第19章

Inthenightthekingsentforhisyoungestdaughter，andasshedidnotcomehesentagain;butshedidnotcomeanythemoreforthat。Thequeen，whowasawitch，discoveredthatherdaughterhadgoneoffwiththeprince，andtoldherhusbandhemustleavehisbedandgoafterthem。Thekinggotslowlyup，groaningwithpain，anddraggedhimselftothestables，wherehesawtheleanhorsestillinhisstall。

Leapingonhisbackheshookthereins，andhisdaughter，whoknewwhattoexpectandhadhereyesopen，sawthehorsestartforward，andinthetwinklingofaneyechangedherownsteedintoacell，theprinceintoahermit，andherselfintoanun。

Whenthekingreachedthechapel，hepulleduphishorseandaskedifagirlandayoungmanhadpassedthatway。Thehermitraisedhiseyes，whichwerebentontheground，andsaidthathehadnotseenalivingcreature。Theking，muchdisgustedatthisnews，andnotknowingwhattodo，returnedhomeandtoldhiswifethat，thoughhehadriddenformiles，hehadcomeacrossnothingbutahermitandanuninacell。

’Whythoseweretherunaways，ofcourse，’shecried，flyingintoapassion，’andifyouhadonlybroughtascrapofthenun’sdress，orabitofstonefromthewall，Ishouldhavehadtheminmypower。’

Atthesewordsthekinghastenedbacktothestable，andbroughtouttheleanhorsewhotravelledquickerthanthought。Buthisdaughtersawhimcoming，andchangedherhorseintoaplotofground，herselfintoarose—treecoveredwithroses，andtheprinceintoagardener。Asthekingrodeup，thegardenerlookedupfromthetreewhichhewastrimmingandaskedifanythingwasthematter。’Haveyouseenayoungmanandagirlgoby？’saidtheking，andthegardenershookhisheadandrepliedthatnoonehadpassedthatwaysincehehadbeenworkingthere。Sothekingturnedhisstepshomewardsandtoldhiswife。

’Idiot！’criedshe，’ifyouhadonlybroughtmeoneoftheroses，orahandfulofearth，Ishouldhavehadtheminmypower。Butthereisnotimetowaste。Ishallhavetogowithyoumyself。’

Thegirlsawthemfromafar，andagreatfearfellonher，forsheknewhermother’sskillinmagicofallkinds。However，shedeterminedtofighttotheend，andchangedthehorseintoadeeppool，herselfintoaneel，andtheprinceintoaturtle。Butitwasnouse。Hermotherrecognisedthemall，and，pullingup，askedherdaughterifshedidnotrepentandwouldnotliketocomehomeagain。Theeelwagged’No’withhertail，andthequeentoldherhusbandtoputadropofwaterfromthepoolintoabottle，becauseitwasonlybythatmeansthatshecouldseizeholdofherdaughter。Thekingdidashewasbid，andwasjustintheactofdrawingthebottleoutofthewaterafterhehadfilledit，whentheturtleknockedagainstandspiltitall。Thekingthenfilleditasecondtime，butagaintheturtlewastooquickforhim。

Thequeensawthatshewasbeaten，andcalleddownacurseonherdaughterthattheprinceshouldforgetallabouther。Afterhavingrelievedherfeelingsinthismanner，sheandthekingwentbacktothepalace。

Theothersresumedtheirpropershapesandcontinuedtheirjourney，buttheprincesswassosilentthatatlasttheprinceaskedherwhatwasthematter。’ItisbecauseIknowyouwillsoonforgetallaboutme，’saidshe，andthoughhelaughedatherandtoldheritwasimpossible，shedidnotceasetobelieveit。

Theyrodeonandonandon，tilltheyreachedtheendoftheworld，wheretheprincelived，andleavingthegirlinaninnhewenthimselftothepalacetoaskleaveofhisfathertopresenthertohimashisbride;butinhisjoyatseeinghisfamilyoncemoreheforgotallabouther，andevenlistenedwhenthekingspokeofarrangingamarriageforhim。

Whenthepoorgirlheardthissheweptbitterly，andcriedout，’Cometome，mysisters，forIneedyoubadly！’

Inamomenttheystoodbesideher，andtheelderonesaid，’Donotbesad，allwillgowell，’andtheytoldtheinnkeeperthatifanyoftheking’sservantswantedanybirdsfortheirmastertheyweretobesentuptothem，astheyhadthreedovesforsale。

Andsoitfellout，andasthedoveswereverybeautifultheservantboughtthemfortheking，whoadmiredthemsomuchthathecalledhissontolookatthem。Theprincewasmuchpleasedwiththedovesandwascoaxingthemtocometohim，whenoneflutteredontothetopofthewindowandsaid，’Ifyoucouldonlyhearusspeak，youwouldadmireusstillmore。’

Andanotherperchedonatableandadded，’Talkaway，itmighthelphimtoremember！’

Andthethirdflewonhisshoulderandwhisperedtohim，’Putonthisring，prince，andseeifitfitsyou。’

Anditdid。Thentheyhungacollarroundhisneck，andheldafeatheronwhichwaswrittenthenameofthedove。Andatlasthismemorycamebacktohim，andhedeclaredhewouldmarrytheprincessandnobodyelse。Sothenextdaytheweddingtookplace，andtheylivedhappytilltheydied。

[FromthePortuguese。]

VIRGILIUSTHESORCERER

Long，longagotherewasborntoaRomanknightandhiswifeMajaalittleboycalledVirgilius。Whilehewasstillquitelittle，hisfatherdied，andthekinsmen，insteadofbeingahelpandprotectiontothechildandhismother，robbedthemoftheirlandsandmoney，andthewidow，fearingthattheymighttaketheboy’slifealso，senthimawaytoSpain，thathemightstudyinthegreatUniversityofToledo。

Virgiliuswasfondofbooks，andporedoverthemalldaylong。

Butoneafternoon，whentheboysweregivenaholiday，hetookalongwalk，andfoundhimselfinaplacewherehehadneverbeenbefore。Infrontofhimwasacave，and，asnoboyeverseesacavewithoutenteringit，hewentin。ThecavewassodeepthatitseemedtoVirgiliusasifitmustrunfarintotheheartofthemountain，andhethoughthewouldliketoseeifitcameoutanywhereontheotherside。Forsometimehewalkedoninpitchdarkness，buthewentsteadilyon，andby—and—byaglimmeroflightshotacrossthefloor，andheheardavoicecalling，’Virgilius！Virgilius！’

’Whocalls？’heasked，stoppingandlookinground。

’Virgilius！’answeredthevoice，’doyoumarkuponthegroundwhereyouarestandingaslideorbolt？’

’Ido，’repliedVirgilius。

’Then，’saidthevoice，’drawbackthatbolt，andsetmefree。’

’Butwhoareyou？’askedVirgilius，whoneverdidanythinginahurry。

’Iamanevilspirit，’saidthevoice，’shutupheretillDoomsday，unlessamansetsmefree。IfyouwillletmeoutI

willgiveyousomemagicbooks，whichwillmakeyouwiserthananyotherman。’

NowVirgiliuslovedwisdom，andwastemptedbythesepromises，butagainhisprudencecametohisaid，andhedemandedthatthebooksshouldbehandedovertohimfirst，andthatheshouldbetoldhowtousethem。Theevilspirit，unabletohelpitself，didasVirgiliusbadehim，andthentheboltwasdrawnback。

Underneathwasasmallhole，andoutofthistheevilspiritgraduallywriggledhimself;butittooksometime，forwhenatlasthestooduponthegroundheprovedtobeaboutthreetimesaslargeasVirgiliushimself，andcoalblackbesides。

’Why，youcan’thavebeenasbigasthatwhenyouwereinthehole！’criedVirgilius。

’ButIwas！’repliedthespirit。

’Idon’tbelieveit！’answeredVirgilius。

’Well，I’lljustgetinandshowyou，’saidthespirit，andafterturningandtwisting，andcurlinghimselfup，thenhelayneatlypackedintothehole。ThenVirgiliusdrewthebolt，and，pickingthebooksupunderhisarm，heleftthecave。

ForthenextfewweeksVirgiliushardlyateorslept，sobusywasheinlearningthemagicthebookscontained。ButattheendofthattimeamessengerfromhismotherarrivedinToledo，begginghimtocomeatoncetoRome，asshehadbeenill，andcouldlookaftertheiraffairsnolonger。

ThoughsorrytoleaveToledo，wherehewasmuchthoughtofasshowingpromiseofgreatlearning，Virgiliuswouldwillinglyhavesetoutatonce，butthereweremanythingshehadfirsttoseeto。Soheentrustedtothemessengerfourpack—horsesladenwithpreciousthings，andawhitepalfreyonwhichshewastorideouteveryday。Thenhesetabouthisownpreparations，and，followedbyalargetrainofscholars，heatlengthstartedforRome，fromwhichhehadbeenabsenttwelveyears。

Hismotherwelcomedhimbackwithtearsinhereyes，andhispoorkinsmenpressedroundhim，buttherichoneskeptaway，fortheyfearedthattheywouldnolongerbeabletorobtheirkinsmanastheyhaddoneformanyyearspast。Ofcourse，Virgiliuspaidnoattentiontothisbehaviour，thoughhenoticedtheylookedwithenvyontherichpresentshebestowedonthepoorerrelationsandonanyonewhohadbeenkindtohismother。

Soonafterthishadhappenedtheseasonoftax—gatheringcameround，andeveryonewhoownedlandwasboundtopresenthimselfbeforetheemperor。Liketherest，Virgiliuswenttocourt，anddemandedjusticefromtheemperoragainstthemenwhohadrobbedhim。Butasthesewerekinsmentotheemperorhegainednothing，astheemperortoldhimhewouldthinkoverthematterforthenextfouryears，andthengivejudgment。ThisreplynaturallydidnotsatisfyVirgilius，and，turningonhisheel，hewentbacktohisownhome，and，gatheringinhisharvest，hestoreditupinhisvarioushouses。

WhentheenemiesofVirgiliusheardofthis，theyassembledtogetherandlaidsiegetohiscastle。ButVirgiliuswasamatchforthem。Comingforthfromthecastlesoastomeetthemfacetoface，hecastaspelloverthemofsuchpowerthattheycouldnotmove，andthenbadethemdefiance。Afterwhichheliftedthespell，andtheinvadingarmyslunkbacktoRome，andreportedwhatVirgiliushadsaidtotheemperor。

Nowtheemperorwasaccustomedtohavehislightestwordobeyed，almostbeforeitwasuttered，andhehardlyknewhowtobelievehisears。Buthegottogetheranotherarmy，andmarchedstraightofftothecastle。ButdirectlytheytookuptheirpositionVirgiliusgirdedthemaboutwithagreatriver，sothattheycouldneithermovehandnorfoot，then，hailingtheemperor，heofferedhimpeace，andaskedforhisfriendship。Theemperor，however，wastooangrytolistentoanything，soVirgilius，whosepatiencewasexhausted，feastedhisownfollowersinthepresenceofthestarvinghost，whocouldnotstirhandorfoot。

Thingsseemedgettingdesperate，whenamagicianarrivedinthecampandofferedtosellhisservicestotheemperor。Hisproposalsweregladlyaccepted，andinamomentthewholeofthegarrisonsankdownasiftheyweredead，andVirgiliushimselfhadmuchadotokeepawake。Hedidnotknowhowtofightthemagician，butwithagreateffortstruggledtoopenhisBlackBook，whichtoldhimwhatspellstouse。Inaninstantallhisfoesseemedturnedtostone，andwhereeachmanwastherehestayed。Somewerehalfwayuptheladders，somehadonefootoverthewall，butwherevertheymightchancetobethereeverymanremained，eventheemperorandhissorcerer。Alldaytheystayedtherelikefliesuponthewall，butduringthenightVirgiliusstolesoftlytotheemperor，andofferedhimhisfreedom，aslongashewoulddohimjustice。Theemperor，whobythistimewasthoroughlyfrightened，saidhewouldagreetoanythingVirgiliusdesired。SoVirgiliustookoffhisspells，and，afterfeastingthearmyandbestowingoneverymanagift，badethemreturntoRome。Andmorethanthat，hebuiltasquaretowerfortheemperor，andineachcornerallthatwassaidinthatquarterofthecitymightbeheard，whileifyoustoodinthecentreeverywhisperthroughoutRomewouldreachyourears。

Havingsettledhisaffairswiththeemperorandhisenemies，Virgiliushadtimetothinkofotherthings，andhisfirstactwastofallinlove！Thelady’snamewasFebilla，andherfamilywasnoble，andherfacefairerthananyinRome，butsheonlymockedVirgilius，andwasalwaysplayingtricksuponhim。Tothisend，shebadehimonedaycometovisitherinthetowerwhereshelived，promisingtoletdownabaskettodrawhimupasfarastheroof。Virgiliuswasenchantedatthisquiteunexpectedfavour，andsteppedwithgleeintothebasket。Itwasdrawnupveryslowly，andby—and—bycamealtogethertoastandstill，whilefromaboverangthevoiceofFebillacrying，’Rogueofasorcerer，thereshaltthouhang！’Andtherehehungoverthemarket—place，whichwassoonthrongedwithpeople，whomadefunofhimtillhewasmadwithrage。Atlasttheemperor，hearingofhisplight，commandedFebillatoreleasehim，andVirgiliuswenthomevowingvengeance。

ThenextmorningeveryfireinRomewentout，andastherewerenomatchesinthosedaysthiswasaveryseriousmatter。Theemperor，guessingthatthiswastheworkofVirgilius，besoughthimtobreakthespell。ThenVirgiliusorderedascaffoldtobeerectedinthemarket—place，andFebillatobebroughtclothedinasinglewhitegarment。Andfurther，hebadeeveryonetosnatchfirefromthemaiden，andtosuffernoneighbourtokindleit。Andwhenthemaidenappeared，cladinherwhitesmock，flamesoffirecurledabouther，andtheRomansbroughtsometorches，andsomestraw，andsomeshavings，andfireswerekindledinRomeagain。

Forthreedaysshestoodthere，tilleveryhearthinRomewasalight，andthenshewassufferedtogowhereshewould。

ButtheemperorwaswrothatthevengeanceofVirgilius，andthrewhimintoprison，vowingthatheshouldbeputtodeath。

AndwheneverythingwasreadyhewasledouttotheViminalHill，wherehewastodie。

Hewentquietlywithhisguards，butthedaywashot，andonreachinghisplaceofexecutionhebeggedforsomewater。Apailwasbrought，andhe，crying’Emperor，allhail！seekformeinSicily，’jumpedheadlongintothepail，andvanishedfromtheirsight。

ForsometimewehearnomoreofVirgilius，orhowhemadehispeacewiththeemperor，butthenexteventinhishistorywashisbeingsentfortothepalacetogivetheemperoradvicehowtoguardRomefromfoeswithinaswellasfoeswithout。Virgiliusspentmanydaysindeepthought，andatlengthinventedaplanwhichwasknowntoallasthe’PreservationofRome。’

OntheroofoftheCapitol，whichwasthemostfamouspublicbuildinginthecity，hesetupstatuesrepresentingthegodsworshippedbyeverynationsubjecttoRome，andinthemiddlestoodthegodofRomeherself。Eachoftheconqueredgodsheldinitshandabell，andiftherewasevenathoughtoftreasoninanyofthecountriesitsgodturneditsbackuponthegodofRomeandrangitsbellfuriously，andthesenatorscamehurryingtoseewhowasrebellingagainstthemajestyoftheempire。Thentheymadereadytheirarmies，andmarchedagainstthefoe。

NowtherewasacountrywhichhadlongfeltbitterjealousyofRome，andwasanxiousforsomewayofbringingaboutitsdestruction。Sothepeoplechosethreemenwhocouldbetrusted，and，loadingthemwithmoney，sentthemtoRome，biddingthemtopretendthattheyweredivinersofdreams。Nosoonerhadthemessengersreachedthecitythantheystoleoutatnightandburiedapotofgoldfardownintheearth，andletdownanotherintothebedoftheTiber，justwhereabridgespanstheriver。

Nextdaytheywenttothesenatehouse，wherethelawsweremade，and，bowinglow，theysaid，’Oh，noblelords，lastnightwedreamedthatbeneaththefootofahillthereliesburiedapotofgold。Haveweyourleavetodigforit？’Andleavehavingbeengiven，themessengerstookworkmenanddugupthegoldandmademerrywithit。

Afewdayslaterthedivinersagainappearedbeforethesenate，andsaid，’Oh，noblelords，grantusleavetoseekoutanothertreasure，whichhasbeenrevealedtousinadreamaslyingunderthebridgeovertheriver。’

Andthesenatorsgaveleave，andthemessengershiredboatsandmen，andletdownropeswithhooks，andatlengthdrewupthepotofgold，someofwhichtheygaveaspresentstothesenators。

Aweekortwopassedby，andoncemoretheyappearedinthesenatehouse。

’O，noblelords！’saidthey，’lastnightinavisionwebeheldtwelvecasksofgoldlyingunderthefoundationstoneoftheCapitol，onwhichstandsthestatueofthePreservationofRome。

Now，seeingthatbyyourgoodnesswehavebeengreatlyenrichedbyourformerdreams，wewish，ingratitude，tobestowthisthirdtreasureonyouforyourownprofit;sogiveusworkers，andwewillbegintodigwithoutdelay。’

Andreceivingpermissiontheybegantodig，andwhenthemessengershadalmostunderminedtheCapitoltheystoleawayassecretlyastheyhadcome。

Andnextmorningthestonegaveway，andthesacredstatuefellonitsfaceandwasbroken。Andthesenatorsknewthattheirgreedhadbeentheirruin。

Fromthatdaythingswentfrombadtoworse，andeverymorningcrowdspresentedthemselvesbeforetheemperor，complainingoftherobberies，murders，andothercrimesthatwerecommittednightlyinthestreets。

Theemperor，desiringnothingsomuchasthesafetyofhissubjects，tookcounselwithVirgiliushowthisviolencecouldbeputdown。

Virgiliusthoughthardforalongtime，andthenhespoke:

’Greatprince，’saidhe，’causeacopperhorseandridertobemade，andstationedinfrontoftheCapitol。Thenmakeaproclamationthatatteno’clockabellwilltoll，andeverymanistoenterhishouse，andnotleaveitagain。’

TheemperordidasVirgiliusadvised，butthievesandmurdererslaughedatthehorse，andwentabouttheirmisdeedsasusual。

ButatthelaststrokeofthebellthehorsesetoffatfullgallopthroughthestreetsofRome，andbydaylightmencountedovertwohundredcorpsesthatithadtroddendown。Therestofthethieves——andtherewerestillmanyremaining——insteadofbeingfrightenedintohonesty，asVirgiliushadhoped，preparedropeladderswithhookstothem，andwhentheyheardthesoundofthehorse’shoofstheystucktheirladdersintothewalls，andclimbedupabovethereachofthehorseanditsriderThentheemperorcommandedtwocopperdogstobemadethatwouldrunafterthehorse，andwhenthethieves，hangingfromthewalls，mockedandjeeredatVirgiliusandtheemperor，thedogsleapedhighafterthemandpulledthemtotheground，andbitthemtodeath。

ThusdidVirgiliusrestorepeaceandordertothecity。

NowaboutthistimetherecametobenoisedabroadthefameofthedaughterofthesultanwhoruledovertheprovinceofBabylon，andindeedshewassaidtobethemostbeautifulprincessintheworld。

Virgilius，liketherest，listenedtothestoriesthatweretoldofher，andfellsoviolentlyinlovewithallheheardthathebuiltabridgeintheair，whichstretchedallthewaybetweenRomeandBabylon。Hethenpassedoverittovisittheprincess，who，thoughsomewhatsurprisedtoseehim，gavehimwelcome，andaftersomeconversationbecameinherturnanxioustoseethedistantcountrywherethisstrangerlived，andhepromisedthathewouldcarryhertherehimself，withoutwettingthesolesofhisfeet。

TheprincessspentsomedaysinthepalaceofVirgilius，lookingatwondersofwhichshehadneverdreamed，thoughshedeclinedtoacceptthepresentshelongedtoheaponher。Thehourspassedasiftheywereminutes，tilltheprincesssaidthatshecouldbenolongerabsentfromherfather。ThenVirgiliusconductedherhimselfovertheairybridge，andlaidhergentlydownonherownbed，whereshewasfoundnextmorningbyherfather。

Shetoldhimallthathadhappenedtoher，andhepretendedtobeverymuchinterested，andbeggedthatthenexttimeVirgiliuscamehemightbeintroducedtohim。

Soonafter，thesultanreceivedamessagefromhisdaughterthatthestrangerwasthere，andhecommandedthatafeastshouldbemadeready，and，sendingfortheprincessdeliveredintoherhandsacup，whichhesaidshewastopresenttoVirgiliusherself，inordertodohimhonour。

WhentheywereallseatedatthefeasttheprincessroseandpresentedthecuptoVirgilius，whodirectlyhehaddrunkfellintoadeepsleep。

Thenthesultanorderedhisguardstobindhim，andlefthimtheretillthefollowingday。

Directlythesultanwasuphesummonedhislordsandnoblesintohisgreathall，andcommandedthatthecordswhichboundVirgiliusshouldbetakenoff，andtheprisonerbroughtbeforehim。Themomentheappearedthesultan’spassionbrokeforth，andheaccusedhiscaptiveofthecrimeofconveyingtheprincessintodistantlandswithouthisleave。

Virgiliusrepliedthatifhehadtakenherawayhehadalsobroughtherback，whenhemighthavekepther，andthatiftheywouldsethimfreetoreturntohisownlandhewouldcomehithernomore。

’Notso！’criedthesultan，’butashamefuldeathyoushalldie！’

Andtheprincessfellonherknees，andbeggedshemightdiewithhim。

’Youareoutinyourreckoning，SirSultan！’saidVirgilius，whosepatiencewasatanend，andhecastaspelloverthesultanandhislords，sothattheybelievedthatthegreatriverofBabylonwasflowingthroughthehall，andthattheymustswimfortheirlives。So，leavingthemtoplungeandleaplikefrogsandfishes，Virgiliustooktheprincessinhisarms，andcarriedherovertheairybridgebacktoRome。

NowVirgiliusdidnotthinkthateitherhispalace，orevenRomeitself，wasgoodenoughtocontainsuchapearlastheprincess，sohebuiltheracitywhosefoundationsstooduponeggs，buriedfarawaydowninthedepthsofthesea。Andinthecitywasasquaretower，andontheroofofthetowerwasarodofiron，andacrosstherodhelaidabottle，andonthebottleheplacedanegg，andfromtheeggtherehungchainedanapple，whichhangstheretothisday。Andwhentheeggshakesthecityquakes，andwhentheeggshallbebrokenthecityshallbedestroyed。AndthecityVirgiliusfilledfullofwonders，suchasneverwereseenbefore，andhecalleditsnameNaples。

[Adaptedfrom’VirgiliustheSorcerer。’]

MOGARZEAANDHISSON

Therewasoncealittleboy，whosefatherandmother，whentheyweredying，lefthimtothecareofaguardian。Buttheguardianwhomtheychoseturnedouttobeawickedman，andspentallthemoney，sotheboydeterminedtogoawayandstrikeoutapathforhimself。

Soonedayhesetoff，andwalkedandwalkedthroughwoodsandmeadowstillwheneveningcamehewasverytired，anddidnotknowwheretosleep。Heclimbedahillandlookedabouthimtoseeiftherewasnolightshiningfromawindow。Atfirstallseemeddark，butatlengthhenoticedatinysparkfar，faroff，and，pluckinguphisspirits，heatoncewentinsearchofit。

Thenightwasnearlyhalfoverbeforehereachedthespark，whichturnedouttobeabigfire，andbythefireamanwassleepingwhowassotallhemighthavebeenagiant。Theboyhesitatedforamomentwhatheshoulddo;thenhecreptcloseuptotheman，andlaydownbyhislegs。

Whenthemanawokeinthemorninghewasmuchsurprisedtofindtheboynestlingupclosetohim。

’Dearme！wheredoyoucomefrom？’saidhe。

’Iamyourson，borninthenight，’repliedtheboy。

’Ifthatistrue，’saidtheman，’youshalltakecareofmysheep，andIwillgiveyoufood。Buttakecareyounevercrosstheborderofmyland，oryouwillrepentit。’Thenhepointedoutwheretheborderofhislandlay，andbadetheboybeginhisworkatonce。

Theyoungshepherdledhisflockouttotherichestmeadowsandstayedwiththemtillevening，whenhebroughtthemback，andhelpedthemantomilkthem。Whenthiswasdone，theybothsatdowntosupper，andwhiletheywereeatingtheboyaskedthebigman:’Whatisyourname，father？’

’Mogarzea，’answeredhe。

’Iwonderyouarenottiredoflivingbyyourselfinthislonelyplace。’

’Thereisnoreasonyoushouldwonder！Don’tyouknowthattherewasneverabearyetwhodancedofhisownfreewill？’

’Yes，thatistrue，’repliedtheboy。’Butwhyisityouarealwayssosad？Tellmeyourhistory，father。’

’Whatistheuseofmytellingyouthingsthatwouldonlymakeyousadtoo？’

’Oh，nevermindthat！Ishouldliketohear。Areyounotmyfather，andamInotyourson？’

’Well，ifyoureallywanttoknowmystory，thisisit:AsI

toldyou，mynameisMogarzea，andmyfatherisanemperor。I

wasonmywaytotheSweetMilkLake，whichliesnotfarfromhere，tomarryoneofthethreefairieswhohavemadethelaketheirhome。Butontheroadthreewickedelvesfellonme，androbbedmeofmysoul，sothateversinceIhavestayedinthisspotwatchingmysheepwithoutwishingforanythingdifferent，withouthavingfeltonemoment’sjoy，oreveroncebeingabletolaugh。Andthehorribleelvesaresoill—naturedthatifanyonesetsonefootontheirlandheisinstantlypunished。ThatiswhyIwarnyoutobecareful，lestyoushouldsharemyfate。’

’Allright，Iwilltakegreatcare。Doletmego，father，’saidtheboy，astheystretchedthemselvesouttosleep。

Atsunrisetheboygotupandledhissheepouttofeed，andforsomereasonhedidnotfeeltemptedtocrossintothegrassymeadowsbelongingtotheelves，butlethisflockpickupwhatpasturetheycouldonMogarzea’sdryground。

Onthethirddayhewassittingundertheshadowofatree，playingonhisflute——andtherewasnobodyintheworldwhocouldplayaflutebetter——whenoneofhissheepstrayedacrossthefenceintothefloweryfieldsoftheelves，andanotherandanotherfollowedit。Buttheboywassoabsorbedinhisflutethathenoticednothingtillhalftheflockwereontheotherside。

Hejumpedup，stillplayingonhisflute，andwentafterthesheep，meaningtodrivethembacktotheirownsideoftheborder，whensuddenlyhesawbeforehimthreebeautifulmaidenswhostoppedinfrontofhim，andbegantodance。Theboyunderstoodwhathemustdo，andplayedwithallhismight，butthemaidensdancedontillevening。

’Nowletmego，’hecriedatlast，’forpoorMogarzeamustbedyingofhunger。Iwillcomeandplayforyouto—morrow。’

’Well，youmaygo！’theysaid，’butrememberthatevenifyoubreakyourpromiseyouwillnotescapeus。’

Sotheybothagreedthatthenextdayheshouldcomestraighttherewiththesheep，andplaytothemtillthesunwentdown。

Thisbeingsettled，theyeachreturnedhome。

Mogarzeawassurprisedtofindthathissheepgavesomuchmoremilkthanusual，butastheboydeclaredhehadnevercrossedtheborderthebigmandidnottroublehisheadfurther，andatehissupperheartily。

Withtheearliestgleamsoflight，theboywasoffwithhissheeptotheelfinmeadow，andatthefirstnotesofhisflutethemaidensappearedbeforehimanddancedanddancedanddancedtilleveningcame。Thentheboyletthefluteslipthroughhisfingers，andtrodonit，asifbyaccident。

Ifyouhadheardthenoisehemade，andhowhewrunghishandsandweptandcriedthathehadlosthisonlycompanion，youwouldhavebeensorryforhim。Theheartsoftheelveswerequitemelted，andtheydidalltheycouldtocomforthim。

’Ishallneverfindanotherflutelikethat，moanedhe。’Ihaveneverheardonewhosetonewasassweetasmine！Itwascutfromthecentreofaseven—year—oldcherrytree！’

’Thereisacherrytreeinourgardenthatisexactlysevenyearsold，’saidthey。’Comewithus，andyoushallmakeyourselfanotherflute。’

Sotheyallwenttothecherrytree，andwhentheywerestandingroundittheyouthexplainedthatifhetriedtocutitdownwithanaxehemightverylikelysplitopentheheartofthetree，whichwasneededfortheflute。Inordertopreventthis，hewouldmakealittlecutinthebark，justlargeenoughforthemtoputtheirfingersin，andwiththishelphecouldmanagetotearthetreeintwo，sothattheheartshouldrunnoriskofdamage。Theelvesdidashetoldthemwithoutathought;thenhequicklydrewouttheaxe，whichhadbeenstickingintothecleft，andbehold！alltheirfingerswereimprisonedtightinthetree。

Itwasinvainthattheyshriekedwithpainandtriedtofreethemselves。Theycoulddonothing，andtheyoungmanremainedcoldasmarbletoalltheirentreaties。

ThenhedemandedofthemMogarzea’ssoul。

’Oh，well，ifyoumusthaveit，itisinabottleonthewindowsill，’saidthey，hopingthattheymightobtaintheirfreedomatonce。Buttheyweremistaken。

’Youhavemadesomanymensuffer，’answeredhesternly，’thatitisbutjustyoushouldsufferyourselves，butto—morrowIwillletyougo。’Andheturnedtowardshome，takinghissheepandthesoulofMogarzeawithhim。

Mogarzeawaswaitingatthedoor，andastheboydrewnearhebeganscoldinghimforbeingsolate。Butatthefirstwordofexplanationthemanbecamebesidehimselfwithjoy，andhesprangsohighintotheairthatthefalsesoulwhichtheelveshadgivenhimflewoutofhismouth，andhisown，whichhadbeenshuttightlyintotheflaskofwater，tookitsplace。

Whenhisexcitementhadsomewhatcalmeddown，hecriedtotheboy，’Whetheryouarereallymysonmattersnothingtome;tellme，howcanIrepayyouforwhatyouhavedoneforme？’

’ByshowingmewheretheMilkLakeis，andhowIcangetoneofthethreefairieswholivestheretowife，andbylettingmeremainyoursonforever。’

ThenightwaspassedbyMogarzeaandhissoninsongsandfeasting，forbothweretoohappytosleep，andwhendaydawnedtheysetouttogethertofreetheelvesfromthetree。Whentheyreachedtheplaceoftheirimprisonment，Mogarzeatookthecherrytreeandalltheelveswithitonhisback，andcarriedthemofftohisfather’skingdom，whereeveryonerejoicedtoseehimhomeagain。Butallhedidwastopointtotheboywhohadsavedhim，andhadfollowedhimwithhisflock。

Forthreedaystheboystayedinthepalace，receivingthethanksandpraisesofthewholecourt。ThenhesaidtoMogarzea:

’Thetimehascomeformetogohence，buttellme，Iprayyou，howtofindtheSweetMilkLake，andIwillreturn，andwillbringmywifebackwithme。’

Mogarzeatriedinvaintomakehimstay，but，findingitwasuseless，hetoldhimallheknew，forhehimselfhadneverseenthelake。

Forthreesummerdaystheboyandhisflutejourneyedon，tilloneeveninghereachedthelake，whichlayinthekingdomofapowerfulfairy。Thenextmorninghadscarcelydawnedwhentheyouthwentdowntotheshore，andbegantoplayonhisflute，andthefirstnoteshadhardlysoundedwhenhesawabeautifulfairystandingbeforehim，withhairandrobesthatshonelikegold。

Hegazedatherinwonder，whensuddenlyshebegantodance。Hermovementsweresogracefulthatheforgottoplay，andassoonasthenotesofhisfluteceasedshevanishedfromhissight。Thenextdaythesamethinghappened，butonthethirdhetookcourage，anddrewalittlenearer，playingonhisfluteallthewhile。Suddenlyhesprangforward，seizedherinhisarmsandkissedher，andpluckedarosefromherhair。

Thefairygaveacry，andbeggedhimtogiveherbackherrose，buthewouldnot。Heonlystucktheroseinhishat，andturnedadeafeartoallherprayers。

Atlastshesawthatherentreatieswerevain，andagreedtomarryhim，ashewished。Andtheywenttogethertothepalace，whereMogarzeawasstillwaitingforhim，andthemarriagewascelebratedbytheemperorhimself。ButeveryMaytheyreturnedtotheMilkLake，theyandtheirchildren，andbathedinitswaters。

[OlumanischeMarchen。]