The Childrens Book

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THE
NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
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PRESENTED BY
THE CHILDREN'S BOOK
A COLLECTION OF THE BEST AND MOST FAMOUS STORIES
AND POEMS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE
CHOSEN BY
HORACE E. SCUDDER
WITH MANY ILLUSTRATIONS
BOSTON
PUBLISHED BY HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY
> J. a J 90,
:
.'.">%'' ,\\ •;
CopyrigM, 1881
Br HOUGHTON. MIFFLIN & COMPANY
AU rights reserved
The Nt</^ YORK

PUBLIC L. BRA RY
G zô-7^
ASTOfI LENOX AND
TILDEN FOoNOATIONS
O |_
The Riverside Press, Cambridge:

Blectrotyped and Printed by U. 0. lloughton & Co.
** c c .«* ) o*
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
THE BOOK OF FABLES. p*"^ PAQE
The Wolf and the Lamb The Kite and the Pigeons .13
.... 1 . . . .
The Fox and the Grapes The Ass in the Lion's Skin 14
The Tortoise and the Hare .... 1
1 The
The
Dog and his Shadow
Lakk and her Young Ones
14
14
The Cat and the Mice 2 .
The Farmer and his Sons 2 The Traveler and the Viper 15
The Woman and her Maids .... 2 The

The
Frog and the Ox
Dog in the Manger .... 15
The Two Packs 2 15
The Frogs ask for a King .... • •
3 The
The
Flies and the Pot of Honey
Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
15
The Fox in the Well 3 15
The Wolf and the Crane .... 3 The

The
Country Maid and her Milk-Pail
Country Mouse and the Town Mouse
16
16
Cat, the Weasel, and the Young Rabbit
The
The Lion and the Mouse .... 4
5 The Lioness and the Fox .... 16
The Goose that laid Golden Eggs 5 The Miller, his Son, and their Ass 17
The Boys and the Frogs . 6 The Wolves and the Sheep 17
Lion, the Ass, and the Fox The Spendthrift and the Swallow 17
The
The Astrologer .... 6
6 The Arab and his Camel .... 18
The Shepherd-Boy and the Wolf 6 The Old Man and Death 18
The Farmer's Sons .... 6

The Choice of Hercules 18
The Stag and the Lion
Hercules and the Wagoner . THE BOOK OF WONDERS.
The Sun and the Wind The Story- of Chicken Licken 21
Belling the Cat .... The Three Bears ....

Elves and the Shoemaker
.
22
The Farmer and the Stork The 23
The Crab and his Mother 8 The Fkog-Prince .... .
24
The Cat, the Monkey, and the Chestnuts . 9 The Jew Bush
in the . 25
The Crow and the Pitcher . 9 The King of the Golden Mountain 27
The Lion and the Fox . . . . • . 9 The Fisherman and his Wife , 30
A Country- Fellow and a Rivek . 9 Jorinda and Joeindel 32
The Belly- and the Members 10 The Six Swans 34
The Fox that lost his Tail 10 Rumpel-StiltsKin 37
The Archer and the Eagle 10 The Fair One with Golden Locks .38
. .
The Ant and the Grasshopper 10 Little One Eye, Little Two Eves, and Little
The Crow and the Fox 11 Three Eyes 43
The Jackdaw and the Doves 11 The Traveling Musicians 47
The Fox and the Lion 11 The White Cat ig
The Tortoise and the Eagle

The Boy and the Nettle .
12
12
Prince Cherry
The Golden Bird .......
......
56
60
The Dog and the Wolf
The Boy that stole Apples
The Fox and the Stork
12
12
13
The Nose
Hop o'-my-Thumb
.........
Riquet with the Tuft
.......
6*
66
69
FEW
The Wolf and the Goat
The Lion in Love
. 13
13
A SONGS.
Little Birdie .....••. 75
IV CONTENTS.
PAGE
The Lamb 75 The Daisy 159
The Ugly Duckling
The Child's Desire
The Little Doves
Pretty Cow
.......
. . ' 75
75
76
The
The
Fir-Tree
Flax
162
167
172
Twinkle, Twinkle • . 76 The Swineherd 175
Willie Winkie 76 The Lovers 178

The Same, with the Scotticisms changed . 77 Little Claus and Big Claus 179
Good-Night and Good-Morning .77 The Darning-Needle 186
Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild ..... . .
78
78
The Red Shoes
The Nightingale
188
LnLLABT 191
Cradle Song 78 The Princess on the Pea 197
THE BOOK OF POPULAR TALES. Holger Danske 198

Cinderella or, the Glass Slipper
; . . .79 The Shepherdess and the Chimney-Sweep . 201
Hans in Luck 83 " What the Good-Man does is sure to be Right" 203
The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood . . .85 The Little Match Girl 206
Jack the Giant-Killer 89 The Bell 208
Tom Thumb 96 TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' EN-
Pdss in Boots 9.9 TERTAINMENTS.
Little Red Riding-Hood 103 I. Introduction 211
Beauty and the Beast 104 n. The History of the Fisherman . . . 219
The History or Sir Richard Whittington and III. The Story op the Enchanted Horse . 222
Cat
his 109 IV. The Story of Aladdin or, the Wonderful;
Blue Beard . . 114 Lamp 230

The History or Portunatus 117 V. The Adventures of the Caliph Haroun Al-
Jack and the Bean-Stalk 122 Raschid 255
The History of Valentine and Orson VI. The History of Ali Baba, and op the Forty
Clever Alice
. • 127
132 Robbers killed by one Slave .... 284
THE BOOK OF STORIES IN VERSE. VII. The Story- of Sindbad the Sailor . . 296
The Children in the Wood 134 VIII. The Story of the Little Hunchback . 304
Mary's Lamb 136 IX. The Story of the Barmecide Feast . . 307
The Spider and his Wife 136 THE BOOK OF BALLADS.
The Notorious Glutton John Barleycorn 310
Dirty Jack
137
138 Robin Hood and Allin a Dale .... 310
The Chatterbox Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford 312
Meddlesome Matty
138
138 The Hunting of the Cheviot .... . .
313
The Pin 139 King John and the Abbot of Canterbury . .318
Never play with Fire 139 Sweet William's Ghost 320
The Pond -140 Sir Patrick Spens 320
The Cow and the Ass
Nose and Eyes
...... 140
141
The Heir of Linne
The Dragon of Wantlet
322
326
The Wind in a Frolic 142 THE BOOK OF FAMILIAR STORIES.
The Diverting History of John Gilpin . . 142 The Renowned History op Goody Two-Shoes . 328
The Spider and the Fly 146 The Renowned History of Mrs. Margery Two-
A Visit from St. Nicholas Shoes 335
Holy Thursday
....
The Mountain and the Squirrel
147
148
148
Eyes, and no Eyes the Art of Seeing
The Boy without a Genius
; or, . 339
342
An Elegy on the Death op a Mad Dog 149 A Tale of Potted Sprats 344
....
The Pied Piper of Hamelin
STORIES FROM HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
. .
149 Waste
Bow
not. Want not ; or, Two Strings to tour
346
The Constant Tin Soldier 154 The Discontented Pendulum .... 360
The Emperor's New Clothes . . . .157 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT 362
CONTENTS.
PAGE PAGE
TRAVELS OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN . . 393 Old Ironsides 414
THE BOOK OF POETRY. horatius 415
The Pet Lamb 403 The Skeleton in Akmok 420
Poor Susan
Epitaph on a Hare
404
404
The Burial of Sir John Moore
Lord Ullin's Daughter
.... 423
424
Llewellyn and his Dog 405 The Wreck of the Hesperus 425
Paul Revere's Ride 406 The Beggar Maid 427
Lochinvar 409 THE BOOK OF ANCIENT STORIES.
GooDv Blake and Harrv Gill ....
How they brought the Good News from Ghent
410 The Horse of Wood
The Cyclops
428
431
TO Aix 412 The Story of King Crcesus 436
Lucy Gray 413 The Expedition of the Argonauts . . . 441
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2007 with funding from
IVIicrosoft Corporation
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i
THE BOOK OF FABLES.
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. tree, and, as he gazed, longed to get at them, and
could not; so he left them hanging there and went
As a Wolf was lapping at the head of a running
off muttering, " They 're sour grapes."
brook, he spied a stray Lamb paddling
some dis- at
tance down the stream. Having made up his mind
to seize her, lie bethought himself how he might
justify his violence. " Villain," said he, running
up to her, " how dare you muddle the water that
I am drinking ? " " Indeed," said the Lamb,
humbly, " I do not see how I can disturb the
water, since it runs from you to me, not from me
THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE.

" What a dull, heavy creature," says the Hare,
"is this Tortoise." "And yet," says the Tortoise,
"I '11 run with you for a wager." " Done," says
to you." Be that as it may," replied the Wolf,

"
" was but a year ago that you called me many
it
ill names." " O Sir," said the Lamb, trembling,

" a year ago I was not born." " Well," replied
the Wolf, " if it was not j'ou it was your father,
and that is all the same but it 's no use trying
;
to argue me out of my supper " and without an- ;
other word he fell upon the poor, helpless Lamb

and tore her to jDieces.
THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.

A Fox who was hungry discovered some the Hare, and then thej' ask the Fox to be the
bunches of grapes hanging from a vine high up a judge. They started together, and the Tortoise
1
THE BOOK OF FABLES.
kept jogging on still, till he came to the end of THE FARMER AND HIS SONS.
the course. The Hare laid himself down midway A FARMER who had come to the end of his life
and took a nap ;

" for," says he, " I can catch up wished his sons to make a trial of farming, and
with the Tortoise when I please." But it seems calling them to him, said " Children, I am now
:
he overslept himself, for when he came to wake, finishing my life, but you will find all that be-
though he scudded away as fast as possible, the longs to me So they, thinking
in the vineyard."
Tortoise had got to the post before him and won it must contain a treasure-pot, took spades and
the wager. plows, after the death of their father, and eagerly
Slow and steady wins the race. dug up all the soil. The treasure-pot, to be sure,
they did not find, but the vineyard, being well
THE CAT AND THE MICE. dug over and improved, yielded an abundant store
In a certain house there were many Mice. Now of grapes and made them rich.
a Cat, hearing of this, went there and began to The story teaches that hard work is man's
treasure-pot.
î^\
THE WOMAN AND HER MAIDS.
A Widow, who was a notable housekeeper,
was wont to wake her Maids and set them at
work by cock-crow. And they, taking this very
hard, thought it was only necessary to strangle
the house cock, for they thought he was the cause
of their ills, because he waked the mistress before
dawn. When they had done this the lady of the
catch them and eat them up one by one. When

the Mice were having this soi-ry time, they said
among themselves " Let us take time by the
:
forelock and make our way to the eaves, that we

may not be every one of us destroyed, for since
the Cat cannot get there we shall be saved."' Now
when the Cat could not get at the Mice, he thought
something must be done, and began to plan to get
them out by some trick. Climbing up to a peg,
and throwing himself off, he hung from it and house waked them earlier still, in the very middle
pretended to be dead. One Mice peeping
of the of the night, for she could not tell when it was
out saw him there and said " Ah, you fellow, if
: cock-crow.
you were a bag of meal itself we would n't come So it is that their own devices become the very
out to you." breeders of evil to many men.
The fable teaches that prudent men, when they
have found out rascals, are not to be caught by THE TWO PACKS.
their make-believe. Every man carries two packs, one in front, the
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.
other behind, and each is full of faults. But the down to see what the matter was. " Ah," says
one in front holds other people's faults, the one Reynard, " pray lend me your hand, friend, and
behind holds his own. And so it is that men do
not see their own faults at all, but see very clearly
indeed the faults of others.
THE FROGS ASK FOR A KING.

r
The Frogs being concerned at the free and
easy waj' in which they were living, sent their
elders to Jove to beg him to send them a king.
Now he saw what simpletons they were and tossed
a Log into the middle of the lake. The Frogs,
frightened out of their senses, plunged at once
into the very deepest holes. But after some time
had passed, when they saw that the Log was stock
^^^^^^^^ ^<^4
get me out of this." "Poor creature," says the
Wolf, " how did this come about ? how long hast
thou been here? thou must be mighty cold."
" Come, come," says the Fox, " this is no time for
pitying and asking questions ; get me out of the
well first, and I will tell you all about it after-
ward."
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.

A Wolf once bad a bone stuck in his throat,
and offered the Ci-ane a large reward if she would
thrust her head down and draw the bone out.
they forgot their fright, and felt such con-

stiil,
tempt for it that they jumped up and sat on it.

Thinking such a king not worth having, they went
a second time to Jove, and asked him to change
him. Then he gave them an Eel, but when they
saw how stupid he was, they refused to receive
him. So they went a third time to Jove, and
wanted him to change this one too. And Jove,
who was now angry, at once sent a Stork to them,
who caught the Frogs and ate them up one by
one.
The fable shows that it is well to trust God,
and so to avoid wicked and troublesome rulers.
THE FOX I^^ THE WELL. She did and claimed the reward. At that, the
so,
An unlucky Fox dropped into a well, and cried Wolf set up a laugh, and showed his teeth " Isn't :
out for help. A Wolf overheard him, and looked it enough for you," he said, " to have this, and
4 THE BOOK OF FABLES.
nothing else, that you liave drawn your bead safely THE CAT, THE WEASEL, AND THE YOUNG
out of the jaws of the Wolf ? " " RABBIT.
The story points at crafty men, who, when they A YOUNG Rabbit was living contentedly at
are rid of dangei-, offer this to their benefactors home, respected bj' his neighbors, and not disposed
for thanks, that they did thein no injury. to get into difficulty with any one, for he was
THE GOOSE THAT LAW GOLDEN EGGS.
peaceful and temperate in his habits. He went by ropes to a tree, the Mouse, hearing his roaring
out one morning to the parsley market, to get his groans, came and gnawed the ropes, and set him
dinner, when a Weasel, that was going slyly by, free, saying, "You laughed at me once, as if you
slipped into the Rabbit's house, and made herself
at home. It was very comfortable, and quite to

her mind, so she decided to remain, and settle
down there rft housekeeping, and enjoy the society
of the By and by the Rabbit re-
neighborhood.
turned, and saw the Weasel sitting at the window,
poking her snout oat. " Do you not know that

this is my house ? " he asked. " Tut, tut," said
the Weasel. " What makes
yours ? you only it
scratched the ground a and came in here little
where the earth was gone. Do you pretend to

own the earth ? " " The law gives it to me,"
said the Rabbit, " because I made it fit to live in.
If you do not leave, I shall send for the consta-
ble." " The law, indeed " said the Weasel. ! could receive no return from me, but now, you see,
" Andpray what right has the law to give away it is you who have to be grateful to me."
laud? But we will have no more words. We The story shows that there come sudden changes
will lay the matter before Grimalkin, and leave of affairs, when the most powerful owe everything
it to him." The Rabbit consented, and they went to the weakest.

together to Grimalkin, an ancient Cat, who was
old, wise,and learned. " Come nearer, my chil-
THE GOOSE THAT LAID GOLDEN EGGS.
dren," said Grimalkin to them, as they both began There was a Man who once had a very hand-
talking together ;
"I am very deaf, and borne some Goose, that always laid golden eggs. Now,
down by the weight of years. Nearer still, that he thought there must be gold inside of her, so he
I may hear every word." Both approached fear-
lessly, each loudly protesting that the other was
unjust. As soon, however, as the learned Gri-

malkin had them within reach, he darted his
claws out on either side at the same moment, and
had them both in his clutches, when he settled
their dispute by devouring them at his leisure.
The house then belonged to him.
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.

A Mouse happened to run into the mouth of a
sleeping Lion, who roused himself, caught him,

and was just about eating him, when the little
fellow begged him to let him go, saying, " If I am

saved, I shall be everlastingly grateful." So, with wrung her neck straightway, and found she was
a smile, he let him off. It befell him, not long exactly like all other geese. He thought to find
after, to be saved by the Mouse's gratitude, for riches, and lost the little lie had.
when he was caught by some hunters and bound The fable teaches that one who has anything
should be content with it, and avoid covetousness, as he was looking up with all his eyes to the sky,
lest he lose wliat he has. he did not notice where he was going, and fell
into a ditch. He was in a sorry plight and set up
THE BOYS AND THE FROGS. a cry, whereupon some one passing by heard his
A COMPANY of waggish Boys were watching groans, and came \i^ to him ; when the stranger
some Frogs at the side of a pond, and as fast as heard what had happened, he said to him " Sir,
:
any of them put up their heads they 'd pelt them you who are trying to make out things in the sky,
down " Boys," says one of the "
again with stones. don't you see what is on the earth ?
Fi-ogs, " you never consider that though this may One might apply this word to those who pre-
be fun for you 't is deatli to us."' tend to teach men extraordinary things, but are
quite unable to attend to the most common af-
THE LION, THE ASS, AND THE FOX. fairs.
The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox, made a bar-

gain to go hunting together. Now when thej' had
THE SHEPHERD-BOY AND THE AVOLF.
caught a good supply of game, they came to eat A Shepherd- BOY who kept his flock a little
it and the Lion charged the Ass to divide the

; way from a village, for some time amused himself
spoil. So he divided it into tliree equal parts, and with this sjDort : he would call loudly on the vil-
lagers to to his help, crying, " Wolf

come wolf! !
the wolves are among my

lambs ! " Twice, three
called on them to cliouse their portion, at which

the Lion fell into a rage, and made his supper off
the Ass. Afterward, he bade the Fox make the times, the villagers were startled, and hurried out,
division ; but the Fox put all the game into one and went back laughed at, when finally the wolves
great heap, saving only a little bit for himself. really did come. And as the wolves made way
Then the Lion said, " My good fellow, who taught with the flock, and he ran crying for help, they
you to divide so well ? " and the Fox said, " That supposed him only at his old joke, and jaaid no
dead Ass there." attention.And so he lost all his flock.
The fable teaches that wise men learn their It only shows that people who tell lies get this
wisdom from the misfortunes of their neighbors. for their pains, that nobody believes them when
they speak the truth.
THE ASTROLOGER.
An Astrologer was wont to go out every even- THE FARMER'S SONS.
ing and gaze at the stars. Now it happened once A Farmer's sons were very quarrelsome, and
that his walk took him outside of the town, and the father, when he took counsel with them, could
HERCULES AND THE WAGONER.
do nothing by his words. Then he thought he he was caught by the Lion. When he was about
would persuade them by an example. So while to be doomed, he exclaimed " What a wretch am
:
they were sitting there, he bade them bring him I, who was saved and made hajjpy by the very
some fagots, and when these were fetched, he things which I despised, but have come to my end
by what I especially gloried in."
took them and bound them into one bundle, and

ordered his sons in turn to take the bundle and The fable teaches this, that in like manner, men
break it. They tried, but could not. But after- often think they have something fine, and get
ward, when he had loosed the fagots, he gave caught by it unawares or this, often when in
;
them to be broken singly. This they did very danger those of our friends whom we suspect are
quickly. Then their father saith to them :
" So really our saviors, while those we trust, turn out
to be traitors.
is it with you, my children ; if you are all of the
same mind you will be unconquerable, and un-
HERCULES AND THE WAGONER.
manageable by your enemies but if you continue ;
to rebeland be quarrelsome, you will quickly be

As a countryman was carelessly driving his
mastered by them." eftj
THE STAG AND THE LION.

A THIRSTY Stag came to a spring to drink as ;
he drank he saw his reflection in the water, and

was very proud of his antlers when he saw how
big and branching they were but he looked griev-
;
ously at his and took it hard that they

feet,
should be so thin and weak. Now, while he was

pondering, a Lion suddenly appeared, and began
to chase him, and he, turning to run, had the ad-
vantage, for the Stag's virtue is in his feet, the
Lion's in his loins. As lone as the chase was on
the plain the Stag was not to be caught, but out-
stripped the Lionbut when they came to a
; wagon along a miry lane, his wheels stuck so deep
wooded tract the Stag's horns became tangled in in the clay that the horses came to a standstill.
the branches of trees, and not being able to run, Upon this, the man, without making the least
own, began to call upon Hercules to
effort of his to give warning beforehand when Puss is com-
come and help him out of his trouble. But Her- ing." They
all looked upon it as a capital con-
cules bade him lay his shoulder to the wheel, as- trivance. " Well," says another," and now we
suring him that Heaven only helped those who are agreed upon the bell, say who shall put it
helped themselves. about the Cat's neck ? " But there was no one
ready to bell the Cat.
THE SUN AND THE WIND.
There happened a controversy betwixt the THE FARMER AND THE STORK.
Sun and the Wind, which was the stronger of the A Fabmer set a net in his field in order to
two, and they put the point upon this issue catch Cranes and Geese that were eating the
young growth there. Now a Stork that was
caught with them, and had bruised his foot, too,
begged the Farmer to let him go free he urged ;
him piteously, thus :

" Save me, good man, let me
go, have pity upon a poor weak thing that has got
caught here for I am not a Crane come, quick,
; :
see, I 'm a stork, a most useful creature, who take

care of my father and mother, and have no need
at all of any of these things in the field." But
S:mm^gpmM^ 7/#/' :
:iC
There was a traveler upon the way, and which

of thetwo could make him throw off his cloak M I J î~e^
should gain his case. The Wind fell presently a
storming, and threw hail shot over and above in
the very teeth of him. The man wrapped himself
closer,and kept advancing still in spite of the
weather but this gust in a short time blew over,
;
and then the sun broke out, and fell to work upon
him with his beams, but
still he pushed forward,
till in the end

he was forced to quit his cloak, and the Farmer laughed heartily, and said :
" Oh, I
lay himself down upon the ground in a cool shade know you, I 'm not ignorant ; I know exactly
for his relief, so that the Sun, in the conclusion, what you But you have been caught with
are.
carried the point. the others and must die like them."
The fable teaches that it is wise to run away
BELLING THE CAT. and not consort with wicked men, lest we fall into
Theke was a sly Cat, it seems, in a certain the same troubles that entrap them.
house, and the Mice were so plagued with her at
every turn that they called a court to advise upon THE CRAB AND HIS MOTHER.
some ways to prevent being surprised. " If you '11 Said mother to a Crab: " Why do you walk
his
be ruled by me," says one of the Mice, "there's ? walk straight." " Mother," said
so crooked, child
nothing like hanging a bell about the Cat's neck, he, " show me the way and I will try to walk like
A COUNTRY FELLOW AND A RIVER. 9
you. But as lonsc us she could not walk straight thought himself, however, of a device at last that
her son laughed at her advice. did the business which was, by dropping a great
;
many little pebbles into the water and raising it,
THE CAT, THE MONKEY, AND THE CHEST- that way, till he hs^d it within reach.
NUTS.
A Cat and a Monkey were sitting one day in

THE LION AND THE FOX.
the chimney c6rner watching some chestnuts which A Lion that had grown old, and no longer had
their master had laid down to roast in the ashes. strength to forage for food, saw that he must get
The chestnuts had begun to burst with the heat it by cunning. he went into his den, and,
"Well,
and the Monkey said to the Cat, " It

is plain that creeping into a corner, pretended to be very sick,
your paws were made especially for pulling out and so all the animals about came in to take a
those chestnuts. Do you reach forth and draw look at him, and as they came he snapped them
them out. Your paws are, indeed, exactly like up. Now, when a good many beasts had been
our master's hands." The Cat was greatly flat-
tered by this speech, and reached forward for the

tempting chestnuts, but scarcely had he touched
the hot ashes than he drew back with a cry, for
he had burnt his paw, but he tried again, and
managed to pull one chestnut out then he pulled;
another, and a third, though each time he singed

the hair on his paws.When he could pull no
more out he turned about and found tliat the
Monkey had taken the time to crack the chest-
nuts and eat them.
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER.

A Crow that was extremely thirsty found a
Pitcher with a little water in it, but it lay so low caught in this way, the Fox, who suspected what
his ti-ick was, came along, and taking his stand
outside the den, and a little way off, asked the
Lion how he did. The Lion answered him, and

asked him why he would n't come down into the
den. " So I would," said the Fox, " but I notice
that all the foot-prints point into the den, and
there none pointing out."
ai-e
So prudent men, discovering danger by signs,
keep out of the way.
A COUNTRY FELLOW AND A RIVER.

A BLOCKHEADED boy who was sent to market
with butter and cheese by the good old woman,
his mother, made a stop at a swift river in the
he could not come at it. He tried first to break way, and laid himself down on the bank there, till
the Pitcher and then to overturn it, but it was it should run out. About midnight home he goes
both too strong and too heavy for him. He be- to his mother, with all his market trade back
again. " Why, how now, my son," says she, THE FOX THAT LOST HIS TAIL.
" what have we here " " Why, mother, yonder 's
! A Fox, that had got caught in a trap and lost
a river that has been running all this day, and I his tail when getting away, was so ashamed, that
stayed till just now
for the running of it out, and he thought life not worth living. So he had a
there running still." "My son," says the
'tis, mind to get the rest of the Foxes into the same
good woman, " thy head and mine will be laid scrape, and thus hide his own maiming in the
many a fair day before this river has all run by." common fortune. Well, he got tliem all together,
THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS.

All the Member-s of the body conspired against
the Belly, as against the swallowing gulf of all
their labors ;for whereas the eyes beheld, the ears
heard, the hands labored, the feet traveled, the
tongue spake, and all parts performed their func-
tions ; idle, and consumed all.
only the Belly lay
Hereupon, they jointly agreed, all to forbear their
labors, and to leave their lazy and public enemy
''ilk..
and urged them to cut off their tails, telling them
that the tail was not only a very ugly thing, but
so much dead weight hung on behind. But one
of them caught him up, saying, " My good fellow,
this is all very well, but if it were not for your
benefit you never would be advising us to do it."
The story shows the way to answer those who
give advice to their neighbors, not out of good
will, but because thej' are looking out for them-
selves.
to take care of himself. One day passed over, the
second followed very slowly, but the third day was THE ARCHER AND THE EAGLE.
so grievous to them all that they called a common An Archer took aim at an Eagle, and, letting
council. The waxed dim, the feet could not
eyes brought the bird down. The Eagle
fly his shaft,
support the body, the arms waxed lazy, the tongue gazed at the arrow and seeing that it was winged
faltered, and could not lay open the matter ; there- with feathers from his own breast, said How :
'•'
fore they all, with one accord, desired the advice often the wounds we get come from weapons which
of the Heart. Then the Heart told them :
" It is we have supplied " !
true that the Belly receives all the meats, but it
sends them out again for the nourishment of all

THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER.
parts of the bod}', and all must work together for On a cold, frosty day, an Ant was dragging out
the common good. The Belly cannot do without some of the corn which he had laid up in summer
the Members, nor the Members without the time, to dry it. A Grasshopper, half perishing
Belly." with hunger, besought the Ant to give him a mor-
THE FOX AND THE LION. 11
sel of it to preserve his life. " What were you him he was wrong, when down fell the cheese.
doing," asked the Ant, "this last summer?" He picked it up and ran off with it saying " To :
be sure you have a voice, Crow, but you have n't

any sense."
If you believe your enemy you will get punished
for it.
THE JACKDAAV AND THE DOVES.

A Jackdaw seeing how well the Doves were
cared for in their dove-cote, whitened himself, so
that he might have a share in their good fortune.
As long as he kept quiet they let him be amongst
them, thinking he was a Dove, but when he forgot
himself and opened his mouth, they discovered
what he really was and flew upon him and drove
him out. He, poor fellow, losing that chance,
" Oh," said the Grasshopper, " I was not idle. I went back to the Jackdaws, but they did not know
kept singing all summer long." Said the Ant, him on account of his white coat, and would not
laughing, and shutting up his granary. " Since let him join them, and so for wanting to get into
you could sing all summer, you may dance all two companies he missed both.
winter." The fable teaches us that we ought to be con-
tent with our own, arguing that covetousness is
THE CROW AND THE FOX. not only of no avail but often rids us of what we
A Crow had stolen a cheese and carried it away already have.
to a high tree to eat it there in peace. A Fox
THE FOX AND THE LION.
A Fox who had never seen a Lion met one by
chance, and upon first catching sight of him was
frightened almost to death ; the next time he hap-
saw it and meant to get it by a device. " Good

Crow," said he, " what a lovely and shapely body
you have your color is more beautiful than that
!
of many of the birds, and had jôu but a charming

voice, sui-ely you would hold the very first place." pened on him he was frightened, to be sure, but
Thei-eupon she opened her mouth to sing, to show not somuch as before; when he saw him a third
time, he plucked up courage enough to go up and look as yon led an easy life of it." " That I
if
speak to him. do," quoth the Dog " I have all I can eat and
:
The story teaches that famiUarity makes terri-
ble things much less frightful.
THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE.

A Tortoise seeing an Eagle in flight wanted
much to fly like him. So she went to him when
he was by and asked him if he would not teach
her to fly, if she would piiy him well for the lesson.
some left over." " That have not I," said the Wolf,
"you can count my ribs, I am so lean." " Well,
come with me," said the Dog, " and you shall
share my supper." As they jogged along the Wolf
spied a crease about the Dog's neck. " Now what
may that be?" he asked, curiously. "That?
that is where my master puts a collar on me when
he chains me to my kennel." " Chains you then, !
He told her it was impossible, but as she still you can't run free when you will ! good-by, my
persisted and begged him, he seized her, bore her friend, I 'd rather have my liberty with hunger,
aloft, and then let her drop upon a rock, but the than good living with a chain," and the Wolf
blow knocked the breath out of her body. went back to the woods.
The fable teaches that men who are envious
and refuse to take the advice of those who know THE BOY THAT STOLE APPLES.
more than themselves are apt to get into trouble. An Old Man found a rude Boy upon one of his
trees, stealing apples, and told him to come down ;
THE BOY AND THE NETTLE. but the young rogue told him plainly he would
A Boy playing in the fields was stung by a not. "Won't you!" said the Old Man, "then I
Nettle. He ran home to his mother, telling her will fetch you down " so he pulled up some tufts
;
he had but touched the weed and it had stung of grass and threw at him but this only made
;
him. " It was just touching it that stung you," the youngster laugh, to think the Old Man should
said she :
" the next time you meddle with a Net- think to beat him down from the tree with grass
tle grasp it boldly and it will not hurt you." only. " Well, well," said the Old Man, " if nei-
ther words nor grass will do, I will try what vir-
THE DOG AND THE AVOLF. tue there is in stones " with that he pelted him
;
A LEAN, hungry, half-starved Wolf happening which soon made the Boy
heartily with stones,
to meet one moonlight night with a plump, well- clamber down from the tree and beg the Old
fed dog, said " Good morrow to you friend you
; ; Man's pardon.
THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS. 13
THE FOX AND THE STORK. father, in a great fright, finding himself in danger,
invited the Stork to sup with bethought him of a way, and said to the Lion ''
I
The Fox hiin, :
and placed a shallow dish on the table, out of cannot possibly give you my daughter. Lion, unless
which it was impossible for the Stork, with her you will first have your teeth and nails drawn, for
long bill, to get anything, while the Fox could these would frighten her." He was so desperately
in love, that he readily consented, and when it

lap up the food with his tongue, and so the Fox
was all over, asked again for the girl, but the
had tlie laugh on the Stork. The Stork, in her
Woodman had no longer any fear of him, and
turn, invited the Fox to dine with her, and she
drove him off with jeers.
placed the food in a long-necked jar, from which
she could easily feed with her bill, while the Fox THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS.
could get nothing, and that was tit for tat.
The Pigeons had long lived in fear of the Kite,
Rudeness sometimes gets paid with a just retal-
but by being always on the alert, and keeping
iation.
near the dove-cote, they contrived to escape his
attacks. Then the Kite, finding he could not
THE WOLF AND THE GOAT.
take them boldly, tried a trick. He went to the
A Wolf seeing a Goat feeding upon the edge
where he could not get at her,
of a high precipice,
begged her to come down lower, where she would
be in no danger of falling over the precipice, add-
ing that the meadows and grass were much richer
where he was. But he answered, " Thank you,
good sir ;
you are not inviting me to feed myself,
but to be food for you."
THE LION IN LOVE.

A Lion that had fallen in love with a Wood-
man's daughter, wanted to marry her, so he went
to the father and begged him to give him the
maid, but the Woodman said he could not think of
such a thing as marrying his daughter to a Lion. dove-cote and said :
" Why do you live in this con-
At that the Lion began to roar furiously, and the stant fear and anxiety ? I am strong, and could
protect you your enemies.
against Make me young ones should report to her all the news they
king." At Pigeons chose him for their
that, the heard. One day, while she was absent, the mas-
king, and when he was once securely within the ter came to look at the state of the crops. " It
dove-cote he devoured his subjects at his leisure, is full time," said he, " to call in all my neighbors
one each day, and one of them, when his turn and get my corn reaped." When
the old Lark
came, said truly, " It serves us right." came home, the young ones told their mother what
they had heard, and begged her to remove them
THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN. forthwith. " Time enough," said she " if he ;
The Ass once dressed himself in the Lion's skin trusts to his neighbors, he will have to wait a while
and went about frightening all the little beasts. yet for his harvest." Next day, however, the
Now he happened on the Fox, and tried to owner came again, and finding the sun still hotter
frighten him too but the Fox chanced to hear
;
him speak, and said " Well, to be sure, I should

:
have been frightened too, if I had n't heard you

bray, and seen your ears sticking out."
So thei'e are some men who make themselves
appear very fine outwardly, but are betrayed as
soon as tliej' begin to talk.
THE DOG AND HIS SHADOW.

As a Dog was crossing a river with a morsel of
good flesh in his mouth, he saw, as he thought, a
and the corn more ripe, and nothing done, " There
is not a moment to be lost," said he :
" we cannot
depend upon our neighbors we must call in our
:
relations," and turning to his son, " Go, call your

uncles and cousins, and see that they begin to-
morrow." In still greater fear the young ones
repeated to their mother the farmer's words. " If
that be all," says she, " do not be frightened, for
the relations have got harvest work of their own ;
but take particular notice what you hear the next

time, and be sure you let me know." She went
bigger piece in the water so he dropped what
; abroad the next day, and the owner coming as be-
he had, to catch at what was a shadow, and lost fore, and finding the grain falling to the ground
both. from over-ripeness, and still no one at work, called
to bis son. " We must wait for our neighbors and
THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. friends no longer do 3ôu go and hire some reap-
;
There was young Larks in a field

a brood of ers to-night, and we will set to work ourselves to-
of corn, which was just ripe, and the mother, morrow." When the young ones told their mother
looking every day for the reapers, left word, when- this, — " Then," said she, " it is time to be off in-
ever she went out in search of food, that her deed for when a man takes up his business him-
;
THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING. 15
self, instead of leaving it to others, you may be reach half The old Frog made one more
its size."
sure that he means to set to work in earnest." trial, determined to be as big as the Ox, and burst
herself, indeed.
THE TRAVELER AND THE VIPER.
A Travelee, going along the road in winter, THE DOG IN THE MANGER.
saw a Viper stiff with cold, and taking pity on it, A Dog made his bed in a manger, where he
took it up and'^placed it in his bosom to warm it
back into life. Now the Viper, as long as be was

but as soon as he was well
cold, lay quiet,
> f'*^
still
warmed he drove his fangs into the man's breast.

And as the man was dying, he said :
" I suffer
justly, for why should I have taken care of the
dying Viper, wlien I ought to have killed him,
thougli he had been in the best of health ? "
So there are some men who show favors to oth-
ers, and fail to see that they will only get stings
in return.
THE FROG AND THE OX.

An Ox, grazing in a swampy meadow, chanced
to set his foot among a parcel of young Frogs, and neitlier ate the grain himself, nor let the Cow eat
crushed nearly the whole brood to death. One it, who could.
that escaped ran off to his mother with the dread-
ful news: "O mother," said he, " it was a beast THE FLIES AND THE POT OF HONEY.
— such a big four-footed beast, that did it." A Pot of Honey having been overturned in the
pantry, the Flies clustei-ed about to eat tlie honey,
but owing to the stickiness of the sweet stuff, they
could not get away ; their feet were so entaugled

that they could not fly up, and, choking to death,
they cried out: "Wretches that we are, to die
"
just for a moment of pleasure !
So it is that greediness is for many people the

cause of their ill-fortune.
THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.

A Wolf, clothing himself in the skin of a
sheep, and getting in among the flock, had a
chance to make way with a good many of them.
At last the Shepherd discovered him, and, tying a
"Big? "quoth the old Frog, " How big ? was it rope about his neck, hung him to a tree near by,
as big " — and she puft'ed herself out — " as big as a warning to the other wolves. Some shep-
as this ? " " Oh, a great deal digger than that." herds going by, thought, at a distance, that it was
" Well, was it so big ? " and she swelled herself a sheep hung thus, and wondered why the Shep-
out yet more. "• it was
Indeed, mother, but and ;
herd should do this, but when they came near,
if you were to burst yourself, you would never they saw that it was a Wolf, and the Shepherd
said :
'
I hang a Wolf when I catch him, even and wheat. " Do you know, my friend," said he,
though he be dressed in a sheep's skin." " that you live a mere ant's lif6 out here ? Now
I have abundance at home, come, and enjoy all
the good things." So oii the two set for town,
and there the Town Mouse showed the other his
beans and meal, his dates, too, his cheese, and
fruit, and honey. And as the Country Mouse ate,
drank, and was merry, he praised his friend and
bewailed his own poor lot. But while they were
urging each other to eat heartily, a man suddenly
opened the door, and frightened by the noise they
crept into the cracks. Then when they wanted
to taste again ofsome dried figs, in came another
person to get something that was in the room, and
when they cauglit sight of him the3' ran and hid
THE COUNTRY MAID AND HER MILK-PAIL.

A Country Maid was walking slowly along
with a pail of milk upon her head, and thinking
thus :
" The money for which I shall sell this
milk will enable me to increase my stock of eggs
to three hundred. These eggs, allowing for what
may prove addled, and what may be destrojêd by
vermin, will produce, at least, two hundred and
fifty chickens. The chickens will be fit to carry
to market about Christmas, when poultry always
brings a good j^rice, so that by May Day I shall
have money enough to buy a new gown. Let me
see —green suits my complexion best; yes, it shall
be green. In this dress I will go to the fair,
in a hole. At that, the Country Mouse forgot his
where all the young fellows will want me for a

hunger, and fetching a sigh, said to the other
partner, but I shall, perhaps, refuse every one of

" Please yourself, my good friend, eating all you
them," — and by this time she was so full of her want, and having your fill of good things with jol-
fancy that she her head proudly, when

tossed
lity — and
danger and a constant panic; as for
over went the which she had entirely forgot-
pail,
me, poor wretch, who have onl}' barley and wheat,
ten, and all the milk was spilled on the ground. I will live on, without fear of any one overlooking
Don't count your chickens before they are me."

hatched. The fable teaches that it is better worth while
to live plainly and undisturbed, than to have a

THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE TOWN surfeit and be always in terror.
MOUSE.
A Country Mouse had who lived in a
a friend THE LIONESS AND THE FOX.
house in town. Now the Town Mouse was invited A Lioness was twitted by a Fox for only
by the Country Mouse to take dinner with him, giving birth to one at a time. " One," said she,
a,nd out he went and sat down to a meal of barley '•
yes, one, but a Lion."
THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW. 17
"
The fable teaches that good resides not in num- better able to carry the poor beast, than he you !
bers but in worth. " Anything to please you," said the old man.
" We can but try." So, alighting with his Son,
they tied the Ass's legs together, and by the help
of a pole endeavored to carry him on their shoul-
ders over a bridge that led to the town. This
was so entertaining a sight, that the people ran
out in crowds to laugh at it ; till the Ass, not lik-
ing the noise or his situation, kicked the cords

away, and tumbled off the pole into the river.
Upon this, the old man, vexed and ashamed, made
the best of his way home again, having learned
that by trying to please everybody he had pleased
nobody, and lost his Ass into the bargain.
THE WOLVES AND THE SHEEP.

THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR ASS. Said the Wolves to the Sheep: " Why should
A Miller and his Son were driving their Ass there always be war between us ? and how is it
to a neighboring fair to sell him. They had not no truce or go from us to you ? it is all along
flags
gone far when they met with a troop of girls, re- who bark at us the moment
of these wretched dogs
turning from the town, talking and laughing. we come near you, and stir us up when we had no
" Look there! " cried one of them, " did you ever
see such fools, to be trudging along on foot when
they might be riding ? " The old man, hearing
this, bade his Son get on the Ass, and walked
along merrily by the side of him. Presently they
came to a group of old men in earnest debate.
" There " said one of them, " that proves what I
!
was saying. What respect is shown to old age in

these days ? do you see that idle young rogue rid-
ing, while his old father has to walk ? get down,
"
you scape-grace, and let the old man get on !
Upon tliis, the Miller made his Son dismount, and

got up himself. They had not gone far, when
they met a company of women and children.
" Why, you lazy old fellow " cried several tongues
! thought of harming you. Only get rid of them,
at once, " how can you ride upon the beast, while and we can have peace." The Sheep believed the
that poor lad there can hardly keep pace by
little Wolves, and sent the dogs off, but as soon as they
the side of you ? " The good-natured Miller there- were left unprotected the Wolves ate them up.
upon took up his Son behind him. They had now If you listen to your enemy you will get your-
almost reached the town. " Pray, honest friend," self into danger.
"
said a townsman, " is that Ass your own ?
" Yes," said the old man. " Oh one would not
!
THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW.
have thought so," said the other, " by the way A DISSOLUTE young man who had spent all his
you load him. Why, you two poor fellows are fortune, and had only his cloak left, when he spied
a Swallow coming forth out of season, thought " May I not stand wholly within ? " asked the
that spring was at hand, and so went and sold his Camel, finally. " I keep the tent open by standing
cloak, as having no immediate use for it. But as I do."
afterward, when a storm arose, and the air was " Yes, yes," said the Arab, " I will have com-
very keen, he saw the Swallow lying desolate and passion on you as well as on myself. Come
wholly inside." So the Camel came forward, and
crowded into the tent. But the tent was too
small for both.
'•
I think," said the Camel, " that there is not
room for both of us here. It will be best for you
to stand outside, as
you are the smaller. There
will then beroom enough for me," and with that
he pushed the Arab a little, who made haste to
get outside of the tent.
THE OLD MAN AND DEATH.

An Old Man, after cutting his wood and lifting
it upon his shoulders, set out on a long road.
And growing very weary, he laid down his burden
dead, and said to her : " Ah, my friend, you have and began calling on Death. But when Death
ruined me, and are lost yourself." appeared and asked why he had called for him,
The fable teaches that one swallow does not the Old Man said " So that you may help me on
:
make a summer. with my load again."

The fable teaches that every man is a lover of
THE ARAB AND HIS CAMEL. even though it go hard with him and he meet
life,
One cold night, as an Arab sat in his tent, a a thousand dangers.

Camel gently thrust the flap of the tent aside and
looked in.
THE CHOICE OF HERCULES.
" I pray thee, master," he said, "suffer me but When Hercules was growing out of boyhood
to put my head within the tent, for it is cold with- into youth, and had come to the time when young
out." men become tlieir own masters, and .show plainly
" By means, and welcome," said the Arab,
all whether they will take the path which leads by
cheerfulljr, aud the Camel, moving forward, virtue's way to the end of life, or will take that
stretched his head into the tent. which lies through sin, he sat down by the way-
" If I might but warm my neck also," he said, side and considered whether of the two he would
beseechingly. choose. And as he sat there, two queenly women
" Put also your neck inside," said the Arab. appeared and drew near ; the one was fair to look
Presently the Camel, who had been turning his upon and noble in form, of fine presence, with
head from side to side, said again. downcast eyes and grave bearing, clad in white
" I will take but little more room if I place my garments and the other was tender and soft, and
;
fore-legs within the tent. It is difiicult standing so adorned as to seem fairer and ruddier than the
without." former, with a bearing that seemed more stately,
" You may also plant your fore-legs within," with eyes that were opened full and fair, and in
said the Arab, moving a little to make room, for garments that shone as the day and oft she ad-
;
the tent was very small. mired herself, and looked to see if any other were
THE CHOICE OF HERCULES. 19
gazing upon her, and cast her eyes ever upon her to men without labor and care ; wouldst thou have
own shadow. the gods merciful to thee, thou must serve them :
As they came near to Hercules, the one first dost thou wish to be beloved by thy friends, thou
spoken of was keeping on her way, but the other must do thy friends good deeds art thou eager to ;
made haste to get before her, and running to Her- be honored by any city, thou must be of use to
cules, said :
— that city dost thou long to be admired for thy
;
" O Hercules^ I perceive that thou art consid- nobleness by all Greece, thou must make it thy
ering by which of the two paths thou wilt travel endeavor to do well to Greece desirest thou the ;
to thy life's end. If, now, thou wilt make me thy land to yield thee ripe fruit, thou must till the
friend I willlead thee by the pleasantest and land thinkest thou to be rich in herds, thou must
;
easiest path, and thou shalt not fail to taste of all give thy care to the cattle ; art thou impatient to
pleasures, and shalt go thy way unvexed by any grow mighty by war, and wouldst thou have
hardships. For, thou shalt have no
first of all, power to set thy friends free and worst thine ene-
care for wars or the busy men, but shalt
life of mies, thou must study well the art of war with
only cast about, to see what pleasant thing thou thosewho understand it, and learn to practice it;
mayst have to eat or drink, or what delight there and then if thou wishest to have a strong body,
may be for thine eye or thine ear, or what pleas- thou must make it obedient to thy mind, and thou
antness to smell or touch, and how thou mayst must exercise it with labor and the sweat of
take thy joyance in the sports of the young, and toil."
how thou mayst sleep softly, and enjoy all these Here Vice interrupted her, and said " Dost :
things with the least trouble. And should there thou know, Hercules, by what a hard and long
come any doubt into thy mind lest there should path this woman would lead thee to pleasure ?
be a lack of these things, have no fear that I will But I will take thee by an easier and shorter
call thee to toil, and weariness, and hardness of way to happiness." Then Goodness said :
—
life,that thou mayst obtain them, but know that " Thou bold woman, what good thing hast thou ?
whatever others labor for that shalt thou have or what real pleasure dost thou know, vpho art not
without labor, wanting nothing which it may be willing to do aught for the sake of these delights ?
possible ever to gain for always do I give power
;
for thou canst not even wait for the desire of these
to those that follow me to have their heart's de- pleasures, but before the desire comes thou hast
sire." emptied them all, eating before thou art hungry,
When Hercules heard these words, he said drinking before thou thirstest, and that thou mayst
" What is thy name, lady ? " and she answered : eat delicately, choosing skillful cooks ; that thou
" My friends call me Pleasure, but those who hate mayst drink agreeably, getting costly wines, and
me call me names, and say I am Vice." coolinar them in summer with snow water that ,
Thereupon the other, coming near, said, " As thou mayst sleep softly, thou gettest not only
for have come to thee, Hercules, because I
me, I downy beds, but couches, and carpets beneath the
know who gave thee birth, and taught thee
those couches, for thou longest for sleep, not because
in thy childhood, and from this have hope that if thou hast toiled, but because thou hast nothing to
thou wilt take the path which I take thou wilt do. Thou art immortal, but thou hast been cast
become a good laborer in all that is pure and holy, out by the gods, and art dishonored by good men ;
and I shall be held in even higher honor and be to the sweetest of all sounds, praise of thyself,
yet more comely in the sight of good men. I will thou art deaf, and to the fairest of all sights thou
not make thee deceitful promises of pleasure, but art blind, for thou never hast seen one good work
I will show thee truthfully what the gods have ap- of thine. And who would trust thee, when thou
pointed. For the gods give no good or fair thing saidst aught ? and who would satisfy thee, asking
auglit ? or who in his right mind would dare to they ask for nothing till they want it, and sleep to
be of thy company ? tliy young men are weak, thy them is nioi-e refreshing than to those who toil
old men are senseless ; when they pass their youth not when they miss it
; the loss is no burden, and
without toil the)' drag through age with and
toil when they have it they lose not thei'eby the doing
burden, ashamed of what they have done, weighed of any needful thing. The young rejoice in the
down with what they now do, having run through praises of the old, and the old men are glad at
all pleasures in their youth, and waiting nothing honor from the young the memory of their for-
;
but hardness in their age. But I am companion mer deeds is pleasant, and they are blessed in
of the gods, and of all good men no beautiful ; their present work, for, by me, they have the gods
deed of gods or men is done without me. Gods for their friends, men to love them, and their coun-
and men pay me honor, each in his own kind I ; try to honor them. And whensoever the end of
am a beloved fellow to the craftsman, a faithful their jom-ney comes, they lie not down in unhon-
guard to the master of the house, a gracious aid ored forgetfulness, but with joy at the hymns of
to the townsman, a good partner in the labors of praise,which are sung over them forever.
peace, a strong fellow soldier in war, and the best " Such things are possible to thee, O Hercules,
comrade in the world. My friends have a sweet child of good parents to thee it is given by toil
;
enjoyment at their ease, of meat and drink, for to win the most blessed hapjîness."
THE BOOK OF WONDERS.
THE STORY OF CHICKEN-LICKEN.

As Chicken-licken went one day to the woods, an penny, and Henny-penny met Chicken-licken, and
acorn upon her poor bald pate, and she thought
fell Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the sky
the skj^ had fallen. Then she said she would go •
had fallen on her poor bald pate, and we are go-

and tell the king that the sky had fallen. ing to tell the king."
So Chicken-licken turned back, and met Henny- So Draky-laky turned back, and met Goosey-
penny. " Well, Henny-penny, where are you go- loosey. " Well, Goosey-loosey, where are you
ing ? " and Henny-penny said, " I 'm going to the going ? " and Goosey-loosey said, " I 'm going to
wood for some meat," and Chicken-licken said, the wood for some meat." Then Draky-laky said,
" Oh, Henny-penny, don't go, for I was going, and " Oh, Goosey-loosey, don't go, for I was going, and
the sky fell upon my poor bald pate, and I 'm go- met Ducky-lucky, and Ducky-lucky met Cocky-
ing to tell the king." locky, and Cocky-locky met Henny-penn}^ and
So Henny-penny turned back with Chicken- Henny-penny met Chicken-licken, and Chicken-
licken, and met Cocky-locky. " Oh, Cocky-locky, licken had been at the wood, and the sky had
where are you going? " and Cocky-locky said, fallen on her poor bald pate, and we ai'e going to
" I 'm going to the wood for some meat." Then tell the king."
Hennj'-penny said, " Oh, Cocky-locky, don't go, So Goosey-loosey turned back, and met Gander-
for I was going and met Chicken-licken, and lander. " Well, Gander-lander, where are you
Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the going?" and Gander-lander said, "I'm going to
sky had fallen on her poor bald pate, and we are the wood for some meat." Then Goosey-loosey
going to tell the king." said, " Oh, Gander-lander, don't go, for I was
So Cocky-locky turned back, and met Ducky- going, and met Draky-laky, and Draky-laky met
lucky. " Well, Ducky-lucky, where are you Ducky-lucky, and Ducky-lucky met Cocky-locky,
going ? " And Ducky-lucky said, " I 'm going to and Cocky-locky met Henny-penny, and Henny-
the wood for some meat." Then Cocky-locky penny met Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had
said, " Oh, Ducky-lucky, don't go, for I was going, been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on her
and met Henny-penny, and Hennj'-penny met poor bald pate, and we are going to tell the king."
Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had been at So Gander-lander turned back, and met Turkey-
the wood, and the sky had fallen on her poor bald lurkey. " Well, Turkey-lurkey, where are you
pate, and we are going to tell the king." going? " and Turkey-lurkey said, " I 'm going to
So Ducky-lucky turned back, and met Draky- the wood for some meat." Then Gander-lander
laky. " Well, Draky-laky, where are you go- said, " Oh, Turkey-lurkey, don't go, for I wa9
ing ? " and Draky-lakj' said, " I 'm going to the going, and I met Goosey-loosey, and Goosey-loosey
wood for some meat." Then Ducky-lucky said, met Draky-laky, and Draky-laky met Ducky-
"Oh, Draky-laky, don't go, for I was going, and lucky, and Ducky-lucky met Cocky-locky, and
met Cocky-locky, and Cocky-locky met Henny- Cocky-locky met Henny-penny, and Henny-penny
22 THE BOOK OF WONDERS.
met Cbicken-licken, and Chicken-licken bad been fell upon ber poor bald pate, and we are going to
at tbe wood, and tbe sky bad fallen on ber poor tell tbe king."
bald pate, and we are going to tell tbe king." And Fox-lox said, " Come along witb me, and
So Turkey- lurkey turned back, and walked witb I will show you the way." But Fox-lox took
Gander-lander, Goosey-loosey, Draky-laky, Ducky- tbem into tbe fox's bole, and be and bis young
lucky, Cocky-locky, Henny-penny, and Cbicken. ones soon ate up poor Cbicken-licken, Henny-
licken. And as they were going along tbey penny, Cocky-locky, Ducky-lucky, Draky-laky,
met Fox-lox. And Fox-lox said, "Wbere are Goosey-loosey, Gander-lander, and Turkey-lurkey,
you going, my pretty maids ? " and tbey said, and tbey never saw tbe king to tell bim that the
." Chicken-licken went to tbe wood, and the sky sky bad fallen
THE THREE BEARS.

In a far-off country there was once a little girl then sbe tried the middle-sized chair, which be-
who was called Silver-bair, because ber curly hair longed to tbe Middle-sized Bear, and she found it
shone She was a sad romp, and so rest-

brightlj'. too broad ; then sbe tried tbe little chair, wbich
less tbat she could not be kept quiet at home, but belonged to tbe Little Bear, and found it just
must needs run out and away, without leave. right, but she sat in it so hard that she broke it.
One day she started off into a wood to gather Now Silver-hair was by this time very tired,
wild flowers, and into tbe fields to cbase butter- and she went up-stairs to the chamber, and there
flies. She ran here and she ran tbere, and went sbe found three beds. She tried tbe largest bed,
so far, at last, that she found herself in a lonely which belonged Big Beai', and found it too
to the
place,where sbe saw a snug little bouse, in which soft then sbe tried the middle-sized bed, which
;
three bears lived but tbey were not then at borne.

; belonored to tbe Middle-sized Beai', and sbe found
Tbe door was ajar, and Silver-hair pushed it it too bard then sbe tried tbe smallest bed, wbich
;
open and found the place to be quite empty, so belonged to the Little Bear, and found it just
she made up her mind to go in boldly, and look right, so she lay down upon
it, and fell fast asleep.
all about the place, little thinking what sort of While was lying fast asleep, tbe
Silver-bair
people lived tbere. three bears came home from their walk. Tbey
Now tbe three beai's had gone out to walk a came into tbe kitchen, to get their porridge, but
little before this. Tbey were the Big Bear, and wben tbe Big Bear went to bis, he growled out,
tbe Middle-sized Bear, and tbe Little Bear ; but " SOMEBÔDY HAS BEEN TASTING MY
they had left their porridge on the table to cool. PORRIDGE!"
So wben Silver-hair came into tbe kitcben, sbe saw and tbe Middle-sized Bear looked into his bowl,
the three bowls of porridge. Sbe tasted tbe largest and said, —
bowl, wbich belonged to tbe Big Bear, and found " SOSIEBODY HAS BEEN TASTING MY POR-
it too cold ; then sbe tasted tbe middle-sized bowl, RIDGE " !
wbich belonged to tbe Middle-sized Bear, and and tbe Little Bear piped, —
found it too hot then sbe tasted the smallest
;
" Somebody has tasted my j}orridge and ate it
bowl, which belonged to the Little Bear, and "
it all up !
was just right, and she ate it all. Then they went into the parlor, and the Big
She went into tbe parlor, and there were three Bear growled, —
chairs. Sbe tried tbe biggest chair, wbich be- "SOMEBODY HAS BEEN SITTING IN
longed to the Big Bear, and found it too high. MY CHAIR !
"
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER. 23
and the Middle-sized Bear said, — and the Middle-sized Bear said, —
" Somebody has been sitting in wy chair! " " Somebody has been tumbling my bed " !
and the Little Bear piped, — and the Little Bear piped, —
" Somebody has been sitting in my chair, and " Somebody has been tumblinff my bed, and here
"
has broken it all to pieces ! she is!"
So they went up-stairs into the chamber, and At woke in a fright, and jumped
that, Silver-hair
the Big Bear gfowled, out of thewindow and ran away as fast as her legs
" SOMEBODY HAS BEEN TUMBLING could carry her, and never went near the Three
MY BED!" Bears' snug little house again.
THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER.

There was once a shoemaker who worked very some time what was got ready in the evening
:
hard and was vei'y honest but still he could not

; was always done by daybreak, and the good man
earn enough to live upon, and at last all he had soon became thriving and prosperous again.
in the world was gone, except just leather enough One evening, about Christmas time, as he and
to make one pair of shoes. Then he cut them all his wife were sitting over the fire chatting to-
ready to make up the next day, meaning to get gether, he said to her, " I should like to sit up
up early in the morning to work. His conscience and watch to-night, that we may see who it is
was clear and his heart light, amidst all his troub-
les so he went peaceably to bed, left all his cares
;
to heaven, and fell asleep. In the morning, after

he had said his prayers, he sat himself down at
his work, when, to his great wonder, there stood
the shoes,all ready made, upon the table. The
good man knew not what to say or think of this
strange event. He looked at the workmanship ;
there was not one false stitch in the whole job;

and all was so neat and true that it was a com-
plete masterpiece.
That same day a customer came in, and the
shoes pleased him so well that he willingly paid
a price higher than usual for them and the poor ;
shoemaker with the money bought leather enough

to make two pairs more. In the evening he cut
out the work, and went to bed early, that he
might get up and begin betimes next day but he : that comes and does my work for me." The wife
was saved all the trouble, for when he got up in liked the thought ; so they left a light burning,
the morning the work was finished ready to his and hid tliemselves in the corner of the room be-
hand. Presently in came buyers, who jjaid him hind a curtain that was hung up there, and
handsomely for his goods, so that he bought watched what should happen.
leather enough for four pairs more. He cut out As soon as it was midnight there came two
the work again over night, and found it finished little naked dwarfs and they sat themselves upon
;
in the morning as before and so it went on for

; the shoemaker's bench, took up all the work that
was cut and began to ply with their little
out, bargain ; do you make each of them a little pair
fingers, stitching and rapping and tapping away of shoes."
at such a rate that the shoemaker was all amaze- The thought pleased the good shoemaker very
ment, and could not take his eyes off them for much and one
; evening, when all the things were
a moment. And on they went busily till the job ready, they laid them on the table, instead of the
was quite finished, and the shoes stood, ready for work that they used to cut out, and then went
use, upon the table. This was long before day- and hid themselves, to watch what the little elves
break and then they bustled away as quick as
; would do. About midnight they came in, and
lightning. were going to sit down to their work as usual
The next day, the wife said to the shoemaker, but when they saw the clothes lying for them,
" These little wights have made us rich, and we they laughed and were greatlj^ delighted. Then
ought to be thankful to them, and do them a good they dressed themselves in the twinkling of an
office in return. I am quite vexed to see them eye, and danced and capered and sprang about as
run about as they do they have nothing upon
; merry as could they danced out of
be, till at last
their backs to keep off the cold. I'll tell you the door, over the green and the shoemaker saw
;
what, I will make each of them a shirt, and a coat them no more but everything went well with
:
and waistcoat, and a pair of pantaloons into the him from that time forward, as long as he lived.
THE FROG-PRINCE.
One fine evening a young princess went into a and sleep upon your little bed, I will bring you
wood, and sat down by the side of a cool spring of your ball again." " What nonsense," thought
water. She had a golden ball in her hand, which the pi'incess, " this silly frog is talking He can !
was her and she amused her-

favorite plaything, never get out of the well : however, he may be
self with tossing it into the air and catching it able to get my and therefore
ball for me ; I will
again as it fell. After a time she threw it up promise him what he asks." So she said to the
so high that when she stretched out her hand frog, " Well, if j'ou will bring me my ball, I
to catch it, the ball bounded away and rolled promise to do you require." Then the frog
all
along upon the ground, till at last it fell into put his head down, and dived deep under the
the spring. water ;and after a little while he came up
The princess looked into the spring after the again with the ball in his mouth, and threw it
ball ; but it was very deep, so deep that she on the ground. As soon as the young princess
could not see the bottom of it. Then she began saw her ball, she ran to pick it up, and was so
to lament her loss, and said, " Alas ! if I could overjoyed to have it in her hand again that
only get my ball again, I would give all my fine she never thought of the frog, but ran home
clothes and jewels, and everything that I have in with it as fast as she could. The frog called
the world." Whilst she was speaking a frog put after her, " Stay, princess, and take me with you
its head out of the water and said, " Princess, why
;
as you promised " but she did not stop to hear
do you weep so bitterly?" "Alas!" said she, a word.
"what can you do for me, you nasty frog? My The next day, just as the princess sat down
golden ball has fallen into the spring." The frog to dinner, she heard a strange noise, tap-tap, as if
said, " Iwant not your pearls and jewels and fine somebody were coming up the marble staircase;
clothes but if you will love me and let me live
; and soon afterwards something knocked gently at
with you, and eat from your little golden plate, the door, and said, —
THE JEW IN THE BUSH. 25
" Open the door, ray princess dear, up, hopped down-stairs, and went out of the house.
Open the doov to thy true love here " Now," thought tlie princess, " he is gone and I
And mind the words that thou and I said
the fountain cool in the greenwood shade." shall be troubled with him no more."
Bv
But she was mistaken for when night came
;
Then the princess ran to the door and opened it, again, she heard the same tapping at the door,
and there she saw the frog, whom she had quite and when she opened it, the frog came in and
forgotten ; she r^vas terribly frightened, and shut- slept upon her pillow as before till the morning
ting the door as fast as she could, came back to broke and the third night he did the same but
: ;
her seat. The king, her father, asked her wliat when the princess awoke on the following morn-
had frightened her. " There is a nasty frog," ing, she was astonished to see, instead of the frog,
said slie, " at the door, who lifted my ball out of a handsome prince standing at the head of her
the spring this morning: I promised him that he bed, and gazing on her with the most beautiful
should live with me here, thinkiug that he could eyes that ever were seen.
never get out of the spring ; but there he is at the He told her that he had been enchanted by a
door and wants to come in !
" While she was malicious fairy, who had changed him into the
speaking the frog knocked at the door, and said, — form of a frog, in which he was fated to remain
till some princess should take him out of the
" Open the door, my princess dear,
Open the door to thy true love here ! spring and let him sleep upon her bed for three
And mind the words that thou and I said nights. " You," said the prince, " have broken
By the fountain cool in the greenwood sliade."
this cruel charm, and now
have nothing to wish
I
The king said young princess, " As you
to the for but that you should go with me into my
have made a promise, you must keep it so go and ; father's kingdom, where I will marry you, and
let him in." She did so, and the frog hopped into love you as long as you live."
the room, and came up close to the table. " Pray The young princess, you may be sure, was not
lift me upon a chair," said he to the princess, long in giving her consent and as they spoke a
;
" and let me sit next to you." As soon as she splendid carriage drove up with eight beautiful
had done this, the frog said, " Put your plate horses decked with plumes of feathers and golden
closer to me that I may eat out of it." This she harness, and behind rode the prince's servant,
did, and when he had eaten as much as he could the faithful Henry, who had bewailed the mis-
he said, " Now I am tired ; carry me up-stairs and fortune of his dear master so long and bitterly
put me into your little bed." And the princess that his heart had well nigh burst. Then all set
took him up in her hand and put him xvpon the out full of jo}' for the prince's kingdom where ;
pillow of her own little bed, where he slept all they arrived safely, and lived happily a great
night long. As soon as it was light he jumped many j'ears.
THE JEW IN THE BUSH.

A FARMER had a faithful and diligent servant, for my trouble." The farmer was a sad miser,
who had worked hard him three years, without
for and knew that his man was very simple-hearted;
having been paid any wages. At last it came into so he took out threepence, and gave him for every
the man's head that he would not go on thus with- year's service a penny. The poor fellow thought
out pay any longer ; so he went to his master, and it was a great deal of money to have, and said to
said," I have worked hard for you a long time, I himself, " Why should I work hard, and live here
will trust to you to give me what I deserve to have on bad fare any longer ? I can now travel into
4
the wide world, and make myself merry." With for heaven's sake! " cried the Jew, " master mas- !
that he put his money into his purse, and set out ter pray let the fiddle alone.
! What have I done
roaming over hill and valley. to deserve this ? " " Thou hast siiaved many a
As he jogged along fields, singing and
over the poor soul close enough," said the other; "thou art
dancing, a little dwarf met him, and asked him only meeting thy reward " so he played another:
what made him so merry. " Why, what should tune. Then Jew began to beg and promise,
the
make me down-hearted?" said he; "I am sound and offered money for his liberty but he did not
;
in health and rich in purse, what should I care come up to the musician's price for some time,
for ? I have saved up my three years' earnings, and and he danced him along brisker and brisker, and
have it all safe in my pocket." " How much may the Jew bid higher and higher, till at last he
it come to ? man. " Full three-
" said the little offered a round hundred of florins that he had in
pence," replied the countryman. " I wish you his purse, and had just gained by cheating some
would give them to me," said the other " I am ; poor fellow. When the countryman saw so much
very poor." Then the man pitied him, and gave money, he said, " I will agree to your proposal."
him all he had and the little dwarf said in return,
; So he took the purse, put up his fiddle, and trav-
" As you have such a kind honest heart, I will eled on very well pleased with his bargain.
grant you three wishes —
one for each penny so ; Meanwhile the Jew crept out of the bush half
choose whatever you like." Then the countryman naked and in a piteous plight, and began to pon-
rejoiced at his good luck, and said, " I like many der how he should take his revenge, and serve his
things better than money first I will have a bow
: late companion some trick. At last he went to
that will bring down everything I shoot at ; sec- the judge, and complained that a rascal had
ondly, a fiddle that will set every one dancing robbed him of his money, and beaten him into the
that hears me play upon it ; and thirdly, I should bargain and that the fellow who did it carried a
;
like that every one shquld grant what I ask." bow at his back and a fiddle hung round his neck.
The dwarf said he should have his three wishes ,
Then the judge sent out his ofhcers to bring up
so he gave him the bow and fiddle, and went his the accused wherever they should find him and ;
way. he was soon caught and brought up to be tried.

Our honest friend journejêd on his way too ;
The Jew began to tell his tale, and said he had
and if he was merry before he was now ten times been robbed of his money. " No, you gave it to
more so. He had not gone far before he met an me for playing a tune to you," said the country-
old Jew close by them stood a tree, and on the
: man but the judge told him that was not likely,
;
topmost twig sat a thrush singing away most joy- and cut the matter short by ordering him off to
fully. " Oh, what a pretty bird " said the iev7 ! the gallows.
;
" I would give a great deal of money to have such So away he was taken but as he stood on the ;
a one." " If that's all," said the countryman, " I steps he said, "My Lord Judge, grant me one last
will soon bring it down." Then he took up his request." " Anything but thy life." " No," said
bow, and down fell the thrush into the bushes at he, " I do not ask my life only let me play upon ;
the foot of the tree. The Jew crept into the bush my fiddle for the last time." The Jew cried out,
to find but directly he had got into the middle,
it ; " Oh, no ! no
for heaven's
! sake don't listen to
his companion took up his fiddle and played away, him ! don't listen to him " ! But the judge said,
and the Jew began to dance and spring about, ca- " It is only for this once, he will soon have done."
pering higher and higher in the air. The thorns The fact was, he could not refuse the request, on
soon began to tear his clothes till they all hung in account of the dwarf's third gift.
rags about him, and he himself was all scratched Then the Jew said, " Bind me fast, bind me
and wounded, so that the blood ran down. " Oh, fast, for pity's sake." But the countryman seized
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN. 27
his fiddle, and struck up a tune, and at the first note, judge, clerks,and jailer, were in motion all ;
began capering, and no one could hold the Jew.

At the second note the hangman let his prisoner
go, and danced also, and by the time he had
played the first bar of the tune, all were dancing
together —
judge, court, and Jew, and all the
people who had followed to look on. At first the
thing was merry and pleasant enough but when ;
it had gone on a while, and there seemed to be no
end of playing or dancing, they began to cry out,

and beg him to leave off; but he stopped not a
whit the more for their entreaties, till the judge
not onlj' gave him his life, but promised to return
to him the hundred florins.
Then he Jew and said, " Tell us

called to the
now, you vagabond, where you got that gold, or I
shall play on for your amusement only." " I stole
it," saidthe Jew in the presence of all the people
" I acknowledge that I stole it, and that you earned
it fairly." Then the countrjnnan stopped his fid-
dle, and left the Jew to take his place at the gal-
lows.
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN.

A CERTAIN merchant had two children, a son bottom of the sea, and how he had nothing left ex-
and daughter, both very young, and scarcely able cept that little plot of land. " Oh ! trouble not
to run alone. He had two richly laden ships then yourself about that," said the dwarf ;
" only prom-
making a voyage upon the seas, in which he had ise to bring me here, twelve years hence, what-
embarked all his property, in the hope of making ever meets you on your return home, and I
first
great gains, when the news came that they were will give you as much gold as you please." The
lost. Thus from being a rich man he became very merchant thought this was no great request that ;
poor, so that nothing was left him but one small it would most likely be his dog, or something of
plot of land and, to relieve his mind a little of

; that sort, but forgot his little child so he agreed :
his trouble, he often went out to walk there. to the bargain, and signed and sealed the engag-
One day, as he was roving along, a little rough- ment to do what was required.
looking dwarf stood before him, and asked him But as he drew near home, his little boy was so
why he was so sorrowful, and what it was that he pleased to see him, that he crept behind him and
took so deeplj' to heart. But the merchant re- laid fast hold of his legs. Then the father started
plied, " If you could do me any good, I would tell with and saw what it was that he had bound
fear,
you." "Who
knows but I may ?" said the lit- himself to do but as no gold was come, he con-
:
tle man ; me what is the matter, and per-

"tell soled himself by thinking that it was only a joke
haps I can be of some service." Then the mer- that the dwarf was playing him.
chant told him how all his wealth was gone to the About a month afterwards he went up-staira
into an oldlumber room to look for some old iron, for it was enchanted. At last, however, he found
that he miglit sell it and raise a little money and ; a white snake in one of the chambers.
there he saw a lai'ge pile of gold lying on the floor. Now the white snake was an enchanted prin-
At the sight of this he was greatly delighted, cess and she rejoiced greatly to see him, and
;
went into trade again, and became a greater mer- said, " Art thou at last come to be my deliverer ?
chant tlian before. Twelve long years have I waited for thee, for
Meantime his son grew up, and as the end of thou alone canst save me. This night twelve men
the twelve years drew near, the merchant became will come ° their faces will be black, and they will
very anxious and thoughtful ; so that care and be hung round with chains. They willask what
sorrow were written upon his face. The son one thou dost here ; but be silent, give no answer,
day asked what was the matter but his father : and let them do what they will beat and tor- —
refused to tell for some time at last however he
; ment thee. Suffer all, only speak not a word ;
said that he had, without knowing it, sold him to and at twelve o'clock they must depart. The
a little ugly-looking dwarf for a great quantity of second night twelve others will come and the ;
gold and that the twelve years were coming

; third night twenty-four, who will even cut off thy
round when he must perform his agreement. Then liead ; but at the twelfth hour of that night their
the son said, " Father, give yourself very little power is gone, and I shall be free, and will come
trouble about that depend upon it I shall be too
; and bring thee the water of life, and will wash
much man."
for the little thee with it, and restore thee to life and health."
When the time came, they went out together And all came to pass as she had said the mer- ;
to the appointed place and the son di'ew a circle

; chant's son spoke not a word, and the third night
on the ground, and set himself and his father in the princess appeared, and fell on his neck and
the middle. The little dwarf soon came, and kissed him joy and gladness burst forth through-
;
said to the merchant, " Have you brought me out the castle the wedding was celebrated, and
;
what you promised ? " The old man was sileiit, he was king of the Golden Mountain.
"
but his son answered, " What do you want here ? They lived together very happily, and the queen
The dwarf said, " I come to talk with your father, liad a son. Eight years had passed over their
not with you." " You have deceived and betrayed heads when the king thought of his father and :
my father," said the son " give him up his bond."

; his heart was moved, and he longed to see him
" No," replied the other, " I will not yield up my once again. But the queen opposed his going,
rights." Upon this a long dispute arose; and at and said, " I know well that misfortunes will
last it was agi-eed that the son should be put into come." However, he gave her no rest till she
an open boat, that lay on the side of a piece of consented. At his departure she presented him
water hard by, and that the father should push with a wishing-ring, and said, " Take this ring,
him off with his own hand so that he should be
; and put it on your finger whatever you wish it ;
turned adrift. Then he took leave of his father, will bring j'-ou only promise that you will not
:
and set himself in the boat and as it was pushed

; make use of it to bring me hence to your father's."
off it heaved, and fell on one side into the water Then he promised what she asked, and put the
so the merchant thought that his son was lost, ring on his finger, and wished himself near the
and went home vei-y sorrowful. town where his father lived. He found himself
But the boat went safely on, and did not sink ;
at the gates in a moment ; but the guards would
and the young man sat securely within, till at not let him enter because he was so strangely clad.
length it ran ashore upon an unknown land. As So he went up to a neighboring mountain where
he jumped upon the shore, he saw before him a a shepherd dwelt, and borrowed his old frock, and
beautiful castle, but empty and desolate within. thus passed unobserved into the town. When he
THE KING OF THE GOLDEN MOUNTAIN. 29
came to his father's house, he said he was his son ;

itconsisted of a sword that cut off an enemy's
but the merchant would not believe him, and said head whenever the wearer gave the words, " Heads
he had had but one son, who he knew was long off I" — a cloak that made the
owner invisible, or
since dead and as he was only dressed like a poor
: gave him any form he pleased and a pair of boots ;
shepherd, he would not even offer him anything that transported the person who put them on
to eat. The king however persisted that he was wherever he wished. The king said they must
his son, and stiid, " Is there no mark by which first let him try these wonderful things, that he
you would know if I am really your son ? " " Yes," might know how to set a value upon them. Then
observed his mother, " our son has a mark like a they gave him the cloak, and he wished himself a
raspberry under the arm." Then he showed
riglit fly, and in a moment he was a fly. " The cloak
them the mark, and they were satisfied that what is very well," said he ; " now give me the sword."
he had said was true. He next told them how " No," said they, " not unless you promise not to
he was king of the Golden Mountain, and was say Heads off
' for if you do, we are all dead
!
'
married to a princess, and had a son seven years men." So they gave it him on condition that he
old. But the merchant said, " That can never be tried its virtue only on a tree. He next asked for
true ; he must be a fine king truly who travels the boots also ; and the moment he had all three
about in a shepherd's frock." At this the son was in his possessionhe wished himself at the Golden
very angry ; and, forgetting his promise, turned Mountain and there he was in an instant. So
;
his ring, and wished for his queen and son. In the giants were left behind with no inheritance to
an instant they stood before him ; but the queen divide or quarrel about.
wept, and said he had broken his word, and mis- As he came near to the castle he heard the
fortune would He did all he could to
follow. sound of merry music and the people around told
;
soothe her, and she at last appeared to be ap- him that queen was about to celebrate her
his
peased but she was not so in reality, and only
; marriage with another prince. Then he threw
meditated how she should take her revenge. his cloakaround him, and passed through the cas-
One day he took her to walk with him out of tle,and placed himself by the side of his queen,
the town, and showed her the spot where the boat where no one saw him. But when anything to
was turned adrift upon the wide waters. Then eat was put upon her j)late, he took it away and
he sat himself down, and said, " I am very tired; ate it himself; and when a glass of wine was
sit by me, I will rest my head in your lap, and handed to her, he took and drank it and thus, ;
sleep a while." As soon as he had fallen asleep, though they kept on serving her with meat and
however, she drew the ring from his finger, and drink, her plate continued always empty.
crept softly away, and wished herself and her Ujôn this, fear and remorse came over her, and
son at home in their kingdom. And when the she went into lier chamber and wept and he fol- ,
king awoke, he found himself alone, and saw that lowed her there. " Alas "! said she to herself,
the ring was gone from his finger. " I can never " did not my deliverer come ? why then doth en-
return to my father's house," said he ;
" they chantment still surround me ? "
would say I am a sorcerer : I will journey forth " Thou traitress I
" said he, " thy deliverer in
into the world till I come again to my king- deed came, and now is near thee has he deserved :
dom." this of thee?" And he went out and dismissed

So saying, he set out and traveled till he came the company, and said the wedding was at an end,
to a mountain, where three giants were sharing for that he was returned to his kingdom but the ^
their inheritance and as they saw him pass, they

;
princes and nobles and counselors mocked at him.
cried out and said, " Little men have sharp wits ;
However, he would enter into no parley with them,
he shall divide the inheritance between us." Now but only demanded whether they would depart in
peace, or not. Then they turned and tried to word, the traitors' heads fellbefore him and he ;
seize him; but he drew his sword, and, with a was once more king of the Golden Mountain.
THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE.
There was once a fisherman who lived with his caught you, I ought to have asked you for some-
wife in a ditch, close by the sea-side. The fisher- thing before I letyou go again she does not like ;
man used to go out all day long a-fishing ; and one living any longer in the ditch, and wants a little
day, as he sat on the shore with his rod, looking at cottage." "Go home, then," said the fish, "she
the shining water and watching his line, all on a is in the cottage already." So the man went
sudden his float was dragged away deep under the home, and saw his wife standing at the door of a
sea ; and in drawing it up he pulled a great fish cottage. " Come in, come in," said she " is not ;
out of the water. The fish said to him, "Pray let this much better than the ditch ? " And there
me live ; I am not a real fish ; I am an enchanted was a parlor, and a bed-chamber, and a kitchen ;
prince, put me in the water again, and let me go." and behind the cottage there was a little garden
"Oh !
" man, " you need not make so
said the with all sorts of flowers and fruits, and a courtyard
many words about tlie matter I wish to have ; full of ducks and chickens. " Ah " said the fish- !
nothing to do with a fish that can talk so swim ; erman, " how happily we shall live I
" " We will
away as soon as you please." Then he put him try to do so at least," said his wife.
back into the water, and the fish darted straight Everything went right for a week or two, and
down to the bottom, and left a long streak of blood then Dame Alice said, " Husband, there is not
behind him. room enough in this cottage, the courtyard and
When the fisherman went home to his wife in garden are a great deal too small I should like to ;
the ditch, he told her how he had caught a great have a large stone castle to live in so go to the ;
fish, and how it had told him it was an enchanted fish again, and tell him to give us a castle."
prince, and that on hearing it speak he had let it " Wife," said the fisherman, " I don't like to go
" we
go again. " Did you not ask it for anything ? to him again, for perhaps he will be angry ,
said the wife. " No," said the man, " what should ought be content with the cottage." "Non-
to
I ask for ? " " Ah !
" said the wife, " we live very sense " said the wife " he will do it very will-
!
;
wretchedly here in this nasty stinking ditch ; do ingly go along and try."
;
go back, and tell the fish we want a little cot- The fisherman went but his heart was very ;
tage." heavy and when he came to the sea it looked blue

,
The fisherman did not much like the business and gloomy, though it was quite calm, and he went
however, he went to the sea, and when he came close to it, and said, —
there the water looked all yellow and green. And " O man of the sea
he stood at the water's edge, and said, — Come listen to me,
For Alice my wife.
" O man of the sea
The plague of my life.
Come listen to me,
Hath sent me to beg a boon of thee !
"
For Alice my wife.
The plague of my life, " Well, what does she want now ? " said the
"
" Ah " said the man very sorrowfully,
fish. !
Then the fish came swimming to him, and said, " my wife wants to live in a stone castle." " Go
" Well, what does she want ? " " Ah " answered ! home then," said the fish, " she is standing at the
the fisherman, "my wife says that when I had door of it already." So away went the fisherman,
THE FISHERMAN AND HIS WIFE. 31
his wife standing before a great castle. " are you king " " Yes," said she, "I am king."
and found ?
" See," said slie, " is not this grand ? " With that And when he had looked at her for a long time,
they went into the castle together, and found a he said, " Ah, wife what a fine thing it is to be
!
greatmany servants there, and the rooms all richly king now we shall never have anything moi'e to
!
furnished and full of golden chairs and tables ;

wish for." " I don't know how that may be,"
and behind the castle was a garden, and a wood said she ;
" never is a long time. I am king, 't is
half a mile loijig, full of sheep, and goats, and true, but I begin to and I think I be tired of it,
hares, and deer and in the courtyard were stables

; should like to be emperor." "Alas, wife! why
and cow-houses. " Well " said the man, " now ! should you wish to be emperor? " said the fisher-
will we live contented and happy in this beautiful man. " Husband," said she, "go to the fish; I
castle for the rest of our lives." " Perhaps we say I will be emperor." " Ah, wife " replied the !
may," said the wife ;

" but let us consider and fisherman, " the fish cannot make an emperor, and
sleep upon it before we make up our minds " : so I should not like to ask for such a thing." " I am
they went to bed. king," said Alice, " and you are my slave, so go
The next morning, when Dame Alice awoke, it directly !
"
So the fisherman was obliged to go ;
was broad and she jogged the fisherman

dajdight, and he muttered as he went along, " This will
with her elbow, and said, " Get up, husband, become to no good, it is too much to ask, the fish
stir yourself, for we must be king of all the land." will be tired at last, and then we shall repent of
" Wife, wife," said the man, " why should we what we have done." He soon arrived at the sea,
wish to be king ? I will not be king." " Then and the water was quite black and muddy, and a
I will," 'said Alice. "But, wife," answered tbe mighty whirlwind blew over it; but he went to
fisherman, "how can you be king ? the fish cannot the shore, and said, —
make you a king." " Husband," said she, " say " O man of the sea
!
no more about it, but go and try I will be king ; Come listen to me,
So the man went away, quite sorrowful to think For Alice my wife,
that his wife should want to be king. The sea
looked a dark-gray color, and was covered with

foam, as he cried out, — " What would she have now ? " said the fish.
" Ah !
" said he, " she wants to be emperor." " Go
" O man o£ the sea !
Come listen to me. home." said the fish " she is emperor already.";
For Alice my wife. So he went home again and as he came near, ;

he saw his wife sitting on a very loftj^ throne,
Hath sent me "
to beg a boon of thee !
made of solid gold, with a great crown on her

" Well, what would she have now ? " said the head, full two yards high, and on each side of her
fish. " Alas " said the man, "
! my wife wants to stood her guards and attendants in a row, each
be king." " Go home," said the fish " she is ; one smaller than the other, from the tallest giant
king alread}'." down to a little dwai'f, no bigger than my finger.
Then the fisherman went home and as he came ; And before her stood princes and dukes, and earls
close to the palace, he saw a troop of soldiers, and and the fisherman went up to her and said, " Wife,
heard the sound of drums and trumpets and ; are you emperor ? " " Yes," said she, " I am em-
when he entered, he saw his wife sitting on a peror." " Ah " said the man as he gazed upon
!
"
high throne of gold and diamonds, with a golden her, " what a fine thing it is to be emperor !
crown upon her head and on each side of her,

;
" Husband," said she, " why should we stay at
stood six beautiful maidens, each a head taller being emperor ? I will be pope next." " O wife,
than the other. " Well, wife," said the fisherman. wife " said he, " how can you be pope ? there is
!
but one pope at a time in Christendom." " Hus- thing to be pope and now you must be content,
;
band," said she, " I will be pope this very day." for you can be nothing greater." " I will consider
" But," replied the husband, " the fish cannot of that," said the wife. Then they went to bed :
make you pope." " What nonsense " said she, ! but Dame Alice could not sleep all night for
" if he can make an emjDeror, he can make a pope, thinking what she should be next. At last morn-
go and try him." So the fisherman went. But ing came, and the sun rose. " Ha !
" thought she
when he came to the shore, the wind was raging, as she looked at through the window, " cannot
it
and the sea was tossed up and down like boiling I ? "
prevent the sun rising At this, she was very
water, and the ships were in the greatest distress angry, and she wakened her husband, and said,
and danced upon the waves most fearfully in the ;
" Husband, go to the fish and tell him I want to
middle of the sky there was a little blue, but tobe lord of the sun and moon." The fisherman
ward the south it was all red as if a dreadful storm Vas half asleep, but the thought frightened him
was rising. At this, the fisherman was terribly so much that he started and fell out of bed.
frightened, and trembled, so that his knees knocked " Alas, wife " said he, " cannot you be content
!
together but he went to the shore and said,

:
— to be pope No," said she, " I am verv un-
easy, and cannot bear to see the sun and moon
" O man of the sea !
Come listen to me, rise without my leave. Go to the fish directly."

For Alice my wife, Then the man went trembling for fear and as ;

" he was going down to the shore, a dreadful storm
arose, so that the trees and th6 rocks shook and ;
" What does she want now ? " said the fish. the heavens became and the lightning
black,
" All !
" said the fisherman, " my wife wants to played, and the thunder rolled and you might ;
be pope." " Go home," said the fish, " she is have seen in the sea great black waves, like mount-
pope already." ains, with a white crown of foam upon them and ;
Then the fisherman went home, and found his the fisherman said, —
wife sitting on a throne that was two miles high
" man of the sea !
and she had three great crowns on her head, and Come listen to me.
around stood all the pomp and power of the For Alice my wife.
Church and on each side were two rows of burn-

;
"
ing lights, of all sizes, the greatest as large as the

highest and biggest tower in the world, and the " does she want now ? " said the fish.
What
least no larger than a small rushlight. " Wife," " Ah " said he, " she wants to be lord of tlie sun
!
said the fisherman, as he looked at all this grand- and moon." " Go home," said the fish, " to your
eur, " are you jjope ? " " Yes," said she, " I am ditch again !
" And there they live to this very
pope." " Well, wife," replied he, " it is a grand day.
JORINDA AND JORINDEL.

There was once an old castle that stood in the within a hundred paces of her castle, he became
middle of a large thick wood, and in the castle quite fixed, and could not move a step till she
lived an old fairy. All the day long she flew came and set him free but when any pretty :
about in the form of an owl, or crept about the maiden came within that distance, she was
country like a cat but at night she always became
; changed into a bird and the fairy put her into a
;
an old woman again. When any youth came cage and hung her up in a chamber in the castle.
JORINDA AND JORINDEL. 33
There ^vere seven hundred of these cages hang- with staring eyes, and a nose and chin that almost
ing in tlie castle, and all with beautiful birds in met.
them. She mumbled something to herself, seized the
Now there was once a maiden whose name was nightingale, and went away with it in her hand.
Jorinda : she was prettier than all the pretty girls Poor Jorindel saw the nightinale was gone, but —
that ever were seen and a shepherd whose name
; what could he do ? he could not speak, he could
was Jorindel was very fond of her, and they were not move from the spot where he stood. At last
soon to be married. One day they went to walk the fairy came back, and sang with a hoarse voice,
in the wood, that they might be alone and Jo- :
" Till the prisoner 's fast,
rindel said, " We must take care that we don't go And her doom is cast,
too near to the castle." It was a beautiful even- There stay ! Oh, stay
ing ; tlie last rays of the setting sun shone bright When charm is around
the her.
And the spell has bound her,
through the long stems of the trees upon the green
Hie away away '* ! !
underwood beneath, and the turtle-doves sang

plaintively from the tall birches. On a sudden Jorindel found himself free. Then
Jorinda sat down to gaze upon the sun ; Jorin- he fell on his knees before the fairy, and prayed
del sat by herand both felt sad, they knew
side ;
her to give him back his dear Jorinda : but she
not why but it seemed as if they were to be
;
said he should never see her again, and went her
parted from one another forever. They had wan- way.
dered a long way and when they looked to see
;
He prayed, he wept, he sorrowed, but all in
which way they should go home, they found them- vain. "Alas!" he said, "what will become of
selves at a loss to know what path to take. me ? "
The sun was setting fast, and already half of his He could not return own home, so he
to his
circle had disappeared behind the hill Jorindel :

went to a strange village, and employed himself in
on a sudden looked behind him, and as he saw keeping sheep. Many a time did he walk round
through the bushes that they had, without know- and round as near to the hated castle as
he dared
ing it, sat down under the old walls of the
close go. At he dreamt one night that he found a
last
castle, he shrank for fear, turned pale, and trem- beautiful purple flower, and in the middle of it lay
bled. Jorinda was singing, — a costly pearl and he dreamt that he plucked the
;
flower, and went with it in his hand into the cas-

" Tlie ring-dove sang from the willow spray,
Well-a-day ! well-a-day !
tle,and that everything he touched with it was
He mourn'd for the fate disenchanted, and that there he found his dear
Of his lovely mate,
Jorinda again.
"
Well-a-day !
In the morning when he awoke, he began to

The song ceased suddenly. Jorindel turned to search over hill and dale for this pretty flower
see the reason, and beheld iiis Jorinda changed and eight long days he sought for it in vain : but
into a nightingale ; so that her song ended with a on the ninth day, early in the morning, he found
mournful jug, jug. An owl with fiery eyes flew the beautiful purple flower ; and in the middle of
three times round them, and three times screamed, it was a large dew-drop as big as a costly pearl.
Tu whu ! Tu whu ! Tu whu ! Jorindel could not Then he plucked the flower, and set out and
move : he stood fixed as a stone, and could nei- traveled day and night he came again to the
till
ther weep, nor speak, nor stir hand or foot. And castle. He walked nearer than a hundred paces
now the sun went quite down the gloomy night
; to it, and yet he did not become fixed as be-
came ; the owl flev/ into a bush ; and a moment fore, but found that he could go close up to the
after the old fairy came forth pale and meagre, door.
5
Jorindel was very glad to see this : be touched when he heard so many birds singing. At last he
came to the chamber where the fairy sat, with the
seven hundred birds singing in the seven hundred
cages. And when she saw Jorindel she was very
angry, and screamed with rage ; but she could not
come within two yards of him for the flower he
;
held in his hand protected him. He looked around

at the birds, but alas! there were man}-, many
nightingales,and how then should he find his Jo-
rinda? While he was thinking what to do he ob-
served that the fairy had taken down one of the
cages, and was making her escape through the
door. He ran or flew to her, touched the cage
with the flower, —
and his Jorinda stood before
him. She threw her arms round his neck and
looked as beautiful as ever, as beautiful as when
they walked together in the wood.
Then he touched all the other birds with the
flower, so that they resumed their old forms and ;
the door with the flower, and it sprang open, so took his dear Jorinda home, where they lived hap-
that he went in through the court, and listened pily together many years.
THE SIX SWANS.
Once upon a time, a king, hunting in a great wife if you will make her your queen,
; I will
forest,chased a wild boar so eagerly, that none show you the way out of the wood."
of his people could follow him. When evening The king, in the fear of his heart, consented,
came, he stopped to look about him, and saw that and the old woman led him to her house, where
he had lost himself. He sought everywhere for a her daughter sat by the fire. She received the
way out of the wood, but could find none. Then king as if she had expected him, and he saw that
he perceived coming towards him an old woman, she was very beautiful but still she did not
;
whose head kept constantly shaking. She was a please him, and he could not look at her without
witch. a secret shudder. After he had lifted the maiden
"My good woman," said he to her, "cannot beside him on his horse, the old woman showed
"
you show me the way through the wood? him the way, and the king arrived again at his
" Oh yes, your majesty," answered she, " that I royal castle, where the wedding was celebrated.
can, but only on one condition, and if you do not He had been married once before, and had by
agree to it, you will never get out, and must die his first wife seven children, six boys and a girl,
here of hunger." whom he loved more than anything in the world.
" What is the condition ?
'
asked the king. But, because he was afraid that the stepmother
eagerly. might not treat them well, or might even do them
"I have an only daughter," said the old woman, some harm, he took them to a lonely castle which
" she is as beautiful as any one you could find stood in the middle of a wood. It was so hidden,
in. the wide world, and well deserves to be your and the road was so difficult to find, that he him-
THE SIX SWANS. 36
self would not have found it, if a wise woman had step-mother, and begged the king to let her stay
not siven him a wonderful skein of thread, which, one night more in the castle in the wood.
when he threw it down before him, unrolled of The poor girl thought, " I cannot rest here any
itself and showed him the way. The king went longer ; I will go and look for my brothers."
out so often to his dear children that the queen And when the night came she ran away, and
noticed his absence, and was full of curiosity to went straight into the Avood. She went on all
know what business took him thus alone to the through the night, and the next day too, till she
wood. So she gave his servants a sum of money, was so tired that she could go no farther. Then
and they told her the secret, and also told her of she saw a little house, and went in, and found a
the skein, which was the only thing that could room with six little beds she did not dare to lie
;
show the wdj. After that she never rested till down in any, but crept under one of them, laid
she had found out where the king kept the skein. herself on the hard floor, and meant to pass the
Then she made some little white silk shirts, and, night there. But when the sun was just going to
as she had learned witchcraft from her mother, set, she heard a rustling, and saw six swans come
she sewed a spell into every one of them. And flying in at the window. They sat down on the
one day, when the king was gone out to hunt, she floor, and blew at one another, and blew all their
took the little shirts and went into the wood, and feathers off, and took off their swan's-skins like
the skein showed her the way. shirts. Then the little girl saw them and recog-
The six brothers, who saw some one in the dis- nized her brothers, and was very glad, and crept
tance, thought their dear father was coming, and out from under the bed.
ran to meet him, full of joy. As they approached, The brothers were not less rejoiced when they
the queen threw one of the shirts over each of saw their little sister, but their joy did not last
them, and when the shirts touched their bodies long.
they were changed into swans, and flew away " You cannot stop here," said they to her, " this
over the wood. The witch's daughter went home is a house belonging to robbers ; if they come
quite happy, and thought she had got rid of all home and you they will kill you."
find
her step-children but the one little girl had not
;
" Cannot you protect me ? " said the little sis-
run out with her brothers, and the queen knew ter.
nothing about her. " No," answered they, " we can only take off
Next day the king came joyfully to visit his our swan's-skins for a quarter of an hour every
children, but he found nobody except the little evening, and have our natural shape for that time,
sister. but afterwards we are turned into swans again."
" Where are your brothers ? " asked he. The little sister cried, and said, " Cannot you be
" Oh, dear father," she answered, " they are "
released ?
gone and have left me alone," and then she told " Oh, no answered they, " the conditions
!
" "
him all that she had seen out of her window ;

are too hard. You must not speak or laugh for
how her brothers were turned into swans, and six years, and must make for us six shirts out of
had flown away over the wood she also showed ; stitchweed during that time. If while you are
him the feathers which they had dropped into the making them a single word comes from your
courtyard, and which she had picked up. mouth all your work will be of no use." When
The king was grieved, but he never thought her brothers had said this the quarter of an hour
that the queen had done this wicked deed how- ; was over, and they turned into swans again and
ever, because he dreaded lest the little girl would flew out of the window.
be stolen from him likewise, he wished to take But the little girl made a firm resolution to re-
her away with him. But she was afraid of the lease her brothers, even if it cost her her life.
She left the house, and went into the middle of from?" said she, "she cannot speak; she is not
the wood, and climbed up in a tree and spent the good enough for a king."
night there. Next morning she got down, col- A year after, when the queen brought her first
and began to sew.

lected a quantity of stitchweed, child into the world, the old mother took it away,
She could not speak to any one, and she did not and smeared her mouth with blood while she was
want to laugh so she sat and only looked at her
; asleep. Then she went to the king, and accused
work. her of eating her child. The king would not be-
When she had been there a long time it hap- lieve it, and would not let any one do her any
pened that the king of the country was hunting in harm. And she always sat and sewed the shirts,
the wood, and his hunters came to the tree on and took no notice of anything else. Next time,
which the little girl sat. They called to her, and when she had another beautiful baby, the wicked
"
said, " Who you ?are mother did the same as before but the king could ;
But she gave them no answer. not resolve to believe what she said.
" Come down and see us," said thej', " we will He said, " My wife is too pious and good to do
not do you any harm." such a thing if she were not dumb, and if she
;
But she only shook her head. As they kept could defend herself, her innocence would be made
teasing her with' their questions she threw them clear."
down her gold necklace, and thought they would But when for the third time the old woman took
be satisfied with that. But they did not leave off, away the new-born child, and accused the queen,
so she threw her sash down to them, and as that who could not saj' a word in her own defense, the
was no good she threw down her garters, and at king could not help himself he was forced to give
;
last everything that she had on, and could spare ;

her ujJ to the court of justice, and she was con-
so that she had nothing left but her shift. But demned to suffer death by fire.
the hunters would not be sent away, and climbed When the day came upon which the sentence
up the tree and brought down the little girl and was be executed, it was exactly the last day of
to
took her to the king. the six years in which she might not speak or
The king asked, " Who are you ? what were laugh and she had freed her dear brothers from
;
you doing up in the tree ? " the power of the spell. The six little shirts were
But she did not answer. He asked it in all the finished, except that on the last one a sleeve was
languages that he knew, but she remained as wanting. When she came to the place of execu-
dumb as a fish. But, because she was so beauti- tion, she laid the shirts on her arm, and when she
ful, the king's heart was moved, and he fell deeply stood at the stake, and the fire was just going to
in love with her. He wrapped his cloak round be lit, she looked round, and there came six swans
her, took her before him on his horse, and brought flying through the Then her heart leaped
air.
her to his castle. Then he had her dressed in rich with joy, for she saw that her deliverance was
clothes, and she shone in her beauty like bright near.
sunshine ; but they could not get a word out of The swans and crouched down, so
flew to her,
her. He set her by him at the table, and her that she could throw the shirts over them as soon ;
modest look and proper behavior pleased him so as the shirts were touched bj"^ them, their swan's-
much that he said, " I will marrj' her, and no one skins fell off, and her brothers stood before her.
else in the world," and after a few days he was They were all grown up, strong and handsome
married to her. only the youngest had no left arm, but instead of
But the king had a wicked mother, who was not it a swan's wing.
pleased with his marriage, and spoke ill of the They hugged and kissed their sister many times,
young queen. " Who knows where the girl comes and then the queen went to the king, and began
R UMPEL-STIL TS-KIN. 37
to speak, and said, " Dearest luisband, now I may However, they were soon fetched safely back, to
speak, and declare to you that I am innocent and the great joy of the king and the wicked mother-
;
falsely accused " and she told liim about the de-
; in-law was tied to the stake, and burnt to ashes.
ceit of the old mother, who had taken away her But the king and queen, with their six brothers,
three children, and hidden them. lived many years in peace and happiness.
RUMPEL-STILTS-KIN.
In a certain kingdom once lived a poor miller work at the wheel, till by the morning all was fin-
who had a very beautiful She wasi

daughter. ished again.
moreover, exceedingly shrewd and clever and the ; The king was vastly delighted to see all this
miller was so vain and proud of her that he one glittering treasure ; but still he was not satisfied,
day told the king of the land that his daughter and took the miller's daughter into a yet larger
could spin gold out of straw. Now this king was room, and "All this must be spun to-night;
said,
very fond of money ; and when he heard the mil- and if you succeed you shall be my queen." As
ler's boast his avarice was excited, and he ordered soon as she was alone the dwarf came in, and said,
the girl to be brought before him. Then he led " What will you give me to spin gold for you this
her to a chamber where there was a great quantity third time?" "I have nothing left," said she.
of straw, gave her a spinning-wheel, and said, " All "Then promise me," said the little man, "your
this must be spun into gold before morning, as you first little child when you ai-e queen." " That
value your life." It was in vain that the poor may never be," thought the miller's daughter; and
maiden declared that she could do no such thing as she knew no other way to get her task done, she
the chamber was locked and she remained alone. promised him what he asked, and he spun once
She sat down in one corner of the room and be- more the whole heap of gold. The king came in
gan to lament over her hard fate, when on a sud- the morning, and, finding all he wanted, married
den the door opened, and a droll-looking little man her, and so the miller's daughter really became
hobbled in, and said, " Good-mon-ow to you, my queen.
"
good lass, what are you weeping for ? " "Alas ! At first little child the queen
the birth of her
answered she, " I must spin this straw into gold, rejoiced very much, and forgot the little man and
and I know not how." "What will you give me," her promise but one day he came into her cham-
;
said the little man, " to do it for you ? " " My ber and reminded her of it. Then she grieved
necklace," replied the maiden. He took her at sorely at her misfortune, and offered him all the
her word, and set himself down at the wheel treasures of the kingdom in exchange but in vain, ;
round about it went merrily, and presently the till at last her tears softened him, and he said, " I
work was done and the gold all spun. will give you three days' grace, and if during that
When the king came and saw this he was time you tell me my name you shall keep your
greatly astonished and pleased but his heart grew
; child."
still more greedy and he shut up the poor
of gain, Now the queen lay awake all night, thinking of
miller's daughter again with a fresh task. Then all the odd names that she had ever heard, and
she knew not what to do, and sat down once more dispatched messengers all over the land to inquire
to weep but the little man presently opened the
; after new ones. The next day the little man came,
door, and said, " What will you give me to do your and she began with Timothy, Benjamin, Jere-
task?" "The ring on my finger," replied she. miah, and all the names she could remember; but
So her little friend took the ring, and began to to all of them he said, " That's not my name."
The second day slie began with all the comical gers, and said, " I
can hear of no one other name
names she could hear of, Bandy-legs, Hunch-back, but yesterday, as I was climbing a high hill among
the trees of the forest where the fox and the hare
bid each other good-night, I saw a little hut, and
before the hut burnt a fire, and round about the
fire danced a funny little man upon one leg, and
sung, —
" Merrily the feast I 'II make.
To-day I '11 brew, to-morrow bake
Merrily I 'II dance and sing,
For next day will a stranger bring
Little does my lady dream
Eumpel-Stilts-Kin is my name !
When the queen heard this, she jumped for joy,

and as soon as her little visitor came, and said,
" Now, lady, what is my name ? " " Is it John ? "
asked she. "No!"' "Is it Tom?" "No!"
" Can your name be Rumpel-Stilts-Kin ? " "Some
witch told you that Some witch told you that "
! !
cried the little man, and dashed his right foot in

a rage so deep into the floor that he was forced to
Crook-shanks, and so on, but the little gentleman lay hold of it with both hands to pull it out. Then
still said to every one of them, ''That's not my he made the best of his way off, while everybody
name." laughed at him for having had all his trouble for
The third day came back one of the messen- nothing.
THE FAIR ONE WITH GOLDEN LOCKS.

There was once a king's daughter so beautiful ing her, he fell in love with her so desperately tliat
that they named her the Fair One with Golden lie could neither eat nor drink, and resolved to send
Locks. These golden locks were the most remark- an ambassador at once to demand her in marriage.
and fine, and falling in long
able in the world, soft So he ordered a magnificent equipage more —
waves down to her very feet. She woi-e them al- than a hundred horses and a hundred footmen —
ways thus, loose and flowing, surmounted with a with instructions to bring back to him the Fair
wreath of flowers and though such long hair was
; One with Golden Locks, who, he never doubted,
sometimes rather inconvenient, it was so exceed- would be only too happy to become his queen.
ingly beautiful, shining in the sun like ripples of Indeed, he felt so sure of her that he refurnished
molten gold, that everybody agreed she fully de- the whole palace, and had made, \>y all the dress-
served her name. makers of the city, dresses enough to last a lady
Now there was a young king of a neighboring for a lifetime. But, alas when the ambassador !
country, very handsome, very rich, and wanting arrived and delivered his message, either the prin-
nothing but a wife to make him happy. He heard cess was in a bad humor, or the offer did not ap-
so much of the various perfections of the Fair One pear to be to her taste ; for she returned her best
with Golden Locks, that at last, without even see- thanks to his majesty, but said she had not the
THE FAIR ONE WITH GOLDEN LOCKS. 39
slightest wish or intention to be married. She creeping feebly along, fell at the king's knees, and
also, being a prudent damsel, declined receiving kissed his feet :
—
any of the presents which the king had sent her; " O sire, what have I done that you should treat
"
except that, not quite to offend his majesty, she me so cruelly ?
retained a box of English pins, which were in that " You have mocked me and my ambassador
country of considerable value. for you said, if I had sent you to fetch the Fair
When the an'ibassador returned, alone and un- One with Golden Locks, you would have been suc-
successful, all thecourt was very much affected, cessful and brought her back."
and the king himself began to weep with all his " I did say it, and it was true," replied Avenant,
might. Now there was in the palace household a fearlessly " for I should have told her so much
;
young gentleman named Avenant, beautiful as the about your majesty aud your various high qualities,
sun, besides being at once so amiable and so wise which no one knows so well as myself, that I am
that the king confided to him all his affaii's; and persuaded she would have returned with me."
every one loved him, except those people — to be " I believe it," said the king, witli an angry
found in all courts — who were envious of his look at those who had spoken ill of his favorite
good fortune. These malicious folk hearing him he then gave Avenant a free pardon, and took him
say gayly, " If the king had sent me to fetch the back with him to the court.
Fair One with Golden Locks, I know she would After having supplied the famished youth with
have come back with me," repeated the saying in as much supper as he could eat, the king admitted
such a manner, that it appeared as if Avenant him to a private audience, and said, " I am as
thought too much of himself and his beauty, and much in love as ever with the Fair One with
felt sure the princess would have followed him all Golden Locks, so I will take you at your word, and
over the world which when it came to the ears of
; send you to try and win her for me."
the king, as was meant to do, irritated him so
it " Very well, please your majesty," replied
greatly that he commanded Avenant to be impris- Avenant, cheerfully " I will depart to-morrow."
;
oned in a high tower, and left to die there of hun- The king, overjoyed with his willingness and
ger. The guards accordingly carried oft" the young hopefulness, would have furnished him with a still
man, who had quite forgotten his idle speech, and more magnificent equipage and suite than the first
had not the least idea what fault he had com- ambassador but Avenant refused to take any-
;
mitted. They ill-treated him, and then left him, thing except a good horse to ride, and letters of in-
with nothing to eat and only water to drink. troduction to the princess's father. The king em-
This, however, kept him alive for a few days, braced him, and eagerly saw him depart.
during which he did not cease to complain aloud, It was on a Mondaj' morning when, without any
and upon the king, saying, " O king, what
to call pomp or show, Avenant thus started on his mis-
harm have I done ? You have no subject more sion. He rode slowly and meditatively, pondering
faithful than I. Never have I had a thought which over every possible means of persuading the Fair
could offend you." One with Golden Locks to marry the king but, ;
And it coming by chance,

so befell that the king, even after several days' journey towards her coun-
or else with a sort of remorse, past the tower, was try, no clear project had entered into his mind.
touched by the voice of the young Avenant, whom One morning, when he had started at break of
he had once so much regarded. In spite of all day, he came to a great meadow with a stream
the courtiers could do to prevent him he stopped running through it, along which were planted wil-
to listen, and overheard these words. The tears lows and poplai's. was such a pleasant, rippling
It
rushed into his eyes he opened the door of the
; stream that he dismounted and sat down on its
tower, and called, " Avenant " Avenant came.
! banks. There he perceived, gasping on the grass,
a large golden carp, which, in leaping too far after " Avenant," said she, " at daylight the bird-
gnats, had thrown itself quite out of the water, catchers would have been here, and I should have
and now lay dying on the greensward. Avenant been caught and killed. I have a grateful heart
took pity on it, and though he was very hungry, I will recompense you one day."
and the fish was very fat, and he would well These were the three principal adventures that
enough have liked it for his breakfast, still he befell Avenant on his way to the kingdom of the
lifted it gently and put it back into the stream. Fair One with Golden Locks. Aiu-ived there, he
No sooner had the carji touched the fresh cool dressed himself with the greatest care, in a habit
water than it revived and swam away but shortly ; of silver brocade, and a hat adorned with plumes
returning, it spoke to him from the water in this of scarlet and white. He threw over all a rich
wise :
— mantle, and carried a basket, in which was a
" Avenant, I thank you for your good deed. I lovely little dog, an offering of respect to the prin-
was dying, and you have saved nie : I will recom- cess. With this he presented himself at the pal-
pense you for this one day." ace-gates, where, even though he came alone, his
After this pretty little speech, the fish popped mien was so dignified and graceful, so altogether
down to the bottom of the stream, according to charming, that every one did him reverence, and
the habit of carp, leaving Avenant very much aswas eager to run and tell the Fair One with
tonished, as Avas natural. Golden Locks that Avenant, another ambassador
Another day he met with a raven that was in from the king her suitor, awaited an audience.
bj' an eagle, which
great distress, being pursued " Avenant " repeated the princess, " that is a
!
would have swallowed him up in a trice. " See," pretty name ;

perhaps the youth is pretty, too."
thought Avenant, " how the stronger oppress the "So beautiful," said the ladies of honor, " that
weaker ! What riglit has an eagle to eat up a while he stood under tlie palace-window, we could
raven ? "
So taking his bow and arrow, which he do nothing but look at him."
always carried, he shot the eagle dead, and the " How silly of you " sharply said the princess.
!
raven, delighted, perched in safety on an opposite But she desired them to bring her robe of blue
tree. satin, to comb out her long hair, and adorn it with
"Avenant," screeched lie, not in the sweetest the freshest garland of flowers to give her her;
voice in the world ;

" you have generously succored high-heeled shoes, and her fan. " Also," added
me, a poor miserable raven. I am not ungrate- she, " take care that my audience-chamber is well
ful, and I will recompense you one daj'." swept and my throne well dusted. I wish, in
" Thank you," said Avenant, and continued his everything, to appear as becomes the Fair One
road. with Golden Locks."
Entering a thick wood, so dark with the shad- This done, she seated herself on her throne of
ows morning that he could scarcely find
of early ivory and ebony, and gave orders for her musi-
his wajr, he heard an owl hooting, as if in great cians to play, but softly, so as not to disturb con-
tribulation. She bad been caught by the nets versation. Thus, shining in all her beauty, she
spread by bird-catchers to entrap finches, larks, admitted Avenant to her presence.
and other small birds. " What a pity," thought He was so dazzled that at first he could not
Avenant, " that men must always torment poor speak : then he began and delivered his harangue
"
birds and beasts who have done them no harm ! to perfection.
So he took out his knife, cut the net, and set " Gentle Avenant," returned the princess, after
the owl fi-ee. She went sailing up into the air, listening to all his reasons for her returning with
but immediately returned, hovering over his head him, " your arguments are very strong, and I am
on her brown wings. them but you must first find
inclined to listen to ;
THE FAIR ONE WITH GOLDEN LOCKS. 41
for me a ring, which I dropped into the river becomes deaf. Go and fight him, and bring me
about a month ago. Until I recover it, I can listen his head."
to no propositions of marriage." Avenant was thunderstruck but after a time ;
Avenant, surprised and disturbed, made her a he recovered himself —

" Very well, madam. I
profound reverence and retired, taking with him shall certainly perish, but I will perish like a
the basket and the little dog Cabriole, which she brave man. I will depart at once to fight the
refused to accept. All night long he sat sighing Giant Galifron."
to himself, " How can I ever find a ring which she The princess, now in her turn surprised and
dropped into the river a month ago ? She has set alarmed, ti'ied every persuasion to induce him not
me an impossible task." to go, but in vain. Avenant armed himself and
" My dear master," said Cabriole, " nothing is started, carrying his little dog in its basket. Ca-
an impossibility to one so young and charming as briole was the only creature that gave him conso-
you are let us go at daybreak to the river-side."
:
lation :
" Courage, master While you attack
!
Avenant patted him, but replied nothing until, : the giant, I will bite his legs : he will stoop down
worn out with grief, he slept. Before dawn Ca- me, and then you can knock him on the
to strike
briole Avakened him, saying, " Master, dress your- head." Avenant smiled at the little dog's spirit,
selfand let us go to the river." but he knew it was useless.
There Avenant walked up and down, with his Arrived at the castle of Galifron, he found the
arms folded and his head bent, but saw nothing. road all strewn with bones and carcasses of men.
At last he heard a voice calling from a distance, Soon he saw the giant walking. His head was
" level with the highest trees, and he sang in a ter-
"Avenant, Avenant
—
!
The little dog ran to the water-side " Never rific voice, —
believe me again, master, if it be not a golden carp " Bring me babies to devour
— more — more — more —
;
" More
with a ring in its mouth !
" Yes, Avenant," said the carp, " Men aud women, tender and tough ;
this is the
AH the world holds not enough."
ring which the princess had lost. You saved my
life in the willow meadow, and I have recompensed To which Avenant replied, imitating the tune,
"
you. Fai'ewell ! "Avenant you here may see,
Avenant took the ring and returned
gratefully, He is come to punish thee :
Be he tender, be he tough,
to the palace with Cabriole, who scampered about
To kill thee, giant, he is enough.
in great glee. Craving an audience, he presented
the princess with her ring, and begged her to ac- Hearing these words, the giant took up his mas-
company him to his master's kingdom. She took sive club, looked around for the singer, and, per-
the ring, looked at it, and thought she was surely ceiving him, would have slain him on the spot,
dreaming. had not a raven, sitting on a tree close by, sud-
" Some fairy must have assisted you, foi-tunate denly flown out upon him, and picked out both
Avenant," said she. his eyes. Then Avenant easily killed him, and
" Madam, only fortunate in my desire to
I am cut off his head, while the raven, watching him,
obey your wishes." said, —
" Obey me still," she said, graciously. " There " You shot the eagle who was pursuing me : I
is a prince named Galifron, whose suit I have re- promised to recompense you, and to-day I have
fused. He is a giant, as tall as a tower, who eats done it. We are quits."
a man as a monkey eats a nut : he puts cannons " No, it is I who am your debtor, Sir Raven,"
into his pockets instead of pistols and when he ; replied Avenant, as, hanging the frightful head to
speaks his voice is so loud that every one near him his saddle-bow, he mounted his horse and rode
6
back to the city of the Fair One with Golden Cabriole saw the monster, the poor little dog hid
Locks. himself in terrible fright. But Avenant resolved
There everybody followed him, shouting, " Here to die bravely ; so, taking a phial which the prin-
is brave Avenant, who has killed the giant," until cess had given him, he prepared to descend into
the princess, hearing the noise, and fearing it was the cave.
Avenant himself who was killed, appeared, all " Cabriole," said he, " I shall soon be dead : then
trembling; and even when he appeared with Gali- fill this phial with my blood, and carry it to the
fron's head, she trembled still, although she had Fair One with Golden Locks, and afterwards to
nothing to fear. the king my master, to show him I have been
" Madam," said Avenant, " your enemy is dead : faithful to the last."
so I trust you will accept the hand of the king my While he was thus speaking, a voice called,
master." " Avenant, Avenant " and he saw an owl sit-
! —
" I cannot," replied she, tlioughtfuUy, " unless ting on a hollow tree near by. Said the owl
you first bring me a phial of the water in the " You cut the net in which I was caught, and I
Grotto of Darkness. It is six leagues in length, vowed to recompense you. Now is the time.
and guarded at the entrance by two fiery dragons. Give me the phial I know ever}'^ corner of the
:
Within it is a pit full of scorpions, lizards, and Grotto of Darkness —

I will fetch you the water
serpents, and at the bottom of this place flows of beauty."

the Fountain of Beauty and Health. All who Delighted beyond words, Avenant delivered up
wash in it become, if ugly, beautiful, and if beau- his phial the owl flew with it into the grotto, and
;
tiful, beautiful forever if old, young

; and if ; in than half-an-hour reappeared, bringing it
less
young, young forever. Judge then, Avenant, if quite full and well corked. Avenant thanked her
I can quit my kingdom without carrying with me with all his heart, and joyfullj' took once more the
some of this remarkable water." road to the city.
" Madam," replied Avenant, " you are already The Fair One with Golden Locks had no more to
so beautiful that you require it not but I am an ; say. She consented to accompany him back, with
unfortunate ambassador whose death you desire all her suite, to his master's court. On the waj^
I will obey you, though I know I shall never re- thither she saw so much of him, and found him so
turn." charming', that Avenant raio-ht have married her
So he departed with his only friends his horse — himself had he chosen ; but he would not have
and his faithful dog Cabriole while all who met
; been false to his master for all the beauties under
him looked him compassionately, pitjang so
at the sun. At length they arrived at the king's city,
pretty a youth bound on such a hopeless errand. and the Fair One with Golden Locks became his
But, however kindly they addressed him, Avenant spouse and queen. But she still loved Avenant in
rode on and answered nothing, for he was too sad her heart, and often said to the king her lord, —
at heart. "•
But for Avenant I should not be here he has ;
He reached a mountain-side, where he sat down done all sorts of impossible deeds for my sake he ;
to rest, leaving his horse to graze, and Cabriole to has fetched me the water of beauty, and I shall
run after the flies. He knew that the Grotto of never grow old —
in short, I owe him every-
Darkness was not far off, yet he looked about him thing."
like one who sees nothing. At last he perceived And she praised him in this sort so much, that
a rock, as black as ink, whence came a thick at length the king became jealous ; and though
smoke and in a moment appeared one of the two
; Avenant gave him not the slightest cause of of-
dragons, breathing out flames. It had a yellow fense, he shut him up in the same high tower once
and green body, claws, and a long tail. When more —
but with irons on his hands and feet, and
LITTLE ONE EYE, LITTLE TWO EYES, AND LITTLE THREE EYES. 43
a cruel jailer besides, who fed liim with bread and mon people, they were compelled to wash their
water only. His sole companion was his little dog faces with upon which they fell asleep,
water ;
Cabriole. and woke no more. So it happened that the king,

When the Fair One with Golden Locks heard of taking up this phial, believing it to be the water
this, she reproached her husband for his ingrati- of beauty, washed his face with it, fell asleep, and
tude, and then, throwing herself at his knees, im- — died.
plored that Avenant might be set free. But the Cabriole heard the news, and, gliding in and
king only said, " She loves him " and refused her
! out among the crowd which clustered round the
prayer. The queen entreated no more, but fell young and lovely widow, whispered softly to her,
into a deep melancholy. — " Madam, do not forget poor Avenant." If she
When the king saw it, he thought she did not had been disposed to do so, the sight of his little
care forhim because he was not handsome enough ;
dog would have been enough to remind her of
and that if he could wash his face with her water him —
his many sufferings, and his great fidelity.
of beauty, it would make her love him more. He She rose without speaking to anybody, and went
knew she kept it in a cabinet in her chamber, straight to the tower where Avenant was con-
where she could find it alwaj's. fined. There, with her own hands, she stru.ck
Now it happened that a waiting-maid, in clean- off his chains,and putting a crown of gold on his
ing out this cabinet, had, the very day before, head, and a purple mantle on his shoulders, said
knocked down the phial, which Avas broken in a to him, " Be king —
and my husband."
thousand pieces, and all the contents were lost. Avenant could not refuse for in his heart he ;
Very much alarmed she then remembered seeing had loved her all the time. He threw himself at
in a cabinet belonging to the king a similar phial. her feet, and then took the crown and sceptre, and
This she fetched, and put in the place of the other ruled her kingdom like a king. All the peoj)le
one, in which was the water of beauty. But the were delighted to have him as their sovereign.
king's phial contained the water of death. It was The marriage was celebrated with all imaginable
a poison, used to destroy great criminals — that is, pomp, and Avenant and the Fair One with Golden
noblemen, gentlemen, and such like. Instead of Locks lived and reigned happily. together all their
hanging them or cutting their heads off, like com- days.
LITTLE OXE EYE, LITTLE TWO EYES, AND LITTLE THREE EYES.
Theee was a woman who had three daughters, and food which was left over from their own
the eldest of whom was called Little One Eye, meals ; in short, they vexed her wlienever they
because she had only one eye in the middle of her could.
forehead the second. Little Two Eyes, because
; It happened that Little Two Eyes had to go
she had two eyes like other people and the ; out into the fields to look after the goat ; but she
youngest, Little Three Eyes, because she had was still quite hungry, because her sisters had
three eyes, one of them being also in the middle given her so little to eat. She sat down on a
of the forehead. But because Little Two Eyes hillock and began to cry, and cried so much that
looked no different from other people her sis- a little stream ran down out of each eye. And
ters and mother could not bear her. They said, as she looked up once in her sorrow, a woman
" You with your two eyes are no better than stood near her, who asked, " Little Two Eyes,
"
anybody else you do not belong to us." They
;
why do you cvj ?
knocked her about, and gave her shabby clothes, Little Two Eyes answered, " Have I not need
to cry ? Because I have two eyes, like other " All is Two Eyes she al-
not right with Little ;
people, my sisters and my mother cannot bear ways leaves her and she used formerly to
food,
me ; they push me out of one corner into tlie eat everything that was given her she must have ;
otlier, give me shabby clothes, and nothing to eat found other ways of dining."
but what they leave. To-day they have given In order to discover the truth, they resolved
me so little that I am still quite hungry." that Little One Eye should go with Little Two
The wise woman said, '" Little Two Eyes, dry Eyes when she drove the goat into the meadow,
your eyes, and I you something which
will tell and see what she did there, and if anybody brought
will keep you from ever being hungry more. Only her anything to eat and drink. So when Little
say to your goat, '
Little goat, bleat ; little table, Two Eyes set out again. Little One Eye came
rise,' and a neatly-laid table will stand before you to her and said, " I will go with you into the
with the most delicious food on it, so that you field, and see that the goat is taken proper care
can eat as much as you like. And when you are of, and driven to good pasture."
satisfied and do not want the table any more, only But Little Two Eyes saw what Little One Eye
say, Little goat, bleat
'
little table, away,' and
; had in her mind, and drove the goat into long
it will all disappear before your eyes." Then the grass, saying, " Come, Little One Eye, we will
wise woman went out of sight. ' sit down I M'ill sing you something." Little One
;
Little Two Eyes thought, " I must try directly Eye sat down, being tired from the unusual walk
if it be true what she has said, for I am much too and from the heat of the sun, and Little Two Ej-es
hungry to wait." So she said, " Little goat, bleat kept on singing, "Are you awake. Little One
little table, rise ;
" and scarcely had she uttered Eye ? Are you asleep, Little One Eye ? " Then
the words, when there stood before her a little Little One Eye shut her one eye, and fell asleep.
table, covered with a white cloth, on which were And when Little Two Eyes saw that Little One
laid a plate, knifeand fork, and silver spoon. Eye was fast asleep, and could not betray any-
The most delicious food was there also, and smok- thing, she said, " Little goat, bleat ; little table,
ing hot, as if just come from the kitchen. Then rise," and sat herself at her table, and ate and
Little Two Eyes said the shortest grace that she drank till she was satisfied ; then she called out
kneAV, "Lord God, be our Guest at all times.— again, "Little goat, bleat ; little table, away," and
Amen," began to eat, and found it very good. instantly everything disappeared.
And when she had had enough, she said as the Little Two Eyes now woke Little One Eye, and
wise woman had taught her, " Little goat, bleat— said, " Little One Eye, you pretend to watch, and
little table, away." In an instant the little table, fall asleep over it, and in the mean time the goat
and all that stood on it, had disappeared again. could have run all over the world come, we will ;
" That is a beautiful, easy way of housekeeping," go home." Then they went home, and Little
thought Little Two Eyes, and was quite happy Two Eyes let her little dish again stand un-
and merry. touched and Little One Eye, who could not tell
;
In the evening, when she came home with her the mother why her sister would not eat, said,
goat, she found a little earthen dish with food, as an excuse, " Oh, I fell asleep out there."
which her sisters had put aside for her, but she The next day the mother said to Little Three
did not touch anything had no need. On — she Eyes, "This time you shall go and see if Little
the next day she went out again with her goat, Two Eyes eats out of doors, and if any one brings
and let the few crusts that were given her remain her food and drink, for she must eat and drink
uneaten. The first time and the second time the secretly."
sisters but when the same thing
took no notice ; Then Three Eyes went to Little Two
Little
happened every day, they remarked it, and said, Eyes, and said, " I will go with you and see
LITTLE ONE EYE, LITTLE TWO EYES, AND LITTLE THREE EYES. 45
if tlie goat be taken proper care of, and driven knife, and stuck it into the goat's heart, so that it
to good But
pasture."' Little Two Ejês saw fell down dead.
what Three Eyes had in
Little her mind, and When Little Two Eyes saw that, she went out
drove the goat into long grass, and said as before, full of grief, seated herself on a hillock, and wept
" We will sit down here, Little Three Eyes I will ; bitter tears. All at once the wise woman stood
sing you something." Little Three Eyes seated near her again, and said, " Little Two Eyes, why
"
herself, being tSred from the walk and the heat do you cry ?
of the sun, and Little Two Eyes began the same " Shall I not cry ? " answered she. " The goat
song again, and sang, " Are you awake. Little who every day, when I said your little verse, laid
Three Eyes ? " But instead of singing then as the table so beautifully, has been killed by my
she should, " Are you asleep. Little Three Eyes ?" mother; now I must suffer hunger and thirst
she sang, through carelessness, "

Are you asleep. again."
Little Two Eyes?" and went on singing, "Are The wise woman said, " Little Two Eyes, I will
you awake. Little Three Eyes ? Are you asleep. give you some good advice beg your sisters to ;
Little Two Eyes ? " So the two eyes of Little give you the heart of the murdered goat, and bury
Three Eyes fell asleep, but the third did not go it in the ground before the house door, and it will
to sleep, because it was not spoken to by the verse. turn out lucky for you." Then she disappeared,
Little Three Eyes, to be sure, shut it, and made and Little Two Eyes went home and said to her
believe to go to sleep, but only through slyness sisters, " Dear sisters, give me some part of my
for she winked with and could see everything
it, goat ; I don't ask for anything good, onl}' give me
quite well. And when Little Two Eyes thought the heart."
that Little Three Eyes was fast asleep, she said Then they laughed, and said, " You can have
her little sentence, " Little goat, bleat ; little ta- that, if you do not want anything else." Little
ble, rise," ate and drank heartily^ and then told the Two Eyes took the heart, and buried it quietly in
little table to go away again, " Little goat, bleat the evening, before the house door, after the ad-
little table, away." But Little Three Eyes bad vice of the wise woman.
seen everything. Next morning, when the sisters woke, and went
Then Little Two
Eyes came to her, woke her, to the house door together, there stood a most
and said, " Ah Little Three Eyes, have you been
! wonderfully splendid tree, with leaves of silver and
asleep ? you keep watch well come, we will go ! fruit of gold hanging between them. Nothing
home." And when they got home. Little Two more beautiful or charming could be seen in the
Eyes again did not eat, and Little Tln-ee Eyes wide world. But they did not know how the tree
said to the mother, " I know why the proud had come there in the night. Little Two Eyes
thing does not eat : when she says to the goat alone noticed that it had grown out of the heart
out there, ' Little goat, bleat ; little table, rise,' of the goat, for it stood just where she had buried
there stands a table before her, which is covered it in the ground.
with the very best food, much better than we Then
the mother said to Little One Eye,
have here ; and when she is satisfied, she says, " Climb up, my child, and gather us some fruit
'
Little goat, bleat ; little tablff, away,' and every- from the tree."
thing is gone again ; I have seen it all exactly. Little One Eye climbed iip, but when she
She put two of my eyes to sleep with her little wanted to seize a golden apple, the branch sprang
verse, but the one in my forehead luckily re- out of her hand : this happened every time, so
mained awake." that she could not gather a single apple, though
Then the envious mother cried out, " Shall she tried as hard as she could.
she be better off than we are?" fetched a butcher's Then the mother said, " Little Three Eyes, do
you climb up you can see better about you with
; the branches and fruit sprang back from them
your three eyes than Little One Eye can." every time. Then the knight said, —
Little One Eye scrambled down, and Little " It is very wonderful that the tree belongs to
Three Eyes climbed up. But Little Three Eyes you, and yet you have not the power of gathering
was no cleverer, and might look about her as anything from it."
much as she liked — the golden apples always They insisted, however, that the tree was their
sjjrang back from her grasp. At last the mother own property. But as they spoke, Little Two
became impatient, and climbed up herself, but Eyes rolled a few golden apples from under the
could toucli the fruit just as little as Little One cask, so that they ran to the feet of the knight
Eye or Little Three Eyes ; she always grasped for Little Two Eyes wasangry that Little One
the empty air. Eye and Three Eyes did not tell the truth.
Little
Then Little Two Eyes said, *'
I will go up my- When the knight saw the ajjples, he was aston-
self ;
perhaps I shall prosper better." ished, and asked where they came from. Little
" You !
" cried With your two
the sisters. " One Eye and Little Three Eyes answered that
"
eyes, what can you do? they had another sister, who might not, however,
But Little Two Eyes climbed up, and the show herself, because she had only two e3'es, like
golden apples did not spring awaj^ from her, but other common people. But the knight desired to
dropped of themselves into her hand, so that she see her, and called out, " Little Two Eyes, come
could gather one after the other, and brought out." Then Little Two Eyes came out of the
down a whole apron full. Her mother took them cask quite comforted, and the knight was aston-
from her, and instead of her sisters. Little One ished at her great beauty, and said, —
Eye and Little Three Eyes, behaving better to " You, Little Two Eyes, can certainly gather
poor Little Two Eyes for it, they were only envi- me a branch from the tree ? "
ous because slie alone could get the fruit, and be- " Yes," answered Little Two Eyes, " I can dp
haved still more cruelly to her. that, for the tree belongs to me." And she climbed
It happened, as they stood together by the tree, up and easily broke off a branch, with its silver
one day, that a young knight came riding by on a leaves and golden fruit, and handed it to the
fine horse. knight.
" Quick, Little Two Eyes," cried two sis-
tlie Then Two Eyes, what
the knight said, " Little
" creep under, so "
ters, that we ma}' not be ashamed shall I give you for it ?
of you ;
" and threw over poor Little Two Eyes, " Oh," answered Little Two Eyes, " I suffer
in a great hurry, an empty cask that stood just by hunger and thirst, sorrow and want, from early
the tree, and pushed also beside her the golden morning till late evening if you would take me
;
apples which had broken off.

slie with you and free me, I should be hajipj'."
Now, as the knight came nearer, he proved to Then the knight lifted Little Two Eyes upon
be a handsome prince, who stood still, admired his horse, and took her home to his father's cas-
the beautiful tree of gold and silver, and said to tle; there he gave her beautiful clothes, food, and
the two sisters, — drink, as much as she wanted, and because he
" To whom does this beautiful tree belong ? loved her so much lie married her, and the mar-
She who gives me a branch of it shall have what- riage was celebrated with great joy.
ever she wishes." Now, when Little Two Eyes was taken away
Then One Eye and Little Three Eyes
Little by the handsome knight, the two sisters envied
answered that the tree was theirs, and they would her very much her happiness. "The wonderful
break off a branch for him. Both gave themselves tree remains for us, though," thought they ;
" and
a great deal of trouble, but it was of no use, for even though we cannot gather any fruit off it,
THE TRAVELING MUSICIAN'S. 47
every one will stand still before it, come to us, Eye and Little Three Eyes, who had fallen into
and praise it." But the next morning, the tree such poverty that they had to wander about, and
had disappeared, and all their hopes with it. seek their bread from door to door. Little Two
Little Two Eyes lived happily a long time. Once Eyes, however, bade them welcome, and was very
two poor women came to her at the castle, and good to them, and took care of them for they ;
beo-o-ed alms. Then Little Two Eyes looked in both repented from their hearts the evil they had
their faces, and fecognized her sisters. Little One done to their sister in their youth.
THE TRAVELING MUSICIANS.

An honest farmer had once an ass that had been said the ass, "by all means go with us to the great
a faithful servant to him a great many years, but city you are a good night singer, and may make
;
was now growing old and every day more and your fortune as a musician." The cat was pleased
more His master, therefore, was
unfit for work. with the thought, and joined the party.
tired of keeping him and began to think of put- Soon afterwards, as they were passing by a
ting an end to him but the ass, who saw that
;
farmyard, they saw a cock perched uj)on a gate,
some mischief was in the wind, took himself slyly and screaming out with all his might and main.
off, and began his journey towards the great city, " Bravo " said the ass " upon my word you make
! ;
"
"for there," thought he, "I may turn musician." a famous noise pray, what is all this about ?
;
After he had traveled a little way he spied a " Why," said the cock, " I was jvist now saying
dog lying by the roadside and panting as if he that we should have fine weather for our washing-
were very tired. " What makes you pant so, my day, and yet my mistress and the cook don't tliank
friend?" said the ass. "Alas!" said the dog, me for my pains, but threaten to cut off my head
" my master was going to knock me on the head, to-morrow, and make broth of me for the guests
"
because I am old and weak, and can no longer that are coming on Sunday " " Heaven forbid ! !
make myself useful to him in hunting so I ran ; said the ass " come with us. Master Chanticleer
; ;
away but what can I do to earn my livelihood?"

: it will be better, at any rate, than staying here to
" Hark ye !
" said the ass, " I am going to the have your head cut off Besides, who knows ?
!
great city to turn musician ; suppose you go with If we take care to sing in tune, we may get up
"
me, and try what you can do in the same way ? some kind of a concert: so come along with us."
The dog said he was willing, and they jogged on " With all my heart," said the cock ; so they all
together. four went on joUily togetlier.
They had not gone saw a cat sit-

far before they They could not, however, reach the great city
ting in the middle of the road and making a most the first so when night came on they went
day :
rueful face. " Pray, my good lady," said the ass, into thewood to sleep. The ass and the dog laid
"what's the matter with you? you look quite out themselves down under a great tree, and the cat
of spirits I
" "Ah me !
" said the cat, " how can climbed up into the branches while the cock, ;
one be in good spirits when one's life is in danger ? thinking that the higher he sat the safer he should
Because I am beginning to grow old, and had be, flew up to the very top of the tree, and then,
rather lie at my ease by the fire than run about according to his custom, before he went to sleejD,
the house after the mice, my mistress laid hold of looked out on all sides of him to see that every-
me, and was going to drown me and though I ; thins was well. In doing this he saw afar off
have been lucky enough to get away from her, I something bright and shining and calling to his ;
"
do not know what I am to live upon." " Oh ! companions said, " There must be a house no great
way off, for I see a light." " If that be the case," was ready, was given, and they began
a signal
said the ass, " we had better change our quarters, their music. The ass brayed, the dog barked, the
!
for our lodging is not the best in the world cat mewed, and the cock screamed and then they;
" Besides," added the dog, " I should not be the all broke through the window at once, and came
worse for a bone or two, or a bit of meat." So tumbling into the room, amongst the broken glass,
they walked off together towards the spot where with a most hideous clatter! The robbers, who
Chanticleer had seen the lightand as they drew
; had been not a little frightened by the opening
near became larger and brighter, till at last
it concert, had now no doubt that some frightful hob-
they came close to a house in which a gang of goblin had broken in upon them, and scampered
robbers lived. away as fast as the}' could.
The ass, being the tallest of the company, Tlie coast once clear, our travelers soon sat down,
marched up to the window and peeped in. " Well, and dispatched what the robbers had left, with as
much eagerness as if thej' had not expected to eat
again for a month. As soon as they had satisfied
themselves, they put out the lights, and each once
more sought out a i-esting-place to his own liking.
The donkey laid himself down upon a heap of
straw in the yard the dog stretched himself upon
;
a mat behind the door the cat rolled herself up

;
on the hearth before the warm ashes and the ;
cock perched upon abeam at the top of the house ;
and, as they were all rather tired with their jour-

ney, they soon fell asleep.
But about midnight the robbers, when they saw

from afar that the lights were out and that all
seemed quiet, began to think that they had been
in too great a hurry to run away and one of ;
them, Avho was bolder than the rest, went to see

what was going on. Finding everything still, he
marched into the kitchen, and groped about till
he found a match in order to light a candle and ;
then, espying the glittering fiery eyes of the cat,

Donkey," said Chanticleer, " What do you see ? " he mistook them for live coals, and held the match
"What do I see?" replied the ass, "why I see a to them to light it. But the cat, not understand-
table spread with all kinds of good things, and ing this joke, sprang at his face, and spit, and
robbers sitting round it making merry." " That scratched at him. This frightened him dread-
would be a noble lodging for us," said the cock. fully, and awa}' he ran to the door but there the
:
"Yes," said the ass, "if we could only get in:" dog jumped up and bit him in the leg; and as he
so they consulted together how they should con- was crossing over the yard the ass kicked him
trive to get the robbers out ; and at last they hit and the cock, who had been awakened by the
upon a plan. The ass placed himself upright on noise, crowed with all his might. At this the
his hind-legs, with his fore-feet resting against the robber ran back as fast as he could to his com-
window ; the dog got upon his back ; the cat rades,and told the captain "how a horrid witch
scrambled up to the dog's shoulders, and the cock had got into the house, and had spit at him and
flew up and sat upon the cat's head. When all scratched his face with her long bony fingers how ;
THE WHITE GAT. 49
a man with hand had hidden him-

a knife in his up here " After this the robbers never dared
!
'
self behind the door, and stabbed him in the leg ;

to go back to the house but the musicians were;
how a black monster stood in the yard and struck so pleased with their quarters, that they took \\t^
him with a club, and how the judge sat upon the their abode there and there they are, I dare say,
;
top of the house and cried out, Throw the rascal ' at this very day.
THE WHITE CAT.
There was who had three sons, all

once a king also agreed to change their names, and to travel
handsome, brave, and noble of heart. Neverthe- incognito.
less, some wicked courtiers made their father be- Each took a different road ; but it is intended
lieve they were eager to wear his crown, which, to relate the adventures of the youngest only, who
though he was old, he had no mind to resign. He was the most and accomplished
beautiful, amiable,
therefore invented a plan to get them out of the prince in the world. As he traveled from town to
kingdom, and prevent their carrying out any un- town, he bought all the handsome dogs that fell
dutiful projects. Sending for them to a private in his way and as soon as he saw one that was
;
audience, he conversed with them kindly, and handsomer than those he had, he made a present
said " You must be sensible, my dear children,
:
of the rest for twenty servants would scarcely
;
that my great age prevents me from attending so have been sufficient to take care of all the dogs he
closely as I have hitherto done to state affairs. I was continually purchasing. At length, wander-
fear this may be injurious to my subjects ; I ing he knew not whither, he found himself in a
therefore desire to place my crown on the head of forest night suddenly came on, and with it a vio-
;
one of you ; but it is no more than just that, in lent storm of thunder, lightning, and rain to add :
return for such a present, you should procure me to his perplexity, he lost his way. After he had
some amusement in my retirement, before I leave groped about a long time, he perceived a light,
for
the capital forever. I cannot help thinking that which made him suppose that he was not far from
a little dog, handsome, faithful, and engaging, some house: he accordingly pursued his way to-
would be the very thing to make me happy ; so wards it, and in a short time found himself at the
that, without bestowing a preference on either of gates of tliemost magnificent palace he had ever
you, I declare that he who brings me the most beheld. The entrance door was of gold, covered
perfect little dog shall be my successor in the witli sapphires, which shone so that the strongest
kingdom."' eyesight scarcely could bear to look at it : this was
The princes were much surprised at the fancy the light the prince had seen from the forest.
of their father tohave a little dog, yet they ac- The walls were of transparent porcelain, variously
cepted the proposition with pleasure and accord- ; colored, and represented the history of all the
ingly, after taking leave of the king, who pre- fairies that had existed from the beginning of the
sented them with an abundance of money and world. The prince, coming back to the golden
jewels, and appointed that day twelvemonth for door, observed a deer's foot fastened to a chain of
their return, they set off on their travels. diamonds ; he could not help wondering at the
Before separating, however, they took some re- magnificence he beheld, and the security in which
freshment together, in an old palace about three the inhabitants seemed to live " For," said he to ;
miles out of town, where they mutually agreed to himself, " nothing could be easier than for thieves
meet on their return that day twelvemonth, and to steal this chain, and as many of the sapphire-
go all together with their presents to court. They stones as would make their fortunes." He pulled
the chain, and heard a bell, the sound of which spread for supper, and everything upon it was of
was exquisite. In a few moments the door was the purest gold, adorned with jewels. The prince
opened; yet he perceived nothing but twelve observed there were two covers set, and was won-
hands in the air, each holding a torch. The dering who was to be his companion, when his
prince was so astonished that he durst not move a attention was suddenly caught by a small figure
step — when he felt himself gently pushed on by not a foot high, which just then entered the
some other hands from behind him. He walked room, and advanced towards him. It had on a
on, in great perplexitj', till he entered a vestibule long black veil, and was supported by two cats
inlaid with porphyry and lapis-stone, where the dressed in mourning, and with swoi-ds by their
most melodious voice he had ever heard chanted sides: they were followed by a numerous retinue
the following words :
— of cats, some carrying cages full of rats, and
" Welcome, prince, uo danger fear, others mouse-traps full of mice.
Mirtli and love attend you here The prince was at a loss to know what to think.
You shall break the magic spell, The little figure now approached, and throwing
That on a beauteous lady fell.
aside her veil, he beheld a most beautiful white
" Welcome, prince, no danger fear. cat she seemed j'oung and melancholy
: and, ad- ;
Mirth and love attend you here." dressing herself to him, said, " My prince, you are
The prince now advanced with confidence, won- welcome ;
your presence affords me the greatest
dering what these words could mean the hands ; pleasure."
moved him forward towards a large door of coral, "INIadam," replied he, "I would fain thank you
which opened of itself to give him admittance into for your generosity, nor can I heljD observing that
a splendid apartment built of mother - of - pearl, you must be an extraordinary creature to possess,
through which he passed into others so richl}' with your present form, the gift of speech, and
adorned with paintings and jewels, and so resplen- the most magnificent palace I have ever seen."
dently lighted with thousands of lamps, girandoles, " All this is very true," answered the beautiful
and lustres, that he imagined he must be in an cat " but, prince, I am not fond of talking, and
;
enchanted palace. When he had passed through least of all do I like compliments let us therefore
;
sixty apartments, all equally splendid, he was sit down to supper."

stopped by the hands, and a large easy chair ad- The trunkless hands then placed the dishes on
vanced of itself towards the fire-place then the ; the table, and the prince and white cat seated
hands, which he observed were extremely white themselves at it. The first dish was a pie made
and delicate, took off his wet clothes, and supplied of young pigeons, and the next was a fricassee of
their place with the finest linen imaginable, add- the fattest mice. The view of the one made the
ing a comfortable wrapping-gown, embroidered pi-ince almost afraid to taste the other, till the
with gold and pearls. white cat, who guessed his thoughts, assured him
The hands next brought him an elegant dress- that there were certain dishes at table which had
ing-table, and combed his hair so very gently that been dressed on purpose for him, in which there
he scarcely felt their touch. They held before was not a morsel of either rat or mouse accord-:
him a beautiful basin, filled with perfumes, for inglj'he ate heartily of such as she recommended.
him to wash his face and hands, and afterwards When supper was over he perceived that the
took off the wrapping-gown, and dressed him in white cat had a portrait set in gold hanging to one
a suit of clothes of still greater splendor. When of her feet. He begged her permission to look at
his toilet was complete they conducted him to an it when, to his astonishment, he saw the portrait
;
apartment he had not yet seen, and which also of a handsome young man, who exactly resembled
was magnificently furnished. There was a table himself He thouscht there was something most
!
THE WHITE CAT. 51
extraordinaiy in all this: yet, as the wkite cat who, being very hungry, ate heartily, and after-
sighed and looked very sorrowful, he did not vent- wards partook with her of the most delicious
ure to ask any questions. He conversed with her wines. He then was conducted to his chamber as
on different subjects, and found her extremely before, and wakened in the morning to renew the
well versed in everything that was passing in same sort of life, which day after day became so
the world. When night was far advanced, his pleasant to him that he no longer thought of any-
hostess wished hifii a good-night, and he was con- thing but of pleasing the sweet little creature who
ducted by the hands to his chamber, which was received him so courteously accordingly, every
:
different still from anything he had seen in day was spent in new amusements. The prince
the palace, being hung with the wings of butter- had almost forgotten his country and relations,
flies mixed with the most curious feathers. His and sometimes even regretted that he was not a
bed was of gauze, festooned with bunches of the cat, so great was his affection for his mewing com-
gayest ribbons, and the looking-glasses reaching panions.

from the floor to the ceiling. The prince was un- " Alas !
" said he to the white cat, " how will it
dressed and put into bed by the hands, without afflict me to leave you, whom I love so much
speaking a word. He, however, slept little, and Either make yourself a lady, or make me a cat."
in the morning was awakened by a confused noise. She smiled at the prince's wish, but offered no
The hands took him out of bed, and put on him a reply.
handsome hunting-jacket. He looked into the At length the twelvemonth was nearly expired
courtyard, and perceived more than five hundred the white cat, who knew the very day when the
cats, busily employed in preparing for the field prince was to reach his father's palace, reminded
— for this was a day of festival. Presently the him that he had but three days longer to look for
white cat came to his apartment; and having a perfect little dog. The prince, astonished at
politely inquired after his health, she invited him hisown forgetfulness, began to afflict himself
to partake of their amusement. The prince will- when the cat told him not to be so sorrowful, since
ingly acceded, and mounted a wooden horse, she would not only provide him with a little dog,
richly caparisoned, which had been prepared for but also with a wooden horse, which should con-
him, and which he was assured would gallojD to vey him safely home in less than twelve hours.
admiration. The beautiful white cat mounted a " Look here," said she, showing him an acorn ;
monkey she wore a dragoon's cap, which made

;
" this contains what you desire."
her look so fierce that all the rats and mice ran The prince put the acorn to his ear, and heard
away in the utmost terror. the barking of a little dog. Transported with
Everything being ready, the horns sounded, joy, he thanked the cat a thousand times ; and
and away they went no hunting was ever more
: the next daj^ bidding her tenderly adieu, he set
agreeable. The cats ran faster than the hares out on his return.
and rabbits and when they caught any, they
; The prince arrived first at the place of rendez-
turned them out to be hunted in the presence of vous, and was soon joined by his brothers they :
the white cat, and a thousand cunning tricks were mutually embi'aced, and began to give an account
played. Nor were the birds in safety for the ; of their success when the youngest showed them
;
monkey made nothing of climbing up the trees, only a little mongrel cur, telling them that he
with the white cat on his back, to the nests of the thought it could not fail to please the king, from
young eagles. When the chase was over, the its extraordinary beauty. The brothers trod on
whole i-etinue returned to the palace ; the white each other's toes under the table, as much as to
cat immediateh* exchanged her dragoon's cap for say, " We have little to fear from this sorry-look-
the veil, and sat down to supper with the prince. ing animal." The next day they went together
to the palace. The dogs of the two elder brothers She accordingly ordered the most curious fire-
were lying on cushions, and so cuiioiisly wrapped works to be played off in sight of the window of
around with embi'oidered quilts that one would the apartment in which they were sitting and ;
scarcely venture to touch them. The youngest nothing but festivity and rejoicing was heard
produced his cur, and all wondered how the throughout the palace for the prince's return. As
prince could hope to receive a crown for such a the white cat frequently gave proofs of an excellent
shabby present. The king examined the two understanding, the prince was by no means tired
little dogs of the elder princes, and declared he of her company ; she talked with him of state
thought them so equally beautiful that he knew affairs, of theatres, of fashions : in short, she was
not to which, with justice, he could give the j)ref- at a loss on no subject whatever ; so that when
erence. They accordingly began to dispute when ; the prince was alone, he had plenty of amuse-
the youngest prince, taking his acorn from his ment in thinking how it could possibly be, that
pocket, soon ended their contention for a little
; a small white eat could be endowed with all the
dog appeared, which could with ease go through attractions of the very best and most charming of
the smallest ring, and was, besides, a miracle of Avomen.
beauty. The twelvemonth in this manner again passed
The king could not possibly hesitate in declar- insensibly away but the cat took care to remind
;
ing his satisfaction ;

yet, as he was not more in- the prince of his duty in proper time. " For once,
clined than the year before to part with his crown, my prince," said she, " I will have the pleasure of
he told his sons that he was extremely obliged to equipping you as suits your high rank." And,
them for the pains they had taken and since they
: looking into the courtyard, he saw a superb car,
had succeeded so well, he wished they would make ornamented all over with gold, silver, pearls, and
a second attempt; he therefore begged they would diamonds, drawn by twelve horses as white as
take another year in order to procure a piece of snow, and harnessed in the most sumj^tuous trap-
cambric, fine enough to be drawn through the ej'e pings and behind the car a thousand guards,
;
of a small needle. richly appareled, were -waiting to attend on the

The three princes thought this very hard ;
yet prince's person. She then presented him with a
they set out, in obedience to the king's command. nut " You will find in it," said she, " the piece
:
The two eldest took different roads, and the of cambric I promised you do not break the shell:
youngest remounted his wooden horse, and in a till you are in the presence of the king your fa-
short time arrived at the palace of his beloved ther." Then, to prevent the acknowledgments
white cat, who received him with the greatest which the prince was about to offer, she hastily
joy, while the trunkless hands helped him to dis- bade him adieu.
mount, and provided him with immediate refresh- Nothing could exceed the speed with which the
ment. Afterwards the prince gave the white cat snow-white horses conveyed this fortunate prince
an account of the admiration which had been be- to his father's palace, where his brothers had just
stowed on the beautiful little dog, and informed arrived before him. They embraced each other,
her of the further injunction of his father. and demanded an immediate audience of the king,
" Make yourself perfectly easy, dear prince," who received them with the greatest kindness.
said she " I have in my palace some cats who are
; The princes hastened to place at the feet of his
perfect adepts in making such cambric as the king majesty the curious present he had required them
requires ; you have
so nothing to do but to give to procure. The eldest produced a piece of cam-
me the pleasure of your company while it is mak- bric so extremely fine, that his friends had no
ing, and I will procure you all the amusement pos- doubt of its passing through the eye of the needle,
sible." which was now delivered to the king, having been
THE WHITE CAT. 53
kept locked up in the custody of his majesty's the most beautiful lady, shall marry her and ob-
tveasuiei- all the time. But when the king tried tain my crown."
to draw the cambric through the eye of the needle So they again took leave of the king and of
it would not pass, though it failed but very little. each other, and set out without delay and in less ;
Then came the second prince, who made as sure than twelve hours our young prince arrived, in
of obtaining the crown as his brother had done, his splendid car, at the palace of his dear white
but, alas! with fio better success; for though his cat. Everything went on as before till the end of
piece of cambric Avas exquisitely fine, yet it could another year. At length only one day remained
not be drawn through the eye of the needle. It of the year, when the white cat thus addressed
was now the turn of the youngest prince, who ac- him " To-morrow, my prince, you must present
:
cordingly advanced, and opening an elegant little yourself at the palace of your father, and give
box inlaid with jewels, took out a walnut and him a proof of your obedience. It depends only
cracked the shell, imagining he should immedi- on yourself to conduct thither the most beautiful
ately perceive his piece of cambric but what was ;
princess ever yet beheld, for the time is come
his astonishment to see nothing but a iilbert ! He when the enchantment by which I am bound may
did not, however, lose his hopes ; he cracked the be ended. You must cut off my head and tail,"
filbert, and it presented him with a cherry-stone. continued she, " and throw them into the fire."
The lords of the court, who had assembled to wit- " I !

" said the ftrince hastily, — "I cut ofl^ your
ness this extraordinary trial, could not, any more head and tail I You surely mean to tiy my af-
than the princes liis brothers, refrain from laugh- fection, which, believe me, beautiful cat, is truly
ing, to think he should be so silly as to claim the yours."
crown on no better pretensions. The prince, how- " You mistake me, generous prince," said she
ever, cracked the cherry-stone, which was filled " I do not doubt your regard but if you wish to ;
with a kernel; he divided it and found in the mid- see me in anj' other form than that of a cat, you
dle a grain of wheat, and in that a grain of millet- must consent to do as I desire, then you will have
seed. He was now absolutely confounded, and done me a service I shall never be able sufficiently
could not helj) muttering between his teeth, " O to repay."
white cat, white cat, thou hast deceived me !
" At The prince's eyes filled with tears as she spoke,
this instant he felt his hand scratched by the claw yet he considered himself obliged to undertake
of a cat ; upon which he again took courage, and the dreadful task ; and, the cat continuing to press
opening the grain of millet-seed, to the astonish- him with the greatest eagerness, with a trembling
ment of all present, he drew forth a piece of cam- hand he drew his sword, cut off her head and tail,
bric four hundred yards long, and fine enough to and threw them into the fire. No sooner was this
be threaded with perfect ease through the eye of done than the most beautiful lady his eyes had
the needle. ever seen stood before him and ere he had suffi-:
When the king found he had no pretext left ciently recovered from his surprise to speak to
for refusing the crown to his youngest son, he her, a long train of attendants, who, at the same
sighed deeply, and it was easy to be seen that he moment as their mistress, were changed to their
was sorry for the prince's success. natural shapes, came to offer their congratulations
" My sons," said he, " it is so gratifying to the to the queen, and inquire her commands. She
heart of a father to receive proofs of his children's received them with the greatest kindness, and or-
love and obedience, that I cannot refuse myself dering them to withdraw, thus addressed the as-
the satisfaction of requiring of you one thing more. tonished prince: —
You must undertake another expedition. That " Do not imagine, dear jirince, that I have al-
one of you who, by the end of a year, brings me ways been a cat, or that I am of obscure birth.
My father was tlie monarch of six kingdoms ; he palace, and satisfied her longing. Having eaten
tenderly loved my mother, and left her always at her fill, she ordered four thousand mules to be
liberty to follow her own inclinations. Her pre- procured and loaded with the fruit, which had the
vailing passion was to travel and a short time
; virtue of continuing all the year round in a state
before my birth, having heard of some fairies who of perfection. Thus provided, she returned to the
were in possession of the largest gardens filled king my father, who, with the whole court, re-
with the most delicious fruits, she had so strong ceived her with rejoicings, as it was before imag-
a desire to eat some of them, that she set out for ined she would die of disappointment. All this
the country where they lived. She arrived at time the queen said nothing to my father of the
their abode, which she found to be a magnificent promise she had made to give her daughter to the
palace, on all sides glittering with gold and pre- fairies ; so that when the time was come that she
cious stones. She knocked a long time at the expected my grew very melancholy
birth, she ;
gates ; but no one came, nor could she perceive the till at length, being pressed by the king, she de-
least sign that ithad any inhabitant. The difii- clared to him the truth. Nothing could exceed his
culty, however, did but increase the violence of affliction when he heard that his only child, when
my mother's longhig for she saw the tops of the

; born, was to be given to the fairies. He bore it,
trees above the garden walls, loaded with the most however, as well as he could, for fear of adding to
luscious fruits. The queen, in despair, ordered her my mother's grief and also believing he should
;
attendants to place tents close to the door of the findsome means of keeping me in a place of safety,
palace ; but, having waited six weeks without which the fairies would not be able to approach.
seeing any one pass the gates, she fell sick of vex- As soon, therefore, as I was born, he had me con-
ation, and her life was despaired of. veyed to a tower in the palace, to which there were
" One night, as she lay half asleep, she turned twenty flights of stairs, and a door to each, of which
herself about, and, opening her ej'es, perceived a my father kept the key, so that none came near
little old woman, very ugly and deformed, seated me without his consent. When the fairies hetird
in the easy-chair and my
by her bedside. '
I sister of what had been done, they sent first to demand
fairies,' said she, 'take it very ill that your maj- me ; and on my father's refusal, they
a let loose
esty should so obstinately persist in getting some monstrous dragon, which devoured men, women,
of our fruit ; but since so precious a life is at and children, and which, by the breath of its nos-
stake, we consent to give you as much as you can trils, destroyed everything it came near, so that
carry away, provided you will give us in retui-n even the trees and plants began to die. The grief
what we shall ask.' 'Ah! kind fairy,' cried the of the king was excessive and, finding that his
;
queen, '
I will give you anything that I possess, whole kingdom would in a short time be reduced
even my very kingdoms, on condition that I eat of to famine, he consented to give me into their
your The old fairy then informed the
fruit." hands. I was moth-
accordingly laid in a cradle of
queen that what they required was, that she should er-of-pearl, ornamented with gold and jewels, and
give them the child she was going to have, as soon carried to their palace, when the dragon immedi-
as it should be born adding that every possible
; ately disappeared. The fairies placed me in a
care should be taken of it, and that it should be- tower, elegantly furnished, but to which there was
come the most accomplished princess. The queen no door, so that whoever approached was obliged
however cruel the conditions, she
replied that, to come by the windows, which were of great
must accept them, since nothing but the fruit height from the ground : from these I liad the
could save her life. In short, dear prince," con- liberty of getting out into a delightful garden, in
tinued the lady, "mj' mother instantlj' got out of which were baths, and every sort of cooling fruit.
bed, was dressed by her attendants, entered the In this place was I educated by the fairies, who
THE WHITE CAT. 65
behaved to me with the greatest kindness; my devour my lover before my eyes. In my despair
clothes were and I was instructed
splendid, in I would have thrown myself also into the mouth
every kind of accomplishment in short, prince,; of the horrible monster ; but this they took care
if I had never seen any one but them I should have to prevent, saying my life should be preserved
remained very happy. One day, however, as I for greater punishment. Tlie fairy then touched
was talking at the window with my parrot, I per- me with her wand, and I instantly became a white
ceived a youn^ gentleman who was listening to cat. She next conducted me to this palace,which
our conversation. As I had never seen a man belonged to my father, and gave me a train of cats
save in pictures, I was not sorry for the opportu- for my attendants, together with the twelve hands
nity of gratifying my curiosity. I thought him a that waited on your highness. She then informed
very pleasing object, and he at length bowed in me and the death of my parents, and
of ray birth
the most respectful manner, without daring to pronounced upon me what she imagined the great-
speak, for he knew that I was in the palace of the est of maledictions : that I should not be restored
fairies. When it began to grow dark he went to my natural figure until a young prince, the per-
away, and I vainly endeaTored to see which road fect resemblance of him I had lost, should cut of?
he took. The next morning, as soon as it was my head and tail. You are that perfect resem-
light, 1 again placed myself at the window, and blance ; and accordingly you ended the enchant-
had the pleasure of seeing that the gentleman had ment. I need not add that I already love you
returned to the same place. He now spoke to me more than my life ; let us therefore hasten to the
through a speaking-trumpet, and declared that he palace of the king your father, and obtain his ap-
thought me a most charming lady, and that he probation to our marriage."
should be very unhappy if he did not pass his life The prince and princess accordingly set out side
in my company. by side, in a car of still greater splendor than be-
"I resolved to find some waj' of escaping from fore, and reached the palace just as the two
my tower, and was not long in devising the means brothers had arrived with two beautiful prin-
for the execution of my project I begged the : cesses. The king, hearing that each of his sons
fairies to bring me a netting-needle, a mesh, and had succeeded in finding what he had required,
some cord, saying I wished to make some nets to again began to think of some new expedient to
amuse myself with catching birds at my window. delay the time of resigning the crown but when ;
This they readily complied with, and in a short the whole court were with the king assembled
time I completed a ladder long enough to reach to pass judgment, the princess who accompanied
to the ground. I now sent my parrot to the the youngest, perceiving his thoughts by his coun-
prince, tobeg he would come to the usual place, tenance, stepped majestically forward and thus ad-
as I wished to speak with him. He did not fail ; dressed him :
—
and finding the ladder, mounted it, and quickly " It is a pity that your majestj', who is so ca-
entered my tower. This at first alarmed me, but pable of governing, should think of resigning the
the charms of his conversation had restored me to crown I am fortunate enough to have six king-
!
tranquillit}', when all at once the window opened, doms in my possession ;

permit me to bestow one
and the Fairy Violent, mounted on the dragon's on each of the eldest princes, and to enjoy the re-
back, rushed into the tower. My beloved prince maining four in the society of the youngest. And
thought of nothing but how to defend me from may it please your majesty to keep your own
her fury ; for I had had time to relate to him my kingdom, and make no decision concerning the
story, previous to this cruel interruption ; but her beauty of three princesses, who, without such a
attendants overpowered him, and the Faii-y Vio- proof of your majesty's preference, will no doubt
"
lent had the barbarity to command the dragon to live happily together !
The air resounded with the applauses of the as- the three weddings immediately took place, and
sembly : the young prince and princess embraced the kingdoms were divided as the pi-incess had pro-
the king, and next their brothers and sisters posed.
PRINCE CHERRY.
Long ago there lived a monarch, who was such " Willingly," said Candide. " I will make him
a very honest man that his subjects entitled him the handsomest, richest, or most powerful prince in
the Good King. One daj', when he was out hunt- the world choose whichever you desire for him."
:
ing, a little which had been half

white rabbit, " None of the three," returned the father. " I
killed by his hounds, leaped right into his maj- only wish him to be good — the best prince in the
esty's arms. Said he, caressing it " This poor : whole world. Of what use would riches, power,
"
creature has put itself under my protection, and I or beauty be to him if he were a bad man ?
will allow no one to injure it." So he carried it " You are right," said the fairy "but I cannot ;
to his palace, had prepared for it a neat little rab- make him good he must do that himself. I can
:
bit-hutch, with abundance of the daintiest food, only change his external fortunes ; for his per-
such as rabbits love, and there he left it. sonal character, the utmost I can promise is to
The same night, when he was alone in his give him good counsel, rejjrove him for his faults,
chamber, there appeared to him a beautiful lady. and even punish him if he will not punish him-
She was dressed neither in gold, nor silvei', nor self. You mortals can but do the same with your
brocade but her flowing robes were white as
; children."
snow, and she wore a garland of white roses on " Ah, yes " said the king, sighing.
! Still, he
her head. The Good King was greatly astonished felt that the kindness of a fairy was something
at the sight ; for his door was locked, and he won- gained for his son, and died, not long after, con-
dered how so dazzling a lady could possibly enter ;

tent and at peace.
but she soon removed his doubts. Prince Cherry mourned deeply, for he dearly
" I am the Fairy Candide," said sl)e, with a loved his father, and would have gladly given all'
smiling and gracious air. " Passing through the his kingdoms and treasures to keep him in life a
wood, where you were hunting, I took a desire to little longer. Two days after the Good King was
know you were as good as men say you are. I
if no more. Prince Cherry was sleeping in his cham-
therefore changed myself into a white rabbit, and ber, when he saw the same dazzling vision of the
took refuge in your arms. You saved me and ;
Fairy Candide.
now I know that those who are merciful to dumb " I promised your father," said she, " to be
beasts will be ten times more so to human beings. your best friend, and in pledge of this take what
You merit the name your subjects give you you : I now give you " and she placed a small gold
;
are the Good King. I thank you for your protec- ring upon his finger. " Poor as it looks, it is
tion, and shall be always one of your best friends. more precious than diamonds ; for whenever you
You htive but to say what you most desire, and do ill it will prick your finger. If, after that
I promise you your wish shall be granted." wai-ning, you still continue in you will lose
evil,
" Madam," replied the king, " if you are a ray friendship, and I shall become your direst
fairy, you must know, without my telling you, enemy."
the wish of my heart. I have one well-beloved So saj'ing, she disappeared, leaving Cherry in
son, Prince whatever kindly feeling you
Cherry : such amazement, that he would have believed it
have towards me, extend it to him." all a dream, save for the ring on his finger.
PRINCE CHERRY. 57
He '.vas for a long time so good that the ring now do exactly what he liked. He did it and be-
never pricked him at all ; and this made him so came every day more and more miserable.
cheerful and pleasant in his humor that everybody One day he saw a young girl, so beautiful that,
called him
Hapj^y Prince Cherry."
'•
being always accustomed to have his own way, he
But one unlucky day he was out hunting and immediately determined to espouse her. He never
found no sport, which vexed him so much that he doubted that she would be only too glad to be
showed his ill tetoper by his looks and ways. He made a queen, for she was very poor. But Zelia
fancied his ring felt very tight and uncomfortable, — that was her name answered, to his great —
but as it did not prick him he took no heed of astonishment, that she would ratlier not marry
tliis : until, reentering his palace, his little pet him.
dog, Bibi, jumped up upon him, and was sharply " Do I displease you ? " asked the prince, into
told to get away. The creature, accustomed to whose mind it had never entered that he could
nothing but caresses, tried to attract his attention displease anybody.
by pulling at his garments, when Prince Cherry " Not at all, my pi'ince," said the honest peas-
turned and gave it a severe kick. At this mo- ant maiden. " You are very handsome, very
ment he felt in his finger a prick like a pin. charming ; but you are not like your father, the
" What nonsense " said he to himself.
!
" The Good King. I will not be your queen, for you
fairy must be making game of me. Why, what would make me miserable."
great evil have I done I, the master of a great
! At these words the prince's love seemed to
empire, cannot I kick my own dog?" turn to hatred : he gave orders to his guards to
A voice replied, or else Prince Cherry imagined convej' Zelia to a prison near the palace ; and
it, " No, sire the master of a great empire has a
; then took counsel with his foster-brother, the one
right to do good, but not evil. I —a fairy — am of all his ill companions who most incited him to
as much above you as you are above your dog. I do wrong.
might punish you, kill you, if I chose ; but I pre- '*
man, "if I were in your majes-
Sire," said this
fer leaving you to amend your ways. You have ty's place, Iwould never vex myself about a poor
been guilty of three faults to-day bad temper, — silly girl. Feed her on bread and water till she
passion, cruelty do better to-morrow."
: comes to her senses and if she still refuses you,
;
The prince promised and kept his word a while ;

let her die in torment, as a warning to your other
but he had been brought up by a foolish nui'se, subjects should they venture to dispute your will.
who indulged him in every way, and was always You will be disgraced should you suffer yourself
telling him that he would be a king one day, to be conquered by a simple girl."
when he might do as he liked in all things. He " But," said Prince Cherry, " shall 1 not be
found out now that even a king cannot always do disgraced if I harm a ci-eature so perfectly inno-
"
that it vexed him, and made him angry.
; His cent ?
ring began to prick him so often that his little " No one is innocent who disputes your majes-
finger was continually bleeding. He disliked ty's authority," said the courtier, bowing " and
;
this, as was natural, and soon began to consider it is better to commit an injustice than allow it to
whether it would not be easier to throw the ring be supposed you can ever be contradicted with
away altogether than to be constantly annoyed by impunity."
it. It was such a queer thing for a king to have This touched Cherry on his weak point his —
always a spot of blood on his finger At last, un- ! good impulses faded he resolved once more to :
able to put up with it any more, he took his ring ask Zelia if she would marry him, and, if she
oiS and hid it where he would never see it and ; again i-efused, to sell her as a slave. Arrived at
believed himself the happiest of men, for he could the cell in which she was confined, what was his
astonishment to find lier gone He Itnew not
I bears the bear-hunters, descending from some
;
whom to accuse, for he had kept the Icey in his trees hard by, caught him, chained him, and, only
pocket the whole time. At last, the foster-brother too delighted to get hold of such a curious-looking
suggested that the escape of Zelia might have animal, led him along with them to the capital of
been contrived by an old man, Suliman by name, his own kingdom.
the prince's former tutor, who was the only one There great rejoicings were taking place, and
who now ventured to blame him for anything that the bear-hunters, asking what it was all about,
he did. Cherry sent immediately, and ordered were told that it was because Prince Cherry, the
his old friend to be brought to him, loaded heav- torment of his subjects, had been struck dead by a
ily with irons. Then, he went and
full of fury, thunderbolt —
just punishment of all his crimes.
shut himself up in bis own chamber, whei-e he Four courtiers, his wicked companions, had wished
went raging to and fro, till startled by a noise to divide his throne between them but the peo-;
like a clap of thunder. The Fairy Candide stood ple had risen up against them, and offered the
before liim. crown to Suliman, the old tutor whom Cherry had
" Prince," said she, in a severe voice, " I prom- ordered to be arrested.
ised your father to give you good counsels, and to All this the poor monster heard. He even saw
punish you if you refused to follow them. My Suliman sitting upon his own throne, and trying
counsels were forgotten, my punishments despised. to cahn the populace by representing to thera
Under the figure of a man you have been no bet- that it was not certain Prince Cherry was dead
ter than the beasts you chase : like a lion in fuiy, that he might return one day to reassume with
a wolf in gluttony, a serpent in revenge, and a honor the crown which Suliman only consented
bull in brutality. Take, therefore, in your new to wear as a sort of viceroy.
form the likeness of all these animals." " I
know his heart," said the honest and faith-
Scarcely had Prince Cherry heard these words ful old man " it is tainted but not corrupt.
; If
than to his horror he found himself transformed alive, he may reform yet, and be his father over
into what the fairy had named. He was a creat- again to you, his people, whom he has caused to
ure with the head of a lion, the horns of a bull, suffer so much."
the feet of a wolf, the tail of a serpent. At the These words touched the poor beast so deeply
same time he felt himself transported to a distant tliat he ceased to beat himself against the iron
forest, where, standing on the bank of a stream, bars of the cage in which the huntei's carried him
he saw reflected in the water his own frightful about, became gentle and suffered him-
as a lamb,
shape, and heard a voice saying :
— self to be taken quietly to a menagerie, where
" Look at thyself, and know thy soul has be- were kept all sorts of strange and ferocious ani-
come a thousand times uglier even than thy body." mals —
a place which he had himself often visited
Cherry recognized the voice of Candide, and in as a boy, but never thought he should be shut up
his rage would have sprang upon her and de- in.
voured her; but he saw nothing, and the same However, he owned he had deserved it all, and
voice said behind him :
— began to make amends by showing himself very
" Cease thy feeble fury, and learn to conquer obedient to his keeper. This man was almost as
thy pride by being in submission to thine own great a brute as the animals he had charge of, and
subjects." when he was in ill liumor he used to beat them
Hearing no more he soon quitted the stream, without rhyme or reason. One day, while he was
hoping, at least, to get I'id of the sight of himself ;
sleeping, a tiger broke loose, and leaped upon
but he had scarcely gone twenty paces when he him, eager to devour him. Cherry at first felt a
tumbled into a pitfall that was laid to catch thrill of pleasure at the thought of being re-
PRINCE CHERRY. 59
venged then, seeing how helpless the man was,

; vainly begged a morsel of bread from others who
he wished himself free, that he might defend him. were entering in —
who never took the least no-
Immediately tlie doors of his cage opened. The tice of them.
keeper, waking up, saw the strange beast leap Cherry perceived one woman, who was trying
out, and imagined, of course, that he was going to feebly to gather and eat some green herbs.
be slain at once. Instead, he saw the tiger lying " Poor thing " said he to himself, " I know
!
dead and the Strange beast creeping up, and lay- what it is to be hungry, and I want my breakfast
ing itself at his feet to be caressed. But as he badly enough but still it will not kill me to wait
;
lifted up his hand to stroke it, a voice was heard till dinner-time, and my crust may save the life of
"
saying, " Good actions never go unrewarded ; this poor woman."
and, instead of the frightful monster, there So the little dog ran up to her, and dropped his
crouched on the ground nothing but a pretty little bread at her feet she picked it up, and ate it
;
dog. with avidity. Soon she looked quite recovered,

Cherry, delighted to find himself thus metamor- and Cherry, delighted, was trotting back again to
phosed, caressed the keeper in every possible way, his kennel, when he lieard loud cries, and saw a
till at last the man took him up into his arms and young dragged by four men to the door of the
girl
carried him to the king, to whom he related tliis palace, which they were trying to compel her to
wonderful story, from beginning to end. The enter. Oh, how he wished himself a monster
queen wished to have the charming little dog and : again, as when he slew tlie tiger for the ! —
Cherry would have been exceedingly happy, could j'oung girl was no other than his beloved Zelia.
he have forgotten that he was originally a man Alas ! what could a poor little dog do to defend
and a king. He was lodged most elegantly, had her ? But he ran forward and barked at the men,
the richest of collars to adorn his neck, and heard and bit their heels, until at last they chased hira
himself praised continually. But his beauty rather away with heavy blows. And then he lay down
brought him into trouble, for the queen, afraid outside the palace-door, determined to watch and
lest he might grow too large for a pet, took advice see what had become of Zelia.
of dog-doctors,who ordered that he should be Conscience pricked him now. " What !
fed entirelyupon bread, and that very sparingly ;

thought he, "I am furious against these wicked
so poor Clierry was sometimes nearly starved. men who are carrying her away ; and did I not do
One day, when they gave him his crust for the same myself ? Did I not cast her into prison,
breakfast, a fancy seized him to go and eat it in and intend to sell her as a slave ? Who knows
the palace-garden so he took the bread in his
;
how much more wickedness might not have
I
mouth, and trotted away towards a stream which done to her and others if heaven's justice had not
he knew, and where he sometimes stopped to stopped me in time ? "
drink. But instead of the stream he saw a splen- While he lay thinking and repenting, he heard
did palace, glittering with gold and precious stones. a window open, and saw Zelia thi'ow out a bit of
Entering the doors was a crowd of men and dainty meat. Cherrj', who felt hungry enough
women, magnificently dressed; and within there by this time, was just about to eat it, when the
wei-e singing and dancing, and good cheer of all woman to whom he had given his crust snatched
sorts. Yet, however grandly and gayly the people him up in her arms.
" Poor little beast "
went in. Cherry noticed that those who came out ! cried she, patting him,
were pale, thin, ragged, half-naked, covered with " every bit of food in that palace is poisoned : you
wounds and sores. Some of them dropped dead shall not touch a morsel."
at once others dragged themselves on a little
;
And at the same time the voice in the air re-
way and then lay down, dying of hunger, and peated again, " Good actions never go unre-
warded " and Cherry found himself changed into
; prince, when Zelia promised to love you. Indeed,
a beautiful little white pigeon. He remembered she has loved you always, but your many faults
with joy that white was the color of the Fairy constrained her to hide her love. These are now
Ciindide, and began to hope that she was taking amended, and you may both live happy if you
hlin into favor again. will, because your union is founded ujjon mutual
So he stretched his wings, delighted that he esteem."

might now have a chance of aj)proaching his fair Cherry and Zelia threw themselves at the feet
Zelia. He flew up to the palace-windows, and, of the hermit, whose form also began to change.
finding one of them open, entered and sought His soiled garments became of dazzling whiteness,
everywhere, but he could not find Zelia. Then, and his long beard and withered face grew into
in despair, he flew out again, resolved to go over the flowing hair and lovely countenance of the
the world until he beheld her once more. Fairy Candide.
He took flight at once, and traversed many " Rise up, my children," said she; " I must now
countries, swiftly as a bird can, but found no trace transport you to your palace and restore to Prince
of his beloved. At length in a desert, sitting be- Cherry his father's crown, of which he is at length
side an old hermit in his cave, and partaking with worthy."
him his frugal repast. Cherry saw a poor peasant- She had scarcely ceased speaking when they
girl, and recognized Zelia. Transported with joy, found themselves in the chamber of Suliman,
he flew in, perched on her shoulder, and expressed who, delighted to find again his beloved pupil and
his delight and affection by a thousand caresses. master, willingly resigned the throne, and became
She, charmed with the pretty little pigeon, the most faithful of his subjects.
caressed it in her turn, and jDromised it that, if it King Cherry and Queen Zelia reigned together
would stay with her, she would love it always. for many years, and it is said that the former was
" What have you done, Zelia ? " said the hermit, so blameless and strict in all his duties, that
smiling and while he spoke the white pigeon
; though he constantly wore the ring which Candide
vanished, and there stood Prince Cherry in his had restored to him, it never once pricked his
own natural form. " Your enchantment ended. finger enough to make it bleed.
THE GOLDEN BIRD.
A CEKTAIN king had a beautiful garden, and in first would not let him, for fear some harm should
the garden stood a treewhich bore golden apples. come to him however, at last he consented, and
:
These apples were always counted, and about the the young man laid himself under the tree to
time when they began to grow ripe it was found watch. As the clock struck twelve he heard a
that every night one of them was gone. The rustling noise in the air,and a bird came flying
king became very angry at this, and ordered the that was and as it was snapping at
of pure gold ;
gardener to keep watch all night under the tree. one of the apples with its beak the gardener's son
The gardener set his eldest son to watch but ; jumped up and shot an arrow at it. But the
about twelve o'clock he fell asleep, and in the ari-ow did the bird no harm
only it dropped a ;
morning another of the apples was missing. Then golden feather from and then flew away.
its tail,
the second son was ordered to watch the tree The golden feather was brought to the king in the
and at midnight he too fell asleep, and in the morning, and all the council was called together.^
morning another apple was gone. Then the third Every one agreed that it was worth more than all
son offered to keep watch but the gardener at
; the wealth of the kingdom but the king said, :
THE GOLDEN BIRD. 61
" One feather is of no use to me, I must have the ing back However, at was agreed he
last it
whole bird." should go, for he would not rest at home and ;
Then the gardener's eldest son set out and as he came to the wood, he met the fox, and heard
thought golden bird very easily and
to find the ; the same good counsel. But he was thankful to
when he had gone but a little way, he came to a the fox, and did not attempt his life as his broth-
wood, and by the side of the wood he saw a fox ers had done so the fox said, " Sit upon my tail,
;
sitting; so hertook his bow. and made ready to and you will travel faster." So he sat down, and
shoot at it. Then the fox said, " Do not shoot me, the fox began to run, and away they went over
for I will give you good counsel I know what ; stock and stone so quick that their hair whistled
your business is, and that you want to find the in the wind.
golden bird. You will reach a village in the even- When they came to the village, the son fol-
ing; and when you get thei-e you will see two lowed the fox's counsel, and without looking
inns opposite to each other, one of which is very
pleasant and beautiful to look at go not in there, :
but rest for the night in the other, though it may

appear to you to be vei'y poor and mean." But
the son thought to himself, " What can such a
beast as this know about the matter?" So he
shot his arrow at the fox ; but he missed and
it,
it set up its tail above its back and ran into the
wood. Then he went his way, and in the even-
ing came to the village where the two inns were ;
and in one of these were people singing and danc-

ing and feasting ; but the other looked very dirty
and poor. " I should be very silly," said he, " if
I went to that shabby house, and left this charm-
ing place " so he went into the smart house, and
;
ate and drank at his ease, and forgot the bird and
his cftuntry too.
Time passed on and as the eldest son did not
;
come back, and no tidings were heard of him, the

second son set out, and the same thing hapiaened about him went to the shabby inn and rested
to him. He met the fox, who gave him the same there all night at his ease. In the morning came
good advice but when he came to the two inns,
: the fox again and met him as he was beginning
his eldest brother was standing at the window his journey, and said, "Go straight forward, till
where the merrymaking was, and called to him you come to a castle, before which lie a whole
to come in and he could not withstand the temp-
; troop of soldiers fast asleep and snoring : take
tation, but went in, and forgot the golden bird and no notice of them, but go into the castle and pass
his country in the same manner. on and on till you. come to a room, where the
Time j)assed on again, and the youngest son, golden bird sits in a wooden cage; close by it
too, wished to set out into the wide world to seek stands a beautiful golden cage ; but do not try to
for the golden bird ; but his father would not take the bird out of the shabby cage and put it
hear of it he was very fond

for a long while, for into thehandsome one, otherwise you will repent
of his son, and was afraid that some ill luck it." Then the fox stretched out his tail again,
might happen to him also, and prevent his com- and the young man sat himself down, and away
they went over stock and stone till their hair to die. But it was agreed, that, if he could bring
whistled in the wind. hither the beautiful princess, he should live, and
all was as the fox had
Before the castle gate have the bird and the horse given him for his
said : went in and found the chamber
so the son own.
where the golden bird hung in a wooden cage, and Then he went his way again very sorrowful
below stood a golden cage, and the three golden but the old fox came and said, " Why did not
apples that had been lost were lying close by it. you listen to me ? _ If you had, you would have
Then thought he to himself, " It will be a very carried away both the bird and the horse ; yet will
droll thing to bring away such a fine bird in this I once more give you counsel. Go straight on, and
shabby cage " so he opened the door and took
; in the evening you will arrive at a castle. At
hold of it and put it into the golden cage. But twelve o'clock at night the princess goes to the
the bird set up such a loud scream that all the bathing-house go up to her and give her a kiss,
:
soldiers awoke, and they took him prisoner and and she will let you lead her away but take care ;
carried him before the king. The next morning you do not suffer her to go and take leave of her
the court sat to judge him and when all was
; father and mother." Then the fox stretched out
heard, it sentenced him to die, unless he should his tail, and so away they went over stock and
bring the king the golden horse which could run stone till their hair whistled again.
as swiftly as the wind and if he did this, he
; As they came to the castle
all was as the fox
was to have the golden bird given him for his had and at twelve o'clock the young man met
said,
own. the princess going to the bath and gave her a kiss,
So he set out once more on his journey, sigh- and she agreed to run away with him, but begged
ing, and in great despair, when on a sudden his with many tears that he would let her take leave
good friend the fox met him, and said, " You see of her father. At first he refused, but she wept
.
now what has happened on account of your not still more and more, and fell at his feet, till at
listening to my counsel. I will still, however, tell last he consented ; but the moment she came to
you how to find the golden horse, if you will do as her father's house the guards awoke and he was
I bid you. You must go straight on till you come taken prisoner again.
to the castle where the horse stands in his stall Then he was brought before the king, and the
by his side will lie the groom fast asleep and snor- king said, " You shall never have my daughter
ing take away the horse quietly, but be sure to
: unless in eight days you dig away the hill that
put the old leathern saddle upon him, and not stops tlie view from my window." Now this hill
the golden one that is close by." Then the son was so big that the whole world could not take it
sat down on the fox's tail, and away they went away and when he had worked for seven days,
:
over stock and stone till their hair whistled in and had done very little, the fox came and said,
the wind. " Lie down and go to sleep ; I will work for you."
All went right, and the groom lay snoring with And morning he awoke and the hill was
in the
his hand upon the golden saddle. But when the gone so he went merrily to the king, and told
;
son looked at the horse, he thought it a great him that now it was removed he must give him
pity to put tlie leathern saddle upon him. " I will the princess.
give him the good one," said he ;
" I am sure he Then the king was obliged to keep his word,
deserves it." As he took up the golden saddle, and away went the young man and the princess ;
however, the groom awoke and cried out ao loud and the fox came and said to him, " We will have
that all the guards ran in and took him prisoner, all three, the princess, the horse, and the bird."
and in the morning he was again brought be- " Ah " said the young man, " that would be a
!
"
fore the court to be judged, and was sentenced great thing, but how can you contrive it ?
THE GOLDEN BIRD. 63
" If you will only listen," said the fox, " it can his brothers were given up, and went on with him
soon be done. When you come to the king, and towards their home.
he asks for the beautiful princess, you must say, As they came to the wood where the fox first
'Here she is!' Then he will be very joyful; met them, it was so cool and pleasant that the
and you will mount the golden liovse th:it they two brothers said, " Let us sit down by the side of
are to give you, and put out your hand to take the river, and rest a while, to eat and drink." So
leave of them but shake hands with the princess
; he said, "Yes," and forgot the fox's counsel, and
last. Then lift l>€r quickly on to the horse behind sat down by the side of the river; and while he
you clap your spurs to his side, and gallop away

;
suspected nothing they came behind, and threw
as fast as you can." him down the bank, and took the princess, the
All went right then the fox said, " When you
: horse, and the bird, and went home to the king
come to the castle where the bird is, I will stay their master, and said, " All this have we won by
with the princess at the door, and you will ride in our labor." Then there was great rejoicing made ;
and speak to the king and when he sees that ; but the horse would not eat, the bird would not
it is the right horse, he will bring out the bird sing, and the princess wept.
but you must and say that you want to

sit still, The youngest son fell to the bottom of the riv-
look at whether it is the true golden
it, to see er's bed ;luckily it was nearly dry, but his bones
bird and when you get it into your hand, ride
; were almost broken, and the bank was so steep
away." that he could find no way to get out. Then the
This, too, happened as the fox said they car- ; old fox came once more, and scolded him for not
ried oif the bird, the princess mounted again, and following his advice otherwise no evil would have
;
they rode on to a great wood. Then the fox befallen him: "Yet," said he, "I cannot leave
came, and said, " Pray kill me, and cut off my you here, so lay hold of my tail and hold fast."
head and my feet." But the young man refused Then he pulled him oat of the river, and said to
to do it so the fox said, " I will at any rate
: him, as he got upon the bank, " Your brothers
give you good counsel beware of two things : have set watch to kill you, if they find you in the
ransom no one from the gallows, and sit down kingdom." So he dressed himself as a poor man,
by the side of no river." Then away he went. and came secretly to the king's court, and was
" Well," thought the young man, " it is no hard scarcely within the doors when the horse began to
matter to keep that advice." eat, and the bird to sing, and the princess left off
He rode on with the priucess, till at last he weeping. Then he went to the king, and told him
came to the village where he had left his two all his brothers' roguery and they were seized
;
brothers. And there he heard a great noise and and punished, and he had the princess given to
uproar ; and when he asked what was the mat- him again and after the king's death he was heir
;
ter, the people said, " Two men are going to be to his kingdom.
hanged." As he came nearer, he saw that the A long while after he went to walk one day in
two men were his brothers, who had turned rob- the wood, and the old fox met him, and besought
bers so he said, " Cannot they in any way be
; him with tears in his eyes to kill him, and cut off
saved?" But the people said "No," unless he his head and feet. At last he did so, and in a
would bestow all his money upon the rascals and moment the fox was changed into a man, and
buy their liberty. Then he did not stay to think turned out to be the brother of the princess, who
about the matter, but paid what was asked, and had been lost a great many years.
RIQUET WITH THE TUFT.

Once upon a time there lived a queen who had younger grew uglier, and the elder more stupid.
the misfortune to have a child extremely ill-formed She either made no answer when she was spoken
and though a fairy assured her that the
ill-looking, to, or she said something foolish. Then she was
childwould have great good sense, and would be so awkward that she could not place four dishes
very amiable besides, this good fairy then and
; on the shelf without breaking one, nor drink a
there gave the little thing a great gift : he should glass of water without spilling some on her dress,
have the power to give equally good sense to and in spite of her beauty she saw that people be-
whomever he loved best. But all this hardl}' gan to desert her for her sister. At first they
comforted the queen, who was distressed at having flocked about her because she was so lovely to look
such a very homely child, and was scarcely pleased upon, but little by little they left her and gathered
when he began, as soon as he could speak, to say about her sister, because she was so witty and en-
the most charming things and to act with the most tertaining. The elder would have given all she
admirable cleverness. I had forgotten to say that possessed for half her sister's good sense. Even
he was born with a little tuft of hair on his head, the queen could not help reproaching the poor girl
which got him the name of Riquet with the Tuft, for her stupidity, and this made her exceedingly
for Riquet was the family name. melancholy.
About seven or eight years after Riquet with the One day the beautiful and stupid princess was
Tuft was born, the queen of a neighboring king- walking alone in a wood, bewailing her fate, when
dom had twin daughters. When the first of the she met a little man, dressed very finely, but with
twins came into the world she was so exceedingly a most disagreeable face. was Riquet with the
It
fair that the mother was in the greatest excite- Tuft, who had seen the princess's portrait, and was
ment of joy, and the good fairy who stood by, and so fascinated by it that he had left his father's
who was the one present when Riquet with the kingdom to see if he could find this marveloiisly
Tuft was born, was forced to tell her that the beautiful girl. He knew her at once and addressed
child, for all she waswould be very, very
so fair, her with the greatest respect and courtesy. He
dull, yes, as stupid as she was beautiful. Then noticed how melancholy she was, and presently
came the second of the twins, and she was just as said :
—
ugly as the first was lovel)', and the fairy again " I cannot imagine how one so beautiful as you
tried to help the queen by the assurance that this are can be sad. In all my life, and I have trav-
child would be so sensible that no one would no- eled far and wide, I never have seen so beautiful
tice her lack of beauty. a woman."
!
" Heaven send it may be so said the poor
"' " You are very good to say so," said the prin-
queen, " but is there no way of giving sense to the cess, and then stopped.
" " Beauty," continued Riquet, seriously, "
other, who is so beautiful ? is so
" I can do nothing of that sort with her," re- great a gift that nothing can be compared with it,
plied the fairy, " but she shall have the gift of and one who has it can surely be distressed by
making beautiful the person who shall please her. nothing."
That is all I can do." ''•
Very fine," said the princess, " but I would
As the two princesses grew up, their perfections rather be as ugly — as ugly as you are, and have
grew with them, and nothing was talked of but good sense, than be as beautiful as I am and be
the beauty of the elder and the good sense of the stupid."
younger. To be sure their defects grew too. The " There is no greater proof of good sense," said
RIQUET WITH THE TUFT. 65
Riquet with the Tuft, bowing low, " than the be- her, but now not one of them seemed to her half
lief that we are without it. It is the nature of wise enough.
that gift that the more we have the more sensible At length there came a prince who was rich,
we are of what we lack." witty, and handsome, and she looked upon him
" I do not know how that may be," cried the with more favor than on any of the others. Her
princess, " I only know that I am very stupid, and father, seeing this, called her to himself and told
that is what is killing me." her that he had perfect confidence in her judgment,
" If that is aH that troubles you," said Riquet, and he should leave her to choose entirely for her-
" I can easily put an end to your sorrow." self. As the more sense we have the more diffi-
" And how ? " cult we find it to make up our minds definitely in
" I have the power to give as much wit as any such cases, she requested, after thanking her
one can possess to the person I love the most. father, that he would give her some time to think
You are the one I love, princess, and if you will it over, and then, wishing to be by herself, she
only promise to marry me you shall have the went to walk in the wood. It was the same wood
greatest good sense and wit." where she had met Riquet with the Tuft, and as
The princess stood stock still with astonish- she walked, thinking hard, she heard a dull sound
ment. beneath her feet as of many people running about
" I see," said Riquet, " that my offer pains you. busily under ground. She stopped to listen, and
I am not surprised, but do not hurry. I will give heard some one say, " Bring me that saucepan,"
you a year to think of it." The princess had so and again, " Give me that kettle," and " Put some
little sense and wanted so much, and a year seemed wood on the fire." At that the ground opened,
so very long to wait, that she said in a moment and she saw beneath her what appeared to be a
that she would accept him. No sooner had she large kitchen, full of cooks, scullions, and all kinds
promised to marry Riquet in a twelvemonth than of servants, making ready a great banquet. A
she felt herself to be quite another pei'son. She band of twenty or thirty cooks came forward and
heard herself talking with the utmost sprightli- placed themselves at a table, where they set to
ness, and saying the most sensible things with the work preparing dainties, and singing over their
greatest ease. Indeed, she talked with so much work. The princess, very much astonished, in-
brilliancy and good nature, that Riquet began to quired of them for whom they were working so
think he had given her more wit t!ian he had kept merrily.
for himself. "Madam," replied one, " for Prince Riquet with
She returned alone to the palace, and the whole the Tuft, who is to be married to-morrow." All at
court speedily discovered that she had been singu- once the princess remembered that to-morrow was
larly changed. Evei'ybody was puzzled to account the very end of the year when she had promised
for her. She said as many bright and sensible to marry Riquet. The reason why she had for-
things now had said stupid and ri-

as before she gotten this before was that when she made the
diculous ones. But whatever had caused the promise she was a fool, and as soon as she became
change, every one was charmed, every one, — wise she forgot all her follies. She was lost in
that is, except her younger sister, who had now amazement and was moving forward when Riquet
lost the only advantage she had. People all with the Tuft suddenly appeared, gayly dressed,
flocked about the princess who was both witty and and with all the air of a man about to be mar-
handsome. Even the king consulted her judg- ried.
ment, and used to hold his councils of state in her " I have kept my word, princess, as you see,"
chamber. Her fame spread abroad and the he said, " and I doubt not that you have kept
princes in the neighborhood all wished to marry yours and will marry me to-morrow."
" Prince," said the princess frankly," I must " No, truly," replied the princess, " I like every-
confess that I had not intended to marry you, and thing about you, except — except your looks."
fear I cannot." " Then I need not lose vay happiness ; for if I
" You surprise me very much." have the gift of making clever whomever I love
" No
doubt, and I should be distui'bed about it best, you are able to make the pei'son yon pre-
if were dealing with a dull person instead of
I fer as handsome as ever you please. Could you
"
one with your excellent good sense. You must not love me enough to do that ?
yourself see that I cannot do what I promised to " Oil, I did not know that before
!
" cried the
do when I was a fool. You should not have given princess. " With all my heart !
" and she wished
me so much sense." eagerly that he might become the handsomest
" If I were a fool I might be persuaded by jôu, man in the world. No sooner had she uttered this
princess, but being a man of sense I see that you wish than Riquet stood before her eyes the finest,
are taking away all the happiness of my life. Tell most charming man she had ever seen. And so
me frankly, is there anything in me that you they were married, and Riquet thought the prin-
complain of besides iny ugliness ? I know I am cess the most sensible and agreeable companion
ugly, but do you object to my birth, my temper, in the world, while the princess looked ujDon
my manners or any —
my good sense ? " Riquet as the noblest and most commanding man.
THE NOSE.
Did youever hear the story of the three poor said the soldier. " What sort of a friend ? " " An
soldiers,who, after having fought hard in the old broken soldier," said the other, " with his two
wars, set out on their road home, begging their comrades who have nothing left to live on come, ;
way as they went ? sit down and warm yourself." " Well, my worthy
They had journeyed on a long way, sick at fellow," said the little man, " I will do what I can
heart with their bad luck at thus being turned for you take this and show it to your comrades
;
loose on the world in their old days, when one in the morning." So he took out an old cloak
evening they reached a deep gloomy wood through and gave it to the soldier, telling him that when-
which they must pass night came fast upon them,
;
ever he put it over his shoulders anything that he
and they found that they must, however unwill- wished for would be fulfilled; then the little man
ingly, sleep in the wood so to make all as safe ; made him a bow and walked awaj'.
as they could, was agreed that two should lie
it The second soldier's turn to watch soon came,
down and sleep, while a third sat up and watched and the first laid himself down to sleep but the ;
lest wild beasts should break in and tear them to second man had not sat by himself long before up
pieces when he was tired he was to wake one of
; came the little man in the red jacket again. The
the others and sleep in his turn, and so on with soldier treated him in a friendly way as his com-
the tliird, that they might shai'e the work fairly rade had done, and the little man gave him for
among them. his part a purse, which he told him was always
The two who were to rest first soon lay down full of gold, let him draw as much as he would
and fell fast asleep, and the other made himself a from it.
good fire under the trees and sat down by the Then the third soldier's turn to watch came,
side to keep watch. He had not sat long before and he also had the little man for his guest, who
all on a sudden up came a little man in a red gave him a wonderful horn that drew crowds
jacket. " Who 's there ? " said he. " A friend," around it whenever it was plaj'ed and made ;
THE NOSE. 67
every one forget his business to come and dance none came in the place of what they took. Then
to its beautiful music. the cheat was soon found out : for the second
In the morning each told his story and showed soldier knew where he had been, and how he
his treasure and as they all liked each other very
; had told the story to the princess, and he guessed
much and were old friends, they agreed to travel that she had betrayed him. " Alas " cried he, !
together to see the world, and for a while only to " poor wretches that we are, what shall we do ? "
make use of the wonderful purse. And thus they " Oh " said the first soldier, " let no gray hairs
I
spent their time very joyously, till at last they grow for this mishap I will soon get the jjurse
;
began to be tired of this roving and thought

life, back." So he threw his cloak across his shoulders
they shoukl like to have a home of their own. So and wished himself in the princess's chamber.
the first soldier put his old cloak on, and wished There he found her sitting alone, telling her gold
for a fine castle. In a moment it stood before that fell around her in a shower from the purse.
their eyes ; fine gardens and green lawns spread But the soldier stood looking at her too long, for
round it, and flocks of sheejD and goats and herds the moment she saw him she started up and cried
!
of oxen were grazing about, and out of the gate out with all her force, " Thieves ! Thieves " so
came a fine coach with three dapple gray horses that the whole court came running and tried to
in
to meet them and bring them home. seize him. The poor soldier now began to be
All this was very well for a time but it would ; dreadfully frightened in his turn, and thought it
not do to stay at home always, so they got to- was high time to make the best of his way off
gether all their rich clothes and trappings and serv- so, without thinking of tlie ready way of traveling
ants, and ordered their coach with three horses, that his cloak gave him, he ran to the window,
and on a journey to see a neighboi'ing
set out opened it, and jumped out ; and unluckily in his
king. Now this king liad an only daughter, and haste his cloak caught and was left hanging, to
as he took the three soldiers for kings' sons, he the great joy of the princess, who knew its worth.
gave them a kind welcome. One day, as the The poor soldier made the best of his way home
second soldier was walking with the princess, she to his comrades, on foot and in a very downcast
saw him with the wonderful purse in his hand ;
mood ; but the third soldier told to keep up
him
and having asked him what it was, he was foolish his heart, and took his horn and blew a merry
enough to tell her; —
though, indeed, it did not tune. At the first blast a countless troop of foot
not much signify, for she was a witch and knew and horse came rushing to their aid, and they set
all the wonderful things that the three soldiers out to make war against their enemy. Then the
brought. Now thiswas very cunning
princess king's palace was besieged, and he was told that
and artful ; work and made a purse
so she set to he must give up the purse and cloak, or that
so like the soldier's that no one would know one not one stone should be left upon another. And
from the other, and then asked him to come and the king went into his daughter's chamber and
see her, and made him drink some wine that she talked with her but she said, " Let me try first
;
had got ready for him, till he fell fast asleep. if cannot beat them some other way." So she
I
Then she felt in his pocket, and took away the thousrht of a cunning scheme to overreach them,
wonderful purse and left the one she had made in and dressing herself as a poor girl with a basket
its place. on her arm set out by night with her maid, and
The next morning the soldiers set out for home, went into the enemy's camp as if she wanted to
and soon after they reached their castle, happen- sell trinkets.
ing to want some money, they went to their purse In the morning she began to ramble about,
for it, and found something indeed in it, but to singing ballads so beautifully that all the tents
their great sorrow when they had emptied it were left empty, and the soldiers ran round in
crowds and thought of nothing but hearing her Morning dawned, and he was greatly delighted,
sing. Amongst the rest came the soldier to whom at opening his eyes, to see that the tree was
the horn belonged, and as soon as she saw him she laden with the most beautiful apples. He was
winked to her maid, who slipped slily through hungry enough, so he soon plucked and ate first
the crowd and went into his tent where the horn one, then a second, then a third apple. A strange
hung, and stole it away. This done, they both got feeling came over his nose when he put the ap- :
safely back to the palace the besieging army

;
ple to his mouth something was in the way he ;
went away, the three wonderful gifts were all felt it it was his nose, that grew and grew till
;
left in the hands of the princess, and the three it hung down to his breast. It did not stop there,
soldiers were as penniless and forlorn as when the still it grew and grew " Heavens " thought he,
; !
little man with the red jacket found them in the " when will it have done growing ? " And well
wood. might he ask, for by this time it reached the
ground as he sat on the grass, and thus it kept
creeping on till he could not bear its weight, or
raise himself up ; and it seemed as if it would
never end, for already it stretched its enormous

length all throuoh the wood.
Meantime his comrades were journeying on, till
on a sudden one of them stumbled against some-

thing. "What can that be?" said the other.
They looked, and could think of nothing that it
was like but a nose. " We
will follow it and find
its owner, however," said they; so they traced it
till comrade lying

at last they found their poor
stretched along under the apple-tree. What was
to be done ? They tried to carry him, but in vain.
They caught an ass that was passing by, and
raised him upon its back but it was soon tired of ;
carrying such a load. So they sat down in de-

spair, when up came the little man in the red
jacket. " Why, how now, friend? " said he, laugh-
ing " well, I must find a cure for you, I see."
;
So he told them to gather a pear from a tree that

Poor fellows they began to think what was now
! grew close by, and the nose would come right
to be done. " Comrades," at last said the second again. No time was lost, and the nose was soon
soldier, who had had the purse, "we had better brought to its proper size, to the poor soldier's joy.
part, we cannot live together, let each seek his "I do something more for you yet," said
will
bread as well as he can." So he turned to the the little man " take some of those pears and
;
right, and the other two to the left ; for they said apples with you whoever eats one of the ap-
;
they would rather travel together. Then on he ples will have his nose grow like yours just now;
strayed he came to a wood (now this was the
till but if you give him a pear, all will come right
same wood where they had met with so much again. Go to the princess and get her to eat some
good luck before) and he walked on a long time
;
of your apples ; her nose will grow twenty times
till evening began to fall, when he sat down tired as long as yours did ; then look sharp, and you
beneath a tree, and soon fell asleep. will get what you want of her."
HOP-O'-MY-THUMB. 69
Then they thanked their old friend very heartily was bigger than it was when the doctor first be-
for all his kindness, and it was agi-eed that the gan to meddle with it.
poor soldier who had already tried the power of Then he thought to himself, " I must frighten
of the apple should undertake the task. So he this cunning princess a little more before I shall
;
dressed himself up as a gardener's boy, and went get what I want of her "' so he gave her another
to the king's palace, and said he had apples to sell, dose of the apple, and said he would call on the
such as were never seen there before. Every one morrow. The morrow came, and the nose was ten
that saw them was delighted and wanted to taste, times as bad as before. "My good lady," said the
but he said they were only for the princess and ; doctor, " something works against my medicine,
she soon sent her maid to buy his stock. They and is too strong for it but I know by the force
;
were so ripe and rosy that she soon began eating, of my art what it is you have stolen goods about
;
and had already eaten three, when she, too, began you, I am sure, and if you do not give them back,
to wonder what was the matter with her nose, I can do nothing for you." But the princess de-
for it grew and grew, down to the ground, out at nied very stoutly that she had anything of the
the window, and over the garden, nobody knows kind. "Very well," said the doctor, "you may
where. do as you please, but I am
right, and sure I am
Then the king made known to all his kingdom, you will dieyou do not own it." Then he went
if
that whoever would heal her of this dreadful dis- to the king, and told him how the matter stood.
ease should be richly rewarded. jNLiny tried, but "Daughter," said he, "send back the cloak, the
the princess got no relief. And now the old sol- purse, and the horn, that you stole from the right
dier dressed himselfvery sprucely as a doctor, owners."
who said he could cui'e her; so he chopped up Then she ordered her maid to fetch all three,
some of the apple, and to punish her a little more and gave them and begged him to
to the doctor,
gave her a dose, saying he would call to-morrow give them back to the soldiers and the moment ;
and see her again. The morrow came, and of he had them safe he gave her a whole pear to eat,
course, instead of being better, the nosehad been and the nose came right. And as for the doctor,
growing and the poor princess was
fast all night, he put on the cloak, wished the king and all his
in a dreadful fright. So the doctor chopped up court a good day, and was in a short time with
a very little of the pear and gave her, and said his two friends, who lived from that time hajjpily
he was sure that would do good, and he would at home in their palace, except when they took
call again the next day. Next day came, and the airings in their coach with the three dapple gray
nose was, to be sure, a little smaller, but yet it horses.
HOP-O'-MY-THUMB.
There was once a wood-cutter and his wife who tluimb, that he got the name, " Hop-o'-my-
had seven children, all boj's. The eldest was only Thumb."' The little fellow had to take the blame
ten 3'ears old, the youngest but seven, and they of everything that went wrong.
Yet he was the
were thus a burden to their poor parents, for they most sensible he was listen-
of all the children, for
could as yet do nothing to earn their living. Tiie ing when the rest were speaking. There came a
youngest of all was very delicate, and spoke so very bad harvest, and there was great scarcity of
seldom that his parents thought him dull, when food, so that these poor people determined that
really he had very good sense. He was so very they must get rid of their childi-en. One evening,
little when he was born, scarcely bigger than one's when they were all in bed, the wood-cutter was
sitting close to the fire with his wife, and said to could not sleep a wink all night, so busywas he
her with an aching heart :
— thinking what he should do. He and
rose early
" Thon seest plainly that we can no longer find went to the banks of a brook near by, where
food for our chil- he filled his
dren. I cannot pockets with
see them die of small white peb-
hunger, and I bles, and then
am resolved to returned home.
lose them to- The family all
morrow in the set out together
wood, which can as usual, but

easily be done, Hop-o'-my-
for while they T h u m b said
are busy tying nothing to his
up the fagots we brothers of what

can slip away he had heard.
and leave them." Tiiey entered a
" Ah !
" ex- very thick for-
claimed his wife, est, so dense that

"hast thou the one need go but
heart to lose thy a few steps to
" The
own children ? be lost.
Her husband wood-cutter be-
begged her to gan to cut wood
remember how and the chil-
very poor they dren to gather

were ; she would the sticks into
not consent ; she bundles of fag-

was poor, but slie ots. The father
was their moth- and m o t h e r,

er. Then he when they saw
bade her think them busily en-
how she must gaged, stole
see them die of away gradually
hunger, and so and then fled
at length she as- suddenly by a

sented and went small, winding
weeping to bed. path. Presently
Now Hop-o'-my- the children

T h u m b ha d found them-
heard everj-- selves alone and
thing that was said; for being in bed and hearing began to cry with fear. Hop-o'-my-Thumb alone
them he had stolen quietly to his father's
talk, had no tears, for he knew the way home. As they
stool and sat under it where he could listen with- came, he had dropped all along the road the little
out being seen. He went to bed again, but he white pebbles which he had brought in his pocket.
HOP- O'-MY- THUMB. 71
"Fear not, brothers," he said, "our father and lighted their father and mother. They began all
mother have left us here, but I will lead you safely to speak at once, and to tell how frightened they
home. Only follow me." Thereupon he led them were in the forest, and how glad to find their way
back to the house by the same road that they had home again. The good people were overjoyed at
taken into the forest. They feared to enter im- getting their dear children back, and so long as the
mediately, but placed themselves close by the door ten crowns lasted they were all happy together;
to hear what their father and mother might be but at length the money was spent and they were
saying. '"
once more in despair and now the wood-cutter
;
Now, and his wife

just as the wood-cutter and his wife determined to lead their children far-
reached home, the lord of the manor sent them ther still from home, so as to lose them alto-
ten crowns, which he had been owing them a long gether'.
time, and they had given up all hopes of ever get- They could not talk of this so privately but that
ting. They were ready to starve but for this, and Hop-o'-my-Thumb overheard them, and trusted to
the wood-cutter sent his wife quickly to the butch- do as he had done before. Hut though he got up
er's to buy some meat. As it was many a day very early to collect the little pebbles, he could
since they had tasted meat, she bought three times not get out of the house, for the door was double-
as much as two persons could need. When they locked. He knew not what to do when the wood-
had eaten and were satisfied, the thought of her cutter's wife gave thera each their last piece of
poor children rushed back upon her, and the wood- bread for breakfast, when he suddenly thought of
cutter's wife cried, — using crumbs of his bread instead of pebbles, and
" Alas where now are our poor children ?
!
so he put his piece in his pocket. His father and
There is enough here and to spare. It was thou, mother led them into the thickest and darkest part
husband, that wouldst lose them. Did I not say of the wood, and then finding a b3'-path, slipped
we should repent it ? What are they now doing away from them unnoticed, as before. Hop-o'-
in the Alas! perhaps the wolves have
forest? my-Thumb was not much troubled by this, for he
already devoured them Thou hast destroyed my
! thought he should easily lead his brothers back by
" means of the crumbs which he had dropped along
children !
She said this twenty times over, until the wood- the way. But when he came to look not a crumb
cutter became exceedingly impatient, and threat- was to be seen. The birds had eaten it all
ened to beat her if she did not hold her tongue. Then were the children in distress. The more
But the more angry he was the more she re- they wandered the deeper thoy plunged into the
proached him. She wept bitterly and cried out forest. Night came on and the wind began to
loudly, — howl, so that they fancied wolves were all about
" Alas ! where are now my children, my poor them. They huddled close together, scarcely dar-
children ? " The children who were close by the ing to speak. Then it began to rain heavily and
door heard this, and began to call out eagerly, — they were drenched to the skin. Tliey slipped
" mud and scrambled out of pits, tired
" Here we are here we ai'e ! ! about in the
She ran quickly to open the door, and threw her and dirty. Hop-o'-my-Thumb climbed a tree to
arms about them, exclaiming, — see he could make out anything from
if the top of
" O my dear children, how hapjiy I am to see it, and looking all about he saw a little light like
you again. How tired and hungry you must be ! that of a candle, but it was far away on the other
and Peter, how dirty you are. Come and let me side of the forest. He came down
again and then
wash you." Peter was the eldest of the children, could not see the light from the ground but he ;
and the one she loved most. They sat down to knew the direction in which it was, and they all
supper, and ate eagerly with an appetite that de- walked toward where they supposed it to be, and
at length, coming out of the woods, they saw the of my
acquaintance, who are coming to see me
lightand presently came to the house where it was. in a day or two." He dragged the children from
They knocked at the door, and a good woman under the bed one after the other. They fell
came to open it. She asked them what they on their knees begging for mercy, but he was
wanted. Hop-o'-my-Tliumb told her thej' were the most cruel of ogres, who felt no pity for them
poor children who had lost their way in the forest, but devoured them already with his ej'es, and
and begged a night's lodging for charity. The said to his wife that they would be dainty bits
woman, seeing they were all so pretty, began to when she had made a good sauce for them. He
weep and said, — went to fetcli a great knife, and as he returned to
" Alas my poor children, do you know to what
! the poor children, he whetted it on a long stone
you have come ? This is the house of an ogre which he held in his left hand. He had already
who eats little boj's !
seized one, when his wife said to him, —
"Alas! Madam," answered Hop-o'-my-Thumb, " Wh}- do you do it at this hour of the night ?
"
trembling from head to foot as his brothers did, Will it not be time enough to-morrow ?
" what shall we do ? If we stay in the forest the "

Hold thy peace," replied the ogre, " they will
wolves will devour us before the morning. We be all the more tender."
had rather be eaten by the gentleman perhaps ; "But you have alreadj' so much on hand," she
he may have pity upon us if you but ask him." persisted. " Here is a calf, two sheep, and half a
?)
The ogre's wife, for so she was, was a kind- pig-
hearted woman, and fancied she could hide them " Thou art right," said the Ogre. " Give them
from her husband till the next morning, so she a good supper, that they may not fall away, and
brought them into the house, and led them to a put them to bed." The good woman was greatly
fine fii-e where a whole sheep was on the spit, roast- rejoiced and brought the children plenty for sup-
ing for the ogre's supper. Just as thej"^ were be- ])Q\\ but they could eat nothing, so terrified were
ginning to get warm, they heard two or three loud they. As for the ogre, he seated himself to drink
knocks at the door. It was the ogre, who had again, much pleased to think that he had such a
come home. His wife immediately made the chil- feast in store for his friends, and drained a dozen
dren hide under the bed, and went to open the goblets more than usual, so that his head began to
door. The ogre asked at once if his supper was ache, and he went to bed.
ready, and if she had drawn the wine, and with The ogre had seven daughters, who were still
that he sat down to his meal. The mutton was very young. They had the most beautiful com-
all but raw, but he liked it the better for that. plexions, in consequence of their eating raw flesh
He began to sniff right and left and said that he like their father, but they had very small round
smelt fresh meat. gray ejês, hooked noses, and very large mouths
"It must be the calf I have just skinned that with long teeth, exceedingly sharp and wide apart.
you smell," said his wife. They were not very vicious, as yet, but they
" I smell fresh meat, I tell
you again," replied showed that they would be, for they had already
the ogre looking sharply at his wife. " There is begun to bite little boys. They had been sent to
something here that I don't understand." Saying bed early, and were all seven in a large bed, each
this he rose from the table and went straight to wearing a crown of gold on her head. In the
the bed. " Ah " he exclaimed," " thou art de-
! same I'oom was another bed just as large. Into
ceiving me, wretched woman I know not what
! this the ogre's wife put the seven little boys to
hindei's me from eating thee also, except that sleep, while she went off to her husband.
thou art old and tough. Here is some game which Hop-o-my-Thumb had noticed that the ogre's
comes in good time for me to entertain three ogres daughters all wore golden crowns on their heads,
HOP- a -MY- THUMB. 78
and in the middle of the night, fearing tliat the He then went to the bed where his daughters
ogre might come up in the dark and dispatch slept,and passing his hand over their heads, felt
them, he got up, took off the night-caps from his the little night-caps. " Aha " he cried, " Here
!
and his brotliers" heads and went very softly to are our young wags. Let us to work at once."
the bed where the little ogresses were sleeping So saying, he immediately cut the throats of his
then lie removed seven daughters,
their golden and then wiping
crowns and jfut his knife with
on their heads the satisfaction,went
night-caps, after back to bed again.
which he put the As soon as Hop-
crowns on his o'-m y - T h u m b
brothers' heads heard the ogre
and his own, and snoring, he woke
crept intobed his brothers, and
again. Matters bade them dress
turned out just as themselves quick-
he had expected. ly and follow
The ogre grew him. They went
impatient and down softly into
could not wait for the garden and

morning to come. jumped over the
He jumped out of wall. They ran
bed, and seizing all the rest of
his great knife, the night in fear
said,
and trembling,
"Let us go and not knowing

seehow our young- whither they
rogues are now should flee.
we won't make The ogre, on

two bites at a awaking in the
cherry." So he morning, said to

his wife, " Get
stole on tiptoe up
to the chamber,
up-stairs and
and came to the dress the little
bed where the Tke Gid-itt O^re la lus Severt LeAbueBoots. rogues you took
little boys 1 a }', piuriu.Lu6. H©p o'myTku.m.b (fc-.liis BrotkerSiWhQhideljvjtCttve^., in last night."
who were all She was much

asleep except Hop-o'-my-Thumb. He was dread- astonished at the kindness her husband, not
of
fully frightened the ogre placed his hand

when suspecting the sort of dressing be meant, and
upon his head to feel it, as he had in turn felt supposing he had ordered her to go and put their
those of all his brothers. The ogre, who felt the clothes on them. She went up-stairs quickly,
golden crowns, was puzzled. and there she saw their seven daughters all dead
" Truly," said he," I was about to do a pretty in their beds. She fainted away at the sight, and
job. I must have drank too much last night. the ogre, waiting and wondering why his vsdfe
10
did not come, went up-stairs to see what was the himself. The boots, to fit the Ogre, were very
matter. large and very long, but being fairy boots they
" Ha ! what have I done !
" he exclaimed. had the knack of exactly fitting every leg they
" But these wretches shall pay for it speedily." were put on, so they were just the right size for
He threw a basin of water in his wife's face to Hop-o'-my-Thumb. He went straight to the
revive her and said, " Quick get me my seven-
! ogre's house, where he found the ogre's wife
"
league boots that I may go and catch them ! weeping bitterly over her daughters.
He set out, and after running in every direction " Your husband," said he, " is in great danger,
came at last upon the track of the poor children, for he has been seized by a band of robbers who
who were not above a hundred yards from their threaten to kill him if he does not give them all
father's house. They saw the ogre striding from his gold and silver. At the moment they had
and stepping over rivers as easily as
hill to hill, their daggers at his throat, he discovered me, and
if they were brooks. Hop-o'-my-Thumb discover- begged me to come and tell you the plight he was
ing a hollow rock clos'^. by where they were, bade in, and to give me all the money he had, else they
his brothers hide in it, while he crept in after- would kill him without mercy. He bade me wear
ward and kept watch at the entrance. The ogre his seven-league boots, which you see I have on,
by this time was very tired, for seven-league boots that I might make haste, and that you might
are fatiguing to the wearei', and sat down to rest know I was not imposing on j'ou.''
upon the very rock in which the little boys had The good woman, very much alarmed, imme-
hidden themselves. There he fell sound asleep, diately gave him all the money there was in the
and began to snore so dreadfully that the children house, for the ogre was a good husband to her in
were quite as frightened as when they were in his spite of his temper and his fondness for little boys.
house. So Hop-o'-m3'-Thumb, laden with treasures, hast-
Hop-o'-my-Thumb whispered to his brothers to ened back to his father's house, where they lived
run quickly into their house and not be uneasy ever after happily together. As for the ogre, he
about him. They did as he told them, and were had grown so heavy that he could not get about
soon in the wood-cutter's home. Then Hop-o'-my- without his seven-league boots, so there he lay in
Thumb, when he saw them safely housed, stole up the sun and the crows came after he died and
to the ogre, pulled off his boots, and got into them picked all the skin off his bones.
A PEW SONGS.
LITTLE BIRDIE. He is meek, and He is mild

He became a little child :
What does little birdie say I a child, and thou a lamb.

In her nest at peep of day ? We are called by His name.
" Let me fly," says little birdie, Little lamb, God bless thee !
" Mother, let me fly away." — Little lamb, God bless thee !
" Birdie, rest a little longer. William Blake.

Till the little wings are stronger."
So she rests a little longer,
THE CHILD'S DESIRE.
Then she flies away.
I THINK, as I read that sweet story of old.

What does little baby say When Jesus was here among men.
In her bed at peep of day ?
How He called little children as lambs to Ilis fold,
Baby says, like little birdie, should like to have been with them then.
" Let me rise, and fly away." — I
I wish that His hands had been placed on my head,

" Baby, sleep a little longer.
That His arms had been thrown around me.
Till the little limbs are stronger. when He
And that I might have seen His kind look
If she sleeps a little longer,
said,
Baby too shall fly away." " Let the little ones come unto me."
Alfred Tennyson.
But still to His footstool in prayer I may go,
And ask for a share in His love ;
THE LAMB. And if I thus earnestly seek Him below,

I shall see Him and hear Him above.
Little lamb, who made thee ? In that beautiful place He has gone to prepare
Dost thou know who made thee.
For all that are washed and forgiven ;
Gave thee life, and made thee feed And many dear children are gathering there,
By the stream and o'er the mead ? " For of such is the kiiigdom of heaven."
Gave thee clothing of delight, — Jemima Luke.
Softest clotliing, woolly, bright ?
Gave thee such a tender voice.

Making all the vales rejoice ? THE LITTLE DOVES.
Little lamb, who made thee ?
Dost thou know who made thee ? High on the top of an old pine-tree
Broods a mother-dove with her young ones three.
Little lamb, I '11 tell thee ;

Warm over them is her soft, downy breast,
Little lamb, I '11 tell thee : And they sing so sweetly in their nest.
He is called by thy name.

'
Coo," say the little ones, " Coo," says she,
For He calls Himself a lamb. All in their nest on the old pine-tree.
76 A FEW SONGS.
Soundly they sleep through the moonshiny night, Where the purple violet grows,
Each young one covered and tucked in tight Where the bubbling water flows,
Morn wakes them up with the first blush of light, Where the grass is fresh and fine,
And they sing to each other with all their might. Pretty cow, go there and dine.
" Coo," say the little ones, " Coo," says she, Jane Tatloe.
All in their nest on the old pine-tree.
Wiien in. the nest they are all left alone.

While their mother far for their dinner has flown.
TWINKLE, TWINKLE.
Quiet and gentle they all remain.
Till their mother they see come home again.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
Then " Coo," say the little ones, " Coo," says she,
How I wonder what you are
All in their nest on the old pine-tree,
Up above the world so high.
Like a diamond in the sky.
When they are fed by their tender mother.
One never will push nor crowd another :
Each opens widely his own little bill,

And he patiently waits, and gets his fill.
Then, " Coo," say the little ones, " Coo," says she.
All in their nest on the old pine-tree.
Wisely the mother begins by and by

To make her young ones learn to fly ;
Just for a little way over the brink.

Then back to the nest as quick as a wink.
And •'
Coo," say the little ones, " Coo," says she, Wlicu the glorious sun is set,
All in their nest on the old pine-tree. When the grass with dew is wet.
Then you show your little light,
Fast grow the young ones, day and night. Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
Till their wings are plumed for a longer flight
Till unto them at the last draws nigh In the dark-blue sky you keep,
The time when they all must say " Good-by." And often through my curtains peep
Then " Coo," say the little ones, " Coo," says she. For you never shut j-our eye
And away they fly from the old pine-tree. Till the sun is in the sky.
Carols, Hymns, and Songs.

As your bright and tiny spark
Lights the traveler in tlie dark.
PRETTY COW. Though I know not what you are.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star !
Thank you, pretty cow, that made

Pleasant milk to soak my bread.
Every day and every night.
Warm, and fresh, and sweet, and white. WILLIE WINKIE.
Donot chew the hemlock rank. Wee Willie Winkle rins through the town,
Growing on the weedy bank Up stairs and doou stairs, in his nicht gown,
But the yellow cowslips eat. Tirlin' at the window, cryin' at the lock.
That will make it very sweet. Are the weans in their bed ? — for it 's now ten o'clock.
GOOD-NIGHT AND GOOD-MORNING. 77
Hey, Willie Winkie are ye comin' ben ?

!
Rattling in an iron jug
The cat 's singin' gay thrums to the sleepin' hen, With an iron spoon,
The doug's speldered on the floor, and disna gie a Rumbling, tumbling all about,
cheep Crowing like a cock.
But here 's a waukrife laddie that winna fa' asleep. Screaming like I don't know what,
Waking sleeping folk.
Onything but sleep, ye rogue ! — glowerin' like the
moon, 'Hey! Willie Winkie,

^
Rattlin' in an aim jug wi' an aim spoon, Can't you keep him still ?
Eumblin', tumblin' ronn' about, crawin' like a cock, Wriggling off a body's knee
Skirlin' like a kenna what — waukerin' sleepin' folk. Like a very eel.
Pulling at the cat's ear,

Hey, Willie Winkie ! the wean's in a creel As she drowsy hums, —
Waumblin' afi a bodie's knee, like a vera eel, Heigh, Willie Winkie,
"
Ruggin' at the cat's lug, and ravellin' a' her thrums : See ! there he comes '
Hey, Willie Winkie ! — See, there he comes

Wearied is the mother
AVeary is the mither that has a storie wean, That has a restless wean,
A wee stumpie stonesie, that canna rin his lane. A wee, stumpie bairnie
That has a battle aye wi' sleep before he '11 close an ee Heard whene'er he 's seen —
But a kiss frae all his rosy lips gies strength anew to That has a battle aye with sleep
me. Before he 'II close an e'e ;
William Miller. But a kiss from off his rosy lips

Gives strength anew to me.
THE SAME, WITH THE SCOTTICISMS

CHANGED.
GOOD-NIGHT AND GOOD-MORNING.
Wee Willie Winkie
Runs through the town, A FAIR little girl sat under a tree,
Up stairs and down stairs Sewing as long as her eyes could see
In his night gown. Then smoothed her work, and folded it right.
"
Tapping at the window, And said, " Dear work, good-night ! good-night i
Crying at the lock,

' Are the weans in their bed, Such a number of rooks came over her head,
For it's now ten o'clock?" Crying, " Caw caw " on their way to bed
! ! ;
She said, as she watched their curious flight,

"
*'
Hey ! Willie Winkie, " Little black things, good-night ! good-night !
Are you coming then ?

The cat's singing Purrie The horses neighed, and the oxen lowed.
To the sleeping hen, The sheep's " Bleat bleat " came over the road.
! !
The dog is lying on the floor, All seeming to say, with a quiet delight,
"
And does not even peep ;
" Good little girl, good-night good-night ! !
But here's a wakeful laddie

!
That will not fall asleep." She did not say to the sun " Good-night
Though she saw him there, like a ball of light
Anything but sleep, you rogue For she knew he had God's time to keep
Glowring like the moon All over the world, and never could sleep.
78 A FEW SOIf^GS.
The tall pink foxglove bowed his head, And I will sing a lullaby.
The violets curtsied, and went to bed Rock them, rock them, lullaby.
And good little Lucy tied up her hair, Thomas Dekkee.
And said, on her knees, her favorite prayer.
CRADLE SONG.
And, while on her pillow she softly lay,
She knew nothing more till again it was day. Hush, my babe, lie still and slumber
And all things said to the beautiful sun, Holy angels guard thy bed ;
" Good-morning ! good-morning ! our work is begun !

Heavenly blessings without number.
Richard Monkton Milnes. Gently falling on thy head.
Sleep, my babe, thy food and raiment.
GENTLE JESUS, MEEK AND MILD. House and- home, thy friends provide:
All without thy care or payment.
Gentle Jesus, meek and mild. All thy wants are well supplied.
Look upon a little child ;
Pity my simplicity. See the lovely babe a-dressing ;

Suffer me to come to Thee. Lovely infant, how He smiled !
When He wept, the mother's blessing

Fain I would to Thee be brought Soothed and hushed the Holy Child.
Gracious God, forbid it not:
In the kingdom of Thy grace Lo, He slumbers in the manger.
Give a little child a place. Where the horned oxen fed !
Peace, my darling ; here 's no danger

Oh, supply my every want. There 's no oxen near thy bed.
Feed the young and teniler plant
Day and night my keeper be, 'T was to save thee, child, from dying,
Every moment watch o'er me. Save my dear from sin and shame,
'T was to lead thee home to heaven.
That thy blest Redeemer came.
LULLABY.
Mayst thou live to know and fear Him,
Golden slumbers kiss your eyes, Trust and love Him all thy days ;
Smiles awake when you do rise ; Then go dwell forever near Him,
Sleep, pretty wantons ; do not cry. See His face, and sing His praise.
And I will sing a lullaby,
Rock them, rock them, lullaby. I could give thee thousand kisses.
Hoping what I most desire ;
Care is heavy, therefore sleep you : Not a mother's fondest wishes

You are care, and care must keep you ; Can to greater joys aspire.
Sleep, pretty wantons ; do not cry. Isaac Watts.
THE BOOK OF POPULAR TALES.
CINDERELLA; OR, THE GLASS SLIPPER.
Theke was OHce an honest gentleman who was It happened that the king's son gave a ball to
left a widower with one little daughter, the image which he invited all the rich and the grand and ;
of her mother, beautiful in face and lovely in as our two young ladies made a great figure in
temper. He thoughtmarry again, for
it well to the world, they were to be at the ball, and per-
he was lonely and he wished some one who for haps would dance with tlie prince. So they were
should take care of his child. But though his at once very busy choosing what head-dress and
second wife was a handsome woman she was very which gown would be the most becoming. Here
haughty, and she had two daughters by a former was fresh work for poor Cinderella for it was ;
marriage, who were as proud and disagreeable as she, forsooth, who was to starch and get up their
herself. The lady appeared very well before the ruffles, and iron all their fine linen and they ;
wedding, but no sooner was that over than she talked of nothing but their fine clothes all day
began to show her evil temper. She could not long. " I," said the elder, " shall put on my
bear her step-daughter, who was so amiable that red velvet dress, with my point-lace trimmings."
her own ill-natured seemed more dis-
children "And I," said the younger sister, " shall wear
agreeable than before, and she compelled the poor my ordinary petticoat, but shall set it off with my
girl to do all the drudgery of the household. It gold brocaded train and my circlet of diamonds,
was she who washed the dishes, and scrubbed and what can be finer than that '?
" They sent
down the stairs, and polished the floors in my for a clever tire-woman, for they were to have
lady's chamber, and in those of the two pert double rows of quilling on their caps, and they
misses, her daughters and while the latter slept
; bought a quantity of elegant ribbons and bows.
on good feather-beds in elegant rooms furnished They called in Cinderella, to take her advice, as
with full-length looking-glasses in which they she had such good taste ; and Cinderella not only
could admire themselves all day long, their sister advised them well, but offered to dress their hair,
lay in a wretched garret on an old straw mattress. which they were pleased to accept. While she
Yet the poor thing bore this ill treatment very was thus busied, the sisters said to her, "And
meekly, and did not dare complain to her father, pray, Cinderella, would you like to go to the
for he was so blind to his wife's faults that he ball ? " " Nay, you are mocking me," replied
would only have scolded the child. the poor girl " it is not for such as I to go to
;
When her work was done, she used to sit in the balls." "True enough," rejoined they; "folks
chimney-corner among.st the cinders, so that the would laugh to see a cinder-wench at a court
two sisters gave her the nickname of Cinderella, ball."
or, the cinder-wench ;
yet, for all her shabby Any other but Cinderella would have dressed
clothes, Cinderella was a hundred times prettier their hair awry to spite them for their rudeness ;
than they, let them be dressed ever so magnifi- but she was so good-natured that she went on and
cently. dressed them more becomingly than ever they had
80 THE BOOK OF POPULAR TALES.
been in their lives before. The two sisters were She then went to the mouse-trap,
into a gilt coach.
so delighted that they scarcely ate a morsel for a where she found six live mice, and bidding Cinder-
couple of days. And besides, it was not easy to ella let them out one by one, she changed each
eat much, for they were laced tight, to make their mouse into a fine dapple gray horse by a stroke
waists as slender as possible ; indeed, more than of her wand. But what was she to do for a coach-
a dozen stay-laces were broken in the attempt. man ? Cinderella proposed to look for a rat in the
But they were perfectly contented to spend rat-trap. " That 's a good thought,"
their whole time before a looking-g quoth her godmother " so go and ;
where they nodded their plumes, and see." Back came Cinderella with the
turned and
looked behind.
turned to see how they |
u rat-trap, in
rats.
which were three large
The had
fairy chose one that
The long - wished - for evening a tremendous pair of whiskers, and
came at List, and oft tliey set forthwith changed him into a coach-
Cinderella & ojet. followed man with the finest mustachios ever
them as long as she could, seen.
and then she sat down and " Now," said she, " go into the
began to weep. Hei god- garden, and bring me six lizards,
mother now appealed, w^hich you will find behind the water-
and seeing her \n tears ing-pot." These were no sooner
inquired brought, than, lo ! with a touch of
wliat was the wand they were turned into six
the mat- ~~ - footmen, with laced liveries, who got
ter. "I up behind the coach just as natur-
ally as if they had done nothing else
all their lives. The Fairj^ then said
to Cinderella : " Now here is j'Our
coach and six, your coachman and
_
.
,
wish — your footmen, all to take you to the ball ; are
s^"^"- _ I wish," 3'ou not pleased ? " " But must I go in these
^ began dirty clothes ? " said Cinderella, timidly. Her
the poor girl, but her voice godmother smiled and just touched her with her
was choked with tears. "You wand, when her shabby clothes were changed to a
wish that you could go to dress of gold and silver tissue, all decked with
the ball," interrupted her precious stones. Then she put upon her feet the
godmother, who was a fairy. prettiest pair of glass slippers ever seen. Cin-
"Indeed I do!" said Cin- derella now got into the carriage, after having
derella, " Well, with a sigh. been warned by her godmother upon no account
"^^^
then, be a good if you will to prolong her staybeyond midnight, for if she
girl, you shall go," said her godmother. " Run should remain a moment longer at the ball her
quick and fetch me a pumpkin from the garden." coach would again become a pumpkin, her horses
Cinderella flew to gather the finest pumpkin she mice, her footmen lizards, while her beautiful
could find, though she could not understand how it clothes would become the shabby gown of the
could possibly help her to go to the ball. But her poor girl that sat among the cinders. Cinderella
godmother, scooping it quite hollow, touched it promised she would not fail to leave the ball be-
with her wand, when it was immediately changed fore midnight, and set oil in an ecstasy of delight.
CINDERELLA; OR, THE GLASS SLIPPER. 81
When was in such state that the

she arrived it and stretch and rub her eyes and saying,
herself,
king's son, hearing that some great princess, un- " How you are " just as if she had been
late !
known at court, had just appeared, went to hand waked up out of a nap, though, one may readily
her out of her carriage, and brought her into the believe, she had never felt less disposed to sleep
hall where the company was assembled. The mo- in her life. " If you had been to the ball," said
ment she appeared all voices were hushed, the one of the sisters, " you would not have thought
violins ceased playing, and the dancing stopped it late. There came the most beautiful princess
short, so great yvas the sensation produced by the that ever was seen, who loaded us with polite at-
stranger's beauty. A confused murmur of ad- tentions, and gave us oi'anges and citrons."
miration fluttered through the crowd, and each Cinderella inquired the name of the princess.
was fain to exclaim, " How surpassingly lovely But they replied that nobody knew her name, and
she is !
" Even the king, old as he was, could not was in great trouble about her,,
that the king's son
forbear admiring her like the rest, and whispered and would give the world to know who she could
to the queen that she was certainly the fairest be. " Is she, then, so very beautiful ? " said Cin-
and comeliest woman he had seen for many a derella, smiling. " Ah
how I should like to see
!
long day. As for the ladies, they were all busy her ! Oh, do, my Lady Javotte, lend me the yel-
examining her head-dress and her clothes, in order low dress you wear every day, that I may go to
to get similar ones the very next day, if, indeed, the ball and have a peep at this wonderful prin-
they could meet with stuffs of such rich patterns, cess." " A likely stoiy, indeed " cried Javotte, !
and find work-women clever enough to make them tossing her head disdainfully, " that I should lend
up. my clothes to a dirty cinder-wench like you " !
After leading her to the place to which her Cinderella expected to be refused, and was not
rank seemed to entitle her, the king's son re- sorry for it, as she would have been very much
quested her hand for the next dance, when she puzzled what to do had her sister really lent her
displayed so much grace that her beauty was the dress she begged to have.
heightened, and people said they had not praised On the following evening the sisters again went
her half enough before. An elegant supper was to the court ball, and so did Cinderella, dressed
brought but the young prince was so taken up
in, even more magnificently than before. The king's
with gazing at the fair stranger', that he did not son never once left her side, and spent his whole
touch a morsel. Cinderella went and sat by her time in waiting upon her. He talked so charm-
sisters, them the oranges and citrons
sharing with ingly, and Avhispered so many delicate speeches,
the prince had offered her, much to their sui-prise that the young lady was nothing loath to listen to
and delight, for they felt highly flattered, never him ; she forgot all else, she forgot her godmoth-
dreaming who it really was. er's warning. Eleven o'clock came, but she did
When Cinderella heard the clock strike three not notice the striking the half-hour struck, but
;
quarters past eleven, she made a low courtesy to the prince grew more delightful, and Cinderella
the whole assembly, and retired in haste. On could hear nothing else ; the last quarter — but
reaching home, she found her godmother, and still Cinderella sat by the prince. Then the great
after thanking her for the delight she had enjoyed clock sounded the midnight stroke up sprang ;
she ventm-ed to express a wish to return to the Cinderella and like a startled fawn fled from the
ball on the following evening, as the prince had palace. prince started to follow her, but she
The
requested her to do. She was still eagei'ly telling was too swift for him ; only, as she flew she
her godmother all that had happened at court, dropped one of her glass slippers, which he picked
when her two sisters knocked at the door. Cin- up very eagerly. The last stroke died away as
derella went and let them in, pretending to yawn Cinderella reached the great staircase that ledi
11
from the palace. In a twinkling the
gay lady was gone, and only a shab-
by cinder-wench went running down
the steps. The splendid coach and
six, driver and footmen, had van-
ished ; only a pumpkin lay on tlie
ground, and a rat, six mice, and six
lizards scampered off. Cinderella

reached home, quite out of bi-eath :
but of all her magnificence nothing

remained save a little glass slipper,
the fellow to the one she had lost.
The sentinels at the palace-gate were |,
whether they
closely questioned as to
had not seen a princess coming out;
but they answered they had seen ii" '
one except a shabbily-dressed girl,

who appeared to be a peasant rather than a young slipper looked atten-
lady. tively at Cinderella,
When the two sisters returned from the ball, and perceiving how
Cinderella asked them whether they had been beautiful she was, said
well entertained, and whether the beautiful lady that it was but fair
was there ? They replied that she was but that ; she should do so, as he
she had run away as soon as midnight had struck, had orders to try it on
and so quickly as to drop one of her dainty glass every young maiden in
slippers, which the king's son had picked up, and the kingdom. So Cin-
was looking at most fondly during the remainder derella sat down, and
of the ball indeed, it seemed beyond a doubt that
; put her foot on a stool
he was deeply in love with the beautiful creature to have the slipper
to whom it belonged. tried on, while her
They spoke truly enough ; for, a few days aft- sisters looked on con-
erwards, the king's son caused a proclamation to temptuously ; but no
be made, by sound of trumpet, all over the king- sooner did she put her little foot to the slipper,
dom, that he would marry her whose foot should than she drew it on, and it fitted like wax. The
be found to fit the slipper exactly. So the slipper sisters stood amazed ; but their astonishment in-
was first tried on by all the princesses then by ; creased tenfold when Cinderella drew the fellow-
all the duchesses and next by all the persons be-
; slipper out of her pocket, and put that on. Her
longing to the court but in vain. ; Then it was godmother then made her appearance, and touch-
carried to all the fine houses, and it came at last ing Cinderella's clothes with her wand, made them
to the two sisters, who tried with all their might once more the robes of a princess, but even more
to force their feet into the fairj'-like slippei', but splendid than those which she had worn at the
with no better success. Cinderella, who was ball.
present, now laughed, and said, " Supjjose I were Her two sisters now recognized her for the beau-
to try ? " Her sisters ridiculed such an idea ; tiful stranger they had seen, and, falling at her
but the gentleman who was appointed to try the feet, implored her forgiveness for their unworthy
HANS IN LUCK. 83
treatment, and all the insults thej' had heaped the beautiful maiden, and thought her more
upon her head. Cin- lovely than ever.
derella raised them, So they were mar-
saying, as she em- and Cinderella,
ried,
braced them, that who was as good as

she not only forgave she was beautiful,
them with all her and wished every
heart, but \vi sjjed one about her to be
that they might al- happy, allowed her
waj's love her. The sisters to lodge in
gentleman in wait- the palace, and gave
ing led her to the them in marriage,
palace of the young that same day, to
p r n c e,
i who was two lords belonging
overjoyed at diseov- to the court.
HANS IN LUCK.
Hans had served his master seven years, and hand, and said, " When
you want to go very fast,
"
at last said to him, " Master, my time is up, I you must smack your lips loud, and cry Jip.' '
should like to go home and see my mother; so Hans Avas dehghted as he sat on the horse, and
give me my wages." And the master said, "You rode merrily on. After a time he thought he
have been a faithful and good servant, so your pay should like to go a faster, so he smacked his
little
shall be handsome." Then he gave him a piece of lips and cried " Jip." Away went the horse full
silver that was as big as his head. gallop and before Hans knew what he was about
;
Hans took out his pocket-handkerchief, put the he was thrown off, and lay in a ditch by the road-
piece of silver into it, threw it over his shoulder, side; and his horse would have run away, if a
and jogged off homewards. As he went lazily on, shepherd who was coming by, driving a cow, had
dragging one foot after another, a man came in not stopped it. Hans soon came to himself, and
sight, gayly on a capital hoi-se.
trotting along got upon his legs again. He was sadly vexed, and
" Ah " said Hans aloud, " what a fine thing it is
! said to the shepherd, " This riding no joke when
is
to ride on horseback there he sits as if he was at

! a man gets on a beast like this, that stumbles and
home in his chair he trips against no stones,
; flinsfs
es
him off as if he would break his neck. How-
spares his shoes, and yet gets on he hardly knows ever, I am off now once for all I like your cow a
:
how." The horseman heard this, and said, " Well, great deal better one can walk along at one's
;
Hans, why do you go on foot then ? " " Ah " ! leisure behind her, and have milk, butter, and
said he, " I have this load to carry to be sure it ; cheese every day into the bargain. What would
is silver, but it is so heavy that I can't hold up my I give to have such a cow!" "Well," said the
head, and it hurts my shoulder sadly." " What shepherd, " if you are so fond of her, I will change
do you say to changing? " said the horseman " I ; my cow for your horse." " Done " said Hans, !
will give you my horse, and you shall give me the merrily. The shepherd jumped upon the horse
silver." " With all my heart," said Hans :
" but and away he rode.
I tell you one thing, — you'll
have a weary task
to drag it along." The horseman got off, took the
Hans drove off his cow quietly, and thought
" If I have only a piece
his
bargain a very lucky one.
silver, helped Hans up, put the bridle into his of bread (and I certamly shall be able to get that),
I can, whenever I like, eat my butter and cheese good bargains. The countryman said he was go-
with itand when I am thirsty I can milk my
; ing to take the goose to a christening. " Feel,"
cow and drink the milk: what can I wish for said he, " how heavy it is, and j-et it is only eight
more?" When he came to an inn, he halted, ate weeks old. Whoever roasts and eats it may cut
all his bread, and gave away bis last penny for a
!
plenty of fat off it, it has lived so well
glass of beer; then he drove his cow towards his " You 're right," said Hans as he weighed it in his
mother's village ; and the heat grew greater as hand ;
" but my Meantime the
pig is no trifle."
noon came on, till at last he found himself on a countrj-man began to look grave, and shook his
wide heath that would take him more than an head. " Hark ye," said he, " my good friend
hour to cross, and he began to be so hot and your pig may get you into a scrape ; in the village
parched that his tongue clave to the roof of his I justcame from the squire has had a pig stolen
mouth. " I can find a cure for this," thought he, out of his stye. I was di-eadfully afraid, when I
" now will I milk my cow and quench my thirst " ; saw you, that you had got the squire's pig it will ;
so he tied her to the stumj) of a tree, and held his be a bad job if they catch you: the least they'll
leathern cap to milk into but not a drop was to
; do willbe to throw you into the horse pond."
be had. Poor Hans was sadly frightened. " Good man,"
While he was trying his luck and managing the cried he, " pray get me out of this scrape ; you
matter very clumsily, the uneasj' beast gave him know this country better than I, take my pig and
a kick on the head that knocked him down, and give me "I ought to have something
the goose."
there he lay a long while senseless. Luckily a into the bargain," said the countryman " how- ;
butcher soon came by driving a pig in a wheel- ever, I will not bear hard upon you, as you are in
barrow. " What is the matter with you ? " said trouble." Then he took the string in his hand,
the butcher, as he helped him him
up. Hans told and drove off the pig by a side path while Hans ;
what had happened, and the butcher gave him a went on the way homewards free from care.
flask, saying, " There, drink and refresh yourself ;
"After all," thought he, "I have the best of the
your cow will give you no milk she is an old beast,
: bargain : first thei-e will be a capital roast ; then
good for nothing but the slaughter-house." " Alas, the fat will find me in goose-grease for sis months ;
alas!" said Hans, "who

would have thought it? and there are all the beautiful white feathers ; I
If I kill her, what would she be good for ? I hate will put them into my pillow, and then I am
cow-beef, it is not tender enough for me. If it sure I shall sleep soundly without rocking. How
"
were a pig now, one could do something with it it : happy my mother will be I
would at any rate make some sausages." " Well," As he came to the last village, he saw a scissors-
said the butcher, "to please you I'll change, and grinder, with his wheel, working away, and sing-
give you the pig for the cow." " Heaven reward ing :
—
you for your kindness " said Hans, as he gave the
!
" O'er and o'er dale so happy I roam,
hill
butcher the cow, and took the pig off the wheel- Work and live well, all the world is
light my home
"
barrow, and drove it along, holding it by the Wlio so blvthe, so merry as I ?
string that was tied to its leg. Hans stood looking for a while, and at last said,
So on he jogged, and all seemed now to go right " You must be well off, master grinder, you seem
with him he had met with some misfortunes, to

: so happy at your work." " Yes," said the other,
be sure, but he was now well repaid for all. The " mine is a golden trade ; a good grinder never
next person he met was a countryman carrying a puts his hand in his pocket without finding money
fine white goose under his arm. The countryman in it: —
but where did you get that beautiful
stopped to ask what o'clock it was and Hans told ; goose ? " " I did not buy it, but changed a pig for
him all his luck, and how he had made so many it." "And where did you get the pig?" "I
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD. 85
gave a cow for it." '•

And the cow ? " "I gave a heart : and he said to
his eyes sparkled for joy,
horse for it." "And the horse?" "I gave a himself,"I must have been born in a lucky hour;
piece of silver as big as my head for that." " And everything that I want or wish for comes to me
the silver ? " " Oh I worked hard for that seven
! of itself."
long years." " You have thriven well in the world ^Meantime he began to be tired, for he had been
hitherto," said the grinder you could find ; "now if traveling ever since daybreak ; he was hungry,
money in your pocket whenever you put your hand too, for he had given away his last penny in his
into it, your fortune would be made." " Very joy at getting the cow. At last he could go no
true: but how is that to be managed?" "You farther, and the stone
terribly hetired him ;
must turn grinder like me," said the other, "you dragged himself to the side of a pond, that he
only want a grindstone the rest will come of it-
; might drink some water and rest a while so he ;
self. Here is one that is a little the worse for laid the stone carefully by his side on the bank :
wear I would not ask more than the value of your

; but as he stooped down to drink, he forgot it,
goose for it; —
will you buy?" " How can you pusiied it a little, and down it went plump into
ask such a question ? " replied Hans ;
" I should the pond. For a while he watched it sinking in
be the happiest man in the world if I could have the deep clear water, then sprang up for joy, and
money whenever I put my hand in my pocket; again fell upon his knees, and thanked heaven
"
what could I want more ; there 's the goose ! with tears in his eyes for its kindness in taking
"Now," said the grinder, as he gave him a com- away his only plague, the ugly heavy stone.
mon rough stone that lay by his side, " this is a " How happy am I !
" cried he :
" no mortal was
most capital stone ; do but manage it cleverly, ever so lucky as I am." Then up he got with a
and you can make an old nail cut with it." light and merry heart, and walked on free from
Hans took the stone and went off with a light all his troubles, till he reached his mother's house.
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WOOD.

Once upon a time there was a king and a queen self up in a tower and it was supposed that she
who grieved sorely that they had no children. was either dead or enchanted.
When at last the queen gave birth to a daughter The king ordered a cover to be laid for her, but
the king was so overjoyed that he gave a great it could not be a massive gold one like the others,
christening feast, the like of whicli had never be- for only seven had been ordered made. The old
fore been known. He asked all the fairies in the fairy thought herself ill-used and muttered be-
land —there were seven all told to stand god- — tween her teeth. One of the young fairies, over-
mothers to the little princess, hoping that each hearing her, and fancying she might work some
might give her a gift, and so she should have all mischief to the little baby, went and hid herself
imaginable perfections. behind the hangings in the hall, so as to be able
After the christening, all the company returned to have the last word and undo any harm the old
to the palace where a great feast had been spread fairy might wish to work. The fairies now be-
for the fairy godmothers. Before each was set a gan to endow the princess. The youngest, for her
magnificent plate, with a gold knife and a gold gift,decreed that she should be the most beauti-
fork studded with diamonds and rubies. Just as ful person in the world the next that she should
;
they were seating themselves, however, there en- have the mind of an angel the third that she ;
tered an old fairy who had not been invited be- should be perfectly graceful ; the fourth that she
cause more than fifty years ago she had shut her- should dance admirably well ; the fifth, that she
should sing like a nightingale ; the sixth, that she which he forbade all persons in his dominion from
should play charmingly upon every musical instru- spinning or even having spindles in their houses
ment. The turn of the old fairy had now come, under pain of instant death.
and she declared, wliile her head shook with mal- Now fifteen years after the princess was born
ice, that the princess should pierce her hand with she was with the king and queen at one of their
a spindle and die of the wound. This dreadful castles, and as she was running about by herself
fate threw all the company into tears of dismay, she came to a little chamber at the top of a tower,
when the young fairy who had hidden herself and there sat an honest old woman spinning, for
came forward and said :
— she had never heard of the king's edict.
" What are you doing ? " asked the princess.
" I am spinning, my fair child," said the old
woman, who did not know her.
" How pretty it is " exclaimed the princess.
!
" How do you do it ? Give it to me that I may

see if I can do it." She had no sooner taken up
the spindle, than, being hasty and careless, she
pierced her hand with the point of it, and fainted
away. The old woman, in great alarm, called for
help. People came running in from all sides they ;
threw water in the princess's face and did all they

could to restore her, but nothing would bring her
to. king, who had heard the noise and con-
The
fusion, came up also, and remembering what the
fairy had said, he had the princess carried to the
finest apartment and laid upon a richly embroid-
ered bed. She lay there in all her loveliness, for
the swoon had not made her pale her lips were ;
cherry-ripe and her cheeks ruddy and fair; her

eyes were closed, but they could hear her breath-
ing quietly she could not be dead. The king
;
looked sorrowfully upon her. He knew that she

would not awake for a hundred years.
The good fairy who had saved her life and

turned her death into sleep was in the kingdom
of Mataquin, twelve thousand leagues away, when
this happened, but she learned of it from a dwarf
" Be of good cheer, king and queen ;
your daugh- who had a pair of seven-league boots, and instantly
ter shall not so die. It is true I cannot entirely set out for the castle, where she arrived in an hour,
undo what my elder has done. The princess will drawn by dragons in a fiery chariot. The king
pierce her hand witli a spindle, but, instead of came forward to receive her and showed his grief.
dying, she will only a deep sleep.
fall into The The good fairy was very wise and saw that the
sleep will last a hundred years, and at the end of princess when she woke would find herself all
that time a king's son will come to wake her." alone in that great castle and everything about
The king, in hopes of preventing what the old her would be strange. So this is what she did.
fairy had foretold, immediately issued an edict by She touched with her wand everybody that was
^D. 87
THE SLEEPING BEAUTY IN THE WUG
in the castle, except the king and
queen. She touched the govern-
esses, maids of honor, women of
the bed-chamber, gentlemen, offi-
cers, stewards, cooks, scullions,
boys, guards, porters, pages, foot-

men ; she touched the horses in the
stable with their grooms, the great
mastiffs in the court-yard, and even
little Pouste, the tiny lap-dog of
the princess that was on the bed
beside her. As soon as she had
touched them they all fell asleep,
not to wake again until the time
arrived for their mistress to do
so,when they would be ready to wait upon her. be awakened at la
Even the spits before the fire, laden with par- king's son, who was
ti'idges and pheasants, went to sleep, and the fire
e at these
itself went to sleep also. The young pnnc, ^^.^ jj^
It was the work of a moment. The king: and words felt himself or, i ^ û j.
:loubt that
queen kissed their daughter farewell and left the had not a moment's 1,1 ^ .
castle, issuing a proclamation that no person what- he was destined to ^ , ,

)t ardor he
soever was to approach it. That was needless, adventure, and full (^^
set out
for in a quarter of an hour there had grown up determined at once i , i
about it a wood so thick and filled with thorns for the castle. Scf
J^^jf^^ '^^
that nothing could get at the castle, and the castle he conae to the woo' i
• i i
which hadi
top itself could only be seen from a great dis- the trees and thorns , , ,
penetrable
.
tance. made such an im i ,

le side and
A
hundred years went by, and the kingdom thicket opened
^ on or
im a path,
,,
was in the hands of another royal family. The the other to offer hi, i ,,
the castle.
son of the king was hunting one day when he He walked toward
at the end
, ,
-,
discovered the towers of the castle above the tops which appeared now, , ,
of the trees, and asked what castle that was. All of a long avenue, bu^
foiJowers
manner of answers were given to him. One said turned to look for hi g^g,^. ^j^^
it was an enchanted castle, another that witches not one was to be • , .-,
instantly
lived there, but most believed that it was occupied woods had closed -,
lad passedi
by a great ogre which carried thither all the chil- P '
itirely alone, and utter silence
dren he could catch and ate them up one at a through.
o He was et „. V„
le enteredj
a ilarge ifore-courtj.
.
time, for nobody could get at him through the was about him. K r\
1 amazement and awe.
^
On l.
wood. The prince did not know what to believe, and stood still witl, r, u r j
;tcaed the bodies of men and
ii f i
when finally an old peasant said, — every side were stre^f^j^^^^

g^^ ^,^^ ^^^^^ ^j ^^^
" Prince, itis more than fifty years since I animals apparently
^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^ y^^^ ^ f^^
heard my father say that there was in that castle men were rosy, and ^he men had plainly fallen
the most beautiful princess that ever was seen drops of wine left,
;
^ggo^nded as he passed over
that she was to sleep for a hundred years, and to asleep. His steps i
the princess, and they were now ex-
tremely hungry. The lady-in-wait-
ing became very impatient, and at
length announced to the princess
that they all waited for her. Then
\ the prince took the
by princess
\ the hand was dressed in
; she
great splendor, but he did not hint
/ that she looked as he had seen
/ pictures of his great-grandmother

look ; he thought her all the more
charming for that. They- passed
into a hall of mirrors, where they
supped, attended by the officers of
the princess. The violins and haut-

the marble pavement and up the marble staircase. boys played old but excellent pieces of music, and
He entered the guard-i-oom ; there the guards after supper, to lose no time, the grand almoner
stood drawn up in line with cai'bines at their married the roj'al lovers in the chapel of the cas-
shoulders, but they were sound asleep. He passed tle.
through one apartment after another, where were When they left the castle the next day to re-
ladies and gentlemen asleep in their chairs or turn to the prince's home,
standing. He entered a chamber covered with they were followed by all the
gold, and saw on a bed, the curtains of which were retinue of the princess. They
drawn, the most lovely sight he had ever looked marched down the long ave- IK
upon, —
a princess, who appeared to be about fif- nue, and the wood opened
teen or sixteen, and so fair that she seemed to again to let them pass. Out-
belong to another world. He drew near, trem- side they met the prince's fol-
bling and wondering, and knelt beside her. Her lowers, who were overjoyed to
hand lay upon her breast, and he touched his lips see their master. He turned
to it. At that moment, the enchantment being to show them the castle, but
ended, the princess awoke, and, looking drowsily behold there was no castle to
!
and tenderly at the young man, said :

— be seen, and no wood castle :
" Have you come, my prince ? I have waited and wood had vanished, but
long for you." The prince was overjoyed at the the prince and princess went
words, and at the tender voice and look, and gayly away, and when the old
scarcely knew how to speak. But he managed to king and queen died they
assure her of his love, and they soon forgot all reisned in their stead.
else as they talked and talked.
They talked for four hours, and
had not then said half that was t •tajrr:
mJ-i m%
in their heads to say. i'?,'fc>
Meanwhile all the rest of the W'^'f>M'l-''i-'^'<'-^
people in the castle had been

wakened at the same moment as >'— 'W^ -v^
JACK THE GIANT-KILLER. 89
JACK THE GIANT-KILLER.

N the reign of King Ar- self with a horn, shovel, and pickaxe, and went
tliur, and in the county over to the Mount in the beginning of a dark win-
of Cornwall, near to the ter's evening, when he fell to work, and before
Land's End of England, morning had dug a pit twenty-two feet deep, and
there liveda wealthy nearly as broad, covering it over with long sticks
farmer, who had an only and straw. Then strewing a little mould upon it,
son, named Jack. He it appeared like plain ground. This done. Jack
was and of a ready
brisk, placed himself on the side of the pit which was
whatever he
wit, so that farthest from the giant's lodging, and, just at
could not perform by force and strength he ac- break of day, he put the horn to his mouth and
complished by ingenious wit and policy. Never blew with all his might. Although Jack was a
was any person heard of that could worst him, and little fellow, he managed to make noise enough to
he very often baffled even the learned by his sharp awake the giant, who rushed roaring from his cave,
and ready inventions. crying out, " You incorrigible villain
are you !
In those daj's the Mount of Cornwall was kept come here to disturb my
you shall pay
rest ?
by a huge and monstrous giant, eighteen feet in dearly for this. I will take you whole and broil
height, about three yards in compass, and of a you for my breakfast." He had no sooner uttered
fierce and grim countenance, the terror of all the this cruel threat than he tumbled into the pit, and
neighboring towns and villages. He inhabited a his heavy fall made the foundation of the Mount
cave in the middle of the Mount, and he was such shake.
a selfish monster that he would not suffer any one " O Giant !
" said Jack, " where are you now ?
to live near him. He fed on other men's cattle, Oh, faith, you are gotten now into Lob's Pound,i
which often became his prey, for whensoever he where I will surely plague you for your threaten-
wanted food he would wade over to the main-land, ing words. What do you think now of broiling
where he would furnish himself with whatever me for your breakfast? Will no other diet serve
"
came in his way. The people, at his coming, for- you but poor Jack ?
sook their homes. Then would he seize on their Thus did little Jack tantalize the big giant, as
cattle, making nothing of carrying half-a-dozen a cat does a mouse, when she knows it cannot es-
oxen on his back at a time and as for their sheep
; cape, and when he had tired of that amusement he
and hogs, he would tie them round his waist like gave him a heavy blow with his pickaxe on tiie
a bunch of bandoleers. This course he had fol- very crown of his head, which tumbled him down
lowed for many years, so that a great part of the and killed him on the spot. When Jack saw he
country was made poor by his robberies. was dead, he filled up the pit with earth, and went
This was the state of affairs when Jack, happen- to search the cave, where he found much treas-
ing one day to be present at the town-hall, where ure.
the governors were consulting about the giant, Now when the magistrates who employed Jack
had the curiosity to ask what reward would be heard that the work was done, they sent for him,
given to the person who should desti-oy him. The declaring that he should henceforth be termed
giant's treasure was declared as the recompense, Jack the G-iant-killer, and gave him a sword and
and .Jack at once undertook the task. embroidered belt, on the latter of which these
In order to effect his purpose, he furnished him- words were inscribed in letters of gold :
—
' An old jocular term for a prison, or any place of confinement,
12
" Here's the right valiant Cornish man confined two strong cords, at the- ends of which he
Who slew the giant Cormorau."
made strong nooses, and as the giants were un-
The news of Jack's victory soon spread over locking the iron gate of the castle he threw the
allthe West of England, so that another giant, ropes over each of their heads, and then, before the
named Blunderbore, hearing of it, vowed to be re- giants knew what he was about, drew the other
venged on the little hero, if ever it was his fortune ends across a beam, and, pulling with all his might,
to light on him. This giant was lord of an en- thi-ottled them. Then sliding down the i-ope, he
chanted castle, situated in the midst of a lonesome came to the heads of the giants, and, as they could
wood. Now Jack, about four months after his not defend themselves, he easily dispatched them
last exploit, walking near this castle, in his jour- with his sword. Jack next took a great bunch of
ney towards Wales, being weary, seated himself keys from the pocket of Blunderbore, and went
near a pleasant fountain in the wood, and pres- into the castle again. He made a strict search
ently fell asleep. The giant, coining there for through all the rooms and in them he found three
water, found him, and by the lines upon his belt ladies tied up by the hair of their heads and al-
knew him to be Jack ; so, without any words, he most starved to death. It was they who had
took him upon his shoulder and carried him to- warned him. He set them free, gave them the
wards his enchanted castle. keys of the castle, and proceeded on his journey to
Now, as they passed through a thicket, the rust- Wales.
liner of the bouffhs awakened Jack, who was uncom- Jack would take no money, and having but lit-
fortably surprised to find himself in the clutches tle of his own left, was obliged to make the best
of the giant. His terror was not lessened when, of his way by traveling as hard as he could. At
on entering the castle, he saw the courtyard length, losing his road, he was belated, and could
strewed with human bones, the giant telling him not get to any place of entertainment until, com-
bis own bones would erelong be added to the pile. ing to a lonesome valley, he found a large house,
This said, the giant locked poor Jack in an upper and by reason of his present necessity took cour-
chamber, leaving him there while he went to fetch age to knock at the gate. But what was his as-
another giant, living in the same wood, to keep tonishment when there came forth a monstrous
him company in the destruction of their enemy. giant, with two heads yet he did not appear so
!
While he was gone, dreadful shrieks and lamen- fiery as the others were, for he was a Welsh giant,
tations affrighted Jack, especially a voice which and what he did was by private and secret malice
continually cried :
— under the false show of friendship.
" Do what you can to get away, Jack, having unfolded his condition to the giant,
Or you '11 become the giant's prey was shown into a bedroom, where in the dead of
He 's gone to fetch his brother, who night he heard the giant in another room saying
Will likewise kill and torture you."
to himself these words :
—
This dreadful warning almost distracted poor " Though here you lodge with me this night,
Jack, who, going to the window and opening a Yon shall not see the morning light
casement, saw afar off the two giants coming to- My club shall dash your brains out quite."
wards the castle. " Say'st thou so ? " quoth Jack ;

" that is like
" Now," quoth Jack to himself, " my death or one of your Welsh hope to be cun-
tricks, yet I
my deliverance is at hand." ning enough for you." He immediately got out

Now the giants of those days, although very pow- of bed, and, feeling about in the dark, found a
were really very stupid fellows, and readily
erful, thick billet of wood, which he laid in the bed in
conquered by stratagem, even of the humblest kind. his stead, and hid himself in a dark corner of the
There happened to be in the room where Jack was room. Shortly after in came the Welsh giant,
who thoroughly pummeled the billet with his ing to Jack, said, " How shall we be able to get
club, thinking, naturally enough, he had broken food for ourselves the rest of our journey "
?
every bone in Jack's skin. The next morning, " Leave that to me," said Jack. " I warrant
however, to the inexpressible surprise of the giant, you we shall never want."
Jack came down-stairs as if nothing had happened, Night now came on, and the prince began to
and gave him thanks for his night's lodging. grow uneasy at thinking where they should lodge.
"How have you rested?" quoth the giant; " Master," said Jack, " we shall do well enough,
" did you not fpel anything in the night ?" for I have an uncle who lives within two miles of
" No," said Jack " nothing but a rat that gave
; this place he is a huge and monstrous giant, with
;
me two or three flaps with her tail." three heads ; he will fight five hundred men in
Concealing his amazement as well as he could, armor, and make them flee before him."
the giant took Jack in to breakfast, and placed " Alas !
" quoth the prince, " what shall we do
upon the table for himself and his guest two then ? He '11 certainly chop us up at one mouth-
bowls, each containing four gallons of hastj^-pud- ful ; nay, we are scarce enough to fill his hollow
ding. tooth."
Jack was unwilling that the giant should sup- " It is no matter for that," quoth Jack ; " I
pose him unable to eat it all, and accordingly myself will go before and prepare the way for
placed a large leather bag under his loose coat, you. Tarry here and wait till I return."
in such a position that, without being perceived, Jack now rode off at full speed, and coming to
he could put in it all the pudding which he could the gate of the castle he knocked so loud that the
not eat. hills resounded like thunder. The giant, ten-ibly
"
Breakfast over, Jack excited the giant's curi- vexed, roared out, " Who 's there ?
osity by offering to show him an extraordinary He was answered, " No one but your poor
sleight ofhand so, taking a knife, he ripped the
; Cousin Jack."
"
leather bag and out came all the hasty-pudding Quoth he, " What news, Cousin Jack ?
upon the ground. "Dear uncle," said Jack, "I have heavy
The giant, unwilling to be beaten, cried out in news."
true Welsh, " Odds splutters hur can do that
!
" Pooh I
" said the giant, " what heavy news
trick hurself " He took the knife, and ripping
I can come to me ? I am a giant with three heads,
himself open, immediately down dead.
fell and besides thou knowest I can fight five hundred
Thus Jack outwitted the Welsh giant and pro- men in armor, and make them fly like chaff be-
ceeded on his journey. fore the wind."
A few days after, he met with King Arthur's " Oh, but," quoth Jack, " here 's the prince
only son, who had got his father's leave to travel coming with a thousand men in armor to kill you,
intoWales to deliver a beautiful lady from the and to destroy all that you have."
power of a wicked magician, by whom she was " O
Cousin Jack," said the giant, " this is heavy
held in enchantment. When Jack found that the news indeed But I have a large cellar under-
I
young prince had no servants with him he begged ground, whei'e I will immediately run and hide
leave to attend him and the prince at once agreed
;
mj^self, and you shall lock, bolt, and bar me in,
to this, and gave Jack many thanks for his kind- and keep the keys till the prince is gone."
ness. Now Jack barred the giant fast, and fetching his
King Arthur's son was a handsome, polite, and master to the castle, thej' feasted and made them-
brave knight, and so good-natured that he gave selves merry whilst the poor giant lay trembling
money to everybody he met. At length he gave in the vault. Early in the morning Jack gave the
his last penny to an old woman, and then, turn- king's son gold and silver out of the giant's treas-
ure, and sent him three miles forward on his jour- to-morrow morning that she kissed last this night,
ney. Then Jack returned to let his uncle out of or lose his head. He replied, —
the hole, who asked what he should give him for " If you kiss none but mine, I will."
saving his castle. "That neither here nor there," said she, "if
is
" Why," quoth Jack, " I desire nothing but the you do not, death is your portion " At midnight !
old coat and cap, together with the old rusty she went as before, and was angrj^ with the ma-
sword and shoes which you keep at your bed's gician for letting the handkerchief go.
head." " But now," quoth she, " I will be too hard for
Quoth the giant, " Thou shalt have them, and the prince, for I will kiss thee, and he is to show
pray keep them for my sake, for they are things me thy lips." She did and Jack, who was
so,
of excellent use. The coat will keep you invisible, standing by, cut off the magician's head and
the cap will give you knowledge, the sword will brought it under his invisible coat to his master,
cut through anything, and the shoes are of ex- who showed it to the lady, which broke the en-
traordinary swiftness so take them with all my
; chantment, and restored her to her former good-
heart." ness. She was married to the prince on the next
Jack was delighted with these useful pi'esents, day, and they soon after went back with joy to
and coming up with the king's son they soon ar- the court of King Arthur, whei-e Jack, for his
rived at the good services,
dwelling of the was created one
beautiful lady of the Knights
who was under "f the Round
the power of a Fable.
wicked magician. As Jack had
She, finding the '\^ iieen so lucky in
prince to be a his advent-
suitor, made a
—~ "^ ~ '
:ill
ures he resolved
noble feast for him. When it was ended she rose, not to be idle for the future, but still to do what
and, wiping her mouth with a fine handkerchief, services he could for the honor of the king and
said, " My lord, you must sliow me this handker- the nation. He therefore humbly besought the
chief to-morrow morning, or lose your head." She king to furnish him with a horse and money, that
then put the handkerchief in her bosom and left he might travel in search of new adventures.
the room. " For," said he to the king, " thei-e are many
The prince went to bed in great sorrow, but giants yet living in the remote part of Wales, to
Jack put on his cap of knowledge, which told him the unspeakable damage of your majesty's sub-
that the lady was forced to meet the wicked ma- jects wherefore, may it please you to favor me,
;
gician every night in the

middle of the forest. I do not doubt but speedily to rid your realm of
Jack immediately put on his coat of darkness these giants and monsters in human shape."
and his shoes of swiftness, and was there before Now, when the king heard this offer, and began
her. to think of the cruel deeds of these bloodthirsty
When came she gave the handkerchief
the ladj^ giants and savage monsters, he gave Jack every-
to the magician, who laid it upon a shelf, whence thing proper for such a journey. After this. Jack
Jack took it, and brought it to his master, who took leave of the king, the prince, and all the
showed it to the lady the next day, and so saved knights, and set off, taking with him his magical
his life. The next evening at supper she saluted cap, sword, shoes, and perform
coat, the better to
the prince, telling him he must show her the lips the dangerous enterprises which lay before him.
He went along over hills and mountains ; and on his face was grim and ugly, and his cheeks were
the third day he came to a wide forest, when, on a like two flitches of bacon the bristles of his beard
;
sudden, he heard dreadful shrieks and cries ; and, seemed to be thick rods of iron wire and his long ;
forcing his way througli the trees, saw a monstrous locks of hair hung down upon his broad shoulders
giant dragging along, by the hair of their heads, a like curling snakes or hissing adders. Jack alighted
vortliy knight and his beautiful lady, with as from his horse, and putting on the invisible coat
much ease as if they had been a pair of gloves. drew near the giant and said, softly, " Oh are you !
Their tears and- cries melted the heart of honest there? It will not be long ere I shall take you
Jack he alighted from his horse, and, tying him
; fast by the beard."
to an oak-tree, put on his invisible coat, under The giant all him, by
this while could not see
Avliich he carried his sword of sharpness. reason of his invisible coat Jack came quite ; so
When he came uji to the giant he made several close to him, and struck a blow at his head with
strokes at him, and succeeded, after considerable his sword but missing his aim, he cut off the nose
;
trouble, in dispatching the monster, whose dying of the giant instead. The giant rolled his glaring
groans were so terrible that they made the whole eyes round on eveiy side, but could not see who
wood ring again. The courteous knight and his fair had given him the blow so he took up his iron ;
lady were overpowered with gratitude, and, after club and began to lay about him so desperately,
returning Jack their best thanks, invited him to that even Jack was frightened, but soon dispatched
their house, there to recruit his strength and to him. After this Jack cut off the giant's head, and
receive a furtlier reward. Jack, however, declared sent it, with the head of his brother, to King Ar-
that he would not rest until he had found out the thur, by a wagoner wliom he had hired for that
giant's abode. purpose, who gave an account of all Jack's won-
The knight, on hearing this, grew very sorrow- derful proceedings.
ful, and replied :
" Noble stranger, it is too much The redouVitable Jack next proceeded to search
to run a second hazard ; this monster lived in a the giants' cave for their treasure. He passed
den under yonder mountain with a brother of his, through many turnings and windings, which led
more fierce and cruel than himself therefore, if ; him to a great room paved with freestone ; at the
you should go thither and perish in the attempt, it other end of this was a boiling caldron, and on
would be a heart-breaking thing to me and my the right hand stood a large table, at which the
lady so let me persuade you to go back with us,
; giants usuallj' dined. He then came to a window
and desist from any farther pui-suit." secured with iron bars, through which he saw
" Nay," answered Jack; "if there be another, many wretched captives, who cried out, when they
even if there were twenty, I would shed the last saw Jack " Alas alas
: young man, are you
! !
drop of blood in my body before one of them come to be one among us poor wretches in this
"
should escape. When I have finished this task, I horrid den ?
will come and pay my i-espects to you." " I hope," said Jack, " you will not tarry here
So when they had told him where to find them long ;but pray tell me what is the meaning of
"
again, he got on his horse and went after the dead your being here at all ?
giant's brother. "Alas ''said one poor old man, "I will tell
I
Jack had not ridden a mile and a half before he you, sir. We are persons that have been taken
came in sight of the mouth of the cave and, near ; by the giants who hold this cave, and are kept till
the entrance of it, he saw the other giant, sitting they choose to have a feast then the fattest of us ;
on a huge block of timber, with a knotted iron is to be killed, and cooked to jDlease their taste. It
club by his side, waiting for his brother's return is not long since they took three for the same pur-
with his prey. His eyes looked like flames of fire, pose."
"Well," said Jack, "I have given tlieui such a tlemen, walk into the garden, and you shall soon
dinner that it will be long enough before they behold the giant's defeat and death."
have any more." To this the}' all agreed, and heartily wished
The captives were amazed at his words. him success in his dangerous attempt.
" You may believe me," said Jack, " for I have The knight's house or castle stood on an island
killed them both with the edge of this sword, and surrounded bj' a moat, thirty feet deep and twenty
have sent their heads in a wagon to the court of feet wide, passable by a drawbridge. Jack set
King Arthur, as marks of my glorious victory." men to work on both sides, al-
to cut the bridge
To show that what he said was true, he un- most to the middle, and then dressed himself in
locked the gate and set the captives all free. Then his invisible coat, and went against the giant with
lie led them them round

to the great room, placed his well-tried sword. As he came close to him,
the table, and put before them two quarters of though the giant could not see him for his invisi-
beef, with bread and wine, upon which they ble coat, yet he found some danger was near,
feasted their fill. When supper was over, they which made him cry out :
—
searched the giants' coffers, and Jack divided " Fi, fee, fo, fum,
among them all the treasures. The next morning I smell the blood of an Englishman ;
they set oil to their homes, and Jack to the house Be be alive, or be be dead,
I '11 grind bis bones to make me bread."
of the knight, whom he had left with his lady not
long before. " Say you so ? " said Jack ;
" then you are a
"
was about sunrise when Jack mounted his
It monstrous miller, indeed !
horse to go on his way, and he came about noon "Art thou," cried the giant, "the villain who
to the knight's house, where he was received Avith killed my
kinsmen ? Then I will tear thee with
the greatest joy by the thankful knight and his my teeth, and grind thy bones to powder."
lady, who, in honor of Jack, gave a grand feast, " You must catch me first," said Jack so ;
which lasted many days, all the nobles and gentry putting aside his invisible coat that the giant
in the neighborhood being invited to it. When the might see him, and putting on his wonderful shoes
comj)any were assembled the knight related Jack's he began to run, the giant following him like a
adventures, and gave him a fine ring, on which walking castle, till the earth shook at every step.
was engraved the picture of the giant dragging Jack led him round and round the walls of the
the distressed knight and his lady, with this motto house, tliat the company might see the monster;
round it :
— but at last, to end the matter, he ran over the
drawbridge, the giant going after him with his
" We were in sad distress you see,
Under the giant's fierce command; club ; but when he came to the middle, where the
But gained our lives and liberty bridge had been cut on both sides, the giant's
By valiant Jack's victorious baud."
made break, and he tumbled into
great weight it
In the midst of the festivities ari'ived a messen- the water, where he rolled about like a vast whale.
ger with the dismal news that Thunderdell, a sav- Jack now stood by the side of the moat and
age giant with two heads, having heard of the laughed at him, saying, " I think you told me you
death of his two kinsmen, was come from the would grind my bones to powder when will you ;
"
north to take his revenge on Jack and was al- ;
begin ?
ready within a mile of the house, the country peo- After he had teased him sufficiently, Jack got
ple flying before him in all directions. At this it over the giant, and by the help
a cart-rope, cast
news the very boldest of the guests trembled but ; of a team of horses dragged him out of the moat,
Jack drew his sword, and said, " Let him come cut off his heads ; and sent them both to King
I have a tooth-pick for him. Pray, ladies and gen- Arthur.
After staying with the some time

kiiiglit for who guard the gate of the castle, and destroy all
Jack grew weary of such an idle life, and set out who come nigh ; but, as j'ou, my
have an in-
son,
again in search of another giant, the lust whose visible coat, you may pass by them without being
seen and on the gates of the castle you will find
;
engraven in large characters by what means the

enchantment may be broken."
In the morning as soon as it was daylight he
put on his invisible coat, and got ready for the en-
terprise. When he had reached the top of the
mountain he saw the fiery griffins but being in- ;
visible he passed them without the slightest dan-

ger. When he had reached the castle-gate he
found a golden trumpet, under which were writ-
ten in large characters these lines :
—
" Whoever doth this trumpet blow
Shall soon the giant overthrow ;
And break tlie black enchantment straight,

So all shall be in happy state."
head he was to chop off. He went over hills and
dales without meeting any, till he came to the foot As soon as Jack had read this he seized the
of a very high mountain. Here he knocked at the trumpet, and blew a shrill blast, which made the
door of a small and lonely house, and an old man, gates fly open, and the very castle itself tremble.
with a head as white as snow, let him in. The giant and the conjuror now knew that their
" Good father," said Jack, " can you lodge a wicked course was at an end, and they stood biting
"
traveler who has lost his way ? their thumbs and shaking with fear. Jack, stand-
" Yes," said the hermit, " I can, if you will ac- ing at the giant's elbow, with his wonderful sword
cept such fare as my poor house affords." cut off his head, and the conjuror, seeing this,
Jack entered, and the old man set before him mounted into the air and was carried away in a
some bread and fruit for his supper. When Jack whirlwind and never heard of more. All the knights
had eaten as much as he chose the old man, who and beautiful ladies, who had been changed into
knew more than Jack suspected, said: "My son, I birds and beasts, returned to their proper shapes.
know you are a famous conqueror of giants; now, The castle vanished away like smoke, and the head
at the top of this mountain is an enchanted castle, of the giant Galligantus was sent to King Arthur.
kept by a giant named Galligantus, who, by the The knights and ladies rested that night at the old
help of a conjuror, gets many knights into his man's hermitage, and next day they set out for
castle,where he changes them into sundry shapes the court. Jack then went up to the king, and
and forms. Above all, I lament a duke's daughter gave his majesty an account of all his fierce bat-
whom they took from her father's garden, and tles. Jack's fame had spread through the whole
brought hither through the air in a chariot drawn countrjr ; and at the king's desire the duke gave
by fiery dragons, and turned her into the shape him his daughter in marriage, to the joy of all
of a deer. Many knights have tried to break the kingdom. After this, the king gave him a
the enchantment and deliver her, yet none have large estate, on which he and his lady lived the
been able to do it, by reason of two fiery griffins rest of their days in joy and content.
TOM THUMB.
There was once a poor woodman sitting by pened that, as the horse was going a little too tast,
the fire in his cottage, and his wife sat by his side and Tom was calling out " Gently gently " two I !
spinning. " How lonely it is," said he, " for you strangers came up. '•
What an odd thing that
and me to sit here by ourselves without any chil- is " said one,
!
" there is a cart going along, and
dren to play about and amuse us, while other peo- I hear a carter talking to the horse, but can see
ple seem so happy and merry with their chil- no one. " That is strange," said the other " let ;
dren " " What you say is very true," said the us follow the cart and see where
! it goes." So
wife, sighing and turning round her wheel " how ; they went on into the wood, till at last they came
happy should I be if I had but one child and ! to the place where the woodman was. Then Tom
if it were ever so small, nay, if it were no bigger Thumb, seeing his father, cried out, " See, father,
than my thumb, I should be very happy, and love here I am, with the cart, all right and safe ; now
it dearly." Now it came to pass that this good take me down." So his father took hold of the
woman's wish was fulfilled just as she desired ;
horse with one hand, and with the other took his
for, some time afterwards, she had a little boy son out of the ear ; then he put him down upon
who was quite healthy and strong, but not much a straw, where he sat as merry as you please.
bigger than her thumb. So they said, " Well, we The two strangers were all this time looking on,
cannot say we have not got what we wished for, and did not know what to say for wonder. At
and, little as he is, we will love him dearly ; last one took the other aside and said, " That lit-
and they called him Tom Thumb. tle urchin will make our fortune if we can get
They gave him plenty of food, yet he never him, and carry him about from town town as a to
grew bigger, but remained just the same size as show: we must buy him." So they went to the
when he was born; still. his eyes were sharp and woodman and asked him what he would take for
sparkling, and he soon showed himself to be a the little man " He will be better off," said they,
:
clever little fellow, who always knew well what " with us than with you." " I won't sell him at
he was about. One day, as the woodman was all," said the father, " my own flesh and blood is
getting ready to go into the wood to cut fuel, he dearer to me than all the silver and gold in the
said, " I wish I had some one to bring the cart world." But Tom, hearing of the bargain they
after me, for I want to make haste." " O fa- wanted to make, crept up his father's coat to his
ther !
" cried Tom, " I will take care of that ; the shoulder, and whispered in his ear, " Take the
cart shall be in the wood by the time you want money, father, and let them have me I '11 soon ;
it." Then the woodman laughed, and said, " How come back to you."
can that be? you cannot reach up to the horse's So the woodman at last agreed to sell Tom to
bridle." " Never mind that, father," said Tom the strangers for a large piece of gold. " Where
" if my mother will only harness the horse, I will do you like to sit?" said one of them. "Oh,
get into his ear, and tell him which way to go." put me on the rim of your hat, that will be a nice
" Well," said the father, "we will try for once." gallery for me ; I can walk about there, and see
When the time came, the mother harnessed the the country as we go along." So they did as he
horse to the cart, and put Tom into his ear and ; wished and when Tom had taken leave of his
;
as he sat there, the little man told the beast how father, they took him away with them. They
to go, crying out, "Go on," and " Stop," as he journeyed on began to be dusky, and tlien
till it
wanted so the horse went on just as if the wood-

; the little man " Let me get down, I 'm
said,
man had driven it himself into the wood. It hap- tired." So the man took off his hat and set him
TOM THUMB. 9T
down on a clod of earth in a plowed field by the Shall I throw it all out ? " Now the cook lay in
side of the road. But Tom ran about amongst the next room, and hearing a noise she raised
the furrows, and at last slipped into an old mouse- herself in her bed and listened. Meantime the
liole. " Good night, masters," said he, "I'm off! thieves were frightened, and ran
a little dis- off to
mind and look sharp after me the next time." tance ; but at last they plucked up courage, and
They ran directly to the place, and poked the ends said, " The little urchin is only trying to make
of their sticks into the mouse-hole, but all in fools of us." So they came back and whispered
vain ; Tom only crawled farther and farther in, softly to him, saying, " Now let us have no more
and at last it became quite dark, so that they were of your jokes, but throw out some of the money."
obliged to go their way without their prize, as Then Tom called out as loud as he could, " Very
sulky as you please. well: hold your hands, here it comes." The cook
When Tom found they were gone, he came out heard this quite plain, so she sprang out of bed
of his hiding-place. " What dangerous walking and ran to open the door. The thieves ran off as
it is," said he, " in this ploughed field
If I were ! if a wolf was at their tails and the maid, having ;
to fall from one of these great clods I should groped about and found nothing, went away for
certainly break my neck." At last, by good luck, a light. By the Tom had
time she returned
he found a large empty snail-shell. " This is slipped off into the barnand when the cook had ;
lucky," said he, " I can sleep here very well," and looked about and searched every hole and corner,
in he crept. Just as he was falling asleep he and found nobody, she went to bed, thinking she
heard two men passing, and one said to the other, must have been dreaming with her eyes open.
" How shall we manage to steal that rich parson's The little man crawled about in the hay-loft, and
silverand gold?" "I'll tell you," cried Tom. at last found a glorious place to finish his night's
" What noise was that ? " said the thief, fright- rest in ; so he laid himself down, meaning to sleep
ened, " I am sure I heard some one speak." till daylight, and then find his way home to his
They stood still listening, and Tom said, " Take father and mother. But, alas! how cruelly was
me with you, and I '11 soon show you how to get he disappointed what crosses and sorrows happen
!
the parson's money." " But where are you ? " in this world The cook got up early before day-
!
said they. "Look about on the ground," an- break to feed the cows she went straight to the
:
swered he, " and listen where the sound comes hay-loft, and carried away a large bundle of hay
from." At last the thieves found him out, and with the little man in the middle of it fast asleep.
lifted him upin their hands. " You little ur- He still, however, slept on, and did not awake till
chin I " said they, " what can you do for us ? " he found himself in the mouth of the cow, who
" Why can get between the iron window-bars of
I had taken him up with a mouthful of hay " Good :
the parson's house, and throw you out whatever lack-a-day !

" said he, " how
to tum- did I manage
you want." " That 's a good thought," said the ble into the mill?" But he soon found out where
thieves ;
" come along, we shall see what you can he really was, and was obliged to have all his wits
do." about him in order that he might not get between
When they came to the parson's house, Tom the cow's teeth, and so be crushed to death. At
slipped through the window-bars into the room, last down he went into her stomach. " It is rather
and then called out as loud as he could bawl, dark here," said he ;
" they forgot to build win-
" Will you have all that is here ? " At this the dows in this room to let the sun in ; a candle would
thieves were frightened, and said, " Softly, softly ! be no bad thing."
Speak low, that you may not awaken anybody." Though he made the best bad luck, he did of his
But Tom pretended not to understand them, and not like his quarters at and the worst of it all ;
bawled out again, " How much will you have ? was, that more and more hay was always coming
13
down, and the space in which he was became to get away ; but he had eaten so much that he
smaller and smaller. At last he cried out as loud could not get out the same way that he came in.
as he could, " Don't bring me any more hay ! This was just what had reckoned upon and Tom ;
Don't bring me any more hay " Tlie maid hap-! he now began to set up a great shout, making all
pened to be just then milking the cow, and hear- the noise he could. " Will you be quiet? " said the
ing some one speak and seeing nobody, and yet wolf " you '11 awaken everybody in the house."
:
being quite sure it was the same voice that she " What 's that to me ? " said the little man " you :
had heard in the night, she was so frightened that have had your frolic, now I 've a mind to be merry
she fell off her stool and overset the milk-pail. myself " and he began again singing and shout-
;
She ran off as fast as she could to her master the ing as loud as he could.
"
parson, and said, " Sir, sir, the cow is talking ! The woodman and his wife, being awakened
But the parson said, " Woman, thou art surely by the peeped through a crack in the door
noise, ;
mad!" However, he went with her into the but when they saw that the wolf was there, you
cow-house to see what was the matter. Scarcely may well suppose that they were terribly fright-
had they set their foot on the threshold when ened ; and the woodman ran for his axe, and gave
Tom called out. " Don't bring me any more his wife a scythe. "Now do you stay behind,"
hay " Then the parson himself was frightened
!
;
s;ud the woodman ;
" and when I have knocked
and thinking the cow Avas surely bewitched, or- him on the head, do you rip up his belly for him
dered that she should be killed directly. So the with the scythe." Tom heard all this, and said,
cow was killed, and the stomach, in which Tom " Father, father I I am here, the wolf has swal-
lay, was thrown out upon a dunghill. lowed me :
" and his father said, " Heaven be
"
Tom soon set himself to work to get out, which praised ! we have found our dear child again ;
was not a very easy task; but at last, just as he and he told his wife not to use the scythe, for fear
had made room to get his head out, a new mis- she should hurt him. Then he aimed a great
fortune befell him a hungry wolf sprang out,
: blow, and struck the wolf on the head, and killed
and swallowed the whole stomach, with Tom in it, him on the spot and when he was dead they cut
;
at a single gulp, and ran away. Tom, however, open body and
his set Tommy free. " Ah !
" said
"
was not disheartened and thinking the wolf would
; the father, " what fears we have had for you !
not dislike having some chat with him as he was " Yes, father," answered he, " I have traveled all
going along, he called out, " My good friend, I over the world, since we parted, in one way or
can show you a famous treat." " Where 's that ? " other : and now I am very glad to get fresh air
said the wolf. " In such and such a house," said again." " Wliy, where have j'ou been ? " said his
Tom, describing his father's house, " you can crawl father. " I have been in a mouse-hole, in a snail-
through the drain into the kitchen, and there you shell, down a cow's throat, and in the wolf's belly ;
will find cakes, ham, beef, and everything your and yet here I am again safe and sound." " Well,"
heart can desire." The wolf did not want to be said they, " we you again for all the
will not sell
asked twice; so that very night he went to the riches in the world." So they hugged and kissed
house and crawled through the drain into the their dear little son, and gave him plenty to eat
kitchen, and ate and drank there to his heart's and drink, and fetched new clothes for him, for
content. As soon as he was satisfied he wanted his old ones were quite spoiled on his journey.
PUSS IN BOOTS. 99
PUSS IN BOOTS.
There was once a miller, who, at his death, had
nothine to leave to his three children but his mill, his
ass, and his cat so he called in no lawyer, and made
;
no will. The eldest son took the mill; the second the
ass; while the youngest had nothing but the cat, who
seemed more prove a burden than a boon to
liliely to <rf
his new master. The poor fellow Avas quite downcast
and said to himself: "My brothers, by putting then
goods together, will be able to earn an honest li\eli-
hood but as for myself, when I shall have eaten
;
my cat, and sold his skin, what is there left ? then

I shall die of hunger."
The cat, who was sitting on
the window-seat, overheard these
words, without seeming to do so, ônng labbit, unused to
and, looking up, said to him w 01 Idly snaies and w iles,
with a very serious, sober air, — should see the dainty
" Naj', dear master, do not be feast and nevei think of
downcast at your future pros- the cat He had scai cely
pects. Only give me a bag, and 1 unafew moments in, im-
get me a pair of boots made, such busli befoi e a thoughtless
as other folks wear, so that I young labbit caught at
may stride through the bram- the I) lit, and went head-
bles,and you will soon see that long into the bag, whi re-
you have a better bargain than you think for." pOi; the Cut dnjiw tlie oti-iUgo, and iiiiiiicdltiteiy
Although the cat's new master did not put strangled the foolish creature. The cat was vastly
much faith in these promises, yet he had seen him proud and immediately went to the
of his victory,
perform so many clever tricks in catching rats and palace and asked to speak to the king. He was
mice, — such as hanging by his hind legs, to
stiff shown into the king's cabinet, when he bowed re-
make believe he were dead, and concealing him- spectfully to his majesty, and said, " Sire, this is a
self in the meal-tub, as if he were nowhere about, rabbit from the warren of the Marquis of Carabas
— that lie did not quite despair of his helping him (such was the title the cat took it into his head to
to better his fortunes. Besides, he knew not what bestow on his master), which he desired me to
else to do,and there was no harm in trying this. present to your majesty."
As soon as the cat was provided with what he " Tell your master that I am obliged by his
asked for, he drew on his boots, and, slinging the courtesy, and that I accept his present with much
bag round his neck, took hold of the two strings pleasure," replied the king, looking graciously at
with his fore-paws, and set off for a warren that him.
he knew of, plentifully stocked with rabbits. He Another time the cat went and concealed him-
filled his bag with bran and sow-thistles, and then self in a cornfield, and held his bag open as before,
stretched himself out as stiff as though he had and, very shortly after, two partridges were lured
been dead, waiting patiently till some simple into the trap, when he drew the strings and made
them both prisoners. He then
went and presented them to the
king, as he had done the rabbit
The king received the partridges
very graciously, and ordered the
messenger to be rewarded for his
trouble.
For two or three months, Puss
continued to carry game everj
now and then to the king, al
ways presenting it in the name

of his master, the JMarquis of
Carabas, who hewas a fa
said
mous sportsman. At last he happened to hear 'I
that the king was going to take a duve on the J
banks of the river, in company vMth his daugh-

ter, who was the most beautiful pimcess m the
world and he said to his master, " If you will

:
but follow my advice, your fortune is as good as looked so ele-

made. You need only go and bathe in the river gant that the
at the spot that I shall point out, and leave the king took him
rest to me." for a verj- fine gentleman, and
The Marquis of Carabas did as his cat advised said the politest things in the
him, though it was too much for him to say what world to him, while the prin-
it was all coming to. Just as he was bathing', the cess was so struck with his ap-
king came driving past, when Puss began to bawl pearance, that myLord Mar-
out as loud as he could, " Help help the Mar- ! ! quis of Carabas had scarcely
quis of Carabas is drowning Save him " ! ! made his obeisance to her,
On hearing this, the king looked out of the car- and looked at her once or
riage-window, and, recognizing the cat who had so twice with a very tender air,
frequentlj' brought him game, ordered his bodj-- before she fell over head and
guards to fly to the assistance of my Lord Marquis ears in love with him.
of Carabas. The king insisted on his
While the poor marquis was being fished out of getting into the carriage and
the river, Puss stepped up to the royal carriage, taking a drive with them. ^2^-^
and informed his majesty, that, during the time Puss, highly delighted at the "^^^-^
his master was bathing, some robbers had stolen turn things were taking, and
his clothes, although he had cried out " Stop determined that all should turn out in the very
thief " with all his might.
! The rogue had really best way, now ran on before, and having reached
only hidden them under a large stone. The king a meadow where some peasants were mowing the
immediately ordered the gentlemen of his ward- grass, he thus accosted them " I say, good folks,
:
robe to go and fetch one of his most sumptuous if you do not tell the king, when he comes this
dresses for the Marquis of Carabas. way, that the field you are mowing belongs to the
When the marquis, who was a well-grown, hand- Marquis of Carabas, you shall all be chopped as
some young fellow, came forth gayly dressed, he fine as mince-meat."
PUSS IN BOOTS. 101
When the carriage came by, the king put his " do you disbelieve it ? then look, and you shall
head and asked the mowers whose good
out, grass- see me become a lion at once."
land that was. " It belongs to the Marquis of Ca-
rabas, please your majesty," said they in a breath,
for the cat's threats had frightened them mightily.
" Upon my word, marquis," observed the king,
" that is a fine estate of yours."
" Yes, sire," j;eplied the marquis, with an easy
air, " it yields me a tolerable income every year."

who continued to run on before the car-
Puss,
came up to some reajjers. " I say,
riage, jn-esently
you reapers," cried he, " mind you tell the king
that all this corn belongs to the Marquis of Cara-
bas or else you shall, every one of you, be chopped
into mince-meat."
The king passed by a moment after, and in-
quired to whom those cornfields belonged.
" To the Marquis of Carabas, please your maj-
esty," replied the reapers.
" Faith, it pleases our majesty riglit well to see
our beloved marquis is so wealthy !
" quoth the
kino-.
Puss kept still running on before the carriage,

and repeating the same instructions to all the la-
borers he met, and the king was astounded at the
vast possessions of the Marquis of Carabas, and
kept congratulating him, while the new-made no-
bleman received each fresh compliment more
lightly than the last, so that one could see he was
really a marquis, and a very grand one too. When Puss saw a lion before him, he was seized
At Puss reached a magnificent castle be-
lentrth with a fright that he scrambled up to the
sucli
longing to an ogre, who was immensely rich, since roof, although it was no easy job, owing to his
all the lands the king had been riding through boots, which were not intended for walking in a
were a portion of his estate. Puss having inquired gutter and over tiles.
what sort of a person the ogre might be, and what At last perceiving thatthe ogre had returned to
he was able to do, sent in a message asking leave his natural shape. Puss came down again, and con-
to speak with him, adding that he was unwilling fessed he had been exceedingly frightened.
to pass so near his castle without paying his re- " But I liave also been told," said Puss, " only I
spects to him. really cannot believe it, that you likewise possess
The ogre received him as civillj' as it is in the the power of taking the shape of the smallest ani-
nature of an ogre to do, and bade him rest him- mals, and that, for instance, you could change
self. " I have been told," said Puss, " that you have yourself into a rat or a mouse ; but that is really
the power of transforming yourself into all sorts too much to believe ; it is quite impossible."
of animals, sucli, for instance, as a lion, or an ele- " Impossible, indeed " quoth the ogre,
! now put
phant." " So I have," rejjlied the ogre, sharply upon his mettle ;
" you shall see " !
So saying, he immediately took on the shape of elegant feast spread. Some of the ogre's friends
a mouse, and began frisking about the floor, when were to have visited him that day, but the news
Puss pounced .,-- went about that
<iii IM
upon him, gave ^j^g king had
him one shake, come, and so
and that was the they dared not
end of the ogre. go. The king
By this time was positively
the king had delighted, the

reached the gates castle was so
of the ogre's magnificent and

magnificent cas- the Marquis of
1 1 e, and e x- Carabas such an
pressed a wish to excellent young
enter so splen-
^^îSMttyW^,
man ; the prin-
did a ^'f'lV\^/JXi,M,^l,/, cess, too, was ev-
building.
Puss hearing the rumbling of the carriage across idently already in love with him so ; after drink-
the drawbridge, now ran out to meet the king, ing five or six glasses of wine, his majesty hemmed
saying, " Your majesty is welcome to the Mar- and said, —
quis of Carabas's castle." " You have only to say the word, my lord mar-
" What ! my lord marquis," exclaimed the quis, to become the son-in-law of your sover-
king, "does this castle likewise belong to you? eign."
Really, I never saw anything more splendid than The marquis bowed and looked at the princess,
the courtyard and the surrounding buildings pray ; and that very same day they were married, and
let us see if the inside be equal to the outside." the old king gave them his blessing. Puss, who
The marquis gracefully handed out the princess, had brought it all about, looked on mightily
and, following the king, they mounted a flight of j^leased, and ever after lived there a great lord,
steps, and were ushered by Puss, who danced be- and hunted mice for mere sport, just when he
fore them, into a vast hall, where they found an pleased.
LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD. 103
LITTLE RED RIDING-HOOD.

and hear a wolf talk, said to him,
"I am going to see my grand-
mamma, and carry her a custard
and a little pot of butter from my
mother."
"Does she live far off?" asked
the \ôlf.
"Oh, yes," said Little Red Rid-

ing-Hood " it is beyond that mill
;
you see there, at the first house in

tlie village."
" Well," said the wolf
" and I ;
go and see her too. I will go

will
this way, and go you that, and we
shall see who will be there soonest."
The wolf began to run as fast as he could, tak-
ing the nearest way ; and the little girl went by
that farthest about, diverting herself in gathering
nuts, running after butterflies, and making nose-
gays of such little flowers as she met with. The
country wolf was not long before he got to the old woman's
girl, the house. He knocked at the door tap, tap. —
prettiest " Who is there ? "
creature ever seen Her mother "Your grandchild. Little Red Riding-Hood,"
was very fond of her and her replied the wolf, counterfeiting her voice " who ;
grandmother doted on her even has brought you a custai'd and a little pot of but-
more. This good old woman had ter sent you by my mamma."
made for her a little red riding- The good grandmothei-, who was in bed because
hood, which became tlie girl so extremely well that she was ill, cried out :
—
everybody called her Little Red Riding-Hood. " Pull the bobbin, and the latch will go up."
One day her mother, having made some cus- The wolf pulled the bobbin, and the door opened,
tards, said to her, " Go, my dear, and see how and in jumped the wolf, who fell upon the good
thy grandmamma does, for I hear she has been woman and ate her up in a moment, as he had
very ill carry her a custard and a little pot of
; not tasted food for three days. He then shut the
butter." Red Riding-Hood set out at once
Little door, and got into the grandmother's bed, expect-
to who lived in another
go to her grandmother, ing Little Red Riding-Hood, who came some time
village. As she was going through the wood she after, and knocked at the door tap, tap. —
"
met Gaffer Wolf, who had a very great mind to « Who is there ?
eat her up, but durst not because of some fagot- Little Red Riding-Hood, hearing the big voice
makers hard by in the forest. was at first afraid, but, believing her
of the wolf,
He asked her whither she was going. The poor grandmother had a cold, and was hoarse, an-
child, who did not know it was dangerous to stay swered :
—
" It is your grandchild, Little Red Rid- ,;iMi,,,,iilii;,|,W||i).,,.i|M[ij.,l|| "That is the
ing-Hood, who has brought you a custard better to hug
and a little pot of butter which mamma thee, mj' dear."
sends you." " Grandmam-
The wolf cried out to her, softening his ma, what great
voice as much as he could, " Pull the bob-
bin, and the latch will go up." Little Red
^
•llil-llf
Isgs
got!"
you have
R i d in g - Hood " That is to

pulled the bob- )un the better,
bin, and the door my child."
opened. " Gi'andmam-
The wolf, see- nia, what great
ing her come in, ears you have
said to her, liid- ot!"
ing himself under ,
" That is to
the bedclothes, >^,e^, hear the better,
" Put the custard my child."
and the little pot
^ " Grandmam-
of butter upon % ma, what great
the stool, and eyes you have
come and lie gotr-
down by me." " It is to see the better, ray child."
Little Red Rid- " Grandmamma, what great teeth you have
ing-Hood undressed herself and got into bed, got
!
" _
where being greatly amazed to see how her grand- " That is to eat thee up."
mother looked in her night-clothes, said to her :
— And, saying these words, this wicked wolf fell
" Grandmamma, what great arms you have upon poor Little Red Riding-Hood, and ate her
got!" all up.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

There was who had six
once a rich merchant Beauty. They were very jn-oud, too, of their
children, three sons and three daughters and he ; father's riches, and put on great airs and would
loved them more than he loved all his riches, so not condescend to visit other merchants' daugh-
that he was always seeking to make them happy ters, but were always dangling after persons of
and wise. The daughters were extremely pretty, quality, and going to plays and grand balls
but the youngest was more than prettj^, she was they laughed at Beauty, who lived quietly at
beautiful; and as every one called her Little home with her father. The father was so rich
Beauty when she was a child, and she became that merchants wished to marry
manj' great
more lovely each jêar, the name grew up with his daughters, but the two
eldest always said
her, so that she had no other but just —
Beauty. that they could never think of marrying any-
Now Beauty was as good as she was beautiful, body below a duke or at the least an earl as ;
but her elder sisters were ill-natured and jealous for Beauty, she thanked her lovers for think-
of her, and could not bear to hear her called ing so well of her, but as she was still very
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. 105
young she wished to live a few years longer with and when was about leaving for the
their father
her father. they begged for
port, to settle his business there,
But suddenly it fell that the merchant lost all all manner of fine clothes and trinkets, which he
his great wealth ; nothing remained save one small was to bring with him. Then the merchant asked
house in the country, and there the poor man told Beauty, —
his children they must all now go and earn their " And what shall I bring you. Beauty ? " for
daily living. The two eldest daughters said that Beauty had yet asked for nothing.
they were not gîng, for they had plenty of lovers " Why, since you ask me, dear father," said she,
in town who would be glad enough to marry them, " I should like you to bring me a rose, for none
though they had lost their fortune. But they grow in these parts." Now it was not that Beauty
were greatly mistaken in this, for their lovers wished so very much for a rose, but she did not
would not even look at them now, and jeered at like toseem to blame her sisters, or to appear bet-
them in their trouble because they had been so odi- ter than they, by saying that she did not wish for
ously proud. Yet everybody pitied poor Beauty, anything.
and several gentlemen who loved her, begged her The good man set off, but when he reached the
still to let them marry her, though she had not a port he was obliged to go to law about the cargo,
penny Beauty refused, and said she could not
; and it ended in his turning back poorer than when
leave her father now that trouble had come upon he left his home. He set out to return to the
him. farm-house when he was within thirty miles of
;
So the family went to live in the small house in home, he came to a large forest through which he
the country, where the merchant and his three must pass. The snow began to fall and covered
sons plowed and sowed the fields, and worked the path the night closed in, and it grew so darii
;
all day in the garden and Beauty rose at four

; and so cold that the poor man gave himself up as
o'clock every morning, put the house in order, and lost. He could not see the way, and he was faint
got breakfast for the whole family. It was very with cold and hunger; when, all of a sudden, he
hard at fiirst, and no one helped her but every ; saw a light, at the end of a long avenue of trees.
day it grew easier to work, and Beauty waxed He turned into the avenue and rode until he came
healthier and rosier. When her work was done, to the end of and there was a splendid palace,
it ;
she would read, or play on the hai'psichord, or sit yet not a soul could he see at the windows which
at her spinning-wheel, singing as she spun. As were blazing with light, or by the doors or in the
for her two sisters, they were idle and miserable, courtyard. His horse, seeing a stable door open,
and perfectly helpless they never got up till ten
; walked in, and finding a crib full of hay and oats,
o'clock, and then they spent the day moping and the poor jaded beast fell to eating heartily. The
fretting because they no longer had fine clothes to merchant left him and entered the pal-
in the stall
wear, and could not go to fine parties to be ad- ace ; but, though he found nobody, and nobody
mired. They sneered at Beauty, and said she was came out to him, there was a fire blazing, and a
nothing but a servant-gii'l after all, to like that table spread with the richest viands and set for
way of living but Beauty lived on cheerfully.
; one person. Being wet to the skin, he went to-
They had been in the country about a year, ward the fire to dry himself, saying, —
when the merchant received a letter which brought " I hope the master of the house or his servants
the news that a ship laden with rich goods belong- will excuse the liberty I am taking, for no doubt
ing to him, and which was thought to be lost, had they will soon make their appearance."
justcome into port. At this the two eldest sisters He waited, but no one came. The clock struck
were half wild with joy, for now they could soon eleven and then, faint for want of food, he went
;
leave the farm-house and go back to the gay city to the table and ate a chicken, yet all the while
14
in lie took several glasses of wine
a great fright ; distant intention of suffering any of his daughters
also and being now satisfied, he felt more cour-
; to die for him ; but wishing to see his children
age and looked about him. The clock struck once more before he died, he swore to return ; and
twelve, and he left the hall through an open door the Beast dismissed him, telling him he need not
and passed through several splendid rooms till he go empty-handed, but that he might go back to
came to one with a comfortable bed and now, ; the room where he had
slept, and there he would
being excessively tired, he took off his clothes and find a large chest which he was at liberty to fill
got into it. with whatever he fancied in the palace, and that it
The merchant did not wake till ten o'clock on would be sent after him to his home. The mer-
the following morning, when he was surprised to chant, comforting himself with the thought that at
find a new own, which
suit of clothes instead of his least he should leave his children provided for, re-
had been quite ruined. He now began to believe turned to his room and found the chest as Beast
that the palace belonged to some good fairy, and had said, with heaps of gold jDieces about the floor.
was sure of it when he looked out of the window He filled the chest with the gold, and left sadly for
and saw that the snow had given place to lovely his home. He held the roses in his hand, and as
gardens with flowery arbors. Returning to the the children came to meet him, he gave them to
great hall, where he had supped, he found the ta- his youngest daughter, saying, —
ble prepared for his breakfast. He sat down with- "Take them, Beauty you ;
little think how dear
;
out hesitation to this meal, and when he had fin- they have cost your poor father " and then he
ished he went to look after his horse. The way told all that had befallen him since he left his
led under a bower of roses and remembering ; home.

Beauty's request, he plucked a bunch to take The two then began to lament
eldest sisters
home. No sooner had he done tliis than he heard loudly, and Beauty because she had
to rail at
a frightful roar, and saw such a horrible Beast been the cause of their father's death. She so
stalking up to him that he was ready to faint with wise, indeed if she had been content to ask for
!
fear. dresses, as they had, all would have been well

" Ungrateful wretch !
" cried the Beast in a ter- and now the hard-hearted thing had not even a
rific voice; "I saved your
life by admitting you tear for the mischief she had done But Beauty !
into my and you reward me by stealing

palace, replied quietly that it were of little use to weep,
my roses, which I love beyond everything You ! for she had resolved within herself to go and die
shall pay the forfeit with your life's blood " The ! in her father's stead.
poor merchant threw himself on his knees before "No, no!" cried the three brothers at once;
the Beast, saying, — " we will go and seek this monster, and either he
" Forgive me, my lord. I did not know I was or we shall perish."
offending you ; I only wanted to pluck a rose for But the merchant told them they did not know
one of my daughters, who had asked me to bring this Beast. He was more mighty than they could
one home to her. I pray you, do not kill me, my imagine, and would be vain attempting to resist
it
lord." his will. Their duty it was to live and protect

" I am not a lord, but a Beast," answered the their sistei's, for, as for himself, he would go back
monster. " I hate flattery, and you will not whee- to the Beast, as he had promised, and sacrifice the
dle me with any fine speeches j'ou say you ; but as few remaining years which he could expect to en-
have daughters, I will forgive you, provided one of joy and saying this, he left his children and went
;
them comes willingly to die in your stead but ; to his room for the night. There, to his surprise,
swear that, should they refuse, you will return in for he had quite forgotten the Beast's promise, he
three months." The merchant had not the most found the chest with the gold in it, which he had
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. 107
packed in the Beast's palace ; but he determined ing one of the books and seeing written in golden
to say nothing about this at present to his eldest letters, —
Your wishes and commands shall be
daughters, for he knew they would at once pester obeyed ! you are here the queen over everything
him to return to town. "Alas " she thought, "my wish would be to see
!
Beauty was firm in her resolve, and when the what my poor father is now about." No sooner
three months were over, she made ready to go had she spoken this wish to herself, than, casting
with her father. As they set out on the journey, her eyes upon a large looking-glass, she saw in it
the family gatl^red about and wept over her, — her father's arrival at home. Her sisters came
her father and brothers shedding real tears, but out to meet him they tried to look sorrowful,
;
the two heartless sisters pretended ones ; for they but it was plam enough they were highly de-
rubbed their eyes beforeliand with an onion, to lighted that he should return without Beauty.
make it seem as if they had cried a great deal. The vision lasted but a moment ; then it disap-
The horse took the right road of his own accord, peared, and Beauty turned away, grateful to the
and, on reaching the palace, which was illumi- Beast for fulfilling her wish.
nated as before, he went at once into the stable, At noon she found dinner ready for her, and
while the father and daughter entered the great all the while beautiful music was played but ;
hall,and found the table spread for two persons though she heard the music she saw nobody. At
with most dainty fai-e. After supper there was a night the Beast came and asked leave to sup witli
tremendous noise, and the Beast entered. Beauty her, which of course she could not refuse, though
shuddered, and when he asked her whether she she trembled from head to foot. Presently he in-
had come of her own will, she could not help quired whether she did not think him very ugly ?
trembling as she faltered out " Yes." " Yes," said Beauty, " for I cannot tell a lie
" Then I am obliged to you for your kindness," but I think you very good." Then the supper
growled the Beast ; and turning to the father, he went on, pleasantly enough, and Beauty had half
added, " As for you, get you gone to-morrow, and recovered from her alarm, when he suddenly asked
never let me see you here again. Good-night, her, —
"
Beauty." " Beauty, will you marry me ?
" Good-night, Beast," said she ; and Beast walked Though in great alarm, she faltered out, —
off. The merchant again fell to entreating his " No, Beast " when he sighed so as to shake
;
daughter to leave him there, while she should re- the whole house and, saying in a sorrowful tone,
;
turn to her home ; but when the morrow came " Good-night, Beauty," left the room, to her great
she prevailed on him to set out, he thinking, the relief, though she could not help pitying him
Beast will after all relent ; surely he will not harm from her soul.
Beauty. Beauty lived in this manner for three months.
When her father was gone, Beauty could not The Beast came to supper every night, and by
help shedding a few tears ; but soon she dried degrees, as she grew accustomed to his ugliness,
her eyes and began walking about the various she learned to mind it less, and to think more of
rooms of the palace, and came to her surprise to a his many amiable quahties. The only thing that
door upon which was written, "Beauty's Room." pained her was, that he never failed to ask her
Opening it hastily, she found herself in a splen- each night if she would marry him, and when, at
didly furnished chamber, where were a multitude last, she answered that she had the greatest friend-
of books, a harpsichord, and much music. "It ship though no love for him, he begged her at
cannot be," she thought, " that I have only a day least to promise never to leave him. Now that
to live, else such pleasure would not have been very morning Beauty had seen in her glass that
provided for me." Her surprise increased on open- her father lay sick with grief, supposing her to be
dead her sisters were married, her brothers were
; that he was playing off his wit all day long on
gone for soldiers, and so she told the Beast, and everybody aiound him, and most of all on his own
weeping said she should die if he refused her leave wife. The sisters were so jealous on finding Beauty
to go once more grandly dressed
and see her fa- and hearing how
ther. kind the Beast
"No," said had been to her,
the Beast, " I that they laid a
will not refuse plan for delay-
you, for I would ing her return
much r athe )•
beyond the time
your poor Beast which she had
should die of promised, in
grief for your hopes that the
absence ; so yon Beast would be
may go." Bui so angiy as to
Beauty prom- devour her. Ac-
ised to return cordingly, when
in a week ; and the week was
the Beast tell- over they made
ing her that she such an ado
need only lay about her leav-
her ring on her ing, and pro-
toilet-table be- fessed to be so
fore she went to grieved, that
bed, when she Beauty agreed
meant to return, to stay another
bade her good- week, though
night as usual, slie felt some
and left her. inisoivings.
The next On the night
morning Beau- I if the tenth day,
ty awoke to find when her sisters
herself in her had been feast-
father's cottage. ing her and pre-
and so rejoiced tending great
was he to sec affection, she
her alive that dreamt that she
his sickness left saw poor Beast
him quickly. lying half dead
He sent for her on the grass in
sisters, who came and brought husbands but
their ; the palace garden and waking all in tears, she
;
they were not living very happily with them, for got out of bed, laid her ring on the table, and
one was so vain of his person that he thought noth- then went to bed again where she soon fell asleep.
ing of his wife, and the other so sharp-tongued When she awoke, she was relieved to find her-
WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT. 109
self once more in the palace, and she waited im- whole palace was suddenly ablaze with light, fire-
patiently till supper time, when she should see the works flew in the air, and a band of music sounded.
Beast. But the clock struck nine, and no Beast There was no Beast, but in his place a very hand-
appeared. some prince was at her feet, thanking her for hav-
" Oh, if have killed him " she cried, and ran
I !
ing broken his enchantment.
into the garden toward the spot she had dreamed "But where is my poor Beast ? " asked Beauty
of, and there she saw the poor Beast lying sense- anxiously " I want my dear Beast."
;
less on the gr^ss. She threw herself upon his " I was the Beast," said the prince. " A wicked
body in despair she felt his heart beat, and run-
;
condemned me to live in that ugly form until
fairy
ning to a neighboring fountain for water, she threw some good and beautiful maid should be found,
it into his face. The Beast opened his eyes and so good as to love me in sjDite of my ugliness."
said in a faint voice, — Beauty, filled with surprise, took the prince by
" You forgot your promise, and I resolved to the hand and they passed into the palace. There
starve myself to death ; but since you are come, stood Beauty's father ; and the young pair were
I shall at least die happy." at once married, to the joy of the prince's subjects,
" No you shall not die, dear Beast," cried
I
who had long mourned his mysterious absence,
Beauty; " you shall live to be my husband, for and over whom the prince and his beautiful bride
now I feel I really love you." At these words the reigned wisely for many a long and happy year.
THE HISTORY OF SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT.

RiCHAKD WHITTINGTON was supposed to have What he had got being soon spent, his stomach
been an outcast, for he did not know his parents, craved supply but not having anything to satisfy
;
who either died, or had left him to the parish of it, he resolved rather to starve than steal.
Taunton Dean, in Somersetshire. As he grew up, After two hungry days, and lying on the bulk-
being displeased with the cruel usage of his nurse, heads at night, weary and faint, he came to a
he ran away from her at seven years of age, and merchant's house in Leadenhall Street, where he
traveled about the country, living upon the char- showed many signs of his distressed condition.
ity of well-disposed persons, till he came to be a The ill-natured cookwas ready to kick him from
fine sturdy youth when at last, being threatened
; the door, saying, " If you tarry here, I will kick
with a whipping he continued in that idle course
if you into the kennel." This put him almost into
of life, he resolved to go to London, having heard despair, so he laid himself down on the ground,
that the streets were paved with gold. being unable to go any farther.
Not knowing the way, he followed the carrier; In the mean time, Mr. Fitzwarren, whose house
and at night, for the little services he did him in it was, came from the Royal Exchange, and, seeing
rubbing his horses, he got from him a supper. him there in that condition, demanded what he
When he arrived in this famous city, the carrier, wanted, and sharply told him, if he did not imme-
supposing he would be a ti-oublesome hanger-on, diately depart, he would cause him to be sent to
told him must leave the inn, and imme-
plainly he the house of correction, calling him a lazy, idle
diately seek for employment, giving him a groat. fellow.
With this poor Whittington wandered about, but On he got up, and after falling two or three
this
not knowing any one, and being in a tattered times, through faintness and want of food, he
garb, some pitied him as a forlorn, destitute wretch, made a bow, telling him he was a poor country
but few gave him anything. fellow, in a starving condition, and that, if he
might be put in a way, he would refuse no laboi', This was cold comfort, but better than starv-
if it was only for his victuals. This raised a ing ; and what gave him a beam of hope was that
Mistress Alice, his master's daughter, hearing her
father liad entertained another servant, came to
see him, and ordered that he should be kindly
used. After she had discoursed with him about
his kindred and method of life, and found his an-
swers ingenuous, she ordered him some cast-off
garments, and that he should be cleaned, and ap-
pear like a servant in the house.
Then she went to her parents, and gave them
her opinion of this stranger, which pleased them
well, saying, " He looks like a serviceable fellow
to do kitchen drudgery, run on errands, clean
shoes, and do such other things as the rest of the
servants think beneath them."
By this he was confirmed in his place, and a
flock bed prepared in the garret for him. These
circumstances pleased him, and he showed great
diligence in his work, rising early and sitting up
late, leaving nothing undone that he could do.
But being mostly under the cook-maid, he had but
sour sauce to these little sweets ; for as she was of
a morose temper, she used her authority beyond
reason ; so that, to keep in the family, he went
with many a broken head, bearing it patiently,
and the more he tried with good words to dissuade
her from her cruelty, the more she insulted him,
and not only abused him, but frequently com-
Christian compassion in the merchant towards plained against him, endeavoring to get him
him, and wanting a scullion then, he immediately turned out of his service. But Mistress Alice,
ordered one of his servants to take him in, and hearing of her usage, interposed in his favor, so
give him some food until orders were given how that she could not prevail against him.
he should be employed. And so he was feasted, This was not the only misery he suffered, for,
to his great refreshment. lying in a place for a long time unfrequented,
This was the first step of Providence to raise him such abundance of rats and mice had bred there,
to what time made him the city's glory and the
in that they were almost as troublesome by night as
nation's wonder. But he met with many difficul- the cook was by day. They ran over his face,
ties, for the servants made sport of him, and the and disturbed him with their squeaking, so that
ill-natured cook told him, " You
come un-are to he knew not what to think of his condition or how
der me so look sharp, clean the spits and the
; to mend it.
dripping-pan, make the fires, wind up the jack, After many disquieting thoughts, he at last
and nimbly do all other scullery work that I may comforted himself with the hope that the cook
set you about, or else I will break your head with might soon marry, or die, or quit her service, and
my ladle, and kick you about like a foot-ball." as for the rats and mice, a cat would be an effect-
WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT. Ill
ualremedy against them. Soon after, a merchant tageous Whittington's cat would prove, when she
came to dinner, and, as it rained hard, he stayed did not scold at him would jeer at him about his
all night. Wliittington having cleaned his shoes, grand adventure, and led him such a life that he
and brought them to his chamber-door, received grew weary of enduring it. Little expecting what
from him a penny. ensued, he resolved, rather to try Dame Fortune
This stock he improved, for, going along the than such great torment.
live in So, having
street of an errand, he saw a woman with a cat un- jjacked up
bundle over night, he got out early
his
der her arm ; so^he desired to know the price of it. on All-hallows Day, intending to ramble about the
The woman praised it for a good mouser, and told country.
him, sixpence. But he declaring that a penny But as he went through Moorfields, he began to
was all his stock, she let him have it. He brought have pensive thoughts, and his resolutions began
the cat home, and kept her in a box all day, lest to fail. However, he went on to Holloway, and
the cook should kill her if she came into the sat down when on a sud-
to consider the matter,
kitchen, and at night he set her to work for her den Bow bells merry peal. He
began to ring a
living. Puss delivered him from one plague; but listened, fancied they called him back from his in-
the other remained, though not for many years. tended journey, and promised him the good fort-
It was the custom with the worthy merchant, une that afterwards befell him. He thought they
Mr. Hugh Fitzwarren, that God might give a sang, •
greater blessing to his endeavors, to call his serv- '

Turn again, Wliittington,
Lord Mayor of Loudon."
ants together when he sent out a ship, and cause
every one to ventui'e something in it, to try their This was a happy thought for him, and it made so
fortunes, for which they were to pay nothing for great an iuipression on him, that finding it early,
freight or custom. and that he might be at home before the family
Now all but Wliittington appeared, and brought were stirring, he delayed not. All things an-
things according to their abilities. But Misti-ess swered his expectation, for, having left the door
Alice being by, and supposing that poverty made ajar, he crept softly in, and got to his usual drudg-
him decline coming, ordered him to be on called, ery-
which he made several excuses however, being ; During this time the ship in which the cat was
constrained to come, he fell on his knees, desiring was driven by contrary winds on to the coast of
them not to jeer at a poor simple boy in expecta- Barbary, a place unknown to the English. Finding
tion that he was going to turn merchant, since all the people courteous, the master and factor traded
that he could claim as his own was but a poor cat, with them. Bringing their wares of sundry sorts
which he had bought for a penny that had been upon the decks, and opening them, they suited
given him for cleaning shoes, and which had much them so well that the news was carried to the
befriended him in keeping off the rats and mice. king, who sent for patterns, with which he was so
Upon this Mistress Alice offered to lay some- pleased that he sent for the factor to his palace.
thing down for him but her father told her the
; Their entertainment, according to custom, was
custom was, it must be his own which he ventured, on the floor, which was covered with carpets inter-
and ordered him to fetch his cat. This he did, woven with gold and silver, and on which they sat
but with great reluctance, fancying nothing would cross-legged. This kind of table was no sooner
come of it, and with some tears delivered her to laid with various dishes but the scent drew to-
the master of the ship, which was called the Uni- gether a great number of rats and mice, which de-
corn, and which fell down to Blackwall in order voured all that came in their way ; this much sur-
to proceed on her voyage. prised the factor, who asked the nobles if these
The cook-maid, who little thought how advan- vermin were not offensive.
" Oh," said they, " very much so. His majesty clear of them, otherwise they would destroy all
would give half his revenue to be freed from them ;

my goods." But his majesty would take no de-
for they are not only offensive at his table, but his nial, saying, " No price shall part us."
chamber and bed The cat being

are so troubled and the
sent for,
with them that tables being
he is always spread, the ver-
watched, for fear min came as be-
of mischief." fore ; then put-
The factor then ting her on the
remembering ^B table, she fell to
Whittington's work at once,

cat, and rejoic- and' killed them
ing at the occa- in a trice. Then
sion, them
told ^B she came purring
"""
that he had an and curling up
English beast in her tail to t he
the ship which king and queen,
would rid all the as if she asked a
court of them S 1 eward for her
quickly. fc service; whilst
The king was ^ they admired
overjoyed at ^ her, protesting it
hearing the good ^ ^m was the finest di-

news, and being - = \ ersion they had
an X io u s to be ever seen.
freed from those ^ " The Moorish
vermin, which so ^ ^king was so
much spoiled his g ^m pleased with the.
pleasure, dis- ^
^
cat that he gave
turbed his mind, ten times more
and made all his for her than all
enjoyments bin ^ the freight be-
densome, desired — sides. The ship
to see this sui- = then sailed with
prising creature, a fair wind, and
saying, " Foi arrived safe at
such a thing, I Blackwall, being
will load youi the richest ship
ship with gold, that ever arrived
diamonds, and in England.
pearls." This large offer made the master en- The master taking the cabinet of jewels with him
deavor to enhance the cat's merits. " She is the on shore, for they were too rich a prize to be left on
most admirable creature in the woi'ld," he said board, presented his bill of lading to Mr. Fitzwar-
" and I cannot spare her, for she keeps my ship ren who praised God for such a prosperous voyage.
WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT. 113
But when he called all of his servants to give tress Alice began to lay her eyes about him. Now,
each his due, the master showed him the cabinet her father, seeing this, intended a match between
of pearls and jewels, and on being told it was all them, looking upon him to be a fortunate man.
for Whittiugton's cat, Mr. Fitzwarren said, "God He also took him to the Royal Exchange to see
forbid that I should deprive him of one farthing the customs of the merchants, where he was no
of it," and so he sent for him by the title of Mr. sooner known than they came to welcome him
Whittington, who was then in the kitchen clean- into their societj'.
ing pots and spits. Being told he must come to Soon after this a match was proposed between
his master, he made several excuses but, being ; him and his master's daughter, when he excused
urged to go, he at length came to the door, and himself on account of the meanness of his birth ;
there stood bowing and scraping, scrupling to en- but that objection being removed by his present
ter until the merchant commanded him in, and or- worth, it was soon agreed on, and the lord mayor
dered a chair to be immediately set for him on ;
and aldermen were invited to the wedding. After
which he, thinking tbey intended to make sport of the honeymoon was over, his father-in-law asked
him, fell on his knees, and with teai's in his eyes him what employment he would follow, where-
besought them not to mock a simple fellow, who upon he replied, he should like that of a mer-
meant none of them any harm. chant. So they joined together in partnership,
Mr. Fitzwarren, raising him up, said, " In- and both grew immensely rich.
deed, Mr. Whittington, we are serious with you, Though fortune had thus bountifully smiled on
for in estate at this instant you are an abler the subject of our history, he was far from being
man than myself," and then he gave him the vast proud. He was, on the contrary, very merry,
riches, which amounted to three hundred thousand which made his company and acquaintance courted
pounds. by all. In a short time he was nominated Sheriff
At length, being persuaded to believe, he fell of London, in the year 1393, Sir John Hadley
upon his knees, and praised God, who had vouch- then being lord mayor.
safed to behold so poor a creature in the midst of Thus he grew and fame, being greatly
in riches
his misery. Then turning to his master, he laid beloved by all, whose hunger
especially the poor,
his riches at his feet but he said, " No, Mr.
; he always supplied. In five years' time he was
Whittington ; God forbid that I should take so chosen lord maj'or, in which office he behaved
much as a ducat from you ; it may be a comfort with such justice and prudence that he was chosen
to you." to the same office twice afterwards.
Whittington then turned to Mistress Alice, but In the last year he entertained King Henry V.,
she also refused it upon which, bowing low, he
; after his conquest of France, and his queen at
said to her, " Madam, whenever you please to make Guildhall, in such a very grand manner, that the
choice of a husband, I will make you the greatest king was pleased to say, " Never prince had such
fortune in the world." Upon this he began to a subject," and conferred upon him the honor of
distribute his bounty to his fellow-servants, giv- knighthood. At king par-
this entertainment the
ing even his mortal enemy the cook one hundred ticularly praised the which was made of
fire,
jjounds for her portion ; she saying she was in a choice wood, mixed with mace, cinnamon, and all
passion, he freely forgave her. other spices. On which Sir Richard said he would
Upon this change the haberdashers, drapers, endeavor to make one still more agreeable to his
and sempstresses were set to work to make
tailors, majesty, and immediately tore and threw into the
Mr. Whittington fine clothes, and all things an- fire the king's bond for ten thousand marks due to
swerable to his fortune. Being dressed, he ap- the company of mercers two thousand five hun-
;
peared a very comely person, insomuch that Mis- dred to the Chambers of London two thousand
;
15
to the grocers ; and to the staplers, goldsmiths, law be buried, and left room for himself and
to
haberdashers, vintners, brewers, and bakers, three wifewhen death should call them. He built New-
thousand marks each. gate, a place for criminals. He gave large sums
" All these," said Sir Richard, " with divers to Bartholomew's Hospital, and to many other
other's, lent for the payment of your soldiers in chai'itable uses.
France, I have taken in and discharged, to the Dame Alice, his wife, died in the sixty-third
amount of sixty thousand pounds sterling ; can year which he would not marry,
of her age, after
your majesty wish to see such another sight ? though he outlived her near twenty years. In the
The king and nobles were struck dumb with sur- conclusion, he died, and was buried in the place
prise at his wealth and liberality. aforesaid, leaving a good name to posterity and ;
Sir Richard spent the rest of his days honored the following epitaph was written on their tomb,
by the and beloved by the poor. He had by
rich and continued perfect till destroyed by the fire in
his wife two sons and two daughters, some of London :
—
whose posterity are worthy citizens. He built
" Here Sir Richard Whittington, thrice mayor,
many charitable houses, also a church in Vintry lies
And his dear wife, a virtuous, loving pair ;
Ward, dedicated to St. JMichael, adding to it a col- Him fortune raised to be beloved and great.
lege, dedicated to St. Mary, with a yearly allow- By the .idvcnture only of a cat.
ance for near which he erected a
jjoor scholars, Let none that read it of God's love despair,
Who trust iu Him, He will of them take care
hospital, called God's house, and well endowed it.
;
But growing rich, choose humbleness, not ]]ride,

There he caused his father-in-law and mother-in- Let these dead virtuous persons be your guide."
BLUE BEARD.
Once upon a time there was a man who was fishing, parties, balls, and dinners. Nobody went
very rich. He had a fine house in town and an- to bed ; the whole night was spent in merry-mak-
other in the country ; were costly
in the houses ing. In short, all went off so well that by the
furniture and gold and plate when he
silver ; end of the week the younger daughter began to
drove out it was in a coach covered with gild- think the master of the house an agreeable man,
ing. But for all that not a woman or girl would and that his beard was not so very blue, after all.
look at him, he was so ugly and terrible. Yes, So it was that shortly after the return to town she
this man had a blue beard. Now there was in was married to him.
the neighborhood a lady of quality who had two About a month afterward Blue Beard told his
daughters, who were perfectly beautiful. Blue wife that he was forced to take a journey, and
Beard wished to marry one of these and left it to should be gone six weeks he had business of im- ;
the mother to say which she would give him, but portance to attend to but she was to amuse her-
;
neither of them would have him, for they could self in his absence, to have all her young friends
not bear to marry a man with a blue beard, and, about her, and to fare as sumptuously as if he
besides, he had been married several times already, were present. " Here," he said, " are the keys
and no one knew what had become of his wives. of my two large store-rooms ; these are for the
Blue Beard, in order to become well acquainted chests in which the best gold and silver plate are
with these young ladies, invited them, their mother, kept; the.se are for the strong boxes in which I
and a few of their particular friends to visit his keep my money ; these open the caskets that con-
country seat, where they passed an entire week. tain my jewels ; this is the pass-key to all the
Nothing was thought of but jaunts, hunting and apartments. And this," he ended, looking at her
BLUE BEARD. 115
fixedly, " is the key to the closet at the end of the the sofas, the cabinets, the tables, the lightstands ;
long gallery on the ground floor. Open every- there were mirrors so large that inthem they
thing and go everywhere except into that closet, could see themselves from top to toe, and the mir-
which I forbid rors had frames,

you to enter, some of glass,
and I forbid you some of silver
so strictly that and some of
ifyou dare to gold, all more
open the door beautiful and
you -will have magnificent
everything to than any they
dread from my had ever before
anger." She seen. They
promised faith- never ceased ex-
fully to obey claiming upon
him, and when the wonderful
he had e m- riches of this
braced his obe- wonderful man,
dient wife he and they looked
got into his with envy upon
coach and drove the fortunate
away. bride. But she
The neigh- heard and saw
bors and friends all with impa-
of the young tience, for she
bride scai'cely could think of
waited for an nothing but the
invitation, so closet at the end
eager were they of the gallery
to see all the on. the ground
treasures which floor. At length
the house con- her curiosity be-
tained, for came so great to
never before see what it con-
had they dared tained that she
to enter it, being slipped away
much afraid of from her
the blue beard friends,though
of the owner. that was very
Now they made rude, and has-
haste to run tened down a
through all the apartments and to peep into all secret staircase, nearly falling from the top to the
the closets to which they had entrance. They bottom in her excitement. She came to the door
went into the store-rooms and chambers and ad- of the closet and stopped, remembering what her
mired the elegance of the tapestries, the beds. husband had solemnly said to her, but the tempta-
tionwas so strong that she could not overcome and begging pardon for having disobeyed him.
it. She therefore took the key and opened with Her beauty and grief would have melted a rock,
trembUng hand the door of the closet. but Blue Beard's heart was harder than rock.
At first she could make out nothing, for the " You must die, madam you must die at once." ;
windows were was dark after

closed there and it ;
" If I must die," she replied, looking up at him
a short time she began to see that there was blood with streaming eyes, " give me a little time to
on the floor, and then that there were dead bodies say my prayers."
hung upon the walls. They were the wives of ' I will give
you half a quarter of an hour," an-
Blue Beard. She was ready to die with fright, swered Blue Beard, " but not a minute more."
and the key of the closet, which she had with- As soon as he had left her she called her sister
drawn from the lock, fell from her hand. She and said, —
picked it ujj, locked the door again, and went up "Sister Anne" (for that was her name) "go
to her chamber to compose herself, but she was up, I p)ray thee, to the top of the tower and see if
too agitated. She looked at the key of the closet, my brothers be not coming. They have promised
and it was stained with blood. She wiped it and to come to me to-daj' if you see them, sign to ;
wiped it but the blood would not come off. In them to make haste." Sister Anne mounted to
vain she washed it, and scrubbed it with sand and. the top of the tower and the poor distressed creat-
freestone, the blood was still there, for the key ure called to her every few moments, —
was enchanted, and there was no means of clean- " Anne ! Sister Anne dost thou not see anything
!
ing it completely when the blood was washed off

;
coming ? " and Sister Anne would answer, —
one side it came back on the other. " I see nothing but the sun making dust, and
Blue Beard came home that evening. He said the grass growing green." In the mean time Blue
that he had received letters on his way telling Beard, with a great cutlass in his hand, called out
him that the business on which he was going was from below to his wife, —
already settled. His wife did her best to persuade " Come down quickly, or I will come up to
"
him that she was delighted at his early return. thee :
When morning came he called for his keys. She " One minute more," replied his wife, and then
gave them to him, but her hand trembled. Then in a low voice, —
he said :
— " Anne Sister Anne ! dost thou not see any- !
" Where is the key of the closet at the end of thing coming? " and Sister Anne replied,
the long gallery? it is not with the rest." " I see nothing but the sun making dust and
" I must have left it," she replied, " up-stairs the gi'ass growing green."
on my table." "Come down quicklj'," shouted Blue Beard,
"
Then go at once and bring it to me." She " or I will come up to thee."
made excuses but thejr would not serve, and she " I come," answered his wife, and then cried,
went and brought the key. Blue Beard looked " Anne Sister Amie dost thou not see anything
! !
at it and asked his wife :

— coming?
"Why is there blood on this key? " "I see," said Sister Anne, "a great cloud of
" I do not know," said the poor woman, paler dust moving this way."
than death. " Is it my brothers ? "
You do not know ? " replied Blue Beard. " I
" " Alas, no, sister ! it is a flock of sheep."
know. You wished to enter the closet. Very "Wilt thou not come down?" roared Blue
well, madam, you shall enter it and take your Beard.
place among the ladies whom you saw there." " I am coming now. Anne ! Sister Anne ! dost
"
She flung herself at her husband's feet, weeping thou not see anything coming ?
THE HISTOR T OF FORTUNATUS. 117
" Yes. I see two horsemen coming tLis way, short. The gate flew open and two horsemen
"
but they are a great way off. God be praised ! sprang in and ran with drawn swords upon Blue
she added in a moment. " They are my brothers. Beard. He knew them at once, they were the
I am beckoning to them to hasten." brothers of his wife, one was a dragoon, the other
" Come down " and Blue Beard
!
roared so a musketeer, and Blue Beard ran to the house
loudly that the house shook.The poor wife to save himself. But they were upon him in a
went slowly down-stairs, and when she came to moment and before he could reach the door they
her husband stie threw herself, all weeping and had slain him with their swords. The poor wife
with disheveled hair, at his feet. was almost dead herself with fear, and could
" It is in vain," said Blue Beard, " thou must scarcely rise to embrace her brothers.
die," and seizing her hair with one hand, he held It was found that Blue Beard had no heirs, and
his cutlass with the other to strike off her head. so his young wife became mistress of all his riches.
The poor wife lifted her weeping eyes up to him She spent part of it in marrying her sister Anne
and implored him to give her one moment in to a young gentleman whom she had long loved,,
which to collect her thoughts. another part in buying captains' commissions for
"No, no," said he, " commend thyself to God." her two brothers, and with the rest she married
—
He raised his arm at this moment there was a herself a very worthy man, who made her forget
loud knocking at the gate and Blue Beard stopped her wretchedness with Blue Beard.
THE HISTORY OF FORTUNATUS.

In the famous Island of Cyprus there is a stately aileth you? for I observe, when you look upon
city called Famagosta, in which lived a wealthy me, you seem sad. Sir, I have in some way of-
citizen named Theodoras. He being left j'oung fended you."
by his parents addicted himself to all pleasure, re- Theodoras answered, " My dear son, thou art
sorting to the courts of princes and spending all not the cause of my grief, but I myself have been
his wealth in riotous living, to the grief of his the sole cause of the pinching poverty we all feel.
friends, who, thinking to make him leave his idle When I mind the wealth and honor so
call to
courses, got him married to a rich citizen's daugh- lately enjoyed, and when I consider how unable I
ter named Gratiana. am now to heljD my child, it is that which vexes
In one year after their marriage Gratiana gave me."
birth to a son, who was named Fortunatus. The- To this his son replied, " Beloved father, do not
odorus, in a short time, began again to follow his take immoderate care for me, for I am young and
old,bad courses, insomuch that he sold and mort- strong. have not been so brought up but that I
I
gaged his land, until he had wasted all his estate, can shift for myself. I will go abroad and try
so that he fell into extreme poverty. Gratiana my fortune. I fear not but I shall find work and
was forced meat and wash her clothes
to dress her preferment."
herself, not being able to keep one servant, or hire Soon after, without the least ceremony, Fortu-
the meanest assistance. natus set out, with a hawk on
his hand, and trav-
Theodoras and his wife sitting one day at a eled towards the seaside, where he espied a galley
poor dinner, he could hardly refrain from weeping, of Venice lying at anchor. He inquired what ship
which his son, who was now about eighteen years she was, and where bound, hoping he might here
of age, and skilled in hunting, hawking, and play- find employment. He was told the Earl of Flan-
ing on the lute, perceiving, said, " Father, what ders was on board, and had lost two of his men.
Fortunatus, wishing that he could be entertained him, which was, that his lord having conceived a
as one of the servants, and so get away fi'om his jealousy of his two chamberlains, of whom Fortu-
native place, where his poverty was so well known, natus was one, he had a design privatelj' to have
steps up to the earl, and says, " I understand, no- them whipped. This much amazed Fortunatus,
ble lord, j'ou have lost two of your men ; if so you who desired his fellow-servant to inform him how
please, I desire to be received into your service." to convey himself away ;
" for," said he, " I had
"What wages do you ask? " says the earl. " No rather wander as a vagabond, than be so served."
wages," says Fortunatus, "but to be rewarded ac- Says Robert, " I am sorry I told thee anything,
cording to my deserts." This answer pleased the since I shall now lose thy company." Being re-
earl, so the}' agreed, and sailed to Venice. solved to go off, however, he desired Robert to
The earl now turned back and was joyfully re- conceal his departure, and mounting his horse rode
ceived by his subjects, and welcomed by his neigh- away.
bors, for he was a very affable and just prince. When Fortunatus had ridden ten miles he
Soon he married the Duke of
after his return bought another horse, and returned the earl's,
Cleve's daughter, who was a very beautiful lady. that he might not pursue him but when the earl ;
At the wedding, to which came several lords, found he was gone without his leave, not knowing
tournaments were held before the ladies, and the cause, he was offended, and demanded of the
though there were so many gentlemen, yet none servants if they knew the occasion which they ;
behaved so well as Fortunatus. all denied. Then he went to the ladies and gen-
After the nobles had finished their triumphs tlewomen, and inquired of them if they knew any-
and delightful games, the duke and the bride and thing of his departure. And they answered, No.
bridegroom agreed to let their servants try their Then said the earl, " Though the cause of his
manhood at several pastimes for two jewels, each departure is hidden from me, j'et I am persuaded
worth a hundred crowns. This made all the serv- he is not gone without some cause, which I will
ants glad, every one striving to do his best. be possible." When Robert found
find out, if it
The Duke Burgundy's servant won one, and
of his lordwas so vexed for the loss of Fortunatus,
Fortunatus the other, which displeased the other he went and hanged himself, for fear of being dis-
servants. Upon which they desired the duke's covered.
servant to challenge Fortunatus to fight him be- Fortunatus, having sent home his master's
fore the ladies, the winner to have both jewels. horse, traveled with all speed to Calais,where he
This challenge he accepted. Coming to the tilt- took shipping, and arrived safe in England. Com-
yard, they encountered each other very briskly, ing to London, he met with some young Cyprus
and at last Fortunatus hoisted the duke's servant merchants, his countrymen, who riotously spent
quite off his horse, at spear's length. Whereupon their money gaming so that in about half a
in ;
he obtained the victorj', and got the jewels, which year's time their cash was quite spent. Fortuna-
increased the envy of all the other servants, but tus, having least, was soon exhausted.
much rejoiced the earl. Being moneyless, he went to some of his land-
Among the earl's servants was a crafty old fel- ladies to borrow three crowns, telling them he
low, who consulted with the rest of the servants, wanted to go to Flanders to fetch four hundred
and agreed, for ten crowns, to make Fortunatus crowns that were in his uncle's hands but he was ;
quit his master's service of his own accord. To denied, and none would they lend him. He then
accomplish the affair he pretended great friend- desired to be trusted for a quart of wine ; but they
ship to Fortunatus, treating him, and praising him refused, and bid the servants fetch him a pint of
much for his great courage. small beer. He then took shipping, and .soon ar-
At last he told him he bad a secret to reveal to rived in Picardy in France.
THE HISTORY OF FORTUNATUS. 119
Traveling through a wood, and being benighted, tunatus," said she ; am the Goddess Fortune,
" I
he approached an old house, where he hoped to and by the permission of Heaven have the power
find some relief but there was no creature in it.
; of six gifts, one of which I will bestow on thee.
Then, hearing a So choose for
noise among the yourself. They
bears, he got up are, Wisdom,
into a tree, Strength, Rich-
where one of es, Health,
them had climb- Beauty, and
e d. Fort u n a- Long Life."
tus, being sur- Said Fortvma-
prised, drew his tus, " I desire
sword, and to have Riches
struck the bear, as long as I
so that he fell live." With
from the tree. that she
The rest of the him purse,
beasts being say in " As
gone, Fortuna- often as you
tus came down put your hand
from the tree, into this purse,
and, laying his you shall find
mouth to the ten pounds of
wound, sucked the coin of any
out some of the nation you shall
blood, with happen to be
which he was in." Fortuna-
refreshed, and tus returned
then slept until many thanks to
morning. the g oddess.
As soon as Then she bid
Fortunatus him follow her
awoke, he saw out of the wood,
standing before and so vanished.
him a fair lady, He then pvit
with her eyes his hand into
muffled. " I be- the purse, and
seech thee," said drew out the
he, " sweet vir- first - fruits of
gin, to assist me, the goddess's
that I may get bounty, with
out of this wood, for I have traveled a great way which he went to an inn, and refreshed himseK.
without food." She asked what country he was After which he paid his host, and instantly de-
of. He replied, " Of Cyprus, and am constrained parted, as doubting the reality of his money, not-
by poverty to seek my fortune." " Fear not, For- withstanding the evidence of his hands and eyes.
Two miles from this wood was a little town and crowns and his purse, and charged him never to
castle,where dwelt an earl who owned the wood. come into his dominion. Fortunatus rejoiced that
Fortunatiis here took up his lodging at the best he had so well escaped, and had not lost his purse.
inn, and asked the host if he could help him to After that he had traveled towards his own coun-
some good horses. The host him told there was try, having got horses and servants to attend him,
a dealer who had several very fine ones, of which he arrived at Famagosta, where it was told him that
the earl had chosen three but was refused,
; his father and mother were dead. He then pur-
thouch he offered three hundred crowns for them. chased his father's house, pulled it down, and
Fortunatus went to his chamber, and took out of built a stately palace. He also built a fine church,
his purse six hundred crowns, and bid the host to and had three tombs made : one for his father and
send for the dealer with his horses. mother, the other for the wife he intended to
The supposed he had been in jest,
host at first marry, and the last for his heirs and himself.
seeing him so meanly appareled but on being ; Not far from Famagosta lived a lord who had
convinced by the sight of the money, the dealer three daughters, one of whom the King of Cyprus
and horses were sent for, and Fortunatus, with a intended to bestow on Fortunatus, but gave him
few words, bargained for two of those the earl had leave to take his choice. When Fortunatus had
wanted, and gave three hundred crowns for them. asked them the question, he chose the j'oungest, to
He bought also costly saddles and furniture, and the great grief of the other two sisters; but the
desired his host to get him two servants. countess and earl approved of the match. Fortu-
The earl, hearing that the two horses had been natus presented the countess, his wife's mother,
bought out of his hands, grew angry, and sent to and her two sisters with several rich jewels.
the innkeeper, to be informed who he was. The Then did the king offer to keep the wedding at
being told that he was a stranger, com-
earl, his court ; but Fortunatus wished to keep it at his
manded him to be apprehended, imagining he had own palace, desiring the king and queen's com-
committed some robbery. Fortunatus, on being pany. " Then," said the king, " I will come with
questioned who he was, answered he was born in my queen and all my relations." After four da3's
Cyprus, and was the son of a decayed gentleman. the king and all his company went to Fortunatus'
The earl asked him how he got so much money. house, where they were entertained in a grand
He told him he came by it honestly. manner. His house was .adorned with costly fur-
Then the earl swore in a violent passion, that if niture, glorious to behold. This feasting lasted
he would not discover, he would put him to the forty days. Then the king returned to his court,
rack. Fortunatus proposed to die rather than re- vastly well satisfied with the entertainment.
veal it. Upon this he wâs put on the rack and ; After this, Fortunatus made another feast for the
being again asked how he got so many crowns, he citizens, their wives and daughters.
said that he found them in a wood adjoining. Fortunatus and his wife Cassandra lived long
" Thou villain," said the earl, " the money you in a happy state, and found no want of anything
found is mine, and thy body and goods are for- but children. Fortunatus knew the virtue of his
feited." "O my gracious lord," said he, "I knew purse would fail at his death if he had no heirs.
not it was in your dominion." " But," said the Therefore he made it constantly his prayer to God
earl, " this shall not excuse you, for to-day I will that he would be pleased to send him a and
child,
take thy goods, and to-morrow thy life." at length in due time a son was born to him, and
Then did Fortunatus wish he had chosen Wis- he named him Ampadu. Shortly after, he had
dom before Riches. He earnestly begged his life another son and he provided for them the best of
:
of the earl, who, at the entreaty of some of the tutors, to take care they had an education suitable
nobles, spared his life, and restored him the to their fortunes.
THE HISTORY OF FORTUNATUS. 121
Fortunatus, having been married twelve years, he might return to his own country. The sultan,
took it into his head to travel once more ; which looking out of the window and seeing the ship un-
his wife much opposed, desiring him, by all the der sail, was very angi-y, and commanded his men
love he bore to her and her dear children, not to to fetch him back, declaring, if they took him, he
leave them. But he was resolved, and soon after should be immediately put to death. But all in
took leave of his wife and children, promising vain. Fortunatus was too quick for them, and ar-
them to return again in a short space. A few riving safe at Famagosta, richly laden, was joy-
he took shipping for Alexandria, where
da3's after, fully received by his wife, two sons, and the citi-
he stayed some time, and got acquainted with the zens.

sultan, whose favor he gained so as to receive let- He now began to care for the advancement of
ters to carry him safe through his dominions. his children, maintained a princely court, and pro-
Fortunatus, after supper, opened his purse, and vided masters to instruct his children in all man-
gave to all the sultan"s servants very liberally. ner of chivalry. The youngest was most inclined
The sultan, being highly pleased, told Fortunatus to behave manfully, which caused Fortunatus to
he would show him such curiosities as he had bestow many jewels upon him for his exploits.
never seen. Then he took him to a strong marble When he had many years enjoyed all earthly pleas-
tower. In the first room were several very rich ures,Cassandra died, wdiich so grieved him that he
vessels and jewels in the second he showed sev-
; prepared himself for death also.
eral vessels of gold coin, with a fine wardrobe of Fortunatus, perceiving his death to approach,
garments, and golden candlesticks, which shone said to his two sons :
" God has taken away your
all over the room, and mightily pleased Fortu- mother, who you and I,
so tenderly nourished ;
natus. perceiving death at hand, will show you how you

Then the sultan showed him his bed-chamber, may continue in honor to your dying days." Then
which was finely adorned and likewise a small
; he declared to them the virtue of his purse, and
felt hat, simple to behold saying, " I set more
; that it would last no longer than their lives. He
value on this hat than on all my jewels, as such also told them the virtue of his wishing-hat, and
another is not to be had, for it lets a person be commanded them not to part with those jewels,
wherever he doth wish." but to keep them in common, and live friendly to-
Fortunatus imagined this hat would agree verj' gether, and not to make any person privy to their
well with his purse, and he thereupon put it on virtues ;
" For," said he, " I have concealed them
his head, saying he should be very glad of a hat forty years, and never revealed them to any but
that had such virtue. So the sultan immediately you." Having said this, he ceased to speak and
gave it to him. With that he suddenly wished immediately gave up the ghost. His sons buried
himself in his ship, it being then under sail, that him in the magnificent church before mentioned.
16
JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK.

N the days of King Al- When she saw the beans, and heard Jack's ac-
fred, there Hved a jjoor count, her patience quite forsook her : she tossed
woman, whose cottage the beans out of the window, where they fell on
was in a remote country the garden-bed below. Then she threw her apron
village, many
miles from over her head, and cried bitterly. Jack tried to
London. She had been console her, but in vain, and, not having anything
a widow some years, and to eat, they both went supperless to bed. Jack
had an only child named awoke early in the morning, and seeing something
Jack, whom she indulged uncommon darkening bed-cham-
the window of his
so much that he never paid the least attention to where he found
ber, ran down-stairs into the garden,
anything she said, but was idle, careless, and some of the beans had taken root, and sprung up
wasteful. His follies were not owing to a bad surprisingly: the stalks were of an immense thick-
disposition, but to his mother's foolish partiality. ness, and had twined together until they formed a
By degrees, he spent all that she had — scarcely ladder like a chain, and so high that the top ap-
anything remained but a cow. day, for the One peared to be lost in the clouds. Jack was an ad-
first time in her life, she reproached him " Cruel, : venturous lad he determined to climb up to the
;
cruel boy ! you have at last brought me to beg- top, and ran to tell his mother, not doubting but
gary. I have not money enough to purchase even that she would be equally pleased. She declared
a bit of bread ; nothing now remains to sell but he should not go said it would break her heart if
;
my poor cow ! I am sorry to part with her ; it he did — entreated and threatened, but all in
grieves me sadly, but we cannot starve." For a vain. Jack set out, and after climbing for some
few minutes Jack felt remorse, but it was soon hours reached the top of the bean-stalk, quite ex-
over and he began asking his mother to let him
; hausted. Looking ai'ound, he found himself in a
sell the cow at the next village, and teased her so strange country ; it appeared to be ;i barren desert
much that she at last consented. As he was go- — not a was
tree, shrub, house, or living creature
ing along he met a butcher, who inquired why he to be seen here and there were scattered frag-
;
was driving the cow from home ? Jack replied, ments of stone and at unequal distances small
;
he was going to sell it. The butcher held some heaps of earth were loosely thrown together.
curious beans in his hat they were of various col-
; Jack seated himself upon a block of stone, and
ors, and attracted Jack's attention this did not : thought of his mother he thought with sorrow ;
pass unnoticed by the man, who, knowing Jack's upon his disobedience in climbing the bean-stalk
easy temper, thought now was the time to take against her will, and feai'ed that he must die of hun-
advantage of it and, determined not to let slip so
; ger. However, he walked on, hoping to see a house,
good a chance, asked what was the price of the cow, where he might beg something to eat and drink.
offering at the same time all the beans in his hat He did not find it but he saw at a distance a
;
for her. The silly boy could not hide the pleasure beautiful lady, walking alone. She was elegantly
he felt at what he fancied so great an offer the : clad, and carried a white wand, at the top of
bargain was struck instantly, and the cow ex- which sat a peacock of pure gold.
changed for a few paltry beans. Jack made the Jack, who was a gallant fellow, went straight
best of his way home, calling aloud to his mother up to her; when, with a bewitching smile, she
before he reached the door, thinking to surprise asked him how he came there. He told her all
her. about the bean-stalk. The lady answered him by
JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK. 123
a question, "Do you remember your father, young know you are acquainted with your father's his-
"
man ? tory ; this is my command, and if you disobey me
" No, madam ; but I am sure tliei-e is some you will suffer for it. Now go."
mystery about him, for when I name him to my Jack asked where he was to go.
mother she always begins to weep, and will tell " Along the direct road, till you see the house
me nothing." where the giant lives. You must then act accord-
" She dare not," replied the lady, " but I can ing to your own judgment, and I will guide you if
and will. Forrknow, young man, that I am a any difficulty arises. Farewell " !
fairy, and was your father's guardian. But fairies She bestowed on the youth a benignant smile,
are bound by laws as well as mortals and by an
; and vanished.
mine I lost my power for
eri-or of a term of years, Jack pursued his journey. He walked on till
so that Iwas unable to succor your father when after sunset, when, to his great joy, he espied a
he most needed it, and he died." Here the fairy large mansion. A plain-looking woman was at
looked so sorrowful that Jack's heart warmed to the door he accosted her, begging she would give
:
her, and he begged her earnestly to tell him more. him a morsel of bread and a night's lodging. She
"I will; only you must promise to obey me in expressed the greatest surprise, and said it was
everything, or you will perish yourself." quite uncommon to see a human being near their
Jack was brave, and, besides, his fortunes were house ; was well known that her husband
for it
so bad they could not well be worse so he prom- — was a powerful giant, who would never eat any-
ised. thing but human flesh, if he could possibly get it
The fairy continued :

" Your father. Jack, was that he would walk fifty miles to procure it, usu-
a most excellent, amiable, generous man. He had ally being out the whole day for that jDurpose.
a good wife, faithful servants, plenty of money ; This account greatly but still he
terrified Jack,
but he had one misfortune a false friend. This— hoped to elude the giant, and therefore he again
was a giant, whom he had succored in misfort- entreated the woman to take him in for one night
une, and who returned his kindness by murdering only, and hide him where she thought j^roper.
him, and seizing on all his property ; also making She at last suffered herself to be persuaded, for
your mother take a solemn oath that she would she was of a compassionate and generous nature,
never tell you anything about your father, or he and took him into the house. First, they entered
would murder both her and you. Then he turned a fine large hall, magnificently furnished ; then
her off with you in her arms, to wander about the they passed through several spacious rooms, in the
wide world as she might. I could not help her, as same style of gi'andeur but all appeared forsaken
;
my power only returned on the day you went to and desolate. A long gallery came next it was ,
sell your cow." very dark —

just light enough to show that, in-
" It was I," added the fairy, " who impelled you stead of a wall on one side, there was a grating of
to take the beans, who made the bean-stalk grow, iron which parted off a dismal dungeon, from
and inspired you with the desire to climb uja it to whence issued the groans of those victims whom
this strange country ; for it is here the wicked the cruel giant kept in confinement for his own
giant lives who was your father's destroyer. It is voracious appetite. Poor Jack was half dead with
you who must avenge him, and rid the world of a fear, and would have given the world to have
monster who never will do anything but evil. I been with his mother again, for he now began to
will help you. You may lawfully take possession doubt if he should ever see her more he even ;
of his house and all his riches, for everything he mistrusted the good woman, and thought she had
has belonged to your father, and is therefore let him into the house for no other purpose than
yours. Now farewell ! Do not let your mother to lock him up among the unfortunate people in
the dungeon. However, he sat clown to the abun- plenty of money, and for some months lived very
dant table when she bade him, and, not seeing any- happily together ; Jack had another great long-
till
thing to make him imcomfortable, soon forgot his ing to climb the bean-stalk, and carry away some
feai', and was just beginning to enjoy himself, more of the giant's riches. He had told his
when he was startled by a loud knocking at the mother of his adventure, but had been very care-
outer door, which made the whole house shake. ful not to say a word about his father. He
" Ah that 's the giant and if he sees you he
! ; thought of his journey again and again, but still
will kill you and me too," cried the poor woman, he could not summon resolution enough to break
"
trembling all over. " What shall I do ? it to his mother, being well assured that she would
" Hide me in the oven," cried Jack, now as endeavor to prevent his going. However, one
bold as a lion at the thought of being face to face day he told her boldly that he must take another
with his father's cruel murderer. So he crept journey up the bean-stalk she begged and prayed
;
into the oven — for there was no fire near it — him not to think of it, and tried all in her power
and listened to the giant's loud voice and heavy to dissuade him. She told him that the giant's
step as hewent up and down the kitchen scolding wife would certainly know him again, and that
his wife. At last he seated himself at table, and the giant would desire nothing better than to get
Jack, peeping through a crevice in the oven, was him into his power, that he might put him to a
amazed to see what a quantity of food he devoured. cruel death, in order to be revenged for the loss of
It seemed as if he never would have done eating his hen. Jack, finding that all his arguments
and drinking but he did at last, and, leaning
; were useless, ceased speaking, though resolved to
back, called to his wife in a voice like thunder :
— go at all events. He had a dress prepared which
"
" Bring me my hen ! would disguise him, and something to color his
She obeyed, and placed upon the table a very skin ;he thought it impossible for any one to rec-
beautiful live hen. ollect him in this dress.
" Lay !
" roared the giant, and the hen laid im- A few mornings after, he rose very early and, ,
mediately an egg of solid gold. unperceived bj^ any one, climbed the bean-stalk a
" Lay another " and every time the giant said
! second time. He was greatly fatigued when he
this thehen laid a larger egg than before. reached the top, and very hungry. Having rested
He amused himself a long time with his hen, some time on one of the stones, he pursued his
and then sent his wife to bed, while he fell asleep journey to the giant's mansion, which he reached
by the fireside, and snored like the roaring of can- late in the evening the woman was at the door
:
non. as before. Jack addi-essed her, at the same time

As soon as he was asleep Jack crept out of the telling her a pitiful tale, and requesting that she
oven, seized the hen, and ran off with her. He would give him some victuals and drink, and also
got safely out of the house, and finding his way a night's lodging.
along the road by which he had come, reached She told him (what he knew before very well)
the top of the bean-stalk, which he descended in about her husband's being a powerful and cruel
safety. giant, and also that she had one night admitted a
His mother was ovei-joyed to see him. She poor, hungry, friendless bo}' ; that the little un-
thought he had come to some ill end. grateful fellow had stolen one of the giant's treas-
"Not a bit of it, mother. Look here " and he ! ures and ever since that her husband had been
;
showed her the hen. "Now lay!" and the hen worse than before, using her very cruelly, and con-
obeyed him as readily as she did the giant, and tinually upbraiding her with being the cause of
laid as many golden eggs as he desired. his misfortune. Jack felt sorry for her, but con-
These eggs being sold, Jack and his mother got fessed nothing, and did his best to persuade her to
JACK AND THE BEAN-STALK. 126
admit him, but found it a very hard task. At ing of the money, which he knew was his poor
last she consented, and as she led the way, Jack father's, and wished it was his own it would give
;
observed that everything was just as he had found him much less trouble than going about selling
it before she took him into the kitchen, and
: the golden eggs. The giant, little thinking he
after he had done eating and drinking, she hid was so narrowly observed, reckoned it all up, and
him in an old lumber-closet. The giant returned then replaced it in the two bags, which he tied uji
at the usual time, and walked in so very carefully and put beside his chair, with his
heavily that the house was shaken to little dog to guard them. At last he fell asleep
its foundation. He seated himself as before, and snored so loud, that Jack compared
by the fire, and soon after exclaim- his noise to the roaring of the sea in a high wind,
ed: "Wife, I smell fresh meat
!
when the tide is coming in. At last Jack, con-
The wife replied it was the cluding all secure, stole out, in order to carry off
crows, which had brought a the two bags of money but just as he laid his
;
piece of raw meat, and left it hand upon one of them the little dog, which
at the top of the he had not perceived before, started from

house. While under the giant's chair and barked most furi-
supper was pre- ously. Instead of endeavoring to
paring, the escape. Jack stood still, though ex-
giant was very pecting his enemy to awake every
ill-tempered instant. Con-
and impatient, trary, howevei',
frequently lift- to his expecta-
ing up his hand tion, the giant
to strike his continued in a
wife for not sound sleep, and
being quick Jack, seeing a
enough. He piece of meat,
was also con- threw it to the
tin u ally up- dog, who at once
braiding her ceased barking,
with the loss of his wonderful hen. and began to
At last, having ended his supper, he cried, devour it. So
" Give me something to amuse me — my harp or Jack carried off the bags, one on each shoulder,
my monej'-bags." but they were so heavy that it took him two
"Which will you have, my dear?" said the whole days to descend the bean-stalk and get back
wife, humbly. to his mother's door.
" My money-bags, because they are the heaviest When he came he found the cottage deserted.
to carry," tliundered he. He ran from one room to another, without being
She brought them, staggering under the weight; able to find any one ; he then hastened into the
two bags —
one filled with new guineas, and the village, hoping to see some of the neighbors, who
other with shillingsnew
she emptied them out
; could inform him where he could find his mother.
on the and the giant began counting them
table, An old woman at last directed him to a neighbor-
in great glee. " Now you may go to bed, you ing house, where she was ill of a fever. He was
old fool." So the wife crept away. greatly shocked at finding her apparently dying,
Jack, from his hiding-place, watched the count- and blamed himself bitterly as the cause of it all.
However, at sight of her dear
son the poor woman revived, and
slowly recovered health. Jack
gave her his two money-bags
they had the cottage rebuilt and
well furnished, and lived happier
than they had ever done before.
For three years Jack talked no
more of the bean-stalk, but he
could not forget it, though he
feared making his mother un-
happy. It was in vain endeav-
oring to amuse himself he be- :
came thouglitful, and would arise

at the first dawn of day, and sit
looking at the bean-stalk for
hours together. His mother saw
that something preyed upon his
mind, and endeavored to discover
the cause but Jack knew too
;
well what the consequence would

be should she succeed. He did
his utmost, therefore, to conquer
the great desire he had for another journey up the
bean-stalk. Finding, however, that his inclination
grew too powerful for him, he began to make secret
preparations for his journey. He got ready a
new and more complete than the
disguise, better he searched all round the room.
former and when summer came, on the longest
; Whilst this was going forward
day he woke as soon as it was light, and, without Jack was exceedingly terrified,
telling his mother, ascended the bean-stalk. He wishing himself at home a thou-
found the road and journey much as on the two sand times but when the giant
;
former times. He arrived at the giant's mansion approached the copper, and put
in the evening, and found the wife standing, as his hand upon the lid. Jack
usual, at the door. Jack had disguised himself so thought his death was certain.
completely that she did not appear to have the least However, nothing happened for the giant did
;
recollection of him ; however, when he pleaded not take the trouble to lift up the lid, but sat
hunger and poverty, in order to gain admittance, down shortly and began to eat his
by the fireside,
he found it very difficult indeed to persuade her. enormous supper. When he had finished, he
At last he prevailed, and was concealed in the commanded his wife to fetch his harp. Jack
copper. When the giant returned, he said, furi- peeped under the copper-lid, and saw a most
ously, " I smell fresh meat
But Jack felt quite
!
" beautiful harp. The giant placed it on the table,
composed, as he had said so before, and had been said "Play " and it played of its own accord,
!
soon satisfied. However, the giant started up sud- without anybody touching it, the most exquisite
denly, and, notwithstanding all his wife could say, music imaginable. Jack, who was a very good
THE HISTORY OF VALENTINE AND ORSON. 127
musician, was delighted, and more anxious to get carry a man a long way. So, after leading the
this than any other enemy's treasures. But
of his giant a considerable race, he contrived to be first
the giant not being particularly fond of music, at the top of the bean-stalk, and then scrambled
the harp had only the effect of lulling him to sleep down it as fast as he could, the harp playing all
earlier than usual. As for the wife, she had gone the while the most melancholy music, till he said,
to bed as soon as ever she could. " Stop," and it stopped.
As soon as he thought all was safe. Jack got Arrived at the bottom, he found his mother sit-
out of tlie copper, and seizing the harp, was ting at her cottage-door, weeping silently.
eagerly running off with it. But the harp was " Here, mother, don't cry ;
just give me a
enchanted by a fairy, and as soon as it found itself hatchet; make haste." For he knew there was
in strange hands it called out loudly, just as if it not a moment to spare he saw the giant begin-
;
"
had been alive, " Master ! Master ! ning to descend the bean-stalk.
The giant awoke, started up, and saw Jack The giant was midway when Jack with his
scampering away as fast as his legs could carry hatchet cut the bean-stalk close off at the root
him. the monster fell headlong into the garden, and was
" O you villain you who have robbed me
! it is killed on the spot.
of my hen and my money-bags, and now you are Instantly the fairy appeared, and explained
stealing my harp also. Wait till I catch you, and everything to Jack's mother, begging her to for-
"
I '11 eat you up alive ! give Jack, who was his father's own son for
" Very well try " shouted Jack, who was not
; ! bravery and generosity, and who would be sure to
a bit afraid, for he saw the giant was so tipsy he make her happy for the rest of her days.
could hardly stand, much less run and he him- ; So all ended well, and nothing was ever more
self had young legs and a clear conscience, which heard or seen of the wonderful Bean-stalk.
THE HISTORY OF VALENTINE AND ORSON.

It stands upon record that Pepin, king of turn. King Pepin, being a-hnnting in the forest,
France, had a fair sister named Bellisant, who came to the tree where she had left the other babe,
was married to Alexander, the Emperor of Greece, and causing it to be taken up, sent it to a nurse,
and by him carried to his capital at Constantino- and when it grew up he called his name Valen-
ple from whence, after having lived with great
; tine. Blandiman at length came back and instead
virtue, she was banished through the means of a of finding his mistress, found her brother Pepin at
false accuser, whom she had severely checked for the tree, to whom all that had hap-
he declared
his imprudence. Although she was ill, yet was pened, and how was banished through
his sister
she compelled to leave her husband's empire, to the false suggestions of the arch-priest. But King
the great regret of the people, and went away at- Pepin, hearing this, believed the charge, and was
tended by a squire named Blandiman. greatly enraged against the Lady Bellisant, saying
After a long and fatiguing journey, she arrived the emperor ought to have put her to death. So
in the forest of Orleans, where, being very faint, leaving Blandiman, he returned with his nobles to
she dismissed her attendant for a nurse, but before Paris.
his returngave birth to two lovely children, one The Lady Bellisant, having followed the bear to
of which was carried off by a she-bear but she, ; no purpose, returned to the place where she had
wishing to save it, pursued on her hands and left the other babe but great was her sorrow
;
knees, leaving the other behind. Before her re- when Blandiman said he had seen her brother Pe-
pin, but could tell nothing of the child ; and hav- horse kicked him. The Wild Man feeling the
ing comforted her for the loss of it, they went to pain, was going to tearhim to pieces, which Val-
the seaside, took shipping, and arrived at the cas- entine seeing, made signs as if he would fight him,
tle of the great Feragus, in Portugal. and accordingly he leaped down and gave him a
All this -while the bear nourished the infant blow, but the Wild Man caught him by the arm
among her young ones, until at length it grew up and threw him to the ground then taking up ;
a wild, hairy man, doing great mischief to all that Valentine's shield, he beheld it with amaze, in re-
passed through the forest; in which we will leave spect to the colors thereon emblazoned. Valentine
him and return to the arch-priest, who continued being much bruised, got up and came to his brother
his ill-doing until he was impeached by a mer- in much anger, but Orson ran to a tree, and then
chant of having wrongfully accused the empress they engaged, but both being terribly wounded,
upon which they fought, and the merchant con- gave out by consent which Valentine sig-
; after
quering,made the priest confess all his treasons. nified to Orson that if he would yield to him he
The emperor wrote about it to the King of France would order matters so as he should become a ra-
and the arch-priest was hanged. tional creature.
Now was Valentine grown a lusty young man, Orson, thinking meant no harm,
that he
and by the king was greatly beloved, as if he had stretched forth his hands to himupon which he ;
been his own child he commanded him to be

; bound him and then led him to Paris, where he
taught the use of arms, in which he soon became presented him to King Pepin, who had the Wild
so expert that few in the court dared to encounter Man baptized by the name of Orson, from his be-
him, which made Hufray and Henry, the king's ing taken in a wood. Orson's actions, during their
sons, exceedingly envy him. At this juncture stay there, very much amused the whole court, so
great complaints were made against the Wild Man, that at length the Duke of Acquitain sent letters
from whom no knight who had encountered him importing that whoever should overcome the Green
had escaped with his life, which made the king Knight, a fiei'ce Pagan champion, should have his
promise a thousand marks to anj' one who should daughter Fazon in marriage. Upon which Valen-
bring him dead or alive, which offer none dared tine set out for that province, attended by his
to accept. Hufray and Henry desired King Pepin brother Orson, by which means he came to the
to send Valentine, with a view of getting rid of so knowledge of his parents, as we shall find here-
powerful a rival in the king's favor ; but his maj- after.
esty, seeing their malice, was very angry, telling After a long journey, Valentine and Orson ar-
them he had rather lose the best baron in the land. rived at Duke Savary's palace in Acquitain, and
However, Valentine desired leave of his majesty making known the reasons that bi-ought them
to go to the forest, resolving either to conquer the there, were presented to Fazon, to whom Valen-
Wild Man or die in the attempt. Accordingly, tine thus addressed himself " Sweet creature
: !
having furnished himself with a good horse and King Pepin has sent me hither to fight the Green
arms, he set forward on his journey, and after hard Knight, and with me the bravest knight in all his
traveling he arrived in the forest. In the evening realm, who, though he is dumb and naked, is en-
he tied his horse to a large spreading oak, and got dued with such valor that no knight under the sun
up into a tree himself for security, where he rested is able to cope with him."
that night. During this speech she viewed Orson narrowly
Next morning he beheld the Wild Man travers- and he her but supper coming in, interrupted
;
ing the forest in search of his prey ; at length he them, and they sat down to eat. W^hilst they
came to the tree where Valentine's hoi'se stood, were in the midst of their feasting, the Green
from whom he pulled many hairs, upon which the Knight entered, saying, —
" Noble Duke of Acquitain, hast thou any more to be kept by Clerimond, sister to Feragus and
"
knights to cope with me for thy daughter ? the Green Knight; and having demanded entrance
"Yea," replied the duke, "I have seventeen," were refused it by the sentinel, which provoked
and so he showed them to him. The Green Valentine to that degree that he drew sword
Knight then said to them :
— against him with such fury as to make the sentinel
" Eat your fill, for to-morrow will be your fall dead at his feet.
last." The Lady Clerimond beheld all this dispute,
Orson, heariag what he had said, was much in- and, seeing them brave knights, received them
censed against him, and suddenly rising from the courteously. Valentine having presented tokens
table, threw the Green Knight with such force from the Green Knight, told her he came there
against the wall as laid him dead for some time, for the love of her, and to discourse with the all-
which very much pleased the vphole company. knowing Head of Brass concerning their parents.
Next daj', many knights went to fight the Green After dinner the Lady Clerimond took them by
Knight, but he overcame and slew them all, until the hand, and led them to the Chamber of Varie-
at last Orson, being armed in Valentine's armor, ties, where the Head was placed between four
came to the Green Knight's pavilion, and defying pillars of pure jasper. When they entered the
him, they began the most desperate combat that chamber the Head made the following speech to
ever was heard of, and the Green Knight made Valentine :
—
so great a stroke at him, as cut off the top of his " Thou famous knight of royal extract art called
helmet, and half his shield, wounding him much. Valentine the Valiant, who of right ought to marry
But this served only to enrage the valiant Orson, the Lady Clerimond. Thou art son to the Em-
who, coming to him on foot, took hold of him, peror of Greece and the Empress Bellisant who is
and pulling him from his horse, got astride him, now Feragus in Portugal, vphere
in the castle of
and was just going to kill him, when he was pre- she has resided for twenty years. King Pepin is
vented by Valentine, who interceded with Orson thy uncle, and the Wild Man thy brother. The
to spare his life, on condition of his turning Empress Bellisant brought ye two forth in the
Christian, and he acquainted King Pepin how he forest of Orleans ; he was taken away by a raven-
was conquered. ous bear; and thou wast taken up by thy uncle
The Green Knight having promised to perform Pepin, who brought thee up to man's estate.
all that was desired, they led him a prisoner to Moreover, I likewise tell thee that thy brotlier
the city of Acquitain, and the duke received them shall never speak until thou cuttest the thread
with great joy, and offered the Lady Fazon to that groweth under his tongue."
Orson; but he would not marry her till his brother The Brazen Head having ended his speech,
had won the Green Knight's sister. Lady Cleri- Valentine embraced Orson, and cut the thread
mond, nor till they had talked with the enchanted which grew under his tongue, when he directly
Head of Brass, to know his parents, and get the related many surprising things. After which Val-
proper use of his tongue. When the lady knew entine married the Lady Clerimond, but not be-
this she was very sorrowful, because she loved fore she had turned a Christian.
Orson, and was resolved to marry none but him In this castle there lived a dwarf, named Paco-
who had nobly conquered the Green Knight. let, who was an enchanter, and by his art had
Valentine and Orson having taken leave of the contrived a horse of wood, and in the forehead a
Duke of Acquitain and his daughter Fazon, pro- fixed pin, by turning which one could convey
of
ceeded on their journey in search of the Lady one's self to the farthest part of the world. This
Clerimond, and at last came to a tower of bur- enchanter flew to Portugal and informed Feragus
nished brass ; which upon inquiry they discovered of his sister's nuptials, and of her turning Chris-
IT
tian, which so enraged him that he swore by Ma- and tournaments were performed for many days,
homet he would make her rue it, and therefore but Valentine carried off the prize, overthrowing
got ready his fleet and sailed toward the castle of at least a hundred brave knights.
Clerimond, where, when he arrived, he concealed Feragus, to be revenged on them, assembled an
and
his malice from his sister, also the two knights, army, marched against the city of Acquitain, and
telling them that he came to fetch them into laid close siege to with a vast army of Saracens.
it,
Poi-tugal, the better to solemnize their marriage, When Duke Savary perceived it, he resolved to
and he would turn Christian on their arrival at give them battle the very next morning, and ac-
which they believed, and soon after
his castle, all cordingly he sallied forth with all his foi-ces, but
embarked with hi)n. When he had got them on venturing too far, he was taken by the Saracens,
board he ordered them to be put in irons, which and carried to Feragus's tent.
so much grieved his sister Clerimond that she Now Orson was resolved to set him free or lose
would have thrown herself into the sea, had she his life so putting on the armor of a dead Sara-
;
not been stopped. cen, he called Pacolet, and went through the enemy
When they were come to Portugal he put Val- without being molested, until they arrived at the
entine and Orson into a dungeon, and fed them tent where the duke was confined which done,;
with bread and water, but allowed his sister Cleri- they gave him a horse and a road to the Christian
mond the liberty of the castle, where she met the army on their return, a general shout was made
;
Empress Bellisant, wlio bad been confined twenty bj' all the ai-my, " Long live the Duke of Acqui-
years in the castle of Feragus. She seeing her so tain," which so dismayed tlie Saracens that they
full of grief, consoled her, inquiring the reason, fled away in confusion, and the Christians pur-
which she told her. sued them, till the night obliged them to give
The empress was mightily grieved, but Pacolet over.
comforted them, saying that he would release Soon after the victory, Valentine, Orson, the
them all that evening, which he accordingly did Ladies Bellisant, Clerimond, and Fazon, after they
in the following manner. In the dead of the night had taken leave of Didie Savaiy and his nobles,
he went to the dungeon where lay Valentine and set out for Constantinople to see the emperor,
Orson bound in chains, and touching the doors and were received with great joy.
with his magic wand, they flew open, and coming At length the emperor set out from Constan-
to the knights he released them and conducted tinople, after taking leave of his family, to visit
them to the apartment where Bellisant and Cleri- a strong castle he had in Spain. While he was
mond were, who were exceedingly transported absent Brandifer, brother to Feragus, invaded the
but Pacolet hindered them from discoursing lone empire with a very great army, and finally be-
by telling them that they must depart before the sieged Constantinople, where lay Valentine and
guards of Feragus awaked, which would put a Orson, the Green Knight, and all the ladies. Val-
stop to his proceedings. So Pacolet led them out entine, seeing the condition they all were in, re-
of the castleand having prepared a ship, he con- solved to give Brandifer battle, and thereupon di-
veyed them to Lady Fazon, at the city of Acqui- vided his army into ten battalions commanded by
tain. The next morning when Feragus heard of ten knights, and sallying out of the city began the
their escape he was enraged to the highest de- fight with the Saracens, who drew up in readiness
gree. to receive them.
The knights and ladies being out of danger In the mean time the emperor, who was at sea,
soon arrived at Acquitain, to the great joy of returned homeward, and in his way he met a fleet
Lady Fazon, who was soon after married to Orson going to the assistance of Brandifer, which bore
with great solemnity, upon which occasion tilts upon him with full sail ; whereupon, exhorting his
companions to behave like men, tliey made ready upon which it was concluded that Valentine and
to receive tliera,and after a most bloody and ob- Orson should govern the empire by turns, with
stinate battle the emperor got the victory, having their wives, the Ladies Fazon and Clerimond,
slain many of the Pagans and dispersed their whose brother, the Green Knight, was crowned
ships. King of the Green Mountain, the people of which
After this victory the emperor commanded his were much delighted to have so brave a warrior
men to put on the arms of the vanquished, as he for their king.
did himself, thfnking thereby the better to fall on Now Valentine being greatly vexed in mind for
the besiegers his enemies, but the stratagem proved the death of his father, whom he had killed out of
most fatal to him, as we shall hereafter find. a mistake, resolved to make a pilgrimage to the
All this while the Christians and Valentine Holy Sepulchre and thereupon taking leave of
;
braveljr encountered Brandifer and his men be- his wife Clerimond, and giving the government of
fore the walls of Constantinople, sometimes gain- the empire unto his brother, he departed, to the
ing, and sometimes losing, ground ; but at length great sorrow of all, particularly his brother Orson
Valentine came to the standard of Bi'andifer, and the fair Clerimond. After seven years' ab-
whei-e an Indian king ran upon him with great sence he returned, dressed like a poor jjalmer, beg-
force, but Valentine, avoiding him, struck him ging victuals at the gate of his own palace ; and
with such fury as cleft him down the middle. On at length being sick and about to die, he called
the other hand Orson and the Green Knight were for Clerimond and made himself known to her, at
not idle, but with their brandished swords cut which she was readj^ to give up the ghost.
themselves a passage quite through the Pagan At last, having recommended her to his broth-
army, destroying all that opposed them. er's care, and the empress, his dear mother, and
Soon after,news came that a mighty fleet of asking a blessing of them, he turned on one side
Saracens was entering the harbor whereupon ; and breathed out his noble soul from his illustri-
Valentine judged it was necessary to go thither ous body, to the gi'eat grief of all the valiant
and opiDose their landing, but it proved fatal; for knights of Christendom, to whom he had been a
in this fleet was the emperor, his father, whom, most noble example and a generous reliever.
being clad in Saracen armor, Valentine by mis- Clerimond never would espouse any one, but be-
take ran quite through the body with his spear ;
took her to a single life, always lamenting the loss
which when he knew, he would have killed him- of her beloved husband.
self, had not his brother and the Green Knight After his death, Orson governed the empire
prevented him but getting a horse, with an in-
; with great wisdom and justice for seven years, till
tent to lose his life, he rushed into the midst of the at length, seeing the fragile state of human affairs,
enemy, till he came to the giant Brandifer, who he gave the charge of his empire, wife, and chil-
when he saw Valentine encountered him so dren to the Green Knight, and then, turning her-
fiercely that both fell to the ground but Valen- ; mit, he became once more a voluntary dweller in
tine recovering gave him a stab, which sent him the forests and woods, where, after living to a
after his false prophet Mahomet. great age, this magnanimous and invincible hero
The Pagans, seeing their king dead, threw down surrendered up his body unto never-sparing death,
their arms and ran, and the Christians pursued and his soul to the immortal God, of whose attri-
them with a mighty slaughter. At last, the pur- bute it had a true resemblance.
suit being ovei', they returned to Constantinople,
Thus, reader, you may see that none withstand,
and Orson acquainted the empress with the death
Though great iu valor, or in vast command,
of his father, but concealed by whom it was done, The mighty force of death's all conquering hand.
CLEVER ALICE.
Once upon a time there was a man who had a for the beer, but as Clever Alice did not come, her
daughter, who was called " Clever Alice ;
" and mother told the maid to go and see what she was
when she was grown up her father said, "We stopping for. The maid went down into the cel-
must see about her marrying." lar, and found Alice sitting before the cask crying
" Yes," replied her mother, " whenever a young heartily, and she asked, " Alice, what are you
"
man shall appear who is worthy of her." weeping about ?
At last a certain youth, by name Hans, came " Ah," she replied, " have I not cause ? If I
from a distance to make a proposal of marriage ;
marry Hans, and we have a child, and he grows
but he required one condition, that the Clever up, and we send him here to draw beer, that
Alice should be very prudent. hatchet will fall upon his head and kill him."
" said her father, " no fear of that ! she
Oh," " Oh," said the maid, " what a clever Alice we
has got a head full of brains ; " and the mother have " And, sitting down, she began to weep,
!
added, " Ah, she can see the wind blow up the too, for the misfortune that was to happen.
"
and hear the flies cough
street, ! After a while, when the servant did not return,
" Very well," replied Hans " but remember,
; if the good folks above began to feel very thirsty ; so
she is not very prudent I will not take her." the husband told the boy to go down into the cel-
Soon afterwards they sat down to dinner, and her lar,and see what had become of Alice and the
mother said, " Alice, go down into the cellar and maid. The boy went down, and there sat Clever
draw some beer." Alice and the maid both crying, so he asked the
So Clever Alice took the jug down from the reason and Alice told him the same tale, of the
;
wall, and went into the cellar, jerking the lid up hatchet that was to fall on her child, if she mar-
and down on her way, to pass away the time. As ried Hans, and if they had a child. When she
soon as she got down-stairs, she drew a stool and had finished, the boy exclaimed, " What a clever
plaped it before the cask, in order that she might Alice we have " and fell weeping and howling
!
not have to stoop, for she thought stooping might with the others.
in some way injui'e her back, and give it an un- Up-stairs they were still waiting, and the hus-
desirable bend. Then she placed the can before band said, when the boy did not return, " Do you
her and turned the tap, and while the beer was go down, wife, into the cellar and see why Alice
running, as she did not wish her eyes to be idle, stays so long." So she went down, and finding all
she looked about upon the wall above and be- three sitting there crying, asked the reason, and
low. Alice told her about the hatchet which must inevi-
Presently she perceived, after much peeping tably fall upon the head of her son. Then the
into this cornerand that corner, a hatchet, which mother likewise exclaimed, " Oh, what a clever
the bricklayers had left behind, sticking out of Alice we have " and, sitting down, began to weep
!
the ceiling right above her head. the sight of At as much as any of the rest.
this Clever Alice began to cry, saying, " Oh if I ! Meanwhile the husband waited for his wife's re-
marry Hans, and we have a child, and he grows turn but at last he felt so very thirsty that he
;
up, and we send him into the cellar to draw beer, said, "I must go myself down into the cellar and
"
the hatchet will fall upon his head and kill him ; see what is keeping our Alice." As soon as he
and so she sat there weeping with all her might entered the cellar, there he found the four sitting
over the impending misfortune. and crying together, and when he heard the rea-
Meanwhile the good folks up-stairs were waiting son, he also exclaimed, " Oh, what a clever Alice
CLEVER ALICE. 133
we have !
" and sat down to cry with the whole Meanwhile Hans returned home, but Alice did
strength of his lungs. not come, and so he said, " Oh, what a prudent
All this time the bridegroom above sat waiting, Alice I have ! She is so industrious that she does
but when nobody returned, he thought they must not even come home to eat anything." By and
be waitins for him, and so he went down to see by, however, evening came on, and still she did
what was the matter. When he entered, there not return so Hans went out to see how much
;
sat the five crying and groaning, each one in a she had reaped but, behold, nothing at all, and
;
louder key thai5 his neighbor. there lay Alice fast asleep among the corn So !
" What misfortune has happened ? " he asked. home he ran very and brought a net with
fast,
" Ah, dear Hans " cried Alice, " if you and
! I little bells which he threw over her
hanging on it,
should marry one another, and have a child, and head while she still slept on. When he had done
he should grow up, and we, perhaps, send him this, he went back again and shut the house-door,
down to this cellar to tap the beer, the hatchet and, seating himself on his stool, began working
which has been left sticking up there may fall on êvy industriously.
his head, and so kill him ; and do you not think At last, when it was nearly dark, the Clever
"
this is enough to weep about ? Alice awoke, and as soon as she stood up, the net
" Now," said Hans, " more prudence than this fell all over her hair, and the bells jingled at every
is not necessary for my housekeeping ; because you step she took. This quite frightened her, and
are such a clever Alice, I will have you for my she began to doubt whether she were really Clever
wife." And, taking her hand, he led her home, Alice, and said to herself, " Am I she, or am I
and celebrated the wedding directly. not ? " This was a question she could not answer,
After they had been married a little while, and she stood still a long while considering about
Hans said one morning, " Wife, I will go out to it. At last she thought she would go home and
work and earn some money do you go into the ; ask whether she were really herself — supposing
field and gather some corn wherewith to make somebody would be able to tell her. When she
bread." came to the house-door it was shut so she tapped ;
" Yes," she answered, " I will do so, dear Hans." at the window, and asked, " Hans, is Alice with-
And when he was gone, she cooked herself a nice in ? " " Yes," he replied, " she is." At which an-
mess of pottage to take with her. As she came swer she became really terrified, and exclaiming,
to the field she said to herself, " What shall I do ? " Ah, heaven, then I am not Aiice " she ran up !
"
Shall I cut first, or eat first ? Ay, I will eat first ! to another house, intending to ask the same ques-
Then she ate up the contents of her pot, and when tion. But as soon as the folks within heard the
it was finished she thought to herself, " Now, jingling of the bells in her net, they refused to
shall I reap first or sleep first ? Well, I think I open their doors, and nobody would receive her.
will have a nap " and so she laid herself down
! So she ran straight away from the village, and no
amongst the corn, and went to sleep. one has ever seen her since.
THE BOOK OF STORIES IN VERSE.
THE CHILDREN IN THE WOOD. The other, a girl more young than he.
And framed in beauty's mold.
Now ponder well, you parents dear, The father left his little son,
These words which I shall write ; As plainly doth appear.
When he to perfect age should come.
Three hundred pounds a year.
And to his little daughter Jane,

Five hundred pounds in gold,
To be paid down on her marriage-day.
Which might not be controlled
A doleful story you shall hear,
:
But if the children chanced to die

In time brought forth to light.
Ere they to age should come,
A gentleman of good account
Their uncle should possess their wealth
In Norfolk dwelt of late,
For so the will did run.
Who did in honor far surmount
Most men of his estate.
" Now, brother," said the dying man,
Look to my children dear
''
;
Be good unto my boy and girl.

No friends else have they here
To God and you I recommend
My children dear this day ;
But little while be sure we have

Within this world to stay.
Sore sick he was, and like to die.
No help his " You must be father and mother both,
life could save ;
His wife by him as sick did lie, And uncle all in one ;
And both possessed one grave. God knows what will become of them,
When I am dead and gone."
With that bespake their mother dear,
" O brother kind," quoth she,
" You are the man must bring our babes
To wealth or misery.
No love between these two was lost.
Each was to other kind ;

" And if you keep them carefully.
In love they lived, in love they died. Then God will you reward ;
And left two babes behind. But if you otherwise should deal,
God will your deeds regard."

The one, a fine and pretty boy. With lips as cold as any stone,
Not passing three years old ; They kissed their children small
135
WOOD.
THE CHILDREN IN THE
an artful tale
He told his wife
He would the children send
London,
To be brought up in fair
was his friend.
With one that
Away then went those pretty babes,

Rejoicing at that tide,
Rejoicing with a merry mind.
They should on cock-horse ride.
They prate and prattle pleasantly.
As they rode on the way.
butchers be,
To those that should their
work lives' decay.
And their
they had,
So that the pretty speech
Made murder's heart relent
And they that undertook the deed
Full sore did now repent.
of heart,
Yet one of them, more hard
Did vow to do his charge.
hired him
Because the wretch that
"God bless you both, my chiklren
him very large.
" Had paid
dear ;
"With that their tears did

fall.
The other won't agree thereto.
strife
So here they fall to
their brother
These speeches then one another they did fight
With
spake children's life
About the
To this sick couple there mood.
:
And he that was of mildest

of your little ones,
••
The keeping Did slay the other there.
Sweet sister, do not fear. wood
Within an unfrequented
:
God never prosper me nor mine, The babes did quake for fear
Nor aught else that I have,

wrong your children dear
If I do He took the children by the
hand,
When you are laid in grave." Tears standing in their eye,
follow him,
And bade them straightway
The parents being dead and gone, And look they did not cry ;
The children home he takes, And two long miles he led

them on,
And them straight unto his house,

brings
While they for food complain
:
Where much of them he makes. " Stay here," quoth he, " I 'U bring you
bread.
He had not kept these pretty babes back again."

When I come
A twelvemonth and a day,
devise
But, for their wealth, he did hand in hand.
These pretty babes, with
To make them both away.
Went wandering up and down ;
man
But never more could see the
He bargained with two ruffians strong
Approaching from the town :
Which were of furious mood. ^
young Their pretty lips with blackberries

That they should take these children
Were all besmeared and dyed.
And slay them in a wood.
136 THE BOOK OF STORIES IN VERSE.
And wlien they saw the darksome uight,
MARY'S LAMB.
They sat them down and cried.
Mary had a little lamb.

Thus wandered these poor innocents was white as snow
Its fleece ;
Till death did end their grief, And everywhere that Mary went.
In one another's arms they died, The lamb was sure to go.
As wanting due relief:
No burial this pretty pair He followed her to school one day, —
Of any man receives. That was against the rule ;
Till Robin Redbreast piously It made the children laugh and play.
Did cover them with leaves. To see a lamb at school.
And now the heavy wrath of God So the teacher turned him out,
Upon their uncle fell ; But still he lingered near,
Yea, fearful fiends did haunt his house, And waited patiently about.
His conscience felt an hell Till Mary did appear.
His barns were fired, his goods consumed,
His lands were barren made, Then he ran to her, and laid
His cattle died within the field. His head upon her arm,
And nothing with him stayed. As if he said, " I 'm not afraid, —
You '11 keep me from all harm."
And in the voyage to Portugal
"
Two of his sons did die ;
" What makes the lamb love Mary so ?
And, to conclude, himself was brought The eager children cry.

To want and misery. "Oh, Mary loves the lamb, you know,"
He pawned and mortgaged all his land The teacher did reply.
Ere seven years came about. Mrs. Hale.
And now at length this wicked act
Did bj' this means come out
THE SPIDER AND HIS WIFE.
The fellow that did take in hand
These children for to kill. In a little dark crack, half a yard from the ground.
Was for a robbery judged to die. An honest old spider resided:
Such was God's blessed will. So pleasant and snug, and convenient 'twas found.
Who did confess the very truth. That his friends came to see it for many miles round
As here hath been displayed : It seemed for his pleasure provided.
Their uncle having died in gaol.
Where he for debt was laid. Of the cares, and fatigues, and distresses of life,
This spider was thoroughly tired :
You that executors be made. So leaving those scenes of contention and strife,
And overseers eke (His children all settled) he came with his wife.
Of children that be fatherless, To live in this cranny retired.
And infants mild and meek

Take you example by this thing, He thought that the little his wife would consume,
And yield to each his right, 'T would be easy for him to provide her.
Lest God with such like misery Forgetting he lived in a gentleman's room.
Y''our wicked minds requite. Where came every morning a maid and a broom,
Old Ballad. Those pitiless foes to a spider.
THE NOTORIOUS GLUTTON. 137
For when (as sometimes it would chance to befall) And, high iu repute with his feathery friends.
Just when his neat web was completed, Was called Doctor Drake ; — for this doctor she sends.
Brush —
came the great broom down the side of the
wall, In a hole of the dunghill was Doctor Drake's shop.

And perhaps carried with it, web, spider, and all, Where he kept a few simples for curing the crop ;
He thought himself cruelly treated. Some gravel and pebbles, to help the digestion.
And certain famed plants of the doctor's selection.
One day, when their cupboard was empty and dry,

His wife (Mrs. Hairy-leg Spinner) So, taking a handful of comical things,
Said to him, " Dear, go to the cobweb and try, And brushing his topple and pluming his wings,
If you can't find the leg or the wing of a fly, And putting his feathers in apple-pie order.
As a bit of a relish for dinner." Set out, to prescribe for the lady's disorder.
Directly he went, his long search to resume,

" Dear sir," said the duck, with a delicate quack.
(For nothing he ever denied her) Just turning a little way round on her back,
Alas ! little guessing his terrible doom ;

And leaning her head on a stone iu the yard,
Just then came the gentleman into his room, " My case, Doctor Drake, is exceedingly hard.
And saw the unfortunate spider.
"I feel so distended with wind, and opprest.
So, while the poor fellow, in search of his pelf. So squeamish and faint —
such a load at my chest;
In the cobwebs continued to linger, And, day after day, I assure you it is hard
The gentleman reached a long cane from the shelf To suffer with patience these pains in my gizzard."
(^For certain good reasons best knoivn to himself
Preferring his stick to his finger) — " Give me leave," said the doctor, with medical look,
As her flabby cold paw in his fingers he took ;
Then presently poking him down to the floor, "By the feel of your pulse — your complaint, I 've been
(Not stopping at all to consider) thinking
With one horrid crush the whole business was o'er, Is caused by your habit of eating and drinking."
The poor little spider was heard of no more,
To the lasting distress of his widow " Oh no, sir, believe me," the lady replied
Jane Taylor. (Alarmed for her stomach as well as her pride),
"I am sure it arises from nothing I eat.
For I rather suspect I got wet in my feet.
THE NOTORIOUS GLUTTON.

" I 've only been raking a bit in the gutter.
A DOCK, who had got such a habit of stuffing, Where the cook had been pouring some cold melted
That all the day long she was panting and puffing; butter ;
And by every creature, who did her great crop see, And a slice of green cabbage, and scraps of cold
Was thought to be galloping fast for a dropsy meat,
Just a trifle or two, that I thought I could eat."
One day, after eating a plentiful dinner.
With full twice as much as there should have been in The doctor was just to his business proceeding,
her, By gentle emetics, a blister, and bleeding.
While up to her eyes in the gutter a roking, When all on a sudden she rolled on her side.
Was greatly alarmed by the symptoms of choking. Gave a horrible quackle, a struggle, and died
Now there was an old fellow, much famed for discerning Her remains were interred in a neighboring swamp
(A drake, who had taken a liking for learning),^ By her friends, with a great deal of funeral pomp
18
But I 've heard this inscription her tombstone was put Nor once did she lack to continue her clack,
on, Till again she laid down on her pillow.
"Here lies Mrs. Dock, the notorious glutton:"

And all the young ducklings are brought by their You '11 thiuk now, perhaps, there would have been gaps,
friends, If she had n't been wonderful clever
To learn the disgrace in which gluttony ends. . That her sense was so great, and so witty her pate
Jane Taylor. That it would be forthcoming forever.
But that 's quite absurd, for have you not heard,
DIRTY JACK. Much tongue and few brains are connected,
That they are supposed to think least who talk most.
There was one little Jack, not very long back, And their wisdom is always susj)ected ?
And 't is said to his lasting disgrace,
That he never was seen with his hands at all clean. While Lucj' was young, had she bridled her tongue
Nor yet ever clean was his face. With a little good sense and exertion.
Who knows but she might have been our delight.
His friends were much hurt to see so much dirt, Instead of our jest and aversion ?
And often and well did they scour Jane Taylor.

But allwas in vain, he was dirty again
Before they had done it an hour.
When to wash he was sent, he reluctantly went, MEDDLESOME MATTY.

With water to splash himself o'er,
But he left the black streaks all over his cheeks, On, how one ugly trick has spoiled
And made them look worse than before. The sweetest and the best
Matilda, though a pleasant child.
The pigs in the dirt could n't be more expert One ugly trick possest.
Than he was, at grubbing about Which, like a cloud before the skies,
And the people have thought, this gentleman ought Hid all her better qualities.
To be made with four legs and a snout.
Sometimes she'd lift the tea-pot lid,
The idle and bad may, like to this lad, To peep at what was in it
Be dirty and black, to be sure. Or tilt the kettle, if you did
But good boys are seen to be decent and clean, But turn your back a minute.
Although they are ever so poor. In vain you told her not to touch,
Jane Taylor. Her trick of meddling grew so much.
Her grandmamma went out one day.

And by mistake she laid
THE CHATTERBOX. Her spectacles and snuff-box gay
Too near the little maid :
From morning to night 't was Lucy's delight Ah, well thought she, I '11 try them
! on,
To chatter and talk without stopping As soon as grandmamma is gone.
There was not a day but she rattled away.
Like water forever a dropping ! Forthwith she placed upon her nose
The glasses large and wide
As soon as she rose, while she put on her clothes, And looking round, as I suppose,
'T was vain to endeavor to still her The snufF-box too she spied.
139
NEVER PLAT WITH FIRE.
So onward tript the little maid,

Oh, what a pretty box is this !
And left the pin behind,

I '11 opeu it, said little miss.
Which very snug and quiet laid,
grandmamma would say, To its hard fate resigned ;
I know that
dear Nor did she think (a careless chit)
Don't meddle with it, !
far enough away, 'T was worth her while to stoop for it.
But then, she 's
And no one else is near

Next day a party was to ride
Besides, wîat can there be amiss
To see an air balloon ;
In opening such a box as this ?
And all the company beside
went to work Were dressed and ready soon ;
So thumb and finger
the stubborn
But she a woeful case was in.
To move lid ;
presently a mighty jerk

For want of just a single pin !
And
The mighty mischief did ;
once, ah woeful case

In vain her eager eye she brings
For, all at !
came puffing in her face.

To every darksome crack.
The suuiF
There was not one and all her things !
Were dropping off her back.

Poor eyes, and nose, and mouth, and chin,
She cut her pincushion in two,
A dismal sight presented ;
And, as the snuff got farther in.

But no not one had slidden through.
!
Sincerely she repented.

At last, as hunting ou the floor
In vain she ran about for ease.
Over a crack she lay.
She could do nothing else but sneeze !
The carriage rattled to the door,
spectacles away Then rattled fast away ;

She dashed the
her tingling eyes But poor Eliza was not in,
To wipe
And as in twenty bits they lay.
;
For want of just a single — pin.
Her grandmamma she spies.

There's hardly anything so small,
Heyday and what 's the matter now ?
!
So trifling, or so mean.
Cried grandmamma, with lifted brow.
That we may never want at all.
For service unforeseen ;
Matilda, smarting with the pain.

And tingling still, and sore, And willful waste, depend upon 't.
Is, almost always, willful want

Made many a promise to refrain Jane Taylor.
From meddling evermore
And 't is a fact, as I have heard.
She ever since has kept her word.
Jane Tatlob. NEVER PLAY AVITH FIRE.
Mt prayers I said, I went to bed,

And soon I fell asleep :
THE PIN.
woke, my sleep was broke,
But soon I
Dear me ! what signifies a pin, I through my curtain peep.
Wedged in a rotten board ?

I heard a noise of men and boys.
I 'm certain that I won't begin.
The watchman's rattle too
At ten years old, to hoard
I never will be called a miser.
!
And FIRE they cried and — then cried I,
Oh dear what shall!I do ?

That I 'm determined, said Eliza.
A shout so loud came from the crowd Now standing tail upwards, now diving below ;
Around, above, below She thought of all things she should like to do so.
And in the street the neighbors meet,
Who would the matter know. So this foolish chicken began to declare,
" I 've really a great mind to venture in there
Now down the stairs run threes and pairs My mother 's oft told me I must not go nigh,
Enough to break their bones ;
But really, for my part, I cauuot tell why.
The firemen swear, the engines tear

And thunder o'er the stones. " Ducks have feathers and wings, and so have I too,
—
And my feet what 's the reason that they will not do ?
The roof and wall, and stair and all, Though my beak is pointed, and their beaks are round.
And rafters tumble iu ;
Is that any reason that I should be drowued ?
Red flames and blaze now all amaze,

And make a dreadful din !
" So why should not I swim as well as a duck ?
Suppose that I venture and e'en try my luck ?
And horrid screams, when bricks and beams For," said she, spite of all that her mother had taught
Come tumbling on their heads ;
her,
And some are smashed, and some are crashed ;
" 1 'm really remarkably fond of the water."
Some leap on feather beds.
So in this poor ignorant animal flew,
Some burn, some choke with fire and smoke ! And found that her dear mother's cautions were true
And oh, what was the cause ? She splashed, and she dashed, and she turned herself
My heart's dismayed, last night I played round.
With Tommy, lighting straws ! And heartily wished herself safe on the ground.
Adelaide Taylor.
But now 't was too late to begin to repent.
The harder she struggled the deeper she went
And when every effort she vainly had tried,
THE POND. She slowly sank down to the bottom and died !
There was a round pond, and a pretty pond too. The ducks, I perceived, began loudly to quack,
About it white daisies and buttercups grew, When they saw the poor fowl floating dead on its back ;
And dark weeping willows, that stooped to the ground. And by their grave looks, it was very apparent,
Dipped iu their long branches and shaded it round. They discoursed on the sin of not minding a parent.
Jane Taylor.
A party of ducks to this pond would repair,
To feast on the green water-weeds that grew there ;
Indeed the assembly would frequently meet THE COW AND THE ASS.
To talk o'er affairs in this pleasant retreat.
Hard by a green meadow a stream used to flow.
Now the subjects, on which they were wont to con- So clear, one might see the white pebbles below ;
verse, To this cooling stream the warm cattle would stray.
I'm sorry I cannot include in my verse ;

To stand in the shade ou a hot summer's day.
For though I 've oft listened in hopes of discerning,
I own 't is a matter that baffles my learning. A cow, quite oppressed with the heat of the sun.
Came here to refresh, as she often had done
One day a young chicken, who lived thereabout, And standing stock still, leaning over the stream.
Stood watching to see the ducks pass in and out Was musing, perhaps, or perhaps she might dream.
NOSE AND EYES. 141
But soon a brown ass, of respectable look, " That you 're of great service to them is quite true,
Came trotting up also to taste of the brook, But surely they are of some service to you ;
And to nibble a few of the daisies and grass 'T is their nice green pasture in which you regale.
"
" How d' ye do ? " said the cow ;
" How d' ye do ? They feed you in winter when grass and weeds fail.
said the ass. e

'T is under their shelter you snugly repose.
" Take waving her hand
a seat," cried the cow, gently ; When without it, dear ma'am, you perhaps might be
" By no means, dear madam," said he, " while you froze.
stand ;
For my part, I know, I receive much from man,
Then stooping to drink, with a complaisant bow, And for him, in return, I do all that I can."
" Ma'am, your health," said the ass ;
" thaak you, sir,"
said the cow. The cow upon this cast her eye on the grass,
Not pleased at thus being reproved by an ass ;
"When a few of these compliments more had been past. Yet, thought she, " I 'm determined I '11 benefit by 't,
They laid themselves down on the herbage at last For I really believe the fellow is right."
And, waiting politely, as gentlemen must. Jane Taylor.
The ass held his tongue, that the cow might speak first.
Then with a deep sigh, she directly began, NOSE AND EYES.
" Don't you think, Mr. Ass, we 're injured by man ?
'T is a subject that lays with a weight on my mind : Between Nose and Eyes a strange contest arose ;
"We certainly are much ojspressed by mankind. The spectacles set them unhap[)ily wrong
The point in dispute was, as all the world knows.
" Now what is the reason (I see none at all) To which the said spectacles ought to belong.
That I always must go when Suke chooses to call ;
Whatever I 'm doing ('t is certainly hard) So the Tongue was the lawyer, and argued the cause
At once I must go to be milked in the yard. With a great deal of skill, and a wig full of learn-
ing ;
" I 've no will of my own, but must do as they please. While Chief-justice Ear sat to balance the laws.
And give them my milk to make butter and cheese So famed for his talent in nicely discerning.
I 've often a vast iiind to knock down the pail,
Or give Suke a box on the ear with my tail." " In behalf of the Nose, it will quickly appear.
And your lordship," he said, " will undoubtedly

" But, ma'am," said the ass, " not presuming to teach — find.
Oh dear, I beg pardon — pray finish your speech ; That the Nose has had spectacles always in wear, —
I thought you had done, ma'am, indeed," said the Which amounts to possession time out of mind."
swain,
" Go on, and I '11 not interrupt you again." Then holding the spectacles up to the court, —
Your lordship observes they are made with
''
a
" Why, sir, I was only a going to observe, straddle
I 'm resolved that these tyrants no longer I '11 serve : As wide as the ridge of the Nose is ; in short,
But leave them forever to do as they please, Designed to sit close to it, just like a sadtUe.
And look somewhere else for their butter and cheese."
" Again, would your lordship a moment suppose
Ass waited a moment, to see if she 'd done. ('T is a case that has happened, and may be again)
And then, " not presuming to teach," he began ;
That the visage or countenance had not a Nose,
" With submission, dear madam, to your better wit, Pray who would or who could wear spectacles
I own I am not quite convinced of it yet. then?
" On the whole it appears, and my argument shows, And it made them bow without more ado.
With a reasoning the court will never condemn. Or it cracked their great branches through and through.
That the spectacles plainly were made for the Nose, Then it rushed like a monster o'er cottage and farm,
And the Nose was as plainly intended for them." Striking their inmates with sudden alarm ;
And they ran out like bees in a midsummer swarm.

Then, shifting liis side, as a lawyer knows how, There were dames with their kerchiefs tied over their
He pleaded again in behalf of the Eyes ;
caps,
But what were his arguments few people know, To see if their poultry were free from mishaps ;
For the court did not think they were equally wise. The turkeys they gobbled, the geese screamed aloud.
And the hens crept to roost in a terrified crowd ;
So his lordship decreed, with a grave, solemn tone, There was rearing of ladders, and logs laying on,
Decisive and clear, without one if or but, — Where the thatch from the roof threatened soon to be
That whenever the Nose put his spectacles on, gone.
By daylight or candle-light. Eyes should be shut. But the wind had passed on, and had met in a lane
William Cowper. With a school-boy, who panted and struggled in vain,
For it tossed him, and twirled him, then passed, and he
stood
THE AYIND IN A FROLIC. With his hat in a pool, and his shoe in the mud.
William Howitt.
The wind one morning sprang up from sleep,
Saying, " Now for a frolic ! now for a leap !
Now madcap galloping chase

for a !
THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN
"
I '11 make a commotion in every place !
GILPIN.
So it swept with a bustle right through a great town.
Creaking the signs, and scattering down John Gilpin was a citizen
Shutters,and whisking, with merciless squalls. Of credit and renown,
Old women's bonnets and gingerbread stalls. A train-band captain eke was he
There never was heard a much lustier shout, Of famous London Town.
As the apples and oranges tumbled about
And the urchins, that stand with their thievish eyes John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear,
Forever on watch, ran off each with a prize. " Though wedded we have been
Then away to the fields it went blustering and hum- These twice ten tedious j-ears, yet we
ming, No holiday have seen.
And the cattle all wondered whatever was coming.
It plucked by their tails the grave, matronly cows. " To-morrow is our wedding-day,
And tossed the colts' manes all about their brows. And we will then repair
Till, offended at such a familiar salute, Unto the Bell at Edmonton,
They all turned their backs and stood silently mute. All in a chaise and pair.
So on it went, capering and playing its pranks ;
Whistling with reeds on the broad river banks ;

" My sister and my sister's child.
Puffing the birds, as they sat on the spray. Myself, and children three,
Or the traveler grave on the king's highway. Will fill the chaise ; so you must ride
It was not too nice to bustle the bags On horseback after we."
Of the beggar, and flutter his dirty rags.
'Twas so bold that it feared not to play its joke He soon replied, " I do admire
With the doctor's wig, and the gentleman's cloak. Of womankind but one.
Through the forest it roared, and cried gayly, " Now, And you are she, my dearest dear,
You sturdy old oaks, I '11 make you bow " ! Therefore it shall be done.
THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN. 143
"I am a linen-draper bold, So down he came for loss of time,

;
As all the world doth know, Although it grieved him sore,

And my good friend, the Calender, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew,
Will lend his horse to go." Would trouble him much more.
Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, " That 's well said 'T was long before the customers
And for that wine is dear. Were suited to their mind.
We will be furnished with our own, When Betty, screaming, came down-stairs,
" "
Which is both bright and clear." The wine is left behind !
Good lack " quoth he, " yet bring me,

John Gilpin kissed his lov- ! it
ing wife ;
My leathern belt likewise,
O'erjoyed was he to find In which I bear my trusty sword
That, though on pleasure When I do exercise."

she was bent.
She had a frugal mind. Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul) !
Had two stone-bottles found.

The morning came, the To hold the liquor that she loved,
chaise was brought. And keep it safe and sound.
But yet was not al-
lowed Each bottle had a curling ear.
To drive up to the door, Through which the belt he

lest all drew.
Should say that she was And hung a bottle on each
proud. side.
To make his balance true.
So three doors off the

chaise was stayed, Then over all, that he might
Where they did all get be

in, Equipped from top to toe,
Six precious souls, and all His long red cloak, well
#igog brushed and neat,
To dash through thick and thin He manfully did throw.
Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Now see him mounted once again
Were never folk so glad ; Upon his nimble steed,
The stones did rattle underneath, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones.
As if Cheapside were mad. With caution and good heed.
John Gilpin, at his horse's side, But finding soon a smoother road
Seized fast the flowing mane, Beneath his well-shod feet.
And up he got, in haste to ride, The snorting beast began to trot.
But soon came down again. Which galled him in his seat.
For saddle-tree scarce reached had he. So, " Fair and softly,"John he cried,
His journey to begin, But John he cried in vain ;
When, turning round his head, he saw That trot became a gallop soon,
Three customers come in. In spite of curb and rein.
So stooping down, as needs he must What thing upon his back had got
Who cannot sit upright, Did wonder more and more.
He grasped the mane with both his hands.
And eke with all his might. Away went Gilpin, neck or nought
Away went hat and wig
His horse, who never in that sort He little dreamt, wheu he set out,
Had handled been before, Of running such a rig.
The wind did blow, the cloak did fly, A bottle swinging at each side,
Like streamer long and gay. As hath been said or sung.
Till loop and button failing both,
At last it flew away. The dogs did bark, the children screamed,
Up flew the windows all
Then might all people well discern And every soul cried out, " Well done "
!
The bottles he had slung As loud as he could bawl.

THE DIVERTING HISTORY OF JOHN GILPIN. 146
Away went Gilpin who but he? — For why ? his owner had a house
His fame soon spread around, Full ten miles off, at Ware.
" He carries weight he rides a race

! !
"
'T is for a thousand pound I So like an arrow swift he flew,
Shot by an archer strong ;
And still as fast as he drew near, So did he fly — which brings me to
'Twas wonderful to view The middle of my song.
How in a tvice the turnpike men
Their gates wide open threw. Away went Gilpin, out of breath.
And sore against his will.
And now, as he went bowing down Till, at his friend the Calender's,
His reeking head full low. His horse at last stood still.
The bottles twain behind his back

Were shattered at a blow. The Calender, amazed to see
His neighbor in such trim,
Down ran the wine into the road, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate,
Most piteous to be seen, And thus accosted him.
Which made his horse's flanks to smoke
As they had basted been. "What news? what news ? your tidings tell;
Tell me you must and shall —

But still he seemed to carry weight. Say, why bare-headed you are come,
"
With leathern girdle braced Or why you come at all ?
For all might see the bottle necks
Still dangling at his waist. Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit.
And loved a timely joke ;
Thus all through merry Islington And thus unto the Calender,
These gambols he did play. In merry guise, he spoke :
Until he came unto the Wash

Of Edmonton so gay ;
" I came because your horse would come ;
And, if I well forebode,
And there he threw the wash about My hat and wig will soon be here,
On both sides of the way, They are upon the road."
Just like unto a trundling mop,
Or a wild goose at play. The Calender, right glad to find
His friend in merry pin.
At Edmonton his loving wife Returned him not a single word,
From the balcony spied But to the house went in ;
Her tender husband, wondering much

To see how he did ride. Whence straight he came, with hat and wig,
A wig that flowed behind ;
" Stop, stop, John Gilpin ! — Here 's the house A hat not much the worse for wear.
They all aloud did cry ; Each comely in its kind.
" The dinner waits, and we "
are tired ;
"
Said Gilpin, " So am I ! He held them up, and in his turn
Thus showed his ready wit
But yet his horse was not a whit " My head is twice as big as yours,
Inclined to tarry there They therefore needs must fit.
19
" But let me scrape the dust away, The frighted steed he frighted more,
That hangs upon your face ; And made him faster run.
And stop and eat, for well you may
Be in a hungry case." Away went Gilpin, and away
Went postboy at his heels,
Said John, " It is my wedding-day, The postboy's horse right glad to miss
And all the world would stare, The rumbling of the wheels.
If wife should dine at Edmonton,
And I should dine at Ware." Six gentlemen upon the road
Thus seeing Gilpin fly,
So, turning to his horse, he said, Wîth postboy scampering in the rear.
" I am in haste to dine ; They raised a hue and cry :
—
'T was for your pleasure you came here.
You shall go back for mine." " Stop thief ! — stop thief ! — a highwayman !
Not one of them was mute

Ah, luckless speech, and bootless boast And all and each that passed that way
For which he paid full dear ;
Did join in the jjursuit.
For, while he spake, a braying ass

Did sing most loud and clear ;
And now the turnpike gates again
Flew open in short space:
Whereat his horse did snort, as he The toll-men thinking, as before,

Had heard a lion roar. That Gilpin rode a race.
And galloped off with all bis might.

As he had done before. And so he did, and won it too.
For he got town

first to
Away went Gilpin, and away Nor stopped till where he had got up
Went Gilpin's hat and wig He did again get down.
He lost them sooner than at first.
For why ? —
they were too big. Now let us sing, long live the king,
And Gilpin, long live he ;
Now Mrs. Gilpin, when she saw And, when he next doth ride abroad,
Her husband posting down May I be there to see.

Into the country far away. William Cowper.
She pulled out half-a-crown ;
And thus unto the youth she said,

That drove them to the Bell, THE SPIDER AND THE FLY.
" This shall be yours, when you bring back
My husband safe and well." " Will you walk into my parlor ? " said the spider to
the fly
The youth did ride, and soon did meet " 'T is the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.
John coming back amain ; The way into my parlor is up a winding stair.
Whom in a trice he tried to stop. And I have many curious tilings to show when you
By catching at his rein ; are there."
" Oh no, no," said the little fly ;
" to ask me is in vain,
But not performing what he meant. For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come
And gladly would have done. down again."
A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS. 147
" I 'm sure you must be weary, clear, with soaring up so Alas, alas ! how very soon this silly little fly,
high ;
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting
Will you rest upon my little bed? " said the spider to by;
the fly. With buzzing wings she hung aloft, tiien near and
" There are pretty curtains drawn around ; the sheets nearer drew,
are tine and thin. Thinking only of her brilliant eyes and green and pur-
And if you like to rest a while, I '11 snugly tuck you in !
pie hue,
" Oh no, no," saidrthe little fly, " for I 've often heard Thinking only of her crested head. Poor, foolish thing
it said, at last
They never, never wake again who sleep upon your Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her
"
bed ! fast
Said the cunning spider to the fly :

" Dear friend, what He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal
can I do den —
To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you ? Within his little parlor — but she ne'er came out again !
I have within my pantry good store of all that 's nice ;
I 'm sure you 're very welcome — will you please to And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
"
take a slice ? To idle, silly, flattering words I pray you ne'er give
" Oh no, no," said the little fly ;
" kind sir, that cannot heed ;
be: Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye.
I 've heard what 's iu your pantry, and I do not wish to And take a lesson from this tale of the spider and the
"
see ! fly-
Mary Howitt.
" Sweet creature !
" said the spider, " you 're witty and
you 're wise ;
How handsome are your gauzy wings I how brilliant A VISIT FROM ST. NICHOLAS.
are your eyes !
I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf 'T WAS the night before Christmas, when all through
If you '11 step in one moment, dear, you shall behold the house
yourself." Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse ;
" I thank you, gentle sir," she said, for what you 're The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
pleased to say. In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there
And, bidding you good-morning now, I '11 call another The children were nestled all snug in their beds.
day." While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads

And mamma in her kerchief, and I in my cap.
The spider turned him round about, and went into his Had just settled our brains for a long winter nap, —
den. When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.
again :
Away to the window I flew like a flash.
So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
And set his table ready to dine upon the fly ;
The moon, on the breast of the new-fallen snow,
Then came out to his door again, and merrily did sing Gave a lustre of midday to objects below
" Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and When what to my wondering eyes should appear
silver wing ; But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
Your robes are green and purple ; there 's a crest upon With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
your head I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are More rapid than eagles his coursers they came.
"
dull as lead !
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name %
" Now, Dasher ! now, Dancer ! now, Prancer and " You are doubtless verj' big.
Vixen But all sorts of things and weather
On ! Comet, on ! Cupid, on ! Dunder and Blixen !
— Must be taken in together
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall To make up a year,
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all " ! And a sphere.
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane Hy, And I think it no disgrace
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky, To occupy my place.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, If I 'm not so large as you,
With the sleigh full of toys — and St. Nicholas too. You are not so small as I,
And then in a twinkling I heard on the roof And not half so spry
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. I '11 not deny you make
As I drew in my head, and was turning around, A very pretty squirrel track.
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. Talents differ ; all is well and wisely put
He was dressed all in fur from his head to his foot, If I cannot carry forests on my back,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and Neither can j-ou crack a nut."
soot, Ralph AValdo Emeeson.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkle ! his dimples, how merry !
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry ; HOLY THURSDAY.
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow. 'T WAS on a Holy Thursday, their innocent faces clean,
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth. Came children walking two and two, in red, and blue,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath. and green
He had a broad face and a little round belly Gray -headed beadles walked before, with wands as white
That shook, when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly. as snow,
He was chubby and plump a right jolly old elf — ;
Till into the high dome of Paul's, they like Thames'
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself. waters flow.
A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. Oh what a multitude they seemed, these flowers of Lon-
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work. don town.
And filled all the stockings then turned with a jerk.
; Seated in companies they were, with radiance all their
And laying his finger aside of his nose, own :
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. The hum of multitudes was there, but multitudes of
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, lambs,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle ;
Thousands of little boys and girls raising their innocent
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, hands.
" Happy Christmas "
to all, and to all a good-night !
Clement C. Moore. Now like a mighty wind they raise to heaven the voice
of song,
Or like harmonious thunderings the seats of heaven
THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SQUIRREL. among :
Beneath them sit the aged men, wise guardians of the

The mountain and the squirrel poor.
Had a quarrel, Then cherish pity, lest you drive an angel from your
"
And the former called the latter " Little prig ; door.
Bun replied, William Blake.
THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN. 149
AN ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF A JNLAD The river Weser deep and wide
DOG. Washes its walls on the southern side
A pleasanter spot you never spied
Good people all, of every sort, But, when begins my ditty,
Give ear unto my song Almost five hundred years ago.
And if you fiud it wondrous short, To see the townsfolk suffer so
It cannot hold you long. From vermin, was a pity.
r
In Islington there was a man. Rats
Of whom the world might say, They fought the dogs and killed the cats.
That still a godly race he ran And bit the babies in their cradles,
Whene'er he went to pray. And ate the cheeses out of the vats.
And licked the soup from the cook's own ladles.
A kind and gentle heart he had. Split open the kegs of salted sprats.
To comfort friends and foes Made nests inside men's Sunday hats,
The naked every day he clad, And even spoiled the women's chats.
When he put on his clothes. By drowning their speaking
With shrieking and squeaking
And in that town a dog was found, In fifty different sharps and flats.
As many dogs there be,

Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, At last the people in a body
And curs of low degree. To the Town-hall came flocking
"'Tis clear," cried they, "our Mayor's a noddy;
This dog and man at first were friends And as for our Corporation — shocking
But when a pique began, To think we buy gowns lined with ermine
The dog, to gain his private ends, For dolts that can't or won't determine
Went mad, and bit the man. What 's best to rid us of our vermin !
You hope, because you 're old and obese.

Around from all the neighboring streets To find in the furry civic robe ease
The wondering neighbors ran. Rouse up, sirs ! Give your brains a racking
And swore the dog had lost his wits, To find the remedy we 're lacking.
To bite so good a man. Or, sure as fate, we '11 send you packing !
At this the Mayor and Corporation

The wound it seemed both sore and sad Quaked with a mighty consternation.
To every Christian eye
And while they swore the dog was mad, An hour they sat in council.
They swore the man would die. At length the Mayor broke silence :
'
For a guilder I 'd my ermine gown sell
But soon a wonder came to light, I wish I were a mile hence

That showed the rogues they lied, It 's easy to bid one rack one's brain —
The man recovered of the bite, I 'm sure my poor head aches again,
The dog it was that died. I 've scratched it so, and all in vain.
"
Oliver Goldsmith. Oh for a trap, a trap, a trap !
Just as he said this, what should hap
THE PIED PIPER OF HAMELIN. At chamber door, but a gentle tap ?

the
'
Bless us," cried the Mayor, " what 's that ?
Hamelin Town 's in Brunswick, Anything like the sound of a rat

By famous Hanover city ; Makes my heart go pit-a-pat
" Come iu " the Mayor cried, looking
! bigger : And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling
And in did come the strangest figure ! And out of the houses the ratscame tumbling —
His queer long coat from heel to head Great rats, brawny rats,
small rats, lean rats,
Was half of j-ellow, and half of red Brown rats, black rats, gray rats, tawny rats,
And he himself was tall and thin, Grave old plodders, gay young friskers,
With sharp blue eyes each like a pin. Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins.
And light loose hair, yet swarthy skin, Cocking tails, and pricking whiskers.
No on cheek, nor beard on chin,
tuft Families by tens and dozens.
But lips where smiles went out and in — Brothers, sisters, husbands, wives —
There was no guessing his kith and kin ! Followed the Piper for their lives.
And nobody could enough admire From street to street he piped, advancing,
The tall man and his quaint attire '.
And step for step they followed dancing.
Quoth one, '•
It 's as if my great-grandsire, Until they came to the river Weser
Starting up at the trump of Doom's tone. Wherein all plunged and perished.
Had walked this way from his painted tombstone I Save one, who stout as Julius Cssar,
Swam across, and lived to carry
He advanced to the council table : (As he the manuscript he cherished)
And, " Please your honors," said he, '•
I 'm able, To Eat-land home his commentary.
By means of a secret charm, to draw Which was, " At the first shrill notes of the pipe,
All creatures living beneath the sun. I heard a sound as of scraping tripe,
That creep, or swim, or fly, or run. And putting apples wondrous ripe
After me so as yon never saw Into a cider press's gripe ;
And I chiefly use my charm And a moving away of pickle-tub boards,

On creatures that do people harm. And a leaving ajar of conserve cupboards,
The mole, the toad, the newt, the viper And a drawing the corks of train-oil flasks,
And people call me the Pied Piper. And a breaking the hoops of butter casks
Yet," said he, " poor piper as I am. And it seemed as if a voice
In Tartary I freed the Cham, (.Sweeter far than by harp or by psaltery
Last June, from his huge swarm of gnats ; Is breathed) called out, O rats, rejoice I
I eased in Asia theNizam The world is grown to one vast drysaltery '
Of a monstrous brood of vampyre bats : So munch on, crunch on, take your nuncheon.
And as for what your brain bewilders, Breakfast, dinner, supper, luncheon !
If I can rid your town of rats And just as a bulky sugar puncheon.
"
Will vou give a thousand guilders ? All ready staved, like a great sun shone
" One ? was the exclamation
fifty thousand !
" Glorious, scarce an inch before me,
Of the astonished Mayor and Corporation. Just as methought it said, '
Come, bore me !
— I found the Weser rolling o'er me."

Into the street the Piper slept.
Smiling first a little smile. You should have heard the Hamelin people
As if he knew what magic slept Ringing the bells till they rocked the steeple ;
In his quiet pipe the while ;

" Go," cried the ilayor, '•
and get long poles !
Then like a musical adept, Poke out the nests, and block up the holes !
To blow the pipe his lips he wrinkled. Consult with carpenters and builders.
And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled, And leave in our town not even a trace
Like a candle flame where salt is sprinkled Of the rats " When suddenly up the face
1
And ere three shrill notes the pipe had uttered, Of the Piper perked in the market-place.
You heard as if an army muttered ; With a " First, if you please, my thousand guild-
And the muttering grew to a grumbling
A thousand guilders ! The Mayor looked blue, Little hands clapping and little tongues chattering,
So did the Corporation too. And like fowls in a farmyard when barley is scatter-
For council dinners made rare havock ing
With Claret, Moselle, Vin-de-Grave, Hock ; Out came the children running :
And half the money would replenish All the little boys and girls,
Their cellar's biggest butt with Rhenish. With rosy cheeks and flasen curls,
To pay this sum to a wandering fellow And sparkling eyes and teeth like pearls.
Witii a gypsy coat of red and yellow Tripping and skipping ran merrily after
" Besides," quotn the Mayor, with a knowing wink, The wonderful music with shouting and laughter.
" Our business was done at the river's brink ;
AVe saw with our eyes the vermin sink, The Mayor was dumb, and the Council stood
And what 's dead can't come to life, I think. As if they were changed into blocks of wood,
So, friend, we 're not the folks to shrink Unable to move a step, or cry
From the duty of giving you something for drink, To the children merrily skipping by —
And a matter of money to put in your poke ; And could only follow with the eye
But, as for the guilders, what we spoke That joyous crowd at the Piper's back.
Of them, as you very well know, was in joke — And now the Mayor was on the rack,
Beside, our losses have made us thrifty And the wretched Conncil's bosoms beat.
"
A thousand guilders ! come, take fifty ! As the Piper turned from the High Street
To where the Weser rolled its waters
The Piper's face fell, and he cried, Right in the way of their sons and daughters
" No trifling ! I can't wait beside ! However he turned fi'om south to west.
I 've promised to visit by dinner-time And to Koppelberg Hill his steps addressed,
Bagdat, and accept the prime And after him the children pressed
Of the head-cook's pottage, all he 's rich in, Great was the joy in every breast.
For having left in the caliph's kitchen, " He never can cross that mighty top
Of a nest of scorpions no survivor. He 's forced to let the piping drop,
With him I proved no bargain-driver. And we shall see our children stop "
!
With you, don't think I '11 bate a stiver ! When, lo ! as they reached the mountain's side,
And folks who put me in a passion A wondrous portal opened wide.
May find me pipe to another fashion." As if a cavern was suddenly hollowed ;
And the Piper advanced, and the children followed,

" How ? " cried the Mayor, " d' ye think I '11 brook And when all were in to the very last.
Being worse treated than a cook ? The door in the mountain side shut fast.
Insulted by a lazy ribald Dill I say, all ? No ! One was lame,

Witli idle pipe and vesture piebald ? Anil could not dance the whole of the way
You threaten us, fellow ? Do your worst. And in after years, if you would blame
Blow your pipe there till you burst." His sadness, he was used to say, —
" It 's dull in our town since my playmates left
Once more he stept into the street. I can't forget that I 'm bereft
And to his lips again Of all the pleasant sights they see,
Laid his long pipe of smooth, straight cane Which the Piper also promised me :
And ere he blew three notes (such sweet For he led us, he said, to a joyous land,
Soft notes as yet musician's cunning Joining the town and just at hand,
Never gave the enraptured air), Where waters gushed and fruit-trees grew.
There was a rustling that seemed like a bustling. And flowers put forth a fairer hue.
Of merry crowds justling at pitching and hustling, And everything was strange and new
Small feet were pattering, wooden shoes clattering, The sparrows were brighter than peacocks here,
And their dogs outran our fallow-deer, Left alone against my will.
And lioney-bees had lost their stings. To go now limping as before,

"
And horses were born with eagles' wings ; And never hear of that country more !
And just as I became assured

My lame foot would be speedily cured, The Mayor sent east, west, north, and south
The music stopped and I stood still, To offer the Piper by word of mouth,
And found myself outside the hill, Wherever it was man's lot to find him,
Silver and gold to his heart's content, The same, to make the world acquainted
If he 'd only return the way he went, How their children were stolen away ;
And bring the children behind him. And there it stands to this very day.
But when they saw 't was a lost endeavor,
And Piper and dancers were gone forever, And I must not omit to say
They made a decree that lawyers never That in Transylvania there 's a tribe
Should think their records dated duly, Of alien people, that ascribe
If after the da}^ of the month and year The outlandish ways and dress
These words did not as well appear, On which their neighbors lay such stress.
" And so long after what happened here To their fathers and mothers having risen
On the twenty-second of July, Out of some subterraneous prison
"
Thirteen hundred and seventy-six ;
Into which they were trepanned
And the better in memory to fix Long ago in a mighty band.
The place of the children's last retreat, Out of Hamelin town in Brunswick land.
They called it the Pied Piper's Street — But how or why, they don't understand.
Where any one playing on pipe or tabor.
Was sure for the future to lose his labor. So, Willy, let you and me be wipers
Nor suffered they hostelry or tavern Of scores out with all men, — especially pipers,
To shock with mirth a street so solemn And whether they pipe us free from rats or from
But opposite the place of the cavern mice
They wrote the story on a column. If we Ve promised them aught, let us keep our prom-
And on the great church window painted ise.
S3 RoBEET Browning.
STORIES FROM HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
THE CONSTANT TIN SOLDIER.

Thbke were once five-and-twenty tin soldiers and thought that, like himself, she had but one
they were all brothers, for they had all been born leg.
of one old tin spoon. They shouldered their " That would be the wife for me," thought he ;
muskets, and looked straight before them; their but she is very grand. She lives in a castle, and
uniform was red and blue, and very splendid. I have only a box, and there are five-and-twenty
The first thing they had heard in the world, when of us in that. It is no place for her. But I must
the lid was taken off their box, had been the try to make acquaintance with her."
words " Tin soldiers! " These words were uttered And then he lay down at full length behind a
by a little boy, clapping his hands ; the soldiers snuff-box which was on the table ; there he could
had been given to him, for it was his birthday ;
easily watch the little dainty lady, who con-
and now he put them upon the table. Each sol- tinued to stand on one leg without losing her bal-
dier was exactly like the rest but one of them ; ance.
had been cast last of all, and there had not been When the evening came, all the other tin sol-
enough tin to finish him but he stood as firmly

; dierswere put into their box, and the people in
upon his one leg as the others on their two the house went to bed. Now the toys began to
and it was just this soldier who became remark- play at " visiting," and at " war," and " giving
able. balls." The tin soldiers rattled in their box, for
On the table on which they had been placed they wanted to join, but could not lift the lid.
stood many other playthings, but the toy that The Nut-cracker threw somersaults, and the Pen-
attracted most attention was a neat castle of card- cil amused itself on the table ; there was so much
board. Through the little windows one could see noise that the Canary woke up, and began to
straight into the hall. Before the castle some speak and even in verse. The only two who
too,
little were placed round a little looking-
trees did not stir from their places were the Tin Soldier
glass,which was to represent a clear lake. Waxen and the Dancing Lady she stood straight up on
;
swans swam on this lake, and were mirrored in it. the point of one of her toes, and stretched out
This was all very pretty but the prettiest of all
; both her arms and he was just as enduring on
:
was a little lady, who stood at the open door of his one leg and he never turned his eyes away
;
the castle she was also cut out in paper, but she
; from her.
had a dress of the clearest gauze, and a little nar- Now the clock struck twelve and, bounce — !
row blue ribbon over her shoulders, that looked — the lid flew off the snuff-box; but there was
like a scarf and in the middle of this ribbon was
; not snuff in it, but a little black goblin you see, ;
a shining tinsel rose, as big as her whole face. it was a trick.

The little lady stretched out both her arms, for " Tin Soldier," said the Goblin, " don't stare at
she was a dancer, and then she lifted one leg so things that don't concern J'ou."
high that the Tin Soldier could not see it at all, But the Tin Soldier pretended not to hear him-
THE CONSTANT TIN SOLDIER. 155
" Just you wait til] to-morrow !

" said the Gob- and it became as dark as if he had been in his
lin. box.
But when the moriung came, and the children " Where am I going now ? " he thought. " Yes,
got up, the Tin Soldier was placed in the win- yes, that 's the Goblin's fault. Ah ! if the little
dow and whether it was the Goblin or the

;
lady only sat here with me in the boat, it might
draught that did it, all at once the window flew be twice as dark for what I should care."
open, and the Soldier fell, head over heels, out of Suddenly there came a great water-rat, which
the third stor^r. That was a terrible passage ! lived under the drain.
He put his leg straight up, and struck with his " Have you a passport? " said the Rat. " Give
helmet downward, and his bayonet between the me your passport."
paving-stones. But the Tin Soldier kept silence, and only held
The servant-maid and the boy came down
little hismusket tighter than ever.
directhr to look for him, but though they almost The boat went on, but the Rat came after it.
trod upon him they could not see him. If the Hu how he gnashed his teeth, and called out to
!
Soldier had cried the bits of straw

out, "Here I am!" ^^ and wood, —
they would have 11% "Hold him!
found him but he ; hold him! he
did not think it has n't paid toll —
fitting to call out he hasn't shown
!
loudly, because he his passport
was ill uniform. But the stream
Now it began became stronger
to rain ; the drops and stronger. The
soon fell thicker, Tin Soldier could
and at last it came see the bright day-
down in a complete where the light
stream. When arch ended but ;
the rain was past, he heard a roaring

two street boys came by. noise, which might well frighten a bolder man.
''
Just look !
" said one of them, " there lies a Only think, —
just where the tunnel ended, the
tin soldier. He must come out and ride in the drain ran into a great canal and for him that ;
boat." would have been as dangerous as for us to be car-

And they made a boat out of a newspaper, and ried down a great waterfall.
put the Tin Soldier in the middle of it and so ; Now he was already so near it that he could not
he sailed down the gutter, and the two boys ran stop. The boat was carried out, the poor Tiii Sol-
beside him and clapped their hands. Goodness dier stiffening himself as much as he could, and no
preserve us how the waves rose in that gutter,
!
one could say that he moved an eyelid. The boat
and how fast the stream ran But then it had ! whirled round three or four times, and was full of
been a heavy rain. The paper boat rocked up water to the very edge it must sink. —
The Tin
and down, and sometimes turned round so rapidly Soldier stood up to his neck in water, and the
that the Tin Soldier trembled but he remained ; boat sank deeper and deeper, and the paper was
firm, and never changed countenance, and looked loosened more and more ; and now the water closed
straight before him, and shouldered his musket. over the soldier's head. Then he thought of the
All at once the boat went into a long drain, pretty little Dancer, and how he should never
156 STORIES FROM HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
see her again ; and it sounded in the soldier's Then one of the little boys took the Tin Soldier
ears : and flung him into the stove. He gave no reason
'
Farewell, farewell, thou warrior brave, for doing this. It must have been the fault of the
Die shalt thou this day."
Goblin in the snuff-box.
And now the paper parted, and the Tin Soldier The Tin Soldier stood there quite illuminated,
fell out ; but at that moment he was snapped up and felt a heat that was terriible ; but whether
by a great fish. this heat proceeded fi-om the real fire or from love
Oh, how dark it was in that fish's body It ! he did not know. The had quite gone off
colors
was darker yet than in the drain tunnel and then ; from him ; but whether that had happened on the
it was very nari-ow, too. But the Tin Soldier re- journey, or had been caused by grief, no one could
mained unmoved, and lay at full length, shoulder- say. He looked at the little lady, she looked at
ing his musket. him, and he felt that he was melting ; but he stood
The fish and swam to fro ; he made the most firm, shouldering his musket. Then suddenly the
wonderful movements, and then became quite still. door flew open, and the draught of air caught the
At last something flashed through him like light- Dancer, and she flew like a sylph just into the
ning. The daylight shone quite clear, and a
voice said aloud, " The Tin Soldier " The fish !
had been caught, carried to market, bought, and

taken into the kitchen, where the cook cut him
open with a large knife. She seized the soldier
round the body with both her hands, and carried
him. into the room, where all were anxious to see
the remarkable man who had traveled about in the
inside of a fish but the Tin Soldier was not at all
;
proud. They placed him on the table, and there

— no! What curious things may hapjjen in the
world The Tin Soldier was in the very room in
!
which he had been before he saw the same chil- !
dren, and the same toys stood upon the table and :
there was the pretty castle with the graceful little stove to the Tin Soldier,and flashed up in a flame,
Dancer. She was still balancing herself on one and then was gone Then the Tin Soldier melted
!
leg, and held the other extended in the air. She down into a lump, and when the servant-maid
was faithful too. That moved the Tin Soldier he : took the ashes out next day, she found him in the
was very near weeping tin tears, but that would shape of a little tin heart. But of the Dancer
not have been proper. He looked at her, but they nothing remained but the tinsel rose, and that was
said rtothing to each other. burned as black as a coal.
THE EMPERORS NEW CLOTHES. 167
THE EMPEROR'S NEW CLOTHES.

Many years ago there lived an emperor, who the stuff possessed, and all were anxious to see
"was so excessively fond of grand new clothes that how bad or how stupid their neighbors were.
he spent all his money upon them, that he might "I will send my honest old minister to the
be very fine. He did not care about his soldiers, weavers," thought the emperor. "He can judge
nor about the theatre, and only liked to drive out best how the stuff looks, for he has sense, and no
and show his new clothes. He had a coat for one understands his office better than he."
every hour of the day; and just as they say of a Now the good old minister went out into the
king, " He is in council," so they always said of hall where the two rogues sat working at the
him, " The emperor is in the wardrobe." empty looms.
In the gi'eat city in which he lived it was al- " thought the old minister, and
" Mei-cy on us !
ways very merry every day came many stran-

; he opened his eyes wide. " I cannot see anything
!
gers one day two rogues came they gave them-
; : at all " But he did not say this.
selves out as weavers, and declared they could Both the rogues begged him to be so good as to
weave the finest stuff any one could imagine. Not come nearer, and asked if he did not approve of
only were their colors and patterns, they said, un- the colors and the pattern. Then they pointed
commonly beautiful, but the clothes made of the to the empty loom, and the poor old minister
stuff possessed the wonderful quality that they be- went on opening his eyes ; but he could see noth-
came any one who was unfit for the of-
invisible to ing for there was nothing to see.
fice he held, or was incorrigibly stupid. " Mercy " thought ! he, " can I indeed be so
" Those would be capital clothes " thought the ! stupid? I never thought that, and not a soul
emperor. " If I wore those, I should be able to must know it. Am
I not fit for my office? No,
find out what men in my empire are not fit for the it will never do for me to tell that I could not
places they have I could tell the clever from the
; see the stuff."
dunces. Yes, the stuff must be woven for me di- " Don't you say anything to it? " asked one,
rectly !
as he went on weaving.
And he gave the two rogues a great deal of " Oh, it is charming — quite enchanting " an-I
cash in hand, that they might begin their work at swered the old minister, as he peered through
once. his spectacles. " What a fine pattern, and what
As up two looms, and pre-
for them, they put colors ! Yes, I shall tell the emperor that I am
tended to be working but they had nothing at
; very much pleased with it."
all on their looms. They at once demanded the " Well, we are glad of that," said both the
finest silk and the costliest gold this they put ; weavers and then they named the colors, and
;
into their own pockets, and worked at the empty explained the strange pattern. The old minister
looms till late into the night. listened attentively, that he might be able to re-
" I should like to know how far they have got peat it when the emperor came. And he did so.
on with the thought the emperor. But he

stuff," Now the rogues asked for more money, and silk
felt quite uncomfortable when he thought that and gold, which they declared they wanted for
those who were not fit for their offices could not weaving. They put all into their own pockets,
see it. He believed, indeed, that he had nothing and not a thread was put upon the loom ; they
to fear for himself, but yet he preferred first to continued to work at the empty frames as before.
send some one else to see how matters stood. All The emperor soon sent again, dispatching an-
the people in the city knew what peculiar power other honest officer of the court, to see how the
weaving was going on, and if the stuff would soon The whole suite whom he had with him looked
be ready. He fared just like the first : he looked and looked, and saw nothing, any more than the
and looked, but, as there was nothing to be seen rest but, like the emperor they said, " That is
;
but the empty looms, he could see nothing. pretty " and counseled him to wear the splendid
!
" Is not that a pretty piece of stuff ? " asked new first time at the great proces-
clothes for the
the two rogues and they displayed and explained
; sion that was
presently to take place. " It is
the handsome pattern which was not there at all. splendid, excellent " went from mouth to mouth.
!
"I am not stupid!" thought the man: "it On all sides there seemed to be general rejoicing
must be ray good office, for which I am not fit. and the emperor gave the rogues the title of Im-
It is funny enough, but I must not let it be no- perial Court Weavers.
ticed." And so he praised the stuff which he did The whole night before the morning on which
not see, and expressed his pleasure at the beauti- the procession was to take place, the rogues were
ful colorsand charming pattern. " Yes, it is en- up, and kept more than sixteen candles burning.
chanting," he told the emperor. The people could see that they were hard at work,
All the people in completing the em-
the town were talk- peror's new clothes.
ing of the gorgeous They pretended to
stuff. The emperor take the stuff down
wished to see it him- from the loom ; they
self while it was made cuts in the air
still upon the loom. with great scissors
With a whole crowd thej' sewed with nee-
of chosen men, dles without thread
among whom were and at last they said,
also two honest
the " Now the clothes are .
"
statesmen who had ready !
already been there, The emperor came

he went to the two himself with his no-
cunning rogues, who blest cavaliers ; and
were now weaving with might and main without the two rogues lifted up one arm as if they were
fibre or thread. holding something, and said, " See, here are the
" Is not that splendid ? " said the "
two states- trousers here is the coat
! here is the cloak
! !
men, who had already been there once. " Does and so on. " It is as light as a spider's web : one
not your majesty remark the pattern and the would think one had nothing on ; but that is just
colors?" And they pointed to the empty loom, the beauty of it."
for they thought that the others could see the " Yes," said all the cavaliers ; but they could
stuff. not see anything, for nothing was there.
"What's this?" thought the emperor. "I " Will your imperial majesty please to conde-
can see nothing at all ! That is terrible. Am I scend to take off your clothes ? " said the rogues ;
stupid? Am I not fit to be emperor? That " then we will put on you the new clothes here in
would be the most dreadful thing that could hap- front of the great mirror."
pen to me. Oh, it is very pretty " he said aloud. ! The emperor took off his clothes, and the
" It has our highest approbation." And he nod- rogues pretended to put on him each new garment
ded in a contented way, and gazed at the empty as it was ready and the emperor turned round
;
loom, for he would not say that he saw nothing. and round before the mirror.
THE DAISY. 159
" Oh, how well they look ! how capitally they what that innocent says " said the
" Just hear !
fit !
" said all. '•
What a pattern ! what colors ! father and one whispered to another what the
:
" child had said.

That is a splendid dress !
" They are standing outside with the canopy

which is to be borne above your majesty in the
procession !
" announced the head master of cere-
monies.
" Well, I afcthe emperor.
ready," replied
" Does it not suit me
he turned again
well?'" And
to the mirror, for he wanted it to appear as if he
contemplated his adornment with great interest.
The two chamberlains who were to carry the
train stooped down with their hands toward the
floor, just as if they were picking up the mantle ;
then they pretended to be holding something in

the air. They did not dare to let it be noticed
that they saw nothing.
So the emperor went in procession under the
rich canopy, and every one in the streets said,
" How incomparable are the emperor's new
clothes what a train he has to his mantle how
! !
" But he has nothing on !
" said the whole
it fits him " No one would let it be perceived
! people at length. That touched the emperor, for
that he could see nothing, for that would have it seemed to him that they were right ; but he
shown that he was not fit for his office, or was thought within himself, " I must go through with
very stupid. No clothes of the emperor's had the procession." And so he held himself a little
ever had such a success as these. higher, and the chamberlains held on tighter than
" But he has nothing on " a little child cried ! ever, and carried the train that did not exist at
out at last. all.
THE DAISY.
Now you shall hear . thought that no man would notice it down in the
Out in the country, close by the road-side, there grass, and that it was a poor despised floweret
was a country house you yourself have certainly
: no, was very merry, and turned to the warm
it
once seen it. Before it is a little garden with sun, looked up at it, and listened to the Lark carol-
flowers, and a paling which is painted. Close by ins: high in the air.
it, by the ditch, in the midst of the

most beautiful The Daisy was as happy as if it were a
little
green grass, grew a little Daisy. The sun shone great holiday, and yet it was only a Monday. All
as warmly and as brightly upon it as on the great the children were at school and while they sat on
;
splendid garden flowers, and so it grew from hour their benches learning, it sat on its little green
to hour. One morning it stood in full bloom, with stalk, and learned also from the warm sun, and
its little shining white leaves spreading like rays from all around, how good God is. And the
round the little yellow sun in the centre. It never Daisy was very glad that everything that it si-
lently felt and charmingly by
was sung so loudly blue air. A quarter of an hour passed, at least,
the Lark. And the Daisy looked up with a kind before the Daisy could recover itself. Half
of respect to the happy bird who could sing and ashamed, yet inwardly rejoiced, it looked at the
fly but it was not at all sorrowful because it
; other flowers in the garden, for they had seen the
could not fly and sing also. honor and happiness had gained, and must un-
it
" I can see and hear," it thought the sun ' derstand what a joy But the tulips stood
it was.
shines on me, and the forest kisses me Oh, how up twice as stiff as before, and they looked quite
"
richly have I been gifted ! peaky in the face and quite red, for they had beeri
Within the palings stood many stiff, aristocratic vexed. The peonies were quite wrong-headed it :
flowers —
the less scent they had the more they was well they could not speak, or the Daisy would
flaunted. The peonies blew themselves out to be have received a good scolding. The poor little
greater than the roses, but size will not do it ; the flower could see very well that they were not in a
tulips had the most splendid colors, and they good humor, and that hurt it sensibly. At this
knew that, and held themselves bolt upright, that moment thei-e came into the garden a girl with a
they might be seen more plainly. They did not great sharp, shining knife; she went straight up
notice the little Daisy to the tulips, and cut
outside there, but the off one after another
Daisy looked at them
the more,
thought,
and
" How rich
m\ Mh of them.
" Oh
little Daisj',
:
" sighed the
" that is
and beautiful they dreadful I Now it
are ! Yes, the pretty is all over with

bird flies across to them."
them and visits them. Then the girl went
I am glad that I stand away with the tulips.
so near them, for at The Daisy was glad
any rate I can enjoy to stand out in the
the sight of their grass, and to be only
/iW^r^
splendor!" And a poor little flower
just as she thought that — "keevit !
" — down it felt and when the sun went
very grateful ;
came flying the Lark, but not down to the peonies down it folded its leaves and went to sleep, and
and tulips —
no, down into the grass to the lowly dreamed all night long about the sun and the
Daisy, which started so with joy that it did not pretty little bird.
know what to think. The next morning, when the flower again hap-
The little bird danced round about it, and pily stretched out all its white leaves, like little
sang, — arms, toward the air and the light, it recognized

" Oh, how soft the grass is ! and see what a the voice of the bird, but the song he was singing
lovely little flower, with gold in its heart and sil- sounded mournfully. Yes, the poor Lark had
"
ver on its dress I good reason to be sad he was caught, and now
:
For the yellow point in the Daisy looked like sat in a cage close by the open window. He sang
gold, and the little leaves around it shone silvery of free and happy roaming, sang of the young
white. green corn in the fields, and of the glorious jour-
Howhappy was the little Daisy no one can — ney he might make on his wings high through the
conceive how happy The bird kissed it with his
! air. The poor Lark was not in good spirits, for
beak, sang to it, and then flew up again into the there he sat a prisoner in a cage.
THE DAISY. 161
The Daisy wished very much to help him.

little the whole world which was mine out there ! Every
But what was it to do ? Yes, that was difficult to little blade of grass shall be a great tree for me, and
make out. It quite forgot how everything was so every one of your fragrant leaves a great flower.
"
beautiful around, how warm the sun shoue, and Ah, you only tell me how much I have lost I
how splendidly white its owu leaves were, Ah !

" If I could only comfort him !
" thought the
it could think only of the imprisoned bird, and Daisy.

how it was powerless to do anything for him. It could not stir a leaf ; but the scent which
Just then two little boys came out of the gar- streamed forth from its delicate leaves was far
den. One of them carried in his hand the knife stronger than is generally found in these flowers ;
which the girl had used to cut off the tulips. the bird also noticed that, and though he was
They went straight up to the little Daisy, which fainting with thirst, and in his pain plucked up the
could not at all make out what they wanted. green blades of grass, he did not touch the flower.
" Here we may cut a capital piece of turf for The evening came and yet nobody appeared
on,
the Lai-k," said one of the boys and he began to ; to bring the poor bird a drop of water. Then he
cut off a square patch round about the Daisy, so stretched out his pretty wings and beat the air
that the flower remained standing in its piece of frantically with them his song changed to a
;
grass. mournful piping, his little head sank down toward

" Tear off the flower !
" said the other boy. the flower, and the bird's heart broke with want
And the Daisy trembled with fear, for to be and yearning. Then the flower could not fold its
torn would be
otf to lose its life; and now it leaves, as it had done on the previous evening, and
wanted particularly to live, as it was to be given sleep it drooped, sorrowful and sick, toward the
;
with the piece of turf to the captive Lai'k. earth.

" No, let it stay," said the other boy ; " it
makes such a nice ornament."

And it remained, and was put into the Lark's
so
cage. But the poor bird complained aloud of his
lost liberty, and beat his wings against the wires
of his prison and the little Daisy could not speak
;
— could say no consoling word to him, gladly as

it would have done so. And thus the whole morn-
ing passed.
'*
Here is no water," said the captive Lark.
"They are all gone out, and have forgotten to Not till the next morn did the boys come and ;
give me anything to drink. My throat is dry and when they found the bird dead they wept wept —
burning. and ice within me, and
It is like fire —
many tears and dug him a neat grave, which
the air is must die I must leave
so close. Oh, I ! they adorned with leaves of flowers. The bird's
the warm sunshine, the fresh green, and all the corpse was put into a pretty red box, for he was to
splendor that God has created!
"
be royally buried —
the poor bird While he was !
And then he thrust his beak into the cool turf alive and sang they forgot him, and let him sit in
to refresh himself a little with it. Then the bird's his cage and suffier want ; but now that he was
eye upon the Daisy, and he nodded to it, and
fell dead he had adornment and many tears.
kissed it with his beak, and said, — But the patch of turf with the Daisy on it was
" You also must wither in here, poor little thrown out into the high-road no one thought of :
flower. They have given you to rae with the little the flower that had felt the most for the little
patch of green grass on which you grow, instead of bird, and would have been so glad to console him.
21
162 STORIES FROM HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
THE UGLY DUCKLING.

It was so glorious out in the country ; it was " D' ye think this is all the world ? " said the
summer the cornfields were yellow, the oats

; mother. " That stretches far across the other side
were green, the hay had been put up in stacks in of the garden, quite into the parson's field ; but I
the green meadows, and the stork went about on have never been there yet. Ihope you are all to-
his long red legs, and chattered Egyptian, for this gether," and she stood up. "No, I have not all.
was the language he had learned from his good The largest egg still lies there. How long is that
mother. All around the fields and meadows were to last? I am really tired of it." And she sat
great forests, and in the midst of these forests lay down again.
deeji lakes. Yes, it was right glorious out in the "Well, how goes it?" asked an old Duck who
country. In the midst of the sunshine there lay had come to pay her a visit.
an old farm, with deep canals about it, and from " It lasts a long time with that one egg," said
the wall down to the Duck who sat

the water grew there. " It will not
great burdocks, so burst. Now, only
high that little chil- look at the others ;
dren could stand are they not the

upright under the 2)rettiest little
loftiest of them. It ducks one could
was just as wild possibly see ? They
there as in the are all like their
deepest wood, and father : the rogue,
here sat a Duck he never comes to
upon her nest she ; see me."
had to hatch her " Let me see the
ducklings ; but she ega; which will not
was almost tired burst," said the old
out before the little visitor. "You may
ones came and then she so seldom had visitors. be sure it is was once cheated
a turkey's egg. I
The other ducks liked better to swim about in the in that way, and had much anxiety and trouble
canals than to run up to sit down under a burdock, with the young ones, for they are afraid of the
and cackle with her. water. Must I say it to you, I could not get them
At last one egg-shell after another burst open. to venture in. I quacked and I clacked, but it
" Piep ! piep !

" it cried, and in all the eggs there was no use. Let me see the egg. Yes, that 's a
were little creatures that stuck out their heads. turkey's egg. Let it lie there, and teach the other
"Quack! quack!" they said; and they all children to swim."
came quacking out as fast as they could, looking " I think I will sit on it a little longer," said
all round them under the green leaves and the ; the Duck. " I 've sat so long now that I can sit a
mother let them look as much as they chose, for few days more."
green good for the eye.
is " Just as you please," said the old Duck ; and
"How wide the world is! " said all the
young she went away.
"
ones, for they certainly had much more roona now At last the great egg burst. " Piep ! piep !
than when they were in the eggs. said the little one, and crept forth. It was
THE UGLY DUCKLING. 163
very large and verj' ugly- The Duck looked And they did so : but the other ducks round
at it. about looked at them, and said quite boldly,
" It 's a very large duckling," said she " none "Look there! now we 're to have these han?r
;
o
of the others look like that : can it really be a tur- ing on, as if there were not enough of us already
key chick ? Well, we shall soon find out. It And — fie ! — how that duckling yonder looks ;
must go into the water, even if I have to thrust it we won't stand that !
" And one duck flew up at
in myself." it, and bit it in the neck.
The next day it was bright, beautiful weather ;
" Let it alone," said the mother ;
" it does no
the sun shone on all the green trees. The Mother- harm to any one."
Duck went down to the canal with all her family. " Yes, but it 's too large and peculiar," said the
Splash ! she jumped into the water. " Quack ! Duck who had it " and therefore it must
bitten ;
quack !
" she said, and one duckling after another be put down."
plunged The water closed over their heads,
in. " Those are pretty children that the mother has
but they came up in an instant, and swam cap- there," said the old Duck with the rag round her
itally ; their legs went of themselves, and they leg. " They 're all pretty but that one that was ;
were all in the water. The ugly gray Duckling rather unlucky. I wish she could bear it over
swam with them. again."
"No, it's not a turkey," said she; "look how " That cannot be done, my lady," replied the
well it can use its legs, and how straight it holds Mother-Duck. " It is not pretty, but it has a
itself. It is my own child On the whole it 's
! really good disposition, and swims as well as any
quite pretty, it rightly.
if Quack
one looks at other yes, I may even say it, swims better. I
;
quack come with me, and I '11 lead you out into
! think it will grow up pretty, and become smaller
the great world, and present you in the duck-yard ; in time it has lain too long in the egg, and there-
;
but keep close to me, so that no one may tread on fore is not properly shaped." And then she
"
you, and take care of the cats ! pinched it in the neck, and smoothed its feathers.
And so the)^ came into the duck-yard. There " Moreover, it is a drake," she said, " and therefore
was a terrible riot going on in there, for two fam- it is not of so much consequence. I think he will
ilies were quarreling about an eel's head, and the be very strong : he makes his way already."
cat got it after all. " The other ducklings are graceful enough,"
" See, that 's how it goes in the world !
" said said the old Duck. " ]\Iake yourself at home and ;
the Mother-Duck and she whetted her beak, for

; if you find an eel's head, you may bring me." it
she too wanted the eel's head. " Only use your And now they were at home. But the poor
legs," she said. " See that you can bustle about, Duckling which had crept last out of the egg, and
and bow your heads before the old Duck yonder. looked so ugly, was bitten and pushed and jeered,
She 's the grandest of all here she 's of Spanisli ; as much by the ducks as by the chickens.
blood —
that 's why she 's so fat and d' ye see ? ;
" It is too big " they all said. And the turkey-
I
she has a red rag round her leg that 's something ; cock, who had been born with spurs, and therefore
particularly fine, and the greatest distinction a thought himself an emperor, blew himself up like
duck can enjoy it signifies that one does not
; a ship in full sail, and bore straight down upon it;
want to lose her, and that she 's to be known by then he gobbled and grew quite red in the face.
the animals and by men too. Shake yourselves The poor Duckling did not know where it should
— don't turn in your toes ; a well brought-up stand or walk ;it was quite melancholy because it
duck turns its toes quite out, just like father and looked ugl}', and was the butt of the whole duck-
mother, — so ! Now bend your necks and say yard.
'" and afterwards
Quack !
So it went on the first day ; it
became worse ami worse. The poor Duckling was blue smoke rose ujj like clouds among the dark
hunted about by every one even its brothers and
; trees, and was wafted
away across the water;far
sisters were quite angry with it, and said, " If the and the hunting dogs came splash, splash! — —
into the swamp, and the rushes and the reeds bent
!
cat would only catch you, you ugly creature
And the mother said, " If you wei-e only far down on every side. That was a fright for the
away " And the ducks bit it, and the chickens
! poor Duckling It turned its head, and put it un-
!
beat it, and the girl who had to feed the poultry der its wing but at that moment a frightful great
;
kicked at it with her foot. dog stood close by the Duckling. His tongue
Then it ran and flew over the fence, and the lit- hung far out of his mouth, and his eyes gleamed
tle birds in the bushes flew up in fear. horrible and ugly; he thrust out his nose close
" That is because I am so ugly " thought the ! against the Duckling, showed his sharp teeth,
Duckling and it shut its eyes, but flew on far-
;
and —splash, splash —
on he went, without seiz-
!
ther, and so it came out into the great moor, where ing it.
the wild ducks lived. Here it lay the whole night " Oh, Heaven be thanked I
" sighed the Duck-
long and it was weary and downcast.
; ling. " I am so ugly that even the dog does not
"
Towards morning the wild ducks flew up, and like to bite me !
looked at their new companion. And so it laj' quite quiet, while the shots rattled
" What sort of a one are you ? " they asked through the reeds and gun after gun was fired.
and the Duckling turned in every and direction, At last, late in the day, all was still ; but the poor
bowed as well as it could. " You are remarkably Duckling did not dare to rise up it waited several ;
ugly " said the Wild Ducks. " But that is noth-
! houi's before it looked round, and then hastened
ing to us, so long as you do not marry into our away out of the moor as fast as it could. It ran
family." on over field and meadow there was such a storm ;
Poor thing it certainly did not think of marrj'-

! raging that it was difiicult to get from one place to
ing, and only hoped to obtain leave to lie among another.
the reeds and drink some of the swamja water. Towards evening the Duck came to a little mis-
Thus it lay two whole days then came thither ; erable peasant's hut. This hut was so dilapidated
two wild geese, or, properly speaking, two wild that it know on which side it should
did not itself
ganders. It was not long since each had crept fall and that's why it remained standing. The
;
out of an egg, and that 's why they were so saucy. storm whistled round the Duckling in such a way
" Listen, comrade," said one of them. " You 're that the poor creature was obliged to sit down, to
so ugly that I like you. Will you go with us, and stand against and the wind blew worse and
it ;
become a bird of passage ? Near here, in another worse. Then the Duckling noticed that one of
moor, there are a few sweet lovely wild geese, all the hinges of the door had given waj', and the
unmarried, and all able to say Rap ? You 've a ' '
door hung so slanting that the Duckling could slip
chance of making your fortune, ugly as you are." through the crack into the room and that is what ;
" Pitt' paff " resounded through the air and

I !
; it did.
the two ganders fell down dead in the swamp, and Here lived a woman, with her Cat and her Hen.
the water became blood red. " Piff paff " it ! ! And the Cat, whom she call Sonnie, could arch
sounded again, and the whole flock of wild geese his back and purr, he could even give out sparks ;
rose up from the reeds. And then there was an- but for that one had to stroke his fur the wrong
other report. A great hunt was going on. The way. The Hen had quite little, short legs, and
sportsmen were lying in wait all round the moor, therefore she was called Chickabiddy Shortshanks :
and some were even sitting up iu the branches of she laid good eggs, and the woman loved her as
the trees, which spread far over the reeds. The her own child.
THE UGLY DUCKLING. 165
In the morning the strange Duckling was at " You have nothing to do, that 's why you have
once noticed, and the Cat began to purr and the these fancies. Lay eggs, or purr, and they will
Hen to chick. pass over."
'•'
What 's this ? " said the
woman, and looked " But charming to swim on the water! "
it is so
all round but she could not see well, and there-
; said the Duckling, " so refreshing to let it close
fore she thought the Duckling was a fat duck that above one's head, and to dive down to the bot-
had strayed. "This is a rare prize!" she said. tom."
" Now I shall fiave ,. "Yes, that must be
duck's eggs. I hope a mighty pleasure,
it is not a drake. We truly," quoth the Hen,
must try that." i " I fancy you must
And so the Duck- have gone crazy. Ask
ling was admitted on the Cat about it, —
trial for three weeks ;
he 's the cleverest an-
but no eggs came. imal I know, ask —
And was mas-
the Cat him if he likes to swim
ter of the house, and on the water, or to
the Hen was the lady, dive down : I won't
and always said " We speak about myself.
and the world " for I Ask our mistress, the
she thought they were old woman no one in ;
half the world, and by the word is cleverer

far the better half. than she. Do you
The Duckling think she has any
thought one might desire to swim, and
have a different opin- to let the water close
"
ion, but the Hen above her head ?
would not allow it. " You don't under-
"Can you lay stand me," said the
eggs ? " she asked. Duckling.
" No." "We don't under-
"Then will you stand you? Then
"
hold your tongue ! pray who is to un-
And the Cat said, derstand you ? You
" Can you curve your back, and purr, and give surely don't pretend to be cleverer than the Cat
out sparks ?
"
and the woman —
I won't say anything of my-
" No." self.Don't be conceited, child, and thank your
" Then you will please have no opinion of your Maker for all the kindness you have received.
own when sensible folks are speaking." Did you not get into a warm room, and have you
And the Duckling sat in a corner and was mel- not fallen into company from which you may learn
ancholy ; then the fresh air and the sunshine something? But you are a chatterer, and it is
streamed in and it was seized with such a strange
; not pleasant to associate with you. You may
longing to swim on the water, that it could not believe me, I speak for your good. I tell you
help telling the Hen of it. disagreeable things, and by that one may always
"What are you thinking of?" cried the Hen. know one's true friends ! Only take care that
you learn to lay eggs, or to purr, and give out the icy covering crackled again and the Duck- ;
!
sparks ling was obliged to use its legs continually to pre-
" I think I will go out into the wide world," vent the hole from freezing up. At last it became
said the Duckling. exhausted, and lay quite still, and thus froze fast
" Yes, do go," replied the Hen. into the ice.
And so the Duckling went away. It swam on Early in the morning a peasant came bv, and
the water, and dived, but it was slighted by every when he saw what had ha^spened, he took his
creature because of its ugliness. wooden shoe, broke the ice-crust to pieces, and
Now came The leaves in the for-
the autumn. carried the Duckling home to his wife. Then it
est turned yellow and brown the wind caught ; came to itself again. The children wanted to
them so that they danced about, and up in the air play with it ; but the Duckling thought they
it was very cold. The clouds hung low, heavy wanted to hurt it, and in its terror fluttered up
with hail and snow-flakes, and on the fence stood into the milk-pan, so that the milk spurted down
the raven, crying, " Croak croak " for mere ! ! into the room. The woman clasped her hands, at
cold ;
yes, it was enough to make one feel cold to which the Duckling flew dovcn into the butter-tub,
think of this. The poor little Duckling certainly and then into the meal-barrel and out again. How
had not a good time. One evening the sun was — it looked then The woman screamed, and struck
!
just setting in his beauty —

there came a whole at it with the fire-tongs the children tumbled ;
flock of great, handsome birds out of the bushes ;

over one another in their efforts to catch tlie
they were dazzlingly white, with long, flexible Duckling and they laughed and they screamed
; !
necks ; they were swans. They uttered a very pe- — well it was that the door stood open, and the
culiar cry, spread forth their glorious great wings, poor creature was able to slip out between the
and flew away from that cold I'egion to warmer shrubs into the newly-fallen snow there it lay —
lands, to fair open lakes. Thej' mounted so quite exhausted.
high, so high and the ugly Duckling felt quite
I But it would be too melancholy if I were to tell
strangely as it watched them. It turned round all the misery and care which the Duckling had
and round in the water like a wheel, stretched out to endure in the hard winter. It lay out on the
its neck towards them, and uttered such a strange, moor among the reeds, when the sun began to
loud cry as frightened itself. Oh ! it could not shine again and the larks to sing : it was a beauti-
forget those beautiful, happy birds and so soon ; ful spring.
as it them no longer, it dived down to

could see Then all at once the Duckling could flap its
the very bottom, and when it came up again it wings : they beat the air more strongly than be-
was quite beside itself. It knew not the name of fore, and bore it strongly away; and before it
those birds, and knew not

were fly- wliither thej^ well knew how all this happened, it found itself in
ing; but it loved tliem more than it had ever a great garden, where the «lder-trees smelt sweet,
loved any one. It was not at all envious of them. and bent their long green branches down to the
How could it think of wishing to possess such canal that wound through the region. Oh, here it
loveliness as they had ? It would have been glad was so beautiful, such a gladness of spring and !
if only the ducks would have endured its company from tlie thicket came three glorious white swans ;
— the poor, ugly creature ! they rustled their wings, and swam lightly on the
And the winter grew cold, very cold ! The water. The Duckling knew the splendid creat-
Duckling was foi-ced to swim about in the water, ures, and felt oppressed by a peculiar sadness.
from freezing entirely but
to prevent the surface ;
" I will fly away to them, to the roj-al birds
every night the hole in which it swam about be- and they will beat me, because I, that am so ugly,
came smaller and smaller. It froze so hard that dare to come near them. But it is all the same.
THE FIR-TREE. 167
Better to be killed by them than to be pursued by cried, " There is a new one !
" and the other chil-
ducks, aud beaten by fowls, and pushed about by dren shouted joyously, " Yes, a new one has ar-
the girl who takes care of the poultry yard, and to rived " And they clapped their hands and danced
!
suffer hunger in winter " And it flew out into about, and ran to their father and mother
! and ;
the water, and swam towards the beautiful swans bread and cake were thrown into the water and
: ;
these looked at it, and came sailing down upon it they all said, " The new one is the most beauti-
with outspread wings. ful of all so young !
" Kill me " said the !

^'^}^~yh^ and handsome " and !
poor creature, and bent the old swans bowed

its head down upon their b e f or e
heads
the water, expecting him. Then he felt
nothing but death. quite ashamed, and
But what was this hid his head under
that it saw in the clear his wings, for he did
water ? It beheld its not know what to do
own image ; and, lo ! he was so happy, and
it was no longer a yet not at all proud.
clumsy dark-gray bird, He thought how he
ugly and hateful to had been persecuted
look at, but a swan — I and despised and ;
It matters nothing if one born in a duck-yai'd

is now he heard them saying that he was the
if one has only lain in a swan's egg. most beautiful of all birds. Even the elder-tree
It felt quite glad at all the need and misfortune bent its branches straight down into the water
it liad suffered, now it realized its happiness in all before him, and the sun shone warm and mild.
the splendor that surrounded it. And the great Then wings rustled, he lifted his slender neck,
his
swans swam round it, and stroked it with their and cried rejoicingly from the depths of his
beaks. heart, —
Into the garden came little children, who threw " I never dreamed of so much happiness when I
"
bread and corn into the water ; and the youngest was the Ugly Duckling !
THE FIR-TREE.
Out woods stood a nice little Fir-tree.
in the on a straw, and sat down near the young tree
The had was a very good one the sun
place he ; and said, " Oh, how pretty he is what a nice little !
shone on him as to fresh air, there was enough

; fir !
" But this was what the tree could not bear
of that, and round him grew many large-sized to hear.
comrades, pines as well as firs. But the little Fir At the end of a year he had shot up a good deal,
wanted so very much to be a grown-up tree. and after another year he was another long bit
He did not think of the warm sun and of the taller ; for with fir-trees one can always tell by
fresh air ; he did not care for the little cottage- the shoots how many years old they are.
children that ran about and prattled when they " Oh, were I but such a high tree as the others
were in the woods looking for wild strawberries. are," sighed he. " Then I should be able to spread
The children often came with a whole pitcher full out my branches, and with the tops to look into
of strawberries, or a long row of them threaded the wide world ! Then would the birds build
nests among my brandies ; and when there was congratulate you, for they lifted, themselves on
a breeze, I could bend with as much stateliness as high most majestically " !
the others
!
" Oh, were I but old enough to fly across the
Neither the sunbeams, nor the birds, nor the sea But how does the sea look in reality ? What
!
red clouds which morning and evening sailed above it is like?"
him, gave the little tree any pleasure. " That would take a long time to explain,"
In winter, when the snow lay glittering on the said the Stork, and with these words off he went.
ground, a hare would often come leaping along, and " Rejoice in thy growth " said the Sunbeams, !
jump right over the little tree. Oh, that made " rejoice in thy vigorous growth, and in the fresh
"
him so angry But two winters were past, and
! life that moveth within thee !
in the third the tree was so large that the hare And the Wind kissed the tree, and the Dew
was obliged to go round it. " To grow and grow, wept tears over him ; but the Fir understood it
to get older and be tall," thouglit the tree, not.

" that, after all, is the most delightful thing in When Christmas came, quite young trees were
!
the world '
L / "^ cut down ; trees which
In a ut u mn the ^*— ^^t-i ]^' — -' often were not even
"wood-cutters always as large or of the
came and felled some same age as this Fii--
of the largest tre'es. tree, who could never
This happened evei-y rest, but always
year ; and the young wanted to be off.
that had
Fir-tree, These young trees,
now grown to a very and they were always
comely size, trembled the finest looking, re-
at the sight ; for the ^,^4"^-' tained their branches
magnificent great
— '
-S^^^M/j ^^^1 were laid on
;
trees fell to the earth it carts, and the horses

with noise and cracking, the branches were lopped drew them out of the wood.
off, and the trees looked long and bare : they " Where are they going to ? " asked the Fir.
wêre hardly to be recognized and then they were ;
" They are not taller than I ; there was one in-
laid in carts, and the horses dragged them out deed that was considerably shorter and why ; —
of the wood. do they retain all their branches ? Whither are
"
Where did they go to ? What became of they taken ?
them? " We know ! we know !
" chirped the Spar-
In spring, when the Swallows and the Storks rows. " We
have peeped in at the windows in
came, the tree asked them, " Don't you know the town below! We know whither they are
where they have been taken ? Have you not taken The greatest
! splendor and the greatest
met them anywhere ? " magnificence one can imagine await them. We
The Swallows did not know anything about it; peeped through the windows, and saw them
but the Stork looked musing, nodded his head, planted in the middle of the warm room, and or-
and said, " Yes I think I know I met many
; ;
namented with the most splendid things, with —
ships as I was flying hither from Egypt on the ; gilded apples, with gingerbread, with toys, and
"
ships were magnificent masts, and I venture to as- many hundred lights !
sert that it was they that smelt so of fir. I may " And then ? " asked the Fir-tree, trembling
THE FIR-TREE. 169
in every bough. "And then? What happens crowns — at least the children said so. And the
"
then ? Fir-tree was stuck upright in a cask that was
" We did not see anything more : it was in- filled but no one could see that it was
with sand :
comparably beautiful." a cask, for green cloth was hung all round it, and
" I would fain know if I am destined for so it stood on a large gayly-colored carpet. Oh, how
glorious a career," cried the tree, rejoicing. " That the tree quivered What was to happen ? The
!
is still better than to cross the sea ! What a long- servants, as well as the young ladies, decorated it.
ing do I suffer \ Were Chiistmas but come ! I On one branch there hung little nets cut out of
am now and my branches spread like the
tall, colored paper, and each netwas filled with sugar-
others that were carried off last year Oh, were ! plums and among the other boughs gilded apples
;
I but already on the cart Were I in the warm ! and walnuts were suspended, looking as though
room with all the splendor and magnificence ! they had gi'own there, and little blue and white
Yes then something better, something still
; tapers were placed among the leaves. Dolls that
grander, will surely follow, or wherefore should looked for all the world like men — the tree had
they thus ornament me ? Something better, some- never beheld such before — were seen among the
thing still grander, mu&t follow — but what ? Oh, foliage, and at the very top) a large star of gold
how I long, how I suffer I I do not know myself tinsel was fixed. It was really splendid be3'ond —
"
what is the matter with me I description splendid.
"Rejoice in our presence!" said the Air and " This evening " said they all ! ;
" how it will
" rejoice in thy " "
the Sunlight ; own fresh youth ! shine this evening !
But the tree did not rejoice at all he grew ;

" Oh," thought the tree, " if the evening were
and grew, and was green both winter and sum- but come ! If the tajoers were but lighted ! And
mei-. People that saw him said, " What a fine then I wonder what
happen Perhaps the
will !
tree "! and towards Christmas he was one of the other trees from the forest will come to look at
first that was cut down. The axe struck deep me !Perhaps the sparrows will beat against the
into the very pith ; the tree fell to the earth with window-panes I wonder if I shall take root here,
I
a sigh : he felt a pang —

swoon he it was like a ; and winter and summer stand covered with orna-
"
could not think of happiness, for he was sorrowful ments !
at being separated from his home, from the place He knew very much about the matter I but he
where he had sprung up. He well knew that he was so impatient that for sheer longing he got a
should never see his dear old comrades, the little pain in his back, and this with trees is the same
bushes and flowers around him, any more per- ;
thing as a headache with us.
haps not even the birds The departure was not! The candles were now lighted. What bright-
at all agreeable. ness ! What splendor ! The tree trembled so in
The tree only came to himself when he was every bough that one of the tapers set fire to the
unloaded in a courtyai-d with the other trees, and foliage. It blazed up splendidly.
heard a man say, " That one is splendid we don't I
" Help ! help !
" cried the young ladies, and
want the others." Then two servants came in they quickly put out the fire.
rich livery and carried the Fir-tree into a large Now the tree did not even dare tremble. What
and splendid drawing-room. Portraits were hang- a state he was in I He was so uneasy lest he should
ing on the walls, and near the white porcelain lose something of his splendor, that he was quite
stove stood two large Chinese vases with lions on bewildered amidst the glare and brightness ; when
the covers. There, too, were large easy-chairs, suddenly both folding-doors opened, and a troop
silken sofas, large tables full of picture-books, of children rushed in as if they would upset the
and full of toys worth hundreds and hundreds of tree. The older persons followed quietly ; the
22
little ones stood quite still. But it was only for a of the world !
" thought the Fir-tree, and believed
moment ; then they shouted so that the whole because the man who told the story was so
it all,
place reechoed with their rejoicing ; they danced good-looking. " Well, well who knows, perhaps !
round the tree, and one present after the other I may fall down-stairs too, and get a princess as
was pulled off. wife And he looked forward with joy to the
!
"
"What are they about?" thought the tree. moiTow, when he hoped to be decked out again
"What is to happen now!" And the lights with lights, playthings, fruits, and tinsel.
burned down to the very branches, and as they " I won't tremble to-morrow " thought the Fir- !
burned down they were put out one after the tree. " I will enjoy to the full all my splendor !
other, and then the children had permission to To-morrow I shall hear again the story of Klumpy-
plunder the tree. So they fell upon it with such Dumpy, and perhaps that of Ivedy-Avedy too."
violence that all its branches cracked if it had ; And the whole night the tree stood still and in
not been fixed firmly in the cask, it would certainly deep thought.
have tumbled down. In the morning the servant and the housemaid
The children danced about with their beautiful came in.
playthings no one looked at the ti'ee except the

; " Now then the splendor will begin again,"
old nurse, who peeped between the branches but ; thought the Fir. But they dragged him oat of
it was only to see if there was a fig or an apple the room, and up the stairs into the loft ; and here
left that had been forgotten. in a dark corner, where no daylight could enter,
"
"A story! a story !
" cried the children, draw- they him. " What 's the meaning of this ?
left
ing a little fat man towards the tree. He seated thought the tree. " What am I to do here ?
himself imder it, and said, " Now we are in the What shall I hear now, I wonder ? " And he
shade, and the tree can listen too. But I shall leaned against the wall lost in reverie. Time
tell only one story. Now which will you have ; enough had he too for his reflections for days :
that about Ivedy-Avedy, or about Klumpy-Dumpy and nights passed on, and nobody came up and ;
who tumbled down-stairs, and yet after all came when at last somebody did come, it was only to
to the throne and married the princess ? " put some great trunks in a corner out of the way.
" Ivedy-Avedy," cried some " Klumpy-Dumpy," ; There stood the tree quite hidden it seemed as ;
cried the others. There was such a bawling and if he had been entirely forgotten.
screaming !—
the Fir-tree alone was silent, and " 'T is now winter out-of-doors " thought the !
he thought to himself, " Am I not to bawl with tree. " The earth is hard and covered with snow
the rest ? —
am I to do nothing whatever ? " for men cannot plant me now, and therefore I have
he was one of the company, and had done what been put up here under shelter till the spring-
he had to do. time comes How thoughtful that is How kind
! !
And the man told about Klumpy-Dumpy that man is, after all ! If it only were not so dark
tumbled down, who notwithstanding came to the here, and Not even a hare.
so terribly lonely !
throne, and at last married the princess. And And was so pleasant, when
out in the woods it
the children clapped their hands, and cried out, the snow was on the ground, and the hare leaped
" Oh, go on Do go on " They wanted to hear
! ! by; yes —
even when he jumped over me but I ;
about Ivedy-Avedy too, but the little man only told did not like it then. It is really terribly lonely
them about Klumpy-Dumpy. The Fir-tree stood "
here !
quite still and absorbed in thought the birds : " Squeak ! squeak !
" said a little Mouse at the
in the wood had never related the like of this, same moment, peeping out of his hole. And then
" Klumpj'-Dumpy fell down-stairs, and yet he another little one came. Thej^ snuffed about the
married the princess ! Yes, yes ! that 's the way Fir-tree, and rustled among the branches.
THE FIR-TREE. 171
" It is dreadfully cold," said the Mouse. " But So then the Fir-tree told the whole fairy tale, for
for that, it would be delightful here, old Fir, he could remember every single word of it and the ;
"
would n't it ? littleMice jumped for joy up to the very top of the
" I am by no means old," said the Fir-tree. tree. Next night two more Mice came, and on
" There 's many a one considerably older than I Sunday two Rats, even but they said the stories
;
am." were not interesting, which vexed the little Mice

"Where do you come from," asked the Mice; and they, too, now began to think them not so
" and what can ytfu do ? " They were so extremely very amusing either.
curious. " Tell us about the most beautiful spot " Do you know only one story ? " asked the
on the earth. Have you never been there ? Were Rats.
you never in the larder, where cheeses lie on the " Only that one," answered the tree. " I heard
shelves, and hams hang from above where one ; it on my happiest evening ; but I did not then
dances about on tallow candles that place where ; know how happy I was."
one enters lean, and comes out again fat and " It is a very stupid story ! Don't you know
"
portly? one about bacon and tallow candles ? Can't jôu
" I know no such place," said the tree. " "
But tell any larder-stoi'ies ?
I know the wood, where the sun shines, and where " No," said the tree.
the little And then he told all about
birds sing." " Then good-by," said the Rats ; and they went
his youthand the little Mice had never heard
; home.
the like before and they listened and said,
;
— At last Mice stayed away also and
the little ;
" Well, to be sure How much you have seen

I ! the tree sighed :
" After
all, it was very pleasant
How happy you must have been " I when the sleek little Mice sat round me and list-
" I " said the Fir-tree, thinking over what he
! ened to what I told them. Now that too is over.
had himself related. " Yes, in reality those were But I will take good care to enjo}' myself when
happy times." And then he told about Christmas I am brought out again."
Eve, when he was decked out with cakes and can- But when was that to be? Why, one morning
dles. there came a quantity of people and set to work
" Oh," said the little Mice, " how fortunate you in the loft. The trunks were moved, the tree was
have been, old Fir-tree !
"
pulled out and thrown — rather hard, it is true —
"I am by no means old," said he. "I came down on the floor, but a man drew him towards
from the wood this winter ; I am in my prime, the stairs, where the daj'light shone.
and am only rather short for my age." " Now a merry life will begin again," thought
" What delightful stories you know " said the ! the tree. He felt the fresh air, the first sunbeam,
Mice and the next night they came with four
: — and now he was out in the courtyard. All
other little IMice, who were to hear what the tree passed so quickhs there was so much going on
recounted and the more he related, the more
; around him, that the tree quite forgot to look to
plainly he remembered all himself; and it ap- himself. The court adjoined a garden, and all
peared as if those times had really been happy was in flower ; the roses hung so fresh and odorous
times. "But they may still come they may — over the balustrade, the lindens were in blossom,
still come. Klumpy-Dumpy fell down-stairs, and the Swallows flew by, and said " Quirre-vit ray !
yet he got a princess and he thought at the

!
" husband is come !
" but it was not the Fir-tree that
moment of a nice little Birch-tree growing out they meant.
in the woods to the Fir, that would be a real
:
" Now, then, I shall really enjoy life," said he,
charming princess. exultingly, and spread out his branches ; but, alas !
" Who is Klumpy-Dumpy ? " asked the Mice. they were all withered and yellow. It was in a
corner that he hiy, among weeds and nettles. The brewing copper, and it sighed so deeply Each
golden star of tinsel was still on the top of the sigh was like a shot.
tree, and glittered in the sunshine.
In the courtyard some of the merry children
were playing who had danced at Christmas round
the Fir-tree, and were so glad at the sight of him.
One of the youngest ran and tore off the golden
star.
" Only look what is still on the ugly old Christ-
mas-tree !
" said he, trampling on the branches, so
that they all cracked beneath his feet.
And the tree beheld all the beauty of the

flowers,and the freshness in the garden he be- ;
held himself, and wished he had remained in his

dark corner in the loft he thought of his first:
youth in the wood, of the merry Christmas Eve,

and of the little Mice who had listened with so
much pleasure to the story of Klumpy-Dumpy.
"
'T is over —
past!" said the poor tree.
'tis The boys played about in the court, and the
" Had I but rejoiced when I had reason to do so ! youngest wore the gold star on his breast which
"
But now 't is past, 't is past ! the tree had had on the happiest evening of his
And the gardener's chopped the tree into boj' life. However, that was over now, — the tree
small pieces there was a whole heap lying there.
; gone, the story at an end. All, all was over
The wood flamed up splendidly under the large every tale must end at last.
THE FLAX.
The Flax stood in blossom ; it had pretty little don't know the world, but we do, for we have
;
blue flowers, delicate as a moth's wings and even knots in us " and then it creaked out mourn-
more delicate. The sun shone on the Flax, and fully, -
" Snip-snap-snurre,
the rain clouds moistened it, and this was just as
Bassellurre !
good for it as it is for little children when they The song is done."
are washed, and afterward get a kiss from their
mother ; they become much prettier, and so did " No, it is not done," said the Flax. " To-mor-
the Flax. row the sun will shine, or the rain will refresh us.
" The people say that I stand uncommonly I feel that I 'm growing, I feel that I 'm in blos-
well," said the Flax, " and that I 'm fine and long, som I 'm the happiest of beings."
I
and shall make a capital piece of linen. How But one day the people came and took the Flax
happy I am ! I 'm certainly the happiest of be- by the head and pulled it up by the root. That
ings. How well I am off I And I may come to hurt; and it was laid in water as if they were
something \ How the sunshine gladdens, and the going to drown it, and then put on the fire
rain tastes good and refreshes me I 'm wonder- ! as if it was going to be roasted. It was quite
fully happy ; I 'm the happiest of beings." fearful

" Yes, yes, yes !
" said the Hedge-stake. " You " One can't alwavs have good times," said the
THE FLAX. 173
Fliix. " One must make one's experiences, and so kind not often mentioned by name, but indispen-
one gets to know something." sable to all people, were made of it —a whole
But bad times certainly came. The Flax -^vas dozen !
moistened, and roasted, and broken, and hackled. " Just look ! Now something has really been
Yes, it did not even know what the operations made of me ! So ; that was my destiny. That 's
were called that they did with it. It was put on a real blessing. Now I shall be of some use in the
the spinning-wheel — whirr ! whirr ! whirr I — it world, and that 's right, that 's a true pleasure
was not possible to collect one's thoughts. We "ve been made into twelve things, but yet
" I have been uncommonly happy,"' it thought we 're all one and the same we "re just ; a dozen :
in all its pain. " One must be content with the how charming that is " !
good one has enjoyed. Contented! contented! Years rolled on, and now they would hold to-
Oh " And it continued to say that when it was
! gether no longer.
put into the loom, and till it became a large, beau- " It must be over one day," said each piece.
tiful piece of linen. All the Flax, to the last " I would gladly have held together a little longer,
stalk,was used in making one piece. but one must not expect impossibilities."
" But this is quite remarkable I should never ! They were now torn into pieces and fragments.
have believed it Thej' thought it
How favorable fort- was all over now,

une is to me ! The for they were hacked
Hedge-stake is well to shreds, and soft-
informed, truly, ened, and boiled ;
with its — yes, they themselves

" Snip-snap-snurre, did not know all
Bassellurre !
that was done to
The song is not done them and then they
;
by any means. Now became beautiful

it 's beginning in white paper.
earnest. That 's Now, that is
" a
'^^SiS'îSi*--
quite remarkable surprise, and a
If I 've suffered something, I "ve been made into glorious surprise !
" said the Paper. " Now I 'm
something ! I'm the happiest of all How strong ! finer than before, and I shall be written on : that
and fine I am, how white and long That 's ! is remarkable good fortune."
something different from being a mere plant And really the most beautiful stories and verses
even if one bears flowers, one is not attended to, were written upon it, and only once there came a
and only gets watered when it rains. Xow I 'm blot that was certainly remarkable good fortune.
;
attended to and cherished the maid turns me : And the people heard what was upon it it was ;
over every morning, and I get a shower bath from sensible and good, and made people much more
the watei-ing-pot every evening. Yes, the clergy- sensible and better: there was a great blessing in
man's wife has even made a speech about me, and the words that were on this paper.
says I 'm the best piece in the whole parish. I " That is more than I ever imagined when I
cannot possibly he happier " ! was a little blue flower in the fields. How could
Now the Linen was taken into the house, and I fanc}' that I should ever spread joy and knowl-
put under the scissors : how they cut and tore it, edge among men ? I can't yet understand it my-
and then pricked it with needles ! That was not self, but it really is so. I have done nothing my-
pleasant ; but twelve pieces of body linen of a self but what I was obliged with my weak powers
to do for my own preservation, and yet I have One after another faded out as quick as the wind,
been promoted from one joy and honor to another. and that they called "seeing the children come
Each time when I think the song is done,' it be- '
out of school," and the last spark was the old
gins again in a higher and better way. Now I schoolmaster one of them thought he had already
:
shall certainly be sent about to journey through gone, but the next moment there came another
the world, so that all people may read me. That spark. " There goes the schoolmaster " thev !
cannot be otherwise ; it 's the only jJrobable thing. said. Yes, they knew all about it they should ;
I have splendid thoughts, as many as I had pretty have known who it was who went there we shall :
flowers in the old times. I 'm the happiest of be- get to know it, but they did not. All the old
ings." Paper, the whole bundle, was laid upon the fire,
But the Paper was not sent on its travels, it — and it was soon alight. " Ugh I
" it said, and
was sent to the printei', and everything that was burst out into bright flame. Ugh ! that was not
written upon it was set up in type for a book, or very agreeable, but when the whole was wrapped
rather for many hundreds of books, for in this in bright flames, these mounted up higher than
way a very far greater number could derive pleas- the Flax had ever been able to lift its little blue
ure and profit from the book than if the one paper flowers, and glittered as the white Linen had never
on which it was written had run about the world, been able to glitter. All the written letters
to be worn out before it had got half way. turned for a moment quite red, and all the words
" Yes, that is certainly the wisest way," thought and thoughts turned to flame.
the Written Paper. " I really did not think of " Now mounting straight up to the sun,"
I 'm
that. I shall stay at home, and be held in honor, said a voice in the flameand it Avas as if a thou-
;
just like an old grandfather; and I am really the sand voices said this in unison and the flames ;
grandfather of all something

these books. Now mounted up through the chimney and out at the
can be effected I could not have wandered about
; top, and more delicate than the flames, invisible
thus. He who wrote all this looked at me every ; tohuman eyes, little tiny beings floated there, as
word flowed from his pen right into me. I am the many as there had been blossoms on the Flax.
happiest of all." Thfy were lighter even than the flame from
Then the Paper was tied together in a bundle, which they were born and when the flame was
;
and thrown into a tub that stood in the wash- extinguished, and nothing remained of the Paper
house. but black ashes, they danced over it once more,
" It 's good resting after work," said the Paper. and where they touched the black mass the little
" It 's very right that one should collect one's red sparks appeared. The children came out of
thoughts. Now
'm able for the first time to
I school, and the schoolmaster was the last of all.
think of what is in me, and to know one's self is That was fun And the children sang over the
I
true progress. What will be done with me now ? dead ashes,

At any rate I shall go forward again I 'm always :
" Snip-snap-snurre,
Bassellurre
going forward I 've found that out."
;
!
The song is done."

Now, one daj' all the Paper was taken out and
laid by on the hearth it was to be burned, for it
; But the little invisible beings all said, —
might not be sold to hucksters to be used for cov- " The song is never done, that is the best of all.
ering for butter and sugar, they said. And all We know it, and therefore we 're the happiest of
the childi-en in the house stood round about, for all."
they wanted to see the Paper burn, that flamed so But the children could neither hear that nor
prettily, and afterwards one could see many red understand it ; nor ought they, for children must
sparks among the ashes, careering here and there. not know everything.
THE SWINEHERD. 175
THE SWINEHERD.
There was once a poor prince ; be had a king- lightfully that at first no one could say anything
dom that was very small ; still it was quite large ill-humored of it.
enough to marry upon and he wished to marry.

; ^'- Superhe I cJiarment ! " exclaimed the ladies;
It was certainly rather cool of him to say to the for they

used to chatter French, each one
all
Emperor's daughfer, " Will you have me ? " But worse than her neighbor.
so he did for his name was renowned far and
;
" How much the bird reminds me of the musical
wide and there were a hundred princesses who
; box that belonged to our blessed empress " re- !
would have answered, " Thank you." But see marked an old knight. " Ah yes it is the very !
what she said. Now we will hear. same tone, the same execution."
By the grave of the prince's father there grew "Yes! yes!" said the emperor, and he wept
a rose-tree, —
a most beautiful rose-tree it blos- ; like a little child.
somed only once in every five years, and even then " I will still hope that it is not a real bird,"
bore only one flower, but that was a rose that said the princess.
smelt so sweet as to make one forget all cares and " Yet it is a real bird," said those who had
sorrows. brought it.
And furthermore, the prince had a nightingale, " Well, then let the bird fly," returned the
who could sing in such a manner that it seemed princess ; and she positively refused to see the
as though all sweet melodies dwelt in her little prince.
throat. So the princess was to have the rose and However, he was not to be discouraged he ;
the nightingale and they were accordingly put

; daubed his face over brown and black, pulled his
into large silver caskets, and sent to her. cap over his ears, and knocked at the door.
The emperor had them brought into a large " Good day, emperor " said he. " Can I have !
"
hall, where the princess was playing at " making employment at the palace ?
calls," with the ladies of the court they never ;
" Oh, there are so many that want a place " !
did anything else, and when she saw the caskets said the emperor ;
" well let me see, I want some
with the presents, she clapped her hands for one to take care of the pigs, for we have a great
joy- many of them."
" Ah, if it were but a little jnissy-cat " ex- ! So the prince was appointed " Imperial Swine-
claimed she ; then out came the beautiful rose. herd." He had a dirty little room close by the
" Oh, how prettily it is made " ! said all the pig-sty and there he sat the whole day, and
;
court-ladies. worked. By the evening he had made a pretty

" It is more than pretty," said the emperor little saucepan. Little bells were hung all around
" it is charming " ! it; and when the pot was boiling, these bells tin-
But the princess touched it, and was almost kled in the most charming manner, and played the
ready to cry. old melody :
—
" Fie, papa !
" said she, " it is not made at all " All ! tliou dearest Augustine !
" All gone, gone, gone "

it is natural I
is !
"Fie I" cried all the court-ladies; "it is' nat- But what was still more curious, whoever held
"
ural ! his finger in the smoke of this saucejian immedi-
" Let us see what is in the other casket, before ately smelt all the dishes that were cooking on
we get into a bad humor, proposed the emperor. every hearth in the city : this, you see, was some-
So the nightingale came forth, and sang so de- thing quite different from the rose.
Now the princess happened to walk that way : It was delightful ! the saucepan was kept boil-
and when she heard the tune, she stood quite still, ing all the evening, and the whole of the following
and seemed pleased for she could play " Dearest ; day. Tliey knew perfectly well what was cook-
Augustine " it was the only piece she knew, and
;
ing at every fire throughout the city, from the
she played it with one finger. chamberlain's to the cobbler's ; the court-ladies
" Why, there is my piece " said the princess ! danced, and clapped their hands.
" that swineherd must certainly have been well " We know who has soup and who has pancakes
educated ! Here ! Go in and ask him the price for dinner to-day, who has cutlets, and who has
of the instrument.'.' eggs.How interesting " !
And so one of the court-ladies must run in ;

And How interesting
''
!
" said the lord stew-
however, she drew on wooden slippers first. ard's wife.

" What will you take for the saucepan ? " in- " Yes, but keep my secret, for I am an emper-
quired the lady. or's daughter."
" I will have ten kisses from the princess," said " Mercy on us," said they all.
the swineherd. The swineherd —

" Mercy on us !
" said the lady. that is to say the
" Yes, I cannot sell it for less," prince, for no one
said the swineherd. knew that he was
" Well, what does he say ? " asked other than an ill-
the princess. '/^ \
favored swineherd —
"I cannot tell you, (''"-, -J'''.^'\'^^4r. let day pass
not a
really," replied the lady; :' ; -; without working at
" "
it is too bad ! something he at last ;
" Then you can constructed a rattle,

whisper it !
" So the which, when it was
lady whispered it. swung round, played
" He is an impu- all the waltzes and
!
dent fellow " said the jig-tunes which have
princess, and she ever been heard since
walked on but when ; the creation of the
she had gone a little way, the bells tinkled so world.
prettily, — "Ah, superhe!" said the princess when
that is
" Ah ! thou dearest Augustine ! she passed by "I have never heard jjrettier com-
;
All gone, goue, cone "

is !
positions Go in and ask him the price of the
!
" Stay," said the princess. "

he will " Ask him if instrument but I won't kiss him
; !
have ten kisses from the ladies of my court." " He have a hundred kisses from the prin-
will
" No, thank you " answered the swineherd ! : cess " said
!
the court-lady who had been in to
" ten kisses from the princess, or I keep the sauce- ask.
pan myself." " I think he is crazy I
" said the princess, and
" That must not be, either " said the princess ! walked on ; but when she had gone a little way,
"But do you all stand before me, that no one may she atojDped again. '•
One must encourage art,"
see us." said she ;
" I am the emperor's daughter. Tell
And the court-ladies placed themselves in front him, he shall, as on yesterdaj', have ten kisses from
of her, and spread out their dresses and so the ; me, and may take the rest from the ladies of the
swineherd got ten kisses, and she got the saucepan. court."
THE SWINEHERD. 177
" Oh ! but we should not like that at all !
" said with his slipper, just as the swineherd was taking
the court-ladies. the eighty-sixth kiss.
" What are you muttering ? " asked the prin- " Off with you " cried the emperor, for he was
!
cess ;
" can kiss him, sm-ely you can
if I Re- ! very angry : and both princess and swineherd
member, I give you your food and wages." So the were thrust out of the city.
court-ladies were obliged to go to him again. The princessnow stood and wept, the swine-
" A hundred kisses from the princess " said he, ! herd scolded, and the rain poured down.
" or else let every /one keep his own." " Oh, how miserable I am !
" said the princess.
" Stand round "
! " If I had but mar-
said she ; and all the ried the handsome
ladies stood round young prince!
her whilst the kiss- Ah how unfortu-
!
ing was going on. "

nate I am !
" What can be And the swine-

the reason for such herd went behind
a crov^d close by the a tree, washed
pig-sty ? " said the the black-and-brown
emjjeror, who hap- color from his face,
pened just then to threw off his dirty
step out on the bal- clothes, and stepped
cony. He rubbed forth in his princely
his eyes and put on
robes; he looked
his spectacles. so noble that the
" The}^ are the la-
princess could not
dies of the court help bowing before
there some play
is
him.
going on. I must "lam come to de-
go down and see spise thee," said he.
"what they are " Thou wouldst not
about I " So he have an honorable
pulled up his slip- prince thou couldst
I
pers at the heel, for not prize the rose

he had trodden them and the nightin-
down. gale, but thou wast
Heh there ! what ready to kiss the
a hurry he is in.
swineherd for the
As soon as he had got into the courtyard, he sake of a trumpery plaything. Now thou hast
moved very were so much
softly, and the ladies thy deserts "!
engrossed with counting the kisses, that all might He then went back to his own little kingdom,
go on fairly, that they did not perceive the em- and shut the door of his palace in her face. New-
peror. He rose on his tiptoes. she might well sing, —
" What is all this ? " said he, when he saw what
"Ah ! thou dearest Augustine
was going on, and he boxed the princess's ears All isgone, gone, gone " I
23
THE LOVERS.
A Top and a little Ball were together in a said '
Yes,' and that is as good as half engaged
drawer among some other toys ; and the Top said but I promise I will never for'get you."
to the Ball, — " Yes, that will be much good !
" said the Top.
" Shall we not be lovers, as we live together in And they spoke no more to each other.
" Next day the Ball was taken out by the boy.
the same box ?
But the Ball, which had a coat of morocco The Top saw how she flew high into the air, like
leather,and was just as conceited as any fine lady, a bird ; at last one could no longer see her.
would make no answer to such a proposal. The Each time she came back again, but gave a high
next day came the little boy to whom the toys be- leap when she touched the earth, and that was
longed he painted the Top red and yellow, and
: done either from her longing to mount up again,
hammered a brass nail into it and it looked splen- ; or because she had a Spanish cork in her body.
did when the Top turned round. But the ninth time the little Ball remained ab-
" Look at me " ! sent, and did not
he cried to the little come back again ;
Ball. " What do you and the boy sought

say now? Shall we and sought, but she
not be engaged to ? was gone.
each other ? We suit "I know very well
one another so well whei'e she is I
" sighed
You jump and 1 the Top. " She is in

dance ! No one could '-'
J the Swallow's nest,
be happier than we g[ and has married, the
!
two should be." Swallow

" Indeed Do ! j'ou The more the Top
think so ? "
replied ^ thought of this, the
'
the little Ball. " Per- _ more it longed for
haps you
do not the Ball. Just be-
know that my papa and my mamma were morocco cause it could not get the Ball, its love increased ;
slippers, and that I have a Spanish cork inside and the fact that the Ball had chosen another
me?" formed a peculiar feature in the case. So the
" Yes, but I am made of mahogany," said the Top danced round and hummed, but always
Top; "and the mayor himself turned me. He thought of the little Ball, which became more
has a turning lathe of his own, and it amuses him and more beautiful in his fane3\ Thus several
greatly." years went b}', and now it was an old love.
" Can depend on that ? " asked the little Ball.
I And the Top was no longer j'oung But one I
" May I never be whipped again if it is not day he was gilt all over never had he looked so
;
true " rejjlied the Top.

! handsome he was now a golden Top, and sprang
;
" You can speak well for yourself," observed the till he hummed again. Yes, that was something
Ball, " but I cannot grant your request. I am as worth seeing But all at once he sj)rang too high,
!
good as engaged to a swallow every time I leap : and —he was gone !
up into the air he puts his head out of the nest They looked and looked, even in the cellar, but
and says, Will you ? ' And now I have silently ' he was not to be found. Where could he be ?
LITTLE CLAUS AND BIG CLAUS. 179
He had jumped into the dust-box, where all servant-girl, and wanted to turn out the dust-box.
kinds of things were lying : cabbage stalks, sweep- " Aha ! there 's a gilt top I
" she cried. And so
ings, and dust that had fallen down from the the Top was brought again to notice and honor,
roof. but nothing was heard of the little Ball. And the
" Here 's a nice place to lie The gilding
in I
will soon leave me here. Among what a rabble

"
have I alighted I
And then he lo(;>ked sideways at a long leafless

cabbage stump, and at a curious round thing like
an old apple but it was not an apple
; it was an —
old Ball, which had lain for years in the roof-gut-
terand was quite saturated with water.
" Thank goodness, here comes one of us, with
whom one can talk " said the little Ball, and
!
looked at the gilt Top. " I am really morocco,

worked by maidens' hands, and have a Spanish
cork within me but no one would think it, to look
;
at me. I was very near marrying a swallow, but I

fell into the gutter on the roof, and have lain there
full five years, and become quite wet through.
You maj'^ believe me, that "s a long time for a Top spoke no more of his old love ; for that dies
young girl." away when the beloved object has lain for five
But the Top said nothing. He thought of his years in a roof-gutter and got wet through ; yes,
old love and the more he heard, the clearer it be-
; one does not know her again when one meets her
came to him that this was she. Then came the in the dust-box.
LITTLE CLAUS AND BIG CLAUS.

There two men who both
lived in a village The sun shone brightly, and all the bells in the
had the same name they wei-e called Claus but
; ; church tower were ringing merrily as the people
one of them had four horses, and the other had passed by, dressed in their best clothes, with their
only one horse ; so in order to tell one fi'om the prayer-books under their arms. They were going
owner of the four horses,
other, people called the to hear theclergyman preach, and they looked at
" Big Claus," and him who had only one, " Little Little Claus plowing with his five horses, and he
Claus." Now we shall hear what happened to the was so proud that he smacked his whip, and said,
"
two, for this is a true storj'. " G'up, all my horses I
The whole week through Little Claus was " You must not say that," said Big Claus ;
" for
obliged to plow for Big Claus, and lend him his only one of them belongs to you." But when an-
one horse ; and, in return. Big Claus lent him all other lot of jaeople went by to church, Little Claus
his four horses,
but only on one day of the week, forgot what he ought to say, and called out,
"
and that was Sunday. Then how proudly Little " G"up, all my horses I
Claus would smack his whi23 over all five horses !

" Now you not to say that again," said
I tell
they were as good as his own on that one day. Big Claus; "for if you do, I shall hit your horse
on the head, so that be will drop dead on the spot, Near to the farm-house stood a large hay-stack,
and that will be the end of him." and between it and the house was a small shed,
" I promise you I will not say it any more," with a thatched roof.
said the other but as soon as people came by,
;
" I can lie up there," said Little Glaus, as he
nodding to him, and wishing him " Good day," saw the roof " it will make a famous bed, but I
;
he became so pleased, and thought how grand hope the stork will not fly down and bite my
it looked to have five horses plowing in his legs " for on it stood a living stork, whose nest
;
field, that he cried out again, " G'up, all my was in the roof.
horses ! So Little Glaus climbed to the roof of the shed,
" I '11 g'up your horses for you," said Big Glaus ;
and while he turned himself to get comfortable, he
and, seizing a carriage weight, he struck the one discovered that the wooden shutters, which were
horse of Little Clans on the head, and he fell closed, did not reach to the tops of the windows
dead instantl}'. of the farm-house, so that he could see into a room
" Ah now! I have no horse at all," said Little in which a large table was laid out, with wine,
Glaus, and he began to weep. But after a while roast meat, and a splendid fish. The farmer's wife
he took off the dead horse's skin, and hung the and the sexton were sitting at the table together
hide to dry in the and she filled his glass,
wind. Then he put and helped him plen-
the dry skin into a teously to fish, for
bag, and placing it that was something

over his s h o u 1 d e r, he was fond of.
went out into the next " If I could only get
town to sell the horse's some, too," thought
hide. Little Glaus and he
;
He had a very long stretched his neck

way to go, and had to toward the window.
pass through a dark, Oh, what a lovely pie
gloomy forest. Presently a storm arose, and he he could see there Oh, but that was a feast
!
lost his way, and before he discovered the right Now he heard some one riding down the road,
path, evening came on, and it was still a long way toward the farm-house. It was the woman's hus-
to the town, and too far to return home before band coming home. He was a good man, but
night. still he had a very strange prejudice, he could —
Near the road stood a large farm-house. The not bear the sight of a sexton. If one appeared
shutters outside the windows were closed, but before him, he would put himself in a terrible
lights shone through the crevices and at the top. rage. And so it was that the sexton had gone to
" I might get permission to stay here for the visit the farmer's wife during her husband's ab-
night," thought Little Glaus so he went up to ; sence from home, and the good woman had placed
the door and knocked. before him the best she had in the house to eat.
The farmer's wife opened the door but when ; When she heard the farmer coming she was fi-ight-
she heard what he wanted, she told him to go ened, and begged the sexton to hide himself in a
away, as her husband would not allow her to ad- large empty chest that stood in the room. He did
mit strangers. so, forhe knew her husband could not endure the
" Then I shall be obliged to lie out here," said sight of a sexton. The woman then quickly jjut
Little Glaus to himself, and the farmer's wife away the wine, and hid all the rest of the nice
shut the door in his face. things in the oven ; for if her husband had seen
LITTLE GLAUS AND BIG GLAUS. 181
them lie would have asked what they were brought are three bottles of wine for us, standing in the
out for. corner, by the oven."
'^
Oh dear !
" sighed Little Claus from the top So the woman was obliged to bring out the wine
of the shed, as he saw all the good things disap- also, which she had hidden, and the farmer drank
pear. it till he became quite merry. He would have

" Is any one up there ? " asked the farmer, liked such a conjurer as Little Claus carried in
looking up and discovering Little Claus. " Why his sack. "Could he conjure up the devil?"
are you lying up there ? Come down, and come asked the farmer. " I should like to see him now,
into the house with me." So Little Claus came while I am so merry."
down and told the farmer how he had lost his " Oh, yes !
" replied Little Claus, " my conjurer
way, and begged for a night's lodging. can, do anything I ask him, — can you not ? " he
"All right," said the farmer; "but we must asked, treading at the same time on the sack till
have something to eat first." it squeaked. " Do you hear ? he answers Yes,' '
The woman received them both very kindly, but he fears that we shall not like to look at
laid the cloth on a large table, and placed before him."
" Oh, I am not afraid. What will he be like "
them a dish of groats. The farmer was very ?
hungry, and ate his groats with a good appetite, " Well, he is very much like a sexton."
but Little Claus could not help thinking of the "Ha!" said the farmer; "then he must be
nice roast meat, fish, and pies, which he knew ugly. Do you know I cannot endure the sight of
were in the oven. Under the table, at his feet, a sexton. However, that does n't matter, I shall
lay the sack containing the horse's skin, which he know who it is ; so I shall not mind. Now then,
intended to sell at the next town. Now Little I have got up my courage, but don't let him come
Claus did not relish the groats at all, so he trod too near me."
with his foot on the sack under the table, and the " Stop, I must ask the conjurer," said Little
dry skin squeaked quite loud. " Hush " said ! Claus ; so he trod on the bag, and stooped his ear
Little Claus to his sack, at the same time tread- down to listen.
" "
ing upon it again, till it squeaked louder than be- What does he say ?
fore. "He says that you must go and open that large
" Hallo " chest which stands in the corner, and you will see
I what have you got in your sack ?
asked the farmer. the devil crouching down inside ; but you must
" Oh, it is a conjurer," said Little Claus ; "and hold the lid firrah', that he may not slip out."
he says we need not eat groats, for he has conjured " Will you come and help me hold it ? " said
the oven full of roast meat, fish, and pie." the farmer going toward the chest in which his
" Wonderful !
" cried the farmer, and he opened wife had hidden the sexton, who now lay inside,
the oven door ; and there lay all the nice things very much frightened. The farmer lifted the lid
hidden by the farmer's wife, but which he sup- a very little waj% and peeped in.
posed had been conjured there by the wizard un- " Eh " cried he, springing backwards.
!
" Ah,
der the table. The woman dai'ed not say any- I saw him, and he is exactly like our sexton. How
thing ; so she placed the things before them, and dreadful it is !
"
he was obliged to
So after that
they both ate of the fish, the meat, and the drink again, and they sat and drank till far into
pastry. the night.

Then Little Claus trod again upon his sack, " You must your conjurer to me," said the
sell
and it squeaked as before. farmer ; " ask as much

as you like, I will pay it
" What does he say now ? " asked the farmer. indeed, I would give you directly a whole bushel
" He says," replied Little Claus, " that there of gold."
182 STORIES FROM HAXS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEK
" No, indeetl, I cannot,"' said Little Claus be tired if I roll it any farther, so I may as well
" only think how much profit I could make out of throw it into the river if it swims after me to my
;
this conjurer." house, well and good, and if not, it will not much
" But I should like to have him," said the matter."
farmer, still continuing his entreaties. So he seized the chest in his hand, and lifted it
" Well," said Little Claus at length, "you have up a little, as if he were going to throw it into
been so good as to give me a night's lodging, I the water.
will not refuseyou you shall have the conjurer ;
" No, leave it alone," cried the sexton from
for a bushel of money, but I will liave quite full within the chest ;
" let me out first."
measure." " Oh,"' exclaimed
"So you shall," Little Claus, pretend-
said the farmer ;
" but ing to be frightened,
you must take away " be is in there still,
the chest as well. I is he ? I must throw
would not have it in him into the river,
the house another that he may be
hour; there is no di'owned."'
"
knowing if he may " Oh no ! Oh no !
not be still there." cried the sexton ;

" I
So Little Claus gavt' "will give you a whole

the farmer the sack bushel full of money
containing the dried if you will let me
horse's skin, and re- go."
ceived in exchange a "Why, that is an-
bushel of monej' — other matter," said
full measure. The Little Clans, opening
Farmer also gave him the chest. The sexton
a wheel -barrow on crept out, pushed the
which to carry away empty chest into the
the chest a n d the water, and went to
gold. his house ; then he
"Farewell," said measured out a whole
Little Claus, as he bushel full of gold for
went off with h i s Little Claus, who had
money and the great already received one
chest, in which the from the farmer, so
sexton lay still concealed On one side of the that now he had a barrow full.
forest was a broad, deep river ; the water flowed " I have been well paid for my horse," said he
so rapidly that verj' few were able to swim against to himself when he reached home, entered his own
the stream. A new bridge had lately been built room, and emptied all his money into a heap on
across it, and in the middle of this bridge Little the floor. "How vexed Big Claus will be when
Claus stopped, and said, loud enough to be heard he finds how rich I have become all through my
by the sexton, — one horse but I shall not tell him exactly how it
;
" Now, what shall I do with this stupid chest ? all happened." Then he sent a boy to Big Claus
it is as heavy as if it were full of stones I shall : to borrow a bushel measure.
LITTLE CLAVS AND BIG GLAUS. 183
"What can he wantit for?" thought Big During the night, as he sat there, the door
Claus ; so he smeared the bottom of the measure opened, and in came Big Claus with a hatchet.
with tar, that some of whatever was put into it He knew well where Little Claus's bed stood ; so
might stick there and remain. And so it hap- he went right up to
it, and struck the old grand-
pened for when the measure returned three new

; mother on the head, thinking it must be Little
silver florins were sticking to it. Claus.
" What does tliis mean ? " said Big Claus so ;
" There," cried he, " now you cannot make a
he ran off directly to Little Claus, and asked, fool of me again ;
" and then he went home.
" " " That
Where did you get so much money ? is a very wicked man," thought Little
" Oh, for mj' horse's hide ; I sold it yesterday." Claus ;
" he meant to kill me. It is a good thing
" It
was certainly well paid for then," said Big for my old grandmother that she was already dead,
Claus and he ran home to his house, seized a
; or he would have taken her life."
hatchet, and knocked all his four horses on the Then he dressed his old grandmother in her best
head, flayed off their skins, and took them to the clothes, borrowed a horse of his neighbor, and
"
town to sell. " Hides, hides! who'll buy hides? harnessed it to a cart. Then he placed the old
he cried, as he went through the streets. All the woman on the back seat, so that she might not fall
shoemakers and tanners came running, and asked out as he drove, and rode away through the wood.
liow much he wanted for them. By sunrise they reached a large inn, where Little
" A bushel of money for each," replied Big Claus stopped and went to get something to eat.
Claus. The landlord was a rich man, and a good man,
" Are you mad ? " they all cried " do you think ; too but us passionate as if he had been made of
;
we have money to spend by the bushel ? " pepper and snuff.

"Hides, hides!" he cried again, "who'll buy " Good-morning," said he to Little Claus " you ;
hides?" but to all who inquired the price his an- are come betimes to-day."
swer was, " A bushel of money." " Yes," said Little Claus ;
" I am going to the
" He is making fools of us," said they all ; then town with my old grandmother she is sitting at ;
the shoemakers took their straps, and the tanners the back of the wagon, but I cannot bring her into
their leather aprons, and began to beat Big Claus. the room. Will you take her a glass of mead?
" Hides, hides !
" they cried, mocking him but you must speak very loud, for she cannot hear
;
" yes, we '11 mark your hide for you, till it is black well."
and blue." " Yes, certainly I will," replied the landlord
" Out of the town with him," said they. And and, pouring out a glass of mead, he carried it out
Big Claus was obliged to run as fast as he could to the dead grandmother, who sat upright in the
he had never before been so thoroughly beaten. cart.
"Ah," said he, as he came to his house, "Little " Here is a glass of mead from your grandson,"
Claus shall pay me for this I will beat him to ; said the landlord. The dead woman did not an-
death." swer a word, but sat quite still.
Now happened that the old grandmother of
it "Do you not hear?" cried the landlord, as
Little Claus died. She had been cross, unkind, loud as he could; "here is a glass of mead from
and really spiteful to him but he was very sorry,
; your grandson."
and took the dead woman and laid her in his Again and again he bawled it out, but as she did
warm bed to see if he could bring her to life again. not he flew into a passion, and thi'ew the glass
stir
There he determined that she should lie the whole of mead in her face it struck her on the nose, and
;
night, wliile he seated liimself in a chair in a cor- she fell backwards out of the cart, for she was only
ner of the room, as he had often done before. seated there, not tied in.
184 STORIES FROM HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN
" Mercy " cried Little Claus, and sprang out
! all the people thought him mad, and let him drive
of the door, and seized hold of the landlord by where he liked.
the throat ;
" you have killed my grandmother ;
" You shall pay for this," said Big Claus, as
see, here is a great hole in her forehead." soon as he got into the high-road, — "that you
"
Oh, how unfortunate," said the landlord, shall. Little So as soon as he reached
Claus."
wringing his hands. " This all comes of my fiery home he took the largest sack he could find, and
temper. Dear Little Claus, I will give you a went over to Little Claus. " You have played me
whole bushel of monej', and will bury your grand- another trick," said he. " First, I killed all my
mother as if she were my own only keep silent, ; horses, and then my old grandmother, and it is all
or else they will cut off my head, and that would your fault but you shall not make a fool of me
;
be disagreeable." any more." So he laid hold of Little Claus round

So it happened that Little Claus received nn- the body, and pushed him into the sack, which he
other bushel of money, and the landlord bui-ied took on his shoulders, saying, " Now I 'm going to
his old grandmother as if she had been his own. drown you in the river."
When now Little Claus reached home again, he He had a long way to go before he reached the
immediately sent a boy to Big Claus, requesting river, and Little Claus was not a very light weight
him to lend him a bushel measure. " How is to carry. The road led by the church, and as they
this ? " thought Big Claus " did I not kill ; him? passed he could hear the organ playing and the
I must go and see for mj'self." So he went to people singing beautifully. Big Claus put down
Little Claus, and took the bushel measure with the sack close to the church door, and thought he
him. " How did you get all this money?" asked might as well go in and hear a psalm before he
Big Claus, staring with wide open eyes at his went any farther. Little Claus could not possibly
neighbor's treasures. get out of the sack, and all the people were in
"You killed ni}' grandmother instead of me," church so in he went.
;
said Little Claus, " so 1 have sold her for a bushel " Oh dear, oh dear," sighed Little Claus in the
of mone}'." sack, as he turned and twisted about ; but he
" Thatis a good price, any way," said Big Claus. found he could not loosen the string with which it
So he went home, took a hatchet, and killed his old was tied. Presently an old cattle driver, with
grandmother with one blow. Then he placed her snowy hair, passed by, carrying a large staff in his
on a cart, and drove into the town to the apoth- hand, with which he drove a large herd of cows
ecary, and asked him if he would buy a dead and oxen before him. They stumbled against the
body. sack in which lay Little Claus, and turned it over.
" Whose is it, and where did you get it ? " asked "Oh dear," sighed Little Claus, "I am so young,
the apothecary. and going so soon to heaven."
" It is my grandmother," he replied ;
" I struck And I, poor fellow," said the drover,
" —" I,
her dead for a bushel of money." who am so old already, cannot get there."
" Heaven preserve us " cried the apothecary,
!
" Open the sack," cried Little Claus " creep ;
" you are out of your mind. Don't say such into it instead of me, and you will soon be
things, or you will lose your head." And then there."
he talked to him seriously about the wicked deed " With all my heart," rejjlied the drover, open-
he had done, and told him that such a wicked man ing the sack, from which sprang Little Claus as
would surelj' be punished. Big Claus got so quickly as possible. " Will you take care of my
frightened that he rushed out of the apothecary cattle ? " said the old man, as he crept into the
shop, jumped into the cart, whipped up his horses, bag.
and drove home quickly. The apothecary and " Yes," said Little Claus, and he tied up the
LITTLE GLAUS AND BIG CLAUS. 185
sack, and then walked off with all the cows and river formed a great highway for the people who
oxen. live in the sea. They were walking and driving
WhenBig Clans came out of cburcb, he took up here and there from the sea to the land at the
the sack, and placed it on his shoulders. It ap- spot where the river terminates. The bed of the
peared to have become lighter, for the old drover river was covered with the loveliest flowers and
was not half so heavy as Little Clans. sweet, fresh grass. The fish swam past me as
" How light he seems now," said he. " Ah, it rapidly as the birds do here in the air. How
is because I have been to a church." So he handsome all the people were, and what fine cat-
walked on to theT river, which was deep and broad, tle were grazing on the and in the valleys "
hills !
and threw the sack containing the old drover into "But why did you come up again," said Big
the water, believing it to be Little Claus. " There Claus, " if it was all so beautiful down there ? I
you may lie " he exclaimed " you will play me
! ; should not have done so."
no more tricks now." Then he turned to go home, " Well," said Little Claus, " it was good policy
but when he came to a place where two roads on my part you heard me say just now that I
;
crossed, there was Little Claus driving the cattle. was told by the sea-maiden to go a mile farther on
" How is this ? " said the road, and I sliould
Big Claus. " Did I find a whole herd of

not drown you just cattle. By the road
"
now ? /^"X >s.r,b'S" -^ ^\-^ ste meant the river,
"Yes," said Little Vi tt^^r ij -^ for she could not travel
Claus " you threw
; any other way but I ;
me into the river knew the winding of

about half an hour the river, and how it
ago." bends, sometimes to
" But wherever did the right and some-
you get all these fine times to the left, and
beasts?" asked Big it seemed a long way,

Claus. so I chose a shorter
" These beasts are one and, by coming ;
sea-cattle," replied Little Claus. " I '11 tell you the up to the land, and then driving across the fields
whole story, and thank you for drowning me I ; back again to the river, I shall save half a mile,
am above you now I am really very rich. I was
; and get all my cattle more quickly."
frightened, to be sure, while I lay tied up in the " What a lucky fellow you are " exclaimed !
sack, and the wind whistled in my ears when you Big Claus. " Do you think I should get any sea-
threw me into the river from the bridge, and I cattle if I went down to the bottom of the river ?
"
sank to the bottom immediately but I did not ;

" Yes, I think so," said Little Claus; "but I
hurt myself, for I fell upon beautifully soft grass cannot cai-ry you there in a sack, you are too
which grows down there and, in a moment, the
; heav)'. However, if you will go there first, and
sack opened, and the sweetest little maiden came then creep into a sack, I will throw you in with
towards me. She had snow-white robes, and a the greatest pleasure."
wreath of green leaves on her wet hair. She took " Thank you," Big Claus " but remem-
said ;
me by the hand, and said,

So you are come. Lit-
'
ber, if I do not get any sea-cattle down there, I
tle Claus, and here are some cattle for you to be- shall come up again and give you a good thrash-
gin with. About a mile farther on the road, there i»g-"
is another herd for you.' Then I saw that the " No, now, don't be too fierce about it !
" said
24
Little Claus, as theywalked on towards tlie river. " Put in a stone," said Big Claus, " or I may
When they approached it, the cattle, who were not sink."
very thirsty, saw the stream, and ran down to " Oh, there 's not much fear of that," he replied ;
drink. still he put a large stone into the bag, and then
" See what a hurry they are in," said Little tied it and gave it a push.
tightly,
Clans, " they are longing to get down again." " Plump "
In went Big Claus, and immedi-
!
" Come. Help me, make haste," said Big ately sank to the bottom of the river.
Claus, " or you '11 So he crept into
get beaten." " I 'm afraid he will not find any cattle," said
a large sack, which had been lying across the Little Claus, and then he drove his own beasts
back of one of the oxen. homeward.
THE DARNING-NEEDLE.
There was once a darning-needle, who thought There she sat, as proud as if she was in a state
herself so fine, she imagined she was an embroider- coach, and looked all about her.
ing needle. " May I be permited to ask if you are of gold ? "
" Take care, and mind you hold me tight " she
! she inquired of the pin, her neighbor. " You have
said to the Fingers that took her out. " Don't a very pretty appearance, and a peculiar head, but
let me fall ! If I fall on the ground I shall cer- it is only little. You must take pains to grow, for
"
tainly never be fovmd again, for I am so fine ! it 's not every one that has sealing-wax dropped
" That 's as it may be," said the Fingers ; and upon him."
they grasped her round the body. And the Darning-needle drew herself up so
" See, I 'm coming with a train !
" said the proudly that she fell out of the handkerchief right
Darning-needle, and she drew a long thread after into the sink, which the cook was rinsing out.
her, but there was no knot in the thread. "Now we're going on a journej'," said the
"
The Fingers pointed the needle just at the Darning-needle. " If I only don't get lost I
cook's which the upper leather had

slipper, in But she really was lost.
burst, and was to be sewn together. "I 'm too fine for this world," she observed, as
" That "s vulgar work," said the Darning- she lay in the gutter. But I know who I am, '.'
"
needle. " I shall never get through. I 'm break and there 's always something in that I
ing ! I 'm breaking " And she really broke.

! So the Darning-needle kept her proud behavior,
" Did I not say so ? " said the Darning-needle and did not lose her good-humor. And things of
" I 'm too fine !
many kinds swam over her, chip and straws and
" Now it 's quite useless," said the Fingers ; but pieces of old newspapers.
they were obliged to hold her fast, all the same " Only look how they sail !
" said the Darning-
;
for the cook dropped some sealing-wax upon the needle. " They don't know what is under them !
needle, and pinned her handkerchief together with I 'm here, I remain firmly here. See, there goes a
it in front. chip thinking of nothing in the world but of him-
" So, now I'm a breast-pin " said the Darning-
! self — of a chip I There 's a straw going by now.
needle. " I knew very well that I should come to How he turns I how he twirls about ! Don't think
honor when one : is something, one comes to some- only of yourself, you might easily run up against
thing!" a stone. There swims a bit of newspaper.
And she laughed quieth' to herself — and one What "s written upon it has long been forgotten,
can never see when a darning-needle laughs. and yet it gives itself airs. I sit quietly and pa-
THE DARNING-NEEDLE. 187
tiently here. I know who I am, and I shall re- off a man, that man was useless for service in war.
main what I am." Daintymouth, the second finger, thrust himself

One day something lay close beside her that into sweet and sour, pointed to sun and moon, and
gave the impression when they wrote. Long-
man, the third, looked at all the othei's over his
shoulder. Goldborder, the fourth, went about
with a golden belt round his waist and little ;
Playman did nothing at all, and was proud of it.

There was nothing but bragging among them,
and therefore I went away."
" And now we sit here and glitter " said the !
Bit of Bottle.
At that moment more water came into the
gutter, so that it overflowed, and the Bit of Bot-
tle was carried away.
" So he is disposed of," observed the Darning-
needle. " I remain here, I am too fine. But
that "s my pride, and my pride is honorable."
And proudly she sat there, and had many great
glittered splendidly ; then the Darning-needle be- thoughts. " I could
almost believe I had been
lieved that it was a diamond but it was a bit of
; born of a sunbeam, 'm so fine
I It really appears
!
broken bottle ;and because it shone, the Darning- as if the sunbeams were always seeking for me
needle spoke to it, introducing herself as a breast- under the water. Ah I 'm so fine that my mother
I
pin. cannot find me. If Ihad my old eye, which broke

" I suppose you are a diamond ?" she observed. off, I think I should cry but, no, I should not do
;
" Why, something of that kind."

yes, that : it "s not genteel to cry."
And then each believed the other to be a very One day a couple of street boj^s lay grubbing
valuable thing and they began speaking about
; in the gutter, where they sometimes found old
the world, and how very conceited it was. Bails, farthings, and similar treasures. It was
" I have been in a lady's box," said the Darn- dirty work, but they took great delight in it.
ing-needle, " and this lady was a cook. She had

five fingers on each hand, and I never saw any-
thing so conceited as those five fingei's. And yet
they were only there that they miglit take me out
of thebox and put me back into it."
" Were they of good birth ? " asked the Bit of
Bottle.
" No, indeed," replied the Darning-needle, " but
very haughty. There were five brothers, all of
the finger family. They kept very proudly to-
gether, though they were of different lengths : the
outermost, the thumbling, was shoit and fat he ;
walked out in front of the ranks, and only had " Oh !

" cried one, who had pricked himself
one joint in his back, and could onlj^ make a with the Darning-needle, "there's a fellow for
single bow but he said that if he were hacked
; you
" I 'm not a fellow ; I "m a young lady " said ! is good against seasickness, if one has a steel
the Darning-needle. stomach, and does not forget that one is a little
But nobody listened to her. The sealing-wax more than an ordinary person Now my seasick- I
had come off, and she had turned black but black ; nessis over. The finer one is, the more one can
makes one look slender, and she thought herself bear."
finer even than before. " Crack !
" went the egg-shell, for a wagon went
" Here comes an egg-shell sailing along !
" said over her.
the boys and they stuck the Darning-needle fast " Good heavens, how it crushes one I
" said the
;
in the egg-shell. Darning-needle. " I 'm getting seasick now, —

" walls, and black myself
White that looks ! I 'm quite sick."
well," remarked the Darning-needle. " Now one But she was not really sick, though the wagon
can see me. I only hope I shall not be sea- went over her she lay there at full length, and
;
sick " But she was not seasick at all. " It

! there she may lie.
THE RED SHOES.

There was once a little girl, —a very nice, she was agreeable. But her mirror said, '*
You are
pretty But in summer she had to go
little girl. much more than you are beautiful."
agreeable ;
barefoot, because she was poor, and in winter she Once the queen traveled through the country,
wore thick wooden shoes, so that her little instep and had her little daughter with her and the ;
became quite red, altogether red. daughter was a jirincess. And the peojjle flocked
In the middle of the village lived an old shoe- toward the castle, and Karen too was among
maker's wife ; she sat and sewed, as well as she them and the little princess stood in a fine white
;
conld, a pair of little shoes, of old strips of red dress at a window, and let herself be gazed at.
cloth ; they were clumsy enough, but well meant, She had neither train nor golden crown, but she
and the little girl was to have them. The little wore splendid red morocco shoes thej' were cer- ;
name was Karen.

girl's tainly far handsomer than those the shoemaker's
On the day when her mother was buried she wife had made for little Karen. Nothing in the
received the red shoes and wore them for the first world can compare with red shoes I
time. They were certainly not suited for mourn- Now Karen was old enough to be confii-med :
ing but she had no others, and therefore thrust

;
new were made for her, and she was to
clothes
her little bare feet into them and walked behind have new shoes. The rich shoemaker in the town
the plain deal coffin. took the measure of her little feet this was done ;
Suddenly a great carriage came by, and in the in his own house, in his little room, and there
carriage sat an old lady : she looked at the little stood great glass cases with neat shoes and shining
girland felt pity for her, and said to the clergy- boots. It had quite a charming appearance, but
man, — the old lady could not see well, and therefoi-e took
" Give me the little girl, and I will provide for no pleasure in it. Among the shoes stood a red
her." pair, just like those whicli the princess had worn.
Karen thought this was for the sake of the How beautiful they were I The shoemaker also
shoes but the old lady declared they were hid-

; said they had been made for a count's child, but
eous and they wei-e burned.

; But Karen her- they had not fitted.
self was clothed neatly and properly she was :

" That must be patent leather," observed the
"
taught to read and to sew, and the people saw old lady, "the shoes shine so !
THE RED SHOES. 189
" Yes, they shine !

" replied Karen ; and they Now all the people went out of church, and the
fitted her,and were bought. But the old lady old lady stepped into her carriage. Karen lifted
did not know that they were red for she would ; up her foot to step in too ; then tiie old soldier
never have allowed Karen to go to her Confirma- said, —
tion in red shoes ; and that is what Karen did. " Look,what beautiful dancing shoes " !
Every one was looking at her shoes. And when And Kai'en could not resist she was obliged to :
she went across the church porch, toward the door dance a few steps and when she once began, her
;
of the choir, it seemed to her as if the old pictures legs went on dancing. It was just as though
on the tombstones, the portraits of clergymen and the shoes had obtained power over her. She
clergymen's wives, in their stiff collars and long danced round the corner of the church — she
black garments, fixed their eyes upon her red could not help it ; the coachman was obliged to
shoes. And she thought of her shoes only, when run behind her and seize her : he lifted her into
the priest laid his hand upon her head and spoke the carriage, but her feet went on dancing, so
holy words. And the organ pealed solemnly, the that she kicked the good old ladj' violently. At
children sang with their fresh sweet voices, and last they took off her shoes and her legs became
the old precentor sang too ; but Karen thought quiet.
only of her red shoes. At home the shoes were put awa}^ in a cup-
In the afternoon the old lady was informed by board ; but Karen could not resist looking at
every one that the shoes were red and she said ; them.
it was naughty and unsuitable, and that when Now the old lady became very ill, and it was
Karen went to church in future, she should always said she would not recover.She had to be nursed
go in black shoes, even if they were old. and waited on ; was no one's duty so
and this
Next Sundaj'^ was Sacrament Sunday. And much as Karen's. But there was to be a great
Karen looked at the black shoes, and looked at the ball in the town, and Karen was invited. She
red ones —
looked at them again —
and put on the looked at the old lady who could not recover
red ones. she looked at the red shoes, and thought there
The sun shone gloriously ; Karen and the old would be no harm in it. She put on the shoes,
lady went along the foot-path through the fields, and that she might very well do but they went ;
and it was rather dust}^ to the ball and began to dance.

By the church door stood an old invalid soldier But when she wished to go to the right hand,
with a crutch and a long beard the beard was ; the shoes danced to the left, and when she wanted
rather red than white, for it was I'ed altogether to go up-stairs the shoes danced downward, down
and he bowed down almost to the ground, and into the street and out at the town gate. She
asked the old lady if he might dust her shoes. danced, and was obliged to dance, straight out into
And Karen also stretched out her little foot. the dark wood.
" Look, what pretty dancing shoes " said the ! There was something glistening up among the
"
old soldier. "Fit so tightly when you dance ! trees,and she thought it was the moon, for she
And he tapped the soles with his hand. And saw a face. But it was the old soldier with the
the old lady gave the soldier an alms, and went red beard he sat and nodded, and said,
:
—
"
into the church with Karen. "Look, what beautiful dancing shoes !
And every one in the church looked at Karen's Then she was frightened, and wanted to throw
red shoes, and all the pictm'es looked at them. away the red shoes but they clung fast to her.
;
And while Karen knelt in the church she only And she tore off but the shoes had
her stockings :
thought of her red shoes , and she forgot to sing grown fast to her feet. And she danced and vras
her psalm, and forgot to say her prayer. compelled to go dancing over field and meadow,
in rain and sunshine, by night and by day ; but if you do I cannot repent of my sin. But strike
"
itwas most dreadful at niglit. off my feet with the red shoes !
She danced out into the open church-yard but ; And then she confessed all her sin, and the exe-
the dead there do not dance they have far better ; cutioner cut off' her feet with the red shoes ; but
things to do. She wished to sit down on the poor the shoes danced away with the little feet over the
man's grave, where the bitter fern grows but ;
fields and into the deep forest.
there was no peace nor rest for her. And when And he cut her a pair of wooden feet, with
she danced toward the open church door, she saw crutches, and taught her a psalm, which the crimi-
there an angel in long white garments, with nals always sing and she kissed the hand that
;
wings that reached from his shoulders to his feet had held the axe, and went away across the heath.
his countenance was serious and stern, and in his " Now I have suffered pain enough for the red
hand he held a sword that was broad and gleam- shoes," said she. " Now I will go into the church,
ing. that they may see me."
" Thou shalt dance " he said ! — "dance on thy And she went quickly toward the church door ;
red shoes, till thou art pale and cold, and till thy but when she came there the red shoes danced be-
body shrivels to a skeleton. Thou shalt dance fore her, so that she was frightened and turned
from door to door; and where proud, haughty back.
children dwell, shalt thou knock, that they may The whole week through she was sorrowful,
hear thee, and be afraid of thee I Thou shalt and wept many bitter tears but when Sunday ;
""
dance, dance I came, she said,
Mercy " cried Karen.
" !
" Now I have suffered and striven enough I !
But she did not hear what the angel answered, think that I am just as good as many of those who
for the shoes carried her away carried her — sit in the church and carry their heads high."
through the door on to the field, over stock and And then she went boldly on ; but she did not
stone, and she was always obliged to dance. get farther than the church-yard gate before she
One morning she danced past a door which she saw the red shoes dancing along before her then :
knew Avell. There was a sound of psalm-singing she was seized with terror, and turned back, and
within, and a coffin was carried out, adorned with repented of her sin right heartil}'.
flowers. Then she knew that the old lady was And she went to the parsonage, and begged to
dead, and she felt that she was deserted by all, be taken there as a servant. She promised to be
and condemned by the angel of heaven. industrious,and to do all she could she did not :
She danced, and was compelled to dance — to care for wages, and onl}' wished to be under a roof
dance in the dark night. The shoes cai-ried her on and with good jjeoj^le. The elei'gyman's wife pit-
over thorn and brier ; she scratched herself till she ied her, and took her into her service. And she
bled ; she danced away across the heath to a little was industrious and thoughtful. Silently she sat
lonely house. Here she knew the executioner and listened when in the evening the pastor read
dwelt and she tapped with her fingers on the
; the Bible aloud. All the little ones were very
panes, and called, — fond of her; but when they spoke of dress and
" Come out, come out I I cannot come in, for splendor and beauty she would shake her head.
"
I must dance I Next Sunday they all went to church, and she
And tiie executioner said, was asked if she veished to go too hut she looked ;
" You probably don't know who I am ? I cut sadly, with tears in her eyes, at her crutches.
off the bad people's heads with my axe, and mark And then the others went to hear God's word ; but
"
how my axe rings ! she went alone into her little room, which was only
" Do not strike off my head," said Karen, " for large enough to contain her bed and a chair. And
THE NIGHTINGALE. 191
here she sat with her hymn-book and as she read ;

" It was mercy !
" said she.
it with a pious mind, the wind bore the notes of And the organ somrded its glorious notes ; and
the organ over to her from the church ; and she the children's voices singing in chorus sounded
Hfted up her face, wet with tears, and said, — sweet and lovely ; the clear sunshine streamed so
" O Lord, help me " !
Then the sun shone so brightly ; and before her

stood the angel in the white garments, the same
she had seen that night at the church door. But
he no longer grasped the sharp sword he held a :
green branch covered with roses and he touched ;

^
the ceiling, and it rose up high and wherever he
touched it a golden star gleamed, forth and he ;
touched the walls, and they spread forth widely,

and she saw the organ which was pealing its rich
sounds and she saw the old pictures of clergjnuen
;
and their wives and the congregation sat in the

;
decorated seats, and sang from their hymn-books.

The church had come to the poor girl in her nar-
row room, or her chamber had become a church. warm through the window upon the chair in which
She sat in the chair with the rest of the clei-gy- Kai'en sat and her heart became so filled with
;
man's people and when they had finished the

; sunshine, peace, and joy that it broke. Her soul
psalm, and looked up, they nodded and said, — flew on the sunbeams to heaven and there was ;
" That was right, that you came here, Karen." nobody who asked after the Red Shoes !
THE NIGHTINGALE.
In China, you must know, the emperor is a which was blue and deep great ships could sail
;
Chinaman, and all whom he has about him are to and fro beneath the branches of the trees and ;
Chinamen too. It happened a good many years in the trees lived a Nightingale, which sang so
ago, but that's just why it's worth while to hear splendidly that even the poor fisherman, who had
the story, before it is forgotten. The emperor's many other things to do, stopped still and listened,
palace was the most splendid in the world ; it was when he had gone out at night to throw out his
made entirely of porcelain, very costly, but so del- nets, and heard the Nightingale.
icate and brittle that one had to take care how one " How beautiful that is !
" he said ; but he was
touched it. In the garden were to be seen the obliged to attend to his property, and thus forgot
most wonderful and to the costliest of
flowers, the bird. But when in the next night the bird
them silver bells were tied, which sounded, so that sans asain, and the fisherman heard it, he ex-
"
nobod_y should pass by without noticing the flow- claimed again, " How beautiful that is !
ers. Yes, everything in the emperor's garden From all the countries of the world travelers
was admirably arranged. And it extended so far, came to the city of the emperor and admired it,
that the gardener himself did not know where the and the palace, and the garden, but when they
end was. If a man went on and on, he came into heard the Nightingale, they said, " That is the
"
a glorious forest with high trees and deep lakes. best of all !
The wood extended straight down to the sea. And the travelers told of it when they came
home and the learned men wrote many books
; cavalier. " I will seek for him. I will find
about the town, the palace, and the garden. But him."
they did not forget the Nightingale that was ; But where was he to be found ? The cavalier
placed highest of all and those who were poets; ran up and down all the staircases, through halls
wrote most magnificent poems about the Nightin- and passages, but no one among all those whom
gale in the wood by the deep lake. he met had heard talk of the Nightingale. And the
The books went through all the world, and a cavalier ran back and said that it
to the emjDcror,
few of them once came to the emperor. He sat must be a fable invented by the writers of books.
in his golden chair, and read, and read: every " Your imperial majesty cannot believe how
moment he nodded his head, for it pleased him to much is written that is fiction, besides something
peruse the masterly descriptions of the city, the that they call the black art."
palace, and the garden. " But the Nightingale is " But the book in which I read this," said the
the best of all " ! — it stood written there. emperor, " was sent to me by the high and mighty
" What 's that ? " exclaimed the emperor. " I Emperor of Japan, and therefore it cannot be a
don't know the falsehood. I will
Nightingale at all hear the Nightin-
Is there such a bird gale ! It must be
in mj' enij)ire, and here tliis evening !
even in my garden ? It has my imperial

I 've never heard of favor ; and if it
that. To think that r-^,^ does not come, all
I should have to Xv^^V the court shall be

learn such a thing '"^, '' ^ trampled upon
for the first time after the court has
from books "
!
! snipped
A n d hereupon " Tsing-pe " said !
he called his cava- tlie cavalier ; and

lier. This cavalier again he ran up and
was so grand that down all the stair-
if any one lower in rank than himself dared to through all the halls and corridors and
(;isrs. aihl ;
speak to him, or to ask him any question, he an- half the court ran with him, for the courtiers did
swered nothing but "PI" and that meant — not like being trampled upon.
nothing. " Then there was a great inquiry after the won-
" There is said to be a wonderful bird here derful Nightingale, which all the world knew ex-
called a Nightingale !
" said the emperor. " They cepting the people at court.
say it IS the best thing in all my great empire. At last they met with a jjoor little girl in the
"
Why have I never heard anything about it ? kitchen, who said,
"I have never heard him named," replied the " The Nightingale ? I know it well ;
yes, it
cavalier. " He has never been introduced at can sing gloriously. Every evening I get leave to
court." carry my poor sick mother the scraps from the ta-
" I command that he shall appear this evening, ble. She lives down by the strand, and when I
and sing before me," said the emperor. "All the get back and am tired, and rest in the wood, then
world knows what I possess, and I do not know it I hear the Nightingale sing. And then the water
myself
!
comes into my eyes, and it is just as if my mother
" I have never heard him mentioned," said the kissed me !
" Little kitchen girl," said the cavalier, " I will when you shall charm
court festival this evening,
get you a place in the kitchen, with permission his imperial majesty withyour beautiful singing.''
to see the emperor dine, if you will lead us to " My song sounds best in the greenwood " I
the Nightingale, for it is announced for this even- replied the Nightingale still it came willingly
;
ing." when it heard what the emperor wished.

So they went out into the wood where the
all The palace was festively adorned. The walls
Nightingale was accustomed to sing; half the and the flooring, which were of porcelain, gleamed
court went forth. When they were in the midst of in the rays of thousands of golden lamps. The
their journey"a cow began to low. most glorious flowers, which could ring clearly,
" Oh " cried the court pages, " now we have it
I had been placed in the passages. There was a
That shows a wonderful power in so small a running to and fro, and a thorough draught, and
creature I have certainly heard it before."
I all the bells rang so loudly that one could not hear
" No, those are cows lowing " said the little ! one's self speak.
kitchen girl. " We are a long way from the In the midst of the great hall, where the em-
place yet." peror sat, a golden perch had been placed, on
Now the frogs began to croak in the marsli. which the Nightingale was to sit. The whole
"Glorious!" said the Chinese court preacher. court was there, and the little cook-maid had got
" —
Now I hear it it sounds just like little church leave to stand behind the door, as she had now re-
bells." ceived the title of a real court cook. All were in
" No, those are frogs I
" said the little kitchen- full dress, and all looked at the little gray bird, to
maid. " But now I think we shall soon hear it." which the emperor nodded.
And then the Nightingale began to sing. And the Nightingale sang so gloriously that
" That is it !
" exclaimed the little girl. " List- the tears came and the
into the empei'or's eyes,
en, listen ! and yonder it sits." tears ran down over and then the
his cheeks ;
And she pointed to a little gray bird up in the Nightingale sang still more sweetly, that went
boughs. straight to the heart. The emperor was so much
'*
Is it possible ? " cried the cavalier. " I should pleased that he said the Nightingale should have
never have thouglit it looked like that ! How his golden slipper to wear round its neck. But
simple it looksmust certainly have
I It lost its the Nightingale declined this witii thanks, saying
color at seeing such grand people around." it had already received sufficient reward.
" Little Nightingale I
" called the little kitchen- " I have seen tears in the emperor's eyes —
maid, quite loudly, " our gracious emperor wishes that the real treasure to me.
is An emperor's
you to sing before him." tearshave a peculiar power. I am rewarded
" With the greatest pleasure !
" replied the enough " And then it sang again with a sweet,
!
Nightingale, and began to sing most delightfully. glorious voice.

" It sounds just like glass bells " said the cav- " That's the most amiable coquetry "
! I ever saw !
aher. " And look at its little throat, how it 's said the ladies who stood round about, and then
working It 's wonderful that we should never
! they took water in their mouths to gurgle when
have heard it before. That bird will be a great any one spoke to them. They thought they
success at court." should be nightingales too. And the lackeys
" Shall "
I sing once more before the emperor ? and chambermaids reported that they were sat-
asked the Nightingale, for it thought the emperor isfied too and that was saying a good deal, for
;
was present. they are the most difficult to please. In short,

" My excellent little Nightingale," said the cav- the Nightingale achieved a real success.
alier, " I have great pleasui-e in inviting you to a It was now to remain at court, to have its own
25
cage, with liberty to go out twice every day and that the living Nightingale ought to sing some,
once at night. Twelve servants were appointed thing now. But where was it ? No one had
when the Nightingale went out, each of whom had noticed that ithad flown away out of the open
a silken string fastened to the bird's leg, which window, back to the greenwood.
they held very tight. There was really no pleas- " But what is become of that ? " said the em-
ure in an excursion of that kind. peror.
The whole city spoke of the wonderful bird, And all the courtiers abused the Nightingale,
and when two people met, one said nothing but and declared that it was a very ungrateful creature.
" Nightin," and the other said " gale " and then ;
" We have the best bird, after all," said thej'.
they sighed, and understood one another. Eleven And so the artificial bird had to sing again,
peddlers' children were named after the bird, but and that was the thirty-fourth time that they list-
not one of them could sing a note. ened to the same piece. For all that they did not
One day the emperor received a large jârcel, know it quite by heart, for it was so very difficult.
on which was written " The Nightingale." And the play-master praised the bird particularly ;
" There we have a new book about this cele- yes, he declared that it was better than a nightin-
brated bird," said the emperor. gale, not only with regard to its pluinage and the
But it was not a book, but a little work of art many beautiful diamonds, but inside as well.
contained in a box, an artificial nightingale, which " For you see, ladies and gentlemen, and above
was to sing like a natural one, and was brilliantly all, your imperial majesty, with a real nightingale
ornamented with diamonds, rubies, and sapphii-es. one can never calculate what is coming, but in
So soon as the artificial bird was wound up, he this artificial bird everything is settled. One can
could sing one of the pieces that he really sang, explain it ; one can open it, and make people un-
and then bis tail moved up and down, and shone derstand where the waltzes come from, how they
with silver and gold. Round his neck hung a go, and how one follows up another."
little ribbon, and on that was written, " The " Those are quite our own ideas," they all said.
Emperor of China's Nightingale is poor compared And the speaker received permission to show
to that of the Emperor of Japan." the bird to the people on the next Sunday. The
" That is capital !
" said they all,and he peoj)le to hear it sing too, the emperor com-
were
who had brought the artificial bird immediately manded and they did hear it, and were as much
;
received the title, Imperial Head-Nightingale- pleased as if they had all got tipsy upon tea, for
Bringer. that 's quite the Chinese fashion and they all said, ;
" Now they must sing together ; what a duet " Oh " and held up their forefingers and nodded.
!
"
that will be ! But the poor fisherman, who had heard the real
And so they had to sing together ; but it did Nightingale, said, —
not sound very well, for the real Nightingale sang " It sounds pretty enough, and the melodies re-
own way, and the artificial bird sang waltzes.
in its semble each other, but there 's something wanting,
"
"That's not his fault," said the play-master; though I know not what !
" he 's quite perfect, and very much in my style." The real Nightingale was banished from the
Now the artificial bird was to sing alone. He country and empire. The artificial bird had its
had just as much success as the real one, and then 23laceon a silken cushion close to the emperor's
it was much handsomer to look at — it shone like bed all the presents it had received, gold and
;
bracelets and breastjains. precious stones, were ranged about it in title it ;
Three-and-thirty times over didit sing the same had advanced to be the High Imperial After-Din-
piece,and yet was not tired. The people would ner-Singer, and in rank, to number one on the left
gladly have heard it again, but the emperor said hand for the emperor considered that side the
;
most important on wliicb the heart is placed, and worn, and it would be impossible to put new ones
even in an emperor the heart is on the left side ;
in in sucha manner that the music would go.
and the play-master wrote a work of five-and- There was a great lamentation only once in a ;
twenty volumes about the artificial bird it was ; year was it permitted to let the bird sing, and
very learned and very long, full of the most difR- that was almost too much. But then the play-
cult Chinese words but yet all the people de- ; master made a little speech, full of heavy words,
clared that they had read it, and understood and said this was just as good as before — and
it, for fear o^ being / so of com-se it was as
considered stupid, and good as before.
having their bodies Now five years had
trampled on. gone by, and a real
So a whole year griefcame upon the
went by. The em- whole nation. The
peror, the court, and Chinese were really
all the other Chinese f ond of their em-
knew evei-y little twit- peror, and now he
ter in the artificial was ill, and could not,
bird's song by heart. it was said, live much
But just for that rea- longer. Already a

son it pleased them new emperor had
best — they could sing been chosen, and the
with it themselves, people stood out in
and they did The so. the street and asked
street boys sang, the cavalier how their
" Ts i - g 1 u g-
1s i - 1s i - old emperor did.
ghig " and the em-
! "PI" said he, and
peror himself sang it shook his head.
too. Yes, that was Cold and pale lay
certainly famous. the emperor in his
But one evening, great gorgeous bed ;
when the artificial the whole

court
bird was singing its thought him dead,
best, and the em- a nd each one ran
peror laj' in bed list- lo pay homage to
ening to it, something the new ruler. The
inside the bird said, chamberlains ran out
" Whizz !
" something cracked. " Whir-r-r I
"'
All to talk it and the ladies'-maids had a great
over,
the wheels ran round, and then the music stopped. coffee party. All about in all the halls and pas-
The emperor immediately sprang out of bed, sages cloth had been laid down so that no footstep
and caused his body physician to be called but ;
could be heard, and therefore it was quiet there,
what could lie do ? Then they sent for a watch- quite quiet. But the emperor was not dead yet
maker, and after a good deal of talking and inves- stiff and pale he lay on the gorgeous bed with the
tigation, the bird was put into something like long velvet curtains and the heavy gold tassels ;
order but the watchmaker said that the bird

; high up, a window stood open, and the moon
must be carefully treated, for the barrels were shone in upon the emperor and the artificial bird.
The poor emperoi- could scarcely breathe ; it and sang of the quiet church-yard where the
it
was just as if something lay upon his chest: he white roses grow, where the elder-blossom smells
opened his eyes, and then he saw that it was Death sweet, and where the fresh grass is moistened by
who sat upon his chest, and had put on his golden the tears of survivors. Then Death felt a longing
crown, and held in one hand the emperor's sword, to see his garden, and floated out at the window
and in the other his beautiful banner. And all in theform of a cold, white mist.
around, from among the folds of the splendid vel- " Thanks thanks " said the emperor.
! ! " You
vet curtains, strange heads peered forth a few ; heavenly little bird I know you well. I I ban-
very ugly, the rest quite lovely and mild. These ished you from my country and empire, and yet
were all the emperor's bad and good deeds, that you have charmed away the evil faces from my
stood before him now that Death sat upon his couch, and banished Death from my heart How !
"
heart. can I reward you ?
"Do you remember this?" whisjiered one to " You have rewarded me " replied the Night- !
the other. " Do you remember that ? " and then ingale. " I have drawn tears from j'our eyes,
they told him so much that the perspiration ran when I sang the first time — I shall never forget
from his forehead. that. Those are the jewels that rejoice a singer's
" I did not know that " said the emperor. ! heart. But now deep and grow fresh and strong
" Music music the great Chinese drum " he
! ! ! again. I will sing you something."
"
cried, " so that I need not hear all they say ! And it sang, and the emperor fell into a sweet
And they continued speaking, and Death nod- slumber. Ah how mild and refreshing that
!
ded like a Chinaman to all they said. sleep was The sun shone ujDon him through the
!
" Music music " cried the emperor.

! !
" You windows, when he awoke refreshed and restored ;
little precious golden bird, sing, sing have ! I not one of his servants had yet returned, for they
given you gold and costly presents I have even ; all thought he was dead only the Nightingale ;
hung my golden slipper around your neck

"
sing — still sat beside him and sang.
now, sing I
" You must always stay with me," said the em-
But the bird stood still no one was there to ; peror. " You shall sing as you jjlease and I'll ;
wind him up, and he could not sing without that break the artificial bird into a thousand pieces."
but Death continued to stare at the emperor with " Not so," replied the Nightingale. " It did.
his great hollow eyes, and it was quiet, fearfully well as long as it could keep it as you have done ;
quiet. till now. I cannot build my nest in the palace to

Then there sounded from the window, suddenly, dwell in it, but let me come when I feel the wish ;
the most lovely song. It was the little live Night- then I will sit in the evening on the sjjray yonder
ingale, that sat outside on a spi-ay. It had heard by the window, and sing you something, so that
of the emperor's sad plight, and had come to sing you may be glad and thoughtful at once. I will
to him and hope. And as it sang the
of comfort sing of those who are happy and of those who
spectres grew paler and paler the blood ran ; suffer. I will sing of good and of evil that remain
quicker and more quickly through the emperor's hidden round about you. The little singing bird
weak limbs and even Death listened, and said,
;
— flies far around, to the poor fisherman, to the
"
" Go on, little Nightingale, go on ! peasant's roof, to every one who dwells far away
" But will you give me that splendid golden from you and from your court. I love your heart
sword ? Will you give me that rich banner ? more than your crown, and yet the crown has an
Will you give me the emperor's crown ? " air of sanctity about it. I will come and sing to
And Death gave up each of these treasures for you —

but one thing you must promise me."
a song. And the Nightingale sang on and on ;
" Everything " said the emperor! and he ;
THE PRINCESS ON THE PEA. 197
stood there in bis imperial robes, which he had it will go all the better." And the Nightingale
put on himself, and pressed the sword which was flew away.
heavy with gold to his heart. The servants came in to look to their dead em-
" One thing I beg of you tell no one that you
: peror, and — yes, there he stood, and the emperor
"
have a little bird who tells you everything. Then said " Good-morning !
THE PRINCESS ON THE PEA.

There was once a prince who wanted to marry the bedchamber, took all the bedding off, and put
a princess ; but she was to be a real piincess. So a pea on the flooring of the bedstead ; then she
took twenty mattresses and laid them upon
the pea, and then twenty eider-down beds
upon the mattresses. On this the princess
had to lie all night. In the morning she was
asked how she had slept.
" Oh, miserably " said the princess.
! " I
scarcely closed my eyes all night long. Good-
ness knows what was in my bed. I lay upon
something hard, so that I am black and blue
"
all over. It is quite dreadful !
Now they saw that she was a real prin-

cess, for through the twenty mattresses and
the twenty eider-down beds she had felt the
pea. No one but a real jjrincess could be so
delicate.
he traveled about, all through the world, to find So the prince took her for his wife, for now he
a real one, but everywhere thei-e was something knew that he had a true princess and the pea ;
in the way. There were princesses enough, but was put in the museum, and it is there now, un-
whether they were real princesses he could not less somebody has carried it off.
quite make out: there was always something that Look you, this is a true story.
did not seem quite right. So he came home again,
and was quite sad for he wished so invich to have
:
a real princess.
One evening a terrible storia came on. It light-
ened and thundered, the raiv streamed down was ; it
quite fearful ! Then was a knocking at the

there
town gate, and the old king went out to open it.
It was a princess who stood outside the gate.
But, mercy! how she looked, from the rain and
the rough weather The water ran down from
I
her hair and her clothes it ran in at the points;
of her shoes, and out at the heels and yet she ;
declared that she was a real princess.

" Yes, we will soon find that out," thought the
old queen. But she said nothing, only went into

HOLGER DANSKE.
In Denmark there lies a castle named Kron- son all this about Holger Danske and the little ;
borg. It lies close by the Ore Sound, where the boy knew that what his grandfather told him was
ships pass through by hundreds every day — true. And man sat and told his
while the old
English, Russian, and likewise Prussian ships. story,he carved an image which was to represent
And they salute the old castle with cannons — Holger Danske, and to be fastened to the -provr
" Boom !
" And the castle answers with a of a ship for the old grandfather was a carver
;
" Boom " for that

what the cannons say in- of figure-heads, that one who
! 's is, cuts out the
stead of "Good-day" and "Thank you!" In figures fastened to the front of ships, and from
winter no ships sail there, for the whole sea is which every ship is named. And here he had cut
covered with ice quite across to the Swedish coast out Holger Danske, who stood there proudly with
but it has quite the look of a high-road. There his long beard, and held the broad battle-sword
wave the Danish flag and the Swedish flag,and in one hand, while with the other he leaned upon
Danes and Swedes say the Danish arms.
"Good-day" and And the old grand-
"Thank you!" to father told so much
each other, not with about distinguished
cannons, but with a men and women, that
friendly grasp of the it appeared at last to
hand ; and one gets the little grandson as
white bread and bis- if he knew as much
cuits from the other asHolger Danske him-
— for strange fare self,who, after all,
tastes best. But the could on])- dream and ;
most beautiful of all when the little fellow

is the old Kronborg; was in his bed, he
and here it is that thought so much of it,
Holger Danske sits in the deep dark cellar, whei'e that he actually pressed his chin against the cover-
nobody goes. He is clad in iron and steel, and leans let, and fancied he had a long beard that had
his head on his strong arm his long beard hangs ; grown fast to it.
down over the marble table, and has grown into But the old grandfather remained sitting at
it. He and dreams, but in his dreams he
sleeps bis work, and carved away at the last part of it
sees everything that happens up here in Den- and this was the Danish coat of arms. When he
mark. Every Christmas Eve comes an angel, and had done, he looked at the whole, and thought of
tells him that what he has dreamed is right, and all he had read and heard, and that he had told
that he may go to sleep in quiet, for that Den- this evening to the little boy and he nodded, and
;
mark is not yet in any real danger but when once ; wiped his spectacles, and put them on again, and
such a danger comes, then old Holger Danske will said, —
rouse himself, so that the table shall burst when " Yes, in my
time Holger Danske will probably
he draws out his beard Then he will come forth
! not come but the boy in the bed yonder may
;
and strike, so that it shall be heard in all the get to see him, and be there when the push really
countries in the world." comes."
An old grandfather sat and told his little grand- And the old grandfather nodded again ; and
HOLGER DANSKE. 199
the more be looked at Holger Danske the more himself and his ship into the uir, that he might
plain did become to him that it was a good
it save the fleet.-^
image he had carved. It seemed really to gain And the third flame led him to the wretched
color, and the armor appeared to gleam like iron huts of Greenland, where preacher Hans Egede*
and steel the hearts in the Danish arms became
; wrought, with love in every word and deed : the
redder and redder, and the lions with the golden flame was a star on his breast, another heart in
crowns on their heads leaped up.^ the Danish arms.
"Thafs tlê most beautifnl coat of arms there And the spirit of the old grandfather flew on
is in the world " said the old man.
!
" The lions before the waving flames, for his spirit knew
are strength, and the heart is gentleness and whither the flames desired to go. In the humble
"
love ! room of the peasant woman stood Frederick VI.,
And and
he looked at the uppermost lion, writing his name with chalk on the beam.^ The
thought of King Canute, who bound great Eng- flame trembled on his breast, and trembled in his
land to the throne of Denmark and he looked ;
heart ; in the peasant's lowly room his heart, too,
at the second lion, and thought of Waldemar, became a heart Danish arms. And the old
in the
who united Denmark and conquered the Wendish grandfather dried his eyes, for he had known
lands and he glanced at the third lion, and
; King Frederick with the silvery locks and the
remembered Margaret, who united Denmark, honest blue eyes, and had lived for him he folded :
Sweden, and Norway. But while he looked at the his hands, and looked in silence straight before
red hearts, they gleamed more brightly than be- him. Then came the daughter-in-law of the old
fore; they became flames, and his heart followed grandfather, and said it was late, he ought now to
each of them. rest and the supper table was spread.

;
The first heart led him into a dark, narrow " But it is beautiful, what you have done,
prison ; there sat a prisoner, a beautiful woman, grandfather " said she. " Holger Danske, and all
!
the daughter of King Christian IV., Eleanor Ul- our old coat of arms It seems to me just as if I
!
"
feld ;and the flame, which was shaped like a
^ had seen that face before !
rose, attached itself to her bosom and blossomed, " No, that can scarcely be," replied the old
so that it became one with the heart of her, the grandfather ;
" but I have seen it, and I have
noblest and best of all Danish women. tried to carve it in wood as I have kept it in my
And his spirit followed the second flame, which memoi-y. was when the English lay in front of
It
led him out upon the sea, where the cannons thun- the wharf, on the Danish second of April,® when
dered and the ships lay shrouded in smoke and ; we showed that we were old Danes. In the Den-
the flame fastened itself in the shape of a ribbon mark on board which I was, in Steen Bille's
of honor on the breast of Hvitfeld, as he blew squadron, I had a man at my side it seemed as —
' The Danish arms
consist of three lions between nine hearts. Not only did he spread Christianity, but exhibited in himself a
2This highly gifted princess was the wife of Corfitz Ulfeld, remarkable example of a Christian man.
who was accused of high treason. Her only crime was the most ^ On a journey on the west coast of Jutland, the king visited
faithful love to her unhappy consort
but she was compelled to
; an old woman. When he had already quitted her house, the
pass twenty-two years in a Iiorrible dungeon, until her persecutor, woman ran after him and begged him, as a remembrance, to
Queen Sophia Amelia, was dead. write his name upon a beam ; the king turned back, and com-
^ In the naval battle in Kjiige Bay between the Danes and plied. During his whole life-time he felt and worked for the
the Swedes, in 1710, Hvitf eld's ship, the Dannebrog, took fire. To peasant class ; therefore the Danish peasants begged to be al-
save the town of Kjiige, and the Danish fleet which was being lowed to carry his coffin to the roy.al vault at Roeskikle, four
driven by the wind toward his vessel, he blew himself and his Danish miles from Copenhagen.
whole crew into the air. " On the 2d of April, 1801, occurred the sanguinary naval bat-
* Hans Egede went to Greenland in 1721 and toiled there dur- tle between the Danes and the English under Sir Hyde Parker
ing fifteen years among incredibk hardships and privations. and Nelson,
if the bullets were afraid of him Merrily he ! spoken of in all lands ! Yes, he was a sculptor : I
sang old songs, and shot and fought as if he were am only a carver. Yes, Holger Danske may come
something more than a man. I remember bis in many forms, so that one hears in every country
face yet; but whence he came, and whither he in the world of Denmark's strength. Shall we
went, I know not —
nobody knows. I have often now drink the health of Bertel ? " ^
thought he might have been old Holger Danske But the little lad in the bed saw plainly the old
himself, who had swum down from the Kronborg, Kronborg with the Ore Sound, the real Holger
and aided us in the hour of danger that was my : Danske, who sat deep below, with his beard grown
idea, and there stands his picture." through the marble table, dreaming of all that
And the statue threw its great show up against happens up here. Holger Danske also dreamed of
the wall, and even over part of the ceiling ; it hjoked the little humble room where the carver sat he ;
as though the real Holger Danske were standing heard all that passed, and nodded in his sleep, and
behind it, for the shadow moved; but this might said, —
have been because the flame of the candle did not " Yes, I'emember me, ye Danish folk ; remem-
burn steadily. And the daughter-in-law kissed ber me. I shall come in the hour of need."
the old grandfather, and led him to the great arm-
chair by the table and she and her husband, who
;
was the son of the old man, and father of the little
boy in the bed, sat and ate their supper and the ;
grandfather spoke of the Danish lions and of the

Danish hearts, of strength and of gentleness and ;
quite clearly did he explain that there was another

strength besides the power that lies in the sword ;
and he pointed to the shelf on which were the old

books, where stood the plays of Holberg, which
had been read so often, for they were very amus-
ing ; one could almost fancy one recognized the
people of by-gone days in them.
" See, he knew how to strike, too," said the grand-
father : "he scourged and preju-
the foolishness
dice of the people so longhe could "
as and — And without by the Kronborg shone the bi'ight
the grandfather nodded at the mirror, above which day, and the wind carried the notes of the hunt-
stood the calendar, with the " Round Tower " ^ ing-horn over from the neighboring land ; the
on it, and said, " Tj'cho Brahe was also one who ships sailed past,and saluted " Boom —
boom " ! !
used the sword, not to cut into flesh and bone, and from the Kronborg came the reply, " Boom !
but to build up a plainer way among all the stars boom " But Holger Danske did not awake,
!
of heaven. And then /«/ whose father belonged to however loudly they shot, for it was only " Good-
my calling, the son of the old figure-head carver, day " and " Thank you " There must be another
I
he whom we have ourselves seen with his silver kind of shooting befoi-e he awakes but he will ;
hairs and his broad shoulders, he whose name is awake, for there is faith in Holger Danske.
1 The astronomical observatory at Copenhagen. - Bertel Thorwaldseu.
THE SHEPHERDESS AND THE CHIMNET-SWEEP. 201
THE SHEPHERDESS AND THE CHIMNEY-SWEEP.

Have you ever seen & very, very old clothes- for a little black he certainly ought to have been,
press, quite black with age, on which all sorts of He was quite close to the shepherdess ; both stood
flourishes and foliage were carved ? Just such a where they had been placed and as soon as they ;
one stood in a certain room. It was a legacy from were put there, they had mutually promised each
a grandmother, and it was carved from top to other eternal fidelity ; for they suited each other
bottom with roses and tulips the most curious ; exactly — they were young, they were of the same
flourishes were to be seen on it, and between porcelain, and both equally fragile.
them little stags popped out their heads with zig- Close to them stood another figure three times
zag antlers. But on the top a whole man was as large as they were. It was an old Chinese,
carved. True, he was laughable to look at for ; that could nod his head. He was of porcelain too,
he showed his teeth, —
laughing one could not call and said that he was grandfather of the little
it, — had goat's legs, little horns on his head, and shepherdess; but this he could not prove. He as-
a long beard. The serted, moreover, that

children in the room he had authority over
always called him her, and that was the
General-clothes-press- reason he had nodd-
inspector- head - super- ed his assent to the
intendent Goatslegs, General-clothes - press-
for this was a name i nspector - head - super-
difficult to pronounce, intendent Goatslegs,
and there are very few who paid his ad-
who get the title ; but dresses to the shep-
to cut him out in wood herdess.
— that was no trifle. " In him," said the
However, there lie old Chinese, " you will
was. He looked down have a husband who,
upon the table and I verily believe, is of
toward the mirror, for there a charming little por- mahogany. You will be Mrs. Goatslegs, the wife
celain shepherdess was standing. Her shoes were of a General-clothes-press-inspector-head-superin-
gilded, her gown was
tastefully looped up with a tendent, who has his shelves full of plate, be-
red rose, and she had a golden hat and cloak in ; sides what is hidden in secret drawers and re-
short, she was most exquisite. Close by stood a cesses."
little chimnej'-sweep, as black as a coal, but of " I will not go into the dark cupboard," said
porcelain too. He was and pretty as
just as clean the little shepherdess ;
" I have heard say that he
another as to his being a sweep, that was only
; has eleven wives of porcelain in there already."
what he represented and the porcelain manu-
;
" Then you may be the twelfth," said the Chi-
facturer could just as well have made a prince of nese. " To-night, as soon as the old clothes-press
him as a chimney-sweep, if he had chosen one ; cracks, as sure as I am a Chinese, we will keep
was as easy as the other. the wedding." And then he nodded his liead, and
There he stood so prettily with his ladder, and fell asleep.
with a little round face as fair and as rosy as that But the little shepherdess wept, and looked at
of the shepherdess. In reality this was a fault her beloved — at the porcelain chimney-sweep.
26
" I implore you," said she, " fly hence with me ;
roses and lavender, and if he comes after us, throw
for here it is impossible for us to remain." dust in his eyes."
" I will do all you ask," said the little chim- " 'Tis of no use," said she. " Besides, I know
ney-sweep. " Let us leave this place. I think that the old Chinese and the Pot-pourri Jar were
my trade will enable me to support you." once betrothed ; and when one has been once on
" If we were only down from the table," said such terms, a little regard always lingers behind.
she. " I shall not be happy till we are far from No ; for us there is nothing left but to wander
here, and free." forth into the wide world."
He consoled her, and showed her how she was " Have you
really courage to go forth with me
to set her on the carved border and on
little foot into the wide world ? " asked the chimney-sweep
the gilded foliage which twined around the leg of tenderly. " Have you considered how large it is,
the table, brought his ladder to her assistance, and and that we can never come back here again " !
at last both were on the floor ; but when they " I have," said she.
looked toward the old clothes-press, they observed And the sweep gazed fixedly upon her, and then
a great stii-. All the carved stags stretched their said, " Mj' way lies up the chimney. Have you
heads out farther, raised their antlers, and turned really courage to go with me through the stove,
round their heads. The General-clothes-press-in- and to creep through all the flues ? We shall then
spector-head-superintendent gave a jump, and get into the main which I am not at a
flue, after
called to the old Chinese, " They are eloping, they loss what to do. Up we
mount, then, so high,
!
are eloping that they can never reach us and at the toj3 is an ;
At this she grew a little frightened, and jumped opening that leads out into the world."
quickly over the ridge into the drawer. And he led her toward the door of the stove.
Here lay three or four packs of cards, which " It looks quite black," said she ; but still she
were not complete, and a little puppet-show, which went with him, and on through all the intricacies
was set up as well as it was possible to do. A of the interior, and through the flues, where a
play was being performed, and all the ladies. Di- pitchy darkness reigned.
amonds as well as Hearts, Clubs, and Spades, sat " We
are now in the chimney," said she; "and
in the front row, and fanned themselves with behold, behold, above us is shinning the loveliest
the tulips they held in their hands, while behind star!"
them stood the varlets. The play was about It was a real star in the sky that shone straight
two persons who could not have each other, at down upon them, as if to show them the way.
which the shepherdess wept, for it was her own They climbed and they crept higher and higher.
history. It was a frightful way but he lifted her up, he
;
" I cannot bear it longer," said she ;

" I must held and showed her the best places on which
hei',
get out of the drawer." to put her little porcelain feet; and thus they
But when she had got down on the floor, and reached the top of the chimney, and seated them-
looked up to the table, she saw that the old Chi- selves on the edge of it for they were tired, which
;
nese was awake, and that liis whole body was rock- is not to be wondered at.
ing. The heaven and all its stars were above them,
" The old Chinese is coming " cried the
! little and all the roofs of the town below them they ;
shepherdess and down she fell on her porcelain

; could see far around, far away into the world.
knee, so frightened was she. The poor shephei'dess had never pictured it to
" A thought has struck me," said the chimney- herself thus ; she leaned her little head on her
sweep " let us creep into the great pot-pourri

; sweep, and wept so bitterly that all the gilding of
jar that stands in the corner there we can lie on ; her girdle came o£f.
'WHAT THE GOOD-MAN DOES IS SURE TO BE RIGHT!" 203
" Oh, this is too much !

" said she ;
" I cannot " He can be mended," said the chimney-sweep ;
bear it. The world is too large. Oh, were I but " he can easily be mended. Only do not be so
again on the little table under the looking-glass hasty. If we glue his back together, and rivet his
I shall never be happy till I am there again. I neck well, he will be as good as new, and will
have followed you into the wide world now, if ; be able to say enough disagreeable things to us
you really love me, you may follow me home yet."
again." " Do you think so ? " said she
and then they ;
And the chimney-sweep spoke sensibly to her, clambered up again to the table on which they
spoke to her about the old Chinese and the Gen- had stood before.
head - superintendent
eral-clothes-press-inspector - "You see," said the sweep, "we might have
but she sobbed so violently, and kissed her little spared ourselves these disagreeables, after all."
" If we had but mended my old grandfather "
sweep so passionately, that he was obliged to give !
way, although it was said the shepherdess.

not right to do so. " Does it cost much ? "
So now do\vii they And mended he
climbed again with was. The family had
great difficulty, crept his back glued, and his
through the and flue, neck riveted, so that
into the stove, where he was as good as new,
they listened behind except that he could
the door, to discover not nod.
if anybody was in the "Me seems, you
room. It was quite have grown haughty
still they peeped, and
; since you were dashed
there, on the floor, in to pieces," said Gen-
the middle of the room, eral - clothes - press-in-
lay the old Chinese. He had fallen fi'om the table spector-head-superintendent Goatslegs. " How-
in trying to follow the fugitives,
and was broken ever, I think there is not so very much to be proud
"
in three pieces his whole back was but a stump,
; of. Amhave her, or am I not?
I to
and his head had rolled into a corner, while Gen- The chimney-sweep and the little shepherdess
eral-clothes-press-inspector-head-superintendent looked so touchingly at the old Chinese they ;
Goatslegs was standing where he had ever stood, feared he would nod, but he could not, and it was
absorbed in thought. disagreeable to him to tell a stranger that he had
" How dreadful " ! said the little shepherdess. constantly a rivet in his neck. So the little porce-
" My old grandfather is dashed to pieces, and we lain personages remained together. They blessed
are the cause. I never can survive the accident." the old grandfather's rivet, and loved each other
And she wrung her little hands in agony. till they fell to pieces.
"WHAT THE GOOD-MAN DOES IS SURE TO BE RIGHT!"

I AM going to
you a story that was told to
tell older they grow the pleasanter they grow, and
me when I was a
little one, and which I like bet- that is delightful
ter and better the oftener I think of it. For it is Of have been into the country?
course you
with stories as with some men and women, the Well, then, you must have seen a regularly poor
•204 STORIES FROM HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN.
old cottage. Moss and weeds spring up amid the have more use for a cow — shall we make an ex-
thatch of the roof, a stoi-k's nest decorates the chim- change ? "
ney (the stork can never be dispensed with), the " To be sure !
" was the answer, and the bar-
walls are aslant, the windows low (in fact, onlj' one gain was made.
of them can be shut), the baking-oven projects The good-man might just as well now turn back
forward, and an elder-bush leans over the gate, homeward —
he had finished his business. But
where you will see a tiny pond with a duck and he had made up his mind to go to market, so to
ducklings in it, close under a knotted old willow- market he must go, if only to look on, so, with
tree. Yes, and then there is a watch-dog that his cow, he continued on his way. He trudged
barks at every passer-by. fast, and soon they overtook a
so did the cow,
•lust such a poor little cottage as this was the man who was leading a sheep a sheeji in good —
one 111 rnj' story, and in it dwelt a husband and condition, well clothed with wool.
"
wife. Few as their possessions were, one of them " I should very much like to have that I
they could do without, and that was a horse, that thought would find pasture
the peasant. " It
used to graze in the ditch beside the high-road. enough by our and in winter we might
road-side,
The good-man rode on it to town, he lent it to take it into our own room. And really it would
his neighbors, and received slight services from be more reasonable for us to be keeping a sheep
"
them in return, but would be more profita-
still it than a cow. Shall we exchange ?
ble to sell the horse, or else exchange it for some- Yes, the man who owned the sheep was quite
thing they could make of more frequent use. But willing ; so the exchange was made, and the good-
which should they do? sell, or exchange? man now went on with bis sheep. Presently there
" Why, you will find out what is best, good- passed him a man with a big goose under his
man," said the wife. "Isn't this market-day? arm.
Come, ride off to the town —
get money, or what '•
Well, you have got a heavj' fellow there I
"
you can for the horse —

whatever you do is sure quoth the peasant. " Feathers and fat in plenty!
to be right. Make haste for the market " ! How we
could tie her up near our little
nicely
So she tied on his neckerchief for that was a — pond, and would be something for the good-
it
matter she understood better than he she tied it — wife to gather up the scraps for. She has often
with a double knot, and made him look quite said If we had but a goose
:
' Now she can !
'
spruce she dusted his hat with the palm of her

; have one and she shall, too— Will j'ou ex- !
hand ; and she kissed him and sent him off, rid- change ? I will give you my sheep for your goose,
ing the horse that was to be either sold or bar- and say thank you besides."' '
tered. Of course, he would know what to do. The otiier had no objection, so the peasant had
The sun was hot, and not a cloud in the sky. his will and his goose. He was now close to the
The road was dusty, and such a ci'owd of folk town he was wearied with the heat and the
;
passed on their way to market. Some in wagons, crowd, folk and cattle pushing past him, throng-
some on horseback, some on their own legs. A ing on the road, in the ditch, and close up to the
fierce sun and no shade all the way. turnpike-man's cabbage-garden, where his one hen
A man came driving a cow — as
pretty a cow was tied up, lest in her fright she should lose her
as could be. "
That creature must give beautiful way and be carried off. It was a short-backed
milk," thought the peasant " it would not be a ; hen : she winked with one eye, crying, " Cluck,
bad bargain if I got that. I say, you fellow with cluck !
"
What she was thinking of I can't say,
the cow " he began aloud " let 's have some talk
! ; but what the peasant thought on seeing her, was
together. Look you, a horse, I believe, costs more this " That is the prettiest hen I have ever seen
:
than a cow, but it is all the same to me, as I — much prettier than any of our parson's chickens.
WHAT THE GOOD-MAN DOES IS SURE TO BE RIGHT! 205
I should very much like to have her. A hen can " A wager " cried the Englishmen, " for a
I
always pick up a grain here and there — can pro- hundred pounds ?
vide for herself. I almost think it would be a " Say rather a bushelful," quoth the peasant,
good plan to take her instead of the goose. Shall and I can only lay my bushel of apples with my-
we exchange ? " he asked. " Exchange ? '" re- self and the good-wife, but that will be more than
peated the owner '• not a bad idea " So it was

; ! full measure, I trow."
done the tnrnpike-man got the goose, the peas-
;
" Done !
" cried they. And the innkeeper's
ant the hen. cart was brought out forthwith, tJie Englishmen
He had transacted a deal of business since first got into it, the peasant got into it, the rotten ap-
starting on way to the town hot was he, and
liis ; ples got into it, and away they sped to the peas-
wearied too : he must have a dram and a bit of ant's cottage.
bread. He was on the point of entering an inn, " Good evening, wife."
when the innkeeper met him in the doorway " Same to you, good-man."
swinging a sack chock-full of something. " Well, I have exchanged tlie horse, not sold it."
" What have you there ? " asked the peas- " Of course," said the wife, taking his hand,
ant. and in her eagerness to listen noticing neither the
" Mellow apples," was the answer, " a whole sack nor the strangers.
sackful for swine." " I exchanged the horse for a cow."
" What a quantity ! would n't my wife like to " Oh I how delightful ! now we can have milk,
see so many ! Why, the last year we liad only butter, and cheese on our table. What a capital
"
one single apple on the whole tree at home. Ah idea I
"
I wish my wife could see them !
" Yes, but I exchanged the cow for a sheep."
" Well, what will you give me for them ? " " Better and better " cried the wife. " You
I
" Give for them ? why, I will give you my hen." are always so thoughtful we have only just grass
;
So he gave the hen, took the apples, and entered enough for a sheep. But now we shall have ewe's
the inn, and going straight up to the bar, set his milk, and ewe's cheese, and woolen stockings, nay,
sack npright against the stove without consider- woolen jackets too and a cow would not give us
;
ing that there was a good

fire lighted inside. A that she loses all her hairs.
; But you are always
many strangers were present, among them two such a clever fellow."
Englishmen, both with their pockets full of gold " But the ewe I exchanged again for a goose."
and fond of laying wagers, as Englishmen in "What we really keep Michaelmas this
I shall
stories are wont to do. year, good-man? You are always thinking of what
Presently there came a sound from the stove, will please me, and that was a beautiful thought.
"Suss —
suss —
suss I" the apjales were roasting. The offoose can be tethered to the willow-tree and
" What is that ? " folk asked, and soon heard the grow fat for Michaelmas Day."
whole history of the horse that had been ex- " But I gave the goose away for a hen," said the
changed, first for a cow, and lastly for a sack of peasant.
rotten apples. "A hen? was a good exchange," said
well, that
" Well ! won't you get a good sound cuff from his wife. " A sit upon them,
hen will lay eggs,
your wife, when you go home ? " said one of the and we shall have chickens. Fancy a hen-yard ! !
Englishmen. " Something heavy enough to fell that is just the thing I have always wished for
"
an ox, I warn you I most."
" I shall get kisses, not cuffs," replied the peas- " Ah, but I exchanged the hen for a sack of
ant. " My wife will say, '
Whatever the good- mellow apples."
man does is right.' " Then I must give thee a kiss," cried the wife.
" Thanks, my own husband. And now I have " Well done !
" cried the Englishmen. " Al-
something to tell. When you were gone I thought ways down hill, and always happy Such a sight !
how I could get a right good dinner ready for is worth the money " And so quite contentedly
!
you : Now I had the eggs,

omelets with parsley. they paid the bushelful of gold pieces to the peas-
but not the parsley. went over to the school-
So I ant, who had got kisses, not cuffs, by liis bar-
master's they have parsley, I know, but the
; gains.
woman is so crabbed, she wanted something for it. Certainly virtue is her own reward, when the
Now what could I give her ? nothing grows in our wife is sure that her husband is the wisest man in
garden, not even a rotten apple, not even that had the world, and that whatever he does is right.
I for her ; but now I can give her ten, nay, a So now you have heard this old story that was
whole sackful. That is famous, good-man !
" and once told to me, and I hope have learnt the
she kissed him again. moral.
THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL.
It was terribly cold snowed and was al-

; it along, a picture of misery, poor little girl I The
ready almost dark, and evening came on, the last snow-flakes covered her long fair hair, which fell
evening of the year. In the cold and gloom a poor in pretty curls over her neck ; but she did not.
little girl, bare-headed think of that now. In
and barefoot, was walk- all the windows lights
i ng through the were shining and there
streets. When she was a gloiious smell of
left her own house she roast goose, for it was
certainly had had slip- New Year's Eve. Yes,
pers on ; but of what she thought of that
use were they ? They In a coiner formed
were very big slippers, by two houses, one of
and her mother had which projected be-
used them till then, so yond the other, she sat
big were they. The down, cowering. She
little maid lost them as had drawn up her lit-
she slipped across the road, where two carriages tle feet, but she was still colder, and she did not
were rattling by terribly fast. One slipper was dare to go home, for she had sold no matches, and
not to be found again, and a boy had seized the did not bring a farthing of money. From her
other, and run away with it. He thought he father she would certainly receive a beating, and
could use it very well as a cradle, some day when besides, it was coldat home, for they had nothing
he had children So now the little
of his own. over them but a roof through which the wind
girl went with her little naked feet, which were whistled, though the largest rents had been stojjped
quite red and blue with the cold. In an old apron with straw and rags.
she carried a number of matches, and a bundle Her little hands were almost benumbed with
of them in her hand. No one had bought any- the cold. Ah a match might do her good, if she
I
thing of her all day, and no one had given her a could only draw one from a bundle, and rub it
farthing. against the wall, and warm her hands at it. She
Shivering with cold and hunger she crept drew one out. R-r-atch how it sputtered
! and
THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL. 207
burned ! It was a warm bright flame, like a little became bright again, and in the brightness the old
candle, when she held her hands over it ; it was a grandmother stood clear and shining, mild and
wonderful little light ! It really seemed to the lovely.
little girl as if she sat before a great polished "Grandmother!" cried the child, " Oh take I
stove, with and a brass cover.

bright brass feet me with you I know you will go when the
!
How the fire burned how comfortable it was ! ! match is burned out. You will vanish like the
but the little flame went out, the stove vanished, warm fire, the warm food, and the great, glorious
"
and she had only the remains of the burned match Christmas-tree !
in her hand. And she hastily rubbed the whole bundle of

A second was rubbed against the wall. It matches, for she wished to hold her gi-andmother
burned uj), and when the light fell upon the wall fast. And
the matches burned with such a glow
it became transparent like a thin veil, and she that became brighter than in the middle of the
it
could see through it into the room. On the table day grandmother had never been so large or so
;
a snow-white cloth was spread upon it stood a ; beautiful. She took the little girl in her arms, and
shining dinner service ; the roast goose smoked both flew in briglitness and joy above the earth,
gloriously, stuffed witli apples and dried jDlums. very, very high, and up there was neither cold,
And what was still more splendid to behold, the nor hunger, nor care, — they were with God.
goose hopped down from the dish, and waddled
along the floor, with a knife and fork in its breast,
to the little girl. Then the match went out, and

only the thick, damp, cold wall was before her.
She lighted another match. Then she was sitting
under a beautiful Christmas-tree it was greater ;
and more ornamented than the one she had seen

through the glass door at the rich merchant's.
Thousands of candles burned upon the green
branches, and colored pictures like those in the
print shops looked down upon them. The little
girl stretched forth her hand toward them ; then
the match went out. The Christmas lights But in the corner, leaning against the wall, sat
mounted higher. She saw them now as stars in the poor girl with red cheeks and smiraig mouth,
the sky one of them fell down, forming a long
: frozen to death on the last evening of the Old
line of fire. Year. The New Year's sun rose upon a little
" Now some one is dying," thought the little corpse I The child sat there, stiff and cold, with
girl, for her old grandmother, the only person who the matches, of which one bundle was burned.
had loved and who was now dead, had told
her, " She wanted to warm herself," the people said.
her that when a star fell down a soul mounted up No one imagined what a beautiful thing she had
to God. seen, and in what glory she had gone in with her
She rubbed another match against the wall ; it grandmother to the New Year's Day.
THE BELL.
People said, " The evening-bell is sounding, they had penetrated to the end of the forest, and
the sun is setting." A strange wondrous tone was that they had always heard the wonderful sounds
heard narrow streets of a large town. It
in the of the bell, but it had seemed to them as if it had
was sound of a church-bell but it was
like the : come from the town. One wrote a whole poem
only heard for a moment, for the rolling of the car- about it, and said the bell sounded like the voice
riages, and the voices of the multitude made too of a mother to a good dear child, and that no
great a noise. melody was sweeter than the tones of the bell.
Those persons who were walking without the The king of the country was also observant of it,
town, where the houses were farther apart, with and vowed that he who could discover whence the
gardens or little fields between them, could see the sounds proceeded should have the title of " Uni-
evening sky still better, and heard th.e sound of the versal Bell-ringer," even if it were not really a
bell much more distinctly. It was as if the tones beU.
came from a church ^ ^' ^ ^^^ i <- Many persons
in the still forest now went to the
people looked thith- wood, for the sake
er w a r d, and felt of getting the place,
their minds attuned but one only re-
most solemnly. turned with a sort
A long time of explanation ; for
passed, and people nobody went far
said to each other, enough, that one
— "I wonder if not farther than the
there is a church out others. However,
in the wood ? The he said that the
bell has a tone that s und proceeded
—— -*4i*y
is wondrous sweet -^-^ ~" from a very lai-ge
let us stroll thither, and examine the matter owl, in a hollow tree; a sort of learned owl, that
nearer." And tlie rich people drove out, and continually knocked head against the branches.
its
the poor walked, but the way seemed strangely But whether the sound came from his head or from
long to them ; and when they came to a clump of the hollow tree, that no one could say with cer-
willows which grew on the skirts of the forest, tainty. So now he got the place of " Universal
they sat down, and looked up at the long branches, Bell-ringer," and wrote yearly a short treatise
and fancied they were now in the depth of the " On the Owl " but everybody was just as wise
;
green wood. The confectioner of the town came as before.

out, and set up his booth there ; and soon after It was the day of Confirmation. The clergyman
came another confectioner, who hung a bell over had spoken so touchingly, the children who were
his stand, as a sign or had no
ornament, but it confirmed had been greatly moved it was an ;
clapjDer, and it it from

was tarred over to preserve eventful day for them from children they be-
;
the rain. When all the people returned home, came all at once grown-up persons it was as if ;
they said it had been very romantic, and that it their infant souls were now to fly all at once into
was quite a different sort of thing to a picnic or pei-sons with more understanding. The sun was
tea-party. There were three persons who asserted shining gloriously ; the children that had been
THE BELL. 209
confirmed went out of the town, and from the the children, lying down and listening ;
" this
wood was borne toward them the sounds of the must be looked to." So he remained, and let the
unknown bell with wonderful distinctness. They others go on without him.
all immediately felt a wish to go thither ; all ex- They afterwards came to a little house, made
cept three. One them had to go home to try
of of branches and the bark of trees ; a large wild
on a ball-dress, for it was just the dress and the apple-tree bent over would shower down
it, as if it
ball which had caused her to be confirmed this all its blessings on
where roses werethe roof,
time, for otherwise she would not have come the ; blooming. The long stems twined round the ga-
other was a poor boy, who had borrowed his coat ble, on which there hung a small bell.
and boots to be confirmed in from the innkeeper's Was it that which people had heard ? Yes :
son, and he was to give them back by a certain everybody was unanimous on the subject, except
hour the third said that he never went to a
; one, who said that the bell was too small and too
strange place if his parents were not with him ;
fine to be heard at so great a distance, and besides,
that he had always been a good boj' hitherto, and it had very different tones from those that could
would still be so now that he was confirmed, and move a human heart in such a manner. It was
that one ought not to laugh at him for it the : a king's son who spoke whereon the others said,
;
others, however, did make fun of him, after all. " Such people always want to be wiser than every-
There were three, therefore, that did not go ;
body else."
the others hastened on. The sun shone, the birds They now let him go on alone and as he went, ;
sang, and the children sang too, and each held the his breast was more and more with the for-
filled
other by the hand for as yet they had none of

; est solitude but he still heard the little bell with
;
them any high office, and were all of equal rank which the others were so satisfied, and now and
in the eye of God. then, when the wind blew, he could also hear the
But two of the youngest soon grew tired, and people singing who were sitting at tea where the
both returned to town two little girls sat down,
; confectioner had his tent but the deep sound of ;
and twined garlands, so they did not go either ;

the bell rose louder it was almost as if an oi'san
;
and when the others reached the willow-tree, where were accompanying it, and the tones came from
the confectioner was, they said, " Now we are the left hand, the side where the heart is placed.
there ! In reality the bell does not exist
only ; it is A rustling was heard in the bushes, and a little
a fancy that people have taken into their heads " ! boy stood before the king's son a boy in wooden ;
At the same moment the bell sounded deep in shoes, and with so short a jacket that one could
the wood, so clear and solemnly that five or six see what long wrists he had. Both knew each
determined to penetrate somewhat farther. It other the boy was that one among the children
;
was so thick, and the foliage so dense that was it who could not come because he had to go home
quite fatiguing to proceed. Woodroof and anem- and return his jacket and boots to the innkeeper's
ones grew almost too high blooming convolvu- ; son. This he had done, and was now going on in
luses and blackberry-bushes hung in long garlands wooden shoes and in his humbler dress, for the
from tree to tree, where the nightingale sang and bell sounded with so deep a tone, and with such
the sunbeams were playing it was very beautiful,
: strange power, that proceed he must.
but it was no place for girls to go their clothes ; " Why, then, we can go together," said the
would get so torn. Large blocks of stone lay king's son. But the poor child that had been
there, overgrown with moss of every color the ; confirmed was quite ashamed he looked at his- ;
fresh spring bubbled forth, and made a strange wooden shoes, pulled at the short sleeves of his-
gurgling sound. jacket, and said, "He was afraid he could not
" That surely cannot be the bell," said one of walk so fast ; besides, he thought that the beU
27
must be looked for to the right for that was the ; where the water-snakes were writhing and the
place where all sorts of beautiful things were to toads were croaking- —
and he gained the summit
be found." before the sun had quite gone down. How mag-
" But there we shall not meet," said the king's nificent was the sight from this height The sea !
son,nodding at the same time to the poor boy, who — the great, the glorious sea, that dashed its long
went into the darkest, thickest part of the wood, waves against the coast — was stretched out be-
where thorns tore his humble dress, and scratched fore him. And yonder, where sea and sky meet,
his face, and hands, and feet, till they bled. The stood the sun, like a large, shining altar, all
king's son got some scratches, too but the sun ; melted together in the most glowing colors. And
shone on his path, and it is him that we will fol- the wood and the sea sang a song of rejoicing,
low, for he was an excellent and resolute youth. and his heart sang with the rest : all nature was a
" I must and will find the bell," said he, " even vast, holy church, in which the trees and the
if I am obliged to go to the end of the world." buoyant clouds were the jjillars, flowers and grass
The ugly apes sat upon the trees, and grinned. the velvet carpeting, and heaven itself the large
"Shall we thrash him?" said they; "shall we cupola. The red colors above faded awaj^ as the
thrash him ? He is the son of a king !
sun vanished, but a million stars were lighted, a
But on he went, without being disheartened, million lamps shone and the king's son spread
;
deeper and deeper into the wood, where the most out his arms toward heaven, and wood, and sea
wonderful flowers were growing. There stood when at the same moment, coming by a path to
white lilies with blood-red stamens sky-blue tu- ; the right, appeared, in his wooden shoes and
lips, which shone as they waved in the winds ;
jacket, the poor boy who had been confirmed
and apple-trees, the apples of which looked exactly with him. He had followed his own path, and
like large soap-bubbles : so only think how the
trees must have sparkled in the sunshine Around !
the nicest green meads, where the deer were play-

ing in the grass, grew magnificent oaks and
beeches ; and if the bark of one of the trees was
cracked, there grass and long creeping plants
grew in the crevices. And there were large, calm
lakes there too, in which white swans were swim-
ming, and beat the air with their wings. The
kino's son often stood still and listened. He
thought the bell sounded from the depths of these
still lakes but then he remarked again that the
;
tone proceeded not from there, but farther oif,

from out the depths of the forest.
The sun now set the atmosphere glowed like
;
fire. It was still in the woods, so very still and ;
he fell on his knees, sung his evening hymn, and

said " I cannot find what I seek
: the sun is go- ; had reached the spot just as soon as the son of
ing down, and night is coming the dark, dark— the king had done. They ran toward each other,
night. Yet perhaps I may be able once more to and stood together, hand in hand, in the vast
see the round, red sun before he entirely disap- church of nature and of poetry, while over them
pears. I will climb up yonder rock." sounded the invisible, holy bell blessed spirits
;
And he seized hold of the creeping-plants, and floated around them, and lifted up their voices in
the roots of trees, —

climbed up the moist stones a rejoicing hallelujah
TALES
FROM TUB
ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS.
I. INTRODUCTION.
It is written in the chronicles of the Sassanian to these affectionate inquiries, the vizier unfolded
monarchs, that there once lived an illustrious the more especial purpose of his coming. Schah-
by his own subjects for his wisdom
prince, beloved zenan, who was much affected at the kindness and
and prudence, and feared by his enemies for his recollection of his brother, then addressed the viz-
courage, and for the hardy and well-disciplined ier in these words :
" Sage vizier, the sultan, my
army of which he was the leader. This prince brother, does me too much honor. It is impossible
hadtwo sons, the elder called Schah-riar, and the that his wish to see me can exceed my anxious de-
younger Schah-zenan, both equally good and desire of again beholding him. You have come at
serving of praise. an opportune moment. My kingdom is tranquil,
The and glo-
old king died at the end of a long and in ten days' time I will be ready to depart
rious and Schah-riar, his eldest son, as-
reign, witli you. In the mean while pitch your tents on
cended the throne and reigned in his stead. A this spot ; I will take care and order ever}^ refresh-
friendly contest quickly arose between the two ment and accommodation for you and your whole
brothers as to which could best promote the happi- train."
ness of the other. The younger, Schah-zenan, did At the end of ten days everything was ready.
all he could to show his loyalty and affection, Schah-zenan took a tender leave of the queen, his
while the new sultan loaded his brother with all consort, and, accompanied by such officers as he
possible honors, and, in order that he might in had apjDointed to attend him, left Samarcand in
some degree share his own power and wealth, be- the evening, to be near the tents of his brother's
stowed on him the kingdom of Great Tartary. ambassador, with the intention of proceeding on
Schah-zenan went immediately and took possession his journey early on the following morning.
of the empire allotted him, and fixed his residence Wishing, however, once more to see his queen,
at Samarcand, the chief city. whom he tenderly loved, and whom he believed to
After a separation of ten years, Schah-riar ar- return his love with an equal affection, he re-
dently desired to see his brother, and sent his first turned privately to the palace, and went directly
vizier, with a splendid embassy, to invite him to to her apartment, when, to his extreme grief, he
revisit his court. Schah-zenan, being informed of found that she loved another man, and he a slave,
the approach of the vizier, went out to meet him, better than himself. The unfortunate monarch,
with all his ministers, most magnificently dressed yielding to the first outburst of his indignation,
for the occasion, and urgently inquired after the drew his scimitar, and with one rapid stiroke
health of the sultan, his brother. Having replied changed their sleep into death. After that he
212 TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS.
threw their dead bodies into the fosse or great it. Conscious that he had done all in his power
ditch that surrounded the palace. to testify the sincerity of his continued love and
Having thus satisfied his revenge, he went from affection, he sought diligently to amuse his
the city as privately as he entered it,and returned brother ; but the most splendid entertainments
to his pavilion. On his arrival, he did not men- and tne gayest /efcs only served to increase Ms
tion to any one what had liappened, but ordered melancholy.
the tents to be struck, and began his journey. It Schah-riar having one morning given orders for
was scarcely daylight when they commenced their a grand hunting part}', at the distance of two
march to the sound of drums and other instru- days' journey from the citj^, Schah-zenan reqviested
ments. The whole train was filled with joy, ex- permission to remain in his palace, excusing him-
cept the king, who could think of nothing but his self on account of a slight indisposition. The sul-
queen's misconduct, and he became a prey to the tan wishing to please him, gave him his choice,
deepest grief and melancholy during the whole and went with all his court to partake of the
journey. sport.
When he approached the capital of Persia, he The King was no sooner alone than
of Tartary
perceived the Sultan Schah-riar and all his court be shut himself up in his apartment, and gave way
coming out to greet him. What joyful sensations to a sorrowful recollection on the calamity which
arose in their breasts at this fraternal meeting had befallen him. As, however, he sat thus griev-
They alighted and embraced each other ; and after ing at the open window, looking out upon the
a thousand expressions of regard, they remounted, beautiful garden of the palace, he suddenly saw
and entered the city amidst the acclamations of tlie sultana, the loved wife of his brother, meet in
the multitude. The sultan conducted the king, the garden and hold secret conversation with an-
his brother, to a palace which had been prepared other man beside her husband. Upon witnessing
for him. It communicated by a garden with his this interview, Schali-zenan determined within
own and was even more magnificent, as it was
;
himself that he would no longer give way to such
the spot where all the fetes and splendid enter- inconsolable grief for a misfortune which came to
tainments of the court were given. other husbands as well as to himself. He ordered
Schah-riar immediately left the King of Tar- supper to be brought, and ate with a better appe-
tary, in order that he might have time to bathe tite than he had before done since his departure
and change his dress on his return from the bath

; from Samarcand, and even enjoyed the fine con-
he went immediately to him again. They seated cert performed while he sat at table.
themselves on a sofa, and conversed with each Schah-riar, on his return from hunting at the
other at their ease, after so long an absence and ; close of second day, Avas delighted at the
the
seemed even more united by affection than blood. change which he soon found had taken place in
They ate together at supper, and after their re- his brother, and urgently pressed him to explain
past they again conversed, till Schah-riar, per- both the cause of his former deep depression, and
ceiving the night far advanced, left his brother to of its sudden change to his present joy. The
repose. King of Tartary being thus pressed, and feeling it
The unfortunate Schah-zenan retired to his his duty to obey his suzerain lord, related to his
couch ; but if the presence of the sultan had for a brother the whole narrative of his wife's miscon-
while suspended his grief, it now returned with re- duct, and of the severe punishment with which he
doubled force. Every circumstance of the queen's had visited it on the offenders. Schah-riar ex-
misconduct arose to his mind and kept him awake, pressed his full approval of his conduct. " I own,"
and impressed such a look of sorrow on his coun- he said, " had I been in your place, I should, per-
tenance that the sultan could not fail to remark haps, have been less easily satisfied. I should not
INTRODUCTION. 213
have been contented with taking away the life of manner, instead of the praises and blessings with
one woman, but should have sacrificed a thousand which, till now, they loaded their monarch, all
to my resentment. Your fate, surely, is most sin- his subjects poured out imprecations on his head.
gular, nor can have happened to any one besides. The grand vizier, who, as has been mentioned,
Since, however, it has pleased God to afford you was the unwilling agent of this horrid injustice,
consolation, and as I am sure it is equally well had two daughtei's the elder was called Schehera-
;
founded as the cause of your grief, inform me, I zade, and the youngest Dinar-zaae. Schehera-
beg, of that also, and make me acquainted with zade was possessed of a degree of courage beyond
the whole." her sex. She had read much, and was possessed
The Schah-zenan to relate what
reluctance of of so great a memor)^ that she never forgot anj'-
he had seen yielded at last to the urgent com- thing once learned her beauty was only equaled
;
mands and entreaties of his brother, and he re- by her virtuous disposition.
vealed to him the secret of his disgrace in the The vizier was passionately fond of so deserving
faithlessness of his own queen. On hearing these a daughter.
dreadful and unexpected tidings, the rage and As they were conversing together one day, she
grief of Schah-riar knew no bounds. He far ex- made a request to her father, to his very great
ceeded his brother in his invectives and indigna- astonishment, that she might have the honor of
tion. He immediately sentenced to death his un- becoming the sultan's bride. The grand vizier
happy sultana and the unworthy accomplice of endeavored to dissuade his daughter from her in-
her guilt and not content with this, in all the
; tention by pointing out the fearful penalty of an
power of an Eastern despot, he bound himself by a immediate death attached to the favor which she
solemn vow that, to prevent the possibility of such sought. Schehei'a-zade, however, persisted in her
misconduct in future, he would marry a new wife request, intimating to her father that she had in
every night, and command her to be strangled in her mind a plan which she thought might be suc-
the morning. Having imposed this cruel law cessful in making a change in the intention of the
upon himself, he swore to observe it immediately sultan, and in putting a stop to the dreadful cru-
on the departure of the king his brother, who elty exercised towai'ds the inhabitants of the city.
soon after had a solemn audience of leave, and re- "Yes, my father," replied this heroic woman, "I
turned to his own kingdom, laden with the most am aware of the danger I run, but it does not de-
magnificent presents. ter me from my purpose. If I die, my death will
When Schah-zenan was gone, the sultan began be glorious ; and if I succeed, I shall render my
to put into execution his unhappy oath. He mar- country an imjjortant service." The vizier was
ried every night the daughter of some one of his most reluctant to allow his beloved child to enter
subjects, who, the next morning, was ordered out on so dangerous an enterprise, and endeavored to
to execution, and thus every day was a maiden dissuade her from her purpose, but at length,
married, and every day a wife sacrificed. How- overcome by his daughter's firmness, yielded to
ever repugnant these commands were to the be- her entreaties and although he was very sorry at
;
nevolent grand vizier, he was obliged to submit at not being able to conquer her resolution, he imme-
the peril of the loss of his own head. The report diately went to Schah-riar, and announced to him
of this unexampled inhumanity sjjread a panic of that Schehera-zade herself would be his bride on
universal consternation through the city. In one the following night.
place a wretched father was in tears for the loss of The sultan was much astonished at the sacrifice
his daughter ; in another, the air resounded with of the grand vizier. " Is it possible," said he, " that
the groans of tender mothers, who dreaded lest the you can give up your own child ? " " Sire," re-
same fate should attend their offspring. In this plied the vizier, " she has herself made the offer.
The dreadful fate that hangs over lier does not appears, to recount to me one of those delightful
alarm her and she resigns her hfe for the honor
; stories you know.' I will immediately begin to
of being the consort of j'our majesty, though it be tell one ;and I flatter myself that bj' these means
but for one night." "Vizier," said the sultan, I shall free the kingdom from the consternation
" do not deceive yourself with any hopes for be ; in which it is." Dinar-zade promised to do with
assured that, in delivering Schehera-zade into your pleasure what she required.
chai'ge to-morrow, it K;=î!y^;»s^-V Within a short
will be with an order time Schehera-zade
for her death and if ; was conducted by
you disobey, your her father to the
own head will be palace, and was ad-
the forfeit." " Al- mitted to the pres-
tho ugh."' answered ' nee of the sultan.
the vizier, " I am her They were no sooner
father, I will answer alone than the sultan
for the fidelity of this I irdered her to take off
arm in fulfilling your li e r veil. He was
commands." !• harmed with her
When the grand beauty ; but perceiv-
vizier returned to ing her tears, he de-
Schehera-zade, she manded the cause of
thanked her father ;
them. " Sire," an-
and observing him to s wered Schehera-
be much afflicted, con- zade, " I have a sister
soled him by saying whom I tenderly love

that she hoped he I earnestly wish that
would be so far from she might be per-
repenting her mar- mitted to pass the
riage with the sultan, night in this apart-
that it would become ment, that we may
a subject of joy to him again see each other,
for the remainder of and once more take
his life. a tender farewell.
Before Schehera- Will you allow me

zade went to the pal- the consolation of giv-
ace, she called her sis- ing her this last proof
"
ter,Dinar-zade, aside. of my affection ?
and said, " As soon as Schah-riar having

I shall have presented myself before the sultan, I agreed to it, they sent for Dinar-zade, who came
shall entreat him to suffer you to sleep in the directly. The sultan passed the night with Sche-
bridal chamber, that I may enjoy for the last time hera-zade on an elevated couch, as was the custom
your company. If I obtain this favor, as I expect, among the Eastern monarchs, and Dinar-zade
remember to awaken me to-morrow morning an slept at the foot of it on a mattress, prepared for
hour befoi'e daybreak, and say, If you are not ' the purpose.
asleep, my sister, I beg of you, till the morning Dinar-zade, having awoke about an hour before
INTRODUCTION. 215
day, did what her sister had ordered her. " My ful yell. The merchant, alarmed by the horrible
dear sister," she said, " if you are not asleep, I en- words he heard,
figure of this giant, as well as the
treat you, as it will soon be light, to relate to me replied in terrible accents, " can I have slainHow
one of those delightful tales you know. It will, him ? I do not know him, nor have I ever seen
alas ! be the last time I shall receive that pleas- him." " Didst thou not," replied the giant, " on
ure." thine arrival here, sit down, and take some dates
Instead of returning any answer to her sister, from thy wallet; and after eating them, didst thou
Schehera-zade addressed these words to the sul- not throw the stones about on all sides ? " " This
tan :
" Will your majesty permit me to indulge is all true," replied the merchant " I do not deny ;
my sister in her request?" "Freely," replied he. it." " Well, then," said the other, " I tell thee
Schehera-zade then desired her sister to attend, thou hast killed my son ; for while thou wast
and, addressing herself to the sultan, began as fol- throwing about the stones, my son passed by ; one
lows :
— of them struck him in the eye, and caused his
death, and thus hast thou slain my son." " Ah,
THE STOEY OF THE MERCHAIJT AND THE sire, forgive me," cried the merchant. " I have
GENIE.
neither foi-giveness nor mercy," added the giant
There was formerly, sire, a merchant, who was "and is it not just that he who has inflicted death
possessed of great wealth, in land, merchandise, should suffer it?" "I grant this; yet surely I
and ready money. Having one day an affair of have not done so and even ; if I have, I have done
great importance to settle at a considerable dis- so innocently, and therefore I entreat you to par-
tance from home, he mounted his horse, and with don me, and suffer me to live." " No, no," cried
only a sort of cloak-bag behind him, in which he the genie, still persisting in his resolution, " I must
had put a few biscuits and dates, he began his destroy thee, as thou hast done my son." At these
journey. He arrived without any accident at the words, he took the merchant in his arms, and hav-
place of his destination ; and having finished his ing thrown him with his face on the ground, he
business, set out on his return. lifted up his sabre, in order to strike off his head.
On the fourth day of his journey, he felt him- Schehera-zade, at this instant, perceiving it was
self so incommoded by the heat of the sun, that he day, and knowing that the sultan rose early to his
turned out of his road, in order to rest under some prayers, and then to hold a council, broke off.
trees, by which there was a fountain. He alighted, " What a wonderf id story," said Dinar-zade, " have
and tying his horse to a branch of the tree, sat you chosen I
" " The conclusion," answered Sche-
down on its bank to eat some biscuits and dates hera-zade, "is more surprising, as you would
still
from his little store. When he had satisfied his confess, if the sultan would suffer me to live an-
hunger, he amused himself with throwing about other day, and in the morning permit me to con-
the stones of the fruit with considerable velocity. tinue the I'elation." Schah-riar, who had listened
When he had finished
his frugal repast, he washed with much pleasure to the narration, determined
his hands, his face, and his feet, and repeated a to wait till to-morrow, intending to order her ex-
prayer, like a good Mussulman. ecution after she had finished her story. He arose,
He was still on his knees, when he saw a genie, and having prayed, went to the council.
white with age, and of an enormous stature, ad- The grand vizier, in the mean time, was in a
vancing towards him, with a scimitar in his hand. state of cruel suspense. Unable to sleep, he passed
As soon as he was close to him, he said in a most the night in lamenting the approaching fate of his
terrible tone, " Get up, that I may kill thee with daughter, whose executioner he was compelletl to
this scimitar, as thou hast caused the death of my be. Dreading, therefore, in this melancholy situ-
son." He accompanied these words with a dread- ation, to meet the sultan, how great was his sur-
216 TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS ENTERTAINMENTS.
prise in seeing liim enter the council-chamber the tale of the merchant, determined also to re-
without giving him tlie liorrible order he expected ! main to see the event.
The sultan spent the day, as usual, in regulating Soon tliey perceived, towards the plain, a tliieli
the affairs of his kingdom, and on the approach of vapor or smoke, like a column of dust raised by
iiio-ht retired with Schehera-zade to his apartment. the wind. This vapor approached them, and then
On the next morning the sultan did not wait for suddenly disappearing, the}' saw the genie, who,
Schehera-zade to ask permission to continue her without noticing them, went towards the mer-
story, but said, " Finish the tale of the genie and chant, with his scimitar in his hand and taking;
the merchant; I am curious to hear the end of it." him by the arm, " Get up," said he, " that I may
Schehera-zade immediately went on as follows :
— kill thee, asthou hast slain my son." Both the
When the merchant, sire, perceived that the merchant and the two old men, struck with terror,
genie was about to execute his purpose, he cried began to weep and fill the air with their lamenta-
aloud, " One word more, I entreat you ; have the tions. When the old man who conducted the hind
goodness to grant me a little delay ;
give me only saw the genie lay hold of the merchant, and about
one year to go and take leave of my dear wife to murder him without mercy, he threw himself
and children, and I promise to return to this spot, at the monster's feet, and, kissing them, said,
and submit myself entirely to your pleasure." " Lord genie, I humbly entreat you to suspend
" Take Allah to witness of tlie promise thou hast your rage, and hear my history, and that of the
made me," said the other. " Again I swear," hind which you see and if you find it more won-
;
replied he, "and you may rely on my oath." On derful and surprising than the adventure of this
this the genie left him near the fountain, and im- merchant, whose life you wish to take, may I not
mediately disappeared. hope that you will at least grant me one half part
The merchant, on his reaching home, related of the blood of this unfortunate man ? " After
faithfully all that had happened to him. On meditating some time, the genie answered, '"
Well
hearing the sad news, his wife uttered the most then, I agree to it."
lamentable groans, tearing her hair, and beating
her breast ; and his children made the house re-
THE HISTOKY OF THE FIEST OLD MAN AXD
while the father, overcome
THE HIND.
sound with their grief ;
by affection, mingled his tears with theirs. The The hind, whom you. lord genie, see here, is
year quickly passed awaj'. The good merchant, my wife. I married her when she was twelve
having settled his affairs, paid his just debts, given years old. and we lived together thirty years with-
alms to the poor, and made provision to the best of out having any children. At the end of that time
his ability for his wife and family, tore himself away I adopted into my family a sou whom a slave had
amidst the most frantic expressions of grief, and, borne. This act of mine excited against the
mindful of his oath, arrived at the destined spot mother and her child the hatred and jealousy of
on the very day he had promised. While he was my wife. She availed herself, during my absence
waiting for the arrival of the genie, there suddenly on a journey, of her knowledge of magic, to change
appeared an old man leading a hind, who, after a the slave and my adopted son into a cow and a
respectful salutation, inquired what brought him calf, and sent them to my farm to be fed and
to that desert place. The merchant satisfied the taken care of by the steward.
old man's curiosity, and related his adventure, on Immediately on my return, I inquired after my
which he expressed a wish to witness his interview child and his mother. •• Your slave is dead," said
with the genie. He had scarcely finished his she, " and it is now more than two months since
speech when another okl man, accompanied with I have beheld your son nor do I know what is
;
two black dogs, came in sight, and having heard become of him." I was sensibly affected at the
INTRODUCTION. 217
death of the slave ; but as my son h;id only disap- all she could say ;
promising, for the sake of ap-
peared, I flattered myself that he would soon be peasing her, to sacrifice this calf at the feast of
found. Eight months, howevei', passed, and he Bairam on the following year.
did not return ; nor could I learn any tidings of The next morning my steward desired to speak
him. In order to celebrate the festival of the with me in private. He informed me that his
great Bairam, which was approaching, I ordered daughter, who had some knowledge of magic,
my bailiff to bring me the fattest cow I possessed wished to speak with me. On being admitted
for a sacrifice.He obeyed my commands. Having to my presence, she informed me that, during my
bound the cow, I was about to make the sacrifice, absence, my wife had turned the slave and my son
when, at the very instant, she lowed most sorrow- into a cow and a calf ; that I had already sacrificed
fully, and the tears even fell from her eyes. This the cow, but that she could restore my son to life,
seemed to me so extraordinary that I could not if I would give him to her for her husband, and
but feel compassion for her, and was unable to allow her to visit my wife with the punishment her
give the fatal blow. I therefore ordered her to cruelty had deserved. To these proposals I gave
be taken away and another brought. my consent.
My wife, who was present, seemed very angry at The damsel then took a vessel full of water,
my compassion, and opposed my order. and pronouncing over it some words I did not un-
I then said to mj' steward, " ]Make the sacrifice derstand, she threw the water over the calf, and
yourself ; the lamentations and tears of the animal he instantly regained his own form.
have overcome me." " My son I my son I " I exclaimed, and em-
The steward was less compassionate, and sacri- braced him with transport ;
" this damsel has de-
ficed her. On taking off the skin we found hardly stroyed the horrible charm with which you were
anything but bones, though she appeared very fat. surrounded. I am sure your gratitude will induce
" Take her away," said I to the steward, truly you to marry have already promised
her, as I
chagrined " and if you have another very fat calf,

; for you." He but before they
joyfully consented ;
bring it in her place." He returned with a re- were united, the damsel changed my wife into this
markably fine calf, who, as soon as he perceived hind, which you see here.
me, made so great an effort to come to me, that he Since this, mj' son has become a widower, and
broke his cord. He lay down at my feet, with his is now traveling. Many years have passed since
head on the ground, as if lie endeavored to excite I have heard anything of him I have, therefore, ;
my compassion, and to entreat me not to have the now set out with a view to gain some informa-
cruelty to take away his life. tion and as I did not like to trust my wife to the
;
" Wife," answered I, " I will not sacrifice this care any one during my search, I thought
of
calf; Iwish to favor him do not j'ou, therefore, ; jDroper to carry her along with me. This is the
oppose it." She, however, did not agree to my history of myself and this hind can anything be ;
proposal and continued to demand his sacrifice

; more wonderful ? "I agree with you," said the
so obstinately that I was compelled to yield. I genie, " and in consequence, I grant to you a half
bound the calf, and took the fatal knife to bury it of the blood of this merchant."
in his throat, when he turned his eyes, filled with As soon as the first old man had finished, the
tears, so persuasively upon me, that I had no second, who led the two black dogs, made the
power to execute my intention. The knife fell same request to the genie for a half of the mer-
from my hand, and I told my wife I was deter- chant's blood, on the condition that his tale ex-
mined to have another calf. She tried every ceeded in interest the one that had been just re-
means to induce me to alter my mind ; I contin- lated. On the genie signifying his assent, the
ued firm, however, in my resolution, in spite of old man besan.
28
should be well satisfied with her conduct, I was
THE HISTORY OF THE SECOMD OLD MAN AND THE quite overcome. I directly procured proper
TWO BLACK DOGS. dresses for and after marrying her in due
her,
Great prince of the genies, you must know that form, she embarked with me, and we set sail.
these two black dogs, which you see here, and my- During our voyage, I found my wife possessed
self are three brothers. Our fathei", when he of so many good qualities that I loved her every
died, left us one thousand sequins each. With day more and more. In the mean time my two
this sum we all embarked in business as mer- brothers, who had not traded so advantageously as
chants. My
two brothers determined to travel, myself, and who were jealous of my prosperity,
that they might trade in foreign parts. They began to feel exceedingl}^ envious. Thej'' even
were both unfortunate, and returned at the end of went so far as to conspire against \ny life for ;
two years in a state of abject poverty, having lost one night, while my wife and I were asleep, they
their all. I had in the mean while prospered, and threw us into the sea. I had hardly, however,
I gladly received them, and gave them one thou- fallei:!finto the water, before my wife took me up
sand sequins each, and again set them up as mer- and transported me into an island. As soon as it
chants. My brothers frequently proposed to me was day, she thus addressed me: " You must know
that I should make a voj'age with them for the that I am a fairy, and being upon the shore when
purpose of traffic. Knowing their former want of you were about to sail, I wished to try the good-
success, I refused to join them, until at the end of ness of your heart, and for this purpose I pre-
five years I at length yielded to their repeated so- sented myself before you in the disguise you saw-
licitations. On consulting on the merchandise to You acted most generously, and I am therefore
be bought for the voyage, I discovered that noth- delighted in finding an occasion of showing my
ing remained of the thousand sequins I had given gratitude and I trust, my husband, that in sav-
;
to each. them on the con-

I did not reproach ; ing your life, I have not ill rewarded the good you
traiy, as my was increased to six thousand
capital have done me; but I am enraged against your
sequins, I gave them each one thousand sequins, brothers, nor shall I be satisfied till I have taken
and kept a like sum myself, and concealed the their lives."
other three thousand in a corner of my house, in I listened with astonishment to the discourse of
order that if our voj'age proved unsuccessful, we the fairy, and thanked her, as well as I was able,
might be able to console ourselves, and begin our for the great obligation she had conferred on me.
former profession. We purchased our goods, em- " But, madam," said I to her, " I must entreat you
barked in a vessel, which we ourselves freighted, to pardon my brothers." I related to her what I
and set sail with a favorable wind. After sailing had done for each of them, but my account only
about a month, we arrived, without any accident, increased her anger. " I must instantly fly after
at a port, where we landed, and had a most advan- these ungrateful wretches," cried she, " and bring
tageous sale for our merchandise. I, in particu- them to a just punishment ; I will sink their ves-
lar,sold mine so well that I gained ten for one. sel, and precipitate them to the bottom of the
About the time that we wei-e ready to embark sea." " No, beautiful lady," replied I " for Heav-;
on our return, I accidentally met on the sea-shore en's sake, moderate your indignation, and do not
a female of great beauty, but very poorly dressed. execute so dreadfid an intention remember they;
She accosted me by kissing my hand, and en- are still my brothers, and that we are bound to re-
treated me most earnestlj^ to permit her to be my turn good for evil."
wife. I started many difficulties to such a plan sooner had I pronounced these words, than
No
but at length she said so much to persuade me I was transported in an instant from the island
that I ought not to regard her poverty, and that I where we were to the top of my own house. I de-
THE HISTORY OF THE FISHERMAN. 219
scended, opened the doors, and dug up the three for ten years, as a punishment for their perfidy."
thousand sequins which I had hidden. I after- Then informing me where I might hear of her,
wards repaired to my shop, opened and re-
it, she disappeared.
ceived the congratulations of the merchants in the The ten years are now completed, and I am
neighborhood on ray arrival. When I returned traveling in search of her. " This, O lord genie,
home, I perceived these two black dogs, which ismy history does it not appear to you of a most
;
came towards me with a submissive air. I could extraordinary nature " " Yes," replied the genie,
'?
not imagine what this meant, but the fairy, who " I confess it is most wonderful, and therefore
soon appeared, satisfied my curiosity. " My dear I grant you the other half of this merchant's
husband," said she, " be not surpi-ised at seeing blood ;
" and having said this, the genie disap-
these two dogs in your house ; they are your broth- peared, to the great joy of the merchant and of the
ers." My blood ran cold on hearing this, and I two old men.
inquired by what power they had been trans- The merchant did not omit to bestow many
formed into that state. " It is I," replied the thanks upon his liberators, who, bidding him
fairy, " who have done it,and I have sunk their He remounted
adieu, proceeded on their travels.
ship ; for the loss of the merchandise it contained his and returned home to his wife and
horse,
I shall recompense you. As to your brothers, I children, and spent the remainder of his days
have condemned them to remain under this form with them in tranquillity.
II. THE HISTORY OF THE FISHERMAN.

There was formerly an aged fisherman, so poor ered a heavy vase of yellow coppei-, shut up and
that he could barely obtain food for himself, his fastened with lead, on which there was the im-
wife, and his three children. He went out early pression of a seal. " I will sell this to a founder,"
every morning to his employment ; and he had said he, with joy, " and with the money I shall
imposed a rule upon himself never to cast his nets get for it I will purchase a measure of corn."
above four times a day. He examined the vase on
all sides he shook ;
On one occasion he set out before the morn had it, but could hear nothing and this, together with
;
disappeared. When he reached the sea-shore, he the impression of the seal on the lead, made him
undressed himself, and cast his nets. In drawing think it was filled with something valuable. In
them to land three times in succession, he felt order to find this out, he took his knife, and got it
sure, from their resistance and weight, that he open. He directly turned the top
downwards, and
had secured an excellent draught of fish. Instead was much surprised come out he
to find nothing ;
of which he only found on the first haul the car- then set it down before him, and while he was at-
cass of an ass; on the second, a large pannier tentively observing it, there issued from it so thick
filled with sand and mud and on the third, a
; a smoke that he was obliged to step back a few
large quantity of heavy stones, shells, and filth. paces. This smoke, by degrees, rose almost to the
It is impossible to describe his disappointment clouds, and spread itself over both the water and
and despair. The day now began to break, and the shore, appearing like a thick fog. The fisher-
having, like a good Mussulman, finished his man, as may easily be imagined, was a good deal
prayer, he threw his nets for the fourth time. surprised at this sight. When the smoke had all
Again he supposed he had caught a great quantity come out from the vase, it again collected itself,
of fish, as he drew them with as much difficulty as and became a solid body, and then took the shape
before. He nevertheless found none but discov- ; of a genie of a gigantic size. The genie, looking
at the fisherman, exclaimed, '•

Humble thyself be- well," returned he ;
" but that shall not prevent
fore me, or I will kill thee." " And for what my destroying thee; and I will only grant thee
reason, pray, will you kill me " answered the
? one favor." " And pray what is that? " said the
fisherman ; " have you already forgotten that I fisherman. " It is," replied the genie, " to permit
have set you at liberty ? " "I remember it very thee to choose the manner of thy death. I can
THE HISTORY OF THE FISHERMAN. 221
treat thee no otherwise ; and to convince thee of Necessity is the mother of invention and the ;
it, hear my history :

— fisherman thought of a stratagem. " Since, then,"
" I am one of those spirits who rebelled against said he, " I cannot escape death, I submit to the
the sovereignty of God. Solomon, the son of will of God ; but before I choose the sort of death,
David, the prophet of God, commanded me to ac- I conjure you, by the great name of God, which
knowledge and submit to his laws.
his authority, is graven upon the seal of the prophet Solomon,
I haughtily refused. In order, therefore, to pun- the son of David, answer me truly to a question I
ish me, he inclosed me in this copper vase and ; am going to put to you." The genie trembled at
to prevent me forcing my way out, he put upon this adjuration, and said to the fisherman, " Ask
the leaden cover the impression of his seal, on what thou wilt, and make haste."
which the great name of God is engraven. This " Dare you, then, to swear by the great name
done, he gave the vase to one of those genies v^ho of God that you really were in that vase ? This
obeyed him, and ordered him to cast me into the sea. vase cannot contain one of your feet how, then, ;
" During the first century of my ca^jtivity, I can it hold your whole body ? " " I swear to thee,
swore that if any one delivered me before the first notwithstanding," replied he, " that I was there
hundred years were passed, I would make him just as thou seest me. Wilt thou not believe me
rich. During the second century, I swore that if after the solemn oath I have taken ? " " No, truly,"
any released me, I would discover to him all the added the fisherman " I shall not believe you,
;
treasures of the earth. During the third, I prom- unless I were to see it." -
ised to make my deliverer a most powerful mon- Immediately the form of the genie began to
arch, and to grant him every day any three re- change into smoke, and extended itself, as befoi-e,
quests he chose. These centuries passed away over both the shore and the sea and then, collect-;
without any deliverance. Enraged, at last, to be ing itself, began to enter the vase, and continued
so long a prisoner, I swore that I would, without to do so, in a slow and equal manner, till nothing
mercy, kill whoever should in future release me, remained without. The fisherman immediately
and that the only favor I would grant him should took the leaden cover, and put it on the vase.
be to choose what manner of death he jjleased. " Genie," he cried, " it is now your turn to ask
Since, therefore, thou hast come here to-day, and pardon. I shall throw you again into the sea,
hast delivered me, fix upon whatever kind of death and I will build, opposite the very spot where you
thou wilt."' are cast, a house upon the shore, in which I will
The fisherman was in great distress at finding live, to warn all fishermen that shall come and
him thus resolved on his death, not so much on throw their nets, not to fish up so evil a genie as
his own account whose
as for his three children, thou art, who makest an oath to kill the man who
means of subsistence would be greatly reduced by shall set thee at liberty."
his death. " Alas " he cried, " have pity on me
!
; The genie tried every argument to move the
remember what I have done for thee." fisherman's pity but in vain. " You are too
" Let us lose no time," cried the genie " your ; treacherous for me to trust you," returned the
arguments avail not. Make haste, tell me how fisherman " I should deserve to lose my
;
life, if I
you wish to die." put myself in your power a second time."
III. THE STORY OF THE ENCHANTED HORSE.

The Nooroze, or the new day, which is the they saw him returning with the palm branch in
first of the year and spring, is observed as a solemn his hand but before he descended, he took two
;
festival throughout all Persia. or three turns in the air over the sj)ot, amid the
Onone of these festival days, just as the Sul- acclamations of all the people, then alighted on
tan of Shiraz was concluding his public audience, the spot whence he had set off. He dismounted,
which had been conducted with unusual splendoi', and going up to the throne, prostrated himself,
a Hindu appeared at the foot of the throne, with and laid the branch of the palm-tree at the feet of
an artificial horse richly caparisoned, and so spirit- the emperor.
edly modeled, that at first sight he was taken for The emperor, who had viewed with no less ad-
a living animal. miration than astonishment this unheard-of sight

The Hindu prostrated himself before the throne, which the Hindu had exhibited, conceived a great
and pointing to the horse, said to the sultan, desire to have the horse, and said to the Hindu,
" This horse is a great wonder ; whenever I mount " I will jDurohase him of jou, if he is to be sold."
him, be it where it may, if I wish to transport " Sire," replied the Hindu, " there is only one
myself through the air to the most distant part of condition on which I can part with my horse, and
the world, I can do it in a very short time. This that is the gift of the hand of the princess your
is wonder which nobody ever heard speak of,
a daughter as my wife ; this is the only bargain I
and which I offer to show your majesty if you can make."
command me." The courtiers about the Emperor of Persia could
The Emperor of Persia, who was fond of every- not forbear laughing aloud at this extravagant
thing that was curious, and who, notwithstanding proposal of the Hindu ; but the Prince Feroze-
the many prodigies of art he had seen, had never shah. the eldest son of the emperor and presump-
beheld or heard of anything that came up to this, tive-heir to the crown, could not hear it without
told the Hindu that he was ready to see him per- indignation. " Sire," he said, " I hope you will
form what he had promised. not hesitate to refuse so insolent a demand, or al-
The Hindu instantly put his foot into the stir- low this insignificant juggler to flatter himself
rup, mounted his horse with admirable agility, for a moment with the idea of being allied to one
and when he had fixed himself in the saddle, of the most powerful monarchs in the world. 1
asked the emperor whither he pleased to com- beg of you you owe
to consider wliat to yourself,
mand him. to your own blood, and the high rank of your an-
" Do you that mountain ? " said the em-
see cestors."
peror, pointing to it; " ride your horse there, and Son," replied the Emperor of Persia, " I will
"
bring me a branch of a palm-tree that grows at not grant him what he asked and perhaps he —
the bottom of the hill." does not seriously make the proposal and put- ;
The Emperor had no sooner declared

of Pei-sia ting my daughter the princess out of the question,
his will than the Hindu turned a peg, which was I may make another agreement with him. But
in the hollow of the horse's neck, just by the pom- before I bargain with him, I should be glad that
mel of the saddle and in an instant the horse
; you would examine the horse, try him yourself,
rose ofl; the ground and carried his rider into the and give me your opinion." On hearing this, the
air with the rapidity of lightning to a great height, Hindu expressed much joy, and ran before the
to the admiration of the emperor and all the spec- prince, to help him to mount, and showed him
tators. Within less than a quarter of an hour how to guide and manage the horse.
THE STORY OF THE ENCHANTED HORSE. 223
The prince mounted without the Hindu's assist- " Your head shall answer for my son's life, if he
ing him and, as soon as he had got his feet in the
: does not return safe in three days' time, or I should
stirrups, without staying for the artist's advice, he hear that he is alive." He then ordered his of-
turned the peg he had seen him use, when in- ficers to secure the Hindu, and keep him close
stantly the horse darted into the air, quick as an prisoner ; after which he retired to his palace, in
arrow shot out of a bow by the most adroit archer affliction that the festival of Nooroze should have
and in a few moments neitlier horse nor prince proved so inauspicious.
were to be seen. Tlie Hindu, alarmed at what had In the mean time the prince was carried through
happened, prostrated himself before the throne, the air with prodigious velocity. In less than an
and deprecated the anger of the sultan. The sul- hour's time he ascended so high that he could not
tan replied to him, and asked, in a passion, why distinguish anything on the earth, but mountains
he did not callhim the moment he ascended. and plains seemed confounded together. It was
" Sire," answered the Hindu, " your majesty then he began to think of returning, and conceived
saw as well as I with what rapidity the horse flew he m ight do this by turning the same peg the con-
away. The surprise I was then and still am in trary way, and pulling the bridle at the same time.
deprived me of the use of my speech ; but if But when he found that the horse still continued
I could have spoken, he was got too far to hear to ascend, his alarm was great. He turned the
me. he had heard me, he knew not the secret
If peg several times in different ways, but all in vain.
to bring him back, which through his impatience It was then he saw his fault, and apprehended the
he would not stay to learn. But, sire," added he, great danger he was in, from not having leanit the
" there is room to hope that the prince, when he necessary precautions to guide the horse before he
finds himself at a loss, will perceive another peg, mounted. He examined the horse's head and neck
and as soon as he turns that the horse will cease with attention, and perceived behind the right ear
and descend to the ground, when he may
to rise, another peg, smaller than the other. He turned
turn him to what place he pleases by guiding him that peg, and presently perceived that he de-
with the bridle." scended in the same oblique manner as he had
Notwithstanding all these arguments of the mounted, but not so swiftly.
Hindu, which carried great appearance of proba- Night had overshadowed that part of the earth
bilit}', the Emperor of Persia was much alarmed over which the prince was when he found out and
at the evident danger of his son. " I suppose," turned the small peg and as the horse descended,
;
replied he, '"

it is very uncertain whether my son he by degrees lost sight of the sun, till it grew
may perceive the other peg, and make a right use quite dark insomuch that, instead of choosing
;
of it. May not the horse, instead of lighting on what place he would go to, he was forced to let
the ground, fall upon some rock, or tumble into the bridle lie upon the horse's neck, and wait
"
the sea with him ? patiently till he alighted, though not without the
" Sire," replied the Hindu, " I can deliver you dread lest it should be in the desert, a river, or
from this apprehension, by assuring you that the the sea.
horse crosses seas without ever falling into them, At last the horse stopped upon some solid sub-
and always wherever he may wish
carries his rider stance about midnight, and the prince dismounted
to go. And your majesty may assure yourself very faint and hungry, having eaten nothing since
that if the prince does but find out the other peg the morning, when he came out of the palace with
I mentioned, the horse will carr}^ him where he his father to assist at the festival. He found him-
pleases. It is not to be sujjposed that he will stop self tobe on the terrace of a magnificent palace,
anywhere but where he can find assistance, and surrounded with a balustrade of white marble,
make himself known" breast-high ; and groping about reached a stair-
22-4 TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS.
case, which led down into an apartment, the door " to know by what miracle you have come hither
of which was half open. from the capitalof Persia in so short a time, and
The prince stopped at the door, and, listening, by what enchantment you have evaded the vigi-
heard no other noise than the breathing of some lance of my guards yet as you must want some
;
people who were fast asleep. He advanced a lit- refreshment, I will postpone my curiosity, and give
tle into the room, and by the light of a lamp saw orders to my attendants to show you an aj)artment,
that those persons were black mutes, with naked that you may rest yourself after your fatigue, and
sabres laid by them ; whicli was enough to inform be better able to answer my inquiries." The
him that this was the cruard-ehamber of some sul- princess's attendants were much surprised to see
tan or princess. Prince Feroze-shah advanced on the prince in the princess's chamber, but they at
tiptoe, without waking the attendants. He drew once prepared to obey her commands. They each
aside the curtain, went
and saw a magnificent
in, took a wax candle, of which thei"e were great num-
chamber containing many beds, one alone being bers lighted up in the room and after the prince
;
on a raised dais, and the others on the floor. The had respectfully taken leave of the princess, went
princess slejDt ifi the first and her women in the before and conducted him into a handsome hall
others. He crept softly towards the dais without where, while some were preparing the bed, others
waking either the princess or her women, and went into the kitchen and prepared a supper ; and
beheld a beauty so extraordinary^ that he was when he had eaten as much as he chose, they re-
charmed at the first sight. He fell on his knees, moved the trays, and left him to taste the sweets
and twitching genth' the princess's sleeve, kneeling of repose.
beside her, pulled it towards him. The princess The next day the princess prepared to give the
opened her eyes, and seeing a handsome young prince another interview, and in expectation of
man, was in great surprise, yet showed no sign of seeing him, she took more pains in dressing and
fear. adjusting herself at the glass than she had ever
The prince availed himself of this favorable mo- done before. She tired her women's patience, and
ment, bowed his head to the ground, and rising, made them do and undo the same thing several
said, " Beautiful princess, by the most extraordi- times. She adorned her head, neck, arms, and
naiy and wonderful adventure, you see at your waist with the finest and largest diamonds she pos-
feet a suppliant prince, son of the Emperor of sessed. The habit she put on was one of the
Persia ;
pray afford him your assistance and pro- richest stuffs of the Indies, of a most beautiful
tection." color, and made only for kings, princes, and prin-
The personage to whom Prince Feroze-shah so cesses. After she had consulted her glass, and
liappily addressed himself was the Princess of asked her women, one after another, if anything
Bengal, eldest daughter of the rajah of that king- was wanting to complete her attire, she sent to
dom, who had built this palace at a small distance tell the Prince of Persia that she would make
from his capital, for the sake of the country air. him a visit.
She thus replied " Prince, you are not in a bar-
: The Prince of Persia, who by the night's rest
barous country — take
courage; hospitality, hu- had recovered the fatigue he had undergone the
manity, and politeness are to be met with in the day before, had just dressed himself when he re-
kingdom of Bengal, as well as in that of Persia. ceived notice of the intention of the princess, and
I grant you the protection you ask — you may de- expressed himself to be fully sensible of the honor
pend on what I say." conferred on him. As soon as the princess under-
The Prince of Persia would have thanked the stood that the Prince of Persia waited for her, she
princess, but she would not give him leave to immediately went to pay him a visit. After mut-
speak. " Notwithstanding, I desire," said she, ual compliments, the prince related to her the
wonders magic horse, of his journey through

of the The princess returned no answer to this address
the air, and means by which he had found
of the of the Prince of Persia ; but her silence, and eyes
an entrance into her chamber and then having ; cast down, were sufficient to inform him that she
thanked her for her kind reception, expressed a had no reluctance to accompany him into Persia.
wisli to return and relieve the anxiety of tlie sul- The only difficulty she felt was, that the prince
tan his father. When the prince had finished, knew not well enough how to govern the horse,
the princess replied, " I cannot approve, prince, of and she was apprehensive of being involved with
your going so soon ;
grant me at least the favor I him in the same difficulty as when he first made
ask of a little longer acquaintance and since I ; the experiment. But the prince soon removed her
have had the happiness to have you alight in the fear, by assuring her she might trust herself with
kingdom of Bengal, I desire you will stay long him, for that after the experience he had acquired
enough to enable you to give a better account of he defied the Hindu himself to manage him better.
what you may see here at the court of Persia." She thought, therefore, only of concerting meas-
The Prince of Persia could not well refuse the ures to get off with him so secretly that nobody
princess this favor, after the kindness she had belonging to the palace should have the least sus-
shown him, and therefore politely complied with picion of their design.
her request and the princess's thoughts were di-
; The next morning, a little before daybreak,
rected to render his stay agreeable by all the when all the attendants were asleep, they went
amusements she could devise. upon the terrace of the palace. The prince turned
Nothing went forward for several days but con- the horse towards Persia, and placed him where
certs of music, accompanied with magnificent the princess could easily get up behind him, which
feasts and collations in the gardens, or hunting she had no sooner done, and was well settled with
parties in the vicinity of the palace, which her arms about his waist, for her better security,
abounded with all sorts of game, stags, hinds, — than he turned the peg, when the horse mounted
and fallow-deer, and otiier beasts peculiar to the into the air, and making his usual haste, under
kingdom of Bengal, which the princess could pur- the guidance of the prince, in two hours' time the
sue without danger. After the chase, the prince prince discovered the capital of Persia.
and princess met in some beautiful spot, where The prince would not alight in the palace of
a carpet was spread, and cushions laid for their ac- his father, but directed his course towards a kiosk
commodation. There resting themselves, they at a little distance from the capital. He led the
conversed on various subjects. princess into a handsome apartment, where he
Two whole months the Prince of Persia aban- told her, that, to do her all the honor that was due
doned himself entirely to the will of the Princess to her, he would gO and inform his father of their
of Bengal, yielding to all the amusements she con- arrival, and return to her immediately. He or-
trived for him, for she neglected nothing to divert dered the attendants of the palace, whom he sum-
him, as if she thought he had nothing else to do moned, to provide the princess with whatever she
but to pass his whole life with her in this manner. had occasion for.
But he now declared seriously he could not stay After the prince had taken his leave of the
longer, and begged of her to give him leave to re- princess, he ordered a horse to be brought, which
turn to his father. he mounted, and set out for the palace. As he
" And, princess," observed the Prince of Persia, passed through the streets he was received with
" that you may not doubt the truth of my affection, acclamations by the people, who were overjoyed to
I would presume, were I not afraid you would be see him again. The emperor his father was hold-
offended at my request, to ask the favor of taking ing his divan when he appeared before him in the
you along with me." midst of his council. He received him with tears
29
of joy and tenderness, and asked bim what was air to the emperor, who waited in the great square
become of the Hindu's horse. of his palace to gratify the whole court and city
This question gave the prince an opportunity of of Shiraz with that wonderful sight.
describiug the embarrassment and danger he was The captain of the guard, who knew the Hindu,
in when the horse ascended into the air, and how and that the emperor had imprisoned him, gave
he had arrived at last at the Princess of Bengal's the more credit to what he said, because he saw
had met with there,
palace, the kind reception he that he was at liberty. He presented him to the
and that the motive which had induced him to Princess of Bengal, who no sooner understood
stay so long with her was the mutual affection that hecame from the Prince of Persia than she
tiey entertained for each other also, that after
; consented to what the prince, as she thought, had
promising to marry her, he had persuaded her to desired of her.
accompany him into Persia. " But, sire," added The Hindu, overjoyed at his success and the
the prince, " I felt assured that you would not re- ease with which he had accomplished his villainy,
fuse your consent, and have brought her with me mounted his horse, took the princess behind him,
on the enchanted horse to your summer-palace ;
with the assistance of the captain of the guard,
and liave left her there, till I could return and as- turned the peg, and instantly the horse mounted
sure her that my promise was not in vain." into the air.
After these words, the prince prostrated himself At the same time the Emperor of Persia, at-
before the emperor to obtain his consent, when his tended by his court, was on the road to the palace
father raised him up, embraced him a second time, where the Princess of Bengal had been left, and
and said to him, " Son, I not only consent to your the Prince of Persia was advanced before, to pre-
marriage with the Princess of Bengal, but will go pare the princess to receive his father ; when the
myself and bring her to my palace, and celebrate Hindu, to brave them both, and revenge himself
your nuptials this day." for the ill-treatment he had received, appeared
The emperor now ordered that the Hindu over their heads with his prize.
should be fetched out of prison and brought be- When the Emperor of Persia saw the Hindu,
fore him. When the Hindu was admitted to his he stopped. His surprise and were the
affliction
presence, he said to him, " I secured thy person, more sensible, because it was not in his power to
that thy might answer for that of the prince
life punish so high an affront. He loaded him with a
my son. Thanks be to God, he is returned again : thousand imprecations, as did also all the courtiers,
go, take your horse, and never let me see your who were witnesses of so signal a piece of inso-
face more." lence and unparalleled artifice and treachery.
As the Hindu had learned of those who brought The Hindu, little moved with their impreca-
him out of prison that Prince Feroze-shah was re- tions, which just reached his ears, continued his
tui-ned with a princess, and was also informed of way, while the emperor, extremely^ mortified at so
the place where he had alighted and left her, and great an insult, but more so that he could not pun-
that the emperor was making p)i"eparations to go ish the author, returned to his jjalace in rage and
and bring her to his palace, as soon as he got out vexation.
of the presence, he bethought himself of being re- But what was Prince Feroze-shah's grief at be-
venged upon the emperor and the prince. He holding the Hindu hurrying away with the Prin-
mounted his horse, and without losing any time, cess of Bengal, whom he loved so passionately!
went dii'ectly to the palace, and addressing him- He returned to the summer-palace, where he had
self to the captain of the guard, told him he came last seen the princess, melancholy and broken-
from the Prince Ben-
of Persia for the Princess of hearted. When he arrived, the captain of the
gal, and to conduct her behind him through the guard, who had learnt his fatal credulity in believ-
THE STORT OF THE ENCHANTED HORSE. 227
ing the artful Hindu, threw himself at his feet is a wicked magician, who has forced me away
with tears in his eyes, accused himself of the from the Prince of Persia, to whom I was going
crime which unintentionally he had committed, and to be married, and has brought me hither on the
condemned himself to die by his hand. " Rise," enchanted horse j'ou behold there."
said the prince to him ;
" I do not impute the The Princess of Bengal had no occasion to say
loss of my my own want
princess to thee, but to more. Her beauty, majestic air, and tears de-
of precaution. But not to lose time, fetch me a clared that she spoke the truth. Justly enraged at
dervis's habit, and take care you do not give the the insolence of the Hindu, the sultan ordered his
least hint that it is for me." guards to surround him, and strike oS. his head,
Not far from this palace there stood a convent which sentence was immediately executed.
of dervises, the superior of which was the captain The sultan then conducted the princess to his
of the guard's particular friend. From him he palace, where he lodged her in the most magnifi-
readily obtained a complete dervis's habit, and cent apartment, next his own, and commanded a
carried it to Prince Feroze-shah. The prince im- great number of women slaves to attend her.
mediately pulled off his own dress, put it on, and The Princess of Bengal's joy was inexpressible
being so disguised, and provided with a box of jew- at finding herself delivered from the Hindu, of
els which he had brougiit as a present to the prin- whom she could not think without horror. She
cess, left the palace, uncertainwhich way to go, flattered herself that the Sultan of Cashmere
but resolved not to return till he had found out would complete his genei'osity by sending her
his princess, and brought her back again, or per- back to the Prince of Persia when she would have
ished in the attempt. told him her story, and asked that favor of him ;
In the mean while, the Hindu, mounted on his but she was much deceived in these hopes for her ;
enchanted horse, with the princess behind him, deliverer had resolved to mai'ry her himself the
arrived early next morning at the capital of the next day and for that end had issued a procla-
;
kingdom Cashmere. He did not enter the city,

of mation, commanding the general rejoicing of the
but alighted in a wood, and left the princess on a inhabitants of the capital. At the break of day
grassy spot, close to a rivulet of fresh water, while the drums were beaten, the trumpets sounded,
he went to seek for food. On his return, and and sounds of joys echoed throughout the palace.
after he and the princess had partaken of refresh- The Princess of Bengal was awakened by these
ment, he began to maltreat the princess, because tumultuous concerts, but attributed them to a
she refused to become his wife. As the princess very different cause from the true one. When the
cried out for help, the Sultan of Cashmere and his Sultan of Cashmere came to wait upon her, after
court passed through the wood on their return he had inquired after her health, he acquainted
from hunting, and hearing a woman's voice calling her thatall those rejoicings were to render her
for help, went to her rescue. nuptials the more solemn, and at the same time
The sultan, addressing himself to the Hindu, desired her assent to the union. This declaration
demanded who he was, and wherefore he ill- put her into such a state of agitation that she
treated the lady. The Hindu, with great impu- fainted away.
dence, replied that she was his wife, and what had The women slaveswho were present ran to her
any one to do with his quarrel with her? assistance, though was a long time before they
it
The princess, who neither knew the rank nor succeeded in bringing her to herself. But when
quality of the person who came so seasonably to she recovered, rather than break the promise she
her relief, exclaimed, " My
whoever you are
lord, had made to Prince Feroze-shah, by consenting to
whom Heaven has sent to my assistance, have marry the Sultan of Cashmere, who had pro-
compassion on me. I am a princess. This Hindu claimed their nuptials before he had asked her
consent, she resolved to feign madness. She be- formed of the story of the princess and the fate of
gan most extravagant expressions be-
to utter the the Hindu magician. The prince was convinced,
fore the sultan, and even rose off her seat as if to that he had at last found the beloved object he
attack him, insomuch that he was greatly alarmed had sought so long.
and aiBicted that he had made such a proposal so Being informed of all these particulars, he pro-
unseasonablj'. vided himself with a physician's habit, and his
When he found that her frenzy rather increased beard having grown long during his travels, he
than abated, he left her with her women, charging passed the more easily for the character he as-
them never to leave her alone, but to take great sumed. He went boldly to the palace, and an-
care of her. He sent often that day to inquii-e nounced his wish to be allowed to undertake the
how she did, but received no other answer than cure of the princess to the chief of the officers.
that she was rather worse than better. Some time had elapsed since any physician had
The Princess of Bengal continued to talk offered himself ; and the SultanCashmere with
of
wildly, and showed other marks of a disordered great grief had begun to lose hope of ever see^
all
mind next day and the following, so that the sul- ing the princess restored to health, though he still
tan was induced to send for all the physicians be- wished to marry her. He at once ordered tlia
longing to his court, to consult them upon her officer to introduce the physician he had an-
disease, and to ask if they could cure her. nounced. The Prince of Persia being admitted
When the Sultan of Cashmere saw that his to an audience, the sultan told him the Princesa
court physicians could not cure her, he called in of Bengal could not bear the sight of a physi-
the most celebrated and experienced of the city, cian without falling into most violent transports,
who had no better success. He then sent for the which increased her malady ; and conducted him
most famous in the kingdom, who prescribed with- into a closet, from whence, through a lattice, he
out effect. Afterwards he dispatched to the courts might see her without being observed. There
of neighboring sultans, with promises of munifi- Feroze-shah beheld his lovely princess sitting mel-
cent rewards to any who should devise a cure for ancholily, with tears in her eyes, and singing an
her malady. air in which she deplored her unhappy fate, which
Various physicians ai-rived from all parts, and had deprived her, perhaps forever, of the object
tried their skill ; but none could boast of suc- she loved so tenderly and the sight made him
:
cess. more resolute in his hope of effecting her cure.

During this interval, Feroze-shah, disguised in On his leaving the closet, he told the sultan that
the habit of a dervis, traveled through many prov- he had discovered the nature of the princess's
inces and towns, involved in grief, and making complaint, and that she was not incurable but ;
diligent inquiry after his lost princess at every added withal, that he must speak with her in
place he came to. At last, passing through a city private and alone, as, notwithstanding her violent
of Hindostan, he heard the people talk much of a agitation at the sight of physicians, he hoped she
Princess of Bengal, who had become mad on the would hear and receive him favorably.
day of the intended celebration of her nuptials The sultan ordered the princess's chamber door
with the Sultan of Cashmere. At the name of the to be opened, and Feroze-shah went in. As soon
Princess of Bengal, and supposing that there could as the princess saw him (taking him by his habit
exist no other Princess of Bengal than her upon to be a physician), she resorted to her old prac-
whose account he had undertaken his travels, he tice of meeting her physicians, with threats and
hastened towards the kingdom of Cashmere, and, indications of attacking them. He made directly
upon his arrival at the capital, took up his lodg- towards her, and when he was nigh enough for
ing at a khan, where, the same day, he was in- her to hear him, and no one else, said to her, in
a low voice, " Princess, am not a

I physician, but inquired of him how the Princess of Bengal came
the Prince of Persia, and am come to procure you into the dominions of Cashmere thus alone, since
your liberty." her own country was far distant.
The princess, who knew the sound of the voice, The sidtan at once informed him of what the
and recognized his face, notwithstanding he had princess had related, when he had delivered her
let his beard grow so long, grew calm at once, from the Hindu magician adding, that he had
;
and felt a secret joy in seeing so unexpectedly the ordered the enchanted horse to be kept safe in
prince she loved. Feroze-shah told her as briefly his treasury as a great curiosity, though he knew
as possible his own travels and adventures, and his not the use of it.
determination to find her at all risks. He then " Sire," replied the f»retended physician, " the
desired the princess to inform him of all that information which your majesty has given your
happened from the time she was taken
to her, devoted slave affords me a means of curing the
away till that happy moment, telling her that it princess. As she was brought hither on this horse,
was of the greatest importance to know this, that and the horse is enchanted, she hath contracted
he might take the most proper measui-es to deliver something of the enchantment, which can be dis-
her from the tyranny of the Sultan of Cashmere. sipated only by a certain incense which I am ac-
The princess informed him of all that had hap- quainted with. If your majesty would entertain
pened, and that she had feigned to be mad that yourself, your court, and the people of your cap-
she might so preserve herself for a prince to whom ital, with the most surprising sight that ever was
she had given her heart and faith and not marry beheld, let the horse be brought to-morrow into
the sultan, whom she neither loved nor could ever the great square before the palace, and leave the
love. rest to me. show you, and all that
I promise to
The Prince of Persia then asked her if she assembly, in a few moments' time, the Princess of
knew what became of the horse, after the death Bengal completely restored in body and mind.
of the Hindu magician. To which she answered But the better to effect what I propose, it will be
that she knew not what orders the sultan had requisite that the princess should be dressed as
given ; but supposed, after the account she had magnificently as possible, and adorned with the
given him of it, he would take care of it as a curi- most valuable jewels in your treasury." The sul-
osity. As Feroze-shah never doubted but that tan would have undertaken much more difficult
the sultan had the horse, he communicated to the things to have secured his marriage with the prin-
princess his design of making use of it to convey cess, which he expected soon to accomplish.
them both into Persia and after they had con-
; The next day the enchanted horse was, by his
sulted together on the measures they should take, order, taken out of the treasury, and placed early
they agreed that the princess should next day rein the great square before the palace. A report
ceive the sultan. The Sultan
Cashmere was of was spread through the town that there was some-
overjoyed when the Prince of Persia stated to him thins extraordinarv to be seen, and crowds of
what effect his first visit had had towards the cure people flocked hither from all parts, insomuch
of the princess. On
the following day, when the that the sultan's guards were placed to prevent
princess receivedhim in such a manner as per- disorder, and to keep space enough round the
suaded him her cure was far advanced, he regarded horse.
the prince as the greatest physician in the world, The Sultan of Cashmere, surrounded by all his
and exhorted the princess carefully to follow the nobles and ministers of state, was placed in a
directions of so skillful a physician, and then re- gallery erected on purpose. The Princess of Ben-
tired. The Prince of Persia, who attended the gal, attended by a number of ladies whom the
Sultan of Cashmere on his visit to the princess, sultan had assigned her, went up to the enchanted
horse, and the women helped her to mount. When cesses who implore your protection, learn first to
she was fixed in the saddle, and had the bridle in obtain their consent."
her hand, the pretended physician placed round Thus the prince delivered the Princess of Ben-
the horse at a proper distance many vessels full gal, and carried her the same day to the capital
of lighted chai-coal, which he had ordered to be of Persia, where he alighted in the square of the
brought, and going round them with a solemn palace, before the emperor his father's apartment,
pace, cast in handfuls of incense, then, with down- who deferred the solemnization of the marriasre no
cast eyes, and his hands upon his breast, he ran longer than till he could make the preparations
making as if he pro-
three times about the horse, necessary to render the ceremony pompous and
nounced some mystical words. The moment the magnificent, and evince the interest he took in it.
pots sent forth a dark cloud of smoke, — accom- After the days appointed for the rejoicings
panied with a pleasant smell, which so surrounded were over, the Emperor of Persia's first care was
the princess that neither she nor the horse could to name and appoint an ambassador to go to the
be discerned, — watching his opportunity, the prince Rajah Bengal with an account of what had
of
jumped nimbly up behind her, and reaching his passed, and to demand his approbation and rati-
hand to the peg, turned it and just as the horse
; fication of the alliance contracted by this mar-
rose with them into the air, he pronounced these riage ;which the Rajah of Bengal took as an
words, which the sultan heard distinctly " Sul- : honor, and granted with great pleasure and satis-
tan of Cashmere, when you would marry prin- faction.
IV. THE STORY OF ALADDIN; OR, THE WONDERFUL LAMP.

In one of the large and rich cities of China, the fear of a father, gave himself entirely over to
there once lived a tailor, named Mustapha. He his idle habits, and was never out of the streets
was vei-y poor. He could hardly, by his daily la- from his companions. This course he followed till
bor, maintain himself and his family, which con- he was fifteen years old, without giving his mind
sisted only of his wifeand a son. to any useful pursuit, or the least reflection on
His son, who was called Aladdin, was a very what would become of him. As he was one day
careless and idle fellow. He was disobedient to playing, according to custom, in the street, with
his father and mother, and would go out early in his evil associates, a stranger passing by stood to
the morning, and stay out all day, playing in the observe him.
streets and public places with idle children of his This stranger was a sorcerer, known as the Af-
own age. rican magician, as he had been but two daj'S ar-
When he was old enough to learn a trade, his rived from Africa, his native country.
father tookhim into his own shop, and taught him The African magician, observing in Aladdin's
how to use his needle but all his father's endeav-
; countenance something which assured him that he
ors to keep him to his work were vain, for no was a fit boy for his purpose, inquired his name
sooner was his back turned than he was gone for and history of some of his companions, and when
that day. Mustapha chastised him, but Aladdin he had learnt all he desired to know, went up to
was incorrigible, and his father, to his great grief, him, and taking him aside from his comrades,
was forced to abandon him to his idleness, and said, " Child, was not your father called Mustapha
was so much ti-oubled about him that he fell sick the tailor? " " Yes, sir," answered the boy " but :
and died in a few months. he has been dead a long time."

Aladdin, who was now no longer restrained by At these words the African magician threw his
THE STORY OF ALADDIN; OR, THE WONDERFUL LAMP. 231
din, "from a man who says he

is my uncle and my father's
l>rother. He cried and kissed
me when I told him my father
was dead, and gave me money,
sending his love to you, and
promising to come and pay you
a visit, that he may see the
house my father lived and died
in." " Indeed, child," replied
the mother, " your father had no
brother, nor have j'ou an uncle.''
The next day magician the
found Aladdin playing in an-
r i other part of the town, and em-
bracing him as before, put two
pieces of gold into his hand, and
said to him, " Carry this, child,
to your mother ; tell her that I will come and see
her to-night, and bid her get us something for
supper but first show me the house where you
;
live."
ai-ms about Aladdin's Aladdin showed the African magician the
neck, and kissed him house, and carried the two pieces of gold to his
several times, with tears mother, who went out and bought provisions ; and
in his eyes, and said, considering she wanted various utensils, borrowed
" Iam your uncle. Your them of She spent the whole day
her neighbors.
worthy father was my in preparing the supper and at night, when it
;
own brother. I knew was ready, said to her son, " Perhaps the stranger
you at first sight you knows not how to find our house go and bring ;
are so like him." Then him, if you meet him."

he gave Aladdin a hand- Aladdin was just ready to go, when the magi-
ful of small money, say- cian knocked at the door, and came in loaded
ing, " Go, my son, to with wine and all sorts of fruits, which he brought
your mother ;
give my for a dessert. After he had given what he brought
love to her, and tell her into Aladdin's hands, he saluted his mother, and
that I will visit her to- desired her to show him the place where his
morrow, that I may see brother Mustapha used to sit on the sofa and ;
where my good brother lived so long and ended when she had so done, he fell down and kissed it
his days." several times, crying out, with tears in his eyes,
Aladdin ran to his mother, overjoyed at the " My poor brother how unhappy am ! I not to
money his uncle had given him. "Mother," said have come soon enough to give you one last em-
he, " have I an uncle ? " " No, child," replied his brace." Aladdin's mother desired him to sit down
mother ;
" you have no uncle by your father's in the same place, but he declined. " No," said
side or mine." " I am just now come," said Alad- he, " I shall not do that ; but give me leave to sit
opposite to it, that although I see not the master trades perhaps you do not like your father's, and
;
of a family so dear to me, I may at least behold would prefer another I will endeavor to help
;
the place where he used to sit." you. If you have no mind to learn any handi-
Whenthe magician had made choice of a place, craft, I will take a sliop for you, furnish it with
and down, he began to enter into discourse
sat all sorts of fine and linens and then with
stuffs ;
with Aladdin's mother. " My good sister," said the money you make of them yovi can lay in fresh
he, "do not be surprised at your never having goods, and live in an honorable way. Tell me
seen me all the time you have been married to my freely what you think of my proposal you shall ;
brother Mustapha of happy memory. I have always find me ready to keep my word."
been forty years absent from this country, which This plan just suited Aladdin, who hated work.
is my native place, as well as my late brother's ;
He told the magician he had a greater inclination
and during that time have traveled into the In- to that business than to any other, and that he
dies, Persia, Arabia, Syria, and Egypt, and after- should be much obliged to him for his kindness.
wards crossed over into Africa, where I took up " Well, then," said the African magician, " I will
my abode. At last, as it is natural for a man, I carry you with me to morrow, clothe you as hand-
was desirous to see my native country again and somely as the best merchants in the citj', and aft-
to embrace my dear brother and finding I had ; erwards we will open a shop as I mentioned."
strength enough to undertake so long a journey, The widow, after his promises of kindness to
I made the necessary preparations, and set out. her son, no longer doubted that the magician was
Nothing ever afflicted me so much as hearing of her husband's brother. She thanked him for his
my brother's death. But God be praised for all good intentions and after having exhorted Alad-
;
things ! It is a comfort for me to find, as it were, din to render himself worthy of his uncle's favor,
my brother in a son, who has his most remarkable served up supper, at which they talked of several
features." indifferent matters and then the magician took
;
The African magician, perceiving that the his leave and retired.
widow wept at the remembrance of her husband, He came again the next day, as he had prom-
changed the conversation, and turning towards ised, and took Aladdin with him to a merchant,
her son, asked him, "What business do you fol- who sold all sorts of clothes for different ages and
"
low ? Are you of any trade ? ranks, ready made, and a variety of fine stuffs, and
At youth hung down his head,
this question the bade Aladdin choose those he preferred, which he
and was not a little abashed when his mother an- paid for.
swered, " Aladdin is an idle fellow. His father, When Aladdin found himself so handsomely
when alive, strove all he could to teach him his equipped, he returned his uncle thanks, who thus
trade, but could not succeed and since his death, ; addressed him " As you are soon to be a mer-
:
notwithstanding all I can say to him, he does chant, it is proper you should frequent these
nothing but idle away his time in the streets, as shops, and be acquainted with them." He then
you saw him, without considering he is no longer showed him the largest and finest mosques, carried
a child and if j'ou do not make him ashamed of
; him to the khans or inns where the merchants and
it, I despair of his ever coming to any good. For travelers lodged, and afterwards to the sultan's
my part, I am resolved, one of these days, to turn palace, where he had free access and at last ;
him out him provide for himself."

of doors, and let brought him to his own khan, where, meeting
After these words, Aladdin's mother burst into with some merchants he had become acquainted
tears and the magician said " This is not well,
; : with since his arrival, he gave them a treat, to
nephew you must think of helping yourself, and
; bring them and his pretended nephew acquainted.
getting your livelihood. There are many sorts of This entertainment lasted till night, when Alad-
THE STORY OF ALADDIN; OR. THE WONDERFUL LAMP. 233
din would have taken leave of his uncle to go row which was the place where the magi-
vallej^
home ; the magician would not let him go by him- cian intended to execute the design that had
self, but conducted him to his mother, who, as brought him from Africa to China. " We will go
soon as she saw him so well dressed, was trans- no farther now," said he to Aladdin " I will show ;
ported with joy, and bestowed a thousand blessings you here some extraordinary things, which, when
upon the magician. you have seen, you will thank me for but while ;
Early the next morning the magician called I strike a light, gather up all the loose dry sticks
again for Aladdin, and said he would take him you can see, to kindle a fire with."
to spend that day in the country, and on the next Aladdin found so many di-ied sticks, that he
he would purchase the shop. He then led him soon collected a great heap. .The magician pres-
out at one of the gates of the city, to some mag- ently set them on fire and when they were in a
;
nificent palaces, to each of which belonged beautiful blaze, threw in some incense, pronouncing several
gardens, into which anybody might enter. At magical words which Aladdin did not understand.
every building he came to,he asked Aladdin if He had scarcely done so when the earth opened
he did not think it fine ; and the youth was ready just before the magician, and discovered a stone
to answer when any one presented itself, crying out, with a brass ring fixed in it. Aladdin was so fright-
" Here is a finer house, uncle, than any we have ened that he would have run away, but the magi-
yet seen." By this artifice the cunning magician cian caught hold of him, and gave him such a box
led Aladdin some way into the country and as he ; on the ear that he knocked him down. Aladdin
meant to carry him farther, to execute his design, got up trembling, and with tears in his eyes said
he took an opportunity to sit down in one of the to the magician, " What have I done, uncle, to be
gardens, on the brink of a fountain of clear water, treated in this severe manner ? " "I am your
which discharged itself by a lion's mouth of bronze uncle," answered the magician ;
" I supply the
into a basin, pretending to be tired. " Come, place of your father, and you ought to make no
nephew," said be, " you must be weary as well as reply. But, child," added he, softening, " do not
I ; let us rest ourselves, and we shall be better be afraid ; for I shall not ask anything of you but
able to pursue our walk." that you obey me punctually, if you would reap
The magician next from his gii'dle a
pulled the advantages which I intend you. Know, then,
handkerchief with cakes and fruit, and during this that under this stone there is hidden a treasure
short repast he exhorted his nephew to leave off destined to be yours, and which will make you
bad company, and to seek that of wise and pru- richer than the greatest monarch in the world.
dent men, to improve by their conversation " for," ; No person but yourself is permitted to lift this
said he, " you will soon be at man's estate, and 5'ou stone or enter the cave you must punctually
; so
cannot too early begin to imitate their example." execute what I may command, for it is a matter
When they had eaten as much as they liked, they of great consequence both to you and me."
got up, and pursued their walk through gardens Aladdin, amazed at all he saw and heard, for-
separated from one another only by small ditches, got what was past, and rising, said, " Well, uncle,
which marked out the limits without interrupting what is to be done ? Command me I am ready ;
the communication so great was the confidence

; to obey." "I am overjoyed, child," said the Afri-
the inhabitants reposed in each other. By this can magician, embracing him. " Take hold of
means the African magician drew Aladdin insen- the ring, and lift up that stone." " Indeed, uncle,"
siblybeyond the gardens, and crossed the coun- replied Aladdin, " I am not strong enough you ;
try, till they nearly reached the mountains. must help me." " You have no occasion for my
At last they arrived between two mountains of assistance," answered the magician if I help ;
'.'
moderate height, and equal size, divided by a nar- you, we shall be able to do nothing. Take hold of
30
the ring, and lift it up j'ou will find it will come
;
white, and some clear and transparent as crystal
easily." Aladdin did as the magician bade him, some pale red, and others deeper some green, ;
raised the stone with ease, and laid it on one side. blue, and purple, and others yellow in short, ;
When the sbone was pulled up, there appeared there was fruit of all colors. The white were
a staircase about three or four feet deep, leading pearls the clear and transparent, diamonds the
; ;
to a door. " Descend, my son," said the African deep red, rubies ; the paler, ballas rubies ; the
magician, " those steps, and open that door. It green, emeralds ; the blue, turquoises ; the purple,
will lead you into a palace, divided into three great amethysts ; and the yellow, sapphires. Aladdin,
halls. In each of these you will see four large ignorant of their value, would have preferred figs,
brass cisterns placed jjn each side, full of gold and or grapes, or pomegranates but as he had his ;
silver ; but take care you do not meddle with uncle's permission, he resolved to gather some of
them. Before you enter the first hall, be sure to every sort. Having filled the two new purses his
tuck up your robe, wrap it about you, and then uncle had bought for him with his clothes, he
pass through the second into the third, without wrapped some up in the skirts of his vest, and
stopping. Above have a care that you
all things, crammed his bosom as full as it could hold.
do not touch the walls, so much as with your Aladdin, having thus loaded himself with riches
clothes; for if you do, you will die instantly. At of which he knew not the value, returned through
the end of the third hall you will find a door which the three halls with the utmost precaution, and
opens into a garden, planted with fine trees loaded soon arrived at the mouth of the cave, where the
with fruit. Walk directly across the garden to a African magician awaited him with the utmost
terrace, where you will see a niche before you, impatience. As soon as Aladdin saw him, he
and in that niche a lighted lamp. Take the lamp cried out, " Pray, uncle, lend me your hand, to
down, and put it out. When j'ou have thrown help me out." " Give me the lamp first," replied
away the wick and poured out the liquor, put it the magician " it will be troublesome to you."
;
in jôur waistband and bring it to me. Do not be " Indeed, uncle," answered Aladdin, " I cannot
afraid that the liquor will spoil your clothes, for now, but I will as soon as I am up." The Afri-
it is not oil, and the lamp will be dry as soon as it can magician was determined that he would have
is thrown out." the lamp before he would help him up ; and Alad-
After these words the magician drew a ring off din, who had incumbered himself so much with
his finger, and put it on one of Aladdin's, saying, his fruit that he could not well get at it, refused
" It is a talisman against all evil, so long as you to give it to him till he was out of the cave. The
obey me. Go, therefore, boldlj^ and we shall both African magician, provoked at this obstinate re-
be rich all our lives." fusal, flew into a passion, threw a little of his in-
Aladdin descended the steps, and, opening the cense into the and pronounced two magical
fire,
door, found the three halls just as the African words, when the stone which had closed the
magician had described. He went through them mouth of the staircase moved into its place, with
with all the precaution the fear of death could in- the earth over it in the same manner as it lay at
spire, crossed the garden without stopping, took the arrival of the magician and Aladdin.
down the lamp from the niche, threw out the wick This action of the magician plainly revealed to
and the liquor, and, as the magician had desired, Aladdin that he was no uncle of his, but one who
put it in his waistband. But as he came down designed him evil. The truth was that he had
from the terrace, seeing it was perfectly dry, he learnt from his magic books the secret and the
stopped in the garden to observe the trees, which value of this wonderful lamp, the owner of which
were loaded with extraordinary fruit, of different would be made richer than any earthly ruler, and
colors on each tree. Some bore fruit entirely hence his journey to China. His art had also told
THE STORY OF ALADDIN; OR, THE WONDERFUL LAMP 235
him that he was not permitted to take it himself, of the cruel magician. Aladdin slept very soundly
but, must receive it as a voluntary gift from the till late the next morning, when the
first thing he
hands of another person. Hence he employed said to his mother was that he wanted something
young Aladdin, and hoped by a mixture of kind- to eat, and wished she would give him his break-
ness and authority to make him obedient to his fast. " Alas ! child," said she, " I have not a bit
word and will. When he found that his attempt of bread to give you ;
you ate up all the provisions
had failed, he set out to return to Africa, but I had in the house yesterday
have a little ; but I
avoided the town, lest any person who had seen cotton, which
have spun I will go and sell it,
I ,
him leave in company with Aladdin should make and buy bread, and something for our dinner."
inquiries after tlie youth. Aladdin, being sud- " Mother," replied Aladdin, " keep your cotton
denly enveloped in darkness, cried, and called out for another time, and give me the lamp I brought
to his uncle to tell him he was ready to give him home with me yesterday I ; will go and sell it, and
the lamp ; but in vain, since his cries could not the money I shall get for it will serve both for
be heard. He descended to the bottom of the breakfast and dinner, and perhaps supper too."
steps, with a design to get into the palace, but the Aladdin's mother took the lamp, and said to
door, which was opened before by enchantment, her son, " Here it is, but it is very dirty if it ;
was now shut by the same means. He then re- was a little would bring some-
cleaner I believe it
doubled his cries and tears, sat down on the steps thing more." She took some fine sand and water
without any hopes of ever seeing light again, and to clean it but had no sooner begun to rub it,
;
in an expectation of passing from the present than an instant a hideous genie of gigantic
in
darkness to a speedy death. In this great emer- size appeared before her, and said to her in a
gency he said, " There is no strength or power voice of thunder: "What wouldst thou have?
but in the great and high God ;
" and in joining I am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the
his hands to pray he rubbed the ring which the slave of all those who have that lamp in their
magician had put on his finger. Immediately a hands, — I and the other slaves of the lamp."
genie of frightful aspect appeared and said Aladdin's mother, terrified at the sight of the
"What wouldst thou have ? I am ready to obey genie, fainted; when Aladdin, who had seen such
thee. I serve him who possesses the ring on thy a phantom in the cavern, snatched the lamp out
finger, — I and the other slaves of that ring." of his mother's hand, said to the genie boldlj',
At another time Aladdin would have been fright- "I am hungry ; bring me something to eat." The
ened at the sight of so extraordinary a figure ; genie disappeared immediately, and in an instant
but the danger he was made him answer with-
in returned with a large silver tray, holding twelve
out hesitation, " Whoever thou art, deliver me same metal, which contained
covei'ed dishes of the
from this place." He had no sooner spoken these the most delicious viands ; six large white bread
words, than he found himself on the very spot cakes on two plates, two flagons of wine, and two
where the magician had last left him, and no sign silver cups. All these he placed upon a carpet,
of cave or opening, nor disturbance of the earth. and disappeared this was done before Aladdin's
;
Returning God thanks to find himself once more mother recovered from her swoon.
in the world, he made the best of his way home. Aladdin had fetched some water, and sprinkled
When he got within his mother's door, the joy to it in her face, to recover her. Whether that or
see her and weakness for want of sustenance
his the smell of the meat effected her cure, it was not
made him so faint that he remained for a long long before she came to herself. " Mother," said
time as dead. As soon as he recovered, he related Aladdin, "be not afraid; get up and eat; here is
to his mother all that had happened to him, and what will put you in heart, and at the same time
they were both very vehement in their complaints satisfy my extreme hunger."
His mother was inucli surprised to see the great " What !
" cried the mother, "
was your lamp
tray, twelve dishes, six loaves, the two flagons then the occasion of that cursed genie's address-
and cups, and to smell the savory odor which ex- ing himself rather to me than to you ? Ah my
!
haled from the dishes. " Child," said she, " to son, take it my
and put it where you
out of sight,
whom are we obliged for this great plenty and please. I had rather you would sell it than run
liberality ? Has the sultan been made acquainted the hazard of being frightened to death again by
"
with our poverty, and had comjjassion on us ? touching it and if you would take my advice,
;
" It is no matter, mother," said Aladdin " let us ; you would part also with the ring, and not have
sit down and eat ; for you have almost as much anything to do with genies, who, as our prophet
need of a good breakfast as myself ; when we have has told us, are only devils."
done, I will tell you." Accoi-dingly, both mother " With your leave, mother," replied Aladdin,
and son sat down, and ate with the better relish " I shall now take care how I sell a lamp which
as the table was so well furnished. But all the may be so serviceable both to you and me. That
time Aladdin's mother could not forbear looking false and wicked magician would not have under-
at and admiring the tray and dishes, though she taken so long a journey to secure this wonderful
could not judge whether they were silver or any lamp if he had not known its value to exceed
other metal, and the novelty more than the value that of gold and silver. And since we have
atti-acted her attention. honestly come by it, let us make a profitable use
The mother and son sat at breakfast it was
till of it, without making any great show, and excit-
dinner-time, and then they thought it would be ing the envy and jealousy of our neighbors. How-
best to put the two meals together ;
yet after this ever, since the genies frighten you so much, I will
they found they should have enough left for sup- take it out of your sight, and put it where I may
pei-, and two meals for the next day. find it when I want it. The ring I cannot resolve
When Aladdin's mother had taken away and to part with for without that you had never seen
;
set by what was left, she went and sat down by me again and though I am alive now, perhaps, if
;
her son on the sofa, saying, " I expectnow that it was gone, I might not be so some moments
you should satisfy my impatience, and tell me ex- hence therefore, I hope you will give me leave
;
actly what passed between the genie and you while to keep it, and to wear it always on my finger."
I was in a swoon " which he readily complied
; Aladdin's mother replied that he might do what
with. he pleased for her part, she would have nothing
;
She was in as great amazement at what her son to do with genies, and never say anything more
told her, as at the appearance of the genie and ; about them.
said to him, " But, son, what have we to do with By the next night they had eaten all the pro-
genies ? I never heard that any of my acquain- visions the genie had brought ; and the next day
tance had ever seen one. How came that vile Aladdin, who could not bear the thoughts of hun-
genie to address himself to me, and not to you, to ger, putting one of the silver dishes under his
whom he had appeared before in the cave ? vest, went out early to sell it, and addressing him-
" Mother," answered Aladdin, " the genie you self to a Jew whom he met in the streets, took
saw is not the one who appeared to me. If you him and pulling out the plate, asked him if
aside,
remembei-, he that I first saw called himself the he would buy it. The cunning Jew took the dish,
slave of the ring on my finger and this you saw; examined it, and as soon as he found that it was
called himself the slave of the lamp you had in good silver, asked Aladdin at how much he valued
your hand but I believe you did not hear him,
; it. Aladdin, who had never been used to such
for I think you fainted as soon as he began to traffic, told him he would trust to his judgment
speak." and honor. The Jew was somewhat confounded

at this plain dealing ; and doubting whether Alad- were again expended, he took one of the dishes
din understood the material or the full value of and went to look for his Jew chapman but pass- ;
what he offered to sell, took a piece of gold out of ing by a goldsmith's shop, the goldsmith perceiv-
his purse and gave it him, though it was but the ing him, called to him, and said: "My lad, I im-
sixtieth part of theworth Aladdin,
of the plate. agine that you have something to sell to the Jew,
taking tlie money very eagerl)', retired with so whom I often see you visit but perhaps you do ;
much haste that the Jew, not content with the not know that he is the greatest rogue even among
exorbitancy of his profit, was vexed he had not the Jews. I will give you the full worth of what
penetrated into his ignorance, and was going to you have to sell, or I will direct you to other mer-
run after him, to endeavor to get some change out chants who will not cheat you."
of the piece of gold but he ran so fast, and had
;
This offer induced Aladdin to pull his plate
got so far, that it would have been impossible for from under and show it to the goldsmith,
his vest
him to overtake him. who at first sight saw that it was made of the fin-
Before Aladdin went home, he called at a est silver, and asked hira if he had sold such as
baker's, bought some cakes of bread, changed his that to the Jew when Aladdin told him that he
;
money, and on his return gave the rest to his had sold him twelve such, for a piece of gold
mother, who went and purchased provisions enough each.
to last them some time. After this manner they " What a villain " cried the goldsmith.
I
lived, till Aladdin had sold the twelve dishes " But," added he, " raj' son, what is past cannot
singly, as necessity pressed, to the Jew, for the be recalled. By showing you the value of this
same money who, after the first time, durst not
; plate, which is of the finest silver we use in our
offer him less, for fear of losing so good a bargain. shops, I will let you see how much the Jew has
When he had sold the last dish, he had recourse cheated you."
to the tray, which weighed ten times as much as The goldsmith took a pair of scales, weighed
the dishes, and would have carried it to his old the dish, and assured him that his plate would
purchaser, but that it was too large and cumber- fetch by weight sixty pieces of gold, which he of-
some therefore he was obliged to bring hiui home
; ered to pay down immediately.
with him to his mother's, where, after the Jew Aladdin thanked him for his fair dealing, and
had examined the weight of the tray, he laid down never after went to any other person.
ten pieces of gold, with which Aladdin was very Though Aladdin and his mother had an inex-
well satisfied. haustible treasure in their lamp, and might have
When all the money was spent, Aladdin had had whatever they wished for, yet they lived with
recourse again to the lamp. He took it in his the same frugality as before and it may easily be
;
hand, looked for the part where his mother had supposed that the money for which Aladdin had
rubbed it with the sand, rubbed it also, when the sold the dishes and tray was sufficient to maintain
genie immediately ajjpeared, and said :
" What them some time.
wouldst thou have ? I am readj^ to obey thee as During this interval, Aladdin frequented the
thy slave, and the slave of all those who have that shops of the principal merchants, where they sold
lamp in their hands, — land the other slaves of cloth of gold and silver, linens, silk stuffs, and
the lamp." "lam hungry," said Aladdin ;
" bring jewelry and oftentimes joining in their conver-
;
me something to eat." The genie disappeared, sation, acquired a knowledge of the world, and a
and presently returned with a tray, the same desire to improve himself. By his acquaintance
number of covered dishes as before, set them among the jewelers, he came to know that the
down, and vanished. fruits which he had gathered when he took the
As soon as Aladdin found that their provisions lamp were, instead of colored glass, stones of ines-
crowd of ladies, slaves, and mutes,
who walked on each side and be-
hind her. When she came within
three or four paces of the door of
the bath, she took off her veil,
and gave Aladdin an oj^portu-

nity of a full view of her face.
The princess was a noted
beauty : her eyes were large,
lively, and sparkling ; her smile
betwitching ; her nose faultless ;
her mouth small ; her \i]i% ver-

milion. It is not therefore sur-
prising that Aladdin, who had
never before seen such a blaze of
=_i , charms, was dazzled and en-
chanted.
timable value; After the princess had jâssed by, and entered
but he had the the bath, Aladdin quitted his hiding-place and
prudence not to went home. His mother perceived him to be
mention this to more thoughtful and melancholy than usual and ;
any one, not even asked what had happened to make him so, or if he
to his mother. was ill. He then told his mother all his advent-
One dayas he ure, and concluded by declaring, '" I love the prin-
was walking about cess more than I can express, and am resolved that
the town, Aladdin I will ask her in marriage of the sultan."
heard an order Aladdin's mother listened with surprise to what
proclaimed, com- her son told her but when he talked of asking the
;
manding the peo- princess in marriage, she laughed aloud. "Alas !
ple to shut up their child," said she, " what are you thinking of ? You
shops and houses, must be mad to talk thus."
and keep within " I assure you, mother," replied Aladdin, " that
while the
doors, I am not mad, but in my right senses. I foresaw
Princess Buddir al tliat you would i-eproach me w'ith folly and ex-
Buddoor, the sul- travagance ; but I must tell you once more that
tan's daughter, I am resolved to demand the princess of the sultan
went to the bath in marriage ; nor do I despair of success. I have
and returned. the slaves of the lamp and of the ring to help me,
This proclamation inspired Aladdin with eager and you know how powerful their aid is. And I
desire to see the princess's face, which he deter- have another secret to tell you those pieces of :
mined gratify, by placing himself behind the

to glass, wi ich I got from the trees in the garden of
door of the bath, so that he could not fail to see the subterranean palace, are jewels of inestimable
her face. value, and fit for the greatest monarchs. All the
Aladdin had not long concealed himself before precious stones the jewelers have in Bagdad are
the princess came. She was attended by a great not to be compared to mine for size or beauty
THE STORT OF ALADDIN; OR, THE WONDERFUL LAMP. 239
and I am sure that the offer of them will secure " Son, I have seen the sultan, and am very well
the favor of the sultan. You have a large porce- persuaded he has seen me too, for I placed myself
lain dish fit to hold them ; fetch it, and let us see just before him ; but he was so much taken up
how they will look, when we have arranged them with those who attended on him that
all sides of
according to their different colors." I pitied him, and wondered at his patience. * At
Aladdin's mother brought the china dish, when last I believe he was heartily tired, for he rose up
he took the jewels out of the two purses in which suddenly, and would not hear a great many who
he had kept them, and placed them in order, ac- were ready prepared to speak to him, but went
cording to his fancy. But the brightness and lus- away, at which I was well pleased for, indeed, I ;
tre they emitted in the daytime, and the variety began to lose all patience, and was extremely fa-
of the colors, so dazzled the eyes both of mother tigued with staying so long. But there is no
and son that they were astonished beyond meas- harm done I will go again to-morrow perhaps
:
;
ure. Aladdin's mother, emboldened by the sight the sultan may not be so busy."
of these rich jewels, and fearful lest her son should The next morning she repaired to the sultan's
be guilty of greater extravagance, complied with palace with the present, as early as the day be-
his request,and promised to go early in the next fore ; but when she came there, she found the
morning to the palace of the sultan. Aladdin rose gates of the divan shut. She went six times aft-
before daybreak, awakened his mother, pressing erwards on the daj's appointed, placed herself al-
her to go to the sultan's palace, and to get ad- waj's directly before the sultan, but with as little
mittance, if possible, before the grand vizier, the success as the first morning.
other viziers, and the great officers of state went On the sixth however, after the divan was
da}',
in to take their seats in the divan, where the sul- broken up, when the sultan returned to his own
tan always attended in person. apartment, he said to his grand vizier " I have for :
Aladdin's mother took the china dish, in which some time observed a certain woman, who attends
they had put the jewels the day before, wrapped constantl}' every da}' that I give audience, with
it in two fine napkins, and set forward for the something wrapped up in a napkin she always ;
sultan's palace. When she came to the gates, the stands up from the beginning to the breaking up
grand vizier, the other viziers, aruTTnost distin- of the audience, and effects to place herself just be-
guished lords of the court were just gone in but ; fore me. If this woman comes to our next audi-
notwithstanding the crowd of people was great, ence, do not fail to call her, that I may hear what
she got into the divan, —
a spacious hall, the en- she has to say." The grand vizier made answer
trance which was very magnificent.
into She by lowering his hand, and then lifting it up above
placed herself just before the sultan, grand vizier, his head, signifying his willingness to lose it if he
and the great lords, who sat in council, on his right failed.
and left hand. Several causes were called, accord- On the next audience day, when Aladdin's
ing to their order, pleaded and adjudged, until mother went and placed herself in
to the divan,
the time the divan generally broke up, when the front of the sultan as usual, the grand vizier im-
sultan, rising, returned to his apartment, attended mediately called the chief of the mace-bearers, and
by the grand vizier ; the other viziers and minis- pointing to her, bade him bring her before the
ters of state then retired, as also did all those sultan. The old woman at once followed the
whose business had called them thither. mace-bearer, and when she reached the sultan,
Aladdin's mother, seeing the sultan retire, and bowed her head down to the carpet which covered
all the people depart, judged rightly that he would the platform of the throne, and remained in that
not sit again that day, and resolved to go home ;
posture till he bade her rise, which she had no
and on her arrival said, with much simplicity sooner done, than he said to her :
" Good woman,
I have observed you to stand many days, from the this Aladdin, who is an entire stranger to your
beginning to the rising of the divan what busi- ; majesty."
"
ness brings you here ? The sultan granted his request, and he said to
After these words, Aladdin's mother prostrat- the old woman, " Good woman, go home, and tell
ed herself a second time, and when she arose, your son that I agree to the proposal you have
said " Monarch of monarchs, I beg of you to par-
: made me but I cannot marry the princess my
:
don the boldness of my petition, and to assure daughter for three months at the expiration of;
me of your pardon and forgiveness." " Well," that time come again."
replied the sultan, " I will forgive you, be it what Aladdin's mother returned home much more
it may, and no hurt shall come to you ; speak gratified than shehad expected, and told her son
boldly." with much joy the condescending answer she had
When Aladdin's mother had taken all these received from the sultan's own mouth and that ;
precautions, for fear of the sultan's anger, she she was to come to the divan again that day three
told him faithfully the errand on which her son months.
had sent her, and the event which led to his Aladdin thought himself the most happy of all
making so bold a request in spite of all her re- men at hearing this news, and thanked his mother
monstrances. for the pains she had taken in the affair, the good
The sultan hearkened to this discourse without success of which was of so great importance to his
showing the least anger but before he gave her
; peace, that he counted every day, week, and even
any answer, asked her what she had brought tied hour as it passed. When two of the three months
up in the napkin. She took the china dish, which were passed, his mother one evening having no oil
she had set down at the foot of the throne, untied in the house, went out to buy some, and found a
it,and presented it to the sultan. general rejoicing —
the houses dressed with foli-
The sultan's amazement and surprise were in- age, silks, and carpeting, and every one striving to
expressible, when he saw so many large, beautiful show their joy according to their ability. The
and valuable jewels collected in the dish. He re- streets were crowded with officers in habits of cer-
mained for some time lost in admiration. At last, emony, mounted on horses richly caparisoned, each
when he had recovered himself, he received the pres- attended by a great many footmen. Aladdin's
ent from Aladdin's mother's hand, saying, " How mother asked the oil merchant what was the mean-,
rich how beautiful " After he had admired and
! ! ing of all this preparation of public festivity.
handled all the jewels, one after another, he turned "Whence came you, good woman," said he, "that
to his grand vizier, and showing him the dish, said, you don't know that the grand vizier's son is to
" Behold, admire, wonder and confess that your ! marry the princess Buddir al Buddoor, the sultan's
eyes never beheld jewels so rich and beautiful be- daughter, to-night? She will presentlj' return
fore." The vizier was charmed. " Well,", con- from the bath and these officers whom you see
;
tinued the sultan, " what sayest thou to such a are to assist at the cavalcade to the palace, where
present? Is it not worthy of the princess my the ceremony is to be solemnized."
daughter ? And ought I not to bestow her on one Aladdin's mother, on hearing this news, ran
who values her at so great a price?" " I cannot home very quickly. "Cliild," cried she, "you are
but own," replied the grand vizier, " that the undone I the sultan's fine promises will come to
present is worthy of the princess beg of
; but I naught. This night the grand vizier's son is to
your majesty to grant me three months before you marry the Princess Buddir al Buddoor."
come to a final i-esolution. I hope, before that At this account Aladdin was thunderstruck,
time, my son, whom you
have regarded with your and he bethought himself of the lamp, and of the
favor, will be able to make a nobler present than genie who had promised to obey him and without ;
indulging in idle words against the sultan, the viz- chamber during the night, and at Aladdin's com-
ier, or his son, he determined, if possible, to pre- mand transported the couch with the bride and
vent the marriage. bridegroom on it, by the same invisible agency,
When Aladdin had got into his chamber, he into the palace of the sultan.
took the lamp, rubbed it in the same place as be- At the instant that the genie had set down the
fore, when immediately the genie appeared, and couch with the bride and bridegroom in their own
said to him " What wouldst thou have ?
: I am chamber, the sultan came to the door, to offer his
ready to obey thee as thy slave, I and the —
other good wishes to his daughter. The grand vizier's
slaves of the lamp." " Hear me," said Aladdin ;
son, who was almost perished with cold, by stand-
" thou hast hitherto obeyed me, but now I am ing in his thin under-garment all night, no sooner
about to impose on thee a harder task. The sul- heard the knocking at the door than he got out of
tan's daughter, who was promised me as my bride, bed, and ran into the robing-chamber, where he
is married to the son of the grand vizier.
this night had undressed himself the night before.
Bring them both hither to me immediately they The sultan, having opened the door, went to the
retire to their bed-chamber." bedside, kissed the princess on the forehead, but
" Master," replied the genie, " I obey you." was extremely surprised to see her look so melan-
Aladdin supped with his mother, aswas their choly. She only cast at him a sorrowful look, ex-
wont, and then went to his own apartment, and pressive of great affliction. He suspected there
sat up to await the return of the genie, according was something extraordinary in this silence, and
to his commands. thereupon went immediately to the sultaness's
In the mean time the festivities in honor of the apartment, told her in what a state he found the
princess's marriage were conducted in the sultan's princess, and how she had received him. " Sire,"
palace with great magnificence. The ceremonies said the sultaness, " I will go and see her ; she
were at last brought to a conclusion, and the prin- will not receive me same manner."
in the
cess and the son of the vizier retired to the bed- The princess received her mother with sighs and
chamber prepared for them. No sooner had they tears, and signs of deep dejection. At last, upon
entered it, and dismissed their attendants, than the her pressing on her the duty of telling her all her
genie, the faithful slave of the lamp, to the great thoughts, she gave to the sultaness a precise de-
amazement and alarm the bride and bride-
of scription of all that happened to her during the
groom, took up and by an agency invisi-
tiie bed, night on which the sultaness enjoined on her the
;
ble to them, transported it in an instant into Alad- necessity of silence and discretion, as no one would
din's chambei-, where he set it down. " Remove give credence to so strange a tale. The grand
the bridegroom," said Aladdin to the genie, "and vizier's son, elated with the honor of being the sul-
keep him a prisoner till to-morrow dawn, and then tan's son-in-law, kept silence on his part and the ;
return with him here." On Aladdin being left alone events of the night wei'e not allowed to cast the
with the princess, he endeavored to assuage her least gloom on the festivities on the following day,
and explained to her the treachery practiced
fears, in continued celebration of the royal marriage.
upon him by the sultan her father. He then laid When came, the bride and bridegroom
night
himself down beside her, putting a drawn scimitar were again attended to their chamber with the
between them, to show that he was determined to same ceremonies as on the preceding evening.
secure her safety, and to treat her with the utmost Aladdin, knowing that this would be so, had al-
possible respect. At break of day the genie ap- ready given commands to the genie of the lamp
peared at the appointed hour, bringing back the and no sooner were they alone than their bed was
bridegroom, whom by breathing upon he had left removed in the same mysterious manner as on the
motionless and entranced at the door of Aladdin's preceding evening; and having passed the night
31
in the same unpleasant way, they were in the marry her without some further proof of your son
morning conveyed to the palace of the sultan. being able to support her in royal state, you may
Scarcely had they been replaced in their apart- tell him, I will fulfill my promise as soon as he
ment, when the sultan came to make his compli- shall send me massy gold, full of the
forty trays of
ments when the princess could no
to his daughter, same you have already made me a
sort of jewels
longer conceal from him the unhappy treatment present of, and carried by the like number of
she had been subject to, and told him all that black slaves, who shall be led by as many young
had happened, as she liad already related it to her and handsome white slaves, all dressed magnifi-
mother. The ou hearing these strange tid-
sultan, cently. On these conditions, I am ready to be-
ings, consulted with the grand viêr and finding ; stow the princess my daughter upon him ; there-
from him that his son had been subjected to even fore, good woman, go and tell him so, and I will
worse treatment by an invisible agency, he deter- wait till you bring me his answer."
mined to declare the marriage to be canceled, and Aladdin's mother pi-ostrated herself a second
all the festivities, which were yet to last for sev- time before the sultan's throne, and retired. On
eral days, to be countermanded and terminated. her way home, she laughed within herself at her
This sudden change in the mind of the sultan son's foolish imagination. " Where," said she,
gave rise to various speculations and reports. No- "can he get so many large gold trays, and such
body but Aladdin knew the secret, and he kept precious stones to fill them? It is altogether out
it with the most scrupulous silence and neither ; of his power, and I believe he will not be much
the sultan nor the grand vizier, who had forgotten pleased with my embassy this time." When she
Aladdin and his request, had the least thought that came home, full of these thoughts, she told Alad-
he had any hand in the strange adventures that din all the circumstances of her interview with the
befell the bride and bridegroom. sultan,and the conditions on which he consented
On the very day that the three months con- to the marriage. " The sultan expects your an-
tained in the sultan's promise expii'ed, the mother swer immediately," said she; and then added,
"
of Aladdin again went to the palace, and stood in laughing, " I believe he may wait long enough !
the same place in the divan. Tlie sultan knew "Not so long, mother, as you imagine," replied
her again, and directed his vizier to have her Aladdin. " This demand is a mere trifle, and will
brought before him. prove no bar to my marriage with the princess.
After having prostrated herself, she made an- I will prepare at once to satisfy his request."
swer, in reply to the sultan :
" Sire, I come at the Aladdin retired to his own apartment, and sum-
end months to ask
of three of you the fulfillment moned the genie of the lamp, and requiredhim
of the promise you made to my son." The sultan to immediately prepare and present the gift, be-
little thought the request of Aladdin's mother was fore the sultan closed his morning audience, ac-
made to him in earnest, or that he would hear any cording to the terms in which it had been pre-
more of the matter. He therefore took counsel scribed. The genie professed his obedience to the
with his vizier, who suggested that the sultan owner of the lamp, and disappeared. Within a
should attach such conditions to the marriage that . very short time, a train of forty black slaves, led
no one in the humble condition Aladdin could

of by the same number of white slaves, appeared op-
possibly fulfill. In accordance with this sugges- posite the house in which Aladdin lived. Each
tion of the vizier, the sultan replied to the mother black slave carried on his head a basin of massy
of Aladdin :
" Good woman, it is true sultans gold, full of pearls, diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
ought to abide by their word and I am ready to
; Aladdin then addressed his mother " Madam, :
keep mine, by making your son happy in marriage pray lose no time before the sultan and the
;
with the princess my daughter. But as I cannot divan rise, I would have you return to the palace
with this present as the dowry demanded for the hesitation to the words of Aladdin's mother,
princess, that he may judge by my diligence and " Go and tell your son that I wait with open arms
exactness of the ardent and sincere desire I have to embrace him and the more haste he makes to
;
to procure myself the honor of this alliance." come and receive the princess my daughter from
As soon as this magnificent procession, with my hands, the greater pleasure he will do me."
Aladdin's mother at its head, had begun to march As soon as Aladdin's mother had retired, the sul-
from Aladdin's house, the whole city was filled tan put an end to the audience and rising from
;
with the crowds of people desirous to see so grand his throne, ordered that the princess's attendants
a sight. The graceful bearing, elegant form, and should come and carry the trays into their mis-
wonderful likeness of each slave their grave walk ; tress'sapartment, whither he went himself to ex-
at an equal distance from each other, the lustre of amine them with her at his leisure. The fourscore
their jeweled girdles, and the brilliancy of the slaves were conducted into the palace and the ;
aigrettes of precious stones in their turbans, ex- sultan, telling the princess of their magnificent
cited the greatest admiration in the spectators. apparel, ordered them to be brought before her
As they had through several streets to the
to pass apartment, that she might see through the lattices
palace, the whole length of the way was lined he had not exaggerated in his account of them.
with files of spectators. Nothing, indeed, was ever In the mean time Aladdin's mother reached
seen so beautiful and brilliant in the sultan's pal- home, and showed in her air and countenance the
ace ; and the richest robes of the emirs of his good news she brought her son. " My son," said
court were not to be compared to the costly dresses she, " you may rejoice you are arrived at the
of these slaves, whom they supposed to be kings. height of your desires. The sultan has declared
As who had been informed of their
the sultan, that you shall marry the Princess Buddir al Bud-
approach, had given orders for them to be ad- door. He waits for you with impatience."
mitted, they met with no obstacle, but went into Aladdin, enraptured with this news, made his
the divan in regular order, one part turning to mother very little reply, but retired to his cham-
the right, and the other to the left. After they ber. There he rubbed his lamp, and the obedi-
were all entered, and had formed a semicircle be- ent genie appeared. " Genie," said Aladdin, " con-
fore the sultan's throne, the black slaves laid the vey me at once to a bath, and supply me with the
golden trays on the carpet, prostrated themselves, richestand most magnificent robe ever worn by
touching the carpet with their foreheads, and at a monarch." No sooner were the words out of
the same time the white slaves did the same. his mouth than the genie rendered him, as well
When they rose the black slaves uncovered the as himself, invisible,and transported him into a
trays, and then all stood with their arms crossed hummum of the finest marble of all sorts of colors ;
over their breasts. where he was undressed, without seeing by whom,

In the mean time Aladdin's mother advanced in a magnificent and spacious hall. He was then
to the foot of the throne, and having prostrated well rubbed and washed with various scented
herself, said to the sultan :
" Sire, my son knows waters. After he had passed through several de-
this present ismuch below the notice of Princess grees of heat, he came out quite a different man
Buddir al Buddoor but hopes, nevertheless, that
;
from what he was before. His skin was clear as
your majesty will accept of it, and make it agree- that of a child, his body lightsome and free and ;
able to the princess, and with the greater confi- when he returned into the hall, he found, instead
dence since he has endeavored to conform to the of his own poor raiment, a robe, the magnificence
conditions you were pleased to impose." of which astonished him. The genie helped him
The sultan, overpowered at the sight of such to dress, and when he had done, transported him
more than royal magnificence, replied without back to his own chamber, where he asked him if
he had any other commands. " Yes," answered On Aladdin's arrival at the palace, the sultan.
Aladdin " bring me a charger that surpasses in
; was surprised to find him more
and magnif- richly
beauty and goodness the best in the sultan's sta- icently robed than he had ever been himself, and
bles : with a saddle, bridle, and other caparisons was impressed with his good looks and dignity of
to correspond with his value. Furnish also twenty manner, which were so different from what he
slaves, as richly clothed as those who carried the expected in the son of one so humble as Aladdin's
present to the sultan, to walk by my side and fol- mother. He embraced him with all the demon-
low me, and twenty more to go before me in two strations of joy, and when he would have fallen
ranks. Besides these, bring my mother six women at his feet, held him by the hand, and made him
slaves to attend her, as richly dressed at least as sitnear his throne. He shortly after led him,
any of the Princess Buddir al Buddoor's, each amidst the sounds of trumpets, hautboys, and all
carrying a complete dress fit for any sultaness. I kinds of music, to a magnificent entertainment, at
want also ten thousand pieces of gold in ten which the sultan and Aladdin ate by themselves,
purses; go, and make haste." and the great loi"ds of the court, according to their
As soon as Aladdin had given these orders, the rank and dignitj', sat at different tables. After
genie disappeared, but presently returned with the the feast, the sultan sent for the chief cadi, and
horse, the forty slaves, ten of whom carried each commanded him to draw up a contract of marriage
a purse containing ten thousand pieces of gold, between the Princess Buddir al Buddoorand Alad-
and six women slaves, each carrying on her head din. When the contract had been drawn, the
a different dress for Aladdin's mother, wrapped sultan asked Aladdin if he would stay in the pal-
up in a piece of silver tissue, and presented them ace and complete the ceremonies of the marriage
all to Aladdin. that day. " Sire," said Aladdin, " though great
He presented the
six women slaves to his mother, is my impatience to enter on the honor granted
telling her they were her slaves, and that the me hy your majesty, yet I beg you to permit me
dresses they had brought were for her use. Of first to build a palace worthy to receive the prin-
the ten purses Aladdin took four, which he gave cess your daughter. I pray you to grant me suf-
to his mother, telling her those were to supply her ficient ground near your palace, and I will have it
with necessaries ; the other six he left in the completed with tlie utmost expedition." The sul-
hands who brought them, with an
of the slaves tan granted Aladdin his request, and again emr
order to throw them by handfuls among the peo- braced him. After which, he took his leave with
ple as they went to the sultan's palace. The six as much politeness as if he had been bred up and
slaves who carried the purses he ordered likewise had always lived at court.
to march before him, three on the right hand and Aladdin returned home in the order he had
three on the left. come, amidst the acclamations of the people,who
When Aladdin had thus prepared himself for v/ished him all happiness and prosperity. As soon
his first interview with the sultan, he dismissed as he dismounted, he retired to his own chamber,
the genie, and immediately mounting his charger, took the lamp, and summoned the genie as usual,
began his march, and though he never was on who professed his allegiance. " Genie," said Alad-
horseback before, appeared with a grace the most din, " build me a palace fit to receive the Princess
experienced horseman might envy. The innu- Buddir al Buddoor. Let its materials be made of
merable concourse of people through whom he nothing less than porphyry, jasper, agate, lapis
passed made the air echo with their acclamations, lazuli,and the finest marble. Let its walls be
especially every time the six slaves who carried massive gold and silver bricks laid alternately.
the purses threw handfuls of gold among the pop- Let each front contain six windows, and let the
ulace. (except one, which must be left
lattices of these
unfinished) be enriched with diamonds, rabies, the sultan, who exclaimed, "
It must be Aladdin's
and emeralds, so that they shall exceed every- palace,which I gave him leave to build for my
thing of the kind ever seen in the world. Let daughter. He has wished to surprise us, and let
there be an inner and outer court in front of the us see what wonders can be done in only one
palace, and a spacious garden ; but above all night."
things, pi'ovide a safe treasure-house, and fill it Aladdin, on his being conveyed by the genie to
with gold and silver. Let there be also kitchens his own home, requested his mother to go to the
and storehouses ; stables full of the finest horses, Princess Buddir al Buddoor, and tell her that the
with their equerries and grooms, and hunting palace would be ready for her reception in the
equipage ; officers, attendants, and slaves, both evening. She went, attended by her women
men and women, to form a retinue for the prin- slaves, in the same order as on the preceding day.
cess and myself. Go and execute my wishes." Shortly after her arrival at the princess's apart-
When Aladdin gave these commands to the ment, the sultan himself came in, and was sur-
genie, the sun was set. The next morning at day- prised to find her, whom
he knew as his suppliant
break the genie presenting himself, and having ob- at his divan in such humble guise, to be now more
tained Aladdin's consent, transported him in a richly and sumptuously attired than his own
moment to the palace he had made. The genie led daughter. Tliis gave him a higher opinion of
him through all the apartments, where he found Aladdin, who took such care of his mother, and
officers and slaves, habited according to their rank made her share his wealth and honors. Shortly
and the services to which they were appointed. after her departure, Aladdin, mounting his horse,
The genie then showed him the treasury, which and attended by his retinue of magnificent at-
was opened by a treasurer, where Aladdin saw tendants, left his paternal home forever, and went
large vases of different sizes, piled up to the top to the palace in the same pomp as on the day
with money, ranged all round the chamber. The before. Nor did he forget to take with him the
genie thence led him to the stables, where were wonderful lamp to which he owed all his good
some of the finest horses in the world, and the fortune, nor to wear the ring which was given him
grooms busy in dressing them from thence they
; as a talisman. The sultan entertained Aladdin
went to the storehouses, which were filled with all with the utmost magnificence, and at night, on the
things necessary, both for food and ornament. conclusion of the marriage ceremonies, the prin-
When ALiddin had examined every portion of cess took leave of the sultan her father. Bands
the palace, and particularly the hall with the four- of music led the procession, followed by a hun-
and-twenty windows, and found it far to exceed dred state ushers, and the like number of black
his fondest expectations, he said, " Genie, there is mutes, in two files, with their officers at their
one thing wanting, —a fine carpet for the princess head. Four hundred of the sultan's young pages
to walk upon from the sultan's palace to mine. carried flambeaux on each side, which, together
Lay one down immediately." The genie disap- with the illuminations of the sultan's and Alad-
peared, and Aladdin saw what he desired executed din's palaces, made it as light as day. In this or-
in an instant. The genie then returned, and car- der the princess, conveyed in her litter, and ac-
ried him to his own home. companied also by Aladdin's mother, carried in a
When the sultan's porters came to open the superb and attended by her women slaves,
litter
gates, they were amazed to find what had been an proceeded on the carpet which was spread from
unoccupied garden filled up with a magnificent the sultan's palace to that of Aladdin. On her ar-
palace,and a splendid carpet extending to it all rival Aladdin was ready to receive her at the en-
the way from the sultan's palace. They told the trance,and led her into a large hall, illuminated
strange tidings to the grand vizier, who informed with an infinite number of wax candles, where a
noble feast was served up. The dishes were of sultan consented with pleasure, rose up immedi.
massy and contained the most delicate vi-
gold, ately, and, precededby the principal officers of his
ands. The vases, basins, and goblets were gold palace, and followed by all the great lords of his
also, and of exquisite workmanship, and all the court, accompanied Aladdin.
other ornaments and embellishments of the hall The nearer the sultan appi-oached Aladdin's
were answerable to this display. The princess, palace, the more he was struck with its beauty •
dazzled to see so much but when he entered

riches collected in one it, came into the hall,
place, said to Alad- and saw the windows,
din, "I thought, enriched with dia-
pi'ince, that nothing monds, rubies, emer-
in the world was so alds, all large perfect
beautiful as the sul- stones, he was com-
tan ray father's pal- pletely surprised, and
ace, but the sight of said to his son-in-
this hall alone is suf- law ;
" This palace is
ficient to show I was one of the wonders of

deceived." the world : for where
When the supper in all the world be-
was ended, there en- sides shall we find
tered company of
a walls built of massy
female dancers, who gold and silver, and
performed, according diamonds, rubies, and
to the custom of the emeralds composing
coantrv, singinji; at the windows ? But
the same time verses what most surprises
in praise of the bride me is, that a hall of
and bridegroom. this magnificence
About midnight Alad- should be left with one
din's mother con- of its windows incom-
ducted the bride to plete and unfinished."
the nuptial apart- "Sire," answered
ment and he soon Aladdin, "the omis-
after retired. sion was by design,
The next morning since I wished that
the attendants of you should have the
Aladdin presented glory of finishing this
themselves to dress hall." " I take your
him, and brought him another habit, as rich and intention kindly," said the sultan, "and will give
magnificent as that worn the day before. He then orders about it immediately."
ordered one of the horses to be got ready, mounted After the sultan had finished this magnificent
him, and went in the midst of a lai-ge troop of entertainment provided for him and for his court
slaves to the sultan's palace, to entreat him to take by Aladdin, he was informed that tlie jewelers
a repast in the princess's palace, attended by his and goldsmiths attended upon which he returned
;
grand vizier and all the lords of his court. The to the hall, and showed them the window which
was unfinished. " I sent for you," said he, " to repaired to the palace, and were introduced into
fit up this window in as great perfection as the the sultan's presence, where the chief jeweler pre-
rest. Examine them well, and make all the dis- sented the precious stones which he had brought
patch you can." back. The sultan asked them if Aladdin had
The jewelers and goldsmiths examined the given them any reason for so doing, and they an-
three-and-twenty windows with great attention, swering that he had given them none, he ordered
and had consulted together, to know
after they a horse to be brought, which he mounted, and
what each could furnish, they returned and pre- rode to his son-in-law's palace, with some few at-
sented themselves before the sultan, whose princi- tendants on foot, to inquire why he had ordered
pal jeweler, undertaking to speak for the rest, the completion of the window
to be stopped.
said: " Sire, we are all willing to exert our ut- Aladdin met him at the gate, and without giving
most care and industry to obey you but among
; any reply to his inquiries conducted him to the
us all we cannot funiish jewels enough for so grand saloon, where the sultan, to his great sur-
great a work." " I have more than are necessary," prise, found the window which was left imperfect
said the sultan " come to my palace, and you
; to correspond exactly with the others. He fancied
shall choose what may answer your purpose." at first that he was mistaken, and examined the
When the sultan returned to his palace, he or- two windows on each side, and afterwards all the
dered his jewels to be brought out, and the jewel- four-and-twenty but when he was convinced that
;
ers took a great quantity, particularly those Alad- the window which several workmen had been so
din had made him a present of, which they soon long about was finished in so short a time, he em-
used, without making any great advance in their braced Aladdin and kissed him between his eyes.
work. They came again several times for more, " M}' son," said he, " what a man you are, to do
and in a month's time had not finished half their such surprising things always in the twinkling of
work. In short, they used all the jewels the sul- an eye there is not your fellow in the world the
! ;
tan had, and borrowed of the vizier, but yet the more I know, the more I admire you."
work was not half done. The sultan returned to the palace, and after this
Aladdin, who knew that all the sultan's endeav- went frequently to the window to contemplate
ors to make this window were in vain,
like the rest and admire the wonderful palace of his son-in-
sent for the jewelers and goldsmiths, and not only law.
commanded them to desist from their work, but Aladdin did not confine himself in his palace,
ordered them to undo what they had begun, and but went with much state, sometimes to one
to carry all their jewels back to the sultan and to mosque, and sometimes to another, to prayers, or
the vizier. They undid in a few hours what they to visit the grand vizier, or the principal lords of
had been six weeks about, and retired, leaving the court. Every time he went out, he caused
Aladdin alone in the hall. He took the lamp, two slaves, who walked by the side of his horse, to
which he carried about him, rubbed it, and pres- throw handfuls of money among the people as he
ently the genie appeared. " Genie," said Aladdin, passed through the streets and squares. This gen-
" I ordered thee to leave one of the four-and- erosity gained him the love and bleîngs of the
twenty windows of this hall imperfect, and thou people, and it was common for them to swear by
hast executed my commands punctually ;now I his head. Thus Aladdin, while he paid all respect
would have thee make it like the rest." The genie to the sultan, won by his affable behavior and lib-
immediately disappeared. Aladdin went out of erality the affections of the people.
the hall, and returning soon after, found the win- Aladdin had conducted himself in this manner
dow, as he wished it to be, like the others. several years, when the African magician, who
In the mean time the jewelers and goldsmiths had for some years dismissed him from his recol-
lection,determined to inform himself witli cer- Aladdin's palace. As he approached, he began
tainty whether he perished, as he supposed, in the crying, " Who change old lamps for new
will
subterranean cave or not. After he had resorted ones ? " As he went along, a crowd of children
to a long course of magic ceremonies, and had collected, who hooted, and thought him, as did
formed a horoscope by which to ascertain Alad- all who chanced to be passing by, a madman or a
din's fate, what was his surprise to find the ap- fool, to offer to change new lamps for old ones.
pearances to declare that Aladdin, instead of dying The African magician regarded not their scoffs,
in the cave, had made his escape, and was living hootings, or all they could say to him, but still
in royal splendor, by the aid of the genie of the continued crying, " Who
change old lamps for
will
wonderful lamp ! new ones?" He repeated this so often, walking

On the very next day the magician set out and backwards and forwards in front of the palace,
traveled with the utmost haste to the cajjital of that the princess, who was then in the hall with
China, where, on his arrival, he took up his lodg- the four-and-twenty windows, hearing a man cry
ing in a khan. something, and seeing a great mob crowding about
He then quickly learnt about the wealth, chari- him, sent one of her women slaves to know what
ties, happiness, and splendid palace of Prince he cried.
Aladdin. Directly he saw the wonderful fabric, The slave returned laughing so heartily that
he knew that none but the genies, the slaves of the princess rebuked her. "
Madam," answered
the lamp, could have performed such wondei-s ; the slave, laughing still, " who can forbear laugh-
and piqued to the quick at Aladdin's high estate, ing, to see an old man with a basket on his arm,
he returned to the khan. full of fine new lamps, askingchange them for
to
On his return he had recourse to an operation old ones ? the children and mob crowding about
of geomancy to find out where the lamp was, — him so that he can hardly stir, make all the noise
whether Aladdin carried it about with him, or they can in derision of him."
where he left it. The result of his consultation Another female slave, hearing this, said, "Now
informed him, to his great joy, that the lamp was you speak of lamps, I know not whether the prin-
in the palace. " Well," said he, rubbing his hands cess may have observed it, but there is an old one
in glee, " I shall have the lamp, and I shall make upon a shelf of the Prince Aladdin's robing-room,
Aladdin return to his original mean condition." and whoever owns it will not be sorry to find a
The next day the magician learnt, from the new one in its stead. If the princess chooses, she
chief superintendent of the khan where he lodged, may have the pleasure of trying if this old man
that Aladdin had gone on a hunting expedition, is so silh" as to give a new lamp for an old one,
which was to last for eight days, of which only without taking anything for the exchange."
three had expired. Tiie magician wanted to know The princess, who knew not the value of this
no more. He resolved at once on his plans. He lamp, and the interest that Aladdin had to keep
went to a coppersmith, and asked for a dozen it safe, entered into the pleasantry, and com-
copper lamps the master of the shop told him
; manded a slave to take it and make the ex-
he had not so many by him, but if he would have chano-e. The slave obeved, went out of the hall,
patience till the next day, he would have them and no sooner got to the palace gates than he saw
ready. The magician appointed his time, and de- the African magician, called to him, and showing
sired him to take care that they should be hand- him the old lamp, said, " Give me a new lamp
some and well polished. for this."
The next day the magician called for the twelve The magician never doubted but this was the
lamps, paid the man his full price, put them into lamp he wanted. There could be no other such
a basket hanging on his arm, and went directly to in this palace, where every utensil was gold or
silver. He snatched it eagerly out of the slave's least remains behind. In his perplexity he or-
hand, and thrusting it as far ashe could into his dered the grand vizier to be sent for with expedi-
breast, offered him his basket, and bade him choose tion.
which he liked best. The slave picked out one, The grand vizier, who, in secret, boi-e no good-
and carried it to the princess but the change was ; will to Aladdin, intimated his suspicion that the
no sooner made than the place rung with the palace was built by magic, and that Aladdin had
shouts of the children, deriding the magician's made his hunting excursion an excuse for the
folly. removal of his palace with the same suddenness
The African magician stayed no longer near with wliich it had been erected. He induced the
the palace, nor cried any more, " New lamps for sultan to send a detachment of his guards, and to
old ones," but made the best of his way to his have Aladdin seized as a prisoner of state. On
khan. His end was answered, and by his silence his son-in-law being brought before him, he would
he got rid of the children and the mob. not hear a word from him, but ordered him to be
As soon as he was out of sight of the two pal- put to death. The decree caused so much dis-
aces, he hastened down the least-frequented streets ;

content among the people, whose affection Alad-
and having no more occasion for his lamps or din had secured by his and charities,
largesses
basket, set all down in a spot where nobody saw that the sultan, fearful an insurrection, was
of
him then going down another street or two, he
; obliged to grant him his life. When Aladdin
walked till he came to one of the cit}' gates, and found himself at liberty, he again addressed the
pursuing his way through the suburbs, which sultan: "Sire, I pray you to let me know the
were very extensive, at length reached a lonely crime by which I have thus lost the favor of thy
spot, where he stopped till the darkness of the countenance." " Your crime " answered the sul- !
night, as the most suitable time for the design he tan " wretched man
; do you not know it ? Fol-
!
had in contemplation. When it became quite low me, and I will show you." The sultan then
dark, he pulled the lamp one of his breast, and took Aladdin into the apartment from wlience he
rubbed it. At that summons the genie appeai-ed, was wont to look at and admire his palace, and
and said, " What wouldst thou have ? I am ready said, " You ought to know where your palace
to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave of all stood look, mind, and tell me what has become
;
those who have that lamp in their hands, both I — of it." Aladdin did so, and, being utterly amazed
and the other slaves of the lamp." " I command at the loss of his palace, was speechless. At last
thee," replied the magician, " to transport me im- recovering himself, he said " It is true, I do not
:
mediately, and the palace which thou and the see the palace. It is vanished but I had no con- ;
other slaves of the lamp have built in this city, cern in its beg you to give me forty
removal. I
with all the people in it, to Africa." The genie days, and if in that time I cannot restore it, I will
made no reply, but with the assistance of the offer my head to be disposed of at your pleasure."
other genies, the slaves of the lamp, immediately " I give you the time you ask, but at the end of
transported him and the palace entire, to the spot the forty days, forget not to present yourself be-
whither he had been desired to convey it. fore me."
Early the next morning, when the sultan, ac- Aladdin went out of the sultan's palace in a
cording to custom, went to contemplate and ad- condition of exceeding humiliation. The lords
mire Aladdin's palace, his amazement was un- who had courted him in the days of his splendor,
bounded to find that it could nowhere be seen. now declined to have any communication with
He could not comprehend how so large a palace, him. For three days he wandered about the city,
which he had seen plainly every day for some exciting thewonder and compassion of the multi-
soon, and not leave the
years, should vanish so tude by asking everybody he met if they had seen
32
250 TALES FROM THE ARABTAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS.
his palace, or could tell him anything of it. On sible to express the joy of both at seeing each
the third day he wandered in the country, and as other, after so cruel a separation. After embrac-
he was approaching a river, he fell down the bank ing and shedding tears of joy, they sat down, and
with so much violence, that he rubbed the ring Aladdin said, " I beg of you, princess, to tell me
which the magician had given him so hard, by what is become of an old lamp which stood upon a
holding on the rock to save himself, that immedi- shelf in my robing-chamber."
ately the same genie appeared whom he had seen " Alas "
answered the princess, " I was afraid
!
in the cave where the magician had left him. our misfortune might be owing to that lamp and :
"What wouldst thou have ? " said the genie. " I what grieves me most is, that I have been the
am ready to obey thee as thy slave, and the slave cause of it. I was foolish enough to change the
of all those that have that ring on their finger, — old lamp for a new one, and the next morning
both I and the other slaves of the ring." I found myself in this unknown country, which I
Aladdin, agreeably surjDrised at an offer of help am told is Africa."

so little expected, replied, " Genie, show me where " Princess," said Aladdin, interrupting her,
the palace I caused to be built now stands, or " you have explained all by telling me we are in
transport it back where it first stood." " Your com- Africa. you only to tell
I desire me if you know
mand," answered the genie, " is not wholly in my where the old lamp now is." " The African magi-
power ; I am only the slave of the ring, and not cian carries it carefully wrapped up in his bosom,"
of the command thee, then," replied
lamp." " I said the princess " and this I can assure you, be-
;
Aladdin, " by the power of the ring, to transport cause he pulled it out before me, and showed it to
me to the spot where my palace stands, in wliat me in triumph."
part of the world soever it may be."These words " Princess," saidAladdin, " I think I have
were no sooner out of his mouth, than the genie found the means to deliver you, and to regain pos-
transported him into Africa, to the midst of a session of the lamp, on which all mj^ prosperity
large plain, where his palace stood, at no great depends ; to execute this design, it is necessary
distance from a city, and placing him exactly un- for me to go to the town. by noon,
I shall return
der the window of the princess's apartment, left and will then tell you what must be done by you
him. to insure success. In the mean time, I shall dis-
Now happened that shortly after Aladdin

it so guise myself, and I beg that the private door may
had been transported by the slave of the ring to be opened at the first knock."
the neighborhood of his palace, that one of the When Aladdin was out of the palace, he looked
attendants of the Princess Buddir al Buddoor, round him on all sides, and perceiving a peasant
looking through the window, perceived him, and going into the country, hastened after him and ;
instantly told her mistress. The princess, who when he had overtaken him, made a proposal to
could not believe the joyful tidings, hastened hei-- him to change clothes, which the man agreed to.
self to the window, and seeing Aladdin, immedi- When they had made the exchange, the coun-
ately opened it. The noise of opening the win- tryman went about his business, and Aladdin
dow made Aladdin turn his head that way, and entered the neighboring city. After traversing
perceiving the princess, he saluted her with an air several streets, he came to that part of the town
that expressed his J03'. " To lose no time," said where the merchants and artisans had their par-
she to him, " I have sent to have the private door ticular streets, according to their trades. He went
opened for you ; enter and come up." into that of the druggists ; and entei'ing one of
The private door, which was just under the the largest and best furnished shops, asked the
princess's apartment,was soon opened, and Alad- druggist if he had a certain powder which he
din conducted up into the chamber. It is impos- named.
The druggist, judging Aladdin by his habit to back to China as speedily as you were brought
be very poor, told him he had it, but that it was from thence."
very dear ; upon which Aladdin, penetrating his When the princess, her women, and slaves were
thoughts, pulled out his purse, and showing him gone out of the hall, Aladdin shut the door, and
some gold, asked for half a dram of the powder going directly to the dead body of the magician,
which the druggist weighed and gave him, telling opened his vest, took out the lamp which was
him the price was a piece of gold. Aladdin put carefully wrapped up, and rubbing it, the genie
the moneyinto his hand, and hastened to the pal- immediately appeared. " Genie," said Aladdin,
ace, which he entered at once bj' the private door. " I command thee to transport this palace instantly
When he came into the princess's apartment, he to the place from whence it was brought hither."
said to her " Princess, you must take your part
: The genie bowed his head in token of obedience,
in the scheme which I propose for our deliverance. and disappeared. Immediately the palace was
You must overcome your aversion to the magi- transported into China, and its removal was only
cian, and assume a most friendly manner towards felt by two little shocks, the one when it was
him, and ask him to oblige you by partaking of lifted UJ3, the other when it was set down, and
an entertainment in your apartments. Before he both in a very short interval of time.

leaves, ask him to exchange cups with j'ou, which On the mominof after the restoration of Alad-
he, gratified at the honor you do him, will gladly din's palace, the sultan was looking out of his
do, when you must give him the cup containing window, and mourning over the fate of his daugh-
this powder. On drinking it he will instantly fall ter, when he thought that he saw the vacancy
asleep, and we whose slaves
will obtain the lamp, created by the disappearance of the palace to be
will do all our bidding, and restore us and the pal- again filled up. On looking more attentivelj^ he
ace to the capital of China." was convinced beyond the power of doubt that it
The princess obeyed to the utmost her hus- was his son-in law's palace. Joy and gladness
band's instructions. She assumed a look of pleas- succeeded to sorrow and grief. He at once or-
ure on the next visit of the magician, and asked dered a horse to be saddled, which he mounted
him to an entertainment, which he most willingly that instant, thinking he could not make haste
accepted. At the close of the evening, during enough to the place.
which the princess had tried all she could to please Aladdin rose that morning by daybreak, put on
him, she asked him to exchange cups with her, one of the most magnificent habits his wardrobe
and giving the signal, had the drugged cup brought afforded, and went up into the hall of twenty-four
to her, which she gave to the magician. He windows, from whence he perceived the sultan ap-
drank it out of compliment to the princess to the proaching, and I'eceived him at the foot of the
very last drop, when he fell backwards lifeless on great staircase, helping him to dismount.
the sofa. He led the sultan into the princess's apartment.
The princess, in anticipation of the success of The happy father embraced her with tears of
her scheme, had so placed her women from the joy and
;
on her side, afforded simi-
the princess,
great hall to the foot of the staircase, that the lar testimonies of her extreme pleasure. After a
word was no sooner given that the African magi- short interval, devoted to mutual explanations of
cian was fallen backwards, than the door was all that had happened, the sultan restored Aladdin
opened, and Aladdin admitted to the hall. The to his favor,and expressed his regret for the ap-
princess rose from her seat, and ran overjoyed to parent harshness with which he had treated him.
embrace him but he stopped her, and said
;
" My son," said he, " be not displeased at my pro-
" Princess, retire to your apartment and let me ; ceedings against you ; they arose from my pater-
be left alone, while I endeavor to transport you nal love, and therefore you ought to forgive the
excesses to which it humed me."' " Sire," replied " have you never seen or heard of her ? She is
Aladdin, " I have not the least reason to complain the admiration of the whole town, for her fasting,
of your conduct, since you did nothing but what her austerities, and her exemplaiy life. Except
your duty required. This infamous magician, the Mondays and Fridays, she never stirs out of her
basest of men, was the sole cause of my misfort- little cell ; and on those days on which she comes
une. into the town she does an infinite deal of good ;
The African magician, who was thus twice foiled for there is not a person who is diseased but she
in his endeavor to ruin Aladdin, had a younger puts her hand on them and cures them."
brother who was as skillful a magician as himself, Having ascertained the place where the hermit-
and exceeded him in wickedness and hatred of age of this holy woman was, the magician went at
mankind. By mutual agreement they communi- night, and plunged a poniard into her heart, —
cated with each other once a year, however widely killed this good woman. In the morning he dyed
separated might be their place of residence from his face of the same hue as hers, and arraying
each other. The younger brother, not having himself in her gai'b, taking her veil, the large
received as usual his annual communication, pre- necklace she wore round her waist, and her stick,
pared to take a horoscope and ascertain his broth- went straight to the palace of Aladdin.
er's proceedings. He, as well as his brothei-, always As soon as the jieople saw the holy woman, as
carried a geomantic square instrument about him ;
they imagined him to be, they presently gathered
he prepared the sand, cast the points, and drew about him in a great crowd. Some begged his
the figures. On examining the planetary crystal, blessing, others kissed his hand, and others, more
he found that his brother was no longer living, but reserved, only the hem of his garment ; while oth-
had been poisoned and by another observation,
,
ers, suffering from disease, stooped for him to lay
that he was in the capital of the kingdom of his hands upon them which he did, muttering
China also that the person who had poisoned
; some words in form of prayei-, and, in short, coun-
him was of mean birth, though married to a prin- terfeiting so well that everybody took him for the
cess, a sultan's daughter. holy woman. He came at last to the square before
When the magician had informed himself of Aladdin's palace. The crowd and the noise were
his brother's fate he resolved immediately to reso great that the princess, who was in the hall of
venge his death, and at once departed for China four-and-twenty windows, heard it, and asked
where, after crossing plains, rivers, mountains, what was the matter. One of her women told her
deserts, and a long tract of country without delay, it was a great crowd of people, collected about the
he arrived after incredible fatigues. When he holy woman to be cured of diseases by the imposi-
came to the capital of China, he took a lodging at tion of her hands.
a khan. His magic art soon revealed to him that The princess, who had long heard of this holy
Aladdin was the iDerson who had been the cause of woman, but had never seen her, was very desirous
the death of his brother. He had heard, too, all to have some conversation with her which the ;
the persons of repute in the city talking of a chief officer perceiving, told her was an easy
it
woman called Fatima, who was

from the
retired matter to bring her to her, if she desired and com-
world, and of the mii'acles she wrought. As he manded it ; and the princess expressing her wishes,
fancied that this woman might be serviceable to he immediately sent four slaves for the pretended
him in the project he had conceived, he made holy woman.
more minute inquiries, and requested to be in- As soon as the crowd saw the attendants from
formed more particularly who that holj' woman the palace, they made way ; and the magician,
was, and what sort of miracles she performed. perceiving also that they were coming for him,
" What " said the person whom he addressed,
! advanced to meet them, overjoyed to find his plot
THE STORY OF ALADDIN ; OS, THE WONDERFUL LAMP. 253
succeed so well. " Holy woman," said one of the not Fatima, begged of her earnestly to excuse
slaves, " the princess wants to see you, and has him, telling her that he never ate anything but
sent us for you." " The princess does me too great bread and dried fruits, and desiring to eat that
an honor," replied the false Fatima ;
" I am ready slight repast in his own apartment. The princess
to obey her command," and at the same time fol- granted his request, saying, " You may be as free
lowed the slaves to the palace. here, good mother, as if you were in your own
When the Fatima had made her
pretended cell : I will order you a dinner, but remember I
obeisance, the princess said " My good mother,
: expect you as soon as you have finished your re-
I have one thing to request, which you must not past."
refuse me it is, to stay with me, that you may
; After the princess had dined, and the false
edify me with j'our way of living, and that I may Fatima had been sent for by one of the attendants,
learn from your good example." " Princess," said he again waited upon her. " My good mother,"
the counterfeit Fatima, " I beg of you not to ask said the princess, "I am overjoyed to see so holy
what I cannot consent to without neglecting my a woman as yourself, who will confer a blessing
prayers and devotion." " That shall be no hin- upon this palace. Bat now I am speaking of the
drance to you," answered the princess; "I have palace, pray how do you like it ? And before I
a great many apartments unoccupied you shall ; show it all to you, tell me first what you think of
choose which you like best, and have as much this hall."
liberty to perform your devotions as if you were Upon this question, the counterfeit Fatima sur-
in your own cell." vej'ed the hall from one end to the other. When
The magician, who really desired nothing more he had examined it well, he said to the princess :
than to introduce himself into the palace, where " As far as such a solitary being as I am, who am
it would be a much easier matter for him to unacquainted with what the world calls beautiful,
execute liis designs, did not long excuse him- can judge, this hall is truly admirable ; there iVants
" "
selffrom accepting the obliging offer which the but one thing." What is that, good mother?
princess made him. " Princess," said he, " what- demanded the princess; " tell me, I conjure you.
ever resolution a poor wretched woman as I am For my part, I always believed, and have heard
may have made to renounce the gran-pomp and say, it wanted nothing ; but if it does, it shall be
deur of this world, I dare not presume to oppose supplied."
the will and commands of so pious and charitable " Princess," said the false Fatima, with great
a princess." dissimulation, "forgive me the liberty I have
Upon this the princess, rising up, said ' Come : taken ; but ray opinion is, if it can be of any im-
with me I will show you what vacant apartments
; portance, that if a roc's egg were hung up in the
I have, that you may make choice of that you like middle of the dome, this hall would have no par-
best." The magician followed the princess, and allel in the four quarters of the world, and your
of all the apartments she showed him, made palace Avould be the wonder of the universe."
choice of that which was the worst, saying that it " My good mother," said the princess, " what
was too good for him, and that he only accej)ted is a roc, and where may one get an egg? " " Prin-
it to please her. cess," replied the pretended Fatima, " it is a bird
Afterwards the princess would have brought him of prodigious size, which inhabits the summit of
back again into the great hall to make him dine Mount Caucasus ; the architect who built your
with her ; but he, considering that he should then palace can get you one.
be obliged to show his face, which he had always After the princess had thanked the false Fatima
taken care to conceal with Fatima's veil, and fear- for what she believed her good advice, she con-
ing that the princess should find out that he was versed witli her upon other matters ; but could not
25i TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS.
forget the roc's egg, which she resolved to request turned to the princess's apartment, and without
of Aladdin -when next he should visit his apart- mentioning a word of what had happened, sat
ments. He did so in the course of that evening, down, and complained of a great pain which had
and shortly after he entered, the princess thus ad- suddenly seized his head. On hearing this, the
dressedhim :
" I always believed that our palace princess toldhim how she had invited the holy
was the most superb, magnificent, and complete Fatima to stay with her and that she was now in
in the world: but I will tell you now what it the palace and at the request of the prince, or-
;
wants, and that is a roc's egg hung up in the dered her to be summoned to her at once.
midst of the dome." " Princess," replied Aladdin, When the pretended Fatima came, Aladdin
"it enough that you thinii it wants such an
is said :
" Come hither, good mother , I am glad to
ornament you shall see by the diligence which
;
see you here at so fortunate a time. I am tor-
I use in obtaining it, that there is nothing which mented with a violent pain in my head, and re-
I could notdo for your sake." quest your assistance, and hope you will not refuse
Aladdin left the Princess Buddir al Buddoor me that cure which you impart to afflicted per-
that moment, and went up into the hall of four- sons." So saying, he arose, but held down his
and-twenty windows, where, pulling out of his head. The counterfeit Fatima advanced towards
bosom the lamp, which, after the danger he had him, with his hand all the time on a dagger con-
been exposed to, he always carried about him, he cealed in his girdle under his gown which Alad ;
rubbed it upon which the genie immediately ap-

;
din observing, he snatched the weapon from his
peared. " Genie," said Aladdin, " I command thee hand, pierced him to the heart with his own dag-
in the name of this lamp, bring a roc's egg to be ger, and then pushed him down on the floor.
hung up middle of the dome of the hall of

in the " My dear prince, what have you done ? " cried
the palace." Aladdin had no sooner pronounced the princess, in surprise. " You have killed the
these words than the hall shook as if ready to holy woman !

" " No, my answered
princess,"
fall and the genie said in a loud and terrible
; Aladdin, with emotion, " have not killed Fatima,
I
voice " Is it not enough that I and the other

: but a villain, who would have assassinated me, if
slaves of the lamp have done everything for you, I had not prevented him. This wicked man,"
but you, by an unheard-of ingratitude, must com- added he, uncovering his face, " is the brother of
mand me to bring my master, and hang him up the magician who attempted our ruin. He has
in the midst of this dome? This attempt deserves strangled the true Fatima, and disguised himself
that you, the princess, and the palace, should be in her clothes with intent tomurder me." Alad-
immediately reduced to ashes : but you are spared din then informed her how the genie had told him
because this request does not come from yourself. these facts, and how narrowly she and the palace
Its true author is the brother of the African ma- had escaped destruction through his treacherous
gician, your enemy, whom j'ou have destroyed. suggestion which had led to her request.
He is now in your palace, disguised in the habit Tluis was Aladdin delivered from the persecu-
of the holy woman Fatima, whom he has mur- tion of the two brothers, who were magicians.
dered ; at his suggestion your wife makes this per- Within a few years afterwards, the sultan died in
nicious demand. His design is to kill you, there- a good old age, and, as he left no male children,
fore take care of yourself." After these words the Princess Buddir al Buddoor succeeded him,
the genie disappeared. and she and Aladdin reigned together many years,
Aladdin resolved at once what to do. He re- and left a numerous and illustrious posterity.
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASCHID. 255
V. THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASCHID.

The Caliph Haroun Al-Raschid, was accus- When they came into the town, they found in a
tomed to visit the city of Bagdad in disguise, that square a great crowd of spectators, looking at a
he might see, himself, into the condition of the young man who was mounted on a mare, which
peojjle, and hear their he drove and urged
reports of his court full speed round the
and government. On place, spurring and
one occasion, he and whipping the poor
his grand vizier Giafar creature so barbar-
disguised themselves ously that she was all
as foreign merchants, over sweat and blood.

and went their way The caliph, amazed
through the different at the inhumanity of
As
parts of the city. the rider, stopped to
they entered on a ask the people if they
bridge which connect- knew why he used the
ed together the two mare so ill, but could
parts of the city of learn nothing, except
Bagdad, divided by that for some time
the river Euphrates, past he had everj'
they met an old blind day, at the same hour,
man, who asked alms. treated her in the
The caliph put a piece same manner.
of gold into his hand, The caliph, on his
on which the blind way to his palace, ob-
man caught hold of served in a street,
his hand, and stopped which he had not
him, saying: "Sir, passed through for a
pray forgive me ; I de- long time, an edifice
sire you would either newly built, which
give me a box on the seemed to him to be
ear, or take your alms the palace of some one
back again, for I can- of the great lords of
not receive it but on the court. He asked
that condition, with- the grand vizier if he
out breaking a sol- knew to whom it be-
emn oath which I have sworn to God and if you ; longed who answered he did not, but would in-
;
knew the reason, you would agree with me that quire and thereupon asked a neighbor, who told
;
the punishment is ver}' slight." him that the house belonged to one Cogia Hassan,
The caliph, unwilling to be detained any longer, surnamed Alhabbal, on account of his original
yielded to the importunity of the blind man, and trade of rope-making, which he had seen him work
gave him a very slight blow whereupon he im-
: at himself, when poor that without knowing how
;
mediately let him go, thanked and blessed him. fortune had favored him, he supposed he must
have acquired great wealth, as be defrayed hon- As I was returning one day with my unloaded
orably and splendidly the expenses he bad been at camels from Bussorah, whither I had carried some
in building. bales that were to be embarked for the Indies, I
The grand vizier rejoined the caliph, and gave met a dervis, who was walking
to Bussorah. I
him a full account of what he bad beard. "I must asked him whence he came, and where he was go-
see this fortunate rope-maker,"' said the caliph, ing he put the same questions to me ; and when
:
" and also this blind beggar, and the young man we had satisfied each other's curiosity, we pro-
who treated the mare so cruelly therefore go and
; duced our provisions and ate together.
tell them to come to my palace." Accordingly During our repast, the dervis told me of a spot
the vizier obeyed. not far from where we sat, in which such im-
The next day, after afternoon prayers, the grand mense riches were collected that if all my four-
vizier introduced the three persons we have been score camels were loaded with the gold and jewels
speaking of, and presented them to the caliph. that might be taken from it, they would not be
They all three prostrated themselves before the missed.
throne, and when they rose up, the caliph asked I was overjoyed at this intelligence.
the blind man his name, who answered, it was " You that you
say," continued the dervis,
''
Baba Abdalla. have fourscore camels I am ready to conduct

:
" Baba Abdalla," replied the caliph, " I or- you to the jjlace W'here the treasure lies, and we
dered you to come hither, to know from yourself will load them with as much jewels and gold as
why you made the indiscreet oath you told me of. they can carry, on condition that when they are
Tell nie freely, for I will know the truth." so loaded, you will let me have one half, and you
Baba Abdalla cast himself a second time at the be contented with the other ; after which we will
foot of the caliph's throne, with his face to the separate, and take our camels where we may think
ground, and when he rose up, said :
" Commander fit. You
see thei-e is nothing but what is strictly
of the Faithful, I most humbly ask your pardon equitable in this division for if you give me fort}^
;
for my presumption in requiring you to box my camels, you will procure by my means where-
ear. As to the extravagance of my action, I own withal to purchase thousands."
that must seem strange to mankind but in the
it ; I assented, thougli with some reluctance, to his
eye of God it is a slight penance for an enormous proposal. I at once collected all my camels, and
crime of which I have been guilty, and for which, set out with the dervis. After we had traveled
if all the people in the world were each to give some time, we came to a pass, which was so nar-
me a box on the ear, it would not be a sufficient row tliat two camels could not go abreast. The
atonement." two mountains which bounded this valley were so
high and steep that there was no fear of our be-
THE STORY OF BABA ABDALLA. ing seen by anybody.
Commander of the Faithful, continued Baba When we came into the valley between these
Abdalla, I was born at Bagdad. My father and two mountains, the dervis bade me stop the cam-
mother died while I was yet a youth, and I in- els. He proceeded to gather some sticks, and to
herited from them an ample estate. Although so light a fire he then cast some incense into it,
:
young, I neglected no opportunity to increase it pronouncing certain words which I did not under-
by my industry. I soon became rich enough to stand, when presently a thick cloud arose. This
purchase fourscore camels, which I let out to mer- soon dispersed, when the rock forming the side of
j
chants, who hired them at a considerable profit to the valley opened, and exposed to view a magnifi-
me, to carry their merchandise from one country cent palace in the hollow of the mountain.
to another. So eager was I for the treasures which displayed
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASGHID. 257
themselves to my view, that, like an eagle seizing When I came up to him, I said " Brother, I :
her prey, I fell upon the heap

first of golden coin had no sooner parted from you, but a thought
that was near me. My sacks were all large, and came into my head, which neither of us had re-
I would have filled them all, but I was obliged to flected on before. You are a recluse dervis, used
proportion my burden to the strength of my cam- to live in tranquillity, disengaged
from all the
els. The dervis paid more attention to the jewels cares of the world, and intent only upon serving
than the gold, and I soon followed his example, so God. You know not, perhaps, what trouble you
we took away much more jewels than gold.
that have taken upon yourself to take care of so many
When we had filled our sacks, and loaded our camels. If you would take my advice, you would
camels, the dervis used the same incantations to keep but thirty you will find them sufficiently
;
shut the treasui-y as he had done to open it, when troublesome to manage. Take my word I have ;
the doors closed, and the rock seemed as solid and had experience."
entire as it was before. I observed, however, that " I believe you ai-e right," replied the dervis ;
the dervis, before he went away, took a small ves- " choose which ten you please, and take them,
sel out of the cave and put it into his breast, first and go on in God's keeping."
showing me that it contained only a glutinous sort I set ten apart, and after I had driven them off,
of ointment. I put them in the road to follow my others. I

We now divided our camels. I put myself at could not have imagined that the dervis would be
the head of the forty which I had reserved for so easily persuaded to part with his camels, which
myself, and the dervis placed himself at the head increased my covetousness, and made me think
of those which I had given him. We came out that it would be no hard matter to get ten more
of the valley by the way we had entered, and wherefore, instead of thanking him, I said to him
traveled together till we came to the great road, again :
" Brother, I cannot part from you without
where we were to part, — the dervis to go to Bus- desiring you to consider once more how difficult a
sorah, and I to Bagdad. To thank him for so thing it is to govern thirty loaded camels, espe-
great a kindness, I made use of the most expres- cially for you, who are not used to such work ;
sive terms, testifying my gratitude for the pref- you will find it much better to return me as
erence he had given me before all other men in many more back as you have done already."
letting have a share of such riches. We em-
me The dervis gave me, without any hesitation, the
braced each other with great joy, and, taking our other ten camels ; so that he had but twenty left,
leave, pursued our different routes. and I was master of sixty, and might boast of
I had not gone far, following my camels, which greater riches than any sovereign prince. Any
paced quietly on in the track I had put them into, one would have thought I should now have been
before the demon of ingratitude and envy took content but the more we have, the more we want
;
possession of my heart, and I deplored th*e loss of and I became, from my success, more greedy and
my much more the riches where-
other forty, but desirous of the other twenty camels.
with they were loaded. " The dervis," said I to I redoubled my solicitations and importunities
myself, " has no occasion for all this wealth, since to make the dervis grant me ten of the twenty,
he is master of the treasure, and may have as much which he did with a good grace and as to the :
as he pleases " so I determined immediately to

; other ten he had left, I embraced him, kissed his
take the camels with their loading from him. feet, caressed and entreated him, so that he gave
To execute this design, I first stopped my own me these also. " Make a good use of them,
camels, then ran after the dervis, and called to brother," said the dervis; "and remember that
him as loud as I could, and made a sign to him to God can take away riches as well as give them,
stop, which he accordingly did. if we do not assist the poor, whom He suffers to
be in want on purpose that the rich may do them the dervis said, I imagined, on the contrary, that
good." there was some new mystery, which he meant to
I was not yet content, though I had my forty hide from me. " Brother," replied I, smiling, " I
camels again, and knew they were loaded with an see plainly you wish to mislead me it is not nat- ;
inestimable treasure. A thought came into my ural that this ointment should have two such
head, that the little box of ointment which the contrary effects."
dervis showed me contained some treasure of in- " The matter is as I tell you," replied the der-
estimable value, and I determined to obtain it. vis. " You ought to believe me, for I cannot dis-
I had just embraced him and bade him adieu, guise the truth."
when I again returned, and said " That little : The dervis made all the resistance possible ;
box of ointment seems such a trifle, it is not worth but seeing that woidd take no refusal, he took
I
your carrying away. I entreat you to make me a little of the ointment, and applied it to my right
a present of it. What occasion has a dervis, who eyelid. But, alas ! I ceased at once to distinguish
has renounced the vanities of the world, for per- anything with either eye, and became blind, as
"
fumes, or scented unguents ? you see me now.
The dervis pulled it out of his bosom, and pre- " Ah, dervis " ! I exclaimed, in agony, " what
senting it to me, said " Here, take it, brother,
: you forewarned me of has proved but too true.
and be content if I could do more for you, you
; I am now what a misfortune I have
sensible
needed but to have asked me I should have — brought upon myself by my fatal curiosity and
been ready to satisfy you." insatiable desire of riches ; but you, dear brother,"
When I had the box in my hand, I opened it, cried I, addressing myself to the dervis, " who are
and looking at the unguent, said " Since you are : so charitable and good, among the many wonder-
so good, I am sure you will not refuse to tell me ful secrets you are acquainted with, have you not
"
the use of this ointment." one to restore to me my sight again ?
" The use is very surprising and wonderful," "Miserable man " answered the dervis, "you
!
replied the dervis. " If you apply a little of it might have avoided this misfortune, but you have
upon the lid of the left eye, you will see all the j'our deserts. The mind was the
blindness of your
treasures contained in the bosom of the earth ; cause of the loss of your eyes. have no power I
but if you apply it to the right eyelid, it will make to restore to you your sight. Pray to God, there-
you blind." fore it
; is He alone that can restore it to you.
Take the box," said I to the dervis, " and ap-
" He gave you riches, of which you were unworthy
ply some to my left eyelid you understand how ; and on that account He takes them from you
to do it better than I." The dervis had no sooner again, and will by my hands give them to a man
done so, than I saw immense treasures, and such not so ungrateful as yom-self."
prodigious riches, that it is impossible for me to The dervis said no more, but left me to myself,
give an account of them ; but as I was obliged to overwhelmed with confusion and grief. He then
keep my right eye shut with my hand, I desired collected my camels, and drove them away to Bus-
the dervis to apply some of the pomatum to that sorah.
eye. I cried out loudly as he was departing, and en-
"I am ready to do it," said the dervis ;
" but treated him not to leave me in that miserable
you must remember what I told you, that if you condition, but to conduct me at least to the first
put any of it upon your right eye, jou would im- caravanserai ; but he was deaf to my prayers and
mediately be blind ; such is the virtue of the oint- entreaties. Thus deprived of sight, and of all I
ment." had in the world, I should have died with afflic-
Far from being persuaded of the truth of what tion and hunger, if the next day a caravan return-
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASOHID. 259
ing from Bussorah had not received me charita- we ate together, she behaved after the same fash-
bly, and brought me back to Bagdad. ion. I saw clearly that no woman could live on
After this manner was I reduced, without rem- the little she ate, and that there must be some
edy, from a condition of great wealth to a state mystery about her. One night, when my wife
of poverty. I had no other way to subsist but thought me fast asleep, she got up very quietly,
by asking charity, which I have done till now. and dressed herself, and left the chamber without
But to expiate my offense against God, I enjoined the least noise. The instant she closed the door
on myself, by way of penance, a box on the ear I dressed in the utmost haste, and followed her.
from every charitable person who shall commis- Favored by the light of the moon, I caught sight
erate my condition and give me alms. of her, and traced her to a burial-ground near our
This, Commander of the Faithful, is the motive house, where I perceived that she was joined by a
which caused me to make
so strange a request to female ghoul, and supposed that she would join
you. I ask your pardon once more as j'our slave, her in her dreadful orgies. I immediately re-
and submit to receive the chastisement I deserve. turned to my house without having attracted her
" Baba Abdalla," the caliph said, " your sin observation, and lay down again. After a short
has been great ; but, God be praised, your self- interval she came back as noiselessly as she had
inflicted penance proves your sorrow. But that gone out. On the next day, as she still persisted
you may forego your daily asking of alms, I give by grain, " Amine,"
at dinner to eat her rice grain
you henceforth four silver dirhems a day, which said I, " I have often complained to you of your
my grand vizier shall give you daily with the pen- eating your rice grain by grain. Tell me, are
ance you have imposed on yourself." not the dishes served at my table as delicate as
At these words, Baba Abdalla prostrated him- the dreadful repast of a ghoul?" I had scarcely
self before the caliph's throne, returned him said these words, when Amine, who thoroughly
thanks, and wished him all happiness and pros- understood what I meant, fell into a fearful fit of
perity. passion, and taking a glass of water, threw it in
my face, and said, " Foolish man take the form !
THE STOEY OP SIDI NOTJMAN.

of a dog."
The caliph next addressed himself to the young I had not, previously to this, known that Amine
man who used bis mare so ill, and demanded of was But no sooner was her incan-
a sorceress.
him the reason of his cruel conduct. tation said than I lost the human form, and
Commander of the Faithful, he replied, my found myself a dog. I was so surprised that I
name is Sidi Nouman, and I inherited a fair es- did not bark, nor bite, nor run away. I did not
tate from my Having the means to sup-
parents. know what She then took up a stick and
to do.
port a wife, I married when quite young a woman beat me, and half opened the door, with the in-
named Amine. The first time I saw my wife tention, I believe, of crushing me against the door-
without her veil was according to our custom, after post as I ran out. I fortunately escaped without
our marriage, and I was rejoiced to find that I further injury than the loss of a part of my tail.
had not been deceived in the account which I had The pain I felt made me cry and howl, as I ran
heard of her beauty. I was, on the contrarj^ very along the street. This occasioned other dogs to
much pleased with her. The day after our mar- run after and worry me. To avoid their pursuit,
riage we had a dinner of several dishes, but of none I ran into the shop of a man who dressed and sold
would she partake, save of a little rice, which she sheeps' heads, tongues, and feet and there I ;
ate grain by grain, conveying them to her mouth got shelter. I soon saw a great many dogs of the
with a silver bodkin. The same thing happened neighborhood, drawn thither by the smell of the
again at supper. The next day, and every time meat, collected round the shop of my host, wait-
ing till he threw them something ; these I joined, were born a man, resume the figure of a man, by
and so got something to eat. The next day I found virtue of this water." At that moment the en-
shelter with a baker, who treated me kindly. chantment was broken I lost the form of a dog,
;
Here I stayed some months. One day, as a woman and saw myself once more a man. I immediately
was buying some bread, she gave some bad money expressed my deep gratitude to this fair lady, and
to my master. He asked her to change it for an- told her by what means I lost my human shape.
other piece. The woman refused, and maintained " Sidi Nouraan," said the young woman, " I try to
it was good money. The baker asserted the con- do all the good I can with the knowledge of
trary, and said, " The piece of money is so bad, magic which I possess I will yet further help
;
that I am sure my dog would distinguish it. Come you. Return to your home and when you see :
here," said he, calling me, and throwing down the Amine, your wife, in the first moment of her as-
pieces of monej'. " See if there is a bad piece of tonishment at the sight of you, throw over her
money among these." I looked over all the pieces, some of this water, which I now give you, pro-
and putting my foot upon the bad one, I sepa- nouncing these words, —
Receive the just reward
'
rated it fi'om the rest, looking in my master's face, of thy cruelty.' " I did exactly according to the
as if to show it him. direction given me ; and on ray saying the ap-
The baker was extremely surprised,and when pointed words, my wife was turned into the mare
the woman was gone told his neighbors what had on which I rode yesterday. I punish her very
happened. They quickly came to test my talent, often in the way you saw, to make her sensible of
and I never failed to pick out from the silver or the cruelty of which she was guilty. I have thus,
gold pieces those which were bad, and to separate according to your command, related my history.
them with my foot. The report of me procured " Your wife's conduct deserves punishment, but
my master so much custom, he could scarcely get Iwould have you henceforth forego the chastise-
through it. One day a woman came to buy bread, ment which I have witnessed. The degradation
and to test my knowledge put down six pieces of to her present state is a sufficient retribution. I
good and six pieces of bad money, and told me to would even wish you to seek the disenchantment of
separate them I did so with my foot.
; On her Amine, if you could be sm-e that she would forego
leaving the shop she made me a sign to follow her, her cruelties, and cease to use magical arts."
which I understood and obeyed. The caliph then turned to Cogia Hassan, and
I followed her at a distance, and reached her as demanded of him a narrative of his good fortune.
she stopped at her house. I entered with her, and
she presented me to her daughter. " Daughter," HISTOKY OF COGIA HASSAN ALHABBAL.
she said, " I have brought you the baker's famous Commander of the Faithful, my name is Has-
dog,who so well knows how to distinguish false san, but from my trade I am commonly known by
money from good. On the first report that was the name ofHassan Alhabbal. I owe the good
know I told you my idea of
spread about him, you fortune I now enjoy to two dear friends, whose
his being a man, changed into a dog by some names are Saad and Saadi. Saadi is very rich.
wicked enchantment. What say you, am I de- — He ever maintained the opinion that wealth was
ceived, in my conjecture ? "
are not de- " You essential to happiness, as without it no one could
ceived mother," replied the daughter, " as I shall be independent. He declared further his belief
soon convince you." that poverty is in most cases owing to a want of
The young lady rose from her seat, took a vessel suflicient money to commence with and if a man ;
full of water, into which she dipped her hand, and once had enough to start with, and made a right
throwing some of the water on me, she said "If : use of it, he would, in time, infallibly grow rich.
you were born a dog, remain a dog but if you ; Saad disputed the truth of these sentiments. He
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAEOUN AL-RASCHID. 261
maintained that a poor man may become rich by up in the folds of the linen which went about my
other means as well as money, and that some have cap. Out of my ten pieces I bought a good stock
become rich by mere chance, as others have done ofhemp, and afterwards, as my family had eaten
by the possession of sufficient money to commence no meat a long time, I purchased some for sup-
vrith. per.
Saadi replied :
" Well, we will not dispute any As I was carrying the meat home, a famished
more, but test our different theories by an experi- vulture flew upon me, and would have taken it
ment. I will give a sufficient sum of money to away, if I had not held it very fast but the faster ;
some honest but poor artisan, and see if he does I held my meat, the more the bird struggled to
not obtain with wealth and ease. If I fail, then
it get it, till unfortunately in my efforts my turban
you yon can succeed better by the
shall try if fell on the ground.
means you may employ." The vulture immediately go his hold of the
let
Some few days after this dispute, Saad and meat, but seizing my turban, flewaway with it.
Saadi passed by my house as I was engaged in my I cried out so loud that I alarmed all the men,
trade of rope-making. They expressed their sur- women, and children in the neighborhood, who
prise that, with all my industry, I could not con- joined their shouts and cries to make the vulture
trive to extend my trade and gradually to save quit his hold ; but our cries did not avail, he car-
money. I told them that, work as hard as I ried off my turban, and we soon lost sight of
would, I could with difficulty keep my wife and him.
five children (none of whom could render me the I went home very melancholy at the loss of my
least help) with rice and pulse, and that I could money. I was obliged to buy a new turban, which
not find money for the first outlay of hemp and diminished the small remainder of the ten pieces.
materials. After some further conversation, Saadi The little that was left was not sufficient to give
pulled a purse out of his bosom, and putting it me any hope of improving my condition, but I
into my hands, said :
" Here, take this purse ; it most regretted the disappointment I should occa-
contains two hundred pieces of gold : God bless sion ray benefactor.
you and give you grace to make the good use of While the remainder of the ten pieces lasted,
them I desire and, believe me, my friend Saad
; my little family and I lived better than usual
and I shall both have great pleasure if they con- but I soon relapsed into the same poverty, and the
tribute towards making you more prosj)erous than same inability to extricate myself from wretched-
you now are." ness. However, I never murmured nor repined ;
Commander of the Faithful, continued Hassan, "God," said I, "was pleased to give me riches
when I had got the purse my joy was so great when I least expected them He has thought fit
;
that myspeech failed me, and I could only thank to take them from me again almost at the same
my benefactor by laying hold of the hem of his time, because it so pleased Him, and they were at
garment and kissing it but he drew it from me ; his disposal yet I will praise his name for all the
;
hastily, and he and his friend pursued their walk. benefits I have received, as it was his good pleas-
As soon as they were gone, I returned to my ure, and submit myself, as I have ever done hith-
work, and my first thought was, what I should do erto, to his will."
with my purse to keep it safe. I had in my poor These were my sentiments, while my wife, from
house neither box nor cupboard to lock it up, nor whom I could not keep secret the loss I had sus-
any other place where I could be sure it would tained, was inconsolable. In my trouble I had
not be discovered if I concealed it. told my neighbors that when I lost my turban
In this perplexity, I laid aside ten pieces of I lost a hundred and ninety pieces of gold ; but
gold for present necessaries, and wrapped the rest as they knew my poverty, and could not compre-
hend how I should have got so great a sum by my wife came home soon after, and as I had but little
work, they only laughed at me. hemp in the house, I told her I should go out to
About six months after this misfortune, the two buy some, without saying anything to her about
friends, walking through that part of the town the second present from Saadi.
where I lived, called to inquire after me. " Well," While I was absent, a sandman, who sells wash-
said Saad, " we do not ask you how affairs go since ing-balls, which women use in the baths, passed
we saw you last ; without doubt they are in a bet- through our street. My wife, who had no money,
ter train." asked him if he would exchange his washing-balls
" Gentlemen," replied I, " I deeply grieve to for some bran. The sandman consented to do so
tell you that your good wishes, and my hopes, and the bargain was made.
have not had the success you had reason to ex- Not long after, I came home with as much
pect, and I had promised myself. You will hemp as I could carry, and followed by five por-
scarcely believe the extraordinary adventure that ters loaded also with hemp. After I had satisfied
has befallen me, when I tell you, on the word of them for their trouble, I looked about me, and
an honest man, that a vulture flew away with my could not see the pot of bran. I asked my wife,
turban, in which for safety I had wrapped my in great trepidation, what was become of it when ;
money." she told me the bargain she had made with the
Saadi rejected my assertion, and said " Has- : sandman.
san, you joke, and would deceive me. What have " Ah, unfortunate woman " cried I, " yovi
!
vultures to do with turbans they only search for ; know not what you have done. You thought you
something to satisfy their hunger ? " " Sir," I re- only sold the bran, but with the bran you have
plied, " the thing is so publicly known in this part given the sandman a hundred and ninety pieces of
of the town, that there is nobody but can satisfy gold, which Saadi this day made me a second
you of the truth of my assertions." Saad took present of."
my part, and told Saadi a great many as surpris- My wife was like one distracted when she knew
ing stories of vultures, some of which he affirmed what she bad done. She cried, beat her breast,
he knew to be true ; who, after bidding me be and tore her hair and clothes. " Unhappy woman
more careful, at last pulled his purse out of his that I am," cried she, " where shall I find this
vestband, and counted out two hundred pieces of sandman ? I know him not, —
I never saw him
gold into my hand, which put into my bosom
I before. Oh, husband," added she, " you were much
for want of a purse. him that the obliga-
I told to blame in not communicating the secret to me."
tion of this his second kindness was much greater " Wife," said I, " moderate your grief ; by your
than I deserved, after what had happened, and cries jôu will alarm the neighbors, and they will
that I should be sure to make good use of his ad- only laugh at, We had
instead of pitying us.
vice. would have said a great deal more, but he
I best bear our and submit ourselves
loss patiently,
did not give me time, for he went away, and con- to the will of God. It is true we live but poorly
tinued his walk with his friend. but what have the rich which we have not ? Do
As soon as they were gone, I left off work, and not we breathe the same air, enjoy the same light,
went home, but finding neither my wife nor chil- and the same warmth of the sun? Therefore
dren within, I pulled out my money, put ten pieces what conveniences have they more than we, that
on one side for present use, and wrapped u.p the we should envy their happiness ? They die as
rest in a clean linen cloth, tying it fast with a knot, well as we. In short, while we live in the fear of
and placing it for safety in an earthen vessel full God, as we should always do, the advantage they
of bran, which stood in a corner, which I imagined have over us is so very inconsiderable that we
neither my wife nor children would look into. My ought not to covet it."
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASOHW. 263
My wife and I comforted ourselves with these four hundred pieces of gold." Saad had a piece
reflections, and I pursued my trade with as much of lead in his which he showed Saadi.
hand,
alacrityas before these two mortifying losses " You saw me," said he, " take up this piece of
which followed one another so quickly. The only lead, which I found on the ground I will give it ;
thing that troubled me sometimes was, how I Hassan, and you shall see what it comes to be
should look Saadi in the face when he should worth."
come and ask me how I had improved his two Saadi burst out a laughing at Saad. " What is
hundred pieces of gold. that bit of lead worth ? " said he ; "a farthing !
After some time, Saad and Saadi again called to What can Hassan do with that ? " Saad presented
inquire of my progress. Each still entertained it to me, and said " Take it, Hassan
: let Saadi ;
their former differing opinons as to the result of laugh, you will tell us some news of the good
Saadi's repeated liberality. I saw them at a dis- luck it has brought you one time or another." I
tance, but made
had not seen them. I ap-
as if I thought Saad was in jest, and had a mind to
plied very earnestly to my work, and never lifted divert himself; however, I took the lead, and
up my eyes till they were close to me, and had thanked him. The two friends pursued their
saluted me. I told them at once my last misfort- walk, and I fell to work again.
une, and that I was as poor as when they first saw At night, when I pulled off my clothes to go to
me. After that, I said " Could I guess that a
: bed, the piece of lead, which I had never thought
sandman would come by that very day, and my of from the time he gave it me, tumbled out of my
wife give him in exchange a pot of bran which had pocket. I took it on the place that
up, and laid it
stood there for many years ? " You may indeed was nearest me. The same night it happened that
allege that I ought to have told my wife of it ; but a fisherman, a neighbor, mending his nets, found
I will never believe that such prudent persons, as I a piece of lead wanting; and it being too late
am persuaded you are, would have given me that to buy any, as the shops were shut, and he must
advice and if I had put my money anywhere else,
; either fish that night, or his family go without
what certainty could I have had that it would be bread the next day, he called to his wife and bade
more secure ? " her inquire among the neighbors for a piece. She
" I see, sir," said I, addressing mj'self to Saadi, went from door to door on both sides of the street,
" that it has pleased God, whose ways are secret but could not get any, and returned to tell her
and impenetrable, that I should not be enriched by husband her ill success. He asked if she had
your liberality, but that I must remain poor been to several of their neighbors, naming them,
however, the obligation is the same as if it had and, among the rest, my house. " No, indeed,"
wrought the desired effect." said the wife, "I have not been there ; I know by
After these words I was silent and Saadi re- ; experience they never have anything when one
plied " I do not regret the four hundred pieces
: wants it." "No matter," said the fisherman,
of gold I gave you to raise you in the world. I " you must go there for though you have been
;
did it in duty to God, without expecting any rec- there a hundred times before without getting any-
ompense but the pleasure of doing good, and for thing, you may chance to obtain what we want
the sake of an experiment I wished to make." now."
Then turning about to his friend, " Saad," con- The fisherman's wife came and knocked at my
tinued he, " you may now make your experiment, door. I asked her what she wanted ? " Hassan,"
and let me see that there are ways, besides giving said she, " my
husband wants a bit of lead to load
money, to make a poor man's fortune. Let Has- his nets withand if you have a piece, desires
;
san be the man. I dare say, whatever you may you to give it him."
give him he will not be richer than he was with The piece of lead which Saad had given me was
so fresh in my memory, that I could not forget it. enough to boil it." " That is your business," an-
I told my neighbor I had some ; and if she would swered I. " Dress you
it as will, I shall like it
stay a moment my wife should give it to her. either way." I then went to my work again.
Accordingly my wife, who was wakened by the In gutting the fish, my wife found a hard, clear
noise as well as myself, got up, and groping about substance which she took for a piece of glass. She
where I directed her, found the lead, opened the gave it to the youngest of our children for a play-
door, and gave it to the fisherman's wife, who was thing,and his brothers and sisters handed it about
so overjoyed that she promised my wife, that, in from one to another, to admire its brightness and
return for the kindness she did her and her hus- beauty.
band, she would answer for him we should have the At night when the lamp was lighted, and the
first cast of the nets. children were still playing with the clear substance
The fisherman was so much rejoiced to see the taken from the fish, they perceived that it gave a
lead,which he so little expected, that he much light when my wife, who was them their
getting
approved his wife's promise. He finished mend- supper, stood between them and the lamp, upon
ing his nets, and went a-fishing two hours before which they snatched it from one another to try it;
day, according to custom. At the first flirow he and the younger children fell a-crying, that the
caught but one fish, about a yard long, and pro- elder would not let them have it long enough in
portionable in thickness ; but afterwards had a the dark.
great many successful casts. I know what was the
then called to the eldest, to
When the fisherman had done fishing, he went matter, who me
was about a piece of glass,
told it
home, where his first care was to think of me. I which gave a light. Upon hearing this, I bade
was extremely surprised, when at my work, to see my wife put out the lamp, and we found that the
him come to me with a large fish in his hand. piece of glass gave so great a light, that we might
" Neighbor," said he, " my wife promised you last see to go to bed without the lamp. I placed
night, in return for your kindness, whatever fish the bit of glass upon the chimney to light us.
I should catch at my first thi-ow ; and I approved " Look," said I, " this is a great advantage that
her promise. It pleased me no God to send Saad's piece of lead procures us ; it will spare us
more than this one for you, which, such as it is, I the expense of oil."
desire you to accept. Had He sent me my net When the children saw the lamp was put out,
full, they should all have been youi-s." and the bit of glass supplied the place, they cried
" Neighbor," said I, " the bit of lead which I out so loud, and made so great a noise from aston-
sent you was such a trifle, that it ought not to be ishment, that italarmed the neighboi'hood.
valued at so high a rate ; neighbors should assist Now thei-e was but a very slight partition-wall
each other in their little wants. I have done no between my house and my next neighbor's, who
more for you than I should have expected from was a very rich Jew and a jeweler; and the cham-
you had I been in your situation therefore I would ; ber that he and his wife lay in joined to ours.
refuse your present, if I were not persuaded you They were both in bed, and the noise my children
gave it me freely, and that I should offend you made awakened them.
and since you will have it so, I take it, and return The next morning the jeweler's wife came to
you my hearty thanks." mine, to complain of being disturbed out of their
After these civilities, I took the fish, and carried first sleep." Good neighbor Rachel " (which was
it home to my wife. My wife was much startled the Jew's wife's name), said my wife, " I am very
to see so large a fish. " What would you have me sorry for what happened, and hope you will ex-
do with it ? " said she. " Our gridiron is only fit cuse it, you know the children will laugh and cry
to broil small fish ; and we have not a pot big for a trifle. See here it was ; this piece of glass
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AI^RASCHID. 265
which I took out of the fish that caused all the offering it." At this new advance, I told her I
noise." would have a hundred thousand pieces of gold for
" Indeed, Ayesha " (which was my wife's name), it that I saw plainly that the diamond, for such
;
said the jewelei-'s wife, "I believe as you do it I now guessed it must be, was worth a great deal
is a piece of glass but as it is more beautiful
; more but to oblige her and her husband, as they
;
than common glass, and I have just such another were neighbors, I would limit myself to that price,
piece at home, I will buy it, if you will sell it." which I was determined to have and if they re- ;
The children, who heard them talking of sell- fused to give it, other jewelers should have it,
ing their plaything, presently interrupted their who would give a great deal more.
conversation, crying and begging their mother not The Jewess confirmed me in this resolution, by
to part with it, who, to quiet them, promised she her eagerness to conclude a bargain, and by com-
would not. ing up at several biddings to fifty thousand pieces
The Jewess being thus prevented from obtain- of gold, which I refused. " I can offer you no
ing the supposed piece of glass by my children, more," said she, " without my husband's consent.
went away ; but first whispered to my wife, who He be at home at night, and I would beg the
will
if she had a mind to sell

followed her to the door, favor of you to let him see it " which I prom- ;
it, not to show anybody without acquainting

it to ised.
her. Rachel could not rest satisfied till she had At night the Jew himself came home. " Neigh-
made her husband acquainted with what she had bor Hassan," said he, " I desire you would show
seen in my house, and immediately went to his me the diamond your wife showed to mine." I
stall in the bezetzein to acquaint the Jew with her brought him in, and showed it to him. He looked
discovery. On her return home, she came again at and admired it a long time. "Well, neighbor,"
privately, and asked her if she would take twenty said he, " my wife tells me she offered you fifty
pieces of gold for the piece of glass she had shown thousand pieces of gold ; I will give you twenty
her. thousand more."
My wife, thinking the suni too considerable for '' Neighbor," said I, " your wife can tell you
a mere piece of glass as she had thought it, would that I value my diamond at a hundred thousand
not make any bargain ; but told her she could not pieces, and I will take nothing less." He haggled
part with it till she had spoken to me. In the a long time with me, in hopes that I would make
mean time I came from my work to dinner. As some abatement ; but finding that I was positive,
they were talking at the door, my wife stopped and for fear that I should show it to other jew-
me, and asked if I would sell the piece of glass elers, he at last concluded the bargain on my own
she had found in the fish's belly for twenty pieces terms, and fetched two bags of a thousand pieces
of gold which our neighbor offered her. I i-e- each, as an earnest. The next day he brought me
turned no answer; but called to mind the confi- the sum we had agreed for at the time appointed,
dence with which Saad, in giving me the piece of and I delivered to him the diamond.
lead, told me it would make my fortune. The Having thus sold my diamond, and being rich
Jewess, fancying that the low price she had offered infinitely beyond my hopes, I thanked God for his
was the reason I made no reply, said, " I will give bounty ; and would have gone and thrown mj'self
you fifty, neighbor, if that will do." at Saad's feet to express my gratitude, if I had
As soon as I found that she rose so suddenly known where he lived ; as also at Saadi's, to whom
from twenty to fifty, I told her that I expected a I was first obliged, though his good intention had
great deal more. " Well, neighbor," said she, " I not the same success.
you a hundred, and that is so much I
will give Afterwards I thought of the use I ought to
know not whether my husband will approve my make of so considerable a sum. My wife proposed
u
immediately to buy rich clothes for herself and in the place of honor, and I seated myself opposite
children ; to purchase a house and furnish it hand- to them.
somely. I told her we ought not to begin with Then Saadi, addressing himself to me, said
such expenses ;
" for," said
I, " money should only " Cogia Hassan, I cannot express my joy to see
it may produce a fund from which
be spent so that you. I am persuaded that those four hundred
we may draw without its failing. This I intend, pieces I gave you have made this wonderful change
and shall begin to-morrow." in your fortune."
I spent all that day and the next in going to Saad did not at all agree with this speech of
the people of my own
trade, who worked as hard Saadi's. When he had done, he said to him :
every day for their bread as I had done; and " Saadi, I am vexed that jôu still persist in not
giving them money beforehand, engaged them to believing the statements Hassan has already made
work for me in different sorts of rope-making, ac- you. I believe those two accidents which befell
cording to their skill and ability, with a promise him are true but let him speak himself, and say
;
not to make them wait for their money, but to to which of us he most owes his present good fort-
pay them as soon as their work was done. une."
By thismeans I engrossed almost all the busi- After this discourse of the two friends, I said,
ness of Bagdad and everybody was pleased with addressing myself to them both, " Gentlemen, I
my exactness and punctual payment. Mall declare to you the whole truth with the same
As so great a number of workmen produced a sincerity as before." I then told them every cir-
large quantity of work, I hired warehouses in cumstance of the history which I have now related
several parts of the town to hold my goods, and to you. Commander of the Faithful.
appointed over each a clerk, to sell both wholesale All my had no effect on Saadi,
protestations
and and by this economy received consider-
retail, " Cogia Hassan," replied he, " the adventure of
able profit and income. Afterwards, to concen- the fish and of the diamond found in his stomach
trate my business, I bought ground, and built the appears to me as incredible as the vulture's flying
house you saw yesterday, which, though it makes away with your turban, and the exchange made
so great an appearance, consists, for the most part, by your wife with the sandman. Be it as it may,
of warehouses for my business, with apartments I am equalljr convinced that you are no longer
for myself and family. poor, but rich, as I intended you should be bymy.
Some time after I had removed to this house, means and I rejoice sincerely."
;
Saad and Saadi, who had scarcely thought of me As it grew late, they arose to depart when I ;
from the last time they had been with me, called stopped them, and said " There is one favor I
:
on me in my former habitation, and learnt, to their have to ask. I beg of you to stay with me to-
great surprise, that I was become a great manu- night, and to-morrow I will carry you by water
facturer, and was no longer called plain Hassan, to a small country-house, which I have bought,
but Cogia Hassan Alhabbal. and we will return in the evening."
They immediately set out to visit me in my new " If Saad has no business that calls him else
abode. I saw my two friends as they approached where," said Saadi, "I consent." Saad told him
my gate. I rose from my seat, ran to them, and that nothing should prevent him enjoying his
would have kissed the hem of their garments company.
but they would not suffer it, and embraced me. While supper was being prepared, I showed my
I assured them I had not forgotten that I was poor benefactors my house and all my offices. I call
Hassan the rope-maker, nor the obligations I had them both benefactors, without distinction be- ;
to them but were this not the case, I knew the

; cause without Saadi, Saad would never have given
respect due to them, and begged them to sit down me the piece of lead ; and without Saad, Saadi
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AI^RASCHID. 267
would not have given me the four hundred pieces so uncommon, he gave it to the eldest boy to
of gold. Then I brought them back again into bring to me.
the hall, where they asked me several questions The two friends and I were very much surprised
about my concerns and I gave them such an-
; at the novelty ; but I much more, when I recognized
swers as satisfied them. the turban to be that which the vulture had flown
During this conversation, my
came toservants away with. After I had examined it well, and
tell me that supper was served up. I led them turned it about, I said to my guests :
" Gentle-
into another hall, where they admired the manner men, can you remember the turban I had on the
"
in which it was lighted, the fui'niture, and the day j'ou did me the honor first to speak to me ?
entertainment I had provided. I regaled them " I do not think," said Saad, " that either my
also with a concert of vocal and instrumental friend or I gave any attention to it but if the ;
music during the repast, and afterwards with a hundred and ninety pieces of gold are in it, we can-
company of dancers, and other entertainments, not doubt of it."
endeavoring as much as possible to show them " Sir," replied I, " there is no doubt but it is the
my gratitude. same turban for, besides that I know it perfectly
;
The next morning, we had agreed to

as set out well, I feel by the weight it is too heavy to be any
early to enjoy the fresh air, we repaired to the other, and you will perceive this if you give your-
river-side by and went on board a pleas-
sunrise, self the trouble to take it in your hand." Then
ure-boat, well carpeted, that waited for us and ; after taking out the young birds, I put it into his
in less than an hour and a half, with six good hands, and he gave it to Saadi.
rowers and the stream, we arrived at my country- " Now, sir," added I, taking the turban again,
house. " observe well before I unwrap it, that it is of no
Afterwards we walked in the gardens, where very fresh date in the tree and the state in which
;
was a grove of orange and lemon-trees, loaded you see it, and the nest so neatly made in it, are
with fruit and flowers, which were planted at sufficient proofs that the vulture di'opped or laid it
equal distances, and watered by channels cut in the treeupon the day it was seized."
from a neighboring stream. The pleasant shade, While was speaking, I pulled off the linen
I
the fragrant smell which perfumed the air, the cloth which was wrapped about the cap of the tur-
soft murmurings of the water, the harmonious ban, and took out the purse, which Saadi knew to
notes of an infinite number of birds, were so be the same he had given me. I emptied it before
delightful, that they frequently stopped to express them, and said, " There, gentlemen, there is the
how much they were obliged to me for bringing money count it, and see if it be right " which
; ;
them to so exquisite a place, and to offer me their Saad did, and found it to be one hundred and
congi-atulations. I led them to the end of the ninety pieces of gold. Then Saadi, who could not
grove, which was very long and broad, where I deny so manifest a truth, addressing himself to
showed them a wood of large trees, which termi- me, said " I agree, Cogia Hassan, that this money
:
natedmy garden. could not serve to enrich you, but the other hun-
Two of my boys, whom had sent into the covui-
I dred and ninety pieces, which you would make be-
try, with a tutor, for the
air, had gone just then lieve you hid in a pot of bran, might." " Sir,"
into the wood and seeing a nest, which was built
;
"
answered I, I have told you the truth in regard
in the branches of a lofty tree, they bade a slave to both sums, and I shall hope yet to prove it to
climb the tree for it. The slave, when he came to your satisfaction."
to it, was much surprised to find it composed of a After this we returned, and entered the house,
turban. He took it, brought it down, and as he just as dinner was being served. After dinner I
thought that I might like to see a nest that was left my guests to take their siesta during the heat
268 TALES FROM THE ARABIA!^ NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS.
of the day, while I went to give orders to my also and next day, after embracing me, returned
;
gardener. Afterwards I returned to them again, home. I thanked them both, and regarded the
and we talked of indifferent matters till it grew a permission they gave me to cultivate their friend-
little cooler ; when we returned into the garden ship, and to visit them, as a great honor.
for fresh air, and stayed till sunset. We then The caliph, at the conclusion of this story, said ;
mounted our horses, and after a ride of two hours " Cogia Hassan, I have not for a long time heard
reached Bagdad by moonlight. anything that has given me so much pleasure, as
It happened, by some negligence of my grooms, having been informed of the wonderful ways by
that we were then out of grain for the horses, and which God gave thee thy riches. Thou oughtest
the storehouses were all shut up when one of my ; to continue to Him thanks, and to use
return
slaves, seeking about the neighborhood, met with well his blessings. That same diamond which
a pot of bran in a shop bought the bran, and
; made thy fortune is now in my treasury and I ;
brought the pot along with him, promising to am happy to learn how it came there but because
;
carry it back again the next day. The slave emp- there may remain in Saadi some doubts on the
tied the bran, and dividing it among the horses, singularity of this diamond, which I esteem the
felt a linen cloth tied up, and very heavy ; he most precious and valuable jewel I possess, I would
brought the cloth to me in the condition that he have you carry him and Saad to my treasurer, who
found and presented it to me. I at once knew
it, will show it them."
what was, and said to my two benefactors
it After these words, the caliph signified to Cogia
" Gentlemen, it has pleased God that you should Hassan, Sidi Nouman, and Baba Abdalla, by a
not part from me without being fully convinced of bow of his head, that he was satisfied with them;
the truth of what I have assured you. There are they all prostrated themselves at the throne, and
the other hundred and ninety pieces of gold which retired.
you gave me," continued I, addressing myself to
Saadi " I know it well by the cloth, which I tied
;
THE STORY OF ABOU HASSAN ; OR, THE SLEEPER
up with my own hands " and then I told out the
;
AWAKENED.
money before them. I ordered the pot to be In the reign of the Caliph Haronn Al-Raschid,
brought to me, knew it to be the same and sent ; there lived at Bagdad a very rich merchant. He
to my wife to ask if she recognized it. She sent had one only child, a son, whom he named Abou
me word that it was the same pot she had ex- Hassan, and whom he educated with great strict-
changed full of bran for the scouring-earth. ness. When his son was thirty years old, he be-
Saadi readily submitted, renounced his incredu- came his father's sole heir and the owner of im-
lity,and said to Saad, " I yield to you, and ac- mense wealth, amassed together by the paternal
knowledge that money is not always the means of frugality and application.
becoming rich." Abou Hassan, whose views and inclinations were
When Saadi had spoken, I said to him " I dare : very different from those of his father, determined
not propose to return you the three hundred and to make another use of his Avealth. His father
eight}'' pieces of gold which it hath pleased God had never allowed him any money but what was
should be found, to undeceive you as to the opin- just necessary for subsistence, and as he had al-
ion of my honestj'. I am persuaded that you did ways envied his rich companions, who wanted for
not give them to me with an intention that I should nothing, and who debarred themselves from none
return them and if you approve of my proposal,
;
of those pleasures to which their wealth entitled
to-morrow I will give them to the pool", that God them, he resolved to distinguish himself by ex-
may bless us both." travagances proportionable to his fortune. To
The two friends lay at my house that night this end he divided his riches into two parts ; with
one half he bought houses in the city and farms of light. A poor man is looked upon, both by
in the country, with a resokxtion never to touch friends and You know,
relations, as a stranger.
the income arising from them, which was very mother, have treated my friends for this
how I
large, but to lay it all by as he received it. With year past, and now they have left me when they
the other half, which consisted of ready money, suppose I can treat them no longer. Bismillah !
he designed to make himself amends for the time praise be to God I have yet my lands and farms,
!
he had lost by the severe restraint in which his and I shall now know how to use what is left.
father had always kept him. But I am resolved to try how far my friends, who
With Abou Hassan made the ac-
this intent, deserve not that I should call them so, will carry
quaintance of wealthy youths of his own age and their ingratitude. I will go to them one after an-
rank, who thought of nothing but how to make other, and when I have represented to tliem what
their time pass agreeably. Every day he gave I have done on their account, ask them to make
them splendid entertainments, at which the most up a sum of money to relieve me, merelj^ to try
delicate viands were served up, and the most ex- if I can find any sentiment of gratitude remaining
quisite wines flowed in profusion, while concerts in them." Abou Hassan went immediately to his
of the best vocal and instrumental music by per- friends, whom he found at home represented to ;
formers of both sexes heightened their pleasures. them the great need he was in, and begged of
These entertainments, renewed every day, were them to assist him. He promised to give bonds
so expensive toAbou Hassan, that he could not to pay them the money they might lend him ;
support the extravagance above one year. As giving them to understand at the same time, that
soon as he discontinued his feasts, and pleaded it was in a great measure on their account that he
poverty as the excuse, his friends forsook him ;

was so distressed. That he might the more power-
whenever they saw him they avoided him, and if fully excite their generosity, he forgot not to al-
by chance he met any of them, and tried to stop lure them with the hopes of being once again en-
them, they always excused themselves on some tertained in the same manner as before.
pretense or other. Not one of his companions was affected with
Abou Hassan was more affected by this be- the arguments which the afflicted Abou Hassan
who had forsaken him
havior of his friends so used to persuade them and he had the mortifica-
;
basely and ungratefully, after all the protestations tion to find that many of them told him plainly
they had made him of inviolable attachment, they did not know him.
than by the loss of the money he had so foolishly He returned home full of indignation ; and
squandered. He went melancholy and thought- going into his mother's apartment, said :
" Ah !
ful into his mother's apartment, and sat down on madam, I have found none of my late compan-
the end of a sofa at a distance from her. " What ions who deserve my friendship ; I renounce them,
is the matter with you, son ? " said his mother, and promise you I will never see them more."
seeing him thus depressed. " Why are you so de- He resolved to be as good as his word, taking an
jected? You
could not certainly be more con- oath never to give an inhabitant of Bagdad any
cerned, ifyou had lost all you had. You have entertainment while he lived. He further vowed
still, however, a good estate. I do not, therefore, that he would not put in his purse more money
see why you should plunge yourself into this than was sufficient to ask a single person to sup
deep melancholy." with him, who, according to the oath he had
At these words Abou Hassan melted into tears ;
taken, was not of Bagdad, but a stranger arrived
and in the midst of his sighs exclaimed " Ah : in the city the same day, and who must take his
mother, how insupportable poverty must be ; it leave of him the following morning.
deprives us of joy, as the setting of the sun does Conformably to this plan, Abou Hassan took
care every morning to provide whatever was nec- the fatigue of your journey " he then told him ;
essary for a repast for two persons, and towards his custom of entertaining the first stranger he
the close of the evening went and sat at the end of met with. The calipli found something so odd
Bagdad bridge and as soon as he saw a stranger,
; and singular in Abou Hassan's whim, that he was
accosted him civilly, invited him to sup and lodge very desirous to know the cause and told him ;
with him that night and after having informed ; that he could not better merit a civility, which
him of the law he had imposed upon himself, con- he did not expect as a stranger, than by accept-
ducted him to his house. The supper to which made him that he had only
ing the obliging offer :
Abou Hassan invited his guests was not costly, way, and he was ready to follow him.
to lead the
but well dressed, with plenty of good wine, and Abou Hassan treated the caliph as his equal,
generally lasted till the night was pretty far ad- conducted him home, and led him into a room
vanced : instead of entertaining his guests with very neatly furnished, where he set him on a sofa,
the affairs of state, his family, or business, as is in the most honorable place. Supper was ready,
too frequent, he conversed on general subjects. and the cloth laid.
He was naturally of a gay and pleasant temper, Abou Hassan sat down opposite his guest, and
and made the most melancholy persons merry. he and the caliph began to eat heartily of what
When he sent away his guest the next morning, they liked best, without speaking or drinking,
he always said " God preserve you from all sor-
: according to the custom of the country. When
row wherever you go when I invited you yestei'-; they had done eating, the caliph's slave brought
day to come and sup with me, I informed you of them water to wash their hands and in the mean ;
the law I have imposed on myself therefore do ; time Abou Hassan's mother cleared the table, and
not take it ill if I tell you that we must never see bi'ought up a dessert of all the various sorts of
one another again, nor drink together, either at fruits then in season, — as grapes, peaches, ap-
home or anywhere else, for reasons best known to ples, pears,and various pastes of dried almonds,
myself so God conduct you."
; etc. As soon as it grew dark, wax-candles were
Abou Hassan was very exact in the observance lighted, and Abou Hassan, after requesting his
and never looked upon or spoke to the
of this oath, mother to take care of the caliph's slave, set down
strangers he had once entertained. If he met bottles and glasses.
them afterwards in the streets, the squares, or Abou Hassan filled a glass of wine, and holding
any public assemblies, he turned away to avoid it in his hand, said to the caliph, " Now, taste this
them, that they might not speak to him, or he wine, sir ; I will warrant you find it good." " I
have any communication with them. He had am well persuaded of that," replied the caliph,
acted for a long time in this manner, when, one laughing " you know how to choose the best."
;
afternoon, a little before sunset, as he sat upon " Oh " replied Abou Hassan, " one need only
!
the bridge according to custom, the Caliph Ha- look in your face to be assured that you have
roun Al-Raschid came by, but so disguised that seen the world, and know what good living is.
it was impossible to know him; he was dressed If," added he in Arabic verse, "my house could
like a merchant of Moussul, and was followed by think and express its joy, how happy would it
a tall stout slave. be to possess you, and bowing before you, would
Abou Hassan, who was looking out for a guest, exclaim, ' How overjoyed am I to see mj'self hon-
rose up as he approached, and, after having saluted ored with the company of so accomplished and
him with a graceful air, said to him, " Sir, I con- polite a personage, and for meeting with a man
! "
gratulate you on your happy arrival in Bagdad of your merit '
I beg you to do me the honor to sup with me, and The caliph and Abou Hassan remained together,
repose yourself at my house for this night, after drinking and talking of indifferent subjects, till
the night was pretty far advanced, when the cahph when you come to audience, at seeing this man
said, — "I begyou to let me understand how I
of seated* on my throne in the royal robes ; accost
may serve you, and you shall see I will not be him with the same reverence and respect as you
ungrateful. Speak freely and open your mind, pay to myself; observe and punctually execute
for though I am but a merchant, it may be in my whatever he bids you do, the same as if I com-
power to oblige you myself, or by some friend." manded you. He will exercise great liberality,
To these offers Abou Hassan replied "I can : and commission you with the distribution of it.
only thank you for your obliging offers, and the Do all he commands, even if his liberality should
honor you have done me in partaking of my frugal extend so far as to empty all the coffers in my
fare. Yet I must tell you there is one thing gives treasury and remember to acquaint all my emirs,
;
me uneasiness. The imaun of the mosque situated and officers within the palace, to pay him the
in the district in which I live, is the greatest of same honor at audience as to myself, and to carry
hypocrites. He and four of his friends try to on the matter so well that he may not perceive
lord it over me and the whole neighborhood. I the least thing that may interrupt the diversion
should like to be caliph but for one day, in the which I design Above all, fail not to
myself.
stead of our sovereign lord and master, Haroun awaken me before Abou Hassan, because I wish
Al-Raschid, Commander of the Faithful. I would to be present when he awakes."
punish the imaun and his four friends with a hun- The vizier failed not to do as the caliph had
dred strokes each on the soles of their feet, to commanded, and as soon as the caliph had dressed,
teach them not to disturb and abuse their neigh- he went into the room where Abou Hassan lay,
bors in future." and placed himself in a little raised closet, from
The caliph was extremely pleased with this whence he could see all that passed. All the
thought of Abou Hassan's ; and while Abou Has- officers and ladies who were to attend Abou Has-
san was talking, he took the bottle and two glasses, san's levee went in at the same time, and took
and filling his own first, saying, " Here is a cup their posts according to their rank, ready to acquit
of thanks to you," and then filling the other, put themselves of their respective duties, as if the
into it artfully a little opiate powder which he had caliph himself had been going to rise.
about him, and giving it to Abou Hassan, said, As was just daybreak, and time to prepare
it
" You have taken the pains to fill for me all night, for themorning prayer before sunrise, the officer
and it is the least I can do to save you the trouble who stood nearest to the head of the bed put a
once I beg you to take this glass
; drink it off
; sponge steeped in vinegar to Abou Hassan's nose,
for my sake." who immediately awoke. When Abou Hassan
Abou Hassan took the glass, and to show his opened he saw by the dawning light a
his eyes,
guest with how much pleasure he received the large room, magnificently furnished, with a finely
honor, drank it off at once. Scarcely had he set painted ceiling, adorned with vases of gold and
the glass upon the table, when the powder began silver, and the floor covered with a rich silk
to operate, and he fell into a sound sleep. The tapestry, and many slaves richly clothed, all stand-
caliph commanded the slave who waited for him ing with great modesty and respect. After cast-
to take Abou Hassan and carry him directly to ing his eyes on the covering of the bed, he per-
the palace, and to undress him and put him into ceived it was cloth of gold richly embossed with
his own state bed. This was immediately per- pearl and diamonds ; and near the bed lay, on a
formed. cushion, a habit of tissue embroidered with jewels,
The caliph next sent for the grand vizier. " Gia- with a caliph's turban.
far," said he, " I have sent for you to instruct you, At the sight of this splendor, Abou Hassan was
and to prevent your being surprised to-morrow in the most inexpressible amazement. He looked
upon all he saw as a dream ; yet a dream he a council as usual ; all the great officers of state
wished it not to be. "So," said he to Mmself, wait your presence in the council-hall."
" I am caliph But," added he, recollecting him-
! At Abou Hassan was persuaded
this discourse,
self, "it is only a dream, the effect of the wish I that hewas neither asleep nor in a dream but at ;
entertained my guest with last night ;

" and then the same time was not less embarrassed and con-
he turned himself about and shut his eyes to sleep. fused under his uncertainty what steps to take;
At the same time the at last, looking ear-
vizier said, with a nestly at Mesrour, he
prostration to the said to him in a seri-
ground, — " Co m- ous tone, — " Whom
mander of the Faith- is it you speak to,
ful, it is time for your and call the Com-

majesty to rise to mander of the Faith-
prayers the morning ful ? I do not know
begins to advance." you, and you must
These words very mistake me for some-
much surprised Abou body else."
Hassan. He clapped " My imperial lord
his hands before his and master," said he,
eyes, and lowering his " is not your majesty
head, said to himself the Commander of
" What m e a n s all the Faithful, Mon-
this ? Where am I ? arch of the world
and to whom does this from east to west,
palace belong? What and Vicar on earth
can these viziers, to the Prophet sent
emirs, officers, and of God ? Mesrour
musicians mean? your poor slave has
How is it possible not forgotten y o u,
for me to distinguish after so many years
whether I am in my that he has had the
right senses or in a honor and happiness
"
dream ? to serve and pay his
When he took his respects to your maj-
hands from his ej'es, esty."
opened them, and Abou Hassan burst
lifted up his head, out a-laughing at
the sun .shone full these ~ words, and fell
in at the chamber window ; and at that instant backwards upon the bolster, which pleased the
Mesrour, the chief of the came in, pros-
officers, caliph so much that he would have laughed as
trated himself before Abou Hassan, and said loud himself, if he had not been afraid of putting
" Commander your majesty will
of the Faithful, a stop too soon to the pleasant scene he had prom-
excuse me for representing to you, that you used ised himself.
not to rise so late, and that the time of prayer is Abou Hassan, when he had tired himself with
over. It is time to ascend your throne and hold laughing, sat up again, and suddenly calling the
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASGHID. 273
officer that stood nearest to him, — " Come hither," the grand vizier prostrated himself at the foot of
said he, holding out his hand ;
" bite the end of the throne, and rising, said :
" Commander of the
my finger, that I may feel whether I am asleep or Faithful, God shower down blessings on your maj-
awake." esty in this life, receive you into His paradise in
The slave, who knew the caliph saw all that the other world, and confound your enemies."
passed, and being anxious to please him, went Abou Hassan, after all that had happened that
with a grave countenance, and putting his finger morning, at these words of the grandvizier, never
between his teeth, bit it so hard that he put him doubted but that he was caliph, as he wished to
to great pain. Snatching his hand quickly back be and without examining any farther, how or
;
again, he said, " I find I am awake I feel, and ; by what adventure, or sudden change of fortune,
hear, and see, and thus know that I am not asleep. he had become so, immediately began to exercise
But by what miracle am I become caliph in a his power, and looking very gravely at the vizier,
"
night's time ! asked him what he had to say. " Commander of
Abou Hassan now beginning to rise, the chief the Faithful," replied the grand vizier, " the emirs,
of the officers offered him
and helped
his hand, viziers, and other officers of your council wait
him to get out of bed. No sooner were his feet without your majesty gives them leave to pay
till
set on the floor, than the chamber rang with the re- their accustomed respects." Abou Hassan or-
peated salutations of those present, who cried out dered the door to be opened, on which the viziers,
all together, " Commander of the Faithful, God emirs, and principal officers of the court, all dressed
give your majesty a good day." " O Heaven " ! magnificently in their habits of ceremony, went
cried Abou Hassan, " what a strange thing this in their order to the foot of the throne, paid their
is ! Last night I was Abou Hassan, and this morn- respects toAbou Hassan and bowing their heads
;
ing I am the Commander of the true Believers ! down to the carpet, saluted him with the title of
I cannot comprehend this sudden and surprising Commander of the Faithful, according to the in-
change." Presently some of the officers began to structions of the grand vizier, and afterwards took
dress him ; and when they had done, led him their seats.
through all the attendants, who were ranged on When ceremony was over, there was a
this
both sides, quite to the council-chamber door, profound The grand vizier standing be-
silence.
which was opened by one of the officers. Mesrour fore the throne, began to make his report of af-
walked before him to the foot of the throne, where fairs. The caliph could not but admire how Abou
he stopped, and putting one hand under one arm, Hassan acquitted himself in his exalted station,
while another officer who followed did the same without the least hesitation and embarrassment,
by the other, they helped him to ascend the throne. and decided well in all matters, as his own good
Abou Hassan sat down amidst the acclamations of sense suggested. But before the grand vizier had
the who wished him all happiness and
officers, finished his report, Abou Hassan perceived the
prosperity, and turning to the right and left, he cadi, whom he knew by sight, sitting in his place :
saw the royal guards ranged in order. " Stop," said he to the grand vizier, interrupting
The caliph in the mean time came out of the him " I have an order of consequence to give to
;
closet, and went into another, which looked into the cadi." The cadi perceiving that Abou Hassan
the hall, from whence he could see and hear all looked at him, and hearing his name mentioned,
that passed in council, where his grand vizier pre- arose from his seat, and went gravely to the foot
sided in his place. What pleased him highly was of the throne, where he prostrated himself with
to see Abou Hassan fill his throne with almost as his face to the ground. " Go immediately," said
much gravity as himself. Abou Hassan, " to such a quarter, where you will
As soon as Abou Hassan had seated himself, find a mosque ; seize the imaun and four old men,
35
bis fi'iends, iind give each of tliem a hundred bas- richest habits, stood round his table, each with a
tinadoes. After that, mount them all five, clothed fan in her hand, to fan Abou Hassan when at
in rags, on camels, with their faces to the tails, dinner.
and lead them through the whole city, with a If ever mortal was charmed, Abou Hassan was
crier before them, who shall proclaim with a loud when he entered this stately hall. At every step
voice, — ' This is the punishment of allthose who he took he could not help stopping to contemplate
interfere in other people's affairs.' Make them at leisure all the wonders that regaled his eyes,
also leave that quarter, and never set foot on it and tui-ned first to one side and then to the other
more. And M'hile your lieutenant is conducting which gave the caliph, who viewed him with at-
them through the town, return and give me an ac- tention, very great pleasure. At last he sat down
count of the execution of my orders." The judge at the table, and presently all the ladies began to
of the police laid his hand upon his head, to show fan the new caliph. He looked
first at one, then
his obedience, and prostrating himself a second at another, and admired the grace with which
time, retired to execute the mandate. they acquitted themselves. He told them with a
Abou Hassan then, addressing himself to the smile that he believed one of them was enough to
grand vizier, said :
" Go to the high treasurer for give him all the air he wanted, and would have
a purse of a thousand pieces of gold, and carry it six of the ladies sit at table with him, three on
to the mother of one Abou Hassan she lives in ; his right hand and three on his left.
the same quarter to which I sent the judge of the The six ladies obeyed and Abou Hassan, taking
;
police. Go, and return immediately." notice that out of respect they did not eat, heljied
The grand viziei', after laying his hand upon them and invited them to eat in the most
himself,
his head, and prostrating himself before the pressing and obliging terms. Afterwards he asked
throne, went to the high treasurer, who gave him their names, which the}' told him were Alabaster
the money, which he ordered a slave to take, and Neck, Coral Lips, Moon Face, Sunshine, Ej-e's
to follow him to Abou Hassan's mother, to whom Delight, Heart's Delight, and she who fanned him
he gave it, saying only, " The caliph makes you was Sugar Cane. The many soft things he said
this present." She received it with the greatest upon their names showed him to be a man of
surprise imaginable. sprightly wit, and it is not to be conceived how
During the grand vizier's absence, the judge of much it increased the esteem which the calijah
the police made the usual report of his office, (who saw everything) had already conceived for
which lasted till the vizier returned. As soon as him.
he came into the council-chamber, and had assured When the ladies observed that Abou Hassan
Abou Hassan that he had executed his orders, he had done eating, one of them said to the slaves
made a sign to the viziers, the emirs, and other who waited, " The Commander of the Faithful
officers, that the council was over, and that they will go into the hall where the dessert is laid
might all retire ; which they did, by making the bring some water " upon which they
; all rose
same prostration at the foot of the throne as when from the and taking from the slaves, one a
table,
they entered. gold basin, another a ewer of the same metal, and
Abou Hassan descended from the caliph's a third a towel, knelt before Abou Hassan, and
and was conducted with much ceremony
throne, presented them to wash his hands. As
him to
into a magnificent hall. In this hall was a table soon as he had done, he got up and went, preceded
covered with massy gold plates and dishes, which by the chief officer, who never left him, into an-
scented the apartment with the spices and amber other hall, as large as the former, adorned with
wherewith the meat was seasoned and seven ; paintings bj' the best artists, and furnished with
young and most beautiful ladies, dressed in the gold and silver vessels, carpets, and other rich fur-
niture. There the sultan's musicians began a sere- hall,he went to the table, sat down, and was a
nade as soon as Abou Hassan appeared. In this long time in a kind of ecstasy at the sight which
hall there were seven large lustres, a table in surrounded him, and which was much more beau-
the middle covered with dried sweetmeats, the tiful than anything he had beheld in the other
choicest and most exquisite fruits of the season, halls. He was desirous to continue his conversa-
raised in pyramids, in seven gold basins and ; tion with the ladies, his fair attendants, and he
seven other beautiful ladies standing round it, clapped his hands for the musicians to cease. A
each with a fan in her hand. profound silence ensued. Taking by the hand the
These new objects raised still greater admira- lady who stood on the right next to him, he made
tion in Abou Hassan, who, after he had made a her sit down by him, and presenting her with a
full stop, and given the most sensible marks of cake, asked her name. " Commander of the
surprise and astonishment, went directly to the Faithful," said the lady, " I am called Cluster of
table, where, sitting down, he gazed a considera- Pearls." " No name," replied Abou Hassan,
ble time at the seven ladies, with an embarrass- " could have more properly expressed your worth ;
ment that plainly showed he knew not to which and indeed your teeth exceed the finest pearls.
to give the preference. At last he ordered them Cluster of Pearls," added he, " since that is your
all to lay aside their fans, and sit down, and eat name, oblige me with a glass of wine from your
with him, telling them that it was not so hot but fair hand." The lady went to the beaufet, and
he could spare them that trouble. brought him a glass of wine, which she presented
When the ladies were all placed about him, the to him with a pleasant air. Abou Hassan took
first thing he did was to ask their names, which the glass with a smile, and said, " Cluster of
were different from the other seven, and expressed Pearls, I drink your health."
some perfection of mind or body which distin- After Abou Hassan had drunk, he made an-
guished them from one another upon which he ; other lady sit down by him, and presenting her
took an opportunity, when he presented them with what she chose in the basins, asked her
with fruit, etc., something gallant. By
to say name, which she told him was Morning Star.
these sallies Abou Hassan more and more amused " Your bright eyes," said he, " shine with greater
the caliph, who was delighted with his words and lustre than that star whose name you bear. Do
actions, and pleased to think he had found in him me the pleasure to bring me some wine." Which
a man who diverted him so agreeabl}^ she did with the best grace in tlieworld. Then
By this time, the day beginning to close, Abou turning to the third lady, whose name was Day-
Hassan was conducted into a fourth hall, much light, he ordered her to do the same, and so on to
more superb and magnificently furnished, and the seventh, to the extreme satisfaction of the ca-
lighted with wax in seven gold lusti-es, which gave liph.
a splendid light. Abou Hassan found there what When they had all filled him a glass round.
he had not observed in any of the other halls, a Cluster of Pearls, whom he had first addressed,
beaufet, set out with seven large silver flagons, went to the beaufet, poured out a glass of wine,
full of the choicest wines, and by them seven crys- and putting in a pinch of the same powder the
tal glasses of the finest workmanship. caliph had used the night before, presented it to
Hitherto, in the first three halls, Abou Hassan Abou Hassan. " Commander of the Faithful,"
had drunk nothing but water, according to the said she, " I beg your majesty to take this glass
of
custom observed at Bagdad, from the highest to of wine, and before you drink it, do me the favor
the lowest, at the caliph's court, never to drink to hear a song I have composed to-day, and which,
wine till the evening. I flatter myself, will not displease you."
As soon as Abou Hassan entered the fourth When the lady had concluded, Abou Hassan
drauk ofE his glass, and turned his head towards about other people's business. He afterwards led
her, to give her those praises which he thought them through all the streets, and ordered them
she merited, but was jjrevented by the opiate : never to come into our quarter again."
for, in a moment, dropping his head on the cusli- Abou Hassan no sooner heard this relation, but
ions, he slept as profoundly as the day before, he cried out, " Know then that it was hy my order
when the caliph had given him the powder. One the imaun and the four sheiks were punished and ;
of the ladies stood ready to catch the glass, which I tellyou I am the Commander of the Faithful,
fellout of his hand and then the caliph, who en-
; and all thy arguments shall not convince me of
joyed gi-eater satisfaction in this scene than he had the contrary."
promised himself, and was all along a spectator of The mother, who could not imagine why her
what had passed, came into the hall to them, son so positively maintained himself to be caliph,
overjoyed at the success of his plan. He ordered no longer doubted but that he had lost his senses,
Abou Hassan to be dressed in his own clothes, and in this thought said ' I pray God, son, to have
:
and carried back to his house, and to be replaced mercy ujjon you, and to give you grace to talk
in his usual bed. more reasonably. What would the world say to
"
Abou Hassan slept till very late the next morn- hear you rave in this manner?
ing. When the powder was worked off, he awoke, These remonstrances only enraged Abou Has-
opened his ej'es, and finding himself at home, was san the more and he was so provoked that he lost
in the utmost surprise. " Cluster of Pearls, all the resjDect due from a son to his mother.
Morning Star, Coral Lips, Moon Face," cried he, Getting up hastily, and laying hold of a cane, he
by their names, as
calling the ladies of the palace ran to his mother in great fury, and said, "Tell me
he remembered them, " where are you ? Come directly who I am."do not believe, son," re-
'"
I
hither." plied she, looking at him tenderly and without fear,
Abou Hassan called so loud that his mother, "that you are so abandoned by God as not to know
who -was in her own apartment, heard him, and jour mother, who brought you into the woi-ld, and
running to him upon the noise he made, said, to mistake yourself. You are indeed my son Abou
" What ails you, son ? what has happened to Hassan, and are much in the wrong to arrogate to
you ? " At these words Abou Hassan lifted up his yourself the which belongs onlj' to our sover-
title
head, and looking haughtily at his mother, said, eign lord the Caliph Haroun Al-Raschid, especially
" Good woman, who is it you call son ? " " Why, after the noble and generous present of a thousand
" are not "
you," answered his mother, very mildly ; pieces of gold that he sent us yesterday I
you Abou Hassan, my son ? It is strange that 3'ou At these words Abou Hassan grew quite mad.
"
have forgotten yourself so soon." I your son •' !
" Well," cried he, " will you be convinced when I
replied Abou Hassan. " You know not what you tell you that I sent you those thousand pieces of
say. I am not Abou Hassan, I tell you, but the gold, as I was Commander of the Faithful ? Why
Commander of the Faithful ; and you shall never then do you maintain with such obstinacy that I
persuade me to the contrary !
" " Pray, son," said am your son ? But you shall not go unpunished."
the mother, " let us leave off this discourse. Let After these words, in the height of his frenzy he
us talk of something else. I will tell you what beat her with his cane.
happened yesterday in our quarter to the imaun of The poor mother, who could not understand her
the mosque, and the four sheiks, our neighbors. son, called out for help so loud that the neighbors
The cadi came and seized them, and gave each of ran in to her assistance. Abou Hassan continued to
them I know not how many strokes with a basti- beat her, at every stroke asking her he was the
if
nado, Avhile a crier proclaimed that such was the Commander of the Faithful ; to which she always
punishment of all those who troubled themselves answered tenderly that he was her son.
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASCHW. 277
On hearing her cries for help, the neighbors the world a second time ; but I must tell you my
came and remonstrated witli Abou Hassan on
in opinion of that adventure. I fear the stranger
his conduct, and claimed acquaintance with him. whom you brought home the evening before your
He said to them " Begone I neither know her
: I illness to sup with you threw you into the horrible
nor you. I am not Abou Hassan I am the Com- ; illusion you have been in; therefore, my son, you
mander of the Faithful, and will make you feel it ought to return God thanks for your deliverance,
to your cost." and beseech Him to keep you from falling again
At this speech, the neighbors, no longer doubt- under the enchantments of magic." Upon this his
ing that he was mad, seized him, bound him hand mother went immediately to the keeper, who came,
and foot, and conducted him to the hos2:iital for examined, and released him in her presence.
mad people, where he was lodged in a grated cell When Abou Hassan came home, he recovered
and beaten with fifty strokes of the bastinado on his strength, and within a few days resumed the
his shoulders. This punishment was repeated same plan he had before pursued, of regaling a
every day, and each time the executioner bade stranger at night. On the first day on which Abou
him remember tliat he was not the Commander of Hassan renewed his former custom, he had not been
the Faithful. long arrived at the bridge, when he perceived the
Abou Hassan's mother went eveiy day to visit Mussulman merchant, followed by the same slave.
her son, and could not forbear weeping at the Persuaded that all his misfortunes were owing to
hardshijjs he endured. These practical proofs the merchant, he shuddered at the sight of him.
that he was not the caliph began to have their " God preserve me " said he to himself " if I am
! ;
effecton Abou Hassan. Sometimes he would say not deceived there is again the magician who en-
to himself, " If I was caliph and Commander of chanted me !
" He trembled with agitation, and
the Faithful, why should the grand vizier, and all resolved not to see him till he was past.
those emirs and governors of provinces, who pros- The caliph had taken care to inform himself of
trated themselves at my feet, forsake me ? How all that had happened to Abou Hassan, and was
came I at home dressed in my own robes ? Cer- glad to learn that he had returned to his usual
tainly I ought to look upon all as a dream. But manner of living. He perceived Abou Hassan at
yet there are so many things about it that I can- the same time that he saw him, and when he came
not compreliend, that I will put my trust in God, nigh him, he looked him in " Ho, the face.
who knows all things." brother Abou Hassan," you ?
said I he, " is it —
Abou Hassan was taken up with these thoughts "
greet you Give me leave to embrace you ?
!
and reflections when his mother came to see him. " Not I," replied Abou Hassan, " I do not greet
" Well, my son," said she, wiping her tears, "how you I will have neither your greeting nor your
;
do you do, and how do you find yourself ? " " In- embraces. Go, I say, about your business."
deed, mother," replied Abou Hassan, very ration- The caliph was not to be diverted from his
allyand calmly, " I acknowledge my error. I have purpose by this rude behavior. He knew well
been deceived by a dream but by so extraordi-; the law Abou Hassan had imposed on himself,
nary a one, and so like to truth, that while I am never to have commerce again wnth a stranger he
speaking can hardly persuade myself but that
I had once entertained, but pretended to be igno-
what befell me was matter of fact. But whatever rant of it.
it was, I am convinced that I am not the caliph " Ah brother
! Abou Hassan," replied the caliph,
and Commander of the Faitliful, but Abou Hassan embracing him, " I do not intend to part with you
your son." " My son " cried she, transported
! thus, since I have had the good fortune to meet
with pleasure, " to hear you talk so reasonably with you a second time you must exercise the
;
gives me as much joy as if I had brought you into same hospitality towards me again that you showed
me a montJi ago, when I had the honor to drink Abou Hassan took the glass laughing, and shak-
with you." ing his head, said, " Be it so, since you desire it
Abou Hassan, notwithstanding his resolution I cannot be guilty of so great a piece of incivility,
never to admit the same stranger a second time, nor disoblige a guest of so much merit in such a
could not resist the caresses of the calipli, whom trifling matter. I will drink the health of the
he took for a merchant of Moussul.
still " I will lady you promise me, though I am very well con-
consent," said he, " on one condition, that you dis- tented as I am, and do not rely on your keeping
pense with your good wishes, and that you prom- your word." No sooner had Abou Hassan drank
ise to form none for me. All the mischief that off his bumper than he deep a sleep
fell into as as
has hitherto befallen me arose from those you before and the caliph ordered the same slave
; to
expressed for me." " Well," replied the caliph, take him and carry him to the palace.
" since you will have it so, I promise you I will When they arrived at the palace, the caliph or-
form none." " You give me pleasure by speaking dered Abou Hassan to be dressed in the same
so," said Abou Hassan ;
" I desire no more ; I robes in which he had acted as caliph, and to be
shall be more than satisfied provided you keep laid on a sofa in the fourth hall, from whence he
your word, and I shall forgive you all the rest." had been carried home fast asleejD a month before.
As soon as Abon Hassan entei-ed his bouse, he He then charged all the viziers, officers, ladies,
called for his mother and for candles, desired his and musicians who were in the hall when he drank
guest to sit down upon a and then placed sofa, the last glass of wine which had put him to sleep,
himself by him. A supper was
little time after, to be there by daybreak, and to take care to act
brought up, and they both began to eat without their parts well when he should awake. He then
ceremonj^ When they had done, Abou Hassan's retired to rest, charging Mesrour to awake him
mother cleared the table, set on a small dessert of first, that he might conceal himself in the closet
fruit, wine, and glasses by her son, then withdrew, as before.
and appeared no more. Abou Hassan first filled Things being thus disposed, and the caliph's
out his own glass and then the caliph's and after ;
powder having had its effect, Abou Hassan began
they had drunk some time, and talked of indiffer- to awake. At that instant the hautboys, fifes,
ent matters, " It is a great pity," said the caliph, flutes, and other instruments commenced a very
" that so gallant a man as you, who owns himself agreeable concert. Abou Hassan was in great,
not insensible of love, should lead so solitary a surprise to hear the delightful harmony but ;
life." " I prefer the easy quiet life I live," replied when he opened his eyes, and saw the ladies and
Abou Hassan, "before the company of a wife, who about him, and the gorgeous chamber
officers
might not please me. I should require beauty, which he had visited in his first dream, his amaze-
accomplishments, the art of pleasing, and wit in ment increased.
conversation ; but where is such a woman to be When the concert ceased, and all the oflBcers of
found except in the caliph's palace?" " Let me the chamber waited, in profound and respectful
alone," said the disguised merchant in reply silence, Abou Hassan bit his finger, and cried loud
" since you have the same good taste as every enough for the caliph to hear him :
" Alas I I am
other honest man, I warrant you I will find you fallen again into thesame dream that happened to
a wife that shall please you." Then taking Abou me a month ago, and must expect again the basti-
Hassan's glass, and putting a pinch of the same nado and frrated cell at the mad-house. He was a
powder into it, he filled him up a bumper, and wicked man that I entertained at my house last
presenting it to him, said, " Come, let us drink be- night, who has been the cause of this illusion, and
forehand the fair lady's health, who is to make the hardships I must again undergo. Great God
you happy. I am sure you will like her." I commit myself into thy hands preserve me from;
the temptation of Satan." On saying this he re- the caliph. He was not in the least daunted. On
solved to go to sleep again, and to regard all he the contrary, he saw at once all that had hap-
saw as a dream. They did not give him time to pened to him, and entered into the caliph's hu-
do this, for one of the officers taking him by one mor. " Ha ha " said he, looking at him with
! !
arm, and a second by the other, they lifted him good assurance, " you pretend to be a merchant
up, and carried him into the middle of the hall, of Moussul, and complain that I would kill you.
where they seated him, and all taking hands, You have made me beat my another, and to lose
danced and skipped round him while the music my and have been the occasion of all
senses,
played, and sounded loudly in his ears. my misfortunes. I beg of you to tell me what
Abou Hassan, having commanded silence, fell you did to disturb my brain in this manner I ;
into a great perplexity, and inquired whether he would know, that I may perfectly recover my
were indeed the caliph. On being informed that senses."
he had never been out of that hall since the time " You will remember," said the caliph, " the
he fell asleep in it, he then uncovered his shoul- evening that you invited me to supper, in our con-
ders, and showed the ladies the livid weals of the versation you told me that the only thing you
blows he had received. " Look," said he, " and wished for was to be caliph for four-and-twenty
judge whether these strokes could come to me in hours. I saw in this desire of yours a fruitful
a dream or when I was asleep. For my part, I source of diversion to me and to my court, and I
can affirm that they were real blows I feel the ; determined to procure for you the fulfillment of
smart of them yet, and that is a sure testimony. your wish. By means of a strong opiate which I
Now, if I received these sti'okes in my sleep, in put, without your knowledge, in the last glass I
this hall, it is the most extraordinary thing in the presented to you, I had you conveyed to my pal-
world, and surpasses my comprehension." ace. You know the rest. I am sorry that my
In this uncertainty, Abou Hassan called to one pastime should have caused you so much suffering,
of the officers that stood near him. " Come but I will do all I can to make you amends. Thou
hither," said he, "and bite the tip of my ear, that art my brother ; ask what thou wilt and thou
I may know whether I am asleep or awake." The shaft have it."
officer obeyed, and bit so hard that he made him "Commander of the Faithfuh" replied Abou
crj' the music struck up
out loudly with the pain ; Hassan, " how great may have
soever my tortures
at the same time, and the officers and ladies all been, they are all remembrance,
blotted out of my
began to sing, dance, and skip about Abou Has- since my sovereign lord and master had a share in
san, and made such a noise that he was the more them. The only boon I would beg is that I may
convinced that he was the subject of a pleasantry; have access to your person, to enjoy the happiness
and joining in the joke, he threw off: his caliph's of admiring, all my lifetime, your virtues."
habit and his turban, jumped up in his shirt and Upon leaving, the caliph ordered a rich robe to
drawers, danced with the rest, jumping and cut- be brought, and assigned him an office in the jjal-
ting capers, so that the caliph could not contain ace, and directed the treasurer to give him a purse
himself, but burst into violent laughter and put-
; of a thousand gold pieces, and to allow him at all
ting his head into the room, cried, " Abou Hassan, times access to his person.
Abou Hassan, have you a mind to kill me with Abou Hassan made a low prostration, and the
"
laughing ? caliph left him to go to his divan.
As soon as the caliph's voice was heard every- Abou Hassan i-eturned home, and informed his
body was silent, and Abou Hassan, turning his mother good fortvine, and that his story was
of his
head to see from whence the voice came, recog- not all a dream for that he had actually been ca-
;
nized the Moussul merchant, and knew him to be liph, had acted as such, and received all the hon.
ors ; and that lliis had been confirmed by the ca- Being in gieat straits, and willing neither to
liph himself. forego their manner of life nor to ask the sultan
Abou Hassan was, as we have seen, a man of a or Zobeide for further presents, they took secret
pleasant temper and ready wit, and the caliph counsel together, when Abou Hassan resolved
often had him at court, and took him to visit his both to put a pleasant trick on the caliph and on
Queen Zobeide, to whom he had related his story. Zobeide, and to obtain from them the means of
Now Zobeide soon observed that every time he carrying on his usual mode of living. " I will tell
came witli the caliph, he had his eyes always fixed you what I propose," said he to Nouzhatoul-
upon one of her attendants, called Nouzhatoul- aouadat. " I will feign myself to be dead, and
aouadat. " Commander of the Faithful," said she 3'ou shall place me in the middle of my chamber,
one day, " you do not observe that every time with my turban upon my face, my feet towards
Abou Hassan attends you in your visits to me, he Mecca, as if ready to be carried out to burial.
never keeps his ej'es off Nouzhatoul-aouadat, and When you have done this, you must weep, tear
pays her great attention. If you approve of it, we your clothes and hair, and go all in tears, with
willmake a match between them." your locks dishevelled, to Zobeide. The princess
" Madam," replied the caliph, " I have already will of course inquire the cause of your grief ; and
promised Abou Hassan a wife but it is better
; when you have told her, she will pity you, give
that he should choose for himself." you money to defraj^ the expense of my funeral,
Abou Hassan threw himself at the caliph's and and a piece of good brocade, in the room of that
Zobeide's feet, and rising up, said :
" I cannot re- you will have torn. As soon as jôu return with
ceive a wife from better hands ; but dare not hope the money and the brocade, I will rise, lay you in
that NoLizhatoul-aoviadat will give her consent." my place, and go and act the same part with the
At these words he looked at the princess's slave, caliph, who, I dare say, will be as generous to me
who showed by her respectful silence, and the sud- as Zobeide will have been to you."
den blush that arose in her cheeks, that she was Nouzhatoul-aouadat highlj' approved the proj-
disposed to obey the calijih and her mistress. ect, and having acted upon her husband's sug-
The nuptials were celebrated in the palace, with gestion and placed him as he desired, she pulled
great rejoicings, which lasted several days. Zo- off her head-dress, and with a dismal ci-y and lam-
beide made her slave considerable presents, and entation, beating her face and breast with all the
the caliph did the same to Abou Hassan. The marks of the most lively grief, ran across the court
bride was conducted to the apartment the caliph to Zobeide's apartments.
had assigned Abou Hassan, who received her with The princess, amazed to see her slave in such
the sound of all sorts of instruments, and musi- extraordinary affliction, asked what had hap-
cians of both sexes, who made the air echo with pened ; but, instead of answering, she continued
their concert. her sobs ; and at last feigning to strive to check
Abou Hassan and his spouse were charmed with them, said, with words interrupted with sighs :
each other. Indeed, Nouzhatoul-aouadat was just " Alas ! my

most honored mistress, what greater
such a wife as he had described to the caliph. misfortune could have befallen me. Abou Has-
After their marriage, they gave costly entertain- san poor Abou Hassan whom you honored with
! !
ments, and each vied with the other in sparing no your esteem, and gave me for a husband, is no
expense for the amusement of tlieir friends, until, morel t
at the end of the first year of their marriage, they Zobeide was extremely concerned at this news,
Lad expended all the presents given by the sultan and after having expressed her sorrow, commanded
and Zobeide, as well as the patrimony inherited her women to fetch a hundred pieces of gold and
by Abou Hassan. a rich cloth of gold, and to give them to Nouzha-
toul-aouadat, who threw herself again at the prin- was present, to give Abou Hassan a purse of a
cess's feet, and thanked her with great self-satis- hundred pieces of gold and a piece of brocade.
faction at finding she had succeeded so well. Abou Hassan immediately cast hiniself at the ca-
As soon as Nouzhatoul-aouadat got out of the liph's feet, and thanked him for his present. As
princess's presence, she dried up her tears, and re- soon as he had got the purse and piece of brocade,
turned with joy to Abou Hassan. Unable to con- he went home, well pleased with having found out
tain herself at the success of her artifice, " Come, so quick and easy a way of supplying the neces-
husband," said she, laughing, "now do you hasten sity which had given him so much uneasiness.
and see if you can manage the caliph as well as I Nouzhatoul-aouadat, as soon as she heard the
have done Zobeide." door open, sprang up, ran to her husband, and
" That is the temper of all women," replied asked him if he had imposed on the caliph as clev-
Abou Hassan, who, we may well say, have al-
'' erly as she had done on Zobeide. " You see " !
waj^s the vanity to believe they can do things bet- said he, showing her the stuff, and shaking the
ter than men, though at the same time what good purse.
they do is by their advice. It would be odd in- The caliph was so impatient to condole with
deed, if I, who laid this plot myself, could not the princess on the death of her slave, that he rose
carry it on as well as you. But let us lose no up as soon as Abou Hassan was gone. " Follow
time in idle discourse ; lie down in my place, and me," said he to the vizier, " let us go and share
witness if I do not come off with as much ap- with the princess the grief which the death of her
plause." slave Nouzhatoirl-aouadatmust have occasioned."
Abou Hassan wrapped up his wife as she had Accordingly they went to Zobeide's apartment,
done him, and with his turban unrolled, like a whom the caliph found sitting on a sofa, much af-
man in the greatest affliction, ran to the caliph. flicted, and still in tears. " Madam," said the ca-
He presented himself at the door, and the officer, liph, "I wish to tell you how much I partake
knowing he had free access, opened it. He en- with j'ou in your affliction in your loss of Nouzha-
tered holding with one hand his handkerchief be- toul-aouadat, your faithful slave." " Commander
fore his eyes, to hide the feigned tears, and struck of the Faithful," replied Zobeide, " I do not la-
his bi'east with the other, and uttered exclama- ment my slave's death, but that of Abou Hassan,
tions expressing extraordinary grief. her husband." " Madam," said the caliph, " I
The caliph, always used to see Abou Hassan tellyou that you are deceived Nouzhatoul-aoua- ;
Avitli a merry countenance, inquired with much dat is dead, and Abou Hassan is alive, and in 23ei--
concern the cause of his grief. " Commander of fect health."
the Faithful," answered Abou Hassan, with re- Zobeide, much piqued at this answer of the ca-
j)eated sighs and sobs, " may you long reign ! A liph, replied, " Permit me to repeat, once more,
greater calamity could not have befallen me than that it is Abou Hassan who is dead, and that my
what I now lament. Alas ! Nouzhatoul-aouadat slave Nouzhatoul-aouadat, his widow, is living.
"
my wife, alas ! alas ! It is not an hour since she went from hence, hav-
The caliph, who now understood that Abou ing told me
her affliction. All my women, who
Hassan came to tell him of the death of his wife, wept with me, can bear me witness that I made
seemed much concerned, and said to him with an her a present of a hundred pieces of gold and a
air which showed how much he regretted her loss, piece of brocade the grief which you found me
;
" God be merciful to her She was a good slave, I in was on account of the death of her husband
and we gave her to you with an intention to make and just at the instant you entered, I was going
you happy ; she deserved a longer life." And to send you a compliment of condolence."
having said this, he ordered his treasurer, who At these words of Zobeide, the caliph cried out
36
ill a fit of laughter, " This, madam, is a strange Zobeide, " Well, madam," said he, " have you
piece of obstinacy ; but," continued he, seriously yet anything to say against so certain a truth ?
" you may depend upon Nouzhatoul-aouadat's be- Will you still believe that Nouzhatoul-aouadat is
ing dead." " I tell you no, sir," replied Zobeide ; alive, and that Abou Hassan is dead ? And will
" it is Abou Hassan that is dead, and you shall you not own that you have "
lost your wager ?
never make me believe otherwise." " How, sir ? " replied Zobeide ; "I am not blind
Upon this the caliph's anger rose in his counte- or mad With
! these eyes I saw Nouzhatoul-
nance, and he ordered the vizier to go at once and aouadat in the greatest affliction. I spoke to her
ascertain the truth and bring him word. No myself, and she told me that her husband was
sooner was the vizier gone, than the caliph ad- dead. My women also heard her and saw
cries
dressing himself to Zobeide, said, " You will see her aflliction. Let me, I pray you, send my
in a moment which of us is right." " For my nurse, in whom I can place confidence, to Abou
part," replied Zobeide, " I know very well that I Hassan's, to know whether or not I am in error."
am in the right, and you will find it to be Abou The caliph consented, and the nurse set out on
Hassan." "And for myself," returned the caliph, her inquiry.
" I am so sure that it is Nouzhatoul-aouadat, that I In themean time Abou Hassan, who watched
will stake my
garden of pleasures against your at the window, perceived tlie nurse at a distance,
palace of paintings, though the one is worth much and guessing that she was sent by Zobeide, called
more than the other." " I accept the wager," his wife, and told her that the princess's nurse was
and will abide by it." The caliph
said Zobeide, " coming to know the truth. " Therefore," said he,
declared the same intention and both awaited ;
" make haste, and do to me as we have agreed
the vizier's return. on." Accordingly, Nouzhatoul-aouadat covered
While the caliph and Zobeide were disputing him with the brocade Zobeide had given her, and
so earnestly, and with so much warmth, Abou put his turban upon his face. The nurse, eager
Hassan, who foresaw their difference, was very at- to acquit herself of her commission, hobbled as fast
tentive to whatever might happen. As soon as as age would allow her, and entering the room,
he perceived the vizier through a window, at jDerceived Nouzhatoul-aouadat in tears, her hair
which he sat talking with his wife, and observed disheveled, and seated at the head of her hus-
that he was coming directly to their apartment, he band, beating her breast with all the expressions
guessed his commission, and bade his wife make of violent grief.
haste to act the part they had agreed on, without As soon as the nurse was gone, Nouzhatoul-
loss of time. They were so pressed that Abou aouadat wiped her eyes, and released Abou Has-
Hassan had much ado to wrap up his wife, and san. They both went and sat down on a sofa
la}' the piece of brocade which the caliph had against the window, expecting what would be the
given him upon her, before the vizier reached the end and to be ready to act ac-
of this stratagem,
the house. cording as circumstances might require.
Having ascertained the truth, the vizier has- The nurse, in the mean time, made all the
tened back to the calijDh and Zobeide. haste she could to Zobeide, and gave the caliph
" Commander of the Faithful." said the vizier, and the princess a true account of what she saw,
having entered the apartment and made his salu- affirming that it was Abou Hassan who was dead.
tation, " it is Nouzhatoul-aouadat who is dead, This perplexed the caliph more and more and he ;
for the loss of whom Abou

Hassan is as much af- said " It seems to me a strange series of marvels,
:
flicted as when he appeared before your majesty." and that no one can be believed more than an-
The caliph, not giving him time to pursue his other. Therefore, I propose we go ourselves to ex-
story, interrupted him, and addressing himself to amine the truth, for I see no other way to clear
THE ADVENTURES OF THE CALIPH HAROUN AL-RASCHW. 283
these doubts."' So saying, tbe caliph arose, and Hassan from the brocade which cov-
free himself
the princess and her train followed. ered him, and throw himself at his feet. His wife
Abou Hassan, who saw them coming, apprised uncovered herself in the same manner, and ran to
his wife of it. " What shall we do ? " cried she ;
throw herself at the feet of Zobeide. Zobeide set
"we are ruined." " Not at all don't be afraid,"
; up a loud cry of fright and alarm. At last re-
returned Abou Hassan. " Let us do as we have covering herself, she was overjoyed at seeing lier
agreed ; and all, you shall see, will turn out well. dear slave again, almost at the moment she felt
At the rate they are coming, we shall be ready inconsolable at having seen her dead.
before they reach the door." " So then, Abou Hassan," said the caliph, laugh-
In fact, Abou Hassan and his wife covered ing, " how came it into your head thus to surprise
themselves as well as they could, and having both Zobeide and me in a way we could not possi-
"
placed themselves, one beside the other, in the bly be upon our guard against ?
middle of the chamber, each under the piece of " Commander of the Faithful," replied Abou
brocade, they waited quietly for the arrival of the Hassan, " I will tell you the whole truth. I and
calif»li and Zobeide. On entering the chamber, the wife you gave me
have been too profuse in
followed by all their people, they were much sur- our entertainments to our friends, and we have
prise and perplexed at the dismal spectacle which expended all the treasures which your royal bounty
presented itself to their view. Zobeide at last supplied us with. This morning we found our
broke silence. " Alas " said she to the caliph,
! chest quite empty and knowing your highnesses'
;
" it is too true my dear slave is dead, as indeed it partiality to a pleasant joke, we invented this arti-
will appear, for grief at having lost her husband." fice to supply our need, which we humbly entreat
"Allow rather, madam," replied the caliph, " that you will have the goodness to forgive."
Nouzhatoul-aouadat died first, and that the poor The caliph and Zobeide were very well satisfied
Abou Hassan fell mider the affliction of seeing with the sincerity of Abou Hassan, and were dis-
his wife,your dear slave, die." " No," replied Zo- posed to forgive him the deception practiced on
beide, with a spirit excited by the contradiction them. " Follow me, both of you,"' said the caliph ;
of the caliph, "Abou Hassan died first, because my " I will give you the thousand pieces of gold that
nurse saw his wife alive, and lamenting her hus- I promised you, for the joy I feel that you are
band's death." neither of you dead."
At last the caliph, reflecting upon all that had " Commander of the Faithful," resumed Zo-
passed, and vexed at not being able to come at beide, " content yourself, I beseech you, with caus-
the truth, tried to devise some expedient which ing the thousand pieces of gold to be given to
should determine the wager in his own favor Abou Hassan ;
you owe them only to him. As
and against Zobeide. " I will give," cried he, "a to his wife, that is my business." At the same
thousand pieces to the person who shall ascer- time she gave a thousand pieces of gold to Nouz-
tain which two died first."
of the hatoul-aouadat, in proof of the joy she felt that
The caliph had scarcely spoken these words, she was still alive.
when he heard a voice, under the brocade which Thus did Abou Hassan and Nouzliatoul-aouad at
covered Abou Hassan, say, " Commander of the obtain the favor of the Caliph Haroun Al-Raschid
Faithful, I died first ; give me the thousand pieces and of Zobeide, and gained from their bounty
of gold." And at the same time he saw Abou enough to supply all their wants.
VI. THE HISTORY OF ALI BABA, AND OF THE FORTY ROBBERS KILLED BY
ONE SLAVE.
He determined to leave his asses
to save himself. He climbed up
a large tree, planted on a high
rock, whose branches wei-e thick
enough to conceal him, and yet
enabled him to see all that passed
without being discovered.
The troop, who were to the
number of forty, all well mounted
and armed, came to the foot of
the rock on which the tree stood,
and there dismounted. Every
Theee once lived man unbridled his horse, tied him to some shrub,
in town of Persia
a and hung about his neck a bag of corn which they
two brothers, one brouo-ht behind them. Then each of them took
named Cassim, and off his saddle-bag, which seemed to Ali Baba to
the other Ali Baba. be full of gold and silver from its weight. One,
Their father divided whom he took to be their captain, came under the
a small inheritance tree in which Ali Baba was concealed and mak- ;
equally between them. ing his way through some shrubs, pronounced
Cassim married a very these words, —
" Open, Sesame " ' As soon as I
rich wife, and became the captain of the robbers had thus spoken, a door
a wealthy merchant. opened in the rock and after he had made all his
;
Ali Baba married a troop enter before him, he followed them, when
woman as poor as him- the door shut again of itself.
self, and lived by cut- The robbers stayed some time within the rock,
ting wood, and bring- during which Ali Baba, fearful of being caught,
ing it upon three asses remained in the tree.
into the town to sell. At last the door opened again, and as the cap-
One day, when Ali tain went in last, so he came out first, and stood
Baba was in the for- to see them all pass by him when Ali Baba ;
est,and had just cut heard him make the door close by pronouncing
wood enough to load these words, — " Shut, Sesame !
" Every man at
his asses, he saw at a once went and bridled his horse, fastened his wal-
distance a great cloud let, and mounted again. When the captain saw
of dust, which seemed them all ready, he put himself at their head, and
to approach him. He they returned the way they had come.
observed it with at- Ali Baba followed them with his eyes as far as
tention, and distinguished soon after a body of he could see them and afterwards stayed a con-
;
horsemen whom he suspected might be robbers. siderable time before he descended. Remember-
1 " Sesame," is a small grain.
THE HISTORY OF ALT BABA, AND OF THE FORTY ROBBERS. 285
iug the words the captain of the robbers used to we have. I will borrow a small measure, and
cause the door to open and shut, he had the curi- measure it, while you dig the hole."
osity to try pronouncing them would have
if his Away the wife ran to her brother-in-law Cas-
the same Accordingly, he went among
effect. sim, who and addressing herself to
lived just by,
the shrubs, and perceiving the door concealed be- his wife, desired her to lend her a measure for a
hind them, stood before it, and said, " Open, Ses- little while. Her sister-in-law asked her whether
ame " The door instantly flew wide open.
! she would have a great or a small one. The other
All Baba, who expected a dark, dismal cavern, asked for a small one. She bade her stay a little,
was surprised to see a well-lighted and spacious and she would readily fetch one.
chamber, which received the light from an open- The sister-in-law did so, but as she knew Ali
ing at the top of the rock, and in which were all Baba's poverty, she was curious to know what
sorts of provisions, rich bales of silk, stuff, brocade, sort of grain his wife wanted to measure, and art-
and valuable carpeting, piled upon one another, fully putting some suet at the bottom of the meas-
gold and silver ingots in great heaps, and money ure, brought it to her, with an excuse that she
in bacfs. The sisfht of all these riches made him was sorrj' that she liad made her stay so long, but
suppose that this cave must have been occupied that she could not find it sooner.
for ages by robbers, who had succeeded one an- Ali Baba"s wife went home, set the measure
other. upon the heap of gold, filled it, and emptied it
Ali Baba went boldly into the cave, and col- often upon the sofa, till she had done, when she
lected as much of the gold coin, which Avas in was very well satisfied to find the number of meas-
bags, as he thought his three asses could carry. ures amounted to so many as they did, and went
When he had loaded them with the bags, he laid to tell her husband, who had almost finished dig-
wood over them manner that they could
in such a ging the hole. While Ali Baba was burying the
not be seen. When in and out as
he had passed gold, his wife, to show her exactness and diligence
often as he wished, he stood before the door, and to her sister-in-law, carried the measure back
pronouncing the words, " Shut, Sesame " the door I again, but without taking notice that a piece of
closed of itself. He then made the best of his gold had stuck to the bottom. " Sister," said she,
way to town. giving it to her again, " you see that I have not
When Ali Baba got home, he drove his asses kept your measure long. I am obliged to you for
into a little yard, shut the gates very carefully, it, and return it with thanks."
threw off the wood that covered the panniers, As soon as Ali Baba's wife was gone, Cassim's
carried the bags into his house, and ranged them looked at the bottom of the measure, and was in
in order before his wife. He then emptied the inexpressible surprise to find a piece of gold stick-
bags, which raised such a great heap of gold as ing to it. Envy immediately possessed her breast.
dazzled his wife's eyes, and then he told her the " What !
" said she, " has Ali Baba gold so plenti-
whole adventure from beginning to end, and, ful as to measure it? Whence has he all this
'
above all, recommended her to keep it secret. wealth ?
The wife rejoiced greatly at their good fortune, Cassim, her husband, was at his counting-house.
and would count all the gold piece by piece. When he came home his wife said to him " Cas- :
" Wife," replied Ali Baba, " you do not know sim, I know you think yourself rich, but Ali Baba
what you undertake, when you pretend to count is infinitely richer than you. He does not count
the money you will never have done. I will dig
; his money, but measures it." Cassim desired her
a hole and bury it. There is no time to be lost." to explain the riddle, which by telling she did,
" You are in the right, husband," replied she ;
him the stratagem she had used to make the dis-
" but let us know, as nigh as possible, how much covery, and showed him the piece of money, which
was so old that they could not tell in what prince's that he could not think of the necessary word to
reign was coined.
it make it open, but instead of " Sesame," said,
Cassim, after he had married the
widow, rich " Open, Barley! " and was much amazed to find
had never treated Ali Baba as a brother, but that the door remained fast shut. He named sev-
neglected him and now, instead of being pleased,
; eral sorts of grain, but still the door would not
he conceived a base envy at his brother's prosper- open.
ity. He could not sleep all that night, and went Cassim had never expected such an incident,
to him in the morning before sunrise. " Ali and was so alarmed at the danger he was in, that
Baba," said he, " I am surprised at you you jjre- ; the more he endeavored to remember the word
tend to be miserably poor, and yet you measure " Sesame," the more his memory was confounded,
gold. My wife found this at the bottom of the and he had as much forgotten it as if he had never
measure you borrowed yesterday." heard it mentioned. He threw down the bags he
By this discourse, Ali Baba perceived that Cas- had loaded himself with, and walked distractedly
sim and his wife, through his own wife's folly, ujD and down the cave, without having the least
knew what they had so much reason to conceal regard to the riches that were round him.
but what was done could not be undone. There- About noon the robbers visited their cave. At
fore, without showing the least surprise or trouble, some distance they saw Cassim's mules straggling
he confessed all, and offered his brother part of his about the rock, with great chests on their backs.
treasure to keep the secret. Alarmed at this, they galloped full speed to the
" I expect as much," replied Cassim, haughtily ; cave. They drove away the mules, who strayed
" but I must know exactly where this treasure is, through the forest so far that they were soon out
and how I may visit it myself when I choose ; of sight, and went directly, with their naked
otherwise, I will go and inform against you, and sabres in their bands, to tlie door, which, on their
then you will not only get no more, but will lose captain pronouncing the projjer words, immedi-
all you have, and I shall have a share for my in- ately opened.
formation." Cassim, who heard the noise of the horses' feet,
Ali Baba told him all he desired, even to the at once guessed the arrival of the robbers, and re-
very words he was to use to gain admission into solved to make one effort for his life. He rushed
the cave. to the door, and no sooner saw the door open, than
Cassim rose the next morning long before the he ran out and threw the leader down, but could
sun, and set out for the forest with ten mules beai'- not escape the other robbers, who with their scim-
ing great chests, which he designed to fill, and fol- itars soon deprived him of life.
lowed the road which Ali Baba had pointed out The first was to
care of the robbers after this
to him. He was not long before he reached the examine the cave. They found all the bags which
rock, and found out the place, by the tree and Cassim had brought to the door, to be ready to
other marks which his brother had given him. load his mules, and carried them again to their
When he reached the entrance of the cavern, he places, but they did not miss what Ali Baba had
pronounced the words, " Open, Sesame " The I taken away before. Then holding a council, and
door immediately opened, and when he was in, delibei-ating upon this occurrence, they guessed
closed upon him. In examining the cave, he was that Cassim, when he was in, could not get out
in great admiration to find much more riches than again, but could not imagine how he had learned
he had expected from Ali Baba's relation. He the secret wordsby which alone he could enter.
quickly laid as many bags of gold as he could They could not deny the fact of his being there ;
carry at the door of the cavern ; but his thoughts and any person or accomplice who should
to terrify
were so full of the great riches he should possess, attempt the same thing, they agreed to cut Cas-
THE HISTORY OF ALI BABA, AND OF THE FORTY ROBBERS. 287
sim's body into four quarters —

to hang two on had shown for him, went into the cave, to find
one and two on the other, within the door of
side, something to enshroud his remains; and having
the cave. They had no sooner taken this resolu- loaded one of his asses with them, covered them
tion than they put it in execution and when they
; over with wood. The other two asses he loaded
had nothing more to detain them, left the place with bags of gold, covering them with wood also
of their hoards well closed. They mounted their as before ; and then bidding the door shut, came
horses, went to beat the roads again, and to attack away but was so cautious as to stop some time at
;
the caravans they might meet. the end of the forest, that he might not go into the
In the mean time Cassim's wife was very un- town before night. When he came home, he drove
easy when night came, and her husband was not the two asses loaded with gold into his little yard,
returned. She ran to Ali Baba in great alarm, and left the care of unloading them to his wife,
and said " I believe, brother-in-law, tliat you
: while he led the other to his sister-in-law's house.
know Cassim is gone to the forest, and upon what Ali Baba knocked at the door, which was ojjened
account it is now night, and lie has not returned
; ; by Morgiana, a clever intelligent slave, who was
I am afraid some misfortune has happened to fruitful in inventions to meet the most difficult
him." Ali Baba told her that she need not circumstances. When he came into the court, he
frighten herself, for that certainly Cassim would unloaded the ass, and taking jNIorgiana aside, said
not think it proper to come into the town till the to her " You must observe an inviolable secrecy.
:
night should be pretty far advanced. Your master's body is contained in these two pan-
Cassim's wife, considering how much it con- niers. We must bury him as if he had died a
cerned her husband to keep the business secret, natural death. Go now and tell your mistress. I
was the more easily persuaded to believe her leave the matter to jour wit and skillful devices."
brother-in-law. She went home again, and waited Ali Baba helped to place the body in Cassim's
patiently till midnight. Then her fear redoubled, house, again recommended to Morgiana to act her
and her grief was the more sensible because she part well, and then returned with his ass.
was forced to keep it to herself. She repented of Morgiana went out early the next morning to a
her foolish curiosity, and cursed her desire of pry- druggist, and asked for a sort of lozenge which
ing into the affairs of her brother and sister-in- was considered efficacious in the most dangerous
law. She spent all the night ia weeping and as ; disorders. The apothecary inquired who was ill ?
soon as it was day, went to them, telling them, by She replied, with a sigh, " Her good master Cassim
her tears, the cause of her coming. himself and that he could neither eat nor speak."
;
Ali Baba did not wait for his sister-in-law to In the evening Morgiana went to the same drug-
desire him to go to see what was become of Cas- gist's again, and with tears in her eyes asked for
sim, but departed immediately with his three an essence which they used to give to sick people
asses, begging of her moderate her afflic-
first to only when at the last extremity. " Alas !
" said
tion. He went to the forest, and when he came she, taking it from the apothecary, " I am afraid
near the rock, having seen neither his brother nor this remedy will have no better effect than the
the mules in his way, was seriously alarmed at lozenges and that I shall lose my good master."
;
finding some blood spilt near the door, which he On the other hand, as Ali Baba and his wife
took for an ill omen but when he had pronounced
; were often seen to go between Cassim's and their
the word, and the door had opened, he was struck own house all that day, and to seem melancholy,
with horror at the dismal sight of his brother's nobody was surprised in the evening to hear the
body. He was not long in determining how he lamentable shrieks and cries of Cassim"s wife and
should pay the last dues to his brother but with- ; Morgiana, who gave out everywhere that her mas-
out adverting to the little fraternal affection he ter was dead. The next morning, at daybreak.
Morgiana went to an old cobbler whom she knew Baba came after with some neighbors, who often
to be always early at his stall, and bidding him relieved the others in carrying the bier to the bury-
good morrow, put a piece of gold into his hand, ing-ground. Morgiana, a slave to the deceased,
saj'ing, " Baba Mustapha, you must bring with followed in the procession, weeping, beating her
you your sewing tackle, and come with me but I ; breast, and tearing her hair. Cassim's wife stayed
must tell you, I shall blindfold you when you at home mourning,«uttering lamentable cries with
come to such a place." the women of the neighborhood, who came, ac-
Baba Mustapha seemed to hesitate a little at cording to custom, during the funeral, and joining
these words. " Oh ! oh !
" replied he, " you their lamentations with hers, filled the quarter far
would have me do something against my con- and near with sounds of sorrow.
science, or against my honor?" "God forbid," In this manner Cassim's melancholy death was
said Morgiana, putting another piece of gold into concealed, and hushed up between Ali Baba, his
his hand, " that I should ask anything that is con- widow, and Morgiana his slave, with so much con-
trary to your honor ! only come along with me, trivance, that nobody in the city had the least
and fear nothing." knowledge or suspicion of the cause of it. Three
Baba Mustapha went with Morgiana, who, after or four days after the funeral, Ali Baba removed
she had bound his eyes with a handkerchief at the his few goods openly to his sister-in-law's house,
place she had mentioned, conveyed him to her in which it was agreed that he should in future
deceased master's house, and never unloosed his live but the money he had taken from the robbers
;
eyes till he had entered the room where she had he conveyed thither hy night. As for Cassim's
put the corpse together. " Baba Mustapha," said warehouse, he intrusted manage-
it entirely to the
she, " yon must make haste and sew the parts of ment of his eldest son.
this body together and when you have done, I
; While these things were being done, the forty
will give you another piece of gold." robbers again visited their retreat in the forest.
After Baba Mustapha had finished his task, she Great, then, was their surprise to find Cassim's
blindfolded again, gave him the third piece
him body taken away, with some of their bags of gold.
of gold as she had promised, and recommending " We ai-e certainly discovered," said the captain.
secrecy to him, carried him back to the place " The removal and the loss of some
of the body,
where she first bound his eyes, pulled off the band- of our monej', plainly shows that the man whom
age, and let him go home, but watched him that we killed had an accomplice and for our own ;
he returned towards his stall, till he was quite out lives' sake we must try and find him. What say
"
of sight, for fear he should have the curiosity to you, my lads ?
return and dog her she then went home.

; Mor- All the robbers unanimously approved of the
giana, on her return, warmed some water to wash captain's proposal.
the body, and at the same time Ali Baba per- " Well," said the captain, " one of you, the
fumed it with incense, and wrapped it in the bury- boldest and most skillful among you, must go into
ing clothes with the accustomed ceremonies. Not the town, disguised as a traveler and a stranger,
long after, the proper officer brought the bier, and to try if he can hear any talk of the man whom we
when the attendants of the mosque, whose busi- have killed, and endeavor to find out who he was
ness it was to wash the dead, offei-ed to perform and where he lived. This is a matter of the first
their duty, she told them that it was done al- importance, and for fear of anj' treachery, I pro-
ready. Shortly after this the imaun and the other pose that whoever undertakes this business with-
ministers of the mosque arrived. Four neighbors out success, even though the failure arises only
carried the corpse to the burying-ground, follow- from an error of judgment, shall suffer death."
ing the imaun, who recited some prayers. Ali Without waiting for the sentiments of his com-
panions, one of the robbers started up, and said, led blindfold. Come, let me blind your eyes at
" I submit to this condition, and think it an honor the same place. We will walk together perhaps ;
to expose my life to serve the troop." you may recognize some part and as everybody ;
After this robber had received great commenda- ought to be paid for their trouble, there is another
tionsfrom the captain and his comrades, he dis- piece of gold for you ; gratify
I ask me in what
guised himself so that nobody would take him for you." So saying, he put another piece of gold
what he was ; and taking his leave of the troop into his hand.
that night, went into the town just at daybreak The two pieces of gold were great temptations
and walked up and down, till accidentally he came to Baba Mustapha. He looked at them a long
to Baba Mustapha"s stall, which was always open time in his hand, without saying a word, but at
before any of the shops. last he pulled out his purse and put them in. " I
Baba Mnstapha was seated with an awl in his cannot promise," said he to the robber, " that I
hand, just going to work. The robber saluted can remember the way exactly but since you de- ;
him, bidding him good morrow; and perceiving sire, I will what I can do." At these words
try
that he was old, said " Honest man, you begin to
: Baba Mustapha rose up, to the great joy of the
work very early ; is it possible that one of your robber, and led him to the place where Morgiana
age can see so well ? I question, even if it were had bound his eyes. " It was here," said Baba
somewhat lighter, whether you could see to Mustapha, " I was blindfolded and I turned this ;
stitch." way." The robber tied ids handkerchief over his

" You do not know me," replied Baba Musta- eyes, and walked by him till he stopped directly
pha; " for old as I am, I have extraordinary good at Cassim's house, where Ali Baba then lived.
eyes and you will not doubt it when I tell you
; The thief, before he pulled off the band, marked
that I sewed the body of a dead man together in a the door with a piece of chalk, which he had
place where I had not so much light as I have ready in his hand, and then asked him if he knew
now." whose house that was to which Baba Mustapha
;
" A dead body " exclaimed the robber, with

!
replied, that, as he did not live in that neighbor-
affected amazement. " Yes, yes," answered Baba hood, he could not tell.
Mustapha, " I see you want to have me speak out, The robber, finding he could discover no more
but you shall know no more." from Baba Mustapha, thanked him for the trouble
The robber felt sure that he had discovered he had taken, and left him to go back to his stall,
what he sought. He pulled out a piece of gold, while he returned to the forest, persuaded that he
and putting it into Baba Mustapha's hand, said to should be very well received.
him " I do not want to learn your secret, though
: A little after the robber and Baba Mustapha
I can assure you, you might safely trust me with had parted, Morgiana went out of Ali Baba's
it. The only thing I desire of you is to show me house upon some errand, and upon her return,
the house where you stitched up the dead body." seeing the mark the robber had made, stopped to
" If I were disposed to do you that favor," i-e- observe it. " What can be the meaning of this
plied Baba Mustapha, "I assure you I cannot. I mark?" said she to herself; "somebody intends
was taken to a certain place, whence I was led my master no good ; however, with whatever in-
blindfold to the house, and afterwards brought tention it was done, it is advisable to guard against
back again in the same manner you see, there- ; the worst." Accordingly, she fetched a piece of
fore, the impossibility of my doing what you de- chalk, and marked two or three doors on each
sire." side, in the same manner, without saying a word
" Well," replied the robber, " you may, how- to her master or mistress.
ever, remember a little of the way that you were In the mean time, the robber rejoined his troop
37
in the forest, and recounted to them his success worthy of death. He condemned himself, ac-
expatiating upon his good fortune in meeting so knowledging that he ought to have taken better
soon with the only person who could inform him precaution, and prepared to receive the stroke
of what he wanted know. All the robbers list-
to from him who was appointed to cut off his head.
ened to him with the utmost satisfaction when ; But as the safety of the troop required the dis-
the captain, aftercommending his diligence, ad- covery of the second intruder into the cave, an-
dressing himself to them all, said :
" Comrades, other of the gang, who promised himself that he
we have no time to lose ; let us set off well armed, should succeed better, presented himself, and his
without its appearing who we are ; but that we offer being accepted,he went and corrupted Baba
may not excite any suspicion, let only one or two Mustapha, as the other had done and being shown
;
go into the town together, and join at our rendez- the house, marked it in a place more remote from
vous, which shall be the great square. In the sight, with red chalk.
mean time, our comrade who brought us the good Not long after, Morgiana, wliose ej'es nothing
news and I will go and find out the house, that we could escape, went out, and seeing the red chalk,
may consult what had best be done." and arguing with herself as she had done before,
This speech and plan was aj)proved of hj all, marked the other neighbors" houses in the same
and thej' were soon read}'. They filed off in par- place and manner.
ties of two each, after some interval of time, and The robber, at his return to his company, val-
got into the town without being in the least sus" ued himself much on the p>recaution he had taken,
pected. The captain and he who had visited the which he looked upon as an infallible waj' of dis-
towji in the morning as spy came in the last. He tinguishing Ali Baba's house from the others
led the captain into the street where he had and the captain and all of them thought it must
marked Ali Baba's residence and when they
; succeed. They conveyed themselves into the
came to the first of the houses which Morgiana town with the same precaution as before but ;
had marked, he pointed it out. But the captain when the robber and his captain came to the
observed that the next door was chalked in the street, they found the same difficulty at which
;
same manner, and in the same place and showing; the captain was enraged, and the robber in as
it to his guide, asked him which house it was, great confusion as his predecessor.
that, or the first. The guide was so confounded Thus the captain and his troop were forced to
that he knew not what answer to make but still ; retire a second time, and much more dissatisfied ;
moi'e puzzled, when he and the captain saw five while the robber, who had been the author of the
or six houses similai'ly marked. He assured the mistake, underwent the same jjunishment, which
captain, with an oath, that he had marked but he willingly submitted to.
one, and could not tell who had chalked the rest, The captain, having lost two brave fellows of
so that he could not distinguish the house which his troop, was afraid of diminishing it too much
the cobbler had stopped at. bj' pursuing this plan to get information of the
The captain, finding that their design had residence of their plunderer. He found by their
proved abortive, went directly to the place of ren- example that their heads were not so good as their
dezvous, and told his troop that they had lost hands on such occasions and therefore resolved
;
their labor, and must return to their cave. He to take upon himself the impoitant commission.
himself set them the example, and they all re- Accordingly, he went and addressed himself to
turned as they had come. Baba Mustapha, who did him the same service he
When the troop was all got togetlier, the cap- had done to the other robbers. He did not set
tain told them the reason of their returning and ; any particular mark on the house, but examined
presently the conductor was declared by all and observed it so carefully, by passing often
before it, that it was impossible for him to mis- mules to go into the yard. At the same time he
take it. called to a slave, and ordered him, when the mules
The captain, well satisfied with his attempt, were unloaded, to put them into the stable, and
and informed what he wanted to know, returned
of to feed them and then went to Morgiana, to bid
;
to the forest and when he came into the cave,

: her get a good supper for his guest. After they
where the troop waited for him, said " Now, : had finished supper, Ali Baba charging Morgiana
comrades, nothing can prevent our full revenge, afresh to take care of his guest, said to her: "•
To-
as I am certain of the house and in my way ; morrow morning I design to go to the bath before
hither I have thought how to put it into execu- day ; take care my bathing linen be ready ;
give
tion, butany one can form a better expedient,
if them (which Avas the slave's name),
to Abdalla
let him communicate it." He then told them his and make me some good broth against I return."
contrivance and as they ;approved of it, ordered After this he went to bed.
them to go into the villages about, and buy nine- In the mean time the captain of the robbers
teen mules, with thirty- eight large leather jars, went into the yard, and took ofl the lid of each
one full of oil, and the others empty. jar, and gave his jêople orders what to do. Be-
In two or three days' time the robbers had pur- ginning at the first jar, and so on to the last, he
chased the mules and jars, and as the mouth of said to each man: "As soon as I throw some
the jars were rather too narrow for his purpose, stones out of the chamber window where I lie, do
the captain caused them to be widened and after ; not fail to come out, and I will immediately join
having put one of his men into each, with the you." After this he returned into the house,
weapons which he thought fit, leaving open the when Morgiana, taking up a light, conducted him
seam which had been undone to leave them room to his chamber, where she left him and he, to ;
to breathe, he rubbed the jars on the outside with avoid any suspicion, put the light out soon after,
oil from the full vessel. and laid himself down in his clothes, that he
Things being thus prepared, when the nineteen might be the more ready to rise.
mules were loaded with thirty-seven robbers in Morgiana, remembering Ali Baba's ordei-s, got
jars, and the jar of oil, the captain, as their driver, his bathing linen ready, and ordered Abdalla to
Set out with them, and reached the town by the set on the pot for the broth but while she was ;
dusk he had intended. He led

of the evening, as preparing it, the lamp went out, and there was
them through the streets till he came to Ali Baba's, no more oil in the house, nor any candles. What
at whose door he designed to have knocked but ; to do she did not know, for the broth must be
was prevented by his sitting there after supper to made. Abdalla, seeing her very uneasy, said,
take a little fresh air. He stopped his mules, ad- " Do not fret and tease yourself, but go into the
dressed himself to him, and said :
" I have brought yard, and take some oil out of one of the jars."
some oil a great way, to sell at to-morrow's mar- Morgiana thanked Abdalla for his advice, took
ket; and it is now so late that I do not know the oil-pot, and went into the yard when, as she ;
•where to lodge. If I should not be troublesome to came nigh the first jar, the robber within said
" "
you, do me the favor to let me pass the night with softly, Is it time ?
you, and I shall be veiy much obliged by your Though naturally much surprised at finding a
hospitality." man in the jar instead of the oil she wanted, she
Though Ali Baba had seen the captain of the immediately felt the importance of keeping si-
robbers in the forest, and had heard him speak, lence, as Ali Baba, his family, and herself were
it was impossible to know him in the disguise of in great danger; and collecting herself, without
an oil-merchant. He told him he should be wel- showing the least emotion, she answered, " Not
come, and immediately opened his gates for the yet, but presently." She went quietly in this
manner to all the jars, giving the same answer, going to the first jar, whilst asking the robber,
till she came to the jar of oil. whom he thought if he was in readiness,
alive,
By this means Morgiana found that her master smelt the hot boiled which sent forth a steam
oil,
All Baba had admitted thirty-eight robbers into out of the jar. Hence he suspected that his plot
his house, and that tliis pretended oil-merchant to murder Ali Baba, and plunder his house, was
discovered. Examining all the jars, one after an-
other, he found that all his gang were dead ; and,
enraged to despair at having failed in his design,
he forced the lock of a door that led from the yard
to the garden, and climbing over the walls made
his escape.
When saw him depart, she went to
jNIorgiana
bed, satisfied and pleased to have succeeded so
well in saving her master and family.
Ali Baba rose before day, and followed by his
was their captain. She made what haste she could slave, went to the baths, entirely ignorant of the
to fill her oil-pot, and returned into her kitchen, importar.t event which had happened at home.
where, as soon as she had lighted her lamp, she When he returned from the baths, he was very
took a great kettle, went again to the oil-jar, much surprised to see the oil-jars, and that the
filled the kettle, set it on a large wood fire, and merchant was not gone with the mules. He asked
as soon as it went and poured enough into
boiled Morgiana, who opened the door, the reason of it.
every jar to stifle and destroy the robber within. " ^^y good master," answered she, " God preserve
When this action, worthy of the courage of you and all your family. You will be better in-
Morgiana, was executed without any noise, as formed of what you wish to know when you have
she had projected, .she returned into the kitchen seen what I have to show you, if you will follow
with the empty kettle and having put out the
; me."
great fire she had made to boil the oil, and leaving As soon as Morgiana had shut the door, Ali
just enough to make the broth, put out the lamp Baba followed her, when she requested him to
also, and remained silent, resolving not to go to rest look into tiie first jar, and see if there was any oil.
till she had observed what might follow through Ali Baba did so, and seeing a man, started back
a window of the kitchen, which opened into the in alarm, and cried oat. " Do not be afraid," said
yard. Morgiana, " the man you see there can neither do
She had not waited long before the captain of you nor anybody else any harm. He is dead."
the robbers got up, opened the window, and find- " Ah, Morgiana," said Ali Baba, " what is it you
ing no light, and hearing no noise, or any one show me? Explain yourself." " I will," replied
stirring in the house, gave the appointed signal, Morgiana. " Moderate your astonishment, and do
by throwing little stones, several of which hit the not excite the curiosity of your neighbors ; for it
jars, as he doubted not by the sound they gave. is of great importance to keep this affair seci'et.
He then listened, but not hearing or perceiving Look into all tlie other jars."
anything whereby he could judge that his com- Baba examined all the other jars, one after
Ali
panions stirred, he began to grow very uneasy, another and when he came to that which had
;
threw stones again a second, and also a third the it, found it prodigiously sunk, and stood
oil in
time, and could not comprehend the reason that for some time motionless, sometimes looking at
none of them should answer his signal. Much the jars, and sometimes at jMorgiana, witliout say-
alarmed, he went softly down into the yard, and ing a word, so great was his surprise. At last,
when he had lecoveied himself, he said, "And together, he took a warehouse, which hap-pened to
"
what is become of the merchant ? be 023posite to Cassim's, which Ali Baba's sou had
"Merchant!" answered she; "he is as much occupied since the death of his uncle.
one as I am. you who he is, and what
I will tell He took the name of Cogia Houssain, and, as a
is become of him but you had better hear the
; new-comer, was, according to custom, extremely
story in your own chamber for it is time for your
; civil and complaisant to all the merchants his
health that you had your broth after your bath- neighbors. Ali Baba's son was, from his vicinity,
ing." one of the first to converse with Cogia Houssain,
Morgiana then him all she had done, from
told who strove to cultivate his friendship more partic-
the first observing the mark upon the house, to ularly. Two or three days after he was settled,
the destruction of the robbers and the flight of Ali Baba came to see his son, and the captain of
their captain. the robbers recognized him at once, and soon
On hearing of these brave deeds from the lips learned from his son who he was. After this he
of Morgiana, Ali Baba said to her, — " God, by him in the most
increased his assiduities, caressed
your means, has delivered me from the snares engaging manner, made him some small presents,
these robbers laid for my destruction. I owe, and often asked him to dine and sup with him,
therefore, my you and, for the first token
life to ;
when lie treated him very handsomely.
of my acknowledgment, give you your liberty Ali Baba's son did not choose to lie under such
from this moment, till I can complete your recom- obligation to Cogia Houssaiu ; but was so much
pense as I intend." straitened for want of room in his house, that he
Ali Baba's garden was very long, and shaded could not entertain him. He therefore acquainted
at the farther end by a great nuniber of large his father, Ali Baba, with his wish to invite him
trees. Near these he and the slave Abdalla dug in return.
a trench, long and wide enough to hold the bodies Ali Baba with great pleasure took the treat
of the robbers and as the earth was light, they
; upon himself. " Son," said he, " to-morrow being
were not long in doing it. When this was done, Friday, which is a day that the shops of such
Ali Baba hid the jars and weapons and as he ; great merchants as Cogia Houssain and yourself
had no occasion for the mules, he sent them at are shut, gethim to accompany you, and as you
different times to be sold in the market by his pass by my door, call in. I will go and order
slave. Morgiana to provide a supper."
While Ali Baba took these measures, the cap- The next day Ali Baba's son and Cogia Hous-
tain of the forty robbers returned to the forest sain met by appointment, took their walk, and as
with inconceivable mortification. He did not stay they returned, Ali Baba's son led Cogia Houssain
long ; the loneliness of the gloomy cavern became through the street where his father lived, and when
frightful to him. He determined, however, to they came to the house, stopped and knocked at
avenge the fate of his companions, and to accom- the door. "This, sir," said he, "is my father's
plish the death of Ali Baba. For this purpose he house, who, from the account I have given him of
returned to the town, and took a lodging in a your friendship, charged me to procure him the
khan, and disguised himself as a merchant in silks. honor of your acquaintance ; and I desire you to
Under assumed character, he gradually con-
this add this pleasure to those for which I am already
veyed a gi-eat many sorts of rich stuffs and fine indebted to you."
linen to his lodging from the cavern, but with all Though it was the sole aim of Cogia Houssain
the necessary precautions to conceal the place to introduce himself into Ali Baba's house, that he
whence he brought them. In order to dispose of might kill him, without hazarding his own life or
the merchandise, when he had thus amassed them making any noise, yet he excused himself, and
294 TALES FROM THiE ARABIAN NIGHTS' ENTERTAINMENTS.
offered to take his leave; but a sl^^^^
having ^Morgiana obeyed, though with no little reluct-
opened the door, Ali Babas son took ^"" °^l|g- ance, and had a curiosity to see this man who ate
ingly by the hand, and, in a manner;

forced him no salt. To this end, when she had finished what
in.
she had to do in the kitchen, she helped Abdalla
Ali Baba received Cogia Houssain ^^^^^^ ^ ^™'^- to carry up the dishes; and looking at Cogia
ing countenance, and in the most oblip"^?
mannei Houssain, knew him at first sight, notwithstand-
^^^ ^'^^^^^ ing his disguise, to be the captain of the rob-
he could wish. He thanked him for a^^
he had done his son adding withal tl^^
obligation bers, and examining him very carefully, perceived
;
was the greater as he was a young ma^^' ^ mucn that he had a dagger under his garment. "I
acquainted with the world, and that he

^'gît con- am not in the least amazed," said she to herself,
" that this wicked man, who is my master's great-
tribute to his information.
^^- est enemy, would eat no salt with him, since he
Cogia Houssain returned the compli™^"*^ ^^
intends to assassinate him; but I will prevent
suring Ali Baba, that though his soi' ™^g^*
"°*^
have acquired the experience of older p^'^' '^^

"^'^ 111 him."
good sense equal to the experience of n^'^^^^ otneis. Morgiana, while they were at supper, deter-
After a little more conversation on dif®^®"* ^^_ mined in her own mind to execute one of the
jects, he offered again to take his leavr' '"''^^n All boldest acts ever meditated.When Abdalla came
Baba, stopping him, said: "Where air J"^*^* g^^^g' and had put it with the
for the dessert of fruit,
sir, in so much haste ? I beg you wr'"^'^

^° ™® wine and glasses before Ali Baba, Morgiana re-
entertain- tired, dressed herself neatly, with a suitable head-
the honor to sup with me, though mf
dress like a dancer, girded her waist with a silver-
ment may not be worthy your accept^^'^® =
^'^
_
as it is I heartily offer it." " Sir," ref î*^*^ ^^S"^ which there hung a poniard with a
gilt girdle, to
Houssain, " I am thoroughly persuadr*^ °_

your hiltand guard of the same metal, and put a hand-
good-will; but the truth is, I can eat "" -v'ictuals some mask on her face. When she had thus dis-
that have any salt in them therefore 3"^%*^
^'^^'^ guised herself, she said to Abdalla, " Take j-our
;
I should feel at your table." " If that '^ *® °"'y tabor, and let us go and divert our master aiid
reason," said Ali Baba, " it ought not *^° deprive his son's friend, as we do sometimes when he is
fl f
"^^^
fi
alone."
me honor of your comjJany
of the ; for, ^^ ^"®
no salt ever put into my oread, and

place, there is Abdalla took his tabor and played all the way
as to the meat we shall have to-niglit; ^
promise into the hall before IMorgiana, who, when she came
you there shall be none in that. Thf^'^fore you to the door, made a low obeisance hy way of ask-
must do me the favor to stay. I will r^™i'" i™" ing leave to exhibit her skill,while Abdalla left
mediately." off playing. " Come in, Morgiana," said Ali
Ali Baba went into the 'kitchen,
nd ordered
a Baba, " and let Cogia Houssain see what you can
Morgiana to put no salt to the meat t'

was to
(ihat do, that he may tell us what he thinks of your
_
be dressed that night and to make d^^^^^ly ^"'O

;
performance."
or three ragouts besides what he had o'^'''^^'^*^'
^^^* Cogia Houssain, who did not exjDect this diver-
be sure to put no salt in them. sion after supper, began to fear he should not be
V)le to take advantage of the opportunity he
Morgiana, who was always ready t? ooey nei
tliought he had found, but hoped, if he now missed
master, could not help being surprif^ ^ _
^^^^ his aim, to secure it another time, by keeping up a

strange order. " Who is this strange
''"f^"' '
lour friendly correspondence with the father and son ;

she, "who eats no salt with his mea •
^*'"g-' therefore, though he could have wished Ali Baba

supper will be spoiled, if I keep it bac'^ '^'^
" Do not be angry, Morgiana," replied ^^] Baba would have declined the dance, he pretended to
" he 1^^- be obliged to him for it, and had the complaisance
is an honest man, therefore do as .
to express his satisfaction at what he saw, which courage and resolution worthy of herself, plunged
pleased his host. the poniard into his heart.
As soon as Abdalla saw that Ali Baba and Cogia Ali Baba and liis son, shocked at this action,
Houssain had done talking, he began to play on cried out aloud. "Unhappy woman!"
exclaimed
the tabor, and accompanied it with an air, to Ali Baba, " what have you done to ruin me and
which Morgiana, who was an excellent performer, my family ? " "It was to preserve, not to ruin
danced in such a you," answered Mor-
manner as would have giana ;
" for see here,"
created admiration in continued she, open-
any company. ing the pretended Co-
After she had gia Houssain's gar-
danced several dances ment, and
showing
with much grace, she the dagger, " what an
drew the poniard, and enemy you had enter-
holding it in her hand, tained ! Look well
began a dance, in at him, and you will
which she outdid her- find him to be both
self, by the many dif- the fictitious oil-mer-
ferent figures, light chant and the captain
movements, and the of the gang of forty
surprising leaps and robbers. Remember,
wonderful exertions too, that he would eat
with which she ac- no salt with you and ;
companied it. Some- what would you have

times she presented more to persuade you
the poniard to one of his wicked design ?
breast, sometimes to Befoi'e I saw him, I
anothei', and often- suspected him as soon
times seemed to strike as you told me you had
her own. At last, she such a guest. I knew
snatched the tabor him, and you now find
from Abdalla with that my suspicion was
her left hand, and not groundless."
holding the dagger in Ali Baba, who im-
her right, presented mediately feltthe new
the other side of the obligation he had to
tabor, after the man- Morgiana for saving
ner of those who get his life a second time,
a livelihood by dancing, and solicit the Hberality embraced her " Morgiana," said he, " I gave you
;
of the spectators. yom- liberty, and then promised you that my

Ali Baba put a piece of gold into the tabor, as gratitude should not stop there, but that I would
did also his son
; and Cogia Houssain, seeing that soon give you higher proofs of its sincerity, which
she was coming to him, had pulled his purse out I now do by making you my daughter-in-law."
of his bosom to make her a present ; but while he Then addressing himself to his son, he said " I :
was putting his hand into it, Morgiana, with a believe you, son, to be so dutiful a child, that you
will not refuse Morgiaiia for your wife. You see good qualities commended his generosity and good-
that Cogia Houssain sought j'our friendship with ness of heart. Ali Baba did not visit the robber's
a treacherous desigu to take away my
and if
life , cave for a year, as he sujjposed the other two,
he had succeeded, there is no doubt but he would whom he could get no account
of, might be alive.
have sacrificed you also to his revenge. Consider At the year's end, when he found they had not
that b}' marrying Morgiana you marry the pre- made any attempt to disturb him, he had tlie curi-
server of my family and your own." osity to make another journey. He mounted his
Tlie son, far from showing any dislike, readily horse, and when he came to the cave he alighted,
consented to the marriage ; not only because he tied his horse to a tree ; then approaching the en-
would not disobey his father, but also because it trance and pronouncing the words, " Open, Ses-
was agreeable to his inclination. After this they ame " the door opened. He entered the cavern,
!
thought of buryiug the captain of the robbers and by the condition he found things in, judged
with his comrades, and did it so privately that no- that nobody had been there since the captain had
body discovered their bones till many years after, fetched the goods for his shop. From this time he
when no one had any concern in the publication believed he was the onl}- person in the world who
of this remarkable history. A few days after- had the opening the cave, and that all the
secret of
wards Ali Baba celebrated the nuptials of his son treasure was at his sole disposal. He put as much
and Morgiana with great solemnity, a sumptuous gold into his saddle-bag as his horse would carry,
feast, and the usual dancing and spectacles and ;
and returned to town. Some years later he car-
had the satisfaction to see that his friends and ried his son to the cave, and taught him the se-
neighbors, whom he invited, had no knowledge cret,which he handed down to his posterity, who,
of the true motives of the marriage ; but that using their good fortune with moderation, lived in
those who were not unacquainted with Morgiana's great honor and splendor.
Vn. THE STORY OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR.

In the reign of the same caliph, Haroun Al- made the porter conclude there was a feast, with
Raschid, of whom we have already heard, there great rejoicings within. His business seldom
lived atBagdad a poor porter called Hindbad. leading him that way, he knew not to whom the
One day, when the weather was excessively hot, mansion belonged but he went to
; of the some
he was employed to carry a heavy burden from servants, whom he saw standing at the gate in
one end of the town to the other. Being much magnificent apparel, and asked the name of the
fatigued, he took off his load, and sat upon it, near proprietor. " How," replied one of them, " do you
a large mansion. live in Bagdad, and know not that this is the
He was much pleased that he stopped at this house of Sindbad the Sailor, that famous voyager,
place ; for the agreeable smell of wood of aloes who has sailed round the world ? " The porter
and of pastils that came from the house, mixing lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, loud enough
with the scent of the rose-water, completely per- to be heard :
" Almighty Creator of all things,
fumed and embalmed the air. Besides, he heard consider the differencebetween Sindbad and me !
from within a concert of instrumental music, ac- I am every day exposed to fatigues and calamities,
companied with the harmonious notes of nightin- and can scarcely get coarse barlej'-bread for my-
gales and other birds. This charming melody, self and my family, whilst happy Sindbad pro-
and the smell of several sorts of savory dishes, fusely expends immense riches, and leads a life of
THE STORY OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 297
continual pleasure. What has he done to obtain prive the greatest raiser of his love of riches ; and
from Tliee a lot so agreeable ? And what have I as an opportunity now offers, I will, with your
"
done to deserve one so wretched ? leave, relate the dangers I have encountered,
Whilst the porter was thus indulging his mel- which I think will not be uninteresting to you."
anclioly, a servant came out of the house, and
taking him by tlie arm, bade him follow him, for
THE FIRST VOYAGE OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR.
Sindbad, his master, wanted to speak to him. My father was a wealthy merchant of much re-
The servant brought him into a great hall, pute. He bequeathed me a large estate, which I
where a number of people sat round a table, cov- wasted in riotous living. I quickly perceived my
ered with all sorts of savory dishes. At the up- error, and that was misspending
I my time, which
per end sat a comely, venerable gentleman, with a is of all things the most valuable. I remembered
long white beard, and behind him stood a number the saying of the great Solomon, which I had fre-
and domestics, all ready to attend his
of officers quently heard from my father, "A good name is
pleasure. This person was Sindbad. Hindbad, better than precious ointment ;
" and again,
whose fear was increased at the sight of so many "Wisdom is good with an inheritance." Struck
people, and of a banquet so sumptuous, saluted with these reflections, I resolved to walk in my
the company trembling. Sindbad bade him draw father's ways, and I entered into a contract with
near, and seating him at his right hand, served some merchants, and embarked with them on
him himself^ and gave him excellent wine, of board a ship we had jointly fitted out.
which there was an abundance upon the side- We set sail, and steered our course towai'ds the
board. Indies, through the Persian Gulf, which is formed
Now, Sindbad had himself heard the porter by the coasts of Arabia Felix on the right, and by
complain through the window, and this it was that those of Persia on the left. At first I was
induced him to have him brought in. When the troubled with sea-sickness, but speedily recovered
repast was over, Sindbad addressed his conversa- my health, and was not afterwards subject to that
tion to Hindbad, and inquired his name and em- complaint.
ployment, and said, " I wish to hear from 'your In our voyage we touched at several islands,
own mouth what it was you lately said in the where we sold or exchanged our goods. One day,
street." whilst under sail, we were becalmed near a small
At this request, Hindbad hung down his head island, but little elevated above the level of the
in confusion, and replied :
" My lord, I confess water, and resembling a green meadow. The cap-
that my fatigue put me out of humor, and occa- tain ordered his sails to be furled, and permitted
sioned me to utter some indiscreet words, which I such persons as were so inclined to land of this ;
beg you to pardon." " Do not think I am so un- number I was one.
just," resumed Sindbad, " as to resent such a com- But while we were enjoying ourselves in eating
plaint. But I must rectify your error concerning and drinking, and recovering ourselves from the
myself. You think, no doubt, that I have ac- fatiscue of the sea, the island on a sudden trembled
quired without labor and trouble the ease and in- and shook us terribly.
dulgence which I now enjoy. But do not mis- The trembling of the island was perceived on
take ; I did not attain to this happy condition board the ship, and we were called upon to reem-
without enduring for several years more trouble bark speedilj^ or we should all be lost for what ;
of body and mind than can well be imagined. we took for an island proved to be the back of a
Yes, gentlemen," he added, speaking to the whole sea-monster. Tlie nimblest got into the sloop
companj^ " I assure you that my sufferings have others betook themselves to swimming; but as for
been of a nature so extraordinary, as would de- myself, I was still upon the island when it disap-
38
peared into the sea, and I bad only time to catch to the Maha-raja. He asked me who I was, and
hold of a piece of wood that we. had brought out by what adventure I had come into his dominions.
of the ship to make a fire. Meanwhile the cap- After I had satisfied him, he told me he was much
tain, having received those on board who were in concerned for my misfortune, and at the same
the sloop, and taken up some of those that swam, time ordered that I should want for nothing;
resolved to improve the favorable gale that had which commands his ofiicers were so generous and
just risen, and hoisting his sails, pursued his voy- careful as to see exactly fulfilled.
age, so that it was impossible for me to recover the Being a merchant, I frequented men of my own
ship. profession,and particularly inquired for those who
Thus was I exposed to the mercy of the waves were strangers, that perchance I might hear news
all the rest of the day and the following night. from Bagdad, or find an opportunity to return.
By this time I found my strength gone, and de- For the Maha-raja's capital is situated on the sea-
spaired of saving my hfe, when happily a wave coast, and has a fine harbor, where ships arrive
threw me against an island. The bank was high daily from the different quarters of the world. I
and rugged so that I could scarcely have got up

; frequented also the society of the learned Indians,
had it not been for some roots of trees which I and took delight to hear them converse ; but
found within reach. When the sun rose, though withal, I took care to make my court regularly to
I was very feeble, both from hard labor and want the Maha-raja, and conversed with the governors
of food, I crept along to find some herbs fit to eat, and petty kings, his tributaries, th^t were about
and had the good luck not only to procure some, him. The}'' put a thousand questions respecting
but likewise to discover a spring of excellent my and I being willing to inform mj-self
country ;
water, which contributed much to recover me. as to their lawsand customs, asked them concern-
After this I advanced farther into the island, and ing everything which I thought worth knowing.
at last reached a fine plain, where I perceived There belongs to this king an island named
some horses feeding. Iwent towards them, when Cassel. They assured me that every night a noise
I heard the voice of a man, who immediately ap- of drums was heard there, whence the mariners
peared, and asked me who I was. I related to fancied that it was the residence of Degial. I
him my adventure, after which, taking me by the determined to visit this wonderful place, and in
hand, he led me into a cave, where there were my way saw fishes of 100 and 200 cubits
thither
several other people, no less amazed to see me long, that occasion more fear than hurt for they ;
than I was to see them. are so timorous, that they will fly upon the rat-
I partook of some provisions which they offered tling of two sticks or boards. I saw likewise
me. I then asked them what they did in such a other fish about a cubit in length that had heads
desert place to which they answered, that they
; like owls.
were grooms belonging to the Maha-raja, sov- As I was one day at the port after my return,
ereign of the island, and that every year they the ship arrived in which had embarked at Bus-
I
brought thither the king's horses for pasturage. sorah. I at once knew the cajjtain, and I went
Tliey added, that they were to return home on and asked him for my bales. " I am Sindbad,"
the morrow, and had I been one day later, I must said I, "and those bales marked with his name
have perished, because the inhabited part of the are mine."
island was a great distance off, and it would have When the captain heard me speak thus, "Heav-
been impossible for nie to have got thither without ens !
" he exclaimed. " whom can we ti-ust in these
a guide. times ! I saw Sindbad perish with my own eyes,
Next morning they returned to the capital of as did also the passengers on board, and yet you
the island, tookme with them, and presented me tell me you are that Sindbad. What impudence
is thisand what a false tale to tell, in order to

! the adventures of my second voyage. They de-
"
possess yourself of what does not belong to you I serve your attention even more than those of the
" Have patience," replied I " do nie the favor to ; first."Upon which every one held his peace, and
hear what I have to saj'." The captain was at Sindbad proceeded :
—
length persuaded that I was no cheat for there ;
came people from who knew me, paid me

his ship
THE SECOND VOYAGE OP SINDBAD THE SAILOR.
great compliments, and expressed much joy at I designed, after my first voyage, to spend the
seeins me alive. At last he recollected me him- rest of my days at Bagdad, but it was not long ere
self, and embracing me, " Heaven be praised," I grew weary of an indolent life, and I put to sea
said he "for your happy escape! I cannot ex- a second time, with merchants of known probity.
press the joy it affords me. There are your We embarked on board a good ship, and after
goods take and do with them as you please."
; recommending ourselves to God, set sail. We
I took out what was most valuable in my bales, traded from island to island, and exchanged com-
and presented them to the Maha-raja, who, know- modities with great profit. One day we landed on
ing my misfortune, asked me how I came by such an island covered with several sorts of fruit-trees,
rarities. I acquainted him with the circumstance but we could see neither man nor animal. We
of their recovery. He was pleased at my good walked in the meadows, along the streams that
luck, accepted mj^ present, and in return gave me watered them. Whilst some diverted themselves
one much more considerable. Upon this I took with gathering flowers and others fruits, I took
leave of him, and went aboard the same ship, after my wine and provisions, and sat down near a
I had exchanged my goods for the commodities of stream betwixt two high trees, which formed a
that country. I carried with me wood of aloes, thick. shade. I made a good meal, and afterwards
sandals, camphire, nutmegs, cloves, pepper, and fell asleep. I cannot tell how long I slept, but
ginger. We passed by several islands, and at last when awoke the ship was gone.
I
arrived at Bussorah, from whence I came to this In this sad condition, I was ready to die with
city, with the value of 100,000 sequins. grief. I cried out in head and
agony, beat my
Sindbad stopped here, and ordered the musi- breast, and threw myself upon the ground, where
cians to proceed with their concert, which the I lay some time in despair. I upbraided myself a
story had interrupted. When it was evening, hundred times for not being content with the prod-
Sindbad sent for a purse of 100 sequins, and giv- uce of my first voyage, that might have sufficed
ing it to the porter, said, " Take this, Hindbad me all my life. But all this was in vain, and my
return to your home, and come back to-morrow to repentance came too late. At last I resigned my-
hear more of my adventures." The porter went self to the will of God. Not knowing what to do,
awa}^, astonished at the honor done him, and the I climbed up to the top of a lofty tree, from
present made him. The account of this adventure whence I looked about on all sides, to see if I
proved very agreeable to his wife and children, could discover anything that could give me hopes.
who did not fail to return thanks for what Provi- When I gazed towards the sea I could see noth-
dence had sent them by the hand of Sindbad. ing but sky and water ; but looking over the land
Hindbad put on his best robe next day, and re- I beheld something white ; and coming down, I
turned to the bountiful traveler, who received took what provision I had left, and went towards
him with and welcomed him heart-
a pleasant air, it, the distance being so great that I could not dis-
Wy. When all was

the guests had arrived, dinner tinguish what it was.
served, and continued a long time. When it was As I approached, I thought it to be a white
ended, Sindbad, addressing himself to the com- dome, of a prodigious height and extent : and
pany, said " Gentlemen, be pleased to listen to
: when I came up to it, I touched it, and found it to
she afterwards descended with so
much rapidity that I lost my
senses. But when I found my-
self on the ground, I speedily un-
tied the knot, and had scarcely
done so, when the roc, having
taken up a serpent of a monstrous
length in her bill, flew away.
The spot where the bird left
me was encompassed on all sides
by mountains, that seemed to
reach above the clouds, and so
be very smooth. steep that there was no possibility of getting out
I went round to of the valley. This was a new perplexity so that ;
if was open on any

it when I compared this place with the desert island
side, but saw it was not, and from which the roc had brought me, I found that
that there was no climbing I had gained nothing by the change.
up to the top, as it was so As I walked tlirough this valley, I perceived it
smooth. It was at least fifty was strewed with diamonds, some of which were
paces round. of a surprising bigness. I took pleasure in look-
By this time the sun was ing upon them; but shortly saw at a distance such
about to set, and all of a objects as greatly diminished my satisfaction, and
sudden the sky became as which I could not view without terror, namely, a
dark as if it had been covered great number of serpents, so monstrous that the
with a thick cloud. I was much least ofthem was capable of swallowing an ele-
astonished at this sudden darkness, phant. They retired in the daytime to their dens,
but much more when I found it oc- where they hid themselves from the roc, their
casioned by a bird of a monstrous enemy, and came out only in the night.
size, that came flying towards me. I spent the day in walking about in the valley,
I remembered that I had often resting myself at times in such places as I thought
heard mariners speak of a miracu- most convenient. When night came on I went
lous bird called the roc, and con- into a cave, where I thought I might repose in
ceived that the great dome which safety. I secured the entrance, which was low
I so much admired must be its and narrow, with a great stone, to preserve me
egg. In short, the bird alighted, from the serpents but not so far as to exclude the
;
and sat over the egg. As I pei-- light. I supped on part of my provisions, but the
ceived her coming, I crept close to serpents, which began hissing round me, put me
the egg, so that I had before me one of the legs of into such extreme fear that I did not sleep.
the bird, which was as big as the trunk of a tree. When day appeared the serpents retired, and I
I tied myself strongly to it with my turban, in came out of the cave trembling. I can justly say,
hopes that the roc next morning would carry me that I walked upon diamonds, without feeling any
with her out of this desert island. After hav- inclination to touch them. At last I sat down,
ing passed the night in this condition, the bird and notwithstanding my apprehensions, not having
flew away as soon as it was daylight, and carried closed my eyes during the night, fell asleep, after
me so high, that I could not discern the earth ;
having eaten a little more of my provisions. But I
had scarcely shut my eyes when something that fell diamonds enough for you and myself, more than
by me with a great noise awaked me. This was a all the other merchants together. Whatever they
large piece of raw meat and at the same time I
; have they owe to chance but I selected for my-
;
saw several others fall down from the rocks in dif- self, in the bottom of the valley, those which you
ferent places. see in this bag."

had always regarded as fabulous what I had
I I had scarcely done speaking, when the other
heard sailors and others relate of the valley of merchants came crowding about us, much aston-
diamonds, and of the stratagems employed by ished to seeme but they were much more sur-
;
merchants to obtain jewels from thence but now ; prisedwhen I told them my storJ^
I found that they had stated nothing but the They conducted me to their encampment and ;
truth. For the fact is, that the merchants come there having opened my bag, they were surprised
to the neighborhood of this valley, when the ea- at the largeness of my diamonds, and confessed
gles have young ones, and throwing great joints of that they had never seen any of such size and per-
meat into the valley, the diamonds, upon whose fection. I prayed the merchant who owned the
points they fall, stick to them ; the eagles, which nest to which I had been carried (for every mer-
are stronger in this country than anywhere else, chant had his own), to take as many for his share
pounce with great force upon those pieces of meat, as he pleased. He contented himself with one,
and carry them to their nests on the precipices of and that, too, the least of them ; and when I
the rocks to feed their young the merchants at ; pressed him to take moi'e, without fear of doing
this time run to their nests, disturb and drive off me any injury, " No," said he, " I am very well
the eagles by their shouts, and take away the dia- satisfied with which is valuable enough to
this,
monds that stick to the meat. save me the trouble of making any more voyages,
I perceived in this device the means of my de- and will raise as great a fortune as I desire."
liverance. I spent the night with the merchants, to whom
Having collected together the largest diamonds I related my story a second time, for the satisfac-
I could find, and put theui into the leather bag in tion of those who had not heard it. I could not
which I used to carry my provisions, I took the moderate my joy when I found myself delivered
largest of the pieces of meat, tied it close round from the danger I have mentioned. I thought
me my turban, and then laid
with the cloth of myself in a dream, and could scarcely believe my-
myself upon the ground, with my face down- self out of danger.
wards, the bag of diamonds being made fast to The merchants had thrown meat
their pieces of
my girdle. into the valley for several days and each of ;
had scarcely placed myself in this posture

I them being satisfied with the diamonds that had
when one of the eagles, having taken me up with fallen to his lot, we left the place the next morn-
the piece of meat to which I was fastened, carried ing, and traveled near high mountains, where
me to his nest on the top of the mountain. The there were serpents of a prodigious length, which
merchants immediately began their shouting to we had the good fortune to escape. We took
frighten the eagles and when they had obliged
; shipping at the first port we reached, and touched
them to quit their p)rey, one of them came to the at the isle of Roha, where the trees grow that
nest where I was. He was much alarmed when yield camphire. This tree is so large, and its
he saw me ; but recovering himself, instead of in- branches so thick, that one hundred men may
quiring how I came thither, began to quarrel with easily sit under its shade. The juice, of which
me, and asked why I stole his goods ? " You will the camphire is made, exudes from a hole boi'ed
treat me," replied I, " with more civility, when in the upper part of the tree, is received in a ves-
you know me better. Do not be uneasy I have ; sel, where it thickens to a consistency, and be-
comes what we call camplnre. After the juice is was a young roc in it, just ready to be hatched,
thus drawn out, the tree withers and dies. and its beak had begun to break the egg.
In this island is also found the rhinoceros, an The merchants who landed with me broke the
animal than the elephant, but larger than the
less egg with hatchets, and made a hole in it, pulled
buffalo. has a horn upon it nose, about a cubit
It out the young roc piecemeal, and roasted it. I
in length this horn is solid, and cleft through
;
had in vain entreated them not to meddle with
the middle. The rhinoceros fights with the ele- the egg.
phant, runs his horns into his belly, and carries Scarcely had they finished their repast, when
him off upon his head but the blood and the fat
; there appeared in the air, at a considerable dis-
of the elephant running into his eyes and making tance,two great clouds. The captain of my ship,
him blind, he falls to the ground and then, ; knowing by experience wliat they meant, said
stranse to relate, the roc comes and carries them they were the male and female parents of the roc,
both away in her claws, for food for her young and pressed us to reembark with all speed, to pre-
ones. vent the misfortune which he saw would other-
I pass over many other things peculiar to this wise befall us.
island, lest I should weary you. Here I ex- The two

rocs approached with a frightful noise,
changed some of my diamonds for merchandise. which they redoubled when they saw the egg
From hence we went to other islands, and at last, broken and their young one gone. They flew
having touched at several trading towns of the back in the direction they had come, and disap-
continent, we landed at Bussorah, from whence I peared for some time, while we made all the sail
proceeded to Bagdad. There I immediately gave we could to endeavor to prevent that which un-
large presents to the poor, and lived honorably happily befell us.
upon the vast riches I had brought and gained They soon returned, and we observed that each
with so much fatigue. of them carried between its talons an enormous
Thus Sindbad ended the relation of the second rock. When they came directly over my shij),
voyage, gave Hindbad another hundred sequins, the}' hovered, and one of them let go his rock
and invited him to come the next day to hear the but by the dexterity of the steersman it missed
account of the third. us, and fell into the sea. The other so exactly hit
the middle of the ship as to split it into pieces.
THE FIFTH VOYAGE OP SINDBAD THE SAILOE. The mariners and passengers were all crushed to
All the troubles and calamities I had undergone death, or fell into the sea. I myself was of the
could not cure me of ray inclination to make new number of the latter ; but, as I came up again, I
voyages. bought goods, departed with
I therefore fortunately caught hold of a piece of the -wi-eck,
them for the best seaport, and there, that I might and swimming, sometimes with one hand and
not be obliged to depend upon a captain, but have sometimes with the otlier, but always holding fast
a ship at my own command, I remained till one the plank, the wind and the tide favoring me, I
was built on purpose, at my own charge. When came and got safely ashore.
to an island,
the ship was ready I went on board with my I sat down upon the grass, to recover myself
goods ; but not having enough to load her, I from ray fatigue, after whicli I went into the
agreed to take with me several merchants of dif- island to explore it. It seeraed to be a delicious
ferent nations, with their merchandise. garden. I found trees everywhere, some of them
We sailed with the first fair wind, and after a bearing green and others ripe and streams
fruits,
long navigation, the first place we touched at was of fresh pure water. I ate of the fruits, which I
a desert island, where we found an egg of a roc, found excellent ;and drank of the water, which
equal in size to that I formerly mentioned. There was very light and good.
THE STORT OF SINDBAD THE SAILOR. 303
When I was a little advanced into the island I Notwithstanding my fainting, the ill-natured old
saw an old man, who appeared very weak and in- fellow still kept his seat ujoon my neck. When I
firm. He was sit- had recovered my breath, he thrust one of his feet
ting on the bank of against my side, and struck me so rudely with the
a stream, and at other, that he forced me
up against my
to rise
first I took him to will. Having arisen, he made me carry him under
be one who had the trees, and forced me now and then to stop, that
been shipwiecked he might gather and eat fruit. He never left his
like myselt. I went seat all day and when I lay down to rest at night,
;
towards him and he laid himself down with me, holding still fast
saluted him, but about my neck. Every moi'ning he pinched me
to make me awake, and after-
wards obliged me to get up and
walk, and spurred me with his
feet.
One day I found several dry

calabashes that had fallen from a
tree. I took a large one, and after
cleaning it, some
pressed into it
juice of grapes, which abounded

in the island ; having filled the
calabash, I put it by in a conven-
mly slightly bo\\e(l ient place, and going thither again some days
his head. I asked after, I tastedit, and found the wine so good, that
linn why he sat so it gave me new vigor, and so exhilarated my sjjir-
stdl but instead of

; its, that I began to sing and dance as I carried my
answering me, he bui den.

made a sign for me The old man, perceiving the effect which this
to take him upon had upon me, and that I carried him with more
my back, and carry ease than before, made me a sign to give him some
him over the of it. I handed him the calabash, and the liquor
brook. pleasing his palate, he drank it oft'. There being
I believed him really a considerable quantity of it, he soon began to sing,
to stand in need of my and to move about from side to side in his seat
assistance, took him upon my shoulders, and bj' degrees to loosen his
upon my back, and hav- legs from about me. Finding that he did not press
carried himbade him
over, me as before, T threw him upon the ground, where
get down, and that end
for he lay without motion I then took up a great
;
stooped, that he might get off stone and slew him.

with ease but instead of doing so (which I laugh
; I was extremely glad to be thus freed forever
at every time I think of it), the old man, who to from this troublesome fellow. I now walked to-
me appeared quite decrepit, threw his legs nimbly wards the beach, where I met the crew of a shijj
about my neck. He sat astride upon my shoul- that had cast anchor, to take in water they were ;
ders, and held my throat so tight that I thought surprised to see me, but more so at hearing the
he would have strangled me, and I fainted away. particulars of my adventures. " You fell," said
304 TALES FROM THE ARABIAN XIGHTS ENTERTAIXMEXTS.
they, " into the hands of the Old Man of the Sea, The merchants with whom I was gathered
and are the first who eTer escaped strangling by stones, and threw them at the apes on the trees.
his malicious embraces. He never quitted those I did the same ; and the apes, out of revenge,
he had once made himself master of, till he had threw cocoa-nuts at us so fast, and with such gest-
destroyed them, and he has made this island noto- ui-es, as sufficiently testified their anger and re-
rious by the number of men he has slain." They sentment. We gathered up the cocoa-nuts, and
carried me with them to the captaiu, who received from time to time threw stones to provoke the
me with great kindness. He put out again to sea, apes so that by this stratagem we filled our bags
;
and after some days' sail we arrived at the harbor of with cocoa-nuts. I thus gradually collected as
a great city, the houses of which overhung the sea. many cocoa-nuts as produced me a considerable
One of the merchants who had taken me into sum.
his friendship invited me to go along with him. Having laden our vessel with cocoa-nuts, we set
He gave me a large sack, and having recom- sail,and passed by the islands where pepper grows
mended me to some people of the town, who used in great plentv. From thence we went to the isle
to gather cocoa-nuts, desired them to take me with of Comari, where the best species of wood of aloes
them. " Go," said he, " follow them, and act as grows. I exchanged my cocoa in those two isl-
you see them do but do not separate from them,
; ands for pepper and wood of aloes, and went with
otherwise you may endanger your life." Having other merchants a-pearl-fishing. I hired divers,
thus spoken, he gave me provisions for the jour- who brought me up some that were very large and
ney, and I went with them. pure.
We came to a thick forest of cocoa-trees, very I embarked in a vessel that happily arrived at
lofty, with trunks so smooth that it was not possi- Bussorah and from thence I returned to Bag-
;
ble to climb to the branches that bore the fruit. dad, where I realized vast sums from my pepper,
When we entered the forest we saw a great num- wood of aloes, and pearls. I gave the tenth of
ber of apes of several sizes, who fled as soon as my gains in alms, as I had done upon my return
they perceived us, and climbed to the tops of the from my other voyages, and rested from my fa-
trees with amazing swiftness. tigues.
VIH. THE STORY OF THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK.

Theee was in former times at Casgar, on the as murderers. Now, it so happened that a doctor,
extreme boundaries of Tartary, a tailor, who was a Jew, lived close by, and the tailor and his wife
married to a wife to whom he was tenderly at- devised a scheme for placing the body of the dwarf
tached. One day while he was at work, a little in his house. On their knocking at the door, the
hunchback seated himself at the shop door, and servant-maid came down without any light,and
began to sing and play upon a tabor. The tailor asked what they wanted. " Go and tell your mas-
was pleased with his performance, and resolved to ter," said the tailor, putting a piece of money in
take him to his house to entertain his wife. Imme- her hand, " we have brought him a man who is ill,
diately after their arrival, the tailor's wife placed and want his advice." While the servant was
before them a dish of fish but as the little man
; gone up to inform her master, the tailor and his
was eating, he unluckily swallowed a bone, which, wife hastily conveyed the body of the hunchback,
notwithstanding all that the taUor and his wife supposed to be dead, to the head of the stairs, and
could do, choked him. This accident greatly leaving it there, hurried away.
alarmed them both, lest they should be punished In the mean time the doctor, transported with
THE STORY OF THE LITTLE HUNCHBACK. 305
joy at being paid beforehand, hastily ran towards The Jewish doctor approving the proposed ex-
the head of the stairs without waiting for a light, pedient, his wifeand he took the little dwarf up to
and came against the body of the hunchback with the roof of the house,and placing ropes under his
so much violence, that he precipitated it to the armpits, let him down the chimney into the pur-
bottom. " Bring me a light !
" cried he to the veyor's chamber so dexterously that he stood up-
maid ;
" quick, quick !
" At last she brought a right against the wall, as if he had been alive.
light, and he went They were scarcely
down-stairs with her got back into their
but when he saw what own chamber, when
he had done, " Unhap- the purveyor, who
"
py man that I am ! had returned late
said he, " why did I from a wedding-feast,
attempt to come with- went into his room,
out a light ? I have with a lantern in his
killed the poor fellow hand. He was not a
who was brought to little surprised to dis-
me to be cured and ; cover a human figure

unless Esdra's ass standing in his chim-
come to assist uie, the ney; but being a
authorities will be stout fellow, and ap-
here, and drag me out prehending him to be
of my house for a a thief, he took up a
murderer." stick, and, "Ah,"
The doctor then said he, " I thought
called his wife, and the rats and mice ate
consulted with her my butter and tallow;
how to dispose of the but it is you who
dead body during the come down the chim-
night. The doctor ney to rob me ? How-
racked his brain in ever, I think you will
vain ; he could not have no wish to come
think of any strata- here again." Upon
gem to relieve his em- this he attacked the
barrassment ; but his hunchback, and
wife, who was more struck him several
fertile in invention, times with his stick.
said : " A thought has The body fell down
just come into my flat on the ground,
head ; cari-y the dead body to the terrace of our and the purveyor redoubled his blows. But observ-
house, and let it down the chimney of our Mus- ing that the body did not move, he stood a little
sulman neighbor." time to regard it ; and then, fear succeeding his an-
This Mussulman was one of the sultan's pur- ger, " Wretched man that I am !
" said he ;
" what
veyors for furnishing and articles of a oil, butter, have done
I !I have killed a man ! alas, I have
similar nature, and had a magazine in his house, carried my revenge too far." He stood pale and
where the rats and mice made prodigious havoc. thunderstruck, and could not tell what resolution
39
to take, when on a sudden he took up the body At length the merchant was brought to the
supposed to be dead, and carried it to the end of place of execution ; and the executioner was about
the street, where he phiced it in an upright pos- to fasten him to the stake, when the sultan's pur-
ture against a shop ; he then returned without veyor pushed through the crowd, calling to him to
once looking behind him. had not committed the
stop, for that the Christian
A few minutes before daybreak, a wealthy murder, but he himself had done it, and related
Christian merchant, coming home from a night's how he had attacked him, under the impression
festivity, passed by the spot where the sultan's that he was a thief. " Let the Christian go," said
purveyor had put the dead body, which being the cadi to the executioner, " and impale this man
jostled by him, tumbled upon the merchant's back. by his own confession
in his stead, since it appears
The merchant, thinking he was attacked by a rob- that he is guilty." Thereupon tlie executioner
ber, knocked down, and after redoubling his
it released the merchant, and seized the purveyor;
!
blows, cried out " Thieves " The outcry alarmed but just as he was going to impale him, he heard
the watch, who came up immediately, and finding the voice of the Jewish doctor, earnestly entreat-
a Christian beating a Mussulman, " What reason ing him to suspend the execution, and make room
have you," said he, " to abuse a Mussulman in for him to approach, as he was the real criminal,
this manner?" "He would have robbed me," and stating how he had by his hasty imprudence
replied the merchant, "and jumped upon my back caused his death. The chief justice being now
in order to take me by the tliroat." "If he did," persuaded that the Jewish doctor was the mur-
said the watch, "you have revenged yourself suf- derer, gave orders to the executioner to seize liim
ficiently ; come, get off him." At tlie same time and release the purveyor. Accordingly the doc-
perceiving the little man to be dead, he said, " Is tor was just going to be impaled, when the tailor
it thus that a Christian dares to assassinate a Mus- appeared, crying, in his turn, to the executioner
sulman ? "
So saying, he laid hold of the Chris- to hold his hand, and make room for him, that lie
tian, and carried him to the house of the cadi. might come and make his confession to the cadi,
In the mean time the Christian merchant, reflect- as, after all, he was the person really answerable
ing upon his adventure, could not conceive how for the death of the hunchback, and he could not
such slight blows of his fist could have killed the bear that an innocent man should suffer for his
man. crime. The cadi being now fairlj' perplexed to
The judge having heard the report of the watch, decide who was the real culprit amongst so many
and viewed the body, which they had brought to self-accusing criminals, determined to refer the
his house, interrogated the Christian merchant, matter to the sultan himself, and proceeded Ijo the
who could not deny the death, though he had not palace, accompanied by the tailor, the Jewish doc-
caused But the judge considering that the lit-
it. tor,and the Christian merchant, while four of his
tle dwarf belonged to the sultan, for he was one men carried on a bier the body of the dwarf, sup-
of his buffoons, would not put the Christian to posed to be dead.
death till he knew the sultan's pleasure. For this When they appeared in the sultan's presence,
end he went to the palace, and acquainted the the cadi prostrated himself at his feet ; and on ris-
sultan with what had liappened and received this ; ing, gave him a faithful relation of all he knew
answer, " I have no mercy to show to a Chi-is- of the story of the dwarf, and of the three men
tian who kills a Mussulman." Upon this the who, one after the other, accused themselves of his
cadi ordered a stake to be prepared, and sent involuntary murder. The story appeared so ex-
criers all over the city to proclaim that they were traordinary to the sultan, that he ordered his
about to impale a Christian for killing a Mussul- own historian to write it down with all its circum-
man. stances.
THE STORY OF THE BARMECIDE FEAST. 307
IX. THE STORY OF THE BARMECIDE FEAST.

One day as Schacabac passed by a magnificent " Come on," said the Barmecide ; " bring us
house, whose high gate showed a very spacious something to eat, and do not let us wait." When
court, where there was a multitude of servants, he he had spoken, though nothing appeared, he be-
went to one of them, and asked him to whom that gan to cut, as if something had been brought him
house belonged. " Good man," replied the serv- upon a plate, and putting his hand to his mouth,
ant, " whence do you come that you ask me such began to eat and said to Schacabac " Come,
; :
a question ? Does not all that you behold point friend, eat as freely as if you were at home you ;
"
out to you that it is the palace of a Barmecide ? said you were like to die of hunger, but you eat as
Schacabac, who very well knew the liberality and if you had no appetite " " Pardon me, my lord,"
!
generosity of the Barmecides, addressed himself said Schacabac, who perfectly imitated what he
to one of the gate-keepers (for he had more than did " you see I lose no time, and that I play my
;
one), and prayed him to give him an alms. " Go part well enough." " How like you this bread ?"
in," said he, " nobody hinders you, and address said the Barmecide ; " do not you find it very
yourself to the master of the house ; he will send good ? " " Oh, my lord," replied Schacabac, who
you back satisfied." saw neither bread nor meat, " I have never eaten
Schacabac, who expected no such civility, anything so white and so fine." " Eat your fill,"
thanked the porter, and entered the palace. He said the Barmecide. " I assure you the woman
went on till he came into a hall richly furnished who bakes me this good bread cost me five hundred
and adorned with painting of gold and azure foli- pieces of gold to purchase her."
age, where he saw a venerable man, with a long The Barmecide, after having boasted so much
white beard, sitting at the upper end on a sofa, of his bread, which Schacabac ate only in idea,
whence he concluded him to be the master of the cried, " " and though
Boy, bring us another dish ;
house and, in fact, it was the Barmecide himself,

; no boy appeared, " Come, my good friend," con-
who said to him, in a very civil manner, that he tinued he, "taste this new dish, and tell me if
was welcome, and asked him what he wanted. ever you ate better mutton and barley broth than
" My lord," answered Scliacabac, " I am a poor this." "It is admirably good," replied Schacabac,
man who stands in need of help. I swear to you " and therefore you see I eat heartily." " You
I have not eaten one bit to-day." " Is it true," oblige me highly," resumed the Barmecide. " I
demanded the Barmecide, " that you are fasting conjure you, then, by the satisfaction I have to see
till now ? Alas ! poor man, he is ready to die for you eat so heartily, that you eat all up, since you
hunger Ho, boy
! !
" cried he, with a loud voice
;
like it so well." A little while after he called for
" bring a basin and water presently, that we may a goose and sweet sauce. He then called for sev-
wash our hands." Though no boy appeared, and eral others, of which Schacabac, who was ready
Schacabac saw neither water nor basin, the Bar- to die of hunger, pretended to eat but what he ;
mecide fell to rubbing his hands as if one had boasted of more than all the rest was a lamb, fed
poured water upon them, and bade him come and with pistachio nuts, which he ordered to be
wash with him. Schacabac judged by this that brought up in the same manner. " I knew you
the Barmecide lord loved to be men-y and he ; would like it," said the Barmecide. " There is
himself understanding raillery, and knowing that nothing in the woi-ld finer," replied Schacabac ;
the poor mustbe complaisant to the rich, if they " your table is most delicious." " Come, bring
would have anything from them, came forward the ragout. I fancy you will like that as well as
and did as he was required. you did the lamb. Well, how do you relish it ? "
" Oh, it is wonderful," replied Scbacabac ;
" for good." He made as if he took the glass, and
here we taste all at once amber, cloves, nutmeg, looked to see if the color was good, and put it to
ginger, pepper, and the most odoriferous herbs, his nose, to try the flavor. He then made a low
and all these delicacies are so well mixed that one salute to the Barmecide, to signify that be took
does not prevent our tasting the other." " How the liberty to drink his health ; and, lastly, he ap-
pleasant ! Honor this ragout," said the Barme- peared to drink with all the signs of a man that
cide, " by eating heartily of it. Ho, boy, bring us drinks with pleasure. " My lord," said he, " this
another ragout." " No, my lord, if it please you," is very excellent wine, but I think it is not strong
replied Scbacabac, " for indeed I can eat no enough." " If
you would have stronger," an-
more." swered the Barmecide, " you need only speak, for
" Come, take it away, then," said the Barme- I have several sorts in my cellar. Try how you
cide, " and bring the fruit." He stayed a moment, like this." Upon which be made as if he poured
as it were to give time for his servants to carry it out another glass for himself and one for Scbaca-
away after which he addressed Scbacabac,
; bac, and did this so often that Scbacabac, feign-
" Taste these almonds, they are good and fresh ing to be intoxicated with tbe-wine, and acting the
gathered." Both of them made as if they had part of a drunken man, lifted up his hand, and
peeled the almonds and eaten them after this ; gave the Barmecide such a box on the ear as
the Barmecide invited him to eat something else. made him fall down. He was going to give him
" Look," said be, " there are all sorts of fruits, another blow but the Barmecide, holding up his
;
cakes, dry sweetmeats, and conserves. Take what hand to ward it off, cried, " Are you mad ?
you like." Then stretching out his hand, as if be Then Scbacabac, making as if he had come to
bad reached Scbacabac something, he still bade himself again, said "
you have been so
: My lord,
him eat, and said to him " Metbinks you do not : good as to admit your slave into your house, and
eat as if you had been so hungry as you com- give him a treat. You should have been satisfied
plained you were when you came in." " My lord," with making me eat, and not have obliged me to
replied Scbacabac, whose jaws ached with moving drink wine for I told you beforehand that it
;
and having nothing to eat, " I assure you I am so might occasion me to fail in my respect for you.
cannot eat one bit more."
full that I I am very sorry for it, and beg you a thousand
" Well, then, friend," resumed the Barmecide, pardons."
" we must drink some wine now, after we have Scarcely had be finished these words, when the
eaten so well." " I will drink, then, out of com- Barmecide, instead of being angry, began to laugh
plaisance," said Scbacabac, " for I see you will with all his might. " I have been long," said he,
have nothing wanting to make your treat com- " seeking a man of your character. I not only
plete but since I am not accustomed to drink
; forgive the blow you have given me, but I desire
wine, I am afraid I shall act contrary to the re- henceforward we should be friends, and that you
spect that is due to you ; therefore I pray you to take my house for your home you have bad the ;
excuse me from
drinking any wine. I will be complaisance to accommodate yourself to my
content with water." " No, no," said the Barme- humor, and the patience to keep the jest up to
cide, " you shall drink wine " and at the same the last we will now eat in good eai'nest." When
;
;
time he commanded some to be brought, in the he had finished these words, be clapped bis bands,
same manner as the meat and fruit bad been and commanded bis servants, who then ap-
served before. He made
as if he poured out wine, peared, to cover the table, which was speedily
and drank and then pouring out for
first himself, done, and Scbacabac was treated with all those
Scbacabac, presented him the glass, saying, " Drink dishes in reality which he ate of before in fancy.
my health, and let us know if you think this wine As last they cleared the table and brought in the
CONCLUSION. 309
wine ; and at the same time a number of hand- so many sultanesses had suffered within her knowl-
some slaves, richly appareled, came and sung edge. These considerations, and the many other
some agreeable airs to their musical instruments. good qualities he knew her to possess, induced him
In a word, Schacabac had all the reason in the at last to forgive her. "I confess lovely Schehera-
world to be satisfied with the Barmecide's bounty ;
zade," said he, " that you have appeased my anger.
for he treated him as his friend, and ordered him I freely renounce the law I had imposed on my-
a robe of honor from his wardrobe. self, and I will have you to be regarded as the
deliverer of the many damsels I had resolved to
The Sultan of the Indies could not but admire sacrifice to my unjust resentment."
the prodigious and inexhaustible memory of the The sultaness cast herself at his feet, and em-
sultaness, his wife, who had entertained him for a braced them tenderly, with all the marks of the
tliousand and one nights with such a variety of most lively and perfect gratitude.
interesting stories. The grand vizier was the first who learned
His temper was softened and his prejudices re- this agreeable intelligence from the sultan's own
moved. He was not only convinced of the merit mouth. It was instantly carried to the city, towns,
and great wisdom of the Sultaness Scheherazade, and jji'ovinces and gained the sultan, and the
;
but he remembered with what courage she had lovely Sclieherazade his consort, universal ap-
offered to be his wife, without fearing the death plause, and the blessings of all the people of the
to which she knew she exposed hei'self, and which extensive empire of the Indies.
THE BOOK OF BALLADS.
They hung him up before the storm.
JOHN BAELEYCORN.
And turned him o'er and o'er.
Theke was three kings into the East,
Three kings both great and high, They filled up a darksome pit
And they hae sworn a solemn oath With water to the brim.
John Barleycorn should die. They heaved in John Barleycorn,
There let him sink or swim.
They took a plow and plowed him down,
Put clods upon his head, They laid him out upon the floor,
And they hae sworn a solemn oath, To work him further woe,
John Barleycorn was dead. And still, as signs of life appeared.
They tossed him to and fro.
But the cheerful spring came kindly on,

And showers began to fall ;
They wasted, o'er a scorching flame.
John Barleycorn got up again, The marrow of his bones ;
And sore surprised them all. But a miller used him worst of all,
For he crushed him between two stones.
The sultry suns of summer came,

And he grew thick and strong, And they hae ta'en his very heart's blood,
His head well armed wi' pointed spears, And drank it round and round
That no one should him wrong. And still the more and more they drank,
Their joy did more abound.
The sober autumn entered mild,
When he grew wan and pale ;
John Barleycorn was a hero bold,
His bending joints and drooping head Of noble enterprise
Showed he began to fail. For if you do but taste his blood,
'T will make your courage rise.
His color sickened more and more,

He faded into age Then let us toast John Barleycorn,
And then his enemies began Each man a glass in hand ;
To show their deadly rage. And may his great posterity
Ne'er faU in old Scotland !
They weapon long and sharp.

've ta'en a
And cut him by the knee ROBIN HOOD AND ALLIN A DALE.
And tied him fast upon the cart.
Like a rogue for forgerie. Come listen to me, you gallants so free.
All you that love mirth for to hear,

They laid him down upon his back. And I will tell you of a bold outlaw
And cudgeled him full sore ;
That lived in Nottinghamshire.
ROBIN HOOD AND ALLIN A DALE. 311
As Robin Hood in the forest stood, " What wilt thou give me ? " said Robin Hood,
All under the greenwood tree, " In ready gold or fee.
There he was aware of a brave young man To help thee to thy true love again,
"
As fine as fine might be. And deliver her unto thee ?
The youngster was clothed in scarlet red. " I have no money," then quoth the yotmg man,
In scarlet fine and gay ;
" No ready gold nor fee,
And he did frisk it over the plain, But I will swear upon a book
And chanted a roundelay. Thy true servant for to be."
As Robin Hood next morning stood " How many miles is it to thy true love ?
"
Amongst the leaves so gay ; Come tell me without guile :
There did he espy the same young man. " By the faith of my body," then said the young man,
Come drooping along the way. " It is but five little mile."
The scarlet he wore the day before Then Robin he hasted over the plain,
It was clean cast away ; He did neither stint nor lin.
And at every step he fetched a sigh, Until he came unto the church,
" Alack and a well-a-day " ! Where Allin should keep his wedding.
Then stepped forth brave Little John, " What hast thou here ? " the bishop then said,
"
And Midge, the miller's son, " I prithee now tell unto me :
Which made the young man bend his bow, "I am a bold harper," quoth Robin Hood,
When as he saw them come. " And the best in the north country."
" Stand ofl^, stand off !

" the young man said, " Oh welcome, Oh welcome," the bishop he said,
" "
" What is your will with me ? " That music best pleaseth me ;
" You must come before our master straight, " You shall have no music," quoth Robin Hood,
Under yon greenwood tree." " Till the bride and the bridegroom I see."
And when he came bold Robin before, With that came in a wealthy knight,
Robin asked him courteously, Which was both grave and old.
" Oh, hast thou any money to spare And after him a finikin lass.
For my merry men and me ? " Did shine like the glistering gold.
" I have no money," the young man said, " This is not a fit match," quoth bold Robin Hood,
" But five shillings and a ring " That you do seem to make here.
And that I have kept this seven long years. For since we are come into the church.
To have it at my wedding. The bride shall choose her own dear."
"Yesterday I should have married a maid, Then Robin Hood put his horn to his mouth,
But she soon fi-om me was tane, And blew blasts two or three ;
And chosen to be an old knight's delight. When four-and-twenty bowmen bold

Whereby my poor heart is slain." Came leaping over the lea.
" What is thy name ? " then said Robin Hood, And when they came into the churchyard.
" Come tell me without any fail " : Marching all on a row.
" By the faith of my body," then said the young man, The very first man was Allin a Dale,
" My name it is Allin a Dale." To give bold Robin his bow.
312 THE BOOK OF BALLADS.
" This is thy true love," Robin be said, " We '11 kill a fat ven'son," said bold Robin Hood,
" Young Allin as I hear say ;
" And dress it by the highway side ;
And you shall be married at this same time, And we will watch the bishop narrowly,
Before we depart away." Lest some other way he should ride."
" That shall not be," the bishop he said, Robin Hood dressed himself in shepherd's attire,
"For thy word shall not stand ; With six of liis men also ;
They shall be three times asked in the church, And, when the Bishop of Hereford came by.
As the law is of our land." They about the fire did go.
Robin Hood pulled off the bishop's coat, " Oh, what is the matter ? " then said the bishop,
And put it upon Little John ;
" Or for whom do you make this ado ?
" By the faith of my body," then Robin said, Or why do you kill the king's ven'son,
" This cloth doth make thee a man." When your company is so few ? "
When Little John went into the quire ;

" We are shepherds," said bold Robin Hood,
The people began to laugh ;
" And we keep sheep all the year,
He asked them seven times in the church, And we are disposed to be merry this day,
Lest three times should not be enough. And to kill of the king's fat deer."
' Who gives me

maid ? " said Little John
this ;
" You are brave fellows," said the bishop,
Quoth Robin Hood, " That do I, " And the king your doings shall know :
And he that takes her from Allin a Dale, Therefore make haste and come along with me,
Full dearly he shall her buy." For before the king you shall go."
And thus having end of this merry wedding. " Oh pardon, oh pardon," said bold Robin Hood,
The bride looked like a queen ;
" Oh pardon, I thee pray !
And so they returned to the merry greenwood, For it becomes not your lordship's coat
Amongst the leaves so green. To t.T,ke so many lives away.
" No pardon, no pardon," said the bishop,

ROBIN HOOD AND THE BISHOP OF HERE- " No pardon I thee owe ;
FORD. Therefore make haste and come along with me,

For before the king you shall go."
Some will talk of bold Robin Hood,

And some of barons bold ;
Then Robin set his back against a tree,
But I '11 tell you how he served the Bishop of Here- And his foot against a thorn,
ford,^ And from underneath his shepherd's coat
When he robbed him of his gold. He pulled out a bugle horn.
As it befell in merry Barnsdale, He put the little end to his mouth.

All under the greenwood tree. And a loud blast did he blow,
The Bishop of Hereford was to come by, Till threescore and ten of bold Robin's men
With all his company. Came running all on a row.
" Come kill me a ven'son," said bold Robin Hood, All making obeisance to bold Robin Hood,
" Come kill me a good fat deer ;
'T was a comely sight for to see.
The Bishop of Hereford is to dine with me to-day, " What is the matter, master ? " said Little John,
And he shall pay well for his cheer. " That ye blow so hastily ?"
THE HUNTING OF THE CHEVIOT. 313
" Oh, here is the Bishop of Hereford, " Call in a reckoning," said the bishop,
And no pardon we shall have." " For methinks it grows wondrous high."
" Cut off his head, master," said Little John, " Lend me your purse, master," said Little John,
" And throw him into his grave." " And I '11 tell you by and by."
" Oh pardon, oh pardon," said the bishop, Then Little John took the bishop's cloak,
" Oh pardon, I thee pray ! And spread it upon the ground.
For if I had known it had been you, And out of the bishop's portmantua
" I 'd have gone some other way." He told three hundred pound.
" No pardon, no pardon," said bold Robin Hood, " Here *s money enough, master," said Little John,
" No pardon I thee owe ;
" And a comely sight 't is to see
Therefore make haste and come along with me. It makes me in charity with the bishop.
For to merry Barnsdale you shall go." Though he heartily loveth not me."
Then Robin he took the bishop by the hand, Robin Hood took the bishop by the hand.
And led him to merry Barnsdale And he caused the music to play ;
He made him to stay and sup with him that night. And he made the bishop to dance in his boots,
And to drmk wine, beer, and ale. And glad he could so get away.
THE HUNTING OF THE CHEVIOT.

That he would hunt in the mountains
Of Cheviot within days three,
The Percy out of Northumberland In the maugre of doughty Douglas
And a vow to God made he, And all that ever with him be.
40
The fattest harts in all Cheviot The child may rue that is imborn.
He said he would kill and carry them away It was the more pity.
" By my faith," said the doughty Douglas again,
" I will let that hunting if I may." The drivers thorough the woodes went,
For to raise the deer ;
Then the Percy out of Bamborough came Bowmen bickered upon the bent
With him a mighty meany With their broad arrows clear.
With fifteen hundred archers bold of blood and bone,

They were chosen out of shires three. Then the wild thorough the woodes went
On every side sheer,
This began on a Monday at morn Greyhounds thorough the greves glent
In Cheviot the hills so high ;
For to kill their deer.
They began in Cheviot the hills above. But I wist he would faU, verament," —
Early on Monanday A great oath the Percy sware.
By that it drew to the hour of noon,
A hundred fat harts dead there lay. At the last a squire of Northumberland
Looked at hand full nigh
his ;
They blew a mort upon the bent, He was ware of the doughty Douglas comiDg,
They 'sembled on sides sheer With him a mighty meany.
To the quarry then the Percy went
To the brittling of the deer. Both with spear, bill, and brand:
It was a mighty sight to see ;
He said :
" It was the Douglas's promise Hardier men, both of heart nor hand,
This day to meet me here. Were not in Christianity.
They were twenty hundred spearmen good, But, an fortune be my chance,

Withouten any fail I dare meet him, one man for one."
They were born along by the water of Tweed,
I' the bounds of Tivydale. Then bespake a squire of Northumberland,
Eichard Witherington was his name ;
" Leave off the brittling the deer," he said, " It shall never be told in South England," he says,
" To your bows Icrok ye take good heed " To King Henry the Fourth for shame.
For never since ye were on your mothers born
Had ye never so mickle need." " I wot ye bin great lordes two
I am a poor squire of land ;
The doughty Douglas on a steed I will never see my captain fight on a field,
He rode at his men beforne ; And stand myself and look on.
His armor glittered as a glede ; But while I may my weapon wield
A bolder bairn was never born. I will not fail both heart and hand."
" Tell me who ye are," he says, That day, that day, that dreadful day
" Or whose men that ye be. The first fytte here I find,
Who gave you leave to hunt in this Cheviot Chase, And you will hear any more o' the Hunting o' the
In the spite of me ? " Cheviot,
Yet is there more behind.
The first man him an answer made.
that ever
II.
It was the good Lord Percy ;
" We wiU not tell thee whose men we are," he says, The Englishmen had their bows ybent
" Nor whose men that we be ;
Their hearts were good enow
But we wiU hunt here in this chase The first of arrows that they shot off.
In the spite of thine and of thee. Seven score spearmen they slew.
" The fattest harts in all Cheviot Yet bides the Earl Douglas upon the bent.
We have killed and cast to carry them away " : A captain good enow.
" By my troth," said the doughty Douglas again, And that was seen, verament
" Therefore the otie of us shall die this day." For he wrought them both woo and woe.
Then said the doughty Douglas "f he Douglas parted his host in three.
Unto the Lord Percy : Like a chief chieftain of pride.

"To kill all these guiltless men, With sure spears of mighty tree.
Alas, it were great pity. They came in on every side
" But Percy, thou art a lord of land, Through our English archery
I am an earl called within my country, Gave many a wound full wide ;
Let all our men upon a party stand Many a doughty they gar'd to die
And do the battle of thee and of me." Which gained them no pride.
" Now a curse on his crown," said the Lord Percy, The Englishmen let their bows be
" Whoever thereto says nay ;
And pulled out brands that were bright
By my troth, doughty Douglas," he says, It was a heavy sight to see
" Thou shalt never see that day. Bright swords on basnets light.
" Neither in England, Scotland nor France Thorough rich mail and maniple
Nor for no man of a woman born. Many stem they stroke down straight
Many a freke that was full free Till the blood out of their basnets sprent.
There under foot did light. As ever did bail or rain.
At last the Douglas and the Percy met, " Hold thee, Percy," said the Douglas,
Like to captains of might and of main ;
" And i' faith I shall thee bring,
They swapt together till they both sweat, Where thou shalt have an earl's wages
With swords that were of line Milan. Of Jamie our Scottish king.
These worthy frekes for to fight, " Thou shalt have thy ransom free,
Thereto they were full fain, I hight thee here this thing.
For the manfullest man yet art thou Thorough liver and lungs baith
That ever I conquered in field-fighting." The sharp arrow is gone
That never after in all his live days

" Nay," said the Lord Percy, He spake no words but one
" I told it thee beforne That was, " Fight ye, my merry men, whill
That I would never yielded be may,
To no man of a woman born." For my life days be gone."
With that there came an arrow hastily The Percy leaned on his brand
Forth of a mighty wane ; And saw the Douglas die.
It hath stricken the Earl Douglas He took the dead man by the hand
In at the breast bane. And said, " Woe is me for thee I
'
To have saved thy life, I would have parted with They took on either hand
My lands for years three, By the light of the moon ;
For a better man of heart nor of hand Many had no strength for to stand
Was not in all the north country." In Cheviot the hills aboon.
Of all that saw a Scottish knight Of fifteen hundred archers of England

Was called Sir Hugh Montgomery ;
Went away but fifty and three ;
He saw the Douglas to the death was dight, Of twenty hundred spearmen of Scotland
He spended a spear, a trusty tree But even five and fiftie.
He rode upon a courser But all were slain Cheviot within ;
Thorough a hundred archery ;

They had no strength to stand on high
He never stinted, nor never blane. The child may rue that is unborn
Till he came to the good Lord Percy. It was the more pitie.
He set upon the Lord Percy There was slain with the Lord Percy,
A dint that was full sore ; Sir John of Agerstone,
With a sure spear of a mighty tree Sir Eoger, the hynd Hartley,
Clean through the body he the Percy bore, Sir William, the bold Heron.
At t' other side that a man might see Sir George, the worthy Lovel,
A large cloth-yard and mair ;
A knight of great renown.
Two better captains were not in Christianity, Sir Ralph, the rich Rugby,
Than that day slain were there. With dints were beaten down.
An archer of Northumberland For Witherington my heart was woe

Saw was the Lord Percy
slain That ever he slain should be ;
He bare a bend-bow in his hand For when both his legs were hewn in two.
Was made of trusty tree. Yet he kneeled and fought on his knee.
An arrow that a cloth-yard was long There was slain with the doughty Douglas,
To the hard steel haled he Sir Hugh Montgomery ;
A dint that was both sad and sore Sir Davy Liddall, that worthy was.
He set on Sir Hugh Montgomery. His sister's son was he.
The dint it was both sad and sore Sir Charles o' Murray in that place
That he on Montgomery set That never a foot would flee ;

The swan feathers that his arrow bore Sir Hugh Maxwell, a lord he was.
With his heart blood they were wet. With the Douglas did he dee.
There was never a freke one foot would flee So on the morrow they made them biers
But still in stour did stand, Of birch and hazel so gray ;
Hewing on each other, while they might dree Many widows with weeping tears
With many a baleful brand. Came to fetch their mates away.
This battle began in Cheviot Tivydale may carp of care

An hour before the noon, Northumberland may make great moan.
And when even-song bell was rung For two such captains as slain were there.
The battle was not haK done. On the March-party shall never be none.
Word has come to Edinborough Thus was the Hunting of the CheTiot
To Jamie the Scottish king, God send us all good ending.
That doughty Douglas, lieutenant of the Marches

He lay slain Cheviot within.
His handes did he weal and wring, KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT OF CAN-
He said, " Alas ! and wo is me ! TERBURY.
Such an other captain Scotland within,"
He said, " i' faith should never be." An ancient story I '11 tell you anon
Of a notable prince, that was called King John ;
Word is come to lovely London And he ruled England with main and with might,
To the fourth Harry our king. For he did great wrong and maintained little right.
That Lord Percy, lieutenant of the Marches,

He lay slain, Cheviot within. And I '11 tell you a story, a story so merry,
Concerning the Abbot of Canterbury ;
'
God have mercy on his soul," said King Harry, How for his housekeeping and high renown,
" Good Lord if thy will it be ! They rode post for him to fair London town.
I have a hundred captains in England," he said,
" As good as ever was he. An hundred men, the king did hear say,
But Percy, as I brook my life. The abbot kept in his house every day
Thy death well quit shall be." And fifty gold chains, without any doubt.
In velvet coats waited the abbot about.
As our noble king made his avow.
Like a noble prince of renown, " How now, father abbot, I hear it of thee.
For the death of the Lord Percy Thou keepest a far better house than me
He did the battle of Homildown ;
And for thy housekeeping and high renown,
I fear thou work'st treason against my crown."
Where six and thirty Scottish knights
On a day were beaten down ;
" My liege," quoth the abbot, " I would it were
Glendale glittered on their armor bright. known
Over castle, tower and town. I never spend nothing but what is my own ;
And I trust your grace will do me no dears

This was the Hunting of the Cheviot For spending of my own true gotten geere."
That tear began this spurn

Old men that know the ground weel enow Yes, yes, father abbot, thy fault it is high.
Call it the battle of Otterbourn. And now same thou needest must die ,
for the
For except thou canst answer me questions three.
At Otterbourn began this spurn Thy head shall be smitten from thy bodie.
Upon a Monauday ;
There was the doughty Douglas slain. " And first," quoth the king, " when I 'm in this
The Percy never went away. stead,
With my crown of gold so fair on my head.

There was never a time on the March parties Among all my liege-men so noble of birth.
Since the Douglas and Percy met, Thou must tell me to one penny what I am worth.
But it was marvel, and the red blood ran not
As the rain does in the street. " Secondly tell me, without any doubt.
How soon I may ride the whole world about

And now may Heaven amend us all And at the third question thou must not shrink,
And to the bliss us bring. But tell me here truly what I do think."
KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT OF CANTERBURY. 319
" Oh these are hard questions for my shallow wit, With crozier, and mitre, and rochet, and cope,
Nor I cannot answer your Grace as yet Fit to appear 'fore our father the pope."
But if you will give me but three weeks space,
I '11 do my endeavor to answer your Grace." " Now welcome, sir abbot," the king he did say,
" 'T is well thou 'rt come back to keep thy day :
" Now three weeks space to thee will I give. For and if thou canst answer my questions three,
And that is the longest time thou hast to live Thy life and thy living both saved shall be.
For if thou dost not answer my questions three,

Thy lands and thy livings are forfeit to me." " And first, when thou seest me here in this stead,
With my crown of gold so fair on my head,
Away rode the abbot all sad at that word, Among all my liege-men so noble of birth.
And he rode to Cambridge and Oxenford Tell me to one penny what I am worth."
But never a doctor there was so wise,
That could with his learning an answer devise. " For thirty pence our Saviour was sold
Among the false Jews, as I have been told
Then home rode the abbot of comfort so cold, And twenty-nine is the worth of thee.
And he met his shepherd a-going to fold For I think thou art one penny worser than he."
" How now, my lord abbot, you are welcome home
What news do you bring us from good King The king he laughed, and swore by St. Bittel,
" " I did not think I had been worth so
John ? little !
Now secondly tell me, without any doubt.

" Sad news, sad news, shepherd, I must give. How soon I may ride this whole world about."
That I have but three days more to live
For if I do not answer him questions three. " You must rise with the sun, and ride with the same,
My head will be smitten from my bodie. Until the next morning he riseth again ;
And then your Grace need not make any doubt

" The first is to tell him there in that stead, But in twenty-four hours you '11 ride it about."
With his crown of gold so fair on his head.
Among all his liege-men so noble of birth, The king he laughed, and swore by St. Jone,
To within one penny of what he is worth. " I did not think it could be gone so soon.
Now from the third question thou must not shrink,
"The second, to tell him without any doubt. But tell me here truly what I do think."
How soon he may ride this whole world about ;
And at the third question I must not shrink. " Yea, that I shall do and make your Grace merry ;
But tell him there truly what he does think." You think I 'm the Abbot of Canterbury ;
But I 'm his poor shepherd, as plain you may see,

" Now cheer up, sir abbot, did you never hear yet That am come to beg pardon for him and for me."
That a fool he may learn a wise man wit ?
Lend me horse, and serving men, and your apparel. The king he laughed, and swore by the mass,
"
And I '11 ride to London to answer your quarrel. "1 '11 make thee lord abbot this day in his place !
" Nay, nay, my liege, be not in such speed,

" Nay, frown not, if it hath been told unto me, For alack, I can neither write nor read."
Iam like your lordship as ever may be
And if you will but lend me your gown " Four nobles a week, then, I will give thee.
There is none shall know us in fair London town." For this merry jest thou hast shown unto me
And tell the old abbot, when thou com'st home.
" Now horses and serving men thou shalt have. Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King
With sumptuous array most gallant and brave, John."
She stretched out her lily-white hand,
SWEET WILLIAM'S GHOST. And for to do her best

" Have there your faith and troth, Willy,
There came a ghost to Margaret's door, God send your soul good rest."
With many a grievous groan,
And aye he tirled at the pin, Now she has kilted her robes of green
But answer made she none. A piece below her knee ;
And all the live-long winter night

" Is that my father Philip, The dead corpse followed she.
Or is 'tmy brother John ?
Or is 't my true love Willy, " Is there any room at your head, Willy,
From Scotland new come home ? " Or any room at your feet
Or any room at your side, Willy,
" 'T is not thy father Philip, Wherein that I may creep ? "
Nor yet thy brother John
But 't is thy true love Willy, " There 's no room at my head, Margaret,
From Scotland new come home. There 's do room at my feet

There 's no room at my side, Margaret,
" O sweet Margaret, O dear Margaret, My coffin 's made so meet
I pray thee speak to me :
Give me my faith and troth, Margaret, Then up and crew the red red cock.
As I gave it to thee." And up then crew the gray ;
" 'T is time, 't is time, my dear Margaret,

" Thy faith and troth thou 'It never get, That you were going away."
Nor yet wilt thou me win.
Till that thou come within my bower
And kiss my cheek and chin." SIR PATRICK SPENS.
" If I should come within thy bower, The king sits in Dunfermline town.
I am no earthly man : Drinking the blude-red wine :
And should I kiss thy rosy lips " Oh where will I get a skeely skipper
Thy days would not be lang. To sail this new ship of mine ?
"
" O sweet Margaret, O dear Margaret, Oh up and spake an eldern knight,

I pray thee speak to me Sat at the king's right knee :
Give me my faith and troth, Margaret, " Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
As I gave it to thee." That ever sailed the sea."
" Thy faith and troth thou 'It never get. Our king has written a braid letter,
Nor yet wilt thou me win, And sealed it with his hand.
Till you take me to yon kirk-yard, And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens,
Aud wed me with a ring." Was walking on the strand.
" My bones are buried in yon kirk-yard " To Noroway, to Noroway,

Afar beyond the sea, To Noroway o'er the faem ;
And it is but my spirit, Margaret, The king's daughter of Noroway,

That 's now speaking to thee." " Tis thou maun bring her hame
'
"
I
SIE PA THICK SPJ^JVS. 321
The first word that Sir Patrick read, When the lift grew dark, and the wind blew loud,
Sae loud, loud hiughed he, Aud gurly grew the sea.
The neist word that Sir Patrick read,
The tear blindit his e'e. The ankers brak, and the topmasts lap,
It was sic a deadly storm ;
" Oh wha is this has done this deed, And the waves came o'er the broken ship
Aud tauld the king o' me. Till a' her sides were torn.
To send us out at this time of the year,
To sail upon the sea ? " Oh where will I get a gude sailor
To take my helm in hand,
" Be it wind, be it weet, be it hail, be it sleet, Till I get up to the tall topmast.
"
Our ship must sail the I'aem ; To see if I can spy land ?
The king's daughter of Noroway,

'T is we must fetch her hame." " Oh here am I, a sailor gude,
To take the helm in hand,
They hoysed their sails on Monenday morn Tillyou go up to the tall topmast, —
Wi' a' the speed they may ; But I fear you '11 ne'er spy land."
They hae landed in Noroway
Upon a Wodensday. He hadna gane a step, a step,
A step, but barely ane.

They hadna been a week, a week When a boult flew out of our goodly ship,
In Noroway, but twae. And the salt sea it came in.
When that the lords o' Noroway
Began aloud to say " Gae fetch a web o' the silken claith,
Another o' the twine,
" Ye Scottishmen spend a' our king's gowd And wap them into our ship's side
And a' our queene's fee." And let na the sea come in."
" Ye lie, ye lie, ye liars loud !
Fu' loud I hear ye lie ! They fetched a web o' the silken claith,
Another o' the twine,
" For I hae brought as much white monie And they wapped them roun' that gude ship's side,
As gane my men and me. But still the sea came in.
And I brought a half-fou o' gude red gowd
Out oure the sea wi' me. Oh laith, laith were our gude Scots lords
To weet their cork-heeled shoon !
" Make ready, make ready, my merry men a' But lang or a' the play was played.
Our gude ship sails the morn." They wat their hats aboon.
" Now, ever alake ! my master dear,
I fear a deadly storm ! And mony was the feather-bed
That floated on the faem,
" I saw the new moon, late yestreen, And mony was the gude lord's son
Wi' the auld moon in her arm That never mair cam hame.
And if we gang to sea, master,
. I fear we '11 come to harm." The ladyes wrange their fingers white,
The maidens tore their hair ;
They hadna sailed a league, a league, A' for the sake of their true loves,
A league, but barely three, For them they '11 see na mair.
41
Ob laug. lang may the ladyes sit, But John is become a gentel-man.
Wi' their fans into their hand, And John has got both gold and fee.
Before they see Sir Patrick Speiis

Come sailing to the stiaud ! Says, " Welcome, welcome, Lord of Linne,
Let nought distui'b thy merry cheer
And lang, lang may the maidens sit, If thou wilt sell thy lands so broad.
Wi' their gowd kaims in their hair, Good store of gold I '11 give thee here."
A' waiting for their aiu dear loves,

For them they 'H see na mair. " My gold is gone, my money is spent
My land now take it unto thee:
Oh forty miles off Aberdeen Giveme thy gold, good John o' the Scales,
'T is fifty fathoms deep. And thine for aye my laud shall be."
And there lies gude Sir Patrick Spans
AVi' the Scots lords at his feet. Then John he did him to record draw.
And John he east him a gods-pennie ;

^
But for every pound that John agreed,

The land, I wis, was well worth three.
THE HEIR OF LINNE.
He told him the gold upon the board.
He was right glad his land to win ;
Lithe and listen, gentlemen. " The gold is thine, the land is mine,
To sing a song I will began And now I '11 be the Lord of Linne."
It is of a lord of fair Scotland,
Which was the unthrifty heir of Linne. Thus he hath sold his land so broad.
Both hill and holt, and moor and fen,
His father was a right good lord, All but a poor and lonesome lodge.
His mother a lady of high degree That stood far off in a lonely glen.
But they, alas ! were dead him frae.
And he loved keeping companie. For so he to his father bight ;
^
" My son, when I am gone," said he,

To spend the day with merry cheer, " Then thou wilt spend thy land so broad.
To drink and revel every night. And thou wilt spend tliy gold so free.
To card and dice from eve to morn,
It was, I ween, his heart's delight. " But swear me now upon the rood,'
That lonesome lodge thou 'It never spend ;
To ride, to run, to rant, to roar, For when all the world doth frown on thee,
To always spend and never spare Thou there sbalt find a faithful friend."
I wot, an' were the king himself
it
Oi gold and fee he mote be bare. The heir of Linne is full of gold
" And come with me, my friends," said he,
So fares the unthrifty Lord of Linne " Let 's drink, and rant, and merry make,
*
Till all his gold is gone and spent And he that spares, ne'er mote he thee."
And he maun sell his lands so broad,
His house, and lands, and all his rent. They ranted, drank, and merry made,
Till all his gold it waxed thin ;
His father had a keen steward, And then his friends they slunk away
And John o' the Scales was called he They left the unthrifty heir of Linne.
1 Goch-pennie, earnest money, i. e. part o£ the price paid in ad- 2 Might, promised.
vance to bind tlie contract. » Rood, cross. * Thee, thrive.
THE HEIR OF LINNE. 323
He had never a penny left in his purse, I'll borrow of them all by turns.
Never a penny left but three, So need I not be never bare."
And one was brass, another was lead,
And another it was white money. But one, I wis, was not at home ;
Another had paid his gold away ;
" Now well-a-day," said the heir of Linne, Another called him thriftless loon.
" Now well-a-day, and woe is me. And bade him sharply wend his way.
For when I was the Lord of Linne.
I never wanted gold nor fee. "Now well-a-dav, said the heir of Linne,
Now well-a-day and woe is me
•'
;
" But many a trusty friend have I, For when I had my lands so broad,
And why should I feel dole or care ? On me they lived right merrilee.
"To beg my bread from door to door, Until he came to the lonesome lodge
I wis, it were a breuniug ' shame ; That stood so low in a lonely glen.
To rob and steal it were a sin ;
To work, my limbs I cannot frame. He looked up, he looked down,

In hope some comfort for to win ;
" Now I '11 away to the lonesome lodge, But bare and lothly were the walls
For there my father bade me wend :
' Here 's sorry cheer," quo' the heir of Liune.
When all the world should frown on me,
I there should find a trusty friend." The little window, dim and dark,
Was hung with ivy, brere, and yew ;
No shimmering sun here ever shone,

Away then hied the heir of Linne, No halesome breeze here ever blew.
O'er hill and holt, and moor and fen,
' Brenning, burning.
No chair, ne table, he mote spy, Let it now shield thy foul disgrace.
No cheerful hearth, ne welcome bed ;

And all thy shame and sorrows end."
Nought save a rope with renning noose,
That dangling hung up o'er his head. Sorely shent ^ wi' this rebuke.
Sorely shent was the heir of Linne
And over it in broad letters. His heart, I wis, was near to-brast
These words were written so plain to see With guilt and sorrow, shame and sin.
" Ah graceless wretch, hast spent thine

! all,
And brought thyself to penurie ? Never a word spake the heir of Linne,
Never a word spake he but three
" All this my boding mind misgave, " This is a trusty friend indeed.
I therefore left this trusty friend ;
And is right welcome unto me."
Then round his neck the cord he drew. It told him of a hole in the wall.
And sprang aloft with his bodie. In which there stood three chests in-fere."
When lo the ceiling burst in twain.

!
And to the ground came tumbling he. Two were full of the beaten gold,
The was full of white money
third ;
Astonyed lay the heir of Linne, And over them in broad letters
Ne knew if he were live or dead These words were written so plain to see
At length he looked, and saw a bill,

And in it a key of gold so red. '
Once more, my son, I set thee clear ;
Amend thy life and follies past
He took the bill, and lookt it on, For but thou amend thee of thy life,
Strait good comfort found he there That rope must be thy end at last."
1 Shent, shamed. 2 In-fere, together.

THE HEIR OF LINNE. 325
" And let it be," said the heir of Linne, There sat three lords upon a row.
" And let it be, but if I amend : Were drinking of the wine so free.
For here I will make mine avow,
This reade * shall guide me to the end." And John himself sat at the board-head,
Because now Lord of Linne was he
Away then went with a merry cheer. " I pray thee,'' he said, " good John o' the Scales,
Away then went the heir of Linne ;

One forty pence for to lend me."
I wis, he neither ceased ne blanne,"

Till John o' the Scales' house he did win. " Away, away, thou thriftless loon ;
Away, away, this may not be

And when he came to John o' the Scales, For a curse on my head," he said,
Up at the speer then looked he " If ever I trust thee one peunie."
Then bespake the heir of Linne, Said, " Turn again, thou heir of Linne ;
To John o' the Scales' wife then spake he Some time thou wast a well good lord.
" Madame, some alms on me bestow,
I pray for sweet Saint Charitie." '
Some time a good fellow thou hast been,
And sparedst not thy gold and fee
" Away, away, thou thriftless loon ; Therefore I '11 lend thee forty pence.
I swear thou gettest no alms of me ; And other forty if need be.
For if we should hang any losel here,
The first we would begin with thee." '
And ever I pray thee, John o' the Scales,
To let him sit in thy companie ;
Then bespake a good fellow, For well I wot thou hadst his land.
Which sat at John o' the Scales his board ; And a good bargain it was to thee."
1 Reade, advice. * Blanne, stopped.

Up then spake him John o' the Scales, THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY.
All wood ^ he answered him again :
'•'
Now a curse on my head," he said, Old stories tell how Hercules
" But I did lose by that bargain. A dragon slew at Lerna,
With seven heads and fourteen eyes,
" And here I proffer thee, heir of Linne, To see and well discern-a
Before these lords so fair and free, But he had a club, this dragon to drub.
Thou shalt have it back again better cheap Or he ne'er had done it, I warrant ye
By a hundred marks than I had it of But More of More-hall, with nothing at all,
thee. He slew the dragon of Wantley.
" I draw you to record, lords," he said ;

This dragon had two furious wings,
With that he cast him a gods-pennie Each one upon each shoulder
" Now by my fay," said the heir of Linne, With a sting in his tail as long as a flail,
" And here, good John, is thy money." Which made him bolder and bolder.
He had long claws, and in liis jaws
And he pulled forth three bags of gold. Four and forty teeth of iron ;
And laid them down upon the board With a hide as tough as any buff.
All woe begone was John o' the Scales, Which did him round environ.
So shent he could say never a word.
Have you not heard how the Trojan horse
He told him forth the good red gold, Held seventy men in his belly?
He told it forth with mickle din ; This dragon was not quite so big.
" The gold is thine, the land is mine, But very near, I '11 tell ye ;
And now I 'm again the Lord of Linne." Devoured he poor children three.
That could not with him grapple ;
Says, " Have thou here, thou good fellow, And at one sup he ate them up.
Forty pence thou didst lend me As one would eat an apple.
Now I am again the Lord of Linne,
And forty pounds I will give thee. All sorts of cattle this dragon would eat,
Some say he ate up trees.
"I '11 make thee keeper of my forest. And that the forests sure he
would
Both of the wild deer and the tame ; Devour up by degrees :
For but I reward thy bounteous heart, For houses and churches were to him geese and turixsys ;
I wis, good fellow, I were to blame." He ate all and left none behind,
But some stones, dear Jack, that he could not crack.
"Now well-a-day " saith Joan ! o' the Scales ; Which on the hills you will find.
" Now well-a-day, and woe is my life
Yesterday I was Lady of Linne, Hard by a furious knight there dwelt

Now I 'm but John o' the Scales his wife." Men, women, girls, and boys,
Sighing and sobbing, came to his lodging.
" Now fare thee well," said the heir of Linne, And made a hideous noise.
" Farewell now, John o' the Scales," said Oh save us all. More of More-hall,
he: Thou peerless knight of these woods ;
" A curse light on me, if ever again Do but slay this dragon, who won't leave us a rag on,
I bring my lands in jeopardy." We '11 give thee all our goods.
1 Wood, frantic.
THE DRAGON OF WANTLET. 327
This being done, he did engage It is not strength that always wins,
To hew the dragon down ;
For wit doth strength excel
But first he went new armor to Which made our cunning champion
Bespeak at Sheffield town ;
Creep down into a well,
With spikes all about, not within but without. Where he did think this dragon would drink,
Of steel so sharp and strong, And so he did in truth ;
Both behind and before, arms, legs, and all o'er. And as he stooped low, he rose up and cried, boh t
Some five or six inches lon^. And kicked him in the mouth.
Had you but seen him in this dress, Oh, quoth the dragon with a deep sigh,
How fierce he looked, and how big. And turned six times together,
You would have thought him for to be Sobbing and tearing, cursing and swearing
Some Egyptian porcupig Out of his throat of leather :
He frighted all, cats, dogs, and all, More of More-hall, O thou rascal,
Each cow, each horse, and each hog : Would I had seen thee never ;
For fear they did fiee, for they took him to be With the thing at thy foot thou hast pricked my throat.
Some strange, outlandish hedge-hog. And I 'm quite undone forever.
To see this fight all people then Murder, murder, the dragon cried.
Got up on trees and houses. Alack, alack, for grief

On churches some, and chimneys too ;
Had you but missed that place, you could
But these put on their trousers. Have done me no mischief.
Not to spoil their hose. As soon as he rose. Then his head he shaked, trembled and quaked,
To make him strong and mighty. And down he laid and cried ;
He drank, by the tale, six pots of ale First on one knee, then on back tumbled he
And a quart of aqua-vitae. So groaned, and kicked, and died.
THE BOOK OF FAMILIAR STORIES.
THE RENOWNED HISTORY OF LITTLE GOODY TWO-SHOES.

ASCRIBED TO OLIVER GOLDSMITH.
INTRODUCTION. poor must be in, when this covetous man was per-
All the world must allow that Two-Shoes was petual overseer, and everything for their mainte-
not her real name. No her father's name was
; nance was drawn from his hard heart and cruel
Mean well ;and he was for many years a consid- hand. But he was not only perpetual overseer,
erable farmer in the parish where Margery was but perpetual church-warden and judge, O ye
;
born but by the misfortunes which he met with

; Christians,what state the church must be in,
in business, and the wicked persecutions of Sir when supported by a man without religion or vir-
Timothy Gripe, and an overgrown farmer called tue. He was also jaerpetual surveyor of the high-
Graspall, he was effectually ruined. ways, and what sort of roads he kept up for the
The case was thus. The parish of Mouldwell, convenience of travelers, those best knew who
where they lived, had for many ages been let by have had the misfortune to pass through that par-
the Lord of the Manor in twelve different farms, ish.— Complaints indeed were made, but to what
in which the tenants lived comfortably, brought purpose are complaints, when brought against a
up large families, and carefully supported the poor man who can hunt, drink, and smoke without the
people who labored for them, until the estate by Lord of the Manor, who is also the Justice. of
marriage and by death came into the hands of Sir Peace
Timothy. The opposition which Little Margery's father
This gentleman, who loved himself better than made to this man's tyrannj^ gave offense to Sir
all his neighbors, thought it was less trouble to Timothj', who endeavored to force him out of his
write one receipt for his rent than twelve, and Far- farm ; and, to oblige him
throw u^) the lease,
to
mer Graspall offering to take all the farms as the ordered both a brick kiln and a dog kennel to be
leases expii-ed. SirTimothy agreed with him, and erected in the farmer's orchard. This was con-
in process of time he was possessed of every farm trary to law, and a suit was commenced, in which
but that occupied by Little Margery's father, Margery's father got the better. The same of-
which he also wanted for as Mr. Meanwell was
; fense was again committed three different times,
a charitable good man, he stood up for the poor at and as many actions brought, in all of which the
the parish meetings, and was unwilling to have farmer had a verdict, and costs paid him; but
them oppressed b}' Sir Timothy and this ava- notwithstanding these advantages, the law was so
ricious farmer. —Judge, O kind, humane, and expensive, that he was ruined in the contest, and
courteous reader, what a terrible situation the obliged to give up all he had to his creditors;
THE RENOWNED HISTORY OF LITTLE GOODY TWO-SHOES. 529
which effectually answered the purpose of Sir tioned in the title, but an introduction to that
Timothy, who erected those nuisances in the far- book ; and it is intended, sir, not for that sort of
mer's orchard with that intention. Ah, my dear children, but for children of six feet high, of
reader, we brag of liberty, and boast of our laws ;
which, as my friend has j ustly observed, there are
but the blessings of the one, and the protection of many millions in the kingdom ; and these reflec-
the other, seldom fall to the lot of the poor and ;

tions, sir, have been rendered necessary by the un-
especially when a rich man is their adversary. accountable and diabolical scheme which many
How, in the name of goodness, can a poor wretch gentlemen now give into, of laying a number of
obtain redress, when thirty pounds ai-e insufficient farms into one, and very often a whole parish into
to try his cause? Where is he to find money to one farm which in the end must reduce the com-
:
fee counsel, or how can he plead his cause himself mon people to a stage of vassalage, worse than
(even if he was permitted^ when our laws are so that under the barons of old, or of the clans in
obscure and so multiplied, that an abridgment of Scotland, and will in time depopulate the king-
them cannot be contained in fifty volumes folio ? dom ? but as j'ou are tired of the subject I shall
As soon as Mr. Meanwell had called together take myself away, and you may visit Little Mar-
his creditors. Sir Timothy seized for a year's rent, gery.
and turned the farmer, his wife. Little Margery,
and her brother out of doors, without any of the
CHAPTER I.
necessaries of life to support them. HOW AND ABOUT LITTLE MAKGERY AND HER BROTHER.
This elated the heart of Mr. Graspall, this Careand discontent shortened the days of Lit-
crowned his hopes, and filled the measure of his tle Margery's father. He was forced from his
iniquity ; for, besides gratifying his revenge, this family, and seized with a violent fever in a place
man's overthrow gave him the sole dominion over where Dr. James's powder was not to be had, and
the poor, whom he depressed and abused in a man- where he died miserably. Margery's poor mother
ner too horrible to mention. survived the loss of her husband but a few days,
Margery's father flew into another parish for and died of a broken heart, leaving Margery and
succor, and all those who were able to move left her little bi-other to the wide world but, poor ;
their dwellings and sought employment elsewhere, woman, it would have melted your heart to have
as they foundwould be impossible to live un-
it seen how frequently she heaved her head, while
der the tyranny of two such people. The very she lay speechless, to survey with languishing
old, the very lame, and tlie blind, were obliged to looks her little orphans, as much as to say, " Do
stay behind, and whether they were starved, or Tommy, do Margery, come with me." They
what became of them, history does not say but , cried, poor things, and she sighed away her soul
the character of the great Sir Timothy, and ava- and I hope is happy.
ricious were so infamous, that nobody
tenant, both have excited your pity, and have
It wo.uld
would work for them by the day, and servants done your heart good, to have seen how these two
were afraid to engage themselves by the year, lest little ones were so fond of each other, and how
any unforeseen accident should leave them parish- hand hand they trotted about.
in
ioners in a place where they knew they must per- They were both very ragged, and Tommy had
ish miserably ; so that great part of the land lay no shoes, and Margery had but one. They had
unfilled forsome years which was deemed a just
; nothing, poor things, to support them (not being
reward for such diabolical proceedings. in their own parish) but what they picked from
But what, says the reader, can occasion all this ? the hedges, or got from the poor people, and they
do you intend this for children ? Permit me to lay every night in a barn. Their relations took
inform you, that this is not the book, sir, men- no notice of them ; no, they were rich, and
42
330 THE BOOK OF FAMILIAR STORIES.
ashamed to own such a poor little ragged girl as Nothing could have supported Little IMargeiy
Margery, and such a dirty little boy
curly pated under the affliction she was in for the loss of her
as Tommy. Our relations and friends seldom brother, but the pleasure .she took in her Two-
take notice of us when we are poor but as we ; shoes. She ran out to Mrs. Smith as soon as they
grow rich they grow fond. And this will always were put on, and stroking down her ragged apron
be the case, while people love money better than thus cried out, " Two-Shoes, Ma'am, see Two-
they do God Almighty. But such wicked folks Shoes." And so she behaved to all the people
who love nothing but money and are proud and she met, and by that means obtained the name of
despise the poor, never come to any good in the Goody Two-Shoes.
end, as we shall see by and by. Little Margery was very happy in being with
Mr. and Mrs. Smith, who were very charitable
CHAPTER II.
and good to her, and had agreed to bring her up
HOW AND ABOUT MR. SMITH. with their family but as soon as that tjn-ant of
;
Me. Smith was a very worthy clergyman, who the parish, that Graspall, heard of her being there,
lived in the parish where Little Margery and he applied iirst to Mr. Smith,
and threatened to
Tommy were born and having a relation come
; reduce his tithes he kept her and after that he
if ;
to see him, who was a charitable good man, he spoke to Sir Timothy, who sent Mr. Smith a per-
sent for these children to him. The gentleman emptory message by his servant, that he should
ordered Little Margery a new pair of shoes, gave send back Meanwell's girl to be kept by her rela-
Mr. Smith some money to buy her clothes and ; tions, and not harbor her in the parish. This so
said he would take Tommy and make him a little distressed Mr. Smith, that he shed tears, and cried,
sailor. " Lord have mercy on the poor " !
After some days the gentleman intended to go The prayers of the righteous fly upwards, and
to London, and take little Tommy with him, of reach unto the throne of heaven, as will be seen
whom you will know more by and by, for we shall by the sequel.
at a proper time present you with his history, his Mrs. Smith was also greatly concerned at being
travels, and adventures. thus obliged to discard poor Little Margery. She
The parting between these little children was kissed her, and cried, as did also Mr. Smith, but
very affecting. Tommy cried, and they kissed each they were obliged to send her away, for the peo-
other an hundred times : at last Tommy thus ple who had ruined her father could at any time
wiped off her tears w^th the end of his jacket, and have ruined them.
bid her cry no more, for that he would come to
her again when he returned from sea.
CHAPTER IV.
HOW LITTLE MARGERY LEARNED TO READ, AND BY DE-

CHAPTER III. GREES TAUGHT OTHERS.
HOW LITTLE MAnOERY OBTAINED THE XAME OF GOODY Little Margery saw how good and how wise
TWO-SHOES, AND WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PARISH. Mr. Smith was, and concluded that this was ow-
As soon as Little Margery got up in the morning to his great learning, therefore she wanted of
ing, which was very early, she ran all round the all things to learn to read. For this purpose she
village, crying for her brother ; and after some used to meet the little boys as they came from
time returned greatly distressed. school, borrow their books, and sit down and read
However, at this instant, the shoemaker very till they returned. By this means she got more
opportunely came in with the new shoes, for learning than any of her playmates, and laid the
which she had been measured by the gentleman's following scheme for instructing those who were
order. more ignorant than herself. She found that only
THE RENOWNED HISTORY OF LITTLE GOODY TWO- SHOES. 331
the following letters were required to spell all the " Yes, that 's what I have," replied the little one,
words but as some of these letters are large, and
; in the country manner and immediately taking
:
some small, she with her knife cut out of several the letters she set up these syllables :
—
pieces of wood ten sets of each of these :
— ba be bi bo bu, ca ce ci CO cu,
ab cde f gh i j k 1 m n o p q r s t u V w X y z. da de di do du. fa fe fi fo fu.
And having got an old spelling book, she made and gave them their exact sounds as she composed
her companions set up all the words they wanted them.
to spell, and after that she taught them to com- After Two-Shoes taught her to spell
this, Little
pose sentences. " You know what a sentence is, words of one syllable, and she soon set up pear,
my dear ;
'
I will be good,' is a sentence ; and is plumb, top, ball, pin, puss, dog, hog, fawn, buck,
made you see, of several words."
up, as doe, lamb, sheep, ram, cow, bull, cock, hen, and
I once went her rounds with her, and was many more.
highly diverted, as you may see, if you please to The next place we came to was Gaffer Cook's
look into the next chapter. cottage. Here a number of poor children were
met to learn, who all came round Little Margery
CHAPTER V.
at once, and having pulled out her letters, asked
HOW LITTLE TWO-SHOES BECAME A TROTTING TUTOR- the little boy next her, what he had for dinner ?
ESS, AND HOW SHE TAUGHT HER YOUNG PUPILS.
Who answered, " Bread " (the poor children in
It was about seven o'clock in the morning when many places live very hard). "Well then," says
we set out on this important business, and the she, "set up the first letter." He put up the B,
first house we came to was Farmer Wilson's. to which the next added r, and the next e, the
Here Margery stopped, and ran up to the door, next a, the next d, and it stood thus. Bread.
tap, tap, tap. " Who 's there ? " " Only Little And what, had you, Polly Comb, for your din-
Goody Two-Shoes," answered Margery, " come to ner ? "
Apple Pie," answered the little girl upon :
teach Billy." " Oh Little Goody," says Mrs. ! which the next in turn set up a great A, the two
Wilson, with pleasure in her face, " I am glad to next a p each, and so on, till the two words Ap-
see you. Billy wants you sadly, for he has learned ple and Pie were united and stood thus, Apple
his lesson." Then out came the little boy. " How Pie.
do, Doody Two-Shoes," says he, not able to speak The next had potatoes, the next beef and tur-
plain. Yet boy had learned all his let-
this little nips, which were spelled, with many otiiers, till
ters ; for she threw down this alphabet mixed to- the game was finished. She then set
of spelling
gether thus :
— them another task, and we proceeded.
The next place we came to was Farmer Thom-
bdfhkmoqsuwyxfacegilnprtvzj,
son's, where there was a great many little ones
and he picked them up, called them by their right waiting for her.
names, and put them all in order thus :
— " So, Little Mrs.Goody Two-Shoes," says one
of them, " where have you been so long ? " "I
ab cd e f gh i j k 1 m n o p q r s t u V w x y z.
have been teaching," says she, " longer than I in-
The next place we came to was Farmer Simp- tended, and am, I am afraid, come too soon for you
son's. now." " No, but indeed you are not," replied the
" Bow, wow, wow," says the dog at the door. other :
" for I have got my lesson,
and so has Sally
" Sirrah," says his mistress, "
what do you bark at Dawson, and so has Harry Wilson, and so have we
LittleTwo-Shoes; come in Madge; here, Sally all " and they capered about as if they were over-
;
wants you sadly, she has learned all her lesson." joyed to see her. " Why then," says she, " you
are all very good, and God Almighty -will love What should induce the rooks to frequent gentle-
you ; so let us begin our lessons." They all hud- men's houses, only but to tell them how to lead a
dled round her, and though at the other place they prudent life? they never build under cottages or
were employed about words and syllables, here farm-houses, because they see that these peojjle
we had people of much greater understanding who know how to live without their admonition.
dealt only in sentences.
Thus wealth and wit you may improve,
The letters being brought upon the table, one
Taught by tenants of the grove."
of the little ones set up the following sentence.
" The Lord have mercy upon me, and grant that The gentleman, laughing, gave Margery six-
I may be always good, and say my prayers, and pence, and told her she was a sensible hussy.
love the Lord my God with all my heart, with all
CHAPTER VI.
my soul, and with all my strength
and honor the ;
king and all good men in authority under him." HOW THE WHOLE PARISH WAS FRIGHTENED.
Then the next took the letters, and composed Who does not know Lady Ducklington, or who
this sentence. does not know that she was buried at this parish
" Lord havemercy upon me, and grant that I church ? Well, I never saw a grander funeral n i
may love my neighbor as myself, and do unto all all my life but the money they squandered away,
:
men as I would have them do unto me, and tell no would have been better laid out in little books for
lies but be honest and just in all my dealings."
! children, or in meat, drink, and clothes for the
poor.
Lesson for the Conduct of Life. All the country round came to see the bury-
He that would thrive,

ing, and it was late before the corpse was interred.
Must rise bj' five. After which, in the night, or rather about two
o'clock in the morning, the bells were heard to
He that hath thriveu,
May lay till seven. which frightened the people
jingle in the steeple,
prodigiously, who all thought it was Lady Duck-
Truth may be blamed
But can't be shamed. lington's ghost dancing among the bell ropes. The
people flocked to AVill Dobbins, the clerk, and
Tellme with whom you go,
And I '11 tell what you do. wanted him to go to see what it was but William ;
said he was sure it was a ghost, and that he would

A friend in your need,
Is a friend indeed. not offer to open the door. At length Mr. Long,
the rector, hearing such an uproar in the village,
They never can be wise,
Who good counsel despise.
went to the clerk, to know wh}' he did not go into
the church, and see who was there. "I go, sir?"
As we were returning home, we saw a gentle- says William, " why the ghost would frighten me
man, who was very ill, sitting under a shady ti-ee out of my wits." Mrs. Dobbins too cried, and
at the corner of the rookery. Though ill, he be- laying hold of her husband, said, he should not be
gan to joke with Little
Margery, and said, laugh- eat up by the ghost. " A ghost, you blockhead,"
ing, " So, Goody Two-Shoes, they tell me you are says Mr. Long in a pet, " did either of you ever
a cunning little baggage pray can you tell me
; see a ghost in a church, or know anybody that
what I shall do to get well?" " Yes, sir," says did?" "Yes," says the clerk, "my father did
she, "go to bed when your rooks do, and get up once in the shape of a windmill, and it walked all
with them in the morning; earn, as they do, every around the church in a trice, with jack boots on,
day what you eat, and eat and drink no more than and had a gun by its side, instead of a sword."
you earn and you '11 get health and keep it.
: " A fine picture of a ghost, truly," says Mr. Long
THE RENOWNED HISTORY OF LITTLE GOODY TWO- SHOES. 333
"give me the key of the church, you monkey for ; my pi'ayers. As soon as I was on my knees, some-
I tell you there is no such thing now, whatever thing very cold, as cold as marble, aye, as cold as
may have been formerly." Then taking the key, ice, touched my start how-
neck, which made me ;
he went to the church, all the people following ever, I continued my prayers,
and having begged
him. As soon as he had opened the door, what protection from Almighty God, I found my spirits
sort of a ghost do you think appeared? Why, come, and I was sensible I had nothing to fear
Little Two-Shoes, who being weary had fallen for God Almighty protects not only all those that
asleep in one of the pews during the funeral serv- are good, but also all those who endeavor to be
ice, and was shut in all night. She immediately good, — nothing can withstand the power, and ex-
asked Mr. Long's pardon for the trouble she had ceed the goodness of God Almighty. Armed with
given him, told him she had been locked into the the confidence of his protection, I walked down
church, and said she should not have rung the the church aisle,when I heard something pit, pat,
bells, but that she was very cold, and hearing pit, pat, pit, pat, come after me, and something
Farmer Boult's man go whistling bj' with his touched my hand, which seemed as cold as a mar-
horses, she was in hopes he would have gone to ble monument. I could not think what this was,
the clerk for the key to let her out. yet I knew that it could not hurt me, and there-
fore I made myself easy but being very cold, and
;
CHAPTER VII.
the church being paved with stones, which were
CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF ALL THE SPIRITS OR verj'^ damp, my
way, as well as I could, to
I felt
THINGS SHE SAW IN THE CHURCH. the pulpit which something rushed by
; in doing
The people were ashamed to ask Little Madge me and almost threw me down. However, I was
any questions before Mr. Long, but as soon as he not frightened, for I knew that God Almighty
was gone, they all got round her to satisfy their would suffer nothing to hurt me.
curiosity, and desired she would give them a par- " At last I found out the pulpit, and having
ticular account of all that she had heard or seen. shut the door, I laid me down on the mat and
cushion to sleep when something thrust and
;
Her Tale.
pulled the door, as I thought, for admittance,
"I went to the church, said she, as most of you which prevented my going to sleep. At last it
did last night, to see the burying, and, being very cries, Bow, wow, wow
" and I it ;
" concluded
wear}', I sat me down in Mr. Johns's pew. and must be Mr. Saunderson's dog, which had fol-
fell fast asleep. At eleven of the clock I awoke ; lowed me from their house to church so I opened ;
which I believe was in some measure occasioned the door, and called Snip, Snip, and the dog
by the clock's striking, for I heard it. I started jumped upon me immediately. After this, Snip
up, and could not at first tell where I was but ; and I lay down togethei', and had a comfortable
after some time I recollected the funeral, and soon nap for when I awoke again it was almost light.
;
found that I was shut in the church. It was dis- I then walked up and down all the aisles of the
mal dark, and I could see nothing but while I
; church to keep myself warm and though I went ;
was standing in the pew, something jumped up into the vaults, and trod on Lady Ducklington's
upon me behind, and laid, as I thought, its hands coffin, I saw nothing, and I believe it was owing
over my shouldei's. I own I was a little afraid at to the reason Mr. Long has given you, namely,
first; however, I considered that I had alwaj'S that there is no such thing to be seen. As to my
been constant at prayers, and at church, and that part, Iwould as soon lie all night in a church as
I had done nobody any harm, but had endeavored in any other place and I am sure that any little
;
to do what good I could and then thought I,

; boy or girl, who is good and loves God Almightj',
what have I to fear? Yet I kneeled down to say and keeps his commandments, may as safely lie in
the church, or the churchyard, as anywhere else, late, they all agreed to defer it till the next night.
if they take care not to get cold, for I am sure After laying tliis scheme, they set out upon all
there are no things either to hurt or to frighten their pranks, which greatly rejoiced Margery, as
them though any one possessed
; might of fear it would any other little girl in her situation.
have taken Neighbor Saunderson's dog with his Early in the morning she went to Sir William,
cold nose for a ghost and if they had not been
; and told him
whole of their conversation.
tlie
undeceived, as I was, would never have thought Upon which he asked her name, then gave her
otherwise." All the company acknowledged the sometliing, and bid her call at his house the day
justness of the observation, and thanked Little following. She also went to Sir Timothy, not-
Two-Shoes for her advice. withstanding he had used her so ill, for she knew
it was her duty to do good for evil. As soon as
Reflection. he was informed who she was, he took no notice
After this, my dear children, I hope you will of her upon which she desired to speak to Lady
;
not believe any foolish stories that ignorant, weak, Gripe, and having informed her ladyship of the
or designing people may tell you about ghosts, affair, she went away. This lady had more sense
for the tales of ghosts, witches, and fairies are the than her husband, which indeed is not a singu-
frolics of a distempered brain. No wise man ever lar case ; for instead of despising Little JLu-gery
saw either of them. Margery was not
Little and her information, she privately set peojjle to
afraid ; no, she had good sense, and a good con- guard the house. The robbers divided themselves,
science, which is a cure for all these imaginary and went about the time mentioned to both houses,
evils. and were surprised by the guards and taken.
CHArTER VIII. Upon examining these wretches (one of which
OF SOMETHING WHICH HAPPENED TO LITTLE MARGERY turned evidence), both Sir William and Sir Tim-
TWO-SHOES IN A BARN, MORE DREADFUL THAN THE othy found that they owed tlieir lives to the dis-
GHOST IN THE CHUKCH AND HOW SHE RETURNED; covery made by Little Margery ; and the first
GOOD FOR EVIL TO HER ENEMY SIH TIJIOTHY. took great notice of her, and would no longer let
Some days after this, a raoi-e dreadful accident her lie in a barn ; but Sir Timothy onh' said,
befell LittleMadge. She happened to be coming that he was ashamed to owe his life to the daugh-
late from teaching, when it rained, thundered, and ter ofone who was his enemy so true it is, " That ;
lightened, and therefore she took shelter in a a proud man seldom forgives those he has in-
farmer's barn at a distance from the village. Soon jured."
after, thetempest drove in four thieves, who not
seeing such a little creep-mouse girl as Two-Shoes,
CHAPTER IX.
lay down on the hay next to her, and began to HOW LITTLE MARGERY WAS JIADE PRINCIPAL OF A
over their exploits, and to
COUNTRY COLLEGE.
talk settle plans for
future robberies. Margery, on hearing
Little Mrs. Williams, who kejjt a college for in-
them, covered herself with straw. To be sure slie structinglittle gentlemen and ladies in the science
•waS frightened, but her good sense taught her of A, B, C, was at this time very old and infirm
that the only security she had was in keeping her- and wanted to decline this important trust. This
self concealed therefore she lay very still, and
; being told to Sir Wiliam Dove, who lived in the
breatlied very softly. About four o'clock these parish, he sent for Mrs. Williams, and desired
wicked people came to a resolution to break both she would examine Little Two-Shoes, and see
Sir William Dove's house and Sir Timothy Gripe's, whether she was qualified for the office. This was
and hy force of arms to carry off all tlieir money, done, and Mrs. Williams made the following re-
plate, and jewels; but as it was thought then too port in her favor, namely, that Little Margery
THE RENOWNED HISTORY OF MRS. MARGERY TWO-SHOES. 335
was the best scholar, and had the best head and her. God Almighty heaps up blessings for all
the best heart of any one she had examined. All those who love Him, and though for a time He
the country had a great opinion of Mrs. Williams, may suffer them to be poor, and distressed, and
and this character gave them also a great opinion hide his good purposes from human sight, yet in
of Mrs. Margery, for so we must now call her. the end they are generally crowned with happi-
This Mrs. Margery thought the happiest period ness here, and no one can doubt their being so
of her life ; but more happiness was in store for hereafter.
THE RENOWNED HISTORY OF MRS. MARGERY TWO-SHOES.

PART II. health, but fixed the letters and points firmly in
In the first part of this work the young student their minds.
has read, and hope with pleasure and improve-
I
CHAPTER II.
ment, the history of this Lady, while she was
known and distinguished by the name of Little A SCENE OF DISTRESS IN A SCHOOL.
Two-Shoes we are now come to a period of her

; It happened one day, when Mrs. Two-Shoes
life when name was discarded, and a more
that was diverting the children after dinner, as she
eminent one bestowed upon her, I mean that of usually did, with some innocent games, or enter-
Mks. Margery Two-Shoes for as she was now : taining and instructive stories, that a man arrived
president of the A, B, C college, it became neces- with the melancholy news of Sally Jones's father
sary to exalt her in title as in place. being thrown from his horse, and thought past all
No sooner was she settled in this office, but she recovery ; nay, the messenger said, that he was
laid every possible scheme to promote the welfare seemingly dying when he came away. Poor Sally
and happiness of all her neighbors, and especially was greatly distressed, as indeed were all in the
of her little ones, in whom she took great delight school, for she dearly loved her father and Mrs.
and all those whose parents could not afford to Two-Shoes, and all her children dearly loved her.
pay for their education, she taught for nothing At this instant something was heard to flap at
but the pleasure she had in their company ; for the window, at which the children were surprised;
you are to observe that they were vei'y good, or but Mrs. Margerj' knowing what it was, opened
were soon made so by her good management. the casement, and drew in a pigeon with a letter.
As soon as he was placed upon the table, he
walked up and dropping the letter,
to little Sally,
CHAPTER I.
cried " Co, co, coo ;
" as much as to say, " There,
OF HEK SCHOOL, HER USHERS, OR ASSISTANTS, AND HER read it."
MANNER OF TEACHING. " My dear Sally, — God Almighty has been very
We have already informed the reader, that the merciful and restored your papa to us again, who
school where she taught was that which was before is now I hear you
so well as to be able to sit up.
kept by Mrs. Williams. Tlie room was very large are a good girl, my
and I hope you will
dear,
and spacious, and as she knew that nature in- never forget to praise the Lord for that his great
tended children should be always in action, she goodness and mercy to us. What a sad thing it
placed her different letters, or alphabets, all round would have been it your father had died, and left
the school, so that every one was obliged to get both you and me, and little Tommy in distress,
up and fetch a letter, or to spell a word when it and without a friend. Your father sends his
came to their turn which not only kept them in
; blessing with mine. Be good, my dear child, and
•336 THE BOOK OF FAMILIAR STORIES.
God Almighty will also bless you, whose blessing Though God Almighty has made man the lord
is above all things. of the crtotion, and endowed him with reason,
" I am, my dear Sally, yet in many respects, He has been altogether as
" Your affectionate mother, bountiful to other creatures of his forming.
" Maetha Jones." Some of the senses of other animals are more acute
than ours, as we find by daily experience.
CHAPTER III.
The downfall of the school was a great misfort-
OF THE AMAZING SAGACITY AND INSTINCT OF A LITTLE une to Mrs. Margery for she not only lost all
;
DOG. her books, but was destitute of a place to teach

Soon after this, a very dreadful accident hap- in but Sir William Dove, being informed of tliis,
;
pened in the school. It was on a Thursday morn- ordered it to be built at his own expense, and till
ing, I very well remember, when the children hav- that could be done. Farmer Grove was so kind as
ing learned their lessons soon, she had given them to let her have his large hall to teach in.
leave to play, and tliey were all running about
the school, and diverting themselves with the CHAPTER IV.
birds and the lamb at this time the dog, all of

;
WHAT HAPPENED AT FARMER GROVE'S AND HOW SHE
a sudden, laid hold of his mistress's apron, and GRATIFIED HIM FOR THE USE OF HIS ROOM.
endeavored to pull her out of the school. She was While at Mr. Grove's, wdiich was in the heart
at first surprised however, she followed him, to
; of the village, she not only taught the children in
see what he intended. No sooner had he led her the daytime, but the farmer's servants and all the
back into the garden, but he ran back, and pulled neighbors to read and write in the evening and ;
out one of the children in the same manner upon ; it was a constant practice, before they went away,
which she ordered them all to leave the school im- to make them all go to prayers and sing jasalms.
mediately, and they had not been out five minutes By this means the jjeople grew extremely regular,
before the top of the house fell in. What a mi- his servants were always at home instead of being
raculous deliverance was here How gracious I at the alehouse, and he had more work done than
How good was God Almighty to save all these ever. This gave not only Mr. Grove, but all the
children from destruction, and to make use of such neighbors, a high opinion of her good sense and
an instrument as a little sagacious animal to ac- prudent behavior and she was so much esteemed,
;
complish his divine will ! I should have observed that the most of the differences in the parish were
that, as soon as they were all in the garden, the left to her decision and if a man and wife quar-
;
dog came leaping round tbem to express his joy, reled (which sometimes happened in that part of
and when the house was fallen, laid himself down the kingdom), both pai'ties certainly came to her
quietly by his mistress. for advice. Everybody knows that Martha Wil-
Some of the neighbors who saw the school fall, son was a passionate, scolding jade, and that John
and who were in great pain for Margery and her her husband was a surly, ill-tempered fellow.
littleones, soon spread the news through the vil- These were one day brought by the neighbors for
lage,and all the parents, terrified for their cliil- Margery to talk to them, when they talked be-
dren, came crowding in abundance thej- had, : fore hei', and were going to blows but she, step-
;
however, the satisfaction to find them all safe, and ping between them, thus addressed the husband
upon their knees with their mistress, giving God " John," says she, " you are a man, and ought to
thanks for their happy deliverance. have more sense than to fly in a passion at every
You are not to wonder, my dear reader, that word that is said amiss by your wife and Mar- :
this littledog should have more sense than you, tha," says she, " you ought to know your duty
or your father, or your grandfather. better than to say anything to aggravate your
THE RENOWNED HISTORY OF MRS. MARGERY TWO-SHOES. 837
husband's resentment. These frequent quarrels advice, and by that means got in their hay without
arise from the indulgence of your violent passions ;
damage, whilst most of that in the neighboring vil-
for I know you both love each other, notwith- lage was spoiled.
standing what has passed between you. Now, This occasioned a very great noise in the coun-
pray tell me, John, and tell me, Martha, when you try, and so greatly provoked were the people who
have had a quarrel over night, are you not both resided in the other parishes, that they absolutely
sorry for it the next day ? " They both declared sent old Gaffer Gooaecap (a busy fellow in other
that they were. " Whj^ then," says she, " I '11 tell people's concerns) to find out evidence against
you how to prevent this for the future, if you her. The wiseacre happened to come to her to
promise to take my advice." They both promised school, when she was walking about with a raven
her. " You know," says she, " that a small spark on one shoulder, a pigeon on the other, a lark on
will set fire and that tinder properly
to tinder, her hand, and a lamb and a dog by her side
placed will set fire to a house an angry word is: which indeed made a droll figure, and so surprised
witli you as that spark, for you are both as touchy the man that he cried out, " A witch a witch a ! !
as tinder, and very often make your own house witch !
too hot to hold you. To prevent this, therefore, Upon this she, laughing, answered, " A con-
and to live happily for the future, you must sol- jurer ! a conjurer! a conjurer!" and so they
emnly agree, that if one speaks an angry word, parted ; but it did not end thus, for a warrant was
the other will not answer, till he or she has dis- issued out against Mrs. Margery, and she was car-
tinctly called over the alphabet, and the other not ried to a meeting of the justices.
reply till he has told twenty by this means your
; At the meeting, one of the justices who knew
passions will be stifled, and reason will have time little of life, and less of the law, behaved very
to take the rule." idly ; and, though nobody was able to prove any-
This is the best recipe that was ever given for thing against her, asked who she could bring to
a married couple to live in peace. Though John her character. " Who can you bring against my
and his wife frequently attempted to quarrel aft- character, sir?" says she. "There are people
erwards, they never could get their passions to a enough who would appear in my defense, were it
considerable height, for there was something so necessary : but I never supposed that any one here
droll in thus carrying on the dispute, that, before could be so weak as to believe there was any such
they got to the end of the arguuient, they saw the thing as a witch. If I am a witch, this is my
absurdity of it, laughed, kissed, and were friends. charm, and " (laying a barometer or weather glass
on the table) " it is with this," says she, " that I
CHAPTER V.
have taught my neighbors to know the state of the
THE CASE OF MRS. MARGERY. weather." All the company laughed
and Sir ;
Mes. Margery was always doing good, and William Dove, who was on the bench, asked her
thought she could never sufliciently gratify those accusers how they could be such fools as to think
who had done anything to serve her. These gen- there was any such thing as a witch ?
erous sentiments naturally led her to consult the After William inveighed against the
this, Sir
interest ofMr. Grove, and the rest of her neigh- absurd and foolish notions which the country peo-
bors and as most of their lands were meadow,
; ple had imbibed concerning witches and witch-
and they depended much on their hay, which had craft, and having proved that there was no such
been for many years greatly damaged by the wet thing, but that all were the effects of folly and ig-
weather, she contrived an instrument to direct them norance, he gave the court such an account of
when to mow their grass with safety, and prevent Mrs. Margery, and her virtue, good sense, and
their hay being spoiled. They all came to her for prudent behavior, that the gentlemen present were
43
enamored with lier, and returned her public thanks who was just come from sea, where he had, after
for the great service she had done the country. a desperate engagement, taken a rich prize, and
One gentleman in particular, I mean Sir Charles hearing, as soon as he landed, of his sister's in-
Jones, had conceived such a high opinion of her tended wedding, had rode post to see that a proper
that he offered her a considerable sum to take care settlement was made on her, which she was now
of his family, and the education of his daughter, entitled to, as he himself was both able and will-
which, however, she refused ; but this gentleman ing to give her an ample fortune. They soon re-
sending for her afterwards, when he had a danger- turned to the communion table, and were married
ous fit of illness, she went, and behaved so pru- in tears, but they were tears of joy.
dently in the family, and so tenderly to him and
CHAPTER VI.
his daughter, that he would not permit her to
leave his house, but soon after made her proposals THE TRUE USE OF RICHES.
of marriage. She was truly sensible of the honor About this time she heard that Mr. Smith was
he intended her, but, though poor, she would not oppressed by Sir Timothy Gripe and his friend
consent to be made a lady till he had effectually Graspall ; upon which she, in conjunction with
provided for his daughter for she told him, that
; her brother, defended him in Westminster Hall,
power was a dangerous thing to be trusted with, where Mr. Smith gained a verdict. As a justice
and that a good man or woman would never throw of the peace he was struck off the list, and no
themselves into the road of temptation. longer permitted to act in that capacity. A rela-
All things being settled, and the day fixed, the tion of his who had a right to the Mould well es-
neighbors came in crowds to see the wedding ; for tate, finding that it was possible to get the better
they were all glad that one who had been such a at law of a rich man, laid claim to it, brought his
good little girl, and was become such a virtuous action, and recovered the whole manor of Mould-
and good woman, was going to be made a lady well ; and being afterwards inclined to sell it, he
but just as the clergyman had opened his book, a in consideration of the aid Lady Margery had lent
gentleman richly dressed ran into the church and him during his distress, made her the first offer,
cried, " Stop stop "I This greatly alarmed the

! and she purchased the whole. This mortified Sir
congregation, particularly the intended bride and Timothy and his friend Graspall, who experienced
bridegroom, whom he first accosted and desired to nothing but misfortunes, and was in a few years
speak with them apart. After they had been so dispossessed of his ill-gotten wealth, that his
talking some little time, the people were greatly family were reduced to seek subsistence from the
surprised to see Sir Charles stand motionless, and parish, at which those who had felt the weight
his bride cry and faint away in tlie stranger's of his iron-hand rejoiced ; but Ladj' INIargery de-
arms. This seeming grief, however, was only a sired that his childi-en might be treated with care
prelude to a flood of joy which immediately suc- and tenderness " for ; they" (says she) " are no
ceeded ;you must know, gentle reader, that
for ways accountable for the actions of their father."
this gentleman, so richly dressed, was that identi- At her first coming into power, she took care to
cal little boy, whom you before saw in the sailor's gratify her old friends, especially Mr. and Mrs.
habit ; in short, it was Mrs. Margery's brother, Smith, whose family she made happy.
EYES, AND NO EYES; OR, THE ART OF SEEING. 339
EYES, AND NO EYES; OR, THE ART OF SEEING.

BY JOHN AIKIN.
Well, Robert, whei-e have you been walking bunch of something green, quite different from
this afternoon ? (said Mr. Andrews to one of his the tree itself. Here is a branch of it.
pupils at the close of a holiday.) Mr. A. Ah this is mistletoe, a plant of great
!
R. I have been, sir, to Broom-heath, and so fame for the use made of it by the Druids of old
round by the windmill upon Campmount, and in their religious rites and incantations. It bears
home through the meadows by the river side. a very slimy white berry, of which bird-lime may
Mr. A. Well, that 's a pleasant round. be made, whence its Latin name of Viscus. It is
R. I thought it very dull, sir I scarcely met ; one of those plants which do not grow in the
with a single person. I had rather by half have ground by a root of their own, but fix themselves
gone along the turnpike road. upon other plants whence they have been hu-
;
Mr. A. Why, if seeing men and horses is your morously styled parasitical, as being hangers-on
object, you would, indeed, be better entertained or dependents. It was the mistletoe of the oak
on the high-road. But did you see William ? that the Druids particularly honored.
R. We set out together, but he lagged behind W. A little farther on I saw a green wood-
in the lane so I walked on and left him.
; pecker fly to a tree, and run up the trunk like a
Mr. A. That was a pity. He would have been cat.
company for you. A. That was
3Ir. to seek for insects in the
R. Oh, he is so tedious, always stopping to look bark, on which they live. They bore holes with
at this thing and that ! I had rather walk alone. their strong bills for that purpose, and do much
I dare say he is not got home yet. damage to the trees by it.
Mr. A. Here he comes. Well, William, where W. What beautiful birds they are
have you been? Mr. A. Yes they have been called, from their
;
W. Oh, sir, the pleasantest walk I went all ! color and size, the English parrot.
over Broom-heath, and so up to the mill at the W. When I got upon the open heath, how
top of the hill, and then down among the green charming it was The air seemed so fresh, and
!
meadows by the side of the river. the prospect on every side so free and unbounded !
Mr. A. Why, that is just the round Robert has Then it was all covered with gay flowers, many
been taking, and he complains of its dullness, and of which I had never observed before. There
prefers the high-road. were at least three kinds of heath (I have got
W. I wonder at that. Iam sure I hardly took a them in my handkerchief here), and gorse, and
step that did not delight me and I have brought
; broom, and bell-flower, and many others of all
my handkerchief home.
full of curiosities colors, that I will beg you presently to tell me
Mr. A. Suppose, then, you give us some ac- the names of.
count of what amused you so much. I fancy it 3Ir. A. That I will, readily.
will be as new to Robert as to me. W. I saw, too, several birds that were new to
W. I will, sir. The lane leading to the heath, me. There was a pretty grayish one, of the size'
you know, is close and sandy, so I did not mind of a lark, that was hopping about some great
it much, but made the best of my way. However, stones and when he flew, he showed a great deal
;
I spied a curious thing enough in the hedge. It of white above his tail.
was an old crab-tree, out of which grew a great Mr. A, That was a wheatear. They are reck-
onecl very delicions birds to eat,and frequent the tell you what I mean to do, sir, if you will give
open downs in Sussex, and some other counties, me leave.
in great numbers. Mr. A. What is that ?
W. There was a flock of lapwings upon a W. I will go again, and take with me Carey's
marshy part of the heath, that amused me much. county map, by which I shall probably be able to
As I came near them, some of them kept flying make out most of the places.
round and round just over my head, and crying Mr. A. You shall have it, and I will go with
peivit so distinctly, one might almost fancy they you, and take my pocket sjjying-glass.
spoke. I thought I should have caught one of W. I shall be very glad of that. Well a —
them, for he flew as if one of his wings was broken, thought struck me that as the hill is called Camp-
and often tumbled close to the ground but as I ; mount, there might probably be some remains of
came near, he always made a shift to get away. ditchesand mounds with which I have read that
M7\ A. Ha, ha you were finely taken in then
! ! camps were surrounded. And I really believe I
This was all an artifice of the bird to entice you discovered something of that sort running round
away from its nest for they build upon the bare
: one side of the mount.
ground, and their nests would easily be observed, 3Ir. A. Very you might. I know anti-
likely
did they not draw ofE the attention of intruders quaries have described such remains as existing
by their loud criesand counterfeit lameness. there, which some suppose to be Roman, others
W. I wish Ihad known that, for he led me a Danish. We will examine them further when we
long chase, often over shoes in water. However, go.
it was the cause of my falling in with an old man W. From the hill I went straight down to the
and a boy who were cutting and piling up turf for meadows below, and walked on the side of a brook
fuel, and I had a good deal of talk with them that runs into the river. It was all bordered with
about the manner of preparing the turf, and the reeds and flags, and tall flowering plants, quite
price it sells at. They gave me, too, a creature I different from those I had seen on the heath. As
never saw before —
a young viper, which they had I was getting down the bank to reach one of them,
just killed, together with its dam. I have seen I heard something plunge into the water near rae.
several common snakes, but this is thicker in pro- It was a large water rat, and I saw it swim over to
portion, and of a darker color than they are. the other side, and go into its hole. There were
Mr. A. True. Vipers frequent those turfj', a great many large dragon flies all about the
boggy grounds pretty much, and I have known stream. I caught one of the finest, and have got
several turf-cutters bitten by them. him here in a leaf. But how I longed to catch a
W. They are very venomous, are they not ? bird that I saw hovering over the water, and every
3Ir. A. Enough so to make their wounds pain- now and then darting down into it I It was all
ful and dangerous, though they seldom prove over a mixture of the most beautiful green and
fatal. blue, with some orange color. It was somewhat
W. Well —I then took my course up to the less than a thrush, and had a large head and bill,
windmill on the mount. I climbed up the steps and a short tail.

of the mill in order to get a better view of the Mr. A. I can tell you what that bird was, —a
country round. What an extensive prospect I ! kingfisher, the celebrated halcyon of the ancients,
counted fifteen church steeples and I saw several
; about which so many tales are told. It lives on
gentlemen's houses peeping out from the midst of fish, which it catches in the manner you saw. It
green woods and plantations and I could trace

; builds in holes in the banks, is a shy, retiring bird,
the windings of the river all along the low grounds, never to be seen far from the stream where it in-
till it was lost behind a ridge of hills. But I '11 habits.

urns, AND NO EYES; OR, THE ART OF SEEING. 841
W. must ti'y to get another sight of him, for I

I lowed. I saw him catch another in the same man-
never saw a bird that pleased me so much. Well ner. He then took alarm at some noise I made,
— I followed this little brook till it entered the and flew away slowly to a wood at some distance,
river, and then took the path that runs along the where he settled.
bank. Oii the opposite side I observed several 3Ir. A. Probably his nest was there, for herons
little birds running along the shore, and making a build upon the loftiest trees they can find, and
piping noise. They were brown and white, and sometimes live in society together, like rooks.
about as big as a snipe. Formerly, when these birds were valued for the
Mr. A. I suppose they vpere sandpipers, one of amusement of hawking, many gentlemen had their
the numerous family of birds that get their living heronries, and a few are still remaining.
by wading among the shallows, and picking up W. I think they are the largest wild birds we
worms and insects. have.
W. There were a great many swallows, too, 3Ir. A. They are of a great length and spread
sporting upon the surface of the water, that enter- of wing, but their bodies are comjjaratively small.
tained me with their motions. Sometimes they W. I then turned homeward across the mead-
dashed into the stream sometimes they pursued
: ows, where I stopped a while to look at a large
one another so quick, that the eye could scarcely flock of starlings, which kept flying about at no
follow them. In one place, where a high, steep great distance. I could not tell at first what to
sand bank rose directly above the river, I observed make of them ; for they rose all together from the
many of them go in and out of holes with which ground as thick as a swarm of bees, and formed
the bank was bored full. themselves into a kind of black cloud, hovering
Mr. A. Those were sandmartins, the smallest of over the field. After taking a short round, they
our four species of swallows. They are of a mouse settled again, and presently rose again in the
color above, and white beneath. They make their same manner. I dare say there were hundreds of
nests and bring up their young in these holes, them.
which run a great depth, and by their situation Mr. A. Pei'haps fenny countries
so ; for in the
are secure from all plunderers. their flocks are so break down
numerous as to
W. A little farther I saw a man in a boat, who whole acres of reeds by settling on them. This
was catching eels in an odd way. He had a long disposition of starlings to fly in close swarms
pole with broad iron prongs at the end, just like was remarked even by Homer, who compares the
Neptune's trident, only there were five instead of foe flying from one of his heroes, to a cloud of
three. This he pushed straight down among the stares retiring dismayed at the approach of the
mud in the deepest parts of the river, and fetched hawk.
up the eels sticking between the prongs. W. After I had left the meadows, I crossed the
Mr. A. I have seen this method. It is called corn-fields in the way to our house, and passed by
spearing of eels. a deep marie pit. Looking into it, I saw in one
W. While I was looking at him, a heron came of the sides a cluster of what I took to be shells ;
flying over my head, with his large flagging wings. and upon going down, I picked up a clod of marie,
He lit at the next turn of the river, and I crept which was quite full of them but how sea shells ;
softly behind the bank to watch his motions. He could get thei-e, I cannot imagine.
had waded into the water as far as his long legs Mr. A. I do not wonder at your surprise, since
would carry him, and was standing with his neck many philosophers have been much perplexed to
drawn in, looking intently on the stream. Pres- account for the same appearance. It is not un-
ently he darted his long bill as quick as lightning common to find great quantities of shells and rel-
into the water, and drew out a fish, which he swal- ics of marine animals even in the bowels of high
mountains, very remote from the sea. They are B. I saw some of them, but I did not take par-
certainly proofs that the earth was once in a very ticular notice of them.
from what it is at present but in
different state ; Mr. A. Why not ?
what manner, and how long ago these changes R. I don't know. I did not care about them,
took place, can only be guessed at. and I made the best of my way home.
W. I got to the high field next our house just Mr. A. That would have been right, if you had
as the sun was setting, and I stood looking at it been sent on a message but as you only walked
;
till itwas quite lost. What a glorious sight The ! for amusement, it would have been wiser to have
clouds were tinged piirple and crimson and j'el- sought out as many sources of it as possible. But
low, of all shades and hues, and the clear sky so it is —
one man walks through the world with
vai'ied from blue to a fine green at the horizon. his eyes open, and another with them shut and ;
But how large the sun appears just as it sets I ! upon this difference depends all the superiority of
think it seems twice as big as when it is over knowledge the one acquires above the other. I
head. have known sailors who had been in all the quar-
Mr. A. It does so ; and you may probably have ters of the world, and could tell you nothing but
observed the same apparent enlargement of the the signs of the tippling-houses they frequented
moon at its rising. in different parts, and the price and quality of the
W. I have ; but pray what is the reason of liquor. On the other hand, a Franklin could
this? not cross the channel without making some obser-
3Ir. A. It is an optical deception, depending vations useful to mankind. While many a vacant
upon principles which I cannot well exjslain to thoughtless youth is whirled throughout Europe
you till you know more of that branch of science. without gaining a single idea worth crossing a
But what a number of new ideas this afternoon's street for, the observing e3e and inquiring mind
walk has afforded you I do not wonder that
! finds matter of improvement and delight in every
you found it amusing it has been very instruct-
; ramble town or country. Do you then, Wil-
in
ive too. Did you see nothing of all these sights, liam, continue to make use of your e3'es and you, ;
Robert ? Robert, learn that eyes were given you to use.
THE BOY WITHOUT A GENIUS.

BY JOHN AIKIN.
Me. Wiseman, the school-master, at the end of that indifferently. We sent him at seven to a
hissummer vacation, received a new scholar with grammar school in our neighborhood ; but his
the following letter. master soon found that his genius was not turned
to learning languages. He was then put to writ-
Sir, — This you by my son
will be delivered to ing, but he set about it so awkwardly that he
Samuel, whom
beg leave to commit to your care,
I made nothing of it. He was tried at accounts,
hoping that by your well-known skill and atten- but it appeared that he had no genius for that
tion you will be able to make something of him ;
either. He could do nothing in geography for
which, I am sorry to say, none of his masters want of memory. In short, if he has any genius
have hitherto done. He is now eleven, and yet at all, it does not yet show itself. But I trust to
can do nothing but read his mother tongue, and your experience in cases of this nature to discover
THE EOT WITHOUT A GENIUS. 343
what he is fit for, and to instruct him accordingly. I see nothing here to hinder you from writing
I beg to be favored shortly with your opinion as well as any boy in the school. You can read,
about him, and remain, sir, I suppose.
Your most obedient servant, Yes, sir.
Humphry Acres. what is written over the

Tell me, then, school-
room door.
When Mr. Wiseman had read this letter, he Samuel with some hesitation read, —
shook his head, and said to his assistant, A pretty
WHATEVER MAN HAS DONE, MAN MAY DO.
subject they have sent us here a lad that has a !
great genius for nothing at all. But perhaps my Pray, how did you learn to read ? — Was it not
friend Mr. Acres expects that a boy should show with taking pains ?
a genius for a thing before he knows anything Yes, sir.
about it — no uncommon error ! Let us see, how- Well — taking more pains will enable you to
ever, what the youth looks like. I suppose he is read better. Do you know anything of the Latin
a human creature at least. grammar ?
Master Samuel Acres was now called in. He No, sir.
came hanging down his head, and looking as if he Have you never learned it ?
was going to be flogged. I tried, sir, but I could not get it by heart.
Come hithei', my dear said Mr. Wiseman. ! Why, you can say some things by heart. I
Stand by me, and do not be afraid. Nobody will dare say you can tell me the names of the week in
hurt you. How old are you ? their order.
Eleven last May, sir. Yes, sir, I know them.
A well-grown boy of your age, indeed. You And the months in the year, perhaps.
love play, I dare say. Yes, sir.
Yes, sir. And you could probably repeat the names of

What, are you a good hand at marbles ? your brothers and sisters, and all your father's
Pretty good, sir. servants, and half the people in the village be-
And can spin a top, and drive a hoop, I suppose ? sides.
Yes, sir. I believe I could, sir.
Then you have the full use of your hands and Well — and is hie, hcec, hoc, more difficult to re-
fingers ? member than these ?
Yes, sir. Samuel was silent.

Can you write, Samuel? Have you learned anything of accounts ?
I learned a little, sir, but I left it off again. I went into addition, sir, but I did not go on
And why so ? with it.
Because I could not make the letters. Why so ?

No ! Why how do you think other boys do ? — I could not do it, sir.
have they more fingers than you ? How many marbles can you buy for a penny ?
No, sir. Twelve new ones, sir.
Are you not able to hold a pen as well as a mar- And how many for a half-penny ?
ble ? Six.
Samuel was silent. And how many for two pence ?
Let me look at your hand. Twenty-four.

Samuel held out both his paws, like a dancing If you were to have a penny a day, what would
bear. that make in a week ?
Seven pence. in more than three or four boys in my and
life,
But if you paid two pence out of that, what your son is certainly not among the number.
would 3'ou have left ? But if you mean only the ability to do some of
Samuel studied a while and then said, five pence. those things which tlie greater part of mankind
Right. Why here you have been pvactieing the can do when properly taught, I can affirm that I
four great rules of arithmetic, addition, substrac- find in him no peculiar deficiency and whether ;
tion, multiplication,and division. Learning ac- you choose to bring him up to a trade or to some
counts no more than this. Well, Samuel, I see
is practical profession, I see no reason to doubt that
what you ace fit for. I shall set you about noth- he may in time become sufficiently qualified for it.
ing but what you are able to do but observe, ; It ismy favorite maxim, sir, that everything most
you must do it. We have no I can't here. Now valuable in this life may general]}' be acquired by
go among your school-fellows. taking pains for it. Your son has already lost
Samuel went away, glad that his examination much time in the fruitless expectation of finding
was over, and with more confidence in his powers out what he would take up of liis own accord.
than he had felt before. Believe me, few boys will take up anything of
sir,
The next day he began business. A boy less their own accord but a top or a marble. I will
than himself was called out to set him a copy of take care while he is with me that he loses no
letters, and another was appointed to hear him more time this way, but is employed about things
grammar. He read a few sentences in English that are fit for him, not doubting that we shall
that he could perfectly understand, to the master find him fit for them.
Thus by going on steadily and slowly,
hiuiself. I am, sir, yours, etc.
he made a sensible progress. He had already Solon Wiseman.
joined his letters, got all the declensions perfectly,
and half the multiplication table, when Mr. Wise- Though the doctrine of this letter did not per-
man thought it time to answer his father's letter ;
fectly agree withMr. Acre's notions, yet being
which he did as follows :
— convinced that Mr. Wiseman was more likely to
make something of his son than any of his former
Sir, — I now think it right to give you some in- preceptors, he continued him at this school for
formation concerning your son. You perhaps ex- some years, and had the satisfaction to find him
pected it sooner, but I always wish to avoid hasty going on in a steady course of gradual imjirove-
judgments. You mentioned
in your letter that ment. In due time a profession was chosen for
it had not yet been discovered which way his ge- him, which seemed to suit his temper and talents,
nius pointed. If by genius you meant such a de- but for which he had no particular turn, having
cided bent of mind to any one pursuit as will lead never thought at all about it. He made a re-
to excel with little or no labor, or instruction, I spectable figure in and went through the world
it,
must say tliat I have not met with such a quality with credit and usefulness, though without a genius.
A TALE OF POTTED SPRATS.

BY AMELIA OPIE.
Most mistresses of families have a family re- With one young house-
of these notable ladies a
ceipt-book ; and are apt to believe that no receipts keeper went to pass a few days, both at her town
are so good as their own. and country-house. The hostess was skilled, not
A TALE OF POTTED SPRATS. 345
only in culinary lore, but in economy ; and was the carriage, a large box was put in, and the guest
in tlie liabit of setting on her table, even when fancied she smelt garlic ; but
not alone, whatever her taste or cai'efulness had " Where ignorance is bliss,
'T is folly to be wise."

led her to pot, pickle, or preserve, for occasional
use. She therefore asked no questions ; but tried to
Before a meagre family dinner was quite over, enjoy the present, regardless of the future. At a
a dish of potted speats was |et before the lady certain distance they stopped to bait the horses.
of the house, who, expatiating on their excellence, There the guest expected that they should get
derived from a family receipt of a century old, out, and take some refreshment but her econom- ;
pressed her still unsatisfied guest to partake of ical companion, with a shrewd wink of the eye,
them. observed, " I always sit in the carriage on these

The dish was as good as much salt and little occasions. If one gets out, the people at the inn
spice could make it ; but it had one peculiarity expect one to order a luncheon. I therefore take
— had a strong flavor of
it garlic, and to garlic mine with me." So saying, John was summoned
the poor guest had a great dislike. to drag the carriage out of sight of the inn win-
But she was a timid woman and good-breeding, ; dows. He then unpacked the box, took out of
and what she called benvolence, said, " persevere it knives and forks, plates, etc., and also a jar,
a swallow," though her palate said, " no." " Is which, impregnating the air with its effluvia, even
it not excellent?" said the hostess. "Very," before it was opened, disclosed to the alarmed
faltered out the half-suffocated guest ; — and this guest that its contents were the dreaded sprats I
was lie the first. "Did you ever eat anything "Alas !" thought she, " Pandora's box was
like it befoi-e ? " " Never," replied the other nothing to this I for in that, Hope remained be-
more firmly ; for then she knew that she spoke hind ; but, at the bottom of this is Despair !
" In
the truth, and lotiging to add, " and I hope I never unhappy lady declare (lie the fourth)
vain did the
shall eat anything like it again." " I will give that "she had no appetite, and (lie the fifth)
you the receipt," said the lady, kindly ;
" it will that she never ate in the morning," Her hostess
be of use to you as a young housekeeper : for it would take no However, she contrived to
denial.
is economical, as well as good, and serves to make get a piece of sprat down, enveloped in bread ;
out, when we have a scrap-dinner. My servants and the rest she threw out of the window, when
often dine on it." " I wonder you can get any her companion was looking another way who, —
servants to live with you," thought the guest on turning round, exclaimed, " so, you have soon
" but I dare say you do not get any one to stay dispatched the fish let me give you another do
! ;
long " " You do not, however, eat as if you

! not refuse, because you think they are nearly fin-
liked it." " Oh, yes, indeed I do, very much," (lie ished I assure you there are several left
; and ;
the second) she i-eplied, "but you forget I have (delightful information !) we shall have a fresh
already eaten a good dinner :
" (lie the third. supply to-morrow " However, this time she was
!
Alas ! what had benevolence, so called, to answer allowed to know when she had eaten enough ;
for this occasion !) and the travelers proceeded to their journey's end.
" Well, I am delighted to find that you like my This day, the sprats did not appear at dinner
sprats," said the flattered hostess, while the cloth — but, there being only a few left, they were
was removing : adding, " John ! do not let those kept for a bonne louche, and reserved for supper
sprats be eaten in the kitchen I
" an order which a meal of which, this evening, on account of indis-
the guest heai'd with indescribable alarm. position, the hostess did not partake, and was
The next day they were to set off for the coun- therefore at liberty to attend entirely to the wants
try-house, or cottage. When they were seated in of her guest, who would fain have declined eating
44
also, it was impossible
but she had just declared
; near the bottom of the pot was more disagreeable
that she was quite well, and had often owned that than ever, human patience and human infirmity
she enjoyed a piece of supper after an early din- could bear no more ; the scarcely tasted morsel
gier. There was therefore no retreat from the fell from her lips, and she rushed precipitately
maze in which her insincerity had involved her into the open air, almost disposed to execrate, in
and eat she must but, when she again smelled on
: her heart, potted sprats, the good breeding of her
her plate the nauseous composition, which being officious hostess, and even Benevolence itself.
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT: OR, TWO STRINGS TO YOUR BOW.

BY MARIA EDGEWOETH.
Me. Gresham, a Bristol merchant, who had, son should early learn that economy insures inde-
by honorable industry and economy, accumulated pendence, and sometimes puts in the power of
a considerable fortune, retired from business to a those who are not very rich to be very generous.
new house which he had built upon the Downs, The morning after these two boys arrived at
near Clifton. Mr. Gresham, however, did not im- their uncle's, they were eager to see all the
rooms
agine that a new house alone could make him in the house. Mr. Gresham accompanied them,
happy. He did not propose to live in idleness and and attended to their remarks and exclamations.
extravagance ; for such a life would have been " Oh what an excellent motto " exclaimed
I I
equally incompatible with his habits and his prin- Ben, when he read the following words, which
ciples. He was fond of children and as he had ; were written in large characters over the chim-
no sons, he determined to adopt one of his rela- ney-piece, in his uncle's spacious kitchen, —
tions. He had two nephews, and he invited both " WASTE NOT, WANT NOT."
of them to his house, that he might have an op-
portunity of judging of their dispositions, and of " Waste not, want not !
" repeated his cousin
the habits which they had acquired. Hal, in rather a contemptuous tone ;
" I think it
Hal and Benjamin, Mr. Gresham's nephews, looks stingy to servants ;and no gentleman's serv-
were about ten years old. They had been edu- ants, cooks especially, would like to have such a
cated very differently. Hal was the son of the mean motto always staring them in the face."
elder branch of the family. His father was a gen- Ben, who was not so conversant as his cousin in
tleman, who spent rather more than he could af- the ways of cooks and gentlemen's servants, made
ford ; and Hal, from the example of the servants no reply to these observations.
in his father's family, with whom he had passed Mr. Gresham was called away whilst his neph-
the first years of his childhood, learned to waste ews were looking at the other rooms in the house.
more of He had been
everything than he used. Some time afterwards he heard their voices in the
told, that "
gentlemen should be above being care- hall.
;
' Boys," said he, " what are you doing there "
ful and saving " and he had unfortunately im- ?
bibed a notion that extravagance was the sign of " Nothing, sir," said Hal ; " you were called away
a generous disposition, and economy of an avari- from and we did not know which way to go."
us,
cious one. " And have you nothing to do? " said Mr. Gres-
Benjamin, on the contrary, had been taught ham. " No, sir, nothing," answered Hal, in a care-
His father had but
habits of care and foresight. less tone, like one who was well content with the
"
a very small fortune, and was anxious that his state of habitual idleness. " No, sir, nothing !
WASTE NOT, WANT NOT. 347
replied Ben, in a voice of lamentation. " Come," if this be it," said his uncle, taking up the jagged,
said Mr. Gresham, " if you have nothing to do knotted remains of Hal's cord.
"
lads, will you unpack these two parcels for me ? A few days after this, Mr. Gresham gave to
The two parcels were exactly alike, both of them each of his nephews a new top.
well tied up with good whip-cord. Ben took his " But how 's this ? " said Hal " these tops have ;
parcel to a table, and, after breaking off the seal- no strings what shall we do for strings ? " "I
;
ing-wax, began carefully to examine the knot, and have a string that will do very well for mine,"
then to untie Hal stood still, exactly in the
it. said Ben and he pulled out of his pocket the fine,
;
spot where the parcel was put into his hands, and long, smooth string which had tied up the parcel.
tried first at one corner, and then at another, to With this he soon set up his top, which spun ad-
pull the string off by force. mirably well.
" I wish these people would n't tie up their par- " Oh how I wish I had but a string !
" said Hal
cels so tight, as if they were never to be undone," " what shall I do for a string ? I '11 tell you what
"
cried he, as he tugged at the cord and he pulled ; I can use the string that goes round my hat I
the knot closer instead of loosening it. " But then," said Ben, " what will you do for a
" Ben why, how did you get yours undone,
! hat-band ? " " I '11 manage to do without one,"
man ? — what's in your parcel ? — I wonder what said Hal and he took the string off his hat for
;
is in mine. I wish I could get this string off his top. It soon was worn through and he split ;
I must cut it." his top by driving the peg too tightly into it.
" Oh, no," said Ben, who now had undone the His cousin Ben let him set ujj his the next day ;
last knot of his parcel, and who drew out the but Hal was not more fortunate or more careful
length of string with exultation, " don't cut it, when he meddled with other people's things than
Hal. Look what a nice cord this is, and yours is when he managed his own. He had scarcely
the same it 's a pity to cut it
: Waste not, ivant ;
' plaj'ed half an hour before he split it, by driving
not! you know."
'
in the peg too violently.
" Pooli said Hal, " what signifies a bit of pack-
! Ben bore this misfortune with good humor.
thread ? " " It is whip-cord," said Ben. " Well, " Come," said he, " it can't be helped but give :
whip-cord what signifies a bit of whip-cord you

! ! me the string, because tliat may still be of use for
can get a bit of whip-cord twice as long as that for something else.
two pence ; and who cares for two pence ! Not I, It happened some time afterwards that a lady,
for one ! so here it goes," cried Hal, drawing out who had been intimately acquainted with Hal's
his knife ; and he cut the cord, precipitately, in mother at Bath, —
that is to say, who had fre-
sundry places. quently met her at the card-table during the win-
" Ladshave you undone the parcels for me ?
!
"
ter,— now arrived at Clifton. She was informed
said Mr. Gresham, opening the parlor-door as he by his mother that Hal was at Mr. Gresham's and ;
spoke. " Yes, sir," cried Hal and he dragged ; her sons who were friends of his, came to see him,
off his half-cut, half-entangled string, — " here 's and invited him to spend the next day with them.
the parcel." " And
jny parcel, uncle and here 's ; Hal joyfully accepted the invitation. He was
here 's the string," said Ben. " You may keep the always glad to go out to dine, because it gave him
string for your pains," said Mr. Gresham. " Thank something to do, something to think of, or at least
you, sir," said Ben ;

" what an excellent whip-cord something to say. Besides this, he had been edu-
it is!" "And you, Hal," continued Mr. Gres- cated to think was a fine thing to visit fine
it
ham, " you may keep your string too, if it will be people and Lady Diana Sweepstakes (for that
;
of any use to you." " It will be of no use to me, was the name of his mother's acquaintance) was
thank you sir," said Hal. " No, I am afraid not. a very fine lady, and her two sons intended to
be very great gentlemen. He was in a prodigious would have reproached himself longer, perhaps, if
hurry when these young gentlemen knocked at Lady Di Sweepstakes' sons had not hurried him
his uncle's door the next day but just as he got ; away.
to the hall door, little Patty called to him from In the evening, Patty could not run about as
the top of the stairs, and told him that he had she used to do but she sat upon the sofa, and
;
dropped his pocket-handkerchief. she said that she did not feel the pain in her ankle
''
Pick it up, then, and bring it to me, quick, so much, whilst Ben was so good as to play at
can't you, child ? " cried Hal, " for Lady Di's sons jack-straws with her.
are waiting for me." " That 's right, Ben never be ashamed
; of being
Little Patty did not know anything about Lady good-natured to those who are younger and weaker
Di's sons but as she was very good-natured, and
; than yourself," said his uncle, smiling at seeing
saw that her cousin Hal was, for some reason or him produce his whip-cord, to indulge his little
other, in a desperate hurry, she ran down-stairs as cousin with a game at her favorite cat's-cradle.
fast as she possibly could, towards the landing- " I sliall not think j'ou one bit less manly, becau.se
place, where the handkerchief lay ; but, alas ! be- I see you playing at cat's-cradle with a little child
fore she reached the handkerchief, she fell, rolling of six years old."
down a whole flight of stairs, and when her fall Hal, however, was not precisely of his uncle's
was at last stopped by the landing-place, she did opinion ; for when he returned and in the evening,
not cry, but she writhed as if she was in great saw Ben playing with he could his little cousin,
pain. not help smiling contemptuously, and asked if he
" Where are you hurt, my love ? " said Mr. had been playing at cat's-cradle all night. In a
Gresham, who came instantly, on hearing the heedless manner he made some inquiries after
noise of some one falling down-stairs. " Where Patt3''s sprained ankle,and then he ran on to tell
"
are you hurt, my dear ? all the news he had heard at Lady Diana Sweep-
" Here, papa," said the little girl, touching her stakes', —
news which he thought would make him
ankle, which she had decently covered with her apfiear a person of vast importance.
gown " I believe I am hurt here, but not
:
" Do you know, uncle, — do you know, Ben,"
much," added she, trying to rise ;
" only it hui-ts said he, — " there 's to be the most famous doings
me when I move." "I '11 carry you don't move
; that ever were heard of upon the Downs here, the
then," said her father ; and he took her up in his first day of next month, which will be in a fort-
arms. " My shoe ; I 've lost one of my shoes," night, — thank my stars I wish the fortnight
I
said she. was over ; know,

I shall think of nothing else, I
"
Ben looked for it upon the stairs,and he found till that happy day comes I
it sticking in a loop of whip-cord, which was Mr. Gresham inquired why the first of Septem-
entangled round one of the banisters. When tliis ber was to be so much happier than anj' other day
cord was drawn forth, appeared that it was theit in the year. " Why," replied Hal, " Lady Diana
very same jagged entangled piece which Hal had Sweepstakes, you know, is a famous rider and
pulled off his parcel. He had diverted himself archer, and all that.'' " Very likely," said Mr.
"
with running up and down whipping the
stairs, Gresham, soberly " but what then ? ;
banisters with it, as he thought he could convert " Dear uncle " cried Hal, " but you shall hear.
!
it to no better use ; and, with his usual careless- There's to be a race upon the Downs the first of
ness, he at last lefthanging just where he hap-
it September, and after the race there "s to be an
pened to throw it when the dinner-bell rang. archery meeting for the ladies, and Lady Diana
Poor little Patty's ankle was terribly sprained, Sweepstakes is to be one of them. And after the
and Hal reproached himself for his folly, and ladies have done shooting, now, Ben, comes the —
best part of it ! — we
boys are to bave our turn, case ; and if it is necessary — or if you think it
and Lady Di is to give a prize to the best marks- necessary that you shall have a uniform, —
why,
man amongst us, of a very handsome bow and ar- I '11 give you one."
row Do you know, I 've been practicing already,
!
" You, uncle ! Will you, indeed
exclaimed f "
and I '11 show you to-morrow, as soon as it conies Hal, with amazement painted in his countenance.
home, the famous bow and arrow that Lady Diana " Well, that 's the last thing in the world I should
has given me but, perhaps," added he, with a
; have expected You are not at all the sort of
!
scornful laucjh, " vou like a cat's-cradle better than person I should have thought would care about a
a bow and arrow." uniform and now I should have supposed you 'd
;
Ben made no reply to this taunt at the moment have thought it extravagant to have a coat on pur-
but the next day, when Hal's new bow and arrow pose only for one day and I 'm sure Ladj' Diana ;
came home, he convinced him that he knew how Sweepstakes thought as I do for when I told her ;
to use it very well. of that motto over your kitchen-chimney, WASTE '
"Ben," said his uncle, "you seem to be a good XOT, WANT NOT,' she laughed, and said that I had
marksman, though you have not boasted of your- better not talk to you about uniforms, and that
self. I '11 give you a bow and arrow, and, perhaps my mother was the proper person to write to about
if you practice, you may make yourself an archer my uniform but I '11 tell Lady Diana, uncle, how
:
before the first of September and, in the mean ; good you are, and how much she was mistaken."
time, you will not wish the fortnight to be over, " Take care how you do that," said Mr. Gres-
for you will have something to do." ham "for perhaps the lady was not mistaken."
;
"Oh, sir," interrupted Hal, "but if you mean " 'Âj, did not you say, just now, you would
that Ben should put in for the prize, he must have give poor Ben a uniform ? " " I said I would, if
a uniform." " Why must he ? "
said Mr. Gresham. he thought it necessary to have one." " Oh, I '11
" Why, sir, everybody has
because I mean — answer for it, he *11 think it necessary," said Hal,
everybody that 's anybody and Lady Diana was ; laughing, "because it is necessary." "Allow him,
talking about the uniform all dinner-time, and it 's at least, to judge for himself," said Mr. Gres-
settled all about it, except the buttons the young ; ham. " My dear uncle, but I assure you," said
Sweepstakes are to get theirs made first for pat- Hal, earnestly, "there's no judging about the
terns they are to be white, faced with green and
:
; matter, because really, upon word. Lady Di- my
they "11 look very handsome, I "m sure ; and I shall ana said distinctly, that her sons were to have uni-
write to mamma to-night, as Lady Diana bid me, forms, white faced with green, and a green and
about mine ; and I shall tell her to be sure to an- white cockade in their hats." " May be so," said
swer my letter, without fail, by return of the post Mr. Gresham, still with the same look of calm
and then if mamma makes no objection, which I simplicity " put on your hats, boys, and come
;
know she won't, because she never thinks much with me. I know a gentleman whose sons are to
about expense, and all that, — then I shall bespeak be at this archery meeting, and we will inquire
my uniform, and get made by the same tailor
it into all the particulars from him. Then, after we
that makes for Lady Diana and the young Sweep- have seen him (it is not eleven o'clock yet), we
stakes." shall have time enough to walk on to Bristol, and
" Mercy upon us !
" said Mr. Gresham, who was choose the cloth for Ben's uniform, if it is neces-
almost stunned by the rapid vociferation with sary.
which this long speech about a uniform was pro- " I cannot make of all he says,"
tell what to
nounced. " I don't pretend to understand these whispered Hal as he reached down his hat " do ;
things," added he, with an air of simplicity; "but you think, Ben, he means to give you this uniform
we will inquire, Ben, into the necessity of the or not?" "I think," said Ben, "that he means
to give me one, if it is necessary, or, as he said, if whose opinion no prudent person would ask upon
I think it is necessary." any subject, and whose example was to be shunned,
" And that to be sure you will
won't you ? or ; instead of being imitated. " Aye, my dear Hal,"
else you '11 be a great
know, after all I 've
fool, I said his uncle, smiling at his look of amazement,
told you. How can any one in the world know so " these are some of the things that young people
much about the matter as I, who have dined with must learn from experience. All the world do not
Lady Diana Sweepstakes but yesterday, and heard agree in opinion about characters you will hear :
all about it from beginning to end ? And as for the same person admired in one company, and
this gentleman that we are going to, I 'm sure, if blamed in another; so that we must still come
he knows anything about the matter, he '11 say round to the same point. Judge for yourself."
exactly the same as I do." " We shall hear," said Hal's thoughts were, however, at present, too
Ben, with a degree of composure which Hal could full of the uniform to allow his judgment to act
by no means comprehend when a uniform was in with perfect impartiality. As soon as their visit
question. was over, and all the time they walked down the
The gentleman upon whom Mr. Gresham called hill from Prince's Buildings towards Bristol, he
had three sons, who were all to be at this archery continued to repeat nearly the same arguments
meeting ; and they unanimously assured him, in which he had formerly used, respecting necessity,
the presence of Hal and Ben, that they had never the uniform, and Lady Diana Sweepstakes. To
thought of buying unifoiTns for this grand occa- all this i\L-. Gresham made no replj' and longer ;
sion, and that, amongst the number of their ac- had the young gentleman expatiated upon the
quaintance, they knew of but three boys whose subject, which had so strongly seized upon his im-
friends intended to be at such an unnecessary ex- agination, had not his senses been forcibly assailed
pense. Hal stood amazed. at this instant by the delicious odors and tempting
" Such are the varieties of opinion upon all the sight of certain cakes and jellies in a pastry-cooks
grand affairs of life," said Mr. Gresham, looking shop. " O uncle," said he, as his uncle was going
at his nephews. " What amongst one set of peo- to turn the corner to pursue the road to Bristol,
ple you hear asserted to be absolutely necessary, " look at those jellies " pointing to a confection-
!
you will hear from another set of people is quite er's shop. " I must buy some of those good things,
unnecessary. All that can be done, my dear boys, for I have got some half-pence in my pocket."
in these difficult cases, is to judge for yourselves, " Your having half -pence in A'our pocket is an
which opinions, and which people, are the most excellent reason for eating," said Mr. Gresham,
reasonable." smiling. "But I really am hungry," said Hal;
who had been more accustomed to think
Hal, " you know, uncle, it is a good while since break-
of what was fashionable than of what was reason- fast."
able, without at all considering the good sense of His uncle, who was desirous to see his nephews
what his uncle said to him, replied, with childish act without restraint, that he might judge their
petulance, "Indeed, sir, I don't know what other characters, bid them do as they pleased.
people think but I only know what Lady Diana
;
" Come, then, Ben, if you 've any half-pence in
Sweepstakes said." The name of Lady Diana your pocket." " I 'm not hungry," said Ben. " I
Sweepstakes, Hal thought, must impress all pres- suppose tJiat means that you 've no half-pence,"
ent with respect he was highly astonished when,
: said Hal, laughing, with the look of superiority
as he looked round, he saw a smile of contempt which he had been taught to think the rich might
upon every one's countenance and he was yet ; assume towards those who were convicted either
further bewildered when he heard her spoken of of poverty or economy. " Waste not, want not,"
as a very silly, extravagant, ridiculous woman, said Ben to himself. Contrary to his cousin's sur-
WASTE N07] WANT NOT. 351
mise, he happened to have twopenny-worth of are more easily tired than one might have ex-
half-pence actually m his pocket. pected. However, with all my heart ; let us take
At the very moment Hal stepped into the pas- a coach, for Ben asked me to show him the ca-
try-cook's shop, a poor, industrious man, with a thedral yesterday ; and I believe I should find it
wooden leg, who usually sweeps the dirty corner rather too much for me to walk so far, though I
of the walk, which turns at this spot to the Wells, am not sick with eating good things."
held his hat to Ben, who, after glancing his eye at " The cathedral ! " said Hal, after he had been
the petitioner's well-worn broom, instantly pro- seated in the coach about a quarter of an hour,
duced his two-pence. " I wish I had more half- and had somewhat recovered from his sickness, —
pence for you, my good man," said he " but I 've ;
" the cathedral ! Why, are we only going to Bris-
only two-pence." tol to see the cathedral ? I, thought we came out
Hal came out of Mr. Millar's, the confection- to see about a uniform."
er's shop,with a hatful of cakes in his hand. Mr. There was a dullness and melancholy kind of
Millar's dog was sitting on the flags before the stupidity in Hal's countenance as he pronounced
door and he looked up, with a wistful, begging
; these words, like one wakening from a dream,
eye, at Hal, who was eating a queen-cake. Hal^ which made both his uncle and cousin burst out
who was wasteful even in his good-nature, threw a-laughing.
a whole queen-cake to the dog, who swallowed it " Why," said Hal, who was now piqued, " I 'm
for a single mouthful. sure you did say, uncle, you would go to Mr. Hall's
" There goes two-pence in the form of a queen- to choose the cloth for the uniform." " Very true,
cake," said Mr. Gresham. and so I will," said Mr. Gresham ;
" but we need
Hal next offered some of his cakes to his uncle not make a whole morning's work, need we, of
and cousin but they thanked him and refused to
; looking at a piece of cloth ? Cannot we see a
"
eat any, because, they said, they were not hungry ;
uniform and a cathedral both in one morning ?
so he ate and ate, as he walked along, till at last They went first to the cathedral. Hal's head
he stopped, and said, " This bun tastes so bad was too full of the uniform to take any notice of
!
after the queen-cakes, I can't bear it and he was " the painted window, which immediately caught
going to fling it from him into the river. " Oh, it Ben's unembarrassed attention. He looked at the
is a pity to waste that good bun we may be glad; large stained figures on the Gothic window, and
of it yet," said Ben; "give it to me, rather than he observed their colored shadows on the floor and
throw it away." " Why, I thought you said you walls.
were not hungry," said Hal. " True, I am not Mr. Gresham, who perceived that he was eager
hungry now; but that is no reason why I should on all subjects to gain information, took this op-
never be hungry again." " Well, there is the cake portunity of telling him several things about the
for you take it for it has made me sick and I
; ; ; on glass, Gothic arches,
lost art of painting etc.,
don't cai'e what becomes of it." which Hal thought extremely tiresome.
Ben folded the refuse bit of his cousin's bun in " Come ! come I we shall be late indeed," said
a piece of pajêr, and put it into his pocket. Hal ;
" surely you've looked long enough, Ben, at
" I 'm beginning to be exceedingly tired, or this blue and red window." " I 'm only thinking
sick, or something," said Hal ; "and as there is a about these colored shadows," said Ben. "I can
stand of coaches somewhere hereabouts, had not show you, when we go home, Ben," said his uncle,
we better take a coach, instead of walking all the " an entertaining paper upon such shadows." ^
way to Bristol ? " " Hark " cried Ben, " did you hear that noise ? "
I
" For a stout archer," said Mr. Gresham, " you They all listened ; and they heard a bird singing
1 Vide Priestley's History of Vision, chapter on Colored Shadows.
in the cathedral. " It 's our old robin, sir," said here : it was her that always had the showing of
the lad who had opened the cathedral-door for it to strangers, till she lost the use of her poor
them. limbs."
" Yes," Gresham, " there he is, boys,
said Mr. " Shall we, may we, uncle, go that way ? This
look, —
perched upon the organ he often sits ; is the house; is not it?" said Ben, when they
there, and sings, whilst the organ is playing." went out of the cathedral.
" And," continued the lad who showed the cathe- They went into the house was rather a hovel
: it
dral, " he has lived here these many, many win- than a house but poor as ; it was as neat
it was,
ters. The}' say he is fifteen years old ; and he is as misery could make it. The old woman was
so tame, poor fellow, that had a bit of bread if I sitting up in her wretched bed winding worsted ;
he 'd come down and feed in my hand." " I 've a four meagre, ill-clothed, pale children were all
bit of a bun here," cried Ben, joyfully, producing busy, some of them sticking pins in paper for the
the remains of the bun which Hal but an hour be- pin-maker, and others soiting rags for the paper-
fore would have thrown away. " Pray, let us see maker.
the poor robin eat out of your hand." " What a horrid place it is " said Hal, sigh- !
The lad crumbled the bun, and called to the ing ;

" I did not know there were such shocking
robin, who fluttered and chirped, and seemed re- places in the world. I 've often seen terrible-look-
joiced at the sight of the bread ; but yet he did ing, tumble-down places, as we drove through the
not come down from his pinnacle on the organ. town in mamma's carriage but then I did not ;
" He is afraid of ms," said Ben " he is not ; know who lived in them and I never saw the ;
used to eat before strangers, I suppose." inside of any of them. It is very dreadful, indeed,
" Ah, young man, with a deep
no, sir," said the to think that people are forced to live in this
sigh, " that is not the thing. He is used enough way. I wish mamma would send me some more
to eat afore company. Time was he 'd have come pocket-money, that I might do something for them.
down for me before ever so many fine folks, an d I had half-a-crown ; but," continued he, feeling in
have ate his crumbs out of my hand at my first his pockets, " I 'm afraid I spent the last shilling
call ; but, poor fellow, it 's not his fault now. He of it this morning upon those cakes that made me
does not know me now, sir, since my accident, be- sick. I wish I had my shilling now, I 'd give it
cause of this great black patch." The young man to these poor people.^'
put his hand to his right eye, which was covered Ben, though he was all this time silent, was as
with a huge black patch. Ben asked what accident sorry as his talkative cousin for all these poor peo-
he meant ; and the lad told him that, but a few ple. But there was some difference between the
weeks ago, he had lost the sight of his eye by sorrow of these two boys.
the stroke of a stone, which reached him as he Hal, after he was again seated in the hackney-
was passing under the rocks at Clifton unluckily coach, and had rattled through the busy streets of
when the workmen were blastinsr. " I don't mind Bristol for a few minutes, quite forgot the specta-
so much for myself, sir," said the lad ;
'•
but I can't cle of misery which he had seen ; and the gay
work so well now, as I used to do before my ac- shops inWine Street and the idea of his green
cident for my old mother, who has had a stroke and white uniform wholly occupied his imagina-
of the palsy ; and I 've a many little brothers tion.
and sisters not well able yet to get their own " Now for our uniforms !
" cried he, as he
livelihood, though they be as willing as willing jumped eagei'ly out of the coach, when his uncle
can be." stopped at the woolen-draper's door.
"Where does your mother live?" said Mr. " Uncle," said Ben, stopping Mr. Gi-esham be-
Gresham. " Hard by, sir, just close to the church fore he got out of the carriage, " I don't think a
uniform is at all necessary for me. I 'm very uniform, there would be some money to spare,
much obliged to you would rather not have
; but I would not there ? " " Yes, my dear, about five-
one. I have a very good coat; and I think it and-twenty shillings." " Five-and-twenty shil-
would be waste." lings ? I could buy and do a great many things,
" Well, let me get out of the carriage, and we to be sure, with five-and-twenty shillings; but
will see about it," said Mr. Gresham " perhaps ; then, the. tJdng is, I must go without the uniform,
the sight of the beautiful green and white cloth, if I have the great-coat." " Certainly," said his
and the epaulet (have you ever considered the uncle. " Ah !
" said Hal, sighing, as he looked
epaulets ?) may tempt you to change your mind." at the epaulet, " uncle, if you would not be dis-
" Oh no," said Ben, laughing " I shall not change : pleased if I choose the uniform " —
" I shall not
my mind." be displeased at your choosing whatever you like
The green cloth, and the white cloth, and the best," said Mr. Gresham.
epaulets were produced, to Hal's infinite satisfac- " Well, then, thank you, sir," said Hal ; " I think
tion. His uncle took up a pen, and calculated for I had better have the uniform, because, if I have
a few minutes then, showing the back of the let-
; not the uniform now directly, it will be of no use
ter, upon which he was writing, to his nephews, to me, as the archery meeting is the week after
" Cast up these sums, boys," said he, " and tell next, you know; and as to the great-coat, per-
me whether I am right." " Ben, do you do it," haps between this time and the very cold weather,
said Hal, a little embarrassed ;
" I am not quick which, perhaps, won't betill Christmas, papa will
at figures." Ben was, and he went over his uncle's buy a great-coat for me and I '11 ask mamma to ;
calculation very expeditiously. give me some pocket-money to give away, and she
" It is right, is it ? " said Mr. Gresham. " Yes, will, perhaps." To all this conclusive, conditional
sir, quite right." " Then by this calculation, I reasoning, which depended upon perhaps, three
find I could, for less than half the money your times repeated, Mr. Gresham made no reply but ;
uniforms would cost, purchase for 'each of you he immediately bought the uniform for Hal, and
boys a warm great-coat, which you will want, I desired that it should be sent to Lady Diana
have a notion, this winter upon the Downs." Sweepstakes' son's tailor, to be made up. The
" Oh, sir," said Hal, with an alarmed look measure of Hal's happiness was now complete.
" but it is not winter yet ; it is not cold weather "And how am I to lay out the three guineas
ye.t. We want great-coats yetr
shan't for you, Ben ? " said Mr. Gresham ;
" speak, what
" Don't you remember how cold we were, Hal, do you wish for first ? " "A great-coat, uncle,
the day before yesterday, in that sharp wind, if you please." Mr. Gresham bought the coat;
when we were flying our kite upon the Downs ? and, after it was paid for, five-and-twenty shillings
and winter will come, though it is not come yet. of Ben's three guineas remained. " What next,
I am sure, I should like to have a good warm my boy ? " said his uncle. " Arrows, uncle, if
great-coat very much." you please : three arrows." " My dear, I prom-
Mr. Gresham took six guineas out of his purse ;
ised you a bow and arrows." " No, uncle, you
and he placed three of them before Hall and three only said a bow." " Well, I meant a bow and
before Ben. " Young gentlemen," said he, " I be- arrows. I 'm glad you are so exact, however.
lieve your uniforms would come to about three It is better to claim less than more of what is
guineas apiece. Now I will lay out this money promised. The three arrows you shall have. But,
you just "
for as you please. Hal, what say you ? go on ; how shall I dispose of these five-and-twenty
Why, sir," said Hal, " a great-coat is a good shillings for you ? " " In clothes, if you will be
thing, to be sure and then, after the great-coat,
; so good, uncle, for that poor boy who has the
as you said it would only cost half as much as the great black patch on his eye."
45
"I always believed," said Mr. Gresham, shak- you don't understand it, that 's not my fault
ing hands with Ben, " that economy and generos- everybody but little children, I suppose, under-
ity were the best friends, instead of being enemies, stands it but there 's no explaining those sort of
;
as some silly, extravagant people would have us words, you don't take them at once. There 's
if
think them. Choose the poor blind boy's coat, to hefamoiis doings upon the Downs, the first of
my dear nephew, and pay for it. There 's no oc- September that is, grand, fine. In short, what
;
casion for my praising you about the matter. does it signify talking any longer, Patty, about
Your best reward is in your own mind, child and ; the matter ? Give me my bow, for I must go out
you want no other, or I 'm mistaken. Now jump upon the Downs and practice."
into the coach, boys, and let 's be off. We shall Ben accompanied him with the bow and the
be late, I 'm afraid," continued he, as the coach three arrows which his uncle had now given to
drove on " but I must let you stop, Ben, with
; him and every day these two boys went out
;
your goods, at the poor boy's door." upon the Downs and practiced shooting with in-
When they came to the house, Mr. Gresham defatigable perseverance. Where equal pains are
opened the coach-door, and Ben jumped out with taken, success is usually found to be pretty nearly
his parcel under his arm. equal. Our two archers, by constant practice, be-
" Stay, stay ! You must take me with you," came expert marksmen and before the day of ;
said his pleased uncle " I like to see people made

; trial they were so exactly matched in point of
"
happy, as well as you do." " And so do I too ! dexterity, that it was scarcely possible to decide
said Hal ; " let me come with you. I almost wish which was superior.
my imiform was not gone to the tailor's, so I do." The long-expected September at length first of
And when he saw the look of delight and grati- arrived. "What
day is it?" was the sort of a
tude with which the poor boy received the clothes first question that was asked by Hal and Ben
which Ben gave him, and when he heard the the moment that they wakened. The sun shone
mother and children thank him, Hal sighed, and bright but there was a sharp and high wind.
!
said, "Well, I hope mamma will give me some "Ha! " said Ben, "I shall be glad of my good
more pocket-money soon." great-coat to-day ; for I 've a notion it will be
Upon his return home, however, the sight of rather cold upon the Downs, especially when we
the famous bow and arrow, which Lady Diana are standing still, as we must, whilst all the peo-
Sweepstakes had sent him, recalled to his imagi- ple are shooting." " Oh, never mind ! I don't
nation all the joys of his ^reen and white uni- think I shall feel it cold at all," said Hal, as he
form; and he no longer \sîshed that it had not dressed himself in his new green and white uni-
been sent to the tailor's. " But I don't understand, form ; and he viewed himself with much com-
cousin Hal," said little Patty, " why you call this placency.
bow 2i famous bow. You sz.j famous very often ;
" Good - morning to you, uncle how do you ;
and I don't know exactly what it means a, famous ; do ? " said he, in a voice of exultation, when he
uniform famous doings. I remember you said entered the breakfast-room. How do you do ?
there are to he famous doings, the first of Septem- seemed rather to mean : How do you like me in
"
ber, upon the Downs. What Ao&s famous mean ? my uniform ? And his uncle's cool, " Verj' well,
"Oh, why,/amoMs means. Now don't you know I thank you, Hal," disappointed him, as it seemed
what famous means ? It means it is a word — only to say, " Your uniform makes no difference
that people say — it is the fashion to say it — it in my opinion of you."
means — it means famous." Patty laughed, and Even little Patty went on eating her breakfast
said," This does not explain it to me." much as usual, and talked of the pleasure of walk-
" No," said Hal, " nor can it be explained : if ing with her father to the Downs, and of all the
little things which interested her ; so that Hal's " Now, is it not very extraordinary," said Hal
epaulets were not the principal object in any one's to himself, " that they should go on so long talk-
imagination but his own. ing about an old pair of gloves, without saying
" Papa," said Patty, " as we go up the hill scarcely a word about my new uniform ? Well,
where there is so much red mud, I must take care the young Sweepstakes and Lady Diana will talk
to pick my way nicely and I must hold up my ; enough about it that 's one comfort. Is not it
;
frock, as you desired me; and perhaps you will time to think of setting out, sir ? " said Hal to his
be so good, if I am not troublesome, to lift me uncle. The company, you know, are to meet at
over the very bad places where there are no step- the Ostrich at twelve, and the race is to begin at
ping-stones. My ankle is entirely well, and I 'm one, and Lady Diana's horses, I know, were or-
glad of that, or else I should not be able to walk dered to be at the door at ten."
so far as the Downs. How good you were to me, Mr. Stephen, the butler, here interrupted the
Ben, when I was in pain, the day I sprained my hurrying young gentleman in his calculations.
ankle you played at jack-straws, and at cat's-
!
" There 's a poor lad, sir, below, with a great black
cradle, with me. Oh, that puts me in mind — patch on his right eye, who is come from Bristol,
here are your gloves, which I asked you that night and wants to speak a word with the young gentle-
to let me mend. I 've been a great while about men, if you please. I told him they were just
them ; but are not they very neatly mended, going out with you but he says he won't detain
;
papa; •look at the sewing." them more than half a minute."

" I am not a very good judge of sewing, my " Show him up, show him up," said Mr. Gres-
dear Mr. Gresham, examining
little girl," said ham.
the work with a close and scrujoulous eye " but, ;
" But, I suppose," said Hal, with a sigh, "that
in my opinion, here is one stitch that is rather Stephen mistook when he said the young gentle-
too long. The white teeth are not quite even." men ; he only wants to see Ben, I dare say I 'm ;
" Oh, papa, I '11 take out that long tooth in a sure he has no reason to want to see me."
minute," said Patty, laughing " I did not think :
" Here he comes. O Ben, he is dressed in the
that you would have observed it so soon." new coat you gave him," whispered Hal, who was
" I would not have you trust to my blindness," really a good-natured boy, though extravagant.
said her father, stroking her head fondly ;
" I ob- " How much better he looks than he did in the
serve everything. I observe, for instance, that ragged coat Ah he looked at you first, Ben
! !
—
you are a grateful little girl, and that you ai'e and well he may " !
glad to be of use to those who have been kind to The boy bowed, without any cringing civility,
you ; and for this I forgive you the long stitch." but with an open, decent freedom in his manner,
" But it 's out, it 's out, papa," said Patty ;
" and which expressed that he had been obliged, but
the next time your gloves want mending, Ben, that he knew his young benefactor was not think-
I '11 mend them better." ing of the obligation. He made as little distinc-
" They are very nice, I think," said Ben, draw- tion as possible between his bows to the two cous-
ing them on ;
" and I am much obliged to you. ins.
I was just wishing I had a pair of gloves to keep " As I was sent with a message, by the clerk of
my fingers warm to-day, for I never can shoot our parish, to Redland chapel out on the Downs,
well when my hands are benumbed. Look, Hal, to-day, sir," said he to Mr. Gresham, " knowing
you know how ragged these gloves were you ;
your house lay in my way, my mother, sir, bid me
said they were good for nothing but to throw call and make bold to offer the young gentlemen
away now look, there 's not a hole in them," said

; two little worsted balls that she has worked for
he, spreading his fingers. them," continued the lad, pulling out of his pocket
356 THE BOOK OF FA3fILL4.R STORIES.
two worsted balls worked in green and orange-col- Bristol, who had been ordered by Mr. Gresham to
ored stripes. " They are but poor things, sir, she eat his breakfast before he proceeded to Redland
bid me say, to look at ; but, considering she has chapel, heard Ben talking about his cousin's bow
but one hand to work with, and that her left hand, and arrows. " I know," said Ben, " he will be
you '11 not despise 'em, we hopes." He held the sorry not to have his bow with him, because here
balls to Ben and Hal. " They are both alike, are the green knots tied to it, to match his cock-
gentlemen," said he. " If you '11 be pleased to ade and he said that the boys were all to carry
;
take 'em, they 're better than they look, for they their bows, as part of the show."
bound higher than your head. I cut' the cork " If you '11 give me leave, sir," said the poor
round for the inside myself, which was all I could Bristol lad," I shall have plenty of time and I '11 ;
do." run down to the Well Walk after the young gen-
" They are nice balls, indeed ; we are much tleman, and take him his bow and arrows."
obliged to you," said the boys as they received " Will you ? I shall be much obliged to you,"
them ; and they proved them immediately. The said Ben and away went the boy with the bow
;
balls struck the floor with a delightful sound, and that was ornamented with green ribbons.
rebounded higher than Mr. Gresham's head. Lit> The public walk leading to the Wells was full
tie Patty clapped her hands joyfully. But now a of company. The windows of all the houses in
thundering double rap at the door was heard. St. Vincent's Parade were crowded with well-
" The Master Sweepstakes, sir," said Stephen, dressed ladies, who were looking out in expecta-
" are come for Master Hal. They say that all the tion of the archery procession. Parties of gentle-
young gentlemen who have archery uniforms are men and and a motley crowd of spectators,
ladies,
to walk together, in a body, I think they say, sir were seen moving backwards and forwards, under
and they are to parade along the Well Walk, they the rocks, on the opposite side of the water. A
desired me to say, sir, with a drum and fife, and barge, with colored streamers flying, was waiting
so up the hill by Prince's Place, and all to go uj)on up a party who were going upon the water.
to take
the Downs together, to the place of meeting. I The bargemen rested upon their oars, and gazed
am not sure'm right, sir for both the young
I ; with broad faces of curiosity upon the busy scene
gentlemen spoke at once, and the wind is very that appeared upon the public walk.
high at the street-door, so that I could not well The archers and archeresses were now drawn
make out all they said but I believe this is the
; up on the under the semicircular piazza just
flags,
sense of it." before Mrs. Yearsley's library. A little band of

" Yes, yes," said Hal, eagerly, " it 's all right. children, who had been mustered by Lady Diana
I know that is what was s6ttled the day I
just Sweepstakes' spirited exertions, closed the proces-
dined at Lady Diana's and Lady Diana and a
; sion.They were now all in readiness. The
great party of gentlemen are to ride " — drummer only waited for her ladyship's signal
"Well, that is nothing to the purpose," inter- and the archers' corps only waited for her lady-
rupted Mr. Gresham. t
" Don't keep these Master ship's word of command to march.
Sweepstakes waiting.. Decide: do you choose to " Where are your bow and arrows, my little
go with them or with us?" "Sir uncle sir, — — man ? " said her ladyship to Hal, as she reviewed
you know, since all the uniforms agreed to go to- her Lilliputian regiment. " You can't march, man,
gether " —
" Off with you, then, Mr. Uniform, without your arms !
"
if you mean to go," said Mr. Gresham. Hal had dispatched a messenger for his forgot-
Hal ran down-stairs in such a hurry that he ten bow, but the messenger returned not. He
forgot hisbow and arrows. Ben discovered this looked from side to side in great distress. " Oh,
when he went to fetch his own and ; the lad from there 's my bow coming, I declare " cried he ! :
—
" look, I see the bow and the ribbons. Look now, he had stuffed into his pocket in his hurry. " Oh,
between the trees, Charles Sweepstakes, on the my new ball !
" cried he, as he ran after it. As
Hortwell Walk it is coming " ; —
" But you Ve ! he stooped to pick it up, he let go his hat, which
kept us all waiting a confounded time," said his he had hitherto held on with anxious care for ;
impatient friend. " It is that good-natured poor the hat, though it had a fine green and white
fellow from Bristol, I protest, that has brought it cockade, had no band or string round it. The
me ; I 'm sure I don't deserve it from him," said string, as we may recollect, our wasteful hero had
Hal to himself, when he saw the lad with the used in spinning his top. The hat was too large
black patch on his eye running, quite out of for his head without this band a sudden gust of ;
breath, towards him with his bow and arrows. wind blew it off. Lady Diana's horse started and
" Fall back, my good friend ; fall back," said reared. She was a famous horsewoman, and sat
the military lady, as soon as he had delivered the him to the admiration of all beholders ; but there
bow to Hal ;
" I mean, stand out of the way, for was a puddle of red clay and water in this spot,
your great patch cuts no figure amongst us. and her ladyship's uniform-habit was a sufferer by
Don't follow so close, now, as if you belonged to the accident. " Careless brat !
" said she, " why
us, pray." can't he keep his hat upon his head ? " In the
The poor boy had no ambition to partake of the mean time the wind blew the hat down the hill,
triumph ; hefell hack as soon as he understood the and Hal ran after it, amidst the laughter of his
meaning of the lady's words. The drum beat, the kind friends, the young Sweepstakes, and the rest
fife played, the archers marched, the spectators of the little regiment. The hat was lodged, at
admired. Hal stepped proudly, and felt as if the length, upon a bank. Hal pursued it he thought ;
eyes of the whole universe were upon his epau- this bank was hard, but, alas the moment he set !
lettes, or upon the facings of his uniform ; whilst his foot upon it the foot sank. He tried to draw
all the time he was considered only as part of a it back his other foot slipped, and he fell pros-
;
show. trate, in his green and white uniform, into the

The walk appeared much shorter than usual, treacherous bed of red mud. His companions,
and he was extremely sorry that Lady Diana, who had halted upon the top of the hill, stood
when they were half-way up the hill leading to laughing spectators of his misfortune.
Prince's Place, mounted her horse, because the happened that the poor boy with the black
It
road was dirty, and all the gentlemen and ladies patch upon his eye, who had been ordered by
who accompanied her followed her example. Lady Diana to ''•fall hack,''' and to ''keep at a dis-
" We the children to walk, you
can leave tance" was now coming up the hill; and the mo-
know," said she to the gentleman who helped her ment he saw our fallen hero he hastened to his
to mount her horse. " I must call to some of them, assistance. He dragged poor Hal, who was a
though, and leave orders where they are to join. deplorable spectacle, out of the red mud. The
She beckoned and Hal, who was foremost, and
; obliging mistress of a lodging-house, as soon as she
proud to show his alacrity, ran on to receive her understood that the young gentleman was nephew
ladyship's orders. Now, as we have before ob- to Mr. Gresham, to whom she had formerly let
served, it was a sharp and windy day and though ; her house, received Hal, covered as he was with
Lady Diana Sweepstakes was actually speaking to dirt.
him, and looking at him, he could not prevent his The poor Mr. Gresham's
Bristol lad hastened to
nose from wanting to be blowed he pulled out his : for clean stockings He was
and shoes for Hal.
handkerchief, and out rolled the new ball which unwilling to give up his uniform it was rubbed ;
had been given to him just before he left home, and rubbed, and a spot here and there was washed
and which, according to his usual careless habits. out ; and he kept continually repeating, — " When
it 's dry it vnll all brush off — when it 's dry it I 'm one of the archers — I am, indeed ; don't you
will all brush off, won't it ? " "
But soon the fear see my green and white uniform ?
of being too late at the archery-meeting began to " Your red and white uniform, you mean," said
balance the dread of appearing in his stained ha- the man to whom he addressed himself and the ;
biliments and he now as anxiously repeated,

; people, as they opened a passage for him, could
whilst the woman held the wet coat to the fire, not refrain from laughing at the mixture of dirt
" Oh, I shall be too late indeed, I shall be too : and finery which it exhibited. In vain, when
late make haste ; it will never dry hold it
; ; he got into the midst of the formidable circle,
nearer — nearer to the fire. I shall lose my turn he looked to his friends, the young Sweepstakes,
to shoot ; oh, give me the coat ; I don't mind how for their countenance and support. They were
it is, if I can but get it on." amongst the most unmerciful of the laughers.
Holding it nearer and nearer to the fire dried it Lady Diana also seemed more to enjoy than to
quickly, to be sure ; but it shrunk it also, so that pity his confusion.
itwas no easy matter to get the coat on again. " Why could not you keep your hat upon your
However, Hal, who did not see the red splashes, head, man ? " said she, in her masculine tone.
which, in spite of all these operations, were too " You have been almost the ruin of my poor uni-
visible upon his shoulders and upon the skirts of form-habit ; but I 've escaped rather better than
his white coat behind, was pretty well satisfied to you have. Don't stand there, in the middle of the
observe that there was not one spot upon the fac- circle, or you '11 have an arrow in your eyes just
ings. " Nobody," said he, " will take notice of now, I 've a notion."
my coat behind, I dare say. I think it looks as Hal looked round in search of better friends.
smart almost as ever " and under this persua-
! — " Oh, where 's my uncle ? —
where 's Ben ? " said
sion our young archer resumed his bow, his — he. He was in such confusion that, amongst the
bow with green ribbons, now no more and he ! — number of faces, he could scarcely distinguish one
pursued his way to the Downs. from another but he felt somebody at this mo-
;
All his companions were far out of sight. " I ment pull his elbow, and, to his great relief, he
suppose," said he to his friend with the black heard the friendly voice, and saw the good-nat-
patch, — "I suppose my uncle and Ben had left ured face of his cousin Ben.
home before you went for the shoes and stockings "Come back; come behind these people," said
for me?" "Oh yes, sir; the butler said they Ben ; " and put on my great-coat ; here it is for
had been gone to the Downs a matter of a good you."
half-hour or more." Right glad was Hal to cover his disgraced uni-
Hal trudged on as fast as he possibly could. form with the rough great-coat which he had for-
When he got upon the Downs, he saw numbers of merly despised. He pulled the stained, drooping
carriages, and crowds of people, all going towards cockade out of his unfortunate hat and he was ;
the place of meeting at the Ostrich. He pressed now sufficiently recovered from his vexation to
forward. He was at first so much afraid of being give an intelligible account of his accident to his
late, that he did not take notice of the mirth his uncle and Patty, who anxiously inquired what had
motley appearance excited in all beholders. At detained him so long, and what had been the mat-
length he reached the appointed spot. There ter. In the midst of the history of his disaster,
was a great crowd of people. In the midst he he was just proving to Patty that his taking the
heard Lady Diana's loud voice betting upon some hat-band to spin his top had nothing to do with his
one who was just going to shoot at the mark. misfortune, and he was at the same time endeavor-
" So then the shooting is begun, is it ? " said oring to refute his uncle's opinion that the waste
Hal. " Oh, let me in pray let me into the circle
! of the whip-cord that tied the parcel was the orig-
inal cause of all his evils, when he was summoned " There, it 's all over with you !
" cried Master
to try his skill with his famo%is how. Sweepstakes, with a triumphant laugh.
" My hands are benumbed ; I can scarcely feel," "Here's my bow for him, and welcome," said
said he, rubbing them, and blowing upon the ends Ben. " No, no, sir," said Master Sweepstakes,
of his fingers. " that is not fair that 's against the regulation.
;
" Come, come," cried young Sweepstakes, — You may own bow, if you choose
shoot with your
" I 'm within one inch of the mark ; who '11 go it, you may not, just as you think proper but
or ;
nearer, I shall like to see. Shoot away, Hal ; but you must not lend it, sir."
first we settled them before
understand our laws ; It was now Ben's turn to make his trial. His
you came upon the green. You are to have three first arrow was not successful. His second was
shots, with your own bow and your own arrows exactly as near as Hal's first. " You have but one
"
and nobody 's to borrow or lend under pretence of more," said Master Sweepstakes " now for it ; !
other bows being better or worse, or under any Ben, before he ventured his last arrow, prudently
pretence. Do you Hal ? "
hear, examined the string of his bow and, as he pulled ;
This young gentleman had good reasons for be- it to try its strength, it cracked. Master Sweep-
ing so strict in these laws, as he had observed that stakes clapped his hands with loud exultations and
none of his companions had such an excellent bow insulting laughter. But his laughter ceased when
as he had provided for himself. Some of the boys our provident hero calmly drew from his pocket
had forgotten to bring more than one arrow with an excellent piece of whipcord.
them, and by his cunning regulation that each per- " The everlasting whipcord, I declare !
" ex-
son should shoot with their own arrows, many had claimed Hal, when he saw that it was the very
lost one or two of their shots. same that had tied up the parcel. " Yes," said
" You are a lucky fellow you have your three
;
Ben, as he fastened it to his bow, " I put it into
arrows," said young Sweepstakes. " Come, we my pocket to-day on purpose, because I thought
can't wait whilst you rub your fingers, man ;
— I might happen to want it." He drew his bow
shoot away." the third and last time.
Hal was rather surprised at the asperity with " Oh, papa " cried ! little Patty, as his arrow
which his friend spoke. He little knew how eas- hit the mark, " it 's the nearest ; is it not the
"
ily acquaintance, who call themselves friends, can nearest ?
change, when their interest comes in the slightest Master Sweepstakes, with anxiety, examined the
degree in competition with their friendship. Hur- hit. There could be no doubt. Ben was victori-
ried by his impatient rival, and with his hands so ous ! The bow, the prize-bow, was now delivered
much benumbed that he could scarcely feel how to him ; and Hal, as he looked at the whipcord,
to fix the arrow in the string, he drew the bow. exclaimed, —
The arrow was within a quarter of an inch of " How lucky this whipcord has been to you,
"
Master Sweepstakes' mark, which was the nearest Ben !
that had yet been hit. Hal seized his second ar- " It is you mean, that he took
lucky, perhaps
row. " If I have any luck," said he But just — care of it," said Mr.Gresham.
as he pronounced the word luck, and as he bent "Aye," said Hal, "very true; he might well
his bow, the string broke in two, and the bow say, Waste not, want not.'
'
It is a good thing to
fell from his hands. have two strings to one's bow."
THE DISCONTENTED PENDULUM.

BY JANE TAYLOB.
An old Clock, that had stood for fifty years in I '11 tell you how I took this disgust at my em-
a farmer's kitchen without giving owner any its ployment.
cause of complaint, early one summer's morning, " This morning I happened to be calculating
before the family was stirring, suddenly stopped. how many times I should have to tick in the
Upon this the Dial-plate (if we may credit the fa- course only of the next twenty-four hours — per-
ble) changed countenance with alarm the Hands ; haps some of you above there can tell me the ex-
made an ineffectual effort to continue their course act sum ? " The Minute-hand, being quick at
the Wheels remained motionless with surprise ;
figures, instantly replied, " Eighty-six thousand
the Weights hung speechless. Each member felt four hundred times." " Exactly so," replied the
disposed to lay the blame on the others. Pendulum.
At length the Dial instituted a formal inquiry " Well, I appeal to you all if the thought of this
into the cause of the stop, when Hands, Wheels, was not enough to fatigue one ? And when I be-
Weights, with one voice protested their innocence. gan to multiply the strokes of one day by those of
But now a faint tick was heard from the Pendu- months and years, really it is no wonder if I felt
lum, who thus spoke :
— discouraged at the prospect ; so, after a great deal
"I confess myself to be the sole cause of the of reasoning and hesitation, thought I to myself,
"
present stoppage, and am willing, for the general ' I '11 stop
!
'
satisfaction, to assign my reasons. The truth is, The Dial could scarcely keep its countenance
that I am tired of ticking." Upon hearing this, during this harangue ; but, resuming its gravity,
the old Clock became so enraged that it was on thus replied :
" Dear Mr. Pendulum, I am really
the point of striking. astonished that such a useful, industrious person
" Lazy Wire " exclaimed the Dial-plate. " As
! as yourself should have been overcome by this
to that," replied the Pendulum, " it is vastly suggestion.

easy for you. Mistress Dial, who have always, as " It is true, you have done a great deal of work
everybody knows, set yourself up above me — it is in your time; so have we all, and are likely to do;
vastly easy for you, I say, to accuse other people and though this may fatigue us to think of, the
of laziness — you who have nothing to do all j'our question is, Will it fatigue us to do ? Would you
life but to stare people in the face, and to amuse now do me the favor to give about half a dozen
yourself with watching all that goes on in the strokes, to illustrate my argument ? " The Pen-
kitchen. Think, I beseech you, how you would dulum complied, and ticked six times at its usual
like to be shut up for life in this dark closet, and pace.
wag backward and forward year after year, as I " Now," resumed the Dial, " was that exertion
do." " As to that," said the Dial, " is there not fatiguing to you ? " " Not in the least," replied
a window in your house on purpose for you to the Pendulum ; " it is not of six strokes that I
" complain, nor of sixty, but of millions."
look through ?
"But what of that ? " resumed the Pendulum. " Very good," replied the Dial " but recollect ;
" Although there is a window, I dare not stop, that, although you may think of a million strokes
even for an instant, to look out. Besides, I am in an instant, you are required to execute but one
really weary of my way of life ; and, if you please, and that, however often you may hereafter have
THE DISCONTENTED PENDULUM. 361
to swing, a moment will always be given you to sent, the Wheels began to turn, the Hands began
swing in." to move, the Pendulum began to swing, and, to its
" That consideration staggers me, I confess," credit, ticked as loud as ever ; while a beam of the
said the Pendulum. " Then I hope," added the rising sun, that streamed through a hole in the
Dial-plate, " we shall all immediately return to kitchen-shutter, shining ful' upon the Dial-plate,
our duty, for the people will lie in bed till noon made it brighten up as if nothing had been the
if we stand idling thus." matter.
Upon this, the Weights, who had never been When came down to breakfast, he
the farmer
accused of light conduct, used all their influence declared,upon looking at the Clock, that his
in urging him to proceed ; when, as with one con- watch had gained half an hour in the night.
46
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
BY JONATHAN SWIFT.
CHAPTER I. mended to several patients. I took part of a small
THE AUTHOR GIVES SOME ACCOUNT OP HIMSELF AND house in the Old Jewry ; and being advised to al-
FAMILY. —
HIS FIRST INDUCEMENTS TO TRAVEL. HE — ter my condition, I married Miss Mary Burton,
IS SHIPWRECKED, AND SWIMS FOR HIS LIFE GETS second daughter to Mr. Edmund Burton, hosier, in
SAFE ON SHORE IN THE COUNTRY OF LILLIPUT. IS — Newgate Street, with whom I received four hun-
MADE A PRISONER, AND CARRIED UP THE COUNTRY.
dred pounds for a portion.
My father had a small estate in Nottingham- But my good master Bates dying in two years
shire ; I was the third of five sons. He sent me after, and I having few friends, my business be-
to Emanuel College in Cambridge, at fourteen began to fail ;my conscience would not suffer
for
years old, where I resided three years, and ap- me bad practice of too many among
to imitate the
plied myself close to my studies but the charge ; my brethren. Having, therefore, consulted with
of maintaining me, although I had a very scanty my wife and some of my acquaintance, I deter-
allowance, being too great for a narrow fortune, I mined to go again to sea. I was surgeon succes-
was bound apprentice to Mr. James Bates, an sively in two ships, and made several voyages, for
eminent surgeon in London, with whom I con- six years, to the East and West Indies, by which I
tinued four years ; my father now and then send- got some addition to my fortune. My hours of
ing me small sums of money, I laid them out in leisure I spent in reading the best authors, ancient
learning navigation, and other parts of the mathe- and modern, being always provided with a good
matics, useful to those who intend to travel, as I number of books and when I was ashore, in ob-
;
always believed it some time or other,

would be, serving the manners and dispositions of the people,
my fortune to do. When I left Mr. Bates, I went as well as learning their language wherein I had
;
down to my. father; where, by the assistance of a great facility, by the strength of my memory.
him and my uncle John, and some other relations, The last of these voyages not proving very fort-
I got forty pounds, and a promise of thirty pounds unate, I grew weary and intended to
of the sea,
a year to maintain me at Leyden there I studied ; stay at home with my wife and family. I re-
physic two years and seven months, knowing it moved from the Old Jewry to Fetter Lane, and
would be useful in long voyages. Soon after my from thence to Wapping, hoping to get business
return from Leyden, I was recommended by my among the sailors, but it would not turn to ac-
good master, Mr. Bates, to be surgeon to the count. After thi-ee years' expectation that things
Swallow, Captain Abraham Pannell, commander would mend, I accepted an advantageous offer
with whom I continued three years and a half, from Captain William Prichard, master of the An-
making a voyage or two into the Levant, and telope, who was making a voyage to the South
some other parts. When I came back I resolved Sea. We set sail from Bristol, May 4, 1699, aiad
to settle in London to which Mr. Bates, my
; our voyage at first was very prosperous.
master, encouraged me, and by him I was recom- It would not be proper, for some reasons, to
A VOTAGE TO LILLIPUT. 363
trouble the reader with the particulars of our ad- labor while we were in the ship. We therefore
ventures in those seas ; let it suffice to inform trusted ourselves to the mercy of the waves, and
him, that in our passage from thence to the East in about half an hour the boat was overset by a
Indies, we were s u d d e n flurry
driven by a vio- from the north.

lent storm to the What became of
northwest of Van my companions
Diemen's Land. in the boat, as
By an observa- well as of those
tion, we found who escaped on
ourselves in the the rock, or were
latitude of thirty left in the vessel,
degrees, two ..4^^^ I cannot tell, but
minutes south. s« ^ they
conclude
Twelve of our were all lost.
crew were dead For my own
by immoderate part, I- swam as
labor and ill fortune di-
food ; the rest rected me, and
were in a very was pushed for-
weak condition. ward by wind
On the 5th of and tide. I
November, which often let my

was the begin- legs drop, and
ning of summer could feel n o
in those parts, bottom; but
the weather be- when I was al-
ing very hazy, most gone, and

the seamen spied able to struggle
a rock within no longer, I
Blefiifcu
half a cable's found myself
length of the
ILiiIliput,
within my depth,
ship, but the and by this time
wind was so DLrcovered,AJ).i69^ the storm was
strong that we much abated.
were driven di- The declivity
rectly upon it, was so small
and immediately that I walked
split. Six of the near a mile be-
crew, of whom I fore I got to the
was one, having shore, which I
let down the boat into the sea, made a shift to conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening.
get clear of the ship and the rock. We rowed, by I then advanced forward near half a mile, but
my computation, about three leagues, till we were could not discover any sign of houses or inhab-
able to work no longer, being already spent with itants : at least I was in so weak a condition that
364 A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT.
I did not observe them. I was extremely tired, gave me excessive pain, I a little loosened the
and with and the heat of the weather, and
that, strings that tied down my hair on the left side,
about half a pint of brandy that I drank as I left so that I was just able to turn my head about two
the ship, I found myself much inclined to sleep. inches. But the creatures ran off a second time,
I lay down on the grass, which was very short before I could seize them whereujDon there was
;
and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I re- a great shout in a very shrill accent, and after it
membered have done in my life, and, as I reck-
to had ceased I heard one of them cry aloud, Tolgo
oned, about nine hours for when I awaked it ; phonac ; when in an instant I felt above a hun-
was just daylight. rise, but was
I attempted to dred arrows discharged on my left hand, which
not able to stir happened to lie on my
; for, as I pricked me like so many needles and besides ;
back, I found my arms and legs were strongly they shot another flight into the air, as we do
fastened on each side to the ground and my hair, ; bombs in Europe, whereof many, I suppose, fell
which was long and thick, tied down in the same on my body (though I felt them not), and some
manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures on my face, which I immediately covered with
across my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs. I my left hand. When this shower of arrows was
could only look upwards ; the sun began to grow over, I fell a groaning with grief and pain, and
hot, and the light offended my eyes, I heard a then striving again to get loose, they discharged
confused noise about me ; but in the posture I another volley larger than the first, and some of
lay could see nothing except the sky. In a little them attempted with spears to stick me in the
time I felt something alive moving on my left leg, sides but by good luck I had on me a buff jerkin,
;
which, advancing gently forward over my breast, which they could not pierce. I thought it the
came almost up to my chin ; when bending my most prudent method to lie still, and my design
eyes downward as much as I could, I perceived was to continue so till night, when, my left hand
it to be a human creature not six inches high, being already loose, I could easily free myself:
with bow and arrow in his hands, and a quiver and as for the inhabitants, I had reason to believe
at his back. In the mean time, I felt at least I might be a match for the greatest army they
forty more same kind (as I conjectured)
of the could bring against me, if they were all of the
following the first. I was in the utmost astonish- same size with him that I saw. But fortune dis-
ment, and roared so loud that they all ran back in posed otherwise of me. When the people observed
fright and some of them, as I was afterwards
; I was quiet, they discharged no more arrows ;
told, were hurt by the falls they got by leaping but, by the noise I heard, I knew their numbers
from my sides upon the ground. However, they increased and about four yards from me, over
;
soon returned, and one of them, who ventured so against my right ear, I heard a knocking for
far as to get a full sight of my face, lifting up his above an hour, like that of people at work ; when
hands and eyes by way of admiration, cried out turning my
head that way, as well as the pegs
in a shrill but distinct voice, Hekinah degul and would permit me, I saw a stage erected
strings
The others repeated the same words several times, about a foot and a half from the ground, capable
but then I knew not what they meant. of holding four of the inhabitants, with two or
I lay all this while, as the reader may believe, three ladders to mount it from whence one of :
in great uneasiness ; at length, struggling to get them, who seemed to be a person of quality, made
loose, I had the fortune to break the strings, and me a long speech, whereof I understood not one
wrench out tlie my left arm to
pegs that fastened syllable. But I should have mentioned, that be-
the ground, for,by lifting it up to my face, I dis- fore the principal person began his oration, he
covered the methods they had taken to bind me, cried out three times, Langro dehul san (these
and at the same time with a violent pull, which words and the former were afterwards repeated
A VOYAGE TO LILLIPUT. 365
and explained to me). Whereupon, immediately of their largest hogsheads, then rolled it towards
about fifty of the inhabitants came and cut the my hand, and beat out the top ; I drank it off at
string that fastened the left side of my head, a draught, which I might well do, for it did not
which gave me the liberty of turning it to the hold half a pint, and tasted like a small wine
right,and of observing the person and gesture of of Bui'gundy, but much more delicious. They
him that was to speak. He appeared to be of brought me a second hogshead, which I drank in
middle age, and taller than any of the other three the same manner, and made more but
signs for :
who attended him, whereof one was a page that they had none to give me. When
I had per-
held up his train, and seemed to be somewhat formed these wonders they shouted for joy, and
longer than my middle finger the other two stood ; danced upon my breast, repeating several times as
one on each side to support him. He acted every they did, at first, Hehinah degul. The)' made me
part of an orator, and I could observe many pe- a sign that I should throw down the two hogs-
riods of threatenings,and others of promises, pity, heads, but first warning the people below to stand
and kindness. I answered in a few words, but in out of the way, crying aloud, Borach mevolah;
the most submissive manner, lifting up my left and when they saw the vessels in the air there
hand and both my eyes to the sun, as calling him was a universal shout of Mekinah degul. I confess
for a witness and being almost famished with
; I was often tempted, while they were passing
hunger, not having eaten a morsel for some hours backwards and forwards on my body, to seize
before I left the ship, I found the demands of forty or fifty of the first that came in my reach
nature so strong upon me that I could not forbear and dash them against the ground. But the re-
showing my impatience (perhaps against the strict membrance of what I had felt, which probably
rules of decency) by putting my finger frequently might not be the worst they could do, and the
to my mouth, to signify that I wanted food. The promise of honor I made to them —
for so I in-
hurgo (for so they call a great lord, as I afterwards terpreted my submissive behavior — soon drove
learned) understood me veiy well. He descended out these imaginations. Besides, I now consid-
from the stage, and commanded that several lad- ered myself as bound by the laws of hospitality
ders should be applied to my sides, on which above to a people who had treated me with so much ex-
a hundred of the inhabitants mounted, and walked pense and magnificence. However, in my thoughts
towards my mouth, laden with baskets full of I could not sufficiently wonder at the intrepidity
meat, whicli had been provided and sent thither of these diminutive mortals, who dui'st venture to
by the king's orders, upon the first intelligence he mount and walk upon my body while one of my
received of me. I observed there was the flesh hands was at liberty, without trembling at the
of several animals, but could not distinguish them very sight of so prodigious a creature as I must
by the There were shoulders, legs, and
taste. appear to them. After some time, when they ob-
loins, shaped like those of mutton, and very well served that I made no more demands for meat,
dressed, but smaller than the wings of a lark. I there appeared before me a person of high rank
ate them by two or three at a mouthful, and took from his imperial majesty. His excellency, hav-
three loaves at a time about the bigness of musket- ing mounted on the small of my right leg, ad-
bullets. They supplied me as fast as they could, vanced forwards up to my face, with about a
showing a thousand marks of wonder and aston- dozen of his retinue, and producing his credentials
ishment at my bulk and appetite. under the signet royal, which he applied close to
I then made another sign that I wanted drink. my eyes, spoke about ten minutes without any
They found by my eating that a small quantity signs of anger, but with a kind of determined
would not suffice me
and being a most ingenious
; resolution ; often pointing forwards, which, as I
people, they slung up, with great dexterity, one afterwards found, was towards the capital city,
about half a mile distant, whither it was agreed drink should be sent to me, and a machine pre-
by hismajesty in comicil that I must be conveyed. pared to carry me to the capital city. This reso-
I answered in few words, but to no purpose, and lution perhaps may appear very bold and danger-
made a sign with my hand that was loose, putting ous, and I am confident would not be imitated by
it to the other (but over his excellency's head for any prince in Europe on the like occasion. How-
him or his train) and then to my
fear of hurting ever, in my opinion, it was extremely prudent, as
own head and body, to signify that I desired my well as generous for, supposing these people had
:
liberty. endeavored to kill me with their spears and ar-

It appeared that he understood me well enough, rows, while I was asleep, I should certainly have
for he shook his head by way of disapprobation, awaked with the first sense of smart, which might
and held his hands in a posture to. show that I have so far aroused my rage and strength as to
must be carried as a prisoner. However, he made have enabled me to break the strings wherewith I
other signs, to let me understand that I should was tied after which, as they were not able to
;
have meat and drink enough, and very good treat- make resistance, so they could expect no raei'cy.
ment. Whereupon I once more thought of at- These people are most excellent mathemati-
tempting to break my bonds ; but again, when I cians, and arrived to a great perfection in mechan-
felt the smart of their arrows upon my face and ics by the countenance and encouragement of the
hands, which were all in blisters, and many of the emperor, who is a renowned patron of learning.
darts still sticking in them, and observing likewise This prince has several machines fixed on wheels,
that the number of my enemies increased, I gave for the carriage of trees and other great weights.
tokens to let them know that they might do with He often builds his largest men-of-war, whereof
me what they pleased. Upon this, the hurgo and some are nine feet long, in the woods whei'e the
his train withdrew, with much civility and cheer- timber grows, and has them carried on these en-
ful countenances. Soon after I heard a general gines three or four hundred yards to the sea.
shout, with frequent repetitions of the words, Pep- Five hundred carpenters and engineers were im-
lom seldm ; and I felt great numbers of people on mediately set at work to prepare the greatest en- ,
my left side relaxing the cords to such a degree gine they had. It was a frame of wood raised
that I was able to turn upon my right. But, be- three inches from the ground, about seven feet long
fore this, they had daubed my face and both my and four wide, moving upon twenty-two wheels.
hands with a sort of ointment, very pleasant to The shout I heard was upon the arrival of this en-
the smell, which, in a few minutes, removed all gine, which, it seems, set out in four hours after
the smart of their arrows. These circumstances, my landing. It was brought parallel to me, as I
added to the refreshment I had received by their lay. But the was to raise and
principal difficulty
victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, place me in this vehicle. Eighty poles, each of
disposed me to sleep. I slept about eight hours, one foot high, were erected for this purpose, and
as I was afterwards assured and it was no won-
; very strong cords, of the bigness of packthread,
der, for the physicians, by the emperor's order, were fastened by hooks to many bandages, whicb
had mingled a sleepy potion in the hogsheads of the workmen had round my neck, my hands,
girt
wine. my body, and my Nine hundred of the
legs.
It seems that upon the first moment I was dis- strongest men were employed to draw up these
covered sleeping on the ground, after my landing, cords, by many pulleys fastened on the poles and ;
the emperor had early notice of it by an express ;

thus, in less than three hours, I was raised and
and determined in council that I should be tied slung into the engine, and there tied fast. All
in the manner I have related (which was done in this I was told for, while the operation was per-
;
the night while I slept), that plenty of meat and forming, I lay in a profound sleep, by the force of
that soporiferous medicine infused into my liq- About four hours after we began our journey, I
uor. Fifteen hundred of the emperor's largest awaked by a very ridiculous accident for the car-
;
horses, each about four inches and a half high, riage being stopped a while, to adjust something
were employed to draw me towards the metrop- that was out of order, two or three of the young
olis, which, as I said, was half a mile distant. natives had the curiosity to see how I looked
when Iwas asleep they climbed up

; into the en- me sneeze violentlywhereupon they stole ofJ, un-
;
gine, and advancing very softly to my face, one of perceived, and it was three weeks before I knew
them, an officer in the guards, put the sharp end tlie cause of my awaking so suddenly. We made
of his half-pike a good way up into my left nos- a long march the remaining part of the day, and
tril, which tickled my nose like a straw, and made rested at night with five hundred guards on each
side ofme, half with torches, and half with bows yards long, and gave me not only liberty of walk-
and arrows, ready to shoot me if I should ofEer to ing backwards and forwards in a semicircle, but,
stir. The next morning, at sunrise, we continued being fixed within four inches of the gate, allowed
our march, and arrived within two hundred yards me to creep in, and lie at my full length in the
of the city gates about noon. The emperor, and temple.
all his court,came out to meet us but his great ;
CHAPTER II.
officers would by no means suffer his majesty to
THE EMPEROR ATTENDED BY SEVERAL OF
OF LILLIPUT,
endanger his person by mounting on my body.
THE NOBILITY, COMES TO SEE TUE AUTHOR IN HIS
At the place where the carriage stopped there CONFINEMENT. —
THE EMPEROR'S PERSON AND HABITS
stood an ancient temple, esteemed to be the larg- DESCRIBED. —
LEARNED MEN APPOINTED TO TEACH THE
est in the whole kingdom, which, having been pol- AUTHOR THEIR LANGUAGE. HE GAINS FAVOR BY HIS —
luted some years before by an unnatural murder, MILD DISPOSITION. —
HIS POCKETS ARE SEARCHED, AND
HIS SWORD AND PISTOLS TAKEN FROM HIM.
was, according to the zeal of those people, looked
upon as profane, and therefore had been applied When I found myself on my feet, I looked
to common use, and all the ornaments and furni- about me, and must confess I never beheld a more
ture carried away. In this edifice it was deter- entertaining prospect. The country around ap-
mined I should lodge. The great gate, fronting peared like a continued garden, and the inclosed
to the north, was about four feet high, and almost fields, which were generally forty feet square, re-
two feet wide, through which I could easily creep. sembled so many beds of flowers. These fields
On each side of the gate was a small window, not were intermingled with woods of half a stang^ and
above six inches from the ground into that on the ; the tallest trees, as I could judge, appeared to
left side the king's smith conveyed fourscore and be seven feet high. I viewed the town on my
eleven chains, like those that hang to a lady's left hand, which looked like the painted scene of a
watch in Europe, and almost as large, which were city in a theatre

locked to my left leg with six-and-thirty padlocks. The emperor was already descending from the
Over against this temple, on the other side of the tower, and advancing on horseback towards me,
great highway, at twenty feet distance, there was which had like to have cost him dear for the ;
a turret at least five feet high. Here the emperor beast, though very well trained, yet wholly un-
ascended, with many princij)al lords of his court, used to such a sight, which appeared as if a mount-
to have an ojiportunity of viewing me, as I was ain moved before him, reared up on his hinder
told, for I could not see them. It was reckoned feet : but that prince, who isan excellent horse-
that above an hundred thousand inhabitants came man, kept his seat, till his attendants ran in, aud
out of the town upon the same errand ; and, in held the bridle, while his majesty had time to
spite of my guards, I believe there could not be dismount. When he alighted, he surveyed me
fewer than ten thousand, at several times, who round with great admiration ; but kept beyond the
mounted my body, by the help of ladders. But length of my chain. He ordered his cooks and but-
a proclamation was soon issued, to forbid it, upon lers, who were already prepared, to give me victuals
pain of death. When the workmen found it was and drink, which they pushed forwai'd in a sort of
impossible for me to break loose, they cut all the vehicles upon wheels, till I could reach them. I
strings that bound me ; whereupon I rose up, with took these vehicles, and soon emptied them all
as melancholj' a disposition as ever I had in my twenty of them were filled with meat, and ten
life. But the and astonishment of the people,
noise with liquor each of the former afforded me two
;
at seeing me rise and walk, are not to be expressed. or three good mouthfuls and I emptied the liquor
;
The chains that held my left leg were about two of ten vessels, which was contained in earthen vials,
1 A stang is a pole or perch ; sixteen feet and a half.

into one vehicle, drinking it off at a draught ; and about two hours the court retired, and I was left
so I did with the rest. The empress and young with a strong guard, to prevent the impertinence,
princes of the blood of both sexes, attended by and probably the malice, of the rabble who were ;
many ladies, sat at some distance in their chairs : very impatient to crowd about me as near as they
but, upon the accident that happened to the em- durst ; and some of them had the impudence to
peror's horse, they alighted, and came near his shoot their arrows at me, as I sat on the ground
person, which I am now going to describe. He by the door of my house, whereof one very nar-
is taller, by almost the breath of my nail, than rowly missed my left eye. But the colonel ordered
any of his court which alone is enough to strike
; six of the ringleaders to be seized, and thought
an awe into the beholders. His features are strong no punishment so proper as to deliver them bound
and masculine, with an Austrian lip, and arched into my hands which some of his soldiers ac-
;
nose complexion olive, his countenance erect,

; his cordingly did, pushing them forwards with the
his body and limbs well proportioned, all his butt-ends of their pikes into my reach. I took
motions graceful, and his deportment majestic. them all in my right hand, put five of them into
He was then past his prime, being twenty-eight my and as to the sixth, I made a
coat-pocket,
years and three quarters old, of which he had countenance as if I would eat him alive. The
reigned about seven in great felicity, and gener- poor man squalled terribly, and the colonel and
ally victorious. For the better convenience of his officers were in much pain, especially when
beholding him, I lay on my side, so that my face they saw me take out my penknife but I soon ;
was and he stood but three yards

parallel to his, put them out of fear ; for, looking mildly, and im-
off: however I have had him since many times in mediately cutting the sti-ings he was bound with,
my hand, and therefore cannot be deceived in the I set him gently on the ground and away he ran.
description. His dress was very plain and simple, I treated the rest in the same manner, taking them
and the fashion of it between the Asiatic and the one by one out of my pocket and I observed ;
European but he had on his head a light helmet

; both the soldiers and people were highly delighted
of gold, adorned with jewels, and a plume on the at this mark of ray clemency, which was repre-
crest. He held his sword drawn in his hand to sented very much to my advantage at court.
defend himself, if I should happen to bi'eak loose Towards night I got with some difficulty into
it was almost three inches long the hilt and scab- ; my house, where I lay on the ground, and con-
bard were gold enriched with diamonds. His voice tinued to do so about a fortnight ; during which
was shrill, but very clear and articulate and I ; time, the emperor gave orders to have a bed pre-
could distinctly hear it when I stood up. The pared for me. Six hundred beds of the common
ladies and courtiers were
most magnificently
all measure were brought in carriages, and worked
clad so that the spot they stood upon seemed to
; up in my house a hundred and fifty of their beds,
;
resemble a petticoat spread on the ground, em- sewn together, made up the breadth and length
broidei'ed with figures of gold and silver. His im- and these were four double which, however, kept
;
perial majesty spoke often to me, and I returned me but very indifferently from the hardness of
answers : but neither of us could understand a the floor, that was of smooth stone. By the same
syllable. There were several of his priests and computation they provided me with sheets, blan-
lawyers present (as I conjectured by their hab- kets,and coverlets, tolerable enough for one who
its), who were commanded to address themselves had been so long inured to hardships.
to me and I spoke to them in as many languages
; As the news of my arrival spread through the
as I had the least smattering of, which were High kingdom, it brought prodigious numbers of rich,
and Low Dutch, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, idle, and curious people to see me so that the ;
and Lingua Franca but all to no purpose. After

; villages were almost emptied and great neglect;
47
of tillage and household must have ensued,

affairs should make me a suit of clothes, after the fashion
if his imperial majesty had not provided by sev- of the country ; that six of his majesty's greatest
eral proclamations and orders of state, against scholars should be employed to instruct me in
this inconvenieney. He directed that those who their language ; and lastly, that the emperor's
had already beheld me should return home, and horses, and those of the nobility and troops of
not presume to come within fifty yards of my guards, should be frequently exercised in my
house, without license from the court ; whereby sight, to accustom themselves to me. All these
the secretaries of state got considerable fees. orders were duly put in execution and in about ;
In the mean time the emperor held frequent three weeks I made great progress in learning
councils, to debiite what course should be taken their language : during which time the emperor
with me and I was afterwards assured by a par-
;
frequently honored me with his visits, and was
ticular friend, a person of great quality, who was pleased to assist my masters in teaching me. We
as much in the secret as any, that the court was began already to converse together in some sort
imder man}^ difficulties concerning me. They ap- and the first words I learned, were to express my
prehended my breaking loose that my diet would
; desire " that he would be pleased to give me my lib-
be very expensive, and might cause a famine. erty which I every day repeated on my knees.
;"
Sometimes they determined to starve me, or at His answer, as I could apprehend it, was " that
least to shoot me in the face and hands with poi- this must be a work of time, not to be thought on
soned arrows, which would soon dispatch me but ;
without the advice of his council, and that first I
again they considered that the stench of so large a must lumos Jcelmin pesso desmar Ion emposo ; "
carcass might produce a plague in the metropolis that is, swear a peace with him and his kingdom
and probably spread through the whole kingdom. however, that I should be used with all kindness :
In the midst of these consultations, several officers and he advised me " to acquire by my patience and
of the army went to the door of the great council- discreet behavior the good opinion of himself and
chamber, and two of them being admitted, gave his subjects." He desired " I would not take it
an account of my behavior to the six criminals ill, if he gave orders to certain proper officers to
above mentioned which made so favorable an

; search me ; for I might caiTy about me
probably
impression in the breast of his majesty and the several weapons, which must needs be dangerous
whole board, in my behalf, that an imperial com- things, if they answered the bulk of so prodigious
mission was issued out, obliging all the villages a person." I said, "His majestj- should be satis-
nine hundred yards round the city to deliver in fied ; for I was ready to strip myself, and turn up
every morning six beeves, forty sheep, and other my pockets before him." This I delivered, part
victuals for my sustenance ; together with a pro- in words, and part in signs. He replied, " that,
portionable quantity of bread, and wine and other by the laws of the kingdom, I must be searched
liquors for the due payment of which his majesty
; by two of his officers that he knew this could not
;
gave assignments upon his treasury for this — be done without my consent and assistance and ;
prince lives chiefly upon his own demesnes sel- : he had so good an opinion of my generosity and
dom, except upon great occasions, raising any sub- justice as to trust their persons in my hands that ;
sidies upon his subjects, who are bound to attend whatever they took from me should be returned
him in his wars at their own expense. An estab- when I left the country, or paid for at the rate
lishment was also made of six hundred persons to which I would set upon them." I took up the two
be my domestics, who had board-wages allowed officers in my hands, put them first into my coat-
for their maintenance, and tents built for them pockets, and then into every other pocket about
very conveniently on each side of my door. It me, except my two fobs and another secret pocket,
was likewise ordered that three hundred tailors which I had no mind should be searched, wherein
I had some little necessaries that were of no con- pieces of white and red metal, of different bulk
sequence to any but myself. In one of my fobs some of the white, which seemed to be silver,
there was a silver watch, and in the other a small were so large and heavy that my
comrade and I
quantity of gold in a purse. These gentlemen, could hardly lift them. In the pocket were
left
having pen, ink, and paper about them, made an two black pillars irregularly shaped we could :
exact inventory of and

everything they saw ; not, without difficulty, reach the top of them as we
when they had done, desired I would set them stood at the bottom of his pocket. One of them
down, that they might deliver it to the em- was covered, and seemed all of a piece ; but at
peror. This inventory I afterwards translated the upper end of the other there appeared a white
into English, and is word for word as follows :
— round substance, about twice the bigness of our
" Imprimis, In the right coat-pocket of the great heads. Within each of these was inclosed a pro-
Man-mountain ( for so I interpret the words quin- digious plate of steel which, by our orders, we
;
bus flestrin), after the strictest search, we found obliged him to show us, because we apprehended
only one great piece of coarse cloth, large enough they might be dangerous engines. He took them
to be a foot-cloth for your majesty's chief room of out of their cases, and told us, that in his own
state. In the left pocket we saw a huge silver country his practice was to shave his beard with
chest, with a cover of the same metal, which we, one of these, and cut his meat with the other.
the searchers, were not able to lift. We desired There were two pockets which we could not enters
it should be opened, and one of us stepping into these he called his fobs they were two large slits
;
it, found himself up to the mid-leg in a sort of cut into the top of his middle cover, but squeezed
dust, some part whereof flying up to our faces, set close by the pressure of his belly. Out of the
us both a-sneezing for several times togethei". In right fob hung a great silver chain, with a wonder-
his right waistcoat pocket we found a jorodigious ful kind of engine at the bottom. We directed
bundle of white thin substances, folded one over him draw out whatever was at the end of that
to
another, about the bigness of three men, tied with chain, which appeared to be a globe, half silver,
a strong cable, and marked with black figures ;
and half of some transparent metal for, on the ;
which we humbly conceive to be writings, every transparent side we saw certain strange figures
letter almost half as large as the palm of our circularly drawn, and thought we could touch
hands. In the left there was a sort of engine, them, till we found our fingers stopped by that
from the back of which were extended twenty lucid substance. He put this engine to our ears,
long poles, resembling the palisadoes before your which made an incessant noise, like that of a wa-
majesty's court wherewith we conjecture the
; ter-mill and we conjecture it is either some un-
:
Man-mountain combs his head, for we did not al- known animal, or the god that he worships but ;
ways trouble him with questions, because we we are more inclined to the latter opinion, because
found it a great difficulty to make him understand he assured us (if we understood him right, for he
us. In the large pocket on the right side of his expressed himself very imperfectly) that he seldom
middle cover (so I translate ranfu-lo, by which did anything without consulting it. He called it
they meant my breeches), we saw a hollow pillar his oracle, and said it pointed out the time for
of iron, about the length of a man, fastened to a every action of his life. From the left fob he
strong piece of timber larger than the pillar ; and took out a net almost large enough for a fisher-
upon one side of the pillar were huge pieces of man, but contrived to open and shut like a purse,
iron sticking out, cut into strange figures, which and served him for the same use we found therein
:
we know not what to make of. In the left pocket several massy pieces of yellow metal, which, if
another engine of the same kind. In the smaller they be real gold, must be of immense value.
pocket on the right side, were several round flat " Having thus, in obedience to your majesty's
commands, diligently searched all his pockets, we pistols. I drew it out, and at his desire, as well as
observed a girdle about his waist, made of the I could, expressed to him the use of it ; and charg-
hide of some prodigious animal, from which, on ing it only with powder, which, by the closeness
the left side, hung a sword of the length of five of my pouch happened to escape wetting in the sea
men and on the right, a bag, or pouch, divided
; (an inconvenience against which all prudent mar-
into two cells, each cell capable of holding three iners take special care to provide), I first cautioned
of your majesty's subjects. In one of these cells the emperor not to be afraid, and then I let it off
were several globes, or balls, of a most ponderous in the The astonishment here was much
air.
metal, about the bigness of our heads, and re- greater than at the sight of the scimitar. Hun-
quired a strong hand to lift them the other cell : dreds fell down as if they had been struck dead ;
contained a heap of certain black grains, but of and even the emperor, although he stood his
no great bulk or weight, for we could hold above ground, could not recover himself for some time.
fifty of them in the palms of our hands. I delivered up both my same man-
pistols in the
"This is an exact inventory of what we found ner as I had done my
and then my pouch
scimitar,
about the body of the Man-mountain, who used us of powder and bullets begging him that the for-
;
with great civility, and due respect to your maj- mer might be kept from fire, for it would kindle
esty's commission. Signed and sealed on the with the smallest spai'k, and blow up his imperial
fourth day of the eighty-ninth moon of your maj- palace into the air. I likewise delivered up my
esty's auspicious reign :

— watch, which the emperor was very curious to see,
" CLEFRm Frelock. and commanded two of his tallest yeomen of the
" Mabsi Frelock." guards to bear it on a pole upon their shoulders,
as draymen in England do a barrel of ale. He
When the inventory was read over to the em- was amazed at the continual noise it made, and
peror, he directed me, although in very gentle the motion of the minute-hand, which he could
terms, to deliver up the several particulars. He easily discern for their sight is much more acute
;
first called for my scimitar, which I took out, than ours he asked the opinion of his learned
:
scabbard and all. In the mean time he ordered men about it, which wei-e various and remote, as
three thousand of his choicest troops (who then the reader may well imagine without my repeat-
attended him) to surround me at a distance, with ing ; although, indeed, I could not very perfectly
their bows and arrows just ready to discharge ;
understand them. I then gave up my silver and
but I did not observe it, for mine eyes were wholly copper money, my purse with nine large pieces of
fixed upon his majesty. He then desired me to gold, and some smaller ones my knife and razor, ;
draw my had got

scimitar, which, although it my comb and silver snuff-box, my handkerchief
some rust by the sea-water, was in most parts, and journal-book. My scimitar, pistols, and pouch,
exceeding bright. I did so, and immediately all were conveyed in carriages to his majesty's stores ;
the troops gave a shout between terror and sur- but the rest of my goods were returned me.
prise for the sun shone clear, and the reflection
; I had, as I before observed, one private pocket,
dazzled their eyes as I waved the scimitar to and which escaped their search, wherein there was a
fro in my hand. His majesty, who is a most pair of spectacles (which I sometimes use for the
magnanimous prince, was less daunted than I weakness of mine eyes), a pocket perspective, and
could expect he ordered me to return it into the
: some other little conveniences ; which, being of no
scabbard, and cast it on the ground as gently as I consequence to the emperor, I did not think my-
could, about six feet from the end of my chain. self bound in honor to discover, and I apprehended
The next thing he demanded was one of the hol- they might be lost or spoiled if I ventured them
low iron pillars ; by which he meant my pocket out of my possession.
CHAPTER ni. a trencher fixed on a rope which is no thicker than
THE AUTHOR DIVERTS THE EMPEROR, AND HIS NOBILITY a common packthread in England. My friend
OF BOTH SEXES, IN A VERY UNCOMMON MANNER. THE — Reldresal, principal secretary for private affairs, is
DIVERSIONS OF THE COURT OF LILLIPUT DESCRIBED. — in my opinion, if I am not partial, the second after
THE AUTHOR HAS HIS LIBERTY GRANTED HIM UPON the treasurer ; the rest of the great officers are
CERTAIN CONDITIONS. much upon a par.
My gentleness and good behavior had gained These diversions are often attended with fatal
so far on the emperor and his court, and indeed accidents, whereof great numbers are on record.
upon the army and people in general, that I began I myself have seen two or three candidates break
to conceive hopes of getting my liberty in a short a limb. But the danger is much greater when
time. I took all methods to cultivate
possible the ministers themselves are commanded to show
this favorable disposition. The
natives came by their dexterity ! for, by contending to excel them-
degrees to be less apprehensive of any danger selves and their fellows, they strain so far that
from me. I would sometimes lie down, and let there hardly one of them who has not received
is
five or six of them dance on ray hand and at ; a and some of them two or three. I was as-
fall,
last the boys and girls would venture to come and sured that, a year or two before my arrival, Flim-
play at hide-and-seek in my hair. I bad now nap would infallibly have broke his neck, if one
made a good progress in understanding and speak- of the king's cushions, that accidentally lay on
ing the language. The emperor had a mind one the ground, had not weakened the force of his
day to entertain me with several of the country fall.
shows, wherein they exceeded all nations I have There is likewise another diversion, which is
known, both for dexterity and magnificence. I only shown before the emperor and empress, and
was diverted with none so much as that of the the first minister, upon particular occasions. The
rope-dancers, performed upon a slender white emperor lays on the table three fine silken threads
thread, extended about two feet, and twelve inches of six inches long ; one and
is blue, the other red,
from the ground. Upon which I shall desire lib- the third green. These threads are proposed as
erty, with the reader's patience, to enlarge a lit- prizes for those persons whom the emperor has a
tle. mind to distinguish by a peculiar mark of his fa-
This diversion is only practiced by those persons vor. The ceremony is performed in his majesty's
who are candidates for great employments and great chamber of state, where the candidates are
high favor at court. They are ti'ained in this art to undergo a trial of dexterity, very different from
from their youth, and are not always of noble the former, and such as I have not observed the
birth, or liberal education. When a great office least resemblance of in any other country of the
is vacant, either by death or disgrace (which often new or old world. The emperor holds a stick in
happens), five or six of these candidates petition his hands, both ends parallel to the horizon, while
the emperor to entertain his majesty and the court the candidates advancing, one by one, sometimes
with a dance on the rope and whoever jumps; leap over the stick, sometimes creep under it, back-
the highest without falling, succeeds in the office. ward and forward, several times, according as the
Very often the chief ministers themselves are com- stick is advanced or depressed. Sometimes the
manded to show their skill, and to convince the emperor holds one end of the stick, and the fii'st
emperor that they have not lost their faculty. minister the other; sometimes the minister has it
Flimnap, the treasurer, is allowed to cut a caper entirely to himself. Whoever performs his part
on the straight rope, at least an inch higher than with the most and holds out the longest in
agility,
any other lord in the whole empire. I have seen leaping and creeping, is rewarded with the blue-
him do the summerset several times together upon colored silk ; the red is given to the next, and the
green to the third, which they all wear girt twice and, with great difficulty, persuaded even the em-
round about the middle; and you see few great press herself to let me hold her in her close chair
persons about this court who are not adorned with within two yards of the stage, when she was able
one of these girdles. to take a full view whole performance. It
of the
The horses of the army, and those of the royal was my good fortune, that no ill accident hap-
stables, having been daily led before me, were no pened in these entertainments ; only once a fiery
longer shy, but would come up to my very feet horse, that belonged to one of tlie captains, paw-
without starting. Thewould leap them
riders ing with his hoof, struck a hole in my handker-
over my hand, as I held it on the ground and one ;
chief,and his foot slipping, he overthi-ew his rider
of the emperor's huntsmen, upon a large courser, and himself but I immediately relieved them
;
took my foot, shoe and all which was indeed a

; both, and covering the hole with one hand, I set
prodigious leap. I had the good fortune to divert down the troop with the other, in the same man-
the emperor one day after a very extraordinary ner as I took them up. The horse that fell was
manner. I desired he would order several sticks sti'ained in the left shoulder, but the rider got
of two feet high, and the thickness of an ordinary no hurt ; and I repaired my handkerchief as well
cane, to be brought me whereupon his majesty
; as I could : however, I would not trust to the
commanded the master of his woods to give direc- strength of it any more, in such dangerous enter-
tions accordingly and the next morning six wood-
;
prises.
men arrived with as many carriages, drawn by About two or three days before I was set at lib-
eight horses to each. I took nine of these sticks, erty, as I was entertaining the court with this
and fixing them firmly in the ground in a quad- kind of feats, there arrived an express to inform
rangular figure, two feet and a half square, I took his majesty that some of his subjects, riding near
four other sticks and tied them parallel at each cor- the place where I was first taken up, had seen a
ner, about two feet from the ground then I fast- ;
great black substance lying on the ground, very
ened my liandkerchief to the nine sticks that stood oddly shaped, extending its edges round, as wide
erect and extended it on all sides, till it was tight
; as his majesty's bed-chamber, and rising up in the
as the top of a drum and the four parallel sticks,
; middle as high as a man
it was no living
; that
rising about five inches higher than the handker- creature, as they at first apprehended, for it lay on
chief, served as ledges on each side. When I had the grass without motion, and some of them had
finished my work, I desired the emperor to let a walked round it several times that, by mounting ;
troop of the best horse, twenty-four in number, upon each other's shoulders, they had got to the
iome and exercise upon this plain. His majesty top, which was flat and even, and stamping upon
approved of the proposal, and I took them up one it, they found that it was hollow within that ;
by one, in my hands, ready mounted and armed, they humbly conceived it might be something be-
with the proper ofiicers to exercise them. As soon longing to the Man-mountain and if his majesty ;
as they got into order, they divided into two par- pleased, they would undertake to bring it with
ties, performed mock skirmishes, discharged blunt only five horses. I presently knew what they
arrows, drew their swords, fled and pursued, at- meant, and was glad at heart to receive this intel-
tacked and retired, and, in short, discovered the ligence. It seems, upon my first reaching the
best military discipline I ever beheld. The par- shore after our shipwreck, I was in such confusion,
allel sticks secured them and their horses from that before I came to the place where I went to
falling over the stage ; and the emperor was so sleep, my hat,
which I had fastened with a string
much delighted, that he ordered this entertainment to my head while I was rowing, and had stuck on
to be repeated several days, and once was pleased all the time I was swimming, fell off after I came
to be lifted up, and give the word of command to land ; the string, as I conjecture, breaking by
some accident, which I had never observed, but several persons of distinction. After they were
thought my hat had been lost at sea. I entreated read, I was demanded to swear to the performance
his imperial majesty to give orders it might be of them, first, in the manner of my own country,
brought to me as soon as possible, describing to and afterward in the method prescribed by their
him the and the nature of it and the next day
use ; laws, which was, to hold my right foot in my left
the wagoners arrived with it, but not in a very hand, and to place the middle finger of my right
good condition they had bored two holes in the
; hand on the crown of my head, and my thumb on
brim, within an inch and a half of the edge, and the tip of my right ear. But because the reader
fastened two hooks in the holes, these hooks were may be curious to have some idea of the style and
tied by a long cord to the harness, and thus my manner of expression peculiar to that people, as
hat was dragged along for above half an English well as to know the articles upon which I recov-
mile but the ground in that country being ex-
; ered my liberty, I have made a translation of the
tremely smooth and level, it received less damage whole instrument, word for word, as near as I was
than I expected. able, which I here offer to the public.
Two days after this adventure, the emperor,
having ordered that part of his army which quar- GOLBASTO MOMAHEM EVLAME GuEDILO
ters in and about his metropolis, to be in readi- Shefin Mully Ully Gue, most mighty em-
ness, took a fancy of diverting himself in a singu- peror of Lilliput, delight and terror of the uni-
lar manner. He desired that I would stand like a verse, whose dominions extend five thousand hlus-
colossus, with my legs as far asunder as I conven- trugs (about twelve miles in circumference) to the
iently could. He then commanded his general extremities of the globe ; monarch of all mon-
(who was an old experienced leader, and a great arcbs, taller than the sons of men whose feet ;
patron of mine) to draw up the troops in close press down to the centre, and whose head strikes
order, and march them under me ; the foot by against the sun ; at whose nod the princes of the
twenty-four in a breast, and the horse by sixteen, earth shake their knees ;
pleasant as the spring,
with drums beating, colors flying, and pikes ad- comfortable as the summer, fruitful as autumn,
vanced. This body consisted of three thousand dreadful as winter. His most sublime Majesty
foot,and a thousand horse. proposes to the Man-mountain, lately arrived at
I had sent so many memorials and petitions for our celestial dominions, the following articles,
my liberty that his majesty at length mentioned which, by a solemn oath, he shall be obliged to
the matter, first in the cabinet, and then in a full perform :
—
council; where it was opposed by none, except I. The Man-mountain shall not depart from our
Skyresh Bolgolam, who was pleased, without any dominions, without our license under our great
provocation, to be my mortal enemy. But it was seal.
carried against him by the whole board, and con- II. He shall not presume to come
me- into our
firmed by the emperor. That minister was galbet, tropolis without our express order which time,
; at
or admiral of the realm, very much in his master's the inhabitants shall have two hours' warning to
confidence, and a person well versed in affairs, but keep within doors.
of a morose and sour complexion. However, he III. The said Man-mountain shall confine his
was at length persuaded to comply, but prevailed walks to our principal high-roads, and not offer
that the articles and conditions upon which I to walk or lie down in a meadow or field of
should be set free, and to which I must swear, corn.
should be drawn up by himself. These articles IV. As he walks the said roads, he shall take
were brought to me by Skyresh Bolgolam in the utmost care not to trample upon the bodies of
person, attended by two under-secretaries and any of our loving subjects, their horses or carriages.
nor take any of our subjects into his hands with- The reader may please to observe, that in the
out their own consent. last article of the recovery of my liberty, the em-
V. an express requires extraordinary dis-
If peror stipulates to allow me a quantity of meat
patch, the Man-mountain shall be obliged to carry, and drink sufficient for the support of 1724 Lilli-
in his pocket, the messenger and horse a six days' putians. Some time after, asking a friend at
journey once in every moon, and return the said court how they cameto fix on that determined
messenger back (if so required) safe to our im- number, he told me that his Majesty's mathe-
perial presence. maticians, having taken the height of my body
VI. He shall be our ally against our enemies in by the help of a quadrant, and finding it to ex-
the island of Blefuscu, and do his utmost to de- ceed theirs in the proportion of twelve to one,
stroy their fleet, which is now preparing to in- they concluded from the similarity of their bodies,
vade us. that mine must contain at least 1724 of theirs,
VII. That the same Man-mountain shall, at his and consequently would require as much food as
time of leisure, be aiding and assisting to our was necessary to support that number of Lillipu-
workmen, in helping to raise certain great stones, tians. By which the reader may conceive an
towards covering the wall of the principal park, idea of the ingenuity of that people, as well as
and other royal buildings. the prudent and exact economy of so great a
VIII. That the said Man-mountain shall in two prince.
moons' time, deliver in an exact survey of the
CHAPTER IV.
circumference of our dominions, by a computation
MILDENDO, THE METROPOLIS OF LILLIPUT, DESCRIBED,
of his own paces round the coast.
TOGETHER WITH THE EMPEROR's PALACE. A CONVER- —
Lastly^ That, upon his solemn oath to observe SATION BETWEEN THE AUTHOR AND A PRINCIPAL SEC-
the above articles, the said Man-mountain shall RETARY, CONCERNING THE AFFAIRS OF THAT EMPIRE.
have a daily allowance of meat and drink sufficient —
THE AUTHOR OFFERS TO SERVE THE EMPEROR IN HIS
for the support of 1724 of our subjects, with free WARS.
access to our royal person, and other marks of our The first request I made after I had obtained
favor. Given at our palace at Belfaborac, the my liberty was, that I might have license to see
twelfth day of the ninety-first moon of our reign. Mildendo, the metropolis which the emperor
;
easily granted me, but with a special charge to do

I swore and subscribed to these articles with no hurt either to the inhabitants or their houses.
great cheerfulness and content, although some of The people had notice, by proclamation, of my
them were not so honorable as I could have design to visit the town. The wall, which com-
wished which proceeded wholly from the malice
; passed it, is two feet and a half high, and at least
of Skyresh Bolgolam, the high-admiral where- ; eleven inches broad, so that a coach and horses
upon my chains were immediately unlocked, and I may be driven very safely round it and it is ;
was at full liberty. The emperor himself, in flanked with strong towers at ten feet distance.
person, did me the honor to be by at the whole I stepped over the great western gate, and passed
ceremony. I made my acknowledgments by very gently and sidling through the two princi-
prostrating myself at his majesty's feet ; but he pal streets, only in my short waistcoat, for fear
commanded me to rise ; and after many gracious of damaging the and eaves of the houses with
roofs
expressions, which to avoid the censure of vanity the skirts of my coat. I walked with the utmost
I shall not repeat, he added, " that he hoped I circumspection, to avoid treading on any strag-
should prove a useful servant, and well deserve all glers who might remain on the streets although ;
the favors he had already conferred upon me, or the orders were very strict, that all the people
might do for the future." should keep in their houses at their own peril.
A VOYAGE TO LILLTPUT. 377
The garret windows and tops of houses were so veniently from one stool to the other, and drew
crowded with spectators, that I thought in all my up the first after me with a hooked stick. By
travels I had not seen a more populous place. this contrivance I got into the inmost court
The city is an exact square, each side of the wall and, lying down upon my side, I applied my face
being five hundred feet long. The two great to the windows middle
which were
of the stories,
streets, which run across and divide it into four left open on purpose, and discovered the most
quarters, are five feet wide. The lanes and alleys, splendid apartments that can be imagined.
which I could not enter, but viewed them as I There I saw the empress and the young princes,
passed, are from twelve to eighteen inches. The in their several lodgings, with their chief attend-
town is capable of holding five hundred thousand ants about them. Her imperial majesty was
souls : the houses are from three to five stories : pleased to smile very graciously upon me, and gave
the shops and markets well provided. me out of the window her hand to kiss.
The emperor's palace is in the centre of the But I shall not anticipate the reader with further
city,where the two great streets meet. It is in- descriptions of this kind, because I reserve them
closed by a wall of two feet high, and twenty feet for a greater work, which is now almost ready for
distance from the buildings. I had his majesty's the press ; containing a general description of "this
permission to step over this wall and the space ; empire, from its first erection, thi'ough a long se-
being so wide between that and the palace, I ries of princes ; with a particular account of their
could easily view it on every side. The outward wars and politics, laws, learning and religion
court is a square of forty feet, and includes two their plants and animals manners
; their peculiar
other courts ; in the inmost are the royal apart- and customs, with other matters very curious and
ments, which I was very desii'ous to see, but found useful ; my chief design at present being only to
it extremely difficult ; for the great gates, from relate such events and transactions as happened
one square into another, were but eighteen inches to the public or to myself during a residence of
high and seven inches wide. Now the buildings about nine months in that empire.
of the outer court were at least five feet high, and One morning, about a fortnight after I had ob-
it was impossible for me to stride over them with- tained my liberty, Reldresal, principal secretary
out infinite damage to the pile, though the walls (as they style him) for private affairs, came to
were strongly built of hewn stone, and four inches my house attended only by one servant. He or-
thick. At the same time the emperor had a great dered his coach to wait at a distance, and desired
desire that I should see the magnificence of his pal- I would give him an hour's audience which I ;
ace ; but this I was not able to do till three days readily consented to, on account of his quality
after, which I spent in cutting down with my and personal merits, as well as of the many good
knife some of the largest trees in the royal park, offices he had done me during my solicitations at
about a hundred yards distance from the city. court. I offered to lie down that he might the
Of made two stools, each about three
these trees I more conveniently reach my ear but he chose ;
feet high, and strong enou.gh to bear my weight. rather to let me hold him in my hand during our
The people having received notice a second time, conversation. He began with compliments on my
I went again through the city to the palace with liberty said " he might pretend to some merit
;
my two stools in my hands. When I came to the in it " but however added, " that if it had not
;
side of the outer court, I stood iipon one stool and been for the present situation of things at court,
took the other in my hand ; this I lifted over the perhaps I might not have obtained it so soon.
roof,and gently set it down on the space between For," said he, " as flourishing a condition as we
the first and second court, which was eight feet may appear to be in to foreigners, we labor under
wide. I then stepped over the building very con- two mighty evils ; a violent faction at home, and
48
the danger of an invasion, by a most potent tive way of breaking eggs, before we eat them,
enemy, from abroad. As to the first, you are to was upon the larger end ; but his present maj-
understand, that for above seventy moons past esty's grandfather, while he was a boy, going to
there Iiave been two struggling parties in this em- eat an egg, and breaking it according to the an-
pire, under tlie names of Tramecksan and Slameck- cient practice, happened to cut one of his fingers
sa?i, from the high and low heels of their shoes, whereupon the emperor, his father, published an
by which they distinguish themselves. It is al- edict, commanding all his subjects, upon great
leged, indeed, that the high-heels are most agree- penalties, to break the smaller ends of their eggs.
able to our ancient constitution ; but, however this The people so highly resented this law, that our
be, his majesty has determined to make use only histories tell us there have been six rebellions
of low heels in the administration of the govern- raised on that account wherein one emperor lost
;
ment, and all offices in the gift of the crown, as his life, and another his crown. These civil com-
you cannot but observe : and particularly that his motions were constantly fomented by the mon-
majesty's imperial heels are lower at least by a archs of Blefuscu ; and when they were quelled,
drurr than any of bis court (drurr is a measure the exiles always fled for refuge to that empire.
about the fourteenth part of an inch). The ani- It is computed that eleven thousand persons have
mosities between these two parties run so high, at several times suffered death rather than sub-
that they will neither eat nor drink nor talk with mit to break their eggs at the smaller end. Many
each other. We compute the Tramecksan, or hundred large volumes have been published upon
high heels, to exceed us in number but the power ; this controversy but the books of the Big-endians
;
is wholly on our side. We

apprehend his impe- have been long forbidden, and the whole pai'ty
rial highness, the heir to the crown, to have some rendered incapable by law of holding employ-
tendency towards the high heels at least, we can ; ments. During the course of these troubles, the
plainly discover that one of his heels is higher emperors of Blefuscu did frequently expostulate
than the other, which gives him a hobble in his by their ambassadors, accusing us of making a
gait. Now, in the midst of these intestine dis- schism in religion by offending against a funda-
quiets, we are threatened with an invasion from mental doctrine of our great prophet Lustrog, in
the island of Blefuscu, which is the other great the fifty-fourth chapter of the Blundecral, which
empire of the universe, almost as large and power- is their Alcoran. This, however, is thought to
ful as this of his majesty. For as to what we have be a mere strain upon the text for the words are ;
heai'd you affirm, that there are other kingdoms these that all true believers break their eggs at
:
and states in the world inhabited by human creat- the convenient end and which is the convenient
;
ures as large as yourself, our philosophers are in end seems, in my humble opinion, to be left to
much doubt, and would rather conjecture that you every man's conscience, or at least in the power
dropped from the moon, or one of the stars be- ; of the chief magistrate to determine.
cause it is certain that a hundred mortals of your " Now, the Big-endian exiles have found so
bulk would in a short time destroy all the fruits much credit in the emperor of Blefuscu's court,
and cattle of his majesty's dominions : besides, our and so much private assistance and encouragement
histories of six thousandmoons make no mention from their party here at home, that a bloody war
of any other regions than the two great empires has been carried on between the two empires for
of Lilliput and Blefuscu. Which two mighty six-and-thirty moons, with various success dur- ;
powers have, as I was going to tell you, been ening which time we have lost forty capital ships,
gaged in a most obstinate war for six-and-thirty and a much greater number of smaller vessels,
moons past. It began upon the following occa- together with thirty thousand of our best seamen
sion it is allowed on all hands, that the primi-
: and soldiers ; and the damage received by the
enemy is reckoned to be somewhat greater than ber of transports : I then came back to my house,
ours. However, they have now equipped a nu- and gave orders (for which had a warrant) for
I
merous fleet, and are just preparing to make a de- a great quantity of the strongest cable and bars of
scent upon us; and his imperial majesty, placing iron. The cable was about as thick as packthread,
great confidence in your valor and strength, has and the bars of the length and size of a knitting-
commanded me to lay this account of his affairs needle. I trebled the cable to make it stronger,
before you." and for the same reason, I twisted three of the iron
I desired the secretary to present my humble bars together, bending the extremities into a hook.
duty to the emperor and to let him know " that; Having thus fixed fifty hooks to as many cables, I
I thought it would not become me, who was a went back to the northeast coast, and putting off
foreigner, to interfere with parties ; but I was my coat, shoes, and stockings, walked into the sea
ready, with the hazard of my life, to defend his in my leathern jerkin, about half an hour before
person and state against all invaders." high water. I waded with what haste I could,
and swam in the middle about thirty yards, till I

felt ground. I arrived at the fleet in less than half
CHAPTER V. an hour. The enemy were so frighted when they
THE AUTHOR, BY AN EXTRAORDINARY STRATAGEM, PRE- saw me, that they leaped out of their ships, and
VENTS AN INVASION. A HIGH TITLE OF HONOR IS — swam to shore, where there could not be fewer
CONFERRED UPON HIM.. AMBASSADORS ARRIVE FROM — than thirty thousand souls : I then took my tack-
THE EMPEROR OF BLEFUSCU, AND SUE FOR PEACE. ling, and fastening a hook to the hole at the prow
The empire of Blefuscu is an island situated to of each, I tied all the cords together at the end.
the northeast of Lilliput, from which it is parted While was thus employed, the enemy discharged
I
only by a channel of eight hundred yards wide. several thousand arrows, many of which stuck in
I had not yet seen it, and upon this notice of an my hands and face and, besides the excessive
;
intended invasion, I avoided appearing on that smart, gave me much disturbance in my work.
side of the coast, for fear of being discovered by My. greatest apprehension was for mine eyes,
some of the enemy's ships, who had received no in- which I should have infallibly lost, if I had not
telligence of me all intercourse between the two
; suddenly thought of an expedient. I keiJt, among
empires having been strictly forbidden during the othei' little necessaries, a pair of spectacles in a
war, upon pain of death, and an embargo laid by private pocket, which, as I observed before, had
our emperor upon all vessels whatsoever. I com- escaped the emperor's searchers. These I took
municated to Jiis majesty a project I had formed out and fastened as strongly as I could upon my
of seizing theenemy's whole fleet which, as our ; nose, and thus armed, went on boldly with my
scouts assured us, lay at anchor in the harbor, work, in spite of the enemy's arrows, many of
ready to sail with the first fair wind. I consulted which struck against the glasses of my spectacles,
the most experienced seamen upon the depth of but without any other effect, farther than a little
the channel, which they had often plumbed ; who to discompose them. I had now fastened all the
told me, that in the middle, at high water, it was hooks, and taking the knot in my hand, began to
seventy glumghiffs deep, which is about six feet of pull but not a ship would stir, for thej' were all
;
European measure ; and the rest of it fiftj^ glum- too fast held by their anchors, so that the boldest
ghiffs at most. I walked towards the northeast part of my enterprise remained. I therefore let go
coast, over against Blefuscu : where, lying down the cord, and leaving the hooks fixed to the ships,
behind a hillock, I took out my small perspective I resolutely cut with my knife the cables that fast-
glass, and viewed the enemy's fleet at anchor, con- ened the anchors, receiving about two hundred
sisting of about fifty men-of-war, and a great num- arrows in my face and hands then I took up the
;
knotted end of the cables, to which my hooks were moon, but could not discern me, who was up to
tied,and with great ease drew fifty of the enemy's my breast in water. When I advanced to the
largest men-of-war after me. middle of the channel, they were yet more in pain,
The Blefuscudians, who had not the least imag- because I was under water to my neck. The em-
ination of what I intended, were at first con- peror concluded me to be drowned, and that the
founded with aston- ~jj^ enemy's fleet was
ishment.
seen me
They had
cut the ca-
^ _
approaching in a
hostile manner but :
bles, and thought he was soon eased

my design was only of his fears ; for the
to let the ships run channel growing
adrift, or fall foul shallower every step
on each other ; but I made, I came in
when they perceived a short time within
the whole fleet mov- hearing, and hold-
ing in order, and ing up the end of
saw me pulling at the cable, by which
the end, they set up the fleet was fast-
such a scream of ened, I cried in a

grief and despair as loud voics, " Long
it is almost impos- live the most puis-
sible to describe or sant king of Lilli-
conceive. When I put " This great
!
had got out of dan- prince received me

ger, I stopped at my landing with
a while to pick out all possible encomi-
the arrows that ums, and created me
my hands
stuck in a itardac upon the
and face; and spot, which is the
rubbed on some of highest title of hon-
the same ointment or among them.
that was given me His majesty de-
at my first arrival, sired Iwould take
as I have formerly some other oppor-
mentioned. I then tunity of bringing
took off my specta- all the rest of his
cles, and waiting enemy's ships into
about an hour till his ports. And so
the tide was a little un measurable is the
fallen, I waded ambition of princes,
through the middle with my cargo, and arrived that he seemed to think of nothing less than re-
safe at the royal port of Lilliput. ducing the whole empire of Blefuscu into a prov-
The emperor and his whole court stood on the ince, and governing by a viceroy of destroying
it ;
shore, expecting the issue of this great adventure. the Big-endian exiles, and compelling that people
They saw the ships move forward in a large half- to break the smaller end of their eggs, by which he
would remain the sole monarch of the whole world. When I had some time entertained their
for
But endeavored to divert him from this design,
I and sur-
excellencies, to their infinite satisfaction
by many arguments drawn from the topics of prise, I desired they would do me the honor to
policy as well as justice; and I plainly protested present my most humble respects to the emperor
" that I would never be an instrument of bringing their master, the renown of whose virtues had so
a free and brave people into slavery ;
" and when justly filled the whole world with admiration,
the matter was debated in council, the wisest part and whose royal person I resolved to attend before
of the ministry were of my 023inion. I returned to my own country. Accordingly, the
This open, bold declaration of mine was so op- next time I had the honor to see our emperor, I
posite to the schemes and politics of his imperial desired his general license to wait on the Blefus-
majesty, that he could never forgive me. He cudian monarch, which he was pleased to grant
mentioned it in a very artful manner at council, me, as I could perceive, in a very cold manner;
where I was told that some of the wisest appeared but could not guess the reason, till I had a whisper
at least, by their silence, to be of my opinion but ; from a certain person, " that Flimnap and Bolgo-
others, who were my secret enemies, could not 1am had represented my intercourse with those
forbear some expressions which by a side wind re- ambassadors as a mark of disaffection ;
" from
flected on me ; and from this time began an in- which I am sure my heart was wholly free. And-
trigue between his majesty, and a junto of minis- this was the first time I began to conceive some
ters, maliciously bent against me, which broke out imperfect idea of courts and ministers.
in less than two months, and had like to liave It is to be observed, that these ambassadors
ended in my utter destruction. Of so little weight spoke to me by an interpreter, the languages of
are the greatest services to princes, when put into both empires differing as much from each other
the balance with a refusal to gratify their pas- as any two in Europe, and each nation priding
sions. itself upon the antiquity, beauty, and energy of
About three weeks after this exploit there ar- their own tongues, with an avowed contempt for
rived a solemn embassy from Blefuscu, with hum- that of their neighbor : yet our emperor, standing
ble offers of a peace ; which was soon concluded, upon the advantage he had got by the seizure of
upon conditions very advantageous to our emperor, their fleet, obliged them to deliver their creden-
wherewith I shall not trouble the reader. There tials, and make their speech, in the Lilliputian
were six ambassadors with a train of about five tongue. And it must be confessed, that from the
hundred persons and their entry was very mag-
; great intercourse of trade and commerce between
nificent, suitable to the grandeur of their master both realms, from the continual reception of exiles
and the importance of their business. When their which is mutual among them, and from the cus-
treaty was finished, wherein I did them several tom, in each empire, to send their young nobility
good offices by the credit I now had, or at least and richer gentry to the other, in order to polish
appeared to have, at court, their excellencies, who themselves by seeing the world, and understand-
were privately told how much I had been their ing men and manners there are few persons of
;
friend,made me a visit in form. Tbey began distinction, or merchants, or seamen, who dwell
with many compliments upon my valor and gen- in the maritime parts, but what can hold conver-
erosity, invited me to that kingdom in the em- sation in both tongues as I found some weeks
;
peror their master's name, and desired me to show after, when I went to pay my respects to the em-
them some proof of my prodigious strength, of peror of Blefuscu, which, in the midst of great
which they had heard so many wonders wherein ; misfortunes, through the malice of my enemies,
I readily obliged them, but shall not trouble the proved a very happy adventure to me, as I shall
reader with the particulars. relate in its proper place.
CHAPTER VI. be flat) will turn upside down, and by this means
OF THE INHABITANTS OF LILLIPUT THEIR LEARNING, ;

they shall, at their resurrection, be found ready
LAWS, AND CUSTOMS THE MANNER OF EDUCATING
;
standing on their feet. The learned among them
THEIR CHILDREN. THE AUTHOR'S WAY OF LIVING confess the absurdity of this doctrine ; but the
IN THAT COUNTRY. practice still continues, in compliance to the vul-
Although I intend to leave the description of gar.
this empire to a particular treatise, yet, in the There are some laws and customs in this empire
mean time, I am content to gratify the curious very peculiar and if they were not so directly
;
reader with some general ideas. As the common contrary to those ofmy own dear country, I should
size of the natives is somewhat under six inches be tempted to say a little in their justification. It
high, so there is an exact proportion in all other is only to be wished they were as well executed.
animals, as well as plants and trees : for instance, The first I shall mention, relates to informers.
the tallest horses and oxen are between four and All crimes against the state are punished here
five inches in height, the sheep an inch and a half, with the utmost severitj^ ; but if the person ac-
more or less their geese about the bigness of a
; cused makes his innocence plainly to appear upon
sparrow, and so the several gradations downwards, his trial, is immediately put to an
the accuser
till you come to the smallest, which to my sight ignominious death and out of his goods or lands
;
vrere almost invisible but nature has adapted; the innocent person is quadruply recompensed for
the eyes of the Lilliputians to all objects proper the loss of his time, for the danger he underwent,
for their view; they see with great exactness, for the hardship of his imprisonment, and for all
but at no great distance. And to show the sharp- the charges he has been at of making his defense ;
ness of their sight towards objects that are near, or, if that fund be deficient, it is largely supplied
I have been much pleased with observing a cook by the crown. The emperor also confers on him
pulling a lark, which was not so large as a com- some public mark of his favor, and proclamation is
mon fly ; and a young girl threading an invisible made of his innocence through the whole city.
needle with invisible silk. They look upon fraud as a greater crime than
Their tallest trees are about seven feet high : I theft, and therefore seldom fail to punish it with
mean some of those in the great royal park, the death for they allege that care and vigilance,
;
tops whereof I could but just reach with my fist with a very common understanding, may preserve
clinched. The other vegetables are in the same a man's goods from thieves, but honesty has no
proportion ; but this I leave to the reader's imag- fence against superior cunning ; and since it is
ination. necessary that there should be a perpetual inter-

I shall say but little at present of their learning, course of buying and selling, and dealing upon
which many ages has
for flourished in all its credit, where fraud is permitted and connived at,
branches among them but ; their manner of writ- or has no law to punish it, the honest dealer is al-
ing is very peculiar, being neither from the left to ways undone, and the knave gets the advantage. I
the right, like the Europeans ; nor from the right remember, when I was once interceding with the
to the left, like the Arabians nor from up to ; king for a criminal who had wronged his master
down, like the Chinese but aslant, from one cor-; of a great sum of money, which he had received
ner of the paper to the other, like ladies in Eng- by order, and ran away with and happening to ;
land. tell his majesty by way of extenuation, that it was
They bury their dead with their heads directly only a breach of trust, the emperor thought it
downward, because they hold an opinion that in monstrous in me to offer as a defense the gi'eatest
eleven thousand moons they are all to rise again ;
aggravation of the crime ; and truly I had little
in which period the earth (which they conceive to to say in return, further than the common answer,
that different nations had different customs ; for, fatal consequence to the public weal as the prac-
I confess I was heartily ashamed. tice of aman whose inclinations led him to be cor-
Although we usually call reward and punish- rupt, and who had great abilities to manage, to
ment the two hinges upon which all government multiply, and defend his corruptions.
turns, yet I could never obsei've this maxim to be In like manner, the disbelief of a Divine Prov-
put in practice by any nation, except that of idence renders a man incapable of holding any
Lilliput. Whoever can there bring sufficient proof public station ; for since kings avow themselves
that he has strictly observed the laws of his coun- to be the deputies of Providence, the Lilliputians
try for seventy-three moons, has a claim to certain think nothing can be more absurd than for a
privileges, according to his quality and condition prince to employ such men as disown the author-
with a proportionable sum of money out of
of life, ity under which he acts.
a fund appropriated for that use he likewise ac- : In relating these and the following laws, I would
quires the title of snilpall, or legal, which is added only be understood to mean the original institu-
to his name, but does not descend to his posterity. tions, and not the most scandalous corruptions
And these jDsople thought it a prodigious defect of into which these people are fallen by the degen-
policy among us, when I told them that our laws erate nature of man. For, as to that infamous
were enforced only by penalties, without any men- practice of acquiring great employments by danc-
tion of reward. It is upon this account that the ing on the ropes, or badges of favor and distinc-
image of Justice, in their courts of judicature, is tion by leaping over sticks and creeping under
formed with six eyes, two before, as many behind, them, the reader is to observe that they were first
and on each side one, to signify circumspection ;
introduced by the grandfather of the emperor now
with a bag of gold open in her right hand, and a reigning, and grew to the present height by the
sword sheathed in her left, to show she is more gradual increase of party and faction.
disposed to reward than to punish. Ingratitude is among them a capital crime, as
In choosing persons for all employments, they we read it to have been in some other countries ;
have more regard to good morals than to great for they reason thus that whoever makes ill re-
:
abilities for, since government is necessary to

; turns to his benefactor must needs be a common
mankind, they believe that the common size of enemy to the rest of mankind, from whom he has
human understanding is fitted to some station or received no obligation, and therefore such a man
other and that Providence never intended to make
; is not fit to live.
the management of public affairs a mystery to be Their notions relating to the duties of parents
comprehended only by a few persons of sublime and children differ exti-emely from ours. For since
genius, of which there seldom are three born in an the conjvmction of male and female is founded
age : but they suppose truth, justice, temperance, upon the great law of nature, in order to propa-
and the like, to be in every man's power ; the gate and continue the species, the Lilliputians will
practice of which virtues, assisted by experience needs have it, that men and women are joined
and a good intention, would qualify any man for together like other animals, by the motives of
the service of his country, except where a course natural instincts and that their tenderness to-
;
of study is required. But they thought the want wards their young proceeds from the like natural
of moral virtues was so far from being supplied by principle for which reason, they will never allow
:
superior endowments of the mind, that employ- that a child is under any obligation to his father
ments could never be put into such dangerous for begetting him, or to his mother for bringing
hands as those of persons so qualified and at ; him into the world : which, considering the mis-
least, that the mistakes committed by ignorance, eries of humanwas neither a benefit in itself
life,
in a virtuous disposition, would never be of such nor intended so by his parents, whose thoughts,
in their love encounters, were otherwise employed. The pension from each family for the education
Upon these, and the like reasonings, their opinion and entertainment of a child, upon failure of due
is, that parents are the last of all others to be payment, is levied by the emperor's officers.
trusted with the education of their own children The nurseries for children of ordinary gen-
and therefore they have in every town public nur- tlemen, merchants, and handicrafts are
ti'aders,
series, where all parents, except cottagers and la- managed proportionably after the same manner
borers, are obliged to send their infants of both only those designed for trades ai-e put out appren-
sexes to be reared and educated, when they come tices at eleven years old : whereas those of per-
to the age of twenty moons, at which time they sons of quality continue in their exercises till fif-
are supposed to have some rudiments of docility. teen, which answers to twenty-one with us ; but
These scliools are of several kinds, suited to dif- the confinement is gradually lessened for the last
ferent qualities and to both sexes. They have three years.

certain professors well skilled in preparing chil- In the female nurseries, the young girls of qual-
dren for such a condition of life as befits the rank ity are educated much like the males, only they
of their parents, and their own capacities as well are dressed by orderly servants of theirown sex ;
as inclinations. I shall first say something of the but always in the presence of a professor or dep-
male nui-series, and then of the female. uty, till they come to dress themselves, which is
The nurseries for males of noble or eminent at five years old. And if it be found that these
birth are provided with grave and learned pro- nurses ever presume to entertain the girls with
fessors and their several deputies. The clothes frightful or foolish stories, or the common follies
and food of the children are plain and simple. practiced by chambermaids among us, they are
They are bred up in the principles of honor, jus- publicly whipped thrice about the city, imprisoned
tice, courage, modesty, clemency, and
religion, for a year, and banished for a life to the most
love of their country ; they are always employed desolate part of the couutr^r. Thus the young
in some business, except in the times of eating ladies there are as much ashamed of being cowai'ds
and sleeping, which are very short, and two hours and men, and despise all personal or-
fools as the
for diversions, consisting of bodily exercises. They naments, beyond decency and cleanliness neither :
are dressed by men till four years of age, and did I perceive any difference in their education
then are obliged to dress themselves, although made by their difference of sex, only that the ex-
their quality be ever so great; and the women ercises of the females were not altogether so ro-
attendants, who are aged proportionably to ours bust and that some rules were given them relat-
;
at fifty, perform only the most menial offices. ing to domestic life, and a smaller compass of
They are never suffered to converse with servants, learning was enjoined them for their maxim is,
:
but go together, in smaller or greater numbers, to that among people of quality a wife should be
take their diversions, and alwaj's in the presence always a reasonable and agreeable companion,
of a professor or one of his deputies ; whereby because she cannot always be young. When the
they avoid those early bad impressions of folly girls are twelve years old, which among them is
and vice to which our children are subject. Their the marriageable age, their parents or guardians
parents are suffered to see them only twice a take them home, with great expressions of grat-
year the visit is to last but an hour they are al-
; ; itude to the professors, and seldom without the
lowed to kiss tlie child at meeting and parting tears of the young lady and her companions.
but a professor, who always stands by on those In the nurseries of the females of the meaner
occasions, will not suffer them to whisper, or use sort, the children are instructed in all kinds of
any fondling expressions, or bruig any presents work proper for their sex, and their several de-
of toys, sweetmeats, and the like. grees ; those intended for apprentices are dis-
missed at seven years old, the rest are kept till a mathematical computation, that twice round the
eleven. thumb is once round the wrist, and so on to the
The meaner families who have children at these neck and the waist, and by the help of my old
nurseries are obliged, beside their annual pension, shirt, which I displayed on the ground before them
which is as low as possible, to return to the stew- for a pattern, they fittedme exactly. Three hun-
ard of the nursery a small monthly share of their dred were employed in the same manner
tailors
gettings, to be a portion for the child ; and there- to make me clothes but they had another con-
;
fore all parents are limited in their expenses by trivance for taking my measure. I kneeled down,
the law. For the Lilliputians think nothing can and they raised a ladder from the ground to my
be more unjust than for people, in subservience neck upon this ladder one of them mounted, and
;
to their own appetites, to bring children into the let fall a plumb-line from my collar to the floor,
world and leave the burden of supporting them which just answered the length of my coat; but
on the public. As to persons of quality, they my waist and arms I measured myself. When
give security to appropriate a certain sum for each my clothes were finished, which was done in my
child, suitable to their conditionand these funds : house (for the largest of theirs would not have
are always managed with good husbandry and the been able to hold them), they looked like the
most exact justice. patchwork made by the ladies in England, only
The cottagers and laborers keep their children that mine were all of a color.
at home, their business being only to till and cul- I had three hundred cooks to dress my victuals,
tivate the earth, and therefore their education is in little convenient huts built about my house,
of little consequence to the public : but the old where they and their families lived, and prepared
and diseased among them are supported by hospi- me two dishes apiece. I took up twenty waiters
tals for begging is a trade unknown in this em-
; in my hand, and placed them on the table a ;
pire. hundred more attended below on the ground, some

And here it may, perhaps, divert the curious with dishes of meat, and some with barrels of wine
reader, to give some account of my domestics, and other liquors slung on their shoulders, all
and my manner of living in this country, during which the waiters above drew up, as I wanted, in
a residence of nine months and thirteen days. a very ingenious manner by certain cords, as we
Having a head mechanically turned, and being draw a bucket up a well in Europe. A dish of
likewise forced by necessity, I had made for my- theirmeat was a good mouthful, and a barrel of
self a table and chair convenient enough, out of their liquor a reasonable draught. Their mutton
the largest trees in the royal park. Two hundred yields to ours, but their beef isI have
excellent.
seamstresses were employed to make me shirts had a sirloin so large, that I have been forced to
and linen for my bed and table, all of the strong- make three bites of it but this is rare. My serv-
;
est and coarsest kind they could get, which, how- ants were astonished to see me eat it, bones and
ever, they were forced to quilt together in several all, as in our country we do the leg of a lark.
folds, for the thickest was some degrees finer than Their geese and turkeys I usually ate at a mouth-
lawn. Their linen is usually three inches wide, ful, and I confess they far exceed ours. Of their
and three feet make a piece. The seamstresses smaller fowl, I could take up twenty or thirty at
took my measure as I lay on the ground, one the end of my knife.
standing at my neck, and another at my midleg, One day his imperial majesty, being informed
with a strong cord extended, that each held by of my way of living, desired " that himself and his
the end, while a third measured the length of the royal consort, with the young princes of the blood
cord with a rule an inch long. Then they meas- of both sexes, might have the happiness," as he
ured my right thumb, and desired no more for by ; was pleased to callit, " of dining with me." They
came accordingly, and I placed them in chairs of displeasure of his imperial majesty) came to my
state, upon my table, just over against me, with house very privately at night, in a close chair, and,
their guards about them. Flimnap, the lord high- without sending his name, desired admittance.
treasurer, attended there likewise, with his white The chairmen were dismissed : I put the chair,
stafE ; and I observed he often looked on me with with his lordship in it, into my coat pocket ; and
a sour countenance, which I would not seem to giving orders to a trusty servant to say I was in-
regard, but ate more than usual, in honor to my disposed and gone to sleep, I fastened the door of
dear country, as well as to fill the court with ad- my house, placed the chair on the table, according
miration. I have some private reasons to believe to my usual custom, and sat down by it. After
that this visit from his majesty gave Flimnap an the common were over, observing his
sakitations
opportunity of doing me ill offices to his master. lordship's countenance full of concern, and inquir-
That minister had always been my secret enemy, ing into the reason, he desired " I would hear him
though he oXitwardly caressed me more than was with patience, in a matter that highly concerned
usual to the moroseness of his nature. He repre- my honor and life." His speech was to the fol-
sented to the emperor " the low condition of his lowing effect, for I took notes of it as soon as he
treasury ; that he was forced to take up money at left me :
—
a great discount ; that exchequer bills would not " Yon are to know," said he, " that several com-
circulate under nine per cent, below par that I ; mittees of council have been lately called, in the
had cost his majesty above a million and a half of most private manner, on your account and it is ;
sprugs (their greatest gold coin, about the bigness but two days since his majesty came to a full res-
of a spangle) ; and, upon the whole, that it would olution.
be advisable in the emperor to take the first fair " You are very sensible that Skyresh Bolgolam
occasion of dismissing me." (^galhet, your mortal
or high-admiral) has been
enemy, almost ever since your arrival. His origi-
nal reasons I know not; but his hatred is increased
CHAPTER VII. since your great success against Blefuscu, by which
THE AUTHOR, BEING INFORMED OF A DESIGN TO ACCUSE his glory as admiral is much obscured. This lord,
HIM OF HIGH TREASON, MAKES HIS ESCAPE TO BLE- in conjunction with Flimnap, the high-treasurer,
FUSCU. HIS RECEPTION THERE. whose enmity against you is notorious on account
Befoee I proceed to give an account of my of his lady, Limtoc the general, Lalcon the cham-
leaving this kingdom it may be pi'oper to inform berlain, and Balmuff the grand justiciai-y, have
the reader of a private intrigue which had been prepared articles of impeachment against you, for
for two months forming against me. I had been treason and other capital crimes."
hitherto, all my life, a stranger to courts, for which This preface made me so impatient, being con-
I was unqualified by the meanness of my condition. scious of my own merits and innocence, that I was
I had indeed heard and read enough of the dispo- going to interrupt him ; when he entreated me to
sitions of great princes and ministers, but never be silent, and thus pi'oceeded :
—
expected to have found such terrible effects of " Out of gratitude for the favors you have done
them in so remote a country, governed, as I me, I procured information of the whole proceed-
thought, by very different maxims from those in ings, and a copy of the articles wherein I venture ;
Europe. my head for your service."

When I was just preparing to pay my attend-
ance on the Emperor of Blefuscu, a considerable [The grounds of suspi-
articles recited various
person at court (to whom I liad been very service- Quinbus Flestrin's humanity toward
cion, especially
able, at a time when he lay under the highest Blefuscu after he had brought the imperial fleet
into port,and his friendly intercourse with the by which you might still be laseful to his maj-
ambassadors from Blefuscu.] esty; that blindness is an addition to courage,
by concealing dangers from us that the fear you ;
" In the several debates upon this impeachment, had for your eyes was the greatest difficulty in
it must be confessed that his majesty gave many bringing over the enemy's fleet and it would be ;
marks of his great lenity often urging the serv-

; sufficient for you to see by the eyes of the minis-
ices you had done him, and endeavoring to ex- ters, since the greatest princes do no more.
tenuate your crimes. The treasurer and admiral " This proposal was received with the utmost
insisted thatyou should be put to the most pain- disapprobation by the whole board. Bolgolam,
ful and ignominious death, by setting fire to your the admiral, could not preserve his temper ; but,
house at night and the general was to attend with
; rising up in a fury, said he wondered how the sec-
twenty thousand men, armed with poisoned ar- retary durst presume to give his opinion for pre-
rows, to shoot you on the face and hands. Some serving the life of a traitor : that the services you
of your servants were to have private orders to had performed were, by all true reasons of state,
strew a poisonous juice on your shirts and sheets, the great aggravation of your crimes ; that the
which would soon make you tear your own flesh, same strength which enabled you to bi-ing over
and die in the utmost torture. The general came the enemy's fleet might serve, upon the first dis-
into the same opinion, so that for a long time there content, to carry it back that he had good rea-
:
was a majority against you but his majesty, re-

; sons to think you were a Big-endian in your heart
solving, if possible, to spare your life, at last and, as treason begins in the heart before it ap-
brought off the chamberlain. pears in overt acts, so he accused you as a traitor
" Upon this incident, Reldresal, principal secre- on that account, and therefore insisted you should
tary for private affairs,who always approved him- be put to death.
self your true friend, was commanded by the em- " The treasurer was of the same opinion he :
peror to deliver his opinion, which he accordingly showed to what straits his majesty's revenue was
did, and therein justified the good thoughts you reduced by the charge of maintaining you, which
have of him. He allowed your crimes to be great, would soon grow insupportable : that the secre-
but that still there was room for mercy, the most tary's expedient of putting out your eyes was so
commendable virtue in a prince, and for which his far from being a remedy against this evil, that it
majesty was so justly celebrated. He said the would probably increase it, as is manifest from the
friendship between you and him was so well common practice of blinding some kind of fowls,
known to the world that perhaps the most honor- after which they fed the faster and grew fat sooner
able board might think him partial however, in ; that his sacred majesty and the council, who are
obedience to the command he had received, he your judges, were, in their own consciences, fully
would freely offer his sentiments. That if his convinced of your guilt, which was a sufficient
majesty, in consideration of your services, and argument to condemn you to death, without the
pursuant to his own merciful disposition, would formal proofs required by the strict letter of the
please to spare your life, and only give orders to law.
put out both your eyes, he humbly conceived that, " But his imperial majesty, fully determined
by might in some measure
this expedient, justice against capital punishment, was graciously pleased
be satisfied, and all the world would applaud the to say that since the council thought the loss of
lenity of the emperor, as well as the fair and gen- your eyes too easy a censure, some other may be
erous proceedings of those who have the honor to inflicted hereafter. And your friend the secre-
be his counselors. That the loss of your eyes tary, humbly desiring to be heard again, in an-
would be no impediment to your bodjly strength, swer to what the treasurer had objected, con-
cerning the great charge his majesty was at in lenity and tenderness as known and con-
qualities
maintaining you, said that his excellency, who fessed by all the world.This speech was imme-
had the sole disposal of the emperor's revenue, diately published throughout the kingdom nor ;
might easily provide against that evil by grad- did anything terrify the people so much as those
ually lessening your establishment by which, for
; encomiums on his majesty's mercy because it ;
want of sufficient food, you will grow weak and was observed that the more these praises were en-
faint, and lose your appetite, and consume in a larged and insisted on, the more inhuman was the
few months; neither would the stench of your punishment, and the sufferer more innocent. Yet
carcass be then so dangerous, when it should be- as to myself, I must confess, having never been de-
come more than half diminished ; and immediately signed for a courtier, either by my birth or educa-
upon your death five or six thousand of his maj- tion, I was so ill a judge of things that I could not
esty's subjects might, in two or three days, cut discover the lenity and favor of this sentence, but
your flesh from your bones, take it away by cart- conceived it (jDerhaps erroneously) rather to be rig-
loads, and bury it in distant parts to prevent in- orous than gentle. I sometimes thought of standing
fection, leaving the skeleton as a monument of ad- my trial ; for, although I could not deny the facts
miration to posterity. alleged in the several articles, yet I hoped they
" Thus by the great friendship of the secretary would admit of some extenuation. But having in
the whole affair was compromised. was strictly
It my life perused many state trials, which I ever ob-
enjoined that the project of starving you by deserved to terminate as the judges thought fit to
grees should be kept a secret ; but the sentence of direct, I durst not rely on so dangerous a decision,
putting out your eyes was entered on the books in so critical a juncture, and against such powerful
none dissenting except Bolgolam, the admiral. enemies. Once I was strongly bent upon resist-
" In three days your friend the secretary will be ance; for, while I had liberty, the whole strength
directed to come and read before
to your house of that empire could hardly subdue me, and I
you the articles of impeachment and then to sig-
; might easily with stones pelt the metropolis to
nify the great lenity and favor of his majesty and pieces but I soon rejected that project with
;
council, whereby you are only condemned to the horror, by remembering the oath I had made to
loss of your eyes, which his majesty does not ques- the emperor, the favors I received from him, and
tion you will gratefully and humbly submit to ;
the high title of nardao he conferred upon me.
and twenty of his majesty's surgeons will attend, Neither had I so soon learned the gratitude of cour-
in order to see the operation well performed, by tiers to persuade myself that his majesty's present
discharging very sharp-pointed arrows into the severities acquitted me of all past obligations.
balls of your eyes, as you lie on the ground. At last I fixed upon a resolution for which it is
" I leave to jôur prudence what measures you probable I may incur some censure, and not un-
will take ; and to avoid suspicion I must imme- justly, for I confess I owe the preserving of my
diately return in as private a manner as I came." ej'es, and consequently my liberty, to my own
His lordship did so ; and I remained alone, un- great rashness and want of experience because, ;
der many doubts and perplexities of mind. if I had then known the nature of princes and
It was a custom introduced by this prince and ministers, which I have since observed in many
his ministry (very different, as I have been as- other courts, and their methods of treating crim-
sured, from the practice of former times), that inals less obnoxious than myself, I should, with
after the court had decreed any cruel execution, great alacrity and readiness, have submitted to so
either to gratify the monarch's resentment, or the easy a punishment. But hurried on b}^ the pre-
malice of a favorite, the emperor always made a cipitancy of youth, and having his imperial maj-
speech to his whole council, expressing his great esty's license to pay my attendance upon the
emperor of Blefuscu, I took this opportunity, be- CHAPTER YTII.
fore the three days were elapsed, to send a letter THE AUTHOR, BY A LUCKY ACCIDENT, FINDS MEANS TO
to my friend, the secretary, signifying my resolu- LEAVE BLEFUSCU AND, AFTER SOME DIFFICULTIES,
;
tion of setting out thatmorning for Blefuscu, pur- RETURNS SAFE TO HIS NATIVE COUNTY.
suant to the leave I had got; and, without waiting Theee days after my arrival, walking out of
for an answer, I went to that side of the island curiosity to the northeast coast of the island, I ob-
where our fleet lay. I seized a large man-of-war, served, about half a league off in the sea, some-
tied a cable to the prow, and lifting up the an- what that looked like a boat overturned. I pulled
chors, I stripped myself, put my clothes (together off my shoes and stockings, and wading two or
with my my arm)
coverlet which I carried under three hundred yards, I found the object to ap-
into the vessel, and drawing it after me, between proach nearer by force of the tide and then ;
wading and swimming, arrived at the royal port plainly saw it to be a real boat, which I supposed
of Blefuscu, where the people had long expected might by some tempest have been driven from a
me they lent me two guides to direct me to the
; ship whereupon I returned immediately towards
:
capital city, which is of the same name. I held the city, and desired his imperial majesty to lend
them in my hands till I came within two hundred me twenty of the tallest vessels he had left, after
yards of the gate, and desired them " to signify the loss of his fleet, and three thousand seamen,
my arrival to one of the secretaries, and let him under the command of his vice-admiral. This
know I there waited his majesty's command." I fleet sailed round, while I went back the shortest
had an answer in about an hour, "that his maj- way to the coast, where I first discovered the boat.
esty, attended by the royal family, and great offi- I found the tide had driven it still nearer. The
cers of the court, was coining out to receive me." seamen were all provided with cordage, which I
I advanced a hundred yards. The emperor and had beforehand twisted to a sufficient strength.
his train alighted from their horses, the empress When the ships came up, I stripped myself, and
and ladies from their coaches, and I did not per- waded till I came within a hundred yards of the
ceive they were in any fright or concern. I lay boat, after which I was forced to swim till I got
on the ground to kiss his majesty's and the em- up to it. The seamen threw me the end of the
press's hands. I told his majesty " that I was cord, which I fastened to a hole in the forepart of
come according to my promise, and with the license the boat, and the other end to a man-of-war but ;
of the emperor my master, to have the honor of I found all my labor to little purpose ; for, being
seeing so mighty a monarch, and to offer him any out of my depth, I was not able to work. In this
service in my power, consistent with my duty to necessity I was forced to swim behind, and push
my own prince " not mentioning a word of my
; the boat forward as often as I could with one of
disgrace, because I had hitherto no regular infor- my hands ; and the me, I advanced
tide favoring
mation of it, and might suppose myself wholly so far that I could just hold up my chin and feel
ignorant of any such design neither could I rea-
; the ground. I rested two or three minutes, and
sonably conceive that the emperor would discover then gave the boat another shove, and so on, till
the secret, while I was out of his power wherein, ; the sea was no higher than my armpits and now ;
however, it soon appeared I was deceived. the most laborious part being over, I took out my
I shall not trouble the reader with the particu- other cables, which were stowed in one of the
lar account of my reception at this court, which was ships, and fastened them first to the boat and then
suitable to the generosity of so great a prince ; nor to nine of the vessels which attended me the ;
of the difficulties I was in for want of a house and wind being favorable, the seamen towed, and I
bed, being forced to lie on the ground, wrapped shoved, until we arrived within forty yards of the
up in my coverlet. shore, and waiting till the tide was out, I got dry
to the boat, and by the assistance of two thousand many civilities and excuses. He said, " that as
men with ropes and engines, I made a sliift to turn for sending me bound, his brother knew it was im-
it on its bottom, and found it was but Uttle dam- possible ; that although I had deprived him of his
aged. fleet, owed great obligations to me for many
yet he
I shall not trouble the reader -with the difficul- good had done him in making the peace.
offices I
ties I was under, by the help of certain paddles, That, however, both their majesties would soon be
which cost me ten days making, to get my boat to made easy for I had found a prodigious vessel on
;
the royal port of Blefuscu, whei-e a mighty con- the shore, able to carry me on the sea, which he
course of people appeared upon my arrival, full of had given orders to fit up, with my own assistance
wonder at the sight of so prodigious a vessel. I and direction and he hoped, in a few weeks, both
;
told the emperor " that my good fortune had empires would be freed from so insupportable an
thrown this boat in my way, to carry me to some incumbrance."
place whence I might return into my native With answer the envoy returned to Lilli-
this
country and begged his majesty's orders for get-
; put, and the monarch of Blefuscu related to me all
ting materials to fit it up together with his
; that had passed offering me at the same time
;
license to depart " which, after some kind expos-

; (but under the strictest confidence) his gracious
tulations, he was pleased to grant. protection if I would continue in his service
I did very much wonder, in all this time, not to wherein although I believed him sincere, yet I re-
have heard of any express relating to me from our solved never more to put any confidence in princes
emperor to the court of Blefuscu. But I was aft- or ministers, where
I could possibly avoid it and ;
erwards given privately to understand, that his therefore, with all due acknowledgments for his
imperial majesty, never imagining I had the least favorable intentions, I humbly begged to be ex-
notice of his designs, believed I was only gone to cused. I told him, that " since fortune, whether
Blefuscu In performance of my promise, according good or evil, had thrown a vessel in my way, I
to the license he had given me, which was well was resolved to venture myself on the ocean,
known at our court, and would return in a few rather than be an occasion of difference between
days, when the ceremony was ended. But he was two such might}' monarchs." Neither did I find
at last in pain at my long absence and after con-
; the emperor at all displeased and I discovered, ;
sulting with the treasurer and the rest of that ca- by a certain accident, that he was very glad
bal, a person of quality was dispatched with the of my resolution, and so were most of his min-
copy of the articles against me. This envoy had isters.
instructions to represent to the monarch of Ble- These considerations moved me to hasten my
fuscu " the great lenity of his master, who was departure somewhat sooner than I intended ; to
content to punish me no further than with the loss which the court, impatient to have me gone, very
of mine eyes that I had fled from justice and if
; ; readily contributed. Five hundred workmen were
I did not return in two hours I should be deprived employed to make two sails to my boat, according
of my title of nardac, and declared a traitor." to my directions, by quilting thirteen folds of their
The envoy further added, " that in order to main- strongest linen together. I was at the pains of
tain the peace and amity between both empires, making ropes and cables, by twisting ten, twenty,
his master expected that his brother of Blefuscu or thirty of the thickest and strongest of theirs.
would give orders to have me sent back to Lilli- A great stone that I happened to find, after a long
put, bound hand and foot, to be punished as a search, by the seashore, served me for an anchor.
traitor." I had the tallow of three hundred cows, for greas-
The emperor of Blefuscu, having taken three ing my boat, and other uses. I was at incredible
days to consult, returned an answer consisting of pains in cutting down some of the largest timber
trees for oars and masts, -wherein I was, however, same course that I had done the day before, wherein
much assisted by his majesty's ship-carpenters, I was directed by my pocket-compass. My inten-
who helped me in smoothing them, after I had tion was to reach, if possible, one of those islands
done the rough work. which I had reason to believe lay to the northeast
In about a month, when was prepared, I sent
all of Van Diemen's Land. I discovered nothing all
to receive his majesty's commands, and to take that day ; but upon the next, about three in the
my leave. The emperor and royal family came afternoon, when I had, by my computation, made
out of the palace I lay down on my face to kiss
;
twenty-four leagues from Blefuscu, I descried a
his hand, which he very graciously gave me so ;
sail steering to the southeast my course was due
;
did the empress and young princes of the blood. east. I hailed her, but could get no answer
; vet
His majesty presented me with fifty purses of two I found I gained upon her, for the wind slack-
hundred sprugs apiece, together with his picture ened. I made all the sail I could, and in half an
at full length, which I put immediately into one of hour she spied me, then hung out her ancient, and
my gloves, to keep it from being hurt. The cere- discharged a gun. It is not easy to expi'ess the
monies at my departure were too many to trouble joy I was in, upon the unexpected hope of once
the reader with at this time. more seeing my beloved country, and the dear
with the carcasses of a hun-
I stored the boat pledges I left in it. The ship slackened her sails,
dred oxen and three hundred sheep, with bread and I came up with her betweenand six in five
and drink proportionable, and as much meat ready- the evening, September twenty-sixth but my ;
dressed as four hundred cooks could provide. heart leaped within me to see her English colors.
I took with me six cows and two bulls alive, with I put my cows and sheep into my coat-pockets,
as many ewes and rams, intending to cany them and got on board with all my little cai-go of pro-
into my own country and projâgate the breed ;
visions. The vessel was an English merchantman,
and to feed them on board I had a good bundle of retui'ning from Japan, by the North and South
hay, and a bag of corn. I would gladly have taken seas; the captain, Mr. John Biddel, of Deptford,
a dozen of the natives, but this was a thing the a very civil man and an excellent sailor. We
emperor would by no means permit and, besides ; were now in the latitude of 30 degrees south ;
a diligent search into my pockets, his majesty there were about fifty men in the ship and here ;
engaged my honor " not to carry away any of his I met an old comrade of mine, one Peter Williams*
subjects, although with their own consent and de- who gave me a good character to the captain.
sire." This gentleman treated me with kindness, and
Having thus prepared all things as well as I was desired I would let him know what place I came
able, I set sail, on the twenty-fourth day of Septem- from last, and whither I was bound which I did ;
morning and when I had

ber, 1701, at six in the ; in a few words, but he thought I was raving, and
gone about four leagues to the northward, the wind that the dangers I had undergone had disturbed
being at southeast, at six in the evening, I descried my head whereupon I took my black cattle and
;
a small island about half a league to the north- sheep out of my pocket, which, after great aston-
west. Iadvanced forward, and cast anchor on the ishment, clearljr convinced him of my veracity. I
lee side of the island, which seemed to be uninhab- then showed him the gold given me by the em-
ited. I then took some refreshment and went to peror of Blefuscu, together with his majesty's
my rest. and as I conjecture, at least
I slept well, picture at full length, and some other rarities of
six hours, for I found the day broke in two hours that country. I gave him two pui-ses of two hun-
after I awaked. It was a clear night. I ate my dred spriigs each, and promised when we arrived
breakfast before the sun was up and heaving
; in England, to make him a present of a cow, and
anchor, the wind being favorable, I steered the a sheep big with young.
392 A VOTAGE TO LILLIPUT.
I shall not trouble the reader with a particular I stayed but two months with my wife and
account of this voyage, which was very prosper- family, for my insatiable desire of seeing foreign
ous for the most part. We arrived in the Downs countries would suffer me to continue no longer.
on the 13th of April, 1702. I had only one mis- I left fifteen hundred pounds with my wife, and
fortune, that the rats on board carried away one fixed her in a good house at Redriff. My remain-
of my sheep I found her bones in a hole, picked
: ing stock I carried with me, part in money and
clean from the flesh. The rest of my cattle I got part in goods, in hopes to improve my fortunes.
and set them a-grazing on a bowling-

safe ashore, My eldest uncle John had left me an estate in
green at Greenwich, where the fineness of the land near Epping of about thirty pounds a year,
grass made them feed very heartily, though I and I had a long lease of the Black Bull in Fetter
had always feared the contrary neither could I
: Lane, which yielded me as much more ; so that I
possibly have preserved them in so long a voyage, was not in any danger of leaving my family upon
if the captain had not allowed me some of his best the parish. My son Johnny, named so after his
biscuit, which, rubbed to powder, and mingled uncle, was at the grammar-school, and a towardly
with water, was their constant food. The short child. My daughter Betty (who is now well
time I continued in England I made a consider- married, and has children) was then at her needle-
able profit by showing my cattle to many persons work. I took leave of my
wife and boy and girl,
of quality and others and before I began my sec-
; with tears on both and went on board the
sides,
ond voyage I sold them for six hundred pounds. Adventure, a merchant ship of three hundred
Since my last return I find the breed is considei'- tons, bound for Surat, Captain John Nicholas, of
ably increased, especially the sheep, which I hope Liverpool, commander. But my account of this
will prove much to the advantage of the woolen voyage must be referred to the Second Part of my
manufacture, by the fineness of the fleeces. Travels.
TRAVELS OF BAEOJS7 MUNCHAUSEN.
CHAPTER I. fell perpendicularly into their respective places,

\_The Baron is supposed to relate these adventures to and took root again, except the lai-gest, which hap-
his friends over a bottle.'] pened, when it was blown into the air, to have a
THE BARON RELATES AN ACCOUNT OF HIS FIRST TRAV- man and his wife, a very honest old couple, upon
ELS. — THE ASTONISHING EFFECTS OF A STORM. — AR- its branches, gathering cucumbers (in this part of
RIVES AT CEYLON COMBATS AND CONQUERS TWO

; the globe that useful vegetable grows upon trees) :
EXTRAORDINARY OPPONENTS. —
RETURNS TO HOLLAND. the weight of this couple, as the tree descended,
Some years before my beard announced ap- overbalanced the trunk, and brought it down in
proaching manhood, or, in other words, when I a horizontal position : upon the chief man
it fell
was neither man nor boy, but between both, I of the island, and killed him on the spot he had ;
expressed in repeated conversations a strong de- quitted his house in the storm, under an appre-
sire of seeing the world, from which I was dis- iiension of its falling upon him, and was returning
couraged by my parents, though my father had through his own garden when this fortunate acci-
been no inconsiderable traveler himself, as will dent happened. The word fortunate, here, re-
appear before I have reached the end of my sin- quires some explanation. This chief was a man
gular and, I may add, interesting adventures. A of a very avaricious and oppressive disposition,
cousin, by my mother's side, took a liking to me, and though he had no family, the natives of the
often said I was a fine forward youth, and was island were half-starved by his oppressive and in-
much inclined to gratify my curiosity. His elo- famous impositions.
quence had more effect than mine, for my father The very goods which he had thus taken from
consented to my accompanying him in a voyage them were spoiling in his stores, while the poor
to the island of Ceylon, where his uncle had re- wretches from whom they were plundered were
sided as governor many years. pining in poverty. Though the destruction of
We sailed from Amsterdam with dispatches this tyrant was accidental, the people chose the
from their High Mightinesses the States of Hol- cucumber-gatherers for their governors, as a mark
land. The only circumstance which happened on of their gratitude for destroying, though accident-
our voyage worth relating was the wonderful ef- ally, their late tyrant.
fects of a storm, which had torn up by the roots After we had repaired the damages we sustained
a great number of trees of enormous bulk and in thisremarkable storm, and taken leave of the
height, in an island where we lay at anchor to new governor and his lady, we sailed with a fair
take in wood and water some of these trees
; wind for the object of our voyage.
weighed many tons, yet they were carried by the In about six weeks we arrived at Ceylon, where
wind so amazingly high, that they appeared like we were received with great marks of friendshijj
the feathers of small birds floating in the air, for and true politeness. The following singular ad-
they were at least five miles above the earth : ventures may not prove unentertaining.
however, as soon as the storm subsided they all After we had resided at Cevlon about a fort-
50
394 TRAVELS OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN.
night I accompanied one of the governor's broth- dile, with his mouth extended almost ready to re-
ers upon a shooting party. He was a strong, ceive me. On my right hand was the piece of
athletic man, and being used to that climate water before mentioned, and on my a deep
left
(for he had resided there some years), he bore precipice, said to have, as I have since learned, a
the violent heat of the sun much better than I receptacle at the bottom for venomous creatures ;
could in our excursion he had made a consider-

; gave myself up as
in short, I lost, for the lion was
able progress through a thick wood when I was now upon his hind legs, just in the act of seizing
only at the entrance. me ; I fell involuntarily to the ground with fear,
Near the banks and, as it afterwards
of a large piece of appeared, he sprang
water, which had over me. I lay some
engaged my atten- time in a situation
tion, I thought I which no language
heard a rustling can describe, expect-
noise behind; on ing to feel his teeth
turning about I was or talons in some
almost petrified (as part of me every mo-
who would not be ?) ment : after waiting
at the sight of a lion, in this prostrate situ-
which was evidently ation a few seconds
approaching with the I heard a violent but
intention of satisfy- unusual noise, differ-
ing his appetite with ent from any sound

my poor carcass, and that had ever before
that without asking assailed my ears
my consent. What nor is it at all to be
was to be done in wondered at, when
this horrible dilem- I inform you from
ma? I had not even whence it proceed-
a moment for reflec- ed: after listening
tion ; my piece was for some time, I ven-
only charged with tured to raise my
swan-shot, and I had head and look round,
no other about me when, to my un-
however, though I speakable joy, I per-
could have no idea of killing such an animal with ceived the lion had, by the eagerness with which
that weak kind ammunition, yet I had some
of he sprung at me, jumped forward, as I fell, into
hopes him by the report, and per-
of frightening the crocodile's mouth which, as before observed,
!
haps of wounding him also. I immediately let fly, was wide open the head of the one stuck in the
;
without waiting till he was within reach, and the throat of the other and they were struggling to
!
report did but enrage him, for he now quickened extricate themselves ! I fortunately recollected
his pace, approach me full

and seemed to speed : my eouteau de chasse, which was by my side
I attempted to escape, but that only added (if with this instrument I severed the lion's head at
an addition could be made) to my distress; for one blow, and the body fell at my feet I then, !
the moment I turned about I found a large croco- with the butt-end of my fowling piece, rammed the
TRAVELS OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN. 395
head farther into the throat of the crocodile, and HISCOMPANY WITH A RELATION OP SUCH FACTS AS
destroyed him by suffocation, for he could neither ARE WELL DESERVING THEIR NOTICE.
gorge nor eject it. I SET off from Rome on a journey to Russia, in
Soon after Ihad thus gained a complete victory the midst of winter, from a just notion that frost
over my two powerful adversaries my companion and snow must of course mend the roads, which
arrived in search of me ; for finding I did not fol- every traveler had described as uncommonly bad
low him into the wood, he returned, apprehending through the northern parts of Germany, Poland,
I had lost my way, or met with some accident. Courland, and Livonia. I went on horseback, as
After mutual congratulations, we measured the the most convenient manner of traveling I was ;
crocodile, which was just forty feet in length. but lightly clothed, and of this I felt the inconven-
As soon as we had related this extraordinary ience the more I advanced northeast. What must
adventure to the governor, he sent a wagon and not a poor old man have suffered in that severe
servants, who brought home
the two carcasses. weather and climate, whom I saw on a bleak com-
The was properly preserved, with its
lion's skin mon in Poland, lying on the road, helpless, shiver-
hair on, after which it was made into tobacco- ing, and hardly having wherewithal to cover his
pouches, and presented by me, upon our return to nakedness ? I pitied the poor soul though I felt :
Holland, to the burgomasters, who, in return, re- the severity of the air myself, I threw my mantle
quested my acceptance of a thousand ducats. over him, and immediately I heard a voice from
The skin of the crocodile was stuffed in the the heavens, blessing me for that piece of charity,
usual manner, and makes a capital article in their saying, —
public museum at Amsterdam, where the exhib- " You will be rewarded, my son, for this in
itor relates the whole story to each spectator, with time."
such additions as he thinks proper. Some of his Iwent on night and darkness overtook me.
:
variations are rather extravagant ; one of them is, No was to be seen. The country was cov-
village
that the lion jumped quite through the crocodile, ered with snow, and I was unacquainted with the
and was making his escape at the back door, when, road. '
as soon as his head appeared. Monsieur the Great Tired, I alighted, and fastened my horse to
Baron (as he is pleased to call me) cut it off, and something like a painted stump of a tree, which
three feet of the crocodile's tail along with it ; nay, appeared above the snow ; for the sake of safety
so little attention has this fellow to the truth, that I placed my pistols under my arm, and laid down
he sometimes adds, as soon as the crocodile missed on the snow, where I slept so soundly that I did
his tail, he turned about, snatched the coutemi de not open my eyes till full daylight. It is not easy
chasse out of Monsievir's hand, and swallowed it to conceive my astonishment to find myself in the
with such eagerness that it pierced his heart and midst of a village, lying in a churchyard nor was ;
killed him immediately ! my horse to be seen, but I heard him soon after
The which this impudent knave has
little i-egard neigh somewhere above me. On looking upwards
to veracitymakes me sometimes apprehensive that I beheld him hanging by his bridle to the weather-
my real facts may fall under suspicion, by being cock of the steeple. Matters were not very plain
found in company with his confounded inven- to me the village had been covered with snow
:
tions. overnight a sudden change of weather had taken

;
place had sunk down to the churchyard whilst

; I
CHAPTER II.
asleep, gently, and in the same proportion as the
snow had melted away and what in the dark I ;
IN WHICH THE BAROX PROVES HIMSELF A GOOD SHOT.
—HE LOSES HIS HORSE, AND FINDS A WOLF. — MAKES had taken to be a stump of a little tree appearing
HIM DRAW HIS SLEDGE. — PROMISES TO ENTERTAIN above the snow, to which I had tied my horse,
proved to have been the cross or weather-cock of in the politer circles of that country, where the
the steeple lady of the house always receives the visitor with
Without long consideration I took one of my a dram and a salute. I shall confine myself rather
pistols, shot the bridle in two, brought down the to the greater and nobler objects of your atten-
horse, and proceeded on my journey. [Here the tion, horses and dogs, my favorites in the brute
Baron seems to have forgotten his feelings; he creation also to foxes, wolves, and bears, with
;
should certainly have ordered his horse a feed of which, and game in general, Russia abounds more
corn, after fasting so long.] than any other part of the world and to such ;
He carried me well — advancing into the inte- sports, manly exercises, and feats of gallantrj'
rior parts of Russia. I found traveling on hoi'se- and activity, as show the gentleman better than
back rather unfashionable in winter, therefore I musty Greek or Latin, or all the perfume, finery,
submitted, as I always do, to the custom of the and capers of French wits or petit-maitres.
country, took a single horse sledge, and drove
briskly towards St. Petersburg. I do not exactly
CHAPTER III.
recollect whetherwas in Eastland or Jugeman-
it
AN ENCOUNTER BETWEEN THE BARON'S NOSE AND A
land, but I remember that in the midst of a dreary
DOOR-POST, WITH ITS WONDERFUL EFFECT. FIFTY
forest I spied a terrible wolf making after me, with BRACE OF DUCKS AND OTHER FOWL DESTROYED BY
all the speed of ravenous winter hunger. He soon ONE SHOT. —
FLOGS A FOX OUT OF HIS SKIN. LEADS —
overtook me. There was no possibility of escape. AN OLD SOW HOME IN A NEW WAY, AND VANQUISHES
myself down flat in the sledge, A WILD BOAR.
Mechanically I laid
and let my horse run for our safety. What I Foe several was some time before
months (as it
wished, but hardly hoped or expected, happened I could obtain a commission in the army) I was
immediately after. The wolf did not mind me in perfectly at liberty to sport away my time and
the least, but took a leap over me, and falling fu- money in the most gentleman-like manner. You
riously on the horse, began instantly to tear and may easily imagine that I spent much of both
devour the hind-part of the poor animal, which out of town with such gallant fellows as knew
ran the faster for his pain and terror. Thus un- how to make the most of an open forest country.
noticed and safe myself, I lifted my head slyly up, The very recollection of those amusements gives
and with horror I beheld that the wolf had ate his me fresh spirits, and creates a warm wish for a
way into the horse's body ; it was not long before repetition of them. One morning I saw, through
he had fairly forced himself into it, when I took the windows of my bedroom, that a large pond
my advantage, and fell upon him with the butt- not far ofE was covered with wild ducks. In an
end of my whip. This unexpected attack in his instant I took my gun from the corner, ran down-
rear frightened him so much, that he leaped foi'- stairs and out of the house in such a hurry that I
ward with all his might : the horse's carcass imprudently struck my face against the dooi'-post.
dropped on the ground, but in his place the wolf Fire flew out of my eyes, but it did not prevent
was in the harness, and I on my part whipping my intention ; I soon came within shot, when,
him continually : we both arrived in full career leveling my piece, I observed to my sorrow that
safe at St. Petersburg, contrary to our respective even the had sprung from the cock by the
flint
expectations, and very much to the astonishment violence of the shock I had just received. There
of the spectators. was no time to be lost. I presently remembered
I shall not tire you, gentlemen, with the poli- the effect it had on my eyes, therefore opened the
tics, arts, sciences, and historj' of this magnificent pan, leveled my piece against the wild fowls, and
metropolis of Russia, nor trouble you with the my fist against one of my eyes. [The Baron's
various intrigues and pleasant adventures I had eyes have retained fire ever since, and appear par-
ticularly illuminated when he relates this anec- laid hold of a stone, wherewith I hammered and
dote.] A hearty blow drew sparks again ; the bent his tusks in such a manner that he could not
shot went and I killed fifty brace of ducks,
off, retreat by any means, and must wait my return
twenty widgeons, and three couple of teals. from the next village, whither I went for ropes
Presence of mind is the soul of manly exercises. and a cart, to secure him properly, and to carry
If soldiers and sailors owe to it many of their him off safe and alive, in which I perfectly suc-
lucky escapes, hunters and sportsmen are not less ceeded.
beholden to it for many of their successes. In a
noble forest in Russia I met a fine black fox, whose CHAPTER IV.
valuable skin would have been a pity to tear

it —
REFLECTIONS ON SAINT HUBERT'S STAG. SHOOTS A STAG
by ball or shot. Reynard stood close to a tree. WITH CHERRY-STONES THE WONDERFUL EFFECTS OF
;
In a twinkling I took out my ball, and placed a

IT. —KILLS A BEAR BY EXTRAORDINARY DEXTERITY;
HIS DANGER PATHETICALLY DESCRIBED. ATTACKED —
good spike-nail in its room, fired, and hit him so BY A WOLF, WHICH HE TURNS INSIDE OUT. IS AS- —
cleverly that I nailed his brush fast to the tree. SAILED BY A MAD DOG, FROM WHICH HE ESCAPES.
I now went up to him, took out my hanger, gave THE baron's CLOAK SEIZED WITH MADNESS, BY
him a cross-cut over the face, laid hold of my WHICH HIS WHOLE WARDROBE IS THROWN INTO CON-
FUSION.
whip, and fairly flogged him out of his fine skin.
Chance and good luck often correct our mis- I DAEE say you have heard of the hunter and
takes of this I had a singular instance soon after,
; sportsman's saint and protector, St. Hubert, and
when, in the depth of a forest, I saw a wild pig of the noble stag which appeared to him in the
and sow running close behind each other. My forest, with the holy cross between his antlers. I
ball had missed them, yet the foremost pig only have paid my homage to that saint every year in
ran away, and the sow stood motionless, as fixed good fellowship, and seen this stag a thousand
to the ground. On examining into the matter, I times either painted in churches, or embroidered in
found the latter one to be an old sow, blind with the stars of his knights ; so that, upon the honor
age, which had taken hold of her pig's tail, in or- and conscience of a good sportsman, I hardly know
der to be led along by filial duty. My ball, hav- whether there may not have been formerly, or
ing passed between the two, had cut his leading- whether there are not such crossed stags even at
string, which the old sow continued to hold in her this present day. But let me rather tell what I
mouth and as her former guide did not draw her
; have seen myself. Having one day spent all my
on anjf longer, she had stopped of course I thei-e- ; shot, I found myself unexpectedly in presence of
fore laid hold of the remaining end of the pig's a stately stag, looking at me as unconcernedly as
tail, and led the old beast home without any fur- if he had known of my empty pouches. I charged
ther trouble on my pai't, and without any reluct- immediately with powder, and upon it a good
ance or apprehension on the part of the helpless handful of cherry-stones, for I had sucked the fruit
old animal. as far as the hurry would permit. Thus I let fly at
Terrible as these wild sows are, yet more fierce him, and hit him just on the middle of the forehead
and dangerous are the boars, one of which I had between his antlers it stunned him
; he stag- —
-
once the misfortune to meet in the forest, unpre- gered — yet he made off. A year or two after,
pared for attack or defense. I retired behind an being with a party in the same forest, I beheld a
oak-tree just when the furious animal leveled a side- noble stag with a fine full-grown cherry-tree above
blow at me, with such force that his tusks pierced ten feet high between his antlers. I immediately
through the by which means he could nei-
tree, recollected my former adventure, looked upon him
ther repeat the blow nor retire. Ho, ho thought ! as my property, and brought him to the ground
I, I shall soon have you now and immediately I
! by one shot, which at once gave me the haunch
and cherry-sauce ; for the tree was covered with him and flung him to the
inside out like a glove,
the richest fruit, the like I had never tasted be- gi'ound, where I left him.
fore. Who knows but some passionate, holy The same expedient would not have answered
sportsman, or sporting abbot or bishop, may have against a mad dog, which soon after came running
shot, planted, and fixed the cross between the ant- against me in a narrow street at St. Petersburg.
lers of St. Hubert's stag, in a manner similar to Run who can, I thought and to do this the bet-
;
this ? They always have been, and still are, fa- ter, I threw off my fur cloak, and was safe within
mous and antlers and

for plantations of crosses ; doors in an instant. I sent my servant for the
in a case of distress or dilemma, which too often cloak, and he put it in the wardrobe with my
happens to keen sportsmen, one is apt to grasp at other clothes. The day after I was amazed and
anything for safety, and to try any expedient frightened by Jack's bawling, " For God's sake,
rather than miss the favorable opportunity. I have sir, your fur cloak is mad " I hastened up to him,
!
many times found myself in that trying situation. and found almost all my clothes tossed about and
What do you say of this, for example ? Day- torn to pieces. The fellow was perfectly right in
light and powder were spent one day in a Polish his apprehensions about the fur cloak's madness.
forest. When I was going home a terrible bear I saw him mj'self just then falling upon a fine
made up to me in great speed, with open mouth, full-dress suit, which he shook and tossed in an
ready to fall upon me all my pockets were
; unmerciful manner.
searched in an instant for powder and ball, but in
vain I found nothing but two spare flints one :
;
CHAPTER V.
I flung with all my might into the monster's open
THE EFFECTS OF GREAT ACTIVITY AND PRESENCE OP
jaws, down his throat. It gave him pain and
MIND. —
A FAVORITE HOUND DESCRIBED, WHICH PUPS
made him turn about, so that I could level the WHILE PURSUING A HARE THE HAR? ALSO LITTERS
;
second at his back-door, which, indeed, I did with WHILE PURSUED BY THE HOUND. PRESENTED WITH —
wonderful success ; for it flew in, met the first A FAMOUS HORSE BY COUNT PRZOBOSSKY, WITH WHICH
flint in the stomach, struck fire, and blew up the HE PERFORMS MANY EXTRAORDINARY FEATS.
bear with a terrible explosion. Though I came All these narrow and lucky escapes, gentlemen,
safe off that time, yet I should not wish to try it were chances turned to advantage by presence of
again, or venture against bears with no other am- mind and vigorous exertions, which, taken to-
munition. gether, as everybody knows, make the fortunate
There is a kind of fatality in it. The fiercest sportsman, sailor, and soldier but he would be
;
and most dangerous animals generally came upon a very blamable and imprudent sportsman, ad-
me when defenseless, as if they had a notion or an miral, or genei-al, who would always depend upon
instinctive intimation of it. Thus a frightful wolf chance and his stars, without troubling himself
rushed upon me so suddenly, and so close, that I about those arts which are their particular pur-
could do nothing but follow mechanical instinct, suits, and without providing the very best imple-
and thrust my fist into his open mouth. For ments which insure success. I was not blamable
safety's sake I pushed on and on, till my arm was either way for I have always been as remarkable
;
fairly in up to the shoulder. How should I dis- for the excellency of my horses, dogs, guns, and
engage myself ? I was not much pleased with my swords, as for the proper manner of using and
awkward situation — with a wolf face to face ; our managing them, so that upon the whole I may
ogling was not of the most pleasant kind. If I hope to be remembered in the forest, upon the
withdrew my arm, then the animal would fly the turf, and in the field. I shall not enter here into
more furiously upon me that I saw in his flam-
; anj' detail of my stables, kennel, or armory ; but
ing eyes. In short, I laid hold of his taU, turned a favorite bitch of mine I cannot help mentioning
toyou she was a greyhound, and I never had or

; horsemanship I was master of. Fully to show this
saw a better. She grew old in my service, and to the ladies, and save them unnecessary trouble,
was not remarkable for her size, but rather for I forced him to leap in at one of the open windows
her uncommon swiftness. I always coursed with of the tea-room, walked round several times, pace,
her. Had you seen her you must have admired trot, and gallop, and at last made him mount the
her, and would not have wondered at my predi- tea-table, thei-e to repeat his lessons in a pretty
lection,and at my coursing her so much. She style of miniature which was exceedingly pleasing
ran so fast, so much, and so long in my service, to the ladies, for he performed them amazingly
that she actually ran off her legs ; so that, in the well, and did not break either cup or saucer. It
latter part of her life, I was under the necessity placed me so high in their opinion, and so well
of working and using her only as a terrier, in in that of the noble lord, that, with his usual po-
which quality she still served me many years. liteness, he begged I would accept of this young '
Coursing one day a hare which appeared to me horse, and ride him full career to conquest and
uncommonly big, I pitied my poor bitch, being honor in the campaign against the Turks, which
big with pups, yet she would course as fast as was soon to be opened, under the command of
ever. I could follow her on horseback only at a Count Munich.
great distance. At once I heard a cry as it were I could not indeed have received a more agree-
of a pack of hounds — but so weak and faint that able present, nor a more ominous one at the open-
I hardly knew what to make of it. Coming up to ing of that campaign, in which I made my appren-
them, was greatly surprised. The hare had lit-
I ticeship as a soldier. A horse so gentle, so spirited,
tered in running the same had happened to my
; and so fierce — at once a lamb and a Bucepha-
bitch iu coursing, and there wei-e just as many lus — put me always in mind of the soldier's and
leverets as pups. By instinct the former ran, the the gentleman's duty I of young Alexander, and
latter coursed : and thus I found myself in posses- of the astonishing things he performed in the
sion at once of six hares, and as many dogs, at field.
the end of a course which had only begun with We took the field, among several other reasons,
one. it seems, with an intention to retrieve the char-
remember this, my wonderful bitch, with the
I acter of the Russian arms, which had been blem-
same pleasure and tenderness as a superb Lithu- ished a little by Czar Peter's last campaign on the
anian horse, which no money could have bought. Prutli ; and this we fully accomplished by several
He became mine by an accident, which gave me very fatiguing and glorious campaigns under the
an opportunity of showing my horsemanship to command of that great general I mentioned be-
a great advantage. I was Count Przobossky's
at fore.
noble country-seat in Lithuania, and remained Modesty forbids individuals to arrogate to them-
with the ladies at tea in the drawing-room, while selves great successes or victories, the glory of
the gentlemen were down in the yai'd to see a which is generally engrossed by the commander
young horse of blood which had just arrived from — nay, which is rather awkward, by kings and
the stud. We
suddenly heard a noise of distress ; queens who
never smelled gunpowder but at the
I hastened down-stairs, and found the horse so un- field-days and reviews of their troops never saw ;
ruly that nobody durst approach or mount him. a field of battle, or an enemj' in battle array.
The most resolute horsemen stood dismayed and Nor do I claim any particular share of glory in
aghast despondency was expressed in every coun-
; the great engagements with the enemy. We all
tenance, when, in one leap, I was on his back, took did our duty, which, in the patriot's, soldier's, and
him by surprise, and worked him quite into gen- gentleman's language, is a very comprehensive
tleness and obedience, with the best display of word, of great honor, meaning, and import, and of
which the generality of idle quidnuncs and coffee- the hind part of the poor creature — croup and
house politicians can hardly form any but a very legswere missing, as he had been cut in two,
if
mean and contemptible idea. However, having and the water ran out as it came in, without re.
had the command of a body of hussars, I went freshing or doing him any good How it could !
upon several expeditions, with discretionary pow- have happened was quite a mystery to me, till I
ers and the success I then met with is, I think,
; returned with him to the town gate. There I saw
fairly and only to be placed to my account, and to that when I rushed in pell-mell with the flying
that of the brave fellows whom I led on to con- enemy, they had dropped the portcullis (a heavy
quest and to victory. We had very hot work falling door, with sharp spikes at the bottom, let
once in the van of the army, when we drove the down suddenly to prevent the entrance of an
Turks into Oczakow. My spirited Lithuanian had enemy into a fortified town) unperceived by me,
almost brought me into a scrape : I had an ad- which had totally cut off his hind part, that still
vanced fore-post, and saw the enemy coming lay quivering on the outside of the gate. It would
against me in a cloud of dust, which left me have been an irreparable loss, had not our farrier
rather uncertain about their actual numbers and contrived to bring both parts together while hot.
real intentions : to wrap myself up in a similar He sewed them up with sprigs and young shoots
cloud was common prudence, but would not have were at hand the wound healed,
of laurels that ;
much advanced my knowledge, or answered the and, what could not have hajjpened but to so
end for which I had been sent out ; therefore I let glorious a horse, the sprigs took root in his body,
my flankers on both wings spread to the right and grew up and formed a bower over me so that ;
left,and make what dust they could, and I myself afterwards I could go upon many other expe-
led on straight upon the enemy, to have a nearer ditions in the shade of my own and my horse's
sight of them in this I was gratified, for they
; laurels.
stood and fought, till, for fear of my flankers, they
CHAPTER VI.
began to move oii rather disorderl}\ This was
THE BARON IS MADE A PRISONER OF WAR, AND SOLD
the moment to fall upon them with spirit we ;
—
FOR A SLAVE. KEEPS THE SULTAN'S BEES, WHICH
broke them entirely —
made a terrible havoc ARE ATTACKED BY TWO BEARS. —
LOSES ONE OF HIS
amongst them, and drove them not only back to BEES,; A SILVER HATCHET, WHICH HE THROWS AT
a walled town in their rear, but even through it, THE BEARS, REBOUNDS AND FLIES UP TO THE MOON;
conti'ary to our most sanguine expectation. BRINGS IT BACK BY AN INGENIOUS INVENTION FALLS ;
TO THE EARTH ON HIS RETURN, AND HELPS HIMSELF

The swiftness of my Lithuanian enabled me to
OUT OF A PIT. —
EXTRICATES HIMSELF FROM A CAR-
be foremost in the pursuit; and seeing the enemy RIAGE WHICH MEETS HIS IN A NARROW ROAD, IN A
fairly flying through the opposite gate, I thought MANNER NEVER BEFORE ATTEMPTED NOR PRACTICED
it would be prudent to stop in the market-place? SINCE. THE WONDERFUL EFFECTS OF THE FROST
to order the men to rendezvous. I stopped, gen- UPON HIS servant's FRENCH HORN.
tlemen ; but judge of my astonishment when in Success was not alwa3'3 with me. I had the
this market-place I saw not one of my hussars misfortune to be overpowered by numbers, to be
about me Are they scouring the other streets ?
! made prisoner of war ; and, what is worse, but
or what is become of them ? They could not be always usual among the Turks, to be sold for a
far off, and must, at all events, soon join me. In slave. [The Baron was afterwards in great favor
that expectation I walked my panting Lithuanian with the Grand Seignior, as will appear hereafter.]
to a spring in this market-place and let him drink. In that state of humiliation my daily task was not
He drank uncommonly, with an eagerness not to very hard and laborious, but rather singular and
be satisfied, but natural enough for when I looked ; irksome. It was to drive the Sultan's bees every
round for my men, what should I see, gentlemen ! morning to their pasture-grounds, to attend them
TRAVELS OF BARON MUNOHAUSEK 401
allthe day long, and against nigbt to drive them with the hatchet in my right, I cut the long, now
back to their hives. One evening I missed a bee, useless, end of the upper part, which, when tied to
and soon observed that two bears had fallen uiôn the lower end, brought me a good deal lower
her to tear her to pieces for the honey she carried. this repeated splicing and tying of the rope did
I had nothing like an offensive weapon in my not improve its quality, or bring me down to the
hands but the silver hatchet, which is the badge Sultan's farm. I was four or five miles from the
of the Sultan's gardeners and farmers. I threw it earth at least when it broke ; I fell to the ground
at the robbers, with an intention to frighten them with such amazing violence that I found myself
away, and set the stunned, and in a
poor bee at liberty hole nine fathoms
but by an unlucky deep at least, made
turn of my arm, it by the weight of ray
flew upwards, and body falling from so
continued rising till great a height : I re-
it reached the moon. covered, but knew

How should I re- not how to get out
cover it ? how fetch again ; however, I
it down again ? I dug slopes or steps
recollected that Tur- with my finger-nails
key-beans grow very (the Baron's nails
quick, and run up were then of forty
to an astonishing years' growth), and
height. I planted easily accomplished
one immediately ; it it.
grew, and actually Peace was soon

fastened itself to one after concluded with
of the moon's hoi'ns. the Turks, and gain-
I had no more to do ing my liberty, I left
now but to climbup St. Petersburg at
by it into the moon, the time of that sin-
where I safely ar- gu1ar revolution,
rived, and had a when the emperor in
troublesome piece of his cradle, his moth-
business before I er, Duke of
the
could find my silver Brunswick, her
hatchet, in a place where everything has the father. Field-marshal Munich, and many others
brightness of silver at last, however, I found it
: were sent to Siberia. The winter was then so un-
in a heap of chaff and chopped straw. I was commonly severe all over Europe, that ever since
now for returning : but, alas ! the heat of the the sun seems to be frost-bitten. At my return
sun had dried up my
was totally useless
bean ; it to this place, I felt on the road greater inconven-
for my descent; so I fell to work, and twisted me iences than those I had experienced on my setting
a rope of that chopped straw, as long and as well out.
as I could make it. This I fastened to one of the I traveled post, and finding myself in a narrow
moon's horns, and slid down to the end of it. lane, bid the postilion give a signal with his horn,
Here I held myself fast with the left hand, and that other travelers might not meet us in the nar-
51
row passage. He blew with all his might ; but he expressed great dislike to that violent kind of
his endeavors were in vain, he could not make the motion by kicking and snorting however, I con- ;
horn sound, which was unaccountable and rather fined his hind legs by putting them into my coat-
unfortunate, for soon after we found ourselves in pocket. After we arrived at the inn my postilion
the presence of another coach coming the other and I refreshed ourselves he hung his horn on a
:
way : there was no proceeding ; however, I got peg near the kitchen fire I sat on the other side.
;
out of my carriage, and being pretty strong, placed Suddenly we heard a tereng tereng ! teng .'
it, wheels and all, upon my head I then jumped

: teng ! We looked round, and now found the rea-
over a hedge about nine feet high (which, consid- son why the postilion had not been able to sound
ering the weight of the coach, was rather difficult) his horn his tunes were frozen up in the horn,
;
and came out again by another jump

into a field, and came out now by thawing, plain enough, and
into the road beyond the other carriage I then : much to the credit of the driver ; so that the hon-
went back for the horses, and placing one upon est fellow entertained us for some time with a va-
my head, and the other under my left arm, by the riety' of tunes, without putting his mouth to the
same means brought them to ni}' coach, put to, horn — The King of Prussia's — March Over the
and proceeded to an inn at the end of our stage. Hill and over the Dale — with many other favor-
I should have told you that the horse under my ite tunes ; at length the thawing entertainment
arm was very spirited, and not above four years concluded, as I shall this short account of my Rus-
old in making my second spring over the hedge
; sian travels.
THE BOOK OF POETRY.
THE PET LAMB. Is it not well with thee ? well both for bed and board ?
Thy plot of grass is soft, and green as grass can be

The dew was falling fast, the stars began to blink Rest, little young one, rest : what is 't that aileth
I heard a voice : it said, " Drink, pretty creature thee?
"
drink !
And, looking o'er the hedge, before me I espied " Rest, little young one, rest ; thou hast forgot the day
A snow-white mountain lamb, with a maiden at its When my father found thee first in places far away :
side. Many flocks were on the hills, but thou wert owned
by none,
No other sheep were near, the lamb was all alone, And thy mother from thy side for evermore was gone.
And by a slender cord was tethered to a stone ;
With one knee on the grass did the little maiden kneel, " He took thee in his arms, and in pity brought thee
"While to that mountain lamb she gave its evening home :
meal. A blessed day for thee ! Then whither wouldst thou

roam ?
The lamb, while from her hand he thus his supper A faithful nurse thou hast : the dam that did thee
took. yean
Seemed to feast with head and ears ; and his tail with Upon the mountain-tops no kinder could have been.
pleasure shook,
" Drink, pretty creature, drink," she said in such a tone, " Thou knowest that twice a day I have brought thee in
That I almost received her heart into my own. this can
Fresh water from the brook, as clear as ever ran ;
'T veas little Barbara Lewthwaite, a child of beauty And twice in the day, when the ground is wet with
rare dew,
I watched them with delight : they were a lovely pair. I bring thee draughts of milk, — warm milk it is and
Now with her empty can the maiden turned away ; new.
But, ere ten yards were gone, her footsteps did she
stay. " It will not, will not rest ! — poor creature, can it be
That 't is thy mother's heart which is working so in
Towards the lamb she looked ; and from that shady thee ?
place Things that I know not of belike to thee are dear,

I, unobserved, could see the workings of her face : And dreams of things which thou canst neither see
If Nature to her tongue could measured numbers nor hear."
bring.
Thus, thought I, to her lamb that little maid might As homeward through the lane I went with lazy feet,
sing :
— This song to myself did I oftentimes repeat
And it seemed, as I retraced the ballad line by line.
" What ails thee, young one ? What ? Why pull so That but half of it was hers, and one half of it was
at thy cord ? mine.
404 THE BOOK OF POETRY.
Again, and once again, did I repeat the song Though duly from my hand he took
" Nay," said I, " more than half to the damsel must be- His pittance every night,
long. He did it with a jealous look,
For she looked with such a look, and she spake with And, when he could, would bite.
such a tone,
That I almost received her heart into mine own." His diet was of wheaten bread,
William Woedsworth. And milk, and oats, and straw ;
Thiatles, or lettuces instead,

With sand to scour his maw.
POOR SUSAN.
On twigs of hawthorn he regaled.
At the corner of Wood Street, when daylight appears, On pippin's russet peel.
There 's a thrush that sings loud, — it has sung for three And when his juicy salads failed.
years Sliced carrot pleased him well.
Poor Susan has passed by the spot, and has heard

In the silence of morning the song of the bird. A Turkey carpet was his lawn,
Whereon he loved to bound,
'Tis a note of enchantment : what ails her ? She sees To skip and gambol like a fawn
A mountain ascending, a vision of trees ; And swing himself around.
Bright volumes of vapor through Lothbury glide.
And a river flows on through the vale of Cheapside. His frisking was at evening hours,
For then he lost his fear.
Green pastures she views in the midst of the dale, But most before approaching showers.
Down which she so often has tripped with her pail Or when a storm drew near.
And a single small cottage, a nest like a dove's,
The one only dwelling on earth that she loves. Eight years and five round-rolling moons
He thus saw steal away.
She looks, and her heart is in heaven ; but they fade, — Dozing out all his idle noons,
The mist and the river, the hill and the shade : And every night at play.
The stream will not flow, and the hill will not rise.
And the colors have all passed away from her eyes. I kept him for his humors' sake.
William Wordsworth. For he would oft beguile
My heart of thoughts that made it ache,

And force me to a smile.
EPITAPH ON A HARE.
But now, beneath this walnut shade,
Here lies, whom hound did ne'er pursue, He finds his long last home.
Nor swifter greyhound follow. And waits, in snug concealment laid,
Whose foot ne'er tainted morning dew, TiU gentler Puss shall come.
Nor ear heard huntsman's hallo !
He, still more aged, feels the shocks
Old Tiney, surliest of his kind, From which no care can save,
Who, nursed with tender care, And, partner once of Tiney's box.
And to domestic bounds confined, Must soon partake his grave.
Was still a wild Jack-hare. William Cowper.

LLEWELLYN AND HIS DOG. 405
He called his child — no voice replied

LLEWELLYN AND HIS DOG. He searched with terror wild ;
Blood ! blood ! he found on every side,
The spearmen heard the bugle sound, But nowhere found his child !
And cheer'ly smiled the morn ;
"
And many a dog, and many a hound. " Hell-hound ! by thee my child 's devoured !
Attend Llewellyn's horn. The frantic father cried ;
And to the hilt his vengeful sword

And still he blew a louder blast, He plunged in Gelert's side.
And gave a louder cheer

" Come, Gelert ! why art thou the last
Llewellyn's horn to hear ?
''
Oh, where does faithful Gelert roam,
The flower of all his race?
So true, so brave — a lamb at home,
A lion in the chase."
That day Llewellyn little loved

The chase of hart or hare.
And scant and small the booty proved.
For Gelert was not there.
Unpleased, Llewellyn homeward hied,

When, near the portal seat.
His truant Gelert he espied.
Bounding his lord to greet.
But when he gained the castle door.

Aghast the chieftain stood ;
The hound was smeared with gouts of gore, His suppliant, as to earth he fell,
His lips and fangs ran blood No pity could impart

But still his Gelert's dying yell
Llewellyn gazed with wild surprise Passed heavy o'er his heart.
Unused such looks to meet,
His fav'rite checked his joyful guise, Aroused by Gelert's dying yell.
And crouched, and licked his feet. Some slumberer wakened nigh ;
What words the parent's joy can tell.
Onward in haste Llewellyn passed To hear his infant cry !
(And on went Gelert too).

And still, where'er his eyes were cast, Concealed beneath a mangled heap,
Fresh blood-gouts shocked his view His hurried search had missed,
All glowing from his rosy sleep,
O'erturned his infant's bed he found. His cherub boy he kissed
The blood-stained cover rent
And all around the walls and ground Nor scratch had he, nor harm, nor dread,
With recent blood besprent. But the same couch beneath
Lay a great wolf, all torn and dead, — Then he said. " Good-night !
" and with muffled oar
Tremendous still in death ! Silently rowed to the Charlestown shore.
Just ds themoon rose over the bay,
Ah, what was then Llewellyn's pain ! Where swinging wide at her moorings lay
For now the truth was clear ; The Somerset, British man-of-war ;
The gallant hound the wolf had slain, A phantom ship, with each mast and spar
To save Llewellyn's heir. Across the moon like a prison bar.
And a huge black hulk, that was magnified
Vain, vain was all Llewellyn's woe; By its own reflection in the tide.
" Best of thy kind, adieu
The frantic deed which laid thee low Meanwhile, his friend, through alley and street,
This heart shall ever rue " ! Wanders and watches with eager ears,
Till in the silence around him he hears
And now a gallant tomb they raised, The muster of men at the barrack door,
With costly sculpture decked ;
The sound of arms, and the tramp of feet,
And marbles storied with his praise And the measured tread of the grenadiers.
Poor Gelert's bones protect. Marching down to their boats on the shoie.
Here never could the spearman pass,

Or forester, unmoved.
Here oft the tear-besprinkled grass
Llewellyn's sorrow proved.
And here he hung his horn and spear,

And oft, as evening fell.
In fancy's piercing sounds would hear
Poor Gelert's dying yell.
ROBKRT SOUTHEY.
PAUL REVERE'S RIDE.
Listen, my children, and you shall hear
Of the midnight ride of Paul Revere,

On the eighteenth of April, in Seventy-five
Hardly a man is now alive
Who remembers that famous day and year.
He said to his friend, " If the British march

By land or sea from the town to-night,
Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry arch
Of the North Church tower as a signal light, -
One, if by land, and two, if by sea

And I on the opposite shore will be, Then he cli;u -[ l:__ l ,. r ot the Old North Church,
Ready to ride and spread the alarm By the wooden stairs, with stealthy tread.
Through every Middlesex village and farm. To the belfry-chamber overhead,
For the country-folk to be up and to arm." And startled the pigeons from their perch
PAUL REVERES RIDE. 407
On the sombre rafters, that round him made The belfry-tower of the Old North Cinirch,
Masses and moving shapes of shade, — As it rose above the graves on the hill,
By the trembling ladder steep and tall. Lonely and spectral and sombre and still.
To the highest window in the wall, And lo as he looks, on the belfry's height
!
Where he paused to listen and look down A glimmer, and then a gleam of light
A moment on the roofs of the town, He springs to the saddle, the bridle he turns,
And the moonlight flowing over all. But lingers and gazes till full on his sight
A second lamp in the
Beneath, in the church- belfry burns !
yard, lay the dead,

In their night encamp- A hurry of hoofs in a
ment on the hill. village street,
Wrapped in silence so A shape in the moon-
deep and still light, a bulk in the
That he could hear, like dark,
a sentinel's tread. And beneath, from the
The watchful night- pebbles, in pass-
wind, as it went ing, a spark
Creeping along from Sti'uck out by a steed
tent to tent, flying fearless and
And seeming to whis- fleet:
"
per, "All is well ! That was all ! And
A moment only he yet, through the
feels the spell gloom and the
Of the place and the light,
hour, and the The fate of a nation
secret dread was riding that
Of the lonely belfry night
and the dead And the spark struck
For suddenly all his out by that steed,
thoughts are bent in his flight.
r%-
On a shadowy some- Kindled the land into
thing far away. flame with its heat.
Where the river widens
to meet the bay, He has left the village
A line of black that and mounted the
bends and floats steep.
On the rising tide, like And beneath him,
a bridge of boats. tranquil and broad
and deep,
Meanwhile, impatient to mount and ride, Is the Mystic, meeting the ocean tides ;
Booted and spurred, with a heavy stride And under the alders, that skirt its edge.
On the opposite shore walked Paul Kevere. Now soft on the sand, now loud on the ledge.
Now he patted his horse's side. Is heard the tramp of his steed as he rides.
Now gazed at the landscape far and near.
Then, impetuous, stamped the earth, It was twelve by the village clock
And turned and tightened his saddle-girth ; When he crossed the bridge into Medford town.
But mostly he watched with eager search He heard the crowing of the cock.
LOCHINVAR. 409
And the barking of the farmer's dog, LOCHINVAR.

And felt the damp of the river fog,
That rises after the sun goes down.
It was one by the village clock
When he galloped into Lexington.
He saw the gilded weathercock

Swim in the moonlight as he passed,
And the meeting-house windows, blank and bare,
Gaze at him with a spectral glare.
As if they already stood aghast

At the bloody work they would look upon.
It was two by the village clock

When he came to the bridge in Concord town.
He lieard the bleating of the flock,
And the twitter of birds among the trees,
And felt the breath of the morning breeze
Blowing over the meadows brown.
And one was safe and asleep in bis bed
Who at the bridge would be first to fall,
Who that day would be lying dead,
Pierced by a British musket-ball.
On, young Lochinvar is come out of the west
You know the rest. In the books you have read, Through all the wide Border his steed was the best,
How the British Regulars fired and fled, — And save his good broadsword he weapons had none ;
How the farmers gave them ball for ball, He rode all unarmed, and he rode all alone.
From behind each fence and farm-yard wall, So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war.
Chasing the red-coats down the lane. There never was knight l;ke the young Lochinvar.
Then crossing the fields to emerge again
Under the trees at the turn of the road. He stayed not for brake, and he stopped not for stone,
And only pausing to flre and load. He swam the Eske river where ford there was none ;
But, ere he alighted at Netherby gate.

So through the night rode Paul Revere ;
The bride had consented, the gallant came late :
And so through the night went his cry of alarm For a laggard in love and a dastard in war
To every Middlesex village and farm, — Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.
A cry of defiance and not of fear,
A voice in the darkness, a knock at the door. So boldly he entered the Netherby hall.
And a word that shall echo for evermore ! Among bridesmen and kinsmen, and brothers and all:
For, borne on the night-wind of the Past, Then spoke the bride's father, his hand on his sword
Through all our history, to the last, (For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word),
In the hour of darkness and peril and need, " Oh,come ye in peace here, or come ye in war.
"
The people will waken and listen to hear Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar ?
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed.
And the midnight message of Paul Revere. " I long wooed your daughter, my suit you denied ;
—
Henry Wadsworth T;Ongfellow Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide ;
52
And now I am come, with this lost love of mine Of waistcoats Harry has no lack.
To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine. Good duffil gray, and flannel fine
There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far He has a blanket on his back.
That would gladly be bride to the j'oung Lochinvar." And coats enough to smother nine.
The bride kissed the goblet ; the knight took it up : In March, December, and in .July,
He quaffed off the wine, and he threw down the cup. 'T is allsame with Harry Gill
the
She looked down to blush, and she looked up to sigh, The neighbors tell, and tell you truly,
With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye. His teeth they chatter, chatter still.
He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar, — At night, at morning, and at noon,
" Now tread we a measure !
" said young Lochinvar. 'T is all the same with Harry Gill
Beneath the sun, beneath the moon,

. So stately his form, and so lovely her face. His teeth they chatter, chatter still.
That never a hall such a galliard did grace ;
While her mother did fret, and her father did fume. Young Harry was a lusty drover,
And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and And who so stout of limb as he ?
plume ; His cheeks were red as ruddy clover ;
And the bride-maidens whispered, " 'T were better by His voice was like the voice of three.
far Old Goody Blake was old and poor
To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar." 111fed she was and thinly clad ;
And any man who passed her door

One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear, Might see how poor a hut she had.
When they reached the hall door and the charger stood
near ; All day she spun in her poor dwelling :
So light to the croup the fair lady he swung. And then her three hours' work at night,
So light to the saddle before her he sprung ! Alas ! 't was hardly worth the telling.
" She is won we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur
! ! It would not pay for candle-light.
They '11 have fleet steeds that follow " quoth young ! Remote from sheltered village green.
Lochinvar. On a hill's northern side she dwelt,
Where from sea-blasts the hawthorns lean,
There was mounting 'mong Grsemes of the Netherby And hoary dews are slow to melt.
clan ;
Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and By the same fire to boil their pottage.
they ran Two poor old dames, as I have known,
There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee Will often live in one small cottage
But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see. But she, poor woman housed alone. !
So daring in love, and so dauntless in war. 'T was well enough when summer came,
Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar ? The long, warm, lightsome summer day.
Walter Scott. Then at her door the scanty dame
Would sit, as any linnet gay.
But when the ice our streams did fetter,

GOODY BLAKE AND HARRY GILL. Oh, then how her old bones would shake
A TEUE STORY. You would have said, if you had met her,
'T was a hard time for Goody Blake.

Oh ! what 's the matter? what 's the matter ? Her evenings then were dull and dead :
What is't that ails young Harry Gill, Sad case it was, as j'ou may think,
That evermore his teeth they chatter, For very cold to go to bed.
Chatter, chatter, chatter still ? And then for cold not sleep a wink.
GOODY BLAKE AND BARRY GILL. 411
O joy for her! whene'er in winter Yet never had she, well or sick.
The winds at night had made a rout As every man who knew her says,
And scattered many a lusty splinter, A pile beforehand, turf or stick.
And many a rotten bouirli about. Enough to warm her for three days.
Now, when the frost was past enduring, " God, who art never out of hearing,
"
And made her poor old bones to ache, Oh may he never more be warm !
Could anything be more alluring The cold, cold moon above her head,
Than an old hedge to Goody Blake? Thus on her knees did Goody pray ;
And now and then, it must be said, Young Harry heard what she had said,
When her old bones were cold and chill, And icy cold he turned away.
She left her fire, or left her bed,
To seek the hedge of Harry Gill. He went complaining all the morrow
That he was cold and very chill
Now Harry he had long suspected His face was gloom, his heart was sorrow,
This trespass of old Goody Blake ;
Alas that day for Harry Gill
!
And vowed that she should be detected — That day he wore a riding-coat,
That he on her would vengeance take But not a whit the warmer he :
And oft from his warm fire he 'd go. Another was on Thursday bought
And to the fields his road would take ;
And ere the Sabbath he had three.
And there at night, in frost and snow.
He watched to seize old Goody Blake. 'T was all in vain, a useless matter,
And blankets were about him pinned ;
And once behind a rick of barley. Yet still his jaws and teeth they chatter,
Thus looking out did Harry stand ;
Like a loose casement in the wind.
The moon was full and shining clearly. And Harry's flesh it fell away ;
And crisp with frost the stubble land. And all who see him say 't is plain.
— He hears a noise — he 's all awake — That, live as long as live he may.
Again ? — on tiptoe down the hill He never will be warm again.
He softly creeps — 't is Goody Blake ;
She 's at the hedge of Harry Gill ! No word to any man he utters,
A-bed or up, to young or old ;
Right glad was he when he beheld her But ever to himself he mutters,
Stick after stick did Goody pull " Poor Harry Gill is very cold " !
He stood behind a bush of elder. A-bed or up, by night or day.

Till she had fill'd her apron full His teeth they chatter, chatter still.
When with her load she turned about Now think, ye farmers all, I pray,
The by-way back again to take ; Of Goody Blake and Harry Gill !
He started forward with a shout, William Wordsworth.

And sprang upon poor Goody Blake.
And fiercely by the arm he took her,

And by the arm he held her fast. HOW THEY BROUGHT THE GOOD NEWS
And fiercely by the arm he shook her. FROM GHENT TO AIX.
And cried, " I 've caught you then at last
'
Then Goody, who had nothing said. I SPRANG to the stirrup, and Joris, and he
Her bundle from her lap let fall, I galloped, Dirck galloped, we galloped all three ;
And kneeling on the sticks she prayed " Good speed " cried the watch, as the gate-bolts un-
\
To God that is the judge of all. drew ;
" Speed " echoed the wall to us galloping through

! ;
She prayed, her withered hand uprearing, Behind shut the postern, the lights sank to rest.
While Harry held her by the arm — And into the midnight we galloped abreast.
LUCT GRAY. 413
Not a word to each other we kept the great pace

;
" How they '11 greet us !
" and all in a moment his roan
Neck by ueck, stride by stride, never changing our Rolled neck and croup over, lay dead as a stone ;
place ;
And there was my Roland to bear the whole weight
I turned in my saddle and made its girths tight, Of the news which alone could save Aix from her
Then shortened each stirrup, and set the pique right, fate,
Rebuckled the check-strap, chained slacker the bit. With his nostrils like pits full of blood to the brim,
Nor galloped less steadily Roland a whit. And with circles of red for his eye-sockets' rim.
'T was moonset at starting ; but, while we drew neai- Then I cast my loose buiF-coat, each holster let fall,
Lokeren, the cocks crew and twilight dawned clear Shook off both my jack-boots, let go belt and all.
At Boon, a great yellow star came out to see Stood up in the stirrup, leaned, patted his ear.
At Diilfeld, was morning as plain as could be

't Called my Roland his pet name, my horse without
And from Mecheln church-steeple we heard the half- peer ;
chime. Clapped my hands, laughed and sang, any noise, bad

So Joris broke silence with, "Yet there is time!" or good.
Till at length into Aix Roland galloped and stood.
At Aerschot, up leaped of a sudden the sun,
And against him the cattle stood black every one, And all I remember is friends flocking round
To stare through the mist at us galloping past. As I sat with his head 'twixt my knees on the
And I saw my stout galloper, Roland, at last, ground.
With resolute shoulders each butting away And no voice but was praising this Roland of mine,
The haze, as some bluff river headland its spray As I poured down his throat our last measure of
wine.
And his low head and crest, just one sharp ear bent Which (the burgesses voted by common consent)
back Was no more than his due who brought good news
For my voice, and the other pricked out on his track ;
from Ghent.
And one eye's black intelligence, — ever that glance Robert Browning.
O'er its white edge at me, his own master, askance
And the thick heavy spume-flakes which aye and anon
His fierce lips shook upwards in galloping on.
LUCY GRAY.
By Hasselt, Dirck groaned ; and cried Joris, " Stay
spur OR SOLITUDE.
Your Roos galloped bravely, the fault 's not in her,
We '11 remember at Aix " — for one heard the quick Oft I had heard of Lucy Gray
wheeze And, when I crossed the wild,
Of her chest, saw the stretched neck, and staggering I chanced to see at break of day
knees, The solitary child.
And sunk and horrible heave of the flank.
tail,
As down on her haunches she shuddered and sank. No mate, no comrade Lucy knew ;
She dwelt on a wide moor, —

So we were left galloping, Joris and I, The sweetest thing that ever grew
Past Loos and past Tongres, no cloud in the sky Beside a human door I
The broad sun above laughed a pitiless laugh,

'Neath our feet broke the brittle bright stubble-like You yet may spy the fawn at play,
chaff; The hare upon the green ;
Till over by Dalhem a dome-tower sprang white. But the sweet face of Lucy Gray
"
And " Gallop," cried Joris. " for Aix is in sight ! Will never more be seen.
" To-night will be a stormy night — At daybreak on a hill they stood
You to the town must go ; That overlooked the moor ;
And take a lantern, child, to light And thence they saw the bridge of wood,
Your mother through the snow." A furlong from their door.
They wept, and, turning homeward, cried,

" In heavenwe all shall meet " !
—
AVhen in the snow the mother spied
The print of Lucy's feet.
Then downward from the steep hill's edge

They tracked the footmarks small
And through the broken hawthorn hedge,
'
That, father, will 1 gladly tlu :
And by the long stone wall
'T is scarcely afternoon —
The minster-clock has just struck And then an open field they ci-ossed
two, The marks were still the same ;
Anil vender is the moon "!

The}' tracked them on, nor ever lost
And to the bridge thev came.
They followed from the snowy bank

Those footmarks, one by one,
Into the middle of the plank ;
And further there were none !
Yet some maintain that to this day

She is a living child ;
That you may see sweet Lucy Gray

At this the father raised his hook, Upon the lonesome wild.
And snapped a fagot-band ;
He jilied his work and Lucy ; — O'er rough and smooth she trips along,
took And never looks behind;
The lantern in her hand.

And sings a solitary song
That whistles in the wind.
Not blither is the mountain roe William Wordsworth.

With many a wanton stroke
Her feet disperse the jiowdery snow,
That rises up like smoke.
OLD IRONSIDES.
The storm came on before its time :
She wandered up and down ;

Ay, tear her tattered ensign down !
And many a hill did Lucy climb Long has it waved on high,
But never reached the town. And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky ;
The wretched parents all that night Beneath it rung the battle shout,
Went shouting far and wide ;

And burst the cannon's roar ;
But was neither sound nor

there sight The meteor of the ocean air
To serve them for a guide. Shall sweep the clouds no more !
HORATIUS. 415
Her deck, once red with heroes' blood, That the great house of Tarquin
Where knelt the vanquished foe, Should suffer wrong no more.
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood. By the Nine Gods he swore it
And waves were white below, And named a trysting day.
No more shall feel the victor's tread, And bade his messenger ride forth.
Or know the conquered knee ;

— East and west and south and north.
The harpies of the shore shall pluck To summon his array.
The eagle of the sea !
East and west and south and north

The messengers ride fast.
And tower and town and cottage
Have heard the trumpet's blast.
Shame on the false Etruscan
Who lingers in his home,
AYhen Porsena of Clusium
Is on the march for Rome.
And now hath every city

Sent up her tale of men ;
Oh better that her shattered hulk

The foot are fourscore thousand,
Should sink beneath the wave; The horse are thousands ten.
Her thunders shook the mighty Before the gates of Sutrium
deep.
Is met the great array.
And there should be her grave A proud man was Lars Porsena
Upon the trysting day.
For all the Etruscan armies

Were ranged beneath his eye.
And many a banished Roman,
And many a stout ally ;
And with a mighty following

To join the muster came
The Tusculan Mamilius,
Prince of the Latian name.
But by the yellow Tiber

Was tumult and affright
From all the spacious champaign
Nail to the mast her holy flag. To Rome men took their flight.
Set every threadbare sail, A mile around the city
And give her to the god of storms, The throng stopped up the ways ;
The lightning and the gale ! A fearful sight it was to see
Oliver Wendell Holmes. Through two long nights and days.
HORATIUS. To eastward and to westward

Have spread the Tuscan band
Lars Porsena of Clusium Nor house, nor fence, noi- dove-cote
By the Nine Gods he swore In Crustumerium stands.
Verbenna down to Ostia By the right wheel rode Mamilius,
Hath wasted all the plain ; Prince of the Latian name ;
Astur hath stormed Janiciilum, And by the left false Sextus,

And the stout guards are slain. That wrought the deed of shame.
I wis, in all the Senate, But when the face of Sextus

There was no heart so bold. Was seen among the foes,
But sore it ached and fast it beat. A yell that rent the firmament
When that ill news was told. From all the town arose.
Forthwith up rose the Consul, On the house-tops was no woman
Up rose the Fathers all ; But spat towards him and hissed,
In haste they girded up their gowns, No child but screamed out curses.
And hied tliem to the wall. And shook its little fist.
They held a council standing But the Consul's brow was sad.
Before the River- Gate And the Consul's speech was low,
Short time was there, ye well may guess, And darkly looked he at the wall,
For musing or debate. And datkly at the foe.
Out spake the Consul roundly : " Their van will be upon us
" The bridge must straight go down Before the bridge goes down ;
For, since Janiculum is lost, And if they once may win the bridge,
Nought else can save the town." What hope to save the town ? "
Just then a scout came flying, Then out spake brave Horatius,
All wild with haste and fear : The Captain of the Gate :
" To arms ! to arms ! Sir Consul : "To every man upon this earth
"
Lars Porsena is here ! Death cometh soon or late.
On the low hills to westward And how can man die better
The Consul fixed his eye. Than facing fearful odds.
And saw the swarthy storm of dust For the ashes of his fathers,
Rise fast along the sky. And the temples of his Gods,
And nearer fast and nearer " And for the tender mother
Doth the red whirlwind come ; Who dandled him to rest,
And louder still and still more loud, And for the wife who nurses
From underneath that rolling cloud, His baby at her breast.
Is heard the trumpet's war-note proud, And for the holy maidens
The trampling and the hum. Who feed the eternal flame.
And plainly and more plainly To save them from false Sextus
Now through the gloom appears. That wrought the deed of shame ?
Far to left and far to right,

In broken gleams of dark-blue light, " Hew down the bridge, Sir Consul,
The long array of helmets bright, With all the speed ye may ;
The long array of spears. I, with two more to help me,

Will hold the foe in play.
Fast by the royal standard, In yon straight path a thousand
O'erlooking all the war, May well be stopped by three.
Lars Porsena of Clusium Now who will stand on either hand,
"
Sat in his ivory car. And keep the bridge with me ?
HORATIUS. 417
Then out spake Spuriiis Lartius ; Came flashing back the noonday light.
A Eamnian proud was he : Rank behind rank, like surges bright
" Lo, I will stand at thy right hand, Of a broad sea of gold.
And keep the bridge with thee." Four hundred trumpets sounded
And out spake strong Herminius ; A peal of warlike glee.
Of Titian blood was he : As that great host with measured tread,
" I will abide on thy left side, And spears advanced, and ensigns spread.
And keep the bridge with thee." Rolled slowly towards the bridge's head.
Where stood the dauntless Three.
" Horatius, quoth the Consul,"
"As thou sayest, so let it be." The Three stood calm and silent,
And straight against that great array And looked upon the foes.
Forth went the dauntless Three. And a great shout of laughter
For Komans in Rome's quarrels From all the vanguard rose
Spared neither land nor gold, And forth three chiefs came spurring
Nor son nor wife, nor limb nor life, Before that deep array ;
In the brave days of old. To earth they sprang, their swords they drew,
And lifted high their shields, and flew
Then none was for a party ; To win the narrow way ;
Then all were for the state ;
Then the great man helped the poor. Annus from green Tifernura,
And the poor man loved the great Lord of the Hill of Vines :
Then lands were fairly portioned ; And Seius, whose eight Imndred slaves
Then spoils were fairly sold Sicken in Ilva's mines;
The Romans were like brothers And Picus, long to Clusium
In the brave days of old. Vassal in peace and war.
Who led to fight his Umbrian powers
Now Roman is to Roman From that gray crag where, girt with towers,
More hateful than a foe. The fortress of Nequinum lowers
And the Tribunes beard the high, O'er the pale waves of Nar.
And the Fathers grind the low.
As we wax hot in faction. Stout Lartius hurled down Annus
In battle we wax cold : Into the stream beneath ;
"Wherefore men fight not as they fought Herminius struck at Seius

In the brave days of old. And clove him to the teeth ;
At Picus brave Horatius

Now while the Three were tightening Darted one fiery thrust
Their harness on their backs. And the proud Umbrian's gilded arms
The Consul was the foremost man Clashed in the bloody dust.
To take in hand an axe :
And Fathers mixed with Commons Then Ocnus of Falerii

Seized hatchet, bar, and crow. Rushed on the Roman Three
And smote upon the planks above. And Lausulus of Urgo,
And loosed the props below. The rover of the sea
And Aruns of Volsinium,
Meanwhile the Tuscan army, Who slew the great wild boar, —
Right glorious to behold, The great wild boar that had hia den
53
Amidst the reeds of Cosa's fen, With shield and blade Horatius
And wasted fields, and slaughtered men, Right deftly turned the blow.
Along Albinia's shore. The blow, though turned, came yet too nigh;
It missed his helm, but gashed his thigh :
Herminius smote down Aruns ;

The Tuscans raised a joyful cry
Lartius laid Ocnus low ;

To see the red blood flow.
Right to the heart of Lausulus
Horatius sent a blow. He reeled, and on Herminius
" Lie there," he cried, " fell pirate He leaned one breathing-space ;
No more, aghast and pale, Then, like a wild-cat mad with wounds,
From Ostia's walls the crowd shall mark Sprang right at Astur's face.
The track of thy destroying bark. Through teeth, and skull, and helmet.
No more Campania's hinds shall fly So fiei'ce a thrust he sped.
To woods and caverns when they spy The good sword stood a hand-breath out
Thy thrice accursed sail." Behind the Tuscan's head.
But now no sound of laughter And the great Lord of Luna

Was heard among the foes. Fell at that deadly stroke.
A wild and wrathful clamor As falls on Mount Alvernus
From all the vanguard rose. A thunder-smitten oak.
Six spears' length from the entrance Far o'er the crashing forest
Halted that deep array. The giant arms lie spread ;
And for a space no man came forth And the pale augurs, muttering low.
To win the narrow way. Gaze on the blasted head.
But hark ! the cry is Astur : On Astur's throat Horatius

And lo the ranks divide
! ;
Right firmly pressed his heel.
And the great Lord of Luna And thrice and four times tugged amain,
Comes with his stately stride. Ere he wrenched out the steel.
Upon his ample shoulders " And see," he cried, " the welcome.
Clangs loud the four-fold shield. Fair guests, that waits you here
And hand he shakes the brand
in his What noble Lucumo comes next
Which none but he can wield. To taste our Roman cheer ? "
He smiled on those bold Romans But at his haughty challenge

A smile serene and high ;
A sullen murmur ran.
He eyed the flinching Tuscans, Mingled of wrath, and shame, and dread.
And scorn was in his eye. Along that glittering vau.
Quoth he, " The she-wolf's litter There lacked not men of prowess.
Stand savagely at bay : Nor men of lordly race ;
But will ye dare to follow, For all Etruria's noblest

" Were round the fatal place.
If Astur clears the way ?
Then, whirling up his broadsword But all Etruria's noblest
With both hands to the height. Felt their hearts sink to see
He rushed against Horatius, On the earth the bloody corpses.
And smote with all his might. In the path the dauntless Three
HORATIUS. 419
And, from the ghostly entrance And, as they passed, beneath their feet
Where those bold Romans stood, They felt the timbers crack.
All shrank, like bojs who unaware, But when they turned their faces,
Ranging the woods to start a hare, And on the farther shore
Come to the mouth of tlie dark lair Saw brave Horatius stand alone,
Where, growling low, a fierce old bear They would have crossed once more.
Lies amidst bones and blood.
But with a crash like thunder
Was none who would be foremost Fell every loosened beam,
To lead such dire attack ; And, like a dam, the mighty wreck
But those behind Forward "
cried " ! Lay right athwart the stream ;
And those before cried " Back " ! And a long shout of triumph
And backward now and forward Rose from the walls of Rome,
Wavers tlie deep array ; As to the highest turret-tops
And on the tossing sea of steel, Was splashed the yellow foam.
"
To and fro the standards reel
And the victorious trumpet-peal And, like a horse unbroken
Dies fitfully away. When first he feels the rein,
The furious river struggled hard.
Yet one man for one moment And tossed his tawny mane.
Strode out before the crowd ;
And burst the curb, and bounded.
Well known was lie to all the Three, Rejoicing to be free.
And they gave him greeting loud. And, whirling down, in fierce career,
" Now welcome, welcome, Sextus ! Battlement, and plank, and pier,
Now welcome to thy home ! Rushed headlong to the sea.
Why dost thou stay, and turn away ?
Here lies the road to Kome." Alone stood brave Horatius,
But constant still in mind;
Thrice looked he at the city Thrice thirty thousand foes before,
Thrice looked he at the dead And the broad flood behind.
And thrice came on in fury, " Down with him " cried false Sextus,
!
And thrice turned back in dread ;

With a smile on his pale face.
And, white with fear and hatred, " Now yield thee," cried Lars Porsena,
Scowled at the narrow way " Now yield thee to our grace."
Where, wallowing in a pool of blood,

The bravest Tuscans lay. Round turned he, as not deigning
Those craven ranks to see
But meanwhile axe and lever Nought spake he to Lars Porsena,
Have manfully been plied ;
To Sextus nought spake he ;
And now the bridge hangs tottering But he Siiw on Palatinus

Above the boiling tide. The white porch of his home
" Come "
back, come back, Horatius ! And he spake to the noble river
Loud cried the Fathers all. That rolls by the towers of Rome.
" Back, Lartius ! Back, Herminius !
"
Back, ere the ruin fall ! " O Tiber ! father Tiber !
To whom the Romans pray,

Back darted Spurius Lartius ; A Roman's life, a Roman's arms,
"
Herminius darted back : Take thou in charge this day !
420 THE BOOK OF POETRT.
So he spake, and speaking sheathed And noise of weeping loud.
The good sword by his side, He enters through the River-Gate,
And, with his harness on his back, Borne by the joyous crowd.
Plunged headlong in the tide.
They gave him of the corn-land.
No sound of joy or sorrow That was of public right.
Was heard from either bank As much as two strong oxen
But friends and foes in dumb surprise, Could plow from morn till night
With parted lips and straiuiog eyes, And they made a molten image.
Stood gazing where he sank ;
And set it up on high,
And when above the surges And there it stands unto this day
They saw his crest appear, To witness if I lie.
AllRome sent forth a rapturous cry,
And even the ranks of Tuscany It stands in the Comitium,

Could scarce forbear to cheer. Plain for all folk to see
Horatius iu his harness.
But fiercely ran the current. Halting upon one knee :
Swollen high by mouths of rain, And underneath is written.

And fast his blood was flowing, In letters all of gold.
And he was sore in pain, How valiantly he kept the bridge
And heavy with his armor, In the brave days of old.
And spent with changing blows

And oft they thought him sinking, And still his name sounds stirring
But still again he rose. Unto the men of Rome,
As the trumpet-blast that cries to them
Never, I ween, did swimmer. To charge the Volscian home ;
In such an evil case. And wives still pray to Juno

Struggle through such a raging flood For boys with hearts as bold
Safe to the landing place : As his who kept the bridge so well
But his limbs were borne up bravely In the brave days of old.
By the brave heart within, Thomas Babington Macaulay.

And our good father Tiber
Bare bravely up his chin.
THE SKELETON IN ARMOR.

" Curse on him !
" quoth false Sextus ;
" Will not the villain drown ? ''

Speak speak thou fearful guest
! !
But for this stay, ere close of day Who, with thy hollow breast
We should have sacked the town ! Still in rude armor drest,
" Heaven help him " quoth Lars Porsena,
! Comest to daunt me !
"And bring him safe to shore; Wrapt not in Eastern balms,

For such a gallant feat of arms But with thy fleshless palms
Was never seen before." Stretched, as if asking alms,
"
Why dost thou haunt me ?
And now he feels the bottom
Now on dry earth he stands ;
Then, from those cavernous eyes
Now round him throng the Fathers, Pale flashes seemed to rise.
To press his gory hands ; As when the Northern skies
And now, with shouts and clapping, Gleam in December ;
THE SKELETON IN ARMOR. 421
And, like the water's flow But when I older grew.

Under December's snow, Joining a corsair's crew.
Came a dull voice of woe O'er the dark sea I flew

From the heart's chamber. With the marauders.
Wild was the life we led ;
" I was a Viking old ! Many the souls that sped,

M}' deeds, though manifold, Many the hearts that bled.
No Skald in song By our stern or-
has told, ders.
No Saga taught
thee " Many a wassail-
Take heed, that in bout
thy verse Wore the long win-
Thou dost the tale ter out
rehearse. Often our midnight
Else dread a dead shout
man's curse ; Set the cocks
For this I sought crowing.
thee. As we the Berserk's
tale
" Far inthe North- Measured in cups
ern Land, of ale.
By the wild Baltic's Draining the oaken
strand, pail.
I, with my childish Filled to o'er-
hand. flowing.
Tamed the ger-
falcon ;
" Once as I told in
And, with my skates glee
fast-bound, Tales of the stormy
Skimmed the half- sea.
frozen Sound, Soft eyes did gaze

That the poor whim- on me.
pering hound Burning yet ten-
Trembled to walk der ;
on. And as the white

stars shine
" Oft to his frozen On the dark Nor-
lair way pine,
Tracked I the grisly On that dark heart

bear. of mine
While from my path Fell their soft
the hare splendor.
Fled like a shadow ;
Oft through the forest dark " I wooed the blue-eyed maid,
Followed the were-wolf's bark Yielding, yet half afraid.
Until the soaring lark And in the forest's shade
Sang from tlie meadow. Our vows were plighted.
Under its loosened vest " Scarce had I put to sea,
Fluttered her little breast, Bearing the maid with me.
Like birds within their nest Fairest of all was she
By the hawk frightened. Among the Norsemen !
When on the white sea-strand.

" Bright in her father's hall Waving his armed hand.
Shields gleamed upon the wall, Saw we old Hildebrand,
Loud sang the min- With twenty horse.
strels all,
Chanting his
glory " Then launched

When of old Hilde- they to the
brand blast.
I asked his daugli Bent like a reed

ter's hand, each mast,
Mute did the min- Yet we were gain-
strels stand ing fast.
To hear my story. When the wind

failed us
" While the brown And with a sudden
ale he quaffed flaw
Loud then the cham- Came round the
pion laughed, gusty Skaw,
And as the wind- So that our foe we
gusts waft saw
The sea-foam Laugh as he
brightly, hailed us.
So the loud laugli
of scorn. •'
And as to catch
Out of those lips the gale
unshorn. Round veered the
From the deep flapping sail.
drinking - horn Death ! was the

Blew the foam helmsman's hail,
lightly. Death without
quarter
' She was a Prince's Mid-ships with iron
child, keel
I but a Viking Struck we her ribs
wild, of steel
And though she Down her black
blushed and hulk did reel
smiled, Through the bhick water!
was discarded
I
Should not the dove so white '•
As with his wings aslant.
Follow the sea-mew's flight. Sails the fierce cormorant.
Why did they leave that night Seeking some rocky haunt.
Her nest unguarded ? With his prey laden.
THE BURIAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE. 423
So toward the open Ne'er shall the sun

main, arise
Beating to sea On such another
again,
Through the wild " Still grew my
hurricane, bosom then,
Bore I the maid- Still as a stagnant
en. fen!
Hateful to me were
" Three weeks we men,
westward bore, The sun - light
And when the storm hateful
was o'er, In the vast forest
Cloudlike we saw here.
the shore Clad in my warlike
Stretching to lee- gear.
ward ;
Fell I upon my
There for my lady's spear,
bower Oh, death was
Built I the lofty grateful
tower.
Which, to this very " Thus, seamed with
hour. many scars.
Stands looking sea- Bursting these

ward. prison bars,
Up to his native
" There lived we stars
many years My soul ascend-

Time dried the ed!
maiden's tears There from the
She had forgot her flowing bowl
fears. Deep drinks the
She was a moth- warrior's soul.
er ; Skoal! to the North-
"
Death closed her land ! skoal !
mild blue eyes, Thus the tale ended.
Under that tower she lies Henry Wadswôkth Longfellow.
By the struggling moonbeams' misty light.
THE BURIAL OF SIR JOHN MOORE. And the lantern dimly burning.
Not a drum was heard, not a funeral note. No useless coffin inclosed his breast.
As his corse to the ramparts we hurried Nor in sheet or in shroud we wound him ;
Not a soldier discharged his farewell shot But he lay like a warrior taking his rest,
O'er the grave where our hero we buried. With his martial cloak around him.
We buried him darkly at dead of night. Few and short were the prayers we said,
The sods with our bayonets turning, And we spoke not a word of sorrow ;
''
Now who be ye, would cross Lochgyle,
This dark and stormy water ? "
'
Oh, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle.
And this Lord Ullin's daughter.
And fast before her father's men

Three days we 've fled together.
For should he tind us in the glen,
My blood would stain the heather.
'
His horsemen hard behind us ride ;
Should they our steps discover,

Then who will cheer my bonny bride
When they have slain her lover "
?
Out spoke the hardy Higliland wight,

"I '11 go. my chief, I 'm ready :
But we steadlustly gazed on the face of the dead,

Aud we bitterly thouglit of the morrow.
We thought, as we liollowed his narrow bed,

And smoothed down his lonely pillow.
That the foe and the stranger would tread o'er his head,
And we far away on tlie billow.
Lightly they '11 talk of the spirit that 's gone,

Aud o'er his cold ashes upbraid him
But little he'll reck, if they let him sleep on
lu the grave where a Briton has laid him.
But half of our heavy task was done,

When the clock struck tlie hour for retiring
And we heard the distant and random gun
That the foe was sullenly firing.
Slowly and sadly we laid him down,

From the field of his fame fresh and gory
We carved not a line, and we raised not a stone,
But we left him alone with his glory.
Charles Wolfe.
Ami by my word! the bonny bird

LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER. In danger shall not tarry :
So though the waves are raging white,

A CHIEFTAIN to the Highlands bound I'11 row you o'er the ferry."
Cries, " Boatman, do not tarry

And I'll give thee a silver pound By this the storm grew loud apace,
To row us o'er the ferry." The water-wraith was shrieking
THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS. 425
And iu the scowl of Heaven each face Blue were her eyes as the fairy flax.
Grew dark as they were speaking. Her cheeks like the dawn of day.
And her bosom white as the hawthorn buds.
But still as wilder blew the wind, That ope in the month of May.
And as the night grew drearer,
Adown the glen rode armed men, The skipper he stood beside the helm,
Their trampling souilded nearer. His pipe was in his mouth.
And he watched how the veering flaw did blow
" Oh haste thee, haste !
" the lady cries, The smoke now west, now south.
" Though tempests round us gather
I '11 meet the raging of the skies,
But not an angry father."
The boat has left the stormy land,

A stormy sea before her, —
When, oh too strong for human hand
!
The tempest gathered o'er her.
And still they rowed amidst the roar

Of waters fast prevailing :
Lord Ulliu reached that fatal shore ;
His wrath was changed to wailing.
For, sore dismaj'ed, through storm and shade

His child he did discover :
One lovelj' hand she stretched for aid,
And one was round her lover.
" Come back ! come back !

" he cried in grief,
" Across this stormy water :
And I '11 forgive your Highland chief,

My daughter ! oh, my daughter " !
'T was vain ; the loud waves lashed the shore,

Return or aid preventing ;
The waters wild went o'er his chOd, Then up and spake an old sailor,
And he was left lamenting. Had sailed the Spanish Main,
Thomas Campbell. "I pray thee put into yonder port.
For I fear the hurricane.
" Last night the moon had a golden ring,

THE WRECK OF THE HESPERUS. And to-night no moon we see " !
The skipper he blew a whiff from his pipe,

It was the schooner Hesperus, And a scornful laugh laughed he.
That sailed the wintry sea;
And the skipper had taken his little daughter, Colder and louder blew the wind,
To bear him company. A gale from the northeast
54
" O father ! I see a gleaming light.
Oh what may it be ? "
say,
But the father answered never a word, —
A frozen corpse was he.
Lashed to the helm, all stiff and stark,

With his face turned to the skies.
The lantern gleamed through the gleaming snow

On his fixed and glassy eyes.
Then the maiden clasped her hands and prayed

That saved she might be ;
And she thought of Christ who stOled the waves

On the Lake of Galilee.
And fast through the midnight dark and drear.

Through the whistling sleet and snow,
Like a sheeted ghost the vessel swept
Towards the reef of Norman's Woe.
And ever the fitful gusts between

The i?now fell liissing in the brine, A sound came from the land ;
And the billows frothed like yeast. It was the sound of the trampling surf
On the rocks and the hard sea-sand.
Down came the storm and smote amain
The vessel in its strength ; The breakers were right beneath her bows,
She shuddered and paused like a frighted steed, She drifted a dreary wreck.
Then leaped her cable's length. And a whooping billow swept the crew
Like icicles from her deck.
" Come hither come hither my little
! ! daughter,
And do not tremble so ;
For I can weather the roughest gale

That ever wind did blow."
He wrapped her warm in his seaman's coat. ~.
Against the stinging blast

He cut a rope from a broken spar,
And bound her to the mast.
" O father ! I hear the church bells ring,

Oh what may "
say, it be ?
" 'T "

is a fog-bell on a rook-bound coast !
And he steered for the open sea.
" father ! I hear the sound of guns. She struck where the white and fleecy waves
"
Oh say, what may it be ? Looked soft as carded wool.
" Some ship in distress that cannot live But the cruel rocks they gored her sides
In such an angry sea !
Like the horns of an angry bull.
THE BEGGAR MAID. 427
Her rattling shrouds all sheathed lu ice, As shines the moon in clouded skies.
With the masts went by the board ;
She in her poor attire was seen :
Like a vessel of glass she stove and sank, One praised her ankles, one her eyes,
Ho ! ho ! the breakers roared. One her dark hair and lovesome mien.
At day-break on the bleak sea-beach,

A fisherman stood aghast,
To see the form of a maiden fair
Lashed close to a drifting mast.
The salt sea was frozen on her breast,

The salt tears in her eyes ;
And he saw her hair, like the brown sea-weed,

On the billows fall and rise.
Such was the wreck of the Hesperus,

In the midnight and the snow
Heaven save us all from a death like this.
On the reef of Woe

Norman's !
Henry Wadswoeth Longfellow.
THE BEGGAR MAID.

Her arms across her breast she laid ;
She was more fair than words can say ;
Barefooted came the beggar maid

Before the King Cophetua. So sweet a face, such angel grace,
In robe and crown the king stept down, In all had never been
that land
To meet and greet her on her way ; Cophetua swore a royal oath :
'
It is no wonder," said the lords, " This beggar maid shall be my queen."
" She is more beautiful than day." Alfred Tennyson.
THE BOOK OF ANCIENT STOEIES.
THE HORSE OF WOOD.

FROM CHURCH S STORIES FROM VIEGIL.
Foeten years King Agamemnon and the men the first who advised that it should be brought
of Greece laid siege to Troy. But though sen- within the walls and set in the citadel. But
tence had gone forth against the city, yet the day whether he gave this counsel out of a false heart,
of its fall tarried, because certain of the gods or because the gods would have it so, no man
loved it and defended it, as Apollo, and
well knows. And Capys, and others with him, said
Mars, the god of war, and Father Jupiter him- that it should be drowned in water, or burned
self. Wherefore Minerva put it into the heart of with fire, or that men should pierce it and see
Epeius, Lord of the Isles, that he should make a whether there were aught within. And the people
cunning device wherewith to take the city. Now were divided, some crying one thing and some
the device was this he made a great horse of
: another. Then came forward the priest Laocoon,
wood, feigning it to be a peace-offering to Mi- and a great company with him, crying, '• What
nerva, that the Greeks might have a safe return to madness is this ? Think ye that the men of Greece
their homes. In the belly of this there hid them- is any profit in
are indeed departed, or that there
selves certain of the bravest of the chiefs, as Men- their gifts? armed men in this
Surely, there are
elaus,and Ulysses, and Thoas the ^tolian and mighty horse or haply they have made it that
;
Machaon, the great and Pja-rhus, son of

ph3'sician, they may look down upon our walls. Touch it
Achilles (but Achilles himself was dead, slain by not, for as for these men of Greece. I fear them,
Paris, Apollo helping, even as he was about to even though they bi'ing gifts in their hands."
take the city), and others also, and with them And as he spake he cast his great spear at the
Epeius himself. But the rest of the people made horse, so that it sounded again. But the gods
as if they had departed to their homes only they ; would not that Troy should be saved.
went not farther than Tenedos, which was an Meanwhile there came certain shej^herds, drag-
island near to the coast. ging with them one whose hands were bound be-
Gi-eat joy was there Troy when
it was noised
in hind his back. He had come forth to them, they
abroad that the men
Greece had departed.
of said, of his own accord, when they were in the
The gates were opened, and the people went forth field. And first the j'oung men gathered about
to see the plain and tlie camp. And one said to him mocking him, but when he cried aloud,
another, as they went, " Here they set the battle " What place is left for me, for the Greeks suffer
in array, and thei-e were the tents of the fierce me not to live, and the men of Troy cry for ven-
Achilles, and there lay the ships." And some geance upon me?" they rather pitied him, and
stood and marveled at the great peace-offering to bade him speak, and say whence he came and
Minerva, even the horse of wood. And Thy- what he had to tell.
mcetes, who was one of the elders of the city, was Then the man spake, tui'ning to King Priam
THE HORSE OF WOOD. 429
" I Avill speak the truth, whatever befall me. My of a pool, waiting till they should have set sail, if
name is Sinoii, and I deny not that I am a Greek. haply that might be. But never shall I see coun-
Haply thou hast heard the name of Palamedes, try, or father,or children again. For doubtless
whom the Greeks slew, but now, being dead, on these will they take vengeance for my flight.
lament ; and the cause was that, because he coun- Only do thou, O king, have pity on me, who have
seled peace,men falsely accused him of treason. suffered many things, and yet have harmed no
Now, of this Palamedes I was a poor kinsman, man."
and followed him to Troy. And when he was And King Priam had pity on him, and bade
dead, through the false witness of Ulysses, I lived them loose his bonds, saying, "Whoever thou art,
in great grief and trouble, nor could I hold my forget now thy country. Henceforth thou art one
peace, but sware that if ever I came back to Argos of us. But tell me true why made they this
:
I would avence me of him that had done this huge horse ? Who contrived it ? What seek
deed. Then did Ulysses seek occasion against they by it ? to please the gods or to further their
"
me, whispering evil things, nor rested till at the siege ?
last, Calchas the soothsayer helping him — but Then and as he spake he stretched
said Sinon,
what profit it that I should tell these things? For his hands to the " I call you to witness, ye
sk)',
doubtless ye hold one Greek to be even as another. everlasting fires of heaven, that with good right I
Wherefore slay me, and doubtless ye will do a now break my oath of fealty and reveal the se-
pleasure to Ulysses and the sons of Atreus." crets of my countrymen. Listen then, O king.
Then they bade him tell on, and he said, — All our hope has ever been in the heljo of Mi-
" Often would the Greeks have fled to their nerva. But, from the day when Diomed and
homes, being weary of the w^r, but still the stormy Ulysses dared, having bloody hands, to snatch her
sea hindered them. And when this horse that image from her holy place in Ti-oy, her face was
ye see had been built, most of all did the dreadful turned from us. Well do I remember how the
thunder roll from the one end of the heaven to eyes of the image, well-nigh before they had set it
the other. Then the Greeks sent one who should in the camp, blazed with wrath, and how the salt
inquire and Apollo answered them
of Apollo ;
sweat stood upon its limbs, aye, and how it thrice
thus Men of Greece, even as ye appeased the
:
' leaped from the ground, shaking shield and spear.
winds with blood when ye came to Troy, so must Then Calchas told us that we must cross the
ye appease them with blood now that ye would go seas again, and seek at home fresh omens for our
from thence.' Then did men tremble to think war. And this, indeed, they are doing even now,
on whom the doom should fall, and Ulysses, with and will return anon. Also the soothsayer said,
much clamor, drew forth Calchas the soothsayer '
Meanwhile ye must make the likeness of a horse,
into the midst, and bade him say who it was that to be a peace-oflêring to Minerva. And take heed
the gods would have as a sacrifice. Then did that ye make it huge of bulk, so that the men of
many forebode evil for me. Ten days did the Troy may not receive it into their gates, nor bring
sootlisayer keep silence, saying that he would not it within their walls, and get safety for themselves
give any one to death. But then, for in truth thereby. For if,' he said, the men of Troy harm
'
the two had planned the matter beforehand, he this image at all, they shall surely perish but if ;
spake, appointing me to die. And to this thing they bring it into their city, then shall Asia lay
they all agreed, each being glad to turn to another siege hereafter to the city of Pelops, and our chil-
that which he feared for himself. But when the dren shall suffer the doom which we would fain
"
day was come, and all things wei'e ready, the salted have brought on Troy.'
meal for the sacrifice and the garlands, lo I burst ! These words wrought much on the men of Troy,
my bonds and fled, and hid myself in the sedges and as they pondered on them, lo the gods sent !
430 THE BOOK OF ANCIENT STORIES.
another marvel to deceive them. For while Lao- his priest's garlands dripping
with blood. Nor did
cocin, the priest of Neptune, was slaying a bull he cease to cry horribly aloud, even as a bull bel-
at the altar of his god, there came two serpents lows when after an ill stroke of the axe it flees
across the sea from Tenedos, whose heads and, from the altar. But when their work was done,
necks whereon were thick manes of hair, were the two glided to the citadel of Minerva, and hid
high above the themselves beneath the feet and the shield of the
waves, and goddess. And men said one to another, " Lo the !
many scaly priest Laocoon has been judged according to his

coils trailed be- deeds for he cast his spear against this holy
;
ll i ii d in the thing, and now the gods have slain him." Then
waters. And all cried out together that the horse of wood must
when they be drawn to the Whereupon they opened
citadel.
reached the the Sc£ean Gate, and pulled down the wall that
land they still was thereby, and put under
rollers
sped forward. the feet of the horse, and joined
Their eyes were ropes thereto. So, in much joj%
red as blood and ,\ ,
they drew it into the city,^'ouths
blazed with fire, and maidens
and their forked iînging about it
tongues hissed the while, and
loud for rage. laying their
Then all the liands to the
men of Troy ropes with great
grew pale with gladness. And
fear and fled yet there want-
away, but these ed not signs and
turned not aside tokens of evilto
this way or that, come. Four
seeking Laoco- times it halted
on where he on the thresh-
stood. And first old of the
they wrapped gate, and men
themselves m i
ght have
about his little heard the clash-
sons, one ser- i n g of ar ms
pent about within. Cas-
each, and be- sandra also
gan to devour opened her
them. And mouth, proph-
when the father would have given help to his chil- esying evil : but no man heeded her, for that was
dren, having a sword in his hand, they seized upon ever the doom upon her, not to be believed speak-
himself, and bound him fast with their folds. Twice ing truth. So the men of Troy drew the horse into
they compassed about his body, and twice his neck, the city. And that night they kept a feast to all
lifting their heads far above him. And all the the gods with great joy, not knowing that the last
while he strove to tear them away with his hands, day of the great city had come.
THE CYCLOPS. 431
THE CYCLOPS.
FROM CHTTBCHS STORIES FROM HOMER.
When the great city of Troy was taken, all beach, they drave the ships ashore and dragged
the chiefs who had fought against it set sail for them out of reach of the waves, and waited till
their homes. But there was wratli in heaven the storm should abate. And the third morning
against them, for indeed they had borne them- being fair, they sailed again, and journeyed pros-
selves haughtily and cruelly in the day of their perously till they came to the very end of the
victory. Few, therefore, found a safe and happy great Peloponnesian land, where Cape Malea
return. For one was shipwrecked, and another looks out upon the southern sea. But contrary
was shamefully slain by his false wife in his pal- currents baffled them, so that they could not round
ace, and others found all things at home troubled it,and the north wind blew so strongly that they
and changed, and were driven to seek new dwell- must fain drive before it. And on the tenth day
ings elsewhere. And some, whose wives and they came to the land where the lotus grows a —
friends and people had been still true to them wondrous fruit, of which whosoever eats cares not
through those ten long years of absence, were to see country or wife or children again. Now the
driven far and wide about the world before they lotus-eaters, for so they called the people of the
saw their native land again. And of all, the wise land, were a kindly folk, and gave of the fruit to
Ulysses was he who wandered farthest and suf- some meaning them any harm,
of the sailors, not
fered most. but thinking it to be the best that they had to
He was well-nigh the last tosail, for he had tar- give. These, when they had eaten, said that they
ried many days do pleasure to Agamemnon,
to would not sail any more over the sea whicii, when
;
lord of all the Greeks. Twelve ships he had with the wise Ulysses heard, he bade their comrades
him — twelve he had brought to Troy and in — bind them and carry them, sadly complaining, to
each there were some fifty men, being scarce half the ships.
of those that had sailed in them in the old days, Then, the wind having abated, they took to
so many valiant heroes slept the last sleep by their oars, and rowed for many days till they came
Simoi's and Scamander, and in the plain and on to the country where the Cyclopes dwell. Now, a
the sea-shore, slain in battle or by the shafts of mile or so from the shore there was an island, very
Apollo. fair and fertile, but no man dwells there or tills
sailed northwest to the Thracian

First they the soil, and in the island a harbor where a ship
coast,where the Ciconians dwelt, who had helped may be safe from all winds, and at the head of
the men of Troy. Their city they took, and in it the harbor a stream falling from a rock, and whis-
much plunder, slaves and oxen, and jars of fra- pering alders all about it. Into this the ships
grant wine, and might have escaped unhurt, but passed safely, and were hauled ujd on the beach,
that they stayed to hold revel on the shore. For and the crews slept by them, waiting for the
the Ciconians gathered their neighbors, being men morning. And the next day they hunted the
of the same blood, and did battle with the invad- wild goats, of which there was great store on
ers, and drove them to their ship. And when the island, and feasted right merrily on what they
Ulysses numbered his men, he found that he had caught, with draughts of red wine which they had
lost six out of each ship. carried off from the town of the Ciconians.
Scarce had he set out again when the wind be- But on the morrow Ulysses, for he was ever
gan to blow fiercely; so, seeing a smooth sandy fond of adventure, and would know of every land
to which he came what manner of men they were kindled a fire with the pine logs, and the flame
that dwelt there, took one of his twelve ships and lighted up all the cave, showing him Ulysses and
bade row to the land. There was a great hill his comrades.
sloping to the shore, and there rose up here and " Who are ye ? " cried Polyphemus, for that was
there a smoke from the caves where the Cyclopes the giant's name. " Are ye traders, or, haply, pi-
dwelt apart, holding no converse with each other, rates?"
for they were a rude and savage folk, but ruled For in those days it was not counted shame to
each his own household, not caring for others. be called a pirate.
Now very close to the shore was one of these Ulysses shuddered at the dreadful voice and
caves, very huge and deep, with laurels round shape, but bore him bravely, and answered, " We
about the mouth, and in front a fold with walls are no pirates, mighty sir, but Greeks, sailing back
built of rough stone, and shaded by tall oaks and from Troy, and subjects of the great King Aga-
pines. So Ulysses chose out of the crew tlie memnon, whose fame is spread from one end of
twelve bravest, and bade the rest guard the ship, heaven to the other. And we are come to beg
and went to see what manner of dwelling this hospitality of thee in the name of Zeus, who re-
was, and who abode there. He had his sword by wards or punishes hosts and guests according as
his side, and on his shoulder a mighty skin of they be faithful the one to the other, or no."
wine, sweet-smelling and strong, with which he "Nay," said the giant, "it is but idle talk to
might win the heart of some fierce savage, should tell me of Zeus and the other gods. We Cyclopes
he chance to meet with such, as indeed his pru- take no account of gods, holding ourselves to be
dent heart forecasted that he might. much and stronger than they. But come,
better
"
So they entered the cave, and judged that it tell me where have you left your ship ?
was the dwelling of some rich and skillful shep- But Ulysses saw his thought when he asked
herd. For within there were pens for the young about the ship, how he was minded to break it,
of the sheep and of the goats, divided all accord- and take from them all hope of flight. Therefore
ing to their age, and there were baskets full of he answered him craftily, —
cheeses, and full milk pails ranged along the wall. " Ship have we none, for that which was ours
But the Cyclops himself was away in the past- King Poseidon brake, driving it on a jutting rock
ures. Then the companions of Ulysses besought on this coast, and we whom thou seest are all that
hira that he would depart, taking with him, if he are escaped from the waves."
would, a store of cheeses and sundry of the lambs Polyphemus answered nothing, but without
and of the kids. But he would not, for he wished more ado caught up two of the men, as a man
to see, after his wont, what manner of host this might catch up the whelps of a dog, and dashed
strange shepherd might be. And truly he saw it them on the ground and tore them, with huge
to his cost draughts of milk between, limb fi-om limb, and
It was evening when the Cyclops came home, a devoured them, leaving not a morsel, not even
mighty giant, twenty feet in height, or more. On the very bones. But the others, when they saw
his shoulder he bore a vast bundle of pine logs the dreadful deed, could only weep and pray to
for his fire, and threw them down outside the cave Zeus for help. And when the giant had ended
with a great crash, and drove the flocks within, his foul meal, he lay down among his sheep and
and closed the entrance with a huge rock, which slept.
twenty wagons and more could not bear. Then Then Ulysses questioned much in his heart
he milked the ewes and all the she-goats, and half whether he should slay the monster as he slept,
of the milk he curdled for cheese, and half he set for he doubted not that his good sword would
ready for himself, when he should sup. Next he pierce to the giant's heart, mighty as he was.
THE OYOLOPS. 433
But, being very wise, he remembered that, should the lid upon his quiver. All that day the wise
he slay him, he and his comrades would yet perish Ulysses was thinking what he might do to save
miserably. For who should move away the great himself and his companions, and the end of his
rock that lay against the door of the cave ? So thinking was this : There was a mighty pole in the
they waited till the morning. And the monster cave, green wood ofan olive tree, big as a ship's
woke, and milked his flocks, and afterwards, seiz- mast, which Polj'phemus purposed to use, when
ing two men. devoured them for his meal. Then the smoke should have dried it, as a walking staff.
he went to the pastures, but put the great rock Of he cut off a fathom's length, and his com-
this
on the mouth of the cave, just as a man puts down rades sharpened it and hardened it in the fire, and
then hid it away. At evening the giant came with such like, if thou dealest with strangers as
back, and drove his sheep into the cave, nor left cruelly as thou hast dealt with us."
the rams outside, as he had been wont to do be- Then the Cyclops drank, and was mightily
fore, but shut them in. And having duly done pleased, and said, " Give
me again to drink, and
his shepherd's work, he made his cruel feast as be- tell me thy name, stranger, and I will give thee a
fore. Then Ulysses came forward with the wine- gift such as a host should give. In good truth this
skin in his hand, and said, is a rare liquor. We, too, have vines, but they
" Drink, Cyclops, now that thou hast feasted. bear not wine like this, which indeed must be
Drink, and see what precious things we had in such as the gods drink in heaven."
our ship. But no one hereafter will come to thee Then Ulysses gave him the cup again, and he
55
drank. Thrice he gave it to him, and thrice he Long did Ulysses think how he and his com-
drank, not knowing what it was, and how it rades should best escape. At
he lighted uponlast
would work within his brain. a good device, and much he thanked Zeus for that
Then Ulysses spake to him. " Thou didst ask tins once the giant had driven the rams with the
my name, Cyclops. Lo ! my name is No Man. other sheep into the cave. For, these being great
And now that thou knowest my name, thou and strong, he fastened his comrades under the
shouldst give me thy gift." bellies of the beasts, tying them with osier twigs,
A nd he said, " My gift shall be that I will eat of which the giant made his bed. One ram he
thee last of all thy company." took, and fastened a man beneath it, and two oth-
And as he spoke he fell back in a drunken ers he set, one on either side. So he did with the
sleep. Then Ulysses bade comrades be of his six, for but six were left out of the twelve who
good courage, for the time was come when they had ventured with him from the ship. And there
should be delivered. And they thrust the stake was one mighty ram, far larger than all the others,
of olive wood into the fire was ready, green
till it and to this Ulysses clung, grasping the fleece tight
as it was, to burst into flame, and they thrust it with both his hands. So they waited for the
into the monster's eye; for he had but one eye, morning. And when the morning came, the rams
and that in the midst of his forehead, with the rushed forth to the pasture ; but the giant sat in
eyebrow below it. And Ulysses leaned with all the door and felt the back of each as it went by,
his force upon the stake, and thrust it in with nor thought to try what might be underneath.
might and main. And the burning wood hissed Last of went the great ram. And the Cyclops
all
in the eye, just as the red-hot iron hisses in the knew him as he passed, and said, —
water when a man seeks to temper steel for a " How is this, thou, who art the leader of the
sword. flock ? Thou art not wont thus to lag behind.
Then the giant leaped up, and tore away the Thou hast always been the first to run to the past-
stake, and cried aloud, so that all the Cyclopes ures and streams in the morning, and the first to
who dwelt on the mountain side heard him and come back to the fold when evening fell ; and now
came about his cave, asking him, " What aileth thou art Perhaps thou art troubled
last of all.
thee, Polyphemus, that thou makest this uproar about thy master's eye, which some wretch No —
iu the peaceful night, driving away sleep ? Is any Man, they call him —
has destroyed, having first
one robbing thee of thy sheep, or seeking to slay mastered me with wine. He has not escaped, I
" would that thou couldst speak, and tell
thee by craft or force ? ween. I
And the giant answered, " No Man slays me by me where he is lurking. Of a truth I would dash
craft." out his brains upon the ground, and avenge me of
"Nay, but," they said, "if no man does thee this No Man."
wrong, we cannot help thee. The sickness which So speaking, he let him pass out of the cave.
great Zeus may send, who can avoid ? Pray to But when they were out of reach of the giant,
our father, Poseidon, for help." Ulysses loosed his hold of the ram, and then un-
Then they departed ; and Ulysses was glad at bound his comrades. And they hastened to their
heart for the good success of his device, when he ship, not forgetting to drive before them a good
he was No Man.
said that store of the Cyclops' fat sheep. Right glad were
But the Cyclops rolled away the great stone those that had abode by the ship to see them.
from the door of the cave, and sat in the midst, Nor did they lament for those that had died,
stretching out his hands, to feel whether perchance though they were fain to do so, for Ulysses for-
the men within the cave would seek to go out bade, fearing lest the noise of their weeping should
among the sheep. betray them to the giant, where they were. Then
THE CYCLOPS. 435
they all climbed into the ship, and sitting well in there came to this land one Telemus, a prophet,
ordei' on the benches, smote the sea with their oars, and dwelt among us even to old age. This man
laying to right lustily, that they might the sooner foretold to me that one Ulysses would rob me of
get away from the accursed land. And when they my sight. But I looked for a great man and a
had rowed a hundred yards or so, so that a man's strong, who should subdue me by force, and now
voice could yet be heard by one who stood upon a weakling has done the deed, having cheated me
the shore, Ulysses stood up in the ship and with wine. But come thou hither, Ulysses, and I
shouted :
— will be a host indeed to thee. Or, at least, may
" He was no coward, O Cyclops, whose com- Poseidon give thee such a voyage to thy home as
rades thou didst so foully slay in thy den. Justly I would wish thee to have. For know that Posei-
ai-t thou punished, monster, that devourest thy donis my sire. May be that he may heal me of
guests in thy dwelling. May
the gods make thee my grievous wound."
"
suffer j'et worse things than these I And Ulysses said, " Would to God I could send
Then the Cyclops, in his wrath, broke off the thee down abode of the dead, where thou
to the
top of a great hill a mighty rock, and hurled it wouldst be past all healing, even from Poseidon's
where he had heard the voice. Right in front of self."
the ship's bow and a great wave rose as it

it fell, Then Cyclops lifted up his hands to Poseidon
sank, and washed the ship back to the shore. But and prayed :
—
Ulysses seized a long pole with both hands and " Hear me, Poseidon, if I am indeed thy son and
pushed the ship from the land, and bade his com- thou my father. May this Ulysses never reach
rades ply their oars, nodding with his head, for he his home ! or, if the Fates have ordered that he
was too wise to speak, lest the Cyclops should should reach it, may he come alone, all his com-
know where they were. Then they rowed with rades lost, and come to find sore trouble in his
"
all their might and main. house !
And when they had gotten twice as far as be- And as he ended he hui'led another mighty
fore, Ulysses made as if he would speak again ; rock, which almost lighted on the rudder's end,
but his comrades sought to hinder him, saying, yet missed it, as by a hair's breadth. So Ulysses
" Nay, my lord, anger not the giant any more. and his comrades escaped, and came to the island
Surely we thought before we were lost, when he of the wild goats, where they found their com-
threw the great rock, and washed our ship back to rades, who indeed had waited long for them, in
the shore. And if he hear thee now, he may crush sore fear lest they had perished. Then Ulysses
our ship and us, for the man throws a mighty bolt divided amongst his company all the sheep which
and throws it far." they had taken from the Cyclops. And all, with
But Ulysses would not be persuaded, but stood one consent, gave him for his share the great ram
up and said, " Hear, Cyclops If any man ask
! which had carried him out of the cave, and he sac-
who blinded thee, say that it was the warrior rificed it to Zeus. And all that day they feasted
Ulysses, son of Laertes, dwelling in Ithaca." right merrily on the flesh of sheep and on sweet
And the Cyclops answered with a groan, " Of wine, and when the night was come they lay down
a truth, the old oracles are fulfilled, for long ago upon the shore and slept.
THE STORY OF KING CRCESUS.
FKOM CHURCH S STOEIES OF THE EAST.
CrcesUS, the son of Alyattes, began to reign Surely that they may find the Lydians coming
over Lydia, being thirty and five years old. This against them on the sea, that so they may take
Ci'oesus made war upon all the Greeks that dwelt vengeance on thee for their brethren on the main-
in the western parts of Asia, seeking some oc- land, whom thou hast brought into slavery."'
casion of quarrel with every city. And if he This saying pleased King Croesus mightily and ;
could find some great matter, he used it gladly ;

because the Greek seemed to him to speak truly,
but if not, a little thing would serve his turn. he ceased straightway from his shipbuilding, and
Now, the first of all the cities which he fought made alliance with the Greeks that dwelt in the
against was Ephesus ; and when the Ephesians islands.
were besieged by him they offered their city as Now after certain years, when all Asia that
an offering to the goddess Artemis, fastening a lieth to the westward Halys had been
of the river
rope to the wall from her temple. (The space subdued by Croesus (only Lydia and Cilicia were
between the temple and the wall was seven fur- not subdued), and his kingdom flourished with
longs.) All the cities of the Greeks that are on great wealth and honor, there came to Sardis all
the main-land did Croesus subdue, so tha't they the wise men of the Greeks, as many as there
paid tribute to him. And when he had ended were in those days. But the greatest of all that
this business, hepurposed in his heart to build came was Solon of Athens. This Solon had made
ships, to make war on the Greeks that dwelt
and laws for the Athenians, for they would have him
in the islands. But when all things were now make them, and afterwards he dwelt abroad for
ready for the building of the ships, there came to ten years. And he said that he did this that he
Sardis a certain Greek, a man renowned for wis- might see foreign countries but in truth he de-
;
dom. Some say that this Greek was Bias, the wise parted that he might not be compelled to change
man of Priene, and some that he was Pittacus of any of the laws that he had made. For the Athe-
Mitylene. This Greek caused Croesus to cease nians themselves could not change anj', having
from his sliipbuilding, for when the king would bound themselves with great oaths to Solon, that
know whether he had any news from Greece, he they would live for the space of ten years under
said to him, "O king, the islanders are buying the laws which he had made for them.
ten thousand horses, that they may set riders Solon therefore came to Sardis, and Croesus en-
upon them, and so march against thee and thy tertained him in his palace. And on the third or
city of Sardis." When CrcEsus heard this he was fourth day after his coming the King commanded
glad, hoping that the man spake truth, and said, his servants that they should show Solon all the
" Now may the gods put this into the hearts of royal treasures. So the servants showed him all
the islanders, that they should make war with the things that the king possessed, a very great
horses against the sons of the Lydians." Then store of riches. And when he had seen every-
the Greek answered and said, " O king, I see that thing and considered it, and a fitting time was
thou prayest with all thy heart that thou mayest come, the king said to him, " Man of Athens, I
coming against thee here on the
find the islanders have heard much of thee in time past, of thy wis-
main-land with horses, and verily thou doest well. dom and of thy journeyings to and fro, for they
What then dost thou think that the islanders pray say that thou wanderest over many lands, seeking
for now that they know thee to be building ships ? for knowledge. I have therefore a desire to ask
THE STORY OF KING GR(ESUS. 437
of thee one question :

'
Whom thinkest thou to be and dragged it, and their mother the priestess sat
"
the happiest of all the men that thou hast seen ? '
upon it. And the space for which they dragged
And this he said hoping that Solon would answer, it was forty and five furlongs and so they came ;
" Thou, O king, art the happiest man that I have to the temple. And when they had done this
seen." But Solon flattered him not a whit, but in the eyes of all the assembly, there befell them
spake the truth, saying, " O king, the happiest such a death that nothing could be more to be
man that I have seen was Tellus the Athenian." desired the gods, indeed, making it manifest
;
Then Croesus, marveling much at these words, that it is far better for a man to die than to live.
said, ''
And why
thinkest thou that Tellus the For indeed the thing fell out thus. When all the
Athenian was the happiest of men ? " Then Solon people of Argos came about the woman and her
answered, " Tellus saw his country in great pros- sons, and the men praised the youths for their
perity, and he had children born to him that were great strength, and the women praised the mother
fairand noble, and to each of these also he saw that she had borne such noble sons, the mother
children born, of wdiom there died not one. Thus in the joy of her heart stood before the image and
did all things prosper with him in life, as we prayed that the goddess would give to her sons,
count prosperity, and the end of his days also was even Cleobis and Biton, that which the gods
great and glorious ; for when the Athenians fought judge it best for a man to have. And when the
with certain neighbors of theirs in Eleusis, he priestess had so prayed, and the young men had
came to the help of his countrymen against their offered sacrifice, and made merry with their com-
enemies, and put these to flight, and so died with panions, they lay down to sleep in the temple,
great honor ; and the whole people of the Athe- and woke not again, but so ended their daj's. And
nians buried him in the same place wherein he the men of Argos commanded the artificers that
and honored him greatly."
fell, they should make statues of the young men, and
But when Solon had ended speaking to the these they offered to the god at Delphi.
king of Tellus, how happy he was, the king asked But when Solon thus gave the second place of
him again, " Whom, then, hast thou seen that happiness to these young men. King Croesus was
was next in happiness to this Tellus ? " For he very wroth, and said, " Man of Athens, thou
thought to himself, " Surelj' now he will give me countest my happiness as nothing worth, not
the second place." Then Solon said, " I judge deeming me fit to be compared even with com-
Cleobis and Biton to have been second in happi- mon men." Then Solon made answer, " O' Croe-
ness to Tellus." sus, thou askest me about mortal life to say
Cleobis and Biton were youths of the city of whether be happy or no, but I know that the
it
Argos. They had a livelihood such as sufficed gods are jealous and apt to bring trouble upon
them and their strength was greater than that
; men. I know also that if a man's years be pro-
of other men. For not only did they win prizes longed he shall see many things that he would
of strength, but also they did this thing that shall fain not see, aye, and suffer many things also.
now be told. The men of Argos held a feast to Now Ireckon that the years of a man's life are
Her^, who hath a great and famous temple in tlireescore and ten, and that in these years there
their city ; and
must needs be that the mother
it are twenty and five thousand days and two hun-
of the two young men, being priestess of Her6, dred. For this is the number, if a man reckon
should be drawn in a wagon from the city to the not the intercalated month. But if he reckon
temple but the oxen that should have drawn the
; this, seeing that in threescore and ten years are
wagon were not yet come from the fields. Then, thirty and five such months, and the daj's of these
as the time pressed and the matter was urgent, months are one thousand and fift j', then the whole
the young men harnessed themselves to the wagon sum of the days of a man's life is twenty and six
thousand two hundred and fifty. Now of these they shall turn out ; for the gods give to many
days, being so many, not one bringeth to a man men some earnest of happiness, but yet in the end
things like to those which another hath bi'ought. overthrow them utterly."
Wherefore, O king, the whole life of man is full These were the words of Solon. But they
of chance. I see indeed that thou hast exceeding pleased not King Croesus by any means. There-
great wealth and art king of many men. But as fore the king made no account of him, and dis-
to that which thou askest of me, I call thee not missed him as being a foolish and ignorant person,
happy, tilM shall know that thou hast ended thy seeing that he took no heed of the blessings that
days prosperously. For the man that hath ex- men have in their hands, bidding them always
ceeding great riches is in no wise happier than he have regard unto their end.
that hath sufficient only for the day, unless good Now it came to pass after Solon had departed
fortune also remain with him, and give him all ivom Sardis that there came great wrath from the
things that are to be desired, even unto the end of gods upon King Croesus, and this, doubtless, be-
his days. For many men that are wealthy beyond cause he judged himself to be the happiest of all
measure are nevertheless unhappj', and many that men. And it happened in this wise : He saw a
have neither poverty nor riclies have yet great hap- vision in his sleej), that told him of the trouble
piness, and he that is exceeding rich and unhappy that should come upon him with respect to his
withal, excelleth him that hath moderate posses- son. For the king had two sons but the one ;
sions with happiness in two things only, but the was afflicted of the gods, being dumb from his
other excelleth in many things. For the first hatli birth, but the other far surpassed his equals of age
the more strength to satisfy the desires of his soul, in all things. And the name
was Atys.
of his son
and also to bear up against any misfortune that Now the vision that he saw in his sleep showed
cometh upon him but the second hath not this
; him that Atys should be smitten with a spear-
strength and indeed he needeth it not, for his
; point of iron, and so die. Therefore when he
good fortune keepeth such things far from hira. woke from his sleep and considered the matter,
Also he is whole in body, and of good health, nei- being much terrified by the dream, he sought how
ther doth misfortune trouble him, and he hath good he might best keep his son from this peril. First,
children, and is fair to look upon. And if, over then, he married him to a wife and next, he ;
and above these things, he also end his life well, suffered him not to go forth any more to battle,
then I judge him to be the happy man whom thou thousli he had been wont aforetime to be the
seekest. But till he die, so long do I hold my captain of the host ; and, besides all this, he took
judgment, and call him not happy indeed, but away and spears, and such like things
all javelins
fortunate. It is impossible also that any man that men are wont to use in battle, from the
should comprehend in his life all things that be chambers of the men, and stored them elsewhere,
good. For even as a country sufficeth not for lest perchance one of them should fall from its
itself nor produceth all things, but hath certain place where it hung upon the wall and give the
things of its own and receiveth certain from others, youth a hurt.
and as that country which produceth the most is Now it chanced that while the matter of the
counted the best, even so is it with men, for no young man's marriage was in hand, there came to
man's body sufficetli for all things, but hath one Sardis a certain stranger, upon whom there had
thing and lacketh another. Whosoever, O king, come the great trouble of blood-guiltiness. The
keepeth ever the greatest store of things, and so man was a Phrygian by birth, and of the royal
endeth his life in a seemly fashion, this man de- house and he came into the palace of Croesus,
:
serveth in my judgment
to be called happy. But after the custom, of that countrj', and sought for
we must needs regard the end of all things, how one that should cleanse him from his guilt ; and
THE STORY OF KING CRCESUS. 439
Crcesus cleansed him. (Now the manner of cleansing dogs that I have ; and I will bid them do their
ing is the same, for the most part, among the utmost to heljD you, that ye may drive this wild
Lydians as it is among the Greeks.) And when beast out of your land." This was the king's
the king had done for him according to all that answer and the Mysians were fain to be content
;
was prescribed in the law, he would fain know with it. But in the meanwhile the youth came in,
who he was, and whence he had come. Where- for he had heard what the Mysians demanded of
fore he asked him, saying, "My friend, who art his father and he spake to the king, saying, " O
;
thou? and from what city of Phrj'gia for that — my father, I was wont aforetime to win for myself
thou art a Plirygian I know — art thou come, great credit and honor going forth to battle and to
taking sanctuary at my
hearth ? And what man hunting. But now thou forbiddest me both the
or woman didst thou slay ? " And the man an- one and the other, not having seen any cowardice
swered, " O king, I am the son of Gordias, the in me or lack of spirit. Tell me, my father, what
son of Midas, and my name is Adrastus, and I slew countenance can I show to mj^ fellows when I go
my own brother, not wittingly. For this cause am to the mai-ket, or when
come from thence ? I
I come to thee, for my father drave me out from What manner of man do
seem to be to my I
my home, and I am utterly bereft of all things." countrymen ? and what manner of man to the wife
To King Crcesus made repl}', " Thou art the
this that I have newly married ? What thinketh she
son of friends, and to a friend art thou come. of her husband ? Let me therefore go to this hunt-
Verily as long as thou abidest here thou shalt ing, or, if not, prove to me that it is better for me
lack for nothing that I can give thee. And as for to live as I am living this day." To this Croesus
thy trouble, it will be best for thee to bear it as made answei', " My son, I have seen no cowardice
easily as may be." So the man lived thenceforth or baseness or any such thing in thee ; but there
in the king's palace. appeared to me a vision in my sleep, and it stood
Now about this time there was a mighty wild over me and said that thy days should be few, for
boar in Olympus, that is a mountain of Mysia. It that thou shouldest die being smitten by a spear-
had its den in the mountain, and going out thence point of iron. For this reason I made this mar-
did much damage to the possessions of the Mj's- riage for thee, and send thee not forth on such oc-
ians and the Mysians had often sought to slay
; casions as I was wont to send thee on, keeping
him, but harmed him not at all, but rather re- thee under guard, if so be that I may shield thee
ceived harm themselves. At the last they sent from thy fate at the least so long as I shall live.
messengers to the king ; who stood before him, For thou art now my only son, for of him whom
and said, " O king, a mighty monster of a wild the gods have afflicted, making him dumb, I take
boar hath his abode in our country and destroyeth no count." To this the young man made answer,
our possessions, and though we would fain kill " Thou hast good reason, my father, to keep guard
him we cannot. Now, therefore, we pray thee that over me, seeing that thou hast had such a dream
thou wilt send thy son, and chosen youths with concerning me ;
yet I will tell thee a thing that
him, and dogs for hunting, that they may go with thou hast not understood nor comprehended in the
us,and that we may drive this great beast out of dream. Thou sayest that the vision told thee that
our land." But when they made this request I should perish by a spear-point of iron. Consider
Croesus remembered the dream which he had now, therefore, what hands hath a wild boar and
dreamed, and said, " As to my son, talk no more what spear-point of iron, that thou shouldest fear
about him, for I will by no means let him go, see- forme ? For if indeed the vision had said that I
ing that the youth is newly married to a wife, and should perish by a tooth, or by any other thing
careth now for other things. But chosen youths that is like to a tooth, then thou mightest well do
of the Lydians shall go with you, and all the hunt- what thou doest ; but seeing that it spake of a
56
spear-poiut, not so. Now, therefore, that we have the thing to Croesus. And when he had come to
not to do battle with men, but with beasts, I pray Sardis, he told the king how they had fought with
thee that thou let lue go." Then said King Croe- the wild boar, and how his son had died.
sus, " It is well said, my son ; as to the dream, Croesus was verj' grievously troubled by the
thou hast persuaded me. Therefore I have changed death of his son ; and more because he
this the
my purpose, and suffer thee to go to this hunting." had been slain by the man whom he had himself
When he had said this, he sent for Adrastus the cleansed from the guilt of blood. And in his
Phrygian and when the man was come into his
; great grief he cried out very vehemently against
presence, he spake, saying, " Adrastus, I took thee the gods, and specially against Zeus, the god of
when thou wast afflicted with a grievous trouble, cleansing, seeing that hehad cleansed this stranger,
though indeed with this I upbraid thee not, and I and now suffered grievous wrong at his hands.
cleansed thee from thy guilt, and received thee He reproached him also as the god of hosjjitality
into my palace, and sustained thee without any and of friendship —
of hospitality, because he had
cost of thine. Now, therefore, it is well that thou entertained this man, and knew not that he was
shouldest make me some return for all these bene- entertaining the slayer of his own son and of ;
fits. I would make thee keeper of my son now friendship, because he had sent him to be a keeper
that he goeth forth to this hunting, if it should and friend to his son, yet had found him to be an
chance that any robbers or such folk should be eneni}' and destroyer. And when he had done
found on the way to do him hurt. Moreover, it speaking there came Lydians bearing the dead
becometh thee, for thine own sake, to go on an er- body of the young man, and the slayer followed
rand from which thou mayest win renown for ; behind. So soon, therefore, as the man was come
thou art of a royal house and art besides valiant into the presence of the king, he gave himself up,
and strong." To this Adrastus made answer, " O stretching forth his hands, and bidding the king
king, I had not indeed gone to this sport but for slay him on the dead body. And he spake of the
thy words. For he to whom such trouble hath dreadful deed that he had done before, and that
come as hath come to me should not company with now he had added to it a worse thing, bringing
happy men nor indeed hath he the will to do it.
: destruction on him that had cleansed him and he ;
But now, as thou art earnest in this matter, I cried out that he was not fit to live. But when
must needs yield to thy request. Therefore I am CrcBSus heard him speak, he pitied him, for all
ready to do as thou wilt be sure, therefore, that
; that he was in grievous trouble of his own, and
I will deliver thee whom thou biddest me
thy son, spake to him, " I have had from thee, O my
keep, safe and unliurt, so far as his keeper may so friend, all thevengeance that I need, seeing that
do." So the young men departed, and chosen thou hast pronounced sentence of death against
youths with them, and dogs for hunting. And thyself. But indeed thou art not the cause of this
when they were come to the mountain of Olympus trouble, save only that thou hast brought it to pass
they searched for the wild boar, and when they unwittingly some god is the cause, the same that
;
had found it, they stood in a circle about it, and long since foretold to me this very thing that hath
threw their spears at it. And so it fell out that now befallen me." So Crcesiis buried his son with
this stranger, the same that had been cleansed all due rites. But Adrastus the son of Gordias the
from the guilt of manslaying, whose name was son of Midas, that had been the slayer of his own
Adrastus, throwing his spear at the wild boar and brother, and had now him that had
slain the son of
missing his aim, smote the son of Croesus. And cleansed him, waited behind till all men had left
the youth died of the wound, so that the vision of the sepulchre, and then slew himself upon it for ;
the king was fulfilled, that he should die by a he knew that of all the men in the world he was
spear-point. And straightway there ran one to tell the most unhappy.
THE EXPEDITION OF THE ARGONAUTS. 441
THE EXPEDITION OF THE ARGONAUTS.

BY B. G. NIEBUHK.
Theee was name was

a king in Greece whose was no bridge over the brook. There had been in
Atbamas, and his wife's name was Nephela. They the night a heavy thunder-storm, and it had rained
had two children, a son and a daughter, who were very heavily the brook was full of water, and
;
very good, and loved each other very much. The flowed strongly when the heavy rain happened.
son's name was Phrixus, and the daughter's Helle. Then the ties of one of Jason's shoes were loosened
But the father was wicked and put away his wife, so that he lost it in the water, and he came with
the mother of the good children, and married an- only one shoe into the king's house. When King
other wife whose name was Ino, and who was Pelias saw this, he was greatly frightened, and
very wicked. She treated the poor children very told Jason he should depart out of the country,
badly, gave them bad thingsto eat, and bad and not come back unless he brought him the
clothes, and beat them, although they were good, golden fleece at Colchis.
because they wept after their mother. Ino veas a Jason was not at all afraid, and sent an invita-
very bad stepmother. At last both Athamas and tion to all brave warriors to go with him. In or-
Ino sought to kill Phrixus and to offer him as a der to get was necessary to fight
the fleece, it
sacrifice. with evil beasts and with evil men.

But when he was brought to the altar, the god Jason built a large ship for himself and for his
Hermes brought a fine large ram who had wool of comi-ades. Then the goddess Minerva, who loved
gold and could walk on the clouds. On this ram him, lent him assistance, and made him a present
with the golden fleece, Hermes placed Phrixus of a tree for his mast, which, if Jason questioned
and also his sister Helle, and told them to go it, him what he was to do.
told
through the air to the country of Colchis. The ship's name was Argo, and they who went
The ram knew his way. The children were in her were called Argonauts. Amongst the Ar-
told to cling with one hand
one of the horns,
to gonauts there was one Hercules, and two brothers
and they bent their other arm about each other's who had wings and could fly through the air and :
waists : but Helle let go her hold, and fell down another hero's name was Pollux he knocked :
into the sea. Phrixus wept very much because every man down who boxed with him.
his good sister was dead, but went on riding until Then the Argonauts came with their ship to a
he came to Colchis. There he sacrificed his ram, country where there was a king whose name was
and nailed the fleece against an oak-tree. Amycus and whenever strangers came to his
;
Afterwards there was in Thessaly another king, country they were compelled to fight him, and he
whose name was Pelias. He had a brother whose was very strong and struck all dead. But Pollux
name was JiJson, and ^son a son whose name knocked him down and struck him dead for ;
was Jason. Jason was a young and brave war- Amycus had been very wicked.
rior who dwelt with his father out of the town. After that, the Argonauts came in their ship
Now it had been said to King Pelias, that if a to the town of Salmydessus, where there lived a
man with only one shoe should come to him, he king whose name was Phineus. He had rendered
would take away his kingdom. Then it happened Jupiter angry, and Jupiter, to punish him, made
that King Pelias gave a great dinner, to which he him blind. Whenever Phineus sat down to his
invited also Jason. Jason was obliged to wade dinner, there came nasty great birds which they
through a brook in coming to the town, for there called harpies. These harpies had a skin of iron
66
like a coat of mail, and if the attendants of the had placed these rocks in the sea. lest any ship
blind king shot after them or struck at them, they should come to Colchis. Phineus, however, knew
could not wound them. The harpies had also that the rocks always parted very widely from
long shai'p iron claws, with which they tore the each other after having crushed together, and
people to pieces who wished to drive them away. they always came together whenever a fish was
As soon as dinner was served, they would come about to swim through, or a bird fly through, or a
and carry it away, and if they could not carry ship sail between them.
away all, they dirtied the dishes and the table, so Thereforg he gave clever advice to the Ai-go-
that it stank most detestably. Thus, as poor nauts, and they did what he advised them and got
Phineus could never dine comfortably, he was safely through, and I will tell you how they man-
very near starving. When the heroes came to aged it.
him, he related to them his misfortunes, and wept When they came near the place where the rocks
sorely, and begged them to help him. The heroes swam, the rocks were lying widely asunder (about
sat down with him at the table, and when the fifteen miles), but they immediately prepared to
meals were brought in, then the harpies came fly- meet each other. The Argonauts sailed straight
ing in. Jason and his comrades drew their swords towards the middle of them, and when they were
and struck at them, but it availed not a bit. The close to them, one of the heroes stood up on the
two sons of Boreas, Zetes and Calais, who had ship and held a dove in his hand, and he let it fly ;
wings, jumped into the air ; then the harpies lost whenever any living thing got between the rocks,
courage and flew away, and the two heroes flew they were obliged to crush together, and then
after them the harpies at last became quite
: again they parted widely asunder. The dove was
weary and still more frightened, and fell into the quick, and the goddess Minerva helped her, be-
sea and were drowned. Then Zetes and Calais cause she was a very good dove she was quite:
came back, and now poor Phineus had rest and white. When the rocks had crushed together,
could eat. only her tail was left behind, which was torn out,
When the wind was favorable, the heroes went but the feathers soon grew again. Then the rocks
back to their ship Argo, to sail towards Colchis, again parted widely asunder, and then the heroes
and when they bade farewell to Phineus, he took rowed with all their might and got happily
them into his arms and kissed them, and thanked through when the rocks crushed together again,
:
them a great many times that they had helped they could only catch a small bit of the ship's
him out of his disagreeable trouble and as a ; stern, which they knocked off. The dove sat
recompense for the service, he gave them good again down on
the ship, and was not angry at all
advice. In the great sea over which they were to at the Argonauts; and afterwards Minerva took
sail two great rocks, as icebergs float
there floated her and placed her in the firmament, where she is
in the sea where there is no summer, but always now a beautiful constellation.
winter. Those mountains were as high as Monte When the Argonauts had passed happily
Cavo, and whenever they struck against each through the Symplegades (as these rocks were
other they crushed everything to pieces that had called), they entered at last the i-iver Pliasis,
got between them if fishes swam in the water

; which flows through Colchis. Some remained in
they crushed them to death and if birds flew ; the ship but Jason and Pollux and many other
;
through the air, when the rocks dashed together heroes went into the town where the king dwelt.
they crushed them to death and if a ship was ;
The king's name was êtes, and he had a
about to sail through, they rushed together when daughter whose name was Medea. Jason told
the ship was in the middle, and crushed it into King jEetes that Pelias had sent him to fetch the
small pieces, and all that were in it died. Jupiter golden fleece, and requested him that he would
THE EXPEDITION OF THE ARGONAUTS. 443
give to him.
it êtes was unwilling to lose the generals, chamberlains, and his courtiers, and sat
but could not refuse it to Jason, it having
fleece, down on a throne near the place where Jason was
been predestined that he must give it whenever to plow, and the others sat down on benches as
any one came from Greece and asked for it. He they do on the Corso at the races, and all people
therefore told Jason that he should have it, but went out of the town to see how it would happen,
first, that he must yoke certain brazen bulls to and the boys climbed up the trees in order to see
a plow, and plow up a great tract of land, and better.
then sow the teeth of a certain dragon. The Jason rubbed himself and his weapons with the
brazen bulls had been made by Vulcan ; they juice as Medea had told him, and came to the
walked and moved and were living like real bulls, place. The stall in which the bulls were shut up
but they belched out fire from nose and mouth, stood on the place. Then the doors were opened
and were far more fierce and strong than real with a key, and Jason courageously stepped in and
bulls. Therefore there was built a stable of great was not at all afraid. He loosened the bulls from
stones and iron for them, in which they were the chain, and seized each with one hand by its
bound with strong iron chains. horn, and dragged them out. The bulls bellowed
And when the dragon's teeth got under the most horribly, and all that time fire came out from
earth, as corn gets under the earth when it has their noses and mouths and as much smoke as
;
been sowed, there would grow out of the earth when a house is burning, or when Mount Vesuvius
iron men with lances and swords, who would kill is spitting fire. Then the wicked King êtes felt
him who had sown them. Thus the king wished quite glad : but when the good among the specta-
that the bulls should kill Jason and if the bulls
; tors saw what a beautiful man and how courageous
should not kill him, then he thought that the iron Jason was, they were grieved and feared he would
men would do it. die ; for they did not know that Medea was helping
Medea, the daughter of the king, saw Jason at him. Jason, however, pressed the heads of both
her father's, and conceived a fondness for him the bulls down to the ground ; then they kicked
and she was sorry that Jason should perish. She with their hind legs, but Jason pressed them down
was able to brew magic liquors and placed her-
: so strongly that they fell on their knees.
self on a chariot drawn by flying serpents and : The plow which they were to be yoked was
to
thus she flew through the air and collected herbs all of iron ; it near and threw the
Pollux brought
on many mountains and in many vales, on the yoke over their necks and the chain around their
brinks of brooks, and from all these herbs she horns whilst Jason kept their mouths and noses
;
pressed out the juice and prepared it; and then so close to the ground that they could not belch
she went to Jason without her father knowing it, out fire. When Pollux had done and the bulls
and brought him the juice, and told him to rub his were yoked, he leaped quickly away, and Jason
face and his hands, and arms and legs, and also his then seized the chain in one hand and the handle
armor, his sword and lance, with the juice, whereof the plow in the other, and let loose his grasp
by he would become for a whole day stronger of the horns the bulls jumped up meaning to run
;
than all the other heroes together, and fire would away, but Jason held the chain so fast that they
not burn him, and steel would not wound him, or were obliged to walk quite slowly, and to plow
go through his shield or armor, but his sword and quite orderly. It was sunrise when they were
his lance would pierce steel as if it were butter. j'oked, and when it was noon Jason had plowed
Then a day was appointed when Jason should up the whole field. Then he unyoked the bulls and
yoke the bulls and sow the teeth and early in; let them loose but the bulls were as shy as a cat
;
the morning, before the sun rose, there came after a beating, and they ran without looking
King êtes, with his daughter, and his ministers, behind them to the mountains. There they would
have set all the woods on fire if Vulcan had not The next morning, Jason went to King iEetes
appeared, and caught them and led them away. and asked him now to give him the fleece ; but
When Jason had done plowing, he went to King the king did not give it to him, and said that he
-êtes, telling him he must now give him the dra- should come again : he wished to have Jason
gon's teeth. Dragons and serpents have their murdered. Medea told that to Jason, and told
mouths full of small teeth, and êtes gave to him he must fetch the fleece himself, or
also that
Jason a helmet all filled with their teeth. Jason else he would never get it. The fleece was nailed
took them out with his hand and went up and to an oak, and at the foot of the oak there lay a
down the field and threw them in all directions dragon that never slept, and ate all men, excepting
and then he took his large spear and beat the King êtes, that should touch the fleece. As the
clods, the large lumps of earth, into small pieces, dragon was immortal, Medea could not help Jason
and then he smoothed the soil as the gardener to kill him. But the dragon ate sweet cakes with
does after having sowed. And then he went away delight, and Medea gave to Jason honey-cakes, in
and lay down to rest until the evening, for he was which she had mixed a juice which obliged the
very weary. dragon to go fast asleep. Jason came with his
Towards sunset he returned to the field, and cakes and threw them before him the stupid ;
iron men were everywhere growing out of the dragon ate all of them, and fell asleep immedi-
soil. Some had grown out to the feet, others to ately. Then Jason stej^ped over him and drew
the knees, others to the hips, others to the mider out with pincers the nails with which the fleece
part of the shoulders, of some only the helmet or was fastened to the oak, and then taking down the
forehead could be seen, whilst the remainder of fleece, he wrapped it in his cloak and carried it
their bodies stuck in the ground. Those who had off to the ship. Medea came also and became
their arms already out of the earth and could move Jason's wife, and went with him to Greece.
them, shook their lances, and brandished their -Setes thinking the Argonauts would go back
swords. Some were just freeing their feet and pre- in the Argo the same way they had come, sent a
paring to come against Jason. great many vessels to attack them but thej' took ;
Then Jason did what his friend Medea had another way and went up the large river Ister,
told him, and taking a big stone, he threw it on and then the heroes carried the Argo into the
the field just in the midst of them. When the Ocean (which goes all around the earth), and
iron men saw the stone, they sprang quick to take then they came again to lolcos but the Colchlahs :
it. I must have been a fine great

suppose that it always waited at the Symplegades, which now
marble stone. Then they began to bicker amongst stood fastened, and the Argo never coming, they
each other, because each wished to have it, and to returned at last home again and King jEetes
;
cut and thrust at each other, and as soon as one was terribly angry for he had lost the fleece,
;
got his feet out of the he ran to join the

soil, and the brazen bulls, and the dragon's teeth and ;
others, and all of them fought together, until every his daughter was gone, and had also taken with
one of them was killed. Jason meanwhile leis- her all her jewels, and everybody laughed at him.
urely walked over the field and cut off the heads When Medea arrived with Jason in Thessaly,
of those thatwere about to grow out. In this way she made old ^son young again, so that his white
all the iron men perished, and the King jiEetes hair became black again, and all his teeth came
became furious like a madman but Medea and : again ;he grew as strong as any young man, and
the heroes and the spectators were uncommonly lived a great many more years but she killed :
pleased. Pelias, and ^son became king in his stead.
CBr:TP L CIRCULATION
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X^s-^

WITH MANY ILLUSTRATIONS

The Nt</^ YORK

The Riverside Press, Cambridge:

THE BOOK OF FABLES. p*"^ PAQE

The Tortoise and the Hare .... 1

The Woman and her Maids .... 2 The

The Two Packs 2 15

The Frogs ask for a King .... • •

The Fox in the Well 3 15

The Wolf and the Crane .... 3 The

The Farmer's Sons .... 6

Belling the Cat .... The Three Bears ....

The Farmer and the Stork The 23

The Crab and his Mother 8 The Fkog-Prince .... .

A Country- Fellow and a Rivek . 9 Jorinda and Joeindel 32

The Belly- and the Members 10 The Six Swans 34

The Fox that lost his Tail 10 Rumpel-StiltsKin 37

The Jackdaw and the Doves 11 The Traveling Musicians 47

The Fox and the Lion 11 The White Cat ig

The Tortoise and the Eagle

Twinkle, Twinkle • . 76 The Swineherd 175

Willie Winkie 76 The Lovers 178

Good-Night and Good-Morning .77 The Darning-Needle 186

Gentle Jesus, Meek and Mild ..... . .

Cradle Song 78 The Princess on the Pea 197

THE BOOK OF POPULAR TALES. Holger Danske 198

Blue Beard . . 114 Lamp 230

THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE.

to you." Be that as it may," replied the Wolf,

ill names." " O Sir," said the Lamb, trembling,

to argue me out of my supper " and without an- ;

other word he fell upon the poor, helpless Lamb

THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.

and took a nap ;

catch them and eat them up one by one. When

forelock and make our way to the eaves, that we

THE FROGS ASK FOR A KING.

THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.

they forgot their fright, and felt such con-

tempt for it that they jumped up and sat on it.

slipped into the Rabbit's house, and made herself

at home. It was very comfortable, and quite to

poking her snout oat. " Do you not know that

scratched the ground a and came in here little

where the earth was gone. Do you pretend to

it to him." The Rabbit consented, and they went to the weakest.

unjust. As soon, however, as the learned Gri-

their dispute by devouring them at his leisure.

The house then belonged to him.

THE LION AND THE MOUSE.

sleeping Lion, who roused himself, caught him,

fellow begged him to let him go, saying, " If I am

The Lion, the Ass, and the Fox, made a bar-

it and the Lion charged the Ass to divide the

lagers to to his help, crying, " Wolf

the wolves are among my

called on them to cliouse their portion, at which

took them and bound them into one bundle, and

to rebeland be quarrelsome, you will quickly be

mastered by them." eftj

THE STAG AND THE LION.

he drank he saw his reflection in the water, and