In the evening, when the sun had set in the forest, the youth stole forth to the giant's dwelling. He tied a stick to the end of a rope, then cast the stick in through the stable window, by means of which apparatus he climbed up the wall. As soon as he had reached the window, he drew the rope after him, and by its aid descended into the giant's stable. He then saddled the gold horse, opened the door, and hastened away with all speed. On coming to the farmer's house, there was great joy there that his enterprise had been so successful. The young man would not, however, make a long stay there, but, without loss of time, returned to the palace, where the beautiful gold horse excited much admiration, but in no one so great as in the king himself. From that day the young courtier rose higher and higher in the good graces of the king; but the stable-lad was exasperated at his brother's good fortune, and still fostered evil designs against him. One day the king went to his stable to look at his horses, according to his custom. When he had viewed them all, he stopped by the giant's gold horse, patted it, and said to his men: "Tell me where in the whole world has any one seen such a treasure as this?" The men were of opinion that its like was nowhere to be found. But the guileful stable-lad was at hand, and instantly said: "Sir king, your horse is unquestionably a rare jewel; but I know of another gem, which exceeds it by far in value." At this speech the king was all attention, and inquired what he alluded to. The stable-lad then began relating at full about the beautiful lantern, that shone more brightly than the moon in its full. The king then said: Where is this lantern to be found, and who can procure it for me?" The lad replied: "I believe that no one can procure the lantern for you unless it be my brother. He is likely to know best where it is to be found." The king was now seized with an irresistible desire to possess the moon-lantern, of which he heard so much, and commanded the young courtier to go and obtain it. The young man, although not feeling any great fear, had, nevertheless, rather have stayed where he was. But the stable-lad was glad at heart, thinking that his brother would hardly escape, as he had done on the former occasion. 66 The youth, having made the necessary preparations, departed on his enterprise. When he reached the farmer's dwelling, he entered, thanked him for his late hospitality, and asked his advice as to how he might obtain the giant's moon-lantern. The farmer gave him a kind reception, and promised him all the help in his power. After conversing together for some time, the youth took leave, and proceeded alone to the habitation of the grim giant. Late in the evening, after it was dusk, the giant returned home from the forest. He had been absent the whole day, and was very hungry. When he had finished his supper, the servant-maid had forgotten to fetch water, whereat the giant was displeased, and said: "Hast thou forgotten that I always drink after I have eaten?" The girl excused herself by saying it was so dark that she could not find the way to the well. "Take my moon-lantern, then," roared the giant with angry voice. The woman needed not to be told a second time, but taking the beautiful lantern from the wall, she hurried away to the well. But her journey had a quite unlooked-for termination; for while she was stooping, the youth, who was close at hand, seizing her by the feet, pitched her head foremost down the mouth of the well. He then took the beautiful lantern, which shone like the moon at full, and ran off in all haste. When he reached the grange, there was great joy that his enterprise had been so successful. The young courtier would not remain there long, but started off without delay for the king's palace. Here was great admiration and great wondering at the costly moon-lantern, and the king himself admired it more than any of the others. From that day the young courtier was held in still higher estimation by his master, and was looked on as the chief of his servants. But the stable-lad owed him a mortal grudge, and was incessantly thinking how he might ruin his brother. Some time after, the king went again into the stable to look at his horses. After having amused himself with examining them all, he turned to those about him and said: "It would not be an easy task to find a king who owns greater treasures than those which I have. There seems, indeed, nothing wanting." All were of the same opinion; but the guileful stable-lad, who was at hand, immediately said: Sir king, you possess, it is true, many costly treasures; but I know of one gem that excels them all." On hearing this the king was all amazement, and said: "Of what dost thou speak, and who can procure me that gem?" The stable-lad then began to narrate at full about the beautiful princess that was in the giant's dwelling, and concluded his speech by saying: "I cannot obtain the young maiden for you, nor can any one else, save my brother; he best knows where she is to be found." The king had now an unconquerable desire to possess the fair princess, whose beauty he heard praised so highly, and commanded the young courtier to set out and fetch her. Although the youth did not shrink from the undertaking, he would much rather have stayed where he was. But the stable-lad was overjoyed, and flattered himself that this would be his brother's last enterprise. The youth having made the necessary preparations, set out and proceeded to the farmer's abode, as on the former occasions. Having thanked him for his past kindness, he solicited his good counsel as to how he might rescue the king's daughter out of the power of the giant. When they had consulted together, the farmer said: "Your enterprise is difficult, nor do I well see how it can be accomplished; for the princess is confined in an upper apartment, within an enchanted cage. Now it is my advice that you fasten iron wedges in the wall, and by their aid go up to her. It then remains to be seen whether fortune will befriend you." The youth thanked the old man for his advice, and promised to follow it. He then bade him farewell and proceeded to the giant's dwelling. The farmer wished him success, and awaited his return with anxiety. In the evening, when it was dark, the youth fixed wedges in the wall, and so ascended to the upper apartment; but the cage, in which the princess was confined, was enchanted, so that no one could open the lock except the person destined by fate to be the maiden's husband. When the princess saw the bold youth, she rejoiced in her heart; and the lock flew back spontaneously, so that he entered the cage. He then related to her the object of his coming, and asked whether she were willing to accompany him. She declared herself quite willing, and instantly made herself ready. In descending the wall, the young man held her fast, that she might not fall, at which she was far from evincing any displeasure. They then hastened away and reached the farmer's abode in safety. But the young courtier would make no stay, so bidding the sagacious old man farewell, they proceeded on their way. Thus they journeyed to the royal palace; but during the journey the youth contracted so violent a passion for the fair maiden, that he felt persuaded it would cause his death, should any one else possess her. On their arrival there was great joy over the whole palace that the young courtier was safely returned; for he was a favourite with all, excepting his wicked brother, the stablelad. The king then went to visit the young damsel, and it seemed to him that he had never beheld a more beautiful female. But the instant he began to speak to her, there came the enchanted cage! of which no one could open the lock except him who had rescued the princess out of the giant's power. The king now saw that the maiden was not destined to be his, and therefore commanded a sumptuous marriage to be prepared, and bestowed the princess on the bold young courtier, who had run so great a risk for her sake. When the nuptial festivities had lasted for many days, the king bade them both farewell, and sent them, with a numerous retinue, home to the princess's father. Here there was no small joy throughout the whole realm, that the king had recovered his only daughter. The courtier and his wife lived afterwards happily together for very many years. And when the king, the father of the princess, was dead, the young courtier was chosen king over the whole realm. There he lives, according to what I have heard say, and rules the land in prosperity even until this day. THE BEAUTIFUL PALACE EAST OF THE SUN AND From South Småland. THERE was once a man who dwelt in a forest. Near to his habitation there was a meadow of the finest grass. The man set a high value on this fertile meadow, regarding it as of greater worth than most of his other property. But in the summer mornings, at sunrise, it was often observed that the beautiful grass was trodden down, and in the dew there appeared marks like human footsteps. At this the man was sorely vexed, and most desirous to find out who it was that trampled down his grass during the night. The peasant now considered with himself as to the course he should adopt, in order to get at the knowledge he desired to obtain, and resolved on sending his eldest son to keep watch in the meadow; but somehow or other he had not watched long before he felt very drowsy, and just as midnight drew nigh, he was wrapped in a deep sleep, from which he did not wake until the sun was standing high in the heavens. He then bent his steps towards home, after a fruitless errand; but the grass was trampled down as before. The following night it was resolved that the peasant's second son should go and keep watch in the meadow. He was not lacking in big words, and promised to bring back a good account. But, nevertheless, it fared with him as with his brother; for before he had watched for any length of time, he also felt drowsy and slept, and did not wake before bright daylight. Thus, after a fruitless errand, he likewise returned home, and the grass was trampled down as before. Seeing that these attempts had, contrary to expectation, proved so vain, the peasant resolved on taking no further steps in the matter, when his youngest son came to him, and begged to be allowed to go to the meadow and keep watch. The father answered: " "It is not worth the trouble to let thee go who art so young; for it is not very probable that thou wilt watch better than thy brothers." But the *There can be no doubt that the idea of this story is derived from the Völund's Saga.-See "Northern Mythology," i. p. 84. |