nothing of
+it. Again the giant blew his whistle in every direction to call
+together all the fishes to be found in the waters. They came at once,
+and he asked them about the Mount of the Golden Queen; but they knew
+nothing of it. Once more the giant blew his whistle in every
+direction, and called together all the birds of the air. They came,
+and he asked the eagle about the Mount of the Golden Queen, and
+whether he knew where it might be. The eagle said: "Yes!" "Well then,
+take this lad there," said the giant "but do not treat him unkindly!"
+This the eagle promised, allowed the youth to seat himself on his
+back, and then off they were through the air, over fields and forests,
+hill and dale, and before long they were above the ocean, and could
+see nothing but sky and water. Then the eagle dipped the youth in the
+ocean up to his ankles and asked: "Are you afraid?" "No," said the
+youth. Then the eagle flew on a while, and again dipped the youth into
+the water, up to his knees and said: "Are you afraid?" "Yes," answered
+the youth, "but the giant said you were not to treat me unkindly."
+"Are you really afraid?" asked the eagle once more. "Yes," answered
+the youth. Then the eagle said: "The fear you now feel is the very
+same fear I felt when the princess thrust the letter and the golden
+band into your pocket." And with that they had reached a large, high
+mountain in one side of which was a great iron door. They knocked, and
+a serving-maid appeared to open the door and admit them. The youth
+remained and was well received; but the eagle said farewell and flew
+back to his native land. The youth asked for a drink, and he was at
+once handed a beaker containing a refreshing draught. When he had
+emptied it and returned the beaker, he let the golden band drop into
+it. And when the maid brought back the beaker to her mistress--who
+was the princess of the Mount of the Golden Queen--the latter looked
+into the beaker, and behold, there lay a golden band which she
+recognized as her own. So she asked: "Is there some one here?" and
+when the maid answered in the affirmative, the princess said: "Bid him
+come in!" And as soon as the youth entered she asked him if he chanced
+to have a letter. The youth drew out the letter he had received in so
+strange a manner, and gave it to the princess. And when she had read
+it she cried, full of joy: "Now I am delivered!" And at that very
+moment the mountain turned into a most handsome castle, with all sorts
+of precious things, servants, and every sort of convenience, each for
+its own purpose. (Whether the princess and the youth married the story
+does not say; yet we must take for granted that a wedding is the
+proper end for the fairy-tale).
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     A distinctly visionary story is the fairy-tale of "The Mount of
+     the Golden Queen." (From Södermanland, from the collection of
+     the metallurgic Gustav Erikson, communicated by Dr. v.
+     Sydow-Lund) whose hero sets out on a laborious, world-wide
+     quest that finally brings him to the destined goal.
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+OLD HOPGIANT
+
+
+Once upon a time there were two neighbors: one of them rich and the
+other poor. They owned a great meadow in common, which they were
+supposed to mow together and then divide the hay.
+
+But the rich neighbor wanted the meadow for himself alone, and told
+the poor one that he would drive him out of house and home if he did
+not come to an agreement with him that whichever one of them mowed the
+largest stretch of the meadowland in a single day, should receive the
+entire meadow.
+
+Now the rich neighbor got together as many mowers as ever he could;
+but the poor one could not hire a single man. At last he despaired
+altogether and wept, because he did not know how he could manage to
+get so much as a bit of hay for the cow.
+
+Then it was that a large man stepped up to him and said: "Do not
+grieve so. I can tell you what you ought to do. When the mowing
+begins, just call out 'Old Hopgiant!' three times in succession, and
+you'll not be at a loss, as you shall see for yourself." And with that
+he disappeared.
+
+Then the poor man's heart grew less heavy, and he gave over worrying.
+So one fine day his rich neighbor came along with no fewer than twenty
+farmhands, and they mowed down one swath after another. But the poor
+neighbor did not even take the trouble to begin when he saw how the
+others took hold, and that he himself would not be able to do anything
+alone.
+
+Then the big man occurred to him, and he called out: "Old Hopgiant!"
+But no one came, and the mowers all laughed at him and mocked him,
+thinking he had gone out of his mind. Then he called again: "Old
+Hopgiant!" And, just as before, there was no hopgiant to be seen. And
+the mowers could scarcely swing their scythes; for they were laughing
+fit to split.
+
+And then he cried for the third time: "Old Hopgiant!" And there
+appeared a fellow of truly horrible size, with a scythe as large as a
+ship's mast.
+
+And now the merriment of the rich peasant's mowers came to an end. For
+when the giant began to mow and fling about his scythe, they were
+frightened at the strength he put into his work. And before they knew
+it he had mown half the meadow.
+
+Then the rich neighbor fell into a rage, rushed up and gave the giant
+a good kick. But that did not help him, for his foot stuck to the
+giant, while the latter no more felt the kick than if it had been a
+flea-bite, and kept right on working.
+
+[Illustration: "THE RICH MAN HAD TO GO ALONG HANGING TO HIM LIKE A
+HAWSER."]
+
+Then the rich neighbor thought of a scheme to get free, and gave the
+giant a kick with his other foot; but this foot also stuck fast, and
+there he hung like a tick. Old Hopgiant mowed the whole meadow, and
+then flew up into the air, and the rich man had to go along hanging to
+him like a hawser. And thus the poor neighbor was left sole master of
+the place.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     A genuine folk-tale figure is "Old Hopgiant." (Bondeson,
+     _Svenska Folksagor_, Stockholm, 1882, p. 41. From Dalsland) in
+     which a wonderful giant being comes to a poor peasant's
+     assistance, and rescues him from his oppressor.
+
+
+
+
+XVI
+
+THE PRINCESS AND THE GLASS MOUNTAIN
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king who took such a joy in the chase,
+that he knew no greater pleasure than hunting wild beasts. Early and
+late he camped in the forest with hawk and hound, and good fortune
+always followed his hunting. But it chanced one day that he could
+rouse no game, although he had tried in every direction since morning.
+And then, when evening was coming on, and he was about to ride home,
+he saw a dwarf or wild man running through the forest before him. The
+king at once spurred on his horse, rode after the dwarf, seized him
+and he was surprised at his strange appearance; for he was small and
+ugly, like a troll, and his hair was as stiff as bean-straw. But no
+matter what the king said to him, he would return no answer, nor say a
+single word one way or another. This angered the king, who was already
+out of sorts because of his ill-success at the hunt, and he ordered
+his people to seize the wild man and guard him carefully lest he
+escape. Then the king rode home.
+
+Now his people said to him: "You should keep the wild man a captive
+here at your court, in order that the whole country may talk of what a
+mighty huntsman you are. Only you should guard him so that he does not
+escape; because he is of a sly and treacherous disposition." When the
+king had listened to them he said nothing for a long time. Then he
+replied: "I will do as you say, and if the wild man escape, it shall
+be no fault of mine. But I vow that whoever lets him go shall die
+without mercy, and though he were my own son!"
+
+The following morning, as soon as the king awoke, he remembered his
+vow.
+
+He at once sent for wood and beams, and had a small house or cage
+built quite close to the castle. The small house was built of great
+timbers, and protected by strong locks and bolts, so that none could
+break in; and a peephole was left in the middle of the wall through
+which food might be thrust.
+
+When everything was completed the king had the wild man led up, placed
+in the small house, and he himself took and kept the key. There the
+dwarf had to sit a prisoner, day and night, and the people came afoot
+and a-horseback to gaze at him. Yet no one ever heard him complain, or
+so much as utter a single word.
+
+Thus matters went for some time. Then a war broke out in the land, and
+the king had to take the field. At parting he said to the queen: "You
+must rule the kingdom now in my stead, and I leave land and people in
+your care. But there is one thing you must promise me you will do:
+that you will guard the wild man securely so that he does not escape
+while I am away." The queen promised to do her best in all respects,
+and the king gave her the key to the cage. Thereupon he had his long
+galleys, his "sea-wolves," push out from the shore, hoisted sail, and
+took his course far, far away to the other country.
+
+The king and queen had only one child, a prince who was still small;
+yet great in promise. Now when the king had gone, it chanced one day
+that the little fellow was wandering about the royal courtyard, and
+came to the wild man's cage. And he began to play with an apple of
+gold he had. And while he was playing with it, it happened that
+suddenly the apple fell through the window in the wall of the cage.
+The wild man at once appeared and threw back the apple. This seemed a
+merry game to the little fellow: he threw the apple in again, and the
+wild man threw it out again, and thus they played for a long time. Yet
+for all the game had been so pleasant, it turned to sorrow in the end:
+for the wild man kept the apple of gold, and would not give it back
+again. And when all was of no avail, neither threats nor prayers, the
+little fellow at last began to weep. Then the wild man said: "Your
+father did ill to capture me, and you will never get your apple of
+gold again, unless you let me out." The little fellow answered: "And
+how can I let you out? Just you give me back my apple again, my apple
+of gold!" Then the wild man said: "You must do what I now tell you. Go
+up to your mother, the queen, and beg her to comb your hair. Then see
+to it that you take the key from her girdle, and come down and unlock
+the door. After that you can return the key in the same way, without
+any one knowing anything about it."
+
+After the wild man had talked to the boy in this way, he finally did
+as he said, went up to his mother, begged her to comb his hair, and
+took the key from her girdle. Then he ran down to the cage and opened
+the door. And when they parted, the dwarf said: "Here is your apple of
+gold, that I promised to give back to you, and I thank you for setting
+me free. And another time when you have need of me, I will help you in
+turn." And with that he ran off on his own way. But the prince went
+back to his mother, and returned the key in the same way he had taken
+it.
+
+When they learned at the king's court that the wild man had broken
+out, there was great commotion, and the queen sent people over hill
+and dale to look for him. But he was gone and he stayed gone. Thus
+matters went for a while and the queen grew more and more unhappy; for
+she expected her husband to return every day. And when he did reach
+shore his first question was whether the wild man had been well
+guarded. Then the queen had to confess how matters stood, and told him
+how everything had happened. But the king was enraged beyond measure,
+and said he would punish the malefactor, no matter who he might be.
+And he ordered a great investigation at his court, and every human
+being in it had to testify. But no one knew anything. At last the
+little prince also had to come forward. And as he stood before the
+king he said: "I know that I have deserved my father's anger; yet I
+cannot hide the truth; for I let out the wild man." Then the queen
+turned white, and the others as well, for there was not one who was
+not fond of the prince. At last the king spoke: "Never shall it be
+said of me that I was false to my vow, even for the sake of my own
+flesh and blood! No, you must die the death you have deserved." And
+with that he gave the order to take the prince to the forest and kill
+him. And they were to bring back the boy's heart as a sign that his
+command had been obeyed.
+
+Now sorrow unheard of reigned among the people, and all pleaded for
+the little prince. But the king's word could not be recalled. His
+serving-men did not dare disobey, took the boy in their midst, and set
+forth. And when they had gone a long way into the forest, they saw a
+swine-herd tending his pigs. Then one said to another: "It does not
+seem right to me to lay hand on the king's son; let us buy a pig
+instead and take its heart, then all will believe it is the heart of
+the prince." The other serving-men thought that he spoke wisely, so
+they bought a pig from the swine-herd, led it into the wood, butchered
+it and took its heart. Then they told the prince to go his way and
+never return. They themselves went back to the king's castle, and it
+is easy to imagine what grief they caused when they told of the
+prince's death.
+
+The king's son did what the serving-men had told him. He kept on
+wandering as far as he could, and never had any other food than the
+nuts and wild berries that grow in the forest. And when he had
+wandered far and long, he came to a mountain upon whose very top stood
+a fir-tree. Said he to himself: "After all, I might as well climb the
+fir-tree and see whether I can find a path anywhere." No sooner said
+than done: he climbed the tree. And as he sat in the very top of its
+crown, and looked about on every side, he saw a large and splendid
+royal castle rising in the distance, and gleaming in the sun. Then he
+grew very happy and at once set forth in that direction. On the way he
+met a farm-hand who was ploughing, and begged him to change clothes
+with him, which he did. Thus fitted out he at last reached the king's
+castle, went in, asked for a place, and was taken on as a herdsman, to
+tend the king's cattle. Now he went to the forest early and late, and
+in the course of time forgot his grief, grew up, and became so tall
+and brave that his equal could not be found.
+
+And now our story turns to the king who was reigning at the splendid
+castle. He had been married, and he had an only daughter. She was
+lovelier by far than other maidens, and had so kind and cheerful a
+disposition that whoever could some day take her to his home might
+well consider himself fortunate. Now when the princess had completed
+her fifteenth year, a quite unheard of swarm of suitors made their
+appearance, as may well be imagined; and for all that she said no to
+all of them, they only increased in number. At last the princess said:
+"None other shall win me save he who can ride up the high Glass
+Mountain in full armor!" The king thought this a good suggestion. He
+approved of his daughter's wish, and had proclaimed throughout the
+kingdom that none other should have the princess save he who could
+ride up the Glass Mountain.
+
+And when the day set by the king had arrived, the princess was led up
+the Glass Mountain. There she sat on its highest peak, with a golden
+crown on her head, and a golden apple in her hand, and she looked so
+immeasurably lovely that there was no one who would not have liked to
+risk his life for her. Just below the foot of the hill all the suitors
+assembled with splendid horses and glittering armor, that shone like
+fire in the sun, and from round about the people flocked together in
+great crowds to watch their tilting. And when everything was ready,
+the signal was given by horns and trumpets, and then the suitors, one
+after another, raced up the mountain with all their might. But the
+mountain was high, as slippery as ice, and besides it was steep beyond
+all measure. Not one of the suitors rode up more than a little way,
+before he tumbled down again, head over heels, and it might well
+happen that arms and legs were broken in the process. This made so
+great a noise, together with the neighing of the horses, the shouting
+of the people, and the clash of arms, that the tumult and the shouting
+could be heard far away.
+
+And while all this was going on, the king's son was rambling about
+with his oxen, deep in the wood. But when he heard the tumult and the
+clashing of arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his
+hand, and became lost in thought. For it had occurred to him how
+gladly he would have fared forth with the rest. Suddenly he heard
+footsteps and when he looked up, the wild man was standing before him.
+"Thank you for the last time!" said he, "and why do you sit here so
+lonely and full of sorrow?" "Well," said the prince, "I have no choice
+but to be sad and joyless. Because of you I am a fugitive from the
+land of my father, and now I have not even a horse and armor to ride
+up the Glass Mountain and fight for the princess." "Ah," said the wild
+man, "if that be all you want, then I can help you! You helped me once
+before and now I will help you in turn." Then he took the prince by
+the hand, led him deep down into the earth into his cave, and behold,
+there hung a suit of armor forged out of the hardest steel, and so
+bright that a blue gleam played all around it. Right beside it stood a
+splendid steed, saddled and bridled, pawing the earth with his steel
+hoofs, and champing his bit till the white foam dropped to the ground.
+The wild man said: "Now get quickly into your armor, ride out and try
+your luck! In the meantime I will tend your oxen." The prince did not
+wait to be told a second time; but put on helmet and armor, buckled on
+his spurs, hung his sword at his side, and felt as light in his steel
+armor as a bird in the air. Then he leaped into the saddle so that
+every clasp and buckle rang, laid his reins on the neck of his steed,
+and rode hastily toward the mountain.
+
+The princess's suitors were about to give up the contest, for none of
+them had won the prize, though each had done his best. And while they
+stood there thinking it over, and saying that perhaps fortune would
+favor them another time, they suddenly saw a youth ride out of the
+wood straight toward the mountain. He was clad in steel from head to
+foot, with helmet on head, sword in belt and shield on arm, and he
+sat his horse with such knightly grace that it was a pleasure to look
+at him. At once all eyes were turned to the strange knight, and all
+asked who he might be; for none had ever seen him before. Yet they had
+had but little time to talk and question, for no sooner had he cleared
+the wood, than he rose in his stirrups, gave his horse the spurs, and
+shot forward like an arrow straight up the Glass Mountain. Yet he did
+not ride up all the way; but when he had reached the middle of the
+steep ascent, he suddenly flung around his steed and rode down again,
+so that the sparks flew from his horse's hoofs. Then he disappeared in
+the wood like a bird in flight. One may imagine the excitement which
+now seized upon all the people, and there was not one who did not
+admire the strange knight. All agreed they had never seen a braver
+knight.
+
+Time passed, and the princess's suitors decided to try their luck a
+second time. The king's daughter was once more led up the Glass
+Mountain, with great pomp and richly gowned, and was seated on its
+topmost peak, with the golden crown on her head, and a golden apple in
+her hand. At the foot of the hill gathered all the suitors with
+handsome horses and splendid armor, and round about stood all the
+people to watch the contest. When all was ready the signal was given
+by horns and trumpets, and at the same moment the suitors, one after
+another, darted up the mountain with all their might. But all took
+place as at the first time. The mountain was high, and as slippery as
+ice, and besides, it was steep beyond all measure; not one rode up
+more than a little way before tumbling down again head over heels.
+Meanwhile there was much noise, and the horses neighed, and the people
+shouted, and the armor clashed, so that the tumult and the shouting
+sounded far into the deep wood.
+
+And while all this was going on, the young prince was tending his
+oxen, which was his duty. But when he heard the tumult and the
+clashing of arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his
+hand, and wept; for he thought of the king's beautiful daughter, and
+it occurred to him how much he would like to take part and ride with
+the rest. That very moment he heard footsteps and when he looked up,
+the wild man was standing before him. "Good-day!" said the wild man,
+"and why do you sit here so lonely and full of sorrow?" Thereupon the
+prince replied: "I have no choice but to be sad and joyless. Because
+of you I am a fugitive from the land of my father, and now I have not
+even a horse and armor to ride up the mountain and fight for the
+princess!" "Ah," said the wild man, "if that be all you want, then I
+can help you! You helped me once before, and now I will help you in
+turn." Then he took the prince by the hand, led him deep down in the
+earth into his cave, and there on the wall hung a suit of armor
+altogether forged of the clearest silver, and so bright that it shone
+afar. Right beside it stood a snow-white steed, saddled and bridled,
+pawing the earth with his silver hoofs, and champing his bit till the
+foam dropped to the ground. The wild man said: "Now get quickly into
+your armor, ride out and try your luck! In the meantime I will tend
+your oxen." The prince did not wait to be told a second time; but put
+on his helmet and armor in all haste, securely buckled on his spurs,
+hung his sword at his side, and felt as light in his silver armor as a
+bird in the air. Then he leaped into the saddle so that every clasp
+and buckle rang, laid his reins on the neck of his steed, and rode
+hastily toward the Glass Mountain.
+
+The princess's suitors were about to give over the contest, for none
+of them had won the prize, though each had played a man's part. And
+while they stood there thinking it over, and saying that perhaps
+fortune would favor them the next time, they suddenly saw a youth ride
+out of the wood, straight toward the mountain. He was clad in silver
+from head to foot, with helmet on head, shield on arm, and sword at
+side, and he sat his horse with such knightly grace that a
+braver-looking youth had probably never been seen. At once all eyes
+were turned toward him, and the people noticed that he was the same
+knight who had appeared before. But the prince did not leave them much
+time for wonderment; for no sooner had he reached the plain, than he
+rose in his stirrups, spurred on his horse, and rode like fire
+straight up the steep mountain. Yet he did not ride quite up to the
+top; but when he had come to its crest, he greeted the princess with
+great courtesy, flung about his steed, and rode down the mountain
+again till the sparks flew about his horse's hoofs. Then he
+disappeared into the wood as the storm flies. As one may imagine, the
+people's excitement was even greater than the first time, and there
+was not one who did not admire the strange knight. And all were agreed
+that a more splendid steed or a handsomer youth were nowhere to be
+found.
+
+Time passed, and the king set a day when his daughter's suitors were
+to make a third trial. The princess was now once more led to the Glass
+Mountain, and seated herself on its highest peak, with the golden
+crown and the golden apple, as she had before. At the foot of the
+mountain gathered the whole swarm of suitors, with splendid horses and
+polished armor, handsome beyond anything seen thus far, and round
+about the people flocked together to watch the contest. When all was
+ready the suitors, one after another, darted up the mountain with all
+their might. The mountain was as smooth as ice, and besides, it was
+steep beyond all measure; so that not one rode up more than a little
+way, before tumbling down again, head over heels. This made a great
+noise, the horses neighed, the people shouted, and the armor clashed,
+till the tumult and the shouting echoed far into the wood.
+
+While this was all taking place the king's son was busy tending his
+oxen as usual. And when he once more heard the noise and the clash of
+arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his hand, and wept
+bitterly. Then he thought of the lovely princess, and would gladly
+have ventured his life to win her. That very moment the wild man was
+standing before him: "Good-day!" said the wild man, "And why do you
+sit here so lonely and full of sorrow?" "I have no choice but to be
+sad and joyless," said the prince. "Because of you I am a fugitive
+from the land of my father, and now I have not even a sword and armor
+to ride up the mountain and fight for the princess!" "Ah," said the
+wild man, "if that be all that troubles you I can help you! You helped
+me once before, and now I will help you in turn." With that he took
+the prince by the hand, led him into his cave deep down under the
+earth, and showed him a suit of armor all forged of the purest gold,
+and gleaming so brightly that its golden glow shone far and wide.
+Beside it stood a magnificent steed, saddled and bridled, pawing the
+earth with its golden hoofs, and champing its bit until the foam fell
+to the ground. The wild man said: "Now get quickly into your armor,
+ride out and try your luck! In the meantime I will tend your oxen."
+And to tell the truth, the prince was not lazy; but put on his helmet
+and armor, buckled on his golden spurs, hung his sword at his side,
+and felt as light in his golden armor as a bird in the air. Then he
+leaped into the saddle, so that every clasp and buckle rang, laid his
+reins on the neck of his steed, and rode hastily toward the mountain.
+
+The princess's suitors were about to give up the contest; for none of
+them had won the prize, though each had done his best. And while they
+stood there thinking over what was to be done, they suddenly saw a
+youth come riding out of the wood, straight toward the mountain. He
+was clad in gold from head to foot, with the golden helmet on his
+head, the golden shield on his arm, and the golden sword at his side,
+and so knightly was his bearing that a bolder warrior could not have
+been met with in all the wide world. At once all eyes were turned
+toward him, and one could see that he was the same youth who had
+already appeared at different times. But the prince gave them but
+little time to question and wonder; for no sooner had he reached the
+plain than he gave his horse the spurs, and shot up the steep
+mountain like a flash of lightning. When he had reached its highest
+peak, he greeted the beautiful princess with great courtesy, kneeled
+before her, and received the golden apple from her hand. Then he flung
+about his steed, and rode down the Glass Mountain again, so that the
+sparks flew about the golden hoofs of his horse, and a long ribbon of
+golden light gleamed behind him. At last he disappeared in the wood
+like a star. What a commotion now reigned about the mountain! The
+people broke forth into cheers that could be heard far away, horns
+sounded, trumpets called, horses neighed, arms clashed, and the king
+had proclaimed far and near that the unknown golden knight had won the
+prize.
+
+Now all that was wanting was some information about the golden knight;
+for no one knew him; and all the people expected that he would at once
+make his appearance at the castle. But he did not come. This caused
+great surprise, and the princess grew pale and ill. But the king was
+put out, and the suitors murmured and found fault day by day. And at
+length, when they were all at their wits' end, the king had a great
+meeting announced at his castle, which every man, high and low, was to
+attend; so that the princess might choose among them herself. There
+was no one who was not glad to go for the princess's sake, and also
+because it was a royal command, and a countless number of people
+gathered together. And when they had all assembled, the princess came
+out of the castle with great pomp, and followed by her maids, passed
+through the entire multitude. But no matter how much she looked about
+her on every side, she did not find the one for whom she was looking.
+When she reached the last row she saw a man who stood quite hidden by
+the crowd. He had a flat cap and a wide gray mantle such as shepherds
+wear; but its hood was drawn up so that his face could not be seen. At
+once the princess ran up to him, drew down his hood, fell upon his
+neck and cried: "Here he is! Here he is!" Then all the people laughed;
+for they saw that it was the king's herdsman, and the king himself
+called out: "May God console me for the son-in-law who is to be my
+portion!" The man, however, was not at all abashed, but replied: "O,
+you need not worry about that at all! I am just as much a king's son
+as you are a king!"
+
+With that he flung aside his wide mantle. And there were none left to
+laugh; for instead of the grey herdsman, there stood a handsome
+prince, clad in gold from head to foot, and holding the princess's
+golden apple in his hand. And all could see that it was the same
+youth who had ridden up the Glass Mountain.
+
+Then they prepared a feast whose like had never before been seen, and
+the prince received the king's daughter, and with her half of the
+kingdom. Thenceforward they lived happily in their kingdom, and if
+they have not died they are living there still. But nothing more was
+ever heard of the wild man. And that is the end.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     Very popular throughout the North is "The Princess on the Glass
+     Mountain." (Hyltén-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 390, somewhat
+     abridged) who may be looked upon as a relative of the Brunhilde
+     of heroic legend, who may be brought down from her inaccessible
+     height only by the bravest of the brave. The "wild man" who
+     appears in the part of a magician to aid the hero, is a
+     familiar figure in Northern legend. King Harald Harfagr,
+     according to the "Book of Flateyar," released a "wild man" of
+     this kind from captivity at his father's court, when a boy of
+     five.
+
+
+
+
+XVII
+
+QUEEN CRANE
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a poor, poor boy. He went to the king and
+begged to be taken into service as a shepherd, and all called him
+"Sheep-Peter." While he was herding his sheep, he used to amuse
+himself with his crossbow. One day he saw a crane sitting in an
+oak-tree, and wanted to shoot her. The crane, however, hopped down
+further and further, and at last settled in the lowest branches. Then
+she said: "If you promise not to shoot me, I will help you whenever
+you are in trouble. You need only to call out: 'God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!'" With that the bird flew away.
+
+At length war broke out and the king had to take the field. Then
+Sheep-Peter came to the king and asked whether he might not be allowed
+to go along to war. They gave him an old nag to ride, and he rode into
+a swamp along the highway, and there the horse died. So he sat down
+and clicked with his tongue; but the horse would not move. And the
+people who rode by had their sport with him; while the youth pretended
+to feel sad.
+
+When the people had all passed by, the youth went to the oak in which
+the Queen Crane dwelt. Here he was given a black steed, a suit of
+brazen armor, and a silver sword. Thus he rode to battle and got there
+as quickly as he could wish. Then he said: "God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" With that he killed all the
+enemy and rode away again. But the king thought that an angel had come
+to help him, and wanted to hold him back. The youth, however, rode
+quickly back to the oak, took off his armor, went down to the swamp,
+and once more began to click to his horse. When the people rode by
+they laughed and said: "You were not along to-day, so you missed
+seeing how an angel came and killed all the enemy." And the youth
+pretended to feel sad, so sad.
+
+The following day the king once more had to take the field. And
+Sheep-Peter came to him and said he wanted to go along. So they gave
+him an old nag to ride, and he rode into a swamp beside the highway.
+Then he sat down and clicked with his tongue; but the horse would not
+move. When the people rode by they had their sport with him; but the
+youth pretended to feel sad, so sad. When the people had gone by, he
+went to the oak in which the Queen Crane dwelt, and was given a white
+steed, a suit of silver armor, and a golden sword. Thus equipped he
+rode to battle. When he arrived he said: "God aid me, and Queen Crane
+... and I will succeed!" But he had forgotten to say "stay by me," and
+so he was shot in the leg. But the king took out his handkerchief, and
+tied up his leg. Then the youth said once more: "God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" And he slew all of the enemy.
+Then the king thought he was an angel from heaven, and wanted to hold
+him. But the youth rode quickly to the oak, took off his armor, and
+then went down to his nag in the swamp and tried to get it to move,
+while the soldiers were passing. They laughed and said: "You were not
+along to-day, and did not see how an angel came from heaven and killed
+all of the enemy." The youth pretended to be very sad.
+
+On the third day all happened as before. The king took the field. The
+youth was given a wretched nag and rode it into a swamp beside the
+highway. Then he began to click with his tongue but the nag would not
+go on, and the people who rode past laughed at him. He pretended to
+feel very sad; but when the people had passed, he went to the oak in
+which Queen Crane dwelt, and she gave him a red steed, a golden sword,
+and a golden suit of armor. Thus equipped he rode to war, and all
+happened as before. He said: "God aid me, and Queen Crane stay by me,
+and I will succeed!" and slew all the enemy. The king thought he was
+an angel from heaven and wanted to hold him back by all means; but the
+youth rode quickly to the oak, took off his armor, and rode down to
+the swamp where he had his three nags. He hid the king's handkerchief,
+and when the people passed by he was clicking with his tongue as
+usual.
+
+Now the king had three princesses, and they were to be carried off by
+three meer-women. So the king had it proclaimed that whoever could
+rescue them should receive one of them for a wife. When the day came
+on which the oldest princess was to be carried away, Sheep-Peter
+received a steed, a suit of armor and a sword from Queen Crane. With
+them he rode to the castle, fetched the princess, took her before him
+on his steed, and then lay down on the sea-shore to sleep. He had a
+dog with him as well. And while he slept the princess wove her
+hair-ribbon into his hair. Suddenly the meer-woman appeared, and she
+awakened him and bade him mount his steed. Many people had been
+standing there; but when the meer-woman appeared they all took fright,
+and climbed into tall trees. But the youth said: "God aid me, and
+Queen Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" And then he slew the
+meer-woman. Thereupon he rode quickly back to Queen Crane, took off
+his armor, and herded his sheep again. But among the on-lookers had
+been a nobleman, who threatened the princess, and forced her to say
+that he had rescued her. And from Sheep-Peter no one heard a word.
+
+On the following day the second princess was to be carried off. So
+Sheep-Peter went to Queen Crane, who gave him a steed, a suit of armor
+and a sword, and with them he rode to the castle, and fetched the
+second princess. When they reached the sea-shore the meer-woman had
+not yet appeared. So the youth lay down to sleep and said to the
+princess: "Wake me when the meer-woman comes, and if you cannot wake
+me, then tell my horse." With that he fell asleep, and meanwhile the
+princess wove a string of pearls into his hair. When the meer-woman
+came, the princess tried to wake him; but he would not wake up at all,
+and so she told the horse to waken him. And the horse did wake him.
+The great lords, however, who were standing about, climbed into the
+trees out of pure fright when the meer-woman appeared. The youth took
+the princess on his steed, cried: "God aid me, and Queen Crane stay by
+me, and I will succeed!" and with that he slew the meer-woman. Then he
+rode quickly back to Queen Crane, took off his armor, and led his
+flock out to pasture. But among the on-lookers had been a count, who
+threatened the princess, and said he would thrust her through with his
+sword if she did not swear he had rescued her. The princess did so out
+of fear; but from Sheep-Peter no one heard a word.
+
+On the third day the same thing happened. Sheep-Peter was given a suit
+of armor, a sword and a steed by Queen Crane, and fetched the youngest
+princess. When he lay down on the sea-shore to sleep, he said to her:
+"When the meer-woman comes, wake me, and if you cannot wake me, then
+tell the horse to wake me, and if the horse cannot wake me, then ask
+the dog to wake me." When the meer-woman came, neither the princess
+nor the horse was able to wake him, and they had to call the dog to
+help them. At last he woke up, took the princess on his horse, cried:
+"God aid me, and Queen Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" and slew
+the meer-woman. Then he rode back again to Queen Crane, took off his
+armor and let his flock out to pasture.
+
+Not long after, the deliverers of the princesses were to come to the
+castle and be married. But first the king asked his daughters which of
+the three each wanted to have. So the oldest said: "The gentleman from
+court," and the second said: "the count," but the third said
+"Sheep-Peter." Then the king was very angry with his youngest
+daughter; for he did not believe for a moment that Sheep-Peter had
+delivered her. But she insisted and said she would take no one else.
+The king then presented an apple of pure gold to the count and the
+court gentleman; but Sheep-Peter got nothing.
+
+Now all three of them were to hold a three-days' shooting-match, in
+order to see which was the best shot; for the king hoped that
+Sheep-Peter would make a proper laughing-stock of himself, and drop
+far behind the others without any effort on their part. But
+Sheep-Peter was so good a marksman that he hit everything at which he
+aimed. And the very first day he shot a great deal, while the others
+shot but little. Then they bought the game he had shot from him, and
+gave him a golden apple for it. The same thing happened the second
+day, and thus he got the other gold apple. But when Peter came home on
+the evening of the first and second day, he had only a crow dangling
+from his blunderbuss. And when he met the king, he threw the crow to
+the ground and cried: "There is my whole bag!"
+
+On the third day all went as before. Sheep-Peter hit everything at
+which he aimed; but the others scored no hits. Then Sheep-Peter
+promised them all he had bagged, if they would let him write what he
+chose on their necks. They agreed to the bargain, and he wrote on the
+neck of each: "A thief and a rascal." Then all three went home, and
+again Peter had no more than a crow to show.
+
+At night all three of them slept together in one room. When they woke
+in the morning, the king came in to them, said good-morning, and asked
+how they were. But he was much surprised to see that Sheep-Peter was
+keeping them company. Then the youth said: "I was in the war, and slew
+all of the enemy!" "Ah!" said the king, "you did not do that, it was
+an angel from heaven; for you were sitting in the swamp." Then
+Sheep-Peter drew out the king's handkerchief, and then the king
+recognized him. Then the herdsman said: "I also delivered the
+princesses!" But the king would not believe that, and laughed at him.
+And then the youngest princess came along and told how it all had
+happened.
+
+And the youth took out the ribands of the other princesses, and the
+king had to believe that this, too, was true. Then, Peter continued:
+"I also shot all the game!" And again the king would not believe him
+and said: "Nonsense, why you never brought home anything of an evening
+but a wretched crow!" Then Peter produced the golden apples: "I was
+given this one for the first day, and the other for the second." "And
+what did you get for the third?" asked the king. Then the shepherd
+showed him what he had written on the necks of the other suitors. And
+when the king saw that, he had to believe him. And so he really got
+the youngest princess, and with her half of the kingdom, and after
+the king's death, all of it. But the two sham heroes got nothing at
+all, and had only their trouble for their pains.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Queen Crane" is also a very popular Northern fairy-tale. (From
+     the collection of Hyltén-Cavallius and Stephens, communicated
+     by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund). It is another of those tales with a
+     presumably witless hero, but with a motive generally unknown: a
+     bird bestows weapons and armor on the poor boy; while
+     ordinarily this is done by a troll, a horse, or the spirit of
+     one departed.
+
+
+
+
+XVIII
+
+TALES OF THE TROLLS
+
+
+I
+
+A peasant from Jursagard in the parish of Hanger had gone to the
+forest the day before Christmas, and started out for home late in the
+evening. He had just about reached the Klintaberg when he heard some
+one call out: "Tell the malt-swine to come home, for her child has
+fallen into the fire!" When the peasant reached home, there stood his
+wife, who had been brewing the Yuletide ale, and she was complaining
+that though she brewed and brewed, it did not have the right flavor.
+Then he told her what had been shouted at him from the hill, and that
+very moment a troll-witch, whom they had not noticed before, darted
+down from the stove and made off in a great hurry. And when they
+looked closer, they found that she had left behind a great kettle full
+of the best malt, which she had gathered during the brewing. And that
+was the reason the poor woman had not been able to give her brew the
+right flavor. The kettle was large, made of ornamented metal, and was
+long preserved in Hanger. It was at length sold at auction in 1838,
+and melted down.
+
+
+II
+
+In former days, when a child came into the world, his mother was known
+as a "heathen," until she could take him to church to be christened.
+And it was not safe for her to leave the house unless she carried
+steel about her in some shape or form. Now once there was one of these
+"heathen" women in Norra Ryd, in the parish of Hanger, who prepared
+lunch for the mowers, and went out and called them in to eat. Then one
+of the mowers said to her: "I cannot come, for my sheaf is not yet
+bound." "I will bind it for you," said the woman. The mowers went in
+and ate, but saw no more of her. They went back into the field, and
+were about to take up their work again, but still neither saw nor
+heard her. They began to search, and hunted for a number of days; but
+all in vain. Time passed, till it was late in the fall. One day the
+weather was clear and sunny. To this very day there is a cotter's hut,
+called Kusabo, that stands on a hill named Kusas, and the cotter who
+lived there went to look for a horse. And there on the hillside he saw
+the woman sitting who had disappeared, and she was sewing. It was not
+far from Kusabo to Norra Ryd, so he recognized her at once. He said
+"O, you poor thing, and here you sit!" "Yes," said she, "but you must
+never mention it to Lars"--that was her husband--"for I shall never
+return from this place. Even now I am only allowed to sit outside for
+a little while."
+
+
+III
+
+Once upon a time a girl was hunting for berries on Kusabo mountain,
+and was taken into the hill. But she wept, night and day, which
+disgruntled the trolls, and they let her out again. But just as they
+were letting her out, one of the trolls hit her such a blow on the
+back that she was hump-backed for the rest of her life. She herself
+used to tell how she had been kept in the hill.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     Primitive faith and superstition are reflected in these three
+     "Tales of the Trolls" (communicated from mss. belonging to Dr.
+     v. Sydow-Lund). The first is also current in Norway; the others
+     tell of women who have been _bergtagen_, "taken into the
+     mountain." It is not so long since that every humped back,
+     every weak mind, in short, every ill that had no visible
+     explanation, was ascribed to the troll folk.
+
+
+
+
+XIX
+
+CHARCOAL NILS AND THE TROLL-WOMAN
+
+
+In the old days there lived on a headland that juts out into the
+northwestern corner of Lake Rasval, in the neighborhood of the Linde
+mining-district, a charcoal-burner named Nils, generally known as
+Charcoal Nils. He let a farm-hand attend to his little plot of land,
+and he himself made his home in the forest, where he chopped wood in
+the summer and burned it to charcoal in the winter. Yet no matter how
+hard he struggled, his work was unblessed with reward, and no one ever
+spoke of him save as poor Charcoal Nils.
+
+One day, when he was on the opposite shore of the lake, near the
+gloomy Harsberg, a strange woman came up to him, and asked whether he
+needed some one to help him with his charcoal burning.
+
+"Yes, indeed," said he, "help would be welcome." So she began to
+gather blocks of wood and tree-trunks, more than Charcoal Nils could
+have dragged together with his horse, and by noon there was enough
+wood for a new kiln. When evening came, she asked the charcoal-burner
+whether he were satisfied with the day's work she had done, and if
+she were to come back the next day.
+
+That suited the charcoal-burner perfectly, and she came back the next
+day and all the following ones. And when the kiln had been burned out
+she helped Nils clear it, and never before had he had such a quantity
+of charcoal, nor charcoal of so fine a quality.
+
+So she became his wife and lived with him in the wood for three years.
+They had three children, yet this worried Nils but little, seeing that
+she looked after them, and they gave him no trouble.
+
+But when the fourth year came, she grew more exacting, and insisted on
+going back to his home with him, and living with him there. Nils
+wished to hear nothing about this; yet since she was so useful to him
+in his charcoal-burning, he did not betray his feelings, and said he
+would think it over.
+
+It happened one Sunday that he went to church--where he had not been
+for many years, and what he heard there brought up thoughts he had not
+known since the innocent days of his childhood. He began to wonder
+whether there were not some hocus-pocus about the charcoal-burning,
+and whether it were not due to the forest woman, who aided him so
+willingly.
+
+Preoccupied with this and other thoughts, he forgot while returning to
+his kiln, that he had promised the strange woman at the very
+beginning, when she had first helped him, that, whenever he had been
+home and was returning to the kiln, he would rap three times with his
+ax against an old pine-tree not far from it. On this occasion, as we
+have said, he forgot the sign, and as a result he saw something that
+nearly robbed him of his wits.
+
+As he drew near the kiln, he saw it all aflame, and around it stood
+the three children and their mother, and they were clearing out the
+kiln. They were pulling down and putting out so that flames, smoke and
+ashes whirled sky-high, but instead of the spruce-branches that were
+generally used to put out the fire, _they had bushy tails which they
+dipped in the snow_!
+
+When Charcoal Nils had looked on for a while, he slunk back to the old
+pine-tree, and made its trunk echo to the sound of his three
+ax-strokes till one could hear them on the Harsberg. Then he went to
+the kiln, as though he had seen nothing, and all went on as before.
+The kiln was glowing with a handsome, even glow, and the tall woman
+was about and working as usual.
+
+As soon as she saw Charcoal Nils, she came back with her pressing
+demand that he take her home to his little house, and that they live
+there.
+
+"Yes, that shall come about," said Nils to console her, and turned
+back home to fetch a horse. But instead he went out on the headline
+of Kallernäs, on the eastern shore of Lake Rasval, where a wise man
+lived, and asked the latter what he should do.
+
+The old man advised him to go home and hitch his horse to his
+charcoal-wagon, but to hitch the horse in such wise that there would
+be not a single loop either in the harness or traces. Then he was to
+mount the horse and ride back to the kiln without stopping, have the
+troll-woman and her children get into the wagon, and at once drive out
+on the ice with them.
+
+The charcoal-burner did as the old man told him, saddled his horse,
+paying strict attention that there were no loops in saddle or bridle,
+rode across the ice through the wood to his kiln, and told the
+troll-woman and her children to get in. Then he quickly turned back
+through the wood, out on the ice, and there let his horse run as fast
+as he could. When he reached the middle of the lake, he saw a pack of
+wolves running along in the direction of Aboda-land, at the northern
+end of the lake, and heading for the ice. Then he tore the
+saddle-harness from the traces, so that the wagon with the troll-folk
+was left standing on the bare ice, and rode as fast as his horse could
+carry him for the opposite shore. When the trolls saw the wolves they
+began to scream.
+
+"Turn back, turn back!" cried the mother. "And if you will not for my
+sake, then at least do so for the sake of Vipa (Peewee), your youngest
+daughter!" But Charcoal Nils rode for the shore without looking back.
+Then he heard the troll-woman calling on others for aid.
+
+    "Brother in the Harsberg,
+    Sister in Stripa,
+    Cousin in Ringfels;
+    Take the loop and pull!"
+
+"There is no loop to pull!" came the answer from deep within the
+Harsberg. "Then catch him at Harkallarn." "He is not riding in that
+direction." The reply came from Ringfels.
+
+And indeed Charcoal Nils did not ride in that direction; but over
+stick and stone straight to his own home. Yet when he reached his own
+courtyard, the horse fell, and a shot from the trolls tore away a
+corner of the stable. Nils shortly after fell sick, and had to lie
+a-bed for a number of weeks. When he was well again he sold his forest
+land, and worked the little farm by the cottage until his death. So
+that was one occasion when the troll-folk came off second best.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "Charcoal Nils and the Troll-Woman" (Hofberg, p. 148. From
+     Vestmanland) we have the story of a strange union. Malicious as
+     the troll-folk are, when a marriage takes place between a
+     troll-woman and a human being, the woman is beyond reproach,
+     good and kind, the only reproach that can be made her is that
+     she is not a Christian.
+
+
+
+
+XX
+
+THE THREE DOGS
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king who went forth into the world and
+fetched back a beautiful queen. And after they had been married a
+while God gave them a little daughter. Then there was great rejoicing
+in the city and throughout the country, for the people wished their
+king all that was good, since he was kind and just. While the child
+lay in its cradle, a strange-looking old woman entered the room, and
+no one knew who she was nor whence she came. The old woman spoke a
+verse over the child, and said that she must not be allowed out under
+the open sky until she were full fifteen years of age, since otherwise
+the mountain troll would fetch her. When the king heard this he took
+her words to heart, and posted guards to watch over the little
+princess so that she would not get out under the open sky.
+
+Some time afterward God gave the royal pair another little daughter,
+and again the whole kingdom rejoiced. But the wise old woman once more
+put in an appearance, and warned the king not to let the princess out
+under the open sky until she were full fifteen years of age. And
+then, after a time, God gave the royal pair a third daughter. This
+time, too, the old woman appeared, and repeated what she had already
+twice said. Then the king was much grieved; for he loved his children
+above everything in the world. Therefore he gave strict orders that
+the three princesses were always to be kept beneath the roof of the
+castle, and that none were to dare transgress against this command.
+
+Now a long time passed, and the king's daughters grew up and became
+the most beautiful maidens of whom one has ever heard tell. Then war
+broke out and the king, their father, had to leave them. One day,
+while he was away at war, the three princesses were sitting in the
+window and looking out, watching the sun shine on the little flowers
+in the garden. And they felt a great desire to play with the lovely
+flowers, and begged their guards to let them go into the garden for a
+little while. But this their guards would not allow, for they feared
+the king's anger. Yet the king's daughters pleaded so very sweetly
+that they could not deny their pleas and they let them have their way.
+But the princesses did not have long to walk about, for no sooner were
+they beneath the open sky, than a cloud came suddenly down, and bore
+them off, and all attempts to regain possession of them were
+fruitless; though search was made in every direction.
+
+Then the whole kingdom mourned and grieved, and one may imagine that
+the king was anything but happy when he returned home and learned all
+that had happened. Yet what is done cannot be undone, and in the end
+they had to resign themselves to it. And since the king knew of no
+other way to help himself, he had proclaimed throughout the kingdom
+that whoever would deliver his three daughters out of the power of the
+mountain troll should have one of them for his bride, and with her
+half of the kingdom. When this became known in foreign lands, many
+youths set forth with horses and followers to seek the princesses. At
+the king's court were two princes who also went forth to see whether
+fortune would be kind to them. They armed themselves in the best
+possible way with coats of mail and costly weapons, and bragged and
+boasted that they would not return without having done what they set
+out to do.
+
+And now we will let the king's sons ride out over the world on their
+quest, while we turn to other people. Far, far out in the wild wood
+there lived a poor widow, who had an only son who drove his mother's
+pigs to pasture every day. And as he crossed the fields, he whittled
+himself a flute, and amused himself playing it. And he played so
+sweetly that he warmed the cockles of the hearts of all those who
+heard him.
+
+Now it chanced that the young swine-herd once sat in the wood blowing
+his flute, while his three pigs were digging under the pine-roots. And
+an old, old man came along, with a beard so long and so broad that it
+hung far below his girdle. The old man had a large, powerful dog with
+him. When the youth saw the great dog, he thought to himself: "If a
+fellow had a dog like that to keep him company here in the wilderness,
+he might consider himself lucky." And when the old man noticed this,
+he began: "That is why I have come, for I want to exchange my dog for
+one of your pigs." The youth was at once willing, and closed the
+bargain. He received the great dog, and gave up the gray pig in place
+of it. Then the old man went his way. But as he left he said: "You
+have reason to be satisfied with our exchange, for that dog is not
+like other dogs. His name is 'Take Hold!' and whatever you tell him to
+take hold of he will seize, even though it were the grimmest of
+trolls." Thereupon they parted, and the youth thought that fortune had
+indeed favored him.
+
+In the evening he called his dog and drove his pigs home. But when his
+old mother heard that he had given away the gray pig for a dog, she
+was angry beyond measure, and gave her son a good drubbing. The youth
+told her to calm herself; but all in vain, the longer it lasted the
+more furious she became. Then, since he did not know what else to do,
+he called out to his dog: "Take hold!" At once the dog ran up, seized
+the old mother and held her so tightly that she could not move. But
+otherwise he did her no harm. And now she had to promise her son to
+make the best of the matter, and then they were friends once more.
+
+The following day the youth went to the wood again, with his dog and
+the two pigs. After a time he sat down and played his flute as usual,
+and the dog danced to his playing with such skill, that it was nothing
+short of a miracle. And as he was sitting there, the old man with the
+gray beard came out of the wood again, and with him another dog, no
+smaller than the first. When the youth saw the handsome beast he
+thought to himself: "If a fellow had that dog to keep him company here
+where it is so lonely, he need have no fear." When the old man noticed
+this, he began: "That is why I have come, for I want to exchange my
+dog for one of your pigs." The youth did not lose any time, but agreed
+to close the bargain. He received the great dog, and gave up one of
+his pigs in place of it. Then the old man went his way. Yet before he
+left he added: "You have reason to be well satisfied with your
+purchase, for this dog is not like the other dogs. His name is 'Tear!'
+and if you give him something to tear, he will tear it to pieces,
+even though it were the grimmest of trolls." Then they parted. But
+the youth was happy in the idea that he had made a capital exchange;
+although he knew that his old mother would not be content with it. And
+when evening came, and the youth went home, his old mother was no less
+angry than she had been before. But this time she did not venture to
+beat her son, because she was afraid of the great dogs. Yet, as is
+usual, when women have scolded long enough, they stop of their own
+accord--and that is what happened in this case. The youth and his
+mother made peace with each other; though the mother thought to
+herself that the damage done could not well be repaired.
+
+On the third day the youth went into the wood again with his pig and
+two dogs. He felt very happy, seated himself on a tree-stump and
+played his flute as usual. And the dogs danced to his playing with
+such skill that it was a pleasure to watch them. As the youth was
+sitting there in peace and quiet, the old gray-beard once more came
+out of the wood. This time he had a third dog with him, who was as
+large as both the others together. When the youth saw the handsome
+animal he could not help but think: "If a fellow had this dog to keep
+him company in the wilderness, he would have no cause for complaint."
+The old man at once began: "That is why I have come, in order to sell
+my dog, for I can see you would like to have him." The youth was at
+once willing and agreed to close the bargain. So he received the great
+dog and gave up his last pig in place of it. Then the old man went his
+way. Yet before he went he said: "You will be satisfied with your
+exchange, for this dog is not like other dogs. His name is 'Hark!' and
+his hearing is so keen that he hears everything that happens, though
+it be happening many miles away. He even hears the grass and the trees
+grow." Then they parted in the friendliest spirit. But the youth was
+happy in the thought that now he need fear nothing in the world. And
+then, when evening came on, and the swine-herd went home, his mother
+was very sad to think that her son had sold all they possessed. But
+the youth told her to be of good courage, since he would see to it
+that they did not suffer want. And when he spoke to her in such a
+cheerful manner, she grew content again, and decided that he had
+spoken in wise and manly fashion. Then when day dawned the youth went
+hunting with his dogs, and came back at evening with as much game as
+he could possibly carry. And he continued to go hunting in this way
+for a time until his old mother's store-room was well provided with
+meat and all sorts of good things. Then he bade his mother a fond
+farewell, called his dogs, and said he was going to wander out into
+the world and try his fortune.
+
+And he fared forth over mountains and tangled ways, and came into the
+heart of a sombre forest. There he met the gray-beard of whom I have
+already told you. And when he met him the youth was much pleased, and
+said: "Good-day, grandfather, and thanks for the last time!" And the
+old man replied: "Good-day to you, and whither away?" The youth
+answered: "I am wandering out into the world to see what fortune has
+in store for me." Then the old man said: "Keep right on going till you
+come to the royal castle, and there your fortune will take a turn."
+And with that they parted. The youth followed the old man's advice and
+for a time wandered on straight ahead. When he came to a tavern he
+played his flute and let his dogs dance, and was never at a lack for
+bed and board, and whatever else he might want.
+
+After he had wandered long and far, he at length came to a great city,
+whose streets were filled with people. The youth wondered what it all
+meant, and at last reached the spot where, to the sound of bell, the
+king's proclamation was being cried--that whoever should deliver the
+three princesses out of the power of the troll, would receive one of
+them, and half the kingdom as well. Now he understood what the old man
+had meant. He called his dogs, and went to the king's castle. But
+there all had been grief and mourning since the day the king's
+daughters had disappeared. And of them all the king and queen were the
+most sorrowful. Then the youth went to the keeper of the door, and
+asked him whether he might play and show his dogs before the king. The
+courtiers were willing, for they hoped it might make him feel more
+cheerful. So he was admitted and allowed to show his tricks. And when
+the king had heard him play, and had seen the skillful dancing of his
+dogs, he grew quite merry, and none had seen him as happy during all
+the seven long years that had passed since he had lost his daughters.
+
+When the dance was over, the king asked the youth what he asked as a
+reward for having given him such a pleasure. The youth answered: "My
+lord king, I did not come to you to win gold and gear. But I have
+another request to make: that you allow me to set out and search for
+your three daughters, carried away by a mountain troll." When the king
+heard this his thoughts once more grew gloomy, and he replied: "You
+need not even think of delivering my daughters. It is no child's play,
+and your betters have already attempted it in vain. Yet should it
+really come to pass that you deliver one of the princesses, you may be
+sure that I will not break my word." So he took leave of the king and
+set forth. And he decided to take no rest until he had found what he
+sought.
+
+Now he passed through many broad kingdoms without meeting with any
+special adventures. And wherever he went his dogs followed him.
+"Hark!" ran along and listened for anything worth hearing to be heard
+around them; "Take Hold!" carried his master's knapsack and "Tear!"
+who was the strongest, carried his master when the latter was weary.
+One day "Hark!" came running up hastily, and told his master that he
+had gone to a high mountain, and had heard the king's daughter, who
+sat within it and span, and that the troll was not at home. This
+greatly pleased the youth, and he hurried toward the mountain together
+with his three dogs. When they got there "Hark!" said: "There is no
+time to lose. The troll is only ten miles away, and I can already hear
+the golden horse-shoes of his steed ringing on the stones." The youth
+now ordered his dogs to break down the door into the mountain, and
+they did. And as he stepped into the mountain he saw a lovely maiden,
+sitting in the mountain-hall, winding a golden thread on a golden
+spindle. The youth went up and greeted the lovely girl. Then the
+king's daughter was much surprised and said: "Who are you that dare to
+venture into the giant's hall? During all the seven long years I have
+been sitting here in the mountain I have never yet seen a human
+being." And she added: "For heaven's sake hasten away before the
+troll returns home, or else your life will be forfeit!" But the youth
+was unafraid, and said that he would await the giant's return without
+fear.
+
+While they were talking together, the giant came riding along on his
+colt shod with gold. When he saw the gate standing open he grew
+furiously angry and shouted till the whole mountain shook: "Who has
+broken my mountain door?" The youth boldly answered: "I did, and now I
+shall break you as well! 'Take Hold!' seize him! 'Tear!' and 'Hark!'
+tear him into a thousand pieces." No sooner had he spoken than the
+dogs rushed up, fell upon the giant and tore him into countless
+pieces. Then the princess was happy beyond measure and said: "God be
+praised, now I am freed!" And she fell upon the youth's neck and gave
+him a kiss. But he did not wish to stay there any longer, saddled the
+giant's colt, loaded it with all the gold and gear he found in the
+mountain, and hastily went away with the king's beautiful daughter.
+
+They passed on together a long distance. Then, one day, "Hark!" who
+always ran ahead scouting, came quickly back to his master, and told
+him he had been near a high mountain, and had heard the king's second
+daughter sitting within it winding golden yarn, and that the troll
+himself was not at home. This was very welcome news for the youth, and
+he hurried toward the mountain with his faithful dogs. Now when they
+drew near "Hark!" said: "There is no time to lose. The giant is only
+eight miles away, and I can already hear the golden horse-shoes of his
+steed ringing on the stones." The youth at once ordered his dogs to
+break down the door into the mountain, no matter which way. And when
+he stepped into the interior of the mountain he saw a lovely maiden
+sitting in the mountain hall, winding golden yarn on a golden windle.
+The youth went up and greeted the lovely girl. The king's daughter was
+much surprised and said: "Who are you that dare to venture into the
+giant's hall? During all the seven years I have been sitting here in
+the mountain I have never yet seen a human being." And she added: "For
+heaven's sake, hasten away, for if the troll comes your life will be
+forfeit!" But the youth told her why he had come, and said that he
+would await the troll's return quite undisturbed.
+
+While they were still talking together, the giant came riding on his
+steed shod with gold, and drew up outside the mountain. When he
+noticed that the great door was open, he grew furiously angry, and
+shouted till the mountain trembled to its very roots. He said: "Who
+has broken my mountain door?" The youth boldly answered: "I have, and
+now I shall break you as well! 'Take Hold,' seize him! 'Tear!' and
+'Hark!' tear him into a thousand pieces!" The dogs at once rushed
+up, threw themselves upon the giant, and tore him into as many pieces
+as leaves fall in the autumn. Then the king's daughter was happy
+beyond measure and cried: "God be praised, now I am freed!" and she
+fell upon the youth's neck and gave him a kiss. But he led the
+princess to her sister, and one can imagine-how glad they were to see
+each other again. Then the youth packed up all the treasures he found
+in the mountain hall, loaded them on the giant's steed, and went his
+way with the king's two daughters. And they wandered along for a long
+time. Then, one day, "Hark!" who always ran ahead scouting, came
+hastily to his master and told him that he had been near a high
+mountain, and had heard the king's third daughter sitting within and
+weaving a web of gold, and that the troll was not at home. This
+was very welcome news for the youth, and he hastened toward the
+mountain, followed by his three dogs. When he drew near "Hark!" said:
+"There is no time to lose, for the giant is only five miles away. I
+can already hear the golden horse-shoes of his steed ringing on the
+stones." Then the youth at once ordered his dogs to break down the
+door into the mountain, by hook or by crook. And when he stepped into
+the mountain, he saw a girl sitting in the mountain hall, weaving a
+web of gold. But this maiden was lovely beyond all measure, with a
+loveliness exceeding all the youth had ever thought to find on earth.
+He now went up and greeted the lovely maiden. Then the king's daughter
+was much surprised and said: "Who are you that dare to venture into
+the giant's hall? During all the seven long years I have been sitting
+here in the mountain I have never yet seen a human being." And she
+added: "For heaven's sake, hasten away before the troll comes, or else
+your life will be forfeit!" But the youth was full of confidence, and
+said he would gladly venture his life for the king's lovely daughter.
+
+[Illustration: "HE SAW A GIRL SITTING IN THE MOUNTAIN HALL, WEAVING A
+WEB OF GOLD."]
+
+While they were still talking the giant came riding along on his colt
+shod with gold, and drew up at the foot of the mountain. When he went
+in he saw that uninvited guests had arrived, and was much frightened;
+for well he knew of the fate that had befallen his brothers. He
+therefore thought it advisable to fall back upon cunning and
+treachery, for he had not dared to venture on open battle. For that
+reason he made many fine speeches, and was very friendly and smooth
+with the youth. Then he told the king's daughter to prepare a meal in
+order to show his guest all hospitality.
+
+And since the troll knew so well how to talk, the youth allowed
+himself to be beguiled by his smooth words, and forgot to be on his
+guard. He sat down to the table with the giant; but the king's
+daughter wept secretly, and the dogs were very restless; though no
+one paid them any attention.
+
+When the giant and his guest had finished their meal, the youth said:
+"Now that I have satisfied my hunger, give me something to quench my
+thirst!" The giant replied: "On the mountain-top is a spring in which
+bubbles the clearest wine; but I have no one to fetch it." The youth
+answered: "If that be all that is lacking, one of my dogs can go up."
+Then the giant laughed in his false heart, for nothing suited him
+better than to have the youth send away his dogs. The youth ordered
+"Take Hold!" to go to the spring, and the giant handed him a great
+tankard. The dog went; yet it was easy to see that he did not go
+willingly; and the time passed and passed and he did not return.
+
+After a while the giant said: "I wonder why your dog stays away so
+long? Perhaps you would let another of your dogs go and help him; for
+the way is long and the tankard is heavy." The youth did not suspect
+any trickery and agreed. He told "Tear!" to go and see why "Take
+Hold!" had not yet come. The dog wagged his tail, and did not want to
+leave his master. But the youth did not notice it and drove him off
+himself. Then the giant laughed heartily, and the king's daughter
+wept, yet the youth paid no attention; but was merry and at his ease,
+played with his sword, and dreamed of no danger.
+
+Thus a long time passed; but nothing was heard of the wine nor of the
+dogs. Then the giant said: "I can see that your dogs do not do as you
+bid them, otherwise we should not have to sit here and thirst. I think
+it would be well if you let 'Hark!' go up and see why they do not come
+back." The youth agreed, and told his third dog to hurry to the
+spring. But "Hark!" did not want to, and instead crept whining to his
+master's feet. Then the youth grew angry and drove him off by force.
+And when he reached the top of the mountain he shared the fate of the
+others, a high wall rose round about him, and he was made a prisoner
+by the giant's magic power.
+
+Now that all three dogs were gone, the giant rose, and suddenly looked
+altogether different. He took down a long sword from the wall, and
+said: "Now I will do what my brothers did not do, and you must die at
+once, for you are in my power!" Then the youth was frightened, and he
+regretted he had allowed his dogs to leave him. He said: "I do not ask
+for my life, since in any event the time will come when I must die.
+But I would like to repeat the Lord's prayer, and play a psalm on my
+flute, for such is the custom in my country." The giant granted his
+prayer, but said that he would not wait long. So the youth kneeled and
+began to blow his flute till it sounded over hill and dale. And that
+very moment the magic wall was broken and the dogs were freed. They
+came rushing on like the storm-wind, and fell upon the mountain troll.
+The youth at once rose and said: "'Take Hold!', seize him! 'Tear!' and
+'Hark!' tear him into a thousand pieces!" Then the dogs flung
+themselves on the giant and tore him into countless pieces. Then the
+youth took all the treasures that lay in the mountain, hitched the
+giant's horses to a gilded wagon, and drove off as fast as he could.
+
+Now when the king's daughters met again there was great joy, as may
+well be imagined, and all thanked the youth for delivering them out of
+the power of the mountain trolls. But the youth fell deeply in love
+with the youngest princess, and they promised to be true to each
+other. So the king's daughters passed on their way with music and
+merriment of every kind, and the youth served them with all the honor
+and courtesy due maidens of gentle birth. And while they were underway
+the princesses toyed with the youth's hair, and each tied her golden
+ring in his locks for remembrance.
+
+One day while they were still underway, they met two wanderers, who
+were traveling the same road. The clothes of the two strangers were
+torn and their feet were sore, and their whole appearance showed that
+they had a long journey behind them. The youth stopped his wagon, and
+asked them who they were and whence they came. The strangers answered
+that they were two princes, and had gone forth to search for the three
+maidens in the mountain. But fortune had not favored them; and now
+they had to return home more like journeymen than kings' sons. When
+the youth heard this he felt sorry for the two wanderers, and asked
+whether they would like to ride with him in his handsome wagon. The
+princes thanked him profusely for his offer. They drove on together,
+and came to the kingdom over which the father of the princesses
+reigned.
+
+Now when the princes learned that the youth had delivered the king's
+three daughters, a great jealousy took possession of them, and they
+thought of how badly they had fared in their own venture. And they
+took counsel together as to how they might get the better of the
+youth, and win power and glory for themselves. But they hid their evil
+plot till a favorable opportunity offered for carrying it out. Then
+they suddenly threw themselves on their comrade, seized him by the
+throat and strangled him. And then they threatened to kill the
+princesses if they did not swear to keep silence. And since the king's
+daughters were in the power of the princes, they did not dare say no.
+But they felt very sorry for the youth who had given up his life for
+them, and the youngest princess mourned with all her heart, and all
+her happiness was at an end.
+
+After this great wrong the princes drove to the royal castle, and one
+may well imagine how happy the king was to get back his three
+daughters. In the meantime the poor youth lay like dead off in a gorge
+in the forest. Yet he was not quite dead, and his faithful dogs lay
+about him, kept him warm, and licked his wounds. And they did not stop
+until their master came back to life again. When he was once more well
+and strong he set out, and after many difficulties came to the royal
+castle in which the princesses dwelt.
+
+When he came in the whole court was full of joy and merriment, and
+from the king's hall came the sound of dancing and string music. That
+surprised him greatly, and he asked what it all meant. The serving-man
+answered: "You must come from far away, since you do not know that the
+king has regained his daughters who were in the power of the mountain
+troll. This is the oldest princess's wedding-day."
+
+The youth then asked after the youngest princess, and when she was to
+marry. But the serving-man said that she did not want a husband, and
+wept the live-long day, though no one knew why. Then the youth felt
+happy once more; for now he knew that she loved him, and had kept
+faith with him.
+
+The youth now went to the keeper of the door, and bade him tell the
+king that a guest had arrived who would add to the merriment of the
+wedding festivities by showing his dogs. This was to the king's
+liking, and he ordered that the stranger receive the best possible
+treatment. And when the youth stepped into the hall, the whole wedding
+company were astounded by his skill and his manly bearing, and all
+agreed that so handsome a youth was rarely seen. But no sooner had the
+king's three daughters recognized him, than they jumped up from the
+table, and flung themselves on his neck. And then the princes thought
+it best to make themselves scarce. But the king's daughters told how
+the youth had freed them, and the rest of their adventures; and to
+make quite certain they looked for their rings among his locks.
+
+Now when the king heard of the trickery and treachery the two strange
+princes had used, he grew very angry and had them driven ignominously
+forth from the castle. But he received the brave youth with great
+honor, as he had deserved, and he was married to the king's youngest
+daughter that selfsame day. After the king's death the youth was
+chosen king of all the land, and a gallant king he was. And there he
+lives with his beautiful queen, and is reigning there happily to this
+very day. And that is all I have to do with it.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "The Three Dogs" (Hyltén-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 195. From
+     West Gotland). Fairy tales have a high opinion of the power of
+     music, for the magic of the flute-playing breaks the evil spell
+     of the troll, just as in the story of "Faithful and
+     Unfaithful," the sound of the fiddle makes the troll's golden
+     hall come out of the mountain.
+
+
+
+
+XXI
+
+THE POOR DEVIL
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a peasant, who led his cow to pasture in
+the spring, and prayed God to have her in His care.
+
+The evil one was sitting in a bush, heard him, and said to himself:
+"When things turn out well, they thank God for it; but if anything
+goes wrong, then I am always to blame!"
+
+A few days later the cow strayed into a swamp. And when the peasant
+came and saw her he said: "Look at that! The devil has had his finger
+in the pie again!"
+
+"Just what I might have expected," thought the devil in his bush. Then
+the peasant went off to fetch people to help drag the cow out. But in
+the meantime the devil slipped from his bush and helped out the cow,
+for he thought:
+
+"Now he will have something to thank me for, too."
+
+But when the peasant came back and saw the cow on dry land, he said:
+"Thank God, she's out again!"
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The little story of "The Poor Devil." (Bondeson, p. 212. From
+     Smaland) which shows him attempting to rival God, is at once
+     humorous and philosophical.
+
+
+
+
+XXII
+
+HOW SMALAND AND SCHONEN CAME TO BE
+
+
+The Smalanders declare:
+
+At the time when our Lord created the earth, he made a level and
+fruitful stretch of land, and that was Schonen. But the devil had been
+busy in the meantime, and had created Smaland, a barren region
+consisting mainly of hills and swamps. When our Lord saw it, it looked
+very hopeless to him, and he strewed the bits of earth that remained
+in his apron out over it, and created the Smalanders. They turned out
+to be a fine race of men, handsome and strong and able to take care of
+themselves in any situation. It is said to this very day, that if you
+take a Smalander and set him down on a rock in the sea, he will still
+manage to save himself. But in the meantime the devil had been down in
+Schonen, and had created the people who live there, and that is why
+they are so slow, boastful and servile. But the people of Schonen say:
+
+Once as our Lord and St. Peter were walking together, they heard a
+terrible commotion in a forest. "Go see what is happening there,"
+said our Lord. St. Peter went. And there was the devil and a
+Smalander, who were pummeling each other with might and main. St.
+Peter tried to separate them; but they paid no attention to him. So he
+took his sword and chopped off both their heads. And he told our Lord
+what he had seen and done: "No, that was not well done," the latter
+replied, "go and put back their heads where they were, and touch the
+wounds with your sword, and both will come to life again." St. Peter
+did so, but he exchanged heads. Since that time the Smalanders all
+have a bit of the devil about them, and those who know the devil, will
+tell you that he is more or less like the Smalanders.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The unfruitful district of Smaland and the lazy and servile
+     people of Schonen (as retold and communicated by Dr. v.
+     Sydow-Lund), are supposed to be creative efforts of the devil,
+     at least so the Danes and Swedes were wont to say, and Selma
+     Lagerlöf has repeated it after them with variants. But the
+     people of Schonen lost no time in inventing a close
+     relationship between the Smalanders and the devil.
+
+
+
+
+XXIII
+
+THE EVIL ONE AND KITTA GRAU
+
+
+One day the devil met Kitta Grau:
+
+"Where have you been, old man?" asked Kitta Grau, for she recognized
+him.
+
+"Well," said the evil one, "I have been out on the farmstead where the
+newly wedded couple live. This is the third time I have tried to sow
+dissension between them; but they think so much of each other that it
+is a sheer impossibility."
+
+"You talk like a real stupid. That is something I could bring about
+the very first time I went there," said Kitta Grau.
+
+"If you can do that, you shall have a splendid pair of shoes," was the
+evil one's reply.
+
+"Mind you keep your word!" said Kitta, and turned toward the
+farmstead.
+
+There the woman was home alone; for her husband had gone to the
+forest. Kitta said to the young wife:
+
+"You really have a splendid husband."
+
+"And that is the truth," the woman replied, "for he grants my every
+wish before it is spoken."
+
+"But take my word for it," said Kitta, "there is still a bit of
+deceit in him. He has a pair of long hairs under his chin--if you
+could get at them with a razor, and cut them off while he is asleep,
+then he would be altogether without malice."
+
+"Well," said the woman, "if that will help, I will be sure to keep an
+eye open after dinner and attend to it, for then he always takes a
+little noon-day nap."
+
+Then Kitta Grau went out into the forest to the husband and bade him
+good-day.
+
+"You really have a very good wife," said Kitta.
+
+"She could not be bettered," replied the husband.
+
+"Well you might be mistaken for all that," said Kitta. "When you come
+home, be on your guard, for when you go to take your noon-day nap, she
+has in mind to cut your throat. So be sure not to go to sleep."
+
+The husband did not think much of the matter; but still he thanked
+Kitta Grau for her trouble.
+
+Then he went home and ate his dinner, laid down and pretended to fall
+asleep at once.
+
+Thereupon his wife went to his shaving-kit, took out his razor, went
+softly up to him and took hold of his chin with her hand.
+
+Up flew the man.
+
+"Do you want to murder me?" he cried, and gave his wife such a thump
+that she measured her full length on the floor.
+
+And from that day forward there was no peace in the house. Now Kitta
+Grau was to receive her reward from the evil one. But he was so afraid
+of her that he did not venture to give her the shoes until he stood on
+one side of a stream, while she stood on the other, and then he passed
+them over to her on a long pole.
+
+"You are ever so much worse than I am," he told Kitta Grau.
+
+The black man had made a bargain with a merchant. He had promised him
+that all goods which he might buy he should sell again within three
+weeks' time at a handsome profit. But, if he had prospered, after
+seven years had passed he was to be the devil's own. And he did
+prosper; for no matter what manner of old trash the merchant bought,
+and if it were no more than an old worn-out fur coat, he was always
+able to sell it again, and always at a profit.
+
+Kitta Grau came into his shop and showed him the handsome shoes the
+evil one had given her.
+
+So the merchant said:
+
+"May heaven keep me from him! He will surely fetch me when the time
+comes; for I have made a pact with him; and I have been unable to buy
+anything without selling it again in three weeks' time."
+
+Then Kitta Grau said: "Buy me, for I am sure no one will buy me from
+you!" And that is what the merchant did. He bought Kitta, had her
+disrobe and cover herself with tar, and roll in a pile of feathers.
+Then he put her in a glass cage as though she were a bird.
+
+Now the first week went by, and the second week went by, and the third
+week went by, and no one appeared who wanted to buy the curious bird.
+And then, in due time, came the evil one, and wanted to fetch his
+merchant.
+
+"Have patience," said the merchant, "I still have something I have
+bought, but have not been able to sell again in three weeks' time."
+
+"That is something I'd like to see," said the black man. Then the
+merchant showed him Kitta Grau, sitting in her glass cage. But no
+sooner had the evil one seen the handsome bird than he cried:
+
+"Oh, I see! It is you Kitta Grau! No one who knows you would buy you!"
+
+And with that he hurried on his way.
+
+Thus Kitta Grau could help do evil, and help do good.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The story of "The Evil One and Kitta Grau." (Bondeson, p. 206.
+     From Halland) shows that it is child's play for an evil woman
+     to accomplish what the devil himself cannot do. Yet some one
+     has made an addition which redounds to Kitta's credit, and
+     which makes her one of the heroines of fairy-tale who know how
+     to take advantage of the evil one.
+
+
+
+
+XXIV
+
+THE LADY OF PINTORP
+
+
+Where to-day a castellate building towers between spreading parks and
+gardens on the noble estate of Eriksberg, there lay in ancient times a
+holding known as Pintorp; with which legend has associated the
+gruesome tale of the lady of Pintorp.
+
+In Pintorp--so the legend says--there dwelt a nobleman who, dying in
+his youth, left all his goods and gear to his widow. Yet instead of
+being a kind mistress to her many dependents, she exploited them in
+every way, and ill-treated them shamefully. Beneath her castle she had
+deep subterranean dungeons, in which languished many innocent people.
+She set vicious dogs at children and beggars, and if any one did not
+come to work at the right time, he was sure to go home in the evening
+with weals on his back.
+
+Once, early in the morning, when the men came to work, the Lady of
+Pintorp was standing on the castle steps, and saw a poor farm-hand
+belonging to the estate come too late. Foaming with rage, she
+overwhelmed him with abuse and reproaches, and ordered him to chop
+down the largest oak on the whole estate, and bring it, crown
+foremost, to the castle court before evening. And if he did not carry
+out her command to the very letter--so she said--she would drive him
+from his hut without mercy, and all that he had should fall to the
+estate.
+
+With heavy thoughts of the severe judgment passed upon him, the
+farm-hand went to the wood; and there he met an old man who asked him
+why he was so unhappy.
+
+"Because it is all up with me, if our Lord in His mercy do not help
+me," sighed the unfortunate man, and told of the task his mistress had
+imposed on him.
+
+"Do not worry," said the unknown, "Chop down this oak, seat yourself
+on the trunk, and Erik Gyllenstjerna and Svante Banér will take it to
+the castle."
+
+The farm hand did as the old man told him, began to hew to the line,
+and sure enough, at the third stroke the tree fell with a tremendous
+crash. Then he seated himself on the trunk, facing the crown, and at
+once the tree began to move, as though drawn by horses. Soon it rushed
+along so swiftly that posts and garden-palings flew out of the way
+like splinters, and soon they had reached the castle. At the moment
+the tree-top struck the castle-gate, one of the invisible bearers
+stumbled, and a voice was heard saying: "What, are you falling on your
+knees, Svante?"
+
+The Lady of Pintorp, who was standing on the steps, knew well who was
+helping the man; yet instead of feeling regret, she began to curse and
+scold, and finally threatened to imprison the farm-hand.
+
+Then the earth quaked so that the walls of the castle shook, and a
+black coach, drawn by two black horses, stopped before the castle. A
+fine gentleman, clad in black, descended from the coach, bowed to the
+lady and bade her make ready and follow him. Trembling--for she knew
+well who the stranger must be--she begged for a three years' respite;
+but the black gentleman would not grant her request. Then she asked
+for three months, and that he refused as well. Finally she begged for
+three weeks, and then for three days; but only three minutes were
+allowed her to put her house in order.
+
+When she saw there was no help for it, she begged that at least her
+chaplain, her chamber-maid, and her valet be allowed to accompany her.
+This request was granted, and they entered the carriage. The horses at
+once started off, and the carriage drove away so swiftly, that the
+people at the castle saw no more than a black streak.
+
+When the woman and her companions had thus driven a while, they came
+to a splendid castle, and the gentleman in black led them up the
+steps. Above, in the great hall, the woman laid off her costly
+garments and put on a coarse coat and wooden shoes. Then he combed her
+hair three times, till she could no longer bear it, and danced with
+her three times until she was exhausted.
+
+After the first dance the Lady begged to be allowed to give her golden
+ring to her valet, and it burned his finger like fire. After the
+second dance she gave her chamber-maid her bunch of keys, and that
+seared the girl's hand like red-hot iron. But after the third dance, a
+trap-door opened in the floor, and the Lady disappeared in a cloud of
+smoke and flame.
+
+The chaplain, who was standing nearest her, looked down curiously into
+the opening into which his mistress had sunk; and a spark shot up from
+the depths, and flew into his eye, so that he was blind in one eye for
+the rest of his life.
+
+When it was all over, the black gentleman allowed the servitors to
+drive home again; but expressly forbade them to look around. They
+hastily entered the coach, the road was broad and even, and the horses
+ran rapidly. But when they had gone a while, the chamber-maid could no
+longer control her curiosity, and looked around. That very minute
+horses, coach and the road itself were gone, the travellers found
+themselves in a wild forest, and it cost them three years to get out
+again, and make their way back to Pintorp.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "The Lady of Pintorp" (Hofberg, p. 157) the devil appears in
+     all his grewsome Satanic majesty. It has been claimed that the
+     evil woman was a historical figure, the wife of the royal
+     counselor Erik Gyllenstjerna.
+
+
+
+
+XXV
+
+THE SPECTRE IN FJELKINGE
+
+
+During the first half of the eighteenth century, several large estates
+in Schonen were the property of the family of Barnekow, or rather, of
+its most distinguished representative at that time, Margaret Barnekow,
+daughter of the famous captain and governor-general Count Rutger of
+Aschenberg, and the wife of Colonel Kjell Kristofer Barnekow. A widow
+at twenty-nine, she herself took over the management of her large
+properties, and gave therein evidence of invincible courage, an
+inexhaustible capacity for work, and a tireless solicitude for all her
+many dependents and servitors.
+
+While traveling about her estates, Madame Margaret one evening came to
+the tavern in Fjelkinge, and was quartered for the night in a room
+that had the name of being haunted. Some years before a traveler had
+lain in the same room and presumably had been murdered: at any rate
+the man himself and all his belongings had disappeared without leaving
+a trace, and the mystery had never been explained. Since that time the
+room had been haunted, and those who knew about it preferred to
+travel a post-station further in the dark, rather than pass the night
+in the room in question. But Margaret Barnekow did not do so. She had
+already shown greater courage in greater contingencies, and chose this
+particular room to sleep in without any fear.
+
+She let the lamp burn and fell asleep, after she had said her evening
+prayer. On the stroke of twelve she awoke, just as some planks were
+raised in the floor; and up rose a bleeding phantom whose head, split
+wide open, hung down on his shoulder.
+
+"Noble lady," whispered the specter, "prepare a grave in consecrated
+earth for a murdered man, and deliver his murderer to the judgment
+which is his due!"
+
+God-fearing and unafraid, Madame Margaret beckoned the phantom nearer,
+and he told her he had already addressed the same prayer to various
+other people; but that none had had the courage to grant it. Then
+Madame Margaret drew a gold ring from her finger, laid it on the
+gaping wound, and tied up the head of the murdered man with her
+kerchief. With a glance of unspeakable gratitude he told her the
+murderer's name, and disappeared beneath the floor without a sound.
+
+The following morning Madame Margaret sent for the sheriff of the
+district to come to the tavern with some of his people, informed him
+of what had happened to her during the night, and ordered those
+present to tear up the floor. And there they found, buried in the
+earth, the remains of a body and, in a wound in its head, the
+Countess's ring, and tied about its head, her kerchief. One of the
+bystanders grew pale at the sight, and fell senseless to the ground.
+When he came to his senses, he confessed that he had murdered the
+traveler and robbed him of his belongings. He was condemned to death
+for his crime, and the body of the murdered man was buried in the
+village church-yard.
+
+The ring, of peculiar shape, and its setting bearing a large gray
+stone, is still preserved in the Barnekow family, and magic virtues in
+cases of sickness, fire and other misfortunes are ascribed to it. And
+when one of the Barnekows dies, it is said that a red spot, like a
+drop of blood, appears on the stone.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "The Spectre in Fjelkinge" (Hofberg, p. 21) is founded on the
+     ancient belief that innocent blood which has been shed calls
+     for atonement, and the one who has been unjustly murdered
+     cannot rest until the deed has been brought to light.
+
+
+
+
+XXVI
+
+THE ROOSTER, THE HAND-MILL AND THE SWARM OF HORNETS
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a peasant who wanted to go to sell a pig.
+After he had gone a while, he met a man who asked him where he was
+going with his pig. "I want to sell it," answered the peasant, "but I
+do not know what to do to get rid of it." "Go to the devil," said the
+man, "he will be the first to rid you of it." So the peasant kept on
+along the broad highway.
+
+When he came to the devil's place, there stood a man out by the
+wood-pile making wood. The peasant went to him and asked whether he
+could tell him if they wanted to buy a pig in the devil's place. "I'll
+go in and ask," said the man, "if you will make wood in my stead while
+I am gone." "Yes, I will do that gladly," said the peasant, took the
+ax, stood at the wood-pile and began to make wood. And he worked and
+worked until evening came; but the man did not return to tell him
+whether they would or would not buy a pig in the devil's place.
+
+At length another man came that way, and the peasant asked him whether
+he would make wood in his stead, for it was impossible to lay down the
+ax unless another took it up and went on working. So the man took the
+ax and stood there making wood, and the peasant went into the devil's
+place himself, and asked whether any one wanted to buy a pig.
+
+A crowd as large as that at a fair at once gathered, and all wanted to
+buy the pig. Then the peasant thought: "Whoever pays the most, gets
+it." And one would overbid another, offering far more than a whole
+herd of pigs were worth. But at last a gentleman came along who
+whispered something to the peasant, and told him to come along with
+him; and he could have all the money he wanted.
+
+So when they had reached the gentleman's house, and the peasant had
+given him the pig, he received in payment a rooster who would lay
+silver coins as often as he was told to do so. Then the peasant went
+his way, well content with his bargain. But on the way home he stayed
+overnight at a tavern kept by an old woman. And he was so exceedingly
+happy about his splendid rooster, that he had to boast about him to
+the old woman, and show her how he went about laying silver coins. And
+at night, when the peasant was fast asleep, the old woman came and
+took away his rooster, and put another in its place. No sooner did
+the peasant awake in the morning than he wanted to set his rooster to
+work. "Lay quickly, rooster of mine! Lay big silver coins, my
+rooster!" But the rooster could lay no silver coins at all, and only
+answered "Kikeriki! Kikeriki! Kikeriki!" Then the peasant fell into a
+rage, wandered back to the devil's place, complained about the
+rooster, and told how absolutely worthless he was. He was kindly
+received, and the same gentleman gave him a hand-mill. When he called
+out "Mill grind!" to it, it would grind as much meal as he wanted it
+to, and would not stop until he said: "Mill, stop grinding!" And the
+mill would grind out every kind of meal for which he asked.
+
+When the peasant set out for home, he reached the same tavern at which
+he had already put up in the evening, so he turned in and decided to
+stay over night. He was so pleased with the mill that it was
+impossible for him to hold his tongue; so he told the old woman what a
+valuable mill he had, and showed her how it worked. But during the
+night, while he was asleep, the old woman came and stole his mill and
+put another in its place.
+
+When the peasant awoke in the morning, he was in a great hurry to test
+his mill; but he could not make it obey. "Mill grind!" he cried. But
+the mill stood still. Then he said: "Dear mill, grind wheat meal!"
+but it had no effect. "Then grind rye meal!" he shouted; but that did
+not help, either. "Well, then, grind peas!" But the mill did not seem
+to hear; but stood as still as though it had never turned a single
+time in all its life. Then the peasant took the road back to the
+devil's place again, and at once hunted up the gentleman who had
+purchased his pig, and told him the mill would grind no more meal.
+
+"Do not grieve about that," said the gentleman, and gave him a large,
+large hornets' nest, full of hornets, who flew out in swarms and stung
+any one whom they were told to sting, until one said "stop!" to them.
+Now when the peasant again came to the old woman, he told her he had a
+swarm of hornets who obeyed his commands. "Heavens above!" cried the
+woman, "that's something worth while seeing!" "You may see it without
+any trouble," replied the peasant, and at once called: "Out, out, my
+hornets and sting the old woman!" And at once the entire swarm fell
+upon the old woman, who began to scream pitifully. She begged the
+peasant to please call back his hornets, and said she was only too
+willing to give back the rooster and the mill she had taken.
+
+The peasant did not object to this; but ordered his hornets to leave
+the old woman alone, and fly back into their house. Then he went home
+with his rooster, his mill and his hornets, became a rich man and
+lived happily until he died. And he was in the habit of saying: "They
+have a big fair in the devil's place, and you find real decent people
+there, and above all, a liberal gentleman, with whom it is a pleasure
+to do business."
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "The Rooster, the Hand-Mill and the Swarm of Hornets" (Mss.
+     record by Stephens, from Wermland, communicated by Dr. v.
+     Sydow-Lund) a poor peasant received three splendid gifts in the
+     devil's place. The rooster who lays gold coins is a widely
+     known magic bird, and the magic mill is also met with in the
+     North.
+
+
+
+
+XXVII
+
+TORRE JEPPE
+
+
+In a church-nave a specter sat night by night, and the specter's name
+was Torre Jeppe. He was a dried-up corpse that could not decay. One
+night three tailors were working at a farmstead in the neighborhood.
+They were laughing and joking, and among other things they asked the
+girl in the house, who was known to be brave, what they would have to
+give her to go to church and fetch back Torre Jeppe. She could trust
+herself to do it, was her answer; but they must give her a dress of
+home-spun wool for her trouble. That she should surely have, said the
+tailors, for they did not believe the girl would dare such a venture.
+Yet she took the tailors at their word and really went.
+
+When she reached the church, she took Torre Jeppe on her back, carried
+him home and sat him down on the bench beside the tailors. They
+timidly moved away; but Torre Jeppe moved after them, and looked at
+them with his big eyes until they nearly lost their reason. In their
+terror they begged the girl in the name of God to deliver them from
+the specter. They would gladly give her another dress if she would
+only carry the dead man away again. They had no need to tell her
+twice, for she took Torre Jeppe on her back, and dragged him away
+again.
+
+But when she tried to set him down in the place where she had found
+him, he did not want to let her go; but clasped his arms firmly about
+her neck. In vain she said to him several times: "Torre Jeppe, let me
+go!" At last he said: "I will not let you go until you promise me that
+you will go this very night to the brook and ask three times: 'Anna
+Perstochter, do you forgive Torre Jeppe?'" The girl promised to do as
+he said, and he at once released her. The brook was a good mile off;
+but she went there and asked three times in a loud voice, as she had
+promised: "Anna Perstochter, do you forgive Torre Jeppe?" And when she
+had called the third time a woman's voice replied from out of the
+water: "If God has forgiven him, then I, too, forgive him!"
+
+When the girl came back to the church Torre Jeppe asked eagerly: "What
+did she say?" "Well, if God has forgiven you, then she, too, will
+forgive you!" Then Torre Jeppe thanked her and said: "Come back again
+before sunrise, and you shall receive your reward for the service you
+have done me." The girl went back at sunrise, and in the place where
+the phantom had been sitting she found a bushel of silver coin. In
+addition she received the two dresses promised her by the tailors. But
+Torre Jeppe was never seen again.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Torre Jeppe" (retold and communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund,
+     after mss. version of Hyltén-Cavallius and Stephens) is a
+     ghost-story founded on the old belief that a wrong done
+     torments the doer even after death, that he tried to atone for
+     it, and that then only can he enter on his eternal rest.
+
+
+
+
+XXVIII
+
+THE MAN WHO DIED ON HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a man named Kalle Kula. He was a wild
+fellow, and had committed many a grievous crime during his life. When
+he came to die, and his wife took up the Bible to pray for him as he
+was lying there, he said, "No, this is Holy Innocents' Day, and it is
+not worth while reading from the Bible for me. You had better go into
+the kitchen instead, and bake waffles. I shall die this very day, and
+then you must lay a bundle of waffles in my coffin." The woman went
+into the kitchen and baked the waffles; but when she came back to him
+again he was dead. So Kalle Kula was laid in the coffin with a bundle
+of waffles beside him.
+
+Then he came to the gates of Paradise with his little bundle of
+waffles under his arm and knocked. But St. Peter said to him: "You
+have no business here, with all the crimes you have committed." "Yes,
+that may well be so, but I died on Holy Innocents' Day," said Kalle
+Kula, "so at least I may look in and see the innocent children?" St.
+Peter could not refuse him, and opened the door a little way. Kalle
+Kula took advantage of the moment and cried: "Come, you little holy
+innocents, you shall have waffles!" And as they had not been given any
+waffles in Paradise, they all came rushing up, so that the door flew
+wide open, and then Kalle Kula crept in.
+
+But St. Peter went to our Lord, told him what had happened, and asked
+what was to be done. "The best thing is to let your lawyer attend to
+it," said our Lord, "because lawyers usually know all about evicting
+people." St. Peter searched everywhere, but could not find a lawyer.
+Then he went back to our Lord and reported to him that it was
+impossible to find a single lawyer in all Paradise, and Kalle Kula was
+allowed to remain where he was.
+
+If you tie a thief and a miller and a lawyer together and roll the
+whole bundle down a hill--no matter how you roll it--you can always be
+sure that whoever is on top is a thief.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     This story, part fairy-tale, part legend, "The Man Who Died on
+     Holy Innocents' Day" (communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund) has a
+     Danish variant. Its innocently malicious humor is worthy of
+     Gottfried Keller.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Swedish Fairy Book, by Various
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+  <title>
+    The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Swedish Fairy Book, by Clara Stroebe.
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Swedish Fairy Book, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Swedish Fairy Book
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Clara Stroebe
+
+Illustrator: George W. Hood
+
+Translator: Frederick H. Martens
+
+Release Date: August 24, 2011 [EBook #37193]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Matthew Wheaton and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+<div>
+
+<br>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 383px;">
+<img src="images/cover.jpg" width="383" height="600" alt="Cover" title="Cover">
+</div>
+
+<h1 id="booktitle">THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK</h1>
+
+<p class="spacer">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 425px;">
+<a name="i1" id="i1"></a>
+<img src="images/i001.jpg" width="425" height="600" alt="&quot;NO SOONER HAD HE SPOKEN THE WORDS THAN HE WAS
+LYING IN THE MOST MAGNIFICENT ROOM HE HAD EVER
+SEEN.&quot;" title="frontispiece">
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">&quot;NO SOONER HAD HE SPOKEN THE WORDS THAN HE WAS
+LYING IN THE MOST MAGNIFICENT ROOM HE HAD EVER SEEN.&mdash;<a href="#P_14">Page 14</a>&quot;</p>
+
+<p class="spacer">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="h1">THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK</p>
+
+<p class="h3">EDITED BY
+<br>
+CLARA STROEBE
+<br><br>
+TRANSLATED BY
+<br>
+FREDERICK H. MARTENS
+</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 100px;">
+<img src="images/i002.jpg" width="100" height="126" alt="" title="">
+</div>
+
+<p class="h4">WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR BY</p>
+
+<p class="h4">GEORGE W. HOOD</p>
+
+<p class="spacer">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NEW YORK<br>
+FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY<br>
+PUBLISHERS</p>
+
+<p class="spacer">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="h4"><i>Copyright, 1921, by</i>
+<br>
+<span class="smcap">Frederick A. Stokes Company</span></p>
+
+<hr class="thin">
+
+<p class="h4"><i>All Rights Reserved</i></p>
+
+<p class="spacer">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="h4"><i>Printed in the United States of America</i></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2>PREFACE</h2>
+
+<p>The following volume of Swedish fairy-tales represents
+a careful choice, after the best original sources,
+of those examples of their kind which not only appeared
+most colorful and entertaining, but also most
+racially Swedish in their flavor. For the fairy-tales of
+each of the three Scandinavian countries, Sweden, Denmark
+and Norway, have a distinct local color of their
+own. The wealth of material available has made it
+possible to give due representation to most types of
+fairy-tales, from the stories of older origin, the tales
+of giant, troll, and werewolf, to such delightful tales
+as "Lasse, My Thrall", and "The Princess and the
+Glass Mountain," colored with the rich and ornate stylistic
+garb of medieval chivalric poesy. There has been
+no attempt to "rewrite" these charming folk-and
+fairy-tales in the translation. They have been faithfully
+narrated in the simple, naive manner which their
+traditional rendering demands. And this is one reason,
+perhaps, why they should appeal to young American
+readers&mdash;for young America by instinct takes
+kindly to that which is straightforward and sincere, in
+the realm of fairy-tale as in life itself.</p>
+
+<p class="author">
+<span class="smcap">Frederick H. Martens</span><br>
+</p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<div class="centered">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="table of contents">
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr">&nbsp;</td>
+    <td class="tdlfirst">CHAPTER</td>
+    <td class="tdrfirst">PAGE</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#I">I</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Kn&ouml;s</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">1</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#II">II</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Lasse, My Thrall!</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">11</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#III">III</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Finn, the Giant, and the Minster of Lund</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">32</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#IV">IV</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Skalunda Giant</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">35</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#V">V</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Yuletide Specters</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">37</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#VI">VI</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Silverwhite and Lillwacker</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">40</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#VII">VII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Stompe Pilt</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">57</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#VIII">VIII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Girl and the Snake</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">60</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#IX">IX</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Faithful and Unfaithful</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">62</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#X">X</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Starkad and Bale</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">74</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XI">XI</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Werewolf</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">76</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XII">XII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">First Born, First Wed</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">93</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XIII">XIII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Lame Dog</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">112</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XIV">XIV</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Mount of the Golden Queen</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">124</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XV">XV</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Old Hopgiant</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">129</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XVI">XVI</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Princess and the Glass Mountain</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">132</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XVII">XVII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Queen Crane</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">150</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XVIII">XVIII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Tales of the Trolls</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">159</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XIX">XIX</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Charcoal Nils and the Troll-Woman</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">162</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XX">XX</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Three Dogs</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">167</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XXI">XXI</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Poor Devil</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">187</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XXII">XXII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">How Smaland and Schonen Came To Be</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">188</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XXIII">XXIII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Evil One and Kitta Grau</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">190</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XXIV">XXIV</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Lady of Pintorp</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">194</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XXV">XXV</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Specter in Fjelkinge</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">199</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XXVI">XXVI</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Rooster, the Hand-Mill and the Swarm of Hornets</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">202</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XXVII">XXVII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">Torre Jeppe</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">207</td>
+  </tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdr"><a href="#XXVIII">XXVIII</a></td>
+    <td class="tdl"><span class="smcap">The Man Who Died on Holy Innocents' Day</span></td>
+    <td class="tdr">210</td></tr>
+</table></div>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2>LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS</h2>
+
+<div class="centered">
+<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary="List of Illustrations">
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl"><a href="#i1">"No sooner had he spoken the words than he
+                     was lying in the most magnificent room he
+                     had ever seen"</a></td>
+    <td class="tdr"><i>Frontispiece</i></td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl">&nbsp;</td><td class="tdrfirst">FACING PAGE</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl"><a href="#i2">"Then Silverwhite drew his sword with a great sweep,
+                     and rushed upon the sea-troll"</a></td>
+    <td class="tdc">44</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl"><a href="#i3">"The pike rose to the surface with the golden keys in
+                     his mouth"</a></td>
+    <td class="tdc">70</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl"><a href="#i4">"So heartfelt was her happiness that she forgot everything
+                     else in the world"</a></td>
+    <td class="tdc">84</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl"><a href="#i5">"A shrine adorned with gold and precious stones appeared"</a></td>
+    <td class="tdc">110</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl"><a href="#i6">"The lion turned into a handsome young prince"</a></td>
+    <td class="tdc">122</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl"><a href="#i7">"The rich man had to go along hanging to him like a
+                     hawser"</a></td>
+    <td class="tdc">130</td></tr>
+  <tr>
+    <td class="tdl"><a href="#i8">"He saw a girl sitting in the mountain hall, weaving a
+                     web of gold"</a></td>
+    <td class="tdc">178</td></tr>
+</table>
+</div>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<p class="h2">THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK</p>
+<p><span class="pagenum">[3]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="I" id="I"></a>I</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">KN&Ouml;S</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a poor widow, who
+found an egg under a pile of brush as she was
+gathering kindlings in the forest. She took it and
+placed it under a goose, and when the goose had
+hatched it, a little boy slipped out of the shell. The
+widow had him baptized Kn&ouml;s, and such a lad was
+a rarity; for when no more than five years old he
+was grown, and taller than the tallest man. And
+he ate in proportion, for he would swallow a whole
+batch of bread at a single sitting, and at last the
+poor widow had to go to the commissioners for the
+relief of the poor in order to get food for him. But
+the town authorities said she must apprentice the
+boy at a trade, for he was big enough and strong
+enough to earn his own keep.</p>
+
+<p>So Kn&ouml;s was apprenticed to a smith for three
+years. For his pay he asked a suit of clothes and a
+sword each year: a sword of five hundredweights
+the first year, one of ten hundredweights the second<span class="pagenum">[4]</span>
+year, and one of fifteen hundredweights the third
+year. But after he had been in the smithy only a
+few days, the smith was glad to give him all three
+suits and all three swords at once; for he smashed
+all his iron and steel to bits.</p>
+
+<p>Kn&ouml;s received his suits and swords, went to a
+knight's estate, and hired himself out as a serving-man.
+Once he was told to go to the forest to gather
+firewood with the rest of the men, but sat at the
+table eating long after the others had driven off
+and when he had at last satisfied his hunger and
+was ready to start, he saw the two young oxen he
+was to drive waiting for him. But he let them stand
+and went into the forest, seized the two largest trees
+growing there, tore them out by the roots, took one
+tree under each arm, and carried them back to the
+estate. And he got there long before the rest, for
+they had to chop down the trees, saw them up and
+load them on the carts.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day Kn&ouml;s had to thresh. First
+he hunted up the largest stone he could find, and
+rolled it around on the grain, so that all the corn
+was loosened from the ears. Then he had to
+separate the grain from the chaff. So he made a
+hole in each side of the roof of the barn, and stood
+outside the barn and blew, and the chaff and straw
+flew out into the yard, and the corn remained lying
+in a heap on the floor. His master happened to
+come along, laid a ladder against the barn, climbed<span class="pagenum">[5]</span>
+up and looked down into one of the holes. But
+Kn&ouml;s was still blowing, and the wind caught his
+master, and he fell down and was nearly killed on
+the stone pavement of the court.</p>
+
+<p>"He's a dangerous fellow," thought his master.
+It would be a good thing to be rid of him, otherwise
+he might do away with all of them; and besides,
+he ate so that it was all one could do to keep him
+fed. So he called Kn&ouml;s in, and paid him his wages
+for the full year, on condition that he leave. Kn&ouml;s
+agreed, but said he must first be decently provisioned
+for his journey.</p>
+
+<p>So he was allowed to go into the store-house himself,
+and there he hoisted a flitch of bacon on each
+shoulder, slid a batch of bread under each arm, and
+took leave. But his master loosed the vicious bull
+on him. Kn&ouml;s, however, grasped him by the horns,
+and flung him over his shoulder, and thus he went
+off. Then he came to a thicket where he slaughtered
+the bull, roasted him and ate him together with a
+batch of bread. And when he had done this he had
+about taken the edge off his hunger.</p>
+
+<p>Then he came to the king's court, where great
+sorrow reigned because, once upon a time, when the
+king was sailing out at sea, a sea troll had called
+up a terrible tempest, so that the ship was about to
+sink. In order to escape with his life, the king had
+to promise the sea troll to give him whatever first
+came his way when he reached shore. The king<span class="pagenum">[6]</span>
+thought his hunting dog would be the first to come
+running to meet him, as usual; but instead his three
+young daughters came rowing out to meet him in a
+boat. This filled the king with grief, and he vowed
+that whoever delivered his daughters should have
+one of them for a bride, whichever one he might
+choose. But the only man who seemed to want to
+earn the reward was a tailor, named Red Peter.</p>
+
+<p>Kn&ouml;s was given a place at the king's court, and
+his duty was to help the cook. But he asked to be let
+off on the day the troll was to come and carry away
+the oldest princess, and they were glad to let him go;
+for when he had to rinse the dishes he broke the
+king's vessels of gold and silver; and when he was
+told to bring firewood, he brought in a whole wagon-load
+at once, so that the doors flew from their hinges.</p>
+
+<p>The princess stood on the sea-shore and wept and
+wrung her hands; for she could see what she had to
+expect. Nor did she have much confidence in Red
+Peter, who sat on a willow-stump, with a rusty old
+sabre in his hand. Then Kn&ouml;s came and tried to
+comfort the princess as well as he knew how, and
+asked her whether she would comb his hair. Yes,
+he might lay his head in her lap, and she combed his
+hair. Suddenly there was a dreadful roaring out at
+sea. It was the troll who was coming along, and he
+had five heads. Red Peter was so frightened that
+he rolled off his willow-stump. "Kn&ouml;s, is that
+you?" cried the troll. "Yes," said Kn&ouml;s. "Haul<span class="pagenum">[7]</span>
+me up on the shore!" said the troll. "Pay out the
+cable!" said Kn&ouml;s. Then he hauled the troll
+ashore; but he had his sword of five hundredweights
+at his side, and with it he chopped off all five of the
+troll's heads, and the princess was free. But when
+Kn&ouml;s had gone off, Red Peter put his sabre to the
+breast of the princess, and told her he would kill
+her unless she said he was her deliverer.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the turn of the second princess. Once
+more Red Peter sat on the willow-stump with his
+rusty sabre, and Kn&ouml;s asking to be let off for the
+day, went to the sea-shore and begged the princess
+to comb his hair, which she did. Then along came
+the troll, and this time he had ten heads. "Kn&ouml;s,
+is that you?" asked the troll. "Yes," said Kn&ouml;s.
+"Haul me ashore!" said the troll. "Pay out the
+cable!" said Kn&ouml;s. And this time Kn&ouml;s had his
+sword of ten hundredweights at his side, and he
+cut off all ten of the troll's heads. And so the second
+princess was freed. But Red Peter held his sabre
+at the princess' breast, and forced her to say that
+he had delivered her.</p>
+
+<p>Now it was the turn of the youngest princess.
+When it was time for the troll to come, Red Peter
+was sitting on his willow-stump, and Kn&ouml;s came
+and begged the princess to comb his hair, and she
+did so. This time the troll had fifteen heads.</p>
+
+<p>"Kn&ouml;s, is that you?" asked the troll. "Yes,"
+said Kn&ouml;s. "Haul me ashore!" said the troll.<span class="pagenum">[8]</span>
+"Pay out the cable," said Kn&ouml;s. Kn&ouml;s had his
+sword of fifteen hundredweights at his side, and
+with it he cut off all the troll's heads. But the
+fifteen hundredweights were half-an-ounce short,
+and the heads grew on again, and the troll took the
+princess, and carried her off with him.</p>
+
+<p>One day as Kn&ouml;s was going along, he met a man
+carrying a church on his back. "You are a strong
+man, you are!" said Kn&ouml;s. "No, I am not strong,"
+said he, "but Kn&ouml;s at the king's court, he is strong;
+for he can take steel and iron, and weld them together
+with his hands as though they were clay." "Well,
+I'm the man of whom you are speaking," said Kn&ouml;s,
+"come, let us travel together." And so they
+wandered on.</p>
+
+<p>Then they met a man who carried a mountain of
+stone on his back. "You are strong, you are!"
+said Kn&ouml;s. "No, I'm not strong," said the man
+with the mountain of stone, "but Kn&ouml;s at the king's
+court, he is strong; for he can weld together steel
+and iron with his hands as though they were clay."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am that Kn&ouml;s, come let us travel together,"
+said Kn&ouml;s. So all three of them traveled
+along together. Kn&ouml;s took them for a sea-trip;
+but I think they had to leave the church and the hill
+of stone ashore. While they were sailing they grew
+thirsty, and lay alongside an island, and there on
+the island stood a castle, to which they decided to go<span class="pagenum">[9]</span>
+and ask for a drink. Now this was the very castle in
+which the troll lived.</p>
+
+<p>First the man with the church went, and when he
+entered the castle, there sat the troll with the
+princess on his lap, and she was very sad. He asked
+for something to drink. "Help yourself, the goblet
+is on the table!" said the troll. But he got nothing
+to drink, for though he could move the goblet from
+its place, he could not raise it.</p>
+
+<p>Then the man with the hill of stone went into the
+castle and asked for a drink. "Help yourself, the
+goblet is on the table!" said the troll. And he got
+nothing to drink either, for though he could move
+the goblet from its place, he could not raise it.</p>
+
+<p>Then Kn&ouml;s himself went into the castle, and the
+princess was full of joy and leaped down from the
+troll's lap when she saw it was he. Kn&ouml;s asked
+for a drink. "Help yourself," said the troll, "the
+goblet is on the table!" And Kn&ouml;s took the goblet
+and emptied it at a single draught. Then he hit
+the troll across the head with the goblet, so that he
+rolled from the chair and died.</p>
+
+<p>Kn&ouml;s took the princess back to the royal palace,
+and O, how happy every one was! The other princesses
+recognized Kn&ouml;s again, for they had woven
+silk ribbons into his hair when they had combed it;
+but he could only marry one of the princesses, whichever
+one he preferred, so he chose the youngest.<span class="pagenum">[10]</span>
+And when the king died, Kn&ouml;s inherited the kingdom.</p>
+
+<p>As for Red Peter, he had to go into the nail-barrel.</p>
+
+<p>And now you know all that I know.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The leading personage of our first story, Kn&ouml;s (<i>Tecknigar og Toner
+ur skanska allmogenslif</i>, Lund, 1889, p. 14. From Gudmundstorp,
+Froste Harad) is one of those heroes of gigantic build, beloved of
+the North, who even when he eats, accomplishes deeds such as the
+old Norsemen told of their god Thor: the motive of the goblet with
+which the hero slays the giant, has been used in the <i>Hymiskvida</i>.
+(Comp. with v. d. Leyen, <i>M&auml;rchen in den G&ouml;ttsagen der Edda</i>, p. 40.)</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[11]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="II" id="II"></a>II</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">LASSE, MY THRALL!</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a prince or a duke
+or whatever you choose to call him, but at any
+rate a noble tremendously high-born, who did not
+want to stay at home. And so he traveled about
+the world, and wherever he went he was well received,
+and hobnobbed with the very finest people;
+for he had an unheard of amount of money. He at
+once found friends and acquaintances, no matter
+where he came; for whoever has a full trough can
+always find pigs to thrust their snouts into it.
+But since he handled his money as he did, it grew
+less and less, and at last he was left high and dry,
+without a red cent. And there was an end to all his
+many friends; for they did just as the pigs do.
+When he had been well fleeced, they began to snivel
+and grunt, and soon scattered, each about his own
+business. And there he stood, after having been
+led about by the nose, abandoned by all. All had
+been glad to help him get rid of his money; but none
+were willing to help him regain it, so there was
+nothing left for him to do but to wander back home<span class="pagenum">[12]</span>
+again like a journeyman apprentice, and beg his
+way as he went.</p>
+
+<p>Late one evening he found himself in a big forest,
+without any idea as to where he might spend the
+night. And as he was looking around, his glance
+happened to fall on an old hut, peeping out from
+among the bushes. Of course an old hut was no
+lodging for such a fine gentleman; but when we cannot
+have what we want, we must take what we can
+get, and since there was no help for it, he went into
+the hut. There was not even a cat in it, not even
+a stool to sit on. But against one wall there was a
+great chest. What might there be in the chest?
+Suppose there were a few moldy crusts of bread
+in it? They would taste good to him, for he had not
+been given a single thing all day long, and he was
+so hungry that his inwards stuck to his ribs. He
+opened the chest. But within the chest was another
+chest, and in that chest still another chest, and
+so it went, one always smaller than the other, until
+they were nothing but little boxes. And the more
+there were of them the more trouble he took to open
+them; for whatever was hidden away so carefully
+must be something exceptionally beautiful, thought
+he.</p>
+
+<p>At last he came to a tiny box, and in the tiny box
+was a slip of paper&mdash;and that was all he had for his
+pains! At first he was much depressed. But all
+at once, he saw that something was written on the<span class="pagenum">[13]</span>
+piece of paper, and on closer examination he was
+even able to spell out the words, though they had
+a strange appearance. And he read:</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>No sooner had he spoken these words than something
+answered, close to his ear:</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>He looked around, but saw no one. That's
+strange, thought he, and once more read aloud:</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>And just as before came the answer:</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>"If there be some one about who hears what I say,
+he might be kind enough to get me a little something
+to eat," said he; and at that very moment a table,
+covered with all the good things to eat that one could
+imagine, was standing in the hut. He at once began
+to eat and drink and did well by himself. I have
+never had a better meal in my life, thought he. And
+when his hunger was completely satisfied, he grew
+sleepy and took up his scrap of paper again.</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now that you have brought me food and drink,
+you must also bring me a bed in which to sleep. But
+it must be a very fine bed," said he; for as you may
+well imagine, his ideas were more top-lofty now that
+he had eaten well. His command was at once
+obeyed; and a bed so fine and handsome stood in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="P_14" id="P_14">[14]</a></span>
+hut, that a king might have been glad to have found
+such sleeping accommodations. Now this was all very
+well and good; but the good can always be bettered,
+and when he had lain down, he decided that, after
+all, the hut was far too wretched for such a fine bed.
+He took up the scrap of paper:</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you can produce such a meal, and such a bed
+here in the wild wood, you must surely be able to
+give me a better room; for you know I am one of
+those who are used to sleeping in a castle, with
+golden mirrors and rugs of gold brocade and luxuries
+and conveniences of every kind," said he.
+And no sooner had he spoken the words, than he was
+lying in the most magnificent room he had ever seen.</p>
+
+<p>Now matters were arranged to suit him, and he
+was quite content as he turned his face to the wall
+and closed his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>But the room he had slept in was not the end of
+his magnificence. When he woke the following
+morning and looked around, he saw that he had been
+sleeping in a great castle. There was one room
+after another, and wherever he went walls and ceilings
+were covered with ornaments and decorations
+of every kind, all glittering so splendidly when the
+rays of the sun fell on them that he had to put his
+hand to his eyes; for wherever he looked everything
+sparkled with gold and silver. Then he glanced out<span class="pagenum">[15]</span>
+of the window and first began to realize how really
+beautiful everything was. Gone were the fir-trees
+and juniper bushes, and in their place showed the
+loveliest garden one might wish to see, filled with
+beautiful trees and roses of every variety, in bush
+and tree form. But there was not a human being in
+sight, not even a cat. Yet he found it quite natural
+that everything should be so fine, and that he should
+once more have become a great lord.</p>
+
+<p>He took up the scrap of paper:</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now that you have provided me with food and a
+castle in which to dwell, I am going to stay here, because
+it suits me," said he, "but I cannot live here
+all alone in this fashion. I must have serving-men
+and serving-maids, at my command." And so it
+was. Servants and lackeys and maids and serving-women
+of every description arrived, and some of
+them bowed and others courtseyed, and now the duke
+really began to feel content.</p>
+
+<p>Now it happened that another great castle lay on
+the opposite side of the forest, in which dwelt a king
+who owned the forest, and many broad acres of field
+and meadow round about. And when the king came
+and happened to look out of his window, he saw the
+new castle, on whose roof the golden weathercocks
+were swinging to and fro, from time to time,
+shining in his eyes.<span class="pagenum">[16]</span></p>
+
+<p>"This is very strange," thought he, and sent for
+his courtiers. They came without delay, bowing and
+scraping.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you see the castle yonder?" said the king.</p>
+
+<p>Their eyes grew as large as saucers and they
+looked.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, indeed, they saw the castle.</p>
+
+<p>"Who has dared to build such a castle on my
+ground?"</p>
+
+<p>The courtiers bowed and scraped, but did not
+know. So the king sent for his soldiers. They
+came tramping in and presented arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Send out all my soldiers and horsemen," said
+the king, "tear down the castle instantly, hang whoever
+built it, and see to this at once."</p>
+
+<p>The soldiers assembled in the greatest haste and
+set forth. The drummers beat their drums and the
+trumpeters blew their trumpets, and the other musicians
+practiced their art, each in his own way; so
+that the duke heard them long before they came in
+sight. But this was not the first time he had heard
+music of this sort, and he knew what it meant, so
+once more he took up the scrap of paper:</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>"There are soldiers coming," said he, "and now
+you must provide me with soldiers and horsemen
+until I have twice as many as the folk on the other
+side of the forest. And sabers and pistols and<span class="pagenum">[17]</span>
+muskets and cannon, and all that goes with them&mdash;but
+you must be quick about it!"</p>
+
+<p>Quick it was, and when the duke looked out there
+was a countless host of soldiers drawn up around the
+castle.</p>
+
+<p>When the king's people arrived, they stopped and
+did not dare advance. But the duke was by no
+means shy. He went at once to the king's captain
+and asked him what he wanted.</p>
+
+<p>The captain repeated his instructions.</p>
+
+<p>"They will not gain you anything," said the
+duke. "You can see how many soldiers I have, and
+if the king chooses to listen to me, we can agree to
+become friends, I will aid him against all his enemies,
+and what we undertake will succeed." The
+captain was pleased with this proposal, so the duke
+invited him to the castle, together with all his
+officers, and his soldiers were given a swallow or
+two of something wet and plenty to eat along with
+it. But while the duke and the officers were eating
+and drinking, there was more or less talk, and the
+duke learned that the king had a daughter, as yet
+unmarried and so lovely that her like had never been
+seen. And the more they brought the king's officers
+to eat, the stronger they inclined to the opinion
+that the king's daughter would make a good wife
+for the duke. And as they talked about it, the duke
+himself began to think it over. The worst of it was,
+said the officers, that she was very haughty, and<span class="pagenum">[18]</span>
+never even deigned to look at a man. But the
+duke only laughed. "If it be no worse than that,"
+he said, "it is a trouble that may be cured."</p>
+
+<p>When at last the soldiers had stowed away as much
+as they could hold, they shouted hurrah until they
+woke the echoes in the hills, and marched away.
+One may imagine what a fine parade march it was,
+for some of them had grown a little loose-jointed
+in the knees. The duke charged them to carry his
+greetings to the king, and say that he would soon
+pay him a visit.</p>
+
+<p>When the duke was alone once more, he began to
+think of the princess again, and whether she were
+really as beautiful as the soldiers had said. He
+decided he would like to find out for himself. Since
+so many strange things had happened that day, it
+was quite possible, thought he.</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only that you bring the king's daughter here, as
+soon as she has fallen asleep," said he. "But mind
+that she does not wake up, either on her way here, or
+on her way back." And before long there lay the
+princess on the bed. She was sleeping soundly, and
+looked charming as she lay there asleep. One had
+to admit that she was as sweet as sugar. The duke
+walked all around her; but she appeared just as
+beautiful from one side as from the other, and the<span class="pagenum">[19]</span>
+more the duke looked at her, the better she pleased
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now you must take the princess home again,"
+said he, "because now I know what she looks like
+and to-morrow I shall sue for her hand."</p>
+
+<p>The following morning the king stepped to the
+window. "Now I shall not have to see that castle
+across the way," he thought to himself. But the
+evil one must have had a hand in the matter&mdash;there
+stood the castle just as before, and the sun was
+shining brightly on its roof, and the weather-vanes
+were sending beams into his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>The king once more fell into a rage, and shouted
+for all his people, who hurried to him with more
+than usual rapidity. The courtiers bowed and
+scraped and the soldiers marched in parade step
+and presented arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you see that castle there?" roared the king.</p>
+
+<p>They stretched their necks, their eyes grew large
+as saucers and they looked.</p>
+
+<p>Yes, indeed, they saw it.</p>
+
+<p>"Did I not order you to tear down that castle and
+hang its builder?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>This they could not deny; but now the captain
+himself stepped forward and told what had
+occurred, and what an alarming number of soldiers<span class="pagenum">[20]</span>
+the duke had, and how magnificent his castle was.</p>
+
+<p>Then he also repeated what the duke had said, and
+that he had sent his greetings to the king.</p>
+
+<p>All this made the king somewhat dizzy, and he
+had to set his crown on the table and scratch his
+head. It was beyond his comprehension&mdash;for all
+that he was a king; since he could have sworn that
+it had all come to pass in the course of a single
+night, and if the duke were not the devil himself,
+he was at least a magician.</p>
+
+<p>And as he sat there and thought, the princess
+came in.</p>
+
+<p>"God greet you, father," she said, "I had a most
+strange and lovely dream last night."</p>
+
+<p>"And what did you dream, my girl?" said the
+king.</p>
+
+<p>"O, I dreamt that I was in the new castle over
+yonder, and there was a duke, handsome and so
+splendid beyond anything I could have imagined,
+and now I want a husband."</p>
+
+<p>"What, you want a husband, and you have never
+even deigned to look at a man; that is very
+strange!" said the king.</p>
+
+<p>"Be that as it may," said the princess, "but that
+is how I feel now; and I want a husband, and the
+duke is the husband I want," she concluded.</p>
+
+<p>The king simply could not get over the astonishment
+the duke had caused him.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he heard an extraordinary beating of<span class="pagenum">[21]</span>
+drums, and sounding of trumpets and other
+instruments of every kind. And a message came
+that the duke had arrived with a great retinue, all
+so magnificently attired that every seam of their
+dresses was sparkling with gold and silver. The
+king, in his crown and finest robe of state, stood
+looking down the stairway, and the princess was
+all the more in favor of carrying out her idea as
+quickly as possible.</p>
+
+<p>The duke greeted the king pleasantly, and the
+king returned his greeting in the same way, and
+discussing their affairs together they became good
+friends. There was a great banquet, and the duke
+sat beside the princess at the table. What they
+said to each other I do not know, but the duke knew
+so well how to talk that, no matter what he said, the
+princess could not say no, and so he went to the king
+and begged for her hand. The king could not
+exactly refuse it, for the duke was the kind of a man
+whom it was better to have for a friend than for
+an enemy; but he could not give his answer out of
+hand, either. First he wished to see the duke's
+castle, and know how matters stood with regard to
+this, that and the other&mdash;which was natural.</p>
+
+<p>So it was agreed that they should pay the duke a
+visit and bring the princess with them, in order
+that she might examine his possessions, and with
+that they parted.</p>
+
+<p>When the duke reached home, Lasse had a lively<span class="pagenum">[22]</span>
+time of it, for he was given any number of commissions.
+But he rushed about, carrying them
+out, and everything was arranged so satisfactorily
+that when the king arrived with his daughter, a
+thousand pens could not have described it. They
+went through all the rooms and looked around, and
+everything was as it should be, and even better
+thought the king, who was very happy. Then the
+wedding was celebrated and when it was over, and
+the duke returned home with his young wife, he, too,
+gave a splendid banquet, and that is how it went.</p>
+
+<p>After some time had passed, the duke one evening
+heard the words:</p>
+
+<p>"Is my master content now?" It was Lasse,
+though the duke could not see him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am well content," answered the duke, "for
+you have brought me all that I have."</p>
+
+<p>"But what did I get for it?" said Lasse.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," replied the duke, "but, heaven above,
+what was I to give you, who are not flesh and blood,
+and whom I cannot even see," said he. "Yet if
+there be anything I can do for you, why let me know
+what it is, and I will do it."</p>
+
+<p>"I would very much like to have the little scrap of
+paper that you keep in the box," said Lasse.</p>
+
+<p>"If that is all you want, and if such a trifle is of
+any service to you, your wish shall be granted, for
+I believe I know the words by heart now," said the
+duke.<span class="pagenum">[23]</span></p>
+
+<p>Lasse thanked him, and said all the duke need do,
+would be to lay the paper on the chair beside his
+bed, when he went to sleep, and that he would fetch
+it during the night.</p>
+
+<p>This the duke did, and then he went to bed and fell
+asleep.</p>
+
+<p>But toward morning the duke woke up, freezing
+so that his teeth chattered, and when he had fully
+opened his eyes, he saw that he had been stripped of
+everything, and had scarcely a shirt to his name.
+And instead of lying in the handsome bed in the
+handsome bed-room in the magnificent castle, he lay
+on the big chest in the old hut. He at once called
+out:</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!" But there was no answer.</p>
+
+<p>Then he cried again:</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!" Again there was no answer.
+So he called out as loudly as he could:</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!" But this third call was also
+in vain.</p>
+
+<p>Now he began to realize what had happened, and
+that Lasse, when he obtained the scrap of paper, no
+longer had to serve him, and that he himself had
+made this possible. But now things were as they
+were, and there stood the duke in the old hut, with
+scarcely a shirt to his name. The princess herself
+was not much better off, though she had kept her
+clothes; for they had been given her by her father,
+and Lasse had no power over them.<span class="pagenum">[24]</span></p>
+
+<p>Now the duke had to explain everything to the
+princess, and beg her to leave him, since it would
+be best if he tried to get along as well as he could
+himself, said he. But this the princess would not
+do. She had a better memory for what the pastor
+had said when he married them, she told him, and
+that she was never, never to leave him.</p>
+
+<p>At length the king awoke in his castle, and when he
+looked out of the window, he saw not a single stone
+of the other castle in which his son-in-law and his
+daughter lived. He grew uneasy and sent for his
+courtiers.</p>
+
+<p>They came in, bowing and scraping.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you see the castle there, on the other side of
+the forest?" he asked. They stretched their necks
+and opened their eyes. But they could see nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"What has become of it?" said the king. But
+this question they were unable to answer.</p>
+
+<p>In a short time the king and his entire court set
+out, passed through the forest, and when they came
+to the place where the castle, with its great gardens,
+should have been standing, they saw nothing but
+juniper-bushes and scrub-pines. And then they
+happened to see the little hut amid the brush. He
+went in and&mdash;O the poor king!&mdash;what did he see?</p>
+
+<p>There stood his son-in-law, with scarcely a shirt
+to his name, and his daughter, and she had none too
+much to wear, and was crying and sniveling at a
+fearful rate. "For heaven's sake, what is the<span class="pagenum">[25]</span>
+trouble here?" said the king. But he received no
+answer; for the duke would rather have died than
+have told him the whole story.</p>
+
+<p>The king urged and pressed him, first amiably,
+then in anger; but the duke remained obstinate and
+would have nothing to say. Then the king fell into
+a rage, which is not very surprising, for now he
+realized that this fine duke was not what he purported
+to be, and he therefore ordered him to be
+hung, and hung on the spot. It is true that the
+princess pleaded earnestly for him, but tears and
+prayers were useless now, for he was a rascal and
+should die a rascal's death&mdash;thus spake the king.</p>
+
+<p>And so it was. The king's people set up a gallows
+and put a rope around the duke's neck. But as they
+were leading him to the gallows, the princess got
+hold of the hangman and gave him a gratuity, for
+which they were to arrange matters in such wise
+that the duke need not die. And toward evening
+they were to cut him down, and he and the princess
+would disappear. So the bargain was made. In
+the meantime they strung him up and then the king,
+together with his court and all the people, went
+away.</p>
+
+<p>Now the duke was at the end of his rope. Yet he
+had time enough to reflect about his mistake in not
+contenting himself with an inch instead of reaching
+out at once for an ell; and that he had so foolishly
+given back the scrap of paper to Lasse annoyed him<span class="pagenum">[26]</span>
+most of all. If I only had it again, I would show
+every one that adversity has made me wise, he
+thought to himself. But when the horse is stolen we
+close the stable door. And that is the way of the
+world.</p>
+
+<p>And then he dangled his legs, since for the time
+being there was nothing else for him to do.</p>
+
+<p>It had been a long, hard day for him, and he was
+not sorry when he saw the sun sinking behind the
+forest. But just as the sun was setting he suddenly
+heard a most tremendous Yo ho! and when he looked
+down there were seven carts of worn-out shoes
+coming along the road, and a-top the last cart was
+a little old man in gray, with a night-cap on his
+head. He had the face of some horrible specter,
+and was not much better to look at in other
+respects.</p>
+
+<p>He drove straight up to the gallows, and stopped
+when he was directly beneath them, looked up at the
+duke and laughed&mdash;the horrible old creature!</p>
+
+<p>"And is this the measure of your stupidity?"
+he said, "but then what is a fellow of your sort to
+do with his stupidity, if he does not put it to some
+use?"&mdash;and then he laughed again. "Yes, there
+you hang, and here I am carting off all the shoes
+I wore out going about on your silly errands. I
+wonder, sometimes, whether you can actually read
+what is written on that scrap of paper, and whether
+you recognize it," said he, laughing again, indulging<span class="pagenum">[27]</span>
+in all sorts of horse-play, and waving the scrap
+of paper under the duke's nose.</p>
+
+<p>But all who are hanging on the gallows are not
+dead, and this time Lasse was the greater fool of
+the two.</p>
+
+<p>The duke snatched&mdash;and tore the scrap of paper
+from his hand!</p>
+
+<p>"Lasse, my thrall!"</p>
+
+<p>"What does my master command?"</p>
+
+<p>"Cut me down from the gallows at once, and
+restore the castle and everything else just as it was
+before, then when it is dark, bring the princess
+back to it."</p>
+
+<p>Everything was attended to with alarming
+rapidity, and soon all was exactly as it had been
+before Lasse had decamped.</p>
+
+<p>When the king awoke the following morning, he
+looked out of the window as usual, and there the
+castle was standing as before, with its weathercocks
+gleaming handsomely in the sunlight. He
+sent for his courtiers, and they came in bowing and
+scraping.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you see the castle over yonder?" asked the
+king.</p>
+
+<p>They stretched their necks, and gazed and
+stared. Yes, indeed, they could see the castle.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king sent for the princess; but she was
+not there. Thereupon the king set off to see
+whether his son-in-law was hanging in the appointed<span class="pagenum">[28]</span>
+spot; but no, there was not a sign of either son-in-law
+or gallows.</p>
+
+<p>Then he had to take off his crown and scratch his
+head. Yet that did not change matters, and he
+could not for the life of him understand why things
+should be as they were. Finally he set out with his
+entire court, and when they reached the spot where
+the castle should have been standing, there it stood.</p>
+
+<p>The gardens and the roses were just as they had
+been, and the duke's servitors were to be seen in
+swarms beneath the trees. His son-in-law in person,
+together with his daughter, dressed in the finest
+clothes, came down the stairs to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>The devil has a hand in it, thought the king; and
+so strange did all seem to him that he did not trust
+the evidence of his own eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"God greet you and welcome, father!" said the
+duke. The king could only stare at him. "Are you,
+are you my son-in-law?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, of course," said the duke, "who else am I
+supposed to be?"</p>
+
+<p>"Did I not have you strung up yesterday as a
+thief and a vagabond?" inquired the king.</p>
+
+<p>"I really believe father has gone out of his mind
+on the way over to us," said the duke and laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Does father think that I would allow myself to
+be hanged so easily? Or is there any one present
+who dare suppose such a thing?" he said, and
+looked them straight in the eye, so that they knew<span class="pagenum">[29]</span>
+he was looking at them. They bent their backs and
+bowed and scraped.</p>
+
+<p>"And who can imagine any such thing? How
+could it be possible? Or should there be any one
+present who dare say that the king wishes me ill,
+let him speak out," said the duke, and gazed at
+them with even greater keenness than before. All
+bent their backs and bowed and scraped.</p>
+
+<p>How should any of them come to any such
+conclusion? No, none of them were foolish to such
+a degree, they said.</p>
+
+<p>Now the king was really at a loss to know what
+to think. When he looked at the duke he felt sure
+that he could never have wished to harm him, and
+yet&mdash;he was not quite sure.</p>
+
+<p>"Was I not here yesterday, and was not the whole
+castle gone, and had not an old hut taken its place,
+and did I not enter the hut and see you standing
+there with scarcely a shirt to your name?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"How father talks," said the duke. "I am
+afraid, very much afraid, that trolls have blinded
+you, and led you astray in the forest. What do
+you think?" he said and turned to the courtiers.</p>
+
+<p>They at once bowed and cringed fifty times in
+succession, and took the duke's side, as stands to
+reason.</p>
+
+<p>The king rubbed his eyes and looked around.</p>
+
+<p>"It must be as you say," he told the duke, "and I
+believe that I have recovered my reason, and have<span class="pagenum">[30]</span>
+found my eyes again. And it would have been a
+sin and shame had I had you hung," said he. Then
+he grew joyful and no one gave the matter further
+thought.</p>
+
+<p>But adversity teaches one to be wise, so people
+say, and the duke now began to attend to most things
+himself, and to see to it that Lasse did not have to
+wear out so many pairs of shoes. The king at once
+bestowed half the kingdom upon him, which gave
+him plenty to do, and people said that one would
+have to look far in order to find a better ruler.</p>
+
+<p>Then Lasse came to the duke one day, and though
+he did not look much better than before, he was
+more civil and did not venture to grin and carry on.</p>
+
+<p>"You no longer need my help," said he, "for
+though formerly I used to wear out all my shoes, I
+now cannot even wear out a single pair, and I
+almost believe my legs are moss-grown. Will you
+not discharge me?"</p>
+
+<p>The duke thought he could. "I have taken great
+pains to spare you, and I really believe that I can
+get along without you," he replied. "But the castle
+here and all the other things I could not well dispense
+with, since I never again could find an architect
+like yourself, and you may take for granted that I
+have no wish to ornament the gallows-tree a second
+time. Therefore I will not, of my own free will,
+give you back the scrap of paper," said he.<span class="pagenum">[31]</span></p>
+
+<p>"While it is in your possession I have nothing
+to fear," answered Lasse.</p>
+
+<p>"But should the paper fall into other hands, then
+I should have to begin to run and work all over again
+and that, just that, is what I would like to prevent.
+When a fellow has been working a thousand years,
+as I have, he is bound to grow weary at last."</p>
+
+<p>So they came to the conclusion that the duke
+should put the scrap of paper in its little box and
+bury it seven ells underground, beneath a stone
+that had grown there and would remain there as
+well. Then they thanked each other for pleasant
+comradeship and separated. The duke did as he
+had agreed to do, and no one saw him hide the box.
+He lived happily with his princess, and was blessed
+with sons and daughters. When the king died, he
+inherited the whole kingdom and, as you may
+imagine, he was none the worse off thereby, and no
+doubt he is still living and ruling there, unless he has
+died.</p>
+
+<p>As to the little box containing the scrap of paper,
+many are still digging and searching for it.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>Extremely popular in Sweden, and delightfully told is "Lasse,
+my thrall." (Djurklau, <i>Sagor och Aefventyr pa Svenska Landsmal</i>.
+Stockholm, 1883. Set down in the dialect of Nerike). It is the old
+story of Aladdin and the wonderful lamp, but recounted in quite
+an original form.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[32]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="III" id="III"></a>III</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">FINN, THE GIANT, AND THE MINSTER OF LUND</p>
+
+<p>There stands in the university town of
+Schonen, the town of Lund, the seat of the
+first archbishopric in all Scandinavia, a stately
+Romanic minster, with a large, handsome crypt beneath
+the choir. The opinion is universal that the
+minster will never be altogether finished, but that
+something will always be lacking about the structure.
+The reason is said to be as follows:</p>
+
+<p>When St. Lawrence came to Lund to preach
+the Gospel, he wanted to build a church; but did not
+know how he was to obtain the means to do so.</p>
+
+<p>While he was cudgelling his brains about it, a
+giant came to him and offered to build the church
+on condition that St. Lawrence tell him his name
+before the church was completed. But should St.
+Lawrence be unable to do so, the giant was to receive
+either the sun, the moon or St. Lawrence's eyes.
+The saint agreed to his proposal.</p>
+
+<p>The building of the church made rapid progress,
+and ere long it was nearly finished. St. Lawrence
+thought ruefully about his prospects, for he did not
+know the giant's name; yet at the same time he did<span class="pagenum">[33]</span>
+not relish losing his eyes. And it happened that
+while he was walking without the town, much concerned
+about the outcome of the affair, he grew
+weary, and sat down on a hill to rest. As he sat
+there he heard a child crying within the hill, and a
+woman's voice began to sing:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Sleep, sleep, my baby dear,<br></span>
+<span class="i0">To-morrow your father, Finn, will be here;<br></span>
+<span class="i0">Then sun and moon you shall have from the skies<br></span>
+<span class="i0">To play with, or else St. Lawrence's eyes."<br></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>When St. Lawrence heard that he was happy; for
+now he knew the giant's name. He ran back quickly
+to town, and went to the church. There sat the
+giant on the roof, just about to set the last stone in
+place, when at that very moment the saint called
+out:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Finn, Finn,<br></span>
+<span class="i0">Take care how you put the stone in!"<br></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Then the giant flung the stone from him, full of rage,
+said that the church should never be finished, and
+with that he disappeared. Since then something
+has always been missing from the church.</p>
+
+<p>Others say that the giant and his wife rushed
+down into the crypt in their rage, and each seizing
+a column were about to tear down the church, when
+they were turned into stone, and may be seen to
+this day standing beside the columns they had
+grasped.<span class="pagenum">[34]</span></p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Finn, the Giant, and the Minster of Lund" (retold by Dr. v.
+Sydow-Lund, after variants in his collection), is the world-famous
+tale of the giant master-builder, which appears here as a legend,
+and is connected with various celebrated churches, as for instance
+the Minster of Drontheim. Its close is an inversion of the motive
+of guessing a name, which we have already encountered in the Danish
+fairy-tale "Trillevip."</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[35]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="IV" id="IV"></a>IV</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE SKALUNDA GIANT</p>
+
+<p>In the Skalunda mountain, near the church, there
+once lived a giant in the early days, who no
+longer felt comfortable after the church had been
+built there. At length he decided that he could no
+longer stand the ringing of the church bells; so he
+emigrated and settled down on an island far out in
+the North Sea. Once upon a time a ship was
+wrecked on this island, and among those saved were
+several people from Skalunda.</p>
+
+<p>"Whence do you hail?" asked the giant, who
+by now had grown old and blind, and sat warming
+himself before a log fire.</p>
+
+<p>"We are from Skalunda, if you wish to know,"
+said one of the men saved.</p>
+
+<p>"Give me your hand, so that I may feel whether
+there is still warm blood to be found in the Swedish
+land," said the giant.</p>
+
+<p>The man, who feared to shake hands with the
+giant, drew a red-hot bar of iron from the fire
+and handed it to him. He seized it firmly, and
+pressed it so hard that the molten iron ran down
+between his fingers.<span class="pagenum">[36]</span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, there is still warm blood to be found in
+Sweden," said he. "And tell me," he continued,
+"is Skalunda mountain still standing?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, the hens have scratched it away," the man
+answered.</p>
+
+<p>"How could it last?" said the giant. "My wife
+and daughter piled it up in the course of a single
+Sunday morning. But surely the Hallenberg and
+the Hunneberg are still standing, for those I built
+myself."</p>
+
+<p>When the man had confirmed this, the giant
+wanted to know whether Karin was still living in
+Stommen. And when they told him that she was,
+he gave them a girdle, and with it the message that
+Karin was to wear it in remembrance of him.</p>
+
+<p>The men took the girdle and gave it to Karin upon
+their return home; but before Karin put it on, she
+clasped it around the oak-tree that grew in the
+court. No sooner had she done so than the oak tore
+itself out of the ground, and flew to the North,
+borne away by the storm-wind. In the place
+where it had stood was a deep pit, and the roots of
+the tree were so enormous that one of the best
+springs in Stommen flows from one of the root-holes
+to this very day.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"The Skalunda Giant" (Hofberg, <i>Svenska Folksagner</i>, Stockholm,
+1882, p. 98) has a near relative in the Norwegian mountain giant
+of Mesingeberg, of whom Asbj&ouml;rnsen tells.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[37]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="V" id="V"></a>V</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">YULETIDE SPECTERS</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there lived two peasants on a
+homestead called Vaderas, just as there are
+two peasants living on it now. In those days the
+roads were good, and the women were in the habit of
+riding when they wanted to go to church.</p>
+
+<p>One Christmas the two women agreed that they
+would ride to Christmas night mass, and whichever
+one of them woke up at the right time was to call
+the other, for in those days there was no such thing
+as a watch. It was about midnight when one of the
+women thought she heard a voice from the window,
+calling: "I am going to set out now." She got up
+hurriedly and dressed herself, so that she might be
+able to ride with the other woman; but since there
+was no time to eat, she took a piece of bread from
+the table along with her. In those times it was
+customary to bake the bread in the shape of a cross.
+It was a piece of this kind that the woman took and
+put in her pocket, in order to eat it underway. She
+rode as fast as she could, to catch up with her friend,
+but could not overtake her. The way led over a
+little stream which flows into Vidostern Lake, and<span class="pagenum">[38]</span>
+across the stream was a bridge, known as the Earth
+Bridge, and on the bridge stood two witch trolls,
+busy washing. As the woman came riding across
+the bridge, one of the witch trolls called out to the
+other, "Hurry, and tear her head from her
+shoulders!"</p>
+
+<p>"That I cannot do" returned the other, "because
+she has a bit of bread in the form of a cross in her
+pocket."</p>
+
+<p>The woman, who had been unable to catch up with
+her neighbor, reached the church at Hanger alone.</p>
+
+<p>The church was full of lights, as was always the
+case when the Christmas mass was said. As quickly
+as ever she could the woman tied up her horse, and
+hurriedly entered the church. It seemed to her that
+the church was crowded with people; but all of them
+were headless, and at the altar stood the priest,
+in full canonicals but without a head. In her haste
+she did not at once see how things were; but sat
+down in her accustomed place. As she sat down
+it seemed to her that some one said: "If I had
+not stood godfather to you when you were christened,
+I would do away with you as you sit there,
+and now hurry and make yourself scarce, or it will
+be the worse for you!" Then she realized that
+things were not as they should be, and ran out hastily.</p>
+
+<p>When she came into the church-yard, it seemed
+to her as though she were surrounded by a great<span class="pagenum">[39]</span>
+crowd of people. In those days people wore broad
+mantles of unbleached wool, woven at home, and
+white in color. She was wearing one of these mantles
+and the specters seized it. But she flung it
+away from her and managed to escape from the
+church-yard, and run to the poor-house and wake
+the people there. It is said it was then one o'clock
+at night.</p>
+
+<p>So she sat and waited for the early mass at four
+o'clock in the morning. And when day finally
+dawned, they found a little piece of her mantle on
+every grave in the church-yard.</p>
+
+<p>A similar experience befell a man and his wife
+who lived in a hut known as Ingas, below Mosled.</p>
+
+<p>They were no more than an hour ahead of time;
+but when they reached the church at Hanger, they
+thought the service had already begun, and wanted
+to enter at once; but the church was barred and
+bolted, and the phantom service of the dead was
+nearing its end. And when the actual mass began,
+there was found lying at every place some of the
+earth from the graves of those who shortly before
+had been worshiping. The man and his wife
+thereupon fell grievously ill, because they had disturbed
+the dead.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Yuletide Spectres." The tale of the weird service of the dead
+on Christmas night is common throughout Scandinavia. (From an
+mss. communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund).</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[40]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="VI" id="VI"></a>VI</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">SILVERWHITE AND LILLWACKER</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a king, who had a
+queen whom he loved with a great love. But
+after a time the queen died, and all he had left was
+an only daughter. And now that the king was a
+widower, his whole heart went out to the little
+princess, whom he cherished as the apple of his
+eye. And the king's young daughter grew up into
+the most lovely maiden ever known.</p>
+
+<p>When the princess had seen the snows of fifteen
+winters, it happened that a great war broke out,
+and that her father had to march against the foe.</p>
+
+<p>But there was no one to whom the king could
+entrust his daughter while he was away at war;
+so he had a great tower built out in the forest,
+provided it with a plenteous store of supplies, and
+in it shut up his daughter and a maid. And he
+had it proclaimed that every man, no matter who
+he might be, was forbidden to approach the
+tower in which he had placed his daughter and the
+maid, under pain of death.</p>
+
+<p>Now the king thought he had taken every
+precaution to protect his daughter, and went off to<span class="pagenum">[41]</span>
+war. In the meantime the princess and her maid
+sat in the tower. But in the city there were a
+number of brave young sons of kings, as well as
+other young men, who would have liked to have
+talked to the beautiful maiden. And when they
+found that this was forbidden them, they conceived
+a great hatred for the king. At length they took
+counsel with an old woman who was wiser than most
+folk, and told her to arrange matters in such wise
+that the king's daughter and her maid might come
+into disrepute, without their having anything to
+do with it. The old hag promised to help them,
+enchanted some apples, laid them in a basket, and
+went to the lonely tower in which the maidens
+lived.</p>
+
+<p>When the king's daughter and her maid saw the
+old woman, who was sitting beneath the window,
+they felt a great longing to try the beautiful apples.</p>
+
+<p>So they called out and asked how much she wanted
+for her precious apples; but the old woman said they
+were not for sale. Yet as the girls kept on pleading
+with her, the old woman said she would make each
+of them a present of an apple; they only need let
+down a little basket from the tower. The princess
+and her maid, in all innocence, did as the troll-woman
+told them, and each received an apple. But
+the enchanted fruit had a strange effect, for in due
+course of time heaven sent them each a child. The
+king's daughter called her son Silverwhite, and the<span class="pagenum">[42]</span>
+son of her maid received the name of Lillwacker.</p>
+
+<p>The two boys grew up larger and stronger than
+other children, and were very handsome as well.
+They looked as much alike as one cherry-pit does
+to another, and one could easily see that they were
+related.</p>
+
+<p>Seven years had passed, and the king was
+expected home from the war. Then both girls were
+terrified, and they took counsel together as to how
+they might hide their children. When at length
+they could find no other way out of the difficulty,
+they very sorrowfully bade their children farewell,
+and let them down from the tower at night, to seek
+their fortune in the wide, wide world. At parting
+the king's daughter gave Silverwhite a costly knife;
+but the maid had nothing to give her son.</p>
+
+<p>The two foster-brethren now wandered out into
+the world. After they had gone a while, they came
+to a dark forest. And in this forest they met a
+man, strange-looking and very tall. He wore two
+swords at his side, and was accompanied by six
+great dogs. He gave them a friendly greeting:</p>
+
+<p>"Good-day, little fellows, whence do you come
+and whither do you go?" The boys told him they
+came from a high tower, and were going out into
+the world to seek their fortune. The man replied:</p>
+
+<p>"If such be the case, I know more about your
+origin than any one else. And that you may have
+something by which to remember your father, I will<span class="pagenum">[43]</span>
+give each of you a sword and three dogs. But you
+must promise me one thing, that you will never part
+from your dogs; but take them with you wherever
+you go." The boys thanked the man for his kind
+gifts, and promised to do as he had told them. Then
+they bade him farewell and went their way.</p>
+
+<p>When they had traveled for some time they
+reached a cross-road. Then Silverwhite said:</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me that it would be the best for us
+to try our luck singly, so let us part." Lillwacker
+answered: "Your advice is good; but how am I to
+know whether or not you are doing well out in the
+world?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will give you a token by which you may
+tell," said Silverwhite, "so long as the water runs
+clear in this spring you will know that I am alive;
+but if it turns red and roiled, it will mean that I am
+dead." Silverwhite then drew runes in the water
+of the spring, said farewell to his brother, and each
+of them went on alone. Lillwacker soon came to a
+king's court, and took service there; but every
+morning he would go to the spring to see how his
+brother fared.</p>
+
+<p>Silverwhite continued to wander over hill and
+dale, until he reached a great city. But the whole
+city was in mourning, the houses were hung in black,
+and all the inhabitants went about full of grief and
+care, as though some great misfortune had occurred.</p>
+
+<p>Silverwhite went though the city and inquired<span class="pagenum">[44]</span>
+as to the cause of all the unhappiness he saw. They
+answered: "You must have come from far away,
+since you do not know that the king and queen were
+in danger of being drowned at sea, and he had to
+promise to give up their three daughters in order to
+escape. To-morrow morning the sea-troll is
+coming to carry off the oldest princess." This
+news pleased Silverwhite; for he saw a fine
+opportunity to wealth and fame, should fortune
+favor him.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning Silverwhite hung his sword at
+his side, called his dogs to him, and wandered down
+to the sea-shore alone. And as he sat on the
+strand he saw the king's daughter led out of the city,
+and with her went a courtier, who had promised to
+rescue her. But the princess was very sad and
+cried bitterly. Then Silverwhite stepped up to her
+with a polite greeting. When the king's daughter
+and her escort saw the fearless youth, they were
+much frightened, because they thought he was the
+sea-troll. The courtier was so alarmed that he
+ran away and took refuge in a tree. When
+Silverwhite saw how frightened the princess was,
+he said: "Lovely maiden, do not fear me, for I will
+do you no harm." The king's daughter answered:</p>
+
+<p>"Are you the troll who is coming to carry me
+away?" "No," said Silverwhite, "I have come
+to rescue you." Then the princess was glad to
+think that such a brave hero was going to defend
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="P_45" id="P_45">[45]</a></span>her, and they had a long, friendly talk. At the
+same time Silverwhite begged the king's daughter
+to comb his hair. She complied with his request,
+and Silverwhite laid his head in her lap; but when
+he did so the princess drew a golden ring from her
+finger and, unbeknown to him, wound it into his
+locks.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;">
+<a name="i2" id="i2"></a>
+<img src="images/i003.jpg" width="419" height="600" alt="&quot;THEN SILVERWHITE DREW HIS SWORD WITH A GREAT
+SWEEP AND RUSHED UPON THE SEA-TROLL.&quot;" title="">
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">&quot;THEN SILVERWHITE DREW HIS SWORD WITH A GREAT
+SWEEP AND RUSHED UPON THE SEA-TROLL.&quot;
+&mdash;<a href="#P_45">Page 45</a></p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the sea-troll rose from the deeps,
+setting the waves whirling and foaming far and
+near. When the troll saw Silverwhite, he grew
+angry and said: "Why do you sit there beside
+my princess?" The youth replied: "It seems
+to me that she is my princess, not yours." The
+sea-troll answered: "Time enough to see which
+of us is right; but first our dogs shall fight."
+Silverwhite was nothing loath, and set his dogs
+at the dogs of the troll, and there was a fierce
+struggle. But at last the youth's dogs got the
+upper hand and bit the dogs of the sea-troll to
+death. Then Silverwhite drew his sword with a
+great sweep, rushed upon the sea-troll, and gave
+him such a tremendous blow that the monster's
+head rolled on the sand. The troll gave a fearsome
+cry, and flung himself back into the sea, so that the
+water spurted to the very skies. Thereupon the
+youth drew out his silver-mounted knife, cut out the
+troll's eyes and put them in his pocket. Then he
+saluted the lovely princess and went away.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the battle was over and the youth had<span class="pagenum">[46]</span>
+disappeared, the courtier crawled down from his
+tree, and threatened to kill the princess if she did
+not say before all the people that he, and none
+other, had rescued her. The king's daughter did
+not dare refuse, since she feared for her life. So
+she returned to her father's castle with the courtier,
+where they were received with great distinction.</p>
+
+<p>And joy reigned throughout the land when the
+news spread that the oldest princess had been
+rescued from the troll.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day everything repeated
+itself. Silverwhite went down to the strand and met
+the second princess, just as she was to be delivered
+to the troll.</p>
+
+<p>And when the king's daughter and her escort saw
+him, they were very much frightened, thinking he
+was the sea-troll. And the courtier climbed a tree,
+just as he had before; but the princess granted
+the youth's petition, combed his hair as her sister
+had done, and also wound her gold ring into his long
+curls.</p>
+
+<p>After a time there was a great tumult out at sea,
+and a sea-troll rose from the waves. He had three
+heads and three dogs. But Silverwhite's dogs
+overcame those of the troll, and the youth killed
+the troll himself with his sword. Thereupon he
+took out his silver-mounted knife, cut out the
+troll's eyes, and went his way. But the courtier
+lost no time. He climbed down from his tree and<span class="pagenum">[47]</span>
+forced the princess to promise to say that he, and
+none other, had rescued her. Then they returned
+to the castle, where the courtier was acclaimed as the
+greatest of heroes.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day Silverwhite hung his sword at
+his side, called his three dogs to him, and again
+wandered down to the sea-shore. As he was
+sitting by the strand, he saw the youngest princess
+led out of the city, and with her the daring courtier
+who claimed to have rescued her sisters. But the
+princess was very sad and cried bitterly. Then
+Silverwhite stepped up and greeted the lovely
+maiden politely. Now when the king's daughter
+and her escort saw the handsome youth, they were
+very much frightened, for they believed him to be
+the sea-troll, and the courtier ran away and hid
+in a high tree that grew near the strand. When
+Silverwhite noticed the maiden's terror, he said:</p>
+
+<p>"Lovely maiden, do not fear me, for I will do you
+no harm." The king's daughter answered: "Are
+you the troll who is coming to carry me away?"
+"No," said Silverwhite, "I have come to rescue
+you." Then the princess was very glad to have
+such a brave hero fight for her, and they had a
+long, friendly talk with each other. At the same
+time Silverwhite begged the lovely maiden to do
+him a favor and comb his hair. This the king's
+daughter was most willing to do, and Silverwhite
+laid his head in her lap. But when the princess saw<span class="pagenum">[48]</span>
+the gold rings her sisters had wound in his locks, she
+was much surprised, and added her own to the others.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly the sea-troll came shooting up out of
+the deep with a terrific noise, so that waves and
+foam spurted to the very skies. This time the
+monster had six heads and nine dogs. When the
+troll saw Silverwhite sitting with the king's
+daughter, he fell into a rage and cried: "What
+are you doing with my princess?" The youth
+answered: "It seems to me that she is my princess
+rather than yours." Thereupon the troll said:
+"Time enough to see which of us is right; but first
+our dogs shall fight each other." Silverwhite did
+not delay, but set his dogs at the sea-dogs, and
+they had a battle royal. But in the end the youth's
+dogs got the upper hand and bit all nine of the
+sea-dogs to death. Finally Silverwhite drew out
+his bare sword, flung himself upon the sea-troll,
+and stretched all six of his heads on the sand with a
+single blow. The monster uttered a terrible cry,
+and rushed back into the sea so that the water
+spurted to the heavens. Then the youth drew his
+silver-mounted knife, cut out all twelve of the
+troll's eyes, saluted the king's young daughter,
+and hastily went away.</p>
+
+<p>Now that the battle was over, and the youth had
+disappeared, the courtier climbed down from his
+tree, drew his sword and threatened to kill the
+princess unless she promised to say that he had<span class="pagenum">[49]</span>
+rescued her from the troll, as he had her sisters.</p>
+
+<p>The king's daughter did not dare refuse, since she
+feared for her life. So they went back to the castle
+together, and when the king saw that they had
+returned in safety, without so much as a scratch,
+he and the whole court were full of joy, and they
+were accorded great honors. And at court the
+courtier was quite another fellow from the one who
+had hid away in the tree. The king had a splendid
+banquet prepared, with amusements and games, and
+the sound of string music and dancing, and bestowed
+the hand of his youngest daughter on the courtier
+in reward for his bravey.</p>
+
+<p>In the midst of the wedding festivities, when the
+king and his whole court were seated at table, the
+door opened, and in came Silverwhite with his dogs.</p>
+
+<p>The youth stepped boldly into the hall of state
+and greeted the king. And when the three princesses
+saw who it was, they were full of joy, leaped
+up from their places, and ran over to him, much to
+the king's surprise, who asked what it all meant.
+Then the youngest princess told him all that had
+happened, from beginning to end, and that Silverwhite
+had rescued them, while the courtier sat in a tree.
+To prove it beyond any chance of doubt, each of the
+king's daughters showed her father the ring she had
+wound in Silverwhite's locks. But the king still
+did not know quite what to think of it all, until
+Silverwhite said: "My lord king! In order that<span class="pagenum">[50]</span>
+you need not doubt what your daughters have told
+you, I will show you the eyes of the sea-trolls whom
+I slew." Then the king and all the rest saw that
+the princesses had told the truth. The traitorous
+courtier received his just punishment; but Silverwhite
+was paid every honor, and was given the
+youngest daughter and half of the kingdom with
+her.</p>
+
+<p>After the wedding Silverwhite established himself
+with his young bride in a large castle belonging
+to the king, and there they lived quietly and happily.</p>
+
+<p>One night, when all were sleeping, it chanced
+that he heard a knocking at the window, and a voice
+which said: "Come, Silverwhite, I have to talk
+to you!" The king, who did not want to wake his
+young wife, rose hastily, girded on his sword, called
+his dogs and went out. When he reached the open
+air, there stood a huge and savage-looking troll.
+The troll said: "Silverwhite, you have slain my
+three brothers, and I have come to bid you go down
+to the sea-shore with me, that we may fight with
+one another." This proposal suited the youth, and
+he followed the troll without protest. When they
+reached the sea-shore, there lay three great dogs
+belonging to the troll. Silverwhite at once set his
+dogs at the troll-dogs, and after a hard struggle
+the latter had to give in. The young king drew
+his sword, bravely attacked the troll and dealt him
+many a mighty blow. It was a tremendous<span class="pagenum">[51]</span>
+battle. But when the troll noticed he was getting
+the worst of it, he grew frightened, quickly ran to a
+high tree, and clambered into it. Silverwhite and
+the dogs ran after him, the dogs barking as loudly
+as they could. Then the troll begged for his life
+and said: "Dear Silverwhite, I will take wergild
+for my brothers, only bid your dogs be still, so that
+we may talk." The king bade his dogs be still,
+but in vain, they only barked the more loudly. Then
+the troll tore three hairs from his head, handed them
+to Silverwhite and said: "Lay a hair on each of
+the dogs, and then they will be as quiet as can
+be." The king did so and at once the dogs fell
+silent, and lay motionless as though they had
+grown fast to the ground. Now Silverwhite realized
+that he had been deceived; but it was too late. The
+troll was already descending from the tree, and
+he drew his sword and again began to fight. But
+they had exchanged no more than a few blows, before
+Silverwhite received a mortal wound, and lay
+on the earth in a pool of blood.</p>
+
+<p>But now we must tell about Lillwacker. The
+next morning he went to the spring by the cross-road
+and found it red with blood. Then he knew
+that Silverwhite was dead. He called his dogs,
+hung his sword at his side, and went on until he
+came to a great city. And the city was in festal
+array, the streets were crowded with people, and
+the houses were hung with scarlet cloths and<span class="pagenum">[52]</span>
+splendid rugs. Lillwacker asked why everybody
+was so happy, and they said: "You must hail from
+distant parts, since you do not know that a famous
+hero has come here by the name of Silverwhite, who
+has rescued our three princesses, and is now the
+king's son-in-law." Lillwacker then inquired how
+it had all come about, and then went his way, reaching
+the royal castle in which Silverwhite dwelt
+with his beautiful queen in the evening.</p>
+
+<p>When Lillwacker entered the castle gate, all
+greeted him as though he had been the king. For he
+resembled his foster-brother so closely that none
+could tell one from the other. When the youth
+came to the queen's room, she also took him for
+Silverwhite. She went up to him and said: "My
+lord king, where have you been so long? I have
+been awaiting you with great anxiety." Lillwacker
+said little, and was very taciturn. Then he
+lay down on a couch in a corner of the queen's
+room.</p>
+
+<p>The young woman did not know what to think of
+his actions; for her husband did not act queerly at
+other times. But she thought: "One should not
+try to discover the secrets of others," and said
+nothing.</p>
+
+<p>In the night, when all were sleeping, there was a
+knocking at the window, and a voice cried: "Come,
+Lillwacker, I have to talk to you!" The youth
+rose hastily, took his good sword, called his dogs<span class="pagenum">[53]</span>
+and went. When he reached the open air, there
+stood the same troll who had slain Silverwhite.
+He said: "Come with me, Lillwacker, and then
+you shall see your foster-brother!" To this
+Lillwacker at once agreed, and the troll led the
+way. When they came to the sea-shore, there lay
+the three great dogs whom the troll had brought
+with him. Somewhat further away, where they had
+fought, lay Silverwhite in a pool of blood, and beside
+him his dogs were stretched out on the ground as
+though they had taken root in it. Then Lillwacker
+saw how everything had happened, and thought that
+he would gladly venture his life, if he might in
+some way call his brother back from the dead. He
+at once set his dogs at the troll-dogs, and they had
+a hard struggle, in which Lillwacker's dogs won the
+victory. Then the youth drew his sword, and
+attacked the troll with mighty blows. But when the
+troll saw that he was getting the worst of it, he took
+refuge in a lofty tree. Lillwacker and his dogs ran
+after him and the dogs barked loudly.</p>
+
+<p>Then the troll humbly begged for his life, and
+said: "Dear Lillwacker, I will give you wergild
+for your brother, only bid your dogs be still, so that
+we may talk." At the same time the troll handed
+him three hairs from his head and added: "Lay
+one of these hairs on each of your dogs, and then
+they will soon be quiet." But Lillwacker saw
+through his cunning scheme, took the three hairs<span class="pagenum">[54]</span>
+and laid them on the troll-dogs, which at once fell
+on the ground and lay like dead.</p>
+
+<p>When the troll saw that his attempt had failed, he
+was much alarmed and said: "Dearest Lillwacker,
+I will give you wergild for your brother, if you will
+only leave me alone." But the youth answered:</p>
+
+<p>"What is there you can give me that will compensate
+for my brother's life?" The troll replied:
+"Here are two flasks. In one is a liquid which, if
+you anoint a dead man with it, it will restore him
+to life; but as to the liquid in the other flask, if you
+moisten anything with it, and some one touches the
+place you have moistened, he will be unable to move
+from the spot. I think it would be hard to find
+anything more precious than the liquid in these
+flasks." Lillwacker said: "Your proposal suits me,
+and I will accept it. But there is something else
+you must promise to do: that you will release my
+brother's dogs." The troll agreed, climbed down
+from the tree, breathed on the dogs and thus freed
+them. Then Lillwacker took the two flasks and went
+away from the sea-shore with the troll. After they
+had gone a while they came to a great flat stone, lying
+near the highway. Lillwacker hastened on in
+advance and moistened it with liquid from the second
+flask. Then, as he was going by, Lillwacker suddenly
+set all six of his dogs at the troll, who stepped
+back and touched the stone. There he stuck, and
+could move neither forward nor backward. After<span class="pagenum">[55]</span>
+a time the sun rose and shone on the stone. And
+when the troll saw the sun he burst&mdash;and was as
+dead as a doornail!</p>
+
+<p>Lillwacker now ran back to his brother and sprinkled
+him with the liquid in the other flask, so that he
+came to life again, and they were both very happy,
+as may well be imagined. The two foster-brothers
+then returned to the castle, recounting the story of
+their experiences and adventures on the way. Lillwacker
+told how he had been taken for his brother.
+He even mentioned that he had lain down on a couch
+in a corner of the queen's room, and that she had
+never suspected that he was not her rightful husband.
+But when Silverwhite heard that, he thought that
+Lillwacker had offended against the queen's dignity,
+and he grew angry and fell into such a rage that he
+drew his sword, and thrust it into his brother's
+breast. Lillwacker fell to earth dead, and Silverwhite
+went home to the castle alone. But Lillwacker's
+dogs would not leave their master, and lay
+around him, whining and licking his wound.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening, when the young king and his wife
+retired, the queen asked him why he had been so taciturn
+and serious the evening before. Then the
+queen said: "I am very curious to know what has
+befallen you during the last few days, but what I
+would like to know most of all, is why you lay down
+on a couch in a corner of my room the other night?"<span class="pagenum">[56]</span>
+Now it was clear to Silverwhite that the brother he
+had slain was innocent of all offense, and he felt
+bitter regret at having repaid his faithfulness so
+badly. So King Silverwhite at once rose and went
+to the place where his brother was lying. He poured
+the water of life from his flask and anointed his
+brother's wound, and in a moment Lillwacker was
+alive again, and the two brother's went joyfully
+back to the castle.</p>
+
+<p>When they got there, Silverwhite told his queen
+how Lillwacker had rescued him from death, and all
+the rest of their adventures, and all were happy at
+the royal court, and they paid the youth the greatest
+honors and compliments. After he had stayed there
+a time he sued for the hand of the second princess
+and obtained it. Thereupon the wedding was celebrated
+with great pomp, and Silverwhite divided his
+half of the kingdom with his foster-brother. The
+two brothers continued to live together in peace and
+unity, and if they have not died, they are living still.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>From a venerable Indo-Germanic source comes the widely circulated
+story of "Silverwhite and Lillwacker," the faithful brothers (Hylt&eacute;n-Cavallius
+and Stephens, <i>Svenska Folkasagor och Aefventyr</i>, Stockholm,
+1848, p. 58. From Vermland).</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[57]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="VII" id="VII"></a>VII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">STOMPE PILT</p>
+
+<p>Not far from Baalsberg, near Filkestad in the
+Willandsharad, there is a hill in which a giant
+named Stompe Pilt once used to live.</p>
+
+<p>It happened one day that a goat-herd was driving
+his flock up the hill in which Stompe Pilt dwelt.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is there?" cried the giant, and rushed out
+of his hill with a hunk of flint-rock in his fist.</p>
+
+<p>"I am, if that's what you want to know!" shouted
+the shepherd-lad and continued driving his goats up
+the hill.</p>
+
+<p>"If you come here, I will squash you as I squash
+this stone!" cried the giant and he crushed it into
+fine sand between his fingers.</p>
+
+<p>"And I will squash you till the water runs out,
+just as I squash this stone!" answered the shepherd-lad,
+drawing a fresh cheese from his pocket, and
+pressing it hard, so that the water ran from his
+fingers.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you not frightened?" asked the giant.</p>
+
+<p>"Of you? Certainly not!" was the youth's reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we will fight with one another!" proposed
+the giant.<span class="pagenum">[58]</span></p>
+
+<p>"As you choose," replied the shepherd, "but first
+we must abuse each other so that we can get into
+a proper rage, because as we abuse each other we
+will grow angry, and when we are angry we will
+fight!"</p>
+
+<p>"But I shall begin by abusing you," said the giant.</p>
+
+<p>"As you choose," said the youth, "but then it will
+be my turn."</p>
+
+<p>"May a troll with a crooked nose take you!" yelled
+the giant.</p>
+
+<p>"May a flying devil carry you off!" answered the
+shepherd and he shot a sharp arrow against the
+giant's body with his bow.</p>
+
+<p>"What was that?" asked the giant, and tried to
+pull the arrow out of his body.</p>
+
+<p>"That was a word of abuse," said the shepherd.</p>
+
+<p>"How does it come to have feathers?" asked the
+giant.</p>
+
+<p>"The better to fly with," answered the shepherd.</p>
+
+<p>"Why does it stick so tight?" the giant continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Because it has taken root in your body," was the
+shepherd's answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any other abusive words of the same
+sort?" asked the giant. "Here is another one,"
+replied the youth, and shot another arrow into the
+giant.</p>
+
+<p>"Ouch, ouch!" cried Stompe Pilt, "are you still
+not angry enough for us to come to blows?"<span class="pagenum">[59]</span></p>
+
+<p>"No, I have not abused you enough as yet," said
+the shepherd and aimed another arrow.</p>
+
+<p>"Lead your goats wherever you choose! If I
+cannot stand your abusive words, I surely will not
+be able to bear up against your blows," cried Stompe
+Pilt, and jumped back into his hill.</p>
+
+<p>And that is how the shepherd gained the victory,
+because he was brave and did not let the stupid giant
+frighten him.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>An entertaining parody of the serious tale of David and Goliath
+is the story of the little shepherd boy's fight with the giant Stompe
+Pilt. (Hofberg, p. 10).</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[60]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="VIII" id="VIII"></a>VIII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE GIRL AND THE SNAKE</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a girl who was to
+go to the wood and drive the cattle home; but
+she did not find the herd, and losing her way instead,
+came to a great hill. It had gates and doors and she
+went in. There stood a table covered with all sorts
+of good things to eat. And there stood a bed as well,
+and in the bed lay a great snake. The snake said to
+the girl: "Sit down, if you choose! Eat, if you
+choose! Come and lie down in the bed, if you
+choose! But if you do not choose, then do not do
+so." So the girl did nothing at all. At last the
+snake said: "Some people are coming now who
+want you to dance with them. But do not go along
+with them." Straightway people arrived who
+wanted to dance with the girl; but she would hear
+nothing of it. Then they began to eat and drink;
+but the girl left the hill and went home. The following
+day she again went to the wood to look for the
+cattle, did not find them, lost her way again, and
+came to the same hill. This time she also entered,
+and found everything as it had been the first time,
+the well-spread table and the bed with the snake in it.<span class="pagenum">[61]</span>
+And the snake said to her, as before: "Sit down,
+if you choose! Eat, if you choose! Come, and lie
+down in the bed if you choose! But if you do not
+choose, then do not do so! Now a great many more
+people are coming who will want to dance with you,
+but do not go with them." The snake had scarcely
+concluded before a great many people arrived, who
+began to dance, eat and drink; but the girl did not
+keep them company, instead she left the hill and
+went home.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day when she once more went to the
+wood, everything happened exactly as on the first
+and second day. The snake invited her to eat and
+drink, and this time she did so, with a hearty
+appetite. Then the snake told her to lie down beside
+him and the girl obeyed. Then the snake said: "Put
+your arm about me!" She did so. "And now kiss
+me," said the snake, "but if you are afraid, put
+your apron between us." The girl did so, and in
+a moment the snake was turned into a marvellously
+handsome youth, who was really a prince, bewitched
+in the form of a snake by magic spells, and now delivered
+by the girl's courage. Then both of them
+went away and there was nothing further heard of
+them.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"The Girl and the Snake" (From S&ouml;dermanland. From the mss.
+collection of the metallurgist Gustav Erikson, communicated to
+Dr. v. Sydow-Lund) shows distinctive Scandinavian features; though
+it falls short of the richness and depth of the celebrated Danish
+fairy-tale "King Dragon," whose germ idea is the same.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[62]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="IX" id="IX"></a>IX</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a couple of humble
+cottagers who had no children until, at last, the
+man's wife was blessed with a boy, which made
+both of them very happy. They named him Faithful
+and when he was christened a <i>huldra</i> came to the
+hut, seated herself beside the child's cradle, and
+foretold that he would meet with good fortune.
+"What is more," she said, "when he is fifteen years
+of age, I will make him a present of a horse with
+many rare qualities, a horse that has the gift of
+speech!" And with that the <i>huldra</i> turned and
+went away.</p>
+
+<p>The boy grew up and became strong and powerful.
+And when he had passed his fifteenth year, a
+strange old man came up to their hut one day, knocked,
+and said that the horse he was leading had been
+sent by his queen, and that henceforward it was to
+belong to Faithful, as she had promised. Then the
+ancient man departed; but the beautiful horse was
+admired by all, and Faithful learned to love it more
+with every passing day.<span class="pagenum">[63]</span></p>
+
+<p>At length he grew weary of home. "I must away
+and try my fortune in the world," said he, and his
+parents did not like to object; for there was not much
+to wish for at home. So he led his dear horse from
+the stable, swung himself into the saddle, and rode
+hurriedly into the wood. He rode on and on, and
+had already covered a good bit of ground, when he
+saw two lions engaged in a struggle with a tiger,
+and they were well-nigh overcome. "Make haste
+to take your bow," said the horse, "shoot the tiger
+and deliver the two lions!" "Yes, that's what I
+will do," said the youth, fitted an arrow to the bow-string,
+and in a moment the tiger lay prone on the
+ground. The two lions drew nearer, nuzzled their
+preserver in a friendly and grateful manner, and
+then hastened back to their cave.</p>
+
+<p>Faithful now rode along for a long time among
+the great trees until he suddenly spied two terrified
+white doves fleeing from a hawk who was on the
+point of catching them. "Make haste to take your
+bow," said the horse, "shoot the hawk and save the
+two doves!" "Yes, that's what I'll do," said the
+youth. He fitted an arrow to the bow-string, and in
+a moment the hawk lay prone on the ground. But
+the two doves flew nearer, fluttered about their deliverer
+in a tame and grateful manner, and then hurried
+back to their nest.</p>
+
+<p>The youth pressed on through the wood and by<span class="pagenum">[64]</span>
+now was far, far from home. But his horse did not
+tire easily, and ran on with him until they came to a
+great lake. There he saw a gull rise up from the
+water, holding a pike in its claws. "Make haste to
+take your bow," said the horse, "shoot the gull and
+save the pike!" "Yes, that's what I'll do," answered
+the youth, fitted an arrow to his bow-string,
+and in a moment the gull was threshing the ground
+with its wings, mortally wounded. But the pike who
+had been saved swam nearer, gave his deliverer a
+friendly, grateful glance, and then dove down to
+join his fellows beneath the waves.</p>
+
+<p>Faithful rode on again, and before evening came
+to a great castle. He at once had himself announced
+to the king, and begged that the latter would take him
+into his service. "What kind of a place do you
+want?" asked the king, who was inclined to look with
+favor on the bold horseman.</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to be a groom," was Faithful's
+answer, "but first of all I must have stable-room
+and fodder for my horse." "That you shall
+have," said the king, and the youth was taken on
+as a groom, and served so long and so well, that
+every one in the castle liked him, and the king in
+particular praised him highly.</p>
+
+<p>But among the other servitors was one named Unfaithful
+who was jealous of Faithful, and did what
+he could to harm him; for he thought to himself:<span class="pagenum">[65]</span></p>
+
+<p>"Then I would be rid of him, and need not see him
+continue to rise in my lord's favor." Now it happened
+that the king was very sad, for he had lost
+his queen, whom a troll had stolen from the castle.
+It is true that the queen had not taken pleasure in the
+king's society, and that she did not love him. Still
+the king longed for her greatly, and often spoke of
+it to Unfaithful his servant. So one day Unfaithful
+said: "My lord need distress himself no longer, for
+Faithful has been boasting to me that he could rescue
+your beautiful queen from the hands of the
+troll." "If he has done so," replied the king,
+"then he must keep his word."</p>
+
+<p>He straightway ordered Faithful to be brought
+before him, and threatened him with death if he did
+not at once hurry into the hill and bring back the
+wife of whom he had been robbed. If he were
+successful great honor should be his reward. In
+vain Faithful denied what Unfaithful had said of
+him, the king stuck to his demand, and the youth
+withdrew, convinced that he had not long to live.
+Then he went to the stable to bid farewell to his
+beautiful horse, and stood beside him and wept.
+"What grieves you so?" asked the horse. Then
+the youth told him of all that had happened, and
+said that this was probably the last time he would
+be able to visit him. "If it be no more than that,"
+said the horse, "there is a way to help you. Up in<span class="pagenum">[66]</span>
+the garret of the castle there is an old fiddle, take
+it with you and play it when you come to the place
+where the queen is kept. And fashion for yourself
+armor of steel wire, and set knives into it everywhere,
+and then, when you see the troll open his
+jaws, descend into his maw, and thus slay him.
+But you must have no fear, and must trust me to
+show you the way." These words filled the youth
+with fresh courage, he went to the king and received
+permission to leave, secretly fashioned his steel
+armor, took the old fiddle from the garret of the
+castle, led his dear horse out of the stable, and without
+delay set forth for the troll's hill.</p>
+
+<p>Before long he saw it, and rode directly to the
+troll's abode. When he came near, he saw the troll,
+who had crept out of his castle, lying stretched out
+at the entrance to his cave, fast asleep, and snoring
+so powerfully that the whole hill shook. But his
+mouth was wide open, and his maw was so tremendous
+that it was easy for the youth to crawl into it.
+He did so, for he was not afraid, and made his way
+into the troll's inwards where he was so active that
+the troll was soon killed. Then Faithful crept out
+again, laid aside his armor, and entered the troll's
+castle. Within the great golden hall sat the captive
+queen, fettered with seven strong chains of gold.
+Faithful could not break the strong chains; but he
+took up his fiddle and played such tender music on<span class="pagenum">[67]</span>
+it, that the golden chains were moved, and one after
+another, fell from the queen, until she was able to
+rise and was free once more. She looked at the
+courageous youth with joy and gratitude, and felt
+very kindly toward him, because he was so handsome
+and courteous. And the queen was perfectly
+willing to return with him to the king's
+castle.</p>
+
+<p>The return of the queen gave rise to great joy,
+and Faithful received the promised reward from
+the king. But now the queen treated her husband
+with even less consideration than before. She
+would not exchange a word with him, she did not
+laugh, and locked herself up in her room with her
+gloomy thoughts. This greatly vexed the king,
+and one day he asked the queen why she was so
+sad: "Well," said she, "I cannot be happy unless
+I have the beautiful golden hall which I had in the
+hill at the troll's; for a hall like that is to be found
+nowhere else."</p>
+
+<p>"It will be no easy matter to obtain it for you,"
+said the king, "and I cannot promise you that anyone
+will be able to do it." But when he complained
+of his difficulty to his servant Unfaithful, the latter
+answered: "The chances of success are not so bad,
+for Faithful said he could easily bring the troll's
+golden hall to the castle." Faithful was at once
+sent for, and the king commanded him, as he loved<span class="pagenum">[68]</span>
+his life, to make good his word and bring the golden
+hall from the troll's hill. It was in vain that Faithful
+denied Unfaithful's assertions: go he must, and
+bring back the golden hall.</p>
+
+<p>Inconsolable, he went to his beautiful horse, wept
+and wanted to say farewell to him forever. "What
+troubles you?" asked the horse. And the youth replied:
+"Unfaithful has again been telling lies about
+me, and if I do not bring the troll's golden hall to
+the queen, my life will be forfeited." "Is it nothing
+more serious than that?" said the horse. "See
+that you obtain a great ship, take your fiddle with
+you and play the golden hall out of the hill, then
+hitch the troll's horses before it, and you will be
+able to bring the glistening hall here without
+trouble."</p>
+
+<p>Then Faithful felt somewhat better, did as the
+horse had told him, and was successful in reaching
+the great hill. And as he stood there playing the
+fiddle, the golden hall heard him, and was drawn to
+the sounding music, and it moved slowly, slowly,
+until it stood outside the hill. It was built of virgin
+gold, like a house by itself, and under it were many
+wheels. Then the youth took the troll's horses, put
+them to the golden hall, and thus brought it aboard
+his ship. Soon he had crossed the lake, and brought
+it along safely so that it reached the castle without
+damage, to the great joy of the queen. Yet despite<span class="pagenum">[69]</span>
+the fact, she was as weary of everything as
+she had been before, never spoke to her husband,
+the king, and no one ever saw her laugh.</p>
+
+<p>Now the king grew even more vexed than he had
+been, and again asked her why she seemed so sad.
+"Ah, how can I be happy unless I have the two
+colts that used to belong to me, when I stayed at the
+troll's! Such handsome steeds are to be seen
+nowhere else!" "It will be anything but easy to
+obtain for you what you want," declared the king,
+"for they were untamed, and long ago must have
+run far away into the wild-wood." Then he left
+her, sadly, and did not know what to do. But Unfaithful
+said: "Let my lord give himself no concern,
+for Faithful has declared he could easily secure
+both of the troll's colts." Faithful was at once
+sent for, and the king threatened him with death,
+if he did not show his powers in the matter of the
+colts. But should he succeed in catching them,
+then he would be rewarded.</p>
+
+<p>Now Faithful knew quite well that he could not
+hope to catch the troll's wild colts, and he once more
+turned to the stable in order to bid farewell to the
+<i>huldra's</i> gift. "Why do you weep over such a trifle?"
+said the horse. "Hurry to the wood, play
+your fiddle, and all will be well!" Faithful did as
+he was told, and after a while the two lions whom he
+had rescued came leaping toward him, listened to<span class="pagenum">[70]</span>
+his playing and asked him whether he was in distress.
+"Yes, indeed," said Faithful, and told them
+what he had to do. They at once ran back into the
+wood, one to one side and the other to the other,
+and returned quickly, driving the two colts before
+them. Then Faithful played his fiddle and the
+colts followed him, so that he soon reached the
+king's castle in safety, and could deliver the steeds
+to the queen.</p>
+
+<p>The king now expected that his wife would be gay
+and happy. But she did not change, never addressed
+a word to him, and only seemed a little less sad
+when she happened to speak to the daring youth.</p>
+
+<p>Then the king asked her to tell him what she
+lacked, and why she was so discontented. She answered:
+"I have secured the colts of the troll, and
+I often sit in the glittering hall of gold; but I can
+open none of the handsome chests that are filled to
+the brim with my valuables, because I have no keys.
+And if I do not get the keys again, how can I be
+happy?" "And where may the keys be?" asked the
+king. "In the lake by the troll's hill," said the
+queen, "for that is where I threw them when Faithful
+brought me here." "This is a ticklish affair,
+this business of those keys you want!" said the king.
+"And I can scarcely promise that you will ever see
+them again." In spite of this, however, he was
+willing to make an attempt, and talked it over with
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="P_71" id="P_71">[71]</a></span>his servant Unfaithful. "Why, that is easily done,"
+said the latter, "for Faithful boasted to me that he
+could get the queen's keys without any difficulty if he
+wished." "Then I shall compel him to keep his
+word," said the king. And he at once ordered Faithful,
+on pain of death, to get the queen's keys out of
+the lake by the troll's hill without delay.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 424px;">
+<a name="i3" id="i3"></a>
+<img src="images/i004.jpg" width="424" height="600" alt="&quot;The pike rose to the surface with the golden keys
+in his mouth.&quot;" title="">
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">&quot;The pike rose to the surface with the golden keys
+in his mouth.&quot;
+&mdash;<a href="#P_71">Page 71</a></p>
+
+<p>This time the youth was not so depressed, for he
+thought to himself: "My wise horse will be able to
+help me." And so he was, for he advised him to go
+along playing his fiddle, and to wait for what might
+happen. After the youth had played for a while,
+the pike he had saved thrust his head out of the
+water, recognized him, and asked whether he could
+be of any service to him. "Yes, indeed!" said the
+youth, and told him what it was he wanted. The
+pike at once dived, quickly rose to the surface of the
+water with the golden keys in his mouth, and gave
+them to his deliverer. The latter hastened back with
+them, and now the queen could open the great chests
+in the golden hall to her heart's content.</p>
+
+<p>Notwithstanding, the king's wife was as sorrowful
+as ever, and when the king complained about it to
+Unfaithful, the latter said: "No doubt it is because
+she loves Faithful. I would therefore advise that
+my lord have him beheaded. Then there will be a
+change." This advice suited the king well, and he
+determined to carry it out shortly. But one day<span class="pagenum">[72]</span>
+Faithful's horse said to him: "The king is going to
+have your head chopped off. So hurry to the wood,
+play your fiddle, and beg the two doves to bring you
+a bottle of the water of life. Then go to the queen
+and ask her to set your head on your body and to
+sprinkle you with the water when you have been beheaded."
+Faithful did so. He went to the wood
+that very day with his fiddle, and before long the
+two doves were fluttering around him, and shortly
+after brought back the bottle filled with the water of
+life. He took it back home with him and gave it to
+the queen, so that she might sprinkle him with it
+after he had been beheaded. She did so, and at
+once Faithful rose again, as full of life as ever; but
+far better looking. The king was astonished at
+what he had seen, and told the queen to cut off his
+own head and then sprinkle him with the water.
+She at once seized the sword, and in a moment the
+king's head rolled to the ground. But she
+sprinkled none of the water of life upon it, and the
+king's body was quickly carried out and buried.
+Then the queen and Faithful celebrated their wedding
+with great pomp; but Unfaithful was banished
+from the land and went away in disgrace. The
+wise horse dwelt contentedly in a wonderful chamber,
+and the king and queen kept the magic fiddle,
+the golden hall, and the troll's other valuables, and
+lived in peace and happiness day after day.<span class="pagenum">[73]</span></p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Faithful and Unfaithful" (From the Hy&igrave;t&eacute;n-Cavallius mss. collection),
+is a distant offshoot, and one complicated with other motives,
+of a cycle in which even the Tristan legend is represented, the fairy-tale
+of the golden-haired maiden and the water of life and death.
+(Reinhold K&ouml;hler, <i>Kleinere Schriften</i>, II, p. 328).</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[74]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="X" id="X"></a>X</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">STARKAD AND BALE</p>
+
+<p>Starkad, the hero of the legends, the bravest
+warrior in the army of the North, had fallen
+into disgrace with the king because of a certain
+princess, so he wandered up into Norland, and
+settled down at Rude in Tuna, where he was known
+as the Thrall of the Alders or the Red Fellow.</p>
+
+<p>In Balbo, nine miles from Rude, dwelt another
+hero, Bale, a good friend and companion-at-arms of
+Starkad.</p>
+
+<p>One morning Starkad climbed the Klefberg in
+Tuna, and called over to Bale: "Bale in Balbo, are
+you awake?"</p>
+
+<p>"Red Fellow!" answered Bale, nine miles away,
+"the sun and I wake together! But how goes it with
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"None too well. I eat salmon morning, noon and
+night. Come over with a bit of meat!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll come!" Bale called back, and in a few hours
+time he was down in Tuna with an elk under each
+arm.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning Bale in Balbo stood on a<span class="pagenum">[75]</span>
+hill in Borgsjo and called: "Red Fellow! Are you
+awake?"</p>
+
+<p>"The sun and I wake together!" answered Starkad.
+"And how goes it with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Alas, I have nothing to eat but meat! Elk in the
+morning, elk at noon and elk at night. Come over
+and bring a fish-tail along with you!"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm coming!" called out Starkad, and in a short
+time he had joined his friend with a barrel of salmon
+under each arm.</p>
+
+<p>In this fashion the two friends provided themselves
+with all the game to be found in the woods and in
+the water, and spread terror and destruction
+throughout the countryside. But one evening, when
+they were just returning to the sea from an excursion,
+a black cloud came up, and a tempest broke.
+They hurried along as fast as they could; but got no
+further than Vattjom, where a flash of lightning
+struck Starkad and flung him to the ground. His
+friend and companion-at-arms buried him beneath a
+stone cairn, about which he set five rocks: two at his
+feet, two at his shoulders, and one at his head; and
+that grave, measuring twenty ells in length, may
+still be seen near the river.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>In "Starkad and Bale" (Hofberg, p. 181. From Medelpad, after
+ancient traditional sources) humorous feats of gigantic strength
+are ascribed to the most famous hero of Northern legend, Starkad,
+who was brought up by Odin himself.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[76]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XI" id="XI"></a>XI</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE WEREWOLF</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a king, who reigned
+over a great kingdom. He had a queen, but
+only a single daughter, a girl. In consequence the
+little girl was the apple of her parents' eyes; they
+loved her above everything else in the world, and
+their dearest thought was the pleasure they would
+take in her when she was older. But the unexpected
+often happens; for before the king's daughter began
+to grow up, the queen her mother fell ill and died.
+It is not hard to imagine the grief that reigned, not
+alone in the royal castle, but throughout the land;
+for the queen had been beloved of all. The king
+grieved so that he would not marry again, and his
+one joy was the little princess.</p>
+
+<p>A long time passed, and with each succeeding day
+the king's daughter grew taller and more beautiful,
+and her father granted her every wish. Now there
+were a number of women who had nothing to do but
+wait on the princess and carry out her commands.
+Among them was a woman who had formerly married
+and had two daughters. She had an engaging<span class="pagenum">[77]</span>
+appearance, a smooth tongue and a winning way of
+talking, and she was as soft and pliable as silk; but
+at heart she was full of machinations and falseness.
+Now when the queen died, she at once began to plan
+how she might marry the king, so that her daughters
+might be kept like royal princesses. With this end
+in view, she drew the young princess to her, paid her
+the most fulsome compliments on everything she
+said and did, and was forever bringing the conversation
+around to how happy she would be were the king
+to take another wife. There was much said on this
+head, early and late, and before very long the princess
+came to believe that the woman knew all there
+was to know about everything. So she asked her
+what sort of a woman the king ought to choose for
+a wife. The woman answered as sweet as honey:
+"It is not my affair to give advice in this matter; yet
+he should choose for queen some one who is kind to
+the little princess. For one thing I know, and that
+is, were I fortunate enough to be chosen, my one
+thought would be to do all I could for the little princess,
+and if she wished to wash her hands, one of my
+daughters would have to hold the wash-bowl and the
+other hand her the towel." This and much more she
+told the king's daughter, and the princess believed
+it, as children will.</p>
+
+<p>From that day forward the princess gave her father
+no peace, and begged him again and again to<span class="pagenum">[78]</span>
+marry the good court lady. Yet he did not want to
+marry her. But the king's daughter gave him no
+rest; but urged him again and again, as the false
+court lady had persuaded her to do. Finally, one
+day, when she again brought up the matter, the king
+cried: "I can see you will end by having your own
+way about this, even though it be entirely against
+my will. But I will do so only on one condition."
+"What is the condition?" asked the princess. "If
+I marry again," said the king, "it is only because
+of your ceaseless pleading. Therefore you must
+promise that, if in the future you are not satisfied
+with your step-mother or your step-sisters, not a
+single lament or complaint on your part reaches my
+ears." This she promised the king, and it was agreed
+that he should marry the court lady and make
+her queen of the whole country.</p>
+
+<p>As time passed on, the king's daughter had grown
+to be the most beautiful maiden to be found far and
+wide; the queen's daughters, on the other hand, were
+homely, evil of disposition, and no one knew any
+good of them. Hence it was not surprising that
+many youths came from East and West to sue for
+the princess's hand; but that none of them took
+any interest in the queen's daughters. This made
+the step-mother very angry; but she concealed her
+rage, and was as sweet and friendly as ever. Among
+the wooers was a king's son from another country.<span class="pagenum">[79]</span>
+He was young and brave, and since he loved the
+princess dearly, she accepted his proposal and they
+plighted their troth. The queen observed this with
+an angry eye, for it would have pleased her had the
+prince chosen one of her own daughters. She therefor
+made up her mind that the young pair should
+never be happy together, and from that time on
+thought only of how she might part them from each
+other.</p>
+
+<p>An opportunity soon offered itself. News came
+that the enemy had entered the land, and the king
+was compelled to go to war. Now the princess began
+to find out the kind of step-mother she had. For no
+sooner had the king departed than the queen showed
+her true nature, and was just as harsh and unkind
+as she formerly had pretended to be friendly and
+obliging. Not a day went by without her scolding
+and threatening the princess; and the queen's
+daughters were every bit as malicious as their
+mother. But the king's son, the lover of the princess,
+found himself in even worse position. He had
+gone hunting one day, had lost his way, and could
+not find his people. Then the queen used her black
+arts and turned him into a werewolf, to wander
+through the forest for the remainder of his life in
+that shape. When evening came and there was no
+sign of the prince, his people returned home, and one
+can imagine what sorrow they caused when the princess<span class="pagenum">[80]</span>
+learned how the hunt had ended. She grieved,
+wept day and night, and was not to be consoled. But
+the queen laughed at her grief, and her heart was
+filled with joy to think that all had turned out exactly
+as she wished.</p>
+
+<p>Now it chanced one day, as the king's daughter
+was sitting alone in her room, that she thought she
+would go herself into the forest where the prince had
+disappeared. She went to her step-mother and begged
+permission to go out into the forest, in order to
+forget her surpassing grief. The queen did not
+want to grant her request, for she always preferred
+saying no to yes. But the princess begged her so
+winningly that at last she was unable to say no, and
+she ordered one of her daughters to go along with
+her and watch her. That caused a great deal of
+discussion, for neither of the step-daughters wanted
+to go with her; each made all sorts of excuses,
+and asked what pleasures were there in going with
+the king's daughter, who did nothing but cry. But
+the queen had the last word in the end, and ordered
+that one of her daughters must accompany the princess,
+even though it be against her will. So the girls
+wandered out of the castle into the forest. The
+king's daughter walked among the trees, and listened
+to the song of the birds, and thought of her lover, for
+whom she longed, and who was now no longer there.
+And the queen's daughter followed her, vexed, in her<span class="pagenum">[81]</span>
+malice, with the king's daughter and her sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>After they had walked a while, they came to a little
+hut, lying deep in the dark forest. By then the
+king's daughter was very thirsty, and wanted to go
+into the little hut with her step-sister, in order to get
+a drink of water. But the queen's daughter was
+much annoyed and said: "Is it not enough for me to
+be running around here in the wilderness with you?
+Now you even want me, who am a princess, to enter
+that wretched little hut. No, I will not step a foot
+over the threshold! If you want to go in, why go
+in alone!" The king's daughter lost no time; but
+did as her step-sister advised, and stepped into the
+little hut. When she entered she saw an old woman
+sitting there on a bench, so enfeebled by age that
+her head shook. The princess spoke to her in her
+usual friendly way: "Good evening, motherkin.
+May I ask you for a drink of water?" "You are
+heartily welcome to it," said the old woman. "Who
+may you be, that step beneath my lowly roof and
+greet me in so winning a way?" The king's daughter
+told her who she was, and that she had gone out to
+relieve her heart, in order to forget her great grief.
+"And what may your great grief be?" asked the
+old woman. "No doubt it is my fate to grieve,"
+said the princess, "and I can never be happy again.
+I have lost my only love, and God alone knows
+whether I shall ever see him again." And she also<span class="pagenum">[82]</span>
+told her why it was, and the tears ran down her
+cheeks in streams, so that any one would have felt
+sorry for her. When she had ended the old woman
+said: "You did well in confiding your sorrow to me.
+I have lived long and may be able to give you a bit
+of good advice. When you leave here you will see
+a lily growing from the ground. This lily is not
+like other lilies, however, but has many strange virtues.
+Run quickly over to it, and pick it. If you can
+do that then you need not worry, for then one will appear
+who will tell you what to do." Then they
+parted and the king's daughter thanked her and
+went her way; while the old woman sat on the bench
+and wagged her head. But the queen's daughter
+had been standing without the hut the entire time,
+vexing herself, and grumbling because the king's
+daughter had taken so long.</p>
+
+<p>So when the latter stepped out, she had to listen
+to all sorts of abuse from her step-sister, as was to
+be expected. Yet she paid no attention to her, and
+thought only of how she might find the flower of
+which the old woman had spoken. They went
+through the forest, and suddenly she saw a beautiful
+white lily growing in their very path. She was much
+pleased and ran up at once to pick it; but that very
+moment it disappeared and reappeared somewhat
+further away.</p>
+
+<p>The king's daughter was now filled with eagerness,<span class="pagenum"><a name="P_83" id="P_83">[83]</a></span>
+no longer listened to her step-sister's calls, and
+kept right on running; yet each time when she
+stooped to pick the lily, it suddenly disappeared and
+reappeared somewhat further away. Thus it went
+for some time, and the princess was drawn further
+and further into the deep forest. But the lily continued
+to stand, and disappear and move further
+away, and each time the flower seemed larger and
+more beautiful than before. At length the princess
+came to a high hill, and as she looked toward its
+summit, there stood the lily high on the naked rock,
+glittering as white and radiant as the brightest star.
+The king's daughter now began to climb the hill,
+and in her eagerness she paid no attention to stones
+nor steepness. And when at last she reached the
+summit of the hill, lo and behold! the lily no longer
+evaded her grasp; but remained where it was, and
+the princess stooped and picked it and hid it in her
+bosom, and so heartfelt was her happiness that she
+forgot her step-sisters and everything else in the
+world.</p>
+
+<p>For a long time she did not tire of looking at the
+beautiful flower. Then she suddenly began to wonder
+what her step-mother would say when she came
+home after having remained out so long. And she
+looked around, in order to find the way back to the
+castle. But as she looked around, behold, the sun
+had set and no more than a little strip of daylight<span class="pagenum">[84]</span>
+rested on the summit of the hill. Below her lay the
+forest, so dark and shadowed that she had no faith
+in her ability to find the homeward path. And now
+she grew very sad, for she could think of nothing
+better to do than to spend the night on the hill-top.
+She seated herself on the rock, put her hand to her
+cheek, cried, and thought of her unkind step-mother
+and step-sisters, and of all the harsh words she
+would have to endure when she returned. And she
+thought of her father, the king, who was away at
+war, and of the love of her heart, whom she would
+never see again; and she grieved so bitterly that she
+did not even know she wept. Night came and darkness,
+and the stars rose, and still the princess sat
+in the same spot and wept. And while she sat
+there, lost in her thoughts, she heard a voice say:
+"Good evening, lovely maiden! Why do you sit
+here so sad and lonely?" She stood up hastily,
+and felt much embarrassed, which was not surprising.
+When she looked around there was nothing
+to be seen but a tiny old man, who nodded to her
+and seemed to be very humble. She answered:
+"Yes, it is no doubt my fate to grieve, and never
+be happy again. I have lost my dearest love, and
+now I have lost my way in the forest, and
+am afraid of being devoured by wild beasts."
+"As to that," said the old man, "you need have no
+fear. If you will do exactly as I say, I will help
+<span class="pagenum">[85]</span>you." This made the princess happy; for she felt
+that all the rest of the world had abandoned her.
+Then the old man drew out flint and steel and said:
+"Lovely maiden, you must first build a fire." She
+did as he told her, gathered moss, brush and dry
+sticks, struck sparks and lit such a fire on the hill-top
+that the flame blazed up to the skies. That
+done the old man said: "Go on a bit and you will
+find a kettle of tar, and bring the kettle to me."
+This the king's daughter did. The old man continued:
+"Now put the kettle on the fire." And
+the princess did that as well. When the tar began
+to boil, the old man said: "Now throw your white
+lily into the kettle." The princess thought this a
+harsh command, and earnestly begged to be allowed
+to keep the lily. But the old man said: "Did you
+not promise to obey my every command? Do as
+I tell you or you will regret it." The king's daughter
+turned away her eyes, and threw the lily into
+the boiling tar; but it was altogether against her
+will, so fond had she grown of the beautiful flower.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;">
+<a name="i4" id="i4"></a>
+<img src="images/i005.jpg" width="419" height="600" alt="&quot;SO HEARTFELT WAS HER HAPPINESS THAT SHE FORGOT
+EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD.&quot;" title="">
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">&quot;SO HEARTFELT WAS HER HAPPINESS THAT SHE FORGOT
+EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD.&quot;
+&mdash;<a href="#P_83">Page 83</a></p>
+
+<p>The moment she did so a hollow roar, like that of
+some wild beast, sounded from the forest. It came
+nearer, and turned into such a terrible howling that
+all the surrounding hills re&euml;choed it. Finally there
+was a cracking and breaking among the trees, the
+bushes were thrust aside, and the princess saw a
+great grey wolf come running out of the forest and<span class="pagenum">[86]</span>
+straight up the hill. She was much frightened and
+would gladly have run away, had she been able.
+But the old man said: "Make haste, run to the
+edge of the hill and the moment the wolf comes
+along, upset the kettle on him!" The princess was
+terrified, and hardly knew what she was about; yet
+she did as the old man said, took the kettle, ran to
+the edge of the hill, and poured its contents over
+the wolf just as he was about to run up. And then
+a strange thing happened: no sooner had she done
+so, than the wolf was transformed, cast off his thick
+grey pelt, and in place of the horrible wild beast,
+there stood a handsome young man, looking up to
+the hill. And when the king's daughter collected
+herself and looked at him, she saw that it was really
+and truly her lover, who had been turned into a
+werewolf.</p>
+
+<p>It is easy to imagine how the princess felt. She
+opened her arms, and could neither ask questions
+nor reply to them, so moved and delighted was she.
+But the prince ran hastily up the hill, embraced her
+tenderly, and thanked her for delivering him. Nor
+did he forget the little old man, but thanked him
+with many civil expressions for his powerful aid.
+Then they sat down together on the hill-top, and
+had a pleasant talk. The prince told how he had
+been turned into a wolf, and of all he had suffered
+while running about in the forest; and the princess<span class="pagenum">[87]</span>
+told of her grief, and the many tears she had shed
+while he had been gone. So they sat the whole
+night through, and never noticed it until the stars
+grew pale and it was light enough to see. When
+the sun rose, they saw that a broad path led from
+the hill-top straight to the royal castle; for they
+had a view of the whole surrounding country from
+the hill-top. Then the old man said: "Lovely
+maiden, turn around! Do you see anything out
+yonder?" "Yes," said the princess, "I see a
+horseman on a foaming horse, riding as fast as he
+can." Then the old man said: "He is a messenger
+sent on ahead by the king your father. And your
+father with all his army is following him." That
+pleased the princess above all things, and she wanted
+to descend the hill at once to meet her father.
+But the old man detained her and said: "Wait a
+while, it is too early yet. Let us wait and see how
+everything turns out."</p>
+
+<p>Time passed and the sun was shining brightly,
+and its rays fell straight on the royal castle down
+below. Then the old man said: "Lovely maiden,
+turn around! Do you see anything down below?"
+"Yes," replied the princess, "I see a number of
+people coming out of my father's castle, and some
+are going along the road, and others into the forest."
+The old man said: "Those are your step-mother's
+servants. She has sent some to meet the<span class="pagenum">[88]</span>
+king and welcome him; but she has sent others to
+the forest to look for you." At these words the
+princess grew uneasy, and wished to go down to
+the queen's servants. But the old man withheld
+her and said: "Wait a while, and let us first see
+how everything turns out."</p>
+
+<p>More time passed, and the king's daughter was
+still looking down the road from which the king
+would appear, when the old man said: "Lovely
+maiden, turn around! Do you see anything down
+below?" "Yes," answered the princess, "there is
+a great commotion in my father's castle, and they
+are hanging it with black." The old man said:
+"That is your step-mother and her people. They
+will assure your father that you are dead." Then
+the king's daughter felt bitter anguish, and she implored
+from the depths of her heart: "Let me go,
+let me go, so that I may spare my father this
+anguish!" But the old man detained her and said:
+"No, wait, it is still too early. Let us first see how
+everything turns out."</p>
+
+<p>Again time passed, the sun lay high above the
+fields, and the warm air blew over meadow and
+forest. The royal maid and youth still sat on the
+hill-top with the old man, where we had left them.
+Then they saw a little cloud rise against the horizon,
+far away in the distance, and the little cloud grew
+larger and larger, and came nearer and nearer<span class="pagenum">[89]</span>
+along the road, and as it moved one could see it was
+agleam with weapons, and nodding helmets, and
+waving flags, one could hear the rattle of swords,
+and the neighing of horses, and finally recognize
+the banner of the king. It is not hard to imagine
+how pleased the king's daughter was, and how she
+insisted on going down and greeting her father.
+But the old man held her back and said: "Lovely
+maiden, turn around! Do you see anything happening
+at the castle?" "Yes," answered the
+princess, "I can see my step-mother and step-sisters
+coming out, dressed in mourning, holding white
+kerchiefs to their faces, and weeping bitterly."
+The old man answered: "Now they are pretending
+to weep because of your death. Wait just a little
+while longer. We have not yet seen how everything
+will turn out."</p>
+
+<p>After a time the old man said again: "Lovely
+maiden, turn around! Do you see anything down below?"
+"Yes," said the princess, "I see people bringing
+a black coffin&mdash;now my father is having it opened.
+Look, the queen and her daughters are down
+on their knees, and my father is threatening them
+with his sword!" Then the old man said: "Your
+father wished to see your body, and so your evil
+step-mother had to confess the truth." When the
+princess heard that she said earnestly: "Let me
+go, let me go, so that I may comfort my father in<span class="pagenum">[90]</span>
+his great sorrow!" But the old man held her back
+and said: "Take my advice and stay here a little
+while longer. We have not yet seen how everything
+will turn out."</p>
+
+<p>Again time went by, and the king's daughter and
+the prince and the old man were still sitting on the
+hill-top. Then the old man said: "Lovely maiden,
+turn around! Do you see anything down below?"
+"Yes," answered the princess, "I see my father
+and my step-sisters and my step-mother with all
+their following moving this way." The old man
+said: "Now they have started out to look for you.
+Go down and bring up the wolf's pelt in the gorge."
+The king's daughter did as he told her. The old
+man continued: "Now stand at the edge of the
+hill." And the princess did that, too. Now one
+could see the queen and her daughters coming along
+the way, and stopping just below the hill. Then the
+old man said: "Now throw down the wolf's pelt!"
+The princess obeyed him, and threw down the wolf's
+pelt according to his command. It fell directly on
+the evil queen and her daughters. And then a most
+wonderful thing happened: no sooner had the pelt
+touched the three evil women than they immediately
+changed shape, and turning into three horrible
+werewolves, they ran away as fast as they could into
+the forest, howling dreadfully.</p>
+
+<p>No more had this happened than the king himself<span class="pagenum">[91]</span>
+arrived at the foot of the hill with his whole
+retinue. When he looked up and recognized the
+princess, he could not at first believe his eyes; but
+stood motionless, thinking her a vision. Then the
+old man cried: "Lovely maiden, now hasten, run
+down and make your father happy!" There was no
+need to tell the princess twice. She took her lover
+by the hand and they ran down the hill. When they
+came to the king, the princess ran on ahead, fell on
+her father's neck, and wept with joy. And the
+young prince wept as well, and the king himself
+wept; and their meeting was a pleasant sight for
+every one. There was great joy and many embraces,
+and the princess told of her evil step-mother
+and step-sisters and of her lover, and all that she had
+suffered, and of the old man who had helped them in
+such a wonderful way. But when the king turned
+around to thank the old man he had completely
+vanished, and from that day on no one could say
+who he had been or what had become of him.</p>
+
+<p>The king and his whole retinue now returned to
+the castle, where the king had a splendid banquet
+prepared, to which he invited all the able and distinguished
+people throughout the kingdom, and bestowed
+his daughter on the young prince. And the
+wedding was celebrated with gladness and music
+and amusements of every kind for many days. I
+was there, too, and when I rode through the forest<span class="pagenum">[92]</span>
+I met a wolf with two young wolves, and they
+showed me their teeth and seemed very angry. And
+I was told they were none other than the evil step-mother
+and her two daughters.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>In "The Werewolf," the basic idea is the deliverance from animal
+form through a maiden's self-sacrificing love (Hy&igrave;t&eacute;n-Cavallius and
+Stephens, p. 312. From Upland), and the Teutonic belief in human
+beings who could change themselves into wolves is clearly marked.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[93]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XII" id="XII"></a>XII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">FIRST BORN, FIRST WED</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a king who had a
+three-year old son, and was obliged to go to
+war against another king. Then, when his ships
+sailed home again after he had gained a splendid victory,
+a storm broke out and his whole fleet was near
+sinking. But the king vowed he would sacrifice to
+the sea-queen the first male creature that came to
+meet him when he reached land and entered his capital.
+Thereby the whole fleet reached the harbor in
+safety. But the five-year old prince, who had not
+seen his father for the past two years, and who was
+delighted with the thunder of the cannon as the ships
+came in, secretly slipped away from his attendants,
+and ran to the landing; and when the king came
+ashore he was the first to cast himself into his arms,
+weeping with joy. The king was frightened when
+he thought of the sea-queen; but he thought that,
+after all, the prince was only a child, and at any rate
+he could sacrifice the next person to step up to him
+after the prince. But from that time on no one
+could make a successful sea-trip, and the people began
+to murmur because the king had not kept the<span class="pagenum">[94]</span>
+promise he had made the sea-queen. But the king
+and queen never allowed the prince out without a
+great escort, and he was never permitted to enter
+a ship, for all his desire to do so. After a few years
+they gradually forgot the sea-queen, and when the
+prince was ten years old, a little brother came to
+join him. Not long after the older of the princes
+was out walking with his tutor and several other
+gentlemen. And when they reached the end of the
+royal gardens by the sea-shore&mdash;it was a summer's
+day, unusually clear&mdash;they were suddenly enveloped
+by a thick cloud, which disappeared as swiftly as it
+had come. And when it vanished, the prince was no
+longer there; nor did he return, to the great sorrow
+of the king, the queen and the whole country. In
+the meantime the young prince who was now the
+sole heir to the crown and kingdom grew up; and
+when he was sixteen, they began to think of finding
+a wife for him. For the old king and queen wished
+to see him marry the daughter of some powerful
+monarch to whom they were allied, before they died.
+With this in view, letters were written and embassies
+sent out to the most distant countries.</p>
+
+<p>While these negotiations were being conducted,
+it began to be said that the sea-shore was haunted;
+various people had heard cries, and several who
+had walked by the sea-shore late in the evening had
+fallen ill. At length no one ventured to go there<span class="pagenum">[95]</span>
+after eleven at night, because a voice kept crying
+from out at sea: "First born, first wed!" And
+when some one did venture nearer he did so at the
+risk of his life. At last these complaints came to
+the king's ear; he called together his council, and
+it was decided to question a wise woman, who had
+already foretold many mysterious happenings, which
+had all taken place exactly as she had said they
+would. When the wise woman was brought before
+the king she said it was the prince who had been
+taken into the sea who was calling, and that they
+would have to find him a bride, young, beautiful,
+and belonging to one of the noblest families of the
+land, and she must be no less than fifteen and no
+more than seventeen years old. That seemed a
+serious difficulty; for no one wished to give their
+daughter to a sea-king.</p>
+
+<p>Yet, when there was no end to the cries and the
+commotion, the wise woman said, that first it might
+be well to build a little house by the sea, perhaps
+then the turmoil might die away. At any rate, she
+said, no phantoms would haunt the place while the
+building was in progress. Hence no more than four
+workmen need be employed, and they might first
+prepare a site, then lay the stone foundation, and
+finally erect the small house, comprising no more
+than two pleasant, handsome rooms, one behind the
+other, and a good floor. The house was carefully<span class="pagenum">[96]</span>
+erected, and the royal architect himself had to
+superintend the work, so that everything might be
+done as well as possible. And while the building
+was going on, there were no mysterious noises, and
+every one could travel peacefully along the sea-shore.
+For that reason the four workmen did not
+hurry with their work; yet not one of them could
+stay away for a day, because when they did the
+tumult along the shore would begin again, and one
+could hear the cries: "First born, first wed!"
+When the little house was finally completed, the best
+carpenters came and worked in it, then painters and
+other craftsmen, and at last it was furnished, because
+when the work stopped for no more than a
+single day the cries were heard again by night.
+The rooms were fitted out as sumptuously as possible,
+and a great mirror was hung in the drawing-room.
+According to the instructions of the wise
+woman, it was hung in such wise that from the bed
+in the bed-room, even though one's face were turned
+to the wall, one could still see who stepped over the
+threshold into the drawing-room; for the door between
+each room was always to stand open.</p>
+
+<p>When all was finished, and the little house had
+been arranged with regal splendor, the cries of
+"First born, first wed!" again began to sound from
+the shore. And it was found necessary, though all
+were unwilling, to follow the wise woman's counsel,<span class="pagenum">[97]</span>
+and choose three of the loveliest maidens between
+the ages of fifteen and seventeen, belonging to the
+first families of the land. They were to be taken
+to the castle, said the wise woman, and to be treated
+like ladies of the blood royal, and one after another
+they were to be sent to the little house by the sea-shore;
+for should one of them find favor in the eyes
+of the sea-prince, then the commotion and turmoil
+would surely cease. In the meantime the negotiations
+for the marriage of the younger prince were
+continued, and the bride selected for him was soon
+expected to arrive. So the girls were also chosen
+for the sea-prince. The three chosen, as well as
+their parents, were quite inconsolable over their
+fate; even the fact that they were to be treated like
+princesses did not console them; yet had they not
+yielded it would have been all the worse for them
+and for the whole land. The first girl destined to
+sleep in the sea-palace was the oldest, and when she
+sought out the wise woman, and asked her advice,
+the latter said she should lie down in the handsome
+bed; but should turn her face to the wall, and under
+no circumstances turn around curiously, and try
+and see what was going on. She had only the right
+to behold what she saw reflected in the mirror in the
+drawing-room as she lay with her face to the wall.
+At ten o'clock that night the royal sea-bride was
+led with great pomp to the little house.<span class="pagenum">[98]</span></p>
+
+<p>Her relatives and the court said farewell to her
+with many tears, left her before eleven, locked the
+door on the outside, and took the keys with them to
+the castle. The wise woman was also there, consoled
+the people, and assured them that if the
+maiden only forbore to speak, and did not turn
+around, she would come out in the morning fresh
+and blooming. The poor girl prayed and wept until
+she grew sleepy; but toward twelve o'clock the
+outer door suddenly opened, and then the door of
+the drawing-room. She was startled and filled with
+fear when, her face turned toward the wall, she saw
+in the great mirror, how a tall, well-built youth entered,
+from whose garments the water ran in streams
+to the floor. He shook himself as though freezing,
+and said "Uh hu!" Then he went to the window,
+and there laid down an unusually large and handsome
+apple, and hung a bottle in the casement.
+Next he stepped to the bed, bent over the sleeping
+girl and looked at her, strode up and down a few
+times, shaking the water from his clothes and saying
+"Uh hu!" Then he went back to the bed, undressed
+hurriedly, lay down and fell asleep. The
+poor girl, had not been sleeping; but had only closed
+her eyes when the prince bent over her. Now she
+was glad to think he was fast asleep, and forgot the
+wise woman's warning not to turn around. Her
+curiosity got the better of her, and she wanted to<span class="pagenum">[99]</span>
+find out if this were a real human being. She turned
+around softly, lest she wake him; but just as she
+sat up quietly in bed, in order to take a good look at
+her neighbor, he swiftly seized her right hand,
+hewed it off, and flung it under the bed. Then he at
+once lay down and fell asleep again. As soon as it
+was day, he rose, dressed without casting even a
+glance at the bed, took the bottle and the apple from
+the window, went hastily out and locked the door
+after him. One can imagine how the poor girl suffered
+in the meantime, and when her friends and
+relatives came to fetch her they found her weeping
+and robbed of her hand. She was brought to the
+castle and the wise woman sent for, and overwhelmed
+with bitter reproaches. But she said that if the
+maiden had not turned around, and had overcome her
+curiosity, she would not have lost her hand. They
+were to treat her as though she were really and truly
+a princess; but that it would be as much as her life
+were worth to allow her to return to the neighborhood
+of the little house.</p>
+
+<p>The two girls were all the more discouraged by
+this mishap, and thought themselves condemned to
+death, though the wise woman consoled them as well
+as she knew how. The second promised her faithfully
+not to turn around; yet it happened with her
+as it had with the first. The prince came in at twelve
+o'clock dripping, shook himself so that the water<span class="pagenum">[100]</span>
+flew about, said "Uh hu!" went to the window, laid
+down the beautiful apple, hung up the bottle, came
+into the bed-room, bent over the bed, strode up and
+down a few times, said "Uh hu!" hastily undressed,
+and at once fell asleep. Her curiosity gained the
+upper hand, and when she made sure that he was
+sleeping soundly, she carefully turned around in
+order to look at him. But he seized her right hand,
+hewed it off and cast it under the bed, and then laid
+down again and slept on. At dawn he rose, dressed
+without casting a glance at the bed, took the apple
+and the bottle, went out and locked the door after
+him. When her friends and relatives came to
+fetch the girl in the morning, they found her weeping
+and without a right hand. She was taken to
+the castle, where she found herself just as little
+welcome as her predecessor, and the wise woman
+insisted that the girl must have turned around,
+though at first she denied it absolutely.</p>
+
+<p>Then the youngest, sweetest and loveliest of the
+three maidens had to go to the sea-castle amid the
+mourning of the entire court. The wise woman
+accompanied her, and implored her not to turn
+around; since there was no other means of protection
+against the spell.</p>
+
+<p>The maiden promised to heed her warning, and
+said that she would pray God to help her if she
+were plagued with curiosity. All happened as before:<span class="pagenum">[101]</span>
+the prince came on the stroke of twelve, dripping
+wet, said "Uh hu!" shook himself, laid the
+apple on the window, hung up the bottle, went into
+the bed-room, bent over the bed, strode up and
+down for a few times, said "Uh hu!" undressed,
+and at once fell asleep. The poor girl was half-dead
+with fear and terror, and prayed and struggled
+against her curiosity till at length she fell asleep,
+and did not awake until the prince rose and
+dressed. He stepped up to the bed, bent over it
+for a moment, went out, turned at the door and
+took the bottle and the apple, and then locked the
+door after him. In the morning the entire court,
+the girl's parents and the wise woman came to
+fetch her. She came to meet them weeping with
+joy, and was conducted to the castle in triumph
+and with joy indescribable. The king and queen
+embraced her, and she was paid the same honors
+destined for the princess who was to arrive in the
+course of the next few days to marry the heir to
+the throne. Now the maiden had to sleep every
+night in the little house by the strand, and every
+evening the prince came in with his apple and his
+bottle, and every morning went away at dawn. But
+it seemed to her that each succeeding evening and
+morning he looked at her a little longer; though she,
+always silent, timid, and turned toward the wall, did
+not dare see more than her mirror showed her of<span class="pagenum">[102]</span>
+his coming and going. But the two other girls, who
+had lost their hands, and who now no longer lived
+in the castle, were jealous of the honor shown the
+youngest, and threatened to have her done away
+with if she did not restore their hands. The maiden
+went weeping to the wise woman; and the latter
+said that when the prince had lain down as usual
+she should say&mdash;keeping her face turned toward
+the wall:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"The maidens twain will see me slain,<br></span>
+<span class="i0">Or else have back their hands again!"<br></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>But she was to offer no further information nor
+say another word. With a beating heart the poor
+girl waited until the prince came, and when he had
+bent over the bed longer than usual, sighed, then
+hastily undressed and lain down, the maiden said,
+quivering and trembling:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"The maidens twain will see me slain,<br></span>
+<span class="i0">Or else have back their hands again!"<br></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>The prince at once replied: "Take the hands&mdash;they
+are lying under the bed&mdash;and the bottle hanging
+in the window, and pour some of the contents
+of the bottle on their arms and hands, join them together,
+bind them up, take away the bandages in
+three days' time and the hands will have been healed!"
+The maiden made no reply and fell asleep.<span class="pagenum">[103]</span>
+In the morning the prince rose as usual, stepped
+over to the bed several times and looked at her
+from its foot; but she did not dare look up, and
+closed her eyes. He sighed, took his apple; but
+left the bottle, and went. When the maiden rose
+she did as he had told her, and in three days' time
+removed the bandages, and the girls' hands were
+well and whole.</p>
+
+<p>Now the foreign princess arrived and the wedding
+was to be celebrated as soon as possible. Yet
+she was not fitted out with any more magnificence
+than the bride of the sea-prince, and both were
+equally honored by the king and court. This annoyed
+the two other girls, and they again threatened
+to have the youngest done away with if she
+did not let them taste the apple which the prince
+always brought with him. Again the maiden sought
+the advice of the wise woman, in whom she had confidence.
+And that night, when the prince had lain
+down, she said:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"The maidens twain will see me slain,<br></span>
+<span class="i0">Or else your apple they would gain!"<br></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Then the prince said: "Take the apple lying in
+the window, and when you go out, lay it on the
+ground and follow wherever it may roll. And
+when it stops, pick as many apples as you wish,
+and return the same way you came." The maiden<span class="pagenum">[104]</span>
+made no reply, and fell asleep. On the following
+morning it seemed harder than ever for the prince
+to resolve to go away. He appeared excited and
+restless, sighed often, bent over the maiden several
+times, went into the living room, then turned around
+and looked at her once more. Finally, when the
+sun rose, he hurried out and locked the door after
+him. When the maiden rose, she could not help
+weeping, for she had really begun to love the prince.</p>
+
+<p>Then she took the apple, and when she was outside
+the door, laid it on the ground, and it rolled and
+rolled, and she followed it, a long, long way, to a region
+unknown to her. There she came to a high garden
+wall, over which hung the branches of trees,
+loaded with beautiful fruit. Finally she reached a
+great portal, adorned with gold and splendid ornaments,
+which opened of its own accord as the apple
+rolled up to it. And the apple rolled through the
+portal and the maiden followed it into the garden,
+which was the most beautiful she ever had seen.
+The apple rolled over to a low-growing tree weighed
+with the most magnificent apples, and there it
+stopped. The maiden picked all that her silken
+apron would hold, and turned to see from which
+direction she had come, and where the portal stood
+through which she would have to pass on her way
+back. But the garden was so lovely that she felt
+like enjoying its charms a while longer, and without<span class="pagenum">[105]</span>
+thinking of the prince's words, she touched
+the apple with her foot, and it began to roll again.
+Suddenly the portal closed with a great crash.
+Then the maiden was much frightened, and regretted
+having done what had been forbidden her; yet
+now she could not get out, and was compelled to
+follow the apple once more. It rolled far into the
+beautiful garden and stopped at a little fire-place,
+where stood two kettles of water, one small, the
+other large. There was a great fire burning under
+the large kettle; but only a weak fire beneath
+the smaller one. Now when the apple stopped
+there the maiden did not know what to do. Then
+it occurred to her to scrape away the fire beneath
+the large kettle and thrust it under the little one;
+and soon the kettle over the small fire began to
+boil and the kettle over the large one simmered
+down. But she could not stay there. And since
+she had already disobeyed the order given her,
+she expected to die, nothing less, and was quite
+resigned to do so, because she had lost all hope of
+winning the prince.</p>
+
+<p>So she gave the apple another push, and it rolled
+into a meadow in the middle of the garden, and
+there lay two little children, asleep, with the hot
+sun beating straight down upon them. The maiden
+felt sorry for the children, and she took her
+apron and laid it over them to protect them from<span class="pagenum">[106]</span>
+the sun, and only kept the apples she could put in
+her little basket. But she could not stay here either,
+so again she touched the apple, and it rolled
+on and before she knew it the girl found herself by
+the sea-shore. There, under a shady tree lay the
+prince asleep; while beside him sat the sea-queen.
+Both rose when the maiden drew near, and the
+prince looked at her with alarm and tenderness in
+his flashing eyes. Then he leaped into the sea,
+and the white foam closed over him. But the sea-queen
+was enraged and seized the girl, who thought
+that her last moment had struck, and begged for
+a merciful death. The sea-queen looked at her,
+and asked her who had given her permission to
+pass beyond the apple-tree. The maiden confessed
+her disobedience, and said that she had done so without
+meaning any harm, whereupon the sea-queen
+said she would see how she had conducted herself
+and punish her accordingly. Thereupon the sea-queen
+gave the apple a push, and it rolled back
+through the portal to the apple-tree. The sea-queen
+saw that the apple-tree was uninjured, again
+pushed the apple and it rolled on to the little fire-place.
+But when the sea-queen saw the small kettle
+boiling furiously, while the large one was growing
+cold, she became very angry, seized the girl's
+arm savagely and rising to her full height, asked:
+"What have you dared do here? How dared<span class="pagenum">[107]</span>
+you take the fire from under my kettle and put it
+under your own?" The maiden did not know that
+she had done anything wrong, and said that she
+did not know why. Then the sea-queen replied:
+"The large kettle signified the love between the
+prince and myself; the small one the love between
+the prince and you. Since you have taken the fire
+from under my kettle and laid it under your own,
+the prince is now violently in love with you, while
+his love for me is well-nigh extinguished. "Look,"
+she cried, angrily, "now my kettle has stopped
+boiling altogether, and yours is boiling over! But
+I will see what other harm you have done and punish
+you accordingly." And the sea-queen again
+pushed the apple with her foot, and it rolled to the
+sleeping children, who had been covered with the
+apron. Then the sea-queen said: "Did you do
+that?" "Yes," replied the maiden, weeping, "but
+I meant no harm. I covered the little ones with
+my apron so that the sun might not burn down on
+them so fiercely, and I left with them the apples I
+could not put in my basket." The sea-queen said:
+"This deed and your truthfulness are your salvation.
+I see that you have a kind heart. These
+children belong to me and to the prince; but since
+he now loves you more than he does me, I will resign
+him to you. Go back to the castle and there say
+what I tell you: that your wedding with my prince<span class="pagenum">[108]</span>
+is to be celebrated at the same time as that of his
+younger brother. And all your jewels, your ornaments,
+your wedding-dress and your bridal chair,
+are to be exactly like those of the other princess.
+From the moment on that the priest blesses the
+prince and yourself I have no further power over
+him. But since I have seen to it that he has all the
+qualities which adorn a ruler, I demand that he be
+made the heir to his father's kingdom; for he is the
+oldest son. The younger prince may rule over the
+kingdom which his bride brings him. All this you
+must tell them, for only under these conditions will
+I release the prince. And when you are arrayed in
+your bridal finery, come to me here, without anyone's
+knowledge, so that I may see how they have
+adorned you. Here is the apple which will show
+you the way without any one being able to tell where
+you go." With that the sea-queen parted from her,
+and gave the apple a push. It rolled out of the
+garden and to the castle, where the maiden, with
+mingled joy and terror, delivered the sea-queen's
+message to the king, and told him what she demanded
+for the prince. The king gladly promised
+all that was desired, and great preparations were at
+once made for the double wedding. Two bridal
+chairs were set up side by side, two wedding
+gowns, and two sets of jewels exactly similar were
+made ready. When the maiden had been dressed
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="P_109" id="P_109">[109]</a></span>in her bridal finery she pretended to have forgotten
+something, which she had to fetch from a lower
+floor, went downstairs with her apple, and laid it
+on the ground. It at once rolled to the spot by
+the sea-shore where she had found the sea-queen
+and the prince, and where the sea-queen was now
+awaiting her. "It is well that you have come,"
+said the sea-queen, "for the slightest disobedience
+would have meant misfortune for you! But how
+do you look? Are you dressed just as the princess
+is? And has the princess no better clothes or
+jewels?" The maiden answered timidly, that they
+were dressed exactly alike. Then the sea-queen
+tore her gown from her body, unclasped the jewels
+from her hair and flinging them on the ground
+cried: "Is that the way the bride of my prince
+should look! Since I have given him to you I will
+give you my bridal outfit as well." And with that
+she raised up a sod beneath the great tree, and a
+shrine adorned with gold and precious stones appeared,
+from which she drew out her bridal outfit,
+which fitted the maiden as though made for her.
+And it was so costly and so covered with gems
+that the maiden was almost blinded by its radiance.
+The crown, too, glowed with light, and was set
+with the most wonderful emeralds, and all was
+magnificent beyond what any princess had ever
+worn. "Now," said the sea-queen, when she had<span class="pagenum">[110]</span>
+finished adorning the maiden, "now go back to the
+castle, and show them how I was dressed when I
+wedded the prince. All this I give as a free gift
+to you and your descendants; but you must always
+conduct yourself so that the prince will be content
+with you, and you must make his happiness your
+first thought all your life long."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;">
+<a name="i5" id="i5"></a>
+<img src="images/i006.jpg" width="419" height="600" alt="&quot;A SHRINE ADORNED WITH GOLD AND PRECIOUS STONES
+APPEARED.&quot;" title="">
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">&quot;A SHRINE ADORNED WITH GOLD AND PRECIOUS STONES
+APPEARED.&quot;
+&mdash;<a href="#P_109">Page 109</a></p>
+
+<p>This the maiden promised, with honest tears, and
+the sea-queen bade her go. When she was again
+in the castle, all were astonished at the beauty
+and costliness of her dress and jewels, in comparison
+to which those of the other princess were as
+nothing. The treasures of the whole kingdom
+would not have sufficed to pay for such a bridal
+outfit. And none any longer dared envy the lovely
+maiden, for never had a princess brought a
+richer bridal dower into the country. Now all
+went in solemn procession to the church, and the
+priests stood before the bridal chairs with their
+books open, and waited for the prince who, according
+to the sea-queen's word, would not come until
+the blessing was to be spoken. They waited
+impatiently, and the king finally told one of the
+greatest nobles to seat himself in the bridal chair
+in the prince's place, which he did. But the very
+moment the priest began to pray, the two wings
+of the church portal quickly flew open, and a tall,
+strong, handsome man with flashing eyes, royally<span class="pagenum">[111]</span>
+clad, came in, stepped up to the bridal chair, thrust
+his proxy out so hastily that he nearly fell, and
+cried: "This is my place! Now, priest, speak the
+blessing!" While the blessing was spoken the
+prince became quiet again, and then greeted his parents
+and the whole court with joy, and before all
+embraced his wife, who now for the first time ventured
+to take a good look at him. Thenceforward
+the prince was like any other human being, and in
+the end he inherited his father's kingdom, and became
+a great and world-renowned ruler, beloved
+by his subjects, and adored by his wife. They
+lived long and happily, and their descendants are
+still the rulers of the land over which he reigned.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"First Born, First Wed" is a purely Swedish, and decidedly characteristic
+treatment of a similar motive of redemption. (From the
+mss. collection of Hylt&eacute;n-Cavallius and Stephens, communicated by
+Dr. v. Sydow-Lund).</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[112]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XIII" id="XIII"></a>XIII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE LAME DOG</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there lived a king, like many
+others. He had three daughters, who were
+young and beautiful to such a degree that it would
+have been difficult to have found handsomer maidens.
+Yet there was a great difference among them; for
+the two older sisters were haughty in their thoughts
+and manners; while the youngest was sweet and
+friendly, and everyone liked her. Besides, she was
+fair as the day and delicate as the snow, and far more
+beautiful than either of her sisters.</p>
+
+<p>One day the king's daughters were sitting together
+in their room, and their talk happened to turn on
+their husbands-to-be. The oldest said: "If I ever
+marry, my husband must have golden hair and a
+a golden beard!" And the second exclaimed: "And
+mine must have silver hair and a silver beard!" But
+the youngest princess held her tongue and said nothing.
+Then her sisters asked her whether she did
+not want to wish for a husband. "No," she answered,
+"but if fate should give me a husband, I
+will be content to take him as he is, and were he no<span class="pagenum">[113]</span>
+more than a lame dog." Then the two other princesses
+laughed and joked about it, and told her the
+day might easily come when she would change her
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>But many speak truth and do not know it! Thus it
+chanced with the king's daughters; since before the
+year had come to an end, each had the suitor for
+whom she had wished. A man with golden hair and
+golden beard sued for the oldest princess and won
+her consent to his suit. And a man with silver hair
+and a silver beard sued for the second and she became
+his bride; but the youngest princess had no
+other suitor than a lame dog. Then she recalled
+her talk with her sisters in their room, and thought
+to herself: "May God aid me in the marriage into
+which I must enter!" Yet she would not break the
+word she had once passed; but followed her sisters'
+example and accepted the dog. The wedding lasted
+a number of days and was celebrated with great
+pomp and splendor. But while the guests danced
+and amused themselves, the youngest princess sat
+apart and wept, and when the others were laughing,
+her tears flowed till it made one sad to see them.</p>
+
+<p>After the wedding the newly married pairs were
+each to drive off to their castle. And the two older
+princesses each drove off in a splendidly decorated
+coach, with a large retinue, and all sorts of honors.
+But the youngest had to go afoot, since her husband,
+the dog, had neither coach nor driver. When they<span class="pagenum">[114]</span>
+had wandered long and far, they came to a great
+forest, so great that it seemed endless; but the dog
+limped along in advance, and the king's daughter
+followed after, weeping. And as they went along
+she suddenly saw a magnificent castle lying before
+them, and round about it were beautiful meadows
+and green woods, all of them most enjoyable to see.
+The princess stopped and asked to whom the great
+mansion might belong. "That," said the dog, "is
+our home. We will live here, and you shall rule it
+as you see fit." Then the maiden laughed amid her
+tears, and could not overcome her surprise at all she
+saw. The dog added: "I have but a single request
+to make to you, and that you must not refuse to
+grant." "What is your request?" asked the princess.
+"You must promise me," said the dog, "that
+you will never look at me while I am asleep: otherwise
+you are free to do whatever you wish." The
+princess gladly promised to grant his request, and
+so they went to the great castle. And if the castle
+was magnificent from without, it was still more
+magnificent within. It was so full of gold and silver
+that the precious metals gleamed from every corner;
+and there was such abundance of supplies of every
+kind, and of so many other things, that everything
+in the world one might have wished to have was
+already there. The princess spent the live-long day
+running from one room to another, and each was<span class="pagenum">[115]</span>
+handsomer than the one she had just entered. But
+when evening came and she went to bed, the dog
+crept into his own, and then she noticed that he was
+not a dog; but a human being. Yet she said not a
+word, because she remembered her promise, and did
+not wish to cross her husband's will.</p>
+
+<p>Thus some time passed. The princess dwelt in
+the beautiful castle, and had everything her heart
+might desire. But every day the dog ran off, and
+did not reappear until it was evening and the sun had
+set. Then he returned home, and was always so
+kind and friendly that it would have been a fine thing
+had other men done half as well. The princess now
+began to feel a great affection for him, and quite
+forgot he was only a lame dog; for the proverb says:
+"Love is blind." Yet time passed slowly because
+she was so much alone, and she often thought of visiting
+her sisters and seeing how they were. She spoke
+of it to her husband, and begged his permission to
+make the journey. No sooner had the dog heard her
+wish than he at once granted it, and even accompanied
+her some distance, in order to show her the way
+out of the wood.</p>
+
+<p>When the king's daughters were once reunited,
+they were naturally very happy, and there were a
+great many questions asked about matters old and
+new. And marriage was also discussed. The oldest
+princess said: "It was silly of me to wish for a<span class="pagenum">[116]</span>
+husband with golden hair and golden beard; for
+mine is worse than the veriest troll, and I have not
+known a happy day since we married." And the
+second went on: "Yes, and I am no better off;
+for although I have a husband with silver hair and a
+silver beard, he dislikes me so heartily that he begrudges
+me a single hour of happiness." Then
+her sisters turned to the youngest princess and
+asked how she fared. "Well," was her answer, "I
+really cannot complain; for though I only got a lame
+dog, he is such a dear good fellow and so kind to me
+that it would be hard to find a better husband."
+The other princesses were much surprised to hear
+this, and did not stop prying and questioning, and
+their sister answered all their questions faithfully.
+When they heard how splendidly she lived in the
+great castle, they grew jealous because she was so
+much better off than they were. And they insisted
+on knowing whether there was not some one little
+thing of which she could complain. "No," said the
+king's daughter, "I can only praise my husband for
+his kindness and amiability, and there is but one
+thing lacking to make me perfectly happy."
+"What is it?" "What is it?" cried both sisters
+with a single voice. "Every night, when he comes
+home," said the princess, "he turns into a human
+being, and I am sorry that I can never see what he
+really looks like." Then both sisters again with
+one voice, began to scold the dog loudly; because he<span class="pagenum">[117]</span>
+had a secret which he kept from his wife. And
+since her sisters now continually spoke about it, her
+own curiosity awoke once more, she forgot her husband's
+command, and asked how she might manage
+to see him without his knowing it. "O," said the
+oldest princess, "nothing easier! Here is a little
+lamp, which you must hide carefully. Then you
+need only get up at night when he is asleep, and light
+the lamp in order to see him in his true shape."
+This advice seemed good to the king's daughter; she
+took the lamp, hid it in her breast, and promised to
+do all that her sisters had counseled.</p>
+
+<p>When the time came for them to part, the youngest
+princess went back to her beautiful castle. The day
+passed like every other day. When evening came
+at last and the dog had gone to bed, the princess
+was so driven by curiosity that she could hardly
+wait until he had fallen asleep. Then she rose,
+softly, lit her lamp, and drew near the bed to look
+at him while he slept. But no one can describe her
+astonishment when throwing the light on the bed,
+she saw no lame dog lying there; but the handsomest
+youth her eyes had ever beheld. She could not
+stop looking at him; but sat up all night bending
+over his pillow, and the more she looked at him the
+handsomer he seemed to grow, until she forgot
+everything else in the world. At last the morning
+came. And as the first star began to pale in the
+dawn, the youth began to grow restless and awaken.<span class="pagenum">[118]</span>
+The princess much frightened, blew out her lamp
+and lay down in her bed. The youth thought she
+was sleeping and did not wish to wake her, so he
+rose quietly, assumed his other shape, went away
+and did not appear again all day long.</p>
+
+<p>And when evening came and it grew late, everything
+happened as before. The dog came home
+from the forest and was very tired. But no sooner
+had he fallen asleep than the princess rose carefully,
+lit her lamp and came over to look at him. And
+when she cast the light on his bed it seemed to her
+as though the youth had grown even handsomer
+than the day before, and the longer she looked the
+more handsome he became; until she had to laugh
+and weep from sheer love and longing. She could
+not take her eyes from him, and sat all night long
+bent over his pillow, forgetful of her promise and
+all else, only to be able to look at him. With the
+first ray of dawn the youth began to stir and awake.
+Then the princess was again frightened, quickly
+blew out her lamp and lay down in her bed. The
+youth thought she was sleeping, and not wishing to
+waken her, rose softly, assumed his other shape,
+went away and was gone for the entire day.</p>
+
+<p>At length it grew late again, evening came and the
+dog returned home from the forest as usual. But
+again the princess could not control her curiosity;
+no sooner was her husband sleeping than she rose<span class="pagenum">[119]</span>
+quietly, lit her lamp, and drew near carefully in order
+to look at him while he slept. And when the
+light fell on the youth, he appeared to be handsomer
+than ever before, and the longer she looked the more
+handsome he grew, until her heart burned in her
+breast, and she forgot all else in the world looking
+at him. She could not take her eyes from him, and
+sat up all night bending over his pillow. And when
+morning came and the sun rose, the youth began
+to move and awaken. Then the princess was much
+frightened, because she had paid no heed to the passing
+of time, and she tried to put out her lamp quickly.
+But her hand trembled, and a warm drop of oil
+fell on the youth and he awoke. When he saw what
+she had done, he leaped up, terrified, instantly turned
+into a lame dog, and limped out into the forest.
+But the princess felt so remorseful that she nearly
+lost her senses, and she ran after him, wringing her
+hands and weeping bitterly, and begging him to
+return. But he did not come back.</p>
+
+<p>The king's daughter now wandered over hill and
+dale, along many a road new to her, in order to find
+her husband, and her tears flowed the while till it
+would have moved a stone. But the dog was gone
+and stayed gone, though she looked for him North
+and South. When she saw that she could not find
+him, she thought she would return to her handsome
+castle. But there she was just as unfortunate.<span class="pagenum">[120]</span>
+The castle was nowhere to be seen, and wherever she
+went she was surrounded by a forest black as coal.
+Then she came to the conclusion that the whole world
+had abandoned her, sat down on a stone, wept bitterly,
+and thought how much rather she would die
+than live without her husband. At that a little toad
+hopped out from under the stone, and said:
+"Lovely maiden, why do you sit here and weep?"
+And the princess answered: "It is my hard fate
+to weep and never be happy again. First of all I
+have lost the love of my heart, and now I can no
+longer find my way back to the castle. So I must
+perish of hunger here, or else be devoured by wild
+beasts." "O," said the toad, "if that is all that
+troubles you, I can help you! If you will promise
+to be my dearest friend, I will show you the way."
+But that the princess did not want to do. She replied:
+"Ask of me what you will, save that alone.
+I have never loved any one more than my lame dog,
+and so long as I live will never love any one else better."
+With that she rose, wept bitterly, and continued
+her way. But the toad looked after her in a
+friendly manner, laughed to himself, and once more
+crept under his stone.</p>
+
+<p>After the king's daughter had wandered on for a
+long, long way, and still saw nothing but forest
+and wilderness, she grew very tired. She once
+more sat down on a stone, rested her chin on her<span class="pagenum">[121]</span>
+hand, and prayed for death, since it was no longer
+possible for her to live with her husband. Suddenly
+there was a rustling in the bushes, and she saw
+a big gray wolf coming directly toward her. She
+was much frightened, since her one thought was
+that the wolf intended to devour her. But the wolf
+stopped, wagged his tail, and said: "Proud maiden,
+why do you sit here and weep so bitterly?" The
+princess answered: "It is my hard fate to weep and
+never be happy again. First of all I have lost my
+heart's dearest, and now I cannot find my way back
+to the castle and must perish of hunger, or be devoured
+by wild beasts." "O," said the wolf, "if
+that is all that troubles you, I can help you! Let me
+be your best friend and I will show you the way."
+But that did not suit the princess, and she replied:
+"Ask of me what you will, save that alone. I have
+never loved any one more than my lame dog, and so
+long as I live I will never love any one else better."
+With that she rose, weeping bitterly, and continued
+on her way. But the wolf looked after her in a
+friendly manner, laughed to himself and ran off
+hastily.</p>
+
+<p>After the princess had once more wandered for
+a long time in the wilderness, she was again so wearied
+and exhausted that she could not go on. She
+sat down on a stone, wrung her hands, and wished
+for death, since she could no longer live with her husband.<span class="pagenum">[122]</span>
+At that moment she heard a hollow roaring
+that made the earth tremble, and a monstrous big
+lion appeared and came directly toward her. Now
+she was much frightened; for what else could she
+think but that the lion would tear her to pieces? But
+the beast was so weighed down with heavy iron
+chains that he could scarcely drag himself along,
+and the chains clashed at either side when he moved.
+When the lion finally reached the princess he
+stopped, wagged his tail, and asked: "Beautiful
+maiden, why do you sit here and weep so bitterly?"
+The princess answered: "It is my hard fate to weep
+and never be happy again. First of all I have lost
+my heart's dearest, and now I cannot find my way to
+the castle, and must perish of hunger, or be devoured
+by wild beasts." "O," said the lion, "if that is all
+that troubles you, I can help you! If you will loose
+my chains and make me your best friend, I will show
+you the way." But the princess was so terrified
+that she could not answer the lion, far less venture
+to draw near him. Then she heard a clear voice
+sounding from the forest: it was a little nightingale,
+who sat among the branches and sang:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Maiden, maiden, loose his chains!"<br></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>Then she felt sorry for the lion, grew braver, went
+up to him, unloosed his chains and said: "Your
+chains I can loose for you; but I can never be your
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="P_123" id="P_123">[123]</a></span>best friend. For I have never loved any one more
+than my lame dog and will never love any one else
+better." And then a wondrous thing took place:
+at the very moment the last chain fell from him, the
+lion turned into a handsome young prince, and when
+the princess looked at him more closely, it was none
+other than her heart's dearest, who before had been
+a dog. She sank to the ground, clasped his knees,
+and begged him not to leave her again. But the
+prince raised her with deep affection, took her in
+his arms and said: "No, now we shall never more be
+parted, for I am released from my enchantment,
+and have proved your faith toward me in every
+way."</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 421px;">
+<a name="i6" id="i6"></a>
+<img src="images/i007.jpg" width="421" height="600" alt="&quot;THE LION TURNED INTO A HANDSOME YOUNG PRINCE.&quot;" title="">
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE LION TURNED INTO A HANDSOME YOUNG PRINCE.&quot;
+&mdash;<a href="#P_123">Page 123</a></p>
+
+<p>Then there was joy indescribable. And the prince
+took his young wife home to the beautiful castle,
+and there he became king and she was his queen.
+And if they have not died they are living there to
+this very day.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The story of "The Lame Dog," the bride of the dog, has long
+been popular in Scandinavia (Hylt&eacute;n-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 381.
+From South Smaland). Saxo, to whom it was familiar, calls its
+heroes Otherus and Syritha, and even in the <i>Edda</i> there is an echo
+of it in the tale of Freya and Odr. In Denmark the same story
+is told under the title of "The Dearest Friend."</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[124]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XIV" id="XIV"></a>XIV</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE MOUNT OF THE GOLDEN QUEEN</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time a lad who tended the cattle in
+the wood was eating his noon-tide meal in a
+clearing in the forest. As he was sitting there he
+saw a rat run into a juniper-bush. His curiosity
+led him to look for it; but as he bent over, down he
+went, head over heels, and fell asleep. And he
+dreamed that he was going to find the princess on
+the Mount of the Golden Queen; but that he did not
+know the way.</p>
+
+<p>The following day he once more pastured his cattle
+in the wood, when he came to the same clearing,
+and again ate his dinner there. And again he saw
+the rat and went to look for it, and again when he
+bent down he went head over heels, and fell fast
+asleep. And again he dreamed of the princess on
+the Mount of the Golden Queen, and that in order
+to get her he would need seventy pounds of iron
+and a pair of iron shoes. He awoke and it was all
+a dream; but by now he had made up his mind to
+find the Mount of the Golden Queen, and he went
+home with his herd. On the third day, when he led<span class="pagenum">[125]</span>
+out his cattle, he could not reach the clearing of his
+happy dream too soon. Again the rat showed itself
+and when he went to look for it, he fell asleep as he
+had done each preceding day. And again he
+dreamed of the princess on the Mount of the Golden
+Queen, and that she came to him, and laid a letter
+and a band of gold in his pocket. Then he awoke
+and to his indescribable surprise, he found in his
+pocket both of the things of which he had dreamed,
+the letter and the band. Now he had no time to attend
+to the cattle any longer, but drove them straight
+home. Then he went into the stable, led out a
+horse, sold it, and bought seventy pounds of iron
+and a pair of iron shoes with the money. He made
+the thole-pins out of the iron, put on his iron shoes,
+and set forth. For a time he traveled by land; but
+at last he came to the lake which he had to cross.
+He saw naught but water before and behind him,
+and rowing so long and steadily that he wore out
+one thole-pin after another, he at length reached
+land, and a green meadow, where no trees grew.
+He walked all around the meadow, and at last found
+a mound of earth from which smoke was rising.
+When he looked more closely, out came a woman
+who was nine yards long. He asked her to tell him
+the way to the Mount of the Golden Queen. But
+she replied: "That I do not know. Go ask my sister,
+who is nine yards taller than I am, and who lives<span class="pagenum">[126]</span>
+in an earth-mound which you can find without any
+trouble." So he left her and came to a mound of
+earth that looked just like the first, and from which
+smoke was also rising. A woman at once came out
+who was tremendously tall, and of her he asked the
+way to the Mount of the Golden Queen. "That I
+do not know," said she. "Go ask my brother, who
+is nine yards taller than I am, and who lives in a
+hill a little further away." So he came to the hill,
+from which smoke was also rising, and knocked.
+A man at once came out who was a veritable giant,
+for he was twenty-seven yards in length, and of
+him he asked the way to the Mount of the Golden
+Queen. Then the giant took a whistle and whistled
+in every direction, to call together all the animals
+to be found on the earth. And all the animals came
+from the woods, foremost among them a bear. The
+giant asked him about the Mount of the Golden
+Queen, but he knew nothing of it. Again the giant
+blew his whistle in every direction to call together
+all the fishes to be found in the waters. They came
+at once, and he asked them about the Mount of the
+Golden Queen; but they knew nothing of it. Once
+more the giant blew his whistle in every direction,
+and called together all the birds of the air. They
+came, and he asked the eagle about the Mount of the
+Golden Queen, and whether he knew where it might
+be. The eagle said: "Yes!" "Well then, take this<span class="pagenum">[127]</span>
+lad there," said the giant "but do not treat him unkindly!"
+This the eagle promised, allowed the youth
+to seat himself on his back, and then off they were
+through the air, over fields and forests, hill and
+dale, and before long they were above the ocean,
+and could see nothing but sky and water. Then
+the eagle dipped the youth in the ocean up to his
+ankles and asked: "Are you afraid?" "No," said
+the youth. Then the eagle flew on a while, and
+again dipped the youth into the water, up to his
+knees and said: "Are you afraid?" "Yes," answered
+the youth, "but the giant said you were not
+to treat me unkindly." "Are you really afraid?"
+asked the eagle once more. "Yes," answered the
+youth. Then the eagle said: "The fear you now
+feel is the very same fear I felt when the princess
+thrust the letter and the golden band into your
+pocket." And with that they had reached a large,
+high mountain in one side of which was a great iron
+door. They knocked, and a serving-maid appeared
+to open the door and admit them. The youth remained
+and was well received; but the eagle said
+farewell and flew back to his native land. The youth
+asked for a drink, and he was at once handed a
+beaker containing a refreshing draught. When he
+had emptied it and returned the beaker, he let the
+golden band drop into it. And when the maid
+brought back the beaker to her mistress&mdash;who was<span class="pagenum">[128]</span>
+the princess of the Mount of the Golden Queen&mdash;the
+latter looked into the beaker, and behold, there
+lay a golden band which she recognized as her own.
+So she asked: "Is there some one here?" and when
+the maid answered in the affirmative, the princess
+said: "Bid him come in!" And as soon as the
+youth entered she asked him if he chanced to have a
+letter. The youth drew out the letter he had received
+in so strange a manner, and gave it to the
+princess. And when she had read it she cried, full
+of joy: "Now I am delivered!" And at that very
+moment the mountain turned into a most handsome
+castle, with all sorts of precious things, servants,
+and every sort of convenience, each for its own purpose.
+(Whether the princess and the youth married
+the story does not say; yet we must take for
+granted that a wedding is the proper end for the
+fairy-tale).</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A distinctly visionary story is the fairy-tale of "The Mount of the
+Golden Queen." (From S&ouml;dermanland, from the collection of the metallurgic
+Gustav Erikson, communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund) whose
+hero sets out on a laborious, world-wide quest that finally brings
+him to the destined goal.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[129]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XV" id="XV"></a>XV</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">OLD HOPGIANT</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there were two neighbors: one
+of them rich and the other poor. They owned
+a great meadow in common, which they were supposed
+to mow together and then divide the hay.</p>
+
+<p>But the rich neighbor wanted the meadow for himself
+alone, and told the poor one that he would drive
+him out of house and home if he did not come to an
+agreement with him that whichever one of them mowed
+the largest stretch of the meadowland in a single
+day, should receive the entire meadow.</p>
+
+<p>Now the rich neighbor got together as many mowers
+as ever he could; but the poor one could not hire
+a single man. At last he despaired altogether and
+wept, because he did not know how he could manage
+to get so much as a bit of hay for the cow.</p>
+
+<p>Then it was that a large man stepped up to him
+and said: "Do not grieve so. I can tell you what
+you ought to do. When the mowing begins, just call
+out 'Old Hopgiant!' three times in succession, and
+you'll not be at a loss, as you shall see for yourself."
+And with that he disappeared.<span class="pagenum">[130]</span></p>
+
+<p>Then the poor man's heart grew less heavy, and
+he gave over worrying. So one fine day his rich
+neighbor came along with no fewer than twenty
+farmhands, and they mowed down one swath after
+another. But the poor neighbor did not even take
+the trouble to begin when he saw how the others
+took hold, and that he himself would not be able to
+do anything alone.</p>
+
+<p>Then the big man occurred to him, and he called
+out: "Old Hopgiant!" But no one came, and the
+mowers all laughed at him and mocked him, thinking
+he had gone out of his mind. Then he called again:
+"Old Hopgiant!" And, just as before, there was no
+hopgiant to be seen. And the mowers could scarcely
+swing their scythes; for they were laughing fit to
+split.</p>
+
+<p>And then he cried for the third time: "Old Hopgiant!"
+And there appeared a fellow of truly horrible
+size, with a scythe as large as a ship's mast.</p>
+
+<p>And now the merriment of the rich peasant's mowers
+came to an end. For when the giant began to
+mow and fling about his scythe, they were frightened
+at the strength he put into his work. And before
+they knew it he had mown half the meadow.</p>
+
+<p>Then the rich neighbor fell into a rage, rushed up
+and gave the giant a good kick. But that did not
+help him, for his foot stuck to the giant, while the
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="P_131" id="P_131">[131]</a></span>latter no more felt the kick than if it had been a flea-bite,
+and kept right on working.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 419px;">
+<a name="i7" id="i7"></a>
+<img src="images/i008.jpg" width="419" height="600" alt="&quot;THE RICH MAN HAD TO GO ALONG HANGING TO HIM LIKE
+A HAWSER.&quot;" title="">
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">&quot;THE RICH MAN HAD TO GO ALONG HANGING TO HIM LIKE
+A HAWSER.&quot;
+&mdash;<a href="#P_131">Page 131</a></p>
+
+<p>Then the rich neighbor thought of a scheme to get
+free, and gave the giant a kick with his other foot;
+but this foot also stuck fast, and there he hung like
+a tick. Old Hopgiant mowed the whole meadow,
+and then flew up into the air, and the rich man had
+to go along hanging to him like a hawser. And thus
+the poor neighbor was left sole master of the place.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>A genuine folk-tale figure is "Old Hopgiant." (Bondeson, <i>Svenska
+Folksagor</i>, Stockholm, 1882, p. 41. From Dalsland) in which a
+wonderful giant being comes to a poor peasant's assistance, and
+rescues him from his oppressor.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[132]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XVI" id="XVI"></a>XVI</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE PRINCESS AND THE GLASS MOUNTAIN</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a king who took
+such a joy in the chase, that he knew no greater
+pleasure than hunting wild beasts. Early and late
+he camped in the forest with hawk and hound, and
+good fortune always followed his hunting. But it
+chanced one day that he could rouse no game, although
+he had tried in every direction since morning.
+And then, when evening was coming on, and he was
+about to ride home, he saw a dwarf or wild man
+running through the forest before him. The king
+at once spurred on his horse, rode after the dwarf,
+seized him and he was surprised at his strange appearance;
+for he was small and ugly, like a troll, and
+his hair was as stiff as bean-straw. But no matter
+what the king said to him, he would return no answer,
+nor say a single word one way or another.
+This angered the king, who was already out of sorts
+because of his ill-success at the hunt, and he ordered
+his people to seize the wild man and guard him
+carefully lest he escape. Then the king rode home.</p>
+
+<p>Now his people said to him: "You should keep the<span class="pagenum">[133]</span>
+wild man a captive here at your court, in order that
+the whole country may talk of what a mighty huntsman
+you are. Only you should guard him so that he
+does not escape; because he is of a sly and treacherous
+disposition." When the king had listened to
+them he said nothing for a long time. Then he replied:
+"I will do as you say, and if the wild man
+escape, it shall be no fault of mine. But I vow that
+whoever lets him go shall die without mercy, and
+though he were my own son!"</p>
+
+<p>The following morning, as soon as the king awoke,
+he remembered his vow.</p>
+
+<p>He at once sent for wood and beams, and had a
+small house or cage built quite close to the castle.
+The small house was built of great timbers, and
+protected by strong locks and bolts, so that none
+could break in; and a peephole was left in the middle
+of the wall through which food might be thrust.</p>
+
+<p>When everything was completed the king had the
+wild man led up, placed in the small house, and he
+himself took and kept the key. There the dwarf had
+to sit a prisoner, day and night, and the people came
+afoot and a-horseback to gaze at him. Yet no one
+ever heard him complain, or so much as utter a single
+word.</p>
+
+<p>Thus matters went for some time. Then a war
+broke out in the land, and the king had to take the
+field. At parting he said to the queen: "You must<span class="pagenum">[134]</span>
+rule the kingdom now in my stead, and I leave land
+and people in your care. But there is one thing you
+must promise me you will do: that you will guard the
+wild man securely so that he does not escape while I
+am away." The queen promised to do her best in
+all respects, and the king gave her the key to the cage.
+Thereupon he had his long galleys, his "sea-wolves,"
+push out from the shore, hoisted sail, and took his
+course far, far away to the other country.</p>
+
+<p>The king and queen had only one child, a prince
+who was still small; yet great in promise. Now
+when the king had gone, it chanced one day that the
+little fellow was wandering about the royal courtyard,
+and came to the wild man's cage. And he began
+to play with an apple of gold he had. And while
+he was playing with it, it happened that suddenly the
+apple fell through the window in the wall of the cage.
+The wild man at once appeared and threw back the
+apple. This seemed a merry game to the little fellow:
+he threw the apple in again, and the wild man
+threw it out again, and thus they played for a long
+time. Yet for all the game had been so pleasant, it
+turned to sorrow in the end: for the wild man kept
+the apple of gold, and would not give it back again.
+And when all was of no avail, neither threats nor
+prayers, the little fellow at last began to weep.
+Then the wild man said: "Your father did ill to capture
+me, and you will never get your apple of gold<span class="pagenum">[135]</span>
+again, unless you let me out." The little fellow answered:
+"And how can I let you out? Just you
+give me back my apple again, my apple of gold!"
+Then the wild man said: "You must do what I now
+tell you. Go up to your mother, the queen, and beg
+her to comb your hair. Then see to it that you take
+the key from her girdle, and come down and unlock
+the door. After that you can return the key in the
+same way, without any one knowing anything about
+it."</p>
+
+<p>After the wild man had talked to the boy in this
+way, he finally did as he said, went up to his mother,
+begged her to comb his hair, and took the key from
+her girdle. Then he ran down to the cage and
+opened the door. And when they parted, the dwarf
+said: "Here is your apple of gold, that I promised
+to give back to you, and I thank you for setting me
+free. And another time when you have need of me,
+I will help you in turn." And with that he ran off
+on his own way. But the prince went back to his
+mother, and returned the key in the same way he had
+taken it.</p>
+
+<p>When they learned at the king's court that the wild
+man had broken out, there was great commotion, and
+the queen sent people over hill and dale to look for
+him. But he was gone and he stayed gone. Thus
+matters went for a while and the queen grew more
+and more unhappy; for she expected her husband
+to return every day. And when he did reach shore<span class="pagenum">[136]</span>
+his first question was whether the wild man had been
+well guarded. Then the queen had to confess how
+matters stood, and told him how everything had happened.
+But the king was enraged beyond measure,
+and said he would punish the malefactor, no matter
+who he might be. And he ordered a great investigation
+at his court, and every human being in it had
+to testify. But no one knew anything. At last the
+little prince also had to come forward. And as he
+stood before the king he said: "I know that I have
+deserved my father's anger; yet I cannot hide the
+truth; for I let out the wild man." Then the queen
+turned white, and the others as well, for there was
+not one who was not fond of the prince. At last
+the king spoke: "Never shall it be said of me that I
+was false to my vow, even for the sake of my own
+flesh and blood! No, you must die the death you
+have deserved." And with that he gave the order to
+take the prince to the forest and kill him. And
+they were to bring back the boy's heart as a sign
+that his command had been obeyed.</p>
+
+<p>Now sorrow unheard of reigned among the people,
+and all pleaded for the little prince. But the king's
+word could not be recalled. His serving-men did not
+dare disobey, took the boy in their midst, and set
+forth. And when they had gone a long way into the
+forest, they saw a swine-herd tending his pigs.
+Then one said to another: "It does not seem right<span class="pagenum">[137]</span>
+to me to lay hand on the king's son; let us buy a pig
+instead and take its heart, then all will believe it is
+the heart of the prince." The other serving-men
+thought that he spoke wisely, so they bought a pig
+from the swine-herd, led it into the wood, butchered
+it and took its heart. Then they told the prince to
+go his way and never return. They themselves went
+back to the king's castle, and it is easy to imagine
+what grief they caused when they told of the prince's
+death.</p>
+
+<p>The king's son did what the serving-men had told
+him. He kept on wandering as far as he could, and
+never had any other food than the nuts and wild
+berries that grow in the forest. And when he had
+wandered far and long, he came to a mountain upon
+whose very top stood a fir-tree. Said he to himself:
+"After all, I might as well climb the fir-tree and see
+whether I can find a path anywhere." No sooner
+said than done: he climbed the tree. And as he sat
+in the very top of its crown, and looked about on
+every side, he saw a large and splendid royal castle
+rising in the distance, and gleaming in the sun.
+Then he grew very happy and at once set forth in
+that direction. On the way he met a farm-hand who
+was ploughing, and begged him to change clothes
+with him, which he did. Thus fitted out he at last
+reached the king's castle, went in, asked for a place,
+and was taken on as a herdsman, to tend the king's<span class="pagenum">[138]</span>
+cattle. Now he went to the forest early and late,
+and in the course of time forgot his grief, grew up,
+and became so tall and brave that his equal could
+not be found.</p>
+
+<p>And now our story turns to the king who was
+reigning at the splendid castle. He had been married,
+and he had an only daughter. She was lovelier
+by far than other maidens, and had so kind and
+cheerful a disposition that whoever could some day
+take her to his home might well consider himself
+fortunate. Now when the princess had completed
+her fifteenth year, a quite unheard of swarm of suitors
+made their appearance, as may well be imagined;
+and for all that she said no to all of them, they only
+increased in number. At last the princess said:
+"None other shall win me save he who can ride up
+the high Glass Mountain in full armor!" The king
+thought this a good suggestion. He approved of his
+daughter's wish, and had proclaimed throughout the
+kingdom that none other should have the princess
+save he who could ride up the Glass Mountain.</p>
+
+<p>And when the day set by the king had arrived, the
+princess was led up the Glass Mountain. There she
+sat on its highest peak, with a golden crown on her
+head, and a golden apple in her hand, and she looked
+so immeasurably lovely that there was no one who
+would not have liked to risk his life for her. Just
+below the foot of the hill all the suitors assembled<span class="pagenum">[139]</span>
+with splendid horses and glittering armor, that shone
+like fire in the sun, and from round about the people
+flocked together in great crowds to watch their tilting.
+And when everything was ready, the signal
+was given by horns and trumpets, and then the suitors,
+one after another, raced up the mountain with
+all their might. But the mountain was high, as slippery
+as ice, and besides it was steep beyond all measure.
+Not one of the suitors rode up more than a
+little way, before he tumbled down again, head over
+heels, and it might well happen that arms and legs
+were broken in the process. This made so great a
+noise, together with the neighing of the horses, the
+shouting of the people, and the clash of arms, that
+the tumult and the shouting could be heard far away.</p>
+
+<p>And while all this was going on, the king's son was
+rambling about with his oxen, deep in the wood. But
+when he heard the tumult and the clashing of arms,
+he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his hand,
+and became lost in thought. For it had occurred to
+him how gladly he would have fared forth with the
+rest. Suddenly he heard footsteps and when he
+looked up, the wild man was standing before him.
+"Thank you for the last time!" said he, "and why
+do you sit here so lonely and full of sorrow?"
+"Well," said the prince, "I have no choice but to be
+sad and joyless. Because of you I am a fugitive
+from the land of my father, and now I have not even<span class="pagenum">[140]</span>
+a horse and armor to ride up the Glass Mountain
+and fight for the princess." "Ah," said the wild
+man, "if that be all you want, then I can help you!
+You helped me once before and now I will help you
+in turn." Then he took the prince by the hand, led
+him deep down into the earth into his cave, and behold,
+there hung a suit of armor forged out of the
+hardest steel, and so bright that a blue gleam played
+all around it. Right beside it stood a splendid steed,
+saddled and bridled, pawing the earth with his steel
+hoofs, and champing his bit till the white foam dropped
+to the ground. The wild man said: "Now get
+quickly into your armor, ride out and try your luck!
+In the meantime I will tend your oxen." The prince
+did not wait to be told a second time; but put on
+helmet and armor, buckled on his spurs, hung his
+sword at his side, and felt as light in his steel armor
+as a bird in the air. Then he leaped into the saddle
+so that every clasp and buckle rang, laid his reins on
+the neck of his steed, and rode hastily toward the
+mountain.</p>
+
+<p>The princess's suitors were about to give up the
+contest, for none of them had won the prize, though
+each had done his best. And while they stood there
+thinking it over, and saying that perhaps fortune
+would favor them another time, they suddenly saw a
+youth ride out of the wood straight toward the mountain.
+He was clad in steel from head to foot, with<span class="pagenum">[141]</span>
+helmet on head, sword in belt and shield on arm, and
+he sat his horse with such knightly grace that it was
+a pleasure to look at him. At once all eyes were
+turned to the strange knight, and all asked who he
+might be; for none had ever seen him before. Yet
+they had had but little time to talk and question, for
+no sooner had he cleared the wood, than he rose in
+his stirrups, gave his horse the spurs, and shot forward
+like an arrow straight up the Glass Mountain.
+Yet he did not ride up all the way; but when he had
+reached the middle of the steep ascent, he suddenly
+flung around his steed and rode down again, so
+that the sparks flew from his horse's hoofs. Then
+he disappeared in the wood like a bird in flight. One
+may imagine the excitement which now seized upon
+all the people, and there was not one who did not
+admire the strange knight. All agreed they had
+never seen a braver knight.</p>
+
+<p>Time passed, and the princess's suitors decided
+to try their luck a second time. The king's daughter
+was once more led up the Glass Mountain, with
+great pomp and richly gowned, and was seated on
+its topmost peak, with the golden crown on her head,
+and a golden apple in her hand. At the foot of the
+hill gathered all the suitors with handsome horses
+and splendid armor, and round about stood all the
+people to watch the contest. When all was ready
+the signal was given by horns and trumpets, and at<span class="pagenum">[142]</span>
+the same moment the suitors, one after another, darted
+up the mountain with all their might. But all
+took place as at the first time. The mountain was
+high, and as slippery as ice, and besides, it was steep
+beyond all measure; not one rode up more than a
+little way before tumbling down again head over
+heels. Meanwhile there was much noise, and the
+horses neighed, and the people shouted, and the
+armor clashed, so that the tumult and the shouting
+sounded far into the deep wood.</p>
+
+<p>And while all this was going on, the young prince
+was tending his oxen, which was his duty. But
+when he heard the tumult and the clashing of arms,
+he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his hand,
+and wept; for he thought of the king's beautiful
+daughter, and it occurred to him how much he would
+like to take part and ride with the rest. That very
+moment he heard footsteps and when he looked up,
+the wild man was standing before him. "Good-day!"
+said the wild man, "and why do you sit here
+so lonely and full of sorrow?" Thereupon the
+prince replied: "I have no choice but to be sad and
+joyless. Because of you I am a fugitive from the
+land of my father, and now I have not even a horse
+and armor to ride up the mountain and fight for the
+princess!" "Ah," said the wild man, "if that be
+all you want, then I can help you! You helped me
+once before, and now I will help you in turn." Then<span class="pagenum">[143]</span>
+he took the prince by the hand, led him deep down
+in the earth into his cave, and there on the wall hung
+a suit of armor altogether forged of the clearest silver,
+and so bright that it shone afar. Right beside
+it stood a snow-white steed, saddled and bridled,
+pawing the earth with his silver hoofs, and champing
+his bit till the foam dropped to the ground. The
+wild man said: "Now get quickly into your armor,
+ride out and try your luck! In the meantime I will
+tend your oxen." The prince did not wait to be told
+a second time; but put on his helmet and armor in
+all haste, securely buckled on his spurs, hung his
+sword at his side, and felt as light in his silver armor
+as a bird in the air. Then he leaped into the saddle
+so that every clasp and buckle rang, laid his reins
+on the neck of his steed, and rode hastily toward the
+Glass Mountain.</p>
+
+<p>The princess's suitors were about to give over the
+contest, for none of them had won the prize, though
+each had played a man's part. And while they stood
+there thinking it over, and saying that perhaps fortune
+would favor them the next time, they suddenly
+saw a youth ride out of the wood, straight toward
+the mountain. He was clad in silver from head to
+foot, with helmet on head, shield on arm, and sword
+at side, and he sat his horse with such knightly
+grace that a braver-looking youth had probably never
+been seen. At once all eyes were turned toward him,<span class="pagenum">[144]</span>
+and the people noticed that he was the same knight
+who had appeared before. But the prince did not
+leave them much time for wonderment; for no sooner
+had he reached the plain, than he rose in his stirrups,
+spurred on his horse, and rode like fire straight up
+the steep mountain. Yet he did not ride quite up to
+the top; but when he had come to its crest, he greeted
+the princess with great courtesy, flung about his
+steed, and rode down the mountain again till the
+sparks flew about his horse's hoofs. Then he disappeared
+into the wood as the storm flies. As one
+may imagine, the people's excitement was even
+greater than the first time, and there was not one
+who did not admire the strange knight. And all
+were agreed that a more splendid steed or a handsomer
+youth were nowhere to be found.</p>
+
+<p>Time passed, and the king set a day when his
+daughter's suitors were to make a third trial.
+The princess was now once more led to the Glass
+Mountain, and seated herself on its highest peak,
+with the golden crown and the golden apple, as
+she had before. At the foot of the mountain gathered
+the whole swarm of suitors, with splendid
+horses and polished armor, handsome beyond
+anything seen thus far, and round about the people
+flocked together to watch the contest. When all
+was ready the suitors, one after another, darted
+up the mountain with all their might. The mountain<span class="pagenum">[145]</span>
+was as smooth as ice, and besides, it was steep
+beyond all measure; so that not one rode up more
+than a little way, before tumbling down again,
+head over heels. This made a great noise, the horses
+neighed, the people shouted, and the armor
+clashed, till the tumult and the shouting echoed far
+into the wood.</p>
+
+<p>While this was all taking place the king's son
+was busy tending his oxen as usual. And when
+he once more heard the noise and the clash of
+arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on
+his hand, and wept bitterly. Then he thought of
+the lovely princess, and would gladly have ventured
+his life to win her. That very moment the
+wild man was standing before him: "Good-day!"
+said the wild man, "And why do you sit here so
+lonely and full of sorrow?" "I have no choice but
+to be sad and joyless," said the prince. "Because
+of you I am a fugitive from the land of my father,
+and now I have not even a sword and armor to ride
+up the mountain and fight for the princess!"
+"Ah," said the wild man, "if that be all that
+troubles you I can help you! You helped me once
+before, and now I will help you in turn." With
+that he took the prince by the hand, led him into his
+cave deep down under the earth, and showed him a
+suit of armor all forged of the purest gold, and
+gleaming so brightly that its golden glow shone far<span class="pagenum">[146]</span>
+and wide. Beside it stood a magnificent steed, saddled
+and bridled, pawing the earth with its golden
+hoofs, and champing its bit until the foam fell to the
+ground. The wild man said: "Now get quickly
+into your armor, ride out and try your luck! In
+the meantime I will tend your oxen." And to tell
+the truth, the prince was not lazy; but put on his
+helmet and armor, buckled on his golden spurs,
+hung his sword at his side, and felt as light in his
+golden armor as a bird in the air. Then he leaped
+into the saddle, so that every clasp and buckle rang,
+laid his reins on the neck of his steed, and rode
+hastily toward the mountain.</p>
+
+<p>The princess's suitors were about to give up the
+contest; for none of them had won the prize, though
+each had done his best. And while they stood there
+thinking over what was to be done, they suddenly
+saw a youth come riding out of the wood, straight
+toward the mountain. He was clad in gold from
+head to foot, with the golden helmet on his head, the
+golden shield on his arm, and the golden sword at his
+side, and so knightly was his bearing that a bolder
+warrior could not have been met with in all the wide
+world. At once all eyes were turned toward him,
+and one could see that he was the same youth who
+had already appeared at different times. But the
+prince gave them but little time to question and
+wonder; for no sooner had he reached the plain<span class="pagenum">[147]</span>
+than he gave his horse the spurs, and shot up the
+steep mountain like a flash of lightning. When he
+had reached its highest peak, he greeted the beautiful
+princess with great courtesy, kneeled before her,
+and received the golden apple from her hand.
+Then he flung about his steed, and rode down the
+Glass Mountain again, so that the sparks flew about
+the golden hoofs of his horse, and a long ribbon of
+golden light gleamed behind him. At last he disappeared
+in the wood like a star. What a commotion
+now reigned about the mountain! The people
+broke forth into cheers that could be heard far
+away, horns sounded, trumpets called, horses
+neighed, arms clashed, and the king had proclaimed
+far and near that the unknown golden knight had
+won the prize.</p>
+
+<p>Now all that was wanting was some information
+about the golden knight; for no one knew him; and
+all the people expected that he would at once make
+his appearance at the castle. But he did not come.
+This caused great surprise, and the princess grew
+pale and ill. But the king was put out, and the
+suitors murmured and found fault day by day.
+And at length, when they were all at their wits'
+end, the king had a great meeting announced at his
+castle, which every man, high and low, was to attend;
+so that the princess might choose among them
+herself. There was no one who was not glad to go<span class="pagenum">[148]</span>
+for the princess's sake, and also because it was a
+royal command, and a countless number of people
+gathered together. And when they had all assembled,
+the princess came out of the castle with
+great pomp, and followed by her maids, passed
+through the entire multitude. But no matter how
+much she looked about her on every side, she did
+not find the one for whom she was looking. When
+she reached the last row she saw a man who stood
+quite hidden by the crowd. He had a flat cap and
+a wide gray mantle such as shepherds wear; but its
+hood was drawn up so that his face could not be
+seen. At once the princess ran up to him, drew
+down his hood, fell upon his neck and cried: "Here
+he is! Here he is!" Then all the people laughed;
+for they saw that it was the king's herdsman, and
+the king himself called out: "May God console
+me for the son-in-law who is to be my portion!"
+The man, however, was not at all abashed, but replied:
+"O, you need not worry about that at all!
+I am just as much a king's son as you are a
+king!"</p>
+
+<p>With that he flung aside his wide mantle. And
+there were none left to laugh; for instead of the grey
+herdsman, there stood a handsome prince, clad in
+gold from head to foot, and holding the princess's
+golden apple in his hand. And all could see that<span class="pagenum">[149]</span>
+it was the same youth who had ridden up the Glass
+Mountain.</p>
+
+<p>Then they prepared a feast whose like had never
+before been seen, and the prince received the king's
+daughter, and with her half of the kingdom.
+Thenceforward they lived happily in their kingdom,
+and if they have not died they are living there still.
+But nothing more was ever heard of the wild man.
+And that is the end.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>Very popular throughout the North is "The Princess on the Glass
+Mountain." (Hylt&eacute;n-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 390, somewhat
+abridged) who may be looked upon as a relative of the Brunhilde
+of heroic legend, who may be brought down from her inaccessible
+height only by the bravest of the brave. The "wild man" who appears
+in the part of a magician to aid the hero, is a familiar figure
+in Northern legend. King Harald Harfagr, according to the "Book
+of Flateyar," released a "wild man" of this kind from captivity at
+his father's court, when a boy of five.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[150]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XVII" id="XVII"></a>XVII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">QUEEN CRANE</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a poor, poor boy.
+He went to the king and begged to be taken
+into service as a shepherd, and all called him "Sheep-Peter."
+While he was herding his sheep, he used to
+amuse himself with his crossbow. One day he saw a
+crane sitting in an oak-tree, and wanted to shoot
+her. The crane, however, hopped down further and
+further, and at last settled in the lowest branches.
+Then she said: "If you promise not to shoot me,
+I will help you whenever you are in trouble. You
+need only to call out: 'God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!'" With that
+the bird flew away.</p>
+
+<p>At length war broke out and the king had to take
+the field. Then Sheep-Peter came to the king and
+asked whether he might not be allowed to go along
+to war. They gave him an old nag to ride, and he
+rode into a swamp along the highway, and there
+the horse died. So he sat down and clicked with
+his tongue; but the horse would not move. And the<span class="pagenum">[151]</span>
+people who rode by had their sport with him; while
+the youth pretended to feel sad.</p>
+
+<p>When the people had all passed by, the youth
+went to the oak in which the Queen Crane dwelt.
+Here he was given a black steed, a suit of brazen
+armor, and a silver sword. Thus he rode to battle
+and got there as quickly as he could wish. Then he
+said: "God aid me, and Queen Crane stay by me,
+and I will succeed!" With that he killed all the
+enemy and rode away again. But the king thought
+that an angel had come to help him, and wanted to
+hold him back. The youth, however, rode quickly
+back to the oak, took off his armor, went down to
+the swamp, and once more began to click to his
+horse. When the people rode by they laughed and
+said: "You were not along to-day, so you missed
+seeing how an angel came and killed all the enemy."
+And the youth pretended to feel sad, so sad.</p>
+
+<p>The following day the king once more had to take
+the field. And Sheep-Peter came to him and said
+he wanted to go along. So they gave him an old
+nag to ride, and he rode into a swamp beside the
+highway. Then he sat down and clicked with his
+tongue; but the horse would not move. When the
+people rode by they had their sport with him; but
+the youth pretended to feel sad, so sad. When the
+people had gone by, he went to the oak in which the<span class="pagenum">[152]</span>
+Queen Crane dwelt, and was given a white steed, a
+suit of silver armor, and a golden sword. Thus
+equipped he rode to battle. When he arrived he
+said: "God aid me, and Queen Crane ... and I
+will succeed!" But he had forgotten to say "stay
+by me," and so he was shot in the leg. But the king
+took out his handkerchief, and tied up his leg. Then
+the youth said once more: "God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" And he
+slew all of the enemy. Then the king thought he
+was an angel from heaven, and wanted to hold him.
+But the youth rode quickly to the oak, took off his
+armor, and then went down to his nag in the swamp
+and tried to get it to move, while the soldiers were
+passing. They laughed and said: "You were not
+along to-day, and did not see how an angel came
+from heaven and killed all of the enemy." The
+youth pretended to be very sad.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day all happened as before. The
+king took the field. The youth was given a wretched
+nag and rode it into a swamp beside the highway.
+Then he began to click with his tongue but the nag
+would not go on, and the people who rode past
+laughed at him. He pretended to feel very sad; but
+when the people had passed, he went to the oak in
+which Queen Crane dwelt, and she gave him a red
+steed, a golden sword, and a golden suit of armor.<span class="pagenum">[153]</span>
+Thus equipped he rode to war, and all happened as
+before. He said: "God aid me, and Queen Crane
+stay by me, and I will succeed!" and slew all the
+enemy. The king thought he was an angel from
+heaven and wanted to hold him back by all means;
+but the youth rode quickly to the oak, took off his
+armor, and rode down to the swamp where he had
+his three nags. He hid the king's handkerchief,
+and when the people passed by he was clicking with
+his tongue as usual.</p>
+
+<p>Now the king had three princesses, and they were
+to be carried off by three meer-women. So the king
+had it proclaimed that whoever could rescue them
+should receive one of them for a wife. When the
+day came on which the oldest princess was to be
+carried away, Sheep-Peter received a steed, a suit
+of armor and a sword from Queen Crane. With
+them he rode to the castle, fetched the princess, took
+her before him on his steed, and then lay down on
+the sea-shore to sleep. He had a dog with him as
+well. And while he slept the princess wove her
+hair-ribbon into his hair. Suddenly the meer-woman
+appeared, and she awakened him and bade him
+mount his steed. Many people had been standing
+there; but when the meer-woman appeared they
+all took fright, and climbed into tall trees. But the
+youth said: "God aid me, and Queen Crane stay
+by me, and I will succeed!" And then he slew the<span class="pagenum">[154]</span>
+meer-woman. Thereupon he rode quickly back to
+Queen Crane, took off his armor, and herded his
+sheep again. But among the on-lookers had been
+a nobleman, who threatened the princess, and forced
+her to say that he had rescued her. And from
+Sheep-Peter no one heard a word.</p>
+
+<p>On the following day the second princess was to
+be carried off. So Sheep-Peter went to Queen
+Crane, who gave him a steed, a suit of armor and a
+sword, and with them he rode to the castle, and
+fetched the second princess. When they reached
+the sea-shore the meer-woman had not yet appeared.
+So the youth lay down to sleep and said to the
+princess: "Wake me when the meer-woman comes,
+and if you cannot wake me, then tell my horse."
+With that he fell asleep, and meanwhile the princess
+wove a string of pearls into his hair. When the
+meer-woman came, the princess tried to wake him;
+but he would not wake up at all, and so she told the
+horse to waken him. And the horse did wake him.
+The great lords, however, who were standing about,
+climbed into the trees out of pure fright when the
+meer-woman appeared. The youth took the princess
+on his steed, cried: "God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" and with
+that he slew the meer-woman. Then he rode quickly
+back to Queen Crane, took off his armor, and led his
+flock out to pasture. But among the on-lookers had<span class="pagenum">[155]</span>
+been a count, who threatened the princess, and said
+he would thrust her through with his sword if she
+did not swear he had rescued her. The princess did
+so out of fear; but from Sheep-Peter no one heard
+a word.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day the same thing happened.
+Sheep-Peter was given a suit of armor, a sword and
+a steed by Queen Crane, and fetched the youngest
+princess. When he lay down on the sea-shore to
+sleep, he said to her: "When the meer-woman
+comes, wake me, and if you cannot wake me, then
+tell the horse to wake me, and if the horse cannot
+wake me, then ask the dog to wake me." When the
+meer-woman came, neither the princess nor the horse
+was able to wake him, and they had to call the dog
+to help them. At last he woke up, took the princess
+on his horse, cried: "God aid me, and Queen Crane
+stay by me, and I will succeed!" and slew the meer-woman.
+Then he rode back again to Queen Crane,
+took off his armor and let his flock out to pasture.</p>
+
+<p>Not long after, the deliverers of the princesses
+were to come to the castle and be married. But
+first the king asked his daughters which of the three
+each wanted to have. So the oldest said: "The
+gentleman from court," and the second said: "the
+count," but the third said "Sheep-Peter." Then
+the king was very angry with his youngest daughter;
+for he did not believe for a moment that Sheep-Peter<span class="pagenum">[156]</span>
+had delivered her. But she insisted and said
+she would take no one else. The king then presented
+an apple of pure gold to the count and the court
+gentleman; but Sheep-Peter got nothing.</p>
+
+<p>Now all three of them were to hold a three-days'
+shooting-match, in order to see which was the best
+shot; for the king hoped that Sheep-Peter would
+make a proper laughing-stock of himself, and drop
+far behind the others without any effort on their
+part. But Sheep-Peter was so good a marksman
+that he hit everything at which he aimed. And the
+very first day he shot a great deal, while the others
+shot but little. Then they bought the game he had
+shot from him, and gave him a golden apple for it.
+The same thing happened the second day, and thus
+he got the other gold apple. But when Peter came
+home on the evening of the first and second day, he
+had only a crow dangling from his blunderbuss.
+And when he met the king, he threw the crow to the
+ground and cried: "There is my whole bag!"</p>
+
+<p>On the third day all went as before. Sheep-Peter
+hit everything at which he aimed; but the others
+scored no hits. Then Sheep-Peter promised them
+all he had bagged, if they would let him write what
+he chose on their necks. They agreed to the bargain,
+and he wrote on the neck of each: "A thief
+and a rascal." Then all three went home, and again
+Peter had no more than a crow to show.<span class="pagenum">[157]</span></p>
+
+<p>At night all three of them slept together in one
+room. When they woke in the morning, the king
+came in to them, said good-morning, and asked how
+they were. But he was much surprised to see that
+Sheep-Peter was keeping them company. Then the
+youth said: "I was in the war, and slew all of the
+enemy!" "Ah!" said the king, "you did not do
+that, it was an angel from heaven; for you were sitting
+in the swamp." Then Sheep-Peter drew out
+the king's handkerchief, and then the king recognized
+him. Then the herdsman said: "I also delivered
+the princesses!" But the king would not believe
+that, and laughed at him. And then the youngest
+princess came along and told how it all had happened.</p>
+
+<p>And the youth took out the ribands of the other
+princesses, and the king had to believe that this, too,
+was true. Then, Peter continued: "I also shot
+all the game!" And again the king would not believe
+him and said: "Nonsense, why you never
+brought home anything of an evening but a wretched
+crow!" Then Peter produced the golden apples:
+"I was given this one for the first day, and the
+other for the second." "And what did you get for
+the third?" asked the king. Then the shepherd
+showed him what he had written on the necks of the
+other suitors. And when the king saw that, he had
+to believe him. And so he really got the youngest<span class="pagenum">[158]</span>
+princess, and with her half of the kingdom, and
+after the king's death, all of it. But the two sham
+heroes got nothing at all, and had only their trouble
+for their pains.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Queen Crane" is also a very popular Northern fairy-tale. (From
+the collection of Hylt&eacute;n-Cavallius and Stephens, communicated by
+Dr. v. Sydow-Lund). It is another of those tales with a presumably
+witless hero, but with a motive generally unknown: a bird bestows
+weapons and armor on the poor boy; while ordinarily this is done
+by a troll, a horse, or the spirit of one departed.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[159]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XVIII" id="XVIII"></a>XVIII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">TALES OF THE TROLLS</p>
+
+<p class="h4">I</p>
+
+<p>A peasant from Jursagard in the parish of
+Hanger had gone to the forest the day before
+Christmas, and started out for home late in the evening.
+He had just about reached the Klintaberg
+when he heard some one call out: "Tell the malt-swine
+to come home, for her child has fallen into the
+fire!" When the peasant reached home, there stood
+his wife, who had been brewing the Yuletide ale,
+and she was complaining that though she brewed and
+brewed, it did not have the right flavor. Then he
+told her what had been shouted at him from the hill,
+and that very moment a troll-witch, whom they had
+not noticed before, darted down from the stove and
+made off in a great hurry. And when they looked
+closer, they found that she had left behind a great
+kettle full of the best malt, which she had gathered
+during the brewing. And that was the reason the
+poor woman had not been able to give her brew the
+right flavor. The kettle was large, made of ornamented
+metal, and was long preserved in Hanger.<span class="pagenum">[160]</span>
+It was at length sold at auction in 1838, and melted
+down.</p>
+
+<p class="h4">II</p>
+
+<p>In former days, when a child came into the world,
+his mother was known as a "heathen," until she
+could take him to church to be christened. And it
+was not safe for her to leave the house unless she
+carried steel about her in some shape or form.
+Now once there was one of these "heathen" women
+in Norra Ryd, in the parish of Hanger, who prepared
+lunch for the mowers, and went out and
+called them in to eat. Then one of the mowers said
+to her: "I cannot come, for my sheaf is not yet
+bound." "I will bind it for you," said the woman.
+The mowers went in and ate, but saw no more of
+her. They went back into the field, and were about
+to take up their work again, but still neither saw
+nor heard her. They began to search, and hunted
+for a number of days; but all in vain. Time passed,
+till it was late in the fall. One day the weather was
+clear and sunny. To this very day there is a cotter's hut,
+called Kusabo, that stands on a hill
+named Kusas, and the cotter who lived there went
+to look for a horse. And there on the hillside he
+saw the woman sitting who had disappeared, and
+she was sewing. It was not far from Kusabo to
+Norra Ryd, so he recognized her at once. He said<span class="pagenum">[161]</span>
+"O, you poor thing, and here you sit!" "Yes,"
+said she, "but you must never mention it to Lars"&mdash;that
+was her husband&mdash;"for I shall never return
+from this place. Even now I am only allowed to sit
+outside for a little while."</p>
+
+<p>III</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time a girl was hunting for berries
+on Kusabo mountain, and was taken into the hill.
+But she wept, night and day, which disgruntled the
+trolls, and they let her out again. But just as they
+were letting her out, one of the trolls hit her such
+a blow on the back that she was hump-backed for
+the rest of her life. She herself used to tell how
+she had been kept in the hill.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>Primitive faith and superstition are reflected in these three "Tales
+of the Trolls" (communicated from mss. belonging to Dr. v. Sydow-Lund).
+The first is also current in Norway; the others tell of women
+who have been <i>bergtagen</i>, "taken into the mountain." It is not so
+long since that every humped back, every weak mind, in short,
+every ill that had no visible explanation, was ascribed to the
+troll folk.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[162]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XIX" id="XIX"></a>XIX</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">CHARCOAL NILS AND THE TROLL-WOMAN</p>
+
+<p>In the old days there lived on a headland that
+juts out into the northwestern corner of Lake
+Rasval, in the neighborhood of the Linde mining-district,
+a charcoal-burner named Nils, generally
+known as Charcoal Nils. He let a farm-hand attend
+to his little plot of land, and he himself made his
+home in the forest, where he chopped wood in the
+summer and burned it to charcoal in the winter.
+Yet no matter how hard he struggled, his work was
+unblessed with reward, and no one ever spoke of him
+save as poor Charcoal Nils.</p>
+
+<p>One day, when he was on the opposite shore of
+the lake, near the gloomy Harsberg, a strange woman
+came up to him, and asked whether he needed
+some one to help him with his charcoal burning.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, indeed," said he, "help would be welcome."
+So she began to gather blocks of wood and tree-trunks,
+more than Charcoal Nils could have dragged
+together with his horse, and by noon there was
+enough wood for a new kiln. When evening came,
+she asked the charcoal-burner whether he were<span class="pagenum">[163]</span>
+satisfied with the day's work she had done, and if
+she were to come back the next day.</p>
+
+<p>That suited the charcoal-burner perfectly, and
+she came back the next day and all the following
+ones. And when the kiln had been burned out she
+helped Nils clear it, and never before had he had
+such a quantity of charcoal, nor charcoal of so fine
+a quality.</p>
+
+<p>So she became his wife and lived with him in the
+wood for three years. They had three children,
+yet this worried Nils but little, seeing that she
+looked after them, and they gave him no trouble.</p>
+
+<p>But when the fourth year came, she grew more
+exacting, and insisted on going back to his home with
+him, and living with him there. Nils wished to hear
+nothing about this; yet since she was so useful to
+him in his charcoal-burning, he did not betray his
+feelings, and said he would think it over.</p>
+
+<p>It happened one Sunday that he went to church&mdash;where
+he had not been for many years, and what
+he heard there brought up thoughts he had not known
+since the innocent days of his childhood. He began
+to wonder whether there were not some hocus-pocus
+about the charcoal-burning, and whether it
+were not due to the forest woman, who aided him so
+willingly.</p>
+
+<p>Preoccupied with this and other thoughts, he forgot
+while returning to his kiln, that he had promised<span class="pagenum">[164]</span>
+the strange woman at the very beginning, when she
+had first helped him, that, whenever he had been
+home and was returning to the kiln, he would rap
+three times with his ax against an old pine-tree
+not far from it. On this occasion, as we have said,
+he forgot the sign, and as a result he saw something
+that nearly robbed him of his wits.</p>
+
+<p>As he drew near the kiln, he saw it all aflame, and
+around it stood the three children and their mother,
+and they were clearing out the kiln. They were
+pulling down and putting out so that flames, smoke
+and ashes whirled sky-high, but instead of the
+spruce-branches that were generally used to put
+out the fire, <i>they had bushy tails which they dipped
+in the snow</i>!</p>
+
+<p>When Charcoal Nils had looked on for a while, he
+slunk back to the old pine-tree, and made its trunk
+echo to the sound of his three ax-strokes till one
+could hear them on the Harsberg. Then he went to
+the kiln, as though he had seen nothing, and all
+went on as before. The kiln was glowing with a
+handsome, even glow, and the tall woman was about
+and working as usual.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she saw Charcoal Nils, she came back
+with her pressing demand that he take her home to
+his little house, and that they live there.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that shall come about," said Nils to console
+her, and turned back home to fetch a horse. But<span class="pagenum">[165]</span>
+instead he went out on the headline of Kallern&auml;s,
+on the eastern shore of Lake Rasval, where a wise
+man lived, and asked the latter what he should do.</p>
+
+<p>The old man advised him to go home and hitch
+his horse to his charcoal-wagon, but to hitch the
+horse in such wise that there would be not a single
+loop either in the harness or traces. Then he was
+to mount the horse and ride back to the kiln without
+stopping, have the troll-woman and her children
+get into the wagon, and at once drive out on the ice
+with them.</p>
+
+<p>The charcoal-burner did as the old man told him,
+saddled his horse, paying strict attention that there
+were no loops in saddle or bridle, rode across the ice
+through the wood to his kiln, and told the troll-woman
+and her children to get in. Then he quickly
+turned back through the wood, out on the ice, and
+there let his horse run as fast as he could. When
+he reached the middle of the lake, he saw a pack
+of wolves running along in the direction of Aboda-land,
+at the northern end of the lake, and heading
+for the ice. Then he tore the saddle-harness from
+the traces, so that the wagon with the troll-folk was
+left standing on the bare ice, and rode as fast as his
+horse could carry him for the opposite shore.
+When the trolls saw the wolves they began to
+scream.</p>
+
+<p>"Turn back, turn back!" cried the mother. "And<span class="pagenum">[166]</span>
+if you will not for my sake, then at least do so for
+the sake of Vipa (Peewee), your youngest daughter!"
+But Charcoal Nils rode for the shore without
+looking back. Then he heard the troll-woman
+calling on others for aid.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<span class="i0">"Brother in the Harsberg,<br></span>
+<span class="i0">Sister in Stripa,<br></span>
+<span class="i0">Cousin in Ringfels;<br></span>
+<span class="i0">Take the loop and pull!"<br></span>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>"There is no loop to pull!" came the answer from
+deep within the Harsberg. "Then catch him at
+Harkallarn." "He is not riding in that direction."
+The reply came from Ringfels.</p>
+
+<p>And indeed Charcoal Nils did not ride in that
+direction; but over stick and stone straight to his
+own home. Yet when he reached his own courtyard,
+the horse fell, and a shot from the trolls tore
+away a corner of the stable. Nils shortly after fell
+sick, and had to lie a-bed for a number of weeks.
+When he was well again he sold his forest land,
+and worked the little farm by the cottage until his
+death. So that was one occasion when the troll-folk
+came off second best.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>In "Charcoal Nils and the Troll-Woman" (Hofberg, p. 148. From
+Vestmanland) we have the story of a strange union. Malicious as
+the troll-folk are, when a marriage takes place between a troll-woman
+and a human being, the woman is beyond reproach, good
+and kind, the only reproach that can be made her is that she is
+not a Christian.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[167]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XX" id="XX"></a>XX</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE THREE DOGS</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a king who went
+forth into the world and fetched back a beautiful
+queen. And after they had been married a
+while God gave them a little daughter. Then there
+was great rejoicing in the city and throughout the
+country, for the people wished their king all that
+was good, since he was kind and just. While the
+child lay in its cradle, a strange-looking old woman
+entered the room, and no one knew who she was nor
+whence she came. The old woman spoke a verse
+over the child, and said that she must not be allowed
+out under the open sky until she were full fifteen
+years of age, since otherwise the mountain troll
+would fetch her. When the king heard this he took
+her words to heart, and posted guards to watch
+over the little princess so that she would not get
+out under the open sky.</p>
+
+<p>Some time afterward God gave the royal pair
+another little daughter, and again the whole kingdom
+rejoiced. But the wise old woman once more
+put in an appearance, and warned the king not to
+let the princess out under the open sky until she<span class="pagenum">[168]</span>
+were full fifteen years of age. And then, after a
+time, God gave the royal pair a third daughter.
+This time, too, the old woman appeared, and repeated
+what she had already twice said. Then the
+king was much grieved; for he loved his children
+above everything in the world. Therefore he gave
+strict orders that the three princesses were always
+to be kept beneath the roof of the castle, and that
+none were to dare transgress against this command.</p>
+
+<p>Now a long time passed, and the king's daughters
+grew up and became the most beautiful maidens of
+whom one has ever heard tell. Then war broke
+out and the king, their father, had to leave them.
+One day, while he was away at war, the three princesses
+were sitting in the window and looking out,
+watching the sun shine on the little flowers in the
+garden. And they felt a great desire to play with
+the lovely flowers, and begged their guards to let
+them go into the garden for a little while. But
+this their guards would not allow, for they feared
+the king's anger. Yet the king's daughters pleaded
+so very sweetly that they could not deny their
+pleas and they let them have their way. But the
+princesses did not have long to walk about, for no
+sooner were they beneath the open sky, than a
+cloud came suddenly down, and bore them off, and
+all attempts to regain possession of them were fruitless;
+though search was made in every direction.<span class="pagenum">[169]</span></p>
+
+<p>Then the whole kingdom mourned and grieved,
+and one may imagine that the king was anything but
+happy when he returned home and learned all that
+had happened. Yet what is done cannot be undone,
+and in the end they had to resign themselves to it.
+And since the king knew of no other way to help
+himself, he had proclaimed throughout the kingdom
+that whoever would deliver his three daughters out
+of the power of the mountain troll should have one
+of them for his bride, and with her half of the kingdom.
+When this became known in foreign lands,
+many youths set forth with horses and followers to
+seek the princesses. At the king's court were two
+princes who also went forth to see whether fortune
+would be kind to them. They armed themselves in
+the best possible way with coats of mail and costly
+weapons, and bragged and boasted that they would
+not return without having done what they set out
+to do.</p>
+
+<p>And now we will let the king's sons ride out over
+the world on their quest, while we turn to other
+people. Far, far out in the wild wood there lived a
+poor widow, who had an only son who drove his
+mother's pigs to pasture every day. And as he
+crossed the fields, he whittled himself a flute, and
+amused himself playing it. And he played so
+sweetly that he warmed the cockles of the hearts of
+all those who heard him.<span class="pagenum">[170]</span></p>
+
+<p>Now it chanced that the young swine-herd once
+sat in the wood blowing his flute, while his three
+pigs were digging under the pine-roots. And an
+old, old man came along, with a beard so long and
+so broad that it hung far below his girdle. The
+old man had a large, powerful dog with him. When
+the youth saw the great dog, he thought to himself:
+"If a fellow had a dog like that to keep him company
+here in the wilderness, he might consider himself
+lucky." And when the old man noticed this,
+he began: "That is why I have come, for I want
+to exchange my dog for one of your pigs." The
+youth was at once willing, and closed the bargain.
+He received the great dog, and gave up the gray
+pig in place of it. Then the old man went his way.
+But as he left he said: "You have reason to be
+satisfied with our exchange, for that dog is not like
+other dogs. His name is 'Take Hold!' and whatever
+you tell him to take hold of he will seize, even
+though it were the grimmest of trolls." Thereupon
+they parted, and the youth thought that fortune
+had indeed favored him.</p>
+
+<p>In the evening he called his dog and drove his
+pigs home. But when his old mother heard that he
+had given away the gray pig for a dog, she was
+angry beyond measure, and gave her son a good
+drubbing. The youth told her to calm herself; but
+all in vain, the longer it lasted the more furious she<span class="pagenum">[171]</span>
+became. Then, since he did not know what else to
+do, he called out to his dog: "Take hold!" At
+once the dog ran up, seized the old mother and held
+her so tightly that she could not move. But otherwise
+he did her no harm. And now she had to
+promise her son to make the best of the matter,
+and then they were friends once more.</p>
+
+<p>The following day the youth went to the wood
+again, with his dog and the two pigs. After a time
+he sat down and played his flute as usual, and the
+dog danced to his playing with such skill, that it
+was nothing short of a miracle. And as he was
+sitting there, the old man with the gray beard came
+out of the wood again, and with him another dog, no
+smaller than the first. When the youth saw the
+handsome beast he thought to himself: "If a fellow
+had that dog to keep him company here where
+it is so lonely, he need have no fear." When the
+old man noticed this, he began: "That is why I
+have come, for I want to exchange my dog for one
+of your pigs." The youth did not lose any time,
+but agreed to close the bargain. He received the
+great dog, and gave up one of his pigs in place of it.
+Then the old man went his way. Yet before he
+left he added: "You have reason to be well satisfied
+with your purchase, for this dog is not like the
+other dogs. His name is 'Tear!' and if you give
+him something to tear, he will tear it to pieces, even<span class="pagenum">[172]</span>
+though it were the grimmest of trolls." Then they
+parted. But the youth was happy in the idea that
+he had made a capital exchange; although he knew
+that his old mother would not be content with it.
+And when evening came, and the youth went home,
+his old mother was no less angry than she had been
+before. But this time she did not venture to beat
+her son, because she was afraid of the great dogs.
+Yet, as is usual, when women have scolded long
+enough, they stop of their own accord&mdash;and that is
+what happened in this case. The youth and his
+mother made peace with each other; though the
+mother thought to herself that the damage done
+could not well be repaired.</p>
+
+<p>On the third day the youth went into the wood
+again with his pig and two dogs. He felt very
+happy, seated himself on a tree-stump and played his
+flute as usual. And the dogs danced to his playing
+with such skill that it was a pleasure to watch them.
+As the youth was sitting there in peace and quiet,
+the old gray-beard once more came out of the wood.
+This time he had a third dog with him, who was as
+large as both the others together. When the youth
+saw the handsome animal he could not help but
+think: "If a fellow had this dog to keep him company
+in the wilderness, he would have no cause for
+complaint." The old man at once began: "That
+is why I have come, in order to sell my dog, for I<span class="pagenum">[173]</span>
+can see you would like to have him." The youth
+was at once willing and agreed to close the bargain.
+So he received the great dog and gave up his last
+pig in place of it. Then the old man went his way.
+Yet before he went he said: "You will be satisfied
+with your exchange, for this dog is not like other
+dogs. His name is 'Hark!' and his hearing is so
+keen that he hears everything that happens, though
+it be happening many miles away. He even hears
+the grass and the trees grow." Then they parted
+in the friendliest spirit. But the youth was happy
+in the thought that now he need fear nothing in the
+world. And then, when evening came on, and the
+swine-herd went home, his mother was very sad to
+think that her son had sold all they possessed. But
+the youth told her to be of good courage, since he
+would see to it that they did not suffer want. And
+when he spoke to her in such a cheerful manner,
+she grew content again, and decided that he had
+spoken in wise and manly fashion. Then when day
+dawned the youth went hunting with his dogs, and
+came back at evening with as much game as he
+could possibly carry. And he continued to go hunting
+in this way for a time until his old mother's
+store-room was well provided with meat and all
+sorts of good things. Then he bade his mother a
+fond farewell, called his dogs, and said he was going
+to wander out into the world and try his fortune.<span class="pagenum">[174]</span></p>
+
+<p>And he fared forth over mountains and tangled
+ways, and came into the heart of a sombre forest.
+There he met the gray-beard of whom I have already
+told you. And when he met him the youth
+was much pleased, and said: "Good-day, grandfather,
+and thanks for the last time!" And the
+old man replied: "Good-day to you, and whither
+away?" The youth answered: "I am wandering
+out into the world to see what fortune has in store
+for me." Then the old man said: "Keep right
+on going till you come to the royal castle, and there
+your fortune will take a turn." And with that they
+parted. The youth followed the old man's advice
+and for a time wandered on straight ahead. When
+he came to a tavern he played his flute and let his
+dogs dance, and was never at a lack for bed and
+board, and whatever else he might want.</p>
+
+<p>After he had wandered long and far, he at length
+came to a great city, whose streets were filled with
+people. The youth wondered what it all meant,
+and at last reached the spot where, to the sound of
+bell, the king's proclamation was being cried&mdash;that
+whoever should deliver the three princesses out of
+the power of the troll, would receive one of them,
+and half the kingdom as well. Now he understood
+what the old man had meant. He called his dogs,
+and went to the king's castle. But there all had
+been grief and mourning since the day the king's<span class="pagenum">[175]</span>
+daughters had disappeared. And of them all the
+king and queen were the most sorrowful. Then the
+youth went to the keeper of the door, and asked him
+whether he might play and show his dogs before
+the king. The courtiers were willing, for they
+hoped it might make him feel more cheerful. So
+he was admitted and allowed to show his tricks.
+And when the king had heard him play, and had seen
+the skillful dancing of his dogs, he grew quite merry,
+and none had seen him as happy during all the
+seven long years that had passed since he had lost
+his daughters.</p>
+
+<p>When the dance was over, the king asked the
+youth what he asked as a reward for having given
+him such a pleasure. The youth answered: "My
+lord king, I did not come to you to win gold and
+gear. But I have another request to make: that you
+allow me to set out and search for your three daughters,
+carried away by a mountain troll." When
+the king heard this his thoughts once more grew
+gloomy, and he replied: "You need not even think
+of delivering my daughters. It is no child's play,
+and your betters have already attempted it in vain.
+Yet should it really come to pass that you deliver
+one of the princesses, you may be sure that I will not
+break my word." So he took leave of the king and
+set forth. And he decided to take no rest until he
+had found what he sought.<span class="pagenum">[176]</span></p>
+
+<p>Now he passed through many broad kingdoms
+without meeting with any special adventures. And
+wherever he went his dogs followed him. "Hark!"
+ran along and listened for anything worth hearing
+to be heard around them; "Take Hold!" carried
+his master's knapsack and "Tear!" who was the
+strongest, carried his master when the latter was
+weary. One day "Hark!" came running up hastily,
+and told his master that he had gone to a high
+mountain, and had heard the king's daughter, who
+sat within it and span, and that the troll was not
+at home. This greatly pleased the youth, and he
+hurried toward the mountain together with his three
+dogs. When they got there "Hark!" said: "There
+is no time to lose. The troll is only ten miles
+away, and I can already hear the golden horse-shoes
+of his steed ringing on the stones." The youth
+now ordered his dogs to break down the door into
+the mountain, and they did. And as he stepped into
+the mountain he saw a lovely maiden, sitting in
+the mountain-hall, winding a golden thread on a
+golden spindle. The youth went up and greeted the
+lovely girl. Then the king's daughter was much
+surprised and said: "Who are you that dare to
+venture into the giant's hall? During all the seven
+long years I have been sitting here in the mountain
+I have never yet seen a human being." And she
+added: "For heaven's sake hasten away before<span class="pagenum">[177]</span>
+the troll returns home, or else your life will be forfeit!"
+But the youth was unafraid, and said that
+he would await the giant's return without fear.</p>
+
+<p>While they were talking together, the giant came
+riding along on his colt shod with gold. When he
+saw the gate standing open he grew furiously angry
+and shouted till the whole mountain shook: "Who
+has broken my mountain door?" The youth boldly
+answered: "I did, and now I shall break you as
+well! 'Take Hold!' seize him! 'Tear!' and 'Hark!'
+tear him into a thousand pieces." No sooner had
+he spoken than the dogs rushed up, fell upon the
+giant and tore him into countless pieces. Then the
+princess was happy beyond measure and said:
+"God be praised, now I am freed!" And she fell
+upon the youth's neck and gave him a kiss. But
+he did not wish to stay there any longer, saddled
+the giant's colt, loaded it with all the gold and gear
+he found in the mountain, and hastily went away
+with the king's beautiful daughter.</p>
+
+<p>They passed on together a long distance. Then,
+one day, "Hark!" who always ran ahead scouting,
+came quickly back to his master, and told him he had
+been near a high mountain, and had heard the king's
+second daughter sitting within it winding golden
+yarn, and that the troll himself was not at home.
+This was very welcome news for the youth, and he
+hurried toward the mountain with his faithful dogs.<span class="pagenum">[178]</span>
+Now when they drew near "Hark!" said: "There
+is no time to lose. The giant is only eight miles
+away, and I can already hear the golden horse-shoes
+of his steed ringing on the stones." The youth at
+once ordered his dogs to break down the door into
+the mountain, no matter which way. And when he
+stepped into the interior of the mountain he saw
+a lovely maiden sitting in the mountain hall, winding
+golden yarn on a golden windle. The youth
+went up and greeted the lovely girl. The king's
+daughter was much surprised and said: "Who are
+you that dare to venture into the giant's hall? During
+all the seven years I have been sitting here in
+the mountain I have never yet seen a human being."
+And she added: "For heaven's sake, hasten away,
+for if the troll comes your life will be forfeit!"
+But the youth told her why he had come, and said
+that he would await the troll's return quite undisturbed.</p>
+
+<p>While they were still talking together, the giant
+came riding on his steed shod with gold, and drew
+up outside the mountain. When he noticed that
+the great door was open, he grew furiously angry,
+and shouted till the mountain trembled to its very
+roots. He said: "Who has broken my mountain
+door?" The youth boldly answered: "I have,
+and now I shall break you as well! 'Take Hold,'
+seize him! 'Tear!' and 'Hark!' tear him into a
+<span class="pagenum"><a name="P_179" id="P_179">[179]</a></span>thousand pieces!" The dogs at once rushed up,
+threw themselves upon the giant, and tore him into
+as many pieces as leaves fall in the autumn. Then
+the king's daughter was happy beyond measure and
+cried: "God be praised, now I am freed!" and she
+fell upon the youth's neck and gave him a kiss.
+But he led the princess to her sister, and one can
+imagine-how glad they were to see each other again.
+Then the youth packed up all the treasures he found
+in the mountain hall, loaded them on the giant's
+steed, and went his way with the king's two daughters.
+And they wandered along for a long time.
+Then, one day, "Hark!" who always ran ahead
+scouting, came hastily to his master and told him
+that he had been near a high mountain, and had
+heard the king's third daughter sitting within and
+weaving a web of gold, and that the troll was
+not at home. This was very welcome news for the
+youth, and he hastened toward the mountain, followed
+by his three dogs. When he drew near
+"Hark!" said: "There is no time to lose, for the
+giant is only five miles away. I can already hear
+the golden horse-shoes of his steed ringing on the
+stones." Then the youth at once ordered his dogs
+to break down the door into the mountain, by hook
+or by crook. And when he stepped into the mountain,
+he saw a girl sitting in the mountain hall,
+weaving a web of gold. But this maiden was lovely<span class="pagenum">[180]</span>
+beyond all measure, with a loveliness exceeding all
+the youth had ever thought to find on earth. He
+now went up and greeted the lovely maiden. Then
+the king's daughter was much surprised and said:
+"Who are you that dare to venture into the giant's
+hall? During all the seven long years I have been
+sitting here in the mountain I have never yet seen
+a human being." And she added: "For heaven's
+sake, hasten away before the troll comes, or else
+your life will be forfeit!" But the youth was full
+of confidence, and said he would gladly venture his
+life for the king's lovely daughter.</p>
+
+<div class="figcenter" style="width: 423px;">
+<a name="i8" id="i8"></a>
+<img src="images/i009.jpg" width="423" height="600" alt="&quot;HE SAW A GIRL SITTING IN THE MOUNTAIN HALL, WEAVING
+A WEB OF GOLD.&quot;" title="">
+</div>
+
+<p class="caption">&quot;HE SAW A GIRL SITTING IN THE MOUNTAIN HALL, WEAVING
+A WEB OF GOLD.&quot;
+&mdash;<a href="#P_179">Page 179</a></p>
+
+<p>While they were still talking the giant came riding
+along on his colt shod with gold, and drew up at the
+foot of the mountain. When he went in he saw
+that uninvited guests had arrived, and was much
+frightened; for well he knew of the fate that had
+befallen his brothers. He therefore thought it advisable
+to fall back upon cunning and treachery, for
+he had not dared to venture on open battle. For that
+reason he made many fine speeches, and was very
+friendly and smooth with the youth. Then he told
+the king's daughter to prepare a meal in order to
+show his guest all hospitality.</p>
+
+<p>And since the troll knew so well how to talk, the
+youth allowed himself to be beguiled by his smooth
+words, and forgot to be on his guard. He sat down
+to the table with the giant; but the king's daughter<span class="pagenum">[181]</span>
+wept secretly, and the dogs were very restless;
+though no one paid them any attention.</p>
+
+<p>When the giant and his guest had finished their
+meal, the youth said: "Now that I have satisfied
+my hunger, give me something to quench my thirst!"
+The giant replied: "On the mountain-top is a
+spring in which bubbles the clearest wine; but I
+have no one to fetch it." The youth answered:
+"If that be all that is lacking, one of my dogs can
+go up." Then the giant laughed in his false heart,
+for nothing suited him better than to have the youth
+send away his dogs. The youth ordered "Take
+Hold!" to go to the spring, and the giant handed
+him a great tankard. The dog went; yet it was
+easy to see that he did not go willingly; and the
+time passed and passed and he did not return.</p>
+
+<p>After a while the giant said: "I wonder why
+your dog stays away so long? Perhaps you would
+let another of your dogs go and help him; for the
+way is long and the tankard is heavy." The youth
+did not suspect any trickery and agreed. He told
+"Tear!" to go and see why "Take Hold!" had not
+yet come. The dog wagged his tail, and did not
+want to leave his master. But the youth did not
+notice it and drove him off himself. Then the giant
+laughed heartily, and the king's daughter wept, yet
+the youth paid no attention; but was merry and at
+his ease, played with his sword, and dreamed of no
+danger.<span class="pagenum">[182]</span></p>
+
+<p>Thus a long time passed; but nothing was heard
+of the wine nor of the dogs. Then the giant said:
+"I can see that your dogs do not do as you bid them,
+otherwise we should not have to sit here and thirst.
+I think it would be well if you let 'Hark!' go up and
+see why they do not come back." The youth
+agreed, and told his third dog to hurry to the spring.
+But "Hark!" did not want to, and instead crept
+whining to his master's feet. Then the youth grew
+angry and drove him off by force. And when he
+reached the top of the mountain he shared the fate
+of the others, a high wall rose round about him,
+and he was made a prisoner by the giant's magic
+power.</p>
+
+<p>Now that all three dogs were gone, the giant rose,
+and suddenly looked altogether different. He took
+down a long sword from the wall, and said: "Now
+I will do what my brothers did not do, and you must
+die at once, for you are in my power!" Then the
+youth was frightened, and he regretted he had allowed
+his dogs to leave him. He said: "I do not
+ask for my life, since in any event the time will come
+when I must die. But I would like to repeat the
+Lord's prayer, and play a psalm on my flute, for
+such is the custom in my country." The giant
+granted his prayer, but said that he would not wait
+long. So the youth kneeled and began to blow his
+flute till it sounded over hill and dale. And that
+very moment the magic wall was broken and the<span class="pagenum">[183]</span>
+dogs were freed. They came rushing on like the
+storm-wind, and fell upon the mountain troll. The
+youth at once rose and said: "'Take Hold!', seize
+him! 'Tear!' and 'Hark!' tear him into a thousand
+pieces!" Then the dogs flung themselves on the
+giant and tore him into countless pieces. Then the
+youth took all the treasures that lay in the mountain,
+hitched the giant's horses to a gilded wagon, and
+drove off as fast as he could.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the king's daughters met again there
+was great joy, as may well be imagined, and all
+thanked the youth for delivering them out of the
+power of the mountain trolls. But the youth fell
+deeply in love with the youngest princess, and they
+promised to be true to each other. So the king's
+daughters passed on their way with music and
+merriment of every kind, and the youth served them
+with all the honor and courtesy due maidens of gentle
+birth. And while they were underway the princesses
+toyed with the youth's hair, and each tied her
+golden ring in his locks for remembrance.</p>
+
+<p>One day while they were still underway, they met
+two wanderers, who were traveling the same road.
+The clothes of the two strangers were torn and their
+feet were sore, and their whole appearance showed
+that they had a long journey behind them. The
+youth stopped his wagon, and asked them who they
+were and whence they came. The strangers answered<span class="pagenum">[184]</span>
+that they were two princes, and had gone
+forth to search for the three maidens in the mountain.
+But fortune had not favored them; and now
+they had to return home more like journeymen than
+kings' sons. When the youth heard this he felt
+sorry for the two wanderers, and asked whether
+they would like to ride with him in his handsome
+wagon. The princes thanked him profusely for his
+offer. They drove on together, and came to the
+kingdom over which the father of the princesses
+reigned.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the princes learned that the youth
+had delivered the king's three daughters, a great
+jealousy took possession of them, and they thought
+of how badly they had fared in their own venture.
+And they took counsel together as to how they might
+get the better of the youth, and win power and glory
+for themselves. But they hid their evil plot till
+a favorable opportunity offered for carrying it out.
+Then they suddenly threw themselves on their comrade,
+seized him by the throat and strangled him.
+And then they threatened to kill the princesses if
+they did not swear to keep silence. And since the
+king's daughters were in the power of the princes,
+they did not dare say no. But they felt very sorry
+for the youth who had given up his life for them,
+and the youngest princess mourned with all her
+heart, and all her happiness was at an end.<span class="pagenum">[185]</span></p>
+
+<p>After this great wrong the princes drove to the
+royal castle, and one may well imagine how happy
+the king was to get back his three daughters. In
+the meantime the poor youth lay like dead off in a
+gorge in the forest. Yet he was not quite dead,
+and his faithful dogs lay about him, kept him warm,
+and licked his wounds. And they did not stop until
+their master came back to life again. When he
+was once more well and strong he set out, and after
+many difficulties came to the royal castle in which
+the princesses dwelt.</p>
+
+<p>When he came in the whole court was full of joy
+and merriment, and from the king's hall came the
+sound of dancing and string music. That surprised
+him greatly, and he asked what it all meant. The
+serving-man answered: "You must come from far
+away, since you do not know that the king has regained
+his daughters who were in the power of the
+mountain troll. This is the oldest princess's wedding-day."</p>
+
+<p>The youth then asked after the youngest princess,
+and when she was to marry. But the serving-man
+said that she did not want a husband, and wept the
+live-long day, though no one knew why. Then the
+youth felt happy once more; for now he knew that
+she loved him, and had kept faith with him.</p>
+
+<p>The youth now went to the keeper of the door,
+and bade him tell the king that a guest had arrived<span class="pagenum">[186]</span>
+who would add to the merriment of the wedding
+festivities by showing his dogs. This was to the
+king's liking, and he ordered that the stranger receive
+the best possible treatment. And when the
+youth stepped into the hall, the whole wedding company
+were astounded by his skill and his manly bearing,
+and all agreed that so handsome a youth was
+rarely seen. But no sooner had the king's three
+daughters recognized him, than they jumped up
+from the table, and flung themselves on his neck.
+And then the princes thought it best to make themselves
+scarce. But the king's daughters told how
+the youth had freed them, and the rest of their adventures;
+and to make quite certain they looked for
+their rings among his locks.</p>
+
+<p>Now when the king heard of the trickery and
+treachery the two strange princes had used, he grew
+very angry and had them driven ignominously forth
+from the castle. But he received the brave youth
+with great honor, as he had deserved, and he was
+married to the king's youngest daughter that selfsame
+day. After the king's death the youth was
+chosen king of all the land, and a gallant king he
+was. And there he lives with his beautiful queen,
+and is reigning there happily to this very day. And
+that is all I have to do with it.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"The Three Dogs" (Hylt&eacute;n-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 195. From
+West Gotland). Fairy tales have a high opinion of the power of
+music, for the magic of the flute-playing breaks the evil spell of
+the troll, just as in the story of "Faithful and Unfaithful," the sound
+of the fiddle makes the troll's golden hall come out of the mountain.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[187]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XXI" id="XXI"></a>XXI</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE POOR DEVIL</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a peasant, who led
+his cow to pasture in the spring, and prayed
+God to have her in His care.</p>
+
+<p>The evil one was sitting in a bush, heard him, and
+said to himself: "When things turn out well, they
+thank God for it; but if anything goes wrong, then
+I am always to blame!"</p>
+
+<p>A few days later the cow strayed into a swamp.
+And when the peasant came and saw her he said:
+"Look at that! The devil has had his finger in the
+pie again!"</p>
+
+<p>"Just what I might have expected," thought the
+devil in his bush. Then the peasant went off to
+fetch people to help drag the cow out. But in the
+meantime the devil slipped from his bush and helped
+out the cow, for he thought:</p>
+
+<p>"Now he will have something to thank me for,
+too."</p>
+
+<p>But when the peasant came back and saw the
+cow on dry land, he said: "Thank God, she's out
+again!"</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The little story of "The Poor Devil." (Bondeson, p. 212. From
+Smaland) which shows him attempting to rival God, is at once
+humorous and philosophical.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[188]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XXII" id="XXII"></a>XXII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">HOW SMALAND AND SCHONEN CAME TO BE</p>
+
+<p>The Smalanders declare:</p>
+
+<p>At the time when our Lord created the earth, he
+made a level and fruitful stretch of land, and that
+was Schonen. But the devil had been busy in the
+meantime, and had created Smaland, a barren region
+consisting mainly of hills and swamps. When
+our Lord saw it, it looked very hopeless to him, and
+he strewed the bits of earth that remained in his
+apron out over it, and created the Smalanders.
+They turned out to be a fine race of men, handsome
+and strong and able to take care of themselves in
+any situation. It is said to this very day, that if you
+take a Smalander and set him down on a rock in
+the sea, he will still manage to save himself. But
+in the meantime the devil had been down in Schonen,
+and had created the people who live there, and that
+is why they are so slow, boastful and servile. But
+the people of Schonen say:</p>
+
+<p>Once as our Lord and St. Peter were walking
+together, they heard a terrible commotion in a
+forest. "Go see what is happening there," said<span class="pagenum">[189]</span>
+our Lord. St. Peter went. And there was the devil
+and a Smalander, who were pummeling each other
+with might and main. St. Peter tried to separate
+them; but they paid no attention to him. So he
+took his sword and chopped off both their heads.
+And he told our Lord what he had seen and done:
+"No, that was not well done," the latter replied,
+"go and put back their heads where they were, and
+touch the wounds with your sword, and both will
+come to life again." St. Peter did so, but he exchanged
+heads. Since that time the Smalanders all
+have a bit of the devil about them, and those who
+know the devil, will tell you that he is more or less
+like the Smalanders.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The unfruitful district of Smaland and the lazy and servile people
+of Schonen (as retold and communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund),
+are supposed to be creative efforts of the devil, at least so the Danes
+and Swedes were wont to say, and Selma Lagerl&ouml;f has repeated it
+after them with variants. But the people of Schonen lost no time
+in inventing a close relationship between the Smalanders and the
+devil.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[190]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XXIII" id="XXIII"></a>XXIII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE EVIL ONE AND KITTA GRAU</p>
+
+<p>One day the devil met Kitta Grau:</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you been, old man?" asked
+Kitta Grau, for she recognized him.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the evil one, "I have been out on the
+farmstead where the newly wedded couple live.
+This is the third time I have tried to sow dissension
+between them; but they think so much of each other
+that it is a sheer impossibility."</p>
+
+<p>"You talk like a real stupid. That is something
+I could bring about the very first time I went there,"
+said Kitta Grau.</p>
+
+<p>"If you can do that, you shall have a splendid
+pair of shoes," was the evil one's reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Mind you keep your word!" said Kitta, and
+turned toward the farmstead.</p>
+
+<p>There the woman was home alone; for her husband
+had gone to the forest. Kitta said to the young
+wife:</p>
+
+<p>"You really have a splendid husband."</p>
+
+<p>"And that is the truth," the woman replied, "for
+he grants my every wish before it is spoken."</p>
+
+<p>"But take my word for it," said Kitta, "there is<span class="pagenum">[191]</span>
+still a bit of deceit in him. He has a pair of long
+hairs under his chin&mdash;if you could get at them with
+a razor, and cut them off while he is asleep, then he
+would be altogether without malice."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said the woman, "if that will help, I
+will be sure to keep an eye open after dinner and
+attend to it, for then he always takes a little noon-day
+nap."</p>
+
+<p>Then Kitta Grau went out into the forest to the
+husband and bade him good-day.</p>
+
+<p>"You really have a very good wife," said Kitta.</p>
+
+<p>"She could not be bettered," replied the husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Well you might be mistaken for all that," said
+Kitta. "When you come home, be on your guard,
+for when you go to take your noon-day nap, she has
+in mind to cut your throat. So be sure not to go to
+sleep."</p>
+
+<p>The husband did not think much of the matter;
+but still he thanked Kitta Grau for her trouble.</p>
+
+<p>Then he went home and ate his dinner, laid down
+and pretended to fall asleep at once.</p>
+
+<p>Thereupon his wife went to his shaving-kit, took
+out his razor, went softly up to him and took hold
+of his chin with her hand.</p>
+
+<p>Up flew the man.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want to murder me?" he cried, and gave
+his wife such a thump that she measured her full
+length on the floor.<span class="pagenum">[192]</span></p>
+
+<p>And from that day forward there was no peace
+in the house. Now Kitta Grau was to receive her
+reward from the evil one. But he was so afraid of
+her that he did not venture to give her the shoes until
+he stood on one side of a stream, while she stood
+on the other, and then he passed them over to her
+on a long pole.</p>
+
+<p>"You are ever so much worse than I am," he told
+Kitta Grau.</p>
+
+<p>The black man had made a bargain with a merchant.
+He had promised him that all goods which
+he might buy he should sell again within three
+weeks' time at a handsome profit. But, if he had
+prospered, after seven years had passed he was to
+be the devil's own. And he did prosper; for no
+matter what manner of old trash the merchant
+bought, and if it were no more than an old worn-out
+fur coat, he was always able to sell it again, and
+always at a profit.</p>
+
+<p>Kitta Grau came into his shop and showed him
+the handsome shoes the evil one had given her.</p>
+
+<p>So the merchant said:</p>
+
+<p>"May heaven keep me from him! He will surely
+fetch me when the time comes; for I have made a
+pact with him; and I have been unable to buy anything
+without selling it again in three weeks' time."</p>
+
+<p>Then Kitta Grau said: "Buy me, for I am sure
+no one will buy me from you!" And that is what<span class="pagenum">[193]</span>
+the merchant did. He bought Kitta, had her disrobe
+and cover herself with tar, and roll in a pile of
+feathers. Then he put her in a glass cage as though
+she were a bird.</p>
+
+<p>Now the first week went by, and the second week
+went by, and the third week went by, and no one
+appeared who wanted to buy the curious bird. And
+then, in due time, came the evil one, and wanted to
+fetch his merchant.</p>
+
+<p>"Have patience," said the merchant, "I still have
+something I have bought, but have not been able to
+sell again in three weeks' time."</p>
+
+<p>"That is something I'd like to see," said the
+black man. Then the merchant showed him Kitta
+Grau, sitting in her glass cage. But no sooner had
+the evil one seen the handsome bird than he cried:</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I see! It is you Kitta Grau! No one who
+knows you would buy you!"</p>
+
+<p>And with that he hurried on his way.</p>
+
+<p>Thus Kitta Grau could help do evil, and help do
+good.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>The story of "The Evil One and Kitta Grau." (Bondeson, p. 206.
+From Halland) shows that it is child's play for an evil woman to
+accomplish what the devil himself cannot do. Yet some one has made
+an addition which redounds to Kitta's credit, and which makes her
+one of the heroines of fairy-tale who know how to take advantage
+of the evil one.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[194]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XXIV" id="XXIV"></a>XXIV</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE LADY OF PINTORP</p>
+
+<p>Where to-day a castellate building towers
+between spreading parks and gardens on
+the noble estate of Eriksberg, there lay in ancient
+times a holding known as Pintorp; with which
+legend has associated the gruesome tale of the lady
+of Pintorp.</p>
+
+<p>In Pintorp&mdash;so the legend says&mdash;there dwelt a
+nobleman who, dying in his youth, left all his goods
+and gear to his widow. Yet instead of being a kind
+mistress to her many dependents, she exploited
+them in every way, and ill-treated them shamefully.
+Beneath her castle she had deep subterranean dungeons,
+in which languished many innocent people.
+She set vicious dogs at children and beggars, and
+if any one did not come to work at the right time, he
+was sure to go home in the evening with weals on
+his back.</p>
+
+<p>Once, early in the morning, when the men came
+to work, the Lady of Pintorp was standing on the
+castle steps, and saw a poor farm-hand belonging to
+the estate come too late. Foaming with rage, she<span class="pagenum">[195]</span>
+overwhelmed him with abuse and reproaches, and
+ordered him to chop down the largest oak on the
+whole estate, and bring it, crown foremost, to the
+castle court before evening. And if he did not carry
+out her command to the very letter&mdash;so she said&mdash;she
+would drive him from his hut without mercy,
+and all that he had should fall to the estate.</p>
+
+<p>With heavy thoughts of the severe judgment
+passed upon him, the farm-hand went to the wood;
+and there he met an old man who asked him why
+he was so unhappy.</p>
+
+<p>"Because it is all up with me, if our Lord in His
+mercy do not help me," sighed the unfortunate
+man, and told of the task his mistress had imposed
+on him.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not worry," said the unknown, "Chop down
+this oak, seat yourself on the trunk, and Erik
+Gyllenstjerna and Svante Ban&eacute;r will take it to the
+castle."</p>
+
+<p>The farm hand did as the old man told him, began
+to hew to the line, and sure enough, at the third
+stroke the tree fell with a tremendous crash. Then
+he seated himself on the trunk, facing the crown,
+and at once the tree began to move, as though drawn
+by horses. Soon it rushed along so swiftly that
+posts and garden-palings flew out of the way like
+splinters, and soon they had reached the castle. At
+the moment the tree-top struck the castle-gate, one<span class="pagenum">[196]</span>
+of the invisible bearers stumbled, and a voice was
+heard saying: "What, are you falling on your
+knees, Svante?"</p>
+
+<p>The Lady of Pintorp, who was standing on the
+steps, knew well who was helping the man; yet instead
+of feeling regret, she began to curse and scold,
+and finally threatened to imprison the farm-hand.</p>
+
+<p>Then the earth quaked so that the walls of the
+castle shook, and a black coach, drawn by two black
+horses, stopped before the castle. A fine gentleman,
+clad in black, descended from the coach, bowed to
+the lady and bade her make ready and follow him.
+Trembling&mdash;for she knew well who the stranger
+must be&mdash;she begged for a three years' respite; but
+the black gentleman would not grant her request.
+Then she asked for three months, and that he refused
+as well. Finally she begged for three weeks,
+and then for three days; but only three minutes
+were allowed her to put her house in order.</p>
+
+<p>When she saw there was no help for it, she begged
+that at least her chaplain, her chamber-maid, and
+her valet be allowed to accompany her. This request
+was granted, and they entered the carriage.
+The horses at once started off, and the carriage
+drove away so swiftly, that the people at the castle
+saw no more than a black streak.</p>
+
+<p>When the woman and her companions had thus
+driven a while, they came to a splendid castle, and<span class="pagenum">[197]</span>
+the gentleman in black led them up the steps.
+Above, in the great hall, the woman laid off her
+costly garments and put on a coarse coat and wooden
+shoes. Then he combed her hair three times, till
+she could no longer bear it, and danced with her
+three times until she was exhausted.</p>
+
+<p>After the first dance the Lady begged to be allowed
+to give her golden ring to her valet, and it
+burned his finger like fire. After the second dance
+she gave her chamber-maid her bunch of keys, and
+that seared the girl's hand like red-hot iron. But
+after the third dance, a trap-door opened in the
+floor, and the Lady disappeared in a cloud of smoke
+and flame.</p>
+
+<p>The chaplain, who was standing nearest her,
+looked down curiously into the opening into which
+his mistress had sunk; and a spark shot up from the
+depths, and flew into his eye, so that he was blind in
+one eye for the rest of his life.</p>
+
+<p>When it was all over, the black gentleman allowed
+the servitors to drive home again; but expressly
+forbade them to look around. They hastily entered
+the coach, the road was broad and even, and the
+horses ran rapidly. But when they had gone a
+while, the chamber-maid could no longer control her
+curiosity, and looked around. That very minute
+horses, coach and the road itself were gone, the
+travellers found themselves in a wild forest, and<span class="pagenum">[198]</span>
+it cost them three years to get out again, and make
+their way back to Pintorp.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>In "The Lady of Pintorp" (Hofberg, p. 157) the devil appears in
+all his grewsome Satanic majesty. It has been claimed that the
+evil woman was a historical figure, the wife of the royal counselor
+Erik Gyllenstjerna.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[199]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XXV" id="XXV"></a>XXV</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE SPECTRE IN FJELKINGE</p>
+
+<p>During the first half of the eighteenth century,
+several large estates in Schonen were the
+property of the family of Barnekow, or rather, of its
+most distinguished representative at that time,
+Margaret Barnekow, daughter of the famous captain
+and governor-general Count Rutger of Aschenberg,
+and the wife of Colonel Kjell Kristofer
+Barnekow. A widow at twenty-nine, she herself
+took over the management of her large properties,
+and gave therein evidence of invincible courage, an
+inexhaustible capacity for work, and a tireless
+solicitude for all her many dependents and servitors.</p>
+
+<p>While traveling about her estates, Madame
+Margaret one evening came to the tavern in Fjelkinge,
+and was quartered for the night in a room
+that had the name of being haunted. Some years
+before a traveler had lain in the same room and
+presumably had been murdered: at any rate the
+man himself and all his belongings had disappeared
+without leaving a trace, and the mystery had never
+been explained. Since that time the room had been<span class="pagenum">[200]</span>
+haunted, and those who knew about it preferred to
+travel a post-station further in the dark, rather than
+pass the night in the room in question. But Margaret
+Barnekow did not do so. She had already
+shown greater courage in greater contingencies,
+and chose this particular room to sleep in without
+any fear.</p>
+
+<p>She let the lamp burn and fell asleep, after she
+had said her evening prayer. On the stroke of
+twelve she awoke, just as some planks were raised
+in the floor; and up rose a bleeding phantom whose
+head, split wide open, hung down on his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"Noble lady," whispered the specter, "prepare
+a grave in consecrated earth for a murdered man,
+and deliver his murderer to the judgment which is
+his due!"</p>
+
+<p>God-fearing and unafraid, Madame Margaret
+beckoned the phantom nearer, and he told her he had
+already addressed the same prayer to various other
+people; but that none had had the courage to grant
+it. Then Madame Margaret drew a gold ring from
+her finger, laid it on the gaping wound, and tied up
+the head of the murdered man with her kerchief.
+With a glance of unspeakable gratitude he told her
+the murderer's name, and disappeared beneath the
+floor without a sound.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning Madame Margaret sent for
+the sheriff of the district to come to the tavern with<span class="pagenum">[201]</span>
+some of his people, informed him of what had happened
+to her during the night, and ordered those
+present to tear up the floor. And there they found,
+buried in the earth, the remains of a body and, in a
+wound in its head, the Countess's ring, and tied about
+its head, her kerchief. One of the bystanders grew
+pale at the sight, and fell senseless to the ground.
+When he came to his senses, he confessed that he had
+murdered the traveler and robbed him of his belongings.
+He was condemned to death for his crime, and
+the body of the murdered man was buried in the village
+church-yard.</p>
+
+<p>The ring, of peculiar shape, and its setting bearing
+a large gray stone, is still preserved in the Barnekow
+family, and magic virtues in cases of sickness, fire
+and other misfortunes are ascribed to it. And when
+one of the Barnekows dies, it is said that a red spot,
+like a drop of blood, appears on the stone.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"The Spectre in Fjelkinge" (Hofberg, p. 21) is founded on the
+ancient belief that innocent blood which has been shed calls for
+atonement, and the one who has been unjustly murdered cannot rest
+until the deed has been brought to light.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[202]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XXVI" id="XXVI"></a>XXVI</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE ROOSTER, THE HAND-MILL AND THE SWARM
+OF HORNETS</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a peasant who
+wanted to go to sell a pig. After he had gone
+a while, he met a man who asked him where he was
+going with his pig. "I want to sell it," answered
+the peasant, "but I do not know what to do to get
+rid of it." "Go to the devil," said the man, "he
+will be the first to rid you of it." So the peasant
+kept on along the broad highway.</p>
+
+<p>When he came to the devil's place, there stood a
+man out by the wood-pile making wood. The
+peasant went to him and asked whether he could
+tell him if they wanted to buy a pig in the devil's
+place. "I'll go in and ask," said the man, "if you
+will make wood in my stead while I am gone."
+"Yes, I will do that gladly," said the peasant, took
+the ax, stood at the wood-pile and began to make
+wood. And he worked and worked until evening
+came; but the man did not return to tell him whether
+they would or would not buy a pig in the devil's
+place.<span class="pagenum">[203]</span></p>
+
+<p>At length another man came that way, and the
+peasant asked him whether he would make wood
+in his stead, for it was impossible to lay down the
+ax unless another took it up and went on working.
+So the man took the ax and stood there making
+wood, and the peasant went into the devil's place
+himself, and asked whether any one wanted to buy
+a pig.</p>
+
+<p>A crowd as large as that at a fair at once gathered,
+and all wanted to buy the pig. Then the peasant
+thought: "Whoever pays the most, gets it." And
+one would overbid another, offering far more than
+a whole herd of pigs were worth. But at last a
+gentleman came along who whispered something to
+the peasant, and told him to come along with him;
+and he could have all the money he wanted.</p>
+
+<p>So when they had reached the gentleman's house,
+and the peasant had given him the pig, he received
+in payment a rooster who would lay silver coins as
+often as he was told to do so. Then the peasant
+went his way, well content with his bargain. But
+on the way home he stayed overnight at a tavern
+kept by an old woman. And he was so exceedingly
+happy about his splendid rooster, that he had to
+boast about him to the old woman, and show her
+how he went about laying silver coins. And at
+night, when the peasant was fast asleep, the old
+woman came and took away his rooster, and put<span class="pagenum">[204]</span>
+another in its place. No sooner did the peasant
+awake in the morning than he wanted to set his
+rooster to work. "Lay quickly, rooster of mine!
+Lay big silver coins, my rooster!" But the rooster
+could lay no silver coins at all, and only answered
+"Kikeriki! Kikeriki! Kikeriki!" Then the peasant
+fell into a rage, wandered back to the devil's place,
+complained about the rooster, and told how absolutely
+worthless he was. He was kindly received,
+and the same gentleman gave him a hand-mill.
+When he called out "Mill grind!" to it, it would
+grind as much meal as he wanted it to, and would
+not stop until he said: "Mill, stop grinding!"
+And the mill would grind out every kind of meal for
+which he asked.</p>
+
+<p>When the peasant set out for home, he reached
+the same tavern at which he had already put up
+in the evening, so he turned in and decided to stay
+over night. He was so pleased with the mill that
+it was impossible for him to hold his tongue; so he
+told the old woman what a valuable mill he had, and
+showed her how it worked. But during the night,
+while he was asleep, the old woman came and stole
+his mill and put another in its place.</p>
+
+<p>When the peasant awoke in the morning, he was
+in a great hurry to test his mill; but he could not
+make it obey. "Mill grind!" he cried. But the mill
+stood still. Then he said: "Dear mill, grind<span class="pagenum">[205]</span>
+wheat meal!" but it had no effect. "Then grind
+rye meal!" he shouted; but that did not help, either.
+"Well, then, grind peas!" But the mill did not
+seem to hear; but stood as still as though it had
+never turned a single time in all its life. Then the
+peasant took the road back to the devil's place again,
+and at once hunted up the gentleman who had purchased
+his pig, and told him the mill would grind no
+more meal.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not grieve about that," said the gentleman,
+and gave him a large, large hornets' nest, full of
+hornets, who flew out in swarms and stung any one
+whom they were told to sting, until one said "stop!"
+to them. Now when the peasant again came to the
+old woman, he told her he had a swarm of hornets
+who obeyed his commands. "Heavens above!"
+cried the woman, "that's something worth while
+seeing!" "You may see it without any trouble,"
+replied the peasant, and at once called: "Out, out,
+my hornets and sting the old woman!" And at
+once the entire swarm fell upon the old woman, who
+began to scream pitifully. She begged the peasant
+to please call back his hornets, and said she was only
+too willing to give back the rooster and the mill she
+had taken.</p>
+
+<p>The peasant did not object to this; but ordered
+his hornets to leave the old woman alone, and fly
+back into their house. Then he went home with his<span class="pagenum">[206]</span>
+rooster, his mill and his hornets, became a rich man
+and lived happily until he died. And he was in the
+habit of saying: "They have a big fair in the
+devil's place, and you find real decent people there,
+and above all, a liberal gentleman, with whom it is a
+pleasure to do business."</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>In "The Rooster, the Hand-Mill and the Swarm of Hornets" (Mss. record
+by Stephens, from Wermland, communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund)
+a poor peasant received three splendid gifts in the devil's
+place. The rooster who lays gold coins is a widely known magic
+bird, and the magic mill is also met with in the North.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[207]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XXVII" id="XXVII"></a>XXVII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">TORRE JEPPE</p>
+
+<p>In a church-nave a specter sat night by night, and
+the specter's name was Torre Jeppe. He was
+a dried-up corpse that could not decay. One night
+three tailors were working at a farmstead in the
+neighborhood. They were laughing and joking, and
+among other things they asked the girl in the house,
+who was known to be brave, what they would have
+to give her to go to church and fetch back Torre
+Jeppe. She could trust herself to do it, was her
+answer; but they must give her a dress of home-spun
+wool for her trouble. That she should surely
+have, said the tailors, for they did not believe the
+girl would dare such a venture. Yet she took the
+tailors at their word and really went.</p>
+
+<p>When she reached the church, she took Torre
+Jeppe on her back, carried him home and sat him
+down on the bench beside the tailors. They timidly
+moved away; but Torre Jeppe moved after them,
+and looked at them with his big eyes until they nearly
+lost their reason. In their terror they begged
+the girl in the name of God to deliver them from the<span class="pagenum">[208]</span>
+specter. They would gladly give her another dress
+if she would only carry the dead man away again.
+They had no need to tell her twice, for she took
+Torre Jeppe on her back, and dragged him away
+again.</p>
+
+<p>But when she tried to set him down in the place
+where she had found him, he did not want to let her
+go; but clasped his arms firmly about her neck. In
+vain she said to him several times: "Torre Jeppe,
+let me go!" At last he said: "I will not let you
+go until you promise me that you will go this very
+night to the brook and ask three times: 'Anna
+Perstochter, do you forgive Torre Jeppe?'" The
+girl promised to do as he said, and he at once released
+her. The brook was a good mile off; but she
+went there and asked three times in a loud voice,
+as she had promised: "Anna Perstochter, do you
+forgive Torre Jeppe?" And when she had called
+the third time a woman's voice replied from out of
+the water: "If God has forgiven him, then I, too,
+forgive him!"</p>
+
+<p>When the girl came back to the church Torre
+Jeppe asked eagerly: "What did she say?"
+"Well, if God has forgiven you, then she, too, will
+forgive you!" Then Torre Jeppe thanked her and
+said: "Come back again before sunrise, and you
+shall receive your reward for the service you have
+done me." The girl went back at sunrise, and in the<span class="pagenum">[209]</span>
+place where the phantom had been sitting she found
+a bushel of silver coin. In addition she received the
+two dresses promised her by the tailors. But Torre
+Jeppe was never seen again.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>"Torre Jeppe" (retold and communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund,
+after mss. version of Hylt&eacute;n-Cavallius and Stephens) is a ghost-story
+founded on the old belief that a wrong done torments the doer even
+after death, that he tried to atone for it, and that then only can he
+enter on his eternal rest.</p></blockquote><p><span class="pagenum">[210]</span></p>
+
+<hr class="chapter">
+
+<h2><a name="XXVIII" id="XXVIII"></a>XXVIII</h2>
+
+<p class="h3">THE MAN WHO DIED ON HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY</p>
+
+<p>Once upon a time there was a man named Kalle
+Kula. He was a wild fellow, and had committed
+many a grievous crime during his life. When
+he came to die, and his wife took up the Bible to pray
+for him as he was lying there, he said, "No, this is
+Holy Innocents' Day, and it is not worth while reading
+from the Bible for me. You had better go into
+the kitchen instead, and bake waffles. I shall die
+this very day, and then you must lay a bundle of
+waffles in my coffin." The woman went into the
+kitchen and baked the waffles; but when she came
+back to him again he was dead. So Kalle Kula was
+laid in the coffin with a bundle of waffles beside him.</p>
+
+<p>Then he came to the gates of Paradise with his
+little bundle of waffles under his arm and knocked.
+But St. Peter said to him: "You have no business
+here, with all the crimes you have committed."
+"Yes, that may well be so, but I died on Holy Innocents' Day,"
+said Kalle Kula, "so at least I may
+look in and see the innocent children?" St. Peter
+could not refuse him, and opened the door a little
+way. Kalle Kula took advantage of the moment<span class="pagenum">[211]</span>
+and cried: "Come, you little holy innocents, you
+shall have waffles!" And as they had not been
+given any waffles in Paradise, they all came rushing
+up, so that the door flew wide open, and then Kalle
+Kula crept in.</p>
+
+<p>But St. Peter went to our Lord, told him what
+had happened, and asked what was to be done.
+"The best thing is to let your lawyer attend to it,"
+said our Lord, "because lawyers usually know all
+about evicting people." St. Peter searched everywhere,
+but could not find a lawyer. Then he went
+back to our Lord and reported to him that it was
+impossible to find a single lawyer in all Paradise,
+and Kalle Kula was allowed to remain where he was.</p>
+
+<p>If you tie a thief and a miller and a lawyer together
+and roll the whole bundle down a hill&mdash;no
+matter how you roll it&mdash;you can always be sure that
+whoever is on top is a thief.</p>
+
+<p class="h3">NOTE</p>
+
+<blockquote><p>This story, part fairy-tale, part legend, "The Man Who Died on
+Holy Innocents' Day" (communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund) has a
+Danish variant. Its innocently malicious humor is worthy of
+Gottfried Keller.</p></blockquote>
+
+<p class="h3">THE END</p>
+
+</div>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
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+</body>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Swedish Fairy Book, by Various
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Swedish Fairy Book
+
+Author: Various
+
+Editor: Clara Stroebe
+
+Illustrator: George W. Hood
+
+Translator: Frederick H. Martens
+
+Release Date: August 24, 2011 [EBook #37193]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Edwards, Matthew Wheaton and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
+file was produced from images generously made available
+by The Internet Archive)
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK
+
+
+    [Illustration: "NO SOONER HAD HE SPOKEN THE WORDS THAN HE WAS
+    LYING IN THE MOST MAGNIFICENT ROOM HE HAD EVER SEEN."]
+
+
+
+
+    THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK
+
+    EDITED BY
+    CLARA STROEBE
+
+    TRANSLATED BY
+    FREDERICK H. MARTENS
+
+    WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR BY
+    GEORGE W. HOOD
+
+    NEW YORK
+    FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
+    PUBLISHERS
+
+
+    _Copyright, 1921, by_
+
+    FREDERICK A. STOKES COMPANY
+
+    _All Rights Reserved_
+
+    _Printed in the United States of America_
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE
+
+
+The following volume of Swedish fairy-tales represents a careful
+choice, after the best original sources, of those examples of their
+kind which not only appeared most colorful and entertaining, but also
+most racially Swedish in their flavor. For the fairy-tales of each of
+the three Scandinavian countries, Sweden, Denmark and Norway, have a
+distinct local color of their own. The wealth of material available
+has made it possible to give due representation to most types of
+fairy-tales, from the stories of older origin, the tales of giant,
+troll, and werewolf, to such delightful tales as "Lasse, My Thrall",
+and "The Princess and the Glass Mountain," colored with the rich and
+ornate stylistic garb of medieval chivalric poesy. There has been no
+attempt to "rewrite" these charming folk-and fairy-tales in the
+translation. They have been faithfully narrated in the simple, naive
+manner which their traditional rendering demands. And this is one
+reason, perhaps, why they should appeal to young American readers--for
+young America by instinct takes kindly to that which is straightforward
+and sincere, in the realm of fairy-tale as in life itself.
+
+                                                 FREDERICK H. MARTENS
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+           CHAPTER
+
+         I KNOeS
+        II LASSE, MY THRALL!
+       III FINN, THE GIANT, AND THE MINSTER OF LUND
+        IV THE SKALUNDA GIANT
+         V YULETIDE SPECTERS
+        VI SILVERWHITE AND LILLWACKER
+       VII STOMPE PILT
+      VIII THE GIRL AND THE SNAKE
+        IX FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL
+         X STARKAD AND BALE
+        XI THE WEREWOLF
+       XII FIRST BORN, FIRST WED
+      XIII THE LAME DOG
+       XIV THE MOUNT OF THE GOLDEN QUEEN
+        XV OLD HOPGIANT
+       XVI THE PRINCESS AND THE GLASS MOUNTAIN
+      XVII QUEEN CRANE
+     XVIII TALES OF THE TROLLS
+       XIX CHARCOAL NILS AND THE TROLL-WOMAN
+        XX THE THREE DOGS
+       XXI THE POOR DEVIL
+      XXII HOW SMALAND AND SCHONEN CAME TO BE
+     XXIII THE EVIL ONE AND KITTA GRAU
+      XXIV THE LADY OF PINTORP
+       XXV THE SPECTER IN FJELKINGE
+      XXVI THE ROOSTER, THE HAND-MILL AND THE SWARM OF HORNETS
+     XXVII TORRE JEPPE
+    XXVIII THE MAN WHO DIED ON HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+
+    "No sooner had he spoken the words than he was lying in the most
+    magnificent room he had ever seen"
+
+    "Then Silverwhite drew his sword with a great sweep, and rushed
+    upon the sea-troll"
+
+    "The pike rose to the surface with the golden keys in his mouth"
+
+    "So heartfelt was her happiness that she forgot everything else
+    in the world"
+
+    "A shrine adorned with gold and precious stones appeared"
+
+    "The lion turned into a handsome young prince"
+
+    "The rich man had to go along hanging to him like a hawser"
+
+    "He saw a girl sitting in the mountain hall, weaving a web of
+    gold"
+
+
+
+
+THE SWEDISH FAIRY BOOK
+
+
+
+
+Swedish Fairy Book
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+KNOeS
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a poor widow, who found an egg under a pile
+of brush as she was gathering kindlings in the forest. She took it and
+placed it under a goose, and when the goose had hatched it, a little
+boy slipped out of the shell. The widow had him baptized Knoes, and
+such a lad was a rarity; for when no more than five years old he was
+grown, and taller than the tallest man. And he ate in proportion, for
+he would swallow a whole batch of bread at a single sitting, and at
+last the poor widow had to go to the commissioners for the relief of
+the poor in order to get food for him. But the town authorities said
+she must apprentice the boy at a trade, for he was big enough and
+strong enough to earn his own keep.
+
+So Knoes was apprenticed to a smith for three years. For his pay he
+asked a suit of clothes and a sword each year: a sword of five
+hundredweights the first year, one of ten hundredweights the second
+year, and one of fifteen hundredweights the third year. But after he
+had been in the smithy only a few days, the smith was glad to give him
+all three suits and all three swords at once; for he smashed all his
+iron and steel to bits.
+
+Knoes received his suits and swords, went to a knight's estate, and
+hired himself out as a serving-man. Once he was told to go to the
+forest to gather firewood with the rest of the men, but sat at the
+table eating long after the others had driven off and when he had at
+last satisfied his hunger and was ready to start, he saw the two young
+oxen he was to drive waiting for him. But he let them stand and went
+into the forest, seized the two largest trees growing there, tore them
+out by the roots, took one tree under each arm, and carried them back
+to the estate. And he got there long before the rest, for they had to
+chop down the trees, saw them up and load them on the carts.
+
+On the following day Knoes had to thresh. First he hunted up the
+largest stone he could find, and rolled it around on the grain, so
+that all the corn was loosened from the ears. Then he had to separate
+the grain from the chaff. So he made a hole in each side of the roof
+of the barn, and stood outside the barn and blew, and the chaff and
+straw flew out into the yard, and the corn remained lying in a heap on
+the floor. His master happened to come along, laid a ladder against
+the barn, climbed up and looked down into one of the holes. But Knoes
+was still blowing, and the wind caught his master, and he fell down
+and was nearly killed on the stone pavement of the court.
+
+"He's a dangerous fellow," thought his master. It would be a good
+thing to be rid of him, otherwise he might do away with all of them;
+and besides, he ate so that it was all one could do to keep him fed.
+So he called Knoes in, and paid him his wages for the full year, on
+condition that he leave. Knoes agreed, but said he must first be
+decently provisioned for his journey.
+
+So he was allowed to go into the store-house himself, and there he
+hoisted a flitch of bacon on each shoulder, slid a batch of bread
+under each arm, and took leave. But his master loosed the vicious bull
+on him. Knoes, however, grasped him by the horns, and flung him over
+his shoulder, and thus he went off. Then he came to a thicket where he
+slaughtered the bull, roasted him and ate him together with a batch of
+bread. And when he had done this he had about taken the edge off his
+hunger.
+
+Then he came to the king's court, where great sorrow reigned because,
+once upon a time, when the king was sailing out at sea, a sea troll
+had called up a terrible tempest, so that the ship was about to sink.
+In order to escape with his life, the king had to promise the sea
+troll to give him whatever first came his way when he reached shore.
+The king thought his hunting dog would be the first to come running
+to meet him, as usual; but instead his three young daughters came
+rowing out to meet him in a boat. This filled the king with grief, and
+he vowed that whoever delivered his daughters should have one of them
+for a bride, whichever one he might choose. But the only man who
+seemed to want to earn the reward was a tailor, named Red Peter.
+
+Knoes was given a place at the king's court, and his duty was to help
+the cook. But he asked to be let off on the day the troll was to come
+and carry away the oldest princess, and they were glad to let him go;
+for when he had to rinse the dishes he broke the king's vessels of
+gold and silver; and when he was told to bring firewood, he brought in
+a whole wagon-load at once, so that the doors flew from their hinges.
+
+The princess stood on the sea-shore and wept and wrung her hands; for
+she could see what she had to expect. Nor did she have much confidence
+in Red Peter, who sat on a willow-stump, with a rusty old sabre in his
+hand. Then Knoes came and tried to comfort the princess as well as he
+knew how, and asked her whether she would comb his hair. Yes, he might
+lay his head in her lap, and she combed his hair. Suddenly there was a
+dreadful roaring out at sea. It was the troll who was coming along,
+and he had five heads. Red Peter was so frightened that he rolled off
+his willow-stump. "Knoes, is that you?" cried the troll. "Yes," said
+Knoes. "Haul me up on the shore!" said the troll. "Pay out the cable!"
+said Knoes. Then he hauled the troll ashore; but he had his sword of
+five hundredweights at his side, and with it he chopped off all five
+of the troll's heads, and the princess was free. But when Knoes had
+gone off, Red Peter put his sabre to the breast of the princess, and
+told her he would kill her unless she said he was her deliverer.
+
+Then came the turn of the second princess. Once more Red Peter sat on
+the willow-stump with his rusty sabre, and Knoes asking to be let off
+for the day, went to the sea-shore and begged the princess to comb his
+hair, which she did. Then along came the troll, and this time he had
+ten heads. "Knoes, is that you?" asked the troll. "Yes," said Knoes.
+"Haul me ashore!" said the troll. "Pay out the cable!" said Knoes. And
+this time Knoes had his sword of ten hundredweights at his side, and he
+cut off all ten of the troll's heads. And so the second princess was
+freed. But Red Peter held his sabre at the princess' breast, and
+forced her to say that he had delivered her.
+
+Now it was the turn of the youngest princess. When it was time for the
+troll to come, Red Peter was sitting on his willow-stump, and Knoes
+came and begged the princess to comb his hair, and she did so. This
+time the troll had fifteen heads.
+
+"Knoes, is that you?" asked the troll. "Yes," said Knoes. "Haul me
+ashore!" said the troll. "Pay out the cable," said Knoes. Knoes had his
+sword of fifteen hundredweights at his side, and with it he cut off
+all the troll's heads. But the fifteen hundredweights were
+half-an-ounce short, and the heads grew on again, and the troll took
+the princess, and carried her off with him.
+
+One day as Knoes was going along, he met a man carrying a church on his
+back. "You are a strong man, you are!" said Knoes. "No, I am not
+strong," said he, "but Knoes at the king's court, he is strong; for he
+can take steel and iron, and weld them together with his hands as
+though they were clay." "Well, I'm the man of whom you are speaking,"
+said Knoes, "come, let us travel together." And so they wandered on.
+
+Then they met a man who carried a mountain of stone on his back. "You
+are strong, you are!" said Knoes. "No, I'm not strong," said the man
+with the mountain of stone, "but Knoes at the king's court, he is
+strong; for he can weld together steel and iron with his hands as
+though they were clay."
+
+"Well, I am that Knoes, come let us travel together," said Knoes. So all
+three of them traveled along together. Knoes took them for a sea-trip;
+but I think they had to leave the church and the hill of stone ashore.
+While they were sailing they grew thirsty, and lay alongside an
+island, and there on the island stood a castle, to which they decided
+to go and ask for a drink. Now this was the very castle in which the
+troll lived.
+
+First the man with the church went, and when he entered the castle,
+there sat the troll with the princess on his lap, and she was very
+sad. He asked for something to drink. "Help yourself, the goblet is on
+the table!" said the troll. But he got nothing to drink, for though he
+could move the goblet from its place, he could not raise it.
+
+Then the man with the hill of stone went into the castle and asked for
+a drink. "Help yourself, the goblet is on the table!" said the troll.
+And he got nothing to drink either, for though he could move the
+goblet from its place, he could not raise it.
+
+Then Knoes himself went into the castle, and the princess was full of
+joy and leaped down from the troll's lap when she saw it was he. Knoes
+asked for a drink. "Help yourself," said the troll, "the goblet is on
+the table!" And Knoes took the goblet and emptied it at a single
+draught. Then he hit the troll across the head with the goblet, so
+that he rolled from the chair and died.
+
+Knoes took the princess back to the royal palace, and O, how happy
+every one was! The other princesses recognized Knoes again, for they
+had woven silk ribbons into his hair when they had combed it; but he
+could only marry one of the princesses, whichever one he preferred, so
+he chose the youngest. And when the king died, Knoes inherited the
+kingdom.
+
+As for Red Peter, he had to go into the nail-barrel.
+
+And now you know all that I know.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The leading personage of our first story, Knoes (_Tecknigar og
+     Toner ur skanska allmogenslif_, Lund, 1889, p. 14. From
+     Gudmundstorp, Froste Harad) is one of those heroes of gigantic
+     build, beloved of the North, who even when he eats,
+     accomplishes deeds such as the old Norsemen told of their god
+     Thor: the motive of the goblet with which the hero slays the
+     giant, has been used in the _Hymiskvida_. (Comp. with v. d.
+     Leyen, _Maerchen in den Goettsagen der Edda_, p. 40.)
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+LASSE, MY THRALL!
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a prince or a duke or whatever you choose
+to call him, but at any rate a noble tremendously high-born, who did
+not want to stay at home. And so he traveled about the world, and
+wherever he went he was well received, and hobnobbed with the very
+finest people; for he had an unheard of amount of money. He at once
+found friends and acquaintances, no matter where he came; for whoever
+has a full trough can always find pigs to thrust their snouts into it.
+But since he handled his money as he did, it grew less and less, and
+at last he was left high and dry, without a red cent. And there was an
+end to all his many friends; for they did just as the pigs do. When he
+had been well fleeced, they began to snivel and grunt, and soon
+scattered, each about his own business. And there he stood, after
+having been led about by the nose, abandoned by all. All had been glad
+to help him get rid of his money; but none were willing to help him
+regain it, so there was nothing left for him to do but to wander back
+home again like a journeyman apprentice, and beg his way as he went.
+
+Late one evening he found himself in a big forest, without any idea as
+to where he might spend the night. And as he was looking around, his
+glance happened to fall on an old hut, peeping out from among the
+bushes. Of course an old hut was no lodging for such a fine gentleman;
+but when we cannot have what we want, we must take what we can get,
+and since there was no help for it, he went into the hut. There was
+not even a cat in it, not even a stool to sit on. But against one wall
+there was a great chest. What might there be in the chest? Suppose
+there were a few moldy crusts of bread in it? They would taste good to
+him, for he had not been given a single thing all day long, and he was
+so hungry that his inwards stuck to his ribs. He opened the chest. But
+within the chest was another chest, and in that chest still another
+chest, and so it went, one always smaller than the other, until they
+were nothing but little boxes. And the more there were of them the
+more trouble he took to open them; for whatever was hidden away so
+carefully must be something exceptionally beautiful, thought he.
+
+At last he came to a tiny box, and in the tiny box was a slip of
+paper--and that was all he had for his pains! At first he was much
+depressed. But all at once, he saw that something was written on the
+piece of paper, and on closer examination he was even able to spell
+out the words, though they had a strange appearance. And he read:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+No sooner had he spoken these words than something answered, close to
+his ear:
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+He looked around, but saw no one. That's strange, thought he, and once
+more read aloud:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+And just as before came the answer:
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"If there be some one about who hears what I say, he might be kind
+enough to get me a little something to eat," said he; and at that very
+moment a table, covered with all the good things to eat that one could
+imagine, was standing in the hut. He at once began to eat and drink
+and did well by himself. I have never had a better meal in my life,
+thought he. And when his hunger was completely satisfied, he grew
+sleepy and took up his scrap of paper again.
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Now that you have brought me food and drink, you must also bring me a
+bed in which to sleep. But it must be a very fine bed," said he; for
+as you may well imagine, his ideas were more top-lofty now that he had
+eaten well. His command was at once obeyed; and a bed so fine and
+handsome stood in the hut, that a king might have been glad to have
+found such sleeping accommodations. Now this was all very well and
+good; but the good can always be bettered, and when he had lain down,
+he decided that, after all, the hut was far too wretched for such a
+fine bed. He took up the scrap of paper:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"If you can produce such a meal, and such a bed here in the wild wood,
+you must surely be able to give me a better room; for you know I am
+one of those who are used to sleeping in a castle, with golden mirrors
+and rugs of gold brocade and luxuries and conveniences of every kind,"
+said he. And no sooner had he spoken the words, than he was lying in
+the most magnificent room he had ever seen.
+
+Now matters were arranged to suit him, and he was quite content as he
+turned his face to the wall and closed his eyes.
+
+But the room he had slept in was not the end of his magnificence. When
+he woke the following morning and looked around, he saw that he had
+been sleeping in a great castle. There was one room after another, and
+wherever he went walls and ceilings were covered with ornaments and
+decorations of every kind, all glittering so splendidly when the rays
+of the sun fell on them that he had to put his hand to his eyes; for
+wherever he looked everything sparkled with gold and silver. Then he
+glanced out of the window and first began to realize how really
+beautiful everything was. Gone were the fir-trees and juniper bushes,
+and in their place showed the loveliest garden one might wish to see,
+filled with beautiful trees and roses of every variety, in bush and
+tree form. But there was not a human being in sight, not even a cat.
+Yet he found it quite natural that everything should be so fine, and
+that he should once more have become a great lord.
+
+He took up the scrap of paper:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Now that you have provided me with food and a castle in which to
+dwell, I am going to stay here, because it suits me," said he, "but I
+cannot live here all alone in this fashion. I must have serving-men
+and serving-maids, at my command." And so it was. Servants and lackeys
+and maids and serving-women of every description arrived, and some of
+them bowed and others courtseyed, and now the duke really began to
+feel content.
+
+Now it happened that another great castle lay on the opposite side of
+the forest, in which dwelt a king who owned the forest, and many broad
+acres of field and meadow round about. And when the king came and
+happened to look out of his window, he saw the new castle, on whose
+roof the golden weathercocks were swinging to and fro, from time to
+time, shining in his eyes.
+
+"This is very strange," thought he, and sent for his courtiers. They
+came without delay, bowing and scraping.
+
+"Do you see the castle yonder?" said the king.
+
+Their eyes grew as large as saucers and they looked.
+
+Yes, indeed, they saw the castle.
+
+"Who has dared to build such a castle on my ground?"
+
+The courtiers bowed and scraped, but did not know. So the king sent
+for his soldiers. They came tramping in and presented arms.
+
+"Send out all my soldiers and horsemen," said the king, "tear down the
+castle instantly, hang whoever built it, and see to this at once."
+
+The soldiers assembled in the greatest haste and set forth. The
+drummers beat their drums and the trumpeters blew their trumpets, and
+the other musicians practiced their art, each in his own way; so that
+the duke heard them long before they came in sight. But this was not
+the first time he had heard music of this sort, and he knew what it
+meant, so once more he took up the scrap of paper:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"There are soldiers coming," said he, "and now you must provide me
+with soldiers and horsemen until I have twice as many as the folk on
+the other side of the forest. And sabers and pistols and muskets and
+cannon, and all that goes with them--but you must be quick about it!"
+
+Quick it was, and when the duke looked out there was a countless host
+of soldiers drawn up around the castle.
+
+When the king's people arrived, they stopped and did not dare advance.
+But the duke was by no means shy. He went at once to the king's
+captain and asked him what he wanted.
+
+The captain repeated his instructions.
+
+"They will not gain you anything," said the duke. "You can see how
+many soldiers I have, and if the king chooses to listen to me, we can
+agree to become friends, I will aid him against all his enemies, and
+what we undertake will succeed." The captain was pleased with this
+proposal, so the duke invited him to the castle, together with all his
+officers, and his soldiers were given a swallow or two of something
+wet and plenty to eat along with it. But while the duke and the
+officers were eating and drinking, there was more or less talk, and
+the duke learned that the king had a daughter, as yet unmarried and so
+lovely that her like had never been seen. And the more they brought
+the king's officers to eat, the stronger they inclined to the opinion
+that the king's daughter would make a good wife for the duke. And as
+they talked about it, the duke himself began to think it over. The
+worst of it was, said the officers, that she was very haughty, and
+never even deigned to look at a man. But the duke only laughed. "If it
+be no worse than that," he said, "it is a trouble that may be cured."
+
+When at last the soldiers had stowed away as much as they could hold,
+they shouted hurrah until they woke the echoes in the hills, and
+marched away. One may imagine what a fine parade march it was, for
+some of them had grown a little loose-jointed in the knees. The duke
+charged them to carry his greetings to the king, and say that he would
+soon pay him a visit.
+
+When the duke was alone once more, he began to think of the princess
+again, and whether she were really as beautiful as the soldiers had
+said. He decided he would like to find out for himself. Since so many
+strange things had happened that day, it was quite possible, thought
+he.
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Only that you bring the king's daughter here, as soon as she has
+fallen asleep," said he. "But mind that she does not wake up, either
+on her way here, or on her way back." And before long there lay the
+princess on the bed. She was sleeping soundly, and looked charming as
+she lay there asleep. One had to admit that she was as sweet as sugar.
+The duke walked all around her; but she appeared just as beautiful
+from one side as from the other, and the more the duke looked at her,
+the better she pleased him.
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Now you must take the princess home again," said he, "because now I
+know what she looks like and to-morrow I shall sue for her hand."
+
+The following morning the king stepped to the window. "Now I shall not
+have to see that castle across the way," he thought to himself. But
+the evil one must have had a hand in the matter--there stood the
+castle just as before, and the sun was shining brightly on its roof,
+and the weather-vanes were sending beams into his eyes.
+
+The king once more fell into a rage, and shouted for all his people,
+who hurried to him with more than usual rapidity. The courtiers bowed
+and scraped and the soldiers marched in parade step and presented
+arms.
+
+"Do you see that castle there?" roared the king.
+
+They stretched their necks, their eyes grew large as saucers and they
+looked.
+
+Yes, indeed, they saw it.
+
+"Did I not order you to tear down that castle and hang its builder?"
+he said.
+
+This they could not deny; but now the captain himself stepped forward
+and told what had occurred, and what an alarming number of soldiers
+the duke had, and how magnificent his castle was.
+
+Then he also repeated what the duke had said, and that he had sent his
+greetings to the king.
+
+All this made the king somewhat dizzy, and he had to set his crown on
+the table and scratch his head. It was beyond his comprehension--for
+all that he was a king; since he could have sworn that it had all come
+to pass in the course of a single night, and if the duke were not the
+devil himself, he was at least a magician.
+
+And as he sat there and thought, the princess came in.
+
+"God greet you, father," she said, "I had a most strange and lovely
+dream last night."
+
+"And what did you dream, my girl?" said the king.
+
+"O, I dreamt that I was in the new castle over yonder, and there was a
+duke, handsome and so splendid beyond anything I could have imagined,
+and now I want a husband."
+
+"What, you want a husband, and you have never even deigned to look at
+a man; that is very strange!" said the king.
+
+"Be that as it may," said the princess, "but that is how I feel now;
+and I want a husband, and the duke is the husband I want," she
+concluded.
+
+The king simply could not get over the astonishment the duke had
+caused him.
+
+Suddenly he heard an extraordinary beating of drums, and sounding of
+trumpets and other instruments of every kind. And a message came that
+the duke had arrived with a great retinue, all so magnificently
+attired that every seam of their dresses was sparkling with gold and
+silver. The king, in his crown and finest robe of state, stood looking
+down the stairway, and the princess was all the more in favor of
+carrying out her idea as quickly as possible.
+
+The duke greeted the king pleasantly, and the king returned his
+greeting in the same way, and discussing their affairs together they
+became good friends. There was a great banquet, and the duke sat
+beside the princess at the table. What they said to each other I do
+not know, but the duke knew so well how to talk that, no matter what
+he said, the princess could not say no, and so he went to the king and
+begged for her hand. The king could not exactly refuse it, for the
+duke was the kind of a man whom it was better to have for a friend
+than for an enemy; but he could not give his answer out of hand,
+either. First he wished to see the duke's castle, and know how matters
+stood with regard to this, that and the other--which was natural.
+
+So it was agreed that they should pay the duke a visit and bring the
+princess with them, in order that she might examine his possessions,
+and with that they parted.
+
+When the duke reached home, Lasse had a lively time of it, for he was
+given any number of commissions. But he rushed about, carrying them
+out, and everything was arranged so satisfactorily that when the king
+arrived with his daughter, a thousand pens could not have described
+it. They went through all the rooms and looked around, and everything
+was as it should be, and even better thought the king, who was very
+happy. Then the wedding was celebrated and when it was over, and the
+duke returned home with his young wife, he, too, gave a splendid
+banquet, and that is how it went.
+
+After some time had passed, the duke one evening heard the words:
+
+"Is my master content now?" It was Lasse, though the duke could not
+see him.
+
+"I am well content," answered the duke, "for you have brought me all
+that I have."
+
+"But what did I get for it?" said Lasse.
+
+"Nothing," replied the duke, "but, heaven above, what was I to give
+you, who are not flesh and blood, and whom I cannot even see," said
+he. "Yet if there be anything I can do for you, why let me know what
+it is, and I will do it."
+
+"I would very much like to have the little scrap of paper that you
+keep in the box," said Lasse.
+
+"If that is all you want, and if such a trifle is of any service to
+you, your wish shall be granted, for I believe I know the words by
+heart now," said the duke.
+
+Lasse thanked him, and said all the duke need do, would be to lay the
+paper on the chair beside his bed, when he went to sleep, and that he
+would fetch it during the night.
+
+This the duke did, and then he went to bed and fell asleep.
+
+But toward morning the duke woke up, freezing so that his teeth
+chattered, and when he had fully opened his eyes, he saw that he had
+been stripped of everything, and had scarcely a shirt to his name. And
+instead of lying in the handsome bed in the handsome bed-room in the
+magnificent castle, he lay on the big chest in the old hut. He at once
+called out:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!" But there was no answer.
+
+Then he cried again:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!" Again there was no answer. So he called out as
+loudly as he could:
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!" But this third call was also in vain.
+
+Now he began to realize what had happened, and that Lasse, when he
+obtained the scrap of paper, no longer had to serve him, and that he
+himself had made this possible. But now things were as they were, and
+there stood the duke in the old hut, with scarcely a shirt to his
+name. The princess herself was not much better off, though she had
+kept her clothes; for they had been given her by her father, and Lasse
+had no power over them.
+
+Now the duke had to explain everything to the princess, and beg her to
+leave him, since it would be best if he tried to get along as well as
+he could himself, said he. But this the princess would not do. She had
+a better memory for what the pastor had said when he married them, she
+told him, and that she was never, never to leave him.
+
+At length the king awoke in his castle, and when he looked out of the
+window, he saw not a single stone of the other castle in which his
+son-in-law and his daughter lived. He grew uneasy and sent for his
+courtiers.
+
+They came in, bowing and scraping.
+
+"Do you see the castle there, on the other side of the forest?" he
+asked. They stretched their necks and opened their eyes. But they
+could see nothing.
+
+"What has become of it?" said the king. But this question they were
+unable to answer.
+
+In a short time the king and his entire court set out, passed through
+the forest, and when they came to the place where the castle, with its
+great gardens, should have been standing, they saw nothing but
+juniper-bushes and scrub-pines. And then they happened to see the
+little hut amid the brush. He went in and--O the poor king!--what did
+he see?
+
+There stood his son-in-law, with scarcely a shirt to his name, and his
+daughter, and she had none too much to wear, and was crying and
+sniveling at a fearful rate. "For heaven's sake, what is the trouble
+here?" said the king. But he received no answer; for the duke would
+rather have died than have told him the whole story.
+
+The king urged and pressed him, first amiably, then in anger; but the
+duke remained obstinate and would have nothing to say. Then the king
+fell into a rage, which is not very surprising, for now he realized
+that this fine duke was not what he purported to be, and he therefore
+ordered him to be hung, and hung on the spot. It is true that the
+princess pleaded earnestly for him, but tears and prayers were useless
+now, for he was a rascal and should die a rascal's death--thus spake
+the king.
+
+And so it was. The king's people set up a gallows and put a rope
+around the duke's neck. But as they were leading him to the gallows,
+the princess got hold of the hangman and gave him a gratuity, for
+which they were to arrange matters in such wise that the duke need not
+die. And toward evening they were to cut him down, and he and the
+princess would disappear. So the bargain was made. In the meantime
+they strung him up and then the king, together with his court and all
+the people, went away.
+
+Now the duke was at the end of his rope. Yet he had time enough to
+reflect about his mistake in not contenting himself with an inch
+instead of reaching out at once for an ell; and that he had so
+foolishly given back the scrap of paper to Lasse annoyed him most of
+all. If I only had it again, I would show every one that adversity has
+made me wise, he thought to himself. But when the horse is stolen we
+close the stable door. And that is the way of the world.
+
+And then he dangled his legs, since for the time being there was
+nothing else for him to do.
+
+It had been a long, hard day for him, and he was not sorry when he saw
+the sun sinking behind the forest. But just as the sun was setting he
+suddenly heard a most tremendous Yo ho! and when he looked down there
+were seven carts of worn-out shoes coming along the road, and a-top
+the last cart was a little old man in gray, with a night-cap on his
+head. He had the face of some horrible specter, and was not much
+better to look at in other respects.
+
+He drove straight up to the gallows, and stopped when he was directly
+beneath them, looked up at the duke and laughed--the horrible old
+creature!
+
+"And is this the measure of your stupidity?" he said, "but then what
+is a fellow of your sort to do with his stupidity, if he does not put
+it to some use?"--and then he laughed again. "Yes, there you hang, and
+here I am carting off all the shoes I wore out going about on your
+silly errands. I wonder, sometimes, whether you can actually read what
+is written on that scrap of paper, and whether you recognize it," said
+he, laughing again, indulging in all sorts of horse-play, and waving
+the scrap of paper under the duke's nose.
+
+But all who are hanging on the gallows are not dead, and this time
+Lasse was the greater fool of the two.
+
+The duke snatched--and tore the scrap of paper from his hand!
+
+"Lasse, my thrall!"
+
+"What does my master command?"
+
+"Cut me down from the gallows at once, and restore the castle and
+everything else just as it was before, then when it is dark, bring the
+princess back to it."
+
+Everything was attended to with alarming rapidity, and soon all was
+exactly as it had been before Lasse had decamped.
+
+When the king awoke the following morning, he looked out of the window
+as usual, and there the castle was standing as before, with its
+weathercocks gleaming handsomely in the sunlight. He sent for his
+courtiers, and they came in bowing and scraping.
+
+"Do you see the castle over yonder?" asked the king.
+
+They stretched their necks, and gazed and stared. Yes, indeed, they
+could see the castle.
+
+Then the king sent for the princess; but she was not there. Thereupon
+the king set off to see whether his son-in-law was hanging in the
+appointed spot; but no, there was not a sign of either son-in-law or
+gallows.
+
+Then he had to take off his crown and scratch his head. Yet that did
+not change matters, and he could not for the life of him understand
+why things should be as they were. Finally he set out with his entire
+court, and when they reached the spot where the castle should have
+been standing, there it stood.
+
+The gardens and the roses were just as they had been, and the duke's
+servitors were to be seen in swarms beneath the trees. His son-in-law
+in person, together with his daughter, dressed in the finest clothes,
+came down the stairs to meet him.
+
+The devil has a hand in it, thought the king; and so strange did all
+seem to him that he did not trust the evidence of his own eyes.
+
+"God greet you and welcome, father!" said the duke. The king could
+only stare at him. "Are you, are you my son-in-law?" he asked.
+
+"Why, of course," said the duke, "who else am I supposed to be?"
+
+"Did I not have you strung up yesterday as a thief and a vagabond?"
+inquired the king.
+
+"I really believe father has gone out of his mind on the way over to
+us," said the duke and laughed.
+
+"Does father think that I would allow myself to be hanged so easily?
+Or is there any one present who dare suppose such a thing?" he said,
+and looked them straight in the eye, so that they knew he was looking
+at them. They bent their backs and bowed and scraped.
+
+"And who can imagine any such thing? How could it be possible? Or
+should there be any one present who dare say that the king wishes me
+ill, let him speak out," said the duke, and gazed at them with even
+greater keenness than before. All bent their backs and bowed and
+scraped.
+
+How should any of them come to any such conclusion? No, none of them
+were foolish to such a degree, they said.
+
+Now the king was really at a loss to know what to think. When he
+looked at the duke he felt sure that he could never have wished to
+harm him, and yet--he was not quite sure.
+
+"Was I not here yesterday, and was not the whole castle gone, and had
+not an old hut taken its place, and did I not enter the hut and see
+you standing there with scarcely a shirt to your name?" he asked.
+
+"How father talks," said the duke. "I am afraid, very much afraid,
+that trolls have blinded you, and led you astray in the forest. What
+do you think?" he said and turned to the courtiers.
+
+They at once bowed and cringed fifty times in succession, and took the
+duke's side, as stands to reason.
+
+The king rubbed his eyes and looked around.
+
+"It must be as you say," he told the duke, "and I believe that I have
+recovered my reason, and have found my eyes again. And it would have
+been a sin and shame had I had you hung," said he. Then he grew joyful
+and no one gave the matter further thought.
+
+But adversity teaches one to be wise, so people say, and the duke now
+began to attend to most things himself, and to see to it that Lasse
+did not have to wear out so many pairs of shoes. The king at once
+bestowed half the kingdom upon him, which gave him plenty to do, and
+people said that one would have to look far in order to find a better
+ruler.
+
+Then Lasse came to the duke one day, and though he did not look much
+better than before, he was more civil and did not venture to grin and
+carry on.
+
+"You no longer need my help," said he, "for though formerly I used to
+wear out all my shoes, I now cannot even wear out a single pair, and I
+almost believe my legs are moss-grown. Will you not discharge me?"
+
+The duke thought he could. "I have taken great pains to spare you, and
+I really believe that I can get along without you," he replied. "But
+the castle here and all the other things I could not well dispense
+with, since I never again could find an architect like yourself, and
+you may take for granted that I have no wish to ornament the
+gallows-tree a second time. Therefore I will not, of my own free will,
+give you back the scrap of paper," said he.
+
+"While it is in your possession I have nothing to fear," answered
+Lasse.
+
+"But should the paper fall into other hands, then I should have to
+begin to run and work all over again and that, just that, is what I
+would like to prevent. When a fellow has been working a thousand
+years, as I have, he is bound to grow weary at last."
+
+So they came to the conclusion that the duke should put the scrap of
+paper in its little box and bury it seven ells underground, beneath a
+stone that had grown there and would remain there as well. Then they
+thanked each other for pleasant comradeship and separated. The duke
+did as he had agreed to do, and no one saw him hide the box. He lived
+happily with his princess, and was blessed with sons and daughters.
+When the king died, he inherited the whole kingdom and, as you may
+imagine, he was none the worse off thereby, and no doubt he is still
+living and ruling there, unless he has died.
+
+As to the little box containing the scrap of paper, many are still
+digging and searching for it.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     Extremely popular in Sweden, and delightfully told is "Lasse,
+     my thrall." (Djurklau, _Sagor och Aefventyr pa Svenska
+     Landsmal_. Stockholm, 1883. Set down in the dialect of Nerike).
+     It is the old story of Aladdin and the wonderful lamp, but
+     recounted in quite an original form.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+FINN, THE GIANT, AND THE MINSTER OF LUND
+
+
+There stands in the university town of Schonen, the town of Lund, the
+seat of the first archbishopric in all Scandinavia, a stately Romanic
+minster, with a large, handsome crypt beneath the choir. The opinion
+is universal that the minster will never be altogether finished, but
+that something will always be lacking about the structure. The reason
+is said to be as follows:
+
+When St. Lawrence came to Lund to preach the Gospel, he wanted to
+build a church; but did not know how he was to obtain the means to do
+so.
+
+While he was cudgelling his brains about it, a giant came to him and
+offered to build the church on condition that St. Lawrence tell him
+his name before the church was completed. But should St. Lawrence be
+unable to do so, the giant was to receive either the sun, the moon or
+St. Lawrence's eyes. The saint agreed to his proposal.
+
+The building of the church made rapid progress, and ere long it was
+nearly finished. St. Lawrence thought ruefully about his prospects,
+for he did not know the giant's name; yet at the same time he did not
+relish losing his eyes. And it happened that while he was walking
+without the town, much concerned about the outcome of the affair, he
+grew weary, and sat down on a hill to rest. As he sat there he heard a
+child crying within the hill, and a woman's voice began to sing:
+
+    "Sleep, sleep, my baby dear,
+    To-morrow your father, Finn, will be here;
+    Then sun and moon you shall have from the skies
+    To play with, or else St. Lawrence's eyes."
+
+When St. Lawrence heard that he was happy; for now he knew the giant's
+name. He ran back quickly to town, and went to the church. There sat
+the giant on the roof, just about to set the last stone in place, when
+at that very moment the saint called out:
+
+    "Finn, Finn,
+    Take care how you put the stone in!"
+
+Then the giant flung the stone from him, full of rage, said that the
+church should never be finished, and with that he disappeared. Since
+then something has always been missing from the church.
+
+Others say that the giant and his wife rushed down into the crypt in
+their rage, and each seizing a column were about to tear down the
+church, when they were turned into stone, and may be seen to this day
+standing beside the columns they had grasped.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Finn, the Giant, and the Minster of Lund" (retold by Dr. v.
+     Sydow-Lund, after variants in his collection), is the
+     world-famous tale of the giant master-builder, which appears
+     here as a legend, and is connected with various celebrated
+     churches, as for instance the Minster of Drontheim. Its close
+     is an inversion of the motive of guessing a name, which we have
+     already encountered in the Danish fairy-tale "Trillevip."
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+THE SKALUNDA GIANT
+
+
+In the Skalunda mountain, near the church, there once lived a giant in
+the early days, who no longer felt comfortable after the church had
+been built there. At length he decided that he could no longer stand
+the ringing of the church bells; so he emigrated and settled down on
+an island far out in the North Sea. Once upon a time a ship was
+wrecked on this island, and among those saved were several people from
+Skalunda.
+
+"Whence do you hail?" asked the giant, who by now had grown old and
+blind, and sat warming himself before a log fire.
+
+"We are from Skalunda, if you wish to know," said one of the men
+saved.
+
+"Give me your hand, so that I may feel whether there is still warm
+blood to be found in the Swedish land," said the giant.
+
+The man, who feared to shake hands with the giant, drew a red-hot bar
+of iron from the fire and handed it to him. He seized it firmly, and
+pressed it so hard that the molten iron ran down between his fingers.
+
+"Yes, there is still warm blood to be found in Sweden," said he. "And
+tell me," he continued, "is Skalunda mountain still standing?"
+
+"No, the hens have scratched it away," the man answered.
+
+"How could it last?" said the giant. "My wife and daughter piled it up
+in the course of a single Sunday morning. But surely the Hallenberg
+and the Hunneberg are still standing, for those I built myself."
+
+When the man had confirmed this, the giant wanted to know whether
+Karin was still living in Stommen. And when they told him that she
+was, he gave them a girdle, and with it the message that Karin was to
+wear it in remembrance of him.
+
+The men took the girdle and gave it to Karin upon their return home;
+but before Karin put it on, she clasped it around the oak-tree that
+grew in the court. No sooner had she done so than the oak tore itself
+out of the ground, and flew to the North, borne away by the
+storm-wind. In the place where it had stood was a deep pit, and the
+roots of the tree were so enormous that one of the best springs in
+Stommen flows from one of the root-holes to this very day.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "The Skalunda Giant" (Hofberg, _Svenska Folksagner_, Stockholm,
+     1882, p. 98) has a near relative in the Norwegian mountain
+     giant of Mesingeberg, of whom Asbjoernsen tells.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+YULETIDE SPECTERS
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived two peasants on a homestead called
+Vaderas, just as there are two peasants living on it now. In those
+days the roads were good, and the women were in the habit of riding
+when they wanted to go to church.
+
+One Christmas the two women agreed that they would ride to Christmas
+night mass, and whichever one of them woke up at the right time was to
+call the other, for in those days there was no such thing as a watch.
+It was about midnight when one of the women thought she heard a voice
+from the window, calling: "I am going to set out now." She got up
+hurriedly and dressed herself, so that she might be able to ride with
+the other woman; but since there was no time to eat, she took a piece
+of bread from the table along with her. In those times it was
+customary to bake the bread in the shape of a cross. It was a piece of
+this kind that the woman took and put in her pocket, in order to eat
+it underway. She rode as fast as she could, to catch up with her
+friend, but could not overtake her. The way led over a little stream
+which flows into Vidostern Lake, and across the stream was a bridge,
+known as the Earth Bridge, and on the bridge stood two witch trolls,
+busy washing. As the woman came riding across the bridge, one of the
+witch trolls called out to the other, "Hurry, and tear her head from
+her shoulders!"
+
+"That I cannot do" returned the other, "because she has a bit of bread
+in the form of a cross in her pocket."
+
+The woman, who had been unable to catch up with her neighbor, reached
+the church at Hanger alone.
+
+The church was full of lights, as was always the case when the
+Christmas mass was said. As quickly as ever she could the woman tied
+up her horse, and hurriedly entered the church. It seemed to her that
+the church was crowded with people; but all of them were headless, and
+at the altar stood the priest, in full canonicals but without a head.
+In her haste she did not at once see how things were; but sat down in
+her accustomed place. As she sat down it seemed to her that some one
+said: "If I had not stood godfather to you when you were christened, I
+would do away with you as you sit there, and now hurry and make
+yourself scarce, or it will be the worse for you!" Then she realized
+that things were not as they should be, and ran out hastily.
+
+When she came into the church-yard, it seemed to her as though she
+were surrounded by a great crowd of people. In those days people wore
+broad mantles of unbleached wool, woven at home, and white in color.
+She was wearing one of these mantles and the specters seized it. But
+she flung it away from her and managed to escape from the church-yard,
+and run to the poor-house and wake the people there. It is said it was
+then one o'clock at night.
+
+So she sat and waited for the early mass at four o'clock in the
+morning. And when day finally dawned, they found a little piece of her
+mantle on every grave in the church-yard.
+
+A similar experience befell a man and his wife who lived in a hut
+known as Ingas, below Mosled.
+
+They were no more than an hour ahead of time; but when they reached
+the church at Hanger, they thought the service had already begun, and
+wanted to enter at once; but the church was barred and bolted, and the
+phantom service of the dead was nearing its end. And when the actual
+mass began, there was found lying at every place some of the earth
+from the graves of those who shortly before had been worshiping. The
+man and his wife thereupon fell grievously ill, because they had
+disturbed the dead.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Yuletide Spectres." The tale of the weird service of the dead
+     on Christmas night is common throughout Scandinavia. (From an
+     mss. communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund).
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+SILVERWHITE AND LILLWACKER
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king, who had a queen whom he loved with
+a great love. But after a time the queen died, and all he had left was
+an only daughter. And now that the king was a widower, his whole heart
+went out to the little princess, whom he cherished as the apple of his
+eye. And the king's young daughter grew up into the most lovely maiden
+ever known.
+
+When the princess had seen the snows of fifteen winters, it happened
+that a great war broke out, and that her father had to march against
+the foe.
+
+But there was no one to whom the king could entrust his daughter while
+he was away at war; so he had a great tower built out in the forest,
+provided it with a plenteous store of supplies, and in it shut up his
+daughter and a maid. And he had it proclaimed that every man, no
+matter who he might be, was forbidden to approach the tower in which
+he had placed his daughter and the maid, under pain of death.
+
+Now the king thought he had taken every precaution to protect his
+daughter, and went off to war. In the meantime the princess and her
+maid sat in the tower. But in the city there were a number of brave
+young sons of kings, as well as other young men, who would have liked
+to have talked to the beautiful maiden. And when they found that this
+was forbidden them, they conceived a great hatred for the king. At
+length they took counsel with an old woman who was wiser than most
+folk, and told her to arrange matters in such wise that the king's
+daughter and her maid might come into disrepute, without their having
+anything to do with it. The old hag promised to help them, enchanted
+some apples, laid them in a basket, and went to the lonely tower in
+which the maidens lived.
+
+When the king's daughter and her maid saw the old woman, who was
+sitting beneath the window, they felt a great longing to try the
+beautiful apples.
+
+So they called out and asked how much she wanted for her precious
+apples; but the old woman said they were not for sale. Yet as the
+girls kept on pleading with her, the old woman said she would make
+each of them a present of an apple; they only need let down a little
+basket from the tower. The princess and her maid, in all innocence,
+did as the troll-woman told them, and each received an apple. But the
+enchanted fruit had a strange effect, for in due course of time heaven
+sent them each a child. The king's daughter called her son
+Silverwhite, and the son of her maid received the name of Lillwacker.
+
+The two boys grew up larger and stronger than other children, and were
+very handsome as well. They looked as much alike as one cherry-pit
+does to another, and one could easily see that they were related.
+
+Seven years had passed, and the king was expected home from the war.
+Then both girls were terrified, and they took counsel together as to
+how they might hide their children. When at length they could find no
+other way out of the difficulty, they very sorrowfully bade their
+children farewell, and let them down from the tower at night, to seek
+their fortune in the wide, wide world. At parting the king's daughter
+gave Silverwhite a costly knife; but the maid had nothing to give her
+son.
+
+The two foster-brethren now wandered out into the world. After they
+had gone a while, they came to a dark forest. And in this forest they
+met a man, strange-looking and very tall. He wore two swords at his
+side, and was accompanied by six great dogs. He gave them a friendly
+greeting:
+
+"Good-day, little fellows, whence do you come and whither do you go?"
+The boys told him they came from a high tower, and were going out into
+the world to seek their fortune. The man replied:
+
+"If such be the case, I know more about your origin than any one else.
+And that you may have something by which to remember your father, I
+will give each of you a sword and three dogs. But you must promise me
+one thing, that you will never part from your dogs; but take them with
+you wherever you go." The boys thanked the man for his kind gifts, and
+promised to do as he had told them. Then they bade him farewell and
+went their way.
+
+When they had traveled for some time they reached a cross-road. Then
+Silverwhite said:
+
+"It seems to me that it would be the best for us to try our luck
+singly, so let us part." Lillwacker answered: "Your advice is good;
+but how am I to know whether or not you are doing well out in the
+world?"
+
+"I will give you a token by which you may tell," said Silverwhite, "so
+long as the water runs clear in this spring you will know that I am
+alive; but if it turns red and roiled, it will mean that I am dead."
+Silverwhite then drew runes in the water of the spring, said farewell
+to his brother, and each of them went on alone. Lillwacker soon came
+to a king's court, and took service there; but every morning he would
+go to the spring to see how his brother fared.
+
+Silverwhite continued to wander over hill and dale, until he reached a
+great city. But the whole city was in mourning, the houses were hung
+in black, and all the inhabitants went about full of grief and care,
+as though some great misfortune had occurred.
+
+Silverwhite went though the city and inquired as to the cause of all
+the unhappiness he saw. They answered: "You must have come from far
+away, since you do not know that the king and queen were in danger of
+being drowned at sea, and he had to promise to give up their three
+daughters in order to escape. To-morrow morning the sea-troll is
+coming to carry off the oldest princess." This news pleased
+Silverwhite; for he saw a fine opportunity to wealth and fame, should
+fortune favor him.
+
+The next morning Silverwhite hung his sword at his side, called his
+dogs to him, and wandered down to the sea-shore alone. And as he sat
+on the strand he saw the king's daughter led out of the city, and with
+her went a courtier, who had promised to rescue her. But the princess
+was very sad and cried bitterly. Then Silverwhite stepped up to her
+with a polite greeting. When the king's daughter and her escort saw
+the fearless youth, they were much frightened, because they thought he
+was the sea-troll. The courtier was so alarmed that he ran away and
+took refuge in a tree. When Silverwhite saw how frightened the
+princess was, he said: "Lovely maiden, do not fear me, for I will do
+you no harm." The king's daughter answered:
+
+"Are you the troll who is coming to carry me away?" "No," said
+Silverwhite, "I have come to rescue you." Then the princess was glad
+to think that such a brave hero was going to defend her, and they
+had a long, friendly talk. At the same time Silverwhite begged the
+king's daughter to comb his hair. She complied with his request, and
+Silverwhite laid his head in her lap; but when he did so the princess
+drew a golden ring from her finger and, unbeknown to him, wound it
+into his locks.
+
+[Illustration: "THEN SILVERWHITE DREW HIS SWORD WITH A GREAT SWEEP
+AND RUSHED UPON THE SEA-TROLL."]
+
+Suddenly the sea-troll rose from the deeps, setting the waves whirling
+and foaming far and near. When the troll saw Silverwhite, he grew
+angry and said: "Why do you sit there beside my princess?" The youth
+replied: "It seems to me that she is my princess, not yours." The
+sea-troll answered: "Time enough to see which of us is right; but
+first our dogs shall fight." Silverwhite was nothing loath, and set
+his dogs at the dogs of the troll, and there was a fierce struggle.
+But at last the youth's dogs got the upper hand and bit the dogs of
+the sea-troll to death. Then Silverwhite drew his sword with a great
+sweep, rushed upon the sea-troll, and gave him such a tremendous blow
+that the monster's head rolled on the sand. The troll gave a fearsome
+cry, and flung himself back into the sea, so that the water spurted to
+the very skies. Thereupon the youth drew out his silver-mounted knife,
+cut out the troll's eyes and put them in his pocket. Then he saluted
+the lovely princess and went away.
+
+Now when the battle was over and the youth had disappeared, the
+courtier crawled down from his tree, and threatened to kill the
+princess if she did not say before all the people that he, and none
+other, had rescued her. The king's daughter did not dare refuse, since
+she feared for her life. So she returned to her father's castle with
+the courtier, where they were received with great distinction.
+
+And joy reigned throughout the land when the news spread that the
+oldest princess had been rescued from the troll.
+
+On the following day everything repeated itself. Silverwhite went down
+to the strand and met the second princess, just as she was to be
+delivered to the troll.
+
+And when the king's daughter and her escort saw him, they were very
+much frightened, thinking he was the sea-troll. And the courtier
+climbed a tree, just as he had before; but the princess granted the
+youth's petition, combed his hair as her sister had done, and also
+wound her gold ring into his long curls.
+
+After a time there was a great tumult out at sea, and a sea-troll rose
+from the waves. He had three heads and three dogs. But Silverwhite's
+dogs overcame those of the troll, and the youth killed the troll
+himself with his sword. Thereupon he took out his silver-mounted
+knife, cut out the troll's eyes, and went his way. But the courtier
+lost no time. He climbed down from his tree and forced the princess
+to promise to say that he, and none other, had rescued her. Then they
+returned to the castle, where the courtier was acclaimed as the
+greatest of heroes.
+
+On the third day Silverwhite hung his sword at his side, called his
+three dogs to him, and again wandered down to the sea-shore. As he was
+sitting by the strand, he saw the youngest princess led out of the
+city, and with her the daring courtier who claimed to have rescued her
+sisters. But the princess was very sad and cried bitterly. Then
+Silverwhite stepped up and greeted the lovely maiden politely. Now
+when the king's daughter and her escort saw the handsome youth, they
+were very much frightened, for they believed him to be the sea-troll,
+and the courtier ran away and hid in a high tree that grew near the
+strand. When Silverwhite noticed the maiden's terror, he said:
+
+"Lovely maiden, do not fear me, for I will do you no harm." The king's
+daughter answered: "Are you the troll who is coming to carry me away?"
+"No," said Silverwhite, "I have come to rescue you." Then the princess
+was very glad to have such a brave hero fight for her, and they had a
+long, friendly talk with each other. At the same time Silverwhite
+begged the lovely maiden to do him a favor and comb his hair. This the
+king's daughter was most willing to do, and Silverwhite laid his head
+in her lap. But when the princess saw the gold rings her sisters had
+wound in his locks, she was much surprised, and added her own to the
+others.
+
+Suddenly the sea-troll came shooting up out of the deep with a
+terrific noise, so that waves and foam spurted to the very skies. This
+time the monster had six heads and nine dogs. When the troll saw
+Silverwhite sitting with the king's daughter, he fell into a rage and
+cried: "What are you doing with my princess?" The youth answered: "It
+seems to me that she is my princess rather than yours." Thereupon the
+troll said: "Time enough to see which of us is right; but first our
+dogs shall fight each other." Silverwhite did not delay, but set his
+dogs at the sea-dogs, and they had a battle royal. But in the end the
+youth's dogs got the upper hand and bit all nine of the sea-dogs to
+death. Finally Silverwhite drew out his bare sword, flung himself upon
+the sea-troll, and stretched all six of his heads on the sand with a
+single blow. The monster uttered a terrible cry, and rushed back into
+the sea so that the water spurted to the heavens. Then the youth drew
+his silver-mounted knife, cut out all twelve of the troll's eyes,
+saluted the king's young daughter, and hastily went away.
+
+Now that the battle was over, and the youth had disappeared, the
+courtier climbed down from his tree, drew his sword and threatened to
+kill the princess unless she promised to say that he had rescued her
+from the troll, as he had her sisters.
+
+The king's daughter did not dare refuse, since she feared for her
+life. So they went back to the castle together, and when the king saw
+that they had returned in safety, without so much as a scratch, he and
+the whole court were full of joy, and they were accorded great honors.
+And at court the courtier was quite another fellow from the one who
+had hid away in the tree. The king had a splendid banquet prepared,
+with amusements and games, and the sound of string music and dancing,
+and bestowed the hand of his youngest daughter on the courtier in
+reward for his bravey.
+
+In the midst of the wedding festivities, when the king and his whole
+court were seated at table, the door opened, and in came Silverwhite
+with his dogs.
+
+The youth stepped boldly into the hall of state and greeted the king.
+And when the three princesses saw who it was, they were full of joy,
+leaped up from their places, and ran over to him, much to the king's
+surprise, who asked what it all meant. Then the youngest princess told
+him all that had happened, from beginning to end, and that Silverwhite
+had rescued them, while the courtier sat in a tree. To prove it beyond
+any chance of doubt, each of the king's daughters showed her father
+the ring she had wound in Silverwhite's locks. But the king still did
+not know quite what to think of it all, until Silverwhite said: "My
+lord king! In order that you need not doubt what your daughters have
+told you, I will show you the eyes of the sea-trolls whom I slew."
+Then the king and all the rest saw that the princesses had told the
+truth. The traitorous courtier received his just punishment; but
+Silverwhite was paid every honor, and was given the youngest daughter
+and half of the kingdom with her.
+
+After the wedding Silverwhite established himself with his young bride
+in a large castle belonging to the king, and there they lived quietly
+and happily.
+
+One night, when all were sleeping, it chanced that he heard a knocking
+at the window, and a voice which said: "Come, Silverwhite, I have to
+talk to you!" The king, who did not want to wake his young wife, rose
+hastily, girded on his sword, called his dogs and went out. When he
+reached the open air, there stood a huge and savage-looking troll. The
+troll said: "Silverwhite, you have slain my three brothers, and I have
+come to bid you go down to the sea-shore with me, that we may fight
+with one another." This proposal suited the youth, and he followed the
+troll without protest. When they reached the sea-shore, there lay
+three great dogs belonging to the troll. Silverwhite at once set his
+dogs at the troll-dogs, and after a hard struggle the latter had to
+give in. The young king drew his sword, bravely attacked the troll and
+dealt him many a mighty blow. It was a tremendous battle. But when
+the troll noticed he was getting the worst of it, he grew frightened,
+quickly ran to a high tree, and clambered into it. Silverwhite and the
+dogs ran after him, the dogs barking as loudly as they could. Then the
+troll begged for his life and said: "Dear Silverwhite, I will take
+wergild for my brothers, only bid your dogs be still, so that we may
+talk." The king bade his dogs be still, but in vain, they only barked
+the more loudly. Then the troll tore three hairs from his head, handed
+them to Silverwhite and said: "Lay a hair on each of the dogs, and
+then they will be as quiet as can be." The king did so and at once the
+dogs fell silent, and lay motionless as though they had grown fast to
+the ground. Now Silverwhite realized that he had been deceived; but it
+was too late. The troll was already descending from the tree, and he
+drew his sword and again began to fight. But they had exchanged no
+more than a few blows, before Silverwhite received a mortal wound, and
+lay on the earth in a pool of blood.
+
+But now we must tell about Lillwacker. The next morning he went to the
+spring by the cross-road and found it red with blood. Then he knew
+that Silverwhite was dead. He called his dogs, hung his sword at his
+side, and went on until he came to a great city. And the city was in
+festal array, the streets were crowded with people, and the houses
+were hung with scarlet cloths and splendid rugs. Lillwacker asked why
+everybody was so happy, and they said: "You must hail from distant
+parts, since you do not know that a famous hero has come here by the
+name of Silverwhite, who has rescued our three princesses, and is now
+the king's son-in-law." Lillwacker then inquired how it had all come
+about, and then went his way, reaching the royal castle in which
+Silverwhite dwelt with his beautiful queen in the evening.
+
+When Lillwacker entered the castle gate, all greeted him as though he
+had been the king. For he resembled his foster-brother so closely that
+none could tell one from the other. When the youth came to the queen's
+room, she also took him for Silverwhite. She went up to him and said:
+"My lord king, where have you been so long? I have been awaiting you
+with great anxiety." Lillwacker said little, and was very taciturn.
+Then he lay down on a couch in a corner of the queen's room.
+
+The young woman did not know what to think of his actions; for her
+husband did not act queerly at other times. But she thought: "One
+should not try to discover the secrets of others," and said nothing.
+
+In the night, when all were sleeping, there was a knocking at the
+window, and a voice cried: "Come, Lillwacker, I have to talk to you!"
+The youth rose hastily, took his good sword, called his dogs and
+went. When he reached the open air, there stood the same troll who had
+slain Silverwhite. He said: "Come with me, Lillwacker, and then you
+shall see your foster-brother!" To this Lillwacker at once agreed, and
+the troll led the way. When they came to the sea-shore, there lay the
+three great dogs whom the troll had brought with him. Somewhat further
+away, where they had fought, lay Silverwhite in a pool of blood, and
+beside him his dogs were stretched out on the ground as though they
+had taken root in it. Then Lillwacker saw how everything had happened,
+and thought that he would gladly venture his life, if he might in some
+way call his brother back from the dead. He at once set his dogs at
+the troll-dogs, and they had a hard struggle, in which Lillwacker's
+dogs won the victory. Then the youth drew his sword, and attacked the
+troll with mighty blows. But when the troll saw that he was getting
+the worst of it, he took refuge in a lofty tree. Lillwacker and his
+dogs ran after him and the dogs barked loudly.
+
+Then the troll humbly begged for his life, and said: "Dear Lillwacker,
+I will give you wergild for your brother, only bid your dogs be still,
+so that we may talk." At the same time the troll handed him three
+hairs from his head and added: "Lay one of these hairs on each of your
+dogs, and then they will soon be quiet." But Lillwacker saw through
+his cunning scheme, took the three hairs and laid them on the
+troll-dogs, which at once fell on the ground and lay like dead.
+
+When the troll saw that his attempt had failed, he was much alarmed
+and said: "Dearest Lillwacker, I will give you wergild for your
+brother, if you will only leave me alone." But the youth answered:
+
+"What is there you can give me that will compensate for my brother's
+life?" The troll replied: "Here are two flasks. In one is a liquid
+which, if you anoint a dead man with it, it will restore him to life;
+but as to the liquid in the other flask, if you moisten anything with
+it, and some one touches the place you have moistened, he will be
+unable to move from the spot. I think it would be hard to find
+anything more precious than the liquid in these flasks." Lillwacker
+said: "Your proposal suits me, and I will accept it. But there is
+something else you must promise to do: that you will release my
+brother's dogs." The troll agreed, climbed down from the tree,
+breathed on the dogs and thus freed them. Then Lillwacker took the two
+flasks and went away from the sea-shore with the troll. After they had
+gone a while they came to a great flat stone, lying near the highway.
+Lillwacker hastened on in advance and moistened it with liquid from
+the second flask. Then, as he was going by, Lillwacker suddenly set
+all six of his dogs at the troll, who stepped back and touched the
+stone. There he stuck, and could move neither forward nor backward.
+After a time the sun rose and shone on the stone. And when the troll
+saw the sun he burst--and was as dead as a doornail!
+
+Lillwacker now ran back to his brother and sprinkled him with the
+liquid in the other flask, so that he came to life again, and they
+were both very happy, as may well be imagined. The two foster-brothers
+then returned to the castle, recounting the story of their experiences
+and adventures on the way. Lillwacker told how he had been taken for
+his brother. He even mentioned that he had lain down on a couch in a
+corner of the queen's room, and that she had never suspected that he
+was not her rightful husband. But when Silverwhite heard that, he
+thought that Lillwacker had offended against the queen's dignity, and
+he grew angry and fell into such a rage that he drew his sword, and
+thrust it into his brother's breast. Lillwacker fell to earth dead,
+and Silverwhite went home to the castle alone. But Lillwacker's dogs
+would not leave their master, and lay around him, whining and licking
+his wound.
+
+In the evening, when the young king and his wife retired, the queen
+asked him why he had been so taciturn and serious the evening before.
+Then the queen said: "I am very curious to know what has befallen you
+during the last few days, but what I would like to know most of all,
+is why you lay down on a couch in a corner of my room the other
+night?" Now it was clear to Silverwhite that the brother he had slain
+was innocent of all offense, and he felt bitter regret at having
+repaid his faithfulness so badly. So King Silverwhite at once rose and
+went to the place where his brother was lying. He poured the water of
+life from his flask and anointed his brother's wound, and in a moment
+Lillwacker was alive again, and the two brother's went joyfully back
+to the castle.
+
+When they got there, Silverwhite told his queen how Lillwacker had
+rescued him from death, and all the rest of their adventures, and all
+were happy at the royal court, and they paid the youth the greatest
+honors and compliments. After he had stayed there a time he sued for
+the hand of the second princess and obtained it. Thereupon the wedding
+was celebrated with great pomp, and Silverwhite divided his half of
+the kingdom with his foster-brother. The two brothers continued to
+live together in peace and unity, and if they have not died, they are
+living still.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     From a venerable Indo-Germanic source comes the widely
+     circulated story of "Silverwhite and Lillwacker," the faithful
+     brothers (Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens, _Svenska Folkasagor
+     och Aefventyr_, Stockholm, 1848, p. 58. From Vermland).
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+STOMPE PILT
+
+
+Not far from Baalsberg, near Filkestad in the Willandsharad, there is
+a hill in which a giant named Stompe Pilt once used to live.
+
+It happened one day that a goat-herd was driving his flock up the hill
+in which Stompe Pilt dwelt.
+
+"Who is there?" cried the giant, and rushed out of his hill with a
+hunk of flint-rock in his fist.
+
+"I am, if that's what you want to know!" shouted the shepherd-lad and
+continued driving his goats up the hill.
+
+"If you come here, I will squash you as I squash this stone!" cried
+the giant and he crushed it into fine sand between his fingers.
+
+"And I will squash you till the water runs out, just as I squash this
+stone!" answered the shepherd-lad, drawing a fresh cheese from his
+pocket, and pressing it hard, so that the water ran from his fingers.
+
+"Are you not frightened?" asked the giant.
+
+"Of you? Certainly not!" was the youth's reply.
+
+"Then we will fight with one another!" proposed the giant.
+
+"As you choose," replied the shepherd, "but first we must abuse each
+other so that we can get into a proper rage, because as we abuse each
+other we will grow angry, and when we are angry we will fight!"
+
+"But I shall begin by abusing you," said the giant.
+
+"As you choose," said the youth, "but then it will be my turn."
+
+"May a troll with a crooked nose take you!" yelled the giant.
+
+"May a flying devil carry you off!" answered the shepherd and he shot
+a sharp arrow against the giant's body with his bow.
+
+"What was that?" asked the giant, and tried to pull the arrow out of
+his body.
+
+"That was a word of abuse," said the shepherd.
+
+"How does it come to have feathers?" asked the giant.
+
+"The better to fly with," answered the shepherd.
+
+"Why does it stick so tight?" the giant continued.
+
+"Because it has taken root in your body," was the shepherd's answer.
+
+"Have you any other abusive words of the same sort?" asked the giant.
+"Here is another one," replied the youth, and shot another arrow into
+the giant.
+
+"Ouch, ouch!" cried Stompe Pilt, "are you still not angry enough for
+us to come to blows?"
+
+"No, I have not abused you enough as yet," said the shepherd and aimed
+another arrow.
+
+"Lead your goats wherever you choose! If I cannot stand your abusive
+words, I surely will not be able to bear up against your blows," cried
+Stompe Pilt, and jumped back into his hill.
+
+And that is how the shepherd gained the victory, because he was brave
+and did not let the stupid giant frighten him.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     An entertaining parody of the serious tale of David and Goliath
+     is the story of the little shepherd boy's fight with the giant
+     Stompe Pilt. (Hofberg, p. 10).
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+THE GIRL AND THE SNAKE
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a girl who was to go to the wood and drive
+the cattle home; but she did not find the herd, and losing her way
+instead, came to a great hill. It had gates and doors and she went in.
+There stood a table covered with all sorts of good things to eat. And
+there stood a bed as well, and in the bed lay a great snake. The snake
+said to the girl: "Sit down, if you choose! Eat, if you choose! Come
+and lie down in the bed, if you choose! But if you do not choose, then
+do not do so." So the girl did nothing at all. At last the snake said:
+"Some people are coming now who want you to dance with them. But do
+not go along with them." Straightway people arrived who wanted to
+dance with the girl; but she would hear nothing of it. Then they began
+to eat and drink; but the girl left the hill and went home. The
+following day she again went to the wood to look for the cattle, did
+not find them, lost her way again, and came to the same hill. This
+time she also entered, and found everything as it had been the first
+time, the well-spread table and the bed with the snake in it. And the
+snake said to her, as before: "Sit down, if you choose! Eat, if you
+choose! Come, and lie down in the bed if you choose! But if you do not
+choose, then do not do so! Now a great many more people are coming who
+will want to dance with you, but do not go with them." The snake had
+scarcely concluded before a great many people arrived, who began to
+dance, eat and drink; but the girl did not keep them company, instead
+she left the hill and went home.
+
+On the third day when she once more went to the wood, everything
+happened exactly as on the first and second day. The snake invited her
+to eat and drink, and this time she did so, with a hearty appetite.
+Then the snake told her to lie down beside him and the girl obeyed.
+Then the snake said: "Put your arm about me!" She did so. "And now
+kiss me," said the snake, "but if you are afraid, put your apron
+between us." The girl did so, and in a moment the snake was turned
+into a marvellously handsome youth, who was really a prince, bewitched
+in the form of a snake by magic spells, and now delivered by the
+girl's courage. Then both of them went away and there was nothing
+further heard of them.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "The Girl and the Snake" (From Soedermanland. From the mss.
+     collection of the metallurgist Gustav Erikson, communicated to
+     Dr. v. Sydow-Lund) shows distinctive Scandinavian features;
+     though it falls short of the richness and depth of the
+     celebrated Danish fairy-tale "King Dragon," whose germ idea is
+     the same.
+
+
+
+
+IX
+
+FAITHFUL AND UNFAITHFUL
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a couple of humble cottagers who had no
+children until, at last, the man's wife was blessed with a boy, which
+made both of them very happy. They named him Faithful and when he was
+christened a _huldra_ came to the hut, seated herself beside the
+child's cradle, and foretold that he would meet with good fortune.
+"What is more," she said, "when he is fifteen years of age, I will
+make him a present of a horse with many rare qualities, a horse that
+has the gift of speech!" And with that the _huldra_ turned and went
+away.
+
+The boy grew up and became strong and powerful. And when he had passed
+his fifteenth year, a strange old man came up to their hut one day,
+knocked, and said that the horse he was leading had been sent by his
+queen, and that henceforward it was to belong to Faithful, as she had
+promised. Then the ancient man departed; but the beautiful horse was
+admired by all, and Faithful learned to love it more with every
+passing day.
+
+At length he grew weary of home. "I must away and try my fortune in
+the world," said he, and his parents did not like to object; for there
+was not much to wish for at home. So he led his dear horse from the
+stable, swung himself into the saddle, and rode hurriedly into the
+wood. He rode on and on, and had already covered a good bit of ground,
+when he saw two lions engaged in a struggle with a tiger, and they
+were well-nigh overcome. "Make haste to take your bow," said the
+horse, "shoot the tiger and deliver the two lions!" "Yes, that's what
+I will do," said the youth, fitted an arrow to the bow-string, and in
+a moment the tiger lay prone on the ground. The two lions drew nearer,
+nuzzled their preserver in a friendly and grateful manner, and then
+hastened back to their cave.
+
+Faithful now rode along for a long time among the great trees until he
+suddenly spied two terrified white doves fleeing from a hawk who was
+on the point of catching them. "Make haste to take your bow," said the
+horse, "shoot the hawk and save the two doves!" "Yes, that's what I'll
+do," said the youth. He fitted an arrow to the bow-string, and in a
+moment the hawk lay prone on the ground. But the two doves flew
+nearer, fluttered about their deliverer in a tame and grateful manner,
+and then hurried back to their nest.
+
+The youth pressed on through the wood and by now was far, far from
+home. But his horse did not tire easily, and ran on with him until
+they came to a great lake. There he saw a gull rise up from the water,
+holding a pike in its claws. "Make haste to take your bow," said the
+horse, "shoot the gull and save the pike!" "Yes, that's what I'll do,"
+answered the youth, fitted an arrow to his bow-string, and in a moment
+the gull was threshing the ground with its wings, mortally wounded.
+But the pike who had been saved swam nearer, gave his deliverer a
+friendly, grateful glance, and then dove down to join his fellows
+beneath the waves.
+
+Faithful rode on again, and before evening came to a great castle. He
+at once had himself announced to the king, and begged that the latter
+would take him into his service. "What kind of a place do you want?"
+asked the king, who was inclined to look with favor on the bold
+horseman.
+
+"I should like to be a groom," was Faithful's answer, "but first of
+all I must have stable-room and fodder for my horse." "That you shall
+have," said the king, and the youth was taken on as a groom, and
+served so long and so well, that every one in the castle liked him,
+and the king in particular praised him highly.
+
+But among the other servitors was one named Unfaithful who was jealous
+of Faithful, and did what he could to harm him; for he thought to
+himself:
+
+"Then I would be rid of him, and need not see him continue to rise in
+my lord's favor." Now it happened that the king was very sad, for he
+had lost his queen, whom a troll had stolen from the castle. It is
+true that the queen had not taken pleasure in the king's society, and
+that she did not love him. Still the king longed for her greatly, and
+often spoke of it to Unfaithful his servant. So one day Unfaithful
+said: "My lord need distress himself no longer, for Faithful has been
+boasting to me that he could rescue your beautiful queen from the
+hands of the troll." "If he has done so," replied the king, "then he
+must keep his word."
+
+He straightway ordered Faithful to be brought before him, and
+threatened him with death if he did not at once hurry into the hill
+and bring back the wife of whom he had been robbed. If he were
+successful great honor should be his reward. In vain Faithful denied
+what Unfaithful had said of him, the king stuck to his demand, and the
+youth withdrew, convinced that he had not long to live. Then he went
+to the stable to bid farewell to his beautiful horse, and stood beside
+him and wept. "What grieves you so?" asked the horse. Then the youth
+told him of all that had happened, and said that this was probably the
+last time he would be able to visit him. "If it be no more than that,"
+said the horse, "there is a way to help you. Up in the garret of the
+castle there is an old fiddle, take it with you and play it when you
+come to the place where the queen is kept. And fashion for yourself
+armor of steel wire, and set knives into it everywhere, and then, when
+you see the troll open his jaws, descend into his maw, and thus slay
+him. But you must have no fear, and must trust me to show you the
+way." These words filled the youth with fresh courage, he went to the
+king and received permission to leave, secretly fashioned his steel
+armor, took the old fiddle from the garret of the castle, led his dear
+horse out of the stable, and without delay set forth for the troll's
+hill.
+
+Before long he saw it, and rode directly to the troll's abode. When he
+came near, he saw the troll, who had crept out of his castle, lying
+stretched out at the entrance to his cave, fast asleep, and snoring so
+powerfully that the whole hill shook. But his mouth was wide open, and
+his maw was so tremendous that it was easy for the youth to crawl into
+it. He did so, for he was not afraid, and made his way into the
+troll's inwards where he was so active that the troll was soon killed.
+Then Faithful crept out again, laid aside his armor, and entered the
+troll's castle. Within the great golden hall sat the captive queen,
+fettered with seven strong chains of gold. Faithful could not break
+the strong chains; but he took up his fiddle and played such tender
+music on it, that the golden chains were moved, and one after
+another, fell from the queen, until she was able to rise and was free
+once more. She looked at the courageous youth with joy and gratitude,
+and felt very kindly toward him, because he was so handsome and
+courteous. And the queen was perfectly willing to return with him to
+the king's castle.
+
+The return of the queen gave rise to great joy, and Faithful received
+the promised reward from the king. But now the queen treated her
+husband with even less consideration than before. She would not
+exchange a word with him, she did not laugh, and locked herself up in
+her room with her gloomy thoughts. This greatly vexed the king, and
+one day he asked the queen why she was so sad: "Well," said she, "I
+cannot be happy unless I have the beautiful golden hall which I had in
+the hill at the troll's; for a hall like that is to be found nowhere
+else."
+
+"It will be no easy matter to obtain it for you," said the king, "and
+I cannot promise you that anyone will be able to do it." But when he
+complained of his difficulty to his servant Unfaithful, the latter
+answered: "The chances of success are not so bad, for Faithful said he
+could easily bring the troll's golden hall to the castle." Faithful
+was at once sent for, and the king commanded him, as he loved his
+life, to make good his word and bring the golden hall from the troll's
+hill. It was in vain that Faithful denied Unfaithful's assertions: go
+he must, and bring back the golden hall.
+
+Inconsolable, he went to his beautiful horse, wept and wanted to say
+farewell to him forever. "What troubles you?" asked the horse. And the
+youth replied: "Unfaithful has again been telling lies about me, and
+if I do not bring the troll's golden hall to the queen, my life will
+be forfeited." "Is it nothing more serious than that?" said the horse.
+"See that you obtain a great ship, take your fiddle with you and play
+the golden hall out of the hill, then hitch the troll's horses before
+it, and you will be able to bring the glistening hall here without
+trouble."
+
+Then Faithful felt somewhat better, did as the horse had told him, and
+was successful in reaching the great hill. And as he stood there
+playing the fiddle, the golden hall heard him, and was drawn to the
+sounding music, and it moved slowly, slowly, until it stood outside
+the hill. It was built of virgin gold, like a house by itself, and
+under it were many wheels. Then the youth took the troll's horses, put
+them to the golden hall, and thus brought it aboard his ship. Soon he
+had crossed the lake, and brought it along safely so that it reached
+the castle without damage, to the great joy of the queen. Yet despite
+the fact, she was as weary of everything as she had been before, never
+spoke to her husband, the king, and no one ever saw her laugh.
+
+Now the king grew even more vexed than he had been, and again asked
+her why she seemed so sad. "Ah, how can I be happy unless I have the
+two colts that used to belong to me, when I stayed at the troll's!
+Such handsome steeds are to be seen nowhere else!" "It will be
+anything but easy to obtain for you what you want," declared the king,
+"for they were untamed, and long ago must have run far away into the
+wild-wood." Then he left her, sadly, and did not know what to do. But
+Unfaithful said: "Let my lord give himself no concern, for Faithful
+has declared he could easily secure both of the troll's colts."
+Faithful was at once sent for, and the king threatened him with death,
+if he did not show his powers in the matter of the colts. But should
+he succeed in catching them, then he would be rewarded.
+
+Now Faithful knew quite well that he could not hope to catch the
+troll's wild colts, and he once more turned to the stable in order to
+bid farewell to the _huldra's_ gift. "Why do you weep over such a
+trifle?" said the horse. "Hurry to the wood, play your fiddle, and all
+will be well!" Faithful did as he was told, and after a while the two
+lions whom he had rescued came leaping toward him, listened to his
+playing and asked him whether he was in distress. "Yes, indeed," said
+Faithful, and told them what he had to do. They at once ran back into
+the wood, one to one side and the other to the other, and returned
+quickly, driving the two colts before them. Then Faithful played his
+fiddle and the colts followed him, so that he soon reached the king's
+castle in safety, and could deliver the steeds to the queen.
+
+The king now expected that his wife would be gay and happy. But she
+did not change, never addressed a word to him, and only seemed a
+little less sad when she happened to speak to the daring youth.
+
+Then the king asked her to tell him what she lacked, and why she was
+so discontented. She answered: "I have secured the colts of the troll,
+and I often sit in the glittering hall of gold; but I can open none of
+the handsome chests that are filled to the brim with my valuables,
+because I have no keys. And if I do not get the keys again, how can I
+be happy?" "And where may the keys be?" asked the king. "In the lake
+by the troll's hill," said the queen, "for that is where I threw them
+when Faithful brought me here." "This is a ticklish affair, this
+business of those keys you want!" said the king. "And I can scarcely
+promise that you will ever see them again." In spite of this, however,
+he was willing to make an attempt, and talked it over with his
+servant Unfaithful. "Why, that is easily done," said the latter, "for
+Faithful boasted to me that he could get the queen's keys without any
+difficulty if he wished." "Then I shall compel him to keep his word,"
+said the king. And he at once ordered Faithful, on pain of death, to
+get the queen's keys out of the lake by the troll's hill without
+delay.
+
+[Illustration: "THE PIKE ROSE TO THE SURFACE WITH THE GOLDEN KEYS IN
+HIS MOUTH."]
+
+This time the youth was not so depressed, for he thought to himself:
+"My wise horse will be able to help me." And so he was, for he advised
+him to go along playing his fiddle, and to wait for what might happen.
+After the youth had played for a while, the pike he had saved thrust
+his head out of the water, recognized him, and asked whether he could
+be of any service to him. "Yes, indeed!" said the youth, and told him
+what it was he wanted. The pike at once dived, quickly rose to the
+surface of the water with the golden keys in his mouth, and gave them
+to his deliverer. The latter hastened back with them, and now the
+queen could open the great chests in the golden hall to her heart's
+content.
+
+Notwithstanding, the king's wife was as sorrowful as ever, and when
+the king complained about it to Unfaithful, the latter said: "No doubt
+it is because she loves Faithful. I would therefore advise that my
+lord have him beheaded. Then there will be a change." This advice
+suited the king well, and he determined to carry it out shortly. But
+one day Faithful's horse said to him: "The king is going to have your
+head chopped off. So hurry to the wood, play your fiddle, and beg the
+two doves to bring you a bottle of the water of life. Then go to the
+queen and ask her to set your head on your body and to sprinkle you
+with the water when you have been beheaded." Faithful did so. He went
+to the wood that very day with his fiddle, and before long the two
+doves were fluttering around him, and shortly after brought back the
+bottle filled with the water of life. He took it back home with him
+and gave it to the queen, so that she might sprinkle him with it after
+he had been beheaded. She did so, and at once Faithful rose again, as
+full of life as ever; but far better looking. The king was astonished
+at what he had seen, and told the queen to cut off his own head and
+then sprinkle him with the water. She at once seized the sword, and in
+a moment the king's head rolled to the ground. But she sprinkled none
+of the water of life upon it, and the king's body was quickly carried
+out and buried. Then the queen and Faithful celebrated their wedding
+with great pomp; but Unfaithful was banished from the land and went
+away in disgrace. The wise horse dwelt contentedly in a wonderful
+chamber, and the king and queen kept the magic fiddle, the golden
+hall, and the troll's other valuables, and lived in peace and
+happiness day after day.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Faithful and Unfaithful" (From the Hylten-Cavallius mss.
+     collection), is a distant offshoot, and one complicated with
+     other motives, of a cycle in which even the Tristan legend is
+     represented, the fairy-tale of the golden-haired maiden and the
+     water of life and death. (Reinhold Koehler, _Kleinere
+     Schriften_, II, p. 328).
+
+
+
+
+X
+
+STARKAD AND BALE
+
+
+Starkad, the hero of the legends, the bravest warrior in the army of
+the North, had fallen into disgrace with the king because of a certain
+princess, so he wandered up into Norland, and settled down at Rude in
+Tuna, where he was known as the Thrall of the Alders or the Red
+Fellow.
+
+In Balbo, nine miles from Rude, dwelt another hero, Bale, a good
+friend and companion-at-arms of Starkad.
+
+One morning Starkad climbed the Klefberg in Tuna, and called over to
+Bale: "Bale in Balbo, are you awake?"
+
+"Red Fellow!" answered Bale, nine miles away, "the sun and I wake
+together! But how goes it with you?"
+
+"None too well. I eat salmon morning, noon and night. Come over with a
+bit of meat!"
+
+"I'll come!" Bale called back, and in a few hours time he was down in
+Tuna with an elk under each arm.
+
+The following morning Bale in Balbo stood on a hill in Borgsjo and
+called: "Red Fellow! Are you awake?"
+
+"The sun and I wake together!" answered Starkad. "And how goes it with
+you?"
+
+"Alas, I have nothing to eat but meat! Elk in the morning, elk at noon
+and elk at night. Come over and bring a fish-tail along with you!"
+
+"I'm coming!" called out Starkad, and in a short time he had joined
+his friend with a barrel of salmon under each arm.
+
+In this fashion the two friends provided themselves with all the game
+to be found in the woods and in the water, and spread terror and
+destruction throughout the countryside. But one evening, when they
+were just returning to the sea from an excursion, a black cloud came
+up, and a tempest broke. They hurried along as fast as they could; but
+got no further than Vattjom, where a flash of lightning struck Starkad
+and flung him to the ground. His friend and companion-at-arms buried
+him beneath a stone cairn, about which he set five rocks: two at his
+feet, two at his shoulders, and one at his head; and that grave,
+measuring twenty ells in length, may still be seen near the river.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "Starkad and Bale" (Hofberg, p. 181. From Medelpad, after
+     ancient traditional sources) humorous feats of gigantic
+     strength are ascribed to the most famous hero of Northern
+     legend, Starkad, who was brought up by Odin himself.
+
+
+
+
+XI
+
+THE WEREWOLF
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king, who reigned over a great kingdom.
+He had a queen, but only a single daughter, a girl. In consequence the
+little girl was the apple of her parents' eyes; they loved her above
+everything else in the world, and their dearest thought was the
+pleasure they would take in her when she was older. But the unexpected
+often happens; for before the king's daughter began to grow up, the
+queen her mother fell ill and died. It is not hard to imagine the
+grief that reigned, not alone in the royal castle, but throughout the
+land; for the queen had been beloved of all. The king grieved so that
+he would not marry again, and his one joy was the little princess.
+
+A long time passed, and with each succeeding day the king's daughter
+grew taller and more beautiful, and her father granted her every wish.
+Now there were a number of women who had nothing to do but wait on the
+princess and carry out her commands. Among them was a woman who had
+formerly married and had two daughters. She had an engaging
+appearance, a smooth tongue and a winning way of talking, and she was
+as soft and pliable as silk; but at heart she was full of machinations
+and falseness. Now when the queen died, she at once began to plan how
+she might marry the king, so that her daughters might be kept like
+royal princesses. With this end in view, she drew the young princess
+to her, paid her the most fulsome compliments on everything she said
+and did, and was forever bringing the conversation around to how happy
+she would be were the king to take another wife. There was much said
+on this head, early and late, and before very long the princess came
+to believe that the woman knew all there was to know about everything.
+So she asked her what sort of a woman the king ought to choose for a
+wife. The woman answered as sweet as honey: "It is not my affair to
+give advice in this matter; yet he should choose for queen some one
+who is kind to the little princess. For one thing I know, and that is,
+were I fortunate enough to be chosen, my one thought would be to do
+all I could for the little princess, and if she wished to wash her
+hands, one of my daughters would have to hold the wash-bowl and the
+other hand her the towel." This and much more she told the king's
+daughter, and the princess believed it, as children will.
+
+From that day forward the princess gave her father no peace, and
+begged him again and again to marry the good court lady. Yet he did
+not want to marry her. But the king's daughter gave him no rest; but
+urged him again and again, as the false court lady had persuaded her
+to do. Finally, one day, when she again brought up the matter, the
+king cried: "I can see you will end by having your own way about this,
+even though it be entirely against my will. But I will do so only on
+one condition." "What is the condition?" asked the princess. "If I
+marry again," said the king, "it is only because of your ceaseless
+pleading. Therefore you must promise that, if in the future you are
+not satisfied with your step-mother or your step-sisters, not a single
+lament or complaint on your part reaches my ears." This she promised
+the king, and it was agreed that he should marry the court lady and
+make her queen of the whole country.
+
+As time passed on, the king's daughter had grown to be the most
+beautiful maiden to be found far and wide; the queen's daughters, on
+the other hand, were homely, evil of disposition, and no one knew any
+good of them. Hence it was not surprising that many youths came from
+East and West to sue for the princess's hand; but that none of them
+took any interest in the queen's daughters. This made the step-mother
+very angry; but she concealed her rage, and was as sweet and friendly
+as ever. Among the wooers was a king's son from another country. He
+was young and brave, and since he loved the princess dearly, she
+accepted his proposal and they plighted their troth. The queen
+observed this with an angry eye, for it would have pleased her had the
+prince chosen one of her own daughters. She therefor made up her mind
+that the young pair should never be happy together, and from that time
+on thought only of how she might part them from each other.
+
+An opportunity soon offered itself. News came that the enemy had
+entered the land, and the king was compelled to go to war. Now the
+princess began to find out the kind of step-mother she had. For no
+sooner had the king departed than the queen showed her true nature,
+and was just as harsh and unkind as she formerly had pretended to be
+friendly and obliging. Not a day went by without her scolding and
+threatening the princess; and the queen's daughters were every bit as
+malicious as their mother. But the king's son, the lover of the
+princess, found himself in even worse position. He had gone hunting
+one day, had lost his way, and could not find his people. Then the
+queen used her black arts and turned him into a werewolf, to wander
+through the forest for the remainder of his life in that shape. When
+evening came and there was no sign of the prince, his people returned
+home, and one can imagine what sorrow they caused when the princess
+learned how the hunt had ended. She grieved, wept day and night, and
+was not to be consoled. But the queen laughed at her grief, and her
+heart was filled with joy to think that all had turned out exactly as
+she wished.
+
+Now it chanced one day, as the king's daughter was sitting alone in
+her room, that she thought she would go herself into the forest where
+the prince had disappeared. She went to her step-mother and begged
+permission to go out into the forest, in order to forget her
+surpassing grief. The queen did not want to grant her request, for she
+always preferred saying no to yes. But the princess begged her so
+winningly that at last she was unable to say no, and she ordered one
+of her daughters to go along with her and watch her. That caused a
+great deal of discussion, for neither of the step-daughters wanted to
+go with her; each made all sorts of excuses, and asked what pleasures
+were there in going with the king's daughter, who did nothing but cry.
+But the queen had the last word in the end, and ordered that one of
+her daughters must accompany the princess, even though it be against
+her will. So the girls wandered out of the castle into the forest. The
+king's daughter walked among the trees, and listened to the song of
+the birds, and thought of her lover, for whom she longed, and who was
+now no longer there. And the queen's daughter followed her, vexed, in
+her malice, with the king's daughter and her sorrow.
+
+After they had walked a while, they came to a little hut, lying deep
+in the dark forest. By then the king's daughter was very thirsty, and
+wanted to go into the little hut with her step-sister, in order to get
+a drink of water. But the queen's daughter was much annoyed and said:
+"Is it not enough for me to be running around here in the wilderness
+with you? Now you even want me, who am a princess, to enter that
+wretched little hut. No, I will not step a foot over the threshold! If
+you want to go in, why go in alone!" The king's daughter lost no time;
+but did as her step-sister advised, and stepped into the little hut.
+When she entered she saw an old woman sitting there on a bench, so
+enfeebled by age that her head shook. The princess spoke to her in her
+usual friendly way: "Good evening, motherkin. May I ask you for a
+drink of water?" "You are heartily welcome to it," said the old woman.
+"Who may you be, that step beneath my lowly roof and greet me in so
+winning a way?" The king's daughter told her who she was, and that she
+had gone out to relieve her heart, in order to forget her great grief.
+"And what may your great grief be?" asked the old woman. "No doubt it
+is my fate to grieve," said the princess, "and I can never be happy
+again. I have lost my only love, and God alone knows whether I shall
+ever see him again." And she also told her why it was, and the tears
+ran down her cheeks in streams, so that any one would have felt sorry
+for her. When she had ended the old woman said: "You did well in
+confiding your sorrow to me. I have lived long and may be able to give
+you a bit of good advice. When you leave here you will see a lily
+growing from the ground. This lily is not like other lilies, however,
+but has many strange virtues. Run quickly over to it, and pick it. If
+you can do that then you need not worry, for then one will appear who
+will tell you what to do." Then they parted and the king's daughter
+thanked her and went her way; while the old woman sat on the bench and
+wagged her head. But the queen's daughter had been standing without
+the hut the entire time, vexing herself, and grumbling because the
+king's daughter had taken so long.
+
+So when the latter stepped out, she had to listen to all sorts of
+abuse from her step-sister, as was to be expected. Yet she paid no
+attention to her, and thought only of how she might find the flower of
+which the old woman had spoken. They went through the forest, and
+suddenly she saw a beautiful white lily growing in their very path.
+She was much pleased and ran up at once to pick it; but that very
+moment it disappeared and reappeared somewhat further away.
+
+The king's daughter was now filled with eagerness, no longer listened
+to her step-sister's calls, and kept right on running; yet each time
+when she stooped to pick the lily, it suddenly disappeared and
+reappeared somewhat further away. Thus it went for some time, and the
+princess was drawn further and further into the deep forest. But the
+lily continued to stand, and disappear and move further away, and each
+time the flower seemed larger and more beautiful than before. At
+length the princess came to a high hill, and as she looked toward its
+summit, there stood the lily high on the naked rock, glittering as
+white and radiant as the brightest star. The king's daughter now began
+to climb the hill, and in her eagerness she paid no attention to
+stones nor steepness. And when at last she reached the summit of the
+hill, lo and behold! the lily no longer evaded her grasp; but remained
+where it was, and the princess stooped and picked it and hid it in her
+bosom, and so heartfelt was her happiness that she forgot her
+step-sisters and everything else in the world.
+
+For a long time she did not tire of looking at the beautiful flower.
+Then she suddenly began to wonder what her step-mother would say when
+she came home after having remained out so long. And she looked
+around, in order to find the way back to the castle. But as she looked
+around, behold, the sun had set and no more than a little strip of
+daylight rested on the summit of the hill. Below her lay the forest,
+so dark and shadowed that she had no faith in her ability to find the
+homeward path. And now she grew very sad, for she could think of
+nothing better to do than to spend the night on the hill-top. She
+seated herself on the rock, put her hand to her cheek, cried, and
+thought of her unkind step-mother and step-sisters, and of all the
+harsh words she would have to endure when she returned. And she
+thought of her father, the king, who was away at war, and of the love
+of her heart, whom she would never see again; and she grieved so
+bitterly that she did not even know she wept. Night came and darkness,
+and the stars rose, and still the princess sat in the same spot and
+wept. And while she sat there, lost in her thoughts, she heard a voice
+say: "Good evening, lovely maiden! Why do you sit here so sad and
+lonely?" She stood up hastily, and felt much embarrassed, which was
+not surprising. When she looked around there was nothing to be seen
+but a tiny old man, who nodded to her and seemed to be very humble.
+She answered: "Yes, it is no doubt my fate to grieve, and never be
+happy again. I have lost my dearest love, and now I have lost my way
+in the forest, and am afraid of being devoured by wild beasts." "As to
+that," said the old man, "you need have no fear. If you will do
+exactly as I say, I will help you." This made the princess happy;
+for she felt that all the rest of the world had abandoned her. Then
+the old man drew out flint and steel and said: "Lovely maiden, you
+must first build a fire." She did as he told her, gathered moss, brush
+and dry sticks, struck sparks and lit such a fire on the hill-top that
+the flame blazed up to the skies. That done the old man said: "Go on a
+bit and you will find a kettle of tar, and bring the kettle to me."
+This the king's daughter did. The old man continued: "Now put the
+kettle on the fire." And the princess did that as well. When the tar
+began to boil, the old man said: "Now throw your white lily into the
+kettle." The princess thought this a harsh command, and earnestly
+begged to be allowed to keep the lily. But the old man said: "Did you
+not promise to obey my every command? Do as I tell you or you will
+regret it." The king's daughter turned away her eyes, and threw the
+lily into the boiling tar; but it was altogether against her will, so
+fond had she grown of the beautiful flower.
+
+[Illustration: "SO HEARTFELT WAS HER HAPPINESS THAT SHE FORGOT
+EVERYTHING ELSE IN THE WORLD."]
+
+The moment she did so a hollow roar, like that of some wild beast,
+sounded from the forest. It came nearer, and turned into such a
+terrible howling that all the surrounding hills reechoed it. Finally
+there was a cracking and breaking among the trees, the bushes were
+thrust aside, and the princess saw a great grey wolf come running out
+of the forest and straight up the hill. She was much frightened and
+would gladly have run away, had she been able. But the old man said:
+"Make haste, run to the edge of the hill and the moment the wolf comes
+along, upset the kettle on him!" The princess was terrified, and
+hardly knew what she was about; yet she did as the old man said, took
+the kettle, ran to the edge of the hill, and poured its contents over
+the wolf just as he was about to run up. And then a strange thing
+happened: no sooner had she done so, than the wolf was transformed,
+cast off his thick grey pelt, and in place of the horrible wild beast,
+there stood a handsome young man, looking up to the hill. And when the
+king's daughter collected herself and looked at him, she saw that it
+was really and truly her lover, who had been turned into a werewolf.
+
+It is easy to imagine how the princess felt. She opened her arms, and
+could neither ask questions nor reply to them, so moved and delighted
+was she. But the prince ran hastily up the hill, embraced her
+tenderly, and thanked her for delivering him. Nor did he forget the
+little old man, but thanked him with many civil expressions for his
+powerful aid. Then they sat down together on the hill-top, and had a
+pleasant talk. The prince told how he had been turned into a wolf, and
+of all he had suffered while running about in the forest; and the
+princess told of her grief, and the many tears she had shed while he
+had been gone. So they sat the whole night through, and never noticed
+it until the stars grew pale and it was light enough to see. When the
+sun rose, they saw that a broad path led from the hill-top straight to
+the royal castle; for they had a view of the whole surrounding country
+from the hill-top. Then the old man said: "Lovely maiden, turn around!
+Do you see anything out yonder?" "Yes," said the princess, "I see a
+horseman on a foaming horse, riding as fast as he can." Then the old
+man said: "He is a messenger sent on ahead by the king your father.
+And your father with all his army is following him." That pleased the
+princess above all things, and she wanted to descend the hill at once
+to meet her father. But the old man detained her and said: "Wait a
+while, it is too early yet. Let us wait and see how everything turns
+out."
+
+Time passed and the sun was shining brightly, and its rays fell
+straight on the royal castle down below. Then the old man said:
+"Lovely maiden, turn around! Do you see anything down below?" "Yes,"
+replied the princess, "I see a number of people coming out of my
+father's castle, and some are going along the road, and others into
+the forest." The old man said: "Those are your step-mother's servants.
+She has sent some to meet the king and welcome him; but she has sent
+others to the forest to look for you." At these words the princess
+grew uneasy, and wished to go down to the queen's servants. But the
+old man withheld her and said: "Wait a while, and let us first see how
+everything turns out."
+
+More time passed, and the king's daughter was still looking down the
+road from which the king would appear, when the old man said: "Lovely
+maiden, turn around! Do you see anything down below?" "Yes," answered
+the princess, "there is a great commotion in my father's castle, and
+they are hanging it with black." The old man said: "That is your
+step-mother and her people. They will assure your father that you are
+dead." Then the king's daughter felt bitter anguish, and she implored
+from the depths of her heart: "Let me go, let me go, so that I may
+spare my father this anguish!" But the old man detained her and said:
+"No, wait, it is still too early. Let us first see how everything
+turns out."
+
+Again time passed, the sun lay high above the fields, and the warm air
+blew over meadow and forest. The royal maid and youth still sat on the
+hill-top with the old man, where we had left them. Then they saw a
+little cloud rise against the horizon, far away in the distance, and
+the little cloud grew larger and larger, and came nearer and nearer
+along the road, and as it moved one could see it was agleam with
+weapons, and nodding helmets, and waving flags, one could hear the
+rattle of swords, and the neighing of horses, and finally recognize
+the banner of the king. It is not hard to imagine how pleased the
+king's daughter was, and how she insisted on going down and greeting
+her father. But the old man held her back and said: "Lovely maiden,
+turn around! Do you see anything happening at the castle?" "Yes,"
+answered the princess, "I can see my step-mother and step-sisters
+coming out, dressed in mourning, holding white kerchiefs to their
+faces, and weeping bitterly." The old man answered: "Now they are
+pretending to weep because of your death. Wait just a little while
+longer. We have not yet seen how everything will turn out."
+
+After a time the old man said again: "Lovely maiden, turn around! Do
+you see anything down below?" "Yes," said the princess, "I see people
+bringing a black coffin--now my father is having it opened. Look, the
+queen and her daughters are down on their knees, and my father is
+threatening them with his sword!" Then the old man said: "Your father
+wished to see your body, and so your evil step-mother had to confess
+the truth." When the princess heard that she said earnestly: "Let me
+go, let me go, so that I may comfort my father in his great sorrow!"
+But the old man held her back and said: "Take my advice and stay here
+a little while longer. We have not yet seen how everything will turn
+out."
+
+Again time went by, and the king's daughter and the prince and the old
+man were still sitting on the hill-top. Then the old man said: "Lovely
+maiden, turn around! Do you see anything down below?" "Yes," answered
+the princess, "I see my father and my step-sisters and my step-mother
+with all their following moving this way." The old man said: "Now they
+have started out to look for you. Go down and bring up the wolf's pelt
+in the gorge." The king's daughter did as he told her. The old man
+continued: "Now stand at the edge of the hill." And the princess did
+that, too. Now one could see the queen and her daughters coming along
+the way, and stopping just below the hill. Then the old man said: "Now
+throw down the wolf's pelt!" The princess obeyed him, and threw down
+the wolf's pelt according to his command. It fell directly on the evil
+queen and her daughters. And then a most wonderful thing happened: no
+sooner had the pelt touched the three evil women than they immediately
+changed shape, and turning into three horrible werewolves, they ran
+away as fast as they could into the forest, howling dreadfully.
+
+No more had this happened than the king himself arrived at the foot
+of the hill with his whole retinue. When he looked up and recognized
+the princess, he could not at first believe his eyes; but stood
+motionless, thinking her a vision. Then the old man cried: "Lovely
+maiden, now hasten, run down and make your father happy!" There was no
+need to tell the princess twice. She took her lover by the hand and
+they ran down the hill. When they came to the king, the princess ran
+on ahead, fell on her father's neck, and wept with joy. And the young
+prince wept as well, and the king himself wept; and their meeting was
+a pleasant sight for every one. There was great joy and many embraces,
+and the princess told of her evil step-mother and step-sisters and of
+her lover, and all that she had suffered, and of the old man who had
+helped them in such a wonderful way. But when the king turned around
+to thank the old man he had completely vanished, and from that day on
+no one could say who he had been or what had become of him.
+
+The king and his whole retinue now returned to the castle, where the
+king had a splendid banquet prepared, to which he invited all the able
+and distinguished people throughout the kingdom, and bestowed his
+daughter on the young prince. And the wedding was celebrated with
+gladness and music and amusements of every kind for many days. I was
+there, too, and when I rode through the forest I met a wolf with two
+young wolves, and they showed me their teeth and seemed very angry.
+And I was told they were none other than the evil step-mother and her
+two daughters.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "The Werewolf," the basic idea is the deliverance from
+     animal form through a maiden's self-sacrificing love
+     (Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 312. From Upland), and the
+     Teutonic belief in human beings who could change themselves
+     into wolves is clearly marked.
+
+
+
+
+XII
+
+FIRST BORN, FIRST WED
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king who had a three-year old son, and
+was obliged to go to war against another king. Then, when his ships
+sailed home again after he had gained a splendid victory, a storm
+broke out and his whole fleet was near sinking. But the king vowed he
+would sacrifice to the sea-queen the first male creature that came to
+meet him when he reached land and entered his capital. Thereby the
+whole fleet reached the harbor in safety. But the five-year old
+prince, who had not seen his father for the past two years, and who
+was delighted with the thunder of the cannon as the ships came in,
+secretly slipped away from his attendants, and ran to the landing; and
+when the king came ashore he was the first to cast himself into his
+arms, weeping with joy. The king was frightened when he thought of the
+sea-queen; but he thought that, after all, the prince was only a
+child, and at any rate he could sacrifice the next person to step up
+to him after the prince. But from that time on no one could make a
+successful sea-trip, and the people began to murmur because the king
+had not kept the promise he had made the sea-queen. But the king and
+queen never allowed the prince out without a great escort, and he was
+never permitted to enter a ship, for all his desire to do so. After a
+few years they gradually forgot the sea-queen, and when the prince was
+ten years old, a little brother came to join him. Not long after the
+older of the princes was out walking with his tutor and several other
+gentlemen. And when they reached the end of the royal gardens by the
+sea-shore--it was a summer's day, unusually clear--they were suddenly
+enveloped by a thick cloud, which disappeared as swiftly as it had
+come. And when it vanished, the prince was no longer there; nor did he
+return, to the great sorrow of the king, the queen and the whole
+country. In the meantime the young prince who was now the sole heir to
+the crown and kingdom grew up; and when he was sixteen, they began to
+think of finding a wife for him. For the old king and queen wished to
+see him marry the daughter of some powerful monarch to whom they were
+allied, before they died. With this in view, letters were written and
+embassies sent out to the most distant countries.
+
+While these negotiations were being conducted, it began to be said
+that the sea-shore was haunted; various people had heard cries, and
+several who had walked by the sea-shore late in the evening had fallen
+ill. At length no one ventured to go there after eleven at night,
+because a voice kept crying from out at sea: "First born, first wed!"
+And when some one did venture nearer he did so at the risk of his
+life. At last these complaints came to the king's ear; he called
+together his council, and it was decided to question a wise woman, who
+had already foretold many mysterious happenings, which had all taken
+place exactly as she had said they would. When the wise woman was
+brought before the king she said it was the prince who had been taken
+into the sea who was calling, and that they would have to find him a
+bride, young, beautiful, and belonging to one of the noblest families
+of the land, and she must be no less than fifteen and no more than
+seventeen years old. That seemed a serious difficulty; for no one
+wished to give their daughter to a sea-king.
+
+Yet, when there was no end to the cries and the commotion, the wise
+woman said, that first it might be well to build a little house by the
+sea, perhaps then the turmoil might die away. At any rate, she said,
+no phantoms would haunt the place while the building was in progress.
+Hence no more than four workmen need be employed, and they might first
+prepare a site, then lay the stone foundation, and finally erect the
+small house, comprising no more than two pleasant, handsome rooms, one
+behind the other, and a good floor. The house was carefully erected,
+and the royal architect himself had to superintend the work, so that
+everything might be done as well as possible. And while the building
+was going on, there were no mysterious noises, and every one could
+travel peacefully along the sea-shore. For that reason the four
+workmen did not hurry with their work; yet not one of them could stay
+away for a day, because when they did the tumult along the shore would
+begin again, and one could hear the cries: "First born, first wed!"
+When the little house was finally completed, the best carpenters came
+and worked in it, then painters and other craftsmen, and at last it
+was furnished, because when the work stopped for no more than a single
+day the cries were heard again by night. The rooms were fitted out as
+sumptuously as possible, and a great mirror was hung in the
+drawing-room. According to the instructions of the wise woman, it was
+hung in such wise that from the bed in the bed-room, even though one's
+face were turned to the wall, one could still see who stepped over the
+threshold into the drawing-room; for the door between each room was
+always to stand open.
+
+When all was finished, and the little house had been arranged with
+regal splendor, the cries of "First born, first wed!" again began to
+sound from the shore. And it was found necessary, though all were
+unwilling, to follow the wise woman's counsel, and choose three of
+the loveliest maidens between the ages of fifteen and seventeen,
+belonging to the first families of the land. They were to be taken to
+the castle, said the wise woman, and to be treated like ladies of the
+blood royal, and one after another they were to be sent to the little
+house by the sea-shore; for should one of them find favor in the eyes
+of the sea-prince, then the commotion and turmoil would surely cease.
+In the meantime the negotiations for the marriage of the younger
+prince were continued, and the bride selected for him was soon
+expected to arrive. So the girls were also chosen for the sea-prince.
+The three chosen, as well as their parents, were quite inconsolable
+over their fate; even the fact that they were to be treated like
+princesses did not console them; yet had they not yielded it would
+have been all the worse for them and for the whole land. The first
+girl destined to sleep in the sea-palace was the oldest, and when she
+sought out the wise woman, and asked her advice, the latter said she
+should lie down in the handsome bed; but should turn her face to the
+wall, and under no circumstances turn around curiously, and try and
+see what was going on. She had only the right to behold what she saw
+reflected in the mirror in the drawing-room as she lay with her face
+to the wall. At ten o'clock that night the royal sea-bride was led
+with great pomp to the little house.
+
+Her relatives and the court said farewell to her with many tears, left
+her before eleven, locked the door on the outside, and took the keys
+with them to the castle. The wise woman was also there, consoled the
+people, and assured them that if the maiden only forbore to speak, and
+did not turn around, she would come out in the morning fresh and
+blooming. The poor girl prayed and wept until she grew sleepy; but
+toward twelve o'clock the outer door suddenly opened, and then the
+door of the drawing-room. She was startled and filled with fear when,
+her face turned toward the wall, she saw in the great mirror, how a
+tall, well-built youth entered, from whose garments the water ran in
+streams to the floor. He shook himself as though freezing, and said
+"Uh hu!" Then he went to the window, and there laid down an unusually
+large and handsome apple, and hung a bottle in the casement. Next he
+stepped to the bed, bent over the sleeping girl and looked at her,
+strode up and down a few times, shaking the water from his clothes and
+saying "Uh hu!" Then he went back to the bed, undressed hurriedly, lay
+down and fell asleep. The poor girl, had not been sleeping; but had
+only closed her eyes when the prince bent over her. Now she was glad
+to think he was fast asleep, and forgot the wise woman's warning not
+to turn around. Her curiosity got the better of her, and she wanted
+to find out if this were a real human being. She turned around
+softly, lest she wake him; but just as she sat up quietly in bed, in
+order to take a good look at her neighbor, he swiftly seized her right
+hand, hewed it off, and flung it under the bed. Then he at once lay
+down and fell asleep again. As soon as it was day, he rose, dressed
+without casting even a glance at the bed, took the bottle and the
+apple from the window, went hastily out and locked the door after him.
+One can imagine how the poor girl suffered in the meantime, and when
+her friends and relatives came to fetch her they found her weeping and
+robbed of her hand. She was brought to the castle and the wise woman
+sent for, and overwhelmed with bitter reproaches. But she said that if
+the maiden had not turned around, and had overcome her curiosity, she
+would not have lost her hand. They were to treat her as though she
+were really and truly a princess; but that it would be as much as her
+life were worth to allow her to return to the neighborhood of the
+little house.
+
+The two girls were all the more discouraged by this mishap, and
+thought themselves condemned to death, though the wise woman consoled
+them as well as she knew how. The second promised her faithfully not
+to turn around; yet it happened with her as it had with the first. The
+prince came in at twelve o'clock dripping, shook himself so that the
+water flew about, said "Uh hu!" went to the window, laid down the
+beautiful apple, hung up the bottle, came into the bed-room, bent over
+the bed, strode up and down a few times, said "Uh hu!" hastily
+undressed, and at once fell asleep. Her curiosity gained the upper
+hand, and when she made sure that he was sleeping soundly, she
+carefully turned around in order to look at him. But he seized her
+right hand, hewed it off and cast it under the bed, and then laid down
+again and slept on. At dawn he rose, dressed without casting a glance
+at the bed, took the apple and the bottle, went out and locked the
+door after him. When her friends and relatives came to fetch the girl
+in the morning, they found her weeping and without a right hand. She
+was taken to the castle, where she found herself just as little
+welcome as her predecessor, and the wise woman insisted that the girl
+must have turned around, though at first she denied it absolutely.
+
+Then the youngest, sweetest and loveliest of the three maidens had to
+go to the sea-castle amid the mourning of the entire court. The wise
+woman accompanied her, and implored her not to turn around; since
+there was no other means of protection against the spell.
+
+The maiden promised to heed her warning, and said that she would pray
+God to help her if she were plagued with curiosity. All happened as
+before: the prince came on the stroke of twelve, dripping wet, said
+"Uh hu!" shook himself, laid the apple on the window, hung up the
+bottle, went into the bed-room, bent over the bed, strode up and down
+for a few times, said "Uh hu!" undressed, and at once fell asleep. The
+poor girl was half-dead with fear and terror, and prayed and struggled
+against her curiosity till at length she fell asleep, and did not
+awake until the prince rose and dressed. He stepped up to the bed,
+bent over it for a moment, went out, turned at the door and took the
+bottle and the apple, and then locked the door after him. In the
+morning the entire court, the girl's parents and the wise woman came
+to fetch her. She came to meet them weeping with joy, and was
+conducted to the castle in triumph and with joy indescribable. The
+king and queen embraced her, and she was paid the same honors destined
+for the princess who was to arrive in the course of the next few days
+to marry the heir to the throne. Now the maiden had to sleep every
+night in the little house by the strand, and every evening the prince
+came in with his apple and his bottle, and every morning went away at
+dawn. But it seemed to her that each succeeding evening and morning he
+looked at her a little longer; though she, always silent, timid, and
+turned toward the wall, did not dare see more than her mirror showed
+her of his coming and going. But the two other girls, who had lost
+their hands, and who now no longer lived in the castle, were jealous
+of the honor shown the youngest, and threatened to have her done away
+with if she did not restore their hands. The maiden went weeping to
+the wise woman; and the latter said that when the prince had lain down
+as usual she should say--keeping her face turned toward the wall:
+
+    "The maidens twain will see me slain,
+    Or else have back their hands again!"
+
+But she was to offer no further information nor say another word. With
+a beating heart the poor girl waited until the prince came, and when
+he had bent over the bed longer than usual, sighed, then hastily
+undressed and lain down, the maiden said, quivering and trembling:
+
+    "The maidens twain will see me slain,
+    Or else have back their hands again!"
+
+The prince at once replied: "Take the hands--they are lying under the
+bed--and the bottle hanging in the window, and pour some of the
+contents of the bottle on their arms and hands, join them together,
+bind them up, take away the bandages in three days' time and the hands
+will have been healed!" The maiden made no reply and fell asleep. In
+the morning the prince rose as usual, stepped over to the bed several
+times and looked at her from its foot; but she did not dare look up,
+and closed her eyes. He sighed, took his apple; but left the bottle,
+and went. When the maiden rose she did as he had told her, and in
+three days' time removed the bandages, and the girls' hands were well
+and whole.
+
+Now the foreign princess arrived and the wedding was to be celebrated
+as soon as possible. Yet she was not fitted out with any more
+magnificence than the bride of the sea-prince, and both were equally
+honored by the king and court. This annoyed the two other girls, and
+they again threatened to have the youngest done away with if she did
+not let them taste the apple which the prince always brought with him.
+Again the maiden sought the advice of the wise woman, in whom she had
+confidence. And that night, when the prince had lain down, she said:
+
+    "The maidens twain will see me slain,
+    Or else your apple they would gain!"
+
+Then the prince said: "Take the apple lying in the window, and when
+you go out, lay it on the ground and follow wherever it may roll. And
+when it stops, pick as many apples as you wish, and return the same
+way you came." The maiden made no reply, and fell asleep. On the
+following morning it seemed harder than ever for the prince to resolve
+to go away. He appeared excited and restless, sighed often, bent over
+the maiden several times, went into the living room, then turned
+around and looked at her once more. Finally, when the sun rose, he
+hurried out and locked the door after him. When the maiden rose, she
+could not help weeping, for she had really begun to love the prince.
+
+Then she took the apple, and when she was outside the door, laid it on
+the ground, and it rolled and rolled, and she followed it, a long,
+long way, to a region unknown to her. There she came to a high garden
+wall, over which hung the branches of trees, loaded with beautiful
+fruit. Finally she reached a great portal, adorned with gold and
+splendid ornaments, which opened of its own accord as the apple rolled
+up to it. And the apple rolled through the portal and the maiden
+followed it into the garden, which was the most beautiful she ever had
+seen. The apple rolled over to a low-growing tree weighed with the
+most magnificent apples, and there it stopped. The maiden picked all
+that her silken apron would hold, and turned to see from which
+direction she had come, and where the portal stood through which she
+would have to pass on her way back. But the garden was so lovely that
+she felt like enjoying its charms a while longer, and without
+thinking of the prince's words, she touched the apple with her foot,
+and it began to roll again. Suddenly the portal closed with a great
+crash. Then the maiden was much frightened, and regretted having done
+what had been forbidden her; yet now she could not get out, and was
+compelled to follow the apple once more. It rolled far into the
+beautiful garden and stopped at a little fire-place, where stood two
+kettles of water, one small, the other large. There was a great fire
+burning under the large kettle; but only a weak fire beneath the
+smaller one. Now when the apple stopped there the maiden did not know
+what to do. Then it occurred to her to scrape away the fire beneath
+the large kettle and thrust it under the little one; and soon the
+kettle over the small fire began to boil and the kettle over the large
+one simmered down. But she could not stay there. And since she had
+already disobeyed the order given her, she expected to die, nothing
+less, and was quite resigned to do so, because she had lost all hope
+of winning the prince.
+
+So she gave the apple another push, and it rolled into a meadow in the
+middle of the garden, and there lay two little children, asleep, with
+the hot sun beating straight down upon them. The maiden felt sorry for
+the children, and she took her apron and laid it over them to protect
+them from the sun, and only kept the apples she could put in her
+little basket. But she could not stay here either, so again she
+touched the apple, and it rolled on and before she knew it the girl
+found herself by the sea-shore. There, under a shady tree lay the
+prince asleep; while beside him sat the sea-queen. Both rose when the
+maiden drew near, and the prince looked at her with alarm and
+tenderness in his flashing eyes. Then he leaped into the sea, and the
+white foam closed over him. But the sea-queen was enraged and seized
+the girl, who thought that her last moment had struck, and begged for
+a merciful death. The sea-queen looked at her, and asked her who had
+given her permission to pass beyond the apple-tree. The maiden
+confessed her disobedience, and said that she had done so without
+meaning any harm, whereupon the sea-queen said she would see how she
+had conducted herself and punish her accordingly. Thereupon the
+sea-queen gave the apple a push, and it rolled back through the portal
+to the apple-tree. The sea-queen saw that the apple-tree was
+uninjured, again pushed the apple and it rolled on to the little
+fire-place. But when the sea-queen saw the small kettle boiling
+furiously, while the large one was growing cold, she became very
+angry, seized the girl's arm savagely and rising to her full height,
+asked: "What have you dared do here? How dared you take the fire from
+under my kettle and put it under your own?" The maiden did not know
+that she had done anything wrong, and said that she did not know why.
+Then the sea-queen replied: "The large kettle signified the love
+between the prince and myself; the small one the love between the
+prince and you. Since you have taken the fire from under my kettle and
+laid it under your own, the prince is now violently in love with you,
+while his love for me is well-nigh extinguished. Look," she cried,
+angrily, "now my kettle has stopped boiling altogether, and yours is
+boiling over! But I will see what other harm you have done and punish
+you accordingly." And the sea-queen again pushed the apple with her
+foot, and it rolled to the sleeping children, who had been covered
+with the apron. Then the sea-queen said: "Did you do that?" "Yes,"
+replied the maiden, weeping, "but I meant no harm. I covered the
+little ones with my apron so that the sun might not burn down on them
+so fiercely, and I left with them the apples I could not put in my
+basket." The sea-queen said: "This deed and your truthfulness are your
+salvation. I see that you have a kind heart. These children belong to
+me and to the prince; but since he now loves you more than he does me,
+I will resign him to you. Go back to the castle and there say what I
+tell you: that your wedding with my prince is to be celebrated at the
+same time as that of his younger brother. And all your jewels, your
+ornaments, your wedding-dress and your bridal chair, are to be exactly
+like those of the other princess. From the moment on that the priest
+blesses the prince and yourself I have no further power over him. But
+since I have seen to it that he has all the qualities which adorn a
+ruler, I demand that he be made the heir to his father's kingdom; for
+he is the oldest son. The younger prince may rule over the kingdom
+which his bride brings him. All this you must tell them, for only
+under these conditions will I release the prince. And when you are
+arrayed in your bridal finery, come to me here, without anyone's
+knowledge, so that I may see how they have adorned you. Here is the
+apple which will show you the way without any one being able to tell
+where you go." With that the sea-queen parted from her, and gave the
+apple a push. It rolled out of the garden and to the castle, where the
+maiden, with mingled joy and terror, delivered the sea-queen's message
+to the king, and told him what she demanded for the prince. The king
+gladly promised all that was desired, and great preparations were at
+once made for the double wedding. Two bridal chairs were set up side
+by side, two wedding gowns, and two sets of jewels exactly similar
+were made ready. When the maiden had been dressed in her bridal
+finery she pretended to have forgotten something, which she had to
+fetch from a lower floor, went downstairs with her apple, and laid it
+on the ground. It at once rolled to the spot by the sea-shore where
+she had found the sea-queen and the prince, and where the sea-queen
+was now awaiting her. "It is well that you have come," said the
+sea-queen, "for the slightest disobedience would have meant misfortune
+for you! But how do you look? Are you dressed just as the princess is?
+And has the princess no better clothes or jewels?" The maiden answered
+timidly, that they were dressed exactly alike. Then the sea-queen tore
+her gown from her body, unclasped the jewels from her hair and
+flinging them on the ground cried: "Is that the way the bride of my
+prince should look! Since I have given him to you I will give you my
+bridal outfit as well." And with that she raised up a sod beneath the
+great tree, and a shrine adorned with gold and precious stones
+appeared, from which she drew out her bridal outfit, which fitted the
+maiden as though made for her. And it was so costly and so covered
+with gems that the maiden was almost blinded by its radiance. The
+crown, too, glowed with light, and was set with the most wonderful
+emeralds, and all was magnificent beyond what any princess had ever
+worn. "Now," said the sea-queen, when she had finished adorning the
+maiden, "now go back to the castle, and show them how I was dressed
+when I wedded the prince. All this I give as a free gift to you and
+your descendants; but you must always conduct yourself so that the
+prince will be content with you, and you must make his happiness your
+first thought all your life long."
+
+[Illustration: "A SHRINE ADORNED WITH GOLD AND PRECIOUS STONES
+APPEARED."]
+
+This the maiden promised, with honest tears, and the sea-queen bade
+her go. When she was again in the castle, all were astonished at the
+beauty and costliness of her dress and jewels, in comparison to which
+those of the other princess were as nothing. The treasures of the
+whole kingdom would not have sufficed to pay for such a bridal outfit.
+And none any longer dared envy the lovely maiden, for never had a
+princess brought a richer bridal dower into the country. Now all went
+in solemn procession to the church, and the priests stood before the
+bridal chairs with their books open, and waited for the prince who,
+according to the sea-queen's word, would not come until the blessing
+was to be spoken. They waited impatiently, and the king finally told
+one of the greatest nobles to seat himself in the bridal chair in the
+prince's place, which he did. But the very moment the priest began to
+pray, the two wings of the church portal quickly flew open, and a
+tall, strong, handsome man with flashing eyes, royally clad, came in,
+stepped up to the bridal chair, thrust his proxy out so hastily that
+he nearly fell, and cried: "This is my place! Now, priest, speak the
+blessing!" While the blessing was spoken the prince became quiet
+again, and then greeted his parents and the whole court with joy, and
+before all embraced his wife, who now for the first time ventured to
+take a good look at him. Thenceforward the prince was like any other
+human being, and in the end he inherited his father's kingdom, and
+became a great and world-renowned ruler, beloved by his subjects, and
+adored by his wife. They lived long and happily, and their descendants
+are still the rulers of the land over which he reigned.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "First Born, First Wed" is a purely Swedish, and decidedly
+     characteristic treatment of a similar motive of redemption.
+     (From the mss. collection of Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens,
+     communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund).
+
+
+
+
+XIII
+
+THE LAME DOG
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived a king, like many others. He had three
+daughters, who were young and beautiful to such a degree that it would
+have been difficult to have found handsomer maidens. Yet there was a
+great difference among them; for the two older sisters were haughty in
+their thoughts and manners; while the youngest was sweet and friendly,
+and everyone liked her. Besides, she was fair as the day and delicate
+as the snow, and far more beautiful than either of her sisters.
+
+One day the king's daughters were sitting together in their room, and
+their talk happened to turn on their husbands-to-be. The oldest said:
+"If I ever marry, my husband must have golden hair and a golden
+beard!" And the second exclaimed: "And mine must have silver hair and
+a silver beard!" But the youngest princess held her tongue and said
+nothing. Then her sisters asked her whether she did not want to wish
+for a husband. "No," she answered, "but if fate should give me a
+husband, I will be content to take him as he is, and were he no more
+than a lame dog." Then the two other princesses laughed and joked
+about it, and told her the day might easily come when she would change
+her mind.
+
+But many speak truth and do not know it! Thus it chanced with the
+king's daughters; since before the year had come to an end, each had
+the suitor for whom she had wished. A man with golden hair and golden
+beard sued for the oldest princess and won her consent to his suit.
+And a man with silver hair and a silver beard sued for the second and
+she became his bride; but the youngest princess had no other suitor
+than a lame dog. Then she recalled her talk with her sisters in their
+room, and thought to herself: "May God aid me in the marriage into
+which I must enter!" Yet she would not break the word she had once
+passed; but followed her sisters' example and accepted the dog. The
+wedding lasted a number of days and was celebrated with great pomp and
+splendor. But while the guests danced and amused themselves, the
+youngest princess sat apart and wept, and when the others were
+laughing, her tears flowed till it made one sad to see them.
+
+After the wedding the newly married pairs were each to drive off to
+their castle. And the two older princesses each drove off in a
+splendidly decorated coach, with a large retinue, and all sorts of
+honors. But the youngest had to go afoot, since her husband, the dog,
+had neither coach nor driver. When they had wandered long and far,
+they came to a great forest, so great that it seemed endless; but the
+dog limped along in advance, and the king's daughter followed after,
+weeping. And as they went along she suddenly saw a magnificent castle
+lying before them, and round about it were beautiful meadows and green
+woods, all of them most enjoyable to see. The princess stopped and
+asked to whom the great mansion might belong. "That," said the dog,
+"is our home. We will live here, and you shall rule it as you see
+fit." Then the maiden laughed amid her tears, and could not overcome
+her surprise at all she saw. The dog added: "I have but a single
+request to make to you, and that you must not refuse to grant." "What
+is your request?" asked the princess. "You must promise me," said the
+dog, "that you will never look at me while I am asleep: otherwise you
+are free to do whatever you wish." The princess gladly promised to
+grant his request, and so they went to the great castle. And if the
+castle was magnificent from without, it was still more magnificent
+within. It was so full of gold and silver that the precious metals
+gleamed from every corner; and there was such abundance of supplies of
+every kind, and of so many other things, that everything in the world
+one might have wished to have was already there. The princess spent
+the live-long day running from one room to another, and each was
+handsomer than the one she had just entered. But when evening came and
+she went to bed, the dog crept into his own, and then she noticed that
+he was not a dog; but a human being. Yet she said not a word, because
+she remembered her promise, and did not wish to cross her husband's
+will.
+
+Thus some time passed. The princess dwelt in the beautiful castle, and
+had everything her heart might desire. But every day the dog ran off,
+and did not reappear until it was evening and the sun had set. Then he
+returned home, and was always so kind and friendly that it would have
+been a fine thing had other men done half as well. The princess now
+began to feel a great affection for him, and quite forgot he was only
+a lame dog; for the proverb says: "Love is blind." Yet time passed
+slowly because she was so much alone, and she often thought of
+visiting her sisters and seeing how they were. She spoke of it to her
+husband, and begged his permission to make the journey. No sooner had
+the dog heard her wish than he at once granted it, and even
+accompanied her some distance, in order to show her the way out of the
+wood.
+
+When the king's daughters were once reunited, they were naturally very
+happy, and there were a great many questions asked about matters old
+and new. And marriage was also discussed. The oldest princess said:
+"It was silly of me to wish for a husband with golden hair and golden
+beard; for mine is worse than the veriest troll, and I have not known
+a happy day since we married." And the second went on: "Yes, and I am
+no better off; for although I have a husband with silver hair and a
+silver beard, he dislikes me so heartily that he begrudges me a single
+hour of happiness." Then her sisters turned to the youngest princess
+and asked how she fared. "Well," was her answer, "I really cannot
+complain; for though I only got a lame dog, he is such a dear good
+fellow and so kind to me that it would be hard to find a better
+husband." The other princesses were much surprised to hear this, and
+did not stop prying and questioning, and their sister answered all
+their questions faithfully. When they heard how splendidly she lived
+in the great castle, they grew jealous because she was so much better
+off than they were. And they insisted on knowing whether there was not
+some one little thing of which she could complain. "No," said the
+king's daughter, "I can only praise my husband for his kindness and
+amiability, and there is but one thing lacking to make me perfectly
+happy." "What is it?" "What is it?" cried both sisters with a single
+voice. "Every night, when he comes home," said the princess, "he turns
+into a human being, and I am sorry that I can never see what he really
+looks like." Then both sisters again with one voice, began to scold
+the dog loudly; because he had a secret which he kept from his wife.
+And since her sisters now continually spoke about it, her own
+curiosity awoke once more, she forgot her husband's command, and asked
+how she might manage to see him without his knowing it. "O," said the
+oldest princess, "nothing easier! Here is a little lamp, which you
+must hide carefully. Then you need only get up at night when he is
+asleep, and light the lamp in order to see him in his true shape."
+This advice seemed good to the king's daughter; she took the lamp, hid
+it in her breast, and promised to do all that her sisters had
+counseled.
+
+When the time came for them to part, the youngest princess went back
+to her beautiful castle. The day passed like every other day. When
+evening came at last and the dog had gone to bed, the princess was so
+driven by curiosity that she could hardly wait until he had fallen
+asleep. Then she rose, softly, lit her lamp, and drew near the bed to
+look at him while he slept. But no one can describe her astonishment
+when throwing the light on the bed, she saw no lame dog lying there;
+but the handsomest youth her eyes had ever beheld. She could not stop
+looking at him; but sat up all night bending over his pillow, and the
+more she looked at him the handsomer he seemed to grow, until she
+forgot everything else in the world. At last the morning came. And as
+the first star began to pale in the dawn, the youth began to grow
+restless and awaken. The princess much frightened, blew out her lamp
+and lay down in her bed. The youth thought she was sleeping and did
+not wish to wake her, so he rose quietly, assumed his other shape,
+went away and did not appear again all day long.
+
+And when evening came and it grew late, everything happened as before.
+The dog came home from the forest and was very tired. But no sooner
+had he fallen asleep than the princess rose carefully, lit her lamp
+and came over to look at him. And when she cast the light on his bed
+it seemed to her as though the youth had grown even handsomer than the
+day before, and the longer she looked the more handsome he became;
+until she had to laugh and weep from sheer love and longing. She could
+not take her eyes from him, and sat all night long bent over his
+pillow, forgetful of her promise and all else, only to be able to look
+at him. With the first ray of dawn the youth began to stir and awake.
+Then the princess was again frightened, quickly blew out her lamp and
+lay down in her bed. The youth thought she was sleeping, and not
+wishing to waken her, rose softly, assumed his other shape, went away
+and was gone for the entire day.
+
+At length it grew late again, evening came and the dog returned home
+from the forest as usual. But again the princess could not control her
+curiosity; no sooner was her husband sleeping than she rose quietly,
+lit her lamp, and drew near carefully in order to look at him while he
+slept. And when the light fell on the youth, he appeared to be
+handsomer than ever before, and the longer she looked the more
+handsome he grew, until her heart burned in her breast, and she forgot
+all else in the world looking at him. She could not take her eyes from
+him, and sat up all night bending over his pillow. And when morning
+came and the sun rose, the youth began to move and awaken. Then the
+princess was much frightened, because she had paid no heed to the
+passing of time, and she tried to put out her lamp quickly. But her
+hand trembled, and a warm drop of oil fell on the youth and he awoke.
+When he saw what she had done, he leaped up, terrified, instantly
+turned into a lame dog, and limped out into the forest. But the
+princess felt so remorseful that she nearly lost her senses, and she
+ran after him, wringing her hands and weeping bitterly, and begging
+him to return. But he did not come back.
+
+The king's daughter now wandered over hill and dale, along many a road
+new to her, in order to find her husband, and her tears flowed the
+while till it would have moved a stone. But the dog was gone and
+stayed gone, though she looked for him North and South. When she saw
+that she could not find him, she thought she would return to her
+handsome castle. But there she was just as unfortunate. The castle
+was nowhere to be seen, and wherever she went she was surrounded by a
+forest black as coal. Then she came to the conclusion that the whole
+world had abandoned her, sat down on a stone, wept bitterly, and
+thought how much rather she would die than live without her husband.
+At that a little toad hopped out from under the stone, and said:
+"Lovely maiden, why do you sit here and weep?" And the princess
+answered: "It is my hard fate to weep and never be happy again. First
+of all I have lost the love of my heart, and now I can no longer find
+my way back to the castle. So I must perish of hunger here, or else be
+devoured by wild beasts." "O," said the toad, "if that is all that
+troubles you, I can help you! If you will promise to be my dearest
+friend, I will show you the way." But that the princess did not want
+to do. She replied: "Ask of me what you will, save that alone. I have
+never loved any one more than my lame dog, and so long as I live will
+never love any one else better." With that she rose, wept bitterly,
+and continued her way. But the toad looked after her in a friendly
+manner, laughed to himself, and once more crept under his stone.
+
+After the king's daughter had wandered on for a long, long way, and
+still saw nothing but forest and wilderness, she grew very tired. She
+once more sat down on a stone, rested her chin on her hand, and
+prayed for death, since it was no longer possible for her to live with
+her husband. Suddenly there was a rustling in the bushes, and she saw
+a big gray wolf coming directly toward her. She was much frightened,
+since her one thought was that the wolf intended to devour her. But
+the wolf stopped, wagged his tail, and said: "Proud maiden, why do you
+sit here and weep so bitterly?" The princess answered: "It is my hard
+fate to weep and never be happy again. First of all I have lost my
+heart's dearest, and now I cannot find my way back to the castle and
+must perish of hunger, or be devoured by wild beasts." "O," said the
+wolf, "if that is all that troubles you, I can help you! Let me be
+your best friend and I will show you the way." But that did not suit
+the princess, and she replied: "Ask of me what you will, save that
+alone. I have never loved any one more than my lame dog, and so long
+as I live I will never love any one else better." With that she rose,
+weeping bitterly, and continued on her way. But the wolf looked after
+her in a friendly manner, laughed to himself and ran off hastily.
+
+After the princess had once more wandered for a long time in the
+wilderness, she was again so wearied and exhausted that she could not
+go on. She sat down on a stone, wrung her hands, and wished for death,
+since she could no longer live with her husband. At that moment she
+heard a hollow roaring that made the earth tremble, and a monstrous
+big lion appeared and came directly toward her. Now she was much
+frightened; for what else could she think but that the lion would tear
+her to pieces? But the beast was so weighed down with heavy iron
+chains that he could scarcely drag himself along, and the chains
+clashed at either side when he moved. When the lion finally reached
+the princess he stopped, wagged his tail, and asked: "Beautiful
+maiden, why do you sit here and weep so bitterly?" The princess
+answered: "It is my hard fate to weep and never be happy again. First
+of all I have lost my heart's dearest, and now I cannot find my way to
+the castle, and must perish of hunger, or be devoured by wild beasts."
+"O," said the lion, "if that is all that troubles you, I can help you!
+If you will loose my chains and make me your best friend, I will show
+you the way." But the princess was so terrified that she could not
+answer the lion, far less venture to draw near him. Then she heard a
+clear voice sounding from the forest: it was a little nightingale, who
+sat among the branches and sang:
+
+    "Maiden, maiden, loose his chains!"
+
+Then she felt sorry for the lion, grew braver, went up to him,
+unloosed his chains and said: "Your chains I can loose for you; but I
+can never be your best friend. For I have never loved any one more
+than my lame dog and will never love any one else better." And then a
+wondrous thing took place: at the very moment the last chain fell from
+him, the lion turned into a handsome young prince, and when the
+princess looked at him more closely, it was none other than her
+heart's dearest, who before had been a dog. She sank to the ground,
+clasped his knees, and begged him not to leave her again. But the
+prince raised her with deep affection, took her in his arms and said:
+"No, now we shall never more be parted, for I am released from my
+enchantment, and have proved your faith toward me in every way."
+
+[Illustration: "THE LION TURNED INTO A HANDSOME YOUNG PRINCE."]
+
+Then there was joy indescribable. And the prince took his young wife
+home to the beautiful castle, and there he became king and she was his
+queen. And if they have not died they are living there to this very
+day.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The story of "The Lame Dog," the bride of the dog, has long
+     been popular in Scandinavia (Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens, p.
+     381. From South Smaland). Saxo, to whom it was familiar, calls
+     its heroes Otherus and Syritha, and even in the _Edda_ there is
+     an echo of it in the tale of Freya and Odr. In Denmark the same
+     story is told under the title of "The Dearest Friend."
+
+
+
+
+XIV
+
+THE MOUNT OF THE GOLDEN QUEEN
+
+
+Once upon a time a lad who tended the cattle in the wood was eating
+his noon-tide meal in a clearing in the forest. As he was sitting
+there he saw a rat run into a juniper-bush. His curiosity led him to
+look for it; but as he bent over, down he went, head over heels, and
+fell asleep. And he dreamed that he was going to find the princess on
+the Mount of the Golden Queen; but that he did not know the way.
+
+The following day he once more pastured his cattle in the wood, when
+he came to the same clearing, and again ate his dinner there. And
+again he saw the rat and went to look for it, and again when he bent
+down he went head over heels, and fell fast asleep. And again he
+dreamed of the princess on the Mount of the Golden Queen, and that in
+order to get her he would need seventy pounds of iron and a pair of
+iron shoes. He awoke and it was all a dream; but by now he had made up
+his mind to find the Mount of the Golden Queen, and he went home with
+his herd. On the third day, when he led out his cattle, he could not
+reach the clearing of his happy dream too soon. Again the rat showed
+itself and when he went to look for it, he fell asleep as he had done
+each preceding day. And again he dreamed of the princess on the Mount
+of the Golden Queen, and that she came to him, and laid a letter and a
+band of gold in his pocket. Then he awoke and to his indescribable
+surprise, he found in his pocket both of the things of which he had
+dreamed, the letter and the band. Now he had no time to attend to the
+cattle any longer, but drove them straight home. Then he went into the
+stable, led out a horse, sold it, and bought seventy pounds of iron
+and a pair of iron shoes with the money. He made the thole-pins out of
+the iron, put on his iron shoes, and set forth. For a time he traveled
+by land; but at last he came to the lake which he had to cross. He saw
+naught but water before and behind him, and rowing so long and
+steadily that he wore out one thole-pin after another, he at length
+reached land, and a green meadow, where no trees grew. He walked all
+around the meadow, and at last found a mound of earth from which smoke
+was rising. When he looked more closely, out came a woman who was nine
+yards long. He asked her to tell him the way to the Mount of the
+Golden Queen. But she replied: "That I do not know. Go ask my sister,
+who is nine yards taller than I am, and who lives in an earth-mound
+which you can find without any trouble." So he left her and came to a
+mound of earth that looked just like the first, and from which smoke
+was also rising. A woman at once came out who was tremendously tall,
+and of her he asked the way to the Mount of the Golden Queen. "That I
+do not know," said she. "Go ask my brother, who is nine yards taller
+than I am, and who lives in a hill a little further away." So he came
+to the hill, from which smoke was also rising, and knocked. A man at
+once came out who was a veritable giant, for he was twenty-seven yards
+in length, and of him he asked the way to the Mount of the Golden
+Queen. Then the giant took a whistle and whistled in every direction,
+to call together all the animals to be found on the earth. And all the
+animals came from the woods, foremost among them a bear. The giant
+asked him about the Mount of the Golden Queen, but he knew nothing of
+it. Again the giant blew his whistle in every direction to call
+together all the fishes to be found in the waters. They came at once,
+and he asked them about the Mount of the Golden Queen; but they knew
+nothing of it. Once more the giant blew his whistle in every
+direction, and called together all the birds of the air. They came,
+and he asked the eagle about the Mount of the Golden Queen, and
+whether he knew where it might be. The eagle said: "Yes!" "Well then,
+take this lad there," said the giant "but do not treat him unkindly!"
+This the eagle promised, allowed the youth to seat himself on his
+back, and then off they were through the air, over fields and forests,
+hill and dale, and before long they were above the ocean, and could
+see nothing but sky and water. Then the eagle dipped the youth in the
+ocean up to his ankles and asked: "Are you afraid?" "No," said the
+youth. Then the eagle flew on a while, and again dipped the youth into
+the water, up to his knees and said: "Are you afraid?" "Yes," answered
+the youth, "but the giant said you were not to treat me unkindly."
+"Are you really afraid?" asked the eagle once more. "Yes," answered
+the youth. Then the eagle said: "The fear you now feel is the very
+same fear I felt when the princess thrust the letter and the golden
+band into your pocket." And with that they had reached a large, high
+mountain in one side of which was a great iron door. They knocked, and
+a serving-maid appeared to open the door and admit them. The youth
+remained and was well received; but the eagle said farewell and flew
+back to his native land. The youth asked for a drink, and he was at
+once handed a beaker containing a refreshing draught. When he had
+emptied it and returned the beaker, he let the golden band drop into
+it. And when the maid brought back the beaker to her mistress--who
+was the princess of the Mount of the Golden Queen--the latter looked
+into the beaker, and behold, there lay a golden band which she
+recognized as her own. So she asked: "Is there some one here?" and
+when the maid answered in the affirmative, the princess said: "Bid him
+come in!" And as soon as the youth entered she asked him if he chanced
+to have a letter. The youth drew out the letter he had received in so
+strange a manner, and gave it to the princess. And when she had read
+it she cried, full of joy: "Now I am delivered!" And at that very
+moment the mountain turned into a most handsome castle, with all sorts
+of precious things, servants, and every sort of convenience, each for
+its own purpose. (Whether the princess and the youth married the story
+does not say; yet we must take for granted that a wedding is the
+proper end for the fairy-tale).
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     A distinctly visionary story is the fairy-tale of "The Mount of
+     the Golden Queen." (From Soedermanland, from the collection of
+     the metallurgic Gustav Erikson, communicated by Dr. v.
+     Sydow-Lund) whose hero sets out on a laborious, world-wide
+     quest that finally brings him to the destined goal.
+
+
+
+
+XV
+
+OLD HOPGIANT
+
+
+Once upon a time there were two neighbors: one of them rich and the
+other poor. They owned a great meadow in common, which they were
+supposed to mow together and then divide the hay.
+
+But the rich neighbor wanted the meadow for himself alone, and told
+the poor one that he would drive him out of house and home if he did
+not come to an agreement with him that whichever one of them mowed the
+largest stretch of the meadowland in a single day, should receive the
+entire meadow.
+
+Now the rich neighbor got together as many mowers as ever he could;
+but the poor one could not hire a single man. At last he despaired
+altogether and wept, because he did not know how he could manage to
+get so much as a bit of hay for the cow.
+
+Then it was that a large man stepped up to him and said: "Do not
+grieve so. I can tell you what you ought to do. When the mowing
+begins, just call out 'Old Hopgiant!' three times in succession, and
+you'll not be at a loss, as you shall see for yourself." And with that
+he disappeared.
+
+Then the poor man's heart grew less heavy, and he gave over worrying.
+So one fine day his rich neighbor came along with no fewer than twenty
+farmhands, and they mowed down one swath after another. But the poor
+neighbor did not even take the trouble to begin when he saw how the
+others took hold, and that he himself would not be able to do anything
+alone.
+
+Then the big man occurred to him, and he called out: "Old Hopgiant!"
+But no one came, and the mowers all laughed at him and mocked him,
+thinking he had gone out of his mind. Then he called again: "Old
+Hopgiant!" And, just as before, there was no hopgiant to be seen. And
+the mowers could scarcely swing their scythes; for they were laughing
+fit to split.
+
+And then he cried for the third time: "Old Hopgiant!" And there
+appeared a fellow of truly horrible size, with a scythe as large as a
+ship's mast.
+
+And now the merriment of the rich peasant's mowers came to an end. For
+when the giant began to mow and fling about his scythe, they were
+frightened at the strength he put into his work. And before they knew
+it he had mown half the meadow.
+
+Then the rich neighbor fell into a rage, rushed up and gave the giant
+a good kick. But that did not help him, for his foot stuck to the
+giant, while the latter no more felt the kick than if it had been a
+flea-bite, and kept right on working.
+
+[Illustration: "THE RICH MAN HAD TO GO ALONG HANGING TO HIM LIKE A
+HAWSER."]
+
+Then the rich neighbor thought of a scheme to get free, and gave the
+giant a kick with his other foot; but this foot also stuck fast, and
+there he hung like a tick. Old Hopgiant mowed the whole meadow, and
+then flew up into the air, and the rich man had to go along hanging to
+him like a hawser. And thus the poor neighbor was left sole master of
+the place.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     A genuine folk-tale figure is "Old Hopgiant." (Bondeson,
+     _Svenska Folksagor_, Stockholm, 1882, p. 41. From Dalsland) in
+     which a wonderful giant being comes to a poor peasant's
+     assistance, and rescues him from his oppressor.
+
+
+
+
+XVI
+
+THE PRINCESS AND THE GLASS MOUNTAIN
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king who took such a joy in the chase,
+that he knew no greater pleasure than hunting wild beasts. Early and
+late he camped in the forest with hawk and hound, and good fortune
+always followed his hunting. But it chanced one day that he could
+rouse no game, although he had tried in every direction since morning.
+And then, when evening was coming on, and he was about to ride home,
+he saw a dwarf or wild man running through the forest before him. The
+king at once spurred on his horse, rode after the dwarf, seized him
+and he was surprised at his strange appearance; for he was small and
+ugly, like a troll, and his hair was as stiff as bean-straw. But no
+matter what the king said to him, he would return no answer, nor say a
+single word one way or another. This angered the king, who was already
+out of sorts because of his ill-success at the hunt, and he ordered
+his people to seize the wild man and guard him carefully lest he
+escape. Then the king rode home.
+
+Now his people said to him: "You should keep the wild man a captive
+here at your court, in order that the whole country may talk of what a
+mighty huntsman you are. Only you should guard him so that he does not
+escape; because he is of a sly and treacherous disposition." When the
+king had listened to them he said nothing for a long time. Then he
+replied: "I will do as you say, and if the wild man escape, it shall
+be no fault of mine. But I vow that whoever lets him go shall die
+without mercy, and though he were my own son!"
+
+The following morning, as soon as the king awoke, he remembered his
+vow.
+
+He at once sent for wood and beams, and had a small house or cage
+built quite close to the castle. The small house was built of great
+timbers, and protected by strong locks and bolts, so that none could
+break in; and a peephole was left in the middle of the wall through
+which food might be thrust.
+
+When everything was completed the king had the wild man led up, placed
+in the small house, and he himself took and kept the key. There the
+dwarf had to sit a prisoner, day and night, and the people came afoot
+and a-horseback to gaze at him. Yet no one ever heard him complain, or
+so much as utter a single word.
+
+Thus matters went for some time. Then a war broke out in the land, and
+the king had to take the field. At parting he said to the queen: "You
+must rule the kingdom now in my stead, and I leave land and people in
+your care. But there is one thing you must promise me you will do:
+that you will guard the wild man securely so that he does not escape
+while I am away." The queen promised to do her best in all respects,
+and the king gave her the key to the cage. Thereupon he had his long
+galleys, his "sea-wolves," push out from the shore, hoisted sail, and
+took his course far, far away to the other country.
+
+The king and queen had only one child, a prince who was still small;
+yet great in promise. Now when the king had gone, it chanced one day
+that the little fellow was wandering about the royal courtyard, and
+came to the wild man's cage. And he began to play with an apple of
+gold he had. And while he was playing with it, it happened that
+suddenly the apple fell through the window in the wall of the cage.
+The wild man at once appeared and threw back the apple. This seemed a
+merry game to the little fellow: he threw the apple in again, and the
+wild man threw it out again, and thus they played for a long time. Yet
+for all the game had been so pleasant, it turned to sorrow in the end:
+for the wild man kept the apple of gold, and would not give it back
+again. And when all was of no avail, neither threats nor prayers, the
+little fellow at last began to weep. Then the wild man said: "Your
+father did ill to capture me, and you will never get your apple of
+gold again, unless you let me out." The little fellow answered: "And
+how can I let you out? Just you give me back my apple again, my apple
+of gold!" Then the wild man said: "You must do what I now tell you. Go
+up to your mother, the queen, and beg her to comb your hair. Then see
+to it that you take the key from her girdle, and come down and unlock
+the door. After that you can return the key in the same way, without
+any one knowing anything about it."
+
+After the wild man had talked to the boy in this way, he finally did
+as he said, went up to his mother, begged her to comb his hair, and
+took the key from her girdle. Then he ran down to the cage and opened
+the door. And when they parted, the dwarf said: "Here is your apple of
+gold, that I promised to give back to you, and I thank you for setting
+me free. And another time when you have need of me, I will help you in
+turn." And with that he ran off on his own way. But the prince went
+back to his mother, and returned the key in the same way he had taken
+it.
+
+When they learned at the king's court that the wild man had broken
+out, there was great commotion, and the queen sent people over hill
+and dale to look for him. But he was gone and he stayed gone. Thus
+matters went for a while and the queen grew more and more unhappy; for
+she expected her husband to return every day. And when he did reach
+shore his first question was whether the wild man had been well
+guarded. Then the queen had to confess how matters stood, and told him
+how everything had happened. But the king was enraged beyond measure,
+and said he would punish the malefactor, no matter who he might be.
+And he ordered a great investigation at his court, and every human
+being in it had to testify. But no one knew anything. At last the
+little prince also had to come forward. And as he stood before the
+king he said: "I know that I have deserved my father's anger; yet I
+cannot hide the truth; for I let out the wild man." Then the queen
+turned white, and the others as well, for there was not one who was
+not fond of the prince. At last the king spoke: "Never shall it be
+said of me that I was false to my vow, even for the sake of my own
+flesh and blood! No, you must die the death you have deserved." And
+with that he gave the order to take the prince to the forest and kill
+him. And they were to bring back the boy's heart as a sign that his
+command had been obeyed.
+
+Now sorrow unheard of reigned among the people, and all pleaded for
+the little prince. But the king's word could not be recalled. His
+serving-men did not dare disobey, took the boy in their midst, and set
+forth. And when they had gone a long way into the forest, they saw a
+swine-herd tending his pigs. Then one said to another: "It does not
+seem right to me to lay hand on the king's son; let us buy a pig
+instead and take its heart, then all will believe it is the heart of
+the prince." The other serving-men thought that he spoke wisely, so
+they bought a pig from the swine-herd, led it into the wood, butchered
+it and took its heart. Then they told the prince to go his way and
+never return. They themselves went back to the king's castle, and it
+is easy to imagine what grief they caused when they told of the
+prince's death.
+
+The king's son did what the serving-men had told him. He kept on
+wandering as far as he could, and never had any other food than the
+nuts and wild berries that grow in the forest. And when he had
+wandered far and long, he came to a mountain upon whose very top stood
+a fir-tree. Said he to himself: "After all, I might as well climb the
+fir-tree and see whether I can find a path anywhere." No sooner said
+than done: he climbed the tree. And as he sat in the very top of its
+crown, and looked about on every side, he saw a large and splendid
+royal castle rising in the distance, and gleaming in the sun. Then he
+grew very happy and at once set forth in that direction. On the way he
+met a farm-hand who was ploughing, and begged him to change clothes
+with him, which he did. Thus fitted out he at last reached the king's
+castle, went in, asked for a place, and was taken on as a herdsman, to
+tend the king's cattle. Now he went to the forest early and late, and
+in the course of time forgot his grief, grew up, and became so tall
+and brave that his equal could not be found.
+
+And now our story turns to the king who was reigning at the splendid
+castle. He had been married, and he had an only daughter. She was
+lovelier by far than other maidens, and had so kind and cheerful a
+disposition that whoever could some day take her to his home might
+well consider himself fortunate. Now when the princess had completed
+her fifteenth year, a quite unheard of swarm of suitors made their
+appearance, as may well be imagined; and for all that she said no to
+all of them, they only increased in number. At last the princess said:
+"None other shall win me save he who can ride up the high Glass
+Mountain in full armor!" The king thought this a good suggestion. He
+approved of his daughter's wish, and had proclaimed throughout the
+kingdom that none other should have the princess save he who could
+ride up the Glass Mountain.
+
+And when the day set by the king had arrived, the princess was led up
+the Glass Mountain. There she sat on its highest peak, with a golden
+crown on her head, and a golden apple in her hand, and she looked so
+immeasurably lovely that there was no one who would not have liked to
+risk his life for her. Just below the foot of the hill all the suitors
+assembled with splendid horses and glittering armor, that shone like
+fire in the sun, and from round about the people flocked together in
+great crowds to watch their tilting. And when everything was ready,
+the signal was given by horns and trumpets, and then the suitors, one
+after another, raced up the mountain with all their might. But the
+mountain was high, as slippery as ice, and besides it was steep beyond
+all measure. Not one of the suitors rode up more than a little way,
+before he tumbled down again, head over heels, and it might well
+happen that arms and legs were broken in the process. This made so
+great a noise, together with the neighing of the horses, the shouting
+of the people, and the clash of arms, that the tumult and the shouting
+could be heard far away.
+
+And while all this was going on, the king's son was rambling about
+with his oxen, deep in the wood. But when he heard the tumult and the
+clashing of arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his
+hand, and became lost in thought. For it had occurred to him how
+gladly he would have fared forth with the rest. Suddenly he heard
+footsteps and when he looked up, the wild man was standing before him.
+"Thank you for the last time!" said he, "and why do you sit here so
+lonely and full of sorrow?" "Well," said the prince, "I have no choice
+but to be sad and joyless. Because of you I am a fugitive from the
+land of my father, and now I have not even a horse and armor to ride
+up the Glass Mountain and fight for the princess." "Ah," said the wild
+man, "if that be all you want, then I can help you! You helped me once
+before and now I will help you in turn." Then he took the prince by
+the hand, led him deep down into the earth into his cave, and behold,
+there hung a suit of armor forged out of the hardest steel, and so
+bright that a blue gleam played all around it. Right beside it stood a
+splendid steed, saddled and bridled, pawing the earth with his steel
+hoofs, and champing his bit till the white foam dropped to the ground.
+The wild man said: "Now get quickly into your armor, ride out and try
+your luck! In the meantime I will tend your oxen." The prince did not
+wait to be told a second time; but put on helmet and armor, buckled on
+his spurs, hung his sword at his side, and felt as light in his steel
+armor as a bird in the air. Then he leaped into the saddle so that
+every clasp and buckle rang, laid his reins on the neck of his steed,
+and rode hastily toward the mountain.
+
+The princess's suitors were about to give up the contest, for none of
+them had won the prize, though each had done his best. And while they
+stood there thinking it over, and saying that perhaps fortune would
+favor them another time, they suddenly saw a youth ride out of the
+wood straight toward the mountain. He was clad in steel from head to
+foot, with helmet on head, sword in belt and shield on arm, and he
+sat his horse with such knightly grace that it was a pleasure to look
+at him. At once all eyes were turned to the strange knight, and all
+asked who he might be; for none had ever seen him before. Yet they had
+had but little time to talk and question, for no sooner had he cleared
+the wood, than he rose in his stirrups, gave his horse the spurs, and
+shot forward like an arrow straight up the Glass Mountain. Yet he did
+not ride up all the way; but when he had reached the middle of the
+steep ascent, he suddenly flung around his steed and rode down again,
+so that the sparks flew from his horse's hoofs. Then he disappeared in
+the wood like a bird in flight. One may imagine the excitement which
+now seized upon all the people, and there was not one who did not
+admire the strange knight. All agreed they had never seen a braver
+knight.
+
+Time passed, and the princess's suitors decided to try their luck a
+second time. The king's daughter was once more led up the Glass
+Mountain, with great pomp and richly gowned, and was seated on its
+topmost peak, with the golden crown on her head, and a golden apple in
+her hand. At the foot of the hill gathered all the suitors with
+handsome horses and splendid armor, and round about stood all the
+people to watch the contest. When all was ready the signal was given
+by horns and trumpets, and at the same moment the suitors, one after
+another, darted up the mountain with all their might. But all took
+place as at the first time. The mountain was high, and as slippery as
+ice, and besides, it was steep beyond all measure; not one rode up
+more than a little way before tumbling down again head over heels.
+Meanwhile there was much noise, and the horses neighed, and the people
+shouted, and the armor clashed, so that the tumult and the shouting
+sounded far into the deep wood.
+
+And while all this was going on, the young prince was tending his
+oxen, which was his duty. But when he heard the tumult and the
+clashing of arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his
+hand, and wept; for he thought of the king's beautiful daughter, and
+it occurred to him how much he would like to take part and ride with
+the rest. That very moment he heard footsteps and when he looked up,
+the wild man was standing before him. "Good-day!" said the wild man,
+"and why do you sit here so lonely and full of sorrow?" Thereupon the
+prince replied: "I have no choice but to be sad and joyless. Because
+of you I am a fugitive from the land of my father, and now I have not
+even a horse and armor to ride up the mountain and fight for the
+princess!" "Ah," said the wild man, "if that be all you want, then I
+can help you! You helped me once before, and now I will help you in
+turn." Then he took the prince by the hand, led him deep down in the
+earth into his cave, and there on the wall hung a suit of armor
+altogether forged of the clearest silver, and so bright that it shone
+afar. Right beside it stood a snow-white steed, saddled and bridled,
+pawing the earth with his silver hoofs, and champing his bit till the
+foam dropped to the ground. The wild man said: "Now get quickly into
+your armor, ride out and try your luck! In the meantime I will tend
+your oxen." The prince did not wait to be told a second time; but put
+on his helmet and armor in all haste, securely buckled on his spurs,
+hung his sword at his side, and felt as light in his silver armor as a
+bird in the air. Then he leaped into the saddle so that every clasp
+and buckle rang, laid his reins on the neck of his steed, and rode
+hastily toward the Glass Mountain.
+
+The princess's suitors were about to give over the contest, for none
+of them had won the prize, though each had played a man's part. And
+while they stood there thinking it over, and saying that perhaps
+fortune would favor them the next time, they suddenly saw a youth ride
+out of the wood, straight toward the mountain. He was clad in silver
+from head to foot, with helmet on head, shield on arm, and sword at
+side, and he sat his horse with such knightly grace that a
+braver-looking youth had probably never been seen. At once all eyes
+were turned toward him, and the people noticed that he was the same
+knight who had appeared before. But the prince did not leave them much
+time for wonderment; for no sooner had he reached the plain, than he
+rose in his stirrups, spurred on his horse, and rode like fire
+straight up the steep mountain. Yet he did not ride quite up to the
+top; but when he had come to its crest, he greeted the princess with
+great courtesy, flung about his steed, and rode down the mountain
+again till the sparks flew about his horse's hoofs. Then he
+disappeared into the wood as the storm flies. As one may imagine, the
+people's excitement was even greater than the first time, and there
+was not one who did not admire the strange knight. And all were agreed
+that a more splendid steed or a handsomer youth were nowhere to be
+found.
+
+Time passed, and the king set a day when his daughter's suitors were
+to make a third trial. The princess was now once more led to the Glass
+Mountain, and seated herself on its highest peak, with the golden
+crown and the golden apple, as she had before. At the foot of the
+mountain gathered the whole swarm of suitors, with splendid horses and
+polished armor, handsome beyond anything seen thus far, and round
+about the people flocked together to watch the contest. When all was
+ready the suitors, one after another, darted up the mountain with all
+their might. The mountain was as smooth as ice, and besides, it was
+steep beyond all measure; so that not one rode up more than a little
+way, before tumbling down again, head over heels. This made a great
+noise, the horses neighed, the people shouted, and the armor clashed,
+till the tumult and the shouting echoed far into the wood.
+
+While this was all taking place the king's son was busy tending his
+oxen as usual. And when he once more heard the noise and the clash of
+arms, he sat down on a stone, leaned his cheek on his hand, and wept
+bitterly. Then he thought of the lovely princess, and would gladly
+have ventured his life to win her. That very moment the wild man was
+standing before him: "Good-day!" said the wild man, "And why do you
+sit here so lonely and full of sorrow?" "I have no choice but to be
+sad and joyless," said the prince. "Because of you I am a fugitive
+from the land of my father, and now I have not even a sword and armor
+to ride up the mountain and fight for the princess!" "Ah," said the
+wild man, "if that be all that troubles you I can help you! You helped
+me once before, and now I will help you in turn." With that he took
+the prince by the hand, led him into his cave deep down under the
+earth, and showed him a suit of armor all forged of the purest gold,
+and gleaming so brightly that its golden glow shone far and wide.
+Beside it stood a magnificent steed, saddled and bridled, pawing the
+earth with its golden hoofs, and champing its bit until the foam fell
+to the ground. The wild man said: "Now get quickly into your armor,
+ride out and try your luck! In the meantime I will tend your oxen."
+And to tell the truth, the prince was not lazy; but put on his helmet
+and armor, buckled on his golden spurs, hung his sword at his side,
+and felt as light in his golden armor as a bird in the air. Then he
+leaped into the saddle, so that every clasp and buckle rang, laid his
+reins on the neck of his steed, and rode hastily toward the mountain.
+
+The princess's suitors were about to give up the contest; for none of
+them had won the prize, though each had done his best. And while they
+stood there thinking over what was to be done, they suddenly saw a
+youth come riding out of the wood, straight toward the mountain. He
+was clad in gold from head to foot, with the golden helmet on his
+head, the golden shield on his arm, and the golden sword at his side,
+and so knightly was his bearing that a bolder warrior could not have
+been met with in all the wide world. At once all eyes were turned
+toward him, and one could see that he was the same youth who had
+already appeared at different times. But the prince gave them but
+little time to question and wonder; for no sooner had he reached the
+plain than he gave his horse the spurs, and shot up the steep
+mountain like a flash of lightning. When he had reached its highest
+peak, he greeted the beautiful princess with great courtesy, kneeled
+before her, and received the golden apple from her hand. Then he flung
+about his steed, and rode down the Glass Mountain again, so that the
+sparks flew about the golden hoofs of his horse, and a long ribbon of
+golden light gleamed behind him. At last he disappeared in the wood
+like a star. What a commotion now reigned about the mountain! The
+people broke forth into cheers that could be heard far away, horns
+sounded, trumpets called, horses neighed, arms clashed, and the king
+had proclaimed far and near that the unknown golden knight had won the
+prize.
+
+Now all that was wanting was some information about the golden knight;
+for no one knew him; and all the people expected that he would at once
+make his appearance at the castle. But he did not come. This caused
+great surprise, and the princess grew pale and ill. But the king was
+put out, and the suitors murmured and found fault day by day. And at
+length, when they were all at their wits' end, the king had a great
+meeting announced at his castle, which every man, high and low, was to
+attend; so that the princess might choose among them herself. There
+was no one who was not glad to go for the princess's sake, and also
+because it was a royal command, and a countless number of people
+gathered together. And when they had all assembled, the princess came
+out of the castle with great pomp, and followed by her maids, passed
+through the entire multitude. But no matter how much she looked about
+her on every side, she did not find the one for whom she was looking.
+When she reached the last row she saw a man who stood quite hidden by
+the crowd. He had a flat cap and a wide gray mantle such as shepherds
+wear; but its hood was drawn up so that his face could not be seen. At
+once the princess ran up to him, drew down his hood, fell upon his
+neck and cried: "Here he is! Here he is!" Then all the people laughed;
+for they saw that it was the king's herdsman, and the king himself
+called out: "May God console me for the son-in-law who is to be my
+portion!" The man, however, was not at all abashed, but replied: "O,
+you need not worry about that at all! I am just as much a king's son
+as you are a king!"
+
+With that he flung aside his wide mantle. And there were none left to
+laugh; for instead of the grey herdsman, there stood a handsome
+prince, clad in gold from head to foot, and holding the princess's
+golden apple in his hand. And all could see that it was the same
+youth who had ridden up the Glass Mountain.
+
+Then they prepared a feast whose like had never before been seen, and
+the prince received the king's daughter, and with her half of the
+kingdom. Thenceforward they lived happily in their kingdom, and if
+they have not died they are living there still. But nothing more was
+ever heard of the wild man. And that is the end.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     Very popular throughout the North is "The Princess on the Glass
+     Mountain." (Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 390, somewhat
+     abridged) who may be looked upon as a relative of the Brunhilde
+     of heroic legend, who may be brought down from her inaccessible
+     height only by the bravest of the brave. The "wild man" who
+     appears in the part of a magician to aid the hero, is a
+     familiar figure in Northern legend. King Harald Harfagr,
+     according to the "Book of Flateyar," released a "wild man" of
+     this kind from captivity at his father's court, when a boy of
+     five.
+
+
+
+
+XVII
+
+QUEEN CRANE
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a poor, poor boy. He went to the king and
+begged to be taken into service as a shepherd, and all called him
+"Sheep-Peter." While he was herding his sheep, he used to amuse
+himself with his crossbow. One day he saw a crane sitting in an
+oak-tree, and wanted to shoot her. The crane, however, hopped down
+further and further, and at last settled in the lowest branches. Then
+she said: "If you promise not to shoot me, I will help you whenever
+you are in trouble. You need only to call out: 'God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!'" With that the bird flew away.
+
+At length war broke out and the king had to take the field. Then
+Sheep-Peter came to the king and asked whether he might not be allowed
+to go along to war. They gave him an old nag to ride, and he rode into
+a swamp along the highway, and there the horse died. So he sat down
+and clicked with his tongue; but the horse would not move. And the
+people who rode by had their sport with him; while the youth pretended
+to feel sad.
+
+When the people had all passed by, the youth went to the oak in which
+the Queen Crane dwelt. Here he was given a black steed, a suit of
+brazen armor, and a silver sword. Thus he rode to battle and got there
+as quickly as he could wish. Then he said: "God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" With that he killed all the
+enemy and rode away again. But the king thought that an angel had come
+to help him, and wanted to hold him back. The youth, however, rode
+quickly back to the oak, took off his armor, went down to the swamp,
+and once more began to click to his horse. When the people rode by
+they laughed and said: "You were not along to-day, so you missed
+seeing how an angel came and killed all the enemy." And the youth
+pretended to feel sad, so sad.
+
+The following day the king once more had to take the field. And
+Sheep-Peter came to him and said he wanted to go along. So they gave
+him an old nag to ride, and he rode into a swamp beside the highway.
+Then he sat down and clicked with his tongue; but the horse would not
+move. When the people rode by they had their sport with him; but the
+youth pretended to feel sad, so sad. When the people had gone by, he
+went to the oak in which the Queen Crane dwelt, and was given a white
+steed, a suit of silver armor, and a golden sword. Thus equipped he
+rode to battle. When he arrived he said: "God aid me, and Queen Crane
+... and I will succeed!" But he had forgotten to say "stay by me," and
+so he was shot in the leg. But the king took out his handkerchief, and
+tied up his leg. Then the youth said once more: "God aid me, and Queen
+Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" And he slew all of the enemy.
+Then the king thought he was an angel from heaven, and wanted to hold
+him. But the youth rode quickly to the oak, took off his armor, and
+then went down to his nag in the swamp and tried to get it to move,
+while the soldiers were passing. They laughed and said: "You were not
+along to-day, and did not see how an angel came from heaven and killed
+all of the enemy." The youth pretended to be very sad.
+
+On the third day all happened as before. The king took the field. The
+youth was given a wretched nag and rode it into a swamp beside the
+highway. Then he began to click with his tongue but the nag would not
+go on, and the people who rode past laughed at him. He pretended to
+feel very sad; but when the people had passed, he went to the oak in
+which Queen Crane dwelt, and she gave him a red steed, a golden sword,
+and a golden suit of armor. Thus equipped he rode to war, and all
+happened as before. He said: "God aid me, and Queen Crane stay by me,
+and I will succeed!" and slew all the enemy. The king thought he was
+an angel from heaven and wanted to hold him back by all means; but the
+youth rode quickly to the oak, took off his armor, and rode down to
+the swamp where he had his three nags. He hid the king's handkerchief,
+and when the people passed by he was clicking with his tongue as
+usual.
+
+Now the king had three princesses, and they were to be carried off by
+three meer-women. So the king had it proclaimed that whoever could
+rescue them should receive one of them for a wife. When the day came
+on which the oldest princess was to be carried away, Sheep-Peter
+received a steed, a suit of armor and a sword from Queen Crane. With
+them he rode to the castle, fetched the princess, took her before him
+on his steed, and then lay down on the sea-shore to sleep. He had a
+dog with him as well. And while he slept the princess wove her
+hair-ribbon into his hair. Suddenly the meer-woman appeared, and she
+awakened him and bade him mount his steed. Many people had been
+standing there; but when the meer-woman appeared they all took fright,
+and climbed into tall trees. But the youth said: "God aid me, and
+Queen Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" And then he slew the
+meer-woman. Thereupon he rode quickly back to Queen Crane, took off
+his armor, and herded his sheep again. But among the on-lookers had
+been a nobleman, who threatened the princess, and forced her to say
+that he had rescued her. And from Sheep-Peter no one heard a word.
+
+On the following day the second princess was to be carried off. So
+Sheep-Peter went to Queen Crane, who gave him a steed, a suit of armor
+and a sword, and with them he rode to the castle, and fetched the
+second princess. When they reached the sea-shore the meer-woman had
+not yet appeared. So the youth lay down to sleep and said to the
+princess: "Wake me when the meer-woman comes, and if you cannot wake
+me, then tell my horse." With that he fell asleep, and meanwhile the
+princess wove a string of pearls into his hair. When the meer-woman
+came, the princess tried to wake him; but he would not wake up at all,
+and so she told the horse to waken him. And the horse did wake him.
+The great lords, however, who were standing about, climbed into the
+trees out of pure fright when the meer-woman appeared. The youth took
+the princess on his steed, cried: "God aid me, and Queen Crane stay by
+me, and I will succeed!" and with that he slew the meer-woman. Then he
+rode quickly back to Queen Crane, took off his armor, and led his
+flock out to pasture. But among the on-lookers had been a count, who
+threatened the princess, and said he would thrust her through with his
+sword if she did not swear he had rescued her. The princess did so out
+of fear; but from Sheep-Peter no one heard a word.
+
+On the third day the same thing happened. Sheep-Peter was given a suit
+of armor, a sword and a steed by Queen Crane, and fetched the youngest
+princess. When he lay down on the sea-shore to sleep, he said to her:
+"When the meer-woman comes, wake me, and if you cannot wake me, then
+tell the horse to wake me, and if the horse cannot wake me, then ask
+the dog to wake me." When the meer-woman came, neither the princess
+nor the horse was able to wake him, and they had to call the dog to
+help them. At last he woke up, took the princess on his horse, cried:
+"God aid me, and Queen Crane stay by me, and I will succeed!" and slew
+the meer-woman. Then he rode back again to Queen Crane, took off his
+armor and let his flock out to pasture.
+
+Not long after, the deliverers of the princesses were to come to the
+castle and be married. But first the king asked his daughters which of
+the three each wanted to have. So the oldest said: "The gentleman from
+court," and the second said: "the count," but the third said
+"Sheep-Peter." Then the king was very angry with his youngest
+daughter; for he did not believe for a moment that Sheep-Peter had
+delivered her. But she insisted and said she would take no one else.
+The king then presented an apple of pure gold to the count and the
+court gentleman; but Sheep-Peter got nothing.
+
+Now all three of them were to hold a three-days' shooting-match, in
+order to see which was the best shot; for the king hoped that
+Sheep-Peter would make a proper laughing-stock of himself, and drop
+far behind the others without any effort on their part. But
+Sheep-Peter was so good a marksman that he hit everything at which he
+aimed. And the very first day he shot a great deal, while the others
+shot but little. Then they bought the game he had shot from him, and
+gave him a golden apple for it. The same thing happened the second
+day, and thus he got the other gold apple. But when Peter came home on
+the evening of the first and second day, he had only a crow dangling
+from his blunderbuss. And when he met the king, he threw the crow to
+the ground and cried: "There is my whole bag!"
+
+On the third day all went as before. Sheep-Peter hit everything at
+which he aimed; but the others scored no hits. Then Sheep-Peter
+promised them all he had bagged, if they would let him write what he
+chose on their necks. They agreed to the bargain, and he wrote on the
+neck of each: "A thief and a rascal." Then all three went home, and
+again Peter had no more than a crow to show.
+
+At night all three of them slept together in one room. When they woke
+in the morning, the king came in to them, said good-morning, and asked
+how they were. But he was much surprised to see that Sheep-Peter was
+keeping them company. Then the youth said: "I was in the war, and slew
+all of the enemy!" "Ah!" said the king, "you did not do that, it was
+an angel from heaven; for you were sitting in the swamp." Then
+Sheep-Peter drew out the king's handkerchief, and then the king
+recognized him. Then the herdsman said: "I also delivered the
+princesses!" But the king would not believe that, and laughed at him.
+And then the youngest princess came along and told how it all had
+happened.
+
+And the youth took out the ribands of the other princesses, and the
+king had to believe that this, too, was true. Then, Peter continued:
+"I also shot all the game!" And again the king would not believe him
+and said: "Nonsense, why you never brought home anything of an evening
+but a wretched crow!" Then Peter produced the golden apples: "I was
+given this one for the first day, and the other for the second." "And
+what did you get for the third?" asked the king. Then the shepherd
+showed him what he had written on the necks of the other suitors. And
+when the king saw that, he had to believe him. And so he really got
+the youngest princess, and with her half of the kingdom, and after
+the king's death, all of it. But the two sham heroes got nothing at
+all, and had only their trouble for their pains.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Queen Crane" is also a very popular Northern fairy-tale. (From
+     the collection of Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens, communicated
+     by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund). It is another of those tales with a
+     presumably witless hero, but with a motive generally unknown: a
+     bird bestows weapons and armor on the poor boy; while
+     ordinarily this is done by a troll, a horse, or the spirit of
+     one departed.
+
+
+
+
+XVIII
+
+TALES OF THE TROLLS
+
+
+I
+
+A peasant from Jursagard in the parish of Hanger had gone to the
+forest the day before Christmas, and started out for home late in the
+evening. He had just about reached the Klintaberg when he heard some
+one call out: "Tell the malt-swine to come home, for her child has
+fallen into the fire!" When the peasant reached home, there stood his
+wife, who had been brewing the Yuletide ale, and she was complaining
+that though she brewed and brewed, it did not have the right flavor.
+Then he told her what had been shouted at him from the hill, and that
+very moment a troll-witch, whom they had not noticed before, darted
+down from the stove and made off in a great hurry. And when they
+looked closer, they found that she had left behind a great kettle full
+of the best malt, which she had gathered during the brewing. And that
+was the reason the poor woman had not been able to give her brew the
+right flavor. The kettle was large, made of ornamented metal, and was
+long preserved in Hanger. It was at length sold at auction in 1838,
+and melted down.
+
+
+II
+
+In former days, when a child came into the world, his mother was known
+as a "heathen," until she could take him to church to be christened.
+And it was not safe for her to leave the house unless she carried
+steel about her in some shape or form. Now once there was one of these
+"heathen" women in Norra Ryd, in the parish of Hanger, who prepared
+lunch for the mowers, and went out and called them in to eat. Then one
+of the mowers said to her: "I cannot come, for my sheaf is not yet
+bound." "I will bind it for you," said the woman. The mowers went in
+and ate, but saw no more of her. They went back into the field, and
+were about to take up their work again, but still neither saw nor
+heard her. They began to search, and hunted for a number of days; but
+all in vain. Time passed, till it was late in the fall. One day the
+weather was clear and sunny. To this very day there is a cotter's hut,
+called Kusabo, that stands on a hill named Kusas, and the cotter who
+lived there went to look for a horse. And there on the hillside he saw
+the woman sitting who had disappeared, and she was sewing. It was not
+far from Kusabo to Norra Ryd, so he recognized her at once. He said
+"O, you poor thing, and here you sit!" "Yes," said she, "but you must
+never mention it to Lars"--that was her husband--"for I shall never
+return from this place. Even now I am only allowed to sit outside for
+a little while."
+
+
+III
+
+Once upon a time a girl was hunting for berries on Kusabo mountain,
+and was taken into the hill. But she wept, night and day, which
+disgruntled the trolls, and they let her out again. But just as they
+were letting her out, one of the trolls hit her such a blow on the
+back that she was hump-backed for the rest of her life. She herself
+used to tell how she had been kept in the hill.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     Primitive faith and superstition are reflected in these three
+     "Tales of the Trolls" (communicated from mss. belonging to Dr.
+     v. Sydow-Lund). The first is also current in Norway; the others
+     tell of women who have been _bergtagen_, "taken into the
+     mountain." It is not so long since that every humped back,
+     every weak mind, in short, every ill that had no visible
+     explanation, was ascribed to the troll folk.
+
+
+
+
+XIX
+
+CHARCOAL NILS AND THE TROLL-WOMAN
+
+
+In the old days there lived on a headland that juts out into the
+northwestern corner of Lake Rasval, in the neighborhood of the Linde
+mining-district, a charcoal-burner named Nils, generally known as
+Charcoal Nils. He let a farm-hand attend to his little plot of land,
+and he himself made his home in the forest, where he chopped wood in
+the summer and burned it to charcoal in the winter. Yet no matter how
+hard he struggled, his work was unblessed with reward, and no one ever
+spoke of him save as poor Charcoal Nils.
+
+One day, when he was on the opposite shore of the lake, near the
+gloomy Harsberg, a strange woman came up to him, and asked whether he
+needed some one to help him with his charcoal burning.
+
+"Yes, indeed," said he, "help would be welcome." So she began to
+gather blocks of wood and tree-trunks, more than Charcoal Nils could
+have dragged together with his horse, and by noon there was enough
+wood for a new kiln. When evening came, she asked the charcoal-burner
+whether he were satisfied with the day's work she had done, and if
+she were to come back the next day.
+
+That suited the charcoal-burner perfectly, and she came back the next
+day and all the following ones. And when the kiln had been burned out
+she helped Nils clear it, and never before had he had such a quantity
+of charcoal, nor charcoal of so fine a quality.
+
+So she became his wife and lived with him in the wood for three years.
+They had three children, yet this worried Nils but little, seeing that
+she looked after them, and they gave him no trouble.
+
+But when the fourth year came, she grew more exacting, and insisted on
+going back to his home with him, and living with him there. Nils
+wished to hear nothing about this; yet since she was so useful to him
+in his charcoal-burning, he did not betray his feelings, and said he
+would think it over.
+
+It happened one Sunday that he went to church--where he had not been
+for many years, and what he heard there brought up thoughts he had not
+known since the innocent days of his childhood. He began to wonder
+whether there were not some hocus-pocus about the charcoal-burning,
+and whether it were not due to the forest woman, who aided him so
+willingly.
+
+Preoccupied with this and other thoughts, he forgot while returning to
+his kiln, that he had promised the strange woman at the very
+beginning, when she had first helped him, that, whenever he had been
+home and was returning to the kiln, he would rap three times with his
+ax against an old pine-tree not far from it. On this occasion, as we
+have said, he forgot the sign, and as a result he saw something that
+nearly robbed him of his wits.
+
+As he drew near the kiln, he saw it all aflame, and around it stood
+the three children and their mother, and they were clearing out the
+kiln. They were pulling down and putting out so that flames, smoke and
+ashes whirled sky-high, but instead of the spruce-branches that were
+generally used to put out the fire, _they had bushy tails which they
+dipped in the snow_!
+
+When Charcoal Nils had looked on for a while, he slunk back to the old
+pine-tree, and made its trunk echo to the sound of his three
+ax-strokes till one could hear them on the Harsberg. Then he went to
+the kiln, as though he had seen nothing, and all went on as before.
+The kiln was glowing with a handsome, even glow, and the tall woman
+was about and working as usual.
+
+As soon as she saw Charcoal Nils, she came back with her pressing
+demand that he take her home to his little house, and that they live
+there.
+
+"Yes, that shall come about," said Nils to console her, and turned
+back home to fetch a horse. But instead he went out on the headline
+of Kallernaes, on the eastern shore of Lake Rasval, where a wise man
+lived, and asked the latter what he should do.
+
+The old man advised him to go home and hitch his horse to his
+charcoal-wagon, but to hitch the horse in such wise that there would
+be not a single loop either in the harness or traces. Then he was to
+mount the horse and ride back to the kiln without stopping, have the
+troll-woman and her children get into the wagon, and at once drive out
+on the ice with them.
+
+The charcoal-burner did as the old man told him, saddled his horse,
+paying strict attention that there were no loops in saddle or bridle,
+rode across the ice through the wood to his kiln, and told the
+troll-woman and her children to get in. Then he quickly turned back
+through the wood, out on the ice, and there let his horse run as fast
+as he could. When he reached the middle of the lake, he saw a pack of
+wolves running along in the direction of Aboda-land, at the northern
+end of the lake, and heading for the ice. Then he tore the
+saddle-harness from the traces, so that the wagon with the troll-folk
+was left standing on the bare ice, and rode as fast as his horse could
+carry him for the opposite shore. When the trolls saw the wolves they
+began to scream.
+
+"Turn back, turn back!" cried the mother. "And if you will not for my
+sake, then at least do so for the sake of Vipa (Peewee), your youngest
+daughter!" But Charcoal Nils rode for the shore without looking back.
+Then he heard the troll-woman calling on others for aid.
+
+    "Brother in the Harsberg,
+    Sister in Stripa,
+    Cousin in Ringfels;
+    Take the loop and pull!"
+
+"There is no loop to pull!" came the answer from deep within the
+Harsberg. "Then catch him at Harkallarn." "He is not riding in that
+direction." The reply came from Ringfels.
+
+And indeed Charcoal Nils did not ride in that direction; but over
+stick and stone straight to his own home. Yet when he reached his own
+courtyard, the horse fell, and a shot from the trolls tore away a
+corner of the stable. Nils shortly after fell sick, and had to lie
+a-bed for a number of weeks. When he was well again he sold his forest
+land, and worked the little farm by the cottage until his death. So
+that was one occasion when the troll-folk came off second best.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "Charcoal Nils and the Troll-Woman" (Hofberg, p. 148. From
+     Vestmanland) we have the story of a strange union. Malicious as
+     the troll-folk are, when a marriage takes place between a
+     troll-woman and a human being, the woman is beyond reproach,
+     good and kind, the only reproach that can be made her is that
+     she is not a Christian.
+
+
+
+
+XX
+
+THE THREE DOGS
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a king who went forth into the world and
+fetched back a beautiful queen. And after they had been married a
+while God gave them a little daughter. Then there was great rejoicing
+in the city and throughout the country, for the people wished their
+king all that was good, since he was kind and just. While the child
+lay in its cradle, a strange-looking old woman entered the room, and
+no one knew who she was nor whence she came. The old woman spoke a
+verse over the child, and said that she must not be allowed out under
+the open sky until she were full fifteen years of age, since otherwise
+the mountain troll would fetch her. When the king heard this he took
+her words to heart, and posted guards to watch over the little
+princess so that she would not get out under the open sky.
+
+Some time afterward God gave the royal pair another little daughter,
+and again the whole kingdom rejoiced. But the wise old woman once more
+put in an appearance, and warned the king not to let the princess out
+under the open sky until she were full fifteen years of age. And
+then, after a time, God gave the royal pair a third daughter. This
+time, too, the old woman appeared, and repeated what she had already
+twice said. Then the king was much grieved; for he loved his children
+above everything in the world. Therefore he gave strict orders that
+the three princesses were always to be kept beneath the roof of the
+castle, and that none were to dare transgress against this command.
+
+Now a long time passed, and the king's daughters grew up and became
+the most beautiful maidens of whom one has ever heard tell. Then war
+broke out and the king, their father, had to leave them. One day,
+while he was away at war, the three princesses were sitting in the
+window and looking out, watching the sun shine on the little flowers
+in the garden. And they felt a great desire to play with the lovely
+flowers, and begged their guards to let them go into the garden for a
+little while. But this their guards would not allow, for they feared
+the king's anger. Yet the king's daughters pleaded so very sweetly
+that they could not deny their pleas and they let them have their way.
+But the princesses did not have long to walk about, for no sooner were
+they beneath the open sky, than a cloud came suddenly down, and bore
+them off, and all attempts to regain possession of them were
+fruitless; though search was made in every direction.
+
+Then the whole kingdom mourned and grieved, and one may imagine that
+the king was anything but happy when he returned home and learned all
+that had happened. Yet what is done cannot be undone, and in the end
+they had to resign themselves to it. And since the king knew of no
+other way to help himself, he had proclaimed throughout the kingdom
+that whoever would deliver his three daughters out of the power of the
+mountain troll should have one of them for his bride, and with her
+half of the kingdom. When this became known in foreign lands, many
+youths set forth with horses and followers to seek the princesses. At
+the king's court were two princes who also went forth to see whether
+fortune would be kind to them. They armed themselves in the best
+possible way with coats of mail and costly weapons, and bragged and
+boasted that they would not return without having done what they set
+out to do.
+
+And now we will let the king's sons ride out over the world on their
+quest, while we turn to other people. Far, far out in the wild wood
+there lived a poor widow, who had an only son who drove his mother's
+pigs to pasture every day. And as he crossed the fields, he whittled
+himself a flute, and amused himself playing it. And he played so
+sweetly that he warmed the cockles of the hearts of all those who
+heard him.
+
+Now it chanced that the young swine-herd once sat in the wood blowing
+his flute, while his three pigs were digging under the pine-roots. And
+an old, old man came along, with a beard so long and so broad that it
+hung far below his girdle. The old man had a large, powerful dog with
+him. When the youth saw the great dog, he thought to himself: "If a
+fellow had a dog like that to keep him company here in the wilderness,
+he might consider himself lucky." And when the old man noticed this,
+he began: "That is why I have come, for I want to exchange my dog for
+one of your pigs." The youth was at once willing, and closed the
+bargain. He received the great dog, and gave up the gray pig in place
+of it. Then the old man went his way. But as he left he said: "You
+have reason to be satisfied with our exchange, for that dog is not
+like other dogs. His name is 'Take Hold!' and whatever you tell him to
+take hold of he will seize, even though it were the grimmest of
+trolls." Thereupon they parted, and the youth thought that fortune had
+indeed favored him.
+
+In the evening he called his dog and drove his pigs home. But when his
+old mother heard that he had given away the gray pig for a dog, she
+was angry beyond measure, and gave her son a good drubbing. The youth
+told her to calm herself; but all in vain, the longer it lasted the
+more furious she became. Then, since he did not know what else to do,
+he called out to his dog: "Take hold!" At once the dog ran up, seized
+the old mother and held her so tightly that she could not move. But
+otherwise he did her no harm. And now she had to promise her son to
+make the best of the matter, and then they were friends once more.
+
+The following day the youth went to the wood again, with his dog and
+the two pigs. After a time he sat down and played his flute as usual,
+and the dog danced to his playing with such skill, that it was nothing
+short of a miracle. And as he was sitting there, the old man with the
+gray beard came out of the wood again, and with him another dog, no
+smaller than the first. When the youth saw the handsome beast he
+thought to himself: "If a fellow had that dog to keep him company here
+where it is so lonely, he need have no fear." When the old man noticed
+this, he began: "That is why I have come, for I want to exchange my
+dog for one of your pigs." The youth did not lose any time, but agreed
+to close the bargain. He received the great dog, and gave up one of
+his pigs in place of it. Then the old man went his way. Yet before he
+left he added: "You have reason to be well satisfied with your
+purchase, for this dog is not like the other dogs. His name is 'Tear!'
+and if you give him something to tear, he will tear it to pieces,
+even though it were the grimmest of trolls." Then they parted. But
+the youth was happy in the idea that he had made a capital exchange;
+although he knew that his old mother would not be content with it. And
+when evening came, and the youth went home, his old mother was no less
+angry than she had been before. But this time she did not venture to
+beat her son, because she was afraid of the great dogs. Yet, as is
+usual, when women have scolded long enough, they stop of their own
+accord--and that is what happened in this case. The youth and his
+mother made peace with each other; though the mother thought to
+herself that the damage done could not well be repaired.
+
+On the third day the youth went into the wood again with his pig and
+two dogs. He felt very happy, seated himself on a tree-stump and
+played his flute as usual. And the dogs danced to his playing with
+such skill that it was a pleasure to watch them. As the youth was
+sitting there in peace and quiet, the old gray-beard once more came
+out of the wood. This time he had a third dog with him, who was as
+large as both the others together. When the youth saw the handsome
+animal he could not help but think: "If a fellow had this dog to keep
+him company in the wilderness, he would have no cause for complaint."
+The old man at once began: "That is why I have come, in order to sell
+my dog, for I can see you would like to have him." The youth was at
+once willing and agreed to close the bargain. So he received the great
+dog and gave up his last pig in place of it. Then the old man went his
+way. Yet before he went he said: "You will be satisfied with your
+exchange, for this dog is not like other dogs. His name is 'Hark!' and
+his hearing is so keen that he hears everything that happens, though
+it be happening many miles away. He even hears the grass and the trees
+grow." Then they parted in the friendliest spirit. But the youth was
+happy in the thought that now he need fear nothing in the world. And
+then, when evening came on, and the swine-herd went home, his mother
+was very sad to think that her son had sold all they possessed. But
+the youth told her to be of good courage, since he would see to it
+that they did not suffer want. And when he spoke to her in such a
+cheerful manner, she grew content again, and decided that he had
+spoken in wise and manly fashion. Then when day dawned the youth went
+hunting with his dogs, and came back at evening with as much game as
+he could possibly carry. And he continued to go hunting in this way
+for a time until his old mother's store-room was well provided with
+meat and all sorts of good things. Then he bade his mother a fond
+farewell, called his dogs, and said he was going to wander out into
+the world and try his fortune.
+
+And he fared forth over mountains and tangled ways, and came into the
+heart of a sombre forest. There he met the gray-beard of whom I have
+already told you. And when he met him the youth was much pleased, and
+said: "Good-day, grandfather, and thanks for the last time!" And the
+old man replied: "Good-day to you, and whither away?" The youth
+answered: "I am wandering out into the world to see what fortune has
+in store for me." Then the old man said: "Keep right on going till you
+come to the royal castle, and there your fortune will take a turn."
+And with that they parted. The youth followed the old man's advice and
+for a time wandered on straight ahead. When he came to a tavern he
+played his flute and let his dogs dance, and was never at a lack for
+bed and board, and whatever else he might want.
+
+After he had wandered long and far, he at length came to a great city,
+whose streets were filled with people. The youth wondered what it all
+meant, and at last reached the spot where, to the sound of bell, the
+king's proclamation was being cried--that whoever should deliver the
+three princesses out of the power of the troll, would receive one of
+them, and half the kingdom as well. Now he understood what the old man
+had meant. He called his dogs, and went to the king's castle. But
+there all had been grief and mourning since the day the king's
+daughters had disappeared. And of them all the king and queen were the
+most sorrowful. Then the youth went to the keeper of the door, and
+asked him whether he might play and show his dogs before the king. The
+courtiers were willing, for they hoped it might make him feel more
+cheerful. So he was admitted and allowed to show his tricks. And when
+the king had heard him play, and had seen the skillful dancing of his
+dogs, he grew quite merry, and none had seen him as happy during all
+the seven long years that had passed since he had lost his daughters.
+
+When the dance was over, the king asked the youth what he asked as a
+reward for having given him such a pleasure. The youth answered: "My
+lord king, I did not come to you to win gold and gear. But I have
+another request to make: that you allow me to set out and search for
+your three daughters, carried away by a mountain troll." When the king
+heard this his thoughts once more grew gloomy, and he replied: "You
+need not even think of delivering my daughters. It is no child's play,
+and your betters have already attempted it in vain. Yet should it
+really come to pass that you deliver one of the princesses, you may be
+sure that I will not break my word." So he took leave of the king and
+set forth. And he decided to take no rest until he had found what he
+sought.
+
+Now he passed through many broad kingdoms without meeting with any
+special adventures. And wherever he went his dogs followed him.
+"Hark!" ran along and listened for anything worth hearing to be heard
+around them; "Take Hold!" carried his master's knapsack and "Tear!"
+who was the strongest, carried his master when the latter was weary.
+One day "Hark!" came running up hastily, and told his master that he
+had gone to a high mountain, and had heard the king's daughter, who
+sat within it and span, and that the troll was not at home. This
+greatly pleased the youth, and he hurried toward the mountain together
+with his three dogs. When they got there "Hark!" said: "There is no
+time to lose. The troll is only ten miles away, and I can already hear
+the golden horse-shoes of his steed ringing on the stones." The youth
+now ordered his dogs to break down the door into the mountain, and
+they did. And as he stepped into the mountain he saw a lovely maiden,
+sitting in the mountain-hall, winding a golden thread on a golden
+spindle. The youth went up and greeted the lovely girl. Then the
+king's daughter was much surprised and said: "Who are you that dare to
+venture into the giant's hall? During all the seven long years I have
+been sitting here in the mountain I have never yet seen a human
+being." And she added: "For heaven's sake hasten away before the
+troll returns home, or else your life will be forfeit!" But the youth
+was unafraid, and said that he would await the giant's return without
+fear.
+
+While they were talking together, the giant came riding along on his
+colt shod with gold. When he saw the gate standing open he grew
+furiously angry and shouted till the whole mountain shook: "Who has
+broken my mountain door?" The youth boldly answered: "I did, and now I
+shall break you as well! 'Take Hold!' seize him! 'Tear!' and 'Hark!'
+tear him into a thousand pieces." No sooner had he spoken than the
+dogs rushed up, fell upon the giant and tore him into countless
+pieces. Then the princess was happy beyond measure and said: "God be
+praised, now I am freed!" And she fell upon the youth's neck and gave
+him a kiss. But he did not wish to stay there any longer, saddled the
+giant's colt, loaded it with all the gold and gear he found in the
+mountain, and hastily went away with the king's beautiful daughter.
+
+They passed on together a long distance. Then, one day, "Hark!" who
+always ran ahead scouting, came quickly back to his master, and told
+him he had been near a high mountain, and had heard the king's second
+daughter sitting within it winding golden yarn, and that the troll
+himself was not at home. This was very welcome news for the youth, and
+he hurried toward the mountain with his faithful dogs. Now when they
+drew near "Hark!" said: "There is no time to lose. The giant is only
+eight miles away, and I can already hear the golden horse-shoes of his
+steed ringing on the stones." The youth at once ordered his dogs to
+break down the door into the mountain, no matter which way. And when
+he stepped into the interior of the mountain he saw a lovely maiden
+sitting in the mountain hall, winding golden yarn on a golden windle.
+The youth went up and greeted the lovely girl. The king's daughter was
+much surprised and said: "Who are you that dare to venture into the
+giant's hall? During all the seven years I have been sitting here in
+the mountain I have never yet seen a human being." And she added: "For
+heaven's sake, hasten away, for if the troll comes your life will be
+forfeit!" But the youth told her why he had come, and said that he
+would await the troll's return quite undisturbed.
+
+While they were still talking together, the giant came riding on his
+steed shod with gold, and drew up outside the mountain. When he
+noticed that the great door was open, he grew furiously angry, and
+shouted till the mountain trembled to its very roots. He said: "Who
+has broken my mountain door?" The youth boldly answered: "I have, and
+now I shall break you as well! 'Take Hold,' seize him! 'Tear!' and
+'Hark!' tear him into a thousand pieces!" The dogs at once rushed
+up, threw themselves upon the giant, and tore him into as many pieces
+as leaves fall in the autumn. Then the king's daughter was happy
+beyond measure and cried: "God be praised, now I am freed!" and she
+fell upon the youth's neck and gave him a kiss. But he led the
+princess to her sister, and one can imagine-how glad they were to see
+each other again. Then the youth packed up all the treasures he found
+in the mountain hall, loaded them on the giant's steed, and went his
+way with the king's two daughters. And they wandered along for a long
+time. Then, one day, "Hark!" who always ran ahead scouting, came
+hastily to his master and told him that he had been near a high
+mountain, and had heard the king's third daughter sitting within and
+weaving a web of gold, and that the troll was not at home. This
+was very welcome news for the youth, and he hastened toward the
+mountain, followed by his three dogs. When he drew near "Hark!" said:
+"There is no time to lose, for the giant is only five miles away. I
+can already hear the golden horse-shoes of his steed ringing on the
+stones." Then the youth at once ordered his dogs to break down the
+door into the mountain, by hook or by crook. And when he stepped into
+the mountain, he saw a girl sitting in the mountain hall, weaving a
+web of gold. But this maiden was lovely beyond all measure, with a
+loveliness exceeding all the youth had ever thought to find on earth.
+He now went up and greeted the lovely maiden. Then the king's daughter
+was much surprised and said: "Who are you that dare to venture into
+the giant's hall? During all the seven long years I have been sitting
+here in the mountain I have never yet seen a human being." And she
+added: "For heaven's sake, hasten away before the troll comes, or else
+your life will be forfeit!" But the youth was full of confidence, and
+said he would gladly venture his life for the king's lovely daughter.
+
+[Illustration: "HE SAW A GIRL SITTING IN THE MOUNTAIN HALL, WEAVING A
+WEB OF GOLD."]
+
+While they were still talking the giant came riding along on his colt
+shod with gold, and drew up at the foot of the mountain. When he went
+in he saw that uninvited guests had arrived, and was much frightened;
+for well he knew of the fate that had befallen his brothers. He
+therefore thought it advisable to fall back upon cunning and
+treachery, for he had not dared to venture on open battle. For that
+reason he made many fine speeches, and was very friendly and smooth
+with the youth. Then he told the king's daughter to prepare a meal in
+order to show his guest all hospitality.
+
+And since the troll knew so well how to talk, the youth allowed
+himself to be beguiled by his smooth words, and forgot to be on his
+guard. He sat down to the table with the giant; but the king's
+daughter wept secretly, and the dogs were very restless; though no
+one paid them any attention.
+
+When the giant and his guest had finished their meal, the youth said:
+"Now that I have satisfied my hunger, give me something to quench my
+thirst!" The giant replied: "On the mountain-top is a spring in which
+bubbles the clearest wine; but I have no one to fetch it." The youth
+answered: "If that be all that is lacking, one of my dogs can go up."
+Then the giant laughed in his false heart, for nothing suited him
+better than to have the youth send away his dogs. The youth ordered
+"Take Hold!" to go to the spring, and the giant handed him a great
+tankard. The dog went; yet it was easy to see that he did not go
+willingly; and the time passed and passed and he did not return.
+
+After a while the giant said: "I wonder why your dog stays away so
+long? Perhaps you would let another of your dogs go and help him; for
+the way is long and the tankard is heavy." The youth did not suspect
+any trickery and agreed. He told "Tear!" to go and see why "Take
+Hold!" had not yet come. The dog wagged his tail, and did not want to
+leave his master. But the youth did not notice it and drove him off
+himself. Then the giant laughed heartily, and the king's daughter
+wept, yet the youth paid no attention; but was merry and at his ease,
+played with his sword, and dreamed of no danger.
+
+Thus a long time passed; but nothing was heard of the wine nor of the
+dogs. Then the giant said: "I can see that your dogs do not do as you
+bid them, otherwise we should not have to sit here and thirst. I think
+it would be well if you let 'Hark!' go up and see why they do not come
+back." The youth agreed, and told his third dog to hurry to the
+spring. But "Hark!" did not want to, and instead crept whining to his
+master's feet. Then the youth grew angry and drove him off by force.
+And when he reached the top of the mountain he shared the fate of the
+others, a high wall rose round about him, and he was made a prisoner
+by the giant's magic power.
+
+Now that all three dogs were gone, the giant rose, and suddenly looked
+altogether different. He took down a long sword from the wall, and
+said: "Now I will do what my brothers did not do, and you must die at
+once, for you are in my power!" Then the youth was frightened, and he
+regretted he had allowed his dogs to leave him. He said: "I do not ask
+for my life, since in any event the time will come when I must die.
+But I would like to repeat the Lord's prayer, and play a psalm on my
+flute, for such is the custom in my country." The giant granted his
+prayer, but said that he would not wait long. So the youth kneeled and
+began to blow his flute till it sounded over hill and dale. And that
+very moment the magic wall was broken and the dogs were freed. They
+came rushing on like the storm-wind, and fell upon the mountain troll.
+The youth at once rose and said: "'Take Hold!', seize him! 'Tear!' and
+'Hark!' tear him into a thousand pieces!" Then the dogs flung
+themselves on the giant and tore him into countless pieces. Then the
+youth took all the treasures that lay in the mountain, hitched the
+giant's horses to a gilded wagon, and drove off as fast as he could.
+
+Now when the king's daughters met again there was great joy, as may
+well be imagined, and all thanked the youth for delivering them out of
+the power of the mountain trolls. But the youth fell deeply in love
+with the youngest princess, and they promised to be true to each
+other. So the king's daughters passed on their way with music and
+merriment of every kind, and the youth served them with all the honor
+and courtesy due maidens of gentle birth. And while they were underway
+the princesses toyed with the youth's hair, and each tied her golden
+ring in his locks for remembrance.
+
+One day while they were still underway, they met two wanderers, who
+were traveling the same road. The clothes of the two strangers were
+torn and their feet were sore, and their whole appearance showed that
+they had a long journey behind them. The youth stopped his wagon, and
+asked them who they were and whence they came. The strangers answered
+that they were two princes, and had gone forth to search for the three
+maidens in the mountain. But fortune had not favored them; and now
+they had to return home more like journeymen than kings' sons. When
+the youth heard this he felt sorry for the two wanderers, and asked
+whether they would like to ride with him in his handsome wagon. The
+princes thanked him profusely for his offer. They drove on together,
+and came to the kingdom over which the father of the princesses
+reigned.
+
+Now when the princes learned that the youth had delivered the king's
+three daughters, a great jealousy took possession of them, and they
+thought of how badly they had fared in their own venture. And they
+took counsel together as to how they might get the better of the
+youth, and win power and glory for themselves. But they hid their evil
+plot till a favorable opportunity offered for carrying it out. Then
+they suddenly threw themselves on their comrade, seized him by the
+throat and strangled him. And then they threatened to kill the
+princesses if they did not swear to keep silence. And since the king's
+daughters were in the power of the princes, they did not dare say no.
+But they felt very sorry for the youth who had given up his life for
+them, and the youngest princess mourned with all her heart, and all
+her happiness was at an end.
+
+After this great wrong the princes drove to the royal castle, and one
+may well imagine how happy the king was to get back his three
+daughters. In the meantime the poor youth lay like dead off in a gorge
+in the forest. Yet he was not quite dead, and his faithful dogs lay
+about him, kept him warm, and licked his wounds. And they did not stop
+until their master came back to life again. When he was once more well
+and strong he set out, and after many difficulties came to the royal
+castle in which the princesses dwelt.
+
+When he came in the whole court was full of joy and merriment, and
+from the king's hall came the sound of dancing and string music. That
+surprised him greatly, and he asked what it all meant. The serving-man
+answered: "You must come from far away, since you do not know that the
+king has regained his daughters who were in the power of the mountain
+troll. This is the oldest princess's wedding-day."
+
+The youth then asked after the youngest princess, and when she was to
+marry. But the serving-man said that she did not want a husband, and
+wept the live-long day, though no one knew why. Then the youth felt
+happy once more; for now he knew that she loved him, and had kept
+faith with him.
+
+The youth now went to the keeper of the door, and bade him tell the
+king that a guest had arrived who would add to the merriment of the
+wedding festivities by showing his dogs. This was to the king's
+liking, and he ordered that the stranger receive the best possible
+treatment. And when the youth stepped into the hall, the whole wedding
+company were astounded by his skill and his manly bearing, and all
+agreed that so handsome a youth was rarely seen. But no sooner had the
+king's three daughters recognized him, than they jumped up from the
+table, and flung themselves on his neck. And then the princes thought
+it best to make themselves scarce. But the king's daughters told how
+the youth had freed them, and the rest of their adventures; and to
+make quite certain they looked for their rings among his locks.
+
+Now when the king heard of the trickery and treachery the two strange
+princes had used, he grew very angry and had them driven ignominously
+forth from the castle. But he received the brave youth with great
+honor, as he had deserved, and he was married to the king's youngest
+daughter that selfsame day. After the king's death the youth was
+chosen king of all the land, and a gallant king he was. And there he
+lives with his beautiful queen, and is reigning there happily to this
+very day. And that is all I have to do with it.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "The Three Dogs" (Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens, p. 195. From
+     West Gotland). Fairy tales have a high opinion of the power of
+     music, for the magic of the flute-playing breaks the evil spell
+     of the troll, just as in the story of "Faithful and
+     Unfaithful," the sound of the fiddle makes the troll's golden
+     hall come out of the mountain.
+
+
+
+
+XXI
+
+THE POOR DEVIL
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a peasant, who led his cow to pasture in
+the spring, and prayed God to have her in His care.
+
+The evil one was sitting in a bush, heard him, and said to himself:
+"When things turn out well, they thank God for it; but if anything
+goes wrong, then I am always to blame!"
+
+A few days later the cow strayed into a swamp. And when the peasant
+came and saw her he said: "Look at that! The devil has had his finger
+in the pie again!"
+
+"Just what I might have expected," thought the devil in his bush. Then
+the peasant went off to fetch people to help drag the cow out. But in
+the meantime the devil slipped from his bush and helped out the cow,
+for he thought:
+
+"Now he will have something to thank me for, too."
+
+But when the peasant came back and saw the cow on dry land, he said:
+"Thank God, she's out again!"
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The little story of "The Poor Devil." (Bondeson, p. 212. From
+     Smaland) which shows him attempting to rival God, is at once
+     humorous and philosophical.
+
+
+
+
+XXII
+
+HOW SMALAND AND SCHONEN CAME TO BE
+
+
+The Smalanders declare:
+
+At the time when our Lord created the earth, he made a level and
+fruitful stretch of land, and that was Schonen. But the devil had been
+busy in the meantime, and had created Smaland, a barren region
+consisting mainly of hills and swamps. When our Lord saw it, it looked
+very hopeless to him, and he strewed the bits of earth that remained
+in his apron out over it, and created the Smalanders. They turned out
+to be a fine race of men, handsome and strong and able to take care of
+themselves in any situation. It is said to this very day, that if you
+take a Smalander and set him down on a rock in the sea, he will still
+manage to save himself. But in the meantime the devil had been down in
+Schonen, and had created the people who live there, and that is why
+they are so slow, boastful and servile. But the people of Schonen say:
+
+Once as our Lord and St. Peter were walking together, they heard a
+terrible commotion in a forest. "Go see what is happening there,"
+said our Lord. St. Peter went. And there was the devil and a
+Smalander, who were pummeling each other with might and main. St.
+Peter tried to separate them; but they paid no attention to him. So he
+took his sword and chopped off both their heads. And he told our Lord
+what he had seen and done: "No, that was not well done," the latter
+replied, "go and put back their heads where they were, and touch the
+wounds with your sword, and both will come to life again." St. Peter
+did so, but he exchanged heads. Since that time the Smalanders all
+have a bit of the devil about them, and those who know the devil, will
+tell you that he is more or less like the Smalanders.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The unfruitful district of Smaland and the lazy and servile
+     people of Schonen (as retold and communicated by Dr. v.
+     Sydow-Lund), are supposed to be creative efforts of the devil,
+     at least so the Danes and Swedes were wont to say, and Selma
+     Lagerloef has repeated it after them with variants. But the
+     people of Schonen lost no time in inventing a close
+     relationship between the Smalanders and the devil.
+
+
+
+
+XXIII
+
+THE EVIL ONE AND KITTA GRAU
+
+
+One day the devil met Kitta Grau:
+
+"Where have you been, old man?" asked Kitta Grau, for she recognized
+him.
+
+"Well," said the evil one, "I have been out on the farmstead where the
+newly wedded couple live. This is the third time I have tried to sow
+dissension between them; but they think so much of each other that it
+is a sheer impossibility."
+
+"You talk like a real stupid. That is something I could bring about
+the very first time I went there," said Kitta Grau.
+
+"If you can do that, you shall have a splendid pair of shoes," was the
+evil one's reply.
+
+"Mind you keep your word!" said Kitta, and turned toward the
+farmstead.
+
+There the woman was home alone; for her husband had gone to the
+forest. Kitta said to the young wife:
+
+"You really have a splendid husband."
+
+"And that is the truth," the woman replied, "for he grants my every
+wish before it is spoken."
+
+"But take my word for it," said Kitta, "there is still a bit of
+deceit in him. He has a pair of long hairs under his chin--if you
+could get at them with a razor, and cut them off while he is asleep,
+then he would be altogether without malice."
+
+"Well," said the woman, "if that will help, I will be sure to keep an
+eye open after dinner and attend to it, for then he always takes a
+little noon-day nap."
+
+Then Kitta Grau went out into the forest to the husband and bade him
+good-day.
+
+"You really have a very good wife," said Kitta.
+
+"She could not be bettered," replied the husband.
+
+"Well you might be mistaken for all that," said Kitta. "When you come
+home, be on your guard, for when you go to take your noon-day nap, she
+has in mind to cut your throat. So be sure not to go to sleep."
+
+The husband did not think much of the matter; but still he thanked
+Kitta Grau for her trouble.
+
+Then he went home and ate his dinner, laid down and pretended to fall
+asleep at once.
+
+Thereupon his wife went to his shaving-kit, took out his razor, went
+softly up to him and took hold of his chin with her hand.
+
+Up flew the man.
+
+"Do you want to murder me?" he cried, and gave his wife such a thump
+that she measured her full length on the floor.
+
+And from that day forward there was no peace in the house. Now Kitta
+Grau was to receive her reward from the evil one. But he was so afraid
+of her that he did not venture to give her the shoes until he stood on
+one side of a stream, while she stood on the other, and then he passed
+them over to her on a long pole.
+
+"You are ever so much worse than I am," he told Kitta Grau.
+
+The black man had made a bargain with a merchant. He had promised him
+that all goods which he might buy he should sell again within three
+weeks' time at a handsome profit. But, if he had prospered, after
+seven years had passed he was to be the devil's own. And he did
+prosper; for no matter what manner of old trash the merchant bought,
+and if it were no more than an old worn-out fur coat, he was always
+able to sell it again, and always at a profit.
+
+Kitta Grau came into his shop and showed him the handsome shoes the
+evil one had given her.
+
+So the merchant said:
+
+"May heaven keep me from him! He will surely fetch me when the time
+comes; for I have made a pact with him; and I have been unable to buy
+anything without selling it again in three weeks' time."
+
+Then Kitta Grau said: "Buy me, for I am sure no one will buy me from
+you!" And that is what the merchant did. He bought Kitta, had her
+disrobe and cover herself with tar, and roll in a pile of feathers.
+Then he put her in a glass cage as though she were a bird.
+
+Now the first week went by, and the second week went by, and the third
+week went by, and no one appeared who wanted to buy the curious bird.
+And then, in due time, came the evil one, and wanted to fetch his
+merchant.
+
+"Have patience," said the merchant, "I still have something I have
+bought, but have not been able to sell again in three weeks' time."
+
+"That is something I'd like to see," said the black man. Then the
+merchant showed him Kitta Grau, sitting in her glass cage. But no
+sooner had the evil one seen the handsome bird than he cried:
+
+"Oh, I see! It is you Kitta Grau! No one who knows you would buy you!"
+
+And with that he hurried on his way.
+
+Thus Kitta Grau could help do evil, and help do good.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     The story of "The Evil One and Kitta Grau." (Bondeson, p. 206.
+     From Halland) shows that it is child's play for an evil woman
+     to accomplish what the devil himself cannot do. Yet some one
+     has made an addition which redounds to Kitta's credit, and
+     which makes her one of the heroines of fairy-tale who know how
+     to take advantage of the evil one.
+
+
+
+
+XXIV
+
+THE LADY OF PINTORP
+
+
+Where to-day a castellate building towers between spreading parks and
+gardens on the noble estate of Eriksberg, there lay in ancient times a
+holding known as Pintorp; with which legend has associated the
+gruesome tale of the lady of Pintorp.
+
+In Pintorp--so the legend says--there dwelt a nobleman who, dying in
+his youth, left all his goods and gear to his widow. Yet instead of
+being a kind mistress to her many dependents, she exploited them in
+every way, and ill-treated them shamefully. Beneath her castle she had
+deep subterranean dungeons, in which languished many innocent people.
+She set vicious dogs at children and beggars, and if any one did not
+come to work at the right time, he was sure to go home in the evening
+with weals on his back.
+
+Once, early in the morning, when the men came to work, the Lady of
+Pintorp was standing on the castle steps, and saw a poor farm-hand
+belonging to the estate come too late. Foaming with rage, she
+overwhelmed him with abuse and reproaches, and ordered him to chop
+down the largest oak on the whole estate, and bring it, crown
+foremost, to the castle court before evening. And if he did not carry
+out her command to the very letter--so she said--she would drive him
+from his hut without mercy, and all that he had should fall to the
+estate.
+
+With heavy thoughts of the severe judgment passed upon him, the
+farm-hand went to the wood; and there he met an old man who asked him
+why he was so unhappy.
+
+"Because it is all up with me, if our Lord in His mercy do not help
+me," sighed the unfortunate man, and told of the task his mistress had
+imposed on him.
+
+"Do not worry," said the unknown, "Chop down this oak, seat yourself
+on the trunk, and Erik Gyllenstjerna and Svante Baner will take it to
+the castle."
+
+The farm hand did as the old man told him, began to hew to the line,
+and sure enough, at the third stroke the tree fell with a tremendous
+crash. Then he seated himself on the trunk, facing the crown, and at
+once the tree began to move, as though drawn by horses. Soon it rushed
+along so swiftly that posts and garden-palings flew out of the way
+like splinters, and soon they had reached the castle. At the moment
+the tree-top struck the castle-gate, one of the invisible bearers
+stumbled, and a voice was heard saying: "What, are you falling on your
+knees, Svante?"
+
+The Lady of Pintorp, who was standing on the steps, knew well who was
+helping the man; yet instead of feeling regret, she began to curse and
+scold, and finally threatened to imprison the farm-hand.
+
+Then the earth quaked so that the walls of the castle shook, and a
+black coach, drawn by two black horses, stopped before the castle. A
+fine gentleman, clad in black, descended from the coach, bowed to the
+lady and bade her make ready and follow him. Trembling--for she knew
+well who the stranger must be--she begged for a three years' respite;
+but the black gentleman would not grant her request. Then she asked
+for three months, and that he refused as well. Finally she begged for
+three weeks, and then for three days; but only three minutes were
+allowed her to put her house in order.
+
+When she saw there was no help for it, she begged that at least her
+chaplain, her chamber-maid, and her valet be allowed to accompany her.
+This request was granted, and they entered the carriage. The horses at
+once started off, and the carriage drove away so swiftly, that the
+people at the castle saw no more than a black streak.
+
+When the woman and her companions had thus driven a while, they came
+to a splendid castle, and the gentleman in black led them up the
+steps. Above, in the great hall, the woman laid off her costly
+garments and put on a coarse coat and wooden shoes. Then he combed her
+hair three times, till she could no longer bear it, and danced with
+her three times until she was exhausted.
+
+After the first dance the Lady begged to be allowed to give her golden
+ring to her valet, and it burned his finger like fire. After the
+second dance she gave her chamber-maid her bunch of keys, and that
+seared the girl's hand like red-hot iron. But after the third dance, a
+trap-door opened in the floor, and the Lady disappeared in a cloud of
+smoke and flame.
+
+The chaplain, who was standing nearest her, looked down curiously into
+the opening into which his mistress had sunk; and a spark shot up from
+the depths, and flew into his eye, so that he was blind in one eye for
+the rest of his life.
+
+When it was all over, the black gentleman allowed the servitors to
+drive home again; but expressly forbade them to look around. They
+hastily entered the coach, the road was broad and even, and the horses
+ran rapidly. But when they had gone a while, the chamber-maid could no
+longer control her curiosity, and looked around. That very minute
+horses, coach and the road itself were gone, the travellers found
+themselves in a wild forest, and it cost them three years to get out
+again, and make their way back to Pintorp.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "The Lady of Pintorp" (Hofberg, p. 157) the devil appears in
+     all his grewsome Satanic majesty. It has been claimed that the
+     evil woman was a historical figure, the wife of the royal
+     counselor Erik Gyllenstjerna.
+
+
+
+
+XXV
+
+THE SPECTRE IN FJELKINGE
+
+
+During the first half of the eighteenth century, several large estates
+in Schonen were the property of the family of Barnekow, or rather, of
+its most distinguished representative at that time, Margaret Barnekow,
+daughter of the famous captain and governor-general Count Rutger of
+Aschenberg, and the wife of Colonel Kjell Kristofer Barnekow. A widow
+at twenty-nine, she herself took over the management of her large
+properties, and gave therein evidence of invincible courage, an
+inexhaustible capacity for work, and a tireless solicitude for all her
+many dependents and servitors.
+
+While traveling about her estates, Madame Margaret one evening came to
+the tavern in Fjelkinge, and was quartered for the night in a room
+that had the name of being haunted. Some years before a traveler had
+lain in the same room and presumably had been murdered: at any rate
+the man himself and all his belongings had disappeared without leaving
+a trace, and the mystery had never been explained. Since that time the
+room had been haunted, and those who knew about it preferred to
+travel a post-station further in the dark, rather than pass the night
+in the room in question. But Margaret Barnekow did not do so. She had
+already shown greater courage in greater contingencies, and chose this
+particular room to sleep in without any fear.
+
+She let the lamp burn and fell asleep, after she had said her evening
+prayer. On the stroke of twelve she awoke, just as some planks were
+raised in the floor; and up rose a bleeding phantom whose head, split
+wide open, hung down on his shoulder.
+
+"Noble lady," whispered the specter, "prepare a grave in consecrated
+earth for a murdered man, and deliver his murderer to the judgment
+which is his due!"
+
+God-fearing and unafraid, Madame Margaret beckoned the phantom nearer,
+and he told her he had already addressed the same prayer to various
+other people; but that none had had the courage to grant it. Then
+Madame Margaret drew a gold ring from her finger, laid it on the
+gaping wound, and tied up the head of the murdered man with her
+kerchief. With a glance of unspeakable gratitude he told her the
+murderer's name, and disappeared beneath the floor without a sound.
+
+The following morning Madame Margaret sent for the sheriff of the
+district to come to the tavern with some of his people, informed him
+of what had happened to her during the night, and ordered those
+present to tear up the floor. And there they found, buried in the
+earth, the remains of a body and, in a wound in its head, the
+Countess's ring, and tied about its head, her kerchief. One of the
+bystanders grew pale at the sight, and fell senseless to the ground.
+When he came to his senses, he confessed that he had murdered the
+traveler and robbed him of his belongings. He was condemned to death
+for his crime, and the body of the murdered man was buried in the
+village church-yard.
+
+The ring, of peculiar shape, and its setting bearing a large gray
+stone, is still preserved in the Barnekow family, and magic virtues in
+cases of sickness, fire and other misfortunes are ascribed to it. And
+when one of the Barnekows dies, it is said that a red spot, like a
+drop of blood, appears on the stone.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "The Spectre in Fjelkinge" (Hofberg, p. 21) is founded on the
+     ancient belief that innocent blood which has been shed calls
+     for atonement, and the one who has been unjustly murdered
+     cannot rest until the deed has been brought to light.
+
+
+
+
+XXVI
+
+THE ROOSTER, THE HAND-MILL AND THE SWARM OF HORNETS
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a peasant who wanted to go to sell a pig.
+After he had gone a while, he met a man who asked him where he was
+going with his pig. "I want to sell it," answered the peasant, "but I
+do not know what to do to get rid of it." "Go to the devil," said the
+man, "he will be the first to rid you of it." So the peasant kept on
+along the broad highway.
+
+When he came to the devil's place, there stood a man out by the
+wood-pile making wood. The peasant went to him and asked whether he
+could tell him if they wanted to buy a pig in the devil's place. "I'll
+go in and ask," said the man, "if you will make wood in my stead while
+I am gone." "Yes, I will do that gladly," said the peasant, took the
+ax, stood at the wood-pile and began to make wood. And he worked and
+worked until evening came; but the man did not return to tell him
+whether they would or would not buy a pig in the devil's place.
+
+At length another man came that way, and the peasant asked him whether
+he would make wood in his stead, for it was impossible to lay down the
+ax unless another took it up and went on working. So the man took the
+ax and stood there making wood, and the peasant went into the devil's
+place himself, and asked whether any one wanted to buy a pig.
+
+A crowd as large as that at a fair at once gathered, and all wanted to
+buy the pig. Then the peasant thought: "Whoever pays the most, gets
+it." And one would overbid another, offering far more than a whole
+herd of pigs were worth. But at last a gentleman came along who
+whispered something to the peasant, and told him to come along with
+him; and he could have all the money he wanted.
+
+So when they had reached the gentleman's house, and the peasant had
+given him the pig, he received in payment a rooster who would lay
+silver coins as often as he was told to do so. Then the peasant went
+his way, well content with his bargain. But on the way home he stayed
+overnight at a tavern kept by an old woman. And he was so exceedingly
+happy about his splendid rooster, that he had to boast about him to
+the old woman, and show her how he went about laying silver coins. And
+at night, when the peasant was fast asleep, the old woman came and
+took away his rooster, and put another in its place. No sooner did
+the peasant awake in the morning than he wanted to set his rooster to
+work. "Lay quickly, rooster of mine! Lay big silver coins, my
+rooster!" But the rooster could lay no silver coins at all, and only
+answered "Kikeriki! Kikeriki! Kikeriki!" Then the peasant fell into a
+rage, wandered back to the devil's place, complained about the
+rooster, and told how absolutely worthless he was. He was kindly
+received, and the same gentleman gave him a hand-mill. When he called
+out "Mill grind!" to it, it would grind as much meal as he wanted it
+to, and would not stop until he said: "Mill, stop grinding!" And the
+mill would grind out every kind of meal for which he asked.
+
+When the peasant set out for home, he reached the same tavern at which
+he had already put up in the evening, so he turned in and decided to
+stay over night. He was so pleased with the mill that it was
+impossible for him to hold his tongue; so he told the old woman what a
+valuable mill he had, and showed her how it worked. But during the
+night, while he was asleep, the old woman came and stole his mill and
+put another in its place.
+
+When the peasant awoke in the morning, he was in a great hurry to test
+his mill; but he could not make it obey. "Mill grind!" he cried. But
+the mill stood still. Then he said: "Dear mill, grind wheat meal!"
+but it had no effect. "Then grind rye meal!" he shouted; but that did
+not help, either. "Well, then, grind peas!" But the mill did not seem
+to hear; but stood as still as though it had never turned a single
+time in all its life. Then the peasant took the road back to the
+devil's place again, and at once hunted up the gentleman who had
+purchased his pig, and told him the mill would grind no more meal.
+
+"Do not grieve about that," said the gentleman, and gave him a large,
+large hornets' nest, full of hornets, who flew out in swarms and stung
+any one whom they were told to sting, until one said "stop!" to them.
+Now when the peasant again came to the old woman, he told her he had a
+swarm of hornets who obeyed his commands. "Heavens above!" cried the
+woman, "that's something worth while seeing!" "You may see it without
+any trouble," replied the peasant, and at once called: "Out, out, my
+hornets and sting the old woman!" And at once the entire swarm fell
+upon the old woman, who began to scream pitifully. She begged the
+peasant to please call back his hornets, and said she was only too
+willing to give back the rooster and the mill she had taken.
+
+The peasant did not object to this; but ordered his hornets to leave
+the old woman alone, and fly back into their house. Then he went home
+with his rooster, his mill and his hornets, became a rich man and
+lived happily until he died. And he was in the habit of saying: "They
+have a big fair in the devil's place, and you find real decent people
+there, and above all, a liberal gentleman, with whom it is a pleasure
+to do business."
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     In "The Rooster, the Hand-Mill and the Swarm of Hornets" (Mss.
+     record by Stephens, from Wermland, communicated by Dr. v.
+     Sydow-Lund) a poor peasant received three splendid gifts in the
+     devil's place. The rooster who lays gold coins is a widely
+     known magic bird, and the magic mill is also met with in the
+     North.
+
+
+
+
+XXVII
+
+TORRE JEPPE
+
+
+In a church-nave a specter sat night by night, and the specter's name
+was Torre Jeppe. He was a dried-up corpse that could not decay. One
+night three tailors were working at a farmstead in the neighborhood.
+They were laughing and joking, and among other things they asked the
+girl in the house, who was known to be brave, what they would have to
+give her to go to church and fetch back Torre Jeppe. She could trust
+herself to do it, was her answer; but they must give her a dress of
+home-spun wool for her trouble. That she should surely have, said the
+tailors, for they did not believe the girl would dare such a venture.
+Yet she took the tailors at their word and really went.
+
+When she reached the church, she took Torre Jeppe on her back, carried
+him home and sat him down on the bench beside the tailors. They
+timidly moved away; but Torre Jeppe moved after them, and looked at
+them with his big eyes until they nearly lost their reason. In their
+terror they begged the girl in the name of God to deliver them from
+the specter. They would gladly give her another dress if she would
+only carry the dead man away again. They had no need to tell her
+twice, for she took Torre Jeppe on her back, and dragged him away
+again.
+
+But when she tried to set him down in the place where she had found
+him, he did not want to let her go; but clasped his arms firmly about
+her neck. In vain she said to him several times: "Torre Jeppe, let me
+go!" At last he said: "I will not let you go until you promise me that
+you will go this very night to the brook and ask three times: 'Anna
+Perstochter, do you forgive Torre Jeppe?'" The girl promised to do as
+he said, and he at once released her. The brook was a good mile off;
+but she went there and asked three times in a loud voice, as she had
+promised: "Anna Perstochter, do you forgive Torre Jeppe?" And when she
+had called the third time a woman's voice replied from out of the
+water: "If God has forgiven him, then I, too, forgive him!"
+
+When the girl came back to the church Torre Jeppe asked eagerly: "What
+did she say?" "Well, if God has forgiven you, then she, too, will
+forgive you!" Then Torre Jeppe thanked her and said: "Come back again
+before sunrise, and you shall receive your reward for the service you
+have done me." The girl went back at sunrise, and in the place where
+the phantom had been sitting she found a bushel of silver coin. In
+addition she received the two dresses promised her by the tailors. But
+Torre Jeppe was never seen again.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     "Torre Jeppe" (retold and communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund,
+     after mss. version of Hylten-Cavallius and Stephens) is a
+     ghost-story founded on the old belief that a wrong done
+     torments the doer even after death, that he tried to atone for
+     it, and that then only can he enter on his eternal rest.
+
+
+
+
+XXVIII
+
+THE MAN WHO DIED ON HOLY INNOCENTS' DAY
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a man named Kalle Kula. He was a wild
+fellow, and had committed many a grievous crime during his life. When
+he came to die, and his wife took up the Bible to pray for him as he
+was lying there, he said, "No, this is Holy Innocents' Day, and it is
+not worth while reading from the Bible for me. You had better go into
+the kitchen instead, and bake waffles. I shall die this very day, and
+then you must lay a bundle of waffles in my coffin." The woman went
+into the kitchen and baked the waffles; but when she came back to him
+again he was dead. So Kalle Kula was laid in the coffin with a bundle
+of waffles beside him.
+
+Then he came to the gates of Paradise with his little bundle of
+waffles under his arm and knocked. But St. Peter said to him: "You
+have no business here, with all the crimes you have committed." "Yes,
+that may well be so, but I died on Holy Innocents' Day," said Kalle
+Kula, "so at least I may look in and see the innocent children?" St.
+Peter could not refuse him, and opened the door a little way. Kalle
+Kula took advantage of the moment and cried: "Come, you little holy
+innocents, you shall have waffles!" And as they had not been given any
+waffles in Paradise, they all came rushing up, so that the door flew
+wide open, and then Kalle Kula crept in.
+
+But St. Peter went to our Lord, told him what had happened, and asked
+what was to be done. "The best thing is to let your lawyer attend to
+it," said our Lord, "because lawyers usually know all about evicting
+people." St. Peter searched everywhere, but could not find a lawyer.
+Then he went back to our Lord and reported to him that it was
+impossible to find a single lawyer in all Paradise, and Kalle Kula was
+allowed to remain where he was.
+
+If you tie a thief and a miller and a lawyer together and roll the
+whole bundle down a hill--no matter how you roll it--you can always be
+sure that whoever is on top is a thief.
+
+
+NOTE
+
+     This story, part fairy-tale, part legend, "The Man Who Died on
+     Holy Innocents' Day" (communicated by Dr. v. Sydow-Lund) has a
+     Danish variant. Its innocently malicious humor is worthy of
+     Gottfried Keller.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Swedish Fairy Book, by Various
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