Inthenightthekingsentforhisyoungestdaughter，andasshedidnotcomehesentagain;butshedidnotcomeanythemoreforthat。Thequeen，whowasawitch，discoveredthatherdaughterhadgoneoffwiththeprince，andtoldherhusbandhemustleavehisbedandgoafterthem。Thekinggotslowlyup，groaningwithpain，anddraggedhimselftothestables，wherehesawtheleanhorsestillinhisstall。
Leapingonhisbackheshookthereins，andhisdaughter，whoknewwhattoexpectandhadhereyesopen，sawthehorsestartforward，andinthetwinklingofaneyechangedherownsteedintoacell，theprinceintoahermit，andherselfintoanun。
Whenthekingreachedthechapel，hepulleduphishorseandaskedifagirlandayoungmanhadpassedthatway。Thehermitraisedhiseyes，whichwerebentontheground，andsaidthathehadnotseenalivingcreature。Theking，muchdisgustedatthisnews，andnotknowingwhattodo，returnedhomeandtoldhiswifethat，thoughhehadriddenformiles，hehadcomeacrossnothingbutahermitandanuninacell。
’Whythoseweretherunaways，ofcourse，’shecried，flyingintoapassion，’andifyouhadonlybroughtascrapofthenun’sdress，orabitofstonefromthewall，Ishouldhavehadtheminmypower。’
Atthesewordsthekinghastenedbacktothestable，andbroughtouttheleanhorsewhotravelledquickerthanthought。Buthisdaughtersawhimcoming，andchangedherhorseintoaplotofground，herselfintoarose—treecoveredwithroses，andtheprinceintoagardener。Asthekingrodeup，thegardenerlookedupfromthetreewhichhewastrimmingandaskedifanythingwasthematter。’Haveyouseenayoungmanandagirlgoby？’saidtheking，andthegardenershookhisheadandrepliedthatnoonehadpassedthatwaysincehehadbeenworkingthere。Sothekingturnedhisstepshomewardsandtoldhiswife。
’Idiot！’criedshe，’ifyouhadonlybroughtmeoneoftheroses，orahandfulofearth，Ishouldhavehadtheminmypower。Butthereisnotimetowaste。Ishallhavetogowithyoumyself。’
Thegirlsawthemfromafar，andagreatfearfellonher，forsheknewhermother’sskillinmagicofallkinds。However，shedeterminedtofighttotheend，andchangedthehorseintoadeeppool，herselfintoaneel，andtheprinceintoaturtle。Butitwasnouse。Hermotherrecognisedthemall，and，pullingup，askedherdaughterifshedidnotrepentandwouldnotliketocomehomeagain。Theeelwagged’No’withhertail，andthequeentoldherhusbandtoputadropofwaterfromthepoolintoabottle，becauseitwasonlybythatmeansthatshecouldseizeholdofherdaughter。Thekingdidashewasbid，andwasjustintheactofdrawingthebottleoutofthewaterafterhehadfilledit，whentheturtleknockedagainstandspiltitall。Thekingthenfilleditasecondtime，butagaintheturtlewastooquickforhim。
Thequeensawthatshewasbeaten，andcalleddownacurseonherdaughterthattheprinceshouldforgetallabouther。Afterhavingrelievedherfeelingsinthismanner，sheandthekingwentbacktothepalace。
Theothersresumedtheirpropershapesandcontinuedtheirjourney，buttheprincesswassosilentthatatlasttheprinceaskedherwhatwasthematter。’ItisbecauseIknowyouwillsoonforgetallaboutme，’saidshe，andthoughhelaughedatherandtoldheritwasimpossible，shedidnotceasetobelieveit。
Theyrodeonandonandon，tilltheyreachedtheendoftheworld，wheretheprincelived，andleavingthegirlinaninnhewenthimselftothepalacetoaskleaveofhisfathertopresenthertohimashisbride;butinhisjoyatseeinghisfamilyoncemoreheforgotallabouther，andevenlistenedwhenthekingspokeofarrangingamarriageforhim。
Whenthepoorgirlheardthissheweptbitterly，andcriedout，’Cometome，mysisters，forIneedyoubadly！’
Inamomenttheystoodbesideher，andtheelderonesaid，’Donotbesad，allwillgowell，’andtheytoldtheinnkeeperthatifanyoftheking’sservantswantedanybirdsfortheirmastertheyweretobesentuptothem，astheyhadthreedovesforsale。
Andsoitfellout，andasthedoveswereverybeautifultheservantboughtthemfortheking，whoadmiredthemsomuchthathecalledhissontolookatthem。Theprincewasmuchpleasedwiththedovesandwascoaxingthemtocometohim，whenoneflutteredontothetopofthewindowandsaid，’Ifyoucouldonlyhearusspeak，youwouldadmireusstillmore。’
Andanotherperchedonatableandadded，’Talkaway，itmighthelphimtoremember！’
Andthethirdflewonhisshoulderandwhisperedtohim，’Putonthisring，prince，andseeifitfitsyou。’
Anditdid。Thentheyhungacollarroundhisneck，andheldafeatheronwhichwaswrittenthenameofthedove。Andatlasthismemorycamebacktohim，andhedeclaredhewouldmarrytheprincessandnobodyelse。Sothenextdaytheweddingtookplace，andtheylivedhappytilltheydied。
[FromthePortuguese。]
VIRGILIUSTHESORCERER
Long，longagotherewasborntoaRomanknightandhiswifeMajaalittleboycalledVirgilius。Whilehewasstillquitelittle，hisfatherdied，andthekinsmen，insteadofbeingahelpandprotectiontothechildandhismother，robbedthemoftheirlandsandmoney，andthewidow，fearingthattheymighttaketheboy’slifealso，senthimawaytoSpain，thathemightstudyinthegreatUniversityofToledo。
Virgiliuswasfondofbooks，andporedoverthemalldaylong。
Butoneafternoon，whentheboysweregivenaholiday，hetookalongwalk，andfoundhimselfinaplacewherehehadneverbeenbefore。Infrontofhimwasacave，and，asnoboyeverseesacavewithoutenteringit，hewentin。ThecavewassodeepthatitseemedtoVirgiliusasifitmustrunfarintotheheartofthemountain，andhethoughthewouldliketoseeifitcameoutanywhereontheotherside。Forsometimehewalkedoninpitchdarkness，buthewentsteadilyon，andby—and—byaglimmeroflightshotacrossthefloor，andheheardavoicecalling，’Virgilius！Virgilius！’
’Whocalls？’heasked，stoppingandlookinground。
’Virgilius！’answeredthevoice，’doyoumarkuponthegroundwhereyouarestandingaslideorbolt？’
’Ido，’repliedVirgilius。
’Then，’saidthevoice，’drawbackthatbolt，andsetmefree。’
’Butwhoareyou？’askedVirgilius，whoneverdidanythinginahurry。
’Iamanevilspirit，’saidthevoice，’shutupheretillDoomsday，unlessamansetsmefree。IfyouwillletmeoutI
willgiveyousomemagicbooks，whichwillmakeyouwiserthananyotherman。’
NowVirgiliuslovedwisdom，andwastemptedbythesepromises，butagainhisprudencecametohisaid，andhedemandedthatthebooksshouldbehandedovertohimfirst，andthatheshouldbetoldhowtousethem。Theevilspirit，unabletohelpitself，didasVirgiliusbadehim，andthentheboltwasdrawnback。
Underneathwasasmallhole，andoutofthistheevilspiritgraduallywriggledhimself;butittooksometime，forwhenatlasthestooduponthegroundheprovedtobeaboutthreetimesaslargeasVirgiliushimself，andcoalblackbesides。
’Why，youcan’thavebeenasbigasthatwhenyouwereinthehole！’criedVirgilius。
’ButIwas！’repliedthespirit。
’Idon’tbelieveit！’answeredVirgilius。
’Well，I’lljustgetinandshowyou，’saidthespirit，andafterturningandtwisting，andcurlinghimselfup，thenhelayneatlypackedintothehole。ThenVirgiliusdrewthebolt，and，pickingthebooksupunderhisarm，heleftthecave。
ForthenextfewweeksVirgiliushardlyateorslept，sobusywasheinlearningthemagicthebookscontained。ButattheendofthattimeamessengerfromhismotherarrivedinToledo，begginghimtocomeatoncetoRome，asshehadbeenill，andcouldlookaftertheiraffairsnolonger。
ThoughsorrytoleaveToledo，wherehewasmuchthoughtofasshowingpromiseofgreatlearning，Virgiliuswouldwillinglyhavesetoutatonce，butthereweremanythingshehadfirsttoseeto。Soheentrustedtothemessengerfourpack—horsesladenwithpreciousthings，andawhitepalfreyonwhichshewastorideouteveryday。Thenhesetabouthisownpreparations，and，followedbyalargetrainofscholars，heatlengthstartedforRome，fromwhichhehadbeenabsenttwelveyears。
Hismotherwelcomedhimbackwithtearsinhereyes，andhispoorkinsmenpressedroundhim，buttherichoneskeptaway，fortheyfearedthattheywouldnolongerbeabletorobtheirkinsmanastheyhaddoneformanyyearspast。Ofcourse，Virgiliuspaidnoattentiontothisbehaviour，thoughhenoticedtheylookedwithenvyontherichpresentshebestowedonthepoorerrelationsandonanyonewhohadbeenkindtohismother。
Soonafterthishadhappenedtheseasonoftax—gatheringcameround，andeveryonewhoownedlandwasboundtopresenthimselfbeforetheemperor。Liketherest，Virgiliuswenttocourt，anddemandedjusticefromtheemperoragainstthemenwhohadrobbedhim。Butasthesewerekinsmentotheemperorhegainednothing，astheemperortoldhimhewouldthinkoverthematterforthenextfouryears，andthengivejudgment。ThisreplynaturallydidnotsatisfyVirgilius，and，turningonhisheel，hewentbacktohisownhome，and，gatheringinhisharvest，hestoreditupinhisvarioushouses。
WhentheenemiesofVirgiliusheardofthis，theyassembledtogetherandlaidsiegetohiscastle。ButVirgiliuswasamatchforthem。Comingforthfromthecastlesoastomeetthemfacetoface，hecastaspelloverthemofsuchpowerthattheycouldnotmove，andthenbadethemdefiance。Afterwhichheliftedthespell，andtheinvadingarmyslunkbacktoRome，andreportedwhatVirgiliushadsaidtotheemperor。
Nowtheemperorwasaccustomedtohavehislightestwordobeyed，almostbeforeitwasuttered，andhehardlyknewhowtobelievehisears。Buthegottogetheranotherarmy，andmarchedstraightofftothecastle。ButdirectlytheytookuptheirpositionVirgiliusgirdedthemaboutwithagreatriver，sothattheycouldneithermovehandnorfoot，then，hailingtheemperor，heofferedhimpeace，andaskedforhisfriendship。Theemperor，however，wastooangrytolistentoanything，soVirgilius，whosepatiencewasexhausted，feastedhisownfollowersinthepresenceofthestarvinghost，whocouldnotstirhandorfoot。
Thingsseemedgettingdesperate，whenamagicianarrivedinthecampandofferedtosellhisservicestotheemperor。Hisproposalsweregladlyaccepted，andinamomentthewholeofthegarrisonsankdownasiftheyweredead，andVirgiliushimselfhadmuchadotokeepawake。Hedidnotknowhowtofightthemagician，butwithagreateffortstruggledtoopenhisBlackBook，whichtoldhimwhatspellstouse。Inaninstantallhisfoesseemedturnedtostone，andwhereeachmanwastherehestayed。Somewerehalfwayuptheladders，somehadonefootoverthewall，butwherevertheymightchancetobethereeverymanremained，eventheemperorandhissorcerer。Alldaytheystayedtherelikefliesuponthewall，butduringthenightVirgiliusstolesoftlytotheemperor，andofferedhimhisfreedom，aslongashewoulddohimjustice。Theemperor，whobythistimewasthoroughlyfrightened，saidhewouldagreetoanythingVirgiliusdesired。SoVirgiliustookoffhisspells，and，afterfeastingthearmyandbestowingoneverymanagift，badethemreturntoRome。Andmorethanthat，hebuiltasquaretowerfortheemperor，andineachcornerallthatwassaidinthatquarterofthecitymightbeheard，whileifyoustoodinthecentreeverywhisperthroughoutRomewouldreachyourears。
Havingsettledhisaffairswiththeemperorandhisenemies，Virgiliushadtimetothinkofotherthings，andhisfirstactwastofallinlove！Thelady’snamewasFebilla，andherfamilywasnoble，andherfacefairerthananyinRome，butsheonlymockedVirgilius，andwasalwaysplayingtricksuponhim。Tothisend，shebadehimonedaycometovisitherinthetowerwhereshelived，promisingtoletdownabaskettodrawhimupasfarastheroof。Virgiliuswasenchantedatthisquiteunexpectedfavour，andsteppedwithgleeintothebasket。Itwasdrawnupveryslowly，andby—and—bycamealtogethertoastandstill，whilefromaboverangthevoiceofFebillacrying，’Rogueofasorcerer，thereshaltthouhang！’Andtherehehungoverthemarket—place，whichwassoonthrongedwithpeople，whomadefunofhimtillhewasmadwithrage。Atlasttheemperor，hearingofhisplight，commandedFebillatoreleasehim，andVirgiliuswenthomevowingvengeance。
ThenextmorningeveryfireinRomewentout，andastherewerenomatchesinthosedaysthiswasaveryseriousmatter。Theemperor，guessingthatthiswastheworkofVirgilius，besoughthimtobreakthespell。ThenVirgiliusorderedascaffoldtobeerectedinthemarket—place，andFebillatobebroughtclothedinasinglewhitegarment。Andfurther，hebadeeveryonetosnatchfirefromthemaiden，andtosuffernoneighbourtokindleit。Andwhenthemaidenappeared，cladinherwhitesmock，flamesoffirecurledabouther，andtheRomansbroughtsometorches，andsomestraw，andsomeshavings，andfireswerekindledinRomeagain。
Forthreedaysshestoodthere，tilleveryhearthinRomewasalight，andthenshewassufferedtogowhereshewould。
ButtheemperorwaswrothatthevengeanceofVirgilius，andthrewhimintoprison，vowingthatheshouldbeputtodeath。
AndwheneverythingwasreadyhewasledouttotheViminalHill，wherehewastodie。
Hewentquietlywithhisguards，butthedaywashot，andonreachinghisplaceofexecutionhebeggedforsomewater。Apailwasbrought，andhe，crying’Emperor，allhail！seekformeinSicily，’jumpedheadlongintothepail，andvanishedfromtheirsight。
ForsometimewehearnomoreofVirgilius，orhowhemadehispeacewiththeemperor，butthenexteventinhishistorywashisbeingsentfortothepalacetogivetheemperoradvicehowtoguardRomefromfoeswithinaswellasfoeswithout。Virgiliusspentmanydaysindeepthought，andatlengthinventedaplanwhichwasknowntoallasthe’PreservationofRome。’
OntheroofoftheCapitol，whichwasthemostfamouspublicbuildinginthecity，hesetupstatuesrepresentingthegodsworshippedbyeverynationsubjecttoRome，andinthemiddlestoodthegodofRomeherself。Eachoftheconqueredgodsheldinitshandabell，andiftherewasevenathoughtoftreasoninanyofthecountriesitsgodturneditsbackuponthegodofRomeandrangitsbellfuriously，andthesenatorscamehurryingtoseewhowasrebellingagainstthemajestyoftheempire。Thentheymadereadytheirarmies，andmarchedagainstthefoe。
NowtherewasacountrywhichhadlongfeltbitterjealousyofRome，andwasanxiousforsomewayofbringingaboutitsdestruction。Sothepeoplechosethreemenwhocouldbetrusted，and，loadingthemwithmoney，sentthemtoRome，biddingthemtopretendthattheyweredivinersofdreams。Nosoonerhadthemessengersreachedthecitythantheystoleoutatnightandburiedapotofgoldfardownintheearth，andletdownanotherintothebedoftheTiber，justwhereabridgespanstheriver。
Nextdaytheywenttothesenatehouse，wherethelawsweremade，and，bowinglow，theysaid，’Oh，noblelords，lastnightwedreamedthatbeneaththefootofahillthereliesburiedapotofgold。Haveweyourleavetodigforit？’Andleavehavingbeengiven，themessengerstookworkmenanddugupthegoldandmademerrywithit。
Afewdayslaterthedivinersagainappearedbeforethesenate，andsaid，’Oh，noblelords，grantusleavetoseekoutanothertreasure，whichhasbeenrevealedtousinadreamaslyingunderthebridgeovertheriver。’
Andthesenatorsgaveleave，andthemessengershiredboatsandmen，andletdownropeswithhooks，andatlengthdrewupthepotofgold，someofwhichtheygaveaspresentstothesenators。
Aweekortwopassedby，andoncemoretheyappearedinthesenatehouse。
’O，noblelords！’saidthey，’lastnightinavisionwebeheldtwelvecasksofgoldlyingunderthefoundationstoneoftheCapitol，onwhichstandsthestatueofthePreservationofRome。
Now，seeingthatbyyourgoodnesswehavebeengreatlyenrichedbyourformerdreams，wewish，ingratitude，tobestowthisthirdtreasureonyouforyourownprofit;sogiveusworkers，andwewillbegintodigwithoutdelay。’
Andreceivingpermissiontheybegantodig，andwhenthemessengershadalmostunderminedtheCapitoltheystoleawayassecretlyastheyhadcome。
Andnextmorningthestonegaveway，andthesacredstatuefellonitsfaceandwasbroken。Andthesenatorsknewthattheirgreedhadbeentheirruin。
Fromthatdaythingswentfrombadtoworse，andeverymorningcrowdspresentedthemselvesbeforetheemperor，complainingoftherobberies，murders，andothercrimesthatwerecommittednightlyinthestreets。
Theemperor，desiringnothingsomuchasthesafetyofhissubjects，tookcounselwithVirgiliushowthisviolencecouldbeputdown。
Virgiliusthoughthardforalongtime，andthenhespoke:
’Greatprince，’saidhe，’causeacopperhorseandridertobemade，andstationedinfrontoftheCapitol。Thenmakeaproclamationthatatteno’clockabellwilltoll，andeverymanistoenterhishouse，andnotleaveitagain。’
TheemperordidasVirgiliusadvised，butthievesandmurdererslaughedatthehorse，andwentabouttheirmisdeedsasusual。
ButatthelaststrokeofthebellthehorsesetoffatfullgallopthroughthestreetsofRome，andbydaylightmencountedovertwohundredcorpsesthatithadtroddendown。Therestofthethieves——andtherewerestillmanyremaining——insteadofbeingfrightenedintohonesty，asVirgiliushadhoped，preparedropeladderswithhookstothem，andwhentheyheardthesoundofthehorse’shoofstheystucktheirladdersintothewalls，andclimbedupabovethereachofthehorseanditsriderThentheemperorcommandedtwocopperdogstobemadethatwouldrunafterthehorse，andwhenthethieves，hangingfromthewalls，mockedandjeeredatVirgiliusandtheemperor，thedogsleapedhighafterthemandpulledthemtotheground，andbitthemtodeath。
ThusdidVirgiliusrestorepeaceandordertothecity。
NowaboutthistimetherecametobenoisedabroadthefameofthedaughterofthesultanwhoruledovertheprovinceofBabylon，andindeedshewassaidtobethemostbeautifulprincessintheworld。
Virgilius，liketherest，listenedtothestoriesthatweretoldofher，andfellsoviolentlyinlovewithallheheardthathebuiltabridgeintheair，whichstretchedallthewaybetweenRomeandBabylon。Hethenpassedoverittovisittheprincess，who，thoughsomewhatsurprisedtoseehim，gavehimwelcome，andaftersomeconversationbecameinherturnanxioustoseethedistantcountrywherethisstrangerlived，andhepromisedthathewouldcarryhertherehimself，withoutwettingthesolesofhisfeet。
TheprincessspentsomedaysinthepalaceofVirgilius，lookingatwondersofwhichshehadneverdreamed，thoughshedeclinedtoacceptthepresentshelongedtoheaponher。Thehourspassedasiftheywereminutes，tilltheprincesssaidthatshecouldbenolongerabsentfromherfather。ThenVirgiliusconductedherhimselfovertheairybridge，andlaidhergentlydownonherownbed，whereshewasfoundnextmorningbyherfather。
Shetoldhimallthathadhappenedtoher，andhepretendedtobeverymuchinterested，andbeggedthatthenexttimeVirgiliuscamehemightbeintroducedtohim。
Soonafter，thesultanreceivedamessagefromhisdaughterthatthestrangerwasthere，andhecommandedthatafeastshouldbemadeready，and，sendingfortheprincessdeliveredintoherhandsacup，whichhesaidshewastopresenttoVirgiliusherself，inordertodohimhonour。
WhentheywereallseatedatthefeasttheprincessroseandpresentedthecuptoVirgilius，whodirectlyhehaddrunkfellintoadeepsleep。
Thenthesultanorderedhisguardstobindhim，andlefthimtheretillthefollowingday。
Directlythesultanwasuphesummonedhislordsandnoblesintohisgreathall，andcommandedthatthecordswhichboundVirgiliusshouldbetakenoff，andtheprisonerbroughtbeforehim。Themomentheappearedthesultan’spassionbrokeforth，andheaccusedhiscaptiveofthecrimeofconveyingtheprincessintodistantlandswithouthisleave。
Virgiliusrepliedthatifhehadtakenherawayhehadalsobroughtherback，whenhemighthavekepther，andthatiftheywouldsethimfreetoreturntohisownlandhewouldcomehithernomore。
’Notso！’criedthesultan，’butashamefuldeathyoushalldie！’
Andtheprincessfellonherknees，andbeggedshemightdiewithhim。
’Youareoutinyourreckoning，SirSultan！’saidVirgilius，whosepatiencewasatanend，andhecastaspelloverthesultanandhislords，sothattheybelievedthatthegreatriverofBabylonwasflowingthroughthehall，andthattheymustswimfortheirlives。So，leavingthemtoplungeandleaplikefrogsandfishes，Virgiliustooktheprincessinhisarms，andcarriedherovertheairybridgebacktoRome。
NowVirgiliusdidnotthinkthateitherhispalace，orevenRomeitself，wasgoodenoughtocontainsuchapearlastheprincess，sohebuiltheracitywhosefoundationsstooduponeggs，buriedfarawaydowninthedepthsofthesea。Andinthecitywasasquaretower，andontheroofofthetowerwasarodofiron，andacrosstherodhelaidabottle，andonthebottleheplacedanegg，andfromtheeggtherehungchainedanapple，whichhangstheretothisday。Andwhentheeggshakesthecityquakes，andwhentheeggshallbebrokenthecityshallbedestroyed。AndthecityVirgiliusfilledfullofwonders，suchasneverwereseenbefore，andhecalleditsnameNaples。
[Adaptedfrom’VirgiliustheSorcerer。’]
MOGARZEAANDHISSON
Therewasoncealittleboy，whosefatherandmother，whentheyweredying，lefthimtothecareofaguardian。Buttheguardianwhomtheychoseturnedouttobeawickedman，andspentallthemoney，sotheboydeterminedtogoawayandstrikeoutapathforhimself。
Soonedayhesetoff，andwalkedandwalkedthroughwoodsandmeadowstillwheneveningcamehewasverytired，anddidnotknowwheretosleep。Heclimbedahillandlookedabouthimtoseeiftherewasnolightshiningfromawindow。Atfirstallseemeddark，butatlengthhenoticedatinysparkfar，faroff，and，pluckinguphisspirits，heatoncewentinsearchofit。
Thenightwasnearlyhalfoverbeforehereachedthespark，whichturnedouttobeabigfire，andbythefireamanwassleepingwhowassotallhemighthavebeenagiant。Theboyhesitatedforamomentwhatheshoulddo;thenhecreptcloseuptotheman，andlaydownbyhislegs。
Whenthemanawokeinthemorninghewasmuchsurprisedtofindtheboynestlingupclosetohim。
’Dearme！wheredoyoucomefrom？’saidhe。
’Iamyourson，borninthenight，’repliedtheboy。
’Ifthatistrue，’saidtheman，’youshalltakecareofmysheep，andIwillgiveyoufood。Buttakecareyounevercrosstheborderofmyland，oryouwillrepentit。’Thenhepointedoutwheretheborderofhislandlay，andbadetheboybeginhisworkatonce。
Theyoungshepherdledhisflockouttotherichestmeadowsandstayedwiththemtillevening，whenhebroughtthemback，andhelpedthemantomilkthem。Whenthiswasdone，theybothsatdowntosupper，andwhiletheywereeatingtheboyaskedthebigman:’Whatisyourname，father？’
’Mogarzea，’answeredhe。
’Iwonderyouarenottiredoflivingbyyourselfinthislonelyplace。’
’Thereisnoreasonyoushouldwonder！Don’tyouknowthattherewasneverabearyetwhodancedofhisownfreewill？’
’Yes，thatistrue，’repliedtheboy。’Butwhyisityouarealwayssosad？Tellmeyourhistory，father。’
’Whatistheuseofmytellingyouthingsthatwouldonlymakeyousadtoo？’
’Oh，nevermindthat！Ishouldliketohear。Areyounotmyfather，andamInotyourson？’
’Well，ifyoureallywanttoknowmystory，thisisit:AsI
toldyou，mynameisMogarzea，andmyfatherisanemperor。I
wasonmywaytotheSweetMilkLake，whichliesnotfarfromhere，tomarryoneofthethreefairieswhohavemadethelaketheirhome。Butontheroadthreewickedelvesfellonme，androbbedmeofmysoul，sothateversinceIhavestayedinthisspotwatchingmysheepwithoutwishingforanythingdifferent，withouthavingfeltonemoment’sjoy，oreveroncebeingabletolaugh。Andthehorribleelvesaresoill—naturedthatifanyonesetsonefootontheirlandheisinstantlypunished。ThatiswhyIwarnyoutobecareful，lestyoushouldsharemyfate。’
’Allright，Iwilltakegreatcare。Doletmego，father，’saidtheboy，astheystretchedthemselvesouttosleep。
Atsunrisetheboygotupandledhissheepouttofeed，andforsomereasonhedidnotfeeltemptedtocrossintothegrassymeadowsbelongingtotheelves，butlethisflockpickupwhatpasturetheycouldonMogarzea’sdryground。
Onthethirddayhewassittingundertheshadowofatree，playingonhisflute——andtherewasnobodyintheworldwhocouldplayaflutebetter——whenoneofhissheepstrayedacrossthefenceintothefloweryfieldsoftheelves，andanotherandanotherfollowedit。Buttheboywassoabsorbedinhisflutethathenoticednothingtillhalftheflockwereontheotherside。
Hejumpedup，stillplayingonhisflute，andwentafterthesheep，meaningtodrivethembacktotheirownsideoftheborder，whensuddenlyhesawbeforehimthreebeautifulmaidenswhostoppedinfrontofhim，andbegantodance。Theboyunderstoodwhathemustdo，andplayedwithallhismight，butthemaidensdancedontillevening。
’Nowletmego，’hecriedatlast，’forpoorMogarzeamustbedyingofhunger。Iwillcomeandplayforyouto—morrow。’
’Well，youmaygo！’theysaid，’butrememberthatevenifyoubreakyourpromiseyouwillnotescapeus。’
Sotheybothagreedthatthenextdayheshouldcomestraighttherewiththesheep，andplaytothemtillthesunwentdown。
Thisbeingsettled，theyeachreturnedhome。
Mogarzeawassurprisedtofindthathissheepgavesomuchmoremilkthanusual，butastheboydeclaredhehadnevercrossedtheborderthebigmandidnottroublehisheadfurther，andatehissupperheartily。
Withtheearliestgleamsoflight，theboywasoffwithhissheeptotheelfinmeadow，andatthefirstnotesofhisflutethemaidensappearedbeforehimanddancedanddancedanddancedtilleveningcame。Thentheboyletthefluteslipthroughhisfingers，andtrodonit，asifbyaccident。
Ifyouhadheardthenoisehemade，andhowhewrunghishandsandweptandcriedthathehadlosthisonlycompanion，youwouldhavebeensorryforhim。Theheartsoftheelveswerequitemelted，andtheydidalltheycouldtocomforthim。
’Ishallneverfindanotherflutelikethat，moanedhe。’Ihaveneverheardonewhosetonewasassweetasmine！Itwascutfromthecentreofaseven—year—oldcherrytree！’
’Thereisacherrytreeinourgardenthatisexactlysevenyearsold，’saidthey。’Comewithus，andyoushallmakeyourselfanotherflute。’
Sotheyallwenttothecherrytree，andwhentheywerestandingroundittheyouthexplainedthatifhetriedtocutitdownwithanaxehemightverylikelysplitopentheheartofthetree，whichwasneededfortheflute。Inordertopreventthis，hewouldmakealittlecutinthebark，justlargeenoughforthemtoputtheirfingersin，andwiththishelphecouldmanagetotearthetreeintwo，sothattheheartshouldrunnoriskofdamage。Theelvesdidashetoldthemwithoutathought;thenhequicklydrewouttheaxe，whichhadbeenstickingintothecleft，andbehold！alltheirfingerswereimprisonedtightinthetree。
Itwasinvainthattheyshriekedwithpainandtriedtofreethemselves。Theycoulddonothing，andtheyoungmanremainedcoldasmarbletoalltheirentreaties。
ThenhedemandedofthemMogarzea’ssoul。
’Oh，well，ifyoumusthaveit，itisinabottleonthewindowsill，’saidthey，hopingthattheymightobtaintheirfreedomatonce。Buttheyweremistaken。
’Youhavemadesomanymensuffer，’answeredhesternly，’thatitisbutjustyoushouldsufferyourselves，butto—morrowIwillletyougo。’Andheturnedtowardshome，takinghissheepandthesoulofMogarzeawithhim。
Mogarzeawaswaitingatthedoor，andastheboydrewnearhebeganscoldinghimforbeingsolate。Butatthefirstwordofexplanationthemanbecamebesidehimselfwithjoy，andhesprangsohighintotheairthatthefalsesoulwhichtheelveshadgivenhimflewoutofhismouth，andhisown，whichhadbeenshuttightlyintotheflaskofwater，tookitsplace。
Whenhisexcitementhadsomewhatcalmeddown，hecriedtotheboy，’Whetheryouarereallymysonmattersnothingtome;tellme，howcanIrepayyouforwhatyouhavedoneforme？’
’ByshowingmewheretheMilkLakeis，andhowIcangetoneofthethreefairieswholivestheretowife，andbylettingmeremainyoursonforever。’
ThenightwaspassedbyMogarzeaandhissoninsongsandfeasting，forbothweretoohappytosleep，andwhendaydawnedtheysetouttogethertofreetheelvesfromthetree。Whentheyreachedtheplaceoftheirimprisonment，Mogarzeatookthecherrytreeandalltheelveswithitonhisback，andcarriedthemofftohisfather’skingdom，whereeveryonerejoicedtoseehimhomeagain。Butallhedidwastopointtotheboywhohadsavedhim，andhadfollowedhimwithhisflock。
Forthreedaystheboystayedinthepalace，receivingthethanksandpraisesofthewholecourt。ThenhesaidtoMogarzea:
’Thetimehascomeformetogohence，buttellme，Iprayyou，howtofindtheSweetMilkLake，andIwillreturn，andwillbringmywifebackwithme。’
Mogarzeatriedinvaintomakehimstay，but，findingitwasuseless，hetoldhimallheknew，forhehimselfhadneverseenthelake。
Forthreesummerdaystheboyandhisflutejourneyedon，tilloneeveninghereachedthelake，whichlayinthekingdomofapowerfulfairy。Thenextmorninghadscarcelydawnedwhentheyouthwentdowntotheshore，andbegantoplayonhisflute，andthefirstnoteshadhardlysoundedwhenhesawabeautifulfairystandingbeforehim，withhairandrobesthatshonelikegold。
Hegazedatherinwonder，whensuddenlyshebegantodance。Hermovementsweresogracefulthatheforgottoplay，andassoonasthenotesofhisfluteceasedshevanishedfromhissight。Thenextdaythesamethinghappened，butonthethirdhetookcourage，anddrewalittlenearer，playingonhisfluteallthewhile。Suddenlyhesprangforward，seizedherinhisarmsandkissedher，andpluckedarosefromherhair。
Thefairygaveacry，andbeggedhimtogiveherbackherrose，buthewouldnot。Heonlystucktheroseinhishat，andturnedadeafeartoallherprayers。
Atlastshesawthatherentreatieswerevain，andagreedtomarryhim，ashewished。Andtheywenttogethertothepalace，whereMogarzeawasstillwaitingforhim，andthemarriagewascelebratedbytheemperorhimself。ButeveryMaytheyreturnedtotheMilkLake，theyandtheirchildren，andbathedinitswaters。
[OlumanischeMarchen。]
