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Title:TheWagnerStoryBook

Author:HenryFrost

ReleaseDate:September,2004[EBook#6443]
[Yes,wearemorethanoneyearaheadofschedule]
[ThisfilewasfirstpostedonDecember14,2002]

Edition:10

Language:English

Charactersetencoding:ASCII

***STARTOFTHEPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEWAGNERSTORYBOOK***

ProducedbyE.BarrySimpson,CharlesFranks
andtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeam.

THEWAGNERSTORYBOOK

[Illustration:"ATLASTWECANSEESOMETHINGINTHEFIRE."]

THEWAGNERSTORYBOOK

FIRELIGHTTALESOFTHEGREATMUSICDRAMAS

BYWILLIAMHENRYFROST

ILLUSTRATEDBYSYDNEYRICHMONDBURLEIGH

To
HelenKrebbier

CONTENTS

THESTOLENTREASURE

THEDAUGHTEROFTHEGOD

THEHEROWHOKNEWNOFEAR

THEENDOFTHERING

THEKNIGHTOFTHESWAN

THEPRIZEOFASONG

THEBLOODREDSAIL

THELOVEPOTION

THEMINSTRELKNIGHT

THEKINGOFTHEGRAIL

THEASHES

LISTOFILLUSTRATIONS

"ATLASTWECANSEESOMETHINGINTHEFIRE"

"THEGOLDSHINESOUTSOBRIGHTANDBEAUTIFUL"

"THEDAUGHTEROFTHEGOD"

"THESUNLIGHTFOLLOWSHIMSTRAIGHTINTOTHECAVE"

"THEIRTREASUREISTHEIROWNAGAIN"

"THEKNIGHTOFHERDREAM"

"HESAWHEREYESBRIGHTERTHANTHESTARS"

"THROUGHTHEBLACKSTORMANDHISOWNBLACKERDESPAIR"

"ASIFTHEYCOULDNEVERGAZEENOUGH"

"THESTRANGESTFLOWERSGROWUPUNDERTHEIRFEET"

"THEKINGOFTHEGRAIL"

THESTOLENTREASURE

ThereisacertainlittlegirlwhosometimestriestofindoutwhenI
amnotoverbusy,sothatshemayaskmetotellherastory.Sheis
kindenoughtosaythatshelikesmystories,andthissoflattersmy
vanitythatIlikenothingbetterthantellingthemtoher.Onereason
whyshelikesthem,Isuspect,isthattheyarenotreallymystories
atall,themostofthem.Theyarethestoriesthatthewholeworldhas
knownandlovedallthesehundredsandthousandsofyears,talesofthe
godsandtheheroes,ofthegiantsandthegoblins.Thosearetheright
storiestotelltochildren,Ibelieve,andtherightonesforchildren
tohearthewonderfulthingsthatusedtobedone,upinthesky,and
downundertheocean,andinsidethemountains.Iftheboysandgirls
donotfindoutnow,whiletheyareyoung,allaboutthestrange,
mysterious,magicallifeofthedayswhenthewholeworldwasyoung,it
istentoonethattheywillneverfindoutaboutitatall,forthe
mostofusdonotkeepourselveslikechildrenalways,thoughsurelywe
haveallbeentoldplainlyenoughthatthatiswhatweoughttodo.

Thislittlegirl'smotherisratherastrangesortofwoman.Idonot
knowthatsheexactlydisagreeswithusaboutthesestoriesthatwe
bothlikesomuch,butsheseemstohaveadifferentwayoflookingat
themfromours.Isometimessuspectthatshedoesnotevenbelievein
fairiesatall,thatsheneversomuchasthoughtshesawaghost,
that,ifsheheardadozenwildhorsesgallopingovertheroofofthe
houseandthenflyingawayintothesky,shewouldthinkitwasonly
thewind,andthatsheisnomoreafraidofogresthanofpolicemen.
Stillsheisawomanwhomonecannothelpliking,insomerespects.

Butonedayshesaidsomethingtothelittlegirlthatsurprisedme,
andmademethinkthatperhapsIhaddoneherinjustice.Thechildcame
tomewithafacefullofperplexityandsaid:"Whatdoyousuppose
mammajusttoldme?"

"IamsureIcan'tguess,"Ireplied;"yourmothertellsyousuch
ridiculousthingsthatIamalwaysafraidtothinkwhatwillbethe
next.PerhapsshesaysthatWilliamTelldidn'tshootanappleoffhis
littleboy'shead,orthatthebaker'swifedidn'tboxKingAlfred's
earsforlettingthecakesburn."

"Oh,no,"saidthechild,"itisn'tabitlikethat;shesaysthatyou
canseepicturesinthefiresometimesmenandhorsesandtreesand
allkindsofthings."

"Doesshe,indeed?AndhowdoesyourmotherknowwhatIcanseeinthe
fireorwhatIcan'tsee?"

"Oh,Idon'tmeanjustyouyourself,Imeananybody.Nowcanyou?I
meancananybody?"

"Why,yes,ifthatiswhatyoumean;Ithinksomepeoplecan.Itisthe
mostsensiblethingIhaveknownyourmothertosayinalongtime."

"Buthowcananybodyseesuchthings?Canyouseethem?Ihavebeen
lookingatthefireeversolong,andIcan'tseeanythingatallbut
justthefire,thewood,andtheashes."

"Letuslookatittogether,"Isaid;andIputachairthatwasbig
enoughtoholdbothofusbeforethefireplace."Justseehowbright
thefireis;lookdownintothosedeepplacesunderthesticks,andsee
howitglowsandshineslikemeltedgold.Now,youknowwhenyoulook
intoamirroryoucanseepicturesofthethingsinfrontofityour
ownface,thewallsoftheroom,thefurniture.Thatisbecausethe
mirrorissobrightthatitreflectsthesethings;yetthemirroris
notbrightenoughtoreflectanythingexceptwhatistherebeforeit,
suchthingsasyoucanseewithyoureyesandtouchwithyourhands.
Butthefirecandobetterthanthat,foritisagreatdealbrighter
thanthemirror,anditissobrightthatitcanreflectthoughts.So
youmustthinkofthepicturesfirst,andthen,ifyouknowjusthowto
lookfortheminthefire,youwillfindthemreflectedthere,and
afteralittlewhileyouwillbesurprisedatthewonderfulthingsyou
willsee."

"Idon'tknowwhatyoumeanatall,"saidthechild;"tellmewhatyou
canseeinthefirenow."

"Verywell.Suppose,then,first,thatyoualmostcloseyoureyes,but
notquite,sothatyouwillnotseethefiresoplainly,anditwill
allruntogetherandlookdimandmisty.WhenIlookatitinthatway
itseemstometobefirenomore,butwater.Itisasifweweredown
underabroad,deepriver,andcouldseeallthemassofwaterslowly
eddyingandwhirlingandflowingonaboveus,withjustthelittleglow
andglimmerofbrightnessthatcomedownfromthedaylightandtheair
above.Butthereisonelittlespotthatisbrighter,rightinthe
middleofthefire,whereyouseethatonelittleyellowflameallby
itself.Inmypicture,itislikeabiglumpofpuregold,restingona
pointofrockthatstandsstraightupfromthebottomoftheriver.It
isreallygold,andmagicgoldatthat,foryouknowwonderful
treasuresoftenlieatthebottomsofrivers.Oneofthewonderful
thingsaboutthisgoldisthat,ifanybodycouldhavearingmadeof
it,hecouldcompeleverybodyelsetoobeyhimandservehim,andcould
rulethewholeworld.

"ThreeformsIcanseenowmovingbackwardandforward,andupand
down,andaroundandaroundaboutthegold.Nowtheygrowalittle
clearer.Theyarerivernymphs,orsomethingofthesort,andtheyare
heretoguardthegold,lestanybodyshouldtrytostealit.Itwould
notbeeasytosteal,evenifithadnoguard,andknowingthishas
perhapsmadetheseprettykeepersalittlecarelessaboutit,sothat
now,insteadofwatchingitveryclosely,theyareswimminganddiving
andcirclingabout,tryingtocatchoneanother,havingthejolliest
timeintheworld,andneverthinkingthattheremaybedangernear."

"Andyoucanseeallthosethingsinthefire?"saidthelittlegirl.
"Ican'tseeanyofthem.Howdoyouseethem?"

"JustasItoldyouatfirst,bythinkingofthemandthenseeingthe
thoughtsreflectedthere."

"Well,tellmesomemore."

"Lookatthatlittledarkspotunderthefire.WhenIlookatitinthe
wayIhavetoldyou,itistheformofadwarf.Heisuglyandrough
looking,heiscrooked,andhehasawickedface.Heslipsandtumbles
slowlyalong,tillhecatchessightofthewaternymphs,andtheylook
soprettyandgracefulandhappy,astheychaseoneanotheraboutand
upanddownandaround,thathiscruellittleeyeslightupwith
pleasure,andhecallstothemthatheshouldliketocomeupandplay
withthemtoo."

"Oh,nowIdon'tbelieveanyofitatall,"saidthechild;"Ithought
justforalittlewhileyoumightknowhowtoseeallthosefunny
thingsinthefire,butyoucan'thearpeopletalkinthefire."

"Oh,mydearchild,youdon'tknowverymuchaboutthefireifyou
thinkIcan'tseeanythingIwanttoinit,orhearanythingIwantto
either.ItellyouIcanhearwhatthisdwarfsays,justasplainlyas
Icanseehimwalkabout.Still,ifyoudon'tbelieveanyofitand
don'tcaretoknowaboutthedwarfandthenymphsandthegold,perhaps
youmightbettergoandstudyyourmultiplicationtable,andIwill
findsomethingelsetodo."

"Oh,butIdowanttoknowaboutthem.Pleasetellmesomemore.What
dothenymphssaytothedwarf?Canyouhearthattoo?"

"OfcourseIcanhearit;theycalltohimtocomeupandplaywith
themifhelikes,andheclambersupovertherocksandtreestocatch
oneofthemafteranother,whiletheyswimandglideawayfromhim,and
finditmuchbetterfunthanchasingoneanother.Itisgoodfun,no
doubt,forthedwarfcannotswimlikethem,butonlyscramblesaboutin
themostridiculousway,withneveranyhopeofcatchingoneofthem,
exceptwhensheletshimcomenearherforamoment,toplaguehimby
slippingawayagainquiteoutofhisreach.Atlasthegetsthoroughly
tiredanddiscouragedandangry,whilethethreesisterslaughathim
andtaunthimandchatterwithoneanother,andhaveclearlyenough
forgottenallaboutthegoldthattheyaresupposedtobewatching.

"Butseenowhowmuchbrighterthefireisgetting.Itmakesmethink
thatsomethingmusthavehappenedupabovetheriver.Thesunmusthave
risen,orsomethingofthatsort,foreverythinglooksclearerandthe
goldshinesoutsobrightandbeautiful,thatthebleareyeddwarf
himselfseesitandforgetsallabouttryingtocatchwaternymphsin
wonderingwhatitis.Heasksthenymphs,andtheytellhimaboutthe
ringthatcouldbemadeofitifonlyitcouldbestolenfromthem;but
itisofnouseforhimtotry,theysay,becauseitisapartofthe
magicofthegoldthatitcanneverbestolenexceptbysomeonewho
lovesnobodyintheworldandhasswornthathewillneverlove
anybody,anditisclearenoughthatthedwarfisinlovewithall
threeofthematthisveryminute.Whensuchastrangetreasureasthis
wastobeguarded,itwasnodoubtveryclevertosetthreesuch
beautifulcreaturesasthesetowatchit,forifathiefwerenotin
lovealready,itisahundredtoonethathewouldbebeforehegot
nearenoughtothegoldtostealit.

"Butthenymphsdonotunderstandatallhowmuchmoreaheartless
littlemonsterlikethisdwarflovestheglitterofgoldthanhecould
everpossiblylovethem.So,evenwhiletheyarelaughingathim,heis
forgettingthemcompletely,andthenheswearsadeepoaththataslong
asheliveshewillneverloveanylivingthing.Now,ifyoucanthink
ofanythingthatanybodycoulddomorewicked,morehorrible,more
cruelthanthat,youmustknowagreatdealmoreaboutwickedand
horriblethingsthanyouhaveanyrighttoknow.Afterthateverykind
ofwrongiseasy,andalittlethinglikestealingalumpofgoldof
thesizeofabushelbasketisamerenothing.Thedwarfscramblesup
thepointofrockagain,whilethenymphs,whothinkthatheisstill
chasingthem,swimfarawayfromhim,andheseizesthegoldand
plungesdowntothebottomwithit.Thenymphsrushtogetheragainwith
acryofhorrorandgriefandfright,andinaninstanteverythingis
dark,astheflamesofourfiresuddenlydropdown.

[Illustration:"THEGOLDSHINESOUTSOBRIGHTANDBEAUTIFUL."]

"Butyouseetheyfallonlyforamoment,andnow,astheyblazeup
again,brighterthanever,Iseeanotherpicture.Itisonthehilltop
abovetheriver.Thegrassthereissoftandfresh,thetreesarecool
andgreen,andthemellowlightofmorningisoverthemall.Alight,
whitemorningmistcomesupfromtheriver,andthesun,whichhasjust
risenfrombehindthepurplehills,awayoffwheretheskytouches
them,turnsthemistintoshiftingandshimmeringsilver,sothatit
makesthewholescenelookbrighterinsteadofdimmer.Onthehill
acrosstheriverisaglorioussight.Itisacastle,thegrandestand
mostbeautifulyoueversaw.Itswallsarethickandstrongenoughfor
afortress,yetitstowersandbattlementslooksolightandgraceful
thatyouwouldthinktheymightholdthemselvesupthereintheair,or
restonthesilverrivermist,iftherewerenowallsunderthem.AsI
lookatthecastlethroughthemistitseemshalfclearandsolidand
firm,andhalfwaveringanddim,mysteriousandmagical,likeacastle
inadream.
"Thereissomethingmagicalaboutit,foritwasallbuiltinonenight
bytwogiants,andtheybuiltitforthegodsthemselves.Andnowyou
mustbepreparedtomeetsomeveryfinecompany,forrightherebefore
usarethegreatFatherandthegreatMotherofthegods,looking
acrosstheriverattheirsplendidnewhome."

"DoyoumeanJupiterandJuno?"thelittlegirlasked.

"No,thesearenotJupiterandJuno;andtheothergodswhomweshall
seesoon,ifthefireburnsright,arenotthegodsyouknowalready,
buttheyareagooddealliketheminsomeways.TheFatheroftheGods
isfullofjoyathavingsuchagloriouscastle,andtheMotherofthe
Godsisfullofdreadatthepricethatmustbepaidtothegiantsfor
buildingit.Aterriblepriceindeeditis,asshedoesnothesitateto
remindhim,forthegodshavepromisedtogivethegiantsthebeautiful
GoddessofLoveandYouth.Itwasafoolishandwickedpromiseforthem
tomake,foolishbecauseiftheykeptittheycouldneverintheworld
getonwithouther,andwickedbecausetheydidnotintendtokeepit.
Thehomesofthegods,likeanyotherhomes,wouldbedrearyenough
withouttheGoddessofLove,butitisworsethanthat,forshehasa
gardenwhereapplesgrowforthegodstoeat;itiseatingtheseapples
thatmakesthegodsalwaysyoung,andnobodybutherknowshowtocare
forthem,sothatifshegoesawaythegodswillbegintogrowoldat
onceandwillsoondie."

"Weretheappleslikethatoh,whatwasit?youknowthenameofit
thattheothergodsusedtoeat?"

"Ambrosia?Yes,somethinglikeit,butnotquite.Youknowthegodswho
ateambrosiawouldliveforeverandarelivingstill;wehaveseensome
ofthemourselvesupamongthestars.Butthesegodshavetoeatthe
applesoften,andtheymustgetthemfromtheGoddessofLove.Thisis
muchthebetterstoryofthetwo,Ithink,becauseitshowsushowgods
andotherpeople,aslongastheykeeplovewiththem,willbealways
young,nomatterhowmanyyearstheymaylive;andhow,iftheyletit
goawayfromthem,theywillbeoldatonce,nomatterhowfewtheir
years.

"AllthistheFatherandtheMotheroftheGodsaretalkingover
togethernow,andhetellsherhowtheFireGod,whoproposedthe
bargaininthefirstplace,saidthatthepriceneedneverbepaidand
thathetruststheFireGodmayyetfindsomewayoutofthetrouble.
Yetthegiantsmustbemadeinsomewaytogiveuptheirpriceof
themselves,fortheFatheroftheGodshasthewordsofthepromisecut
uponhisspear,andhecannotbreakapromisethathehasoncemade.
TheFireGodhasgoneawaynowtosearchthroughtheworldfor
somethingthatmaybeofferedtothegiantsinsteadoftheGoddessof
Love.AndnowIseehercome,runningtotheFatheroftheGodsfor
protection,andtheothergodsarehere,tohelpheriftheycan,and
thegiantsthemselveshavecometoclaimherforthebuildingofthe
castle.

"Well,tobesure,theyareallinafinestateofexcitement.The
giantsarebig,dreadfullookingfellows,withclubsmadeofthetrunks
oftrees,andthepoorgoddessdoesnotwanttogowiththeminthe
least.Alltheothergodsdeclare,too,thatsheshallnotgowith
them,andthegiantsinsistthatsheshall.TheThunderGodisthere
andhehasawonderfulhammer,ablowofwhichislikeastrokeof
lightning.Heisabouttostrikethegiantswithit,andthat,youmay
besure,wouldsettlethewholematter,bigastheyare,buttheFather
oftheGodswillnotlethimharmthem.Hehaspromised,andwhatever
happenshecannotbreakhisword.

"Whileeverythingisinthisdreadfulstate,theFireGodcomesback
fromhissearch.Itisnotaverycheeringstorythathehastotell.
Hehasbeenthroughalltheworld,hesays,andhehasaskedeverywhere
whatthereisthatisasgoodforgodsorgiants,oranybodyelse,as
theloveofawoman,whichmakesthosewhohaveitalwaysyoung.But
thepeopleinthosedaysknewmorethanagoodmanyofthepeoplein
thesedays,andeverywheretheylaughedathimandtoldhimthathe
mightaswellgiveuphissearch,forhewouldneverfindwhathe
sought."

"Whatdoyoumeanby'thepeopleinthosedays'?"thechildasked;"I
thoughtyousaidyoucouldseethemrighthereinthefirenow."

"SoIcan,butitisthebeautyofthesepicturesinthefirethatI
canseethingsthathappenedyearsago,thousandsofyearsago,ifI
like,justaswellasthingsthathappennow,andperhapsalittle
better.SoyouseetheFireGodhasnothadverygoodluck,butashe
wascomingback,hesays,hepassednearwheretherivernymphswere,
andtheycalledtohim,tellinghimthattheirbeautifulgoldhadbeen
stolen,andbegginghimtoasktheFatheroftheGodstogetitback
forthem.Theytoldhim,too,aboutthewickeddwarfwhostoleit,and
how,beforehecouldstealit,hehadtoswearneveragain,aslongas
helived,toloveanybodyoranything.TheFireGodseemstohaveheard
aboutthedwarfsomewhereelse,too,forhesaysthathehasalready
madethemagicringoutofthegold,thatbythehelpoftheringhe
hascompelledalltheotherdwarfstoobeyhimandservehim,andhas
piledupsuchatreasureofgoldandjewelsaswasneverseenbefore;
andfinally,that,ifthegodsarenotcareful,thedwarfwillsoon
ruleoverthemandthewholeworldbesides.

"Soitseemsthatthereisonepersonintheworldwhohasfound
somethingwhichhethinksisworthmorethanlove.Andthereareat
leasttwootherswhoareasfoolishashe,thoughtheymaynotbequite
sowicked.Andthesearethegiants,forwhentheyheartheFireGod
tellofthewonderfultreasurethatthedwarfhasheapedtogether,they
saytothegodsthattheythinkthedwarfisquiteright,theywould
ratherhaveallthatgoldthantheloveofanywoman,and,ifthegods
willgetitforthem,theymaykeeptheirGoddessofLoveandYouth.
TheFatheroftheGodshesitates;howcanhegetthetreasure?heasks.

"'Youcanfindsomewaytogetit,ifyoulike,'thegiantsreply.

"'Iwillnotgetitforyou;youshallnothaveit,'saystheFatherof
theGods.

"'Thenwewillholdtoourfirstbargain,'theyanswer,'andtakeyour
LoveGoddesswithus.Tonightwewillbringherback;ifyouhavethe
treasurereadyforus,thenyoumaykeepher;ifnot,thenyouhave
lostherforever.'Andtheyseizeherandstrideaway,draggingher
withthem,whilethegodslookoningriefandfear.Andwelltheymay
fearatthechangethatcomesassoonasthebeautifulgoddessisgone.
Youcanseethechangeyourselfinthefire.Ifitdidnotfitthe
storythatIamfindinginitsowell,Ishouldsaythatthefire
neededmorewood,foritseemsalmostout;seehowtheblackenedsticks
aresmoulderingandsmoking,withscarcelyanybrightflamesatall.
Thesmokeisspreadinglikeanuglygraycloudovereverything;the
treesandtheflowersdroop;theskyisdullandthegrassisdingy;
thecastlelooksgrimandheavy,andnolongerbrightandgraceful;the
facesofthegodsthemselvesgrowpaleandhaggard;theyfeelthatthey
aresuddenlyolder.Theyhavenoteatentheapplesofyouthtoday,and
nobodycangetthembuttheonegoddesswhohasgone.Theyknowthat
theywillgrowoldereveryhourandwillsoondieiftheydonotget
herback,andtheonlywayistofindthedwarf'streasureforthe
giants.

"'Comequickly,'saystheFatheroftheGods,'andletusgetthis
treasure;letushastendownunderthegroundwherethedwarfslive,
forwemusthaveittonight,whenthegiantscome.'

"There,wherethedirtyyellowsmokeispouringoutbetweenthesticks
ofwoodatthetopofthepile,Iseeacreviceintherocks.The
FatheroftheGodsandtheFireGodgodownintoit,andthesmoke
comesthickerandblacker,andhideseverythingbutthosetwo,andI
seethemclimbingdownanddownovertherough,sharprocks,towardthe
cavernsofthedwarfs,whilethelittletonguesofflameshootoutat
themfromthefissures,asiftheyweretryingtocatchandburnand
stingthem,justastheyshootoutfrombetweentheblack,charred
sticksherebeforeoureyes.

"Itisadeep,darkcavethatIseenow,withlittlespotsoflight
hereandthere,likeforges,andthereisthesoundofanvils.The
dwarfslivehere,andtheyareallworkinghard,astheymustnow,for
thedwarfwhostolethegoldandmadetheringfromit.Iseehimtoo,
andheisscoldingandbeatinganotherdwarf,whoishisbrother.Itis
allaboutapieceoffinemetalworkthathehassethisbrothertodo,
andnowthebrotherwantstokeepwhathehasmade.Buthedropsiton
thegroundandthedwarfking,forakinghereallyisnow,picksitup
andclapsitonhishead.Itisahelmet,madeofdelicateringsof
steellinkedtogether.Itisamagichelmet,andanybodywhowearsit
candisappearfromsightwheneverhelikes,orcantakeanyshapehe
chooses.Inaminutethedwarfisnomoretobeseen,andinhisplace
thereisonlyacloudofsmoke.Buthecanstillbeathisbrother,and
presentlyheleaveshimwhiningandcryingontheground,andthecloud
floatsaway.

"Youarenottosupposebecausethisdwarfistreatedinthiscruelway
thatheisanybetterthanhisbrotherwhobeatshim.Oneofthemis
justaswickedastheother,andhedeservesallhegets.Sohere,
lyinguponthegroundandgroaning,thetwogodsfindhim,astheycome
downintothecave.'Whatisthematter?'theyask,andhetellsthem
aboutthemagichelmet.Thenbackcomestheotherdwarf,whowearsthe
helmetandthering,drivingbeforehimacrowdofhisfellows,all
ladendownwithgoldandgems,andtheythrowtheminapile.Theyare
sorichanddazzling,andthereissuchaquantityofthemthatthe
fireactuallyburnsbrighterthereinthecornerwheretheyhaveheaped
themup.Thedwarfdrivesallhisworkmenaway,andthensulkilyasks
thegodswhattheywanthere,forwithhisringandhishelmethe
thinksthatheisjustasgoodasanyofthegods.

"TheFireGodtellshimthattheyhaveheardsomuchabouthisgreat
wealththattheyhavecometoseeit,andnowtheyfindhistreasure
greaterandfinerthananythingtheyeversawbefore.Atthatthedwarf
isflatteredandbeginstoboast.'Thisthatyouseeisnothing,'he
says;'Ishallsoonhavemuchmore,andbythemagicofmyringImean
torulethewholeworldandyougodstoo.'

"'Butsuppose,'saystheFireGod,'thatsomeoneshouldstealthering
fromyouwhileyouwereasleep?'

"'Thatshowshowlittleyouknowaboutit,'thedwarfanswers.'Why,do
youseethismagichelmetofmine?WiththisIcanmakemyself
invisible,orIcantakeanyformIlike,andsonobodycanfindme
whileIamasleeptostealthering.'

"'Oh,nowyouaretellingustoobigastory,'saystheFireGod;'it
isnonsensetosayyoucantakeanyformyoulike,helmetornohelmet;
youcan'texpectustobelievethat.'

"Atthisthedwarfbeginstogetalittleangry;'ItellyouIcan,'he
cries;'Iwillproveittoyou;Icanchangemyselfintoanything;what
shallitbe?'
"'Oh,whateveryoulike,'saystheFireGod,'onlyletitbesomething
bigandhorribletoshowjusthowmuchyoucando.'

"So,toshowwhathecando,inasecondthedwarfchangeshimselfinto
ahorribledragon,withslimyscalesandawrithingtail,andeyesand
jawsthatlookaswickedasthedwarfhimself,andtwiceassavage.The
FireGodpretendstobedreadfullyfrightened,andwhenthedwarfcomes
backtohisownshapeagainhesays:'Thatwasverygood,butthatdoes
notseemsohard,afterall.Now,thewayforyoutohide,itseemsto
me,wouldbetomakeyourselfverysmall,sothatyoucouldslipintoa
crackintherocks.Youcanpuffyourselfuplikeadragon,ofcourse,
butcanyoumakeyourselfsmallaseasily?Oh,no,Icannotbelieve
that.'

"'Icanbeanything,anything,Itellyou,'thedwarfcries,getting
stillmoreangry;'Iwillbeassmallasyoulike,'andinanother
secondhehaschangedhimselfintoatoad,notmuchbiggerthanyour
hand,asslimyasever,lookingstilljustaswickedasthedwarf
himself,andalmostasugly.

"'Nowisthetimequick!'criestheFireGod,andinaninstantthe
FatheroftheGodsstampshisfootuponthetoadandhashimfast.The
FireGodstoopsandpullsthemagichelmetoffthetoad'shead,and
instantlyheisthedwarfagain,butheisstillfirmlyheldunderthe
god'sfoot,andtheytiehimwithcordsanddraghimawaywiththem,up
amongtherocksfromwhichtheycame."

"ThatisjustthewayPussinBootscaughttheogre,whenheturned
himselfintoamouse,"saidthelittlegirl.

"Yes,tobesureitis,butyouknowthereareonlyaveryfewstories
intheworld,anyway,andwecannotfindnewones.Themostwecan
everdoistotelltheoldonesoverindifferentways,andafterall
itisbetterso,foroldthingsarebetterthannewalmostalways,as
youwillfindwhenyougetalittleolderyourself.Butnow,withthe
fireburningupalittlebettertohelpme,wearebackaboveground.
Letusputonmorewoodandseeifwecannotmakeitbetteryet.Weare
justwherewewerebefore,onthehillbytheriverandthecastleof
thegods.Andbacknowcomethetwogodsfromundertheground,
draggingthedwarfwiththem.'Andwhatwillyougiveusnow,'they
cry,'ifwewilluntieyouandletyougo?'

"'WhatmustIgiveyou?'heasks.

"'Youmustgiveusthewholeofyourtreasure,'theyanswer;'wewill
notletyougoforanythingless.'

"Thatseemsalargeprice,butthedwarfisascraftyasheiswicked,
thoughhiscraftseldomdoeshimmuchgood,andhethinksthatevenif
hegivesupallhistreasurehecansoonpileupasmuchmore,withthe
helpofthering.So,bythepowerofthering,hecallsthedwarfsto
bringhimthetreasure,anduptheycomewithit,outofthecleftof
therocks,andtheypileitinagreat,glitteringheapjustthere
wherethenewfireisbeginningtoburnsobright.'Thereisthegold,'
criesthedwarf,'letmego.'

"'Notyet,'saystheFatheroftheGods;'giveusyourringfirst,that
belongstothetreasure.'

"Atthatthedwarfscreamsandstrugglesandwrithesandcursesthe
gods,butitisallofnouse;theFatheroftheGodstearsthering
fromhisfinger,andthentheyuntiehimandtellhimtotakehimself
offwherehewill.Andnow,ashegoes,helaysaterriblecurseonthe
ring.Toeveryonewhoshallevergainit,heswears,shallcomeill
luck,misfortune,sorrow,terror,anddeath;lethimruletheworldif
hewill,nevershallhebehappy;everyoneshalllongforthering,and
tohimwhogetsit,itshallbringmiseryandruin.Trulythedwarfhas
gainedlittlebystealingthegoldfromtherivernymphs,butthegods
havedonewrongaswellinstealingitfromhim,andtheyaredoing
wrongstillinnotgivingitbacktothenymphs;sotheymustsuffer
too.

"Butitisnotyettimeforthat,fornow,asthefireburnsup,the
wholepicturegrowsbrighteragain.Thatisbecausethegiantsare
bringingbacktheGoddessofLoveandYouth,toseeifthetreasureis
readyforthem.Thetreesliftuptheirbranchesagainandthehappy
sunlightpoursdownthroughthem;theflowersopentheireyestosee
it;theskyisclearandbright,andthegrassisagainfresh;while
thefacesofthegods,whoruntomeettheirsister,lookyoungand
happyasbefore.Onlythecastleisstillhiddenbytheshiningsilver
rivermist.Thegiantshavecomenear.'Istheransomreadyforus?'
theycry.

"'Thereisyourtreasure.'saystheFatheroftheGods,'takeitandbe
gone.'

"'Wemustseethatitisenoughfirst,'theyanswer;'ourtreasuremust
beasmuchasyourgoddess,soyoumustpileitupbeforehertillshe
isquitehiddenbyit;thenwewilltakeit,andyoushallhaveher
back.'

"Theyheapupthegoldandthejewelsbeforethegoddess,higherand
higher,tilleverythingisgonefromtheoldpiletothenewone.Then
oneofthegiantslooksoveritandstillseesthegoldofherhair
abovethegoldofthetreasure.'Givemethathelmetthatyoucarry,'
hesaystotheFireGod,'toputonthetop.'andhegivesit.Nowthe
othergiantpeepsthroughachinkinthepileandseesoneofhereyes.
'Quick,'hecriestotheFatheroftheGods,'givemethatringyou
weartostopthischink.'

"'No,'saystheFatheroftheGods,'youshallnothavethat;itisthe
ringthatgivesthepowertoruletheworld,andIwillkeepit.'

"'Verywell,then,'saythegiants,'wewillhavenomoretodowith
you,andwewilltakethegoddessbackwithus.'

"Allthegodsstandterrifiedandpale.Willtheirgreatfatherletthe
GoddessofLovebetakenfromthemagain,andmusttheyallgrowold
anddie,thathemaykeepthisring?Everythinggrowsdarkagain,as
ourfireheredropsdown;onlythereisthatpaleblueflamethatgives
nolight,awayatthebackofthehearth.Andnow,rightinthepale
blueflame,risestheformofawomanoutoftheground.Itisthe
EarthGoddess,thewisestwomanintheworld,whoknowsallthatever
was,allthatis,andallthatevershallbe.ShespeakstotheFather
oftheGodsandtellshimtogivetheringtothegiants,forthecurse
thatthedwarfhaslaiduponitwillsurelydestroyhimwhokeepsit.
Thenshesinksoutofsight,andtheFatheroftheGodstakesfromhis
fingerthering,andgivesit.

"Andevenwhilethegiantsarestowingthetreasureinasacktocarry
itaway,theyfalltoquarrellingabouthowitshallbedivided,and
oneofthemstrikestheotheraterribleblowwithhisclubwhichlays
himdeadupontheground.Thenhestridesawaywiththetreasure,
leavingthegodsfilledwithhorroratthefirstfatalworkdonebythe
curseofthering.

"Yetonlyforamoment;theirgrandnewcastleisreadyforthemnow.
HighupuponarockstandstheThunderGod.Heswingshishammerand
theblackcloudsrollaroundhim.Thethundermutters,andlightning
flamesflashoutfromthedarkvapors.Thefireflickersandblazesup
again,thecloudspartandmeltaway,andallislightatlast.A
rainbowreachesacrosstheriverfromshoretoshore,andthegods
slowlywalkacrossuponittowardtheircastle.Upfromtheriver,far
belowthem,comesasadcryofthenymphs,beggingthegodstogive
thembacktheirgold.Butthegodsdonotheedit.Theyrestuponthe
rainbow,gazingonlyattheircastle,asitstandsbeforethem,
stately,graceful,radiant,androsyinthewarmglowofthesunset."

"Anddidyoureally,reallyseeitallinthefire?"thelittlegirl
asked,aftershehadthoughtitalloverforafewminutes."Itsounds
justasifitwasastoryyouhadreadinabook."

"Well,perhapsImayhaveseensomething,orheardsomething,orread
somethingofthekindsomewhere,"Ireplied,"butyouknowItoldyou
atfirstthatyoumustthinkofthepicturesbeforeyoucouldseethem
reflectedinthefire."

Thelittlegirlsatstillandthoughtaboutitagainforatime."I
don'tbelieveyousawanypicturesinthefireatall,"shesaidat
last.

THEDAUGHTEROFTHEGOD

"Ifyousayyoucanseeallthosethingsinthefire,"saidthelittle
girl,withanairofdoubtnotyetquiteovercome,"IsupposeIshall
havetobelieveit,butIdon'tseehow.Itrytothinkofthemtheway
yousaid,butIdon'tseetheminthefireabit.Canyouseethemall
thetime?"

"ItmakesagooddealofdifferencehowIfeelaboutit,"Ianswered,
"andalittledifferencehowthefireburns.Tonight,yousee,the
firedoesnotburnquiteasitusuallydoes.Itiscoldoutofdoors,
andthereisawindthatcomesingustsandblowsdifferentways.It
givesthefireagooddraught,andonthewholeitburnsrather
fiercely,butwhenthewindgoesdownthefiregoesdownalittletoo,
andwhenthewindchangesitblowsapuffofsmokedownthechimneynow
andthen.Altogetheritisnotawellbehavedfireatall,andIam
afraidifwetrytoseethingsinit,someofthemwillberatherrough
andrude,andnoneofthemverycheerful.Still,ifyouwouldliketo
try"

"Oh,dotry,"thechildsaid,"Ilikenicegloomythings."

"Verywell.Justnowthefireissofierceandhotthatitseemstome
nothinglessthanahouseonfire.Itisahousethatstandsallalone
inthewoods.Beforeitwassetonfireaboyandagirllivedthere.
Neitherofthemhadanymother,buttheboy'sfatherlivedwiththem
andtookcareofthem,goingouthuntingandleavingtheboyandthe
girltogether,tilltheboywasoldenoughtogohuntingwithhim,and
thenthegirlwasleftalone.Theywereveryhappytheretogether,all
threeofthem,andthefatheralwaysthoughtthatthegirlwould
sometimegrowupandbehisson'swife.Butnow,whiletheyare
hunting,arobberhascomeandhasburnedthehouse,andhetakesthe
girlwithhimandcarriesherofftohisownhouse,farawayamongthe
mountains.

"Afterthisitisnotsopleasantroamingthewoodsandhuntingall
day,withnohousetogobacktoandnogreetingofabrightfacein
theevening.Tomakeitstillworse,oneday,whiletheyarehunting,
thepoorboylosessightofhisfatherandneverfindshimagain.So
nowheisquitealone,buthestilllivesinthewoodsintheoldway
tillhegrowstobeatall,strong,handsomeyoungman.Perhapsheis
allthestrongerandthebetterfighterbecausethemostofhis
enemies,andhisfriendstoo,forthatmatter,havebeenwildbeasts.
ThathehashadonegoodenemyIknow,becausethecoatthathewears
istheskinofabear.

"Andallthistimethegirlhasbeenkeptaprisoneratthehouseof
therobber,andshehasgrownupaswell,now,tobeatall,beautiful
woman.Attimes,nodoubt,therobberhastreatedherwellenough,and
attimes,Iamafraid,notsowell.Butalwayshehasurgedherandhas
triedtomakeherpromisetobehiswife,andnow,afterallthese
years,atlastshehaspromised.Shehasneverforgottenthebraveboy
whomsheusedtolove,buttherobberhastoldherthatheisdead,and
finallyshehascometobelieveitandhasnomoreanyhopeofever
beinghappy.

"Iamlookingrightintotherobber'shousenow.Itisastrangehouse,
forrightinthemiddleofitstandsalargetree,whichgrowsup
throughtheroofandspreadsitsbranchesoverthehouse.Andmore
wonderfulstill,thereisaswordstickinginthistree,uptothe
hilt.PerhapsImightbettertellyousomethingaboutthisswordbefore
wegoanyfarther.Doyourememberthegoldthatwasstolenfromthe
rivernymphs,theothernight,whenwewerewatchingthefire,andthe
magicringthatthedwarfmadeofit?Ofcourseyoudo,andyou
remembertoohowtheFatheroftheGodsgotitandpaidittothe
giantsforbuildinghiscastle,andwouldnotgiveitbacktotheriver
nymphs,andhowoneofthegiantskilledtheotherandkeptallthe
treasure.Well,theFatheroftheGodshasbeenlearningandthinkinga
gooddealsincethen,andhehasbeguntoseewhatagreatwronghedid
whenheputthegoldtohisownuses,insteadofgivingitbacktothe
nymphs.Itisnolightpunishmentthatfallsongodswhentheydo
wrong,andheseesthatforthissinheandalltheothergodswholive
withhiminhiscastlemustatlastbedestroyedutterly.Yethestill
hopestosavethemifonlythegold,oratleastthering,canbegiven
backagaintothenymphs.

"Now,thegiantwhotookallthetreasurecarrieditawaytoadeep
caveinthesideofamountain,andthen,bythehelpofthemagic
helmet,hechangedhimselfintoahorrible,fierce,fiery,poisonous
dragon,sothathemightstayinthecaveandguardit.Andtherehe
hasstayedguardingiteversince.Youwillseeatoncethatthe
treasureneverwoulddohimanygoodinthatway,butgiantsare
usuallystupid,andhecouldnotthinkofanythingbettertodowith
it.Aboywhohasapennyandknowsenoughtobuyapennywhistlewith
itisricherthanthisdragongiant.Yetheguardsthetreasurepretty
well,andtheFatheroftheGodscannottakeitawayfromhim,and
cannothelpanybodyelsetotakeitawayfromhim,becausehepaidit
tohimforthecastle,andtotouchitnowwouldbetobreakhis
promise.Yethewishesthatsomebody,withouthishelp,wouldkillthe
dragonandgivethegoldbacktoitsrealowners.Thiswouldnotreally
dohimanygood,forhisownoldsinwouldstillbejustasgreat,and
heknowsit;yethehasastrangekindofhopethatitmaysomehowhelp
him.Butthedragonissobigandfierceandfieryandpoisonous,that
nobodycouldeverhopetokillhimexcepttheverygreatestofheroes,
andonewhosimplydidnotknowwhatfearmeant.Evensuchaheromight
haveagooddealoftroubleaboutit,ifhedidnothaveaswordthat
wasjustaskeenandstrong,justassharpandfirmandtrueas
himself.So,thathemaynotwantforsuchagoodblade,theFatherof
theGodshasmadeamagicsword.Noonebutagodcouldmakeasword
likethis,andhehasdrivenituptothehiltintothegreattreein
therobber'shouse.Itisquitesafethere,forthemagicofitisthat
nobodybutthebravest,strongest,truestherolivingcaneverdrawit
out,butforhimitwillbeeasy.Therearesomethingsbesidesdrawing
swordsoutoftreeswhichcanbedoneeasilybymenwhoarebraveand
strongandtrue,andwhichnoothermancandoatall.

"AllthistimeIhavebeenlookingintotherobber'shouse.Thereisa
stormoutside,worsethanthewindthatistroublingourfire.Ithowls
abovethehouse,andtearsatthebranchesofthetree,tilleventhe
greattrunkshiversandtremblesandmakestheroofcreakandgroan.
Suddenlythedoorisburstopen,andin,outofthestorm,rushesa
man,andfallsbeforethefireasifheweresowearythathecould
movenomore.Thenfromanotherroomofthehousecomesthewomanwho
haspromisedtobetherobber'swife,thegirlwhooncelivedinthe
housethattherobberburned.Whensheseesthestrangerlyingbefore
thefire,sheliftshimupandbringshimabigdrinkinghorn,and
tellshimtostayandresttilltherobbercomeshome.Thenhelooksat
her,andsheseemstohimthekindest,thesweetest,andtheloveliest
womanhehaseverseen.

"Soontherobbercomeshome,andheasksthestrangerwhatheisand
howhecamehere.ThenthestrangertellshimallthestorythatIhave
toldyouoftheburningofthehousewherehelivedwithhisfather,
andhowsincethenhehaswanderedthewoodsandhasfoughtwiththe
wildbeastsandwithhisenemies.Assoonashetellsthat,thewoman
knowsthattheboywhomsheusedtolovesolongagoisnotdead,but
issittingherebeforeher,andthehopecomestoherthathemaytake
herawayfromthisplace,sothatshemaynothavetobemarriedtothe
robber.Thensheasksthestrangerwhyheisunarmed,andhesaysthat
hefoughttorescueawomanfromherenemies;hekilledsomeofthem,
buttheothersweresomanythattheybrokehisspearandhisshield,
andhehadtosavehimselffromthem,andsoitwasthathecameto
thishouse.

"Atthistherobbergrowsredandpalewithanger.Hehasheardof
thefight,andthemenwhowerekilledwerehisfriends.'Stayhere
tonight,'hesays;'whileyouareinmyhouseIcannotharmyou,but
tomorrowyoumustgooutandfightwithmeforkillingmyfriends.'

"Therobberandthewomanhavegoneawayandthestrangerisleft
alone.Sadandgloomyenougharehisthoughts,fortomorrowhemust
fightwiththerobber,andhehasnosword,nospear,noshield.The
firebeforehimdiesdown,asourfirediesdowntoo,forthemoment,
andasallhishopegrowsdarkerandcolder.Andthen,justashislife
andtheworldandthefutureseemblackest,thewomancomesback.Why
shouldhercomingbringhimhope?Hecouldnottell,perhaps,yether
verypresencecheershim;misfortuneanddeathseemnotsonearwhen
sheisby,andnotsoterrible,evenshouldtheycome.Hemaynotknow
whyitis,butIknow,andsodoyou.

"Shehastenstohimandshowshimtheswordinthetree.Shetellshim
ofitsmagic;hemustbetheherotodrawitout,shesays,andthen,
inthefighttomorrow,hemustovercomehisenemyandgiveherrevenge
forallshehadsufferedfromhim.Andhowgladlyhewilldoher
bidding!Heseizestheswordanddrawsitquicklyoutofthetree,
whilehereyesgazeathimandarefilledwithjoy.Theherohascome
herhero.Heholdsthewonderfulmagicswordinhishand,butonlyfor
amomenthelooksuponitslong,gleaming,beautifulblade.Thenhe
turnstoheragain.Theytwinetheirarmsabouteachotherandtogether
theyleavethishatefulhouse.Andnow,ofasudden,itisasiftheir
twoheartswerealltheworld,asindeedtheyare,toeachother,for
allaroundthemthestormwasstilled;thewinterisgoneanditis
spring;thepeacefulmoonlightfillsthehappywoodswithasoftglory;
sweetairsbreathetenderlyonthemandontheflowersintheirpath;
quietvoicesspeaktothemoutofthebuddingtrees;andsotogether
theyaregoneintotheforest.

"TheFatheroftheGodshasdonemorethanIhavetoldyouyettoguard
againsttheendwhichheknowsmustcome,inspiteofallthathecan
do.Hehasfanciedthathiscastlemightbesaferifheweretofillit
withstrongwarriorstofightforhiminanyneed.Therefore,wherever
battlesarefoughthesendshisninedaughterstochoosethebravestof
themenwhoarekilledandtobringthemtohiscastle.Eachofthese
daughtershasahorsewhichfliesthroughtheairfasterthananybird.
Whenthefallenheroeshavecomethustothehallsofthegods,they
arebroughttolifeandtheirwoundsarehealedbymeansthatthegods
knowhowtouse,andtheylivethere,feastingdayafterdaywithother
heroes.Andlesttheyshouldforgettheiroldskillandbraveryin
fighting,everydaytheyhaveabattleandmanyofthemarekilledand
choppedtopiecesbytheothers'swords,butatsunsettheyareall
aliveandwellagain,andtheygobacktogethertotheirfeastinthe
hallsofthegods.

"Itisoneofthesedaughtersofthegod,oneofthesechoosersof
heroes,whomIseebeforemenow.IwishthatIcouldmakeyouseeher.
Sheismorethanabeautifulwoman,andalsosheisless.Sheistall
andherformisstrong,yetlightandbuoyant.Sheisdressedallin
armor,andshehasaspearandashieldwhichgleamsandglistenslike
abeaconlightforanarmy.Sheherself,asIseeherhere,isas
gracefulandasfullofwarmlifeasaflameofthefire,thesamehot
glowstirsherheartandmoveshertothesameeager,freeaction.Her
faceisasclearandpureasthefireitself,andalmostasradiantas
hersilvershield,whilethegoldofherhairbreakingfromunderthe
lightofherhelmet,outshinesthemall.Beatingunderherbosom,
thrillingthroughherform,glowinginhercheeks,andbeamingfromher
eyes,isthejoyoflifeandstrengthandbeauty.Yetwhereisthe
tendernessthatonewouldseekinawoman'seyes?Agladlightshines
inhers,butitisnotsoftenedbyanykindlyrayofgentlenessor
mercy.Whereisthesweetnessofawoman'slips?Hersarecalmand
beautiful,buttheytemptnomorethanastainofblooduponthesnow.
Whatisthereinherfacethatcouldmeltintoawoman'scompassionand
pity?Herfaceisnotcruel,notunkind,onlystill,stern,andplacid
asmarble.Sheisnotawoman,youknow;onlyagoddessawargoddess.

"JustnowtheFatheroftheGodsistellinghisdaughterofthefight
thatistocomebetweentherobberandtheherowhowonthesword,and
hecommandshertohelptheherotowin.Sheisdelightedatthis,for
shelovesallbrave,trueheroesashedoes,butshehasscarcelyleft
herfatherwhentheMotheroftheGodscomes,ridingfuriouslythrough
theairinachariotdrawnbytworams.Shehasheardofthefighttoo,
andshetakesquiteadifferentviewofit.'Thismanwhomyouwould
saveandhelp,'shesays,'hastakenthewomanawayfromthemanwhose
wifeshepromisedtobe.Isthatallyoucareforapromise?Hemustbe
punished;youmusthelphisenemytokillhim.'

[Illustration:"DAUGHTEROFTHEGOD."]

"Youseeshecaresnothingatallaboutheroes,buttoherapromiseis
apromise.AndtheFatheroftheGodshimselfisveryparticularabout
promises,asyoumustremember,soheisforcedtosaythathewillnot
helpthehero.Butthatisnotenoughforher;hemustcommandhis
daughternottohelphim.Sheshallnot,hesays,butthatisnot
enough;hemusthelphisenemyandseethathewins.Thisishardfor
theFatheroftheGods,forhelovesthehero,andifheisleftto
himselfhemustwin,withhismagicsword,yethecannotchoose;the
promisehasbeenbroken,andhegiveshiswordthattheheroshalldie.

"TheFatheroftheGodsisleftalone,andagainhisdaughtercomesto
him.Hetellshersadlythatshemusthelptherobberinthefight,and
thattheheromustdie.Sheisassadasheatthiscommand,forall
thatsheeverwishesistodowhathewouldhaveherdo,andsheknows
that,thoughhesaysthattheheromustdie,yethewouldhavehim
live.Buthiswordisgiven,and,fullofsorrow,thegodandhis
daughterpart.Andnowcomestheherohimself,withhisbride.Sheis
fearfulofwhatmaybefallhiminthefight,andwouldhavehimflee
fartheraway.Hewillnotdothat,andhetriestocheerher,tillshe
faintsandsinksdownathisfeet.Then,beautifulandsad,butstill
calm,stern,andplacid,theDaughteroftheGodstandsbeforehim.

"'Soon,'shesaystohim,'youmustcomewithmetothecastleofthe
gods.TheretheFatheroftheGodswillwelcomeyou,thereyourown
father,whomyoulostsolongago,waitsforyou,thereyouwillfight
andfeastwithheroes,andthedaughtersofthegodwillserveyou.'

"'Andshallthiswomanhere,'heasks,'whomIlove,gowithmeand
withyouthere?'

"'No,'sheanswers,'thiswomancannotgo.'

"'ThenIwillnotgo,'hereplies;'gladlyIwouldstandbeforethe
FatheroftheGods,gladlyIwouldseemyownfatheragainandthe
heroesandthedaughtersofthegod,butnotwithouther;Iwillnotgo
withyou;leaveushere.'

"Ifthedaughterofthegodwereawomanshewouldunderstandallthis,
butnowitwouldmakeherimpatient,ifanythingcould.Shecannotknow
andcannotfeelwhythisman,whohashadonlytroubleandillluckall
hislife,shouldchoosetostayandwaitformoretroubleandillluck
withthisonepoorwomanwholiesattheirfeet,faintingandknowing
noteventhatsheisalive,ratherthantositandfeastwithgodsand
heroes.Howlittleawargoddesscanreallyknowaboutbravemen!

"Yetshedoesknowthatherfather,whosewishesareherown,wishes
thiswomantolive,andthatshewillbeindangerafterherherohas
lefther;soshetellshimthathemayleavehisbridewithherandshe
willprotecther.Butthemanisstillmoreunreasonable.Hesaysthat
sheiscruelandhardhearted.Thatisunjust,forsheisnotcruel.He
saystoothatthewomanshalldieratherthanbeleftwithher.Ifhe
mustdie,hewillkillthewoman,too,andheisabouttodoit,when
theDaughteroftheGodholdshishand.Shethinksonlynowofhowmuch
herfatherlongsthatthismanmaylive;sheresolvesthatinspiteof
thecommandshewillsavehim;shetellshimthatheshallhaveher
helpinthefight,andsheleaveshim,justastherecomesanoiseand
ashoutoftherobberwithhismenandhisdogshuntingfortheheroto
killhim.

"Seehowtheblacksmokeisdrivendownthechimneybythechanging
gustsofwind.Itislikedarkcloudsgatheringovertheskyand
droppingdownuponthemountain,sothatitishardtoseeanythingat
all.Thefiregoesdown,too,anditsflamesdartandflickerin
sudden,angryflashes.Someofthemarelikelightning,brighteningthe
wholesceneforaninstant,andthenIcanseetheheroandtherobber
intheirfight,springingandthrustingandstrikingateachotherso
thatitseemsasiftheymustbothbekilledadozentimesover.Again
inthesparkleofthefireIseethegleamingofthemagicsword,as
theherowhirlsitabovehisheadandstrikesathisenemy.Thencomes
aflareofflamethatshinesfromtheshieldoftheDaughterofthe
God,asshethrowsitovertheherotoprotectandsavehim.Itisall
invain,fortherecomesahot,redglowinwhichforaninstantall
therestislost,andnow,inthemidstofitstandstheFatherofthe
Godshimself.Thedaughterfallsbackhelplessbeforehim,andhe
stretcheshisspeartowardthehero.Themagicswordfallsuponthe
spearandisshiveredtopieces.Nothingindeedcouldshatterthat
bladebutthespearofthegodwhomadeit,butwiththatspeartohelp
himtherobberspringsuponhisenemyandhisswordisthroughhis
heart,andheisfallen.

"TheDaughteroftheGodhascomebacktowherethewomanlay,shehas
liftedherfromthegroundandhaslaidheracrossherhorse'ssaddle
asifsheweredead;sheleapsuponhisbackandtheyaregalloping
awaylikethewind.TheFatheroftheGodshasavengedthebroken
promise;hehaskilledtheherowhomheloved,andnowheturnsforone
momenttowardtherobberwhomhehashelpedtowinthefight.Onlyonce
thegodwaveshishandtowardhimandtherobberfallsdead;hewill
fightandkillbravemennomore.Butahardertaskthanallistocome
fortheFatheroftheGods;howshallhedealwithhisowndaughter,
whohasdisobeyedhim?

"Thefireisburningalittlebetternow,butitdoesnotyetseemto
bequiteongoodtermswiththewindoutside.Thesmokeisgoingup
againinsteadofdown,andthatisanimprovement.Itrisesinsudden
puffsandflurries,likecloudsflyingacrosstheskyafterastorm.
Theshadowsofthecloudsfalluponamountainheight,arugged,rocky,
wild,beautifulplace,wherethedaughtersofthegodaremeetingto
ridehometogetherwiththeheroestheyhavebroughtfromsomefieldof
battle.Nowandthen,asthequickflamesleapupintothesmoke,Ican
seeanotherandanothercoming,ridingonherflyinghorse,racingwith
thedrivingwindandthehurryingclouds,eachwithherwarriorlying
beforeheracrosshersaddle,andsoalightinghereandjoiningher
sisters.TheyareallhereatlastexcepttheoneDaughteroftheGod
whomwehaveseenbefore,andnowshecomes,butshebringsnowarrior
acrosshersaddle,onlythepoorwomanwithwhomshefledfromthe
fight.

"Shetellshersistershowshehasdisobeyedtheirfather,andshebegs
themtoprotectherandthewomanagainsthisanger.Theydarenothelp
her;neverhasoneofthemdoneanythingthatwasnothiswill.What
canshedo?Heiscominginpursuitofher;soonerorlaterhemust
findher,butshemayatleastsavethewoman.Shebidsherfleealone
whileshewaitswithhersistersforherfatherandherpunishmentto
come.Faraway,shetellsher,thereisadeepforest,andinthe
forestisacavewherethehorribledragonthatwasoncethegiant
keepsandguardshistreasure.SomuchdoestheFatheroftheGods
dreadthecursethatthewickeddwarflaiduponthering,andthedoom
whichheknowsiscomingtohimselfbecauseofhisownsin,thathe
neverwandersthere.Tothisforestshemustgo,andthereshemayfind
arefuge.TheDaughteroftheGodgivesthewomanthefragmentsofthe
brokenmagicsword,whichshehasbroughtwithherfromthefieldof
thefight,andbidshergo.

"Andnow,withangrylightningsflashingallaroundhim,comesthe
FatheroftheGods.Neverbeforehashebeenshakenbysuchastormas
this.Hisdaughterwhomhelovedmorethanalltheothers,has
disobeyedhim.Neverbeforehasshedoneanythingbutthatwhichitwas
hiswillthatsheshoulddo.Nowshehasknownhiswill,shehasheard
hiscommand,andshehasbrokenit.Shestandsbeforehim,sorrowful,
butstillcalm,stern,andplacid,andaskswhatistobeher
punishment.Shehasbroughtherdoomuponherself,heanswers,andnow
shemustbeawargoddessnomore,butonlyawoman.Hemustkissher
once,andallthestrengthandthevalorandtheprideofthegoddess
willbegone.Thenshewillsinktosleep,andhereonthisrocky
mountainheightshemustlietillsomemancomesandawakesher,and
shemustbeawomanonlyandhiswife.

"Verydreadfulthisseemstothepoorwargoddess,butitisbecause
shehasneverbeenawoman,anddoesnotknowmuchaboutwomen.Tome
itdoesnotseemdreadfulatall.Itismuchbetterandsweeterand
nobler,Ibelieve,tobethebestthatawomancanbethanthe
strongestandgreatestandproudestthatagoddesscanbe.AndIhope
youwillalwaysrememberwhatweseehereinthefiretonight,andif
youeverfeelthatthereisanydangerofyourbeingagoddess,orif
anybodyevertellsyouthatyouareone,thenletsomebodykissyouand
makeyouawoman.
"Buttoonewhohassolongbeenusedtowearingarmorandriding
throughtheair,andchoosingthebravestofthefallenheroes,and
bearingthemtothecastleofthegods,thechangemaywellseemhard
tosufferatfirst.SotheDaughteroftheGodthinksthatnoheavier
punishmentcouldhavebeenfoundforher.Hersistersthinkso,too,
andtheybegtheirfathertohavemercyonher,buthesternlybids
thembesilentandtoleavehim.NowtheDaughteroftheGodtellshim
howshetriedtodowhathewouldhaveherdo;sheknewthatheloved
theheroandhatedtherobber,andthathiscommandtoherwasgiven
unwillingly;shehopedtogainforhimthewishofhisheart,inspite
ofhiswords,andshethrewhershieldoverthehero.

"Itisuseless;hecannotstayherpunishmentnow,buthisangerisall
goneandheisfilledwithsorrowlikeherown.Helovesherstill,
morethananyotherdaughter,andnowhewillneverhaveherbesidehim
inthehallsofthegodsagain,neveragainseeherridetothebattle,
neverseeherreturnwithbravementoguardhishouse,neveragain
speaktoherashecouldtonoother,andtellherallthatisinhis
heart,neveragainseeherglad,deep,answeringeyeslookintohis,
fullofsympathyandhelp.Onethingyetshebegs:ifallthatthey
havebeentoeachother,thegodandhisdaughter,mustbenomore,if
shemustsleepandwaithereforanunknownhusbandtowakeher,she
prayshimtosetsomeguardaroundher,awalloffire,thatnoonebut
abraveman,thebravestofmen,maywinherforhisbride.

"Yes,hewilldothis;sheshallbeshutinbyfireandnoneshallever
cometoherbutthebravestofheroes,onewhoknowsnofearatall.No
onewhofearsevenhisownterriblespear,thatspearwhichbrokethe
magicswordthathehimselfhadmade,shalleverawakeherwhowashis
daughter,andnowistobehisdaughternomore.Hedrawshertohim
foronelasttime;hekissesherlipsandtheyaresilent;hekisses
hereyesandtheyclose.Helaysheronabankofsoftmoss;hecloses
herhelmetandcoversherwithhershield.Nearbyherhorseliesupon
thegroundasleeptoo;theflowersamongthegrassandinthecrevices
oftherocksdrooptheirdrowsyheads;thewindsastheypassmakeno
noise.Hetouchesthepointofhisspeartotheground.Instantlythe
firespringsup;itmakesafierce,ragingringaroundtherock;surely
onlyonewhoknowsnofearcaneverpassit.TheFatheroftheGodsis
gone.Nowwecanseenothingbutthefirestreamingupandexultingin
itslifeanditshotdefianceofallbutthebravest;butthereinthe
midstofitliestheDaughteroftheGod,asleeptillherlovershall
callherwithakisstocomewithhimandbeawoman."

Thelittlegirl'smotherhadcomeintotheroomandhadheardthelast
ofthestory."Isn'tittime,"shesaid,"thatthedaughterofsomebody
elsewasasleep,too,ifshewantstogrowtobeawoman?"

"Itislate,"Ihadtoadmit."Well,theDaughteroftheGodissafe
forthepresent.Perhapssomeothertime,whenwehaveabetterbehaved
fire,wemayseesomethingofthelover."

THEHEROWHOKNEWNOFEAR

"Don'tyouthinkthefireisverygoodtonight?"thelittlegirl
asked.

"Yes,itiscertainlyverygoodindeed,"Iadmitted.

"Ishouldthink,"shesaid,"thatanybodythatcouldseethingsin
firesmightseeverynicethingsinthisone."
Whenshewhomightcommanddeignsthusdelicatelytomakeamere
suggestion,itisthepartbothofchivalryandofloyaltytoobey.I
shouldfeelthathavingmyheadchoppedoffwasaltogethertoogoodfor
meifIhesitatedatsuchatime."Come,"Isaid,"andletusseewhat
thefirereallylookslike.Whatdoesitlookliketoyou?"

"Oh,itdoesn'tlooklikeanythingatalltome,onlyjustthefire.
Whatdoesittoyou?"

"Itlookslikeafiretometoo,butitisthefireofasmith'sforge.
Theplacewhereitislookshalflikearoomandhalflikeacavern.It
isallofrocks,butthereistheforgeandtherearethechimneyand
theanvilandthebellowsandallsortsofsmith'stools."

"Youcanseethingsallaroundthefire,justthesameasinit,can't
you?"saidthechild.

"Oh,tobesure;whenIwanttoseethesethingsthatmakethemselves
intostories,Icanseethemalmostanywhere,onlyIthinkthefireis
aparticularlygoodplace.Andwhodoyouthinkisworkingatthe
forge?Itisanuglylittledwarf,theveryonewhomwesawtheother
night,whomadethemagichelmet,thebrotheroftheonewhostolethe
treasurefromtherivernymphs.Yourememberhewasacleversmith,
elsehenevercouldhavemadethatwonderfulhelmet.Nowheisatwork
heretryingtomakeasword.Andhedoesmakeaswordtoo,buthedoes
notseempleasedwithitwhenitisfinished,andheleavesoffhis
workandsitsdown,withaverydissatisfied,sulky,uglylookinhis
face.

"Itwouldbehardforanybodytolookmoreunlikethedwarfthanthe
personIseenowcomingintothecave.Heisaboy,orperhapshewould
ratherbecalledayoungman,andIshallbegladtocallhimwhatever
helikes.Heisdressedinskinsandwearsalittlesilverhornathis
side.Ifthedwarfisshortandugly,heistallandhandsome;ifthe
dwarf'sfacehasascowlofwickedhatredandcunning,hishasasmile
thatbeamswithkindlinessandcandor;ifthedwarfisoldandcrooked
androughandhairy,heisyoungandstraightandgracefulandfair.In
short,yousurelyneversawayoungmanwholookedmorefree,happy,
generous,noble,strong,andboldthanhe.Itmakesonemoregood
humoredtolookathim,andthesunlightfollowshimstraightintothe
cave.Somethingelsefollowshimtoo,forheisleadingabigbrown
bearbyacordtwistedarounditsneck.Hesendsthebearatthedwarf,
whoscreamsandrunsawayinterror.Theyoungmanseemstohavecaught
thebearinthewoodsjusttofrightenthedwarf,andheletsitgo
againwhenthedwarftellshimthattheswordisfinishedandreadyfor
him.Hetakestheswordandlooksatitscornfully.Itisgoodfor
nothing,hesays.Hestrikesitupontheanvilandbreaksitintoa
dozenpieces.Heisalittleparticularabouthisswords;hedoesnot
likethemunlesshecanchopanvilswiththem.

"Beforewetrytoseeanymore,perhapsIoughttotellyousomething
aboutthiswonderfulyouthandwhyheliveshereinthecavewiththe
dwarf.Hewasbornhere.Thisistheforestwherethetreasureis
hiddenthatwaspaidtothegiantsforbuildingthecastleofthegods.
Itisguarded,asyouknow,bythegiantwhokilledhisbrothersothat
hemighthavethewholeofit,andhehaschangedhimselfintoa
horribledragon,bythemagichelmet,sothathemayguarditbetter.
Theyoungman'smotherwasthewomanwhomtheDaughteroftheGodsent
awayintothisforesttosaveherfromtheangeroftheFatherofthe
Gods,asyouremember.Shetookrefugehereinthedwarf'scaveandshe
diedsoonafterhersonwasborn,andthenthedwarfkepttheboyand
broughthimup.Butitwasnotbecausehecaredforhimatallorhad
theleastkindlyfeelingforanybody.Itwasjustbecausehewanted,as
somanyotherswanted,thatrichtreasureandthemagichelmetandthe
magicringwiththecurseuponit.
"Now,yousee,theboy'smothergavehimthepiecesofthebrokenmagic
swordandtoldhimtokeepthemfortheboy.Heknewsomethingabout
theswordandsohegotitintohisheadthatthiswastheverysword
thatwouldsometimekillthatdragon.Andsincethisboywastohave
thesword,hethought,too,thathemightverylikelygrowuptobethe
manwhowouldkillthedragon.Doyousee,then,whyhehaskepthim
andfedhimandbroughthimupsocarefully?Itwasjustbecausehewas
socunningandcruelandselfishthathetookgoodcareoftheboy.He
knewverywellthathehimselfwouldneverdaretogonearenoughto
thatdragonforittobreatheonhim,buthethought:'SomedayIwill
givethisboythemagicswordandmakehimgoandkillthemonsterwith
it,andthenIwillkillhimandgetallthetreasure,withthehelmet
andthering,andthenIshallbetherulerofallthedwarfs,ofmen,
ofthegodsthemselves,andofthewholeworld.'

[Illustration:"THESUNLIGHTFOLLOWSHIMSTRAIGHTINTOTHECAVE."]

"Sothebabythatthedwarftookandtendedatfirsthasgrowntobe
thisnoble,brave,generousyoungman,andhehatesthedwarfasanyone
asgoodandstrongashemusthateanythingsocowardlyandmeanand
wicked.Alltheseyearsthedwarfhasnevertoldhimanythingabouthis
motherorhowhecametobelivingwithhimhereinthecave.Butnow
ofasuddentheyoungmanasksthedwarfsomequestionsandshowsthat
hemeanstotreathimveryroughlyifhedoesnotanswerthem.Sothe
dwarftellshimalittleofwhatIhavetoldyou,andtoprovethat
whathesaysabouthismotheristrueheshowshimthepiecesofthe
brokensword.

"Theyoungmangetsinterestedintheseatonce,youmaybesure.'That
wasagoodsword,'hecries;'thatistheswordImusthave;mendit
forme,dwarf,andmenditquickly.Iwillgointotheforest,and,if
itisnotdonewhenIcomeback,youshallbesorrythatyouworkedso
badly.'

"Thenawayhegoestoplaywiththebears,perhaps,intheforest.Now
youcanbequitesurethatthedwarfhasnotkeptthatbrokenswordall
theseyearswithoutevertryingtomendit.Hehastriedmanytimes,
andhecannomoreputthepiecestogetherthanhecanlookashandsome
asthefieryyouthwhohasjustlefthimherefrightenedhalftodeath.
Sohesimplysitsdownandletshimselfgetmorefrightenedtillhe
looksupandfindsthathehasavisitor.

"Thevisitorisatalloldmanwhomhedoesnotknow,butIknowhim;
heistheFatheroftheGods.Heasksthedwarftolethimsitdownand
rest,butthedwarfisevenmoreillnaturedthanusualandbidshimgo
awayandnottroublehim.TheFatheroftheGodsrepliesthathemight
perhapstellthedwarfsomethingthatwouldbeofusetohimifhe
wouldlethimstay.Nowyouseewhatagoodchancethiswouldbefor
thedwarftoaskhowtomendthebrokensword,butheissocrossand
surlythathethinksofnothingbuthowtobeasdisagreeableas
possible,sohesaysthatheknowsallthatheneedstoknowanddoes
notcaretolearnfromanybody.ButtheFatheroftheGodspersists;he
willgivethedwarfhishead,hesays,ifhecannotansweranythree
questionsthathemayaskhim.Thispleasesthedwarf,forhethinksit
wouldbeapleasuretohimtocutoffsomebody'shead.'Whatpeople,
then,'heasksforhisfirstquestion,'liveundertheground?'

"'Thedwarfs,'saysthestranger;'oneofthemhadaringonce,by
whichheruledalltheothers.'

"'Andwhatpeople,'asksthedwarf,'liveuponthemountains?'

"'Thegiants;oneofthem,intheformofadragon,hastheringnow.'
"'Andwholiveupamongtheclouds?'

"'Thegods,'saysthestranger,'andtheFatheroftheGodshasaspear
withwhichherulestheworld.'

"Ashesaysthat,heletstheendofthespearwhichhecarriesdrop
uponthegroundandinstantlythereisapealofthunder.

"'Now,'saysthestranger,'asIhavesavedmyhead,youmustpledgeme
yourstoanswerthethreequestionswhichIshallask.Whoisthe
strongestofheroeswhomtheFatheroftheGodsloves?'

"Thedwarfanswersthathethinksitmustbethesonofthewomanwho
diedlongagointheforest,whowillkillthedragonandwinthe
treasure.Thisisagoodanswer,andthestrangerasksagain:'What
swordmustheusetokillthedragon?'

"Whateasyquestionstheseare,tobesure!Thedwarfsaysatonce:
'ThemagicswordthattheFatheroftheGodsmade.'

"Nowthestrangerlookssternandsays:'Butwhoshallmendthesword
thatitmaybefitforthefight?'

"Atthisthedwarfisfrightenedindeed.Hecriesoutinterrorthathe
cannotdoit,heknowsnobettersmiththanhimself,andhedoesnot
seehowitcanbedone.'Thenyoushouldhaveaskedmethat,'saysthe
stranger,'insteadoffoolishquestionsaboutthingsthatyouknew
already.YetIwilltellyou:asnonebutthebestofheroescouldpull
thatswordoutofthetreewhereitoncestuck,sonownonebutahero
whoknowsnofearcanputitsbrokenpiecestogether.Yourpoorhead,
whichbelongstome,Iwillleavetothesamehero,andsogoodby.'

"Thedwarffallsuponthegroundinatremblingheap,andsotheyoung
manfindshimwhenhecomesbacktoaskifhehasyetmendedthesword.
'Icannevermendit,'hecries.'Haveyoueverknownfear?'

"'Fear?'heanswers;'no,whatisfear?IsitsomethingIoughttoknow
howtodo,somethingyououghttohavetaughtmeandhavenot?Isita
pleasantthingtohaveortoknowortodo?Whatisitlike?'

"'Icannotteachyoufear,'saysthedwarf,'butIknowonewhocan,or
elseyounevercanlearnit.Itisthedragonthatlivesinthecaveat
theendofthewood.Iwilltakeyoutohimandifhewillnotteach
youfearthenyoumaykillhim.'

"'Verywell,'saystheyoungman,'Iwillgo;butfirstmendthesword
forme;Ishallneedit.'

"'Icannotmenditforyou.'thedwarfanswers;'onlyonewhodoesnot
knowhowtofearcandothat.'

"'ThenImustdoitmyself,'saystheyoungman,andhesetsaboutit
atonce.

"Thefireonthatforgehasneverbeensohotandthefirehereonour
hearthhasneverbeensobrightasnowwhentheyoungmanwhoknowsno
fearblowsthebellows.Whilethecoalsunderthateagerblastshine
redderandredderandthenwhiterandwhiterhebeginsfilingthe
piecesoftheswordtopowder.Thedwarfcriesouttohimthatthatis
notthewaytomendasword;butthisisnotacommonsword,andthe
dwarfhasshownwellenoughalreadythatheknowsnothingaboutmending
it.Sotheyoungsmithpaysnoattentiontohim,butgoesonwithhis
work.Inmendingmagicswords,justasinsomeotherthings,knowing
howatthestartdoesnotcountforsomuchasnotknowinganyfear.
"Sowithoutanyfeartheyoungmanmeltsthefilingsoftheswordwith
thesplendidfirewhichyoucansurelyseejustaswellasanybody,and
poursthemeltedmetalintoamouldoftheshapeofaswordblade.By
thistimethedwarfhasfoundthatitisofnousetointerrupthimand
hasbeguntothinkabouthisownwork.Whenthedragonhasbeenkilled,
hethinks,theherowillbehotandtired,andthenhewillofferhim
somethingtodrink.Itwillbepoison,theherowilldie,andthenhe,
thepoordwarf,whohasworkedandwaitedalltheseyearsforthisday,
willhaveallthetreasure,withthemagichelmetandthering.Sohe
setshimselftobrewingthepoisonbytheverysamefirethattheyoung
manisusingtoforgehissword.

"Andnowtheyoungmanhasheatedtheswordagainandshapeditwith
hammersandcooleditwithwater,heissharpeningandpolishingthe
bladeandfittingittothehilt,andnowatlastheholdsitinhis
handanditisdone.Hehasforgedthemagicswordandhasprovedhis
right;heisthetruehero,theherowhoknowsnofear.Andisthere
anythingthatsuchaherolovesbetterthanagoodsword?Yes,tobe
sure;buttothisherothetimeforthathasnotcomeyet,andhehas
neverfeltsuchdelightasfillshimnowwhenhelooksalongthe
bright,smooth,keenedgeofthisblade.Oh,theswordwasnotlike
thisbeforeitwasbroken.Sometimespeoplesaythatbeautifulpolished
thingsarelikemirrors,butthisswordislikeaflame.Itburnsand
twinklesasheholdsitandturnsitinhishand.Icanscarcelyseeof
whatshapeitis,fornowitshineslikeastraightbeamoflight,now,
ashetwistsit,thereisaflashinahalfcircle,likeascymitar,
andagainthepointalonegleamsoutandflashes,asifitwouldfind
itsownwaytotheheartofafoe,withnohandtoguideit.Heswings
theswordabovehishead,ashedidtheotherthatthedwarfmadefor
him,andstrikesitupontheanvil.Andthistimetheanvilfallsin
twoasifitweremadeofpaper,andtheswordglittersandshinesand
shimmersinthejoyofitsmagicsharpnessandstrength.

"Nowthattheswordisready,thedwarfleadstheyoungmanaway
throughthewoods,alongjourney,toaplacewherehehasneverbeen
before,tofindthedragon.Youseethatdeep,darkholeunderthe
sticks;thatisthedragon'scaveinthesideofthemountain.Justa
littlelightshinesattheverybottomofit,wherethedragonis
restingandbreathingoutfire.'Thereishishole,'saysthedwarf;
'justwaitheretillhecomesoutandthenkillhim,Lookoutforhis
teethorhewillcatchyouandeatyou;becarefulabouthisbreath,
foritisfieryandpoisonous;bewareofhistail,forhemaywindit
aroundyouandcrushyou.'

"'Idonotcareforhisteethorhisbreathorhistail,'saysthe
youngman;'Ionlywanttofindhisheart.Leavemehere,andneverlet
meseeyouagain.'

"Thedwarfgoesawayandtheyoungmansitsdownonthegrasstowait
forthedragon.Yousee,sinceheknowsnothingatallaboutfearit
doesnotseemtohimsuchagreatthingtokilladragon.Hedoesnot
caremuchwhetherhekillsitornot,andheisinnohurryaboutit.
Sohesitsonthegrassandlooksatthegrayoldrocksandthebright
youngflowersabouthim,seesthegoldensunlightfallinginlittle
spotsandflecksthroughthebranches,feelsthecool,freshmorning
air,andhearsthesoftrustleofthetreesandthesingingofthe
birds.Mostofall,helistenstothebirdsthatflutteraboutinthe
branchesabovehim,asthesparkshoveroverthefirethere,before
theyflyawayupthechimney,andinparticulartoonebird,rightover
hisheadinthetree.Itsingssoloudlyandsoclearlythatitseems
tobetalkingtohim,only,ofcourse,hecannotunderstandwhatit
says.Hehaswishedforalongtimethathemighthavesomebetter
companythantheuglydwarf,andhethinksnowthatheshouldliketo
talkwiththebird.
"Ifhecannotunderstandthebird,perhapsthenextbestthingwouldbe
tomakethebirdunderstandhim,sohemakesapipeoutofareedand
triestoplayuponitsomethinglikethebird'ssong.Idon'tknowwhat
hethinksheissayingtothebirdwithhisreed,andheseemsnotmuch
pleasedwithithimself,forhethrowsitawayandblowsaringing,
echoingblastonhishorninstead.Andnowhegetsananswer,forthis
timehehasawakenedthedragon,anditcomesoutofitscavetosee
whatismakingsomuchnoisesoearlyinthemorning.

"Oh,butitisanuglylookingmonster!Itissomethinglikeasnake,
butmorelikeagiantlizard.Ithasscalesalloveritsbodyandit
hasalong,shinytail.Itwalksclumsily,becauseitslegsaretoo
smallforit,andwrithesandwrigglesitselfalong,raisingitshead
nowandthentolookabout,andbreathingoutredfireandblacksmoke
likeablastfromafurnace.Whenitspoisonousbreathhasblownthis
smokeawayforaninstant,itshowstworowsofteethlikeknivesanda
longforkedtonguelikeasnake's,anditsjawsareopenedwideenough
totaketheyoungmanintothemandbitehimintoadozenpiecesatone
snap.Surelyifheisevertolearnwhatfearisnowishischance.

"HeseesallthisjustasplainlyasIseeithereinthefire;butdo
youthinkheisafraid?Why,hesimplylaughsatthemonster.'A
pleasantlookingfellowyouare,'hesays;'canyouteachmewhatfear
is?Ifyoucannot,Ishallprickyouwithmyswordtomakeyouthink
aboutit.'

"Now,thisdragoncantalkjustaswellasitcouldwhenitwasa
giant,soitbeginstogetangryandtellstheimpudentyoungmanto
comeonandseewhathecandowithhislittletailor'sneedleofa
sword.Hedoesnothavetobeaskedtwice,andinaminutethereis
justaslivelyafightasyoueversaw.Thedragontriestobreathe
fireupontheheroandscorchhimuptoablackcinder,buthedoesnot
wanttobeacinderandherunsaroundtothedragon'sside.Thenthe
dragontriestocatchhimwithitslongslimytail,sothatitmay
crushhimtoajelly,buthedoesnotwanttobeajellyeither,soas
soonasthetailcomesnearenoughhegivesitaterriblewoundwith
hissword,andthenrunsbackinfrontofthedragon.Themonstergives
adreadfulroarasitfeelsthewound,andraisesitsheadandbreast
highupintheair,strikingattheherowithitslong,sharpclawsand
tryingtothrowthewholeweightofitsbodyuponhim.Thisisjust
whathehasbeenwatchingfor,andasthedragonliftsitselfbefore
himhedriveshisswordclearthroughitsheart.

"Thenhespringslightlyawayagain,asthedragon,withanother
horriblebellow,fallsdownandrollsoveruponitsside.'Itisthe
curseoftheringthathaskilledme,'saysthedragon,asitdies;'my
treasureisthereinthecave;youcantakeitnow,boldboy,butthe
curseoftheringwillbringdeathtoyou,asithasbroughtittome.'

"Sothedragonliesdead.Theyoungheroseizesthehiltofthesword
todrawitfromthedragon'sbody,andashepullsitouttheblood
fromthewoundspurtsuponhishand.Itburnsasifitwerethefuelof
thecreature'sfierybreath.Ashefeelsitsheatheputshisfingers
intohismouth,andtheinstantthathetastesthebloodthemost
wonderfulthingofallhappenstohim.Heunderstandsthesongsofthe
birds.Theonethathetriedtotalkwithbeforesingstohimagain,
andnowheknowseveryword.Ittellshimthatinthecavearegoldand
jewelsuntold,thatwiththemagichelmethecandowonderfulthings,
andthatwiththemagicringhecanruletheworld.Hethanksthebird
fortellinghimsuchgoodthings,andgoestofindthehelmetandthe
ring.Inaminutehecomesbackwiththem;hedoesnotwanttherestof
thetreasure,forheknowsnothingaboutgoldandcaresnothingabout
it.

"Nowthebirdsingstohimagain.'Bewareofthedwarf,'itsays,'he
meanstodoyouharm.Butwhenhespeakstoyouthebloodofthedragon
whichyouhavetastedwillhelpyoutounderstandthemeaningthatis
inhisheartinsteadofthewordsthathesays.'

"Sothedwarfcomesback,withadrinkinghorninwhichhehaspoured
thepoison,andheoffersittotheherotodrink.Butwithallthe
friendlywordsthathetriestospeak,hecanhidenothingfromthe
youngman,whoreadshisheartandknowsthathehaskepthimandfed
himalltheseyearsonlythathemightkillthedragon,andthatnowhe
meanstopoisonhimandgetthegoldforhimself.Thereisonlyone
thingtobedonewithsuchwickednessasthis.Heraiseshisswordand
withoneblowstrikesthedwarfdead.

"Youcanguesshowthebirdisdelightedatthis.Itsingstohim
again:'Iknowwhereyoucouldfindtheloveliestwomanintheworld.
Thereisfireburningallaroundher,andifyoucouldonlypass
throughthatyoucouldwinherforyourwife.'

"'ButcouldIpassthroughthefire?'heasks.

"'Onlytheherowhoknowsnofearcandothat,'singsthebird.

"'Verywell,then,Iknownofear,'heanswers;'thedragoncouldnot
teachittome;leadmetothiswoman;perhapsImaylearnitfrom
her.'

"Thebirdfluttersdownalittlefromthetreeandthenfliesaway.Did
youseethebig,brightsparkthatflewupthechimney?

"Awayrunstheherotoo,followingthebird.Itisalongjourney,
throughtheforestandovertherocksandthemountains,butheis
youngandeager,andhislightheartmakesthewayalmostaseasyfor
himasitisforthebird.Yetthebirdisthefaster,andbyandbyit
fliessofaraheadthathecannotseeitatall,andthenhiswayis
barredbyamightyformthatstandsbeforehim.ItistheFatherofthe
Gods.Theyoungmandoesnotknowwhataterriblepersonhehasmet,
thoughitisfairtosaythatifhedidknowhewouldnotcare,andhe
askshimifheknowswherehemayfindthebeautifulwomanwiththe
fireallabouther.

"TheFatheroftheGodsaskshiminturnhowheheardofthiswoman,
whattaughthimtounderstandthesongofthebird,whoforgedthe
swordwithwhichhekilledthedragon.Allthesethingsheanswers,and
theFatheroftheGodsissurethattheherowhoknowsnofearhascome
atlast.Yetonetestremainsforhim.'Thereistheplaceyouseek,'
hesays,ashepointstothemountaintop,wherethebrightflamesare
whirlinganddancingandleapingupintotheverysky,'thereisyour
way,yetnotanotherstepuponitshallyougo.'andhestretcheshis
spearacrossthepathtokeeptheyoungmanback.

"Ah,oncebeforethatspearwasraisedagainstthismagicsword.Itwas
amightyarmthatswungtheswordthen,thearmofthebestofheroes
living,buttheherohaddoneawrong,hehadhelpedtobreaka
promise,andhewhobreakspromisescanneverbreakthespearsofthe
gods.Hisarmhadnottheyoungstrengthofthatwhichmastersthe
swordtoday.Fierceandbraveandnoblewashe,yethehadseenmany
sorrows,andheknewwhatfearwas;theglad,freehopeofthenewhero
wasnothis.Theswordthenwastrueoftemper,brightandsharp,but
theheatandthelightofthefireofanewmanhoodhadnotbeenforged
intoitthen,anditwasnotaflamewiththegloryofyouthandthe
promiseoflove.Andso,withasweepandaflashasoflightning,the
magicswordcutsthroughthespearthatnootherswordeverdaredeven
strike,andasthefragmentsfallupontheground,themountainshakes
andshudders,andthethunderrollsandrumblesaboutitstop.The
youngmanisagainuponhisway.Halfsadlyandhalfgladly,theFather
oftheGodslooksafterhim.Hehascomeandhaspassed,theherowho
knowsnofear;hehasnotevenfearedthespearthatruledtheworld,
andnowthatspearisbroken.Thetimeofthegodsisnear.

"AgainIseethewholefirestreamingupfiercelyandjoyously,asit
didwhentheFatheroftheGodskissedhisdaughtertosleep.Thewinds
arestillhushedaroundthemountaintop,theflowersinthegrassand
ontherockstilldroopwithfoldedpetals,andthehorsestillsleeps
upontheground,forthere,inthemidstofthefire,onthebankof
mossstillliestheDaughteroftheGod,herformcoveredwithher
shield,andherfacehiddenbyherclosedhelmet.Throughallthese
yearsnothinghaschangedorstirredinthismagiccircleexceptthe
changing,stirring,restless,watchfulfirethatringsitaround.Now,
thetimeforlifehascomeagain.Upfromthemountainsidecomesa
ringinghornnote,andinamomenttheherostridesthroughtheflames
thatdartandflickerandlickathim,butcannotharmhim,andstands
inthemagiccirclegazinginwonderuponitsstrangesleep.

"'Whoisthat,'hethinks,'coveredwiththeshield?Itmustbea
knight,butisitnothardforhimtolietherealldressedinarmor?'
Hegentlytakesoffthehelmetandstartsbackinsurpriseashesees
thelovelyfaceandthesoftspungoldthatfallsoutuponthemossas
heliftsthehelmetaway.Nowheraisestheshieldandtriestoopen
thearmorinfront,thattheknightmaybreathemorefreely.Hecannot
unfastenit,andatlasthecutsitwithhissword,andthenhestarts
againasheseesthelight,snowyfoldsofthegarmentunderneath.This
canbenoknight,thisisawoman.Whathashedone?Whatshallhedo?
Hestandsandlooksather;hehasneverseenanythinghalfso
beautiful,andashelookshetrembles;hefearstowakeherandhe
fearstoleaveherasleep.Yes,theherowhoknewnofeartrembles.He
haslearnedtofearfromthiswoman.Notbyanythingthatshehasdone
hasshetaughthim,forshestillsleeps.Itisonlybecausesheisa
womanthathefears.Heisnolessaheroforthat.Amanwholived
longandneverfearedatallwouldbenohero.Thetimehascometo
him,asitmustcometoeveryman,whenitisbravertofear.

"Yet,thoughhefears,hedoesnothesitate.Hedoesjusttheonly
thingthathepossiblycoulddo.Hekneelsbesideherandkissesher
lips.Thensheawakes.Sheopensthoseeyesthatarebluewiththe
depthoftheseaandthelightofthesky.Shegazesaroundheratthe
rocks,atthetrees,atthesunlight,atherhero,andherfaceis
filledwithjoy.Andwhatafaceitis!Nolongerasitwasbefore.At
herfather'skissthegoddessslept;herhero'skissawokethewoman.
Herfaceisasclear,aspure,andasradiantasbefore,butsoftand
graciousandgentle;hereyesareasfulloflightastheywere,but
thereistendernessinthemtoo;herlipsareascalmandbeautiful,
buttheyareallsweetness;whatwasstillandsternandplacidisfull
ofsympathy,kind,andloving.

"Theflowersliftuptheirheadsandopentolookather;thehorse
neighstosaythatheisawakeagainandknowsher;thelittlewinds
comebackandmurmursoftlyatfirstamongtheleaves;thentheyget
bolderandkisshercheekandliftherhairandshakeitouttothe
light,andwhispertoherheroandaskhimifhesawanygoldlikethat
inthedragon'scave.Hehasneverseenanywomanbefore,yetheknows
thatinalltheworldtherecannotbeanothersuchasthis.Shehas
seenmanyheroes,yetthisisheforwhomshehaswaitedsolong.Each
knowsallthedepthoftheother'sthoughts,andsotheystandandgaze
eachintotheother'seyesandintotheother'sheart."

"Andisthatall?"saidthechild."Itendsjustlike'TheSleeping
Beauty,'doesn'tit?"

"No;justhereitislike'TheSleepingBeauty,'butweshallseemore
someothertime.Thisistheendforthenight."
THEENDOFTHERING

Thefirehasalwaysfascinatedandcharmedme.WhenIwasachild
myselfIusedtowatchittillmyeyesached,andmyhabitofthrowing
sticksandpaperintoittoseethemburnwasaterrortoallmyaunts.
Abonfirewasadeliciousjoy,andfireworks,especiallyifIcouldset
themoffmyself,werethesummitofhappiness.Evennow,wheneverIsee
ahouseonfireIamafraidmypleasureinwatchingitismuchgreater
thanmysorrowforthepeoplewhoarelosingtheirpropertyortheir
home.Idonotwanthousestoburn,butiftheymustburnIwanttosee
them.Asforthefireonthehearth,thatismycounsellorandfriend.
WhenwearealonetogetherIsitandgazeintoit,andittellsmeof
old,happytimes,ofotherfriendswhoarefarawaynow,andofthe
pleasantnightswehadtogether.Itspeakstomeofoldhopes,itis
gladwithmeintheirfulfilmentoritcheersmeintheirloss.It
talksofbright,newhopes,andtellsmethatevenifallelsefails,
itwillstillbetruetomeandwilltry,ifIwillcomebacktoit,to
cheerandhelpmeagainasitcheersandhelpsmenow.

AsIsatinthiswaywiththefire,thelittlegirlcameandtookalow
stoolbesideme.Shelookedintothefiretoo,layinghercheekuponmy
hand,whichrestedonthearmofthechair.Shedoesnotcareforour
talksaboutotherhearthfiresthatlongagowentout,sowehadtodo
somethingelsetoentertainher."Didyouwanttoknowmoreaboutthe
DaughteroftheGodandtheHerowhoknewnofear?"Isaid."Well,I
canseethembothnow,justwherewesawthemlastonthemountaintop,
withthefireburningaroundthemasitdidbefore,butnotsohighand
fierceasbefore,becauseitisnotneededforaguardsomuchasit
was.

"TheDaughteroftheGodistellingherherothatheoughttogoto
seekmoreadventures.Perhapshemayfindotherthingsforhismagic
swordtokillbesidesdragonsandwickeddwarfs,andthemoresuch
thingshedoesthebettershewilllovehimwhenhecomesback.Oh,she
knowsallaboutheroesandwhattheyoughttodo.Hedoesnotliketo
leaveheratall,butifheknowsthatshereallywantshimtoseek
adventures,youmaybesurehewillseekthem.Beforehegoes,hegives
hertheringthathegotfromthedragon'scave,withthecurseupon
it,buttheyarenotthesortofmanandwomantotroublethemselves
aboutcurses.Inreturnshegiveshimherhorseandhershield,not
thathewillneeditmuchagainsthisenemies,withthatmagicsword,
andbesidessheknowshowtocastaspelluponhimsothathecannotbe
woundedinbattle;buttheshieldmaykeepofftherain,ifhehasto
sleepoutofdoors.Sohegoesawaydownthemountainandshewaitsfor
himtocomeback.

"Nowallthefirechangestoashiningriver.Itisthesameriver
wherethetreasurewasoncekeptbythenymphs,onlynowweareabove
itinsteadofunderit.OnthebankisthehallofakingandIseethe
kinghimselfsittingonhisthrone,withhissister,abeautiful
princess,besidehim.Withthemtooistheirhalfbrother.Heisa
strangefellowandyououghttoknowhim.Hisfatheristhedwarfwho
stolethetreasure,andhisfatherhastoldhimallaboutitmanytimes
andhastaughthimtohopethatsometimehemaygetitagain,sothat
theytwomaydividealltherichesbetweenthem,andwiththeringand
thehelmetmayruletheworld.Heisjustaswickedashisfather,all
hecaresforintheworldistogetthattreasure,andyoumaybesure
thathewilltrytogetitineverywaythathecanfind,goodorbad.

"Heistryingatthisverymoment,andinratherastrangeway,youmay
thinkatfirst.Heistellingthekingthatheoughttohaveawife,
andthathissisteroughttohaveahusband.Thekingasks,justas
everybodyalwaysaskswhenheistoldthat,'Whomdoyouwantmeto
have?'

"'Themostbeautifulandthemostroyalofallwomen,'saysthehalf
brother,'livesuponarockwithfireallarounditforaguard,and
whoevershallbreakthroughthefireandcometohershallwinherfor
hiswife.'

"Thisdoesnotencouragethekingatall.Heneverwalkedthrougha
fireordidanythingofthesort,andhedoesnotevencaretotry.You
seethedifferencebetweenakingandahero.Butthehalfbrothersays
thatheknowsofaherowhowouldbegladtogothroughthefireand
getthiswomanfortheking,ifonlyhemighthavetheking'ssister
forhimself.Theprincessisnotdispleasedatallatthenotionofa
husbandwhoissobraveandcandosuchwonderfulthings,butshefears
thatsuchaheromustlongagohaveseenandlovedsomewomanmore
beautifulthanshe,andthathewillnotcareforheratall.Butthe
halfbrotheranswers:'Thereisamagicdrinkwhichyoushallgivehim,
anditwillmakehimforgetanyotherwomanhehaseverseen,nomatter
whosheis.'

"Thehalfbrotherknowsverywell,Ibelieve,thattheheroalready
lovestheDaughteroftheGod,anditisshethathemeanstomakehim
forgetbeforehesendshimtogetherfortheking.Ofcoursetheking
andhissisterknownothingaboutthis,ortheywouldhavenothingto
dowithsuchawickedplan,fortheyarereasonablygoodpeople.The
halfbrothersaysthattheheroisgoingabouttheworldtofind
adventuresandissuretocomeherebeforelong,andtrueenough,even
whileheisspeakingtheyseehimcomingwithhishorseinalittle
boatontheriver.Theycalltohimtocomeonshore,andtheywelcome
himasiftheywereneversogladtoseeanybodybeforeintheirlives.

"Perhaps,indeed,theyneverweresogladtoseeanybody,andIamsure
theprincessneverwas.Aformsofulloflifeandactionandvigor,or
afacesofulloffreedomandcourageandcheersurelyshehasnever
seen.Thefinefranknessofhiswaysandtheyounggraceofhismotion
arenewtohertoo,andthatshecanhopetowinhimatoncefor
herselfisalmostmorethanshecanbelieve.Shewouldnotthinkof
suchathingatallifsheknewhowlittlehethoughtorcaredabout
her.Heischarmingandpoliteenough,ofcourse,butasoftenashe
thinksofherorofanythingelseoncehethinksoftheDaughterofthe
Godtwice,andwhenhisthoughtsarenotespeciallydrawnawayhe
thinksofherallthetime.Butnowtheprincessoffershimahorn
filledwiththemagicdrinkthatistomakehimforget.Oh,ifonly
thatcleverlittlebirdwereherenowtowarnhim,asitdidwhenthe
dwarfmixedthedrinkforhim,howmuchtroublemightbesaved!But,
youknow,heneverthinksofdanger,sohedrinks,andthenhethinks
ofnothingatallnothingatallbuttheprincess.

"Well,thatisnotsurprising,foryouknowsheisonlythesecond
womanheeversawandhehasforgottenthefirst.Youwouldscarcely
believehowmuchhehasforgottenher.Why,ifthekingweretotell
himatthismomentthatawomansleptunderashield,guardedbyfire,
thatayoungmancamethroughthefire,cutopenherarmor,kissedher,
awakenedher,andvowedthathewouldloveherforever,hewouldnot
rememberthathehadeverknownofanythingofthekindorhadever
heardofsuchayoungman.Forhimthereisnowomanintheworldnow
buttheprincess.

"Thekingdoestellhimalittleofthisstory,whentheheroaskshim,
stillthinkingoftheprincess,whetherhehasawifeaswellasister.
'No,'thekinganswers,'Ihavenowife.ThewomanIwantformywifeI
fearInevercanwin;sheisfarawayuponamountainandafireburns
allaroundher.Hewhocouldpassthroughthefireandcometoher
mightwinher,butIcouldneverdoit.'

"ItisjustasItoldyou.Thisabsurdyoungmandoesnotknowthathe
everheardofawomaninthemiddleofafirebefore;hedoesnotknow
thatheeverlearnedtofear,sohesays:'Iamnotafraidofalittle
fire;Iwillgoandgetyourbrideforyouifyouwillgivemeyour
sisterformine.'

"'Iwillgiveyoumysistergladly,'saystheking;'buthowismy
bridetobemadetothinkthatitisIwhocometoherandwinher,
insteadofyou?'

"'Thatiseasy,'saysthehalfbrother;'withthathelmetwhichhe
wearshecantakeanyformhewill,andhecanmakehimselflook
exactlylikeyou.Heshallbringthewomanawaythroughthefireand
thenheshallleavehertoyou,andshewillneverknowthatitwasnot
youwhocametoherrock.'

"Now,thehero,youknow,neverknewwhatcouldbedonewiththat
helmet.Heonlytookitwithhimfromthedragon'scavebecausethe
littlebirdtoldhimitwasgoodforsomething.Nowthathehaslearned
itsuseeverythingthatheandthekingwanttodoseemssimpleenough,
andtheysetoffinthelittleboatfortherockwiththefirearound
it.Thehalfbrotherstaysontheshoreandlooksafterthem,withhis
palefaceandhiswickedeyes.Thewomanfarawayonthatrockhasthe
magicring.Whenthekingbringsherhereashisbridehewillfind
somewaytogetthering,andthenwhatwillhecareforkingsor
brides,forprincessesorheroes?Heandthewickeddwarf,hisfather,
willruletheworld.

"Thefireburnsuphighandclearagainandwithinitscirclesitsthe
DaughteroftheGod.Shedoesnotsleepnow;shesitsandgazesatthe
ringherherogaveher,thinkingnothingofthecurseuponit,and
wonderswhenhewillcomebacktoher.Ah,whenwillherherocomeback
toher?Doyourememberhowonceonthisveryrockthedaughtersofthe
godmettoridetogethertohiscastle,andhowtheycameeachriding
onherflyinghorse,racingwiththedrivingwindandthehurrying
clouds?Withjustsuchaleapandaflashofasuddenflameupintothe
smokeIcanseeoneofthemridingnow.Soquicklyshegallopsthrough
theskythatIcanscarcelyseewhatsheistillshereachestherock,
springsfromherhorse,andstandsbeforehersister.Hersisterruns
tomeetherandtoaskiftheirfatherisstillangrywithher.

"Thewargoddesshassadthingstotelloftheirfather.Hesitsinhis
castlewiththegodsandhisheroesaroundhim.Theydonotgooutto
fightandkilleachother,andtobemadealiveandwellagainat
sunsetanymore.TheFatheroftheGodsonlysitsthereandlooksat
hisbrokenspear,andtherest,fullofdread,lookonlyathim.Heis
wearyofrulingtheworld,wearyofallthetroublethathascomefrom
thewrongthathedidinnotgivingthattreasurebacktotheriver
nymphs.Heisnotsorrythathisspearisbrokenandhewouldgladly
hastentheendofall.Hehasmadehisheroescutdownthegreatash
treefromwhichhisspearwasmade,thetreethatspreaditsbranches
overallhiscastle,andtheyhavepiledthewoodhigharoundthe
walls.Whentheendcomesitwillhelpthecastletoburn.Andnowthe
FatheroftheGodssaysthat,ifthewomanwhohasthemagicringwhose
cursehasbeensoheavywouldbutgiveitbacktotherivernymphs,all
hisgreatsorrowswouldbeover.

"Thishisdaughter,thewargoddess,heard,andhastenedheretotell
ittohisdaughter,thewoman.Willshegiveupthering?Willshehelp
thegodstofindtherestthattheylongfor?Ah,butawargoddess
knowsaslittleofwomenasshedoesofmen.No,no,thewomanloves
themanwhogavehertheringandshewouldnotloseitforamomentto
gainagesofpeaceforthegodswhosehomesshesharesnomore.She
caresnothingforwearygods;shehasahero.Thewargoddesscannot
understandhersister.Sheleavesherandisawayagain,towardthe
castleofthegods,ridingonherflyinghorse,gallopingagainstthe
drivingwindandthehurryingclouds.

"Ahornsoundsdowninthevalley.Thereisonlyonehornintheworld
likethat,andthewomanspringsjoyfullyuptomeetherhero.Hecomes
andwalksthroughthefireashedidbefore,butoh!howdifferenthe
isfromwhathewasbefore!Thenhisfacewasyoungandfreshandnoble
andhisformwasgracefulandlight;nowhisfaceandhisformare
thoseoftheking.IsthisthepromisethattheFatheroftheGodsmade
tohisdaughter?Hesaidthatnoneshouldevercometoherorwinher
butthebravestofheroes.Yes,thisisindeedthepromiseandthisthe
hero,buthowsadlyforherthepromiseiskept!Whenhesawherbefore
hegentlyliftedoffherhelmetandkissedherandlearnedtofear
beforeher;nowhethinksonlyoftheprincess,awaytherebythe
river,andhetellstheDaughteroftheGodthatheisthekingand
thatshemustcomewithhimandbehisbride.

"Sheresistshim,andheseizeshertoforceher.Sheholdsouther
handtohimwiththeringandbidshimbewareitspower,whichwill
protectherfromhim;heseizesherhandandpullstheringfromher
finger.Sheishelpless;shefaintsinhisgrasp;hecarriesher
throughthefireanddownthemountaintowheretherealkingis.He
leavesthemtogetherandgoesbackalonetothehallbytheriverand
totheprincess.

"Verygladistheprincess,youmaybesure,toseehimcomebackso
quicklyandsosafely,andgladtooisthehalfbrother,butfora
differentreason,forheseestheringonhisfinger.Nowtheycallall
thepeopletogethertogreetthekingandhisbrideastheycomein
theirboatontheriver.Thereareshoutsandcheers,andmenwith
wavingbannersandwomenwhoscatterflowers;thekingsmilesuponhis
peopleandthanksthemfortheirgreeting,andthereisonlyonewhois
notmerryandglad.Andwhomdoyouthinktheking'snewbrideseesin
allthishappycrowd?Onlyherhero,inhisownformagain,and,ifher
heartwaswoundedandsadbefore,itdieswithinhernow,whenshesees
himleadingtheprincessouttomeetthemandknowsthathethinksno
longerofher.Sheturnspaleandfaintatfirstandthenangryand
fierce.Shecriesoutthatthismanwasherlover,thathehasbetrayed
herfortheprincessandthathehasbetrayedthekingtoo.

"Ofcourse,nobodycanunderstandthatatallnobodybutthehalf
brotherbutyoucanthinkhoweverybodymustbeshockedand
astonished,andhoweverybodytriestomakeoutwhatshemeans,and
fails.Tobesure,sheunderstandsitherselfaslittleastherest.
Sheknowsnothingaboutthemagicdrinkthatmadeherloverforgether;
sheknowsonlythathesworealwaystoloveherandthatnowheloves
theprincess.Thekingdoesnotknowthattheheroeversawhisbride
tillhewenttohermountaintobringherforhim,sohesupposesthat,
ifheevertoldherthathelovedher,itmusthavebeenthen;that
wouldbebetrayingtheking,hisfriend,inamostcruelway,of
course.Theprincessknowsonlyjustwhatthekingknows,andifthe
kinghasbeendeceivedandbetrayed,shemusthavebeendeceivedand
betrayedagreatdealmore.Asforthepoorherohimself,hedoesnot
rememberthatheeversawthiswomanbefore,hedoesnotknowhowhe
canhavedoneanywrong,andheismorepuzzledthananyoftherest.
Onlythehalfbrotherknowsallaboutit,thatnobodyistoblameat
allexcepthimself,anditishewhomnobodythinksofsuspecting.The
herolayshishandonthehalfbrother'sspearandswearsthathehas
neverwrongedanyonehere;ifhehas,hesays,maythisveryspearslay
him.

"Nowisthetimeforthehalfbrothertoworkthehero'sruinandto
trytogettheringthathewears.Whenallhavegonebuthimandthe
kingandhisbride,hewhisperstoherthathewillhelpher,andwill
killtheherotorevengethewrongthathehasdoneher.'Youkill
him!'shecries.'Ifheoncelookedatyou,youwouldnotdarecome
nearhim.'

"'Yet,'hesays,'theremustbesomewaythatIcoulddoit;tellme
whatitisandyouwillberevenged.'

"'Icastaspelluponhim,'shesays,'sothathecouldnotbewounded
inbattle,butIknewthathewouldneverturnhisbackuponanenemy,
soIsetnospellthere;youmaystrikehimintheback.'

"Now,hetellsthekingthatnothingbutthehero'sdeathcanrestore
thehonorthathehaslost.'Tomorrow,'hesays,'wewillgohunting;
Iwillkillhimwithmyspear,andwewilltelltheprincessthatit
wasawildboarthatdidit.'

"'Itshallbeso,'theyallcry;'hemustdie.'

"AndwhomdoyouthinkIseenow?Therivernymphsagain.Notbefore
theking'shouse,wherewehavebeensolong,butinanotherpartof
theriver,allshutinbywildwoodsandrocks.Theyareswimmingand
playingonthewater,justastheydidunderitwhenwesawthemfirst,
andtheyseemjustascarelessandhappyastheydidthen,buttheyare
stillmourningfortheirlosttreasureandlongingtogetitback
again.Iftheycouldonlygettheringitwoulddoaswellasthewhole
treasure,fortheringisthemagicpartofit.Andnowtothisvery
spotcomesthehero,whowearstheringonhisfinger.Hehaswandered
awayfromthekingandhismen,whowerehuntingwithhim,andassoon
asthenymphsseehimtheybeghimtogivethembacktheirring.

"Hesaysthathewillnot,atfirst;itwastoomuchtroubleforhimto
winitfromthedragon.Buthereallydoesnotcaresoverymuchabout
it,andIthinkhewouldletthemhaveitintheendifitwerenotfor
agreatmistakethattheymakeinaskingforit.Theytellhimabout
thecurseofthering,andthatifhekeepsithewillbekilledthis
veryday.Now,youcanseeeasilyenoughthatthatistheveryworst
thingtheycouldsayiftheyhopedtogettheringfromhim,forheis
notintheleastafraidofbeingkilled,andhewillnothaveanybody
believethatheisafraid.Theyshallnothaveit,hesays,happenwhat
will.Theywillhaveit,theycallbacktohim,andthisveryday;and
sotheydivedownunderthewaterandleavehim.

"Nowcometherestofthehuntsmenandsitaboutinacircletorest
hereintheshadeandtotalk.Thekingisgloomy,thinkingstillof
thewrongsthathavebeendonehim.Hishalfbrotheraskstheheroif
itistruethatheknowswhatthebirdssay.'Ilistentothemno
more,'heanswers;'buttocheerthekingIwilltellyousomestories
ofthethingsthatIhaveseenandthethingsthatIhavedone.'

"Hetellsthemofthedwarfwhokepthimandbroughthimupthathe
mightfightthedragon;hetellshowhemendedthemagicsword,howhe
killedthedragonwithit,andtookthehelmetandtheringfromthe
cave.Abirdthensangtohim,hesays,andtoldhimthatthedwarf
wouldtrytokillhim,buthekilledthedwarfinstead.Herehestops,
forhecannotrememberanythingaboutthemountaintopwiththefire
aroundit,ortheDaughteroftheGod,orevenwhatthebirdsangto
himnext.Buttheking'shalfbrothersqueezessomethingintohiswine
andtellshimtodrinkitanditwillmakehimrememberbetter.

"Hedrinks,anditdoesmakehimrememberbetter.Hetellsofthe
lovelywomanwhosleptwiththefireallaroundher,andhowhekissed
herandawokeher.Thensuddenlythekingunderstandsitall;he
remembersthedrinkofforgetfulnessthattheygavethehero,andhe
knowsthatnobodyhasdoneanywrongbuthiswickedhalfbrother;heit
waswhotoldhimofthewomaninthefirewhoshouldbehiswife,he
whosaidthattheheroshouldbringhertohim,hewhobadethemgive
himthedrinktomakehimforget,hewhofirstsaidthattheheromust
die.Thekingwouldgladlysavetheheronow,butitistoolate.

"Itistoolate,forofasuddentworavensflyupfrombesidethe
riverandawayovertheheadsofthemall.Theyaretheravensthatfly
allovertheworldandthentotheFatheroftheGods,totellhimall
thattheyseeandallthattheyhear.Theyaregoingnowtotellhim
thattheendofthegods,theendthathelongsfor,isnear.Thehero
startsuptohearwhattheysay.Heturnshisbacktotheothers,and
thehalfbrother,beforethekingcanstophim,thrustshisspearinto
hisback.Theheroturnsforaninstanttorushagainstthemurderer,
buthisstrengthisgone,andhefallshelplessupontheground.All
therestcryoutinhorror,andthehalfbrotherturnsfromthemand
stridesaway.

"Andwhatnowofthehero?Hespeaksnowordtothosewhostandabout
himasheliesheredyingontheground.Wherearehisthoughtsnow?He
isthinkingoftheonlytimeheeverfeared.Heisbackagainuponthe
rock,withtheflamescurlingandwhirlingallaroundhim.Beforehim
oncemoreliestheDaughteroftheGod.Againhekissesherlips.She
awakes.Heseesagainthosedeep,blue,wonderfuleyes.Hedoesnotsee
therocks,orthetrees,orthesunlightonlyher.Againforonelast
momentheknowsthatinalltheworldtherecannotbeanotherwoman
suchasthis.Theylookeachintotheother'seyesandintotheother's
heart.Heisdead.

"Theylayhimonhisshieldandliftitupontheirshoulders,andso
theybearhimbacktotheking'shousebytheriver.Thehalfbrother
istherebeforethemandtellstheprincessthatherloverhasbeen
killedbyawildboar.Shedoesnotbelievehim,andwhentheothers
comeshecallsthekingandalltheresthismurderers.Thekingindeed
wishedhisdeathonce,butheissorryenoughforitnow,andsaysthat
itwashishalfbrotheralonewhodidit.'Well,then,'criesthe
murderer,'itwasI,andnowIwillhavemyreward;Iwilltakethe
ring.'

"Thekingcriesoutthatheshallnothaveit,anddrawshissword.The
halfbrotherdrawshisownandrushesuponhim,andbeforethemencan
runbetweenthemthekingtooliesdeadupontheground.Thenagainthe
murdererturnstowardthebodyoftheherototakethering,but,ashe
comesnearit,thehandthatwearstheringrisesofitself,asifit
werenotdeadandwouldwardhimoff.Hefallsbackinterror,andso
doalltherest.

"ButnowcomestheDaughteroftheGod.Shebidsthemallstandback
fromherhero.'Hewasmine,notyours,'shesaystotheprincess;'he
lovedmeandIlovedhimbeforeyoueversawhim.'

"'Thenitwasallthefaultofthiswickedmanwhohasmurderedhim,'
theprincessanswers;'hegavemethedrinkforhimthatmadehim
forgetyou.'

"Sheturnsawayfromtheheroandbendsovertheking,herbrother.The
DaughteroftheGodunderstandsnow;hewasneverfaithlesstoherof
himself.Shetellsthementobuildafuneralpyre.Theypileupthe
woodandthewomenscatterflowersuponit.Thenshetakesthering
fromherhero'shand.Whiletheylayhisbodyonthepyreshebidsthem
bringhishorse,thehorsethatoncewashers,thatflewwithher
throughthecloudswhenshewasagoddess,andsleptonthemountain
topwiththefirearounditwheresheslept.Withatorchshelights
thepyre.Seehowtheflamesleapupandcatchatthewoodandstream
andgrow.Oncemoretheravensflyupfromtheriverbankandawayinto
thesky.Nowtheendforthegodscomesindeed.

"TheDaughteroftheGodspringsuponthehorseandwithoneboundthey
leapintothemiddleoftheflames.Yet,assoonastheyarethere,
theyaregone,norcanIseetheherothereanymore.Thepyreall
fallstogether;butinthemiddleofitshot,redembersIsee
somethingbrighterthanalltherest.Itisthering.Thewaterofthe
riverrisesandrisestillitflowsoverthefireandputsitout.Then
onthesurface,swimmingandplayingaboutasalways,Iseetheriver
nymphs.Theyhavefoundthering,andtheirtreasureistheirown
again.Butthewickedhalfbrotheroftheking,thesonofthatdwarf
whostoleitatfirstlongago,triesonelasttimetogainit.He
plungesintotherivertoseizeitfromthenymphs,butoneofthem
holdsituphighinherhandandswimsawayfromhim,andtheothers
twinetheirarmsaroundhimanddrawhimdownanddownunderthewater
andheisseennomore.Theriversinksbacktoitsoldbed.The
treasurethatwasstolenisrestored.Alltheevilandthepunishment
thatcamefromthecurseoftheringisdone."

[Illustration:"THEIRTREASUREISTHEIROWNAGAIN."]

Abigstickthathadbeenburningbrightlyandsteadilyforalongtime
suddenlyfellintwoandthequickflamesandthesparksspranghighup
intothechimney."See,itisthecastleofthegodsitselfthatis
burningandlightingupallthesky.Thewrongthattheyhavedoneand
thesorrowthattheyhavesufferedarepast,andtheirendhascome.
Butthefireburnsfiercerstill.Itseizesuponeverything,inthesky
andontheearth.Perhapsitisbetterthatitshould.Theworldthat
wehaveseeninourfireheregrewsoselfishandcruelandbadafter
thegoldwasstolenfromtheriverthatitmaybebestforittoendin
theseflames.Theywilllastforonlyamoment.Evennowtheyarenot
sofierce.Icanseetheskyagain.Thereisabeautifulbrightnessin
it,likethecomingofthemorning;yetitismorethanthat,forit
streamsandflasheslikethenorthernlights.Icanseetheearthagain
too,butitisnotasitwasbefore.Itisanewworld.Ithasallthe
beautifulthingsthattheoldonehad,thegreenpasturesandplains,
thesilverrivers,thebluemountains.Someofthegodshavecomeback,
butnotthosewhodidsuchwrongandmadetheoldworldsowicked.The
GodofSummer,whodiedlongagowhentheevilbegan,hascomeagain;
andifheandallwhoweregoodandbeautifulbeforearetobehere
still,IamsurethattheDaughteroftheGodandtheherowhoknewno
fearmustfindtheirwayheresomehow.Anewworldthatistobeall
unselfishandbraveandtrueneedssuchawomanandsuchahero."

THEKNIGHTOFTHESWAN

Thelittlegirlwaslyingontherugbeforethefire,oneelbowburied
inthelongfur,andonecheekrestingonherhand.Shewasgazinginto
thefire,studyingthebright,flickeringflamesandtheredembers.I
hadnotnoticedthatshewastheretillhermothersaid,"Youwillruin
thatchild'seyeswithyourstoriesaboutthethingsinthefire.She
wouldwatchithalfthedayifIwouldlether;itistoobrightand
toohottolookatsolongandsonear.Comeaway,dear,anddon'tlook
atthefireagaintoday."

"Butwhycan'tIseesuchthingsasyousee?"thechildsaidtome,
withalittlesigh,asshegotupslowlyfromtherugandcametoward
me.

"Justbecauseyouhavenotquitelearnedhowyet,"Isaid;"nowsuppose
yougiveuptryingforalittlewhile,becauseyoumighthurtyour
eyes,asyourmothersays,andletmelookintothefireforyouagain.
Sithereinthebigchairwithme;turnyourfacerightawayfromthe
fireandlayitagainstmyshoulder.Nowshutyoureyes.Somepeople
canseeagreatdealbetterwiththeireyesshut,especiallysuch
thingsaswearetryingtosee,becausewhentheireyesareopenthey
seetheeverydaythingsallaroundthem,anditconfusesthemand
preventstheirseeingwhattheywanttoseeorwhattheyoughttosee.
Theyarepeoplewhohavenotlearnedtolookrightthroughtheevery
daythingsandseeothers,inspiteofthem,thataremuchbetterand
morebeautiful,asyouwilllearntodosometime.Butjustnowkeep
youreyesshut.

"Iseethen,first,asplendidcompanyofknightsandpeople.The
shiningofthefireislikethelightofthesun,thatglancesfromthe
polishedarmor,thegleamingweapons,thestandards,andthebannersof
brightcoloredsilkandgold.Itisallsofinethatitlookslikea
holidaytime;butitisnotthat,forthecrowdsofpeopleseembenton
somethingmoreimportantthandancingandplayinggames.Theyareall
lookingtowardtheKing,whostandsunderagreattreeandseemsto
havesomethingtosaytothem.Theheraldsareblowingtheirtrumpets
andcallingtothepeopletocomeandhearwhattheKinghastosay,
thoughtheyarealltherealreadyandareonlytooanxioustohear,and
sotheKingspeaks.Hesaysthatfarawayattheotherendofthe
countrythereisdanger.Enemiesarecomingagainsthimandhispeople,
andhecallsuponallthemenhereabouthimtohelphimtoguardthe
land.

"Thentheyallshoutandwavetheirbannersandtheirarms,asIcan
seeintheflickeringofthebrightlittleflames,andtheyallcry
thattheywillfightfortheirKingandtheircountry.Butthisdoes
notsatisfytheKing,forhesaysthatsincehehascomeherehefinds
everythinggoingwrongandeverybodyquarrelling,andheaskswhatit
allmeans.Nowtherecomesforwardamanwhohasallthiswhilebeen
standingsilentbesidehiswife;anditmaybeaswelltosayjusthere
thatthisman'swifeisawickedwitchandthatthemanhimselfisnone
toogood.SoapartofwhathetellstheKingistrueandanothergood
largepartisnottrueatall.WhenhetellswhattheKingknewbefore,
hetellsthetruth;andwhenhetellsanythingthattheKingdidnot
knowbefore,itisgenerallyalie.

"SohetellstheKingthathewaslefttheguardianofthetwochildren
oftheDukewhoruledinthispartofthecountry,andwhodiedafew
yearsago.Oneofthechildrenwasagirlandtheotherwasaboy,and
hetellstheKing,too,howhetookcareofthemastheygrewup.All
thisistrueandtheKingknewallaboutitbefore.Butnowhegoeson
tosaythatoneday,whenthebrotherandthesisterhadgoneawayfrom
theircastletogether,thesistercamebackalone,tremblingandcrying
andsayingthatshehadlostherbrother.Probablythisistrueenough
too,butwhenhesaysthatthepoorsisterwasnotreallysorryatall,
becauseshehadkilledherbrotherherself,heistellingadreadful,
cruellie.Stillperhapsitisnotsomuchhisfault,forhiswife,the
witch,whoyoumustrememberisagooddealmorewickedthanhimself,
knowsmuchmoreaboutitallthanitwoulddoforhertotell,andshe
mayhavedeceivedhimaswellasotherpeople.

"OfcoursetheKingisshockedatsuchadreadfulstoryasthis,andhe
wantstoknowhowthesistercouldeverhavedoneanythingsowicked.
Well,ofcoursethemanwhoaccuseshersoboldlyhasareasontogive
forwhathesaysshedid,orheneverwouldhavedaredmentionitat
all.Soheexplainsthatthesisterwastobemarriedtohimandthat
sherefusedhim,andthenhemarriedthewitchinstead,onlyhedoes
notcallherawitch.Hethinksthatthesistermusthavehadsome
otherlover,andshemusthavethoughtthatifherbrother,whoought
tobeDukeassoonasheshouldbeoldenough,wereonlydead,she
couldbemarriedtoherlover,andthenhewouldbetheDuke.Andnow
hesaysthathethinkshehimselfoughttobeDuke,sincethereis
nobodywhodeservestobeonebetterthanhe,andheaskstheKingto
makehimso.Now,ofcourseanybodyasbrightasyouarecanseeat
oncethatthewholereasonforallthesewickedstoriesisjustthathe
wantstobeDuke;butkingsandknightsandcrowdsofpeoplearenot
alwaysverybright,thoughtheymaylooksothereinthefire,andthey
donotfeelsosureaboutitasyouorIwould.Sothequarrellies
betweenarichandpowerfulmanwhoisasoldierandoncesavedthe
King'slife,withawifewhoisawitchandknowsallaboutmagic,and
onepoorgirlwhoknowsnothingaboutmagicandwhohasnofriendswho
woulddaretohelpher.ForthesepeoplehereabouttheKingarea
peculiarsortofpeoplewhoshoutveryloudaboutjusticeandtheirown
rightsandothers'rights,butseldomdoanythingunlesstheyfeelsure
thattheyareonthesidethatisgoingtowin.Therearenosuch
peoplenowadays,ofcourse;buttherewereonce.

"ButtheKinghimselfisagoodking,andhemeanstobequitefairand
just,andhecallsforthesistertocomebeforehimandtellherown
story.Sotheheraldsblowtheirtrumpetsagainandcallforher,and
shecomes.Sheisdressedallinwhite,andshelookssobeautifuland
paleandsadthatnobodywhowasnotwickedhimselfcouldeversuspect
herofdoinganythingwicked,andallthemenaboutmutterthattheone
whosaysthatshekilledherbrotherwillhavetoproveit.Theyhave
justheardtheKingsaysomethingofthekind,sotheyfeelvery
righteousandveryboldaboutit.TheKing,then,asksherifshecan
sayanythingaboutthisdreadfulaccusation,andshetellshimhow
oftenshehasprayedforhelp,how,aftershehasprayed,shehas
fallenintoasweetsleepandhasseenaknightinbrightarmor,
leaningonhissword,andhowhehascomfortedher.Thisknight,she
says,shallbetheonetofightforherandtoprotecther.

"Now,ofcourse,thisisallverypretty,butitdoesnotseemtohave
muchtodowiththequestionofwhethershekilledherpoorlittle
brotherornot.Yetitdoeshavesomethingtodowithit,andIwill
tellyouhow.Alongtimeago,hundredsofyears,whenpeoplehad
quarrels,theydidnothirelawyerstoargueandpleadandplotand
contriveforthem,buttheyjuststooduptogether,iftheywereboth
strongmen,andfoughttilloneofthemkilledtheotherorshowedthat
hecouldifhewantedto.Andeverybodywholookedonfeltperfectly
surethattheonewhowasrightcouldnotpossiblylosesuchafight
andtheonewhowaswrongcouldnotpossiblywinit.Ifoneofthetwo
whohadthequarrelwasawoman,somefriendwhotrustedherenoughto
thinkthatshewasrightwouldfightforher."

"Butwhatmadethemanwhowaswrongeverfightatall,"thelittle
girlasked,"ifeverybodybelievedthathewassuretogetbeaten?"

"Ihavethoughtofthatmyself,"Iadmitted,"andIthinkthatitmust
havebeenforoneoftworeasons:eitherthebadpeopledidnotbelieve
thattherightwassuretowin,orelsethepeoplewhowerewrong
usuallythoughtthattheywerereallyright.Ibelievethatwasthe
truereason,anditshowsthatbadpeoplearenotalwaysquitesobad
aswethink,fortheyusuallycontriveinsomeway,Iamsure,tomake
themselvesbelievetheyareright.Andnow,thoughallthesethings
thatIamtellingyouarethingsthatIseerighthereinthefire,yet
theyarelikethingsthatmusthavehappenedlong,longago,andthis
verywayofsettlingdisagreementsbyagoodhardfightisthewaythat
thequestionofthispoorgirl'sguiltorinnocencemustbesettled.
Sheprobablyknowsthisjustaswellasanybody,andthatiswhatshe
meanswhenshesaysthattheknightshesawinherdreamshallbethe
onetofightforher.Buttheaccuserturnseverythingagainsther,as
usual,andsays:'YouseeitisjustasIsaid;sheistalkingabout
thisloverofherswhoshehopeswillmarryherandbeDukeinsteadof
herbrother.Yethesaysheisquitereadytofightanybodywhowants
totryitwithhim,andheinvitesanyofthemenstandingaboutto
comeforwardandfightforthepoor,helplessgirl,ifhewantsto.But
theyallsayno,theyshouldbeverysorrytohavetokillsuchagreat
manandsobraveasoldier.Thetruthis,yousee,theyareallafraid
thatiftheyshouldfighttheymightgethurt,andwhyshouldthey
troublethemselvesaboutthisgirl'srightsorwrongs?

"Stillshesaysthattheknightwhomshesawinherdreamshallbeher
champion,andifhewillcomenowandhelpherinthisneedshewillbe
hisbrideifhewilltakeher,andheshallhaveallherfather'slands
andhiscrown,sinceherbrotherisdead.Butnobodycomes,andthe
peopleallbegintothinkthatshemustbeguiltyafterall,andthat,
insteadoftheaccuserhavingtoprovethatsheis,shewillhaveto
provethatsheisnot,ifshewantsanysympathyfromthem,thoughwhy
sheshouldwantitIhardlyknow.ButtheKingstillmeanstogiveher
everychance,andheorderstheheraldstoblowtheirtrumpetstoward
thenorthandtheeastandthesouthandthewest,andtocallupon
anybodywhowilldefendherstraightwaytoappear.Andtheheraldsblow
theirloudtrumpetsandthepeoplegazeanxiouslyinalldirections,
butnobodycomestohelpher.AndthenshetellstheKingthather
knightdwellsfaroffanddoesnothear,andshebegshimtocallupon
himagain,andtheheraldsblowoncemore,andshepraysthather
knightmaybesenttoher,andnowsuddenlyalltheeyesofthecrowd
areturnedoneway,andallthepeopleshoutandpointandgazeat
somethingwhichtheyseeawayinthedistance.

"Icanseeittoo,forthereinthefire,backonthehearth,isabed
ofbrightembersthatshinesandglitterslikeabroadriverunderthe
sunofnoon,andattheveryfarthestplaceisonelittlespotbrighter
thanalltherest,anditseemstocomenearerandnearer,andasit
comesIbegintomakeoutitswonderfulshape.Thereisalittleboat,
andinitstandsaknight,allinsilverarmor,anditishisarmor
thatshinesso.Butthestrangestthingofallisthatabeautiful
whiteswan,itswingsalmostasbrightastheknight'sarmor,is
drawingtheboatalongbyasilverchainwoundaboutitsneck.Itis
thisthatmakesthepeoplegazeandpoint,and,whiletheswanandthe
boatarecomingnearer,Iwilltellyoumoreabouttheknightthanhe
willbewillingtotellabouthimself.DidyoueverhearoftheHoly
Grail?Itwasthecrystalcup,theoldstoriessay,outofwhichthe
SaviourdrankattheLastSupper,andafterwardHisbloodwascaughtin
it,asHehunguponthecross.Hundredsofyearslateritwaskeptina
beautifultemplewhichnobodyeverknewhowtofind,exceptafew
chosenknights,whoguardedtheGrailanddiditsbidding,forthiscup
seemedstilltohavethelifeofthatbloodinit,andithadwaysof
tellingitsknightswhattheymustdo.Andsotheyweresometimessent
farawaytofightfortherightortopunishwrong,butwhereverthey
wenttheyneverknewhungerorthirstorweariness,andtheycould
neverbekilledorovercomeinbattle;butnoonemusteveraskoneof
theseknightshisnameorhisdwellingplace,and,ifanyonehavingthe
rightshouldaskthesequestions,theknightmustreturntothetemple
oftheHolyGrail.Now,sevendaysagoabellinthetemplerang,all
ofitself,meaningthathelpwasneededsomewhere.Oneoftheknights
putonhisarmorandcalledforhishorse,andstoodready,butheknew
notwherehewastogoorwhathewastodo,tillaswandrawinga
littleboatcamesailingalongupontheriver,andtheknightsaid:
'Takebackthehorse;Iwillgowiththeswan,'andsohereishecome
toseewhathelpiswantedofhim.

"AndnowIseehimsteponshore,andthegirlwhomhehascometo
rescueknowshimastheknightofherdream,andeverybodyisgladof
hiscomingexcepttheaccuserandhiswife,thewitch,andshe,
strangelyenough,seemsagooddealmorefrightenedatthesightofthe
swanthanatthatoftheknight.Nowtheknightaskstheyounggirl
whether,ifhewillfightherbattleandwinit,shewillpromisenever
toaskhimwhencehecomesorwhatheis,andsheswearsthatshewill
alwayslovehimandtrusthim,andwilldowhateverhecommands.Sonow
thetwoknights,withallthepeoplelookingonandholdingtheir
breathswithanxiety,andthekingwatchingthatallmaybedonefairly
andinorder,drawtheirswordsandstandagainsteachother.ButIsee
onlyoneortwolittleflashesoftheflamesasthegleamingswordsare
whirledabovetheirheads,andthenthewickedaccuserfallsandthe
KnightoftheSwanspareshislife,whileallthepeopleshoutandlift
theknightabovetheirheadsonhisshield,justasiftheyhadknown
allalongthatthegirlwasinnocent,andjustasiftheywouldnot
haveshoutedjustasloudifthebattlehadgonetheotherway.

[Illustration:"THEKNIGHTOFHERDREAM."]

"Thefireisgoingdownalittleandeverythinglooksdarker.Itis
nightnow.Hereononesideisachurch,alldark,andontheother
side,wherethelightstillshines,Icanseethebrightwindowsofthe
palace,wheretheyaremakingpreparationsforagrandwedding
tomorrow,andyoucanguesswhoaretobemarried.Onthestepsofthe
church,lookingupatthepalacewindowsandthelightsthatshinein
them,arethewitchandherhusband.Heisbemoaninghisdisgraceand
accusinghiswifeofcausingitallbytellinghimthatthegoodsister
hadkilledherbrother.Andthisshowsme,morethananythinghehas
donebefore,howbadheis,andwhatacowardheis,because,whena
manhastriedtogainthingsthatheknowsarenothisbywaysthathe
knowsarenotright,heoughttotakealltheconsequences,ifhe
fails,likeaman,andnotsnivelandsaythatawomanmadehimdoit.
Butthewitchsaysthatthereisachanceyetforthemtoberevenged,
for,ifonlytheKnightoftheSwancanbemadetotellwhoheis,he
willhavetogoawayashecameandbelost,andshebelievesshecan
findsomewaytotempthisbridetoaskhimtheforbiddenquestions,
andthenhewillhavetoanswer.

"Nowthebridethatistobetomorrowcomesoutuponabalconyofthe
palace,andthewitch,sendingherhusbandaway,callstoherandtells
herhowsorrytheybothareforallthattheyhavedone.Nodoubtthey
areverysorryindeed,astheyoughttobe.Butthebrideissohappy
andsokindthatshecannotbeartoseeanybodyunhappy,soshesays
thatsheforgivesthem,andifshehasinjuredtheminanywaysheasks
thattheyforgiveher.Thatisabsurd,ofcourse.Thensheletsthe
witchtalktohertillthewickedwomansaysthatshehopestheknight
whocametoherinsuchastrangeway,thatnobodycanaccountfor,
willneverdeceiveher,andthatshewillalwayslivehappilywithhim;
andbythisshemeans,ofcourse,thatshethinksthathewilldeceive
herandthatshewillnotbehappy.Butthebridesaysthatshetrusts
herknightwholly,andsheasksthewitchtocomeinwithherandrest
forthenight.Andthatisjusttheonethingsheoughtnottodo,for
hereiswhatIhopeyouwillseeandremembermorethananythingelse
inallthis:beaskindandashelpfulandascompassionateasyoucan,
always,butneverhelp,neverlistento,neverallowtobenearyoua
manorawomanwhosaysonewordagainstanyoneyoulove.Putnotrust
inanyonetillyouknowthattrustissafe,and,whenyouonceknow,
neverhearofonebreathofdoubtagain.

"Thefireburnshigherandbrighter,andthemorningiscoming.The
squaregrowslightandfillswithpeople.Nowcometheheraldsagain,
andtheysoundtheirtrumpetsandproclaimthattheKnightoftheSwan
istohavethecrownofhisbride'sfather,andistobecalled
GuardianinsteadofDuke,thattheaccuserofhisbrideisanoutcast
andmustbeshunnedbyallmen,andfinallythateverybodytodayisto
cometothemarriage,butthattomorrowallthemenmustgotothe
defenceoftheKingandthecountry.Andnow,withallitssparkleand
glitter,comestheprocession,leadingthebridetothechurch,when,
justassheisatthedoor,rightbeforeherstandsthewitch,fullof
angerandpride,andcriesaloudthatitisherplacetogobeforethis
woman,andnooneshallkeepherfromtheplacethatishers,andshe
tauntsthebridewithnotknowingwhoorwhatherknightis;andsoa
greatclamorarisesamongthepeople,andinthemidstofitcomethe
KingandtheKnightoftheSwanandtheirtrain.Thewitch'swicked
husbandcomes,too,andcallsoutthattheknightbeathimyesterdayby
magicandnotbyhonestfighting,andhedemandsthattheKingaskthe
knightwhoheis.Butheandhiswifeareputaside,andtheprocession
goesintothechurch,andasIlookintothechurchitselfnowthe
wholeofthefireisablazeofcandlesonthealtar.Nowturnyour
faceawayfromthefireasitwasbeforeandshutyoureyesagain.
Thereisnomoretobeseeninthisweddingthantherewasinthe
battleofthetwoknights,andallthatthereisIwilltellyou.

"Thelightofthecandlesonthealtarchangestoablazeofwedding
torches,andtheKingandtheknightsandtheladiesareleadingthe
brideandthebridegroomtotheirchamber.Slowlyandsolemnly,yet
joyfully,theymarchalong,anditisallsocleartomethatIcan
evenhearthemusicthattheychantastheycome.Softandlowitisat
first,andthenitswellsoutfullerandstrongerandclearerbut
alwayssonobleandpureandstatelyinitsmelodyanditsrhythmthat
nobodywhohadoncehearditcouldeverforgethowgrandandbeautiful
itwas.Ihavehearditmanytimes,andyouwillhearitoften,too,
andonce,IhopeIalmostknowyouwillhearitatoneofthe
sweetestmomentsofyourlife,andwheneveryouhearitIthinkitwill
bemorefullofmeaningforyouifyouwillthinkoftheKnightofthe
Swanandhisbride.Butdonotthinkofwhatcomestothemafterward,
forthatneednevercometoyouortoanyonewhorememberswhatItold
youalittlewhileago;andifeveryoufeeltemptedtoforgetforone
moment,thenthinkofthistrueandlovelymusicyouwillknowitwell
andcanthinkofitwhenyoulikebythattimeandIamsureyouwill
feeltruerandbetteragainatonce.

"Butthetorchespassawayandoutofsight,andtheknightandhis
brideareleftalone;andnowcomesthesadpart,forthepoorbride
haslistenedtoomuchtothosewhospokeevilofherhusband,or
somethingevilhascomeintoherownmindandmadeherforgether
promise,forshetellshimthatsheloveshimsomuchthatshewishes
shemightknowwhatheiswhomsheloves.Nowthismaybeverynatural
andmightbeveryrightifshehadnotpromisednevertoask;but
thoughhebegshernottodemandofhimthisonething,yetshe
imploreshimmoreandmoretotellher,tillatlastshespeaksvery
cruellytohim,andasmuchastellshimthathedoesnotloveherat
all.Youwouldneverthinkthatshewasthesamepoorgirlwhokneltby
theriverandprayedthatherknightmightbesenttohelpherinher
danger.Andsuddenly,asheisabouttotellherallsheasks,herold
accuserbreaksintotheroomwithhismen,andrusheswithhissword
drawntokilltheknight,andnowindeedhisbridedoesseizehissword
andholditouttohim,whilehedrawsitfromthesheath;thenthere
isonelittleflashofaflameasheswingsithighabovehishead,and
hisenemyliesatlastdeadbeforehim.Hetellsthementotakehim
awayandtoleadhisbridebeforetheKing,wherehewillcomeandtell
hereverything.

"Itismorningagainonthebanksoftheriver,andtheknightsandthe
peoplearecomingincrowdsasIsawtheminthebeginning.TheKing
comes,andthepoorbride,saddernoweventhanshewasatfirst.The
KnightoftheSwancomestoo,andheaskstheKingifhedidrightto
killhiswickedenemy,whowastryingtokillhimunprepared.TheKing
answersthathedidright.ThenhesaysthathecannotgowiththeKing
tohiswars,becausehisbridehasforgottenherpromisetohim,and
hasaskedhimwhencehecame,andnow,bythelawwhichheobeys,as
soonashehasansweredher,hemustleaveherandalltherest
forever.Then,whiletheyalllisteninsorrow,hetellsthemthathe
isaKnightoftheHolyGrail,andmustgobacktothetemplewhichhe
lefttocomehereandhelphisbride.Andwhilesheweepsatthe
thoughtoflosinghim,suddenlyIseetheswanagainontheriver,
drawingthelittleboatasbefore,readytotaketheknightaway,and
thenhetellshisbridethatifshecouldbuthavetrustedhimand
neverquestionedhimforayear,herbrotherwouldhavecomebackto
her.

"Andnowforonelasttimethewitchstandsup,moreproudand
revengefulthenever,andcriesoutthatshehasbeatenthemall,for
theswanisreallythebrother,andthatitwasshewhowoundthechain
abouthisneckthatenchantedhimandmadehimaswan.Butwhileshe
exultsinhertriumph,therefliesdownovertheheadsofallofthema
beautifulwhitedove.Itisthedovethatcomesonceayeartothe
templeandstrengthensthepoweroftheHolyGrail,andastheknight
seesithekneelsandpraysandthenrisesandunwindsthesilverchain
fromtheswan'sneck,andattheveryinstanttheswanischangedinto
abeautifulboy,thelostbrother,andherunstohissisterandthey
claspeachotherintheirarms,whilethewitchfallsdownuponthe
ground,overcomeatlastandpowerless,andtheknightstepsintothe
boat,thedoveliftsthesilverchain,andtheyglideawayuponthe
river,fartherandfarther,andthelittlespotwheretheywere,that
wasthebrightestinthefire,growsdimmerandfainterandgoesout
andisdark."

"Andwon'ttheknightcomebackatall?"askedthelittlegirl.

"No,"Ianswered,"thebrotherandthesisterarecloseineachother's
armsandtheyaregazingawayupontheriverasfarastheycansee,
buttheKnightoftheSwanwillnevercomeback."

THEPRIZEOFASONG

Thefirewasalmostout.Itwassolateinthespringthatnoneatall
wasneeded,butwelikedittolookat.Asforthelittlegirlandme,
weshouldhardlyhaveknownhowtogetonwithoutit,andthelittle
girl'smotherchosetohumorus,sowewastedagreatdealofwood,as
ignorantpeoplewouldthink,andwerejustascomfortablewiththesky
smilingandthetreesbuddingallaroundusasifwehadbeeninthe
midstofsnowdriftsandhowlingstorms.Thisafternoonthesunhad
beenshiningrightinuponthefire,asifhewouldliketoknowwhat
itwasdoingthereatall,whenhewasmakingtheweatherquitewarm
enough,inthehouseaswellasout.Afireneverburnswellwhenthe
sunshinesonit,andbesides,nobodyhadtakenmuchcareofours,so
thatafterthesunhadgoneitlookedverylowanddiscouraged.

"Doyouthinkanybodycouldseeanythinginafirelikethat?"the
littlegirlasked,withadoubtfulgazeintoitandameaning,clearly
enough,that,ifIthoughtitatallpossibleforanybodytosee
anything,shewishedthatImyselfwouldtry.

"Wewillputonanotherstick,"Isaid,"andhaveabetterfire.It
willnotbeaveryhotfireeventhen,andwithallthissoftspring
airaboutus,Idon'tthinkwecanseeanymoregodsandgiantsand
knightsanddragonsinit.Butwemayseesomesimplerpeople,with
brightyoungheartsthatbegintostirandmoveandtobeatquickerand
harderinthespring,asyoungheartsoughttodo,notonlyinthe
springoftheyear,butintheirownspring,andwemayperhapssee
somepeoplewitholderhearts,whichstirredandbeattoointheir
time,andweshallseebythemthatthosewhichmovefreestandgrow
warmestintheirspringarethefullestandtherichestintheirautumn
andcanneverbehurtinthewinter,justasthetreeinwhichthesap
flowsbestinthespringspreadsoutthebroadestshadeinthefierce
heatofthesummer,bearsthefinestfruitintheautumn,andlivesthe
strongesttillthenextspringcomes.Ifyouevertellanyverylearned
peoplewhatweseehereinthisfiretheymaytellyou,perhaps,that
itallhappenedonMidsummerDayandnotinthespringatall,andthey
willbequiteright,intheirownpoorwayofbeingright,but
MidsummerDayisnotinthemiddleofthesummer,youknow,butjustat
thebeginningofit,whenthespringhasbeengoneonlyafewdays.It
isthenthatthelovelytouchofthespringhasdoneallthatitcan
fortheworld,whenthesunclimbshisveryhighestintheheavensto
lookatallthesweetnessandbeautythathavebeenspreadoverthe
earth,whenthesummerisyoungandhappyandkindandhasnotbegunto
burnandwithereverythingthatwouldliketoloveitsbrightnessand
itspower.Soifyouwouldseeallthejoyandthelightthatthe
springcanbring,youmustlookforthemnotfarfromMidsummerDay.

"Weshallnotbegintoseeallthistillournewstickbeginstoburn
better,butinthemeantimewemayseesomethingsthatarepleasant
enough,iftheyarenotquitesoradiant,andwhilethefireisstill
ratherdark,justburningquietlyinafewlittleplaces,weseemtome
tobeinadim,oldchurch.Theserviceisjustending.Inoneofthe
pewssitsaprettygirlwhoisbehavingherselfinamostunbecoming
way,forsheisconstantlysendingshyglancestowardayoungmanwho
leansagainstapillarnotfaroffandlooksatherinhisturnina
waythatreallyoughttoshockher,insteadofpleasingher,asit
seemstodo."

"Isheaknight?"askedthelittlegirl,instinctivelyknowinghimfor
theheroofthestory.

"Doyouwanthimtobeaknight?"

"Oh,yes;let'shavejustoneknight,ifwecan'thaveanygiantsor
dragons."

"Ibelieveyouarebeginningtoseethepicturesinthefireyourself.
Well,heshallbeaknight,butheshallnotwearanyarmorandhe
shallnotfight,andalltherestofthepeopleweseeshallbequite
commonpeople,meretradesmen,agoldsmithandatailorandatoymaker
andacobblerandthelike.Butwhethertheyoungmanisaknightor
not,heandtheprettygirloughttoknowbetterthantolookateach
otherinthatwayinchurch,withlooksthatseemtomeansomuchand
yettohavenoconnectionwiththeserviceatall.Theserviceisover
nowandthepeopleallleavethechurch,exceptafew,buttheyoung
knightandtheprettygirlstaybehind,andhedoesnotloseaminute
intellingherthathelovesherandthatheisdreadfullyanxiousto
knowifshecanlovehim.Now,ofcourse,asshehasdonenothingall
throughtheservicebutstealglancesathimandprobablycouldnot
eventellwhathymnsweresung,orwhethertherewasasermonornot,
andhasbeenthinkingallthetimehowhandsomehewas,andknowsvery
wellthathewaslookingatherallthetime,andknowsverywell,too,
beingaprettygirl,thathewasthinkinghowprettyshewas,of
course,yousee,shecouldnottellatallwhethershecouldlovehim
ornot,andsuchaquestionnaturallythrowsherintothegreatest
confusion.

"Butwhiletheyoungmanissayingalltheprettythingsthatthetime
allows,andtheyoungwomanistryingtothinkwhatsheshallanswer,
hermaid,whohasbeenrunningaboutallthistime,lookingforthings
shehaslost,bustlesup,hearsapartofwhattheyoungmansays,and
tellshimthathermistressisalreadybetrothed;andthemistress
quicklysaysyes,butthatnobodyyetknowstowhom.Thisissucha
surprisingstateofthingsthatitneedsanexplanation;sothemaid
tellstheyoungknightthathermistressistobegivenasbridefora
prizetomorrow,whichwillbeMidsummerDay,tothemanwhoshallsing
thebestsong.Heasksifthebrideherselfistojudgewhosesongis
best;andatthatshemakesuphermindatlast,andsaysthatshewill
choosenobodybuthim.Butthereissomethingelse,fornobodycaneven
tryfortheprizeunlesshebelongstoacertaincompanyorsocietyof
poetsandsingershereinthetown,andtheknight,thoughhehasa
prettygoodopinionofthesonghecouldmakeifheshouldtry,is
quiteastrangerhere.Andnow,asiffortheverypurposeofhelping
theknight,comesanotheryoungman,whoturnsouttobeaprentice,
andhebeginsarrangingbenchesandchairsinsomequeersortofway,
whilethelooksthathecastsatthemaidandthelooksshethrowsback
athimshowthattheyarenottotalstrangers;andhetellsthemthat
theseverypoetsandsingersaretomeethereinafewminutes,and
thatifanybodywantstojointhemhewillhaveachancetosingto
themandtoprovewhetherheisworthy.

"Sotheyoungmanofcoursedeterminesthathewilltry,anditis
clearthatheexpectsnothingintheworldbutthathewillcarry
everythingbeforehim;andwhiletheyoungwomenhurryaway,the
prenticetellshimsomethingaboutthesingers,whoarealwayscalled
masters,andthequeerrulesthattheyhaveformakingalltheirsongs.
Queerenoughtheyare,too,andsomanythatifyouweretohearthem
allyouwouldthinkthattheywerequiteenoughtopreventanybody's
evermakingasongatall;butthemostimportantthingthattheknight
learnsisthat,whileheissinging,thejudgewillmakeamarkwith
chalkeverytimehebreaksarule,and,ifmorethansevenchalkmarks
arescoredagainsthim,hecannotbeamaster,andsocannottryfor
theprizethathewantssomuchtowintomorrow.

"Nowthemastersbegintogatherfortheirmeeting,cominginoneby
oneandtwobytwo.Firstcomesagoldsmith,thefatherofthepretty
girlwehavejustseen.Withhimisaqueerlooking,awkward,self
conceitedman,who,anybodycanseeinaminute,mustbeatownclerk.
Fromwhatheissayingtothegoldsmithitisclearthathemeansto
tryfortheprizeofhisdaughter'shandtomorrow.Heisinnodoubt
thathecansingbetterthananybodyelse,butisnotsurethatthe
goldsmith'sdaughterwillthinkso.Thatisaveryunluckythingthat
happenstosingerssometimes;theythemselvesknowperfectlywellthat
theycansingbetterthananybodyelseanywhereabout,butallthe
otherpeoplearesostupidthattheywillnotunderstandit.

"Theyoungknight,whoknowsthegoldsmith,tellshimnowthathewants
tojointhiscompanyofsingers,andbeamastertoo;andthegoldsmith
saysthatheshallbegladtohelpallhecan.Butthetownclerk
overhearsthem,andheseesatoncethatwhattheknightwantsisto
singfortheprizetomorrow.Now,theruleis,youremember,that
nobodybutamastermayeventryfortheprize;sothejealoustown
clerkresolvesthathewillkeeptheyoungmanfrombecomingamaster.
Andithappens,bygoodluckforhimandbadluckfortheknight,that
itishisturntodaytotakethechalkandmarkthemistakesthatare
madeinsingingbyanybodywhotriestoprovehimselfworthytobea
master.

"Whenthemastersareallmet,thegoldsmithmakesalittlespeech,and
tellsthemhowtheprizeistobegiventomorrow.Theyaretodecide
whowins,buthisdaughteristojudgetoo.Shemaychoosenonewithout
theirvoice,butshemayrefuseany.Thatisnomorethanfair,of
course.Nogirlwouldliketobemarriedtoamanjustbecausethe
linesofhispoetrycameoutrightwhensomebodyelsecountedthem.Yet
themastersallargueanddisputeandsuggestabouttherules;butin
theendtheyagreetodojustwhatthegoldsmithsays,sincethey
cannotdoanythingelse.

"Nowcomesthetrialoftheyoungknightwhowantstobeamaster.The
townclerkgoesbehindacurtain,withhisslateandhischalk,andyou
maybesurehedoesnotforgethispromisetohimselfthattheknight
shallfail.Thentheyoungmanstandsupinthemidstofthemalland
singshissong.Ahappy,free,beautifulsongitis.Ittellsfirsthow
thespringcameintotheforestandawakenedthetreesandbroughtthe
flowers.Thenittellshowthespringcameintotheyoungman'sown
heart,asyouknowItoldyouitoughttodo,andhowitmadehimsing
oflove;andthatisquiterighttoo,thoughperhapsIforgottosayso
before.

"Buthappyandbeautifulasthesongis,itisscarcelybegunbefore
themostdreadfulscratchingofthechalkisheardbehindthecurtain.
Allthemastersbegintoshaketheirheads,too,forthisknightis
boldenoughtomakehisownsonginhisownway,andheknowsandcares
nomoreabouttherulesandmeasuresofthesemastersformakingsongs
thanyouknoworcareaboutthegamelawsofScotland.Sobythetime
thesongishalfover,outrushesthetownclerkwithhisslate,not
withtheeightmarksonitthatwouldendthesinger'shopesofbeinga
master,butwithnearereighty.Hevowsthecaseishopeless,andashe
showstheslatetotheothermasterstheyallseemtoagreewithhim,
thoughtheyarenotallquitesojealousasheis.

"Allbutone;forthereisoneoldshoemakerwhosaysthathethinks
thesongwasverygood.Itdidnotfollowtherules,butithadrules
ofitsown,andhelikedit.Thenthereistroubleindeed.Foranyman
tosayinthisoldchurchandthisoldtownthatasongcanbegood
whenithasonelinetoomanyoronerhymetoofewisalmostasbadas
forhimtosaythattheKingisbaldheadedandthattheoldest
princesshasfreckles.Allthemasterssaythattoletsuchasongpass
isoutofthequestion,andthattheshoemakerisquiteabsurdtothink
ofsuchathing.Atthistheshoemakerdeclaresthatthetownclerkis
notafairjudge,becauseheisjealous.Atthatagainthetownclerk
saysthattheshoemakerhadbetternottalksomuchaboutpoetry,but
gohomeandfinishtheshoeshehasordered.Now,theshoemakeris
reallytheonlyoneofallthemasterswhoknowsanythingatallabout
poetry;butnowandthen,yearsago,amanwhoknewagreatdealhadto
standasideandletothers,whoknewverylittlebutcouldtalklouder,
dowhattheylikedintheirownway.Thatiswhattheshoemakerhasto
donow,andforthistimetheknighthasfailed.

"Whatabadfirewehave,tobesure!Itisgettinglowerandlower,
andevenournewstickwillnotburn.Whileeverythingisasdarkas
thisweshallhavetothinkthatitisnight.Nevermind,wecanseea
littlestill,andthelittlethatIcanseeisthestreetoftheold
town,withitsqueeroldhousesandpeakedroofsandsharpsteeples.
Here,ononeside,wherethereisabitoflightshininglikeaglowin
awindow,istheshopofouroldcobbler;andoverthere,withnolight
atall,thefireissobad,isthegoldsmith'shouse.Thecobbleris
sittingoutsidehisdoor,tryingtowork;butthelightisasbadfor
himasitisforus,and,besides,hecannotthinkofhiswork,much
lessdoit.Heisthinking,Iknow,oftheyoungknightandhissong,
andiswishingthathemightwintheprizetomorrow,masterorno
master.Hishearthaditsspringtimeonce,youmaybesure,andits
glowingsummer,andtheyhavebroughtitarich,peacefulautumn,such
astheyalonecanbring.Thatwaswhyheknewallthemeaningofthe
songandlikedit,thoughitbrokeeveryoneofhisownrules.Andso,
likethegoodoldfellowthatheis,hewishesthemanwhosangthe
songalljoyandgoodluckandtheprize.

"Whileheisthinkingofallthis,comesthegoldsmith'sdaughter,for
shehasheardthattheyoungmanhasfailed,andsheissad,andwants
totalktosomeone.Perhaps,too,shewantstoknowsomething.They
talkabouttomorrow,ofcourse,andtheshoemakertellsherthatthe
townclerkmeanstosingfortheprize.Atthattheprizeherselfgets
quitealarmed,forshelikesthetownclerknobetterthanyouorIdo.
'Butwhyshouldhenotwin?'theshoemakersays;'therewillnotbe
manybachelorstheretotry.'

"'Andmightnotawidowertry?'sheasksslyly.
"Now,theshoemakerknowsthatshemeanshimself,buthesaysno,heis
tooold.Andthentheabsurdgirlactuallyurgeshimtotry,thoughshe
doesnotwanthimtheleastbit,anddoesnotwantanybodyexceptthe
youngknight,whomakessuchbeautifulsongsthatarealloutofshape.
Whenyougettobeawoman,perhapsyouwillknowwhyshedoesthis;
butIconfessIdonot.Perhapsshethinksthattheshoemakerwouldnot
behalfsobadasthetownclerk,orperhapssheonlywantstofindout
iftheshoemakerreallydoesmeantosing,sothatshemayknowwhether
heistheknight'sfriendorhisenemy.Atanyrate,hepretendstobe
nothalfsomuchthefriendoftheyoungpeopleasIknowhereallyis,
andwhensheisbeginningtogetquiteangrywithhimhermaidcomes
andtriestoleadherintothehouse.Butjustatthismomentthe
knighthimselfisseencomingdownthestreet,andnotasteptoward
thehousedoesshegoafterthat.

"Theshoemakerhasgoneintohisshopnow,andtheloversarealone.He
tellsherhowhesanghisverybest,thathemightbeamaster,because
thatwastheonlywaytowinher,anditwasofnouse.Butshedoes
notcarewhetherhefailedornot.Shedeclaresthatheisapoet,that
shewillgivetheprizeherselfandtonobodybuthim;sonowwhatdo
yousupposeitmatterstohimifallthemastersintheworldsaidthat
hissongswerewrong?Hewillnotsingforthem,andtheyneednot
listen.

"Thereisjustonewaynow,asanybodycansee,forhimtomakesureof
theprize,andthatistotakeitwhilehehasit.Andthatisjust
whatheisabouttodo.ButIamsorrytoseethatthecobbler,behind
thedoorofhisshop,hasbeenimpoliteenoughtolistentoallthis
importanttalkaboutpoetsandsongs;andheseesthatifheletsthese
tworunawaytogethernow,therewillbenoprizeandnosingingfor
tomorrow.Sohesetsalampinhiswindow,righttherewherethefire
iskindenoughtoburnforusalittleatlast,andsendsthelight
streamingoutacrossthestreet,andtheloversknowthatiftheytry
topasstheywillbeseen.Andwhiletheyarehelpingeachotherthink
whattheycando,somebodyelsecomesslowlydownthestreet,walking
intheshadowsandlookingaroundtoseeifheiswatched,likea
burglar.Itisthetownclerk,andhehascomeherejusttosingunder
thewindowofthegoldsmith'sdaughterthesongthathemeanstosing
tomorrow,toseeifshewilllikeitandifshewillprobablygiveit
theprize.Oh,heisagood,honestpoetandfaithfullover,andhe
meanstoleavenothinguntriedthatcanhelphim.Onedoesnotgeta
chancetomarryagoldsmith'sdaughtereveryday.

"Allthisisannoyingenough,butthereisnothingfortheloverstodo
buttowaitforthetownclerktosingandgoaway;sotheygetinto
thedeepestshadow,andthentheyputtheirarmsaroundeachotherso
thattheycanstandcloserandnotbeseensoeasily.Itisagoodplan
foranotherreason,too,becausesomepeoplecanwaitmuchmore
patientlyinthatpositionthaninanyother.Butthingsaregetting
worseandworse,fortheshoemakerseemsboundtohavehispartofthe
funtoo;andjustasthetownclerkisabouttosinghebeginstowork
againandtohammeronhislast.Thisisthemostimpoliteshoemaker,I
suppose,thatthispoliteoldtowneversaw,ifheisapoet.Thinkof
amanwhowillhammeronashoewhenatownclerkisgoingtosing,and
asongthathemadehimself,too.Somethingmustbedone,ofcourse;so
thetownclerkcomesandtalkswiththecobbler,andpretendsthathe
isveryanxioustogethisopinionofthesongheisgoingtosing.
Thatseemsnaturalenough,becauseeverybodyknowsthatthecobbleris
thebestpoetintown.Sotheyagreethatwheneverthetownclerk
breaksaruleinhissongthecobblershallstrikeoneblowonhis
last,justasifheweremarkingthemistakesontheslate,thewaythe
townclerkhimselfdidwiththeknight.

"Oh,buthemustbeagoodtownclerk,heknowssomanytricks,andcan
alwaysarrangeeverythingsowelltomakeitgohisway.Thetownis
luckytohavesuchaclerk.Yet,strangetosay,theminutehebegins
tosing,hemakesmoremistakesthaneventhepooryoungknightdid,
anditisreallyaquestionwhetherhissongortheshoemaker's
poundingmakesthemorenoise.Mind,Isaynoise,notmusic;ifitwere
aquestionofmusictheshoemakerwouldbefarahead.Well,between
them,theywakeuptheshoemaker'sprentice,andhecomestothewindow
oftheshop,toseewhatisthematter.Heisthesameprenticewhomwe
sawinthechurch,wholookedatthegoldsmith'sdaughter'smaidin
suchastrangeway,youremember.Andnow,ashelooksacrossatthe
houseopposite,heseesthegoldsmith'sdaughter'smaidagain,standing
atthewindow.Sheisstandingthereinoneofhermistress'sgowns,to
makethetownclerkthinkthatthemistressherselfislisteningtohis
song;andhedoesthinkso,butthepoorprenticeknowswhosheisvery
wellindeed.Andsinceheknowswhosheis,ofcoursehemakesuphis
mindatoncethatthetownclerkissingingtoher,thathelovesher,
andthatjustaslikelyasnotsheloveshim.Nodoubtyouthinkhe
mightknowbetter;andperhapshemight,ifhewerenotsomuchinlove
withthegoldsmith'sdaughter'smaid;butwhenamanisinloveheis
alwaysreadytobelieveanythingthatitisparticularlyuncomfortable
forhimtobelieve.

"So,whatdoestheshoemaker'sprenticedobutjumprightoutofthe
window,fetchthegoodtownclerkoneblowunderthechin,thatshuts
hismouthandstopshissinging,andbeginjustaslivelyafightwith
himasanyweeversawamongourknightsandgiantsanddragons.They
makesomuchnoisethatmorepeoplewakeup,andcomeoutoftheir
housesintothestreet;and,sincetheoldtownisusuallyabitdull
andquiet,theyfindthisjustthesortofthingtheylike,andthey
allbeginfighting,too,withajollygoodwill.Ofcourse,notoneof
themhastheslightestnotionofwhatheisfightingabout;butthat
makesnodifferencetoanygood,honestfighter,andthereisafine
breakingofheadsandkickingofshins.Justaseverythingisinthe
mostdelightfulconfusionpossible,theknightandthegoldsmith's
daughtertrytomaketheirwaythroughthecrowdandescape;butthe
troublesomeoldshoemaker,whohasbeenwatchingthemfromthevery
beginning,runsquicklyout,pushesthegirltoherowndoor,whereher
fatherstandstoreceiveher,dragstheknightintohisshop,seizes
hisprenticetoo,andshutshisdoorbehindhim.Somebodycriesthat
thewatchmaniscoming;thepeoplescatterrightandleft,and,bythe
timethatlittleflamethereundertheandironhasburnedupandshown
itselftomeastheoldwatchman'slantern,itshinesonnothingbut
thequiet,emptystreet.

"Butthereismorelightthanthewatchman'slantern,forournewstick
isbeginningtoburnnow.Thenightmustbepast,and,ifthenightis
past,itisMidsummerDay.Itisnotsobrightyetasitmightbe.Let
usputonstillanotherstick,andhavealltheMidsummerweatherwe
can.Iseearoomnow,notveryhandsomeorrich,butverycomfortable
andcheerful,withflowersinthewindowandmoreflowersscattered
about.Itistheoldshoemaker'sshop,andtheoldshoemakerhimself
sitsatthewindow,pretendingtoread,butreallythinking,asusual,
abouttheyoungknightwhosingstopleasehimselfandnottoobey
otherpeople'srules,andaboutthegoldsmith'sdaughter;andheis
trying,alsoasusual,toplansomewaytomaketheprizegoashe
wantsittogo.Hedoesnotquiteseehowitistobedone,buthehas
acomfortablefeelingthatitwillallcomeoutright;andwhileheis
studyingoverit,theknighthimselfcomesputoftheroomwherehehas
slepttosaygoodmorning.

"Hetellstheshoemakerthathehashadabeautifuldream,andthe
shoemakeraskshimwhatitwas,sayingthatitisthetruebusinessof
apoettohavedreamsandtotellthem,sothateverybodymayknow
them.Sotheknighttellshisdream,makingitintoasongashegoes
along,andnowandthentheshoemakerstopshimquietlytotellhim
whataretherulesofthemastersformakingsuchsongsasthis.The
knightalwaysaskswhysuchrulesshouldbe,andtheshoemakergives
himsomeprettyreasonforeachone,andheshowsthattherulesare
notsobadafterall,ifonlyoneknowshowtousethemandtomakethe
mostofthem.Thedreamwasaboutabeautifulgardenwithatreethat
borefruitofgold,andasthedreamerlookedatittherecamealovely
maiden,whoyoumaybesurewasthegoldsmith'sdaughter,andshe
embracedhimandthenpointedtothefruitofthetree,andwhenshe
pointedtoit,itwasgoldenfruitnolonger,butstars,andthetree
itselfwasalaureltree.

"Youmayguessthatthepooroldmastersneverheardsuchasongas
this.Astheknightsingsittheshoemakerwritesitdownonabitof
paperandtellstheknighttorememberthemelody,andthentheygo
awaytogether.Scarcelyhavetheygonewhenthedooropenssoftlyand
inatreacherouslookingsortofwaythatmustbestrangetothe
shoemaker'sdoor,andincomesthetownclerk.Ridiculousenoughhe
looksinhisgorgeousholidayclothes,andlimpingalong,becauseof
thebeatingthattheprenticegavehimlastnight.Andangryenoughhe
is,too,withtheshoemakerandtheprenticeandtheknightandthe
worldingeneral,excepthimself,withwhomitmightbereasonablefor
himtobeangry.Youcanseeawickedredglow,rightthereinthe
middleofthefire,wherehestands.Buthehasnotforgottenaboutthe
prizeoh,notintheleast.Heisstillplottingandcontrivinghowhe
canbestmakesureofit,andsoitdoesnottakelongforhissharp
littleeyestofindthesonglyingonthetable,wheretheshoemaker
leftitwhenhewentout.

"Now,thereisonepeculiarthingaboutthesepeoplewhocansee
throughmillstones,andthatis,thattheysometimesthinktheyare
seeingthroughonewhenthereisreallynomillstonethereatall;
justasyouandImightthinkwewerelookingthroughaglasswindow
whenitwasonlyanemptysash.Justsee,forinstance,howmuch
clevererthetownclerkisthanthereisanysortofneedforhimto
be.Heseesthatthissongisasong;well,anybodycouldseethat.He
seesthatitisintheshoemaker'shandwriting;anybodywhoknewthe
shoemaker'shandwritingcouldseethat.Butnowhetakesthelibertyof
guessingthattheshoemakermadethissonghimself,andthatheis
goingtosingithimselffortheprize.Sohegetsmoreangrystill,
forheknowsthattheshoemakeristhebestpoetinallthisdearold
town,whereanybodycanbeapoetbylearningtherules,andheknows
thatiftheshoemakertriestowintheprizehewillprobablydoso.
Buthehearstheshoemakercomingbackandhehasjusttimetohidethe
songinhispocket.

"Nowheboldlyaccusestheshoemakerofmeaningtosingfortheprize.
Itmayseemtoyouthatitisnoaffairofhiswhethertheshoemaker
meanstosingornot,anditmayseemsotometoo,butwearenottown
clerks.Yettheshoemakerassureshimthathedoesnotmeantosing,
accuseshiminturnofstealingthesong,andthen,toprovehisown
words,givesittohim.Withthatthetownclerkisaltogether
delighted,forheisoneofthoseshallowpeoplewhothinkthatwhen
onemanhasdoneagoodthing,anothermancandojustaswellasheby
doingthesamething.Hefeelssurethatifhesingsoneofthe
shoemaker'ssongshecannotfailtowintheprize,andhemakesthe
shoemakerpromisethat,whateverhappens,hewillnotclaimthesongas
his.Theshoemakerisquitereadytopromiseanything,becauseheisa
wiseoldsoulandheknowsthatitisnotaltogetherwhatonedoes,but
prettylargelyhowonedoesit,asacobblerorasatownclerkorasa
singer,thatwinshimfameandhonorandMidsummerDayprizes.

"Thetownclerkhobblesaway,andnowwhoshouldcomeinbutthe
goldsmith'sdaughterherself?Well,noonecouldwonderatherlover's
havingpleasantdreams,forsheisasprettyaprizeaseverapoet
sangasongfor,orto,orabout.Withherbestgownandherflowers
andherjewels,andespeciallywithherself,Idon'tthinkyoucould
findanyprizethatapoetwouldratherhave,eveninatowntwiceas
bigasthis.Itseemsthereissomethingwrongabouttheshoethatthe
cobblerhasmadeforhertoweartoday,andshehascometogethimto
mendit.Iwonder,bytheway,ifsheknowsthattheknightwasthe
shoemaker'sguestlastnight.Shesaysthatwhenshewantsto
standstilltheshoeinsistsonwalking,andwhenshewantstowalkthe
shoemakesupitsmindtostandstill.Youseeyourselfwhata
remarkableandimproperwaythisisforashoetobehave.Itisso
strangethatIaminclinedtodoubtifitisthefaultoftheshoeat
all,orifshereallyknowswhethershewantstowalkorstandstill.
Youseeitisnoteasyforustotelljusthowagirlwouldfeelat
beingputupforaprize.

"Whilethecobblerisatworkontheshoe,theknighttooappears,and
thecobblerhintsthatheshouldliketoheartherestofthedream
thattheyoungmanbegantotellhimbefore.Sohesingsmoreofhis
songandtellshowthestarsamongthebranchesofthelaureltree
formedacrownforthelovelymaiden'shead,howhereyes,ashelooked
intoherface,weretohimbrighterthanallofthem,andhowthenshe
twinedwithherownhand,abouthishead,thewreathofthestarfruit
ofthelaureltree,andstillandalwayshesawhereyesbrighterthan
thestars.

"Afterhehassungthistheyallseemtounderstandoneanotherbetter.
Thegoldsmith'sdaughter'smaidcomesintolookforhermistress,the
prenticetumblesintolookforthemaid,orforsomethingelse,and
awaytheyallstartforthefieldsoutsidethetown,whereallwho
willthatis,iftheyaremastersandmayaretosingfortheprize.

"Atlastthefireisburningasitought,andwecanseeallthelife
andlightthatwecaretoenjoy.Thoseflamesthatstreamupsofar
mustmeanthatthesunhasmountedhisveryhighesttomarkthenoonof
MidsummerDay,andthefloodsofmerrysparksthatpourupthechimney
arenotbrighterormerrierthanthethrongsofpeople,menandwomen,
boysandgirls,thatwalkandrun,andcaperanddance,andtumbleout
ofthecitygatesandintothemeadowswherethesingingistobe.But
thereismoregravityallatoncewhenthemasterscome.Theyare
mightyandimportantpersonsatanytime,andabovealltheyareso
today,whentheyaretodecidewhoistohavethiswonderfulprize.
Theyhaveahigherplacetositthantherestofthemeadow,andthe
commonpeopleofthetown,whodonotpretendtobepoetsatall,can
standwherevertheycanfindroom.Thegoldsmithandhisdaughterhave
thehighestseatsofall,andtheshoemakerisnexttothem,forheis
supposedtoknowagoodsongwhenhehearsit.Alltheothermasters
havegoodplacestoo,includingthetownclerk.Theknightissomewhere
inthecrowdofpeoplewhoknownothingaboutpoetry.

[Illustration:"HESAWHEREYESBRIGHTERTHANTHESTARS."]

"Wheneverythingisreadythetownclerkisthefirsttosinghissong
fortheprize,becauseheistheoldestofthosewhoaretotry,and
indeedheseemstobeabouttheonlyone,withtheknightquiteoutof
therace,becausehedidsobadlyinthechurchyesterday.Sothetown
clerkstandsforth,andafteralittleopeningplinkplunkonhis
guitar,hetriestosingtheknight'sownsong,whichtheshoemaker
gavehim,knowingwellthathewouldgetintotroublewithit.And
indeed,thedreamthathetellsaboutmusthavebeenanightmare,
thoughnobodywhohearshimknowswhatitisabout,andthepoortown
clerkseemstoknowleastofall.Hehasthesongunderhiscoatand
triestolookatitnowandthen,buthereadsitwrongandsings
nonsense,andinamomentallthepeoplearelaughingathim,even
thosewhodonotknowagoodsongwhentheyhearit,fortheyseemto
knowabadsongverywellwhentheyhearit.

"Atthathegetsangry,stopssinging,andsaysthatthesongisnot
hisatallbuttheshoemaker's,andheistoblame.Hereisafine
stateofthings,fortheshoemakerissupposed,asIsaidbefore,to
knowmoreaboutsongsthananyoftheotherpeopleintown,andindeed
heknowsmoreaboutmostthingsthanallofthemputtogether.Hesays
thatthesongisnothis,butthatitisgoodenough,ifonlyitcould
besungright,andheasksifthereisanybodyherewhoknowshowto
singit.

"Thisisthetimefortheyoungknight,andhecomesforwardfromthe
crowdandsaysthathewilltry.Butfirst,theshoemakermakesallthe
masterspromisethatifhesingsthesongwellandifitisagoodsong
heshallhaveallthehonorjustasifhewereamaster.Nowtheyoung
mantakeshisplaceandeverybodyisstill.Helooksstraightatthe
goldsmith'sdaughter;hedoesnotknowthatthereareanyothersaround
him;andnowhesings.Andwhataglorioussongitis,fullofhopeand
happinessandvictoryandjoy!Hedidnotsinglikethistothemasters
inthechurchyesterday;noteventotheshoemakerthismorningdidhe
singlikethis.Itisnothardtoseethereason.Yesterdayhetriedto
beamaster,andwhenhesanghewaswonderinghowthesefussyold
fellowswouldmeasurehissongwiththeirrhymegaugesandtheirfoot
rules.Howcouldanybodysingwhenhewasthinkingofthat?Eventhen
itwasnotabadsongandthegoldsmith'sdaughterwouldhaveknownit
ifshehadbeenthejudge.Theshoemaker,withhiswarmoldspringtime
heart,knewitasitwas,butthemastersweretoolearnedevertoknow
anything.Butnowthegoldsmith'sdaughteristhejudgeandtheyoung
poetsingsonlytoher,onlyforher,onlyabouther.Ifonesmile
curvesherprettylipsashesings,itismoretohimthantheshouts
ofallthepeople.Thatisthewaytosing,andthatiswhy,whenheis
done,allthepeopledoshout,anddoclaptheirhandsandwavetheir
hats,anddocryoutthathemusthavetheprize.

"Andhedoeshavetheprize.Shecrownshisheadwithawreathof
laurel,whichhecaresforonlybecauseshesetsitthere,andthe
goldsmithhimselfbringshimthegoldchainthatmakeshimamaster.
Thistheyoungmanwouldputaside,butthewiseoldshoemakerbidshim
takethistoo,andtohonorthemastersandtheirart;for,hesays,
thoughtheHolyRomanEmpireshouldvanishinsmoke,yetartwill
remain.AndIthinkhemeansbythisthatallthekingdomsoftheearth
maybelostandmayfallintodustandashes,asourfireherewilldo
whenweleaveittonight,butthatthehappyyoungpeople,withtheir
stirringheartsofspring,andthekindlyoldpeople,withtheirripe
heartsofautumn,willstillsingsongsandstilltellstories."

THEBLOODREDSAIL

Thefirehadbeenoutforweeks.Somebodywhocamefromthecountryhad
almostfilledthefireplacewithahugebouquetofwildroses.They
madeitlookveryprettyforafewdays,butnowtheroseshadall
fadedandfallentopiecestoo,andnobodycaredenougheventosweep
upthedry,deadleavesandthrowthemout.Italllookedforsakenand
desolateenough.ButitwasnomoredesolatethanI.Wewerelonelyand
unhappyforthesamereason,thepoorfireplaceandI,becausethe
littlegirlhadgoneawaywithhermotherdowntotheseaandwouldnot
bebackformoreweeksandweeksyet.Thecitywassohotanddulland
stupid!Itmademefeeldullandstupidtostayinit,exceptwhenit
mademeangry.Yetperhapsthefireplacewasevenalittleworseoff
thanI,thoughitwasnotmoreforsakenandalone,forithadnowork
todo,whileIhadplenty.Thenagainthefireplace,inspiteofall
thewonderfulandbeautifulthingswehadseeninitsometimes,had
neverbeenanywhereexceptjustwhereitwasnow,anditknewnothing
aboutthesea.ButIhadbeeninseveralotherplaces;andeveninthe
city,withtheheatpouringdownfromtheskyandquiveringupfromthe
pavements,onecandreamof"waters,winds,androcks,"anddreamsare
goodthingstohaveforthosewhocanhavenothingelse.

AndIhadthedreamsandsomethingelse.Forthelittlegirlandher
motherhadsaidthatImightcomedowntotheseatoo,wheneverI
thoughtthecitycouldgetonwithoutme.Whatsurprisedmewasthat
thecitygotonatall,butallthetimeIthoughtmoreandmorethatI
wasofnousetoit,anditwasofnousetome,andfinallyIleftall
myworkinittotakecareofitselfandfledawaytothesea.Oh,how
lovelyitwas!Thatfirstlongunbrokensightofthelinewherethesky
andthewatermetmademefeel,asIalwaysfeelatsuchtimes,thatit
wasworthhalftheyear'sworryandcarejusttoseethisoceanand
thisheaven,tobreathethisfree,saltair,tosmelltheflowersby
theroadside,andtogazeandgazeagainatthetwogreattractsof
peacefulblue.Howwonderfulisthiscalmrestofathingthatcanrage
anddestroywhenitwill!Thepeaceofafieldofdaisiesisprettyand
sweet;thepeaceoftheoceanislikethatofGod.

ThelittlegirlandIhadalongwalkalongthebeaches,overthe
rocks,andthroughthetall,saltgrass.Wehuntedamongthesmooth,
roundpebblesforthesmoothestandtheroundest;westudiedthejelly
fishthatwasborneupthebeachbythewaveandthenglidedswiftly
backagainwithit,asifithadforgottensomething,tillonewave,
higherthantheothers,wouldleaveitlyingonthesandatourfeet,
wherewecouldstudyitasmuchasweliked;wewonderedifthejelly
fisheverdidforgetanythingandifhehadremembereditnow,sothat
hedidnotwanttogobackanymore.Wecaughtlittlecrabsandmade
themrunraces,layinghugewagersonourfavorites;Ifilledmy
pocket,andthelittlegirlfilledherhandkerchiefwiththetiny,
pointedshellsthatcanbestrungintosuchprettynecklaces.Thenwe
foundagreat,bright,curlyribbonofseaweed,aswideastwohands,
solongthatwhenthelittlegirlhelditbythemiddleshecould
scarcelylifttheendsoffthesand,andrichandbeautifulincolor
likedarkredtortoiseshell.Thelittlegirlloopedoneendofit
aroundherheadandwoundtherestaboutherbody,sothatshelookeda
truelittleseaprincess.

Alldayafresh,coolbreezecameupfromthesea,sodifferentfrom
theairofthedreadfulcity.Towardeveningitgrewcooleryet.The
windblewmore,andlittleshredsandpatchesoffog,andthenlarger
cloudsofit,hurriedalongoverthefields.Wecouldseethemcoming,
awayoffoverthewater,thentheyreachedtheshoreandhidthewalls
andthepastures,thentheywrappedusupwithinthemselvesandpassed
us,andwesawthemflyingoffagainasiftheyweretryingtocarrya
chillfromtheseaasfarintothelandastheycould.Anditwas
chillyafterthesunwasquitegonenotverycold,butjustcool
enoughsothateverybodythoughtitwouldbepleasanttohaveabitof
fireonthehearth.Andwhenwethoughtafirewouldbepleasantwe
alwayshadit.

Ofcoursedownthereweneverthinkofmakingafireofanythingbut
driftwood.Itmakesthemostwonderful,magicalfireintheworld.One
coulddreamoutstoriesforawholeeveningfromthewoodalone.Here
isastickthatmusthavebeenapartofaspar.Wasitblownawayfrom
themastinagale?Nowholdyourbreathandthinkifsomepoorsailor
wasblownoffintothewaveswithit.Didhecatchatthisverystick
ashesank?Didhiswifewaitandwaitforhimathome,tillhis
shipmatecameandtoldher?Hereisalittlepieceofsmoothboard,
withabitofcornicefastenedtotheend.Itmustbefromthewallof
acabin.Didthecaptain'sdaughterandtheyoungmatesitunderitand
whisperstoriestoeachotherinthecalmeveningsofthevoyage?There
isapieceofbarrelstave.Perhapsitonceheldrumforthesailors'
grog;itburnsasifitdid.Thereagainisafloatfromafisherman's
net.Wasthenettornwhenitbrokeaway,anddidthefishermanlose
somefish?Andbecauseofthatdidhissweetheartperhapslosearibbon
oratrinket?Thenhereisabrokenfragmentofalobsterpot.Even
thismightbesomelosstoapoorman.Andnotonlyareallthese
thingsandahundredtimesasmanymoretobethoughtof,butallthis
woodhasbeensoakedinthesaltsofthesea,andwhenitburnsthe
flamesareofallsortsofstrangeandbeautifulandghostlycolors
whiteandredandgreenandblueandyellowandviolet.

Everybodyfeelsthecharmofadriftwoodfire.Thelittlegirlsurely
couldnothelpfeelingit,andshecameandsatonthestoolatmy
feet,leanedherheadagainstmyknee,andgazedattheflameswithout
sayingaword.ButIansweredherthought."Yes,"Isaid,"wemaysee
almostanythinginthatfire.Lookatthatstripofcocoanuthusk.Does
itnottellofgreenpalmgrovesandsunnyskiesandwarmbreezes?Yet
asitliesthereonitscurvedside,withthetwoendsliftedfromthe
hearth,hasitnottheshapeofagalley,likethoseinwhichtherude
oldpiratesoftheNorthusedtosweepoverthesea,bringingterrorto
allwhocameintheirway?Itisallburntandblackened,andright
overitrisesatallflameofbrightred.Itisablackship,with
sailsallofthecolorofblood.Thestrangestofshipsitis,andit
hasthestrangestofstories.

"Long,longyearsago,inafearfulstorm,thecaptaintriedtosail
thisshiparoundthecape.Thecaptainofanothershiphailedhimand
askedhimifhedidnotmeantofindaharborforthenight.Buthe
sworeaterribleoaththathewouldsailaroundthecapeinspiteof
DavyJones,ifittooktilldoomsday.AtthisDavyJoneswasangry,and
sworeonhispartthatitshouldtaketilldoomsday,thatthecaptain
shouldsailinthestormtillthenandshouldnevergetaroundthe
cape.DoyouknowwhoDavyJonesis?Heisthewickedspiritofthe
sea.Whenthewindsandthewavesrageandtearawaythesailsofthe
ships,orsinktheshipsordrivethemuponthereefs,itishiswork;
whenitisallsmoothandcalmandsparkling,aswesawittoday,then
thegoodfairiesoftheseaarethereandaremakingeverythingabout
itcalmandhappy.

"Butthefairiesnevercamenearthisship.Shewasalwaysdriven
about,andtherewasastormwherevershewent.Nevercouldhercaptain
bringherintoanyportandnevercouldheroundthecape.Onlyfor
yearsandyearshesailedandsailedinthestorm,andfoundnoharbor
andnorest.Atfirsthewasboldandtriedtosailonandgainhis
port;thenhewasangryandragedagain,andsworethathewouldnotbe
beaten;thenhewasindespair;andatlasthegrewsowearywiththe
stormandtheseaandthecloudsandagainthewindandtheskyandthe
oceanandyettherainandthewavesandthefog,thathelongedonly
todieandtobeatpeace.

"Buthedidnotdie,andnooneofhiscrewdied.Thesailorsallgrew
old,andtheirhairandtheirbeardswerewhite,andtheylookedlike
ghosts,andtheirshipwasliketheghostofaship;buttheywerenot
ghosts;theywererealmenandtheysailedinarealship.Sometimes
thecrewsofothershipssawthem.Sometimestheyhailedthecrewsof
theothershipsandbeggedthemtotakeletterstotheirfriendsat
home.Theysaidthattheiralmanachadbeenblownawayandtheydidnot
knowhowlongtheyhadbeenfromhome.Theywouldloweraboatandrow
totheshiptheyhadhailed,inaseathatwouldswampanyotherboat
inhalfaminute,andsotheywouldbringtheirlettersondeck.Those
whoknewtheirstoryrefusedtotaketheletters,andthenthesailors
wouldnailthemtothemastorlaythemonthedeck,withaheavy
weighttokeepthemfromblowingaway,andgobacktotheirownship.
Sotheletterssometimesreachedtheirhomes,foritwassaidtobring
badluckeithertotaketheirletterswillinglyortothrowthemaway
whentheywereleftontheship.

"Butoh,whatofthosetowhomthelettersweresent?Onceacaptain
broughtapacketofthemtotheportfromwhichthestrangeshiphad
sailed.Notoneofthosetowhomtheyweredirectedcouldbefound,and
heopenedsomeofthem,hopingthatthelettersthemselvesmighttell
himsomewayoffindingthesailors'friends.Oneofthesailorshad
writtentohisfatherthatafterthisvoyagehemeanttoliveonthe
landwithhimandnevertogotoseaagain.Whenthecaptaintookthis
lettertoitsaddress,hefoundamanoftherightname,buttheman
said:'No,no,theletterisnotforme;nosonofmineisasailor.
Noneofourfamilyeverwenttoseaexceptone,forthereisanold
storythatmygreatgrandfather'sbrotheroncewentawayinashipand
thattheshipwasneverheardofagain.Foryearshisoldfatherused
todreamabouthimandtodeclarethathisshipstillfloated,andhe
diedbelievingthathisboywasyetalive.No,thatismynameonthe
letter,butitisnotforme'Onesailorhadsentabanknotetohis
sister,butwhereherhousestoodtherewasachurch,andithadbeen
thereforahundredyears.Anotherinhislettersentapressed
tropicalflowertohissweetheart.Itwasofthecolorthatlooked
prettyinherhair,butthepoorfellowforgotthatpressingitwould
spoilitforthat.Thecaptain,despairingofdeliveringtheletters,
wentintothechurch,andthere,ononeofthestonesofthefloor,he
readthesweetheart'sname.Itsaidthatshewasninetyyearsoldwhen
shedied,andthewordswerealmostwornawaybythefeetthathad
crossedthem.Thecaptaindroppedthefloweruponthestone,andthe
nextmorningitwassweptaway.

"Sothesailorsgrewsooldthatitseemedtheycouldnotgrowany
older.Thenslowlytheybegantoknowwhattheyhadalwaysrefusedto
believe,thattheyhadbeensailingforyearsandforhundredsof
years,andthatallwhoeverknewthemandlovedthemhadbeenlong,
longdead.Thentheireyesgrewmorehollow,andtheirhairandtheir
longbeardsthinner,andtheirfacesmorewrinkledandwithered,andit
wasasifallthebloodhaddriedoutoftheirhearts.Perhapsitwas
whenthebloodwentoutoftheirheartsthatitstainedthesailsthat
dreadfulred.Somuchforthecrew,butitwasdifferentwiththe
captain.DavyJoneswaspreparingsomethingworseyetforhim,or
thoughthewas.Hewastiredofseeinghimsimplywanderhopelesslyon
theocean;hewantedtoplaguehimmore.Hecoulddothis,hethought,
bygivinghimnowandthenalittlehopeandthenshatteringitand
sinkingittothebottomofthesea,anddraggingtheman'sheartto
thebottomofthesea,too,withaleadenloadofdespair.

"Thecaptainhadnevergrowntolookold,andnow,tocarryouthis
wickedplan,DavyJonespromisedthatonceineverysevenyearshe
mightenteraportandgoonshore,andifeverheshouldfindagood
womanwhowouldlovehimandgiveherlifeforhim,hemightrestand
neversailagain;butwhenhefailedtofindsuchawomanhemustgoon
boardhisshipagainandsailthroughthestormandthewindandthe
wavesforsevenyearsmore.Now,DavyJoneswouldneverhavepromised
thisifhehadthoughtthattherecouldbesuchagoodandloving
woman,butbeingonlyawickedspiritoftheseahedidnotknowmuch
aboutgoodwomen.

"Andforalongtimehisplandidsucceedandthepoorcaptainwasmore
wretchedthanever.Onceinsevenyearshewouldgoonshoretoseek
thattruewoman,andasoftenhewouldreturntohisshipandsail
away.Goodwomenhefoundmany,butnoneofthemwouldlovehim.Then
hisheartwouldfillwithbitterness,forhesawthemlovingandgiving
theirlivestomenwho,hecouldnotbutknow,werelessbraveand
patientandworthyofthemthanhe;faithlessmenwhoforgotthem,
cruelmenwhomisusedthem,dullmenwhoknewnottheirownblessings.
Whyshouldtheylovesuchmenastheseandneverhim?Now,youandI,
whoaresowise,know,ofcourse,thatsuchthoughtswereselfishand
wicked.Forwhatwashetoanywomanthatsheshouldgiveherlife,or
evenanhourofit,forhim?Washislifeorhispeacebetterthan
another's,thatanother'sshouldbegivenforhis?Whyshouldanywoman
lovehimwhenthereweresomanyothersforhertolove?

"Butheneverthoughtofthesethings,sohewouldrageagainstall
womenandhewouldsteerhisshipintothemostawfulwavesand
whirlpools,hopingthatshewouldbewreckedandsunk,buthisshipwas
neverharmed;andhewouldsteertowardpirates,hopingthattheywould
killhimforthechestsofgoldhehad,buteventhepirates,whenthey
sawhisbloodredsails,wouldcrossthemselvesandfleefromhim.Then
thesevenyearswouldpassandhewouldgoonshore,andnow,perhaps,
awomanwouldsaythatshelovedhim;yetwhenthetimecameshewould
notgiveherlifeforhim,andhewouldthrowhimselfdownuponhis
faceonthedeckofhisshipandsteernowhere,butstilldriveon
throughthewind,theblackwaves,theblackstorm,andhisownblacker
despair."

"Oh,my!"saidthelittlegirl,"that'sawfullyniceandghosty,butI
thoughtthiswasthebestfireweeverhad,andnowyoudon'tsee
anythinginitatall."

"Oh,yes,Ido,"Ireplied,"Ihaveseentheshipallthetime,that
blackshipwithitssailofredflame.Ihaveseenittossinguponthe
sea,sweepinguptilltheflameofitssailalmosttouchedtheclouds,
andthenplungingdownintotheblackwater,butalways,alwaysrushing
onwiththestormarounditandwithneveranyrest.AndIhaveseen
theangrycloudstearingacrossthesky;youcanseethemyourselfwhen
thesmokefliesupthechimney,andthenwhenthewhiteflamesare
flickeringandflashingupandthendyingdown,youcanthinkthatyou
seethelightning.Yes,andyoucannothelphearingthewind,whistling
uptherearoundthetopofthechimneyasitwouldwhistlethroughthe
riggingofaship.

"Thesevenyearshavepassedagain,andnowtheshiphascometoland,
thatthecaptainmaytrythelittlechanceoncemorethathasfailed
himsooften.Theredflamehasdroppeddown,forthesailsarefurled,
andthewindhasstoppedforaminute,too,whiletheshipisat
anchor,andthereisnoneedforthestormtopursueit.Iseethe
captainwalkingontheshoreandtalkingwiththemasterofanother
shipthatisanchorednearby.Themastertellshimthathelivesonly
afewmilesaway,andaskshimifhewillcomeandspendthenightwith
himonshore.Thecaptainrepliesthatforalittlerestathishouse
hewillgivethemasteruntoldtreasuresfromhisship.Hemakesasign
tohismenandtheybringabigchest.Heopensitandshowsthemaster
thatitisfulltothetopofgoldandpearlsandrubiesandemeralds,
thatflashandshinewithallthecolorsthateverourdriftwoodfire
canshowus.

[Illustration:"THROUGHTHEBLACKSTORMANDHISOWNBLACKERDESPAIR."]

"Suchapriceforanight'sorayear'slodgingthemasternever
dreamedof.Hecannotbelievethatsuchwealthisallforhim,andhe
askswhathecaneverdoforthecaptaintoearnit.'Haveyounota
daughter?'thecaptainasks.Youseeheknowshowtogoabouthiswork
withoutlossoftime,eventhoughhehasneverbeenveryluckyinit.

"'IndeedIhave,'themasteranswers,'agood,true,lovelygirl.'

"'Givehertome,'saysthecaptain,'formywife;thatisallIask.'

"Themasterthinksthatisagooddealtoask,butnottoomuch,when
helooksatthechestagain,andhesays,joyfullyenough:'Youshall
haveher,indeed;Iknowsuchamanasyouwillmakeagoodsoninlaw;
comehomewithmequickly.'

"Soeachgoesonboardhisownship.Themastersailsfirsttoleadthe
way,andthentheredflamingsailspringsupagainandtheblackship
isofftheshore.Andthestormhowlsagaintoo;thewavesrise,the
cloudstearacrossthesky,andinaminutetheshiphaspassedoutof
sight.

"Listentothewindaroundthechimney.Itwasroaringandwhistlinga
minuteago,butnowitisnotsoloud.Itgrowsfainterstill,tillits
soundisnomorearoarorawhistle,butonlythelightesthummingof
awind,andtomeallthewindseemsgonenowanditisthehumof
whirlingspinningwheelsthatIhear.AndwhatIseeisaroomwherea
dozengirlssitspinningandsingingsongsabouttheirwheelsandabout
theirlovers.Butoneamongthemdoesnotspin.Sheletsherwheel
standidleandonlysitsandlooksatapicturethathangsonthewall.
Itisofadarkmanwithblackhair,ablackbeard,anddeep,piercing
eyes;itisthecaptainwhomwehaveseensomuchalready.Theother
girlslaughather,saythatsheisinlovewiththepicture,andask
herwhyshedoesnotsingwiththem.Shecannotsingtheirhappysongs,
shesays.Thentheyaskhertosingbyherself,andshesingsthema
songaboutthecaptain.Ittellsthemhisstory,asweknowitalready,
andasshesingstheyallstoptheirwheelsandbegintogatheraround
her,andinspiteofalltheirmerrimentitmovesthematlast,assuch
asadstoryoughttomoveanybody.

"Andwhenshehasfinishedtheyallsay,'Ah,poorfellow,ifonlysome
goodwomanwouldsavehimfromhisdreadfullot!Butwhowoulddoit
andgiveupherownlife?'

"'Iwoulddoit,'shereplies,'andIhopethatthewindsmayblowhim
here,sothatIcantellhimthatIamreadytolovehimandtosave
him.'

"Theothers,whoareverycharminggirls,nodoubt,butjustnownot
quitesonobleandresoluteasthisone,arealmostfrightenedtohear
hertalkso,andwhensomebodysaysthatherfatheriscomingtheyall
slipawayandleavehertomeethimalone,whiletheychatteramong
themselvesaboutwhatastrangegirlsheistowanttogiveherlife
foramanwhoseblackhairandpiercingeyesshehasneverevenseen
exceptinapicture.Herfatheristheshipmasterwhomwesaw,asyou
haveguessedbythistime,andhehasbroughtthestrangercaptainhome
withhim.'Thisismydaughter,'hesays;'isshenotallandmorethan
allthatItoldyou?'

"Then,havingalwaysfoundher,nodoubt,agoodandobedientchild,he
tellsheratoncethatthecaptainistostaywiththem,andthathe
expectshertobehiswife.Somegirlsdonotliketobeorderedto
marryeventhementheylove;butsheissotrueandsimpleandkind
thatshemeanstolovethecaptainwithallherheart,andevenher
father'swishthatsheshalldosocannotchangeher.Thefatherthinks
verywiselythattheywillgetonbetterwithouthim,soheleaves
them,andtheydogetonbetteratonce.Firsttheygazeforalong
timeintoeachother'seyes,thosedeep,piercing,sadeyesofthe
captain,andthosetrue,soft,youngeyesofthemaster'sdaughter.
Thenhethinksthatherfaceisnotstrangetohim,asheremembers,
dimlyatfirstandthenmoreclearly,thathehasseenthisfacein
dreamsmanytimes,whenitwasthefaceofanangelwhowastosavehim
fromhislongweariness.Andthedreamswerenotfarwrong,forshe
looksintohiseyeswithnothoughtforherself,butonly:'Thisisone
whohassufferedformanyyearsandmustsufferformanyyearsmore,
unlessIlovehimandsavehim.'

"Heasksherifshecangiveherselfwhollytohim,andsheanswers
that,whateverhisfatemaybeandwhateverhers,shewilltakeitall
andwillbeallhisownforever.'Ifyouknewwhatitwouldcostyouto
betruetome,'hesays,'youwouldshrinkawayfrommeandtrytosave
yourself.''Never,'sheanswers;'letitcostwhatitwill,Iwillbe
truetoyoutilldeath.'
"Iseetheshoreandtheseaagain.Thistimeitisnearthemaster's
house,andthetwoshipsaremoorednotfarapart.Theredsailsare
furled,butontheshipthereisthelittlepaleblueflameofa
ghostlywatchfire.Thecaptaincomesoutofthehouseandstridesup
anddownalongtheshore.Allthegladnessthathehadwhenwesawhim
lastisgoneno,notall,butthereisdoubtandperplexitywithit
now.Thefactisthatthecaptainhaslearnedsomethingnowthathe
neverknewbefore.Allthesewearyyearshehasbeenlongingandhoping
forsomegoodwomantolovehim,buthehasneverthoughtmuchabout
lovinganygoodwoman.Whatrighthadhetoexpectanythingwhenhe
meanttogivenothing?Hehasneverthoughtofthisbefore,buthe
thinksofitnow.Andthereasonisthatnow,whenhehasfoundawoman
wholoveshimandwillgladlydieforhim,hefindstoothatheloves
heraswell;andifhelovesher,howcanheletherdieforhim?She
issogoodandunselfishthatperhapsitwouldbeahappinesstoherto
doit,butitisthemoretohiscreditthathedoesnotthinkofthat.

"Thatiswhyhepacesupanddowntheshoreandfightshardwith
himself.Onlythinkofit.Forallthesemanyyears,whileothermen
werelivinghappylivesandgrowingold,andtheirchildrenandtheir
grandchildrenweregrowingoldtoo,theangrywindsandwaveshave
drivenhimaboutandhavegivenhimnorest;nowthiswomancouldsave
him,buthislovetellshimthatheoughttosaveherinstead.Canhe
saveherandgobackagaintotherageofthestormandliveinit
forever,liveinittilldoomsday?Oh,itisahardfight,butatlast
heanswersyes;allthathehasbornesolonghecanbearstilllonger.
Theseashallswallowhisshipandcastitupagain,thecloudsshall
sinkdownuponit,thewindsshalldriveitoverthewholeocean,but
sheshallnotdiebecauseofhim.Anditwillnotbewithhimquiteas
itwasbefore;nowhewillrememberthroughallthehundredsofyears
thataretocomethatshelovedhimonce,hewillthinkofheralways,
andthinkingofherhewillwaitfordoomsday.

"Iseehimgoonboardhisshipagain;heiscallingtohismen;they
arehoistingthesails;seetheredflamespringupagain.Thestorm
comesagaintoo.Lookattheblacksmokethatislikeflyingclouds,
andhearthewinduptherearoundthechimney.Butnowoutofher
father'shousecomesthemaster'sdaughter.Sheseestheshipspeeding
away,andinaninstantsheknowsallthereason;sheknowsitbecause
shewouldhavedonethesameifshehadbeenthecaptain.Thensheruns
toahighrockthatstandsoutintothesea;shecallsthroughtheloud
windthatdrownshervoicethatshewillcometohimandwillbetrue
tohimtilldeath,andthensheleapsfromtherockintotherough,
ragingwaves.Butlook;thewavesthatveryinstantareroughand
ragingnomore;theseaisallstill;thecloudsaregone,andthewind
issilent.Theshipwiththebloodredsailsissinkingoutofsight.
Seehowtheredflamediesdownandtheblackhullisbreakingto
pieces.AndrightwhereitwasIcanseethecaptainandthemaster's
daughterrisingoutoftheseatogether,withabeautifullightaround
them,asbeautifulasallthecolorsofourfirecanmakeit.Theyseem
tofloatalongthewater,awayandaway,andIthinkthegoodfairies
oftheseamustbetakingthemtoFairylandortosomepleasantisland,
wheretheywillalwayslivehappilytogether."

Thefireblazedupbrighterthaneverforaminuteandthendropped
downagain."Comeheretothewindow,"Isaid;"seehowthefoghasall
clearedawayandhasleftthemoonshiningdownuponthesea.Whata
broadtrackoflightitmakesfromtheshoreherewhereitisnearest
us,awayofftotheedgeofthesky!Howthelittleflecksandsparkles
oflightrunanddanceandchaseoneanother,andhowhappyandglad
theyseem,ridingthelittleripplesofwavesinthelightofthemoon!
Aretheytheseafairies,dancingandplayingtogetherandcalmingthe
water,tobringthesailorssafebacktotheirhomes,doyouthink?"
THELOVEPOTION

Therewasabeautifulmoonandeverybodysaiditwasapitytohaveit
wasted.Soindeeditwas,andeverybodyaskedeverybodyelsewhatwe
shoulddotopreventitsbeingwasted.Afew,whohadmadethebest
possibleuseofmoremoonsthantherestofus,wereinfavorofsimply
sittingontherocksandlookingatthemoonandtheseaunderit.That
wasreallynotabadplanatall.Whenyousitwithsomebodybesideyou
andtherestofthepartynottoonear,onahighrockthatrunsfar
outintothewater,andlookatthebigwhitemoonandthesoftcolors
oftheskyaroundit,andthenatthestretchofwater,unobstructedto
thehorizon,withthemoon'sreflectionbrokenbythewavesintoa
milliondancingsparkles,whenyouturnandlooktowardthebeach,
seeingtheblacksurgesrollingswiftlyuptotheshoreandthen
breakingintogleamingfoam,butstillplungingon,likebanksof
tumblingsnowthenindeedyoucanthinkofwonderfulthingsandsay
wonderfulthingsifyoulike.Butperhapsyoumayprefertosaynothing
atall,andthatisaverygoodandpleasantwaytoo,foratsucha
timeitseemsreallynotquiterighttotalkunlessyoucantalkin
poetry,andthatisnoteasytodo,nomatterhowmuchyoumayfeel
likedoingit.

Thesepeoplewhohadmadethebestofsomanymoonsknewallthis,but
someoftheothersthoughtthatthismoonwasworthyofagreater
effortandamoredeeplaidplan.Allthethingsthatareusuallydone
onmoonlightnightswererejectedonebyone.Thenoneofthosestrange
personswhoarealwaysnoticingthingssaid,notatallasifhe
thoughtithadanythingtodowiththesubject,thattherewasan
uncommonquantityofwoodscatteredalongtheshore.Thenitwas
decided,justbecausenothingbettercouldbethoughtof,thatthere
shouldbeabonfiredownontheshore,andnothingelse,exceptthe
moon.Sointheforenoonthedailybathingpartystartedfortheshore
alittleearlierthanusual,andinsteadofspendingourextratimein
lyingonourbackswiththesuninoureyes,inthehopeofgetting
sunburned,wespentitingatheringwoodforthefire.

Pickingupdriftwoodforabonfireisnotveryeasywork,butthere
weresomanyofusthatwesoonhadtwogoodpiles,oneforthefireat
thestartandonetofeeditasitburned.Amongthewoodtherewere
twowholebarrels,andoneofthemhadhadtarinit,soweweresure
ofasplendidfire.Thenweallwenthome,andafteritwasdarkweall
camebackagain.Thefirewaslighted;thebrightcoloredflamesofthe
driftwoodplayedtogetherandgrewandstreamedupaboveourheads,
crackledandroaredandsentuptorrentsofblacksmokemixedwith
goldensparks.Foralittlewhilenobodywastiredoffeedingitand
watchingit,butbyandbyweletafewattendtokeepingitup,while
therestofusmadeaverylittlefireamongthestonesandletit
quicklydiedowntoabedofredembersfortoastingmarshmallowdrops.
Themanupatthevillagewhokeepstheshopwitheverythinginit,and
thepostoffice,musthaveanotionthatcitypeoplelivechieflyon
marshmallowdrops,thatis,ifheeverletshimselfbetroubledbyany
notionsexceptthosehekeepstosell.

Afterthatthemostofthepeoplestrolledawayalongtheshore.Some
saidtheywantedtoseehowthefirelookedfromadistance,and
others,Ithink,weretryingtogetnearertothemoon.Atlastthe
littlegirlandIwereleftalone.Wemadecushionsoffoldedcoatsand
shawls,andsatleaningagainstabigrock,lookingatthefire.

"Wescarcelyneedthefiretonight,"Isaid;"ifwetryalittlewe
canseepicturesthroughitandallaroundit,aswellasinit.See
thatbig,blackrock,thatstandsalmostintheedgeofthewater,like
anoldcastle,builtupontheshore.Thenlookawayacrossthewaterto
theislandoveryonder.Iseeashipcomingfromtheislandtowardour
shore;perhapsyoudonotseeityet.AsitgetsnearerIcanseea
knightstandinginthebow.Heisabig,bold,finelookingfellow,and
heisallinblackarmor.Theshipreachestheshoreandtheknightand
hismengotowardthecastle,wheretheKinglives,whiletheKingand
allhiscourtcomeouttomeethim.Somepeoplemaytellyou,oryou
maysometimefindoutforyourself,thatthisKingisaverywicked
man,mean,cruel,andtreacherous.Perhapsheis,butallIcantell
youisthatnowhedoesnotseemsotome;onthecontraryheseemsas
kindandgenerousasyoucouldwish.

"Theknightintheblackarmormarchesproudlyuptohimandtellshim
thathehasbeensentbyhisbrother,theKingoftheislandoverthere
fromwhichhecame,togetthetributewhichthekingherehasowedto
himforyears,anditmustbepaid,orelsethekingorsomeoneofhis
knightsmustfightwithhimtoseewhetheritshallbepaidornot.The
blackknightissuchabigmanandlookslikesuchagoodfighterthat
themenabouttheKingseemtothinkitwouldbeaprettygoodthingto
paythetributeandlethimgohomewithit.Notoneofthemsaysa
wordaboutwantingtofightwithhim,foralittlewhile;butbyand
by,whenalltheresthavehadafairchance,ayoungmancomesforward
andaskstheKingifhemaytry.Heisasbigamanastheblackknight
himself,andashandsomeandbravelookingasanyyoueverdreamedof
seeing,butheissoyoungthathecannothavefoughtmanybattles,and
onewouldthinkthathewouldbeafraidtosethimselfagainstthebig
blackknight,unlessonelookedathisface,asIdo,andsawthathe
couldnotpossiblybeafraidofanything."

"Ishebraverthantheonethatkilledthedragon?"thechildasked.

"Why,no,Isupposenot;nobodycouldbebraverthanhe,because,you
know,hecouldnotlearnwhatfearmeant,anddidnotevenknowwhether
itwassomethingtofeelorsomethingtoeatorsomethingtowear,but
thisyoungknightisjustasbraveasthereisanyneedforanybodyto
be,andwhenheaskstheKingtolethimtrytobeattheblackknight,
alltheotherknightssayatonce,'Byallmeans,lethimtry,'and
theyarereallyquiteeageraboutit,andalmostallofthemchange
theirmindsaboutgivingthetribute.SotheKingsaysthathemay
fightthebattleifhewill,andheputsonhisarmor,whichisallof
green,andmountshishorse.

"Theblackknightisonhishorsetoo,andtheyridefarapartandthen
faceeachotherandholdtheirlongspearsbeforethem,readyforthe
battle.Allthepeoplestandfaroffatthesides,theheraldsblow
theirtrumpets,andthetwoknightsruntogetherwithallthespeedof
theirhorses.Thepointsoftheirspearsaredownandtheyareboth
wellaimed,buteachcatchestheother'sspearfairlyinthemiddleof
hisshield,andtheyrushtogethersohardthatthereisagreatcrash,
andboththeknightsandboththehorsesfalltothegroundwitha
terribleclatterofarms.Buttheknightsarebothontheirfeetagain
inamoment,andarefallinguponeachotherwiththeirswords,cutting
andslashingandwardingandadvancingandretreating,tillitishard
totellwhichistheblackknightandwhichthegreen,orwhetherthey
arenotbothblackandbothgreen.Firstoneseemstobegettinga
littlethebetterofthefightandthentheother.Theblackknightis
bettertrained,butthegreenknightissomuchyoungerandfresher
thathekeepshisstrengthbetter,andbyandbytheblackknightsees
thatheissurelygainingalittle.Thenherushesuponthegreen
knightandfightswithallhisstrengthandallhisskill,andatlast
hegiveshimawoundontheshoulder.Thenthegreenknightseesthat
ifheisevertodoanythinginthisfighthemustdoitnow,andhe
usesallhisstrengthandallhisskilltoo,andhebringsdownsucha
blowwithhisswordontheheadoftheblackknightthatitcuts
throughthehelmet,andtheedgeoftheswordisbroken,andwith
anotherclashandclatterofarmstheblackknightfallstotheground.

"Theblackknight'smenruntohimandcarryhimtohisship,andsail
awayasquicklyastheycantowardtheirisland.Icanseethemallthe
way,thoughitisalittledarkoutthere,inspiteofthemoon,andI
canseeeverythingtheydoaftertheygetthere;Ihaveto,youknow,
oritwouldspoilthestory.TheycarryhimtotheKing'scastle,and
theQueenandherdaughter,whoknowallaboutmedicines,andevensome
thingsthatarestrongerthanmedicines,dresshiswoundandnursehim
andwatchhimdayandnight.Butitisallofnouse;nothingcancure
theblackknight'swound,andsohedies;butindressingthewoundthe
princesshasfoundinitalittlepieceofsteelthatwasbrokenfrom
theedgeofthegreenknight'ssword.

"Nowyououghttoknow,beforewegoanyfarther,thatthisprincessis
probablyaltogetherthemostbeautifulprincessthatyoueverhearda
storyabout."

"Oh,that'sthewaytheyalwaysare,"saidthelittlegirl;"isshe
beautifullerthantheonethathadthefireallroundher?"

"Perhapsnot,butshewasnotaprincess,youknow;shewasagoddess
tillherfatherkissedher,andthenshewasnothingatalltillher
lovercameandkissedher,andafterthatshewasawoman,whichwas
altogetherthebestthingshecouldpossiblybe.Butwhenwefirstsaw
hershewasagoddess,andwehavearighttoexpectmoreofherthan
ofaprincess.SoIsayagainthatthisisquitethemostbeautiful
princessthatyouhaveeverheardastoryabout,andyoumustbelieve
it,ifyouplease,orIshallnottellyouanymoreabouther."

"Oh,Ibelieveanythingyousay,"saidthechild,"butwhereisthe
greenknight?"

"Heisstillhereontheshore,intheKing'scastle,andhiswoundis
averybadonetoo,andafterallthedoctorshavetriedtocureitand
havefailed,oneofthemsaysthatitcanneverbecuredatallexcept
inthecountryoftheblackknightwhogaveittohim.Nowitisnot
verysafefortheknighttogoovertothatisland,wheresomany
peoplewouldprobablybegladtokillhimforkillingtheblackknight,
sohedisguiseshimselfasmuchashecanbeforehegoes.Andhegoes
straighttotheKing'scastle,justastheblackknightdid,andthe
Queenandtheprincesstakecareofhimjustastheytookcareofthe
blackknight,onlythistimetheyhavebetterluck,andinalittle
whilehegetswell.

"Butlongbeforehegetswelltheprincess,whoiswatchingbyhis
side,seestheswordthathebroughtlyingnearby,andhavingnothing
bettertodo,shelooksfirstatthejewelsinthehiltandthenslowly
drawstheswordoutofitsscabbardtolethereyerunalongthe
polishedblade,withitssmooth,sharpedge.Andthenhereyequickly
comestoabreakinthesmooth,sharpedge,andinaninstantshe
thinksofthesplinterofaswordedgethatshefoundinheruncle's
wound.Atthatshequicklydropsthesword.Thenshegetsthesplinter,
whichshehaskept,andfindsthatitjustfitsthebrokenplaceinthe
sword,sosheknowsthatthisknightwhomsheisnursingandcuringof
hiswoundistheonewhokilledherunclewhenhewasfightingforher
father.Foramomentshethinksthatshewillkillhim,andshelifts
theswordabovehim,butwhensheseesthehelplesslookinhiseyes
shehasnotthehearttodoit,andsheletstheswordfallagain.If
thetruthweretold,Ithinksheisalreadyalittleinlovewithhim,
andifhewereanykindofknightexceptagreenone,hewouldbein
lovewithhertoo.

"Ifheonlywouldfallinlovenowitmightsaveagooddealoftrouble
afterwards,butbecauseofhishabitofwearinggreenclothesandgreen
armor,orforsomeotherreason,hedoesnot,andwhenhiswoundis
quitecuredhesailscheerfullyawayagain,justasifitwerean
everydayaffairtobenursedbyaqueenandaprincess.Hesailsback
heretoourownshorenow,totheKing'scastle,andtheKingand
everybodyelseareasgladaspossibletoseehim.Hetellsthemall
abouttheQueenandtheprincess,andhowbeautifulsheis,forit
seemshedidnoticethat,tillbyandby,whentheknightsofthecourt
findthatheistalkingaboutheronlyinthewayhewouldtalkabouta
picturethatpleasedhim,theywhispertotheKingthatsucha
princess,whoissobeautiful,andknowssomuchaboutcuringwounds,
wouldnodoubtmakeagoodqueen,andtheyadvisehimtosendforher
andmarryher.Thegreenknighthimselfhearsthesewhispers,andhe
says,'Yes,byallmeans;Iwillgoandgether;shewillbegladto
come,andherfatherandmotherwillbedelightedtohaveher.'Didyou
everhearofsuchabsurdconductfromayoungmandressedingreen?

"Awayhesailsagain,overtotheisland,andwhenhetellshiserrand
theKingandtheQueenaredelightedindeed.Theprincessisnotso
muchdelightedassomeyoungwomenmightbeattheprospectofbeing
marriedtoaking,butshepretendstobeverywellpleasedandsays
thatshewillgo.Thistimeitisshewhomakesasadmistake,forif
shewouldonlysay,rightoutaloud,'Idonotwanttobemarriedto
thisKing;Iwanttobemarriedtothegreenknight,'againitmight
saveagooddealoftroubleafterwards.Sheneednotsayittohim,but
shemightsayittohermother,andifhedidnotlovehertheQueen
wouldknowverywellhowtomakehim,asyoushallseebyandby.
Still,iftherewerenotroubletherewouldbenostory,sowemight
betternotcomplain,aslongasthetroublewillnotbeours.Sothe
princesssailsawaywiththeknight,andtheQueen,beforeshegoes,
likeacarefulmother,givesheralittleboxofmedicinessuchasshe
usesherself.Thatistosay,medicinesandotherthings.Oneofthe
otherthingsisapoisonthatkillsanybodywhodrinksit,injust
aboutaminute,anditlooksandtastesjustlikewine.Anotherisa
strangermixtureyet,forwhenamanandawomandrinkittogetherit
makesthem,fromthatinstant,loveeachotheraslongastheylive,
morethantheylovelifeorhonorortheircountryoranythingor
anybodyelseintheworld.Andthis,too,looksandtastesjustlike
wine.Itwouldnotbeeasytofindtwomoredangerousdrinksthanthese
together.

"Iseetheknightandtheprincessnowonboardtheship,cominghere
toourshore.Theknightstandsnearthehelmsman,lookingawayatthe
seaandthesky,andthinkingofnothingmoresensiblethanhowglad
hisKingwillbewhenheseeshisbride,andhowmuchhisKingwill
thankhimforfindingforhimandbringingtohimsuchalovely
princess.Buttheprincess,whoissittingfarawayfromhim,atthe
otherendoftheship,isthinkingagreatdeal,andofsuchbitter
thingsthatshedoesnotlookatthebeautifulseaandskyatall.The
endofhalfherthoughtsisthatinaverylittlewhilenowshewill
havetobethewifeofakingwhomshehasneverseenandneverwants
tosee,becauseshelovesthegreenknight,andtheendoftheother
halfofherthoughtsisthatshehatestheknightwhohasbroughther
tothis,asshecouldneverintheworldhateanybodyexceptonewhom
sheloved.

"Andthisishowherthoughtscome,foryouknowIcanseethoughts
justasplainlyasIcanseecastlesandshipsandbattles:shethinks
ofheruncle,whomsheloved,whofoughtforherfatherandforher
country,whowaswounded,andwhoselifeshecouldnotsave;shethinks
oftheunknownknightwhocametoher,woundedtoo,whomshenursedand
didsave;shethinkshowshebegantolovehim,forthemostofuslove
betterthosewhomwehelpthanthosewhohelpus;shethinksofthat
timewhenshesawhisswordandknewthatitwashewhohadkilledher
uncle,howherangerroseagainsthimforthatandbecausehehaddared
tocometoherforhelp,howshehadbeenabouttokillhim,andhow
shesawthathelplesslookinhiseyesandhadnotthehearttodoit.
Itisnowthatherthoughtsgrowbitter,forshethinkshowhewent
awayagainandneverdreamedoflovingherforhealinghiswoundand
savinghislife,andthensparinghislifeandlovinghim,whenshe
oughttohatehimandkillhim,becausehekilledheruncle.Sheis
beautifulenoughtobeloved,shethinks.Thencomesamaddening
thoughtofhowthismanwhomshelovednotonlycarednomoreforher
thanforoneofherfather'sdogs,buthimselfcamebacktoaskher
handforanother.Thisseemsaninsulttoheranditmakesherwhole
soulburn.Shewishesshehadkilledhimwhenshehadhisswordinher
hands,andthemadnessfillshermindandburnshersoultillshe
resolvesthatshewillkillhimnow.

"Shenotonlythinksallthisbutsaysittohermaid,andsheorders
hertotakethepoisonoutoftheboxofmedicinesthathermothergave
her,andputitintoagoblet,andshesaysthattheknightshalldrink
someofitandthatshewilldrinktherestherself,andsopunishher
enemyandberidoftheKingwhoistobeherhusband,forshewill
gladlydieratherthanbemarriedtohim.Ofcoursethisthrowsthe
poormaidintoaterriblefright,forsheisnotaprincess,and
poisoningandcuttingoffheads,andsuchthingsseemlikeserious
matterstoher,soshewouldgladlysavetheknightandhermistress
too,ifshecould.IfyouwereinherplaceIknowverywellwhatyou
woulddo.Youwouldgivetheprincesssomewineinsteadofthepoison,
andbeforeshecouldfindoutwhatyouhaddone,sheandtheknight
wouldbeonshoreandwouldbesaved.Butthispoorgirlisso
frightenedthatshecanthinkofnothingtodobuttogivehermistress
andtheknightthelovedrinkinsteadofthepoison.

"Theprincesscallstheknighttoherandfrownsuponhimasdreadfully
assheknowshow.Canyouthinkhowabunchofsweet,fresh,redand
whiteroseswouldlookifitshouldgetterriblyangry?Well,thatis
aboutthewaytheprincessfrowns.Butitisnotherfault.Shewasnot
madetofrown.Shetellstheknightthathehasbeenverycrueland
veryuntruetoher,andthatsheoughttohavekilledhimforkilling
heruncle;butnowshesaysshewillforgivehim,andtoshowthatthey
arefriendssheaskshimtodrinkthiswinewithher.Andnowyoumay
seehowbravethisgreenknightreallyis,forheseeswellenoughthat
shedoesnotforgivehimatallandmeanstokillhim;yethetakesthe
gobletfromherhandwithoutatremorofhisownanddrinks.Thenshe
snatchesthegobletfromhimanddrinkstherestherself,andcries,
'Nowweshallbothdie;Ihavemyrevengeuponyou,andyoushallnot
marrymetoyourKing!'

"But,oh,itisthedrinkoflove,andinsteadofdyingthetwostand
andgazeateachotherasiftheycouldnevergazeenough,thenthey
stretchtheirarmstowardeachother,andsotheymeet,andnow,
whateverhappenstoeitherofthem,theymustalwaysloveeachotheras
longastheylive,morethantheylovelifeorhonorortheircountry
oranythingoranybodyelseintheworld.

"HowtheyevergetonshoreIdon'tknow,butIdoknowthatwhenthey
aretheretheymakeanothergreatmistake,fortheyhidefromtheKing
thattheyloveeachother,andtheylethimthinkstillthatthe
princessmeanstobemarriedtohim,whenIamsureshecanmean
nothingofthekind.HeisaverygoodsortofKing,whowants
everybodytobeashappyaspossible,andheneverhasseenthis
princessbefore,sowhatcanhereallycareforher?Iftheywouldonly
tellhimIamsurehewouldbegladtohelpthem,insteadofstanding
intheirway,buttheyarejustasfoolishastheyhavebothbeenall
along,andtheysaynothingaboutit.

"Theprincessisinthegardenofthecastlewithhermaidandtheyare
waitingfortheknighttocome.TheKingandallhismenhaveriddena
hunting.Itisnight,andatorchburnsatthecastledoor;atlastwe
canseesomethinginthefire.Theknightwillnotcometilltheyput
outthetorch,forthatisthesignaltheyhavearranged,andtheywill
notputoutthetorchtillthehuntingpartyisfaraway.Youseethey
arestillsoabsurdlysecretaboutit!Themaidtellstheprincessthat
shemightbetternotputoutthetorchatall,foratreacherousfriend
oftheknighthaswatchedthem,suspectstheirlove,andhastoldthe
King;thatthehuntingpartyisonlyatrap,andthattheKingwill
sooncomeback.Ifitwerearealhuntitwouldbestrangeforthe
greenknighthimselfnottogo,forheisthebesthuntsmaninthe
wholecountry.Allthisisquitetrue;fortheKing,kindandgenerous
asheis,doesnotliketobedeceivedanybetterthananybodyelse,
andhewantspeopletokeepthepromisesthattheymaketohim.

"Buttheprincessisinsuchhastetoseethegreenknightagainthat
shewillnotheedthemaid'swarning.Shesendsheruptothetowerto
watch,assoonasshethinksthehuntersarefarenoughaway,andthen
shethrowsthetorchdownuponthegroundandputsitout.Thenthe
greenknightcomes.Buttheyhavescarcelysatdownonthegrassybank
totelleachotherhowmuchtheyloveeachother,andtoforgetall
aboutthepoorKing,whenthemaidcriesoutfromthetowerthatthe
huntsmenarecomingback,theknight'soldservantcomesrunningwith
hissworddrawntohismasterandbegshimtosavehimself,andina
minutetheyallcome,thetreacherousfriendofthegreenknight
leadingtheway,andtheKingnextafterhim.Theknightisstanding
beforetheprincess,notthinkingofhimself,andthetraitor,who
couldnevermatchhimforamomentinafairfight,rushesuponhimand
woundshim,butbeforehecandomoretheKinghimselfholdshimback.
Theoldservantraisestheknightfromthegroundwherehehasfallen,
dragshimquicklytotheshoreandputshiminashipthatisthere,
andoncemoretheysailaway.

[Illustration:"ASIFTHEYCOULDNEVERGAZEENOUGH."]

"TherocktherebythewaterisnolongerthecastleoftheKing.Itis
thegreenknight'scastlenow,inanothercountry,acrossthesea.The
oldservanthasbroughttheknighthere,awayfromhisenemies,totry
tohealhiswound.Allhiscareseemsuseless.Thepoorknighthasall
thetimegrownworse.Buthisfaithfuloldservanthasrememberedwho
itwasthatcuredanotherwoundofhisbefore,andhehassentaship
withsecretmessengerstobringtheprincessiftheycan.Thathemay
knowassoonasheseestheshipwhethertheprincessisonboard,he
hastoldthesailorstohoistwhitesailsiftheybringherwiththem,
andblacksailsiftheydonot.Heiswatchingnowfortheshiptocome
back.

"ItisthecourtyardofthecastlethatIsee,andasweet,calm,
lovelypictureitis.Theknightandhisservanthavebeensolongaway
thattheplacehasbeenneglected,butitisalltheprettierforthat.
Thegrasshasgrownlong,and,asthelightwindsbreatheuponit,it
swaysandsinksandrisesinwaves,asifittriedtobelikethesea
downtherebelowit.Thegrayoldwallsandrampartsofthecastlehave
brightgreenmossuponthem,andfromthecrannieshanglittleplants
andvines.Highup,wherearoughstoneprojectsalittlefromthe
tower,aclusterofbluebellsswingsinthebreezeandnodstothe
otherflowersandthegrassandthetreesdownbelow.Arethebluebells
tryingtosaytothegrassthatupthereontheirairylookouttheycan
seeawayovertheshiningwater,thattheshipisnotyetinsight,but
thattheyknowshewillcome?Beyondandaway,cleartotheedgeofthe
sky,justasitisherebeforeusnow,liesthesea.Smoothand
peacefulitis,asifitwererestingallthroughthiscalmday.Over
itallthesunissendingafloodoflight,fiftytimesasbrightas
thelightofthissplendidmoonofours.Butnowandthenitisdimmed
alittle,forfarawayonthesealiesastripofshade,theshadowof
acloud;slowlyitmovestowardtheland,asthecloudsailsthrough
thebluesky,andasitcomesitisseenplainerandmovesfaster,till
theshadowreachestheshoreandrestsforaninstantonthecastleand
thecourtyard,andthenitpassesawayintothelandandeverythingis
sunnyagain.

"Yetinallthislightandpeacefulbeautythereissomethingthat
seemslikesadness.Inthecourtyard,onhiscouch,liestheknight,
inthecoolshade.Hedoesnotknowwhereheis,andhedoesnotknow
hisservant,whostandsbesidehim,withthetearsinhisfaithfulold
eyes,buthemustknowthatheisinabeautifulplace.Doeseverything
intheplaceknowthatheishere,too,andfeelsadtoseehimlying
sickandwoundedandweakandweary?Thesunveilshisfaceoftener
thanhedoesonsomeofourbrightdays,andwhenthereisnocloudhe
shineswithasoft,mellowlight,theseathrowsshadesofpurpleover
itsblueandsilver,anditswavesbreakagainsttheshorewithonlya
softlittlesound,andasortofhushedsongthatislikeamoanandis
likealullabytoo.Youcanhearitdownthereamongthepebblesaround
therock.Thebluebellsswingsoftly,asiftheywereafraidtoring
outaloudanddisturbthesleepingknight.Thehardwallslooksofter
fortheircoveringsofmoss;thegrasswavesslowlyandbendstoward
thewoundedman,seemingtolistentohisbreathing.Ashepherdleans
overtherampartandplaysasoft,sad,sleepylittleaironhispipe.
'Istheknightawake?'hecallstotheservant.

"'No,'theservantanswers,'andunlesstheprincesscomesIfearhe
willneverwake;watchfortheship.'

"'Iwillwatch,'theshepherdsays,'andifIseetheshipIwillplay
alivelytuneonmypipetotellyouofit.'

"Theknightbeginstowakeandstir;heaskswhereheis,andthe
servanttellshimthatheisathisowncastle.Hehasbeendreamingof
theprincess,andtheservantsays,'Ihavesenttheshipforher;she
willcometoday.'Buttheknightissoweakthathecannotunderstand
ortalkofonethingverylong,andhefallshalfasleepagainand
dreamsoftheprincess,andbecausehehasheardofashiphedreamsof
otherships.Hehashisoldwoundnowandislying,justashelies
here,inthatshipwhichborehimthefirsttimetowardtheprincess;
nowsheiswithhimandhisfacegrowslighter.Sheislookingathis
sword;sheraisesitagain,asshedidsolongago,tokillhim;but
sheseesagainthehelplesslookinhiseyesandhasnottheheartto
doit,andsheletstheswordfallagain.Heisonasecondship,
sailingtowardtheprincesstobringherfortheKing'sbride;nowthe
shipissailingbackandtheyaretogetheronthedeck.Sheholdsout
tohimthatgobletofstrangewine;theybothdrink,theygazeinto
eachother'seyes,thedreamistoohappytolast,andheawakesand
cries,'Hastheshipcome?Canyounotseeheryet?'

"'Notyet,'theservantanswers;'butshemustcomesoon.'

"Theknightisinthegardenofthecastletheothercastlewaiting
fortheprincesstoputoutthetorch,thathemaycometoher.The
torchfallsupontheground,herunstowardtheplace,andtheyare
togetheryetagain.Itisanotherhappydreamthatcannotstay.'Isthe
shipnowhereinsight?'

"Beforetheservantcananswerhehearsthemerrytunefromthe
shepherd'spipeandknowsthattheshipiscomingnow,indeed.Helooks
awayacrosstheseaandtellshismasterhowswiftlyitfliesoverthe
watertowardthem,withitswhitesails,forthesailsarewhiteand
theprincessisonboard.Thetimeseemslongtotheknightandhis
servant,yetitisreallyshort,forthewindisfair.Theshipcomes
nearerandnearer,itpassesthedangerousreef,itissonearthatthe
servantcanseethefacesoftheprincessandthehelmsmanandthe
sailors.Nowitisattheveryshoreandtheprincessisatthegate.
Ah,itwasnotmedicinesthattheknightneeded.Withthevery
knowledgethattheprincessisthere,heraiseshimselffromhiscouch
andwalkstowardthegate.Thenhislittlestrengthfailsagainandhe
wouldfall,buttheprincessherselfcatcheshiminherarmsandholds
him.Thistimeitisnodream.

"Sheleadshimbacktothecouch,hesinksuponit,andshebendsover
him.Butsuddenlytheshepherdrunstotherampartandcriesthat
anothershipiscoming,theKing'sship.AretheKing'smencomingthen
tocarrybacktheprincess,perhapstokilltheknight?Theservant
callsthemenofthecastleandtheytrytobarricadeandguardthe
gate.Buttheyaretoolate;theKing'smenandtheKinghimselfbreak
throughthebarriersandareinthecourtyard.Theveryfirstofthem
istheknight'streacherousfriend;theoldservantinstantlycutshim
downwithhissword,andthereisonegoodstrokeatleast.Thenthe
Kingcallstoalltoholdtheirhandsandtostrikenomore;hehas
comeonlytogivetheprincesstotheknight.Hehasheardofthelove
drink,andknowsatlastthattheywerenottoblameforwhattheydid,
andthattheynevermeanttobefalsetohim.

"Butstilltheknightliesthereonhiscouchandtheprincesskneels
byhissideandbendsoverhim,andneitherofthemspeaksormoves."

"Andwilltheknightgetwellagain?"thelittlegirlasked.

"Letusnottrytofindoutanymorenow,"Isaid."Theknightandthe
princessarebothhere,andIknowthattheyarehappiertogetherthan
theyhaveeverbeenbefore.Thatisenough,isitnot?"

Allatoncetherewerevoicesbehindus,threevoicesatleast.

"Hello,there!who'sattendingtothefire?You'relettingitallgo
out,andthere'splentyofwoodleft."

"Whatareyoutwodoinghereallalone?Don'tyouknowyou'llcatch
yourdeatho'coldsittingheresolong?"

"Arethereanymarshmallowsleft?"

"No,"saidthelittlegirl,answeringthelastquestion,"wedon'tcare
aboutmarshmallowsanyway,"andIreallybelievejustthenshethought
shedidnotcareaboutthem,thoughusuallyshelikesthemalmostas
wellasanybody.

THEMINSTRELKNIGHT

Thelittlegirlstayedattheseashoretillthemiddleoftheautumn.
Thatisthewaysensiblepeopledo,whentheycan,andIhaveworked
muchinvainifIhavenotshownbythistimethatthislittlegirlis
asensiblelittleperson.Thespringisverylovely,tobesure,andof
courseweallloveit.Ishouldbethelastonetosayanythingagainst
it.Buttomethemostbeautifultimeofthewholebeautifulyearis
theearlyautumn.Theheatandtheworkandtheworryoftheyearare
over,andtheclear,rich,goldengoodofitallislefttobeenjoyed.
Theflowersarenotpinkandpaleblueanymore;theyareofdeep,
splendidyellowandredandpurple.Thegoldenrodandtheastersare
lordsofflowers,andthecardinalistheirhighpriest,whileifyou
willhavesomethingthatisdelicateandmodest,thereisthefringed
gentian,andthatshows,too,howhealthyandbraveandfreeitisby
keepingnocompanywithdarkshadows,andopeningonlywhenthebright
sunshinesfulluponit.
Butofthethingsthatarebestintheautumn,thebestaboveall
othersisthesea.Ithasbeenlyingquietandrestfulallsummer,and
nowitawakesandbeginstomoveandtoshowthestrengthandthe
freedomofitsgloriouslife.Asyoustandupontheshoreandlookat
it,itdrawsitselfawayfromyouandawayfromthelandasifitwere
donewithitforever;thenitpauses,andinamomentbeginstocome
back.Upandupthebeachitmarcheswithamajesticwillthatnothing
elseintheworldislike;asitcomesitliftsitselfhigherand
higher;thenthewaveleapsintotheairanditscrestisturnedto
emeraldasthesunlightstrikesthroughitforthepauseofanother
instant,thereisaroll,amadplunge,thespraydasheshighabove
yourhead,thefoamfloatsandfliesupthebeachtoyourveryfeet,
thehollowrumbleofthewatersoundsfainterandfartheralongthe
sands,andtheoceandrawsitselfbackawayfromyouandawayfromthe
land.Itscolorsaredifferent,too.Beforeithadallsortsof
fancifulhuesandshades,palegreenandblue,silver,violet,almost
rosesometimes,thecolorsofsummerdreams.Nowthedreamingtimeis
over.Thegreenofthewavecrestsisluminous,thewhiteandtheblue
havethegleamofpolishedsteel,thevioletandtheroseareturnedto
deep,richpurple.Theseaisnotcold,harsh,andcruelyet,butitis
free,bold,andmajestic.

AllthisIknewbecauseIrememberedit,notbecauseIsawit,forI
hadbeenbackinthecityalongtime.ThefirewaslightedagainandI
hadsatbeforeitoften,thinkingofthedriftwoodfireawaydown
there,withthelittlegirlsittingbeforeit,seeingpicturesinit
forherself,perhaps,andlisteningtothelowsoundofthesea,coming
upthroughthestilleveningair.Butonenightshecameandsatwith
meagain,andoncemorewebothlookedintothesamefire."IbelieveI
canalmostseepicturesmyselfnow,"shesaid.

"Canyou?Andwhatdoyouseeinthefirenow?"

"Oh,Icanseeaprinceandaprincessandaknightandalovely
goddess,liketheonethathadtheapplesandacave,liketheone
wherethedragonlived"

"Anddon'tyouseethedragonhimself?Whereishe?"

"No,thereisn'tanydragon;thatwouldbetoomuchliketheother
story."

"Butyoumustnotmindthat.Thereareonlyafewgoodstories
altogether,andthemostwecando,asItoldyouoncebefore,isto
tellthemoverandoveragainindifferentways."

"ButIdon'twantanydragoninthisone.Nowyoutellmewhattheyall
do,thegoddessandtheknight,andtheprinceandtheprincess,and
whatthecaveisfor."

"Verywell,Iwilltry.FirstIseetheknight.Heisridingalongupon
hishorse,throughtheforests,overthehillsandacrossthevalleys.
Itisalovelydayofsummer.Whenhecomestothetopofahill,he
seesthecountrylyingbeforehimandallaroundhim,deepgreenwith
woodsandpasturesandpalergreenwherethegrainisripening.Here
andthere,too,itissprinkledwithtinydotsofred,wherethe
poppiesgrowthickinafield,andtherearespotsthatarealmostblue
withcornflowers.Asilverribbonofariverwindsthroughit,andthe
sightofitislostamongthebluemountains.Asheridesdownintoa
valleythebrancheswaveabovehimandbreakthesunshinethatfalls
upontheroadandthegrassbesideit.Theflecksoflightandthe
patchesofshadetrembleandwaveranddartacrossandacrosstheway,
asiftheywereweavingarobefortheearth,ofgoldandbrownand
green.Theairisfullofthesmelloftheflowers,abrookmakesa
soft,cheerylittlenoise,andfromthepasturescomesthesleepysound
ofsheepbells.

"Theknightisridingtowardthecastleoftheprince.Heisa
minstrel,aswellasaknight,andatthecastlehewillmeetother
minstrelswhoarehisfriends,andtheyarealltosingforaprize
whichtheprincehasoffered.Thereisasmuchhappinessintheheart
oftheknightasineverythingaroundhim,forhelovestheprince's
daughter,andheknowsthatsheloveshim.Besidesthissheistogive
theprizetotheonewhowinsit,andwithhismindfullofgladness
andthoughtsofher,hefeelssurethathecanwin.

"Asheridesthustheeveningfalls.Themooncomesup,andfromthe
hillsthecountrystretchesdarklyawayallaround,withthesilver
ribbonoftheriverstillwindingthroughit.Theshadeissodeepin
thevalleysthathehastoridethroughthemslowly.Therobeofthe
earthnowisallofdeepgrayandsilver.Thesmelloftheflowersis
strongerandsweeterthanbefore,thebrookssoundlouder,andthe
sheepbellsaresilent.Theknight'sthoughtsjustnowarewandering
awayfromtheprincess,andheisthinkingofthefamethathehopesto
winasaminstrel,howhewillgainthisprizeandmanyotherprizes,
howkingswillsendforhimtocometotheircourts,thattheymayhear
hissongs,howhewillgrowgreatandrich,andhowhisnamewilllive
onafterheisdead.

"Ashethinksofthesethings,suddenlyheseesastrangeformbefore
himinthevalley.Itislikeawoman,wonderfullybeautiful,
marvellously,magicallybeautiful.Somethingmorethanthemoonlight
seemstorestuponherandtoshowhimherfacewithitsdeepeyesand
softcheeks,hermovements,sogracefulandgentlethatitseemsasif
shedidnotmoveherselfatall,butwerejuststirredandswayedby
thelittlebreezes.Arosylightshinesfromherfaceandaroundher
darkhair.Allaboutherarenymphs,orfairies,dancingandgliding
andscatteringrosesforhertowalkupon.Itseemsreallyquite
needlesstodothat,forsheappearsrathertofloatandmoveinthe
airandtorestontheflowerperfumedwindthantostandorwalkupon
theground.Nowaknightwhowasalsoaminstrelcouldnotpossibly
makeanymistakeaboutsuchapersonasthis,andheknowsatoncethat
sheistheveryGoddessofLoveandBeauty."

"Isshetheonethathadtheapples?"thelittlegirlasked.

"No,notquitethesame.Sheisonesomethinglikeher,yetagooddeal
different."

"IssheVenusthen?"

"Yes,youhaveguessedjustright,andsoatlastsomebodyinourstory
hasaname.ButsheisnotaltogetherliketheVenusthatyouhave
heardaboutsomanytimesbefore.Somepeopleusedtobelievethat
aftertheoldgodswhomyouknowsowellhadlosttheirruleonMount
Olympus,theywenttoliveinsidethemountainsandundertheground,
andthattheywerenotkindtomenanymore,butalwaysdidharm,
whenevertheywereabletodoanything.Now,formyself,Idon'tquite
seehowthiscouldbe,becauseyouknowwehavefeltsosurethatwe
sawsomeofthemupintheskysometimes.YetnowthatIseeVenus
here,itdoesseemtomeasifthereweresomethinginthestoryafter
all,andIbelieveitwouldbebetterfortheknightifhehadnever
seenheratall.IfhewerethinkingoftheprincessatthetimeIdo
notbelievehewouldlooktwiceatVenus.No,Iamsurehewouldnot
evenseeheronce.

"Butsinceheisnotthinkingoftheprincess,butonlyofwhatagreat
manhewouldbeifhecouldmakehissongsseemaswonderfulto
everybodyelseastheyseemtohimself,itisnotsurprisingthatheis
delightedbysuchavision,anditisnotsurprising,either,whenthe
goddessandhernymphsbeckontohimandthenglideawayasifthey
wantedhimtofollowthem,thathegetsoffhishorseanddoesfollow
them.Theymovealongsofastthathecannotkeepupwiththem,and
soonhecannotevenseethem,butitisstilleasyforhimtofollow.
Foreverywheretheygothestrangestflowersspringupundertheirfeet
andmakeapathwaytoleadhim.Theyarehuge,brightflowers,cup
shapedandstarshapedandsunshaped.Flowersofsuchwonderfulform
andsize,andsuchgorgeouscolorstheknightneversawbefore.Someof
themseemtobemadeofhammeredgold,andsomeofsilver;somehave
stamensofpreciousstones,andsomelooklikeclearcrystal,blood
red,deeppurple,ororange,asiftheywerecutfromsolidgems;some
ofthemhavepetalslikeflames,thatshimmerandglowandare
reflectedbytheothers;theleavesareallglisteningemeraldandthey
aresprinkledwithpearlslikedropsofeveningdew.Thestemstwine
aboutlikeserpents,andtheyseemtotheknighttomoveandturnabout
toshowhimalltheirmagicsplendor.Someofthem,withcoiling
tendrils,likegoldwire,swaytowardhimasiftheywouldcatchhim
andholdhim,othersdanceandwaveaboutontheirstemsandtwinkleas
theotherstarsdo,upabovethetrees,asiftheywerelaughingand
mockingathim,andstillothersbowandbendawayfromhimandbeckon
himon.Thewholeofthefireisscarcelyenoughtoshowmethis
strangegarden.Apale,ghostlylightrisesfromalltheflowersand
hoversoverthepath.Theknightwouldstoptopicksomeofthem,but
thosebeforehimseemalwaysmorebeautifulthanthosecloseathand,
and,besides,heiseagertofollowthegoddess.Soonhehurriestill
heseesbeforehimawaystraightintothesideofthemountainand
withinagreatglareoflight.Ifhewouldonlythinkoftheprincess
now,foroneinstant!Buthegoesstraightonintothemountain,and
thewayshutsbehindhim,andoutsidethemagicflowersaregone,and
thereisnothingbutthesoftgrass,thewhisperingtrees,thedark
sky,withthestars,andthecalmnight.

[Illustration:"THESTRANGESTFLOWERSSPRINGUPUNDERTHEIRFEET."]

"Doyouseehowverywrongitisfortheknighttogoawayafterthe
goddessintothemountain?Whenpeopleletthemselvesbeledawaylike
thatbyfairiesandgoddessesitisusuallyalongtimebeforetheyget
back.Aknightlikethisone,whoisaminstrelaswell,oughttoknow
allaboutsuchthings,andIdaresayhedoes.Hemusthaveheardof
menwhowenttosuchplacesandsawbeautifulandwonderfulsights,and
feastedanddancedtilltheythoughtthattheyhadbeenawayfromtheir
homesforaday,oraweek,andthen,whentheywentbacktothem,
foundthattheyhadreallybeengoneforyears,perhapsforhundredsof
years,andthatalltheirfriendsweredead.Heoughttothinkofhis
friends,theotherknightsandminstrels,whowillbegrievedwhenthey
meetandheisnotwiththem.Forhisownsakeheoughttoknowbetter
thantorunintostrangeanddangerousplacesjustbecausetheylook
pleasant.Morethanall,heoughttothinkoftheprincess.Ifhedoes
notcarefortheprizeofhissonganymoreforitselfheshouldcare
forherwhoistogiveit.Heshouldrememberhowmuchsheloveshim,
littleashedeservesit.Shewillnotforgethimashedoesher.When
shewaitsandwaitsforhimandhedoesnotcomeshewillbelievethat
heisdead,andshewillcryherprettyeyesout.Shewillneverthink
thathehasgoneawayfromhertovisitagoddessofloveandbeauty
wholivesinacave.

"NowIseethecaveofthegoddess,deepinthemountain.Itseemsdim
andmistyandconfusedatfirst,butgraduallyIcanseeitclearer.
Allaroundthesidesandthetoparegreatpendantsofgems,like
icicles,ofallsortsofcolors,asifthepreciousstoneshadonce
beenliquidandhadrundownintothecaveandthenhadfrozeninto
crystal.Hereandtherearediamondsandrubiesandopalsandemeralds
asbigasyourhead,setintheroof,andtheyhavesomemagicalwayof
shiningallbythemselvesandlightupthewholecavelikelamps.The
groundiscoveredwithflowerslikethosethatmadethepathtolead
theknighttotheplace.Astreamofwaterrunsfromthecaveandis
fedbyfountainsinthemiddle.Thesefountainsarewonderfulaffairs
too.Sometimestheythrowjetsofliquidsilveralmosttotheroof;
thentheyfalldownandspreadoutwideinsheets,ofthecolorandthe
brightnessofmeltedgold;againthewaterrisesinlittlestreamsthat
twineandweavethemselvestogetherlikebasketwork,andallofdeep,
shiningcrimson;thenthefountainstakeotherfantasticformsand
othercolors,purpleorgreenororange,butalwaysglowingwithlight,
andsotheypasstosilverandtogoldagain.

"ThisisthecaveofVenus.Itisfilledwiththenymphswhoattend
her,andtheyaresingingchorusesinherpraise,anddancing
wonderful,mazy,mad,deliriousdances.Theywhirlaboutandaround
alone,incouples,inlines,incircles,andincrowds,theirarms
wavingandtheirhairstreamingintheair.Sometimeswhiletheydance
everyoneisplainlytobeseen,andagaintheirgarmentssurroundthem
likeclouds,andtheyareallonewaving,streaming,flutteringmass.
Thesemistsoflightrobesthenarelikethefountains,fornowthey
areshiningwhite,nowredoryelloworgreenorpurple,nowallthe
colorstogether,mixedandblendedlikebrokenandtangledrainbows.

"IfyoucouldseeallthatIseehereinthefireIthinkyouwouldbe
delightedwithit,foralittlewhile.Buthowdoyousupposethe
minstrelknightlikesit?Hesitsbesidethegoddessandlooksatit
wearily.Hehasseenthemallsomuchthatwallsofgemsandstreamsof
goldandwhirlingrainbowsdonotpleasehimanymore.Hehasbeenhere
inthecaveforawholeyear.Heseesnowhowwrongitwasforhimto
come,andheissotiredofitallthatheisbeginningtofeelthathe
wouldratherdiethanbeamongthesemadpleasuresanylonger.Buthe
cannotdothatbecausenobodyeverdieshere.Whenheseesthesewalls
ofcoldcrystal,gleamingwiththecoloredlightfromthegreatgems,
hethinksofthebroad,lovelycountrythatheoncesaw,thatstretched
awayandendedonlyatthebluemountains,andofthesilverriverthat
neverchangedtoblood,ortogreenfire,withtheclearsunlight
brighteningthemall.

"Ifhetriestoresthiseyesuponthegreat,glowing,magicflowers
thatcovertheground,theyonlymakehimthinkoftheredpoppiesthat
shoneoutfromthefieldsofripeninggrain,andoftheblueofthe
cornflowers,andthenhetriestothinkoftheperfumefromthe
flowersthatfilledtheairafteritgrewstillatevening.Thereare
odorshere,too,buttheyaresoheavyandsweetthatafteratimeit
isalmostapaintosmellthem.Hehearstherushandthedashofthe
fountains,andhelongsforthelow,merrylittlesoundofthebrook
thatranalongbesidehisroad.Theairhereisfullofmusic,therich
harmoniesofmanyinstrumentsandthevoicesofthenymphswhosing
theirchorusestoVenus,buthisearsaretiredofthesounds,andhe
wishesthathemighthearonlythesleepytinkleofthesheepbells,
chimingwiththevoiceofthebrook.Butmorethaneverythingelsehe
thinksoftheprincess.Heremembersnowhowkindandtrueshewas,and
howmuchtruerheoughttohavebeeninreturnthanhereallywas.He
wondersifshestillremembershim,ifshethinkshimdead,andthen
hisheartstops,ashewondersifsheherselfisdead.Oh,itisafine
timenowtothinkofthesethings!Ifhehadonlyrememberedthe
princessoncebefore,insteadofthinkingwhatagreatminstrelhewas,
hewouldneverhavefollowedVenusintohercave.Nowhecanonlythink
ofthatgreatwronghedidandlongforthefreshfieldsandwoods,for
theair,thesunlightandtheprincess.

"Venus,sittingbyhisside,seesthatheistroubledandaskshimwhy.
Hetellsherhowmuchhewishesthathemightseeagaintheworldhe
usedtoknow,andlivethelifeheusedtolive,andhebegshertolet
himgo.Sheisangryatfirst.Hasshenotbroughthimtolivehere
amongsuchdelightsasnomanbeforeeverknew,andishetiredofthem
now,anddoeshewanttoescapefromthem?Hecanonlysaythathewill
neverforgetherorthebeautifulthingshehasseenhere,buthecan
neverbehappyhereagain,andifshewillonlylethimhemustgo.At
lastshetellshimthathemaygo.'Butyouwillnotbehappy,'she
says;'youroldfriendswillscornyouwhentheyknowwhereyouhave
been.Theywillneverforgiveyouforcominghere.Youwillfindno
rest,nohelp,nohope.Then,whenyoulearnthatyoucanhavepeace
nowhereelse,comebacktomeandstaywithmeforever.'

"Allatoncethecave,witheverythinginit,isgone.Theknightknows
howorwhereitwentnomorethanI.Asforhim,hedoesnotknowthat
hehasmovedfromhisplace,andasforme,thefireisburningjustas
itdidbefore.YetnowIseehimlyingonthesoftgrassofabeautiful
valley.Abovehimaretheskyandthenoddingbranchesofthetrees;
aroundarethehills.Heseesandhesmellstheflowersthatwerelost
tohimsolong.Thelowtinkleofthesheepbellscomesagaindrowsily
tohisears.Alittlewayupthehillashepherdisplayingsoftlyon
hispipe.Hepicksaflowerandsmellsit,tobesurethatitisall
real.Thenthetearscometohiseyesashethinksofallthebeauty
andsweetnessofthelifethathelostandhasfoundagain.

"Butnowabandofpiouspilgrimspasses,onthewaytoRome.Theyare
goingtoaskthePopetoforgivetheirsins.Thesightofthembringsa
newthoughttotheknight.Itisthethoughtofhisownsin.Nowthat
heseesagainthesweetlovelinessoftheworld,hefeelsatlastfully
howwickeditwasforhimtoleaveitandallhisowndutiesandhis
friendsinit.Heisindespairwhenhethinksthatheisnolonger
worthyoftheprincess,ifindeedheeverwere.Hedaresnotseeher
again;hedaresnotaskhisfriendstobehisfriendslonger;hethrows
himselfuponthegroundandfeelsthathehasnomoreaplaceinthis
happyworld.

"Atthisverymomentcomesacompanyofhuntsmenridingpast.Their
leaderistheprincehimselfandtherestarethefriendsofthe
minstrelknight,theveryoneswithwhomheshouldhavesungforthe
prizeayearago.Verygladtheyaretofindhim,afterthinkinghim
deadsolong,andtheyinsistthathemustcomewiththemandbeoneof
themagain.Hewillnotgowiththem.Hefeelsthatheisnotlikethem
anymore.Hiswronghasbeensogreatthathedaresnotbewithbrave,
goodmen.Theyurgehim,butitisuseless.Butthereisoneamong
them,aknightandaminstreltoo,whoalsolovestheprincess.She
doesnotlovehim,buthisownloveissodeepandtruethathewilldo
anythingtomakeherhappy.Whenhefindsthatnothingelsecanmove
thestubbornknighthetellshimthattheprincessstillloveshim,
thatshehasgrievedforhimallthetimethathehasbeenlost,and
thathemustcomebacktothemforhersake.Heistouchedatlast.He
hadnotdaredtoaskofher,andnowheknowsthathemayseeher
again,thatshecouldneverforgetlikehim,thatshewilllovehimand
forgivehim.Hecannotresist.Hewillgo.

"Theyareallinthehalloftheprince'scastlenow.Theyaretosing
againforaprizeandagaintheprincessistogiveit.Theprince
tellsthemthattheymustallsingoflove.Theknightwholovesthe
princesshopelesslybegins.Hesingsofhisownlove,howitisfixed
upononewhodoesnotlovehiminreturn,andhowstillhislovefor
herisallthejoyhehas,andhewouldgladlylosethelastbloodof
hisheartforher.Theyallcryoutthathehassungnobly,exceptthe
knightfromthecaveofVenus.Hethinksthisisaveryweak,silly
kindoflove;hesingsinaverydifferentway,andhetellsthemthat
iftheywanttoknowwhatlovereallyistheymustgoandlearnofthe
GoddessofLove.

"Theyareallfilledwithhorror.Theyknownowwherehehasbeen.He
haslefttheprincessforVenus;hehaslearnedtoscorntheirknightly
love;worsethanall,itseemstothem,he,aChristianman,haspassed
awholeyearinthehomeofaheathengoddess.Theydeclarethathehas
betrayedthemindaringtocomeamongthemlikeanhonestknight.They
forgetthatherefusedtocome,thathetoldthemhewasunworthyof
themandwastoowickedtobeoneofthem,andtheyalmostcompelled
him.Sotheirswordsareouttokillhim.Buttheprincess,whomhehas
injuredathousandtimesasmuchasallofthemputtogether,commands
themtosparehim.Hemayyetbeforgiven,shesays,anditisnotfor
themtojudge.Shewillprayforhimaslongasshelives,andGodmay
pardonhim.Atherwordtheydrawbackandputuptheirswords,yet
theythinkhisguilttoogreatevertobeforgiven.Therecanbebut
oneonlyhopeforhim,saystheprince;someofthepilgrimsontheir
waytoRomearestillinthevalley;hemustgowiththemandprayfor
pardonfromthePope.

"NeveranotherpilgrimtoiledalongtheroadtoRomefeelingsucha
heavyweightofsintobeforgivenastheminstrelknight.Hedoesnot
talkwiththeothersorlightenthewayastheydowithholysongs.He
knowsnothowtosufferenoughforhisguilt,andtoseekout
punishmentsforhimselfishisonlycontent.Someofthepilgrimswalk
wherethegrassissoftandcool;hechoosesthepathsthatarefullof
stonesandthorns.Theydrinkatthespringsofcoldwater;hethirsts
morethanthey,butheturnsawayandletsthenoonsunblazedownupon
hisbarehead.Theyfindshelterandrestforthenight;heliesupon
thesnowofthemountainandsleepsthere,ifhesleepsatall.Whenhe
comesneartoItalyhefearsthatthesightofthatlovelylandwillbe
pleasingtohiseyes,andsohehashimselfledblindfoldontoRome.

"ThePopesitsuponhisthrone,andbeforehimcomeallwhoseekfor
pardon.Heforgivesthem,blessesthem,andsendsthemaway.Atlast
comestheminstrelknight.Hethrowshimselfonthestonesbeforethe
feetofthePopeandtellsthestoryofallthewrongthathehasdone.
ThePopelistensandisfilledwithhorror,astheprinceandthe
knightswerebefore,andthereisnoprincessheretosayonewordof
loveormercy.'Thereisnohopeforyou,'heanswers,'nopardon,no
hope.Yourguiltistoodeepandblack.Assoonshallthisnakedstaff
Iholdbearflowersandleavesasonelikeyoufindforgivenessor
mercy.'

"Andsotheminstrelknightshrinksaway.Heknowsnotwheretoturn.
Allplacesarealiketohim,alikefullofdarknessanddespair.The
pilgrimsarereturninghome.Hefollowsthem,asadogthathadbeen
struckandwoundedmightcrawlaftermenwhohadbeenhisfriends.

"Iseethebeautifulvalleyagain.Theprincessiskneelingbeforea
littlecross.Sheisprayingthattheknightwhomshelovesmaybe
forgiven.Backintherisingshadowsoftheeveningstandstheknight
wholovesherhopelessly,watchingherassheprays.Thepilgrimsare
comingfromRome.Theyaresingingsongsofmercyandpeace.The
princesslookseagerlyamongthem.Theminstrelknightisnotthere.
'Hewillnevercomeback,'shesighs,andsheturnsawayandslowly
climbsthehilltowardherfather'scastle,whereshemayprayforhim
again.

"Andnowadarkfigurecomesslowly,fearfullyon,bythewaythatthe
pilgrimshavepassed.Heseeshisfriend,standingwherehestoodwhile
theprincessprayed.Hecallstohimtostandback;heistooguilty
foranygoodmantotouchorcomenearhim.Hetellshimhowhewentto
RomeandwhatthePopesaid.Thenhetellstheawfulthoughtthatis
nowinhismind.TheGoddessofLoveandBeautybadehimwhenallhope
shouldbelosttocometoheragainandstaywithherforever.Heis
seekinghermountainnow.Hecallstohertoguidehim.Nowatthevery
backofthefireIseearisingredglow.Thegoddessisthereandshe
callstohimtohastentoher.'Youaremad,'crieshisfriend;'stay;
bebrave;bearitall,andyoumayyetbeforgiven.'
"Suddenlytherecomestotheknightanotherthoughtthebestthought
hehaseverhadtheprincess.Instantlytheredglowisgoneandthe
goddessishiddenfromhimforever.Hisfriendknowshisthought.'She
isupthere,'hesays,'prayingforyoustill.'

"Atlasttheknightishumbled,overcome,subdued.Hefallsuponhis
faceandpraysforpardon,astheprincessisprayingforhimupthere
inthecastle.Andnowallatoncethereisagladshout,asongof
happinessandpeace.AnotherbandofpilgrimshascomefromRome.They
arebringingthestaffofthePope,andallinanightithasborne
flowersandleaves.Thesmellofliliesfillstheair.Theyare
carryingthestaffthroughthelandtotelltheknightandallother
menlikehim,if,indeed,thereareothers,thattheyareforgiven.The
minstrelknighthasfoundpardonandhemayrest."

"Andwhatbecameoftheprincess?"thelittlegirlasked.

"Thefireistoolow,"Isaid;"Icannotseeanymore.Whatdoyou
thinkbecameofher?"

"Idon'tknow,"sheanswered,"butIthinkshemustbeveryhappythat
theknightisforgiven."

"Ithinktheyarebothveryhappy,"Isaid.

THEKINGOFTHEGRAIL

Itwasthelasteveningoftheyear.Inhonoroftheoccasionthe
littlegirlwasallowedtositupratherlaterthanusualnottill
midnight,ofcourse,sothatshecouldseehowdifferentthewhole
worldwouldlookaftertheclockhadstruck,butlongenoughtomake
herfeelthatshewasdoingsomethingverypleasant,becausesomething
thatitwasnotgoodforhertodoveryoften.Ourfriendsdownbythe
seahadsentusastrangeChristmaspresent,buttheyknewwhatwe
wanted.Itwasabigboxofdriftwood,almostawagonload.Weresolved
thatitshouldnotbeusedexceptongreatoccasions,andofcourseNew
Year'sevewasagreatoccasion.Hereinthecitywecouldnotlisten
intheeveningstillnessandcatchthelowmurmuroftherestless
water,butthefireburnedwiththesamestrangeandlovelycolorsas
ifithadbeenkindledonthebeach.Tonightitwasnotlikelythatwe
shouldseeanystormsoranyghostlyships,yetthelittlegirlknew
wellenoughthattherewerewonderfulthingstobeseeninthatfire.

"Whatcanyouseeinit?"Iaskedher.

"Idon'twanttoseethingsmyself,"shesaid."Iwantyoutoseethem.
Justthink;thisisthelasttimewecanhaveanystoriesaboutthe
firethisyear."

"Butthenewyearwillbegintomorrow,"Isaid,"anditwillbejust
asgoodastheoldone,willitnot?"

"Oh,yes,Isupposeso,"shesaid,"butthishasbeensuchaniceyear
thatIdon'tliketohaveitgo.Butnowtellmewhatisinthefire."

"TherearesomanystrangethingsinitthatIscarcelyknowhowto
begintotellyouaboutthem.IamverymuchafraidthatIshallnot
makeyouunderstandallthatIseeinthefiretonight,andIamthe
moreafraidofitbecauseIamnotatallsurethatIcanquite
understanditallmyself.Butfirstthereddestandbrightestspotin
thewholefirebeginstogrowredderandbrighterandtotakeanew
shape.Itistheshapeofagoblet.Itisofclearcrystalandits
sharpanglesandedgessparklewithmanycolors,butwithinitthat
strange,deepredglowsandshinesandgrowsbrighterstill,tillit
beatsandthrobsasifitwerealive.Andallaroundit,too,thereis
acircleofsoftraysoflight,likeahalo.

"Perhapsyouknowwhatthisis,butIamafraidyoudon'tDoyou
rememberwhatItoldyouonceabouttheHolyGrail?ThisistheHoly
GrailthecupfromwhichtheSaviourdrankattheLastSupper,andin
whichafterwardsHisbloodwascaughtasHehunguponthecross.Itis
thatbloodinthecupwhichisstillaliveandglowsandbeatsand
throbs.ThisHolyGrail,asItoldyoubefore,isguardedbyabandof
knightsinabeautifultemple,whichnobodycanfindexceptthosewhom
theGrailitselfhaschosenandallowedtocome.Icanseethetemple
now.Ithasahigh,light,gracefuldome,whichrestsontallpillars
ofmarblethatislikesnow.Thewholetemplemaybeofsomethinglike
snow,too,foritmeltsawaysothatIcannotseeitandcomesagain,
thenhalfofitisgoneandthentheotherhalf,sothatIscarcely
knowwhetherIseeitatall.Perhapsitisthesmokeofthefirethat
makesitseemso.ButIcanseethatthedomeisallcoveredwith
figuresandtraceriesofgold,whichbloomoutbrightlikeflowers
wheneverthewholedomelooksplainest,andthenfadeagain.Butwhen
thesmokecomesacrossthewholepictureanddarkensitforamoment,
thenthelinesuponthedomeshowthroughitlikefire,andtheychange
andwaver,andthenthewholetempleisgoneagain.

"YouremembersomethingabouttheGrail'sknights.TheKnightofthe
Swanwasoneofthem.Theylivehereinthetemple,exceptwhenthey
aresentawayonsomejourney,tohelpsomeonewhoisintrouble,to
dosomeactofjustice,tofightfortheright,ortopunishthewrong.
Andwhethertheystayhereorgoasfarawayastheycan,theynever
needanyfoodexceptwhattheGrailgivesthem.TheGrailchoosesthem
atfirst,feedsthemafterwards,andgivesthemtheircommands,for
sometimes,inthathalothatshinesaroundit,thereappearlettersand
wordstotelltheknightswhattheyshouldknow.Andonceayear,on
GoodFriday,awhitedovefliesintothetempleandrestsupontheHoly
Grail,togiveitmoreofthesepowersforthecomingyear.

"Iseenowastrangelookingmanwithadarkfaceanddeep,brighteyes
whichseemnevertorest,butalwaystolookandsearchforsomething
thattheyneverfind.Yetnowandthenacruellightcomesintothem
andmakesthemblazeforaninstant,andhishardlipssmilealittle,
andthenhisfacegrowssternandgloomyagain.Heisawicked
magician.OncehewantedtojointheKnightsoftheGrail.Hecould
evenbetheirking,hethought.ButtheGrailchoseitsownknightsand
itdidnotchoosehim.Thenhesworethathewouldbeavengeduponthe
Grailknights;hewouldtemptthemawayfromthetemple,hewould
overthrowthem,hewouldfindawaytostealtheGrailitself.Itwas
forthisthathelearnedhismagic.Hebuiltanenchantedcastlenot
farfromtheTempleoftheGrailandfilleditwitheverykindof
pleasurethathecoulddevise.Thenhetriedtoenticegoodknightsto
cometohiscastle,andifanyknightcame,ifanystayedinthe
enchantedhallstoeatordrinkordanceorplay,thatknightwaslost
forever.Hecouldgobacktohisoldfriendsandhisoldlifenomore,
andhisuseintheworldwasended.

"AgainIseeawomanawomanyetmorestrangethanthisman.Youwill
thinksowhenItellyouwhosheis.YourememberthewifeoftheKing,
whosedaughterdancedbeforetheKingandpleasedhimsomuchthathe
promisedheranygiftsheshouldask;howtheQueentoldhertoaskfor
theheadofthegreatprophet,whowasinprison,andhowtheheadwas
cutoffandbroughttoher.ThiswomanwhomIseewasthatQueen.The
oldstoriessaythatshesawtheSaviourasHepassed,bearingHis
crossuponHisback,andthatshelaughedatHim.Heonlylookedather
sorrowfullyandspokenoword.Butalwaysfromthattimeshewasforced
towanderthroughtheworld,andlaughateverythingthatwastrueand
good.Canyouthinkofanythingmorehorrible?Afteralong,wearytime
shewishedthatshemightdie,butstillthroughalllandsshe
journeyed,laughingateverythingshesawthatwassweetandpureand
holy.Thewishtodiegrewandgrewtillitwasheronlylonging.But
shecouldnotdie.Forhundredsofyearsshehaslivedunchanged.Some
saythatshecanneverdieorgrowoldtillthebestknightofallthe
worldshallcomeandpardonhergreatsins.Otherssaythatshemust
livetillonecomeswhomshecannottemptawaybyherbeautyfromthe
pathhefollows.

"Forsheisverybeautiful.Itisnotthebeautyofacommonwomanthat
shehas,butsomethingfarbeyondit.Shecanbetender,sweet,gentle,
enticing,andtheninaninstantproud,defiant,radiant.Perhapsthe
wickedmagicianhasgivenhersomeofthiswonderfulbeautybyhis
magic,forsheisinhispowerandhelpshimtoentrapknightsintohis
castle,wheretheyloseallhopeofreturningtothelifeoftheworld
andofdoinggoodinit.Shedoesnotwishtodothis,butthemagician
compelsher.Soalwaysshemusttemptandenticeathiscommandthe
knightswhocomenearhiscastle,andalwaysshemustlongforoneto
comewhomshecannottempt,forthenshewillbefree.Theknightsof
theGrailarenotthemenforwhomshewaits.Totemptthemisonlytoo
easy.EventheirKingcannotresisther.

"IseetheKingoftheGrailnow.Heholdsaspearinhishandthatis
almostasgreatandwonderfulathingastheGrailitself.Fromthe
pointofthespearflowsalittlestreamofblood.Ittricklesdownthe
shaftofthespeartotheKing'shandthatholdsit,buttheblooddoes
notstainthehand;itflowsoveritandleavesitcleanandwhite.It
istheveryspearwithwhichtheRomansoldierwoundedthesideofthe
Saviour,andeversincethattimethebloodhasrunfromitspoint.But
theKinghaswanderedtoofarawayfromtheTempleoftheGrailandtoo
nearthemagician'senchantedcastle.Themagicianseeshimandsends
thewomantotrytobringhimwithinhispower.Suchwonderfulbeauty
asherstheKinghasneverseenbefore.Foroneinstantinlookingat
herheforgetstoguardthespear;heletsitgofromhishand,the
magicianseizesitandstrikestheKingwithitintheside.Heis
bornebacktothetemplewithjustsuchawoundasthatotherwhich
thissamespearmadesomanyyearsago.Andthemagicianhasthespear.
Asheholdsitthebloodflowsfromitspointandtricklesdownthe
shaft,andasitflowsoverhishanditstainsitadeep,uglyred.He
carriesthespeartohiscastle.Hehasstolenthis,andnowhewill
waitonandwatchforachancetostealtheGrail.

"AndthewoundintheKing'ssidewillnotheal.Allthatcanbedone
withmedicinesandbalsamsandointmentsisdone,buttheyareofno
use.Manyyearspassyes,justwhilewearelookingintothefireand
stillthewoundisthesame,stillitburnsandstings,andstillit
bleedsagainwhenevertheKinguncoverstheGrailsothatitmayfeed
theknightswhoareinthetempleandhelpthosewhoarefaraway.Some
wounds,somesicknesses,theGrailitselfcancure,butitcannotcure
this,oritwillnot.Yetonce,whiletheKingkneltbeforeit,hesaw
wordsthatshonelikefireinthehaloaroundit,andtheysaid:'Wait
forthesimpleFool,taughtbypity,forhimIhavechosen.'Perhaps
youdonotseequitewhatthatmeans.Well,Idon'tthinktheKing
quiteknowswhatitmeanseither,butheknowsthathehassomethingto
waitfor,andthatisbetterthanknowingnothingatallaboutit.That
wasyearsago,andstillthewoundburnsandstings,andstillit
bleedswhentheKinguncoverstheGrail.

"Whenwelookintothefirewecangobackthroughtheyearsjustas
wellasforward.Sonow,goingbackforalittlewhileandfaraway
fromtheTempleoftheGrail,Iseesomethingverydifferentfromwhat
wehaveseenbefore.Iseeaboywholiveswithhismotherinaforest.
Hisfatherwasaknightandwaskilledinbattle.Hismotherfeared
thatwhenhegrewuphewouldwanttobeaknighttoo,andwouldbe
killedinthesameway,soshebroughthimheretotheforestandkept
himawayfromthegreatworldwheremenliveandworkandfight,and
neverlethimknowanythingaboutknightsorbattlesortournamentsor
thecourtsofkings.Sheletshimlearntoshootwithabowashegrows
up,andtohuntthebeastsofthewoods.Hecanhitanybirdthatflies
withhisarrows,andherunssofastthathecancatchthedeerbythe
horns.

"Yethedoesnotknowthatmenweararmorandfightwithspearsand
swords,andhehasneverheardofanarmyorabattle.Perhapshemay
bealmostenoughofasimplefoolaboutthesethingstohelptheKing
oftheGrail."

"Idon'tthinkhewasafoolatall,"saidthelittlegirl,"ifhis
motherwouldn'tlethimhearanythingaboutsuchthings."

"Ithink,"Ianswered,"thatthelettersaroundtheGrailcouldnot
havemeantquitewhatwemeanbyafool.TheGrailwouldnotchooseany
suchperson,Iamsure.Theymusthavemeantsomeonewhowasgoodand
simpleandhadnotlearnedthewaysoftheworld.Andthenyouknowthe
letterssaid,'taughtbypity,'soIsupposeheistobeafoolatall
onlytillheis'taughtbypity.'Well,themothermighthaveknown
thatshecouldnotkeepherboyinthisignoranceforever,andsoone
dayhemeetsthreeknightsridingthroughtheforest.Heisfilledwith
wonderanddelightattheirpolishedarmor,theirwavingplumes,and
theirlongspears,withtheirglitteringpoints.Heasksthemwhothey
areandwhatallthesewonderfulthingsarefor.Theytellhimthat
theyareknights,andeverythingelsethathewantstoknow,andthen
herunshometohismotherandtellsherthathewantstogoawayand
seetheworldandbeaknighttoo.

"Shetriestotellhimthatknightsarewickedmen,buthewillnot
believeit,andhebegshertolethimgo.Sheseesthatshecannot
keephim,thatallhercarehasbeenlost,andatlastshesaysthathe
maygo.Hehasnoarmor,butperhapshemaygetthatsometime.He
takeshisbowandhisarrowsandwandersawaythroughtheforest,and
hismotherlooksafterhimtillshecanseenomorethroughhertears.

"WearebackneartheTempleoftheGrailnow.Iseeabeautiful,deep
forest.Anoldknightandtwoyoungsquiresarelyingonagreenbank
andarejustawakingatthesoundoftrumpetsfromthetemple.Theyare
scarcelyawakewhenastrangecreatureisseencomingtowardthem.It
isawomanuponagallopinghorse.Andthehorseisstrangeenoughtoo.
Itsmaneissolongthatitdragsupontheground,andthenthewind
catchesitandblowsitabouttillthehorselookslikeahurrying
blackcloud,anditseyesshowthroughthecloudlikeflashesof
lightning.Thewoman'seyessometimesaredeepandfulloffire,and
sometimestheylookdullandcold,almostdead.Sheisnotbeautiful.
Shehasadarkface,burnedasifshehadtravelledmuchunderhot
suns.Herlongblackhairisindisorderandfliesallaboutherinthe
wind.Herdressisindisordertoo,anditisfastenedaroundthewaist
byagirdleofsnakeskin,withlongendsthathangdowntotheground.
Everythingaboutherlookswildandterrible.Sheisawomanwhomyou
wouldnotcaretomeetonalonelyroadafterdarkandonahorselike
this.Yetifyoulookedatherfacemorecloselyyouwouldnotfind
anythingcruelinit,butyouwouldfindagreatdealofsorrowand
suffering.

"Youcanneverguesswhothiswomanis,soImusttellyou.Sheisthe
verysamewhohelpsthewickedmagiciantoenticeknightsintohis
castle.Shelooksverydifferentnow,tobesure,butitisastrange
lifethatsheleadsaltogether.Itisonlywhensheisasleepthatthe
magicianhaspoweroverher.Whensheisawakeshetriestoatonea
littleforhergreatsinsbyservingtheHolyGrail.Sheridesallover
theworldandbringsnewsofbattlesormessagesfromknightsofthe
Grailwhoareindistantcountries,orshestayshereandfindsworkto
doathome.Butalways,becauseofhercurse,shelaughs,evenatthe
goodthatsheherselftriestodo.Andatlastthelongingforrest
comesuponheragaintillshecannotresistit.Shesinkstosleep,and
thenthemagiciancallsher.Sheisforcedtoobeyhim,hegivesher
backthatwonderfulbeauty,andshehelpshiminhiswickedwork.

"NowshehasbeenallthewaytoArabiatofindabalsamfortheKing's
wound.Shegivesittotheoldknight,inalittleflask,andthen
throwsherselfuponthegroundtorest.Atthesametimetherecomesa
trainofknights,bearingtheKingoftheGrailinalittertowardthe
lakeforhismorningbath.Hethanksthewomanforbringingthebalsam,
butsheonlylaughsatwhatshehasdoneandathisthanks.Itwilldo
himnogood,shesays.Alas,heknowstoowellthatitwilldohim
none.NobodycandohimgoodbutthesimpleFool,taughtbypity.And
sotheycarryhimontohisbath.

"Theoldknightstaysbehind.'Whyshouldwetryallthesethings,'he
thinksagain,'whennonecanhelphimbutthesimpleFool?'Atthis
instantaswanfliesupfromthelakeandthensuddenlyfluttersand
fallsupontheground.Thereisanarrowthroughitsheart.Everybody
whoseesitcriesoutinhorror,foritisoneofthelawsofthis
placethatnoanimalshallbeharmed.Whatmancruelenoughtokill
thisbeautiful,harmlessswancanhavefoundhiswayhere,wherenone
cancomewhoisnotchosenbytheGrail?Inamomentsomesquiresrun
in,bringingthemurdereroftheswan.Heisscarcelyamanatall,
hardlymorethanaboy,andhecarriesabowandarrow.Itisthesame
boywhomwesawlivinginthewoodswithhismother.Theoldknight
looksathimsorrowfully.'Didyoukillthispoorbird?'heasks.

"'Yes,tobesure,'saystheyoungman,'Icanhitanything.'

"Theoldknighttalkswithhimkindlyandtellshimhowwrongitisto
killharmlessthings.Hismothernevertaughthimthat.Sheonlytried
tokeephimfromknowinganythingaboutknights.Theoldmanmakeshim
seehowcruelhehasbeen,andatlasttheboythrowsawayhisarrows
andbreakshisbow.Nowtheknightaskshimwhoheis,whencehecomes,
andwhowashisfather,buthecananswernothing.Indeed,heknows
littleenoughofthesethings,forhismothernevertoldhim.His
motherandthelifethatheledwithherintheforestareallthathe
canremembertotelltheoldknight.Evenofhismotherandofhisold
lifethestrangewomanwholiesuponthegrasscantellmorethanhe,
forshehasseenhimandhismotheroften,thoughtheydidnotseeher,
andshelaughsatthepoorwomanwhothoughtshecouldkeepherson
fromeverknowinganythingofarmsandbattles.Shetellshim,too,
thathismotherisdead;shesawherdieasshepassed,becausehehad
lefther.Theboyismovedatlast,frightened,bewildered.Henever
knewanybodybuthismother;shewashisonlyfriend;shetaughthim
allheeverlearned;andsheisdeadbecauseofhim.Whatshallhedo
now?

"TheKingandhistraincomebackagainfromthelakeandpasson
towardthetemple.Thewomanfeelstheterriblewearinesscomingupon
heragain.Shestrugglesagainstit,butitisofnouse.Shesinks
uponthegroundbehindthelowbushesandsleeps.Themagiciancanhave
hernowifhewantsher,andsurelyhewillwanther.

"Theoldknighthasbeenwatchingtheboy.'Canitbe,'hethinks,
'thatthisistheFool,taughtbypity,forwhomweweretowait?'That
heisafooltheoldmanthinksisclearenough,buthowcouldhekill
theswan?Hecannothavebeentaughtverymuchbypity.Butperhapsthe
timeforthathasnotcomeyet,andsurelyhecouldnotgethereatall
iftheGrailhadnotchosenhiminsomeway.Perhapsifheseesthe
King,sopaleandsickwithhiswound,andknowshowhehassuffered
withitthesemanyyears,hemaybemovedtopityandmaylearnsome
needfulthings.Sotheoldknightleadshimgentlyawaytowardthe
TempleoftheGrail.

"Theywalkthroughtheforestandamongtherocks,andastheygothere
comestothemasoundofchimes.Itgrowsclearerastheygoon,till
theyreachthetemple,andthenitisovertheirheads.Theyareina
grand,beautifulhallthatissomethinglikeachurch,butnotquite.
Therearetallpillarsandarches,andhighaboveeverythingisthe
dome,sohighthat,asonelooksupintoit,itsloftiestcurvesseem
dimandmistyandtheeyelosesitselfintryingtoseehowhighitis.
Yetallthelightofthegreathallstreamsdownfromthere,anddown
fromtheretoocomesthesoundofthebells.

"TheknightsoftheGrailarecomingintothehallandsittingattwo
tables,longandcurved,sothattheymakeagreatcirclejustunder
thedome.Onthetablesbeforethemarecups,butnothingelse.Asthe
knightscometheysinginchorus,andvoicesupinthedomeandothers
stillhigheranswertheirsong,whilefromtheheightfarabovethem
allstillringsthesoftvoiceofthechimes.AndnowtheKingofthe
Grailisborneinuponhiscouchandisbroughttothehighestplacein
thehall.Beforehimsomethingiscarriedcoveredwithpurplecloth.It
istheHolyGrailitself,andthetimehascomewhenitmustbe
uncovered,thatitmayfeedandstrengthenitsknights.

"ButtheKingfears.ItiswhentheGrailisuncoveredandwhenitdoes
somuchgoodtoalltheothers,thathiswoundalwaysbleedsagainand
thepainofitismostterrible.Perhapsyouthinkheisnotverybrave
todelaywhatheknowshemustdo,butonlythinkofthatdreadful
woundthatcanneverbecuredbutbytheonewhoissolongincoming;
yes,thinkoftheslow,wearyyearsthathehaswaitedforthesimple
Fool,andyouwillnotwonderthatitisaterriblethingtohimto
uncovertheGrailagain.Butthevoicesupinthedomestillsingthe
promise:'WaitforthesimpleFool,taughtbypity,forhimIhave
chosen.'TheknightsgentlybidtheirKingdohisduty.Hemakesasign
totheboyswhohavebroughttheGrail.Theyuncoveritandplaceitin
hishand.Everythingelseinthehallgrowsdim,whileoneclearrayof
lightfallsfromthedomestraightupontheGrail,andtheredblood
thatisinitshinesthroughthecrystalofthegobletasifitwerea
lightitself.

"Afeelingofpeaceandgladnesscomesuponall,evenupontheKing.
ButnowtheGrailgrowsdimmer.Theboyscoveritagainandtheold
lightcomesslowlybackintothehall.Allthecupsonthetablesare
filledwithwine,andbesideeachoneisapieceofbread.Itisthus
thattheHolyGrailfeedsitsknights.ButtheKingdoesnoteat,and
suddenlyhegrowspalerandpresseshishandtohisside.Hiswoundis
bleedingagainandhissquiresquicklycarryhimaway.Theknights
leavethehalltoo.Theoldknightisstillwatchingtheboy.Ifheis
theFoolthatwaspromised,ifheistobetaughtbypity,surelyhe
mustpitythepoorKingandhewillasksomethingabouthim,whyhe
suffersso,orwhatishiswound.Buttheoldknightwaitsandtheboy
saysnothing.'Doyouknowwhatyouhaveseen?'theknightasks.The
boyonlyshakeshishead.Thenhehasnotbeenmovedatall;hedoes
notpity.'Begone,'saystheknight,'youaregoodfornothing,'andhe
sendshimawayandisalone.Andstillfromthedome,farupandoutof
sight,comesthechimingofthebells.Iftheoldmancouldhearit
right,surelyitwouldsaytohimagain:'WaitforthesimpleFool,
taughtbypity,forhimIhavechosen.'

"TheTempleoftheGrailisgonenow.Weareinthecastleofthe
wickedmagician.Hehasbeenthinkingtoooftheyoungmantheboy
theFool,whowasattheTempleoftheGrail,andheknowsmoreabout
himthanthepooroldknight.Heknowsthatifheisevertostealthe
HolyGrail,ashesolonghashopedtodo,hemustgetthisFoolinto
hispower,ofallpeopleintheworld.Hehasamagicmirrorinwhich
hecanseehim.HeseesthathehaslefttheTempleoftheGrailandis
comingnearerhisowncastle.

"Nowheneedsthehelpofthewoman,thewomanwhoissleepingand
cannotresisthim.Helightsamagicfire,righttherewhereyousee
thatblueflameinourownfire,hespeaksmagicwords,andthewoman
risesoutoftheveryblueflameitself,andstandsbeforehim.Buthow
differentsheisfromthatwomanwesawamongtheGrailknights!She
hadnobeautythen.Nowitisradiant,burning,blinding.Allthat
mightmakethebeautyofahundredwomenthepride,thetenderness,
thestateliness,themodesty,thefierceness,thegentleness,the
roundedform,theglowingcolor,thewavesofhair,thedeepeyes,now
flashingandfiery,andnowsoftanddewyarehers.Themagician
smilesasheseesher.Withhertohelphim,whatcanhenotdo?He
tellsherwhomsheistoenticeintohispower.Shewillnotdoit,she
says.HeremindsherthatifshecannotenticetheFoolshewill
herselfbesavedfromallherwanderingsandherwearylife.Heneed
notremindherofanything.Shecannotresisthimanymorethanshe
couldresistthesleepthatcameuponher.Whathecommandsshemust
do.

"Stillthemagicianseestheboyapproaching.Hecallstotheknights
ofthecastletodefenditagainsthim.Theyrunoutinacrowdtomeet
theFool.Hesnatchesweaponsfromtheforemostofthemandfightsthem
allatonce.Somehewoundsandallhedrivesbeforehim,forthe
knightsthatareinthemagician'spowerquicklygrowtobecowards.
Notallofthemtogethercankeephimback.

"AndnowIseethegardenofthecastle.Itisfullofbig,gaycolored,
gorgeousflowers.Theytrailalongtheground,theyclusteruponthe
terraces,theyclimbuponthewallsofthecastleandofthegarden,and
theyclutchattherampartsandtwineandtwistaboutthem.IsupposeI
mustsaythattheyarebeautifulflowers,buttheyarenotofthesort
thatIlike.Anybodycanseethatthereismagicaboutthem.Theearth
andthewater,theairandthesunshine,neverwouldmakesuchflowers.
Itmightnotbeeasytosaywhy,butjustasinglelookatthemis
enoughtomakeonefeelsurethattheyareallpoisonous.Onthewallof
thegarden,withaswordinhishand,standstheFool,lookingdowninto
itandwonderingattheflowers.Therewerenoneintheleastlikethese
intheforestwherehelivedwithhismother,andnoneabouttheTemple
oftheGrail.

"Butwhatisthismorewonderfulsightstillthathesees?Arethe
flowersalive,andaretheyrunningaboutandplayingtogether?Itisa
crowdofgirls,withqueer,brightcoloredgownsthatmakethemlook
foralltheworldlikethehugeflowersofthegarden.Theyhavejust
runoutofthecastleandtheyareallinconfusion,andarecryingand
complainingbecausetheknights,whoweretheirplayfellows,havebeen
beatenandwounded.Whoishethathasdoneit?Whereishe?Ifthey
couldfindhimtheywouldtearhimalltolittlebits,youwouldthink.
Andthentheydofindhim.Therehestandsonthewall,lookingdownat
themandwondering.Andwhenhesaysthathewillplaywiththem
insteadoftheknights,theyforgetallabouteverybodybuthimina
moment,andinsteadofquarrellingwithhimortryingtopunishhimfor
woundingtheirknights,theyonlyquarrelwithoneanother,because
everyoneofthemwantshimallforherself.

"Hehascomedownfromthewallandtheyallgatheraroundhim,
chatteringandstrugglingforhim.Hedoesnotseemtocarehalfso
muchforthemastheydoforhim,andwhenheseesthattheywilldo
nothingbutquarrelabouthimheturnstogoawayagain,butavoice
callshimandtellshimtostay.Heturnsagainandstops,andallthe
livingflowersrunaway,chatteringandlaughingathim.Thevoicethat
calledhimwasthewoman's,Heisbewilderedwhenheseesher.Hehas
neverseensuchbeautybefore,anymorethanyouorIeverhave.Foran
instanthethinksthatsheisanotherofthestrangeflowersofthis
strangegarden.Yetherbeautydoesnotseemtomovehimverymuch.
PerhapsthatisbecauseheisaFool.

"Butshespeakstohimnotatallastheotherlivingflowersdid.At
firstshemakeshimremembertheoldyearswhenhewaswithhismother,
howshecaredforhimineverything,andhowshetriedtokeephimfrom
knowingthosethingswhichshedreadedthatheshouldlearn.Thenshe
tellshimagainhowshediedwhenhehadlefther.This,shethinks,
withwhatsheistosaynext,maymovehim,andindeeditdoes,butnot
asshemeantthatitshould.Thegreatsorrowforhismothercomesupon
himagain,andstrongerthanwhenheheardfirstthatshewasdead.He
weepsnowandthrowshimselfupontheground,andnothingcancomfort
him.

"Thewomantriestoconsolehimnow.Shetellshimthatifhewillbut
stayhemayhaveallthepleasuresofthemagician'scastle,andshe
willlovehim,she,themostbeautifulwomaninthewholeworld.Buthe
doesnotheedher,theFoolheisthinkingofotherthings.He
rememberstheKingandhiswound.Somuchheremembersthathealmost
feelsthewoundinhimself.Andasthewomanbendsabovehimthere
comesanotherthought.Nobodyhasevertoldhim,yetsomehownowhe
knows,thatitwasshewhotemptedtheKingwhenhegotthatwound,
justasshetriestotempthimnow.Ithinkthatitishisowngreat
sorrowthathasmadehimknowsomethingofwhatanother'ssorrowmust
be,andwhenhehasrememberedtheKingandhasfeltthewoundhimself,
allthishashelpedhimtoseeandtoknowmuchmore.Perhapsthisis
thewaythatheis'taughtbypity.'

"Thewomancannotmovehimmore,cannottempthim,butnowthemagician
himselfstandsonthewallofthecastlewiththespearinhishand.
Thebloodstillflowsfromthepointandtricklesdowntheshafttohis
handandstainsitthatdeep,uglyred.Hepoisesthespearamoment
andthenhurlsitattheFool.Butitwillnotstrikehim.Itstops
abovehisheadandhangsintheair.TheFoolliftshishandandgrasps
thespear.Thebloodfromitspointrunsdowntheshaftandoverhis
hand,andleavesitcleanandwhite.Heonlyshakesthespearinhis
hand,andthecastleandthegardentrembleandfall,asthefirehere
fallstogether,andtheyaregone.

"OncemoreweareneartheTempleoftheGrail.Theplaceisatthe
edgeofwoodswhichreachawayinonedirection,whileintheotherare
fieldsandmeadows.Itisspring,andthegreenofthetreesisfresh
andlight,andthefieldsarecoveredwithflowers.Theyarenotlike
theflowersofthatmagicgarden.Theirbrightlittlecupsholdcool
dropsofdew,andtheairisfulloftheirperfume.Theoldknightis
here.Hehasheardasoundlikeagroanfromthelittlethicketoflow
bushesandbramblesattheborderofthewood.Hesearches,andbrings
outawomanthesamewoman.Sheisstillasleep,butinamomentshe
slowlyawakes.Sheisnolongerbeautiful.Sheisoutofthemagician's
powernow,evenifheisnotburiedunderhisruinedcastle.Sheis
readytoservetheGrail.

"TheGrail!Alas!nobodyservestheGrailnow.ThepoorKing,since
thatlasttimewhentheFoolsawhimuncovertheGrail,willtouchit
nomore.Hefearstoomuchthepainofhiswound.Itcannotfeedor
helpitsknightsnow,andtheycannotgoanymoretocarryhelpinto
farofflands.ButtodaytheKinghaspromisedthathewilluncoverit
foronelasttime,forthisisGoodFriday,whenthedovecomesto
renewthepoweroftheGrail.

"Whiletheoldknightandthewomanstandhere,anothercomestoward
them.Heisaknightinblackarmor,withhishelmetclosed,and
carryingaspear.'Doyounotknow,'theoldknightaskshim,'what
holydaythisis,andthatnonenowshouldcomeherebearingarms?'The
blackknightonlyshakeshishead.Hesetshisspearinthegroundand
kneelsbeforeit,takingoffhishelmetandgazingupatthepoint,
fromwhichthebloodflows.Theoldknightlooksathimandatthe
spearinwonder.Thenheseestheblood,andbythatheknowswhat
spearitis.Helooksagainattheknight,withhishelmetoff,andnow
heknowshimtoo.Heisfilledwithajoythathehasnotknownthese
manyyears.Yes,thesorrowsoftheKingandoftheknightsofthe
Grailareovernow.Thisisindeed'thesimpleFool,taughtbypity,'
thisishewhomtheGrailhaschosen.

"Andnowtherecomesthesoftsoundofthechimestotellthemthatit
istimeforthemtogotothetempletoseetheGrailuncovered.The
oldknightleadsthewayandtheothersfollow.Throughthewoodsand
alongtherockypathwaystheywalk,thesoundofthebellsgrows
plainer,andsotheycometothetemple.Thehallisfilledwiththe
knightsoftheGrail.TheKingisborneinashewasbefore,andis
broughttothehighestplace.TheHolyGrailiscarriedbeforehimwith
itspurplecover.TheyalllookattheKingandwaitforhim.Fora
momenthewavers,thenhespringsfromhiscouchno,no,hewillnot
uncovertheGrailagain;lethimdierather;letthemkillhim,and
thentheGrailshallfeedthemandblessthem,andshalltorturehimno
more.

[Illustration:"THEKINGOFTHEGRAIL."]

"Theyalldrawbackfromhimindreadathislookandhiswordsall
butone.FortheFoolgoesstraighttohimandtouchesthewoundwith
thespear.Instantlythewoundishealed.'YoushalluncovertheGrail
nomore,'hesays,'forIamchosentobeitsKinginsteadofyou.'He
makesasigntotheboyswhohavebroughtit,andtheyuncoveritand
placeitinhishand.Heholdsitabovehisheadandagainthered
bloodinitglowsandthrobs.Downfromthedomefliesawhitedoveand
restsaboveit.Beforeit,andbeforehimwhoholdsit,kneeltheold
King,nolongerkingnow,theoldknight,andthewoman,forhertoo
thisnewKinghassaved,forhehascome,thebestknightoftheworld
andonewhomshecouldnottempt.ThesimpleFoolistheKingofthe
Grail.Thesoundofthesingingvoicescomesdownfromthedome,and
fromfarabovethemcomestillthevoicesofthebells.Surelytoany
whocouldknowhowtohearittheirchimingmustsayagain:'Taughtby
pityhimIhavechosen,'"

THEASHES

Afterthelittlegirlhadgone,Istillsatforalongtimelooking
intothefire.Iwasseeingpicturesformyself,notnowofthedaysso
longgoneby,butofdaysnotyetcome,pictureswiththelittlegirl
inthem.There,intheflameswherewehadseensomuchtogether,I
couldseeprettyclearly,asIthought,whatshewouldbeandallthat
shewouldbesometime.ButwhenItriedtoseewhatshewoulddoand
howherlotshouldfall,thefirewouldtellmenomore.Yetwherever
andhoweveritshallfall,mayshenotbealittlebetter,alittle
wiser,alittlehappierperhaps,forknowingtheseoldstoriesthat
havehelpedsomanywomenandsomanymenbeforehertolivetheir
lives?WillitnotbegoodforhertorememberBrnnhilde'sfearless
truth,Senta'ssacrifice,Elizabeth'sconstancy?Andiftothethoughts
ofthesesheaddParsifal'slessonofcompassion,surelythenevena
littleofEva'scoquetrycandonoharm.

AndthenItriedtoseesomethingofherknight.Butthefirehadall
dieddownnow,andwasonlyaheapofashes.Icouldquestionasmuch
asIwould,buttherewasnoreply.Wouldheseekheroutandcometo
herlikeSiegfried,throughstrugglesandthroughfire?Wouldhefind
andhelpherinhergreatestneed,likeLohengrin?Wouldheonlylove
herandsingasongforher,likeWalter?Orwoulditbeforherto
helpandtosavehim,likeVanderdecken?SurelynotlikeTannhuser.
No,noanswer.Istirredtheashes.Underneaththerewasstilla
bright,ruddy,friendlyglow,butnothingmore.

Aclocksomewhereinthehouse,withalow,musicalnote,struck
midnight.Butwhatwasthisothermusicthatfollowedit?Wasitagain
thebellsofMonsalvat,thissoftchimethatcameonthestillair?No,
no,onlychurchbellsfaroff,ringingintheNewYear,ManytimesI
hadheardthemandwellIknewtheirsound.Andallaroundthosebells,
Iknewtoo,atthismoment,therewerenoiseanduproarandconfusion,
somuchthatthosewhostoodnearesttotheminthestreetcouldnot
tellwhethertheywereringing,justasmanyothersweetandpleasant
thingsaremadetoseemlostamongthecoarseandthecommonplace.But
tomehere,awayfromthevulgarcrowdandforgettingit,themusic
came,faintindeed,yetclearandpure.Iopenedthewindowandthe
chimecameplainerwiththekeenwinterair,andthebellsIamsure
ofitansweredallmyquestionsandrangapromisefortheNewYear
andforalltheyears.

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